The bronze Rizal Monument is a 22 feet (6.7 metre) tall statue, and is hailed as the tallest statue of Rizal that was built. The 22 feet height of the statue symbolises the 22 languages that the FIlipino Hero and Author spoke.The statue can be found at The Plaza, a 6.7-hectare (17-acre) park in front of the Calamba City Hall Complex along Bacnotan Road in the barangay of Real.
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda or simply José Rizal is a National Hero. He was one of the leading people to advocate the freedom of the Philippines which was in Spanish control. What sets Rizal apart from the other filipino heroes is the fact that he chooses non-violent options for protest such as his famous books, Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
This monument was sculpted by 35 year old Jonas Roces for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Rizal, with each step of the monument representing each decade of his life and legacy. This statue started development in December of 2010 and was unveiled last July 19, 2011 by the former president Benigno Aquino III to celebrate the birth anniversary of Rizal. This 2 tonne statue is located in the birth place of the hero, Calamba Laguna.
SIMBOLISIMS AND FACTS:
15 steps to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Rizal, 1 step per decade. The former president Benigno Aquino III was also the 15th president of the Philippines.
22 feet for the 22 languages Rizal spoke such as Filipino, Spanish, French, Latin, Greek, German, Portuguese, Italian, English, Dutch, and Japanese Ect.
It is located in the birth place of Rizal, Calamba Laguna.
It took 6 months to complete the statue, and it is funded by the local government of Calamba and The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PSCO).
It is the tallest statue of Rizal that was ever built, and was sculpted by Jonas Roces.
Made by: Martin John Refugio, 12-Mercury-A
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jose-Rizal
https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/05/12/11/rizals-birthplace-now-home-his-tallest-monument
https://www.enjayneer.com/2011/09/worlds-tallest-jose-rizal-statue-laguna.html
Calabarzon Region 