RIZAL'S GREAT-GRANDNIECE VISITS
LITOMERICE THE 2ND TIME

August 18, 2008 - Prague- Salud Reyes, great-grandniece of Jose Rizal, returned to Prague the second time from New York following a week sojourn in Provence, France to meet with Prague Chapter members to discuss plans for the improvement of the Rizal presence of awareness in Czech Republic.

After a brief meeting at the Philippine Embassy with Vice Consul Mersole Mellejor, a meeting with the members of the Knight in Prague immediately followed.

Better cooperation between Prague and Litomerice members is top among the priority of the meeting.Followed by beautification of the Rizal Park which is situated at the back of the historical Town Hall and overlooks the Baroque St. Stephen’s Cathedral was given by the city of Litomerice.

Litomerice has a sister-city agreement with Calamba, the town home of Rizal. Rizal spent four days in Litomerice to visit Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt.

On a wet and windy morning, Salud Reyes and Noubikko, head of the Prague chapter headed to Litomerice, the “Garden of Bohemia”, which is an hour’s drive north of Prague. They were both received a warm welcome by Mayor Ladislav Chlupac, who is Chapter commander of Litomerice, with local wines and Becherovka. In Exchange, Prague chapter represented by the two offered Philippine jewelry pearls for the mayor and his staff.

Mayor Chlupac gave them a brief tour of the Old Town Hall which is a mix of Renaissance styles built in 1537 by an Italian architect Ambrose Balli. The city, I can see will have a tremendous relationship with the members of Prague, said Noubikko.

I'm fond of this place, said Ms Reyes. Watching the old hotel and restaurant Salva Guarda where Rizal dine relives my memories with what my grandparents used to tell us in their stories, she added with an awe.

Mayor Ladislav Chlupac was very receptive and extended cooperation with Noubikko. It was later agreed that an event will be held on November 14, 2008 in Litomerice, followed by an event in Brno and Ceske Budejovice on November 15 and 16.

Having very active members like Dr. Sam Bernal and the 3-day success I have witnessed during the installation of Prague Chapter, this is definitely another event worthy of writing in history, Salud Reyes concluded during the meeting with Mayor of the city of Litomerice.

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(CelebFoxNews version)