Española, Which Published Its Contents On The Day of Rizal's Execution: "We Have Seen and Read His (Rizal's)

On December 26, 1896, the military court tried Jose Rizal and later found him guilty of rebellion,
sedition, and
conspiracy. The Spanish authorities believed that Rizal’s writings “fatally and necessarily” incited the
rebellion which, by 1896, had already become a revolution. On December 29 at 6 a.m., Capt. Rafael
Dominguez read before Rizal his death sentence. His execution was scheduled the following day.
At around 7 a.m. of December 29, Rizal was transferred to his death cell in Fort Santiago. There he received
numerous visitors, including his counsel; some Spanish officials; and several priests, his former professors,
with whom he supposedly discussed reason and religion. The Archbishop of Manila, Rev. Bernardino
Nozaleda, recalled: “During that day, although Rizal did not reject [the Jesuits], he persisted in his errors
contrary to the Catholic faith.… However, at the last hour, Rizal abjured, in writing, his religious errors.” In
other words, Rizal, a Mason, was said to have recanted his statements against the Church and to have returned
to the Catholic faith.
The controversy over Rizal’s retraction has not been settled. The “original” document of Rizal’s “retraction”
was found in the archdiocesan archives in 1935, 39 years after having disappeared the day Rizal was shot.
There was no record of anybody seeing this “original” document in 1896, except the publishers of La Voz
Española, which published its contents on the day of Rizal’s execution: “We have seen and read his (Rizal’s)
own handwritten retraction which he sent to our dear and venerable Archbishop….” Most experts think that the
handwriting on the document is authentic. However, scholars are baffled as to why Rizal, who courageously
faced persecution for most of his life, and who was finally sentenced to death for his beliefs, would suddenly
balk at the last, futile moment. (For more discussion on Rizal’s retraction, see Garcia, 1964; Guerrero, 1998;
and Vaño, 1985).
In his last hours Rizal read the Bible and Thomas à Kempis’s Imitation of Christ, which he later dedicated to
Josephine Bracken. He also wrote the poem “Mi Ultimo Adiós,” which he concealed in an alcohol burner.
When his family came to see him, he asked pardon from his mother and talked to his sisters as they entered his
cell one by one. He also wrote letters. In his last letter, addressed to Paciano Rizal, he asked his brother to ask
their father for forgiveness for all the pain he had caused him. To his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt, he wrote:
“When you receive this letter, I shall be dead by then…. Tomorrow at seven, I shall be shot; but I am innocent
of the crime of rebellion…. I am going to die with a tranquil conscience.”
At 7 a.m. on December 30, 1896 at Luneta, Manila, the 35-year-old patriot was shot in the back by a firing
squad. He hesitated, turned halfway around to face his executioners, and fell on his back to face the Philippine
sun.
RIZAL – Life and Works of Rizal
SY 2021 – 2022, SECOND SEMESTER
References:
Intentions to Write the Second Novel

Based on the analysis of the writer, the main intention of the El Filibusterismo is to fulfil
the revenge of the main character, Ibarra (Simoun in El Fili). Rizal also discussed the political
defects of the evil Spanish administration where there were discrimination, hatred, revenge
which continued to destroy the society at that time. The novel also discussed the defects of the
Church that triggered the struggle Filipinos against the Spanish tyranny.
Title of the Novel and its Dedication
The title of the novel, El Filibusterismo or known as “The Rebel” and in other translations
it was called, “The Reign of Creed”. Rizal dedicated the novel to the three martyrs of Cavite
Mutiny namely-Gomes, Burgos, and Zamora. In his notes the author stated the following;
“To the memory of the priests, Don Mariano Gomez (85 years old), Don Jose Burgos (30
years old), and Don Jacinto Zamora (35 years old). Executed in Bagumbayan Field on the 28th
of February, 1872.
“The Church, by refusing to degrade you, has placed in doubt the crime that has been
imputed to you; the Government, by surrounding your trials with mystery and shadows, causes
the belief that there was some error, committed in fatal moments; and all the Philippines, by
worshipping your memory and calling you martyrs, in no sense recognizes your culpability. In so
far, therefore, as your complicity in the Cavite mutiny is not clearly proved, as you may or may
not have been patriots, and as you may or may not have cherished sentiments for justice and
for liberty, I have the right to dedicate my work to you as victims of the evil which I undertake to
combat. And while we await expectantly upon Spain someday to restore your good name and
cease to be answerable for your death, let these pages serve as a tardy wreath of dried leaves
over your unknown tombs, and let it be understood that everyone who without clear proofs
attacks your memory stains his hands in your blood.
J. Rizal
Cover Page of the Second Novel-El Filibusterismo

Summary of the Novel
The summary of the El Filibusterismo, written by Dr. Jose Rizal was based on the thirty-
nine (39) chapters of the novel. This summary is also used in different studies especially among
the Filipino literature studies.
Plot of the Novel
Prepared by: SALLY ROSE G. ANGIHAN

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El Filibusterismo, being the second novel of Rizal, the sequel of Noli Me Tangere, is a political
novel which tackles the political upheavals in the Philippines at that time. The novel, aside from
being the continuation of Noli Me Tangere, gives political relevance to the character, particularly
when Simoun was planning the assassination of the Spanish Captain-General. In this novel,
Rizal had thoughts of the Philippine Revolution but not in drastic manner. In the novel, Simoun
dies which will trigger the revolution against the Spaniards. The tragic scenario in the second
novel was the Filipinos losing in the lands of their enemies.
Which shall prevail: Noli or El Fili?
There are several distinctions of the two novels, a comparative summary is as follows;
Noli Me Tangere El Filibusterismo
It is a social novel It is a political and revolutionary novel
The novel is centered on the primary Though it is a sequel of Noli, there are
characters, Ibarra, Maria Clara and Padre several characters which give real color to
Damaso the story such as the struggle of Placido
Penitente, the fate of Basilio and
revolutionary Simoun.
There are many sequences that are not The dramatic revenge of Simoun was the
related to the novel itself such as the love very climax of the 2 novels but was aborted
story of Elias and Salome (though it was when Basilio revealed the explosion of the
deleted by Rizal) gas lamp.
Based on the table, there are strengths and weaknesses of the 2 novels. Noli Me Tangere may
be compared to the “Old Testament” that talks about the Spanish hegemony while the El Fili is
the “New Testament” which tackled “political changes” in the bureaucracy.
On the other hand, the author made the main character, Simoun die in the hands of the Spanish
authorities which had a negative effect on the voice of Philippine Revolution against Spain
because it depicted defeat.
Rizal’s Mind about Revolution
There are series of debates questioning whether Rizal is a reformist or a revolutionist. Being a
calm, quiet and highly educated person, Rizal used the pen instead of the sword to liberate the
Philippines from the hands of the Spanish conquistadores. Pugay (2013) made an analysis of
the writings of Renato Constantino’s “Veneration Without Understanding”, wherein he stressed
the making of Rizal as a demi-god. However, there are findings on Pio de Valenzuela’s account
that Rizal made a certain plans in continuing the armed struggle as the scholars believed Pio’s
“reverse psychology”. It maybe concluded that Rizal had the knowledge of the revolution as his
name was one of the codes of the secret organization called ‘Katipunan’.

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ACTIVITY SHEET
Name: _________________________________ Date submitted: _____________
Course & year: _______________________
Activity: NUMBER 13
Activity Title: Essay
Topic/s Covered: Lesson 9: The Second Novel: El Filibusterismo
DIRECTION: Perform what is asked on each item

1.) Discuss why Rizal wrote a sequel of Noli Me Tangere? Would you consider that the first
novel was not enough to describe the Filipino’s struggle for freedom during those times?
Explain.
2.) Examine the characters of El Filibusterismo. Can you relate with any of its characters?
Discuss your answer.
3.) Explain the meaning of “filibuster”?
4.) Who was the savior of El Filibusterismo? Why in some cases, the books of Rizal had
their saviours? Prove your answer.
5.) Explain the activities of Simoun regarding his revenge. Do you think Rizal presented a
different character of Ibarra? Prove your answer.

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Lesson 10: Rizal Second Homecoming
Objectives:
At the end of the chapter, students are able to:
 Identify the intentions of Rizal regarding his second homecoming;
 Enumerate what are the agonies of Rizal when he was in Madrid;
 Define the problems confronted by Rizal when he was in Madrid;
 Describe his life in Dapitan when he was deported by the Spanish authorities;
 Describe the relevance of his deportation to the struggle for nationalism
Intentions to Return
Rizal’s mindset was to finish his business in Europe before coming home. He thought of
continuing the fight in the Philippines because he believed that the battle was in the Philippines;
not in a foreign soil (Quirino: 1997). He needed to be present in order to address the problems
at hand.
Agonies in Madrid
Prior to his return to the Philippines, Rizal had to face several agonies in Madrid as enumerated
below;
1.) Rizal and Del Pilar Rivalry

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The paisanos in Europe were searching for a leader to head the Propaganda Movement
in Europe. Personalities there like Jose Rizal and M.H. Del Pilar (both are members of
Masonry) were among the competent candidates. Jose Rizal did not want to divide the
Filipinos so he left the leadership to Del Pilar which created some speculations that
either Rizal was jealous of M.H.Del Pilar or he was busy writing his second novel- El
Filibusterismo.
2.) Duel with Antonio Luna
Another misery confronted by Rizal was the duel with Antonio Luna because Luna
blamed Rizal for not winning Nellie Bousted’s heart. Rizal challenges Luna in a fencing
even if Luna was an expert in sword so that he can easily defeat Rizal. In the end, the
two agreed that the cause of the Philippine independence is more important than their
personal interests.
3.) Challenges with Wenceslao Retana
Another problem which Rizal faced was the challenge posed by Wenceslao Retana, who
attacked the Propaganda Movement particularly the medium-La Solidaridad as well as
the problems confronting the Mercados in Kalamba, Laguna. Rizal challenged Retana in
fencing match but the latter sent his apology to settle their differences. Later, Retana
wrote a biography of Rizal entitled- La Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal. In this book,
Retana insists that the death of Dr. Rizal was a death imposed by the colonial powers of
Spain.
4.) Infidelity of Leonor Rivera
Another blow to Rizal’s morale was the impending marriage of Leonor Rivera to an
Englishman, Charles Henry Kipping on June 17, 1891. It was the biggest blow
experienced by Rizal. He cried like a child upon learning the infidelity of Leonor. Though
there were speculations that it was an arranged marriage, it could be that there was no
communication between Jose and Leonor for a long time. Though he was broken
hearted, Rizal dedicated his remaining years to the service of his countrymen in the
noble cause of Reformism.
5.) Problems with the Kalamba Tenants
Another problem faced by Rizal was the decision of the Real Audiencia in Kalamba over
the Hacienda unrest where the Court decided in favour of the Dominicans who handled
the Kalamba tenants at that time. He also received letters from his sister about the
possible eviction confronted by Rizal’s family.
Back to Hongkong
After spending several years in Europe, Rizal decided to return to the Philippines.
He stopped over in Hongkong to reunite with his family. While in Hongkong, he practiced his
medical expertise and continued to write several articles.
Arrival in Manila
Rizal left Hongkong with his sister Lucia, on June 21, 1892. Governor-General Despujol of his
arrival. Rizal and his sister boarder the steamer, Don Juan. Upon arrival in Manila, Rizal made a
courtesy call to Malacanang and requested for the freedom of his father, Don Francisco, which
was promptly granted by the Governor-General. It is said that Rizal had fallen into the Spanish
trap of goodwill but in a few months Rizal becomes the victim of Spanish injustice.
Rizal also visited his friends in Central Luzon aiming to solicit advices on the prevailing agrarian
problems in Laguna. It was on July 3, 1892, when Rizal organized La Liga Filipina, which was
believed to be a Masonic organization which aims to ask for reforms for the country. Their main

Page 5
motto was-unus instar omnium or one like all. The constitution of the La Liga is the following:
(cited in Lopez and Paras, 2010)
1.) The unification of the Philippine archipelago into a compact and homogenous body;
2.) Mutual protection of the members in every want and necessity;
3.) Defense against all violence and injustices;
4.) Promotion of education, agriculture and business; and
5.) Study and application of reforms.
Deportation to Dapitan
Upon the learning that Rizal’s sister Lucia had some copies of Pobres Frailes (written by Rizal
under the pen name, Father Jacinto), allegedly the inspectors reported it to the Governor
General. The Governor General ordered the arrest of Rizal and he was place incommunicado
for 8 days. Rizal was also thinking about his deportation to Dapitan, one of the island provinces
in Zamboaga. Del Norte, Mindanao Island where Rizal spent his years from July, 1892 to July,
1896 before his trial and martyrdom at the Bagumbayan.
The steamer SS Cebu arrived in Dapitan on July 17, 1892 at 7’oclock post meridiem. He was
assisted by Ricardo Carnicero, the Military Governor in Dapitan at that time. Rizal spent his
memorable times in Dapitan as a teacher; botanist, architect, surveyor, farmer. He was
accompanied by his sweetheart, Josephin Bracken, an Irish woman who became a member of
the revolution upon Rizal’s death.
Life in Dapitan
Rizal had a prosperous life in Dapitan. He became barrio doctor as well as barrio teacher (using
his travel cards as teaching aid). Rizal gained his financial earnings when he won in a lottery
worth 6, 200 pesos. He spent the money on his family, and buying lands in the area as well as
investing his money in other business (the Borneo Project was one of those business ventures
of Rizal that time). Here, he met Fr. Pablo Pastell SJ with whom he had theological and
philosophical discussions about faith and salvation. Some of his literary works in Dapitan are
enumerated below:
1.) It was one of Rizal’s poem as a traveling man. This was the translation of Nick Joaquin,
one of the prolific Filipino writers.
Song of the Wanderer

by Dr. José Rizal
(English version of “El Canto del Viajero”)
Dry leaf that flies at random

till it’s seized by a wind from above:
so lives on earth the wanderer,
without north, without soul, without country or love!
Anxious, he seeks joy everywhere

and joy eludes him and flees,
a vain shadow that mocks his yearning
and for which he sails the seas.

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Impelled by a hand invisible,

he shall wander from a place;
memories shall keep him company –
of loved ones, of happier days.
A tomb perhaps in the desert,

a sweet refuge, he shall discover,
by his country and the world forgotten…
Rest quiet: the torment is over.
And they envy the hapless wanderer

as across the earth he persists!
Ah, they know not of the emptiness
in his soul, where no love exists.
The pilgrim shall return to his country,

shall return perhaps to his shore;
and shall find only ice and ruin,
perished loves, and graves – nothing more.
Begone, wanderer! In your own country

a stranger now and alone!
Let the other sing of loving, who are happy – but you, begone!
Begone, wanderer! Look not behind you

nor grieve as you leave again.
Begone, wanderer: stifle your sorrows!
The world laughs at another’s pain.
2.) Hym to Talisay-This poem was dedicated by Rizal to the residents of Talisay, Dapitan
where he resided for almost 4 years.
Hail, O Talisay!
Firm and untiring
Ever aspiring,
Stately thy gait.
Things, everywhere
In sea, land and air
Shalt thou dominate
At Dapitan, the sandy shore

And rocks aloft on mountain crest
Form thy throne, O refuge blest,
That we from childhood days have known.
In your vales that flowers adorn
And your fruitful leafy shade,
Our thinking power are being made,
And soul with body being grown.

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We are youth not long on earth

But our souls are free from sorrow;
Calm, strong men we’ll be tomorrow,
Who can guard our families’ right.
Lads are we whom naught can frighten,
Whether thunder, waves, or rain
Swift of arm, serene of mien
In peril, shall we wage our fights.
With our games we churn the sand,

Through the caves and crags we roam,
On the rocks we make our home,
Everywhere our arms can reach.
Neither dark nor night obscure
Cause us fear, nor fierce torment
That even Satan can invent
Life or death? We must face each!
“Talisayans”, people call us!

Mighty souls in bodies small
O’er Dapitan’s district all
No Talisay like this towers.
None can march our reservoir.
Our diving pool the sea profound!
No rowing boat the world around
For the moment can pass ours.
We study science exact;

The history of our motherland;
Three languages or four command;
Bring faith and reason in accord.
Our hands can manage at one time
The sail and working spade and pen,
The mason’s maul – for virile men
Companions – and the gun and sword.
Live, live, O leafy green Talisay!

Our voices sing thy praise in chorus
Clear star, precious treasure for us.
Our childhood’s wisdom and its balm.
In fights that wait for every man,
In sorrow and adversity,
Thy memory a charm will be,
And in the tomb, thy name, thy calm.
3.) Mi Retiro (My Retreat) This poem was Rizal’s expression when he was alone in Talisay,
living as an exile and prisoner of the island.

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Beside a spacious beach of fine and delicate sand

and at the foot of a mountain greener than a leaf,
I planted my humble hut beneath a pleasant orchard,
seeking in the still serenity of the woods
repose to my intellect and silence to my grief.
Its roof is fragile nipa; its floor is brittle bamboo;

its beams and posts are rough as rough-hewn wood can be;
of no worth, it is certain, is my rustic cabin;
but on the lap of the eternal mount it slumbers
and night and day is lulled by the crooning of the sea.
The overflowing brook, that from the shadowy jungle

descends between huge bolders, washes it with its spray,
donating a current of water through makeshift bamboo pipes
that in the silent night is melody and music
and crystalline nectar in the noon heat of the day.
If the sky is serene, meekly flows the spring,

strumming on its invisible zither unceasingly;
but come the time of the rains, and an impetuous torrent
spills over rocks and chasms—hoarse, foaming and aboil—
to hurl itself with a frenzied roaring toward the sea.
The barking of the dog, the twittering of the birds,

the hoarse voice of the kalaw are all that I hear;
there is no boastful man, no nuisance of a neighbor
to impose himself on my mind or to disturb my passage;
only the forests and the sea do I have near.
The sea, the sea is everything! Its sovereign mass

brings to me atoms of a myriad faraway lands;
its bright smile animates me in the limpid mornings;
and when at the end of day my faith has proven futile,
my heart echoes the sound of its sorrow on the sands.
At night it is a mystery! … Its diaphanous element

is carpeted with thousands and thousands of lights that climb;
the wandering breeze is cool, the firmament is brilliant,
the waves narrate with many a sigh to the mild wind
histories that were lost in the dark night of time.
‘Tis said they tell of the first morning on the earth,

of the first kiss with which the sun inflamed her breast,
when multitudes of beings materialized from nothing
to populate the abyss and the overhanging summits
and all the places where that quickening kiss was pressed.
But when the winds rage in the darkness of the night

and the unquiet waves commence their agony,

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across the air move cries that terrify the spirit,

a chorus of voices praying, a lamentation that seems
to come from those who, long ago, drowned in the sea.
Then do the mountain ranges on high reverberate;

the trees stir far and wide, by a fit of trembling seized;
the cattle moan; the dark depths of the forest resound;
their spirits say that they are on their way to the plain,
summoned by the dead to a mortuary feast.
The wild night hisses, hisses, confused and terrifying;

one sees the sea afire with flames of green and blue;
but calm is re-established with the approach of dawning
and forthwith an intrepid little fishing vessel
begins to navigate the weary waves anew.
So pass the days of my life in my obscure retreat;

cast out of the world where once I dwelt: such is my rare
good fortune; and Providence be praised for my condition:
a disregarded pebble that craves nothing but moss
to hide from all the treasure that in myself I bear.
I live with the remembrance of those that I have loved

and hear their names still spoken, who haunt my memory;
some already are dead, others have long forgotten—
but what does it matter? I live remembering the past
and no one can ever take the past away from me.
It is my faithful friend that never turns against me,

that cheers my spirit when my spirit’s a lonesome wraith,
that in my sleepless nights keeps watch with me and prays
with me, and shares with me my exile and my cabin,
and, when all doubt, alone infuses me with faith.
Faith do I have, and I believe the day will shine

when the Idea shall defeat brute force as well;
and after the struggle and the lingering agony
a voice more eloquent and happier than my own
will then know how to utter victory’s canticle.
I see the heavens shining, as flawless and refulgent

as in the days that saw my first illusions start;
I feel the same breeze kissing my autumnal brow,
the same that once enkindled my fervent enthusiasm
and turned the blood ebullient within my youthful heart.
Across the fields and rivers of my native town

perhaps has traveled the breeze that now I breathe by chance;
perhaps it will give back to me what once I gave it:
the sighs and kisses of a person idolized

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and the sweet secrets of a virginal romance.
On seeing the same moon, as silvery as before,

I feel within me the ancient melancholy revive;
a thousand memories of love and vows awaken:
a patio, an azotea, a beach, a leafy bower;
silences and sighs, and blushes of delight …
A butterfly athirst for radiances and colors,

dreaming of other skies and of a larger strife,
I left, scarcely a youth, my land and my affections,
and vagrant everywhere, with no qualms, with no terrors,
squandered in foreign lands the April of my life.
And afterwards, when I desired, a weary swallow,

to go back to the nest of those for whom I care,
suddenly fiercely roared a violent hurricane
and I found my wings broken, my dwelling place demolished,
faith now sold to others, and ruins everywhere.
Hurled upon a rock of the country I adore;

the future ruined; no home, no health to bring me cheer;
you come to me anew, dreams of rose and gold,
of my entire existence the solitary treasure,
convictions of a youth that was healthy and sincere.
No more are you, like once, full of fire and life,

offering a thousand crowns to immortality;
somewhat serious I find you; and yet your face beloved,
if now no longer as merry, if now no longer as vivid,
now bear the superscription of fidelity.
You offer me, O illusions, the cup of consolation;

you come to reawaken the years of youthful mirth;
hurricane, I thank you; winds of heaven, I thank you
that in good hour suspended by uncertain flight
to bring me down to the bosom of my native earth.
Beside a spacious beach of fine and delicate sand

and at the foot of a mountain greener than a leaf,
I found in my land a refuge under a pleasant orchard,
and in its shadowy forests, serene tranquility,
repose to my intellect and silence to my grief.
Meet Josephin Bracken
Josephin Bracken, his Irish sweetheart was one of the wondrous part of Rizal’s life in
Dapitan. She accompanied Taufer with a cataract who wanted to seek medical advice
from Rizal who was an ophthalmologist. Upon learning that Rizal and Josephine are
planning for their marriage, he slashed his wrist (and even his throat according to other

Page 11
recknonings). The Rizal family were not happy about his love affair because they
suspect that Josephine was sent by the friars as a spy. Still, the two lived as husband
and wife (without marriage ceremony by the Catholic Church because they suspected
Rizal’s involvement in Masonry). They exchanged their marriage vows in front of God as
they believed that God will bless their union. Josephine gave birth to a baby boy who
was named by Jose as “Francisco” following his father’s name. unfortunately, the infant
lived for only an hour before he died.
Josephin Bracken
ACTIVITY SHEET
Course & year: _______________________
Activity: NUMBER 14
Topic/s Covered: Lesson 10: Rizal’s Second Homecoming

1.) What were Rizal’s intention for his second homecoming?
2.) What were Rizal’s problems that made him decide to return to the Philippines? Discuss
each of them.
3.) How was Rizal’s life in Dapitan? What were his achievements there?
4.) What were the main objections of Rizal’s family against his relationship with Josephine
Bracken? Would you believe that the relationship was a “bad omen?
5.) What were the discussions of Rizal and Pastells regrading “religion?

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Lesson 11: Rizal’s Last Travel
Objectives:
At the end of the chapter, students are able to;
 Describe his remaining months in Europe;
 Identify the last bastion of places where Rizal spent his remaining months;
 Describe the justice system at that time that led to Rizal’s imprisonment;
 State the important reckonings of his life during his last days;
 Discuss the relevance of his imprisonment to Filipino nationalism.
His Departure from Dapitan to Manila

Upon learning of the organization of the Katiounan from Dr. Pio de Valenzuela in Dapitan, Rizal
was thinking of his name being used as a password of the secret organization. Rizal
volunteered as a physician for the flag of Spain in the Cuban revolution of 1895. After several
months, Governor General Ramon Blanco approved Rizal’s request to be a volunteer physician.
In his final moments in Dapitan, Rizal felt that perhaps this will be the last time he will see the
island where he was exiled for almost 4years.
Departure from Spain

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Upon learning about the Katipunan, the Governor General sent a message to Spain via
telegraph about Rizal’s involvement in the organization. This was the reason why Rizal had to
cut short his trip to Spain as the Spanish authorities were already preparing the allegations
against the young doctor which was a clear case of ‘guilty before trial’.
From Barcelona to Manila
The final moments of Rizal became controversial when he offered his services under the flag of
Spain. Some observers doubted Rizal’s nationalism thinking that he wanted the Philippines to
be “still” a colony of Spain. With his involvement in the Katipunan, his “living space” became
shorter. He was ordered to be arrested by the Spanish authorities as soon as the steamer
arrives in Manila. There are stories claiming that some Katipuneros wanted to rescue him in
order to escape and join the Katipunan but Rizal refused to go. It was a very clear proof that
Rizal wanted to fight Spain with his mighty pen, not with the sword. While he was on the
steamer “Castilla” he was wondering how his involvement in the revolution can trigger the case
against him.
His Imprisonment at Fort Santiago
Before his trial, Rizal spent his last nights at the Fort Santiago and he became one of the high
profile names imprisoned by Spanish authorities. He felt so nostalgic and sad realizing that his
country is in the brink of war. While he was deep in thought on how to defend his case, it is
believed that he wrote several letters in his cell stating his “innocence”.
Rizal’s Cell at Fort Bonifacio

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ACTIVITY SHEET
Course & year: _______________________
Activity: NUMBER 15
Topic/s Covered: Lesson 11:Rizal’s Last Travel

1.) Why was Rizal imprisoned in Fort Santiago? What was his case? Discuss your answer
fully.
2.) Why did Rizal offer his medical services to Spain? What do you think were his
intentions?
3.) Would you consider Rizal’s travel to Cuba as a sign of being a “traitor” to the revolution?
Explain your answer.
4.) Describe Rizal’s life in Fort Santiago. How will you compare that to the prisoners
nowadays?
5.) Upon seeing Rizal’s fate, what do you think could happen if Rizal escaped during his
voyage? Discuss your answers fully.

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Lesson 12: The Trial and Martyrdom
Objectives:
At the end of the chapter, students are able to:
 Describe the justice system during the Spanish Period;
 Identify who are the instigators of Rizal’s Trial and how they accused the person per se;
 Analyze the details of Rizal’s Trial and Execution;
 Describe the atmosphere of the place where Rizal was shot; and
 Define all the reckonings that happened to Rizal in his final.
The Trial of Dr. Jose Rizal

Upon the arrest of Rizal, the civil guards (Guardia Civil) escorted him to Fort Santiago where he
was detained “incommunicado”. Some of the members of the defunct La Liga Filipina were busy
planning and organizing for the revolution. General Emilio Aguinaldo controlled the province of
Cavite and nearby Batangas. All these activities got the ire of the Spaniards so they put all the
blame on none other but Dr. Jose Rizal.
Several evidences were shown by the Spanish authorities to prove the involvement of Rizal in
the Philippine Revolution. Copies of the letters from Antonio Luna and Mariano Ponce

Page 16
establishing the campaign of reforms led by Rizal himself (Lopez and Paras, 2010), aside from
that several letters of Rizal that expressed his desire to work for social reforms were used
against him. The poem which was entitled “Kundiman” dated September 12, 1891 expressed
his nationalistic views, and also the copy of discourse from Emilio Jacinto (Brains of the
Katipunan) mentioned Rizal’s name as well as the speech of Jose Santiago considering Rizal
as one of the leaders of the revolution. He was defended by Luiz Taviel de Andrade, a brother
of Jose Taviel de Andrade, Rizal’s body guard by the order of Governor General Terrero.
At the trial and arraignment, all charges led to Rizal’s death penalty;
a.) He was guilty of illegal association as the founder of both the Katipunan as well as the
La Liga Filipna;
b.) He was accused as the principal agent of organizing cause-oriented organizations;
c.) His writings, declarations, letters, pamphlets and novels particularly Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo were found to be against the friars as well as against the Spanish
administration in the Philippines; and
d.) He was the proponent of all rebellious activities because his name became one of the
passwords of the secret organization, the Katipunan.
The Verdict Signed
There were speculations that if Governor-General Ramon Blanco was not replaced by Camilo
de Polavieja, the death sentence would not be signed. From the author’s point of view, even
Ramon Blanco will sign the death sentence because of the influence of the friars as well as the
other officilas behind the Spanish atrocities in the Philippines at that time. The verdict or court’s
decision as penned by the Governor-General follows.
“Dr. Jose Rizal y Mercado Alonso…whom the smiles of fortune raised in past days to be the idol
of disloyal rebels, and whom the reverses of fortune brought to death without glory or honor;
Rizal, a student for his profession of natural sciences and physio-chemist; tireless and active
beyond any of his countrymen, an indefatigable traveler in Europe, master of several living
tongues, admired by his less cultured countrymen, and applauded by his teachers and friends
without distinction of race, launched out upon a course of moral sciences and sociological
studies, that required much profound preparation; but then he turned to the active propagation
among the inhabitants of these Spanish regions, of ideas disloyalty and treason, doctrines
contrary to national unity.. Rizal has been the World of revolt, the most intelligent director of the
separatists, the idol, in short, of the ignorant multitude, who have seen in the ceaseless agitator
of being supernatural, whom they called Supreme…
“This from his enemy!”. (Source: nhcp.gov.ph)
On the other hand, Rizal wrote his final defense where he reiterated his innocence. He
emphasized the following:
1.) That Rizal had no connections with the revolutionists even if some Katipuneros like Dr.
Pio de Valenzueka wanted to save him by avoiding the arrest by escaping, but he never
tried to escape because he believed that he was innocent of organizing the rebellion.
2.) The use of his name as password of the Katipunan surprised Rizal. He was not informed
regarding the use of his name and he never gave permission to this idea;
3.) Rizal volunteered to help Spanish wounded soldiers in the Cuban Revolution to show his
loyalty to the mother country which was no other than Spain. When he boarded the
“Castilla” he could have escaped but he did not;

Page 17
4.) Rizal reiterating that the plotters were saying “yes” to the revolution while he said “no: to
the revolution.
Despite Rizal’s strong defense, unfortunately, the Spanish Court under the evil system
prevailed. Thus, Rizal was condemned guilty of all accusations hurled at him.
His Last days in Prison Cell
Rizal’s remaining days at Fort Santiago found him busy probably writing his last “untitled”
poem. He placed the poem in an alcohol lamp whispering to his sister in English, “there is
something inside it”. It is believed that Rizal wrote the poem in English in order to hide his
message to his family.
His last poem reads as follows:

Page 18

Page 19
Aside from writing his last poem, Rizal was also writing his short messages to his wife. He gave
her a copy of The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis wherein he wrote, “To my dear
and Unhappy Wife”. It is believed that he “retracted” his ideas against the Catholic Church but
some historians doubt this. It is believable that the retraction was a “forged document” which
remains a subject for debate among historians’ decades after Rizal’s death.
The Firing Squad
Rizal served his death sentence which clearly stated that he will be shot at the Bagumbayan, 7’
o’clock in the morning. Before his death, he wrote letters to Blumentritt (his Austrian friend) and
Paciano (his brother). His letter to Blumentritt expressed the following-
“When you receive this letter I shall be dead. Tomorrow at 7 o’clock I shall be shot, but I am
innocent of inciting the rebellion. I die with a tranquil conscience. Farewell, my dearest and best
friend, and think no evil of me”. (Quirino, 1997, p. 326)
One can imagine how sad it is to die for a crime that you did not commit. His letter to his brother
Paciano expressed his sadness and regret over the fact that he could no longer support the
family. He was also downhearted to leave the struggle against the Spanish tyrants at a time
when he could still be very useful to his country. Several people tried to save Rizal’s life, from
Spain back to the Philippines, but all is in vain (Quirino, 1997, p.326).
As Rizal went to his final destination, he wore a black wardrobe (maybe to symbolize the death
of the justice system), a derby hat with ropes tied on his hands. There were lots of spectators
witnessing how an ignorant Indio will be executed by the evil justice system of that time. He was
followed by priests as well as the group of eight native soldiers. Dr. Jose Rizal was checked by
a physician to take his pulse which turned out to be normal. It was unbelievable how a person
who will be shot in a couple of minutes had a “normal pulse”; which means that he is ready to
face his death. There was a commotion with the officer over how he will be shot, either at the
back or on the head. Rizal, being a medical practitioner knows where the deadliest part of the
body is so he agreed to be shot at the back.
After the 2-minute commotion or verbal tussel with the officer, Rizal had the last say, “very well,
then, shoot me as you wish!”. His last breath was on December 30, 1896. The firing squad shot
him at the back though Rizal pivoted his foot to face the sky. He died at the age of 35. It is
believed that his remains were deposited at the Paco Park then transferred to Luneta where the
Rizal Monument stands tall and proud.
Essence of Rizal’s Death
Rizal’s death triggered the Philippine Revolution of 1896. His wife, Josephine as well as his
brother Paciano joined forces with the revolutionaries. Governor General Camilo de Polavieja
wanted a peace truce with the rebels-stating his “policy of attraction”; though it did not
materialize but Emilio Aguinaldo (Revolutionary General and the First President of the Philippine
Republic) collaborated with the Americans (and the beginning of Uncle Sam’s Empire in the
archipelago). According to Wenceslao Retana book, Escritos, the death of Rizal was the end of
the Spanish Empire in the Philippines.
Filipinos “Disillusionment”
The execution of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Bagumbayan made Filipinos to re-think the injustices
committed by the Spanish authorities. The revolutionaries were winning with the sentiments of

Page 20
the masses and more of them joined the revolutionary movement. The “disillusionment” was felt
by most Filipinos who were fired up by the spirit of “nationalism” instead of “regionalism”.

Page 21
ACTIVITY SHEET
Course & year: _______________________
Activity: NUMBER 16
Topic/s Covered: Lesson 11:Rizal’s Last Travel

1.) What were the accusations against Rizal by the Spanish Court? Were all the charges
true?
2.) Explain the decision penned by the Governor-General. Would you consider it a “just”
decision?
3.) In your own words describe the tension on the court when Rizal read his “Defense”.
4.) Would you agree on the accounts of Retana that the death of Rizal was the end of the
Spanish empire in the Philippines?
5.) Explain the concept of “inquisitorial justice system” in your own words.

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Lesson 13: Other National heroes and their Political Writings
Objectives:
At the end of the chapter, the students are able to:
 Identify the other heroes as well as their works related to reformation of the society;
 Describe the writings of other heroes related to Rizal’s holy cause of nationalism;
 Analyze the relevance of the writings of other heroes in Filipino nationalism;
 Define the similarities and dissimilarities of their writings;
 Analyze all the writings in relation to the nationalistic fervor of Filipinos nowadays.
Andres Bonifacio-Pag-Ibig sa Tinubuang Bayan

Andres Bonifacio, one of the founders of the revolutionary movement called, Katipunan or KKK
(Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangan Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan). He was one of the
rabid readers of Rizal’s novel-Noli and El Fili from where he mouled his nationalism but his
ideas were more on separation rather than Rizal’s reformation. He composed the poem for the
love of his country. Excerpts from the poem are as follows:
Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa
By: Andres Bonifacio
Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya
Sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila
Gaya ng pag-ibig sa Tinubuang lupa?
Aling pag-ibig pa? Wala na nga, wala.
Ulit-ulitin mang basahin sa isip

at isa-isahing talastasing pilit
ang salita't buhay na limbag at titik
ng isang katauhan ito'y namamasid
Banal na pag-ibig pag ikaw ang nukal

sa tapat na puso ng sino’t alinman,
imbis at taong gubat, maralita’t
mangmang nagiging dakila at iginagalang.

Page 23
Pagpupuring lubos ang palaging hangad

Sa bayan ng taong may dangal na ingat,
Umawit, tumula, kumanta't sumulat,
Kalakhan din niya'y isinisiwalat.
Walang mahalagang hindi inihandog

Ng may pusong mahal sa Bayang nagkupkop,
Dugo, yaman, dunong, katiisa't pagod,
Buhay ma'y abuting magkalagut-lagot.
Emilio Jacinto-Ang Kartilya ng Katipunan

Emilio Jacinto, known as the Brain of the Revolution wrote the Code of Ethics of the Members of
the Katipunan. It is highlighted as follows:
The Katipunan Code of Conduct
1.) The life that is not consecrated to a lofty and reasonable purpose is a tree without a
shade, if not a poisonous weed.
2.) To do good for personal gain and not for its own sake is not virtue.
3.) It is rational to be charitable and love one’s fellow creature, and to adjust one’s conduct,
acts and words to what is in itself reasonable.
4.) Whether our skin be black or white, we are all born equal: superiority in knowledge,
wealth and beauty are to be understood, but not superiority by nature.
5.) The honourable man prefers honor to personal gain; the scoundrel, gains no honor.
6.) To the honourable man, his word is sacred.
7.) Do not waste thy time: wealth can be recovered byt not time lost.
8.) Defend the oppressed and fight the oppressor before the law or in the field.
9.) The prudent man is sparing in words and faithful in keeping secrets.
10.) On the thorny path of life, man is the guide of woman and the
children, and if the guide leads to the precipice, those whom he guides will also go there.
11.) Thou must not look upon woman as a mere plaything, but as a
faithful companion who will share with thee the penalties of life; her (physical) weakness
will increase thy interest in her and she will remind thee of the mother who bore thee and
reared thee.
12.) What thou dost not desire done unto thy wife, children, brothers
and sisters, that do not unto the wife, children, brothers and sisters of thy neighbour.
13.) Man is not worth more because his nose is aquiline, and his color
white, not because he is a *priest, a servant of God, nor because of the high prerogative
that he enjoys upon earth, but he is worth most who us a man of proven and real value,
who does good, keeps his words, is worthy and honest; he who does not oppress nor
consent to being oppressed, he who loves and cherishes his fatherland, though he be
born in the wilderness and know no tongue but his own.

Page 24
14.) When these rules of conduct shall be known to all, the longed-for
sun of liberty shall rise brilliant over this most unhappy portion of the globe and its rays
shall diffuse everlasting joy among the confederated brethren of the same rays, the lives
of those who have gone before, the fatigues and the well-paid sufferings will remain. If
he who desires to enter (the Katipunan) has informed himself of all this and believes he
will be able to perform what will be his duties, he may fill out the application for
admission.
Marcelo H. Del Pilar- La Frailocracia en Filipinas
One of the well-known propagandists, lawyer and believed to have “founded the Katipunan” was
Marcelo H. Del Pilar. He was one of the editors of La Solidaridad as well as the newspaper he
founded, “Diariong Tagalog”. Aside from La Frailocracia, he wrote Dasalan at Tocsohan and
La Soberania Monacal en Filipinas. La Frailocracia en Filipinas was a pamphlet which
discussed the “intervention” of the friars in politics during the Spanish times. To this day, the
same problem exists where some Catholic priests intervene in the affairs of the State. There are
5 major contents in that pamphlet described as follows; a.) About Filibusterism, b.) How valid is
a Spaniard becoming a friar, c.) The Friars’ role in the civilization of the Philippines, d.) The
influence of the friars, and e.) Our Indications. The pamphlet was translated into English by
Leonor Agrava. The introduction was written by Del Pilar as follows;
“Filibuster, a word of recent coinage from the word filibuster, meaning freebooter, appears in
recent critiques of events in the Philippines. Although this word has been used only lately, the
same is already accepted freely. It is labelled to anybody or everybody suspected of either
harbouring feelings of hatred or initiating acts of vengeance against Spain. It does not matter if
there is no evidence to be accused as a filibuster. The slightest suspicion marks the victim to a
tragic fate. Since the government is highly sensitive to antagonistic feelings or inimical acts, it
retaliates with unrelenting and indiscriminate arrests. Many reputed persons inclined to
principles contrary to conservatism have already been sentenced to the gallows or doomed to
exile”
The Diary of the Great General Gregorio Del Pilar
Gregorio Del Pilar, one of the most trusted general of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo met his agonizing
defeat at the Battle of Tirad Pass, a mountain pass where he tried to cover the commander-in-
chief. It was believed that he was engaged to a certain woman before he met his death. He died
on December 2, 1899, during the Filipino-American War. An account of one American journalist
named, Richard Henry Little on how after Del Pilar’s death, American soldiers looted his
remains;
“It was a battle above the clouds. I saw the most youthful and the bravest of Filipino generals
trying vainly to line-up his soldiers to stave off the advance of the American troops who pursued
him, with the purpose of covering Aguinaldo’s retreat. I saw him talking to his soldiers from
trench to trench, inspiring pride in themselves, to ponder over their valor and love of country…
Later we saw from below one of our soldiers turn around, climb the top of a rock, and aim his
rifle at General del Pilar. We held our breath not knowing whether or not to pray to God that the
soldier hit or miss his mark. Afterwards we heard s shot and the youthful del Pilar fell..
We took his Memoirs, his letters, all his papers. And Sullivan look his pants, and Snider his
shoes, and the sergeant one of his silver spurs, and a lieutenant the other spur, and another
soldier some of his buttons. I also took some buttons; his neck was still drenched with blood..

Page 25
And a soldier showed us a silk handkerchief. It was also Del Pilar’s… Over the left was
embroidered the name of his girlfriend. I saw another soldiers of ours, seated on a rock,
examining in his hands a golden locket taken from the General, containing a strand of a
woman’s hair. A crow perched atop his feet, another hovered over his head. And I thought we
had stripped del Pilar of everything; but no, I was mistaken: his glory, his glory as a soldier
remained.”
Image of the Young General Gregorio Del Pilar
Apolinario Mabini and His Writings

Apolinario Mabini (July 22, 1864-May 13, 1903) was also one of the brains of the revolution. He
became one of the writers if Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo as well as the Prime Minister and one of the
writers of the Malolos Constitution. His Decalogue was one of his greatest writings as follows;
THE TRUE DECALOGUE
By: Apolinario Mabini

Page 26

Page 27
Seventh. Thou shall not recognize in thy country the authority of any person who has not been
elected by thee and thy countrymen; for authority emanates from God, and as God speaks in
the conscience of every man, the person designated and proclaimed by the conscience of a
whole people is the only one who use true authority.
Eighth. Thou shalt strive for a Republic and never for a monarchy in thy country; for the latter
exalts one or several families and founds a dynasty; the former makes a people noble and
worthy through reason, great through liberty, a prosperous and brilliant through labor.
Ninth. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; for God has imposed upon him, as well as upon
thee, the obligation to help thee and not to do unto thee what he would not have thee do unto
him; but if thy neighbour, failing in this sacred duty, attempt against thy life, thy liberty and thy
interests, then thou shalt destroy and annihilate him for the supreme law of self-preservation
prevails.
Tenth. Thou shalt consider thy countryman more than thy neighbour; thou shalt see him thy
friend, thy brother or at least thy comrade, with whom thou art bound by one fate, by the same
joys and sorrows and by common aspirations and interests.
Therefore, as long as national frontiers subsist, raised and maintained by the selfishness of race
and of family, with thy countryman alone shalt thou unite in a perfect solidarity of purpose and
interest, in order to have force, not only to resist the common enemy but also to attain all the
aims of human life.
The Great Comparison: Bonifacio, Del Pilar and Rizal
There are several differences among Bonifacio, MH Del Pilar and Rizal, among these were the
following;
Andres Bonifacio
He was one of the bravest among the Katipuneros but his thinking was more on “separation”
rather than “reformation”. He is more on action rather than thinking (Quirino, 1997). Bonifacio
could have been influenced by the books that he read about revolutions (French and even
American Revolutions). Andres Bonifacio is an actor like “Matanglawin” in Rizal’s sequel, El
Filibusterismo. Though he fough hard, still he was put to trial and then shot under Aguinaldo’s
regime at Mt. Buntis (in Maragondon mountains in Cavite) on May 10, 1897. There are some
doubts about his being a “hero of Manila” because of his faults in the Pinaglabanan battle.
Marcelo H. Del Pilar
He was known as the “great Tagalog writer”, a political analyst and lawyer who was one of
Rizal’s contenders over the leadership of paisanos in Europe. His ability to speak in “lengua
franca” was best suited to La Solaridad where he contributed his nationalistic writings. He had a
sharper mind and good language skill as compared to Rizal. Some of Del Pilar’s pamphlets
directly boldly hit the “evil friars”. His passion and dedication to the revolutionary movement
reduced him to a scavenger in the streets of Spain where he picked up cigarette butts to
survive. He died after before his plan to go back to the Philippines to join the revolution.
Jose Rizal
The only difference of Rizal to other heroes was his endeavour to educate his countrymen
before attaining freedom. He was a reformist who wanted to attain peace by means of his
mighty brain and his pen. As described by Quirino (1997), that he was a “thinker” rather than

Page 28
“doer”. Though he had a great strength, he also had certain weaknesses such as his lack of
“practicality” and “common sense”.
Rizal was a martyr and he should never replace as the Filipino national hero.

Page 29
ACTIVITY SHEET
Course & year: _______________________
Activity: NUMBER 17
Topic/s Covered: Lesson 13: Other National Heroes and their Political
Writings

1.) In your own words explain the word, “nationalism” and “nationalistic fervor”.
2.) Explain the works of MH Del Pilar. Will you consider his writings as anti-friar and anti-
government?
3.) What is the difference between between Rizal’s and Del Pilar’s writings? Which of those
writings had the biggest impact against Spain? Explain your answer fully.
4.) Based on their writings, what are the political thoughts of Emilio Jacinto and Apolinario
Mabini?
5.) Will you consider that the writings of M H. Del Pilar also signify the intervention of
Church in the State up to now? Prove your answer.

Page 30

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On December 26, 1896, the military court tried Jose Rizal and later found him guilty of rebellion,

Intentions to Write the Second Novel

Cover Page of the Second Novel-El Filibusterismo

Prepared by: SALLY ROSE G. ANGIHAN

Prepared by: SALLY ROSE G. ANGIHAN

DIRECTION: Perform what is asked on each item

Prepared by: SALLY ROSE G. ANGIHAN

Lesson 10: Rizal Second Homecoming

Prepared by: SALLY ROSE G. ANGIHAN

Prepared by: SALLY ROSE G. ANGIHAN

Song of the Wanderer

Dry leaf that flies at random

Anxious, he seeks joy everywhere

Prepared by: SALLY ROSE G. ANGIHAN

Impelled by a hand invisible,

A tomb perhaps in the desert,

And they envy the hapless wanderer

The pilgrim shall return to his country,

Begone, wanderer! In your own country

Begone, wanderer! Look not behind you

At Dapitan, the sandy shore

Prepared by: SALLY ROSE G. ANGIHAN

We are youth not long on earth

With our games we churn the sand,

“Talisayans”, people call us!

We study science exact;

Live, live, O leafy green Talisay!

Prepared by: SALLY ROSE G. ANGIHAN

Beside a spacious beach of fine and delicate sand

Its roof is fragile nipa; its floor is brittle bamboo;

The overflowing brook, that from the shadowy jungle

If the sky is serene, meekly flows the spring,

The barking of the dog, the twittering of the birds,

The sea, the sea is everything! Its sovereign mass

At night it is a mystery! … Its diaphanous element

‘Tis said they tell of the first morning on the earth,

But when the winds rage in the darkness of the night

Prepared by: SALLY ROSE G. ANGIHAN

across the air move cries that terrify the spirit,

Then do the mountain ranges on high reverberate;

The wild night hisses, hisses, confused and terrifying;

So pass the days of my life in my obscure retreat;

I live with the remembrance of those that I have loved

It is my faithful friend that never turns against me,

Faith do I have, and I believe the day will shine

I see the heavens shining, as flawless and refulgent

Across the fields and rivers of my native town

Prepared by: SALLY ROSE G. ANGIHAN

and the sweet secrets of a virginal romance.

On seeing the same moon, as silvery as before,

A butterfly athirst for radiances and colors,

And afterwards, when I desired, a weary swallow,

Hurled upon a rock of the country I adore;

No more are you, like once, full of fire and life,

You offer me, O illusions, the cup of consolation;

Beside a spacious beach of fine and delicate sand

Meet Josephin Bracken

Prepared by: SALLY ROSE G. ANGIHAN

DIRECTION: Perform what is asked on each item

Prepared by: SALLY ROSE G. ANGIHAN

Lesson 11: Rizal’s Last Travel

His Departure from Dapitan to Manila

Prepared by: SALLY ROSE G. ANGIHAN