José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda better known as Doctor Jose Rizal was hailed as the greatest National hero of the Philippines and to commemorate with this special event, Carson City California made the 8 foot bronze statue in United States which considered as the largest known full size monument of Jose Rizal.
Carson city was also the first city to declare that December 30 is the date of Rizal’s martyrdom as a local holiday.
In order for the Philippines to gain independence from Spain, Jose Rizal helped the said country which lead with his execution on December 30, 1896, and to give honor and respect to the national hero, the Philippine consulate as well as the community always celebrate this event.
Chito Mandap of Jose P. Rizal monument movement said, “The feeling really is tremendous. We are celebrating again the life and the death of our national hero.”
While Carson Mayor Pro Temp , Lito Santarina said, “He died in martyrdom that’s why the city of Carson has approved and adopted this.”
“Year after year after year, we can bring the Philippines right here into our backyard. In our city,” Mandap added.
“I think it’s really nice having a Jose Rizal Remembrance Day especially since we don’t know about learn about him in school very much. It shows he was a very important person,” Virginia Velasquez, Venture Scout, said.
However, despite that December 30 considered as a permanent city holiday, Carson residents were still on their work, on the other hand Rizal Day is a way to encourage education and Filipino pride at school and at the work place.
This declaration of Rizal Day as official holiday every December 30, was a resolution p(–foul word(s) removed–)ed by the city council earlier this month.
