Jose Rizal's colorful life has been portrayed on TV and the movies several times over the years.
More than just being a national hero, Jose Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda or Jose Rizal has become a pop culture symbol admired by both young and old.
Rizal's life was colorful, heartbreaking, and inspiring.
It's not surprising that his remarkable life has been portrayed many times on television and in movies.
His life, not to mention his fascinating romantic affairs, had all the ingredients of a good story worth retelling over and over again.
This is why a film about Rizal constantly emerges, offering different perspectives about the man who helped ignite a revolution through his ideologies, writings, and tragic death.
So to mark the 160th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, we take a look at some of the actors who portrayed the great Malayan on screen over the years.
The first known portrayal of Jose Rizal on film was done by actor Eddie del Mar.
'Ang Buhay at Pag-ibig ni Dr. Jose Rizal' was directed by Ramon Estella and released in theaters in 1956.
The three-hour movie highlighted noteworthy events in Rizal's short but colorful life. As the title suggests, the film also touched on Rizal's various romantic liaisons.
A short clip of the film - a meager 35-second scene - can be seen on Casa Grande Vintage Filipino Cinema Facebook page.
Directed by Tikoy Aguiluz, 'Rizal sa Dapitan' focuses on Jose Rizal's life while in exile in Dapitan.
Albert Martinez took on the role of Rizal, while Amanda Page portrayed the hero's love interest and wife, Josephine Bracken.
The film was shot entirely in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte. 'Rizal sa Dapitan' was released in cinemas on September 9, 1997
Cesar's take on Jose Rizal, to this day, remains to be the most iconic portrayal of the country's national hero.
The film itself, 'José Rizal,' is the definitive biopic about Rizal's life based on historical literature.
Esteemed director Marilou Diaz-Abaya oversaw this ambitious project, which at the time was the most expensive film created in Philippine cinema with an P80M budget.
'José Rizal' was released as part of the 24th Metro Manila Film Festival in 1998 to critical acclaim
The film - produced by GMA Films (now GMA Pictures) - won countless awards including Best Actor awards for Cesar from MMFF and FAMAS.
Veteran director Mike De Leon challenged popular perception about Jose Rizal when he released the mockumentary, 'Bayaning 3rd World,' in 1999.
The movie featured Ricky Davao and Cris Villanueva, with Joel Torre portraying the character of Rizal.
'Bayaning 3rd World' attempts to shatter the myths surrounding Rizal, humanizing the seemingly flawless patriot-turned-hero and presenting him as a human with self-doubts and flaws.
Did Jose Rizal meet Enteng Kabisote? The 2007 fantasy-comedy film 'Enteng Kabisote: Okay Ka Fairy Ko 4' did just that with Jomari Yllana playing the role of the country's national hero.
Actor-entrepreneur, Marvin Agustin, portrayed Jose Rizal in GMA Network's 2010 “Lupang Hinirang” video.
'StarStruck' alumnus, Rocco Nacino, was chosen to portray Jose Rizal in the GMA News and Public Affairs produced 'Pluma: Rizal, Ang Dakilang Manunulat,' to celebrate the hero's 150th birthday in 2012.
Artist Nasser Lubay took on the role of the country's national hero on GMA-7's 2013 historical TV drama series, 'Katipunan.'
The series is inspired by the revolutionary society Katipunan or KKK with Sid Lucero portraying Andres Bonifacio.
Kapuso heartthrob Alden Richards assumed the role of Jose Rizal back in 2014 for the GMA-7 period drama series, 'Ilustrado.'
The TV series tells the story of Rizal and his time spent abroad to study. Battling homesickness, he returns home and applies his newfound knowledge and skills to help his countrymen and family.
Ilustrado also stars Kylie Padilla as Leonor Rivera, Eula Valdez as Teodora "Lolay" Alonso Mercado, Solenn Heussaff as Nellie Boustead, and Jaclyn Jose as Conchita Monteverde.
The 2014 film 'Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo' saw Jericho Rosales don the Jose Rizal persona.
Directed by Enzo Williams, the movie was top-billed by Robin Padilla who played the lead role of the revolutionary hero, Andres Bonifacio.
The satirical comedy series, 'Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 3: The Untold Story of Josephine Bracken,' starring Eugene Domingo takes on the story of Rizal's wife, Josephine Bracken, but with a comedic twist.
Actor Tony Labrusca played the role of Jose Rizal.
In Pepe Diokno's 'GomBurZa,' which is an official entry to the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival, Khalil Ramos briefly appeared as a young Jose Rizal.