Unang Bantayog

By :  Bro. Eduardo S. Freyra, 32° KCCH

The Rizal Monument in Daet, Camarines Norte was the first monument built to honor Jose Rizal, and is the oldest surviving such monument in the Philippines.  It was designed by Lt. Colonel Antonio Sanz with the help of Ildefonso Alegre of the Phlippine Revolutionary Army and through the financial contributions of the locals of Camarines Norte.  The three-tiered stone pylon with its square base supporting a triangle in two stages was the first monument and memorial marker in memory of the Philippines' National Hero.

Image source :  http://en.wikigogo.org/en/233183/

This 20-foot stone pylon is bereft of intricate design, but is in every way special because it is a monument to Bicol's libertarian aspirations.  Located by the banks of Daet River, construction of the Rizal Monument commenced on December 30, 1898 in compliance with the 1898 decree of General Emilio Aguinaldo, President of the Philippine Republic, to observe December 30 as a national holiday.

It was completed in February 1899, antedating by about 14 years the monument in Luneta, which was inaugurated only in 1912.  By virtue of this act, Camarines Norte became the first province to celebrate Rizal Day.

Designed by Sanz, a Mason, it is composed of a three-tiered stone pylon, in square base surmounted by a two-level triangle, the last one tapering off to a point.  Its foundation was made of mortars and boulders from the demolished old Spanish jail in Daet.  The front face contains a black metal slab from the National Historical Commission when it was declared a national historical landmark in 1961.

Inscribed on the podium are Rizal's popular novels -  Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo, and Morga, a tribute to Antonio de Morga, author of Sucesos de las islas Filipinas in 1609, an important book on the Spanish colonization of the archipelago.  There is an eight-rayed sun on both sides of the topmost triangle, a five-pointed star and the phase "A Jose Rizal" (To Jose Rizal).  But unlike other Rizal Monuments, it does not have any his sculptured image.  Oral accounts say that the base contains a time capsule containing the list of contributors to the project.  Some quarters and treasure hunters even believe that there were treasures buried around it.

Masons played an important role in putting up the monument because of its pronouned Masonic elements.  Add to this the fact that Rizal, Aguinaldo, Sanz and many financial contributors were Masons, Masonic historian MW Reynold S. Fajardo wrote in the periodical Cabletow, "The monument is unquestionably Masonic, the base is a square and is surmounted by a triangle; on the sides of the tirangle may be seen the five-pointed star and at the top used to be the all-seeing eye."

While Rizal has never set foot in Daet, the First Rizal Monument is a source of pride, not only for the townsfolk but also for all Bicolanos, attesting to the people's reverence for Rizal and his ideals.

Rizal's life and ideals inspired Daet's political leaders and citizenry  in declaring the municipality as a "Charter Town" in 2002, which uphold universal values as guiding principles in governance and public life.  To emphasize this point, the first public officials of the Province of Camarines Norte and the Municipality of Daet have incorporated the image of the First Rizal Monument in the provincial and municipal insignias.  This will remind elected officials, now and in the future, to govern in accordance with the virtues espoused by Rizal.



A Monument To Freedom

In less than a year after the Filipino revolutionary government led by Aguinaldo consolidated their control of the newly liberated pueblos from the Spaniards, the Filipino officers prepared for the eventual collapse of peace.  The seething conflict of the Filipino-American War finally erupted in 1899 and reached the town of Daet by the first month of 1900.

Then Maj. Antonio Sanz, in charge of the detachment in Daet, found no better way to please his superior, then Col. Vicente Lukban, to immortalize their victorious entrance to town of Daet than by erecting a monument in honor of the most respected hero of the revolution, Dr. Jose Rizal.


The First Rizal Monument

The monument which stands today was a  three-tiered three sided block which assumed a triangular shape toward the peak.  It was engraved with stars and the name Jose Rizal with year 1889.  This monument became popularly known as "Morga" apparently because of an inscription which bore his name.

"Morga" was referring to Dr. Antonio Morga, a prominent Spanish officer in the royal audiencia in the 16th century  who earned his distinction for his book on the affairs of the Philippines, the Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, published in 1609.

The historical interest on Morga's Sucesos was revived when Rizal published an annotated version of this in January 1890.  Rizal found immense propaganda value in reminding the friars of the existence of a once flourishing culture in the islands which the colonial regime effectively destroyed.  Stating clearly in his dedicatory remarks the purpose which inspired him in writing this book, Rizal indicated them as follows :

In the Noli Me Tangere, I began the sketch of the present state of our Native Land.  The effect that my attempt produced pointed out to me, before proceeding to unfold the other successive pictures before your eyes, the necessity of first making known to you the past in order that you may be able to judge better the present and to measure the road traversed during three centuries.

Born and reared in the ignorance of our Yesterday, like almost all of you, without voice or authority to speak about what we did not see or study, I considered it necessary to invoke the testimony of an illustrious Spaniard who governed the destinies of the Philippines in the beginning of her era and witnessed the last moments of our ancient nationality.  It is then the shadow of the civilization of our ancestors which the author is now evoking before you.  I transmit faithfully to you his words, without changing or mutilating them... The post, the nationality, and merits of De Morga, together with the data and testimonies furnished by his contemporaries, almost all Spaniards, recommend the book for your thoughtful consideration.

If the book succeeds to awaken your consciousness of the past, already effaced from your memory, and to rectify what has been falsified and slandered, then I have not worked in vain, and with this as a basis, however small it may be, we shall be able to study the future.


A Tribute

On the morning of December 30, 1898, the first monument of Rizal built through public subscription was inaugurated south of Manila at Daet town, in the province of Camarines Norte.  Revolutionary Army Lt. Colonels Ildefonso  Alegre and Antonio Sanz spearheaded a drive amongst families and patriots to construct quickly a tribute to their hero.  Lacking a professional sculptor, the community proudly made an obelisk with a mythical sun, symbol of freedom for which Rizal sacrificed his soul before the colonizer's firing squad two years earlier.

That night of the first Rizal Day, the first sculptural likeness of Rizal as a people's tribute was unveiled.  The first all-Filipino social society, Club Filipino, tendered tribute in Spanish songs and poetry to laud Rizal, a man personally known to many of the Club's members.   At the center of the drawing room where the program took place stood a pedestal draped and pleasingly decorated with palm fronds in the fashiopn of the age.  To the right were velvet-upholstered chairs for the guests of honor.  Rizal's mother, seven surviving sisters, and sole brother -  a general of unquestionable virtue and value.  To the left were a Frence Chassaigne piano and a small table on which rested a laurel crown.

At half past eight, Club president Telesforo Chuidian announced the start of the program to the distinguised members from government and commerce, military officers, and women dressed in black national attire.   Beautiful Trinidad  Ungson unveiled Rizal's statue to much applause.   The first figurative monument dedicated by the Filipino people to their star hero was a bust of cast bronze make by Filipino sculptor Vicente Francisco.

 
(source :  The Far Eastern Freemason.  3rd Qtr. September 2014)    

Revisiting the Glorious Past of Philippine History

by : Ill. Fernando V. Pascua, Jr., 33° PGSG

We Freemasons in this jurisdiction are justifiably proud of the fact that, as declared by WB and Gen. Emilio Famy Aguinaldo during the 1955 Annual communication of our Grand Lodge, "The successful Revolution of 1896 was Masonically inspired, Masonically led, and Masonically executed.  And I venture to say that the first Philippine Republic, of which I was its humble president, was an achievement we owe largely to Masonry and the Masons."

WB and Gen. Aguinaldo was a 33rd Degree Freemason, Past Master of Magdalo Lodge in Kawit, Cavite, the same Magdalo Lodge which, under the leadership of Bro. Emilio Aguinaldo, knew no fear of the enemy, the Spaniards, led by the friars.

WB Aguinaldo's declaration was neither an idle boast nor the ranting of an 86-year old man desiring desperately for recognition; for, indeed, most, if not all, of the great Filipino leaders in our nation's movement for independence were Freemasons.

Most prominent among them was, of course, Bro. Jose Rizal, whose writings, particularly his novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, provided the spark that was to ignite the flames of the revolution.  It is a credit to Freemasonry that, in the words of the European savant, Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt, "the greatest man that the Malayan race has produced" was a brother Mason.

There was also the Sublime Paralytic, Bro. Apolinario Mabini, known in history as the "Brains of the Philippine Revolution", who contributed much to the cause of constitutional government.

Among the other notable patriots and propagandists in the fight for independence were Brothers Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Mariano Ponce, Graciano Lopez Jaena , Juan and Antonio Luna, and Jose Ma. Panganiban.  These Masons, together with Bro. Jose Rizal, labored and sacrificed to publish the fortnightly newspaper, La Solidaridad, first in Barcelona and later on in Madrid, Spain.  It was from the inspired pens of these zealous brethren that articles and essays flowed to convey to the peoples of Europe and to the world the oppression taking place in our country, and answered the calumnies heaped upon our countrymen by our colonial rulers.  They pleaded for reforms in the oppressive government run by abusive officials, governing and ruling under the union of Church and State.

And then there was fiery Bro. Andres Bonifacio, who, together with other brother Masons, founded the Katipunan, which actually started and waged the Revolution against Spain.  As a revolutionary leader of the Sons of the People, Bro. Andres Bonifacio impressed upon the people  that true love of God is love of country, and that this love is also the true love for our fellowmen, and to engrave in their hearts that the height of honor and happiness is to die in order to save one's country.

The declaration of the independence of our nation from colonial rule on June 12, 1898 marked the emancipation of the Filipino from the tyranny of colonialism and his transformation into a citizen of an independent and proud nation, the growth and development of which would enable him to eventually develop himself into a citizen of the world or a cosmopolite.  It was the Masonic Brotherhood that inspired, led and executed that successful Revolution.

Nor was the Philippine Revolution of 1896 the only historical event where Masons played significant roles.  In 1776, the original 13 English colonies which revolted against England started the American Revolution.  We are told that not only George Washington but nearly all his generals were Masons, such as Generals Greene, Lee, Marion, Sullivan, Rufuns and Israel Putnam, Edwards, Jackson, Gift, Baron Steuben, Baron de Kalb, and the Marquis de Lafayette, who was made a Mason in one of the military Lodges in the Continental Army.

It is a fact that many of the liberation movements in South America which had led to the birth of many South American nations, such as Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay and Argentina, not to mention many other Central American nations, such as Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras and El Salvador, were led by Masons.

In recalling these events of history, I would like to focus on what I perceive to be the main reason for their success while other similar movements had previously failed.  These successful events came to pass because of the leadership, commitment and heroism of Masons.  Throughout history, we see examples of the Mason's ability to organize and to hold an unwavering commitment to a common cause.  It is precisely this facile ability to band together for the common cause of liberty, equality and fraternity that has struck fear in the hearts of tyrants and dictators who know that they would soon lose their foothold in their territories and in the minds of their subjects.

When the Philippine Revolution of 1896 broke out, the Masons became the natural targets of the Spanish  authorities as being responsible for the civil disorder.  Many Masons were arrested and sent to jail.  All Masonic Lodges were, moreover, closed.

Since the grant of Philippine independence by the Americans on July 4, 1946, Masonry in this jurisdiction has had the chance to grow peacefully into a vibrant way of life.  The animosities of the past against the Fraternity have seemingly been forgotten , although every now and then intolerant and hostile attitude against Freemasonry rears its ugly head.

At those times, it is well for us to remember that our Order had, in the past, won to its fellowship men of the first order of intellect, men of thought and action, in many countries, and in every walk and work of life : soldiers like Garibaldi, Wellington, MacArthur, and Aguinaldo;  philosophers like Krause and John Locke;  patriots like Washington and Bonifacio; writers like Voltaire, Walter Scott, Rizal and Lessing; poets like Goethe, Burns, Kipling and Pike;  musicians like Haydon and Mozart;  statesmen, philanthropists, educators, jurists, men of science - Masons whose names shine like stars in the firmament of intellectual and spiritual glory.

Despite the prevalent misconceptions about the nature of Freemasonry, misunderstanding of its precepts and practices, particularly its rituals and ceremonies, and the mistrust generated by such ignorance of the true nature of the Fraternity that has, on occasion, led to violence being committed Masons, Freemasonry is still around and, I like to think, more solid and stronger than ever.

We Masons are a part of this glorious past.  We are a part of this great movement called Freemasonry.  We are shapers of destiny, cradle of noble heroes, progenitors of great nations, molders of great men and heroes.

Our Institution is not an ordinary gathering of men.  It is not a mere club nor is it just another fraternity.  Ours is an august and honorable brotherhood, bound together, not by blood, but by the strongest chains of brotherly love - a mystic tie so strong as to cause true friendship to exist among those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance.

We are about to end the first decade of the 21st century.  At this period of human history the world is still in ferment, and there seems to be nothing certain but uncertainty.  Hatred is still on the rampage in eastern Europe, in Africa, in Asia, in the Middle East, in the Far East, and in our country, particularly Mindanao.  Any observer who follows the course of human events in the world today cannot fail to see that war and discord prevail in many places of our planet and in our country where peace and harmony should reign supreme because, in the words of Bro. Jose "Dimasalang" Rizal, "the very purpose of humanity dictated by God is the universal peace and harmony among his creatures.

In these times of stress and storm, let us renew our faith in the final triumph of Freemasonry, particularly the principles of right, of equality, of liberty, and of justice.  Let us, like our forebears, repeat the old refrain, "In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea,/ with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me.// As He died to make men holy,/ Let us die to make men free.// His truth is marching on."

(reprinted from The Far Eastern Freemason, 2nd Quarter 2009, p 12-14)

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"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." - Anatole France