Lesson Proper for Week 7

Rizal’s Exile in Dapitan

On July 6, 1892, Dr. Jose Rizal received a summon from Governor-General Despujol, directing him to
Malacanang. Upon his arrival, he was confronted with a leaflet entitled Pobres Frailes (Poor Friars)
written by Fr. Jacinto (Rizal’s pen name in the Hongkong telegraph) that inspectors allegedly found in
the luggage of his sister, Lucia. With this evidence at hand, the Governor-General ordered the arrest of
Rizal. He was accompanied by Ramon Despujol, the younger brother of the Governor at Fort Santiago,
where he was placed in detention and declared as “incommunicado.” 

His guards received the order to board Rizal at the S.S. Cebu bound for Dapitan. To explain Rizal’s exile
to Dapitan publicly, Governor-General Despujol published the following reasons why Rizal met such fate
in the Gloria de Manila:

1. Publication of books and proclamations that manifested his disloyalty to Spain and were anti-
Catholic and anti-friar. 

2. The discovery of the pamphlet entitled “Poor Friars.” The patience and humble generosity of the
Filipinos were satirized. Accusations against the customs of the religious orders were also
published in this pamphlet. 

3. His last novel, El Filibusterismo, was dedicated to the three Filipino friars. 

4. His end goal in his efforts and writings was to tear the Filipinos’ holy Catholic faith. 

Fruitful Years in Dapitan

1. Physician – He rendered free medical services to the poor townsfolk of Dapitan. In his last two
years, he became a famed doctor.

2. Farmer – With the winnings in the lottery and other income, Jose Rizal purchased 16 hectares of
land in Talisay, Dapitan. 

3. Businessman – In business, Jose Rizal had several business partnerships, such as asking several
Spaniards to supply the town with fish in the market. He also had an agreement with Mariano
Hamoy from Dapitan about the buying and selling of abaca and copra. He also engaged in
merchandising by selling shoes and socks. 

4. Teacher – A part of the reform called by Jose Rizal from the Spanish government was a better
education for the Filipinos. In his capacity in Dapitan, Rizal opened a community school that
started from January 1894 to July 1896. 

5. Scientist  –  As a man of science, Jose Rizal collected specimens of flora and fauna found in
Dapitan and sent them to Ateneo de Manila and his friends in Europe. 

6. Inventor – Rizal invented the manual machine that could produce 6,000 bricks a day and
discovered a formula for making bakhaw paste.

7. Linguist – Despite his tight schedule in Dapitan, Rizal found time to study the Bisaya language
and compare Tagalog-Bisayan and Malayan languages. 
 8. Artist – Rizal also manifested sculpture prowess. The statues he produced include (1) a wild
boar, (2) the bust of Captain Carnicero and his wife, (3) the reclaiming figure of Josephine
Bracken, (4) St. Paul holding on to a cross, (3) Dapitan girl cutting grass, (6) a mother’s revenge
(mother dog biting a crocodile), and (7) a head of a Dapitan girl.

9. Public servant – Aside from giving free medical service and medicine to the poor people of
Dapitan, he took charge and initiative in the construction of a dam or water depository near the
square house to provide clean water to local folks living near his area. 

The Impending Revolution

Rizal did not know Dr. Pio Valenzuela from Manila, who told him about the impending Philippine
Revolution when he was visited on July 1, 1896. Rafael Palma, who was one of Rizal’s biographers,
stated that "Rizal thought that fate was playing a bad joke on him, but he resigned to it. He saw the
revolution in the Philippines rising in the dark and forebode that however far he was from it, he would
be implicated if he remained in the country. Hence, he desired to go far away, where responsibility for
one drop of blood would not reach him.”

Before the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution, Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Andres Bonifacio, and Emilio
Aguinaldo agreed to consult Rizal on his position on the impending revolt and seek his advice on the
matter. Immediately, the two doctors conferred. Valenzuela informed Rizal about the existence of the
Katipunan. To summarize the two doctors' conversation in Dapitan, Rizal gave the following advice: 

1. He approved of the resolutions of the Katipunan, one of which is "to bring about the separation
of the Philippines by violent means." 

2. Rizal did not want to have a revolution without enough weapons and supplies (De Guzman,
2014).

3. He urged that they should prepare and be careful in order for the Katipunan to remain
undiscovered (De Guzman, 2014).

4. He also advised the Katipunan to convince Antonio Luna to direct the campaign.

5. The Katipunan should attract wealthy Filipinos; if they refused, then they should remain neutral. 

The Charges Against Rizal 

With the evidence against Rizal, he was formally arraigned on December 11, 1896. He chose First
Lieutenant Luis Taviel de Andrade as his council. The following were the charges as summarized and
filed against Dr. Jose Rizal by the Spanish authorities in the Philippines, which were then punishable by
death: 

1. “The acts in question constituted the crimes of founding illegal associations and promoting or
inducing the commission of rebellion, the first being a necessary means for the execution of the
second” (De Guzman, 2014, p. 8).
 2. “The accused, Dr. Jose Rizal, stood guilty of both crimes in the capacity of a principal-agent” (De
Guzman, 2014, p. 8).

3. “In the commission of these crimes, the criminal was a native (Filipino) must be considered an
aggravating circumstance, with no extenuating circumstances” (De Guzman, 2014, p. 8).

Rizal’s Defense

On the side of Rizal, he and his lawyer gave the following summary of defense to answer to the following
charges: 

1. “Concerning the rebellion. I have nothing to do with the political affairs from July 6, 1892, to
June 1, 1896. In June 1896, after being told by Don Pio Valenzuela that an uprising was being
contemplated, I advised against it and made him sought amnesty from authorities. This is proof
that I had no dealings with anyone regarding political affairs.”

2. “They exploited my name cruelly and at the very last moment sought to take by surprise. Why
did they not get in touch with me earlier? Possibly because word had reached them that I was, if
not contented, at least resigned in my place of exile, for I had refused to entertain any of the
various proposals that many people made to get me out.” He added that he owned several
vessels and was permitted to take trips to surrounding villages and Muslim friends with vintas.
Rizal had chances of escape that he did not utilize because he was obedient to the Spanish
government’s orders.

3. However, he admitted that he framed the statutes of the La Liga, whose aim was to promote the
commerce industry using cooperation. He added that La Liga was not a subversive organization,
and it died at an early stage. 

4. About his letters that carried bitter criticism, he did not deny them but asked the court the time
they were written. "They were written after we were stripped of our two residential houses, our
warehouses, our lands, and other properties, as well as when all my brothers-in-law and my
elder brother were exiled.”

His Impending Death 

At 6:30 a.m., a bucket of soldiers was formed. Rizal dressed in a black coat, hat, shoes, tie, and a white T-
shirt. He was also tied elbow to elbow and preceded in the march with a bugle and drum. At his side was
Fr. Villaclara and behind was his defender in the military court, Luis Taviel de Andrade, and an escort of
artillery. 

The march of Rizal was filled with Filipino, and Spanish spectators as they passed by Paseo de Maria
Cristina which is now A. Bonifacio Avenue. While walking, Rizal told his companion “we are on the road
to Calvary, I can well realize now the passion of Christ; mine is so insignificant” (De Guzman, 2014, p.13).
As Rizal proceeded to Bagumbayan, he was serene; his body poised was erect, without affection and
eyes that were glad and bright. 
While they were still on the march, Rizal stated to one of his companions, "What a beautiful morning!
Some mornings like this, I used to come here to spend with my sweetheart” (De Guzman, 2014, p.13).
When they passed by the front of Ateneo, Rizal asked for affirmation if it was the Ateneo to which his
companions said yes. Rizal then told them that he spent a few years in the school. Upon arriving at the
area of execution, Rizal started to walk faster as if he was about to miss something (De Guzman, 2014).

While standing, he asked for permission to be shot facing the firing line, but the Captain refused. Even at
a dying stage, Jose Rizal wanted to prove that he was not a traitor to Spain and the Philippines.
Therefore, he needed to fall facing the sky. Rizal had a request to the captain of the picket to shoot him
at the back and spare his head. The request was granted. He had a solid handshake to Lieutenant Luis
Taviel, who defended him, and to the Jesuits that gave him a crucifix to kiss. Then, the Spanish Military
Doctor Ruiz Castillo approached him, took his pulse, and said, “Your pulse is very good.” As informed by
the doctor, Rizal was ready to meet his death.   

Rizal’s Death 

At the moment of fire, Rizal was indeed a man of science. He waited for the final word “Fuego!”
(meaning “Fire!”), the brilliant Rizal, before the soldiers of the 70th Regiment pulled the triggers of their
guns, turned his back to the right. When the bullets reached his body, the law of physics turned Rizal's
dying body to fall, facing upward. 

Rizal was 35 years old when he died with 8 bullets in his heart at 7:03 in the morning. His body was
hauled in a wagon and buried in Paco Cemetery without due respect. Today, a marker stands between
two acacia trees, which were the only official witness when Rizal’s body was buried.

The Aftermath 

More and more provinces in the Philippines decided to fight. Rizal was the best reason that the
Spaniards had created in favor of the Philippine Revolution. After his death, other provinces decided to
join the fight for freedom aside from Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, and Nueva Ecija. The province of
Tarlac declared its Cry of Tagumpay in January 1897 and attacked the Spaniards in the provincial capital.
Afterward, Ilocano and Visayan provinces followed.
Dr. Antonio Morga (November 29, 1559–July 21, 1636)

Source: https://taytaynijuan.me/relacion-de-las-costumbres-at-barangay/

Antonio Morga was a high-ranking Spanish official, soldier, lawyer, and historian who served in the
Philippines for 43 years during the Spanish regime. He published the book Successos de las Islas Filipinas
in 1609, which was considered one of the most substantial works on Spain’s early colonial history in the
Philippines. As a Deputy Governor in the Philippines, Morga restored the audencia. He took over the
function of a judge or oidor. He also took command of the Spanish ships in a 1600 naval battle against
Dutch corsairs but was defeated and barely survived. 

In August 1593, he was appointed as the Lieutenant to the Governor-General, Luis Pérez Dasmariñas,
upon his arrival in Manila. Morga held the second-most powerful position in the Philippines during those
times. However, Morga spent his time in the colony serving Francisco Tello de Guzman, the former
governor-general's successor. 

In his account, Morga noted the miserable conditions of the Spanish/Mexican soldiers due to corruption
and an unfamiliar environment. It was noteworthy that Manila was not an ideal place for many Spanish
and Mexican immigrants, based on the reports of Morga. Also, many higher-ranking officials were
leaving the colony after few years. 

He issued regulations for administrative reform, which is known as the ordenzas. His reforms included
the restoration of the audencia. In 1598, Morga resigned as the lieutenant governor to assume the office
of oidor or judge in the newly re-established Audiencia of Manila. The position required his removal
from the public’s eye

The Background of the Book

Morga suffered significantly from his military and political failures. But when we talk about his works as
a historian, it is a different story. His book, Successos de las Islas Filipinas (1609), was perhaps the best
account of Spanish colonialism in the Philippines written during that period. It was based partly on
ethnographic research, keen observation, and Morga’s personal involvement and knowledge.
Morga’s historical accounts cover the politics, economy, and Philippine society from 1493 to 1603.
Interestingly, Morga's official position allowed him access to many government documents. Morga
ornamented Spain's legacy by writing about its discovery, subjugation, and conversion of the Philippine
archipelago. Meanwhile, Rizal argued that the conversion and conquest were not as widespread as Dr.
Morga portrayed because missionaries were only successful in conquering a portion of the population in
certain parts of the archipelago. 

Why Choose Morga’s Work

According to Ambeth Ocampo (1998), Rizal decided to transcribe Morga’s book for the following
reasons:

1. The book is objective – Rizal felt that Morga was more objective than religious writers whose
accounts included many sacred and miraculous stories. 

2. The book is sympathetic – Rizal also believed that Morga was more sympathetic to the Indios
than those who wrote religious chronicles. Morga was an eyewitness and a significant
participant in the events he narrated. 

3. The book is civil – Rizal also believed that the only civil account that was incorporated in a
historical book was the work of Morga because it opposed the religious or ecclesiastical way
that was prevalent during the colonial period of the Spaniards. 

4. The book is based on his experience – Rizal believed that the book is written based on the first-
hand experience of Morga that is why it is credible and valid. 

On Rizal’s Annotation 

Considering that Rizal was an earnest seeker of truth, which makes him a historian, he aimed to prove
that the Philippines has civilizations and a systematic way of learning even before the Spaniards came.
Rizal’s primary aim is to retell the Filipino story that, as he assumed, was described by Morga in a biased
manner. 
 Jose Rizal Park at Wilhelmsfeld, Germany
Source: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1053578-d4801677-Reviews-
Jose_Rizal_Park_at_Wilhelmsfeld-Wilhelmsfeld_Baden_Wurttemberg.html

Objectives of Rizal 

1. Rizal has the following objectives why he had transcribed and annotated the work of Morga: 

2. To enlighten the consciousness of the Filipinos regarding their glorious pre-colonial culture.

3. To correct what had been distorted about the Philippines due to the Spanish conquest. 

4. To prove that the Filipinos are civilized even before the Spaniards came to the Philippines. 

The Theory of Rizal about the Philippines

Rizal theorized that the Philippines is a country with an economically self-sufficient and prosperous
social structure. Rizal also emphasized that the Spaniards' conquest and colonization significantly
destroyed the Philippines' rich tradition and culture. 

Corrections of Rizal 

1. Early Government – Our forefathers in the pre-colonial Philippines already possessed a working
judicial and legislative system. 

2. High Literacy Rate – The Spanish missionaries exploited baybayin and used it to translate their
own goals. 

3. Early Artillery – Our ancestors were proficient in the art of war. In addition to hand weapons,
Filipinos know how to use fire guns and cannons. 

4. Smooth Foreign Relations – Precolonial Filipinos had already established trading and diplomatic
relations with countries as far as the Middle East. 

5. Self-Sufficient – The Philippines' natural resources during the pre-colonial period were abundant
and very sustainable. Our ancestors' ways of life are self-sustaining because they practiced
direct appropriation in gathering resources. In distributing food resources, they practiced
egalitarianism.

6. Advanced Civilization – Contrary to the Spanish colonizers' perspective, ancient Filipinos did not
have an inferior civilization. As mentioned above, we had our indigenous writing system. We
were great boat builders and seafarers. Also, our ancestors had a defined political system and
social structure.      

Ferdinand Blumentritt’s Prologue

Ferdinand Blumentritt also wrote a preface emphasizing several salient points on the work of Morga.
Ferdinand Blumentritt highlighted here that Spaniards have to correct their erroneous conception of the
Filipinos as children of limited intelligence .
A Portrait of Ferdinand Blumentritt
Source: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/344455071481631040/

Delusions of Spaniards about the Philippines 

1. Filipinos were an inferior race.

2. Filipinos were not ready for parliamentary representation and other reforms.

3. Denial of equal rights can be compensated by the strict dispensation of justice. 

Blumentritt Also Critiqued Rizal

1. He first observed that Rizal had committed the mistake of many modern historians who judged
events in the context of contemporary ideas and mores.

2. He perceived that Rizal overreached his denunciation of Catholicism. Rizal should confine his
critiques to the religious orders who spared no effort to suppress calls for reform.

Other Notes of Blumentritt 

He praised the work of Rizal as scholarly and well-thought-out. He also noted that Morga’s Successos de
Las Islas Filipinas was rare that the few libraries that have it guard it with the same solitude as if it was
the treasure of the Incas. 

Noli Me Tangere 

Noli Me Tangere is considered the masterpiece of Rizal and his most significant contribution to the
Philippines and the world. In this work, he was firm in his conviction about the distinction between the
Spanish government and Spanish religious order in the Philippines, which led to the suffering of the
Filipinos to become an oppressed people. 
This novel was finished on February 21, 1887, and published in Germany by the publishing house,
Berliner Buchdruckerei-Action-Gessellschaft. The book has 63 chapters, which Rizal wrote in different
countries.

As Rizal was dealing with financial constraints, his friend Maximo Viola lent him Php. 300 to print the
book (2,000 copies). Rizal feared that the novel might not be printed and that it would remain unread.
He nearly threw the manuscript in the fire. The original manuscript was then given to Viola as a token of
appreciation. 

Rizal entitled Noli Me Tangere from John 20:13–17, “Touch me not for I am not yet ascended to my
Father.” An Eagle Flight and The Social Cancer were used as titles in English translations (Summary of
Noli Me Tangere, 2017). However, these titles disregarded the symbolism of the title. Currently, modern
translations use the original Latin title (Symbols Used in Noli Me Tangere Essay - 481 Words, n.d.).

Noli Me Tangere and Les Miserables 

Noli Me Tangere was the answer of Rizal to Victor Hugo’s famous novel, Les Miserables. Both books
discussed the issues of oppression, corruption, failed uprising, doomed heroines, persecution, and
betrayals. As Les Miserables is written in French, historians believe that Noli Me Tangere may have been
a greater success if Rizal wrote the novel in French. Sadly, Rizal’s command of the French language was
not enough to write the novel in French. 

Essential Characters in The Noli Me Tangere

1. Juan Crisostomo Ibarra y Magsalin – Crisostomo Ibarra was depicted as one of the Filipinos who
managed to finish his studies abroad. He was living abroad for seven years. Unlike his countrymen, he
had a liberal mind and was outspoken and idealistic.
Crisostomo Ibarra exemplified the vision that Jose Rizal had aimed for the youth of the Philippines
during his time. Others attribute Ibarra to Rizal’s reflection of himself (Rizal-Midterm-3.0.pptx-life works
writings of Rizal, n.d.).

2. Maria Clara de los Santos – Maria Clara had eyes similar to her mother, with large black orbs and long
lashes. Her eyes also showed emotions openly. Her hair was light-colored, thick, curly, and was often
ornated with flowers. Her ears were small and were assumed to be inherited from her father, Capitan
Tiago, and she had a straight nose. She had dimples at the side of her mouth, and she had fair skin
(Maria Clara, n.d.).  Her character relates to Leonor Rivera, who was Jose Rizal’s childhood sweetheart.
Maria Clara played the piano and harp and had a sweet voice which were the characteristics of Leonor.
Maria was also portrayed as a good friend, faithful sweetheart, and an obedient daughter which are
characteristics of the ideal woman at that time. She never imposed what she wants except when she
refused to marry Linares (Maria Clara, n.d.).
3. Elias – Elias was a former boatman who became one of the most wanted criminals in San Diego. He
distrusted human judgment and preferred God’s justice instead. He was acquainted with the tulisanes
and other crooks, which he used to his advantage in discerning the troubles of the town.
Elias represented ordinary Filipinos that were aware of the injustices that their countrymen faced and
wanted to liberate them from the oppression. In addition, Elias is said to be the personification of
Andres Bonifacio (Who are the main characters in Noli Me Tangere?, 2020)

4. Sisa – Sisa (Narcisa) was a typical native wife. She endured her husband’s beatings and
irresponsibility. Sisa was described as a mother who considered her sons her only treasure. She would
often anticipate when they would return home as she would prepare their favorite dishes. 
Sisa is thought to represent the motherland who was suffering because her character lost her children.
The tragic events that ruined her life represented the abuse that the motherland received from her
colonizers.

5. Crispin – Crispin one of Sisa’s son. He was a sacristan who was accused of stealing two gold pieces by
a senior sacristan. Although he implored his older brother to pay the said amount, the latter refused as
their mother would have nothing to eat.
Crispin represented the innocents who had been wrongly accused of crimes they did not commit. The
injustice they suffered under the hands of the authorities during their time was silenced by their deaths
and the cover-ups that followed.

6. Basilio – He was Sisa’s 10-year-old son who was tasked to ring the Church bells to signal the Angelus.
He faced tragedy as he lost his younger brother and his mother descended into insanity. In the end of
Noli Me Tangere, Basilio was urged by Elias to bury and burn him in exchange for a chest of gold. Basilio
plays a major role in El Filibusterismo (Intellectual legacies in Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo,
n.d.).

7. Pilosopo Tasyo – Seeking reforms from the government, he expressed his ideas in a paper written in a
cryptographic alphabet similar to hieroglyphs and Coptic figures in hopes the future generation may be
able to decode it and know the oppression they faced at the hands of the conquerors (43842486-
Character-Analysis - CHARACTER ANALYSIS Character .... , n.d.).
Tasyo came from a wealthy family. He was often a pessimist and untrusting of human altruism. He also
did not believe in the religious fanaticism that was in vogue during his time.
Tasyo was one of the characters in the novel that Rizal could relate to as he was patterned after Rizal’s
older brother, Paciano Rizal.
Tasyo symbolized the educated Filipinos who had once embraced the culture of the Spanish regime.
They eventually became disenchanted when they returned to the Philippines and observed the stark
contrast their countrymen received from their colonizers. The more they turned to learn, the more they
became eccentric to the masses they seek to enlighten.

8. Padre Damaso Verdolagas – He was a Franciscan friar and the former parish curate of San Diego. He
was best known as a notorious character who spoke with harsh words and  had been a cruel priest
during his stay in the town. He was the birth father of María Clara and an enemy of Crisóstomo’s father,
Rafael Ibarra. He symbolized the Spanish friars of Rizal's time and is a comment on the Spanish control
of the Philippines. 

9. Padre Salvi – He was a secret admirer of Maria Clara. In the later part of the story, he and Padre
Damaso devised a plan to break Ibarra and Maria Clara apart. He was also the head of the Church of San
Diego and one of the most influential people in the town. 
He symbolized the lustful actions of some of the Spanish Friars in the Philippines. 

10. Don Santiago de los Santos – Don Santiago de los Santos, also known by his nickname Tiago and
political title Capitán Tiago, was a Filipino businessman and the head of barangay of the town of San
Diego. He was also the known father of María Clara.
Capitan Tiago was a typical character during the time of Jose Rizal. He was a rich native-born Filipino
who rubbed elbows with the powers during that time.
He symbolized the rich Filipinos who oppressed their fellow countrymen in exchange for the influence
and wealth that they might gain from their associations with powerful individuals. (Capitan Tiago, n.d.) 

Modern but Same Old Problems 

In trying to find meaning and relevance between Rizal and the Filipinos 150 years after his birth, the
problems are not yet over. These problems were never gone; they have only been molecularly
restructured into something barely recognizable and generally acceptable. (Uckung, 2012)

History is a powerful tool for peace and progress because we can only justify social change by assessing
history. However, in discarding the lessons that come with history, one must be unapologetically critical.
One must be similar to Rizal.

The following are signs of a revived colonialism (Uckung, 2012): 

1. Silencing of the critics – Critics are silenced when they are killed, similar to Rizal’s fate. This is
also similar to the disappearance of activists or broadcasters who were shot and buried in
Cotabato.

2. Social strata – Rizal certainly never experienced facing a problem that is defined by what
happens to the stock market or banks. When the two financial entities face issues and begin to
collapse, then this phenomenon is called a crisis. When large financial institutions collapse, more
often than not, they are bailed out by the government through the taxpayer’s money. “The rich,
then, get richer, and the poor get poorer” (Uckung, 2012, para. 11). 

3. Exploitation of the labor force – Advancements in technology has supplied the Filipinos multiple
kinds of work and opportunities that require technical knowledge, which is knowledge that
enables the use of information and communication at an instant. This phenomenon created
organizations the need many Filipino call center agents that are knowledgeable with computers
which give the impression that the country is providing computer wizards, and the country is
revolutionary in terms of labor employment. However, this is a myth as in reality they are low
skill, low wage, and nonunionized jobs.    
 4. Education – At present, there is a lack in the quality of public education as it mostly transmits
knowledge that is useful to existing society rarely lets students acquire critical thinking and
transformative reaction.

5. Global Identity – Rizal was declared as the “national hero and protector of the Filipinos, but will
he be surprised with the program of globalization, which has the underlying assumption that
nationalism and protectionism are incompatible with social and economic development?”
(Uckung, 2012, para. 15).

6. Inferiority Complex – People assume that Filipinos themselves are to be blamed for their sorry
lot because they are culturally inferior. Occasionally, this assumption is subtly accepted as
encouraged by schools. 

7. Language as a tool for oppression – Rizal knew that the colonizers needed to instill in the
Filipinos a negative attitude towards their own culture. Through promoting the idea that their
culture was inferior, the colonizers managed to encourage Filipinos to reject their culture. 

Contemplate

Rizal’s reformatory approach to social change was to exercise influence and bring change within
established institutions rather than fighting institution head on, but it did not work. A different strategy
was used during the American regime as legislation and court litigation was used to secure
constitutional rights. Later on, direct action techniques, such as utilizing the potential power of the
masses along political and economic lines, are used. An example of these techniques was mass civil
disobedience, which “would create the kind of social dislocation that would bring attention and
remedial actions from the government.” (Uckung, 2012, para. 18).

A hero is a social anomaly. If there is a need for heroes, it means that the government is ineffective in
solving the problems of society. For example, during Rizal’s time, the government was both supporting
the problems that the people faced and at the same time profiting from them. 

In examining the Rizal’s accounts, especially his novels, “the reader will be pulled deeper into a different
hidden plane of philosophy that is unlike Rizal and more of the dark, brooding filibustero we have come
to know as Simoun, whose final purpose in life was to infiltrate the colonial authorities and spread the
fire of revolution among his people” (Uckung, 2012, para. 20).

People like Rizal are not favored by individuals and institutions who take advantage of people who are
alienated or impoverished and those who use and promote tactics that keep people submissive so that
they may be easily controlled.  

These individuals would do anything in their power to stop Jose Rizal even long after his death. Due to
his immense popularity as a national hero, they cannot stop him, but they can control the impact of his
legacy. If these institutions successfully make Rizal insignificant, he would only be a subject taught in
school that would eventually be forgotten in the modern age.

The following is the Synopsis of El Filibusterismo (El filibusterismo, n.d.-a). 

Presumably in 1894, on a steamship named Tabo was sailing along the Pasig River on its way to Laguna
Lake. The passengers on the upper deck were discussing the slow pace of the steamship, while on the
lower deck, Basilio and Isagani, two students, were discussing their plans to establish an academy. With
them was Capitan Basilio, who was doubtful if the Governor-General would approve their plans.
Meanwhile, passengers on the upper deck were sharing legends about Laguna Lake, including the story
of Crisostomo Ibarra. The narration then shifted to the story of Kabesang Tales. A religious order claimed
his land, and he was taxed because of it. Kabesang Tales opposed them; however, he lost. As Tales was
captured by some bandits, Juli, his daughter had to borrow money from Hermana Penchang to free her
father. In exchange, Juli had to work as a servant to Hermana Penchang. 

                 Basilio arrived in San Diego on Christmas Eve. When he arrived, he learned about the
abduction of Kabesang Tales and went to his mother’s grave. He remembered what happened 13 years
ago, and it was also shown that he was able to study because Capitan Tiago, his foster father, helped
him, and he has plans to marry Juli. Upon leaving, he bumped into Simoun, a jeweler. Simoun persuaded
Basilio to join his plans for a revolution; however, Basilio refused. It is later revealed that Simoun is
Crisostomo Ibarra in disguise. 

                 Juli started to work for Hermana Penchang as her servant on Christmas day while her
grandfather, Selo, realized he had become dumb. As people gossiped about Selo and his family, Tales
entertained Simoun in his home while selling jewelry to his clients. Tales exchanged Juli’s locket, which
Maria Clara originally owned, for Simoun’s revolver. He became a bandit as he killed the friar
administrator and stole his land. He then became the new tenant with his wife. At the end of December,
the Governor-General, his advisers, and some friars were resting in Los Baños. He asked for their
thoughts on the plans to establish a Spanish academy. It was met with differing opinions, and a final
decision was not made. 

Placido Penitente went to school in Manila. On the way to school, his friend, Juanito Palaez, was having
a conversation with him. While he was in physics class, Placido argued with Padre Million, his professor,
and Placido left in anger. Makaraig was in the dormitory when he announced that the decision to
establish a Spanish academy was given to a commission that Don Custodio headed. They then came up
with a plan to Don Custodio and Señor Pasta, a lawyer, to approve of their plans. Isagani went to Señor
Pasta, but he refused as he was afraid of angering the friars. Quiroga, a Chinese businessman, was
entertaining his guests at his house. In exchange for absolving him a part of his debt, Simoun asked to
store rifles in Quiroga’s warehouse. Quiroga’s guests then left his home for the Quiapo Fair. At the fair,
at the show of Mr. Leeds, a Sphinx told a story that bore similarities to Ibarra’s story and called out
Padre Salvi, which caused him to faint.         

                 After a while, Placido met with Simoun, and he learned that Simoun was planning to start a
revolution and rescue Maria Clara, who was in a nunnery. As Don Custodio was still going over his
decision, the people watched Les Cloches de Cornevill at the Teatro de Verdiades. The students learned
of the decision of Don Custodio in the middle of the performance. Simoun visited Basilio in Capitan
Tiago’s house. He once again attempted to recruit Basilio. However, he learned from Basilio that Maria
Clara has passed away, which leaves him upset. Isagani met with Paulita Gomez, and he told her about
wanting a reform. Paulita told Isagani that it was too idealistic and unattainable.

                 The students organized a banquet to sway the decision of Don Custodio. In the end, he decided
that a Dominican order would supervise the academy, and the students would merely collect
contributions. Basilio then went to the hospital and learned that seditious posters were seen, which
implicated the student organization. He was arrested when he was on his way to Makaraig’s house to
ask for a loan. Meanwhile, Isagani and Padre Fernandez were arguing about the education that the friars
are giving to the students. While the rumors about the imprisonment were spreading, Capitan Tiago
passes away. Padre Irene was tasked to execute his will. However, he forged Capitan Tiago’s will and
gave the properties that were initially for Basilio to the Santa Clara convent and other religious
institutions. In San Diego, Juli reluctantly asked for the help of Padre Camorra when she learned about
Basilio’s arrest. Padre Camorra assaults her, which leads her to kill herself. 

A government official tried to convince the Governor-General to release Basilio because he believed that
Basilio was innocent. The Governor-General refused. Pecson, Tadeo, and Juanito, who were students,
were released from prison; however, they were suspended from their classes. Juanito was supposed to
marry Paulita. After being released, Basilio joined Simoun in his plans when he learned about the death
of Juli. Basilio learned that Simoun placed a lamp laced with dynamite in a gathering to signal the attack.
As he was walking on the streets, he realized that the gathering that Simoun was referring to was
Juanito and Paulita’s wedding reception. Basilio saw Isagani and told him to leave as there was a bomb.
The guests of the reception were panicking upon seeing the note that Ibarra left on the lamp. Isagani
rushed in and threw the lamp into the river. 

                 Later, news was circulating on the attacks the friar country house sustained due to bandits. The
bandits then confessed that the mastermind behind the attack was a mestizo that matched Simoun’s
description. After the wedding reception, Isagani was discussing the events with a few people. Chichoy,
a silversmith, revealed that Simoun planned the attack. The Guardia Civil were then ambushed as they
were escorting prisoners. They were ambushed by the bandits. A soldier, Carolino, killed the leader of
the bandits, Kabesang Tales, while another soldier killed Selo. It was revealed that Carolino was Talo,
Kabesang Tales’ son, and Juli’s brother. Simoun went to the house of Padre Florentino to escape. As the
Guardia Civil was pursuing him, Simoun ingested poison to kill himself and avoid arrest. Padre Florentino
then threw Simoun’s jewel chest into the sea.

The following are the important characters in El Filibusterismo (El filibusterismo, n.d.-b).

1. Simoun – Presumed dead at the end of Rizal's first novel, Noli Me Tangere, Crisostomo Ibarra
returned as a wealthy jeweler named Simoun. He was described as tan, bearded, had long white
hair, and wore large, blue-tinted glasses. He was crude and confrontational and described by
Don Custodio and Ben-Zayb as an American mulatto or British Indian. He presented an arrogant
elitist persona while secretly planning a revolution because he wanted revenge for his
misfortunes, and he wanted to complete Elias' reformist goals.

2. Basilio – Also a character from Noli Me Tangere, Basilio was the son of Sisa. In El Filibusterismo,
he was an aspiring physician in his last year of university. He was to get his license when he
graduates. Basilio was quiet and thoughtful, and he was more in tune with his duties as a
servant, doctor, and member of the student association rather than politics. He was in a
relationship with Juli. He was taken in by Kabesang Tales when he was young. 

3. Isagani – Basilio’s younger friend. He was taller, more robust and was a poet. Padre Florentino
was his uncle; however, there were rumors that Florentino was his father as he was with a
woman before entering the priesthood. His idealism often clashed with the practical outlook of
 his significant other, Paulita Gomez. She left Isagani for Juanito Palaez when Isagani allowed
himself to be arrested because of his associations. At the end of the novel, he bid his farewells
to the Orenda family, his landlords, and he stayed with Florentino permanently. 

4. Father Florentino He was well-respected by his peers, even by Spanish friars and officials. As the
son of an elite family in Manila, Florentino was also Isagani's uncle and a retired priest. As his
mother insisted, he entered the priesthood. During the 1872 Cavite Mutiny, he resigned from
the priesthood as he did not want any unwanted attention. He was an Indio priest that was
unaffiliated with any order. However, his parish was raking in a large sum of income. He was
physically described as a man with white hair, a strong build, and had a quiet personality. 

5. Father Fernández – A Dominican priest and a friend to Isagani. After the incident with the
posters, he invited Isagani to talk to him as a friar and a Filipino. They did not manage to resolve
their differences; however, they both promised to approach others with opposing views from
the other party. Father Fernandez and Isagani feared the animosity that existed between their
sides, and they feared that their colleagues might not believe in the existence of the other
party. 

6. Kapitán Tiago - Don Santiago de los Santos was Maria Clara’s stepfather. He owned several plots
of land in Pampanga, Binondo, and Laguna. He also owned Ibarra’s estate. He became
depressed when Maria Clara entered the convent. Because of this, he smoked opium and
became addicted to it. His addiction worsened because Padre Irene constantly supplied him
with opium. 

7. Captain-General – During the Spanish colonial period, the Captain-General was considered the
highest-ranking official. In El Filibusterismo, he was Simoun’s friend and was described as
someone who lusted for gold. He met Simoun when he was still a major in the Ten Year’s War in
Cuba. Simoun befriended the then-Major and was able to get him promoted through bribes.
Simoun used the Captain-General in his plan to drive the country into a revolution.

8. Father Bernardo Salví – He was a parish priest in San Diego during the events of Noli Me
Tangere and is now the director and chaplain of the Santa Clara convent. It was implied that he
raped Maria Clara during his time at the convent. In El Filibusterismo, he became Maria Clara’s
confessor, and he lived in fear as he believed that Ibarra was still alive and planning his revenge. 

9. Don Custodio – Custodio de Salazar y Sánchez de Monteredondo was a “contractor.” The

Captain-General asked him to develop the proposal of students for a Spanish academy. At the
same time, he was also pressured by the religious sector to not compromise their right to
monopolize what is being taught. Custodio was constantly criticized in the novel as he was
portrayed as an opportunist. He got into high society through marriage and constantly criticized
ideas that were not his, even though he was highly incompetent.

10. Ben-Zayb – He worked as a columnist for El Grito de la Integridad, a Spanish newspaper in

Manila. The name Ben-Zayb is merely an anagram for Ybanez which is an alternative spelling of
his real last name, Ibanez. He was said to look like a friar as he was mistaken as one in Manila.
He was patriotic to the point of jingoism. 
 11. Father Camorra – Camorra was a parish priest in Tiani. He constantly opposed Ben-Zayb by
mocking and humiliating his assertions. If Ben-Zayb was said to look like a friar, Camorra was
said to look like an artilleryman. He had a reputation for being lustful. He attempted to rape Juli,
which led to her committing suicide. He was then “detained” in a luxurious villa outside of
Manila.

12. Placido Penitente - He was a student at the University of Santo Tomas. He hated studying and
only stayed because of his mother’s pleas. He had a verbal altercation with his professor and
would then meet Simoun at the Quiapo Fair. As he saw potential in him, Simoun took him in,
and Placido became one of Simoun’s committed followers. He was then seen with Simoun’s
bombmaker, the former schoolmaster of San Diego.

13. Paulita Gómez - She was Isagani’s significant other and Dona Victorina’s, an Indio who acted like
a Peninsulares and the wife of Tiburcio de Espadana, niece. She broke things off with Isagani as
she believed that her future looked bleak if she married him. She married Juanito Palaez. 

14. Kabesang Tales – Telesofo Juan de Dios was a former kabesa of Barrio Sagpang in Tiani. As a
sugarcane planter, he cleared land. He knew that the land did not have any owner. Because of
this, he lost his wife and daughter. As the Dominicans took over his farm, he fought them in to
keep it in his possession. 

15. Tandang Selo – He was the father of Kabesang Tales. He was also the grandfather of Tano and
Juli. Tandang Selo and Tales took in Basilio when he was young. When Juli left to become a
servant to Hermana Penchang, Tandang Selo suffered a stroke that impaired his speaking ability.
After Juli committed suicide, he left town and was then seen as a member of the bandits. In the
altercation, he was killed by his grandson, Tano.

16. Juli - Juliana de Dios was the significant other of Basilio. She was the daughter of Kabesang
Tales. When the bandits took her father, Juli asked Hermana Penchang to pay for her father’s
ransom. Hermana Penchang agreed, but Juli had to work as her servant. Basilio then ransomed
her and bought her family a house. When he was imprisoned, Juli went to Padre Camorra to ask
for help. He, however, attempted to rape her. Distraught, Juli then killed herself by jumping off
the church’s tower. 

The Role of the Youth

Rizal identified that the youth of any country is a great asset. The youth is the future of the country and
represented it at every level. The role of youths in nation-building was more important than what we
could imagine. In other words, the intelligence and work of the youth would lead to the success of this
country. As every citizen is equally responsible, the youth is also responsible because we are the building
blocks of a country.

1. Leadership – The life of Rizal is a story of courage and leadership, that is, to stand for something
and be an agent of change. Being a part of the change does not require any standard age. We,
as the youth, can create change and shape the future through our efforts. What we say matters
and where we stand is a battle worth fighting for. Remember that Rizal died because he wanted
to change but more importantly, he became a hero at a young age. 
 2. Education – The role of education was significant in both of his novels. From Noli Me Tangere,
Crisostomo Ibarra planned to build a school because he believed in the power of education.
Likewise, in El Filibusterismo, more issues about the education system during the Spanish era
were presented and elaborated. Rizal believed in the power of education and how it can change
the citizens and community per se. 

3. Effort – As the youth, we possess the energy and vigor to transform society. Our efforts should
be collective and must lead to something fruitful. Spending our time wisely and putting our
efforts into things that matter will improve our country.

4. Role Modeling – As the catalyst of change, we should also inspire others to change. The youth
today should bring contagious transformation toward self, other youth, and other citizens. Our
role shapes the future. Thus, we should direct the community to positive changes and
reformations.

5. Participation in Society – To be idle and to be passive is something that only eats the strength of
the youth. We must participate in things that matter. 

6. Idealism – To be idealistic is to dream, and to dream makes one a visionary. Filipino youth
should possess dreams because these will lead us to better conditions. A dream should also be
vigorous and action-oriented because a dream will merely be a dream without our actions. 

7. Nationalism and Patriotism – The youth must continue the burning torch of nationalism and
patriotism within their hearts; it is something that upholds us—our identity and relevance to the
global community. The love of our country is what binds us together. 

Lifetime Literary Accomplishments according to Gunner (n.d.)

According to Gunner (n.d.), Jose Rizal’s literary works surpasses those of writers who live long lives.
Furthermore, his works are considered notable because of their significance in Filipino independence
and the beauty of the language used. 

Plays of José Rizal

 Rizal used satire effectively as a rhetorical device for his political messages (Gunner, n.d.).
Criticizing the political state of the Philippines back then, Rizal’s plays often included absurd
situations.   

 El Consejo de los Dioses 

 Junta Al Pasig (Along the Pasig)

 San Euistaquio, Mártyr 

 Por Telefono (By Phone)

  Poems of Rizal

 At age 14, Rizal wrote the poem “To the Child Jesus.” This indicates his interest in Christianity
and social equity at an early age (Gunner, n.d.). Rizal’s poems reflected how beautiful and at the
same time cruel his country was. This led him to write his final poem before his execution, which
was named “Mi ultimo adios” by Mariano Ponce. 

 “Farewell to 1883”

 “Por la Educación Recibe Lustre la Patria” 

 “Sa Aking mga Kabata” 

 “Mi Último Adiós” (My Last Farewell)

 “Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo”

 “Felicitation”

 “Flower Among Flowers”

 “Goodbye to Leonor”

 “Himno Al Trabajo” 

 “Himno Al Talisay” (Hymn to Talisay)

 “Kundiman”

 “Mi Retiro”

 “El Canto del Viajero” 

 “To the Child Jesus”

 “To the Virgin Mary”

 “Agua y Fiego” (Water and Fire)

 “Me Piden Versos” 

Musical Compositions

Rizal also composed music. He used his poems and transformed them to lyrics (Gunner, n.d.). In
addition, some of his compositions were adapted to longer pieces by future generations. These are
some of his compositions:

 Kundiman ni Rizal

 Alin Mang Lahi

 Leonor

Speeches and Petitions

During 1880 and 1890 art was political and Rizal belonged to a group of artist who were also activists
(Gunner, n.d.). The group used writing, music, and art to stand up against tyranny. For Rizal, his
speeches honored his friends and countrymen who fought for freedom. 

 In honor of two Filipino painters, Rizal’s toast to Luna and Hidalgo

 Rizal’s speech delivered at Cafe Habanero

 Petition of the town of Calamba

 Order of the Marquis of Malinta

Historical

Rizal was also a proficient historian as he could read in different languages (Gunner, n.d.). These
languages included Spanish, Italian, English, German, French, and Tagalog. Through his commentaries on
different works, Rizal provides a look into the Philippines in that era. 

 Ma-Yi

 Tawalisi of Ibn Batuta

 Filipinas Dentro de Cien Años 

 Sobre La Indolencia De Los Filipinas 

 Manila en el mes Diciembre, 1872 

 Historia de la Familia Rizal de la Calamba

 Los Pueblos del Archipelago Indico 

 La Politica Colonial on Filipinas 

 Rizal’s Annotations to Morga’s 1609 Philippine History

Letters and Petitions

Jose Rizal also had a large number of correspondences in the form of letters and petitions (Gunner, n.d.).
Through these correspondences, one could understand Rizal better as a political figure. He wrote to his
fellow activists, family, Ferdinand Blumentritt, Leonor Rivera, and Josephine Bracken. 

 Tribute to Blumentritt 

 Sa Mga Kababaihang Taga Malolos 

 A Los Filipinos (To the Filipinos)

 Rizal’s letters (composed of correspondence to Blumentritt, Father Pablo Pastells, Marcelo del
Pilar, and other activists)

Articles and Essays

Majority of Rizal’s work come from his articles and essays (Gunner, n.d.). Through his essays that were
published in La Solidaridad and other political circulars, Rizal admired the Filipino people while criticizing
their Spanish oppressors. He was imprisoned when the Spanish government found his writings. 

 “El Amor Patrio” 

 “Come se gobiernan las Filipinas” 

 “Revista De Madrid" (Review of Madrid)

 “Los Viajes” (Travels)

 “La Verdad Para Todos"Unfortunate Philippines”

 “Pensamientos De Un Filipino” 

 “Note on the Maremagnum”

 “Los Agricultores Filipinos” 

 “Sa Mga Kababayan” 

 “Una Visita A La Victoria Gaol” 

 “A La Defensa” (To La Defensa)

 “How to Deceive the Native Land”

 “To Barrantes on the Tagalog Theater”

 “Una Profanacion,” ”Verdades Nuevas” 

 “Crueldad" (Cruelty)

 “Diferencias” (Differences)

 “Inconsequencias” (Inconsequences)

 “Llanto Y Risas” (Tears and Laughter)

 “Ingratitudes” (Ingratitude)

 “Cosas de Filipinas” 

 “Sobre La Nueva Ortografia De La Lengua Tagala” 

 “A La Nacion Espanola" 

 “Defensa Del Noli” 

 “Nameless”

 “Let Us be Just”

 “Philippine Affairs”
  “More on the Negros Affair”

 “Cowardly Revenge”

 “A Reply to Mr. Isabelo de los Reyes' Las Luchas de Nuestros Dias”

 “How the Philippines is Governed”

 “On the Calamba Incidents”

 “Ang mga Karapatan ng Tao” 

 “Executives of the Town of Calamba”

 “Colonisation Du British North Borneo, Par De Familles De Iles Philippines” 

 “Proyecto De Colonization Del British North Borneo Por Los Filipinos”

 “La Instruccion” 

 “La Mano Roja” (The Red Hand)

 “Pobres Frailes” (Poor Friars)

 “By-laws of the Association of Dapitan Farmers”

 “Date for My Defense”

 “Additions to My Defense”

 “Manifesto to Some Filipinos”

 “The Philippines as a Spanish Colony”

 “Notes on Melanesia, Malaysia, and Polynesia”

 “Constitution of La Liga Filipina”

 “La Vision Del Fray Rodriguez” (The Vision of Fr. Rodriguez)

 “Estado de religiosidad de los pueblos en Filipinas”’

General Understanding of Rizal as a Writer

According to Mojaro (2018), an issue occurred with the problem in recognizing Jose Rizal as a national
hero. There was more of a focus on Rizal’s life and not much on his works and writings. “The lack of
understanding of Rizal comes from the fact that Rizal was a writer and suffered the irony of being a
national hero in a country where most people do not like to read” (Mojaro, 2018, para. 5). 

Unfortunately, Rizal’s writings are read in a shallow and nationalist way and are not critically analyzed
(Mojaro, 2018). With the exception of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, the rest of Rizal’s literary
works are rarely seen in bookstores. If it were not for the efforts of Teodoro M. Kalaw, the rest of Rizal’s
works would not be readily available in the present. 
 1. Prolific – Most of his literary masterpieces were not made for entertainment but exhibit deep
meaning. His works were written for specific purposes. 

2. Double entendre – His phrases could have two meanings that could be understood in two
different ways. He liked to keep secret codes and loved to hide the sarcasm in serving the
painful truth.

3. Heroic – Most of his works showed heroism and selflessness. He implored and praised heroic
deeds in many of his written accounts. 

4. Social transformation – Studying in Madrid, traveling in places, and being a propagandist

influenced Rizal on the nature of his work and made him aim for social change.

5. Nationalistic and patriotic – He aimed to better the country as it is always present in his literary
works. 

6. Experiential –Parts of his stories and literary works were based on actual events that he
experienced or witnessed. 

What we read affects us. It inhabits our mind and influences our thoughts and point of view in life and
almost everything. Our decisions are based on the abstract truth that we build in our consciousness, and
what we read truly affects this process. Written below are some of the outcomes that may prevail if
someone will appreciate the literary masterpieces of Rizal. 

1. Political awareness – Most of his works are written to scrutinize the political status of the
country. Reading his works might influence you on how to check, unravel, and investigate the
government's shortcomings. 

2. Social awareness – His works also show how we should observe the becoming of society. Social
awareness and the current status of society some of the highlights of his works. Reading the
works of Rizal might help you in observing what is happening in reality. 

3. To be active – Rizal always encourages self-development that leans toward personal

improvement and your action-driven impact on society. For Rizal, life could only be fruitful if
used to improve the country and society.

4. To patronize our Nationality – We should build our identity, that is, to embrace being Filipino
and to be proud of what we are. We should not believe how other nationalities shape us;
instead, we should focus on improving our own culture without losing our true identities. 

5. To build camaraderie – We should become one. Rizal believed that citizens must unite and work
hand in hand in building a better society. 

6. To see the bitter truth – Rizal’s works are idealistic, but they showed the bitter truth, the
mishaps, and the misfortunes that surround the society. To see the contributions of this bitter
truth in understanding the status is to diagnose the problem and address the solutions properly.

7. To love – Rizal is indeed a romantic. He has a t alent for charming and swooning women, as
shown in his works. 
8. To be selfless – This refers to working not for personal development but to work and serve the
lives of others. His work teaches us that we can impact our society by working to improve the
lives of one another. To live with a noble cause brings not only success but also growth. 

9. To aim for progress and reforms – This refers to seeking change, that is, to avoid mediocrity and
aim for something better. We should not settle with what we have. We should search for what
we could be to serve our country. 

10. To become a visionary – Rizal will teach us how to dream. To look forward and chase those
dreams. 

11. Education – Rizal has always believed in the power of education. He believed in what a learned
man can do and how knowledge can change our status.