Rizal in E.U. Colors: Highlight Shared Past & Values

Posted on May 7, 2025

4th and 6th from left: EU Amb Massimo Santoro and DFA Acting Head of European Affairs Deena Joy Amatong FROM LEFT: Czechia Deputy Head of Mission Dalibor Micka, Finland Deputy Head of Mission Veera Kaarela, Polish Chargé d’Affaires Adam Dyszlewski, German Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Head of Mission Mathias Kruse, Hungary Consul Zsolt Horváth, NPDC Deputy Exec Dir Jezreel Apelar, Romania Consul and Trade Officer Gerald Nuñez, Presidential Task Force on Violence against Media Workers (PTFoMs) Usec. Jose Torres, Jr. and Slovenia Deputy Head of Mission Dragan Barbutovski. Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

The Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights were bathed in light of the European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4^th, 2025. The gesture was in celebration of Europe Day this coming May 9^th and was facilitated by the National Parks Development Committee.

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Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

The lighting of Rizal Monument is on its 4^th year and was attended by E.U. Amb. Massimo Santoro and member states represented by respective embassy officials, DFA acting Head of European Affairs Deena Joy Amatong, NPDC Deputy Exec Dir Jezreel Apelar and Presidential Task Force on Violence against Media Workers (PTFoMs) Usec. Jose Torres, Jr.

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From left: DFA Acting Head of European Affairs Deena Joy Amatong, EU Amb Massimo Santoro and German Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Head of Mission Mathias Kruse. Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

DFA acting Head of European Affairs Deena Joy Amatong in her speech said, “Tonight’s special illumination of Dr. Jose Rizal’s monument, symbolizes the Philippines shared past with Europe. A reminder of our historical and cultural connections, that continue to bind the Philippines and the EU together.”

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Rizal Brought PH to Europe and Vice Versa

“Indeed as Rizal lived, studied and journeyed all over Europe. Engaging Madrid, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Rome and Brussels. He not only brought Philippines to Europe but also brought Europe to the Philippines. Through his ideals and philosophies, which in turn helped shape our country’s path towards independence and national identity”, added Amatong

DFA Head of European Affairs Deena Joy Amatong; Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

She enumerated our shared values, “The illumination of Rizal’s monument tonight serves as a remembrance of the values we share: peace, democracy, good governance, human rights, sustainable development, inclusive growth and the rule of law. These principles have guided our bilateral engagement for more than 6 decades.”

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Europe Day

Amb. Massimo Santoro talked about the significance of Europe Day as the origin of the European Union, “Europe Day, marks the anniversary of the ‘Schuman declaration’, a historic proposal made by Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, in 1950 that laid out the foundation of European cooperation. Thank you for this kind gesture.”

EU Amb Massimo Santoro; Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

Santoro’s thanks was referring to the NPDC’s illumination of Rizal monument and Magical Dancing Lights in EU colors. He also managed to charm the attendees with his address partly in Filipino, “Ako ay lubos na natutuwa na ang pamunuan ng National Parks and Development Committee ay muling nagpaunlak na ilawan ang Rizal Monument at ang Musical Dancing Fountain, para ipagdiwang ang pagkakatatag ng European Union.”

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Europe Day is held on 9 May every year to celebrate peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historic ‘Schuman Declaration’ that set out the idea of a new form of cooperation between European nations that would make war between themselves unthinkable. This declaration led to the establishment of the European Communities, now the European Union – a Union of 27 European countries founded on the values of respect for human rights and dignity, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law. Since its establishment, the European Union is now a global political and economic actor.

From left: EU Amb Massimo Santoro, DFA Acting Head of European Affairs Deena Joy Amatong and NPDC Deputy Exec Dir Jezreel Apelar. Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation

He made note of an important agreement made in 2018, “The EU and the Philippines work hand-in-hand in many different sectors, from trade and development, to political exchanges, humanitarian aid as well as security and defense. Our partnership is built on mutual respect and common values, and it is growing even stronger under an all-encompassing Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation that the EU and the Philippines concluded in 2018.”

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From Peace Efforts to Sustainable Energy

The European Union and the Philippines is cooperating in a great number of issues. Santoro continues, “The EU has been a steadfast supporter of peace efforts in Mindanao. On a broader scale, we are working hand-in-hand with the Philippines on initiatives like the circular economy, sustainable energy, the transition to a digital economy as well as on justice, good governance and human rights.”

From left: EU Amb Massimo Santoro and Photographer Jun Sepe. Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

“Our partnership holds immense potential. We have resumed the negotiations of a free trade agreement that will potentially bring more prosperity to both the EU and the Philippines and deepen our economic ties. Prospects have been very good.”

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Historical Spot

Prior to the lighting ceremony, cocktails were held at THE GALLERY, an air-conditioned event area a few steps away from the Rizal Monument.

5th and 6th from left: EU Amb Massimo Santoro and DFA Head of European Affairs Deena Joy Amatong, FROM LEFT: Hungary Consul Zsolt Horváth, Slovenia Deputy Head of Mission Dragan Barbutovski, Finland Deputy Head of Mission Veera Kaarela, Czechia Deputy Head of Mission Dalibor Micka, NPDC Deputy Exec Dir Jezreel Apelar, Polish Chargé d’Affaires Adam Dyszlewski, German Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Head of Mission Mathias Kruse and EU Deputy Head of Delegation Dr Ana Isabel Sánchez Ruiz. Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista (15)

NPDC Deputy Exec Dir Jezreel Apelar spoke about the historical significance of the venue, “We are always looking forward to having you all here. To a real special gathering of all your embassies and us here in this historic place. This is a symbol of our enduring partnership. Our alliance between the Philippines and the E.U., which we truly treasure. It’s very special also because of Dr. Jose Rizal, just here behind this glass area, is the spot where he was executed. This man who is our national hero. A man who championed equality, the rights for Filipinos to be educated, to have self-governance.”

Apelar also mentioned other facilities that the diplomats may be interested in using, “We’d like to invite you to also look around our garden. We have spaces your embassies can use for free, this gallery included. We also have a thousand seater auditorium where you can screen movies and organize concerts. We screen European movies as part of our program, to celebrate Europe day. Something to think about, Rizal Park and Paco Park as extensions of your embassies. Feel free to use our spaces. We will be happy to continue this partnership with you.”

NPDC Deputy Exec Dir Jezreel Apelar; Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

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From left: Hungary Consul Zsolt Horváth, Polish First Counsellor Agnieszka Dyszlewska, German Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Head of Mission Mathias Kruse and Polish Chargé d’Affaires Adam Dyszlewski. Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

DFA Acting Head of European Affairs Deena Joy Amatong and NPDC Deputy Exec Dir Jezreel Apelar. Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

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EU Deputy Head of Delegation Dr Ana Isabel Sánchez Ruiz and Photographer Jun Sepe. Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

From left: NPDC Deputy Exec Dir Jezreel Apelar, Czechia Deputy Head of Mission Dalibor Micka, German Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Head of Mission Mathias Kruse and Slovenia Deputy Head of Mission Dragan Barbutovski. Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

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2nd and 3rd from left: EU Amb Massimo Santoro and DFA Head of European Affairs Deena Joy Amatong, From left: Czechia Deputy Head of Mission Dalibor Micka, NPDC Deputy Exec Dir Jezreel Apelar, Polish Chargé d’Affaires Adam Dyszlewski. Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

From left: EU Amb Massimo Santoro and PDI contributor Dexter Matilla. Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

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5th and 6th from left: DFA Acting Head of European Affairs Deena Joy Amatong and EU Amb Massimo Santoro, FROM LEFT: German Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Head of Mission Mathias Kruse, Finland Deputy Head of Mission Veera Kaarela, Hungary Consul Zsolt Horváth, Czechia Deputy Head of Mission Dalibor Micka, NPDC Deputy Exec Dir Jezreel Apelar, Slovenia Deputy Head of Mission Dragan Barbutovski, Polish Chargé d’Affaires Adam Dyszlewski, Presidential Task Force on Violence against Media Workers (PTFoMs) Usec. Jose Torres, Jr and Romania Consul and Trade Officer Gerald Nuñez. Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista (33)

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From left: DFA Acting Head of European Affairs Deena Joy Amatong, German Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Head of Mission Mathias Kruse and Finland Deputy Head of Mission Veera Kaarela. Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

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DFA Head of European Affairs Deena Joy Amatong and Presidential Task Force on Violence against Media Workers (PTFoMs) Usec. Jose Torres, Jr. Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

from left: EU Amb Massimo Santoro, DFA Acting Head of European Affairs Deena Joy Amatong and NPDC Deputy Exec Dir Jezreel Apelar. Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

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From left: EU Amb Massimo Santoro, Presidential Task Force on Violence against Media Workers (PTFoMs) Usec. Jose Torres, Jr., Al Jazeera Correspondent Barnaby Lo, and Photojournalist Jun Sepe. Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

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From left: EU Amb Massimo Santoro and NPDC Deputy Exec Dir Jezreel Apelar; Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th) .
Photo by Jude Bautista (40)

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Center: DFA Acting Head of European Affairs Deena Joy Amatong, from left: Czechia Deputy Head of Mission Dalibor Micka and Slovenia Deputy Head of Mission Dragan Barbutovski. Photo taken during the lighting of the Rizal Monument and Musical Dancing Lights bathed in European Union colors of blue and yellow last May 4th, 2025 (in anticipation of Europe Day May 9th). Photo by Jude Bautista

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