National Registry of Historic Sites and Structures

JOSE PROTACIO RIZAL
(1861–1896)

THE NATIONAL HERO OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE PRIDE OF THE MALAY RACE. HE WAS A PHYSICIAN, POET, LINGUIST AND POLYGLOT, SCULPTOR AND POLITICAL ESSAYIST. AUTHOR OF THE TWO FAMOUS NOVELS, NOLI ME TANGERE (THE SOCIAL CANCER), 1887, AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO (THE REIGN OF GREED), 1891, WHICH DRAMATIZED THE COLONIAL OPPRESSION OF THE FILIPINOS DURING THE SPANISH REGIME. ARRESTED ON JULY 6, 1892 FOR ORGANIZING LA LIGA FILIPINA, AN ASSOCIATION SEEKING TO DEFEND FILIPINO RIGHTS. DEPORTED ON JULY 15, 1892 TO DAPITAN, ZAMBOANGA IN MINDANAO. VOLUNTEERED AS A MILITARY DOCTOR FOR THE SPANISH FORCES FIGHTING IN CUBA. ENROUTE TO SPAIN, RIZAL WAS AGAIN ARRESTED AND BROUGHT BACK TO MANILA WHERE HE WAS CHARGED WITH INSPIRING THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION. EXECUTED BY MUSKETRY AND DIED AS A MARTYR ON DECEMBER 30, 1896 IN BAGUMBAYAN (NOW RIZAL PARK), MANILA.