Rizalekturo: Re-Discovering Rizal in Multi-Media is a workshop founded by Lisa T. Bayot, a descendant of Jose Rizal and Maite P. Gallego, a relative of Maximo Viola, from the organization of My Rizal 150. This 3-day teacher training workshop developed and held from August 24-26, 2012 to provide teachers from all over the Philippines the opportunity to achieve and enliven the teachings of the life of Jose Rizal. Together with the help of the National Historical Commision of the Philippines (NHCP), National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the De La Salle College of St. Benilde, professionals from different careers prepared presentations and speeches to increase the knowledge and appreciation of Jose Rizal.

Ms. Betta Gallego-Kramer

One of the first speakers, Violeta “Betta” Gallego-Kramer, an MBA graduate of Stanford University and a teacher at International School Manila had a talk on ways of teaching Rizal in the 21st Century. The audience was asked “Who are the 21st century teachers and learners?” The students were “technology savvy” group of learners who are becoming dependent on technologies to guide them in learning. She had expressed to the audience that to have an interesting approach in teaching regarding Jose Rizal teachers should adapt to the student’s interest such as the internet, videos, and social networking site.

The talk ended with a challenge with Ms. Gallego-Kramer saying “Let’s not just be singing and dancing citizens of the world; let’s all be critical thinking citizens of the world and that’s a challenge”

Ms. Felice Prudente Sta. Maria

Other speakers like Felice Sta. Maria, an award-winning author of “IN EXCELSIS: The Mission and Vision of Jose Rizal”, talked about a simple way in discussing Jose Rizal that the Filipinos will surely enjoy: Food. The origin of some of our famous dishes signifies some of the highlights of Jose Rizal’s earlier life. Sinigang for example “helped unlock Rizal’s recognition of Global Human Rights and Responsibilities” (F. Sta. Maria, 2012); Sardines, which was a favorite of his was what he would always eat where he grew up in the lakeshore.

Mr. Vim Nadera

Poetry, Music and visuals as discussed by Vim Nadera, winner of an International Rizal Poetry Contest and a writer for the Manila Bulletin, shared that there are 39 poems that Jose Rizal wrote and used these to translate Rizal’s feelings at the time he wrote those poems. This is to share with the Filipinos different side of Rizal and to also get to know him through his emotions.

Ms. Gang Badoy

Gang Badoy, founder of RockEd Philippines, presented that holding concerts, writing songs and singing can be a unique genre of teaching as many people are more and more able to identify with music.

One of the last speakers, Dr. Isagani R. Cruz, President of The Manila Times College, shared that a successful way of reaching to Jose Rizal and his organizations are the use of social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. Citizens are able to write questions, comments, and suggestions about Jose Rizal, our country and issues and quotes from Rizal and the public can expect a well-thought reply.

Dr. Isagani Cruz

While there are a lot more ways to keep Jose Rizal in every teacher’s lesson plans, these are just some common examples and strategies to hold your students’ interest in lectures, projects and other activities. It may be of food, music, e-learning, poetry and other types of multi-media used to keeping Jose Rizal’s spirit alive in every Filipino’s life.

At the final day of the workshop, interaction with teachers was encouraged in activities held by independent theatre artists, the Sipat Lawin Ensembles, and a tour of the Luneta Park with Carlos Celdran, a cultural activitist and performing artist to tour and learn more about the Luneta Park.

Sipat Lawin Ensembles

The Rizalekturo workshop wrapped up with the 150 teachers and organizers enjoying the nice weather, walking around, appreciating sights, taking photos, and having fun and chatting with new friends at the Park. As a finale to the last day, a free ticket to a lights and sound show that showcases Jose Rizal’s life was given to the attendees.

Participants tour at the Luneta Park with Carlos Celdran and MyRizal organizers Lisa T. Bayot and Maite P. Gallego

With the huge success and great feedback given to the RizaLekturo organizers, founders Lisa Bayot and Maite Gallego, plan to host another to give an opportunity to teachers who were not able to attend this unique workshop.

For more information about MyRizal, RizaLekturo and upcoming events and contests please visit www.myrizal150.com, follow @MyRizalPH on Twitter and “like” MyRizal150 on Facebook and always remember the tagline “Celebrating the Rizal in me.”

Jose Rizal's Madrid Hang-out

Photos courtesy of Dominique Gallego

MyRizal Team with Cris Villongco. (L-R) Paul Zaldarriaga, Loi Ilustre, Maite Gallego, Cris Villonco, Lisa Bayot, Miko Liwanag. 5 August 2011 at the CCP's Little Theater

Noli Me Tangere poster. Gala Night 5 August 2011 at the CCP's Little Theater.

We, the pastry team of Diamond Hotel Philippines, offered our culinary expertise in line with the celebration of 150 years of Jose Rizal. As I, Pastry Chef Daniel Back and my sous-chef Robert Mempin decided on a form this celebratory cake would take, I remembered seeing the original copy of his first book ‘Noli Me Tangere’. Inspired by this powerful image, we set to work.
Initially,  we made a large Supermoist Cake, this being one of the most popular cakes we sell at the hotel’s tea lounge Kohikan and our patissiere in the Power Plant Mall, Makati called The Cake Club.  The Supermoist Cake is a dark and luxurious chocolate cake covered with chocolate ganache and finished with chocolate shavings.

We started by alternating 3 layers of  dark supermoist chocolate sponge cake and chocolate ganache.   Then we rolled out the white fondant icing, primarily used for wedding cakes, and carefully placed it over the cake.  The cake was made to ‘rest’ overnight in our chocolate room which is usually reserved for house-made pralines and bon-bons.  In the morning, a scanned version of the Noli Me Tangere  book cover was printed on edible paper using edible ink was placed over the cake. The sides were then framed with white chocolate and the book binding was made from white chocolate as well.  To secure the edible paper, the sides of the paper were bordered with dark chocolate.   Once the image and cover was in place, we placed the cake on a custom-made wooden plinth similar to the Rizal stand ready for transport to Fort Santiago in Intramuros.

While Chef Robert and I were preparing the commemorative cake, the rest of the pastry team produced over 100 petit Noli Me Tangere cakes complete with the same artwork. These cakes were given to the Descendents of Jose Rizal and other important guests. In all, the special Noli Me Tangere cake took us 2 days to create. It was a pleasure to be a part of this historical celebration in honor of  the 150 years of Jose Rizal.

Diamond Hotel's "Noli Me Tangere Cake"

Mini Noli Cakes. Photo by Pedro Javier.

Jose Rizal-labeled confections

Lisa Tinio Bayot speaks at Museo Pambata, with Trixie Herbosa Grau. Rizal as a hero as a young hero for the Filipino child, 28 May 2011. Assisted by My Rizal member Marie Ganal.

Lisa Tinio Bayot at Museo Pambata. Rizal as a hero as a young hero for the Filipino child, 28 May 2011.

Lisa Tinio Bayot at Museo Pambata. Rizal as a hero as a young hero for the Filipino child, 28 May 2011.

Trixie Herbosa Grau at Museo Pambata.

Facebook myRizal member Marie Ganal at Museo Pambata