Jose Rizal

José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, widely known as José

Rizal (June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896), was a Filipino
nationalist and polymath during the tail end of the Spanish colonial period of
the Philippines. 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 the Philippine Revolution, inspired in part by his writings, broke
out. Though he was not actively involved in its planning or conduct, he ultimately
approved of its goals which eventually led to Philippine independence. He is widely
considered one of the greatest heroes of the Philippines and has been recommended
to be so honored by an officially empaneled National Heroes Committee. However,
no law, executive order or proclamation has been enacted or issued officially
proclaiming any Filipino historical figure as a national hero. He was the author of the
novels Noli Me Tángere and El filibusterismo, and a number of poems and essays.
Upon the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution in 1896, Valenzuela surrendered to
the Spanish authorities and testified in military court that Rizal had strongly
condemned an armed struggle for independence when Valenzuela asked for his
support. Rizal had even refused him entry to his house. Bonifacio, in turn, had openly
denounced him as a coward for his refusal. But years later, Valenzuela testified that
Rizal had been favorable to an uprising as long as the Filipinos were well-prepared,
and well-supplied with arms. Rizal had suggested that the Katipunan get wealthy and
influential Filipino members of society on their side, or at least ensure they would stay
neutral. Rizal had even suggested his friend Antonio Luna to lead the revolutionary
forces since he had studied military science. In the event that the Katipunan was
discovered prematurely, they should fight rather than allow themselves to be killed.
Valenzuela said to historian Teodoro Agoncillo that he had lied to the Spanish military
authorities about Rizal's true stance toward a revolution in an attempt to exculpate
him. Before his execution, Rizal wrote a proclamation denouncing the revolution. But
as noted by historian Floro Quibuyen, his final poem Mi ultimo adios contains a stanza
which equates his coming execution and the rebels then dying in battle as
fundamentally the same, as both are dying for their country.
Plural nouns

1. Political reforms 9. Authorities

2. Writings 10. Years
3. Goals 11. Filipinos
4. Greatest heroes 12. Arms
5. Heroes 13. Members
6. Novels 14. Forces
7. Poems 15. Themselves
8. Essays 16. rebels