Dr. Jose Rizal's Statue Unveiled at Pinegrove Memorial Park in New South Wales 

From left to right: Lady Josephine Qintero, Kababaihang Rizalista Inc. (KRI) Melbourne Chapter Adviser and great granddaughter of Soledad Rizal, shares a story from their family's chronicle about Dr. Rizal's remains after he passed away. Sir Justice Elihu Ybañez, former Supreme Commander of the Knights of Rizal (KOR) and Member of the Council of Elders, emphasizes the sacrifices and contributions of Dr. Jose Rizal that led to Philippine Independence; expresses his gratitude to Australia for welcoming Filipinos, embracing Filipino culture, and allowing another statue of Dr. Rizal in New South Wales. Consul General Charmaine Rowena Aviquivil congratulates KOR, KRI, and Invocare for their collaborative efforts in holding a ceremonial event coinciding with the 163rd birth anniversary of Dr. Rizal, and acknowledges the significance of Dr. Rizal's role in Philippine history and culture. Sir Lambert Tagayuna, Legal Officer of KOR and adviser of KOR NARRA Chapter, pays tribute to the legacy of Dr. Rizal.

SYDNEY 28 June 2024 – Philippine Consul General to Sydney Charmaine Rowena C. Aviquivil joined the unveiling of the new statue of Dr. Jose Rizal at Pinegrove Memorial Park in Minchinbury, NSW on 18 June 2024.

The newest Rizal statue is located in the Rizal Memorial Gardens of Pinegrove Memorial Park, and its installation was spearheaded by Invocare, a leading provider of funeral services in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. It is the fifth representation of the national hero in New South Wales, in addition to the four existing busts/statues/monuments in Campbelltown, Rooty Hill, Ashfield, and Plaza Ibero in Sydney CBD. 

In her remarks, Consul General Charmaine Rowena Aviquivil congratulated the Knights of Rizal (KOR), Kababaihang Rizalista Inc. (KRI), and Invocare for their collaborative efforts in holding a ceremonial event that coincided with the 163rd birth anniversary of Dr. Rizal. She also acknowledged the significance of Dr. Rizal's role in Philippine history and culture, who also represents a patriotic, courageous, compassionate, and resilient Filipino, who fought for equality, freedom, self-determination, and human rights.

On the other hand, Sir Justice Elihu Ybañez, former Supreme Commander of the Knights of Rizal (KOR) and Member of the Council of Elders, emphasized the sacrifices and contributions of Dr. Jose Rizal that led to Philippine Independence. In addition, he expressed his gratitude to Australia for welcoming Filipinos, embracing Filipino culture, and for allowing another statue of Dr. Rizal to be established in New South Wales.

Meanwhile, Lady Josephine Quintero, Kababaihang Rizalista Inc. (KRI) Melbourne Chapter Adviser and great granddaughter of Soledad Rizal, shared a story about Dr. Rizal's remains after he passed away. The story was not published or known in historical books, but came directly from the Rizal family's chronicle.

In his message, Sir Lambert Tagayuna, Legal Officer of KOR and Adviser of KOR NARRA Chapter, paid tribute to the legacy of Dr. Rizal.

Officers and members of the KOR and KRI, Filipino community leaders, media representatives, and officials from Invocare and Pinegrove Memorial Park also joined the ceremony and offered flowers after the unveiling of the statue.

Dr. Jose Rizal’s birth anniversary, celebrated every June 19, involves wreath laying and flower offering ceremonies in four areas in New South Wales, namely in Plaza Ibero in Surry Hills, Ashfield Park, Rizal Park in Rooty Hill, and Rizal Park in Rosemeadow, Campbelltown. END

From left to right: KRI Melbourne Chapter Adviser and great granddaughter of Soledad Rizal family Lady Josephine Quintero, KRI Treasurer and Invocare Client Services Manager Lady Aileen Labiga, Consul General Charmaine Rowena Aviquivil, and Past Supreme Commander of KOR and Member of the Council of Elders Sir Justice Elihu Ybañez unveil the statue of Dr. Jose Rizal at Pinegrove Memorial Park - Jose Rizal Gardens, which coincides with the commemoration of the 163rd Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal. (Sydney PCG photo)

Consul General Charmaine Rowena Aviquivil, assisted by KRI Sydney Adviser Lady Vice Consul Frances Louissa Cleofas, offers a wreath at the statue of Dr. Jose Rizal. (Sydney PCG photo)

For more information, visit https://www.sydneypcg.dfa.gov.ph/, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinSydney, or https://www.instagram.com/phlinsydney/.