5 January 2015 - The Philippine Consulate General with the Kababaihang Rizalista Inc. of Modena Chapter and Knights of Rizal Firenze Chapter commemorated on 29 December 2014 the 118th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal held at the Conference Room of the Consulate. The Kababaihang Rizalista and Knights of Rizal lent the bust of Rizal and wreath for the small celebration right after the Monday flag ceremony. They also wore their barongs and national dresses which are strictly used only in Rizaliana related activities.

In her message, Philippine Consul General Marichu Mauro conveyed that Rizal was a great advocate of the Filipino language. Rizal believed that Filipinos would not be a nation without a national language and thus he championed it at every opportunity.

Consul General Mauro also highlighted the importance of teaching second-generation and third-generation Filipinos in Italy the Philippine national language, history and culture. Not teaching them these aspects would deny them a very important part of their personality and identity – that of being a Filipino.

The Consul General also shared that Rizal was a Filipino “feminist” and extolled the capability of the early Filipino women as can be seen in his letter entitled “Ang sulat ni Rizal sa mga Kababaihan ng Malolos.” She encouraged everyone to read it.

Mr. Carlos Simbillo of Knights of Rizal Firenze Chapter echoed the works of Rizal as the foundation that unites and builds the Filipino nation while Ms. Winefreda Crisostomo of the Kababaihang Rizalista conveyed that their group believes in the teachings and ideas of Rizal and disseminates it to their members and others who are interested to know Rizal.

After the short program, the Consulate personnel along with passport applicants partook of breakfast fare of Spanish bread, puto and hot coffee. The film of Jose Rizal portrayed by actor Cesar Montano was shown in the ground floor of the Consulate.  END