José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, led a multifaceted life that can be divided

into several significant periods. Here are the key periods of Rizal's life:

1. Early Years (1861-1872):

 José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda was born on June 19,
1861, in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines.
 He came from a wealthy and educated family. His parents were Francisco
Mercado and Teodora Alonzo Realonda.
 Rizal showed exceptional intellectual abilities at an early age.
2. Education Abroad (1872-1882):
 Rizal's family sent him to Manila for his education at Ateneo Municipal and
later to the University of Santo Tomas.
 In 1882, he traveled to Spain to pursue higher studies at the Universidad
Central de Madrid and later at the Universidad Central de Barcelona.
3. The Propaganda Movement (1882-1892):
 Rizal became involved with the Propaganda Movement, a group of Filipino
reformists in Spain advocating for political reforms in the Philippines.
 He wrote articles, essays, and novels to expose the social injustices and the
oppressive colonial rule in the Philippines.
 Rizal's two most famous novels, "Noli Me Tangere" (1887) and "El
Filibusterismo" (1891), were critical of Spanish colonization.
4. Return to the Philippines (1887-1888):
 Rizal returned to the Philippines in 1887, but the authorities banned his
novels and labeled him a subversive.
 He established a school in Dapitan, Mindanao, and engaged in various
civic and educational activities.
5. Exile in Dapitan (1892-1896):
 Rizal was exiled to Dapitan by Spanish authorities, where he continued his
scientific, agricultural, and educational pursuits.
 He established a school, conducted medical missions, and made significant
contributions to Dapitan's development.
6. Trial and Execution (1896):
 In 1896, the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule erupted. Rizal,
though not directly involved, was implicated in the rebellion.
 He was arrested, tried by a military court, and found guilty of rebellion,
sedition, and conspiracy.
 On December 30, 1896, Rizal was executed by firing squad at Bagumbayan
(now Luneta Park) in Manila.
7. Legacy and Impact:
  Rizal's death served as a catalyst for the Philippine Revolution against
Spanish colonial rule.
 His writings and ideals continued to inspire later generations of Filipinos in
their pursuit of independence.
 Rizal is celebrated as a national hero in the Philippines, and his life and
works are studied as part of the country's history and literature.

Understanding these different periods in Rizal's life provides insight into the complex
and influential journey of this national hero.

**Early Life (1861-1877):**

Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines. His parents were Francisco
Mercado and Teodora Alonso. He began his education in Manila, later studying at the Ateneo Municipal
de Manila and eventually traveling to Europe for further studies.

**Education in Europe (1882-1887):**

Rizal pursued higher education in Europe, studying in Madrid, Spain, and later in Berlin, Germany. During
this period, he honed his skills in the arts and sciences, developed his nationalist views, and wrote
influential works like "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo," which criticized the Spanish colonial
regime.

**Activism and Reform (1887-1892):**

Rizal became actively involved in Filipino nationalist and reformist circles, advocating for social and
political changes within the framework of peaceful reforms. He founded the La Liga Filipina, a civic
organization promoting reforms, but it was dissolved, leading to his exile to Dapitan.

**Exile in Dapitan (1892-1896):**

During his exile in Dapitan, Mindanao, Rizal continued his scientific and artistic pursuits. He contributed
to the development of the town, established a school, and engaged in agriculture. Despite his distance
from the political center, his ideas continued to influence the nationalist movement.

**Return to Manila and Execution (1896):**

Rizal returned to Manila in 1892 but faced arrest and imprisonment. His association with the
revolutionary movement led to accusations of rebellion and sedition. In 1896, he was executed by firing
squad at Bagumbayan (now Luneta Park) in Manila, cementing his status as a martyr for the cause of
Philippine independence.

**Legacy and Impact:**

Jose Rizal's life and works significantly contributed to the awakening of Filipino national consciousness.
His writings exposed the social injustices under Spanish rule, inspiring future generations to fight for
independence. Rizal's influence extends beyond literature, encompassing his role as a nationalist,
reformist, and martyr in the Philippines' struggle for freedom. Today, he is celebrated as the national
hero of the Philippines.