20/03/2026
sé Rizal → Philippine national hero
Full name → José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
Birth date → June 19, 1861
Birthplace → Calamba, Laguna
Father → Francisco Mercado
Mother → Teodora Alonso
Siblings → 11 children in family
Youngest sister → Soledad Rizal
First teacher → His mother
Early talent → Writing poetry
First poem → “Sa Aking Mga Kabata”
Ateneo Municipal → Secondary education
Academic honor → Sobresaliente
University → University of Santo Tomas
Course → Medicine
Reason for medicine → Cure mother’s blindness
Study abroad → Spain
Universidad Central de Madrid → Completed medicine
Degree → Licentiate in Medicine
Also studied → Philosophy and Letters
Ophthalmology → Eye specialization
Further study → Paris and Heidelberg
Languages known → Over 20 languages
Polyglot → Speaks many languages
Pen name → Laong Laan
Other pen name → Dimasalang
Reformist → Peaceful change advocate
Propaganda Movement → Reform campaign
Goal → Equality with Spaniards
Medium → Writing and education
First novel → Noli Me Tangere
Published → 1887
Meaning → “Touch Me Not”
Theme → Social injustice
Main character → Crisostomo Ibarra
Antagonist → Padre Damaso
Love interest → Maria Clara
Sequel → El Filibusterismo
Published → 1891
Meaning → “The Reign of Greed”
Simoun → Ibarra’s disguise
Theme → Revenge and corruption
Dedication → GOMBURZA
GOMBURZA → Gomez, Burgos, Zamora
Ex*****on year → 1872
impact → Inspired Rizal
La Solidaridad → Reform newspaper
Contributor → Rizal wrote essays
Famous essay → “The Philippines a Century Hence”
Advocacy → Education and reforms
Return to Philippines → 1892
Founded → La Liga Filipina
Purpose → Unity and reform
Arrest → After founding Liga
Exile → Dapitan, Zamboanga
Years in Dapitan → 1892–1896
Activities → Teaching and farming
Built → School in Dapitan
Practiced → Medicine
Discovered → Marine species
Relationship → Josephine Bracken
Wife → Josephine Bracken
Son → Francisco Rizal (died young)
Return to Manila → 1896
Arrest → Linked to revolution
Trial → Military court
Charges → Rebellion and sedition
Verdict → Guilty
Ex*****on date → December 30, 1896
Ex*****on place → Bagumbayan (Luneta)
Last poem → “Mi Ultimo Adios”
Meaning → “My Last Farewell”
Written → Before ex*****on
Hidden → In alcohol lamp
Theme → Love of country
Famous line → “It is sweet to die for one’s country”
National hero → Recognized by Filipinos
Rizal Day → December 30
Monument → Rizal Park
Legacy → Inspiration for freedom
Rizal Law → RA 1425
Purpose → Study of his works
Author → Senator Claro M. Recto
Mandates → Noli and Fili reading
Rizal as writer → Novelist and essayist
Rizal as doctor → Ophthalmologist
Rizal as patriot → Reform advocate
Rizal as martyr → Died for country
Rizal’s influence → Sparked nationalism
Historical importance → Symbol of Filipino identity
