In an interview with Star FM Cebu, one of Dr. Jose Rizal's great-great-grandnieces expressed her desire to personally visit the monuments of her 'Lolo Pepe.' Maxine Cruz, from the bloodline of Rizal's sister Maria, shared that touring all the structures honoring the national hero across the Philippines is part of her bucket list.
Unique Monument in Daet
It is known that not only statues symbolize Rizal's greatness. In Daet, Camarines Norte, which is the first Rizal monument, a unique design can be seen. It is a three-story stone structure with a cube shape at the bottom, triangular sides in the middle, and a pointed pyramid on top.
Plan to Visit All Statues
Her plan also includes visiting both large and small statues of Rizal in various provinces. According to data from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, there are over 100 monuments and statues of Rizal standing in different parts of the country, including the famous monuments in Luneta, Calamba, and Zamboanga.
According to Cruz, on the occasion of her grandfather's 165th birthday, her plan is not just a trip but a way to pay tribute to the memory of her great ancestor and deepen the youth's knowledge of the country's history.
