Republic of the Philippines

TAGUIG CITY
College of Arts and Sciences

RIZAL’S LIFE AND WORKS

Module II

LESSON 7: LAST HOMECOMING AND TRIAL

INTRODUCTION:
The Seventh Lesson on the course Life and Works of Jose Rizal is about the last homecoming
and trial. Thru this lesson we will deliberate about Rizal’s last homecoming, execution and
martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal and his connection in the Philippine revolution whose
purpose is to free Filipinos from the Spanish tyranny.

OVERVIEW:
In 1896, Rizal’s Homecoming was his saddest part of his life. Rizal knew that he will
be sacrifice his life, but he was unafraid. He decides to meet his enemies, accusing
him of sedition and rebellion. His trial was held shortly after homecoming. His
enemies were happy they got him without the benefit of genuine justice that leads to
Rizal’s downfall December 30, 1896 in Luneta Bagumbayan, Philippines. His poem
Mi Ultimo Adios awakened the Filipino nationalism and paved the way for the
Philippine Revolution. Rizal proved that “The pen is my mightier than the sword”. He
really deserves history’s salute as the national hero of the Philippines.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Discuss the experiences of Rizal and those countries he visited

 2. Compare and contrast the places visited by Rizal in terms of culture,
education, and people he came along with.
3. List down the reasons and plans of Rizal’s homecoming.
4. Describe the trial of Jose Rizal
5. Interpret Rizal’s poem “The Last Farewell/Mi Ultimo Adios”.
6. Analyze Rizal’s role or participation in the 1896 Philippine Revolution.
7. Examine the implication of Rizal’s death to the Philippine Revolution and to
the Spanish regime.

PRE-TEST:

INSTRUCTION: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and if the statement is

FALSE, underline the word/phrase that makes the statement wrong and write the
correct answer on the space provided before each number.
______1. On October 8, 1896, a friendly officer whispered to Rizal regarding a
bloody revolution in the Philippines where himself is being blamed per officers
reading from the Madrid newspaper.
______2. Coronel Francisco Olive was the judge advocate of Rizal trial.
______3. His sister Trinidad discovered where his brother body secretly buried after
a long search at the old unused Paco cemetery.
______4. December 28, 1896 Governor General Polavieja signed the death penalty.
______5. The authorities suppressed the manifesto Rizal’s case was prejudged and
was presumed guilty before the actual trial.
______6. Ricardo got broken bones including his left hand but he remained strong in
defending and protecting his younger brother Jose Rizal.

______7. Hugh Fort an English lawyer planned to save Rizal from the hand of
Spanish authorities through Writ Habeas Corpus.
______8. Rizal has no objection of the charges against him but pleaded not guilty of
the crime rebellion, but he admitted as the writer of the Liga Filipino constitution.
______9. December 29, 1896 Rizal was required to have confession hear mass and
given holy Communion.
______10. In Muntinlupa prison cell, Rizal issued a manifesto explaining his side on
the charges against him and condemning those accusers as unreasonable and
scourge that dishonors Filipino people
ACTIVITY: Activity
1. Timeline making of Rizal’s journey abroad.
2. Outline of Rizal’s event in his last homecoming.
3. Draw in as short coupon bond the last night of Rizal in his prison cell.
4. Synthesize Rizal’s trial for sedition and rebellion cases.
5. Write down in their notes, their personal interpretation, understanding,
significance of “My Last Farewel” as a Filipino.
6. Do a library research and assist the trial of Rizal as lawful or unlawful.
7. Make an essay of Rizal martyrdom and a Filipino Hero.
8. Make a narrative story of Rizal’s execution of the firing squad in Bagumbayan.
9. Timeline making regarding Rizal trial and execution.

Content

Rizal left Barcelona October 6, 1896 bound for Manila, Rizal was given a
second-class Cabin and the transport ship Colon in his homecoming journey to the
Philippines. In his journey a diary was with him where he wrote and details of his trip
and experiences in the transport Colon. Spanish authorities were on board with him.
They were curious of what Rizal busy with, writing, people socializing with and
working on. On October 8, 1896, a friendly officer whispered to Rizal regarding a
bloody revolution in the Philippines where himself is being blamed per officers
reading from the Madrid newspaper. Rizal was saddened by the news but on the
contrary he was happy with his decision of coming home so he can defend and clear
his name as the leader of bloody revolution. Rizal was so thankful to the lord for an
opportunity going back to the Calamba, Philippines. On October 11, 1896 while on
board, Spanish authorities ransacked his belongings, scrutinized and his diary
confiscated. They checked, read, and find nothing incriminating in his write ups. His
diary was returned to him before reaching Port Said. Friends of Rizal in Europe and
Singapore were greatly affected and felt bad for Rizal. Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor and
Sixto Lopez got the news from a telegram in Singapore. Hugh Fort an English lawyer
planned to save Rizal from the hand of Spanish authorities through Writ Habeas
Corpus. However chief justice Leonel Cox was against the plan for the reason that
transport ship Colon was owned by foreign power therefore is not jurisdiction of
Singapore authorities.
November 3, 1896 transport ship Colon arrived in Manila. The Spaniards
and Priers were happy welcoming Rizal with them ammunitions and military power.
Rizal was just quiet and was transferred from the ship to Fort Santiago. The Spanish
authorities started gathering evidence and proofs against Rizal. Deodato Arellano,
Pio Valenzuela, Temoteo Paez, Moises Salvador, Rizal friends were investigated
and questioned by the Spaniards. Paciano his brother was also arrested, and he was
hurt by the authorities, he suffered much from their cruelty. Paciano got broken
bones including his left hand but he remained strong in defending and protecting his
younger brother Jose Rizal.
 November 20, 1896 Rizal had a preliminary investigation, Coronel
Francisco Olive was the judge advocate. During Rizal investigation he was able to
answer all questions thrown to him but he was not allowed to confront his accuses
who testified against him the evidences and the trials were documentary and
testimonial which were presented during the trial to judge advocate General Nicolas
de la Peña. After checking studying the result of the trial De la Peña recommended
the following:
1. Rizal be brought to trial.
2. Accused be kept in prison
3. One million pesos as indemnity to the property.
4. Civilian lawyer to defend him in court was prohibited instead an army officer
will take care of him,
December 11, 1896 an army officer read the charges against Rizal. He was
accused the following:
1. Principal organizer of Filipino insurrection.
2. Founder of societies, periodicals and books dedicated to fermenting and
propagating ideas of rebellion.
Rizal has no objection of the charges against him but pleaded not guilty of
the crime rebellion, but he admitted as the writer of the Liga Filipino constitution.
Governor Ramon Blanco replaced Camilo de Palavieja as Governor General that
when the paper of Rizal case was done. Blanco requested Dominguez to submit the
papers of Rizal case to Malacañang Palace. December 13, 1896 Governor General
Blanco who is more humane than Polavieja believe that Rizal was not guilty and not
a traitor to Spain. Rizal would not have been executed under his leadership but that
is perhaps Rizal’s destiny so our nation will be free from the hands of abuses of the
Spaniards.
In Fort Santiago prison cell, Rizal issued a manifesto explaining his side on
the charges against him and condemning those accusers as unreasonable and
scourge that dishonors Filipino people. The authorities suppressed the manifesto
Rizal’s case was prejudged and was presumed guilty before the actual trial. The
Spaniards accepted all charges and testimonies against him and ignored proofs and
Rizal’s favor as the affirmed the death verdict Per Governor General Polavieja’s
approval. On December 28 which Polavieja said he conformably approved the court
martial imposing on the accused Jose Rizal Mercado the death penalty by shooting
him 7:00 o’clock in the morning of the 30th month of December in Bagumbayan field.
December 25, 1896 Rizal saddest Christmas being away from his family and
friend. December 26, 1896 the trial of Rizal began at the Cuartel de España where
the court martial unanimously agreed for the guilty verdict with the penalty of death
before a firing squad on December 30, 1898.
December 28, 1896 Governor General Polavieja signed the death penalty
December 29, 1896, 7pm Rizal was visited by his mother Teodora Alonzo,
sisters Lucia, Josefa, Trinidad, Maria and Narcisa together with his two nephews.
But were not allowed to get inside the prison cell. On their way out after the visit an
official handed to Narcisa the alcohol stove. Other visitors came one of them was
Don Gaspar Castano. With whom Rizal offered the best chair inside the prison cell
the fiscal left with good impression on Rizal intelligence and noble character on
December 30, 1896 Rizal was required to have confession hear must and given holy
communion. Rizal also signed documents retracting his anti-Catholic writings and his
Masonry membership at 5:30 in the morning, Rizal took his last meal and threw
some eggs in the corner of his cell for the poor rats. He wrote also letters for Paciano
and to his family, later Josephine Bracken who is in teary eyed together came with
Josefa Mercado. Rizal give a classic Thomas Kempies book imitation of Christ.
Inscribed in the book is “TO MY DEAR AND UNHAPPY WIFE, JOSEPHINE”, and
they embraced for the last time. At 6:00am Rizal made a letter to his father Francisco
Mercado asking for his father forgiveness for the pain repaying sorrow and
sacrifices for his education he further said he did not want nor did he prefer all of this
to happen. “GOODBYE FATHER, GOODBYE...” and to his mother he has the
following words “TO MY MOTHER SNR. TEODORA ALONZO, 6:00 O’clock IN THE
MORNING. DECEMBER 6:00 O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING 1896. Jose Rizal at
7am after he arrived at the executive site at the Luneta Bagumbayan his pals was
checked and it was perfectly normal a shout “PREPAREM, APUNTAR” and Rizal
shouted “CONSUMMATUM EST” at 7:03am with captain shouting “FUEGO” from
the sound of “Eight Indio Soldier” was heard Rizal feel down and dies facing the sky
as the Spaniards shouted “VIVA ESPANA MUERTE A LOS TRAIDORES”.
On December 30, 1896 Narcisa discovered where his brother body
secretly buried after a long search at the old unused Paco cemetery. Narcisa ask the
guard to plaque consisting of Rizal’s initial and reverse RPJ. That was Rizal’s end,
the martyr, hero of the Luneta Bagumbayan Philippines.

Assessment
1. Synthesize homecoming to the Philippines.
2. Explain reasons why Spanish authorities confiscated his diary.
3. Differentiate documentary and testimonial evidence on Rizal’s trial.
4. Mention the 12 points of Rizal that proved his innocence in the case accused
to him.
5. Why was Rizal executed at Bagumbayan?
6. Discuss is Rizal a hero or a martyr.
7. Enumerate the corresponding action handed to Rizal by Governor Nicolas de
la Pena after the preliminary investigation.
8. Explain the implication of Rizal’s death to the Philippine Revolution.
9. State your opinion on Rizal’s manifesto to his people.
10. Why do you think December 1896 was the saddest Christmas of Jose Rizal?

References:

Agoncillo, Teodoro A. (1990). History of the Filipino People. Lungsod Quezon:

Garotech Publishing. Craig, A. (1909). The Story of Jose Rizal. Manila, Philippine
Education Publishing Co. Craig, Austin. Lineage Life and Labors of Jose Rizal
Philippine Patriot Guerrero, Leon Ma. (1998). Jose Rizal: The First Filipino. Manila
Ocampo, Ambeth R. (2000). Rizal Without the Overcoat. Pasig City: Anvil Publising
Inc., Ocampo, Nilo S. 1995. Rizal: Makabayan at Martir. Diliman, Q.C.: University of
the Philippines Press Quibuyen, Floro C. (1999). A Nation Aborted: Rizal, American
hegemony, and Philippine nationalism. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University
Press

Internet Sources:
http://joserizal.nhcp.gov.ph/Biography/man_and_martyr/chapter14.htm
http://xiaochua.net/2012/12/25/the-last-days-of-jose-rizal-a-timeline-of-his-last-
arrestincarceration-execution-and-the-journey-of-his-remains/
http://joserizal.nhcp.gov.ph/Biography/man_and_martyr/chapter15.htm
http://joserizal.nhcp.gov.ph/Biography/man_and_martyr/chapter17.htm

Prepared by: Prof. German Trinanes