PRESS RELEASE
PR-145-2023
Simple wreath-laying ceremony at Jose Rizal’s marker at the Asian Civilisations Museum Grounds led by H.E. Medardo G Macaraig
Officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Singapore and representatives from its attached agencies pose for a group photo during its last official event for 2023.
30 December 2023, Singapore – His Excellency Medardo G. Macaraig led the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Singapore and its attached agencies in commemorating the 127th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose P Rizal in a simple wreath-laying ceremony in front of the Rizal marker at the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) grounds. The ceremony was followed by a brief visit at the ACM’s lobby to view the highly-detailed, contemporary model of a fully fitted and rigged Manila galleon on its special exhibition.
This year’s theme “Rizal: Pundasyon ng kahapon, isinasabuhay ngayon” (Rizal: Foundation of the. Past, Living Today), is aptly connected to the ACM’s ongoing special exhibition “Manila Galleon – From Asia to the Americas” as Dr. Rizal stands as a symbol of enlightenment and inspiration for Filipinos, with his journey profoundly influenced by the historical context of the Manila Galleon trade. His travels provided him and his peers with greater perspectives, an insatiable hunger to create a better society for Filipinos, and an avenue for a literary campaign that spurred the movement for Philippine independence.
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, through the roads of Northbridge, 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)
