150th Birth Anniversary of Jose Rizal

About a few years ago I had very limited knowledge about Dr. Jose Rizal as only the author of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo; two great novel that led to his martyred death and precipitated the Philippine Revolution against Spanish Colonial Rule. I should be ashame, but thanks to a Chinese comedian who made fun of The Philippines by saying all we have to be proud of is Manny Pacquiao. That incident  became an eye opener. As a proud brown race I have to make my own comment. I have to educate the world that we are not just brawlers or children's of domestic helpers, we had great men and women who made special mark in world history...and one of these men is our very own National Hero who will be celebrating his birth date anniversary this month.  

   

   José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was born on June 19, 1861. His father, Francisco Mercado Rizal, an industrious farmer whom Rizal called "a model of fathers," came from Biñan, Laguna; while his mother, Teodora Alonzo y Quintos, a highly cultured and accomplished woman whom Rizal called "loving and prudent mother," was born in Meisic, Sta. Cruz, Manila. 

The Execution of Rizal

   At the age of 3, he learned the alphabet from his mother; at 5, while learning to read and write, he already showed inclinations to be an artist. He astounded his family and relatives by his pencil drawings and sketches and by his moldings of clay. At the age 8, he wrote a Tagalog poem, "Sa Aking Mga Kabata," the theme of which revolves on the love of one’s language.
   He took graduate studies in Paris, France & Heidelberg, Germany. He also studied painting, sculpture, he learned to read and write in at least 22 languages.
   Rizal as we knew had many talent and skills...as a scientist he was able to discover new and rare species and among these are: 

• Draco Rizali—a flying dragon
• Apogonia Rizali -a small beetle
• Rhacophorus Rizali—a rare frog

   To elaborate more about the life and many attributes of Rizal would require an entire library so I will not be tackling that on this blog, if you want to learn more about this great man, who was even worship as Christ by Rizalista, you can visit the site provide below.
   His greatest contribution is offering his own life...Jose Rizal was executed via firing squad by the Spanish Government in Bagumbayan now Rizal Park.

In celebration of Rizal's Sesquicentennial Birth Anniversary, the City Government of Calamba is erecting a 22 ft (6.7 m). bronze statue (the world's tallest Rizal statue) in front of the 6.7 hectare Calamba City Hall complex. It will be unveiled on June 19, 2011 which is Rizal's 150th birthday.His Excellency Benigno Aquino III will unveil the monument.


To Learn more about Dr. Jose Rizal
http://www.slideshare.net/jenijeni/pi100-rizals-talents-and-skills
http://hubpages.com/hub/jose-rizal
http://www.philippines-life.com/jose-rizal-philippines.php