Senator Ejercito, PH Consulate General in Toronto Mark Kalayaan 2018 with Rizal Monument Ground-breaking
Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito and Consul General Rosalita S. Prospero lead dignitaries during the ground-breaking ceremony of the Rizal Monument at the Box Grove Community Park in Markham, Ontario, Canada. (Toronto PCG photo)
TORONTO 25 June 2018 — The Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians celebrated the 120th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence with a flag-raising ceremony and ground-breaking rites for Luneta Gardens in Markham, Ontario, which will house a monument of national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti, Member of Parliament Mary Ang, local elected officials joined the Filipino community during the Philippine flag-raising rites.
While on a personal visit to Toronto, Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito graced the flag-raising and ground-breaking ceremonies in Markham. In his speech, he remarked that “while Filipinos live halfway across the globe, they have always been proud of their roots and cultural heritage.”
The life-size statue will eventually stand across the road where Rizal Avenue in Markham begins. A local Filipino-Canadian Mr. Mogi Mogado will sculpt the life-size bronze statue of Dr. Jose Rizal.
“Once and for all, it signifies that Filipinos have planted our roots in Markham, that we have helped in building this great city,” said Markham Ward 8 Councillor Alex Chui, who spearheaded the Rizal Monument project.
In her remarks, Consul General Rosalita S. Prospero thanked the people of Markham for this singular honor of having a Rizal monument occupy a place of honor in the City of Markham. She also acknowledged the leadership of Councillor Chiu in realizing this noble project. She noted that this monument signifies that the people of Markham duly recognizes the many contributions of Filipinos to the city’s diversity and prosperity. END
Markham Ward 8 Councillor Alex Chiu, Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, Consul General Rosalita S. Prospero, and Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti pose for a group photo. (Toronto PCG photo)
For more information, visit www.torontopcg.dfa.gov.ph / www.philcongen-toronto.com