Advisories & News
Press Release
DR. JOSE RIZAL MONUMENT AND HISTORICAL MARKER UNVEILED IN NIAGARA FALLS
2025-06-26
The Filipino Community together with officials of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and Canadian officials at the newly unveiled Rizal Monument and Historical Marker (photo courtesy of Mr. Dennis Bustos)
21 June 2025 – The seventh Rizal monument in Canada along with its historical marker was unveiled in the City of Niagara Falls in Ontario Province. The unveiling was attended by Canadian officials, officials of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto led by Consul General Angelica C. Escalona, officials of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) led by Chair Regalado Trota Jose, Jr. and members of Filipino community. The unveiling was part of the commemoration of the 164th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal.
The unveiling of the Rizal monument in Niagara Falls is historic as it is located in the only place in Canada which was verified to have been visited by Dr. Rizal. The historical marker, which was donated by NHCP, attests that Dr. Rizal visited the Falls on 12 May 1888. The bust of Dr. Rizal was sculpted by multi-awarded Filipino visual artist Abdulmari “Toym” Imao, who was present during the unveiling.
In her remarks, Consul General Escalona said that the monument, which overlooks the Falls, “is truly special because we feel that connection with Dr. Rizal. We can see what he saw, and we can feel the awe and wonder that he undoubtedly felt when he saw the majestic Niagara Falls. It inspires us to discover the hero within us.”
The Filipino community lobbied with the city government for the construction of the monument for more than two decades. They were emotional and ecstatic during the unveiling. The Filipino-Canadian Association of Niagara and the Jose Rizal Memorial Committee (JRMC), together with other community organizations, coordinated closely with the concerned agencies and undertook a fundraising campaign to realize the installation of the monument and historical marker.
Mr. Rodrigo Cuizon, Chair of the JRMC, emphasized that the monument is important to remind Filipinos in Canada, especially the youth, of their heritage. “We would like the youth to be inspired by the teachings of our national hero as they are the hope of the future according to Dr. Rizal,” Mr. Cuizon said.
National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chair Regalado Trota Jose, Jr. (center) with Consul General Angelica C. Escalona (left of Chair Trota), Canadian officials and the Filipino community unveiling the Rizal monument and Historical Marker
First row, seated (left to right) NHCP Executive Director Carminda R. Arevalo, NHCP Chair Jose, Niagara Parks Commission Chair Bob Gale, Consul General Escalona, and Jose Rizal Memorial Committee Chair Rodrigo Cuizon signing the Certificate of Transfer and Acceptance of the Historical Marker
(left) NHCP Chair Jose and (right) Mr. Cuizon giving their remarks (photo courtesy of Mr. Dennis Bustos)
(left) Niagara Falls City Councillor Mike Strange, representing Mayor Jim Diodati, and (right) Niagara Parks Commission Chair Gale giving their remarks (photo courtesy of Mr. Dennis Bustos)
(left) The Rizal monument and historical marker (right) Consul General Escalona in front of the monument (photo courtesy of Mr. Dennis Bustos)
(left) Consul General Escalona with local officials and community members; (right) Officers and members of the Knights of the Rizal
The Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre Rondalla playing the Philippine and Canadian national anthems; (right) Consul General Escalona with Mr. Roberto Eusebio Lavidez, Awardee of the 2024 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas, and his wife, Ms. Joyne Lavidez (photos courtesy of Mr. Dennis Bustos)
Consul General Escalona and NHCP Chair Jose with officials of the NCHP and Philippine Consulate (photo courtesy of Mr. Dennis Bustos)