THE Zamboanga City Government in collaboration with the local chapter of the Order of the Knights of Rizal will lead the activities Wednesday, June 19, commemorating the 159th birth anniversary of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

The commemoration activity will be held at the Rizal Monument in front of the century-old City Hall.

Lawyer Alexander Eric Elias, city caretaker and officer-in-charge, will lead the officials of local and national government agencies, non-government organizations, academe, police and military during the activity.

The event will kick off at 8 a.m. with the flag-raising ceremony to be followed by the floral offering at the foot of the Rizal monument.

Domingo Falcasantos, Knights of Rizal-Western Mindanao Area commander, will give the opening remarks while the Zamboanga City High School-main choir will provide musical interlude.

Elias will give the inspirational message on behalf of Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar.

Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Realonda was born on June 19, 1861, “whose influential works including his novels “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo,” sparked the Filipino revolution against the Spaniards.”

Historical records say that “because of his novels and other writings, he was exiled to Dapitan in Mindanao and executed on December 30, 1896 in Bagumbayan, now known as Luneta Park in Manila.

Main ceremony marking Rizal’s birthday Wednesday will be held in Calamba, Laguna, his birthplace, with top national officials keynoting the activity. (Bong Garcia/SunStar Philippines)