Module For Life Works of Rizal 1

THE LIFE AND WORKS OF JOSE RIZAL
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

EASTERN VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Burauen Campus
Burauen, Leyte
RIZAL 001
LIFE & WORKS OF RIZAL
By
EDMER B. CADION
Part-Time Instructor
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This module is produced to pave the way for students learning strategies especially since not
everyone has an internet connection, gadgets and cell phone signals in their respective barangays.
To complete this module, we gathered different information from various sources.
This module is for internal use only. NOT FOR SALE.
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PART I. INTRODCUTION
UNDERSTANDING
A.THE RIZAL LAW
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:

Locate the passage of the Rizal Law within its historical context;
Determine the issues and interests at stake in the debate over the Rizal Bill; and
Relate the issues to the present – day Philippines
VOCABULARY
Bill – a measure which, if passed through the legislative process, becomes a law
Unexpurgated – basically untouched. In the case of the novels of Rizal, unexpurgated versions
were those that were not changed or censored to remove parts that might offend people.
Bicameral – involving the two chambers of Congress: The Senate and the house of
Representatives
The Context of the Rizal Bill

How a Bill Becomes a Law: The Legislative Process
The Senate and the house of representatives follow the same legislative procedure.
Legislative proposals emanate from a number of sources. They may be authored by the members
of the Senate or House as part of their advocacies and agenda; produced through the lobbying from
various sectors; or initiated by the executive branch of the government with the president’s
legislative agenda. Once a legislative proposal, like a bill, is ready, it will go through steps.
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STEP 7.
STEP 1. Bill is filed Consolidation of
in the Senate STEP 6. Voting on Version from the
Office of the Third Reading. House; a bicameral
Secretary. conference
committee
STEP 8.
STEP 2. First STEP 5. Voting on Transmittal of the
Reading. Second Reading. Final Version to
the Malacaňang.
STEP 3.
Committee STEP 4. Second
Hearings. Reading.
As the Philippines grappled with various challenges, particularly the call for the nation-
building, prominent individuals who championed nationalism came to action. They pursued
government measures to instill patriotism and love for the country in the hearts and minds of the
Filipinos. One measure sought was the passage of RA No. 1425 or the Rizal Law, which was
primarily set to address “a need for a re – dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for
which our heroes lived and died.” The passage of the law was met with fierce opposition in both
Senate and the House of Representatives.
From the Rizal Bill to Rizal Law

On April 3, 1956, Senate Bill No. 438 was filed by the Senate Committee on Education.
On April 17, 1956, then Senate Committee on Education Chair Jose P. Laurel sponsored Bill and
began delivering speeches for the proposed legislation. Soon after, the bill became controversia l
as the powerful Catholic Church began to express opposition against its passage. As the Influe nce
of the Church was felt with members of the senate voicing their opposition to the bill, its main
author, Claro M. Recto, and his allies in the Senate entered into a fierce battle arguing for the
passage of SB 438. Debates started on April 23, 1956.
The debates on the Rizal Bill also ensued in the house of Representatives. House Bill No.
5561, an identical version of SB 438, was filed by Representative Jacobo Z. Gonzales on April 19,
1956. The House Committee on Education approved the bill without amendments on May 2, 1956
and the debates commenced on May 9, 1956. A major point of the debates was whether compulsory
reading of the text Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo appropriated in the bill was
constitutional. The call to read the unexpurgated versions was challenged. On June 12, 1956,
President Magsaysay signed the bill into law which became RA No. 1425.
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CLARO M. RECTO (February 8, 1890 – October 2, 1960)
On February 8, 1890, Claro M. Recto, a noted lawyer, Congressman, Senator,

nationalist statesman and regarded as the Father of the 1935 Constitution, was born in Tiaong,
Tayabas (now Quezon province) to Don Claro Recto, Sr. of Rosario Batangas and Doña Micaela
Mayo of Lipa. Recto presided over the 1934 Constitutional Convention that produced the 1935
Constitution, which was in accordance with the Tydings-McDuffie Law. The new Constitutio n
provided for three separate and co-equal branches of the government, the executive, the
legislative, and the judicial. Recto as president of the convention personally presented the
Commonwealth Constitution to President Roosevelt for his approval and signature.
Recto sponsored the Rizal Bill, providing for a compulsory reading in high school and
colleges of Dr. Jose Rizal's novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, which was lobbied
against by the Catholic hierarchy. The measure was passed by Congress and approved by
Malacañang on June 12, 1956 as Republic Act No. 1425, known as the Rizal Law. Recto was
considered among the "finest minds of his generations" through his speeches and writings.
Notedly, during his younger days, Recto wrote poetry and plays in Spanish that stressed the need
for liberty and independence.
His initial fame as a poet came while he was a student at the University of Santo Tomás
(while studying Masters of Law degree) when he published a book, "Bajos Los
Cocoteros" (Under the Coconut Trees, 1911), a collection of his poems in Spanish. Among the
plays that he authored were "La Ruta de Damasco" (The Route to Damascus, 1918), and "Solo
entre las Sombras" (Alone among the Shadows, 1917), which were lauded not only in the
Philippines, but also in Spain and Latin America. Both plays were produced and staged in Manila
to critical acclaim in the mid-1950s.
Senator Recto also served the country as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court (1935-
1936), Commissioner of Education, Health and Public Welfare (1942-1943), Minister of State
for Foreign Affairs (1943-1944) and Cultural Envoy with the rank of Ambassador Extraordinar y
and Minister Plenipotentiary on cultural mission to Europe and Latin America (1960). On
October 2, 1960, he died in Rome, Italy, while on a cultural mission and end route to Spain,
where he was to fulfill a series of speaking engagements. Senator Recto married Doña Aurora
Reyes with whom he had five children.
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ACTIVITY 1
The Debates about the Rizal Bill
Read the following excerpts from statements of the legislators who supported and opposed
the passage of the Rizal Law in 1956. Then, answer the questions that follows.
FOR
“Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo must be read by all Filipinos. They must be
taken to heart, for in their pages we see ourselves as in a mirror, our defects as well as
our strength, our virtues as well as our vices. Only then would we become conscious as
a people and so learn to prepare ourselves for painful sacrifices that ultimately lead to
self-reliance, self-respect and freedom.”
- Senator Jose P. Laurel
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“Rizal did not pretend to teach religion when he wrote those books. He aimed at
inculcating civic consciousness in the Filipinos, national dignity, personal pride, and
patriotism and if references were made by him in the course of his narration to certain
religious practices in the Philippines in those days, and to the conduct and behavior of
erring ministers of the church, it was because he portrayed faithfully the general situatio n
in the Philippines as it then existed.”
- Senator Claro M. Recto
AGAINST
“ A vast majority of our people, are the same time, Catholic and Filipino Citizens. As
such, they have two great loves: their country and their faith. These two loves are not
conflicting loves. They are harmonious affections, like the love for his father and for his
mother. This is the basis of my stand. Let us not create conflict between nationalism
and religion, between government and the church.”
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Questions
1. What was the major argument raised by Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo against the
passage of the Rizal Bill?
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2. What was the major argument raised by Senators Jose P. Laurel and Claro M. Recto in
support of the passage of the Rizal Bill?
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3. Are there points of convergence between supporters and opposers of the Rizal Bill based on these
statements?
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ACTIVITY 2
The Rizal Law and the Present Context
Do you think the debates on the Rizal Law have some resonance up to the present
day? If yes, in what way? If no, why?
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REFLECTION
If you were the President in the year 1956, would you sign the Rizal bill into a law? Why or Why not?
FURTHER READING
The Rizal Law
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS
AND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS NOLI ME
TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND
DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-
dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died;
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WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot,
Jose Rizal, we remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped
the national character;
WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the
minds of the youth, especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be
suffused;
WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to
regulation by the State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline,
civic conscience and to teach the duties of citizenship; Now, therefore,
SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges
and universities, public or private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or
unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translatio n
shall be used as basic texts.
The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith
measures to implement and carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing and
printing of appropriate primers, readers and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days
from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinar y
nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act. The Board shall promulgate rules and
regulations providing for the exemption of students for reasons of religious belief stated in a sworn
written statement, from the requirement of the provision contained in the second part of the first
paragraph of this section; but not from taking the course provided for in the first part of said
paragraph. Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the
Official Gazette.
SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their
libraries an adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography. The said
unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their translations in Englis h
as well as other writings of Rizal shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading
in all public or private schools, colleges and universities.
The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books,
depending upon the enrollment of the school, college or university.
SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and
the principal Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause
them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok
organizations and Barrio Councils throughout the country.
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SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or repealing section

nine hundred twenty-seven of the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religio us
doctrines by public school teachers and other person engaged in any public school.
SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be
appropriated out of any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the
purposes of this Act.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved: June 12, 1956
Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 2971 in June 1956.
References
Obias, Rhodalyn W. et. al., 2018. The Life and Work’s of Jose Rizal, pp. 1 – 11. Quezon,
City: C & E Publishing.
Republic of the Philippines, 1956. RA 1425. www.officialgazette.gov.ph
Website of the Senate of the Philippines. “Legislative Process.”
https://www.senate.gov.ph
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INDIVIDUAL REFLECTION PAPER

NAME:_____________________________ Course/Yr.& Sec.:_______________Date:______
Directions: Fill out this paper by giving your honest answers to the questions below.
1.What event/incident/happening in the chapter did you find most interesting ? Why ?
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2.What important thought/s, idea/s, and/ or value/s have you learned in this chapter?
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3.How are you going to apply these thought/s, idea/s, and/or value/s in your own life?
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B.1-Economic Conditions of the
Philippines in the Advent of Rizal
LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Interpret the economic condition of the country
 Compare the economic situation of the present and the advent of Rizal
Exercise: Treasure hunt

Directions: Paste 5 pictures of an economic status that we have today and was also present during
the advent of Rizal on a Long bond paper.
Read! Read! Read!

The country under Spain was economically under developed. The Philippines was an
economic burden to Spain that caused an annual deficit to the Spanish coffers.
Philippine Economy under Spain
The founding of the Economic Society of Friends of the Country helped in the agricultura l
advancement of the country. The Tobacco Monopoly made the Philippines the greatest tobacco-
growing country in the Orient. All farmers had a quota of tobacco to raise annually and all were
sold to the Government. Spanish policies imposed here were not that helpful for the Filipinos and
most government officials were of Spanish by blood and Filipinos were the ones made to work
tedious jobs.
There were many changes in the Filipino society during the Spanish colonization. Spanish
authorities did not show any sign of fairness towards the Filipinos especially in the division of
responsibilities in polo y servicio. Because of this irresponsibility, Filipinos still work apart from
their allotted time for work. Filipinos who were working in the Galleon Trade experienced
misfortune because of the heavy loads Spanish authorities were asking of them. As a result, many
workers died and later on separated families because of poverty being experienced.
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The Spaniards implemented economic programs which are mainly about land ownership
and taxes. The programs are encomienda, hacienda, imposition of different kinds of taxes, galleon
trade, monopoly and polo y servicios.
Encomienda
The encomienda is a land ownership system with the use of titulo as proof of ownership.
These are the lands given by the King of Span to its soldiers who joined the military expeditions.
The landlords are called encomendero. They are the ones who collect the taxes or rent from the
residents of their land. It is his obligation to protect the residents from any danger or threat like
bandits and invaders. But as depicted in the picture, the contrary was happening.
Taxation
To support the colony, several forms of taxes and monopolies were imposed. Direct: The tithe is the
payment of the 10% of an individual’s annual income to the government. The sanctorum is the tax being
paid as support to the church. The tribute(buwis) is the tax or rent given to the landlord a resident is under.
It may be in cash or in kind (tobacco,chickens, produce, gold, blankets, cotton, rice, etc., depending on the
region of the country), fixed at 8 reales and later increased to 15 reales.
Tributo = 10 reales
Diezmos prediales (tithes or 1/10) = 1 real
Treasury = 1 real
Sanctorum tax (church tax) = 3 reales
All in all, an average Filipino will pay 15 reales .
Indirect
Also collected was the bandalâ , an annual enforced sale and requisitioning of goods such as
rice. Custom duties and income tax were also collected. By 1884, the tribute was replaced by the
Cedula personal, wherein colonists were required to pay for personal identification. Everyone over
the age of 18 was obliged to pay. The local gobernadorcillos had been responsible for collectio n
of the tribute. Under the cedula system, however, taxpayers were individually responsible to
Spanish authorities for payment of the tax, and were subject to summary arrest for failure to show
a cedula receipt.
Forced Labor (Polo y servicio)
Polo y servicio is the forced labor for 40 days of men ranging from 16 to 60 years of age who
were obligated to give personal services to community projects. One could be exempted from polo
by paying the falla, a daily fine of one and a half real. In 1884, labor was reduced to 15 days. The
polo system was patterned after the Mexican repartimento, selection for forced labor
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Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade

The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade was the main source of income for the colony during
its early years. Service was inaugurated in 1565 and continued into the early 19th century. The
Galleon trade brought silver from New Spain and silk from China by way of Manila. This way,
the Philippines earned its income through buy and sell - that is, they bought silk from China for
resale to New Spain and then bought American silver for resale to China.
The trade was very prosperous. But It neglected the development of the colony's local
industries which affected the Indios since agriculture was their main source of income. In addition,
the building and operation of galleons put too much burden on the colonists' annual polo y servicio,
resulted in cultural and commercial exchanges between Asia and the Americas that led to the
introduction of new crops and animals to the Philippines notably tobacco that gave the colony its
first The trade lasted for over two hundred years, and ceased in 1821 with the secession of
American colonies from Spain. real income which benefit extended to the common Indio.
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Activity 1: Easy Essay
Directions: Write a brief Definition and explanation of the terms below. Limit your
answers to 2-4 sentences each number.
1. Taxation
2. Forced labor
3. Indirect
4. Encomienda
Activity 2
Directions: Complete the following Information

10 reales
Tithes
1 real
Church tax
Activity 3
Directions: Answer the following question and defend your answer in a 2-5
paragraph essay.
Is Philippines rich during the Spanish period? Why or Why not?
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B.2,3-Political and Social Conditions of
the Philippines in the Advent of Rizal
LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Interpret the Political condition of the country

 Compare the economic situation of the present and the advent of Rizal
Exercise: Scavenger hunt

What were the names of the government positions of the Philippines? Name 2 and state their roles.
Read! Read! Read!

It is fortunate that Spain came before Mohammedan religious and political ideas had become
imbedded in the people; otherwise the political conquest and Christianization of the Filip inos
would not have been an easy task, and the democratization of the country would be a far more
difficult undertaking.
Pre-Spanish Law and Government
As it was, the work of Spain was relatively easy. Native political organization could offer only
very weak resistance. There was no strong national government. There might have been, as Rizal
suspected (2) a loose confederation covering most if not all the Islands, as a result of the politica l
connections with the empire of Madjapahit; but there were very few traces of such relations. What
actually existed, according to Spanish writers, were small independent communities under more
or less independent rulers. Absolute kingship, however, did not exist. Their government, to quote
Father Juan de Plasencia, "was not monarchic, for they did not have an absolute king; nor
democratic, for those who governed a state or village were not many; but an aristocratic one, for
there are many magnates (who are called either maguinoos or datos), among whom the entire
government was divided." (1) These magnates, or petty kings, were scattered all over the Islands.
"Some were more powerful than others, and each one had his followers and subjects, by districts
and families; and these obeyed and respected the chief. Some chiefs had friendship and
communication with others, and at times there were wars and quarrels. "These principalities and
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lordships were inherited in the male line anid by succession of father and son and their descendants.
If these were lacking, then their brothers and collateral relatives succeeded. Their duty was to rule
and to govern their subjects and followers, and to assist them in their interests and necessities.
What the chiefs received from their followers was to be held by them in great veneration and
respect; and they were served in their wars and voyages and in their tilling, sowing, fishing, and
the building of their houses. To these duties the natives attended very promptly, whenever
summoned by their chief. They also paid the chiefs tribute (which they called buiz), in varying
quantities, in the crops that they gathered. The descendants of such chiefs, and their relatives, even
though they did not inherit the lordship, were held in the same respect and consideration. Such
were all regarded as nobles,and as persons exempt from the services rendered by the others, or the
plebeians, who were called timaguas (Timawa-Rizal). The same right of nobility and chieftains hip
was preserved for the women, just as for the men. When any of these chiefs was more courageous
than others in war and upon other occasions, such a one enjoyed more followers and men; and the
others were under his leadership, even if they were chiefs." Undoubtedly the greatest blessing
brought by Spain was the conversion of the people to Christianity. We have seen that one of the
objects of conquest was to spread the Catholic religion. This was done most energetically by the
early missionaries, so that thirty-five years after the arrival of Legaspi in Cebu, the spread of
Christianity among those who had been in contact with the Spaniards was very general.
Economically progress was very slow. Agricultural methods remained very much the same as in
pre-Spanish times. Restrictions upon trade and commerce reduced the commercial importance of
ports like Manila. The three hundred years of Spanish occupation, however, could not but improve
somewhat the living conditions of the people..Streets and roads were constructed in some parts of
the Philippines. More substantial economic progress came the last century of Spanish occupation,
of which we shall speak later.
Encomenderos and Priests
The most signficant change made after the conquest in the native political organization was the
division of the Philippines into the encomiendas, which were based on the feudal theory that the
ownership of all land reverted to Spain. At the head of the encomiendas were Spanishsoldiers. By
1591, about twenty years after the system was first established, there were 267 encomiendas, of
which thirty-one belonged to the King and the remainder were assigned to private persons. The
encomenderos, or those at the head of encomiendas, were supposed to take care of the inhabita nts
and to rule them. They were responsible for the keeping of order and the execution of laws. They
also supported the priests for the instruction of the people and for the building of churches. Every
male Filipino in an encomienda between the ages of sixteen and sixty had to pay an annual tax or
tribute of eight reales (about fifty cents) in silver or their equivalent; he could also pay in rice,
cloth, or other products. Considered from the standpoint of modern economic conditions, taxation
was not heavy. But the encomendero could increase the tribute, which was not infrequently done.
The system soon became unpopular and burdensome. Abuses in the method of collection were
frequent. On the other hand, the Filipinos did not get much benefit from the system. The
encomendero hardly ever visited his encomienda, for he looked upon it as something with which
to enrich himself. The encomienda system was abolished after more than half a century of
existence. The abolishment of the encomienda system transferred the control of local affairs to the
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hands of the local priests. The early missionaries accomplished a wonderful work in the conversion
of the inhabitants, one of the prime objects of the conquest. They got in touch with the people more
closely in their parishes, they learned the native languages, and became acquainted with the
customs of the people. Many times they became the protectors of the Filipinos against the unjust
abuses of the encomenderos. It was natural therefore, that the virtual control of local affairs should
fall into their hands when the encomenderos were forced to give up their encomiendas. Local
Government The unit of local administration became the town-as it is to-day-embracing often
many square miles and containing numerous barrios, or villages. - At the head of each barrio was
the chief, or cabeza de barangay; and at the head of the whole town was a gobernadorcillo, or little
governor, often known as the Capitan. To aid him were deputies, alguaciles, or subordinate
employees, and chiefs of police, of field and of cattle. The goberitadorcillo was elected annually
by thirteen electors, twelve of whom were chosen by the cabezas, or chiefs of barangay, and ex-
gobernadorcillos. The thirteenth was the outgoing gobernadorcillo. It took place in the common
hadl; the governor (or his deputy) sitting at the table, with the pastor on his right hand, and the
clerk on his left-the latter also acting as interpreter; while Cabezas de Barangay, the
gobernadorcillo, and those who had previously filled the office, took their places all together on
the benches. First of all, six cabezas and as many gobernadorcillos are chosen by lot as electors
the actual gobernadorcillo is the thirteenth, and the rest quit the hall. After the reading of the
statutes by the president, who exhorts the electors to the conscientious performance of their duty,
the latter advance singly to the table and write three names on a piece of paper. Unless a valid
protest be made either by the parish priest or by the electors, the one who has the most votes is
forthwith named gobernadorcillo for the coming year, subject to the approval of the superior
jurisdiction at Manila; which, however, always consents, for the influence of the priests would
provide against a disagreeable election. The election of the other functionaries takes place in the
same manner, after the new gobernadorcillo has been first summoned into the hall, in order that,
if he has any important objections to the officers then about to be elected, he may be able to make
them. The whole affair was conducted very quietly and with dignity. To be a gobernadorcillo was
practically the only political ambition the Filipinos could aspire to. And it was not worth working
for. It carried no remuneration-with it but expenses and trouble. For the corrupt there were good
chances for enrichment; but the honest and industrious preferred to avoid it. Substantial citize ns
even paid voters so that they might not be elected; for the gobernadorcillo was, to quote Rizal,
"only an unhappy mortal who commanded not, but obeyed, who ordered not, but was ordered; who
drove not, but was driven. Nevertheless, he had to answer to the alcalde for having commanded,
ordered, and driven, just as if he were the originator of everything." Above the gobernadorcillo
were the parish priest, the alferez, or Spanish army officer stationed in the town, and the alcalde
mayor, or provincial governor. But the real power in local politics was the parish priest. We have
just seen his controlling influence in the local elections. From the minute the gobernadorcillo
assumed office, he had to look up to the parish priest as his guide, mentor, and superior. Reports
from municipal officials about any person had to be vised by the priest. His signature was also
needed on the lists of natives drafted for the militia, on financial reports and on practically every
other official document. He was also the inspector of the schools and the vigilant eye of the
government in all matters, whose report about measures and persons might result in confiscatio n
or deportation. The Provincial Government Above the town government was the provinc ia l
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government. One province embraced many towns. The provinces were governed by alcaldes
mayores, who for many years combined both executive and judicial positions. They received only
a small salary, but they had the privilege of trading, from which source they secured a great decl
of money. The practice was the fountain of much corruption. Some of the early local disturbances
were due to the abuses of the alcaldes mayores. "Scarcely are they seated in the place of authority, "
said Tomas de Comyn, "when they become the chief consumers, purchasers, and exporters of
everything produced and manufactured within the districts under their command, thus converting
their license to trade into a positive monopoly. In all lucrative speculations the magistrate seeks to
have the largest share; in all his enterprises he calls in the forced aid of his subjects, and if he
designs to remunerate their labor, at most it is only in the same terms as if they had been working
on account of the king. These unhappy people bring in their produce and crude manufactures to
the very person who, directly or indirectly, is to fix upon them an arbitrary value. To offer such
and such a pr.ce for the articles is the same as to say no other bid shall be made. The Governor-
General At the head of the 'entire government of the Philippines was the Governor General. At the
outset he was given tremendous powers. He represented the all-embracing attributes of the king.
He was the head of the civil administration and with few exceptions appointed the provinc ia l
chiefs, or alcaldes mayores, and other administrative officials. He sent ambassadors or delegates
to other countries of the Far East, and could even make peace or war. He was the commander- in-
chief of the military and naval forces. The constant wars of the time, the menace from the
neighboring countries, as well as the Moro piracies gave much importance to his military power.
He could deport individuals without any process of law. He conducted himself with pomp and
ceremony and went around with guards called the halberdiers. Antonio Alvarez in his Extracto
Historial, in 1776, wrote of the governor's power as follows: So great is this that it may be affir med
with truth that in all his kingdoms and seignories (although the vice-royalties are classed as
superior to that government) the king does not appoint to an office of greater authority.
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Activity 1: Easy Essay
Directions: What is the role of the following in the country.
 Gobernador General
 Gobernadorcillo
 Alcalde
Activity 2
Complete the information below. Write the corresponding government positions

given to the present government position name.
Spanish Period Present times

mayores
Gobernador General
alguaciles
Activity 3: Directions:Defend Your answer
Would you like to have unity in Catholic church and the government? Why? Or
Why not?
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PART II. THE LIFE OF JOSE RIZAL

Dr. Jose Rizal, the unsurpassed champion of the Filipino people and the pride of the
Malayan race is a model and inspiration to his countrymen and other freedom-loving people
throughout the earth. Armed with pen and superior intelligence, he fought his enemies without
fear and reservation. He stood by his conviction and exploited his talents and skills for the service
of his country and fellowmen.
With his unsuppressed determination to obtain justice for the Filipino people, he bravely
chose to live a dangerous life. He carried on an unrelenting fight against his enemies and
relinquished his life for his ideals and principles. He faced death without fear and willingly
accepted it with dignity and honor. He died as a martyr and left a legacy that the Filipino people
can be proud of, that is, an illustration of unselfish love for the motherland and his countryme n.
Beyond doubt, Rizal, our hero and savior deserves honor and admiration. His greatness and fame
will perpetually live in the heart and mind of the Filipino race.
Rizal’s prison cell at Fort Santiago Rizal’s surgical tools used in his clinic in Hongkong
Rizal’s pair of shoes recovered from his grave Alcohol stove where Rizal hid his last poem
23 | P a g e
A. GENEALOGY AND EARLY LIFE
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Point out important landmarks in the life of Jose Rizal

2. Analyze how these landmarks molded the mind and heart of Jose Rizal
Read! Read! Read!

Family Background:
The Birth of a Hero:
Jose Rizal was Born on the moonlit night of Wednesday, June 19, 1861, in the lakeshore
town of Calamba, Laguna Province Philippines. His mother almost died during the delivery
because of his big head. As he recounted many years later in his students memoirs: “ I wasborn in
calamba on 19 june 1861, between eleven and midnight, a few days before full moo. It was a
Wednesday and my coming out in this vale of tears would have cost my mother her life had she
not vowed to the virgin of Antipolo to take me to her sanctuary by way of pilgrimage.”
He was baptized in the Catholic church of his town on June 22, Age three days old, by the
parish priest , father Rufino Collantes, who was a Batangueno. His godfather (ninong) was Father
Pedro Casanas, native of Calamba and close friend of the Rizal family. His name “jose” was
chosen by his mother who was a devotee of the Christian saint San Jose (St. Joseph).
During the christening cerymony Father Collantes was impressed by the baby’s big head,
and told the members of the family who were present: “ take good care of this child, for someday
he will become a great man.“ his words proved to be prophetic, as confirmed by subsequent events.
The baptismal certificate of Rizal reads as follows:
“ I, the undersigned parish priest of Calamba, certify that from the investiga tio n
made with proper authority, for replacing the parish books which were burned September 28, 1862,
to be found in docket no. 1 of Baptisms, p. 49, it appears by the sworn testimony of competent
witnesses that JOSE RIZAL MERCADO is the legitimsate son, and lawful wedlock, of Don
Francisco Rizal Mercado and Dona Teodora Realonda, having been baptized in this parish on the
22nd day of june in the year 1861, by the parish priest Rev. Rufino Collantes, Rev Pedro Casanas
being his godfather – Witness my signature.
(signed):LEONCIO LOPEZ
It should be noted that at the time Rizal was born,the governor general of the
philippines was lieutenant-general Jose Lemery,former senator of Spain (member of the upper
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chamber of the Spanish Cortes).He governed the philippines from february 2,1861 to july
7,1862.Incidentally, on the same date of Rizal’s birth (June 19, 1861),he sent an official dispatch
to the Ministry of War and the Minisrty of Ultramar in Madrid,denouncing Sultan pulalun of Sulu
and several powerful Moro datus for fraternizing with a British consul. Among his achieveng-
ments as governor general were (1) fostering the cultivation of cotton in the province and (2)
establishing the politico- militaty governments in the Visayas and in Mindanao.
Rizal’s Parents:
Jose Rizal was the seventh of the eleven children of Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora
Alonso Realonda. The hero’s father, Francisco (1818-1898) was born in the Binan Laguna, on
May 11, 1818. He studied Latin and Philoloshy at the college of San Jose Manila. In early
manhood, following his parents death, he moved to Calamba and became a tenant-farmer of the
Dominican-owned hacienda. He was hardly and independent- minded man, who talked less and
worked more, and was strong in body and valiant in spirit. He died in Manila on January 5, 1898,
at the age of 80. In his student memoirs, Rizal affectionately called him “ a model of fathers”.
Doña Teodora (1826-1911), the hero’s mother, was born in Manila on November 8, 1826
and was educated at the college of Santa Rosa, a well-known college for girls in the city. She was
a remarkable woman, possessing refined culture,literary talent,business ability,and the fortitude of
Spartan women. Rizal lovingly said of her: “My mother is a women of more than ordinary
culture;she knows literature and speaks Spansish better than I. She corrected my poems and gave
me good advice when I was studying rhetoric. She is a mathematician and has read many books”
Doña Teodora died in Manila on August 16,1911,at the age of 85.Shortly before her death,the
philippine government offered her a life pension.She courteously rejected it saying, “My family
has never been partriotic for money. If the gomernment has plenty of funds and does not know
what to do with them, better reduce the taxes. “Such remarks truly befitted her as a worthy mothe r
of a national hero.
Siblings:
1. Saturnina (1850-1913),Oldest of the Rizal children, nicknamed Neneng, later married to

Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanauan Batanggas.
2. Paciano (1851-1930),Older brother and confidant of jose Rizal;after his younger brother’s
execution, he joined the Philippine Revolution and became a combat general; after the
Revolution, he retired to his farm in Los Banos, where he lived as a gentleman farmer and
died on April 13, 1930, qn old bachelor aged 79. He had two children by his mistress
(Severina Decena) – a boy and a girl.
3. Narcisa (1852-1939), her pet name was Sisa and she married Antonio Lopez (nephew of
father Leoncio Lopez, a school teacher of Morong.
4. Olimpia (1855-1887) Ypia was her pet name; she married Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph
operetor from Manila.
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5. Lucia (1857-1919) she married Mariano Herbosa of Calamba, who was a nephew of Father
Casanas.Herbosa Died of cholera in 1889 and was denied Christian burial because he was
a brother-in-law of Dr. Rizal.
6. Maria (1859-1845). Biang was her nickname; she married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan ,
Laguna
7. Conception (1862-1865) her pet name was Concha; she died of sickness at the age of 3;
her death was Rizal’s forst sorrow in life.
8. Josefa (1865-1945) her pet name was Panggoy; she died also an old maid at the age of 80.
9. Trinidad (1868-1951) Trining was her pet name; she died also an old maid in 1951 age 83.
10. Soledad (1870-1929) youngest of the rizal children; her pet name was choleng; she
married Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba.
Education
Early Childhood
1. First teachers hired by his father:
a. Lucas Padua
b. Leon Monroy
2. His mother, Donya Teodora
a. Reader used: El Amigo de los Ninos (the Children’s Friend)

b. Prominent lesson learned as a young boy was from “The story of the month”
Influences from other members of his family
1. Uncle Gregorio taught him the value of hard work, to think for himself, and to observe
his surroundings keenly.
2. Uncle Jose encouraged him to sketch, paint and make sculptures.
3. Uncle Manuel encouraged him to pursue his physical development. He taught the
young boy swimming, fencing, wrestling and other sports.
4. His yaya (nanny) told stories of duwendes, ghost and aswangs, of the beautiful Mariang
Makiling, and other tales on the beautiful surroundings of his hometown, Calamba.
Stories that awakened the imagination and creativity of the young boy.
Artistic Endeavors
1. Poems written “ Sa aking Mga Kabata”

2. “Un Recuerde de Mi Pueblo” (A Memory of my town,” a poem about Calamba)
3. He made Sculptures out of mud.
4. He drew things surrounding their house like trees, flowers, bird, butterflies and anything
he saw around him. He used charcoal and juices of leaves and flowers for colors.
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During His Secondary Education
1. Place: Binan Laguna
a. Teacher: Justiniano Aquino Cruz

b. Process used in teaching: He was quick to discipline his students for any infractio n
using a short, thin stick.
2. Injustice to the Rizal Family
a. Donya Teodora was accused as an accomplice of Jose Alberto of trying to poison

his wife.
b. Donya Teodora tried to meditate between the spouses but she was accused of trying
to poison the wife.
c. Donya Teodora was thrown to jail.
3. As a student of Ateneo(1872-1877)
a. Jose Rizal entered Ateneo Municipal as an eleven-year-old.

b. His close friendship with Fr. Francisco de Padua Sanchez, S.J. inspired the young
student.
 Some poems written under the guidance of Fr. Sanchez:
 “The tragedy of St. Eustace”

 “In the Memory of My town”
 Intimate Alliance Between the Religion and Good Education
 Through Education Motherland Receives Enlightenment
 He had excellent achievements and graduated highest in his class

 Other activities while in Ateneo:
 He studied painting under Agustin Saez.

 He studied sculpture under Teodoro Romulado de Jesus
 He carved the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary on a batikuling wood.
 He carved the image of the Sacred Heart
 He joined the organization Marian Congregation. His mentor was Fr.
Pablo Pastells, S.J
 He was a member of the Academy of Spanish Literature
 He was a member of the Academy of Natural Sciences.
 Fr. Jose Villarica, S.J encouraged him to pay attention also to the
sciences and philosophy.
c. In S.Y 1877-1878, he returned to Ateneo while studying at the University of Santo

Tomas. He took up a course on land Surveying which was offered then as a
vocational course.\
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 He completed the surveyor’s course and was awarded the title Perito
Agrimensor.
 He Passed the final Examination for the course.
 He could not practice the surveyor’s profession since he was still
underage when he passed the course.
 He was issued his certificate on November 25, 1881, at the age
of 20.
4. As a student of the University of Santo Tomas:
a. He enrolled at the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters; majored in Philosophy 1877-

1878
b. He pursued medicine at the University of Santo Tomas. Some of his grades were
still excellent but he also had lower grades.
c. He submitted an entry in the Liceo Artistico Literario de Manila in 1879,
entitled “A La Juventud Filipina” (To the Filipino Youth).
 He won 1st prize in the contest.

 He was awarded a silver quill.
 For the first time, he used the phrase “the youth, the fair hope of
my country”.( kabataan, pag-pag-asa ng aking bayan”).
d. In 1880, a literary contest was held by Liceo Artistico Literario de Manila.

Jose Rizal submitted an entry entitled “El Consejo de los Dioses” (Council
of the Gods”)
 This was held in the commemoration of the 400 th death

anniversary of Miguel de Cervantes, Spain’s National Poet.
 This poem was in praise of Cervantes and made him coequal
with Homer and Virgil.
 He was awarded the grand prize.
 The award was gold ring with an engraved bust of Cervantes.
5. Other Literary works:
a. Junto al Pasig- This one-act play was requested by the Jesuits on the feast
day of the Immaculate Conception. This was a satire showing the good
elements and the bad elements. In the end, it was a victory for the good
elements.
b. “A Filipinas”
6. He decided to continue his studies in Spain:
a. To widen his knowledge;

b. To avail of more conducive conditions in Europe;
c. To learn a cure on the worsening eye condition of his mother.
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Activity 1: Research & Explain
1. Directions: Choose a poem from:
Sa aking mga kababata
Un Recuerso de Mi Pueblo
the tragedy of St. Eustace
In the Memory of my Town
Intimate Alliance between Government and Religion
Through Education Motherland Receives Enlightenment
2. Make a 5 sentence Analysis the poem chosen.
Activity 2
 Describe the Background of Rizal’s ancestry that might have contributed to his life and
education.
 Research about the Family tree of Dr. Jose Rizal put in a short Bond Paper.
 No one from the Rizal’s family taught him to be a writer. How do you think Rizal
became a good writer?
Activity 3:
Direction: Answer or Explain the following:
1.Make a composition: How to become Great Son or Daughter?

2.Compare the Spiritual training of the youth before and at present?
3.Relate your unforgattable experience during your childhood?
4.As a student what are your religious activities that can provide your spiritual nourishment?
5. A.Write your own biography.
B.Tracing of ancestry through Family Tree.
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B. European Escapades and Association with the Propaganda
Movement
LEARNING OUTCOMES
 To master the journey of Rizal’s Escapades in Europe

 To know how the Propaganda Movement started
Read! Read! Read!

First Trip to Europe
Jose Rizal left Manila on May 3, 1882
1. He left for Spain with the blessings of his brother Paciano and his Uncle Antonio Rivera
2. He decided not to seek his parent’s blessings knowing they would never approve of his
plan.
3. He secured endorsements from Perdo Paterno.
4. His first stop was in Singapore; Colombo in Sri Lanka; Aden in Yemen; and crossed the
entire length of the Suez Canal. They landed at Port Said, Egypt; Naples in Italy; and
disembarked in Marseilles, France.
Activities in Marseilles
1. Jose Rizal went to Chateau d’if, the venue of Alexandre Dumas’s Novel, The Count of
Monte Cristo.
2. He boarded in Portbou. He noticed the indifference of the Spanish Immigration officers
compared to the courteous French counterparts.
Arrival in Spain
1. He first stopped in Barcelona, the capital of the Spanish Province, Cataluña, According to
him, the people were indifferent and he arrived during the summer vacation of the students.
a. In this city, he found out that people of the city enjoyed freedom and liberalis m.
b. He wrote essays for Diariong Tagalog
 “Amor Patrio” (Love of Country)
 “Los Viajes” (travels)

 “Revista de Madrid” (reviews of Madrid)
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c. He met his classmate from Ateneo at the Plaza de Cataluña.
2. Madrid
a. He enrolled at the Universidad Central de Madrid on Novermber 3, 1882. He enrolled

in the in the following courses:
 Medicine
 Philosophy and letters
b. He took courses at the Academy of San Carlos
 Painting and sculpture

 Languages: French, German, and English
c. He took private lessons at the Hall of Sanz and Carbonell
 Shooting
 Fencing
d. Important people he met:
 Dr. Miguel Morayta, an advocate of freedom and self-determination. Students

from South America hailed Dr. Morayta as their champion. He joined his
students and the other supporters to this end.
 Don Pablo Ortega y Rey, a Spanish liberal who used to live in the Philippines.
e. Jose Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano Filipino
 It was a social organization where the members talked on the reforms needed
in the Philippines
 This group was mostly made up of elder Filipinos who were the exiles of 1872
 It held informal programs which included poetry reading and debates.
f. Jose Rizal joined freemasonry.
 He became a member and his Masonic name was “Dimasalang”

 Freemasonry was an organization outlawed by the Catholic church because its
beliefs are contrary to the doctrines of the Church.
 A mason’s view is that knowledge should be achieved by the light of the reason
and universal brotherhood of men. Rizal adopted the masonic view.
 Masonry attacked the church because they believed it promoted religio us
superstition and obscurantism, hiding truth behind the veil of religion.
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g. He was an avid book collector, he scrimped on food and clothes, and lived in modest
accommodations but he brought books. Important books he collected:
 Uncle Tom’s Cabin written by Harriet Beecher Stowe

 Works of Alexandre Dumas
 The Wandering Jew written by Eugene Sue
 Lives of the Presidents of the United States from George Washington to
Andrew Johnson.
 The Complete Works of Horace (3 Volumes)
h. Events on June 25, 1884.
 Juan Luna was awarded the top prize for his painting Spoliarium while Felix
Resurrection Hidalgo took the second place for his painting Virgines
Christianas Expuestas al Populacho (Christian Virgins Exposed to the
Population).
 The Filipino painters joined the National Exposition of Fine Arts.
 Jose Rizal gave a speech in a public audience saying that Luna and Hidalgo
were the Pride of Filipino People; the genius is not a monopoly of any race and
their prizes were products of both the Philippines and Spain. He voiced the hope
that, someday Spain will grant reforms needed by Filipinos.
 This Speech was published in the newspaper El Liberal. This reached the
Philippines and there were elements in the Philippines who were not pleased
with this development.
i. Completion of his studies.
 He completed his Licenciado en Medicina on June 21, 1884. He did not have
his Doctorate in Medicine because he did not present the thesis required for
graduation. He can practice medicine with the acquisition of this degree but he
cannot teach medicine.
 He finished his studies in Philosophy and letters and obtained the degree
Licenciado en Filosofia y Letras with the rating of Sobresaliente.
j. He started writing the novel Noli Me Tangere when he was still a student at the Centr al
University of Madrid.
 He was inspired to write after reading Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher
Stowe. This book is about the trial and hardship of the black slaves and
awakened in him his inherent love and concern for the afflicted.
 On January 2,1884, the Filipino expatriates had a meeting at the house of the
Paterno brothers. It was during this meeting that the Filipinos who attended
agreed to write a novel about the Philippines. These were Pedro Paterno,
Maximo Paterno, Antonio Paterno, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Evaristo Aguirre
and Eduardo de Lete.
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 The plan did not materialize and Jose Rizal was left to write the novel. He
started writing in Madrid and he continued to write while he was in France and
Germany. Final revisions were made in Berlin.
 He could not afford the printing cost but was saved by his friend, Maximo
Viola. He lent Jose P5300, the needed amount for the first 2,000 copies of the
novel.
 On March 29, 1887, the novel was printed in Berlin. The first recipients of the
novel were Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt, Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, Graciano
Lopez Jaena, Mariano Ponce, and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo.
 As a way of showing his appreciation, he gave the original manuscript of the
Noli Me Tangere and a complimentary copy to Maximo Viola.
 Jose Rizal explained the tittle “Noli Me Tangere” means “Touch Me Not”. This
was from the bible, from the Gospel of St.John.
 The book was dedicated to the Philippines, his fatherland.
Paris, France
1. He arrived in Paris on November 1885.

2. He worked as an assistant to Dr. Louis de Weckert.
3. He found time to be with his friends, Pardo de Taveras, Juan Luna, and Felix
Resurreccion Hidalgo.
4. He posed for Juan Luna’s paintings.
5. Composed songs: “Alin Mang Lahi” and “La Deportacion”.
Germany
1. On February 1886, he arrived in Heidelberg, an old university town.
a) He worked as an assistant to Dr. Otto Becker at the University Eye Hospital.

b) He listened to the lectures of Dr. Becker and Prof. Wilhelm Kuehne.
c) He wrote the poem, “To the Flower of Heidelberg.”
d) He spent his summer vacation in 1886 in Wilhelmsfield where he lived with
Protestant pastor Karl Ulmer to perfect his ability to speak German.
e) He started his correspondence with Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt, the Director of
Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria. He sent a book to Prof. Blumentritt, Aritmetica by
Rufino Baltazar.
2. On August 1886, he arrived in Liepzig.
a) He met Prof. Friedrich Ratzel and Dr. Hans Meyer who wrote a book on the
Philippines.
b) He translated Schiller’s William Tell to Tagalog. The book narrates how the Swiss
attained their independence in a peaceful manner.
34 | P a g e
c) He translated Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales to Tagalog for his nephews
and nieces.
3. On October 29, 1886, he arrived in Dresden.
a) He saw the painting of Raphael, the Sistine Madonna.

b) At the Zoological, Anthropological and Ethnographic Museum, he saw the
collection on the Philippines.
4. Berlin
a) He met Dr. Feodor Jagor who wrote Travels in the Philippines.

b) He met Drs. Rudolf and his son, Hans Virchow, two known German
anthropologists; Dr. W. Joest; and Dr. Ernest Schweigger, a known
ophthalmologist.
c) He became a member of the Anthropological Society, the Ethnographic Society,
and the Geographic Society.
 His paper entitled “Tagalische Verkunst” was delivered before the members.
 He was accepted and became a very respected member.
d) He made the final revisions on the novel Noli Me Tangere. On March 29, 1887,
the novel was finally printed. (For the summary of the Noli Me Tangere).
5. He went to Prague to visit the tomb of Nicolaus Copernicus.
Departure from Europe
1) In Geneva, Switzerland, Maximo Viola and Jose Rizal parted ways. Viola returned to
Spain.
2) Rizal continued to Rome, Italy.
3) In Marseilles, France, he boarded Djamnah to Saigon, Vietnam and finally, Manila.
4) He arrived in Manila.
Jose Rizal Returned to Calamba
1) He established a clinic and his first patient was his mother.

2) He treated his mother’s eyes.
3) He worked as a town physician.
4) He was called to Malacañang by Gov.Gen. Emilio Terrero due to the controversy raised
by Noli Me Tangere. The first copies had arrived in Manila.
5) Lt. Jose Taviel de Andrade was assigned to watch over Jose Rizal.
6) After a review of the Noli Me Tangere, it was found out that the book was heretic,impio us,
unpatriotic, subversive, and injurious to the government of Spain in the Philippines. It was
recommended that the importation, reproduction, and distribution of the book should be
prohibited.
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7) Gov. Gen. Terrero requested Jose Rizal to leave the country.

8) Investigation on the Calamba problem.
Activity 1:
 Enumerate the book collections of Rizal.

 Enumerate the Filipinos that Rizal has encountered in Europe.
 Compare the experiences of Rizal as a student in Ateneo Municipal, UST, and in Madrid.
 Who were the important persons that influenced Rizal in his intellectual pursuits?
 Why did Rizal told everyone that Juan Luna is a Filipino
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C. Conflict with the Dominicans
LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Understand the connections of Jose Rizal to the Dominicans

 Understand how the conflict with the Dominicans started
Read! Read! Read!
Despite the advice of his brother Paciano and other friends not to return home, Rizal decided to go
back to the Philippines. On July 3, 1887 Rizal left Europe for the Philippines and arrived in Manila
on August 6 with twenty copies of Noli Me Tangere. After a brief stopover in Manila, Rizal
boarded a river steamer for Calamba. Rizal arrived in Calamba on August 8, and his family and
friends were very happy to see him again. Immediately after his arrival, Rizal operated on his
mother’s eyes. Many patients came for Rizal’s services because they heard that he studied
medicine in Europe and acquired special medical training in Germany. Consequently, Rizal earned
a good deal of money as fee for his medical services. Within a short period, he was able to earn
$900 from his practice of the medical profession. Rizal could have been a rich man if only he had
taken advantage of the pecuniary opportunities his medical expertise afforded him.
By the time Rizal arrived from Europe, controversy on the Noli Me Tangere had already
blown up. This caused him not to stay long in Calamba. Because of the exposition of the evils of
the society and the iniquities of some bad friars, Noli Me Tangere turned to be a contentious
reading material. As a result, the Spanish authorities and clergy harassed Rizal and his family. As
the saying goes, “Batu-bato sa langit ang tamaan huwag magalit.” The Noli instigated a clash
between its advocates and detractors. The leading supporters of the novel were Antonio Luna,
Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Antonio Ma. Regidor, Mariano Ponce, Fr. Francisco
Sanchez, Rev. Vicente Garcia, Don Segismundo Moret, Ferdinand Blumentritt and Miguel
Morayta. On the other hand, some critics censured the book. The primary attackers were Fr.
Salvador Font, Fr. Jose Rodriguez, Vicente Barrantes, two Spanish senators Fernando Vida and
Luis de Pando and a certain General Jose de Salamanca. It is interesting to note that despite the
despicable religious overture of the said novel, some of the foremost supporters of the Noli were
priests. The novel was stormed with criticisms both in the Philippines and in Spain. However,
advocates amply cushioned Noli against pessimistic minds. They hailed the novel for its style
comparable to European literary masterpiece. In praising the author, Luna said, “Rizal is a modern
novelist who sacrificed incomprehensible beauty of the Romantics to plain truth of the Realists in
38 | P a g e
depicting a corrupt, weak society (Mojares, 2013).”
On August 29, 1887, Governor General Emilio Terrero ordered Rizal to report to
Malacañang in connection to the Noli Me Tangere controversy. In his meeting with the governor-
general, Rizal explained and made clarification on matters regarding the book. Convinced by
Rizal’s explanation, the governor general requested Rizal to give him a copy of the said novel so
he can also read it. Prior to his return to the Philippines, Rizal sent a copy of his novel to the
governor-general. What happened to that book? Nothing was mentioned about it. Well, it is
perhaps safe to deduce that it did not reach the hands of its recipient. Anyway, Rizal furnis hed
Terrero with a soiled copy of the Noli. That was the only copy left in his possession. Owing to
the conflict arising from the publication of the Noli Me Tangere, Terrero assigned Lt. Jose Taviel
de Andrade as Rizal’s bodyguard. On October 1887, Rizal began writing the manuscript of his
second novel entitled El Filibusterismo despite the intense opposition of the church against his
first novel Noli Me Tangere. What a dauntless act! Considering the extensive influence of the
church, such move was almost suicide. But death was not an issue for our hero. Remember, Rizal
was already anticipating his death before he reached the age of thirty. Ready to die? Well, his
actions would tell us. This gesture of bravery is probably uncommon but its impact to the Filipino
people was enormous. For his countrymen, Rizal was their hero. But who really made Rizal a
hero? Is it the Filipinos or the Americans?
As written in history books, Civil-Governor William Howard Taft made a declaration

recognizing Rizal as a hero of the Philippines. This is true. But this is only one side of the story.
There are circumstantial and factual evidences that would tell us a different narrative. To make
the picture clear, let us consider some important historical documents and facts. Firstly, Rizal was
already considered as a hero by the Filipino people even before the Americans’ declaration of
Rizal as the National Hero of the Philippines. Perhaps, not everyone is aware that the Katipunan
used “Rizal” as their password. There were three levels of membership in the Katipunan: katipon
(lowest rank), kawal (middle rank) and bayani (highest rank). Password used by katipuneros
depended on their rank. The password of the katipon was “Anak ng Bayan”, kawal was
“GomBurZa” and bayani was “Rizal”. In addition, the picture displayed in the headquarters and
meeting places of Katipunan was not of the Supremo but of Dr. Jose Rizal. These are obvious
indications that the Katipunan or should we say, Andres Bonifacio himself recognized Rizal with
distinction and honor tantamount to a hero. Moreover, as mentioned in an article, Andres
Bonifacio made Rizal the honorary president of the Katipunan and even attempted to rescue him
from exile in Dapitan so he could lead, or at least inspire, the Filipinos to revolt against the Spanish
government in the country (Ocampo, 2008).
Secondly, it was General Emilio Aguinaldo not the second Philippine Commission headed
by Civil Governor William Taft, who issued the first declaration acknowledging Rizal’s heroism.
Aguinaldo who was then the president of the revolutionary government proclaimed December 30
as “national day of mourning” in honor of Rizal and other victims of Spanish tyranny. As early
as 1898, three years before the Americans established the civil government in the Philippines,
Rizal already enjoyed heroic prestige among the Filipinos. On December 20, 1898, Aguina ldo
issued a decree both in Tagalog and Spanish texts which declared December 30 as “national day
of mourning”. (See Appendix B for the full text). It is interesting to note that in the said
declaration a single name was mentioned and that is no other than Jose Rizal. This decree was
39 | P a g e
published in the El Heraldo de la Revolucion on December 25, 1898. Clearly, the recognition of
Rizal as the champion of the Filipino people originated from the Filipinos themselves. The
Americans’ declaration of Rizal as the National Hero of the Philippines merely reinforced the
existing sentiment and repute of the Filipinos for their hero, Jose Rizal.
In the face of so many challenges, Rizal still continued to perform eye operations. He even
involved the people in gymnastics. He motivated the town folks to engage in sports to avoid being
engrossed in cockfighting and gambling. Gambling may be considered as means for amuseme nt.
But in the case of the native Filipinos it was their way of expression in repudiating the Spanish
colonial rule. The most notable among the game of chance was cockfighting. In the cockpit, the
natives could freely cry out their hidden anguish. They felt personal connection with the fighting
cocks which they usually identified as pula or puti. Originally, the red cock represented superiority
while the white cock symbolized the underdog. In the novel Noli Me Tangere, Rizal referred to
the white cock as the superior bet while the red cock as the inferior one. The color coding has
metamorphosed from simple identification of the game fowls to personal allusion. The natives
felt that the game arena signified the struggle between two forces, the ruler and the ruled, the
colonizers and the natives. And so whenever red and white clashed in the cockpit arena, the power
encounter between the indigenous and the Hispanic realms was reenacted all over again (Aguilar,
1998). That is why an outburst of extreme delight roared in the cockpit field when an underdog
wins.
However, the enemies of Rizal continued to slam the Noli Me Tangere and implicated our
hero for the malicious outlook of his novel. A copy of the book was sent to the faculty of the
University of Santo Tomas for examination. The committee composed of members who were
critical on the book declared it heretic, scandalous and subversive. On December 29, the
Permanent Commission on Censorship confirmed the report of the committee and submitted to
Governor-General Terrero its recommendation for banning the reproduction, circulation and
importation of the Noli Me Tangere. The decision of the Permanent Commission on Censorship
only elevated the popularity of the novel. Notwithstanding the rigorous order of the governme nt
to forbid the acquisition of the book, Filipinos still continued to get hold copies of it and secretly
read them at night. It seems that the sting of the Noli was more persuading than the dictates of the
authorities. (The more something is withheld, the more it attracts curiosity.)
That time, Calamba’s agrarian problem was getting worse. As a response, Governor-
General Terrero ordered the investigation of the land conflicts in Calamba. Through the help of
Rizal, the tenants of Calamba were able to express their grievances against the Dominican friars.
Prior to this incident, Don Francisco had explicitly opposed to the unjust increases in the rental of
their farmlands. This is why the Dominicans bred animosity on the Rizal family. In writing about
the disincentives to wealth creation, Rizal was obviously thinking about the Hacienda de Calamba
in Laguna province and the troubles that his family- among the largest leaseholders of sugar lands
in Calamba- started to experience in the late 1880s…the troubles would culminate in the
banishment of Rizal’s family from the Dominican hacienda in 1891 (Aguilar, 2016). The land
tilled by Don Francisco belonged to the friar estates. Jose Rizal’s family cultivated 382 hectares
of sugar land and 9.8 hectares of rice land which they rented from the Dominican friars. It seems
that the emissaries of God had turned a blind eye on their vow of poverty. Instead of concentrating
on spiritual responsibility, the friars were absorbed at enriching themselves by acting like
40 | P a g e
businessmen. It was an act of greed which led the Spanish rule in the Philippines to its end. The
concentration of the friar estates was in the Tagalog region where the revolution had principa lly
propagated. Those Tagalog provinces with the largest concentrations of friar landholdings led the
way in the revolt of 1896 (Roth, 1982). These provinces are represented by the eight rays of the
sun in our national flag.
Rizal had highlighted in his presentation of agrarian unrest in the friar hacienda,
particularly the Calamba conflict. However, it has to be understood that sugar production was not
solely done in Calamba or the Tagalog provinces. Some large-scale estates in the Visayas region
were also into sugar production. The agricultural activity in Calamba was resembled in Cebu and
Negros provinces. Subdivision of large estates was a common practice in these provinces. Smaller
portions of land were cultivated by sharecroppers. A distinguishing characteristic between the
Calamba estates and the Visayan estates, Negros in particular was that the former was owned and
controlled by a distinct group while the latter was open for anyone who desired to make his fortune.
The Hacienda de Calamba epitomized a large-scale estate under a single corporate entity; which
was essentially an enclave economy; in contrast, Negros showcased a range of haciendas of
varying sizes in a frontier setting where different actors and ethnicities sought to carve a niche
(Aguilar, 2016). The agrarian set-up in Calamba had been vulnerable to abuse and exploitatio n
which subsequently spurred dispute between the owners and the tenants. If in Negros free
enterprise was the name of the game, in Calamba it was restrictive and authoritarian. The
Dominican owners of Calamba relied on a sector of wealthy leaseholders (known as inquilinos),
generally local Chinese mestizos, who mobilized a stratum of subtenants on a sharecropping
arrangements (Aguilar, 2016). Originally, Calamba hacienda was a two-layer structure. It was
composed of the land management (lessor) on top and the tenants (lessee) under it. It was the
responsibility of the estate owner to provide support to the tenants in the form of loan. When the
friar owned estate adopted the three-layer system, the tenants were allowed to contract subtenants
(kasama) through a sharecropping scheme. As a result of this arrangement, the responsibility of
providing support to the farm workers or subtenants was now assumed by the leaseholder. The
land owner was relieved from any financial and material obligation on the tenants. It was now an
easy taking for the lessor. The money just came every payday without much sweat. Friar hacienda
management merely collected rent from the leaseholders and was removed from its former role of
provisioning the peasants (Aguilar, 2016).
In an assessment made by Rizal regarding the problems surrounding agrarian condition in

Calamba, the following were his findings: 1) The hacienda of the Dominican Order comprised not
only the lands around Calamba, but the town of Calamba itself, 2) The profits of the Dominica n
Order continually grew because of the arbitrary increase of the rentals paid by the tenants, 3) The
hacienda owners never contributed a single centavo for the celebration of the town fiesta, for the
education of the children, and for the improvement of agriculture, 4) Tenants who had spent much
labor in clearing the lands were dispossessed of said lands for flimsy reasons, 5) High rates of
interest were arbitrarily charged the tenant for delayed payment of rentals, and when the rentals
could not be paid, the hacienda management confiscated their work animals, tools and farm
implements (Zulueta, 2004). These findings were formally submitted to the government for
appropriate action.
On January 1888, a report on the agrarian problem was presented by Rizal to Governor-
41 | P a g e
General Terrero. It indicated the cause why the dispute between the owners and tenants of the
land in Calamba ensued. In connection to his findings, Rizal provided two recommendations: 1)
government intervention, or, 2) the selling of the lands to the tenants. However, it was very
unfortunate for the tenants because the friars were so powerful that no government action to resolve
the problem was made. This is of course was not surprising because during that time, the church
was the government and the government was the church (frailocracy). The union of the church
and the state did not only afford indulgence to the Spanish bishops and the friars but allowed them
to manipulate politics. In reality, the power and influence of the government were in the hands of
the clergy. No wonder, Rizal’s sentence of death through firing squad was carried out despite the
refusal of Governor-General Blanco to sign the order of execution.
Considering the apparent danger posed on Rizal’s life, his family and friends advised him
to leave the country. In fact, even the governor general himself suggested the same. Terrerro was
also concerned about Rizal’s safety. Taking heed the advice of his family and friends, Rizal
prepared to take on another journey away from his beloved motherland. During his six months
stay in Calamba, Rizal failed to realize his desire to see Leonor Rivera. It has to be noted that the
mother of Leonor Rivera was opposed to the latter’s romantic relationship with Rizal. With a
heavy heart, he took his second sojourn abroad. Before leaving the country, Rizal wrote the poem
entitled, Hymn to Labor in answer to the request of his friends in Lipa, Batangas.
Activity 1:
 How did Rizal have his first conflict with the Dominicans?
 If you were Rizal, what are you going to do with your relationship with the
Domincans?
 What is the broader history of the friar lands?
 Why did the Hacienda de Calamba become a site of agitation in the late nineteenth
century?
 How did Rizal respond to the challenges experienced by his family and the inhabitants of
Calamba?
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D. Exile, Trial and Martyrdom
LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Know the sufferings of Jose Rizal as a martyr

 Understand how was he persecuted
 Honor his sacrifices
Read! Read! Read!

On June 20, 1892 Rizal wrote a letter to the Filipinos summarizing his constant ideal of service to
the country and wrote a letter to his parents announcing his decision to come home and obtain
justice for them. On June 26, Rizal arrived in Manila with his sister Lucia to carry on the fight for
freedom. From June 27 to 28 he visited Bulacan, Pampanga and Tarlac to find out the opinion of
leaders on the organization of La Liga Filipina. Rizal also visited Governor-General Despujol to
request pardon for his parents. On July 3, 1892 Rizal organized the La Liga Filipina in Tondo,
Manila. The government being suspicious on Rizal, secretly monitored his every move. On July
7, Despujol ordered the arrest of Rizal and on July 15, he was deported to Dapitan in Mindanao.
On the day Rizal was arrested, Andres Bonifacio founded the Katipunan, a secret revolutio nar y
society which aimed to secure independence from Spain.
From July 17, 1892 to July 31, 1896, Rizal lived in Dapitan as an exile and was watched
over by Ricardo Carnicero, the Politico-Military Commander of the place. A warm and friendly
relationship grew between the prisoner and the warden. Rizal shared with Carnicero some of the
reforms the former liked to see in the country. During his exile in Dapitan he carried a religio us
debate with Fr. Pablo Pastells. In this debate, Rizal evidently demonstrated his Masonic ideals.
While in Dapitan, Rizal performed different community works. He became the town doctor and
established little hospitals. He opened a school for boys and became a merchant. He undertook
several projects for the community and operated on his mother’s eyes for the third time. Rizal also
collected scientific specimens for his German friends. In one instance, Rizal won a share of a
winning lottery ticket about one third of twenty thousand pesos. He used portion of his prize to
purchase several hectares of land and became a farmer. Moreover, he engaged in orthography by
preparing a new work in Tagalog entitled, the Studies on the Tagalog Language.
On February 1895, Josephine Bracken came to Dapitan to obtain surgical service for her
blind father. Rizal and Josephine were love-struck at first glance. Consequently they lived
together as husband and wife. However, the coming of Josephine Bracken to Dapitan is suspected
44 | P a g e
to be a ploy of the Jesuits to induce Rizal in returning to the hands of the church. The Jesuits were
concerned about our hero because Rizal was not just a friend but he was their favorite Atenean.
However, the couple did not receive the sacrament of marriage because Rizal did not renounce his
writings and remarks which he made against the church. Fr. Antonio Obach would have granted
their request for marriage if only Rizal had retracted. As a result of their union, Josephine
conceived a baby boy who died because of premature birth. Rizal’s solitude was actually not
altogether unhappy. Aside from Josephine’s presence, some of his sisters and nephews came to
live with him in Dapitan.
On June 21, 1896, Dr. Pio Valenzuela visited Rizal. To avoid suspicion by the Spanish
authorities, Valenzuela brought with him a blind man whom he presented to Rizal for treatment.
Valenzuela was sent by Andres Bonifacio to seek Rizal’s opinion on the impending plan of the
Katipunan for a revolution. Furthermore, Valenzuela told Rizal of the plot for the latter’s escape.
However, both proposals did not merit our hero’s favor. This circumstance elicited negative
remarks on Rizal’s heroism. His coldness towards the idea of a revolution presupposes his
disqualification for the admiration and distinction we afford him. Was Rizal really against the
revolution or simply put, was he a coward? Well, resolving this issue would require at least a
profound analysis of a lot of considerations. However, as far as his deeds are concerned, Rizal
was a brave man.
In the essay entitled Veneration without Understanding, Renato Constantino, the author,
slams Rizal for the hero’s cowardice. According to Constantino, Rizal does not deserve the honor
and admiration that the Filipino people afford him. Rizal is not a true hero because he ran away
from his enemies. It is of course undeniable that most of Rizal’s life was spent on travel and
writing. He did not engage in actual battle and in fact, as reported by Pio Valenzuela to Andres
Bonifacio, Rizal was against the idea of the Katipunan for a revolution. Valenzuela was sent to
Dapitan by the Supremo to seek Rizal’s support on the impending plan of the revolutio nar y
movement for a rebellion against the Spaniards.
Was Rizal really against the revolution? How about considering the other side of the coin?
It is true that Valenzuela reported to Bonifacio that Rizal was not in favor of the revolution. But,
it has to be noted that in 1917 Valenzuela altered his prior statements. He asserted that Rizal was
actually not against the revolution. Our hero was only concerned of the unpreparedness of the
Filipinos for an all-out uprising against the government. According to Rizal, Katipunan should
wait for the proper time. In the words of Valenzuela, Rizal was supposed to have said: “in a few
words, that if it were possible there should be no uprising until they were provided with arms, but
when they had arms, to raise the people when the opportunity occurred, and that we should not
lose that opportunity. But that they (the Katipunan), should wait the coming of arms (Ocampo,
2012).” Rizal even advised the Katipuneros to obtain the aid of the rich Filipinos and
recommended Antonio Luna as the over-all commander of the Filipino soldiers in case war will
commence. For Rizal, Antonio Luna could effectively lead the revolution because he had trainings
in military wars and tactics in Germany. How could a man who is said to be opposed to revolutio n,
showed his concern and even gave recommendations for it to succeed? In addition, the El
Filibusterismo which is one of the greatest literary works of Rizal has a theme on hostility and
revolution. According to an author, this novel is a bitter cry of a suffering soul...more
revolutionary, more tragic than the first novel (Zaide, 1992). In other words, Rizal was thinking
45 | P a g e
of revolution when he was writing the book. Written literature is an expression of one’s mind. If
you are against something, you wouldn’t waste time on it, much less write about it.
Rizal had his reasons for his indifference. He was a peace-loving person, who does not
welcome a half-baked plan or illegitimate course of resolving a problem. Instead, he spent his
time writing particularly at night. Rizal was confident of his innocence and believed that he would
attain justice in the court. Accordingly, he petitioned Governor-General Ramon Blanco to lift his
deportation and submit his case for trial by the court. Prior to Valenzuela’s visitation, Rizal had
submitted to Malacañang an application to serve as a volunteer physician in Cuba. At that time,
the Cubans had already started their war against Spain. His interest to go to Cuba was not actually
to serve the Spanish Army. It was upon the advice of Ferdinand Blumentritt that Rizal offered his
medical services so he could learn some war tactics that the Filipinos could use in case the
revolution against the Spanish government breaks out in the Philippines. Unexpectedly, on July
1, 1896 Governor-General Ramon Blanco approved his application. On September 3, Rizal
boarded the steamer Isla de Panay for Cuba. By the time he left the Philippines, Katipunan has
been discovered and the Philippine Revolution was already in full swing. The ship was crossing
the Mediterranean Sea when its captain received an order from Manila to arrest Rizal. On
September 30, 1896, Rizal was held prisoner by the ship captain. Our hero was suspected to have
masterminded the rebellion. It was an allegation which appeared to be absurd and baseless.
Rizal was transported back to the Philippines. When the ship carrying Rizal docked in
Singapore, his friends attempted to rescue him but failed. On October 23, 1896, a writ of habeas
corpus on behalf of Rizal was filed in the Supreme Court of Singapore by Attorney Hugh Fort at
the request of Rizal’s friends, Antonio Ma. Regidor and Sixto Lopez. However, Chief Justice
Lionel Cox rejected the application because the Supreme Court of Singapore had no jurisdic tio n
over the Colon, the Spanish warship carrying Rizal. On November 3, 1896, the ship arrived in
Manila. On that same day, Rizal was confined at Fort Santiago with heavy guards. The
preliminary investigation started on November 20 with Colonel Francisco Oliver Garcia as the
Judge Advocate. Rizal chose Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade, the brother of his former bodyguard as
his defender. Rizal refuted the charges by providing his alibi:
1. Since his deportation to Dapitan within a period of four years, he had not engaged in any
political activities.
2. The declarations of the witnesses against him were fabricated and not true.
Nevertheless, the trial proceeded. A day before the court proceedings, Rizal experienced
his last and most depressing Christmas. On December 26, a trial was conducted by the militar y
court. Before the tribunal, Rizal gave the following personal arguments:
1. I could not be guilty of rebellion, for I even advised Dr. Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan not to
rise in revolution.
2. The revolutionists used my name without my knowledge. If I were guilty, I could have
escaped from Singapore.
3. If I had a hand in the revolution, I could have escaped in a Moro vinta and would not build
a house and bought lands in Dapitan.
1. If I were the chief of the revolution, why was I not consulted by the revolutionists?
46 | P a g e
2. The La Liga Filipina did not live long, for after the first meeting, I was deported to Dapitan
and it died out.
3. If the La Liga Filipina was reorganized, nine months later, I did not know about it.
4. It was true I wrote the Constitution and By-laws of the La Liga Filipina, but this was only
civic association and not a revolutionary society.
5. While it was true that there were bitter statements in my letters, it was because they were
written when my family was being prosecuted, being dispossessed of their houses and
lands; and my brother and my brothers-in-law were deported without due process.
6. It was not true that the revolution was inspired in one of my speeches at the house of
Doroteo Ongjungco as alleged by witnesses whom I would like to confront. My friends
knew very well about my vehement opposition to an armed rebellion. Why did the
Katipunan send an emissary to Dapitan who was a stranger to me? Because those who
knew me were aware that I would never sanction any violent movement.
7. My life in Dapitan had been exemplary as evidenced by my productive activities for the
welfare of the people; the politico- military commanders and missionary priests could attest
to these.
On that same day, the military court declared Rizal guilty of forming secret associations
and starting the revolution. The trial was clearly defective from the start. The following are the
flaws of the proceeding:
1. The accused was tried by a military tribunal. Rizal was a civilian and should have been
tried in a civil court.
2. There was the absence of due process. The trial was concluded in just one day.
3. The accused was denied the right to face his accusers and the witnesses against him.
4. There was impartiality of the court in considering the arguments and evidences of both
parties.
5. The trial was a sham. It was ridiculous and an utter display of power, arrogance and deceit
and total mockery of the law.
Governor-General Camilo G. de Polavieja signed the order to execute Rizal on December

30, 1896. It has to be noted, that in order for Rizal’s enemies to succeed in their desire to execute
him, the bishops had to replace Governor-General Ramon Blanco with Governor-Genera l
Polavieja since the former was unlikely to sign the order of death penalty on Rizal. Obviously,
the enemies of Rizal employed everything to please their whims. Doña Teodora appealed to
Polavieja for pardon on his son. Unfortunately, her supplication did not merit favorable response.
At about 6:30 in the morning of December 30, 1896, Rizal took his walk to Bagumbayan to face
the verdict of a self-serving court. That is, death by firing squad. Few seconds before the guns
were fired, Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo pulsed Rizal and unexpectedly discovered that the latter’s
heartbeat was normal. Not surprising. Rizal was anticipating death before the age of thirty but he
died at the age of thirty-five years, six months and eleven days old. Our hero lived a bonus life.
During the execution, Rizal refused to wear the customary blindfold and requested to face the
firing squad. But the Spaniards were ruthlessly determined in condemning Rizal to his last breath.
He has to be shot on his back as a symbol of his treachery. The firing squad was composed of
eight Filipino soldiers. Rizal was shot by Filipinos? Yes, it was a choice for survival. They fired
the Remingtons because Spanish soldiers armed with Mausers are ready to shoot them if they will
47 | P a g e
not do the order. As stated in an article, at exactly 7:03 in the morning of December 30, 1896,
Rizal died before a firing squad at Bagumbayan Field (Ocampo, 2008). As the guns fired, Rizal
managed to turn around. He fell on the ground facing the sky. Triumphantly, our hero made his
last blow on his enemies. It was so dramatic and inspiring. With the death of Rizal, the
Philippines, perhaps the world lost a man of great genius and unreserved devotion for freedom,
justice and truth. Although the Spaniards succeeded in getting rid of Rizal, they were not able to
suppress the impact of his works and ideals. They served as inspiration for the Filipinos in their
struggle for freedom from the colonizers.
Before he died, Rizal requested to allow his mother to take his dead body. However,
Spanish authorities denied Rizal’s last wish. The family was prevented from drawing near the
hero’s corpse. After the execution, they went to Bagumbayan but Rizal’s dead body was taken
and buried by the Spanish soldiers. Narcisa looked for her brother’s corpse the whole day. She
searched in every cemetery in the city but found nothing. Almost hopeless, Narcisa was starting
to give up. But accidentally, on her way home something caught her attention as she passed by
the Paco Cemetery. She saw several guardia civil who seemed to be keeping their eyes on
something. When Narcisa sneaked a look inside the cemetery she saw a newly dug but unmarked
grave. She suspected it to be of his brother’s and so she asked the cemetery caretaker to put on it
a small marble slab with an inscription R.P.J. The inscription was actually the reverse initials of
Jose Protacio Rizal. According to a writer, this was made by the family to avoid drawing attention
from the people (Zulueta, 2004). The corpse of Rizal was exhumed when Manila was taken by
the Americans. That was almost two years after his death. The family of Rizal could still recognize
his clothes and shoes. Before he died, Rizal mentioned something that he had concealed inside
one of his shoes. However it was not recovered because the body was buried without a coffin and
by the time it was unearthed, what remained were bones and disintegrated pieces of wears. The
lost document is believed to contain Rizal’s last will and testament. Unfortunately, whatever
written in that paper will ever remain a mystery. Rizal’s vertebra bearing a mark of a bullet was
kept in a glass and silver cup in Narcisa’s house. On December 29, 1912 an urn containing the
bones of our national hero was brought to Luneta. It was placed at the center of a structure over
the very ground which Rizal fell. As a memorial tribute to Rizal’s martyrdom, a marker called
Motto Stellar designed by Richard Kissling was erected in Luneta seventeen years after the death
of our hero. This structure is now known as the famous Rizal Monument. The remains of Rizal
rest on the base of the monument except one of his vertebrae which is kept in the Rizal Shrine in
Fort Santiago.
On the day before his execution, Rizal penned his last thoughts in a poem. In the late
afternoon, Doña Teodora and Trinidad visited him in his prison cell. Rizal handed over an alcohol
cooking stove to Trinidad. To elude suspicion from the guards, Rizal whispered in English to his
sister that there was something hidden inside the stove. It was a poem which Rizal had written the
day before his execution. The said literature is known as Ultimo Adios (Last Farewell). From six
o’clock in the evening until early morning of the day of the execution, Jesuit priests stayed with
Rizal and convinced him to sign the retraction paper. It is said that Rizal signed the retraction
document in the morning of December 30, 1896. According to Fr. Vicente Balaguer’s accounts,
Rizal and Josephine Bracken received the sacrament of marriage an hour before the execution. It
was Father Balaguer himself who solemnized the matrimonial ceremony. If this is the case, then
Rizal retracted since that was the prerequisite demanded by the Church before the sacrament of
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marriage will be granted to the couple. In other words, he died as a Catholic. However, the said
marriage is under question because the certainty of Rizal’s retraction has yet to be settled. The
retraction controversy is one of the enduring issues on Rizal. A lot of debates and academic
discussions have already been made but still no definite answer has been established as to whether
Rizal retracted or not. It is a common knowledge that our hero joined the masonry in Spain. As a
mason, Rizal was considered outcast from the Catholic Church. However, a group of experts
believe that Rizal retracted. The implication of his retraction is that Rizal would appear a traitor
to the Filipino people. After all the labor for the emancipation and justice for his countryme n,
Rizal appears to have abandoned his cause. By signing the retraction document, Rizal has forsaken
his fight and with open arms submitted to the will of the Spanish clerics which he openly attacked
and detested in his novels. According to one author, in the early morning of December 30, 1896
before the firing squad, Fr. Vicente Balaguer solemnized the marriage of Rizal and Josephine
Bracken (Zaide, 1992). The sacrament could only be granted on the condition that Rizal signed
the retraction document. If the claim of Fr. Balaguer was true, then Rizal had signed the document.
But when Josephine Bracken came to the family to claim the properties left by her declared
husband, she could not present a paper that could prove her legitimate marriage to Rizal. Bracken
could not provide a marriage certificate.
As to the authenticity of the signature, experts like H. Otley Beyer, Austin Craig, Teodoro
Kalaw among others claimed that it was genuine. Rizal indeed signed the retraction paper.
However, the NBI could not declare the validity of the document considering that the original copy
could not be presented. Is there really an original copy? If there is, then why couldn’t it be
available for examination? In addition, Roman Roque who was an expert forger made a confession
before he died. Roque played an important part in the capture of President Emilio Aguinaldo by
the Americans. He was the one who forged the signatures of Generals Baldomero Aguinaldo and
Urbano Lacuna giving the Americans access to the hideout of the revolutionary president. In the
declaration made by Roque, he affirmed that he faked another important document and that is, the
retraction of Rizal. So, did Rizal really retract? A testimony that could probably put this issue to
rest was the paper Rizal hid in one of his shoes. Unluckily, that document was never seen. It took
about two years before Rizal’s remains were recovered. It was a period too long for a piece of
paper to withstand decay. In the absence of concrete evidence, we could only assume. Perhaps,
setting a boundary between politics and religion could help resolve the issue.
Activity 1:
 What is the impact of Rizal’ execution on the Filipinos fight for independence?
 What is the important factor that sustained Rizal’s unwavering struggle against his
enemies?
 How did religion and the politics interplay in divesting Rizal’s nationalistic sentiment?
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PART III. THE WORKS OF JOSE RIZAL
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this unit, the students will communicate Rizal’s thoughts and ideals relevant to their
field of specialization. As a culminating activity, students will produce a short film highlighting Rizal’s ideals
and thoughts which would have significant value to their personal and professional well -beings.
Presentation will be evaluated based on the criteria and rubrics stipulated in the course syllabus.
--------o0o--------
Read! Read! Read!
Jose Rizal was gifted with different talents and skills. As Prof. Ferdinand Blumentr itt
commented, “Rizal was the greatest product of the Philippines and that his coming to the world
was like a comet, whose brilliance appears only every other century… Not only is Rizal the most
prominent man of his own people but the greatest man the Malayan race has produced”. He was
simply capable in so many ways. He possessed various talents that he mastered through enduring
studies and intense work. He was a doctor, teacher, scientist, engineer, writer, farmer, economist
and leader.
Rizal could have chosen to avoid the persecution by his enemies. With his tremendous
propensity, he could have enjoyed a delightful life. But strangely, he pursued a rather dreadful
path. He followed what he believed to be the perfect way to obtain dignity and justice for his
country. Along this endeavor, Rizal employed his geniuses in the service of God, motherland and
his fellowmen. The following discussions deal with the various works of our national hero
reflecting the outstanding abilities he possessed.
A. Community Services and Achievements

As a Medical Doctor
Rizal possessed all the qualities of a profound medical doctor. His remarkable ability as
an eye surgeon was recognized by other prominent physicians both in the Philippines and abroad.
Upon Rizal’s arrival from Europe in 1887, he immediately performed medical works. He proved
to be an excellent physician and eye surgeon by successfully treating his patients. Rizal did not
only own outstanding medical expertise but a kind heart as well. He did not charge his poor client s
any fee for his services. On the other hand, his rich patients paid him high fees.
His medical and surgical expertise was recognized by the people throughout the
archipelago and neighboring countries. As a result, many sick people flocked to him for his
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medical services. His patients included Americans, British, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans and
Portuguese. When Rizal was deported to Dapitan, he set up little hospitals and many patients came
to the place to seek his expertise. Rizal looked for alternative cure by studying medicinal plants.
As stated in a book, this Rizal did to help his poor patients who could not afford to buy imported
medicine (Zaide et. al., 1995).
As an Educator
Rizal was a lover of knowledge. Because of his unquenchable thirst for learning, Rizal
kept on reading books and was able to put up a library of more than 2,000 volumes of books.
When he was a young boy, he started reading the Bible, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander
Dumas, Universal History by Cesar Cantu and Visit to the Philippine Islands by Sir John Bowring.
The books that Rizal had collected inspired and facilitated him in acquiring more knowledge which
he unselfishly shared with the young Filipinos. The learning he obtained became the foundatio n
of his struggle for freedom.
Realizing the importance of education, Rizal proposed to establish a school for Filip inos
in Hong Kong. He developed the curriculum himself. Unfortunately, the said project was not
realized. While in Dapitan, Rizal established a school and taught the young boys in that town. In
his teaching, Rizal emphasized not only the intellectual growth but also the physical development
of his students. He taught the boys arnis for self-defense. The school was free of charge in all
aspects, but in return the children helped Rizal in doing the house chores.
As an Agriculturist and Economist
When Rizal was deported to Dapitan, he acquired a large portion of land which he bought
through his winnings in a lottery draw. With the assistance of his pupils, Rizal planted 6,000 hemp
plants, 1,000 coconut trees and numerous fruit trees which included: mangoes, guavas, lanzones,
santol and durian. He also planted cacao, coffee, sugarcane, corn and coconuts. Aside from
farming, he also engaged in fishing and raised farm animals. Rizal introduced modern methods of
agriculture which helped the farmers in Dapitan improve their farms and increase their crop
harvest. He also organized the Society of Dapitan Agriculturists.
In Dapitan, Rizal engaged in buying and selling of copra and hemp. He taught the people
the modern technique in hemp-stripping. Rizal was a competitive economist. He broke the
monopoly of business in Dapitan. He organized a cooperative for hemp planters to protect them
from Chinese competition. He then urged the people of Dapitan not to patronize the Chinese
stores.
As an Artist and Writer
Rizal was an inborn writer. Gifted with superior writing skills, he was able to write a
number of poems, short stories, novels, essays, plays and fables. As a writer, he received various
awards in recognition of his literary works. Some of the poems penned by Rizal include the
following: My First Inspiration, To the Filipino Youth, They Ask Me for Verses, My Retreat, Hymn
to Talisay, To Josephine, To Don Ricardo Carnicero, Song of the Traveler and Last Farewell.
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The following are essays written by Rizal: The Reminiscences of a Student of Manila, Amor
Patrio, On Travel, The Truth for All, The Philippines within a Century, The Indolence of the
Filipinos and Letter to the Young Women of Malolos. The novels penned by Rizal were the Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Rizal’s dramatic works include Beside the Pasig, The Council
of Gods and The Tragedy of St. Eustace.
Rizal knew 22 languages. These were Tagalog, Ilokano, Bisayan, Subanun, Spanish, Latin,
Greek, English, French, German, Arabic, Malay, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Dutch, Catalan, Italian,
Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Swedish and Russian. He took advantage of this know-how by
translating his works in different languages, e.g., Spanish, English, Italian, French and German.
He also translated foreign writings into Tagalog for his countrymen to read and understand.
Through his writings, Rizal was able to express his thoughts and ideals. He also used his pen to
attack the cruelty and injustice of the Spaniards. However, there were times when Rizal regretted
knowing other languages. As quoted in an article, Rizal said that, “It is also a misfortune to
understand various languages because thus, one has more occasions to hear stupidities and
nonsense . . . If I who am little less than ignorance itself am so irritated to hear the stupid designs
of only one man, how will God feel, God who is wisdom itself (Ocampo, 2008).”
Rizal’s passion for arts was so immense. He did paintings, sketches, carvings and
sculpture. His artistic accomplishments include the following: a beautiful oil painting of a
religious banner, which he made while a boy in Calamba; sketches of Professor Blumentr itt,
Leonor Rivera, among others; illustrations of The Baptism of Two Brothers, The Monkey and the
Turtle and Andersen’s Fairy Tales; a woodcarving of the Virgin Mary and the Sacred Heart of
Jesus which he made while a student at Ateneo; a wax model of a face which was used in the
celebration of the first centenary of the Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country at UST;
and an artistic pipe representing a woman’s head that he carved out of chalk at his prison cell in
Fort Santiago. Rizal also learned Sumi-e, the Japanese art of painting.
Aside from his appetite for the fine arts, Rizal was also a lover of music. He had composed
three musical pieces; Leonor, El Canto del Prisonero and Alin Mang Lahi (Any Race). Although
Rizal was not gifted with a beautiful singing voice, he learned to play several musical instrume nts
such as; solfeggio, piano and flute. Rizal himself admitted that he did not have the voice for
singing. This only proves that even heroes have also their share of dark spot.
As an Architect and Engineer
Rizal, the greatest designer of the Philippine Revolution was also an architect and engineer
in a real sense. He was such a knowledgeable and talented man that he was able to design and
build structures with aptness. In line with his plan to establish a college in Hong Kong, he created
an architectural proposal with a modern building design. While in Dapitan, he also designed and
built three houses that were made of bamboo, nipa and wood. Despite the inadequate funds,
equipment, tools and needed materials, Rizal was able to undertake remarkable engineering works.
One of his greatest engineering achievements was the water works that he constructed in Dapitan
in 1894. It benefited the people in the community by providing them clean water supply. His
other engineering achievements were the lighting system and the town plaza of Dapitan.
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Rizal was a licensed surveyor. He was given the title Master Surveyor at the age of twenty.
Rizal finished and passed the surveying course in 1877 but he was only conferred with the title on
November 25, 1881. It was delayed because Rizal was still under age when he completed the
surveying course at Ateneo. One of the lands he surveyed was that of Jaime Rosario y Zamora,
an heir of Doña Severina Narcisa. In line with his proposal for the establishment of Filipino colony
in North Borneo, Rizal also prepared a survey plan of the said proposed project. He also surveyed
the lands which he had bought in Dapitan. The waterworks Rizal built in Dapitan was patterned
from a survey plan which he himself prepared.
As a Scientist and Inventor
Rizal was a natural scientist. While he was in Dapitan, collected and studied differe nt
living organisms in the place. He was able to gather more than 400 species of insects, birds,
snakes, shells, and plants. Subsequently, Rizal was honored by German scientists for discovering
three new specimens. The said specimens were named after Rizal. These were: Draco rizali for
a new flying dragon; Rachophorus rizali for a new frog; and Apogonia rizali for a new beetle with
five horns.
Rizal was a clever person. He made some inventions which he used not only for his own
benefit but also for other people. One of his inventions was a cigarette lighter. He gave this stuff
to his Austrian bestfriend, Blumentritt as a gift. Another device made by Rizal was a wooden
machine used for making bricks. Through this invention, making bricks became easier and faster.
The machine helped the workers in Dapitan to produce bricks about 6,000 pieces a day.
As a Social Scientist
In Europe, Rizal discussed with Blumentritt, Ratzel, Virchow, and other scientists the
problems and peculiarities of all races. He read the books of Muller, Herder, Waitz and other
ethnologists of the world. When he came to Dapitan, he continued his ethnological studies. He
investigated the racial characteristics, language and customs of the Subanuns. During his exile in
Dapitan, Rizal explored the caves, inlets and mountains near the town. He made his greatest
archaeological discovery in Lumanao Hill where he discovered several relics of the past such as
the ancient Chinese porcelain of the Sung Dynasty, specimens of jewelry and an old bronze
Catholic medal.
Rizal was the first Filipino historian. His greatest achievement as a historian was the
annotated edition of Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas. During the International Expositio n
of 1889 in Paris, Rizal planned to establish an International Association of the Filipinologists in
order to promote the study of Philippine History among the scholars of the world. Rizal aspired
for an objective and systematic study of our past. The aim of the association which Rizal wished
to create was to study of the Philippines from the scientific and historical point of view.
As a Nationalist and Reformist
Driven by his nationalistic sentiment, Rizal endeavored for an intensive study of Tagalog
Orthography. Thus to nationalize the Tagalog language and eliminate its Hispanized spelling,
54 | P a g e
Rizal wrote an article on Tagalog Orthography in Madrid on April 15, 1890. In this article, he
proposed the use of k and w instead of c and u. In Dapitan, he studied the Subanun, Chavacano
and Bisayan languages. Moreover, Rizal annotated Morga’s book in order to stimulate among the
Filipinos the sense of national consciousness of their historic past. It has to be noted that in writing
his two greatest novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Rizal had that earnest intentio ns
to inspire the nationalistic sentiment of the Filipino people. Furthermore, he patronized our native
sports; arnis and sipa.
Rizal wanted freedom for the Philippines from the Spaniards. However, his struggle for
liberty was through peaceful campaign for reforms. He was one of those Filipinos identified as
reformists. Among the Filipino reformists, Rizal was the most educated. He worked with other
Filipino reformists in insisting the Peninsular Government to give the reforms claimed by the
Filipinos. Rizal also discussed with his friends particularly, Prof. Blumentritt, about the changes
he wanted to see in the Philippines. Rizal was one of the keen contributors of the La Solidaridad.
The La Solidaridad was the periodical used by the reformists to depict the evils committed by the
Spaniards in the Philippines. In writing for the La Solidaridad, Rizal used Dimas Alang and Laong
Laan as pen names. By so doing, he was able to attack and expose not only the injustices but also
the intense ignorance of the Spaniards.
Our hero is the most traveled of all Filipino heroes. Throughout his life, Rizal had gone to
different places in Asia, Europe and America. He went to other places particularly Europe not for
his personal pleasure but to augment his knowledge and experience to help his countrymen get
loose from the tyrant colonizers. Through his travels, he was able to mingle with differe nt
personalities. He learned much from these acquaintances about liberal ideas and thoughts which
became significant motivation in his quest for freedom. However, critics of Rizal considered his
going abroad as a manifestation of cowardice and opportunism. An article written by Eduardo de
Lete was published in La Solidaridad on April 15, 1892 censuring Rizal for living a relaxed and
secure life abroad while his countrymen were suffering from misfortune. In contrast, Rizal
endured a lot of sufferings in other countries. Loneliness and lack of funds made his life in Europe
more of a sacrifice than satisfaction. In fact, there were times when he had to skip meals just to
save money to continue his works for the motherland. Because of lack of nutrition, Rizal almost
got sick with tuberculosis. But despite all of these distressing experiences, our hero was able to
survive for the interest of his country.
As a Leader and Organizer
Rizal’s dedication to fight for freedom from Spain was so enormous. He did not only
join his fellow Filipinos in the quest for independence but also took actions to concretize his ideals.
He founded and initiated organizations which aimed at uplifting the Filipino’s dignity, talent and
spirit. In order to help one another, Rizal organized the Filipino youth in Europe. He formed
organizations which provided avenue for the young Filipinos to unite and cooperate in developing
their competence. These groups include the Kidlat Club, Indios Bravos and Redencion de los
Malayos (R.D.L.M.).
On July 3, 1892, Rizal founded and inaugurated the La Liga Filipina. As pointed out, the
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aims of the Liga as follows: 1) To unite the whole archipelago into one compact, vigorous and
homogeneous body; 2) Mutual protection in every want and necessity; 3) Defense against all
violence and injustice; 4) Encouragement of instruction, agriculture, and commerce; and, 5) Study
and application of reforms (Zaide, 1999). Through Rizal’s scheme, other Filipino patriots were
inspired to continue their struggle against the tyranny and oppression of the Spaniards. Rizal was
indeed a true leader. He did not only put his ideals and philosophies in words but he lived by them.
He had given his countrymen an example worthy of emulation.
As a Psychic
Rizal possessed not only ordinary talents and skills. He was also gifted with a psychic
ability. Because of this, he was able to foretell future events. At one instance when Rizal was
still a small child, he was busy molding small clay statues. His sisters teased him and asked him
what he was doing. The young Rizal answered by saying, someday people will make statues for
me. Although it was just a childish delusion, it turned to be a real prophecy. Presently, Rizal’s
monument can be seen almost everywhere.
At the age thirteen, while visiting his mother, Jose predicted that in three months Doña
Teodora will be free from prison. It was an interpretation of the dream which his mother had
shared with him. Amazingly, the prophecy came true. In his essay entitled “The Philippines a
Century Hence”, Rizal foretold that once the Spaniards had left the Philippines, the Americans
will colonize our country. Finally, Rizal predicted that someday the oppressed Filipinos will rise
in revolution against Spain and win their independence. These two visionary insights turned out
to be factual.
As a Sportsman
Rizal’s inclination for sports was inspired by his Uncle Manuel. Rizal who was a small
and frail child grew up to be physically strong and healthy because of his involvement in
athletics and sports. In his lifetime, he learned swimming, fencing, wrestling and rowing. He
was also an expert yo-yo player. He used the yo-yo as a weapon against an enemy. He was
also an excellent chess player. In Ateneo, he took up gymnastics. He also became expert
swordsman and pistol shooter. He trained in fencing and shooting trainings at the Hall of Arms
of Sanz and Carbonell in Madrid, Spain. While in Japan, he learned Judo. In London, he
learned boxing and cricket. Of course, Rizal also loved our own native sports particular ly,
arnis and sipa. In fact in Dapitan, our hero taught his students the art of arnis for self-defense.
As a Magician
Apart from writing, studying, engaging in sports and doing community works, Rizal also
performed magical tricks. He entertained his audience by doing some amusing acts. Although
simple, his tricks fairly entertained his spectators. One of his magical acts was making a coin or
handkerchief disappear. He also gave his neighbors amusement through his magic-lanter n
exhibition. When he was a young boy, Jose wrote love letters using invisible ink. How did he do
it? Science was the secret of his surprising trick. Instead of ink, Rizal wrote using salt. By doing
so, one can only read the texts by burning the paper. Though it was not pure magic, it was indeed
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a tricky way of hiding a secret. In order to learn more about the art of magic, he bought books
written by European magicians. He also attended magical presentations featuring the famous
magicians of the world.
Activity 1:
1. What comprised Rizal’s geniuses?
2. How did Rizal employ his potentials in promoting the welfare of his countrymen?
3. How did Rizal patronize the Filipino culture?
4. Why is Rizal a prophet?
5. What achievements do you have in your life?
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B. Selected Poems
LEARNING OUTCOMES
 To understand the meanings of the selected poems of Rizal

 Create Analysis of each poem
 Honor the poems of Rizal
Read! Read! Read!
Rizal was indeed an immense writer. Through his writings, Rizal was able to convey his ideals and
thoughts to his countrymen. As a result of his inspiring words, the Filipino people were moved to fight for
freedom and equality. Though Rizal did not engage in a physical combat, he defeated his enemies through
the influence and power of his literary works. He was able to stir the spirit of his fellowmen and crush the
pride of his enemies. Truly, the pen is mightier than the sword.
The literary works of Rizal show important values and wisdom. Although these scholarly writings
were penned more than a century ago, the ideas and teachings they offer are still relevant. Understanding
these inscribed literary pieces is indeed a worthwhile and enriching experience.
Selection 1
Although Rizal was merely a teenager, the awareness and love of Motherland was already
established in him. He believed that through education, the country would be glorified. In
expressing his thoughts on education, Rizal wrote the poem entitled, Por La Educacion Recibe
Lustre La Patria. The translation from Spanish to English was by Dr. Frank C. Laubach.
Education Gives Luster to the Motherland

Jose Rizal
Wise education, vital breath

Inspires an enchanting virtue;
She puts the country in the lofty seat
Of endless glory, of dazzling glow,
And just as the gentle aurora’s puff
Do brighten the perfumed flowers’ hue;
So education with a wise, guiding hand,
A benefactor, exalts the human band.
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Man’s placid repose and earthly life

To education he dedicates
Because of her, art and science are born
That, with beautiful crown, decorate man
And as from the high mount above
The pure rivulet flow, undulates,
So education beyond measure
Gives the country tranquility secure.
Where wise education raises a throne

Sprightly youths are invigorated,
Who with firm stand error they subdue
And with noble ideas are exalted;
It breaks immortality’s neck,
Contemptible crime before it is halted:
It humbles barbarous nations
And it makes of savages champions.
And like the spring that nourishes
The plants, the bushes of the meads,
She goes on spilling her placid wealth,
And with kind eagerness she constantly feeds,
The river banks through which she slips,
And to beautiful nature all she concedes
So whoever procures education wise
Until the height of honor may rise.
From her lips the water crystalline

Gush forth without end, of divine virtue,
And prudent doctrines of his faith
The forces weak of evil subdue,
That break apart like the whitish waves
That lash against the motionless shoreline:
And to climb the heavenly ways
The people do learn with her noble example.
In the wretched human being’s breast
The living flame of good she lights
The hand of the fierce criminal she ties,
And fills the beautiful hearts with delight,
Which seeks her secrets beneficent
And the love for the good her breast she incites,
And it’s the education noble and pure
Of human life the balsam sure.
And like the rock that rises with pride

In the middle of the turbulent waves
When hurricane and the fierce Notus roar
She disregards their fury and raves,
That weary of the horror great
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So frightened calmly off they stave;

Such is one by wise education steered
He holds the country’s reins unconquered.
His achievements on sapphires are engraved;

The country pays him a thousand honors;
For the noble breasts of her sons
Virtue transplanted luxuriant flowers;
And in the love of good ever disposed
Will see the lords and governors
The noble people with royal venture
Christian education always procure.
And like the golden sun of the morn

Whose rays resplendent shedding gold,
And like fair aurora of gold and red
She overspreads her colors bold;
Such true education proudly gives
The pleasure of virtue to young and old
And she enlightens our Motherland dear
And she offers endless glow and luster.
Selection 2
The high-quality poem, A La Juventud Filipina is an exciting poem of precise form. Rizal called the
youth as the hope of the motherland. In beautiful verses, Rizal implores the Filipino youth to be active,
to enhance their talents and skills and enrich their knowledge with art and science to explore the hidden
treasures of the country. The translation to English was by Charles E. Derbyshire.
To The Filipino Youth

Jose Rizal
Hold high the brow serene,

O youth, were now you stand.
Let the bright sheen
Of your grace be seen,
Fair hope of my fatherland!
Come now, thou genius grand,

And bring down inspiration;
With thy mighty hand,
Swifter than the wind’s volation.
Raise the eager mind to higher station.
Come down with pleasing light

Of art and science to the flight.
O youth, and there untie
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The chains that heavy lie,

The spirit free to blight.
See how in flame zone

Amid the shadow thrown,
The Spaniards holy hand
A crown’s resplendent band
Proffers to this Indian land.
Thou who now wouldst rise

On wings of rich emprise,
Seek from Olympian skies
Songs of sweetest strain,
Softer than ambrosial rain;
Thou, whose voice divine

Rivals Philomel’s refrain,
And with varied line
Through the night benign
Frees mortality from pain.
Thou, who by sharp strife

Weakest thy mind to life;
And the memory bright
Of thy genius’ light
Makest immortal in its strength;
And thou, in accent clear

Of Phoebus, to Apelles dear;
Or by the brush’s magic art
Takest from nature’s store a part
To fix it on the simple canvas’ length;
Go forth, and then the sacred fire

Of the genius to the laurel may aspire;
To spread around the fame,
And in victory acclaim,
Through wider spheres the human name.
Day, O happy day,

Fair Filipinas, for thy land!
So bless the Power today
That places in thy way
This favor and this fortune grand.
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Selection 3
Rizal left his last thoughts to his people through a lovely poem. The poem was written
without a title. Later, Rizal enthusiasts gave it a fitting title, Ultimo Adios. It was a most
heartbreaking poem perfectly arranged and full of emotion which reflects a noble spirit. The
translation in English was by Charles E. Derbyshire.
Last Farewell
Jose Rizal
Farewell, dear Fatherland, clime of the sun caressed,

Pearl of the Orient seas, our Eden lost!
Gladly now I go to give thee this faded life’s best,
And where it brighter, fresher, or more blest,
Still would I give it thee, nor count the cost.
On the field of battle, amid the frenzy of light,

Others have given their lives, without doubt or heed;
The place matters not – cypress or laurel or lily white,
Scaffold or open plain, combat or martyrdom’s plight,
‘Tis ever the same, to serve our home and country’s need.
I die just when I see the dawn break,

Through the gloom of night, to herald the day;
And if color is lacking my blood thou shall take,
Poured out at need for thy dear sake,
To dye with its crimson the waking ray.
My dreams, when life first opened to me,

My dreams, when the hopes of youth beat high,
Where to see thy loved face, O gem of the Orient sea,
From gloom and grief, from care and sorrow free;
No blush on thy brow, no tears in thine eye.
Dream of my life, my living and burning desire,

All hail! cries the soul that is now to take flight;
All hail! and sweet it is for thee to expire,
To die for thy sake, that thou mayst aspire,
And sleep in thy bosom eternity’s long night.
If over my grave someday thou seest grow,

In the grassy sod, a humble flower,
Draw it to thy lips and kiss my soul so,
While I may feel on my brow in the cold tomb below
The touch of thy tenderness, thy breath’s warm power.
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Let the moon beam over me soft and serene,

Let the dawn shed over me its radiant flashes,
Let the wind with the sad lament over me keen;
And if on my cross a bird should be seen,
Let it trill there its hymn of peace to my ashes.
Let the sun draw the vapors up to the sky,

And heavenward in purity bear my tardy protest;
Let some kind soul over my untimely fate sigh,
And in the still evening a prayer be lifted on high
For thee, O my country, that in God I may rest.
Pray for all those that are hapless have died,

For all who have suffered the unmeasured pain;
For our mother that bitterly their woes have cried,
For widows and orphans, for captives by torture tried;
And then for thyself that redemption thou mayst gain.
And when the dark night wraps the graveyard around,

With only the dead in their vigil to see;
Break not my repose or the mystery profound,
And perchance thou mayst hear a sad hymn resound;
This I, O my country, raising a song unto thee.
When even my grave is remembered no more,

Unmarked by never a cross or a stone;
Let the plow sweep through it, the spade turn it over
That my ashes may carpet thy earthly floor,
Before into nothingness at last they are blown.
Then will oblivion bring to me no care;

As over thy vales and plains I sweep;
Throbbing and cleansed in thy space and air,
With color and light, with song and lament I fare,
Ever repeating the faith that I keep.
My Fatherland adored that sadness to my sorrow lends,

Beloved Filipinas, hear now my last goodbye!
I give thee all; parents and kindred and friends;
For I go where no slave before the oppressor bends,
Where faith can never kill, and God reigns ever on high!
Farewell to you all, from my soul torn away,

Friends of my childhood in the home dispossessed!
Give thanks that I rest from the wearisome day!
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Farewell to thee, too, sweet friend that lightened my way;

Beloved creatures all, farewell! In death there is rest!
Activity 1:
Activity 1: Make an analysis for EACH of the poems in this chapter.
Activity 2: Write (handwritten) on a yellow pad paper the Spanish versions of

the selected poems in this chapter
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C. Noli Me Tangere
LEARNING OUTCOMES
 To study the summary of Noli Me Tangere

 To understand the plot of Noli Me tangere
 To be able to reflect, of the situations in Noli Me Tangere
Read! Read! Read!

The writing of the Noli Me Tangere was primarily inspired by Rizal’s reading of Harriet
Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The said book shows the unfortunate condition of the Negro
slaves under their cruel American masters. Noli Me Tangere means Touch Me Not. It is a Latin
expression which Rizal lifted from the Bible particularly the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 20, Verses
13-17. The novel is dedicated to the motherland. The theme of the novel is the cry for reform in
a nonviolent way. It reveals the social cancer that has long poisoned the society.
Toward the end of 1884, Rizal began writing his first novel Noli Me Tangere. As stated in
a book, his purpose in writing the said novel was to awaken the minds of the Filipinos and infla me
in their hearts the feeling of patriotism (Capino et. al., 1990). It was at Wilhelmsfeld where Rizal
completed the last chapters of the Noli. The place is now named Noli Village in honor of Rizal’s
novel. Despite its completion, Rizal could not publish the novel because of financial constraints.
Before its publication, Rizal did the editing of the novel himself. To economize, the chapter on
Elias and Salome was deleted from the original manuscript. The novel was printed on March 1887
in the cheapest publisher in Berlin which was managed and staffed by women. The first printout
was two thousand copies which cost three hundred pesos paid through an amount loaned from
Maximo Viola.
Noli Me Tangere was translated into other languages which include: Chinese, French,
Japanese, Russian, German and Thai. During the commemoration of Rizal’s centenary in 1961,
translations of the Noli were made into major Philippine dialects. In 1906, Pascual H. Poblete
wrote the first Tagalog version of the novel. An English edition of the novel which title was An
Eagle Flight was written in 1900 by Harold Augenbraum. Another English translation by Charles
Derbyshire was published in 1912. In 1961, Leon Ma. Guerrero also wrote an English edition of
the novel which he named Lost Eden.
Brief Summary
In the town of San Diego, a rich man by the name of Rafael Ibarra owned vast landholdings.
He had a son named Crisostomo Ibarra who traveled to Europe for his studies. Ibarra stayed in
Europe for seven years and upon his return, Capitan Tiago, the supposed father of his sweetheart
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Maria Clara, set a splendid dinner as an acknowledgment of his arrival. The banquet was held at
Capitan Tiago’s residence at Calle Anloague in Binondo, Manila. Present during the dinner were
some Spanish officials and clergy headed by Father Damaso.
During that event, Ibarra heard from his trusted friend, Lieutenant Guevara the distressing
incident that happened to his father. While Crisostomo was in other country, a tragic incident
happened to his father. Don Rafael had a confrontation with an arrogant Spanish tax collector who
maltreated a little boy. That incident led to an accidental death of the tax collector. Consequently,
Rafael Ibarra was imprisoned and died in jail. Because of Don Rafael Ibarra’s defiance with the
church rules, Father Damaso Verdolagas, the parish priest of San Diego refused to give the old
Ibarra a Christian burial. Crisostomo was irritated by the story and left the place. However, Ibarra
disregarded his plan for revenge and instead, worked for the education of his people. He proposed
to build a town school as his present to Maria Clara.
Unknown to Ibarra, his enemies had conspired against him. If not for the warning of Elias,
a mysterious pilot whom Ibarra had rescued from death from crocodile attack during an outing on
the lake, Ibarra could have been killed at the laying of the school’s cornerstone.
The affair of Crisostomo and Maria Clara was so perfectly developed but marriage could
not be realized because of the strong opposition of Father Damaso. The parish priest kept on
insulting Crisostomo’s father. At a public dinner after the school founding ceremony, Ibarra
almost killed Father Damaso due the insults the latter had been uttering against Ibarra’s father.
However, Ibarra was calmed down by Maria Clara. As a result, Ibarra was excommunicated and
forbidden to see Maria Clara again. To put her away from Ibarra, Maria Clara’s marriage to
Alfonso Linares was arranged by Father Damaso.
Rumors spread about Ibarra’s recruitment of the distressed and exploited for a rebellio n
against the government. Father Salvi who learned about the plot immediately reported it to the
alferez. The uprising was aborted and Ibarra together with the young liberals of the town were
pursued and incriminated with rebellion. To implicate Ibarra to the planned uprising, the Spaniards
blackmailed Maria Clara by convincing her to surrender to Father Bernardo Salvi and the
authorities some letters of Ibarra that expressed his suspicious allegiance to the government. Ibarra
was found guilty but was helped by Elias to escape from jail. In their last rendezvous, Maria Clara
explained to Ibarra why she gave his letters to Father Salvi. She did it in exchange for some letters
of Father Damaso, which Father Salvi had found in the parish house. It was revealed in the letter
that the real father of Maria Clara was Father Damaso.
Because Ibarra really loved Maria Clara, he immediately forgave his sweetheart. After
their brief meeting, Ibarra fled with Elias up the river to the lake but a patrolling constabulary
caught them in sight. There was a chase and one of them was killed. It was not known who died
in that dreadful event. Later in the forest, a man who could hardly catch his breath was burying
Ibarra’s treasure at the foot of his grandfather’s burial place.
Believing that Crisostomo was dead, Maria Clara planned to run away to be one with her
beloved Ibarra. She declined from marrying Linares. This made Father Damaso realized how
much Maria Clara loved Ibarra. Because of Father Damaso’s fear that his daughter will be married
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only to a native who does not have rights and privileges, he had intensely opposed the marriage of
Ibarra and Maria Clara and persecuted Ibarra’s family instead. Finally, Father Damaso agreed to
send Maria Clara to the nunnery of Poor Clares just to stop her from attempting suicide. The
convent’s chaplain was Father Salvi, who was waiting for his promotion as a prize for his role in
suppressing the rebellion in San Diego. The story ended with a sight of a beautiful young nun
standing on the ridge of the roof of the convent “with arms and face raised toward the sky as if
praying to it.
Activity 1:
Art is Enough
Make any artistic representation of your favorite part of the story.
Activity 2:
Plot Structure
Make a plot structure using these parts
 Exposition
 Conflict
 Rising Action
 Climax
 Falling Action
 Resolution
 Activity 3:
Reflect
Make a reflection of Noli Me Tangere
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D. El Filibusterismo
LEARNING OUTCOMES
 To study the summary of El Filibusterismo

 To understand the plot of El Filibusterismo
 To be able to reflect, of the situations in El Filibusterismo
Read! Read! Read!

El Filibusterismo is the continuation of the Noli Me Tangere. It is dedicated to the memory
of the three Filipino martyr priests; Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora. El
Filibusterismo is a political novel which advocates hostility and revolution as means to achieve
reforms. However, it also suggests that victory is not certain through a hostile and rebellio us
struggle for change. It serves as a warning for the possible destruction to lives and property that
may result from an aggressive and harsh scheme.
Rizal wrote the El Filibusterismo to arouse patriotism among the Filipinos. The final draft
of the novel was completed in Brussels, Belgium. Through the help of Jose Alejandrino, the novel
was printed by F. Meyer van Loo in Ghent. Rizal himself did the editing of the novel. The
corrected manuscript together with the pen used in writing the novel was given by Rizal to Jose
Alejandrino. The novel was published on September 18, 1891 with the financial assistance of
Valentin Ventura. In order to cut down the cost, Rizal deleted 47 pages from the 279 pages of the
original manuscript. Just like the Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo was translated into all major
Philippine dialects except Kapampangan. Chinese, French, Japanese and Russian versions of the
novel are also available.
Brief Summary
Crisostomo Ibarra actually survived the dramatic chase at the open lake. After that
incident, he left the Philippines to look for more resources in other countries. After thirteen years,
Ibarra returned to the Philippines in the person of Simoun, a jeweler passing for a British Indian,
a Portuguese, an American, a mulatto, the Brown Cardinal, his Black Eminence, the evil genius of
the Captain-General.
Simoun returned with the new Captain-General under his influence. Simoun’s primary
objective in coming back was to bring down the government. Through his financial resources and
power, Simoun was able to manipulate the government to expand corruption. He thought of this
so that such economic difficulty will push the people to take up arms against the government. One
of the most difficult problems that Simoun faced was the lack of enthusiasm of the young native
intellectuals for the assimilation of the Filipinos into the Spanish nation. They were more
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concerned of reforms such as the establishment of an academy of the Spanish language under lay
control.
Another objective of Simoun was to take Maria Clara away from the nunnery and to take
vengeance for the pain and destruction he suffered. To carry out his aim, Simoun made two
attempts which became unsuccessful. His first plan was to take control of Manila with the help of
disgruntled Filipino regiments and a group of fugitive. But on the very eve of the uprising, Simoun
felt so wretched over the news of Maria Clara’s death. With too much heartache, he deserted his
allies and was almost killed by them. His second plan was the application of radical formula. At
the wedding feast of Paulita Gomez, the richest heiress of the city, all the government officials and
influential people including the friars of Manila were expected to grace the occasion.
Simoun’s strategy was to send a wedding gift, a lamp which was actually a bomb that will
explode at the certain moment. The lamp will be hanged at the center of the house and when the
light of the lamp becomes dimmer someone will raise its wick and the bomb will blow up. Basilio,
a young intellectual was instructed by Simoun to take the said lamp to the wedding banquet. On
the night of the feast, Basilio met Isagani, Paulita’s rejected suitor. Basilio told Isagani of the plot
but instead of staying away, the latter quickly went into the house and grabbed the explosive lamp.
He threw it into the river and it exploded without causing fatal damage. Because of the incident,
Simoun was pursued by the authorities.
In the chase, Simoun was badly wounded. He took refuge in the solitary mountain retreat
of Father Florentino, a virtuous Filipino priest. Before the authorities could capture Simoun, he
expired. The priest got a hold of the Simoun’s treasure chest and threw it into the sea, where it
will not work misery, beget injustice or provoke greed.
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Activity 1:
Art is Enough
Make any artistic representation of your favorite part of the story.
Activity 2:
Plot Structure
Make a plot structure using these parts
 Exposition
 Conflict
 Rising Action
 Climax
 Falling Action
 Resolution
 Activity 3:
Reflect
Make a reflection of El Filibusterismo
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Annotation of Morga’s “ Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas”
LEARNING OUTCOMES
 To know the connection of Jose Rizal and Morga

 To understand the connection of Rizal to Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas
 To know the Annotations of Rizal to Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas
Read! Read! Read!

The value of Antonio de Morga's Sucesos de las Islas has long been recognised.
A first-hand account of the early Spanish colonial venture into Asia, it was
published in Mexico in 1609 and has since been re-edited on a number of
occasions. It attracted the attention of the Hakluyt Society in 1851, although the
edition prepared for the Society by H. E. J. Stanley was not published until 1868.
Morga's work is based on personal experiences, or on documentation from eye-
witnesses of the events described. Moreover, as he tells us himself, survivors
from Legazpi's expedition were still alive while he was preparing his book in
Manila, and these too he could consult. As a lawyer, it is obvious that he would
hardly fail to seek such evidence. The Sucesos is the work of an honest observer,
himself a major actor in the drama of his time, a versatile bureaucrat, who knew
the workings of the administration from the inside.It is also the first history of
the Spanish Philippines to be written by a layman, as opposed to the religious
chroniclers. Morga's book was praised, quoted, and plagiarized, by
contemporaries or successors. Filipinos have found it a useful account of the
state of their native culture upon the coming of the conquistadors; Spaniards
have regarded it as a work to admire or condemn, according to their views and
the context of their times; some other Europeans, such as Stanley, found it full
of lessons and examples.
As a child José Rizal heard from his uncle, José Alberto, about a ancient history
of the Philippines written by a Spaniard named Antonio de Morga. The
knowledge of this book came from the English Governor of Hong Kong, Sir
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John Browning, who had once paid his uncle a visit. While in London, Rizal
immediately acquainted himself with the British Museum where he found one
of the few remaining copies of that work. At his own expense, he had the work
republished with annotations that showed the Philippines was an advanced
civilization prior to the Spanish conquest. Austin Craig, an early biographer of
Rizal, translated into English some of the more important of these annotations.
-----------------------------------------------
To the Filipinos: In Noli Me Tangere ("The Social Cancer") I started to sketch

the present state of our native land. But the effect which my effort produced
made me realize that, before attempting to unroll before your eyes the other
pictures which were to follow, it was necessary first to post you on the past. So
only can you fairly judge the present and estimate how much progress has been
made during the three centuries (of Spanish rule).
Like almost all of you, I was born and brought up in ignorance of our country's
past and so, without knowledge or authority to speak of what I neither saw nor
have studied, I deem it necessary to quote the testimony of an illustrious
Spaniard who in the beginning of the new era controlled the destinies of the
Philippines and had personal knowledge of our ancient nationality in its last
days.
It is then the shade of our ancestor's civilization which the author will call before
you. If the work serves to awaken in you a consciousness of our past, and to blot
from your memory or to rectify what has been falsified or is calumny, then I
shall not have labored in vain. With this preparation, slight though it may be, we
can all pass to the study of the future.
José Rizal
Europe, 1889
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Governor Morga was not only the first to write but also the first to publish a
Philippine history. This statement has regard to the concise and concrete form in
which our author has treated the matter. Father Chirino's work, printed in Rome
in 1604, is rather a chronicle of the Missions than a history of the Philippines;
still it contains a great deal of valuable material on usages and customs. The
worthy Jesuit in fact admits that he abandoned writing a political history because
Morga had already done so, so one must infer that he had seen the work in
manuscript before leaving the Islands.
By the Christian religion, Dr. Morga appears to mean the Roman Catholic which
by fire and sword he would preserve in its purity in the Philippines. Nevertheless
in other lands, notably in Flanders, these means were ineffective to keep the
church unchanged, or to maintain its supremacy, or even to hold its subjects.
Great kingdoms were indeed discovered and conquered in the remote and
unknown parts of the world by Spanish ships but to the Spaniards who sailed in
them we may add Portuguese, Italians, French, Greeks, and even Africans and
Polynesians. The expeditions captained by Columbus and Magellan, one a
Genoese Italian and the other a Portuguese, as well as those that came after them,
although Spanish fleets, still were manned by many nationalities and in them
were negroes, Moluccans, and even men from the Philippines and the Marianes
Islands.
These centuries ago it was the custom to write as intolerantly as Morga does, but
nowadays it would be called a bit presumptuous. No one has a monopoly of the
true God nor is there any nation or religion that can claim, or at any rate prove,
that to it has ben given the exclusive right to the Creator of all things or sole
knowledge of His real being.
The conversions by the Spaniards were not as general as their historians claim.
The missionaries only succeeded in converting a part of the people of the
Philippines. Still there are Mohammedans, the Moros, in the southern islands,
and Negritos, Igorots and other heathens yet occupy the greater part territorially
of the archipelago. Then the islands which the Spaniards early held but soon lost
are non-Christian -- Formosa, Borneo, and the Moluccas. And if thre are
Christians in the Carolines, that is due to Protestants, whom neither the Roman
Catholics of Morga's day nor many Catholics in our own day consider Christians.
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It is not the fact that the Filipinos were unprotected before the coming of the
Spaniards. Morga himself says, further on in telling of the pirate raids from the
islands had arms and defended themselves. But after the natives were disarmed
the pirates pillaged them with impunity, coming at times when they were
unprotected by the government, which was the reason for many of the
insurrections.
The civilization of the Pre-Spanish Filipinos in regard to the duties of life for
that age was well advanced, as the Morga history shows in its eighth chapter.
The islands came under Spanish sovereignty and control through compacts,
treaties of friendship and alliances for reciprocity. By virtue of the last
arrangement, according to some historians, Magellan lost his life on Mactan and
the soldiers of Legaspi fought under the banner of King Tupas of Cebu.
The term "conquest" is admissible but for a part of the islands and then only in
its broadest sense. Cebu, Panay, Luzon, Mindoro, and some others cannot be
said to have been conquered.
The discovery, conquest and conversion cost Spanish blood but still m ore
Filipino blood. It will be seen later on in Morga that with the Spaniards and on
behalf of Spain there were always more Filipinos fighting than Spaniards.
Morga shows that the ancient Filipinos had army and navy with artillery and
other implements of warfare. Their prized krises and kampilans for their
magnificent temper are worthy of admiration and some of them are richly
damascened. Their coats of mail and helmets, of which there are specimens in
various European museums, attest their great advancement in this industry.
Morga's expression that the Spaniards "brought war to the gates of the Filipinos"
is in marked contrast with the word used by subsequent historians whenever
recording Spain's possessing herself of a province, that she pacified it. Perhaps
"to make peace" then meant the same as "to stir up war." (This is a veiled allusion
to the old Latin saying of Romans, often quoted by Spaniard's that they make a
desert, calling it making peace. -- Austin Craig)
Megellan's transferring from the service of his own king (i.e. the Portuguese) to
employment under the King of Spain, according to historic documents, was
because the Portuguese King had refused to grant him the raise in salary which
he asked
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Now it is known that Magellan was mistaken when he represented to the King
of Spain that the Molucca Islands were within the limits assigned by the Pope to
the Spaniards. But through this error and the inaccuracy of the nautical
instruments of that time, the Philippines did not fall into the hands of the
Portuguese.
Cebu, which Morga calls "The City of the Most Holy Name of Jesus," was at
first called "The village of San Miguel."
The image of the Holy Child of Cebu, which many religious writers believed
was brought to Cebu by the angels, was in fact given by the worthy Italian
chronicler of Magellan's expedition, the Chevalier Pigafetta, to the Cebuan
queen.
The expedition of Villalobos, intermediate between Magallan's and Legaspi's

gave the name "Philipina" to one of the southern islands, Tendaya, now perhaps
Leyte, and this name later was extended to the whole archipelago.
Of the native Manila rulers at the coming of the Spaniards, Raja Soliman was
called "Rahang mura", or young king, in distinction from the old king, "Rahang
matanda". Historians have confused these personages.
The native fort at the mouth of the Pasig river, which Morga speaks of as
equipped with brass lantkas and artillery of larger caliber, had its ramparts
reinforced with thick hardwood posts such as the Tagalogs used for their houses
and called "harigues", or "haligui".
Morga has evidently confused the pacific coming of Legaspi with the attack of
Goiti and Salcedo, as to date. According to other historians it was in 1570 that
Manila was burned, and with it a great plant for manufacturing artillery. Goiti
did not take possession of the city but withdrew to Cavite and afterwards to to
Panay, which makes one suspicious of his alleged victory. As to the day of the
date, the Spaniards then, having come following the course of the sun, were some
sixteen hours later than Europe. This condition continued until the end of the
year 1844, when the 31st of December was by special arrangement among the
authorities dropped from the calendar for that year. Accordingly Legaspi did not
arrive in Manila on the 19th but on the 20th of May and consequently it was not
on the festival of Santa Potenciana but on San Baudelio's day. The same mistake
was made with reference to the other earlyl events still wrongly commemorated,
like San Andres's day for the repulse of the Chinese corsair Li Ma-hong.
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Though not mentioned by Morga, the Cebuans aided the Spaniards in their
expedition against Manila, for which reason they were long exempted from
tribute.
The southern islands, the Bisayas, were also called "The land of the Painted
People (or Pintados, in Spanish)" because the natives had their bodies decorated
with tracings made with fire, somewhat like tattooing.
The Spaniards retained the native name for the new capital of the archipelago, a
little changed, however, for the Tagalogs had called their city "Maynila."
When Morga says that the lands were "entrusted (given as encomiendas) to those
who had "pacified" them, he means "divided up among." The word "entrust,"
like "pacify," later came to have a sort of ironical signification. To entrust a
province was then as if it wre said that it was turned over to sack, abandoned to
the cruelty and covetousness of the encomendero, to judge from the way these
gentry misbehaved.
Legaspi's grandson, Salcedo, called the Hernando Cortez of the Philippines, was
the "conqueror's" intelligent right arm and the hero of the "conquest." His
honesty and fine qualities, talent and personal bravery, all won the admiration of
the Filipinos. Because of him they yielded to their enemies, making peace and
friendship with the Spaniards. He it was who saved Manila from Li Ma-hong.
He died at the early age of twenty-seven and is the only encomendero recorded
to have left the great part of his possessions to the Indians of his encomienda.
Vigan was his encomienda and the Illokanos there were his heirs.
The expedition which followed the Chinese corsair Li Ma-hong, after his
unsuccessful attack upon Manila, to Pangasinan province, with the Spaniards of
whom Morga tells, had in it 1,500 friendly Indians from Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and
Panay, besides the many others serving as laborers and crews of the ships.
Former Raja Lakandola, of Tondo, with his sons and his kinsmen went too, with
200 more Bisayans and they wre joined by other Filipinos in Pangasinan.
If discovery and occupation justify annexation, then Borneo ought to belong to

Spain. In the Spanish expedition to replace on its throne a Sirela or Malacla, as
he is variously called, who had been driven out by his brother, more than fifteen
hundred Filipino bowmen from the provinces of Pangasinan, Kagayan and the
Bisayas participated.
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It is notable how strictly the early Spanish governors were held to account. Some
stayed in Manila as prisoners, one, Governor Corcuera, passed five years with
Fort Santiago as his prison.
In the fruitless expedition against the Portuguese in the island of Ternate, in the
Molucca group, which was abandoned because of the prevalence of beriberi
among the troops, there went 1,500 Filipino soldiers from the more warlike
provinces, principally Kagayans and Pampangans.
The "pacification" of Kagayan was accomplished by taking advantage of the

jealousies among its people, particularly the rivalry between two brothers who
were chiefs. An early historian asserts that without this fortunate circumstance,
for the Spaniards, it would have been impossible to subjugate them.
Captain Gabriel de Rivera, a Spanish commander who had gained fame in a raid
on Borneo and the Malacca coast, was the first envoy from the Philippines to
take up with the King of Spain the needs of the archipelago.
The early conspiracy of the Manila and Pampangan former chiefs was revealed
to the Spaniards by a Filipina, the wife of a soldier, and many concerned lost
their lives.
The artillery cast for the new stone fort in Manila, says Morga, was by the hand
of an ancient Filipino. That is, he knew how to cast cannon even before the
coming of the Spaniards, hence he was distinguished as "ancient." In this
difficult art of ironworking, as in so many others, the modern or present-day
Filipinos are not so far advanced as were their ancestors.
When the English freebooter Cavandish captured the Mexican galleon Santa
Ana, with 122,000 gold pesos, a great quantity of rich textiles -- silks, satins and
damask, musk perfume, and stores of provisions, he took 150 prisoners. All these
because of their brave defense were put ashore with ample supplies, except two
Japanese lads, three Filipinos, a Portuguese and a skilled Spanish pilot whom he
kept as guides in his further voyaging.
From the earliest Spanish days ships were built in the islands, which might be
considered evidence of native culture. Nowadays this industry is reduced to
small craft, scows and coasters.
The Jesuit, Father Alonso Sanchez, who visited the papal court at Rome and the
Spanish King at Madrid, had a mission much like that of deputies now, but of
even greater importance since he came to be a sort of counselor or representative
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to the absolute monarch of that epoch. One wonders why the Philippines could
have a representative then but may not have one now.
In the time of Governor Gomez Perez Dasmariñas, Manila was guarded against
further damage sch as was suffered from Li Ma-hong by the construction of a
massive stone wall around it. This was accomplished "without expense to the
royal treasury." The same governor, in like manner, also fortified the point at the
entrance to the river where had been the ancient native fort of wood, and he gave
it the name Fort Santiago.
The early cathedral of wood which was burned which was burned through
carelessness at the time of the funeral of Governor Dasmariñas' predecessor,
Governor Ronquillo, was made, according to the Jesuit historian Chirino, with
hardwood pillars around which two men could not reach, and in harmony with
this massiveness was all the woodwork above and below. It may be surmised
from this how hard workers were the Filipinos of that time.
A stone house for the bishop was built before starting on the governor-general's
residence. This precedence is interesting for those who uphold the civil power.
Morga's mention of the scant output the scant output of large artillery from the
Manila cannon works because of lack of master foundry workers shows that after
the death of the Filipino Panday Pira there were not Spaniards skilled enough to
take his place, nor were his sons as expert as he.
It is worthy of note that China, Japan and Cambodia at this time maintained
relations with the Philippines. But in our day it has been more than a century
since the natives of the latter two countries have come here. The causes which
ended the relationship may be found in the interference by the religious orders
with the institutions of those lands.
For Governor Dasmariñas' expedition to conquer Ternate, in the Moluccan

group, two Jesuits there gave secret information. In his 200 ships, besides 900
Spaniards, there must have been Filipinos for one chronicler speaks of Indians,
as the Spaniards called the natives of the Philippines, who lost their lives and
others who were made captives when the Chinese rowers mutinied. It was the
custom then always to have a thousand or more native bowmen and besides the
crew were almost all Filipinos, for the most part Bisayans.
The historian Argensola, in telling of four special galleys for Dasmariñas'

expedition, says that they were manned by an expedient which was generally
considered rather harsh. It was ordered that there be bought enough of the
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Indians who were slaves of the former Indian chiefs, or principals, to form these
crews, and the price, that which had been customary in pre-Spanish times, was
to be advanced by the ecomenderos who later would be reimbursed from the
royal treasury. In spite of this promised compensation, the measures still seem
severe since those Filipinos were not correct in calling their dependents slaves.
The masters treated these, and loved them, like sons rather, for they seated them
at their own tables and gve them their own daughters in marriage.
Morga says that the 250 Chinese oarsmen who manned Governor Dasmariñas'
swift galley were under pay and had the special favor of not being chained to
their benches. According to him it was covetousness of the wealth aboard that
led them to revolt and kill the governor. But the historian Gaspar de San Agustin
states that the reason for the revolt was the governor's abusive language and his
threatening the rowers. Both these authors' allegations may have contributed, but
more important was the fact that there was no law to compel these Chinamen to
row in the galleys. They had come to Manila to engage in commerce or to work
in trades or to follow professions. Still the incident contradicts the reputation for
enduring everything which they have had. The Filipinos have been much more
long-suffering than the Chinese since, in spite of having been obliged to row on
more than one occasion, they never mutinied.
It is difficult to excuse the missionaries' disregard of the laws of nations and the
usages of honorable politics in their interference in Cambodia on the ground that
it was to spread the Faith. Religion had a broad field awaiting them in the
Philippines where more than nine-tenths of the natives were infidels. That even
now there are to be found here so many tribes and settlements of non-Christians
takes away much of the prestige of that religious zeal which in the easy life in
towns of wealth, liberal and fond of display, grows lethargic. Truth is that the
ancient activity was scarcely for the Faith alone, because the missionaries had to
go to islands rich in spices and gold though there were at hand Mohammedans
and Jews in Spain and Africa, Indians by the million in the Americas, and more
millions of protestants, schismatics and heretics peopled, and still people, over
six-sevenths of Europe. All of these doubtless would have accepted the Light
and the true religion if the friars, under pretext of preaching to them, had not
abused their hospitality and if behind the name Religion had not lurked the
unnamed Domination.
In the attempt made by Rodriguez de Figueroa to conquer Mindanao according

to his contract with the King of Spain, there was fighting along the Rio Grande
with the people called the Buhahayenes. Their general, according to Argensola,
was the celebrated Silonga, later distinguished for many deeds in raids on the
Bisayas and adjacent islands. Chirino relates an anecdote of his coolness under
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fire once during a truce for a marriage among Mindanao "principalia." Young
Spaniards out of bravado fired at his feet but he passed on as if unconscious of
the bullets.
Argensola has preserved the name of the Filipino who killed Rodriguez de
Figueroa. It was Ubal. Two days previously he had given a banquet, slaying for
it a beef animal of his own, and then made the promise which he kept, to do away
with the leader of the Spanish invaders. A Jesuit writer calls him a traitor though
the justification for that term of reproach is not apparent. The Buhahayen people
were in their own country, and had neither offended nor declared war upon the
Spaniards. They had to defend their homes against a powerful invader, with
superior forces, many of whom were, by reason of their armor, invulnerable so
far as rude Indians were concerned. Yet these same Indians were defenseless
against the balls from their muskets. By the Jesuit's line of reasoning, the heroic
Spanish peasantry in their war for independence would have been a people even
more treacherous. It was not Ubal's fault that he was not seen and, as it was
wartime, it would have been the height of folly, in view of the immense disparity
of arms, to have first called out to this preoccupied opponent, and then been
killed himself.
The muskets used by the Buhayens were probably some that had belonged to
Figueroa's soldiers who had died in battle. Though the Philippines had latakas
and other artillery, muskets were unknown until the Spaniards came.
That the Spaniards used the word "discover" very carelessly may be seen from
an admiral's turning in a report of his "discovery" of the Solomon islands though
he noted that the islands had been discovered before.
Death has always been the first sign of European civilization on its introduction
in the Pacific Ocean. God grant that it may not be the last, though to judge by
statistics the civilized islands are losing their populations at a terrible rate.
Magellan himself inaugurated his arrival in the Marianes islands by burning
more than forty houses, many small craft and seven people because one of his
ships had been stolen. Yet to the simple savages the act had nothing wrong in it
but was done with the same naturalness that civilized people hunt, fish, and
subjugate people that are weak or ill-armed.
The Spanish historians of the Philippines never overlook any opportunity, be it

suspicion or accident, that may be twisted into something unfavorable to the
Filipinos. They seem to forget that in almost every case the reason for the rupture
has been some act of those who were pretending to civilize helpless peoples by
force of arms and at the cost of their native land. What would these same writers
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have said if the crimes committed by the Spaniards, the Portuguese and the
Dutch in their colonies had been committed by the islanders?
The Japanese were not in error when they suspected the Spanish and Portuguese
religious propaganda to have political motives back of the missionary activities.
Witness the Moluccas where Spanish missionaries served as spies; Cambodia,
which it was sought to conquer under cloak of converting; and many other
nations, among them the Filipinos, where the sacrament of baptism made of the
inhabitants not only subjects of the King of Spain but also slaves of the
encomenderos, and as well slaves of the churches and converts. What would
Japan have been now had not its emperors uprooted Catholicism? A missionary
record of 1625 sets forth that the King of Spain had arranged with certain
members of Philippine religious orders that, under guise of preaching the faith
and making Christians, they should win over the Japanese and oblige them to
make themselves of the Spanish party, and finally it told of a plan whereby the
King of Spain should become also King of Japan. In corroboration of this may
be cited the claims that Japan fell within the Pope's demarcation lines for Spanish
expansion and so there was complaint of missionaries other than Spanish there.
Therefore it was not for religion that they were converting the infidels!
The raid by Datus Sali and Silonga of Mindanao, in 1599 with 50 sailing vessels
and 3,000 warriors, against the capital of Panay, is the first act of piracy by the
inhabitants of the South which is recorded in Philippine history. I say "by the
inhabitants of the South" because earlier there had been other acts of piracy, the
earliest being that of Magellan's expedition when it seized the shipping of
friendly islands and even of those whom they did not know, extorting for them
heavy ransoms. It will be remembered that these Moro piracies continued for
more than two centuries, during which the indomitable sons of the South made
captives and carried fire and sword not only in neighboring islands but into
Manila Bay to Malate, to the very gates of the capital, and not once a year merely
but at times repeating their raids five and six times in a single season. Yet the
government was unable to repel them or to defend the people whom it had
disarmed and left without protection. Estimating that the cost to the islands was
but 800 victims a year, still the total would be more than 200,000 persons sold
into slavery or killed, all sacrificed together with so many other things to the
prestige of that empty title, Spanish sovereignty.
Still the Spaniards say that the Filipinos have contributed nothing to Mother
Spain, and that it is the islands which owe everything. It may be so, but what
about the enormous sum of gold which was taken from the islands in the early
years of Spanish rule, of the tributes collected by the encomenderos, of the nine
million dollars yearly collected to pay the military, expenses of the employees,
85 | P a g e
diplomatic agents, corporations and the like, charged to the Philippines, with
salaries paid out of the Philippine treasury not only for those who come to the
Philippines but also for those who leave, to some who never have been and never
will be in the islands, as well as to others who have nothing to do with them. Yet
allof this is as nothing in comparison with so many captives gone, such a great
number of soldiers killed in expeditions, islands depopulated, their inhabitants
sold as slaves by the Spaniards themselves, the death of industry, the
demoralization of the Filipinos, and so forth, and so forth. Enormous indeed
would the benefits which that sacred civilization brought to the archipelago have
to be in order to counterbalance so heavy a cost.
While Japan was preparing to invade the Philippines, these islands were sending
expeditions to Tonquin and Cambodia, leaving the homeland helpless, even
against the undisciplined hordes from the South, so obsessed were the Spaniards
with the idea of making conquests.
In the alleged victory of Morga over the Dutch ships, the latter found upon the
bodies of five Spaniards, who lost their lives in that combat, little silver boxes
filled with prayers and invocations to the saints. Here would seem to be the origin
of the anting-anting of the modern tulisanes, which are also of a religious
character.
In Morga's time, the Philippines exported silk to Japan whence now comes the
best quality of that merchandise.
Morga's views upon the failure of Governor Pedro de Acuña's ambitious

expedition against the Moros unhappily still apply for the same conditions yet
exist. For fear of uprisings and loss of Spain's sovereignty over the islands, the
inhabitants were disarmed, leaving them exposed to the harassing of a powerful
and dreaded enemy. Even now, though the use of steam vessels has put an end
to piracy from outside, the same fatal system still is followed. The peaceful
country folk are deprived of arms and thus made unable to defend themselves
against the bandits, or tulisanes, which the government cannot restrain. It is an
encouragement to banditry thus to make easy its getting booty.
Hernando de los Rios blames these Moluccan wars for the fact that at first the
Philippines were a source of expense to Spain instead of profitable in spite of the
tremendous sacrifices of the Filipinos, their practically gratuitous labor in
building and equipping the galleons, and despite, too, the tribute, tariffs and other
imposts and monopolies. These wars to gain the Moluccas, which soon were lost
forever with the little that had been so laboriously obtained, were a heavy drain
upon the Philippines. They depopulated the country and bankrupted the treasury,
86 | P a g e
with not the slightest compensating benefit. True also is it that it was to gain the
Moluccas that Spain kept the Philippines, the desire for the rich spice islands
being one of the most powerful arguments when, because of their expense to
him, the King thought of withdrawing and abandoning them.
Among the Filipinos who aided the government when the Manila Chinese
revolted, Argensola says there were 4,000 Pampangans "armed after the way of
their land, with bows and arrows, short lances, shields, and broad and long
daggers." Some Spanish writers say that the Japanese volunteers and the
Filipinos showed themselves cruel in slaughtering the Chinese refugees. This
may very well have been so, considering the hatred and rancor then existing, but
those in command set the example.
The loss of two Mexican galleons in 1603 called forth no comment from the
religious chroniclers who were accustomed to see the avenging hand of God in
the misfortunes and accidents of their enemies. Yet there were repeated
shipwrecks of the vessels that carried from the Philippines wealth which
encomenderos had extorted from the Filipinos, using force, or making their own
laws, and when not using these open means, cheating by the weights and
measures.
The Filipino chiefs who at their own expense went with the Spanish expedition
against Ternate, in the Moluccas, in 1605, were Don Guillermo Palaot, Maestro
de Campo, and Captains Francisco Palaot, Juan Lit, Luis Lont, and Agustin Lont.
They had with them 400 Tagalogs and Pampangans. The leaders bore themselves
bravely for Argensola writes that in the assault on Ternate, "No officer, Spaniard
or Indian, went unscathed!"
The Cebuans drew a pattern on the skin before starting in to tatoo. The Bisayan
usage then was the same procedure that the Japanese today follow.
Ancient traditions ascribe the origin of the Malay Filipinos to the island of
Samatra. These traditions were almost completely lost as well as the mythology
and the genealogies of which the early historians tell, thanks to the zeal of the
missionaries in eradicating all national remembrances as heathen or idolatrous.
The study of ethnology is restring this somewhat.
The chiefs used to wear upper garments, usually of Indian fine gauze according
to Colin, of red color, a shade for which they had the same fondness that the
Romans had. The barbarous tribes in Mindanao still have the same taste.
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The "easy virtue" of the native women that historians note is not solely to the
simplicity with which they obeyed their natural instincts but much more due to
a religious belief of which Father Chirino tells. It was that in the journey after
death to "Kalualhatiran," the abode of the spirit, there was a dangerous river to
cross that had no bridge other than a very narrow strip of wood over which a
woman could not pass unless she had a husband or lover to extend a hand to
assist her. Furthermore, the religious annals of the early missions are filled with
countless instances where native maidens chose death rather than sacrifice their
chastity to the threats and violence of encomenderos and Spanish soldiers. As to
the mercenary social evil, that is worldwide and there is no nation that can "throw
the first stone" at the other. For the rest, today the Philippines has no reason to
blush in comparing its womankind with the women of the most chaste nation in
the world.
Morga's remark that the Filipinos like fish better when it is commencing to turn
bad is another of those prejudices which Spaniards like all other nations, have.
In matters of food, each is nauseated with what he is unaccustomed to or doesn't
know is eatable. The English, for example, find their gorge rising when they see
a Spaniard eating snails, while in turn the Spanish find roast beef English-style
repugnant and can't understand the relish of other Europeans for beef steak a la
Tartar which to them is simply raw meat. The Chinamen, who likes shark's meat,
cannot bear Roquefort cheese, and these examples might be indefinitely
extended. The Filipinos favorite fish dish is the bagong and whoever has tried to
eat it knows that it is not considered improved when tainted. It neither is, nor
ought to be, decayed.
Colin says the ancient Filipinos had had minstrels who had memorized songs
telling their genealogies and of the deeds ascribed to their deities. These were
chanted on voyages in cadence with the rowing, or at festivals, or funerals, or
wherever there happened to be any considerable gatherings. It is regrettable that
these chants have not been preserved as from them it would have been possible
to learn much of the Filipinos' past and possibly of the history of neighboring
islands.
The cannon foundry mentioned by Morga as in the walled city was probably on
the site of the Tagalog one which was destroyed by fire on the first coming of
the Spaniards. That established in 1584 was in Lamayan, that is, Santa Ana now,
and was transferred to the old site in 1590. It continued to work until 1805.
According to Gaspar San Augustin, the cannon which the pre-Spanish Filipinos
cast were "as great as those of Malaga," Spain's foundry. The Filipino plant was
burned with all that was in it save a dozen large cannons and some smaller pieces
which the Spanish invaders took back with them to Panay. The rest of their
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artillery equipment had been thrown by the Manilans, then Moros, into the sea
when they recognized their defeat.
Malate, better Maalat, was where the Tagalog aristocracy lived after they were
dispossessed by the Spaniards of their old homes in what is now the walled city
of Manila. Among the Malate residents were the families of Raja Matanda and
Raja Soliman. The men had various positions in Manila and some were
employed in government work nearby. "They were very courteous and well-
mannered," says San Agustin. "The women were very expert in lace-making, so
much so that they were not at all behind the women of Flanders."
Morga's statement that there was not a province or town of the Filipinos that
resisted conversion or did not want it may have been true of the civilized natives.
But the contrary was the fact among the mountain tribes. We have the testimony
of several Dominican and Augustinian missionaries that it was impossible to go
anywhere to make conversions without other Filipinos along and a guard of
soldiers. "Otherwise, says Gaspan de San Agustin, there would have been no
fruit of the Evangelic Doctrine gathered, for the infidels wanted to kill the Friars
who came to preach to them." An example of this method of conversion given
by the same writer was a trip to the mountains by two Friars who had a numerous
escort of Pampangans. The escort's leader was Don Agustin Sonson who had a
reputation for daring and carried fire and sword into the country, killing many,
including the chief, Kabadi.
"The Spaniards," says Morga, "were accustomed to hold as slaves such natives
as they bought and others that they took in the forays in the conquest or
pacification of the islands." Consequently in this respect the "pacifiers"
introduced no moral improvement. We even do not know if in their wars the
Filipinos used to make slaves of each other, though that would not have been
strange, for the chroniclers tell of captives returned to their own people. The
practice of the Southern pirates, almost proves this, although in these piratical
wars the Spaniards were the first aggressors and gave them their character.
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Activity 1:
1. Choose 1 Annotation and make an analysis.

2. Explain How is Morga and Rizal Related
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E. The Indolence of the Filipinos
LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Reflect on the experience of the Filipinos

 Understand their Suffering
Read! Read! Read!

The Indolence of the Filipinos
Essay published in La Solidaridad Madrid, Spain (July 15, 1890 – September 15,
1890)
Why did Rizal write this essay? ,Rizal wrote this essay to defend the Filipinos
from the charge that they were born indolent.
( Indolent ; Idle, Lazy, little love for work, lack of activity)
1. Wars the inhabitants of the Philippines were dragged to maintain the honor of
Spain (thousands and thousands of Filipinos were sent but nothing was said if
they ever returned to their homes.) great diminution of the natives because the
governors got them as crews for the vessels they send out.
2. Piratical Attacks devastation of the terrible pirates Reduced more and more
the number of inhabitants of the Philippines burned down the towns, captured
and enslaved men disarmed and subjected to tributes so that they were left
without the means to defend themselves
3. Attitude of the Friars At that time, the friars advised their poor parishioners:
to stop work in the mines, to abandon their industries, to destroy their looms
and pointing them that heaven is their sole hope The friars told them that it is
easier for a poor man to enter heaven than for a rich man
4.Lessening encouragement to Labor Trade contact or relations between the

Borneans, Siamese, Cambodians and Japanese nations were being cut off The
coast wide trade which was flourishing before disappeared
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5. Miserly return for one’s Labor (selfish, greedy, mean) ,Encomenderos

,reduced many to slavery ,compelled Filipinos to work for their benefit ,Made
them sell their products at an insignificant price or for nothing or cheated them
with false measures ,Treated them like slaves
6. Gambling , The sugal (from the Spanish word jugar, to gamble) indicates that
gambling was unknown in the Philippines before the Spaniards , Balasa – from
the Spanish word barajar, the introduction of playing cards
7. Fiestas , Gave their contribution to large number of fiestas, lengthy masses,

novenae, processions, rosaries , Filipinos were much less lazy before the word
miracle was introduced into their language
8. Curtailment of individual liberty , (to cut off, to cut short, doubtful) ,

Individual liberty is being cut off , accused of being a filibustero (rebel) or a
suspect , Lack of confidence in the future , Uncertainty of reaping the fruits of
their labor
9. Apathy of the Government ,No encouragement, aid pertaining to commerce

or agriculture ,The products coming from the Philippines were burdened with
imposts and duties and have no free entry in the ports of the mother country and
the consumption of the products are not encouraged ,Due to the fraudulent
(dishonest, deceitful) manipulations of the Chinese, the Filipino industries were
dying.
10. Ownership of the big estates by the friars , the best estates, the best tracts of
land in some provinces were in the hands of the religious corporations , the friars
have deceived many by making them believe that those estates were prospering
because those were under their supervision
11. Lack of moral support , Absence of moral support , Absence of help from
the government , Chemist (competitive examination) , Young man won a prize
in a literary contest , Education of the Filipino
12. Deprivation of human dignity , the students have to contend with the daily
preaching that lowers human dignity, gradually or brutally killing their self-
respect , Priests who boldly declared that it is evil for the Filipinos to know
Castilian, that the Filipinos should not be separated from his carabao, and that
he should not have any further ambition.
13. Feeling of inferiority Constant plucking (pulling, removing) of the soul ,

Deadens the energy , Paralyzes all tendency towards advancement
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14. Vicious dressing of the intelligence and will , “You can’t do more than old
So and So!- Don’t aspire to be greater than the curate! You belong to an inferior
race! You haven’t any energy.” , They say this to the child; and as it is repeated
so often, it has inevitably engraved in his mind and thence it seals and shapes all
his actions. , Ridicules with cruel sarcasm
15. Lack of an ideal for a good worker , the Filipinos’ spirits were transformed
according to the taste of the nation that imposed upon them its God and its laws
INSTEAD: , Ideal and prototype tanned and muscular laborer (who should have
brought along with him the useful iron implements and the hoes to till the fields)
BUT IT WAS AN: , Aristocratic lord who brought along with him stamped
papers, crucifixes, bulls and prayer books
AS A RESULT: , the imitative people became clerks, devout, prayer-loving,

acquired ideas of luxurious and ostentatious living without improving
correspondingly their means of subsistence.
16. Lack of national sentiment , (expression of emotional ideas, feelings, etc.) ,

Scarcity of any opposition to the measures that are prejudicial to the people and
the absence of any initiative that will redound to their welfare , Deprived of the
right of association, therefore they were weak and inert (inactive, unmotivated,
passive)
Activity 1:
Write A reaction paper of the essay written by Jose Rizal , The Indolence of the
Filipinos.
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F. Jose Rizal and Philippine Nationalism
LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Know how patriotic is Jose Rizal

 Reflect on Nationalism
Read! Read! Read!

Rizal had been very vocal against the Spanish government, but in a peaceful and
progressive manner. For him, “the pen was mightier than the sword.” And
through his writings, he exposed the corruption and wrongdoings of government
officials as well as the Spanish friars.
While in Barcelona, Rizal contributed essays, poems, allegories, and editorials

to the Spanish newspaper, La Solidaridad. Most of his writings, both in his
essays and editorials, centered on individual rights and freedom, specifically for
the Filipino people. As part of his reforms, he even called for the inclusion of
the Philippines to become a province of Spain.
But, among his best works, two novels stood out from the rest – Noli Me Tángere
(Touch Me Not) and El Filibusterismo (The Reign of the Greed).
In both novels, Rizal harshly criticized the Spanish colonial rule in the country
and exposed the ills of Philippine society at the time. And because he wrote about
the injustices and brutalities of the Spaniards in the country, the authorities
banned Filipinos from reading the controversial books. Yet they were not able
to ban it completely. As more Filipinos read the books, their eyes opened to the
truth that they were suffering unspeakable abuses at the hands of the friars. These
two novels by Rizal, now considered his literary masterpieces, are said to have
indirectly sparked the Philippine Revolution.
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Upon his return to the Philippines, Rizal formed a progressive organization

called the La Liga Filipina. This civic movement advocated social reforms
through legal means. Now Rizal was considered even more of a threat by the
Spanish authorities (alongside his novels and essays), which ultimately led to his
exile in Dapitan in northern Mindanao.
This however did not stop him from continuing his plans for reform. While in
Dapitan, Rizal built a school, hospital, and water system. He also taught farming
and worked on agricultural projects such as using abaca to make ropes.
In 1896, Rizal was granted leave by then Governor-General Blanco, after

volunteering to travel to Cuba to serve as doctor to yellow fever victims. But at
that time, the Katipunan had a full-blown revolution and Rizal was accused of
being associated with the secret militant society. On his way to Cuba, he was
arrested in Barcelona and sent back to Manila to stand for trial before the court
martial. Rizal was charged with sedition, conspiracy, and rebellion – and
therefore, sentenced to death by firing squad.
Days before his execution, Rizal bid farewell to his motherland and countrymen
through one of his final letters, entitled Mi último adiós or My Last Farewell.
Dr. José Rizal was executed on the morning of December 30, 1896, in what was
then called Bagumbayan (now referred to as Luneta). Upon hearing the
command to shoot him, he faced the squad and uttered in his final breath:
“Consummatum est” (It is finished). According to historical accounts, only one
bullet ended the life of the Filipino martyr and hero.
Today, Dr. Rizal’s brilliance, compassion, courage, and patriotism are greatly
remembered and recognized by the Filipino people. His two novels are
continuously being analyzed by students and professionals.
Colleges and universities in the Philippines even require their students to take a
subject which centers around the life and works of Rizal. Every year, the
Filipinos celebrate Rizal Day – December 30 each year – to commemorate his
life and works. Filipinos look back at how his founding of La Liga Filipina and
97 | P a g e
his two novels had an effect on the early beginnings of the Philippine Revolution.
The people also recognize his advocacy to achieve liberty through peaceful
means rather than violent revolution.
In honor of Rizal, memorials and statues of the national hero can be found not
only within the Philippines, but in selected cities around the world. A road in the
Chanakyapuri area of New Delhi (India) and in Medan, Indonesia is named after
him. The José Rizal Bridge and Rizal Park in the city of Seattle are also dedicated
to the late hero.
Within the Philippines, there are streets, towns/cities, a university (Rizal

University), and a province named after him. Three species have also been
named after Rizal – the Draco rizali (a small lizard, known as a flying dragon),
Apogania rizali (a very rare kind of beetle with five horns) and the Rhacophorus
rizali (a peculiar frog species).
To commemorate what he did for the country, the Philippines built a memorial
park for him – now referred to as Rizal Park, found in Manila. There lies a
monument which contains a standing bronze sculpture of Rizal, an obelisk, and
a stone base said to contain his remains. The monument stands near the place
where he fell during his execution in Luneta.
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Activity 1:
In terms of Nationalism how can you compare and contrast yourself and Rizal in Ven Diagram?
Rizal you
Activity 2:
Write at least 10 instances that you have shown nationalsm

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
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G. Rizal’s Moral Thoughts
LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Reflect form the Moral Thoughts of Rizal
Read! Read! Read!

 Leading Virtues: Why we need to Love of Parents know Rizal’s Moral Charity Legacies? Love of
Country Love of God Courage Purity and Will-power Idealism Honesty Noble Conduct Love of
Fellowmen
 Devotion to Truth Courtesy andSelf-Sacrifice PolitenessFortitude ThriftSerenity GratitudeSelf-
Control Love for JusticeInitiative Living by ExampleTolerancePrudenceObedience
 Why we need to know Rizal’s MoralLegacies?• The enduring greatness of Rizal lies in the
richness of his ideas and the nobility of his examples. The validity of his progressive thoughts and
soul-searching teachings is his legacy to humanity.
 • Rizals prophetic insights and matchless visions on how the Filipinos can travels the road to
progress so that they can enjoy the fullness of nationhood ---- economically, politically,
educationally, socially and culturally under the mantle of national solidarity --- are inspiring.
 Love of God• When he was studying in Madrid, Spain (1882-1885), Rizal assured his mother of
his trust in God.• When his sister Olympia died after childbirth upon his arrival in the Philippines
from Europe in August, 1887, Rizal remarked: “I console myself saying that it was the will of
God and what He does must be the best.”
 Purity and Idealism• “Pure and Spotless Must the Victim Be.” Another virtue of Rizal worth
emulating was his insistence on purity of thoughts and clean behavior.• Perfection in virtue is a
condition of our union with God.
 • In his famous El Filibusterismo, a Decalogue for the Political Redemption and Human
Dignification of the Filipinos, Father Florentino softly pressed the challenge to perfection of
character traits on the dying Simoun who used his ill-gotten wealth to destroy Philippine society
in working woe, distorting justice and fomenting avarice.
 Noble Conduct• “Do Good Always”• Purity of thoughts and clean behavior require that
religiousness be shown in “good conduct”, “clean conscience” and “upright thinking”.• Rizal
exhorted mothers to awaken the mind of the child and prepare it for every good desirable idea.
 Love of Fellowmen• “Let Us Think Well of Our Fellowmen”. Another great virtue of Rizal in
conformity with what God desires was his love for his fellowmen.• Love of neighbor to be
sincere entails involvement in his behalf.• Rizal’s thought on love our fellowmen are timely in
these time.
 Love of Parents• “I Beg My Beloved Parents to Always Bless Their Son”• Rizal’s great love for
his parents was very admirable. His concern over their sacrifices and his thoughtfulness are worth
initiating.
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 Charity• “I Feel Happy When I Can Give Joy to Somebody”• Charity is the greatest of all the
virtues because it inclines us to love God above all things for His own sake, and our neighbors for
the sake of God.
 Love of Country• “My Dream Was My Country’s Prosperity”• Dedication to one’s duty was an
admirable virtue of Rizal. In saying that it is man’s duty to seek his own perfection, Rizal set an
idea for man to attain. He elaborated on this idealism.
 • Rizal dedicated his whole life in securing freedom for his country and happiness for his people,
a devotion unparalleled in the history of his country.• “My mission”, he told his former mentor at
the Ateneo, Father Paula de Sanchez, “is to make men worthy”.
 Courage• “If I’m to Be Condemned for Desiring the Welfare of My Country, Condemn Me”•
Rizal’s courage in loving his country is a virtue that is very relevant today. His moral courage to
do only the best for his people is worth imitating by our leaders.
 • Rizal possessed the essential element of responsive leadership, that is attending to the needs of
the people in order to keep their love and affection.
 Will-Power• “Always with Our Gaze Fixed on Our Country”• Rizal’s decisions to give his life
for his country demonstrated the perfection of his will to do the duty assigned to him by God.
This was an admirable virtue considering that Spain had adopted a policy of implanting an
inferiority complex on the Filipinos the better to govern them. Rizal did not accept the belief that
his people were irredeemable.
 • He had a clear vision of what to do to make his people happy and he exerted his best to
accomplish this objective.
 Honesty• “The Greatest Honor that a Son Can Pay to His Parents Is Integrity and a Good Man”•
Integrity is uprightness or a state of being of sound moral principle. Rizal’s honesty was the result
of his constant love and search for the truth. He possessed I to a high degree of excellence which
everyone of us should imitate.
 • Lest we forget, sincerity is a sign of humility, the virtue which makes us know the truth about
ourselves, to accept the truth and live according to it.• The basic element of humility is the
acceptance that whatever we possess we owe to God who has planned a duty for us.
 Devotion of Truth• “It is Not Good to Hide The Truth”• Rizal’s constant search for truth in
serving his country was an inspiring virtue that endeared him to his people. The is the same
simple trait our people are looking from our leaders.
 • Wanting to get at the cause of his people’s backwardness, Rizal made intensive studies and
carried on extensive observations on the progress of nations.
 Self-Sacrifice• “My Ambition Is Not to Win Honors”• Another admirable virtue practice by Rizal
was abnegation or self-denial. Self-denial means giving up one’s desires for a better cause, as a
working for welfare of one’s country. Self-denial implies self-sacrifice, love and humility.• Rizal
sincerely believed that he was not the only man capable leading his people.
 Fortitude• “Do Not Fear that Some May Fall”• Fortitude or perseverance means strength of mind
in meeting or enduring pain, adversity or peril. Rizal practiced fortitude in serving his country.•
Fortitude in any undertaking requires faith and hope according to Rizal.
 Serenity• “It is Necessary that there be Serenity of Spirit”• A man is serene if he has an unruffled
mind. Serenity of spirit stems from strong personal discipline.• Rizal related a conversation
between a school teacher and Crisostomo Ibarra wanted to know the problems of learning and
teaching. When asked by Ibarra about his problems, the teacher spoke against corporal
punishment inflicted on the pupils.
 • Rizal’s regard for tranquility of spirit, physical and moral repose and willingness is never more
timely than today.
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 Self-Control• “I Have Deprived Myself or Many Pleasure”• What is self control?• How did Rizal
Practice self-control?• When a man can check his actions and feelings, he has self-control. The
will acts only in seeking what is good, depending on the intellect for its data. This is the reason
why we must take great care in presenting only good ideas to the will.
 • Rizal showed much self control his lifetime. Two important examples are worth recalling.
During his students days in Madrid, he manifested self-control. Once he visited the house of the
Paterno brothers (Antonio, Maximo and Pedro). They showed him their house and Rizal was
thankful for their hospitality. When Pedro proposed that Rizal exhibit the pictures he had, he
refused.
 Initiative• “The Greatness of a Man IS in Guiding the People in Its Forward Way”• Initiative or
self-direction is a person’s readiness to think a line of conduct and ability to carry it out on his
own responsibility. Initiative is a virtue needed in the progress of society.
 Tolerance• “One Must have a Deep Respect for every Idea Sincerely Conceived”• A person who
respects the contrary opinions of another is tolerant.• Tolerance is a virtue requiring sympathetic
understanding of the differing opinions and honest mistakes of another. Tolerance challenges us
to show the utmost patience and practice real charity.
 Prudence• “For Reasons of Delicacy I have Suppressed My Correspondence”• Prudence is virtue
that guides our mind in choosing the best means of accomplishing a thing. It directs us to the
most polite and profitable course of action.
 • It guides all other virtues because it points out the mean between excess and defect in the other
virtues. If we do not practice prudence, we are liable to folly and excesses.
 Obedience• “I Obeyed Parents”• When a person does what he is told, he is obedient. Complying
with that the authorities require of us is obedience.• Obedience may call for a little sacrifice on
our part of the good of the whole group. Rizal was a model of obedience.
 Courtesy and Politeness• “I Want to be Polite and Nice”• Politeness and courtesy are virtues that
give harmony and charm in our daily life.• Courtesy is graceful and considerate behavior toward
others, It demand attention, politeness, refinement and affidability. Politeness is a quality of being
well-bred.
 Thrift• “I Economize”• Thrift is virtue of being economical in the use of material, money, time
and energy. Rizal practiced the habit of thrift when he was a student in Madrid, Spain he would
have his shoes repaired instead buying new ones. Now and then he economized in food expenses.
 • When Paterno brothers wanted him to join the Ateneo de Madrid, a cultural society, he turned
down the suggestion saying, “I find the dues a little exorbitant.
 Gratitude• “I Am Very Grateful”• When a person shows gratefulness, he has grateful nature. “He
that urges gratitude”, wrote Seneca, pleads the cause of both God and men, for without it we can
neither be sociable nor religious.• There is much greatness of mind in acknowledging a good turn,
as in doing it.
 Love for Justice• “Let Us Be Just”• Justice is the moral habit by which a man gives to another
what is his due. A man with a good conscience finds joy in being just.• Rizal fought hard for
justice not only for himself and his family but also for his people.
 Living By Example• “Gladly I Depart to Expose Myself to Danger to Confirm with My Example
What I have Always Preached”• Rizal’s examples on idealism, charity and surrender are
inspiring. Events showing his love for country and people and dedication to duty are worth-while
imitating.
 • Instances in which he displayed courage, will-power, leadership and self abnegation are
admirable. Events revealing his honesty, love and faith in God, love for fellowmen and love
parents are shining virtues for everyone.
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Activity 1:
Observing the Filipinos nowadays, what moral thoughts of Rizal is seen as a practice? Explain your answer
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REFERENCES:
 Dery, Luis, C. Remember the Ladies Essays of the Philippine Revolution and the Filipino -
American War. Quezon City: 2002.Del Rosario, Leon. “Ladislao Diwa, Friend of Bonifacio,”
Philippines Free Press. August 28, 1965.Guerrero, Leon, Ma. The Young Rizal. Manila:
1949.Majul, Cesar Adib. Apolinario Mabini Revolutionary. Manila: National Heroes
Commission, 1964.National Historical Institute. Reminiscenes and Travels of Jose Rizal. Manila:
1961.Villaroel, Fidel, Fr. Jose Rizal and the University of Santo Tomas. Manila: University
of Santo Tomas, 1984.Zaide, Gregorio, F. Jose Rizal, Life, Works and Writings. Manila:
National Book Store, 2002.
 Pablo F. Cabahug, "The Sovereign Efficacy of Martyrdom," Horizons, Vol. III (December 1964)
p. 23.
 Ibid., pp. 21-22
 "The Trial of Rizal," PDI, June 19, 1996 p. 1.
 Ibid., p.6
 Ibid, June 20 1996, p.4
 Ibid
 Austin Craig, Lineage, Life and Labors of Jose Rizal (Manila: Philippine Education Co., 1913,
pp.249-0
 Ibid.
 Ibid., pp.251-252
 *Part of a paper read at the International Conference on the Centennial of the Philippine Revolution
held last August 20, 1996 at the Manila Hotel.
 *Prof. Torres is a History professor at the Department of Social Sciences, UPM College of Arts
and Sciences and is currently chair of the UP System Lupon ng Sentenaryo.
 "The Reign of Greed by José Rizal". Retrieved 2008-04-24.
 https://www.persee.fr/docAsPDF/arch_0044-8613_1986_num_32_1_2316.pdf
 "The Talking Head Illusion (Mr. Wizard)". Retrieved September 3, 2019 – via www.youtube.com.
 https://www.classicmagic.net/tricks/the_talking_head.php
 "A Vibrant History of Silence: The Real Monasterio de Santa Clara de Manila". August 12, 2010.
Retrieved September 3, 2019.
 "Les cloches de Corneville". www.musicaltheatreguide.com. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
 "Past shows of Tanghalang Pilipino". Ang, Walter. Theaterbator blog by Walter Ang. "Past shows
of Tanghalang Pilipino.
 "Ang luha at lualhati ni Jeronima". Retrieved September 3, 2019 – via www.imdb.com.
 The Life And Works of Jose Rizal, Rhodalyn Wani-Obias, Aaron Abel Mallari, Janet Reguindin-
Estrella
 Jose Rizal: Social Reformer And Patriot A study of His Life and Times ,Augusto V. De Viana,
Helena Ma. F. Cabrera, Emilita P. Samala, Myrna M. De Vera, Janet C. Atutubo.
106 | P a g e
APPENDIX A
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425
House Bill No. 5561
Senate Bill No. 438
An Act to Include in the Curricula of All Public and Private Schools, Colleges and Universities Courses on
the Life, Works and Writings of JOSE RIZAL, Particularly His Novels “NOLI ME TANGERE and EL
FILIBUSTERISMO, Authorizing the Printing and Distribution Thereof, and for Other Purposes.
Whereas, today more than other period of our history, there is a need for a rededication to the ideals of
freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died;
Whereas, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we
remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national
character;
Whereas, the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth,
especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused;
Whereas, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to regulation by the State,
and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience, and to teach
the duties of citizenship;
Now therefore, be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phi lippines in Congress
assembled:
Sec. 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or private;
Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and
El Filibusterismo or their English translations shall be used as basic texts.
The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to
implement and carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing and printing of appropriate
primers, readers and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act
promulgate rules and regulations, include those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the
regulations of this Act. The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the exemption of
students for reason of religious belief stated in a sworn written statement, from the requirement of the
provision contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this Section; but not from taking the course
provided for in the first part of said paragraph. Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days
after their publication in the Official Gazette.
Sec. 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate
number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo,
as well as Rizal’s other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and
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El Filibusterismo or their translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal shall be included in the
list of approved books for required reading in all public or private schools, colleges and universities.
The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon
enrollment of the school, college or university.
Sec. 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine
dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of
charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and the Barrio Councils
throughout the country.
Sec. 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amending or repelling section nine hundred twenty-seven
of the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public school teachers and
other persons engaged in any public school.
Sec. 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any fund
not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act.
Sec. 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Manila, June 12, 1956
(Signed) RAMON MAGSAYSAY
President
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APPENDIX B
REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
(Decree of December 20, 1898)
In recognition of the aspirations of the Filipino nation and in proclaiming its noble and patriotic sentiments,
I hereby decree.
Article 1. In memory of the Filipino patriots, Dr. Jose Rizal and the other victims of the past Spanish
domination, I declare the 30th of December as a national day of mourning.
Article 2. On account of this, all national flags shall be hoisted at half-mast from 12:00 noon on December
29, as a sign of mourning.
Article 3. All offices of the Revolutionary Government shall be closed during the whole day of December
30.
Given in Malolos, December 20, 1898
(Signed) EMILIO AGUINALDO
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APPENDIX C
RIZAL’S RETRACTION
The "original" discovered by Fr. Manuel Garcia, C.M. on May 18, 1935.
Me declaro catolica y en esta Religion en que naci y me eduque quiero vivir y morir.
Me retracto de todo corazon de cuanto en mis palabras, escritos, inpresos y conducta ha habido
contrario a mi cualidad de hijo de la Iglesia Catolica. Creo y profeso cuanto ella enseña y me
somento a cuanto ella manda. Abomino de la Masonaria, como enigma que es de la Iglesia, y
como Sociedad prohibida por la Iglesia. Puede el Prelado Diocesano, como Autoridad Superior
Eclesiastica hacer publica esta manifastacion espontanea mia para reparar el escandalo que mis
actos hayan podido causar y para que Dios y los hombres me perdonen.
Manila 29 de Deciembre de 1896
Jose Rizal
TRANSLATION (English)
I declare myself a catholic and in this Religion in which I was born and educated I wish to live and die.
I retract with all my heart whatever in my words, writings, publications and conduct has been contrary to
my character as son of the Catholic Church. I believe and I confess whatever she teaches and I submit to
whatever she demands. I abominate Masonry, as the enemy which is of the Church, an d as a Society
prohibited by the Church. The Diocesan Prelate may, as the Superior Ecclesiastical Authority, make public
this spontaneous manifestation of mine in order to repair the scandal which my acts may have caused
and so that God and people may pardon me.
Manila 29 of December of 1896
Jose Rizal
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THE LIFE AND WORKS OF JOSE RIZAL

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

This module is for internal use only. NOT FOR SALE.

At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:

The Context of the Rizal Bill

From the Rizal Bill to Rizal Law

CLARO M. RECTO (February 8, 1890 – October 2, 1960)

On February 8, 1890, Claro M. Recto, a noted lawyer, Congressman, Senator,

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or repealing section

INDIVIDUAL REFLECTION PAPER

Exercise: Treasure hunt

Read! Read! Read!

Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade

Activity 1: Easy Essay

Directions: Complete the following Information

Is Philippines rich during the Spanish period? Why or Why not?

INDIVIDUAL REFLECTION PAPER

 Interpret the Political condition of the country

Exercise: Scavenger hunt

Read! Read! Read!

Activity 1: Easy Essay

Directions: What is the role of the following in the country.

Complete the information below. Write the corresponding government positions

Spanish Period Present times

Activity 3: Directions:Defend Your answer

INDIVIDUAL REFLECTION PAPER

PART II. THE LIFE OF JOSE RIZAL

A. GENEALOGY AND EARLY LIFE

1. Point out important landmarks in the life of Jose Rizal

Read! Read! Read!

The Birth of a Hero:

The baptismal certificate of Rizal reads as follows:

1. Saturnina (1850-1913),Oldest of the Rizal children, nicknamed Neneng, later married to

1. First teachers hired by his father:

2. His mother, Donya Teodora

a. Reader used: El Amigo de los Ninos (the Children’s Friend)

Influences from other members of his family

1. Poems written “ Sa aking Mga Kabata”

During His Secondary Education

1. Place: Binan Laguna

a. Teacher: Justiniano Aquino Cruz

2. Injustice to the Rizal Family

a. Donya Teodora was accused as an accomplice of Jose Alberto of trying to poison

a. Jose Rizal entered Ateneo Municipal as an eleven-year-old.

 Some poems written under the guidance of Fr. Sanchez:

 “The tragedy of St. Eustace”

 He had excellent achievements and graduated highest in his class

 He studied painting under Agustin Saez.

c. In S.Y 1877-1878, he returned to Ateneo while studying at the University of Santo

4. As a student of the University of Santo Tomas:

a. He enrolled at the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters; majored in Philosophy 1877-

 He won 1st prize in the contest.

d. In 1880, a literary contest was held by Liceo Artistico Literario de Manila.

 This was held in the commemoration of the 400 th death

5. Other Literary works:

6. He decided to continue his studies in Spain:

a. To widen his knowledge;

Activity 1: Research & Explain

1. Directions: Choose a poem from:

Sa aking mga kababata

the tragedy of St. Eustace

In the Memory of my Town

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