The Philippine Embassy in Brussels, in collaboration with Philippine Honorary Consul General Ronny de Blaere, and together with the Filipino community leaders, students, and academicians, commemorated the 132nd anniversary of the publication of El Filibusterismo in a series of events on 30 September 2023 in the city of Ghent.

The festivities started with the opening of the exhibit Inking Independence at Sint-Niklaaskerk. Guests were led to the church accompanied with Ati-Atihan street dancing by the Kulturang Pinoy sa Belgium. After brief remarks by Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda and Ghent City Alderman Filip Wattheuw, Messrs. Ledda and Wattheuw opened the exhibit, which “attempts to capture the same desire for transformation that Rizal encapsulated in El Filibusterismo”. The featured artworks were curated by Ms. Samantha Domingo from the works of the artists of the BeLikha Art Collective composed of Mr. Racso Jugarap, Ms. Mylene Factora, Ms. Amihan de Sosa, Ms. Annabeth Santilla, Ms. Aurea Calanog, Ms. May Tabalon-Cornelissen and Ms. Cybele Ku.

Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda and Alderman Filip Wattheuw of the City Government of Ghent with the featured artists during the opening of the art exhibit Inking Independence at the St. Niklaas Church in Ghent. Standing from left: Ms. Amihan de Sosa, Mr. Racso Jugarap, Ms. Annabeth Santilla, Ms. May Tabalon-Cornelissen, Ms. Cybele Ku, Ms. Liza Jane V. Estalilla (Cultural Officer, Philippine Embassy), Ambassador Ledda, Alderman Wattheuw, Ms. Sam Domingo (Curator) and Ms. Mylene Factora.

The Ati-Atihan dancers then accompanied guests to the Jose Rizal marker on Henegouwenstraat 47. Ambassador Ledda led the flower offering at the site of the house where Rizal lived in Ghent in 1891. 

Guests and dancers then paraded to the Ghent City Hall for a program that featured eight Filipino students from the University of Ghent – Ms. Charl Justine Darapisa, Ms. Guada Marie Babilonia, Mr. John Lawrence Arrogante, Mr. Moh Shanizee Sharabi, Ms. Kristine Jane Montalla, Ms. Riza Flores, Ms. KD Aguilar, and Mr. Jose Luis Castellano – presenting an original multimedia performance entitled “Kalayo” that highlighted the relevance of Jose Rizal’s legacy and ideals to the lives of Filipino migrants and students. Filipino PhD students Ms. Denise Munsi, Ms. Donna Marie Palaruan and Ms. Clarice Collen Manuel from KU Leuven, presented renditions of the Filipino songs “Bayan Ko” and “Noypi”. Dr. Jean Dhont, Coordinator for the ASEANplus Platform of Ghent University, gave remarks during the presentation.

Capping the event, guests were treated to Filipino delicacies catered by Hoy Pinoy, a Filipino restaurant in Ghent.