Cuello, Angela Jhyne F.

3BIO6

Mr. Everdone Sept./13/2013

Laguna is notable as the birthplace of Jose Rizal, the country's national hero. It is also famous for attractions like Pagsanjan Falls, the University of the Philippines Los Baos campus, the hot spring resorts of Los Baos and Calamba on the slopes of Mount Makiling, Pila historic town plaza, Taytay Falls in Majayjay, the wood carvings and papier-mch created by the people of Paet, the annual Sampaguita Festival in San Pedro, the turumba of Pakil, the tsinelas footwears from Liliw, the Pandan Festival of Luisiana, the Seven Lakes of San Pablo (the first city in the province), and the Hidden Valley Springs in Calauan. The first reason that was mentioned above was the most important factor why Laguna is well known not only in the country but also internationally. Our national hero Jose Rizal had put a legacy and courage in our country thats why he really deserved to be the epitome of a true-blooded Filipino. Visiting his hometown not really made me excited because I also came from one of the cities in Laguna which is San Pablo City and some of the places which we will visit are already familiar to me. But I guess, the trip still gave me new experiences and learnings which is different from the other trips I had during my elementary days and high school days. The nine hundred pesos was all worth it for me to visit Lipa Cathedral, Casa de Segunda, Paciano's House, Rizal Shrine and lastly the church where Rizal's baptized. Some of the learnings I gained in this trip was the different trivias about the said places above. I appreciate how the tour guide discusses each place in the simplest way she can. Even though she is discussing about the history and past events of these places, it was not boring to listen to her stories and somehow it also made me to participate in the discussion. I was amazed in the different ancestry houses which we visited like Case de Segunda, Paciano's House and Rizal Shrine because some of the original equipments and furnitures are still there in order for the next generation to see it as well as appreciate to appreciate it. At Paciano's house it was my first time to know that Paciano was a General in the Military and he was not that too tall just like his brother, Rizal. There was a mini video clip which was presented to us at the Rizal Shrine and it somewhat it made myself to be more proud at our national hero. That video show how Rizal truly loved his fatherland and how willing he is to sacrifice his own life for the sake of his countrymen. Another trivia that I got was that Rizal's favorite food was tuyo especially for breakfast. Rizal also became a farmer in Dapitan and he planted different trees, coffee, cacao, sugar cane and even raised animals and poultry on his 70-hectare land in Talisay. Before the execution of Rizal, he was already ready to die and even accepted his death. Even during the execution, Rizal was relaxed and a very calm. He was proud on what he did for his country during his entire life. He proved indeed that Philippines are for the Filipino people.