CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
CHICAGO
PRESS RELEASE
No.
~9 - \,
CHICAGO COMMEMORATES THE 154TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF DR. JOSE P. RIZAL The Consulate General of the Philippines in Chicago, together with chapter
commanders of the Knights of Rizal (KOR) and leaders and members of the Filipino
American community, commemorated the 154th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal
today, 19 June 2015.
The highlight of this annual celebration was the floral offering at the Dr. Jose P. Rizal
Monument along Lake Shore Drive in Chicago at 9:00 am. Ms. Almira Gilles read a
passage of the poem "Ang Awit ni Maria Clara" which can be found in Rizal's novel Noli
Me Ta ngere. Said poem talks about how sweet it is to be in one's own country. Dr.
Ra mon Lopez, the great grand-nephew of our national hero was also present at the
event. Dr. Lopez spoke about the role of Paciano Rizal in instilling nationalism in Jose
after the execution of Fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora. He is related to Rizal on
both sides of Dr. Lopez's family.
As part of the celebration , the documentary Pluma, which highlights Rizal's life and
works, was also shown at the Consular section of the Consulate to enhance the public's
awareness of Rizal.
Chicago, 19 June 2015
122 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600, Chicago, Illinois 60603 , USA
Tel. No. 1(312) 583-0621 ; Fax No. 1(312) 583-0647
www.chicagopcg .dfa .govph . chicagopcg@att.net