A Trip To Rizal Shrine…
Field trips are always fun. Not only it enables you to learn and appreciate your environment but also it brings bonding to your group. Honestly, I have gone to Rizal’s Shrine both in Intramuros and Laguna a couple of times already, whether I am with my family or with my classmates but that was when I had a not-fully-developed memory and understanding of things. Now that I have refreshed my blurred vision of what Rizal’s Shrine looked like in Intramuros and in Laguna, I thought there would be no learning because of the aforementioned statement but I was wrong. There was indeed a difference. A 
Difference in looking, in perceiving and in understanding things. For the reason that I have grown and I have different group of people as my companion, who at some point had influenced the way I recognize things.
We first visited Intramuros where I saw Rizal’s footprints— again. Being nostalgic, I remembered when I was a little girl, I enthusiastically follow Rizal’s metal footsteps, which I thought was big but now, my feet doesn’t even fit in Rizal’s shoes. I still tried to follow it, and as I went farther, I realized all his efforts just for freedom to reign in our poor country. I knew that with each step, are his hardships and dedication for the betterment of the future Filipinos— us.
Second stop— Rizal’s house at Calamba, Laguna. I honestly thought going there was just a waste of time, money and energy but again, I was wrong. Upon entering Rizal’s house, I saw their utensils, bedroom, dining room and even their bathroom but one thing I noticed is that, their things are small, this made me conclude that Rizal’s family is not that big or tall. Then it made me think of something worth realizing, I realized that even if Rizal is not a tall person, you can never step onto him, his principles and his philosophy. Even if he is just small, he has a magnificent and brilliant heart and mind, in which until now, his life and works affect each one of us. It is still the basis for each crucial decision our country needs to take.
Visiting places where memorabilia of Rizal are in, is just one of the ways in depicting Jose Rizal as a Filipino Hero. Preserving his properties is one way of giving and paying respect to his great contribution in the Philippine History but we should all remember that it is not only through that, in which we can show our tribute to him, it’s by living with his teachings from his essays, novels, poems and most especially, from his example. Through that, he will much appreciate it as he delightfully envisioned the future Philippines.
To wrap up our exposure in Rizal class, I gained something unique by simply walking through the walls of his home in Calamba and chronicling his long walk at Intramuros. How I missed field trips. Good thing we had this activity. Rain or shine, we still pursued the trip for we know, it’s a blessing and indeed, it was.
Learning outside the four corners of the classroom, I believe is the best way in which an individual never forgets because he explores on his own and yes, it is life changing.
Though Jose Rizal is just a small person, Indeed, There is no small thing that can’t blind your eyes.