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On Rizal's 151st birth anniversary, 151 Pinoys bike from Luneta to Calamba
On the 151st birth anniversary of Philippine national Dr. Jose Rizal, 151 people, including cops and civilians biked from the Jose Rizal monument at the Luneta Park in Manila to his birthplace in Calamba, Laguna. A report of radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen on Tuesday quoted Laguna police chief Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz as saying this was their way of paying tribute to Rizal. A separate report of radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo said in Manila, several groups gathered at the Rizal Park to offer flowers to the national hero. A group of students offered red and white roses at the Rizal Monument, as did the Knights of Rizal and the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines. Joining them were government officials including National Parks Development Committee executive director Juliet Villegas and National Historical Commission of the Philippines head Ludovico Badoy. Rizal's descendants also attended the rites, including former Tourism Secretary Gemma Cruz-Araneta. Several Rizal-themed activities were planned for the day in Manila, including a photography contest for youths, an environmental awareness seminar, an environmental awareness concert, and a showing of a film on Rizal. Jose Rizal
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda was a Filipino polymath and patriot who advocated for reforms in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era.
Rizal was born to a rich family in Calamba, Laguna on June 19, 1861. He was the seventh child in the family which had 11 children.
He attended various schools:
- Ateneo Municipal de Manila (earning a Bachelor of Arts);
- University of Santo Tomas (medicine);
- Universidad Central de Madrid in Madrid, Spain (Licentiate in Medicine);
- University of Paris, and
- University of Heidelberg.
He was also a poet and novelist and his two most famous works were the "Noli me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo."
On December 30, 1896, Rizal was executed by the Spanish in Bagumbayan.
The date of his death is remembered every year as "Rizal Day." — VVP, GMA News
