Rizal

Main idea

Year 1892, Rizal arrived in Dapitan where he soon considered as home. He was able to constantly share
his knowledge to expand the growth progress of Dapitan and its people while composing for his next
plan against the unjust society.

Rizal’s reaction to katipunan

On the eve of 21 June 1896, Dr. Jose Rizal was informed about the founding of the Katipunan that aims
to isolate the Philippines from Spain by means of a revolution. Rizal considered the resolutions just and
patriotic but he was informed that the revolution might break out rashly even without sufficient arms,
so he vigorously objected stating that this would be a veritable suicide. Rizal, however, could not able to
oppose his enduring people and was in the long run persuaded, thereby instructed Valenzuela to get the
support of the rich and the powerful sectors of Manila for more grounded solidarity. Rizal already knew
that if they failed with this plan, they must ensure that this group remained neutral in case the
revolution broke out. Rizal’s plan was to turn into a volunteer surgeon specialist in the Spanish army
fighting the Cuban revolution, so he could study the war in a practical way and could able to find
solutions to the Philippine situation. Before Rizal went upon his plans, according to Valenzuela, Rizal said
with a hint of sadness: "To die and conquer is pleasant but to die and be conquered is painful."

End of Rizal’s exile-His last trip home

On 30 July 1896 the long awaited answer of the Governor to his request finally arrived. His request to go
to Cuba was approved after being rejected by the government multiple times. The next day, after a
sedate four-year exile, he left for Manila hid on board the steamer "España". Upon his arrival in Manila
Bay, he learned that the boat for Spain had left the day before, so he was transferred to the Spanish
cruiser "Castilla" and held incommunicado except to his family, until about a month later when he
boarded a Spanish warship that set sail for Spain. Rizal was not surprised when he learned through the
newspapers about the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution. On 3 September 1896, Rizal left for
Barcelona on board the "Isla de Panay. While on the last day of the same month as the ship was
approaching Malta Island, the captain of the ship told him that he was set to be taken to jail and was to
be limited to his lodge. The ship docked at Barcelona harbor on the early afternoon of 6 October 1896
and after a few hours' stay at cell no 11 at Montjuich Castle, he was brought to the "Colon" bound for
Manila which was carrying soldiers to fight the Filipino revolutionists. All through the trip, Rizal jotted
down his thoughts and kept a record of his activities while stating on his journal about his innocence and
justice. On 3 November 1896, the "Colon" had reached Manila and Rizal was brought directly to Fort
Santiago under heavy guard.