PH Consulate General in Toronto Commemorates the 123rd Death Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal in the Greater Toronto Area
Consul Edwin Gil Mendoza (front row, third from left) and Assistance-to-Nationals Officer Dennis Escobedo (back row, first from right) with former Markham City Councillor Alex Chiu (front row, fourth from left), Mogi Mogado (front row, first from right) and officials and members of the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians, led by its President, Yolanda Ladines (front row, second from right) at the Rizal Monument, Luneta Gardens, Markham City on 30 December 2019. (Toronto PCG photo)
TORONTO 06 January 2020 — The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto attended two commemorative events of the 123rd Anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Ontario on 30 December 2019. Consul Edwin Gil Mendoza and Assistance-to-Nationals Officer Dennis Escobedo attended these activities in the cities of Markham and Toronto.
The morning event in Markham was highlighted by the wreath-laying ceremony at the life-sized monument of Dr. Rizal at the Luneta Gardens in front of Rizal Avenue, Markham. Officials and members of the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians led by its president, Yolanda Ladines, organized the ceremony. Also in attendance were former councillor of Markham City, Sir Alex Chiu who spearheaded the project to put up the monument and Knight Commander of Rizal (KCR), and KCR Sir Ignacio “Mogi” Mogado, Markham artist and creator of the bronze statue of Dr. Rizal. It was the first ever Rizal Day commemorative event held at the Luneta Gardens.
Another wreath-laying ceremony, organized by the Order of the Knights of Rizal (KOR) Canada Region, was held at the Dr. Rizal bust at Earl Bales Park in North York, Toronto in the afternoon. KOR Canada Regional Commander Knight Grand Officer of Rizal Sir Jose Damasco, Consul Mendoza, representatives from Kababaihang Rizalista Inc. Toronto Chapter and Rizal Youth Organization (Canada Region) laid wreaths before Dr. Rizal’s bust.
A short program ensued at the nearby Earl Bales Community Center. During the event, Consul Mendoza, representing Consul General to Toronto Orontes Castro, handed over certificates of appreciation to Sir Jose Damasco and Sir Delfin Palileo, KCR. KOR officials and guest speakers who played a huge role in the successful sixth KOR Canada Regional Assembly in Montreal, Quebec in September 2019 were also recognized during the program. END
Knight Grand Officer of Rizal, Sir Jose Damasco of the Knights of Rizal Canada Region, welcomes participants to the wreath-laying ceremony in front of the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal at Earl Bales Park, North York, Toronto on 30 December 2019. (Toronto PCG photo)
Consul Edwin Gil Mendoza during the short program at the Earl Bales Community Center Banquet Hall, North York, Toronto. (Toronto PCG photo)
For more information, visit https://www.torontopcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philcongen-toronto.com or https://www.facebook.com/PHinToronto/.