DID YOU KNOW….
that there is a park dedicated to the National Hero of the Philippines here in Winnipeg?
It was just yesterday, after the Father’s Day Breakfast Fundraiser celebrating the hero’s 155th birth anniversary, that we found out about Dr. Jose Rizal Park located at 92 Sewa Crescent in Northwest Winnipeg (just off Jose Rizal Way).
This commemorative project was initiated by the Order of the Knights of Rizal Winnipeg Chapter and accomplished together with the Filipino Canadian Community of Winnipeg.
There is a memorial stone, which was publicly unveiled in June 21, 2014. The inscription on the memorial stone is a quote from Noli Me Tangere that reads…
“I die without seeing dawn’s light shining on my country. You who will see it, welcome it for me. Don’t forget those who fell during the night time.”
Noli Me Tangere is a novel written by Rizal wherein he exposed the ills of Philippine Society during the Spanish Colonial Period, particularly the social injustices experienced by the Filipinos from the colonial government and the Catholic Church. This book became the catalyst that pushed the Filipino people to yearn for liberty.
We are now enjoying the freedom which is the fruit of martyrdom of our heroes, Dr. Jose Rizal and many others.
The least we can do is remember and honor them wherever we are in the world and teach our children to do the same. Let us not forget the past and learn from it because that’s how we can ensure a better tomorrow.
