ON June 20, 2023, one day after my lecture for the 162nd birth anniversary of Dr. José Rizal in the City Hall of Cebu, May-i and I were brought by Orland James Romarate of the Cultural and Historical Affairs Office to the Mabini campus of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation to tour the José Rizal Museum. Glen Albutra, Francis Pesons and Robiel Coyoca gave me a tour of the largest collection of original items belonging to our national hero outside of Luzon, which included clothing and sketches, and one of his famous overcoats, which adorn his image in stone, bronze and our memories.
But why Cebu? Apparently, Lucia Rizal Herbosa, Rizal's sister, had a granddaughter named Concepcion. The latter married Escolastico Duterte, who is the nephew of the husband of the founder of the USPF, Beatriz Jereza. Trinidad and Lucia, Rizal's sisters, and Concepcion Herbosa donated the collection to the USPF in 1951.
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