A part of the Filipino education curriculum is the study of the life and works of the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. He is the famous author of the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, two of the greatest filipino literatures that sprang up the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish regime.So, to further know about who this hero, I journeyed south from Manila to the town of Calamba in the province of Laguna to raid up the house of Jose Rizal's family.
After a two and a half trip from the capital, we arrived at the small historic town of Calamba to shoot our video documentary.
The house is said to be first stone and hardwood house in Calamba in its spanish architectural style. In 1848, Rizal's parents
Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso moved here and in 1861, the hero was born.Rizal's family was driven out of pressure by the spaniards and sold the house t
o Don Isidro for 24,000 pesos. It was totally destroyed during the World War II until it was restored by Philippine National Artist Juan Nakpil to become a shrine. It was inaugurated in 1950.Today, the shrine serves as a museum housing different memorabilias of the hero's childhood including a statue of himself as a child and his pet dog. Visitors can visit the house everyday without any entrance fee. Taking pictures is also prohibited inside the shrine but because your naughty correspondent wanted so, he took it so!
Authorized by the curator for educational purposes, we were able to shoot scenes for our documentary inside and gave me the chance to take out my cam and take a few shots!
Rizal's statue as a child.
Outside the shrine are more relics of its noble history.
This hut is where Rizal and his siblings played.
The museum beside the shrine.
Around the shrine is a bustling town with its rich history and culture.
The Calamba Church where Jose Rizal was baptized.
The Well of Re
traction.
Souvenir vendors rest beside the shrin
e.A tricycle driver waits by the road, ready to transport passengers to their destinations.
3 comments:
Ah, that is why you were missing.
Anyway, studying about a Hero's life is significant in improving our knowledge about life in general. Good work Allen
hi denith. sorry for the long absence.. im a bit full on schedule nowadays. school's getting up all my time.. good thing I was able to slip this on my sched. Hope to be back sooner. and by the way, nice trip to chambok. i like the falls... ^_^
Hi dede Allen, long time no see! What an interesting journey to the past! He's one of the greatest heroes of Southeast Asia, so it's really cool to catch a glimpse of his history. Great job, Allen!
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