Advisories & News
Press Release
PCG Toronto Attends Events Commemorating the 124th Death Anniversary and Martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in the Greater Toronto Area
2021-01-01
PR-81-2020
30 December 2020, Toronto, Ontario – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto attended and participated at three (3) commemorative events of the 124th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) of Ontario, Canada on 30 December 2020. Consul General Orontes V. Castro and Consul Edwin Gil Q. Mendoza attended these events in the cities of Markham and Toronto.
A wreath-laying ceremony was held in the morning at the Luneta Gardens, in front of Rizal Avenue in Markham where the life-size monument of Dr. Rizal stands. The event was organized by the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians (MFCC) led by its long-time President, Ms. Yolanda Ladines. This year’s celebration, unlike in previous years, was kept to a minimum due to the Province of Ontario’s lockdown brought about by the COVID-19. Only a few officers and members of MFCC attended the event. Knight Commander of Rizal (KCR) and former Councillor of the City of Markham Sir Alex Chiu, who spearheaded the project of putting-up the monument, was not present during the ceremony. Other regular attendees who were present were Sir Jose Damasco, Knights of Rizal Canada Regional Commander, and fellow KCR Sir Ignacio “Mogi” Mogado, a Markham artist who created the bronze statue of Dr. Rizal.
The second Rizal Day wreath-laying event was held in the afternoon at the Dr. Rizal bust at Earl Bales Park in North York, Toronto, organized by the Order of the Knights of Rizal Canada Region. Consul General Orontes V. Castro and KOR Canada Regional Commander Sir Jose Damasco led the laying of the wreaths before Dr. Rizal’s bust, together with representatives from the Rizal Youth Organization (Canada Region).
The third event capping the day’s commemoration of the martyrdom of Dr. Rizal was a Zoom meet organized by the KOR Canada Region in the evening. This online meeting replaces the usual KOR’s program following the wreath-laying ceremony due to the stricter restrictions in indoor gatherings. The video message of Consul General Castro was presented during the virtual meeting. Sir Feberico Hangdaan gave a report on the Christmas Cheer one-man orchestra, a fund-raising event of KOR, which was able to raise $780.00. The virtual meeting ended with the singing of Bayan Ko and Walk with Faith in Your Heart. – END
