GMA News TV celebrates Jose Rizal's 150th birthday

GMA News TV offers an evening of everything Rizal on June 19, our national hero's 150th birthday. There's a special for everyone that night, whatever their interest might be in Jose Rizal's life.

Mga kuwentong pambata ni Rizal Children of all ages will be regaled with four stories for kids involving our national hero: Si Pagong at Si Matsing, which he wrote and drew for his nieces and nephews; Rizal Sa Binan, the story of his transformation from a below average and bullied student to the class topnotcher; Rizal's version of Mariang Makiling which he wrote for La Solidaridad; and the story of Rizal's fascination with a moth beside the gas lamp while being tutored by his mother. Entitled Mga Kuwentong Pambata ni Rizal, the special features childactors, painters, claymators, voice talents, and the network's writers, directors, and music composers who saw the need to introduce Rizal to both children of this generation... and their parents. Pluma (Rizal, Ang Dakilang Manunulat) After the presentation of children's stories comes a docudrama for all students of Rizal. Narrated by Howie Severino and starring Rocco Nacino as Rizal, Pluma is a historic piece that traces the evolution of Rizal's writings. It begins with Sa Aking Mga Kababata which Rizal wrote when he was eight, through the letters he wrote to his girlfriends (there were many) and his best friend Ferdinand Blumentritt all the way up to his swan song Mi Ultimo Adios, which he wrote hours before facing a firing squad. Pluma shows how Rizal was able to document every stage of his life himself through his writings, detailing the crucial situations he faced as a nationalist. It also examines Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which he wrote, edited and reeedited using pen and ink, probably an unthinkable feat to the laptop-carrying generation. Jose Rizal (the movie) To cap the evening, GMA News TV will air the network's 1998 epic film entitled Jose Rizal. The film, directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya and starring Cesar Montano, was a runaway winner among viewers and critics, cornering virtually all the major awards at the Metro Manila Film Festival, FAMAS awards, Gawad Urian, and Star Awards. June 19 is Jose Rizal Night on GMA News TV Channel 11, proving television can inspire, educate and still be entertaining for the whole family.

7-7:45 p.m. - MGA KUWENTONG PAMBATA NI RIZAL 7:45-9:15 p.m. - PLUMA (RIZAL: ANG DAKILANG MANUNULAT) 9:15-12 m.n. - JOSE RIZAL THE MOVIE

— GMA News