About A Historical Filipino Hero - Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado (Essay Sample)

Jose Rizal
(Student’s name)
History
(Institutional affiliation)
Jose Rizal
On June 19, 1861, Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado was born, the seventh of eleven children. Jose was recognized as not only being incredibly intelligent and talented, but also demonstrating a deep interest in learning and developing during his early childhood. At the age of five he was already reading and writing, despite not having had any formal education. Jose’s parents hired a tutor, however it was soon apparent that Jose’s capacities were far beyond what a tutor can offer him. Jose was then enrolled at one of the most illustrious academic institutions in his country, Ateneo Municipal De Manila, home to the country’s most intelligent and wealthy students. It was there that Jose earned a degree in Land Surveying and Assessment, graduating with honors on March 14, 1877. Despite excelling at philosophy, his mother’s deteriorating eyesight caused him to switch gears from pursuing a degree in philosophy, to studying medicine, and specializing in ophthalmology.
Jose left home for Europe, feeling that his educational opportunities at home were limited due to discrimination from the Spanish, who had colonized the Philippines. In Spain Jose earned degrees in medicine, as well as philosophy, and went on to study ophthalmology in Paris and Germany. Jose excelled in every field he studied, and was accomplished in literature, sculpting, painting, architecture, martial arts, fencing, and pistol shooting. He was also well read, and could converse in over ten languages.
Jose had experienced and witnessed firsthand the travesties committed against Filipinos, by the Spanish colonial government. Among those atrocities were the slaying of three Filipino priests, Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora, all of whom were dedicated to advocating for equal rights, and were then executed under accusations of being subversive. Jose’s mother was imprisoned for two and a half years by Spanish colonial authorities, who accused her of trying to poison her cousin. These events, among countless others, spurred within him the need for change in the Philippines. While in Europe, Jose wrote his first novel, Noli Mi Tangere, which was published in Berlin, Germany, in 1887. This novel portrayed clearly the harsh conditions suffered by the Filipino nation, under the cruel regime of the Spanish colonial system. Noli Mi Tangere was met with vicious reaction from the elite colonial church and government.
Returning to his homeland, Rizal was forced to defend himself, as he was brought to the Governor General of the Philippine Islands, amid accusations of being subversive, and an inciter of rebellion. Thus, Jose Rizal’s name was put on a watch-list, to be monitored and tracked by the Spanish colonial government. Despite the danger to himself, Rizal wrote another novel, El Filibustermo, published in 1891. This second novel again portrayed the harsh, cruel situation being embodied under the Spanish colonial oppression, along with catalytic revolutionary movements. Back home in the Philippines, Katipuneros used Jose Rizal’s name as part of their battle cry. Upon his arrival in the Philippines in 1892, Rizal was arrested for being a rebel and subversive. He was exiled in Mindanao where he founded a school, participated in agricultural projects, and practiced medicine.
Jose requested to be allowed to travel to Cuba in order to aid in the handling of an outbreak of yellow fever. Rizal was arrested in Barcelona, and brought back home to face charges of rebellion. Jose Rizal was found guilty, and was given a sentence of death. On December 30, 1896, Jose Rizal was executed. Jose Rizal is cited as a hero, and universal symbol of peace reforms. His death anniversary is observed nationally as a legal holiday. Buildings, streets and parks proudly b...