The Philippines in the Nineteenth Century

Philippines in the 19th century was largely medieval, signs of progress or change were noted in certain sectors. Its social
and economic structure was based on the old feudalistic patterns of abuse and exploitation of the Indio. Racial
discrimination practices were oppressive.
1. Social Structure
An elite class exploited the masses, fostered by “master-slave” relationship. Spaniards exacted all forms of taxes and
tributes, and drafted the natives for manual labor. The poor became poorer and the rich, richer.

2. Political System

3. Educational System
There was no systematic government supervision of schools. The Schools were free to administer their own curricula
and prescribe the qualifications of their teachers.
Most serious criticisms against the system were:
a. Overemphasis on religious matters
b. Obsolete teaching methods
c. Absence of teaching materials such as books.
d. Absence of academic freedom
e. Prejudice against Filipinos for higher learning
f. Controls of the friars over the system
College of San Juan de Letran was the only official secondary school in the Philippines. University of Santo Tomas was the
only institution of university level in Manila. Educational Decree of 1863- provisions for the establishment of teacher
training schools and for government supervision of the public school system.
Peninsulare- Spanish born in Spain.
Insulares- Spanish born in the Philippines.
Mestizo- Mix of 2 races. ex. Filipino and Spanish, Spanish to Indians.
Indio- pure blooded Filipinos.

Jose Rizal: Life, Works and Writings

(Life, works, and writings of a genius, writer, scientist and national hero)

The Birth of a Hero

Jose was born on the moonlit night of Wednesday, June 19, 1861, in the lakeshore town of Calamba, Laguna Province,
Philippines.
He was baptized in the Catholic church of his town on June 22, aged three days old, by the parish priest, Father Rufino
Collantes. His name “Jose” was chosen by his mother who was a devotee of the Christian saint San Jose (St. Joseph

Rizal’s Parents
•Francisco Mercado Rizal (1818-1898) – The hero’s father, was born in Biñan, Laguna, on May 11, 1818. He became a
tenant-farmer of the Dominican-owned hacienda. He was a hardy and independent-minded man, who talked less and
worked more. In his student memoirs, Rizal affectionately called him “a model of fathers”.
•Teodora Alonso Realonda (1826-1911) – The hero’s mother, was born in Manila on November 8, 1826 and was educated
at the College of Santa Rosa. Before her death, the Philippine government offered her a life pension but she rejected it.

The Rizal Children

•Saturnina (1850-1913) – nicknamed Neneng; married Manuel Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas.
•Paciano (1851-1930) – older brother and confidant of Jose Rizal. He joined the Philippine Revolution and became a
combat general.
•Narcisa (1852-1939) – her pet name was Sisa and married Antonio Lopez (nephew of Fr. Leoncio Lopez), a school
teacher of Morong.
•Olimpia (1855-1887) – Ypia was her pet name; she married Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator from Manila.
•Lucia (1857-1919) – she married Mariano Herbosa of Calamba, who was a nephew of Father Casanas.
•Maria (1859-1945) – Biang was her nickname; she married to Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna.
•Jose (1861-1896) – the greatest Filipino hero and peerless genius; his nickname was Pepe; during his exile in Dapitan he
lived with Josephine Bracken, Irish girl from Hongkong; he had a son by her, but died a few hours after birth; Rizal named
him “Francisco” after his father and buried him.
•Concepcion (1862-1865) – her pet name was Concha; she died of sickness at the age of 3; her death was Rizal’s first
sorrow in life.
•Josefa (1865-1945) – her pet name was Panggoy; she died an old maid at the age of 80.
•Trinidad (1868-1951) – Trining was her pet name; she died also an old maid at the age of 83.
•Soledad (1870-1929) – youngest of the Rizal children; her pet name was Choleng; she married Pantaleon Quintero of
Calamba.

Rizal’s Ancestry
•Rizal was a product of a mixture of races. In his veins flowed the blood of both East and West – Negrito, Indonesian,
Malay, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish.
•Rizal’s great-great grandfather on his father’s side was Domingo Lamco, married to Ines de la Rosa, and assumed the
surname Mercado.
•They had a son, Francisco Mercado (resided in Biñan), married to Cirila Bernacha (Chinese-Filipino mestiza), and was
elected gobernadorcillo. One or their sons, Juan Mercado (Rizal’s grandfather), married to Cirila Alejandro.
•Capitan Juan and Capitana Cirila had thirteen children, the youngest being Francisco Mercado, Rizal’s father.

The Surname Rizal

•The real surname of the Rizal family was Mercado, which was adopted 1731 by Domingo Lamco (Rizal’s great-great
grandfather), who was a full blooded Chinese.
•Rizal – which was given by a Spanish alcalde mayor (provincial governor) of Laguna, who was a family friend.
•Rizal is originally “Ricial” which means the green of young growth or green fields.

The Rizal Home

•Was one of the distinguished stone houses in Calamba during Spanish time.
•It was a two-storey building, rectangular in shape, built of adobe stones and hard-woods, and roofed with red tiles.
•Behind the house were the poultry yard full of turkeys and chickens and a big garden of tropical fruit trees.

Earliest Childhood Memories

•Because he was a frail, sickly, and undersized child, he was given more affection by his parents.
•A kind old woman was employed as an aya (nurse maid) to look after his comfort.
•They had their daily Angelus prayer. His mother gathered all the children at the house to pray the Angelus.
•The aya related to the Rizal children many stories about the fairies; tales of buried treasure and trees blooming with
diamonds, and other fabulous stories.

The Story of a Moth

•Of the stories told by Doña Teodora to her favorite son, Jose, that of the young moth made the profoundest impression
on him. She [Rizal's mother] also narrated stories and encouraged him to write poems. One popular story was the lamp
and the moth.
“Once there was a young moth that was drawn towards a flame. Despite his mother's warning not to go near the flame,
the young moth still flew towards it. He found the light so beautiful that he refused to listen to his mother. He flew
nearer each time, encircling the flame, approaching its light, until his wings caught fire... and he fell to his death”
•The tragic fate of the young moth, which “died a martyr to its illusions,” left a deep impress on Rizal’s mind. He justified
such noble death, asserting death “to sacrifice one’s life for it,” meaning for an ideal is “worthwhile”.
•The moth symbolizes Rizal, the flame: the freedom and the wings catching fire symbolize Rizal's books.

Artistic Talents
•At the age of five he begun to make sketches with his pencil and to mold in clay and wax objects.
•Upon the request of the town mayor, he painted a new religious banner which was always used during the fiesta. The
people were delighted because it was better than the original one.
•Jose had the soul of a genuine artist. He found great joy looking at the blooming flowers, the ripening fruits, the
dancing waves of the lake, and the milky clouds in the sky; and listening to the song of the birds.
•When he was about six years old his sisters laughed at him for spending so much time making those clay and wax
images rather than participating their games.

Early Education in Calamba and Biñan

Rizal had his early education in Calamba and Biñan. He who was born a physical weakling, rose to become an
intellectual giant not because of, but rather in spite of, the outmoded and backward system of instruction obtaining in
the Philippines during the last decades of Spanish regime.

The Hero’s First Teacher

•His first teacher was his mother, who was a remarkable woman of a good character and a fine culture.
•As Jose grew older, his parents employed private tutors to give him lessons at home.
Maestro Celestino – first employed teacher at home
Mestro Lucas Padua – second employed teacher at home
Maestro Leon Monroy – a former classmate of Rizal’s father
•Maestro Monroy lived at the Rizal’s home and instructed Jose in Spanish and Latin but he did not live long.

DEVOTED SON OF CHURCH

Young Jose is a religious boy. At the age of 3, he began to take part in the family prayer. His mother taught him
the catholic prayer. When he was 5 years old, he was able to read haltingly the Spanish family bible. He started his life as
a student of ateneo in June 1872 with a prayer. One of the men he esteemed and respected in calamba during his
boyhood was father Leoncio Lopez, the town priest

INFLUENCES OF Jose Rizal’s Boyhood

1.) Hereditary influence- according to biological science, there are inherent traits or qualities which a person
inherits from his ancestors and parents. Therefore,Rizal inherited lot of good qualities from his ancestors, father and
mother.
2.) Environmental influence- environment, as well as hereditary, affects the nature of a person. Which includes
places, associates, and events? Like Rizal was affected in what his family and the environment influence and teach him to
be a good son and develop his talent and ability.
3.) Aid of Divine Providence- Rizal was providentially destined to be the pride and glory of our people. God had
endowed him with the venatile talents of a rare genius. Binan- the natal town of his father where he started his first
formal school.

The Hero’s First Teacher

•His first teacher was his mother, who was a remarkable woman of a good character and a fine culture.
•As Jose grew older, his parents employed private tutors to give him lessons at home.
Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz- A good teacher of Rizal in private school. Rizal studied in this school from 1870
to 1871. It was an education with much religion and overly strict discipline. Early schooling: His mother- his first teacher.
She teaches Latin alphabet and the catholic prayer. Maestro Celestino and maestro Lucas Padua- his private tutors. Leon
Monroy- Old Latin teacher, Classmate of his father, he was hired to give Rizal the first lessons in latin. But he died 5
months later. His parents decided to send him in Binan, because they heard of a good teacher, who was running a private
school in Binan. Paciano- His closest brother who accompanied him and brought Rizal to his new school. Jose described
his teacher in binan as tall, thin, long- necked man, with a sharp nose and a body bent slightly forward. He has a son
named Pedro, also a classmate of Rizal. Pedro- who’s always making fun of Jose during his conversation with the
teacher in the morning.

His daily life in Biñan

He led a methodical life in Binan, almost Spartan in simplicity. Such as life contributed much to his future
development. It strengthens his body and soul. Jose is the best student in school. And time came when he learned the
entire maestro Justiniano could teach him, and could be send in college in manila. And when he arrived in Calamba, in
his home, they spend their christmas together in 1871.

Rizal’s Mother: A Victim of Injustice

After Christmas Don Francisco thought of sending Jose to Manila to study, but before June came, his mother was
arrested because of her sister-in-law. The unfaithful wife of his brother, Jose Alberto connived with the lieutenant of the
Guardia civil who is also want revenge to the Rizal family. They fabricate evidence that Jose Alberto attempted to poison
her, with Dona Teodora as an accomplice. And Dona Teodora accused should have been confine in the Calamba jail.
January 20, 1872- the Cavite mutiny flared up, followed by the execution of fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora on
February 17th.After the execution of Gom-bur-za, Paciano quit college, since father Burgos, his beloved professor and
friend executed. He returned to Calamba.Jose Rizal was nearly eleven years old when the tragic martyrdom of
Gom-Bur-Za took place. He was deeply affected. It was another Spanish injustice, like that done to his own mother.

Jose was sent to Manila four months after the martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za and with Dona Teodora still in prison. He
studied in the Ateneo Municipal,, a college under the supervision of the Spanish Jesuits.

Ateneo Municipal
Bitter rival of the Dominican-owned College of San Juan de Letran
Formerly the
Escuela Pia (Charity School)- for poor boys in Manila established in 1817
In 1859- name was changed to Ateneo Municipal by the Jesuits and later became the Ateneo de Manila

Rizal Enters the Ateneo:

June 10, 1872- Jose, accompanied by Paciano, went to Manila to take the entrance examinations on Christian Doctrine,
arithmetic, and reading at the College of San Juan de Letran, and passed them. His father was the first one who wished
him to study at Letran but he changed his mind and decided to send Jose at Ateneo instead. Father Magin Ferrando,
college registrar of Ateneo Municipal, refused to admit Jose because: He was late for registration and;
He was sickly and undersized for his age (11 years old).Upon the intercession of Manuel Xeres Burgos, nephew of Father
Burgos, he was admitted at Ateneo. Jose adopted thesurname Rizal´ at the Ateneo because their family name Mercado´
had come under suspicion of the Spanish authorities.
Ateneo was located in Intramuros, within the walls of Manila. He boarded in a house on Caraballo Street, 25 min
walk fromthe college. The boarding house was owned by Titay, who owd Rizal family P300. Jose boarded there to collect
part of the debt.

Jesuits System of Education:

Jesuits trained the character of the student by rigid discipline, humanities and religious instruction. They heard
Mass earlyin the morning before the beginning of daily class. Classes were opened and closed with prayers. Students
were divided into two groups:
1. Roman Empire- consisting of the internos (boarders) with red banners.
2. Carthaginian Empire-composed of the externos (non-boarders) with blue banners
Each of these empires had its rank. Students fought for positions. With 3 mistakes, opponent’s position could
lose his position.
1st best: emperor
2nd best: tribune
3rdbest: Decurion
4th best: centurion
5th best: Standard-bearer
Ateneo student’s uniform is consisted of hemp-fabric trousers and striped cotton coat´. The coat was called
Rayadillo and was adopted as the uniform for Filipino troops during the days of the First Philippine Republic.

Rizal’s First Year in Ateneo (1872-1873).

Rizal’s first professor in Ateneo was Fr. Jose Bech. Rizal was placed at the bottom of the class since he was a
newcomer and knows little Spanish. He was an externo (Carthaginians), occupying the end of the line. But at the end of
the month, he become emperor of his Empire. He was the brightest pupil in the whole class, and he was awarded a prize,
a religious prize. Rizal took private lessons in Santa Isabel College during noon recesses to improve his Spanish language
paying three pesos for those extra lessons. He placed second at the end of the year, although all his grades were still
marked Excellent

Summer Vacation (1873)

Rizal didn’t enjoy his summer because his mother was in prison so Neneng (Saturnina) brought him to Tanawan. But
without telling his father, he went to Santa Cruz to visit her mother in prison. He told her of his brilliant grades. After
summer, he returned to Manila and now boarded inside Intramuros at No. 6 Magallanes Street. Dona Pepay, who hada
widowed daughter and 4 sons, was his landlady.

Second Year in Ateneo (1873-74)

Rizal lost the class leadership. But he repented and even studied harder, once more became emperor. He
received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold medal.

Prophecy of Mother’s Release

Dona Teodora told her son of her dream the previous night. Rizal, interpreting the dream, told her that she would be
released from prison in 3 months’ time. It became true. Dona Teodora likened his son to the youthful Joseph in the Bible
in his ability to interpret dreams.
Teenage Interest in Reading
The first favorite novel of Rizal was The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. His boyish imagination was
stirred bythe sufferings of Edmond Dantes (the hero) in prison, his spectacular escape from the dungeon of Chateau d¶If,
his findinga buried treasure in the rocky island of Monte Cristo, and his dramatic revenge on his enemies who had
wronged him.Rizal also read non-fiction. He persuaded his father to buy a costly set of Cesar Cantu’s historical work
entitled Universal History. He also read Travels in the Philippines by Dr. Feodor Jagor, a German scientist-traveler who
visited Phil in 1859-60.He was impressed by: 1. Jagor’s, keen observations of the defects of Spanish colonization2. His
prophecy that someday Spain would lose the Philippines and that America would come to succeed her as colonizer.

Third Year in Ateneo (1875-76)

June 16, 1875- He became an interno in Ateneo. Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, one of his professor, inspired him to
study harder and write poetry. Rizal’s best professor in Ateneo. Rizal described him as ³model of uprightness,
earnestness, and love for the advancement of his pupils´.He returned to Calamba with 5 medals and excellent ratings.

Last Year in Ateneo (1876-77)

Rizal- The most brilliant Atenean of his time, and was truly the pride of the Jesuits´.
Graduation with Highest Honors
March 23, 1877- Rizal, 16 years old, received from his Alma Mater, Ateneo Municipal, the degree of Bachelor of Arts,
with highest honors.The night before graduation, he could not sleep. Early morning on the day of his graduation, he
prayed to the Virgin to³commend his life and protect him as he step into the world.

Extra-Curricular Activities in Ateneo

He was an active member, later secretary, of Marian Congregation, a religious society. He was accepted because of his
academic brilliance and devotion to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, the college patroness. He is also a member of
the Academy of Spanish Literature and theAcademy of Natural Sciences. He studied painting under Agustin Saez, a
famous painter, and sculpture under Romualdo de Jesus. He continued his physical training under hi sports-minded Tio
Manuel.

Sculptural Works in Ateneo

He carved an image of The Virgin Mary on a piece of batikuling (Philippine hardwood) with his pocket-knife. The Jesuits
fathers were amazed. Father Lleon art requested him to carve for him an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He intended
to take the image with him in Spain but forgot to do so. So the Ateneo boarders placed it on the door of their dormitory.
It plays a significant part inRizal’s last hours at Fort Santiago.

First Romance of Rizal

He experienced his first romance with Segunda Katigbak, a pretty 14 year old Batanguena from Lipa. One Sunday Rizal
visited his maternal grandmother in Trozo, Manila with his friend Mariano Katigbak. One of whom was an attractive girl,
who mysteriously caused his heart to palpitate with strange ecstasy was Segunda. His grandmother’s guests urged him to
draw Segunda’s portrait. From time to time,´ he reminisced, ´she looked at me and I blushed´ Rizal came to know
Segunda more intimately during weekly visits to La Concordia College, where his sister was boarding student. Olimpia
and Segunda was a close friend. Theirs was indeed a love at first sight´. But Segunda was already engaged to be married
to Manuel Luz.

There were at least 9 women linked to Jose Rizal. These Jose Rizal women were Segunda Katigbak, Leonor Valenzuela,
Leonor River, Consuelo Ortiga, Josephine Bracken, Suzanne Jacoby, O-Sei San, Gertrude Beckette, and Nelly Boustead.
Jose Rizal standing at 4 feet and 11 inches was only a short man but like most women, the women in Jose Rizal’s life may
have been mesmerized by his intelligence, wit and charm.

RIZAL’S BIOGRAPHY
•Real name: Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda Quintos
•At age of 3, he learned the alphabet from his mother; at age of 5, he showed fondness to be an artist.
•At age of 8, he wrote a Tagalog poem “Sa Aking mga Kababata”.
•At age of 16, he obtained Bachelor of Arts degree with an average of “excellent” from the Ateneo Municipal de Manila.
•In the same year, he enrolled in Philosophy and Letters at the University of Sto. Tomas.
•At the same time took courses leading to the degree of surveyor and expert assessor at the Ateneo.
•He enrolled in medicine at the University of Sto. Tomas but had stop.
•May 3, 1882: he sailed for Spain where he continued his studies at the Universidad Central de Madrid.
•June 21, 1884: age of 23, he was conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine.
•June 19, 1885: he finished his course in Philosophy and Letters with a grade of “excelent”
•Having traveled extensively in Europe, America and Asia, he mastered 22 languages:
–Arabic - French - Italian - Portugese
–Catalan - German - Japanese - Russian
–Chinese - Greek - Latin - Sanskrit
–English - Hebrew - Malayan - Spanish
–Other native dialects
•March 1887: his book Noli Me Tangere which exposing the arrogance and despotism of the Spanish clergy, was
published in Berlin, Germany.
•September 1891: El Filibusterismo, his second novel, which is more revolutionary and tragic was printed in Ghent,
Belgium. This led himself, his relatives and countrymen into trouble with the Spanish officials of the country.
•He was imprisoned in Fort Santiago from July 6, 1892 to July 15, 1892 on a charge that anti-friar pamphlets were found
in the luggage of his sister Lucia who arrives with him from Hong Kong.
•While in Dapitan, he engage in Agriculture, fishing and business; he maintained and operated a hospital; he conducted
classes – taught his pupils the English and Spanish Languages, the arts.
•His intelligence and humility gained for him the respect and admiration of prominent men of other nations.
•November 3, 1896: the date of his execution. He was again committed to Fort Santiago.
•In his prison cell, he wrote the “Ultimo Adios” which is considered a masterpiece and a living document expressing not
only the hero’s great love of country but also that all Filipinos.
•He was convicted of rebellion, sedition and of forming illegal association.
•December 30, 1896: he was shot at Bagumbayan Field.

What are the symbols in the cover page of Noli Me Tangere?

CROSS- sufferings
POMELO BLOSSOMS AND LAUREL LEAVES- honor and fidelity
SILHOUETTE OF A FILIPINA- maria Clara
BURNING TORCH- rage and passion
SUNFLOWERS- enlightenment
BAMBOO STALK- resilience
CHAINS- slavery
WHIPS- cruelties
HELMET OF GUARDIA CIVIL- arrogance of those in authority
SOMEONE IN CASSOCK WITH HAIRY FEET- priests using religion in a dirty way

Character of Noli Me Tangere

Rizal included around 30 characters in the novel. Below are the major characters of the story.
• Crisóstomo Ibarra - also known in his full name as Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin, a Filipino who studied in
Europe for 7 years, the love interest of María Clara. Son of the deceased Don Rafael Ibarra; Crisostomo changed his
surname from Eibarramendia to Ibarra, from his ancestor's surname. He is announced deceased at the end of the novel.
• Elías - Ibarra's mysterious friend, a master boater, also a fugitive. He was referred to at one point as "the pilot."
He wants to revolutionize his country. In the past, Ibarra's grandfather condemned his grandfather of burning a
warehouse, making Elias the fugitive he is.
• María Clara - María Clara de los Santos, Ibarra's sweetheart; the illegitimate daughter of Father Dámaso and
Doña Pía Alba
• Padre Dámaso - also known in his full name as Dámaso Verdolangas,Franciscan friar and María Clara's biological
father
• Don Filipo - A close relative of Ibarra, and a filibuster.
• Alfonso Linares - A distant nephew of Tiburcio de Espadaña, the would-be fiancée of María Clara.
• Captain-General (no specific name) - The most powerful official in the Philippines, a hater of secular priests and
corrupt officials, and a friend of Ibarra.
• Tandang Pablo - The leader of the tulisanes (bandits), whose family was destroyed because of the Spaniards.
• Tarcilo and Bruno - a pair of brothers whose father was killed by the Spaniards.
• Sisa - the mother of her two sons Basilio and Crispín, who went insane after losing them.
• Basilio - Sisa's eldest son.
• Crispín - Sisa's younger son. An altar boy, he was unjustly accused of stealing money from the church. He is
placed under the custody of the Civil Guard, where he eventually dies.
• Padre Sibyla - Hernando de la Sibyla, a Dominican friar. He is described as short and has fair skin.
• Padre Martín - also known by his full name as Manuel Martín, he is the linguistic curate of a nearby town.
• Capitan Tiago - also known in his full name as Don Santiago de los Santos the known father of María Clara (not
the real one) who lives in Binondo. He is thought of as a good Catholic, mainly because he donates generously to the
Church.
• Padre Salví - also known in his full name as Bernardo Salví,a secret admirer of María Clara. He is described to be
very thin and sickly.
• Pilosopo Tasyo - also known as Don Anastacio, portrayed in the novel as pessimistic, cynic, and mad by his

Transcript of Rizal's Exile in Dapitan, 1892-1896

Rizal lived in exile in far-away Dapitan, a remote town in Mindanao which was under the jurisdiction of the
Jesuits, from 1892 to 1896.
Reasons why Rizal exiled in Dapitan
According to Zaide (2008) there are four reasons:
First, Rizal had published books and articles abroad which showed disloyalty to Spain and which were “frankly
anti-Catholic” and “imprudently anti-friar”.
Second, A few hours after his arrival in Manila ”there was found in one of the packages a bundle of handbills entitled
Pobres Frailes in which the patient and humble generosity of Filipino is satirized, and which accusation is published
against the customs of religious orders”.
Third, His novel El Filibusterismo was dedicated to the memory of three “traitors” ( Burgos, Gomez, and Zamora), and on
the title page he wrote that in view of the vices and errors of the Spanish administration, “the only salvation for the
Philippines was separation from the mother country”.
Fourth, “The end he pursues in his efforts and writings is to tear from the loyal Filipino breasts the treasures of our
Catholic Faith”.
Beginning of Exile in Dapitan
The steamer CEBU which brought Rizal to Dapitan carried a letter from Father Pablo Pastells, Superior of the Jesuit
Society in the Philippines, to Father Antonio Obach, Jesuit parish priest of Dapitan. In this letter, father Superior Pastells
informed Father Obach that Rizal could live at the parish convent on the following conditions:
First, “That Rizal publicity retract his errors concerning religion, and make statements that were clearly pro-Spanish and
against revolution”.
Second, “That he perform the church rites and make a general confession of his past life”.
Third, “That henceforth he conduct himself in an exemplary manner as a Spanish subject and a man of religion”.
On September 21, 1892, the sleepy town of Dapitan burst in hectic excitement. The mail boat Butuan was approaching
the town, with colored pennants flying in the sea breezes. Captain Carnicero, thining that a high Spanish official was
coming, hastily dressed in gala uniform, ordered the town folks to gather at the shore, and himself rushed there bringing
a brass band.
Wins in Manila Lottery
The mail boat, Butuan, brought no Spanish officials but the happy tidings that the Lottery Ticket No. 9736 jointly owned
by Captain Carnicero, Dr. Rizal, and Francisco Equilior (Spanish resident of Dipolog, a neighboring town of Dapitan) won
the second prize of 20,000 pesos in theGovernment-Owned Manila Lottery.
Rizal's share of the winning lottery ticket was 6,200 pesos. Upon receiving this sum, he gave 2,000 pesos to his father and
200 pesos to his friend Basa in Hong Kong, and the rest invested well by purchasing agricultural lands along the coast of
Talisay, about one kilometer away from Dapitan.
Rizal's winnings in the Manila Lottery reveals an aspect his lighter side. He never drank hard liquor and never smoke but
he was a lottery addict. During his first sojourn in Madrid from 1882 to 1885 he always invested at leadt three
pesetas(the former currency of Spain) month in lottery tickets. "This was his only Vice," commented Wenceslao E.
Retana, his first Spanish biographer and former enemy.
Rizal-Pastells Debate on Religion
Father Pablo Pastells
During his exile in Dapitan Rizal has a long and scholarly debate with Father Pastells on Religion. It started when Father
Pastells sent him a book by Sarda, with advice that the latter (Rizal) should desist from his majaderas (foolishness) in
viewing religion from the prism of individual judgement and self-esteem.
This interesting religious debate may be read in four letters written by Rizal, as follows: (1) September 1,1892; (2)
November 11,1892; (3) January 9, 1893; and (4) April 4, 1893; and in Father Pastells' replies dated: (1) October 12, 1892,
(2) December 8, 1892, (3) February 2, 1893, and (4) April (no exact date), 1893.
Rizal Challenge a Frenchman to a Duel
While Rizal was still debating with father Pastells by means of exchange of letters, he became involved in a quarrel with a
French acquaintance in Dapitan, Mr. Juan Lardet, a business man. This man purchased many logs from the lands of Rizal.
It so happened that some of the logs were of poor quality.
Father Pastells, aside from his personal efforts to persuade Rizal to discard his "errors of Religion", instructed two Jesuits
in Mindanao- Father Obach, cura of Dapitan, and Father Jose Vilaclara, cura of Dipolog- to try their best to bring back
Rizal within the Catholic fold. Furthermore, he assigned Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez, Rizal's favorite teacher at the
Ateneo de Manila, to Dapitan.
Rizal and Father Sanchez
In Dapitan, Rizal had an exemplary life, idyllic in serenity. Since August, 1893, members of his family took turns in visiting
him in order to assuage his loneliness in the isolated outpost of Spanish power in the Moroland. Among them were his
mother; sisters Trinidad, Mauricio, and Prudencio. He built his house by the seashore of Talisay, surrounded by fruit
trees. He had also another house for his school boys and a hospital for his patients.
Idyllic Life in Dapitan
During the early days of November 1893 Rizal was living peacefully and happily at his house in Talisay, a kilometer away
from Dapitan. His mother, sisters Narcisa and Trinidad, and some nephews were then living with him. His blissful life was
when suddenly jolted by a strange incident involving a spy of the friars. This spy with the assumed name of "Pablo
Mercado" and posing as a relative, secretly visited Rizal at his house on the night of November 3, 1893. He introduced
himself as afriend and relative, showing a photo of Rizal and a pair of buttons with the initials "P.M." ( Pablo Mercado) as
evidence of his kinship with the Rizal family.
Rizal's Encounter with the Friar's Spy
Rizal practised medicine in Dapitan. He had many patients, but most of them were poor so that he even gave them free
medicine. To his friend in Hong Kong, Dr. Marquez, he wrote: "Here the people are poor that I have even to give medicine
gratis". He had, however, some rich patients who paid him handsomely for his surgical skill.
As Physician in Dapitan
Water System for Dapitan
Rizal held the title of expert surveyor (perito agrimensor), which he obtained from the Ateneo. He supplemented his
training as a surveyor by his reading of engineering books, so that he came to know about engineering. In Dapitan, he
applied his knowledge of engineering by constructing a system of waterworks in order to furnish clean water system in
Dapitan.
Community Projects for Dapitan
When Rizal arrived in Dapitan. he decided to improve it, to the best of his God-given talents, and to awaken the civic
consciousness of it's people. He wrote to Fr. Pastells: " I want to do all that I can fot this town".
Rizal as Teacher
Since boyhood Rizal knew the value of good education. During his travels abroad he observed the educational system of
modern nations. He himself palnned to established a modern college in Hong Kong for Filipino boys so that he could train
them in modern pedagogical cocepts, which were then unknown in the Philippines.
"Hymm to Talisay"
Rizal conducted his school at his home in Tasilay, near Dapitan, where he had his farm and hospital. His favorite
rendezvous with his boys was under a talisay tree, after which the place was named. In honor of Talisay, he wrote a poem
entitled "Himmo A Talisay" for his pupils to sing.
Rizal found Mindanao a rich virgin field for collecting specimens. With his pupils, he explored the junglesand coasts,
seeking specimens of insects, birds, snakes, lizards, frogs, shells, and plants. He sent these specimens to the museum of
Europe, especially the Dresden Museum. In payment for these valuable specimens, the European scientists sent him
scientific books and surgical instruments.
Linguistic Studies
A born linguist, Rizal continued his studies of languages. He wrote a Tagalog grammar, made a comparative study of the
Bisayan and Malayan laguages, and studied the Bisayan (Cebuano) and Subanum languages.
Artisitic Works in Dapitan
Rizal continued his artistic puruits in Daoitan. He continued his painting skill to the Sisters of Charity who were preparing
the sanctuary of the Holy Virgin in their private chapel. For the sake of economy, the head of the image was
"procuredfrom abroad" . The vestments concealing all the rest of the figure except the feet, which rested upon a globe
encircled by a snake in whose mouth is an apple, were made by the sisters. Rizal modeled the right foot of the image, the
apple, and the sserpent's head. He also designed the exquisite curtain, which was painted in oil by an artist Sister under
his direction.
Rizal as a Farmer
In Dapitan Rizal Devoted muc of his time to agriculture. He bought 16 hectars of land in Talisay, where he built his hom,
school, and hospital, and planted cacao, coffee, sugarcane, cococnuts and fruit trees. "My Land," he wrote to his sister
Trinidad,"is half an hour from the sea. It is very poetic and very picturesque. If you and our parents come I will build a big
house we can all live in". Later, he acquired more lands until his total holdings reached 70 hectars, containing 6,000 hemp
plants, 1,000 coconut trees, and numerous fruit trees, sugarcane, corn, coffee and cacao.
Rizal as Businessman
Aside from farming, Rizal engaged in business. In partnership with Roman Carreon, a Dapitan merchant, he made
profitable business ventures infishing, copra, and hemp industries. He invited his relatives, particularly Saturnina and
Hidalgo to come to Mindanao, for there "is vast and ample field for business" in the island. He particularly told Saturnina
that in Dapitan she could profitably engage in the textile, jewerly, and hemp business .
Rizal's Inventive Ability
One little-known fact about Rizal was that he was also an inventor. It should be remembered that in 1887, while
practising medicine in Calamba, he invented cigarette lighter which he sent as a gift to Blumentritt. He called it
"sulpukan". This unique cigarette lighter was made of wood. "Its mechanism", said Rizal, "is based on the principle of
compressed air".
"My Retreat"
In February, 1895, Doña Teodora, with her eyesight fully restored, returned to Manila. During her long stay in Dapitan,
she saw how busy her talented son was regretted that he had neglected the Muses. She requested him to write poetry
again.
In response to her request, Rizal wrote a beautiful poem about his serene life as an exile in Dapitan and sent it to her on
OCtober 22,1895. This poem was "Mi Retiro" (My Retreat), which is acclaimed by literary critics as one of the best ever
penned by Rizal.
Rizal and Josephine Bracken
Josephine Bracken
In the silent hours of the night after the day's hard work, Rizal was ofter sad. He missed his family and relatives, his good
friends in foreign lands, the exhilarating life in the cities of Europe, and is happy days in Calamba. the death of Leonor
Rivera on August 28,1893 left a poignant void in his heart. He needed somebody to cheer him up in his lonely exile.
Rizal and the Katipunan
While Rizal was mourning the loss of his son, ominous clouds of revolution gradually darkened the Philippine skies.
Andres Bonifacio, the "Great Plebeian," was showing the seeds of an armed uprising. The secret revolutionary society,
called Katipunan, which he founded on July 7, 1892, was gaining more and more adherents.
Volunteers as Military Doctor in Cuba
Months before the Katipunan contacted him, Rizal had offered his service as military Doctor in Cuba, which was then in
the throes of a revolution and a raging yellow fever epidemic. There was a shortage physician to minister to the needs of
the Spanish troops and the Cuban people. It was Blumentritt who told him of the deplorable health situation in
war-ridden cuba and advised him to volunteer as army physician there.
"The Song of the Traveler"
Great was Rizal's joy in receiving the gladsome news from Malacañang. At last, he was free! once more, he was going to
travel- to Europe and then to Cuba. It was a joyous thought of resuming his travels that he wrote his heart warming
poem "El Canto del Viajero" ( The Song of the Traveler ).
Adiós Dapitan
On July 31, 1896, Rizal's four-year exile in Dapitan came to an end. At midnight of that date, he embarked on board the
steamer España. He was accompanied by Josephine, Narcisa, Angelica ( Narcisa's daughter), his three nephews and six
pupils. Almost all Dapitan folks, young and old, were at the shore to bid him goodbye. Many wept as the steamer sailed
away- especially pupils who were too poor to accompany their beloved teacher to Manila.

Trial and Execution

The Philippine Revolution broke out in 1896. Rizal denounced the violence and received permission to travel to Cuba in
order to tend victims of yellow fever in exchange for his freedom. Bonifacio and two associates sneaked aboard the ship
to Cuba before it left the Philippines, trying to convince Rizal to escape with them, but Rizal refused.
He was arrested by the Spanish on the way, taken to Barcelona, and then extradited to Manila for trial. Jose Rizal was
tried by court-martial, charged with conspiracy, sedition, and rebellion.
Despite a lack of any evidence of his complicity in the Revolution, Rizal was convicted on all counts and given the death
sentence. He was allowed to marry Josephine two hours before his execution by firing squad on December 30, 1896. Jose
Rizal was just 35 years old.

Jose Rizal's Legacy

Jose Rizal is remembered today throughout the Philippines for his brilliance, his courage, his peaceful resistance to
tyranny, and his compassion. Filipino schoolchildren study his final literary work, a poem called Mi Ultimo Adios ("My
Last Goodbye"), as well as his two famous novels.
Spurred on by Rizal's martyrdom, the Philippine Revolution continued until 1898. With assistance from the United States,
the Philippine archipelago was able to defeat the Spanish army. The Philippines declared its independence from Spain on
June 12, 1898. It was the first democratic republic in Asia.

All the girls Rizal loved before

It can only be with true passion that one can conquer and accomplish what Filipino hero Jose Rizal had in his
thirty-five-year life. He stopped at nothing when it came to expressing his love not just for his country but also his
women. His travels across the Philippines and the world swayed him into multifarious relationships that colored almost
half his life. There are nine women on record. It’s not to say that all those relationships were serious, but he did pursue
when he wanted to pursue, cared, at least, and displayed his attentiveness and charm unapologetically.
He documented his affairs, too, using his much-praised grandiloquence. And based on those documents, let’s just say the
man is a high-level bolero. And he wrote them letters (a dying art, so forgive us waxing poetic about it). And let’s not
forget he almost fought in a duel with the Filipino army general Antonio Luna, when a drunk Luna made nasty comments
about a girl named Nellie Boustead. He was grand when he needed to be, and smooth without trying; an expert
playboy—or lover—if you will. Could he be the original GOAT?
But amidst the flirting, he was a big believer that women should be empowered. This was evident in his essay, “To the
Young Women of Malolos,” which he wrote for the 20 women of Bulacan who fought to have a night school so they could
study Spanish.
He wrote, in part, “No longer does the Filipina stand with her head bowed nor does she spend her time on her knees,
because she is quickened by hope in the future; no longer will the mother contribute to keeping her daughter in
darkness and bring her up in contempt and moral annihilation.  And no longer will the science of all sciences consist in
blind submission to any unjust order, or in extreme complacency, nor will a courteous smile be deemed the only weapon
against insult or humble tears the ineffable panacea for all tribulations.”
A supporter of women empowerment—who has that swagger? It’s not so hard to imagine anyone flirting back after he
inks his first sentence.
As proof of his “ways,” here are the recorded stories of the nine women of Dr. Jose Rizal.
 
1. Segunda Katigbak
First love never dies they say—unless your first love is already engaged to be married when you meet. Then you have to
let it go really fast. Such was the case of Jose Rizal and Segunda Katigbak, a Batangueña, whom Rizal met when he was
only a 16-year-old boy.
They met when the young hero visited his grandmother with his friend, Mariano Katigbak, Segunda’s brother. The
Katigbaks were close to Rizal’s grandmother, and coincidentally, Segunda was at the grandma’s house when Rizal and
Mariano arrived. It was attraction at first sight. Segunda was also a close friend of Rizal’s sister, Olympia, whom he visited
every week at the La Concordia College. The two became very close. However, Segunda was already engaged to be
married to a man who lived in her town, and Rizal had to stop pursuing her.
Rizal wrote about the incident years later, “Ended, at an early house, my first love! My virgin heart will always mourn the
reckless step it took on the flower-decked abyss. My illusions will return, yes, but indifferent, uncertain, ready for the first
betrayal on the path of love.”
Our heartache-filled, hugot-induced breakup films would be put to shame.
 
2. Leonor Valenzuela
Leonor “Orang” Valenzuela, Rizal’s second object of affection, is literally the girl-next-door. They met when Rizal was a
sophomore medical student at the University of Santo Tomas, during which time he also lived at Doña Concha Leyva’s
boarding house in Intramuros, Manila. Orang, who was then 14 years old, was his neighbor.
During the courtship, Rizal was said to have sent Leonor private and secret love letters, which he wrote using invisible ink
made with water and salt—he was adept in chemistry, too. To read the letters, Orang had to heat the letter over a candle
or a lamp. (How did we get from this intricate, labored way of courting someone to pressing that heart icon on
Instagram? Just wondering.) Rizal also frequented the Valenzuelas’ home, which was a hang out place of the students in
the area.

There are, however, documents that may serve as proof that Rizal’s efforts were not effective.  Some accounts say he was
courting Leonor Valenzuela and and his second cousin Leonor Rivera at the same time—thus the need for invisible
letters. (Still, we need to appreciate the effort that went with it.) Rivera apparently knew of this and gave way to Rivera’s
attraction for Rizal. When Rizal left for Spain in 1882, it was said that he did say goodbye to Orang, but kept in touch with
the help of Rizal’s close friend, Jose “Chenggoy” Cecilio.

Chenggoy was the ultimate teaser—and maybe wingman?—who was amused with the “rivalry” of the namesakes.  On
one of Chenggoy’s letters to Rizal, he wrote, “…nagpipilit ang munting kasera (Leonor Rivera) na makita si Orang, pero
dahil natatakpan ng isang belong puti, hindi naming nakilala nang dumaan ang prusisyon sa tapat ng bahay. Sinabi sa
akin ni O(rang) na sabihin ko raw sa munting kasera na hindi siya kumakaribal sa pag-iibigan ninyo. Que gulay, tukayo,
anong gulo itong idinudulot natin sa mga dalagang ito!”  (Manebog 2013)
Lest it be forgotten, while he was pursuing the two Leonors, Rizal was in Europe taking courses in medicine at
Universidad Central de Madrid and painting at Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Calle Alcala. Maybe he
still had time on his hands?

3. Leonor Rivera
Leanor Rivera and Jose Rizal lived the tragedies of Shakespeare’s poems.
They met when Rizal was 18 and Leonor was 13, at the boarding house of Rizal’s uncle in Intramuros, Manila. Leonor was
Rizal’s second cousin.
It was a perfect love story in the beginning: he, the intelligent charmer, and she, the beautiful student who had a
beautiful singing voice and was a talented piano player. Soon, they fell in love. But as tragic love stories go, they were
besieged by obstacles. Leonor’s parents highly disapproved of their relationship as they were wary of Rizal being a
“filibuster.” In his letters, Rizal called Leonor “Taimis” to hide her identity.

Before leaving for Europe in 1882, Rizal said that he had found the woman he wanted to marry. But even his brother,
Paciano Rizal, disagreed with the idea, saying that it would be unfair to Leonor if he were to leave her behind after
getting married.
But their love—as young loves are—wanted to go against all that stood in the way. Although they did not get married,
they tried to continue sending each other love letters, a lot of which were intercepted and kept hidden by Leonor’s
mother. In 1890, Leonor wrote a letter to Rizal saying that she was engaged to be married to a British engineer named
Henry Kipping. That same year, the wedding pushed through.
Upon the coercion of her mother, Leonor burned Rizal’s letters to her—but it was said she kept the ashes of those letters.
A story goes that she hid some of these ashes in the hem of her wedding gown.
But their dark romance didn’t end there.  
In 1893, Leonor died during second childbirth. Documents show that when Rizal heard of the news through his sister,
Narcisa, he didn’t speak for a few days. It is believed that Rizal immortalized Leonor through the character Maria Clara
in Noli Me Tangere. Like we said, it’s a Shakespearean kind of dark—and no love story is more intense than the one that
lost the battle with circumstances.
 
4. Consuelo Ortega Y Rey
Consuelo Ortega Y Rey was the daughter of Don Pablo Ortiga Y Rey, who was Mayor of Manila when Maria dela Torre
was the governor. While Rizal was in Madrid, he would hang out at Don Pablo’s house, which became a place where
Filipino students would often get together. Through one of these gatherings, Rizal met Consuelo.
He showed affection towards Consuelo but was not serious in his pursuit as he was still engaged to Leonor Rivera at the
time. Yes, he loved the company of women, but during that brief period, he too  was lonely and yearning for the physical
void left by Leonor.
Photo from Pablo Trillana III, The Loves of Rizal and other Essays on Philippine History, Art, and Public Policy via
positivelyfilipino.com
Although most accounts say the dalliance didn’t turn serious, Rizal wrote a poem for her, entitled, “A La Señorita C.O.y.P.”
Of course, these days, when you write a poem for someone, that’s like a marriage proposal. In the end, Consuelo got
engaged to Rizal’s friend, Eduardo de Lete. It is said that Eduardo’s love for Consuelo was also the reason Rizal didn’t
pursue the mestiza. Or maybe, in modern parlance, theirs was a classic case of a rebound fling.
 
5. Seiko Usui
In many of his diary entries, Rizal wrote about how he was charmed by Japan’s beauty, cleanliness, and peace and order.
But if there was one thing that almost kept him in the country where cherry blossoms bloom most beautiful, it was a
woman named Seiko Usui, affectionately called O-Sei-San.
It was in 1888. Rizal had just arrived in Japan from Hongkong upon an invitation to take a job offer at the Spanish
Legation. One day, while he was in the office grounds, he saw O-Sei-San walk past the legation’s gate and was
immediately enthralled by her beauty. With the help of a Japanese gardener, he asked to be introduced to the woman
who captured his eyes—and the gardener acquiesced. Rizal spoke little Japanese at the time, so the gardener had to
serve as a translator. However, a few minutes into the conversation, they both found O-Sei-San spoke English and French,
which was a relief as Rizal spoke both languages. When the language barrier broke, they started to build a relationship.

As days went by, O-Sei-San taught Rizal the ways of the Japanese. They went gallivanting, visiting museums, galleries, and
universities. They talked about the arts and culture, switching their language from French to English and back as they
pleased. Their love was childlike and spirited. According to many accounts, Rizal was ready to move to Japan, stay with
O-Sei-San, and live a peaceful life with his love.
Unfortunately for this relationship, country-saving duties would call and he had to leave Japan for San Francisco. He
never saw O-Sei-San again. Their affair lasted for around two months. It’s shorter than an average season of a Netflix
series, but you know Rizal and his intensity.
 
6. Gertrude Beckett
In the same year he began and ended his relations with O-Sei-San, our JR, then 27, went to London and met a woman
named Gertrude Beckett, the eldest daughter of his landlord. Gertrude showered Rizal with all the love and attention of
a girl who is hopelessly in love. She even assisted Rizal as he finished some of his popular sculptures, “Prometheus
Bound,” “The Triumph of Death over Life,” and “The Triumph of Science over Death.” He called her Gettie, she called him
Pettie. But all documents lead to say one thing: the feelings weren’t mutually shared.

In 1889, Rizal left London, and left Gettie a composite carving of the heads of the Beckett sisters. Marcelo del Pilar, Rizal’s
friend, said Rizal left London to move away from Gertrude, whose idea of their relationship was more than what it really
was—the most tormenting kind: an unrequited love.
 
7. Suzanne Jacoby
Maybe Rizal was repulsed with the idea of having an idle mind. With all the loneliness and anxiety from the turmoil of his
country and family, he was even able to fill his resting moments learning new things—like flirting with women. When he
arrived in Belgium in 1890, he lived at a boarding house that was run by two sisters whose last name was Jacoby. The
sisters had a niece named Suzanne. You probably can guess now what happens with Rizal and his caretaker’s kin. If it’s
not a neighbor, it’s a caretaker’s kin. Are we seeing a trend here? Obviously the guy is too busy to explore beyond a
one-kilometer radius.   

The relationship was probably a fling, too, as Rizal made no mention of Suzanne when he wrote letters to his friends
about his stay in Belgium. Rizal left the country in August that year. Suzanne was heartbroken. Rizal continued writing El
Filibusterismo, writing for La Solidaridad, and worrying about his family back home. It was said that Suzanne wrote Rizal
letters. Rizal may have replied once. In 1891, Rizal went back to Belgium—not for Suzanne—but to finish writing El
Filibusterismo. He stayed for a few months, left, and never returned. Maybe she got the point after that.
 
8. Nellie Boustead
Remember that famous time when Antonio Luna and Jose Rizal almost got into a duel because of a girl? The girl in the
middle of that madness was Nellie Boustead. Rizal and Nellie met in Biarritz, where Nellie’s wealthy family hosted Rizal’s
stay at their residence on the French Riviera. Before Biarritz, Rizal already made friends with the Boustead family a few
years back, and even played fencing with Nellie and her sister.
During his stay at the beautiful Biarritz vacation home, Rizal learned of Leonor Rivera’s engagement and thought of
pursuing a romantic relationship with Nellie, who was classy, educated, cheerful, and athletic. After strengthening their
relationship, Rizal wrote letters to his friends, telling them about his intention to marry her. They were all supportive,
including Antonio Luna.  
Although they seemed like the ideal couple, marriage for Rizal was still not meant to be. First, Nellie’s mother did not
think Rizal had the resources to be a good provider for her daughter.  Second, Nellie wanted Rizal to convert to
Protestantism. Rizal refused. But their friendship must have been strong enough because they ended up being friends
after all the drama.
Before Rizal left Paris in 1891, Nellie wrote him a letter: “Now that you are leaving I wish you a happy trip and may you
triumph in your undertakings, and above all, may the Lord look down on you with favor and guide your way giving you
much blessings, and may your learn to enjoy! My remembrance will accompany you as also my prayers.” 
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you become friends with your ex.
 
9. Josephine Bracken
Josephine Bracken was the woman who stayed with Rizal until his execution in 1896. She was also, allegedly, the woman
whom Rizal married. However, accounts of their marriage have been much-debated over the years.
Josephine was the adopted daughter of one George Taufer, whom she lived with in Hongkong for years before she
needed to seek help from an ophthalmologist due to George’s blindness. They then sought the help of Jose Rizal, who
was already exiled in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte at the time. Rizal and Josephine fell in love and in a month made the
announcement that they wanted to get married. But just like the other Rizal great loves, this one was once again
complicated. No priest would marry the two, for reasons that are still unclear—but perhaps it was because of Rizal’s
status in politics. Without a legal paper, Rizal and Josephine lived together, and had a son, who died a few hours after
birth. Rizal named his son after his father, Francisco.

Up to this day, there is no legal proof that Josephine and Rizal ever got married.
In retrospect, maybe Rizal was not meant for a long commitment, like marriage—with all his travels and freedom-fighting
obligations. Maybe heroes can only be alone with their thoughts. Left alone, they will naturally think too much, and
thinking for an entire country, we assume, can be exhausting. Maybe Rizal just always needed a companion.
But if there’s one thing his dalliances and longings and pursuits remind us, it is that heroes are humans, too. Humans
have needs. And he did die for our country. He gets a pass—even when he was a master in ghosting.

Historical commemoration

● Although his field of action lay in politics, Rizal's real interests lay in the arts and sciences, in literature and in his
profession as an ophthalmologist. Shortly after his death, the Anthropological Society of Berlin met to honor him
with a reading of a German translation of his farewell poem and Dr. Rudolf Virchow delivering the eulogy.
● The Rizal Monument now stands near the place where he fell at the Luneta in Bagumbayan, which is now called Rizal
Park, a national park in Manila. The monument, which also contains his remains, was designed by the Swiss Richard
Kissling of the William Tell sculpture in Altdorf, Uri.The monument carries the inscription: "I want to show to those
who deprive people the right to love of country, that when we know how to sacrifice ourselves for our duties and
convictions, death does not matter if one dies for those one loves – for his country and for others dear to him."
● The Taft Commission in June 1901 approved Act 137 renaming the District of Morong into the Province of Rizal.
Today, the wide acceptance of Rizal is evidenced by the countless towns, streets, and numerous parks in the
Philippines named in his honor.

● Republic Act 1425, known as the Rizal Law, was passed in 1956 by the Philippine legislature requiring all high school
and colleges to offer courses about his life, works and writings.
● Monuments erected in his honor can be found in Madrid; Tokyo; Wilhelmsfeld, Germany; Jinjiang, Fujian,
China; Chicago; Jersey City; Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey; Honolulu; San Diego; Los Angeles including the
suburbs Carson and West Covina (both near Seafood City, Mexico City, Mexico; Lima, Peru; Litomerice, Czech
Republic; Toronto; Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
● A two-sided marker bearing a painting of Rizal by Fabián de la Rosa on one side and a bronze bust relief of him by
Philippine artist Guillermo Tolentino stands at the Asian Civilizations Museum Green marking his visits to Singapore
in 1882, 1887, 1891 and 1896.

Note:
⮚ Please read this handouts and familiarize the terms
⮚ Exam type: Modified TRUE or FALSE, Multiple Choice, Jumbled Letters and Identification
⮚ Exam will be on November 28, 2022 ( Monday)
GOD BLESS EVERYONE!!!