Beneath the Madrid sky stands a silent sentinel. This is the Rizal Statue. It commemorates Josè Rizal. He was a Filipino nationalist. He is regarded as a national hero of the Philippines.
The Rizal Monument is a near-exact replica of one in Manila. That one stands near his execution site. This Madrid monument is found in the Parque de Santander. It is along the Avenida de Filipinas.
This Rizal Statue wasn’t always a sure thing. Other countries erected Rizal monuments in the 1960s. This celebrated the centennial of his birth. Spain refused at the time. There was negative sentiment against Rizal. Attitudes changed. Nearly a century after his execution, this monument was built. Spanish authorities executed him. That event led to the Philippine Revolution.
December 5, 1996 marked its inauguration. The inauguration was part of celebrations. These led to the Philippine Centennial. Fidel V. Ramos attended. He was the President of the Philippines then. Salvador Laurel also attended. He was the former Vice President. Abel Matutes was there too. He was the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs. Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón also attended. He was President of the Community of Madrid.
In 2010, the monument was defaced. Red anti-Mason graffiti appeared. This hinted at Rizal’s Masonic sympathies. The Philippine Embassy quickly requested cleanup. The Madrid city government acted fast.
The Rizal Monument sits on a 70 m2 lot. The Madrid city government donated it. The monument’s design is based on the Manila original. Swiss sculptor Richard Kissling created that original. Filipino sculptor Florante “Boy” Caedo created the bronze statues here. Spanish architect Manuel Rivero Vázquez did landscaping. He headed Madrid’s urban design office. The monument weighs about 200 tons.
Some say it is an exact replica. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said so. But there are slight differences. This monument is 15 m tall. The original is 12.7 m. Rizal’s bronze statue stands four m tall. He looks straight ahead. The original looks sideways. The pedestal’s front has two plaques. One commemorates the 1996 inauguration. The other celebrates 75 years. This marks Philippines–Spain relations. It was unveiled in 2022.
Brass markers flank the Rizal Statue. They are engraved with Rizal’s final work. It is “Mi último adiós.” The Spanish original is on the left. A Tagalog translation is on the right. José Gatmaytan wrote the Tagalog translation.
Upscale apartments surround the monument. So do commercial establishments. Green space is formed by the Parque de Santander. There is also a new park being redeveloped. The Estadio de Vallehermoso stands across the street.
The Rizal Monument holds sentimental value for Filipinos. It is a prominent landmark for Filipinos visiting Madrid. The Philippine Embassy points people to it. It is one of the best Rizal-themed tourist sites. They organize annual commemorations here. These celebrate Rizal’s birth and death. Presidents have laid flowers here. This happened during state visits to Spain. Filipinos in Spain have organized rallies here too.
Isabel Preysler attended the inauguration in 1996. She drew all the photographers. An organizer pointed out their real subject. The Rizal Statue stood opposite her.
The Rizal Statue stands as a tribute. It honors a national hero. It reflects courage and freedom. It is a reminder of history. It embodies the enduring connection between the Philippines and Spain. Take a moment to reflect on Rizal’s legacy.