Life and works of Rizal

JOSE RIZAL, the national hero of the Philippines and pride of the Malayan race,
wasborn on June 19, 1861, in the town of Calamba, Laguna. He was the seventh
child in a family of 11 children (2 boys and 9 girls). Both his parents were educated
and belonged to distinguishedfamilies. His father, Francisco Mercado Rizal, an
industrious farmer whom Rizal called "a modelof fathers," came from Bian, Laguna;
while his mother, Teodora Alonzo y Quintos, a highlycultured and accomplished
woman
whom
Rizal
called
"loving
and prudent
mother,"
was
born inMeisic, Sta. Cruz, Manila.At the age of 3, he learned the alphabet from his
mother; at 5, while learning to read and write,he already showed inclinations to be
an artist. He astounded his family and relatives by hispencil drawings and sketches
and by his moldings of clay. At the age 8, he wrote a Tagalogpoem, "Sa Aking Mga
Kabata," the theme of which revolves on the love of ones language. In1877, at the
age of 16, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree with an average of
"excellent"from the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. In the same year, he enrolled in
Philosophy and Letters atthe University of Santo Tomas, while at the same time took
courses leading to the degree of surveyor and expert assessor at the Ateneo. He
finished the latter course on March 21, 1877and passed the Surveyors examination
on May 21, 1878; but because of his age, 17, he wasnot granted license to practice
the profession until December 30, 1881. In 1878, he enrolled inmedicine at the
University of Santo Tomas but had to stop in his studies when he felt that
theFilipino students were being discriminated upon by their Dominican tutors.On
May 3, 1882, he sailed for Spain where he continued his studies at the Universidad
Centralde Madrid. On June 21, 1884, at the age of 23, he was conferred the degree
of Licentiate inMedicine and on June 19,1885, at the age of 24, he finished his
course in Philosophy andLetters with a grade of "excellent." Having traveled
extensively in Europe, America and Asia, hemastered 22 languages. These
include Arabic, Catalan, Chinese, English, French, German,Greek, Hebrew,
Italian, Japanese, Latin,
Malayan,
Portuguese,
Russian,
Sanskrit,
Spanish,Tagalog, and other native dialects. A versatile genius, he was an architect, a
rtists,businessman, cartoonists, educator, economist, ethnologist, scientific farmer,
historian,
inventor, journalist,
linguist,
musician,mythologist,nationalist,naturalist,novelist,ophthalmicsurgeon,poet, propag
andist, psychologist, scientist, sculptor, sociologist, and theologian. He was anexper
t swordsman and a good shot.In the hope of securing political and social reforms for
his country and at the same time educatehis countrymen, Rizal, the greatest
apostle of Filipino nationalism, published, while in Europe,several works with highly
nationalistic and revolutionary tendencies. In March 1887, his daringbook, NOLI ME
TANGERE, a satirical novel exposing the arrogance and despotism of theSpanish
clergy, was published in Berlin; in 1890 he reprinted in Paris, Morgas SUCCESSOSDE
LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS with his annotations to prove that the Filipinos had a
civilizationworthy to be proud of even long before the Spaniards set foot on

Philippine
soil;
September 18, 1991, EL FILIBUSTERISMO, his second novel and a sequel to the
NOLI and morerevolutionary and tragic than the latter, was printed in Ghent.

on

Because of his fearless exposures of the injustices committed by the civil and
clerical officials,Rizal provoked the animosity of those in power. This led himself, his
relatives and countrymeninto trouble with the Spanish officials of the country. As a
consequence, he and those who
hadcontacts with him, were shadowed; the authorities were not only finding faults b
ut evenfabricating charges to pin him down. Thus, he was imprisoned in Fort
Santiago from July 6,1892 to July 15, 1892 on a charge that anti-friar pamphlets
were found in the luggage of hissister Lucia who arrive with him from Hong Kong.
While a political exile in Dapitan, he engagedin agriculture,
fishing and business; he maintained and operated a hospital; he conductedclassestaught his pupils the English and Spanish languages, the arts. The sciences,
vocationalcourses including agriculture, surveying, sculpturing, and painting, as well
as the art of self defense; he did some researches and collected specimens; he
entered into
correspondencewith renowned men of letters and sciences abroad; and with the hel
p of his pupils, hecontracted water dam and a relief map of Mindanao- both
considered remarkable engineeringfeats.His sincerity and friendliness won for him
the trust and confidence of even those assigned toguard him; his good manners and
warm personality were found irresistible by women of allraces with whom he had
personal contacts; his intelligence and humility gained for him therespect and
admiration of prominent men of other nations; while his undaunted courage
anddetermination to uplift the welfare of his people were feared by his enemies. Wh
en the
Philippine Revolution started on August 26, 1896, his enemies lost no time in
pressing himdown. They were able to enlist witnesses that linked him with the revolt
and these were never allowed to be confronted by him. Thus, from November 3,
1986, to the date of his execution, hewas again committed to Fort Santiago. In his
prison cell, he wrote an untitled poem, now knownas "Ultimo Adios" which
is considered a masterpiece and a living document expressing not onlythe heros
great love of country but also that of all Filipinos. After a mock trial, he was
convictedof rebellion, sedition and of forming illegal association. In the cold morning
of December 30,1896, Rizal, a man whose 35 years of life had been packed with
varied activities which provedthat the Filipino has capacity to equal if not excel even
those who treat him as a slave, was shotat Bagumbayan Field.
Rizal as to Compare with other Asian heroes
Rizal and Sun Yat sen
-- Sun Yat-sen has been attributed as the 'Father of the ChineseRevolution' but this
may not be totally acceptable. To regard Sun as solely responsible for themaking of
the Chinese Revolution was but a fantastic inflation by hagiographers. It

unfairlyneglects the work of other revolutionaries like Huang Hsing who were also
decisive in creatingthe Chinese Republic. Again, Sun has been termed 'an idealist
rather than a statesman, aneasy prey to any plausible new ideas.' Some went to the
extreme to say that Sun had nothing todo with the actual work of overthrowing the
monarchy because the revolution was finished whenhe reached China. To accept
this last view would mean a total rejection of the significance of Sun in the
revolutionary movement and in the history of modern China. Yet this criticism
wasagain not based on historical fact. For it is true that he was away when the
Wuchang
risingbroke out. But well before the outbreak of the revolution, it was Sun that sprea
d therevolutionary idea and urged for the support of the revolution. Even during the
revolution, hesought for the neutrality of the Powers. Other contributing factors
-- The other causes which
contributed to the collapse of the Manchu rule in which Sun played little or no part
need to
bescrutinized. The Chinese revolutionary movement in general started well before S
un'sadvocacy. People of different walks of life had perceived the decadence of the
Manchu rule
andthe threat of foreign imperialism. Intellectuals, especially, yearned for either refo
rms or revolution in place of the Manchu dynasty. They knew the essential
difference between anethnic dynasty and the concept of modern nationalism.AntiManchu feelings were also facilitated by the constitutional movement starting from
1905.Constitutionalists gathered together to debate and discuss vital current and
political issues.They became the people who resisted Manchu re-centralisation
program and seceded
fromManchu rule immediately after the Wuchang Uprising.The political, social and
economic problems which coalesced with the railway controversy in1910 and
1911 also produced a revolutionary atmosphere
conducive to insurrections. TheRailway Protection Clubs' movement became the foc
al point of anti-Manchu rule. The reallocation of troops into Szechuan, leaving Hunan and Hupei militarily semiempty, finallyprovided the revolutionary spark.
Rizal and Mahatma Ghandi
- Mahatma Gandhi and Indian Freedom MovementMahatmaGandhi was an important
part of Indian independence movement even when he was not inthe country. He
noticed the political condition of the country while he was still in South Africaand
urged his countrymen to observe non-violence and remain truthful in order to
achievefreedom from the British.
Rizal and Mother Teresa
- mother Teresa of Calcutta, the champion of poor and needy wasbeatified on 19th
October 2003 by Pope John Paul II, after she died in 1997. After her death, Mother
Teresa came to be regarded as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church
andher beatification was the first step on her path to sainthood. The ceremony of th
ebeatification of this Macedonian nun who dedicated her life to humanity, took
place in Romeleading to an immense increase in her popularity and peoples belief
in her vocation.
Rizal s Social and poltical Ideas

That body of knowledge relating to society including the wisdom which man's
experience insociety has taught him is social philosophy. The facts dealt with
are principles involved in nationbuilding and not individual social problems. The
subject matter of this social philosophy coversthe problems of the whole race, with
every problem having a distinct solution to bolster
thepeoples social knowledge.man in society; influential factors in human life;racial
problems;social constant;social justice;social ideal;poverty and wealth;
reforms;youth and greatness;history and progress; futurePhilippines.The above
dealt with mans evolution and his environment, explaining for the most part
humanbehavior and capacities like his will to live; his desire to possess happiness;
the change of hismentality; the role of virtuous women in the guidance of great
men; the need for elevating andinspiring mission; the duties and
dictates of mans conscience; mans need of practicinggratitude; the necessity for
consulting reliable people; his need for experience; his ability to
deny; the importance of deliberation; the voluntary offer of mans abilities and
possibilities; theability to think, aspire and strive to rise; and the proper use of hearth, brain
and spirit-all of thesecombining to enhance the intricacies, beauty and values
of human nature. All of the above served as Rizals guide in his continuous effort to
make over his beIn Rizals political view, a conquered country like the Philippines
should not be taken
advantageo f b u t r a t h e r s h o u l d b e d e v e l o p e d , c i v i l i z e d , e d u c a t e d a n
d t r a i n e d i n t h e s c i e n c e o f s e l f- government.He bitterly assailed and
criticized in publications the apparent backwardness of the
Spanishrulers method of governing the country which resulted in:the bondage and
slavery of the conquered ;the Spanish governments requirement of forced labor
and force military service upon the nnatives; the abuse of power by means of
exploitation; the government ruling that any complaintagainst the authorities was
criminal; andMaking the people ignorant, destitute and fanatic,
thusdiscouraging the formation of a national sentiment.Rizals guiding
political philosophy proved to be the study and application of reforms,
theextension of human rights, the training for self government and the arousing of s
pirit of discontent over oppression, brutality, inhumanity, sensitiveness and self
love.loved Philippines.

Rizals Novels
Noli Me Tangere
- Having completed his studies in Europe, young Juan Crisostomo
Ibarracomes back to the Philippines after a 7-year absence. In his honor, Captain
Tiago throws a get-together party, which is attended by friars and
other prominent fi gures. In an unfortunateincident, former curate Father
Dmaso belittles and slanders Ibarra. But Ibarra brushes off theinsult and takes no
offense; he instead politely excuses himself and leaves the party because of an allegedly
important taskThe day after the humbling party, Ibarra goes to see Mara Clara, his
love interest, a beautifuldaughter of Captain Tiago and an affluent resident of Binondo,
Manila. Their long-standing loveis clearly manifested in this meeting, and Mara

Clara cannot help but reread the letters

her s w e e t h e a r t h a d w r i t t e n h e r b e f o r e h e w e n t t o E u r o p e . B e f o r e I
b a r r a l e f t f o r S a n D i e g o , Lieutenant Guevara, a guardia civil, reveals to
him the incidents preceding the death of his father, Don Rafael Ibarra, a rich
hacendero of the town.According to the Lieutenant, Don Rafael was unjustly accused of
being a heretic, in addition tobeing a filibusteran allegation brought forth by
Father Dmaso because of Don Rafael's non-participation in the Sacraments,
such as Confession and Mass. Father Dmaso's animosity against Ibarra's
father is aggravated by another incident when Don Rafael helped out on a
fightbetween a tax collector and a student fi ghting, and the former's death
was blamed on him,although it was not deliberate. Suddenly, all of those
who thought ill of him surfaced with additional complaints. He was imprisoned,
and just when the matter was almost settled, he gotsick and died in jail. Still not
content with what he had done, Father Dmaso arranged for DonRafael's corpse
to be dug up and transferred from the Catholic cemetery to the
Chinesecemetery, because he thought it inappropriate to allow a heretic such
as Don Rafael a Catholicburial ground. Unfortunately, it was raining
and because of the bothersome weight of thecadaver, the men in charge of the
burial decided to throw the corpse into the lake