2011 Jose Rizal Philippine Brilliant Uncirculated Coin Collection

Jose P. Rizal (1861-1896) came from a family made up of nine living sisters and only one older brother, Paciano. Paciano believed that Filipinos could become priests equal to the caliber of friars. He was a follower of Padre Jose Burgos and witnessed his execution. After that Paciano suffered social bias from the friars. His father forbade him to talk about his beliefs at home. However, Paciano trained his younger brother, Jose, to study well and to become equal to the Spanish. He felt this was the way to save the Philippines.

Jose lived up and exceeded all of Paciano's expectations. It was Paciano who chose the surname Rizal when he was enrolled at the Ateneo but the winning of honors and awards were Jose's ccomplishments. The desire for him to go to Spain was Paciano's. But once in Spain and then all of Europe, Jose did all the work. He spoke for the Philippines. He wrote Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. In Asia he became the hero of Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, Sun Yat Sen and Mahatma Gandhi. He was known as the first Asian to speak up against the colonizers.

The Spanish friars were upset over Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo and accused Jose Rizal of treason. On December 30, 1896 they executed him at what is now the Luneta. He was shot by Filipino soldiers receiving commands from their Spanish leader.

Jose P. Rizal was an Asian Renaissance Man. He is rightfully the national hero of the Philippines. In 2011 we celebrate his 150th birthday.

Text provided by the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Resource Foundation Inc.

NP ID : CS 1387
Series : Coin Set
Year : 2011
Variety : Jose Rizal Philippine Brilliant Uncirculated Coin Collection
Mintage : 5,000
Mint : BSP Mint
Quality : Brilliant Uncirculated
Packaging : Three-fold Blister Pack
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