Embassy Corner
by H.E. Leslie B. Gatan Philippine Ambassador to Canada

Wreath laying and Knighting ceremonies mark Rizal Day in Ottawa
 
OTTAWA (Jan. 3, 2012) -- For the 10th year running, the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa and the Philippine Heritage Foundation of Canada (PHFC) led wreath laying ceremonies at the Hall des Nations of the Gatineau City Hall on 30 December 2011 to commemorate the 115th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
In her opening remarks, Philippine Heritage Foundation of Canada (HFC) President, Dr. Ruby Formoso recalled the installation of the Dr. José Rizal’s bust 10 years ago at Gatineau’s Maison du Citoyen as a lasting reminder of the national hero’s greatness and martyrdom to all Filipinos in Canada. Dr. Formoso stated that by Rizal’s sacrifice, Filipinos, including those in Canada, were free to pursue their dreams wherever they led.
For his part, Philippine Ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Leslie B. Gatan, encapsulated in a self-penned poem the significance of Rizal’s life and death, thus:

Joy to reminisce for binding us to nationhood
Order in the path to development he cherished
Science he espoused in the road to progress
Education he held foremost as the key to success
Rising star of the Orient, ever esteemed to this very day
Insatiable appetite for non-violence he bequeathed to the world
Zeal for excellence, a paragon for us to emulate
Amiability as an overseas Filipino, a virtue we now practice everywhere
Love of the Peal of the Orient Seas, he offered his life for
JOSE RIZAL, 115 years ago today.

The Knights of Rizal in Ottawa and officers of the Philippine Embassy witnessed the wreath laying rites while PHFC members rendered the song José Rizal.

Montreal Chapter Commander Sir Rey Balansi, Knight Commander of Rizal (KCR) presided over the knighting of Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer, Consul Eric Tamayo, Consul Porfirio Mayo, Jr., Mr. Miguel Luis Moreno and Mr. Albert Jerome Ilagan which signified their admission as first degree members of the Order. Ambassador Gatan, himself a Knight Commander of Rizal, will soon activate the Ottawa chapter of the Knights of Rizal.

Marilou Abaya Diaz’ three-hour award-winning movie epic, José Rizal, played to a rapt audience after the knighting and induction rites.
The Embassy’s commemorative activities marking the 115th Rizal Day ended in a fellowship luncheon among the new and old members of the Knights of Rizal and KababaihangRizalista as well as representatives of the PHFC and the Philippine Embassy.

 
Volume 10 No 2 - January 16-31, 2012
Ang Peryodiko - The Newspaper For Overseas Filipino
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