Calamba on the Rush

A tricyle passes through front of the plaza where map of Calamba is depicted by a huge jar.

Visiting Calamba City from Canlubang will most often be problematic if one has to go there by jeepney. Traffic situation is worse unless one has to get out of Mayapa and proceed to Calamba City proper via South Luzon Expressway by car. Nonetheless, Calamba City will always bring excitement to me.

The city of Calamba, besides being the birthplace of Jose Rizal, is home to continuing development. One morning I had to rush to the town proper as if I was in panic that I might be relieved from my present post anytime soon and I may not be able to go back to Rizal's home anymore. With my heavy backpack still with me from an out-of-town trip, I headed to the town proper where Jose Rizal's home is located. Rizal (1861-1896), being the national hero of the Philippines, brings meaning to the city, its history and the Laguna de Bay where many of his writings were hatched from the inspiration therefrom.

Rizal's family home is a symbol of being an illustrado during the Spanish occupation.

Resting place of Rizal's known parents, Francisco and Teodora.

I have been to the shrine for several times already but I would love to be back in due time. I do like the huge jar amid the plaza because it represents the barangays of Calamba. Opposite the park lies the Roman Catholic church built during Spanish occupation. It is in the said church where Jose Rizal was baptized by Fr. Rufino Collantes on June 22, 1861 with Fr. Pedro Casanas as godfather.

Westward the church is the Rizal National Shrine. The shrine is Rizal's family's home. It was restored through Executive Order No. 145 issued by President Elpidio Quirino and "with funds mainly contributed by school children of the Philippines," as the inscription says. The architect was Juan F. Nakpil and it was inaugurated in 1950. 

The spacious yard welcomes daily the people of Calamba and tourists who flock the shrine for free. Huge trees provide shelter and mementos of the family and that of Jose Rizal abound the place - inside the house and in the exhibits. The shrine also features a Filipino artist; during my visit, Bernadette Solina Wolf's art on coconut shell,  are indeed stunning.

Replica of Rizal's bahay kubo

Sto. Nino, a work of art in a coconut shell by Bernadette Solina Wolf

The shrine also houses the remains of known parents of the national hero, Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonzo. The bahay kubo (small house made of thatch), looks refreshing and is always a welcome to the visitors - children and adults.

From Rizal Shrine, I headed immediately to Kawit, Cavite where the duty guard in Aguinaldo Shrine asked me of what was Rizal's word for Aguinaldo then.

What Visitors Can Do in Nuvali

When you say Nuvali, remember green. It is a green community and they say "evoliving" in Nuvali.

Few years ago, Nuvali was just a sight on my way to PNPA. Now, it is not an ordinary sight. It is already a place to go. If one does not live in Nuvali, one can still go there to have fun - dine, walk and more than that.

There is no readily available means of public transportation except a jeepney bound for Tagaytay from Sta. Rosa. So, the best way to get there is to bring your own car or pool with a group of friends. If you live nearby, biking to Nuvali will do. 

What to see in Nuvali includes shops. Restaurants, fine dining, coffee. Walking is more fun here because there is enough space for you to walk and even stretch your arms. Air is fresh and you can breath more of it compared to the quality of air in Metro Manila.

Take a look at the facade of the spacious Starbucks branch in Nuvali. There you will see the above huge piece of marble. A friend told me it is Mindoro marble. Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, which is abundant in the Philippines. It is used usually as flooring of high-end (and not so high-end) homes and buildings.

Aside from shops, BPO activity is also present in Nuvali. This indicates indeed that from north to south, the Philippines remains as a business process outsourcing destination in the world. The picture above is a building where Convergys do business. Convergys also operates in other parts of the country including Makati City in Metro Manila. 

Spacious playground provide ample place to play for family and friends. Some can even have kite flying or sit on green grass that abound the place. 

Nuvali is a haven for unique architecture and designs. It is a place to express various arts. The sculpture above is an example. It is called "The Last Tree," welded scrap metal and found objects assemblage.

The marker says: 

With a timely message on the care and preservation of nature, sculptor Mario A Mallari Jr gathered metallic scrap materials to evoke a human figure caring for the last tree.

Mario A. Mallari Jr found a niche in the Philippine art scene by re-configuring recycled scrap metal into powerful sculpture forms and imagery. The artist has been earning the respect of fellow visual artists for his works that continue to gain peer recognition as well as for his advocacy to nature conservation.

Walk, refresh, sightseeing; there are other things to do in Nuvali even if you do not live in there. Biking, fish feeding and boat riding can be done at standard rates and regular schedule. For bike rental, rate is 60 pesos per hour from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Cut off time is 4:45 p.m. Just present any valid identification and sign a waiver. Bike rules are as follows:

1. Wear safety helmets all the time when riding a bike.
2. Use designated bike lane/paths only.
3. Only one person is allowed per bike.
4. No racing, no sandals, no slippers.

School of fish - colorful (and obese?). Nothing to wonder about having healthy fish because visitors come to feed them almost in the whole day. If you don't have your own fish pen or even a small aquarium, you can go to Nuvali to feed those colorful swimming creatures. Feeding time runs from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. while fish feeds is available from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. As less expensive as 15 pesos per pack of fish feeds, children (and adults too) can have already enjoy the fun of feeding fish.

What makes Nuvali so refreshing to me are not only the greens but the water as well. The lagoon is home to the colorful school of fish and a venue to taxi boat rides. For a round trip taxi boat ride, you have to pay 30 pesos per head. Special trip will be arranged for a minimum passenger of six persons while the maximum is 12 persons per trip.

Here are the rules in riding the taxi boat:

1. Life jacket must be worn at all times.
2. No standing while boat is in motion.
3. No spitting/littering.
4. Children below 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
5. For any assistance, call the attention of Boat Captain and Lifeguard.

Boat ride is available from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

We went there to stroll in early afternoon. Though it was still too hot because the sun is still up, we enjoyed the little time of stay. If you will make the most of the outdoor activities, I would suggest going there in late afternoon when the sun is setting fast. For dining, however, anytime of the day will do, as soon as the shop or restaurant has already opened.

Nuvali is a clean and green place. So, dispose your  litter properly. Stay clean and green not just when going there but wherever you may go. That is what the Last Tree's ultimate message means.