(Left to right) Consul General Zaldy Patron, FAA President Jun Martin, and Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown laying the wreath at the Dr. José Rizal Monument in Nose Creek Regional Park in Airdrie, Alberta, on 30 December 2021, to honor the Philippine national hero. (Photo credit: Calvin Garcia)
Consul General Zaldy Patron led the ceremony together with Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown and Mr. Jun Martin, President of the Filipino Airdrie Association (FAA). Also in attendance were Airdrie Deputy Mayor Tina Petrow, officers of the FAA, and members of the Rizal Monument Project Team (RMPT).
In his remarks, Consul General Patron paid tribute to the polyglot and polymath Philippine national hero, who died at a young age of 35 on 30 December 1896, for offering his life for his country. Rizal’s two novels - Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo - inspired the Philippine Revolution against Spain.
Consul General Zaldy Patron (4th from left), Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown (5th from left), and Airdrie Deputy Mayor Tina Petrow (3rd from left) together with the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary. (Photo credit: Calvin Garcia)
Consul General Zaldy Patron (5th from left), Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown (6th from left), FAA President Jun Martin (7th from left) and Airdrie Deputy Mayor Tina Petrow (3rd from left) together with the members of the FAA and RMPT. (Photo credit: Calvin Garcia)
Consul General Patron urged the Filipinos to remember Rizal for his extraordinary life, patriotism, and heroism. Likewise, he expressed hope that the younger generations of Filipinos would find inspiration in Rizal and learn more about the Philippines and their heritage.
The Dr. José Rizal Monument, which was unveiled to the public on 23 October 2021, is a cultural diplomacy project of the PCG and was completed in partnership with the Airdrie City Council, FAA and RMPT.