Blah Blah Blogs: 150 facts about Rizal (Part 2)

150 facts about Jose P. Rizal

(Part 2)

Sorry for the two year gap, but today being Rizal Day reminded me that I must not stop looking for amazing facts about Jose Rizal which has influenced and shaped the Philippines in every way. And due to insistent public demand were here to share more interesting facts!

21. Rizal's favorite meal includes tuyo, champorado, hot chocolate, and fruits. Which at that time costs a peso.

22. Rizal was thought of being the father of Adolf Hitler because of his trips to Europe, however it was cleared that Hitler was born 2 years after Rizal's departure from Europe.

23. Rizal would be not considered as a "doctor" because there was no "board exam" for his  profession in the Philippines, but due to his studies and experience he earned his title and gained popularity 

24. Least discussed in Rizal's travel is his travel to the United States

25.  The Province of Rizal was first called the Province of Tondo, which consists of Antipolo, Morong, Baras, Tanay, Pililla, Angono, Binangonan and Jalajala.

26. Metro Manila was under the Province of Rizal until 1975

27. Rizalistas is a cult where they believe Jose Rizal is the "chosen one" and live by his words. They usually dwell in the mountain regions of Laguna like Makiling and Banahaw

28. There are seven munincipalities named Rizal. They are found in Cagayan, Kalinga, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan and Zamboanga Del Norte.

29. The life, works of Rizal is a required  subject for the tertiary level in all colleges.

30. The Movie Jose Rizal was an entry to the 1998 Metro Manila Film Festival

31. The movie was considered the most expensive MMFF film entry with a budget of 80 Million pesos

32. There is a Rizal Park in Seattle, Washington.

33. Both Cities of Makati and Mandaluyong has a street named JP. Rizal which is along the Pasig River.

34. Rizal Park is the biggest Urban Park in South East Asia

35. In the flora and fauna series of the Philippine currency, it featured the Tamaraw (Anoa mindorensis)

36. The tallest José Rizal statue in the world is located at Calamba, Laguna, Rizal's hometown. It was inaugurated on 2011, synchronous on the 150th Birth Celebration of the hero.

37. The USS Rizal (DD-174) was a Wickes-class destroyer named after Rizal by the United States Navy and launched on September 21, 1918.

38. Rizal also appeared in the 1999 video game Medal of Honor as a secret character in multiplayer, alongside other historical figures such as William Shakespeare and Winston Churchill. He can be unlocked by completing the single-player mode, or through cheat codes.

39. A one peso coin issued to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of José Rizal.

40. Paciano Rizal, Jose's only brother went to join the Katipunan after his execution

41. "Rizal" is one of the passwords of Katipuneros

41. Rizal Day is also Comic Creator Stan Lee's Birthday

42. Wickes-class destroyer in the United States Navy is named USS Rizal (DD-174)

43.  Mi último adiós has been translated into at least 30 other languages and into dialects and Filipino local languages.

44. Rizal founded La Liga Filipina, whose ideas became the inspiration for the formation of the Katipunan.

45. One of Rizal's European best friend Ferdinand Blumentrit is one of the major roads in the City of Manila

46. Though he got a grade of "sobresaliente" or very good in his study in Ateneo Municipal De Manila, it was known that there are also a number of his classmates who also achieved that grade which made him more average than intellectually exceptional in his elementary days. 

47. Rizal was a polymath, skilled in both science and the arts.

48. He was also a Freemason, joining Acacia Lodge No. 9 during his time in Spain and becoming a Master Mason in 1884.

49. Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, is national sports complex which is formerly the Manila Carnival Grounds and was constructed for the 1934 Far Eastern Championship Games

50. The bullet that killed Rizal was recovered in his spine.

More facts in the next post! stay tuned!