Filipino Commemorative Monument - Earl Bales Park
North York Spadina
The North York Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (March
23, 1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Parks and Recreation:
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to seek Council's approval to accept, as an official gift from the
Philippine Government to the City of Toronto, a bust of Dr. Jose P. Rizal to be erected in Earl Bales
Park to commemorate the Filipino patriot.
Source of Funds:
There is no cost associated with this monument as the responsibility for the production and
installation of the bronze bust, including any landscape work, would be assumed by the Filipino
community. The maintenance of the site will be the responsibility of the City.
Recommendations:
It is recommended:
(1) that the City of Toronto accept as a gift a monument to Dr. Jose P. Rizal and erect it in
Earl Bales Park in the designated location;
(2) that a moratorium be placed on any further installation of monuments and memorial trees in
Earl Bales Park until a consolidated public art policy is completed and a specific plan
developed for Earl Bales Park, and approved by a future meeting of Council ; and
(3) that the appropriate City Officials take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Background:
The Consul General for the Philippines, Francisco F. Santos, has been in contact with Parks and
Recreation for the purpose of making a gift of a bust of Dr. Jose P. Rizal and asking for permission
to erect the bust as a monument in Earl Bales Park. With a centennial celebration planned for June
6, 1998, he has requested approval in time for that event. It is also proposed that the unveiling
ceremony take place during the Philippines' Independence Day program and picnic at Earl Bales
Park scheduled for June 6, 1998.
The bust of Dr. Rizal measuring 2.6ft x 2 ft x 1 ft, is made of cold cast bronze material mounted on
a 6.6 feet granite pedestal and would be erected at the Earl Bales Park upon approval by the Toronto
City Council. The recommended site for the bust is identified on the attached map. (Appendix I- site
No. 2) The artist's concept for the site is shown on Appendix II. Earl Bales Park has been chosen
for a number of reasons: it is a favourite site of the Toronto Filipino community; it is centrally
located; it is easily accessed; and it has hosted many Filipino community events in recent times.
.
Historical Justification:
On June 12, 1998, the Republic of the Philippines will commemorate the 100th year of Philippine
Independence. The centennial celebration aims to call on Filipinos abroad to manifest a deep sense
of national pride, to appreciate the legacy of patriots and to share their history with the Toronto
community. Therefore, this historical event provides a rare opportunity for members of the Filipino-Canadian community in Toronto to work jointly with the Philippine Consulate General in honouring
the martyrdom of the Philippine's foremost national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
Jose Rizal is honoured as a hero of the Philippine Republic for the work that he did in the late 19th
century to awaken a sense of nationalism and ethnic pride among Filipinos. Dr. Rizal is said to have
been the first Filipino to set foot on Canadian soil, on May 12, 1888. As a philosopher and doctor
and a man noted for his talents in poetry, languages, music, and art, Rizal's actions embodied
adoration for his people, combined with great respect and concern for their health and prosperity.
His writings were particularly controversial having had influence on the nationalist movement.
Rizal was arrested after returning to the Philippines from Hong Kong in 1892, but this did not stop
others from disseminating his message and carrying on his work. An organization called the
Katipunan, formed by Andres Bonifacio, was created with the aim of shaking off Spanish
domination and gaining Filipino independence. On August 26, 1896, an insurrection broke out in
the province of Cavite. Spain sent military reinforcements to increase its army to 30,000 men.
Rizal, held to be responsible for the rebellion, was condemned to death on December 30, 1896. He
is viewed as a national figure responsible for leading the independence movement against Spain.
Comment:
Earl Bales Park is a very popular site within the city and during summer weekends, thousands of
visitors make use of the park and its facilities. Due to this popularity, the park has been chosen by
a number of groups as a logical site for the placement of various monuments and also by individuals
as a suitable location for individual memorials such as commemorative trees and benches. At
present, there are three major monuments, the Holocaust Memorial, the Raoul Wallenberg
Monument, a monument to lost children, and over ninety memorial trees. North York Council also
approved the installation of a Jewish War Memorial in the park to be undertaken some time in the
near future. All of these are extremely worthwhile projects but the park is in danger of becoming
a memorial park rather than an active recreational facility as originally intended. After the
installation of the Filipino monument, a moratorium would allow for a review of the present
situation and a more planned and considered approach to future installations.
Conclusions:
The Division recommends that this generous gift of a monument to Jose P. Rizal be accepted from
the Philippine government and erected in Earl Bales Park at the site designated on the accompanying
map.
Contact Name:
Gary W. Stoner, Deputy Commissioner, Parks and Recreation, 395-6190