Jose Rizal bust draws attention

PARIS — For the Filipinos cheering for Team Philippines here, among the must-dos is a visit to a small place in the Paris 9th district with the bust and pedestal of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

Some members of the Philippine sports media paid a visit, guided by former Times Journal photographer Bong Agustinez.

Unveiled on June 23, 2022, it is now included in the long roster of major cities around the world that has a sculpture in honor of the national hero.

The unveiling was a major milestone for the Philippines and France in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between the two countries.

It’s a project of the Filipino community in France which came to fruition through the support of the Paris City Hall and the City Hall of the 9th arrondissement of Paris.

Leading the effort were the Knights of Rizal, Las Damas de Rizal, Kababaihang Rizalista, Inc. and the Comité General des Associations Philippines en France (CGAPF).

History books say Rizal first arrived in France in the summer of 1883 and stayed for three months before embarking on his studies in Madrid, Spain. He later returned to train under renowned ophthalmologist Dr. Louis de Wecker in 1885-1886 and then travelled to France intermittently up to 1891 when he finished writing his second novel El Filibusterismo in Biarritz, France.