Dr. Jose Rizal – Vocabulary Flashcards

These vocabulary flashcards cover major terms, figures, events, and concepts related to Dr. Jose Rizal’s life, works, and status as the Philippines’ foremost national hero.

Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda

Full name of the Philippines’ foremost national hero, born 1861 and executed 1896.

Great Malayan

Honorific describing Rizal as the greatest figure produced by the Malay race.

Foremost National Hero

The highest rank accorded to Rizal for his unparalleled service and martyrdom for the nation.

Noli Me Tangere

Rizal’s 1887 novel that exposed Spanish abuses and helped shape Filipino national consciousness.

El Filibusterismo

Rizal’s 1891 sequel to Noli Me Tangere, portraying the darker side of colonial rule and revolutionary ideas.

Propaganda Movement

Reform campaign (1882-1896) in Spain and the Philippines in which Rizal was a leading figure.

La Liga Filipina

Patriotic civic organization founded by Rizal in Manila on July 3, 1892 to unite Filipinos for peaceful reform.

December 30, 1896

Date of Rizal’s execution at Bagumbayan (Luneta) that sealed his martyrdom.

Republic Act No. 1425 (Rizal Law)

1956 law mandating the study of Rizal’s life and works in Philippine schools.

Rafael Palma

Biographer who asserted that Rizal’s doctrines remain valid for all epochs.

Ferdinand Blumentritt

Austrian scholar and friend who hailed Rizal as the most prominent man of his people.

William Howard Taft

American civil governor mistakenly credited with ‘choosing’ Rizal as national hero.

Philippine National Heroes Committee (1995)

Body that issued formal criteria for recognizing Philippine heroes.

Criteria for a Hero

Guidelines including struggle for freedom, impact on national life, and forward-looking vision.

Katipunan Password "Rizal"

Rizal’s surname used as third-degree password, reflecting his symbolic leadership.

Rizal Day

National observance every December 30 first proclaimed by President Aguinaldo in 1898.

Ultimo Pensamiento (My Last Farewell)

Rizal’s final poem, recited in the U.S. Congress to illustrate Filipino capacity for self-government.

“Pen is mightier than the sword”

Principle embodied by Rizal’s reliance on writings rather than arms to fight oppression.

Father of Asian Nationalism

Title acknowledging Rizal’s influence on nationalist movements beyond the Philippines.

Bloodless Revolution

Rizal’s non-violent crusade for reforms, contrasting with armed resistance.

Indios Bravos

Paris-based Filipino student group organized by Rizal to foster pride and excellence.

La Solidaridad

Barcelona-based reformist newspaper for which Rizal served as honorary president in 1889.

Philippine Bill of 1902

U.S. law passed after Representative Cooper’s eulogy of Rizal, granting limited self-government.

Hero (general definition)

A person honored after death for exceptional service, valor, or sacrifice for mankind.

Nationalism

Patriotic devotion to one’s nation; Rizal’s writings significantly nurtured Filipino nationalism.

Non-violent Crusade

Rizal’s method of peaceful advocacy through education, literature, and civic action.

Rizal Monuments

Numerous statues and memorials worldwide, more than for any other Filipino hero.

American Recognition of Rizal

U.S. legislators admired Rizal’s ideals, enhancing his global stature.

Spanish Reaction to Noli

Clergy and officials branded the novel heretical and subversive, recommending its ban.

Berlin Anthropological Society Tribute

1897 necrological service in Germany honoring Rizal’s scholarly contributions.

Excellent Merits

Qualities—talent, character, patriotism—that made Rizal inherently worthy of hero status.

Architect of the Filipino Nation

Descriptor for Rizal’s role in shaping Filipino identity and democratic aspirations.