Full Name: José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda

Date of Birth: June 19, 1861

Place of Birth: Calamba, Laguna, Philippines

Family Background:

Parents:
 Francisco Engracio Rizal Mercado y Alejandro (father)
 Teodora Morales Alonzo Realonda y Quintos (mother)

Siblings:
José was the seventh of eleven children.
His siblings were :
 Saturnina
 María
 Paciano
 Narcisa
 José Protacio
 Olympia  Concepción
 Lucia  Joséfa
 Trinidad
Education:
- Studied at the Ateneo de Manila and
later at the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines.
- Pursued further studies in Europe, including Spain and Germany.

Notable Works:
 Noli Me Tangere
 El Filibusterismo

Role in Philippine History:

- Advocate for reforms and social justice in the Philippines during the Spanish
colonial period.
- Became a symbol of the Philippine nationalist movement.

Death:
- Executed on December 30, 1896, in Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park or Luneta)
in Manila, Philippines.
Legacy:
- Considered the national hero of the Philippines.
- His writings continue to inspire Filipino nationalism and are an integral part
of Philippine literature.

"Noli Me Tangere" (Touch Me Not): Published in 1887, this novel is a social

commentary on the Philippines under Spanish colonial rule. It exposes the
abuses and corruption of the Spanish friars and officials.

"El Filibusterismo" (The Subversive): Published in 1891, this is the sequel to

"Noli Me Tangere" and delves deeper into the issues of social injustice and
corruption. It is more revolutionary in tone and explores the theme of
revolution against tyranny.

"Mi Último Adiós" (My Last Farewell): A poem written by Rizal on the eve of his
execution in 1896. It expresses his love for his country and his hope for future
freedom.

"La Indolencia de los Filipinos" (The Indolence of the Filipinos): An essay that
discusses the perceived indolence of the Filipino people and challenges the
stereotype propagated by colonial authorities.

"Filipinas dentro de cien años" (The Philippines a Century Hence): An essay

written in 1889 where Rizal predicts the future of the Philippines and foresees
its eventual independence from foreign rule.

"To the Filipino Youth" (A La Juventud Filipina): A poem that encourages the
Filipino youth to rise and contribute to the welfare of the country.

"Letter to the Women of Malolos" (Carta a las Mujeres de Malolos): A letter

written in 1889 in response to the request of 20 young women from Malolos
seeking permission to open a school. Rizal encourages them to pursue
education and assert their rights.

1872: Jose Rizal went to Manila to pursue higher education at the Ateneo
Municipal de Manila.
1882: He traveled to Spain to study medicine and the liberal arts at the
Universidad Central de Madrid and later at the Universidad Central de
Barcelona.

1887: Rizal returned to the Philippines after completing his studies in Europe.

1888: Rizal visited Hong Kong, where he continued his efforts for political
reform and wrote a draft of his novel "Noli Me Tangere."

1891: He returned to the Philippines and founded the La Liga Filipina, a civic
organization advocating political reforms.

1892: Rizal was exiled to Dapitan in Mindanao, Philippines, by Spanish

authorities.

1896: Rizal was arrested and transported to Manila, where he faced trial and
was subsequently executed at Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park or Luneta).