José Rizal: How One Man Inspired a Revolution

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Who was José Protacio Rizal — and why is he honored every December 30th on Rizal Day in the Philippines? Born in 1861 on the island of Luzon, Rizal was more than just a writer. He was a visionary reformer, a trained physician, and a fearless critic of Spanish colonial rule. Through his groundbreaking novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, and countless essays, Rizal exposed the injustices of the Spanish regime and called for peaceful reform. Rather than inciting violence, Rizal believed in intellectual resistance. He advocated for the Philippines to become a self-governing overseas province of Spain — a bold and progressive idea at the time. His execution in 1896 by the Spanish colonial government turned him into a martyr and a symbol of national pride. Today, José Rizal is revered as the pambansang bayani — the national hero of the Philippines — and his legacy continues to inspire movements for freedom and justice across Southeast Asia. #dwculture 00:00 Introduction 01:51 Life and Death of José Rizal 06:54 The Idea of a Nation 08:56 An American-made Hero? 10:36 Identity - The Struggle Continues For more visit: https://www.dw.com/en/culture/s-1441 Please follow DW's netiquette: https://p.dw.com/p/MF1G