MCPI - Learning Resource Center

Dr. Jose Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda also known as Dr. Jose P. Rizal, our national hero was sentenced to death at Bagumbayan, present day Luneta, on December 30, 1896.

Jose Rizal's death ignited the patriotism and nationalism of the great Filipino heroes that led to the great Philippine revolution against the Spanish Colonizer. He also led the reformation of the Philippines and strongly opposed the bloody revolutions.

His great intellectual capacity and his love for the country are immeasurable and worthy to emulate.

Today we commemorate his 127th death anniversary.

Good Friday is a part of the religious holiday week in the lead up to Easter Sunday in the Philippines. This is the time when many Filipinos refrain from engaging in worldly activities such as listening to loud music or drinking alcohol. Most Catholics refrain from eating meat during this day and engage in fasting and prayer.
Many people also attend church services and take part in the Acts of Reparation to Jesus Christ or the Station of the Cross. The Station of The Cross depicts the last hours of the Passion of Jesus, and the Filipinos use these stations to meditate on Jesus’ sufferings. Some men in different localities in the Philippines re-enact the penance of Jesus Christ by going as far as crucifying themselves on the cross.
Masses (church services) are also held in the church before 3 PM since this symbolizes the time that Jesus Christ died on the cross. Once the clock strikes 3 PM people observe this moment in silence and solemnity. Good Friday is a time when people take part in a form of penance to repent from their sins.