José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda is one of the most iconic figures in Philippine history.
Born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, Rizal would grow to become a polymath: a doctor, writer, national reformer, and martyr.
Through his writings and actions, he awakened a sense of national consciousness among Filipinos and inspired the movement toward independence from Spanish colonial rule.
Bio Data
- Full Name: José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
- Born: June 19, 1861
- Age: 35 (at the time of death)
- Death: December 30, 1896
- Birthplace: Calamba, Laguna, Philippines
- Nationality: Filipino
- Occupation: Writer, Novelist, Poet, Ophthalmologist, Nationalist, Revolutionary
- Religion: Roman Catholic
- Parents: Francisco Rizal Mercado (father), Teodora Alonso Realonda (mother)
- Siblings: Saturnina, Paciano, Narcisa, Olympia, Lucia, Maria, Concepcion, Josefa, Trinidad, and Soledad
- Spouse: Josephine Bracken (common-law wife)
- Children: (No confirmed biological children)
- Relationship: In a relationship with Josephine Bracken
- Net Worth: Not available
Early Life and Family
José Rizal was born into a prosperous family in Calamba, Laguna. His father, Francisco Rizal Mercado, managed farmland, while his mother, Teodora Alonso Realonda, was cultured, educated, and deeply influential in shaping his intellectual curiosity.
He was the seventh of eleven children. From a young age he displayed artistic talents: drawing, molding clay, and writing. At age 3 he began learning the alphabet and soon became fluent in multiple languages and disciplines.
Racial discrimination was also a factor in his upbringing: though his family was relatively affluent, their Chinese heritage and non-Spanish origin exposed them to biases under colonial society.
Education and Formative Years
Rizal’s formal education began in Manila. He studied at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with high honors in 1877.
He then enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas for further studies in arts, philosophy, and medicine. However, the conditions and prejudices he encountered there disillusioned him, which led him to travel to Europe in 1882 to continue his studies.
In Madrid, he attended the Universidad Central de Madrid, where he earned his degrees in medicine and philosophy. He also traveled to Germany and other parts of Europe to broaden his intellectual horizons. [16][0][1][11]
Rizal was a hyperpolyglot, reportedly mastering more than twenty languages, which aided him in his studies and in engaging with intellectual circles across Europe.
Literary Works and Reformist Thought
One of Rizal’s most enduring contributions is his literary work, particularly his two major novels:
- Noli Me Tángere (1887) — often translated as “The Social Cancer,” this novel exposed abuses in Philippine society under Spanish colonial rule, especially the abuses of friars and the clergy.
- El Filibusterismo (1891) — sequel to Noli Me Tángere, also known as “The Reign of Greed,” further critiqued systemic corruption and called for reform.
In addition, Rizal published essays, poems (including Mi Último Adiós), and an annotated edition of Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, asserting the precolonial identity and history of the Filipino people.
His writings were distributed clandestinely because they were banned in the Philippines. Nonetheless, they circulated among educated Filipinos and became a catalyst for nationalist thinking.
Rizal joined the Propaganda Movement, contributing articles to La Solidaridad in Barcelona, which advocated reforms such as representation in the Spanish Cortes, equal treatment under the law, and freedom from religious abuses.
Return to the Philippines, Exile, and Dapitan Years
In 1892, Rizal returned to the Philippines. He founded La Liga Filipina, an organization advocating for peaceful reform. However, Spanish authorities viewed it with suspicion and arrested him soon after.
He was exiled to Dapitan (in Mindanao) for about four years (1892–1896). During his exile, he practiced medicine, taught, engaged in agricultural and civic projects, and lived modestly. His exile years reflect a period of constructive work rather than overt rebellion.
While in Europe, Rizal had connections to freemasonry and intellectual circles. His ideas were influenced by European liberalism, human rights, and the sense of national identity.
Arrest, Trial, and Execution
In 1896, the Katipunan, a secret society led by Andrés Bonifacio, launched a revolt against Spanish rule. Although Rizal did not take part in its planning and disapproved of the violent approach, Spanish authorities arrested him, linking him (rightly or wrongly) to sedition.
He was tried by a military court for rebellion, sedition, and conspiracy, convicted, and sentenced to death.
On December 30, 1896, at Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park in Manila), Rizal was executed by firing squad. Before his death, he is said to have requested that his execution be in the open, unblindfolded, to face his fate with dignity.
His final poem, “Mi Último Adiós” (My Last Farewell), written shortly before his execution, is among the most famous works reflecting his love for his country and acceptance of mortality.
Legacy and Commemoration
Rizal’s martyrdom galvanized Filipino nationalists. Though he never advocated outright revolution, his writings and ideals fueled the nationalist movement that culminated in Philippine independence (though achieved in stages).
He is widely regarded as the national hero (pambansang bayani) of the Philippines, with monuments, holidays (e.g. Rizal Day, December 30), and memorials in his honor.
His home in Calamba has been turned into a shrine; his memorial stands in Rizal Park in Manila; and his works are studied in Philippine schools.
Rizal’s vision extended beyond politics: he championed education, scientific study, civic virtue, and a national identity rooted in history and dignity.
FAQs
Was José Rizal a revolutionary?
Although Rizal criticized Spanish rule and was executed for sedition, he did not directly organize or lead armed revolt. He advocated for peaceful reforms and intellectual awakening.
What are Rizal’s most famous works?
His two major novels are Noli Me Tángere (1887) and El Filibusterismo (1891). He also wrote poems like Mi Último Adiós and essays in La Solidaridad.
How old was Rizal when he died?
He died on December 30, 1896, at the age of 35.
Why is Rizal considered the national hero?
Because his writings awakened Filipino nationalism, his martyrdom united the people, and his ideals continue to shape Filipino identity and values.
Where was Rizal executed?
He was executed at Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) in Manila.
Conclusion
José Rizal’s biography is a story of intellect, courage, and sacrifice. Born into a colonial society rife with injustice, he used education, writing, and moral example to challenge oppressive systems. Though he fell to the guns of colonial rule, his vision and works have endured for more than a century.
Rizal reminds us that change does not always come through violence — the pen, the mind, and the conscience can pierce tyranny just as deeply. His legacy lives not only in monuments and textbooks but in the hearts of every Filipino who believes in dignity, freedom, and nationhood.
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