Jose Rizal’s 165th Birthday Ceremony Script

To our dynamic Local Chief Executive, the Hon. January C. Padpad, to the members
of the Sangguniang Bayan headed by the Hon. Jonathan A. Dioso. To our energetic
Ex-officio Member and SK Federation President, Hon. Mart Giric U. Galido. To our
ever-supportive Municipal Administrator, Atty. Isabelo P. Bulos. To the Sebaste MPS
headed by Police Captain Ephrime R. Udani IV, to our Bureau of Fire Protection
headed by Senior Fire Officer 1 Nelbert E. Piogao, Jr., our Acting Municipal Fire
Marshal, to our hardworking MLGOO Ma'am Angelica F. Quijano, to our dedicated
heads of offices, to the regular employees, Job Order employees, to the St. Blaise
High School and Sebaste High School Senior Scouts together with their Outfit
Advisors and Coordinators, and guests, a pleasant morning to each and every one of
you.
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and fellow public servants:
Today, we gather not just to look back at history, but to realign our present with the
vision of a man who saw the absolute potential of the Filipino spirit.
June 19th marks the 165th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal. Often, we remember
him in monument—frozen in bronze or stone. But the true essence of Rizal was not
static; it was dynamic, intellectual, and deeply courageous. He was a man of
staggering depth: a physician who healed the sight of others, a novelist who
awakened the conscience of a nation, and a polymath who proved that the greatest
weapon against oppression is an enlightened mind.
Rizal did not just fight for freedom from a colonial power; he fought for freedom from
ignorance, apathy, and self-interest. He famously believed that the youth are the
hope of our fatherland, and that true progress begins with education and civic duty.
As we commemorate his 165th birthday here in our municipality, we are challenged
to move past mere ritual. His legacy asks us a profound question: How are we, in our
modern roles, living out the ideals of heroism, excellence, and service to our
community?

To formally open our commemorative ceremony, let us ground ourselves in the

memory of our national hero by seeking divine guidance and blessings. May I
request everyone to please be still as we clear our minds and open our hearts. Let
us be led in prayer by Mrs. Emily Varona. After that, please remain still as we show
our deep love for our country and our local heritage. Let us honor our identity
through the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, followed by the Antique Hymn
and the Sebaste Hymn, all to be played by our sound system.
To officially welcome us all to today’s significant gathering, it is now my distinct honor
to call upon a leader who continuously works for the welfare and progress of our
municipality. Ladies and gentlemen, let us give a warm round of applause to our
Municipal Vice Mayor, Hon. Jonathan A. Dioso, for his welcome message.
(Pause for the Welcome Message)
Thank you very much, Vice Mayor, for those inspiring words of welcome and for
reminding us of the shared responsibility we hold in uplifting our community.

At this juncture, we shall hear from the chief executive of our municipality—a leader
dedicated to steering our community toward growth, unity, and a future that mirrors
the ideals of our national hero. Ladies and gentlemen, to give his message for this
165th commemorative birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal, let us welcome our Municipal
Mayor, Hon. January C. Padpad! Let us give him a resounding round of applause.
(Pause for the Mayor's Message)
Thank you very much, Mayor Padpad, for that powerful and meaningful message.
Your words challenge us to bring the spirit of heroism into our daily public service
and community life.

To bring us a perspective of hope, dynamism, and the vital role of the youth in
modern nation-building, let us now hear from the leader representing the young
vibrant minds of our municipality. Ladies and gentlemen, to deliver an inspirational
message, let us welcome our Ex-officio Member of the Sangguniang Bayan and
Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President, Hon. Mart Giric U. Galido! A warm
round of applause, please.
(Pause for the Message)
Thank you very much, Hon. Galido. That was a truly inspiring message. It serves as
a potent reminder that, just as Dr. Jose Rizal believed, the energy, passion, and
intellect of the youth remain the cornerstone of our community's future.

To ground us further in the remarkable life, trials, and triumphs of the man we honor
today, we shall now listen to the reading of his biography. This will be presented to us
by a dedicated public servant who safeguards both our local labor force and our rich
cultural heritage.
Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome our Labor and Employment Officer I and
Tourism Officer Designate, Ms. Rosehane Jontilano! Let us give her a warm round of
applause.
(Pause for the Biography Reading)
Thank you very much, Ms. Jontilano, for revisiting the life of Dr. Jose Rizal. Hearing
his journey once more reminds us that greatness is built on sacrifice, love for
country, and an unwavering commitment to the truth.

As we bring this meaningful commemoration to a close, let us carry the lessons and
inspirations of today back into our respective offices and communities. To formally
conclude today’s program, it is my privilege to call upon a dedicated member of our
Sangguniang Bayan to deliver the closing remarks.
Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome Hon. Lea O. Lomugda, a warm round of
applause, please.
(Pause for the Closing Remarks)
Thank you very much, Hon. Lomugda, for those final words of reflection and
challenge.

For the next part of our program, we shall proceed to the solemn offering of flower
wreaths at the monument of our national hero. This act symbolizes our deep respect,
gratitude, and enduring commitment to the ideals that Dr. Jose Rizal fought for.
May we request the following officials to please step forward as we commence the
wreath-laying:
For the first wreath, may we call upon our Municipal Mayor, Hon. January C.
Padpad, together with our Municipal Administrator, Atty. Isabelo P. Bulos.
(Allow a brief moment for them to position themselves and lay the first wreath)
For the second wreath, may we invite our Municipal Vice Mayor, Hon. Jonathan A.
Dioso, our SK Federation President, Hon. Mart Giric U. Galido, alongside the
members of the Sangguniang Bayan.
Ladies and gentlemen, let us offer a moment of silence as we sing “Pilipinas Kong
Mahal” by Francisco Santiago to honor the timeless memory and legacy of Dr. Jose
Rizal.
This formally concludes our commemorative program for Dr. Jose Rizal's 165th Birth
Anniversary. Thank you to our local officials, LGU staff, and everyone who joined us
today. Let us march forward with a renewed spirit of service and patriotism. Thank
you, Happy Rizal Day, and Mabuhay tayong lahat!