6 January 2015 - To commemorate the 118th death anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal on 30 December 2014, Philippine Ambassador to Lao People's Democratic Republic Maria Lumen B. Isleta led the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies with the Filipino community at the Philippine Embassy grounds.

The event commenced at 8:00 a.m. with the raising of the Philippine flag at half-mast.  Mr. Ronald Estera, Program Officer of a Public Health Office led the singing of the national anthem while Master Vincent Malazarte, a third grader at Kiettisack International School in Vientiane, recited the “Panunumpa sa Watawat”.

This was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony led by Ambassador Isleta and accompanied by Mr. Jaime Janap, Embassy staff, and Mr.  Moises Perdiguerra Jr., Mechanical and Electrical Construction Manager of Comin Asia Vientiane.

A Filipino breakfast of embutido, longganisa, corned beef and eggs was savored by around fifty (50) Filipino community members.  The film “Pluma:  Si Rizal, Ang Dakiling Manunulat” by Director King Mark Baco  was shown which triggered discussion among the guests of the relevance of Dr. Rizal to the present as well as his many contributions to the building of a Filipino nation. END