Ang Kuwento ng 'Motto Stella' o Monumento ni Jose Rizal

Of all the historical landmarks in the Philippines, the Rizal monument in Luneta
easily stands out as the most recognizable and most photographed. It is thus an irony
that very few Filipinos know the story behind the building of this important national
memorial, and how, more than a century ago.

Motto Stella is given by the Sculptor Richard Kissling that means “Ang Talang
Patnubay”. They believe that Jose Rizal was the Talang Patnubay ng Bayan. Which I
think he is really the Talang Patnubay in our Country, because He fought for our
freedom, not in battle field but by writing his famous Novel Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo that shown how the Spaniards treat the Filipinos.

In 2012, DM Consunji Inc. (DMCI), by securing a zoning permit, started

constructing Torre de Manila in a lot along Taft Avenue. The Torre de Manila has been
considered as a photo bomber of the monument of Rizal by many citizens, especially
heritage conservationists. The Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order on
the construction of the said project on June 17, 2015 by the petition of the Knights of
Jose Rizal.

I hope that this Torre de Manila, will stop there operation and have a respect to
the well- known historical landmark in our country. I also hope that millions of the
Filipino people will see the importance of this Motto Stella, like what did the Turkish do,
to the buildings that have distracted their beautiful landmark.

The Rizal Monument in Rizal Park, symbol and phenomenon, endures because
its stories add meaning to lives and enrich the nation. People come, singly or in
multitudes, drawn by the sense of place seared in our race memory not only by Rizal’s
incomparable death, but by his powerful legacy to the nation and our places in it.

Simple and dignified. The memorial to Rizal expresses the spirit of the nation at
its singular best.