Kababaihang Rizalista Inc Canberra Chapter

28/06/2026

27 June 2026: Lady Shirly’s daughter Jasmine celebrated her 3rd birthday. The little girl’s third birthday felt like a gathering of an extended community. Because her mother was one of the founding members of KRI Canberra Chapter, we had known Jasmine since birth. Well, in fact, even before that. We saw Lady Shirly go through her pregnancy and rejoiced with her with the birth of Baby Jas. Jas had “almost grown up” with KRI Canberra and the group had shared in many of her earliest memories.

28/06/2026

On 23 June 2026, the Philippine Ambassador hosted a vin d’honneur at the Hotel Realm in celebration of the 128th anniversary of Philippine independence and 80th anniversary of Philippine-Australian bilateral relations. The Philippine Ambassador to Australia Antonio Morales gave a brief but comprehensive rundown of significant events that solidified the close ties between the Philippines and Australia— from the settlement of the pearl divers and the Manila Men in Thursday Island (political exiles active in the Philippine revolutionary movement) to the temporary refuge in Australia by the Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel Quezon and General Douglas McArthur during World War 2, and to the over 400,000 Filipino migrants in Australia today who comprise the 5th largest migrant group in the country. The Hon. Senator Don Farrell, Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism, in his speech, gave tribute to the valuable contributions of Filipino migrants in Australia. He informed the guests that Tagalog is the 4th most spoken language in Australia. He also said that Australia established bilateral relations with the USA in 1946, the same year Australia established bilateral relations with the Philippines.

Invited guests at the reception were mostly from the diplomatic corps and Australian government. The KRI Canberra Chapter President and other officers delightfully participated at the event.

28/06/2026

On 20 June 2026, the Filipino community in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and the Monaro Region of New South Wales (NSW) celebrated the anniversary of Philippine independence in an evening ball organised by the Filipino Community Council of the ACT (FCCACT). KRI Canberra Chapter members attended and were resplendent in their formal Filipiniana or evening gowns.

13/06/2026

12 June 2026: The Philippine Embassy hosted a flag-raising ceremony to commemorate the 128th anniversary of Philippine independence (proclaimed on 12 June 1898) and the 165th birth anniversary of the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal (born on 19 June 1861).

Dr Jose Rizal remains highly significant today not just in the Philippines but in broader discussions about nationalism, civic responsibility, and peaceful reform.

One of Rizal’s key contributions is that he showed how ideas—rather than violence—can challenge oppression. Through his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, he exposed colonial abuses under Spanish rule and helped ignite Filipino nationalism. Today, those works are still studied because they raise questions that remain relevant: how societies deal with inequality, corruption, and abuse of power.

Rizal is also significant as a model of civic leadership. He was a doctor, linguist, and scholar who believed education and critical thinking were essential for national progress. In modern terms, he represents the idea that nation-building isn’t only political—it’s also intellectual and ethical.

Another reason he remains relevant is his emphasis on reform over extremism. While he became a symbol of resistance, he advocated for peaceful change through awareness and education rather than armed revolt.

Rizal’s significance to this day lies in three main areas: his role in shaping national consciousness, his advocacy for education and reform, and his enduring example of principled, nonviolent resistance to injustice.

01/01/2026

30 December 2025: Kababaihang Rizalista Inc Canberra Chapter participated at the commemorative ceremony of the 129th Anniversary of the martyrdom of the Philippine national hero Dr Jose Rizal. The event was hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Canberra.

Jose Rizal’s life and writings remain a powerful moral mirror for the Philippines today, especially in the face of persistent corruption.

Rizal’s Core Values include:
Love of country (Patriotism)
Rizal believed that true love of country meant serving the people with integrity, not exploiting them for personal gain. His nationalism was rooted in dignity, justice, and responsibility.

Moral integrity and honesty
In Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Rizal exposed corruption, abuse of power, and hypocrisy—particularly among officials who used authority for self-interest. He believed moral decay was as dangerous as foreign oppression.

Rizal’s Enduring Legacy
Rizal’s ex*****on awakened the Filipino conscience. His legacy is not just heroism, but a challenge:
• To the citizens: Be vigilant, informed, and morally courageous. Silence in the face of corruption is complicity.
• To the leaders: Serve with integrity, transparency, and humility. Power must uplift, not enrich.
• To government institutions: Uphold justice and accountability without fear or favour.

Relevance Today
If Rizal were alive today, he would likely ask not only who is corrupt, but why society tolerates corruption. He would remind Filipinos that national freedom is meaningless without moral freedom, and that the nation’s greatest enemy is not external—but internal decay.

18/12/2025

17 December 2025: Joint Christmas Party of Kababaihang Rizalista Inc Canberra Chapter (KRI) and the Executive Committee of the Philippine-Australian Association of the ACT & Monaro Region (PAA) at Ping-Ping Thai in Kambah.

This small and intimate Christmas party is a celebration of the excellent teamwork during the year. It’s a time to pause from busy routines, express gratitude and appreciation for the dedication & commitment that each one gave during the year. It’s a time to celebrate friendships and embrace the spirit of generosity, hope, and joy that defines the Christmas season.

18/12/2025

16 December 2025: Second Simbang Gabi jointly sponsored by the Philippine-Australian Association of the ACT & Monaro Region (PAA) and Kababaihang Rizalista Inc Canberra Chapter (KRI) at St Peter Chanel’s Church in Yarralumla.

Simbang Gabi is a cherished Filipino Catholic tradition held in the days leading up to Christmas consisting of nine consecutive Masses from 15 to 23 December, honouring the Virgin Mary and preparing the faithful spiritually for the birth of Jesus Christ.

Beyond worship, Simbang Gabi is also a deeply cultural & communal celebration. The Mass is traditionally followed by salu-salo (get-together) to enjoy some Filipino treats.

Today, Simbang Gabi is celebrated not only in the Philippines but also in Filipino communities around the world, like Australia, serving as a powerful expression of faith, heritage and unity among Filipinos living abroad.

11/12/2025

Please join us for this very important Filipino cultural Catholic tradition from the15th to the 23rd of December at St. Peter Chanel Yarralumla. The Kababaihang Rizalista Inc. (KRI) and the Philippine-Australian Association (PAA) will jointly sponsor the Mass on 16 December Tuesday 7 pm. See you there!

| 𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐆𝐎 𝐍𝐀 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐆
𝐒𝐈𝐌𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐆𝐀𝐁𝐈 𝐒𝐀 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐀 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐍𝐀!

✨️ 𝐓𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟗-𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐚𝐛𝐢 (𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬). 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.

🎄𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐚𝐛𝐢 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝟓 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟐𝟑 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝟕:𝟎𝟎 𝐩𝐦 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐭. 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥, 𝐘𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐥𝐚.

🙏 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐚𝐛𝐢, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭.

🌟 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡. 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞.