30 January 2010- Ambassador Domingo L. Siazon, Jr., together with Madame Kazuko Siazon, the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo and their families, gathered at the Embassy on December 30, 2009, 11:00-11:30 a.m., to commemorate the 113th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
Ambassador and Madame Siazon started the program by laying of wreaths in front of the bust of the national hero.
Third Secretary and Vice Consul Bryan Dexter Lao read Rizal's letter which was addressed to Filipinos about returning to the Philippines despite the looming threat to Rizal's life. First Secretary and Consul Angelica C. Escalona spoke on the debate regarding the proposal to move the Rizal day commemoration from December 30 to June 19, which is Rizal's birthday.
Ambassador Siazon's message focused on the importance of remembering Rizal's life. He urged the Embassy personnel to study and appreciate the life of Rizal particularly when Rizal stayed in Japan from February to April 1888, citing the film "Rizal in Japan" as a reference. The said film was based on a play by Madame Siazon. It was produced by the DFA Ladies Foundation in 1998 to commemorate the Philippine Centennial. END