Rizal’s Life: Life in Abroad, Dapitan and Execution

Lesson 4 – Life in Abroad, Dapitan and Execution

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 shalt take,
Poured out the need for thy dear sake.
To dye with its crimson the walking ray”

-Mi Ultimo Adios Dr. Jose P. Rizal

UNIVERSIDAD CENTRAL DE MADRID
Rizal enrolled in Universidad Central de Madrid in two courses – Medicine,
and Philosophy and letters. On June 1884, Rizal received his licentiate in medicine
at the university. Rizal was involved in the student demonstrations in Madrid with
his co-students at Central University. He studied and passed all the subjects leading
to the degree of Doctor in Medicine but due to the fact that he did not present his
thesis required for graduation nor paid the corresponding fees, he was not awarded
his Doctor’s diploma.
After his studies at the Central University of Madrid, Rizal went to Paris to
acquire more knowledge in ophthalmology. Rizal also studied painting and
sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts in San Fernando; took lessons in French,
German and English under private instructors; and practiced fencing and shooting
in the Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell.

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Criticism
Being a medical doctor and having a Licentiate in Medicine, Rizal was
able to practice his profession but he could not carry the title “Dr.” or attached
letters “M.D” after his name because he was not awarded the Doctor’s diploma.

RIZAL IN BARCELONA
Rizal reached Barcelona on June 16, 1882. In Barcelona, Rizal wrote the
Amor Patria (Love of Country) under his pen name Laong-Laan. He sent this
article to his friend in Manila, Basilio Teodoro Moran, and publisher of Diariong
Tagalog. His article appeared in Diariong Tagalog on August 20, 1882. Basilio
Teodoro Moran was impressed by the article so he requested Rizal for more
articles. As a response, Rizal submitted his second work, Los Viajes (Travels), and
his third article, Revisa de Madrid (Review of Madrid) but it was returned to him
because the Diariong Tagalog had ceased publication because of a lack of funds.

RIZAL’S LIFE IN MADRID

In Madrid, Rizal budgeted his money and time. He spent his money on food,
clothing, lodging, and books, and his leisure time in reading and writing, attending
reunions of Filipino students at the house of the Paterno brothers, and practicing
fencing and practicing shooting at the gymnasium. On Saturday evenings, Rizal
visited the home of Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey who lived with his son (Rafael) and
daughter (Consuelo).
Consuelo Ortega y Rey
Although Rizal's heart was still with Leonor, Rizal did
not keep himself from associating with other women, just
as when he was in Madrid, during which his attention
was drawn to a young and beautiful Mestiza named
Consuelo Ortega y Perez. Consuelo Ortega was the
daughter of Don Pablo Ortega Y Rey, the mayor of
Manila during the governorship of Maria de la Torre,

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who became vice president of the Council of the Philippines in the Ministry of
Colonies in Madrid. He was so supportive and open to the Filipinos that his house
became the common meeting place of Circulo Hispano Filipino members or the
Filipino students in Madrid, one of whom was Rizal.
And that is how Rizal and Consuelo met. Rizal would visit her home and
they would have conversations together, finding joy and solace in each other's
company especially on the part of Rizal since he was lonely in a foreign land. Most
of the records between Rizal and Consuelo are found in Ortega's diary in which she
wrote her feelings for Rizal and some of the events that suggest Rizal had feelings
for her as well, such as when Rizal gave her gifts of native clothes from the
Philippines and wrote a poem solely dedicated to her titled, "A La Señorita C.O.y
P." or "To Miss C.O. y P." However, what was holding them back from getting
into a deep and serious relationship was a man named Eduardo de Lete, a friend of
Rizal who was madly in love with Ortega. Consuelo had feelings for Lete, but she
knew she was attracted to Rizal as well. As for Rizal, he knew he liked Consuelo,
but he did not want to destroy his friendship with Lete over a girl. Therefore, he
agreed with Lete that he should keep away from Consuelo while Lete was pressing
on his courtship of Consuelo, and eventually, Consuelo chose Lete over Rizal.
In one of the last conversations Rizal and Consuelo had before Rizal went
back to the Philippines, Rizal tells her he still doesn't know what she thinks of him.
Consuelo answers, "As a friend. Would you want more?", which could have been
an ambivalent answer with restrained feelings. However, what is more ironic is the
answer of Rizal who Consuelo, "It's true that's enough."
Could it have been an answer of self-control? Or was it really that Rizal
gave up on Consuelo with no regrets at all because he did not harbor deep love for
her because of Leonor? Nonetheless, Consuelo eventually got engaged to Lete.
However, soon after the formalization of their engagement, Consuelo lost her
humor. Their marriage presumably did not push through because of the sudden
death of Consuelo's brother, Rafael, year after her father's death. According to
Lete's accounts, "She was left alone and abandoned in Madrid. A romantic girl
deprived of her mother at an early age, possessing an education rare in those
times, she saw all her love affairs crumble and all her illusions wither."

On March 1883, Rizal joined the Masonic lodge called Acacia in Madrid.
He joined the Masonic lodge to secure Freemasonry’s aid in his fight against the
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friars in the Philippines. Rizal transferred to Lodge Solidaridad where he became a
Master Mason on November 15, 1890. Rizal experienced a financial problem while
in Madrid. There were times when his monthly allowance never arrived causing
much suffering to him. He made a speech on the celebration of the victory party
for Luna and Hidalgo’s winning art at the National Exposition of Fine Arts in
Madrid.
When Rizal left Madrid for Paris after his schooling, he lived in Paris and
worked as an assistant for Dr. Louis de Weckert, a leading French ophthalmologist.
In 1886, after gaining enough experience, Rizal left for Germany. He went to
Heidelberg. For a short time, he lived with some German law students. After a few
days, he transferred to a boarding house near the University of Heidelberg. He
worked at the University Eye Hospital under the direction of Dr. Otto Becker.
After he wrote the poem ‘A Los Flores de Heidelberg”, Rizal spent a three-month
summer vacation in Wilhelmsfeld and stayed at the vicarage of Ptr. Dr. Karl
Ulmer.
On July 31, 1886, Rizal wrote his first letter to Blumentritt and sent it to him
with the book, Aritmetica, which was written in Spanish and Tagalog. When Rizal
visited Leipzig and Dresden, he met some well-known personalities in different
fields like, Dr. Adolph B. Meyer (Director of the Anthropological and Ethnological
Museum), Dr. Feodor Jagor (German scientist-traveler and author of Travels in the
Philippines), Dr. Rudolf Virchow (famous German anthropologist), and the latter’s
son, Dr. Hans Virchow (professor of Descriptive Anatomy). He also met Dr. W.
Joest and worked in the clinic of Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger, a famous German
ophthalmologist. Rizal became a member of the Anthropologist Society,
Ethnological Society, and Geographical Society upon the recommendations of Dr.
Jagor and Dr. Meyer.
Rizal lives in Berlin to gain further knowledge on ophthalmology, further his
studies in science and languages, observed the economic and political conditions of
the German nations, associate with famous German scientists and scholars, and
publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere. The winter of 1886 was the darkest winter of
Rizal. He lived in poverty because no money arrived and he was broken. The
diamond ring that saturnine gave him was in the pawnshop. He could not pay his
landlord and he eat only one meal a day. Rizal starved in Berlin and his health
broke down because of a lack of proper nourishment.

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Being a medical doctor and having a Licentiate in Medicine, Rizal was able
to practice his profession but he could not carry the title “Dr.” or attached letters
“M.D” after his name because he was not awarded the Doctor’s diploma.
During the printing of Noli, Rizal was suspected as a French spy. He was
visited on his boarding house by a chief of police to see his passport but
unfortunately, he could not give his passport, for he has none. The chief of police
told him that he should secure a passport within four days, otherwise he could be
deported. Immediately, Viola accompanied Rizal to the Spanish embassy to seek
help and the court of Benomar promised to attend to the matter but the ambassador
failed to keep his promise because he doesn’t have the power to issue a passport.
After four days, Rizal went to the office of the German chief of police and
apologized for his failure to obtain a passport. Rizal asked the police chief why he
had to be deported and the latter told him that they received a report that he made
frequent visits to villages and little towns in the rural areas, thereby arousing the
suspicion of the German government that he was a French spy. Rizal explained to
the police chief that he was not a French spy but a Filipino physician and scientist,
particularly an ethnologist. And as an ethnologist, he needed to visit the rural areas
to observe the customs and lifestyles of their inhabitants. The police chief was
impressed by his explanation in fluent German language and he allowed him to
stay freely in Germany.
After the Noli Me Tangere was published, Jose Rizal and Maximo Viola
toured around Europe. And on June 19, 1887, Rizal treated Viola to a blowout
because it was his 26th birthday. They spent fifteen days in Geneva. After five
years of Rizal’s sojourn in Europe, he decided to return to the Philippines despite
the warnings of Paciano and his other friends to operate on his mother’s eye; to
serve his people who had long been oppressed by Spanish tyrants; to find out for
himself how the Noli and his other writings were affecting Filipinos and Spaniards.
Near midnight of August 5, the steamer reached Manila to visit his friend
and he found a place the same as when he left it five years ago. After 3 days, He
returned to Calamba, and his family welcomed him affectionately. His family of
was worried about his safety. So, Paciano did not leave him during the first days of
his arrival to protect him and his father did not allow him to go out alone.
In Calamba, Rizal established a medical clinic. His first patient was his
mother. The nenewsf the arrival of a great doctor from Germany spread and the
patients from provinces and Manila went to Calamba. Rizal was called “Dr.

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Uliman” because he came from Germany. Within a few months, Rizal was able to
earn P900 and by February 1888, he earned a total of P5,000 as medical fees.
Rizal suffered from one failure during his six months stay in Calamba, he
was not able to see Leonor Rivera. He tried to go to Dagupan but his parents did
not allow him to go because Leonor’s mother did like him for a son-in-law.
One day, Rizal received a letter from Gov. Gen. Emilio Terrero requesting
him to go to Malacañan Palace. Rizal went to Malacañan. He was informed by
Gov. Gen Terrero of the charge and he denied it, explaining that he merely
exposed the truth but he did not advocate subversive ideas. The governor general
was pleased with the explanation of Rizal and he asked for a copy of Noli.
Unfortunately, Rizal had no copy of Noli so he asked for a copy from his Jesuits’
fathers but they would not part with it. Rizal got a copy of Noli from his friend and
gave it to the governor-general. Gov. Gen. Terrero read the Noli and found nothing
wrong with it and believed that the life of Rizal was in danger because of the friars
so he assigned a Spanish lieutenant, Don Jose Taviel de Andrade, to be his
bodyguard.
Archbishop Pedro Payo sent a report to the governor-general about Noli
containing subversive ideas. Dissatisfied with the reports of the Dominicans,
Governor General sent a copy of Noli to the permanent Commission of
Censorship. According to the report of the commission, headed by Fr. Salvador
Font, the Noli contained subversive ideas against the Church and Spain and
recommended that the importation, reproduction, and circulation of the novel must
be prohibited.
The report of the censorship commission was published in newspapers
which lead to the uneasiness of his friends, and the glee of his enemies and made
the novel popular. Despite the prohibition, many Filipinos got a copy of the novel
and read it at night. Governor General Terrero ordered the Civil Governor of
Laguna Province to investigate the agrarian conditions of their locality. Rizal
helped his Calamba Folks on gathering facts and listing of grievances against the
hacienda management. Due to this incident, the friars pressure the Malacañan
Palace to eliminate Rizal and they asked Governor General Terrero to deport him
but the governor general refused because there was no valid charge against Rizal
received anonymous threats which alarmed his parents, relatives, and friends that’s
why they advised him to go away and even the governor general advised him to
leave the Philippines. Rizal could not disobey the governor-general, so he chose to

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leave. In Hong Kong, Rizal stayed at Victoria Hotel and was welcomed by the
Filipino residents. A Spaniard, Jose Sainz de Varanda, shadowed the movement of
Rizal in Hong Kong. When Rizal left Hong Kong for Macao and was accompanied
by Jose Maria Basa, he was surprised to see Jose Sainz de Varanda among the
passengers. On Feb. 29, 1888, Rizal went to Tokyo and stayed From March 2-7 at
Tokyo Hotel. While he was in Tokyo, he was visited in his hotel by Juan Perez
Caballero, and the latter was invited to live at the Spanish Legation. Rizal realized
that his movements in Japan were monitored by Spanish diplomatic authorities. He
accepted the invitation so he could economize his living expenses and he believed
that he had nothing to hide from Spanish authorities. During his first day in Tokyo,
Rizal was embarrassed because he could speak in Japanese but he looked like
Japanese. To avoid further embarrassment, Rizal studied the language and after a
few days, he was able to speak in Japanese. After few days when he moved to
Spanish legation, Rizal saw O-Sei-San (Deiko Usul) and got attracted to her. The
following afternoon, Rizal introduced himself to O-Sei-San. After their meeting,
they met almost a daily and visited interesting spots in the city together. Rizal was
tempted to live permanently in Japan but because of his heroism Rizal needed to
leave.
Rizal met O-Sei-San or Seiko one spring afternoon at the Spanish Legation.
He was captured by her charm and beauty. Rizal gathered information about her
and finally found out her name and that she took walks every afternoon at that
place from a gardener. O-Sei-San also knew how to speak in French and English so
the language barrier isn’t a problem with the two. Seiko was impressed by Rizal’s
wit, charm, and admiration for the arts that eventually the two started meeting
every day and the two visited places in the city. O-Sei-San became Rizal’s tour
guide. She helped Rizal in learning the
Japanese language.
Seiko-Usui (O-Sei-San)
Seiko, also known as O-Sei-San was born in
1865 to a samurai. In Febuary 1888, Jose Rizal
left Hong Kong to accept the invitation of Don
Juan Perez Caballero, secretary of the Spanish
Legation to live with him in Azabu, Japan
because he was offered a position in the
Spanish Legation. Rizal spent almost two
months learning the language (Japanese),
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culture, and way of life of the Japanese. He admired the country’s cleanliness. He
noticed that their homes (in japan) are clean and that beggars were rare.
Rizal’s life was already perfect in Japan, a high-paying job, a clean environment,
and a loving significant other. However, his love for his country made him
sacrifice his love for Seiko. Rizal left Japan to go to San Francisco in April 1888.
Rizal dedicated an entry in his diary to show his love for Seiko and how he will
never forget her.
“Japan has pleased me. The beautiful scenery, the flowers, the trees, and the
inhabitants – so peaceful, so courteous, and so pleasant. O-Sei-San – Sayonara!
Sayonara! I have spent a lovely golden month; I do not know if I can have another
one like that all my life. Love, money, friendship, appreciation, honors – these
have not been wanting…. To you, I dedicate the final chapter of these memoirs of
my youth. No woman, like you, has ever loved me. No woman, like you, has
sacrificed for me…. Sayonara! Sayonara!”
After his visit to the US, he lived in London. For the short time, he stayed at
the home of Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor but by the end of May, he found a boarding
place. He was a boarder at the Beckett family. Rizal met Dr. Reinhold Rost and the
latter was impressed by Rizal’s learning and character. Dr. Rost recommended
Rizal to the authorities of the British Museum. Rizal spent much of his time in
British Museum and his Sundays at the house of Dr. Rost.
Even though Rizal was in London, he received both good and bad news
about the injustices of Spanish authorities on the Filipinos and the Rizal family;
and about Rev. Vicente Garcia, who defended Noli against the attacks of the friars
who cheered Rizal. The greatest achievement of Rizal in London was annotating
the Sucesos de Islas Filipinas of Morga. On Sep. 1888, Rizal visited Paris for a
week in order to search for more historical materials in the Bibliotheque Nationale
and he was entertained by Juan Luna with his wife. Rizal also went to Spain and
visited Madrid and Barcelona. He contacted compatriots and surveyed the political
agitation for Philippine reforms. For the first time,
Rizal met Marcelo H. de Pilar and Mariano Ponce, two
titans of Propaganda Movement. He exchanged ideas
with these new friends and promised to cooperate in the
fight for reforms.
Gertrude Beckett

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In May 1888 when Jose Rizal was 27 years old, he went to stay in London. At 37
Chalcot Crescent Primrose Hill, landlord Charles Beckett's eldest daughter,
Gertrude Beckett, caught our hero's attention. Gertrude was described as curvy,
having blue eyes, brown hair, rosy cheeks, and thin lips. During his stay, Rizal was
pampered with Gertrude's affections. He affectionately called her "Gettie," while
she called him "Pettie." She was often present by his side to assist him in painting
and sculpting. Despite the attention she was showering upon him, Rizal did not
share the kind of feelings towards her. Out of his loyalty to Leonor Rivera and his
"mission" to the motherland, Rizal ended their relationship before it grew into
something more serious. Rizal has been quoted as saying, "I am not going to
commit the indignity of placing passion over pure and virginal love, such as she
might offer." He finished The Triumph of Death over Life, The Triumph of
Science Over Death, Prometheus, and composite carvings of the heads of the
Beckett sisters before he left London on March 19, 1889. He left the composite
carvings to Gettie as a gift. Marcelo del Pilar says that he left London to avoid
Gertrude.
Rizal returned to London and spent Christmas and New Year’s Day with the
Becketts. Mrs. Beckett gave Rizal a Christmas gift which is a book entitled The
Life and Adventures of Valentine Vox; The ventriloquist in London, Rizal learned
that the Filipinos in Barcelona were planning to establish a patriotic society
(Association La Solidaridad) which would cooperate in the crusade for reforms.
On December 31, 1888, Association La Solidaridad was Inaugurated with
the following officers: Galicano Apacible, president; Graciano Lopez Jaena, vice-
president; Manuel Santa Maria, secretary; Mariano Ponce, treasurer; and Jose Ma.
Panganiban, accountant. Rizal was chosen as the honorary president by unanimous
vote. He wrote a letter addressed to the members of the Association La Solidaridad
expressing his thanks for making him the honorary president and giving some
advice. Then, Graciano Lopez Jaena founded a patriotic newspaper in Barcelona,
and two days after, Marcelo del Pilar wrote to Rizal about the La Solidaridad.
On March 1888, Rizal left London for Paris, and on the same day, he
organized his compatriots into a society called Kidlat Club. The club was a purely
social society in nature. It was founded by Rizal to bring together young Filipinos
so they could enjoy sojourning in the city for the duration of the Universal
Exposition. Rizal had difficulty in finding a quarter to live in because the landlords
took advantage of the great demand for living quarters because of the Universal
Exposition which attracted, many tourists. For a short time, Rizal lived in the
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house of Valentin Ventura where he finished his annotation on Morga’s book. He
moved several times, transferring from one hotel to another and from one boarding
house to another until he settled in a little room with two other Filipinos, captain
Justo Trinidad, and Jose Albert. In Paris, Rizal spent his time frugally and
fruitfully. He spent most of his time in Bibliotheque Nationale and checking his
annotations on Morga’s Book. He wrote letters to his family, and friends exercised
daily, and visited his friend. Rizal used to dine at the homes of his friends like
Pardo de Taveras, Venturas, Bousteads, Lunas, etc. Rizal was fascinated by the
Universal Exposition. Rizal and his friends attended the opening ceremonies and
saw the ribbon cutting by President Sadi Carnot of the Third French Republic. One
of the features of the exposition was an art competition in which Rizal, Felix R.
Hidalgo, Juan Luna, and Pardo de Tavera participated. The painting of the friends
of Rizal was awarded but he got no prize.
Rizal was enchanted by the dignified and proud American Indians, and Rizal
said that Filipinos should be proud of the name Indio and make the Spanish revise
their conception of the term. In connection with this, Rizal formed a new society of
Filipino, Indios Bravos, in replacement to Kidlat Club. Its members pledge to excel
in intellectual and physical prowess. They practiced the use of swords and pistols,
and Rizal taught them judo.
Another society was founded by Rizal during the Universal Exposition
which was the R.D.L.M. The existence and role in crusade reforms of the secret
society were enigmatic. It was patterned after Freemasonry. It had various degrees
of membership, with members not knowing each other. According to Dr. Leoncio
Lopez-Rizal, grandnephew of Jose Rizal, the society symbol of represented by a
circle divided into three parts by two semi-circless having in the center the
interlocked letters I and B which stands for Indios Bravos, and the letters R.D.L.M
placed outside an upper, lower left and right sides of the circle. The letters
R.D.L.M. are believed to stand for Redencion de Los Malayas. Rizal’s outstanding
achievement in Paris was the publication of the annotated edition of Morga’s book,
Sucesos de las Islas Filipinos, which he wrote in the British Museum. It was
printed by Garnier Freses and the prologue was written by Blumentritt, upon the
request of Rizal. Rizal left Paris for Brussels, Belgium on Jan. 28, 1890, because
the cost of living in Paris is high and the city hampered his literary works,
especially the writing of his second novel El Filibusterismo. Rizal was
accompanied by Jose Albert when he moved to Brussels, and they live in a

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boarding house run by Suzzane and Marie Jacoby but later, Albert left the city and
was replaced by Jose Alejandro.
Petite Suzanne Jacoby
After leaving Paris on January 28, 1890 because he
was short of cash and Paris was expensive, Rizal
settled in Brussels, Belgium where it was cheap and
the architecturally impressive. He boarded with the
Jacoby sisters, Marie Catherine (55) and Suzanne
(44) and their niece Suzanne (17) but whose last
name was Thill. To distinguish the two Suzannes, the
aunt was called Tante Suzanne while the niece was
called Petite Suzanne. There are ongoing debates as
to really was the love interest of Rizal between the
two Suzannes. Some say it was the aunt, and some
say it definitely cannot be the aunt since Rizal was 29
years old and the aunt was 44, which was around the age of his mother. Besides, all
of Rizal’s love interests were young women, and Rizal has even mentioned it
himself that it was specifically the young women who brightened up the days of
his life.
Nevertheless, the Jacobys were delighted with Rizal's company and would
often provide him with a tranquil and congenial atmosphere, even letting Rizal try
his skills in the kitchen from where Rizal would surprise them with his arroz
valenciana. And in such a peaceful environment Rizal began to develop
affectionate sentiments toward Suzanne Jacoby; however, the relationship
presumably was not very serious since Rizal did not mention anything about it in
his letters to his intimate friends, to Blumentritt in particular. Besides, he was busy
writing El Filibusterismo, and more importantly, he was still engaged to Leonor.
However, the letters Suzanne wrote to Rizal after he departed for Madrid by
around the end of July 1890 suggest a difference on the part of Suzanne. She could
have harbored deep feelings of affection for Rizal, since she writes, "I wear out the
soles of my shoes for running to the mailbox to see if there is a letter from you.",
"There will never be any home in which you are so loved as in that in Brussels, so
you little bad/naughty boy (le petit diable) hurry up and come back."
There are a lot of theories as to why she called Rizal "le petit diable"
(naughty boy) but most of them give off sexual overtones. However, there is one
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unusual and interesting theory by Flores (2013), and this theory is based on the fact
that the boarding house where Rizal stayed was just a few blocks away from
Mannekin Pis, a world-famous statue built in Brussels in 1618 depicting a little
boy urinating into the fountain basin. And the name by which the locals call this
statue is "le petit diable." This leaves us imagining Rizal and Suzanne walking
down the streets where a naughty boy is shamelessly urinating in public and
making funny antics together. This means that such a contentious pet name could
have been a private joke only the two could understand. Nevertheless, Rizal left
Brussels after 6 months, leaving Suzanne brokenhearted. He never wrote back to
her nor came back to her ever again.
In Brussels, Rizal was busy writing El Filibusterismo, the continuation of
Noli and he also wrote articles for La Solidaridad. He spent part of his time in the
medical clinic. For recreation, he had gymnastics, target practice, and fencing. In
spite of his European education and his knowledge of foreign languages, Rizal
loved his native language. He was the first to advocate the Filipinization of its
orthography. The article Rizal entitled Sobre la Nueva Ortografia de la Lengua
Tagala (The new Orthography of the Tagalog Language) was published in La
Solidaridad.
Rizal received news from Juan Luna and Valentin Ventura that the Filipinos
in Spain were destroying the good name of the Philippines by gambling too much.
So, Rizal wrote to Marcelo del Pilar on May 28 to remind the Filipinos in Madrid
that they did not come to Europe to gamble but to work for their Philippines’
freedom.
Rizal also received bad news from home. The Calamba agrarian trouble was
getting worst. The management of the Dominican hacienda continually raised the
land rents until such time. Don Francisco refused to pay his rents and others
tenants also refused to pay their unreasonable rents. The Dominicans filed a suit in
court to dispossess the Rizal family of their lands in Calamba while the other
tenants were persecuted. Paciano and his brothers-in-law, Antonio Lopez and
Silvestre Ubaldo, were deported to Mindoro. Another brother-in-law, Manuel T.
Hidalgo, was banished for the second time to Bohol. This sad news depressed
Rizal: In his moment of despair, Rizal had bad dreams and feared that he would
not live long. He was afraid to die but he wanted to finish his second novel before
he went to the grave.

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Rizal planned to go home because of the suffering s afflicted by his family.
All his friends including Blumentritt, Jose Ma. Basa and Ponce were horrified by
Rizal’s plan to go back to the Philippines. They warned him about the danger that
awaited him at home but Rizal ignored their warnings. However, his plan changed
because of the letter he received from Paciano. Instead, he decided to go to Madrid
to supervise the handling of the case of his family against the Dominicans.
Early in August, Rizal arrived in Madrid. He tried all legal means to seek
justice for his family and Calamba tenants. He sought help from the Filipino
colony, Asociacion Hispano-Filipino, and liberal Spanish newspapers in securing
justice for the oppressed Calamba tenants and his family. Rizal was accompanied
by M.H. del Pillar, his lawyer, and Dr. Domingo Gomez, secretary of the
Asociacion Hispano-Filipino, when he called on the Minister of Colonies, Señor
Fable in order to protest the Injustices committed by Governor General Valeriano
Weyler and the Dominicans against the Calamba folks. Unfortunately, nothing
came out with the interview of Rizal with Señor Fable.
Rizal received more terrible news from home about the deportation of his
family members and the copy of the ejectment order by the Dominicans against his
father and other tenants in Calamba. Rizal experienced disappointments in Madrid.
He was disappointed with the liberal Spanish statesmen who only gave him the
sweet Propaganda Movement, who died in Barcelona.
At the end of August, Rizal attended a social reunion of Filipinos and in the
reunion, he almost fought Antonio Luna, who was drunk. Luna was frustrated
because of his romance with Nellie Boustead and he blamed Rizal for his failure to
win her. Out of jealousy and an alcohol-befogged mind, Luna uttered unsavory
remarks about Nellie which Rizal heard and the latter could not tolerate it so he
challenged him to a duel. The Filipinos were shocked by the incident and they tried
to pacify the two. Fortunately, Luna got sober and he immediately apologized and
Rizal immediately accepted the apology.
Nelly Boustead
Rizal had met Nelly in his frequent visits to the
Boustead home along with his friends; Graciano
Lopez-Jaena, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Mariano
Ponce and Antonio Luna. Despite Rizal’s
affection for Nelly, he denied it when Antonio

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Luna, who has been very in love with her as well, ask him if he did like her.
Antonio, therefore, tried to believe Rizal.
Nelly Boustead is one of the two daughters of Eduardo Boustead whose
family claims Philippine citizenship since Eduardo’s married to a Genato family in
Manila. Nelly, has been described as an intellectual, sure of herself, vivacious,
good with foil, attractive, and serious with her religious beliefs.
Despite the attention, Nelly was giving more to him. Continuing his
pharmaceutical studies, Antonio left for Madrid and sent Rizal a letter soon
afterward asking him for updates regarding the unresponsive Nelly. It was never
mentioned whether Rizal wrote back or not.

On another occasion, Rizal challenged Wenceslao E. Retana to duel because

of the insult the latter wrote in an article. To save his own skin, Retana wrote an
apology in the newspaper and the incident silenced Retana’s pen against Rizal.
Later on, Retana developed an admiration for Rizal. In December 1890, Rizal
received a letter From Leonor Rivera announcing her marriage to an Englishman
and asking his forgiveness.
Toward the closing of 1890, a rivalry arose between Rizal and M.H. del
Pilar purchased the La Solidaridad and replaced Graciano Lopez Jaena as its editor.
As a leader, Rizal instills in his compatriots his idealism that in order to gain
prestige for the Propaganda Movement and respect from Spaniards they must
possess high standards of morality, dignity, and spirit of sacrifice. Unfortunately,
his idealism was not shared by certain frivolous countrymen and they declined
Rizal’s leadership and become supporters of Del Pilar. The editorial policy of Del
Pilar which was occasionally against Rizal’s political view enhanced the rivalry
between the two. The Filipinos in Madrid met on New Year’s Day to patch up their
differences and intensify the campaign for reform. It was decided in the meeting
that the leader, Responsable, must be chosen to direct the affairs of the Filipino
community and to determine the editorial policy of the periodical. Del Pilar was
opposed to the proposition on the ground that La Solidaridad was a private
enterprise; however, he was willing to publish articles that would express the
aspiration and demands of the Filipino people. So, the proposition that La
Solidaridad must be under the control of Responsable was abandoned. Their
meeting proceeded to the election for Responsable and they agreed the
Responsable should be elected by two-thirds of the vote.
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On the first week of February 1891, the election took place. The Filipinos
were divided into two groups - the Rizalistas and Pilaristas. Rizal was winning the
election but could not be proclaimed as Responsable because he did not reach the
required number of votes. On the third day of the election, Mariano Ponce
appealed to the Filipinos to vote for Rizal. And the voting resulted in Rizal’s
victory but Rizal declined the position. He knew that some of the compatriots who
supported Del Pilar despised or disliked him and he did not want to be the cause of
disunity and bitterness among his countrymen. Rizal wrote a note to his
compatriots thanking them for electing him as their Responsable before he left
Madrid for Biarritz.
Rizal notified Propaganda authorities in Manila to cancel his allowance and
devote it to some better because he retired from Propaganda Movement and he
desired to publish his second novel, and practice his medical profession. Rizal also
stopped writing articles for La Solidaridad. Del Pilar wrote to Rizal and realized
the need for Rizal’s collaboration in both Propaganda and in the La Solidaridad.
Del Pilar wrote to Rizal asking for forgiveness for any resentment and requesting
him to resume writing. Rizal wrote to Del Pilar denying any resentment and
explaining why he stopped writing for La Solidaridad.
Rizal wrote to Jose Ma. Basa was in Hong Kong and expressed his desire of
going to Hong Kong to practice ophthalmology in order to earn a living. He also
requested Basa to advance him the amount of a first-class steamer ticket from
Europe to Hong Kong. Rizal also wrote to Basa informing the latter about his
current negotiation with a printing firm. He told Basa that he can’t send it yet but it
will be sent to him by the next mail. He also told Basa that he will leave the
publication of El Fili. to Antonio Luna if something happened to him.
Oct. 18, 1891, Rizal boarded the steamer Melbourne in Marseilles bound for
Hong Kong. During his Voyage, he continued writing his novel but for some
reason, he was not able to finish his third novel which is intended for Filipino
readers. The other unfinished novels of Rizal were Makamisa, Dapitan, and
Spanish novels about life in Pili, Laguna, and two other novels without a title.
While on board, Rizal was having his dinner alone and he heard the German
ladies gossiping in German language and he just kept silent. Suddenly, the door of
the dining room blew open because the steamer encountered a squall and the
German ladies said that if Rizal would be a gentleman, he would close the door.
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German language which embarrassed the latter and thereafter Rizal with
admiration.
Rizal wrote to his parents asking permission to return home and on the same
day, Manuel T. Hidalgo wrote him a letter about the deportation of twenty-five
persons in Calamba. Before Christmas, Rizal was glad because his father and
Silvestre Ubaldo arrived in Hong Kong. Not long afterward, his mother and sisters,
Lucia, Josefa, and Trinidad also arrived.
To earn for himself and his family, Rizal practiced medicine. A Portuguese
physician, Dr. Lorenzo P. Marquez, helped him to build up a wild clientele and
later on he turned over to Rizal many of his eye cases. In due time, Rizal became a
well-known medical practitioner. Rizal was able to operate on his mother’s eyes.
Aside from being an eye specialist, he is also a general practitioner.
In the face of the bleak outlook of the Calamba folk under to regime of
Governor Valeriano Weyler’s terroristic regime, Rizal conceived the establishment
of a Filipino colony in North Borneo (Sabah). He planned to move the landless
Filipino families to that British-owned Island and carve out its virgin wildness a
“New Calamba”.
New trends of events in the Philippines gave Rizal a new hope because
Weyler was relieved from his gubernatorial office and new Gov. Gen. Eulogio
Despujol announced to the Filipino people a fine program of government. In the
belief that Gov. Despujol was sincere with his promises, Rizal wrote him a letter of
felicitation and offering his cooperation but the governor general did not
acknowledge his letter.
Rizal went to Sandakan to negotiate with the British authorities for the
establishment of the Filipino colony. His mission was successful. The British
authorities of Borneo were willing to give the Filipino colonist 100,000 acres of
land, a beautiful harbor, and a good government for 999 years, free of all charges.
Rizal’s friends in Europe enthusiastically endorsed the Borneo colonization. But
Manuel T. Hidalgo was against it. After waiting for three months, he wrote again
addressed to the governor-general and he gave it to the ship captain to make sure it
would the governor-general’s hand. Again, Governor Despujol did not reply to his
letter instead he notified the Spanish consul in Hong Kong to tell Rizal that he
could not approve Filipino Immigration to Borneo.

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In Hong Kong, Rizal continued his writings. He wrote “Ang Mga Karapatan
ng Tao”, “A la Nacion Española” (To the Spanish Nation), “Sa Mga Kababayan”,
“Una Vista a la Victoria Gaol” (A Visit to Victoria Gaol), “Colonisation du British
North Borneo, par de Familles de isles Philippines”(Colonization of British North
Borneo by the families from the Philippines), “Proyekto de Colonizacion del
British North Borneo por los Filipinos”(Project of the Colonization of British
North Borneo by the Filipinos) and “La Mano Roja” (The Red Hand).
The most important writing made by Rizal was the constitution of the Liga
Filipina which was printed in Hong Kong but to deceive the Spanish authorities the
printed copies carried false information about the printing. In the printed copies, it
was written that it is printed in London Printing Press.
Rizal decided to return to Manila to confer with the Governo Despujol
regarding the Borneo colonization; to establish the Liga Filipina In Manila, and to
prove that Eduardo de Lete was wrong in attacking him in Madrid. Lete’s article in
La Solidaridad portrayed Rizal as a coward, egoistic and opportunistic and Rizal
protested Del Pilar to allow that article to be published. Rizal confided to Ponce
about it.
Rizal wrote letters which was sealed and has an inscription that it will only
be opened after his death because of the premonition he had about his death. The
first letter was addressed to his parents, brethren, and friends, while the second
letter was addressed to the Filipinos.
Rizal wrote to Governor Despujol about his homecoming in Manila and
placed himself under the protection of the Spanish government. After his departure
from Hong Kong, the Spanish consul-general, who issued the guarantee of safety,
sent a cablegram to Governor Despujol that the victim is in the trap. On the same
day, a secret case was filed against Rizal and his followers for anti-patriotic
agitation. Despujol ordered his secretary to find out of Rizal was a naturalized
German citizen. Rizal and his sister, Lucia, were unaware of Spanish duplicity.
On July 26, 1892, Rizal and Lucia arrived in Manila. In the afternoon, Rizal
went to Malacañan to talk with Governor Despujol. The governor agreed to pardon
his father but not the rest of his family and told him to return on Wednesday (June
29). After his conversation with the governor-general, Rizal visited his sister,
Narcisa and Neneng, in the city. Rizal also visited his friends in Malolos, San
Francisco, Tarlac, and Bacoor. Rizal returned to Manila and not knowingly, he was
shadowed by government spies who watch his actions. After Rizal’s interview with
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the governor-general, he attended the meeting of the patriots at the home of the
Doroteo Ongjunco of Liga Filipina and the patriots were impressed and approved
the establishment of the Liga.
During Rizal’s interview with Governor Despujol, the latter showed him
some leaflets which were allegedly found in Lucia’s pillowcases. The leaflets were
satire against the rich Dominican friars who have fabulous riches contrary to their
monastic vow of poverty. Rizal denied the accusation and demanded investigation
but due to due process of law, he was arrested and escorted to Fort Santiago by
Ramon Despujol. The Gaceta de Manila published a story about on Rizal’s arrest
which produced commotion among the Filipinos, particularly the members of Liga
Filipina. The article also contained governor general Despujol’s decree on
deporting Rizal from one of the islands in the south.

RIZAL’S LIFE IN DAPITAN

On July 15, 1892, Rizal was brought under heavy guard and captain Delgras
to the steamer Cebu which was sailing for Dapitan. It was July 17 when they
reached Dapitan and Captain Delgras handed Rizal to Captain Rizacrdo Carnicero,
a Spanish commandant in Dapitan. The steamer that brough Rizal to Dapitan
carried a letter from Fr. Pablo Pastells addressed to Fr. Obach, Jesuit parish priest
of Dapitan. In the letter, it informed Fr. Obach about the conditions which can
allow Riza to stay in the convent. Rizal did not agree to the conditions so he lived
in the house of Carnicero. Carnicero was charmed by Rizal’s personality. He gave
good reports to Governor despujol about Rizal.
Rizal, Captain Carnicero and Francisco Equilor won the second prize of
P20,000 in a lottery. Rizal’s share of the prize was P6,200. Rizal gave P2000 to his
father, P200 to Basa, and the remaining money, he invested in purchasing
agricultural lands. Rizal’s winning in Manila Lottery reveals that Rizal was a

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lottery addict. In Madrid, he always spent at least three presents a month in the
lottery which was his only vice.
During Rizal’s exile in Dapitan, he had arguments with Fr. Pastells about
religion which started when the latter sent Rizal a book by Sarda with the advice
that Rizal should desist from his foolishness in viewing religion from the prism of
individual judgment and self-esteem. Rizal expressed his anti-Catholic but Rizal
was not convinced so, he lived in Dapitan beyond the pale of his mother Church. In
spite of the differences between Fr. Pastels and Rizal, they remained as good
friends. Aside from the personal efforts of Fr. Pastels to persuade Rizal, he
instructed Fr. Obach and Fr. Jose Vilaclara to try their best to bring back Rizal into
the Catholic fold. Furthermore, he assigned Fr. Fransisco de Paula Sanchez to
Dapitan. Upon the arrival of Fr. Sanchez, he visited Rizal Immediately. Almost
daily, they had theological arguments in a friendly manner but all of the efforts of
Fr. Sanchez were I vain because he was not able to convince Rizal.
In Dapitan, Rizal challenges Frenchmen to a duel when Antonio Miranda
forwarded him a letter from the French businessman who purchased logs from his
lands, Mr. Juan Lardet. Rizal read the letter of Lardet which flared up his anger
because of the latter’s unsavory comment about the logs that were purchased.
Captain Carnicero heard about the incident and advised Mr. Lardet to apologize to
Rizal instead of accepting the challenge. Mr. Lardet wrote to Rizal apologizing for
the insulting comment. Rizal accepted his apology and their good relationship were
restored.
Rizal had a pleasant life in Dapitan, Since August, his family took turns in
visiting him to ease his loneliness. Rizal built a house by the seashore of Talisay,
surrounded by fruit trees. Rizal was peacefully and happily in his house at Talisay
with his mother and sister, Narcisa. On the night of Nov. 3, a spy with the assumed
name of “Pablo Mercado” pretending to be Rizal’s relative visited him. He
introduced himself as a friend and a relative. He offered Rizal to be the secret
courier of his letters and writings but Rizal was a man of prudence and keen
perception became suspicious. Rizal wanted to throw “Pablo” out of his house
because of his lies but being hospitable, he invited him to stay for the night and
sent him away the next morning. Rizal learned that the spy was still in Dapitan so
he reported the incident that happened in his house to the new Captain, Captain
Juan Sitges. The Captain had the spy investigated and learned that his real name
was Florencio Namanan and was a native of Cagayan de Misamis. He was hired by
recollect friars to spy on Rizal’s activities and writings. Strangely, investigated
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Governor-general Blanco and kept the Documents highly confidential. Rizal was
surprised by the turn of events. He asked for a copy of documents of the
proceeding but his request was rejected.
Rizal practiced medicine in Dapitan and he has many patients. Most of them
are poor but he also has rich patients who paid him generously. Rizal operated on
his mother’s right eye and it was successful but his mother removed her bandages.
Ignoring his son’s instructions, this made the wound to be infected. Being a
physician, Rizal got an interest in local medicine and the use of medical plants. He
studied medical plants and their curative values. He prescribed the local medicinal
plants to his poor patients who cannot afford the imported medicine.
Rizal built a water system in Dapitan. H applied his knowledge in
engineering in order to furnish clean water to townspeople. Aside from the water
system, Rizal spent many months draining the marshes in order to get rid of
malaria. He also equips the town with a lighting system consisting of coconut oil
lamps. Another community project of Rizal was the beautification of the town
plaza. Rizal established a school that lasted until the end of his exile in July 1896.
The initial number of his students was three but it the course of time it increased to
21. His students did not pay any tuition but he made them work in his gardens,
fields, and construction projects. Rizal taught his boys reading, writing, languages,
geography, history, mathematics, industrial work, nature study, morals, and
gymnastics. He also encouraged them to play games to strengthen their bodies like
gymnastics, boxing, wrestling, stone-throwing, swimming, arnis, and boating.
Rizal wrote a poem entitled “Himno A Talisay” for pupils to sing.
As a contribution to science, Rizal collected specimens from Mindanao’s
rich virgin fields. He explored jungles and coasts with his students to collect
specimens and he sent them to the museum in Europe, especially to Dresden
Museum. In return, the European scientist sent him scientific books and surgical
instruments. Rizal was able to collect 346 shells representing 203 species. He also
discovered rare specimens which were named after him. Rizal also conducted
anthropological, ethnological, archaeological, geological, and geographical studies.
In Dapitan, Rizal continued his study of languages and he learned the
Bisayan, Subanum, and Malayan languages. He wrote Tagalog grammar and made
a comparative study of the Bisayan and Malayan languages. He also continued his
artistic pursuits in Dapitan. He contributed his painting skills to the sisters of
charity who were preparing the sanctuary of the Holy Virgin Mary in their private

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chapel. He made sketches of things and persons that attracted him. He modeled a
statue representing the mother dog killing the crocodile, by the way of avenging
her lost puppy, and he called it “The Mother’s Revenge”. He also made a statue of
a girl and called it “The Dapitan Girl”, a woodcarving of Josephine Bracken, and a
bust of St. Paul.
As a farmer, Rizal devoted most of his to agriculture. He introduced and
applied the modern methods of agriculture which he observed in Europe and
America. He also imported agricultural machinery from the United States. Rizal
also engaged in business. He made profitable business ventures in the fishing,
copra, and hemp industries in partnership with Ramon Carreon, a Dapitan
merchant. Rizal organized a Cooperative Association of Dapitan Farmers to break
the Chinese monopoly on business in Dapitan. Doña Teodora returned to Manila,
she requested Rizal to write a poem again and as response, Rizal wrote “Mi Retiro”
(My Retreat) which was about the serene life of Rizal in his exile in Dapitan.
In Dapitan, Rizal had a patient from Hong Kong who is blind. His patient
was Mr. George Taufer who is accompanied by his adopted daughter, Josephine
Bracken, with Manuela Orlac, their Filipino companion. Rizal was unable to cure
Mr. Taufer because his allment is incurable. Rizal and Josephine fell in love with
each other. After one month, they agreed to get married. Taufer heard about their
plan and he flared up violently. He tried to commit suicide but Rizal was able to
prevent it. Due to this incident, Josephine went to Manila with Taufer. Mr. Taufer
returned to Hong Kong alone and Josephine stayed in Manila with Rizal’s family.
Later, Josephine returned to Dapitan. Since no priest would marry Rizal and
Josephine, they held their hands together and married themselves before the eyes
of God. They lived as man and wife. Fr.
Obach was scandalized and many unsavory
tales were circulated by gossip in Dapitan.
Josephine Bracken
Josephine Bracken came into Rizal’s
life at the right moment and at the right time.
After a hard day’s work in Dapitan, he was
lonely and felt that there was something
missing in his life. Boredom had always crept
in and he longed for something that he could
not understand. He recalled his happy sojourn

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in various places of the world, his happy childhood in Laguna, and more
poignantly the death of Leonor Rivera.
And one day, Josephine Bracken, an Irish girl of eighteen, described as a
“slender, a chestnut blond, with blue eyes, dressed with elegant simplicity, with an
atmosphere of light gayety” came into his life. She was born in Hong Kong on
October 3, 1876, fifteen years younger than Rizal. Her parents were Irish, her
father was a corporal in the British garrison, and her mother was Elizabeth Jane
Macbride, who died when she was born. She was later adopted by Mr. George
Taufer, who later became blind.
There was no ophthalmic surgeon in Hong Kong, but they had heard of the
famous one in the Philippines, so they came to Dapitan, to seek the services of Dr.
Jose P. Rizal. They were accompanied by a Filipina named Manuela Orlac and
presented a card of introduction by Julio Llorente, a friend, and a schoolmate.
As fate would have it, Rizal and Josephine fell in love and after a whirlwind
romance, they decided to get married, but Father Obach of Dapitan refused to
marry them without the consent of the Bishop of Cebu. This reached the ears of
Mr. Taufer, who got mad and even attempted to commit suicide. To prevent further
embarrassment and untoward incidents, Josephine went with Mr. Taufer to Manila
by the first available steamer. Mr. Taufer returned to Hong Kong uncured, because
his blindness was venereal in nature and incurable, while Josephine stayed with
Rizal. Since there was no priest who would marry them, they married themselves
by holding their hands and making their vows before God. After that, they lived as
husband and wife, much to the irritation of Father Obach.
The couple were happy and lived an idyllic life in Dapitan. To Rizal, he
found his complete. As he was used to do, he likewise wrote a poem to Josephine
which is as follows:
Josephine Josephine
Who to these shores have come
Looking for a nest, a home
Like a wandering swallow;
If your fate is taking you
To Japan, China or Shanghai

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Don’t forget on these shores
A heart for you beats high

Dapitan will always hold a part of Rizal, for, in this territory, their premature
eight-month-old baby boy who lived for only three hours was buried. Rizal was
extremely happy at the expectations of having a child, and one night played a
prank on Josephine who was frightened and gave birth prematurely.

On December 17, 1895, Rizal wrote to Governor Blanco offering services as

military doctor in Cuba. In early 1896, Rizal was extremely happy because
Josephine was expecting a baby. Unfortunately, Josephine prematurely gave birth
to an eight-month old baby boy, who only three hours because of the prank played
on Josephine frightening the latter so much. The lost son of Rizal was named
“Francisco” in honor to his father.
Dr. Pio Valenzuela went to Dapitan and brought with him a blind,
Raymundo Mata, to camouflage his mission to inform Rizal about the plan of
Katipunan to launch a revolution for freedom’s sake. Dr. Valenzuela arrived in
Dapitan in the evening. Rizal welcomed him to his house and they talked after the
supper on the garden. Dr. Valenzuela told Rizal about the plan of Katipunan. Rizal
objected to Bonifacio’s plan to plunge the country in bloody revolution. For Rizal
Bonifacio’s plan was premature because the people are not ready for a revolution
and the arms and funds must be collected before raising the cry of revolution. He
also disapproved their plan of rescuing him.
A letter arrived from Governor Blanco in Dapitan Notifying Rizal of the
acceptance of his offer dated July 1. It also informed him that a politico-military
commander of Dapitan would give him a pass so he could go to Manila and he
would be given a safe-conduct to Spain. In Spain, the Minister of war will assign
him to the Armies of Operations in Cuba. Rizal was very glad and his joyous
thought of resuming his travel, he wrote a poem entitle “El Canto del Viajero”
(The Song of the Traveler).
It was July 31, 1896, when Rizal was able to leave Dapitan after four years
of exile with Josephine, Narcisa, Angelica, his three nephews and six pupils.
Almost all of his Dapitan folks bid him goodbye. When Rizal arrived in Manila, he

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was unable to catch the mail ship Isla de Luzon for Spain because it department the
previous day. Near midnight of the same day Rizal was transferred to the Spanish
cruiser Castilla, by order of Governor Blanco. Rizal stayed on the cruiser from
August 6 to September 2, 1896.
While waiting on the next steamer to take him Spain, important events
occurred, indicating the downfall of Spanish power in Asia. Rizal heard about the
eruption of revolution started and it would arouse Spanish vengeance against
Filipino patriots.
Rizal received two letters from Governor Blanco when was proclaimed in
eight different provinces. One was addressed to him and the other was to general
Marcelo de Azcarraga, Minister of war. Rizal wrote to his mother before his
departure and he was transferred the steamer Isla de Panay which sailing for
Barcelona, Spain. On Sep. 7, 1896, The Isla de Panay arrived in Singapore. Don
Pedro Roxas, a passenger, advised Rizal to ignore their advised because he gave
his word of honor Governor Blanco.
Rizal was unaware that since departure from Manila Bay, Governor Blanco
and the Ministers of War and colonies were exchanging coded telegrams and
confidential messages plotting his arrest upon reaching Barcelona. Rizal heard
from his co-passenger the news that he would be arrested by the order of Governor.
General Blanco and he would be sent to prison in Ceuta. There was nothing official
yet about his arrest, it was still a shipboard gossip. Then, Rizal was notified by the
captain that he needed to stay in the cabin until the further orders from Manila and
he complied with it. At 6:25 pm, the steamer anchored at Malta and he was unable
to visit the island fortress because he was confined in the cabin. The steamer
arrived in Barcelona with Rizal as prisoner on board. His jailor was General
Eulogio Despujol, the one who ordered his banishment in Dapitan. Rizal was
awakened by the guards and escorted to prison-fortness named Montjuic. He spent
the whole morning in cell. In afternoon, he was escorted to the quarter of General
Despujol. In their interview, General Despujol told him that he would be shipped
back to Manila At 8:88pm, the ship left Barcelona.
The diary of Rizal was confiscated and scrutinized by authorities before
reaching fort said his diary was returned to him when nothing incriminating was
found on it. When Rizal’s friend knew about his arrest and they sent telegrams to a
lawyer, Hugh Fort, to recue Rizal from Spanish steamer on the ground writ of
habeas corpus. Unfortunately, chief Justice Loinel Cox denied the petition of Atty.

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 Rizal’s Life: Life in Abroad, Dapitan and Execution
Fort to remove Rizal From the Spanish steamer because the warship of a foreign
power was beyond the jurisdiction of Singapore authorities.
On Nov. 3, the colon reached Manila. The Spanish was exulting with joy
because of more reinforcements and military supplies while Rizal was transferred
under heavy guard to fort Santiago. The Spanish authorities tortured some
compatriots of Rizal and his brother, Paciano, to finished evidence against Rizal.

INVESTIGATION, TRIAL AND EXECUTION

The preliminary investigation was done and Rizal was accused, appeared
before the judge advocate, colonel Francisco Olive. He was subjected for five-day
investigation and he was informed of the charges against him. He answered all the
questions of the judge but he was not permitted to confront those who testified
against him. Two kinds of evidence were presented against Rizal- Documentary
and testimonial. Colonel Olive transmitted the records of the case to Governor
General Blanco and the letter appointed Captain Rafael Dominguez as special
Judge Advocate to Institute the correspondence action against Rizal. Immediately
Dominguez made a brief resume of the charges and returned the papers to
Governor General Blanco and the latter transmitted them to the Judge Advocate
General Don Nicolas de la Peña, opinion.
After studying the papers, Peña recommended that the accused must
immediately brought to trial; should be kept in prison; an order of attachment be
issued against his property to the amount of one million pesos as indemnity; and
should be defended in court by an army officer, not a civilian lawyer. Rizal was
given a list of 100 first and second lieutenant in Spanish Army to Choose who
would be his defender. He chose Don Luis Taviel de Andrade was the brother of
his “bodyguard” in Calamba. Lt.Luis Taviel de Andrade gladly accepted the task.
The information of charges was formally read to Rizal in prison with his
counsel. He was accused of being the principal organizer and the living soul of the
Filipino insurrection, the founder of society, periodicals, and books dedicated to
fomenting and propagating ideas of rebellion. Rizal raised no objection on the
jurisdiction of the court but pleaded not guilty to the crime of rebellion. He
admitted that he wrote the constitution of Liga Filipina. He waived the right to
amend or make further statements already made, except that he had taken no part
Rizal and Other Heroes
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 Rizal’s Life: Life in Abroad, Dapitan and Execution
in politics since his exile in Dapitan. Dominguez forwarded the papers on Rizal
case to Malacañan Palace, the same day when General Camilio G. de Polavieja
became the new Governor General of the Philippines with the help of the powerful
Dominican friars.
Rizal wrote a manifesto to his people to stop shedding blood and to achieve
liberties by means of education and industry but his manifesto was not issued to
the Filipinos because Governor General Polavieja suppressed it. He spent his
Christmas on his cell. The court-martial of Rizal started at Cuartel de España.
Seated behind the long table were the seven members of the military court, Dr.
Rizal Lt. Taviel de Andrade, Capt. Rafael Dominguez, Lt. Enrique de Alcocer, and
the inspectors - Josephine Bracken, newspapermen, and many Spaniards. The trial
was opened by judge Advocate Dominguez who explained the case against Rizal.
After him, Prosecuting Attorney Alcocer arose and delivered a long speech
summarizing the charges against Rizal and urged the court to give the verdict of
death to the accused. Defense Counsel Taviel de Andrade took his seat; Rizal was
asked if he has anything to say. Rizal then read a supplement to his defense which
he wrote in his prison cell. In his supplement defense, he further proved his
innocence.
The military court remained indifferent to Rizal’s pleading. The president,
Lt. Col. Togores Arjona considered the trial over and ordered the hall cleared.
After a short deliberation, the military court unanimously voted for a sentence of
death. The court decision was submitted to Governor General Polavieja and he
sought the opinion of judge Advocate General Nicolas de la Peña on the court
decision and later affirmed the death verdict. Polavieja approve the decision of the
court-martial and ordered Rizal to be shot at 7:00 am on December 30 at
Bagumbayan Field.
During the last 24 hours on earth of Rizal, he was busy meeting visitors,
including Jesuit priest, Josephine bracken and members of his family, a Spanish
newspaper correspondent, some friends, and secretly, finishing his farewell poem.
On December 30, 1896 Rizal turned his back on the firing squad and faced the sea.
At exactly 7:03am, Rizal died at Bagumbayan Field at the age of 35 years, five
months and eleven days.

The Women in Jose Rizal’s Life

(Rizal’s heterosexual orientation)

Rizal and Other Heroes

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 Rizal’s Life: Life in Abroad, Dapitan and Execution

The women characters of Rizal were not created from thin air. Rizal had a
lot of experience with women. He grew up in a household that was predominantly
female. Aside from his mother, Doña Teodora, were his nine sisters. There were
also the servants. Outside the home were aunts, not to mention women of various
ages, sizes and nationalities that entered his life at one point or other. From his
mother, a devout Catholic, Rizal learned only too well how the institution
indoctrinates so effectively. From his sisters, Rizal got a good briefing regarding
the problems of women that are peculiar to their sex as well as the helplessness of
children who come into the world unprotected from the hazards of childbirth,
diseases and a hostile colonial society. From his sisters, Rizal learned that because
women have wombs, they are subjected to many vicissitudes. Not only did they
have to contend with a harsh colonial regime, they also had to face equally harsh of
their biology. Pregnancy was a great risk to their lives. The frequency of
pregnancies and too many children gave them no time for themselves so they could
engage in intellectual pursuits or get involved in community work.
Rizal was a keen observer of women. His diary is full of accounts of women.
In Madrid, he took note of prostitutes; in Germany he extolled the virtues of the
German women and felt so sad and apprehensive when he read advertisements of
males in America calling for domestic helpers for overseas employment and for
mail-order brides posted in the newspapers; in the Basque region he noted
women’s industry; in France he observed the child-rearing practices of mother.
Considering Rizal’s intelligence and his exposure to the predicament of
women as a sex separate from men, his interest in them was not the usual male
interest in the female species. He saw them not as sex objects but as creatures in
need of liberation.

Criticism
RIZAL’S HOMOSEXUAL ORIENTATION
Rizal is a symbol that is heavily proliferated in our everyday life, from the names of
streets to our textbooks, from the money we use to the monuments we see. But in all his
glorious ubiquity, could we be forgetting just how much we don’t know about our national
hero? Much have been said about the women in Rizal’s life, but there were some issues
Rizal and Other
circulating aboutHeroes
Rizal being a homosexual. Although there were no substantiating evidences
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to prove that Rizal was Mindanao, LPT scholars provided scenarios and situations in Rizal’s
some Filipino
life which can indicate of his homosexual tendencies.
 Rizal’s Life: Life in Abroad, Dapitan and Execution

Fourth, Rizal, unlike his compatriots, didn’t go “consorting” in the brothels of

Barcelona and Madrid (at least, not very often). Fifth, He would write to Paciano, his brother,
about his everyday life and adventures while he was away. He would tell Paciano every little
thing down to the last detail. He was known to have never kept any secret from Paciano so a lot
of us were wondering, with all that he told Paciano, how come he never talked about sex? We
all thought about Rizal being conservative but he is still a man, Paciano is also a man, it would
be normal for them to talk about girls, drinking and sex. But again, Rizal never did mention
anything about his sexual life, or if he even had a sexual life.
Rizal and Other Heroes
Lastly, Rizal also wrote to Blumentritt, a good friend of his, about his daily life. Whenever he
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would write letters to Paciano, he would address to him as "Paciano" and ends the letter with
"Pepe"and with almost all of the peopke he wrote to, as simple as that. But with Professor
Ferdinand Blumentritt, a good friend of his, it was always different. He would address to him
 Rizal’s Life: Life in Abroad, Dapitan and Execution

REFERENCES
 Coates, Austin. Rizal: Filipino Nationalist and Martyr. Hong Kong: Oxford
University Press Quezon City: Malaya Books, 1969
 Ileto, Reynaldo. “Rizal and the Underside of Philippine History” In Filipinos
and their Revolution: Event, Discourse, and Historiography. Quezon City:
Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1998, pp. 29-78
 Martir. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 2007.
 Rizal, Jose. “ Memoirs of a Student in Manila,” Appendix Section of
Gregorio Zaide’s Jose Rizal: Life, Works, and Writings
 Schumacher, John. The Propaganda Movement, 1880-1885: The Creation of
a Filipino Consciousness, The Making of a Revolution. Quezon City:
Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1997.

Rizal and Other Heroes

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