Mayor Ross Rizal Strengthens Calamba–Wilhelmsfeld Ties in Germany, Honoring Dr. José Rizal’s Enduring Legacy

**** by: Edjun Mariposque

****

October 23, 2025

3–5 minutes

Calamba City Mayor Roseller “Ross” H. Rizal paid tribute to the life and legacy of the country’s national hero, Dr. José Rizal, during his visit to Wilhelmsfeld and Heidelberg, Germany — the very places where the hero once lived, studied, and completed his landmark novel Noli Me Tangere.

The visit, organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt on October 17, 2025, took place alongside the Philippines’ participation as Guest of Honour at the 77th Frankfurt Book Fair. The event served as a cultural bridge between the Philippines and Germany, underscoring the deep historical and intellectual ties rooted in Rizal’s time in Europe.

In Wilhelmsfeld, Mayor Ross Rizal was warmly received by Mayor Dr. Tobias Dangel and members of the Municipal Council. Both leaders reaffirmed the Calamba–Wilhelmsfeld Sister-City Agreement, originally signed in 2011, and expressed a shared commitment to preserving the friendship and history that connect the two towns.

“The imagination peoples the air,” the theme of the Philippines’ Guest of Honour program — drawn from Noli Me Tangere — aptly captured the spirit of the visit. Mayor Rizal’s presence symbolized the enduring power of imagination, learning, and intercultural dialogue that Dr. José Rizal’s works continue to inspire across generations and borders.

Prior to the visit, on October 13, Mayor Rizal met with Consul General Marie Yvette Banzon Abalos to discuss ongoing collaborations between Calamba, Wilhelmsfeld, and Heidelberg. Their talks focused on strengthening cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties through educational and heritage initiatives.

Accompanying Mayor Rizal were Ms. Maolen Karla M. Boholano, Head of Calamba’s Cultural Affairs, Tourism, and Sports Development Department, and Mr. James Aligui. Together, the delegation also visited Heidelberg, where Dr. José Rizal once pursued his medical studies.

The visit not only celebrated the historical connections between Calamba and Germany but also highlighted the continued role of cultural diplomacy in fostering mutual understanding — a legacy that remains true to the ideals of the national hero whose life began in Calamba and whose words continue to resonate around the world.

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