1912 Transfer of Rizal's Mortal Remains

"In 1912, the foundations were laid for a monument at the Luneta that
would also serve as the final tomb for the hero's mortal remains. On
December 29, 1912, the urn containing the remains was borne in solemn
procession from the family's house to the Ayuntamiento, that fine
Marble Hall that had been a symbol of Spanish sovereignty in the
Philippines. In the salon of the Ayuntamiento, the urn was
enshrined on a magnificent catafalque surrounded by innumerable
floral wreaths, offerings of the nation. Throughout that night, the
Knights of Rizal and other patriotic groups as well as the public
kept vigil round the catafalque.

"Next morning, December 30, 1912 -- sixteenth anniversary of the
martyrdom -- the urn was borne to the Luneta on an artillery caisson
drawn by six horses. Thousands joined the procession and thousands
more lined the streets. At the Luneta, the obsequies were led by
acting Governor-General Newton W. Gilbert and the two ranking
statesmen of the Philippine Assembly, Sergio Osmefia and Mariano
Ponce, the latter one of Rizal's dearest friends. Then the urn was
deposited in the center of the base over which would rise the
monument.

"On the committee in charge of the monument project were Paciano
Rizal and several Rizal colleagues, like Tomas del Rosario, Maximino
Paterno, Ariston Bautista, Juan Terason, Pascual Poblete, Mariano
Limjap, Teodoro R.Yangco and Ramon Genato. The monument they
accomplished has become a national landmark, the most visible tribute
of the nation to its greatest son.”

 -- Asuncion Lopez Bantug.
LOLO JOSE. AN INTIMATE AND ILLUSTRATED PORTRAIT OF JOSE RIZAL

p.169