PNoy to lead Rizal Day rites at Luneta

President Benigno Aquino III will lead the nation in commemorating the 114th death anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal in Manila.

A Malacañang statement said Aquino will raise the flag and offer wreath in ceremonies at the Rizal Park in Manila Thursday morning.

Rizal was martyred on Dec. 30, 1896, precipitating the Philippine revolution against the Spanish colonial rule.

Expected to assist Aquino on Thursday are Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Armed Forces chief Gen. Ricardo David Jr., Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chairman Ambeth Ocampo.

"Simultaneous flag-raising and wreath offering rites will also be held at Rizal monuments nationwide including his birthplace in Calamba, Laguna and in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte where he was exiled in July 1892," the Palace said.

This year’s observance will focus on the theme “Rizal: Haligi ng Bayan." It will be highlighted by the unveiling of the logo of the 114th anniversary of Rizal’s martyrdom signaling the kick-off celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of the national hero.

Born on June 19, 1861, Rizal became one of the country’s leading reformists and inspiration of the revolution particularly through his writings and novels such as "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo." His works are now being taught in public and private schools to educate students about the concept of nationalism.

In Japan, meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo commemorated the 114th death anniversary of Rizal Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in astatement.

Embassy officers and staff held a wreath-laying ceremony before the marker and bronze bust of Rizal at the Hibiya Park in Tokyo, the DFA said.

It said the bust was put up in 1998 at the park fronting the former Tokyo Hotel. Dr. Rizal stayed in the hotel from March 1 to 7, 1888.

The wreath-laying ceremony was followed by a flag-raising ceremony at the Embassy. There was also a reading of Rizal's "Mi Ultimo Adios" at the Embassy's lobby.

The program ended with a lunch participated in by Embassy officers and staff. - KBK, GMANews.TV