Kumukunchi Adventures: 2014

May 04, 2013

Jose Rizal's childhood home

Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Y Alonso Realonda is the Philippine National Hero, he is also simply known as Jose Rizal. Eventhough I'm a Filipino, I'm not an expert in Rizal's life.

I just know the basics like:

His most famous works were the Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) and El Filibusterismo (The Filibustering)
He studied in Europe and know how to speak different languages.
He was shot at Bagumbayan in Manila, Philippines by fellow Filipinos.

For a more detailed profile, anyone may check the Wikipedia link below:

Wikipedia - Jose Rizal

Now here comes my short narrative about my visit to Jose Rizal's home at Calamba, Laguna. It is situated at F. Mercado St. cor. J. P. Rizal St., Poblacion, Calamba, Laguna. The original house was destroyed during the Spanish Era but under Pres. Elpidio Quirino's administration it was reconstructed through funds donated by school children and various individuals. There was no entrance fee for the shrine but there's the plain white donation box along the entrance. Well I'm just accompanying my colleagues so I don't have excess money to donate for the cause (sorry I promise I'll donate next time I visit!). More importantly I also don't have my camera! I'm not fond of taking photos with my camera phone (as it only has 2 megapixel rear camera) so all of the photos in this entry came from Ms. Lani's camera, all credits go to her.

The 2 storey structure has a typical design for an upper-class Filipino home. The 1st level is made up of stone and the 2nd level mainly of wood. Rizal was born to a wealthy family so his house comes with all the pampering for a comfy living.

At the 1st level before entering we were greeted by a traditional calesa ( horse drawn carriage). The interior of the lower level was dark and full of the household items especially for cooking and storage. At the center of the 1st floor was the grand staircase going up to the 2nd floor. The inadequate lighting at the 1st floor gives visitors a hard time in taking their photos (I personally experienced this during the visit) so they opted to use their built in flashes every time they take photos. Hope their faces didn't got washed out by the flash.

At the entrance of Rizal's home

At the ground level

The grand staircase

The 2nd floor has rows of windows in every side and overlooks the yard where there is a small statue of Pepe (Rizal's pet name) along with his dog. The statue is near a nipa hut (a hut made from coconut leaves) adorned with pots. Upon reaching the 2nd floor, visitors will immediately see at their left a long table for the family's usual dining. Turning left we went into the living room were it's still decorated by the family's furniture, pictures of family member filled the walls of the living room. At each end of the living room were doors going to bedrooms, 2 on the other side and a master bedroom on the other end. Walking back to the stairs we then went to the dining room were I think formal occasions take place. The kitchen and comfort room was beside the dining room, sort of a dirty kitchen with many jugs for water storage. There also a well beside the house that can be used from the 2nd floor right beside the kitchen (really convenient way to get water up the higher floor and still supply the 1st floor). Outside there is a veranda to indulge one's self with the fresh breeze and a pathway with a stairs going down to the backyard.

Cooking utensils

One of the bedrooms

Utensils displayed at the dining room

The veranda

The ingenious well design

A modern art gallery is also within the compound but unfortunately I have no photos of the artworks displayed inside. Finally, at the corner of the lot beside the intersection there is a flag pole for the national flag.

The Philippine Flag at the corner of the compound

The stairs from the 2nd floor going down to the yard

The statue of "Pepe"

read more " Jose Rizal Shrine "

May 10, 2014

Taal Volcano Crater Lake

This trekking activity was unplanned. Our group of companies had a summer outing at the coast of Taal Lake, the Treasury Department decided to have a side trip during lunch break and visit Taal Volcano's crater lake. Engle and I were invited and we couldn't resist the idea of conquering the small volcano on a lunch break. Haha

Many people think Taal Volcano is the tiny minor volcano (called "Binintiang Malaki" or Big Leg) that can be seen from nearby viewing areas like Tagaytay City. Binintiang Malaki frequently appears in post cards as Taal Volcano and it quite imposes a distinctive shape. The volcano's main crater is at the center of the main island and tourists can either walk or ride a horse to get there.

Here is my account of our quick trip to the crater lake:

11:10 Our group left before lunch to take a boat ride going to the island volcano, from Balai Isabel to the coastline we took a tricycle for 8.00 PHP per person. Luckily, the Treasury is notorious for being a seasoned haggler especially Ms. Nanette. So we were able to take a boat for 1,500.00 PHP from 2,500.00 PHP. Be very persistent in haggling with the boats as the locals charge unrealistic prices to their services and goods. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to discourage others to visit the place and the people there were nice. It's just that I don't like it when fellow Filipinos try to take advantage of tourists in general, this has been a major setback to many foreign tourists stating that tourism in the Philippines is costly because of the sky rocketing fees the locals charge. I hope this culture of thinking tourists are rich and must pay more should stop, and I think I should stop my ranting and continue with my story. After borrowing some hats from the boatman who gave in to our pleading to lower his price, we then took the boat ride to the volcano island.

Our boats for the trip to Taal Volcano

The team posing before getting to the boats (Fresh)

11:20 The ride was a little under 30 minutes, I enjoyed the ride because I used it as a time to reflect about my life. Well the breeze with sprinkled lake water was good and refreshing, and the soft shakes of the boat was relaxing and it gave a somewhat meditating aura for about 5 minutes. Then we ended up talking about the summer outing, what's going on back at Club Balai Isabel and the hardships we had experienced to wake up early just to arrive late at the venue because many arrived way after the call time. We also had ample time to share with each other funny moments during work in our departments, and we took the opportunity to pair up Engle with Meg.

The race going to the volcano island was a close fight

Binintiang Malaki (Big Leg)

11:50 Touchdown at Taal Volcano Island, after taking a breather at a nearby hut (The heat was too much to handle for some us) we decided to continue our trip to the volcano's crater. At that point half of the group opted to stay at the coast and enjoy the waves and the cool breeze, the heat was overwhelming (I need the emphasis). Only Engle, Ron, Meg, Ms. Shel, Sir Joe, and myself were left in the party of 13 that went all the way to the crater. Actually Ms. Shel gave up after 200 meters and rented a horse.

The boats at the coast of Taal Volcano

One final pose before the assault

12:00 Start of our repentance for all of mankind's sins. I think the dusty trail retains the heat it receives and reflects it back to our feet, giving us a feeling of being microwaved. The hike was hotter than mountain trails, this might be because the island doesn't have an abundant supply of trees and shrubs to cover trekkers from the sunshine.

The only station on the dusty trail

Some parts of the trail were manmade

Some parts we experience the immense power of the Sun

Remember to enjoy your surroundings while trekking

12:20 Arrival at the first and last resting station, the trail was surprisingly short and from the resting station our group already had a glimpse of the cottages at the tip of the crater. We bought some soda and water to freshen up, took some photos of the "dark side" of Binintiang Malaki before assaulting the summit of the volcano. I wasn't used to seeing the other side of Binintian Malaki, the outer side got stuck in my brain when I visited Tagaytay for a seminar during 4th Grade.

The other side of Binintiang Malaki. (Eh Macarena!!!)

The 2nd half of the trek, The final destination could be seen from this point.

Other tourists opted to ride donkeys and horses

Fortunately it was cloudy during the 2nd half

The final assault to the summit

Resting just before the cottages

12:40 Touchdown Taal's summit, and it was Awesomazing! After all those sweat I have sprinkled on the trail I have arrived at the promised land! The crater lake was greenish and steams of volcanic gases were visible (Sulfur I think because it has this funny smell). Sad to say no one is allowed to go near the lake because of the hazardous gases, but we still enjoyed our stay at the viewing area (Partly because of an eye candy).

The cottages at the tip of the crater

Horses loading and unloading area

Some traffic congestion on the trails busiest road

What a view... (Eye candy)

And the haggard picture by the crater, except for Ms. Shel

Jump Shot!!!

Summit drinking water endorser

Volcanic gases oozing out of fissures

The best viewing deck for the crate

Sir Joey posing at the red soil

The tip of the cliff pose

The eye candy

The lush green forest around the crater

View of the coast from the crater, the dots at the right are fish pens

13:20 After a few obligatory photo shoots and rest we descended the volcano and went back to our boat. We negotiated to be dropped off the coast at Club Balai Isabel for convenience and our driver was more than happy to accommodate our little request.