Colorado Springs is set to make history on January 27, 2025, with the unveiling of a 6-foot bronze monument of Dr. Jose Rizal — a powerful tribute to the Filipino national hero whose ideals of reform, justice, and education continue to echo worldwide.
The statue, created by Filipino artists Elaine Antonio Bordeaux and Fritz Silorio, will be dedicated at George Fellows Park through the efforts of the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation and Filipino American organizations across Colorado. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m.
According to Inquirer.net, the monument is part of the global Dr. Jose Rizal Monument Movement, which aims to spread Rizal’s message through public installations, cultural education, and international collaboration.
“This project is a testament to the enduring influence of Dr. Rizal and the strength of the Filipino spirit here in Colorado,” said Bordeaux, who also serves as president of the Foundation.
Although Rizal never called for violence, his 1896 execution by Spanish authorities for advocating peaceful reform became a turning point in Philippine history, sparking the revolution against colonial rule and enshrining him as a symbol of courage and intellectual resistance.
To continue the day’s celebration, the Bayanihan Gala will follow at 6 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton. The evening promises cultural performances, a formal dinner, and tributes to the spirit of bayanihan, the Filipino tradition of communal unity.
