Physician, scientist, painter, sculptor, poet, novelist, linguist, researcher, philosopher, and historian, Dr. Jose Rizal is the greatest Filipino of all times. Born at Calamba, Laguna, on June 19, 1861, he obtained, at a young age in 1877, his Bachelor of Arts Degree with highest honors. He went on to continue and brilliantly finished his medical and humanistic studies. In all his scholastic studies in Manila and in European universities he always emerged with honors; and at the age of 24, he was already a full-fledged physician, philosopher, scientist and scholar. A prolific writer, Rizal's pen went beyond the frontiers of novel-writing and invaded other intellectual pastures.
A great contributor to the literature of the Propaganda Movement, Rizal was accused by the Spanish authorities to be behind the blossoming anti-friar demonstrations in the Philippines. His two famous books, the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, caused the ire of the the Spanish authorities and the friars. Despite the warnings of his relatives and friends for him not to return, he decided to come home. Jose Rizal knew very well that he was risking his own life. In one of his letters addressed to his countrymen, read in part: "I wish to show those who deny us patriotism that we know how to die for duty and principles. What matters death, if one dies for what one loves, for native land and beings held dear?"
Dr. Jose Rizal was executed at dawn of December 30, 1896.
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