07 January 2015 – The Philippine Embassy in Ankara commemorated the 119th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal on December 30, 2015 with the Embassy personnel and their families and four of the ‘barangay’ leaders of the Filipino Community (Filcom) in Ankara namely, Marisa Isbilir, Dolly Panganiban, Cecile Eguia and Cristeta Lima.
The program started with a flag-raising ceremony followed by a wreath-laying at the Rizal bust at the Embassy garden led by Chargé d' Affaires Robert O. Ferrer, Jr. while those present sang “Pilipinas Kong Mahal." This was followed by CDA Ferrer reading the message of President Benigno S. Aquino III to the Filipino people, where the President called on every Filipino to “be heroes in our own ways.”
After the ceremony, everyone gathered at the Mabini Hall where CDA Ferrer gave his welcome remarks followed by a ‘trivia’ quiz about Gat. Jose Rizal. Guests enjoyed a delicious Filipino almusal or breakfast while viewing the TV5 documentary of Dr. Jose Rizal, entitled "Isang Imbestigasyon sa Pagkatao at Pakikibaka ni Dr. Jose Rizal.”
“Maganda na sinasali ang mga taga-Community sa mga Embassy events gaya nito.” (it is a good thing that the Filipino Community is being involved in Embassy events like this), said Ms. Eguia, one of the Filcom leaders. END