It is unquestionably rare to be able to resurrect remnants of the past—what more of the Philippine National Hero himself?
Filipino Historian Ambeth Ocampo took to social media what is said to be Jose Rizal’s brain fragments, which were “formerly preserved in alcohol that has since dried up.” An arguably defining moment in the nation’s history, the organs of the Philippine National Hero were “kept by his eldest sister, Saturnina,” as his remains lie underneath the Rizal Monument in Luneta, he writes.
Jose Rizal’s Brain Fragments formerly preserved in alcohol
In the July 3 post, the Ateneo de Manila University professor expressed his gratitude to Britz Hamoy (Balay Hamon Museum) for the assistance, as well as Dr. Francis Navarro (Ateneo de Manila University Archives Director) for unveiling the historical artifact to him.
Ocampo mentions that he is in the process of researching the story and context of the historical remains.
Noting the existence of a portion of his backbone (believed to be where the bullet made contact on December 30, 1896) lies in Fort Santiago, Intramuros, the emergence of the one-of-a-kind relic invites the possibility of discovering more evidence of the nation’s founding fathers (and mothers).
