C E L E B R I T Y	lll

PHILIPPINES NATIONAL HERO GREAT-GRANDNIECE VISITS CZECH REPUBLIC THE 2ND TIME

Celebrating a successful meeting, Fashion designer Noubikko, the mayor of Litomerice Ladislav Chlupac and Salud Reyes, great-grandniece of Jose Rizal.

Prague- August 18, 2008 - Salud Reyes, great-grandniece of Jose Rizal, returned to Prague for the second time from New York following a week sojourn in Provence, France to meet with Noubikko. Noubikko is the head of the Knights of Rizal in Prague, they will discuss plans with the members of the Knights of Rizal for the improvement of the Rizal Park in Litomerice and enhance relationship between members of Prague and Litomerice.

After a brief meeting at the Philippine Embassy with Vice Consul Mersole Mellejor, a meeting ensued the following night at a wine cellar with the Knights regarding the implementation of the plans.

Litomerice has a sister-city agreement with Calamba, the town home of Rizal. Rizal spent four days in Litomerice to visit Ferdinand Blumentritt, who, according to history, catalpulted the end of Spanish colony after over 350 years of occupancy in the Philippines. He is also known as Rizal's best friend.

On a wet and windy morning, Ms. Reyes and Mr. Noubikko, Prague headed to Litomerice, the “Garden of Bohemia”, which is an hour’s drive north of Prague to discuss an upcoming Rizal-Blumentritt Commemoration on November 14-16. They were warmly welcomed by Mayor Ladislav Chlupac, who is Knight Chapter Commander of Litomerice, with local wines and Becherovka and traditional exchange of gifts.

Mayor Chlupac gave them a brief tour of the Old Town Hall and showed the grandeur of what was once the influential and powerful city by showing Renaissance styles built in 1537 by an Italian architect Ambrose Balli.

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 awe. Noubikko said he sees brighter relationship between the two chapters.

Mayor Ladislav Chlupac was very receptive and ready to help in every project for Rizal. It was later agreed that an event will be held in November 14, 2008 in Litomerice, followed by an event in Brno and Ceske Budejovice on November 15 and 16.

"Having Noubikko as chapter commander and very active members like Dr. Sam Bernal, the 3-day success I have witnessed during the installation of Prague Chapter, was definitely another event worthy on writing in history, Ms. Reyes, long-time and favorite spokesperson of the Rizalians, said when she concluded the meeting with the members.

FDN