Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the nation in paying tribute to the national hero, n observance of the 127th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, in a ceremony at the Rizal Park, Manila on Saturday, December 30, 2023. Alfred Frias/Joey Razon, NIB

Article (news)

RIZAL-DAY

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176704937800720231230-marcos-rizal-day-preps-HO-0401.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joins the nation in paying tribute to the national hero, n observance of the 127th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, in a ceremony at the Rizal Park, Manila on Saturday, December 30, 2023. Alfred Frias/Joey Razon, NIB</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATE) </strong>— President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., on the 129th commemoration of Dr. Jose Rizal’s martyrdom, urged Filipinos to “pair patriotism with responsible citizenship,” as the country continues to navigate issues on corruption.</p><p>In his message, the President honored Rizal’s writings and martyrdom, saying his works “awakened our sense of identity.” </p><p>Aside from this, he said the national hero showed that Filipinos deserve dignity, freedom, and the power to choose their future. </p><p>“His example gave our forebears an ideal model of what it means to be truly Filipino and a confident vision of a nation ready to stand as an equal among others,” Marcos, Jr’s message read. </p><p>“Today, as Filipinos demand integrity and accountability from their leaders, we look up to his life to provide us with guidance and strength,” he said. </p><p>Marcos Jr. hoped that Filipinos’ commemoration would be meaningful and would deepen their resolve to live Dr. Rizal’s values – love of country, respect for truth, advocacy for just reform, and “the courage to speak and act for what is right.</p><p>“Across all spheres in life, both public and private, may we allow Rizal&#x27;s principles to guide the way we live and work for our nation so that in whatever we do, we always choose compassion over indifference and country over personal interests,” said the President. </p><p>“Let us build a nation where the justice he fought for is realized in the everyday lives of all Filipinos. For in every act of integrity and every stand for truth, we keep Dr. Rizal&#x27;s dreams alive and bring our shared vision of a Bagong Pilipinas closer to reality,” he added. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>COMMEMORATION, GIFT-GIVING </strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767062401566G9X0lNla8AAgfYt.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and his family lead the flag-raising ceremony here in Rizal Park. Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>The President and the First Family led the commemoration rites in Luneta Park, which began with a flag-raising ceremony. </p><p>Marcos, Jr. then placed a wreath at the Rizal Monument. </p><p>The commemorative rites was followed by his attendance at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium for the traditional “Pamaskong Handog mula sa Pangulo.” </p><p>Rizal was executed on Dec. 30, 1896 by a firing squad in Bagumbayan Field (now Rizal Park) on orders of Spanish authorities.</p><p>General Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898 declared Dec. 30 as a day of national mourning.</p><p>In 1902, the Philippine Commission enacted a law declaring the date Rizal Day and made it an official holiday.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4c68TeoXUHw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pKuG458sXRE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>In his message, the President honored Rizal’s writings and martyrdom, saying his works “awakened our sense of identity.”</p>

In his message, the President honored Rizal’s writings and martyrdom, saying his works “awakened our sense of identity.”

On Rizal Day, Marcos urges Filipinos to ‘pair patriotism with responsible citizenship’

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On Rizal Day, Marcos urges Filipinos to ‘pair patriotism with responsible citizenship’

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 30, 2025 07:03 AM PHT

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Updated December 30, 2025 10:40 AM PHT

Read More:

Rizal Day

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr

Dr. Jose Rizal

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