This document is a prize-winning biography of Dr. José Rizal, the revered national hero of the Philippines, penned by Filipino author Carlos Quirino. The work was initially entered into a national contest sponsored by the Commonwealth of the Philippines in 1938 and subsequently published in 1940. It offers a detailed and modern portrait of Rizal's life, tracing his path from his humble origins in Kalamba, Laguna, through his extensive medical and intellectual studies in Europe, to his political martyrdom at the hands of the Spanish colonial government. The biography sought to enlighten Filipinos about Rizal's true legacy, presenting him as a complex, human figure rather than a flawless saint, thereby making his fight for reforms and denunciation of colonial abuses more resonant and enduring for the nation. It stands as an important piece of historical scholarship that contributed to solidifying Rizal's place as the symbol of national identity and latent greatness for the Filipino people.
The great Malayan: the biography of Rizal