“RIZAL’S PLACE IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY”

Adios, Patria adorada, region del sol querida, Perla del Mar de Oriente, nuestro perdido eden, A darte voy, alegre, la triste, mustia vida; Y fuera mas brillante, mas fresca, mas florida, Tambien por ti la diera, la diera por tu bien... One hundred years ago, on the eve of December 30, 1896, Jose Rizal wrote his Ultimo Adios, replete with pathos and patriotic devotion, a masterpiece of 19th century Spanish verse. At early dawn the following day, …

…was the most precious of Spain's treasures in the Philippines. Rizal could not have excelled, could not have written his novels, could not have reached out to his people and to the world if he did not receive the benefit of a Spanish education. Rizal's quote: "if over my tomb, someday you would see me blow,a simple humble flower over amidst thick grasses, bring it up to your lips andkiss my soul so........"