BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – The city government commemorated the 127th death anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal on Dec. 30, 2023 at Plaza Libertad where the national hero had a stone statue.
On Sep. 28, 1901 the Philippine Commission passed Act No. 243 authorizing the construction of a national monument “for (the) Filipino patriot and reformist.”
“He stood firm for our country and fought for the liberty that we enjoy today. We owe it to him to honor his sacrifices for our homeland and preserve it for generations to come,” said Mayor Jerry Treñas at the commemoration program on Saturday.
The spot identified where to erect Rizal’s statue here was the center of Plaza Libertad. It was an inspired choice.
It was in Plaza Libertad where the Philippine flag was raised on Dec. 25, 1898 during the Philippine Revolution – two years after Rizal’s execution – after Spaniards surrendered to the local troops led by Ilonggo hero General Martin Delgado.
Rizal was widely deemed to have inspired the revolution seeking to free the Philippines from Spanish colonization.
“Martyrdom is what you would call probably the best symbols of not just siguro the birth of the nation. You call almost say nga it was almost like paglupok sang pusil nga nakapatay kay Rizal, amo na to ang senyales nga nabuhi na ang Pilipinas. In many ways it was a symbolic birth of the nation but at the same time, it was also an illustration of love and sense of patriotism,” said Prof. Rey Carlo Gonzales of the University of the Philippines Visayas who also spoke at the commemoration program.
The Rizal statue in the middle of Plaza Libertad is now 106 years old. It was inaugurated on Dec. 30, 1917 or just 21 years after the hero was executed by firing squad in Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) in Manila by Spanish authorities on Dec. 30, 1896.
“Dr. Jose Rizal remains an inspiration to us Filipinos. His ideals and aspirations for our country continue to inspire leaders and youth,” said Treñas.
Public schools, municipalities, and cities all over the country built their own versions of Rizal monuments. In this city, Rizal’s statue shows his right arm stretched forward, his back facing the Spanish era-built San Jose de Placer Church.
“As we remember his legacy, I encourage all to unite, help one another, and work together in shaping our nation by protecting our freedom and promoting equality,” said Treñas.
On Nov. 17, 2003 the National Historical Institute declared Plaza Libertad a national historical landmark./PN
