Philippine Ambassador Ezzedin Tago led the Philippine Embassy staff and their families in joining OKOR President Jun Nacion and OKOR officers with a simple program to commemorate the event starting with a wreath laying to honor Rizal.
Rizal was shot dead on Dec. 30, 1896 in Bagumbayan, now known as Luneta, in Manila.
Ambassador Tago in his remarks expressed hope that the Philippine community in Saudi Arabia could emulate Rizal and put into action his teachings and ideals. “The patriotism showed by Dr. Rizal should inspire everyone to act for the good of the nation. All Filipinos living in the Kingdom and overseas are true ambassadors of the Philippines,” he said.
Tago also exhorted the OKOR to work with Philippine schools in the Kingdom to instill Rizal’s teachings in the hearts of the next generation and ensure that the legacy he left behind would not be forgotten.
The program included a screening of “Pluma,” a documentary by the Philippine network GMA on the life of Rizal.
Labor Attaché Adam Musa represented the Philippine Embassy in the commemoration organized by the Eastern Region Chapter of the OKOR held at the International Philippine School in Alkhobar (IPSA).
The program featured a wreath laying, a reenactment of the death of Rizal by IPSA students, and a recital of Mi Último Adiós (Last Farewell) — Rizal’s farewell poem he penned before he was executed.
