Module 3 The Life and Legacy of Jose Rizal

The Life and Legacy of Jose R i z a l |1
THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JOSE RIZAL
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Analyze Rizal’s family, childhood and early education
2. Evaluate the people and events and their influence on Rizal’s early life
3. Appraise Rizal’s relationship with other Propagandists
4. Analyze the factors that led to Rizal’s execution
5. Analyze the effects of Rizal’s execution on Spanish colonial rule and the Philippine
Revolution
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,
Poured out the need for thy dear sake.
To dye with its crimson the walking ray”
-Mi Ultimo Adios
Dr. Jose P. Rizal
Jose Rizal the national hero of the Philippines was a versatile genius. He was a
physician, poet, dramatist, essayist, novelist, architect, historian, painter, sculptor,
educator, linguist, musician, naturalist, ethnologist, surveyor, engineer, farmer,
businessman, economist, geographer, cartographer, bibliophile, philologist, grammarian,
folklorist, philosopher, translator, inventor, magician, humorist, satirist, polemicist,
sportsman, traveler, and prophet. Jose Rizal is a product of mixture of races. In his veins
flowed the blood of both East and West – Negrito, Indonesian, Malay, Chinese, Japanese
and Spanish. Predominantly, he was a Malayan and was a magnificent specimen of
manhood.
Google.com
Rizal was the seventh of the eleven children of Francisco Mercado Rizal and
Teodora Alonso Realonda. He was ten siblings, namely Saturnina, Paciano, Narcisa,
Olimpia, Lucia, Maria, Concepcion, Josefa, Trinidad and Soledad. The family of Rizal
belonged to principalia. The had a simple, contented and happy life. Their family ties were
intimately close. The parents of Rizal were very strict and they taught their children to love
God, to behave well, to be obedient, and to respect people, especially the old folks.
Whenever their children including Jose Rizal, got into mischief, they were given a sound
spanking. The real surname of the Rizal family was Mercado, which was adopted from
Domingo Lamco. The name Rizal was given to the family Rizal by the alcalde mayor of
Laguna. Thus, Jose Rizal was the only one who used the name because his family preferred
the name Mercado.
Early Life
Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861,
in the lakeshore of Calamba, Laguna.
Accordingly, his mother Doǹa Teodora had
difficulty and almost died on his delivery
because he had a big head. In June 22, 1861,
he was baptized in the Catholic Church of
Calamba, Laguna by the parish priest, Father
Ruffino Collantes, with Father Pedro Casanas
as a sponsor. It was in 1865 when Jose Rizal
JoseRizal.com
experienced by his first sorrow when his
younger sister, Concha, died of sickness.
It was the first time he shed tears caused by love. Jose and his father left Calamba to go
on a pilgrimage to Antipolo in order to fulfill his mother’s vow which was made when
Jose was born when he was 5 years old. It was the first trip of Jose across Laguna de Bay
and his pilgrimage to Antipolo. At the age of 8, Rizal wrote his first poem entitled “Sa
Aking Mga Kababata” (To my fellow children) in the native language. He also wrote his
first dramatic work which was a Tagalog comedy and it was staged in Calamba festival.
Criticisms
There is no original manuscript that exist Rizal’s own hand writing. The said poem was
published a decade after Rizal’s execution as a appendix to: “ Kung Sino Man ang Kumanta
ng Florante: Kasaysayan ng Buhay ni Francisco Baltazar at Pag-uulat nang Kanyang
Karununga’t Kadakilaan” by: Herminigildo Cruz.The latter claimed that he received the
poem from his friend Gabriel Beato Francisco who got it from a certain Saturnino Racelis of
Lukban, a friend of Rizal. But the name of Racelis did not appear in any journal, diaries and
writings of Rizal. Allegedly, Racelis received the poem personally from Rizal. The poem could
not have been written when Rizal was 8 years old because during that time words were spelled
with a letter “c” instead of “k”. Also, the word kalayaan appeared twice in the poem when in
fact during the 19th century the word ws not widely used. And how can Rizal use the word
kalayaan at the age of 8 when he first encountered the word at the age of 21? Did Rizal really
write the poem? Did he write it at the age of 8?
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Jose Rizal studied his basic education in the school of Maestro Justiano Aquino
Cruz where his brother, Paciano also studied. In the afternoon of his class, Jose met Pedro,
his bully classmate, and he challenged the latter a fight. Jose Rizal defeated the bigger boy
because he has knowledge on wrestling. His classmate, Andres Salandanan, challenged
him to an arm-wrestling match and because of having a weak arm, Jose lost. In the
succeeding days he had other fight with the boys of Biñan.
ATENEO MUNICIPAL
At the age of 11, he studied at Ateneo Municipal. He took the entrance
examinations on Christian doctrine, arithmetic and reading at the College of San Juan de
Letran and passed them. Jose matriculated at the Ateneo Municipal. At first, Father Magin
Ferrando refused to admit him because he was Rizal is late for registration and he was
sickly and undersized for his age. However, with the help of Father Manuel Xeres Burgos,
he was admitted at the Ateneo. When he graduated, he received the degree of Bachelor of
Arts with highest honors.
Criticism
If it is not because of the help of Fr. Manuel Xerez Burgos, Rizal will not be admitted in
Ateneo Municipal. Does this show that Rizal was only admitted to Ateneo due to palakasan
system?
FIRST YEAR IN ATENEO (1872-73)

His first professor in Ateneo was Fr. Jose Bech.
Because Rizal was newcomer and he knew little
Spanish, he was placed at the bottom of the class. After
the first week, he progressed rapidly and became
“emperor”. He was the brightest pupil in the whole class
and he was awarded a prize. To improve he took private
lessons in Sta. Isabel College during his noon break and
he paid three pesos for those Spanish lessons. In the
second half of his first year in Ateneo, Rizal did not try
enough to retain academic supremacy. He placed second
at the end of the year, although his grades were
excellent. Jose Rizal at age 13
KnightsofRizal.com
SUMMER VACATION 1873 (MARCH)

Rizal returned to Calamba for summer vacation. He visited his mother in prison
without telling his father. He told her mother about his grade in Ateneo.
SECOND YEAR IN ATENEO (1873-74)

Rizal studied harder to regain his lost class leadership and he became “emperor”
again. At the end of the school year, he received excellent grades in all his subjects and a
gold medal.
SUMMER VACATION 1874

Rizal visited his mother and he told her to about his scholastic triumphs in Ateneo
and funny tales about his professors and fellow students, in their conversation, Doǹa
Teodora told Rizal about her dream and the latter interpreted it. Rizal told her mother that
she would be released from prison and during that the time Rizal was already in Manila.
THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1874-75)

Rizal did not make an excellent showing in his studies as in the previous year
despite of his family’s happiness. His grade remained excellent in all subjects but he
received only one medal. He himself was not impressed in his scholastic work.
FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO (1875-76)

He became an interno in Ateneo. Rizal was inspired by Fr. Francisco de Paula
Sanchez to study harder and to write poetry. He topped all his classmates in all subjects
and won five medals at the end of the school year.
LAST YEAR IN ATENEO (1876-77)

Rizal finished his last year in Ateneo in blaze of glory. He obtained the highest
grades (sobresaliente) in all subject. Accordingly, Rizal was the most brilliant Atenean of
his time.
Criticism
It was discovered that there were only 12 students in the class of Rizal and nine
of them including Rizal graduated sobresaliente. So, is Rizal the most brilliant Atenean
of his time?
UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

Rizal matriculated in the University of Santo Tomas taking the course on
Philosophy and Letters. During his first year, Rizal also studied Cosmology, Metaphysical,
Theodicy and History and also Philosophy. After Rizal finished first year, he transferred to
medical course because of the advice of the rector of Ateneo, Fr. Pablo Ramon and his
mother’s growing blindness. While studying in Santo Tomas, Rizal also studied in Ateneo
and he took a vocational course leading to the title of perito agrimensor. As usual, Rizal
excelled in all subjects and obtained gold medals in agrimensor and topography. At age of
17, Rizal passed the final examination as surveyor but he was not granted the title because
he was below age. The title was issued to him on November 25, 1881. Although Rizal was
Tomasian, he frequently visited Ateneo not only because of surveying course but because
of his loyalty in Ateneo.
SUMMER VACATION 1878

Rizal experienced brutality of Spanish officer. Rizal did not salute nor say “Good
Evening” to a vague figure who turned out to be a lieutenant of the Guardia Civil. The
lieutenant whipped out his sword and sashed Rizal on his back. Rizal reported the incident
to the Spanish government of the Philippines but nothing came out of his complain because
the abusive lieutenant was Spaniard.
1879
Rizal won first prize on a literary contest by the Liceo Artistico-Literary. He
received a silver pen, feather-shaped and decorated with a gold ribbon for his prize-winning
poem, A La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth). Rizal was congratulated by Jesuits,
his professors in Ateneo and by his friends and relatives.
1880
The Liceo Artistico-Literary held another contest to commemorate the centennial
death anniversary of Cervantes, the Spain’s glorified man-of-letters and famous author of
Don Quixote, and it was opened for both Filipinos and Spaniards. Rizal joined the contest
and submitted his allegorical drama entitled El Consejo de los Dioses (The Council of
Gods). Once again, Rizal won first prize but the Spanish community objected because the
winning author was an Indio but despite of the objections, the prize was awarded to Rizal.
1882
After he finished his study in the University of Santo Tomas, Rizal decided to study
in Spain without seeking his parent’s permission and blessings. Finishing his study was not
the only reason why he wanted to go to Spain but also because of his secret mission.
Paciano approved the mission of Rizal which was to observed the life, culture, language,
customs, industries and commerce, and governments and laws of the European nation to
prepare himself in the mighty task of liberating his oppress people from Spanish tyranny.
Before his secret departure, Jose Rizal wrote a farewell letter for his parents and for Leonor
Rivera.
Criticism:
Why does Rizal remain loyal to Ateneo even if he is a Thomasian? Unlike the
Dominicans in Santo Tomas, the Jesuits Professors of Rizal in Ateneo loved him and inspired
him to ascend to greater heights of knowledge. The Dominicans showed racial discrimination
for Filipinos and Rizal doesn’t want to be treated that way.
UNIVERSIDAD CENTRAL DE MADRID

Rizal enrolled in Universidad central de Madrid in two courses – Medicine, and

Philosophy and letters. On June 1884, Rizal received his licentiate in medicine in the
university. Rizal was involved in the student’s demonstrations in Madrid with his co-
students in Central University. He studied and passed all the subjects leading to the degree
of Doctor in Medicine but due to the fact that he did not present his thesis required for
graduation nor paid the corresponding fees, he was not awarded his Doctor’s diploma.
After his studies in Central University of Madrid, Rizal went to Paris to acquire more
knowledge in ophthalmology. Rizal also studied painting and sculptor in Academy of Fine
Arts in San Fernando; took lessons in French, German and English under private
instructors; and practiced fencing and shooting in the Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell.
Criticism
Being a medical doctor and having a Licentiate in Medicine, Rizal was able to
practice his profession but he could not carry the title “Dr.” or attached letters
“M.D” after his name because he was not awarded the Doctor’s diploma.
RIZAL IN BARCELONA
Rizal reached Barcelona on June 16, 1882. In Barcelona, Rizal wrote the Amor
Patria (Love of Country) under his pen-name Laong-Laan. He sent this article to his friend
in Manila, Basilio Teodoro Moran, and publisher of Diariong Tagalog. His article appeared
in Diariong Tagalog August 20, 1882. Basillio Teodoro Moran was impressed by the article
so he requested Rizal for more articles. As response, Rizal submitted his second work, Los
Viajes (Travels) and his third article, Revisa de Madrid (Review of Madrid) but it was
returned to him because the Diariong Tagalog had ceased publication because of lack of
funds.
RIZAL’S LIFE IN MADRID

In Madrid, Rizal budgeted his money and time. He spent his money on food,
clothing, lodging, and books, and his leisure time in reading and writing, attending reunions
of Filipino students at the house of the Paterno brothers, and practicing fencing and
practicing shooting at the gymnasium. On Saturday evenings, Rizal visited the home of
Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey who lived with his son (Rafael) and daughter (Consuelo).
On March, 1883, Rizal joined the Masonic lodge called Acacia in Madrid. He
joined the Masonic lodge to secure Freemasonry’s aid in his fight against the friars in the
Philippines. Rizal transferred to Lodge Solidaridad where he became a Master Mason on
November 15, 1890. Rizal experienced financial problem while in Madrid. There were
times that his monthly allowance never arrived causing much suffering to him. He made a
speech on the celebration of the victory party for Luna and Hidalgo’s winning art in the
National Exposition of fine Arts in Madrid.
When Rizal left Madrid for Paris after his schooling, he lived in Paris and worked
as an assistant for Dr. Louis de Weckert, leading French ophthalmologist. In 1886, after
gaining enough experience, Rizal left for Germany. He went to Heidelberg. For a short
time, he lived with some German law students. After a few days, he transferred to a
boarding house near the University of Heidelberg. He worked at the University Eye
Hospital under the direction of Dr. Otto Becker. After he wrote the poem ‘A los Flores de
Heidelberg”, Rizal spent three-month summer vacation in Wilhelmsfeld and stayed at the
vicarage of Ptr. Dr. Karl Ulmer.
On July 31, 1886, Rizal wrote his first letter to Blumentritt and sent it to him with
the book, Aritmetica, which was written in Spanish and Tagalog. When Rizal visited
Leipzig and Dresden, he met some well-known personalities in different fields like, Dr.
Adolph B. Meyer (Director of the Anthropological and Ethnological Museum), Dr. Feodor
Jagor (German scientist-traveler and author of Travels in the Philippines), Dr. Rudolf
Virchow (famous German anthropologist), and the latter’s son, Dr. Hans Virchow
(professor of Descriptive Anatomy). He also met Dr. W. Joest and worked in the clinic of
Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger, famous German ophthalmologist. Rizal became a member of
the Anthropologist Society, Ethnological Society, and Geographical Society upon the
recommendations of Dr. Jagor and Dr. Meyer.
Rizal lives in Berlin to gain further knowledge on ophthalmology, further his

studies in science and languages, observed economic and political conditions of the
German nations, associate with famous German scientist and scholars and publish his
novel, Noli Me Tangere. The winter of 1886 was the darkest winter of Rizal. He lived on
poverty because no money arrived and he was broken. The diamond ring that saturnine
gave him was in the pawnshop. He could no pay his landlord and he eat only one meal a
day. Rizal starved in Berlin and his health broke down because of lack of proper
nourishment.
During the printing of Noli, Rizal was suspected as a French spy. He was visited
on his boarding house by a chief of police to see his passport but unfortunately, he could
not give his passport, for he has none. The chief of police told him that he should secure a
passport within four days, otherwise he could be deported. Immediately, Viola
accompanied Rizal to the Spanish embassy to seek for help and the court of Benomar
promised to attend to the matter but the ambassador failed to keep his promise because he
doesn’t have the power to issue a passport. After four days, Rizal went to the office of the
German chief of police and apologized for his failure to obtain a passport. Rizal asked the
police chief why he had to be deported and the latter told him that they received a report
that he made a frequent visit to villages and little towns in the rural areas, thereby arousing
the suspicion of German’s government that he was a French spy. Rizal explained to the
police chief that he was not a French spy but a Filipino physician and scientist, particularly
an ethnologist. And as an ethnologist he needed to visits the rural areas to observe the
customs and life-styles of their inhabitants. The police chief was impressed by the
explanation of Rizal in fluent German language and he allowed him to stay freely in
Germany.
After the Noli Me Tangere was published, Jose Rizal and Maximo Viola tour
around Europe. And on June 19, 1887, Rizal treated Viola to blow-out because it was his
26th birthday. They spent fifteen days in Geneva. After five years of Rizal’s sojourn in
Europe, he decided to return to the Philippines despite the warnings of Paciano and his
other friends to operate on his mother’s eye; to serve his people who had long been
oppressed by Spanish tyrants; to find out for himself how the Noli and his other writings
were affecting Filipinos and Spaniards.
Near midnight of August 5, the steamer reached Manila to visit his friend and he
found place the same as when he left it five years ago. After 3 days, He returned to
Calamba, and his family welcomed him affectionately. The family of Rizal was worried
about his safety. So, Paciano did not leave him during the first days of his arrival to protect
him and his father did not allow him to go out alone.
In Calamba, Rizal established a medical clinic. His first patient was his mother. The
new of the arrival of a great doctor from Germany spread and the patients from provinces
and Manila went to Calamba. Rizal was called “Dr. Uliman” because he came from
Germany. Within few months, Rizal was able to earned P900 and by February 1888, He
earned a total of P5,000 as medical fees.
Rizal suffered from one failure during his six months stay in Calamba, he was not
able to see Leonor Rivera. He tried to go to Dagupan but his parents did not allow him to
go because Leonor’s mother did like him for a son-in-law.
One day, Rizal received a letter from Gov. Gen. Emilio Terrero requesting him to
go to Malacañan Palace. Rizal went to Malacañan. He was informed by Gov. Gen Terrero
of the charge and he denied it, explaining that he merely exposed the truth but he did not
advocate subversive ideas. The governor general was pleased with the explanation of Rizal
and he asked for a copy of Noli. Unfortunately, Rizal had no copy of Noli so he asked a
copy from his Jesuits fathers but they would not part with it. Rizal got a copy of Noli from
his friend and gave it to the governor general. Gov. Gen. Terrero read the Noli and found
nothing wrong with it and believed that the life of Rizal was in danger because of the friars
so he assigned a Spanish lieutenant, Don Jose Taviel de Andrade, to be his bodyguard.
Archbishop Pedro Payo sent a repost to the governor general about Noli containing
subversive ideas. Dissatisfied with the reports of the Dominicans, Governor General sent
a copy of Noli to the permanent Commission of Censorship. According to the report of the
commission, headed by Fr. Salvador Font, the Noli contained subversive ideas against the
Church and Spain and recommended that the importation, reproduction and circulation of
the novel must be prohibited.
The report of the censorship commission was published in newspapers which lead
to the uneasiness of the friends of Rizal, glee of his enemies and made the novel popular.
Despite of the prohibition, many Filipinos got a copy of the novel and read it at night.
Governor General Terrero ordered the Civil Governor of Laguna Province to investigate
about the agrarian conditions of their locality. Rizal helped his Calamba Folks on gathering
facts and listing of grievances against the hacienda management. Due to this incident the
friars pressure the Malacañan Palace to eliminate Rizal and they asked Governor General
Terrero to deport him but the governor general refused because there’s no valid charge
against Rizal received anonymous threats which alarmed his parents, relatives and friends
that’s why they advised him to go away and even the governor general advised him to leave
Philippines. Rizal could not disobey the governor general, so he chose to leave.
In Hong Kong, Rizal stayed at Victoria Hotel and was welcomed by the Filipino
residents. A Spaniard, Jose Sainz de Varanda, shadowed the movement of Rizal in Hong
Kong. When Rizal leaved Hong Kong for Macao and he was accompanied by Jose Maria
Basa, he was surprised to see Jose Sainz de Varanda among the passengers.
On Feb. 29, 1888, Rizal went to Tokyo and stayed From March 2-7 at Tokyo Hotel.
While he was in Tokyo, he was visited in his hotel by Juan Perez Caballero and the latter
invited to live at the Spanish Legation. Rizal realized that his movements in Japan were
monitored by Spanish diplomatic authorities. He accepted the invitation so he could
economize his living expenses and he believed that he had nothing to hide from Spanish
authorities.
During his first day in Tokyo, Rizal was embarrassed because he could speak in
Japanese but he looked like Japanese. To avoid further embarrassment, Rizal studied the
language and after few days, he was able to speak in Japanese. After few days when he
moved to Spanish legation, Rizal saw O-Sei-San (Deiko Usul) and got attracted to her. The
following afternoon, Rizal introduced himself to O-Sei-San. After their meeting, they met
almost a daily and visited interesting spots in the city together. Rizal was tempted to live
permanently in Japan but because of his heroism Rizal needed to live.
After his visit to US, he lived in London. For the short time he stayed at the
home of Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor but by the end of May he found a boarding place. He
was a boarder at Beckett family. Rizal met Dr. Reinhold Rost and the latter was impressed
by Rizal’s learning and character. Dr. Rost recommended Rizal to the authorities of British
Museum. Rizal spent much of his time in British Museum and his Sundays at the house of
Dr. Rost.
Even Rizal was in London, he received both good and bad news about the injustices
of Spanish authorities on the Filipinos and the Rizal family; and about Rev. Vicente Garcia,
who defended Noli against the attacks of the friars which cheered Rizal. The greatest
achievement of Rizal in London was annotating the Sucesos de Islas Filipinas of Morga.
On Sep. 1888, Rizal visited Paris for a week in order to search for more historical materials
The Life and Legacy of Jose R i z a l | 10
in the Bibliotheque Nationale and he was entertained by Juan Luna with his wife. Rizal
also went to Spain and visited Madrid and Barcelona. He contacted compatriots and
surveyed the political agitation for Philippine reforms. For the first time, Rizal met Marcelo
H. de Pilar and Mariano Ponce, two titans of Propaganda Movement. He exchanged ideas
with these new friends and promised to cooperate in the fight for reforms.
Rizal returned to London and spent Christmas and New Year’s Day with the
Becketts. Mrs. Beckett gave Rizal a Christmas gift which is a book entitled The Life and
adventures of Valentine Vox; The ventriloquist in London, Rizal learned that the Filipinos
in Barcelona were planning to establish a patriotic society (Association La Solidaridad)
which would cooperate in the crusade for reforms.
On December 31, 1888, Association La Solidaridad was Inaugurated with the
following officers: Galicano Apacible, president; Graciano Lopez Jaena, vice-president;
Manuel Santa Maria, secretary; Mariano Ponce, treasurer; and Jose Ma. Panganiban,
accountant. Rizal was chosen as the honorary president by unanimous vote. He wrote a
letter addressed to the members of the Association La Solidaridad expressing his thank s
for making him the honorary president and gave some advice. Then, Graciano Lopez Jaena
founded a patriotic newspaper in Barcelona and two days after, Marcelo del Pilar wrote to
Rizal about the La Solidaridad.
On March, 1888, Rizal left London for Paris and on the same day he organized hid
compatriots into a society called Kidlat Club. The club was purely social society in nature.
It was founded by Rizal to bring together the young Filipinos so they could enjoy
sojourning the city in the duration of the Universal Exposition. Rizal had difficulty in
finding a quarter to live because the landlords took advantage the great demand for living
quarters because of the Universal Exposition which attracted, many tourists. For a short
time, Rizal lived in the house of Valentin Ventura where he finished his annotation on
Morga’s book. He moved several times, transferring form one hotel to another and form
one boarding house to another until he settled in a little room with two other Filipinos,
captain Justo Trinidad and Jose Albert. In Paris, Rizal spent his time frugally and fruitfully.
He spent most of his time in Bibliotheque Nationale and checking his annotations on
Morga’s Book. He wrote letters to his family, and friends, exercised daily, and visited his
friend. Rizal used to dine at homes of his friends like Pardo de Taveras, Venturas,
Bousteads, Lunas, etc. Rizal was fascinated by the Universal Exposition. Rizal and his
friends attended the opening ceremonies and saw the ribbon cutting by President Sadi
Carnot of the Third French Republic. One of the features of the exposition was art
competition which Rizal, Felix R. Hidalgo, Juan Luna and Pardo de Tavera participated.
The painting of the friends of Rizal was awarded while he got no prize.
Rizal was enchanted by the dignified and proud American Indians, and Rizal said
that Filipinos should be proud of the name Indio and make the Spanish revised their
conception of the term. In connection with this, Rizal formed a new society of Filipino,
Indios Bravos, in replacement to Kidlat Club. Its members pledge to excel in intellectual
and physical prowess. They practiced the use of sword and pistol, and Rizal taught them
judo.
Another society was founded by Rizal during the Universal Exposition which was
the R.D.L.M. The existence and role in crusade reforms of the secret society was enigmatic.
It was patterned after the Freemasonry. It had various degrees of membership, with
members not knowing each other. According to Dr. Leoncio Lopez-Rizal, grandnephew of
Jose Rizal, the society symbol of represented by a circle divided into three parts by two
semi circles having in the center the interlocked letters I and B which stands for Indios
Bravos, and the letters R.D.L.M placed outside an upper, lower left and right sides of the
circle. The letters R.D.L.M. are believed to stand for Redencion de los Malayas. Rizal’s
outstanding achievement in Paris was the publication of the annotated edition of Morga’s
book, Sucesos de las Islas Filipinos, which he wrote in the British Museum. It was printed
by Garnier Freses and the prologue was written by Blumentritt, upon the request of Rizal.
Rizal left Paris for Brussels, Belgium on Jan. 28, 1890 because the cost of living in
Paris is high and the city hampered his literary works, especially the writing of his second
novel El Filibusterismo. Rizal was accompanied by Jose Albert when he moved in
Brussels, and they live in a boarding house run by Suzzane and Marie Jacoby but later,
Albert left the city and was replaced by Jose Alejandro.
In Brussels, Rizal was busy writing the El Filibusterismo, the continuation of Noli
and he also wrote articles for La Solidaridad. He spent part of his time in medical clinic.
For recreation, he had gymnastics, target practice and fencing. In spite of European
education and his knowledge of foreign languages, Rizal loved his native language. He was
the first to advocate the Filipinization of its orthography. The article of Rizal entitled Sobre
la Nueva Ortografia de la Lengua Tagala (The new Orthography of the Tagalog Language)
was published in La Solidaridad.
Rizal received news from Juan Luna and Valentin Ventura that the Filipinos in
Spain were destroying the good name of the Philippines by gambling too much. So, Rizal
wrote to Marcelo del Pilar on May 28 to remind the Filipinos in Madrid that they did not
come to Europe to gamble, but to work for their Philippines freedom.
Rizal also received bad news from home. The Calamba agrarian trouble was getting
worst. The management of the Dominican hacienda continually raised the land rents until
such time that. Don Francisco refused to pay his rents and others tenants also refused to
pay their unreasonable rents. The Dominicans filed a suit in court dispossess the Rizal
family of their lands in Calamba while the other tenants were persecuted. Paciano and his
brothers-in-law, Antonio Lopez and Silvestre Ubaldo, were deported to Mindoro. Another
brother-in-law, Manuel T. Hidalgo, was banished for the second time to Bohol. This sad
news depressed Rizal: In his moment of despair, Rizal had bad dreams and feared that he
would not live long. He was afraid to die but he wanted to finish his second novel before
he went to grave.
Rizal planned to go home because of the suffering s afflicted to his family. All his
friends including Blumentritt, Jose Ma. Basa and Ponce, were horrified by Rizal’s plan to
go back to Philippines. They warned him about the danger that awaited him at home but
Rizal ignored their warnings. However, his plan changed because of the letter he received
from Paciano. Instead, he decided to go to Madrid to supervise the handling of the case of
his family against the Dominicans.
Early in August, Rizal arrived in Madrid. He tried all legal means to seek justice
for his family and Calamba tenants. He sought help from the Filipino colony, Asociacion
Hispano-Filipino, and liberal Spanish newspapers in securing the justice for the oppressed
Calamba tenants and his family. Rizal was accompanied by M.H. del Pillar, his lawyer,
and Dr. Domingo Gomez, secretary of the Asociacion Hispano-Filipino, when he called on
the Minister of Colonies, Señor Fable in order to protest the Injustices committed by
Governor General Valeriano Weyler and the Dominicans against the Calamba folks.
Unfortunately, nothing came out with the interview of Rizal with Señor Fable.
Rizal received more terrible news form home about the deportation of his family
members and the copy of ejectment order by the Dominicans against his father and other
tenants in Calamba. Rizal experienced disappointments in Madrid. He was disappointed
with the liberal Spanish statesmen who only gave him sweet Propaganda Movement, died
in Barcelona.
In the end of August, Rizal attended a social reunion of Filipinos and in the reunion,
he almost fought Antonio Luna, who was drunk. Luna was frustrated because of his
romance with Nellie Boustead and he blamed Rizal for his failure to win her. Out of
jealousy and alcohol-befogged mind, Luna uttered unsavory remarks about Nellie which
Rizal heard and the latter could not tolerate it so he challenged him to a duel. The Filipinos
was shocked by the incident and they tried to pacify the two. Fortunately, Luna got sober
and he immediately apologized and Rizal immediately accepted the apology.
On another occasion, Rizal challenged Wenceslao E. Retana to duel because of the
insult the latter wrote in an article. To save his own skin, Retana wrote an apology in the
newspaper and the incident silenced Retana’s pen against Rizal. Later on, Retana
developed an admiration for Rizal. On December, 1890, Rizal received a letter From
Leonor Rivera announcing her marriage to an Englishman and asking his forgiveness.
Toward the closing of 1890, a rivalry arose between Rizal and M.H. del Pilar
purchased the La Solidaridad and replaced Graciano Lopez Jaena as its editor. As a leader,
Rizal instills to his compatriots his idealism that in order to gain prestige for the Propaganda
Movement and respect from Spaniards they must possess high standards of morality,
dignity, and spirit of sacrifice. Unfortunately, his idealism was not shared by certain
frivolous countrymen and they declined Rizal’s leadership and become supporters of Del
Pilar. The editorial policy of Del Pilar which was occasionally against to Rizal’s political
view enhanced the rivalry between the two. The Filipinos in Madrid met in New Year’s
Day to patch up their differences and to intensify the campaign for reform. It was decided
in the meeting that leader, Responsable, must be chosen to direct affairs of Filipino
community and to determine the editorial policy of the periodical. Del Pilar was opposed
to the proposition on the ground that La Solidaridad was a private enterprise; however, he
was willing to publish articles that would express the aspiration and demands of the
Filipino people. So, the proposition that La Solidaridad must be under the control of
Responsable was abandoned. Their meeting proceeded to the election for Responsable and
they agreed the Responsable should be elected by two-thirds of vote.
On the first week of February, 1891, the election took place. The Filipino were
divided into two groups - the Rizalistas and Pilaristas. Rizal was winning the election but
could not be proclaimed as Responsable because he did not reach the required nomber of
votes. On the third day of election, Mariano Ponce appealed to the Filipinos to vote Rizal.
And the voting resulted to Rizal’s victory but Rizal declined the position. He knew that
some of compatriots who supported Del Pilar despised or dislliked him and he did not want
to be the cause of disunity and bitterness among his countrymen. Rizal wrote a note for his
compatriots thanking them for electing him as their Responsable before he leaved Madrid
for Biarritz.
Rizal notified for Propaganda authorities I Manila to cancel his allowance devote it
to some better because he retired from Propaganda Movement and he desired to publish
his second novel, and practice his medical profession. Rizal also stopped writing articles
for La Solidaridad. Del Pilar wrote to Rizal realized the need for Rizal’s collaboration in
both Propaganda and in the La Solidaridad. Del Pilar wrote to Rizal asking for forgiveness
for any resentment and requesting him to resume writing. Rizal wrote to Del Pilar denying
any resentment and explaining why he stopped writing for La Solidaridad.
Rizal wrote to Jose Ma. Basa in Hong Kong and expressed his desire of going to
Hong Kong to practiced ophthalmology in order to earn his living. He also requested Basa
to advance him the amount of first-class steamer ticket from Europe to Hong Kong. Rizal
also wrote to Basa informing the latter about his current negotiation to a printing firm. He
told Basa that he can’t sent it yet but it will be sent to him by the next mail. He also told
Basa that he will leave the publication of El Fili. to Antonio Luna if something happened
to him.
Oct. 18, 1891, Rizal boarded the steamer Melbourne in Marseilles bound for Hong
Kong. During his Voyage he continued writing his novel but some reason he was not able
to finish his third novel which is intended for Filipino readers. The other unfinished novels
of Rizal were Makamisa, Dapitan, and Spanish novel about the life in Pili, Laguna, and
two other novels without a title.
While on board, Rizal was having his dinner alone and he heard the German ladies
gossiping about in German language and he just kept silent. Suddenly, the door of dining
room blew open because the steamer encountered a squall and the German ladies said that
if Rizal would be a gentleman, he would close the door. Upon hearing it, Rizal closed the
door and conversed with the German ladies in German language which embarrassed the
latter and thereafter Rizal with admiration.
Rizal wrote to his parents asking permission to return home and on the same day, Manuel
T. Hidalgo wrote him a letter about the deportation of twenty-five persons in Calamba.
Before Christmas, Rizal was glad because his father and Silvestre Ubaldo arrived in Hong
Kong. Not long afterwards, his mother and sisters, Lucia, Josefa and Trinidad also arrived.
To earn for himself and family, Rizal practiced medicine. A Portuguese physician,
Dr. Lorenzo P. Marquez, helped him to build up a wild clientele and later on he turned over
to Rizal many of his eyes cases. In due time, Rizal became a well-known medical
practitioner. Rizal was able to operate on his mother’s eyes. Aside from being an eye
specialist, he is also a general practitioner.
In the face of the bleak outlook of the Calamba folk under to regime of Governor
Valeriano Weyler’s terroristic regime, Rizal conceived the establishment of a Filipino
colony in North Borneo (Sabah). He planned to move the landless Filipino families to that
British-owned Island and carve out its virgin wildness a “New Calamba”.
New trends of events in the Philippines gave Rizal a new hope because Weyler was
relieved from his gubernatorial office and new Gov. Gen. Eulogio Despujol announced to
the Filipino people a fine program of government. In the belief that Gov. Despujol was
sincere with his promises, Rizal wrote him a letter of felicitation and offering his
cooperation but the governor general did not acknowledge his letter.
Rizal went to Sandakan to negotiate with the British authorities for the
establishment of Filipino colony. His mission was successful. The British authorities of
Borneo were willing to give the Filipino colonist 100,000 acres of land, a beautiful harbor,
and a good government for 999 years, free of all charges. Rizal’s friend in Europe
enthusiastically endorsed the Borneo colonization. But Manuel T. Hidalgo was against it.
After waiting for three months, he wrote again addressed to the governor general and he
gave it to the ship captain to make sure it would the governor general’s hand. Again,
Governor Despujol did not reply to his letter instead he notified the Spanish consul in Hong
Kong to tell Rizal that he could not approved the Filipino Immigration to Borneo.
In Hong Kong, Rizal continued his writings. He wrote “Ang Mga Karapatan ng
Tao”, “A la Nacion Española” (To the Spanish Nation), “Sa Mga Kababayan”, “Una Vista
a la Victoria Gaol” (A Visit to Victoria Gaol), “Colonisation du British North Borneo, par
de Familles de isles Philippines”(Colonization of British North Borneo by the families
from the Philippines), “Proyekto de Colonizacion del British North Borneo por los
Filipinos”(Project of the Colonization of British North Borneo by the Filipinos) and “La
Mano Roja” (The Red Hand).
The most important writing made by Rizal was the constitution of the Liga Filipina
which was printed in Hong Kong but to deceive the Spanish authorities the printed copies
carried false information about the printing. In the printed copies, it was written that it is
printed in London Printing Press.
Rizal decided to return to Manila to confer with the Governo Despujol regarding
the Borneo colonization; to establish the Liga Filipina In Manila; and to prove that Eduardo
de Lete was wrong in attacking him in Madrid. Lete’s article in La Solidaridad portrayed
Rizal as coward, egoistic and opportunistic and Rizal protested to del Pilar on allowing that
article to be published. Rizal confided to Ponce about it.
Rizal wrote letters which was sealed and has an inscription that it will only be
opened after his death because of the premonition he had about his death. The first letter
was addressed to his parents, brethren and friends, while the second letter was addressed
to the Filipinos.
Rizal wrote to Governor Despujol about his homecoming on Manila and placed
himself under the protection of the Spanish government. After his departure from Hong
Kong, the Spanish consul-general, who issued the guarantee of safety, sent a cablegram to
Governor Despujol that the victim is in the trap. On the same day, a secret case was filed
against Rizal and his followers for anti-patriotic agitation. Despujol ordered his secretary
to find out of Rizal was naturalized German citizen. Rizal and his sister, Lucia, were
unaware of Spanish duplicity.
On July 26, 1892, Rizal and Lucia arrived in Manila. In the afternoon, Rizal went
to Malacañan to talk with the Governor Despujol. The governor agreed to pardon his father
but not the rest of his family and told him to return on Wednesday (June 29). After his
conversation with the governor general, Rizal visited his sister, Narcisa and Neneng, in the
city. Rizal also visited his friends in Malolos, San Francisco, Tarlac, and Bacoor. Rizal
returned to Manila and not knowingly, he was shadowed by government spies who watch
his actions. After Rizal’s interview with the governor general, he attended the meeting of
the patriots at the home of the Doroteo Ongjunco of Liga Filipina and the patriots were
impressed and approved the establishment of the Liga.
During Rizal’s interview with Governor Despujol, the latter showed him some
leaflets which were allegedly found in Lucia’s pillow cases. The leaflets were satire against
the rich Dominicans friars who have fabulous riches contrary to their monastic vow of
poverty. Rizal denied the accusation and demand for investigation but due to due process
of law, he was arrested and escorted to Fort Santiago by Ramon Despujol. The Gaceta de
Manila published a story about on Rizal’s arrest which produced commotion among the
Filipinos, particularly the members of Liga Filipina. The article also contained the governor
general Despujol’s decree on deporting Rizal in one of the islands in the south.
RIZAL’S LIFE IN DAPITAN
On July 15, 1892, Rizal was brought under heavy guard and captain Delgras to the
steamer Cebu which was sailing for Dapitan. It was July 17 when they reached Dapitan
and Captain Delgras handed Rizal to Captain Rizacrdo Carnicero, a Spanish commandant
in Dapitan. The steamer that brought Rizal in Dapitan carried a letter from Fr.Pablo Pastells
addressed to Fr. Obach, Jesuit parish priest of Dapitan. In the letter, it informed Fr. Obach
about the conditions which can allow Riza to stay in the convent. Rizal did not agree to the
conditions so he lived in the house of Carnicero. Carnicero was charmed by Rizal’s
personality. He gave good reports to Governor despujol about Rizal.
Rizal, Captain Carnicero and Francisco Equilor won the second prize of P20,000
in lottery. Rizal share on the prize was P6,200. Rizal gave P2000 to his father, P200 to
Basa and the remaining money, he invested it in purchasing agricultural lands. Rizal’s
winning in Manila Lottery reveals that Rizal was a lottery addict. In Madrid, he always
spent at least three presents a month in lottery which was his only vice.
During Rizal’s exile in Dapitan, he had arguments with Fr. Pastells about religion
which started when the latter sent Rizal a book by Sarda with the advice that Rizal should
desist from his foolishness in viewing religion from prism of individual judgement and
self-esteem. Rizal expressed his anti-Catholic but Rizal was not convinced so, he lived in
Dapitan beyond the pale of his mother Church. In spite of the differences between Fr.
Pastels and Rizal, they remained as good friends. Aside from the personal efforts of
Fr.Pastels to persuade rizal, he instructed Fr. Obach and Fr. Jose Vilaclara to try their best
to bring back Rizal into Catholic fold. Furthermore, he assigned Fr. Fransisco de Paula
Sanchez to Dapitan. Upon the arrival of Fr. Sanchez, he visited Rizal Immediately. Almost
daily, they had theological arguments in a friendly manner but all of the efforts of Fr.
Sanchez were I vain because he was not able to convinced Rizal.
In Dapitan, Rizal challenges Frenchmen to a duel when Antonio Miranda

forwarded him a letter from the French businessman who purchased logs from his lands,
Mr. Juan Lardet. Rizal read the letter of Lardet which flared up his anger because of the
latter’s unsavory comment about the logs that were purchased. Captain Carnicero heard
about the incident and advised Mr. Lardet to apologize to Rizal instead of accepting the
challenge. Mr. Lardet wrote to Rizal apologizing for the insulting comment. Rizal accepted
his apology and their good relationship were restored.
Rizal had a pleasant life in Dapitan, Since August, his family took turns in visiting
him to ease his loneliness. Rizal built a house by the seashore of Talisay, surrounded by
fruit trees. Rizal was peacefully and happily in his house at Talisay with his mother and
sister, Narcisa. On the night Nov. 3, a spy with assumed name of “Pablo Mercado” and
pretending to be Rizal’s relative visited him. He introduced himself as a friend and a
relative. He offered Rizal to be his secret courier of his letters and writings but Rizal was
a man of prudence and keen perception became suspicious. Rizal wanted to throw “Pablo”
out of his house because of his lies but being hospitable, he invited him to stay for the night
and sent him away the next morning. Rizal learned that the spy was still in Dapitan so he
reported the incident that happened in his house to the new Captain, Captain Juan Sitges.
The Captain had the spy investigated and learned that his real name was Florencio
Namanan and was a native of Cagayan de Misamis. He was hired by recollect friars to spy
on Rizal’s activities and writings. Strangely, investigation to Governor general Blanco and
kept the Documents highly confidential. Rizal was surprised by the turn of events. He asked
a copy of documents of the proceeding but his request was rejected.
Rizal practiced medicine in Dapitan and he has many patients. Most of them are
poor but he also has rich patients who paid him generously. Rizal operated on his mother’s
right eye and it was successful but his mother removed her bandages. Ignoring his son’s
instructions, this made the wound to be infected. Being a physician, Rizal got interest in
local medicine and the use of medical plants. He studied the medical plants and its curative
values. He prescribed the local medicinal plants to his poor patients who cannot afford the
imported medicine.
Rizal built a water system in Dapitan. H applied his knowledge in engineering in

order to furnish clean water to townspeople. Aside from water system, Rizal spent many
months in draining the marshes in order to get rid of malaria. He also equip the town with
lighting system consisted of coconut oil lamps. Another community project of Rizal was
the beautification of the town plaza. Rizal established a school which lasted until the end
of his exile on July, 1896. The initial number of his students was three but it the course of
time it increased to 21. His students did not pay any tuitions but he made them work in his
gardens, fields and construction projects. Rizal taught his boys reading, writing, languages,
geography, history, mathematics, industrial work, nature study, morals and gymnastics. He
also encouraged them to play games to strengthen their bodies like gymnastics, boxing,
wrestling, stone-throwing, swimming, arnis and boating. Rizal wrote a poem entitled
“Himno A Talisay” for pupils to sing.
As contribution to science, Rizal collected specimens from Mindanao rich virgin

fields. He explored jungles and coasts with his students to collect specimens and he sent
him it to the museum in Europe, especially to Dresden Museum. In return, the European
scientist sent him scientific books and surgical instruments. Rizal was able to collect 346
shells representing 203 species. He also discovered rare specimens which were named after
him. Rizal also conducted anthropological, ethnological, archaeological, geological and
geographical studies.
In Dapitan, Rizal continued his study of languages and he learned the Bisayan,
Subanum and Malayan languages. He wrote Tagalog grammar and made a comparative
study of the Bisayan and Malayan languages. He also continued his artistic pursuits in
Dapitan. He contributed his painting skills to the sisters of charity who were preparing the
sanctuary of the Holy Virgin Mary in their private chapel. He made sketches of things and
persons that attracted him. He modeled a statue representing the mother-dog killing the
crocodile, by the way of avenging her lost puppy, and he called it “The Mother’s Revenge”.
He also made a statue of a girl and called it “The Dapitan Girl”, a woodcarving of Josephine
Bracken and a bust of St. Paul.
As a farmer, Rizal devoted most of his to agriculture. He introduced and applied

the modern methods of agriculture which he observed in Europe and America. He also
imported agricultural machinery from the United States. Rizal also engaged in business.
He made profitable business ventures in fishing, copra, and hemp industries in partnership
with Ramon Carreon, a Dapitan merchant. Rizal organized a Cooperative Association of
Dapitan Farmers to break the Chinese monopoly on business in Dapitan. Doña Teodora
returned to Manila, she requested Rizal to write a poem again and as response Rizal wrote
“Mi Retiro” (My Retreat) which was about the serene life of Rizal in his exile in Dapitan.
In Dapitan, Rizal had a patient from Hong Kong who is blind. His patient was Mr.
George Taufer who is accompanied by his adopted daughter, Josephine Bracken, with
Manuela Orlac, their Filipino companion. Rizal was unable to cure Mr. Taufer because hiss
allment is incurable. Rizal and Josephine fell in love with each other. After one month,
they agreed to get married. Taufer heard about their plan and he flared up violently. He
tried to commit suicide but Rizal was able to prevent it. Due to this incident, Josephine
went to Manila with Taufer. Mr. Taufer returned to Hong Kong alone and Josephine stayed
in Manila with Rizal’s family. Later, Josephine returned to Dapitan. Since no priest would
marry Rizal and Josephine, they held their hands together and married themselves before
the eyes of God. They lived as man and wife. Fr. Obach was scandalized and many
unsavory tales were circulated by gossips in Dapitan.
On December 17, 1895, Rizal wrote to Governor Blanco offering services as

military doctor in Cuba. In early 1896, Rizal was extremely happy because Josephine was
expecting a baby. Unfortunately, Josephine prematurely gave birth to an eight-month old
baby boy, who only three hours because of the prank played on Josephine frightening the
latter so much. The lost son of Rizal was named “Francisco” in honor to his father.
Dr. Pio Valenzuela went to Dapitan and brought with him a blind, Raymundo Mata,
to camouflage his mission to inform Rizal about the plan of Katipunan to launch a
revolution for freedom’s sake. Dr. Valenzuela arrived in Dapitan in the evening. Rizal
welcomed him to his house and they talked after the supper on the garden. Dr. Valenzuela
told Rizal about the plan of Katipunan. Rizal objected to Bonifacio’s plan to plunge the
country in bloody revolution. For Rizal Bonifacio’s plan was premature because the people
are not ready for a revolution and the arms and funds must be collected before raising the
cry of revolution. He also disapproved their plan of rescuing him.
A letter arrived from Governor Blanco in Dapitan Notifying Rizal of the acceptance
of his offer dated July 1. It also informed him that a politico-military commander of Dapitan
would give him a pass so he could go to Manila and he would be given a safe-conduct to
Spain. In Spain, the Minister of war will assign him to the Armies of Operations in Cuba.
Rizal was very glad and his joyous thought of resuming his travel, he wrote a poem entitle
“El Canto del Viajero” (The Song of the Traveler).
It was July 31, 1896, when Rizal was able to leave Dapitan after four years of exile
with Josephine, Narcisa, Angelica, his three nephews and six pupils. Almost all of his
Dapitan folks bid him goodbye. When Rizal arrived in Manila, he was unable to catch the
mail ship Isla de Luzon for Spain because it department the previous day. Near midnight
of the same day Rizal was transferred to the Spanish cruiser Castilla, by order of Governor
Blanco. Rizal stayed on the cruiser from August 6 to September 2, 1896.
While waiting on the next steamer to take him Spain, important events occurred,
indicating the downfall of Spanish power in Asia. Rizal heard about the eruption of
revolution started and it would arouse Spanish vengeance against Filipino patriots.
Rizal received two letters from Governor Blanco when was proclaimed in eight
different provinces. One was addressed to him and the other was to general Marcelo de
Azcarraga, Minister of war. Rizal wrote to his mother before his departure and he was
transferred the steamer Isla de Panay which sailing for Barcelona, Spain. On Sep. 7, 1896,
The Isla de Panay arrived in Singapore. Don Pedro Roxas, a passenger, advised Rizal to
ignore their advised because he gave his word of honor Governor Blanco.
Rizal was unaware that since departure from Manila Bay, Governor Blanco and the
Ministers of War and colonies were exchanging coded telegrams and confidential messages
plotting his arrest upon reaching Barcelona. Rizal heard from his co-passenger the news
that he would be arrested by the order of Governor. General Blanco and he would be sent
to prison in Ceuta. There was nothing official yet about his arrest, it was still a shipboard
gossip. Then, Rizal was notified by the captain that he needed to stay in the cabin until the
further orders from Manila and he complied with it. At 6:25 pm, the steamer anchored at
Malta and he was unable to visit the island fortress because he was confined in the cabin.
The steamer arrived in Barcelona with Rizal as prisoner on board. His jailor was General
Eulogio Despujol, the one who ordered his banishment in Dapitan. Rizal was awakened by
the guards and escorted to prison-fortness named Montjuic. He spent the whole morning
in cell. In afternoon, he was escorted to the quarter of General Despujol. In their interview,
General Despujol told him that he would be shipped back to Manila At 8:88pm, the ship
left Barcelona.
The diary of Rizal was confiscated and scrutinized by authorities before reaching
fort said his diary was returned to him when nothing incriminating was found on it. When
Rizal’s friend knew about his arrest and they sent telegrams to a lawyer, Hugh Fort, to
recue Rizal from Spanish steamer on the ground writ of habeas corpus. Unfortunately, chief
Justice Loinel Cox denied the petition of Atty. Fort to remove Rizal From the Spanish
steamer because the warship of a foreign power was beyond the jurisdiction of Singapore
authorities.
On Nov. 3, the colon reached Manila. The Spanish was exulting with joy because
of more reinforcements and military supplies while Rizal was transferred under heavy
guard to fort Santiago. The Spanish authorities tortured some compatriots of Rizal and his
brother, Paciano, to finished evidence against Rizal.
\INVESTIGATION, TRIAL AND EXECUTION

The preliminary investigation was done and Rizal was accused, appeared before
the judge advocate, colonel Francisco Olive. He was subjected for five-day investigation
and he was informed of the charges against him. He answered all the questions of the judge
but he was not permitted to confront those who testified against him. Two kinds of evidence
were presented against Rizal- Documentary and testimonial. Colonel Olive transmitted the
records of the case to Governor General Blanco and the letter appointed Captain Rafael
Dominguez as special Judge Advocate to Institute the correspondence action against Rizal.
Immediately Dominguez made a brief resume of the charges and returned the papers to
Governor General Blanco and the latter transmitted them to the Judge Advocate General
Don Nicolas de la Peña, opinion.
After studying the papers, Peña recommended that the accused must immediately
brought to trial; should be kept in prison; an order of attachment be issued against his
property to the amount of one million pesos as indemnity; and should be defended in court
by an army officer, not a civilian lawyer. Rizal was given a list of 100 first and second
lieutenant in Spanish Army to Choose who would be his defender. He chose Don Luis
Taviel de Andrade was the brother of his “bodyguard” in Calamba. Lt.Luis Taviel de
Andrade gladly accepted the task.
The information of charges was formally read to Rizal in prison with his counsel.
He was accused of being the principal organizer and the living soul of the Filipino
insurrection, the founder of society, periodicals, and books dedicated to fomenting and
propagating ideas of rebellion. Rizal raised no objection on the jurisdiction of the court but
pleaded not guilty to the crime of rebellion. He admitted that he wrote the constitution of
Liga Filipina. He waived the right to amend or make further statements already made,
except that he had taken no part in politics since his exile in Dapitan. Dominguez forwarded
the papers on Rizal case to Malacañan Palace, the same day when General Camilio G. de
Polavieja became the new Governor General of the Philippines with the help of the
powerful Dominican friars.
Rizal wrote a manifesto to his people to stop shedding blood and to achieved
liberties by means of education and industry but his manifesto was not issued to the Filipino
because Governor General Polavieja suppressed it. He spent his Christmas on cell. The
court-martial of Rizal started at Cuartel de España. Seated behind the long table were the
seven members of the military court, Dr. Rizal Lt. Taviel de Andrade, Capt. Rafael
Dominguez, Lt. Enrique de Alcocer, and the inspectors - Josephine Bracken,
newspapermen and many Spaniards. The trial was opened by judge Advocate Dominguez
who explained the case against Rizal. After him, Prosecuting Attorney Alcocer arose and
delivered a long speech summarizing the charges against Rizal and urged the court to give
the verdict of death to the accused. Defense Counsel Taviel de Andrade took his seat; Rizal
was asked if he has anything to say. Rizal then read a supplement of his defense which he
wrote in his prison cell. In his supplement defense, he further proved his innocence.
The military court remained indifferent to Rizal’s pleading. The president, Lt. Col.
Togores Arjona considered the trial over and ordered the hall cleared. After the short
deliberation, the military court unanimously voted for sentence of death. The court decision
was submitted to Governor General Polavieja and he ought the opinion of the judge
Advocate General Nicolas de la Peña on the court decision and latter affirmed the death
verdict. Polavieja approve the decision of the court-martial and ordered Rizal to be shot at
7:00am of December 30 at Bagumbayan Field.
During the last 24 hours on earth of Rizal, he was busy meeting visitors, including
Jesuit priest, Josephine bracken and members of his family, a Spanish newspaper
correspondent, some friends, and secretly, finishing his farewell poem. On December 30,
1896 Rizal turned his back on the firing squad and faced the sea. At exactly 7:03am, Rizal
died at Bagumbayan Field at the age of 35 years, five months and eleven days.
The Women in Jose Rizal’s Life

(Rizal’s heterosexual orientation)
The women characters of Rizal were not created from thin air. Rizal had a lot of
experience with women. He grew up in a household that was predominantly female. Aside
from his mother, Doña Teodora, were his nine sisters. There were also the servants. Outside
the home were aunts, not to mention women of various ages, sizes and nationalities that
entered his life at one point or other. From his mother, a devout Catholic, Rizal learned
only too well how the institution indoctrinates so effectively. From his sisters, Rizal got a
good briefing regarding the problems of women that are peculiar to their sex as well as the
helplessness of children who come into the world unprotected from the hazards of
childbirth, diseases and a hostile colonial society. From his sisters, Rizal learned that
because women have wombs, they are subjected to many vicissitudes. Not only did they
have to contend with a harsh colonial regime, they also had to face equally harsh of their
biology. Pregnancy was a great risk to their lives. The frequency of pregnancies and too
many children gave them no time for themselves so they could engage in intellectual
pursuits or get involved in community work.
Rizal was a keen observer of women. His diary is full of accounts of women. In
Madrid, he took note of prostitutes; in Germany he extolled the virtues of the German
women and felt so sad and apprehensive when he read advertisements of males in America
calling for domestic helpers for overseas employment and for mail-order brides posted in
the newspapers; in the Basque region he noted women’s industry; in France he observed
the child-rearing practices of mother.
Considering Rizal’s intelligence and his exposure to the predicament of women as
a sex separate from men, his interest in them was not the usual male interest in the female
species. He saw them not as sex objects but as creatures in need of liberation.
His first love – Segunda Katigbak

He experienced the first pangs of love at sixteen after
his graduation from Ateneo with a fourteen-year old lass
from Lipa, Batangas by the name Segunda Katigbak. It was
during one of his visits to his maternal grandmother, who
lived in Trozo, Manila, that he saw her. She was a sister of
his friend, Mariano, who incidentally was his companion in
that visit. Rizal described her as: “…rather short, with eyes
that were eloquent and ardent at times and languid at others,
rosy-cheeked with an enchanting and provocative smile, that
revealed very beautiful teeth and the air of a sylph; her entire
self-diffused a mysterious charm.” Segunda Katigbak
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He oftentimes visited her at La Concordia College, where his sister Olympia was
also studying. Although it was evident that they were in love with each other, and theirs
was a case of love at first sight, their love was doomed from the start, since Segunda was
engaged to marry her townmate, Manuel Luz. Rizal also, due to his shyness, failed to
propose to her but he kept a record of his feelings and the end of his dream by saying:
“…My virgin heart will always mourn the reckless step it took on the flower-decked abyss.
My illusions will return, yes, but with different, uncertain, ready for the first betrayal on
the path of love.”
Jacinta Ibardo Laza (Miss L)
Miss L was a lady from Pakil, Laguna and believed to be Rizal’s tutor. She was
living at the house of Nicolas Regalado who happened to be a friend of Jose Rizal. He
described Miss L as a “woman with fair and seductive eyes”. After visiting her several
times, Rizal had a change of heart and gave two reasons for this namely a. he still could
not forget the sweet memories of Segunda Katigbak and b. her father objected their
relationship.
Leonor “Orang” Valenzuela
When Jose Rizal was a sophomore in his medical

studies in University of Santo Tomas, he boarded at the
Intramuros house of Dona Concha Leyva, they lived near
Capitan Juan Valenzuela and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela,
whom have three daughters and one of them being Leonor
Valenzuela. The Valenzuela household was often visited by the
students around the area who would gather to commune with
each other, and Jose Rizal was a frequent visitor at the
Valenzuela house and would often entertain his friends with
card tricks. Using his knowledge in Chemistry, he courted
Leonor, sent love notes in invisible ink which could only be
read when heated over a candle lamp. Leonor Valenzuela
Philnews.ph
Leonor Rivera
Leonor Rivera was born in Camiling, Tarlac on April
11, 1867 to Antonio Rivera and Silvestra Bauzon. Her
father Antonio was Francisco Mercado's cousin,
making her Jose Rizal's second cousin. She studied in
Colegio de la Concordia. She was considered a beauty
who also sang, and played the piano remarkably well.
She is immortalized in Rizal's Noli Me Tangere as
Maria Clara. On April 1880, Paciano Rizal
accompanied the 18-year-old Rizal to their uncle
Antonio Rivera's boarding house in Intramuros where
he met Leonor Rivera, who was 13 at that time. In their
letters, Rizal referred to Leonor as Taimis. And in his
letters with his friends, they called her La Cuestion del
OurHappySchool.com Oriente. They came up with these codes to avoid the
prying eyes of Leonor's parents and friends from discovering the romance between them.
Before Rizal's second departure in May 3, 1882, he expressed his wish to marry Leonor.
However, he was faced with the disapproval of many people from both the Rizal
and Rivera families. Don Francisco did not support Rizal, and even Paciano told him it
would be selfish to leave his Leonor behind if ever she did become his wife. Rivera's family
was concerned about Rizal's growing reputation as a Filibustero and did not want Leonor
to have anything to do with him. Rizal kept his departure a secret from Leonor who was
devastated by the news when it reached her. Rizal's friend Jose "Chenggoy" M. Cecilio
writes to Rizal about Leonor on August 3, 1882: "There is a person who has felt deeply
your absence and says that had she been here when you left you would not have succeeded
in getting away. She deserves pity. You must have already received a letter from her by
now as I write this. That she loves you there is no doubt now."
Silvestra Rivera, Leonor's mother, intercepted letters and gifts from Rizal. It was
even rumored that she went as far as bribing postmen to prevent Leonor and Rizal from
corresponding with each other. This led to the two lovers' doubts about each other's
faithfulness. In the autumn of 1890 at Madrid, Leonor wrote to Rizal about her engagement
to British engineer Henry Kipping which was pushed forward by her mother despite her
protests. Feeling betrayed, Rizal pours his heart out to Blumentritt who tells him, in a letter:
"My wife cannot understand how a woman whom Rizal has honored with his love would
be able to abandon him; she is disgusted with that girl. I myself feel it deeply, but only on
your account, for I know how your heart is pained; but you are one of the heroes who
conquer pain from a wound inflicted by a woman, because they follow higher ends. You
have a courageous heart and you are in love with a nobler woman, the Motherland.
Filipinas is like one of those enchanted princesses in the German legends, who is captive
of a horrid dragon, until she is freed by a valiant knight."
Leonor married Kipping on June 17, 1890 in Dagupan, two days before Rizal's
birthday. In exchange for her consent to the marriage, she made her parents, most especially
her mother, swear upon three things. First, Silvestra Rivera must stand by her side on her
wedding day, as it is really her wedding and not Leonor's. Second, she must not be asked
to sing ever again. And lastly, her piano must stay locked up as long as she lives. Leonor
burned Rizal's letters upon the instruction of her mother who told her that keeping another
man's letters is considered a sin in a marriage. It was also speculated that she had sewed
some of the ashes of Rizal's letters into the hem of her wedding dress. She never ceased to
treasure these ashes until August 28, 1893 when she died giving birth to Kipping's second
child. Leonor requested that she would be buried in the saya she wore when she and Rizal
have come to an understanding about their relationship, and that the ashes of Rizal's letters
would be kept with her.
Upon receiving news of his sweetheart's death from his sister Narcisa on August
1893 when he visited his family in Dapitan, it is said that Jose Rizal grew pale and still. He
sat alone for the rest of the day holding a lock of Leonor's hair, and stayed silent for the
next few days. To this day, the ashes of Rizal's letters to Leonor Rivera are kept in a box
bearing the lovers' initials on the cover which is still kept by the Kipping family. Leonor
Rivera's descendants keep her legacy alive through the Maria Clara museum in Tarlac, and,
as guests of honor, by attend events in commemoration of Rizal.
Consuelo Ortega y Rey
Although Rizal's heart was still with Leonor, Rizal did not keep himself from
associating with other women, just as when he was in Madrid, during which his attention
was drawn to a young and beautiful Mestiza named Consuelo Ortega y Perez. Consuelo
Ortega was the daughter of Don Pablo Ortega Y Rey, the mayor of Manila during the
governorship of Maria de la Torre, who became vice president of the Council of the
Philippines in the Ministry of Colonies in Madrid. He was so supportive and open to the
Filipinos that his house became the common meeting place of Circulo Hispano Filipino
members or the Filipino students in Madrid, one of which was Rizal.
And that is how Rizal and Consuelo met. Rizal

would visit her home and they would have conversations
together, finding joy and solace in each other's company
especially on the part of Rizal since he was lonely in a
foreign land. Most of the records between Rizal and
Consuelo are found in Ortega's diary of in which she
wrote her feelings for Rizal and some of the events that
suggest Rizal had feelings for her as well, such as when
Rizal gave her gifts of native clothes from the
Philippines, and wrote a poem solely dedicated to her
titled, "A La Señorita C.O.y P." or "To Miss C.O. y P."
However, what was holding them back from getting into
Consuelo Ortega y Perez a deep and serious relationship was a man named
Philnews.ph Eduardo de Lete, friend of Rizal who was madly in love
with Ortega. Consuelo had feelings for Lete, but she knew she was attracted to Rizal as
well. As for Rizal, he knew he liked Consuelo, but he did not want to destroy his
friendship with Lete over a girl. Therefore, he agreed with Lete that he should keep away
from Consuelo while Lete was pressing on his courtship of Consuelo, and eventually
Consuelo chose Lete over Rizal.
In one of the last conversations Rizal and Consuelo had before Rizal went back to
the Philippines, Rizal tells her he still doesn't know what she thinks of him. Consuelo
answers, "As a friend. Would you want more?", which could have been an ambivalent
answer with restrained feelings. However, what is more ironic is the answer of Rizal who
Consuelo, "It's true that's enough."
Could it have been an answer of self-control? Or was it really that Rizal gave up
on Consuelo with no regrets at all because he did not harbor deep love for her because of
Leonor? Nonetheless, Consuelo eventually got engaged to Lete. However, soon after the
formalization of their engagement, Consuelo lost her humor. Their marriage presumably
did not push through because of the sudden death of Consuelo's brother, Rafael, year after
her father's death. According to Lete's accounts, "She was left alone and abandoned in
Madrid. A romantic girl deprived of her mother at an early age, possessing an education
rare in those times, she saw all her love affairs crumble and all her illusions wither."
Seiko-Usui (O-Sei-San)
Seiko, also known as O-Sei-San was born in 1865 to a samurai. In Febuary 1888,
Jose Rizal left Hong Kong to accept the invitation of Don Juan Perez Caballero, secretary
of the Spanish Legation to live with him in Azabu, Japan because he was offered a position
in the Spanish Legation. Rizal spent almost two months in learning the language
(Japanese), culture, and the way of life of the Japanese. He admired the country’s
cleanliness. He noticed that their homes (in japan) are clean and that beggars were rare.
Rizal met O-Sei-San or Seiko one spring afternoon

at the Spanish Legation. He was captured by her charm and
beauty. Rizal gathered information about her and finally
found out her name and that she took walks every afternoon
at that place from a gardener. O-Sei-San also knew how to
speak in French and English so the language barrier isn’t a
problem with the two. Seiko was impressed by Rizal’s wit,
charm, and admiration for the arts that eventually the two
started meeting every day and the two visited places in the
city. O-Sei-San became Rizal’s tour guide. She helped
Rizal in learning the Japanese language.
myRizal150.com
Rizal’s life was already perfect in Japan, a high-paying job, a clean environment
and a loving significant other. However, his love for his country made him sacrifice his
love for Seiko. Rizal left Japan to go to San Francisco in April 1888. Rizal dedicated an
entry in his diary to show his love for Seiko and how he will never forget her.
“Japan has pleased me. The beautiful scenery, the flowers, the trees and the inhabitants –
so peaceful, so courteous, and so pleasant. O-Sei-San – Sayonara! Sayonara! I have spent
a lovely golden month; I do not know if I can have another one like that in all my life. Love,
money, friendship, appreciation, honors – these have not been wanting…. To you I dedicate
the final chapter of these memoirs of my youth. No woman, like you, have ever loved me.
No woman, like you, has sacrificed for me…. Sayonara! Sayonara!”
Gertrude Beckett
In May 1888 when Jose Rizal was 27 years old, he
went to stay in London. At 37 Chalcot Crescent Primrose
Hill, landlord Charles Beckett's eldest daughter, Gertrude
Beckett, caught our hero's attention. Gertrude was described
as curvy, having blue eyes, brown hair, rosy cheeks, and thin
lips. During his stay, Rizal was pampered with Gertrude's
affections. He affectionately called her "Gettie," while she
called him "Pettie." She was often present by his side to
assist him in painting and sculpting. Despite the attention she
was showering upon him, Rizal did not share the kind of
feelings towards her. Out of his loyalty to Leonor Rivera and
his "mission" to the motherland, Rizal ended their
relationship before it grew into something more serious.
Rizal has been quoted to saying, "I am not going to commit Gertrude Beckett
the indignity of placing passion over pure and virginal love,
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such as she might offer." He finished The Triumph of Death
over Life, The Triumph of Science Over Death, Prometheus, and composite carvings of
the heads of the Beckett sisters before he left London on March 19, 1889. He left the
composite carvings to Gettie as a gift. Marcelo del Pilar says that he left London to avoid
Gertrude.
Petite Suzanne Jacoby

After leaving Paris on January 28, 1890 because he was short of cash and Paris was
expensive, Rizal settled in Brussels, Belgium where it was cheap and the architecturally
impressive. He boarded with the Jacoby sisters, Marie Catherine (55) and Suzanne (44)
and their niece Suzanne (17) but whose last name was Thill. To distinguish the two
Suzannes, the aunt was called Tante Suzanne while the niece was called Petite Suzanne.
There are ongoing debates as to really was the love interest of Rizal between the two
Suzannes. Some say it was the aunt, and some say it definitely cannot be the aunt since
Rizal was 29 years old and the aunt was 44, which was around the age of his mother.
Besides, all of Rizal’s love interests were young women, and Rizal has even mentioned it
himself that it was specifically the young women who brightened up the days of his life.
Nevertheless, the Jacobys were delighted with Rizal's
company and would often provide him with a tranquil and
congenial atmosphere, even letting Rizal try his skills in the
kitchen from where Rizal would surprise them with his arroz
valenciana. And in such a peaceful environment Rizal began
to develop affectionate sentiments toward Suzanne Jacoby;
however, the relationship presumably was not very serious
since Rizal did not mention anything about it in his letters to
his intimate friends, to Blumentritt in particular. Besides, he
was busy with writing El Filibusterismo and more
importantly, he was still engaged to Leonor.
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However, the letters Suzanne wrote to Rizal after he departed for Madrid by around
the end of July 1890 suggest different on the part of Suzanne. She could have harbored
deep feelings of affection for Rizal, since she writes, "I wear out the soles of my shoes for
running to the mailbox to see if there is a letter from you.", "There will never be any home
in which you are so loved as in that in Brussels, so you little bad/naughty boy (le petit
diable) hurry up and come back."
There are a lot of theories as to why she called Rizal "le petit diable" (naughty boy)
but most of them give off sexual overtones. However, there is one unusual and interesting
theory by Flores (2013), and this theory is based on the fact that the boarding house where
Rizal stayed was just a few blocks away from Mannekin Pis, a world-famous statue built
in Brussels in 1618 depicting a little boy urinating into the fountain basin. And the name
by which the locals call this statue is "le petit diable." This leaves us imagining Rizal and
Suzanne walking down the streets of where a naughty boy is shamelessly urinating in
public and making funny antics together. This means that such contentious pet name could
have been a private joke only the two could understand. Nevertheless, Rizal left Brussels
after 6 months, leaving Suzanne brokenhearted. He never wrote back to her nor came back
to her ever again.
Nelly Boustead
Nelly Boustead is one of the two daughters
of Eduardo Boustead whose family claims Philippine
citizenship since Eduardo’s married to a Genato family in
Manila. Nelly, has been described as an intellectual, sure of
herself, vivacious, good with foil, attractive, and serious
with her religious beliefs.
Philnews.ph
Rizal had met Nelly in his frequent visits to the Boustead home along with his
friends; Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Mariano Ponce and Antonio Luna.
Despite Rizal’s affection for Nelly, he denied it when Antonio Luna, who has been very
inlove with her as well, ask him if he did like her. Antonio, therefore, tried to believe Rizal
despite the attention Nelly was giving more to him. Continuing his pharmaceutical studies,
Antonio left for Madrid and sent Rizal a letter soon afterwards asking him for updates
regarding the unresponsive Nelly. It was never mentioned whether Rizal wrote back or not.
Josephine Bracken
Josephine Bracken came into Rizal’s life at the right moment and at the right time.
After a hard day’s work in Dapitan, he was lonely and felt that there was something missing
in his life. Boredom had always crept in and he longed for something that he could not
understand. He recalled his happy sojourn in the various places of the world, his happy
childhood in Laguna, but more poignantly the death of Leonor Rivera.
And one day, Josephine Bracken, an Irish girl of eighteen, described as a “slender,
a chestnut blond, with blue eyes, dressed with elegant simplicity, with an atmosphere of
light gayety” came into his life. She was born in Hong Kong on October 3, 1876, fifteen
years younger than Rizal. Her parents were Irish, her father a corporal in the British
garrison, and mother Elizabeth Jane Macbride, who died when she was born. She was later
adopted by Mr. George Taufer, who later became blind.
There was no ophthalmic surgeon in Hong Kong, but they had heard of the famous
one in the Philippines, so that they came to Dapitan, to seek for the services of Dr. Jose P.
Rizal. They were accompanied by a Filipina named Manuela Orlac and presented a card of
introduction by Julio Llorente, a friend and a schoolmate.
As fate would have it, Rizal and Josephine fell in

love and after a whirlwind romance, they decided to get
married, but Father Obach of Dapitan refused to marry them
without the consent of the Bishop of Cebu. This reached the
ears of Mr. Taufer, who got mad and even attempted to
commit suicide. To prevent further embarrassment and
untoward incidents, Josephine went with Mr. Taufer to
Manila by the first available steamer. Mr. Taufer returned
to Hong Kong uncured, because his blindness was venereal
in nature and incurable, while Josephine stayed with Rizal.
Since there was no priest who would marry them, they
married themselves by holding their hands and making their
vows before God. After that, they lived as husband and
Josephine Bracken wife, much to the irritation of Father Obach.
Google.com
The couple were happy and lived an idyllic life in Dapitan. To Rizal, he found his
complete. As he was used to do, he likewise wrote a poem to Josephine which is as follows:
Josephine Josephine
Who to these shores have come
Looking for a nest, a home
Like a wandering swallow;
If your fate is taking you
To Japan, China or Shanghai
Don’t forget on these shores
A heart for you beats high
Dapitan will always hold a part of Rizal, for in this territory, their premature eight-
month old baby boy who lived for only three hours was buried. Rizal was extremely happy
at the expectations of having a child, and one night played a prank on Josephine who was
frightened and gave birth prematurely.
RIZAL’S HOMOSEXUAL ORIENTATION
Rizal is a symbol that is heavily proliferated in our everyday life, from the names
of streets to our textbooks, from the money we use to the monuments we see. But in all his
glorious ubiquity, could we be forgetting just how much we don’t know about our national
hero? Much have been said about the women in Rizal’s life, but there were some issues
circulating about Rizal being a homosexual. Although there were no substantiating
evidences to prove that Rizal was gay, some Filipino scholars provided scenarios and
situations in Rizal’s life which can indicate of his homosexual tendencies.
Sometime during the Centennial of Rizal’s martyrdom, Isagani R. Cruz, local pop-
culture provocateur and professor of literature and Philippine studies at the De La Salle
University, wrote a column for the now-defunct Filmag: Filipino Magazine, shockingly
titled "Bakla ba si Rizal?". The answer to this question, if Cruz is to be believed, is a

resounding and categorical “Yes!” And he offers what he calls “biographical evidence” in
order to arrive at this question’s confidently affirmative answer.
First, Rizal was a homosexual because he was afraid of committing himself to the
revolutionary cause. Second, Rizal’s homosexuality made itself apparent in his periodic
“failings” in his relationships with the women to whom he was supposed to have been
romantically linked. We all know Rizal had a lot of women in his life where most of them
fell truly, deeply and madly in love with him. Rizal has had several girlfriends (or lovers)
in his life but none of them ended up on the altar with him. We were all wondering what
was wrong with all these beautiful women; or what was wrong with our hero? Rizal also
had a lover named Nelly Boustead whose parents loved him for their daughter. It came to
a point that Rizal would come over to Nelly's house and stay in her room and her parents
were comfortable with it. The only thing that was missing in their relationship was
marriage. Nelly wanted to marry Rizal but Rizal refused because she was a Protestant and
he was a Catholic. But we all know that Rizal was anti-clerical so this excuse raised our
eyebrows. We could tell Rizal was anti-clerical because of his two novels, the "Noli Me
Tangere" and the "El Filibusterismo." In these two novels you could see how angry Rizal
was at the Spanish friars and basically the Roman Catholic Church for making the Filipino's
lives miserable. But that is not the only thing you would notice about the novels. In the
novels, a love story would always be present and there is the love story of Crisostomo
Ibarra and Maria Clara. Go through their story and you wouldn't find sex in it. There was
not a discussion, not even a hint about sex in their love story. Maybe Rizal is just really
conservative but why is that he still managed to write about a girl being raped by a friar?
Third, Rizal might not have even been the father of Josephine’s benighted baby
boy, since—paraphrasing noted Rizalist historian Ambeth Ocampo’s feelings on the matter
of Rizal’s “disputable paternity”—Josephine would seem to have been routinely sexually
abused and consequently impregnated by her stepfather. Fourth, Rizal, unlike his
compatriots, didn’t go “consorting” in the brothels of Barcelona and Madrid (at least, not
very often). Fifth, He would write to Paciano, his brother, about his everyday life and
adventures while he was away. He would tell Paciano every little thing down to the last
detail. He was known to have never kept any secret from Paciano so a lot of us were
wondering, with all that he told Paciano, how come he never talked about sex? We all
thought about Rizal being conservative but he is still a man, Paciano is also a man, it would
be normal for them to talk about girls, drinking and sex. But again, Rizal never did mention
anything about his sexual life, or if he even had a sexual life.
Lastly, Rizal also wrote to Blumentritt, a good friend of his, about his daily life.
Whenever he would write letters to Paciano, he would address to him as "Paciano" and
ends the letter with "Pepe"and with almost all of the people he wrote to, as simple as that.
But with Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt, a good friend of his, it was always different. He
would address to him as "To my beloved Blumentritt." Is it not a bit intriguing?
Let us determine how much you have learned from

the lesson.
MATCHING TYPE Directions: Match column A with the correct answer on column
B. Write only the letter of answer on the blank provided before each number.
Column A Column B
_____1. Rizal sister who served as the mediator a. Olympia
between the teenage lovers, Rizal and Segunda
Katigbak.
_____2. She was educated in Colegio de San Jose b. Teodora Alonso
and highly cultured women from Sta. Cruz, Manila
_____3. Rizal Shrine was located in Francisco c. Calamba
Mercado St. cor. Jose P. Rizal St., Brgy. 5,
Poblacion, in the province Laguna.
_____4. The Uncle of Rizal taught about painting, d. Jose Alberto
sketching and sculpture during his early childhood.
_____5. Calamba priest who was esteemed and e. Leoncio Lopez
respected by Rizal
_____6. She became the custodian of his last and f. Trinidad
greatest poem.
______7. Dona Teodora Alonzo was arrested on a g. 1896
malicious ground that she and _________, tried to
poison his wife.
_____8.In 1872-73, Rizal first professor in Ateneo h. Francisco de Paula
Sanchez
_____9. Rizal established a medical clinic in i. Dr. Uliman
Calamba, Laguna where they called him with this
name because he came from Germany.
_____10. On December 30 of what year did Rizal j. 1986
turned his back on the firing squad and faces the
sea before he was shot.
Take time to breath, digest, reflect and analyze before

answering.
1. Students will write a short biographical essay that compare the student’s early
childhood with Rizal’s own
2. Enumerate the factors which influence the life development of Jose Rizal
a. Heredity
b. Environment
c. Divine Providence
3. Conduct an interview with OFW working abroad and compare with Rizal’s
experiences abroad
REFERENCES:
Coates, Austin. Rizal: Filipino Nationalist and Martyr. Hong Kong: Oxford University Press Quezon City:
Malaya Books, 1969
Ileto, Reynaldo. “Rizal and the Underside of Philippine History” In Filipinos and their Revolution: Event,
Discourse, and Historiography. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1998, pp. 29-78
Martir. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 2007.
Rizal, Jose. “ Memoirs of a Student in Manila,” Appendix Section of Gregorio Zaide’s Jose Rizal: Life,
Works and Writings
Schumacher, John. The Propaganda Movement, 1880-1885: The Creation of a Filipino Consciousness, The
Making of a Revolution. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1997.
Teodora Alonzo’s petition to Camilo Polavieja, Manila, 28 December 1986

NAME:___________________________________ DATE:__________________
COURESE/ YEAR/SECTION:________________ EXPLORE IT OUT 3
BEYOND COLORS, DRAWINGS AND FILMS

1. Each student will be given respective topics from birth to death of Jose Rizal. Most likely
the sequence will be based on alphabetical order. Just like our hero, try to unleash the artist
in you by drawing experiences and capturing his memories using atsuete, charcoal and
other natural color producing materials. You can make use of specialty board paper. Give
it a title and write a one paragraph discussion about it. Also, list the lessons you gained in
that particular chapter of Rizal’s life which do you think should be applied by today’s
young generation.
Rubrics for the Arts Appreciation
Distinguished Proficient (4) Competent (3) Emerging (2)
(5)
Composition/Design/ The artwork is The artwork is The artwork The artwork
Planning planned carefully; planned carefully; shows little shows no
Level of understanding understanding of understanding of evidence of understanding of
about instructions and all concepts and most concepts and understanding the concepts and
concepts (elements and instructions is instructions is the concepts and instructions.
principles of art) used clearly demonstrated. instructions.
in project. demonstrated.
Craftsmanship/Use of The artwork The artwork The artwork The artwork
Materials shows shows good shows limited shows minimal or
The control, outstanding craftmanship, craftmanship no craftmanship
adaptations, and craftsmanship, with some and little and attention to
understanding of the with clear attention to attention to control, and
chosen medium. attention to control, control, understanding of
Technique control, adaptation, adaptation, and the
understanding. adaptation, and selection and understanding medium/media.
understanding of understanding of of the There is little or
the the medium/media. no evidence of a
medium/media. medium/media. The value scale value scale.
Reflects a wide Reflects a value is flat and
range of a value scale in the blended.
scale. shading process.
Creativity/ Challenge The artwork The artwork The artwork The artwork
Inventiveness, demonstrates a demonstrates a demonstrates a demonstrates
expression of ideas and challenging level satisfactory level basic level of very little
imagination portrayed of production and of production and attention to attention to
in the construction of creativity as well creativity as well production, production,
project. Challenge as outstanding as logical creativity, and creativity, and
level of the project. problem -solving problem-solving problem-solving problem-solving
skills. skills. skills. skills.
Behavior/Effort The student put The student put The student put The student put
Work ethic; the time forth forth the effort forth limited forth minimal or
dedicated to the project extraordinary required to effort required no effort; or the
inside and/or out of effort to complete complete the to finish the project was not
class. the project as well project well; used project; use of completed; class
as possible; used class time well. class time does time was not used
not reflect the well.
class time student’s ability

extremely well. and potential.
2. Make reflective analysis about the film depicting Rizal’s Life, Works and Writings. The
following guide questions can be used:
a. Describe the life of Jose Rizal as represented in the film.
b. Based on your reading and class discussion, what can you say about the film’s
representation of Jose Rizal?
c. What is the main question that the film seeks to answer?
d. What is your own reflection based on the film and your understanding.
Film Analysis Paper Rubric

Outstanding Acceptable Poor No Evidence/
(5pts) (4 pts) (3 pts) Inaccurate (2 pts)
Definition and Provides accurate Provides accurate Provides partially Provides entirely
Thesis/Argument definition(s) to definition(s) to accurate inaccurate
principle(s) used in principle(s) BUT definition(s) AND definition(s)
their own words lacks a strong lacks a strong AND/OR provides
AND provides an thesis statement. thesis statement. no evidence to
argument/thesis OR Partially assess
(what are you accurate performance.
trying to convince definition(s) (or,
the reader of in this not in own words)
paper?) BUT strong thesis
statement.
Application of Provides accurate Provides accurate Provides accurate Provides entirely
Principles to Film examples from examples BUT examples BUT inaccurate
film AND provides weak provides NO examples
articulates a strong justification for justification AND/OR provides
justification for examples. no justification to
examples. assess
performance.
Writing Uses well-formed Few grammatical Fragmented Errors prevent

Mechanics & sentences with no errors. sentences with reader from
Guidelines grammatical frequent understanding
errors. grammatical content of paper.
errors.

Module 3 The Life and Legacy of Jose Rizal

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Module 3 The Life and Legacy of Jose Rizal

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The Life and Legacy of Jose R i z a l |1

THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JOSE RIZAL

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

I die just when I see the dawn break,

FIRST YEAR IN ATENEO (1872-73)

SUMMER VACATION 1873 (MARCH)

SECOND YEAR IN ATENEO (1873-74)

SUMMER VACATION 1874

THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1874-75)

FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO (1875-76)

LAST YEAR IN ATENEO (1876-77)

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

SUMMER VACATION 1878

UNIVERSIDAD CENTRAL DE MADRID

Rizal enrolled in Universidad central de Madrid in two courses – Medicine, and

RIZAL’S LIFE IN MADRID

Rizal lives in Berlin to gain further knowledge on ophthalmology, further his

In Dapitan, Rizal challenges Frenchmen to a duel when Antonio Miranda

Rizal built a water system in Dapitan. H applied his knowledge in engineering in

As contribution to science, Rizal collected specimens from Mindanao rich virgin

As a farmer, Rizal devoted most of his to agriculture. He introduced and applied

On December 17, 1895, Rizal wrote to Governor Blanco offering services as

\INVESTIGATION, TRIAL AND EXECUTION

The Women in Jose Rizal’s Life

His first love – Segunda Katigbak

When Jose Rizal was a sophomore in his medical

And that is how Rizal and Consuelo met. Rizal

Rizal met O-Sei-San or Seiko one spring afternoon

Petite Suzanne Jacoby

As fate would have it, Rizal and Josephine fell in

titled "Bakla ba si Rizal?". The answer to this question, if Cruz is to be believed, is a

Let us determine how much you have learned from

Take time to breath, digest, reflect and analyze before

Martir. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 2007.

Teodora Alonzo’s petition to Camilo Polavieja, Manila, 28 December 1986

BEYOND COLORS, DRAWINGS AND FILMS

class time student’s ability

Film Analysis Paper Rubric

Writing Uses well-formed Few grammatical Fragmented Errors prevent

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