Signature Symbol of Rizal's Monument

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Few people are aware that the current monument, "Motto Stella" (Guiding Star) by Richard Kissling, was the second prize winner in an international design competition for the Rizal monument that took place between 1905 and 1907. Carlo Nicoli's "Al Mártir de Bagumbayan" (To the Martyr of Bagumbayan), the first prize, not intended to do it because the materials and design was very expensive.

From the photo up close by Filipino historian, Ambeth Ocampo, it seems that there is signature symbol on Rizal's statue -- the two signatures of Kissling. In addition, there is only one book carrying by Rizal on his statue and that is Noli Me Tangere book, not the three books (Noli, El Fili, Morga) we all know from our younger years.

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