RIZAL EXECUTION, DEATH AND ITS AFTERMATH

THE EXECUTION OF A HERO: DR. JOSE P. RIZAL

After the court-martial, Rizal returned to his cell in Fort Santiago to prepare his rendezvous
with destiny. During his last 24 hours on earth –from 6:00 A.M. December 29 to 6:00A.M., December 30,
1896 –he was busy meeting visitors. As a Christian and a hero-martyr, he was serenely resigned to die for
his beloved country, which he called “Pearl of the Orient” in an article entitled “Unfortunate Philippines”
published in The Hongkong Telegraph on September 24, 1892

THE RETRACTION

The retraction of Jose Rizal is a controversial topic among historians and Catholics. Rizal allegedly signed
a document retracting his masonic ideals and his writings against the Catholic Church a few hours before
he was executed on December 30, 1896. However, there are doubts about the authenticity of the
retraction document, and some historians argue that it was a forgery.

PEOPLE WHO VISITED RIZAL

• Jesuit priests
• Josephine Bracken Civil Governor
• Santiago Matrix (Spanish Governor Correspondent)
• Father Jose Vilaclara (Rizal’s old teacher)
• Father Vincente Balaguer (a missionary who was with Rizal in Dapitan)
• His Majesty’s treasurer, several artilleries, and other military officers

He gave his sister, Trinidad, an old petroleum lamp and whispered to her in English that there was
something inside the lamp. Thus, Rizal's famous farewell poem “Mi Ultimo Adios", (Last Farewell) was
found.

Martyrdom At Bagumbayan

 At 6:00 A.M., December 29, 1896

- Captain Rafael Dominguez, who was designated by Governor General Camilo Polavieja to take
charge of all arrangements for the execution of the condemned prisoner, read the death
sentence to Rizal –to be shot at the back by a firing squad at 7:00 A.M. in Bagumbayan (Luneta).

 At 7:00 A.M.,
- An hour after the reading of the death sentence, Rizal was moved to the prison chapel, where
he spent his last moments. His first visitors were Father Miguel SaderraMata (Rector of Ateneo
Municipal), and Father Luis Viza, Jesuit teacher.

 At 7:15 A.M.,
 - Rector Saderra left. Rizal, in a jovial mood (cheerful, lighthearted, and merry state of mind or
atmosphere)., reminded Fr. Viza of the statuette of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which he had
carved with his pen knife as an Ateneo student. Fr. Viza, anticipating such reminiscence, got the
statuette from his pocket and gave it to Rizal. The hero happily received it and placed it on his
writing table.

 At 8:00 A.M.,
- Fr. Antonio Rosell arrived to relieve Father Viza. Rizal invited him to join him at breakfast, which
he did. After breakfast, Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade (Rizal’s defense counsel) came, and Rizal
thanked him for his gallant services.

 At 9:00 A.M.,
- Fr. Federico Faura arrived. Rizal reminded him that he said that (Rizal)would someday lose his
head for writing the Noli. “Father,” Rizal remarked, “You are indeed aprophet”.

 At 10:00 A.M.,
- Father Jose Vilaclara (Rizal’s teacher at the Ateneo) and Vicente Balaguer (Jesuit missionary in
Dapitan who had befriended Rizal during his latter’s exile) visited the hero. After them came
the Spanish journalist, Santiago Mataix, who interviewed Rizal for his newspaper El
Heraldo de Madrid.

 From 12:00 A.M. (noon) to 3:30 P.M.,

- Rizal was left alone in his cell. He took his lunch, after he was busy writing. It was probably
during this time when he finished his farewell poem and hid it inside his alcohol cooking stove
(not lamp as some biographers erroneously assert) which was given to him as a gift by Paz
Pardo de Tavera (wife of Juan Luna) during his visit to Paris in 1890. At the same time, he wrote
his last letter to Professor Blumentritt (his best friend) in German, as follows

Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt: My dear Brother:

When you received this letter, I shall be dead. Tomorrow at seven, I shall be shot; but Iam innocent of
the crime of rebellion.

I am going to die with a tranquil conscience.

Goodbye, my best, my dearest friend, and never think I’ll of me.

Fort Santiago, December 29, 1896.

(Signed) Jose Rizal

Regards to the entire family, to Sta. Rosa, Loleng, Conradito, and Federico. I am leaving a book for
you as a last remembrance of mine

 At 3:30 P.M.,
 - Father Balaguer returned to Fort Santiago and discussed with Rizal about his retraction of the
anti-Catholic ideas in his writings and membership in Masonry.

 At 4:00 P.M.,
- Rizal’s mother arrived. Rizal knelt down before her and kissed her hands, begging her to forgive
him. Both mother and son were crying as the guards separate them. Shortly afterwards Trinidad
entered the cell to fetch her mother. As they were leaving, Rizal gaveto Trinidad the alcohol
cooking stove, whispering to her in English: “There is something inside”. Trinidad understood.
She knew English because Rizal taught her this language. This “something” was Rizal’s farewell
poem. So it came to pass that she was able to smuggle the hero’s last and greatest poem –a
priceless gem of Philippine literature. After, the departure of Dona Teodora and Trinidad,
Fathers Vilaclara and Estanislao March entered the cell, followed by Father Rosell.

 At 6:00 P.M.
- Rizal received a new visitor, Don Silvino Lopez Tunon, the Dean of the Manila Cathedral.
Fathers Balaguer and March left, leaving Vilaclara with Rizal and Don Silvino.

 At 8:00 P.M.,
- Rizal had his last supper. He informed Captain Dominguez who was with him that he forgave his
enemies, including the military judges who condemned him to death.

 At 9:00 P.M.,
- Rizal was visited by Don Gaspar Cestano, the fiscal of the Royal Audiencia of Manila. As a
gracious host, Rizal offered him the best chair in the cell. After a pleasant conversation, the
fiscal left with a good impression of Rizal’s intelligence and noble character.

 At 10:00 of the night of December 29th,

- The draft of the retraction sent by the anti-Filipino Arcbishop Bernardino Nozaleda (1890-1903)
was submitted by Father Balaguer to Rizal for signature, but the hero rejected it because it was
too long and he did not like it. According to Father Balaguer’s testimony, he showed Rizal a
shorter retraction which was prepared by Father Pio Pi, Superior of the Jesuit Society in the
Philippines, which was acceptable to Rizal. After making some changes in it, Rizal then wrote his
retraction, in which he abjured Masonry and his religious ideas which were anti-Catholic.
This retraction of Rizal is now a controversial document, for the Rizalist scholars, who
are either Masons or anti-Catholic, claim it to be a forgery, while the Catholic Rizalists believe it
to be genuine. This debate between two hostile groups of Rizalists is futile and irrelevant. Futile
in the sense that no amount of evidence can convince the Masonic Rizalists that Rizal retracted
and the Catholic Rizalists that Rizal did not retract. As a famous saying goes: “For those who
believe –no justification is necessary; for the skeptics, whose criterion for belief is not in their
 minds but in their wills –no justification is impossible”. It is likewise irrelevant because it does
not matter at all to the greatness of Rizal. Whether he retracted or not, the fact remains that he
was the greatest Filipino hero. This also applies to the other controversy as to whether Rizal
married Josephine Bracken before his execution or not. Why argue on this issue. Whether or
not Rizal married Josephine in Fort Santiago, Rizal remains just the same –a hero-martyr.

BEFORE THE EXECUTION

 At 3:00 o’clock in the morning of December 30, 1896

- Rizal heard Mass, confessed his sins, and took Holy Communion.

 At 5:30 A.M
- He took his last breakfast on earth. After this, he wrote two letters, the first addressed to his
family and the second to his older brother Paciano. The letter to his sisters.

 At 5:30 A.M.
- Josephine Bracken, accompanied by a sister of Rizal (Josefa), arrived. Josephine, with tears in
her eyes, bade him farewell. Rizal embraced her for the last time, and before she left, Rizal gave
her a last gift –a religious book, Imitation of Christ by Father Thomas a Kempis.

 At 6:00 A.M.
- As the soldiers were getting ready for the death march to Bagumbayan, Rizal wrote his last
letter to his beloved parents.

 Death March to Bagumbayan about 6:30 A.M.

- A trumpet sounded at Fort Santiago, a signal to begin the death march to Bagumbayan, the
designated place for the execution. The advance guard of four soldiers with bayoneted rifles
moved. A few meters behind, Rizal walked calmly, with his defense counsel (Lt. Luis Taviel de
Andrade) on one side and two Jesuits priests (Father March and Vilaclara) on the other. More
well-armed soldiers marched behind him.

 Rizal was dressed elegantly in a black suit, black derby hat, black shoes, white shirt, and black tie.
His arms were tied behind from elbow to elbow, but the rope was quite loose to give his arms
freedom of movement.

 To the muffle sounds of the drums, the cavalcade somnolently marched slowly. There was a
handful of spectators lining the street from Fort Santiago to the Plaza del Palacio in frony of the
 Manila Cathedral. Everybody seemed to be out at Bagumbayan, where a vast crowd gathered to
see how a martyr dies.

 Going through the narrow Postigo Gate, one of the gates of the city wall, the cavalcade reached
the Malecon (now Bonifacio Drive), which was deserted. Rizal looked at the sky, and said to one
of the priests: “How beautiful it is today, Father. What morning could be more serene! How clear
is Corregidor and the mountains of Cavite! On mornings like this, I used to take a walk with my
sweetheart”.

 The Rizal passes in front of the Ateneo. He sees the college towers above the walls. He asks a
priest if it's the Ateneo, and the priest confirms.

 They reach Bagumbayan Field. The field is crowded with spectators, forming a huge square with
soldiers. They shouted “Viva España!” “Muerte a losTraidores’ (“Long Live Spain! “Death to the
Traitors!”) and the Spanish Military Band, joining the jubilance over Rizal’s death, played the gay
Marcha de Cadiz

 The cavalcade procession enters this square. Rizal walks serenely to a designated place. The
place is described as a grassy lawn by the shore of Manila Bay, between two lamp posts.

 Rizal knew that his meeting with destiny was imminent, signaling his martyrdom. He bid farewell
to Fathers March and Vilaclara and Lt Luis Taviel de Andrade.
 Despite his tied arms, he firmly clasped their hands in parting. A priest blessed him and offered a
crucifix to kiss, which he did reverently. Rizal requested to face the firing squad but was denied,
and he turned his back to them. Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo, a Spanish military physician, asked to feel
Rizal's pulse, finding it normal.

 The death ruffles of the drums filled the air. The sharp command "Fire" was heard, and the firing
squad shot him in the back. Rizal, with a supreme effort, turned his body to the right and fell
dead with his face upward, facing the morning sun.

 He died at exactly 7:03 in the morning at the age of 35 years, five months, and 11 days.

 "Mi Ultimo Adios" is a farewell poem written by Jose Rizal. The poem was originally without a
title and was unsigned.

 Father Mariano Dacanay, a Filipino priest-patriot, gave the title "Ultimo Adios" (Last Farewell) to
the poem. Under this title, the poem was published for the first time in "La Independencia," a
newspaper owned by General Antonio Luna, on September 25, 1898.
  He proved that “pen is mightier than the sword”

 “Consummatum est” It is done

 Fourteen years before his execution, Rizal predicted his death on December 30th. At that
time, he was a medical student in Madrid, Spain. The prediction is recorded in his diary entry
on January 1, 1883. In the entry, he describes a frightful nightmare from two nights prior
(December 30). In the dream, he imitates an actor dying on stage, feeling vividly that his
breath was failing, and he was rapidly losing strength. The vision in the dream becomes dim,
and dense darkness envelops him, symbolizing the pangs of death.

RIZAL AFTERMATH

- Jose Rizal's death had a significant impact on the Philippines, both in terms of the country's
struggle for independence and the controversy surrounding Rizal's retraction.

FILIPINO REBELLION AFTER RIZALS EXECUTIONS

- Sparked the revolution in the country against the Spanish government, which ruled the
Philippines from 1565 to 1898

RIZAL IMPACT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FILIPINO NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS

- Rizal's greatest impact on the development of a Filipino national consciousness was his
publication of two novels, "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo."

RIZAL, THE ROMANTIC

 Julia Celeste Smith, (16), LAGUNA

- First Crush:
- Rizal was 15 years old.
How They Met:
- Accidental encounter in the Dampalit River in Los Baños a few days after Easter in 1877.
- Julia was bathing with Rizal's grandmother.
Appearance:
- Julia wrapped in a red tapis, long hair flowing down her shoulders.
First Gift:
- Rizal gave her 2 butterflies and some wildflowers.
How It Ended:
- Lack of subsequent contact, Rizal eventually forgot about Julia Celeste Smith.
 Segunda Katugbak, (14), LIPA BATANGAS
- First Love
- Rizal was 16 years old.
Interval:
- A two-year gap between this and his first crush.
Painter and Pencil Sketch:
- Rizal, a skilled painter, was asked to draw Segunda.
- He reluctantly created a pencil sketch, blushing as she looked at him.
Sister's Friendship:
- Rizal's sister Olympia was a close friend of Segunda.
- Rizal visited Olympia weekly, deepening affection for Segunda.
Appearance:
- Short, with eloquent and ardent eyes, rosy-cheeked, enchanting and provocative smile,
mysterious charm.
How It Ended:
- Segunda was engaged to Manuel Luz.
- Rizal, aware of Segunda's affection, decided to back away.
- Segunda returned to Lipa and married Manuel Luz.
- Rizal did not propose to Segunda.

 Jacinta Ibardo Laza, (-), LAGUNA

- Also known as "Miss L," a young woman from Laguna and a professor from Pakil Laguna.
- Rizal encountered Miss L. after losing Segunda Katigbak.
- Older than Rizal.
Appearance:
- Described as fair with seductive and attractive eyes.
Academic Assistance:
- Even though not officially a couple, Miss L. helped Rizal with his studies in Rhetoric and
Poetry.
- Rizal visited her house frequently.
Relationship Status:
- Their connection was more than friends but not exactly a couple.
- Rizal, however, stopped trying to win her over.
How It Ended:
- Rizal's dad disapproved of the closeness because Miss L. was older and a teacher,
something his dad didn't like.
- Rizal might still have had feelings for Segunda Katigbak at that time.
 LEONOR VALENZUELA, (14), PAGSANJAN
Nickname:
- Also known as Orang.
Appearance:
- Commonly described as a tall girl with grace and elegance.
Parentage:
- Daughter of Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela.
 Neighbor at Doña Concha Leyva's House:
- Rizal's neighbor when he boarded at Doña Concha Leyva's house in Intramuros during his
sophomore year at the University of Santo Tomas.
Strategy to Overcome Unrequited Love:
- Rizal spent a lot of time at Orang's house, whether there were gatherings or not, to
overcome his unrequited love for Segunda Katigbak.
Courting Leonor:
- Rizal felt at home at the Valenzuela residence and began courting Leonor, one of the
Valenzuela sisters.
Clever Love Notes:
- Rizal used a clever trick to send love notes to Leonor.
- Wrote them in invisible ink, a mix of water and table salt.
- To read the messages, Leonor had to heat the letters over a lamp or candle to make the
words appear.
Proposal Outcome:
- Unfortunately, just like with his first love, Rizal didn't take the next step to formally propose
marriage to Leonor.

 LEONOR RIVERA (13), INTRAMUROS MANILA

- Born on April 11, 1867.
- Daughter of Antonio Rivera and Silvestre Bauzon.
- Second or third cousin of Jose Rizal.
- Six years younger than Rizal.
Personal Traits:
- Described as ideally pretty with wavy hair, almond eyes, a small and pensive mouth,
charming dimples, and a captivating singing voice.
- Intelligent and played the piano.
- Inspiration for the character 'Maria Clara' in Rizal's novels, Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo.
Meeting and Engagement (1880):
- Leonor was a student at La Concordia College.
- Rizal, studying medicine at the University of Santo Tomas, stayed at the Rivera family's
house in Casa Tomasina, Intramuros.
- They met in 1880 and got engaged the same year when Rizal was 19, and Leonor was 13.
- Obstacles in Communication:
- Rizal labeled a Filibustero due to the publication of "Noli Me Tangere."
- Leonor's mother bribed post office officials to intercept letters.
Leonor's Marriage (1890):
- Leonor informed Rizal of her impending marriage in 1890.
- Her mother chose Charles Henry Kipping, an Englishman engineer.
- Leonor begged for Rizal's forgiveness.
- Leonor's Death (1893):
- Leonor died on August 28, 1893, from childbirth complications.
- Rizal was in exile in Dapitan.
 - Leonor requested to be buried in the saya and with a silver cup holding Rizal's letters.
- Rizal's Reaction to Leonor's Marriage and Death:
- Rizal's heart deeply broken.
- Emotional response: stunned, tears, heartbreak.
- Mourning intensified upon learning the details of Leonor's burial wishes.
Rizal's Last Moments (1896):
- Rizal executed on December 30, 1896.
- Uttered sentiments about the beautiful morning and reminisced about walks with his
sweetheart while facing the sea.

 CONSUELO ORTIGA Y PEREZ (22), MADRID

Rizal's Madrid Days (1882):
- Student at the Universidad Central de Madrid
- Frequent visitor to the home of Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey, former city mayor of Manila
- Lived with Don Pablo's son Rafael and daughter Consuelo

Rizal's Personal Traits:

- Not conventionally handsome

- Charismatic and talented
- Possessed a deeply noble character

Relationship with Consuelo Ortiga:

- Consuelo was taken with Rizal due to his charisma and talents
- Rizal, feeling lonely in a foreign country, found comfort in Consuelo's company
- Wrote a poem, "A La Senorita C.o. y P. (To Miss C.O.y P.)," expressing admiration for
Consuelo

Decision to Step Back:

- Rizal's romance with Consuelo did not become a serious affair

Two reasons for stepping back:

1. Still engaged to Leonor Rivera

2. Aware of his friend Eduardo de Lete's affection for Consuelo and did not want to ruin
their friendship

 O-SEI-SAN (SEIKO USUI), (22), JAPAN

Encounter with Seiko Usui (1888):
- Rizal, in Tokyo's Azabu district, noticed a pretty Japanese girl walking past the legion gate
- Captivated by her regal air and charisma, Rizal sought ways to meet her
- The girl's name was Seiko Usui, who lived with her parents and often took walks by the
legation
Development of Relationship:
- Rizal waited by the gate and introduced himself to Seiko Usui
- Rizal and O-Sei-San (as he fondly called her) met almost daily
 - They toured the city, enjoyed scenic spots, and visited picturesque shrines
- Rizal, a lonely young physician disillusioned by his failed romance with Leonor Rivera,
found solace and escape in O-Sei-San
Emotional State of Rizal:
- Rizal, burdened by soured hopes for justice in his country, found comfort in O-Sei-San
- He considered her qualities to align with his ideal woman
- O-Sei-San became Rizal's first love
Temptation to Settle Down in Japan:
- Due to his deep affection for O-Sei-San, Rizal was tempted to settle down in Japan
- Offered a good position at the Spanish Legation, making it convenient for him to stay
- Despite the tempting offer, Rizal had other priorities and decided to leave Japan
Decision to Leave Japan:

- Rizal, despite the happiness he found in Japan, had other matters to attend to
- Left Japan, leaving behind the romance with O-Sei-San, a decision that pained him
deeply
- His 45-day sojourn in Japan marked one of the happiest interludes in his life, despite the
emotional challenges

 GERTUDE BECKETT, (19), LONDON

London Visit (May 1888):
- Rizal visited London for a short time
- Stayed with the Beckett family, including Mr. & Mrs. Beckett, two sons, and four
daughters
- The eldest daughter was Gertrude
Gertrude Beckett's Characteristics:
- Gertrude was a buxom young lady with blue eyes and brown hair
- Fell in love with Rizal and gave him her full attention during family gatherings
- Participated in family picnics
Flirtation and Romance:
- During rainy days, when Rizal stayed indoors for painting and sculpting, Gertrude
assisted him in mixing colors and preparing clay
- Their flirtatious friendship evolved into a blossoming romance
- Rizal affectionately called her "Gettie," and she referred to him as "Pettie"
Withdrawal and Greater Mission:
- Rizal withdrew from the budding romance with Gertrude
- Realized he had a greater mission to fulfill
- Recognized that marrying Gertrude would compromise his mission
- Suppressed the yearnings of his heart
Decision to Leave:
- Rizal decided to leave before the relationship with Gertrude could become more serious
- Intention was to allow Gertrude to forget him and move on
Artistic Works:
- During his stay, Rizal completed several sculptural works
 - One notable work was the carving of the heads of the Beckett sisters, showcasing his
artistic talents

 SUZANNE JACOBY, (44), BELGIUM

Suzanne Jacoby in Brussels (1890):
- Rizal arrived in Brussels, Belgium, on January 28, 1890
- Stayed for a considerable time, paying for room and board
Petite Suzanne Jacoby:
- Landladies had a niece named Petite Suzanne Jacoby
- She was captivated by Rizal's charm and gallantry
- Provided Rizal with good company during his stay
Rizal's Consideration and Decision:
- Despite being far from his beloved Leonor and feeling lonely in a foreign land, Rizal
refrained from flirting with Suzanne
- Realized he could not deceive her and chose not to take advantage of the situation
Suzanne's Feelings and Farewell (July 1890):

- Suzanne fell in love with Rizal during his stay

- Wept when Rizal left for Madrid in July 1890
- Wrote a letter to Rizal in French expressing her broken heart and deep emotions
- Expressed her sadness, loneliness, and yearning for Rizal's return
- Hoped for his swift return, and questioned if he would write to her
Suzanne's Letter Excerpt:
- "Where are you now? Do you think of me once in a while? I am reminded of our tender
conversations, reading your letter, although it is cold and indifferent..."
- Described her deep sorrow, loneliness, and the absence of happiness in Rizal's absence
- Expressed the desire for Rizal's return and pleaded for a response to her letter

 NELLIE BOUSTED, (28), MADRID

Biarritz Vacation (1891):
- Rizal went on a break to Biarritz in 1891 for some peace from problems in Madrid
- Stayed with the Boustead family at their winter home, Villa Eliada
Boustead Family:
- Mr. and Mrs. Boustead had two daughters, Adelina and Nellie
Frustrated Romance with Leonor Rivera:
- Rizal felt sad about his failed romance with Leonor Rivera because she was engaged to
someone else
Affection for Nellie Boustead:
- Rizal really liked Nellie, the younger and prettier daughter of Mr. Eduardo Boustead
- Thought Nellie was smart, good-hearted, and lively
Intentions to Marry Nellie:
- Rizal told his close friends he wanted to marry Nellie
- Friends, even Antonio Luna who liked Nellie before, were happy and told Rizal to go for it
Encouragement from Friends:
 - Friends supported Rizal in trying to be with Nellie
Failed Marriage Proposal:
- Nellie wanted Rizal to change his religion from Catholic to Protestant, but Rizal didn't like
the idea
- Nellie's mom didn't like Rizal because he wasn't rich and had problems in his own
country
Parting as Friends:
- Rizal and Nellie stayed friends even though the plan to get married didn’t work out
- Differences in religion and money issues made them decide not to get married

 JOSEPHINE BRACKEN, (18), DAPITAN CITY

Exile in Dapitan:
- Loneliest and sorrowful period for Rizal
- Missed friends and family
- Leonor Rivera's death on August 28, 1893, deeply affected him
Arrival of Josephine Bracken:
- Josephine and her blind adoptive father, Mr. George Taufer, sought Rizal's help for the
father's blindness
- Rizal and Josephine fell in love, decided to marry
Challenges to Marriage:
- Dapitan priest refused to marry them without the Bishop of Cebu's consent
- Mr. Taufer attempted suicide upon hearing about the marriage plan, prevented by Rizal
- Josephine left with her father to Manila to avoid trouble
Return and Self-Marriage:
- Josephine returned to Dapitan later
- Since no priest agreed, Rizal and Josephine held hands, exchanged vows, and married
themselves before God
Tragic Loss of Child (1896):
- Josephine went into premature labor after Rizal frightened her
- Eight-month premature baby, Francisco, lived for only three hours
- Buried the child in Dapitan
Rizal's True Love:
- Rizal's true love was his country
- Could not belong to any woman or family as he was destined for higher purposes
- Ferdinand Blumentritt consoled Rizal, emphasizing his love for the Philippines as a noble
cause
Tragic End at 35:
- Rizal's life cut short at 35
- In love letters about his country, expressed enduring love for the Philippines
- Sacrificed everything for the country's love and redemption
- Desired to die blessing his country and hoping for its redemption