12/30/2025
Honoring our National Hero, Dr José P. Rizal💜
December 30th marks Rizal Day, a Philippine national holiday honoring Dr. José Rizal, the country's national hero, who was executed by Spanish colonial authorities on December 30, 1896, at Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) for his nationalist writings that inspired the Philippine Revolution, serving as a day to remember his patriotism, sacrifices, and ideals of freedom and justice.
Key Facts about Rizal and December 30th:
Ex*****on (1896): Rizal, a physician, poet, and novelist, was shot by a firing squad for sedition and rebellion, though he advocated for reforms, not violent revolt.
Rizal Day (1898): President Emilio Aguinaldo declared December 30th a national day of mourning, establishing it as a commemoration of Rizal's martyrdom.
National Hero: His works, like Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo, ignited Filipino nationalism and the desire for independence from Spain.
Commemoration: Today, Filipinos worldwide remember Rizal's life and ideals, reflecting on his contributions to Philippine identity and freedom, with ceremonies at Rizal Park.
Featured here are the Top Ten winning portraits during our 2022 Jose Rizal National Portraiture Competition.
