PCG Vancouver Organizes Inaugural Rizal Cultural Assembly for Filipino Canadian Students

Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin (center) with attendees of the inaugural Rizal Cultural Assembly for Filipino-Canadian Students.

30 DECEMBER 2025, VANCOUVER, BC. Last 21 December, PCG Vancouver organized the first Rizal Cultural Assembly for Filipino-Canadian Students last 21 December 2025 at Langara College who generously provided the venue at their Vancouver campus for the event. The event was attended by students and representatives from Simon Fraser University (SFU), University Canada West (UCW), Langara College, Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) and Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) Vancouver. Also in attendance was Councilor Lovely Lia Lian Clava-Maramba of Mangaldan, Pangasinan who also delivered a keynote message at the event.

Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin delivering her opening remarks at the inaugural Rizal Cultural Assembly for Filipino-Canadian Students.

The event was organized to gather various Filipino and Filipino-Canadian student organizations in the Metro Vancouver area and use it as a platform to present the idea of creating Rizal Society groups or clubs in their respective campuses. In addition, the event also aimed to create a relaxed environment where various student organizations across Metro Vancouver could build networks and explore areas for collaboration.

Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin (left) and Councilor Lovely Lian Clava-Maramba delivering their messages at the inaugural Rizal Cultural Assembly for Filipino-Canadian Students.

In her remarks, Consul General Jamoralin stated that Rizal is an important role model for Filipino and Filipino-Canadian students in Canada, particularly his patriotism and showcasing the best traits of the Filipino people while living in a foreign country. She also emphasized to students in attendance to continue striving for excellence in their respective fields of study in the same way that the national hero pursued it during his studies in Manila, his time in Europe, and his eventual return to the Philippines.

The concise program featured student organizations presenting short overviews of their respective groups and activities, followed by a quick talk by Post about its services to ensure that those in the audience were made aware of the Consulate’s work. Information about the ongoing overseas voter registration for the 2028 elections was also provided, given that the audience was a mix of Filipino international students and domestic students who hold dual PH-CA citizenship. SSS representative to Vancouver Mr. Darwin Soria was also present to field any questions related to Social Security System (SSS) membership and benefits.

Clockwise from left: Presentations from Fairleigh Dickinson University Vancouver (FDU-Vancouver), University Canada West Filipino International Student Association (FilSA UCW), Kwantlen Polytechnic University Pinoy Club (KPU Pinoy), Simon Fraser University Filipino Student Association (SFU FSA), and Langara College Filipino Student Association at the inaugural Rizal Cultural Assembly for Filipino Canadian Students last 21 December at Langara College.

During lunch, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines’ (NCHP) film Rizal: Sa Landas ng Paglaya was also screened. The event also featured a short trivia game about Rizal’s life and works after lunch, pitting the student organizations against each other to test their knowledge of Rizal’s life and work.

Above: Representatives of the student organizations battling it out during the Rizal Trivia Quiz game at the inaugural Rizal Cultural Assembly for Filipino Canadian Students last 21 December at Langara College. (Photos by PCG Vancouver)

A short talk about Rizal's importance to the Filipino diaspora was also done to ground students in their role as vectors of Philippine culture and heritage. The Consulate also presented the idea of creating Rizal Society groups and clubs in their respective campuses. During this segment, guidelines on organizing and membership, recommended activities and dates, among others were discussed.

Above: Vice Consul Marco Harder talking about Rizal’s importance to the diaspora at the inaugural Rizal Cultural Assembly for Filipino Canadian Students last 21 December at Langara College. (Photo by PCG Vancouver)

The program closed with the Consul General presenting a “Rizal Society Starter Pack” to the student organizations present at the event. The pack contains the following books which were provided by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP): Political and Historical Writings by Jose Rizal; Leon Ma. Guerrero III’s The First Filipino: A Biography of Jose Rizal, and; A Sense of Nation: The Birthright of Rizal, Bonifacio, and Mabini, an anthology of essays edited by Maria Serena Diokno. The starter pack aims to kickstart the organizations’ study and promotion of Rizal and his works in their campuses.

Dr. Jose Rizal was born on 19 June 1861 in Calamba, Laguna. As an important member of the Propaganda Movement, he was  instrumental in shaping the idea of a Filipino nation independent from Spain governed by a united Filipino people. His works inspired the Philippine Revolution that culminated in the Philippines proclaiming independence and establishing its first republic on 12  June 1898. His martyrdom on 30 December 1896 is commemorated annually by the country and the Philippine Foreign Service Posts abroad. END

La pièce de résistance: The Rizal Starter Pack featuring publications from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. (Photo by PCG Vancouver)

Above, clockwise from top left: Consul General Jamoralin assisted by Deputy Consul General Paul Vincent Uy (extreme right of photos) presenting the Rizal Start Packs to SFU FSA, Langara College FilSA, Filsa UCW, KPU Pinoy Club, and FDU Vancouver. (Photos by PCG Vancouver)