The Rizal Medals

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As a student in here in the Philippines we have been taught about the sacrifices and the brave actions of our ancestors during the Spanish regime. Some of my friends and teachers of the past admired people like Emilio Aguinaldo, Andres Bonifacio and many more. I myself was not very good with history so I do not know much about our countries' heroes. But there was always a great emphasis in one of these heroes, our national hero José Protacio Rizal-Mercado y Alonso Realonda or more commonly known as Jose Rizal.

Jose Rizal was a Filipino nationalist, novelist, poet, ophthalmologist, journalist, and revolutionary. He is widely considered one of the greatest or if not the greatest hero of the Philippines. In high school I got a little interested in him since we tackled 2 of his novels Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo. I did not fully understand the novels nor fully remember them since I was too busy summarizing the part that I was assigned, but nonetheless I enjoyed some parts of the novel that were easy to understand.

After Jose Rizal’s execution on December 30, 1896, the wide acclaim accorded him gained even greater intensity and fervor. As he preferred reforms over revolution, some sectors believed that the Americans had favoured him over other Filipino heroes with revolutionary bent for they considered him the safest symbol of the Filipinos’ rising nationalism at that time and thus allowed and even encouraged his popularity to grow to unprecedented heights. This, of course, is a misconception as the choice of Rizal as our National Hero was then and even now generally accepted by the overwhelming majority of Filipinos. Rizal became a symbol and was his image was used to show nationalism.

A medal, or medallion, is, strictly speaking, a small, flat, and round (or, at times, ovoid) piece of metal that has been sculpted, melded, cast, struck, stamped, or some way marked with an insignia, portrait, or other artistic rendering. A medal may be awarded to a person or organization as a form of recognition for sporting, military, scientific, academic, or various other achievements. Medals with the image of Rizal were made to honor Rizal. Many medals of him were made.

From the halcyon days of the American colonial rule to the Commonwealth era, and even during the troubled years of the Japanese Occupation, Rizal Day was religiously observed on two occasions, Rizal’s birth and death anniversaries. However, the December 30 celebrations were gala and elaborate affairs complete with programs, oratorical and beauty contests, civic parades, and floats vying with one another in their colorful designs and nationalistic symbolism. Expected to be in attendance were the national and local officials, community leaders, teachers and students.

After the Liberation, these celebrations lost much of their gaiety and color having become more subdued and sober affairs observed throughout the country by simple ceremonies, consisting mostly of raising of the flag, singing National Anthem, laying wreath before Rizal’s monument and brief program with the usual speeches being delivered by local officials.

Rizal on Crusader's Cross

Obviously these historic events merited permanent recording for posterity.. And what better means to preserve memories of these events with patriotic significance than by issuing commemorative medals on their anniversaries? Thus Rizal medals were struck almost annually in silver, bronze, gilt but rarely in solid gold. Unidentified engravers struck some but many carried the names of the more popular ones like Crispulo and Luis Zamora, C. Valdez and El Oro.

As far as is known, the earliest Rizaliana medal was issued in late 1901, five years after Rizal’s execution. Struck in bronze and having a diameter of only 22mm. the miniature medal had the bust of Rizal on the obverse and the inscriptions “Al Ilustre Patricio Filipinas/Doctor Jose Rizal/Manila/30 December (sic) 1901” at the reverse. A variety of this tiny medal was struck the same year in bronze but it was uniface and only the reverse of the other medal appeared on its face.

Rizal medals of varying sizes, shapes and designs were minted during the succeeding years, some of them bearing the Rizal monument on their obverse. Those appearing during the American regime particularly in 1907, 1909, 1910, 1914, 1916, 1918 and 1920 are worth mentioning in view of their eye-caching appeal which must have required a lot of imagination and aesthetic sense on the part of the engravers concerned. It was, however, in 1906 that a solid gold medal was struck for the first time, along with the usual silver and bronze issues. Depicting the Rizal bust on the obverse and measuring 31.5 mm. the reverse had these inscriptions: “Procesion Civica/Rizal Day/1906/Fiipinas”.

During the Japanese Occupation, the only medals issued honoring Rizal was a set of three struck in silver, bronze and gilt. An extremely scarce issue, it was minted in 1943 on the occasion of the Exhibit of Rizal’s Writings in the Tagalog Language. The obverse portrayed the usual bust of Rizal and the years “1861- 1896; while inscribed on the top were words written in "Baybayin", an ancient Philippine form of writing.

The traditional minting of these medals contributed without let-up, but it was during the Birth Centenary of Rizal in 1961 that a bumper harvest of them were struck in practically all types of metals to the sheer delight and approval of medal collectors particularly those specializing in Rizaliana. Seriously involved in this competitive enterprise were the national and local governments, civic and socio-economic organizations, universities and schools, corporations and even private individuals.

Easily the most outstanding and rarest Rizal medal minted in the 1961 Centennial Year was that designed by famous sculptor Guillermo E. Tolentino, a National Artist. This particular commemorative medal was awarded to the first three prize winners in the international competition sponsored by National Centennial Commission. Three were struck in Italy, one each in gold, silver and bronze. The size is 57mm. Its obverse had the bust of Rizal facing right as well as the inscription “Centenary of Dr. Jose Rizal/ June 19, 1861/ June 19, 1961”. Below the date “June 19, 1961” is the sculptor’s name in very small letters. Appearing at the reverse is Rizal’s well-known sculpture “The Victory of Science over Death”, while on its two sides are listed down in minute letters Rizal’s numerous virtues, accomplishments and versatility.

A very prolific contributor to the growing list of Rizal medals in the country is the Order of the Knights of Rizal, a socio-civic organization whose aims, among others, are to study, promote and propagate the teachings of Rizal and to preserve, honor and revere his memory. A regalian requirements of the organization is for the newly inducted members and officers to wear Knight of Rizal medals as part of their ceremonial uniforms. The Society and its numerous chapters throughout the country are also responsible for the issuance of varying types of Rizal medals not only to call attention to the twin anniversaries of the hero but also to commemorate certain important events in the life of the Society.

Very much coveted by the citizenry is the Rizal Pro Patria medallion. Government awards this to citizens and institutions who gained recognition for their distinguished and outstanding contributions to the advancement of national progress, stimulation of the love of country and civic citizenship, and responsibility to the general community and the Republic. Obverse of the medallion has Rizal’s bust facing left and legend with two circular lines (blue enamel) PRO PATRIA above and JOSE RIZAL below; while the reverse in blue enamel is the seal of the Philippine Republic. Large in size, it measures 85mm, and is struck in gilt bronze.

More Rizal medals and related memorabilia became available to collectors in 1996, which marked the hero’s death centenary.