MANILA, Philippines - Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto, noting that the city used to be called Rizal City said yesterday it is with pride that they are commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of the country’s national hero Jose Rizal today.
Calixto, who will lead the wreath laying ceremonies at the Jose Rizal Elementary School said Pasay was named Rizal City when a bill filed by former congressman Ignacio Santos Diaz was signed into law on June 21, 1947.
“That is why commemorating the natal day of our national hero, is one way of showing our love and gratitude for him who has offered his life for the sake of the Filipinos and of the country as well. Not only does his novels had brought forth a great impact to the society but also his great efforts in serving other people with himself being a doctor, an artist, a writer, proving that he is really a well-rounded person,” Calixto said.
Rizal City was off to a good start with revenues of P472,835 as of June 1948. The city was however renamed Pasay after residents had a hard time calling their city by its new name.
Former Pasay congressman Eulogio Rodriguez, Jr. filed a bill returning the city to its original name and on May 3, 1950, former President Elpidio Quirino, also a former resident of Pasay, signed the measure into law.