Jose Rizal

Polymath. Nationalist. Hero.

Dr. José Rizal

1861 - 1896
"I do not write for this generation. I am writing for other ages. If this could read me, they would burn my books, the work of my whole life. On the other hand, the generation which interprets these writings will be an educated generation; they will understand me and say: 'Not all were asleep in the nighttime of our grandparents."

About

Dr. José Rizal was a Filipino nationalist and polymath during the tail end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. An ophthalmologist by profession, Rizal became a writer and a key member of the Filipino Propaganda Movement which advocated political reforms for the colony under Spain. He was executed by the Spanish colonial government for the crime of rebellion after an anti-colonial revolution, inspired in part by his writings, broke out. Though he was not actively involved in its planning or conduct, he ultimately approved of its goals which eventually led to Philippine independence. He is widely considered one of the greatest heroes of the Philippines, and is implied by Philippine law to be one of the national heroes. He was the author of the novels Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo, and a number of poems and essays.

Timeline

Dr. José Rizal, wrote many political pieces which expressed the feelings of many about the Spanish colonization and the potential for a democracy. The following timeline follows Rizal's biography throughout his life.

Early Life

  • 1848 - José Rizal’s mom, Teodora Morales Alonso-Realonda y Quintos, and dad, Francisco Rizal-Mercado y Alejandra, marry on June 28th.

  • 1861 - On June 19th José Rizal is born to become the seventh child born to his parents. Three days later Rizal was christened with the name Jose Protasio Rizal-Mercado y Alonso-Realonda.

  • 1870 - José begins school under the instruction of Justiniano Aquin Cruz at just nine years of age.

  • 1871 - José continues his education under the instruction of Lucas Padua.

  • 1872 - Rizal is examined by those in charge of college entrance to St. Tomas University in Manila; he enters the school system as a scholar.

  • 1875 - Rizal enters the Ateneo as a boarder at just 14 years of age.

  • 1876 - At the age of 15, Rizal receives a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Ateneo de Manila. He not only receives this degree, but receives it with the highest honors possible.

  • 1877 - In June José begins to go to school at St. Tomas University in Manila where he studies philosophy.

Writing Career

  • 1877 - In November Rizal writes a poem and receives recognition for his writing from the Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country, also known as Amigos del Pals. The recognition comes in the form of a diploma of merit and honorable mention.

  • 1878 - In June Rizal decides to switch gears in his educational pursuits and transfers into the medical courses at St. Tomas University. During this time he also writes an additional two poems that win him further recognition.

  • 1880 - At the age of 19 Rizal writes another poem for a competition where he should have won first prize. However, he was not given this prize due to discrimination.In December Rizal produces his first Operetta called On the Banks of the Pasig.

  • 1881 - Rizal creates the commemorative medal in wax for the Royal Economic Society of Friends centennial celebration.

Emigrating

  • 1882 - In May Rizal gets money from his brother and travels secretly from Manila to Spain aboard a French ship and railroad entering Spain at the Port Bou. In June St. Tomas University realizes Rizal is nowhere to be found and threatens to take land away from his father who is a tenant even though his father has no idea of his whereabouts.June 15 Rizal makes his arrival in Barcelona and begins to study again in Madrid in October of that same year.

  • 1886 - Rizal receives a degree in medicine from the Central University of Madrid at the age of 23. He then becomes an assistant to Dr. L. de Wecker and visits many universities in Berlin, Leipzig, and Heidelberg in the country of Germany.

Fame and Death

  • 1887 - Rizal finishes his first novel titled Noli Me Tangere while staying in Berlin. The novel offends Catholic officials and Rizal is deemed to be a troublemaker. He then travels to Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. On July 3 Rizal leaves from Mersailles in Italy and arrives in Manila on August 5th. He travels to nearby areas escorted by a Spanish Lieutenant.

  • 1888 - In February Rizal leaves Spain and sets sail for Hong Kong in Japan. He continued to travel practice medicine and write.

  • 1892 - In August Rizal was detained aboard a ship traveling back to Spain. Rizal was charged with treason, sedition, and the formation of illegal societies. He was sent to an island and held.He taught for four years while being held. He met a girl named Josephine Bracken who he wanted to marry but the church refused to give him a license to marry. He penned his last piece of writing called My Last Farewell and wrote an address to Filipino insurgents to lay down their arms against the Spanish. The address was never made public, but was added to the list of charges against him.

  • 1896 - His request to go to Cuba was approved. On the way to Cuba he was arrested and charged with conspiracy and sedition. On December 27 he was condemned to death in a Spanish court. On December 30th he was permitted to marry Josephine two hours before he was shot by a firing squad.He was buried in a secret grave.

  • 1912 - On December 30th the ashes of Rizal were transferred to the Rizal Mausoleum and December 30th is declared a national holiday in honor of his memory. José Rizal's life and works were critical to those from the Philippines who were looking for an end to Spanish colonization.

Literary Works

Dr. José Rizal's literary works greatly contributed to the awakening of the Filipino People on the Spanish tyranny to the Filipino People during the Spanish Colonial Period. Below is his greatest contribution to Philippine Independence.

Noli Me Tangere
Noli Me Tangere
El Filibusterismo
El Filibusterismo

Legacy

Spain's control of the Philippines ended in 1898, though the country did not gain lasting independence until after World War II. Rizal remains a nationalist icon in the Philippines for helping the country take its first steps toward independence.

The Belgian researcher Jean Paul "JP" Verstraeten authored several books about José Rizal: Rizal in Belgium and France, José Rizal's Europe, Growing up like Rizal (published by the National Historical Institute and in teacher's programs all over the Philippines), Reminiscences and Travels of José Rizal and José Rizal "Pearl of Unselfishness". He received an award from the president of the Philippines "in recognition of his unwavering support and commitment to promote the health and education of disadvantaged Filipinos, and his invaluable contribution to engender the teachings and ideals of Dr. José Rizal in the Philippines and in Europe".

Several titles were bestowed on him: "the First Filipino", "Greatest Man of the Brown Race", among others. The Order of the Knights of Rizal, a civic and patriotic organization, boasts of dozens of chapters all over the globe.

To know more about Dr. José Rizal, visit the other resources below