Week 16-LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

Week 16
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.
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.
Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines | © walterericsy / Shutterstock
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.
Rizal’s novels | © Sky Harbor / Wikimedia Commons
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.
Rizal Shrine in Dapitan City | © Iamjepoi / Wikimedia Commons
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.
Monument in memory of Jose Rizal at Rizal Park | © ARTYOORAN / Shutterstock
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.
Jose P. Rizal Bridge in Seattle | © Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons
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.

Week 16-LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

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Week 16

A man with multiple professions

Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines | © walterericsy / Shutterstock

Rizal’s novels | © Sky Harbor / Wikimedia Commons

Rizal’s unfateful days

His legacy lives on

Monument in memory of Jose Rizal at Rizal Park | © ARTYOORAN / Shutterstock

Jose P. Rizal Bridge in Seattle | © Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons

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