Rizal

Republic of the Philippines
Technological University of the Philippines – Taguig Campus

Km. 14 East Service Road Western Bicutan Taguig City 1630
A.Y. 2023 - 2024
GEM14-T:
The Life and Works of Rizal
RIZAL’S RETURN TO CALAMBA AND SECOND TRIP TO EUROPE
Submitted by:
Añonuevo, Danielle T.
Gatchalian, Ma. Eds Giesele L.
Matunog, Charisse Queen T.
Morcilla, Mae Kyla S.
Purugganan, Kim L.
Regala, Mae Samantha P.
Restoles, Herjane A.
Year & Section
BSCESEP-4B
Submitted to:
Mrs. Krystel Mae R. Alvado
1 | GEM14-T – GROUP 4 – BSCESEP4B-T

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CHAPTER I: Rizal’s Return to Calamba
After the publication of the Noli Me Tangere and the uproar it caused among the anti –Filipino elements, Rizal
was warned to not return home by the following:
a. Paciano Mercado (his brother)

b. Silvestre Ubaldo (his brother in-law; husband of Olimpia)
c. Jose Maria Cecilio (one of Rizal’s closest friends)
Rizal was determined to return to the Philippines for the following reasons:
● To operate on his mother’s eyes.

● 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 in
the Philippines.
● To find out why Leonor Rivera had remained silent.
June 19, 1887
In Geneva, Rizal wrote to Blumentritt:
“Your advice that I live in Madrid and continue to write from there is very benevolent, but I cannot
accept it. I cannot endure the life in Madrid where everything is a voice in the wilderness. My parents
want to see me, and I want to see them also. All my life I desire to live in my country by the side of my
family. Until now I am not Europeanized like the Filipinos of Madrid; I always like to return to the
country of my birth.”
June 29, 1887
In Rome, Rizal wrote to his father, announcing his homecoming.
“I shall embark for our country, so that from the 15th to the 30th of August, we shall see each other.”
July 3, 1887
Rizal left Rome by train for Marseilles, a French port, which he reached without mishap. He boarded the
steamer Djemnah, the same steamer which brought him to Europe five years ago. There were about fifty
passengers, including 4 English, 2 Germans, 3 Chinese, 2 Japanese, and many Frenchmen.

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August 6, 1887
Rizal arrived in Manila. He disembarked shortly after 9:00 that night. He stayed in the city for a short time to
visit his friends. He found Manila the same as when he left it five years ago. There were the same old churches
and buildings, the same holes in the roads, the same boats on the Pasig River, and the same hoary walls
surrounding the city.
August 8, 1887
Rizal reached Calamba. His family welcomed him affectionately, with plentiful tears of joy. Paciano did not
leave him during the first days after arrival to protect him from enemy assault.
In Calamba, Rizal established a medical clinic. His first exploit as a physician was the successful operation on
his mother sightless eyes. News of the successful operation spread far and wide. Patients from Manila and the
provinces flocked to Calamba. Rizal, who came to be called “Doctor Uliman” because he came from
Germany. His professional fees were reasonable, even gratis to the poor. Within a few months, he was able to
earn $900 as a physician. Rizal opened a gymnasium for young folks, he introduced European sports. He tried
to interest his townmates in gymnastics, fencing and shooting so as to discourage cockfights and gambling.
August 30, 1887
Rizal received a letter from Governor General Emilio Terrero to come to Malacañang. Somebody had
whispered to the governor’s ear that the novel contained subversive ideas. He denied it, explaining that he
merely exposed the truth, but he did not advocate subversive ideas. The Governor-general asked the author for
a copy of Noli so that he could read it. Rizal had no copy because the only copy he brought home was given
to a friend.
After a few days looking for a copy, Rizal handed him a worn-out one. Governor-general Terrero read the Noli
and found nothing wrong in it. The Archbishop of Manila, Msgr. Pedro Payo (a Dominican), sent a copy of
the Noli to Father Rector Gregorio Echavarria of the University of Santo Tomas for examination by a
committee of the faculty. This report of the faculty members of the University of Santo Tomas issued an order
prohibiting the possession and reading of Noli Me Tangere.
September 1887
Rizal decided not to leave his family this year. His sister Olympia died of hemorrhage while giving birth. And
his own father would not let him go out alone, lest something might happen to him.
Rizal visited Fr. Francisco Sanchez, Fr. Jose Bech, and Fr. Federico Faura. He had a spirited discussion with
them about the Noli, and Father Faura ventured an opinion that “everything in it was the truth,” but added:
“You may lose your head for it.”
Rizal’s life was in jeopardy because the friars were powerful. For security, he assigned a young Spanish
lieutenant, Don Jose Taviel de Andrade, as bodyguard of Rizal belonged to a noble family. He was cultured
and knew painting, and he could speak English, French, and Spanish.

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December 29, 1887
Governor-General Terrero was sent the novel to the Permanent Commission of Censorship which was
composed of priests and laymen. The report of this commission was drafted by its head, Fr. Salvador Font,
Augustinian cura of Tondo. It found the novel to contain subversive ideas against the Church and Spain, and
recommended “that the importation, reproduction, and circulation of this pernicious book in the Islands be
absolutely prohibited.
January 8, 1888
Rizal wrote a petition to the administrator of the Public Islands of Laguna about the Haciendas of the friars in
Calamba. He cited all the grievances of the Calamba folks and tenants against the supposed owner of the
hacienda. He said the owner didn't help in the improvement of agriculture in the celebration of the town fiesta,
in the education of the children, and that the profit of hacienda increased due to the increased rentals.
February 3, 1888
After staying in the Philippines for almost six months, Rizal Left Manila for Hong Kong bringing with P5,
000.00 which he earned from his medical practice.

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CHAPTER II. Rizal in Asia
The Trip to Hong Kong, 1888
Hounded by powerful enemies, Rizal was forced to leave his country for a second time in February 1888. He
was then a full-grown man of 27 years of age, a practicing physician, and a recognized man-of-letters. The
first time he went abroad in June 1882, he was a mere lad of 21, a youthful student in search of wisdom in the
Old World, a romantic idealist with beautiful dreams of emancipating his people from bondage by the magic
power of his pen. Times had changed, Rizal at 27 was an embittered victim of human iniquities, a disillusioned
dreamer, a frustrated reformer.
On February 3, 1888, after a short stay of six months in his beloved Calamba, Rizal left Manila for Hong
Kong on board the Zafiro. He was sick and sad during the crossing of the choppy China Sea. He did not get
off his ship when it made a brief stopover at Amoy on February 7. For three reasons: (1) He was not feeling
well, (2) It was raining hard, and (3) He heard that the city was dirty. He arrived in Hong Kong on February
8.
During his stay in Hong Kong, a British colony, Rizal wrote a letter to Blumentritt, dated February 16, 1888,
expressing his bitterness. This letter runs as follows:
"At last, I can write freely. At last, I can express my thoughts without fear of censorship from the chief!
They forced me to leave my country. Half sick, I left the house.
Oh, dear Blumentritt, you have no idea of my minor odyssey. Without the aid of my friend Lieutenant
Taviel de Andrade, what would become of me! Without the sympathies of the Governor General, the
directors of the civil administration and civil government, I would now be in some dungeon.
All the provincials and the archbishop went daily to the Governor General to complain against me.
The Syndic of the Dominicans wrote a denunciation to the alcalde that at night they saw me hold secret
meetings with men and women on top of a hill. It is true I went walking at dawn to a hill accompanied
by many men, women, and children, for the purpose of enjoying the coolness of the morning, but
always escorted by the lieutenant of the Guardia Civil who knows Tagalog. Who is the conspirator of
secret sessions that will hold them in the open air among women and children? I allowed the
accusation to reach the Governor General so he could see what kind of enemies I have.
My countrymen offered me money to leave the islands. They asked me to do so not only for my own
interest but also theirs, because I have many friends and acquaintances whom they would have
deported with me to Balabag or the Marianas Islands. Thus, half sick, I bade a hasty farewell to my
family. I am returning to Europe by way of Japan and the United States. We should see each other
again. I have so much to tell you.”
In Hong Kong, Rizal stayed at Victoria Hotel. He was welcomed by the Filipino residents, including Jose
Maria Basa, Balbino Mauricio, and Manuel Yriarte (son of Francisco Yriarte, alcalde mayor of Laguna).

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A Spaniard, Jose Sainz de Veranda, who was a former secretary of Governor General Terrero, shadowed
Rizal’s movements in Hong Kong. It is believed that he was commissioned by the Spanish authorities to spy
on Rizal.
“Hong Kong,” wrote Rizal to Blumentritt on February 16, 1888, “is a small, but very clean city. Many
Portugese, Hindus, English, Chinese, and Jews live in it. There are some Filipinos, the majority of whom being
those who had been exiled to the Marianas Islands in 1872. They are poor, gentle, and timid. Formerly, they
were rich mechanics, industrialists, and financiers.”
Visit in Macao, 1888
On February 18, Rizal accompanied by Basa, boarded the ferry steamer Kiu-Kiang for Macao. He was
surprised to see a familiar figure among the passengers—Sainz de Varanda.
Macao is a Portugese colony near Hong Kong. “The city of Macao,” wrote Rizal, in his diary, “is small, low,
and gloomy. There are many junks, sampans, but few steamers. It looks sad and is almost dead.”
In Macao, Rizal and Basa stayed at the home of Don Juan Francisco Lecaros, a Filipino gentleman married
to a Portuguese lady. He was rich and spent his days cultivating plants and flowers, many of which came from
the Philippines.
During his two-day sojourn in Macao, Rizal visited the theatre, casino, cathedral and churches, pagodas and
botanical gardens and the bazaars. He also saw the famous Grotto of Camoens, Portugal’s national poet. In
the evening of February 19, he witnessed a Catholic procession, in which the devotees were dressed in blue
and purple dresses and were carrying unlighted candles.
On February 20, Rizal and Basa returned to Hong Kong, again on board the ferry steamer Kiu-Kiang.
Experiences in Hong Kong
During his two-week visit in Hong Kong, Rizal studied Chinese life, language, drama, and customs. He wrote
down in his own diary the following experiences.
1. Noisy celebration of the Chinese New Year which lasted from February 11th (Saturday) to 13th
(Monday). Continuous explosions of firecrackers. The richer the Chinese, the more firecrackers he
exploded. Rizal himself fired many firecrackers at the window of his hotel.
2. Boisterous Chinese theatre, with noisy audience and noisier music. In the Chinese dramatic art,
Rizal observed the following: (1) a man astride a stick means a man riding on horseback, (2) an actor
raising his leg means he is entering a house, (3) a red dress indicates a wedding, (4) a girl about to be
married coyly covers her face with a fan even in the presence of her fiance, and (5) a man raising a
whip signifies he is about to ride a horse.
3. The marathon lauriat party, wherein the guests were served numerous dishes, such as dried fruits,
geese, shrimps, century eggs, shark fins, bird nests, white ducks, chicken with vinegar, fish heads,
roasted pigs, tea, etc. The longest meal in the world.

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4. The Dominican Order was the richest religious order in Hong Kong. It engaged actively in
business. It owned more than 700 houses for rent and many shares in foreign banks. It had millions of
dollars deposited in the banks which earned fabulous interests.
5. Of the Hong Kong cemeteries belonging to the Protestants, Catholics, and Muslims, that of the
Protestants was the most beautiful because of its well-groomed plants and clean pathways. The
Catholic cemetery was most pompous, with its ornate and expensive mausoleums and extravagantly
carved sepulchers. The Muslim cemetery was the simplest, containing only a little mosque and
tombstones with Arabic inscriptions.
On February 22, 1888, Rizal left Hong Kong on board the Oceanic, an American steamer and his destination
was Japan. Rizal did not like the meals on board but liked the ship because it was clean and efficiently managed.
His cabin mate was a British Protestant missionary who had lived in China for 27 years and knew the Chinese
language very well. Rizal called him “a good man.”
Other passengers, with whom Rizal conversed in their own languages, were two Portuguese, two Chinese,
several British, and an American woman Protestant missionary.
Romantic Interlude in Japan, 1888
One of the happiest interludes in the life of Rizal was his sojourn in the Land of the Cherry Blossoms for one
month and a half (February 28 – April 13, 1888). He was enchanted by the natural beauty of Japan, the
charming manners of the Japanese people, and the picturesque shrines. Moreover, he fell in love with a
Japanese girl, whose loveliness infused joy and romance in his sorrowing heart. Her real name was Seiko Usui.
Rizal affectionately called her 0-Sei-San. Fate, however, cut short his happy days in Japan. He had to sacrifice
his own happiness to carry on his work for the redemption of his oppressed people.
On Tuesday, February 28, 1888, Rizal arrived at Yokohama and stayed in the Grand Hotel. The following
day, he moved to Tokyo and took a room at the Tokyo Hotel where he stayed from March 2 to 7. He was
impressed by the city of Tokyo. He wrote to Professor Blumentritt: “Tokyo is more expensive than Paris. The
walls are built in a cyclopean manner. The streets are large and wide.”
After his arrival in Tokyo, Rizal was visited by Juan Perez Caballero, secretary of the Spanish Legation. The
latter invited him to live at the Spanish Legation. The latter invited him to live at the Spanish Legation. Due to
Rizal being an intelligent man, he realized that the Spanish diplomatic authorities were instructed to monitor
his movements. He accepted the invitation for two reasons: (1) He could economize his living expenses by
staying at the legation and, (2) He had nothing to hide from the prying eyes of the Spanish authorities.
On March 7, he moved out of the Tokyo Hotel and lived at the Spanish Legation. He and Perez Caballero
became good friends and described him as a young, fine, and excellent writer.
During his first day in Tokyo, Rizal could speak the Japanese language. He had a hard time shopping for he
could not be understood, and children laughed at him. With his situation, Rizal decided to study the Japanese
language. He was able to speak within a few days. In Japan he studied Japanese drama, arts, music, and judo.
He also visited museums, libraries, art galleries, and shrines. He visited Meguro, Nikko, Hakone, Miyanoshita,
and the charming villages of Japan.

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During one time, Rizal went to the park and heard the Tokyo band playing a classical work of Strauss. He was
impressed by the great performances of Western music. He thought to himself how admirable their renditions
are and wondered how they have assimilated modern European music to the extent of playing the beautiful
masterpieces of the European composers so well. The band stopped playing and to his surprise they were
speaking Tagalog. He approached them and conversed with them. The musicians were delighted and also
surprised to meet him.
Rizal was greatly impressed by Japan. Among of which are the natural beauty of the country, the cleanliness
and politeness of the people, the picturesque dress and simple charm of the Japanese women, there were few
thieves in Japan, and beggars were rarely seen in the city streets. However, he disliked the rickshaws drawn
by men.
Sayonara Japan and Seiko Usui
Rizal met a pretty Japanese girl. Her name was Seiko Usui. Rizal fell in love with Seiko. He affectionately
called her O-Sei-San. Both found happiness in each other’s company. Affinity of interest in the arts paved the
way for their romance. Rizal saw in lovely O-Sei-San the qualities of his ideal womanhood—beauty, charm,
modesty, and intelligence.
O-Sei-San’s beauty and affection almost tempted Rizal to settle down in Japan. At the same time, he was
offered a good job by the Spanish Legation. But then, his love for the fatherland and his mission to free his
oppressed people made him think again. Rizal’s great love for Seiko Usui and Japan will be memories that
he will always cherish, but it was his time to go.
On April 13, 1888, Rizal boarded the Belgic, an English steamer, at Yokohama, bound for the United States.
He left Japan with a heavy heart for he knew that he would never see this beautiful land again, so as his beloved
O-Sei-San. His sojourn in Japan for 45 days was one of the happiest interludes of his life.
Across the Pacific
Despite his sorrowing heart, Rizal enjoyed the pleasant trans-Pacific voyage to the United States. One day one
of the children on board the ship asked Rizal if he knew a man in Manila named “Richal”. Rizal replied that
he was “Richal”. In his amazement, the boy rushed to his mother and informing her that the famous man is
their fellow passenger, the mother felt proud that they were travelling with a celebrity.
Another passenger Rizal befriended on board was Tetcho Suehiro, a Japanese journalist, novelist, and a
champion of human rights, who was forced by the Japanese government to leave the country. He was alone at
the beginning of the voyage for he knew that he was only person on the ship who spoke Japanese. Rizal knew
about this and befriended him and acted as his interpreter during their long trip from Yokohama to San
Francisco, across the U.S. to New York until they reached London, where they parted.
Rizal told Tetcho the story of his life and his mission to emancipate his oppressed fellowmen from Spanish
tyranny. Tetcho was fascinated by Rizal’s admirable character and influenced him to fortify his own crusade
for human rights in his own country. On December 1, 1888, after a last handshake of their eight months of
friendship and bidding each other goodbye, Rizal and Tetcho parted ways—never to meet again.

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CHAPTER III. Rizal in America
April 28, 1888

- After traveling for fifteen days across the Pacific Ocean, the steamer Belgic finally reached San
Francisco, California.
April 28-May 4, 1888

- He was placed in quarantine for 6 days on board the Belgic anchored off San Francisco Bay.
May 4, 1888
- At three in the afternoon, the quarantine ended. Rizal checked in at the Palace Hotel.
May 4-6, 1888

- Rizal stayed in San Francisco and went around for observation of the city.
May 6, 1888
- It was Sunday, 4:30 p.m, Rizal left San Francisco for Oakland, nine miles across San Francisco Bay,
by ferry boat.
May 7, 1888
- It was morning, Rizal awoke and had a good breakfast at Reno, Nevada.
May 7-13, 1888

- Rizal wrote in his diary the beautiful memories from Nevada, Chicago until he reached Albany via
train Sacramento where he ate his supper 75 cents and slept on his couch.
May 7, 1888
- Rizal saw an Indian attired in semi-European suit and semi-Indian suit.
May 8, 1888
- Rizal was in Utah where he saw three Mormon boys. One strange observation that Rizal noted was,
the ones who waited on restaurant tables are women.
May 9, 1888
- In Colorado, he saw a lot of snow and pine trees.
May 10, 1888

- Nebraska-Omaha City, as big as San Francisco; Missouri River twice as big as Pasig River.
May 11, 1888

- In Chicago, he noted that every tobacco shop has a statue of an Indian.
May 12, 1888

- He saw Niagara Falls and he called the falls “The Majestic Cascade”.
May 13, 1888

- Where he saw the Hudson River in Albany.
May 13, 1888

- It was Sunday morning when Rizal reached New York. He stayed three days in this city, which he
called the “big town”.

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May 16, 1888

- Rizal left New York for Liverpool on board the City of Rome, the second largest ship in the world.
Rizal saw the Statue of Liberty on Bedloe Island.
Rizal’s Good Impression of America

1. The material progress of the country as shown in the great cities, huge frame, flourishing industries,
and busy factories.
2. The drive and the energy of the American people.
3. The natural beauty of the land.
4. A high standard of living.
5. The opportunities for better life offered to poor immigrants.
Rizal’s Bad Impression in America

1. Non-existence of true civil liberty, as the Blacks cannot marry a white woman, nor a white man can
marry a Black woman.
2. The existence of racial prejudice as shown in their hatred of the Chinese, Japanese, and the Black
people.
3. The valuing of money over human life. Lack of racial equality.
Rizal’s impression of America “is the land par excellence of freedom but only for whites”.
“I visited the cities of America, with their grandiose edifices, their electric lights, and their great
conceptions. America is, undoubtedly, a great country, but has many defects.”
- Jose Rizal

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CHAPTER IV. Rizal in England
Back in London
After visiting the United States, Rizal lived in London from May 1888 to March 1889. He chose this English
city to be his new home for three reasons:
a. To improve his knowledge of the English language,

b. To study and annotate Morga's Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, a rare copy of which he heard to be
available in the British Museum, and
c. London was a safe place for him to carry on his fight against Spanish tyranny.
September 19, 1888

- Rizal finished copying the whole book of Morga.
September 30, 1888

- In a letter, Rizal requested Mariano Ponce to forward to Hong Kong the box of Noli Me Tangere so
that Jose Maria Basa could send them to the Philippines where the Filipinos needed them.
October 12, 1888

- Rizal was admitted to study in the department of Greek and Roman Antiquities in the British Museum
of London. In a letter, he told Mariano Ponce that he was working hard day and night in the British
Museum in London in order to be able to fight and defeat the enemies. Rizal contemplated going to
Belgium, Sweden, Norway and passing through Holland, Germany and Denmark.
October 13, 1888

- At 7:30 in the evening, Rizal received a telegram from Hong Kong with the information that Manuel
Hidalgo, husband of his sister Saturnina, was deported to Bohol without being informed of the cause.
October 1888
- Rizal was Busy reading all the old sources of Philippine History. He wanted to read them all before
leaving for London. He had already copied all parts pigafetta, likewise a summary of Chirino.
November 1, 1888
- In a letter, Rizal was invited by the Filipinos in Madrid to direct the newspaper, which they planned
to put up, telling him that the newspaper would not prosper without him.
November 8, 1888
- Rizal was very happy to know that an old Filipino priest whom he didn't know personally, a doctor in
theology and who occupied a high position in Manila Cathedral defended him against Fr. P. Rodriguez,
declaring that the Noli is very Christian.
November 14 – 18, 1888

- Rizal was very busy reading the book Gaspar de San Agustin about the Philippines. He found the book
would have been one of the best references on Philippine Literature if not for this defect.

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December 6, 1888
- Rizal received the news that in spite of his opposition, he was elected director of the newspaper. Rizal
was the only candidate who met fewer adversaries.
- With this outcome, he planned to go to Madrid to see the members of the Filipino Colony. Rizal wrote
an extensive article on the meaning and determination of the island Ma-Yi Described by Chao Jukua,
the Chinese chronicler, in his old Chinese codex.
December 8, 1888
- Rizal sent Dr. Carlos Crepelack his sculptural work Revancha in exchange for the beautiful landscape
he received from the latter.
- During the previous days, Rizal read the book Multatuli, a Dust author. He found the book similar to
Noli with differences, however, on the strength of attack Rizal’s attacks are more violent than those of
Mulatuli's.
December 11, 1888

- Rizal left London for Barcelona and Madrid.
December 13, 1888

- In Barcelona, Rizal saw the members of the Filipino colony Mariano Ponce, Fernando, Canon,
Graciano Lopez-Jaena and others. They talked a lot about the Filipinism of Prof Blumentritt.
December 24, 1888

- Rizal arrived at London from his twelve days visit to Spain.
December 24, 1888

- Rizal sent a letter to Prof. Blumentritt, reminding him of two busts he sent. The Augustus, which took
Rizal 10 days to model, was given as a Christmas gift to Blumentritt, and the Julius to Dr. Carlos
Czepelack.
- In a letter, Rizal reminded Prof. Blumentritt of the two busts he sent the letter before leaving for
Madrid. The Augustus, which took Rizal for 10 days modeling, was given as a Christmas gift to Prof.
Blumentrit and the Julius to Dr. Carlos Czepelack. (Jesus Christ was born during the time of Octavio
Cess called Augusto by Roman Emperors, hence, as Rizal's affection for Prof. Blumentritt, he gave
him Augustus).
December 28, 1888

- Rizal requested Fernando Canon to interpret his sentiments at the December 31st Gathering in Madrid
and Ponce to publish "La Visión de Fr. Rodriguez" in 3,000-4000 copies, using the proceeds for Noli
sales.
- In a letter, Rizal requested Fernando Canon to be the interpreter of his sentiments on the December
31st Gathering among the Filipinos in Madrid. In a letter, Rizal requested Ponce to publish the
manuscript of "La Visión de Fr. Rodriguez”, about 3,000 to 4,000 copies, and for its expenses, to
utilize the money earned for selling the copies of Noli.

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December 31, 1888

- Rizal sent a letter to be read before the reunited Filipinos in Madrid, animating them to do something
worthy for the country. Rizal reaffirmed his loyalty to the association and his desire to think and feel
with the members, to dream, to want and to plan something good for the country.
January 1889
- In a letter, Rizal told Jose Maria Basa in Hong Kong not to send the rest of the copies of Noli to the
Philippines to prevent them from being burned or destroyed by the timid Filipinos.
"If the present Generation does not like to read my book because of fear, I will keep them for the next
generation to come”, Rizal said.
January 6, 1889
- In a letter Rizal requested Mariano Ponce to change the word sabio to como libre pensador in his article
"La vision de Fr. Rodriguez" which was sent to Barcelona for publication.
January 14, 1889

- Rizal sent to Professor Blumentritt a copy of his plan of forming an International Association of
Filipinologist, asking latter for Professor Bluementritt’s opinion about this plan. Rizal thought of
holding a conference among the members during the Paris exposition in August 1889.
February 4, 1889
- Rizal rejoiced because of the coming out on the 15 of the months of the publication La Solidaridad in
Barcelona. This was communicated to Marcelo H. Del Pilar. Rizal urged that one of the Filipinos
staying in Barcelona should study the Italian language to be able to read and study the manuscript
written in Italias and which treated about the Philippine situation in 1520. The manuscripts were
written by one of the companions of Magellan.
February 6, 1889
- In a letter, Rizal requested Prof. Blumentritt to talk to Dr. A.B Meyer concerning the Association of
Filipinologist. The latter was elected member of the organization.
February 14, 1889

- In a letter, Rizal requested Dr. A.B. Meyer to nominate one Dutch member to the International
Association of Filipinologist.
February 22, 1889

- Rizal wrote the famous letter to the women of Malls, as per request by Marcelo H. Del Pilar,
February 27, 1889

- In a letter, Rizal informed Dr. Meyer that Dr. Niuman from Holland did not accept the position of
adviser-member of the Association due to the latter's many occupations.
March 5, 1889
- In a letter, Rizal congratulated Graciano Lopez-Jaena for the excellent speech which the latter
delivered.

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March 15, 1889

- Rizal’s article "El Solfeo de la Defensa" was published in La Solidaridad.

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CHAPTER V. Rizal in Paris
Rizal Back in Paris
March 19, 1889

- Dr. Jose Rizal arrived in Paris and founded the Kidlat Club. Since he had no time to publish the
annotations to Morgan’s Sucesos de la Filipinas. Together with Blumentritt they planned to edit the
Ethnography of Mindanao. Rizal permitted Mariano Ponce to publish the poem “En Bosque” advising
the latter to pay attention to the signature “Laong Laan.” Likewise, advised Ponce to buy Filipino
Books and to mention its author from time to time.
March 27, 1889

- Rizal received a tablecloth gift from Mrs. Rosa Blumentritt. To remember her always, He placed it in
his study table lamp to remind him frequently during his studies in the evening.
March 28, 1889

- Rizal borrowed from Blumentritt several pictures of various positions with the object of modeling
some busts for professors. He wanted to leave something as a remembrance of his art to the Australian
savant.
March 31, 1889

- Rizal’s “Me Piden Versos…!” Signed Laon-Laan was published in La Solidaridad.
March 1889
- Rizal became sick in Paris. In a letter to Graciano Lopez-Jaena to whom he sent an article for La
Solidaridad, he made mention of him being sick. He requested Lopez-Jaena to become a member of
the Kidlat, a Filipino Club Paris. He advised Lopez-Jaena on the way the newspaper La Solidaridad
should run.
April 12, 1889

- Another speech was delivered against Rizal in the Spanish Congress. Dr. Luis M. Del Prado, said that
“…En Filipinas Sr. Presidente del consejo Circula con gran profusion, y no ahora, sino desde have
algun tiempo, un libro titulado Noli Me Tangere, que ye suplirica al Sr. Presidente que estudiar, pero
hagalo con cierto ciudad proque tiente bastante envenarse su señorita”
April 18, 1889

- Rizal Informed Mariano Ponce that of not for the 1872 event, he should have been a Jesuit and instead
of Noli Me Tangere, he should have written another.
April 23, 1889

- Rizal sent a manuscript of the “Ethnography of Mindanao” to Barcelona publication. Likewise, he sent
to Dr. Joist the letter of Manuel Hidalgo in which the abuses of the friars in the Philippines mentioned
and from which he hoped Dr. Joist could gather facts for publication in the Kolmer Zeitung.
April 30, 1889

- In a letter, Rizal proposed to Mariano Ponce that a conference among Plaridel (Marcelo H. Del Pilar),
Apacible, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Ferdinand Blumentritt, Julio Llorente, Fernando Canon, and
themselves should be held in Paris. He planned to return to Chalcot, Cresden, and London. His article
“a La Defensa” was published in La Solidaridad.

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May 2, 1889
- Rizal wrote to Fernando Canon about his sentiment upon thinking that Canon’s child would later be a
lost member or a country that needed men.
May 8, 1889
- Rizal learned from Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera who arrived from the Philippines, that life in the
country was impossible. Tavera told him of his prediction that a big revolution in the Philippines would
occur within ten years unless the condition would change.
May 15, 1889

- Rizal sent the manuscript of his article “Por Telepono” to publication in pamphlet form. His article
“Los Viajes” signed Laong-Laan was published in La Solidaridad.
May 20, 1889

- Rizal requested Ferdinand Blumentritt to write the prologue to the Morga which he was preparing for
printing. Moreover, Rizal urged the Australian Professor to come to Paris for vacation and conference,
placing at the latter’s disposal 200 marks for transportation expenses. He sent to Marcelo H. Del Pilar
a manuscript of an article, an answer to the “La Voz de Manila”. Rizal informed Del Pilar that he had
broken relations with Regidor due to the non-compliance of the latter of publishing manuscript as per
agreement.
May 23, 1889

- Rizal’s brother-in-law, Mariano Herbosa, died of cholera, together with Isidro Alcala, both from
Calamba. Herbosa was not buried in the holy ground but on the hill (Lecheria) outside the Calamba
causing Rizal to publish in La Solidaridad the biting article entitled “Una Profanacion” on July 31,
1889.
May 26, 1889

- Rizal sent Mariano Ponce his answer to Barranter’s criticism. He instructed Ponce to publish it with
my name or that of Laong-Laan.
May 31, 1889

- Rizal published his “La Veridad para Todos” in the La Solidaridad.
June 4, 1889
- Rizal translated more than 30 pages of Blumentritt’s Memories on the tribes of Mindanao. He
expressed the illusion that when liberty brightens the Philippines, Rizal and Blumentritt would come
and live together. Dr. A.B. Meyer visited him in Paris.
June 6, 1889
- Rizal guided Julio Llorente, his childhood friend, around Paris the whole day. He had to accompany
Llorente always because the latter did not know French.
June 15, 1889

- Rizal’s letter “Al Sr. D. Vicente Barrantes” was published in the La Solidaridad (first installment).
June 18, 1889

- Rizal sent to Marcelo H. Del Pilar the manuscripts of the “Defensa del Noli” of Dr. Blumentritt. He
wanted it to be published in La Solidaridad by the end of the month.

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June 19, 1889

- Rizal planned to leave Paris. He was annoyed by the exorbitant increase of room rentals; the landladies
of Paris became opportunists of the presence of the exposition.
June 23, 1889

- Rizal continued with enthusiasm the translation of Blumentritt's Memories on the tribes of Mindanao.
He was already on page 36. Two copies of my pictures (age 28) were sent to Blumentritt and Dr.
Czepelack.
June 30, 1889
- Rizal informed Mariano Ponce that he was going to wander for a few days in other countries. Rizal
requested Ponce to inform others in Barcelona about my plan.
July 4, 1889
- At 8:55 in the evening, Rizal left Paris for Dieppe. He arrived at Vernon at 10:15 and Rouen at 11:30
in the same evening. In my travels, he was very much disturbed loquacious American who was always
boasting things.
July 12, 1889

- Rizal arrived at Paris from London where he spent a few days confronting the proofs of the Sucesos
de la Islas Filipinas with the original book found in the British Museum. He resided now at 45 Rue de
Manbenge and attended to the finishing touches of my annotations.
July 23, 1889

- Rizal sent to the printing press his annotations to Morga’s Sucesos de la Islas Filipinas and requested
Prof. Blumentritt in a letter to keep secret the publication of the book because with it he wanted to
surprise his compatriots.
July 30, 1889

- Rizal had been very busy the past days and, on this day, he was going to the printing press Garnier
Hermanos, reading, and correcting the proofs and adding new annotations of the work.
July 1889
- Rizal’s “Two Eastern Fables” a comparative study of the Japanese and Philippines folklore, appeared
in Trubner’s record (London).
July 31, 1889

- Rizal’s article “Verdades Nuevas” was published in the La Solidaridad.
August 13, 1889

- Rizal was admitted to study in the “Bibliotheque Nationale” of Paris. His admission ended on
December 31, 1889. He was very much occupied. He had much work to do and felt blank.
August 14, 1889

- Rizal received a telegram from Hongkong with the information that Paciano Mercado, Silvestre
Ubaldo, Antonio and Leandro Lopez, Mateo Elejorder and others were accused and threatened with
deportation.
September 9, 1889
- Rizal was very busy in Paris putting the Morga in the final form. With five or six young men from
Lipa, who were in Paris and who were willing to go with me, Rizal planned to visit Prof. Blumentritt
in Leitmeritz the following year. He wanted to show Blumentritt that was not depending in vain the
Filipino people. He attended the baptismal party of the child Juan Luna.

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September 10, 1889

- In Paris Rizal met Sr. Moret, the ex-minister of the Spanish government. The ex-minister purposely
went to Paris to meet and talk with the author of Noli Me Tangere which Rizal published in La
Solidaridad.
September 21, 1889

- Rizal instructed Jose Mariano Basa to do away with pseudonyms in the article he (Basa) was
publishing in the newspaper of Hongkong. Rizal requested Basa to pay special attention to the
packages or letters with initials Rd. L.M. written on the envelope.
September 22, 1889
- In a package, Rizal sent to Blumentritt two statues: a beggar with a hat and a maid with bilao on her
hands. He sent too, a wallet made of nito vines, all these things came from one Blumentritt admirers
in the Philippines.
September 30, 1889

- Rizal’s essay “Filipinas Centro de Cien Años” published in La Solidaridad (first installment).
October 10, 1889

- Rizal was believed to have written in Paris a proclamation carrying this date, in which a bloody
revolution was being announced.

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CHAPTER VI. Rizal in Brussels
Rizal in Brussels, Belgium
On January 28, 1890, Rizal left Paris and decided to go to Brussels, Belgium. The reasons why he left Paris
is because of the expensive cost of living and gay social life hindered his literary works.
When he arrived in Brussels, he stayed in a boarding house at 38 Rue Philippe Champagne. The boarding
house is run by the two Jacoby sisters (Suzanne and Marie).
He also met two people:
• Jose Albert
- The one who escorted Rizal when he moved to Brussels and became his first boarding mate.
• Jose Alejandro
- An engineering student and the second boarding mate of Rizal in Brussels when Jose Albert
moved out.
Activities of Rizal:
● Sculpturing
● Shooting
● Doing gymnastics
● Fencing
● Writing and reading
● Writing his second novel (El Filibusterismo), the continuation of Noli Me Tangere
● Writing articles for La Solidaridad
La Solidaridad was an organization created in Spain. This newspaper is where articles are published. It is to
spread awareness about the situation in the Philippines and to express the freedom and rights that Filipinos
want and deserve.
Rizal published articles in La Solidaridad in defense of his burdened people and to point out the evils of Spanish
rule in the Philippines. The articles he wrote are the following:
● "A La Defensa" (To La Defensa)
● "La verdad Para Todos" (The Truth for All)
● "Vicente Barrantes (Teatro Tagalo)
● "Una Profanacion" (A Profanation)
● "Verdades Nuevas" (New Truths)
● "Crueldad" (Cruelty)
● "Differencias" (Differences)
● "Inconsequencias" (Inconsequences)
● "Llanto y Risas" (Tears and Laughters)
● "Ingratitudes" (Ingratitude)
Rizal was the first to advocate the new orthography of Tagalog Language or Filipinization of Orthography
and it was published in La Solidaridad on April 15, 1890.

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The letter K and W in tagalog should be used instead of C and O. For example:
● Salacot = Salakot
● Arao = Araw
On May 28, 1890, Rizal criticized madrid filipino for gambling. He got some news from Juan Luna and
Valentin Ventura that the Filipinos in Spain gambling too much. He wrote a letter to Marcelo H. Del Pilar to
remind the Madrid Filipinos that they did not come to Europe to gamble but to work for their nation’s freedom.
As a result, the gambling Filipinos in Madrid became annoyed, and they call Rizal as “Papa” (Pope) instead
of “Pepe”.
While staying in Brussels, he received bad news from Calamba.
● Increasing of hacienda land rents by the Dominicans

● Dominicans filed a suit in court to disinherit the Rizal’s Family land in Calamba.
● Persecution of tenants
• Paciano and the brothers-in-law; Antonio Lopez (husband of Narcisa) and Silvestre Ubaldo
(husband of Olympia) were deported to Mindoro.
• Manuel T. Hidalgo (husband of Saturnina) was banished for a second time to Bohol.
The following days he has intuitions of his death and experienced:

● Bad dreams at night.
● Fear of not living long.
● Not afraid to die, not until he finishes his second novel (El Filibusterismo).
● Letter to MH Del Pilar:
- Rizal had a strange belief that he would not reach 30 years of age.
- Preparing his self for death.
- Laong Laan (Laging handa) is his true name.
After hearing the bad news, he planned to go home. He could not stay in Brussels while his family and friends
were persecuted. But all his friends including Bluementritt, Jose Ma and Ponce warned him of the danger
that awaited him at Calamba.
He decided to go to Madrid because of the following:
● A letter from Paciano changed his mind to go back home.

- The case against the Dominicans was lost.
● Letter to MH Del Pilar (June 28, 1890)

- Rizal wants to get him as their counsel.
- Rizal was going to Madrid to manage their cases.
In Brussels, there is also someone who hooked up the heart of Rizal. This is because he felt lonely because
Leonor was so far away from him. He met Suzanne of the Jacoby family, but this is the niece of the landlady
where Rizal was boarded. This was named Suzanne Thill, or they also called her Petite. She was attracted to
and fell in love with Rizal because he was charming and gentlemanly. When Rizal left for Madrid, Suzanne
cried, and it took time for her to move on from Rizal.

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CHAPTER VII. Rizal in Madrid
Rizal in Madrid, Spain
Misfortunes in Madrid, 1890-1891
Rizal arrived in Madrid at the beginning of August 1890. He attempted all legal means to seek justice for his
family and the tenants of Calamba, but to no avail. Disappointment piled on him after disappointment until it
seemed insurmountable to carry the cross, he bore. He nearly fought two (2 duels) with Antonio Luna and
Wenceslao E. Retana. On top of his misfortunes, Leonor Rivera married a British engineer. His heart was
broken by the girl’s infidelity with which he was involved for eleven years. He survived the bitter pangs of
love’s disillusionment with resilient strength of personality and continued his mission of redeeming his
oppressed people.
Failure to get Justice for Family
Early August 1890 Rizal called on the Minister of Colonies (Senior Fabie) in order to protest the injustices
committed by Governor Genera Valeriano Weyler and the Dominicans against the Calamba folks including
Rizal’s family, Rizal sought the help of the following:
• Filipino Colony
• Asociacion Hispano-Filipina
• Liberal Spanish newspapers (La Justicia, El Globo, La republica, El Resumen, etc.)
• Marcelo H. del Pilar (acted as Rizal’s lawyer)
• Dr. Dominador Gomez (secretary of the Asociacion Hispano-Filipina)
As the Madrid newspaper El Resumen, sympathizing with the Filipino cause, said: “To cover the ears, open
the purse, and fold the arms – this is the Spanish colonial policy”.
Bad News from Calamba
September 6, 1890
• Rizal received more horrible news as he waged a futile battle for justice.
These are the following:
– From Silvestre Ubaldo (his brother-in-law), he received a copy of the ejectment order by
the Dominicans against Francisco Rizal and other Calamba tenants.
– From Saturnina (his sister), he learned of the deportation of Paciano Rizal, Antonino Lopez,
Silvestre Ubaldo, Teong, and Dandoy to Mindoro. He also learned that their parents had been
forcibly ejected from their home.

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In his desperation, Rizal sought aid, the former members of Ministry Maura and Becerra only gave him
honeyed words of sympathy and nothing else.
When Blumentritt in Leitmeritz learned of his friend's situation, he persuaded him to visit Queen Regent
Maria Christina (who was ruler of Spain at the time during Alfonso XIII's minority). But how was he able to
see her majesty? He had neither powerful friends to bring him to the queen’s presence nor gold to grease the
palms of influential countries.
Rizal's Eulogy to Panganiban
Jose Ma. Panganiban – his friend and his talented co-worker in the propaganda movement.
August 19, 1890 – date of the death of Jose Ma. Panganiban because of a lingering illness.
He is a Bicol hero who died 27 years old in Barcelona.
• With a sorrowing heart, Rizal took up his pen and wrote a great eulogy to Panganiban as follows:
" Panganiban, that excellent companion of labor and difficulty, that amiable friend and countryman
beloved, has just described to the tomb at the early age of 27 years. We just caught his last whisper,
saw him expire in our arms, as it were, and it seems as if we are listening to his phrases saturated with
energetic patriotism, inspired by the purest love of his native land…"
Feliciano Gonzales Timbang – also died the same day Panganiban did.
Aborted Duel with Antonio Luna
End of August 1890
Rizal attended a Filipino social gathering in Madrid. The guests became more loquacious after drinking so
many glasses of wine and the discussions flowed freely. Antonio Luna, one of them, got drunk, he uttered
unpalatable remarks against Nellie Boustead, he was bitter at that moment. He blamed Rizal deep in his heart
for failing to win her, though Rizal had earlier told him he had nothing to do with it.
Rizal heard it and because he doesn't want women to be disgraced, he challenged Luna to a fight. But, when
Luna became sober, he realized he had made himself a fool. Immediately, he apologized for his girl’s poor
comment. Rizal acknowledged his apology instantly, and the two became good friends again.

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Rizal Challenges Retana to Duel
End of August 1890
Wenceslao Retana – bitter enemy of Rizal in pen. Retana, a skilled scholar from Spain, was then a friars’
press agent in Spain. He attacked Filipinos including Rizal, in various newspapers in Madrid.
La Epoca – an anti-Filipino newspaper, claiming that Rizal’s family and friends had not paid their rent so that
the Dominicans had expelled them from their land in Calamba.
Rizal was stirred into action by such an insult. With his challenge to a duel, he sent his seconds to Retana. Only
the blood of Retana or his apology could justify the good name of the family and friends of Rizal. Because
Retana knew his fault, he released in the journals at once a retraction and an apology. He knew that on the field
of honor, he had no opportunity at all against Rizal, for Rizal was his superior in both pistol and sword.
Infidelity of Leonor Rivera
Autumn of 1890 Rizal felt bitter when he met so many disappointments in Madrid. One night at the Teatro
Apolo, he and some colleagues attended a play and lost his gold watch chain with a locket containing Leonor
Rivera’s image, his beloved sweetheart. The locket’s loss proved to be a bad omen.
Early December 1890

Rizal got a letter from Leonor, announcing her coming marriage to an Englishman (the choice of her mother)
and asking for forgiveness.
February 15, 1891

Blumentritt, his greatest friend, comforted Rizal saying he knew how pained the heart of Rizal is, but he is
one of the heroes who conquers pain from a woman’s wound. Rizal has a brave heart and is in love with the
Motherland, a nobler woman.
May 1891
Blumentritt sent another comforting letter saying he’s grieved that Rizal has lost a girl to whom he was
engaged, but Leonor is not the woman for Rizal.
Rizal-Del Pilar Rivalry
Closing Days of 1890

An unfortunate rivalry for supremacy arose between Rizal and Marcelo H. del Pilar. Rizal was the undisputed
Filipino leader in Europe until then. On the other hand, for his vigorous editorials in La Solidaridad, which he
came to own, Del Pilar, the fearless lawyer-journalist, gained prestige in Madrid.
January 1, 1891
The Filipinos in Madrid, numbering about ninety, met on New Year’s Day to avert the break-up between Rizal
and del Pilar to patch up their disagreements and intensify the reform campaign. In this conference, a leader
called Responsable was selected to guide the Filipino community’s affairs and determine La Solidaridad’s
editorial strategy. It was agreed that the Responsable should be elected by a two-thirds vote of the Filipino
community.

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Rizal Abdicates his Leadership
February 1891
The election took place this month’s first week. Two hostile camps – the Rizalistas and Pilaristas – split the
Filipinos. With stirring eloquence, Mariano Ponce appealed to his countrymen to vote for Rizal. He became
the Responsable after obtaining the required two-thirds vote. But the coveted position was graciously rejected
by Rizal because he did not want to be a leader of a divided people. He knew that some of his compatriots who
supported Del Pilar despise or dislike him.
Adios, Madrid
Rizal wrote a short note in which he thanked his fellow countrymen for electing him as Responsable. He
packed up his bags, paid his bills and boarded a train leaving for Biarritz. He looked at Madrid City, where he
was happy during his first sojourn (1882-1885) but unhappy on his second visit (1890-1891). It was the last
time he saw Madrid.

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CHAPTER VIII. Rizal in Hong Kong
Rizal’s Return in Hong Kong
After the publication of El Filibusterismo, Rizal left Europe for Hong Kong. He lived there from November
1891 to June 1892. On October 18, 1891, Rizal boarded the steamer Melbourne in Marseilles bound for
Hong Kong. During the voyage he began writing his third novel in Tagalog. Makamisa, Dapitan, and
another untitled novel were some of the unfinished novels of Rizal.
Rizal described his trip as “heavenly”. In the ship were over 80 passengers—mostly Europeans, and two
Spaniards who were going to Amoy. Rizal was the only Asian among them and amazed his fellow passengers
with his knowledge of many languages.
Rizal arrived in Hong Kong on November 20, 1891. He was welcomed by Jose Basa and lived at Number 5
D’ Aguilar Street where he also opened his medical clinic.
Before the Christmas of 1891, he was gladdened by the arrival of his father, brother, and Silvestre Ubaldo
in Hong Kong. Not long afterwards, his mother and sisters Lucia, Josefa and Trinidad also arrived. This
Christmas was one of the happiest moments in Rizal’s life for he had a happy family reunion. Rizal also
practiced his ophthalmology in Hong Kong. There he became a well-known medical practitioner.

A.Y. 2023 - 2024
REFERENCES:
• Balangon, A., Ogalinola, C., Rivera, E., & Peligro, R. (n.d.). This is my Story (1st edition) [Review of
This is my Story]. Careman Publishing House Incorporated.
• Life and Travels of Jose Rizal. (2014, July 22). Travels-of-Rizal.weebly.com. Retrieved from:
https://travels-of-rizal.weebly.com/blog/life-and-travels-of-jose-rizal.
• Zaide, G.F. (1970). Jose Rizal: Life, work, and writing.

RIZAL’S EXILE IN
DAPITAN
Submitted and Presented by

Group 5:
Bongo, Rose Danielle D.

Bustamante, Dante Jr. E.
Cabreza, Hazel-ann O.
Camagay, Jose Vince A.
Cuerdo, McJohn C.
Lumandos, Janeva S.
Reyes, Phillip O.
HIS LIFE IN DAPITAN
In the evening of July 14, 1892, Jose Rizal was set to leave Fort Santiago and head
to Dapitan and boarded a ferry boat named, “Cebu”. On July 17, 1892, he arrived in
Dapitan and met Ricardo Carnicero who offered him a place to stay. The offer was
either to live in Ricardo’s house or live at the Jesuits’ house.
Jose Rizal brought a letter from Father Pablo Pastells, a superior at the Jesuit
Society of the Philippines and was tasked to hand the letter over to Jesuit Parish
Priest in Dapitan, Father Antonio Obach. In the letter were the Pastells’ conditions
to let Rizal live in the parish. These conditions were,
(1) Jose Rizal will retract his mistakes concerning religion, and make
statements that are pro-Spanish and against revolution,
(2) Jose Rizal shall perform church rites and make a confession about his
past life, and
(3) he should behave himself in an exemplary manner as a Spanish subject
and be a man of religion.
Rizal did not agree with the conditions and decided to stay at Ricardo Carnicero’s
home. Captain / Commandant Ricardo Carnicero was the warden who was tasked to
look after Rizal, and they later became good friends. Rizal was given the freedom to
go anywhere and admired Carnicero’s kind and generous nature.
On July 25, 1892, Rizal wrote a letter to his mother about his exile in Dapitan. He
wrote, “In these days of lack of communication, travel, and deportion, I am greatly
worried thinking of you, and for this reason I hasten to write to you to tell you that I
am well here as if I were on vacation in this politico-military district. I don’t miss
anything except my family and freedom.”
On August 26, 1892, he wrote a poem for Carnicero’s birthday.
On August 30, 1892, Captain Carnicero informed the Governor General Eulogio
Despujol that Rizal wanted reforms in the Philippines but did not want the friars to
be involved.
On September 21, 1892, Captain Carnicero submitted another report to the

governor general about the reforms Rizal wanted. These reforms were freedom of
religion and freedom of the press. On the same day, Rizal won the Manila Lottery.
The lottery ticket was not owned solely by him. Rizal, Captain Carnicero, and a
resident from Dipolog Francisco Equilor won it with him together. The lottery ticket
number was 9736 and the prize they got was twenty thousand pesos and was
divided among the 3 of them. Rizal gave 2,000 pesos to his father who was in Hong
Kong, gave 200 pesos to his friend who was based in Hong Kong, Basa, and bought
land near the shore of Talisay near Dapitan. That land was to build his tree houses.
One house was square type and made of bamboo and was also his home, the
second house was an octagonal shaped house made of nipa and was also the
house for his students, and lastly the third house was a hexagonal shaped house
made in wood to serve as a barn where he kept his chickens.
As his first Christmas in Dapitan came nearer, Rizal became much more cheerful.
His savings increased, his health improved, and a lot of the Dapitan folks became his
friends. He spent his Christmas eve at Capt. Carnicero’s house (Comandancia)
together with 3 Spaniards from Dipolog and a French man named Jean/Juan Lardet.
On January 5, 1893, he wrote a letter to his mother about how he enjoyed his first
Christmas in Dapitan.
In March 1893, Rizal’s house was completed where they were able to cultivate
lanzones, mangoes, macopa, nangka, santol, guyabano, mangosteen, and cocoa
trees.
Rizal also had a long debate on religion with Father Pastells from September 1892
to April 1893. While having this long debate through letters with Father Pastells,
Jose Rizal also challenged a French man into a duel. Jean/Juan Lardet, a French
acquaintance and businessman, purchased logs from Rizal’s land and claimed that
the logs are of poor quality. Lardet sent a letter to Antonio Miranda, a businessman
from Dapitan, expressing his disgust over their business deal. With this, Rizal was
angered and challenged Lardet into a duel. Captain Carnicero after knowing the
commotion, stopped Lardet and convinced him to apologize instead of accepting
Rizal’s challenge. And on March 30, 1893, Lardet sent a letter of apology regarding
his bad comments.
Father Pastells also sent Father Francisco Paula Sanchez, Rizal’s favorite teacher
from Ateneo, to Dapitan to convince him to return to catholic faith. But, Father
Sanchez failed to convince him.
In August 1893, Rizal’s mother, sister Trinidad, and nephew arrived in Dapitan and
lived with him for one and a half years. It was also in Dapitan where he operated on
his mother’s right eye.
On November 3, 1893, a certain “Pablo Mercado” whose real name was

Florencio Namaan, pretended to be Rizal’s relative. It was found out later by
Captain Carnicero’s successor, Captain Juan Sitges that Namaan was hired and
paid 75 pesos by the Recollect Friars to spy on Rizal’s activities. Namaan was also
asked to steal letters and writings that would later incriminate Rizal in the
revolutionary movement.
On December 19, 1893, Rizal wrote a letter for his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt and
shared his peaceful life in Dapitan.
Rizal’s First Christmas in Dapitan
Jose Rizal soon learned to appreciate Dapitan's humble way of life. Rizal gained
prosperity. Rizal made more money from his medical career than he did from his
lottery win. Some wealthy patients gave him a lot of money for healing their eye
conditions. He started purchasing farmland in Talisay, a neighborhood close to
Dapitan. In this lovely area by the sea, he intended to construct a house.
Rizal got happier as Christmas came nearer. He was able to save more money
because Dapitan had lower living expenses than Calamba. His health got better.
People in Dapitan who had previously been uninterested in him warmed up to him.
Rizal celebrated his first Christmas in Dapitan and must have loved it. At the
comandancia (commandant's home), he was one of Captain Carnicero's guests for a
Christmas Eve meal. Along with a Frenchman named Jean Lardet, the other guests
included three Spaniards from the nearby town of Dipolog. The meal was joyful. The
commandant's native cook's delicious dishes were enjoyed with the guests. Except
Rizal, the rest of them drank beer, for he didn't prefer hard liquor. Rizal, Captain
Carnicero, and other visitors went to church to attend the Noche Buena Mass at
midnight.
During his first Christmas in Dapitan, Rizal wrote a letter to his mother on January 5,
1893, in which he shared his feelings. He remarked:
"I spent a merry Christmas here. It could not have been merrier. I had a happy dinner
on Christmas Eve, together with my host (the commandant), three Spaniards from a
neighboring town, and a Frenchman. We heard Mass at 12:00 midnight, for you
know I go to Mass here every Sunday."
Rizal as a Farmer in Dapitan
Rizal bought an abandoned farm in Talisay which had an area of 16 hectares and
was rather rocky. He wrote a letter to his sister Trinidad on January 15, 1896
describing the land he bought. He said that the land was only half an hour’s walk
from the sea and that the whole place was poetic and picturesque. He also said that
if his sister and their parents ever come, he would build a large house where they all
can live together.
On that land, he built a home with the help of his pupils and some laborers. He
planted cacao, coffee, coconuts, and other fruit trees. Later on, he bought more land
in other parts of Dapitan until his total land holdings reached 70 hectares. It
contained 6,000 abaca plants, 1,000 coconut palms, many coffee and cacao plants
and more kinds of fruit trees. He introduced the methods of modern agriculture to the
people based on what he had observed from his travels in Europe and America. He
encouraged the farmers in Dapitan to replace their system of cultivation with the
modern methods he was introducing. These modern methods were the use of
fertilizers, rotation of crops, and the use of farm machines. He even imported some
on the farm machines from the United States.
Rizal dreamed of establishing an agricultural colony in the sitio of Ponot near

Sindagan Bay because the area contained plenty of water and had good port
facilities. He invited his relatives and friends from Luzon to colonize Sindagan Bay
but his plan did not come to reality as he did not receive the support of the Spanish
government.
Rizal Knew Many Languages
Even before Jose Rizal was exiled in Dapitan, he was already very knowledgeable in
language. He already knew 19 languages which are Tagalog, English, Ilokano,
Spanish, Latin, Greek, French, German, Arabic, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Catalan, Dutch,
Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Swedish, and Russian.
During his exile in Dapitan, he increased his knowledge in language wherein he

studied 3 more languages. These are Malay, Bisayan, and Sabanun.
By the end of his exile, he already knew 22 languages in total which would make
him one of the world’s great linguists.
Rizal as a Painter in Dapitan
Rizal showcased his artistic talent at Dapitan. Young parish priest Father Vicente
Balaguer, a Jesuit, was concerned that the yearly Lenten celebration needed a nice
backdrop (an oil painting on canvas behind the main altar) before Holy Week in
1894. A church in his hometown of Barcelona, Spain, contained an artwork that
depicted the court of Pontius Pilate from the perspective of a colonnaded court with a
wide open gate.
Father Balaguer visited Talisay to speak with Rizal after hearing of his talent for
painting. with the exiled doctor. He was escorted by Leoncio Sagario, a convent
servant. He said to Rizal that he needed help in making a beautiful backdrop behind
the church altar to show the spirit of the Holy Week that is similar to one of the
churches in Barcelona.
Father Balaguer sketched several sketchy images as he described the backdrop in

the Barcelona church. He asked the Doctor if he could paint in oil such a picture on a
huge canvas. Then Rizal said that he would do his best, cause he hadn’t done any
painting for many years.
The next day, Rizal visited the Jesuit priest with his drawing based on his ideas.
Father Balaguer expressed his satisfaction and asked Rizal to start painting right
away. The backdrop's real painting was a challenging task. Two assistants were
hired by Rizal: Francisco Almirol, a native painter of Dapitan, and Sister Agustina
Montoya, a talented Cavite-born Filipina nun.
Rizal, Sister Montoya, and Almirol used the church's sacristy as their workspace.
The main outline of the painting was sketched by Rizal in soft pencil before his two
assistants painted it using oil colors. Rizal monitored his assistants' work every day.
He applied the finishing touches by himself. He was pleased to see that he still has
artistic ability. The completed backdrop oil painting met Father Balaguer's high
standards. He said that it was beautiful, very beautiful. He expressed his gratitude to
Rizal and his two helpers for a job well done. The Dapitan Church-Santiago Church
came to treasure the stunning setting. It was a genuine work of art.
During his trip to Dapitan, Senate President Manuel L. Quezon saw Rizal's greatest
painting. Its breathtaking beauty left a lasting impression on him. It was once noted
as "a Rizalian legacy" by General Leonard Wood, the governor-general of the
Philippines, who had seen it.
The lovely backdrop was taken to the Museum of the Ateneo de Manila for
preservation following the founding of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.
Unfortunately, it was destroyed during World War II when bombs and fires destroyed
Manila City.
His Last Christmas in Dapitan
One of the happiest times of Rizal's life was Christmas 1895. It was due to
Josephine being there, who showed that she was a devoted wife and capable
housewife.
She had become used to living an ordinary way of life in the Philippines by this point.
She was a hard worker who mastered a variety of local foods. Rizal commended
Josephine in a letter to his sister Trinidad dated September 25, 1895, writing: “She
cooks, washes, and takes care of the chickens and the house. In the absence of miki
for making pancit, she made some long macaroni noodles out of flour and eggs,
which served the purpose. If you could send me a little angkak, I should be grateful
to you, for she makes bagoong. She also makes chili miso, but it seems to me that
what we have will last for 10 years.”
Rizal and Josephine hosted a Christmas party at their Talisay house on December
25, 1895. It turned out to be Rizal's last Christmas in Dapitan by some strange twist
of fate. Rizal slowly roasted a little pig till it was golden brown. He also used a fat hen
to make chicken broth. The entire neighborhood was invited. Till dawn, they all
celebrated and danced.
On January 15, 1896, Rizal detailed his final Christmas celebration in Dapitan in a
letter to his sister Trinidad. “We celebrated merrily, as almost always. We roasted a
small pig and hen. We invited our neighbors. There was dancing, and we laughed a
great deal until dawn.”
Adios Dapitan
On July 31, 1896, his final day in Dapitan, Rizal worked hard to gather his
belongings. On the España, which was returning to Manila, he was supposed to
leave the town. He had sold his properties and other possessions to his friends, who
were mainly Dapitan natives.
He boarded the boat with eight other friends around 5:30 in the afternoon. He
traveled with eight people: Josephine, Narcisa (his sister), Angelica (Narcisa's
daughter), Mr. and Mrs. Sunico, and his three nephews, Mauricio (the son of Maria
Rizal), Estanislao (the son of Lucia Rizal), and Teodosio (another son of Lucia Rizal).
Almost everyone in Dapitan, young and old, was at the coast to witness the
departure of their adored doctor. The Rizal students cried because they were unable
to follow their beloved master. Captain Carnicero, who had grown to respect and like
his prisoner, was present to wave him farewell while wearing the full regalia of a
commandant's outfit. The music for the farewell ceremony was played by the town
brass band.
On Friday, July 31, 1896, at midnight, the steamboat sailed towards Manila. "Adios,
Dr. Rizal," the Dapitan residents said as they threw their hats and handkerchiefs into
the air. Saluting his friend who was leaving, Captain Carnicero. The brass band
performed Chopin's Farewell March as the boat departed the town, adding to the sad
atmosphere.
With tears in his eyes, Rizal was at the upper deck. He waved goodbye to the
friendly and welcoming residents of Dapitan by raising his hand and saying, "Adios,
Dapitan!" He took one more look at the crowded shore. His heart was heavy with
grief.
He turned unhappy into his cabin when he was no longer able to view the gloomy
beach. He noted in his journal: “I have been in the district for four years, thirteen
days, and a few hours.”
RIZAL’S TRIAL AND EXECUTION
Rizal’s Trial and Martyrdom at Bagumbayan
Going back to the letter that Governor General Ramon Blanco was sent to Rizal, the
former approved the request that he will be sent to Cuba as a military doctor, but he
had to go to Spain first before going to Cuba. On September 2, 1896, Rizal left
Manila for Spain. But unfortunately, he was arrested by the Spanish authorities on
board, jailed in Barcelona and shipped back to Manila where Fort Santiago became
the witness to the last 3 months of his life.
Rescue Attempt by the Katipunan
While Rizal was still an exile in Dapitan, Dr. Pio Valenzuela informed him about the
secret’s organization’s attempt to rescue him and to sneak him on a ship to Japan,
but he refused because he had no plans of breaking his promises to the Spanish
authorities.
In August 1896, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, and other Katipuneros disguised
as sailors of the motor Caridad so that they could easily penetrate the Cruiser
Castilla, then harbored at Manila Bay. Their goal was to rescue Rizal for the second
time, but Rizal refused to be rescued.
On board Catilla, Rizal heard of the outbreak of the revolution but was not surprised.
Two recommendation letters from Governor Blanco that diverted Rizal’s anguish.
Letter for:
1. Minister of War - General Marcelo de Azcarraga
2. Minister of Colonies
Last Visit Abroad
Rizal was transported aboard the vessel Isla de Panay at 6:00 p.m. on September
2, 1896, bound for Barcelona, Spain. This was his last visit to Spain. Don Pedro
Roxas (a wealthy Manila industrialist) and his son Periquin were among his fellow
passengers.
The steamer reached Singapore on September 7, and on September 30, a

telegraphic message was received by Captain A. Alemanya, the ship skipper,
ordering Rizal to be arrested and confined in his cabin until they reached Barcelona
on the 3rd of October. While in Barcelona on October 6, he was transferred to
Montjuich, a castle where he was visited by Eulogio Despujol, the military
commander of Cataluna. By the eve, at 8 o’clock, Rizal left Barcelona for Manila.
The diary of Rizal was taken because it was critically scrutinized by the Spanish
authorities but nothing dangerous was found in the diary. The authorities had also
searched for his cabin, but nothing had been found.
On November 2, 1896, Rizal’s diary was returned to him. Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor
and Sixtop Lopez, friends of Rizal from London, had made their effort in finding a
lawyer in Singapore. They requested Atty. Hugh Fort, an English lawyer in Singapore
to institute a writ of habeas corpus to the Supreme Court for the removal of Rizal
from the steamer.
The steamer Colon reached Manila on November 3, 1896, and they immediately
brought Rizal to Fort Santiago. Meanwhile, the Spanish authorities who wanted to
get evidence against Rizal arrested Deodato Arellano, Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Moises
Salvador, Jose Dizon, Domingo Franco, Timotep Paez, and even his brother
Paciano.
Preliminary Investigation
On November 20.1896, a preliminary 5-day investigation began. He appeared

before the Judge Advocate Colonel Francisco Olive. Documentary and testimonial
evidence were presented against Rizal.
Fifteen Exhibits
Two kinds of evidence brought up against Rizal.

1. Testimonial
2. Documentary
Testimonial evidence was composed of oral proofs provided by Martin Constantino,

Aguendo del Rosario, Jose Reyes, Moises Salvador, Jose Dizon, Domingo Franco.
Deodata Arellano, Pio Valenzuela, Antonio Salazar, Francisco Quison, and Timoteo
Paez.
Documentary Evidence:
1. Antonio Luna’s letter to Mariano Ponce (October 16, 1888)- which showed
Rizal’s connection with the Filipino reform campaign in Spain.
2. Letter to Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Deodato Arellano (January 7, 1889)-
implicating Rizal in the Propaganda campaign in Spain.
3. Letter to his family (August 20, 1890)- in which he stated that the deportations
are good because they will encourage the people to hate tyranny.
4. Kundiman (September 12, 1891)- a poem written by Rizal which mentioned
that “in a land of beauty, despot reigns and where the slaves are oppressed in
the tyrant’s grips.
5. Carlos Oliver’s letter to an unidentified person (September 18, 1891)-
described as the man to free the Philippines from Spanish oppression.
6. Masonic Document (February 9, 1892)- which honored Rizal for his patriotic
services.
7. Dimasalang’s letter (Rizal’s pen name) to Tenchuz (Juan Zulueta’s name)
(May 24, 1892)- which stated that Rizal was preparing a safe refuge for
Filipinos who may be persecuted by the Spanish authorities.
8. Dimasalang’s (Rizal) letter to an unidentified committee (June 1, 1892)-
soliciting the aid of the committee in his “patriotic work”.
9. Undated Letter to the editor of Hongkong Telegraph- censoring the
banishment of Rizal to Dapitan.
10. Letter from Ildefonso Laurel to Rizal (September 3, 1892)- mentioning that
Filipinos look up to Rizal as their savior.
11. Letter from Ildefonso Laurel to Rizal (1893)- informing an unidentified
correspondent of the arrest and banishment of Doroteo Cortes and Ambrosio
Salvador.
12. Letter of Marcelo H. Del Pilar to Juan Zulueta (June 1, 1893)- recommending
the establishment of a special organization, independent of masonry, to help
the cause of the Filipino people.
13. Speech of Emilio Jacinto alias Tik-tik in Katipunan (July 23, 1893)- in which
the following cry was uttered “Long Live the Philippines! Long Live Liberty!
Long Live Doctor Rizal’s Unity”
14. Speech of Jose T. Santiago in Katipunan (July 23, 1893)- in which also
uttered “Long Live the Philippines! Long Live the eminent Doctor Rizal! Death
to the oppressor of the Nation”.
15. Laong Laan’s Rizal poem “Talisay”- in which the author made the schoolboys
of Dapitan sing.
This evidence was endorsed by Colonel Olive to Governor Ramon Blanco who
designated Captain Rafael Dominguez as the judge advocate assigned with the task
of deciding what corresponding action should be done, Dominguez after the brief
review transmitted the records to Don Nicolas de la Pena, the judge advocate
General for an opinion. Penas recommendation were as follows:
1. Rizal must be immediately sent to trial

2. Rizal must be held in prison under necessary security
3. Rizal’s properties must be issued with order of attachment, and as indemnity,
he had to pay one million pesos
4. Instead of a civilian lawyer, only an army officer is allowed to defend him
Charges Against Him
On December 11, 1896 charges against him were given.
1. Crime of Rebellion
2. Formation of illegal organization
3. Correctional imprisonment
The penalty for the first two being life imprisonment to death, while the correctional
imprisonment is a charge of 3250 pesetas.
Pesetas - a Spanish silver coin and a basic monetary unit of Spain now replaced by
Euro that is equal to 100 centimos.
In short, Rizal was accused of being the responsible and mastermind of the
revolution.
Rizal’s Trial
December 26, 1896, at 8 o'clock in the morning, Rizal’s case was presented by
Captain Rafael Dominguez on the day of the formal trial at Cuartel de Espana under
a military court. There were 7 military officers wherein the 6 other officers in uniform.
They are:
Cuartel de Espana - used to be the present site of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng

Maynila.
1. Captain Ricardo Munoz Arias

2. Captain Manuel Reguera
3. Captain Santiago Izquierdo Osorio
4. Captain Braulio Rodriguez Nunez
5. Captain Manuel Diaz Escribano
6. Captain Fernando Perez Rodriguez
During trial, Lt. Traviel de Andrade (defense council), Judge advocate Captain Rafael
Dominguez, Lt. Enrique del Alcocer (prosecuting attorney) and several spectators,
including Josephine Bracken are there but Rizal was not permitted to confront those
who testified against him.
Rizal’s Attorney
Although given the privilege to choose his own defense council this was limited to a
list of 100 names both first and second lieutenants, that the Spanish authorities
provided him. With the list, one familiar man stood out - Lt. Luis Traviel de Andrade,
Rizal discovered that the said lieutenant was the brother of Lt. Jose Traviel de
Andrade who worked as his personal body guard in Calamba in 1887.
After all the evidence was laid out, the military court still remained on their decision.
INVESTIGATION OF THE COURT-MARSHALL ON RIZAL
The following is the transcript record (TOR) of the cases filed against Rizal.
TRANSCRIPT OF RECORD OF THE CASE
Note: For the convenience of the reader, this transcript was changed from indirect to
direct form of discourse.
On November 20, 1896, there appeared before the Honorable Court and his
Secretary, the accused, and after he had been admonished to tell the truth, declared:
Jose Rizal Mercado y Alonso, of age, single, a physician, resident of Calamba,

province of Laguna, had never before been indicted.
Q-Do you know Pio Valenzuela? Is he a relative, a friend, an enemy or in any way a
suspect?
A-In Dapitan I knew a physician by the name of Don Pio, who brought me a patient
for examination. I never knew him before, nor saw him again. He was friendly to the
members of my family, as they received from him during the voyage together, a
present of traveling medicine-test.
Q-Do you know Martin Constantino Lozano? Is he a relative, a friend, an enemy, or

in any way a suspect?
A-I do not know any person by that name, although if I see him, I might recognize
him.
Q-Do you know Aguedo del Rosario?

A-I do not know anyone by that name, but I might know him personally.
Q-Do you know Reyes Tolentino?

A-No, I do not know him.
Q-Do you know Antonio Salazar?

A-I know someone with the surname Salazar, who is the owner of Bazaar "Cisne",
where I have my shoes made-to-order. I do not know him personally, nor if his name
is Antonio.
(Santos, E. de los, Proceso del Dr. Jose Rizal Mercado y Alonso, pp. 5-14.)
Q-Do you know Jose Dizon?

A-I have heard an engraver by that name, but I do not know him personally.
Q-Do you know Moises Salvador?
A-I knew Moises Salvador in 1890 in Madrid. We are not related but at that time, we
treated each other as countrymen, nor am I suspicious of him.
Q-Do you know Domingo Franco?

Q-Do you know Irineo Francisco?

Q-Do you know Deodato Arellano?

A-Yes, I know him because when I came to Manila in 1887, he came to congratulate
me on my "Noli Me Tangere". That in 1890 I had some differences with Marcelo H
del Pilar, brother-in-law of Deodato Arellano, who did not speak well of me and even
manifested pleasure when he heard that I was deported to Dapitan, hence I am
suspicious of him.
Q-Do you know Lieutenant Ambrosio Flores, President of the Masonic Regional
Council of the
Philippines?
A-I do not know him personally nor by his name.
Q-Do you know Teodoro Plata?

A-I do not know him personally nor by his name.
Q-Do you know Ambrosio Salvador?

A-Yes, because his son Moises Salvador introduced me to him.
Q-Do you know Bonifacio Arevalo?

A-Yes, because one Sunday I ate dinner in his home, but since then, I did not see
him again.
Q-Do You know Tirnoteo Paez?

A-Yes, I -knew him since 1892, as he was introduced to me by Pedro Serrano, and
hence I had some intimacy with him, but later when I was in Dapitan I learned that he
was against me.
Q-Do You know Francisco Cordero?

A-No, I do not know him, neither personally nor by name.
Q-Do You know Estanislao Legaspi, who lives at No. 36 Encarnacion street 2 District
Of Tondo?
A-No, I do not know him personally nor by his name, but I remember having seen his
signature in one of the letters addressed to Marcelo H. del Pilar or from some other
person.
Q-Do you know the brothers, Alejandro and Venancio Reyes, who had a tailoring
shop tit the Escolta street, Manila?
A-I knew a fellow collegian whose surname was Reyes, who had a tailoring
establishment at Escolta, where I had a suit of clothes made but I had no intimacy
with him.
Q-Do you know Arcadio del Rosario?

A-Yes, I knew him while still young in Manila and then in Madrid, where I had some
dealings with him.
Q-Do You know Apolinario Mabini?

A-No, I do not know him neither personally nor by name.
Q-Do You know Pedro Serrano?

A-Yes, I knew him in Manila in 1887 and later in Europe I had some intimacy with
him, but subsequently I learned that he was working against me, hence I am
suspicious of him.
Q-Besides, bringing you a patient at Dapitan, what other purpose had the trip of Pio
Valenzuela there, and what matters had you taken up?
A-The physician Don Pio told me that there will be an uprising and that I should be
careful of my involvement in it while in Dapitan. I told him that the time is not
opportune to attempt such venture; that there was no unity among the diverse
elements in the Philippines, nor were there arms, warships, nor was there sufficient
intellectual progress among the people, nor were there sufficient means for
resistance; that they should take Cuba for an example, where in spite of their
great means and the help of a great Power and were already accustomed to fight,
yet they could not achieve their purpose, and that whatever be the result of their
struggle, Spain would be benefited by extending concessions to the Philippines, for
which in my opinion, we should wait.
Q-Was there ever established a Filipino Association in Madrid, and what was its
purpose and end in view?
A-A Filipino Association, whose name I do not now recall, was organized in Madrid.
Its existence was a short one and its aim was to look after the moral well-being of
the Filipino colony there.
Q-What was the relation between the aforesaid Association and the newspaper, La
Solidaridad?
A-They were independent from each other; that Marcelo H. del Pilar labored so that
La Solidaridad and the Association could be managed by said Marcelo; that the
declarant being of determined opposition in their fusion against the wishes of the
aforesaid Marcelo, he left the management of the Association and went to Paris.
Q-What was the political tendency of the said Association?

A-None. Its political aim was entrusted to La Solidaridad, directed by Marcelo H. del
Pilar.
Q-Have you entrusted any person or worked for the establishment of Masonic lodges
in the Philippines?
A-I wish to assure you that I had not the least intervention whatsoever, in the
Masonry of these Islands.
Q-Did you draw up the by-laws of the association, entitled, Liga Filipina; and to what
purpose did you distribute said by-laws and for what object?
A-In 1891 when I arrived at Hongkong, I lodged at the home of Jose Basa, and in
our various conversations, he told me that the Masonry was having a great success
in the Philippines, though the Masons were complaining of its maladministration.
Persuaded by Jose Basa, I drew up the by-laws of the association, named Liga
Filipina, under the rules which govern Masonic practices.
Q-For what purpose and object was the Liga Filipina organized?
A-The object of the association was to secure the unity among the different elements
of the country, with the end of encouraging commerce and establishing a sort of
Cooperative Associations.
Q-What were the political aims of the Liga Filipina?

A-At the moment I cannot recall any political aim having been provided for in any
articles of its by-laws, which I gave to Jose Basa, nor the person to whom it was
sent.
Q-Did you write any one to take active interest in the bylaws of the Liga?
A-It is possible that I had written to some person, but I can not remember it at this
moment.
Q-Do you recall the purpose of your round trip to Tarlac on June 27 and 28, 1892, in
company with Pedro Serrano?
A-I do not recall the date, but it may had been on June 30th or July lst, when on
taking the train at Malolos for Tarlac, I met Pedro Serrano with a young man, who
was introduced to me as Timoteo Paez. They were with me in my trip of sightseeing
of the new railroad line and in the provinces the railroad line terminating at Tarlac.
Q-Was it at your instance that a gathering was held at the house of Doroteo
Ong-jungco, before or after your trip to Tarlac?
A-I attended said gathering but it was not held at the instance of my initiative. It took
place some days after my aforementioned trip to Tarlac. Timoteo Paez told me that
some Filipinos desired to see and greet me personally, to which I acceded, and so
we attended together the said gathering.
Q-What did they talk about in said meeting?

A-They talked about the Liga Filipina and the Masonry and I remember that Pedro
Serrano spoke, proposing the fusion of the Liga with the Masonry. I tried to adjust
and settle some of the complaints, which I believe had been accepted as we
separated cordially.
Q-What were more or less, the tenor of your address at the gathering held at the
house of Doroteo Ong-jungco, were they somewhat, like the following: "I told them
that it seemed to me that the Filipinos are becoming discouraged that they did not
aspire to be worthy of freedom-being always subjected to the abuses of the
authorities, as I told General Despujol in one of my interviews with him. I believe that
the abuses were due to the discretional powers exercised by the Governors, and that
means must be found to remedy them. In spite of the counsels of some of my friends
not to come to Manila, in the fear of some harm from my enemies, I came to see
closely the bull, and at the same time to arrange the differences which exist among
the friends of the propaganda. The disunion among the Filipinos in Europe, I was
able to settle amicably. In spite of everything, Marcelo H. del Pilar is still my good
friend. Afterwards, I spoke about the importance of theLiga, which was to be
established in accordance with the by-laws I had drawn up. The by-laws should be
made known to all. By means of the Liga, the arts, industries and commerce will
advance and the country being rich and the people united, they will achieve their
own liberty even their own independence."
A-I agree that I might have said what has just been stated, in the gathering held at
the house of Doroteo Ong-jungco, as I had said it several times, but I am not sure
whether in said meeting I repeated them. With respect to the discouragement and
disunion among the Filipinos, I could not have stated it, seeing that the Masonry had
penetrated and propagated more than had been expected. Likewise, I could not
have said that I secured the unity of the Filipinos in Madrid, since on the contrary,
there were almost duels fought among them.
Q-Is it true, that before the adjournment of the meeting held at the house of Doroteo
Ong-jungco,there was an election of officers of the Liga, of which the following
resulted provisionally elected: Ambrosio Salvador, President and Deodato Arellano,
Secretary? And that the witness recommended to President Salvador to be more
active and that the members be more united and harmonious with each other?
A-Yes, the above occurrence had taken place, except with reference of the election
of Deadato Arellano as Secretary, as I had not even the least idea that Arellano
would attend such a meeting.
COURT SUSPENDED SESSION FOR CONTINUANCE
In Manila on November 21, 1896, appeared Jose Rizal, expressing conformity with
the above proceedings, making, however, some little rectification in some details.
After having been admonished by the Court to tell the truth, he was asked:
Q-Have you attended the meeting held in June or July 1892 in the house of
Estanislao Legaspi, located on Encarnacion street, Tondo district, where you were
introduced by Juan Zulueta and Timoteo Paez?
A-During my stay in Manila sometime in those dates, I frequently ate at different
houses, and probably I might have gone to Estanislao Legaspi's place, but I do not
recall any detail about his person, the house or the gathering. With respect to
Legaspi's surname, I remember it as a pseudonym appearing on some letters
addressed to Jose Basa at Hong kong.
Q-Did you take the initiative in the organization of the Liga Filipina, which took place
in the first months of 1893?
A-I, do not know anything about the organization of the Liga, nor did I take. initiative
for its purpose, nor did I have anything to do with said association.
Q-Do you know Andres Bonifacio, President of the Supreme Council of the
Katipunan, and have you anything to do with him?
A-I do not know anyone by that name. This is the first time I have heard of it. Neither
do I know him personally even if he attended the gathering held in the house of
Doroteo Ong-jungco, where many were introduced to me, but which I neither recall
their names nor their appearances.
Q-How do you explain the appearance of your pictures among the members of the
said association?
A-With respect to my picture, I had it taken in regular size while in Madrid. Probably
they have obtained some reprint of it. As to my name being used as a war cry, I
ignore its motive, since I have not given any reason for it. I consider it as an
unqualified abuse. I was informed by my family that they use to collect funds in my
behalf. Besides informing the Military Commandant at Dapitan of this fact, so that he
could inform the Governor General thereof, I also asked my family to tell people that
I was not begging for charity, as I had enough means with what I earned in my
profession, and with what I won in the lottery, I had sufficient for all my needs.
Q-Have you been informed of the plot to arrange your escape from Dapitan?
A-I have heard rumors to that effect, but I have not been informed directly about it. I
could not have accepted it, nor leave Dapitan in that way, unless I was forcibly taken
away without my consent.
Q-Are there any important persons in the Islands who sympathize and support your
ideas?
A-I do not know of any important person who sympathizes or assists in favor of my
ideals, either ostensibly or secretly. On the contrary, I have received proof against
them.
Q-Do you know Jose Ramos and Doroteo Cortes, and what is your relation with
them?
A-In my first return from Europe, I had some dealings with Jose Ramos in Manila,
but on my second return from Europe, I had not seen nor spoken to Jose Ramos.
With respect to Doroteo Cortes, I knew him by sight when I was a student, but I
never spoke to him. I even believe he does not like me much, believing that I was
responsible for his deportation.
Q-If you happened to have escaped from Dapitan, were you going to Japan to join
Doroteo Cortes and Marcelo H. del Pilar there, to interest that Government to extend
aid to the Philippines?
A-I know nothing of such a thing. Those who have spread such rumors, undoubtedly
ignore the antagonism which exists between Doroteo Cortes and myself, which
precludes our working together in any enterprise.
Q-What steps have you already taken for the establishment of a Filipino colony in
Sandakan?
A-It was not a Filipino colony that I propose to establish at Sandakan, but to reside
with my family in that English colony, as I have manifested to Governor General
Despuiol in my letter addressed to him from Hong Kong, and also when I spoke to
him at my arrival at Manila.
Q-Showing you this note found among your papers, which refers to deviation of a
compass with relations to Dapitan, will you explain the purpose of said note?
A-This note was furnished to me by Father Sanchez, (S.J.) when he gave me the
said compass as a gift while I was in Dapitan, and the above referred note,
according to my recollection, was an observation made by Father Cirera.
Note: At this stage of the hearing the Court ordered adjournment, to which the
accused acquiesced.
HIS LAST HOURS
On December 26, 1896, the military court tried Jose Rizal and later found him guilty
of rebellion, sedition, and conspiracy. The Spanish authorities believed that Rizal’s
writings “fatally and necessarily” incited the rebellion which, by 1896, had already
become a revolution. On December 29 at 6 a.m., Capt. Rafael Dominguez read
before Rizal his death sentence. His execution was scheduled the following day.
At around 7 a.m. of December 29, Rizal was transferred to his death cell in Fort
Santiago. There he received numerous visitors, including his counsel; some
Spanish officials; and several priests, his former professors, with whom he
supposedly discussed reason and religion. The Archbishop of Manila, Rev.
Bernardino Nozaleda, recalled: “During that day, although Rizal did not reject [the
Jesuits], he persisted in his errors contrary to the Catholic faith.… However, at the
last hour, Rizal abjured, in writing, his religious errors.” In other words, Rizal, a
Mason, was said to have recanted his statements against the Church and to have
returned to the Catholic faith.
The controversy over Rizal’s retraction has not been settled. The “original” document
of Rizal’s “retraction” was found in the archdiocesan archives in 1935, 39 years after
having disappeared the day Rizal was shot. There was no record of anybody seeing
this “original” document in 1896, except the publishers of La Voz Española, which
published its contents on the day of Rizal’s execution: “We have seen and read his
(Rizal’s) own handwritten retraction which he sent to our dear and venerable
Archbishop….” Most experts think that the handwriting on the document is authentic.
However, scholars are baffled as to why Rizal, who courageously faced persecution
for most of his life, and who was finally sentenced to death for his beliefs, would
suddenly balk at the last, futile moment.
In his last hours Rizal read the Bible and Thomas à Kempis’s Imitation of Christ,
which he later dedicated to Josephine Bracken. He also wrote the poem “Mi Ultimo
Adiós,” which he concealed in an alcohol burner. When his family came to see him,
he asked pardon from his mother and talked to his sisters as they entered his cell
one by one. He also wrote letters. In his last letter, addressed to Paciano Rizal, he
asked his brother to ask their father for forgiveness for all the pain he had caused
him. To his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt, he wrote: “When you receive this letter, I
shall be dead by then…. Tomorrow at seven, I shall be shot; but I am innocent of the
crime of rebellion…. I am going to die with a tranquil conscience.”
At 7 a.m. on December 30, 1896 at Luneta, Manila, the 35-year-old patriot was
shot in the back by a firing squad. He hesitated, turned halfway around to face his
executioners, and fell on his back to face the Philippine sun.
Rizal’s Visitors during his Last Hours
I had received from the Jesuits from the Jesuits, while in prison, several religious
books and pictures which I used as remembrances for members of my family,
writing brief dedications upon them. Then I said goodbye to Josefina, asking in a low
voice some question to which she answered in English, “Yes, Yes'', and aloud
inquiring how she would be able to gain a living, since all my property had been
seized by the spanish government to satisfy the 20,00 pesetas costs which was
included in the sentence of death against me, her reply was that she could earn
money giving lessons in English.
Rizal’s Death March from Santiago to Bagumbayan Field
The Journey from the Fort to the place execution, then Bagumbayan field, now
called the Luneta, was on foot. Rizal’s arms were tied tightly behind his back, and he
was surrounded by heavy guards. The Jesuits accompanied him and some of the
Dapitan schoolboys were in the crowd while one friendly voice, that of a scotch
merchant still resident in Manila, called out in English, “Good-bye Rizal.”
The route was along Malecon Drive where, as a college student, Rizal had walked
with his fiance, Leonor. Above the city walls showed the twin towers of the Ateneo,
and when he asked about them, for they were not there in his boyhood days, he
spoke of the happiness that he had spent in the old school. The beauty of the
morning, too, appealed to him, and may have recalled an experience of his ‘87 visit
when he mentioned a friend of whom he met on the beach during an early walk. “Do
you know that i have a sort of foreboding that some sunshiny morning as this i shall
be out here facing a firing squad?” troops held back the crowd and left a large
square for the tragedy, while artillery behind them was ready for suppressing any
attempt at rescuing the prisoner. None came, however, for though RIzal’s brother
Paciano had shown there was no more hope for him, he had discouraged the
demonstration that had been planned as soon as he learned how scantily armed the
insurgent were armed, hardly a score of serviceable firearms being in the possession
of their entire “army”.
Rizal’s Executioners, Filipino Soldiers
The firing squads were Filipino soldiers, while behind them, better armed, were the
Spaniards in case they tried to evade the fratricidal part assigned to them. Rizal’s
composure aroused the curiosity of the Spanish military surgeon standing by and he
asked, “Colleges, may I feel your pulse?’ Without another reply he twisted one of his
hands as far from the body as the cord which he was bound to, so that the other
doctor could place my fingers on the wrist. The beat was steady and showed neither
excitement nor fear, as the reports made later.
After Shooting, the Dead Wagon from San Juan de Dios Hospital
An hour or so after the shooting, a dead-wagon from San Juan de Dios Hospital took
Rizal’s body to Paco Cemetery. The civil governor of Manila was in charge and
there also were present the members of a Church society whose duty it was to
attend executions.
Rizal wore a suit that he obtained from his European trip, a derby hat, not only
appropriate for a funeral occasion because of the somber, color but also more
desirable white both for the full day’s wear since they had to be on before the
twenty-four hours in the chapel, and for the lying on the ground which would follow
the execution of the sentence. A plain box enclosed his remains thus dressed, for
even the hat picked up and unconfined.
No Visitors Allowed During His Internment
No visitors were admitted to the cemetery while the Internment was going on, and for
several weeks after guards watched over the grave, less Filipinos might come by
night to steal away the body apportion the clothing among themselves as relics of a
martyr. Even the exact spot of the interment was intended to be unknown. But
friends of the family were among the attendants at the burial and dropped into the
grave marble slab which had been furnished them bearing the initials of the full
baptismal name, Jose Protacio Rizal, in reversed order.
The entry of the burial, like the three of the followers of the Liga Filipina who were
among the dozen executed a night later, was on the back fly leaf of the cemetery
register, with three or four words of explanations later erased and now unknown. On
the previous page was the entry of a suicide death, and following it is that of the
british consul who died on the eve of manila’s surrender and whose body, by the
Archbishop’s permission, was stored in a Paco niche till it could be removed to the
Protestant (foreigners’) cemetery at San Pedro Makati.
Wednesday, Rizal’s Lucky Day
The day of his execution, his birth, and his first leaving of his native was a
Wednesday. All that night, and the next day, the celebration continued with the
volunteers, who were particularly responsible, like their fellows in Cuba for the
atrocities which disgraced Spain’s rule in the Philippines, being especially in
evidence. It was their clamor that had made the bringing back of him possible, his
death had been the most prominent in Rizal’s so-called trial, and now they were
praising themselves for their “patriotism”. The landlords had objected to having their
land titles questioned and their taxes rose. The other friar orders, as well as these
were opposed to a campaign which sought their transfer from perishes to
self-sacrificing missionary laborers. But probably none of them as organizations
desired my death.
“Mr. Officer, Can I face my Executioners”
Rizal’s request to be allowed to face his executioners was denied as being out of the
power of the commanding officer to grant, though he declared that he did not
deserve such a death. For Rizal was no traitor to Spain. It was promised, however,
that his head should be respected, and such as unblindfolded erect I turned my back
to receive their bullets, he twisted a hand to indicate under the shoulder where the
soldiers should aim so as to reach his heart. Then as the volley came, with a last
supreme effort of will power, he turned and fell face upwards, thus receiving the
subsequent “shots of grace” which ended Rizal’s life, so that informs as well as fact
he did not die a traitor’s death.
The Spanish national air was played; the marsh of Cadiz should have been recalled,
violating the constitution, for by the laws of Spain itself that Rizal was illegally
executed.
Vivas laughter and applause were heard, for the social event of the day, with
breakfast parties on the walls and on the carriages, full of interested onlookers of
both sexes, lined up conveniently near for the sightseeing.
The troops defiled past the dead boy, as though reviewed by it, for the most
commanding figure of all was that which lay lifeless, but she was the center of all
eyes. An officer, realizing the decency due to death, drew his handkerchief from the
dead man’s pocket and spread the silk over the calm face. A crimson stain soon
marked the whiteness emblematic of the pure life that had just ended, and with the
glorious blue overhead, the tricolor of Liberty, which had just claimed another martyr,
was revealed in its richest beauty.
Rizal’s Last Hours on Earth
In Chronological Order
Dec. 29, 1896:

6:00 - 7:00 am
Captain Rafael Domiquez read to Rizal the official notice of his execution.
Santiago Mataix, correspondents of El Heraldo de Madrid, asks his permissions to
interview him
Sources: Cablegram of Mataix to El Heraldo De Madrid, Notes of Capt.
Domiquz and Testimony of Lt. Gallegos.
7:00 am - 8:00 am
An hour of hearing the death sentence, he was moved to the prison chapel.
His first visitors were Fr. Miguel Saderra Mata (Rector of the Ateneo Municipal) and
Fr. Viza after a brief talk of Fr. Saderra he made during my Ateneo days. Fr. Viza
anticipating such reminiscence got the image from his pocket and gave it to Rizal.
He lovingly received it and placed it on the writing table.
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Fr. Antonio Rosell arrived to relieve. Fr. Viza. He invited him to partake with
his breakfast, in which he, Lt. Travel de Andrade and chief of Artillery came, Rizal
thanked them for their gallant services, SOurce: Fr. Rosell and letter of invitation.
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Santiago Mataix, defying stringent regulation, enters a prison cell and

interviews Rizal in the presence of Fr. Rosell. Later, Gov. Luengo drops in to join the
conversation. Fr. Federico also arrived. He reminded him of the prophecy that he
would lose his head for writing the Noli. "You turned out to be a prophet Father,"
Rizal remarked
Source: Letter of Mataix ti Retana Testimony of Fr. Rosell
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Fr. Faura persuades Rizal to put down his rancor and order to marry
Josephine canonically, a heated discussion on religion occurs between them after
hearing of Fr. Rosell. Fr. Jose Vilaclara and Fr. Vicente Balaguer arrived to visit him.
Sources: El Impartial and Fr. Rosell
11:00 - 12:00p.m.
Rizal talked on various topics in a long conversation with Fr. Vilaclara who will
later conclude (with Fr. Balaguer, who is not allowed to enter the cell) that he is either
protestant or rationalist who speaks in a very cold and calculated manner with a
mixture of a strange piety. No debate or discussion on religion is recorded to have
taken place between the fathers.
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Fr. Vilaclara and Fr. Balaguer left. Rizal was alone with my guard. He took my
lunch, after which, he read the Bible and Imitation of Christy by Kempis then
meditated. Fr. Balaguer reports to the Archbishop that only little hope remains that
he is going to retract for, he was heard saying that he is going to appear tranquility
before God
Sources: Rizal's habits and Rizal yu su Obra
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Rizal denied (probably, he is allowed to attend his personal necessities)
Source: Notes of Capt. Dominguez
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
RIzal conferred with Fr. Estanislao March and Fr. Vilaclara.

Sources: Notes of Capt. Dominguez in conjunction with the testimonies of Fr.
Pia and Fr. Balaguer
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Fr. Balaguer turned and resumed discussion with RIzal on religious matters.
The letters were adamant, and refused to abjure Masonry. After Fr. Balaguer left, he
read verses which he had underlined in Egger's German reader, a book which he
was going to hand over to his sisters to be sent to Dr. Blumentritt through Fr. Stahl.
He wrote several letters with his last dedications, and then he rested for a short
while.
Sources: Fr. Stahl and Fr. Blumentrit, Cavana (1956) - Appendix 13, and the
Notes of Capt, Dominguez
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Rizal’s Mother, Teodora, arrived. He knelt before her and kissed her hands,
begging her to forgive him, both his mother and Rizal were crying as the guard
separated them. After hisMother, Trinidad (my sister) entered the room, he gave her
an alcohol cooking stove (not lamp as others claim), which was a gift of Paz Pardo
de Tavera to Rizal. As Trinidad received it, he told her softly: "There is something in
it". The "something" turned out to be a little piece of paper on which he had written
the Ultimo Adios, should be noted that Trinidad knew English, for he taught her this
language. When she left the room, Fr. Vilaclara and March arrived. They were
followed by Fr. Rosell
Sources: Notes of Capt. Dominguez and Fr. Rosell, Dilario de Manila
5:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Rizal received Don Sivino Lopez Tanon, the dean of the Manila Cathedral, an
account of his dignity. Father Rosell hears an order given to certain gentlemen and
two friars to leave the chapel at once, father Balaguer and March left, leaving Father
Vilaclara with him.
Source: Rev Silvino Lopez-tunon, Fr. Rosell, Fr. Serapio Tamayo and the
sworn Statement of Fr. Balaguer
6:00 - 7:00p.m.
Father Rosell left Fort Santiago and saw Josephine Bracken. He called for
Josephine and then they spoke to each other for the last time.
Sources: Fr. Rosell, El Imparcial and testimony of Josephine R. Wilman in
1899
7:00 - 8:00p.m.
Father Faura returns to console Rizal and persuades Rizal once more to trust
him and the other professors at the Ateneo.
Source: El Imparcial
8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Rizal raked supper (and most probably, attend to his personal needs) Then,
he received Bro. Titlot with whom had a very "tender" (Fr.Balaguer) or useful (Fr.Pi)
interview.
Sources: Separate testimonies of Fr. Balaguer and Fr. Pi on the report of Bro.
Titlot Fiscal Castano
9:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Another visitor of Rizal was Fiscal Gaspar Castano of the royal Audencia. The
two had a nice conversation with me playing the role of a gracious host.
Source: Fiscal Castano
10:00 - 11:00 p.m.

The draft of the retraction from Archbishop Bernardo Nozaleda arrived. Rizal
rejected it because it was too long, Father Balaguer showed him another draft which
was prepared by Fr. Pio, the superior of the Jesuit Mission in the Philippines. Rizal
liked it, but wanted certain changes made.
Sources: El imparcial and Ultimo Adios; probably, Fiscal Castano
11:00 - 12:00 midnight
Rizal wrote and signed the retraction in which he abjured Masonry. It was
witnessed by Juan del Fresno (Chief of the guard Detail) and Eloy Moure (Adjutant
of the Plaza) after signing the retraction; He confessed to Father Vilaclara and
rested.
Sources: Testimonies and circumstantial evidence
Dec. 30, 1986:

12:01 - 1:30a.m.
Rizal slept restfully because his confidence in the goodness of God and the
justness of his cause gives him astounding serenity and unusual changes.
1:30 - 3:30 a.m.
Rizal rose up, prayed and confessed again. He knelt before the altar, praying
with a rosary in hand and wearing a blue scapular of the Immaculate Virgin. He read
the Acts of Faith, Hope and Charity from the Spanish prayer book entitled
Aceptación de la Muerte, and signed page 49 at the end of the act of Charity. Then,
he confessed to Father Vilaclara for the third time, after which he read Tomas a
Kempis Imitacion de Cristo.
Sources: Testimonies and circumstantial evidence
3:30- 5:00a.m.
Father Balaguer said Mass. Rizal again confessed. This was the fourth time
he confessed. He received Communion and heard Mass on bended knees.
5:00 - 6:15 a.m.
Rizal had his breakfast. After breakfast, he autographed some religious

pictures and books which were his last souvenirs to his mother, sister Josefa, and
sister Trinidad. Soon Josephine, accompanied by Narcisa, arrived to be married
canonically, as he requested. Father Balaguer married them. Rizal gave his wife a
wedding gift and it is the religious book Imitacion De Cristo, which he autographed:
“To my dear and unhappy wife Josephine, December 30, 1986. Jose Rizal.”
Source: Josephine's testimony to R. Wildman in 1899
6:15 - 7:00 a.m.
Rizal walked to the place of execution between Fr. March and Fr. Vilaclara
with whom he conversed, kept looking around as if seeking or expecting to see
someone. His last word, said in a loud voice: "It is finished."
7:00 - 7:03 a.m.
Rizal heard a shout "FUEGO!!!" and then, the sound of guns. He vacillates,
turns halfway around, falls down backward and lies on the ground facing the sun,
Shouts of vivas for Spain.
Other source of information:

On December 26, 1896, the military court tried Jose Rizal and later found him
guilty of rebellion, sedition, and conspiracy. The Spanish authorities believed that
Rizal’s writings “fatally and necessarily” incited the rebellion which, by 1896, had
already become a revolution. On December 29 at 6 a.m., Capt. Rafael Dominguez
read before Rizal his death sentence. His execution was scheduled the following
day.
At around 7 a.m. of December 29, Rizal was transferred to his death cell in
Fort Santiago. There he received numerous visitors, including his counsel; some
Spanish officials; and several priests, his former professors, with whom he
supposedly discussed reason and religion. The Archbishop of Manila, Rev.
Bernardino Nozaleda, recalled: “During that day, although Rizal did not reject [the
Jesuits], he persisted in his errors contrary to the Catholic faith.… However, at the
last hour, Rizal abjured, in writing, his religious errors.” In other words, Rizal, a
Mason, was said to have recanted his statements against the Church and to have
returned to the Catholic faith.
The controversy over Rizal’s retraction has not been settled. The “original”
document of Rizal’s “retraction” was found in the archdiocesan archives in 1935, 39
years after having disappeared the day Rizal was shot. There was no record of
anybody seeing this “original” document in 1896, except the publishers of La Voz
Española, which published its contents on the day of Rizal’s execution: “We have
seen and read his (Rizal’s) own handwritten retraction which he sent to our dear and
venerable Archbishop….” Most experts think that the handwriting on the document is
authentic. However, scholars are baffled as to why Rizal, who courageously faced
persecution for most of his life, and who was finally sentenced to death for his
beliefs, would suddenly balk at the last, futile moment.
In his last hours Rizal read the Bible and Thomas à Kempis’ Imitation of
Christ, which he later dedicated to Josephine Bracken. He also wrote the poem “Mi
Último Adiós,” which he concealed in an alcohol burner. When his family came to
see him, he asked pardon from his mother and talked to his sisters as they entered
his cell one by one. He also wrote letters. In his last letter, addressed to Paciano
Rizal, he asked his brother to ask their father for forgiveness for all the pain he had
caused him. To his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt, he wrote: “When you receive this
letter, I shall be dead by then…. Tomorrow at seven, I shall be shot; but I am
innocent of the crime of rebellion…. I am going to die with a tranquil conscience.”
At 7 a.m. on December 30, 1896 at Luneta, Manila, the 35-year-old patriot
was shot in the back by a firing squad. He hesitated, turned halfway around to face
his executioners, and fell on his back to face the Philippine sun.
REFERENCES
Dr. Mariano M. Ariola. (2018). The Life and Works of Rizal. Unlimited Books Library
Service & Publishing Inc.
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/icct-colleges-foundation/bachelor-of-science-i
n-business-administration/rzals-arrest-exile-imprisonment-trial-and-execution/297239
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Republic of the Philippines

Technological University of the Philippines – Taguig Campus

The Life and Works of Rizal

RIZAL’S RETURN TO CALAMBA AND SECOND TRIP TO EUROPE

Gatchalian, Ma. Eds Giesele L.

Matunog, Charisse Queen T.

Morcilla, Mae Kyla S.

Regala, Mae Samantha P.

Year & Section

Mrs. Krystel Mae R. Alvado

1 | GEM14-T – GROUP 4 – BSCESEP4B-T

CHAPTER I: Rizal’s Return to Calamba

a. Paciano Mercado (his brother)

● To operate on his mother’s eyes.

June 19, 1887

In Geneva, Rizal wrote to Blumentritt:

June 29, 1887

In Rome, Rizal wrote to his father, announcing his homecoming.

2 | GEM14-T – GROUP 4 – BSCESEP4B-T

August 30, 1887

3 | GEM14-T – GROUP 4 – BSCESEP4B-T

December 29, 1887

4 | GEM14-T – GROUP 4 – BSCESEP4B-T

CHAPTER II. Rizal in Asia

The Trip to Hong Kong, 1888

5 | GEM14-T – GROUP 4 – BSCESEP4B-T

Visit in Macao, 1888

Experiences in Hong Kong

6 | GEM14-T – GROUP 4 – BSCESEP4B-T

Romantic Interlude in Japan, 1888

7 | GEM14-T – GROUP 4 – BSCESEP4B-T

Sayonara Japan and Seiko Usui

Across the Pacific

8 | GEM14-T – GROUP 4 – BSCESEP4B-T

CHAPTER III. Rizal in America

April 28, 1888

April 28-May 4, 1888

May 4-6, 1888

May 7-13, 1888

May 10, 1888

May 11, 1888

May 12, 1888

May 13, 1888

May 13, 1888

9 | GEM14-T – GROUP 4 – BSCESEP4B-T

May 16, 1888

Rizal’s Good Impression of America

Rizal’s Bad Impression in America

10 | GEM14-T – GROUP 4 – BSCESEP4B-T

CHAPTER IV. Rizal in England

a. To improve his knowledge of the English language,

September 19, 1888

September 30, 1888

October 12, 1888

October 13, 1888

November 14 – 18, 1888

11 | GEM14-T – GROUP 4 – BSCESEP4B-T

December 11, 1888

December 13, 1888

December 24, 1888

December 24, 1888

December 28, 1888

12 | GEM14-T – GROUP 4 – BSCESEP4B-T