Coinciding with Filipino Heritage Month in Alberta, the Filipino Airdrie Association (FAA) has received a plaque from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), recognizing the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal that is located in Nose Creek Regional Park as a historical monument outside of the Philippines.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines is a government agency within the southeast Asian country. The NHCP promotes the Philippines’ culture, heritage, and history by recognizing monumental sites internationally erected.
The three-foot bust of Rizal, which was officially unveiled to the City of Airdrie in October 2021, has been recognized by the NHCP and will receive a cast-iron plaque on June 19. The plaque was shipped to Airdrie all the way from the Philippines.
Considered the Philippines’ national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal helped lead the country to independence from Spain by using the knowledge he gained in his travels across Europe while studying academic texts, according to Mark Quintin, a director for the FAA. Dr. Rizal became a martyr after he was executed in 1898 for vocalizing his ideas regarding Philippine independence.
“He died being a national hero. That was his contribution, awakening the Filipinos,” Quintin said. “[For] the Filipino community, to promote their own identity, their origin, and not to forget where they came from, and hopefully they can recognize the national hero.”
To celebrate the installation of the plaque, members of the FAA, Mayor Peter Brown, the Philippine ambassador in Canada, and the executive director of the NHCP will be gathering in Nose Creek Regional Park at 11 a.m. on June 19. The ceremony is open to the public.
The Sunday event also marks what would be Rizal's 161st birthday.
The bust in Nose Creek Regional Park is currently the only monument of Dr. Jose Rizal in Alberta, according to Quintin, who said those visiting the park are able to view the statue and learn more about the history of the Philippines.
“[It’s] a good introduction of Filipinos being part of the citizenry and other people [can] understand who the Filipino people are,” he added, noting the Filipino Airdrie Association has noticed an increase in the Filipino community within Airdrie in recent years.
The FAA was founded in 2002 to create a Filipino community and representation in Airdrie, according to Quintin.
“The main goal [is] to provide support to the Filipino community…number two is to be able to promote the culture of the Filipinos,” Quintin added. “It’s important that you don’t miss out, you don’t forget your culture.”
