30 December 2025, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul and the Knights of Rizal – Korea Chapter held a solemn wreath offering to commemorate the 129th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, with this year’s theme as “Rizal: Sa Pagbangon ng mga Mamamayan, Aral at Diwa Mo ang Tunay na Gabay” (Rizal: As Our People Rise, Your Teachings and Wisdom Guide Our Way).

The ceremony was led by Mr. Edwin Gil Q. Mendoza, Chargé d'affaires, a.i., and Sir Anthony Z. Cornista, Commander KOR – Korea Chapter, KOR – Korea Chapter officers, and joined by officers and staff of the Embassy and Filipino community members.

In his welcome message, CDA Mendoza said that Dr. Rizal’s teachings on education, justice, integrity, and peaceful reform remain the true guide in the rise of the Philippines and awakening of the Filipino people. He highlighted Dr. Rizal’s enduring relevance, the Knights of Rizal’s role in living out his ideals worldwide, and the shared values between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, affirming that Rizal’s spirit transcends time and place. Finally, CDA Mendoza called on Filipinos to honor Dr. Rizal not only with words but with deeds that build bridges of friendship, learning, and hope.

Sir Anthony Z. Cornista, Korea-Chapter Commander, read the message of Sir Raymundo A. Del Rosario, KGCR, Supreme Commander, who emphasized that Dr. Rizal’s life, teachings, and values remain the true guide for national renewal amid modern challenges like corruption, apathy, and moral decline. He called on Filipinos—especially the youth and those at home and abroad—to honor Rizal not through rituals alone, but by living out his principles of education, integrity, truth, and selfless service, affirming that genuine national progress begins with personal conscience and collective moral responsibility.

Sir Jhun C. Bulabos, Korea Chapter-Exchequer, read the message of Sir Emmanuel F. Calairo, KGCR, Incoming Supreme Commander, who urged the Knights, the youth, and the Filipino people to honor Dr. Rizal’s martyrdom by reviving the Filipino soul amid global instability and moral drift through his vision of “Dangal (Honor) at Katalinuhan (Wisdom)”. He also called on the youth, the “Hope of the Fatherland,” to act as catalysts of today by living Rizal’s virtues, so the nation remains anchored in its values, resilient in change, and true to his enduring legacy.

The ceremony was capped off by a wreath laying ceremony, and thereafter followed by the Philippine Embassy’s year-end seminar offering on “Importations and Customs Regulations Involving Overseas Filipinos, Returning Residents and Travelers” by Atty. Angelo Ver Sumabat. END