Seattle Filipino community fundraiser for Jose Rizal Park

Seattle Filipino community raises funds for vandalized Dr. Jose Rizal Park

The Seattle Filipino community held a benefit concert in an effort to help fix the damage done by vandals at Dr. Jose Rizal Park back in October.

SEATTLE - It was a packed house Friday at the Rainier Arts Center as members of the Filipino community held a benefit concert. Funds raised will help fix the damage done by vandals back in October.

The backstory:

As FOX 13 reported, vandals stole four copper memorial plaques from Dr. Jose Rizal Park, including a plaque containing a time capsule from the main monument.

"Dr. Jose Rizal is our national hero," said Tess Guerzon, organizer and host of Friday’s event.

Guerzon is also part of the Rizal Park and Bridge Preservation Society.

Friday’s concert entitled "Rizal Rhythms!" featured renowned Filipina jazz vocalist Charito, who is based in Tokyo, Japan, and several other local Filipino community artists.

What they're saying:

The City of Seattle initially promised to replace the plaques but has not committed to either a budget or a timeline.

According to the concert’s Eventbrite page, Seattle’s Parks and Recreation Department agreed to replace the plaques with a material other than bronze, but that "nothing has been started or communicated for months."

"We need improvements," Guerzon. "We need speed bumps, gates, surveillance measures and the vandalized structures repaired. This is the first of many events we’re hosting to repair and upgrade the park."

FOX 13 reached out to Seattle’s Parks and Recreation Department asking about a timeline and the status of sourcing a material for the plaques.

In a statement, a department spokesperson said:

"It is our desire to see the plaques restored, however, we have to first determine if there is a better alternative material and assess a budget and timeline. We do not have enough information to determine a potential restoration plan at this time but join the community in a desire to see all our parks preserved and maintained in ways that ensure public safety and safety to park assets, such as plaques, artworks, facilities etc. We are working with community on the next steps."

The Source: Information in this story is from the City of Seattle, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.