Intramuros | Rizal Shrine

The last time I visited Rizal Shrine in Fort Santiago was when I was an elementary student. All I did before was follow my classmates during our field trip and look at what we were told to look at without really seeing into few more interesting details about our national hero.

Last July, I walked into our national hero's shrine and in there, I spent my time getting to know him more.

The ticket booth is found at the entrance of Fort Santiago. The price of P75 pesos is required to enter the fort. It also includes the entrance to the shrine. For students, the fee is P50.

Unfortunately, it was raining when I visited Fort Santiago so I wasn't able to walk around the whole fort. 

This room is where Rizal was imprisoned before his execution. This is where he wrote his famous letter, Mi Ultimo Adios. 

As I was looking at this room, I felt myself being transcended into the past. I imagined how it would look like during that time, not just this room but the entire Fort Santiago. I imagined how the Filipinos and Filipinas looked like while in their baro't saya and barongs.

This is where the trial of Rizal was held. There he was sitting on the chair with both hands tied.

When I got to look at these surgical instruments, I was left amazed. I realized that moment how well-rounded our national hero is. He was a ophthalmic surgeon while also being a lot of things (a writer, a poet, a cartoonist, a sculptor, a musician etc.). No doubt he's a model to every Filipino.

This tour in the Rizal Shrine was more personal than my previous one and as I walked around the museum, I saw our national hero with different eyes. I appreciated him more and there's no doubt I feel proud as a Filipino. I suddenly had a desire to visit his house in Calamba, Laguna once more. 

A visit to the Rizal shrine is truly worth your day. 

Saludo ako sayo Pepe! ;)

RIZAL SHRINE 

Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila 

Tuesdays to Sundays; 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM