When in Calamba, Laguna - you must drop by the Rizal Shrine where you will see the

birthplace of Jose Rizal, the Philippines' National Hero.

I was there for a tech seminar, but my guts prompted me to pass by the "Dambanang Rizal
sa Calamba" but unfortunately, the place is open only until 4:30 pm.

But due to the overwhelming desire to see at least a glimpse of the place (not really my first
time but it will was several years ago when I last set foot at this very historical place.) my
friends and I persuaded the guards to let us see the outer parts of the house
Rizal Shrine was restored by EO 145 of Elpidio Quirino with funds mainly contributed by
school children of the Philippines. It was inaugurated in 1950 and the architect was Juan F.
Nakpil. The old house was destroyed during World War II.
There has been a controversy regarding the repainting of Rizal's house from the familiar
white to a pale shade of green. The repainting was ordered by the National Historical
Institute and according to NHI President Ambeth Ocampo, "the reason for painting Rizal’s
house green highlights and informs visitors of the meaning of his surname. ...the Rizals who
were also known by their other surname Mercado (market) chose "Risal" from the "Catalogo
alfabetico de apellidos."

The word comes from the Spanish "ricial" which describes a green field ready for harvest. It
was hoped that after asking, "Why is Rizal’s house green?" the visitor will get a relevant
answer: "The green hues are meant to honor the memory of the Rizal family and their way
of life."
Rizal Shrine is along historic Calle Real, just a few steps away from the City College of
Calamba, and the parish church. The shrine is a replica of the Spanish colonial style house
where Rizal was born on June 19, 1861, to Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonzo. The
house was typical of the residences of the Filipino gentry of Hispanic times.

According to the NHI, "Although its woodwork and masonry are new, it occupies the same
area and is made of the same materials as the original house of the Mercados. Its ground
floor of lime and stone, its upper story of the best hardwood."
The house had a small stable for horses and storage for carriages on the ground floor.
In the garden is a bahay kubo (Nipa Hut) which is said to be a replica of the one where
Rizal used to spend his days as a child.

There is also a statue of Rizal as a boy – an added attraction made by Dudley Diaz for the
1996 Centennial celebration. A replica of the house is located nearby along with some
paintings dedicated to Jose Rizal. I find this rather annoying to be placed at a historical site.
The only surviving feature of the Spanis-Colonial house is a deep well that has become a
"wishing well" for tourists and visitors.
There is also a library with a Jose Rizal bust statue. The library is open for public reading.
The museum offers guided tours for groups. It has a gift shop on the ground floor where
postcards, books and souvenir items are sold. There is no entrance fee but donations are
welcome.