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CHAPTER VII: PRACTICAL NATIONALISM IN DAPITAN

CHAPTER VII: PRACTICAL NATIONALISM IN DAPITANKYNA B. DAVIDCYRILLE AGNES A. TARROJA
Rizal was exiled in Dapitan after his summons to Malacanang Palace. In the four years that he stayed in
Dapitan, he demonstrated practical nationalism and his fellow Filipinos living there to do the same.
When Dr. Rizal was exiled in Dapitan, he was in the prime of life and was already a famous man, having
(to use Captain Ricardo Carniceros words) attained a certain level of popularity in Philippines.
He had passed only 31 summers; had obtained the best education here and abroad; had earned a
reputation as a great poet, essayist, and novelist; had become a skilled physician and ophthalmologist;
had proven himself an accomplished painter and sculptor; and had even been admitted into a number of
elite societies in Europe.
In short, it would not be incorrect to say that he had become a complete man and a citizen of the world.
Rizal varied accomplishments would serve him well during his sojourn in Dapitan
RIZAL BOARDS WITH THE COMMANDANTIn Dapitan, Rizal was given two choices of residency: with the
parish priest in the Jesuit mission house or with politico-military commander of the district in the Case
Real.
Casa Real
RIZAL BOARDS WITH THE COMMANDANTFr. Antonio Obach, S.J., the parish priest, imposed certain
conditions before before extending hospitality to Rizal: that he should make a public retraction of his
religious errors, issue statements that were unmistakably pro-Spanish, undergo the spiritual exercises
of St. Ignatius, and make general confession.
Fr. Antonio Obach, S.J.
RIZAL BOARDS WITH THE COMMANDANT
As Rizal considered many of such conditions unacceptable and was thus unwilling to satisfy them, he
chose to board with Governor Carnicero for about eight months. The governor was also a physician, a
bachelor, and a free thinker, like Rizal.Don Ricardo Carcinero
INDEPENDENT LIFE IN TALISAYIn the following month, Rizal won P6,200.00 in the lottery, which he
joined together with Captain Carcinero. He sent a third of this amount to his mother, and with the
remaining amount, he bought 16 hectares of land from the different owners who had abandoned them.
Three (3) pesetas amount Rizal allotted forlottery tickets every month.
INDEPENDENT LIFE IN TALISAYP20,000.00 lottery prize.P6,200.00 of it was givento Rizal.P2,000.00 of
his share he gave to his father and mother.P200.00 to his friend in Basa in Hong Kong. The rest
heinvested thru purchasing agricultural lands from the coast of Talisay about kilometer away from
Dapitan
Butuan mail boat which brought the news about Rizals winning in the lottery
INDEPENDENT LIFE IN TALISAYThis was his only vice. Wenceslao E. Retana (His first Spanish
biographer and former enemy)
Rizal was a lottery addict
INDEPENDENT LIFE IN TALISAYHe built his own house; planted coffee and cacao; established a hospital
and a school for bright boys; collected botanical and zoological specimens for some museums in Europe;
gathered more than 200 species of seashells, tilled the soil; and embarked on the business of buying and
selling abaca, copra, etc.
A TYPICAL DAY FOR RIZAL IN DAPITANRizal fortunately recounted in writing a graphic account of his
typical day in Talisay and in the poblacion. Such account was found in his letter to Blumentritt on
December 19, 1893
A TYPICAL DAY FOR RIZAL IN DAPITANFrom my house I can hear the murmur of a crystalline rivulet
that drops from high rocks, and I can see the shore, the sea where I have two small boats canoes or
barotos, as they are called here. I have many fruit trees: mangoes, lanzones, guayabanos, batuno, nanca,
etc. I have rabbits, dogs, cats, etc. I get up early, at five oclock, inspect my fields, feed the chickens, and
wake up my workers and get them to work. At half past seven, we breakfast on tea, pastries, cheese,
sweets, etc., then I examine and treat my poor patients who come to see me, after which I dress up and
go to town in my baroto to visit my patients there. I return at noon and have my luncheon, which will
have been made ready for me. Afterwards, I teach my boys until four oclock and spend the rest of the
afternoon in the fields. At night, I read and study.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A PHYSICIANAs there were hardly physicians in Dapitan, Rizal
practiced his profession in the town and rendered professional services to all who needed it, without
charging the poor.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A PHYSICIANDuring his last two years in Talisay, his fame as a
doctor was such that numerous patients from Bohol, Panay, Cebu, Luzon, Siquijor, Negros, Mindanao,
and even from outside the country made trips to Dapitan for medical treatment
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A PHYSICIANAmong the persons he treated were his mother, the
alferez, and an Englishman who paid him P500, George Taufer.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A PHYSICIANDona Teodora and Maria lived with Rizal for a year and
a half. It is here when Rizal operated his mothers right eye. Though the operation was successful, his
mother had a wound infection afterignoring Rizals instruction of not removing thebandages. However,
the infectionwas immediately treated
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A PHYSICIANHe gave free medicineRich patients who paid him for
his surgical skill.He operated his mothers eye.Don Ignacio Tumarong, Rizals patient who was able to see
again after his operation and paid him Php3,000.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A PHYSICIANAn Englishman paid him Php500.Don Florencio
Azcarraga, a rich hacendero ofAklan who was cured of eye ailment and paid him a cargo of sugar.Became
interested in the local medicine.Rizal prescribed medicinal plants to his poorpatients.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A PHYSICIANNow I understand very well why a physician should
not treat the members of his family.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A FARMERIn the early months of 1893, Rizal informed his mother
that his plantation had more than 50 lanzones trees, balanos, and 18 mangosteens. He also planted some
1,400 coffee and 200 cacao seedlings. He was confident that this property alone would yield him a net
profit of P2,000 annually.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A FARMERRizal acquired total land holdings of 70 hectares where
6,000 hemp plants, 1,000 coconut trees and numerous fruit trees, sugarcane, corn, coffee and cacao
were planted.He planned to establish an agricultural colony in Sitio Ponot because it was ideal for
raising cacao, coffee, coconuts and cattle. However, this did not materialize due to lack of supportfrom
the government
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A FARMERHe imported agricultural machinery from the United
StatesWe will establish a new Kalamba
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A BUSINESSMANRizal entered into a partnership with a male
Dapitan native and with a number of Spaniard who were in the business of buying and selling abaca,
copra, and fish. He taught the local natives and the governor to unite for trading purposes and so that
they would become independent and free themselves from the Chinese. Fortunately, they made a little
profit and became actively in trading, and very satisfied.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A BUSINESSMANIn partnership with Ramon Carreon, a Dapitan
MerchantCooperative Association of Dapitan Farmers - to improve the farm products, obtain better
outlets for them, collect funds for their purchases, and help the producers and workers by establishing a
store wherein they can buy prime commodities at moderate prices
Ramon Carreon, a Dapitan Merchant
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A BUSINESSMANRamon Carreon, Rizals business partner in Dapitan
Rizal made profitable business ventures in fishing, copra and hemp industries.Hemp industry, Rizals
most profitable businessOnce he shipped 150 bales of hemp to Manila. Hepurchased hemp in Dapitan at
P7 and 4 reales perpicul and he sold it toManila at P10 and 4 reales.
Ramon Carreon, a Dapitan Merchant
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A BUSINESSMANRizal also engaged in lime manufacturing.
Theirlime burner had a monthly capacity of more than 400 bags of limeHe organized the Cooperative
Association ofDapitan Farmers to break Chinese monopoly.
Ramon Carreon, a Dapitan Merchant
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A TEACHERRizal opened a sort of community school, which he
operated from January 1894 to the end of July 1896. At most, he had 23 pupils, some staying relatively
longer but most for only a few months. He also taught some of his nephews who stayed with him in
Talisay Spanish, English, arithmetic, gymnastics, swimming, etc.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A TEACHERThese fortunate lads were Emilio (son of Narcisa),
Teodosio and Estanislao (sons of Lucia), and Mauricio (son of Maria). He also taught the poor but
intelligent boys reading, Spanish, English, Mathematics, and geometry and values, including a better way
of earning a living.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A TEACHERIn Rizals students, the dignity of labor was practically
inculcated by requiring everyone to make himself useful (Craig, 1909). Further, the school that Rizal put
up in Dapitan was really the first school of its type, combining the use of English, nature study, and
industrial instruction.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A TEACHERRizal established in Dapitan a school.It began with 3
pupils who increased to 16 and eventually 21.16 of his pupils did not pay tuition. Instead ofcharging
them fees, Rizal made them work in his gardens and construction projects.Formal classes were between
2:00 p.m. and 4:00p.m. He also applied the emperor system like that of Ateneo.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A TEACHERDuring recess, pupils built fires to drive awayinsects,
pruned fruit trees and manured thesoil.Outside class hours, students had gymnastics,boxing, wrestling,
stone-throwing, swimming, arnis and boating
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A SCIENTISTThe late Dr. Jose P. Bantug, in his brochure entitled
Rizal: Scholar and Scientist (1946), briefly discussed Rizals achievements as a horticulturist, farmer,
botanist, pharmacologist, zoologist, entomologist, conchologist, ichthyologist, anthropologist,
ethnologist, cartographer, archeologist, sanitary engineer, and physician-specialist.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A SCIENTISTHe had built upa rich collection of concology (consisting
of 346 shells of 203 species)He discovered rarespecimenslike:Draco rizali(a flying dragon)Apogonia
rizali(a small beetle)Rhacophorus rizali(a rare frog)
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A SCIENTISTHe conducted anthropological, ethnographical,
archaeological, geological and geographical studies.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A SCIENTIST
The Three Rare Species
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A SCIENTIST
Fishes Caught in Dapitan
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A SCIENTISTAs Rizal found Dapitan and its environs teeming with
flora and fauna specimens, he was able to send valuable collections of reptiles, birds, crustaceans,
coleopteran, seashells, butterflies, etc. to Ateneo and some selected European museums.
Dresden Museum
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A SCIENTISTFor these remittances, his European friends
compensated him by way of books on science, philosophy, and literature, and with such surgical
instruments as he could use in his field of specialization.
Dresden Museum
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A SCIENTISTRizal sent specimens he found to the museum ofEurope
especially the Dresden Museum. In turn, he received scientific books and surgical instruments.
Dresden Museum
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A SCIENTISTAmong the other scientific achievements of Rizal in
Dapitan were the invention of a machine that could produce 6,000 bricks a day, the discovery of a
formula for making bakhaw paste, the making (with the aid of Fr. Sanchez) of a huge relief map of
Mindanao, which he displayed in the town plaza, and the extension of assistance in providing the people
of Dapitan with potable water.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A SCHOLAR AND WRITERIn spite of his various activities in Dapitan,
Rizal still found time for literary and linguistic pursuits. He studied the Bisayan and Malayan languages.
In February 1893, he reported to Blumentritt, I am learning Bisayo, and I am beginning to speak a little
with inhabitants here. Rizal also contributed to the fields of philology and etymology.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A SCHOLAR AND WRITERIn some of his letters to Blumentritt, he
explained to him the meaning and derivation of certain terms, such as Magingadaw, Lanaw, Dapitan,
Bathala, catalonan, and babailan. Rizals other writings during his deportation include four poemsTo Don
Ricardo Carnicero, My Retreat, Hymn to Talisay, and Song of the Traveler; four letters to Rev. Pablo
Pastels, S.J. on philosophy and religion; translations from German into Spanish of Prof. Blumentritts
Ethonographia de la Isla de Maguindanao and Ampliacion a Mi Mapa; fragments of three novel, two of
which are entitled Dapitan and Makamisa; the constitution and by-laws of the Society of Dapitan
Argriculturists; and the genealogy of the Rizal family.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A SCHOLAR AND WRITERHymn to Talisay, a poemRizalwrotein
honor ofTalisay which he made his pupils sing. Rizal conducted his school in a Talisay.
Talisay
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A SCHOLAR AND WRITERMy Retreat, upon restoring her eyesight,
Dona Teodora returned to Manila. Seeing how busy Rizal is, she regretted neglecting her muses. She
requested Rizal to write poetry. As a response, Rizal wrote Mi Retiro relating his serene life as an exile
inDapitan.
Dona Teodora
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A SCHOLAR AND WRITERThe Song of the Traveler, upon receiving
the acceptance of his offer to go to Europe then to Cuba to help in the curing ofpatients suffering yellow
fever, he wrote a poem El Canto del Viajero. It was with this joyous thought of resuming his travels that
he wrote his heart-warming poem.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A SCHOLAR AND WRITERIn Dapitan, he learned Bisayan, Subanun
and Malay languages. He knew 22 languages, as follows:TagalogIlokano Japanese HebrewBisayan
Subanun Portuguese SanskritSpanishLatin Sweddish DutchGreekEnglish Russian CatalanFrenchGerman
ItalianArabicMalay Chinese
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A SCHOLAR AND WRITER
Map of Mindanao made by Rizal and the company
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A SCHOLAR AND WRITER
Map of Mindanao made by Rizal and the company
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS AN ARTISTWhile in Dapitan, Rizal did not neglect his talent in
painting and sculpture. In fact, the picturesque scenery stimulated his artistic propensities. Among the
statuettes that his deft hands produced were those of a wild boar, busts of Captain Carnicero and his his
wife, a reclining figure of Josephine Bracken, St. Paul holding a cross, a Dapitan girl cutting grass,
Mothers Revenge (a mother dog biting a crocodile), and the head of a Dapitan girl.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS AN ARTISTContributed paintings to the Sisters ofCharity who were
preparing the sanctuary of the Holy Virgin.Madesketches of persons and things that attracted him in
Dapita.Modeled a statuette called The Mothers Revenge to stress the moral of the incident where a
puppy of his dog, Syria, was eatenby a crocodile.Constructed a statue of a girlcalled The Dapitan Girl, a
woodcarving of Josephine Bracken (Rizals wife).Made a bust of St. Paul for Father Pastel.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS AN ARTIST
Bust of captain CarniceroJosephine Bracken
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS AN ARTISTBust of St. PaulDapitan girl cutting grass
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS AN ARTISTBust of Fr. GuerricoMothers Revenge (a mother dog
biting a crocodile)
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A COMMUNITY LEADERAs a political prisoner, Rizal could have
continued lodging and boarding for free with the politico-military governor of the district as long as his
deportation was in force. He was no ordinary man, though; he had a strong sense of dignity and self-
respect. He wanted to show his enemies, the rulers, and also set a shining example of his countrymen,
that he was the master of his own destiny, and that he could rise above misfortune and adversity. He
also wanted to show them that he could be financially independent and could stand on his own feet.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A COMMUNITY LEADER...Rizal also served as a community leader in
Dapitan. He devoted much effort to improving the community and the conditions of the people there.
Towards this end, he dedicated himself to a number of worthy enterprises: He tilled the soil and planted
rice, corn, abaca, and many fruit trees on his plantations; constructed a number of residential and little
hospital-houses; practiced his profession as a physician and an eye surgeon; engaged in the business of
buying and selling abaca, copra, and other goods; operated a community school for the bright boys of the
town; helped the people live in a more sanitary and healthful way; assisted in the beautification of the
public square and provided lights in the streets at night; and above all, set himself as an example of an
honest, law-abiding, and hardworking citizen.
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A COMMUNITY LEADER...As a Perito Agrimensor (expert surveyor),
Rizal applied his engineering knowledgeby constructing a system of waterworks to furnish clean water
to the towns people.
Water System for Dapitan
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A COMMUNITY LEADER
Water System for Dapitan
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A COMMUNITY LEADER...Mr. H.F. Cameron, American engineer
whopraised Rizal for his engineering ingenuityMr. H.F. Cameron
RIZALS ACTIVITIES IN DAPITANAS A COMMUNITY LEADER...Malaria is spread by the mosquitoes which
thrive in swampy placesPhp500 was used for lighting system, using Coconut oillampsBeautification of
DapitanBeautified the town of Dapitanby remodeling the town plaza and making a huge relief map of
Mindanao out of earth, stones and grass.Dapitan Town
RIZAL DEBATES ON RELIGIONThroughout the four years that Rizal stayed in Dapitan, he sustained a
lively discussion on religion via correspondence with Fr. Pablo Pastells, a Jesuit of Ateneo and a former
teacher of his. In this he more than held his own. His letters on the topic of religion are most
enlightening. Fr. Sanchez and another priest offered him a professorship in the University of Santo
Thomas, a hundred thousand pesos, and a hacienda if he would retract what he had written in his novels
about the friars in the Philippines, but all these were no avail.
RIZAL DEBATES ON RELIGIONThe debate started whenPastells sent Rizal a bookby Sarda along with an
advice that Rizal should desist from his majaderas (foolishness) in viewing religion from the perspective
of individualjudgement and self-esteem.
RIZAL DEBATES ON RELIGIONThe debate can be read in four (4) letters.Rizal was bitter against the
friars because they commit abuses under the cloakof religion.Father Pastells tried to bring back to
Catholicism Rizal by telling him that human intelligenceis limited, thus he needs the guidance of God
AN EXILE IN DAPITANRizals work experiences in Dapitan enhanced his concept of practical nationalism.
He was more than ever fully convinced that self-improvement and community development are the
beginning of national governance.
REACTION TO KATIPUNAN AND TO ITS PLAN OF STAGING A REVOULUTIONOn June 21, 1897, Dr. Pio
Valenzuela visited Rizal in Dapitan together with a blind man. He wanted to inform him about the
establishment of the Katipunan and to seek his support for the revolution that they were planning to
stage against the Spaniards. Rizal did not accept the ideas of the Katipunero because he believed that an
armed uprising against the Spaniards was premature then, for several reasons, among these his belief
that the Filipino people were not ready for the revolution at that point, and insufficiency of funds and
ammunition. Rizal gave Dr. Pio Valenzuela some advice, however, if they were intent in pushing though
with their plan.
REACTION TO KATIPUNAN AND TO ITS PLAN OF STAGING A REVOULUTIONHe advised him to seek the
support of the elite and the influential people in Manila for the revolution so there would be unity
among the people, which was important for the success of the revolution, and that Antonio Luna be
made to lead the revolution.Rizal was presented with many opportunities to escape from Dapitan and
thereafter to head the revolution, but he did not take such opportunities as he considered escaping a
cowardly act and insisted that he would rather not lead the revolution.
REACTION TO KATIPUNAN AND TO ITS PLAN OF STAGING A REVOULUTIONPio Valenzuela, emissary to
Dapitan in order to inform Rizal of the plan ofKatipunan during the meeting at a little river called
Bitukang Manok.
Pio Valenzuela
REACTION TO KATIPUNAN AND TO ITS PLAN OF STAGING A REVOULUTIONVenus, steamer Valenzuela
boarded to reach DapitanRaymundo Mata, blind man who came with Valenzuela to camouflage his
mission Rizal objected Bonifacios project because:The people are not ready for a revolutionArms
andfunds must first be collectedbefore raising the cry of revolution.
RIZAL VOLUNTEER AS A MILITARY DOCTOR IN CUBAAugust 1, 1896 was sad day for Dapitan for
everybody in this little town had become Rizals friend, especially his students and neighbors. He bade
them all a sad farewell as he left Dapitans shores, having volunteered to serve as a military physician in
the revolution that was raging then in Cuba. He knew he was never going to see Dapitan and its people
again. Several of his pupils accompanied him to Manila.
RIZAL VOLUNTEER AS A MILITARY DOCTOR IN CUBAHe proceeded to Spain aboard the boat Isla de
Panay, but upon his arrival at Barcelona, he was thrown into a dungeon called Muntjuich. He was then
ordered back to Manila, heavily guarded and in chains. On his way to Spain, he could have escaped to
Singapore upon the instigation of some Filipinos there, but he refused to consider such a course
RIZAL VOLUNTEER AS A MILITARY DOCTOR IN CUBAWhen Cuba was under revolution and raging
yellow fever epidemic, Rizal wrote to GovernorGeneral Ramon Blanco offering his services as military
doctor.Governor Blanco later notified Rizal of the acceptance of the offer. The notification came along
with an instruction of acquiring first a pass for Manila from thepolitico-military commanderof Dapitan.
RIZAL VOLUNTEER AS A MILITARY DOCTOR IN CUBA
Gen. Ramon Blanco
RIZAL VOLUNTEER AS A MILITARY DOCTOR IN CUBAEspaa, steamer which brought Rizal to Manila
from Dapitan Rizal was accompanied by Josephine, Narcisa, Angelica (Narcisas daughter), his three
nephews and six pupils. As farewell, the town brass of Dapitan played the dolorous Funeral March of
Chopin. He stayed in Dapitan for four years, thirteen days and a few hours.