Jose Rizal — an extraordinary Filipino
Today is the birth anniversary of the national hero of the Philippines, Dr. Jose Rizal, who was born in 19 June 1861 in Calamba, Laguna. He was the 7th child in a brood of 11 children, and showed signs of being a child prodigy from the age of 3.
What I admire in him the most is his love for the language of his land. At age 8, he wrote a Tagalog poem, “‘Sa Aking Mga Kabata,’ the theme of which revolves on the love of one’s language,” according to biographer Teofilo Montemayor. Rizal spoke — nay, mastered — 22 languages.
He was martyred at the age of 35.
Know more about our national hero at www.joserizal.ph.
