In the footsteps of Rizal

MANILA, Philippines - The National Historical Commission of the Philippines leads this year’s commemoration of the 116th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal today at the Rizal National Monument, Rizal Park with President Aquino as guest of honor.

 At 5 a.m., the Knights of Rizal and member agencies will re-stage the transfer of Rizal’s mortal remains, a formal and solemn reenactment of the transfer of Rizal’s urn from San Fernando corner Juan Luna streets in Binondo to the site of his monument in Luneta.

 The members of the Supreme Council and the Council of Elders of the International Order of the Knights of Rizal, clad in original caballeros de Rizal uniform, shall stand and portray the roles of the honor guards during the transfer.

 Ladies of Rizal from affiliate organizations of the Order and actors shall portray the roles of Rizal’s relatives. Students from partner schools and universities will be dressed appropriate to the period of 1912 as part of the funeral parade.

 An artillery caisson ornamented with flowers would contain the replica of the urn made by Romualdo Teodoro de Jesus and be drawn by horses from Juan Luna to Luneta.

 The retracing of the footsteps of Rizal by members of the Order, students and members of Kabataang Pangarap ni Rizal from Fort Santiago to Luneta would be integrated in the event. The group from Fort Santiago would converge with the group coming from Juan Luna at a designated point. The convergence of two groups shall symbolize the hero’s audacity, fortitude and courageous acceptance of his fateful martyrdom.

 After the commemorative rites, President Aquino will lead the flag-raising to be supervised by the AFP followed by wreath-laying rites and restaging of the historic placing of the urn at the foot of the Rizal monument.

 Other sites to hold simultaneous flag-raising and wreath-laying rites are the Rizal shrines in Calamba, Laguna; Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte; and various cities and municipalities nationwide

 The day’s event will be capped by the unveiling of the Rizal bust at the ASEAN Garden in Intramuros with Amb. Erlinda Basilio representing Foreign Affairs Sec. Albert del Rosario.

These monuments shall serve as a constant reminder to our people of the ideals of our heroes.