By Carla Bauto Deña
BIÑAN, Laguna - The city government commemorated Jose Rizal's 159th birth anniversary this morning through a simultaneous flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony in various historical landmarks associated with the national hero.
(Photo courtesy of Biñan City Culture, History, Arts and Tourism Office/ MANILA BULLETIN)
(Photo courtesy of Biñan City Culture, History, Arts and Tourism Office/ MANILA BULLETIN)
(Photo courtesy of Biñan City Culture, History, Arts and Tourism Office/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The Biñan City Culture, History, Arts and Tourism Office (BCHATO) led the commemoration at the City Hall to honor the hero they call “Anak ng Biñan” (Son of Biñan).
Flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies were also held at Plaza Rizal and School of Rizal site and museum in Barangay Poblacion, where Rizal first received formal education from Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz from 1869 to 1871.
Another ceremony was held at Batang Rizal Monument in Barangay Dela Paz. The old chapel in the area was where Rizal heard mass during his time in Biñan, as recorded in “Memorias de Un Estudiante de Manila.”
Local officials also held a ceremony at the Rizal Monument in Barangay Tubigan, where the national hero's ancestor, Domingo Lamco once settled. The barangay was named so because Lamco created an irrigation system in the area to cater to farms in Biñan.
June 19 is a Special Non-Working Holiday in the Province of Laguna in honor of Rizal.