A message from Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega on the 126th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal
I am very pleased to welcome the initiative of the Filipino Community in Melbourne organized by Pinoy Ako Pinoy Tayo, FASCOBI and FAABI and join the Embassy of the Philippines in Canberra to commemorate the 126th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal. Exactly one year ago, some of you were gathered at the Philippine Embassy in Canberra to witness the ground breaking ceremony of the construction of Dr. Rizal’s bust, an important collaboration between the Embassy and the Knights of Rizal Australia- New Zealand-Oceania Region. That ceremony served as our commitment to establish the presence of Rizal in Australia’s capital city and expand awareness about his life and works.
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I take pride that beginning this year, the Filipino community in Canberra may observe this occasion and pay tribute to the contributions of Dr. Rizal to our nationhood, sovereignty and national identity. I also appreciate the community efforts to honor Rizal in the States of New South Wales and Victoria.
This joint initiative demonstrates the essence of this year’s theme declared by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines on the 126th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, “Rizal: Alaalang Iningatan, Yaman Ngayon ng Bayan (Rizal: Preserved Memories Treasured today by the Nation).
Efforts to preserve and memorialize the life and works of our national hero are critical to nation-building. The principles that Rizal lived by and fought for are national treasures that we, as a people, wherever we may be, should always hold dearly and endeavor to emulate. He has bequeathed upon us the foundations of our independence and democratic institutions. We should always strive to preserve these gifts and pass them on to future generations of Filipinos.
I take this opportunity to thank the Knights of Rizal and looks forward to the establishment of Kababaihang Rizalista in Melbourne in the near future.
We should not let the sacrifices made by Rizal go in vain. Everyday we must commit to becoming better Filipinos and stewards of democratic values. I encourage all of the qualified Filipinos to register as overseas absentee voters for the 2025 national and local elections in the Philippines. Exercising the right and duty to vote is the simplest and yet the most effective manner to serve your country. We are counting on your patriotic support. Once again, I thank all of you for this commemorative activity and I wish you a blessed, peaceful and prosperous new year.
Mabuhay!
MA. HELLEN B. DE LA VEGA
Ambassador
