PR-45-2022
30 December 2022 – This year’s celebration of the 126th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal was attended by around 100 representatives from various Filipino Community organizations in Victoria, local government officials, and the Filipino community. Held at the Rizal Park in Ballarat, it was organized by Pinoy Ako Pinoy Tayo (PAPT), Filipino Australian Sports Club of Ballarat Inc. (FASCOBI) and the Filipino-Australian Association of Ballarat, Inc. (FAABI).
Speakers at the event shared stories of inspiration, noting the positive example of Dr. Jose Rizal as the Philippine national hero, and the impact he has had on Filipinos in Australia and around the world. Among them were Consul Jan Sherwin P. Wenceslao, Ms. Josephine Quintero, the great grandniece of Dr. Rizal; Ballarat City Council Mayor Des Hudson; Minister Juliana Addison, MP for Wendouree; Michaela Settle MP for Eureka; Dr Allan Terret member of the Knights of Rizal; Ms. Sherlita Hart, Filipino community leader in Ballarat and former President of FAABI, and Mr. Arlan Fajardo, PAPT. The message of Ambassador Ma. Hellen de la Vega to the Filipino community in Victoria was also read by Ms. Quintero.
The program included a moving reenactment of the events leading to Rizal’s death by firing squad at Bagumbayan presented by a group of young Filipino-Australians complete with costumes, music and dramatic narration and poetry reading, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony by the guests. This was followed by a group delivery of “Huling Paalam” directed by Mr. Manuel Asuncion, the singing of “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” and “Bayan Ko” by Mr. Arlan Fajardo, accompanied by the Philippine Rondalla in Victoria, and a traditional fan dance by the FAABI dance troupe. The program further announced the establishment of the Kababaihan Rizalista Inc. (KRI) Victoria Chapter, through the introduction of its trustees and founding members, comprised of high-profile women Filipino community leaders in Victoria.
Dr. Jose P. Rizal is the Philippine national hero, a nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He was executed by the Spanish colonial government for rebellion and sedition in Bagumbayan, now Luneta Park, on 30 December 1986. His death sparked the Philippine nationalist movement.
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