Jose Rizal was a Filipino nationalist and writer who advocated for political reforms in the Philippines under Spanish colonial rule. He was a key member of the Filipino Propaganda Movement. Rizal was executed by the Spanish colonial government for rebellion after writings he authored inspired an anti-colonial revolution. The document then provides additional details about Rizal's life and legacy, including species named after him, facts about the Rizal monument in Luneta, and the establishment of the Order of the Knights of Rizal to honor his ideals.

1. Josefino T. Larena CPS,CPE,MPA

2. José Protasio
Mercado Rizal
y Alonso
Realonda or
popularly
known
as José Rizal

3. 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.

4.  Noli Me Tángere  El Filibusterismo

5.  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.

6.  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.

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

8.  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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11.  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.

12.  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.

13. 9. Rizal's first favorite novel/book:
-Count of Monte Cristo

14. 10. Rizal's favorite flower: Santan

16. Ginisang Mungo with Tinapa Photo courtesy of Century
Park Hotel

17. 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.

18.  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.

19. Suman and Manga

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

23.  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.

24.  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

26.  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.

27. 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.

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

31. 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.

32.  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.

33. MESSAGE TO THE YOUTH