Rizal statue in BiƱan, Laguna ā€˜beheadedā€™ by lightning


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A century-old statue of national hero Jose Rizal was ā€beheadedā€ after it was struck by lightning.

City of BiƱan, Laguna Mayor Len Alonte Naguiat posted a photo of the monument at the BiƱan Plaza, with its head missing.

In her caption, the mayor said the statue lost its head when it was struck by lightning during a heavy downpour on Tuesday.

Naguiat said the local government is working with all involved local and national agencies for the restoration of the monument, which is believed to have been sculpted by National Artist Guillermo Tolentino.

ā€œWe will intensify this commitment more importantly for our future generation ā€“ ā€˜the hope of our Motherlandā€™, as Rizal addresses it,ā€ she said in her caption.

Naguiat said a similar incident occurred in the late 1800s, when the belfry of BiƱan Church was struck by lightning.

ā€œMay this serve as an example that any act of nature is not a hindrance to continue working on the preservation of our heritage ā€“ whether it be cultural or structural,ā€ she said.

She also assured her constituents that the government will work hard to restore the monument.

Photo: BiƱan, Laguna Mayor Len Alonte Naguiat

This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.




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