The Life and Works of José Rizal
José Rizal, born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, is widely regarded as
the Philippines' national hero. His life and deeds were instrumental in fueling the
Filipino people's longing for freedom from Spanish colonial authority. Rizal was the
seventh of eleven children in a wealthy household, and he received a thorough
education, mostly from his mother, Teodora Alonso Realonda.
Rizal's academic path led him to Europe, where he studied medicine at the
Universidad Central de Madrid. His exposure to liberal ideologies and nationalist
movements greatly shaped his perspective. Rizal's literary contributions are
probably his most significant accomplishments. His works "Noli Me Tangere" (1887)
and "El Filibusterismo" (1891) criticize socioeconomic inequalities and corruption in
Philippine society during Spanish control. In "Noli Me Tangere," the protagonist,
Crisostomo Ibarra, represents the Filipino struggle for reform, whereas "El
Filibusterismo" takes a darker tone, arguing for drastic change through Simoun.
In addition to his writings, Rizal co-founded La Liga Filipina, a civic
organization dedicated to advocating social reform. His efforts, however, resulted in
his exile in Dapitan in 1892, where he continued to serve the people through
educational and public health projects.
Rizal was killed on December 30, 1896, after being accused of encouraging
revolt. His martyrdom inspired the nation, making him a symbol of resistance.
Rizal's legacy lives on, inspiring generations of Filipinos to fight for justice,
education, and national pride. His writings continue to resound, reminding us of the
power of language in the pursuit of liberty and social progress.