by Teresa Torralba
One of the world’s most photographed natural landmarks was the site of a historic event in the Filipino Canadian community which took place on a drizzling Sunday afternoon of October 2023.
The monument of the Philippine’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, will soon rise. It is to be nestled in the resplendent Niagara Parks overlooking the world’s most powerful waterfall, the majestic Niagara Falls. The monument will proudly display a historical marker and a bronze bust of Dr. Jose Rizal.
It was 25 years ago, back in 1998, when a Centennial project of the then Philippine Consul General Francisco Santos, Consul Olive Palala, Vice Consul Sylvia Marasigan and the Filipino Canadian Association of Niagara (FCAN) was organized. Fast-forward 2023, this remarkable and significant project has finally come to fruition under the auspices of the Jose Rizal Memorial Niagara organization, formerly known as Jose Rizal Committee of FCAN.
The sizeable presence of Philippine government representatives in Canada is a testament to the historical prominence of the event. A bus load of Philippine delegation was led by no less than Her Excellency, Ambassador Maria Andrelita Austria, Philippine Ambassador to Canada, Consul General Angelica C. Escalona (Toronto), Consul General Zaldy B. Patron (Calgary), Consul General Arlene T. Magno (Vancouver). Noteworthy was the presence of the Niagara Parks Commission and Councillor Mona Patel of the City of Niagara Falls.
Under a sprinkle of mist from the majestic Falls, the momentous event began with a simple program led by Rodolfo “Rod” Quizon, chairman of the Jose Rizal Memorial Organization, who proudly bestowed recognition to all the Filipinos in Niagara community organizations led by FCAN and Niagara government partners who have worked hard together through many years of planning, fact-finding, and establishing government support and cooperation.
During his opening remarks, Quizon emphasized that “this project is for all, not only for Filipinos in our (Niagara) region, but for the whole world”. He further stated to the applause of everyone present that “If we work together, we can do anything we want for the good of the Filipino community.”
It was also at this moment when Quizon reminded everyone present that the Dr Jose Rizal memorial tree was designated on June 13, 1998, with a historic plate installed on the Birch tree to commemorate the visit of our national hero who made a stop at Niagara Falls on May 12, 1888 enroute to Europe.
As if it was a stroke of destiny, the Birch tree is located right across from the future site of Dr. Jose Rizal’s bust.
The installation of a permanent marker was made possible by the cooperation of Niagara Parks Commission and FCAN’s Dr Jose Rizal Memorial Committee.
Ambassador Austria in her remarks noted how the moment was “really overwhelming” and added that the Dr. Jose Rizal monument will fully establish the presence of the Filipinos in Canada whose population is considered to have reached the one millionth mark. She told the enthusiastic crowd that “our national hero could not be prouder and more pleased” with what has been accomplished. She further thanked all the Filipino organizations present and the City of Niagara Falls for realizing such an honourable undertaking.
Overall, it was a resounding success for FCAN and the Jose Rizal Memorial Organization for what started as a dream had become an arm’s length to reality. There will be more hard work ahead in the horizon, yet the Filipino patriot in everyone of us will guide us in pulling together with pride and willingness to honour the motherland.
The Falls could be replaced by a series of rapids.
How interesting it is to know that 50,000 years from now, at the present rate of erosion, the remaining 20 miles to Lake Erie will have been undermined. There won’t be a Falls anymore but there will still be a river at work.
Regardless of the future geology of Niagara Falls, we would like to dream that our National Hero will remain standing at the very site it was borne in at the 21st century overlooking the mighty Niagara Falls.
A true testament of the resilience of a Filipino.