In the laid-back town of Daet, capital town of Camarines Norte in the Bicol region, stands the first Rizal monument, one of the least heralded but important historic landmarks pertaining to the Great Malayan.
Construction began on December 30, 1898–teo years after his death– and was completed in February 1899, antedating by 13 years the one standing at the Luneta which was built only in 1912.
Situated at the Freedom Park by the banks of Daet River, the 20-foot pylon was built through contributions of the people of Camarines Norte. Lt. Cols. Ildefonso Alegre and Antonio Sanz of the Revolutionary Army led its erection in compliance with the decree of General Emilio Aguinaldo, then President of the Revolutionary Government, to observe December 30, the second anniversary of Rizal’s martyrdom as a national holiday in the "Free Philippines". Camarines Norte became one of the first provinces to celebrate Rizal Day.
According to Camarines Norte Governor Jesus Typoco Jr., the 105- year-old landmark is a source of pride not only for the local townsfolk but also for all Bicolanos from all walks of life. "The monument attests to the people’s reverence for Rizal and his ideals, despite the fact that he has never set foot in the province," he explains. "For Bicolanos, the first Rizal monument is more than a piece of cement–it is a symbol of patriotism and reverence to the ideals of the Great Malayan despite our lack of material wealth."
Designed by artist Mason Sanz, the monument has a three-tiered stone pylon, its square base surmounted by a two-level triangle, the last one tapering off to a point. The front face of the square contains a black metal slab installed by the National Historical Commission in 1961 when it was declared a landmark. Inscribed on the square podium are Rizal’s popular novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, and Morga where he annotates Sucesos delas Islas Filipinas, a treatise of Antonio de Morga, a Spanish authority on Philippine historical studies.
On both sides of the topmost triangle is a sun with eight rays, a five-pointed star and the phrase "A RIZAL" (To Rizal). But unlike typical Rizal monuments, it does not have any image of the fallen hero.
Under the base is a time capsule containing the list of contributors. It is also a widely accepted belief that Masons had a very important role in putting up the pylon because of its pronounced Masonic design.
To further highlight its place in history, the provincial government introduced in 1993 a street play reenacting the life and times of Rizal from his childhood to his martyrdom as part of its Rizal Day celebrations. The one-hour play starts at the Provincial Capitol and culminates at the Freedom Park where the execution scene takes place.
Inspired by Rizal in molding a leadership and populace brought up with good character and moral values, the Municipal Council unanimously declared in July 2001 Daet a "Town of Character".
"By declaring Daet a ‘character town’ we are putting character and values as primary concerns in all our endeavors–in public governance, professional practice and in our private lives regardless of our social status," says Daet Mayor Tito Sarion. "By living out Rizal’s vision and hope for nation, we are, in effect, putting up another enduring monument in his honor–but this time not erected in stone but in the hearts of people."