1) The Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna is the birthplace of Jose Rizal, the Philippines' national hero. It is a replica of Rizal's family home, which was destroyed during World War II. 2) The current shrine was reconstructed in 1950 under the supervision of architect Juan Nakpil and funded by contributions from Filipino school children. 3) The shrine contains replicas of the Rizal family's living quarters, including bedrooms, a kitchen, and dining area, that give visitors a sense of Rizal's upbringing and childhood environment.

1. Venus D. Carbonel Rizal Shrine ReactionPaper Mr. Teody Anadon
Rizal Shrine inCalamba,Lagunaisthe birthplace of our
national hero,Dr.Jose Rizal.ThisSpanish-inspiredhouse
by the Mercado (lateronchangedto Rizal to avoid
scrutinyof the Spaniards) familyisthe firststone house
builtinCalambaduringthose times.However,the shrine
todayis justa replicaof the oldhouse of the Rizal family;
the original one wasdestroyedduringWorldWarII.The shrine,asseentoday,was
restored/reconstructedthroughExecutive OrderNo.145 of the thenPresidentElpidioQuirino,under
the supervisionof ArchitectJuanNakpil.Itwasfundedmainlybythe contributionsmade bythe Filipino
school childrenandwasinauguratedonJune 19, 1950.
The grand staircase...
I can imagine howshiny(andslippery) thisstairsmighthave
beenduringRizal's time,consideringthe penchantfora
cleanand shinystairs(andflooring) bythe eldersinthe
oldentimes.Irememberthe house Igrew upwith(that of
my aunt),ourstairs (andflooring) shouldalwaysbe clean,
newly-waxedandshiny;able tocreate reflections,almost
like thatof a mirror. Anyway,thisstairs(the stone steps,
that is) includingthe red-tiledflooring(aswell asthe deepwell) are saidtobe the remainingoriginal
part of the Rizal house
Living room/bedrooms@ Rizal Shrine Inside

2. The Shrine on the secondfloorare the livingroomandbedrooms(photoabove:livingroom, boy's
bedroom,girl'sbedroom,master'sbedroom),kitchenanddiningrooms(photobelow) of the Rizal
family.Wonderingwhythere'sonlyone bedinthe children'sbedroom?Well,Rizal Shrine'sFBpage said
that onlythe eldestuse the bed,all the restsleptonthe floorwithwoven mats.
Kitchen/diningarea @ Rizal Shrine
It is saidthat foodscookedinthese traditionalpotsandstove taste better,"extradelicious"asindicated
in the shrine'smarker. And I agree! :)
Bathroom/CR @ Rizal Shrine Statue of young Rizal and hispet dog Berganza

3. Nipahut, a replicaof playhouse of Jose Rizal andhissisters,farbackisthe museum/gallery.
The objective of the tripisto go inside the birthplace of Dr.Jose Rizal inthe formof a renovated
heritage house.Youwill see wordsof insightandwisdomsnearthe entrance of the house.A dioramaof
Rizal beingtaughtbyhismothergreetsyou.a brief historyof the province andsome paraphernaliacan
be foundat the back of the stair case.The heritage house iswell preservedonthe secondfloor.itis
modestbuthas greathistorical presence inthe place.The house willsurelyremindyouof itspivotal role
shapingRizal'schildhoodandillustradoculture.The house isnotreallythatelaboratedlike the others
but hasa unique idylliccharmon it.
All inall we reallyenjoyedourtripat Rizal Shrine withourteacherMr. TeodericoAnadonparticularly
whenwe hadour lunchon Rizal’sBackyard.
Lunch @ Rizal’sBackyard.