Chapter 4

One Past but Many Histories; Controversies and Conflicting

Views in Philippine History

Topic: Retraction of Rizal

Introduction:

Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda also known as Jose Rizal, a National Hero of
the Philippines. He is well known on his patriotism, affirmation against his enemies especially the
Spaniards through his noble writings. He was accused and alleged committed crimes such as
rebellion, sedition and illegal association.

After a hundred of years, many of Filipino still debates on Rizal’s retraction letter. As of today
many of us still unaware about this controversy, it was debated and hotly discussed many times.
Some teachers didn’t tackle this topic and don’t sure what is the truth behind of this. Many of them
give and think that this is the most controversial timeline of his life. Some of us insist that it’s forged
by Spaniard or think that He is coward or even it is a real and views that

Rizal only wanted to repent and gave up his life to God before he died. The said lesson help
student’s understand and reflect every details of Rizal’s life for them to realize the essence of
walking in the highways even late at night without any fear to be detained by Spanish colonials
and/or the essence of putting their right hands into their left chest while looking into the Philippine
flag as well as singing its national anthem.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this topic, you are expected to:

1.explain and discuss the effects of Rizal’s death and legacy; and

2.understand and dedicate oneself as a patriot for the sake of the motherland by reflecting
Rizal’s life.

Learning Content:

Presentation of Facts about Rizal’s Retraction

The retraction of Rizal is still one of the greatest historical issues of all time. The story of the
Retraction has been told and retold and has created tremendous ambiguities in Philippine history
on the credence of the national hero.

Did the national hero really retract his anti-Catholic ideas?

Will that retraction make him less of a hero?

Major arguments for the Retraction

1. Archivist Fr. Manuel Garcia, C.M. discovered the “original" text containing the so-called
retraction formula in the archdiocesan archives on May 18, 1935, thirty-nine years after
Rizal’s execution. This Retraction “Document” found was considered imperative evidence to
the Retraction, itself. The text appears to have been released to the press and published after
the death of Rizal but the original document was not produced until 1935 because it was
believed that the documents were handed by Fr. Balaguer to Fr. Pi and from Fr. Pi to Fr.
Nozaleda in order to kept safely by his secretary.
2. There were eyewitnesses closely associated with the events - According to Ricardo P.
Garcia’s “The Great Debate: The Rizal’s Retraction” there were two great testimonies of
eyewitnesses who were privy to what happened in Rizal’s cell from early morning of
December 29 to 6:30 am of December 30.

 Fr. Vicente Balaguer – According to him, Rizal woke up several times, confessed
four times, attended a Mass, received communion, and prayed the rosary, all of
which seemed inconsistent of his personality.
 Former Lieutenant of the Infantry- Mariano Martinez Gallegos – He confirmed that
Rizal did write a retraction piece and signed his signature on it with Juan del
Fresno and Eloy Moure as his witnesses. These two witnesses also affixed their
signatures on the said retraction document.

Newly released documents and new interpretations that may affirm his retraction:
1. The Cuerpo de Vigilancia.
2. What Rizal rote on the copy of "Imitations of Christ"?

“At 7:50 yesterday morning, Jose Rizal entered death row accompanied by his counsel, Señor Taviel de Andrade, and the
Jesuit priest Vilaclara. At the urgings of the former and moments after entering, he was served a li ght breakfast. At
approximately 9, the Assistant of the Plaza, Señor Maure, asked Rizal if he wanted anything. He replied that at the
moment he only wanted a prayer book which was brought to him shortly by Father March.

“Señor Andrade left death row at 10 and Rizal spoke for a long while with the Jesuit fathers, March and Vilaclara,
regarding religious matters, it seems. It appears that these two presented him with a prepared retraction on his life and
deeds that he refused to sign. They argued about the matter until 12:30 when Rizal ate some poached egg and a little
chicken. Afterwards he asked to leave to write and wrote for a long time by himself.
 3. Mentions about the "cross" in his final writings.

Activity (Group of 3): Script Writing

The said retraction is written in Spanish and shows Rizal’s handwritten and his signature. Create a
script for a play portraying your views and opinions about the last letter of Rizal before he was executed.

“I declare myself a Catholic and

in this religion in which I was born
and educated I wish to live and
Spanish die. I retract with all my heart
English
whatever in my words, writings,
publications and conduct has been
contrary to my character as son of
the Catholic Church”. The said
letter is entitled “The Retraction”

CRITERIA
Writing Style ------------------------ 15%
Content ------------------------ 25%
Organization ------------------------ 15%
Clarity ------------------------ 25%
Grammar and Spellings ------------------------ 15%
Effort ------------------------ 5%
Total ------------------------- 100%