BIOGRAPHY, WRITINGS, AND LEOACIES OF OUR BAYANI i 63. Chapter ae EXILE, TRIAL, AND DEATH Bitter-Sweet Lif Dapitan The deportee could have stayed in the Dapitan parish convent had he retracted his anti-Catholic pronouncements and made a general confession of his past life. Not willing to accéde to these main conditions set by the Jesuits, Jose Rizal instead opted to live at the commandant's residence called “Casa Real” The commandant Captain Ricardo Carnicero and Jose Rizal became such good friends that the exile did not feel that the captain was actually his guard. Later in his life in Dapitan, Rizal wrote a poem A Don Ricardo Carnizero honoring the kind commandant on the occasion of his birthday on August 26, 1892. In September 1892, Rizal and Carnicero won in a lottery. The Manila Lottery ticket no. 9736 jointly owned by Rizal, Carnicero, and a Spanish resident of Dipolog won the second prize of Php 20, 0000. Rizal used some part of his share (Php 6, 200) in procuring a parcel of land near the coast of Talisay, a barrio near Dapitan. On a property of more than 10 hectares, he put up three houses made of bamboo, wood, and nipa. He lived in the house, which was square in shape. Another house, which was hexagénal, was the barn where Rizal kept his chickens. In his octagonal house lived some of his pupils—for Rizal also established a school, teaching young boys practical subjects, like reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and Spanish ‘and English languages. Later, he constructed additional huts to accommodate his recovering out-of-town patients.64 55 THE Lire AND WORKS OF JOSE RIZAL Daily Life as an Exile. During his exile, Rizal practiced me farming and horticulture, He grew manly makopa, santol, mangosteen, jacktruit, guayabanos, come animals (ike rabbite, dogs, cats, and chickens) "9° " started with only three pupils and had about more than exile ended. icine, taught some puplls and srenged a fruit trees (like coconut, mango, lanzones alana, and nanka)and domesticatey ) The school he founded in 1895 dents at the time his Rizal would rise at five in the morning to see his plants, feed a prepare breakfast. Having taken his morning meal, he would tre (ents 3 who had come to his house Paddling his boat called baroto(he had ee o ae : would then proceed to Dapitan town toattend to his other patients there ‘ole morning, Rizal would return to Talisay to take his lunch, Teaching his pupils would begin at about 2 pm. and would end at 4 or 5 in the afternoon With the help of his pupils, Rizal would spend the rest of the afternoon in farming—planting trees, watering the plants, and pruning the fruits, Rizal then would spend the night reading ‘and writing. Rizal and the Jesuits pt The first attempt by the Jesuit friars to win. back the deported Rizal to the Catholie fold was the offer for him to live in the Dapitan convent under some conditions. Refusing to compromise, Rizal did not stay with the parish priest Antonio Obach in the church convent: Just a month after Rizal was deported to Dapitan, the Jesuit Order assigned to Dapitan ‘the priest Francisco de Paula Sanchez, Rizal's favorite teacher in Ateneo. Many times, they engaged in cordial religious discussions. But though Rizal appreciated his mentor's efforts, he could not be convinced to change his mind. Nevertheless, their differences in belief did not get in the way of their good friendship. « The priest Pablo Pastells, superior of the Jesuit Society in the Philippines, also made some attempts by correspondence to win over to Catholicism the exiled physician. Four times they exchanged letters from September 1892 to April 1893 The debate was none less than scholarly, and it manifested Rizal's knowledge of the Holy Scriptures for he quoted verses from it. Though Rizal consistently attended mass in Dapitan, he refused to espouse the conventional type of Catholicism.BIOORAPHY, WRITINOS, AND LEGACIES OF OUR BAYANI ot 65, ‘Achievements in Dapitan Rizal provided significant community services in Dapitan, like improving the town's drainage and constructing better water system using empty bottles and bamboo joints. He also taught the town folks about health and sanitation to avoid the spread of diseases, With his Jesuit priest friend Sanchez, Rizal made a huge relief map of Mindanco in Dapitan, plaza. Also, he bettered the forest there by providing evident trails, stairs, and some benches, He invented a wooden machine for the mass production of bricks, Using the bricks he produced, Rizal built a water dam for the community with the help of his students. . As the town's doctor, Rizal equally treated all patients regardless of their economic and social status. He accepted as "fees" things like poultry and crops, and at times, even gave his services to poor folks for free. His specialization was ophthalmology, but he also offered treatments to almost all kinds of diseases, like fever. sprain, broken bones, typhoid, tuberculosis, and even leprosy (Bantug & Ventura, 1997; p. 112), Rizal also helped in the livelihood of the abaca farmers in Dapitan by trading their crops in Manila. He gave them lessons in abaca-weaving to produce hammocks. Noticing that the fishing method by the locals was inefficient, he taught them better techniques, like weaving and using better fishing nets Asa Scientist and Philolo; Aside from doing archaeological excavation’, Rizal inspected Dapitan's rich flora and fauna, providing a sort of taxonomy to’numerous kinds of forest and sea creatures. From his laboratory and herbarium, he sent various biological specimens to scientists in Europe, like his dear friend Doctor Adolph B. Meyer in Dresden. In return, the European scholars sent him books and some other academic reading materials. : From the collections he sent to European scholars, at least three species were named after him: a Dapitan frog (Rhacophorirs rizaii), a type of beetle (Apogonia rizali), ond a flying dragon (Draco rizali) Having learned’ the Visayan language, he also engaged himself in the study of language, culture, and literature, He examined local folklores, customs, Tagalog grammar, and the Malay language. His intellectual products about these subjects he related to some European academicians, like Doctor Reinhold Rost, his close philologist friend in London. Proofs that he was a separatist and an insurgen "asked for forgiveness after he was cured by 66 © THE LIFE AND WorKS OF JOSE RIZAL | | The Spies and Secret Emissary____—— sent spies to gather incriminating . Perhaps disturbed by his d his:covert mission ang’ Not just once did Rizal learn that his “enemies” rieta reveale conscience, a physician named Matias Ar ive Rizal (Bantug & Ventura, 1997, p. 116) mself to Rizal as Pablo Mercado. Claiming to ing Rizal's letters to Rizal In March 1895, a man introduced hi be Rizal's relative, this stranger eagerly volunteered to bri é certain persons in Manila, Made suspicious by the visitor's insistence, interrogated him, and it turned out that his real name was Florencio Nanaman:of Cagayan de Misainis, paid as a secret agent by the Recollect friars. But because it ‘was raining that evening, the kind Rizal did not command Nanaman out of his house but even let the spy spend the rainy night in his place (Bantug & Ventura, 1997, p. 117). f In June the next year, a different kind ’ of emissary was sent to Rizal. Doctor Pio Valenzuela was sent to Dapitan by Andres Bonifacio—the Katipunan leader who believed that carrying out revolt had to be sanctioned first by Rizal. Disguised ds a mere companion of a blind patient seeking - treatment from Rizal, Valenzuela was able to discreetly deliver the Katipunan'’s message for Rizal. But Rizal politely refused to approve the uprising, suggesting that peaceful means was far better than Doctor Pio Valenzuela: Hewassent violent ways in obtaining freedom: Rizal further by Bonifacio to Rizal in Dapitan; believed that a revolution would be unsuccessful Valenzuela City was named after him (retrato.com.ph) without arms and monetary support from wealthy Filipinos. He thus recommended that if the Katipunan were to start a revolution, it had to ask for the support of rich and educated Filipinos, like Antonio Luna who was an expert on military strategy (Bantug & Ventura, 1997, p. 133) (For discussions on Rizal's relation and collaboration with Bonifacio, read Appendix M: “Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio.”) Visited by loved ones Rizal was in Dapitan when he learned that his true love Leonor Rivera had died. What somewhat consoled his desolate heart was the visits of his mother and some sisters.BIOORAPHY, WRITINGS, AND LEGACIES OF OUR BAYAN! ct G7 In August 1893, Dofia Teodora, along with daughter Trinidad, joined Rizal in Dapitan and resided with him in his casa cuadrada (square house). The son successfully operated on his mother’s cataract. ‘At distinct times, Jose's sisters Maria and Narcisa also visited him. Three of Jose’s nephews likewise went to Dapitan and had their early education under their uncle: Maria's son Mauricio (Moris) and Lucia's sons Teodosio (Osi) and Estanislao (Tan), Jose’s niece Angelica, Narcisa's daughter, also experienced living for some time with her exiled uncle in Mindanao, In 1895, Dofia Teodora left Dapitan for Manila tobe with Don Francisco who was getting weaker. Shortly after his mother left, Josephine Bracken came to Jose's life. Josephine was an orphan with Irish: blood and the stepdaughter of Jose's patient from Hong Kong. Rizal and Bracken were unable to obtain a church wedding because Jose would not retract his anti- Catholic views. He nonetheless took Josephine as his common-law wife who kept him company and kept house for him. Before the year ended in 1895, the z couple had a child who was born prematurely. The Josephine Bracken: Rizal's son who was named after Rizal's father (Francisco) Coonan awit (wikipedia.org) died a few hours after birth. Replica of Rizal’s Casa Cuadrada in Dapitan, now part of Rizal Shrine Dapitan (ckt.com) Goodbye Dapitan In 1895, Blumentritt informed Rizal that the revolution-ridden Cuba, another nation colonized by Spain, was raged by a yellow-fever epidemic. Because there was a shortage of physicians to attend to war victims and disease-stricken people, Rizal in December 1895 wrote to the then Governor-General Ramon Blanco, volunteering to provide medical services in Cuba, Receiving no reply from Blanco, Rizal lost interest in his request. But on July 30, 1896, Rizal received a letter from the governor-general sanctioning his petition to serve as volunteer physicidn in Cuba, Rizal made immediate preparations to leave, selling ahd giving as souvenirs to friends and students his various properties.Fee 68 s THE Lire AND Works oF JOSE RIZAL : In the late afternoon of July 31, Rizal got on the “Espafia” with Joaophines ade iece, three nephews, and three of his students. Many Dapitan se adden Rizal's students, came to see their beloved doctor for the last time. cordially “ilps _ him goodbye, they shouted “Adios, Dr Rizal’ as some of his students pea loving _ With sorrowing heart, he waved his hand in farewell to the generous an¢ © _ Dapitan folks, saying, “Adios, Dapitant" ; -senntiig The steamer departed for Manila at midnight of July 31, 1896. with oes district eyes, Rizal later wrote in his diary onboard the ship, “I have heen ys aide Teed: four years, thirteen days, and a few hours" (as cited in G.ZaidaeS: : p. 242).OO ———_— THE Lire AND WoRKS OF JOSE RIZAL From Noon to 7pm. ? “ ‘At noon, Rizal was left alone in his cell, ya } had his lunch, read the Bible, and meditateg, ‘About this time, Balaguer reported to, the ‘Archbishop that only a little hope remaineg that Rizal would retract (‘Rizal's Last Hours, . nd. para, 10) Refusing to receive visitors for the meantime, Rizal probably finished his last poem at this moment. Rizal also wrete to i Blumentritt his last letter in which he calleg A sketch of Ferdinand Blumentritt by Juan x Luna; both are Rizal's good friends; the the Austrian scholar “my best, my dearest former was called by theheroas"mybest, friend (as cited in Cueto, 2012, para. 7). my dearest friend.’ (pinterest:com) He then had a talk with priests Estanislao March and Vilaclara at about 2 pm. Balaguer. then returned to Rizal's cell at 330 p.m. and allegedly discussed (again) about Rizals retraction (6. Zaide & S. Zaide, 1984, p. 265) Rizal then wrote letters and dedications and rested shortly. ¢ At 4 pm, the sorrowful Dofia Teodora and Jose's sisters went to see the sentenced Rizal. The mother was not allowed a last embrace by the guard, but her beloved son, in quiet grief, managed to press a kiss on her hand. Dominguez was said to have been moved with compassion at the sight of Rizal's kneeling before his mother and asking for forgiveness (‘Rizal's Last Hours” nd, para. 14). As the dear visitors were leaving, Jose handed over to Trinidad an alcohol cooking stove, a gift from the Pardo de Taveras, whispering to her in a language which the guards could not comprehend, ‘There is something in it’ That “something” was Rizal's elegy now known as Mi Ultimo Adios (Bantug & Ventura, 1997, p. 149) The Dean of the Manila Cathedral, Don Silvino Lopez Tufion, went to see Rizal to exchange some views with him at about 5:30 pm. Balaguer and March then left, leaving Vilaclara and Tufion in Rizal's cell, As Rosell was leaving at about 6 pm, Josephine Bracken arrived in Fort Santiago. Rizal called for her, and they emotionally talked with each other (‘Rizal's Last Hours," n.d, para. 16). The Night of December 29 _ At 7 pm, Faura returned and convinced Rizal to trust him and some other Ateneo professors. After some quiet moments, Rizal purportedly confessed to Faura (‘Rizal's Last Hours," n.d., para. 17). Rizal then took his last supper at about 8 p.m. and attended to his personal needs. He then told Dominguez that he had forgiven his enemies and the military judgesBIOGRAPITY, WRITINGS, AND LEGACIES OF OUR BAYAN c@ QJ. who sentenced him todeath, At about 9 or 9:30 p.m, Manila’s Royal Audiencia Fiscal” Don Gaspar Cestafio arrived and had an amiable talk with Rizal Historians Gregorio and Sonia Zaide alleged that at 10 pm, Rizal and some | Catholic priests worked’ on the hero's retraction (1984, pp. 265-266). Supposedly, Balaguer brought to Rizal a retraction 'draft made by Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda, but Rizal did not like it for being long, A shorter retraction made by Jesuit Pio Pi was then offered to Rizal, which he allegedly liked. So it was said that he wrote his retraction renouncing freemasonry and his anti-Catholic ideas. (Zaides’ book, nonetheless, admitted that the supposed retraction {s now a (very) controversial document. For many reasons, Rizal's assumed retraction and his supposed church marriage with Bracken have been considered highly dubious by many Rizal scholars) Rizal then spent the night resting until the crack of dawn of December 30, Perhaps praying and meditating once ina while. The Early Morning of December30___ The Zaides alleged that at 3 a.m. Rizal heard Mass, confessed sins, and took Communion (1984, p: 266). At about 4 a.m, Rizal picked up the book /mitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, read, and meditated. At 5 a.m, he washed up, attended to his personal needs, read the Bible, and contemplated. For breakfast, he was given three boiled eggs. Rizal's grandniece Asuncion Lopez-Rizdl Bantug mentioned “three softboiled eggs" and narrated that Rizal ate two of them. (Bantug & Ventura, 1997, pp. 151-152). Historian Ambeth R. Ocampo, on the other hand, wrote “three hard- boiled eggs" and related that Rizal “did‘not have any breakfast“ (Ocampo, 2012. p. 22M, Both historians nevertheless wrote that Rizal placed the boiled egg (or eggs) toa cell corner, saying in effect, “This is for the rats, let them celebrate likewise!” Afterward, Rizal wrote letters, one addressed to his family and another to Paciano, To his family, he partly wrote, ‘I ask you for forgiveness for the pain I cause you .. [die resigned, hoping that with my death you will be left in peace" He also left this niessage to his sisters: I enjoin you to forgive one another. Treat your old parents as you would like to be treated by your children later. Love them very much in my memory’ To Paciano, he partially wrote, ‘lam thinking now how hard you have worked to give me a career - I know that you have suffered much on my account, and Iam sorry" (as cited in 6. Zaide & S. Zaide, 1984, pp.266-267) Though some accounts state that Bracken was forbidden from. seeing Rizal on this fateful day, the Zaides wrote that at 5:30 a.m, she and Rizal's sister Josefa came. The couple was said to have embraced for the last time, and Rizal gave to Josephirie the book Imitation of Christ on which he wrote.the dedication: ‘To my dear and unhappy wife, Josephine/ December 30", 1896/ Jose Rizal” (1984, p. 267) (JosephineTen SE Encore © Bracken’s biography, Including her sorry Me a eS a ST eg 82 Fo THe Lire AND WoRKS OF JOSE RIZAL Wife) Appendix R: Josephine Bracken: Jose Rizal’s Dear and Unhappy gumbayan, he managed to pen his lage Before th march to Ba letters to Mu Sioa BSreh To Don Francisco, he wrote, oe Pa ne Pain, which I repay you .. Good bye, Father, goodbye. Perhaps told by , oritieg that the march was about to begin, Rizal managed to write only the following to his mother (as cited in . Zaide & S. Zalde, 1984, p. 268): To my very dear Mother, Sra, Difa, Teodora Alonso 6 oclock in the morning, December 30. 1896, Jose Rizal tor Rizal's death, Is discussed jy Slow Walk to Death ‘At 630 a.m, Rizal in black suit and black bowler hat, tied elbow to elbow, began his slow walk to Bagumbayari. He walked along with his defense lawyer. Andrade, and two Jesuit priests, Marchand Vilaclara. In front of them were the advance guards of armed soldiers and behind them was another group of military men. The sound of a trumpet signaled the start of the death march, and the muffled sound of drums served as the musjcal score of the walk. Early on that morning, many. people had eagerly lined the streets. Some were sympathetic to him, others—especially the Spaniards—wanted nothing less than to see him die. Some observed that Rizal kept keenly looking around, and “it was believed that his family or the Katipuneros would make a last-minute effort to spring him from the trap’ (Ocampo, 2012, p. 228), s Once in a while, Rizal conversed with the priests, commenting on things like his ~ happy'years at the Ateneo as they passed by Intramuros, Commenting on the clear morning, he was said to have uttered something like, “What a beautiful morning! On days'like this, | used to take a walk here with my sweetheart" (Ocampo, 2012, p. 228). . After some minutes, they arrived at the historic venue of execution, Filipino soldiers were deliberately chosen ,to composé the firing squad, Behind them stood their Spanish counterparts. ready to execute them als0 Anactual picture of Rizal's execution: Eight native soldiers ‘were in the firing squad and the dog in the photo was said to Tun around the lifeless body of Rizal, whining. (positivelyfilipino.com) should they decline to do the joo.BIOGRAPHY, WRITINGS, AND LEGACIES OF OUR BAYANI 6a 83 There was just a glitch in the proceeding as Rizal refused to kneel and declined the traditional blindfold. Maintaining that he was not a traitor to his country and to Spain, he even requested to face the firing squad. After some sweet-talk, Rizal finally agreed to turn his back to the firing squad on the condition that he would © be shot not in the head—but in the small of the back instead. { When agreement had been reached, Rizal thankfully shook the hand of his defense lawyer. The military physician then asked permission to feel the pulse of the man who had only a few minutes to live. The curious doctor was startled to find Rizal's pulse normal. Before leaving Rizal in his appointed place, the priests offered him a crucifix to kiss "but he turned his head away and silently prepared for his death” (Ocampo, 2012, p. 228). ° “ When the command had been given, the executioners’ long guns barked at once. Rizal yelled Christ's two last words “Consummatum esti" (It is finished!) as he simultaneously exerted a final effort to twist his bullet-pierced body halfway around. Facing the sky. Jose Rizal fell on the ground dead at exactly 7:03 on the morning of December 30, 1896.