Who stole Rizal bust? Reward offered

CHICAGO – Filipinos in Chicago continue their plea for the return of a bust of Dr. Jose Rizal that was allegedly stolen from a community center two weeks ago.

"Isang malakas na tadyak sa ating damdamin. Dapat tayo ay mayroong pakiramdam at ipagtanggol natin ang ating dignidad," Dr. Rufino Crisostomo, Filipino-American Council of Chicago president, said.

The bust was stolen last June 15, four days prior to the Philippine national hero's 154th birthday.

Dr. Crisostomo has called the attention of media outfits and the Chicago authorities over the stolen bust.

"Kami po ay nananawagan dito po sa Rizal Center. Kung gusto nilang tumulong na maibalik at mai-replace itong rebulto ni Rizal ay maraming-maraming salamat po sa inyo," he said.

Filipinos in Chicago say the incident should serve as a reminder to kababayans to give Dr. Rizal the honor he deserves as a national hero.

"The act alone has some symbolic meaning on the importance of Dr. Jose Rizal. Some people don't think that this is as important as we Filipino-American or Asian-American think," said Emelita De Guzman-Breyer, CEO of Breyer Foundation.

Two witnesses who declined to be identified have submitted to authorities the photos they took during the incident. They said the bust was taken by a group of at least 6 teenagers who then brought the bust to a white SUV.

The Rizal Center is offering a $700 reward to whoever can reveal the perpetrators. Those who may have information may call 312-402-4191.

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source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

VIDEO: Laguna cops 'bike to remember' Rizal on his birthday

MANILA, Philippines – Biking from the national hero’s execution site in Luneta to his birthplace, policemen from Laguna sought to honor Dr. Jose Rizal as the nation marked his 151st birth anniversary on June 19.

Sticking with the number "151" to match Rizal’s age if he were alive, the organizers kept the total number of participants at 151, the distance covered by the participants at 151 kilometers and started the activity at exactly 1:51 am.

One cop explained why they chose biking to remember Rizal's birthday: "Ito kasi yung nakahiligan namin aside from maganda sa katawan yung pagbisikleta, eh nabibigyan pa namin ng pagpapahalaga yung memory ng ating national hero. That's why ang motto naming mga bikers ngayon: We bike to remember. [This is our interest and aside from its health benefit, it is also our way to show importance and honor our national hero. The bikers' motto is: We bike to remember."

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial Director of Laguna made sure that even though there were 151 policemen who participated, there were still other policemen at their posts to ensure safety and security in Laguna areas. With Aliana Gimena, InterAksyon.com

source: interaksyon.com

Rizal statue set to rise in Carson City, California

CARSON - Next month, a statue almost seven feet tall will rise in this city that will make Filipinos around the world proud.

Construction workers are currently working on the foundation. Behind a green tarp, in the grassy area across the east parking lot of the Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center and in front of one of the busiest intersections of this city, will stand a larger than life statue of the Philippines' national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal for all to see.

The bronze Rizal statue will stand on top of a six foot granite base and will be the first in the International Sculpture Garden.

The sculpture garden is the brainchild of City of Carson Mayor Jim Dear, funded by the Jose P. Rizal Monument Movement.

Dear said not only will this be a place dedicated for public art, but he envisions a walking history museum where people can take their children to learn about heroes from around the world. It just happens that the Philippines wanted to display their national hero first.

"I feel it’s very important for young people to understand who these leaders were, the work they did, the changes they made in world history and by having a sculpture garden with statues. It’ll bring forth a greater educational experience for children who come here - not just for Filipino-American children but all children," said Dear.

Dear said Dr. Jose Rizal stands for everything right. Although some of his colleagues and community leaders from other ethnic groups complained at first about why a Filipino who died in 1896 should be erected, he and fellow Councilman Elito Santarina quelled that mini-controversy by teaching them about Rizal and the Filipino’s message.

“We told them that Dr. Jose Rizal is a man of peace, a champion of human rights, and a national hero... so when they started to get to know more about Dr. Jose Rizal, they started to accept that,” said Santarina.

The theme of the garden is “Heroes of Liberation, Freedom and Justice from around the world.” Dear said he hopes to have a garden full of statues of leaders from around the world.

Rizal was a proponent of democracy and peaceful reforms. He eventually became a martyr for his people in the Philippines.

There are currently eight Rizal statues in the US. The bronze statue will be sculpted by Toym de Leon and will be the first of the Philippine national hero in California. Carson officials said they hope to complete and celebrate this project before June 19, to coincide with Dr. Jose Rizal’s birthday.

source: interaksyon.com