Rizal the global hero at 'My City, My SM' launch in Calamba

MANILA, Philippines - The recent “My City, My SM” launch at SM City Calamba came just in time for the Rizal@150 Celebrations, honoring National Hero Jose Rizal along with two modern-day heroes from his hometown: advertising executive, writer and entrepreneur Barbara Gonzalez, who also happens to be his great grand niece; and Marc Cosico of the Philippine High School of the Arts.

During the program, Rizal was portrayed not only as a National Hero, but also as a global hero who has monuments in the cities he visited in Europe. In celebration of his 150th birth anniversary, the German Embassy and the Goethe-Insitut have been commissioned by the National Library to restore the original manuscript for the book, Noli Me Tangere, which was printed in Berlin in 1887. Likewise, the Goethe Institut, which is also celebrating its 50th year in the Philippines in 2011, has released four stamps commemorating this joint anniversary.

The program hosted by Barbie Atienza began with a heartwarming performance of the Tagalog version of The Prayer by young singers Abigail and Irish Bolante with a replica of the Rizal Shrine as a dramatic stage backdrop. Carlos Arnaldo, supreme archivists of the Knights of Rizal gave a talk on Rizal and his travels.

The next part of the program traced Rizal’s footsteps around Europe — travels that led to his self-discovery, and eventually greatness — as replicas of key elements in the cities he visited were unveiled. Architect Veronica Dado of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines unveiled a replica of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna where Rizal worshipped, while the Czech Republic’s counselor and deputy head of mission Jiri Vobis showed guests a replica of the Blaue Stern Hotel where Rizal stayed when he was in Prague. Jose Rizal Essay Writing Contest winner Joaquin de Jesus then read his winning piece on the friendship of Rizal and Ferdinand Blumentritt.

Artist/painter Marc Vincent Cosico with parents Azucena and Levy E. Cosico, and relatives Mr. and Mrs. Acoba beside his “My City, My SM” panel.

The French Embassy’s audiovisual attaché Martin Macalintal revealed a reproduction of Juan Luna’s “The Parisian Life” which was beside a replica of the French landmark, the Arc de Triomphe. Instituto Cervantes director Jose Rodriguez gamely read a copy of La Solidaridad seated on a bench in front of a replica of the Jose Rizal statue in Madrid, Spain; while Goethe Institut’s Luisa Zaide unveiled a replica of the University of Heidelberg Eye Clinic where Rizal practiced ophthalmology. The “Rizal in Europe” exhibit will be at the Cyberzone of SM City Calamba until June 30.

Guests were Calamba City adminstrator Atty. Manuel Ladrido; Rizal Shrine curator Malou Valeza; Barbara Gonzalez’s son Gino and his wife Faye and grandson Nicc; “My City, My SM” honoree for Naga Pancho Piano; as well as members of the Knights of Rizal, the Women of Rizal, and the Philippine Chapter of the UK-based International Public Relations Association enjoyed the exhibits, as well as performances by the Sanghiyas Pangkat Mananayaw of the Philippine High School for the Arts, SM officials led by SM vice president for marketing Millie Dizon, and SM City Calamba’s assistant mall managers Cielo Flores and Ryan Cuico.

They also had a taste of cocktail versions of Calamba delicacies — pancit bihon in bread cups, kesong puti canapés, sweet pototo ube, and Calamba okoy.

The “My City, My SM” launch in SM City Calamba is the fifth in the second year of this tourism-oriented campaign that features the many cities in the Philippines where SM Malls and stores are located.

Last year’s “My City, My SM” road show brought readers to 15 cities in the Philippines with prominent personalities from each area as tour guides. It began just in time for the Giant Lantern Festival in December 2009 with I Left My Heart in San Fernando with internationally acclaimed film director Brillante Mendoza and Mutya ng Kapampangan Nicolette Henson; and had a grand finale with “The Genteel Charm of Bacolod” marking the opening day of the 31st Masskara Festival with honorees Raymund Javellana and the dynamic Association of Negros Producers board members Mary Anne Colmenares, Cristina Gaston, Mary Anne Sicangco Hagad, and Josephine Locsin.

This year’s “My City, My SM” campaign began in January with “The Lakeside Charm of San Pablo” with Ado Escudero and Ramon Magsaysay awardee Dr. Jaime Alip as awardees. In March former Prime Minister E.A. Cesar Virata and Island Cove and Leisure Park managing director Gilbert Remulla were honored in “Celebrating Cavite.” “My Marikina” honored former Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando along with the city’s shoemakers and retailers: Nelson Valentino of Valentino Shoes, Erlinda Salonga-Pastoral of Ohrelle, Anita Puzon-Salonga of Miliani, and Gilda Salonga-Cruz of Le Donne. Just last month, “Tayo Na Sa Antipolo” celebrated the Maytime festivities at SM City Masinag with honorees Chiqui Roa-Puno and Susan and Florence Hassig.

“My City, My SM” is a joint project of SM and the Department of Tourism with support from The Philippine STAR.