Press Release

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL AND FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN CHICAGO COMMEMORATE THE 126th RIZAL DAY

Consul Ryan Gener (4th from right), Cultural Officer Fritz de Jesus (5th from right), Communications Officer Noly Dulay (3rd from right),
and Mr. Joey Erandio (seated, middle) pose with Filipino community members beside the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal
located at the Rizal Community Center in Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago, 03 January 2023 – To commemorate the 126th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, in cooperation with the Knights of Rizal (KOR) USA Central Region, Ladies of Rizal, and the Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago (FACGC) held a wreath-laying and floral offering ceremony at the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal located at the Rizal Community Center in Irving Park, Chicago on 30 December 2022.
On behalf of Consul General J. Susana V. Paez, Consul Ryan Gener (who also serves as KOR Maynilad Chapter Commander) read the message of Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo on the Commemoration of the 126th Rizal Day, with the theme “Rizal: Alaalang Iningatan, Yaman Ngayon ng Bayan” (Preserved Memories, Treasured Today by the Nation).

The Philippine Consulate also informed the Filipino community that Overseas Voting registration for the 2025 National and Local Elections has commenced, and informed eligible voters, including those who reside outside the US Midwest, that they could register at the Philippine Consulate. The Consulate urged community members to register and exercise their right to vote as a means of strengthening Philippine democracy and contributing to nation-building.
Consulate representatives also thanked KOR USA Central Region led by Area Commander Mariano Santos and the officers and members of the Ladies of Rizal and Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago for making the commemoration of Rizal Day by the Filipino community in Chicago possible.

Traditionally held at the Rizal Monument in Margate Park, Chicago, the commemoration of Rizal Day was moved to the Rizal Community Center due to ongoing renovation at Margate Park. Opened in 1974 and originally known as the Jose P. Rizal Memorial Center, the community center was renamed the Jose P. Rizal Heritage Center in 2006. Since 2017, it has been known as Jose P. Rizal Community Center, or the Rizal Community Center for short. END.