Dr. José Rizal Legacy International Foundation

01/24/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco Conducts Ocular Visit at Approved Site for 6-Foot Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy Sculpture in Daly City

Daly City, CA — January 23, 2026 — The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, together with the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation and Daly City officials conducted an official ocular visit yesterday, January 23, to the unanimously approved site for the installation of the 6-foot Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy Sculpture in Daly City.

The visit organized by Polly S. Cortez, President of the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation, and was attended by Daly City officials led by Juslyn Manalo and Rod Daus-Magbual, community leaders, and representatives from key Filipino American organizations, including the Philippine Bayanihan Resource Center (PBRC) and KAPWA Cultura. The ocular visit marked an important milestone in advancing this historic cultural and educational project honoring the Philippine national hero.

The ocular visit underscored the strong collaboration among the Philippine Consulate, local government, and Filipino American organizations in bringing the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy Sculpture to Daly City.

Daly City holds a unique and historic place in the Filipino American story, often referred to as the “Gateway to the Filipinos in America.” Home to one of the largest Filipino populations in the United States, Daly City has long served as a center of Filipino migration, civic leadership, and cultural preservation. The installation of the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy Sculpture recognizes both Dr. Rizal’s enduring ideals of education, patriotism, and peaceful reform, and the vital contributions of Filipino Americans to the fabric of American society.

“This monument is more than a sculpture,” said Polly Cortez. “It is a lasting symbol of Filipino identity, pride, and shared history—honoring Dr. Jose Rizal while celebrating Daly City as a cornerstone of the Filipino American experience.”

The Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy Sculpture is envisioned as a permanent educational landmark that will inspire future generations through Dr. Rizal’s values of courage, intellectual freedom, and service to humanity.

Additional details regarding the installation timeline, public unveiling, and community participation opportunities will be announced in the coming months.

For inquiries and partnership opportunities:
Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation
Please contact Polly Cortez and Elaine Bordeaux [email protected]

01/20/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

First-Ever Wreath Laying Ceremony to Honor Dr. Jose Rizal at George Fellows Park
Colorado Springs commemorates the 165th Birth Anniversary of the Philippine National Hero

Colorado Springs, CO — June 19, 2026 — The Filipino American community and friends of history and culture are invited to attend the first wreath laying ceremony at the Dr. Jose Rizal Monument, located at George Fellows Park, on Friday, June 19, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.

This historic event marks the 165th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippine national hero, novelist, physician, and reformist whose ideas on freedom, education, and peaceful reform continue to inspire people around the world. The ceremony also celebrates the enduring friendship between the Filipino and American people and recognizes the contributions of Filipino Americans to U.S. history and civic life.

The Dr. Jose Rizal Monument was installed on July 27, 2025, making this wreath laying ceremony the first official commemorative event held at the site since its installation. The monument has since become a symbol of cultural heritage, education, and shared democratic values in Colorado Springs.

The program will include a formal wreath laying, brief remarks from community leaders and dignitaries, cultural tributes, and a moment of reflection honoring Dr. Rizal’s legacy of courage, intellectual freedom, and nonviolent advocacy for justice.

Volunteers and sponsors are warmly welcome to support this historic community event and help ensure its success. Individuals, organizations, and businesses interested in participating are encouraged to get involved.

Community organizations, civic leaders, veterans, educators, students, and members of the public are invited to attend this solemn and historic gathering.

Event Details:
What: First Wreath Laying Ceremony – Dr. Jose Rizal Monument
When: Friday, June 19, 2026 | 3:00–5:00 PM
Where: Dr. Jose Rizal Monument, George Fellows Park, Colorado Springs
Occasion: 165th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal

This milestone event affirms Colorado Springs’ commitment to honoring global heritage and fostering cross-cultural understanding through public art, education, and community unity.

For volunteer opportunities, sponsorship information, or general inquiries, please contact [email protected].

12/28/2025

Very thrilled to announce our awardees on December 30, 2025.

12/19/2025

A Historic Milestone on December 29, 2025 for Daly City, the Filipino Capital of the USA

A historic milestone unfolds on December 29, 2025, as we gather for the Kick-Off Ceremony of the 6-foot bronze Dr. Jose P. Rizal Legacy Monument by Filipino sculptors Elaine Bordeaux and Fritz Silorio in Daly City, proudly known as the Filipino Capital of the United States. This moment marks the beginning of a lasting tribute honoring the life, ideals, and enduring legacy of Dr. Jose Rizal—national hero, intellectual, and global symbol of courage, dignity, and love of country.

This landmark project is led by the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation, in partnership with Daly City and the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco. We are deeply grateful for the support of our community partners, including KAPWA, PBRC, Knights of Rizal Sacramento and other civic and cultural organizations whose shared commitment made this vision possible.

Together, we celebrate not only a monument, but a legacy—one that will inspire generations to uphold Rizal’s values of service, education, and unity. (Special thanks to Venazir Martinez and Sonia Delen for this flyer.) Dr. José Rizal Legacy International Foundation Polly Cortez Marzil Lerc Linn Juslyn Manalo Ray Satorre Fernando Martin Montanes Artists Tree

12/16/2025

12/16/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Historic Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy Sculpture Project Launched in Daly City, the Filipino Capital of the United States

Daly City, CA — The Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation proudly announces a historic milestone in honoring Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal with the creation of the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy Sculpture in Daly City, widely recognized as the Filipino Capital of the United States.

On November 10, the City of Daly City officially passed a resolution, sponsored by Mayor Rod Daus-Magbual and Councilmember Juslyn Manalo designating Serramonte Library at Gellert Park as the permanent site of the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy Sculpture. This landmark resolution marks a significant moment for the Filipino American community, affirming Daly City’s deep cultural ties to Philippine history and heritage.

This legacy project is part of the Dr. Jose Rizal monument movement with the 6 ft bronze sculpture of Dr. Jose Rizal sculpted by Filipino artists Elaine Bordeaux and Fritz Silorio, whose collaborative work reflects excellence in public art, historical storytelling, and cultural preservation. The sculpture will stand as a symbol of Rizal’s ideals—freedom, education, courage, and national dignity—and as a lasting tribute to the contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States.

The Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the life, works, and values of Dr. Jose Rizal, is leading this initiative in collaboration with the City of Daly, Philippine Bayanihan Resource Center (PBRC), Pasig South San Francisco Sister Cities, Kapwa Kultura Center, Las Damas de Rizal and other Filipino American organizations.

Mrs. Polly Cortez, incoming President of the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation warmly invites the public, community leaders, educators, youth, and cultural organizations to attend the Kick-Off Ceremony for the Daly City Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy Sculpture Project:

📍 Kick-Off Ceremony
Date: December 29
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Venue: Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Consulate General, San Francisco

The Kick-Off Ceremony will formally launch the project, present the vision and design concept of the monument, and celebrate unity and bayanihan within the Filipino American community.
“This project is more than a monument—it is a declaration of identity, pride, and shared values,”said Cortez. “By honoring Dr. Jose Rizal in Daly City, we honor the past, inspire the present, and empower future generations.”

Further details about the sculpture, community participation, and upcoming milestones will be announced in the coming months.

For media inquiries and partnership opportunities:
Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation
Email: [email protected]

07/11/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JH4YpjSeU/

07/04/2025

On this day, the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation joins the nation in commemorating Independence Day—a powerful celebration of freedom, democracy, and the enduring spirit of the American people.

As Filipino Americans, we are reminded of the shared struggles and sacrifices that have shaped both the United States and the Philippines. The values that Dr. Jose Rizal stood for—liberty, justice, and human dignity—resonate deeply with the ideals enshrined in America’s founding. Rizal believed that true freedom begins with education, civic responsibility, and a love for country—and these principles continue to unite us across cultures and generations.

Today, we honor the heroes who fought for independence and the immigrants who continue to build and enrich this nation with their courage, labor, and dreams. Let us use this moment to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy and recommit ourselves to building a more inclusive, just, and compassionate society.

From our Foundation family to yours, we wish you a meaningful and joyful Fourth of July.

Mabuhay ang Amerika! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
Happy Independence Day!

Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation

07/04/2025

Colorado Springs Honors Filipino Hero with Monument Dedication and Bayanihan Gala

Colorado Springs, CO — July 4, 2025 — The Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation, in collaboration with various Filipino-American organizations across Colorado, proudly announces the dedication ceremony of a 6-foot bronze monument of Dr. Jose Rizal on Saturday, July 27, 2025, at 10:00 AM at George Fellows Park, Colorado Springs. This significant cultural event celebrates the enduring legacy of the Philippine national hero and the rich contributions of the Filipino-American community.

The monument, sculpted by Filipino artists Elaine Antonio Bordeaux and Fritz Silorio, stands as a powerful symbol of courage, education, and the fight for freedom. Dr. Rizal’s ideals continue to resonate deeply with Filipinos and global citizens alike, making this installation a meaningful addition to the city’s cultural and historical landscape.

This installation is part of the growing Dr. Jose Rizal Monument Movement, a global initiative led by the Foundation to promote the values of Dr. Rizal through public monuments, educational outreach, and international collaboration.

Following the morning dedication, the community is invited to the Bayanihan Gala at 6:00 PM at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton, Colorado Springs. The evening will feature cultural performances, a formal dinner, and tributes celebrating the spirit of bayanihan—the Filipino tradition of communal unity and cooperation. Gala tickets are available for purchase.

“This project is a testament to the enduring influence of Dr. Rizal and the strength of the Filipino spirit here in Colorado,” said Elaine Antonio Bordeaux, President of the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation. “We honor not just his memory, but the collective efforts of our community in keeping his ideals alive.”

The dedication ceremony and gala are open to the public. Filipino-Americans, community leaders, historians, and supporters from across the state are expected to attend. The event also marks a milestone in the broader Dr. Jose Rizal Monument Movement, which seeks to promote historical education and cultural awareness across the diaspora.

Who is Dr. Jose Rizal?

Dr. Jose Rizal (1861–1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer, physician, and revolutionary who is widely regarded as the national hero of the Philippines. Fluent in multiple languages and educated in Europe, Rizal authored two groundbreaking novels—Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo—that exposed the injustices of Spanish colonial rule and awakened the spirit of revolution among Filipinos.

He advocated for peaceful reform, equal rights, and the dignity of the Filipino people. Although he did not call for violent revolution, Rizal was executed by the Spanish colonial government in 1896—an act that ignited the Philippine Revolution and solidified his place as a martyr and hero. His legacy continues to inspire movements for justice, education, and human rights around the world.

Event Details:

Monument Dedication Ceremony
📍 George Fellows Park, Colorado Springs
🕙 Saturday, July 27, 2025 – 10:00 AM

Bayanihan Gala Night
📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Colorado Springs
🕕 Saturday, July 27, 2025 – 6:00 PM

For more information or to RSVP for the gala, please email [email protected]

06/12/2025

Co-founder and Treasurer of Dr. José Rizal Legacy International Foundation meets with the Daly City officials and officers of Philippine Bayanihan Resource Center on June 11, 2025 to celebrate the 127th Philippine Independence Day.

06/12/2025

On this 127th anniversary of Philippine Independence, we, the Board of the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation, join Filipinos around the world in honoring the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering spirit of our forebears who dreamed of freedom and fought for our nation’s dignity.

Today, we remember not only the momentous events of June 12, 1898, but also the enduring legacy of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal—whose words, wisdom, and martyrdom continue to light the path of every Filipino seeking justice, truth, and national pride. His ideals remain a powerful reminder that true independence is not only political, but also intellectual, cultural, and moral.

As Filipinos in the diaspora, we carry this legacy in our hearts. Through education, cultural preservation, and civic engagement, we are committed to keeping Rizal’s memory alive—instilling pride in our identity and hope for future generations.

Let this day renew our shared commitment to freedom, peace, and unity. May we continue to rise as a people—free, proud, and inspired by the heroes who made it all possible.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang diwang makabayan ni Dr. Jose Rizal!

—The Board of the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation Dr. José Rizal Legacy International Foundation Donna LaVigne Polly Cortez Grace Morris Marzil Lerc Linn Fritz C Silorio Jay LaVigne Randy Bordeaux Cielito Cortez