Birth

Born in Calamba, Laguna; 7th of 11 children of Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso.

Baptism

Baptized at Calamba Church by Fr. Rufino Collantes; Fr. Pedro Casanas as godfather. Records lost in 1862 church fire. 

Early Education

Learned the alphabet from his mother; read Spanish books before age 5. 

First Family Tragedy

His sister Concepción died; first experience with grief.  

Pilgrimage

Traveled to Antipolo with his father to fulfill his mother's vow.  

Formal Schooling Begins

Sent to Biñan to study under Justiniano Aquino Cruz; wrote Sa Aking Mga Kabata.

High School Entrance

Took entrance exams at Colegio de San Juan de Letrán; enrolled at Ateneo Municipal de Manila. 

High School Graduation

Graduated from Ateneo with highest honors (sobresaliente) at age 16. 

College Enrollment

Enrolled in Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas. 

Medicine Studies & Surveyor Exam

Shifted to medicine; passed surveyor exam in 1878. 

Literary Prize

Won first prize in a literary contest for the play El Consejo de los Dioses. 

Departure for Europe

Secretly left for Spain on the Salvadora to continue studies and escape persecution. 

Studies in Madrid

Enrolled at Universidad Central de Madrid in Medicine and Philosophy. 

Medical Degree

Earned Licentiate in Medicine from Universidad Central de Madrid. 

Finished Noli Me Tangere

Completed in Berlin; published in Madrid and Barcelona in May. 

La Solaridad and Propaganda Movement

Helped form the reformist newspaper advocating Filipino rights under Spain. 

Finished El Filibusterismo

Completed in Biarritz, France; published in Ghent, Belgium. 

Return to Philippines

Came back to Manila via Hong Kong after years abroad. 

La Liga Filipina Founded

Organized the group to promote peaceful reforms and Filipino unity. 

Arrested

Captured days after forming La Liga Filipina. 

Exiled to Dapitan

Deported to Mindanao; began his exile under Spanish watch.  

Dapitan Years

Built a school, ran a clinic, developed water systems, farmed, and engaged in science and arts. 

Left Dapitan

Departed aboard España to serve as doctor in Cuba; intercepted and arrested. 

Arrested in Barcelona

Detained en route to Cuba; returned to Manila for trial. 

Imprisonment

Held in Fort Santiago; charged with sedition and rebellion. 

Trial and Sentencing

Found guilty by Spanish military court; sentenced to death. 

Execution

Shot at Bagumbayan (now Luneta Park); his final words: 'Consummatum est'.