tribute poem to the
Philippine national hero
Dr. Jose P. Rizal as exiled here
in Dapitan by the Spanish colonizers
before he was firing- squad- to -death
in Luneta, Manila 1898

Long before I heard
this historic place
even before I took up
civic and culture elementary
grade school subject

I visit here not for
educational tour
riding bus for hire
by a whole institutions
pressured by mentors
against consent by some parents
who never value about history

I am here to see
the ruins of Spanish era
the national hero's way of life
art of living
his bamboo shelter, clinic
mini- children school
kitchenette
and believe me
there is no single nail attaching
and connecting the shack
maybe Chinese hardware
at that time wasn't accessible yet

It is a self-intriguing tour
educating oneself
while matching Rizal's height
with mine
ranging 5' to 5' 3''
thru his life size statue
a rain or shine relic hero

Rommel Mark Dominguez Marchan

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/tourism-jose-rizal-standing-at-dapitan/