Rizal's statue stands tall in Australia

The statue of our national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal will be unveiled on Saturday 25 August 2012 in the city of Campbelltown, south of Sydney.

"This will make all Filipinos in Australia proud," said Rizal Park Movement Campbelltown (RPMC) President Rey Manoto.

The Rizal statue was made by renowned Filipino sculptor, Eduardo Castrillo and presented as a gift to the Philippine government and eventually donated to the City of Campbelltown.

This 5-meter bronze statue will be among the tallest Rizal statues in the world, the tallest is in Calamba City that stands 6.9 meters, the second tallest in Luneta at 6.2 meters.

"[The statue is a symbol of]  way of sharing with all of Australia, our culture, our heritage and the heroism of our national hero, Dr. Rizal," Manoto added.

H.E. Ambassador Belen Anota, during one of the meetings with the Filipino community leaders declared that Rizal Statue installation at Rizal Park in Rosemeadow is one of her priority projects.

"It is also important for our Filipino youth to understand and become aware of who Dr Rizal was and what he had done for our motherland. It is also significant to tell the world that Rizal fought for non-violent revolution and was the inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi," Manoto remarked. 

Rizal formally declared in his writings that reforms could be achieved through peaceful means. With the two books, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, he wrote and the La Liga Filipina he organised, he wanted the people to become aware of reforms.  The irony is after his execution at Bagumbayan, he inspired the revolutionaries to begin the revolution.

With the transformation being done by the Campbelltown City Council at Rizal Park and with the installation of Rizal Statue through the untiring efforts of our Ambassador Belen Anota and Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis, the park is becoming more binding to the Filipinos.  

This Rizal monument will tell stories about his sacrifices and martyrdom, about the heroism he is famous of, his works and his life. The Filipino community is encouraged to support this project of the Ambassador.  

One way of showing your support is by attending the Hero’s Gala Night to be held at Wests League Club at 10 Old Leumeah Road, Leumeah, in Sydney.

This event is the culmination of the fund-raising activities being conducted by RPMC.

Other avenues of support are by becoming a Benefactor for your name to be etched on the metal  Plaque that will be set on the Benefactors' Wall, or by simply buying the raffle tickets.

"The expectation is that this Rizal Statue of this magnitude will bring about renewed enthusiasm about Jose Rizal, for some especially our youth to know him for the first time and for most Filipinos to get to know him better.   Just like those revolutionaries, people will be inspired," RPMC President Manoto said.