Today, June 19, is the 159th birth anniversary of national hero Jose Rizal.
Born in 1861, his influential novels “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo,” sparked the Filipino revolution against the Spaniards.
Because of his writings, he was exiled to Dapitan in Mindanao and executed by musketry on Dec. 30, 1896.
The largest room in Malacañang Palace, which is usually used for large assemblies like the mass oathtaking of public officials, was named Rizal Ceremonial Hall in his honor. —Marielle Medina, Inquirer Research