Doctor, Novelist, Filipino Patriot, Independence Movement Martyr. He rests in downtown Manila's Rizal Park beneath an elaborate monument guarded by sentries dressed in full regalia. His nationalist ideas contained in his two novels "Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo" fomented the Filipino Insurrection against the ruling Spaniards in 1896 resulting in his death. After execution by firing squad, his remains were quickly buried by Spanish authorities in a secret makeshift grave in Paco Cemetery intentionally mismarked to mislead and discourage martyrdom. However, found by admirers, they erected a cross and simply inscribed it with the date of his death. He was exhumed several years later, cremated and the receptacle kept at the family home. After the departure of the Spaniards, Dr. Jose Rizal was finally given an honored place of rest at Bagumbayan Field a short distance from his execution site. On December 30, 1916, the ashes were taken and placed in a mausoleum with a massive public ceremony. Renamed Rizal Park, it has grown to become the most important site in the nation. National dedication days are held in front of the Rizal monument. Visiting foreign leaders place wreaths during state visits at welcoming ceremonies.. A huge flagpole called "Kilometer Zero" is where the distance of all the country's towns and cities are measured. It was here that Manuel Roxas, the first President was sworn in on July 4th, 1946 after independence was granted by the Americans. Above all, this largest open space in the overcrowded city of Manila allows thousands of ordinary citizens to emerge and enjoyed this oasis with his many features...gardens, plazas, a grand stadium, an observatory, open-air concert hall theatre, restaurants and many children play areas. He was the seventh child in a family that would ultimately number 11 children born in the small town of Calamba, Laguna. His father Francisco Rizal was a wealthy farmer while his mother Teodora was well educated, cultured and the home teacher of not only Jose but also the rest of the children. Jose especially showed promise in drawing and creating sketches. At age 8, he was already exhibiting a talent for writing by composing poems and by age fifteen produced a melodrama. After a scholastic career in Manila marked by considerable success, he displayed uncommon ability and promise. At age 21, he proceeded to Europe to study medicine receiving a Doctors's certificate and then a Licentiate in Philosophy and Fine Arts in Madrid. A stay in Paris honed his knowledge of medicine by further study specializing in diseases of the eye at the same time pursuing artistic and literary endeavors. Further studies followed in Germany and Austria with a respite in Belgium where he wrote his celebrated novel, "Noli Me Tangere." After a five year period, he returned to the Philippines already famous as many Filipino's had read his many works. The Spanish authorities were fearful of his broad views regarding freedom and the rights of man and Jose was not welcomed by the Spaniards. His writings had exposed the injustices committed by Spanish civil and clerical officials. As a consequence, he and those who had contacts with him were shadowed. The result was political exile in Dapitan, Mindanao. Here he maintained and operated a hospital while conducting vocational courses in agriculture, surveying, sculpturing, painting and languages. The widely traveled Rizal had mastered the languages of every country he had visited... Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, and Japanese, etc (22 in all). When the Philippine Revolution started in 1896, Spanish authorities quickly made an arrest committing him to Fort Santiago. Tried in a military court and denied the right of counsel, he was convicted of rebellion, sedition and of forming illegal association bringing a sentence of death. At age 35 he was taken to Bagumbayan Field and shot. Legacy...Rizal Park in Manila is the ultimate tribute to Dr. Jose Rizal but Seattle, Washington in deference to the many Filipino Americans in that city dedicated a nine acre park naming it "Rizal Park" in 1979. Located on a gentle slope in the downtown area, a fitting sculpture of his likeness is the centerpiece and a marker briefly describes the history of the man who inspired a revolution. The park has become a favorite gathering and picnic spot for members of the Filipino community. He was the namesake of the destroyer USS Rizal an American naval vessel. A Filipino movie simply entitled "Jose Rizal" was released in 1998 with a sound track consisting of major languages of the world. Flashbacks outline the life of the famous martyr. A most unlikely place of honor...Spanish Freemasons placed a tablet in honor of their esteemed member at the Grand Lodge in Madrid naming him a martyr of liberty. Authored books..."Rizal: Man and Martyr" by Frank C. Laubach, "The Lineage, Life, and Labors of Jose Rizal" by Austin Craig, "The Story of Jose Rizal: The Greatest Man of the Brown Race" by Austin Craig and "Memoirs of a Student in Manila" by P. Jacinto. Rizal day is a National holiday in the Philippines. A province now bears his name and postage stamps and paper money are emblazoned with his image. Every town in the Philippines has its Rizal Street or Square. Manila has a flourishing Rizal University. The National Museum of the Philippines, Manila is the repository for many Rizal artifacts especially the famed alcohol cooking lamp where he hit his poem "Me Ultimo Adios" (My Farewell) given to his sister Trinidad before his death.