Calgary, 14 June 2023  – Close to 2,000 Filipinos from various parts of Alberta, Canada, came to the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary-led celebration of  the 125th Philippine Independence Day at the Dr. José Rizal Monument at Nose Creek Regional Park, Airdrie, Alberta, on 11 June 2023.

It marked the first time that a Philippine Independence Day celebration was held at the Rizal Monument since its unveiling to the public on 23 October 2021.

The Rizal Monument was a project initiated and led by the PCG and undertaken in partnership with the Airdrie City Council, Filipino Airdrie Association, Rizal Monument Project Team, 46 sponsors, and 201 brick donors.

On 19 June 2022, the Rizal Monument, the first in Alberta, was designated as a Philippine Historical Site by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

Fr. Arjay Abanto and Fr. Jose Bustalino presiding the Philippine Independence Day Tagalog Mass at St. Paul’s Church in Airdrie. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Rodel Lozano)

The program on 11 June began with a Philippine Independence Day Tagalog Mass at the St. Paul’s Catholic Church, located near  the Rizal Monument.

After the Mass, Consul General Zaldy Patron led about 200 Filipinos waving the Philippine flags who proudly paraded from the church to the Rizal Monument.

(From top left) Consul General Zaldy Patron, MLA-elect Angela Pitt, Councillor Heather Spearman, and MP Blake Richards delivering their messages.

The formal program at the Rizal Monument began with a wreath laying ceremony with the honor guards from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Alberta Sheriffs.

In his remarks during the program, Consul General  Patron recalled the great sacrifices made by the Filipino revolutionaries to attain independence for the Philippines on 12 June 1898.

He also commended the Filipinos who now live abroad, but continue to cherish their heritage and contribute to the economic prosperity of the Philippines.

“It is just fitting that we are commemorating our Philippine Independence Day for the first time at this Rizal Monument, which symbolizes, represents, and honors the estimated 217,000 hardworking Filipinos here in Alberta,” Consul General Patron said.

 

Gracing the event were Member of Parliament for Airdrie-Banff Blake Richards, Member of Legislative Assembly-elect for Airdrie-East Angela Pitt, and Airdrie City Councillors Heather Spearman and Tina Petrow.

   Non-profit organizations and groups of Filipino lawyers and nurses that gave information about the social services available for the Filipino community.

Tumbang preso, sungka, tiyakad, and turumpo were some of the Filipino games played at the “Let’s Play YYC” area of the Sulong Kalayaan Society.

Local Filipino bands performing at the Philippine Independence Day celebration at Nose Creek Regional Park in Airdrie, Alberta.

Among the highlights of the festive afternoon-long celebration were the twenty (20) cultural performances from groups and individuals coming from Calgary, Airdrie, Edmonton, Lethbridge and Cochrane. 

Aside from the Philippine folk and ethnic dances and the singing of Original Pilipino Music, there were fashion shows, and demonstrations of arnis (Filipino martial arts) at the Rizal Monument.  Two local Filipino bands did live performances at the park’s Amphitheater.

The “Let’s Play YYC” area of the Sulong Kalayaan Society, on the other hand, featured Filipino games, such as tumbang preso, sipa, sungka, tiyakad, and turumpo.

Aside from the cultural program, eight (8) non-profit organizations shared with the public their programs and services for the Filipino community. These organizations were Action Dignity, Centre for Newcomers, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association, Health Quality Council of Alberta, Workers Resource Center, and The Expert Collective.

The Knights of Rizal Chapters of Calgary and Airdrie manned the Rizal Information Booth while the Philippine Canadian Nurses Association and a group of Filipino-Canadian lawyers also set up their respective booths to provide health and legal information.

The Philippine Independence Day celebration at the Rizal Monument also became a community picnic with many groups bringing their own food and drinks.

“The response of the Filipino community to our invitation to celebrate our 125th  Philippine Independence Day at our community’s Rizal Monument in Airdrie was overwhelming,” Consul General Patron remarked.

He said that all the performers agreed to perform pro bono and many sponsors heeded the PCG’s request for support. Likewise, many individuals volunteered to join the various organizing committees.

“We saw on 11 June 2023 the true Bayanihan spirit of the Filipinos, as many helped each other to ensure the success of our Philippine Independence Day celebration at the Rizal Monument in Airdrie,” added Consul General Patron.