1.

2 Understanding the Rizal Law

   According to Republic Act 1425, also known as Rizal Law, teaching of Jose Rizal's life with the
emphasis on his famous novels is mandatory. The law was passed in 1956 after many debates and
contestation. 
               In the course of the presentation, the process of how a bill becomes a law will be narrated to
have an idea about the country's legislative process. 
               How did the Rizal Bill become the Rizal Law?  On April 3, 1956, Senate Bill No. 438 was
filed by Jose P. Laurel, the then Senate Committee on Education Chair, and delivered speeches for
the proposed legislation. This proposal was met by controversies, especially the Catholic Church
which opposed its passage.  The Catholic Church was influential so that it created a fierce argument
between those who sided with the Church and the allies of Claro Recto.  One of the opposition
members was Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo.  Debates started on April 23, 1956.
             The debates on the Rizal Bill occurred in the House of Representatives. House Bill No. 5561,
an identical version of SB 438, was filed by Representative Jacobo Z. Gonzales on April 19, 1956.
The House Committee on Education approved the bill without amendment on May 2, 1956 and the
debates started on May 9, 1956. A major point of the debates was whether the compulsory reading of
the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo appropriated in the bill was constitutional. The call
to read the unexpurgated versions was also challenged.
             During the debate, it seemed that it was not possible to reach an agreement. To move the
procedure to the next step, Senator Jose P. Laurel proposed amendments to the bill on May 9, 1956.
In particular, he removed the compulsory reading of Rizal's novels and proposed that Rizal's other
works be included in the subject. However, he still stood in his belief that the unexpurgated version of
the novels be read. On May 14, 1956, similar amendments were adopted to the House version.
            The amended version of the bill was also subjected to scrutiny but was acceptable to the
members of Congress. But the passage was almost stopped by technicality since the House of
Representatives was about to adjourn in a few days and President Ramon Magsaysay did not certify
the bills as priority. The allies in the House skillfully avoided the insertion of any other amendment to
prevent the need to reprint new copies (which would take time). They also asked the Bureau of
Printing to use the same templates for the Senate version in printing the House version. Thus, on
May 17, 1956, the Senate and House versions were approved.
             The approved versions were transmitted to Malacanan and on June 12, 1956, President
Magsaysay signed the bill into law which became Republic Act No. 1425. 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS,

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF JOSE
RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO,
AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication to the
ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died;

WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we
remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national
character;

WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth,
especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused;

WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to regulation by the
State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience
and to teach the duties of citizenship; Now, therefore,

SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and
universities, public or private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated
editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation shall be used as
basic texts.

The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to
implement and carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing and printing of
appropriate primers, readers and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity
of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and
enforce the provisions of this Act. The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the
exemption of students for reasons of religious belief stated in a sworn written statement, from the
requirement of the provision contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this section; but not
from taking the course provided for in the first part of said paragraph. Said rules and regulations shall
take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the Official Gazette.

SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an
adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal
shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading in all public or private schools,
colleges and universities.

The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending
upon the enrollment of the school, college or university.

SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and
El Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal
Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be
distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and
Barrio Councils throughout the country.

SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or repealing section nine hundred
twenty-seven of the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public
school teachers and other person engaged in any public school.

SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out
of any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

1.3 Nation and Nationalism

One of the major reasons behind the passage of the Rizal Law was to instill nationalism in the hearts
and minds of the Filipino youth. Let us understand more the meaning of nation, nation-state, state. A
nation is a community of people that share a link with one another based on cultural practices,
language, religion or belief system, and historical experience, to name a few. A state is a political
entity that has sovereignty over a defined territory. States have laws, taxation, government, and
bureaucracy - basically, the means of regulating life within the territory. The sovereignty needs
diplomatic recognition to be legitimate and acknowledged internationally. The state's boundaries and
territory are not fixed and change across time with war, sale, arbitration and negotiation, and even
assimilation or secession. The nation-state, on the other hand, is a fusion of the elements of the
nation (people/community) and the state (territory).
There are three theories that explain the roots of the nation and national identity. 
1 Primordialism - This theory traces the root of the nation and national identity to existing and deep-
rooted features of a group of people like race, language, religion and others. Proponents of this
theory argued that a national identity has always existed and nations have ethnic cores, whereas
division among citizens was determined through di-cotomizing 'us' and "them". 
2. Modernity - Nationalism and national identity are products of social structure and culture brought
by capitalism, urbanization, secularization, bureaucratization.
3.  Constructivist approach - nationalism and nationalism are results of discourses socially
constructed and imagined by people who identify with a group. 
  The actual articulations of nation and nationalism started by Filipino heroes like Andres Bonifacio,
Jose Rizal and others culminated in the anti-colonial revolution in Asia. However, many Filipino
scholars traced the concept of nation and nationalism through indigenous knowledge.  Sikolohiyang
Pilipino and Bagong Kasaysayan understood nation and nationalism in the context of Kapwa and
bayan.    Kapwa is an important concept in the country's social relations and supports the notion of
unity and harmony in a community.  Kapwa presupposed the Filipino culture and psyche anchored on
collective social practices that manifest in linguistic terms such as pakikipagkapwa, pakikisama,
pakikipag-ugnay and pakikibaka.
2.1 Remembering Rizal
 Rizal's martyrdom on December 30, 1896 became a major milestone in Philippine history. His
execution served as a catalyst which moved the Filipinos to fight against the Spaniards, paving the
way for the declaration of Philippine Independence in 1898.
             From then on, Rizal was considered as one of the most important Filipino heroes of the
revolution and was declared the National Hero by the Taft Commission also called the Philippine
Commission of 1901 because of his significant contributions for the Filipino nation. As a fitting tribute,
a Rizal monument was built in every town and December 30 was declared a national holiday to
commemorate his death and heroism. In some provinces, men-- most of whom were professionals --
organized and became members of Caballeros de Rizal, now known as Knights of Rizal.
             Influenced by both the Roman Catholic Church and the prehispanic spiritual culture, some Filipino
masses likewise founded organizations that recognize Rizal not just an important hero but also as their savior
from all the social ills that plague the country.
Groups Venerating Jose Rizal
           These groups which can be linked to the long history of millenarian movements in the country are widely
known as Rizalistas. These organizations believe that Rizal has a Latin name of Jove Rex Al, which literally
means "God, King of All."

Rizal as the Tagalog Christ

            In the late 1898 and 1899, revolutionary newspapers, La Independencia and El Heraldo de la
Revolucion reported about Filipinos commemorating Rizal's death in the various towns in the country.
In Batangas for example, people were said to have gathered "tearfully wailing before a portrait of
Rizal" (Ileto, 1998) while remembering how Christ went through the same struggles. After Rizal's
execution, peasants in Laguna were also reported to have regarded him as "the lord of a kind of
paradise in the heart of Mount Makiling". (Ileto,1998). Similar stories continued to spread after Rizal's
death towards the end of the nineteenth century.

Miguel de Unamuno
     - Spanish writer and philosopher.
     - He gave Rizal the title "Tagalog Christ" in 1907.

Apolinario de la Cruz (1815-1841)

     - He founded the religious cofraternity Cofradia de San Jose.
     - He was also considered the Tagalog Christ by his followers.

Felipe Salvador (1870-1912)

     - Also known as Apo Ipe, founded the messianic society Santa Iglesia (Holy Church),
     - He was also called by his followers as Filipino Christ and the King of the Philippines.
The titles given to some earlier Filipino revolutionary leaders reveal that associating religious beliefs
in the social movement is part of the country's history.
Rizalista Groups
           Have risen in some parts of the country after Rizal's death in 1896.  One common belief
among them is the veneration of Jose Rizal as the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. These groups
likened the travails of Jose Rizal to that of Jesus Christ as narrated in the Pasyon, an epic poem
narrating the passion and death of Jesus Christ. They believe that Rizal, just like Jesus Christ, would
eventually return to life and will save mankind.

Parallelism Between Rizal's and Jesus Christ's Life (Trillana, 2006)

     - The two lives being sent into the world to fulfill a purpose.
     - "Their life on earth was a summon and submission to a call. From the beginning, both knew or
had intimations of a mission they had to fulfill, the redemption of mankind from a sin in the case of
Jesus and the redemption of his people from the oppression in the case of Rizal".
     - Reincarnation in the Context of Rizalistas means that both Rizal and Jesus led parallel lives.
"Both were Asians, had brilliant minds and extraordinary talents, both believed in the Golden rule,
cured the sick, were rabid reformers, believed in the universal brotherhood of men, were closely
associated with small group of followers. Both died young (Christ at 33 and Rizal at 35) at the hands
of the enemies. Their life changed the course of history' (Mercado, 1983, p.38).
 
The Canonization of Rizal: Tracing the Roots of Rizalistas
             The earliest record about Rizal being declared as a saint is that of the canonization initiated
by the Philippine Independent Church (PIC) or La Iglesia Filipina Independiente. Founded on August
3, 1902, the PIC became a major religious sect with a number of followers supporting its anti-friar and
anti-imperialist campaigns.
            In 1903, the PIC's official organ published the "Acta de Canonizacion de los Grandes Martires
de la Patria Dr. Rizal y PP. Burgos, Gomez y Zamora" (Proceedings of the Canonization of the Great
Martyrs of the Country Dr. Jose Rizal, and Fathers Burgos, Gomez and Zamora). According to the
proceedings, the Council of Bishops headed by Gregorio Aglipay met in Manila on September 24,
1903. On this day, Jose Rizal and the three bishops were canonized following the Roman Catholic
rites
              After Rizal's canonization, Aglipay ordered that no masses for the dead shall be offered to
Rizal and the three priests. Their birth and death anniversaries will instead be celebrated in honor of
their newly declared sainthood. Their statues were revered at the altars; their names were given at
baptism; and, in the case of Rizal, novenas were composed in his honor. Aglipay also mentioned that
the OIC's teachings were inspired by Rizal's ideology and writings. One of the PIC's founders, Isabelo
delos Reyes, said that Rizal's canonization was an expression of the intensely nationalistic phase of
the sect.
Adarnista or the Iglesiang Pilipina
Also known as Iglesiang Pilipina
Founder: Candida Balantac of Ilocos Norte (1901)
Teachings:
1. Rizal is a god of the Filipino people.
2. Rizal is true god and true man.
3. Rizal was not executed and has been mentioned by historians.
4. Man is endowed with a soul; as such man is capable of good deeds.
5. Heaven and hell exists but are, nevertheless "within us."
6. The abode of the members of the sect in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija is the New Jerusalem or
Paradise.
7. The caves in Bongabon are the dwelling place of Jehovah or God.
8. There are four persons in God: God the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost, and the Mother (Virgin
Mary).
    - The followers believed that Balantac was an engkantada (enchanted one).
    - She was given the title "Inang Adarna" because while she preaches, a rainbow resembling that of
the ibong adarna  is formed around her .
     - Others call Balantac as Maestra (teacher) and Espiritu Santo (Holy Spirit).
     - Like the Catholic Church, the Adarnista conducts sacraments such as baptism, confirmation,
marriage, confession and rites of the death. Masses are held every Monday and Wednesday at 7:00
AM and last for two hours
    - A typical Adarnista chapel has images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and in the center, the picture of Rizal. Also found beside he Rizal's
picture are pictures of other heroes like Luna, Burgos, Mabini, Del Pilar, Bonifacio etc.
    - The Adarnista has more than 10,000 followers in La Union, Isabela, Pangasinan, Zambales,
Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Nueva Vizcaya, Baguio and Manila.

Sambahang Rizal
Founder:    Basilio Aromin, Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija
Teachings:
1. Rizal was sent by Bathala to redeem the Filipino race, like Jesus Christ.
2. Rizal is the "son of Bathala" the same way that Jesus Christ is the "son of God".
3. Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are the "Bible" that shows doctrines and teachings of Rizal.
     - Literally, the "Rizal Church," was founded by a lawyer Basilio Aromin in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija.
     - Similar to the Catholic Church, Sambahang Rizal also conducts sacraments like baptism,
confirmation, marriage etc. It assign preachers, called Lalawigan guru, who preached Rizal's
teachings in different provinces.
     - Aromin, the founder, held the title Pangulu guru (chief preacher).

Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi

Founder: Arsenio de Guzman, 1911

Aims:
1. To love God above all things.
2. To love one's fellowman as one loves himself.
3. To love the motherland and to respect and venerate the heroes of the race especially the martyr of
Bagumbayan, Dr. Jose Rizal, to follow, to spread, and to support their right teachings; and to serve
the country with one's whole heart towards its order, progress and peace.

Teachings:
1. The teachings of the sect re based on the commands of the Holy Moses, Our Lord Jesus Christ
and the teachings of Dr. Jose Rizal culled from his writings.
2. Christians believe in the Trinity; the power of the Father was given to Moses, the power of the son,
given to Jesus Christ; and, the sect believes that the power of the Holy Ghost was given to Jose
Rizal.
4. Rizal is not dead; he is alive and is physically and materially present in the New Jerusalem which is
presently hidden in the site extending from Mt. Makiling to Mt. Banahaw.
5. It is the voice of Rizal which commands the official and the members of what to do; this voice is
heard in weekly meetings. However, an invoker in the person of Gadioso Parabuac is needed to ask
Rizal to come and talk to members.
6. If World War III breaks out, numberless peoples will be killed by atomic weapons. But after the war,
Dr. Rizal will make an appearance to the new world, and he will lead the army of God.
7. Man has a soul, but a soul that is different from the soul of Dr. Rizal, for Rizal is god. Three days
after his death and if he was holy in life (followed the commandments of God), man will rise again and
his soul will proceed to the new Jerusalem. If he did not fulfill the commandments of God, the soul is
not to be punished in hell (for there is no hell) but will be made to work in a place opposite the new
Jerusalem.
8. There is a particular judgment (the soul is judged three days after death) and the last judgment
(when all creatures will be judged).
- One of the biggest Rizalista groups with more than 100,000 members found in different parts of the
country.
- In 1987, it was divided into three factions:
1. Watawat ng Lahi, also known as the Samahan ng Watawat ng Lahi Presiding Elders;
2. The Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi, Inc.
3. Iglesia ng Lipi ni Gat. Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Inc.
- The first group now teaches that Rizal is not Christ but only a human while the last two groups claim
that they hold the original teachings and doctrines of the old Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi-- Rizal is
God/Christ himself, the Jove Rex Al (God, King of All).

Suprema de la Iglesia de la Ciudad Mistica de Dios, Inc.

Founder : Maria Bernarda Balitaan (MBB), 
- Supreme Church of the Mysticl City of God
- Officially registered as an organization in 1952.
- Founded in the Tagalog region.
- The biggest Rizalista group located at the foot of Mt. Banahaw in Sta. Lucia, Dolores, Quezon
approximately 5,000 members in Sta. Lucia alone. All over Luzon, it has 1000,00 members.
- The group has always been led by woma, Suprema, who assumes the responsibilities of assisting
members seeking advice, resolving conflicts among others and making major decisions of the
organization.
- The members believe that as a result of endless conflicts among countries in West Asia, God
decided to transfer his "Kingdom" to the Philippines. It explains why there existed "holy
stations/altars" (pwesto) in Mt. Banahaw, which is equivalent to stations of the cross of Christ in
the Pasyon.
- For the Ciudad Mistica, Jesus Christ's work is still unfinished and it will be continued by Jose Rizal
and the "Twelve Lights" of the Philippines composed of the 19th century Philippine heroes. The
twelve lights are the euivalent of the twelve apostles. Their work will be fulfilled by a woman in the
person of MBB.
- Like other Rizalista groups, Ciudad Mistica also shares many elements of the Catholic Church. They
hold mass every Saturday, have prayers and chants. They commemorate the birth and death
anniversaries of the "Twelve Lights," with Rizal's death (December 30) as the most important
celebration.
2.2 The Life of Jose Rizal
Life of Jose Rizal
                Jose Rizal lived in the nineteenth century, a period in Philippine history when changes in
public consciousness were already being felt and progressive ideas were being realized.
Vocabulary
Chinese Mestizo - PERSON of mixed Chinese and Filipino ancestry.
Principalia - the ruling and usually educated upper class in Spanish colonial Philippines.
Bachiller en Artes - Bachelor of Arts degree bestowed by colleges and universities.
Spanish Cortes - Spain’s lawmaking or legislative body
Ilustrado - A term which literally means “ enlightened ones” or the Filipinos educated in Europe.
Masonry - Fraternal organization which strives for moral betterment.

Rizal’s Family
            Jose Rizal was born on June 19,1861 in Calamba, Laguna. Francisco Mercado is the Jose
Rizal’s father and he was a wealth farmer who leased lands from the Dominican friars.
            Siang- co and Zun-nio were his earlier ancestors and they gave birth to Lam-co, is said to
have come from district of Fujian in Souther China and migrated to the Philippine in the late 1600’s.
            He was baptized in Binondo adopting the name “Domingo” and he married Ines de la Rosa
known entrepreneurial family in Binondo.
                Teodora whose father was a member of the Spanish Cortes, educated at the College of
Sta. Rosa.  Rizal describes his mom as “ a woman of more than ordinary culture and she is a
mathematicians and has read many books”
                Because of the couple’s hardwork and industry, they became a prominent member
of Principalia class in the town of Calamba. Moroever, their house was among the first concrete
houses to be built in their town.

Siblings:

 Saturnina (1850-1913) 63 years old

 Paciano (1851-1930) 71 years old
 Narcisa (1852—1939) 87 years old
 Olimpia (1855-1887) 32 years old
 Lucia (1857-1919) 62 years old
 Maria (1859-1945) 86 years old
 Concepcion (1862-1865) 3 years old
 Josefa (1865-1945) 80 years old
 Trinidad (1868-1951) 83 years old
 Soledad (1870-1929) 59 years old
Childhood and Early Education
                Rizal's childhood was full of love and care shown to him by his parents and siblings and
they also prayed together during the Angeles.  Due to his poor health, he can’t play outside so he
listens to his personal servant about legends and fairy tales.
                As a young boy, demonstrated intelligence and learned easily. Like other children from
principalia class, was educated most by his private tutors (Maestro Celestino, Maestro Lucas Padua
and Leon Monroy who honed his skills in basic Latin, reading and writing.
                At the age of nine, Rizal left Calamba with his brother to study in Binan. They went in
carromata in Rizal’s aunt and stayed for a year.  Before Paciano leaves, he introduced Rizal to the
teacher, Justiniano Aquino Cruz (Paciano’s former teacher).

Rizal’s Usual Activities

 He used to wake up early around 4am it’s either hear a mass or study his lessons first and
go to mass.
 He would take breakfast and got to school and it will be finish around 10am.
 Around 2pm, he will go back to school and come out at 5pm
 By 6pm, he will pray with his cousins the study for a while before going to sleep.
 Juancho was the one who teaches Rizal how to paint and gave him a free lessons in
painting and drawing during his leisure time. After receiving a letter from Saturnina, Rizal
returned to Calamaba on Dec. 17,1870 after a year and half studying in Binan. He went
boar on board the steamship “Talim” and accompanied by Arturo Camps (a Frenchman
and friend of his father).

Student in Manila

 Rizal was sent in Ateneo Municipal (Escuela Pia) by his father for a 6 year Bachiller en
Artes.
 He took the entrance exam on June 10, 1872, four months after the GOMBURZA was
executed.
 Paciano advice Rizal to use “Jose Rizal” instead of Jose Mercado because he has a
connection to Jose Burgos (GOMBURZA)

In Ateneo Municipal, Rizal was:

             Managed by priests (Jesuit Fathers not friars). Required to attend masses in the morning
before the start of class. Ateneo was known for its rigid discipline and religious instruction that trained
students.
             In Ateneo Municipal, was divided into two groups: Roman Empire (Students boarding in 
school) and Carthaginian Empire (Non-boarding students).
              Rizal was given a title to the most outstanding in class “emperor” because of his
perseverance and seriousness in studies.
             He stayed and finished his course from 1872-1877, showed excellence in academic. On
March 14, 1877, he passed the oral examination and graduated with high honors with a degree
of Bachiller en Artes.
             After Ateneo, he was now sent in University of Santo Tomas by Don Francisco. Dona
Teodora, oppeses this idea because of what had happened to the GOMBURZA, but still Rizal
continue to study in this institution.
            He attended the course Philosophy and Letters during the freshman year (1877-1878) and
also took up a vocational course in Ateneo that gave him the title “perito agrimensor” (expert
surveyor) issued on November, 25, 1881.
            In his 2nd year in UST, Rizal shifted his course to Medicine because of his mother’s failing
eyesight.
            He was a good student in Medicine but not as gifted he was in Arts and Letters. Rizal and
Paciano made a secret pact, Rizal would go to Europe and complete his medical studies. Moreover,
to prepare himself for the great task of liberating the country from Spanish Tyranny.

Rizal in Europe
              On May 3, 1882, Rizal left the Philippines for Spain and he was only 20yrs old. June 16,
1882, he reached in Barcelona and he was able to meet up with former classmates in Ateneo. His
classmates organized a welcome party at a coffee house in Plaza De Catalua and toured him around
the famous historical sites.
              He wrote an essay entitled “El Amor Patrio” (Love of Country) and it was published on
August 20,1882 in Diaryong Tagalog (pen name –Laong Laan). On November 3, 1882, he moved in
Madrid where he enrolled in Medicine and Philosophy and Letters at the UniversidadHe also took
lessons in painting and sculpture at the Academia de San Fernando and classes in French, English
and German at the Madrid Ateneo.
             He also enrolled in fencing class at Sanz and Carbonell. Rizal was awarded with the degree
and title of Licentiate in medicine for passing the medical examinations in June 1884.He continues
enrolling in courses that would led him to a Doctorate in Medicine but it was not given to him due of
failed to pay.
               Hi family were not able to send money because of the financial problems brought about by
low crop production because of drought and locusts aggravated by the hike in rentals on the
haciendas by the Dominicans. Rizal also took examinations in Greek (he won the 1 st prize) , Latin, 
and whole history (grade of excellent) .Licenciado en Filosofia y Letras (Licentiate in Philosophy and
Letters) w – obtained a sobresaliente in this degree in Universidad Central De Madrid on June
19,1885.
                In between his studies,he made a meeting with fellow Filipinos (Ilustrados – callwroteed the
enlightened ones and it was formed by the Circulo Hispano-Filipino, it held informal programs with
activities) and wrote the Mi Piden Versos ( They Ask Me for Verses). On January 2, 1884, Rizal
proposed the writing of a novel about the Philippine society at the house of Pedro Paterno in Madrid.
It was approved hwoever it was not materialized. So he wrote the half of the Noli Me Tangere.
                  November 15, 1890, Rizal joined the Masonry and became a Master of Mason at the
Lodge Solidaridad. In 1883, Rizal wrote a poem entitled “ A Senorita C.O.yR.”, this for Consuelo
where Rizal felt an attraction to this Mayor’s Daughter ( Don Pablo Ortiga y. Rey – former city mayor
of Manila.)
              Eduardo De Lete, was also in love to Consuelo but did not want to ruin their friendship.
              From October 1885 to March 1886, Rizal specialized in ophthalmology and trained under the
leading ophthalmologist in Europe like Dr. Louis De Weckert of Paris. In Germany, he worked with
expert ophthalmologists such as Dr. Javier Galezowsky and Dr. Otto Becker in Heidelberg (1886)
and Dr. R. Schulzer and Dr. Schwiegger (1887).
                He befriended with different scholars like Fredrich Ratzel (German Historian), Ferdinand
Blumentritt, Feodor Jagor and Hans Virchow (anthropologists). Rizal mastered the German language
and wrote a paper “Tagalische Verkunst” (Tagalog Metrical Art)Schiller’s William Tell was translated
in tagalog in 1886. In Berlin, he finished the Noli Me Tangere and was published on March 21, 1887
witht the financial help of Maximo Viola.
                On August 8, 1887, after 5 years, he went home in Calamaba. He spent time with his
family, opened a medical clinic and curing the sick and known as “Doctor Uliman”.
On February 16, 1888, he left the country because he was targeted by the friars who were portayed
negatively in his novel “Noli Me Tangere”
               He was with his fellow ilustrados like Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Antonio
Luna, Mariano Ponce and Trinindad Pardo de Tavera. The Propaganda Movement campaigned for
reforms such as:

1. Philippines to become a province of Spain so that Filipinos will receive an equal rights.
2. Representation of the Philippines in the Spanish Cortes.
3. secularization of parishes.

                La Solidaridad – Propaganda’s Movement’s newspaper.Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de las

Islas Filipinas (1890) – in which Rizal showed that even before the coming of the Spaniards, the
Filipinos already developed culture. Sobre la Indolencia de los Filipinos (1890) – Rizal’s essay
attributed the Filipinos’ “indolence” to different factors such as climate and social disorders.
                Filipinas Dentro de Cien Anos (The Philippines a Century Hence) – essay for reforms
published in parts from 1889 to 1890. July 1891 in Brussels, Rizal completed the 2 nd book “El
Filibusterismo” and was published on September 18, 1891. Valentin Ventura – help Rizal in
publishing the El Fili.
                On June 26, 1892 – the arrival of Rizal in the Philippine and he then encouraged his friends
in Central to join “La Liga Filipina”. La Liga Filipina – a socio-civic organization that he established on
July 3, 1892.July 6, 1892, Rizal was arrested and brought to Fort Santiago. He was charge of
bringing with him from Hong Kong leaftlets entitled “Pobres Frailes” (poor friars). Pobres Frailes – a
satire against the rich Dominican Friars and their accumulation of wealth which was against their vow
of poverty.
                Exile in Dapitan (1892-1896) July 17, 1892, the arrival of Rizal in Dapitan. Dapitan was a
remote town in Mindanao which served as a politico-military outpost of the Spaniards in the
Philippines. Captain Ricardo Carnicero , became a friend of Rizal during his exile. In this place, he
practice medicine, pursued scientific studied and continued his artistic pursuits in sculpture, painting,
sketching and poetry writing. He also established school for boys and promoted community
development projects. He also studied the Malayan language and other Philippine languages, engage
in farming and commerce and even invented a wooden machine for making bricks.
                September 21,1892, Rizal won 2nd prize in a lottery together with Ricardo Carnicero,
amounting 6,200. He used the money to built his house in Talisay as well as school and hospital in
the area. December 19,1893, Rizal wrote a letter to Blumentritt describing about his daily activities.
George Taufer, who was suffering from an eye ailment traveled from Hong to Dapitan. Jospehine
Bracken, the daughter of Taufer and eventually Rizal fell in love with this girl. June 21, 1896, Dr. Pio
Valenzuel visited Rizal in Dapitan and informed him about the founding of Katipunan and the planned
revolution. However, Rizal object on this plan.
                Governor – General Ramon Blanco, the one that Rizal is sending 2 letters to ask for a
review of his case. July 30,1896, Rizal’s request is to go to Cuba and it was approved. September 30,
1896, he boarded the steamer Isla De Panay which would bring him to Barcelona. November 3,1896,
Rizal was sent back in Manila and immediately brought to Fort Santiago. Governor – General
Despujol, he was the one who told Rizal to go back in Manila because of Spaniards.
               George Taufer, who was suffering from an eye ailment traveled from Hong to Dapitan.
Jospehine Bracken, the daughter of Taufer and eventually Rizal fell in love with this girl. June 21,
1896, Dr. Pio Valenzuel visited Rizal in Dapitan and informed him about the founding of Katipunan
and the planned revolution. However, Rizal object on this plan
               Governor – General Ramon Blanco, the one that Rizal is sending 2 letters to ask for a
review of his case. July 30,1896, Rizal’s request is to go to Cuba and it was approved. September 30,
1896, he boarded the steamer Isla De Panay which would bring him to Barcelona. November 3,1896,
Rizal was sent back in Manila and immediately brought to Fort Santiago.
Governor – General Despujol, he was the one who told Rizal to go back in Manila because of
Spaniards

Trial and Execution

               November 20,1896, was the start of his preliminary investigation because he was accused
of being the main organizer of the revolution and of founding illegal organizations. Lt. Luis Taviel De
Andrade, Rizal’s lawyer, he tried his best to save Rizal. December 26,1896, the trial ended and the
sentence was read and found guilty and sentenced to death by firing squad. December 28,1896,
Governor Camilo de Polaviaje signed the court decision and decreed that Rizal be executed by firing
squad at 7am of December 30.
                Mi Ultimo Adios, he compose this poem during his remaining days and it was a farewell to
the Filipino people. December 29, 1896, Rizal gave away his remaining possessions. Rizal gave
Trinidad his gas lamp and the copy of his last poem. December 30, 1896, Rizal in black suit with his
arms tied behind his back, walked to Bagumbayan. His last words were “ Consummatum est” (It’s
finished).And this is the important day that Rizal offered his country and freedom.