First Rizal monument in Alberta, Canada unveiled

Some 400 attendees from all over Alberta, Canada, braved the inclement weather to witness the historic unveiling of the first monument of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal there over the weekend.

The monument’s main feature is a three-foot bust of Dr. Rizal made by renowned Filipino sculptor Toym Imao in Manila, according to a news release from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The bust is placed on top of a seven-foot pedestal covered in granite and located in a 36 x 38 feet spot in Nose Creek Regional Park, where most Filipino community gatherings occur.

It was made possible through a partnership between the Philippine Consulate General (PCG), the Airdrie City Council, the Filipino Airdrie Association (FAA), and the seven-man Rizal Monument Project Team (RMPT).

According to Calgary Consul General Zaldy Patron, the statue was launched to honor the Philippine heritage and culture of the hard-working Filipinos in Alberta.

The unveiling ceremony was led by Patron, Alberta Associate Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism Muhammad Yaseen, Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown, and FAA President Mr. Jun Martin.

The installation of the monument is the Philippine Consulate General's biggest cultural diplomacy project to date. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/KBK, GMA News