Dr. José P. Rizal (June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was born in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines. He is the National Hero of the Philippines — a medical doctor, nationalist, political reformer, writer, linguist, and poet.
He is the author of the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which inspired the Philippine independence movement. That work led to his persecution and execution by Spanish colonial authorities on December 30, 1896 — a date remembered thereafter as Rizal Day in the Philippines.
This bust was donated to Maui County by Mr. & Mrs. A.B. Sevilla of Wailuku, Maui, Hawaiʻi, on December 30, 1979. It stands near the bahay kubo at Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens.
On the grounds at Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens, ʻĪao Valley, Maui. Scan the QR code beside this piece — or share this page — for the same story in your hand.