Fun Facts About José Rizal: Surprising Details You Didn't Know

    José Rizal was an exceptional individual with many accomplishments to his name, be it intellect or talent in art. Beyond all his revolutionary legacy, many less-known puzzle pieces about this extraordinary hero contribute to his story in the most interesting fashion. Let us take a look at some fun and surprising tidbits about Rizal that reveal his depth of genius and character.

1. A Master of Languages

Rizal was not only a great writer but also a genius in languages. He could speak and write more than 22 languages, including Spanish, French, German, English, and a variety of Philippine dialects. This global thinking was brought about by his ability to communicate with any man in the world.

2. A Poet at Eight Years Old

At eight years old, Rizal wrote his poem "Sa Aking Mga Kabatà," showing his early wisdom and passion for the good of his country. This poem encourages Filipino youth to protect the integrity of their country and to be brave amidst adversity.

3. A Multi-Talented Artist

Rizal wasn't only a brilliant scholar; he was an exceptional artist as well. He was a painter, sculptor, and draftsman. His artistic exploits were often infused into his thoughts and critique of society, adding a piece of personality to his revolutionary work.

4. A Talented Student

Rizal showed excellent academic performance. At all times, he was elevated to the top of his class and received the title sobresaliente (excellent), which comes from his striving for knowledge and his endurance going in that spirit for his betterment in all of his studies. 

5. Small Man, Big Impact

Rizal stood quite short, almost 5 feet 3 inches in height; its waist was not larger than 25-26 inches; yet he made an impact and left an extended circumference of intellect, in the Philippines and the world.

6. The Secret Message Before His Execution

On the midnight before his execution, Rizal ingeniously concealed vile papers inside his shoes and pockets. These hidden papers carried what may have been damning evidence to those enlightened by the injustices of his era.

7. The Unfinished Novel Makamisa

For the most known Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, historians believe he worked on a third unfinished novel called Makamisa. The unpublished work reminds one of the identity of a Filipino and cultural concerns.

8. Three Animals Named After Him

In recognition of his contributions to science and culture, three animals were named after José Rizal, thus acquiring him for posterity in the world of nature.

9. Parks and Provinces Named After Him

Rizal's influence spreads beyond the Philippines, which features a park in Seattle, Washington, and Rizal Province in the Philippines, bearing his name as a mark of recognition and admiration on the world stage.

10. His Face on the Philippine Peso

Rizal gets talked about as his face has been placed on the Philippine peso so that every Filipino will always have a piece of him wherever he goes, making him a part of their daily life.

        Such fascinating details portray a glimpse into the multifaceted life of José Rizal, showing him as more than a revolutionary hero but a brilliant, compassionate, and multi-talented individual whose legacy continues to inspire. Want to know anything more? Explore further for more interesting trivia about the life of one of the greatest heroes! 

References

Batongbakal, L. (2015). 10 Amazing Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Jose Rizal. Retrieved from: https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=299&q=funfacts+about+rizal&cvid=0027ddbfb2e74ed1ba4f5bc1244bb0e2&gs_lcrp=EgRlZGdlKgYIABBFGDkyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQABhAMgYIAhAAGEDSAQg0ODczajBqMagCALACAA&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=NMTS

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