THE name of Jose Rizal sparks familiarity with many, not only with Gen-Z but to older generations as well. We know him from his works and studied his books ‘Noli Me Tangere’ and ‘El Filibusterismo’–opening the eyes of the Filipinos regarding the hardships that endured at the hands of the Spaniards.  

Jose Rizal—also known as José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was a Filipino polymath. He is the son of a prosperous landowner who studied in the University of Santo Tomas and the University of Madrid.  

Before shifting to being committed to reforming the Spanish rule in his home country—he was once a brilliant medical student, who practiced ophthalmology in his hometown in 1887 for nearly a year. 

Rizal first published his first novel entitled ‘Noli Me Tangere’ (The Social Cancer) with the intention of exposing the wrongdoings of the Spanish ruling. His sequel entitled ‘El Filibustirismo’ (The Reign of Greed) later followed in 1891.  

Due to the publication of his books—he established a reputation of being the leading spokesman of the Philippine reform movement. 

Upon Rizal’s return to the Philippines in 1892, he formed a reformed society called ‘La Liga Filipina’ in Manila. 

On July 6, 1892–Rizal was placed under arrest in Fort Santiago. Gaceta de Manila later published his arrest the day after. This caused a furious uproar among Filipinos, especially among those who belonged to the recently established Liga Filipina. 

On the same day, Governor Despujol made an official order to deport Rizal to Dapitan. Since then, Rizal remained in exile for four years.

Rizal was later tried for sedition of which he was found guilty. Due to this–Rizal was publicly executed by a firing squad in Manila dating back in December 30, 1896.  This later marks the death of the National Hero–putting a seal on this day as ‘Rizal Day.’  

Even to this day, even if that day happened 127 years ago, Filipinos still remember the massive contribution that Rizal did for that country.