PRESS RELEASE | PR-155-2024
SINGAPORE, 30 December 2024 – Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo G. Macaraig led the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Singapore and its attached agencies in commemorating the 128th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in a simple flag-raising ceremony. This year’s Rizal Day celebration is under the theme: “Rizal sa Bagong Pilipinas: Buhay at Aral, Aming Nilalandas”.
In celebrating Rizal Day, we honor not only his life and significant contributions but also his unwavering faith in the younger generations. In his remarks, Ambassador Macaraig emphasized the critical role of the youth in shaping a better future. He encouraged the youth to push for higher education and lifelong learning and use it to better our society.
Ambassador Macaraig also remembered the contributions of Dr. Jose Rizal in shaping our national identity, society and democracy. He likewise shared that Sentro Rizal Singapore will have a bigger space in the new Chancery in Nassim Road, demonstrating the Philippine Embassy’s commitment to promoting Rizal as a cultural symbol of our Filipino identity. Sentro Rizal Singapore, launched on 15 September 2017, was the first to open in a Philippine foreign service post in 2017.
Singapore, on the other hand, a thriving entrepot and economic hub in the 19th century, holds a significant place in Dr. Rizal’s story. It was on the shores of this city-state that the ship carrying our national hero docked, marking his first step on foreign soil. Today, his footsteps can be retraced along the banks of the Singapore River, the vibrant streets of Chinatown, and to the serene greenery of the Singapore Botanic Garden. Dr. Rizal’s presence in Singapore serves as a testament to the interconnectedness of history and the enduring legacy of his ideals. (END)
