RIZAL DAY: THE TALE OF A WRITER, INTELLECTUAL, AND NATIONALIST  

José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, The long name that prick up the ears of every Filipino longing for freedom. Today marks Rizal’s 160’th anniversary, today is the day Filipinos celebrate his life and look back at how he fought back against such a force without even touching a sword. Despite not engaging in physical combat, we remember him as our National Hero. 

Written by: Sean Aldrich Siruno

Layout by: Ghislein Tagnipes

December 30, 2023 | 6:00 P.M.

Every December 30th, the Philippines honors Jose Rizal as one of its bravest heroes, but it is not just an opportunity to honor a national hero, but also to recognize the intellectual prowess of a man whose pen was mightier than his sword. Dr. Jose Rizal, who is frequently praised as the nation's hero, was not merely a revolutionary who catalyzed the Philippine Revolution, but also a renowned academic whose tale aimed to show the Filipino people the way to both peace and prosperity, as well as liberation from oppression.

José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, also known as Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861 in the town of Calamba in Laguna Province. Son of Francisco Rizal Mercado and Teodora Alonzo Realonda, he was the seventh out of a big family, having nine siblings. He was born during the Spanish colonial period, meaning, Spain was in power and the Filipinos were not free. And as ironic as it may seem, Rizal descended from Spanish origins, Mestizo, as one may call it.

          Rizal at a young age, showed remarkable talents of intellect, being able to read and write at age 5. As a child who should have been playing and exploring, he focused his attention on books and education. He was not your typical happy, go-lucky kid. 

In lieu of his talents of thought and creativity, he pursued the art of poetry and literature to pass time or compete in events. Rizal first enrolled in Ateneo Municipal de Manila, gaining a reputation among his teachers and professors, acknowledging Rizal as one of the bright students. He finished his educational career there as  sobresaliente (outstanding). Following this, he entered the school of University of Sto. Tomas, taking up a preparatory course in law—wherein he finished with excelente (excellent) marks, and Philosophy as his pre-law. Rizal however, suddenly transitioned to a medical course, taking up ophthalmology upon learning that his mother was going blind. 

Passing on to his young adult years, Jose Rizal showed exceptional skills of learning and mastering various skills in science, arts, math, language, and especially in writing. Rizal was able to produce multiple pieces of literature, a few of these being extremely popular books: Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. This incredible feat of talent ignited unity and the need for freedom under oppression amongst Filipinos, it perfectly captured the burning feeling that said they were tired of being pushed around in their own country. Rizal was very cautious, but he was also very brave. He wrote his stories in Spanish, making sure that every Spaniard had a copy of this, taunting them. Although this was a big step for the Philippines, this is what started the war with Spain.

Despite his intellect, sadly, he was caught, arrested, and tried against his actions, and soon—the inevitable was soon.  Soon, Rizal had his back against the rows of the Filipino firing squad, with guns pointed at Rizal, imitating Christ’s final words before his ultimate death, “consummatum est,” he said (it is finished). At exactly 7:03 AM on December 30, 1896 at Luneta, Manila, Rizal died. A man famed for his talents, writings, and ideas was shot in the back and fell on the hard and bloodied patch of land.

Unfortunately, following the immediate execution of Jose Rizal, his body was secretly transported and buried in Paco Cemetery without any marks of his burials, fortunately retrieved— and years later in 1912 held a ceremony properly buried in a spot in Bagumbayan (Renamed as Luneta), where his urn was finally rested, where the Rizal Monument would be erected, putting a rest to a man of courage and talents.

There is always a stereotype for heroes. A hero must be skilled in combat, has to know how to use weapons, and must be aggressive, harnessing their fighting spirit. Jose Rizal has surpassed this, despite not being skilled in any of the aforementioned traits. In fact, he was the opposite of those traits, he was never aggressive, he never fought. Instead, he always wrote. Even up to his death, he wrote, even while in his cell, he wrote. Through words, he kickstarted the Philippine Revolution, telling each one of the Filipinos that they will not be put down or silenced in their own country. He did all of this with only a quill and paper. 

Rizal was more than a hero who would fight back at every opportunity they got, he used his intellect in striking back. Every Filipino must recognize Jose Rizal’s history of being a writer, an academic, and a storyteller as well. 

In essence, Jose Rizal was not just a hero; he was a respectable intellectual whose narratives continue to resonate with a nation seeking not only freedom but a future defined by enlightenment, education, and enduring peace. As Rizal Day unfolds, let us honor the man—a visionary whose words echo through time, inspiring generations to come. But also a history to remember that all things have many angles to a great legacy.