President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the commemoration of the 128th Rizal Day on Dec. 30, 2024. Presidential Communications OfficeMANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the nation Monday in commemorating the 128th anniversary of Jose Rizal's martyrdom.

Marcos and his family along with some government officials participated in a wreath-laying ceremony in Luneta on Monday morning despite the bad weather. 

This year's Rizal Day theme is "Rizal sa Bagong Pilipinas: Buhay at Aral Aming Nilalandas," which focuses on the way the generation of today embodies the unwavering patriotism of Rizal to his motherland.

In his message released earlier in the day, Marcos urged Filipinos to be catalysts of change as the country commemorates the death and martyrdom of the national hero.

"As we remember his noble works and honorable life, let us take to heart his words and ideals that awakened the consciousness of our forebears and stirred a national movement for freedom," he said.

Marcos on Rizal Day: True change begins within us

KNIGHTS OF RIZAL RETRACE RIZAL'S FOOTSTEPS

Before the wreath-laying ceremony, the Knights of Rizal and other supporters of Rizal flocked to Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila, to retrace his final footsteps.

The groups withstood light to moderate rains as they walked from Fort Santiago in a cell where Rizal was said to have been jailed for nearly two months before his execution on December 30, 1896.

More than a hundred years later, Knights of Rizal and other supporters join forces annually to amplify the life and work of Rizal to the new generation.

"Ito'y ginagawa namin taon-taon bilang pag-alala hindi lang sakaniyang contribution sa Pilipinas, kung hindi ito'y magsilbing aral sa napakaraming Pilipino na buhay pa rin si Rizal hanggang sa ngayon," Michael Atanacio, a member of the Knights of Rizal, said.

"Ang kaniyang mga adhika, mga saloobin, at kaniyang layunin, at pagmamahal niya sa Inang bayan ay tunay na buhay na buhay pa. Gusto naming panatilihing buhay si Rizal sa puso at diwa ng ating mga kababayan."

We asked an AI chatbot modeled after Rizal about the country. Here's what it said

Meanwhile, Marcos attended to his family's longtime supporters in an event called "Pamaskong Handog Mula sa Pangulo" at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium in Ermita, Manila, early Monday morning.

The president whisked off to the auditorium right after his commemoration rites duty for the 128th Rizal Day.

He was welcomed by Marcos family supporters wearing red shirts.

"Hindi ko akalain na pagdating ko rito ganito karaming Santa Claus ang sasalubong sa akin," Marcos said.

In his speech, Marcos reminisced about moments where supporters were present at some of the key events this year.

"Naalala ko 'yung ilan sainyo pumunta nung Araw ng Patay sa Libingan ng Bayani, sabi ko nga namimiss ko na itong firm.  Kahit saang lupalop ako pumunta laging nandyan 'yung firm. Kaya nasanay na ko makita kayo," Marcos mentioned.

He also reassured their supporters that their efforts were always seen.

"Kahit hindi namin madalas na mapuntahan kayo, ramdam na ramdam namin na kayo'y nasa likod namin. Kayo ang nagi-inspire sa aming lahat. Marami pa rin tayong gagawin kaya mag kayong magsasawa. Ito'y kaunting pasasalamat lang at pagaalala lang," Marcos said. 

The president left the venue after his speech. The event proceeded with raffle draws for all the present supporters inside the auditorium.

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