Photoblog of Uncommon Pictures of Rizal

Many of us are used to seeing the above picture of Rizal's face when we search for him in the internet. Here are is a small collection of pictures of Rizal which are not commonly or easily found online.

Rizal as a student

The above picture shows Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda when he was still a student at the University of Santo Tomas, taking up medicine (specialising in opthalmology). The date on the picture is 1879, meaning he would be around 18 years old at the time the photo was taken. 

Rizal (seated) posing for Luna

Rizal often agreed to pose for the paintings of his friend, Juan Luna.  The picture above showed him posing as an Egyptian scribe in Luna's award winning painting "The Death of Cleaopatra" (1881).  The painting won the silver medal in the 1881 National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid.

Are Ladies for Rizal, Elitists? An Interview with Lady Helen Lacuna

e·lit·ism or é·lit·ism  (noun).  The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.

Our first ever interview series features the President of the Ladies for Rizal Bonn Chapter, Lady Helen Lacuna. In this interview, she traces her history with the LFR, shares her perceptions about the current situation of the organization and looks forward to the challenges ahead.

Lady Helen Lacuna (middle), flanked by Lady Margie and Lady Jane

Interviewer: Hi Lady Helen! Thank you for granting us this interview. Could you please tell us the story of how you became a member of the Ladies for Rizal?

Lady Helen Lacuna: Hello to you too! Thanks for the opportunity to be interviewed. I was recruited in 1995 by my husband (Sir Celso Lacuna), who was then a member  of the Committee on membership of the Bonn Chapter. Together with other candidates from Bonn, I was formally inducted on May 21, 1995 in Wilhelmsfeld. 

I: Do you think preserving the ideologies of Rizal is still relevant to Filipinos outside of the Philippines?

LHL: Yes, preserving the ideologies of Rizal is still relevant not only for Filipinos in the Philippines but also for those outside the Philippines. The Filipinos abroad should be taught about the ideas, aspirations, nationalism and patriotism of Dr. Rizal so that they would always be reminded of their home country. 

I: Why is this important?

LHL: By teaching the Filipinos abroad about Rizal's ideas, nationalism and sacrifices for his country, Filipinos residing in foreign countries will always remember their ancestors in the Philippines. Hence, the Filipinos abroad if imbued with Rizal' ideologies, will have a deep sense of national consciousness and belonging to their country of origin. 

Modern Patriotism: 12 Year old saves Philippine Flag from Flood

President Noy Noy "P-Noy" Aquino thanked Janela Lelis for showing that patriotism and heroism is alive even in the midst of typhoons and floods. Jose Rizal would also be very proud of you for showing modern love for the country and the national flag. Mabuhay Ka!

Photoblog of Begegnungsfest 2011

It is not usual to be able to take a peek behind the teamwork of the Ladies and Knights of Rizal Bonn. Here are some behind-the-scenes photos of the Ladies and Knights during the Begegnungsfest 2011.

Sir Amor, Sir Rainer, Lady Gloria M. and Lady Margie inspect the food

Lady Helen and Lady Chery preparing the pancit

Announcing the "KOR LFR Interviews" Series

In the coming weeks a new series of articles - running parallel to the "Projects" articles series - will be added to the website. The new series is called "KOR LFR Interview Series" and it will feature one-on-one interviews with officers and members of the KOR and LFR Bonn Chapter. The series aim to introduce the people behind the organisation, a sort of backstage ticket to the movers and shakers of the group. The series will explore their views and perceptions on living  and working abroad, on their social engagement via the KOR LFR and their vision for the organisation. 

The series will be an exciting chain of articles that allow friends and supporters to get to know the Ladies and Knights like never before. Stay tuned!

KOR LFR Bonn Chapter holds 1st Goal, Norms and Processess Workshop

Sir Dirk explains the procedure to the group

The Order of the Knights of Rizal and Kababaihang Rizalista Bonn Chapters held their 1st Goal, Strategy and Team Building Workshop at the Evangelische Grundschule in Troisdorf last 17 July 2011. The objective of the  well-attended event was to create a clear understanding of the aims of the organisation, the proper code of conduct among members and procedures to follow during projects. The group believes that, once these fundamental building blocks are understood and practiced by everybody, the team will solidify as a group and teamwork will be more efficient.

Ni Hao, Rizal!

The Ladies and Knights atChina Restaurant Pavilion

On the KOR LFR's recent trip to participate in the 150th birthday celebrations of Dr Jose Rizal (see related post here), the group decided to stop by for lunch at China Restaurant Pavilion at the heart of the historic city of Heidelberg.

Flashback Project 1: Relief for Typhoon Ondoy victims

Typhooon Ondoy (Source: www.pinoygigs.com)

Typhoon Ondoy (Source: www.fobbdeep.com)

Typhoon Ondoy (International Codename: Ketsana) was one of the most devastating typhoons of the 2009 Pacific Typhoon Season, and the most devastating typhoon to hit Manila, Philippines.

After Typhoon Ondoy dumped rains that flooded Metro Manila and its nearby provinces, Typhoon Pepeng pummeled northern Philippines, triggering massive flooding and landslides. The two weather disturbances left more than 600 people dead, and damage to infrastructure and agriculture estimated at close to 30 billion Philippine Pesos, according to the Philippine Office of Civil Defense. Then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of calamity throughout most of Luzon after flood water levels reached a record 20 feet in rural areas. The government has come under a storm of criticism over its slow and inadequate response to Ondoy. 

Current Project 2: Rizal Learning Center in Bohol

Tagbilaran City, the capital of the island province of Bohol, is the recipient of the second current Philippine project of the KOR and LFR Bonn Chapter. The organisation, in cooperation with barangay chairman Odysseus C. Glovasa and other local officials, developed the barangay library of Poblacion 3, one of the 15 barangays comprising the city. 

Rizal Learning Center in Poblacion 3, Tagbilaran City, Bohol

In 2007, when the barangay hall building was upgraded, a Learning Center was added in the basement of the new building. Although construction officially finished in 2008, the Learning Center remained incomplete until 2011.  Chapter Commander Peter Plueckebaum and Adviser Jeni Plueckebaum initiated contact to the Barangay and after presenting the situation of the Learning Center to the oganisation, garnered the strong support of the LFR LOR Bonn Chapter. In the months thereafter, bookshelves, tables, chairs and writing boards were gradually supplied to the Learning Center. 

Current Project 1: The Ormoc Project

The biggest and longest -running project of the Knights of Rizal and Ladies for Rizal Bonn Chapter is the Support for the Educational Programme of a Flood Resettlement Community in Ormoc Philippines or simply, the ORMOC PROJECT. The project is in cooperation with St. Philippine Duchesne's Ormoc Workers Foundation (SPDOWF), through its branch office, the Sacred Heart Children's Educational Center, headed by Sister Iraida E. Sua-An. 

Flashback to 1991, more than 8,000 people in Ormoc City perished from flash floods caused by illegal logging and denuded forests. In response to the pressing needs of the victims of flash floods, the St. Philippine Duchesne’s Ormoc Workers Foundation, Inc. (SPDOWFI) was organized. In addition,  the International Society of the Sacred Heart pulled their resources together to offer help for the rehabilitation of poor victims.

Ormoc City is one of the oldest towns and the pioneer city of Leyte, in southern Philippines.  It is a coastal city and due to its geographical location, Ormoc serves as a catch-basin of the rain water coming from the mountains of the province.

For the past years the SPDOWFI survived through donations from donors and friends of the Sacred Heart.   In 2005, The SPDOWFI was able to provide a resettlement area for 40 families who were not able to avail of the government’s housing program.  These families are now settled within a one hectare compound called Barangay Luna.  Half of the property was allocated for the housing project and the other half has been converted into a herbal organic garden and a learning center for children.