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Press Release
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN CHICAGO COMMEMORATES 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE
13 June 2023 (Chicago) – The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, led by Consul General J. Susana V. Paez, commemorated the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence through a flag raising ceremony at the Rizal Monument in Margate Park, Chicago. The Rizal Monument is a bronze replica of the original fiberglass creation in Dapitan, Zamboanga by artist, Antonio Mondejar. It commemorates Rizal’s stop in Chicago, Illinois on 11 May 1888 en route to New York from San Francisco. It is one of only two life-sized monuments of Rizal in the Mainland US and one of six outside the Philippines.
Consulate personnel honored the leadership, heroism, and sacrifice of those responsible for achieving Philippine independence and nationhood through the singing of the national anthem, “Lupang Hinirang,” and recitation of the patriotic oath, “Panatang Makabayan.”
Consul General Paez shared the message of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which paid tribute to “our forebears who fought for our freedom, so that we could live with the liberties that we enjoy today,” and called for unity and hard work to “build a truly just, inclusive, and prosperous Philippines that all Filipinos deserve.”
Consul Ryan Francis D. Gener read the message of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs underscoring the call for “our steadfast commitment to an independent foreign policy that navigates the complexities of our time.” Meanwhile, Consul Melvin C. Almonguera, read the message of Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez who recognized that we, as a nation, “stand at the threshold of boundless opportunities” and that we should work toward building “a future that is inclusive, prosperous, and harmonious.” END
