Supporters hold traditional 'Rizal Walk'

Despite the bad weather, Knights of Rizal and other supporters of the late national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, flocked at Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila, to retrace once more the final footsteps of Rizal. The groups withstood the light to moderate pouring of rain as they walked from Fort Santiago in a cell where Rizal was said to be jailed for nearly two months before his execution on December 30, 1896. More than a hundred years later, Knights of Rizal and other supporters join forces annually to put focus on the life and works of Rizal to the new generation. "Ito'y ginagawa namin taon-taon bilang pag-alala hindi lang sakaniyang contribution sa Pilipinas, kung hindi ito'y magsilbing aral sa napakaraming Pilipino na buhay pa rin si Rizal hanggang sa ngayon. Ang kaniyang mga adhika, mga saloobin, at kaniyang layunin, at pagmamahal niya sa Inang bayan ay tunay na buhay na buhay pa. Gusto naming panatilihing buhay si Rizal sa puso at diwa ng ating mga kababayan," Gene Michael Atanacio, a member of the Knights of Rizal, said. After the 'Rizal Walk', the group participated in the wreath-laying ceremony presided over by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.