Rizal, Life, works and Writings

I- Introduction.

A. Republic Act 1425 (The Rizal Law).

Senate Bill 448 (Rizal Bill) filed by then Senator Jose P. Laurel with the intention of
giving the Filipino people with the knowledge about the oppressions suffered by their
countrymen during the Spanish Era.
Sen. Jose P. Laurel has the conviction that by reading Rizal’s two (2) popular novels,
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo and other writings, Filipinos will be able to understand
themselves and their country and realize the greatness of their national Hero.
However, Senate Bill 448 was rough with many attempts from the members of Congress
and from other quarters to block it.
Those opposition senators were Sen. Decoroso Rosales, Sen. Mariano Cuenco, and Sen.
Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo. The reason why they opposed such measure was that a violation of
religious freedom.
The word “compulsory” was removed to read, “inclusion in the curricula of all public and
private schools, colleges and universities, the course on the life, works and writings of Jose
Rizal. Thus Republic Act 1425 known as “ 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” became law on June 12, 1956.

Major Provisions of RA 1425:

1. It directs educational agencies such as the Department of Education and the

Commission on Higher Education to include in the curricula of all schools
2. It obliges all the libraries of all schools to maintain adequate copies of Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
3. It directs the board of National Education to take charge of the translation,
reproduction, and distribution of Rizal’s novel.

Implementation of R.A. 1425

A. During the 50’s and the 60’s.

During this period the influence of Spain was still felt in the country and that could
explain the varying interpretations of Rizal law.
Education Secretary Jose E. Romero gave schools so much leeway in the implementation
of the Law that some schools were granted exception from the reading the two novels.
Others banned the readings of the two novels of Jose Rizal.

Further on the 60’s, Rizal course could be offered as a three (3) unit subject or a
supplementary topics to other courses.

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 In 1965, Secretary of Education Alejandro Roces ordered the integration of Rizal course
with appropriate courses other than Spanish.
In 1969, the then secretary of Education Carlos P. Romulo ordered the course of Rizal to
be offered as a three unit subject and the same time a prerequisite to graduation. This order came
out 13 years after the enactment of the Rizal Law in 1956.
In 1984, the Minister of Education then Jaime C. Laya ordered the Rizal course to be
integrated with Philippine History and Rizal’s literary works became part of language and
literature courses in Filipino, Spanish and English. This practice lasted for ten (10) years.
In the 90’s, the Rizal course suffered added setbacks because the government has the
preference on Science and technology. Either for apathy or overreaction to government
programs, some schools took the humanities for granted. These explain the education
department’s half-hearted or varying interpretation of Rizal Law.

B. Presidential Memos/Order 247 and CHED Issuances.

From 1995 to 1996, grand celebrations were held for centennial celebrations of the
Philippine Revolution, the Philippine Independence and Jose Rizal’s Martyrdom. Along these
celebrations was revisiting Rizal Law and its implementation. Former President Fidel Ramos
issued 1995 memorandum/Order which mandated the immediate and full implementation of the
Rizal Law with sanctions against schools for noncompliance.
In 1996, The Commission on Higher Education chairman Angel C. Alcala issued CHED
Order no. 6, reiterating Rizal life, Works and writings as a legislated and mandated course and
should be offered as a three unit subject. On September 25, 996, CHED Memorandum Order
No. 59 specified CHED Order No. 66 making Philippine History and Rizal as required, three
unit courses respectively.
The teaching of Rizal and Philippine History as distinct three-unit separate courses
balance the prescribe number of units for general education in college. These issuances jibed
with the Virginia Anonas’ study on the curriculum development recognizing the significance of
Social Sciences. While irrelevant subjects in curriculum should be eliminated, the study warns
school against their tendency of taking social sciences for granted. Social Sciences serve as the
anchor of other courses in the different discipline.

C. The Teaching of Rizal Course in College.

It has been said that the subject Rizal has been taught in college in different styles and
with different techniques, depending upon the background of the teachers who handle it.
This course is commonly THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE P.
RIZAL, also known as RIZAL or RIZALIANA.
In 1989, at the national convention held in Baguio City, the Kapisanan ng mga Gurong
Nagmamahal kay Rizal (KAGUNARI) stressed the need of upgrading and professionalizing the
teaching of Rizal. Delegates from different regions shared their common observation which
affirmed earlier discussion on the inappropriate teaching of Rizal course. While Rizal’s Life,
Works and Writings is the only mandated-legislated course in college, up to now, some
educators take the course as a filler for additional teaching loads or as curricular frill.

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D. Rizal Law and Filipino Culture.

Noli Me Tangere presents the Filipino Culture and El Filibusterismo forecasts the
inability of revolution.
Culture is the source of national power. As that, the government strives to attain people’s
unity, people proud of their history and artistic inclinations while striving to become a new
industrialized country.
Culture is the very life support system of the Philippines that is a pluralistic in nature, as
there are thousands of island that composed its geographic make up. A real culture serves as the
dynamic resource of a unite people towards nation building.
Culture is about people’s way of life. It reveals the people’s fine qualities, the maladies
of a society; the virtues and vices of a people.
Noli Me Tangere underscored the Filipino culture because it is a lasting legacy, surviving
the present generation and all the generations to come.
Culture is like invisible thread that binds the people together. Its influence is
overwhelming; it consists of events that happened in the past, and has shaped contemporary
thinking, beliefs, values and attitudes of our people.
Culture reflects the kind of social and political structure which we are part of. It is what
makes Filipinos, really Filipinos.
Culture is the complex web knowledge, beliefs, values, morals, laws, customs and all
other tangible and intangible faculties, learned and shared by Filipinos through the years, of both
their triumphs and struggles as a people. Arts and culture are the very oil that runs breathes life
into the Filipino Machine.

II- Who made Rizal Our National Hero?

A. Hero is a person of distinguished valour or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering

and a person who is revered by the public after his or her death because of his exceptional
service to humankind.

1. He is deemed to be the greatest hero our country has produced because he was a
towering figure in the Propaganda Movement, having played an “admirable role”
therein.
2. Rizal’s first novel, Noli Me Tangere, influenced the Filipino masses to a great extent.
3. Without Rizal, there would have been no Bonifacio, who founded the Katipunan.

III- The Birth of a Hero.

A. During the times of Rizal, the sinister shadows of Spain’s decadence darkened Philippine
skies.

B. The Filipino people agonized beneath the yoke of Spanish misrule, for they were
unfortunate victims of the evils of an unjust, bigoted and deteriorating colonial power.

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C. Instability of Colonial Administration.

1. The Spanish government underwent frequent changes owing to bitter struggles

between the forces of despotism and liberalism.
2. From 1834 to 1862, Spain had adopted four constitutions, elected 28 parliaments, and
installed no less than 529 ministers with portfolios; followed in subsequent years by
party strife, revolutions, and other political upheaval.
3. This political instability affected Philippine affairs because it brought about frequent
periodic shifts in colonial policies and a periodic rigodon of colonial officials.

D. Corrupt Colonial Officials.

1. With few exceptions, the colonial officials (governors-general, judges, provincial

executives, etc.) sent by Spain to the Philippines in the 19th century were a far cry
from their able and dedicated predecessors or the ancestors of the 16th, 17th, and 18th
centuries.
2. They were either highly corrupt, incompetent, cruel, or venal.
3. General Rafael de Izquierdo (1871-73), a boastful and ruthless governor general,
aroused the anger of the Filipinos by executing the innocent Fathers Mariano Gomez,
Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, the “Martyrs of 1972”.
4. Governor Fernando Primo de Rivera, governor general for two terms (1880-83 and
1897-79), enriched himself by accepting bribes from gambling casinos in Manila
which he scandalously permitted to operate.
5. Other Spanish colonial officials were of the same evil breed of men as the corrupt
and degenerate governors-general mentioned above.

E. Human Rights Denied to Filipinos

1. Since the adoption of the Spanish Constitution of 1812 and other constitutions in
succeeding years, the people of Spain enjoyed freedom of Speech, freedom of the
press, freedom of association, and other human rights (except freedom of religion).

2. No Equality before the Law.

The Spanish missionaries, who introduced Christianity into the Philippines as

early as in the 16th century, taught that all men, irrespective of color and race, are
children of God and as such they are brothers, equal before God.

3. Maladministration of Justice

a. The courts of justice in the Philippines during Rizal’s time were notoriously
corrupt.
b. Verily, they were courts of “injustice”, as far as the brown Filipinos were
concerned.
c. Justice was costly, partial, and slow.
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 d. Poor Filipinos had no access to the courts because they could not afford the
heavy expenses of litigation.

4. Racial Discrimination

a. Spain introduced Christianity into the Philippines with its beautiful egalitarian
concept of the brotherhood of all men under God the Father.
b. They regarded the converted Filipinos not as brother Christians, but as inferior
beings who were infinitely undeserving of the rights and privileges that the
white Spaniards enjoyed.

5. Frailocracy.

a. Owing to the Spanish political philosophy of union of Church and State, there
arose a unique form of government in Hispanic Philippines called
“Frailocracy” (frailocracia), because it was a government by friars.
b. Friars are members of certain monastic orders under the vows of obedience,
poverty and chastity. The following are examples of Friars:
1) The Grey Friars known as the Franciscan;
2) Austin Friars known as the Augustinians;
3) Black Friars known as the Dominicans;
4) White Friars known as the Carmelites.
c. Friars played very important roles in the process of bringing about peace in
the island colony, not to mention the gift of Christianity.
d. They held advantage over the civil government officials because of their
longer stay in the Philippines, their familiarity with the natives & their local
dialects, & the natives’ deep respect for priests.
e. Spain saw the convenience of establishing FRAILOCRACY.
f. The Friars were even more powerful than the civil government officials.
g. This affirms Voltaire when he said, “Religion makes men cohesive, & if
society does not have religion, then one must be invented for easy conquest.
h. Religion pacifies conflicts & unites divergent people.
i. The friars (Augustinians, Dominicans, and Franciscans) controlled the
religious and educational life of Philippines.
j. The Power of the Parish Priests during the Spanish Era:
1) Preacher
2) Tax Collector
3) Election Inspector
4) Law Enforcer
5) Registry of deeds
6) Confessors

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 6. Forced Labor.

a. Known as the polo, it was the compulsory labor imposed by the Spanish
colonial authorities on adult Filipino males.
b. Originally, Filipino males from 16-60 years old were obliged to render forced
labor for 40 days a year.
c. Later, the Royal Decree of July 12, 1883, implemented by the New
Regulations promulgated by the Council of State of February 3, 1885,
increased the minimum age of the polistas (those performed the forced labor)
from 16-18 and reduced the days of labor from 40 to 15.

7. Haciendas Owned by the Friars.

a. The rural folks, who had been living in these haciendas and cultivating them
generation after generation became tenants.
b. The friars were recognized as legal owners of said lands because they
obtained royal titles of ownership from the Spanish crown.

8. The Guardia Civil

a. The last hated symbol of Spanish tyranny was the Guardia Civil which was
created by the Royal Decree of February 12, 1852, as amended by the Royal
Decree of March 24, 1888, for the purpose of maintaining internal peace and
order in the Philippines.
b. It was relatively peaceful in the Philippines at about the time that Jose Rizal
was born.
c. By the time Don Francisco Rizal joyfully announced the coming of his
seventh child, a boy, Spain had lost her colonies in the new world.
d. Mexico became an independent country in 1821 and the last galleon from
Acapulco ended its voyage in 1815.
e. About two years before the birth of Rizal, Spain made some head way in her
conquest of Morocco in North Africa.
f. In 1859, Darwin published his Origin of Species.
g. In the 19th century, the impressionist school of painting, based in France,
emerged.

IV- THE PHILIPPINES DURING THE 19th CENTURY UNDER SPANISH RULE

A. Political Institution

1. The Spanish misrule in the Philippines was centralized in form.

2. The Philippines was governed through the Ministries of the Colonies established
in Madrid in 1863.
3. The national government in the Philippines was headed by a mestizo, while the
local government was headed by an indio.
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 4. The main local government units were the provinces (alcaldias), headed by the
alcalde mayor or provincial governor, who exercised executive and judicial
functions.
5. The alcalde mayor was considered the most corrupt government official then in
the Philippines; he was the administrator, judge, and military commandant, with
the privilege of engaging in and monopolizing trade, called indulto de commercio.
6. The alcalde mayores bought goods from the natives at low prices and sold these
back to the natives in times of scarcity at much higher prices.
7. The provinces were divided into towns or pueblos.
8. Each pueblo was headed by a gobernadorcillo or town mayor.
9. Each town was divided into barrios or barangays. Each barangay was headed by
a cabeza de barangay, whose main function was the maintenance of peace and
order in the barrio and the collection of taxes and tributes as well.

B. Sources of Abuses in the Administrative System

1. Government officials who are incompetent were appointed

2. The principal officials obtained their respective positions via royal appointment
by the governor-general himself, or the positions were sold to the highest bidder.
3. the most corrupt government officials was the alcalde mayor
4. As the position of gobernadorcillo was honorary, many of such officials collected
taxes from the natives and did not use these for the improvement of their locality
but instead pocketed them.

C. The Philippine Social Structure

1. The social structure of the 19th century favored the Spaniards.
2. The highest social class consisted of the peninsulares (Spaniards born in Spain),
followed by the insulares (Spaniards born in the Philippines)
3. The Spanish and Chinese mestizos, and the principalia, the latter class composed
of the gobernadorcillos, cabezas de barangay, and wealthy native families.

D. The Educational System

1. The schools in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period were not co-
educational; the girls were separated from the boys.
2. The first college for boys was College of Manila, founded by the Jesuits in 1589.
It was renamed College of Ignacio
3. The first college for girls, established in 1589, was Colegio de Santa Potenciana.
It was merged in 1866, now called Sta. Isabel College
4. The second colony and the oldest existing University at present, was University of
Santo Tomas.
5. It was founded in 1611 by Fr. Miguel de Benavidez, a Dominican priest, as
College of our Lady of the Rosary.
6. In 1611, it was renamed Colegio de Santo Tomas and in 1645, became known as
University of Santo Tomas.

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 7. The system of education were the overemphasis on religious matters, the obsolete
teaching methods, the limited curriculum, the poor classroom facilities and the
absence of teaching materials.

E. Economic Institution.

1. It paved the way for various oppressive practices, such as tributo, forced labor,
bandala.

V- Advent of the National Hero.

A. Jose Rizal

1. Dr. Jose Rizal, the greatest hero of the Philippines, was a “many-splendored”
genius. He was richly dowered by God with superb intellectual, moral, and
physical qualities.
2. JOSE PROTACIO RIZAL MERCADO Y REALONDA was the complete name
of the baby boy who was destined to become the greatest genius and hero of the
Philippines.
3. Jose was the seventh child of the eleven children of Francisco Mercado Rizal and
Teodora Alonzo Realonda.

B. Parents
1. Father:

a. Francisco Mercado Rizal (1818-1898)

He was born in Biñan, Laguna on May 11, 1818 and died in Manila on
January 5, 1898 at the age of 80. He was an educated farmer, studied Latin and
Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila. He moved to Calamba after his
mother’s death and became a tenant-farmer. He married Teodora Alonzo
Realonda on June 28, 1848.

2. Mother.

a. Teodora Alonzo Realonda (1826-1911).

The hero’s mother. She was born in Manila on November 8, 1826 and died in
Manila on August 16, 1911, at the age of 85. A graduate of Santa Rosa College
and a very talented woman with high culture, business ability, and literary gift.
Jose Rizal loves her so much.

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 3. The Rizal Children.

a. Saturnina (1850-1913)- The oldest of the Rizal children married

Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanawan, Batangas.

b. Paciano (1851-1930)- The older brother of Dr. Rizal. Joined the

revolution after his younger brother’s execution and died an old
bachelor.

c. Narcisa (1852-1939)- Married Antonio Lopez, a school Teacher of

Morong, Riza.

d. Olympia (1855-1887)- Married Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph Operator

from Manila.

e. Lucia (1857-1919)- Married. Mariano Herbosa of Calamba.

f. Maria (1859-1945)- Married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Binan, Laguna.

g. Jose (1861-1896)- The “lucky seven” in a family of eleven children.

Married Josephine Bracken, a pretty Irish girl of Hongkong.

h. Concepcion (1862-1865)- Died at the age of three.

i. Josefa (1865-1945)- Died an old maid.

j. Trinidad (1868-1951)- Died an old maid like Josefa.

k. Soledad (1870-1929)- The youngest of the Rizal children. Married

Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba.

II- The Making of a Leader.

A. The Birth of Jose Rizal

 Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861 between eleven and twelve o’clock at night, a few
days before the full moon.
 Rizal was the first to use Rizal, which in Spanish means “a field of green wheat”.
 What were Rizal’s attributes? He had large, beautiful, slanting eyes, full lips, prominent
cheekbones, and a nose that slightly widened downward.
 His complexion was medium dark, but his delicate features belied his pure native origin.

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 According to Guillermo Tolentino, who made the best Rizal statues this country has ever
seen, Rizal was about 5 ft.3 inc.
 In Tolentino’s sculptures, Rizal’s head is smaller than usual because he insisted that Rizal
had “classical proportions”
 Don Francisco developed the lands to the extent that, “Rizal writes, “he became one of
the town’s wealthiest man, the first to build a stone house in Calle Real in Calamba,
Laguna.
 Calamba in Laguna is one of the richest town because of natural setting.
 It was a vast plain that lent itself excellently to the cultivation of rice, sugar cane, and
coffee.
 Besides, the town lay beside the Laguna e bay which provided the residents of the river
area with all species of fresh air.
 A contrast to the fertility of the land, life in Calamba was marred by frequent epidemics
of typhoid, malaria, and frequent cholera outbreaks.

B. Early Manifestations of Rizal’s Innate Talents

 Rizal’s education and the environment in which h grew up played a big role in shaping
his habits.
 The scenic beauty of Calamba was instrumental in making him develop his favorite
hobbies.
 Rizal was not yet five years old when he started drawing or moulding in wax or clay
almost everything he saw, with great likeness and success.
 On the azotea at night, he listened to his yaya’s stories of “skeletons and buried
treasures, and trees from which diamonds sprang”.
 He wrote the poem “My mother”.

C. The First Taste of Injustice.

1. The Arrest of his mother.

 While Rizal was awaiting for the month of July to go to school in Manila, darkness
descended upon their home.
 Jose Alberto’s wife conspired with the Spanish lieutenant of the Guardia Civil and filed
a suit against Dona Teodora for purportedly attempting to poison her.
 Teodora was arrested to walk a distance of 50 kilometres from Calamba to the capital of
Laguna, to Sta. Cruz.

2. Execution of Gomez, Burgos and Zamora.

 In Manila, he found his older brother Paciano, who was then studying in Colegio de San
Jose, frustrated because his favorite professors (GOMBURZA) were executed
 Rizal was only eleven years old when Paciano narrated the incident to him.
 Another experience of Rizal that had a profound impact on him was when he became an
object of racial discrimination in Manila.

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III- Childhood Days in Calamba.

Rizal, just like Filipino boys, had many beautiful memories of childhood. His happy
home filled with parental affection, impregnated with family joys, and sanctified by prayers. In
the midst of such peaceful, refined, God-loving family, he spent the early years of his childhood.

A. Childhood Memories.
1. Happy days in the family garden.

This was inside the garden of the Rizal Shrine. This was usually the place where Rizal
and his siblings played during the day. It seems they were pretty well off at that time. Their
stuff were kind of neat for an old family.
The Rizal children were bound together by the ties of love and companionship. Their
parents taught them to love one another, to behave properly in front of elders, and to help
one another and they affectionately called their father Tatay, and mother Nanay.
Jose was jokingly called Ute by his brother and sisters. The people in Calamba knew him
as Pepe or Pepito.

2. Another childhood memory was the daily Angelus prayer.

3. OTH ER CHILDHOOD MEMORIES WERE:
a) Happy moonlit nights at the azotea after the rosary.
b) The yaya related to the Rizal children many stories about fairies; tales of buried
treasure and trees with blooming diamonds, and other fabulous stories.
c) Nocturnal walk in the town, especially when there was a moon.

B. First Sorrow.
Died of sickness when he was 3 years old. Loved most by Jose Rizal.

C. Religious Boy.

1. Young Rizal was a religious boy. A scion of a Catholic clan, born and bred in a
wholesome atmosphere of Catholicism, and possessed of an inborn spirit, Rizal grew
up a good Catholic.
2. Rizal has so much respect for this town parish priest, Father Leoncio Lopez of
Calamba during his boyhood.
3. On June 6, 1868, Jose and his father left for Calamba to go on a pilgrimage to
Antipolo, in order to fulfil his mother’s vow which was made when he was born.

D. First Education.

1. At the age of three, Jose learned the alphabet and prayers from her mother.
2. Of the story told by Dona Teodora to Jose, it was that of the young moth made the
profoundest impression on him. The tragic fate of the young moth, which died a
martyr to its illusions, left a deep impress on Rizal’s mind.

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 E. Hereditary Influences.

1. Malayan Ancestors:
a) Love for freedom.
b) Serenity to life’s
2. Chinese Ancestors:
a) Frugality.
b) Patience.
c) Love for children
3. Spanish Ancestors:
a) Elegance of bearing.
b) Sensitivity to insult.
c) Gallantry to ladies.
4. From his father:
a) Self-respect.
b) Love for work.
c) Independent mind.
5. From his mother:
a) Religious nature.
b) Self-sacrifice.
c) Passion for arts & Literature.
6. Environmental Influences.
a) From his Brother Paciano: BROTHERLY LOVE.
b) From his Sisters: COURTEOUS & KIND TO WOMEN.
c) From his Uncle Gregorio: THE LOVE OF BOOKS, HARDWORK, TO OBSERVE
LIFE KEENLY, & TO THINK FOR HIMSELF.
d) From his Uncle Jose: (ARTISTIC ABILITY) TO PAINT, TO SKETCH &
SCULPTURE.
e) From his uncle Manuel: FENCING, SWIMMING, and WRESTLING.
f) From Fr. Leoncio Lopez: INTELLECTUAL HONESTY & LOVE FOR
SCHOLARSHIP.

III- School Days In Biñan, Laguna.

As we have already stated, his first teacher was his mother. On her lap, he learned the
Latin alphabet and the catholic prayers.

He was given further instruction by private tutors, such as Maestro Celestino and Maestro
Lucas Padua. Leon Monroy was Rizal’s private teacher. He had been a classmate of his father.
He used to live in Rizal home, but he died five months later.

Don Francisco was not discouraged by the loss of the private tutor so he send Rizal to
Binan because he heard of a good teacher who was running a private school in Biñan. Dona
Teodora agreed to his decision and little Jose was then nine years old.

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 A. First Day of School in Biñan.

Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz

was Jose's formal teacher. Paciano knew the teacher quite well because he had been a
pupil under him before. The school was in the house of the teacher which was a small nipa hut
30 meters away from the home of Rizal's aunt. Paciano introduced rizal to him after which he
departed to Calamba.

Immediately, Jose was assigned his seat in the class and the teacher asked him, “Do you
know Spanish?” “A little, sir.” Replied by Young Jose. Pedro, the teacher’s son, laughed at
Jose's answers.

B. Jose’s Descriptions of his teacher.

1. Tall.
2. Thin
3. Long neck man.
4. Sharp nose.
5. Body bent slightly forward.

C. First School Brawl.

When the teacher was having his siesta, Jose met the bully, Pedro. He was angry at this
bully for making fun of him during his conversation with the teacher in the morning. So Jose
challenged him to a fight and Pedro accepted his challenge thinking that he could easily beat Jose
for he was smaller and younger than him

The two boys wrestled furiously in the classroom. Jose having learned the arts of
wrestling defeated the bigger boy, Pedro and Jose became popular among his classmates.

D. Arm Wrestling
Andres Lakundanan was Classmate of Rizal who challenged him to an arm-wrestling.
Jose, having the weaker arm, lost.

In succeeding days, Jose had other fights in Binan. He was not quarrelsome by nature, but
he never run away from a fight.

E. Painting Lessons In Biñan.

1. Juancho was a painter and the father-in-law of the school teacher. Freely gave Rizal lessons
in drawing and painting.

2. Jose Guevara was the classmate of Jose who also loved painting. They improved their
art so that in due time they became the favorite painters of the class.

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 F. Daily Life in Biñan.
1. Jose led a methodical life in Biñan. Life which contributed much to his future
development which strengthen his body and soul.
2. Jose is the best student in school. He beat all Biñan boys and surpassed them all in
Spanish, Latin, and other subjects.
3. Time came when he learned all the Maestro Justiniano could teach him, and could be
send in college in Manila.
4. Rizal left Biñan on December 17, 1871. He rode on steamer Talim and a friend of his
father, Arturo Camps took care of him during the trip.
5. When he arrived in Calamba, in his home, they spend their Christmas together in
1871.
IV- Injustice to Rizal’s Mother.
After Christmas, Don Francisco thought of sending Jose to manila to study but before
June came, Dona Teodora was arrested on a malicious charge that she aided his brother Jose
Alberto in trying to poison his wife.
Jose Alberto planned to divorce his wife because of her infidelity. Jose Alberto’s wife
connived with the Spanish Lieutenant of the Guardia Civil and file a case on Rizal’s mother.
Antonio Vivencio Del Rosario was Gobernadorcillo of Calamba who helped the
lieutenant arrest Dona Teodora.
Dona Teodora was made to walk for 50 kilometres from Calamba to the provincial prison
in Santa Cruz.
Dona Teodora languished in jail, for her case dragged on until it reached the Supreme
Court (Royal Audiencia).
Dona Teodora, as a worthy mother of a hero, endured her cruel fate with Christian
resignation and courage. She was confident that someday, with God’s help, her innocence would
be recognized by the court.
VI- The Martyrdom of the Three Priests.
Cavite Mutiny flared up. Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora
were implicated and executed. They were the leaders of the Secularization Movement.

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 IV- Triumphs in Ateneo and At the UST

A. The Jesuits & the Ateneo de Manila

In 1581, the 1st Spanish Jesuits arrived in the Philippines as Missionary. In 1589, they
established the 1st university in the Philippines, THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN IGNACIO.

In 1611, the Dominicans founded the University of Santo Tomas.

In 1707, the government established the University of San Felipe.

N.B. Of the 3 universities, only UST HAS SURVIVED. It is the oldest university in the
country today.

On April 2, 1767, things turned differently, pursuant to the order of King Charles III,
Governor General Jose Raon, expelled the Jesuits from the Philippines.

The dissolution of the Jesuits forced them to give up University of San Ignacio to the
Spanish Civil authorities in 1768.

On July 4, 1835, by virtue of a Royal Decree, the Society of Jesus was abolished, & its
property placed on sale, w/ its proceeds paid on public debt.

The Jesuits were violently expelled from all Spanish territories, suffered almost 7 decades
of persecution & over 4 decades of formal suppression.

They returned to the Philippines only almost one century. By virtue of a Royal
Decree of 1852, 10 Spanish Jesuits arrived in the Philippines on July 12, 1859.

The Dominicans requested the Jesuits prime minister to assign the missionaries to
Mindanao, but they were prevailed upon the civil government.

The Jesuits Mission was entrusted Escuela Municipal (meaning public School). It was a
small private school maintained for 30 children of the Spanish residents. Partly subsidized the
Ayuntamiento (city government).
It was the only primary school in Manila at that time. It came to be known later as
Ateneo Municipal de Manila in 1865.
On September 1, 1865, Ateneo was founded & its name Escuela Municipal was changed
to Ateneo Municipal.
The Royal Order of 1865 raised the rank of Ateneo to secondary education,
incorporated to the University of Santo Tomas.
Through the years, Ateneo manifested features peculiar to the Society’s doctrinal
orientation.
Under the American Colonial Rule in 1902, subsidy from the civil government was cut
off. In 1908, it was authorized by the civil government to offer certificate in different discipline.
In 1912, American Jesuits took over the administration of the Ateneo.
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 B. Admission.

Father Magin Fernando (College Registrar) refused to admit Jose Rizal because; He was
late for registration and He was sickly and undersized for his age.

Manuel Xerez Burgos nephew of Father Burgos; Rizal was admitted to Ateneo because
of him.

Rizal was the surname used by Jose Rizal because Mercado became under suspicion by
the Spanish authorities.

C. Jesuit System of education

Reasons why Jesuit System was advance than other college:

1. It trained the character of students by rigid discipline and religious instruction.

2. It promotes physical culture, humanities and scientific studies.
3. Aside from academic courses leading to AB, it offers vocational course in agriculture,
commerce, mechanics and surveying.
4. They were given splendid professors.
5. They acquired prestige as an excellent college for boys.

D. Two Groups of Student in Ateneo.

1. Roman Empire (internos/boarders)

2. Carthaginian Empire (externos/non-boarders)

E. Ranks:
1. Emperor
2. Tribune
3. Decurion
4. Centurion
5. Standard Bearer

D. Rayadillo was the official uniform of Ateneo students.

E. Father Jose Bech was his First teacher of Rizal in Ateneo.
F. Rizal was placed as an externo but a week after he showed his progress and after a month
he became the emperor.
G. Santa Isabel College was the school where Rizal took his Spanish lessons during recess
and paid it for Php 3.00.
H. Rizal returned to Calamba for his vacation. Saturnina brought him to Tanawan to visit
their mother to cheer him up. After the vacation he returned to Ateneo for his second
year. He is now living at DOÑA PEPAY, an old landlady with widowed daughter and
four sons.

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I. Second Year in Ateneo.

He again became an emperor; he also received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold
medal. At March 1874, he returned to Calamba for his vacation.

J. Prophecy Of Mother’s release.

Doña Teodora was released in the jail after 3 months like what Jose Rizal said.

Rizal was comparable to Joseph, the dreamer, because of his interpretation about his
mother’s release.

K. Two Favorite Novels of Rizal

1. THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO by Alexander Dumas and

2. TRAVELS IN THE PHILIPPINES by Feodor Jagor
3. Universal History by Cesar Cantus Rizal wishes to buy.

L. Third Year in Ateneo

Rizal only got one medal in his Latin subject, then on March 1875 he returned to
Calamba

M. Fourth Year in Ateneo.

On June 16,1875, Rizal became an interno in Ateneo. Rizal’s favorite teacher then was
Father Francisco Sanchez.
Rizal won 5 medals and topped in all subjects and on March, 1876 he returned to
Calamba.
Rizal became the pride of the Jesuits and he obtained highest grades in all subjects. He
received the degree of Bachelor of Arts with highest honors during commencement exercise.

N. Extra Curricular Activities In Ateneo.

1. He was an emperor and a campus leader outside.

2. Secretary of the Marian Congregation.
3. Member of Academy of Spanish Literature.
4. Member of Academy of Natural Sciences.
5. FATHER JOSE VILLACLARA advised Rizal to stop communing with the muses but
to pay more attention to practical studies.
6. Rizal studied painting at AGUSTIN SAEZ and sculpture under ROMUALDO DE
JESUS, a Filipino sculptor.

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O. First romance Of Rizal.

Rizal’s first romance was Segunda Katigbak, a 14 year old Batanguena from Lipa whom
Rizal first fell in love with but was already engaged to Manuel Luz.

V- Mother’s Opposition To higher education

After graduating with the highest honors from the Ateneo, Rizal had to go to the
University of Santo Tomas in order to prepare himself for a career.
The Bachelor of Arts degree during Spanish times was equivalent to a high school
diploma today.
Don Francisco and Paciano wanted Rizal to pursue higher learning but Dona Teodora did
not want him to study more because it would imperil her son’s life.
Don Francisco and Paciano wanted Rizal to pursue higher learning but Dona Teodora did
not want him to study more because it would imperil her son’s life.

VI- Rizal enters The University.

On April 1877, Rizal who was nearly 16 years old, matriculated in the University of
Santo Tomas taking Philosophy and Letters.

He enrolled in this course for two reasons:

1. Choice of his Father His father liked it.
2. He was still uncertain as to what career to follow.

 Father Pablo Ramon

Rector of the Ateneo, who had been good to Rizal during his student days in that college,
asking for advice on the choice of career.
Unfortunately, Father Ramon was in Mindanao and it took several months for a letter to
travel between Manila and Mindanao.
During Rizal first year term (1877-78), he studied Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy,
and History of Philosophy.
The following term (1878-79), Rizal took up medicine.

 The reasons why he studied medicine were:

1. He wanted to be a physician so that he might cure his mother’s failing eyesight.
2. The Father Rector, finally answered his letter, recommending medicine.

 Finishes Surveying Course in Ateneo.

During Rizal’s first school term, he also studied in the Ateneo taking up the vocational
course leading to the title of perito agrimensor (expert surveyor).
At the age of seventeen (17) Rizal passed the examination in this course but couldn’t be
granted the title as surveyor course because he was below age. The title was issued to him on
November 25, 1881.

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 Romances With Other girls;

After losing Segunda Katigbak, he paid court to a young woman in Calamba. He called
her simply Miss L.
He also had romances with other girls after Miss L. such as Leonor Valenzuela (Orang)
and Leonor Rivera of Camiling, Tarlac.

 Rizal’s Unhappy Days at UST.

Reasons why Rizal was unhappy at the Dominican Institution of high learning:

1. The Dominican professors were hostile to him.

2. The Filipino students were racially discriminated.
3. The method of instruction was obsolete and repressive.

Because of the unfriendly attitude of his professors, Rizal’ grades were not impressive in
the four years of medicine.

 In 1879, Liceo Artistico de Manila held two contests.

Rizal decided to submit a poem entitled A La Juventud Filipina.

Rizal won first prize and received a silver pen.
Rizal called the youth bella esperanza de la patria mia (“fair hope of my motherland).
In 1880-1881, Liceo Artistico de Manila held for another contest in comemoration of
the death anniversary of Cervantes.
Rizal won for the second time in his poem entitled El Consejo de los Dioses

 Decision To study abroad

After finishing his medical course, Rizal decided to study in Spain. This is the first time
Rizal did not seek his parent’s permission to go abroad knowing that they would disapprove his
plan. Rizal secretly contacted Paciano and Saturnina only.

VII-Rizal in Europe
“A man travels the world over, in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it.”

A. From the Philippines to Spain

Rizal took a boat which brought him to a ship Salvadora, a substandard ship carrying all
Spanish passengers.
Numerous unkind remarks were heaped upon the natives, the government, and the
religious institution.
Rizal who is 21 years and a traveler for the first time, Jose was a keen observant, jotting
down in his diary his thoughts, events, sights, and observations.

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B. In Barcelona
Rizal experienced to live on a measly 35 centavos for food.
He frequently exchange letters with his family at home where he wrote a poem entitled
Me Piden Versos (They Ask Me for Verses)
He personally recited the poem during the New Year’s Eve in the evening of December
31, 1882.
Rizal joined group of people called Circulo-Hispano Filipino.
the organization had about 30 members, 20 of whom were students.
Circulo published a magazine to which Rizal contributed whenever his schedule
permitted him.
Circulo did not become very successful.
Filipino expatriates who were part of the organization were addicted to gambling and
womanizing.
He signed as Laong Laan, a pen name that meant, “Prepared long since” or
“predestined”.
It was published in the no. 20 August 1883 issue.

C. Rizal in Paris.

Rizal was 24 years old when he went to Paris to specialize in ophthalmology so he could
operate on his mother’s eyes.
He stopped at Barcelona to visit his friend Maximo Viola, a medical student who was
from a rich family in San Miguel, Bulacan.
Rizal worked as assistant to Dr. Louis de Wecker for four months.
By then, Rizal was already proficient in French and Italian.
He also helped Luna by posing as a model in several of his paintings, including as an
Egyptians priest in Death of Cleopatra and as Sikatuna in The Blood Compact with Trinidad
Padro de Tavera posing as Legaspi.

D. Rizal in Heidelberg.

1886, Rizal arrived in Heidelberg.

Rizal lived in a boarding house with some German Law students who, having discovered
that Rizal was a good chess player, that made him a member of the Chess Player’s Club.
Rizal worked at the University of Dr. Otto Becker, a distinguished German
ophthalmologist, whose lectures he attended.
Rizal wrote a letter to his parents, he said: “In Germany I see only militarism, and there
are potatoes everywhere. At night I eat potatoes and cold meat”
Rizal was fascinated with the beautiful spring flowers of Heidelberg, which reminded
him of the flowers at the garden of his home in Calamba.
he write a beautiful poem entitled “To the Flowers of Heidelberg”

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E. Rizal in Wilhelmfeld.

Rizal left Heidelberg for Wilhelmfeld to honor the invitation extended to him by Rev.
Karl Ulmer, whom Rizal met one day in the woods with his wife, daughter Eta, and son
Freidrich.

F. Rizal in Leipzig, Germany.

 Cost of living was lowest in Europe.

 Rizal attended lectures in psychology and history at the University of Leipzig.
he became a friend of Prof. Ratzel, a famous German historian, and of Dr. Hans Meyer, a
German anthropologist.
 in Leipzig, Rizal translated Schiller’s William Tell from German to Tagalog so that the
Filipinos would know the story of that champion of Swiss independence
 He also translated Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales in Tagalog.
 Noted for printing books in foreign language.

G. Rizal in Berlin, Germany.

 Rizal stayed in Berlin for six weeks to publish his first novel Noli Me Tangere.
 He met Dr. Feodor Jagor who wrote Travels in the Philippines.
 Dr. Jagor introduced Rizal to Dr. Rudolf Virchow, a professor of descriptive anatomy.
 He also met Dr. W. Joest, a noted German geographer.

H. Rizal in Dresden, Germany.

 Rizal visited Palacio Japonais and many other interesting places therein.
 He met Dr. A. B. Meyer, a naturalist at Dresden University who showed him a number of
interesting things he had taken from Palaos Islands and from certain tombs in the
Philippines.

I. Rizal in Prague, Germany

 After Leitmeritz, Rizal and Viola visited the historic city of Prague, where they visited
the tomb of Copernicus, the famous astronomer; the Museum of Natural History; the
Bacteriological Laboratories; and the famous cave were San Juan Nepomuceno, the
catholic saint, was imprisoned.
 Ferdinand Blumentritt-Foreign friend of Rizal. He is an Austrian linguist and the Director
of Ateneo de Leitmeritz.

J. Rizal in Vienna
 On May 20, Rizal and Viola arrived in the beautiful city of Vienna. They stayed at Hotel
Metropole and visited the interesting places in the city, such as churches, museums, art
galleries, and public parks.

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K. Rizal in Lintz
 Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a river boat to see the beautiful Danube River. During the
trip, Rizal observed the river, the barges loaded with products, and the boats with families
living on them.

L. Rizal in Rheinfall

 After Lintz, Rizal and Viola travelled overland to Munich to personally taste its beer,
considered the best beer in Germany then.
 They also visited Ulm Cathedral, the tallest building in all of Germany and the world
then.
 Rizal and Viola climbed its many hundred steps.
 They also saw the breath taking waterfalls of Germany, widely regarded as the most
beautiful in Europe.

M. Rizal in Geneva
 Rizal and Viola crossed Leman Lake in Geneva, one of the most beautiful cities in
Europe.
 Rizal and Viola spent 15 delightful days in Geneva.

N. Rizal in Italy
 Rizal went to Italy and visited Turin, Venice, and Florence.
 He also visited Rome, the “Eternal City”, also called the “City of the Ceasars”.
 Rizal visited the Vatican, considered the “City of the Popes” and the “Capital of
Christendom”, for the first time.

THE HOME COMING

A. Rizal’s Decision to Return to the Philippines

 Copies of Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere were smuggled into the Philippines.

 Rizal was advised not to come back to the Philippines but decided to do so for the
following reason:
 Epidemics were ravaging the islands;
 His father was being deprived of his property;
 He wanted to operate his mother’s cataracts;
 He received sad news about his fiancé Leonor Rivera.
 He sailed for the Philippines on July 5, 1887 by way of the Suez Canal and reached
Manila on August 3.

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 B. First Homecoming in Calamba

 Rizal opened a medical clinic.

 First thing that he did was he operate on his mother who was almost blind already.
 Rizal, who came to be called “Doctor Uliman” because he came from Germany, acquired
an advanced medical practice.
 Rizal opened a gymnasium for his fellow citizens to discourage them from engaging in
cockfighting and gambling.
 Rizal failed to see Leonor Rivera during the 6 months that he stayed in Calamba due to
his parent’s advice.
 Rizal received a letter from Governor-General Emilio Terrero, requesting him to bring a
copy of his novel.
 His worked Noli Me Tangere has been found heretical, impious and scandalous from the
religious perspective, and antipatriotic and subversive from the point of view of the
Spanish Government.
 Terrero provided him with a bodyguard in the name of Jose Taviel de Andrade, for his
security.

C. Calamba’s Agrarian Unrest

The following were the findings that were submitted to the government for immediate
action:

 The hacienda of the Dominican order consisted not only of the lands around Calamba but
also of the whole town of Calamba.
 The profits of the Dominican order continually increased because of the arbitrary increase
in the rentals paid by the tenants.
 The hacienda owner never contributed a single centavo for the celebration of the town
fiesta, for the education
 The tenants, who had worked hard to clear the lands, were dispossessed of the said lands
for flimsy reasons.
 High rates of interest were charged the tenants for delayed rental payments, and when
the rental could not be paid, the hacienda management confiscated their carabaos, tools,
and homes.
 Rizal left Manila on February 3, 1888, his heart filled with pain for two reasons:

a. His presence in Calamba was jeopardizing the safety and happiness of his friends
b. He could fight his enemies better and further his country’s cause with greater
efficacy by writing in a foreign land.

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 The Second Journey
In his second journey, RIZAL had SECRET MISSION.

This mission which Rizal conceived with the approval of his older brother
Paciano was to observe keenly the life and culture, languages and customs, industries and
commerce, and governments and laws of the European nations in order to prepare himself in the
mighty task of liberating his oppressed people from Spanish tyranny.

SECRET DEPARTURE for SPAIN.

Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept secret to avoid detection by the Spanish authorities
and the friars.

Hong Kong

February 3, 1888, Rizal left Manila and went to Hong Kong.

Rizal made the following observations:
The Dominican order was the richest religion in Hong Kong.
There were cemeteries in Hong Kong for the Protestants, the Catholics, and the Muslims,
respectively.

Rizal Arrives in Japan

Rizal went to Yokohama and stayed at the Tokyo Hotel.

He was visited by the head of the Spanish Legation, Juan Perez Caballero.
He stayed in Japan for one month and within that time mastered and wrote in the
Japanese language.

Rizal’s Impression of Japan

The beauty of the country

The cleanliness, politeness, and industry of the Japanese people;
The picturesque dress and simple charm of the Japanese women;
The fact that as there were very few thieves in Japan, the houses remained open day and
night, and in the hotel rooms, one could safely leave money on the table;
Beggars were rarely seen in the city streets, unlike in Manila and other cities.
Rizal learned from O-Sei-San how to write his name:
(HO SE RI ZA RU)

Rizal’s Arrival in San Francisco

He was quarantined for six days abroad the Belgic;

Rizal went around to observe the city.
He then reached Albany and later traveled along the banks of the Hudson River.
24
 Arriving at New York in the morning, he boarded at Fifth Avenue Hotel.

London

Rizal arrived in London by train on May 25, 1888.

He chose to visit this English city because it was the greatest political power in the world
at that time.
He wanted to improve his knowledge of English and to study and annotate Morga’s
Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, a rare copy of which he heard was available at the British
Museum.
Rizal came to know Dr. Reinhold Rost.
In August 1888, Rizal admitted to the reading room of the British Museum of London.
He copied Morga’s book, Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas and annotated it for publication.
He also wanted to publish Blumentrit’s Tribes of Mindanao, including some new
documents that he found at the British Museum.

Paris

Rizal was intending to board at Hotel del Restaurant de Rome, but having received bad
news at home, he accepted the invitation of his Filipino friend to stay.
He intimated to Blumentrit that he would no longer write for the propaganda to avoid
schism among the Filipinos in Madrid.

Back in London

Rizal went back to London to finish copying the whole book of Morga.
he told Mariano Ponce that he was working hard day and night at the British Museum in
London.
October 13, 1888 at 7:30 in the evening he received a telegram from Hong Kong that
Manuel Hidalgo had been deported in Bohol.
Rizal together with his companions planned a society called Associacion La Solidaridad
(Solidarity Association).

Rizal and La Solidaridad

Graciano Lopez Jaena served as the first editor of La Solidaridad in Barcelona.

It aimed to attain the following:

a. Philippine representation in Spanish cortes;

b. Filipinos’ right of assembly;
c. Filipinos’ right of association and freedom of thought and speech;
d. Filipino participation in the government of the islands
e. Assimilation of the Philippines to Spain as its province.

25
 The first article wrote by Rizal was entitled “The Filipino Farmers”.
“Barrantes and the Tagalog Theatre was the second article.
“The Philippines a Century Hence” was considered as the best writing of Rizal.
“Llanto y Risas (“Tears and Laughter”) was a denunciation of the Spanish racial
prejudice.
“Diferencias” (Differences) was a biased article entitled to “Old Truths” published in La
Patria.

Rizal in Brussels, Belgium

April 1891, Rizal wrote a letter to Jose Ma. Basa, borrowing money from him so he
could immediately leave for Hong Kong
He sent two letters to the Philippines through Jose Ma. Basa.

Rizal in Hong Kong

Rizal arrived in Hong Kong on November 19, 1891.

He sent Manuel Camus in Singapore 20 copies of his novel El Filibusterismo, six copies
of his annotations to Morga’s book, and four copies of Noli MeTangere.
Basa provided him with a rented room at the heart of the city of Victoria, on Duddle
Street.

Family Reunion in Hong Kong

On Dec. 6 the Rizal family visited Rizal to celebrate Christmas in Hong Kong.

Borneo Colonization Project

He discussed the idea of colonization with the Englishman W.B. Pryer who, along with
his wife, was on his way to North Borneo, a territory Rizal was attracted to.

THE EXILE IN DAPITAN

June 26, 1892, Noon of Sunday, Rizal and his sister Lucia arrived in Manila. Don Juan
(Small Steamer) as the mood of transportation.

They were met by a platoon of carabineers and their commander.

The two Rizals registered at Oriente Hotel in Binondo – the best hotel in Manila.

4:00 PM, Rizal went to Malacañan to pay a courtesy call on Governor Despujol, but he
was call to come back in the evening.

26
 7:00 PM, Rizal returned to Malacañan and was able to have an interview with the
governor-general. Then, visited his sisters, Narcisa and Saturnina.

The Founding Of Liga Filipina

July 3, 1892, Rizal founded the Liga Filipina in the home of Doroteo Ongjunco, Ilaya
Street, Tondo, Manila.

The elected officers of the new civic association under Rizal’s supervision were as
follows:
President: Ambrosio Salvador
Fiscal: Agustin de la Rosa
Treasurer: Bonifacio Arevalo
Secretary: Deodato Arellano (M. H. del Pilar’s Brother-in-law)

Independent Life in Talisay

As a deportee, Rizal was determined to achieve financial independence and to earn his
keep.
He was permitted to cultivate the land near the plaza.
Rizal won 6,200 in the lottery, which he joined together with Captain Carnicero.
He built his own house; planted coffee and cacao; established hospitals for bright boys

Aims of the Liga Filipina:

1. To unite the whole archipelago into one compact and homogenous

body.
2. Mutual protection in every want and necessity.
3. Defence against all violence and injustice.
4. Encouragement of instruction, agriculture and commerce.
5. Study and application of reforms.

Deportation To Dapitan
July 7, 1892, Rizal was summoned to Malacanan. Governor Despujol asked him if he
wanted to go back to Hongkong and Rizal replied in an affirmative. After the conversation, the
governor-general produced some handbills which were allegedly found in Lucia’s pillows when
they arrived from Hongkong. The incriminatory handbills were printed copies of an anti-friar
article entitled Pobres Frailes (Poor Friars) under the authorship of Fr. Jacinto and bore the
imprint of “Imprenta de los Amigos, Manila.” This article was a satire against the rich
Dominicans who amassed fabulous wealth contrary to their “vow of poverty.”

27
 Rizal was accused of having written such an anti-friar article and was immediately placed
under arrest and escorted at Fort Santiago by Don Ramon Despujol, nephew and aide of
Governor Despujol.

That same day, July 7, 1892, Governor Despujol’s decree deporting Rizal to an island in
the south was published by the Gaceta de Manila, a newspaper in Manila.

The gubernatorial decree recited the reasons for Rizal’s deportation, as follows:
1. Rizal had published books and articles abroad which showed disloyalty to
Spain and which were “frankly anti-Catholic” and “imprudently anti-friar.”
2. A few hours after his arrival in Manila “there was found in one of the
packages . . . a bundle of handbills entitled ‘Pobres Frailes’, in which the patient and humble
generosity of Filipinos is satirized, and which accusation is published against the customs of the
religious orders.
3. His novel El Filibusterismo was dedicated to the memory of the three “traitors”
(Burgos, Gomez, and Zamora), and on the title page he wrote that in view of the vices and errors
of the Spanish administration, “the only salvation for the Philippines was separation from the
mother country.”
4. “The end which he pursues in his efforts and writings is to tear the from the
loyal Filipino breasts the treasures of our holy Catholic faith.”

Rizal In Dapitan
In Cebu, the steamer brought Rizal to Dapitan and also carried a letter by Father Pablo
Pastells, Superior of the Jesuit Society in the Philippines, to Father Antonio Obach, Jesuit
missionary of Dapitan.

Rizal could live in the Jesuit mission house on the following conditions:

1) “That Rizal publicly retract his errors concerning religion and make statements that were
clearly pro-Spanish against revolution.”
2) “That he perform the church rites and make a general confession of his past life.”
3) “That henceforth he conduct himself in an exemplary manner as Spanish Subject and a
man of religion.”

Rizal did not agree with these conditions, so he lived in the house of the commandant,
Captain Carnicero.
Rizal built a house by the seashore of Talisay surrounded by fruit trees, a school for boys,
and a hospital for his patients.

Rizal’s Activities in Dapitan:

1. As a Physician
2 .As an Engineer
3. As a Farmer
4. As a Businessman
5. As a Teacher
6. As a Scientist
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 7. As a Scholar and Writer
8. As an Artist
9. As a Community Leader

a. As a Physician

Dona Teodora and Maria lived with Rizal for a year and a half. It is here when Rizal
operated his mother’s right eye. Though the operation was successful, his mother had a wound
infection after ignoring Rizal’s instruction of not removing the bandages. However, the infection
was immediately treated.

Don Ignacio Tumarong was Rizal’s patient who was able to see again after his operation
paid Rizal P 3,000.

Don Florencio Azcarraga was Rich hacendero of aklan who was cured of eye ailment, in
turn he gave Rizal a cargo of sugar.

Rizal prescribed medicinal plants to his poor patients.

b. As an Engineer
As a perito agrimensor expert surveyor, Rizal applied his engineering knowledge by
constructing a system of waterworks to furnish clean water to the town people.

Mr. H. F. Cameron, American engineer who praised Rizal for his engineering ingenuity.

c. As a Scholar and Writer

Continuing his study of languages, Rizal learned in Dapitan:

1. Bisayan
2. Subanum
3. Malay languages
He knew by that time 22 languages as follows:
Tagalog, Malay, Ilocano, Hebrew, Bisayan, Sanskrit, Subanum, Dutch, Spanish, Catalan,
Latin, Italian, Greek, Chinese, English, Japanese, French, Portuguese, German, Swedish, Arabic,
Russian.

Rizal Debates on Religion

Rizal sustained a lively discussion on religion via correspondence with Fr. Pablo
Pastellas, a Jesuit of Ateneo and a former teacher of his.
Fr. Sanchez and another priest offered him a professorship in the UST.

Reaction to the Katipunan and to Its Plan of Staging a Revolution

29
 July 21, 1897, Dr. Pio Valenzuela visited Rizal in Dapitan together with a blind man.
Rizal gave Dr. Pio Valenzuela some advice, if they were intent in pushing through with their
plan.

Emissary to Dapitan in order to inform Rizal of the plan of Katipunan during the meeting
at a little river called bitukang manok.
Venus was Steamer Valenzuela boarded to reach Dapitan.
Raymundo Mata was the Blind man who came with Valenzuela to camouflage his
mission.
Rizal objected Bonifacio’s project because:
a. The people are not ready for a revolution;
b. Arms and funds must first be collected before raising the
cry of revolution.

Goodbye To Dapitan

España was the Steamer which brought Rizal to Manila from Dapitan.

Aug. 1, 1896 was a sad day for Dapitan for everybody in this little town had become
Rizal’s friend.
He bade them all a sad farewell as he left Dapitan’s shores.
He knew he was never going to see Dapitan and its people again.

Rizal was accompanied by Josephine, Narcisa, angelica Narcisa’s daughter, his three
nephews and six pupils.

Unfortunately, the Isla de Luzon had already left for Spain so he was transferred to the
Spanish Cruiser Castilla to wait for the next steamer which was scheduled to sail for Spain the
next month. Josephine and the schoolboys were then staying with the Rizal family in Manila.

August 6, 1896 Rizal’s steamer arrived in Manila Bay.

Rizal Volunteers as a Military Doctor in Cuba

He proceeded to Spain aboard the boat Isla de Panay, but upon his arrival at Barcelona,
he was thrown into a dungeon called Muntjuich.

September 2, 1896, before reaching Spain, Rizal was placed under arrest. He was jailed
in Barcelona and later shipped back to manila and imprisoned at Fort Santiago.

His trial by court-martial on December 26, 1896 was a farce. The verdict was death by
firing squad and this was approved by Governor Camilo G. de Polavieja.

30
 Rescue Attempts By the katipunan
Bonifacio’s secret revolutionary society was deeply concerned about Rizal’s life.

Brave Katipuneros plotted to rescue Rizal from the cruiser castilla. They disguised as
sailors on the motor launch Caridad and were able to board the cruiser. Jacinto approached Rizal
but Rizal graciously refused to be rescued.

Chronology.

August 6, 1896 – September 2,1896

For 26 days, Rizal stayed on board the castilla.

August 26, 1896

Bonifacio and the Filipino patriots raised the Cry of Balintawak.

August 29, 1896

The Katipunan plot to rise arms against Spain was discovered by the Augustinian
parish priest of Tondo, Fr. Mariano Gil.

August 30, 1896

Four days after the cry of Balintawak, he received a letter from Governor and with this
letter were two additional letters of recommendation for the minister of war general Marcelo de
Azcarraga and the minister of colonies.

September 3, 1896

Rizal left for Spain on board the steamer Isla de Panay. On the eye of his departure, he
wrote to his mother telling her not to worry.

Rizal In Singapore
September 7, 1896

The steamer reached Singapore, British colony. Don Pedro Roxas and His Son Periquin
Rizal’s fellow-passengers, got off the ship. Rizal’s friends in Singapore including Roxas, urged
him to remain but Rizal did not heed their advice.

31
 Arrest And imprisonment

Afternoon of September 30, 1896

Rizal was placed under arrest by the ship skipper, Captain A. Alemany, upon telegraphic
orders from Manila.

October 3, 1896

The Isla de Panay arrived in Barcelona, with Rizal a prisoner on board.

October 6, 1896

5 pm, Rizal was moved ashore and jailed at Montjuich Castle. By 8 pm, the Manila-
bound steamer colon, with Rizal on board, left Barcelona.

Unsuccessful Rescue in Singapore

Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor and Sixto Lopez

Rizal’s friends in Europe and Singapore, dispatched frantic telegrams to an English

lawyer in Singapore named Mr. Fort to rescue Rizal from the Spanish steamer when it reached
Singapore by a writ of habeas corpus.
Unfortunately, the Singapore judge denied the writ on the ground that the Colon was
carrying Spanish troops to the Philippines, hence it s a warship of a foreign power. The steamer
proceeded to Manila with Rizal on board.

Back to Manila
November 3, 1896

The steamer colon arrived in manila and Rizal was brought to Fort Santiago. Many
Filipino patriots were brutally tortured to implicate Rizal, such as Deodato Arellano, Dr. Pio
Valenzuela, Moises Salvador, Jose Dizon, Domingo Franco, Timoteo Paez, etc. Rizal’s own
brother, Paciano, was arrested and cruelly tortured.

Preliminary investigation
November 20, 1896

Rizal was questioned by Colonel Olive but he was not permitted to confront witnesses
who testified against him.
Two kinds of evidence presented against Rizal:
a. Documentary
b. Testimonial

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Documentary Evidences:

1. A letter of Antonio Luna to Mariano Ponce, dated Madrid, October 16, 1888, showing
Rizal's connection with Filipino reform campaign in Spain.
2. A letter to Rizal to his family, dated Madrid, august 20, 1890, stating that the deportations
are good for they will encourage the people to hate tyranny.
3. A letter from Marcelo H. del Pilar to Deodato Arellano, Dated Madrid, January 7, 1889,
implicating Rizal in the propaganda campaign in Spain.
4. A poem entitled Kundiman, allegedly written by Rizal in Manila on September 12, 1891.
5. A letter Of Carlos Oliver to an unidentified person, dated Barcelona, September 18, 1891,
describing Rizal as the man to free the Philippines from Spanish oppression.
6. A Masonic document, dated Manila, February 9, 1892 honouring Rizal for his patriotic
services.
7. A letter signed Dimasalang, Rizal's pseudonym to Tenluz Juan Zulueta pseudonym, dated
Hongkong, May 24, 1892, stating that he was preparing a safe refuge for Filipinos who may
be persecuted by the Spanish authorities.
8. A letter of Dimasalang to an unidentified committee, dated Hongkong, June 1, 1892,
soliciting the aid of the committee in the patriotic work.
9. An anonymous and undated letter to the editor of the Hongkong telegraph, censuring the
banishment of Rizal to Dapitan.
10. A letter of Ildefonso Laure to Rizal, dated manila, September 3, 1892, saying that the
Filipino people look up to him Rizal as their savior.
11. A letter of Rizal Segundo, dated Manila, September 17, 1893, informing an unidentified
correspondent of The Arrest And Banishment of Doroteo Cortez And Ambrosio Salvador.
12. A letter of Marcelo H. del Pilar to Don Juan a Tenluz Juan Zulueta, dated Madrid, June 1,
1893 recommending the establishment of a special organization, independent of masonry, to
help the cause of the Filipino people.
13. Transcript of a speech of Pingkian (Emilio Jacinto), in a reunion of the Katipunan on July
23, 1893,in which the following cry was uttered “Long live the Philippines! Long live
Liberty! Long live Doctor Rizal! Unity!
14. Transcript of a speech of Tik-tik Jose Turiano Santiago, in a same Katipunan reunion,
wherein the katipuneros shouted long live the eminent doctor Rizal death to the oppressor
nation.
15. A poem by Laong Laan Rizal, entitled a Talisay, in which the author makes the Dapitan
schoolboys sing that they know how to fight for their rights.

Testimonial Evidences:
9. Pedro Serrano Laktaw
1. Martin Constantino 10. Dr. Pio Valenzuela
2. Aguedo del Rosario 11. Antonio Salazar
3. Jose Reyes 12. Francisco Quizon
4. Moises Salvador 13. Timoteo Paez
5. Jose Dizon
6. Domingo Franco
7. Deodato Arellano
8. Ambrosio Salvador
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 Pena’s Recommendations
1. Rizal must be immediately sent to trial.
2. He must be held in prison under necessary security.
3. His properties must be issued with order of attachment, and as indemnity, Rizal had to
pay one million pesos.
4. Instead of a civilian lawyer, only an army officer is allowed to defend Rizal.

Rizal chooses His defender

Rizal’s Defender was Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade First lieutenant of the artillery,
brother of Jose Taviel de Andrade, the bodyguard of Rizal.

Charges Read To Rizal

1. He did not question the jurisdiction of the court.

2. He had nothing to amend, except that since his deportation to Dapitan in 1892 he had not
engaged in politics.
3. He did not admit the charges preferred against him.
4. He did not admit the declarations of the witnesses against him.

The trial Of Rizal

December 26, 1896

8:00 a.m. at Cuartel de Espana, The military building where Rizal's court-martial started.
Present at the courtroom were:
 7 members of the military
 Dr. Jose Rizal (The accused)
 Lt. Taviel de Andrade (Defense Counsel)
 Capt. Rafael Dominguez (Judge Advocate)
 Lt. Enrique de Alcocer (Prosecuting Attorney)
 Spectators, Josephine Bracken, a sister of Rizal, some newspapermen and
many Spaniards

Rizal was accused three crimes:

 Rebellion
 Sedition
 Illegal Association

34
 The trial was opened by Judge Advocate. Other members who were present in the
courtroom delivered their long and bitter speech for the accused (Rizal). Afterwards, the defence
counsel of Rizal took the floor and read his eloquent defence of Rizal and ended it with a noble,
but futile, admonition to the members of the military: "The judges cannot be vindictive; the
judges can only be just." Unfortunately, his admonition fell on deaf ears.

Rizal’s Defence
1. He could not be guilty of rebellion, for he advised Dr. Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan not to rise in
revolution.
2. He did not correspond with the radical, revolutionary elements.
3. The revolutionists used his name without his knowledge.
4. if he had a hand in the revolution, he could have escaped in Moro Vinta and would not have
built a home, a hospital, and bought lands in Dapitan.
5. If he were the chief of the revolution, why was he not consulted by the revolutionists?
6. it was true he wrote the by-laws of the Liga Filipina, but this is only a civic association - not a
revolutionary society.
7. The Liga Filipina did not live long, for after the first meeting he was banished to Dapitan and
it died out.
8. If the Liga was reorganized nine months later, he did not know about it.
9. The Liga did not serve the purpose of the revolutionists, otherwise they would not have
supplanted it with the Katipunan.
10. If it were true that there were some bitter comments in Rizal's letters, it was because they
were written in 1890 when his family was being persecuted, being dispossessed of
houses, warehouses, lands, etc., and his brother and all brothers-in-law were deported.
11. His life in Dapitan had been exemplary as the politico-military commanders and missionary
priests could attest.
12. It was not true that the revolution was inspired by his one speech at the house of Doroteo
Ongjunco, as alleged by witnesses whom he would like to confront. his friends knew his
opposition to armed rebellion. why did the Katipunan send an emissary to Dapitan who
was unknown to him? because those who knew him were aware that he would never
sanction any violent movement.

Polavieja Signs the execution

For signing this fatal document ordering the execution of Dr. Rizal, Governor Polavieja
won the eternal hatred of the Filipino people.

Martyrdom At Bagumbayan
During his last 24 hours on earth –From 6:00 AM of Dec. 29 to 6:00 AM of Dec. 30,
1896, he was busy meeting visitors which includes his family and friends.

35
 December 29, 1896 6:00 A.M: Captain Rafael Rodriguez read Rizal's death sentence –
he will be shot by firing squad at 7 am in Bagumbayan.

December 29, 1896, 7:00 AM: Rizal was moved to the prison chapel where he spent his
last moments. His first visitors were Jesuit priests.

December 29, 1896, 7:15 AM: Rizal reminded Fr. Luis Viza the statuette of the sacred
heart of Jesus whom he carved as a student in Ateneo.

December 29, 1896, 8:00 AM: Rizal had a breakfast with Fr Antonio Rosell. After
breakfast, his attorney, lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade came.

December 29, 1896, 9:00 AM: Fr. Frederico Faura arrived. Rizal reminded the priest of
his earlier prophecy about Rizal.

December 29, 1896, 10:00 AM: More Jesuit priests had visited him. After then, he was
interviewed by Santiago Matiax for the newspaper El Heraldo de Madrid.

December 29, 1896, 12:00 PM to 3:30 PM: Rizal was left alone in his cell. He took his
lunch and continued writing his farewell poem which he hid in an alcohol cooking stove. He also
wrote his last letter to professor Blumentritt.

December 29, 1896, 3:30 PM: Father Vicente Balaguer returned to his cell and discussed
with Rizal his retraction letter.

December 29, 1896, 4:00 PM: Teodora Alonzo visited him. They had a very emotional
encounter. Rizal gave the alcohol cooking stove to Trinidad which contains his farewell poem.
Several priests have visited him afterwards.

December 29, 1896, 6:00 PM: Don Silvino Lopez, Dean of the Manila Cathedral visited
him.

December 29, 1896, 8:00 PM: Rizal had his last supper. He told Captain Dominguez that
he forgave his enemies including the military judges.

December 29, 1896, 9:30 PM: Rizal was visited By Don Gaspar Cestano, Fiscal of the
Royal Audience de Manila.

December 29, 1896, 10:00 PM: The draft of the ‘retraction letter’ sent by the Anti-
Filipino Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda was given by Fr. Balaguer to Rizal for his signature.
He had rejected It.

Upon Rizal's death, his supposedly retraction letter became one of the most controversial
documents in our history.
This 'retraction letter' allegedly contains his renunciation of the masonry and his anti-
catholic religious ideas.
36
 Depending on whose side you are on, some Rizalists claims that it is fake while some
believe it to be true. There had been some evidences but so far these had only heated up the
debate between the two factions.

December 30, 1896, 3:00 AM: Rizal heard mass, confessed his sins and took Holy
Communion. He took his last breakfast. After which he wrote his last letters for his family and
his brother, Paciano.

December 30, 1896, 5:30 AM:. Josephine Bracken arrived together with Rizal's sister,
Josefa, with tears in her eyes, bade him farewell. Rizal embraced her for the last time and before
she left gave a last gift - a religious book, imitation of Christ by father Thomas Kempis.

December 30, 1896, 6:00 AM: As the soldiers were getting ready for the death march to
Bagumbayan, Rizal wrote his last letter to his beloved parents.

December 30, 1896, 6:30 AM: A trumpet sounded at Fort Santiago, a signal to begin the
death march to Bagumbayan.
Rizal was dressed in elegantly in black – with black suit, black necktie, black hat, black
shoes, and white vest.

There a lot of spectators lining the street from fort santiago to bagumbayan. As he was
going through the narrow Postigo Gate, Rizal looked at the sky and said to one of the priests:
“How beautiful it is today, father. What morning could be more serene! How clear is Corregidor
and the mountains of Cavite! On mornings like this, I used to take a walk with my sweetheart."
As he was going through the narrow Postigo Gate, Rizal looked at the sky and said to one
of the priests: “How beautiful it is today, father. What morning could be more serene! How clear
is Corregidor and the mountains of Cavite! On mornings like this, I used to take a walk with my
sweetheart."
Rizal bade farewell to Fathers March and Villaclara and to his defender. Lt. Luis Taviel
de Andrade. Although his arms were tied, he had firmly clasped their hands in parting.
One of the priests blessed him and offered him a crucifix to kiss.

37
 He requested the commander of the firing squad that he be shot facing them. his request
was denied for the captain had implicit orders to shoot him at his back. a Spanish military
physician, Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo, asked his permission to feel his pulse. he was amazed to find
it normal, showing that Jose Rizal was not afraid to die.

December 30, 1896, 7:03 AM: Above the drum beats, the sharp command "fire" was
heard, and the guns of the firing squad barked. Rizal, with supreme effort, turned his bullet-
riddled body to the right, and fell on the ground dead - with face upward facing the morning sun.
It was exactly 7:03 in the morning at the age of 35.

Women in Rizal’s Life

1. Segunda Katigbak.

A pretty fourteen year old lady from Lipa, Batangas. She was rather short, with eyes that
were eloquent, rosy–cheeked, with an enchanting smile that revealed very beautiful teeth. She
was the sister of Mariano Katigbak, who accompanied Rizal when he visited his maternal
grandmother. Rizal then happened to see Segunda as one of the guest when they reached his
grandmother’s house. Their was indeed Love at First Sight but it was hopeless because Segunda
was engaged to Manuel Luz.

2. Jacinta Ibardo Laza

A professor from Pakil, Laguna. Rizal shortly after losing Segunda Katigbak, he paid
court to a young woman in Pakil, Laguna. Rizal called her Miss L. Rizal describe Miss L. a fair
with seductive and attractive eyes. After visiting her in her house several times for a tutor lesson,
he suddenly stopped because the sweet memory of Segunda was still in his heart and his father
objected to the romance with Miss L. because she is the professor of Rizal.

3. Leonor “Orang” Valenzuela

During Rizal's sophomore year at UST, he boarded in the house of Donya Concha of
Intramuros who is the next door neighbors of Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela,
parents of a charming and tall girl named Leonor. Rizal who was a welcomed visitor of
Valenzuela family courted Leonor.

4. Leonor “Luntian” Rivera

Born in Camiling, Tarlac. She was a frail, beautiful girl, tender as a budding flower with
kindly wistful eyes. She was the daughter of Rizal's uncle who was also his land lord in Casa
Tomasina when he was in his junior year. Jose and Leonor had a beautiful romance and they got
engaged. In her letters to Rizal, Leonor signed her name as “Luntian” in order to camouflage
their intimate relationship from their parents and friends.

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5. Consuelo Ortiga Y. Rey

The prettiest of Don Pablo Ortiga’s two daughters in Madrid. She fell in love with rizal
after only a few dates. Rizal dedicated a poem to her entitled, “A la Senorita C.O. y R” which
became one of his best poems. Rizal fell in love with Consuelo but he suddenly backed out
because he wanted to remain loyal to Leonor Rivera and he did not want to destroy his friendship
with Eduardo de Lete who was madly in love with Consuelo.

6. GERTRUDE “GETTIE” BECKETTE

While Rizal was in London annotating the Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, he boarded in
the house of the Beckett family. Gertrude, a blue-eyed and buxom girl was the oldest of the three
Beckett daughters. She fell in love with Rizal but Rizal suddenly left London for Paris to avoid
her. Before leaving London, he was able to finish the group carving of the Beckett sisters. He
gave the group carving to Gertrude as a sign of their brief relationship.

7. NELLIE BOUSTEAD

While a guest of the Boustead family at their residence in the resort city of Biarritz, he
had befriended the two pretty daughters of his host, Eduardo Boustead. Rizal used to fence with
the sisters at the studio of Juan Luna. Antonio Luna, Juan's brother and also a frequent visitor of
the Boustead's, courted Nellie but she was deeply infatuated with Rizal
In a party held by Filipinos in Madrid, a drunken Antonio Luna uttered unsavory remarks
against Nellie Boustead. This prompted Rizal to challenge Luna into a duel. Fortunately, Luna
apologized to Rizal, thus averting tragedy for the compatriots' heir love affair unfortunately did
not end in marriage. It failed because Rizal refused to be converted to the Protestant faith, as
Nellie demanded and Nellie's mother did not like a physician without enough paying clientele to
be a son-in-law. The lovers, however, parted as good friends when Rizal left Europe.

8. SEIKO “O SEI SAN” USUI

On his second trip to Europe in 1888, Rizal stopped by Japan and met Seiko Usui, a
lovely and intelligent daughter of a samurai. rizal would have married her if all he wanted was a
good life but he left Japan because he thought he was destined for a greater task in the
Philippines and had to go home. In a letter, he said of her: “O Sei San”, O Sei San, sayonara. No
woman, like you, has ever loved me.

9. SUZANNE JACOBY

In 1890, Rizal moved to Brussels because of the high cost of living in Paris. In Brussels, he lived
in the boarding house of the two Jacoby sisters. In time, they fell deeply in love with each other.
Suzanne cried when Rizal left Brussels and wrote him when he was in Madrid.

39
10. Josephine Bracken

Irish girl of sweet eighteen who was born in Hongkong. James Bracken and Elizabeth Jane
MacBride, Josephine’s parents who are both Irish in citizenship.

Man who adopted Josephine after her mother died of childbirth. He became blind so he
sought for an ophthalmic specialist. This is how Josephine and Rizal met.

Manuela Orlac- Filipina companion who accompanied Josephine Bracken to Dapitan.

Rizal and Josephine bracken decided to get married but Father Obach refused to marry
them without the permission of Bishop of Cebu.

Hearing of the planned marriage and unable to endure the thought of losing Josephine,
Mr. Taufer tried to commit suicide by cutting off his throat with a razor but Rizal was able to
prevent this.

To avoid a tragedy, Josephine accompanied Mr. Taufer back to manila. Mr. Taufer
returned to Hongkong alone while Josephine stayed with the Rizals in Manila.

Having no priests to marry them, Rizal and Josephine married themselves before the eyes
of God.

The two were happy for they were expecting for a baby. However, Rizal played a prank
on Josephine making her give birth to an eight month baby boy. The baby lived for only three
hours. He was named Francisco in honor of Rizal's father.

40