Philippine Embassy Honors Life and Legacy of National Hero Jose Rizal in Month-long Commemoration
TOKYO, 30 December 2025 – To honor the life, works, and enduring legacy of the Philippines’ national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippine Embassy in Japan held a month-long commemoration that commenced with a wreath-laying ceremony on 11 December 2025 at the Rizal memorial at Hibiya Park in Tokyo.
Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. De Jesus delivered the remarks on behalf of Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano during the Philippine Embassy in Japan’s wreath-laying ceremony in commemoration of Rizal Day on 11 December 2025 at the Rizal bust at Hibiya Park, Tokyo.
“Rizal himself may have predicted the now vibrant and multifaceted relations between the Philippines and Japan, when he wrote to his family in April 1888 saying that, in the future, the Philippines would have more contact and relations with our host country. He would have been proud of what both countries have achieved thus far as close partners and friends, ” underscored Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. De Jesus, who led the wreath laying ceremony and delivered the remarks on behalf of Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano.
“As we prepare to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2026, let us remember Rizal and his legacy of patriotism, peaceful reform, and diplomacy,” he added.
Sir Francisco Moreno, Knight Commander of Rizal (KCR), and Filipino watchmaker, represented the Knights of Rizal – Sucesos Chapter during the wreath-laying ceremony.
Also present at the ceremony was Mr. Francisco Moreno, Knight Commander of Rizal (KCR), who represented the Knights of Rizal – Sucesos Chapter. In his remarks, he highlighted Rizal’s role in laying the foundations of the Philippines’ nationhood. He also shared a personal reflection on how, as a watchmaker and an aspiring shokunin (artist or craftsman) living in Tokyo, he has been humbled and inspired by the gift of time and freedom Rizal has given to every Filipino.
Mr. Josep Solano, a Japan-based Spanish journalist, also graced the event and expressed his admiration for Rizal and his legacy.
Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Christian L. De Jesus (6th from left), led the Philippine Embassy in Japan’s wreath-laying ceremony and delivered the remarks on behalf of Ambassador Mylene J. Garcia-Albano. Also in the photo are other Embassy officials, and Sir Francisco Moreno, Knight Commander of Rizal (KCR), representing the Knights of Rizal – Sucesos Chapter (leftmost), and Mr. Josep Solano, a Japan-based Spanish journalist (rightmost).
As part of its Rizal Day commemoration, the Embassy conducted a cultural presentation focusing on Rizal’s encounter with Japan at Machida Senior High Night School on 16 December 2025. Composed of students who are either working or have difficulties attending regular school, the attendees gamely participated in interactive sessions promoting Philippine culture, heritage, history and performing arts. These included introductory Filipino language lessons, and performances of traditional Filipino dances such as the itik-itik and tinikling performed by the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) Cultural Dance Troupe. The event was facilitated in partnership with the Children Meet Countries organization in Japan.
The Philippine Embassy conducted a cultural presentation focusing on Rizal’s encounter with Japan at Machida Senior High Night School on 16 December 2025.
Students of Machida Senior High Night School gamely participated in the traditional Filipino dance “tinikling” performed by the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) Cultural Dance Troupe.
As part of educational and cultural exchange, the Embassy also donated a manga, or Japanese-style comic book, on the life of Jose Rizal to Machida Senior High Night School.
To cap off the month-long commemoration, the Embassy released a special message from Filipino pop icon, SB19, who serve as Youth Ambassadors of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) of the Philippines and Sentro Rizal Ambassadors, inviting the public to visit Sentro Rizal-Tokyo and experience Philippine culture and heritage firsthand:
SB19’s message released in commemoration of Rizal Day (courtesy of NCCA).
Located within the Embassy, Sentro Rizal-Tokyo was inaugurated on 08 December 2017. It serves as a hub and a platform to promote Philippine culture, history, heritage and the arts to both the Filipino community and local audiences in Japan.
