Colorado Springs to Unveil Dr. Jose Rizal Monument, Celebrate Filipino Culture with Gala

A 6-foot bronze monument honoring Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal will be unveiled later this month in Colorado Springs, marking a significant milestone for the Filipino-American community in the state.

The dedication ceremony, organized by the Dr. Jose Rizal Legacy International Foundation in collaboration with Filipino-American organizations across Colorado, is scheduled for Saturday, July 27, 2025, at 10:00 AM at George Fellows Park.

Sculpted by Filipino artists Elaine Antonio Bordeaux and Fritz Silorio, the statue symbolizes Rizal’s enduring legacy as a champion of education, peaceful reform, and national dignity. Rizal’s life and works continue to resonate with Filipinos around the world more than a century after his death.

“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. “We honor not just his memory, but the collective efforts of our community in keeping his ideals alive.”

The installation is part of the Dr. Jose Rizal Monument Movement, a global initiative that seeks to promote Rizal’s values through public art, cultural awareness, and educational programs in communities with significant Filipino populations.

Following the morning unveiling, the celebration will continue with the Bayanihan Gala at 6:00 PM at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in Colorado Springs. The formal evening event will include cultural performances, a multi-course dinner, and tributes highlighting the Filipino tradition of bayanihan, or communal unity and cooperation. Tickets for the gala are available to the public.

Community leaders, educators, historians, and Filipino-American residents from across the state are expected to attend both the dedication and the evening gala.

Remembering Rizal

Dr. Jose Rizal (1861–1896) was a Filipino polymath, writer, and reformist whose life and work helped ignite the movement for Philippine independence from Spanish colonial rule. His two landmark novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, exposed the abuses of the colonial government and clergy, inspiring a generation of Filipinos to seek change.

Although he advocated for peaceful reform, Rizal was arrested and executed by the Spanish government in 1896. His death galvanized the Filipino revolutionary movement and enshrined him as a national hero and martyr.

Today, Dr. Rizal is celebrated globally not only for his role in Philippine history, but also for his enduring advocacy for education, civic responsibility, and social justice.

The upcoming monument and gala aim to honor that legacy and celebrate the contributions of Filipino-Americans in Colorado and beyond.