Curator's Note

A Work with Utmost Dedication

2012-02-21T07:40:00.000-08:00

As curators, we should also ready ourselves to drastic changes if we work in the government; confusions and bewilderment will sometimes occur through decisions made by managers, decisions which lacked or without enough consultations but what can we do anyway, we are just subordinates who should follow commands. I am hoping that decisions that were made were good enough for the museum personnel. If it will mean to diminish the momentum with the work it is correct to remove them from the right place and at the right time. When you are engrossed enough to follow the vision because you have caught it, that's the time and the very right time to deprive someone not to enjoy the fruit of her labor but then it was realized that we can still enjoy in some other ways and means. Of course the bottom line here is to obey.

THE IDEAL VISION

2012-02-03T06:08:00.001-08:00

Rizal said "God or Destiny is with us because we have justice and reason on our side, and because we fight not for any selfish motive but for the sacred love of our country and our countrymen... We fight that justice may prevail, we fight for liberty, for the sacred rights of man, we ask nothing for ourselves, we sacrifice all for the common good" (he wrote to the Filipinos in Barcelona in 1889)

I've read Rizal's Political Vision by John N. Schumacher, S.J., he said that this statement of Rizal spoke of Justice, freedom, human rights for every Filipino, the common good, all of these rooted in God.

Rizal's vision was very true and up to the present these are what we are yearning for, if only our leaders have the same thought and heart as Rizal, then we can build a better government, a better Philippines.

115th Martyrdom Celebrating115th of the Ultimo Adios

2011-12-29T22:02:00.000-08:00

Today is the day. Though it is, we had long been preparing for it and it was a long and challenging preparation for Rizal's 115th Martyrdom especially if you are in his shrine, you have to conceptualize activities related to his life and achievements so that the Rizal Day Celebration will come to be a great one and would please the whole nation, to give tribute to people who never forgets to give value on his works or deeds which benefit lots of Filipinos, to promote the NHCP's missions; promoting awareness about our history and heroes.

Yesterday was a big day for me because my project with Miryad Visyon, NCCA and De La Salle- College of St. Benilde was now completed and done through the effort of these dedicated people. I was overwhelmed with the attendance, seeing all the people I wanted to be present in the event, the arrangements and effects are all perfect for me. If it were not with my staff, office mates from the head office, my good friend Jobal, sister in APO Nini and Shane, Mirana, Giselle, family, my Division Chief's understanding and undying support and most of all our God who never ceases to lift me up in everything I do, nothing will be done or achieved in my life like this great opportunity of helping other people through Rizal's Legacy.

I hope more will come and will become an avenue of learning and joy for all Filipinos.

The Legacy Lives on with Jose Rizal's Descendants

2011-12-29T20:21:00.000-08:00

A very successful launching of the first- ever translation of Ultimo Adios in Filipino Sign Language yesterday. Thanks to our guests who graced the occasion, DepED, neighbors in IA, NHCP family, Rizal Descendants, our speakers; Director De Larrazabal of De La Salle- CSB, Mr. Raffy Domingo of the Deaf Community, Prof. Vim Nadera, Poet of UP Diliman and Atty. Ramoncita Reyes a descendant of Saturnina Rizal- Hidalgo sister of Jose Rizal and most of all the woman behind this event,MS. MIRANA MEDINA an independent advocacy film maker who edited the controversial Director's Cut of Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story, a Tikoy Aguiluz film.

This success is dedicated to the legacy of our national hero, his descendants who continuously enriching the hearts and minds of the Filipino people through their endeavors in life be it a lawyer, a doctor, a writer or an artist; they surely give honor to their forefather who gave them honor first. It is truly a legacy that lives on through Jose Rizal's descendants and uninterruptedly advocating through his last literary work, Ultimo Adios.

I Toured the Former DOT Secretary

2011-12-29T06:55:00.000-08:00

A heavy and swift knock on my door made me jumped out of my seat, "Mam, may VIP po tayo, si Gordon po".

I welcomed the good senator and Red Cross chair with a foreigner who would be helping hundreds of Filipinos to work in Qatar.

Mr. Gordon was so amazing; to explain so many facts about our national hero that I tend to listen more. The man who was with him was as well bewildered.

The good former senator easily recognized me as the curator and that was also amazing of him to be that keen. When it was time for them to leave, he greeted me a happy holiday and said "thanks Zarah" .

A Tale of a Hero's Wisdom: Ang Pagong at ang Matsing

2011-12-08T08:58:00.000-08:00

I am so glad to be a channel of blessings to these 150 aeta children who came from Pampanga, Tarlac and Caloocan with the help of my brothers and sisters in Alpha Phi Omega International of UST or Pi chapter as we call it. This event made me so ecstatic because of the overwhelming children who had those eyes all focused with the program and expecting to see what's in store for them on that moment at the Rizal Shrine. They knew they will be listening to a story of Jose Rizal but they were awed when they saw a performance is incorporated in that simple title. The parents of these children were also happy interacting with the story teller.

The program was started with the national anthem led by Ms. Zeny M. Gonzaga- Shrine Guide, the invocation is supposed to be said by my brother in APO, Benjo but because he was still in assistance to the participants I did the invocation which was a real privilege for me to do in the entire activity and then I also welcomed everybody and told them to enjoy the story and see the underlying message of Rizal and Mr. Jonathan Balsamo gave a brief message and introduced the story teller and the actor.

The story teller is Oliver Quintana a.k.a kuya Ogee who superbly performed with his varied voice characters. The children and their moms got excited with the changing of kuya Ogee's voice and of course how he interacted with his audience as an overwhelming inspiration.

The actor is Victor Robinson III, a real stage actor who plays an Atenean Rizal who spoke to the children and explained that he was the young Pepe and later on he sang ang "Bayan ko" thus making the crowd following with their own resonating voices.

After the show, the participants fall in line to have a pose with Rizalvic which made everybody happy to see how their national hero looked like when he was a student just like them.

I thank all who gave their time and effort on this project; UST SOCC, Alpha Phi Omega International, Heroes Square, my BCI family (who prayed), my staff and of course my Division chief who gave her support and understanding.

I always believe that all things works together for good. 12/08/2011

A Tale of a Hero's Wisdom

2011-12-07T00:49:00.001-08:00

Our national hero spend his time as a student at UST from 1877- 1882 where he had a real experience doing his educational pursuit and adhering to the school policies and programs, Rizal might had this memory as a student of UST and how he might have participated in a community outreach as this and how he would impart his story to the children of today.

Reaching the minds of the children from various communities by the mind of our hero, Jose Rizal through his legacy in literature, "Ang Pagong at ang Matsing". This is also impressing the wisdom of Rizal to inspire the children of today and thus encouraging them to excel in their pursuit for knowledge.

The Language of Heroism

2011-11-21T07:09:00.000-08:00

As part of the celebration of Rizal @ 150, and the 115^th Commemoration of Rizal’s Martyrdom, “Mi Ultimo Adios” interpreted in Filipino Sign Language [FSL] will have a special showing at the Rizal Shrine, Fort Santiago where the poem was actually written. Also being planned is the sneak preview of the multilingual version of Mi Ultimo Adios which shall be presented in three languages: Interpretation in FSL, Reading in Filipino Language, with subtitles in Spanish language, as originally written by Rizal. Screenings will be held on December 29, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.

Dr. Jose Rizal was a polyglot who spoke 22 languages including several local dialects, an indication that he was a very interesting conversationalist and a good communicator. He would also have probably learned sign language to convey his message of inspiration to the Deaf community.

Since our agency highlights the lives of our heroes, most especially Dr. Jose Rizal, it is quite notable that Filipinos like Miss Mirana Medina, an independent advocacy filmmaker produced the FSL version of Ultimo Adios 115 years after Rizal wrote it. For until now, nobody has given serious attention to FSL. No one saw that using the language of the Deaf to present Dr. Jose Rizal’s literary work could even be more touching than hearing the poem recited in the most passionate way. Unique in itself, using and recognizing the natural sign language of Deaf Filipinos help in raising their morale and esteem because recognizing Filipino Sign Language is recognizing their identity as Deaf Filipinos.

The first-ever translation / interpretation of Rizal’s poem in Sign Language, and the 132nd translation of the poem since 1897, Mi Ultimo Adios in FSL was recently chosen as official selection in the Second Hongkong International Deaf Film Festival which is going to be held in February 2012. Showcasing Deaf talents through the special screening of the film not only to the whole nation but to the whole world will give happiness in their hearts, for that would mean for them, recognition of their capabilities, and society’s acceptance of their being. The feeling of inclusion will be felt.

This project aims to work with the De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde School for the Deaf and Applied Studies because of the advocacy of the School in the usage and promotion of Filipino Sign Language. Most of the Deaf consultants and actors of the film are scholars of the school. They would be helping by participating as performers for the program and will provide for interpreters for the Deaf people to understand the program. They will also be assisting with other logistical needs for the program to make this project very meaningful for our history.

Ultimo Adios to Ultimo Addio to Huling Pahimakas (Braille)

2011-10-27T23:51:00.000-07:00

A different kind of experience...

Would you like to find out what's new at the Rizal Shrine Fort Santiago this coming November? Another great experience to look forward because the Italian Embassy in collaboration with the Department of European Languages, University of the Philippines will post two brass plaques as a gift to Rizal Shrine Fort Santiago- National Historical Commission of the Philippines on November 14, 2011 as a celebration of two very important events in the Italian and Philippine history- the 150th year since the Unification of Italy and Jose Rizal's 150th birthday. The first plaque is the Italian translation of Jose Rizal's Ultimo Adios and the next is the Braille transcription of the Filipino version by Andres Bonifacio.

I salute the Italian Embassy for initiating such a great idea; giving a chance for the blind people to read one of Rizal's famous writings and giving them a chance to have a cavernous understanding on the Rizal persona. With one of our guests visiting the shrine, it will also be interesting for the Italian nationals to stay and ponder on the good work of Rizal.

I always wish these events to continue for these will also continue to present our country as an immense and outstanding kind in the whole world because of the foremost Filipino, JOSE RIZAL.

What's New?

2011-10-11T00:18:00.000-07:00

A must see Rizaliana...newly installed exhibit at the Valedictory room of Rizal Shrine Fort Santiago is the Rizal Monuments Photo as a result of the 2010 photo contest for Rizal @ 150.

NINAKAW NA KADAKILAAN

2011-10-10T21:46:00.000-07:00

They are a group of students from PUP Sta. Mesa who will be staging a debate on Thursday and the title of it is "Ninakaw na Kadakilaan" . They will tackle the issue on who deserves to be our national hero, Jose Rizal or Andres Bonifacio. As they get ready for the debate, the group went to Rizal Shrine to make an interview on my views on this matter.

SLOVAK PRESIDENT IVAN GASPAROVIC WILL VISIT RSFS

2011-10-10T20:08:00.000-07:00

Three days more and an awaited moment after almost a week preparation with the DOT secretary, Malacanang and IA will come. I am in a wondering what will occur during his visit, Ivan Gasparovic, the Slovak Republic president.

Tour guiding was never a hard task for me whomever the guests are whether government officials, celebrities, artists, ambassadors or even any presidents of other countries but it was always in the preparation stage that I am having a bit butterfly in the stomach. Of course I wanted to present the museum at its best and me and my staff were at it all the time I am very confident with them especially in times like this and some co- employees from the national office are very cooperative giving all their efforts and ideas for my activities. It was never the VIP's who frightens me because I know for sure I can easily give them the necessary information regarding the museum and others and I am also sure they are one of the kindest human beings who will listen very intently, who will ask many questions and who will also share their own experiences. These people actually excites me because I will have another opportunity to meet and talk to them personally and those moments would be embedded in my mind forever and I will have another story to impart my kids and my guests.

This moment is a recalling time of some prominent guests whom I had facilitated a tour; Pascal Couchepin, president of the Swiss Federal Council in 2007, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Jan Fischer some years back with our Chair Ambeth Ocampo who toured him around Fort Santiago, Mayor Willy Brown the former mayor of San Francisco California and many more.

I hope I can get new ideas from this personality because when I read his biography he is kind of amazing, his achievements were so surprisingly great and he is also an author of two books which I am sure has touched lives and I hope to have one; Thinking Nationally, Feeling Socially and Decent Life for All. Judging from the titles of his authored books, those rouses the inner self of his people.

Right now I am really looking forward to meet this great leader.

He Who Loves God Loves His Country

2011-10-05T09:13:00.000-07:00

This mural painting was painted by Carlos "Botong" Francisco, National Artist for visual arts. "The Last Days", is the story of our national hero before he was executed in Bagong Bayan. This symbolic work of art describes; how he was tried for allegedly having illicit association with the revolutionary group etc.., the visitation of female relatives and Ms. Josephine Bracken, when he wrote Ultimo Adios, the morning of December 30, 1896 when he was made to walk from Fort Santiago to Bagumbayan, a representation of a Filipino lying down and awakened by the symbolic smoke coming from an unlit candle, a sign that the moment Jose Rizal was shot the smoke coming from the candle awakened the Filipino which is manifesting that the death of Jose Rizal was the awakening of the Filipino consciousness to fight against the enemies, Jose Rizal's death became the catalyst of the revolution and also the long belief of the Filipinos of Rizal's greatness since he was still alive.

Our days should be counted as a meaningful life for the love of country. He who loves God loves his country.

APPLAUD TO THE MOTHER OF JOSE RIZAL

2011-09-30T00:53:00.000-07:00

(This poem is written as a tribute to Dona Teodora Alonso, Jose Rizal’s mother for its Death Centenary Commemoration on August 16, 2011)

You never knew anyone worthy next to God but your mother,

How you looked up to her,

A good admirer,

To the woman who nurtured, cared and fed you,

An educated woman to teach Latin, Literature,

And Mathematics,

Intellectual and wise you may be,

For Dona Lolay had instilled in thee,

In mind and heart

The love for God,

With these in mind,

You began to learn,

To enhance skills;

Reading, writing, and analyzing

Able to create prose and poetry

Very surprisingly,

She knew herself very well

That she always excel,

In teaching, caring, and loving you

As well as your siblings

A great help to cultivate your talents so inspiringly,

Hence you became a man to live so lovingly,

She was a woman with gait,

Always ready to wait,

For a son who loves not to waste,

She was the light that shone,

The light that showed

The courage in you,

The light that made to love unselfishly,

You were a great man,

Behind was a woman,

Whose name was Lolay,

With her thoughts and teachings,

With her love and dreaming,

Be it her family

Be it her countrymen,

Her love and courage will be remembered,

I had sought and searched all the pages of history

And for fifteen years I learned her story,

Inspired and awed of her story,

Wished to be like her so rousingly,

Curator Rocks at the Rizal Rock Concert

2011-09-29T01:54:00.000-07:00

Rock Rizal was conceptualized and organized by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines together with Rock Ed Philippines. Each rock artists performed their own compositions, songs inspired by our national hero. Some artists to name are Noel Cabangon, Ely Buendia, Ebe Dancel, Vin Dancel, Pepe Smith, Jet Pangan and others whom I didn't have the chance to see.

Thanks to those who conceptualized this project and of course NHCP and Rock Ed who executed a generational kind of music, rock. This is a way to reach out the vast Filipino youth who seems to forget the essence of our being Filipinos but through this great idea, our country will be remembering Jose Rizal the easy way; singing Rizal Rock.

September 16, 2011 with historians, Jonathan Balsamo & Xiao Chua and the gorgeous Ms. Queenie Palapoxx (NHCP Researcher).

with Mr. Ebe Dancel the rocker...

of course Ely Buendia who composed and sang Sisa

a media crew who accidentally posed with me.

Rizal Shrine Staff on "TEAM WORK"

2011-09-29T01:17:00.000-07:00

If we are willing to achieve great goals, there should be a renewing of our minds (paradigm shift) and eventually ready to work in a team.

"Working together to achieve great goals" was the title of a staff enhancement program of RSFS which was held last September 26, 2011, 9:30 a.m. Valedictory Room, Rizal Shrine Fort Santiago. The shrine staff together with the security guards and volunteers were present to their willingness to know what everybody should remember while they work at the shrine. Though this is very basic but I believe everything should be reminded and repeated so everybody will be refreshed of each respective work.

I had brought these project in thought because I believe there should be compactness in us being museum workers and a deeper understanding of the vital role each staff plays in the group, every individual is essential in a group, the confidence and assurance we should get from each and everyone and most of all being co- workers we should acknowledge the importance and vitality of each other.

Bro. James Aludia, National Director of BCI- Philippines, emphasized the essence of devotion of people to one another which he sought in this passage "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves" Romans 12:10.

This project also stresses the value of our work as cultural heritage workers, that we belong to one institution or office and so we have to take good care of each one and everybody should pull everybody up and leave no one behind.

I was so happy to see the staff interact with the discussion and seeing them realize their worth as public servants and cultural and heritage workers, that they belong in this sort of group, that they are people carrying the banner of our commission.

No matter how tough and rough the road for us...we should stand up together in all circumstances.

An Interview to Note with Mr. Drew Arellano

2011-09-29T00:19:00.000-07:00

The AHA show of GMA channel 7 shot for their June 19 episode all about the animals discovered by Jose Rizal while he was exiled in Dapitan. The show is hosted by Mr. Drew Arellano with a puppet named Andoy and it will be aired on Sunday 9:30 a.m.

I was asked what were those specimens discovered by Rizal and if those were still in existence today. The three specimens are rhachoporus rizali (a frog), draco rizali (a flying lizard) and apogonia rizali (a beetle). Only the beetle is not included in our collections. These discoveries were actually send by Rizal to his scientist friends in Europe and were significantly named after him.

Ms. Universe, Shamcey Supsup will visit RSFS

2011-09-28T20:29:00.000-07:00

09.29.11

When I approached the gate of Fort Santiago, I got curious with some men wearing all black and others were in Police uniforms. I realized that the men in black were members of the SWAT team and they are all over Fort Santiago, so I asked the security guard of FS at the gate why are they here and he said that Ms. Universe will be coming. This news got me excited because among those holding beauty titles in the Philippines it is only Shamcey who amazed me, she definitely convinced me with her answer in the Q & A and during the live feed I was really hooked and that was the first time I did that. I don't usually watch TV but with Shamcey I've got to stay for a while.

Ms. Kaye Flores had informed me that Miss Universe will visit the shrine and I'm just here waiting for her to welcome the most beautiful woman in our country. But just like other prominent guests they do come at the most unexpected hours. We just readied our guest book and camera and of course my spills during the tour.

The security guard knocked at my door and Ms. Universe is now at the gate of Fort Santiago.

From the Making to the Actual Karaban

2011-09-28T11:02:00.000-07:00

"Karaban ng Kasaysayan para sa mga Kabataan"

In line with the 150th of Rizal's Birth, we conducted this full pack activity for elementary students together with ASCM, a bible seminary in Makati City. The activity was participated in by 36 students and some parents. ASCM volunteers facilitated the program; story telling of Eta theta, History quiz and not but not the least Faber Castel , they were here to support the activity.

During the time when we are in the process of coordinating
with other entities like the ASCM, a Christian Seminary in
Makati City and the city council.

Of course there is also a time to eat and a time to drink; we ate this Korean dish and it is just like our butchi but this kind is steamed butchi which is very nice in the palette.

When everything had been talked about and learned that the project was very much feasible...

At least 36 kids became to enjoy the "Karaban"

What it Means to be A Curator

2011-09-26T08:21:00.000-07:00

Not too many people know the work of a curator or the word itself is just very much strange for almost everybody. I still encounter many people who doesn't know what is a curator; if you would say that you work in a museum as a curator they would say "ah, caretaker". I do believe that in Philippine setting a curator is a developed skill through time and acquired by beginning a museum career from the least position to the top because there is no definite degree in college for curators. We will never understand or know this sort of work if we will not visit an actual museum. This work needs a lot of patience and passion. To further understand a curator's job let us note its meaning from the wikipedia:
" A curator (from Latin: cura meaning "care") is a manager or overseer. Traditionally, a curator or keeper of a cultural heritage institution (e.g., gallery, museum, library or archive) is a content specialist responsible for an institution's collections and involved with the interpretation of heritage material. The object of a traditional curator's concern necessarily involves tangible objects of some sort, whether it be inter alia artwork, collectibles, historic items or scientific collections. More recently, new kinds of curators are emerging:curators of digital data objects, and biocurators.
In smaller organizations, a curator may have sole responsibility for the acquisition and care of objects. The curator will make decisions regarding what objects to collect, oversee their care and documentation, conduct research based on the collection, provide proper packagingof art for transport, and share that research with the public and scholarly community through exhibitions and publications. In very small volunteer-based museums, such as local historical societies, a curator may be the only paid staff member.

In larger institutions, the curator's primary function is as a subject specialist, with the expectation that he or she will conduct original research on objects and guide the organization in its collecting. Such institutions can have multiple curators, each assigned to a specific collecting area (e.g. Curator of Ancient Art, Curator of Prints and Drawings, etc.) and often operating under the direction of a head curator. In such organizations, the physical care of the collection may be overseen by museum collections managers or museum conservators, and documentation and administrative matters (such as insurance and loans) are handled by a museum registrar."

As we read further, we become to understand the full meaning of this job, a job which nobody could get into for the lack of enthusiasm learning about the work.

In the Philippine context, in the NHCP in particular, curator is a sort of a manager of collections and administrator of a micro institution and the macro of which is the head office of NHCP; we administer everything therein, coordinates and connects with different entities such as government, non- government organizations, po's and private agencies and acts also as a public relations officers.

A very specialized work that no one would know much about its functions not unless you come and experience the actual work.
Mass Media Arts and Sciences students of Mapua Institute of Technology listened to my talk yesterday about this job and they were so amazed to hear such and asked pertinent questions related to their course.