Remembering the Enduring Relevance of Rizal
As the times change, so does our idea of heroes. One thing remains true: their legacy is irreplaceable.
Among all the great men and women in our rich history, José Rizal is the archetype against which all heroes will be measured. Today, as we face threats seeking to erase history and make us forget, there is no better time than now to rediscover, reexamine, and revalue Rizal.
An Invaluable Coin For Your Collection
Own one of the only 3,000 pieces of this limited-edition coin that will be released into circulation. Its exclusivity gives it a face value worth acquiring for any history aficionado or coin collector.
Reexamine a Hero's Life
Travel back through time and discover the pillars in a hero’s life.
Born in Calamba Laguna, Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Y Alonso Realonda was born as the seventh child of Francisco Rizal Mercado y Alejandro and Teodora Alonso Realonda y Quintos.
The house of Jose Rizal in Calamba, Laguna [Photograph]. Tatler Asia. https://www.tatlerasia.com/culture/arts/a-closer-look-on-the-more-human-side-of-national-hero-dr-jose-rizal
Rizal began his education at just nine years old under the instruction of Justiniano Aquino Cruz.
[Untitled illustration of Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz with a young Rizal]. All About Pepe. http://allaboutjoserizal.blogspot.com/2013/09/school-days-in-binan.html 
At the age of 15, Rizal received the highest honors possible for his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ateneo de Manila.
1923 Ateneo de Manila in Intramuros [Photograph]. Lakbay ng Lakan. https://lakansining.wordpress.com/2016/05/16/quezon-city-college-life-at-the-ateneo-de-manila/
Rizal entered the University of Santo Tomas to study Philosophy. This is also the year when he receives recognition from the Amigos del Pals for a poem he wrote.
[Untitled photograph of the University of Santo Tomas]. The Varsitarian. https://varsitarian.net/filipino/20090715/si_jose_rizal_bilang_isangtomasino
Rizal shifted to Medicine to specialize in ophthalmology after hearing news of his mother’s impending blindness.
Doctor Jose Rizal treating the cataract of his mother [Online image of painting]. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/07/raising-the-philippines-great-sons/
Rizal traveled to Madrid without the knowledge of his parents and studied medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid.
Madrid [Photograph]. Ang Unang Paglalakbay ni Dr. Jose Rizal. http://unangpaglalakbay.blogspot.com/2012/06/madrid.html
He earned his degree in Medicine.
Dr. Rizal Treating His Own Mother by Romeo Enriquez. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. https://dovs.weebly.com/dr-jose-p-rizal.html 
Rizal finished the last few chapters of his first novel Noli me Tangere which exposed the evils of Spanish rule in the Philippines. He returned to the Philippines and practiced medicine in Calamba.
A first-edition of Dr. Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere [Online image]. Rizal Library. http://rizal.library.ateneo.edu/index.php/node/811
He published El Filibusterismo, the sequel to his first novel, and gained a reputation as one of the most vocal leaders of the reform movement gaining momentum in the Philippines.
First edition of Dr. Jose Rizal’s El Filibusterismo [Online image]. Philstar Global. https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/arts-and-culture/2015/08/26/1492456/first-edition-el-filibusterismo-go-auction-first-time
Rizal established La Liga Filipina, a civic movement that advocates for social reforms through legal means. He was already considered an enemy of the state following the publication of his two novels and was exiled to Dapitan.
José Rizal at the center beside Marcelo del Pilar in Madrid, Spain [Photograph]. ANCX.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/12/30/19/how-rizals-life-in-europe-and-friendship-with-a-czech-scholar-changed-a-nations-fate 
In the midst of a full-blown revolution led by the Katipunan, Rizal was arrested on his way to Cuba on the grounds of being implicated in the ongoing revolution.
[Untitled photograph of a group of Katipuneros]. Ideapod. https://ideapod.com/how-katipunan-became-the-catalyst-that-sparked-the-philippine-revolution/
Rizal was imprisoned in Fort Santiago along with his brother Paciano.
Museo ni Jose Rizal, Fort Santiago [Online image]. Panay News. https://www.panaynews.net/mi-ultimo-adios-retracing-rizals-final-days-in-intramuros/ 
The trial of Rizal began and on the same day, the court-martial secretly and unanimously voted for a guilty verdict and ordered the death penalty by firing squad.
Silid Paglilitis, a gallery replicating Rizal’s trial at the Cuartel de España [Online image]. Panay News. https://www.panaynews.net/mi-ultimo-adios-retracing-rizals-final-days-in-intramuros/
Rizal wrote his last poem, Mi Ultimo Adios, and hid it inside an alcohol stove which he used in his cell. Just after he saw his family for the last time, the stove was handed to his eldest sister Narcisa by an officer. Later on, the sisters redeemed the hidden manuscript of the farewell poem.
Mi Ultimo Adios [Online image]. Project Gutenberg. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/18600/18600-h/18600-h.htm 
Rizal was taken to the execution site at the Luneta de Bagumbayan. As a convicted criminal, he was not allowed to face the firing squad. When the execution captain shouted “Fuego!” Rizal turned himself, fell down facing his executors, and died looking at the sky.
Rizal’s Execution [Photograph]. Jose Rizal. https://joserizalss014.wordpress.com/2012/11/05/arrest-exile-incarceration-and-death/
The Rizal Room
“What’s a hero worth?”
is a question that begs to be asked.
Heroes have always graced our money to honor their significant contribution to history.
With this, the Rizal Foundation and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas release this commemorative coin to celebrate the exemplary life of José Rizal. The limited-edition coin is housed in a carefully crafted engraved box fitting for this one-of-a-kind item. It comes in a beautiful packaging with an insert that traces the lineage of the Rizal family. The coin’s exclusivity gives it a face value worth acquiring for any history aficionado or coin collector.
As of today, almost half of the 3,000 limited-edition coins have already found its way to new owners and collectors. Rediscover Rizal and grab yours now!
Order Form
• Send order form through this email address: joseprizal125coin@gmail.com and viber the screen shot to this number: (+63 939-906-2020) – Jorizal125coin
• Wait for confirmation If your order has been accepted for processing.
• We will send an email or notify you through your email or text or viber address the details on how to pay for your reservation or order (cost of the coin set plus delivery charges under delivery option or if you prefer to pick-up commemorative coin).
• If your order has exceeded the available supply of coins, we will notify you that your reservation for the coin set has not been accepted or processed and we won’t bill you. We will update you if there are available supply of coins.
• We ask for your patience with our limited volunteer personnel. We will notify you as soon as possible.
• Proceeds (net of production costs and taxes) from the 125th Jose Rizal Commemorative Coin will be used to support the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Resource Foundation Inc’s scholarship program with the National Teachers College.
What to Expect
A full unveiling of the website is coming soon. Watch out for more additional features that highlight more of Rizal’s teachings and influence to bring his legacy closer to Filipinos.
