San Jose Del Monte City unveils love marker

MANILA, Philippines—The “love locks” may have been gone now on Pont des Arts bridge in Paris but for the people of San Jose Del Monte City in Bulacan, they can express their undying, eternal affection in the city’s Rising HeARt marker.

“If they have love lock bridges in Paris and in Japan, then we also have our own love lock marker,” said Representative Florida “Rida” Robes.

Robes and her husband, SJDM Mayor Arturo “Arthur” Robes, are set to formally launch the marker, which the city hopes will be recognized as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

“Mayor Arthur and I envisioned this at the start of our terms and now we’re following through on this promise. We have made sure that San Jose del Monte is a place that nurtures the creative arts,” Representative Robes said.

“We want our city to be progressive in every way,” added Mayor Robes. “A booming economy is great, but we must not forget that there are so many more things that a community needs in order to be considered as fully developed.”

Among them, he said, is culture.

“We must not forget to celebrate our culture. We must be open to the ideas from various fields, such as the creative arts. They nurture a community’s soul,” he said.

The Robeses are unveiling The Rising HeARt marker on Monday at 5 p.m.

The marker is located along Barangka Road in Barangay Paradise 3, a hilly section of the city that offers a breathtaking view of the skyline of Metro Manila and other nearby cities and municipalities.

From the mountain, the nearby Padre Pio pilgrimage located in the district can be seen, as well as the renowned cross standing on Mt. Samat in Bataan.

The Rising HeARt marker serves as “a constant reminder that to all of us that the world, despite the chaos, will always be governed by peace, love, and compassion towards one another,” Representative Robes said

The unveiling of the marker is also apt for Valentine’s Day, as its accompanying heart-shaped structure will serve as a love lock repository.

“t’s something that the entire community can participate in. My husband and I have the honor of being the first couple to place a love lock in the Rising HeARt marker,” said the lawmaker.

“We look forward to having so many more love locks join ours,” said Mayor Robes. “The more the merrier. We get to see that there is so much love in San Jose del Monte. Cong. Robes and I like to think that all the happy thoughts will help us get a Creative City designation from UNESCO.”