07 January 2015 – The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, together with its Migrant Workers and Other Filipino Resource Center’s (MWOFRC) male and female wards, commemorated the 119th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Philippine Consulate General Rooftop in the morning of December 29.
The ceremony commenced with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and the recital of the pledge of allegiance to the Philippine Flag by the participants to the event. It was followed by the wreath laying ceremony in honor of Dr. Jose Rizal, led by Consul General Panolong and assisted by Vice Consul Rodney Jonas L. Sumague, Vice Consul Alexander Joseph Estomo and representatives from the attached agencies.
In her brief message, Philippine Consul General Imelda M. Panolong emphasized the importance of commemorating the death of the national hero to honor his legacy and to find its relevance in today’s contemporary world. She also shared excerpts from an article written by Dr. Ambeth Ocampo entitled, “The Death of Jose Rizal,” which described the moments leading to the execution of Dr. Rizal.
The event concluded with proper solemnity and gravitas as all present recited together “To The Philippines,” Rizal’s poem in which he calls for Filipinos to love their motherland. Thereafter, and to mark the last working day of 2015, all attendees gathered at the Consulate General Hall for a simple breakfast “salo-salo” of beef tapa and dilis with steam vegetables and fried rice. END