Paciano Rizal

Paciano Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (March 9, 1851 – April 13, 1930) was a Filipino general and revolutionary, and the older brother of José Rizal. Paciano Rizal was born on March 9, 1851, in Calamba, Laguna. He was sent to Biñan to study Latin and was subsequently enrolled at the San José College in Manila. Paciano befriended Priest José Burgos and resided in his home. The 1872 Cavite mutiny commenced early that year. Due to the implication of Burgos and two other priests in the mutiny, they were executed. Paciano assisted in enrolling José in the Ateneo Municipal for his secondary studies. Paciano helped José choose a course in his tertiary studies. After Burgos died, he went back to Calamba to oversee his family's hacienda.

Due to José's desire to go to Europe, Paciano and his uncle Antonio assisted José in traveling to Europe without informing his parents. He also supported the Propaganda Movement and Katipunan. In 1888, an agrarian crisis arose in Calamba, causing Paciano and his family to be evicted from their house. Paciano was exiled to Mindoro and subsequently to Jolo. After the release of El filibusterismo, a novel that his brother authored, and alleged plans of an uprising by the Katipunan, José was taken to trial and sentenced to death by firing squad. During the trial, Paciano was tortured for three days. Spanish authorities attempted to extract information from him to use against his brother. José was executed on December 30, 1896.

After José died, Paciano joined Katipunan forces under Emilio Aguinaldo. He was appointed general of the revolutionary forces and was elected Secretary of Finance of Central Luzon. He led troops and fought against the Spanish government, playing a key role in the Battle of Calamba. He was also general in the Philippine–American War but was captured in 1900; after he was released and became a farmer. The American colonial government and the local government of Laguna offered positions to him, but he rejected both. On April 13, 1930, Paciano died at his home in Los Baños at the age of 79 and was buried at the Manila North Cemetery.