The history tells that the Philippines is the first country in Asia that wages an anti-colonial

revolution. On that revolution, thousands of people participated to free our country from Spain, that
includes Andres Bonifacio, Jose Rizal, and etc. Jose Rizal was regarded as the National hero of the
Filipino as well as the “pride of the Malaya race” (palma,1949). But there is a ranging issue about the
night before his execution, December 30, 1896, and that controversy is still a puzzle nowadays. It is
believed that Jose Rizal denounce his masonic beliefs and re- profess his catholic faith. There are also
different news that reported the retraction of Rizal, these Spanish-based news are El Imparcial, Heraldo
de Madrid, and El Siglo Futuro. The news correspondents of La Vos Espanola even claim to have seen
and read his own handwritten retraction (cavana 1956,2). The narrative of their stories were based on
the Jesuits and other colonial officials who are there and even talked to Rizal the day before his
execution. The two Jesuit, Fr. Pi and Fr. Balaguer, gave Rizal two templates of retraction. But according
to Fr. Balaguer Rizal does not like the first one because it was unacceptable and too long and the style
does not reflect his personality (Arcilla 1994,114). So Fr. Balaguer withdraw the first one and offer the
shorter one, but there is a statement that is uncomfortable for Rizal. The two Jesuits allowed Rizal to
revise the retraction letter. The final version read, “I abominate Masonry as the enemy of the Church
and reprobated by the same church” (Cavanna 1956,9). After making other minor changes to the draft,
Rizal signed his retraction letter before midnight. Fr. Balaguer handed it over to Fr. Pi, who in turn
submitted it to Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda (Guerrero 1971, 459). The text of the retraction states:

Me declaro católico, y en esta Religión, en que nací y me eduqué, quiero vivir y

morir. Me retracto de todo corazón de cuanto en mis palabras, escritos,
impresos y conducta ha habido contrario á mi calidad de hijo de la Iglesia. Creo y
profeso cuanto ella enseña, y me someto á cuanto ella manda. Abomino de la
Masoneria, como enemiga que es de la Iglesia, y como Sociedad prohibida por la
misma Iglesia.

Puede el Prelado diocesano, como Autoridad superior eclesiástica, hacer pública

esta manifestación, espontánea mía, para reparar el escándalo que mis actos
hayan podido causar, y para que Dios y los hombres me perdonen

Manila, 29 de Diciembre de 1896

José Rizal

Jefe del Piquete

Juan del Fresno

Ayudante de Plaza
 Eloy Moure (Retana 1907, 426–427)

I declare myself 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 whatever in my words, writings, publications, and conduct
has been contrary to my character as son of the Catholic Church. I believe and I confess
whatever she teaches, and I submit to whatever she demands. I abominate Masonry, as the
enemy which is of the Church, and as a Society prohibited by the Church.

The Diocesan Prelate may, as the Superior Ecclesiastical Authority, make public this spontaneous
manifestation of mine in order to repair the scandal which my acts may have caused and so that
God and people may pardon me.

The Chief of the Picket

Juan del Fresno

Adjutant of the Plaza

Eloy Moure (Guerrero 1971, 458–459)

This documents proved that Rizal indeed is guilty of retraction. We cannot hide these with his
good deeds. He may have opened the mind of the nation with his works but we cannot neglect the fact
that he denounces his words at last hours he’s remaining. Rizal do write and sign a retraction and that is
the fact or reality that many of us does not know because it is not taught in school during our childhood
days.

References
Escalante, R. (2018, December 18). SouthEast Asian Studues.