Revisiting Rizal's first monument

By Bernard L. Supetran

December 29, 2010, 11:31am

The first Rizal Monument in Daet

Daet, Camarines Norte—While the whole Filipino nation pays homage to national hero Dr. Jose Rizal on his day of martyrdom, this quaint town of Daet, capital of Camarines Norte is abuzz with activities around its own Rizal monument.

This 15-foot stone pylon named after the hero is bereft of intricate design, but is in every way special because it is the first-ever Rizal memorial marker in the country.

Situated by a river park, construction began on Dec. 30, 1898 in compliance with the 1898 decree of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, then President of the Revolutionary Government, to observe Dec. 30 as a national holiday in the “Free Philippines.”

It was completed in February, 1899 shortly after the outbreak of the Filipino-American War, antedating by about 14 years the monument in Luneta, which was inaugurated only in 1912. By virtue of this act, Camarines Norte became the first province to celebrate Rizal Day.

The monument was built through the financial contributions of the townsfolk of Camarines Norte and the Bicol region, with Lt. Colonels Antonio Sanz and Ildefonso Alegre of the Republican Army leading its construction.

Designed by Sanz, the monument is composed of 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 contains a black metal slab from the National Historical Commission when it was declared a historical landmark in 1961.

Inscribed on the square podium are Rizal’s popular novels—”Noli Me Tangere”, “El Filibusterismo”, and “Morga”, a tribute to Antonio de Morga, author of “Sucesos de las islas Filipinas” in 1609, an important book on the early history of Spanish colonization.

On both sides of the topmost triangle is a sun with eight rays, a  star and the phrase “A Jose Rizal” (To Jose Rizal). But unlike other monuments, it does not have any of his sculptured image.

The base reportedly contains the list of contributors to the construction of the monument and kept in a time capsule.
It is also a widely-accepted belief that Masons had an important role in putting up the pylon because of its pronounced Masonic elements. Add to this the fact that both Aguinaldo and Sanz were Masons.

Masonic historian Reynold Fajardo wrote in the bimonthly periodical Cabletow, “the monument is unquestionably Masonic, the base is a square and is surmounted by a triangle; on the sides of the triangle may be seen the five-pointed star and at the top used to be the all-seeing eye.”

“The First Rizal Monument is a source of pride, not only for the townsfolk but also for all Bicolanos. It also attests to the people’s reverence for Rizal and his ideals,” says Daet Mayor Tito Sarion.

He said that Daet and the Provincial Government of Camarines Norte hold colorful December 30 rites which include a street theater reenacting Rizal’s martyrdom which concludes at the Monument. There’s also a host of special events such as essay-writing and oratorical contests, socio-civic activities and wreath-laying.

Sarion added that Rizal’s life and ideals inspired Daet’s political leaders and citizenry in declaring the municipality as a “character town” in 2002 which upholds universal values as guiding principles in governance and public life.

In recognition of the landmark’s historic value, the National Historical Institute recently declared it a national monument by virtue of NHI Resolution No. 12.

“Today, the monument is not only a reminder of the greatness of the Great Malayan, but also the top tourist drawer of Camarines Norte. Failure to visit it when in Daet would be a tragedy of monumental proportions,” he concluded.

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