The man of letters who was have inspired every

Filipinos
Ladim, Erwin Axle V.
02 About RIZAL
Jose Rizal (1861-1896) is considered the
national hero of the Philippines and
played a pivotal role in the country's
history. Born in Calamba, Laguna, Rizal
was a polymath— a skilled writer,
doctor, artist, and nationalist. He
traveled extensively across Europe and
other parts of the world, where he was
exposed to liberal and progressive ideas,
which influenced his vision for his home
country.
03

R I Z A L
BEST OF
03 NOVELS
Rizal is most known for his two novels, "Noli
Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo," which
were published in the late nineteenth century
and were scathing of both Spanish colonial
government and the Catholic Church's crimes.
"Noli Me Tangere" (which translates to "Touch
Me Not") depicted the injustices suffered by
Filipinos under Spanish rule, but "El
Filibusterismo" explores themes of insurrection
and transformation. These poems instilled a
sense of nationalism and inspired the Philippine
Revolution against Spanish colonisation.
"Smaller and Smaller Circles" by F.H. Batacan is a Filipino
crime novel centered around two Jesuit priests, Father
Gus Saenz and Father Jerome Lucero, who also work as
forensic anthropologists. The story follows their
investigation into a series of brutal murders involving
young boys in a poor area of Manila. Through this crime
narrative, the novel explores themes of corruption,
poverty, and the inefficiencies of the justice system,
providing a critique of the broader social issues in the
Philippines. With its compelling storyline and social
commentary, "Smaller and Smaller Circles" has gained
recognition as a significant contribution to contemporary
Filipino literature and has been praised for its insightful
exploration of crime and morality in a Filipino context.
05

R I Z A L
LEGACY OF
01 Rizal's legacy lives on via his writings,
speeches, and principles, which still inspire
Filipinos today. He is revered as a symbol of
the Filipino battle for independence and self-
determination, and his views about nationalism
and social justice are still significant in modern
Filipino culture. The day of his execution,
December 30th, is recognised as Rizal Day, a
national holiday in the Philippines.
05

Z A L
W HAT HAPPENED TO RI
 Despite supporting peaceful changes and

01 education as tools of advancement, Rizal's

revolutionary beliefs resulted in his
incarceration by Spanish authorities. He was
convicted and killed by firing squad on
December 30, 1896, in Bagumbayan (today
Manila's Luneta Park). His execution galvanised
the revolutionary cause and spurred Filipinos
to continue their quest for independence,
resulting in the Philippine Revolution in 1896
and the founding of the First Philippine
Republic in 1899.