Even before the Philippines and the Czech Republic established embassies in their respective capitals in 1973, the people-to-people ties between these two countries have already been flourishing — a friendship that has served as one of the foundations of its current bilateral ties. Such a relationship is encapsulated in the formidable friendship of Czech professor Ferdinand Blumentritt and the Philippines’ national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.
Born in Prague on Sept. 10, 1853, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Blumentritt was a master teacher in Litoměřice when he and Rizal started their correspondence. Bound by their mutual enthusiasm and interest in the Philippines, Blumentritt and Rizal’s friendship was akin to that of brothers. He served as a confidant to Rizal and the two collaborated on some works, including Rizal’s annotations of Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, where Blumentritt wrote a prologue.
The Czech professor was also a steadfast advocate of the Philippines’ freedom. He was active in voicing out his support for the Philippines’ independence through his articles and has also contributed to Philippine literature through his works such as the Diccionario Mitológico De Filipinas.
In celebration of the 168th Birth Anniversary of Ferdinand Blumentritt, the Embassy of the Czech Republic, in partnership with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), National Parks and Development Committee (NPDC), Philippines Navy (PN) and the Philippines National Police (PNP), held a wreath-laying ceremony at the Noli Me Tangere Garden, Rizal Park, where his bust is located.
Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Dalibor Mička, represented the Czech Embassy and honored the contribution of Blumentritt in the early Czech-Philippines relations. He also shared the plan of the Embassy to unveil a commemorative plaque remembering the friendship of Blumentritt and Rizal.
“This will serve as a reminder of the long-standing relationship between the Czech Republic and the Philippines. While this work is still in progress, we are glad that we could pay our tributes today and remember the birth of the Czech scholar who has also contributed immensely to the Philippines through his extensive work about the Philippines history and culture,” he said.
The event was hosted by the NHCP in cooperation with Captain Junjie Tabuada, PN (MNSA) who served as the military host; Ms. Reina B. Jara, Chief Administrative Officer of the National Parks Development Committee; Ms. Carminda R. Arevalo, OIC Executive Director of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines; and Mrs. Gina C. Batuhan, Chief, Historic Sites, and Education Division of the NHCP.
This falls in line with the Czech Republic and the Philippines’ efforts in promoting the long-standing friendship of these prominent figures. In 2015, the Embassy of the Philippines in Prague launched the “Rizal-Blumentritt Heritage Trail” in the city of Litoměřice in North Bohemia, Czech Republic. The Embassy commissioned the local artists, Karel Mačas, to draw the 10-point of interests in the heritage trail.
Apart from this, the Embassy of the Czech Republic has also been supportive to the initiatives of the NHCP to commemorate Rizal’s life. In 2020, Czech Ambassador Jana Šedivá joined the 160th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal held in Calamba, Laguna. During the celebration, Ambassador Šedivá was gifted with a portrait of Rizal and Blumentritt made by Janina Sanico out of natural watercolor paints. This portrait is now housed at the Ambassador’s office, which continuously serve as a reminder of the long-standing friendship between the two nations.
The relationship of Rizal and Blumentritt that started through correspondences continue to grow. Founded on shared respect for liberal values, the people-to-people ties of these two figures is evident to this day in the flourishing Czech – Philippine relations which has also expanded in other areas of mutual interests.
