Colorado Springs Commemorates Dr. Jose Rizal’s 165th Birth Anniversary at Rizal Monument
Colorado Springs Councilmember Roland Rainey, Jr. (leftmost) reading the proclamation from the City Council declaring Colorado Springs as a Filipino American Heritage Town on 19 June 2026 at the Rizal monument, with officers of the Filipino American Community of Southern Colorado, Ms. Maddie Vines (center) and Ms. Lenie De Castro (rightmost) (San Francisco PCG photo)
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco joined the Filipino American community and the City of Colorado Springs in commemorating the 165th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Dr. Jose Rizal Monument in George Fellows Park, Colorado Springs, Colorado, on 19 June 2026.
The commemorative program was co-organized by the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation and Filipino American Community of Southern Colorado (FACSC), in partnership with various Filipino American organizations in Colorado. The event was attended by members of the Filipino American community, Representative Jeff Crank of Colorado’s Fifth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, Colorado Springs Councilmember Roland Rainey Jr., District Director Dennis Hisey, and Philippine Honorary Consul in Colorado Ms. Donna LaVigne.
Representing Consul General Arnel G. Talisayon, Vice Consul Glaiza Quarteros delivered a message recognizing the collective efforts of the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation, the State of Colorado, the City of Colorado Springs, Filipino American organizations, and community leaders in preserving and promoting the ideals and legacy of the Philippine national hero, particularly among Filipinos and the younger generation.
During the program, Councilmember Rainey, on behalf of the Colorado Springs City Council, presented a proclamation designating Colorado Springs as a Filipino American Heritage Town. Representative Jeff Crank likewise presented a congressional proclamation to the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation, highlighting the Rizal monument as a symbol of the enduring friendship and democratic values between the Philippines and the United States.
The six-foot bronze monument of Dr. Jose Rizal, unveiled on 27 July 2025, was sculpted by Filipino artists Atty. Elaine Antonio Bordeaux and Mr. Fritz Silorio. It stands as a lasting tribute to the Philippine national hero’s legacy of patriotism, civic responsibility, and peaceful reform.
The Filipino American community in Colorado Springs hopes to commemorate Dr. Rizal’s birth anniversary annually, with the monument serving as a lasting symbol of unity, cultural pride, historical remembrance, and friendship for generations to come. Building on this initiative, another monument of Dr. Jose Rizal, also spearheaded by the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation, is scheduled to be installed at the Serramonte Library in Daly City, California, in December 2026.END
Representative Jeff Crank (fifth from left) of Colorado’s Fifth Congressional District presents a proclamation to the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation in recognition of its significant contributions to preserving and promoting the legacy of Dr. Jose Rizal and advancing Filipino heritage and cultural awareness during the commemoration of Dr. Rizal’s 165th birth anniversary in Colorado Springs, Colorado (San Francisco photo)
The Filipino American Community of Southern Colorado Divas, Youths, and Dancers showcasing lively and colorful cultural performances, enriching the celebration of the 165th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal with Filipino heritage, tradition, and artistry (San Francisco PCG photo)
Right photo) (L-R) Philippine Honorary Consul in Colorado Donna LaVigne, and community leaders, Mr. Eduardo Bernardo and Mr. Ron Nono led the wreath-laying ceremony in honor of the 165th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal; (Left photo) (L-R) Vice Consul Glaiza Quarteros joins the officers of the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation, Atty. Elaine Antonio Bordeaux, Grace Morris, Polly Cortez, Dr. Marzil Rutenberg, Honorary Consul Donna LaVigne at the Dr. Jose Rizal monument (San Francisco PCG photos)
Ms. Polly Cortez (rightmost) and Atty. Elaine Antonio Bordeaux (center), co-founders of the President of the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation express appreciation to District Director Dennis Hisey for his assistance in the installation of the six-foot bronze Rizal monument (San Francisco PCG photo)