The last years of the nineteenth century were the Philippines’ first steps towards independence. During this time, a person with a superb mind devoted his life to reforming Spanish rule in his native country. José Rizal was a medical student who advocated peaceful political reforms in his writings. Although he never called for Philippine independence, he became an icon that inspired the Filipino nationalist movement.
Early years
The son of a wealthy landowner, José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was born on June 19, 1861 in Calamba, La Laguna. The family consisted of farmers who were descended from Chinese immigrant Domingo Lam-co and altered their name to Mercado because of anti-Chinese sentiment among the many Spanish.
From an early age, Rizal demonstrated exceptional writing and reading skills; by the age of 5 he could do each. At the age of 16, he graduated with highest honors from medical school on the Ateneo Municipal de Manila.
Life in Europe
In 1882, Rizal went to Spain to enroll on the Universidad Central de Madrid. He obtained his medical degree two years later on the age of 23, and a yr later he graduated in philosophy and literature. His mother’s blindness forced him to review ophthalmology on the University of Paris and later on the University of Heidelberg.
Among the various skills that Rizal mastered, writing proved crucial in his struggle for reform. The first of his novels was published in Berlin, Germany Noli and TangierOr Social cancera scathing critique of Spanish colonial rule within the Philippines and the role of the Catholic Church. He also became the leader of the Propaganda Movement, a movement for reform and national consciousness, with its own newspaper, Solidarityto which Rizal wrote many articles.
Exile in Mindanao
Rizal’s book prevented him from returning to the Philippines in 1887. He continued writing, releasing a self-titled sequel Filibusterism (The reign of greed) five years later and calling for equal treatment of Filipinos and limits on the ability of Spanish clergy Solidarity.
He finally returned home in 1892 and founded Ligo Filipino, which supported peace efforts. Although he never advocated independence, the colonial government accused him of participating within the rebel and he was exiled to the town of Dapitan on the island of Mindanao. He spent the 4 years of exile practicing medicine and teaching. Josephine Bracken, the stepdaughter of a cataract surgery patient, stole his heart, but their application for a wedding license was rejected by the Church.
Martyrdom and legacy
Despite condemning the Philippine Revolution that broke out in 1896, Rizal was arrested during his trip to Cuba as a military doctor. He was tried by a military court and charged with sedition. The permission to marry the eagle was issued two hours before the execution on December 30, 1896. He was 35 years old.
Rizal’s death strengthened the rebel against Spanish rule, which resulted in 1898 with U.S. interference. He continues to be remembered today for his intelligence, compassion and literary work, amongst others My last goodbyeOr My last goodbyewhich was written the day before he died.
