Airdrie, Alberta
Filipino sculptor Toym Imao created the fifth Rizal statue in Canada
Charmaine Rodriguez Kara
FILIPINO pride ran high in Alberta, Canada when a three-foot bust of national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, was unveiled in a special ceremony in Nose Creek Regional Park in the City of Airdrie on October 23, 2021.
Alberta Associate Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism Muhammad Yaseen, who represented the Provincial Government of Alberta during the unveiling ceremony, said the monument was an important reminder of the contributions of the Filipino community in Alberta and an opportunity for the province to learn more about its Filipino neighbours.
He added that the statue would showcase the cultural diversity and multiculturalism of Alberta as a great place to live in.
Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown echoed Yaseen’s statement, adding that the new monument is a true testament to the cultural diversity of Airdrie.
It would further enhance the city’s reputation as “the place to be.” He expressed hope that many people from across Alberta would be coming to Airdrie to reflect on Dr. Rizal’s importance to the Filipino people.
Consul General Zaldy Patron of the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary said the monument was the PCG’s “humble way of honoring the Philippine national hero, paying tribute to the hard-working Filipinos in Alberta, and promoting Philippine heritage and culture.”
Patron sees the monument site, which includes a seven-foot pedestal covered with granite and stands on a 36 feet by 38 feet area, within the park, to be the future venue for Philippine celebrations and events.
Although Canada is not among the 13 countries that Rizal travelled to between 1882-1887, he is known for his famous quote about looking back and staying loyal to your Motherland once you set foot in a foreign land and pursue your plans.
“Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan” (He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination) is one of Rizal’s famous quotes.
The PCG implemented the project in partnership with the Airdrie City Council, the Filipino Airdrie Association (FAA), and the seven-man Rizal Monument Project Team (RMPT), which Consul General Patron formed and headed, according to PCG Calgary’s press release.
Jun Martin, President of the FAA, said the Rizal Monument was a significant representation of all Filipinos and that the FAA was glad to play an important role in bringing a part of the Filipino heritage to Airdrie, Alberta.
The PCG and FAA commissioned renowned Filipino sculptor Toym Imao to create the bust of Rizal. The scultpure was then shipped from Manila to Calgary then brought to Airdrie.
The bust, which took 14 months to complete, is the fifth Rizal statue in Canada, according to a usa.inquirer.net report.
Consul General Patron proposed the idea to Mayor Brown in June 2019 and presented a proposal to him in September 2020. The Airdrie City Council approved it in October 2020 and during the succeeding sessions in March and April 2021 also agreed to the other details of the project.
In July 2021, the PCG, FAA and RMPT organized the 1st ConGen Cup Golf Tournament to raise funds for the project.
There were also 32 major sponsors, 192 brick donors and several supporters of the projects, Consul General Patron said.
This is the only Rizal monument that has not been sponsored by the Knights of Rizal.