Inaugural event celebrates Rizal Day

THE Filipino Australian Association of Ballarat and the Filipino-Australian Sports Club of Ballarat have come together to commemorate the one-hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of Rizal Day.

The event celebrates Dr Jose Rizal, a Filipino national hero, who was considered to be influential in the revolution against Spain.

“This was a tribute and reflection for what Rizal did for Filipino people,” Gerson Moreno-Wardlaw, Secretary of the Filipino Australian Association of Ballarat said.

“The day was very, very special and memorable.”

Starting with the Australian and Filipino national anthems, activities included by a wreath laying ceremony and followed on with activities like arts and painting.

The day also included a showcase performance depicting the life of Filipino people and the death of Rizal.

Participants came from across the state to mark the occasion at Rizal Park in Invermay.

“We had leaders from other surrounding areas like Melbourne, Geelong and the Wimmera,” Ms Moreno-Wardlaw said.

Notable participants included the Philippine Consulate General, Maria Loudes Salcedo, state MP for Wendouree, Juliana Addison and Filipino artist Diokno Pasilan.

The Filipino Association of Ballarat hopes to grow the event so more people can commemorate Dr Rizal in the future.

“We are encouraging Filipinos to celebrate with us and to unite as one on this day,” Ms Moreno-Wardlaw said.

“We are hoping in the coming years there will be more and more people coming.”