October 26, 2010

About a Filipino and two colonial governments

The remains of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal are now interred at the site where he was executed by the Spanish colonial government on December 30, 1896. The area was called Bagumbayan (New Town) then and was located just outside the old walled city of Intramuros. It is now called Rizal Park in honor of the man whose great sin was to ask—he was a writer and didn't even take up arms—that the rights of Filipinos be recognized in their own country. The bronze and granite Rizal Monument was planned and constructed during the American colonial era and designed by the Swiss sculptor Richard Kissling. It is guarded continuously by ceremonial guards called the Kabalyeros de Rizal (Knights of Rizal).

Rizal Monument

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

A pen is stronger than any sword.


Please have a good Tuesday.

daily athens

Dina said...

Human guards at attention add so much to a statue.

joo said...

Such an impressive statue!
Have a lovely day:)

Cezar and Léia said...

Wonderful shot dear Hilda, very perfect!This monument is beautiful!
Léia

VP said...

May be I am old fashioned but I like this kind of monuments. You must show us some details of the sculptures.

bertN said...

It's been a long time since I last saw this monument. I need to go and see it again!

George said...

The guards remind me of our Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in Arlington, Virginia. Thank you for this brief history of the monument and the man it honors.