Introduction to Rizal

Josefino T. Larena CPS,CPE,MPA

Who is Rizal

José Protasio Mercado Rizal y Alonso Realonda or popularly known as José Rizal

ABOUT RIZAL An ophthalmologist by profession,

Rizal became a writer and a key member of the Filipino Propaganda Movement which advocated political reforms for the colony under Spain. He was executed by the Spanish colonial government for the crime of rebellion after an anti-colonial revolution, inspired in part by his writings, broke out.

 He was the author of the novels  Noli Me Tángere El Filibusterismo

  Amazing Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Jose Rizal

1. There are three animals named after Rizal. These species of animals were the ones he collected while he was an exile in Dapitan and include Apogonia Rizali (Heller), a type of small beetle; Draco Rizali (Wandolleck), a species of flying dragon; and Rachophorous Rizali (Boetger), a species of toad.

2. Contrary to popular belief, the Rizal monument in Luneta was not made by a Filipino artist. The design was the work of Swiss sculptor named Richard Kissling who won second prize in an art competition that was held in 1907 to find the best scale model for the future Rizal monument. The first prize went to Italian sculptor Carlo Nicoli of Carrara but for some reason, the contract to build the monument was given to the second-prize winner.

3.  Rizal cured himself of tuberculosis, and was later recognized as a tuberculosis expert.

4. He was already a terrific sculptor even at a very young age. In fact, Rizal carved a 9-inch statuette of the Sacred Heart out of batikuling wood when he was only 14 years old. The Jesuit fathers brought this statuette in Fort Santiago when they visited Rizal in December 1896. Aside from wood sculptures, Rizal also carved 40 amazing masterpieces out of plaster, terra-cotta, wax, and clay.

5. When he was studying in Spain, Rizal had to pawn a ring owned by his sister Saturnina just to pay for his exams. But he didn’t want his family to get worried, so he only mentioned his victories and excellent grades in the letters addressed to his family.

6. According to Faustino “Tinong” Alfon, Rizal’s former cook in Dapitan, our national hero’s favorite fruits were lanzones and mangoes. His meals back then usually consisted of three kinds of ulam. Rizal’s breakfast, on the other hand, was usually comprised of hot chocolate, rice, and sardinas secas, commonly known now as simply tuyo. 

7. Rizal once sent a love letter written in invisible ink to Leonor Valenzuela, a tall girl from Pagsanjan. The message could only be deciphered if you put the letter over a lamp or candle. Leonor Valenzuela was one of Rizal’s first sweethearts. Unfortunately, they parted ways when Rizal had to leave for Spain.

8. Rizal who, in his travels to Europe in the latter part of the 19th century, was impressed with the success of a new economic movement which transformed the economic and social life of the Europeans. After his side trip to Sandakan, Borneo in 1892, Rizal requested Governor General Despujol to allow him to move with some relatives and friends to that place and establish therein a colony under the cooperative production and marketing plan of Robert Owen, who is acknowledged as the father of world cooperation. Instead, he was arrested for treason and banished to Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte. In Dapitan, Rizal had his ideas in cooperation partially fulfilled. He put up a school for the poor community on a purely cooperative basis. He also established a cooperative store with the help of his pupils. One noteworthy group organized by Rizal was the La Sociedad de los Abacaleros (Society of Abaca Producers). This functioned for only one year. Rizal returned the members share capital without any loss.

9. Rizal's first favorite novel/book:

-Count of Monte Cristo

10. Rizal's favorite flower: Santan

Favorite Fruit of Jose Rizal

Favorite Food of Jose RizalGinisang Mungo with Tinapa Photo courtesy of Century Park Hotel

Dr. Rizal was adventurous with food, enjoying simple local fare as well as the sophisticated European cuisines.Photo courtesy of Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila.

Moules a la Mariniere, or mussels cooked in white wine, is reminiscent of the dishes that Dr. Rizal enjoyed when he lived in France to work as an ophthalmologist and to hone his skills in music. Photo courtesy of Century Park Hotel.

Suman and Manga

the dried fish called tuyo and fried rice, Jose Rizal's favorite breakfast

Favorite Park in SpainParque del Buen Retiro

Rizal was inspired to name his place of exile in Dapitan, Zamboanga as " Mi Retiro"

Rizal law Republic Act No. 1425, known as the Rizal Law,

mandates all educational institutions in the Philippines to offer courses about José Rizal. The full name of the law is An Act to Include in the Curricula of All Public and Private Schools, Colleges and Universities Courses On the Life, Works and Writings of Jose Rizal, Particularly His Novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Authorizing the Printing and Distribution Thereof, and for Other Purposes. The measure was strongly opposed by the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines due to the anti-clerical themes in Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo.

Senator Claro M. Recto was the main proponent of the Rizal Bill. He sought to sponsor the bill at Congress. However, this was met with stiff opposition from the Catholic Church. During the 1955 Senate election, the church charged Recto with being a communist and an anti-Catholic. After Recto's election, the Church continued to oppose the bill mandating the reading of Rizal's novels Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo, claiming it would violate freedom of conscience and religion

Author of the Rizal Law

The Order of the Knights of Rizal is a fraternal and cultural organization created to honor and uphold the ideals of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal. Established on December 30, 1911, the organization was granted a legislative charter by the President of the Philippines as a civic and patriotic organization on 14 June 1951 by Republic Act 646.

The Republic act 646 was sponsored by Congressman Manuel Zosa of Cebu and was signed into law by President Elpidio Quirino. It was founded by Colonel Antonio C. Torres who would later serve as the first Filipino Chief of Police of Manila. It is characterized not only as a civic and patriotic but also as cultural, non-sectarian, non-partisan and non-racial organization as well.

Since its founding, the Order has grown to over 10,000 members belonging to over fifteen chapters located in several countries around the world including Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, France (four Chapters), Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, The Netherlands and the United States.[Its international headquarters is located along Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila.

R.A. 646 CHARTER OF THE KNIGHTS OF RIZAL SECOND CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

SCHOLARSHIP

The Order of the Knights of Rizal SCHOLARSHIP

Search for the Top Ten Jose Rizal Model Students in the Philippines

The Search for Jose Rizal Model Students of the Philippines is an annual competition aimed at giving recognition to  the ten outstanding college students of the Philippines who best embody Rizal's excellence in academics and campus leadership qualities in campus and community involvement , especially the Rizalian virtue of patriotism and  love of country.

conferment of the Rizal Women of Malolos Medal to beauty queen, public servant, heritage advocate and author Lady Gemma Cruz Araneta by the Knights of Rizal Supreme Commander Sir Jerry Singson, KGCR and the Supreme Council yesterday, 30 December 2015, 119th death anniversary of Jose Rizal.

The Women of Malolos is the highest citation that the Knights give annually to a woman of exceptional achievement who has exemplified the ideals of Rizal.

Recently, Madame Brigitte Ayrault, wife of Jean Marc Ayrault, the former Prime Minister of France, received the award.

Rizal ActivitiesMESSAGE TO THE YOUTH

2015 Message to the Youth

Rizal's Poem Interpretation 2015

Declamation Speech on Rizal 2015

Araw ng Rizal

RIZAL DEBATE AS National Hero

Mi Último Adiós

Rizal Pictorials

Rizal in Europe

Rizal in Exile

Rizal in Japan

Rizal in Spain

Rizal sa Dumaguete