Rizal Day Description
Rizal Day on December 30th commemorates the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippines' national hero, who was executed by firing squad at Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park or Luneta) in Manila in 1896 at the age of 35. Rizal's novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, and his advocacy for peaceful reform through education and civic consciousness, inspired the Philippine Revolution. The President leads the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park, with a flypast, gun salute, and the reading of Rizal's final poem, 'Mi Ultimo Adios.' Simultaneous ceremonies are held at Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna (his birthplace), and Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte (where he was exiled). Government offices, banks, and schools close. It is a solemn, reflective holiday — quite different in tone from the celebrations of Christmas a few days earlier. In 2026, December 30th falls on a Wednesday, nestled between Christmas and New Year, when many Filipinos are already on extended leave. Rizal Park and the adjacent National Museum complex see increased visitors on this day. Rizal's life and works remain required reading in Philippine schools, ensuring his legacy is deeply embedded in national consciousness.
