Rizal's Life as a Writer, a Nationalist, and an Advocate
Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda was born on the 19th day of July, 1861 in Calamba, Laguna and he died on the 30th day of December, 1896 through execution via firing squad. He was a Filipino nationalist, writer and reformist whose works and ideas played a key role in the movement for peaceful reform during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines. He was praised by his teachers and is widely known as an excellent student and he is fluent in 22 languages. He pursued higher education in Manila in which he earned a degree in Arts then he continued his academic journey in Europe because of the pressing discrimination in the Philippines and there he earned a degree in Philosophy and medicine.
Having realized the harassment and discrimination the Filipino people experienced under the Spanish colonial rule, Rizal decided to fight them through his words and creativity. He wrote Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo which became famous and significant as it opened the eyes of many Filipinos to the injustices and abuses committed by Spanish friars and officials. It could be said that these books played a vital role in igniting the nationalistic heart of the Filipino people.
Moreover, Rizal was also a persistent advocate of peaceful change and equal rights for Filipinos. He was considered as a central figure for organizations that sought to achieve reform through legal and benevolent means such as La Liga Filipina and La Solidaridad. Because of this, Spanish authorities became wary of his actions and influences among the Filipino people and this eventually led to his arrest and execution.
The Spaniards thought that killing Rizal would silence all Filipinos and that it would encourage them to stay submissive to colonial rule but they were wrong. Rizal’s death inspired many Filipinos to fight back and thus starting the Philippine Revolution that was crucial for obtaining freedom. This event cemented Rizal’s legacy as the Philippine national hero, forever remembered for his intellect, courage, and unwavering love for the Philippines and its people.
Famous Books of Rizal that awaken Filipinos' Nationalistic Heart
December 30, 1896 - Rizal died and uttered his famous last word "Consummatum Est!" (It is Finished!)
A Filipino Organization focused on bringing change and reforms that will give their fellow Filipino people the right to be free from the Spanish Colonial Rule.
It consist of a group of Journalist who advocates for social reform through writing newspapers and articles that exposed the truth about the cruelty and injustices committed by the Spaniards
It followed after the Propaganda Movement which was instigated by Jose Rizal and his fellow Illustrados who seek social reforms through peaceful means. This revolution was a catalyst for the Philippines to gain their independence from the Spanish Colonial Rule.
Take a look at Rizal's ideals and see how he perceived things socially and politically.
It had been a century since Rizal's death, this gives us the question "Is he still relevant today?". Read and See how Rizal remained relevant to Filipinos thru the years.
Though his life was cut short, Rizal's impact and legacy stayed significant to the lives of the Filipino people. Remember and be amazed by how he cemented himself as the Philippine National Hero without using violence but only by his BENEVOLENCE and PASSION for his Beloved Country.