PHL Embassy in Madrid inaugurates Rizal exhibit

Philippine officials in Madrid inaugurated the "Cronología de Rizal" photo exhibit about Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal at the "Islas Filipinas" train station in Madrid, Spain. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the exhibit marks the first time the Philippine Embassy mounted a project in the Metro train station named after the Philippines. "This initiative will give regular commuters who use the station an opportunity to get to know the Philippines and its national hero whose monument stands some 100 meters outside the said metro station along Avenida de Filipinas," the DFA said in a news release. After the exhibit inauguration attended by members of the Filipino community and Metro de Madrid officials, the group proceeded to the Rizal Monument for a wreath-laying ceremony organized by the Knights of Rizal Madrid Chapter. Before the actual wreath-laying was a short program featuring Rizal´s works "La Juventud Filipina" and "Sa Aking mga Kababata." The message of the Knights of Rizal Supreme Commander in the Philippines was also read to the group that gathered to witness the ceremony. Philippine Ambassador Carlos Salinas and Rafael Rodriguez-Ponga, a member of the Spanish Congress from the Partido Popular and a known friend of the Philippines and Filipinista, laid the wreath made of laurel leaves and adorned with ribbons with the colors of the Philippine and Spanish flags on Rizal´s monument. - VVP, GMA News