ABOUT THE AUTHOR OF NOLI ME TANGERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR OF NOLI ME TANGERE

José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was a Filipino nationalist, writer, and revolutionary who played a pivotal role in the Philippines' struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule. He was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines, and died on December 30, 1896, in Manila, Philippines.

Rizal was a polymath, proficient in various fields including medicine, literature, and the sciences. Apart from his academic pursuits, Rizal is best known for his literary works which were instrumental in awakening Filipino nationalism and resistance against Spanish colonial oppression. His two most famous novels, "Noli Me Tangere" (Touch Me Not) and "El Filibusterismo" (The Reign of Greed), served as catalysts for the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule.

"Noli Me Tangere" was published in 1887 and is considered one of the most influential novels in Philippine literature. The novel exposed the injustices and abuses suffered by Filipinos under Spanish colonial rule, portraying the social and political landscape of the Philippines during the 19th century. Rizal's experiences witnessing the harsh realities of colonial oppression, as well as his observations of Spanish abuses and corruption, inspired him to write "Noli Me Tangere."

Rizal aimed to awaken his fellow Filipinos to the injustices they faced and to ignite a sense of national identity and pride. Through his writings, he sought to challenge the Spanish authorities and inspire his countrymen to strive for social reform and ultimately independence.

However, Rizal's writings also attracted the attention of the Spanish authorities, who viewed him as a threat to their colonial rule. He was eventually arrested, tried for sedition, and executed by firing squad on December 30, 1896, at the age of 35. Despite his untimely death, Rizal's legacy as a national hero and intellectual continues to inspire generations of Filipinos in their quest for freedom and justice.