A life-size statue of national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, made of bronze and mounted on a granite pedestal, was unveiled Sept. 30 at the Pantawan People’s Park in Dumaguete to celebrate his legacy and commemorate his visit to what is now present-day Rizal Boulevard on Aug. 1, 1896, from Dapitan on his way to Manila.
Key officials of government, educators, students, and civic-minded citizens gathered for the unveiling, and Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo, an active member of the Knights of Rizal, expressed his gratitude to all those who made the event a success.
He stressed the need to establish the monument of Rizal to honor and remember his life and teachings, which remain relevant to this day, particularly in the fight against oppression, graft, and corruption, while reiterating the call to faithfully serve the country and fellowmen to solve the social ills.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police rendered military honors as Remollo led city officials and leaders of civic-society groups in offering wreaths before the monument.
In his remarks, Dr. Henry Sojor, KGOR of the Knights of Rizal, thanked Remollo for establishing the monument in the very spot where the national hero strolled along the boulevard in 1896 during a stopover, which was later named after him.
Sojor noted that this is the first time since the Rizal Boulevard was created in 1916 that an actual monument of Rizal, who called Dumaguete the City of Gentle People, was erected in his honor.
The descendants of Rizal also expressed their appreciation to the city for this tribute.
Rizal’s great grandniece, Maria Juana Encarnacion Laurel-Loewen, attended the ceremony representing her relatives, including former Tourism Secretary Gemma Cruz-Araneta, while Department of Health Secretary, Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, sent a video message of appreciation.
Other special guests, who commended Remollo and the city for this noble project, included National Museum of the Philippines director Jeremy Barns, DOT-7 assistant regional director Gelena Asis-Dimpas, Don Ramas Uypitching of the Free and Accepted Mason, and DILG regional director Leocadio Trovela, also a member of the Knights of Rizal.
Prior to the unveiling, local artists reenacted Rizal’s arrival in Dumaguete in the morning of Aug. 1, 1896 on board the streamer España, his visit to his former classmate, Faustinio Herrero Regidor and friend governor Emilio Regal, his blissful walk along the boulevard, and his departure for Manila where he was later martyred, the city said.
Also present during the ceremony were councilors Jose Baldado, Antonio Remollo, Rey Lyndon Lawas, Franklin Esmeña, and SK president Miguel Aseniero, city administrator Lilani Ramon, assistant city administrator Dinno Depositario, and officers and members of the Knights of Rizal-Dumaguete Chapter, Free and Accepted Mason, Rizal Youth Club, the Department Education, Silliman University Campus Choristers, 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, Sidlakan Negros Eagles Club, and the Philippine National Police Dumaguete, among others.
A grand fireworks display capped off the ceremony, which was also the official closing of the 2024 Sandurot Festival, the city added. ||
