Calamba City, Laguna turned into the nation’s center of patriotism today as *Laguna Governor Sol Aragones, *Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito* joined Mayor Roseller H. Rizal, Vice Mayor Angelito Lazaro Jr. , Congresswoman Charisse Hernandez, members of Sangguniang Panlungsod, Board Members, representatives from various Civic organizations, government officials, ever present medias, and thousands of Calambeños, in celebrating the *165th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal* at the Rizal Shrine, the hero’s exact birthplace on Mercado Street.
With the theme *“Pamana ng Bayani: Kabataan, Pag-asa ng Bayan”*, this year’s Rizal Day emphasized unity between local and national leaders to inspire the youth.
*VIP Guests Honor Rizal at “Bahay ni Rizal”*
The program began in the morning with a *flag raising and wreath-laying ceremony* at the replica of the Mercado-Rizal ancestral house.
*Laguna Governor Sol Aragones* led the provincial wreath offering. In her message, she said: _“Si Rizal ay anak ng Laguna. Ngayong 2026, tungkulin natin sa probinsya na palakasin ang edukasyon at kabuhayan - dahil iyon ang ipinaglaban ni Gat Jose.”_ She also announced additional scholarship funds for Laguna students under the “Rizal Iskolar” program.
*Senator JV Ejercito*, guest of honor, delivered the keynote address “Rizal wrote with a pen, not a sword. Sa panahon ngayon ng fake news at AI, ang panulat pa rin - at critical thinking - ang pinakamabisang armas ng kabataan,”_ the senator stressed. He pledged support for the *“Rizal Digital Archives for Schools”* project launched today, which gives students free access to Rizal’s digitized works. And committed 100 Million pesos for Laguna MEGA Clinic
*Mayor Roseller H. Rizal* welcomed the guests and led the tour at the "Museo Ni Jose Rizal Calamba".
*Highlights of the 2026 Celebration*
1. *“Lakad Rizal” Unity Walk*: Gov. Aragones, gov't officials and Mayor Rizal walked with 1,500 students from the Shrine to Plaza Rizal, carrying flags and banners with Rizal quotes reimagined for 2026 issues like mental health and digital citizenship.
2. *“Tula at Awit kay Gat Jose”*: Performances by LPU-Laguna and Calamba public school students featured _Mi Ultimo Adios_ in Tagalog, English, and Filipino Sign Language.
3. *Calamba Bayani Market*: Local MSMEs sold _buko pie_, _kesong puti_, and crafts at Plaza Rizal. Proceeds go to Calamba’s scholarship fund
*Leaders’ Unified Message*
The 3 leaders stood together for a photo at the birth site and delivered one shared message to the youth: _“Ang tunay na pag-ibig sa bayan, nagsisimula sa pag-aaral, paglilingkod, at malasakit - tulad ni Rizal.”_
For Calamba, having the Governor and a Senator join the birthday rites at “Bahay ni Rizal” made 2026’s Rizal Day more than a ceremony. It became a reminder that Rizal’s legacy is a shared responsibility from _barangay_ to Senate.
*“Isinilang si Rizal sa Calamba. Pero ang diwa niya, para sa buong Pilipinas,”* Mayor Rizal concluded.
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