An Educational Tour Around Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines

It is evident how the Philippine Government give importance to the national hero. Guards were assigned to secure the statue.

I remember passing the Luneta Park years ago during my internship in Pasig City. I was able to roam around the Metro during my free time. It could have looked better before the construction of the building behind it, which made it as the monument's photobomber. It has also become a photobomber of Lapu-Lapu's statue (which will be featured in a short while) found behind Rizal's monument.

Just a quick trivia though that I found here . Dr. Jose P. Rizal used to be bullied by his sister on how crude his molded historical figure looks. He then answered them, "alright, laugh at me now, but in the future, see if people will make statues of me".

Rizal's statues are not only visible in different towns and cities in the Philippines but in other parts of the world as well. Some of the countries include United States of America, Japan, Singapore, Spain, and Hong Kong. His influencebecause of his literary works went beyond the borders of his homeland.

Dinadakila natin ang mga bayaning nagtanim ng ginintuang binhi ng kagitingan at pagmamahal sa ating Inang Bayan na siyang naging at magiging tanglaw at inspirasyon sa lahat ng bayaning Pilipino. - President Fidel V. Ramos

Pamana ng Isang Dantaon

Ang 'Binhi' ng Kalayaan ay isang pagpapahayag ng marubdob na pasasalamat ng sanlahing ito sa mga Pilipinong babae at lalaki na nakipaglaban at nag-alay ng buhay upang tayo ay magtamasa ng kalayaan.

Pagkaran ng mahigit na tatlong dantaon sa ilalim ng pang-aapi, pagpapahirap at paniniil ng manlulupig, naging malaya ang mga Pilipino. Nagapi ang lakas ng hukbo ng Espanya na ang animo'y di matinag na moog ay gumuho. Sa gitna ng pagkaguhong iyon ay bumangon ang Republika ng Pilipinas, ang kauna-unahang pamahalaang konstitusyonal at demokratiko sa Asya.

Ang mga bayani ng Rebolusyon ay may malakas na pananalig sa kanilang kakayahan at karapatan na magtadhana ng kanilang sariling kinabukasan. Kumilos silang nagkakaisa bilang isang bansang di mawawatak- malaya, makatarungan at marangal - binibigkis ng isang diwa at isang sambayanan.

Ito ang pamanang inihandog nila sa ating lahat - kalayaan, kayamanang di mapapantayan. Ang alaala ng pamanang ito ay nakapaloob dito sa Centennial Time Capsule na kung saan ang lahat ng mga mahahalagang dokumento at memorabilya na may kinalaman sa mga Pangyayaring Sentenaryo ng ating Kasarinlan ay nasisinop.

Inaasahan ng ang dakilang alaalang ito ng ating makulay at magiting na kasaysayan ay muling mabuksan sa Hunyo 12, 2098 upang muling maialay ng sambayanang Pilipino sa kadakilaan ng mga bayani at kabanalan ng kalayaan. Isang daang taon mula ngayon, itulot nawa na lalong mag-alab sa ating mga gunita at damdamin ang diwa ng Rebolusyon na nagbigay sa ating bayan ng Kalayaan.

Ginanap ang pag-aalay na ito ngayong ika-tatlumpu ng Enero 1999, dito sa Liwasang Rizal, lungsod ng Maynila, Republika ng Pilipinas.

Pinirmahan nina Joseph Ejercito Estrado, Pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas at Salvador Laurel, Tagapangulo ng Pambansang Komisyon Pangsentenaryo.

In english translation:

The Binhi ng Kalayaan is an expression of the profound gratitude of this generation for the Filipino men and women who, at the turn of the nineteenth century, fought for the freedom of our country and toiled the fall of a mighty empire.

After three centuries of oppression and deprivation, the Filipinos were free at last. The Spanish forces had been routed and their impregnable bastions lay humbled in the rubble of their own defeat. In their place rose the Philippine Republic, the first democratic government in the entire continent of Asia.

The heroes of the revolution had an unwavering faith in their capacity and right to forge their own destiny. They moved with a common purpose as one and indivisible nation- malaya, makatarungan, at marangal! - bound by the ideal of isang diwa and isang sambayanan

This is the legacy they have left us. Remembrance of this legacy is embodied in this Centennial Time Capsule, which contains all the vital documents and many memorabilia related to the significant events in the winning of our freedom.
Let this reminded of the heroic past be opened on June 12, 2098, as a rededication of the Filipino people to the sanctity of freedom. Our hundred years from now, may it continue to vivify the spirit of the Revolution that made our country free.

Kalayaan- Kayamanan ng Bayan!

In eighty years from now, I am not sure if I would still be alive. But I do hope the spirit of Filipino Freedom still lives when that time comes. Our fellow countrymen had fought hard and I do hope that this generation and the next generations would still live up to it. We may live in a very complex society right now because of globalization and transnationalism, but I do hope that the spirit of nationalism and patriotism still lives.

I also look forward to that modern heroes would be well recognize by the society: just like the soldiers who leave their families behind to ensure the safety of the entire population; the teachers who are underpaid but are still willing to; the BPO employees who work around the clock to give services to foreign clients; and to the rest of the society who wishes to provide for the betterment of the economy and bring food to their homes.

To know more about them, I will share to you here their profiles based on the decription engraved below these sculptures. Some of the busts were unnamed probably because there were errors in the spelling of names, on the description, or whatever the cause.

Aside from the monuments and sculptures that serve as main attractions, there are few more things that you might want to know and try. Here are some of them:

Here is manong who sells ice cream at Adamson University located near the Rizal Park, but since it was holy week when we visited, he opted to sell his ice cream at Rizal Park.

Rizal Park would never be Rizal Park without the Kalesa or horse-pulled ride. These Kalesa are uniquely designed with markings that are truly Filipino. It gives you a feeling of being able to travel back through time.

I have observed that a lot of foreign tourists ride Kalesa to enjoy their trip in the nearby surroundings more.

There are also men who sell goods around. There is also a train roaming around the parks. Kids do love it a lot! For those who want to enjoy the view while lying down, a cellophane type of blanket has been sold for cheap price!

The idea of coming up with a venue for Senior Citizens is great. Inside the Senior Citizen's Garden, they could freely do whatever recreational activities they wish to perform.

I had a great time observing some of them playing board games such as chess. Some of the ladies were updating about their lives, while some men were talking about sports and current events. I really do wish to spend more time here and learn from the wisdom and insight of these men and women.

There are also themed gardens such as the Japanese and Chinese gardens. We were not able to visit the Chinese garden because it was already past five in the afternoon.

The Japanese Garden inside the Rizal Park reminded me of Samurai X and other Japanese themed series and movies. At least somehow, in some point of my life I was able to experience how Japan looks like. It also gave my an idea that photoshoots to be shot there.

Trece Martires de Bagumbagayan or The 13 Martyrs of Bagumbagayan

Inside the Japanese Garden is a marker dedicated to the thirteen (13) men who fought/ resisted against the Spanish authorities. They were united to stand against these authorities. Here is what can be read on the marker:

Here 13 patriots were executed by the Spanish authorities on January 11, 1897. Ten were masons, namely: Numeriano Adriano, Jose Dizon, Domingo Franco, Eustacio Manalac, Geronimo Cristobal Medina, Ramon Padilla, Antonio Salazar, Moises Salvador, Luis Enciso Villareal, and Faustino Villaruel. Benidicto Nijaga, Braulio Rivera and Francisco L. Roxs died with them. All were patriots.
The 13 paid the highest price possible for the freedom and independence of their country having perished for so great cause. They deserve to live on in the hearts of their grateful countrymen. To their memory this marker is raised.

The Bravery of the Filipino Men
I have thought that if every individual who have fought against the colonizers in the country would be given a tribute through markers and monuments, parks like Rizal Park would not be enough as there are thousands of unsung heroes who resisted against the Spanish authorities.

They know that their lives are precious since they are children to their parents, a parent to their kids, and may have a bright future. But they chose to gave up their lives to attain freedom from the oppressors. Like I mentioned awhile ago, we also have modern-day heroes that help shape the society and make the pages of history books more colorful. I just want to emphasize that we are the heroes that we should look up to. We are the spark that could turn to flame. We must continue to set ourselves as an example. We are the change that we had been looking for.

That's all for today folks, I hope you enjoyed our walk around Rizal Park. Bye!

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@gailbelga or Johanna Gail is a free-spirited freelance artist. She took up Bachelor of Arts in International Studies in one of the Ateneo universities in the Philippines. She is currently a candidate for Masters in Public Administrations. She volunteers in various non-profit/nongovernmental organization which aims for human rights through political education. She draws and writes about the country to provide awareness and promote the Philippines to foreign tourists.