FACTS ABOUT RIZAL
His full name is José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda.
He was born on June 19, 1861.
He was baptized on June 22, 1861 by Rufino Collantes.
In 1864 he learned the alphabet.
He was a patriot, physician, poet par excellence and novelist who inspired the
Philippine nationalist movement.
6. He died at age 35, executed by Spanish colonial masters
7. Rizal was already 24 years old and a full-pledged surgeon, when he migrated into
Paris (Zulueta, 2004). His decision to move into Paris was brought about his
intention to specialize in ophthalmology.
8. He studies ophthalmology to cure the eye ailment of his mother.
9. Rizal worked as an assistant at the eye clinic of Dr. Louis de Wecker, for four
months. From Dr. de Wecker, Rizal learned the following; recent studies on the
ailment of the eyes; and the various techniques of eye operation.
10. For the time he stayed with Juan Luna in the latter’s studio in Paris. Rizal became
Luna’s model in two of historical canvasses: The Blood Compact; and Death of
Cleopatra.
11. Rizal posed as Sikatuna in the Blood Compact and as a priest in the Death of
Cleopatra.
12. Before leaving the city (Paris), Rizal had completed one fourth of this first novel,
the Noli Me Tangere.
13. Rizal left Paris and moved to Germany. He arrived at Heidelberg, the university
town of Germany, on February 3, 1886.
14. He was privileged to work at the eye hospital of the university, under the tutelage
of Dr. Otto Becker.
15. Rizal described the German student as affectionate, respectful, modest, and not
boastful. Women however, were described by Rizal as tall, stout, blonde.
16. Rizal wrote a poem entitled “A Las Flores de Heidelberg” (To The Flowers of
Heidelberg) on April 12, 1886, inspired by the cool breeze of the Neckar River of
Heidelberg.
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