FILAMCCO Conducts Rizal Martyrdom Celebration in Novi, Michigan 

Philippine Consul General to Chicago Gina A. Jamoralin delivers her keynote speech during a commemorative Rizal Day celebration and cultural gala to remember and honor the martyrdom of Rizal on 28 December 2019 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan. (Chicago PE photo)

MICHIGAN 06 January 2020 –– Filipino-Americans from the state of Michigan and guests  coming from as far as Australia paid homage to the Philippines’ national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, during a commemorative Rizal Day celebration and cultural gala to remember and honor the martyrdom of  Rizal on 30 December 1896.

The event was held on 28 December 2019 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan. Carrying  the theme, “Hindi Ka Pababayaan, Bayan Ko”, the program commenced with a parade of colors and procession of officers of various Filipino-American organizations led by the Filipino-American Community Council (FILAMCCO) as the umbrella organization which is also the organizer of the Rizal Day event.

Philippine Consul General to Chicago Gina A. Jamoralin and FILAMCCO President Wilmar Suan led the parade and procession and afterwards offered a wreath of flowers to the image of Dr. Jose Rizal on stage.

Consul General Jamoralin administered the oath of office of incoming FILAMCCO officers and board members. Consul General Jemoralin thanked FILAMCCO for organizing the Rizal Day event to honor the national hero and urged all the Filipinos not to forget the bravery  and sacrifices of the Filipino heroes which freed the early Filipinos of Spanish oppression and allowed the present generation of Filipinos the freedom they now enjoy. She also thanked the various organizations who conducted  humanitarian and medical missions to the Philippines and the awardees for their dedication to public service.

Mr. Wilmar Suan, who was inducted as FILAMCCO president for the second term, delivered his inaugural address and also as a show of appreciation on behalf of FILAMCCO, handed a plaque of appreciation to Consul General Jamoralin. Student Affairs Vice-President Dr. Connie Tingzon-Gatuz, on behalf of Madonna University, also handed a plaque of appreciation to the Consul General for the cooperation and partnership of the Philippine Consulate General  in Chicago with Madonna University, National Federation of Filipino-American Associations (NaFFAA), FILAMCCO and the Office of Honorary Consul General of Michigan in the successful holding of an anti-trafficking seminar on 03 December 2019 entitled, “Responding to Human Trafficking in Our Own Community” at Madonna University. More than 200 guests attended the event which was capped by public dancing and group photos. END

Induction of new Filipino-American Community Council (FILAMCCO) officers and board members. (Chicago PE photo)

Philippine Consul General to Chicago Gina A. Jamoralin (in lavender filipiñana) and Filipino-American Community Council (FILAMCCO) President Wilmar Suan (in blue barong) leading the procession of FILAMCCO member organizations carrying banners with organizations’ names. (Chicago PE photo)

Group photo with Filipino-American Community Council (FILAMCCO) officers after the wreath-laying before the  framed image of Dr. Jose Rizal. (Chicago PE photo)

Philippine Consul General to Chicago Gina A. Jamoralin receive a plaque of appreciation from Filipino-American Community Council (FILAMCCO) President. (Chicago PE photo)

Madonna University Vice-President for Student Affairs Dr. Connie Tingzon-Gatuz hands a certificate of appreciation to Philippine Consul General to Chicago Gina A. Jamoralin for partnership in organizing a successful anti-trafficking seminar for Filipino community leaders in Michigan. (Chicago PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.chicagopcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.chicagopcg.com or https://www.facebook.com/PHinChicago/.