Jose Rizal monument unveiled in Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer attended the dedication and unveiling ceremony of the Dr. Jose Rizal monument at the George Fellows Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado last July 27.
The event was organized by the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation, and was graced by descendants of Dr. Jose Rizal namely, Bambi Virata and Claire Pinto. Representative Jeff Crank of Colorado’s Fifth Congressional District in the US House of Representatives and Honorary Consul Donna LaVigne were also in attendance.
Consul General Ferrer commended the Foundation and proponents of the Rizal Monument Project, the government of Colorado and City of Colorado Springs, and the various individuals and Filipino American organizations who collaborated for the installation of the six-foot bronze Rizal monument.
Furthermore, Consul General Ferrer highlighted the Foundation’s role as a steadfast advocate and partner in preserving Dr. Jose Rizal’s memory translated through various programs in education, cultural initiatives, and social projects to inspire the younger generations to embrace Rizal’s ideals and contribute meaningfully to the community.
Consul General Ferrer also attended the Bayanihan Gala organized by the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation in the evening of July 27. The gala, which highlights the spirit of bayanihan, was marked with a variety of cultural performances which showcased Philippine culture and tradition.
In his keynote address at the gala, Consul General Ferrer underscored the meaning of bayanihan and commended the people and organizations behind the Rizal monument project.
Consul General Ferrer said: “The Rizal memorial is not a work of one person alone. It is the result of collaboration and the unwavering dedication of many like-minded individuals and organizations who share a common vision: to create a powerful collective impact that echoes Dr. Jose Rizal’s dream of a more enlightened, compassionate, and just world. This effort is a true embodiment of bayanihan-our deeply rooted tradition of community, unity, and shared purpose.”
