Yuchengco Museum & Swiss Embassy Present 'Jose Rizal and Switzerland'

Yuchengco Museum and Swiss Embassy Present
Jose Rizal and Switzerland on October 29

Closing event for RIZALizing the Future exhibit features talks by Ambeth Ocampo and Maria Theresa Lazaro, former ambassador of the Philippines to Switzerland

Special lectures by historian Ambeth Ocampo and former ambassador of the Philippines to Switzerland Maria Theresa Lazaro are the highlights of Jose Rizal and Switzerland, an event jointly presented by the Yuchengco Museum and the Embassy of Switzerland on Saturday, October 29, from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. The talks culminate the museum’s four-month exhibit RIZALizing the Future.

Symbolically linking Switzerland and the Philippines are the emblematic figures of two national heroes, Wilhelm Tell and Jose Rizal. Rizal translated into Tagalog Friedrich Schiller’s drama Wilhelm Tell, who embodied the values and ideals for which Rizal gave his life. In his lecture on “Jose Rizal and Switzerland,” Ambeth Ocampo will talk about Rizal’s links to Switzerland.

Ambeth Ocampo is a public historian whose research covers the late 19th century Philippines, its art, culture, and the birth of the nation. He writes a widely read editorial column, entitled “Looking Back,” for the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Dr. Ocampo is currently Chairman and Associate Professor of the Department of History in Ateneo de Manila University.

Relations between the Philippines and Switzerland can be traced back to the early 19th century, when Swiss traders, missionaries, and travelers ventured into Southeast Asia. Since the establishment of a Swiss consulate in Manila—the first official representation of Switzerland in Asia—in 1862, exchange between the two countries has flourished. In her lecture on “Switzerland and the Philippines,” Ambassador Maria Theresa Lazaro will discuss the 150 years of diplomatic and trade relations, development cooperation, and cultural exchange between the two countries.

Ambassador Maria Theresa Lazaro is a former ambassador of the Philippines to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Ambassador Lazaro has been with the Department of Affairs for more than 25 years, and her previous posts include the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney, the Philippine Embassy in New York, and the Philippine Embassy in Madrid.

Jose Rizal and Switzerland comes with museum admission (P100 for adults, P50 for students, and P25 for children and senior citizens). Dr. Ocampo’s books on Jose Rizal will be available for sale, and a small reception to meet the speakers follows the program.

As seating is limited, advance registration is recommended. To register, call 889-1234 or emailinfo@yuchengcomuseum.org. Yuchengco Museum is located at RCBC Plaza, corner Ayala and Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenues, Makati City.