By Roy Mabasa Filipino communities and institutions in various parts of the world held commemorative events to celebrate the 157thbirth anniversary of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, notable was the unveiling of a Rizal bust at the foyer of the Czech National Bank in Prague. (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Created by Filipino sculptor Jose Giroy, Rizal’s bust in Prague was the brainchild of Czech National Bank Vice-Governor Vladimír Tomšík, who teamed up with Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Jaroslav Olša, Jr., to commemorate the Filipino hero’s visit to Prague in 1887. Giroy is an apprentice of national artist Napoleon Abueva. The Czech National Bank stands opposite the famed Art Nouveau Municipal House and the gothic Powder Tower that can be seen at the beginning of the Royal Route at the Square of the Republic. According to the Czech Republic Embassy in Manila, Rizal´s bust can become another must-see spot for Philippine tourists to appreciate his shared history with Prague. Before coming to Prague, Rizal and his friend Máximo Viola spent four days in Litoměřice (Leitmeritz) where they met Ferdinand Blumentritt, Rizal’s closest collaborator and mentor. Rizal and Viola spent a few days in the Czech capital touring the city, meeting scientists, including botanist Heinrich Willkomm, with whom Rizal later collaborated during his exile in Dapitan. While in Prague, they stayed in Hotel Modrá hvězda (Blue Star), which was later demolished to give way to what is now the Czech Republic’s national bank headquarters. In Australia, Philippine Consul Melanie Rita Diano and Campbelltown City Councillor Rey Manoto led the commemoration of Rizal’s life and works, highlighted by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Park in Campbelltown City, New South Wales last June 19. In her speech, Consul Diano honored Rizal and encouraged the members of the Filipino community to continue to educate the Filipino-Australian youth of the importance of Rizal’s life, work and teachings and to be proud of their Filipino roots. A similar activity was organized at Rizal Ashfield Park, in New South Wales by the Order of the Knights of Rizal, led by Cesar Bartolome, Regional Commander of Australia, New Zealand & Oceania Region (ANZO), and Danny Peralta, Commander of Sydney Chapter. In the Middle East, the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, together with the officers and members of the Knights of Rizal – Emarat Abu Dhabi Chapter, offered flowers to commemorate the national hero’s birth anniversary held at the embassy hall. During the program keynoted by Charge d’ Affaires Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, the Knights of Rizal members recited the Rizalist Code of Ethics, Rizalian Oath, and Pledge of the Flag.