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Jose Rizal bust unveiled in Andorra
In celebration of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal's 150th birth anniversary, a bronze Rizal bust was recently unveiled at the Parc Central in Andorra, a small landlocked country in southwestern Europe. Philippine Ambassador to Spain and Andorra Carlos Salinas and Andorra la Vella Mayor Maria Rosa Ferrer Obiols led the unveiling of the bronze bust on March 15. "The bronze bust, donated by Philippine Honorary Consul General to Andorra Hans Peter Holbach, was made by the Andorran sculptor Angel Calvente and measures 50 x 30 x 216 centimeters," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a news release. There are some 800 Filipinos in Andorra, the DFA said. In his speech, Salinas highlighted the importance of Rizal and how he continues to inspire Filipinos. On the other hand, Ferrer spoke of how the life and work of Rizal are an inspiration to all freedom-loving peoples, including Andorra citizens. Aside from Ferrer, the other guests included:
- Vincenc Mateu Zamora, Head of the Andorran Parliament
- Andorran Foreign Minister Gilbert Saboya Sunyé
- members of the Andorra la Vella's City Council
- Philippine Consul General to Barcelona Catalino Dilem Jr.
- the Diplomatic Corps of Andorra, and
- Filipino community members.
Rizal was born to a rich family in Calamba, Laguna on June 19, 1861. He was the seventh child in the family which had 11 children.
He attended various schools:
- Ateneo Municipal de Manila (earning a Bachelor of Arts);
- University of Santo Tomas (medicine);
- Universidad Central de Madrid in Madrid, Spain (Licentiate in Medicine);
- University of Paris, and
- University of Heidelberg.
He was also a poet and novelist and his two most famous works were the "Noli me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo."
On December 30, 1896, Rizal was executed by the Spanish in Bagumbayan.
The date of his death is remembered every year as "Rizal Day." — VVP, GMA News
