Rizal's 'Josephine Sleeping' awakens at Nat'l Museum

Jose Rizal's exquisite P31-million statue "Josephine Sleeping" will be unveiled tomorrow, the 128th anniversary of the hero's martyrdom, at the National Museum of Fine Arts on T.M. Kalaw Drive, Ermita, Manila.

- By LISA GUERRERO NAKPIL

By all accounts, this gift to the Filipino people is priceless – immortalizing not only the country's foremost hero but also the woman he loved, Josephine Leopoldine Bracken. It's a snapshot of the country's greatest love story, eclipsing even the Manila Film Festival and the metro-wide New Year's countdowns.

Speaking under cover of anonymity, its previous owner and a descendant of Rizal's sister Narcisa said, "When I learned that the National Museum was interested in acquiring this sculpture, I was overjoyed. It seemed fitting for such a remarkable piece of our family's legacy - and of Philippine history - to be housed where it could be appreciated by everyone.