Rizal Shrine
The brick ruins are part of the oldest building in Fort Santiago. Built in 1593, the structure was a barracks building for Spanish soldiers. During the American period, army officers and their families lived here. The building was eventually destroyed during World War II.
Description was from the signage.
The Rizal Shrine is a modern museum built in 1953 and houses the memorabilis of national hero Jose Rizal. Our national hero's cell was in the former Cuarto de Repuesto or storage area and pantry. A model of the cell during his imprisonment is one of the main attractions of the shrine. In 1996, the shrine was renovated as part of the centennial celebration of Rizal's martyrdom and the Philippine Revolution.
A bust of Jose Rizal upon entering the shrine.
Pagbubukas sa Alaala | Opening to Memory
Upon entering the shrine you will be greeted right away by a large painting hung on the wall. It's even bigger than me, I think. It's a collage-painting of important scenes in Rizal's life. The main image in it portrays Rizal being executed by Spaniards for revolting against them, this happened in Bagumbayan which is in modern times the Luneta Park.
This museum houses several interesting artifacts and collections connected to Rizal. In case you didn't know, his full name is actually José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda. I will share some of the gems found in the musem. Do enjoy!
Artifacts
Here we see some artifacts located in the Chamber of Texts - where writings of Rizal was kept. Including his novel and research.
This is his novel called El Filibusterismo. This is part of our studies starting from primary school. We discuss some basic information about it there. Then come secondary - we focused on both of his novels, this one and another called Noli me Tangere. I must admit studying these novels are both hard and enjoyable. I'm not a fan of the Filipino subject. In college, we are required to take a whole subject about Rizal, it's usually 2-4 units worth.
These are some sketches kept in frames and are inside glass cases. The words you're seeing blocking the camera view are actually Rizal's poems written on the glass cases themselves.
Here are some photographs framed and hung onto the walls of the next room. You can see Rizal posing with his fellow Filipinos who visited Spain - back when he was a starting member of (I'm not sure) La Liga Filipina or (maybe it's actually) La Solidaridad. As well as a portrait of him (possibly in charcoal or maybe the photo is just too old it looks like a charcoal portrait).
A few more set of portraits of our hero is hung onto other frames on the same room.
The Prison Cell
This was a photo of one of the quotes inside the Contemplation Room where you will pass through before seeing the Prison Cell of Jose Rizal. These quotes capture Rizal’s patriotism and his resolve to fight and die for the Philippines, our beloved country.
At the right of the said room is the entrance to a replica of Rizal’s prison cell, with a figure of Rizal sitting on a desk. There's a location marker that reads: “In this cell Jose Rizal was detained prisoner from 3 November to the morning of 29 December 1896 falsely charged with rebellion, sedition and formation of illegal societies."
There was a chain barring the entrance so this is how far I was from the room itself. The replica was nicely done that it makes you feel like he's just there, sitting, for real. It's a good thing I do not believe in ghosts.
Writings on Walls
The poem "Mi Ultimo Adios" in a room of its own (looks like a big hall). The full poem is actually etched on a wall - which looks like its made out of marble.
It is written both in the original Spanish and an English translation was also provided on the same wall.
There is actually a story of how the poem was written and was kept inside a lamp, so to prevent it from being discovered by the Spanish, this story is artistically etched on the wooden floor.
I think this room was pretty amazing - I spent time reading the whole passage both on the wall and on the floor.
Paintings
There were numerous paintings hung on the walls of this museum aside from the first one I described in this blog. I was able to take some photos but the quality could be better. Using flash isn't allowed in taking photographs so we made do with night modes.
Here is a portrait of Jose Rizal framed and hung - possibly an oil painting.
This one is a portrait of O Sei-San, Rizal's love interest when he was staying in Japan.
A painting of Rizal being depicted while he's hugging his mother. This looks like a scene captured during his arrest by the Spaniards (as seen with guards waiting for their goodbye t o close so they can take him away).
Rizal painted while he was trying to write something. A poem maybe? Or was this him writing El Fili or Noli. I think being a writer in the old times is a pretty hard thing to do - not only thinking of words to write but the act of writing itself (can't imagine me making this blog with a feather and ink and not a laptop).
Rizal painted while he's doing a check of optometry on his mother. Rizal is a very talented person and can be considered a genius. He's a medical doctor as well.
If you look him up in the web "Jose Rizal's Profession" you will get a total of 8 results. Namely: Scientist, Novelist, Visual Artist, Revolutionary, Poet, Opthalmologist, Author, & Journalist.
Thanks for Reading!
There are tons more to see and learn if you visit the Rizal Shrine located inside Intramuros in Manila, Philippines. The place still has a sense of grandeur in it and a vintage look. You're able to enjoy every step you make around the walled city - I will surely discuss Intramuros in my next blog. Till then, you enjoy your wonderful day!
