5 January 2016 — On the occasion of the 119th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver held a brief ceremony celebrating the legacy of Dr. Rizal at the Consulate premises. Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer exhorted officers and staffmembers to emulate Dr. Rizal’s sense of duty and ideals as they perform their daily responsibilities and tasks serving the Filipino community in British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and Northwest Territories.

Consul General Ferrer also spoke at the Philippine Veterans Memorial and Cultural Society of BC’s (PHILVETS) celebration of Rizal Day on 27 December 2015.  Consul General Ferrer, in his remarks, highlighted Dr. Rizal’s role as a catalyst for change in pursuing Philippine independence.  He also noted the similar role of Filipino veterans, who fought for Filipino sovereignty.  “I join PHILVETS and the rest of the Filipino community in Vancouver as we commemorate the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal and honor his unparalleled patriotism and nationalism,” Consul General Ferrer said. END