PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led on Saturday the wreath-laying at the monument of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal in Manila as the country remembers the 127th anniversary of his martyrdom with the theme “Rizal: Pundasyon ng Kahapon, Isinasabuhay Ngayon.”
The President arrived at the Rizal National Monument before 7:00 am where the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) rendered him arrival honors followed by the ceremonial raising of the Philippine flag.
He was joined by First Lady Marie Louise Araneta-Marcos and their children, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Araneta Marcos, William Vincent Araneta Marcos, Joseph Simon Araneta Marcos.
The First Family participated in the flag raising ceremony along with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Manila Mayor Maria Sheila Honey Lacuna.
They were also joined by National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairman Emmanuel Franco Cairo and AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
In his message, President Marcos urged the Filipino people to emulate Rizal’s genuine love for the Filipino people and for the Philippines as he urged everyone to have a deep sense of ownership of their motherland and future.
“I enjoin all of you to keep emulating the timeless values we can learn from his life and works. I also call on everyone to let the genuine love for the country that he lived out and later died for propel us to have a deep and personal sense of ownership for our land and our future,” President Marcos said.
President Marcos also reminded the Filipino people to continue striving to follow Rizal’s footsteps with the same purpose, passion and nationalism in everything that they do to overcome all the challenges that comes their way.
“With our meaningful commemoration, may the ideals and spirit of Dr. Jose Rizal live on as we fully realize the Philippines that he and his contemporaries fought hard for,” President Marcos emphasized in his message.
President Marcos left the Rizal National Monument shortly after the ceremonies.
The Philippine Revolutionary Government, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, decreed on December 21, 1898 that the 30th of December of every year be a day of national mourning in honor of Dr. Jose Rizal and other victims of the Philippine Revolution.
Rizal’s first monument was erected and unveiled on December 30, 1898 at Daet, Camarines Norte while Act No. 243, (s. 1901) granted the right to use public land at Luneta in Manila to erect a statue of the national hero.
Under Republic Act No. 229 (s. 1948), a committee was created to take charge of the proper celebration of Rizal Day in every municipality and chartered city. Rizal Day is celebrated annually through a flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony.
