11 February 2016 – The Philippine Embassy in Yangon, in celebration of 60 years of Philippines-Myanmar bilateral relations, formally donated 60 copies of the book, “Rizal: Philippine Nationalist and Martyr,” to the Daw Khin Kyi Foundation, a foundation established in 2012 by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Chairperson of the National League for Democracy in honor of her mother, Daw Khin Kyi.

The book, written by British author Austin Coates and translated in the Myanmar language by U Myat Nyein, was banned in Myanmar for 30 years. It features the biography of Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, whose novels inspired the nation’s freedom.

Career Minister Maria Lourdes M. Salcedo highlighted the similarities in the lives of Dr. Jose Rizal and Myanmar’s revered national hero, Bogyoke Aung San – both heroes where at the peak of their youth when they died for their countries. She expressed hope that the books will contribute to a greater understanding of the Philippines and the Filipino people and bring closer the Philippines and Myanmar in the context of an integrating ASEAN region.

Dr. Ohmar, Executive Committee Member of the Daw Khin Kyi Foundation, thanked the Embassy for the donation. She said Myanmar welcomes the support of the international community as it establishes a new government in the coming months.

Daw Khin Kyi Foundation boosts eight mobile libraries which bring books to remote areas where access to libraries are limited. END