Xiamen City, 29 December 2021— In honor of the 125th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, a wreath laying ceremony was held in the village of his forefather, in the Chinese village of Shangguo, Jinjiang city, Fujian province. Consul General Maria Antonina M. Mendoza-Oblena and Minister and Consul General Dinno M. Oblena lay the wreath in the largest shrine dedicated to Jose Rizal outside of the Philippines.
Chinese officials from Quanzhou and Jinjiang cities were represented by Ms. Chen Xi, Vice Mayor of Jinjiang Municipal Government, Ms. Chen Huaiyin, Level-4 Consultant of the Quanzhou Municipal Government, Ms. Gao Bizhu, Director of Consular and Cultural Division of Quanzhou Foreign Affairs Office (FAO), Mr. Wang Guojie, Division Chief of Jinjiang Municipal Government witnessed the event.
Also in attendance were the Chief of Xintang Sub-district, Chief of Shangguo Community, Xintang Sub-district and one representative from Dr. Jose Rizal’s ancestral family.
The Philippine Consulate General personnel, Lt. Col. Hermilino T. Calubiran, Jr., Assistant Philippine Defense and Forces Attaché (PhilDAFA) from the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, officers of the Filipino Association in Xiamen (FAX), and other foreign friends and contacts took part in the milestone event.
The event was part of the Consulate General – Sentro Rizal commemorative programs, remembering the National Hero’s life and works and showcasing his ancestral roots in Shangguo Village, Jinjiang City, Fujian.
Jose Rizal’s forefather, Cua Yi Lam (later baptized as Domingo Lam Co), hailed from Shangguo Village, Jinjiang City, Fujian Province. In 2000, after years of research, planning, and coordination between the Philippines and China representatives, the Rizal Park was opened in Shangguo Village. Patterned after the Luneta Park, the Jose Rizal Square is currently the largest commemorative Park outside the Philippines dedicated to Rizal. It also serves as a lasting symbol of the friendship and deep historical and kinship ties between the Philippines and Fujian Province, China.
The event was livestreamed via Youtube and Facebook. A video of the event can be viewed via https://youtu.be/eAwTqJSbHU4
