ARTICLE SERVICES            Reprint this article     Print this article       Send as an e-mail     Send Feedback       Post a comment       RELATED STORIES   Holidays boost tourism, retail trade Mimosa workers brace for strike Did you know GALLERY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Next   Zoom    Read Full Story In Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, Rizal is surrounded by fellow-heroes in the Propaganda Movement Zoom    Read Full Story In Talisay, Cebu, a tableau of national and local history has Mother Filipinas on the highest rung, Rizal to her left and Bonifacio to her left on successively lower rungs. At her feet are plaques to local history and verses from Rizal’s farewell poem, Mi Ultimo Adios. Zoom    Read Full Story Magdalena, Laguna – Rendered in Beaux Arts style, this monument has Rizal flanked by Filipinas. Zoom    Read Full Story Dumalag, Capiz – Rizal broods over the Filipina version of the Statue of Liberty Zoom    Read Full Story Baliuag, Bulacan – Erected in 1925, another romantic Beaux Arts-style monument, here with allegories for Inspiration, Learning, Patriotism and Industry. Zoom    Read Full Story Basay, Samar – Rizal in a red overcoat, with matching monument base Zoom    Read Full Story Badian, Cebu – A different take on Rizal iconography with Boy and Girl Scouts Zoom    Read Full Story Dinalupihan, Bataan – One of the most interesting is this Rizal monument with figures depicting the Filipino family Zoom    Read Full Story Guinobatan, Albay – Here Rizal has famous hometown beauties at his feet, among them Maria Ofracio, known as the “Maria Clara of Guinobatan.” Zoom    Read Full Story Mangatarem, Pangasinan – Rizal in a fashionable blue overcoat Zoom    Read Full Story Luneta – And the most famous at the Luneta, also Kilometer 0 (or where Philippine history started) in Luzon Adventure to retrace RP maritime history By Fung Yu Author’s Note: This article uses virtual reality technology to provide an immersive experience. Click the images to view the 360-degree VRs. Adobe Flash 10 ...More Palawan’s ‘Come Back’ Syndrome Relish Vigan specialties and culture Where to eat in Baguio and Sagada this summer Tips for hassle-free traveling More Stories » Global Nation Easier US immigration filing fees urged Pardoned maid back in RP, regrets crime First Europeans were cannibals FilAms urged to register for 2010 RP polls Unfaithful More Filipino teachers off to jobs abroad Filipina in Malaysia acquitted of drug raps Landslides, floods hit Romblon town US embassy probes FilAm’s torture claims 13 OFWs in Sabah plantation return home Global Nation Action vs nursing reviewer in ‘leak’ Filipinos in California health jobs in peril Gabriela slams trade in celebrity look-alike sex videos How to return to the United States after deportation Michigan removes qualifying exams in hiring foreign nurses MMDA’s ‘Gwapotel’ a big hit with transients Long-distance mothering keeps them close Saudi needs 1,000 Filipina nurses—POEA Fil-am Foundation leads community health initiative Meycauayan, Marilao in world’s ‘Dirty 30’-- report Thoughts on Fil-Am Friendship Day Free for All in Metro Manila   Global Nation Most Read RSS Wally Gonzales Photography Look for: Arlene Lacea Tel.No.: 890.5524 or 890.1318 Mobile: 0917.8492559 Instant Rewards! Buy Donaldson filters. Redeem your dream holidays, electronic gadgets etc...

JOSÉ RIZAL WAS A TRUE Renaissance man: a poet, fictionist, artist, linguist, physician, humanist and hero. It’s rare for a national hero to have encompassed such sterling attributes. And with his martyrdom in the fields of Bagumbayan, he has become immortal.

It is not for this article to take part in the rather contentious debate on whether or not he was a national hero promoted by the American colonizers to perpetuate their colonial rule. Suffice it to say that the images of Rizal that became dominant since the American period are those that portray him as a learned person, as a scholar, and as a corollary, a man of peace.

Today as one travels to towns, cities, schools and civic halls, one sees the statue of Rizal, standing forlornly in a plaza or key public place. He’s dressed in an overcoat, with books in his hand or at his feet.

Though undoubtedly the most important—and most photographed—monument to the great hero is the one by the Swiss sculptor Richard Kissling, which was erected in 1913 in Luneta, the first monument to honor the hero had been set up in Daet, Camarines Norte, in 1899.

It’s a simple obelisk with his name, the three stars of the Philippine Republic and the titles of the books he wrote inscribed on the austere monument.

In the first three decades of the 20th century, brought about by an earnest public subscription, more towns erected monuments in honor of this hero. The style of the monuments similarly reflected the mood and architecture of the times.

Artistic mood

With the introduction of Beaux Art at the end of the 19th century, a shift to the form and grace of the human body reflected the artistic mood even in the monuments dedicated to Rizal. The pedestals became elegant platforms with graceful forms and enhanced and articulated embellishments.

Rizal who usually stood alone would be flanked by the allegories of Filipino virtues. Dressed in the elegant baro’t saya of the day, these statuesque images of Filipinas were supposed to inspire people to practice the ideals of a true Filipino.

Though these statues may appear dated today, their messages cast in plaster and concrete still resonate with a very vital message to the youth— about respect, industry, education and hard work, all essential qualities in a people’s aspiration for progress, security and a brighter future.

Streamlined look

By the 1950s, simplicity had become the byword in designing Rizal monuments. Gone was the accompanying array of Filipina beauties and the elegant pedestals. In their place was a simple block topped by a solitary Rizal.

Though his costume was a constant—he would be in immaculate coat and overcoat somewhat inappropriate for the tropics—the national hero still stood with dignity, albeit toned down in line with the very functional and streamlined look and architecture of the day.

As most Philippine towns now have monuments to our national hero, their day-to-day upkeep is at best rendered through a new coat of paint every now and then.

Some towns interestingly have a more imaginative manner of enhancing our national hero with a more updated look through the colors rendered on his clothes or the application of paint makeup on his face.

This somehow makes sure that Rizal in the 21st century remains fashionably stylish (though at times he’s made to look like Charlie Chaplin).

As we celebrate Rizal Day each Dec. 30, it’s only fitting that we pay homage to his valor by putting relevance and significance to this most important of days. Though balloons and cakes may not necessarily be the choice mode of merrymaking, a visit to his nearest monument, situated usually in every town’s central plaza, would suffice in celebrating the special day.

Looking at his visage, we should reflect on the life he had lived and the ultimate sacrifice he had made for the universal cause of man and the special cause of Filipino truth, justice and freedom.

The author is a licensed architect and an architecture historian. He teaches at the College of Architecture of the University of Santo Tomas.

• Holidays boost tourism, retail trade
• Mimosa workers brace for strike
• Did you know

• Palawan’s ‘Come Back’ Syndrome
• Relish Vigan specialties and culture
• Where to eat in Baguio and Sagada this summer
• Tips for hassle-free traveling