PH Embassy in Canberra, Filipino Community Commemorate Rizal Day
Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega leads the wreath laying ceremony in the commemoration of the 122nd anniversary of the martyrdom of National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal in Rizal Park, Campbelltown, New South Wales on 30 December 2018. (Canberra PE photo)
NEW SOUTH WALES 31 December 2018 – The Philippine Embassy in Canberra and the Knights of Rizal in Australia led the commemoration of the 122nd anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in Campbelltown City and Blacktown City in New South Wales on 30 December 2018.
A wreath-laying ceremony was held in Rizal Park in the City of Campbelltown where a towering bronze statue of Dr. Rizal stands. In the ceremony, Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen Barber De La Vega was joined by Consul General to Sydney Ma. Teresa Taguiang, Councilor Masood Chowdhury, representing Campbelltown City mayor His Worship George Brticevic, and Rizal Park Movement of Campbelltown (RPMC) president and Councillor Rey Manoto.
“As Filipinos living abroad, it behooves us to highlight the life and legacy of this great man. He is revered not only in our country but by other nationalities as well. References to Rizal abound in different parts of the world. I hope that we will see more here in Australia, whether in parks, stage plays, street names or in libraries. It is the duty of each one of us to keep his legacy alive and to pass on this shining moment in our nation’s history to as many people as possible,” Ambassador De La Vega said.
The RPMC also celebrated its 10th anniversary on the same day. The organization led the successful establishment of the Rizal Park. The unveiling of the Rizal statue in 2012 was the culmination of activities since 1987. Campbelltown is home to around 5,692 Filipino-Australians. Councillor Manoto is the first Filipino elected to the city’s council.
In Blacktown City, a commemoration ceremony was held in Rizal Park of Rooty Hill where a bust of Dr. Rizal has stood since November 2018. The ceremony included Rizaliana readings by the Knights of Rizal and Kababaihang Rizalista Inc. Sydney Chapter. Councillor Jess Diaz, representing Mayor Stephen Bali, paid tribute to the efforts of Filipinos in the realization of Rizal Park in the city. He also said that while Filipino are 8.9% of the total city population, there are five Filipino Councillors who together comprise 35% of the City Council.
Ambassador De La Vega took the opportunity to gain support from the community in working together to raise the profile of the Filipino community “as we move towards the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Philippines-Australia Diplomatic Relations in 2021.”
Blacktown City hosts 29,931 Filipinos and the largest concentration of Filipinos in Australia. Filipinos are the second largest ethnic group in the city. END
For more information, visit www.canberrape.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philembassy.org.au or https://www.facebook.com/PHinAustralia/.
Ambassador to Australia Hellen B. De La Vega, Ma. Teresa Taguiang, Councillor Masood Chowdhury representing His Worship George Brticevic, Mayor of Campbelltown City and Councillor Rey Manoto, President of the Rizal Park Movement of Campbelltown at the Rizal Park in Campbelltown City. (Canberra PE photo)
Councillor Jess Diaz of the City Council of Blacktown paytribute to the efforts of the Filipino community in the realization of a Rizal Park. (Canberra PE photo)
The bust of Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal stands in Rizal Park, Rooty Hill and was unveiled on 23 November 2018. The bust is a sculpture by Mr. Sajid Imao. (Canberra PE photo)