RIZAL@150: Travel the Philippines in Jose Rizal's Footsteps

Heritage and Culture with Local Tourism. That's the main thrust of the Department of Tourism's latest project, the Lakbay Jose Rizal @ 150. In celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Philippines' national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, on June 19, the DOT, together with the National Parks Development Committee, Intramuros Administration, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Heritage Conservation Society and Cebu Pacific, launched this heritage trail project, and the heritage trail map at the Rizal Park Manila.



Starting June 19, 2011 to June 19, 2012, everyone (locals and foreigners) can try and visit all 27 Rizal sites all over the Philippines, and get a chance to win prizes from Cebu Pacific and the Inter-Agency Committee, when they get to complete all the stamps in their Lakbay Rizal Passports, which are available at the DOT and the DOT Regional offices (soon). Mechanics for the Lakbay Jose Rizal @ 150 Heritage Trail Project may be found here.




The National Parks Development Committee redesigned and converted the old Philippines Relief Map in Rizal Park to be the new Rizal Heritage Trail Map, a guide and a glimpse of all the 27 Rizal sites from all over the Philippines, for those who don't have the means to travel all around the country.



Last week members of the Media, and some bloggers, got to experience going to different Rizal sites in Metro Manila (like the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park, Fort Santiago, where he was jailed, and Paco Park, where his remains were brought right after his death), and had their Lakbay Passports stamped. We also got to taste some of Rizal's favorite food, like Adobo and Tinola. :)



I think that it is important that we Filipinos get to explore and appreciate the beauty of our country first before heading out to explore the world. As I always say, every Filipino must be an ambassador of and for the Philippines. Who else would we depend on but ourselves. We live in a naturally beautiful land, now it's up for its naturally beautiful people to live its beauty. "Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan."