RIZAL IN DAPITAN

SUMMARY

An award-winning movie by Director Aguiluz and script writer Jose Lacaba, Rizal sa Dapitan. The
movie commenced with when Rizal was exiled in Dapitan in 1892 by the Spanish authorities because of
four grounds. First, for publishing anti-Catholic and anti-friar books and articles. Second, for having in
possession a bundle of handbills, the Pobres Frailes, in which advocacies were in violation of the Spanish
orders. Third, for dedicating his novel, El Filibusterismo to the three “traitors” (Gomez, Burgos and
Zamora) and for emphasizing on the novel's title page that “the only salvation for the Philippines was
separation from the mother country (referring to Spain). And lastly, for simply criticizing the religion and
aiming for its exclusion from the Filipino culture.

Upon arriving in the province, he noticed its filthy condition and promised to make the land
progressive. It was the reason why Rizal had been more focused on serving the people and the society
through his civic works, medical practices, land development and promotion of education.Dapitan
became the bear witness to one of the most productive periods in Rizal's life. His stay in the province was
more he was in exile.

Rizal also partakes in civic works in Dapitan. He drained the marshes of Dapitan to get rid of
malaria-carrying mosquitoes. He also provided lighting system – coconut oil lamps posted in dark streets
– in the province out of what he earned from being a physician. He beautified Dapitan by remodelling the
town plaza, with the aid of his Jesuit teacher, Fr. Francisco Sanchez, and created a relief map of Mindanao
(footnote: using stones, soil and grass) right in front the church.

In Dapitan, Rizal had a scholarly debate with Father Obach regarding religion. This exchange of
heated arguments revealed the anti-Christian Rizal – his bitterness on the abuses performed by friars,
doing such under the name of the sacred religion. Father Obach tried his best to win Rizal back to the faith
but fortunately or unfortunately, in vain. These series of debate ended inconclusively in which neither of
them convinced the other of his judgments/arguments.

Rizal had maximized his stay in Dapitan while in exile by devoting much of his time in improving
his artistic and literary skills; doing agricultural and civic projects; engaging in business activities, and
writing letters to his friends in Europe, particularly to Ferdinand Blumentritt and Reinhold Rost.

Dona Teodora arrived in Dapitan with Narcissa and Maria. She was one of the patients of Rizal
and also George Taufer accompanied by his foster daughter, Josephine Bracken an Irish girl enlightened
his rather gloomy heart.

Rizal and Bracken instantly fell in love with each and in just one month, they agreed to marry
which appalled and disturbed Taufer. However, the parish priest of Dapitan, Father Pedro Obach, refused
to do so unless they be permitted by the Bishop of Cebu.

On the other hand, Taufer returned to Hongkong uncured. Because no priest was willing to marry
the two, the couple exchanged their vows before God in their own way, which scandalized by Fr. Obach.
In 1896, their love bare its fruit. Unfortunately, Bracken gave birth to a one-month premature baby boy
who lived only for three hours. The child was buried in Dapitan, bearing the name after Rizal’s father.
 In 1896, the Katipunan a nationalist secret society, launched a revolt against Spain. Although he
had no connections with that organization or any part in the insurrection, Rizal was arrested and tried for
sedition by the military. Found guilty, he was publicly executed by a firing squad in Manila. His martyrdom
convinced Filipinos that there was no alternative to independence from Spain. On the eve of his execution,
while confined in Fort Santiago, Rizal wrote Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell), a masterpiece of 19 th
Century Spanish verse.

MOVIE INTENTION

Rizal in Dapitan is a 1997 Philippine Biographical film depicting the real picture about the state of
the Filipinos at the hands of Spanish authorities. This illustrates how Filipinos at that time showed their
love for the country despite the injustice, abuse and corruption that they were experiencing from the
Spanish. Amidst the Spanish system where Filipinos weren’t enjoying the same privileges, in education for
instance. Wherein only Spanish blooded or rich individuals were scholastic opportunities were granted.

While the Philippines was gripped by weary chains on the neck and stamped to grave, Rizal stood
up to straighten what is crooked and bravely broke down the chain by his flaming desire of freedom. Truly
he is an epitome of how Filipinos should behave at present and for ages. He wanted us not to be deprived
of rights we own and happiness we deserve.

To fire up the hearts of the Filipinos for patriotism ---to be instilled in every mind, and to live our
life worthwhile are the commendable intentions of the film. This should be handed generation to
generation to mobilize these principles in accordance of Rizal’s desire. There must be a transparent result
of Rizal and other heroes’ undeniable sacrifices. A brighter future as to what they gave us and led the way
living what we are now. Ignorance, lack of internalization and ungratefulness of what they did truly
implies that the colonization of wicked condition isn’t done yet.

With his notable quote that says, “It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a
stone wasted on the field without becoming a part of any edifice”. Simply whispers that living life without
a purpose is like a wandering soul. While most of the Filipinos were indolent and hopeless caused by
extreme sufferings, and yet Rizal showed to continue vigorously serving the country.

GENERALIZATION

Rizal sa Dapitan is only one of several Rizal movies which portrayed the Philippine National Hero
as a messianic figure who came to earth to save all Filipinos. Tikoy Aguiluz (director) exhibits the life
experiences of Jose Rizal during his exile in Dapitan. The director didn’t just merely portrayed Rizal as a
hero instead a polymath. There he built a school, a hospital and a water supply system and taught and
engaged in farming and horticulture. He made his life in Dapitan worthwhile by stretching a hand to help
his fellow Filipinos instead of moping around and waiting for his freedom. Then he fell in love with an Irish
woman named Josephine Bracken.
 Generally, this movie depicts how Jose Rizal stand out amongst other hero to our nation. He was
truly a man of action and put his countrymen first before him. He managed to live productively while in
exile rather than attending his own freedom.