May 96 article

      MANILA, May 01 (PNA-OPS) -- Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and National Centennial Commission chairman Salvador Laurel today officially launched the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Asian Fellowship Program aimed at disseminating Rizal's ideas on human dignity, peace and freedom not only in Asia but throughout the world.

      Chairman Laurel said the program will establish a continuing exchange of scholars in the fields of history, culture and arts, politics, business, economics and medicine within the Southeast Asian region. "We call upon all the other Southeast Asian Nations to actively participate and support this program," Laurel said.

      For his part, the Malaysian leader expressed his deep appreciation to the Philippine government for inviting Malaysia to be the first to participate in the Rizal Fellowship. "We give our assurance that we will honor the trust given us to execute this noble venture and do justice to the memory of Dr. Jose Rizal," Minister Anwar said.

      Minister Anwar attributed to Dr. Rizal, the Philippines'national hero, the awakening of Asians. "Had it not been for Rizal, we might still be languishing and groping in the darkness of colonial subjugation and domination. Thus, Rizal is much, much more than a Filipino hero. The Great Malayan is in fact the father of Modern Asia. He is the first man of the Asian Renaissance," Anwar said.

      Press Secretary Hector Villanueva revealed that Minister Anwar's fascination with the teachings of Dr. Rizal began when he was 16 years old.

      Villanueva further said that Rizal's " Mi Ultimo Adios " has been the guide of Minister Anwar since he was still a student. Thursday, the Malaysian leader will be conferred a Doctor of Laws Degree in Public Administration honoris causa, by the Ateneo de Manila University. (PNA-OPS)