05 January 2016 - The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi held a two-part celebration to commemorate the 119th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal on December 30, 2015 at the Embassy grounds.
In the morning, a flag-raising ceremony was held and attended by officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy, POLO, OWWA, DSWD, SSS and Pag-IBIG. Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Constancio R. Vingno, Jr. delivered his Rizal Day message, followed by a poem recital of Dr. Jose Rizal’s “Ang Huling Paalam” and a song rendition of “Bayan Ko” by Embassy personnel.
In the evening, a celebration was organized by the Knights of Rizal – Emarat Abu Dhabi Chapter (KOR-EADC) in cooperation with the Embassy. The program started with a processional and flower offering led by Ambassador Vingno, the Knights and Ladies of Rizal, and heads of the Philippines schools in Abu Dhabi. Ambassador Vingno delivered the Keynote Speech.
Members of the KOR-EADC also recited the Rizalist Code of Ethics, the Rizalist Oath, and the pledge of the flag. Students from The Philippine Global School (TPGS) and the Philippine Emirates Private School (PEPS) presented intermission numbers.
In his remarks, Ambassador Vingno shared his personal experiences and recollections of Dr. Jose P. Rizal when the former was assigned in Berlin in the 1980s, citing that Rizal stayed for long intervals in Germany. “I had the occasion to visit the places where Dr. Rizal had been. I still have with me, up to this day, Jose Rizal in my mind and heart,” the Ambassador said. He added that, through his writings, notably the Noli Me Tangere and the El Filibusterismo, and because of the profoundness and depth of his personality and character, Filipinos look up to Dr. Jose Rizal differently. He said that the news of Rizal’s death in Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) reverberated all over the world.
Ambassador Vingno encouraged the Embassy personnel, in the service of the Filipino people, to do their best to emulate what Rizal did more than 100 years ago and to be inspired by the legacy of the Philippine national hero. He also expressed his gratitude to Engr. Ernesto Refugio, EADC Chapter Commander, and the KOR-EADC officers and members. END