José Rizal, full name José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines.
Rizal was a polymath - he was not only a national hero, but also a physician, novelist, poet, ophthalmologist, journalist, and revolutionary.
He is best known for his novels "Noli Me Tangere" (Touch Me Not) and "El Filibusterismo" (The Filibustering), which exposed the injustices and abuses of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines.
Rizal's literary works played a significant role in sparking the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonization.
Rizal was fluent in multiple languages, including Spanish, English, French, German, and Latin.
He obtained his medical degree from the Universidad Central de Madrid in Spain, where he also pursued studies in philosophy and literature.
Rizal traveled extensively across Europe, immersing himself in various cultures and intellectual movements.
In 1887, Rizal wrote his first novel, "Noli Me Tangere," which was published in Berlin, Germany. The novel was banned in the Philippines due to its revolutionary themes.
Rizal's second novel, "El Filibusterismo," was published in Ghent, Belgium, in 1891. Like his first novel, it was also banned in the Philippines.
Rizal was a member of the Propaganda Movement, a group of Filipino reformists advocating for political and social reforms in the Philippines.
He was exiled to Dapitan, Mindanao, by the Spanish authorities in 1892, where he lived in exile for four years.
During his exile in Dapitan, Rizal engaged in various scientific, agricultural, and educational pursuits, including establishing a school, hospital, and water supply system.
Rizal was a prolific letter writer and correspondent, maintaining communication with friends, family, and fellow nationalists throughout his life.
He was an advocate for education and social justice, promoting the importance of education in empowering the Filipino people.
Rizal's execution on December 30, 1896, at the age of 35, sparked widespread outrage and fueled the flames of the Philippine Revolution.
His last words were "Consummatum est" ("It is finished"), uttered moments before he was executed by firing squad at Bagumbayan (now Luneta Park) in Manila.
Rizal's martyrdom inspired generations of Filipinos to fight for freedom and independence from colonial oppression.
Rizal's life and works continue to be celebrated in the Philippines, with monuments, memorials, and institutions dedicated to his memory.
Rizal is considered the national hero of the Philippines and his martyrdom is commemorated annually on Rizal Day, December 30th.
His legacy as a visionary leader, intellectual, and patriot lives on in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people, inspiring them to uphold the values of freedom, justice, and democracy.