SFA-AGR-033-06 Page 1 of 1

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 

P R E S S R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph 2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines Tel. No. 834-4000

SFA-AGR-033-06                                                                                                                                                                                                                          20 January 2006

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL, SAN FRANCISCO COMMEMORATES DR. JOSE RIZAL’S 109TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY

20 January 2006 – Consul General Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, USA, reported to the Department
of Foreign Affairs that the Consulate commemorated the 109th anniversary of the death of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero, in simple rites held
at the Consulate on 30 December 2005.

The event entitled “Rizalismo: Sandigan ng Pagkakaisa, Nasyonalismo at Pag-unlad” was attended by Mayor Michael Guingona of Daly City, leaders of the
Filipino-American community in San Francisco and the Bay Area, and officers of the San Francisco Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce. The program
started with the wreath-laying ceremony led by Consul General Sanchez and the officers of the Consulate.

In her welcome remarks, Consul General Sanchez emphasized the importance of celebrating the martyrdom of Dr. Rizal in order to convey to the Filipino
youth the sacrifices he made for the freedom of the country.

“Dr. Jose Rizal is not only considered our brother, a friend but more importantly as the national hero of the Philippines,” Consul General Sanchez said.

Daly City Mayor Michael Guingona talked about the national hero’s virtues and mentioned that his grandfather, Galicano Apacible, was a classmate Dr.
Jose Rizal. He presented a book to the Consulate entitled “Galicano Apacible: Profile of a Filipino Patriot”.

The other highlight of the ceremony included the reading in English, Tagalog and Spanish of Dr. Rizal’s poem titled “À La Juventud Filipina (To The Filipino
Youth)” by Ms. Francesca Regala of the Consulate’s Cultural, Community Relations and Public Information Section, Mr. Jeremy Alfonso and Ms. Jessica
Louise Balanban, children of the Consulate’s staff members.

The Philippine Consulate Choir under the guidance of Fr. Arnold Zamora of Star of the Sea Parish in San Francisco rendered a musical presentation with its
interpretation of “Ako Ay Pilipino”, “Bayan Ko” and “Isang Dugo, Isang Lahi”. The Filipino-American Veterans Rondalla also performed at the event. END

/bjg

http://www.dfa.gov.ph/news/pr/pr2006/jan/pr033.htm 1/10/2007