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The Life and Legacy of José Rizal: National Hero of the Philippines

Dr. José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, is not only admired for possessing intellectual brilliance but also for taking a stand and resisting the Spanish colonial government. While his death sparked a revolution to overthrow the tyranny, Rizal will always be remembered for his compassion towards the Filipino people and the country.

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Humble beginnings

José Protasio Rizal Mercado Y Alonso Realonda was born on June 19, 1861 to Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonzo in the town of Calamba in the province of Laguna. He had nine sisters and one brother. At the early age of three, the future political leader had already learned the English alphabet. And, by the age of five, José could already read and write.

Upon enrolling at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila (now referred to as Ateneo De Manila University ), he dropped the last three names in his full name, after his brother’s advice – hence, being known as José Protasio Rizal. His performance in school was outstanding – winning various poetry contests, impressing his professors with his familiarity of Castilian and other foreign languages, and crafting literary essays that were critical of the Spanish historical accounts of pre-colonial Philippine societies.

A man with multiple professions

While he originally obtained a land surveyor and assessor’s degree in Ateneo, Rizal also took up a preparatory course on law at the University of Santo Tomas (UST). But when he learned that his mother was going blind, he decided to switch to medicine school in UST and later on specialized in ophthalmology. In May 1882, he decided to travel to Madrid in Spain , and earned his Licentiate in Medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid.

Apart from being known as an expert in the field of medicine, a poet, and an essayist, Rizal exhibited other amazing talents. He knew how to paint, sketch, and make sculptures. Because he lived in Europe for about 10 years, he also became a polyglot – conversant in 22 languages. Aside from poetry and creative writing, Rizal had varying degrees of expertise in architecture, sociology, anthropology, fencing, martial arts, and economics to name a few.

His novels awakened Philippine nationalism

Rizal had been very vocal against the Spanish government, but in a peaceful and progressive manner. For him, “the pen was mightier than the sword.” And through his writings, he exposed the corruption and wrongdoings of government officials as well as the Spanish friars.

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While in Barcelona, Rizal contributed essays, poems, allegories, and editorials to the Spanish newspaper, La Solidaridad. Most of his writings, both in his essays and editorials, centered on individual rights and freedom, specifically for the Filipino people . As part of his reforms, he even called for the inclusion of the Philippines to become a province of Spain.

But, among his best works , two novels stood out from the rest – Noli Me Tángere (Touch Me Not) and El Filibusterismo ( The Reign of the Greed).

In both novels, Rizal harshly criticized the Spanish colonial rule in the country and exposed the ills of Philippine society at the time. And because he wrote about the injustices and brutalities of the Spaniards in the country, the authorities banned Filipinos from reading the controversial books. Yet they were not able to ban it completely. As more Filipinos read the books, their eyes opened to the truth that they were suffering unspeakable abuses at the hands of the friars. These two novels by Rizal, now considered his literary masterpieces, are said to have indirectly sparked the Philippine Revolution.

Rizal’s unfateful days

Upon his return to the Philippines, Rizal formed a progressive organization called the La Liga Filipina. This civic movement advocated social reforms through legal means. Now Rizal was considered even more of a threat by the Spanish authorities (alongside his novels and essays), which ultimately led to his exile in Dapitan in northern Mindanao .

This however did not stop him from continuing his plans for reform. While in Dapitan, Rizal built a school, hospital, and water system. He also taught farming and worked on agricultural projects such as using abaca to make ropes.

In 1896, Rizal was granted leave by then Governor-General Blanco, after volunteering to travel to Cuba to serve as doctor to yellow fever victims. But at that time, the Katipunan had a full-blown revolution and Rizal was accused of being associated with the secret militant society. On his way to Cuba, he was arrested in Barcelona and sent back to Manila to stand for trial before the court martial. Rizal was charged with sedition, conspiracy, and rebellion – and therefore, sentenced to death by firing squad.

Days before his execution, Rizal bid farewell to his motherland and countrymen through one of his final letters, entitled Mi último adiós or My Last Farewell. Dr. José Rizal was executed on the morning of December 30, 1896, in what was then called Bagumbayan (now referred to as Luneta). Upon hearing the command to shoot him, he faced the squad and uttered in his final breath: “ Consummatum est” (It is finished). According to historical accounts , only one bullet ended the life of the Filipino martyr and hero.

His legacy lives on

After his death, the Philippine Revolution continued until 1898. And with the assistance of the United States , the Philippines declared its independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. This was the time that the Philippine flag was waved at General Emilio Aguinaldo’s residence in Kawit, Cavite.

Today, Dr. Rizal’s brilliance, compassion, courage, and patriotism are greatly remembered and recognized by the Filipino people. His two novels are continuously being analyzed by students and professionals.

Colleges and universities in the Philippines even require their students to take a subject which centers around the life and works of Rizal. Every year, the Filipinos celebrate Rizal Day – December 30 each year – to commemorate his life and works. Filipinos look back at how his founding of La Liga Filipina and his two novels had an effect on the early beginnings of the Philippine Revolution. The people also recognize his advocacy to achieve liberty through peaceful means rather than violent revolution.

In honor of Rizal, memorials and statues of the national hero can be found not only within the Philippines, but in selected cities around the world. A road in the Chanakyapuri area of New Delhi (India) and in Medan, Indonesia is named after him. The José Rizal Bridge and Rizal Park in the city of Seattle are also dedicated to the late hero.

Within the Philippines, there are streets, towns/cities, a university (Rizal University), and a province named after him. Three species have also been named after Rizal – the Draco rizali (a small lizard, known as a flying dragon), Apogania rizali (a very rare kind of beetle with five horns) and the Rhacophorus rizali (a peculiar frog species).

To commemorate what he did for the country, the Philippines built a memorial park for him – now referred to as Rizal Park, found in Manila . There lies a monument which contains a standing bronze sculpture of Rizal, an obelisk, and a stone base said to contain his remains. The monument stands near the place where he fell during his execution in Luneta.

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Biography of José Rizal, National Hero of the Philippines

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José Rizal (June 19, 1861–December 30, 1896) was a man of intellectual power and artistic talent whom Filipinos honor as their national hero. He excelled at anything that he put his mind to: medicine, poetry, sketching, architecture, sociology, and more. Despite little evidence, he was martyred by Spanish colonial authorities on charges of conspiracy, sedition, and rebellion when he was only 35.

Fast Facts: José Rizal

• Known For : National hero of the Philippines for his key role inspiring the Philippine Revolution against colonial Spain
• Also Known As: José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
• Born : June 19, 1861, at Calamba, Laguna
• Parents : Francisco Rizal Mercado and Teodora Alonzo y Quintos
• Died : December 30, 1896, in Manila, the Philippines
• Education : Ateneo Municipal de Manila; studied medicine at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila; medicine and philosophy at the Universidad Central de Madrid; ophthalmology at the University of Paris and the University of Heidelberg
• Published Works : Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo
• Spouse : Josephine Bracken (married two hours before his death)
• Notable Quote: "On this battlefield man has no better weapon than his intelligence, no other force but his heart."

José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was born on June 19, 1861, at Calamba, Laguna, the seventh child of Francisco Rizal Mercado and Teodora Alonzo y Quintos. The family were wealthy farmers who rented land from the Dominican religious order. Descendants of a Chinese immigrant named Domingo Lam-co, they changed their name to Mercado ("market") under the pressure of anti-Chinese feeling among the Spanish colonizers.

From an early age, Rizal showed a precocious intellect. He learned the alphabet from his mother at the age of 3 and could read and write at age 5.

Rizal attended the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, graduating at age 16 with the highest honors. He took a post-graduate course there in land surveying.

Rizal completed his surveyor's training in 1877 and passed the licensing exam in May 1878, but he could not receive a license to practice because he was only 17. He was granted a license in 1881 when he reached the age of majority.

In 1878, the young man enrolled in the University of Santo Tomas as a medical student. He later quit the school, alleging discrimination against Filipino students by the Dominican professors.

In May 1882, Rizal got on a ship to Spain without informing his parents. He enrolled at the Universidad Central de Madrid after arriving. In June 1884, he received his medical degree at the age of 23; the following year, he graduated from the Philosophy and Letters department.

Inspired by his mother's advancing blindness, Rizal next went to the University of Paris and then to the University of Heidelberg for further study in ophthalmology. At Heidelberg, he studied under the famed professor Otto Becker (1828–1890). Rizal finished his second doctorate at Heidelberg in 1887.

Rizal lived in Europe for 10 years and picked up a number of languages. He could converse in more than 10 different tongues. While in Europe, the young Filipino impressed everyone he met with his charm, intelligence, and mastery of a range of different fields of study. Rizal excelled at martial arts, fencing, sculpture, painting, teaching, anthropology , and journalism, among other areas.

During his European sojourn, he also began to write novels. Rizal finished his first book, " Noli Me Tangere " (Latin for "Touch Me Not"), while living in Wilhelmsfeld, Germany, with the Rev. Karl Ullmer.

Rizal wrote "Noli Me Tangere" in Spanish; it was published in 1887 in Berlin, Germany. The novel is a scathing indictment of the Catholic Church and Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines, and its publication cemented Rizal's position on the Spanish colonial government's list of troublemakers. When Rizal returned home for a visit, he received a summons from the governor-general and had to defend himself against charges of disseminating subversive ideas.

Although the Spanish governor accepted Rizal's explanations, the Catholic Church was less willing to forgive. In 1891, Rizal published a sequel, titled " El Filibusterismo ." When published in English, it was titled "The Reign of Greed."

In his novels and newspaper editorials, Rizal called for a number of reforms of the Spanish colonial system in the Philippines. He advocated freedom of speech and assembly, equal rights before the law for Filipinos, and Filipino priests in place of the often-corrupt Spanish churchmen. In addition, Rizal called for the Philippines to become a province of Spain, with representation in the Spanish legislature, the Cortes Generales .

Rizal never called for independence for the Philippines. Nonetheless, the colonial government considered him a dangerous radical and declared him an enemy of the state.

In 1892, Rizal returned to the Philippines. He was almost immediately accused of being involved in the brewing rebellion and was exiled to Dapitan City, on the island of Mindanao. Rizal would stay there for four years, teaching school and encouraging agricultural reforms.

During that period, the people of the Philippines grew more eager to revolt against the Spanish colonial presence. Inspired in part by Rizal's progressive organization La Liga , rebel leaders such as Andres Bonifacio (1863–1897) began to press for military action against the Spanish regime.

In Dapitan, Rizal met and fell in love with Josephine Bracken, who brought her stepfather to him for a cataract operation. The couple applied for a marriage license but were denied by the Church, which had excommunicated Rizal.

The Philippine Revolution broke out in 1896. Rizal denounced the violence and received permission to travel to Cuba to tend to victims of yellow fever in exchange for his freedom. Bonifacio and two associates sneaked aboard the ship to Cuba before it left the Philippines and tried to convince Rizal to escape with them, but Rizal refused.

He was arrested by the Spanish on the way, taken to Barcelona, and then extradited to Manila for trial. Rizal was tried by court-martial and charged with conspiracy, sedition, and rebellion. Despite a lack of evidence of his complicity in the Revolution, Rizal was convicted on all counts and given a death sentence.

He was allowed to marry Bracken two hours before his execution by firing squad in Manila on December 30, 1896. Rizal was just 35 years old.

José Rizal is remembered today throughout the Philippines for his brilliance, courage, peaceful resistance to tyranny, and compassion. Filipino schoolchildren study his final literary work, a poem called " Mi Ultimo Adios " ("My Last Goodbye"), and his two famous novels.

Spurred by Rizal's martyrdom, the Philippine Revolution continued until 1898. With assistance from the United States, the Philippine archipelago defeated the Spanish army. The Philippines declared independence from Spain on June 12, 1898, becoming the first democratic republic in Asia.

• de Ocampo, Estaban A. " Dr. Jose Rizal, Father of Filipino Nationalism ." Journal of Southeast Asian History .
• Rizal, José. "One Hundred Letters of José Rizal." Philippine National Historical Society.
• Valenzuela, Maria Theresa. " Constructing National Heroes: Postcolonial Philippine and Cuban Biographies of José Rizal and José Martí ." Biography .
• Revolutionary Heroes of the Philippines
• Biography of Andrés Bonifacio, Filipino Revolutionary Leader
• Profile of Emilio Jacinto of the Philippines
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How Rizal Became the National Hero of the Philippines

Find out why Jose Rizal (and not Andres Bonifacio) is the national hero of the Philippines.

It has always been a heated argument on who deserves to be called Philippine’s national hero — Jose Rizal or Andres Bonifacio.

Why is Jose Rizal the national hero of the Philippines? It is interesting to note that Jose Rizal’s heroism was recognized first by the colonizing Americans and later on by General Emilio Aguinaldo.

Recommended by US Governor Taft

The Americans (through the American Governor William Howard Taft) recommended to the Philippine Commission, which was sponsored by the US, to declare Jose Rizal as a national hero for the Filipinos. The Americans recommended Rizal because of the fact that he was executed by the Spaniards and of his peaceful way to achieve liberty. Unlike Andres Bonifacio whose desire to achieve independence for his native land required armed approach. The Americans deemed this approach to independence of Andres Bonifacio to be unacceptable and may inspire other Filipinos to rebel against American rule. This is why Jose Rizal was chosen over him as the national hero. Jose Rizal was declared as the greatest Filipino hero during the American colonization after the Aguinaldo led armed forces were subdued during the Philippine-American war.

December 30th as National Day of Mourning

General Emilio Aguinaldo was the first one to declare December 30th as a national day of mourning in honor of Rizal and others who have died fighting the Spanish tyranny.

The Pen Is Mightier Than the Sword

The Philippine revolution led by Andres Bonifacio was fueled by the writings of Jose Rizal, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which made a more lasting impression. This is one of the best arguments of those who believe that Rizal is rightfully the national hero. Rizal was truly an inspiration to many Filipinos during the Spanish period. According to the historian Rafael Palma, Rizal was more deserving of the national hero title. Rizal was even thought to have suggested that Antonio Luna lead the revolutionary forces since Luna has studied military science which was a brilliant idea to lessen casualties against the powerhouse Spanish militia. Rizal believed that only an army that was well prepared and had enough arms would ensure victory .

Founder of La Liga Filipina

Jose Rizal founded the La Liga Filipina, a civic organization that led to the creation of the Katipunan headed by Andres Bonifacio. This fact may already substantiate that Rizal’s title was deserving since without the La Liga Filipina, Andres Bonifacio and his army would have been non-existent.

Everything started with Rizal. Philippine Revolution against Spain started what was known as the First Republic led by Emilio Aguinaldo.

For Rizal, violence or armed resistance only as a last resort and considered the restoration of the people’s dignity as a justification means of achieving national liberation and self-rule. On the other hand, Filipinos are also grateful to Andres Bonifacio’s legacy, his advocacy to an armed revolution. We credit both Rizal and Bonifacio for awakening the patriotic spirit of Filipinos.

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Republic of the Philippines Department of Education Regional Office I

Jose rizal, national hero of the philippines.

“To foretell the destiny of a nation, it is necessary to open the book of stories that tells of his past and let it seeds grow as inspirations…”

Every hero in our history is a product of his own time. Hence it is equally important to give due recognition and learn the significant facts about the life, heroic deeds, sense of nationhood, patriotism, and struggles for the country`s freedom like that of Dr. Jose P. Rizal who was destined  as National Hero and our patriot.

Dr. Jose P. Rizal is known to be a mixture of races, in his veins, runs the blood of the blending of the East and West and this could be shown in Rizal`s Lineage. On the paternal side, the Great- Great Grandparents of Jose Rizal, Domingo Lam-co and Ines dela Rosa are both Chinese merchant traders while on the maternal side, the great – great grandparents were Eugenio Ursua, a Japanese and Benigna, a Filipino. More so, the great grandparents and his grandparents both from paternal and maternal side has a mixture of races of Spanish-Filipino and Filipino- Chinese- Japanese. Therefore, Rizal inherited the following traits from his ancestors such as the sense of frugality and industriousness (Chinese); self- determination and courage (Malay); open competition and decision- making (Japanese); and sensitivity and self-esteem (Spanish). These hereditary traits could be traced in the entire life of Rizal.

As regards to the conception, Jose “ Pepe”  Rizal was born on the 19 th day of June 1861 in Calamba, Laguna, between eleven and midnight of Wednesday. He was the seventh among the eleventh children and the second son of Francisco and Teodora Mercado Rizal. He was named Jose Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda. Her mother named him Jose in honor of Saint Joseph whom his mother was a devotee. His second name Protasio , was taken from Saint Protasius , the saint during  his birth.

His mother experienced difficulty in delivery that almost took her life but she was saved when she made a pledge to the virgin of Antipolo. Three days after his birth, Jose was baptized as a Roman Catholic by Father Rufino Collantes. Don  Pedro Casanas served as his godfather.

Rizal`s family came from the affluent principalia ( native nobilities) citizen. They owned a stone house, a carriage, a library and were able to send children to school which were the symbols of a well-to-do family during that time.

Rizal`s early taste of education was surrounded by people who possessed different skills and talents which were selflessly shared to him. The first teacher of Rizal was his mother, who was a remarkable woman of good character and fine culture. On her lap, he learned at the age of three the alphabet and the prayers. “My mother,” wrote Rizal in his student memoirs, “taught me how to read and to say haltingly the humble prayers which I raised fervently to God”. It was also his mother who transmitted to him her love of Tagalog poetry and related him lot of stories and one of which was the famous Story of Moth .

Rizal had his early formal education in Calamba and Biñan. It was a typical schooling that a son of an illustrado family received during his time, characterized by the four R’s- reading, writing, arithmetic, and religion. He mastered the basic Latin and Spanish courses which were required for higher learning. In academic studies, Jose beat all Biñan boys. He surpassed them all in Spanish, Latin, and other subjects. He continued his schooling in Ateneo de Manila under the supervision of Jesuits who brought advancement to the educational system in the Philippines in 1865. Academically, Rizal was a brilliant, diligent, and competent student which made him to become consistent “emperor” in their class and received consistent sobresaliente (excellent) grades in all his subjects. Jose Rizal was characterized as a voracious reader, he read both fiction and non-fiction books and loved reading books in History. His five years of stay in Ateneo developed his artistic skills in poetry where he was able to compose numerous poems on education, religion, childhood memories as well as defeats and victories on war. Through the guidance of the Peninsular Don Augustin Saez, his knowledge in drawing and painting was awakened while the sculptural abilities were molded by Romualdo de Jesus in his sculpture shop. Two of his plastic arts preserved in the Ateneo Library- the figure of Our Lady and the image of the Sacred Heart.

His diligent labors in Ateneo paid off when he finished his degree in Bachelor of Arts on March 23, 1877, with highest honors- sobresaliente (excellent). Indeed, the Jesuit system of education really cultivated Rizal`s drive towards excellence through his academics, developed his patriotic sentiments in his writings and further strengthened his faith through the foundation of religion. Even to the very last hour of his life, he expressed his deepest sentiment to his school which means that Ateneo really did contribute  to the formation of the young Rizal.

Having finished his Bachelor of Arts in Ateneo, Rizal was qualified to enter the Royal and Pontificial Universidad de Santo Tomas, a school supervised by the Dominicans. He enrolled  in the Preparatory Course of Theology and Law taking the course Philosophia y Letras ( Philosophy and Letters) where he obtained sobresaliente(excellent ) grades in all his subjects. Rizal also finished vocational courses: surveying, agriculture, and topography at the age only of seventeen. With the advised of Father Pablo Ramon and his concern to the state of mother`s sight, Rizal shifted to the Preparatory Course of Medicine. In medicine, Rizal did not shine as he done at the Ateneo nevertheless, among the twenty four (24) students enrolled in Medicine, he was one among the seven (7) who reached the beginning of the fifth year course until he decided to continue his studies abroad.

Though he was not able to finish his course in the university, he earned a lot of meaningful experiences like as a teenager, it was a normal experience in the life of Rizal to be attracted with the opposite sex and he felt the first emotion of love with Segundina Katigbak, a schoolmate of his sister Olimpia followed by the two Leonors- Leonor Valenzuela and Leonor Rivera. The proper values taught to him were became meaningful too as he needed them for his next challenges in life- to study abroad.

It was on May 3, 1882 when Rizal left Philippines and moved to  Spain for the first time. He boarded the Salvadora using a passport of Jose Mercado, which was procured for him by his uncle Antonio Rivera, father of Leonor Rivera. He was accompanied to the quay where the Salvadora was moored by his uncle Antonio, Vicente Gella, and Mateo Evangelista.

After three months of stay in Barcelona, Spain, Rizal moved to Madrid Spain and enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine and at the same time in the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters. He also took lessons in languages in Ateneo de Madrid, studied painting and sculpture where he received prizes, scholarships and good grades in his academics that moved his compatriots to become serious too in their studies. The scholastic years of Rizal in Europe was different from that of the Philippines because since the beginning, he spent his time observing the customs of the people, spent his time in the library, corresponded with friends, wrote articles and poems on patriotism and nationalism as well as his melancholies and romance, and delivered speeches during triumphs of his compatriots, Luna, Hidalgo in the National Exposition of fine Arts in Madrid. He also became an active member of different associations namely: the Circulo Hispano- Filipino (Hispano-Philippine Circle) and the Brotherhood of Masons. These two associations depicted the possibility of indios and mestizos to be together and the freedom to speak freely regarding authorities of the Church and  State in contrary of the scenario in the Philippines.

The diligence of Rizal paid off when the degree Licentiate in Medicine was conferred to him on June 21, 1884, which qualified him to practice his course. The following year, in his 24 th birthday, June 19, 1885, the degree Licentiate of Philosophy and Letters was awarded to him which qualified him to be a professor of humanities in any Spanish University. However, he chose to practice his medical profession and specialized in ophthalmology because of his mother`s condition.

The education achieved by Rizal in Europe broadened his understanding of what progressive education should be. He became radical and critical most especially to the system of education of his motherland.      For Rizal, the mission of education is to elevate the country to the highest seat of glory and to develop the people’s mentality. Since education is the foundation of society and a prerequisite for social progress, Rizal claimed that only through education could the country be saved from domination. 

Truly, José Protasio Rizal Mercado Y Alonso Realonda was a patriot, physician and man of letters who served as an inspiration to the Philippine nationalist movement. In 1886, Rizal published his first novel,  Noli Me Tangere , a passionate exposure of the evils of Spanish rule in the Philippines which gives off a societal message that the citizens should be the leaders of its governing body and not the other way around. His second novel is a sequel,  El Filibusterismo  that established his reputation as the leading spokesman of the Philippine reform movement. They serve an underlying commentary and of belief for rights, justice, and freedom, and the need to attain it. These two novels were created to mimic the writer’s intention of gaining liberty, freedom, independence for its people, to have it manifest in real-life situations, during the hundreds of years of oppression and darkest days of imperialism. These also serve lessons for the generations to read it and take it to heart, from nationalism and patriotism to responsible social and political activism and ways of fighting for what is right. Rizal’s political program included integration of the Philippines as a province of Spain, representation in the Cortes (the Spanish parliament), the replacement of Spanish friars by Filipino priests, freedom of assembly and expression and equality of Filipinos and Spaniards before the law.

Rizal founded a nonviolent-reform society, the Liga Filipina, in Manila, and was deported to Dapitan in northwest Mindanao. He remained in exile for the next four years in his ignorance in bringing leaflets in Hongkong entitled Pobres Friars (Poor Friars), an article written against the rich Dominican friars who had violated their vow of poverty, Rizal was arrested and  exiled in Fort Santiago charged of being an incommunicado (ex-communicated) and was sailed to  Dapitan for his deportation without due trial.

In his stay, he continuously practiced his profession. Rizal was gifted with many talents and skills which were polished by time. His giftedness was experienced by the people in Dapitan during his four years confinement in the place. His liberty despite of his confinement enabled him to demonstrate the following profession:

Medical Doctor-

Rendered free medical services to his poor patients helping the community in preventing the spread of malaria disease using local medicinal plants in the absence of drugstores during that time. He also performed the medical operation to his mother`s eye which led his reputation as a medical doctor become widely known to different places. He was visited by wealthy patients coming from other parts of the country and even far away from Honkong which opened an intimate affair with Josephine Bracken though it was not  sanctified by marriage in the church.

Farmer/Agriculturist

With the amount of P2,600 won in a lottery, he invested it in purchasing agricultural lands and cultivated the soil and planted cacao, coffee, coconuts, and other fruit bearing tress with the help of his pupils and some laborers. Rizal had demonstrated the significance and the dignity of being a farmer where he introduced the modern methods of agriculture using fertilizers, rotation of crops and the use of farm machines which he had observed during his travel.

He spoke over 20 foreign languages. In Dapitan, he found time to study Malayan language and several Philippine dialects especially the lingua franca of the community- Bisayan and Subanun to easily communicate with the local folks and in doing business.

Businessman

He organized the Cooperative Association of Dapitan Farmers to improve farm products and obtain better outlet of buying prime commodities at moderate prices than the Chinese merchants. He had also a partner in Dapitan in the Abaca business in the person of Ramon Carreon.

Cartographer He drew maps of Dapitan, The Philippines and other places he visited.

Conchologist He had a good shell collection in Dapitan. An American conchologist praised him.

Rizal taught in his special school in Dapitan and charged no tuition fees, instead the boys helped him in his clinic and worked in his farm. He taught the basic rudiments: reading, writing, and arithmetic, Spanish and English languages, geography and good manners and right conduct. To balance it, he also taught them boxing, gymnastics, swimming, wrestling an arnis. Moreso, he taught the boys to earn their living from their labor and skill.

He collected numerous species of birds, insects, butterflies, shells, snakes, and plants through the help of his pupils which he set to the Anthropological and Ethnographical Museum of Dresden for identification. There were rare specimens of animals which earned him high praises from European scientists who name them in his honor.

Musician He played the flute and composed pieces of music and cultivated music appreciation. Artist

Rizal displayed his artistic abilities amid his busy life in Dapitan. He made sketches of persons and species of animals painted and designed chapel, and molded busts of people and statues. As a literary genius, he wrote poems about the ordinaries of life in Dapitan, a love poem to Josephine Bracken, a manuscript, and letters of debate with his mentor, Fr. Pablo Pastells about religious views and opinions.

He provided the town with a water system in which the stream from the mountain heights several kilometers away supplied water. The da, and aqueduct pipes and foundations were built out of discarded roof tiles, bricks, gin bottles and stones and the mortar they used was made of burned seashells and corals. Le likewise provided the town with lightning system using coconut oil lamps placed on dark streets and beautified the  town plaza.

He invented a wooden machine for making bricks and introduced the hemp stripping machine to improve abaca industry and increase production of the abaca planters. Rizal`s stay in Dapitan ended after the preliminary investigation began and he was informed of his arraignment and during that time he was in  Barcelona after he was granted to  move to Cuba and serve as a volunteer doctor when the rise of the revolution happened in 1896. The Katipunan, a Filipino nationalist secret society, revolted against Spain. Although he had no connections with that organization and he had had no part in the insurrection of the Katipunan headed by Andres Bonifacio, he was implicated by the said revolution resulting to his arrest back to Manila on November 3, 1896 and was transferred to  Fort Santiago. Until, in the end, he had enough and gradually became radical in his ideals and beliefs, eager to pursue his vision for a better Philippines. He did not wish for the proliferation of bloodshed and violence and denounced the revolutionary movements in the first place. For Rizal`s voice to be heard from the trial, he was allowed to  choose his defense counsel  and chose the army officer, Don Luis Taviel de Andrade as his defender.  Rizal`s case was prejudged since  after presenting his supplementary defense by his defender ,the presiding officer considered the trial over and after a short deliberation of his case for sedition, the military court found guilty and gave him verdict- death. Governor General Camilo G. Polavieja approved the court`s decision and Dr. Jose Rizal was ordered be publicly executed in the morning of December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan ( now Luneta) by a firing squad in Manila.

 Indeed, the philosophy of liberalism was greatly played by Dr. Jose Rizal as he fight for our freedom and lift our country`s socio-political condition during the Spanish period.

The name JOSE RIZAL will never be forgotten in Philippine history. He has been instrumental in the Filipino’s struggle towards independence and several developments in various sectors. Undoubtedly, Rizal made huge contributions to Philippine art, literature, and medicine, which continues to fascinate his countrymen even during today`s generation. 

Rizal being hailed as our Philippine national hero, his peaceful yet powerful approach in demanding government reform from the oppressive Spanish rule and his contributions to the Philippines that go beyond the political scene will always be continued to uphold for Rizal’s love,  nationalism, patriotism, and heroic deeds for the Philippines was evident and manifested in nearly all his actions.

The famous line of Dr. Jose Rizal, “ The youth is the hope of our fatherland ,” remain true despite the realities of youth we see, hear, and read about every day. Thus, we should continue allow them to create change and challenge them to be the real hope of our future and for them to value their importance and their capability to shape the future of our Motherland. Therefore, let us take our counterpart to carry out the aspirations of Dr. Jose Rizal for our country in our own time and for the future of our country that is to equip our youth with solid knowledge and skills that will elevate them to accomplish their noble purpose and likewise instill in their hearts and minds the legacy that Dr. Jose Rizal had portrayed in the entire humanity.

The excerpt “ may his memory light up the fire within us to become patriots. Rizal taught us that selflessness and sacrifice could change our country`s future. The bravery of Rizal completes the fabric of our identity as Filipinos” was taken from the delivered inaugural speech of vice-president Sarah Duterte truly emphasizes once again the contribution of Dr. Jose Rizal in the attainment of “change” in the country. Hence, let us all be inspired to show our love and duty  as we live in conformity with  God , nature and in harmony with the needs and aspirations of the people in our own country, the Philippines.

“He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination.” Jose P. Rizal.

By: Evelyn B. Altiz, Sto. Tomas National High School (SDO Candon City)

References:

Cabuatan, Wilfred F. and Valdez, Juner Windel M., Rizal A Holistic Approach, Manila:Mindshapers Co.,Inc., 2016.

Sourcehttp://www.joserizal.ph/qt01.html

https://www.baumanrarebooks.com/rare-books/marcos-ferdinand-rizal-jose/noli-me-tangere-with-el-filibusterismo/76186.aspx

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José Rizal (born June 19, 1861, Calamba, Philippines—died December 30, 1896, Manila) was a patriot, physician, and man of letters who was an inspiration to the Philippine nationalist movement.

The son of a prosperous landowner, Rizal was educated in Manila and at the University of Madrid . A brilliant medical student, he soon committed himself to the reform of Spanish rule in his home country , though he never advocated Philippine independence. Most of his writing was done in Europe, where he resided between 1882 and 1892.

In 1887 Rizal published his first novel , Noli me tangere ( The Social Cancer ), a passionate exposure of the evils of Spanish rule in the Philippines . A sequel, El filibusterismo (1891; The Reign of Greed ), established his reputation as the leading spokesman of the Philippine reform movement. He published an annotated edition (1890; reprinted 1958) of Antonio Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, hoping to show that the native people of the Philippines had a long history before the coming of the Spaniards. He became the leader of the Propaganda Movement , contributing numerous articles to its newspaper, La Solidaridad , published in Barcelona . Rizal’s political program included integration of the Philippines as a province of Spain, representation in the Cortes (the Spanish parliament), the replacement of Spanish friars by Filipino priests, freedom of assembly and expression, and equality of Filipinos and Spaniards before the law.

Rizal returned to the Philippines in 1892. He founded a nonviolent-reform society, the Liga Filipina , in Manila, and was deported to Dapitan in northwest Mindanao . He remained in exile for the next four years. In 1896 the Katipunan , a Filipino nationalist secret society , revolted against Spain. Although he had no connections with that organization and he had had no part in the insurrection, Rizal was arrested and tried for sedition by the military. Found guilty, he was publicly executed by a firing squad in Manila. His martyrdom convinced Filipinos that there was no alternative to independence from Spain. On the eve of his execution, while confined in Fort Santiago, Rizal wrote “ Último adiós” (“Last Farewell”), a masterpiece of 19th-century Spanish verse.

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8 lessons you can learn from and about Jose Rizal, according to historian Ambeth Ocampo

Today, the country celebrates our national hero Jose Rizal’s 160th birthday.

To mark the occasion, here are a few lessons you can learn from and about Rizal, according to historian Ambeth Ocampo.

Rizal did not write the famous poem “Sa Aking Mga Kabata.”

For years now, many historians and scholars have been discussing whether or not the famous poem “Sa Aking Mga Kabata,” and its highly quoted line “Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika, masahol pa sa hayop at malansang isda,” was actually written by Rizal.

According to Ocampo, it wasn’t.

“Apparently, it’s not from Rizal,” Ocampo said in Filipino in an episode of the “The Howie Severino Podcast.” “When I started researching about it, that’s when I saw that it didn’t have an original manuscript. It was published after Rizal died.”

“So at first I thought, ‘what’s happening?’ Apparently, it’s not Rizal who wrote ‘Sa Aking Kababata.’ There are only two manuscripts they say is from Rizal, written in Tagalog. Both of them are not by Rizal. But you know that since it’s in our textbooks, it’s what is being taught to us,” he added.

Rizal wrote an unfinished novel.

After “El Filibusterismo,” Rizal actually wrote another novel but it remained unfinished.

Ocampo himself was the one who discovered Rizal’s unfinished work called “Makamisa” back in 1987 when he decided to make an article about Rizal’s handwritten manuscript in comparison to the printed version to commemorate the 100th anniversary of “Noli Me Tangere.”

“When I searched, I was able to find a notebook that said, ‘Burador de Noli Me Tangere,’ meaning ‘Drafts of the Noli,’” Ocampo said. “And it wasn’t published because it wasn’t noticed because they said it was just a draft of Noli.”

He added, “I worked hard to copy it. It had 265 pages. When I was at 150 pages, I said, ‘If this is the draft of Noli Me Tangere, why isn’t Maria Clara, Ibarra, Kapitan Tiago here?’ Apparently it was another novel and later on I discovered it was the third novel after El Filibusterismo. He just didn’t finish it.”

According to Ocampo, the “Makamisa” was a humorous novel. He shared that Rizal may have seen humor or satire as an effective weapon so he started to write a novel that was humorous.

“Unfortunately, either he didn’t have time or he had a lot of other things to do so he wasn’t able to finish it,” he said. “I think he was experimenting and unfortunately he did not live to finish it. So we don't know if that was part of the three major books or it's a completely different way of doing things.”

Rizal wasn’t a prophet. Society just didn’t seem to change.

Some people may think that Rizal could foretell the future with his works, but for Ocampo, our national hero wasn’t prophetic.

Rizal wrote “The Philippines within a Century,” but for Ocampo, these were Rizal’s thoughts based on his study on politics and history.

“Our heroes were not prophetic, Rizal,  Apolinario Mabini. When we read them, we see that they’re still relevant. ‘Ay, it’s like they saw the problems we have right now.’” Ocampo said. “Actually it’s not like that. What we need to see is that they weren’t prophets but rather people, Filipinos haven’t changed in the past 100 years,” he said.

“Our behavior is still the same. The things that they told us to change 100 years ago are still with us. So rather than be seen that way, actually we need to think that history doesn’t repeat. History doesn’t have the power to repeat. It’s us, the people, who keep repeating history,” the historian added.

He then urged the people to see what Rizal was trying to show that we needed to change.

“Why are they still relevant today? Because we haven’t changed,” Ocampo said. “For me it’s a bit ... it’s depressing to think that the things that they rallied about or that they derailed a century ago, until now it’s still a problem.”

He can be considered father of Philippine archaeology.

For Ocampo, Rizal could be considered the father of Philippine archeology.

He said when Rizal was in Dapitan, people didn’t have enough money for his medical services, so they paid him through eggs and other goods.

According to the historian, one day, someone paid in the form of a stone the locals called the tooth of lightning.

“The person said, ‘you know when lightning strikes the earth, it bites the ground. When it comes back to the heavens, it leaves a tooth,’” Ocampo said.

“Rizal looked at it and said, ‘This isn’t the tooth of lightning. This is a prehistoric stone age tool. Where’d you find this?’ He was brought to the place and he started digging,” he said.

“He found porcelain, gold. Even though he’s not a trained archaeologist, he’s considered the father of Philippine archaeology,” he added. “It shows how restless his mind was so he entered a lot of fields. He also didn’t finish a lot. But it shows that you need to have a curious mind and your mind should always be moving.”

Rizal’s family could have had clairvoyant gifts.

Although Rizal was no prophet, Ocampo said his family could have had clairvoyant gifts and been able to see into the future.

One time, Ocampo said, Rizal dreamt he was taking an exam when he was still a child and when he took the test in real life, the same questions that appeared in his dream were written on it.

“What Rizal wrote for example in ‘Noli Me Tangere,’ when his father wasn’t buried in the church cemetery, that’s what happened to his brother, brother-in-law later,” the historian said. “When Sisa was captured by the guards and said, ‘don’t tie me up,’ and she was forced to walk to her cell, that was his mother,” he said.

“I mean it’s uncanny. We don’t know what it's like but there’s nothing like that in literature wherein we thought that most of what he wrote was like an autobiography but when we look at it, (those) were written long before they actually happened.”

For Rizal, education was important to change Philippine society.

“For Rizal, what appears most in his writings is that education is the most important aspect in order to change Philippine society because if we change our beliefs, we change how we interact with one another, our nation will also change. So education was very, very important for him,” Ocampo said.

Ocampo also noted one of Rizal’s famous lines. “He had a line in his novel that said, ‘what use is freedom if our slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow?’ So he saw that, okay, we change the government but if we don’t educate ourselves, our behavior is still bad, nothing will change.”

For Rizal, Ocampo said, it was about having a high standard of what we should be, and not just about having a revolution.

The historian added that the priest’s sermon on “El Filibusterismo” was important. “You know why you didn’t succeed in getting Maria Clara and ruining the Spaniards? Because your heart isn’t in the right place.”

Ocampo said, “So it’s like he’s saying there must be purity of intention. Whatever we do, even if it’s good but the intention isn’t, it won’t bear good results.”

“That’s the lesson of Rizal that we don’t see because it’s hard to do ... when we read his novels, you’d see purity of intention, right education, a man who moves on moral and common good.”

Rizal accepted students to his school in a very unconventional way.

Unlike the entrance exams of today where intelligence would be tested through a series of printed questions, Rizal accepted students to his school through an unconventional way.

“It’s an oral interview. So what he’d do is, he’d bring the child and make the parent go away. They’d go to the forest in one of his properties,” Ocampo said. “Rizal would ask, ‘what do you know? 1+1-2.’ They’d talk about a lot of things. They’d sit in the middle of the forest. After they talk, they’d go back. When they get back to Rizal’s house, it’ll already dark,” he said.

“Rizal would say, ‘do you remember where we sat? I left my hat and book. Go get it.’ And then if the kid looks at the darkness, afraid of monsters, if the kid doesn’t go back, the kid fails. The kid won’t be accepted ... so usually the kid who goes back, who gets the items Rizal left, would run back bringing it. When the kid gets to Rizal’s house, Rizal is standing there with the other kids and he’d say, ‘It’s not enough to have a good mind, you must have bravery and you must have a heart. Welcome to the school.’”

Ocampo compared it to today’s basic education, saying it was too concerned with the mind that it did not pay attention to the heart.

Rizal knew how to make the most out of a crisis.

Ocampo said it was important to note the time when Rizal was thrown to Dapitan.

“That’s the end of the universe. This is a man who knew London, Paris, Madrid like the back of his hand and he was just thrown there,” Ocampo said. “But Rizal was … we should never waste a crisis … good businessmen will tell you that there is always opportunity in crisis and Rizal saw that.”

Ocampo said Rizal made the most of his time and built stores, opened up his own clinic and built his own school.

“Everything he felt that people should do to make a community and a nation better, he actually practiced it there. So it wasn’t just thinking or writing. He actually did something physical and good in that place,” he said. “We get paralyzed by a problem, but Rizal isn’t. If there’s a problem, there’s a solution. Whether it’s right or wrong, you need to try.”

He added, “And I think that’s the part of Rizal’s life that should be studied more because that’s when he did the things he wanted to do.”

Looking at Rizal’s life, people may see all the extraordinary things he’s accomplished and be discouraged to achieve the same thing.

“Actually Rizal’s lesson isn’t to see him and see that we can’t do the same thing. For Rizal, I’d like to think that we need to see from Rizal and from our nation our own capacity, the Filipino capacity to greatness, that if they can do it, so can we,” the historian said.

Ocampo added, “But how will we know it if we don’t read him?” – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News

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Jose Rizal: 12 facts you need to know about Philippines’ national hero

Asia philippines.

Read part of his “Farewell”: His 125th death anniversary is marked today

During his time, Jose Rizal was considered a subversive. A pariah who deserved nothing but death. He advocated non-violence, but was executed anyway on December 30, exactly 125 years ago today, in a place reserved for public executions. He was made a glaring example for anyone who dared to stand up against the mighty.

Rizal, a reformist doctor and a prolific writer, is revered as the national hero of the Philippines. He lived, and died, towards the end of the 350-year Spanish colonial rule. After he died, his ideas thrived. And became a pulsating reality. Filipinos eventually broke free from Spain. Today, the sun never sets on places where Rizal's monuments are found, spread across the planet.

Some of the facts to know about Jose Rizal:

1. FULL NAME

His full name is José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda . He was a patriot, physician, poet par excellence and novelist who inspired the Philippine nationalist movement. He died at age 35, executed by Spanish colonial masters, who ruled the Philippines for 350 years.

2. BIRTHPLACE

Rizal was born on June 19, 1861 in Calamba town, Laguna province, 54 km south of Manila, to Francisco Engracio Rizal Mercado y Alejandro and Teodora Morales Alonzo Realonda de Rizal y Quintos.

The son of a well-to-do landowner, Rizal was a brilliant student. He initially studied medicine in Manila. At the age of 21, he traveled to Spain to complete his medical degree at the Universidad Central de Madrid, where he was conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine. He went to Paris and Germany to specialise in ophthalmology, in part because he wanted to cure his mother’s failing eyesight.

4. POLYMATH

In Germany, he worked at the University Eye Hospital under Dr. Otto Becker. During his stay in Europe between 1882 and 1892, he wrote several poems and two novels.

A polyglot, he learnt several languages — Arabic, Hebrew, Filipino, Ilokano, Bisayan, Subanon, Chinese, Latin, Spanish, Greek, English, French, German, Malay, Sanskrit, Dutch, Japanese, Catalan, Italian, Portuguese, Swedish and Russian — according to historians.

While in Europe, Rizal wrote two novels, which the Spanish colonial government found subversive. His novels had been turned into a number of period movies.

5. EUROPEAN EDUCATION

While in Europe, Rizal committed himself to the reform of Spanish rule in his home country, through peaceful means. He was a passionate writer and published his first novel Noli Me Tangere (Touch me Not/The Social Cancer , 1887), in Berlin. Noli highlighted the evils of Spanish rule in his homeland.

A sequel, El Filibusterismo (1891; The Filibuster/The Reign of Greed ), established his reputation as the leading spokesman of the Philippine reform movement. He also published an annotated edition (1890) of Antonio Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas , hoping to show that the native people of the Philippines had a long history before the coming of the Spaniards.

Rizal’s political reform programme included integration of the Philippines as a province of Spain, representation in the Cortes (the Spanish parliament), the replacement of Spanish friars by Filipino priests, freedom of assembly and expression, and equality of Filipinos and Spaniards before the law.

In 1895, Rizal sought permission to travel to Cuba as an army doctor. His request was approved, but a year later, in August 1896, the armed revolt lead by the Katipunan, a nationalist Filipino society, erupted. Its leader, Andres Bonifacio, took inspiration from the French. Rizal was implicated and jailed. After a show trial, Rizal was convicted of sedition and sentenced to death.

7. EXECUTION

Though José Rizal called for peaceful reform of Spain's colonial rule in the Philippines and abhorred violence in his writings, a colonial court sentenced him to death by musketry. At age 35, Rizal was executed on December 30, 1896 in Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park in Luneta, Manila).

After the execution, Rizal fired up the Philippine nationalist movement. Filipino revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo (first president) declared independence on June 12, 1898.

8. RIZAL MONUMENTS

Today, Rizal is one of the most revered of Filipino heroes. His monuments are found in different parts of the world: in Germany, Spain, Australia, Austria, China (Hong Kong, Fujian), Canada, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Japan, UK, US (California, Hawaii, Texas, Illinois, Washington).

The late Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III is seen delivering his message during the unveiling of the five- meter bronze statue of Dr. Jose P. Rizalat the Rizal Park, Rosemeadow, City of Campbelltown, Australia on October 26, 2012.

9. NATIONAL ICON

Rizal’s main monument today stands in Luneta, the main execution spot of Spanish colonial masters enriched by the blood of Filipino martyrs. The Americans, who succeeded Spain in colonising the Philippines (for about 50 years), emphasised Rizal's views on Filipino nationalism rather than those of the more action-oriented Emilio Aguinaldo and Andrés Bonifacio.

At the turn of the 20th century, however, some in the US media portrayed the people of the Philippines as “pirates”, “barbarians”, “savages”, “incapable of civilisation”.

It was the story and poetry of Rizal that "did something to the House (of US Congress) akin to a miracle,” according to Rep. Henry R. Cooper, author of the Philippine Bill of 1902 — also known as the Cooper Act.

This organic act about the Philippines provided for the following: 

• Extension of the Bill of Rights to Filipinos;
• Establishment of an elective Philippine Assembly, after the proclamation of peace and two years after the publication of the Philippine census;
• Appointment of two resident commissioners to represent the Filipino people in Washington;
• Retention of the Philippine Commission as the upper house of the legislature, with the Philippine Assembly as the lower house; and
• Conservation of the natural resources of the Philippines for the Filipinos”.

My Last Farewel  is Rizal’s 14-verse valedictory written shortly before he was put to death. It expresses love, unfathomable grief and shows a man with unwavering convictions. His words honoured his homeland (“our Eden lost”), the lost culture of pre-Hispanic Philippines, his parents and friends and points to the injustices he had witnessed at the hands of colonial masters:

“Farewell, dear Fatherland, clime of the sun caressed Pearl of the Orient seas, our Eden lost!

“Gladly now I go to give you this faded life’s best. And were it brighter, fresher, or more blessed, Still would I give it thee, nor count the cost.”

“I die without seeing the dawn brighten over my native land... You who have it to see, welcome it — and forget not those who have fallen during the night.”

“And if colour is lacking my blood you shall take, poured out at need for thy dear sake. To dye with its crimson the waking ray.”

“My dreams, when life first opened to me, My dreams, when the hopes of youth beat high, Were to see thy loved face, O gem of the Orient sea, from gloom and grief, from care and sorrow free; No blush on thy brow, no tear in thine eye.”

“Dream of my life, my living and burning desire, All hail! cries the soul that is now to take flight; All hail! And sweet it is for thee to expire; To die for your sake, that you may aspire; And sleep in thy bosom eternity’s long night.” -

“Dream of my life, my living and burning desire, All hail! cries the soul that is now to take flight; All hail! And sweet it is for thee to expire; To die for your sake, that you may aspire; And sleep in thy bosom eternity’s long night.”

"If over my grave some day you see grow, In the grassy sod, a humble flower, Draw it to thy lips and kiss my soul so, While I may feel on my brow in the cold tomb below, the touch of thy tenderness, thy breath’s warm power.”

“Let the moon beam over me soft and serene, Let the dawn shed over me its radiant flashes, Let the wind with sad lament over me keen; And if on my cross a bird should be seen, Let it trill there its hymn of peace to my ashes.”

“Let the sun draw the vapors up to the sky, And heavenward in purity bear my tardy protest Let some kind soul over my untimely fate sigh, And in the still evening a prayer be lifted on high; From thee, O my country, that in God I may rest.”

“Pray for all those that hapless have died, For all who have suffered the unmeasur'd pain; For our mothers that bitterly their woes have cried, For widows and orphans, for captives by torture tried. And then for thyself that redemption thou mayst gain.”

“And when the dark night wraps the graveyard around, With only the dead in their vigil to see, Break not my repose or the mystery profound, And perchance you may hear a sad hymn resound It is I, O my country, raising a song unto thee.”

“And even my grave is remembered no more, Unmarked by never a cross nor a stone, Let the plow sweep through it, the spade turn it over. That my ashes may carpet earthly floor, Before into nothingness at last they are blown. Then will oblivion bring to me no care, As over your vales and plains I sweep; Throbbing and cleansed in your space and air, With colour and light, with song and lament I fare; Ever repeating the faith that I keep.”

I go where there are no slaves, hangmen or oppressors; where faith does not kill; where the one who reigns is God. - "Mi Ultimo Adios", poem by José Rizal (Translated by Charles Derbyshire, 1897)

“My Fatherland adored, that sadness to my sorrow lends, Beloved Filipinas, hear now my last goodbye! I give you all: parents and kindred and friends."

"I go where there are no slaves, hangmen or oppressors; where faith does not kill; where the one who reigns is God.”

“Farewell to you all, from my soul torn away, Friends of my childhood in the home dispossessed! Give thanks that I rest from the wearisome day! Farewell to thee, too, sweet friend that lightened my way; Beloved creatures all, farewell!”

9"Mi Ultimo Adios". Poem by José Rizal, translated by Charles Derbyshire, 1897).

11. KILOMETRE 0

The remains of Rizal, after exhumation on August 17, 1898, were kept in the Rizal family house in Binondo until they were brought to their final resting place in Luneta. On December 30, 1912, a solemn ceremony was held to finally bury the remains in the base of the monument dedicated in memory of Rizal. The Philippines' main Kilometre 0 is found in Luneta, across the Rizal statue.

An Italian sculptor Carlo Nicoli of Carrara, Italy, won a design contest for the Rizal memorial. Nicoli’s scaled plaster model was titled Al Mártir de Bagumbayan  (To the Martyr of Bagumbayan), besting 40 other accepted entries. Nicoli won the ₱5,000 prize for this design.

12. BRP RIZAL FRIGATE

The naval ship BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) is the lead ship of her class of guided missile frigates of the Philippine Navy. Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and launched in 2019, the 108-metre vessel is the first purpose-built frigate of the service.

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[OPINION] Reading, understanding, and appreciating Rizal

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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

The way José Rizal is celebrated in the Philippines as a national hero finds no match in the world. Shrines and monuments dedicated to his figure are abundant throughout the archipelago, and his name indicates often the most prominent street or plaza in town. Rizal is a subject in the university as it has become a symbol of Philippine patriotism. Some historians have gained fame and money becoming eminent “Rizalistas,” and I was not surprised at all when I got to know that there is even a small group of religious believers in Mount Banahaw called Rizalistas, who claim Rizal is the real messiah. Rizal is the favorite among the national heroes , and the best word I find to call the relation between Filipinos and Rizal is devotion.

Although Rizal was already esteemed as a top intellectual and writer both in the Philippines and Spain, the making of Rizal as a national hero was a legitimate and well-intentioned operation carried out a few decades after his cruel execution during the American period. And the problem with having him converted into a national hero is that it has resulted in some unexpected consequences: an exaggerated focus in his life: what I have called “chismography” about Rizal, the oblivion of other world-class Filipino intellectuals – Sanciangco, De Los Reyes, Kalaw – and a neglect of what it should be most valued: his writings. 

I remember a day in class when I asked my students what they could say about Rizal, and I was told he was a babaero (womanizer) and had many many girlfriends. “That’s why he is our role model!” one said cheerfully. I remember a student telling me she failed in class because she forgot the color of the shirt Rizal was wearing when he was shot. I can recall the faces of disappointment every time I bring my foreign friends to Rizal’s shrine, a reliquary-like place where you can find a long list of the professions Rizal supposedly practiced and the list of the 14 languages he was supposed to master, but nothing that could help to understand him.

The state of semi-divinity achieved by his figure carries other problems: “I will not achieve what he did in 35 years. He is a genius and he liked to work hard. I admire him, but I prefer a simple life,” another student told me. Rizal has been placed on such a high level that some young Filipinos do not think of him anymore as a human person whose achievements could inspire.

The lack of understanding of Rizal comes, in my modest opinion, because Rizal was a writer and suffers the irony of being a national hero in a country where most people do not like to read. Sadly, the proliferation of monuments, shrines, and homages have not been accompanied by a close scrutiny of his writings, which are most often read in a very shallow and purely nationalistic way. Apart from Noli and Fili , the rest of his abundant and rich written production is almost impossible to find in bookstores, and if not for the outstanding efforts of another patriot – Teodoro M. Kalaw – in collecting and editing most of his precious letters, those would not be easily available today.

The centennial of his birth moved the government in 1961 to publish most of his works in several volumes. However, the editorial criteria was far from the rigor demanded today in reliable editions and, most importantly, with the exception of Noli and Fili , and some other English translations, most of the works of Rizal are still only available in a language most Filipinos do not speak: Spanish. Even for his masterpiece, the only critically annotated bilingual edition was published by Vibal Fundation in 2011.

I perfectly understand that renaming a square or placing a statue in a square is way easier than publishing critical editions, but I truly believe, given the current circumstances, that the works of José Rizal truly deserve it. Establishing carefully the texts, annotating it in order to make more accessible to all kind of readers, and providing translations to the most important Filipino languages would be an undeniable exercise of patriotism that should not be longer delayed. No one can blame Filipinos for not reading Rizal when, in the first place, most of his works are not easily available.

It can happen that a Filipino reader does not have the patience to read his novels, but it could well happen that this same reader might enjoy reading his private letters or short articles. Although Filipinos cannot access the stylish beauty of his Spanish, they could get engaged with his rich arguments, with superb critical thinking skills, his uncommon intellectual brightness. Admiring Rizal without understanding him is a kind of empty nationalism and blind devotion. I do not find a better way to pay him a tribute than to read his work and getting to understand his formidable prose and his compelling ideas. Before being a hero, he was already a gifted writer, and Rizal, like another writer, wanted to be read. – Rappler.com

Jorge Mojarro has lived in the Philippines since 2009. He holds a PhD in Philippine colonial literature, teaches Spanish language and culture at the Instituto Cervantes de Manila, and conducts research for the University of Santo Tomas. He is a self-proclaimed lover of Philippine gastronomy.

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15 Mar Rizal’s Education

Jose Rizal’s first teacher was his mother, who had taught him how to read and pray and who had encouraged him to write poetry. Later, private tutors taught the young Rizal Spanish and Latin, before he was sent to a private school in Biñan.

When he was 11 years old, Rizal entered the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. He earned excellent marks in subjects like philosophy, physics, chemistry, and natural history. At this school, he read novels; wrote prize-winning poetry (and even a melodrama—“Junto al Pasig”); and practiced drawing, painting, and clay modeling, all of which remained lifelong interests for him.

Rizal eventually earned a land surveyor’s and assessor’s degree from the Ateneo Municipal while taking up Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas. Upon learning that his mother was going blind, Rizal opted to study ophthalmology at the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. He, however, was not able to complete the course because “he became politically isolated by adversaries among the faculty and clergy who demanded that he assimilate to their system.”

Without the knowledge of his parents, Rizal traveled to Europe in May 1882. According to his biographer, Austin Craig, Rizal, “in order to obtain a better education, had had to leave his country stealthily like a fugitive from justice, and his family, to save themselves from persecution, were compelled to profess ignorance of his plans and movements. His name was entered in Santo Tomas at the opening of the new term, with the fees paid, and Paciano had gone to Manila pretending to be looking for this brother whom he had assisted out of the country.”

Rizal earned a Licentiate in Medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid, where he also took courses in philosophy and literature. It was in Madrid that he conceived of writing Noli Me Tangere . He also attended the University of Paris and, in 1887, completed his eye specialization course at the University of Heidelberg. It was also in that year that Rizal’s first novel was published (in Berlin).

Rizal is said to have had the ability to master various skills, subjects, and languages. Our national hero was also a doctor, farmer, naturalist (he discovered the Draco rizali , a small lizard; Apogania rizali , a beetle; and the Rhacophorus rizali , a frog), writer, visual artist, athlete (martial arts, fencing, and pistol shooting), musician, and social scientist.

References:

Craig, Austin. Lineage, Life and Labors of Jose Rizal: Philippine Patriot . http://www.gutenberg.org/files/6867/6867-h/6867-h.htm#d0e1835 , retrieved March 11, 2011.

Morris, John D. “José Rizal and the Challenge Of Philippines Independence.” http://www.schillerinstitute.org/educ/hist/rizal.html , retrieved March 11, 2011.

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Who is Rizal? : A compilation of Argumentative Essays on the "National Hero"

Looking into works of historians/scholars such as Ocampo, Constantino, and Joaquin, this series of essays aims to discuss the different perspectives towards Rizal in terms of his upbringing and heroism. Consequently, the frameworks that drive these historians/scholars' works are also brought to light in these papers.

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Daphne Baybayan

Emman Ray Rodriguez

Jestoni B . Castro

This is a reflection paper questioning the position of Dr. Jose Rizal as the Philippines national hero. This paper do not have the intention to disrespect Rizal but more often that he should not the only national hero that Philippines must have. Let always put in our mind that an opinion without respect on the other side is not an opinion it was a mere foolishness of a man.

Althea Hannah D . Deloso

Jose Rizal, a pivotal figure in Philippine history, emerges as a symbol of enlightenment, resilience, and national identity. Born in 1861 during Spanish colonial rule, Rizal became a versatile nationalist and reformist, advocating for Philippine independence through his writings. "The First Filipino" by Leon Ma. Guerrero, a 1963 biography, offers a comprehensive exploration of Rizal's life, highlighting his influence on Philippine history and the ongoing struggle for freedom. This abstract delves into Rizal's childhood and education, revealing the significant impact of his family and the colonial environment on his intellectual growth. It explores his conflicts within the oppressive educational system in the Philippines and his decision to pursue foreign education in Spain, where he developed a profound understanding of colonialism's destructive nature. The abstract further examines Rizal's role in fostering nationalist expression through his novels, acting as powerful tools for social change and inspiring a generation of reformists and revolutionaries. Rizal's strategic opposition to Spanish colonialism, emphasizing nonviolent tactics and intellectual resistance, is explored, highlighting his role in founding the Liga Filipina and his subsequent exile to Dapitan. Jose Rizal's lasting legacy and significance in Philippine history are discussed, emphasizing his influence on succeeding generations and the global resonance of his views on justice and human rights. His life, works, and sacrifices continue to inspire the fight for justice, liberty, and patriotism, making him a revered national hero in the Philippines. The abstract concludes by acknowledging Rizal's enduring impact and his place in the rich tapestry of Philippine history.

Edward A . Despabiladeras

Juan Ma. Guerrero's "The First Filipino" delves into the life, struggles, and enduring legacy of Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. This comprehensive critical paper, exceeding 2500 words, meticulously unravels Rizal's journey from an elite reformist to a fervent nationalist. Guerrero's narrative navigates through Rizal's formative years, education, and experiences abroad, offering a nuanced exploration of the complexities surrounding his identity, privilege, and commitment to justice. The paper examines Rizal's pivotal role in challenging Spanish colonialism through his literary masterpieces, "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo." Guerrero's work extends beyond a conventional biography, becoming a reflective mirror that prompts contemporary Filipinos to question inherited narratives and actively participate in shaping a society founded on principles of equality, justice, and authentic freedom.

Elaine Carigma

This critical papers tackles on the Life and Works of Rizal based on the biography book written by Leon Maria Guerrero entitled, "The First Filipino"

This reflection paper critically explores the dichotomy surrounding Jose Rizal's status as a hero in Philippine nationalism. Initiated during early university studies and influenced by Renato Constantino's essay, "Veneration Without Understanding," the paper navigates through the complexities of Rizal's heroism, challenging the idealized narrative ingrained in early education. The discourse on Rizal's heroism, fueled by fervent debates, reveals a societal divide between veneration and condemnation. Comprehensive explorations delve into Rizal's opposition to the revolution, American sponsorship influence, and the intricacies of his legacy, prompting a nuanced understanding. The paper reflects on hero-worship, American colonization strategies, and Rizal's multifaceted character. It also contemplates the broader concept of heroism, urging a shift from historical pedestals to contemporary struggles. The abstract concludes by emphasizing the democratic nature of heroism, encouraging collective efforts for a more just society and recognizing the potential within each individual to contribute to the ongoing narrative of Filipino nationhood.

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Lorie Villanueva

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Essay on My Favourite National Hero

Students are often asked to write an essay on My Favourite National Hero in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

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100 Words Essay on My Favourite National Hero

Introduction.

My favourite national hero is Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation of India.

Gandhi’s Life

Born in 1869, Gandhi was a lawyer who believed in non-violence. He fought against the British rule in India using peaceful methods.

Gandhi’s Contribution

Gandhi led the Salt March, a non-violent protest against the salt tax imposed by the British. His actions inspired millions.

Gandhi’s principles of truth and non-violence influenced the world. His life teaches us to stand for what is right, making him my favourite national hero.

250 Words Essay on My Favourite National Hero

Gandhi’s early life.

Born in Porbandar, Gujarat, in 1869, Gandhi’s early life was shaped by the religious and moral values of his family. His experiences in South Africa, where he faced racial discrimination, catalysed his political activism. He developed ‘Satyagraha’ or ‘the force of truth’, a non-violent resistance method that became instrumental in challenging unjust systems.

Leader of India’s Freedom Struggle

Gandhi’s leadership during India’s struggle for independence was marked by his unwavering commitment to non-violence. His iconic Salt March in 1930 was a powerful act of civil disobedience against the British salt tax, demonstrating the strength of peaceful resistance.

Non-violence: A Global Influence

Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence transcended India’s borders, inspiring global figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. His ideas continue to resonate in movements for social and political change worldwide.

Mahatma Gandhi, my favourite national hero, was a beacon of hope and resilience. His life and philosophy continue to inspire millions around the globe, making him a timeless hero. His message of peace and non-violence is more relevant today than ever, reminding us that change can be effected without resorting to violence. His legacy is a testament to the power of truth, love, and non-violence.

500 Words Essay on My Favourite National Hero

A national hero is a person who has made significant contributions to the country’s development and progress. These heroes can be found in various fields, including politics, science, arts, and sports. Among the many national heroes that have shaped the world, my favourite is Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian nation.

Mahatma Gandhi: The Man of the Hour

Non-violence: a tool for change.

Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence, or ‘Ahimsa’, is one of the reasons why he is my favourite national hero. He believed that violence only breeds more violence, and the only way to achieve true peace and justice is through non-violence. This philosophy was not only theoretical but also practical. He applied it in his struggle for India’s independence, leading peaceful protests and strikes, the most famous of which are the Salt March and Quit India Movement.

Champion of Equality

Gandhi was a champion of equality, another reason why he is my favourite national hero. He fought against the social evils of untouchability and caste discrimination that plagued Indian society. His vision of an egalitarian society where everyone is treated equally irrespective of their caste, creed, religion, or gender is a testament to his greatness.

The Legacy of Gandhi

Gandhi’s teachings continue to be relevant today. In a world where violence and hatred seem to be escalating, his philosophy of peace, tolerance, and non-violence serves as a beacon of hope.

In conclusion, Mahatma Gandhi, with his unwavering commitment to non-violence and equality, is my favourite national hero. His life and teachings have left an indelible mark on the world, inspiring millions to stand up for their rights peacefully and with dignity. His legacy continues to guide us, reminding us of the power of peace and the importance of treating everyone with respect and fairness.

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Our National Hero Essay (200 & 500 Words)

Our national hero essay (200 words).

Pakistan is a nation that has produced many national heroes who have served the country with great passion and dedication. These individuals have played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s history and have become a source of inspiration for many.

One such national hero is Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah , the founder of Pakistan. He was a visionary leader who struggled tirelessly to create a separate homeland for the Muslims of India. His unwavering determination and commitment to his cause led to the creation of Pakistan in 1947.

Another national hero is Allama Muhammad Iqbal , a philosopher, poet, and scholar who played a vital role in the movement for Pakistan’s creation. His poetry and philosophy continue to inspire the nation, and he is remembered for his famous address in which he presented the idea of a separate Muslim state.

Other notable national heroes include Liaquat Ali Khan , the first prime minister of Pakistan, and Abdul Sattar Edhi , a philanthropist who dedicated his life to helping the needy.

These national heroes have left a lasting legacy and continue to inspire generations of Pakistanis. Their contributions have significantly impacted the country’s history and serve as a reminder of the importance of hard work, determination, and dedication in achieving one’s goals.

Essay On National Heroes (500 words)

National heroes have significantly contributed to their country, often through their actions, leadership, or sacrifice. They are recognized and celebrated for their courage, determination, and commitment to their nation’s values and ideals. These heroes inspire and unite people, instill pride in their nation, and serve as role models for future generations.

National heroes come from different walks of life and have different backgrounds, but they all share one thing in common: a strong sense of duty and love for their country. Some are military leaders who have fought for their nation’s freedom and independence, while others are activists who have worked tirelessly for social justice and equality. Some are scientists, artists, or athletes who have brought pride and recognition to their nation through their achievements and excellence in their respective fields.

One of history’s most celebrated national heroes is Mahatma Gandhi, who led India’s nonviolent independence movement against British colonial rule. Gandhi’s leadership and philosophy of nonviolent resistance inspired millions of people worldwide, and his legacy continues to be a source of inspiration and guidance for those fighting for freedom and justice.

Another famous national hero is Martin Luther King Jr., who led the American civil rights movement and fought against racial discrimination and segregation. King’s advocacy for nonviolence and his commitment to equality and justice have impacted American society and inspired countless people to fight for their rights and freedoms.

In many countries, national heroes are celebrated on special days or holidays, such as Independence Day or National Heroes Day. These occasions allow people to reflect on their nation’s history, honor the sacrifices of their heroes, and reaffirm their commitment to their country’s ideals and values.

However, national heroes are not just historical figures from the past. Some modern-day heroes continue to make significant contributions to their countries and communities. These heroes may include doctors and nurses who work tirelessly to save lives during a pandemic, firefighters and first responders who risk their lives to protect others or volunteers who dedicate their time and resources to help those in need.

In conclusion, national heroes play a vital role in shaping the identity and character of a nation. They inspire and unite people, instill pride in their nation, and serve as role models for future generations. Whether historical figures or modern-day heroes, their contributions and sacrifices are a testament to their love and dedication to their country, we must remember and honor their legacy and continue their work toward building a better future for our nations and communities.

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Sana Mursleen is a student studying English Literature at Lahore Garrison University (LGU). With her love for writing and humor, she writes essays for Top Study World. Sana is an avid reader and has a passion for history, politics, and social issues.

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Our national hero is a widely respected figure who played a crucial role in shaping the history of our country. He / she is known for their extraordinary courage, selflessness, and devotion towards the betterment of our society. Their life and achievements continue to serve as an inspiration to the future generations, reminding us of our duty towards our nation and its people. Their name has become synonymous with patriotism and their contributions to the country are celebrated with pride and honor.

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