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Laguna: Jose Rizal Shrine in Calamba

Located in Calamba City in the province of Laguna, Rizal Shrine is the birthplace of Dr. Jose P. Rizal -the National Hero of the Philippines.
Rizal Shrine
Rizal Shrine is probably well known as the ancestral house of Rizal's family. The house serves as a museum which contains furniture and items that belongs to the Rizal family.

Young Rizal with his dog
I wonder what Young Rizal had in mind
The NHI Marker showing of the Rizal Shrine

For those who don't know the house that stood in the lot is actually only a replica of the old ancestral house which was destroyed during the Second World War. The replica was constructed right after the war. The construction was supervised by the late National Artist Juan Nakpil. It was inaugurated in 1950.
Entrance to Rizal's home.
According to local guides, the only surviving part of the original house is the well, which is now famously referred to as the "wishing well."

The wishing well, as seen from the second floor of the house.
Here's what you'll see when you look up from the well.
During one of my backpacking adventures (actually field trip with my students), I noticed that the house was repainted puke green from the traditional white. Curiosity jumped in and I googled why on earth did they repainted the house puke green. To my surprise, it was actually a "symbolic" change and it was all connected to the family's surname "Rizal". To those who didn't know, the real surname of the National Hero of the Philippines is Mercado and his father changed it to Rizal to protect him from the suspicious Spanish authorities.

inside Rizal's house
One of Rizal's doodles. Whew! 
The three rooms in Rizal's house
Now going back to the connection of the surname "Rizal" and the color green, it was said that the family chose the name Risal from the Catalogo alfabeto de apellidos. They later changed it to Rizal. Risal or Ricial is a Spanish word which means green field ready for harvest. Now that answers the question of why it was painted green.

Replica of Jose Rizal's Bahay kubo
What I like about Rizal Shrine is that it is a fee from any entrance fees. You could just give voluntary donations which would be used for the maintenance of the shrine. You could also buy memorabilia in the small shop found in the vicinity of the shrine. Good news! The restrooms in the shrine are well maintained and clean, another good reason to visit the place.

The Rizal Shrine is open Thursdays to Saturdays, 8:30AM to 12NN and 1:00PM to 4:30PM.

Getting there:

From Manila, ride a bus heading for Sta. Cruz Laguna. Tell the conductor to drop you off at Calamba City. If you feel you're lost, there are plenty of tricycles that would take you to your desired locations.

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Location: Calamba City, Philippines

Comments

  1. NolardMarch 19, 2014 at 4:37 AM

    Thank you very much sir for this blog about our National Hero.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioMarch 19, 2014 at 10:05 PM

      Thanks so much for the comment Nolard! =)

      Delete
    2. kavanaMarch 21, 2014 at 5:36 PM

      This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
    3. kavanaMarch 21, 2014 at 5:41 PM

      Ah yeah there is none. It was a donation not the entrance fee. thanks!

      Delete
    4. Neil Alvin NicerioMarch 22, 2014 at 1:58 PM

      Hi there! yup no entrance fees there. :) You could donate if you want too. (I suggest you do) It'll be of big help. :)

      Delete
  2. Vincent OardeMay 14, 2015 at 3:15 PM

    Sir meron bang safe place na parking area na malapit sa Rizal shrine?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioMay 14, 2015 at 10:04 PM

      Yup safe naman po magpark sa pagitan ng Calamba Church at Rizal Shrine. May mga parking attendants dun na magbabantay sa inyong sasakyan. =)

      Delete
  3. UnknownDecember 22, 2015 at 7:30 PM

    Hi open kaya sya tomorrow (dec 23,2015)?

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownDecember 22, 2015 at 7:30 PM

    Hi open kaya sya tomorrow (dec 23,2015)?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ghyle BretonDecember 22, 2015 at 7:30 PM

    Hi open kaya sya tomorrow (dec 23,2015)?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioDecember 23, 2015 at 9:13 PM

      Hi ms Ghyle! =)
      I'm sorry I have no info regarding that detail.

      Delete
  6. Angel Constantino AquinoApril 6, 2016 at 3:01 PM

    Hi Neil, I'm Angel, managing editor of Good Housekeeping magazine. I was hoping to purchase some of your photos of Rizal Shrine for publication in our June issue. If you're willing, please e-mail me asap at angela.constantino[at]summitmedia.com.ph. Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousApril 9, 2019 at 7:10 AM

    I really like your writing style, fantastic information, appreciate it for posting :D.

    ReplyDelete
  8. THUNDERBIRDOctober 23, 2019 at 11:16 AM

    Thanks for a very informative article and I will saved it for my future purposes.

    ReplyDelete

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