PHL launches Rizaliana collection in Canada

To mark the 150th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal this month, Philippine officials in Canada launched a Rizaliana collection that includes literature about the national hero. The Philippine Embassy in Ottawa kicked off the activities with a book exhibit at the new embassy premises on June 4, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. "The Rizaliana collection on display includes school textbooks used in the early 1960s, compendiums of his poems and plays and coffee table books such as Felice Sta. Maria's 'In Excelsis' and Asunción Lopez Bantug's 'Lolo Jose,'" the DFA said in a news release posted on its website. Also on display are publications of the Comisión Nacional del Centenario de José Rizal in 1961 and the National Heroes Commission in 1963 such as "Cartas Entre Rizal Y sus Colegas de la Propaganda," "Reminiscences and Travels of Jose Rizal," "Letters between Rizal and Family Members" and "The Rizal-Blumentritt Correspondence." Chargé d' Affaires Minerva Jean Falcon opened the exhibit with the help of Sonia del Rosario of the Philippine Heritage Foundation and members of the Knights of Rizal. The Embassy also held a screening of the film "Rizal sa Dapitan" directed by Tikoy Aguiluz. The opening of the Rizaliana exhibit and the film showing coincided with the blessing of the Philippine Embassy's new chancery and consular premises. The other activities lined up for Rizal's 150th birth anniversary are: