Jose Rizal monument to rise in Colorado Springs
FILE PHOTO
COLORADO SPRINGS – Nearly 130 years since Dr. Jose Rizal’s execution by the Spanish colonizers, his ideals continue to resonate deeply with Filipinos and global citizens alike. Dr. Rizal advocated for peaceful reform, equal rights and the dignity of the Filipino people.
Although he did not call for violent revolution, Rizal was executed by the Spanish colonial government in 1896 – an act that ignited the Philippine Revolution and solidified his place as a martyr and hero. His legacy continues to inspire movements for justice, education and human rights among Filipinos in America and around the world.
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The Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation, in collaboration with various Filipino American organizations across Colorado, proudly announced the dedication ceremony of a 6-foot bronze monument of Dr. Jose Rizal on July 27, 2025, at 10 a.m. at George Fellows Park, Colorado Springs.
The monument, sculpted by Filipino artists Elaine Antonio Bordeaux and Fritz Silorio. stands as a powerful symbol of courage, education and the fight for freedom, making this installation a meaningful addition to the city’s cultural and historical landscape.
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This installation is part of the growing Dr. Jose Rizal Monument Movement, a global initiative led by the Foundation to promote the values of Dr. Rizal through public monuments, educational outreach and international collaboration.
Following the morning dedication, the community is invited to the Bayanihan Gala at 6 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton, Colorado Springs. The evening will feature cultural performances, a formal dinner and tributes celebrating the spirit of bayanihan —the Filipino tradition of communal unity and cooperation.
“This project is a testament to the enduring influence of Dr. Rizal and the strength of the Filipino spirit here in Colorado,” said Elaine Antonio Bordeaux, president of the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation. “We honor not just his memory, but the collective efforts of our community in keeping his ideals alive.”
The event also marks a milestone in the broader Dr. Jose Rizal Monument Movement, which seeks to promote historical education and cultural awareness across the diaspora.
Who is Dr. Jose Rizal?
Dr. Jose Rizal (1861–1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer, physician and revolutionary who is widely regarded as the national hero of the Philippines.
Fluent in multiple languages and educated in Europe, Rizal authored two groundbreaking novels – Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo – which exposed the injustices of Spanish colonial rule and awakened the revolutionary spirit among Filipinos.
More information is available here.
