For years, the height of Philippine National Hero Jose Rizal has been the subject of much interest and controversy with many believing that the polymath stood at 4 feet 11 inches--quite short for someone who has made a historical reputation as a ladies' man.
But over a century since his death, the questions about Rizal's height can now be put to rest. As the Filipino revolutionary wrote in his notebook, Rizal stands at 5.28 feet according to historian Ambeth Ocampo.
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Ocampo, known for his writings about Rizal, shared the discovery in a Facebook post which he chanced upon while filing scans of the hero's manuscripts.
"In one of his notebooks RIZAL HIMSELF said that at 19 years old and four days old he stood at one meter 61 centimeters. That translates to 5.28 feet or almost 5'3"!" Ocampo said.
"Oh, serendipity is one of the thrills of research!!" he added.
Now we know, Rizal stands just above the average Filipino height of 5 feet and an inch. Case closed.
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