The Filipino people celebrates the Rizal Day every December 30, aside from the celebration of the Philippine national hero’s death anniversary every year which is already declared as a nationwide regular holiday.
Watch the video interview of Jonathan Balsamo for the Story Behind Rizal Park:
The Philippine National Hero, Jose Rizal’s heroism is celebrated by every Filipino which served as inspiration for this patriotism and heroism during the time when the Phililppines was under the Spanish colonial government.
One of the most popular landmark in the Philippines is the Rizal Park located in Luneta, Manila, formerly known as Bagumbayan. The main attraction of the Rizal Park is the Rizal Monument.
Filipino historian and Secretary of the Philippine Historical (–foul word(s) removed–)ociation, Jonathan Balsamo explained during an interview with Atom Araullo for ABS-CBN the brief background of Jose Rizal and the Rizal Monument.
The Philippines celebrates today, December 30, 2013 the 117th death anniversary of Jose Rizal. According to historical records, the Rizal Monument was originally called as the Motto Stella (Guiding star) built to commemorate the Filipino nationalist, José Rizal.
The Rizal Monument or mausoleum is consists of a standing bronze sculpture of Jose Rizal, an obelisk as background or backdrop which sets on a pedestal upon which his remains were buried.
According to historians, the Rizal Monument depicts Rizal in overcoat holding a book, that represents his novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. The obelisk means Rizal’s masonic background while the three stars symbolizes Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The figures at the back of the monument such as leaves and pot stands for the country’s vast natural resources.
A figure besides Jose Rizal, a mother rearing her child and two young boys reading, signifies family and education. The present Rizal Monument was a design of Swiss sculptor, Richard Kissling who finally got the contract after several controversies right after the international design competition between 1905 and 1907 featuring sculptors from Europe and United States.
Richard Kissling is the second runner-up winner of the international design competition won by Carlos Nicoli of Carrara, Italy
The Rizal Monument design my Richard Kissling was unveiled to the public during the 17th death anniversary of Jose Rizal last December 30, 1913 with the approval of the Philippine Commission.
