ST. MARY’S COLLEGE BAGANGA INC.

Poblacion, Baganga, Davao Oriental

MODULE OF INSTRUCTIONS

GE 9

LIFE AND WORKS OF JOSE RIZAL

(MIDTERM)

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 BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Life and Works of COURSE
COURSE CODE: GE 9 COURSE NAME: 3 units
Jose Rizal CREDITS:
FLEXIBLE
Print PRE- TYPE OF
LEARNING MODE None Lecture
Module REQUISITE: COURSE:
(Contact Hour):
PRE-REQUISITE TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS
None
COURSE TO: INCLUDING LAB SESSION:
This course covers Jose Rizal’s biography and literary works, particularly the novels Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, including some of his essays and various
correspondence. The inclusion of the course in the curricula of public and private schools,
COURSE colleges, and universities was mandated by RA 1425 to encourage students to bring into
DESCRIPTION: practice the ideals of freedom and nationalism. The life and works of Jose Rizal,
particularly his two novels are constant and inspiring sources of patriotism in which
teaching meets the aim of this course – to rekindle the flame of nationalism in the hearts
of the Filipinos, particularly the youth.
VISION: Dynamic and holistically developed individuals actively witnessing the gospel values.

MISSION: We commit ourselves to:

1.) Promote total formation of persons through quality instruction and integration
activities.
2.) Form vibrant, responsible community leaders inspired by the virtue of Mother
Ignacia and imbued with the gospel values.
3.) Provide development of appropriate skills, promotion of positive attitudes and
enhancement of personal discipline.
4.) Foster the development of multiple and holistic competencies to ensure work
effectiveness.

GOALS:
To assist pupils and students discover/develop their God-given talents in a culture of
excellence, make decisions, in order to work out their fullest development to serve
effectively with honesty their community especially the poor.

INSTRUCTOR’S RUFFA MAE B. SANCHEZ, CPA

INFORMATION
EMAIL ADD : sanchezruffamae.rms@gmail.com

CP NUMBER : 09271151213

CLASS SCHEDULE : Self-paced learning of students

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MDOULE MODULE NO. DESCRIPTION
COMPONENTS
MODULE 1- Introduction to the Course, Chapter 1 - RA 1425
Rizal’s Early Life and the Outlook of the Chapter 2 - The 19th Century Philippines
19th Century Philippines Chapter 3 - Rizal’s Life: Family,
Childhood and Early
Education
Chapter 4 - Rizal’s Life: Higher Education
and Life Abroad

MODULE 2 – Trial, Execution and Death,
Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas and The
Novels of Jose Rizal
Chapter 5 - Rizal’s Life: Exile, Trial and
Death
Chapter 6 - Annotation of Antonio
Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas
Filipinas
Chapter 7 - Noli Me Tangere
Chapter 8 - El Filibusterismo

MODULE 3 – The Philippines: A Century Chapter 9 - The Philippines: A Century

Hence and the Birth of the Philippine Hence
Nationalism Chapter 10 - Jose Rizal and Philippine
Nationalism – Bayani and
Kabayanihan
Chapter 11 - Jose Rizal and Philippine
Nationalism – National
Symbol

COURSE The course aims to develop simplified approach in providing optimum learning
OUTCOMES opportunities for students taking up BSBA.

UNIT OF
MODULE TITLE LEARNING OUTCOMES
COMPETENCY

1. Know the 1.1 Introduction to 1.1.1 Understand and explain the RA

importance of the Course, 1425
studying the Rizal’s Early Life
course and 1.1.2 Relate the issues of Rizal Bill to
and the Outlook
accustom the present-day Philippines
of the 19th
one’s self to 1.1.3 Critically assess the effectiveness
Century
the early life
Philippines of the Rizal Course
and works of
our national 1.2 Introduction to 1.2.1 Identify the important events
hero and the that occurred in the nineteenth
the Course,
economic and century
Rizal’s Early Life
social

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background and the Outlook 1.2.2 Analyze the various social,
during his of the 19th political, economic, and cultural
time Century changes during that era
Philippines
1.2.3 Know the socio-political factors
that contributed to the growth of
national consciousness

1.2.4 Identify the sources of

discontent of the Filipinos
against the Spaniards and friars

1.2.5 Appreciate the influence of the

19th century social context to the
life and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal
1.3 Introduction to 1.3.1 Be acquainted with Rizal’s family,
the Course, childhood, and early education
Rizal’s Early Life
and the Outlook 1.3.2 Evaluate the influence of
different people and events on
of the 19th
Rizal’s early life
Century
Philippines 1.3.3 Analyze the system of
education during Rizal’s formal
education in Biñan and Ateneo
1.4 Introduction to 1.4.1 Analyze the system of education
the Course, during Rizal’s formal education in
Rizal’s Early Life UST
and the Outlook
1.4.2 Identify the remarkable events
of the 19th
that happened during that
Century period, especially those that are
Philippines fundamental to his growing age
1.4.3 Identify the persons and their
contributions to Rizal’s choice of
education and character
formation

1.4.4 Explain Rizal’s reasons for

leaving the Philippines, especially
those that are in connection with
his secret mission

1.4.5 Revisit Rizal’s life abroad with

the focus on the different
organizations and groups he got
involved with, touching on the

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 following:

a. Propaganda Movement

b. La Solidaridad
c. La Liga Filipina
1.4.6 Discuss the different historical
events Rizal had witnessed in
Europe and analyze his
responses and reactions, with
emphasis to:
a. Students demonstrations in
defense to Professor
Morayta
b. Igorot Human
exhibition

2. Understand 2.1 Trial, Execution 2.1.1 Evaluate Rizal’s deportation in

the role of and Death, Dapitan with an emphasis on
Rizal and his Sucesos de las the following:
literary works Islas Filipinas a. Rizal as a doctor in
in the birth of and The Novels
Dapitan
Filipino of Jose Rizal
nationalism b. Rizal’s relationship with the
and the rise people of Dapitan
of the
Philippine c. Rizal’s relationship with
revolution Josephine Bracken
2.1.2 Review the kind of court
proceedings given to Rizal
during his trial

2.1.3 Analyze the results of Rizal’s

trial and why it rendered the
verdict of execution

2.1.4 Evaluate the political arena of

his trial and discuss the nature
of “retraction” as one of the
issues of his execution

2.1.5 Analyze the effects of Rizal’s

execution on the Spanish
colonization and the Philippine

5
 Revolution

2.2 Trial, Execution 2.2.1 Compare and contrast the

and Death, different views of Rizal and
Sucesos de las Morga about the Filipinos and
Islas Filipinas the Philippine culture
and The Novels
of Jose Rizal 2.2.2 Explain the relationship between
literature and society
2.2.3 Give an assessment on Rizal’s
interpretations of Morga’s
Successos de las Islas Filipinas
2.2.4 Convey a personal conviction on
how would someone learn the
value of “patriotism” and
“nationalism” from literature

2.3 Trial, Execution 2.3.1 Evaluate the propaganda

and Death, movement, what it stood for and
Sucesos de las Rizal’s involvement therein
Islas Filipinas
2.3.2 Assess the important characters
and The Novels
in the novel and the people they
of Jose Rizal
represent

2.3.3 Examine the present Philippine

Situation through the examples
mentioned in the Noli
2.4 Trial, Execution 2.4.1 Compare and contrast Noli Me
and Death, Tangere and El Filibusterismo in
Sucesos de las the context of its manner and
Islas Filipinas style of writing, content and
and The Novels ending
of Jose Rizal
2.4.2 Value the role of the youth in the
development and future society
3. Appreciate 3.1 The Philippines: 3.1.1 Assess Rizal’s writings
Rizal’s A Century Hence
and the Birth of 3.1.2 Appraise the value of
heroism and
how it has the Philippine understanding the past
opened the Nationalism
3.1.3 Connect your understanding of
eyes of the the past to the present situation
Filipinos
of the country
towards
knowing the

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 rights in their 3.2 The Philippines: 3.2.1 Interpret views and opinions
own land A Century Hence about bayani and kabayanihan in
and the Birth of the context of Philippine history
the Philippine and society
Nationalism
3.2.2 Assess the concepts of bayani
and kabayanihan in the context
of Philippine society
3.3 The Philippines: 3.3.1 Examine the values highlighted
A Century Hence by the various representations of
and the Birth of Rizal as a national symbol
the Philippine
Nationalism 3.3.2 Advocate the values that Jose
Rizal’s life encapsulates

ASSESSMENT
METHOD • Demonstration through Performance Task Sheet
• Written test
• Portfolio
• Quiz and Major Exam
• Oral Recitation through on line

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PROGRAMMED PERFORMANCE COURSE COURSE TEACHING ASSESSMENT
OUTCOMES INDICATOR OUTCOME TOPIC LEARNING METHOD
ACTIVITIES
Know the importance of Know and Discuss the Introduction to Distance • Performance
studying the course and understand the importance of RA 1425 Learning Task Sheet for
accustom one’s self to the Republic Act 1425 teaching the Education submission.
early life and works of our and its important life and works using print • Quiz
national hero and the provisions, with of Jose Rizal as module • Major Exam
economic and social emphasis on the mandated by
background in issues concerning RA 1425 and
which he came from. the arguments evaluate
underlying its whether the
approval/disapproval. issues
encountered by
Critically assess the the bill would
effectiveness of the still be relevant
Rizal Course. to the present
day.

Know the important Explain the The 19th Distance • Performance

events that occurred socio-political Century Learning Task Sheet for
in the nineteenth factors that Philippines as Education submission.
century – be it social, contributed to Rizal’s context using print • Quiz
political, economic, the growth of module • Major Exam
and cultural. national
consciousness
and how it
influenced the
writings of Jose
Rizal,
highlighting the
discontent of
the Filipinos
from the
Spaniards’
mediocre and
unkind
governance.

Live through Rizal’s Identify the Rizal’s Life: •Print • Performance

family, childhood and persons and Family, Module Task Sheet
early education, events that Childhood and for
including the contributed to Early submission.
important events and Rizal’s Education • Quiz
its notable influences character • Major Exam
on his early life formation

Identify the Determine Rizal’s Life: • Print •Quiz

remarkable events these Higher Module with • Performance
during the secondary remarkable Education and Activity and Task Sheet for
education of Jose events and Life Abroad Performance submission
Rizal explain their task for •Major Exam
impact on submission

8
 Revisit Rizal’s life Rizal’s growing
abroad. years

Understand the role of Know the important Understand the Rizal’s Life: •Print •Practical
Rizal and his works to the occurrences during events that Exile, Trial and Module exercises quiz
birth of Filipino Rizal’s exile in took place on Death •Major exam
Nationalism and the rise Dapitan Rizal’s exile,
of the Philippine trial, and death
revolution Examine the court
proceedings relating Analyze
to his charges and whether the
his succeeding verdict is fair or
execution not

Know the different Give an Annotation of •Print •Practical

views of Rizal and assessment on Antonio Module exercises quiz
Morga concerning Rizal’s Morga’s
the Filipinos and interpretations Sucesos de las
their culture as of Morga’s Islas •Major exam
discussed in the Successos de Filipinas
Successos de las las Islas
Islas Filipinas Filipinas

Convey a
personal
conviction on
how a person
learns the value
of “patriotism”
and
“nationalism”
from literature

Explain how the Evaluate the Noli Me •Print •Practical

propaganda propaganda Tangere and El Module exercises quiz
movement became movement, Filibusterismo •Major exam
the origin of the two what it stood
novels – the Noli Me for, and Rizal’s
Tangere and El involvement
Filibusterismo. therein.

Get to know the Compare and

important characters contrast Noli
of the two novels Me Tangere
and the people they and El
represent. Filibusterismo
in the context
Understand the of its manner
message that the and style of
two novels convey. writing, content
and ending

9
Appreciate Rizal’s heroism Obtain knowledge Interpret Rizal’s The •Print •Practical
and how it has opened about the condition writings: Philippines: A Module exercises quiz
the eyes of the Filipinos of the Philippines a “Philippines: A Century •Major exam
towards knowing their century after Rizal’s Century Hence” Hence
rights in their own land time

Understand the Assess the Jose Rizal and •Print •Practical

views and opinions concepts of Philippine Module exercises quiz
about bayani and bayani and Nationalism – •Summative
Kabayanihan in the kabayanihan in Bayani and Exam
context of Philippine the context of Kabayanihan
history and society Philippine
society
Know the values Advocate the Jose Rizal and •Punctuated •Practical
highlighted by the values that Philippine lecture exercises quiz
various Jose Rizal’s life Nationalism – •Summative
representations of encapsulates National Exam
Rizal as a national Symbol •Major Exam
symbol

II. SUGGESTED LEARNING RESOURCES

Acibo, L. & Adanza, E. (2006). Jose P. Rizal: His Life Works, and Role in the Philippine
Revolution. Sampaloc, Manila: Rex Book Store. Inc.

III. GRADING SYSTEM FOR DISTANCE LEARNING EDUCATION:

Quiz 30
Output 30
Major exam 40
------------
TOTAL 100%

Prepared by: Checked by: Noted by:

RUFFA MAE B. SANCHEZ, CPA CHARMAINE S. LAVARITTE, DBA S. MARIA MERMA LIZA M. SHALAH, RVM
Faculty Member BSBA Program Head Dean of College

I have read the course syllabus and I understand that I have to comply the requirements of the course and
the expectations from me as a student of GE 3 during the first semester first term SY 2020-2021. I am fully
aware of the consequences of non-compliance with the above- mentioned requirements and expectations.

10
___________________________________
Printed name and signature of the student

_______________
Date

__________________________________
Printed name and signature of the student

______________
Date

11
 RATIONALE

With the advent of the COVID19 pandemic, learning thru residential modality is not feasible. The school opted to
use print material through Modular approach per competency. The Module serves as the lecture phase for each
topic using simplified approach for the students to understand the topic.

This module of Instructions has been compiled with so much desire of helping students who are enrolled in
BSBA Program. The discussions of each topic tailored for the self-paced learning in Distance Education
modality. The student then should possess the dual virtues such as responsibility and accountability.
Responsibility would mean, you are responsible for mastering the lessons and answering the self-check and
completing the Performance Task sheet. Accountability means, you are accountable of your own performance,
checking out your work carefully, noting areas in which you need to improve or need to ask assistance from your
facilitator by any means. Your own determination is a key ingredient of learning, otherwise, your investment
would be in futile.

The GE 3 Life and Works of Jose Rizal course has three modules. Each module, consist of different chapter
lessons with the following components.

Learning Objectives : Each chapter begins with learning objectives.

Introduction : The brief description of the totality of the chapter
Lesson : The main body of the lesson per chapter or Information Sheet
Learning Activities : At the end of the chapter, Self-check will help you determine if you
comprehend the topic. Honesty is needed for you to know your level of
understanding.
Summary : Each chapter ends with a brief review of what you just learned
Assignments : At the end of the Module there are Performance Task Sheets which serve as
graded exercises for the Module.
Module Workbook : Where the Performance Task Sheets are found.
Wordbook : The list of identified key words are defined in the last portion of the Modules

RUFFA MAE B. SANCHEZ, CPA

Professor

12
 HOW TO USE THE MODULE

In this module, you are required to go through a series of learning activities in order to complete each learning
outcome. In each learning outcome are Information Sheets, Self-checks and Performance Task
Exercises Sheet. Follow and perform the activities on your own. If you have questions, do not hesitate to ask
for assistance from your facilitator thru call with this number 09271151213, and email add
sanchezruffamae.rms@gmail.com or group chat.

Remember to:

Affix your signature and date received in the received card from the Mobile Module distributor.

1.) Read information sheet and complete the self-check.

2.) Answer the Performance Task Exercises Sheets.
3.) Submit outputs of the Self-checks and all Performance Task Exercises Sheets to your facilitator see
the timeline completion after receiving the Module for evaluation and recording in the Class
record.
4.) Be sure to keep the returned submitted Self-checks, Performance task Exercises sheets and per
Module and label them Module 1 if it belongs to Module 1 until the end of the Module 3 as these will
be your “Portfolio”.
5.) During scheduled exams (see the schedule below) students will come to school but will observe
health protocols such as Wearing face mask, physical distancing, and using alcohol.
6.) Expect 6 quizzes for the term (Prelim, Midterm, Final) Quizzes

Timeline of Completion by Modules

Module Completion Date Major Exam Schedule Category of

Major Exam
Module 1 - Introduction to the September 2, 2020 September 4-5, 2020 Prelim Exam
Course, Rizal’s Early Life and the
Outlook of the 19th Century
Philippines

Module 2- Trial, Execution and September 23, 2020 September 25-26, Midterm Exam
Death, Sucesos de las Islas 2020
Filipinas and The Novels of Jose
Rizal

Module 3 – The Philippines: A Century October 14, 2020 October 16-17, 2020 Final Exam
Hence and the Birth of the Philippine
Nationalism

13
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION

By the end of this chapter,

you should be able to: Globalization
work
transnational
business
international
time.
critically
the
social
and
evaluate
competing
social
ways
toinscientists
The
and
review
have
in
sciences,
conceptions.
the
purpose
which
write
is been
use
afruitfulness
about
relatively
corporations
sociologists
although
ideas
ofusing
this
the
of people
new
mass
it
globalization
paper
of
and
foridea
media,
who
some
these
other
isand
in
to
1.) Evaluate Rizal’s deportation in This chapter intends to discuss the
Dapitan with an emphasis on the
important events during the trial of Jose
following:
Rizal after he had been accused by the
a. Rizal as a doctor in
Dapitan Spanish government of several crimes
b. Rizal’s relationship with including illegal organization, rebellion
the people of Dapitan and illegal association due to his alleged
c. Rizal’s relationship with subversive activities. This will also discuss
Josephine Bracken his execution despite of all valid pleadings
2.) Review the kind of court and defenses in the military court, until
proceedings given to Rizal during the death of the man of peace and
his trial
bravery at Bagumbayan in the 30 th of
3.) Analyze the results of Rizal’s trial
and why it rendered the verdict
December, 1896.
of execution
4.) Evaluate the political arena of his
trial and discuss the nature of
“retraction” as one of the issues
of his execution
5.) Analyze the effects of Rizal’s
execution on the Spanish
colonization and the Philippine
Revolution

INFORMATION SHEET A.5

Chapter 5 - Rizal’s Life: Exile, Trial and
Death

His Impending Arrest

Rizal’s bold return to Manila in June, 1892 was his second homecoming having stayed abroad since August 1887
or a period of almost five years. He had two reasons for coming home, in spite of the dangers that he knowingly
awaited him:

1) to talk personally with Governor Despujol of the British North Borneo colonization project; and
2) to establish the Liga Filipina in Manila.

He arrived in Manila on June 26, 1892, with his widowed sister, Lucia. Immediately in the afternoon at 4:00, he
went to Malacaῇang to seek an audience with Governor Despujol, but was told to come back at 7:00 in the

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evening. He came back promptly at the time required and was able to confer with the Spanish Governor-General,
wherein the latter agreed to pardon his father but not the rest of the family.

After the first interview with the Governor, he visited his other sisters in the city, and on the evening of June 7,
1892 he boarded a train to visit his friends in Malolos, Bulacan; in San Fernando and Bacolor, both in Pampanga;
and in Tarlac, where he was lavishly welcomed and entertained. Like him, most of his friends shared the same
sentiments of their country and the reform Crusade, and in his visits took the opportunity of meting them
personally to discuss such issues. It is not known, whether he was aware that there were spies that followed him
and after he left, his friends’ residences were raided and copies of his two novels, the Noli and the Fili, and other
“subversive” materials, were confiscated.

He had other interviews with the Governor-General to seek pardon for his family and request that the penalty of
exile be lifted, but was unsuccessful, although there was hope for his sisters.

It was the interview with the Governor on June 30, where Rizal broached the idea of British North Borneo
Colonization Project, where he was most unsuccessful, with the governor being very much opposed to the
project.

On July 3, which was Sunday, he returned to talk with the Governor, but only to give his thanks for lifting the
penalty of exile for his sisters and to inform him that his father and brother were arriving on the first boat.

On the second reason for his return, on the Sunday of his last interview with the Governor, Rizal attended a
meeting with the other Filipino Patriots at the home of Doroteo Ongjunco, a Chinese-Filipino mestizo, in Ylaya
Street in Tondo. There were many mason members who attended and among these were: Pedro Serrano Laktaw
(Panday Pira), a school teacher; Agustin dela Rosa, bookkeeper; Moises Salvador (Araw), contractor; Domingo
Franco (Felipe Leal), a tobacco shopkeeper; Luis Villareal, a tailor; Faustino Villareal (Ilaw), a pharmacist;
Numeriano Adriano (Ipil), a notary public; Estanislao Legaspi, an artisan; Bonifacio Areval (Harem); Teodoro
Plata, a court clerk; Andres Salvaldor, gobernadorcillo of Quiapo; Apolinario Mabini (Katabay), a lawyer; and Jose
A. Ramos, engraver, painter, owner of Bazar Gran Betana and first Worshipful Master of Nilad, first masonic
lodge. The meeting was also attended by Deodata Arellano, brother-in-law of M.H. Del Pilar and civilian employee
in the army; Ambrosio Flores (Musa), retired lieutenant of infantry; Andres Bonifacio, warehouse employee; and
Juan Zulueta, playwright, poet, and government employee.

Rizal explained what Liga Filipina was about and its objectives; that the association was civic in nature and should
play an important role in the socioeconomic life of the Filipino people. At this time, he presented the Constitution
of the association, which he had prepared in Hong Kong, which was accepted favourably by the members and
gladly approved the establishment of the Liga.

As embodied in the constitution, the aims of the Liga Filipina were the following:

1. To unite the whole archipelago into one compact and homogenous body;
2. Mutual protection in every want and necessity;
3. Defense against all violence and injustice;
4. Encouragement of education, agriculture, and commerce; and
5. Study and application of reforms.

The association had a motto: Unus Instar Omnimium (One Like All). All Filipinos who have the welfare of their
country and their fellowmen were qualified for membership. Membership fee was fixed at two pesos and monthly
due of 10 centavos.

The duties of the members were as follows:

1. To obey the orders of the supreme council;

15
 2. To help in recruiting new members;
3. To keep in strictest secrecy the decisions of the Liga Authorities;
4. To have a symbolic name which he cannot change until he become president of the council;
5. To report to the fiscal anything that he may hear which affects the Liga;
6. To behave well as befits a good Filipino; and
7. To help fellow members in all ways.

The officers of the association elected were as follows:

1. Ambrosio Salvador President

2. Deodat Arellano Secretary
3. Bonifacio Arevalo Treasurer
4. Agustin de la Rosa Fiscal

It was during one of his visits to the Malacaῆang to resume his talks with the governor, that the latter showed
him “subversive” materials allegedly found in Lucia’s pillow case. They were leaflets, entitled Pobres Frailles (Poor
Friars), a satire against the Dominican friars who amassed wealth and fortune “contrary to their monastic vows of
poverty,” written by Fr. Jacinto and printed in Manila. In spite of his protestations of innocence, that the customs
authorities had inspected their baggages and found nothing, he was arrested. His arrest is vividly described as
follows:

Despite of his denial and insistent demand for investigation in accordance with the due process of law, he
was placed under arrest and escorted to Fort Santiago by Ramon Despujol, a nephew and aide of Governor
Despujol.

And in the diary, he described his imprisonment as follows:

They assigned me a fairly furnished room with a bed, a dozen chairs, one table, a wash basin, and a mirror.
The room had three windows, one without grills which opens on a patio, another with grills looks out on the
city walls and the beach, and another which was the door closed with a padlock. Two artillery men as
sentinels guarded it. They had orders to fire on anyone who might signal from the beach. I could not write
nor speak with anyone except the officer on duty.

The arrest was made known to the public the next day through the newspaper Gaceta de Manila, causing
indignation among the Filipino people and disturbance and uneasiness among the members of the newly
organized Liga Filipina. The same issue likewise contained the Governor’s decree dated July 7, 1892 deporting
Rizal to “one of the islands in the south,” justifying its actions on the following grounds:

1. Rizal has published books and articles abroad which showed disloyalty to Spain and which were “frankly
anti-Catholic” and “imprudently anti-friar.”

2. A few hours after his arrival in Manila, “there was found in one of the packages…a bundle of handbills
entitled Pobres Frailles in which the patient and humble generosity of Filipinos is satirized, and which
accusation is published against the customs of the religious orders.”

3. His novel El Filibusterismo was dedicated to the memory of three “traitors” (Gomez, Burgos, Zamora),
and on the title page he wrote that in view of the vices and errors of the Spanish administration, “the
only salvation for the Philippines was separation from the mother country.”

4. The end, which he pursues in his efforts and writings, is to tear from the loyal Filipino breast the
treasures of our holy Catholic faith.

16
It will be recalled that the idea of “separation from the mother country” was actually contained in the last
sentence of the inscription on the Fili written by Blumentritt.

Nine days later, shortly after midnight, Rizal was brought under heavy guard to the steamer Cebu which brought
him to Dapitan, arriving at his destination on the 17 th of July at 7:00 in the m orning. Here he was handed by
Captain Delgras, the ship’s Captain, to Captain Ricardo Carnicero, the Spanish Commander of Dapitan. Thus,
started the moment of exile of Jose Rizal, at the secluded and lonely place of Dapitan where he stayed for a
period of four years.

EXILE: HIS LIFE IN DAPITAN

A letter was sent through the ship for Father Antonio Obach, Jesuit parish priest of Dapitan from Father Pablo
Pastells, Superior of the Jesuit Society in the Philippines, In this Letter, Father Pastells said that Rizal could live at
the parish convent provided the following conditions were met:

1. That Rizal publicly retract the errors concerning religion, and make statements that were clearly pro-
Spanish and against revolution.

2. That he would perform the church rites and make a general confession of his past life.

3. That henceforth, he would conduct himself in an exemplary manner as a Spanish subject and a man of
religion.

Rizal refused to follow the conditions set, and preferred to live in the house of the commandment, Captain
Carnicero, with whom he developed a warm friendship and a pleasant relationship, to the extent that the
commander gave him freedom to go anywhere, but to report only once a week at his office and even allowed
Rizal, who was a good equestrian to ride his chestnut horse. Rizal wrote his impressions about the kind
commandant in his poem A Don Ricardo Carnicero on the occasion of his birthday on August 26, 1892.

Wins Lottery

Their warm friendship can also be illustrated when both of them, together with the Spanish resident in Dipolog,
Francisco Equilior, bought a lottery ticket No. 9736 which won, so that on the morning of September 21, 1892,
the sleepy town of Dapitan was bursting with excitement, when the mail boat Butuan arrived with colored
penants flying high. The commandant thinking that a distinguished visitor was on board dressed in his gala
uniform, ordered the town folks to assemble at the shore and hired a brass band. It was both a happy and
pleasant surprise, when they found that the ticket they bought won second prize of P20,000 in the government-
owned Manila Lottery. Of his share of P6,200, Rizal gave his father P2,000; P200 to his friend in Hong Kong, Jose
Ma. Basa; and the rest he invested in agricultural lands along the coast of Talisay, a kilometer away from
Dapitan.

A Rizal biographer, Wenceslao Retana, his former opponent in an aborted duel in Paris, remarked about this
certain aspect of Rizal’s character and that was: Rizal was a moralist; he did not smoke nor gamble, but he had
an obsession with lotteries, which “represented his lighter side.”

In his exile in Dapitan, the Jesuit Father Pastells never gave him peace with respect to his religious beliefs. They
had long and scholarly debates, which started with pastels sending him a book authored by Sarda together with
the advice that Rizal should stop the foolishness of viewing religion from the ”prism of individual judgment and
self-esteem.”

Their interesting debates were recorded in four letters written by Rizal, and the corresponding replies of Pastells
on the following dates:

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 1. September 1, 1892 — replied on October 12, 1892
2. November 11, 1892 — replied on December 8, 1892
3. January 9, 1893 — replied on February 2, 1893
4. April 4, 1893 — replied on April, (no date) 1893

Rizal had the tendency of using his judgement on his experiences and orientations in Europe, and his bitterness
over his family’s and his own persecution at the hands of the bad friars, which were anti-Catholic. Father Pastells
tried his best to change Rizal’s opinions, but his efforts proved futile. As a matter of fact, in his letter to
Blumentritt on January 20, 1890, Rizal said that:

I want to hit the friars, but only friars who utilized religion not only as a shield, but also a weapon, castle,
fortress, armor, etc.; I was forced to attack their false and superstitious religion in order to fight the enemy
who hid himself behind it.
Nevertheless, he maintained his catholic faith by hearing mass at the Catholic Church in Dapitan and celebrating
Christmas as well as participating in various religious activities and fiestas. The Catholicism he rigidly adhered to
was that kind which “enlightens”, not of the bigotry and prejudice of the Dominicans, but the Catholicism of
Renan and Teilhard de Charin.

In Dapitan, Rizal almost had a duel with a French businessman, Mr. Juan Lardet, over the latter’s purchases of
logs from him, some of which were of poor quality. Lardet confined and wrote this problem to Antonio Miranda, a
friend of Rizal in Dapitan. His letter which stated that “if Rizal were a truthful man, he would have told me that
the lumber not included in the account were bad,” was secretly sent by Miranda to Rizal.

As usual, Rizal flared up in anger and challenged the French man to a duel. The commandant, however, when
informed of the incident warned the Frenchman, “my friend, you do not have a Chinaman’s chance in a fight with
Rizal on a field of honor. Rizal is an expert in martial arts, especially in fencing and pistol shooting.” He followed
the commandant’s advice and sent letter to Rizal in French admitting his mistake. Rizal based on the pundonor
(Hispanic Chivalric code) accepted the apology and they became friends again.

Father Pastels, not contented with their friendly debates, virtually moved heaven and earth to persuade Rizal
from so-called “errors of religion,” by assigning Father Obach of Dapitan, Father Jose Villaclara, cura of Dipolog,
to the job, together with Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez, who was Rizal’s Favorite teacher while at Ateneo.
Father Sanchez had just come from a three-year sojourn in Europe to teach again at Ateneo and to head its
museum. Father Sanchez is remembered for his defense of the Noli Me Tangere in public.

In spite of his strong attachment and influence on Rizal, Father Sanchez, like those before him failed to convince
him much less convert him. They maintained their close relationship however, in spite of their religious
differences. Father Sanchez even helped Rizal in improving and beautifying the town plaza of Dapitan. Rizal in
turn gave him a gift entitled Estudios Sobre La Lengua Tagala, a Tagalog grammar written by him and dedicated
to his beloved teacher.

As the days went by, Rizal became adjusted to his exile life in Dapitan and was seemingly enjoying his “idyllic
life.” His loneliness was assuaged by the frequent visits of the members of his family, who took turns in seeing
him; his nephews, Teodosio, Estanislao, Mauricio and Prudencio. A square house surrounded by trees was built in
the land he bought in Talisay, and nearby, was a school house with eight sides, for boys and a hospital for his
patients. True to his ways of industry, his time was never wasted. In his letter to Blumentritt dated September
29, 1893, he said:

I shall tell you how we live here. I have three houses: one is square, another hexagonal, and a third
octagonal; all of bamboo, wood and nipa. In the square house, we live, my mother, sister Trinidad, a nephew
and I; In the octagonal live my boys or some good youngsters whom I teach arithmetic, Spanish and English;
and in the hexagonal live my chickens. From my house, I hear the murmur of a crystal, clear brook which

18
 comes from high rocks…I have many fruit trees, mangoes, lanzones, guyabanos, baluno, nanka, etc …I rise
early – at five, visit my plants, feed the chickens awaken my people and put them in movement. At half-past
seven we breakfast with tea, pastries, cheese, sweet meats, etc. Later I treat my poor patients…I dress and
go to the town in my baroto, treat the people there, and return at 12, where my luncheon awaits me. Then I
teach the boys at 4 P.M. and devote the afternoon to agriculture. I spend the night reading and studying.

A Spy in Their Midst

Their tranquil and peaceful life was disturbed with the discovery of a spy in their midst, who assumed the name
of “Pablo Mercado”, and posed as a relative. He secretly visited Rizal at his house on the night of November 3,
1893 and introduced himself, showing a photo of Rizal and a pair of buttons with the initials P.M., supporting his
contentions that he was a relative. In their conversations, he offered his services as a confidential courier of
Rizal’s letters and writings for his compatriots in Manila, which aroused his suspicions. He wanted to throw the
spy out but since it was nighttime and there was a heavy rainfall, he allowed the impostor to sleep in the house,
but sent him on his way the next morning. He thought he had gotten rid of the impostor, but he learned later
that he was still in Dapitan, telling people that he was a relative of Rizal and this time, Rizal informed the
commandancia about the matter, also to Captain Juan Sitges, a successor of Captain Carnicero, who ordered the
arrest and investigation of the impostor. During the investigation, he gave his true name which was Florencio
Namanan, 30 years of age, and confessed that he was sent by the Recollect Friars to a secret mission in Dapitan,
particularly to spy on Rizal’s activities by posing as a relative, and to gather evidences that will incriminate him in
the revolutionary movement. However, Rizal was surprised why the investigation was suddenly stopped and
Captain Sitges released the spy and forwarded the documents immediately to Governor-General Blanco. The
documents were held confidential and when Riza inquired for them, his request was denied.

The three biographers of Rizal, Retana (1907), Palma (1949), and Jose Baron Fernandez (1982) discussed the
incident but did not quote the best and the most reliable of all the documents regarding the incident, which was
the letter of Rizal to his brother-in-law, Manuel T. Hidalgo, which runs as follows in full text:

My Dear Brother-in-law Maneng,

I was unable to write you by the previous mail for lack of time, for the boat left unexpectedly.

With regards to Pablo Mercado, I tell you that he came here presenting himself as a courteous friend in
order to get from me my letters and writings, etc.; but I found him out soon and if I did not throw him out
of the house brusquely it was because I always want to be nice and polite to everyone. Nevertheless, as it
was raining, I let him sleep here, sending him away very early the next day. I was going to let him alone
in contempt but the rascal went around saying secretly that he was my cousin or brother-in-law, I
reported him to the Commandant who had him arrested.

It was revealed in his declaration that he was sent by the Recollects who gave him P72 and promised him
more if he succeeded in wrestling from me my letters for certain persons in Manila. The rascal told me
that he was a cousin of Mr. Litonjua, son of Luis Chiquito, and brother-in-law of Marciano Ramirez. He
wanted me to write to these gentlemen. He brought along besides a picture of mine, saying that it was
given to him by one Mr. Legaspi of Tondo or San Nicolas. I don’t remember exactly. It seems that he
belongs to a good family of Cagayan de Misamis. Be careful of him, he is a tall boy, somewhat thickset,
slightly squint-eyed, dark, slender, broad shoulders, and of impudent manners. He spoke much, spits
more and has thin lips.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Your brother-in-law who loves you,

(Signed) Jose Rizal

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Here in the letter, Rizal identified the spy and those who sent him, including the amount of the bribe. The hasty
investigation and closing the matter could be attributed to the fact that the persons behind it were the Recollect
friars.

Rizal built a hospital for his patients, the majority of them were poor, so oftentimes medications were free.
However, there were also rich patient who paid him handsomely for his services. In August 1893, his mother and
sister, Maria came to visit him and stayed for a year and a half. Here, he operated on his mother’s right eye, and
was successful, but she disobeyed his son’s instructions not to remove the bandages which she did, thereby
causing the wound to be infected. The infection was, however, arrested and her sight was fully recovered. He
wrote to his brother-in-law, Maneng, about the incident and added that “Now I understand very well why a
physician should not treat the members of his family.”

Rizal’s fame as an eye specialist reached not just in the various parts of the Philippines, in Luzon, the provinces in
the Visayas; but also across the seas, especially in Hong Kong. He virtually had a lucrative practice; a rich Filipino
patient, Don Ignacio Tumarong, paid him P3,000 for restoring his sight; an Englishman paid P500; Don Florencio
Azcarraga, a rich haciendero of Aklan gave a cargo of sugar in compensation for his services.

Being a scientist, he studied local herbs and their uses for medicine; studied plants and their curative effects, and
used them on patients who could not afford to buy expensive medicines.

Community Activities

Rizal gave much of himself in the place of exile paying off the peace and happiness it had given him. This he did
by playing an important role in its community activities as well as its development.

One of the problems besetting the municipality of Dapitan was its water system, Rizal used the knowledge he had
gained as an expert surveyor (perito agrimensor), one of the early degrees he obtained from Ateneo, in the
improvement of water system and was successful in furnishing clean water to the people. Modern engineers of
today marvel at the work of Rizal considering the inadequacy of engineering tools at the time and the limited
funds. As a matter of fact, such was the opinion of an American engineer, Mr. H.F. Cameron when he said that:

Another famous and well-known water supply was at Dapitan, Mindanao, designed and constructed by Dr.
Rizal during his banishment in that municipality by the Spanish authorities … When one considers that
Doctor Rizal have no explosive with which to blast the hard rocks and no resources save his own ingenuity,
one cannot help but honor a man, who against adverse conditions had the courage and tenacity to construct
the aqueduct which had for its bottom the flatted tiles from house roofs and was covered with concrete
made from lime burned from the sea corral.

Another community work he indulged in was the draining of the marshes. Although he was a very busy man with
his medical practice, his school, his scientific studies, writing and reading, he spent plenty of time draining the
marshes to get rid of the breeding places of malarial mosquitos knowing from his knowledge gained in Europe
that they thrive well in swampy places.

With the P500 paid to him by an English patient, Rizal used it in equipping the town with a lighting system. The
lighting system was primitive, electricity unknown at that time, consisting of coconut oil lamps placed in the dark
streets in the town.

Rizal was born a teacher, his inclinations started when he was young for he realized the value of education. While
in Europe he made it his business to observe not only customs and tradition but also their school systems. Once
in Hong Kong, the idea of building a college was in his thoughts, but it was also one project that he was not able
to do. In Dapitan however, in 1893 he was able to finally put into use the different pedagogical methods that he
had learned in Europe, up to the end of exile. Although his school started with only three pupils, it grew into 21.

20
And instead of charging school fees, they were required to render services or work in the garden, fields or on
construction projects in the community.

Rizal put up two-hour classes everyday starting at 2:00 till 4:00 in the afternoon under the Talisay tree, which
became the subject of one of his poems. The pupil sat on a bench, while the teacher seated on the hammock.
Subjects such as English and Spanish were taught every other day. He followed the style at Ateneo where the
best student was called an “emperor” and sat at the head of the bench, while the poorest student sat at the
other end of the bench. During recesses, they had other activities such as gardening and the pupils pruned the
trees, or built fire to get rid of the mosquitos or put fertilizers in the garden plots.

Gymnastic was not a part of the school program, but Rizal encouraged them to do exercise to strengthen their
bodies. Aside from gymnastics, they had other sports such as swimming, wrestling, stone throwing, native
fencing, and boating.

Rizal found Dapitan and its surroundings a rich field of specimens. Together with the students they would go
around his baroto and explore the jungles and costs. They collected different specimens of insects, frogs, lizards,
snakes, shells and plants. The exploration added to the students’ knowledge aside from their school work under
the trees.

Accomplishments

By the end of his exile, Rizal was able to master 22 languages, four languages in the Philippines such as:
Tagalog, Ilocano, Bisayan and Subanon, and 18 foreign languages such as English, Spanish, French, German,
Latin, Greek, Arabic, Malay, Sanskrit, Dutch, Catalan, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Swedish, and
Russian. He made use of his artistic skills in making sketches of persons and things that attracted him. He had
learned much from agriculture having to cultivate 16 hectares of land which he bought in Talisay. He was doing
business in agricultural crops, as well as in fish, copra, and hemp, which he exported. He also went into
manufacturing and even logging.

But after all was said and done, Rizal did not feel completely happy. There were moments when he was lonely
after the hard day’s work, and in spite of his successes in every field that he ventured in, he misses his family,
relative and friends; he misses his life in Europe, but most of all his happy days in Calamba. The death of Leonor
Rivera added to his sadness and loneliness. He felt he needed someone, and from nowhere came Josephine
Bracken, the last woman in his life.

While in Dapitan he volunteered his services as military doctor in Cuba, where a revolution was going on and
yellow fever was ranging, through the advice of his friend, Blumentritt. There was no immediate response from
the Governor-General Blanco but a letter dated July 1, 1896 came unexpectedly notifying him of the acceptance
of his offer, and provided instructions for his departure to Spain where “the Minister of war will assign you to the
Army of Operations in Cuba detailed to the Medical Corps”

Rizal’s joy knew no bounds upon the receipt of the letter, for he would not only be free, but he would be
travelling again. This inspired him to write a poem, entitled Song to the Traveller.

His four-year exile in Dapitan came to an end on July 31, 1896, and on the very same day, midnight, he boarded
the steamer España, with Josephine; Narcisa, his sister; and Angelica, Narcisa’s daughter; three nephews and
three pupils. His departure was characterized by a teary farewell from his pupils and the townsfolk’s who went to
the shore, with the town brass playing Chopin’s Funeral March. No one can fittingly describe the emotional
feelings of Rizal, except Zaide who wrote that:

As its melancholy melody floated in the air, Rizal must have felt it deeply, for with his presentiment of death,
it seemed an obsequy to a requiem.

21
 …As the steamer pushed out into the sea, Rizal gazed for the last time on Dapitan with his hands saying in
farewell salute to its kind and hospitable folks and with crying heart filled with tears of nostalgic memories.

When the shorelines of Dapitan were no longer visible, Rizal went to his cabin and wrote the exact time that he
had been in Dapitan: “I have been in that district for four years, thirteen days, and a few hours.”

Thus, his travel began with his new freedom and to go into the next chapter of his life. He knew that he would
never be back again to this place, where he spent some happy years and part of his life.

In the Trap – Governor Blanco’s Duplicity

His Voyage to Manila

Rizal enjoyed his trip to manila, not only was he imbued with the spirit of freedom but also that of a traveler’s
enthusiasm of seeing many islands on the way. He passed by Dumaguete and described it as a place where “it
spreads out on the beach.” He stopped at Cebu and stayed at the house of Attorney Mateos, and met an old
couple who was known to him in Madrid. Here in Cebu, he performed two operations, one of “strabotomy, on the
ears, and another of tumor”. On the third day of August, he was in Iloilo and visited Molo and saw some
paintings in a church. From here, the ship sailed on, without anchoring, passing by Capiz, Romblon and soon they
were on their way to Manila.

The boat arrived in Manila Bay early in the morning of Thursday, only to find out that he had missed the boat Isla
de Luzon bound for Spain. Much to his disappointment, it had left the previous afternoon, but felt resigned to the
unlucky incident. However, uneasy and fearful of what might happen to him while in Manila, he requested the
Spanish Government to isolate him from everybody except the members of the family. In acceding to his request,
the Governor assigned him to a Spanish cruiser Castilla where he stayed about a month, while waiting for a ship
bound for Spain. The Ship’s captain was a friendly one, who gave him good accommodations and who considered
Rizal as a friend a guest on board the ship.

Outbreak of the Philippine Revolution

The day of August 19, 1896 will forever remain in the hearts of every Filipino as one of the most important
events in Philippine History: The outbreak of the Philippine Revolution!

It was during this period of stay on board the Castilla, that the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution occurred.
From the newspaper, Rizal learned of the “Cry of Balintawak” and the “Pinaglabanan incident” at San Juan, where
many Filipinos died. Rizal felt that the revolt was premature and feared the repercussions and the consequences
that may follow against the Filipino patriots.

Eleven days after the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution, or on August 30, 1896, after the Governor-General
proclaimed a state of war in the eight provinces of Manila (as a province), Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna,
Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Tarlac, Rizal received two identical letters of introduction, for the Minister of War
and the Minister of Colonies. Below is the letter written by the Governor for General Marcelo de Azcarraga, the
Minister of War (68):

Most excellent Marcelo de Azcarraga

My esteemed General and distinguished friend,
I recommend to you with genuine interest Dr. Jose Rizal who is departing for the Peninsula at the
disposal of the Government, ever desirous of rendering his services as physician to the Army of Cuba.
His conduct during the four years that he was in exile in Dapitan has been exemplary and he is, in my
opinion, the more worthy in pardon and benevolence as he is in no way involved either in the criminal
attempt that we are lamenting these days or in any conspiracy or secret society that they have been
plotting.

22
 With this object I have the pleasure to remain,
Your most affectionate friend and colleague who kisses your hand,
Ramon Blanco
Together with the two identical letters, was Governor Blanco’s letter for him. In a portion of the letter, he stated:

…I have no doubt that you will justify me before the Government, by your future behavior not only for
your word of honor but because the present happening must have shown you palpably that certain
actions which are the product of foolish ideas yield no result but hatred, destruction, tears, and blood.
The letter and its invocation of his word of honor could have been one of the factors that made him refuse
various offers of rescue and escape and sent him to his death.

Prior to his departure, he wrote his mother a letter informing her of his departure for Cuba and his concern about
their future with the outbreak of the revolution. While fearful of the possible events and repercussions the
government may be taking, Rizal, nevertheless, invoked the power of Divine Providence and placed in His hands,
his life and future.

Boarding the steamer Isla de Panay, Rizal started his trip for Barcelona, Spain. Among the passengers of the ship
were Don Pedro Roxas, a rich industrialist, with his son, Periquin, who were then bound for Singapore, who
feared for Rizal’s safety. The two advised Rizal to stay in Singapore and take advantage of British Protection, but
Rizal refused them, as he said he “gave his word oh honor” to Governor Blanco.

The Trap

But unknown to Rizal was the treacherous plan of the man to whom he gave his honor, plotting a trap for him
which was now being laid. Fernandez gives a lucid account of what was happening behind the scenes.

The truth of the matter, as now substantiated by the declassified documents in the Ministries of War and
Colonies, was that Blanco was his implacable foe, who regarded him as a dangerous Filipino who was
responsible for the ranging Philippine Revolution, and therefore plotted his doom.
Just after the steamer left Port Said, Rizal heard of his impending arrest from a fellow passenger. He would be
arrested by order of Governor - General Blanco and would be sent to a prison in Ceuta in the Spanish Morroco.
He was shocked at the news and belatedly realized that he had fallen into the trap set by the sly governor.
Alarmed at his situation, he immediately wrote to his best friend, Blumentritt, which runs as follows.

S.S. Isla de Panay, Mediterranean

September 28, 1886

My very dear Friend,

A passenger on board has just told me that I can hardly believe and should it be true, would bring too an
end the prestige of the Philippine authorities.
.....
I cannot believe for it would be the greatest injustice and the most abominable infamy, unworthy of a
military official, but of the last bandit. I have offered to serve as a physician, risking my life in the hazards
of war and abandoning all my business.
I am innocent and now in reward, they are sending me to prison!!

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 I cannot believe it! This is infamous; but it turns out to be true, as everybody assures me, I am
communicating to you these so that you may appraise my salvation.

Yours,
(Signed) Jose Rizal
In that letter, he gave the purpose of writing his friend, that is to inform him of his present situation, so that if
anything happened to him, his friend was forewarned.

The Arrest

True to what the informer had said, the process of arrest was to begin on September 30, 1896, at 4:00 P.M.
when he was officially notified by Captain Alemany, the ship’s captain, to confine himself within his cabin, per
orders from the Spanish authorities in Manila.

Rizal arrived in Barcelona as a prisoner, being kept under heavy guards for three days, and was transferred to the
custody of the Military Commander of Barcelona, who incidentally was General Eulogio Despujol, the same person
who had signed his exile order to Dapitan. The two adversaries met again.

On his second day in Barcelona, he was escorted to the infamous prison-fortress of Monjuich. In the early
afternoon at the same day, he was brought to the headquarters of General Despujol, who informed him that he
would be shipped back to Manila on board the transport ship Colon to face trial.

HIS TRIAL AND EXECUTION

Rizal left Barcelona for his return trip to the Philippines, on October 6, 1886 to face his trial. It was probably the
saddest moments in his life, seeing the clouds of doom hovering over his head. No one can really fathom his
feelings nor describe his emotions knowing what was to come and what was to happen, that he felt an impulse to
record all the events in his diary.

He wrote that the “officer of the day seemed amiable, refined and polite, consistent with the seriousness of his
duty,” while on board the ship, fellow passengers did nothing but “slander me and invest fanciful stories about
me. I am going to become a legendary personage,” because as he was informed later by a friendly officer,
Madrid newspapers were full of publications concerning his so-called leadership in the bloody revolution. He then
felt that God was doing me a blessing, allowing to go back to the Philippines to be able to destroy such
accusations.”

Knowing that Rizal was keeping a diary, the Spanish Authorities curious about what was writing about confiscated
it. However, they could find nothing incriminating in it that it was returned after nineteen days, the reason why
Rizal’s diary does not contain entries from October 11 to November 1. In his November 2 entry in the diary, he
revealed that they did not just confiscate the diary, but also searched his baggage’s and personal belongings.
They then placed him behind bars and was not taken out until they reached the Red Sea, and that in Singapore,
they put him in handcuffs. The Spanish authorities on board the ship were taking extreme precaution of possible
rescue and escape of the prisoner.

Failed Rescue in Singapore

The Spanish Authorities on board the ship were right to exercise extreme vigilance over their prisoner. Friends in
Europe and Singapore did try to rescue him. Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor and Sixto Lopez sent telegrams to an
English lawyer, Hugh Fort to rescue Rizal from the Spanish steamer when it arrives in Singapore using a legal
strategy, the use of the writ of habeas corpus, alleging that Rizal was illegally detained by the Spanish
Authorities. Unfortunately. The writ was denied by the Chief Justice Lionel Cox, on the ground that it was a

24
warship of foreign power carrying troops to the Philippines under international law, the ship was therefore
beyond the jurisdiction of the civil courts. Rizal never knew of this contemplated rescue plan, since he was behind
bars.

To successfully convict Rizal, his enemies gathered evidence against him by having his friends arrested and
tortured to implicate him, among these were Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Moises Salvador, Jose Dizon, Timoteo Paez,
Pedro Serrano Laktaw, Domingo Paez, and Rizal’s own brother, Paciano. His brother suffered most, with his body
broken over torture rack and his left hand crushed with the screw, but like a hero, his spirit never gave in and
remained unbroken.

Preliminary Investigation

The preliminary investigation that followed constituted a five-day grueling, of being informed of the charges,
questioning by the judge advocate. But he was deprived of his right to confront those who testified against him,
but was confronted with both documentary and testimonial evidences. The following documents serve as the
basis for the charges by the prosecution:

1. A letter of Antonio Luna to Mariano Ponce in Madrid dated October 16, 1888, showing Rizal’s
connection with the Filipino reform campaign in Spain.
2. Rizal’s letter to his family, Madrid, dated August 20, 1890 stating that the deportations are good for
they will encourage the people to hate tyranny.
3. A letter from Marcelo H. del Pilar to Deodato Arellano, dated January 7, 1889, implicating Rizal in the
Propaganda campaign in Spain.
4. A poem entitled “Kundiman,” allegedly written by Rizal in Manila, Dated September 12, 1891, which
contained the lines;

…She is a slave oppressed

Groaning in the tyrant’s grips;
Lucky shall he be
Who can give her liberty!

5. A letter of Carlos Oliveros to an unidentified person, Barcelona, dated September 18, 1891,
describing Rizal as the man to free the Philippines from Spanish oppression,
6. A Masonic document, Manila, dated February 9, 1892, honoring Rizal for his patriotic
services.
7. A letter signed Dimasalang (Rizal’s pseudonym) to Tenluz (Juan Zulueta’s pseudonym), Hongkong,
dated May 14, 1892, stating that he was preparing a safe refuge for Filipinos who may be persecuted
by the Spanish authorities.
8. A letter of Dimasalang to an unidentified committee, Hong Kong, dated June 1, 1892, soliciting the
aid of the committee in the “patriotic work.”
9. An anonymous and undated letter to the editor of the Hong Kong Telegraph, censuring the
banishment of Rizal to Dapitan.
10. A letter of Ildefonso Laurel to Rizal, Manila, dated September 3, 1892, saying that the Filipino people
look up to him (Rizal) as their savior.
11. A letter of Ildefonso Laurel to Rizal, Manila, dated March 17, 1893, informing him of an unidentified
correspondent of the arrest and banishment of Doroteo Cortes and Ambrosio Salvador.
12. A letter of Marcelo H. Del Pilar to Don Juan Tenluz (Juan Zulueta), Madrid, dated June 1, 1893,
recommending the establishment of a special organization, independent of Masonry, to help the
cause of the Filipino people.

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 13. Transcript of a speech of Pingkian (Emilio Jacinto), in a reunion of the Katipunan on July 23,1893, in
which the following cry was uttered “Long live the Philippines! Long live liberty! Long live Doctor
Rizal! Unity!”
14. Transcript of a speech of Tik-tik (Jose Turiano Santiago) in the same Katipunan reunion, wherein the
Katipuneros shouted: “Long live the eminent Doctor Rizal! Death to the oppressor nation!”
15. A poem by Laong Laan (Rizal) entitled “A Talisay” in which the author makes the Dapitan school boys
sing that they know how to fight for their rights.

There were testimonial evidences presented allegediy given by Martin Constantino, Aguedo del Rosario, Jose
Reyes, Moises Salvador, Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Timoteo Paez, Antonio Salazar, Francisco Quizon, Domingo Franco,
Jose Dizon, and Deodato Arellano not made in the presence of Rizal. But it must be recalled that some of these
persons were tortured brutally to implicate him. The oral testimonies could have been forced and therefore
fabricated, or they could have deliberately been misconstrued the testimonies of these other patriots.

On November 26, the preliminary investigation was finished and the records were transmitted to Governor Ramon
Blanco by Colonel Olive, together with the appointment of Captain Rafael Dominguez as special Judge Advocate
for the resolution of the case based on “evidences” presented for the filing of charges, which the letter
immediately did. Governor Ramon Blanco referred the matter to the Judge Advocate General were the following:

1. That Rizal be immediately brought to trial;

2. That he should be kept in prison;
3. That an order of attachment be issued against his property to the amount of one million pesos as
indemnity; and
4. That he should be defended in court by an army officer, not a civilian lawyer.

On December 8, a list of 100 first and second lieutenants was given to him from which the name of his defense
lawyer would come from. After looking over the names, there was one which caught his interest, and the officer
was Don Luis Taviel De Andrade, a First Lieutenant of the Artillery who gladly accepted the assignment. It was
found out later, that the reason why such name was familiar was because, he was the brother of Lt. Jose Taviel
de Andrade, Rizal’s former “bodyguard” in Calamba in 1887. The Lieutenant had previously heard about Rizal
from his brother.

On December 11, Rizal was informed of the charges against him, particularly of rebellion in his prison cell, in the
presence of his counsel. He did not object to the Court’s jurisdiction, but pleaded not guilty to the charge of
rebellion and although he admitted that he wrote the Constitution of the Liga Filipina, the association was a civic
one. He further waived his right to amend or make further statements other than those already made and
affirmed the statements that he had made except that he had not indulged in politics since his exile in Dapitan.

As fate would have it, Governor Blanco, the more humane person, who was not convinced of Rizal’s guilt, was
replaced by Governor Polavieja, “the blood and iron governor,” who later signed the order of his execution.

On December 15, 1896, Rizal wrote a manifesto the Filipino people, appealing to them to stop the unnecessary
shedding of blood and to achieve their liberties by more peaceful means, through education and industry.

The manifesto was not issued to the public by Governor General Polavieja, upon the advice of Judge advocate
General Nicolas Dela Peña for it would contradict the evidences they had of him.

December 25, 1896 was the saddest Christmas Rizal spent in his whole life, alone in his cell, aware that his case
was a hopeless one, nevertheless, managed to write to his defender a letter (72):

26
 Fort Santiago, December 25, 1896

My Very Distinguished Defender,

The investigating Judge has informed me that tomorrow my case will be heard before the court. I was
waiting for you this morning to tell you of an important matter but undoubtedly the pressure of your
work did not permit you to come as expected by the investigating Judge. If you have time, I should like
to speak to you, before I appear before the court; I shall be grateful if you come this afternoon, this
evening or tomorrow.

Wishing you “Merry Christmas.” I reiterate, always your attentive and affectionate servant and client.

Jose Rizal
There is no record that this defense counsel came to see him as he requested, but it can be surmised that he
might have been prevented from coming.

The Trial

The trial of Jose Rizal “was an eloquent proof of Spaniards injustice and misrule. More than a farce, it was
patently a mistrial.” His case was prejudged by a military court, in spite of being a civilian, with all evidences of
the prosecution accepted, but for the defense, ignored. He was deprived of his right to confront the witnesses
against him.

At 8:00 A.M., December 26, 1896, the court martial of Rizal started in the military of Building called Cuartel de
España, with seven member namely: Lt. Col. Jose Togores Arjona (President), Capt. Ricardo Munoz Arias, Capt.
Manuel Reguerro, Izquierdo Osorio, Capt. Braulio Rodriguez Nunez, Capt. Manuel Dias Escribano, and Capt.
Fermin Perez Rodriguez, Capt. Rafael Dominguez (Judge Advocate) with Lt. Enrique de Alcocer were for the
prosecution, while Lt. Taviel de Andrade, was for the defense. The accused, was seated in a bench guarded by
two soldiers, arms tied behind, elbow to elbow, like a common criminal. There were many spectators, including
Josephine Bracken, some newspapermen and many Spaniards. There is no record to establish the presence of
Filipinos in the courtroom.

The defense showed a brilliant performance, arguing point by point the charges against Rizal who wrote a
supplementary defense which runs as follows (74):

1. He could not be guilty of rebellion, for he advised Dr. Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan not to rise in revolution.
2. He did not correspond with the radical, revolutionary elements.
3. The revolutionists used his name without his knowledge. If he were guilty, he could have escaped in
Singapore.
4. If he had a hand in the revolution, he could have escaped in a Moro vinta and would not have built a
home, a hospital, and bought lands in Dapitan.
5. If he were the chief of the revolution, why was he not consulted by the revolutionists?
6. It was true he wrote the by-laws of the Liga Filipina, but this is only a civic association–not a
revolutionary society.
7. The Liga Filipina did not live long, for after the first meeting he was banished to Dapitan and it died out.
8. If the Liga was reorganized nine months later, he did not know about it.
9. The Liga did not serve the purpose of the revolutionists; otherwise they would not have supplanted it
with the Katipunan.
10. if it were true that there were some bitter comments in Rizal’s letters, it was because they were written in
1890 when his family was being persecuted, being dispossessed of houses, warehouses, land, etc. and
his brother and all his brothers –in-law were deported.

27
 11. His life in Dapitan had been exemplary as the politico-military commanders and missionary priests could
attest.
12. It was not true that the revolution was inspired by his one speech at the house of Doroteo Ongjunco, as
alleged by witnesses whom he would like to confront. His friends knew his opposition to armed rebellion.
Why did the Katipunan send an emissary to Dapitan who is unknown to him? Because those who knew
him were aware that he could never sanction any violent movement.

After a short deliberation, the military court voted unanimously for a death sentence. On the very same day, the
court decision was forwarded to Governor-General, Polavieja and after seeking the opinion of the judge advocate,
the latter confirmed the verdict: to be shot at the back on the morning of December 30 at Bagumbayan Field
(now the Luneta). The verdict of death runs as follows (75):

Manila, December 28, 1896

Conformably to the forgoing opinion. I approve the sentence dictated by the Court Martial in the present
case, by virtue of which the death penalty is imposed on the accused Jose Rizal Mercado, which shall be
executed by shooting him at 7 o’clock in the morning of the 30th of this month in the field of
Bagumbayan.
For compliance and the rest that may correspond, let this be returned to the judge Advocate, Captain
Don Rafael Dominguez.
Camilo G. de Polavieja

Governor-General Polavieja, known in Philippine History as the “blood and iron governor” acted true to his name.
And all those who participated in the trial of Dr. Jose P. Rizal shall forever be condemned by those who believe in
justice, freedom and due process of law.

THE DEATH OF A NATIONAL HERO

The last days of Rizal were spent in meeting visitors, including Jesuit priests, Josephine, and members of his
family, a Spanish newspaper correspondent by the name of Santiago Mataix, and some friends. No one knew he
was writing a poem – a farewell poem. Rizal, to the end remained a Christian, resigned to his fate; brave and
courageous to meet his destiny. It must have been his religious upbringing and his closeness to the Jesuit priests
that he was calm and cool before his execution.

The last hours of Rizal have been well recorded and are chronologically arranged as follows:

December 29, 1896

6:00 A.M. – Captain Rafael Dominguez reads the death sentence to Rizal to be shot at the back by a firing squad
at 7:00 at Bagumbayan, the next day.

7:00 A.M. – Rizal was moved to the prison chapel, where he spent his last moments. His first visitors were Father
Miguel Saderra Mata (Rector of Ateneo Municipal) and Father Luis Vita, a Jesuit priest and at one time his
teacher.

7:15 A.M. – Rector Sanderra left. Alone with his former teacher, Rizal reminded him of the statuette of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus which he had given him when he was an Ateneo student. It was said that Father Vita was
expecting such reminiscence and got the statuette from his pocket and gave it to him, which the latter happily
placed on his table.

28
8:00 A.M. – Father Antonio Rosell arrived and replaced Father Vita, at the time that Rizal was eating his
breakfast. Upon invitation, Father Rosell ate with him for breakfast. A few minutes later, his counsel, Lt. Luis
Taviel de Andrade came and Rizal thanked him for his work.

9:00 A.M. – Father Federico Faura arrived, Rizal reminded him of saying once that he would lose his head for
writing the Noli and jokingly told him that he was indeed a prophet.

10:00 A.M. – Another of Rizal’s teacher, Father Jose Villaclara (of Ateneo) and Father Vicente Balaguer, another
Jesuit missionary, whom Rizal befriended in Dapitan visited him. There was also the Spanish journalist, Santiago
Mataix, who interviewed Rizal for his newspaper El Heraldo de Madrid.

12:00 noon to 3:30 P.M. – He was alone and probably spent it in writing his “My Last Farewell”, which he hid
inside his alcohol cooking stove. The cooking stove was given to him as a gift by Paz Pardo de Tavera, wife of
Juan Luna during his visit to Paris in 1890. He also wrote his best friend Dr. F. Blumentritt, which runs as follows:

Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt

My dear Brother:

When you receive this letter, I shall be dead. Tomorrow at seven, I shall be shot; but, I’m innocent of the
crime of rebellion. I am going to die with a tranquil conscience.

Goodbye, my best, my dearest friend, and never think ill of me.

Fort Santiago, December 29, 1896

(Signed) Jose Rizal

Regards to the entire family, to Sra. Rosa, Loleng, Conradito and Federico.

I am leaving a book for you as a last remembrance of mine.

3:30 P.M. – Father Balaguer returned to Fort Santiago and talked about Rizal’s retraction of the anti-Catholic
ideas in his anti-Catholic writings and beliefs and also about his membership in the Masonry.

4:00 P.M. – His mother arrived. It was such a pitiful sight, with Rizal kneeling before her and kissing her hand,
and begging her forgiveness. No words can describe the pain both had in their hearts so that it was difficult to
separate mother and son as they were locked in embrace with tears. A few moments, Trinidad entered the cell to
fetch her mother and it was to Trinidad that he whispered to her about “something” in the alcohol cooking stove.

After his mother and sister left, Fathers Villaclara and Estanislao March entered the cell, with Father Rosell.

6:00 P.M. – Don Silvino Lopez Tunon, Dean of the Manila Cathedral, with Father Villaclara, visited him. Earlier,
Fathers Balaguer and March were there but left prior to the arrival of Don Silvino.

8:00 P.M. – After taking his supper, Rizal informed Captain Dominguez that he forgave all his enemies including
the military judges who sentenced him to death.

9:30 P.M. – The fiscal of the Royal Audiencia in Manila came to visit him. His pleasant conversation with Rizal
gave him a good impression of the prisoner’s intelligence and noble character.

29
10:00 P.M – Father Balaguer visited Rizal for him to sign a retraction sent by Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda,
who was perceived to be anti-Filipino, which was however rejected on the ground that it was too long, but it was
said that he came back with a shorter one. Rizal’s retraction of his Masonry and anti-Catholic religious beliefs is
till today a controversial issue, with the Catholic Rizalists alleging that Rizal did recant, and the Rizalists Scholars,
claiming that the signature to the recantation papers was a forgery. Zaide (1994) nevertheless has to say this on
the issue:

…The debate between the two groups of Rizalists is futile and irrelevant. Futile on the sense that no
amount of evidence can convince the Masonic Rizalists that Rizal did not retract… It is likewise irrelevant
because it does not matter at all to the greatness of Rizal. Whether he retracted or not, the fact remains
he was the greatest Filipino hero.

The “Retraction Document of Dr. Rizal”, which has been the object of controversy, runs as follows:

I declare that I am a Catholic, and in this religion, in which I was born and educated, I wish to live and
die.

I retract with all my heart anything in my words, writings, publications and conduct that has been
contrary to my character as a child of the Church. I believe and profess what it teaches. I submit to what
it demands. I abominate Masonry as an enemy of the Church and as a society prohibited by it.

The Diocesan Prelate, as the superior ecclesiastical authority may make this manifestation public. I
declare this spontaneously, in order to repair any scandal which my acts may have caused and so that
God and man may pardon me.

Manila, December 29, 1896

(Signed) Jose Rizal

(Witnesses)
Juan del Fresno, Chief of the Guard Detail
Eloy Moure, Adjutant of the Plaza

Whether Rizal recanted or not, it is irrelevant, it is true, for it does make him less a hero. His religious belief from
the present point of view is a personal matter, which did not affect his love for his country.

There is no record of what he did after the visit of Father Balaguer and the recantation papers, but for a few
hours, Rizal was by himself, probably finishing his last poem and masterpiece.

December 30, 1896

3:00 A.M. – The Fateful Day. Rizal heard mass, had confession and took Holy Communion.

5:30 A.M. – After taking his last breakfast, he wrote two letters, the first addressed to his family and the second
to his brother, who had suffered but withstood torture and physical punishment for him. There was always that
special kind of relationship between them till the end.

After he wrote his letters, Josephine Bracken, accompanied by Josefa (Rizal’s sister) arrived to bid him farewell.
He embraced her for the last time, while she was in tears and give her a gift: a religious book entitled Imitation
of Christ with a written inscription:

To my dear unhappy wife, Josephine

December 30, 1896
Jose Rizal

30
6:00 A.M. – He wrote another letter to his beloved parents, asking for forgiveness for the sorrows that he had
given them, and thanking them for their sacrifices to give him a good education.

6:30 A.M. – Rizal was prepared for the execution. A trumpet sounded in the stillness of the morning to herald the
event of the day. With four soldiers as advance guards, Rizal, a few meters behind walked calmly towards “his
rendezvous with death”, accompanied by Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade, his defense counsel and two Jesuit priests,
Fathers March and Villaclara, followed by more soldiers behind him.

This time although his arms were tied behind from elbow to elbow, the rope was quite loose and allowed his
arms more freedom of movement. He was dressed in black suit, with black derby hat, black shoes but with white
shirt and black tie.

Like any execution by musketry, muffled sound of drums rent the air, with the group marching solemnly and
slowly. Near the field a large group of spectators was out probably to see how a hero dies.

As they were walking to the field, Rizal looked at the sky and made a remark to one of the priests:

How beautiful it is today, Father. What morning could be more serene! How clear is Corregidor and the
mountains of Cavite! On mornings like this, I used to take a walk with my sweetheart.

While passing in front of Ateneo, he asked one of the fathers if the college towers were that of Ateneo’s, which
was affirmed by one of the priests.

In the Bagumbayan field, now the Luneta, the group stopped and he walked slowly to where he was told to stand
– on a grassy lawn between two lamp posts, overseeing the shores of the beautiful Manila Bay.

He took time to bid farewell to his companions, and firmly shook their hands. One of the priests blessed him and
offered a crucifix for him to kiss, which he did.

He then requested the commander of the firing squad to shoot him facing the firing squad, which was refused,
with the commander telling him of the orders that he had to follow.

He did as he was ordered reluctantly and turned his back and faced the sea, even as a Spanish military doctor,
Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo asked his permission to feel his pulse. Nothing could be more extraordinary that for a man
facing the firing squad who will snuff out his life, as having a normal pulse. Rizal, man and martyr had no fear to
die; to die for his country; it was a rare opportunity and he would want it in no other way.

When the command “fire” was heard, Rizal made a supreme effort to face the firing squad, and his bullet-riddled
body instead turned to the right with his face facing the morning sun. It was exactly 7:03 A.M., December 30 th,
1896 when Rizal died, a martyr’s death, at the prime of his life, 35 years of age, five months and eleven days.

No fitting description could be of his death as that which he wrote in his farewell poem, particularly, the third
stanza, which says:

I die just when I see the dawn break,

Through the gloom of night, to herald the day;
And if color is lacking, my blood thou shalt take,
Pour’d out at need for thy dear sake,
To dye with its crimson the walking ray.

No greater sound could have been exploded and heard all over the country, than that shot that was fired on that
fateful morning in Bagumbayan field, and no greater thunderous fall than that of the Spanish empire. While the
Spaniards rejoiced and danced over the death of Rizal, little did they realize that their days of power and

31
oppression were numbered, for the Filipinos took a united stand with the Philippine Revolution on their newly
aroused nationalism born by the powerful catalyst of Rizal’s mighty pen and of his heroic death. As it has been
said “the pen is mightier than the sword” for it can destroy mountains of antipathy and build boulders of unity.
The impossible was now made possible.

No one can read or follow the life of Rizal without a feeling of pain, sorrow, tragedy and loss. His was a life of
never-ending tragedies; in spite his good intentions. But virtue has its own reward – that of being worshipped,
idolized and looked up as a national hero.

32
 CHAPTER 5 SUMMARY

TRIAL

The Spanish colonial government accused Rizal of three crimes:

• The founding of La Liga Filipina, an “illegal organization” whose single aim was to “Perpetrate the crime of
rebellion”;
• Rebellion which he promoted through his previous activities; and
• Illegal association.

The penalty for those accusations is life imprisonment to death, correctional imprisonment and a charge of 325 to
3,250 Pesetas.

The prosecution drew information from the dossier on Rizal which detailed his “subversive activities”, some of
which are the following:

1. The writing and publication of “Noli me Tangere”, the Annotations to Morga’s History of the Philippines, “El
Filibusterismo”, and the various articles which criticized the friars and suggested their expulsion in order to
win independence. The El Filibusterismo was dedicated to the three martyr priests who were executed as
traitors to the Fatherland in 1872 because they were the moving spirit of the uprising of that year.
2. The establishment of masonic lodges which became the propaganda and fund-raising center to support
subversive activities and the establishment of centers in Madrid, Hongkong and Manila to propagate his
ideas.
After finishing as much evidence as possible on November 20, 1896, the preliminary trial began. During the five-
day investigation, Rizal was informed of the charges against him before Judge advocate Colonel Francisco Olive.

Two kinds of Evidences Endorsed by Colonel Olive to Governor Ramon Blanco:

1. Documentary (fifteen exhibits)

2. Testimony by Martin Constantino, Aguedo del Rosario, Jose Reyes, Moises Salvador, Jose Dizon, Domingo
Franco, Deodato Arellano, Pio Valenzuela, Antonio Salazar, Francisco Quison, and Timoteo Paez.

The Judge Rafael Dominguez was assigned with the task of deciding what corresponding action should be done
and after a brief review, transmitted the records to Don Nicolas de la Pea. Pena’s recommendations were as
follows:

• Rizal must be immediately sent to trial

• He must be held in prison under necessary security
• His properties must be issued with order of attachment

And as indemnity, Rizal had to pay one million pesos. Instead of a civilian lawyer, only an army officer is allowed
to defend Rizal, in the person of Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade, the brother of Lt. Jose Taviel de Andrade who worked
as Rizal’s personal body guard in Calamba in 1887.

In the presence of his Spanish Counsel on December 11, 1896, charges against Rizal were read in the presence
of his Spanish counsel. When they asked regarding his sentiments or reaction on the charges, Rizal replied in his
defense that:

• He does not question the jurisdiction of the court;

• He has nothing to amend except that during his exile in Dapitan in 1892, he had not dealt in political
matters;
• He has nothing to admit on the charges against him; and
• He had nothing to admit on the declarations of the witnesses, whom he had not met nor knew, against him.

33
EXECUTION

Despite all valid pleadings in the military court, vindictive as it was, it was a unanimous vote for the sentence of
death. Polavieja affirmed the decision of the court martial and ordered Rizal to be shot at 7:00 in the morning of
December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan field.

Rizal was heavily guarded and was accompanied by the Jesuits as he walked from Fort Santiago to Bagumbayan.
He wore a black woolen suit and a derby hat and his arms were tied behind him. During the walk, he recalled his
youth and his student days at the Ateneo. In Bagumbayan itself, the Spanish troops held back the crowd while
the artillery group stood on alert to prevent any attempt to rescue Rizal. His brother, Paciano, who had joined the
revolution forces was said to have discouraged groups who might want to save Rizal since that would not be able
to match Spanish firepower.

The captain in charge of the execution instructed Rizal to position himself, to turn his back against the squad and
face the sea. However, Rizal requested to face the firing squad, as such position instructed by the captain of the
execution was only taken by traitors and he was not one of them. The captain could not do anything for he was
only following orders. Hence, failing to have his request granted, he asked to be shot at the back instead of the
head so that he may, at the end, turn his head and body sidewise and fall with his face upward. The captain
agreed, he also asked if he would like to kneel but Rizal refused nor did he agree to be blindfolded. A Jesuit priest
now came running and asked Rizal to kiss the crucifix that he held. Thereafter, Rizal turned his back on the
crucifix and thus, against the firing squad. Then, he was ready for the execution.

DEATH

He was ready to face his ultimate death, he was seen as a man of peace and bravery. At exactly 7:03 am Rizal
shouted “Consummatum Est” before the shot run out. The hero’s life ended. In the background these words
could be heard: “Viva España! Death to traitors!”.

Rizal’s Family was not able to take a hold of his body. The military had secretly buried the body of Rizal at the
Paco cemetery. Her sister, Narcisa, looked for the cadaver everywhere but could not find it. She passed by the
unused Paco cemetery and saw through the open gate some civil guards. Finding this uncommon, she entered
the cemetery and searched the place. She saw a grave with freshly turned earth and knew at once that it was her
brother’s body. With a little money, she asked the gravedigger to place a plaque on it with her brother’s reversed
initals, R.P.J. for Rizal Protacio Jose. That afternoon, the books, letter, and alcohol burner were delivered to
Rizal’s family. At the base of the alcohol burner they found Rizal’s last masterpiece the “Mi Ultimo Adios”. The
copies were given to each family member and some were given to the Cavite insurgents.

After the Americans had taken over land of Manila, Narcisa requested the new government to grant her
permission to exhume the body of his brother. They found out that the body was never placed in a coffin, nor
even wrapped by anything. Rizal’s family finally had possession of the body. The remains were instituted at the
base of Rizal monument erected at the center of the Luneta.

34
 SELF CHECK A.5
CHAPTER 5

Answer the Self-check Questions honestly. This should be answered and checked by you personally. Please
do not alter your answers then go over the page of the Answers’ key. This process is to determine if you
comprehend what you were reading. If in case, you have not answered them correctly, please read again the
module. The Self-check paper should be submitted together with Performance Task Exercises Sheet as
scheduled by your professor.

Name:__________________________________ Year Level:_____________ Score:__________

I. Multiple Choice: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

. What was the accusation made on Rizal by the Spanish colonial government?
a) Fraud, Identity theft, Illegal association
b) Rebellion, Solicitation, Disorderly conduct
c) Arson, Burglary and Illegal Organization
d) Illegal Organization, Rebellion, Illegal Association

2. Which of the following is not part of the objectives of the Liga Filipina?
a) Uniting the whole archipelago
b) Mutual protection
c) Defense against the friars
d) Encouragement of education, agriculture and commerce

3. Rizal performed community activities while he was in Dapitan, which of the following is not part of
those activities?
a) Furnished clean water to the people
b) Established buildings for livelihood
c) Got rid of the breeding places of malarial mosquitos
d) Equipped the town with primitive lighting system

4. All but one would describe Rizal’s accomplishments in his four-year exile in Dapitan.
a) Mastered the chess game
b) Done business in agricultural crops
c) Mastered 22 languages
d) Volunteered as military doctor

5. What was CJ Lionel Cox’s defense on the writ of habeas corpus issued by an English lawyer in an attempt
to rescue Rizal in Singapore?
a) The writ was denied as it was considered a false claim; Rizal was captivated for he’s a criminal
b) The writ was denied as it was against the law and would be considered obstruction of justice
c) The writ was denied on the ground that it was a warship of foreign power carrying troops to the
Philippines under international law, the ship was therefore beyond the jurisdiction of the civil courts
d) None of the above

6. What kind of trial was given to Jose Rizal?

a) An inappropriate trial prejudged under a military court despite him being a civilian
b) A mistrial; despite the brilliant performance of the defense, Rizal he was still submitted for execution
c) The trial was an eloquent proof of Spaniards injustice and misrule

35
 d) All of the above

7. What was the final verdict on the case of Rizal?

a) to be shot at the back on the morning of December 30 at Bagumbayan Field
b) to be killed through lethal injection
c) condemned in an electric chair
d) to be shot in the head on December 30, 1895

8. Why did Rizal plea to face the firing squad during the execution icontrary of the captain’s instructions?
a) He wanted to see the ugly faces of the soldiers
b) He wants to be ready for the gunshot so he could avoid it
c) The position instructed by the captain in charge was only taken by traitors and he was not one of them
d) All of the above

9. The words shouted by Rizal a few seconds before gunshots went through his body?
a) Urrggggggh!
b) It really hurts
c) Consummatum Est
d) Expecto Patronum

10. When was the exact time of Rizal’s death?

a) 7:05 am
b) 7:15 am
c) 7:03 am
d) 7:02 am

36
 CHAPTER 5 ANSWER’S KEY

I. Multiple Choice

1. d
2. c
3. b
4. a
5. c
6. d
7. a
8. c
9. c
10. c

37
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION

By the end of this chapter, you

1. be
should Compare
able to and contrast the
different views of Rizal and
Morga about the Filipinos
and the Philippine culture
2. Explain the relationship
between literature and
society
3. Give an assessment on
Rizal’s interpretations of
Morga’s Successos de las
Islas Filipinas
4. Convey a personal conviction
on how would someone
learn the value of
“patriotism” and
“nationalism” from literature
This chapter introduces the students
to the kind of government, society,
faith and economy the Filipinos had
during the nineteenth century as
recorded by Antonio Morga.
This will also discuss Rizal’s
agreement/disagreement to Morga’s
statements, and to fulfil Rizal’s goal of
posting the Filipino people on the past
so to fairly judge the present and
estimate how much progress has been
made compared to the three centuries
of the Spanish rule.

INFORMATION SHEET A.6

CHAPTER 6 –Annotation on Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas
Filipinas

Las Islas Filipinas in English means “The Philippine Islands”, named after King Philip II of Spain while Sucesos
means the work of an honest observer, a versatile bureaucrat, who knew the workings of the administration from
the inside.

Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas is an important work about the Spanish colonization in the Philippines, published by
Antonio De Morga in Mexico in the year 1609 which explains the political, social and economic aspects of a
colonizer and the colonized country.

The book is based on the experience and observation of Antonio De Morga. It was annotated by Jose Rizal with a
prologue written by Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt.

The work consists of eight (8) chapters:

1. Of the first discoveries of the Eastern islands

2. Of the government of Dr. Francisco de Sande
3. Of the government of don Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa
4. Of the government of Dr. Santiago de Vera
5. Of the government of Gomes Perez Dasmariñas

38
 6. Of the government of don Francisco Tello
7. Of the government of don Pedro de Acuña
8. An account of the Philippine Islands

The first seven chapters mainly concern the political events which occurred in the colony during the terms of the
first eleven governor-generals in the Philippines, beginning with Miguel Lopez de Legaspi in 1565 to Pedro de
Acuña who died in June 1606. For present-day Filipinos chapter eight is the most interesting, because it gives a
description of the pre-Hispanic Filipinos, or rather the indios, at the Spanish contact. This same chapter was
indispensable for Rizal, not only for its ethnographic value but more to help him reconstruct the pre-Hispanic
Philippines which Rizal wanted to present to his countrymen.

Antonio de Morga

Antonio de Morga was born in 1559 in Seville. He graduated from the University of
Salamanca in 1574 and in 1578 attained a doctorate in Canon Law. He taught
briefly in Osuna, later returning to Salamanca to study Civil Law. In 1580, he joined
the government service, and was appointed in 1593 to Manila as Lieutenant
Governor, the second most powerful position in the colony, next to the Governor
General of the Philippines. In 1598 he resigned this post to assume the office of
oidor or judge in the Audiencia.

In 1625, he was investigated for corruption and eventually found guilty. However,
he escaped humiliation, and the gallows, by dying in 1636, before the case was
wound up.

Morga was not only the first to write but also the first to publish a Philippine history.
Compared to Father Chirino’s work, printed in Rome in 1604, is rather a chronicle of the Missions than a history of
the Philippines; still it contains a great deal of valuable material on usages and customs. The worthy Jesuit in fact
admits that he abandoned writing a political history because Morga had already done so.

Morga (1609) wrote that the purpose for writing Sucesos was so he could chronicle the deeds achieved by the
Spaniards, the discovery, conquest, and conversion of the Filipinas Islands - as well as various fortunes that they
had from time to time in the great kingdoms and among the pagan peoples surrounding the islands.

What led Rizal to Morga’s work?

Rizal was an earnest seeker of truth and this marked him as a historian. He had a burning desire to know exactly
the condition of the Philippines when the Spaniards came ashore. His theory was that the country was
economically self-sufficient and prosperous. Entertained the idea that it had a lively and vigorous community. He
believed the conquest of the Spaniards contributed in part to the decline of the Philippine’s rich traditions and
culture.

He then decided to undertake the annotation of Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos De Las Islas Filipinas. His personal
friendship with Ferdinand Blumentritt provided the inspiration for doing a new edition of Morga’s work. He
devoted four months of research and writing and almost a year to get his manuscript published in Paris in
January 1890.

Why did Rizal choose Morga’s work?

• Rizal thought that Morga’s work, a secular account of Philippine history, was more objective, more
trustworthy, than those written by the religious missionaries which were liberally sprinkled with tales of
miracles and apparitions.

39
 • It was also the only civil, as opposed to religious or ecclesiastical, history of the Philippines written during
the colonial period.

• It appeared to be more sympathetic, at least in parts, to the indios, in contrast to the friar’s accounts–
many of which were biased or downright racist in tone and interpretation.

• Morga was an eyewitness, and therefore a primary source of historical accounts in the Philippines.

How did he know about Morga’s work?

As a child José Rizal heard from his uncle, José Alberto, about an ancient history of the Philippines written by a
Spaniard named Antonio de Morga. The knowledge of this book came from the English Governor of Hong Kong,
Sir John Browning, who had once paid his uncle a visit. While in London, Rizal immediately acquainted himself
with the British Museum where he found one of the few remaining copies of that work. In there, he hand-copied
the whole 351 pages of the book and annotated every chapter of it.

Rizal’s annotations on Morga’s book is the first historical work on the Philippines by a Filipino. It is the first history
written from the point of view of the colonized and not by the colonizer. Austin Craig, an early biographer of
Rizal, translated into English some of the most important of these annotations.

Rizal’s Purpose for Annotating Morga’s Work

Rizal annotated the Morga to awaken the consciousness of the Filipinos regarding their glorious ways of the past,
to correct what has been distorted about the Philippines due to Spanish Conquest and to prove that the Filipinos
are civilized/advanced even before the coming of the Spaniards.

Ferdinand Blumentritt

Blumentritt was the one who encouraged Rizal to write about the Philippines’ pre-colonial History. He praised
Rizal’s works as “Scholarly and well-thought out”. He even noted that the book is so rare and that very few
libraries own it and guarded it like a treasure.

However, he criticized some points made by Rizal. He noticed that Rizal had committed the mistakes of many
modern historians who judged events in the past. He said that Rizal shouldn’t condemn Catholicism even though
they didn’t do any effort to suppress calls for reform. He should just keep the critique about religious orders in
the Philippines.

Rizal’s Annotations

To the Filipinos : In Noli Me Tangere, I started to sketch the present state of our native land. But the effect
which my effort produced made me realize that, before attempting to unroll before your eyes the other
pictures which were to follow, it was necessary first to post you on the past. So only then can you fairly judge
the present and estimate how much progress has been made during the three centuries (of Spanish rule).

Like almost all of you, I was born and brought up in ignorance of our country's past and so, without knowledge
or authority to speak of what I neither saw nor have studied, I deem it necessary to quote the testimony of an
illustrious Spaniard who in the beginning of the new era controlled the destinies of the Philippines and had
personal knowledge of our ancient nationality in its last days.

It is then the shade of our ancestor's civilization which the author will call before you... If the work serves to
awaken in you a consciousness of our past, and to blot from your memory or to rectify what has been falsified or

40
is calumny, then I shall not have labored in vain. With this preparation, slight though it be, we can all pass to the
study of the future.

- Jose Rizal, 1889

Jose Rizal’s Annotation

Rizal and Morga have a different perspective concerning geography, society, faith and economy during the
pre-colonial era. Rizal agreed to some of Morga’s opinions and agreed not some, as depicted below.

ANTONIO MORGA JOSE RIZAL

GEOGRAPHY (Location, Climate and Plant Species)
Location There are many others on the line within the
tropic of Capricorn, which extends up to
twelve (12) degrees, South latitude. The
ancient have alleged that most of these
Islands were deserted and uninhabitable.
More exactly, it is from 25 degrees and 40
minutes latitude North, until 12 degrees
latitude South, if we are to include in the
group Formosa, which is inhabited also by
the same race.

Ptolemy in his geography indicated three

islands and their inhabitants, which in the
Latin text are called Sindae, which Mercator
interprets as Celebes, Gilolo, and Amboina.
Thus, it would be erroneous to say that the
Philippines was ever inhabitable.

Climate According to Morga, the rainy season in the
Philippines is the equivalent of winter in
other countries and the rest of the year is
summer. Thus, the rain pours from month of
June up to September, and summer starts
from October and extends to the end of May.
In Manila, by December, January, and
February the thermometer goes down more
than it does in the months of August and
September. Therefore, with regards to
seasons, it resembles Spain as all the rest
of the Northern Hemisphere.

Plant Species There is an abundance of ginger which is
eaten raw, in vinegar or pickled, likewise
much cachumba, a plant giving both taste
and color, used in cooking in the place of
saffron and species. The regular delicacy
offered throughout these Islands and in the
countries in the Asian mainland is the buyo
or betel which is made out of a leaf, coupled
with a seed or nut from the areca. This nut
called bonga is cut lengthwise and placed
inside the rolled betel leaf with a bit of very
quick lime.
In Tagalog, cachumba is called kasubha. It
comes from the Sanskrit Kasumbha. It is
not a tree but rather a vine which is
cultivated by making it cling into bamboo
poles. It is placed in the middle of small
canals, which waters the vine every two
days.
Everybody knows the fruit is not of the
betel or buyo but of the bonga. It’s not
quicklime but a very hydrated lime.

SOCIETY (Government, Art, Ethnology, Cloth, Custom, Women, Food and Lifestyle and Language)
Government There were neither king nor lords to rule the Rizal agreed that there were no such Kings
natives but there are those that are or Lords. In the view of the lack of
considered principals among them who had communications, governance would be
their own followers and henchmen forming hard if that’s the case.
barrios and families who obeyed and respect
them. In can be deduced from this that friendly

41
 Those principal men used to have friendship
and relationship with each other, and
sometimes even wars and differences.
Art (Body The inhabitants–the natives–residing in the
Tattoo) place known as Visayas are otherwise called
the “tattooed ones” for the reason that the
most important male residents there have,
since their childhood, decorated their entire
body by painting their skins, following a
pattern drawn and by putting certain black
powder in certain parts where the blood
oozes out and which can never be removed.
Ethnology The natives of other provinces of the islands
as far North as Cagayan, are of the same
kind and fortune; except that it is known by
tradition that those of Manila and other
neighboring communities, were not natives
of said island but immigrants therein.
The natives living in Luzon are tribes of
whom one cannot be safe, as they are
inclined to kill and attack the settlements of
the natives, to whom they caused
considerable damages; and no measure was
able to effectively prevent them from having
such conduct.
Origin of the Morga stated that the dress used by the
Word “Chininas” native headmen in Luzon was a red colored
a Kind of Cloth clothe which they called chininas. It is made
of cangan fabric without collar, sewn in front,
with short sleeves extending down the waist.
Custom According to Morga, the natives had strings
painted in black tied around their legs several
times.
Morga said that in a certain province named
Zambales, natives shave their heads closely
from the middle to the forehead, with a large
lock of loose hair on the back of the head
Description of Morga stated that men and women are
Women covetous and money-loving.
relations were more common than wars.
Rizal agreed with Morga for Visayans also
used the same method as the Japanese.
Ancient traditions make Sumatra the place
of origin of the Filipinos. These traditions
were completely lost as well as the
mythology and genealogies that old
historians tell us about, thanks to the zeal
of the religious in extirpating every
national, gentile, or idolatrous memento.
According to Rizal, the measures done
against the natives of Luzon are more often
by bad means and rather by good ones.
Rizal also mentioned that the natives chose
to become violent because of the strict and
brutal way of the Spanish friars.
According to Rizal, the origin of the word
“chininas” is not known, although it seems
that the word originated from China. If we
may be allowed to make a conjecture, we
would say that perhaps a wrong phonetic
transcription had been made of chinina the
word tinina (from tina) which in Tagalog
means dyed, which is almost always
monochromatic.
Rizal stated that rings of gold with stones
were worn on fingers. The last accessory of
the gala dress is like a sash, a richly
colored cloak thrown over the shoulder and
joined under the arm.
The manner of wearing the hair and the
long attire of the Bisayans have an analogy
to the coiffure and kimono of the Japanese.
Rizal sarcastically mentioned that it could
be found everywhere even in Europe itself.
42
Food and The ordinary food of the natives is a very
Lifestyle small fish, such as laulau, which they enjoy
better than larger fishes. According to Morga,
in lieu of olives and other aperitive fruits,
they have a green, very small fruit, more
diminutive than a nut called paos.
Language The language spoken in Luzon and the
adjacent island is very different from that
spoken in Visayas. There’s no uniform
language and other places have their own
dialects. The people of the province of Manila
were called Tagalogs. They had a rich and
abundant language whereby all that one
desires to say can be expressed in varied
ways and with elegance.
Writing was done on bamboo pieces or on
paper.
FAITH (Belief on Crocodiles, Healers and Dead)
Belief of The natives build on the border of their rivers
Crocodiles and streams. In their settlements where they
bathe–traps and fences with thick enclosures
were made to secure them from the
monsters (crocodiles) which they fear and
respect to the degree of veneration as if they
were somehow superior to them.
God has permitted those who have sworn
falsely or broken their promise, to become
victims of the crocodiles, in the view of their
violation.
Healers Great sorcerers and wizards deceive the
people who communicates whatever wishes
to them. The natives also believed in omens
and superstitions so that they could tell
whether their sick persons would live or die.
Dead They buried their dead in their own houses,
keeping their bodies and bones for a long
time in boxes, and venerating their skulls. In
their funeral rites, neither pomp nor
processions played any part, except only
What was called laulau is a salted and dried
sardine. It sems that Morga was referring
to tawilis of Batangas, or dilis, which is
even smaller.
According to Rizal, paho/paos is a kind of
mango of about 1 and ½ to five
centimeters long.
Throughout the Islands, writing is well
developed.
We are far from believing that alphabet
offers the simplicity and clarity of Latin but
neither can we accept the belief of other
authors who, without knowing thoroughly
about writing, claim to find it is very
imperfect for the difficulty of pronouncing
the quiescent consonants.
Rizal explains how is the proper writing of
this time in two different manner; vertical
and horizontal.
Perhaps for the same reason other nations
have great esteem for the lion and bear,
putting them on their shields and giving
them honorable epithets. The mysterious
life of the crocodile, the enormous size that
it sometimes reaches, its fatidical aspect,
without counting anymore its
voraciousness, must have influenced
greatly the imagination of the Malayan
Filipinos.
Speaking of the sick and Anitos, Rizal
related this to Fr. Chirino’s illustration of
the case of Armandao who, while sick,
offered half his body to the Anito to see if
he would be cured. Fr. Chirino mentioned
that if Armandao was cured? What could be
said now to those who died, despite all the
Masses offered to the different Virgins,
despite the sophisticated offerings?
We find it much more natural and pious to
venerate the remains of the parents to
whom they own everything, than to
venerate the memory, bones, hair, etc. of
certain saints. Idolatry for idolatry, we
43
 those performed by members of the
household of the dead. After grieving, they
indulged in eating and drinking to the
degree of intoxication among themselves.
prefer that of our parents to that of some
dirty friar or fanatical martyr whom we
don’t know and with whom we have no
dealings and who probably will never
remember us.

ECONOMY (Wealth, Trade, Occupation)

Wealth Throughout the islands are certain places
where there is an abundance of rich gold
deposits and other mineral products. But
after the Spaniards had settled in the land,
the natives became laxer in the mining of
gold, contenting themselves with what they
already had in the form of jewelry and
ancient ingots of gold, inherited from their
forebears, which were abundant in
themselves.
Morga said that the natives take their still
unrefined and unperfected gold to certain
appointed places where they meet the
people from Ilocos, where, for their gold,
they are given in trade, rice, pigs, carabaos,
blankets and other articles which they need.
According to Morga, it was said that the
Igorots felt that their gold was kept more
securely in the ground than in their own
homes or settlements.
The Indios on seeing that wealth aroused
the capacity of the encomenderos and
soldiers, abandoned the work in the mines,
and priest historians relate that, in order to
save them from vexations, they
recommended on them such procedure.
However, Rizal said that it was later on
forbidden.
Rizal supported what Morga said by stating
that the Igorots were right about their
practice that keeping their wealth on the
ground is more secure than in their own
homes or settlements.

Trade Cotton is raised throughout the islands, and
they spin it into thread and sell it by skins to
the Chinese and other nationals who come
over for trading. They also weave blankets in
various ways which they also sell or trade.
Not only did they have large harvest of rice
but also of cotton which they wove into
textile for their garments and which is very
much esteemed in New Spain. Out of
cotton textile alone, there was an
encomendero who left a fortune of more
than 50,000 accumulated in a few years.

Occupation of Most are laborers, while others are engaged The men of the said islands were great
Native Men in working, mining and in trading from one carpenters and shipbuilders.
province to another around Luzon mainland.

Literature and Society

Literature mirrors society. What happens in a society is reflected in literary works in one form or another. The
literal meaning of literature is the art of written work in different forms, such as, poetry, plays, stories, prose,
fiction, etc. It may also consist of texts based on information as well as imagination.

A society is a group of people related to each other through their continuous and uninterrupted relations. It is
also a group of likeminded people largely governed by their own norms and values. Human society, it is
observed, is characterized by the patterns of relationship between individuals who share cultures, traditions,
beliefs and values, etc.

44
If one looks at the history of society, one will find that the nature of different societies has gone through changes
from the Palaeolithic period to the present age of Information Technology. The people’s living style, faiths,
beliefs, cultures, etc., have never remained uniformly consistent. With the passage of time, owing to changes
taking place in environment and with emergence of new technologies, we observe that the societies have not
remained stubborn with regards to their norms and values, the reflections of which can be found in different
forms of literature.

45
 CH
CHAPTER 6 SUMMARY

Antonio de Morga, lieutenant governor of the Philippines in the late sixteenth centur y, was the first to lay a
formal history of the country in the purpose of chronicling the deeds achieved by the Spaniards and the
discovery, conquest, and conversion of the Filipinas Islands - as well as various fortunes that Spaniards had from
time to time.

Jose Rizal came to acquaint with Morga’s work when he was still a child. The knowledge of this book came from
the English Governor of Hong Kong, Sir John Browning, who had once paid his uncle Alberto a visit.

Growing up, he had a burning desire to know exactly the condition of the Philippines when the Spaniards came
ashore. His theory was that the country was economically self-sufficient and prosperous, rich in culture and
traditions and has a lively and vigorous community, only to be gradually destroyed by the Spaniards. Rizal’s
bestfriend, Ferdinand Blumentritt, was also the one who greatly encouraged him to make a new edition of
Morga’s work.

Among various accounts of Philippine history by several historians, Rizal chose Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas
Filipinas for it is the only secular account written during the colonial period. Morga was also an eyewitness as he
had been the primary source of his work being a part of the Spanish government.

Rizal annotated the Morga to awaken the consciousness of the Filipinos regarding their glorious ways of the past,
to correct what has been distorted about the Philippines due to Spanish Conquest and to prove that the Filipinos
were already civilized/advanced even before the coming of the Spaniards.

Rizal’s annotation is an important part of Philippine literature in relation to society as it brought the facts of the
past to the modern world. Without the passion and dedication rendered by our national hero, we would have
made to believe the accounts of those who did not belong in our race and make truth of even the slightest of lies.
Thus, it is only just to honor Rizal for dedication and hard work.

46
 SELF-CHECK A.6
CHAPTER 6

Answer the Self-check Questions honestly. This should be answered and checked by you personally. Please
do not alter your answers then go over the page of the Answers’ key. This process is to determine if you
comprehend what you were reading. If in case, you have not answered them correctly, please read again the
module. The Self-check paper should be submitted together with Performance Task Exercises Sheet and Job
Sheet as scheduled by your professor.

Name:__________________________________ Year Level:_____________ Score:__________

I. Multiple Choice. Read the sentence carefully. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. What type of book was Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas?

a) Fairytale
b) Romance
c) History
d) Fables

2. Which would best describe Antonio Morga?

a) A Spanish lawyer and a governor-general who was the first to write and publish a Philippine history
b) A Spanish priest who accounted the history of the Philippines through religious his ideals
c) A Governor-General who ordered the execution of Jose Rizal
d) A traveler who came to the Philippines through his expeditions

3. What led Rizal to Morga’s work?

a) He was an intelligent man who wants to question the norm
b) He was an earnest seeker of truth and this marked him as a historian
c) He wants to prove his literary skills to the Spaniards
d) None of the above

4. Why did Rizal choose to annotate Morga’s work among others?

a) It was a secular account of Philippine history; it was more objective and trustworthy than those written
by the religious missionaries.
b) It was also the only civil, as opposed to religious or ecclesiastical, history of the Philippines written during
the modern period.
c) Morga was an eyewitness, and therefore an unreliable source of historical accounts in the Philippines.
d) All of the above.

5. What was Rizal’s theory before annotating Morga’s work?

a) The country was already economically self-sufficient and prosperous before the Spaniards came ashore
b) The theory that Filipinos are well-grounded.
c) Spaniards contributed in part to the improvement of the Philippine’s traditions and culture.
d) Both A and C

6. What was Rizal’s purpose for annotating Morga’s work?

a) to awaken the consciousness of the Filipinos regarding their glorious ways of the past
b) to correct what has been distorted about the Philippines due to Spanish Conquest
c) to prove that the Filipinos were already civilized/advanced even before the coming of the Spaniards.
d) All of the above

47
7. What was Blumentritt’s initial comment on Rizal’s annotations?
a) Scholarly and well-thought out
b) Powerful and accurate
c) Timely and relevant
d) Clear and concise

8. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about Rizal’s annotations?

a) It is the first historical work on the Philippines by a Filipino
b) It is the first history written from the point of view of the colonized and not by the colonizer
c) It was the first history written for the Philippines and published in a magazine
d) Translated into English by Austin Craig

9. Sucesos means
a) Successful colonization by the Spaniards among remote areas in the Philippines
b) Work of an honest observer who knew the workings of the administration from the inside
c) A Spanish word indicating continuous pursuit of freedom
d) A latin word meaning “Islands” in English

10. What is the relationship between Literature and Society?

a) Society has changed from the earliest times to the modern period and the reflections of which can be
found in different forms of literature.
b) Literature is the way of life and society is life, thus, the two are interrelated
c) Society goes in time with literature
d) All of the above

48
 CHAPTER 6 ANSWER’S KEY

I. Multiple Choice
1. c
2. a
3. b
4. a
5. a
6. d
7. a
8. c
9. b
10. a

49
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION

By the end of this chapter, you

should be able to:

1. Evaluate the propaganda This chapter intends to single out the characters,
movement, what it stood for major events and the plot of the Noli Me
and Rizal’s involvement Tangere. Inclusive in this chapter are the
therein
circumstances which almost hindered the
2. Assess the important
characters in the novel and
publication of the novel as well as other factors
the people they represent that contributed to its success. Summary for
3. Examine the present each of the 63 chapters and an epilogue will be
Philippine Situation through discussed below as well as the analysis and
the examples mentioned in other facts related to the Noli.
the Noli
4. Compare and contrast Noli
Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo in the context 44
of its manner and style of
writing, content and ending
5. Value the role of the youth in
the development and future
society

INFORMATION SHEET A.7

CHAPTER 7 – The Noli Me Tangere

NOLI ME TANGERE PUBLISHED IN BERLIN (1887)

The bleak winter of 1886 in Berlin was Rizal’s darkest winter because no money arrived from Calamba and he
was flat broke.

It was memorable in the life of Rizal for two reasons:

(1) it was a painful episode for he was hungry, sick and despondent in a strange city; and
(2) it brought him great joy after enduring so much sufferings because his first novel, Noli Me
Tangere came off press in March, 1887.

Noli Me Tangere came from a Latin phrase which means “Touch Me Not”, a biblical phrase from the Gospel of St.
Luke, although Rizal made a mistake since the Biblical source should have come from John 20:13-17.

According to St. John on the First Easter Sunday, when Mary Magdalene visited the Holy Sepulchre where the
Lord has just risen, he said:

50
“Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father, but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend
unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God.”

The cover of Noli Me Tangere was designed by Rizal. It is a sketch of explicit symbols. A woman’s head atop a
Maria Clara bodice represents the nation and the women, victims of the social cancer. One of the causes of social
cancer is symbolized in the friar’s feet, outsized in relation to the woman’s head. The other aggravating causes of
oppression and discrimination are shown in the guard’s helmet and the iron chains, the teacher’s whip and the
alferez’s scourge. A slight cluster of bamboo stands at the backdrop; these are the people, forever in the
background of their own country’s history. There are cross, maze, flowers and thorny plants, a flame; these are
indicative of the religious policy, the misdirected ardor, the people strangled as a result of these all.

The Noli contains 63 chapters and an epilogue. He started writing the novel toward the end of 1884, but finished
only half of it. When he was in Paris in 1885, he finished writing the second half, while the last few chapters were
written in the months of April and June 1886. The Noli is a tale of frivolity, drama, tragedy, humor and passion. It
was dedicated to the Philippines – “To My Fatherland”.

My heart is wrapped with disappointment that due to the limited time allotted to this course and considering the
length of the novels, the original and unexpurgated versions will not be introduced. Instead, the summary of
events for each chapter will be discussed below.

NOLI ME TANGERE

Main Characters:

Juan Crisostomo Ibarra y Magsalin, commonly called Ibarra, came from a Filipino-Spanish descent and is the
only descendant of the wealthy Spaniard Don Rafael Ibarra. He was born and raised in the Philippines, but upon
his adolescence, he spent seven years studying in Europe. Those years prevented him from knowing what was
happening in his country. When he returned to the Philippines, he found out that his father had died and the
corpse was (supposedly) moved to a Chinese cemetery (but the body ended up in a river). He heard tales of how
helpful and kind his father had been and decided to honor the memory of his father by doing as good as his
father did.

51
María Clara de los Santos y Alba, is the most dominant yet weakest representation of women in the setting.
When thinking of Noli, the name of María Clara can be seen predominantly as the image of the ideal Filipino
woman. María Clara is the primary female character in the novel. She is the daughter of Capitán Tiago and Doña
Pía Alba. Doña Pía died while delivering Maria Clara. The poor child grew under the guidance and supervision of
Tíya Isabél, Capitán Tiago's cousin.
María Clara is known to be Ibarra's lover since childhood. When Ibarra was away in Europe, Capitán Tiago sent
Maria Clara to the Beaterio de Santa Clara where she developed into a lovely woman under the strict guidance of
the religious nuns.
Later in the novel, María Clara discovers that her biological father is not Capitán Tiago, but San Diego's former
curate and her godfather Padre Dámaso. After hearing about Ibarra's death, she persuaded Padre Damaso to let
her be endorsed into nunnery. Padre Damaso wouldn’t agree at first but finally relented because of fear that
Maria Clara might take her own life. She remained in the nunnery and died before Ibarra (Simoun in El Fili) could
rescue her.
Dámaso Verdolagas (commonly known as Padre Damaso or Father Damaso), of Franciscan order, was the
former curate of the parish church of San Diego. He was the curate for almost twenty years before he was
replaced by the much younger Padre Salvi. Padre Damaso was known to be friendly with the Ibarra family, so
much that Crisóstomo was surprised by what the former curate had done to Don Rafaél.
Padre Dámaso is described to be a snobbish, ruthless and judgemental extrovert. He does not control his words
when speaking and does not care if the person he is talking to would feel embarrassed or remorseful. He always
berates or criticizes other people around him especially Ibarra. Enraged, Ibarra once almost stabbed the priest
after he embarrassed him in front of the people in the sacristy. This made everyone think that he was slain
before Ibarra was being issued for arrest.
There were also issues that he and Donya Pia had a relationship and also revealed that he is the biological father
of Maria Clara.
Don Santíago de los Santos, commonly known as Kapitán Tiago, is the only son of a wealthy trader. Due to
his mother's cruelty, Kapitán Tiago did not attain any formal education. He became a servant of a Dominican
priest. When the priest and his father died, Kapitán Tiago decided to assist in the family business of trading
before he met his wife Doña Pía Alba, who came from another wealthy family. Because of their
consistent veneration in Obando, they were blessed with a daughter who shared the same features as Padre
Dámaso, named Maria Clara.
Kapitán Tiago owned numerous properties in Pampanga, Laguna and especially, in San Diego. He also managed
boarding houses along Daang Anloague and Santo Cristo (in San Diego too) and had contracts for opening an
opium business.
He is close to the priests because he had given numerous contributions of money during ecclesiastical donations
and always invited the parish curate to every formal dinner. He was also entrenched with the government
because he always supported tax increases whenever the local officials wished. That was the reason he obtained
a highest government position that a non-Spaniard could have in the Philippines.
Later in the Noli sequel, El Filibusterismo, Kapitán Tiago loses all his properties and becomes addicted to opium,
which eventually led to his death.
Don Anastacio, commonly known as Filósofo Tacio (Philosopher Tasyo) is one of the most important characters
in Noli. On one hand, he is referred to as a philosopher/sage (hence, Pilosopo Tasyo) because his ideas were
accurate with the minds of the townspeople. On the other hand, if his ideas were against the thinking of the
majority, he would be labeled the Imbecile Tacio (or Tasyong Sintu-sinto) or the Lunatic Tacio (Tasyong Baliw).
Filósofo Tacio was born into a wealthy Filipino family. His mother gave her formal education, then abruptly
ordered him to stop. She feared Tasyo would become "too educated" and lose his faith and devotion to religion.
His mother gave him two choices: either go into the priesthood or stop his education. Tasyo chose the latter
because he had a girlfriend that time. Soon enough, they married and after a year, he lost his wife and his

52
mother. Most of his time was taken up in reading and buying books that all his properties were lost and became
poor.
Eliás came from a family which the Ibarra clan had oppressed for generations. He grew up in a wealthy family
until he discovered something that changed his life forever. Despite the reason that Ibarra's family subjugated his
own, he is entirely indebted towards Crisostomo. Ibarra became a savior of Elias’ life when they tried to kill a
crocodile. Elias, in turn, helped him before Ibarra got arrested by burning his house. Elias and Ibarra continued
supporting each other until Elias sacrificed himself to help him one last time. He was shot by the guards
(mistakenly took as Ibarra trying to dive down the river to escape) and slowly died.
Doña Victorina de los Reyes de Espadaña is the one who pretended to be a meztisa (a Spaniard born in the
Philippines) and always dreamed of finding a Spanish husband, in which she married Don Tiburcio. She was
feared by everyone in the town because of her odd appearance, her ruthless personality, and her fierce rivalry
against Doña Consolacion.
It actually came to pass that she did not like Don Tiburcio. She merely forced herself to marry him despite having
fallen in love with Kapitan Tiago.
Narcisa is married to a man named Pedro. She is the mother of Crispin and Basillo. She depicts how Filipino
mothers love their children unquestionably.
After days when Crispin was held captive by Mang Tasyo, the owner of the sacristy, she was arrested and locked
up in jail. One day later, she was pardoned by the town Alferez and was released. However, when she returned
home, Basilio’s gone. When she found Crispin's clothes soaked with blood, she became a lunatic as she continued
finding her children.
At the end of the novel, Basilio grievously mourns for his mother as he found her dying under the tree.
Doña Consolacíon, la musa de los guardias civiles y esposa del Alférez once a laundry woman who
worked for the town Alferez. She became wealthy after marrying a Spanish husband. Despite that they are rivals
with Doña Victorina, they have something in common.
Other Characters
❖ Tiya Isabel – the cousin of Capitan Tiago who took care of Maria Clara in her growing years after her
mother’s death.
❖ Idáy, Siniang, Victoria and Neneng – the friends of Maria Clara in San Diego. Idáy is a beautiful girl
who plays harp. Sinang is cheerful and naughty (Maria Clara's closest friend), Victoria is Sinang's strict
elder cousin. Neneng is quiet and shy.
❖ Andeng - Foster sister of Maria Clara who cooks well. She is the caretaker of Kapitan Tiago's house in
San Diego.
❖ Doña Pía Alba – She is the mother of María Clara and the wife of Kapitán Tiago. She died after giving
birth to María Clara.
❖ Capitana Ticâ and Capitan Basilio – The parents of Sinang (Kapitan Basilio is not the same as Basilio)
❖ Albino – an ex-theological student who became disillusioned with the Catholic church and who was in
love with Siniang.
❖ Crispin and Basilio – the children of Sisa who served as sacristans in San Diego Church
❖ Padre Salvi - He replaced Padre Damaso as a curate
❖ Padre Sibyla - A Dominican priest and former teacher. He was also a teacher of Ibarra and a very
helpful one to Padre Damaso especially during anomalies.
❖ Pedro – The father of Crispin and Basilio and the irresponsible husband of Sisa.

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Chapter 1: A Social Gathering
The novel begins with a social gathering given in honor of a rich and young Filipino, Crisostomo Ibarra, by his
prospective father-in-law, Capitan Tiago (Santiago de los Santos) in the latter’s residence at Calle
Anloague. While waiting for the meals to be served, the guests conversed with one another. Along with these
conversations, the readers were introduced to some of the novel’s characters, who were among the invited
guests in the dinner party which included Padre Damaso, a fat Franciscan friar who had been the parish curate
for 20 years at San Diego (Calamba); Padre Sibyla, a young Dominican parish priest at Binondo; Señor Guevarra,
an elderly and kind Lieutenant of Guardia Civil; Don Tiburcio, a fake Spanish physician, the lame and henpecked
husband of Doña Victorina and others.

Chapter 2: Crisostomo Ibarra

Capitan Tiago entered the sala to introduce Juan Crisostomo Ibarra y Magsalin to the guests. Crisostomo, he
informed them, is the only son of the late Don Rafael Ibarra, and who has recently arrived from his studies in
Europe. Crisostomo was puzzled when Padre Damaso, whom he thought was a friend of his father, arrogantly
denied that he was ever a friend of Don Rafael Ibarra.

Chapter 3: The Dinner

At the dinner over Tinola, the conversation of the guests centered on Crisostomo’s travels to several
countries. The guests were impressed by the talents of young Ibarra, except the fat priest, Padre Damaso, who
was not in a good mood, as he got a bony neck and a hard wing of the chicken tinola. Padre Damaso enjoyed
irritating Ibarra, he belittled his trips, saying that what he has learned from those trips can be learned even
without leaving the country. Embarrassed, Ibarra excused himself from the guests and left, even after Capitan
Tiago informed him that Maria Clara will be coming over for dinner.

Chapter 4: Heretic and Filibuster

While walking towards Plaza Binondo, Crisostomo was approached by Lieutenant Guevara, from whom he learned
the sad story of his father’s tragic death in San Diego. The Lieutenant narrated the event to him, saying that Don
Rafael Ibarra was imprisoned for killing a Spanish tax collector*, for not going to confession, and for subscribing
to the newspaper El Correo Ultramar. He also mentioned that Don Rafael was branded as a heretic, a filibuster,
and a subversive, and because of these accusations, Crisostomo’s father died while in prison. Ibarra thanked the
Lieutenant for his information and vowed to investigate and find the truth.

*Don Rafael was a kind and noble man, who defended a helpless boy from the brutality of an illiterate Spanish tax collector
who was accidentally killed by him. He was then thrown to prison where he died an unhappy man.

Chapter 5: A Star in the Dark Night

Ibarra went to Fonde de Lala hotel troubled by the visions of his father who was unjustly imprisoned and who
died without seeing him. He imagined the anguish and grief suffered by his father while he was studying and
traveling in Europe.

Meanwhile in the house of Capitan Tiago, Maria Clara arrived, and was admired by all guests, especially Padre
Damaso.

Chapter 6: Capitan Tiago

Capitan Tiago is one of the richest landowners in Binondo, Pampanga and Laguna. Aside from owning large
tracts of lands, he also provides zacate, monopolizes the opium business, and holds a contract for feeding the
prisoners in the Bilibid prison. Since he still has no child with his wife, Doña Pia, Padre Damaso advised the Doña
to attend the mass at Obando. She eventually conceived a child, whom they named Maria Clara, in honor of the
Virgin of Salambao and Sta. Clara.

Capitan Tiago and the late Don Rafael later agreed to arrange the marriage of their children.

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Chapter 7: An Idyl on an Azotea
Crisostomo Ibarra visited Maria Clara, his childhood sweetheart, at Calle Anloague. They had private
conversations at the azotea about the years that they have not seen each other. Maria Clara teased Ibarra about
the beautiful women in Germany, so the young man strived to prove his love for the woman by showing her the
old leaves given by her seven years earlier, while they had gone swimming with his mother. Maria Clara, in
return, has read an old letter written by Ibarra before leaving for abroad.

Chapter 8: Recollections
Ibarra’s carriage passed through the busiest district of Manila, and what he saw brought him agitation. He had
observed that the country’s condition remained the same from when he left it seven years ago. He found no
progress achieved and reforms implemented by the government. He saw that the roads have not been paved
and that the Puente de Barcas has been destroyed by neglect.

Afterwards, seeing the Arroceros Cigar factory, the Botanical Garden, and the Bagumbayan brought back fond
memories of him.

Chapter 9: Local Affairs

This chapter features the three conversations between Padre Damaso and Capitan Tiago, between Padre Sibyla
and an unmanned priest, and between the Governor-General and his men.
1. Angry at not being informed of the arranged marriage between Crisostomo and Maria Clara, Padre
Damaso wanted to stop the marriage planned for the lovers. Capitan Tiago obeyed the priest, and
extinguished the candles that were lit for Ibarra’s journey to San Diego.
2. Padre Sibyla and an unnamed priest discussed the dangerous implication to the country of Crisostomo
Ibarra’s foreign education.
3. The Governor-General revealed to his men that he is unhappy with the situation in the Philippines, but he
is helpless in changing the conditions of the country.

Chapter 10: The Town

San Diego, a town along Laguna Lake, produces sugar, rice, coffee, and fruit, which are sold to Chinese
merchants. Aside from its meadows and paddy fields, the town has a forest with old trees and tropical
vegetation which was purchased by a Spaniard, the great grandfather of Juan Crisostomo Ibarra.

Chapter 11: The Rulers

Two persons virtually ruled the town of San Diego: Padre Bernardo Salvi and the Alferez of the Guardia Civil,
Padre Salvi is described as a thin, sickly, and silent friar and, unlike Padre Damaso, he is more inclined to impose
fines on his subordinates. The Alferez has a wife named Doña Consolacion. Because of his bad marriage to the
Doña, he is frequently drunk and compels his soldiers to drill under the hot sun.

Chapter 12: All Saints

Two gravediggers conversed in the San Diego cemetery. One of them mentioned that he was ordered by a fat
curate to dig up the body of a person buried in the cemetery, and to rebury it in the Chinese cemetery. But since
it was raining, he just dumped the body into the river. Tasio, the sage, arrived at the cemetery in the middle of
the conversation, unsuccessfully searching for the skull of his dead wife.

Chapter 13: Signs of Storm

Crisostomo Ibarra and his servant arrived at San Diego cemetery to look the grave of his father, Don Rafael
Ibarra. After failing to locate the grave, his servant asked the gravedigger for help. The gravedigger replied that
he had dug up the body of the don to bury it in a Chinese cemetery, as instructed by Padre Damaso, but the plan
had failed for it was dark and rainy so they simply threw the body to the river instead. Angered upon hearing the
account, Crisostomo left. At the cemetery gate, he met Padre Salvi and attacked the Curate, whom he has had
mistaken for Padre Damaso.

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Chapter 14: Tasio: Lunatic or Sage
After leaving the cemetery, Tasio, the philosopher who seemed to live beyond his time, wandered about the
street aimlessly. People who could not understand him called him “Tasio, the lunatic”. Nevertheless, he was a
very good teacher but complained of the disinterest of the pupils to learn because of the lack of proper school
building, and the discouraging attitude of the parish priest in both the teaching of Spanish and the use of modern
methods of teaching. In his wander, he saw two boys aged ten and seven, and told them that their mother has
prepared meals for them to be taken when they get home. Don Filipo Lino, the teniente-mayor and the leader of
the liberal faction in the town, invited Tasio to his house, and a discussion on the existence of purgatory
followed. Tasio thinks that the place called purgatory does not exist since neither the bible nor Jesus Christ
mentions it.

Chapter 15: The Sacristans

Crispin and Basilio are sacristans of the church at San Diego. The two are worried since the Sacristan Mayor (the
chief sacristan) and the Curate has accused Crispin of stealing the money of the priest, and so the latter has to
remain in the church until the money is returned.

Crispin complains about the frequent beating and whipping he receives. After ringing the church bells, the
Sacristan Mayor would beat Crispin to make him confess his crime.

Chapter 16: Sisa

Sisa, former rich girl who married a man below her station, also a gambler and a wastrel, waited for her two
sons, Crispin and Basilio whom she loved dearly. Knowing that they are hungry, she prepared a meal consisting
of duck leg, wild boar’s meat, tomatoes and five pieces of fish. Her husband arrived, and ate all the food, leaving
only three pieces of fish. She patiently waited for Crispin and Basilio and was surprised when, during the night,
Basilio arrived without his brother.

Chapter 17: Basilio

Basilio arrived home wounded from a gunshot fired at him by the Guardia Civil. Basilio told his mother that
Crispin stayed in the convent due to the curate’s accusation. They have accused Crispin of stealing two gold
pieces.

In his dream, Basilio saw Crispin tortured and killed by the Curate and the Sacristan Mayor.

Chapter 18: Souls in Torment

In the convent, some women conversed about purgatory and the number of plenary indulgences that they have
acquired. Sisa arrived, bringing with her the vegetables to appease the Curate into forgiving her son Crispin. A
sacristan told her that Crispin is no longer in the church, and that the Guardia Civil are now searching for her two
sons, after the Curate reported them to the authorities for stealing.

Chapter 19: A Schoolmaster’s Difficulties

Ibarra converses with a schoolmaster who was helped by his father. The schoolmaster narrated the obstacles
that he encountered in teaching the children. He informed Ibarra that the town lacks facilities such as a school
building and necessary teaching equipment. His work was also hindered by the stubbornness of the former town
Curate, Padre Damaso.

Chapter 20: The Meeting in the Townhall

The town officials ordered a meeting in the town hall to discuss the fiesta celebration. The council unanimously
approved Don Filipo’s proposal, but the Gobernadorcillo unfortunately opposed, telling them that the curate’s
alternate proposal must be followed instead. Although the council didn’t like the Curate’s proposal, they were
powerless to stop the implementation of the plan. Don Filipo and Tasio, the sage, went home dejected.

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Chapter 21: The Story of a Mother
Sisa arrived at her house and found the Guardia Civil looking for her sons. After vainly searching for Crispin and
Basilio, the Guardia Civil decided to arrest Sisa in order to compel her sons to surrender and return the money
they have stolen. Due to the anguish and public humiliation Sisa have suffered, she lost her mind.

Chapter 22: Lights and Shadows

Maria Clara had conversations with Ibarra near a window overlooking the lake. Ibarra invited Maria Clara, her
friends, and Padre Salvi to a picnic in the woods. Maria Clara was delighted, and Padre Salvi accepted the
invitation to prove that he has no ill feelings towards Ibarra.

Chapter 23: Fishing

Ibarra and Maria Clara, together with Capitan Tiago, Isabel, Siniang, Iday, Neneng, Capitana Tika, Andeng, Albino
and other friends, went fishing at the lake. With them was Elias, the boatman, who was a strong and silent
youth. To entertain them, Andeng played the harp, while Maria Clara sang a sad love song. In one of the fish
cages, the men discovered that the fishing nets have entangled a crocodile. Elias jumped into the lake and was
attacked by the crocodile caught in the fish corral. When it was already difficult to subdue, Ibarra jumped into the
water and killed the crocodile saving Elias’s life. Afterwards, they went ashore and made merry in the cool
meadow, where the town officials gathered to join them.

Chapter 24: In the Wood

Padre Salvi heard some voices while passing near a stream on his way to the picnic organized by Ibarra. He hid
behind a tree, and spied on Maria Clara and her friends while they bathe.

After the meal, Ibarra and Capitan Basilio played chess while Maria Clara and her friends played the “Wheel of
Chance”, a game based on telling fortunes. The happy event was marred when Padre Salvi came and tore the
book to pieces, saying that it was the work of the devil.

It was also at this time that a sergeant and four soldiers of the guardia civil suddenly arrived, looking for Elias
who was suspected of (1) assaulting Padre Damaso and (2) throwing the Alferez into a mudhole. Fortunately,
Elias had disappeared. Matching the incident was the arrival of the telegram from the Spanish government
accepting Ibarra’s offer of donation for the school building for the children in San Diego.

Chapter 25: In the House of the Sage

Happy over the prospect, Ibarra consulted Tasio about the project. Tasio, as wise as he was, was pessimistic
about the project. He gave Ibarra an advice not to pursue the project for he’d incur the ire of the friars and other
government officials who would do everything in their power to ruin him. However, the construction of the school
building starter under the provision of an architect.

Chapter 26: The Eve of the Fiesta

During the preparation of the celebration in honor of the patron saint, San Diego de Alcala, people are busy
preparing food while Ñor Juan supervises the workmen laying the cornerstone and building the foundation of the
proposed school building. Some individuals volunteered to contribute toward the construction of the school,
some promised to pay the teacher, while others offered their services for free. Ibarra remained optimistic that
his endeavor will succeed, while Tasio advised him to be cautious.

Chapter 27: In the Twilight

Maria Clara and Ibarra, together with their friends, went for a walk. They met a leper on their way and in an act
of compassion, Maria Clara gave her locket to the sick man.

Chapter 28: Correspondence

This chapter features the three letters between a correspondent and his friend, between Capitan Martin and Luis
Chiquito, and between Ibarra and Maria Clara.

57
 1. The correspondent vividly described to his friend the fiesta and the many events that have taken place in
San Diego.
2. Capitan Martin narrated to Luis Chiquito the good fortune of Capitan Tiago in winning a game of cards.
3. Maria Clara revealed that she is worried that Ibarra is sick, and sent Andeng to make some tea for her
sweetheart.

Chapter 29: The Morning

A procession is held during the last day of the fiesta, where the people paraded the images of San Diego de
Alcala, St. Francis, and the Virgin. The people in the procession are greeted by the sound of firecrackers, songs,
and religious prayers.

Chapter 30: In the Church

The noisy parishioners tried to push one another while dipping their hands in the holy water. Padre Salvi
officiated the mass with Padre Damaso giving the sermon. The people are waiting for the sermon of Padre
Damaso, when they noticed that the Alcalde’s uniform looked similar to the costume worn by one of the actors in
a play.

Chapter 31: The Sermon

In his sermon, Padre Damaso reprimanded some natives who, after receiving education in Manila and in Europe,
are now contented in not kissing the hands of a friar and not offering him the honor due to his rank. Padre
Damaso declared that these individuals would get what they deserve and that God would punish them for their
wicked acts. At the end of the sermon, Elias approached Ibarra, and warned him that his life is in danger and
informed him of the plot to kill him during the laying of the cornerstone of the stone building.

Chapter 32: The Derrick

Ibarra, the Alcalde, and other individuals, went to the site of the proposed school to lay the cornerstone of the
building. The Alcalde threw some mortar on the stone, followed by the curate and the Alferez. When it was
Ibarra’s turn to cement the cornerstone, the derrick suddenly fell apart, dropping the heavy block of stone. Ibarra
was saved by Elias, who pushed him suddenly aside, and killed the suspected plotter instead.

Chapter 33: Free Thoughts

Elias visited Ibarra at his house and informed him that many enemies are out to ruin him, as confirmed by the
incident with the derrick. Because of Ibarra’s education and beliefs, Elias warned him that many people would
want him dead. Elias affirms that he is only paying his debt, since Ibarra saved him from being killed by the
crocodile.

Chapter 34: The Dinner

A sad incident occurred at dinnee when Padre Damaso, in the presence of many guests, belittled Ibarra for
building a school. Ibarra remained silent, but when Padre Damaso insulted his father’s honor, Ibarra lunges at the
curate with a knife in hand that would have killed the priest if not because of the timely intervention of Maria
Clara.

Chapter 35: Comments

The incident between Padre Damaso and Ibarra became the talk of the town. The town captain criticized Ibarra
for his lack of self-control, while others opined that Ibarra will be branded as a filibuster and will be ex-
communicated by the Church. Don Filipo and Capitana Maria, however, both agreed that Ibarra did the right
thing in protecting his father’s honor and memory.

Chapter 36: The First Cloud

Arriving from the convent, Capitan Tiago told Maria Clara and Tia Isabel that he had already agreed to cancel his
daughter’s wedding engagement to Ibarra. Capitan Tiago added that Maria Clara must forget Ibarra, since she
would now marry a relative of Padre Damaso.

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Chapter 37: His Excellency
The Governor-General converses with Ibarra about the dinner incident. He assures Ibarra that he will be
protected by the government from the evil intentions of the friars and religious corporations. The Governor-
General promised that he would talk to the archbishop regarding Ibarra’s excommunication, while advising
Capitan Tiago not to break his daughter’s engagement to the young man.

Chapter 38: The Procession

Another procession is held, where the town displayed the images of St. John, St. Francis, San Diego, and the
Virgin. Tasio saw the ragged and poor clothing of the saints and sarcastically remarked that the saints would be
ashamed if they would see the lifestyle of their fellow servants of God.

Chapter 39: Doña Consolacion

Doña Consolacion, the Alferez’s wife, called Sisa to sing. The Doña maltreated Sisa by whipping when her when
she refused to dance. The Alferez arrived, stopped the whipping and called his servant to feed and clothe the
insane woman, who is to be treated by a doctor hired by Ibarra.

Chapter 40: Right and Might

Maria Clara, her friends, Don Filipo, and Padre Salvi were watching a play when Ibarra arrived to join them.
Padre Salvi ordered Don Filipo to prohibit Ibarra from watching the play, since he had been excommunicated, and
his presence would corrupt the people. Padre Salvi walked out when Don Filipo refuses to prevent Ibarra from
watching the play.

Chapter 41: Two Visits

Elias informed Ibarra that Maria Clara is sick with fever. Later, a man named Lucas then arrived, asking for
money for his brother who was killed in the derrick. Ibarra told him to come back that afternoon since he’s still
be meeting with a sick person.

Chapter 42: The Espadañas

Don Tiburcio de Espadaña and his wife Victorina, together with Linares, a distant relative of Padre Damaso,
arrived at the house of Capitan Tiago to treat Maria Clara. Doña Victorina speaks highly of Linares, telling
Capitan Tiago that he has come to the Philippines to seek work and to find a wife. The fake doctor Espadaña
prescribed some medicines for Maria Clara, as they wait for Padre Damaso to arrive.

Chapter 43: Plans

Linares introduced himself to Padre Damaso as the godson of his brother-in-law. Linares claimed that he
graduated with a law degree from a university and that he has come to the Philippines to find work and to look
for a rich heiress. Upon hearing this, Padre Damaso called Capitan Tiago. In spite of the encouragement of
Father Damaso in favor of the young Spaniard, Maria Clara refused for she loved Ibarra. Lucas, meanwhile,
approached Padre Salvi to ask for help, being the brother of the yellowish man who was killed when the derrick
collapsed.

Chapter 44: An Examination of Conscience

Padre Salvi mentioned that Padre Damaso will be transferred to a town in Tayabas. Since Maria Clara is still sick,
the Curate suggested that Maria Clara makes her confession. Tia Isabel agreed with the Curate, and prepared
Maria Clara for her confession. After hearing Maria Clara’s confession, Padre Salvi went out of the room looking
gloomy, with his forehead covered with perspiration.

Chapter 45: The Hunted

Elias went to Tanauan, Batangas, to converse with Capitan Pablo, the leader of some bandits. Elias asked
Capitan Pablo to stop committing violent acts against the government, since they can get the help of Ibarra in
obtaining justice and implementing some reforms for the country.

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Chapter 46: The Cockpit
At the cockpit arena, Lucas approached Bruno and Tarsilo, recruiting them to attack the town barracks. Lucas’s
goal was to bring about Rizal’s ruin, so they engineered an attack on the barracks of the Guardia Civil and
maneuvered the incident so that Ibarra would get the blame. Lucas also declared through the planed attack, they
can exact their revenge on the members of the guardia civil who killed their father.

Chapter 47: The Two Señoras

Doña Victorina and Don Tiburcio passed by the house of the Alferez, as Doña Consolacion, the mistress of the
Spanish Alferez, mocked and ridiculed Doña Espadaña and her crippled husband. The two women started
exchanging insults using the language of the slums which almost came to physical blows had they not been
averted by the arrival of the Alferez and Padre Salvi.

Chapter 48: The Enigma

Ibarra wished to inform Maria Clara that his excommunication was lifted, but upon arriving at the woman’s house,
he saw Maria Clara with Linares. He was invited to come into the house, but he visited the site of the school
building instead, asking the supervisor, Ñor Juan, about its progress.

Chapter 49: The Voice of the Hunted

Elias meets Ibarra at the lakeside. He narrated the conversation he has had with Capitan Pablo. Elias told Ibarra
that because of his education and position in the society, he can ask the Spanish government to implement
radical reforms such as fewer privileges for religious corporations, security for a citizen and more respect for a
man’s dignity. Ibarra objected, saying that such institutions as the priesthood, religious corporations, and the
Guardia Civil, are necessary evils that must be tolerated by the society.

Chapter 50: The Voice of the Hunted

Elias narrated his story and the misfortunes of his ancestors. His great grandfather, he recounts, worked as a
bookkeeper for a Spaniard, when he was accused of arson, and was flogged and paraded in the streets of Manila.
Shamed and disgraced, his wife became a prostitute, while one of the sons became a notorious bandit. The
other son traveled from town to town until he was hired as a laborer, and married a rich woman. Elias and his
sister were born of this marriage, and both were educated in Manila. But when their family lost everything,
Elias’s sister committed suicide, while he roamed the provinces as a hunted and lonely man.

Chapter 51: Exchanges

Padre Salvi informed Linares, Maria Clara, and Capitan Tiago that Ibarra’s excommunication has been lifted, and
the last obstacle to be hurdled is for Ibarra to ask for forgiveness from Padre Damaso. Ibarra asked Sinang if
Maria Clara is angry with him and insisted that to speak with Maria Clara.

Chapter 52: The Cards of the Dead and the Shadows

Three men are in the cemetery waiting for Lucas. They discussed their impending attack on the barracks and the
church, which they believe is organized by Ibarra. Lucas arrived and instructed them to attack the church and
the barracks, shouting “Viva! Don Crisostomo”. Elias, after following Lucas, learned about the attack that will
implicate Ibarra’s.

Chapter 53: Il Buon Dí Si Conosce Da Mattina

Don Filipo visited Tasio the sage, who’s ill. He told Tasio that he has resigned from his position because he is fed
up with the Gobernadorcillo’s ineptitude. Tasio praises the don’s action, saying that resistance must be used not
only against the Gobernadorcillo but against all persons who abuse their authority.

Chapter 54: Revelations

Padre Salvi warned the Alferez about an impending attack on the town. He informed the Alferez to ready his
men and to send four soldiers to guard the church. Elias alerted Ibarra on the imminent attack on the town that
will be blamed on him. He helped Ibarra dispose some of the letters that could implicate him. In one of these

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letters, Elias discovered that Ibarra’s great grandfather was the Spaniard who had accused his great grandfather
of arson.

Chapter 55: The Catastrophe

Ibarra entered Capitan Tiago’s house, as soon as he heard shots fired near the convent. Ibarra returned to his
house, and is arrested by the Guardia Civil. Seeing what had happened, Elias entered Ibarra’s house, and
intentionally set fire to destroy any evidence that could implicate Ibarra in the failed attack.

Chapter 56: Rumors and Beliefs

Rumors circulated in the terrified town, after the eventful night. Some people assumed that Don Filipo and
Crisostomo Ibarra have been arrested by the Guardia Civil, while others think that some bandits were caught in
the night.

Chapter 57: Vae Victis!

The Guardia Civil imprisoned the individuals implicated in the failed attack. They tortured Tarsilo to obtain a
confession from him and to make him disclose the mastermind of the failed attack. But Tarsilo remained silent
up to his death.

Chapter 58: The Accursed

The crying relatives of those arrested waited outside the barracks of the Guardia Civil. Ibarra, together with the
other prisoners, were led out of their cells to be transported to the provincial capital. Along the way, Ibarra is
cursed, stoned, and ridiculed by the people, blaming him for their misfortunes and hardships.

Chapter 59: Patriotism and Private Interests

The people of Manila discussed the failed rebellion falsely blamed on Ibarra. The friars praised Padre Salvi for
alerting the authorities about the rebellion, while others criticized the Jesuits, who declared that Ibarra had been
educated at the Ateneo.

Chapter 60: Maria Clara Weds

Capitan Tiago invited guests and visitors to celebrate the impending marriage of Maria Clara and Linares.
Meanwhile, Elias went to prison and helped Ibarra escape, together in banca. But before he made good his
escape, he stopped at Capitan Tiago’s house to say goodbye to his childhood sweetheart. Maria Clara who went
to the azotea by chance, saw Crisostomo leaping out from a boat. She asked Crisostomo for forgiveness since
she is about to get married to someone else, but declares that she would never forget her vow of faithfulness to
him. Ibarra told Maria Clara that he forgives her and declares that he has no resentment over Maria Clara for
giving up his letters which the Spanish authorities used as evidence against him, while Maria Clara revealed that
the letters were in exchange with a letter from her late mother, Pia Alba, which Father Salvi, in return gave her.
From the letter, her real father’s identity was revealed, who turned out to be Padre Damaso.

Chapter 61: The Chase on the Lake

Upon Ibarra’s return to the banca, they were seen by a police boat with the Guardia Civil on board, who pursue
them. Fearing that the police board will overtake them, Elias jumped into the river to mislead the pursuers. The
soldiers fired at Elias and the waters in the River turned red which was indicative of Elias being hit. With the help
of Elias, Ibarra was able to escape.

Chapter 62: Padre Damaso Explains

Maria is distraught when she learns that Ibarra has been killed while trying to escape. Out of desperation, Maria
Clara asked Padre Damaso to break her marriage engagement and to permit her to enter the nunnery. After
vainly arguing with Maria Clara, Padre Damaso gave his permission.

Chapter 63: Christmas Eve

Basilio returned to San Diego to look for his insane mother. Upon seeing her in the town, he ran after her until
they entered the forest owned by the Ibarras. Sisa died, after eventually recognizing her son. When Basilio

61
regained consciousness, Elias, who was able to reach the shore and staggered into the forest after being shot,
ordered Basilio to build a pyre for his mother and for him, to which Basilio did. It was Christmas eve when Sisa
and Elias were burned to ashes, as as Elias laid dying in the pyre, he murmured softly the words: “I die without
seeing the dawn brighten over my native land. You, who it to see, welcome it – and forget not those who have
fallen during the night.

Chapter 64: Epilogue

The novel ends as mentioned in the epilogue with Maria Clara entering the Sta. Clara nunnery, where Padre Salvi
regularly preaches and holds an important office, to show her loyalty and love for Ibarra. Padre Salvi left the
parish for San Diego. Padre Damaso was reassigned as parish priest to a distant province but was found dead the
day after. Capitan Tiago, a respected man with power and wealth later ended up an opium addict. The Alferez
who has been promoted as a 2nd lieutenant, went back to Spain, leaving his wife, Doña Consolacion, behind.
Doña Victorina, the termagant wife of Don Tiburcio, still tried to live the life of a Spanish woman but ended up
with a poor eyesight, while her cousin Linares, who failed to win Maria Clara’s hand, died of dysentery and was
buried in Paco cemetery.

Two Spanish guards saw an insane nun standing at the top of the Sta. Clara convent during a raging storm.
When the authorities tried to investigate the nun’s case, the abbess prohibited the inquiry, invoking the name of
Religion and the Holy Statutes.

ANALYSIS OF THE NOLI

The Noli was a true story in terms of Philippine conditions prevailing that time in the country, during the last
decades of the Spanish rule. It was said that the places, the situations, the characters, and the facts existed and
were true.

The characters of the novel had correspondence with the persons living during that time. Maria Clara was Leonor
Rivera, although Leonor did not enter the nunnery, but married a man chosen by her mother; Elias represented
Rizal himself, Tasio the Philosopher was Paciano, his elder brother; Padre Salvi was Rizalist as Father Antonio
Piernavieja, the hated Augustinian friar who was killed during the Revolution; Capitan Tiago was Capitan Sunico
Hilario of San Nicolas; Doña Victorina was Doña Agustina Medel. The two brothers were the Crisostomo brothers
of Hagonoy; while Father Damaso was the typical domineering, immoral and arrogant friar during Rizal’s time.

The missing chapter in the novel definitely following XXIV. “Elias and Salome" which was deleted by Rizal for the
simple reason of economy. It must be remembered that Rizal had difficulty in having the novel printed for
financial reasons. The missing chapter is the story where sweethearts Elias and Salome bade each other goodbye
after he had saved Ibarra from his Spanish pursuers and he had been shot and was seriously wounded. In the
final manuscript that was published, Elias was burned with Sisa in a funeral pyre.

The Noli is a great novel, written in a beautiful language, the words coming from a man of passion and feeling
and who had experienced the bitterness as well as the happiness of life.

The novel caused a stir in the Spanish community, and one of those who was outspoken in his criticism of the
novel was Father Jose Rodriguez, and to which Rizal wrote a witty satirical booklet entitled “La Vision del Fray
Rodriguez,” using one of his pen names – Dimas Alang. He also wrote another satirical work in defense of the
charges of another priest, Father Ponce, who was responsible for the banning of the novel.

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 CHAPTER 7 SUMMARY

Written in Spanish and published in 1887, José Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere played a crucial role in the political history
of the Philippines. Drawing from experience, the conventions of the nineteenth-century novel, and the ideals of
European liberalism, Rizal offered up a devastating critique of a society under Spanish colonial rule.

The plot revolved around Crisostomo Ibarra, a mixed-race heir of a wealthy clan, who returned home after seven
years in Europe. He was filled with ideas on how to better the lot of his countrymen. Striving for reforms, he was
confronted by an abusive ecclesiastical hierarchy and a Spanish civil administration. The novel suggests, through
plot developments, that meaningful change in this context is exceedingly difficult, if not impossible.

The death of Ibarra’s father, Don Rafael, prior to his homecoming, and the refusal of a Catholic burial by Padre
Damaso, the parish priest, provoked Ibarra into hitting the priest, for which Ibarra was excommunicated. The
decree was rescinded, however, when the governor general intervened. The friar and his successor, Padre Salvi,
embodied the rotten state of the clergy. Their tangled feelings—one paternal, the other carnal—for Maria Clara,
Ibarra’s sweetheart and the rich Capitan Tiago’s beautiful daughter, strengthened their determination to spoil
Ibarra’s plans for building a school. The town philosopher Tasio wryly notes similar past attempts that have
failed, and his sage commentary made it clear that all colonial masters fear that an enlightened people will throw
off the yoke of oppression. Precisely, how to accomplish this is the novel’s central question, and one which Ibarra
debates with the mysterious Elias, with whom his life was intertwined. The privileged Ibarra favored peaceful
means, while Elias, who suffered injustice at the hands of the authorities, believed that violence is the only
option.

Ibarra’s enemies, particularly Salvi, implicated him in a fake insurrection, though the evidence against him was
weak. Unbelievably, Maria Clara also betrayed him to protect a dark family secret, a public exposure of which
would be ruinous. Ibarra escaped from prison with Elias’s help and then made time to confront Maria Clara. Maria
Clara then explained the reasons of her betrayal so Ibarra found his reasons rational and offered his forgiveness,
and thereafter fled to the lake with Elias. Chased by the Guardia Civil, one of them died while the other survived.
Convinced of Ibarra’s death, Maria Clara entered the nunnery, refusing a marriage arranged by Padre Damaso.
Her unhappy fate and that of the more memorable Sisa, driven mad by the fate of her sons, symbolize the
country’s condition that was once beautiful and miserable.

Using satire brilliantly, Rizal created other memorable characters whose lives manifested the poisonous effects of
religious and colonial oppression. Capitan Tiago; the social climber Doña Victorina de Espadaña and her toothless
Spanish husband; the Guardia Civil head and his harridan of a wife; the sorority of devout women; the
disaffected peasants forced to become outlaws: in sum, a microcosm of Philippine society. In the afflictions that
plague them, Rizal painted a harrowing picture of his beloved but suffering country in a work that speaks
eloquently not just to Filipinos but to all who have endured or witnessed oppression.

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 SELF CHECK A.7
CHAPTER 7

Answer the Self-check Questions honestly. This should be answered and checked by you personally. Please
do not alter your answers then go over the page of the Answers’ key. This process is to determine if you
comprehend what you were reading. If in case, you have not answered them correctly, please read again the
module. The Self-check paper should be submitted together with Performance Task Exercises Sheet and Job
Sheet as scheduled by your professor.

Name:__________________________________ Year Level:_____________Score:__________

I. Multiple Choice. Read the sentence carefully. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. He was a rich and young Filipino to whom Capitan Tiago hosted a dinner for.
a) Crisostomo Ibarra
b) Padre Damaso
c) Don Rafael Ibarra
d) Elias

2. Why did Ibarra excused himself from the guests and left, even after Capitan Tiago informed him that Maria
Clara will be coming over for dinner?
a) He was already full
b) He’s got another appointment to attend to
c) He was embarrassed
d) He didn’t want to see Maria Clara

3. How did Don Rafael Ibarra died?

a) He was murdered while roaming around town
b) He died while in prison
c) He got sick
d) None of the above

4. She was the most dominant yet the weakest representation of women in the setting.
a) Isabel
b) Pacita
c) Rebecca
d) Maria Clara

5. What relates Doña Consolacion with Doña Victorina?

a) They have the same characteristics
b) They are the wives of the Alferez
c) They have been helping children ever since
d) They were born rich

6. What made Ibarra angry when he was out looking for his father’s grave?
a) When he was informed of Padre Damaso’s misdemeanor towards his father’s corpse
b) When Lieutenant Guevara lied about his father’s reason of death
c) When he was branded a heretic and a filibuster by Padre Salvi
d) When he wasn’t able to find the cemetery

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7. Why did Maria Clara ask Padre Damaso to break her marriage engagement and to permit her to enter the
nunnery?
a) Because she didn’t like the idea of marrying Linares due to his attitude
b) Because she was distraught when she learned that Ibarra was killed while trying to escape
c) Because she wanted to help Ibarra mislead his pursuers
d) Because she doesn’t want Ibarra to spend his life without her

8. What happened to Capitan Tiago at the end of the novel?

a) He was found dead in prison
b) He abandoned Maria Clara after knowing about her biological father
c) He ended up and opium addict
d) He entered the priesthood

9. Which of the following is true about the Noli?

a) Noli has a missing chapter entitled “Elias and Salome” which was deleted for reason a that Rizal forgot to
submit the chapter’s copy to the publisher
b) The novel caused a stir in the Spanish Community
c) It was published in Berlin in the summer of 1886
d) Noli came from a Spanish phrase which means “Touch Me Not”

10. Which of the following is true about the Noli?

a) The Noli contains 63 chapters inclusive of an epilogue
b) The Noli came off press in May, 1887
c) The novel’s cover was designed by Blumentritt
d) The Noli contains 63 chapters and an epilogue

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 Chapter 7 Answer Key

I. Multiple Choice

1. a
2. c
3. b
4. d
5. a
6. a
7. b
8. c
9. b
10. d

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 LEARNING OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION

By the end of this chapter, you

should be able to:

This chapter intends to single out the

1. Compare and contrast
Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo in the
context of its manner
and style of writing,
content and ending
2. Value the role of the
youth in the
development and
future society
characters, major events and the plot of
the El Filibusterismo. Inclusive in this
chapter are the differences of the two
novels as well as the factors that
contributed to the El Fili’s success.
Summary for each of the 38 chapters and
a conclusion will be discussed below as
well as the analysis and other facts related
to the Fili.

INFORMATION SHEET A.8

CHAPTER 8 – El Filibusterismo

Rizal had begun writing the Fili in October, 1887, while practicing medicine in Calamba, the following year (1888),
in London, he made some changes in the plot and corrected some chapters already written. He wrote more
chapters in Paris and Madrid, and finished the manuscript in Biarritz on March 29, 1891. It took him, therefore,
three years to write his second novel

On July 5, 1891, Rizal left Brussels for Ghent, a famous university city in Belgium. Rizal reasons for moving to
Ghent were:

(1) the cost of printing in Ghent was cheaper than in Brussels; and
(2) to escape from the enticing attraction of Petite Suzanne.

F. Meyer-Van Loo Press (No. 66 Viaanderen Street) is the printing shop that gave Rizal the lowest quotation for
the publication of his novel, who was willing to print his book on installment basis. On August 6, 1891, the
printing of his book had to be suspended because Rizal could no longer give the necessary funds to the publisher.
Fortunately, Valentin Ventura became the savior of the Fili. When he learned of Rizal’s predicament, he
immediately sent him the necessary funds.

Finally, El Filibusterismo came off press on September 18, 1891. Rizal immediately sent on this date two printed
copies to Hong Kong—one for Basa and the other for Sixto Lopez. Rizal gratefully donated the original manuscript
and an autographed printed copy to Valentin Ventura.

After its publication, La Publicidad, a Barcelona newspaper, published a tribute eulogizing the novel’s original style
which “is comparable only to the sublime Alexander Dumas” and may well be offered as “a model and a precious
jewel in the now decadent literature of Spain”. The novel was also serialized in a liberal Madrid newspaper, El
Nuevo Regimen, in its issues on October, 1891

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El Filibusterismo is a sequel to the Noli. Compared to the first novel, it is less romantic, less idealistic, more
revolutionary and more open of its feelings against the Motherland. Rizal dedicated his novel to the three martyr
priests, Fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora (Don Mariano Gomez, 73 years old; Don Jose Burgos, 35 years old;
Jacinto Zamora, 37 years old).

Most of the characters of the Fili are carried over from the Noli, although the names of some of them we
changed. There was Doña Victorina, the pro-Spanish woman and her henpecked husband, Tiburcio de Espadaña,
who had deserted her; Padre Salvi, the Franciscan friar and former cura of San Diego; and Basilio, son of Sisa,
who is a medical student supported by Capitan Tiago.

On the other hand, there were new characters in the novel among which are:
Paulita Gomez – the niece of Doña Victorina
Ben-Zayb – a Spanish anti-Filipino journalist
Padre Sybila – Vice Rector of the University of Santo Tomas
Padre Camorra – the parish priest of the town of Tianni
Don Custodio – a Filipino, but pro-Spanish and holding a high position in the government
Padre Irene – a kind priest who is friendly to the Filipinos
Padre Florentino – a retired and scholarly patriotic Filipino priest
Isagani – poet-nephew of Father Florentino and the lover of Paulita
Juanita Pelaez – the groom of Paulita
Chinese Quiroga – who wanted to be the consul of Manila.

Chapter 1: On Deck
The novel begins with the steamship Tabo sailing on the Pasig River on its way to Laguna one December
morning. While the passengers on the upper deck discussed subjects regarding the lake and the slow pace of
ship travel, readers are gradually introduced to some characters of the novel such as the jeweler Simoun, Doña
Victorina, Ben Zayb, Don Custodio, Padre Irene, Sibyla, Camorra, and Salvi.

Chapter 2: Below Deck

Below deck we find those belonging to the lower rungs of the social ladder. Unlike the airy upper deck, the
conditions below deck are far from comfortable because of the heat from the boilers and the stifling stench of
various nose crinkling scents.

On the lower deck of the steamship were Basilio and Isagani who were in conversation with Don Basilio. The
students told the Don about their plans of establishing a Spanish academy. Although they were hopeful that the
academy would be approved by the Governor-General, courtesy of Father Irene, Don Basilio expressed his
pessimism.

Chapter 3: Legends
Still aboard on the steamship Tabo, the wealthy passengers amused themselves by telling stories and legends of
interesting places and spots along the river. Padre Florentino (Isagani’s uncle) recounts the legend of Doña
Jeronima, while Padre Salvi narrates the story of a Chinese infidel who was saved from the caymans by asking St.
Nicholas for help. A moment later, Ben-Zayb then asked the captain the exact spot where a man named Ibarra
was killed. While pointing to the exact spot, Ben Zayb observed that Simoun was silent and thoughtful.

Chapter 4: Cabesang Tales

Selo, who adopted Basilio in the forest, is now quite old. His son, Cabesang Tales, is the father of Lucia.
Cabesang Tales, the head of the barangay, grew rich through hard work and perseverance. He started by
partnering with an investor. After saving some money, Cabesang Tales inquired about a place in the forest. After
verifying that there were no owners, he planted sugarcane there. He wanted to send Juli to college in order to
match the educational attainment of Basilio, her sweetheart.

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When he is about to harvest his crops, a religious order laid claim to the land and demanded annual rent. Tales
eventually agreed to the arrangement, but every year the rent keeps going up until he has had enough. He went
to the courts and demanded that the religious order present some proof of their ownership of the land. After a
long and expensive litigation, Tales lost the case. He was unfortunately abducted by bandits demanding ransom.
Not enough money was raised for the ransom, so Juli, the daughter of Cabesang Tales, sold all her jewelry to
raise funds. All, that is, except for a locket* given to her by Basilio. The funds raised still seemed not enough so
she borrowed money from Hermana Penchang and to pay the debt, Juli agreed to work for the Hermana as a
servant.

*Maria Clara (in the Noli Me Tangere) became a nun after she was not allowed to marry Ibarra. She gave a locket to a leper
who later gave it to Basilio after he treated the leper. Basilio, in turn, offered the locket to his sweetheart, Juli (Juliana).

Chapter 5: A Cochero’s Christmas Eve

On the way to the town of San Diego, a cochero (a rig driver or the guy who drives the karitela or horse-driven
carriage) endured abuse and maltreatment from the Guardia Civil. He was hit with a rifle butt when he told them
he has forgotten to bring his cedula with him. He is detained and beaten up again when the light of his
carromata went out. Due to the abuse and maltreatment received by the cochero, Basilio got delayed in his trip
to Capitan Tiago's house. Upon his arrival, he received the news that Cabesang Tales has been abducted by
bandits.

Chapter 6: Basilio
At Christmas Eve, Basilio secretly made his way to the forest previously owned by the Ibarra family but has been
sold to Capitan Tiago. In the middle of the forest stands a Balete tree, where he visited the grave of his mother
Sisa and a stranger (Elias). He remembered that thirteen years ago, he was hunted as a fugitive along with his
brother Crispin who is now dead; the reason why Basilio has to keep his past a secret. He also remembered how
a second stranger (Ibarra) helped him cremate and bury his mother and the stranger (Elias). Through Capitan
Tiago’s help, he is now studying to be a doctor and plans to marry his sweetheart, Juli.

Chapter 7: Simoun
Basilio is about to leave the forest when he saw someone approaching and then started digging near the Balete
tree. He announced his presence and is surprised that the man turned out to be Simoun the jeweler, who is
none other than Crisostomo Ibarra. Simoun convinced Basilio to cooperate in his plans of avenging the death of
his mother (Sisa) and his younger brother (Crispin) but Basilio remained steadfast saying that revenge would
never bring back his brother and mother.

It is recalled that in the last part of the novel, Ibarra was able to escape with the help of Elias. Before he became
Simoun the jeweler, he first dug up his buried treasure and fled to Cuba where he did not only become rich but
also became an influential person with many Spanish officials as friends. After many years, he returned to the
Philippines, where he was a powerful person, moving freely around as he was a rich man, and a close friend and
adviser to the Spanish governor-general. Due to his close association with the governor-general, he was often
referred to as the “Brown Cardinal” or the “Black Eminence”.

He, however, had ulterior motives and that actually he wanted to rescue Maria Clara from the nunnery and to
foment a revolution against the hated Spanish authorities. Using his wealth, he bought arms from the Chinese
merchant, Quiroga. After a long illness brought about by his loss of Maria Clara, he perfected his plan of revenge.

Chapter 8: Merry Christmas!

It was Christmas day and Juli woke up early to pack her things. On her way to Hermana Penchang’s house, she
forgot to greet his grandfather Tata Selo a Merry Christmas. After Juli left, Tata Selo is preoccupied with the
thoughts of his pretty granddaughter with her delicate hands working as a servant, his son Cabesang Tales still
held by bandits, and of being alone on Christmas Day. Dwelling on all these misfortunes, he discovered that he
had become dumb.

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Chapter 9: Pilates*
The gossip about the misfortunes of Tata Selo and his family quickly spread around town. A number of people
were claiming that they we’re not to blame for these misfortunes. The Alferez of the Guardia Civil said that he
was just following a government order to collect all firearms in town, thus, it was not his fault if Tales was
subsequently kidnapped. The friar who had unjustly taken away Cabesang Tales's lands commented that if Tales
had remained at home, he would never have been abducted by the bandits. Hermana Penchang did not give
sympathy for Juli’s circumstances either. Instead, she blamed the Old Man Selo for he does not know how to pray
and neither did he taught Juli how to pray properly.

When Cabesang Tales showed up in his house. He discovered that his dad no longer speaks, that his land was
taken away, he has been evicted from his home, and that Juli is now a lowly maid.

*The chapter was titled as such for just like Pontius Pilate who had washed his hands on the matter concerning Christ’s
crucifixion, the people around town did the same thing for Tales.

Chapter 10: Wealth and Want

Simoun visited Cabesang Tales's house to sell his jewelry to the rich inhabitants of San Diego and Tiani. Simoun
showed off his revolver (pistol) to Tales before the buyers arrived. Among those who came to take a a look at the
jewelries were Capitan Basilio, Capitana Tika, Sinang (and her husband and child), and Hermana Penchang (who
wants to buy a diamond ring for the Blessed Virgin at Antipolo).

Simoun also wanted to buy something, so he asked Cabesang Tales if he had any jewelry for sale. Sinang, then,
reminded Tales about the locket given to Juli. Cabesang Tales was convinced to sell his daughter’s locket but was
reminded by Hermana Penchang that Juli chose to become a maid over selling the locket so he decided to get his
daughter's permission first. The following day Simoun discovered that his revolver has been stolen by Tales.
Afterwards, a news circulated in town that three persons have been murdered: the friar administrator, as well as
the new tenant and his wife. A piece of paper with the word Tales written in blood was found near the dead
tenant’s wife.

Chapter 11: Los Baños

On the last day of December, the Governor-General and his advisers, together with some friars, were taking a
rest in Los Baños. After the game of cards, the Governor-General asked his advisers' opinion about the students'
proposal to put up a self-sufficient Spanish academy. There was a disagreement of opinions, thus, no decision
was made. Afterwards, the Governor-General ordered the release of Tata Selo, who had been arrested by the
Guardia Civil in place of his son, Cabesang Tales.

Chapter 12: Placido Penitente

Placido Penitente walked glumly to school. He already wished to stop schooling. After four years of school,he
was neither known nor noticed by his teachers. He was disillusioned because he was bright and wished to learn.
In his town, he was admired for his intellect. On his way to school, he met Juanito Pelaez along the way, and
talked with him for a while. Juanito is the favorite of practically all the teachers, and his father is a Spanish
mestizo. Placido talked to the young man about his brief vacation to Tiani with Padre Camorra, and then asked
Juanito to help him catch up with the lessons he missed the days before.

*Rizal mentioned in his memoirs that most of the students learned nothing because (a) they didn’t bring books, (b) the classes
were too big (too many students), (c) teachers held the students in low-esteem, and (d) there were too many “No Class” days.

Chapter 13: The Class in Physics

Placido entered the class in physics conducted by Padre Millon. The class has no laboratory equipment, while the
instruments bought by the university were never used. At a class recitation, Placido argued with the professor
when he got a bad mark even if he had been marked absent. From disgust and frustration, Placido Penitente
walked out of the class.

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*He is like a typical Filipino — a pacifist who prefers to suffer in silence. Will sacrifice and keep quiet just to avoid trouble, but
when pushed too far, is capable of getting openly angry and taking action.

Chapter 14: In the House of the Students

Arriving at the school dormitory, Makaraig, the owner of the house, announced that the decision to issue the
permit for building the academy has been passed to a commission headed by Don Custodio. The students then
devised schemes to influence Don Custodio or Señor Pasta, a lawyer, to give a favorable decision. Isagani
volunteered to persuade Señor Pasta to support and to endorse their project.

Chapter 15: Señor Pasta

Isagani approached Señor Pasta to persuade him to support and endorse the students' project. Not wishing to
provoke the friars who were against the project, Señor Pasta decided to oppose it and convinced Isagani to focus
on his studies instead.

Chapter 16: The Tribulations of a Chinese

Quiroga, a Chinese businessman, hosted a dinner in his house. Friars, government officials, soldiers, and
merchants attended the dinner. Although he knows a number of people despise him and talks behind his back ,
he still invites them to a dinner party above his bazaar in Escolta. Unlike Kapitan Tiago (dinner, Noli Me Tangere),
Quiroga smiles at his guests while secretly despising them deep inside. Dinner ended and Simon arrived. Simoun
asked Quiroga to store some rifles in his warehouse in exchange for the portion of the debt that the Chinese
merchant owed him.

Chapter 17: The Quiapo Fair

Twelve people left Quiroga's house to watch Mr. Leeds' show. The chapter describes the lewd behavior of Padre
Camorra, who ogled young lasses. He got more excited when he saw the beautiful Paulita Gomez, escorted by
the overly jealous Isagani and Doña Victorina.

Chapter 18: Legerdemain

Ben Zayb, Padre Camorra, Padre Salvi, and others entered the tent of Mr. Leeds to watch his show. Mr. Leeds
presented to them a box containing some ashes that had been found in one of the pyramids of Egypt. Upon
shouting a magic word, the ashes came to life and the Sphinx named Imuthis narrated his sad story. A priest, he
said, was in love with his sweetheart and in order to eliminate him, he was implicated in a rebellion. Imuthis was
then arrested but was killed in a lake while trying to escape. Seeing the parallelism between Imuthis' story and
that of Crisostomo Ibarra, Padre Salvi quickly realized the parallelism. He fainted when the Sphinx started calling
him murderer, slanderer, and hypocrite.

Chapter 19: The Fuse

Placido Penitente met and joined Simoun in his trip around the city. Placido learned that Simoun is organizing a
revolution in order to rescue Maria Clara from the convent.

Chapter 20: The Arbiter

Don Custodio studied his decision regarding the proposal of the university students. He is undecided, since he
wants to please the friars who were against the proposal while at the same time desires to give the students a
chance to study the Spanish language. Señor Pasta and Pepay, the dancers, have been consulted by the don,
but they did not give him a concrete answer. After much contemplation, he arrived at a decision.

Chapter 21: Manila Types

The people of Manila gathered in the Teatro de Variadades to watch Les Cloches de Corneville. Camarrocido,
who is from a prominent family in Spain, is poorly dressed and is employed in putting up posters of upcoming
shows of the Teatro. While walking near the Teatro he saw some men suspiciously loitering around. He found
out that Simoun is ordering the men to stop a civil unrest.

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Chapter 22: The Performance
Humorous incidents happened at the show. Juanito Pelaez, pretending to understand French in order to impress
Paulita Gomez, was embarrassed when he mistranslated some French words. Padre Irene, in a disguise, watched
the show and applauded one of the French actresses. Don Custodio is also present at the show, falsely claiming
that he was watching the show to judge if it is indecent or not. During the show, the students led by Macaraig
learned about Don Custodio' s decision.

Chapter 23: A Corpse

Simoun did not watch the show at the theater, Basilio did not watch the show either. He was studying at
home. Basilio was reading some medical books when Simoun arrived at Capitan Tiago's house. Simoun convinced
Basilio in vain to assist in the revolution initiated by the jeweler. Simoun added that a revolution is necessary to
rescue Maria Clara at the Sta. Clara nunnery. Basilio, then, informed Simoun of the unfortunate news of Maria
Clara’s death. The outraged Simon left the house weeping, tormented and bereaved.

Chapter 24: Dreams

Isagani met Paulita at Malecon. In their conversation, Isagani was revealed to be an idealist who envisions
progress and economic development of his country. He conversed with Paulita about railway expansion,
cooperation between Spaniards and Filipinos, and the imminent commercial trade. Paulita dismissed these
thoughts saying “they are unattainable dreams”.

Chapter 25: Smiles and Tears

The students organized a banquet at a panciteria to honor Don Custodio and his decision about the Spanish
academy. In his decision, the academy must come under the supervision of the Dominican order and the
students would simply collect contributions for the proposed school.

Chapter 26: Pasquinades

Basilio woke up early and went to the hospital. He wanted to take care of his licensure at the university after
visiting his patient. At that time, no one was given the title “Doctor”, instead, one simply needs a license in order
to help heal people as some kind of physician. In front of San Juan de Letran, someone asked Basilio about the
uprising. He remembered what Simoun said about the students and the revolution. He saw students acting as if
classes were suspended. One student informed him that seditious and revolutionary posters were found at the
university implicating the student organization. The government has also issued the arrest of all its members and
students who participated in the banquet at the panciteria. Basilio then proceeded to the house of Makaraig to
ask for a loan, but he and Makaraig were arrested by soldiers.

Chapter 27: The Friar and the Filipino

Padre Fernandez called Isagani to discuss his involvement at the banquet in the panciteria. Their discussion
centered on the policy of the friars in educating students. Isagani argued that the friars were deliberately
teaching antiquated education in order to inhibit the aspiration of the people to be free. He argued that people
who aspired to be educated are branded as filibusters. Padre Fernandez replied that he has done what he could
and that not all friars are backward and against the idea of educating the people. He said that education can
only be bestowed only to people who are ready and deserving.

Chapter 29: Exit Capitan Tiago

When Capitan Tiago died, Padre Irene become the executor of his will. Capitan Tiago has willed his properties to
Sta. Clara, to the pope, to the archbishop, and to religious corporations.

Chapter 30: Juli

The news of Basilio’s imprisonment deeply troubled Juli. The town clerk, Hermana Pechang, and Hermana Bali
convinced Juli to ask Padre Camorra to intercede for Basilio. She is hesitant to approach the friar since he was
known to be frolicsome and fond of women. When the news reached Tiani that Basilio is about to be shot, Juli
was compelled to ask the friar’s help.

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Chapter 31: The High Official
A high official convinced the Governor-General in vain to release Basilio whom he believed was innocent. The
Governor-General insisted that innocent individuals must suffer in order to restore order and to cow the people
into submission. Because of this disagreement, the high official resigned and went back to Spain.

Chapter 32: Effect of the Pasquinades

Because of the revolutionary and seditious posters, Pecson, Tadeo, and Juanito Pelaez were suspended from their
classes. Tadeo burned his books, while Juanito got engaged in his father’s business. In jail, Basilio learned the
sad news of Juli’s death.

Isagani’s arrest due to the poster incident triggered a change of feelings in Paulita Gomez. She was disappointed
after hearing that he surrendered himself, and started seeing him as a foolish person who makes bad decisions
and married Juanito Pelaez instead. Simoun befriended Don Timoteo Pelaez, who is now busy preparing for the
wedding of his son to Paulita Gomez.

Chapter 33: La Ultima Razón

Basilio was released from prison and immediately approached Simoun in order to help him initiate a revolution.
Simoun was pleased that Basilio will join his cause. He directed Basilio to meet Cabesang Tales at a designated
time to acquire the rifles that were hidden in Quiroga’s warehouse. Simoun is to place at an important gathering
a dynamite-laden lamp that would then explode to signal the attack.

Chapter 34: The Wedding

Basilio walked aimlessly in the streets of Manila to wait for the agreed signal of the revolution. He passed
through Calle Anloague where the wedding fiesta of Juanito Pelaez and Paulita Gomez was being held. After
seeing the rich decorations, the number of guards, and the important visitors that would be coming, he assumed
that this is the crucial gathering mentioned by Simoun.

Chapter 35: The Fiesta

Basilio saw Simoun placing the lamp at the center of the house. Basilio is about to leave the place when he saw
Isagani. He tried to convince Isagani to stay away from the house and explained that the lamp from Simoun
would explode killing everybody in the house. In a rare act of love and loyalty to Paulita, he boldly rushed to the
house, quickly throwing the lamp into the river to prevent it from exploding.

Chapter 36: Ben-Zayb’s Afflictions

The Governor-General prohibits any mention of events that have taken place at the wedding fiesta of Juanito
Pelaez and Paulita Gomez. In the news that circulated around town, a band of tulisanes have attacked a friar
country house. The robbers who were caught described a Spanish mestizo as the one who ordered them to
attack the city at a designated signal. The description given by the robbers perfectly fitted Simoun.

Chapter 37: The Mystery

The events of the previous night were discussed by Isagani, Capitana Loleng, Capitan Toringoy, Sensia, and
Chichoy. Chichoy divulged that Simoun was the mastermind behind storing the sacks of gunpowder in order to
kill all the people at the wedding feast. He also added that the lamp was to start the fire and ignite the
gunpowder.

Chapter 38: Fatality

A group of prisoners were escorted by the soldiers during the ambush. Carolino, one of the members of the
Guardia Civil and the son of Cabesang Tales, bravely fought the bandits, killing with a spear the bandits' leader
and an old man. Upon approaching the dead, he recognized that the old man is none other than his grandfather,
Tata Selo.

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CONCLUSION
A wounded and exhausted Simoun went to Padre Florentino's house to hide from the Guardia Civil who were out
to arrest him. After taking a poison, he informed Padre Florentino of his true identity. He said that he is the
fugitive Juan Crisostomo Ibarra and that he planned the unsuccessful attempt to corrupt the government in order
to start a revolution that would free the country. Padre Florentino reprimanded Simoun, saying that freedom
cannot be won through violence and bloodshed but by education, constant work, and suffering.

ANALYSIS OF THE FILI

The characters in El Filibusterismo were drawn by Rizal from real life. Padre Florentino was Father Leoncio Lopez,
Rizal’s friend and priest of Calamba; Isagani, the poet was Vicente Ilustre, Batangueño friend of Rizal in Madrid
and Paulita Gomez, the girl who loved Isagani but married Juanito Pelaez, was Leonor Rivera.

People always look at the El Filibusterismo through the Noli. In terms of structure, the former is shorter. It has
only 38 chapters against that of the former. Dr. Rafael Palma, Dr. Blumentritt and Graciano Lopez-Jaena
considered the Fili superior to the other for its easy and correct dialogue, its clear phraseology, vigorous and
elegant, as for its profound ideas and sublime thoughts. Lopez Jaena, however, was not contented with the
ending of the novel, and advised Rizal to do a third one to give a definite solution to what he referred to as the
“coming of the beautiful day of our redemption.” Mariano Ponce, on the other hand, claimed that the Fili was
more superior than the Noli when he said, “It is indeed excellent. I can say nothing to your book but this: It is
really marvelous like all the brilliant productions of your pen. It is a true twin of the Noli.”

The third opinion is best expressed by Zaide, when he said that:

“The issue of which is the superior novel – the Noli or the Fili is purely academic. Both are good novels from the
point of view of history. Both depict with realistic colors the actual conditions of the Philippines and the Filipinos
during the decadent days of Spanish rule.”

Rizal attempted to write a third novel as advised by Mariano Ponce, a novel which would consecrate on the
ethical aspect of customs and traditions in the country. It was never finished. It was said that it was best that he
did not finish writing the novel, for there would have been more repercussions.

From modern literary point of view, the novels of Rizal can rate as outstanding. One goes through them
experiencing the emotions and the passions of the writer. It is quite a tragedy that Rizal had to worry about
funds for publications of his books. If he did not have that problem, probably his books would have been written
better. Rizal, even then, was a brilliant writer.

The original manuscript of El Filibusterismo in Rizal’s own handwriting is now preserved in the Filipiniana Division
of the Bureau of Public Libraries, Manila. It consists of 270 pages of long sheets of paper.

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 CHAPTER 8 SUMMARY

The sequel to Noli Me Tangere with its unarguably supreme vision, El Filibusterismo offered a much bleaker
picture of the last decades of the nineteenth century. Crisostomo Ibarra, the reformist hero of the earlier novel,
came back to the Philippines as the enigmatic stranger named Simoun, a rich jeweller. Driven by hatred and a
fierce desire to avenge his sufferings, and to rescue Maria Clara from the nunnery where she has fled, Simoun
embarked on a crusade the goal to corrupt and weaken various institutions that would supposedly lead a bloody
revolution. He schemed and planned systematically with various characters, including Basilio, to bring about the
downfall of the government. The first plot failed, as does the second one. Simoun, carrying his huge stash of
jewelry, fled to the mountain retreat of Padre Florentino, who absolved the dying man from his sins. The novel
ended with Simon taking a poison that eventually killed him along with the priest throwing all Simoun's treasures
into the sea with the hope that they could be retrieved and be used only for the good of the people.

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 SELF CHECK A.8
CHAPTER 8

Answer the Self-check Questions honestly. This should be answered and checked by you personally. Please
do not alter your answers then go over the page of the Answers’ key. This process is to determine if you
comprehend what you were reading. If in case, you have not answered them correctly, please read again the
module. The Self-check paper should be submitted together with Performance Task Exercises Sheet and Job
Sheet as scheduled by your professor.

Name:__________________________________ Year Level:_____________ Score:__________

I. Multiple Choice. Read the sentence carefully. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Compare Ghent and Brussels

a) Brussels has much cheaper commodities than Ghent
b) Rizal has no romantic involvement in Ghent
c) Ghent has much expensive commodities than Brussels
d) Both B and C

2. Which of the following is true about the Fili?

a) Rizal sold the original manuscript to Valentin Ventura
b) Compared to the first novel, it is more romantic, more idealistic and less revolutionary
c) The novel was broadcast in a Madrid newspaper
d) None of the above

3. Which group in the social structure do the people situated on deck of the steamship Tabo represent?
a) Wealthy
b) Low class
c) Indios
d) Business class

4. How did Basilio knew about Simon the jeweler and Crisostomo Ibarra being one and the same?
a) He visited the grave of his mother
b) He saw someone approaching and then started digging in the same forest
c) He saw Simon the jeweler digging in the same forest where her mother was buried; he immediately
recognized him as Crisostomo Ibarra
d) All of the above

5. Placido Penitente represents what type of student?

a) A typical student who doesn’t excel that much but a teacher’s favorite
b) A student who is intelligent and who wished to learn but hadn’t received enough attention
c) A violent student who is always looking for a fight
d) A student who is always absent but has the audacity to copy his classmate’s work

6. Why do you think Chapter 25 was given the tile “Smiles and Tears”?
a) The governor-general agreed to the university students’ proposal but was later on replaced by another
governor leaving his promise to the students still unfulfilled
b) The governor-general agreed with the proposed Spanish Academy, it made the students happy and they
celebrated through a small get together in a baquet at a panciteria

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 c) The approval of the governor-general later on became a news of arrest of several students who proposed
the projects
d) Both B and C

7. Why did Simoun fail in his planned revolution?

a) His plan was sabotage by the Spanish military forces upon knowing about his planned uprising
b) Due to Isagani’s rare act of love and loyalty to Paulita Gomez
c) He got caught by military officials at the day of the wedding before he even placed the lamp
d) Isagani exposed Simoun’s secretive activities to the authorities

8. How did Simon die in the novel?

a) He took a pill from Ibiza
b) He took a poison while hiding in Padre Florentino’s house
c) He got shot in the head by the Guardia Civil
d) None of the above

9. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about the Noli and the Fili?
a) Noli is longer than the Fili
b) All the characters of the Fili were carried over from its prequel
c) Paulita Gomez and Maria Clara both represent Leonor Rivera
d) The original manuscript of the Noli was donated to Valentin Ventura while the original manuscript of the
Fili is preserved in a library

10. Who among these persons considered the Fili superior to the Noli?
a) Ferdinand Blumentritt
b) Rafael Palma
c) Graciano-Lopez Jaena
d) All of the above

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 Chapter 8 Answer Key

I. Multiple Choice

1. b
2. c
3. a
4. c
5. b
6. d
7. b
8. b
9. b
10. d

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 MODULE WORKBOOK
OF
PERFORMANCE TASK
SHEET AND JOB SHEET

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 PERFORMANCE TASK SHEET

NAME: ______________________ GE 9 PERFORMANCE TASK SHEET 5 SCORE:

General Instruction: Read and answer the following questions below, and submit based on the scheduled date of submission.
Write your answer on the space provided.

1. Depending on your creativity, create a single-page comic showing an event in Rizal’s trial, execution and death where
you were deeply touched or left in awe, grief, satisfaction, etc. (Use a separate sheet of paper, preferably A4)
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NAME: ________________________ GE 9 PERFORMANCE TASK SHEET 6 SCORE

1. Imagine meeting Morga at a coffee shop for an academic conversation, which part of his accounts regarding the
Philippine history would you lay on the table to stir up a scholarly debate with him?
Write all your possible arguments below.
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NAME:________________________ GE 9 PERFORMANCE TASK SHEET 7 SCORE

Write an essay with the aim of answering the following questions:

1. What is freedom?
2. How is lack of freedom portrayed in the novel?
3. How is the situation in the novel different from today?
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NAME:________________________ GE 9 PERFORMANCE TASK SHEET 8 SCORE

Instruction: Read and answer the following questions below. Write your answer on the space provided.

1. Compare and contrast the characters, plot, and theme of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

Answer:
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 REFERENCES

About Noli Me Tangere. Retrieved from https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/291131/noli-me-

tangere-touch-me-not-by-jose-rizal/

Acibo, L. & Adanza, E. (2006). Jose P. Rizal: His Life Works, and Role in the Philippine Revolution . Sampaloc,
Manila: Rex Book Store. Inc.

Literature and Society. https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-

and-maps/literature-and-society

Morga vs. Rizal. Retrieved from https://www.scribd.com/document/470665034/Morga-Vs-Rizal-pdf

Noli Me Tangere. https://www.kapitbisig.com/philippines/noli-me-tangere-the-social-cancer-by-dr-jose-rizal-

book-notes-summary-in-english-chapter-2-crisostomo-ibarra-the-summary-of-noli-me-tangere_854.html

The Trial and Execution of Dr. Jose Rizal. Retrieved from https://bshmjoserizal.weebly.com/our-hero-jose-
rizal/chapter-nine-the-trial-and-execution-of-dr-jose-rizal

The Executive Summary of El Filibusterismo. Retrieved from https://www.kapitbisig.com/philippines/el-

filibusterismo-the-reign-of-greed-by-dr-jose-rizal-book-notes-summary-in-english-executive-summary-the-
summary-of-el-filibusterismo_203.html

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