RIZAL lecture for PRELIMS

Introduction

WAS RIZAL AN AMERICAN SPONSORED HERO?

CONSTANTINO’S ARGUMENT
▪ Rizal’s pre-eminence among other Filipino heroes was partly the result of American
sponsorship.
▪ Governor William H. Taft was quoted in one of his statements that Rizal was “the greatest
Filipino, a physician, a novelist, a poet (who) because of his struggle for a betterment of
conditions under Spanish rule, was unjustly convicted and shot…”
▪ The Americans wanted a national hero who would not oppose policies with regard to American
colonial rule in the Philippines.
OCAMPO’S ARGUMENTS
▪ It is true that Rizal’s heroism was overemphasized by the Americans. Rizal was already viewed
as a hero even before his execution in Bagumbayan.
▪ As a matter of fact, President Aguinalso declared tha day of Rizal’s death as an ‘annual day of
national mourning in honor of Rizal.”
▪ Rizal served as the inspiration of our freedom fighters to continue the revolution.

RIZAL LAW (R.A. 1425)

▪The Catholic Church in the Philippines opposed the passage of his bill, urging its parishioners to
express their resistance on the bill through their senators and representatives.
▪ The Catholic Church stated that the State should not mandate its people to read Rizal’s novels
as it would “endanger their salvation.”
▪ The Catholic Church threatened to shut down its schools as a sign of their protest in passing the
bill. Recto, on the other hand, told them to go ahead so the State could nationalize them.
▪ Recto opposed the proposal to use the abridged version of Rizal’s two novels.
PROVISIONS OF THE RIZAL LAW (R.A 1425)
o Rationale of the Law
➢ To promote nationalism as exemplified through the life of the Filipino hero.
➢ To appreciate the importance of valuing our independence and values as Filipinos.
o Section 1
➢ The law mandates all private and public schools to include in their curricula the life and
works of Jose P. Rizal, including Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
➢ The unabridge versions of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo shall be used as basic
texts in tertiary level.

o Section 2
➢ The law oblidges all educational institutions to have adequate copies of unabridged
versions of Rizal’s biography and writings.
 o Section 3
➢ The Board of National Education shall see to it that there are sufficient copies of English
and Tagalog versions of Rizal’s writings.
o Section 4-6
➢ The provisions deal with administrative legal issues.

RIZAL THE ICON

DR. JOSE P. RIZAL
▪ Born: June 19, 1861; died: December 30, 1896
▪ Complete Name: Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Y Alonso Realonda
▪ Father: Francisco Mercado Rizal
▪ Mother: Teodora Alonso
▪ Seventh Child
▪ Siblings
➢ Saturnina (1850-1913) – Neneng
➢ Paciano (1851-1930)
➢ Narcisa )1852-1939) – Sisa
➢ Olimpia (1855-1887) – Ympia
➢ Lucia (1857-1919)
➢ Maria (1869-1945) – Biang
➢ Concepcion (1862-1865) – Concha
➢ Josefa (1865-1945) – Panggoy
➢ Trinidad (1868-1951) – Trining
➢ Soledad (1870-19290 – Choleng
▪ Composition of Rizal’s blood: Negrito, Indonesian, Malay, Chinese, Japanes, Spanish
▪ He came from a typical middle class (principalia) family.
▪ House: made of adobe and hardwood situated in a prime and huge lot.
▪ The original surname of the family is Mercado. This surname was adopted by Domingo
Lamco/Lam-co in 1731. Rizal was given to the family by a Spanish alcalde mayor.

RIZALS CHILDHOOD
BIRTH
▪ In 2011, the Philippines celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
▪ On June 22, 1861, he was baptized as “Jose Rizal Mercado” at the Calamba Catholic Church by
its parish priest Reverend Father Rufino Collantes. Rizal’s godfather/sponsor was also a priest,
Father Pedro Casañas.
▪ A year and three months after Rizal’s baptism, the Calamba Catholic Church, together with his
church records were burned.
RIZAL’S TIME: THE WORLD
▪ The Emancipation Proclamation was executed two years after Rizal’s birth. This was
proclaimed by President Abraham Lincoln.
▪ Benito Juarez became the president of Mexico; Emperor Napoleon III failed to invade Mexico.
 ▪ The Holy See issued a decision on the conflict between Spain and Germany on the sovereinity
of Carolines and Palau.
▪ Spain colonized Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
RIZAL’S TIME: THE PHILIPPINES
▪ The political turmoil in the Spanish Monarchy started during the reign of King Ferdinand VII.
The Philippines, as one of the major colonies of Spain, experienced frequent shifts of colonial
policies and unfixed terms of Spanish government officials.
▪ The Philippines was granted the opportunity to send a representative to the Spanish parliament.
▪ Emergence of Feudalism – in this kind of system, the king owns a vast majority of land estate.
HOMETOWN: CALAMBA
▪ On the Southern part of Calamba lies Mount Makiling where there are several hot springs and
breath-taking sceneries. Laguna de Bay is located on the eastern part of the town.
▪ Calamba’s name was based on a town legend – “kalan-banga”
▪ The young Rizal was captivated by the town’s natural beauty and richness. As a manifestation
of his affection and attachment to the town, he composed a poem entitled “UnRecuerdo a Mi
Pueblo.”
CHILDHOOD DAYS IN CALAMBA
▪ Barely three years old, Rizal learned the alphabet from his mother. It is said that Doña Teodora
was Jose’s first teacher.
▪ Because of Doña Teodora, Jose Rizal grew up as a devout Catholic. He participated in daily
prayers such as the Angelus. He was also able to read the Bible (in Spanish) at an early age of
five.
▪ Jose prayed the Rosary almost every night at their azotea.
▪ Jose was eight when he first visited the Antipolo Church. This was his mother’s pilgrimage
when the latter promised to the Blessed Virgin should she and her child survive the ordeal of
delivery which nearly caused her life.
▪ Jose enjoyed walking in the town especially at night. He was accompanied by his aya (nurse
maid).
▪ Jose also loved to walk in the field with his pony. He was fond of having lengthy walks in the
fields and by the side of the lake tagging along his black dog named Usman.

RIZAL’S INFLUENCES
▪ Inherited Influences
➢ From Malayan ancestors: independence and bravery
➢ From Chinese ancestors: somber personality, prudence, fortitude, deep affection for
children.
➢ From Spanish ancestors: sophistication of bearing, compassion to rudeness, valor for
ladies.
▪ Environmental Influences
➢ From Paciano: moral values and passion for education
➢ From Tiyo Jose Alberto: artistic influence
➢ From Tiyo Manuel: helped develop his frail body
➢ From Tiyo Gabriel: reading books
 ➢ Father Leoncio Lopez: research and rational sincerity
THE STORY OF THE MOTH
▪ Rizal’s passion for education enabled him to see that people who are ignorant are in more
serious danger of losing their lives than those who have knowledge.
▪ Rizal also realized that religion was only used by the Spaniards to abuse, bully, and enslave the
Filipino people.
▪ The teachings of the Church at that time restricted the Filipinos to think and read materials that
explain liberal ideas.
▪ Rizal used his two novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo to encourage his fellow
Filipinos to pursue knowledge so that their sufferings would cease.
▪ Jose Rizal viewed that education is the only key to free oneself from slavery and abuse.
▪ Contrary to the notion that knowledge killed Rizal, it was his contemporaries’ ignorance and
immaturity that killed him.

RIZAL’S EDUCATION IN BIÑAN AND TRIUMPH

IN ATENEO MUNICIPAL
PACIANO RIZAL
▪ Date of Birth: March 7, 1851
▪ Paciano was the second child of Don Francisco and Doña Teodora Rizal.
▪ Colegio de San Jose and University of Santo Tomas
▪ “ÑorPaciano” – the Rizal’s had the custom of adding “ñor” and “ñora” (short for Señor and
Señora) to the names of the older relatives.
▪ When Jose was already in Europe to pursue his studies, Paciano collected financial
contributions from their friends to support the Propaganda Movement.
▪ Paciano was also arrested when Rizal was imprisoned in Fort Santiago (1896).
▪ After Rizal was executed in Bagumbayan. he went into hiding and dedicated himself as one of
the generals of the Philippine Revolution.
▪ He died in Los Baños on April 13, 1930.
RIZAL IN BIÑAN
▪ In June, 1869, Paciano and Rizal left Calamba to study in the village school of Maestro
Justiniano Aquino Cruz.
▪ Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz was the former teacher of Paciano.
▪ Jose Rizal described Maestro Justiniano as a thin man, had a long neck, sharp nose, had a
slightly bent forward body, and always wore sinamay shirt. He mentioned such description in
his letter to Ferdinand Blumentritt.
▪ Jose Rizal challenged Pedro (Maestro’s son) to a brawl.
▪ Rizal finished his elementary studies in 1870.
RIZAL’S TRIUMPH IN ATENEO MUNICIPAL
▪ Don Francisco decided to enroll him at the Ateneo Municipal.
▪ Ateneo’s college registrar, Father MaginFerrando, refused to admit Jose Rizal because aside
from being late, his body was frail and diminutive for his age.
▪ Rizal was admitted in Ateneo because of Father Burgos’ nephew, Manuel Xerez Burgos.
 ▪ He used the surname “Rizal” in Ateneo to avoid reprisal from the Spanish authorities because
“Mercado” was linked to Father Burgos.
▪ During Rizal’s time, the pupils were mandated to hear masses every morning before and after
the class.
▪ A typical class was divided into two groups:
➢ Internos (Roman Empire)
➢ Externos (Carthaginian Empire)
▪ Both groups were ruled by an emperor (best students in the class).
▪ First Year
➢ His first professor is Fr. Jose Bech.
➢ He took tutorial sessions in Sta. Isabel (for only three pesos) in order to become fluent in
Spanish language.
➢ He received “excellent” grades.
▪ Second Year
➢ As a bibliophile, he collected and read books of Alexander Dumas, Cesar Cantu and Dr.
Feodor Jagor (authors of the Count of Monte Cristo, Universal History and Travels in
the Philippines, respectively).

▪ Third Year
➢ He was at his third year when Doña Teodora was released in Sta. Cruz provincial jail.
➢ Details on Doña Teodora’s imprisonment
✓ Jose Alberto’s wife filed a case against Doña Teodora and Jose Alberto accusing
them of poisoning her.
✓ Doña Teodora was sentenced to walk barefoot from Calamba to Sta. Cruz
Laguna.
✓ She was also detained for two years and a half in a provincial jail.
▪ Fourth Year
➢ He received five medals and became the best in his batch.
▪ Extracurricular activities in Ateneo
➢ Classroom Emperor
➢ Active member, later secretary of the Marian Congregation.
➢ Member of the Academy of Spanish Literature and Academy of Natural Sciences.
➢ Studied painting under the famous Spanish painter Agustin Saez.

SELECTED LITERARY WORKS WRITTEN AT THE ATENEO

MY FIRST INSPIRATION
▪ Spanish title: MiPrimeraInpiracion
▪ The poem was dedicated to Doña Teodora Alonso on her birthday.
▪ Rizal composed no poems before 1874 because of his mother’s imprisonment.
▪ Jose congratulates his mother on her birthday expressing his filial affection in deep verses.
INTIMATE ALLIANCE BETWEEN RELIGION AND GOOD EDUCATION
▪ Spanish name: Alianza Intima Entre la Religion y la Buena Education
▪ It is one of several poems of Rizal which were found in a notebook that he used at the Ateneo.
 ▪ Rizal expressed his belief that religion is important in education. According to him, religion
served as a guide, a nourishment, and an inspiration to good education.
▪ Rizal believed that education has an important role in the growth and development of the
country.
▪ Education without God is not true education.
ST. EUSTACE’S POETIC DRAMA
▪ Father Sanchez encouraged Jose to write a theatrical piece based on the prose story of St.
Eustace, the Martyr.
▪ St. Eustace, the Martyr
➢ Placidus or Eustachius
➢ He served as the Roman general in the army of Emperor Trajan.
▪ Rizal spent his summer vacation writing and conceptualizing the poetic verses of the prose
story. The piece was completed on June 2, 1876.
MEDICAL STUDIES AT UST
❑ Don Francisco Mercado Rizal – influenced Jose to pursue his studies in college
❑ Doña Teodora resisted the idea because of fear that Jose’s life could be in danger if he will be
given too much education.
❑ Ateneo: Jesuits; University of Santo Tomas: Dominicans
❑ Jose took up Philosophy and Letters as advised by Don Francisco Mercado Rizal.
❑ Jose Rizal wanted to take up a more challenging course. He asked for Father Pablo Ramon’s
advice (rector of Ateneo Municipal).
❑ Father Ramon advised him to take up Medicine.
❑ During his first year (UST), Rizal took a surveying course at the Ateneo (1877-1878)
➢ Rizal was 17 years old when he passed the final examination in the surveying course. The title
was awarded to him when he reached his 20 years old.
❑ Two reasons why Rizal shifted from Philosophy and Letters to Medicine: (a) suggestion of
Father Ramon and (b) mother’s deteriorating eye sight.
❑ Rizal’s Foretaste of Spanish Brutality
➢ The lieutenant of the Guardia Civil attacked Rizal, slashing him through his sword.
➢ Days after his recuperation, he immediately reported the incident to Governor-General Primo de
Rivera.
➢ The governor-general ignored the incident because he was an Indio and the lieutenant was a
Spaniard.
❑ Rizal’s performance at the UST was not as impressive when he was studying in Ateneo.
➢ The Dominican friars were not as friendly as the Jesuits.
➢ He was dissatisfied with the Dominican’s method of instruction.
➢ Racial discrimination against Filipino students.
TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH
❑ “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan.”
❑ The poem was Rizal’s entry to the literary contest organized by Liceo Artistico-Literario of
Manila.
❑ Rizal won the first prize in the said contest. He received a feather-shaped silver pen ornamented
with a golden ribbon.
 ❑ The poem was chosen to be the best among the literary entries because it was perfectly written
in Spanish by an Indio and it expressed for the first time the national concept that the Filipinos,
and not the foreigners, were the fair hope of the Motherland.
THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS
❑ In 1880, the Liceo Artistico-Literario de Manila organized another literary competition which
was in honor of the 4th centennial death of a Spanish author named Miguel de Cervantes.
❑ The Spanish community questioned the decision of the board of judges. According to them, an
Indio has no right to win such a prestigious award.
❑ Rizal’s prize: a gold ring on which was engraved the bust of Miguel de Cervantes
❑ Summary of the poem: “The allegory established a parallel among Homer, Virgil, and
Cervantes. The gods discuss the comparative merits these great writers and finally decide to
give the trumpet to Homer, the lyre to Virgil, and the laurel to Cervantes” (Zaide, 1994).
PILGRIMAGE TO PAKIL AND PAGSANJAN
❑ Saturnina, Maria, and Trinidad – they accompanied their brother Jose to Pakil and Pagsanjan,
Laguna
❑ Aside from Turumba dance, Rizal was fascinated with the sophisticated and pretty women of
Pakil like Vicenta Ybardolaza.
❑ Rizal went to Pagsanjan because he wanted to see Leonor Valenzuela’s hometown (Rizal’s
girlfriend) and witness the wonder of Pagsanjan falls.
RIZAL’S COMPAÑERISMO
❑ Filipino camp to Spanish Camp: “Kastila, bangus”; Spanish camp to Filipino camp: “Indio,
chongo”
❑ Rizal used his skills in fencing and wrestling as he participated in the occasional brawls
between the two camps.
❑ He founded Compañerismo in 1880, whose members were called “Companions of Jehu.”
❑ Rizal already had the potential to organize a progressive group that could empower, promote,
and protect the rights of Filipino people.

RIZAL’S FIRST TRIP ABROAD

REASONS WHY RIZAL WENT TO SPAIN
❑ The antiquated method of instruction by the Dominican friars at the University of Santo
Tomas made Rizal decided to complete his studies in Spain.
❑ Spain embraced liberal ideas which were in contrast with its previous ideology
(conservatism/traditionalism).
❑ Jose Rizal wanted to observe the culture, customs, languages, commerce, industries,
governments, and laws not just only of Spain but also of different European nations.
Realizing that this mission was kept from Don Francisco and Doña Teodora, Jose Rizal wrote a farewell
letter begging for his parents’ forgiveness.
Paciano told Rizal that Don Francisco was saddened by his departure
List of people who knew of Jose Rizal’s departure for Spain:
➢ Paciano Rizal – older brother
➢ Antonio Rivera – father of Leonor Rivera
➢ Saturnina (Neneng) and Lucia – sisters
➢ Valenzuela family – Capitan Juan, Capitana Sanday, and Orang
 ➢ Pedro A. Paterno – Filipino politician, poet, and novelist
➢ Some of the Ateneo Jesuit priests
➢ When he reached Singapore, Rizal immediately checked in at Hotel de la Paz.
➢ Jose Rizal made a remark that Singapore was luckier than the Philippines because the former
was “assured in their position, confident in their rights, and unafraid of the authorities”
(Bantug and Ventura, 1997).
➢ The steamship Djemnah arrived in Colombo on May 17, 1882 (particularly in Point Galle, a
seacoast town in southern Sri Lanka).
➢ According to Rizal, the place was charming but it looked lonely and quiet.
➢ Rizal was also fascinated by the beauty and wonderful scenery of Colombo. According to him,
it is more beautiful, smart and elegant than Singapore, Point Galle, and Manila.
➢ Before reaching the Suez Canal, the steamship Djemnah sailed ahead towards the Indian
Ocean to the Cape of Guardafui, Africa.
➢ Rizal’s impression of the African coast was “inhospitable land but famous.”
➢ After Aden, the steamship sailed towards the Suez Canal.
➢ Rizal reached Naples, an Italian city, on June 11, 1882. He was fascinated by the city’s different
modes of trade, lively people, and peculiar beauty.
➢ He also visited Mount Vesuvius and the Castle of St. Telmo.
➢ After reaching Naples, the steamship anchored on the French harbor of Marseilles. Rizal
visited the famous tourist spots in this place such as the Chateau d’If, where Edmond Dantes of
The Count of Monte Cristo was imprisoned.
ARRIVAL IN BARCELONA AND LIFE IN MADRID

❑ Jose Rizal reached Barcelona, Spain on June 16, 1882.

❑ At first, his impression of Barcelona was not as good as his impression in Colombo and other
places he visited before his arrival in this city. During his free time, Jose Rizal enjoyed walking
along the famous street in Barcelona Las Ramblas.

AMOR PATRIO

❑ Jose Rizal wrote this essay under the pen name Laong Laan. This was published in Diariong
Tagalog through his friend Basilio Teodoro Moran.
❑ It was published in both Spanish and Tagalog on August 20, 1882.
❑ It has the same nationalistic theme as his award-winning poem entitled “A La Juventud
Filipina.”
❑ Jose Rizal enrolled in the Universidad Central de Madrid on November 3, 1882.
❑ While in the Universidad Central de Madrid, Rizal took up two courses: Medicine and
Philosophy and Letters
❑ He also enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando and studied painting and
sculpture.
❑ He took lessons in French, German, and English languages.
❑ He tried to engage in fencing and shooting in the Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell.
❑ Jose Rizal spent his summer vacation in Paris from June 17 to August 20, 1883.
❑ He stayed at the Hotel de Paris (37 Rue de Maubange); he then transferred to a cheaper hotel
at 124 Rue de Rennes in the Latin Quarter.
❑ Places that Jose Rizal visited in Paris:
 ➢ Champs Elysees
➢ The Opera House
➢ The Place de la Concorde
➢ The Arch of Triumph
➢ The Bois de Boulogne

RIZAL’S HARDSHIPS IN EUROPE

❑ Jose Rizal’s financial difficulty started when his family’s crops in Calamba were affected by
drought and locusts.
❑ That time, the Dominican friars owned the majority of estates in Calamba.
❑ Without any notice, the Dominicans suddenly increased their rental price which made them
adjust their capital and expenses.
❑ Because of such difficulty, the family failed to support Jose Rizal’s stay in Europe. There was
also a time when Paciano sold Jose Rizal’s pony in order to send money to Madrid.
❑ Jose Rizal was invited to a dinner in honor of Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo.
❑ Juan Luna’s masterpiece, The Spoliarium, was recognized for winning the first prize in the
National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid.

❑ Felix Resurreccion’s Hidalgo’s masterpiece, Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace, was
also recognized in the same event
❑ RIZAL AS A STUDENT ACTIVIST
❑ Jose Rizal participated in the student mobilization organized on November 20-22, 1884 at the
Universidad Central de Madrid.
➢ The demonstrations sparked when Dr. Miguel Morayta’s speech gave emphasis on the
academic freedom of science and of the teachers.
❑ The demonstrations of 1884 were violent and bloody because of the existence of army
troopers, stones, clubs, and fists.

RIZAL’S SOJOURN IN PARIS AND GERMANY

RIZAL IN PARIS (1885)
❑ From Madrid, Jose Rizal went again to Barcelona before proceeding to Paris to visit Maximo
Viola.
❑ Jose Rizal had a week-long vacation in Barcelona where he met Señor Eusebio Corominas,
editor of La Publicidad newspaper. He also made a crayon sketch of Don Miguel Morayta, the
owner of the said paper.
❑ November, 1885 – Rizal arrived in Paris and would spend four months in what he called the
“costliest capital in Europe.”
❑ Jose Rizal became an apprentice of Dr. Louis de Weckert (French ophthalmologist).
❑ Jose Rizal became a model in some of Juan Luna’s painting. During his free time, Rizal posed as
an Egyptian priest in Luna’s “The Death of Cleopatra.”
❑ He also posed as Sikatuna, in which Trinidad Pardo de Tavera also posed as Miguel Lopez de
Legazpi in Luna’s “The Blood Compact.”
RIZAL IN GERMANY (1886)
❑ Jose Rizal arrived in Heidelberg, Germany on February 3, 1886.
❑ Rizal lived in a boarding house with German law students. He bonded with them through
chess and later on was included in the “Chess Player’s Club” in Germany.
 ❑ He became an ophthalmologist at the University Eye Hospital under Dr. Otto Becker.
❑ Despite his busy schedule at the University Eye Hospital, he still managed to visit some tourist
spots in Heidelberg .
❑ Jose Rizal also spent a three-month summer vacation at Wilhelmsfeld with Pastor Ulmer.
❑ Five reasons why Rizal chose to settle in Berlin
➢ To improve his training and skill in ophthalmology.
➢ To hone his knowledge of sciences and languages.
➢ To study the economic and political state of Germany (because of Berlin is the capital of
Germany).
➢ To get to know famous German scholars and scientists.
➢ To publish his first novel, Noli Me Tangere.
❑ Winter of 1886 in Berlin
➢ Jose Rizal lived in poverty in the winter of 1886 in Berlin.
➢ There was a time when Rizal pawned his diamond ring given by Saturnina to make ends meet.
➢ He also had to eat one meal a day, which consisted of bread and water or vegetable soup.
➢ Jose Rizal’s health declined due to lack of proper nourishment.
NOLI ME TANGERE
INSPIRATIONS OF NOLI ME TANGERE
❑ Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel entitled “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”
➢ The novel describes the American slavery system during the 19th century.
❑ Rizal also wanted to expose the abuses and brutalities committed by the Spanish authorities in
the Philippines.
❑ The title of the novel originated from a Bible verse. It can be found in the Gospel of St. John
(Chapter 20 Verse 17).
❑ Noli Me Tangere is considered a realist novel in which it exposed brutal acts and unfair
practices of Spaniards against Filipinos.
❑ Rizal already completed his course at the Universidad Central de Madrid when he was writing
the half of the novel.
❑ Rizal completed all the chapters of the novel in 1886 (Wilhelmsfeld, Germany).
➢ Rizal could not print the novel because of lack of funds. Maximo Viola was the one who helped
Rizal to publish the novel.
➢ MAXIMO VIOLA (1857-1933)
He was known as the principal publisher of Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere for he shouldered the
printing cost of the said novel.
❑ The printed copies of the novel were released on March 21, 1887.
❑ The name of the printing shop was Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action-Gesselschaft. The printing
cost was only 300 pesos at 2,000 copies.
❑ Rizal gave the first printed copies of his novel to the following:
➢ Ferdinand Blumentritt
➢ Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor
➢ Marcelo H. del Pilar
➢ When the novel was read by the Spanish authorities, they immediately considered it as
heretical, subversive, and immoral.
On December 28, 1887, Father Salvador Font ordered to prohibit the distribution, reading, and
discussion of the contents of the novel.
End of lecture for Prelims/ Vtbono 2-2s