Noli Me Tangere Set for Arabic Translation
2 min read
(NHCP Chairman Regalado Trota Jose Jr., Executive Director Carminda R. Arevalo, Ambassador of the Philippines in Baghdad His Excellency Charlie P. Magdad and representatives from Libya, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Portugal, and Qatar during the MOA signing on February 11, 2026.)
Noli Me Tangere Set for Arabic Translation | In a move that deepens the Philippines’ cultural and historical ties with the global community, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has partnered with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad to launch the Noli Me Tangere Modern Standard Arabic Translation Project. An agreement formalizing the collaboration was signed on February 9 at the NHCP Building in Manila, with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs–Office of Cultural Diplomacy.
(NHCP Chairman Regalado Trota Jose Jr., Executive Director Carminda R. Arevalo, Ambassador of the Philippines in Baghdad His Excellency Charlie P. Magdad during the MOA signing on February 11, 2026.)
This landmark initiative will translate Dr. José Rizal’s seminal 1887 novel—a cornerstone of Philippine literature that exposed social injustices under Spanish rule—into Arabic, introducing its powerful narrative of freedom and national identity to new readers across the Arab world.
During the ceremony, NHCP Chairman Regalado Trota Jose Jr. emphasized the project’s significance. “Though a work of fiction, Rizal’s novel captures the Filipino spirit’s yearning for equality,” he noted. “This edition opens a window for Arabic-speaking audiences into a pivotal chapter of our history.”
The event also featured the launch of Historia Obscura: The Philippines in the 16th and 17th Century in Portuguese Sources, a two-volume compilation of rare archival documents edited by Paulo Jorge de Sousa Pinto, Miguel Rodrigues Lourenço, Pedro Pinto, and Jeremy Roe. The publication brings to light overlooked facets of the nation’s early history, providing scholars and students with valuable primary sources.
Both projects contribute to broader commemorative campaigns: the 2030 Year of Philippine Muslim History and Heritage and the Dekada ng Kasaysayan 2026: Year of Philippine Diplomatic History and Diaspora. These efforts seek to enhance historical literacy, foster cultural dialogue, and strengthen international connections.
(NHCP Chairman Regalado Trota Jose Jr., Executive Director Carminda R. Arevalo, with Ms. Dharla Palomar of the NCCA receiving copies of Historia Obcura last February 9, 2026.)
The gathering drew diplomats from Libya, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, and Qatar, alongside representatives from leading academic institutions such as the University of the Philippines Diliman, University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, and the National Library of the Philippines. Copies of Historia Obscura were presented to each participating library and university, ensuring these resources reach eager minds across the country.
