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Rizal Shrine - Calamba City, Laguna
now painted pale green (originally white) to emphasize Rizal's surname and to honor his family and their way of life;
Rizal came from the Spanish word "ricial" meaning "green field ready for harvest" |
It has been a while since our (me & my friend's) last road trip. Last holiday (Eidul Adha or Feast of Sacrifice) however, my friend somehow found time for another road trip, amidst his busy schedule. Our destination: Rizal Shrine in Calamba City, Laguna.
Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna is the birthplace of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. This Spanish-inspired house by the Mercado (later on changed to Rizal to avoid scrutiny of the Spaniards) family is the first stone house built in Calamba during those times. However, the shrine today is just a replica of the old house of the Rizal family; the original one was destroyed during World War II. The shrine, as seen today, was restored/reconstructed through Executive Order No. 145 of the then President Elpidio Quirino, under the supervision of Architect Juan Nakpil. It was funded mainly by the contributions made by the Filipino school children and was inaugurated on June 19, 1950.
