PRESS RELEASE no. 20-2015
DATE: 06 Dec 2015
Consulate General in Jeddah Commemorates
the 152nd Birth Anniversary of Andres Bonifacio
03 December 2015 - The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah commemorated on 29 November 2015 the 152nd Birth Anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, one of the renowned heroes in the Philippine history.
The day began with a simple but meaningful flag-raising ceremony held at the PCG rooftop led by Consul General Imelda M. Panolong, with the Consulate officers, staff, and female wards from the Migrant W orkers Office Filipino Resource C enter (MWOFRC) including the “Bawadi” male tenants. Consul General Panolong delivered the opening remarks and explained the significance of the hero Andres Bonifacio’s birth anniversary. She emphasized that all Filipinos could learn from Andres Bonifacio’s example and emulate his courage and patriotism even if our country is already free from bondage.
The opening remarks was followed by the reading of the Decalogue of the Katipunan by three representatives from the “Bawadi” tenants who wore the “katipunero” red scarves/ handkerchiefs around their necks. Bonifacio, who was a founder and later dubbed Supremo (“supreme leader”) of the Katipunan movement, was also known to be a good writer and his works – dubbed “akdang Katipunero” – were easy to grasp for the masses. The best example of this is Bonifacio’s “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Bayan (Love for Fatherland),” a compelling poem about one’s love for the nation – an ideology at the very heart of the revolution.
“Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya / Sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila /
Gaya ng pag-ibig sa Tinubuang lupa? / Aling pag-ibig pa? Wala nag na, wala.”
He also wrote other pieces like “Ang Dapat Mabatid ng Mga Tagalog (What the Filipinos Should Know)” and “Tapunan ng Lingap (Care a Little).”
Incorporated in the morning activity were the recitation of the Panatang Makapalay (culminating the National Rice Awareness Month), awarding of a certificate of appreciation to departing personnel, Mr. Ronaldo S. Reyes (Administrative Staff II of POLO/OWWA) after completing his 3 years and 10 months stint in Jeddah, and some important announcements. A simple salo-salo/breakfast and fellowship followed after the program.
In relation to the celebration, the Consulate opened on the same day its one week “Mini-Exhibit” featuring the life and works of Andres Bonifacio. Nine (9) canvas paintings by Filipino students/artists depicting their interpretation of Bonifacio are displayed at the lobby of the Consulate’s ground floor. These art works are courtesy of the AB Punzalan’s Art Class (The Filipino Art Studio), under the tutelage of Arch. Arnel B. Punzalan. The exhibit will run until 10 December 2015. END.
Photos taken during the Flag-raising ceremony in celebration of the 152nd Birth Anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, 20 November 2015, PCG Jeddah
