Antique collector shows photo of Jose Rizal execution at Bagumbayan

What is so special with December 30 that the entire country celebrates Rizal Day, or the commemoration of our national hero Jose Rizal, every year?

According to Kuya Kim Atienza's report on 24 Oras on Friday, it is not Rizal's birthday that is being celebrated on this day, but it the day when he was executed in Bagumbayan in 1896.

And in connection to this special day, antique collector Melvin Lam shared that he allegedly possesses a photo of the execution of Rizal, which he received from an American  veteran.

"It's authentic. If you want you can actually see the original photograph. It's in the museum in Trece Martires," said DLSU Manila history professor Dr. Jose Victor Torres about Lam's photo.

"This was the supreme sacrifice that Rizal had to make, dying for his country. He awakened patriotism in Katipuneros, especially Andres Bonifacio," Torres added.

The Rizal Park, formerly called Bagumbayan, is the place where the national hero was executed. A statue was erected in his memory, which was constructed by Swiss National Richard Kissling.

Rizal's height, among other things, is a puzzle as experts have said he only stood at 4'11. However, Rizal indicated in his writings that he was 5'3. -- Jamil Santos/BAP, GMA Integrated News