8. RIZAL, a hero on our banknote

We all admire Jose Rizal for the sacrifices he suffered for our country.  Contrary to most belief Rizal is a reformist and not a revolutionist. Rizal fought peacefully by pen and ideals rather than using arms.  Probably this is the main reason why the Americans chose him to be our National Hero. Our American colonizers did not want us to follow the footsteps of Andres Boniacio and other Filipino revolutionists.  

Jose Rizal first appeared in our banknote in 1903.  Portraits of famous American like Pres. George Washington, Pres. McKinley, Gen. Henry Lawton, Adm. George Dewey,  Charles Conant  and William Jones adorn our notes.  Only Rizal and Mabini were considered worthy enough to have their portraits in our note.

During the Japanese time, they continued to use Rizal on our note.  Rizal's monument in Luneta appeared on the 1, 5, 10, 100, 500 pesos.  After the war the previous design in 1941 was used and circulated with VICTORY overprints at the back. The design with Rizal's portrait was continued during the Philippine Republic up to the time of President Marcos. In 1986, Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas stopped issuing the 2 pesos banknote and opted to use Jose Rizal's profile on the 1 Peso coin.

1903 Philippine Island, 2 Silver Pesos

1906 Philippine Island, 2 Silver Pesos

1916 Philippine National Bank, 2 Pesos

1924 Philippine Island Treasury Certificate, 2 Pesos

1929 Philippine Island Treasury Certificate, 2 Pesos

1936 Philippine Island Treasury Certificate, 2 Pesos

1941 Philippine Island Treasury Certificate, 2 Pesos

1943 WW2 Japanese Government, 100 Pesos
Rizal's monument in Luneta appeared on the 1, 5, 10, 100, 500 pesos

1945 Philippine Island Treasury Certificate VICTORY, 2 Pesos
Signed by Pres. Osmena - Hernadez

1945 Philippine Island Treasury Certificate VICTORY, 2 Pesos
Signed by Pres. Manuel Roxas - Guevarra

1953 Central Bank of the Philippines, 2 Pesos
Signed by Pres. by Ramon Magsaysay - Miguel Cuaderno Sr.

1957 Central Bank of the Philippines, 2 Pesos
Signed by Pres. Carlos Garcia - Andres V. Castillo

1961 Central Bank of the Philippines, 2 Pesos
Signed by Pres. Diosdado Macapagal - Andres V. Castillo

1968 Bangko Sentral, 1 Peso
Signed by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos - Alfonso Calalang

1970 Bangko Sentral, 1 Peso
Signed by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos - Gregorio Licaros

1981 Bangko Sentral, Ang Bagong Lipunan, 2 Pesos
Signed by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos - Jaime Laya