JOSÉ RIZAL: A LIFE
DEDICATED TO REFORM
AND NATIONHOOD
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
• José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, born June 19,
1861, in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines, was the seventh child
in a family of eleven. His parents, Francisco Rizal Mercado
and Teodora Alonso Realonda, were educated and influential
in his upbringing. Rizal's early education began under
Justiniano Aquino Cruz in Biñan, Laguna, before he moved to
Manila. He excelled academically, graduating from Ateneo
Municipal de Manila with honors. He later pursued medicine
at the University of Santo Tomas, specializing in
ophthalmology. His travels throughout Europe, America, and
Asia broadened his horizons and he became fluent in 22
languages[.
LITERARY WORKS AND POLITICAL
ACTIVISM
• Rizal's literary works became powerful tools for
political reform. His novels, Noli Me Tángere (1887)
and El Filibusterismo (1891), are considered
masterpieces of Filipino literature. These novels
exposed the abuses of the Spanish colonial
government and the Catholic Church, sparking
widespread calls for reform. He also contributed
numerous articles to La Solidaridad, a newspaper
advocating for political reforms within the Spanish
colony. His political program included integration of
LATER LIFE, EXILE, AND MARTYRDOM
• Despite his commitment to peaceful reform, Rizal's
activism led to his exile to Dapitan in 1892. He was
later arrested and tried for sedition in connection
with the Katipunan rebellion, a movement he was
not directly involved in. On December 30, 1896, he
was executed by firing squad in Manila. His death
transformed him into a symbol of Filipino nationalism
and resistance. His final poem, Mi Ultimo Adios, a
testament to his love for his country, cemented his
legacy.
LEGACY AND REMEMBRANCE
• José Rizal's impact on Filipino history and culture is
undeniable. He is considered a national hero, and his
writings continue to inspire generations. His advocacy
for reform and his unwavering patriotism remain a
powerful symbol of Filipino identity and the struggle for
independence. His works are still studied in schools
today, and his image appears on Philippine currency and
stamps. His life and work serve as a powerful reminder
of the importance of intellectual courage and the fight
for justice.