26 December 2019, Phnom Penh – In celebration of Rizal Month and the upcoming Rizal Day on December 30, the Embassy organized a storytelling activity for Filipino and Khmer children in Siem Reap during the Embassy’s mobile consular outreach in Siem Reap on 22 December 2019.

Siem Reap-based Filipino teacher Rosemarie Liu conducted the storytelling entitled “Si Pagong at Matsing (The Turtle and the Monkey),” which was originally written and illustrated by Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal. She started by introducing Jose Rizal and his contribution to his mother country. After the storytelling, she raised the moral values indicated in the story, which are using wit rather than brawn, and avoid employing deceit when dealing with people.

Twenty children with ages ranging from 7 to 19 years old participated in the activity. The Khmer children came from Samrong Community in Sangkat Teuk Vil and Knat, Siem Reap. The children, together with their parents, also volunteer to and are the beneficiaries of the “Solution to Styro Project”[1].

Proclamation No. 126 issued in 2001 declares December as Rizal Month, while Rizal Day is celebrated annually on December 30. END

[1] The project (https://solutiontostyroproject.com/) was founded by another Siem Reap-based Filipino Jesse Atienza and recycles used styrofoam to create unique handicrafts.