It’s time Filipinos see Rizal’s momentous works. The National Library, along with a pair of German conservators, ensures that the hero’s works live on for the next generation...
By RONALD S. LIM
May 7, 2011, 1:20pm
MANILA, Philippines — Ever since the Philippine government acquired the original manuscripts of the “Noli Me Tangere” and “Mi Ultimo Adios” in 1911, and “El Filibusterismo” in 1925, the National Library of the Philippines (NLP ) has kept vigilant watch over these priceless cultural artifacts.
There have been spectacular incidents involving the precious works – such as the theft, ransoming, and recovery of the “Noli”, “Fili”, and the “Ultimo” in 1961 — but the NLP has, by and large, kept these manuscripts safe and secure.
With the 150th anniversary of Jose Rizal quickly approaching, the NLP is taking further steps to ensure that Rizal’s manuscripts stay around for another hundred years.
Through two German conservators sent by the Federal Government of Germany, the Rizal manuscripts are being repaired and conserved for future generations of young Filipinos.
The preparations for this conservation project began as early in 2007, when former NLP director Prudenciana Cruz first thought of the idea. In 2008, a German librarian visited the NLP and conducted an analysis on the manuscripts,
which in turn resulted in two NLP employees going to Germany to train in conservation. From 2009 to 2010, the NLP set about building a conservation room and purchasing equipment for the project.
“We've entered into a memorandum of agreement for restoration and conservation with the Federal Government of Germany, and this is the fruition of the project,” says current NLP director Attorney Antonio M. Santos. “The intention is to have this as a way of celebrating the 150th year of Rizal. This project is made more significant because we are also celebrating our cultural heritage this May.”
This restoration project is certainly nothing to scoff at. Germany has already invested P2 million into the project, while the NLP has already received P2 million from the Department of Budget and Management to purchase the equipment recommended by the German conservators and to construct the conservation room.
In good shape
Monika Schneidereit-Gast and Katrin Hüpeden, the two German paper conservators in the country to work on the Rizal manuscripts, say that the works are in pretty good shape, with “Mi Ultimo Adios” hardly needing any repair at all. It is impressive, say the two, considering that the country's heat and humidity is not particularly kind to books and old manuscripts.
“I think the Library is going to do continuous efforts to keep it that way. I think they are coming up with a new vault for the objects.
There is no need for the vault right now, but the storage conditions can be improved for the long run,” shares Gast.
The other manuscripts involved in the project – the “Noli Me Tangere”, the “El Filibusterismo”, and “Gulliermo Tell” – will be undergoing a series of repairs to ensure that they last longer in the NLP 's storage facility.
“The 'Noli' now has broken areas, missing parts on the cover and on the side. We're going to re-attach the areas, we're going to mend the breaks and tears, and we're going to replace missing areas where more damage might occur if we don't do this,” explains Gast. “On the 'Fili', one page has a tear that has been mended with masking tape, which may cause further damage to the paper. We will take that off and attach the loose pages to the book block. We are going to close a few tears in the binding and re-attach the book block back to the binding.”
The pair knew of the objects from the report made by the visiting German librarian that analyzed the works in 2008. Finally a week ago, they were able to see the objects in person when they arrived in the country. They hope to finish the project in two weeks.
Knowing Rizal
Both Gast and Hüpeden admit to not having any idea of who Rizal was when first offered the project, but that they both became quickly aware of the importance of Rizal and his manuscripts to the Filipino people.
“I have to admit that I've never known Rizal before being approached for this project. Nobody I spoke with in Germany ever heard of him. But now we are very well aware of how precious and how unique the objects are for this nation,” shares Gast. “They are unique for us as well, and it is a very special occasion for us. We've never experienced doing something extraordinary like this everyday, going to another country on the other side of the world.”
Anne Rosette G. Crelencia, Librarian III for the Rare Books and Manuscripts section and the Special Collections section under the Filipiniana Division, says that the project can spur the training of local NLP staff to do the conservation work themselves.
“We're looking to having some formal training for the staff to be able to do the restoration themselves. The priority would be the rare books and manuscripts collections, with the Rizal manuscripts and the postcards and the letters.
To follow are the Philippine Revolutionary Papers which are equally important to our history,” she says.
Public exhibition
NLP director Antonio M. Santos also revealed that there are plans to exhibit the restored works for a short time to the public, in the hopes of instilling the same appreciation that the German conservators have acquired in the process of working with the manuscripts.
“We intend to have the multiplier effect of this project take effect. This is just a start of possibly a massive campaign for fixing other special collections in the library,” he says.
“We plan to exhibit these works for a short time, but the ultimate objective is to leave a legacy for the next generation to really see this.”
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