PH Embassy in Brunei Darussalam Commemorates 162nd Birth Anniversary of National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 22 June 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Brunei led by Philippine Ambassador Brunei Darussalam to Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio, commemorated the 162nd Birth Anniversary of the Philippines’ National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal at the Philippine Embassy grounds on 19 June 2023.
The solemn event paid tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Jose Rizal, whose invaluable contributions to the Philippine struggle for independence continue to inspire and shape the nation's identity. A highlight of the commemoration was a wreath offered at the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal led by Ambassador Tirol-Ignacio together with Knight of Rizal (KoR) Sir Alec Chrisanti A. Arenas, and Defense Attaché Colonel Angelo Gerard P. Ariles.
Ambassador Tirol-Ignacio, in her Keynote Address reflected on the celebration of the 162nd birth anniversary of Gat Jose Rizal and described his birth as “though he was destined to create our nation, when in truth, it was through the choices that he made in life, that he created himself just as he created the Filipino.” She added that “None of us are born into greatness. But we are all born with the possibility of greatness.” Ambassador Tirol-Ignacio ended her speech with an exhortation to “honor the countless, the forgotten, the unnamed, who in simple humble, daily choices labor so we may be the great Filipino nation we aspire to be”.
Underscoring the significance of Dr. Rizal's role in shaping the nation's history, Sir Alec Chrisanti A. Arenas, a Knight of Rizal, delivered a Commemorative Speech honoring and lauding Dr. Jose Rizal's intellectual brilliance, literary accomplishments, and relentless pursuit of liberty and equality. He urged everyone present to draw inspiration from Rizal's courage and to emulate his passion for the betterment of the Filipino people.
The Civic Organization of the "Order of the Knights of Rizal" created to honor and uphold the ideals of Philippine national hero José Rizal. It was established in 1911 by Colonel Antonio C. Torres, who later served as the first Filipino chief of police of Manila. The Order was granted a legislative charter by President Elpidio R. Quirino as a non-sectarian, non-partisan, civic, patriotic, and cultural organization under Republic Act 646 on 14 June 1951, and is the only Order of knighthood in the Philippines officially recognized and endorsed by an official act of the national government, and its awards and titles recognized by the Honors Code of the Philippines as official awards of the Republic. END
Left photo: Ambassador Tirol-Ignacio, in her Keynote Address. Right photo: Sir Alec Chrisanti A. Arenas, a Knight of Rizal, delivers a Commemorative Speech. (Brunei PE photos)
For more information, visit https://www.bruneipe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassybrunei.org, or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBrunei/, https://twitter.com/PHinBrunei, or https://www.instagram.com/phinbrunei/.