"Tatak Rizal" - Celebrating Jose Rizal at 150th Birth Anniversary

Because of his great contribution and genuine concern to the Filipinos, Jose Rizal became the Philippines' national hero, known even outside the country.

I can still remember my college days, when we had our three-unit subject called "Rizal".  I maybe an engineering student way back, but this subject is being required for us to pass, my professor was really strict with this subject.  With all Jose Rizal's works, our exams used to be 'fill in the blanks', uh-oh,  that's a lot of memorization for almost all of his writings. 

I find this subject memorable. (Thanks to our professor) We were required to portray some important parts of Rizal's novel like El Filibusterismo, Noli Me Tangere, and his unfinished, infamous novel - Makamisa.  Our play was set on our own classroom, I can still remember my classmate, she just jumped out from her seat to depict  a character named Huli who jumped out of a window to escape from Padre Camorra who wanted to rape her.  And the best scene I thought was perfectly played by my two girl friends was Chapter 17 of Noli Me Tangere..Ang Dalawang Senyora

Donya Consolacion: "Ako, maiinggit ako, at sa inyo? Siya nga naman, kinaiinggitan ko iyang inyong buhok na kulot."

Donya Victorina: "Pumanaog ka, matandang baboy, at nang madurog ko ang salaula mong bibig! Kalunya ng isang batalyong sundalo at lantod pagkabata na!"

The dogmatic and  conceited characters depicted the existence of social climber during Spanish times.  Jose Rizal educate us from a lot of disease happening in the country before.

Also, our instructor told us to visit four of the most remarkable places relating to Jose Rizal.  I'm planning to visit them one of this day, and hopefully to try the Lakbay Jose Rizal Heritage Trail. :)

1. Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna - Jose Rizal was born and raised in Calamba. 

2. Fort Santiago, Manila - Where Jose Rizal was being put behind bars.

3. Paco Park - After his execution in Bagumbayan, Paco Cemetery, was our national hero's first resting place

4. Rizal Park and Lights & Sound - Rizal was being shot at Bagumbayan, plus the lights and sound is a night presentation of what happen during Jose Rizal's exile.

This is my official entry to PTB’s Blog Carnival hosted by Ivan Henares of Ivan about Town. The Blog Carnival for June 2011 will honor Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, on his 150th Birth Anniversary. The theme is Rizal and Travel.

I hope I could scan our college pictures here, but nonetheless, everything about Rizal inspired us so much to be a greater person, and someone who can stand for what we know is right.  This is what we called "Tatak Rizal".

Itaas ang iyong
Malinis na noo
Sa araw na ito,
Kabataang Pilipino!
Igilas mo na rin ang kumikinang mong
Mayamang sanghaya
Magandang pag-asa ng Bayan kong Mutya!