"Kaninong Anino" Rock Ed Rock Rizal Music Video

Despite living beside an MRT stop, I missed, "Rock the Riles" yesterday. I wish I could split myself into two sometimes. Instead of beating myself up for being busy (remember, busy is good), I'll just feel the vibe by watching this video collaboration to honor Rizal on his 150th year.

With the support of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the artists of ROCK ED PHILIPPINES got together to produce this song. Many many artists came together for this piece. The animated video was created by Arnold Arre. The song was composed by Francis de Veyra of RadioactiveSagoProject. Lyrics by Gang Badoy of Rock Ed. The song is part of Rock Ed's ROCK RIZAL album, a collection of songs in celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Filipino hero Jose Rizal.
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Music composed by Francis De Veyra. Lyrics by Gang Badoy. The singing by Rock Ed musicians - Aia de Leon, Vin Dancel, Ebe Dancel, Kris Dancel, Noel Cabangon, Lourd de Veyra, Gloc 9, Raimund Marasigan, Kakoy Legaspi, Jay Gapasin, Juan Miguel Lerma, Arwin Naval, Wowee Pards and more. Produced by Shinji Tanaka and Mark Laccay.

Wanted: A New Rizal

I've been so caught up vacationing I've neglected to plug something that was sent to me a month back: the search for a new Rizal! 

In history, we look at the significance of all the people who fought for the freedom that we are all enjoying now. We look at their contributions to society, what made them distinct and what made them particularly special. Out of the hundreds of heroes, popular or unsung, who risked their lives for the country’s freedom, one person stood out with his writings and inspirational ways—Dr. Jose Rizal.


The National Historical Commission of the Philippines calls for nominations to the Rizal Awards to celebrate 150 years of Rizal’s greatness! Read on if you are an individual or organization that has accomplished the following:


1) Spearheaded projects that  support the Rizalian concept of love of country and fulfillment of our duties of citizenship. 2) Achieved meritorious individual recognition in various professions, which promote, teach and disseminate the same through proven competence leading to the general benefit of the individual, community, and the country at large. 3) Promoted and encouraged civic and citizenship responsibility as model citizens- incorruptible patriots with the virtue of resisting temptations and misuse of wealth, influence, rank, or power.


If you believe that a person from your community, organization, or company deserves to be  a recipient of the Rizal Award, then send your nominations  to the NHCP Office or  e-mail them at rizalawards@nhcp.gov.ph on or before March 15, 2012. To know more about Rizal@150 and the Rizal Awards, log on to www.nhcp.gov.ph or call the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (02) 524 9952.Rizal Shirt

The Reverse Balikbayan Box

Before leaving for the States, I was able to drop by the Balik sa Bayan Box: Travels of Rizal. It was an outdoor installation done by Team Manila at the Ayala Museum. 

The entire thing is eye-catching- a funky display of some of Rizal's best known itineraries and famous lines. It made me wonder about what our national hero would have carried around in his suitcase as he moved around the world. What are those Filipino-made things he simply could not do without?  What were the articles of clothing that he couldn't find anywhere else?Did he bring his favorite tsokalate eh from home even though he had an array of chocolates available to him in Europe?

Pondering those things, I was inspired to document a reverse balikbayan box. What are the things our many OFWs ask for from people coming to visit them? Though, there are bound to be differences- there are certain staples everyone comes to expect. Upon entering the US,  my immigration officer asked me if I was bringing food into the United States, I said, "just pastries". He quickly replied, "Polvoron?".

Yes, there was definitely polovoron in there. There was also a lot of other things. Like Philippine folk tale books, back issues of Yes magazine, pork rinds more popularly know as chicharon (with laman), house slippers, Master facial cleanser, baking molds, more polvoron, Marty's vegetarian chicharon, Team Manila and Electromagnetic Tentacle shirts, Cinemalaya DVDs, Chef Tony's popcorn, and last but not least a new barong for my brother. Not shown here but definitely always requested: Eng Bee Tin's hopia and Megamelt ensaymada.  

What's in your reverse balikabayan box?

Jose Rizal as Hitler's Father and Other Mysteries

I'm so happy about my latest article, "Rizal: Man of Mystery" which delves into the enigmatic rumors surrounding our national hero, Jose Rizal. It was one of the most enjoyable things I've ever written and it's my first article for Juice.ph.

 

Rizal Portrait

Here's an excerpt:

"The most infamous mystery is that Rizal fathered the German Fuehrer, Adolf Hitler.  This rumor began circulating because of an educational film about Nazism and World War II.  In it, a framed photo of Rizal was found hanging on Hitler’s bunker.  This poses the question, “Was Hitler a fan of our national hero or was it something more?”  Jose Rizal was educated in Europe and he spent a great deal of time in Germany.  To this day, he is revered with a street and statue in Wilhelmsfeld. In fact his novel, Noli Me Tangere, was first published in Berlin in 1887. "

For the complete article, click on this link.

An Homage to Rizal’s Great Love: Leonor Rivera

I spent the start of my long weekend deep in Rizal research, reading about the world’s perception of our national hero. As expected, his love life is a curiosity for many.

Described as somewhat of a womanizer, some historians believed he was commitment phobic.  When he becomes close to a woman to the point of "intimacy/revelation/love", Rizal runs away. But one woman one woman who seemed to have captured his heart completely was Leonor Rivera. The Filipina he was engaged to marry. 

She is described as a “pretty woman” whose physical features included having a “high forehead”, “soft and wavy hair”, a face that supported “almond eyes”, “small and pensive mouth”, and “engaging dimples” in Rizal: Philippine Nationalist and Martyr. Reading this, I remembered some old photos I had. I was supposed to use them on a feature about fans but I think the mood of the photos perfectly portray the sadness of their doomed romance. 

The two were in a long distance relationship as Rizal had to be in Europe for his studies. They would correspond only through letters, which eventually were intercepted by Leonor’s mother. Believing that Rizal was a subversive, her mother kept them from her, and arranged for Leonor to marry a British engineer, Henry Kipping. Leonor, thinking that Rizal had forgotten her, agreed but only on the condition that she’d stop doing the two things she loved which was to sing and play the piano. She also proclaimed that she would die young and that she did. She was buried with the letters of Rizal stitched to her gown.

Rizal immortalized her as the character Maria Clara. Click this link to see a sketch that Rizal made of her. 

Thanks to Bryan, a good friend, a great tour guide, and an all-around Rizal enthusiast. Check out his blog on this link. 

Outfit: Dress from Deng Tee; accessories and fan from yours truly 

Photo credits: Ms. Kaity Chua

Styling credits: Deng Tee and Cay Kho