The country’s most celebrated hero is now found standing at the heart of Tagum City, alongside the street that bears his name.
The City Government of Tagum, through the City Historical and Cultural Commission, has unveiled to the public the city’s monument of Dr. Jose Rizal in front of the former City Hall at Rizal Street last February 25, 2017.
Standing at 8.85 ft., the monument is part of the larger historical and cultural complex, which includes the city museum, a theater and a pasalubong center, that will soon rise in the city.
Aside from Tagumenyos, hundreds of local and foreign visitors alike also witnessed the ceremonial unveiling, which was one of the side events of the three-day International Assembly of the Order of the Knights of Rizal which both Davao and Tagum City hosted. The convention was attended by more than 500 Knights coming from the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia, including the Philippines.
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno also graced the event being the Supreme Commander of the Order. In his speech, he stressed that Filipinos should become visionaries just like the Philippines’ national hero, with the erection of the statue of Rizal in the city a way to remind Tagumenyos to become one.
Mayor Allan Rellon, meanwhile, underscored the essence of the Rizal Monument which the local government aspired to be perceived by the locals of Tagum.
“Through this, it is our hope that the people of Tagum can recollect, through a simple gaze, the greatness, enormity and sacrifices of Jose Rizal, as well as to rekindle the sense of patriotism within us that have been faded with time,” the local chief executive said.
The program for the unveiling of Tagum’s biggest Rizal Monument was highlighted with a wreath-laying ceremony and a 21-gun salute. (Roy Banias/CIO Tagum)
