PH Consulate General in Toronto Joins FilCom Events in Celebration of 159th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal in Markham City, Toronto City
Philippine Consul General to Toronto Orontes V. Castro (center), with Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians (MFFC) President (third from left) Yolanda Ladines, Consul Edwin Gil Mendoza (third from right), and other officials and members of MFFC at the Dr. Jose Rizal Monument, Luneta Gardens, Boxgrove Park, Markham City on 19 June 2020. (Toronto PCG photo)
TORONTO 26 June 2020 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto officials, led by Consul General Orontes V. Castro, participated in the Filipino Community’s events celebrating the 159th Birth Anniversary of the Philippines’ National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, in the Cities of Markham and Toronto on 19 June 2020.
In Markham City, the celebration was spearheaded by the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians (MFFC), led by its Co-President, Yolanda Ladines. The officials and members of MFFC, along with guests, laid bouquets of flowers in front of the six feet tall, bronze statue of Dr. Rizal, located at the Luneta Gardens, Boxgrove Community Park, Markham City. Other participants of the event were former Markham City Councillor Alex Chiu, who initiated and led the installation of the monument of Dr. Rizal, and Mr. Ignacio “Mogi” Mogado, sculptor of said statue.
In Toronto City, the wreath-laying ceremony at the Dr. Rizal bust at Earl Bales Park, North York was organized by the Order of the Knights of Rizal (KOR) Canada Region, led by KOR Canada Regional Commander Jose Damasco. Consul General Castro, together with KOR Canada Regional Commander Joe Damasco and Knight Grand Officer of Rizal (KGOR), laid a wreath in front of Dr. Rizal’s bust. The other organizations who alternated in laying wreaths in small groups were KOR Past Regional Commanders and advisers, KOR Chapter Commanders, Ladies of the Knights of Rizal, and Rizal Canada Youth.
In his remarks, Consul General Castro thanked the officials and members of KOR-Canada Region for leading the commemoration of the birth anniversary of our national hero despite the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated that Dr. Rizal belonged to the first intellectuals in Asia who enunciated love of country, patriotism, and national identity. Dr. Rizal’s life and works have inspired generations of Filipinos and his legacies continue to reverberate through the present time. Consul General Castro also expressed his appreciation to the KOR for propagating Dr. Rizal’s legacies not only to Filipinos but also to other nationalities in their communities.
Consul General Castro also presented one copy each of the facsimile copy of the original manuscripts of Dr. Jose Rizal’s novels, “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo”, to KOR Canada Regional Commander Damasco. END
Philippine Consul General to Toronto Orontes V. Castro (rightmost ) with former Markham City Councillor Alex Chiu (center), Ignacio Mogado (leftmost), Alicia Chiu (second from right), and Cherry-Marie Chiu (second from left). (Toronto PCG photo)
Wreath-laying at Dr. Jose P. Rizal Statue at Earl Bales Park in North York, Ontario by Philippine Consul General to Toronto Orontes V. Castro (center) with Canada Region Commander of Knights of Rizal Joe Damasco and Consul Edwin Gil Mendoza. (Toronto PCG photo)
Presentation of each of the facsimile copy of Dr. Jose P. Rizal's two novels, “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo”, to Canada Region Commander of Knights of Rizal Joe Damasco. (Toronto PCG photo)
Wreath-laying at Dr. Jose P. Rizal's Statue at Sentro Rizal-Toronto led by Philippine Consul General to Toronto Orontes V. Castro with Cultural Officer Cecilia Santos, Deputy Consul General Edna May Lazaro, Consul Edwin Gil Mendoza and Administrative Officer Jocelyn Roxas. (Toronto PCG photo)
For more information, visit https://www.torontopcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philcongen-toronto.com, or https://www.facebook.com/PHinToronto/.