PH EMBASSY, BIBLIOTHECA ALEXANDRINA COLLABORATE ON LIBRARY AND MUSEUM TOUR FOR FILIPINO YOUTH

17 October 2026- The Philippine Embassy in Cairo, in collaboration with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, organized a special event titled “Finding Dr. Jose Rizal in Alexandria: A Tour of Bibliotheca Alexandrina for Second-Generation Filipinos” on 17 October 2026. Held in celebration of the 2026 Museums and Galleries Month (MGM), the initiative highlighted this year’s national theme: “Bridging Divides: Preserving the Present for Tomorrow.”

During her opening remarks, Philippine Ambassador Rowena Charmaine C. Aviquivil expressed her

gratitude to Professor Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Zayed Hegab, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and his team for graciously hosting the tour and welcoming the Philippine delegation. Ambassador Aviquivil noted that the Bibliotheca Alexandrina is not only a global sanctuary of knowledge but also a living symbol of the enduring, historic friendship between the Philippines and Egypt. She encouraged the young Filipino students to reflect on how Dr. Jose Rizal’s historic travels left an indelible mark on the region, inspiring them to carry that proud heritage forward.

The Philippine delegation was warmly received by Ms. Eman Wahdan, Head of the Public Relations, Protocol, and Media Department, along with her team. The comprehensive tour was arranged and guided by Ms. Sarah Serajeldin, Mr. Mohsen Elgendy, and Ms. Rawda Ramadan. Additionally, Ms. Shahd Mostafa provided a guided tour of the Manuscript Museum, while Mr. Ziad Mohamed Zekri gave an informative overview of the Sadat Museum.

The itinerary featured an exclusive guided tour of the main library and its specialized museums. A highlight of the visit was the bust of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. Sculpted by renowned Filipino artist Frederic I. Caedo, the bust was donated to the Bibliotheca in December 2015 under the tenure of former Philippine Ambassador to Egypt H.E. Claro S. Cristobal, alongside manuscript prints of Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo produced by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

During a brief stop in front of Dr. Rizal’s bust, Second Secretary and Consul Ms. Crystal Ann S. Dunuan provided an insightful introduction to the life and works of Dr. Jose Rizal. She also noted Rizal’s historic trip through the Suez Canal during his journey to Europe.

The delegation also explored the Manuscript Museum and the Sadat Museum, which is dedicated to the life and legacy of the late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. The group also visited the Library's galleries which show a total of 17 permanent exhibitions of artworks of contemporary and modern Egyptian artists.

A total of twenty-eight (28) participants—comprising second-generation Filipino and Filipino-Egyptian students, accompanying parents residing in Alexandria, and personnel from the Philippine Embassy—joined the educational tour. END