ANKARA, 19 June 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Türkiye, through the Sentro Rizal Ankara, commemorated the 162^nd birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal in a simple ceremony on the Embassy grounds on 19 June 2023.

The Filipino community, including six Filipino-Turkish children, watch the film “Rizal’s Pen” on the occasion  of the 162^nd birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal (Embassy Photo)

Members of the Filipino community in Ankara watched “Rizal’s Pen,” a 45-minute film about a male teenager who is discovering the importance of Rizal’s works. Six (6) Filipino-Turkish children, together with their Filipino mothers, attended the film-showing and were keen to learn more about Dr. Rizal.

Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Juan E. Dayang Jr. and Celile Mum, a Filipino-Turkish child, offer flowers to the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal. (Embassy Photo)

The attendees then proceeded to the Embassy grounds to offer flowers before Dr. Rizal’s bust while singing “Pilipinas Kong Mahal.” During his short remarks, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Juan E. Dayang Jr. urged the Filipino community to “emulate the heroism and courage of Dr. Jose Rizal through his service to the country with dedication and integrity.”

Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Juan E. Dayang Jr. presented certificates of appreciation to the Filipino community in Ankara.  (Embassy Photo)

In closing, the Embassy presented certificates of appreciation to the Filipino community organizations in Ankara that assisted the Embassy in providing aid to Filipinos who were severely affected by the large earthquake which struck southern Türkiye last February. The Embassy also gave certificates of appreciation to the Filipino community leaders and members who volunteered during the “Filipinler Festivali” (Fiesta Filipinas) held on the occasion of the 125^th Philippine Independence Day and Migrant Workers’ Day last 11 June 2023. ##