Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by Premier of New South Wales the Honourable Barry O’Farrell MP and Campbelltown City Mayor Sue Dobson, undrapes the statue of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in a ceremony at the Rizal Park, Rosemeadow, City of Campbelltown on Friday (October 26, 2012) during his State Visit to Australia.
The five meter bronze statue was made and donated by well known artist, sculptor, and designer, Eduardo Castrillo, who also made the tallest monument of our national hero in Calamba City, Laguna. The sculpture monument portrays Rizal during his colorful stay in Europe, holding the first book he wrote entitled “NOLI ME TANGERE.”
The President’s visit aims to pursue closer and broader relations based on a long history of cooperation, common interests and shared values between the Philippines and Australia. The Philippines is also among the top 10 source countries for recent migrant arrivals in Australia where there are about 224,000 Filipinos.