Question 1

How old was Rizal when he died?

Accepted Answer

Thirty-five years, six months, and eleven days. He was born 19 June 1861 and shot 30 December 1896.

Question 2

Where and when was he born?

Accepted Answer

In Calamba, Laguna, on 19 June 1861 — the seventh of eleven children. He was baptised José Rizal Mercado three days later.

Question 3

What was his full name?

Accepted Answer

José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda.

Question 4

Who was his first teacher?

Accepted Answer

His mother, Teodora Alonso, who taught him the alphabet and his prayers before he was four.

Question 5

Where did he begin formal schooling?

Accepted Answer

At a private school in Biñan in 1869, under Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz.

Question 6

What was his first poem?

Accepted Answer

“Sa Aking Mga Kabatà” is traditionally attributed to him as a boy, though modern scholars dispute the attribution.

Question 7

What was his first prize-winning literary work?

Accepted Answer

“A La Juventud Filipina”, which won the competition of the Liceo Artístico-Literario de Manila in 1879.

Question 8

Where did he take his Bachelor of Arts?

Accepted Answer

At the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, graduating with highest honours in 1877.

Question 9

Where and when did he finish medicine?

Accepted Answer

At the Universidad Central de Madrid, receiving the licentiate in medicine in 1884; he then specialised in ophthalmology in Paris and Heidelberg.

Question 10

What is his first novel?

Accepted Answer

Noli Me Tángere, printed in Berlin in 1887.

Question 11

What is his second novel?

Accepted Answer

El Filibusterismo, printed in Ghent in 1891 and dedicated to the three martyred priests, Gomburza.

Question 12

Did he leave an unfinished novel?

Accepted Answer

Yes — an untitled Tagalog work often called “Makamisa”, abandoned after a few chapters.

Question 13

What organisation did he found?

Accepted Answer

La Liga Filipina, established in Manila on 3 July 1892. He was arrested days later.

Question 14

Where was he exiled?

Accepted Answer

Dapitan, in Zamboanga del Norte, from July 1892 to July 1896 — four years as physician, teacher, farmer, and engineer.

Question 15

What did he write on his last night?

Accepted Answer

An untitled fourteen-stanza poem now known as “Mi Último Adiós”, hidden in an alcohol lamp and given to his sister Trinidad.

Question 16

Where was he executed?

Accepted Answer

At Bagumbayan Field, now Rizal Park in Luneta, Manila, at about seven in the morning of 30 December 1896.

Question 17

Who was the youngest of his sisters?

Accepted Answer

Soledad. The eldest was Saturnina.

Question 18

What law requires the study of Rizal?

Accepted Answer

Republic Act No. 1425 of 1956, the Rizal Law, which mandates courses on his life, works, and writings in all schools, colleges, and universities.

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