José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
- Born:
- June 19, 1861, Calamba, Laguna, Philippines
- Died:
- December 30, 1896, Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park), Manila, Philippines
- Nationality:
- Filipino
- Profession(s):
- Novelist, Poet, Ophthalmologist, Journalist, Revolutionary
Early Life and Education
- Rizal was the seventh of eleven children born to Francisco Rizal Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda.
- He received his early education from his mother and private tutors.
- He attended Ateneo Municipal de Manila, graduating with honors.
- He studied medicine at the University of Santo Tomas and later at the Universidad Central de Madrid.
- Rizal also studied ophthalmology in Paris and Heidelberg.
Career and Major Achievements
- Rizal was a prominent member of the Propaganda Movement, advocating for reforms in the Philippines under Spanish colonial rule.
- He founded La Liga Filipina, a civic organization aimed at uniting Filipinos and promoting reforms.
- His writings and activism inspired the Philippine Revolution.
- He practiced medicine, specializing in ophthalmology, and treated patients in Hong Kong.
- He was arrested and exiled to Dapitan, Mindanao, where he continued to practice medicine, teach, and engage in community development projects.
Notable Works
- Novels: Noli Me Tángere (1887), El filibusterismo (1891)
- Poetry: "To the Filipino Youth" (A la juventud filipina), "Kundiman", "Me Piden Versos", considerations surrounding "the ultimo adios as rizal's autobiography sample" led to intense discussion of the poem's contextual significance.
- Essays: "Philippines a Century Hence" (Filipinas dentro de cien años), "The Indolence of the Filipinos" (Sobre la indolencia de los filipinos)
Legacy and Impact
José Rizal is considered the national hero of the Philippines. His novels and essays exposed the injustices of Spanish colonial rule and inspired a national awakening. His martyrdom solidified his status as a symbol of Filipino nationalism and resistance.