HISTORIC DATE

As a revolutionary anniversary in the Philippines, March 29 is usually associated with the Hukbo ng Bayan Laban Sa Hapon (1942) or the New People’s Army (1969). Just as revolutionary is the 120th anniversary on March 29 when national hero Jose Rizal finished writing his second great novel El Filibusterismo in 1891. This and his first great novel Noli me Tangere in 1886 are said to be “Two Novels That Made a Revolution,” the Philippine Revolution of 1896. In this photo, the Noli and the Fili are uniquely part this time of the usual Rizal statue found in every municipality or city of the country, this one at the municipal hall of Canaman, Camarines Sur, just outside Naga City. (Photo and caption by Judge Soliman M. Santos, Jr., RTC Branch 61 Naga City)