Barbara Gonzalez and her Calamba

MANILA, Philippines - The ongoing Rizal@150 celebrations have brought about much interest in our National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal — his life, his work, and his greatness with his birthplace in Calamba as the center of many activities.

“I really wish people would read more about him to learn what kind of man he was,” says great-grandniece Barbara Gonzalez. “He was a great man, and a very interesting man as well.”

Barbara’s great grandmother Maria was Rizal’s sister, a woman ahead of her time who married a younger man, became a single parent, and eventually evolved into a successful businesswoman. She opened a boxing arena in San Pablo and also acquired a lot of rental property.

As a child, Barbara recalls that she and her cousins would be awakened early in the morning, dressed in organdy dresses, and brought to the Luneta on a certain day of the year, later learning that these were for Rizal Day celebrations.

The family did not talk much about their illustrious ancestor, and it was only much later when she read Rizal by Austin Coates that she came to realize what an extraordinary man he was. She recalls being moved to tears by the book, especially Coates’ account of how Rizal marched to his execution with such serenity, dignity and grace, even greeting people on the way.

Located along Casa Real, just a few steps from the Old Calamba City Hall (now the city college) and the parish church is the shrine dedicated to our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. The shrine is a replica of the Spanish colonial style house where Rizal was born on June 19, 1861. Reconstructed in 1949, the Rizal Shrine is now maintained by the National Historical Commission, and houses furniture and kitchenware of the colonial era, as well as Dr. Rizal’s clothes, paintings, sculptures and laminated excerpts of his written works. In the garden is a bahay kubo, a replica of the nipa hut where Rizal used to spend his days as a child, as well as a statue of Rizal as a boy by Dudley Diaz.

Rizal, on the other hand, would have been proud of Barbara, who has had a successful career in advertising as president and CEO of J. Romero and Associates. She is also an accomplished writer — a weekly columnist for the Philippine STAR, the author of books like How Do You Know Your Pearls Are Real in 1991 and Illustrada (We are History) in 1998; and the winner of the National Book Award in 1992. Today, she works with her cousin Mia Faustmann as brand management director for 7 Castles, Inc., a manufacturer of silver jewelry.

Like Rizal, Barbara made Calamba her home — she lived at Makiling Greenheights for many years, and here she takes us around her Calamba, her SM.

“I would make a stop at St. Marc’s Chapel on the way to the National Arts Center in Mount Makiling.”

“SM has modernized Calamba, and with its prestige branding, comfort, and affordability, has become an upscale destination in the area.”

“If I would bring guests around Calamba, I would, of course, bring them to the Rizal Shrine.

As a member of the Rizal family, I am often asked what message I would have for young people. I tell them that that it is not necessary to do something heroic. Just overcome your fears, do your best, and you will be a hero to your family, who will build a monument for you.”

Barbara enjoys the home cooking at the Samaral Restaurant, which was named after samaral, spinefoot or rabbit fish that’s known for its firm, clean-tasting flesh that’s great with vinegar and rice.

“I would also bring them to my former neighborhood in La Mesa — Makiling Greenheights. Not everyone knows that there are exclusive subdivisions in Calamba and these are really very nice. Staying here amidst the beautiful natural surroundings and friendly people influenced me to go into gardening.”

“I would bring guests who love nature and the arts to the National Arts Center in nearby Los Baños.”

“I love the food in Laguna — our version of tamales, suman, and other kakanin. I also remember my Lola making batutay, and would bring guests to Samaral Restaurant because it is so lutong bahay.”

“My great grandmother supported herself by trying to sell all sorts of things, starting with jewelry, which probably explains why my cousins and I are still in that business. I have a cousin who already has a line of jewelry in Kultura, and for the Rizal@150 celebrations, we want to roll out a line of costume jewelry representing the women of Rizal and the jewelry they wear — like Teardrops designs for Leonor Rivera because she always cried for him.”

Some designs from the costume jewelry line of Barbara and her cousin in Kultura Filipino.

“I love to shop for what I need, and I usually find it in the mall. Just now, I’m lucky to have found this bulb I’ve long been looking for at Ace Hardware in Calamba.”