The Philippine National Hero

By Marisse T. SonidoPhilippine Daily Inquirer (Editor’s Note: The following is excerpted from the first-prize-winning essay in the PreMYo Rizal Nationwide Essay Writing Contest for high schools sponsored by Binhi English Literacy Foundation and MyRizal150. The author is a third-year student at Assumption Antipolo.)Doctora Doña Victorina de los Reyes de Espadaña. Even her name has pomp and frills.Meet...

Rizal Park (Luneta) is not only a place of historical significance, or a shrine to view and appreciate, but also an avenue of commerce and entertainment.  Here are some of the things people can buy at very reasonable prices.  Click on the images for an enlarged view. For more pictures, visit the Photo Gallery. ...

For people living a great distance from the country's capital, probably the only view that comes to mind at the mention of the Luneta (Rizal Park) is the monument.  This is probably because the monument is the single most photographed portion of the entire vicinity.  Here's a virtual tour of Rizal Park, the way the Manileños enjoy it. ...

Two long columns of Filipino heroes run the length of Rizal Park.  Here are a few of them.  Click on the image captions for an enlarged view:Apolinario Mabini Overcoming extreme poverty and a crippling paralysis, he became known as the Brain of the Philippine Revolution.  He was one of the chief advisers of President Emilio Aguinaldo and served as...

By Ronald S. LimNOT ONLY is the Rizal Monument a reminder of Rizal's heroism — it also marks his final resting place.MANILA, Philippines — the year draws to a close, so does the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.One of the final activities commemorating Rizal’s birth sesquicentennial was Ambeth Ocampo’s lecture called...

Here is a collection of photographs of Rizal Park taken at night.  Click on the pictures for a larger view:These busts of Filipino heroes runs along the length of the paved portion of the park.With dancing fountains on display every night, Rizal Park is a favorite place to hang out and have fun at evenings.Dancing fountains illuminate Luneta...

Normal 0 The Rizalistas are a group of people who worship Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, as a divine being and deity.  Similar to other religious groups, the Rizalistas have different sects whose beliefs may vary, but nonetheless share the same faith in Jose Rizal.  These sects have different founders, founded on different dates, and...

Jose Rizal began writing his third novel, a sequel to the El Filibusterismo, in 1892 in Hong Kong.Rizal began the book in Tagalog and gave the first chapter the title “Makamisa,” which in English, means "After Mass."Rizal started anew later on, writing the manuscript in Spanish.This unfinished third novel was found in two texts left by the hero.Ambeth...

MakamisaDuring the Sanctus Veus, Sanctus Fortis, Capitana Barang nudged the fat woman next to her, the one lying on the floor, leading the prayers."Mana Sebia… Mana Sebia!" Capitana Barang exclaimed, interrupting Sebia’s prayers."Santus talis..." murmured Mana Sebia "…serere nobis!" rubbing her eyes and making the sign of the cross across her chest."Mana Sebia... Mana Sebia did you see...