Tacloban marks 150th birthday of Jose P. Rizal

By MYLES COLASITO
June 19, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Simultaneously with similar programs nationwide, the Tacloban City government led a flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of the country’s pre-eminent national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

The activity at the aptly named Plaza Rizal, located at the corners of Justice Romualdez and Real Streets in Tacloban City started at 7:00 AM after a mass at the nearby Sto. Niño Church.

The flag-raising ceremony was led by Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez, with the Knights of Columbus and the city’s Traffic Operations Management, Enforcement and Control Office (TOMECO) doing the honors.

In his message, Mayor Romualdez enjoined Taclobanons to emulate Rizal’s nationalistic spirit even as he thanked participants for their time in giving special attention to the national hero’s birth anniversary.

He then led a wreath-laying ceremony in front of the refurbished monument of Dr. Rizal, together with Director Francisco C. Jose of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Regional Deputy for Eastern Visayas Dalmacio Grafil of the Knights of Columbus, city department heads, and other civic groups.

Among those spotted in attendance were City DILG Officer Adoracion Peregrino and staff, Health Officer Dr. Jaime Opinion; Planning Officer Roland Hidalgo, CSWDO Liliosa Baltazar; Personnel Officer Pinky Brosas, the Girls Scouts of the Philippines, members of TOMECO, and employees of the city government.