Jose Rizal was born on the outskirts of Manila during the over 300-year era of colonial Spanish rule in what is now known as the Philippines. The native Filipinos, formerly referred to as Indios, endured oppression, exploitation, and the denial of their basic human rights during this time. It was in this environment that Rizal contemplated daily on the questions of Filipino identity and whether knowledge could bring about change without violence. A man of many talents, including being a doctor, novelist, and a skilled painter in 15 languages, Rizal is remembered as a historical figure who sparked a national revolution through his celebrated novel.
