Dr. José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda (1861–1896) was a Filipino nationalist, polymath, and writer. Born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, he was the seventh of 11 children in a well-off family led by Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonzo. Rizal excelled academically, studying in Manila, Spain, Germany, and other European countries, where he became a skilled ophthalmologist and a prolific writer.
His novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo exposed colonial oppression, inspiring a national awakening among Filipinos. Despite his non-violent approach, Rizal was executed by Spanish authorities on 30 December 1896, at the age of 35, for his alleged role in the Philippine revolution. His death galvanised the struggle for independence, and he remains a symbol of courage, intellect, and love for country.
Today, Rizal’s legacy lives on as Filipinos honour him as a guiding light for freedom and justice. A grand monument at Luneta Park in Manila marks the site of his execution, serving as a powerful reminder of his enduring impact on the nation’s history.
