José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
- Born:
- June 19, 1861, Calamba, Laguna, Philippines
- Died:
- December 30, 1896, Manila, Philippines
- Nationality:
- Filipino
- Profession(s):
- Novelist, Poet, Physician, Ophthalmologist, Journalist, Polymath
Early Life and Education
- Born to a wealthy family in Calamba, Laguna.
- Studied at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.
- Continued his studies at the University of Santo Tomas, initially studying philosophy and letters, then medicine.
- Traveled to Europe to further his studies, particularly ophthalmology.
- Studied at the University of Paris and the University of Heidelberg.
Career and Major Achievements
- Published his novels, Noli Me Tángere and El filibusterismo, which exposed the abuses of the Spanish colonial government.
- Founded La Liga Filipina, a civic organization aimed at promoting reforms through legal means.
- Contributed articles to La Solidaridad, a newspaper advocating for Philippine reforms.
- Practiced ophthalmology in Hong Kong.
- Exiled to Dapitan, Mindanao, where he practiced medicine, taught, and engaged in community development projects.
Notable Works
- Noli Me Tángere (Touch Me Not) - A novel exposing the social ills of the Philippines under Spanish rule.
- El filibusterismo (The Reign of Greed) - A sequel to Noli Me Tángere, depicting a more revolutionary perspective.
- "Mi Último Adiós" (My Last Farewell) - A poem written on the eve of his execution.
- Annotation of Antonio de Morga's Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas - A historical essay providing a Filipino perspective on Philippine history.
Legacy and Impact
José Rizal's novels and essays are credited with inspiring the Philippine Revolution. He is considered the national hero of the Philippines, and his writings continue to be studied and debated today.
The study of the life works and writings of jose rizal remains central to understanding Philippine nationalism and identity.