The 150th birth anniversary of the national hero, Jose P. Rizal is kept short but big by the main organizer, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) along with its partner agencies.
June 19 marks the 150th birthday of the hero with a theme Rizal: Haligi ng Bayan. Centering on paying tribute to the country’s national hero, Rizal Shrine shall be filled with 150,000 flowers. Slicing of the giant cake will also take place at the same venue.
Meanwhile, President Benigno S. Aquino III will be at Calamba, Rizal where the national hero was born.
Starting at 8 in the morning, the commemoration opens with the flag being raised by the Philippine Navy with Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. being the guest of honor joined by other distinguished public personalities such as Department of Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim, Metro Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, Department of Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro, FSC, Metro Manila Development Authority Chairperson Francis N. Tolentino, National Parks Development Committee Executive Director Juliet H. Villegas, and National Historical Commission of the Philippines Commissioner Ferdinand C. Llanes.
Following the flag raising ceremony is the flower offering led by Executive Secretary Ochoa still joined by the heads of the organizing agencies. The public will also participate as representatives coming from various sectors are tapped to offer flowers to the hero’s monument. Capping the event is the slicing of the giant cake.
Attendees are expected to be at the venue by 7:30 am wearing the national Filipino costume or formal to semi-formal attires. (PIA – BL Penera)
