Rizal's Tallest Statue in Calamba, Laguna

Dr. Jose Rizal's tallest monument in the world can be found in a park situated in Brgy. Real, Calamba, Laguna in front of the Calamba City Hall complex. This 22-foot tall bronze statue of our national hero has been designed and sculpted by Jonas Roces of Marikina. It stands in a tiled pedestal surrounded by a 15-step flight of stairs. It has been said that the original plan was to build a 16-foot statue, but when Mayor Joaquin Chipeco, Jr. of Calamba heard of the hero's 18-foot tall likeness in Nueva Ecija, he had the plan changed to 22 feet. It is only right his tallest monument should be found in his hometown. Last June 19, 2011, Pres. Benigno Aquino III led the unveiling of our country's newest landmark to commemorate Dr. Jose Rizal's 150th birthday.

It was a coincidence that the height of the statue is 22 feet. The number 22 symbolizing the number of languages and dialects Dr. Rizal used in his lifetime. And the 15 steps that a visitor has to climbed represents a decade since his birth. 

Calambanga: The Legend of Calamba

An excerpt from Calamba - In War and Peace by Demetrio L. Hilberio tells us of the legend of the name of Calamba. This legend is inscribed on a stone marker that can found at the base of the giant claypot and can be read as : 

The authentic legend goes that at about the turn of 16th century, two Spanish soldiers came to a village by the shore of Laguna de Bay. Attracted by the vast plain with verdant greeneries that spread up to a majestic mountain, the strangers became curious to learn the name of the place. Soon there came a native young lady carrying an earthen jar by her waist. She was to fetch water from the lake. Seizing the opportunity, the two soldiers inquired in Spanish from the young lady the name of the place.

St. John the Baptist Parish, Calamba, Laguna

St. John the Baptist Parish

This church is also known as The Church of Calamba. It was established in 1859 and it is considered as one of the major churches in the city. It was burned by the Japanese during World War II and was reconstructed with the efforts of Fr. Eliseo Dimaculangan. The church is located at JP Rizal St. corner Mercado St., right beside the Rizal Shrine. 

Inside of the Parish

You can go there after visiting the shrine. And maybe if you have time, you might as well attend mass which are held regularly everyday. It's so solemn inside the church. After the tour of the house of Rizal, I just sat there and absorbed the tranquility of the place. I felt so rested and relaxed as if I've been recharged, my mind all cleared up. 

Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna

Photo of the original house

This is the house that Don Francisco Mercado built for his family. It is massive and solid. The ground floor was of lime and stone. Its upper floor was made from the best hardwoods, the Narra and Molave logs which Don Francisco personally selected from the nearby forest of Makiling. Its roof was of red tiles. The site was located in the center of the town, near the church and the plaza along Calle Real. It took two years to complete this house.

Birthplace of Jose Rizal

Did you know that the original house of Dr. Jose Rizal was destroyed? President Elpidio Quirino commissioned Architect Juan Nakpil to research, design and construct a house that would be a replica of the original house. Under Executive Order No. 145 of Pres. Quirino, this house has been restored with funds mainly coming from the contributions of schoolchildren of the Philippines. And on June 19, 1950, the house has been inaugurated.

Birthday Bash: Manila Ocean Park

Malou: What do you want for your birthday? A shirt? An espadrille?

PDT: A day at the Manila Ocean Park!

Feb 9, my natal day. Malou and I met at LRT-Roosevelt Station at 9 am. We took the train ride and got off at the United Nations Station. From there, we got three options on how to get to Manila Ocean Park (MOP). First is to take a taxi, that's the easiest way. Second is to ride a jeepney and get off near the Quirino Grandstand. MOP is right behind the Grandstand. The third option is to take a walk through the Rizal Park. MOP opens at 10 am every day. So we decided to take the third option. This, I think, is the best way to get to the Ocean park since you can also get to enjoy the Rizal Park.

At the Rizal Park

Here's some of what you'll see as you walk through the Park

The Modern Kalesa

Rizal Monument

After a few minutes of leisure walking, we finally arrived at the Manila Ocean Park.