Flame Pillar of Rizal

Rizal as Monumental "Guiding Star": Introduction

PHOTO: The actual photo of Rizal's skull in the urn with Teodora Alonzo. Photo courtesy of Dr. Ambeth R. Ocampo.

In one interview, Atty. Rogelio Quiambao of the Knights of Rizal says these monuments are a poignant testament to the universal admiration for José Rizal and his ideals.

"As long as there is disparity, so long as there is someone small (whose rights are trampled), as long as there are those who are assigned to serve but do not serve or serve half-heartedly, as long as there are nations bullying other nations, Rizal will always be relevant."

Perhaps the execution of Dr. José Rizal was a grim death as a greatest Filipino nationalist and martyr fought for the rights and liberty of his so-called "clime of the sun caress'd" or the Philippines from his 'Mi Ultimo Adios.' How like Rizal, always sincere and faithful to his "sense of duty" until the last moments on earth, despite the threats! That's horrible truth, of course, especially the undated letter addressed to his sisters which gleaned a somewhat simple Rizal but Spartan for his last wish after his death:

"...Bury me in the earth. Put a stone and a cross, with my name and the dates of my birth and death. Nothing more. If you wish, to put later an inclosure (fence) around my grave, you may do so. No anniversaries. I prefer to be buried in Paang Bundok..."

After Rizal's death, his body secrecy buried in the old and unused Paco Cemetery until desperate Narcisa found it with freshly-turned earth without a sign. She gave the gravedigger a tip and placed a plaque with the initials of her brother in reverse, R.P.J., that is, Rizal, Protacio Jose.

Then, the Americans came. Put Rizal as American-sponsored hero after exhumed his body from Paco Cemetery. While exhuming the body of Rizal, it was found out, then, that the body had not even been placed in a coffin. His clothes were still recognizable and only bones appeared.

Rizal's remains transfered to Narcisa's house and they washed the bones. They were later placed in an ivory urn. Stayed there until year 1912. This urn was venerated in frequent public ceremonies during the 1900s, when Rizal began to be honored as the National Hero of the Philippines (American-sponsored Hero).

As a result, the Philippine Commission in 1901 issued Act No. 243, authorizing a public subscription and commemoration for the erection of a monument in honor of Rizal at Luneta. The act stated that the monument would not only bear a statue of the hero, but would also house his mortal remains. And did you know that there was a worldwide design contest for the future Rizal Monument elicited work with raising of funds.

Accoding to Wikipedia, the committee held an international design competition between 1905–1907 and invited sculptors from Europe and the United States to submit entries with material preference produced in the archipelago. The estimated cost of the monument was ₱100,000. The insular government donated ₱30,000 for the fund. By January 1905, that goal had been oversubscribed. When the campaign closed in August 1912, the amount collected had reached ₱135,195.61.

The masons were the one initiated the burial rites with vigil prayers, but denied by the Catholic Church.

Next: The different monuments of Rizal here in the Philippines and the parts of the globe. Be updated! :)

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