Posts Tagged ‘calamba’

Excessively Delusional Worship of St. Jose Rizal

Can I ask what is the difference of Jose Rizal to Manny Pacquiao and Ms. Charice Pempengco? Yes, the intelligence and martyrdom but the international fame and almost idolatrous adulation of most Filipinos to Jose Rizal are almost the same, right?

Recently, another weird adulation and worship was given to Jose Rizal at his 150th birth day when a two new statue of him was unveiled First, at his hometown Calamba making it as the tallest Jose Rizal statue ever plus with a solid advice from hypocritical Philippine president PNoy advising the nation to follow Rizal’s “tuwid na daan” DAW.

Meanwhile, the other new Jose Rizal statue is more excessive in terms of worship to Jose Rizal, the one erected at Daang Reyna at Las Pinas and Cavite which was desired to be the new symbol of the new Philippines by its Russian sculptor Gregory Pototsky.

This new Rizal statue depicts a young Rizal (a young boy) in a jubilant outstretched hands pose which according to the great grand niece of Rizal that the new statue depicts freedom; freedom from ignorance which is indeed ironic to the current situation of the general masses of the Philippines.

The young JR on his boyish statue at Daang Reyna

However, according to Villars who funded the sculpting of the new Rizal statue, it is a statue that will inspire the students to pursue education and knowledge as well because that is what Jose Rizal has been advocating when he still alive. But is it only Jose Rizal the only Filipino advocating education and knowledge during his time, what about the other Filipinos who have the same aspiration and advocacies then but was not fortunately sensationalized and given much attention just what was given to Jose Rizal? This is indeed unfair and bias idolatry of one Filipino; Rizal should be ashamed or will be ashamed once he learns such excessive adulation on him.

Furthermore, to complicate more Filipino’s inclination to excessive idolatrous acts is the Russian sculptor’s statement that his new Rizal statue depicts Rizal’s “flight to eternity” which is “Owh!” so hyperbolically delusional and untrue which of course Rizal’s fanatics will be too much overwhelmed with hallucinations regarding such compliments.

No offense to Rizal worshipers in the Philippines as well as foreigners who admire Jose Rizal, think about this: Is Rizal the only Filipino who fought for freedom during the Spanish occupation in the Philippines? Is he the only leader then? Be fair to other Filipinos who never given such great compliment though they truly fight with their blood during the Spanish occupation.

Calamba Laguna Philippines

Perhaps most Filipinos already knew what’s in this place, yeah, it is the home place or birth place of Doctor Jose P. Rizal –the Philippines’ National Hero, A renaissance genius man. He is an artist, a doctor (ophthalmologist), a poet, a publicist, an engineer, a sculptor, a novelist, a teacher, a linguist who could speak 21 languages, and of course a martyr hero. Actually, his ancestral house at Calamba has now become a tourist attraction for those who visit Calamba Laguna Philippines where a memorabilia about him was on display. They call it Rizal Shrine.

Actually, his ancestral home was destroyed during World War II but was restored during the presidency of Elpidio Quirino, which is during 1950s.

However, it was not only Dr.Jose P.Rizal is the known hero that Calamba Laguna have produced, actually, there are still other four National heroes, namely General Paciano Rizal, Teodora Alonzo, General Vicente Lim, and Lt. Geronimo Aclan. Thus,an association have arise,that is the Calamba Association Of Northeastern USA,Inc. base on New York.This Calamba organization have established by the former residents of Calamba Laguna Philippines to promote Calamba Philippines itself and for the welfare and improvement of the lives of Filipinos in line with the heroic deeds of the national heroes which have sprouted from Calamba Laguna in the Philippines.

Anyway, what are other places of interest at Calamba Laguna Philippines aside from its hero’s zone area? At Laguna Philippines there are many resorts and hot springs you could visit, however, we will discuss them at my article Laguna Philippines. Calamba Laguna is only at the footstool of Laguna Philippines’s famous Enchanted Mountain –Mt. Maria Makiling,thus you could tread upon the Mt. Maria Makiling through Calamba Laguna. Moreover, Calamba has rich source of fresh clean water due to Laguna Philippines have many hot springs within its vicinity. Calamba Laguna has also hot springs at Laguna de Bay- the Wonder Island Resort.

Another place of interest at Calamba, is the St. John the Baptist Church. It has a beautiful ambience and most tourists attend mass on it. I remember, when I was a child we attend mass in it after we visit the Rizal Shrine. For it is said that on this church, Dr. Jose P. Rizal was baptized. Furthermore, at the front of Calamba Laguna Municipal Hall, there are a beautiful potted plants and flowers for sale that could awe your site.

Aside from Rizal’s memorial statue at Luneta Park, he has also another memorial statue at Rizal Memorial School at Calamba Laguna.

However, if you want to visit Calamba Laguna Philippines, it is only 53 kilometers away from Manila Philippines and lies at the southern terminal of South Luzon Expressway. And they say it is a gateway to many part of Laguna in the Philippines and to other adjacent cities and regions.

Calamba Laguna is the largest city of Laguna Philippines which largely are migrants from Manila Philippines and Tagalog regions of the Philippines, as well some religious groups and foreign tourists. Thus, it has many real estate businesses within its region.