NEW DELHI – The sacrifice a full 128 years ago and timeless legacy of national hero Dr. José P. Rizal (1861-1896) were honored in the Indian capital today by the Philippine Embassy.

Mirroring observances across the Philippines and around the globe, Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio led the solemn flag-raising and floral offering ceremony before Gat Dr. Rizal’s bust in front of the Chancery. Embassy personnel individually offered lilies, chosen for its symbolism both of a life’s passing and of rebirth.

“This year’s commemoration calls on all of us – as citizens, as public servants, as members of the Filipino Community in India -- to tread the path to our national rebirth, for which Dr. Rizal’s life and lessons hold lasting lessons”, said Ambassador Ignacio.

The Ambassador was referencing the theme of the 2024 anniversary prescribed by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, “Rizal: Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Buhay at Aral Aming Nilalandas” (Rizal: in the New Philippines, Life and Lessons We Tread)

Though he managed to briefly visit nearby Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in 1882 on his maritime voyage to Europe and reportedly studied Sanskrit, fate did not bring Dr. Rizal to India.

Nonetheless, the hero’s fame and legacy extends to the country. The Diplomatic Enclave in New Delhi has the eponymous Jose P. Rizal Marg (Road). Rizal is also revered among many Indians for his espousal of non-violence, for which a parallel is drawn with the nation’s father, Mahatma Gandhi. No less than then President Shri Ram Nath Kovind underscored this shared outlook between the two greats, during his State Visit to the Philippines in 2019.

Notably, Rizal biographer León María Guerrero, author of the standard text The First Filipino (1962) and acclaimed translator of Rizal’s novels, was also Ambassador to India in 1966-1973. END