Legarda Pushes for Women's Hand at Disaster Risk Efforts

Change has been happening but more has to be done. In the midst of a huge typhoon today, it is but a good time to see how women play a huge role in disaster risk reduction. Honorable Senator Loren Legarda puts emphasis on how their roles whether lead or not, can actually spark change in the management of it.

At the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, she says "It is important that women have access to resources, training and education to make sure it becomes a reality. This includes those who are marginalized, whether women, girls or those with disabilities in the region. The countries in these areas have to have systems in place to warn people early, evacuation plans, and even recovery if needed be.. with everyone participating."

Her efforts on pushing for legislation that promote gender equality, the Clean Air Act, plus the Magna Carta for Women and the PDRRM act would help promote and protect them in times of disasters in the country. This puts policy making procedures include women as a requirement. Women's role in all these aspects remain important, to hopefully, also put their needs forward, without prejudice, in any decision that has to be made. 

It just makes total sense.

Legarda Pushes for Stronger Clean Air/Climate Measures

It's the 5th time that the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies has been celebrated and this year, Senator Loren Legarda is once again pushing for the better implementation of landmark bill Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999. The importance of having strengthened commitment to the cause  is crucial for the benefit of its protection and its effects on public health in general.  

Senator Legarda reiterates "When we did the Philippine Clean Air Act about 25 years ago, I knew it wasn't going to be a walk in the park. Knowing the cause for having better quality air is still baring conflicting ideas, statements on recent headlines, means it will surely take grave effects on social and community health. We need to work hard in the areas of stricter implementation in environmental laws and work on climate strategies that will make Filipino lives better. We have the planet on the line, the only one we have. There are a lot of people, and their families that are affected by it."

The Senator has been a stern advocate in environmental causes and wants efforts for climate action, development of renewable energy sources and protection for the communities affected by it.

Make sure you do your share.

Loren Legarda Emphasize Significance of IP's in Environmental Measures

What's nature without people taking care of it? Surely, this has been something in the mind of Senator Loren Legarda last August 12 when she did a privilege speech on National Indigenous Peoples day. She deem these communities have centuries worth of experience in these vast areas they reside on and should take this as an advantage in making sure they are well taken cared of. 

Senator Legarda adds "They are after all the ones who could take good care of it, toil, first hand, especially if we are taking lengths to make efforts for the environment and nature. We need to harness their expertise since they have their families in these communities, one that could do work and benefit our country. They live and breathe in nature, this we have to make sure."

In recent reports by the world bank, she mentions how "No Data, No Story: Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines" painted a huge picture about the ancestral domains that includes over 44 percent of land in the country, where only 17 percent have been approved of.

She reiterated the need to support them and recognize how huge their contributions are for the cause. She also wants their rights to be protected. If you would want to know more about her efforts, you may follow her social channels where she discusses these lengthily especially on FB. 

Senator Loren Legarda Lauds Outgoing Sonny Angara

 

With the President deeming his qualities apt for the position, Senator Sonny Angara will be the new Secretary of Education. This is an important task especially since it is affecting millions of students, teachers and non teaching personnel, but since he has been in the senate for over a decade, Senator Loren Legarda wanted to convey her admiration for the young statesman.

She mentions how he has been able to dedicate years of hard work and service to the Filipino people, which she dubbed as his ability to listen, study and dedicate what he does for meaningful legislation. She also reiterated how dedicated he is in the Senate and hopes it be replicated in the halls of the Department of Education which he'll be taking over from former Secretary and VP of the country.

Senator Legarda says "Sonny has always been pushing boundaries, displays his competence and has been very efficient, hopefully apply great reforms in the education system. He has passed over 340 laws, sponsored/authored it. It's a reflection of how he has been dedicated to improve the lives of Filipinos across the country."

She adds "We will miss how eloquent you are, your sharp mind and how you effortlessly contribute good work in the Senate. We hope to work together for the benefit of the entire nation as you become the new Secretary of Education."

Later on, Sonny also mentioned how Senator Loren Legarda took him under her wing when she was still the leader of the Senate a few years ago. He was thankful for that opportunity, of being taken cared of when he was just starting.

Senator Loren Legarda Issues Statement on Philippine-Japan RAA

About a week ago, the Philippines and Japan signed an agreement which they call RAA (Reciprocal Access Agreement) which would make it possible for Filipino soldiers to train in Japan as part of their defense cooperation. Honorable Senator Loren Legarda is serving her 4th term, and this landmark agreement will surely be affecting a lot of our decisions and foreign policies. Here's a statement from the environmental superhero:

Seeing the positive impact of this particular agreement and advantages especially for the Pacific region and national security, our allies certainly will be instrumental in making sure we won't get bullied in our own turf. The Senator's support for the ratification of this agreement in the Senate will become instrumental in the formalization of its terms, and hopefully would become advantageous to both parties in this very volatile time.

Here's to championing not just environmental causes, but issues of national interest! Cheers!

Senator Loren Legarda Issues Message on 126th Philippine Independence Day

It's the 126th year of Philippine independence and this June 12th, Senator Loren Legarda has released this message:

 The Senate surely has changed a lot these past few months, but I hope everyone's loyalty won't come from political sectors. They have the hand to help even more people, which I hope is the reason why they chose this calling.

I guess today more than ever, we need to celebrate it despite the threats that are looming in the region. This is the time for nationalism, and action. Her wish for a more developed and environmentally caring Philippines is surely in the horizon. I spent my Independence day outdoors helping spread the word about how to help in causes, hope you made your day productive too!

Happy 126th Philippines!

Antique: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea on Discovery Channel

Just got off the press conference on Antique: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea hosted by the office of DS Loren Legarda and the Department of Tourism. This has been attended by several government dignitaries and executives from Discovery Channel where this will be shown this coming March 23, 2022. This documentary is produced by Studio H20 through DS Loren Legarda's office, the DOT and in partnership with the Province of Antique.

 

 

DS Loren Legarda says "I would want to give my full undivided attention to this project which is close to my heart. During the pandemic, we worked on this which delves on marine biodiversity. This is a Senate project with the DOT so funds will be allocated to them. This is not the first I've done with several groups. We have legislated 94 laws, and if mandated there would be a multitude of national parks and they will be given management plans, this will be my legacy. The loss of plants, animals, on land and underwater could be detrimental for the future. I put all it into bills, together with Senator Villar, and covers 2 areas in Antique which will be part of the feature. This houses marine riches, that puts food in the table, and the discoveries of Studio H2O is just a paradise. We give due recognition to UP Marine Science Institute and RARE Philippines, all our 18 Mayors, Vice Mayors, who will enact local versions. What they did was a community based coral reef monitoring, hired and worked with local people, fisher-folks around the designated areas. They discovered areas suitable for coral growth, more places for fish diversities, 2 endangered species found in our waters, and Manta Rays found only in the country. More exploratory dives should be done as more remains to be seen. I would like to do a project with the DOT, the DENR and LGU's."

 

Boogs Rosales of Studio H2O adds "We really worked hard to push through with our shoot, it will be shown on Discovery Channel for two days. We're glad that we got to work with the various government agencies and have this shown to an international audience. As DS, the funding was from their office, through the DOT. It's a process that went through bidding, it was very hard to work on it. Part of the funding went to also showcasing it in Discovery channel, to promote and highlight the province through visuals and our storytelling."   

Antique: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea will be shown on the Discovery Channel this March 23rd at 6:15PM and will be replayed on March 24 at 8:15AM and 11:25AM Philippine time. This will also be aired in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and India where Discovery Channel is available.

DS Loren Legarda's Message on International Women's Day

Former Senator and Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda recently released her message for International Women's Day. In it, she gave importance to empowering women and giving opportunities for those who are talented and skilled.

DS Loren Legarda says "Cheers! Happy Women's Month and Happy International Women's Day to women here and around the country!"

She adds "Women are naturally gifted, full of dedication and effort, of which rightfully deserve our support to further enhance their skills and talent, as part of nation building."

"We have been steadfastly supporting efforts to give more opportunities of livelihood, provide jobs and put importance in improving their lives with their own skills and talent. Long live the Filipina wherever they are in the world!"

Legarda Reiterates Need for Innovation to Induce Growth and Development

It's been three years since the Philippine Innovation Act has been enacted and its author Senator Loren Legarda reiterates the importance of innovation in order to spur growth in the country.

She has previously spent three terms in the Senate and has placed these as key strategies in order to see economic development in the Philippines. The Republic Act No. 11293 will intensify the capabilities of micro, small and medium enterprises to compete with other businesses by utilizing advancements in science and technology and source needed change in these sectors.

Ms. Loren pushed adequate response from the National Economic and Development Authority, the Depart of Trade and Industry, plus the Department of Science and Technology in order to fund these projects and benefit various sectors including MSME's who are in need of expertise in the fields of finance, design, technology, marketing, quality assurance, promotion and intellectual property rights so they too can protect themselves. She sets the DOST and the Universiyty of Antique partnerships which bore fruit to great value in existing programs that produced needed support in the region that utilized agricultural produce and resources from the same province. It generated employment and opportunities for individuals and entrepreneurs in their respective municipalities. This resolved problems in malnutrition as people got work and pay, to put food on the table.

She also has seen the cooperation of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University in Bacnotan, La Union, funded by her office in 2018 which gives access to capital, skills training and assistance. This benefited fisherfolk, traditional weavers and farmers who work on fabrics like abaca, pineapple and banana that are naturally grown and sought after by international designers.

Ms. Loren says "We need to see effective implementation and proper funding for programs under the Philippine Innovation Act so we can help MSME's to sustain and promote their trade. This is done not just locally, but for the global market. This will surely benefit a lot of Filipinos." and I agree with that.

Birthday Cheers for Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda!

I've been watching her for years on ABSCBN, and in different shows. She's a very good broadcast journalist. Her work in the Senate and Congress formulating laws that help different sectors like education, the environment, women , youth, history and culture has always been there, consistent and has been lauded by many.

Til now, she's been steadfastly moving to generate jobs for indigenous folks, mothers and artisans in her lone district of Antique and in many places across the country, some of which have also weathered the pandemic and changed the lives of many in her own little ways. She's a leader, Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda. She's also celebrating her birthday today.

 

 

Happy happy birthday Deputy Seaker Loren Legarda! Cheers to more years of serving the people in this blessed country of ours!

Doing More: Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda

The 2022 election will be extremely important for the lives of approximately 104 Million people. Aside from the obvious need for immediate pandemic response, relief and restarting of businesses, sectors heavily affected by the economic stresses of the situation should be addressed. It includes the sectors of education, addressing poverty, the micro small and medium enterprise, child labor, the environment, climate change and those that affect the lives of people. After all, the legislative body has a primary role in creating laws, Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda did this for over 18 years in the Senate.

Several laws she made being implemented nowadays include Free College Education, Magna Carta of the Poor, the MSME Law, Child Labor Law, Climate Change Law, most of which has been done during her term.

On her FB page, she recently released a few videos which include testimonies from real people.

I think that's noble and with the accomplishments, she's got a good grasp of what a Senator does. She wants to do more. But would you consider her to be one of you bets this election? 

That's your choice.

Legarda Aspires Senate Re-election, 1st National Candidate to File COC

Legarda files COC in Pasay City. Credits: Melissa Lopez

Looks like Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda is seeking re-election as she filed her COC yesterday morning at the Sofitel Tent in Pasay City. She's been a Senator for three terms and currently representing the lone district of the Province of Antique.  

In the Senate, she's noted to have chaired committees on Finance, Foreign Relations, Economic Affairs and Environment and Climate Change. She's authored several laws aimed to help Filipinos improve their lives and make servies accessible to the masses. She has previously garnered some of the highest votes in the 1998 and 2007 elections and vows to pursue more of her advocacies in health, economic recovery and the actions she could do about the climate crisis.

She also wants to enact laws that would help generate jobs, quality education and an efficient healthcare system. She also wants to push for stronger laws for environmental protection and cultural preservation which she has continuosly done in the congress, and do it for those who are marginalized, vulnerable and promote sustainable growth and recovery especially during these times. You may see her advocacies on her site lorenlegarda.com.ph today!

Alex Gonzaga's Farm Tour Prank with Loren Legarda

What started as a tour in Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda's family farm and property has become a stressful prank courtesy of funny YouTuber and comedy star Alex Gonzaga.

The place is nice, they employed ecological practices to grow flowers, vegetables, medicinal plants which they also harvested and consume in real life. Though we know Ms. Loren to be a strict hard hitting journalist on TV, she's quite relaxed telling Alex more about what she could also do with the plants seen inside the farm. She also gave Alex some to take home so she could share with her folks and husband if ever they needed Aloe Vera for hair treatment. Alex likened the place to popular Sonya's Garden in Tagayatay, and true enough they got some of it for a small salad serving later on in the tour. She also explained Republic Act 9003 Ecological Solid Waste Management Law, which she authored in 2001.

While walking in the property, Ms. Loren found Alex scratching, and immediately, Ms. Loren called a hospital's dermatological head, suggesting antihistamine. They were calling her Toni most of the time, she got stressed even more. She acted really itchy, cried too, when Ms. Loren pulled out a tube of topical steroid from her bag (she's that ready!), Alex Gonzaga then revealed that it was a prank.

Oh Alex! You got the Deputy Speaker fooled, hook line and sinker!

Watch the prank unfold here! So silly!

DAYAW Starts Their 11th Season: "Kakaibang Sigla"

Just got off the DAYAW event hosted by ANC and NCCA. This is their 11th season and talks about culture and people. Since we're just finished watching the Olympics, the documentaries will delve on movement and indigenous sports, energy, competitiveness, dance, music. Present during the occasion was NCCA Vice Head on Cultural Community Pablito Gonzales, Nadia Trinidad and Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda who's been championing the cause on environment and culture for years now.


Pablito Gonzales says "Fellow cultural workers, good afternoon. We believe Filipinos are all indigenous in some respect. Though we come from different backgrounds, our diversity are our unifying forces. We all come from different sectors, but we are united in culture and heritage which is Dayaw. With the excellent production of ANC, we look forward to this brand new season of the show. NCCA supports discussion, programs like these are information vessels for local and international audiences. As an IP advocate for almost two decades now, I'm impressed because even in the time of pandemic, our IP's are struggling selling products. Many have stopped, but they need a way to continue."

Nick Lizaso of NCCA says "We showcased sustainable practices of our indeginous people. We will learn enchanting movement and dances, to inspire our viewers for culture and heritage preservation. Let's invite more Filipinos to watch more seasons of Dayaw."

Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda says "This is "Kakaibang Sigla", a vital energy. Thank you to our partners in NCCA and ANC, despite all odds, we were able to record a lot up to 18 months inside the pandemic. You are all staunch partners in documenting of our schools of living tradition, of going to places that are not usually covered by media outlets. You are competent, professional, dedicated and passionate. I've been in television for 30 years, without our small team, we could have not done it alone. When Dayaw started, it was a passion project. Our manlilikha ng bayan awardees are national living treasures, some of them have passed, but we were able to document their lives and archived it on ANC. Rituals, traditions, knowledge, don't belong in schools in far flung areas and we were able to document that including dying crafts and indigenous skills. We are working on making them sustainable, connecting with DOLE, DTI, NCCA and building weaving centers, dyeing centers, Dayaw is and was a passion project. It has not remained one, it's a legacy project now. I wanted to ensure that all of these are correctly archived in ANC and NCCA. To each and every member of my team in ANC, I'm glad they have remained engaged and what passion have in legislation, and not stop documenting, economic livelihood for indigenous people. Shooting season 11 wasn't easy but we're glad we were able to do it before the pandemic started. We were shooting action sequences, a little different from the usual but we were able to do it. I have so many episodes to go back to, like Wang-od our oldest Mambabatok, and make sure our Kalinga community specifically Budbud tribe be treated fairly. Hopefully, for them not to be poor. We are showcasing them as traditional artists. Ordinary people, people who use social media, you may share information we do there for education. We will be uploading our Dayaw episodes and seasons on YouTube and perhaps do captions, Europeans, Americans, Southeast Asian nations. Thank you for being with us. I will file in October as a Senator, I will continue to help my province Panay and I will share my knowledge, God willing, next year."

Watch Dayaw on ANC, the ABSCBN News Channel at 6PM on Thursdays and replayed different times during the week thereafter. 

A Message of Peace from DS Loren Legarda this Eidul Adha

As announced by the Malacañan Palace, the 20th of July 2021 has been marked as a holiday for "Eidul Adha" or Feast of Sacrifice across the country. It also marks the end of Hajj or the pilgrimage to Mecca. It's also one of the largest occasions for Muslims worldwide marking the the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmael (also known as Abraham and Ismael) as a form of total obedience to God, but God intervened and used sheep for  the ritual instead. During this time, our Muslim brothers and sisters reflect on the act and offer special prayers.

In  a recent post, Deputy Speaker, Former Senator and Bai A Labi (Honorary Muslim Princess bestowed by the Marawi Sultanate League) Loren Legarda sent her wishes to the public in celebration of this day. She says "I hope the values of selflessness, obedience and faith would bring us peace, blessings and harmony. I join our brothers and sisters in the Muslim faith in commemorating the Feast of Sacrifice, Eid Al Adha Mubarak!"

Here's her full message on video from her Facebook page:

May we all see the value and reason why this has been celebrated for centuries and hope today, we remember it all so we become better, selfless individuals. May your homes be vessels of peace, devotion and be full of blessings! Eid Mubarak!

Optimism Seen in the Future of Philippine Fabric and Weaving

Dropped by the talk about Philippine fabrics yesterday hosted by Humboldt University in Berlin wherein Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda was guest speaker along with Ms. Analyn Salvador-Amores from UP Baguio. It was entitled "Habi: Weaving Philippine Textiles Future" and it was quite a nice discussion on how those who care are strengthening their efforts to keep the weaving culture alive, learn more about regional designs, documenting it, reviving designs from museum archives (yes a long time ago), and perhaps where to see the industry flourish in the next couple of years.

Professor Dr. Vincent Houben from Humboldt University in Berlin says "I'm very happy to have this happen, to put in place this program to advance Philippine studies. The PH and Germany are close and very intertwined. Rizal spent quite some time here and we have lots of information about that. We're thinking in some scales we can focus with the Philippines and see in a context where there is a weaving connection. The Philippine culture needs to be seen in a broader sense. Through the program over the past couple of years, we're grateful that we have a lot who have done their studies about the country, welcome from Europe."

Analyn Salvador Amores the project leader of Cordillera Textiles Project UP Baguio says "Weaving communities in the Cordillera region exist and empower communities. Cordillera region is in North Luzon from the ranges in Apayao to the more central Nueva Vizcaya, an Igorot domain. Through trade, inter-marriage, weaving patterns have similarities in this study. These communities have a long history of weaving, you can see this in the tribal photos from various photos archived in the US, Russia and other countries. Textile are produced through natural fibers, and cotton, manually weaved with sticks passed on from generation to generation. Lowland Ilocanos introduced new ways through export and trade. Fabric was traded for goods, food, poultry and farm products. There is a decline in weaving in the region because of an aging population, decrease in master weavers, lesser interest in generations thereafter. The government has taken steps like endorsing acts for the use of Philippine tropical fabrics for uniforms of public officials, employees and festivals. They also enacted resolutions for research, put up school for living traditions that promote indigenous weaving but met challenges as it has been not sustainable, and has lesser funding access. In the recent years, there is a resurgence in textile weaving including geographical sourced Cordillera textiles identified with certain communities. The CordiTex currently is doing multi disciplinary research and vigorously documenting textiles. Now local weavers get to access records, learn and re-learn weavings as we continue to do anthropological fieldwork in the Cordillera."

Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda concentrated more on the resurgence on the demand for the more intricate production of Piña Seda (silk) fiber and says "We started in the school of oriental studies 5 years ago. There's so much I have to say about Pina Seda Weaving and Embroidery in the Philippines. It is not just done in my province of Aklan, but in different regions in the country. Traditional textiles are ties that bind, it links the past to the present and brings together cultures no matter how diverse it is. It's a synergy between workers and artisans, several hands are needed to make one fabric alone, not to mention the designer and embroidery of which women would hand make it from farm to shop. Since 1998 we have worked to enact this into law to not just protect but help the industry. The pineapple plant is not indigenous to the Philippines but we have made way to produce the red variety of fibers from it. It is laborious to produce it and the influx of imported fabric and fashion trends made it dwindle. With government efforts, provinces have been tapped to produce this including Aklan, the Bicol region, Cavite, Davao, Misamis Oriental, Laguna, Cagayan, Saranggani has been tapped to produce it. Mulberry farms are needed to produce silk in the Philippines, and demand has remained high for it. In a bid to produce more Pineapple fiber, machinery has been provided to farmer cooperatives in plantations so they can increase production  of pineapple fiber. There's a need for convergence of government agencies, so they can continue building capacity, promote domestic trade and do a systemic development in marketing the fabric. All of these are necessary to produce products to respond to immediate needs of the public. The DA should assure steady supply, DTI can help promote these fabrics through trade fairs both locally and abroad. TESDA can also do skills training for weavers and embroiderers and have a nurturing environment for this industry. It is one way of showcasing our traditional textiles in the hopes to further promote it in different markets. It takes support from legislation to make things happen, soon we will have more galleries in different parts of the country. We plan to put up documentation centers, conservation agencies, to help farmers, weavers, local textile manufacturers and establish centers where they can get services in processing. If there's a desire, there's a need, and we need to support them. It will also provide jobs for the countryside, the Philippine Piña Seda is a prized fabric and it is truly world class. I wish to go back in time and tell you that the task before us is to help our people value and continue our heritage, we must open doors of opportunities for weaving communities and promote greater support for our cultural enterprises."

Honestly, it was like a breather to hear them be optimistic about Philippine fabrics and with a good amount of systems in place, plus continuous efforts in policies and funding, the future looks bright for the weaving industry. It's definitely a pillar for the fashion industry and without the raw materials, how can one create? I feel as the economy is slowly going back to normal, this deserves the attention it should get. It's part of culture, and without it, we would cease to exist as Filipinos because it makes us who we are as a nation.

A Talk on Philippine Textile Weaving

Looks like the fabric gods in the Philippines will be pleased as a talk on native textile will happen today at 4PM (Manila time) on Zoom. This is hosted by Humboldt University Berlin and Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda will be their guest speaker along with Dr. Analyn Salvador-Amores from the University of the Philippines in Baguio. It is entitled "Habi: Weaving Philippine Textiles Future" and will cover mostly what we're internationally known for, the various natural fabrics manufactured here in the country.

If you wish to join the interesting talk, you may register here. You only have a few minutes to do that because it starts at 4PM today.

The Philippines is also the biggest source of Pineapple fabric which is produced in Kalibo, Aklan but we do have other regions who weave and do the same for other natural fibers. This would be an interesting topic especially for the fashion industry who's probably ailing right now because of the pandemic. Go register and see you at the event!

"Finding Rizal in a Time of Barriers" Premieres on ANC

In a time when Filipinos are still confined in the walls of our homes, how do we remember our heroes?

This year marks the 160th birthday celebration of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. As a person who enjoyed the subject and much of the life/teachings of the man who proved that the pen is mightier than the sword, there seems to be little to no information available to Filipinos about what he did in Europe. This June 19, a Rizal documentary is set to premiere on the ABSCBN News Channel and ABSCBN Youtube account. It's aptly called "Finding Rizal in a Time of Barriers" which is conceptualized and envisioned by well known environmentalist, cultural mover and journalist, Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda.

The former Senator had the chance to tour Heidelberg and a little German town called Wilhelmsfeld two years ago. In that place, she met Dr. Fritz Hack Ullmer (who is the great grandson of Pastor Karl Ullmer) who's family hosted our national hero for 3 months in 1886. His lineage (all three generations) had kept Rizal's letters, memorabilia all these years. This wouldn't have been possible without the help of Ambassador Theresa de Vega of the Philippine Embassy in Berlin, Consul General Evelyn Austria Garcia of the Philippine Consulate in Frankfurt and the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila + the men and women from the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda. With the pandemic making all things impossible for them to finish everything, they came to help make this happen in time for Rizal's 160th birthday this year.

Senator Legarda says "Our national hero Jose Rizal lived in a time where there were barriers on skin color, religion, ideologies and more. He broke though these barriers, and his trip through Germany also earmarked the completion of his most famous book Noli Me Tangere which changed a whole country in the process. He also wrote "A Las Flores De Heidelberg" while studying ophthalmology and lived with scientists and humanists Blumentritt and Virchow in Berlin. You'll also get to know the Ullmer family whome he stayed with for a short time in Wilhelmsfield. The Filipinos need to know about this time in Rizal's life, and we're showing that on the documentary. It will also include stories passed on from his Grandfather Friedrich who was only 14 during Rizal's time. You will also see how special he's regarded in Germany as he remains immortalized in streets, plazas, tons of markers paying homage to our national hero."

This will be shown on the ABS-CBN News Channel this comine June 19th, 2021 which falls on Saturday at 7PM. It will also be streamed simultaneously on ABS-CBN News YouTube channel and the Facebook Pages of the Department of Foreign Affairs, National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Office of Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda. Replays will also be done the day after on ANC at 4PM so make sure you catch it at these times.

Happy birthday Pepe!