Press Release
PR-001-2017
Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the Filipino Community Commemorate the 120th Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal’s Martyrdom
30 December 2016, Riyadh. The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia commemorated the 120th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal on 30 December 2016 by honoring Filipino teachers, hosting a first aid seminar and delivering a message by President Rodrigo Duterte, exhorting Filipinos to be “willing heroes” for the motherland.
The Rizal Day rites were held at the Embassy grounds with the attendance of the Knights of Rizal–Central Region Chapter. Recognizing the significance of education in developing the Filipino youth, Rizal’s “hope of the motherland”, the Knights of Rizal launched a search for the most outstanding teachers serving in the various Philippine schools in Riyadh. Named as “Huwarang Guro” are Rhodora L. de la Cruz (Al Dana International School), Zenaida S. Balanag (Al Taj International School), Marilou V. Galvez (Elite International School), Felicidad A. Turingan (Future Generation International School), Dominador Solves, Jr. (International Philippine School in Riyadh), Alma C. Borja (Palm Crest International School) and Evangeline A. Bocaling (Riyadh International School).
Part of the commemoration is a Seminar on Basic First Aid conducted by the Filipino Nurses Association in Saudi Arabia (FILNASA), with Dexter Abraham, R.N., Ryan Provido R.N. and Rose Balane R.N as speakers. The seminar, which drew more than 130 participants from the CIS and Kabalikat Civicom, was a fitting tribute to the works of Dr. Jose Rizal who was both a medical doctor and a community volunteer.
Charge d’ Affaires, a.i. Iric C. Arribas led the commemoration by conveying the President’s Rizal Day message. President Duterte drew parallelisms between the country’s fight for independence during the Spanish Colonial era and today’s struggle against the bondage of poverty, crime, illegal drugs and corruption.
“A period of national unity that calls for the cooperation, patience and sacrifice of our people is necessary. Each of us should muster the same dedication that moved and motivated Jose Rizal to action,” he said.
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Figure 1: Charge d' affaires, ai. Iric C. Arribas together with the speakers and participants to the Basic First Aid Seminar
Figure 2: Knights of Rizal and Embassy officials with the Huwarang Guro Awardees
