World's Biggest Rizal Shrine

José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, popularly known as Dr. Jose P. Rizal, is the Philippines’ national hero, a patriotic man who never uses gun or sword to protect and fight for his country, a man with multi exceptional skill, a poet, a doctor, a columnist. He is the creator of the famous Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo to criticize the Spanish Friars and the Catholic church in the Philippines. Most of his writings are dedicated to his fellowmen and family such as La Indolencia Filipina (The Indolence of the Filipino People), Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo (A tribute to my Town), A la Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth), Por La Educacion (Education Gives Luster to the Motherland), Sa Aking Mga Kabata(To My Fellow Children) and other dedicated creations.

He was exiled after the Spaniards knew about the Katipunan, a group of Filipinos planning a rebellion against the Spanish Colonial Era and another group so called La Liga Filipina (The Philippine League) he created in Barcelona. The last look to the great man was in Bagumbayan known today as Luneta Park on December 30, 1986.

A true man of worth, a man who believes in the strength, intelligence and courage of the Filipino people. 

Because of his greatness and heroism, his works are published all over the world. Statues, monuments and parks are created on his name even on outside countries. In Seattle, Washington, a Rizal Park was built last June 7, 1981 approved by Mayor Charles Royer and Philippine Consul General Ernesto A. Querubin. 

 Another monument in Hawaii was built by a group of Filipino members so called Kauai Filipino Community Council.

The famous Rizal Park here in the Philippines is situated in the heart of Manila, the previous Bagumbayan which comemorates the death of Dr. Jose Rizal. 

But have you ever wonder where in the world is the biggest Rizal Statue located?

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya's Riza Shrine, situated in Barangay Casat, is todays's largest Rizal Shrine in the world. This shrine is peacefully nestled on 7.5 hectare complex on one of the town's hills. A 12 storey high 3-arch Romanasque structure tenderly houses the statue of Rizal, a 16 meter statue made purely on bronze. The edifice, like hero who hopes for a new dawn to come, faces the east where the sun rises, towards the great Sierra Madre Range.

A ten meter high obelisk or pole wherein the history of Nueva VIzcaya is written, glady welcomes every visitor at the entrance. Not only Rizal's Statue stands on the area but also the statues of 13 other well known heroes including the unsung hero. These are sorrounded by 14 seven foot arches. The bust of the unsung hero symbolizes those heroes who were not given due recognition and those who silently promote and manifest the inherent Filipino traits in battling the evils of our society.

The 7.5 hectare complex is also a haven of recreation, livelihood and culture. It is a fantastic skating rink for children, with a globe and water fountain at the center. It also includes 2-storey buldings, a conference room for the Knight's of Rizal, a modern library, a computer resource center, basketball and tennis courts and two helipads. Free medical services are also available for indigent patients.

Behind The Project

"I die without the seeing the sun rise on my country. You who are to see the dawn welcome it and do not forget those who fell during the night."

This is an excerpt from Dr. Jose Rizal's novel, Noli Me Tangere. One of those persons who had a glimpse of the dawn truly did not forget those people who fought for the Philippines' freedom from foreign conquerors and were not able to see the country's deliverance. This man is Mr. Mahmoud A.M. Asfour,a Jordanian-born Filipino citizen.

It is quite ironic tat he would initiate the construction of such wonder considering he is a native Jordan. according to him, his affection for the Filipinos sprouted thirty years ago when a Filipino truck driver saved him from near-death after his car was slowly swallowed by the desert's mouth.

Asfour dreamt of giving the Filipinos his amazing possible gift and that dream materialized in the form of Rizal's statue, the biggest of it's kind in the world. The shrine, for him, is a representation of Filipino unity and hope.

Asfour is the 3rd Degree Commander of the Knight's of Rizal for the provinces of Nueva Vizacaya, Quirino and Isabela. 

The town's splendor was formally presented to the public through the ribbon cutting rite together with the blessing of the structure held last July 4, 2010.

Distinguished officials and personalities graced the remarkable occasion. ~M

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