PCG Calgary Leads Rizal Day Commemoration at Rizal Monument in Airdrie, Alberta 

 The Philippine Consulate  General (PCG) in Calgary led the Filipino community in Alberta in  commemorates the 126th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. José Rizal with a simple wreath laying ceremony at the Dr. José Rizal Monument at Nose Creek Regional Park in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada on 30 December 2022.(Photos from Calgary PCG) 

CALGARY 04 January 2023 - The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary led the Filipino community in Alberta in commemorating the 126th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. José Rizal with a simple wreath laying ceremony at the Dr. José Rizal Monument at Nose Creek Regional Park in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada on 30 December 2022.

Joining the PCG in the event were Member of Parliament (Airdrie-Banff) Blake Richards, Member of Legislative Assembly (Airdrie-East) Angela Pitt, Airdrie City Councillor Ron Chapman, the Filipino Airdrie Association, the Rizal Monument Project Team, and the other members of the Filipino community in Alberta.

The program began with the singing of the Philippine and Canadian national anthems led by Ms. Jewel Arwen Nierva, followed by a brief remarks by Consul General Zaldy Patron  and the invited distinguished guests, as well a simple wreath laying ceremony.

Consul General Patron said that Dr. Rizal, with his excellence in many fields and his courage to fight the Spanish colonizers with ideas of liberty and freedom through his written works, was the epitome of a true Filipino. He called on all Filipinos in Alberta and the rest of Canada to draw inspiration from the life and deeds of Dr. Rizal. Just like the Philippine national hero, the Consul General emphasized that Filipinos could be noble, wherever they are, and that they should safeguard and defend the freedom enjoyed by the Philippines.

MP Richards expressed his appreciation for the contributions of the Filipino community in Alberta. Similar remarks were made by MLA Pitt, Councillor Chapman, and Mr. Jun Martin, President of FAA.

The construction of the Dr. José Rizal Monument was a project initiated and led by the PCG and undertaken in partnership with the Airdrie City Council, Filipino Airdrie Association, Rizal Monument Project Team, 46 major sponsors, and 201 brick donors.

The Monument was unveiled on 23 October 2021 and was designated by the National Historical Commision of the Philippines as a Philippine historical site on 19 June 2022.

For more information, visit https://www.calgarypcg.dfa.gov.ph         or https://www.facebook.com/PHinCalgary/.          END