Lakbay Jose Rizal @ 150 | The Dark Side of the Project

Doing the Lakbay Rizal @ 150 is fun and very fulfilling so far. I've learned a lot and enjoyed the trail in Calamba, Manila and Antipolo. As of now, I had my passport stamped with 12 sites already (but BULLSH*T, it should've been 14 already).

I just came from Malolos and Pampanga just a few hours ago. I was hoping to get my 13th and 14th stamp there, unfortunately both the Malolos City Hall and Pampanga Provincial Capitol know nothing about this DOT/NHI project.


I developed the following Lakbay BULLSH*TS from my Malolos and Pampanga misadventure:

Lakbay BULLSH*T #1 - What stamp?

What do you mean you don't know the stamp? DOT placed your office on the passport (they should've at least informed you about this), knowing nothing about this project is a BIG non sense.

Lakbay BULLSH*T #2 - Where is the stamp?

Since they don't know anything about the Lakbay Rizal @150 Project, we don't know where to get the stamp. The people in Malolos City Hall directed us to tourism office, to mayor's office, to Casa Real (pinagpasa-pasahan kami). The stamp should be at the guard post, but there's no guard post (an important building with no guard? whatda?)

Malolos City Hall

Pampanga Provincial Capitol

Lakbay BULLSH*T #3 - Sorry we're closed

No way! We were not told that your office is closed on weekends. In the first place, it is written CLEARLY on the Rizal Passport that the stamp should be at the guard post (we assumed that the guard post is open 24/7), but there was NO guard post.  

Also, last June 18 when we visited Jose Rizal's house at Calamba, they did not allow us to enter the house. They said that they were preparing for PNoy's arrival for the event on the following day (sana man lang may abiso sila na iko-close nila ang bahay for that day). I saw a group of children, around 7-8 years of age, also denied from entering the house (I saw the feeling of heart break in their faces). Good thing they stamped our passports, kung hindi baka nag-wala ako doon.  

Lakbay BULLSH*T #4 - You're on the wrong site

Another misinformation in the Rizal Passport is the location of the Universidad de Santo Tomas Stamp in Intramuros. It is written there that the stamp should be in the Maestranza guard house. I walked and searched for that guard house for almost an hour, but I found no stamp site around Maestranza area in Intramuros. When I got inside the Fort Santiago, they have the UST stamp there. (O di ba, pinagod ka muna sa Maestranza)

lost in Maestranza area

Lakbay BULLSH*T #5 - Poor little traveler

My story is just a minor bullsh*t . Those who traveled from far far province/island of the country surely experienced the greater BULLSHIT. A lady at the Malolos City Hall told us that there was a traveler from Mindanao who wished to get the Malolos Stamp also experienced the BULLSHITS listed above (for me, that's one BIGGER BULLSH*T). His time and his effort, all were wasted.

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Calling calling DOT, I mean no harm to your Rizal@150 Project, I actually love it, but the misadventure I just experienced was a big turn off. All I want is improvement and better info dissemination, particularly to every stamp sites. I am expecting the organizer's attention and I hope you'll do something about this.     

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