Last October 8, Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, now has a bust in Mexico, GMA News reported.

According to George Reyes, Philippine ambassador to Mexico, unveiled the Rizal bust at the portion of the Plaza Mexico-Filipinas in commemoration of Jose Rizal‘s 150th birthday this year and celebration of Galleon Day.

The said venue is dedicated to historical figures important to the Philippines and Mexico.

Acapulco Tourism Secretary Erika Luhrs Cortes and Guerrero State Cultural Institute Director General Alejandra Frausto were also present.

He was thankful to Mexican officials for acknowledging Rizal’s role in the Philippines’ struggle for freedom and independence.

More and more Children is out in the Street

On my way home a few days ago, a young girl carrying a little child (I’m not sure if it’s really her little brother) caught my attention. She distributed a white envelope to the passengers inside our moving jeepney and fearlessly went back to the “estribo” (jeepney entrance). She carried her little brother as if it was just a shoulder bag on her side. The continuing increase of out of school youth in our country is just one of the issues we’re facing right now.  According to Department of Education estimates that for the school year of 2011-2012, there is a shortage of approximately 66,800 classrooms in the country, a figure that is based on the ideal teacher-to-student ratio of 1:40.The shortage of classrooms fuels other challenges within the sector, including: the decrease in participation rates among elementary and high school students; an increase in drop-out rates; and poor student performance.

In spite of this, government resources alone remain insufficient to address resource gaps.  I think we need to make our move and do our share and take part in solving these problems. That’s why last week, during the TenMoves.Org launch, DepEd Sec. Bro. Armin Luistro shared; “We are calling on all Filipinos to work with us in bridging resource gaps, especially the task of addressing the classroom shortage, which is a critical step in providing enhanced opportunities for millions of Filipino children”.

What is TenMoves.Org?

The TenMoves.Org initiatives call  for Filipinos to contribute ten pesos each day for ten months, or a total of three thousand pesos, for the construction of 10,000 more classrooms in two years.  If you have read my post in my other blog, I was able to cover the turn-over of  935M Pesos checque from Pagcor (Philippine Gaming Corporation) which aims to solve the same issues in the country’s education.

How Can We Help?

Donate

Individuals may contribute to the TEN Moves campaign in the following ways: bank deposits to any BPI, BDO, or UnionBank branches; online donations via credit card at the TEN Moves website at www.tenmoves.org; and via mobile through G-Cash.

Help Solicit

The youth are also encouraged to mobilize their friends and networks by influencing their circles of family and friends to pool in resources for the campaign.

Spread the Word

Help spread the word by using social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, or Blog about the campaign. You can use the script below and embed it to your site or blog and help spread the word:

<br /> <center><a href="”http://www.tenmoves.org/how-can-you-help/”"><img title="Let’s Support TenMoves.Org" src="”http://www.rizalpark.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/tenmoves-deped-logo2.jpg”" alt="" border="0" />I support TenMoves.org</a></center>

Note: Just in case you have trouble using the script above, please leave a comment and I would love to assist you with the installation.

So what are you waiting for? Make your move!

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According to local news report, a street in Chicago Illinois was given the honorary name of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

Consul-General Leo M. Herrera-Lim and Illinois Rep. Mike Quigley led the rededication ceremony last September 10 for Dr. Jose Rizal Avenue, the honorary name for Irving Park Road that which runs from Block 1300W to Block 1400W in Chicago.

Also attending the ceremony were two descendants of Rizal – Dr. Ramon G. Lopez and Willi Buhay, as well as Alderman Amaya Pawar, who represents the 47th Ward of Chicago.[source:ABS-CBN NEW]

The Rizal Avenue rededication ceremony was part of the various activities in the City of Chicago to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of the Philippine national hero.

The mythical Filipino bird Adarna is brought to life once more, in Concert at the Park, this Sunday, September 18, 2011, with the stage production of the Gantimpala Theater Foundation of the most famous bird in the country titled, “Ibong Adarna”, under the direction of Roobak Valle. Ms. Minette Padilla hosts the show, which starts at 7:00 p.m. 

Admission is free.

Concert at the Park is a regular weekly public service project of the Department of Tourism, under Sec. Ramon Jimenez, Jr., the National Parks Development Committee, under Executive Director Juliet H. Villegas, and the National Broadcasting Network, in partnership with Gantimpala Theater Foundation, under the artistic direction of Tony Espejo.

“Ibong Adarna” was originally billed as Corrido at Buhay na Pinagdaanan nang Tatlong Principeng Magcacapatid na Anac nang Haring Fernando at nang Reina Valeriana sa Cahariang Berbania.  According to folklore, the Ibong Adarna has a very melodious voice, singing seven magical songs.  After each song, the colors of the bird change into a more beautiful shade. The songs have the power to lull anyone to sleep and cure any type of afflictions while its droppings can turn anyone into stone. In the kingdom of Berbania, the king becomes ill. As foretold by a healer, the magical Ibong Adarna is the only one that can cure him.  Thus, his three sons, Don Pedro, Don Diego and Don Juan, successively start on a quest to capture the bird to save their ailing king.

“Ibong Adarna” brings the rich, colorful pageantry of the Maranao culture as its enchanting setting, with glittering costumes, fabulous scenery, spirited performers and creative choreography. This also serves as a tribute to the late National Arts for Dance Ramon Obusan as the dances of the cultural communities of Mindanao, researched and propagated by Obusan, are used in the production to highlight the adventures and triumphs of the hero, Don Juan.

Members of the Gantimpala Theater Actors Company bring life to the colorful characters of “Ibong Adarna”, under the stage direction of Roobak Valle.

]]> http://www.rizalpark.org/events/public-invitation-gantimpala-theater%e2%80%99s-ibong-adarna/feed/ 0 http://www.rizalpark.org/photo-gallery/you-dont-have-to-be-dr-jose-rizal-to-be-a-hero/ http://www.rizalpark.org/photo-gallery/you-dont-have-to-be-dr-jose-rizal-to-be-a-hero/#comments Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:20:15 +0000 Jhong Medina http://www.rizalpark.org/?p=330 When I visited rizal park to meet Mr. Ken Montegrande of NPDC I took some photos from the Children’s Playground....]]>

When I visited rizal park to meet Mr. Ken Montegrande of NPDC I took some photos from the Children’s Playground. According to him it has been neglected for almost 2 decades, but with the help of some UP Art Students the Children’s Playground become more livelier than ever.

The Newly Renovated Children’s Playground

CNN World View Report

Recent Photos from the Children’s Playground

[Show as slideshow]

“Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.”

It has been said that traveling gives a man knowledge that school cannot teach. Rizal believed that through traveling he will be able to learn more and thus share more to his beloved Filipinos. In 1886, Rizal started  his sojourn in Germany at the University of Heidelberg Eye Clinic as an assistant physician for the world renowned ophthalmologist at the time, Dr. Otto Becker. After 6 months, Dr. Jose Rizal began his travel to Germany. His journey covered numerous historic towns and cities, such as Mannheim, Mainz, Ruedesheim, Bingen, Koblenz, Bonn, Cologne, Frankfurt/Main, Erfurt, Leipzig, Dresden, Potsdam, and Berlin.

Dr. Jose Rizal’s extensive travel to Germany greatly influenced his masterpieces, ”Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo“.

The statue of Dr. Jose Rizal at Wilhelmsfeld was  Sculpted by Prof. Anastacio Caedo. The statue was unveiled on September 2, 1978. He stayed at the house of Pastor Karl Ullmer, where Dr.  Rizal  had written the last chapters  of his immortal novel “Noli Me Tangere“.

Rizal’s Heritage Trail in Germany

Heidelberg
Wilhelmsfeld
Mannheim
Mainz
Rüdesheim
Castles
Loreley
Boppard
Bonn
Cologne
Königswinter
Remagen
Rolandseck
Linz
Koblenz
Bingen
Frankfurt
Eisenach
Erfurt
Leipzig
Dresden
Potsdam
Berlin

Tagalog translation:

Kagaya ng dahong nalanta, nalagas,
Sinisiklut-siklot ng hanging marahas;
Abang manlalakbay ay wala nang liyag,
Layuin, kalulwa’t bayang matatawag.

Hinahabul-habol yaong kapalarang
Mailap at hindi masunggab-sunggaban;
Magandang pag-asa’y kung nanlalabo man,
Siya’y patuloy ring patungo kung saan!

Sa udyok ng hindi nakikitang lakas,
Silanga’t Kanlura’y kanyang nililipad,
Mga minamahal ay napapangarap,
Gayon din ang araw ng pamamanatag.

Sa pusod ng isang disyertong mapanglaw,
Siya’y maaaring doon na mamatay,
Limot ng daigdig at sariling bayan,
Kamtan nawa niya ang kapayapaan!

Dami ng sa kanya ay nangaiinggit,
Ibong naglalakaby sa buong daigdig,
Hindi nila tanto ang laki ng hapis
Na sa kanyang puso ay lumiligalig.

Kung sa mga tanging minahal sa buhay
Siya’y magbalik pa pagdating ng araw,
Makikita niya’y mga guho lamang
At puntod ng kanyang mga kaibigan.

Abang manlalakbay! Huwag nang magbalik,
Sa sariling baya’y wala kang katalik;
Bayaang ang puso ng iba’y umawit,
Lumaboy kang muli sa buong daigdig.

Abang manlalakbay! Bakit babalik pa?
Ang luhang inyukol sa iyo’y tuyo na;
Abang manlalakbay! Limutin ang dusa,
Sa hapis ng tao, mundo’y nagtatawa.

English and Spanish translation…

English Translation: 

A withered leaf which flies uncertainly
And hurled about by furious hurricanes,
So goes the traveler about the world,
No guide, no hope, no fatherland, no love.

Anxiously he seeks a better fortune
And fickle fortune always takes to flight;
A shadow vain that mocks at his desire!
For her the wanderer has plowed the seas.

Driven on by hands invisible,
Wandering from land to weary land,
Only memories to keep him company,
Of loved ones and of bygone happier days.

A tomb perhaps upon the desert
Calls him–refuge sweet of peace,–
Where, by his country and the world forgotten,
Tranquil he may sleep who knew such pain.

And if they envy this sad traveler
When he speeds so swiftly round the world,
Ah, little do they know that in his soul
Exist an aching void for want of love.

Should the wanderer turn back to his country,
And to his home, it may be, make his way,
He would find but snow and ruins everywhere,
All love destroyed, and sepulchres,–no more.

On, then, traveler, pursue your journey,
Stranger to the land where you were born.
Letting others sing their songs of love
And feel their joys, you fare on again.

And traveler, as you go, do not turn back,
For none will shed a tear to say farewell,
Go, pilgrim, try to drown your sorrow,
Because the world but scoffs when strangers grieve.

Spanish (Original)

Canto Del Viajero

Hoja seca que cuela indecisa
Y arrebata violente turbion,
Asi vive en la tierra el viajero,
Sin norte, sin alma, sin patria ni amor.

Busca ansioso doquiera la dicha
Y la dicha se aleja fugaz:
Vana sombra que burla su anhelo! …
Por ella el viajero se lanza a la mar!

Impelido por mano invisible
Vagara confin en confin;
Los recuedos le haran compania
De seres queridos, de un dia feliz.

Una tumba quiza en el desiero
Hallara, dulce asilo de paz,
De su patria y del mundo olvidado …
Descanse tranquilo, tras tanto penar !

Y le envidian al triste viajero
Cuando cruza la tierra veloz …
Ay! no saben que dentro del alma
Existe un vacio de falta el amor!

Volvera el peregrino a su patria
Y a sus lares tal vez volvera,
Y hallara por doquier nieve y ruina
Amores perdidos, sepulcros, no mas.

Ve, Viajero, prosigue tu senda,
Extrangero en tu propio pais;
Deja a otros que canten amores,
Los otros que gocen; tu vuelve a partir.

Ve, viajero, no vuelvas el rostro,
Que no hay llanto que siga al adios;
Ve, viajero, y ahoga tu penas;
Que el mundo se burla de ajeno dolor.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

You are invited to submit nominations to the Rizal Award, in commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Jose Rizal. The award is intended to perpetuate the life and works of our national hero Jose Rizal.

Nominations should be received through mail or e-mail from March 15, 2011 to August 15, 2011.

 Rizal Awards Committee
National Historical Commission of the Philippines
T.M. Kalaw Street, Ermita, Manila
e-mail address: rizalawards@nhcp.ph

Please feel free to share this call for nominations with others who might wish to make a nomination. Questions about the appropriateness of a particular nomination are welcome and should be directed to the above address.

ELIGIBILITY
1. The Rizal Award shall be bestowed upon individuals, Filipinos and foreigners, and upon societies, institutions, or other organizations that have rendered outstanding work in:

A. Stimulating and encouraging works towards the Rizalian concept of love of country and fulfilment of our duties of citizenship;

B. Achieving meritorious individual achievement in the various professions, or promoting , teaching and disseminating the same through proven competence leading to the general benefit of the individual, community, and the country at large in the light of Rizal’s teaching and way of life; or

C. Promoting and encouraging civic and citizenship responsibility as model citizens – incorruptible patriots with the virtue of resisting temptations and misuse of wealth, influence, rank, or power.

2. The Rizal Award shall be divided into two (2) categories:

A. The Individual Award – shall be awarded to individuals, Filipinos or foreigners, who qualify under Item 1 hereof.

B. The Institutional Award – shall be awarded to societies, institutions, or other organizations which qualify therefore under Item 1 hereof.

3. The Rizal Award may be bestowed posthumously upon any person entitled thereto, in which case the same shall be received by his/her legal heirs; if there is no legal heir, by his/her nearest of kin; and if there be no legal heir or nearest of kin, by any person designated by the NHCP to receive the award on behalf of the deceased.

4. The number of recipients of Rizal Awards shall be:

A. For Individual Category – TEN (10) Filipinos and THREE (3) foreigners; and
B. For Institutional Category – TEN (10) recipients.

5. Call for nominations shall be on March 15, 2011 to August 15, 2011.

6. The following shall not be considered for the Rizal Awards:

A. Elected and appointed officials of the government;
B. Heads and members of the Board of GOCCs and GFIs;
C. Members of the Rizal@150 Executive Committee; and
D. Officials and employees of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines

NOMINATION PROCEDURES

All nominations must be received at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines or via e-mail by August 15, 2011. Nominations must be submitted in Filipino or English and must include:

1. Name of person or organization nominated

2. Title and address of person or organization nominated

3. A Proposed Citation for person or organization nominated (50-words limit)

4. Explanation of accomplishment of person or organization nominated (500-word limit) including:
• When were accomplishments made?
• Why, specifically, do you believe the accomplishments merit the Rizal Award?

5. At least 4 reference letters. Reference letters shall be considered confidential. Names and addresses of references should be suggested by the nominator.

6. Nominator information
• Name, mailing address, phone number, fax number and e-mail address

There must be sufficient documentation to support further investigation. Attachments shall not exceed twenty-five (25) pages. All nominations and supporting documents should be addressed and mailed or e-mailed to:

  RIZAL AWARDS COMMITTEE

 National Historical Commission of the Philippines

T.M. Kalaw Street, Ermita, Manila

 e-mail address: rizalawards@nhcp.gov.ph

Luneta Park was part of my childhood, I was one of the lucky ones who were able to slide, run and be merry at Rizal Park. We lived in a small town in Southern Mindanao and my grandparents lived in Manila. Every summer my Mom and I take a month long vacation in Manila so I can spend time with my Lolo. My Lolo loves me so much, I am the only grandchild that my Lolo spent time with because he died when I was 12 years old and my cousins weren’t born until after 5 years.

My memories of Luneta park bring tears to my eyes, a slight pinch on the heart and a smile.  All these because during my summer vacation, my Lolo and I used to spend the entire afternoon in Luneta so I can slide and swing all I want. He buys me balloons, cotton candies and dirty ice cream to my heart’s content. All I can think of at that time was to eat more and play more. When night falls, Lolo and I meet the rest of the family for dinner and often times we meet them at PICC grounds where Mom spent her day learning to cook or bake and then we eat whatever she made that day.

Looking back I wondered how Lolo managed to take care of an energetic and restless youngster that I used to be. It must been hard for his aging bones to look after me but he endured it all just to make me happy.

Today, I am delighted to say that the children’s playground at Rizal Park has been revived and renovated! It’s cleaner, more colorful and child friendly.

There’s an entrance fee of P10 and children 2 years and above are to pay in full. I think it’s just right that we pay a minimal fee. This is for the upkeep of our beloved children’s playground.

I hope that you and your kids will spend Sunday afternoons at Rizal Park’s Children’ s Playground and create memories of your own.

Chronology of Rizal’s Life

1848, June 28 — Rizal’s parents married in Kalamba, La Laguna: Francisco Rizal-Mercado y Alejandra (born in Biñan, April 18, 1818) and Teodora Morales Alonso-Realonda y Quintos (born in Sta. Cruz, Manila, Nov. 14, 1827)

1861, June 19 — Rizal was born and he was their seventh child.

1861, June 22 — Christened as José Protacio Rizal-Mercado y Alonso-Realonda

1870, age 9 — In school at Biñan under Master Justiniano Aquin Cruz.

1871, age 10 — In Kalamba public school under Master Lucas Padua.

1872, June 10, age 11 — Examined in San Juan de Letran College, Manila, which, during the Spanish time, as part of Sto. Tomás University, controlled entrance to all higher institutions.

1872, June 26 — Entered the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, then a public school, as a day scholar.

1875, June 16, age 14 — Became a boarder in Ateneo.

1876, March 23, age 15 – Received the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, with highest honors, from Ateneo de Manila.

1877, June. — Entered Sto. Tomás University in the Philosophy course.

1877, Nov. 29 — Awarded diploma of honorable mention and merit by the Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country, Amigos del País for his prized poem.

1878, June, age 16. — Matriculated in the medical course.  Won Liceo Artistico-Literario prize, in poetical competition for “Indians and Mestizos”, with the poem “To the Philippine Youth”.

– this year, he was wounded in the back for not saluting a Guardia Civil lieutenant whom he had not seen.  The authorities ignored his complaint.

1880, April 23, age 19. — Received Licco Artístico-Literario diploma of honorable mention for the allegory, “The Council of the Gods”, in competition open to “Spaniards, mestizos and Indians”. Unjustly deprived of the first prize.

1880, Dec. 8. — Operetta “On the Banks of the Pasig” produced.

1881, age 20. –Submitted winning wax model design for commemorative medal for the Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country centennial.

1882, May 3, age 21. — Secretly left Manila taking a French mail steamer at Singapore  for Marseilles and entering Spain at Port Bou by railroad. His brother, Paciano Mercado, furnished the money.

1882, June. — Absence noted at Sto. Tomás University, which owned the Kalamba estate. Rizal’s father was compelled to prove that he had no knowledge of his son’s plan in order to hold the land on which he was the University’s tenant.

1882, June 15. — Arrived in Barcelona.

1882, October 3. — Began studies in Madrid.

1886, –Received degree of Licentiate in Medicine with honors from Central University of Madrid on June 19 at the age of 24.

– Clinical assistant to Dr. L. de Wecker, a Paris oculist.

– Visited Universities of Heidelberg, Leipzig, and Berlin.

1887, Feb. 21, age 26. — Finished the novel Noli Me Tangere in Berlin.

– Traveled in Austria, Switzerland and Italy.

1887, July 3. — Sailed from Marseilles.

1887, Aug. 5. — Arrived in Manila. Traveled in nearby provinces with a Spanish lieutenant, detailed by the Governor-General, as escort.

1888, Feb. – Sailed for Japan via Hong Kong.

1888, Feb. 28 to April 13, age 27. — A guest at the Spanish Legation, Tokyo, and traveling in Japan.

1888, April-May. – Traveling in the United States.

1888, May 24. — In London, studying in the British Museum to edit Morga’s 1609 Philippine History.

1889, March, age 28. — In Paris, publishing Morga’s History. Published “The Philippines A Century Hence” in La Solidaridad, a Filipino fortnightly review, first of Barcelona and later of Madrid.

1890, February to July, age 29. – In Belgium finished El Filibusterismo which is the sequel to Noli Me Tangere.

Published “The Indolence of the Filipino” in La Solidaridad.

1890, August 4. – Returned to Madrid to confer with his countrymen on the Philippine situation, then constantly growing worse.

1891, January 27. — Left Madrid for France.

1891, November, age 30. — Arranging for a Filipino agricultural colony in British North Borneo.

– Practiced medicine in Hong Kong.

1892, June 26, age 31. – Returned to Manila under Governor-General Despujol’s safe conduct pass.

Organized a mutual aid economic society:La Liga Filipina on July 3.

1892, July 6. – Ordered deported to Dapitan, but the decree and charges were kept secret from him.

Taught school and conducted a hospital during his exile, patients coming from China coast ports for treatment. Fees thus earned were used to beautify the town. Arranged a water system and had the plaza lighted.

1896, August 1, age 35. — Left Dapitan en route to Spain as a volunteer surgeon for the Cuban yellow fever hospitals. Carried letters of recommendation from Governor-General Blanco.

1896, August 7 to September 3. — On Spanish cruiser Castilla in Manila Bay.

Sailed for Spain on Spanish mail steamer and just after leaving Port Said was confined to his cabin as a prisoner on cabled order from Manila. (Rizal’s enemies to secure the appointment of a governor-general subservient to them, the servile Polavieja had purchased Governor-General Blanco’s promotion.)

1896, October 6. — Placed in Montjuich Castle dungeon on his arrival in Barcelona and the same day re-embarked for Manila. Friends and countrymen in London by cable made an unsuccessful effort for a Habeas Corpus writ at Singapore. On arrival in Manila was placed in Fort Santiago dungeon.

1890, December 3. — Charged with treason, sedition and forming illegal societies, the prosecution arguing that he was responsible for the deeds of those who read his writings.

During his imprisonment Rizal began to formulate in his mind his greatest poem who others later entitle, “My Last Farewell.” (later concealed in an alcohol cooking lamp)

December 12 — Rizal appears in a courtroom where the judges made no effort to check those who cry out for his death.

1896, December 15. – Wrote an address to insurgent Filipinos to lay down their arms because their insurrection was at that time hopeless. Address not made public but added to the charges against him.

1896, December 27. — Formally condemned to death by a Spanish court martial.

Pi y Margall, who had been president of the Spanish Republic, pleaded with the Prime Minister for Rizal’s life, but the Queen Regent could not forgive his having referred in one of his writings to the murder by, and suicide of, her relative, Crown Prince Rudolph of Austria.

1896, December 29 — Completes and puts into writing “My Last Farewell.”  He conceals the poem in an alcohol heating apparatus and gives it to his family.  He may have also concealed another copy of the same poem in one of his shoes but, if so, it is lost in decomposition in his burial.

1896, December 30, age 35 years, 6 months, 11 days. – Roman Catholic sources allege that Rizal marries Josephine Bracken in his Fort Santiago death cell to Josephine Bracken; she is Irish, the adopted daughter of a blind American who came to Dapitan from Hong Kong for treatment.

Shot on the Luneta, Manila, at 7:03 a.m., and buried in a secret grave in Paco Cemetery. (Entry of his death was made in the Paco Church Register among suicides.)

1897, January. — Commemorated by Spanish Free-masons who dedicated a tablet to his memory, in their Grand Lodge hall in Madrid, as a martyr to Liberty.

1898, August.  — Filipinos who placed over it in Paco cemetery, a cross inscribed simply “December 30, 1896”, sought his grave, immediately after the American capture of Manila. Since his death his countrymen had never spoken his name, but all references had been to “The Dead”.

1898, December 20. — President Aguinaldo, of the Philippine Revolutionary Government, proclaimed December 30^th as a day of national mourning.

1898, December 30. — Filipinos held Memorial services at which time American soldiers on duty carried their arms reversed.

1911, June 19. — Birth semi-centennial observed in all public schools by an act of the Philippine Legislature.

1912, December 30. — Rizal’s ashes transferred to the Rizal Mausoleum on the Luneta with impressive public ceremonies.