José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, passed away on December 30, 1896 at the age of 35. He was born on June 19, 1861 in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines. He was an acclaimed nationalist, polymath, novelist, poet, ophthalmologist, and revolutionary. He was a proponent of non-violent revolution against Spanish colonial rule via Filipino patriotism. He received his early education from his private hermitage in Biñan, Laguna, and studied medicine at the University of Santo Tomas and the Universidad Central de Madrid, where he also studied Latin, political economy, philosophy, and other disciplines. His body of work includes two novels, various articles, and poetry collections in both the Spanish and Tagalog languages. His first novel, Noli Me Tángere, exposed the ills of Philippine society under Spanish rule. His second novel, El filibusterismo, followed the footsteps of its predecessor and further critiqued the colonization of the Philippines. José was arrested and eventually executed by firing squad on December 30, 1896, despite his global renown as a Filipino nationalist. His martyrdom is remembered today in the Philippines and abroad. He is survived by his family, friends, and legacy as a pivotal figure in Philippine history.