The Philippine Embassy in Bern joined in the celebration and recognition of outstanding contributors to cultural, humanitarian and community services at the first Jose Rizal Heritage Awards Gala held on 23 September 2023 in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Among the attendees were Swiss and international dignitaries and members of the diplomatic community.

The award recipients, who like the Philippine National Hero, Dr. Rizal, performed selfless acts of service to others in their respective fields, include:

For Statesmanship and Public Service

• • .E. Stjepan Mesić, the last President of Yugoslavia and two-time president of Croatia, for Statesmanship and Public Service

For Humanitarian Services

• • Dame Tessy Antony de Nassau, former Princess of Luxembourg and UN AIDS Global Advocate for young women and adolescent girls
  • Marisa Freiermuth-Nicolas, Filipino Philanthropist

For Cultural and Public Services

• • Mgr. Antonin Stanêk, former minister of culture and longtime parliamentarian of the Czech Republic

For Cultural Achievements

• • Paolo Gambi, Italian poet and artist

For Sustainable Economic and Public Services

• • Sir Reghis M. Romero II, KGCR
  • Dr. Claus Drexel, President of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce

For Medical Research and Education

• • Dr. Sir Billy Chan, KGOR, Director of the Center of Excellence in Medical Education in Macau

Honorary Award for Lifetime Achievement

• • E. Ioannis Kapodistrias (posthumous), First Governor of independent Greece, a great statesman who gave Switzerland its federal state structure and the policy of neutrality

The event was organized by Sir Stephan Urs Breu, Knights of Rizal Area Commander in Switzerland and Poland, and Lady Estrella Borda-Ruppert, President of Las damas de Rizal Switzerland Chapter. Awardees and guests were also invited to a heritage tour tracing Dr. Rizal’s footsteps in Schaffhausen, including a visit to the marker at the former Hotel Müller where Dr. Rizal and his friend, Maximo Viola, were billeted during their visit in June 1887.