Germany, PHL to restore Jose Rizal manuscripts

Two of the country's greatest literary and historical treasures — the original manuscripts of Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo — are in danger of being lost forever because of inadequate preservation, according to GMA News TV's "State of the Nation." The original copies of the two novels which Jose Rizal himself bound together are in danger of becoming permanently damaged. Some of the pages are torn while others already have molds. To save the Noli and Fili manuscripts, the German and Philippine governments will pool resources in time for the 150th birth anniversary of the national hero. According to Rosette Crelencia, section head of the Rare Books and Manuscripts in the National Library, the documents ought to be kept in temperatures between 18-20 degrees Celsius in the National Library vault. "But we cannot assure that the condition inside is ideal for the manuscripts because the air conditioning system we have is not stable and it's not 24/7," she said. Germany and the Philippines will be shelling out P2 million each to buy new equipment for the restoration project. Experts from the Deutsches Literaturarchiv Marbach will be flying to Manila to facilitate the conservation and restoration of the manuscripts. Aside from the two novels, the diaries and sketches of Rizal, and Katipunan documents will also be preserved. — With Bea Cupin/ELR/VS, GMA News