NHCP unveils marker for Rizal shrine in Vizcaya

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – The historical marker for what is touted to be one of the tallest statues of Jose Rizal was unveiled here Saturday, a day before the commemoration of the national hero’s 150th birthday yesterday.

The bronze historical marker signifies the National Historical Commission of the Philippines’ (NHCP) formal recognition of the Rizal shrine’s existence.

The event also marked the acceptance of the historical marker for the shrine.

Former Nueva Vizcaya congressman Rodolfo Agbayani, among those present, said the event showed the NHCP’s due recognition of the 7.3-hectare Rizal shrine built by Jordanian Mahmoud Asfour, now a naturalized Filipino.

The shrine is nestled on a hill at the outskirts of this capital town’s Casat village, overlooking the expanse of farmlands here and in neighboring Solano town.

Rizal’s statue is made of bronze weighing some 2.5 tons, including its base.

The shrine, which has become one of the province’s major tourist attractions, also features smaller bronze busts of other Filipino heroes, including Andres Bonifacio, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Gen. Antonio Luna, Lapu-Lapu, Sultan Kudarat, Emilio Jacinto, Apolinario Mabini, Rajah Soliman, and Gabriela Silang. 

Also present at the unveiling of the historical marker were Emelita Almosara, NHCP deputy executive director, and Malou Villaroman, a great grandniece of the country’s national hero.

The Rizal shrine was inaugurated in July 2009 by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who hails from Cagayan Valley, and Bayombong Bishop Ramon Villena.