An eight-foot bronze statue of the Philippine national hero was unveiled Saturday morning, September 29, at the newly established International Sculpture Garden in the city of Carson, California.
In his remarks, Mayor Jim Dear said that the city of Carson sent out 50 letters to the legations of different countries and that the Philippines was the first to respond. The Rizal monument, the first of its kind in the U.S., is a gift of the people of the Philippines to the people of Carson. No tax money was involved, Mayor Dear said.
Among the dignitaries who attended include Congresswoman Janice Hahn, Congresswoman Laura Richardson, Philippine Consul General Mary Jo Aragon, Chair Serena I. Diokno of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Deputy Consul General Daniel Espiritu, city officials of Cerritos, Torrance, Gardena, Carson and others. California Senator Ted Lieu sent a representative and two descendants of Jose Rizal — Renato and Benjamin Rizal — were also present.
A reenactment of the martyrdom of Rizal gripped the crowd culminating with a volley from guns loaded with blank ammo fired by rayadillo-attired Spanish soldiers. A performance of Rizal’s “My Last Farewell” by Teddy Ortega also moved the crowd. Chairpersons for the historic event were Mayor Dear, Councilman Elito Santarina, Chito Mandap and Antero Pagunsan.
Posted by PinoyWatchDog.com
on September 30, 2012. Filed under COMMUNITY.
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