LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

Midterm Outline S.Y. 2022-2023

*Do not distribute the copy*

Introduction to the Course: RA 1425

Prepared by: Mr. Alvin S. Lopez Jr. LPT

I. The Rizal law nationalistic while 120 passages were

anti-catholic and 50 passages for the El Fili.
- Its mandate is to study Rizal’s life and works. - Furthermore, opposition pointed out that si
Section 1 states that Rizal Law was passed by
Rizal admitted that not only the friar he
congress to increase nationalism.
attacked but also the catholic faith itself.
- The Rizal Bill author is Claro M. Recto
- So they suggested reading a medium for
- The bills require the inclusion in the curricula of
learners to what they call Rizalian Anthology, a
Rizal’s Life, works and writings in all public and
collection of Rizal’s written works that contain
private school, colleges and university especially
the patriotic reasoning prohibiting the two
of the novels of Noli Me Tangere and El
novels (Noli and Fili).
Filibusterismo
- However, Recto and Laure (who co-wrote the
- Before the bill was signed or approved into law
law) defended the bill and argued that the only
for implementation in all schools it was brought
objective of the bill is to keep the memory of
to the senate and house representative for
the national hero alive in every Filipino’s mind,
discussion.
to emanate Rizal as he peacefully fought for
- RA 1425 underwent the usual process as such
freedom and not to go against religion.
Senator Recto brought the bill to the Senate,
- One debate between Cebu Representative
and Senator Jose B. Laurel Sr who was then the
Ramon Durano and Pampanga representative
chairman of the committee on Education
Emilio Cortes concluded in a fist fight in
sponsored the bill that consequently led to an
congress. Bacolod city bishop Manuel Yap
exchange of views between both houses.
threatened to campaign against pro Rizal bill
- The bill was opposed by three senators namely
legislators and punish them in the upcoming
Sen. Mariano Cuenco, Sen. Fracisco Rodrigo
election.
who was a former Catholic Action President,
- School representatives were threatening the
and Sen. Decoroso Rosales who was the
government to close down the catholic schools
brother of Julio Rosales, an archbishop.
if they pass the Rizal Bill.
- Opposition assert that the bill would go against
- but according to sen. Recto that the school will
freedom of religion and conscience, where the
become nationalized which means the state
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines
controls the school.
(CBCP) which accordingly, such the bill is a
- Because of the never-ending debate on Rizal
violation of 1939 Canon Law which
Bill, approved amendments (changes) were
- prohibits books that attack the Catholic
formulated through the proposal of three
Doctrine and practices.
legislators of the upper house.
- The opposition argued that among the 333
- Senator Laurel proposed that aside from Noli
pages of Noli , only 25 passages were
and Fili, other written work of Rizal must
 include and be read out. The two novels Noli
and Fili would no longer be compulsory to Basic
education.
- Sen. Lim recommends the relief/exemption to
those students who feel that reading Rizal’s
novel would negatively affect their faith.
- Sen. Primicias proposed an additional
amendment that promulgates the rules and
regulation in getting an exemption only for
- The different disciplines on the life, works, and
reading the two novels through written
statement or affidavit and not taking the Rizal
course.
- According to Ambeth Ocampo, no student has
ever availed of this exemption
- After the final amendments the bill was finally
passed on May 17,1956 and was signed into law
as Republic Act 1425 by President Ramon
Magsaysay on June 12, 1956.
II. Republic Act 1425 and Other Rizal Law
- The Rizal bill became Republic Act 1425, known
as the Rizal Law, the full name of the is “An Act
to Include in the Curricula of All Public and
Private Schools, Colleges and Universities
Courses on the Life, Works and Writings of Jose
Rizal, Particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo, Authorizing the Printing
and Distribution Therefore, and for Other
Purposes.”
The Rizal Laws aims to realize the following objectives:
1. To rededicate the lives of the youth to the ideals
of independence and natalism, for which our
heroes lived and died.
2. To dignify our national hero for devoting his life
and works in shaping Filipino Character.
3. To stimulate patriotism through the study of
Rizal's life, works and writings.
- Thus, no student has yet officially applied for
exclusion from reading Rizal’s novel.
- Former President Fidel V. Ramos in 1994
through Memorandum Order No. 247 directed
the Secretary of Education, Culture, Sports and
the Chairman of CHED to fully implement the
RA 1425.
- Republic Act No. 229 an act prohibiting
cockfighting, horse racing, and jai-alai on the
thirtieth day of December of each year and to
create a committee to take charge of the proper
celebration of Rizal Day in every municipality
and chartered city, and for other purpose
III. Essentials of Studying Rizal
writing of Jose Rizal were directed by law for
nothing.
1. One benefit provides insight on how to
deal with current problems.
2. It helps us understand ourselves better
as Filipinos.
3. It teaches Nationalism and Patriotism.
4. It provides various essential life lessons.
5. It helps in developing logical and critical
thinking.
6. Rizal can serve as a worthwhile model
and inspiration to every filipino.
7. The subject is a rich source of
entertaining narratives.
a. Rizal was involved in a love
triangle with Antonio Luna
b. Rizal was a model in some of
Juan Luna’s Paintings
c. Rizals common-law wife
Josephine Bracken was
‘remarried’ to a man from Cebu
and had Tutored former
president Sergio Osmeña
d. Leonor Rivera ‘Maria Clara’
Rizal’s true love, had a son who
married the sister of the former
President of the United Nations
Carlos P. Romulo
e. The filipina beauty queen
Gemma Cruz Araneta is a
descendance of Rizal’s sister,
Maria
f. The sportscaster Chino Trinidad
is a descendant of Rizal’s first
love Segunda Katigbak
g. The original manuscript of Rizal
novel Noli and Fili were once
 stolen for ransom, but
Alejandro Roces had retrieved
them without paying even a
single centavo
The Philippines in the 19th Century as Rizal’s
Context
Prepared by: Mr. Alvin S. Lopez Jr. LPT
I. The Global Context: The Three Great Revolutions
- Jose Rizal was the first to consider the Indios as
one state when he first used the word Filipino to
refer to all inhabitants in the Philippines
whether they are of Spanish or Filipino blood.
- Jose Rizal grew up in the 19th century, an age of
vast changes in Europe, Spain and the
Philippines. During this period, the glory and
power of Spain had spread in many parts of the
globe.
- The birth of modernity precipitated three great
revolutions around the world: the Industrial
revolution in England, the French revolution in
France and the American revolution.
II. Industrial Revolution
- Was an economic revolution which started with
the invention of the steam engine and resulted
in the use of equipment in the manufacturing
sector in the cities of Europe.
- The Industrial Revolution that started in the
west had a consequence on the Philippine
economy.
- The new economic system created by the
Industrial revolution had encouraged Spain in
1834 to open the philippine economy to world
commerce.
- As a result, new ports and cities were built.
- Foreign industry increased rapidly. Foreigners
were given a chance to engage in manufacturing
and agriculture.
- Merchant banks and financial systems were also
established.
- The British and Americans improved machinery
for agricultural products, sugar milling and rice
hulling and introduced the new way of farming.
- The presence of these foreign traders
stimulated agrarian production, particularly
sugar, rice, and hemp, which ended the
government monopoly.
- The Industrial Revolution resulted in the rise of
a new breed of influential and wealthy Filipino
middle class. This class composed of Spanish
and Chinese mestizos rose to a position of
power in the Filipino community.
- Lastly , safer, faster and more comfortable
means of transportation and communication
such as railways and steamships were
constructed. The opening of the Suez canal
opened shorter routes to commerce. It has
resulted in closer interaction between the
Philippines and Spain and the rest of the world
in the 19th century.
III. The French Revolution
- A revolution changed the political tone of the
period. Started a political revolution in Europe
and some parts of the world. This revolution is a
period of political and social upheaval and
radical change in the history of France.
- With the overthrow of monarchical rule,
democratic principles of Liberty, Equality and
Fraternity.
- Spain experienced a turbulent century of
political disturbances during this era which
include numerous changes in parliaments and
constitution.
- The colonized had gained momentum for
independence owing the cracks in political
leadership in the motherland.
- Cuba, a colony of Spain, was waging a
revolution against Spain, when Rizal
volunteered to discontinue his exile in Dapitan
to work as volunteer doctor there for him to
observe the revolution.
- This aspiration had inspired colonies under
Spain to revolt to gain independence from their
colonial master in the 19th century.
IV. American Revolution
 - The American revolution, though not directly
affecting the local economy and politics of the
Philippines in the 19th century, had significant
repercussions to the democratic aspirations of
the Filipino reformists led by Rizal.
- The American revolution had given the world in
the 19th century the idea that colonized people
can have their independence from their
colonizer.
- The Americans were able to overthrow their
British colonial masters to gain independence.
V. Spanish Revolution
- On September 19, 1863 a revolution broke out
in Cadiz, Spain, against the autocratic rule of
Queen Isabella II (1836-1868) led by two able
generals (Serrano and Prim).
- The triumph(victory) of liberalism in Spain
echoed in her colonies across the seas.
- Colonial officials with democratic views were
sent to Manila and the Filipinos soon enjoyed
the blessings denied to them before. ( Freedom
of speech, freedom of press, freedom assembly
and religious toleration )
VI. The birth of Filipino Nationalism
- The rise of the Filipino nation was slow but
inevitable. Even in the pre spanish era, the
Filipnios already possessed qualities and traits
for nationhood (common racial origin, shared
cultural heritage and a shared love for freedom.
- Spain unwittingly helped to unite the Filipinos
by giving them the Christian religion, the
Spanish civilization and centralized government.
- The emergence of nationalism was slow
because of the difficulty in social and economic
intercourse among them. However the
nineteenth century saw the flowering of the
national spirit stimulated by the following
influences.
● The opening of the Philippines to world trade
● The rise of an enlightened middle class
● Spanish revolution
● The opening of suez canal
● The influx of liberal ideas
● The cavite mutiny of 1872
● The martyrdom of GOMBURZA
The opening of the Philippines to world trade
- The opportunity of the nineteenth century was
Europe adopting a more liberal commercial
policy.
- Spain liberalized her economic policy in the
Philippines by permitting foreign firms to do
business in Manila.
- In 1834, Manila officially opened to world trade.
In later years more ports were thrown open to
world commerce, such as Sual, Iloilo, and
Zamboanga in 1855. Cebu in 1860 and Legaspi
and Tacloban 1873.
- Owing to contact with world trade, the
Philippines experience remarkable progress in
agriculture, business and industry.
- Contact with the outside world broadened the
people’s mind and made them conscious of the
evils of Spain's colonial administration.
Rise of an Enlightenment Middle Class
- Material prosperity produced an enlightened
middle class, consisting of well to do farmers,
teachers, lawyers, physicians, writers, and
government employees.
- They read books and newspapers, discussed
political problems and reforms and sent their
children to colleges and universities in Manila
and Abroad.
- From the enlightened middle class came the
leading intellectuals of the country and the
patriots of the propaganda movement who
stirred the Philippine into revolution. Dr. Jose
Rizal, Marcelo H Del Pilar, Luna brothers and
others.
- The enlightened middle class read books and
newspapers, discussed political problems and
reforms, and became patriots.
The opening of Suez Canal
- The opening of the Suez Canal to world shipping
on November 17,1860 has greatly affected the
course of Philippine history.
- Built by Gerdinand de Lesseps, a Frenchman, it
connects the Red Sea and Mediterranean linking
Europe and the Orient closer.
- It shortened the sailing distance between
Barcelona and Manila.
- Formerly, a steamer from Barcelona had to sail
around the Cape of Good Hope (Africa) and
would reach Manila for more than 3 months.
- By sailing via the Suez Canal, the same streamer
could make a trip in 30 to 40 days.
- The Philippines was brought nearer to Spain.
- More and more Spaniards flocked to the colony
and swelled the Spanish Population. In 1810.
There were only 4000 Spaniards, this number
increased to 13,500 in 1870 and 34,000 in 1898.
- Not only Spaniards but also world travelers.
The influx of Liberal Ideas
The Cavite Mutiny of 1872
- The ships that came to the open ports of the
Philippines via the Suez Canal carried with them
men of liberal ideas from America and Europe.
They bought newspapers and books that
contained the rational thought of Montesquieu,
Rousseau, Locke, Stuart Mill, Jefferson, Madison
as well as the democratic ideologies of the
American and French republic.
- The Filipinos after reading such things began to
wonder at the deplorable political conditions in
their country.
- They started to discuss politics and reforms,
liberty and justice.
- The Fall of Queen Isabella II and the rise of
liberalism in Spain brought a new Spanish
Governor General to Manila.
- General Carlos Maria de la Torre 1869-1871, an
able soldier and a true democrat.
- Governor de la Torre, as was expected, proved
to be a true liberal. He lived simply.
- He went out of the city stress in civilian clothes,
unescorted by guards. The fraternized
(socialized) with the Filipinos as with the
Spaniards and Mestizos.
- Throughout his two year term, Governor de la
Torre had made some notable achievements. He
eliminated censorship of the press and fostered
free discussion of political problems, which right
was guaranteed by the Spanish constitution.
- On July 7, 1869, de la Torre suppressed the
flogging (beating a ship in the back) as a form of
punishment for desertion by Filipino soldiers.
He substituted one month’s imprisonment for it.
- His greatest achievement was the peaceful
settlement of the agrarian reform trouble in
Cavite.
- Agrarian trouble flared up, led by Eduardo
Camerino. De la Torre, to prevent bloodshed,
went to imus Cavite and talked to them. He
pardoned Camirino and his followers. To give
them a decent livelihood, he appointed a
member of a new police force called Guias de la
torre (aids of la torre), with Camerino as
Captain.
- At sunrise of february 17, 1872, Father Burgos,
Gomez, and Zamora together with their
co-accused Zaldua, were escorted under heavy
guard from fort santiago to the Luneta.
- Zaldua executed first.
- Of the Priest Martyrs, Father Gomez, 73 years
old, was the first to Garroted.
- Let us go where the leaves never move without
the will of God. His last words.
- Followed by father Zamora, aged 37, who died
unaware of his fate, for he had lost his mind.
- The last to be executed was Father Burgos, age
33, the youngest and most brilliant of the
martyred.
- The execution of GOMBURZA was a colossal
blunder on the part of the Spanish officials in
the Philippines.
- The Filipino people were stunned by the
execution of the three priests. They knew they
were innocent and died for a noble cause thus
they regarded them as actual martyrs of their
fatherland.
 - The Execution of GOMBURZA hastened the
growth of Philippine nationalism, which
ultimately brought about Spain’s downfall.
- The greatest tribute ever paid to them was
written by Dr. Jose Rizal who dedicated to them
his immortal novel El Filibusterismo.
Rizal’s Life: Family, Childhood and Early Education
Prepared by: Mr. Alvin S. Lopez Jr. LPT
I. Birth of the First Filipino
- It was just an ordinary midnight of June 19,
1861, until an infant’s first cry echoed in a house
owned by a well to do family known by a
surname of Mercado. The infant’s mother could
have died during her delivery.
- The newborn was given the full name Jose
Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda.
- Guerrero (2003) argued that Rizal was the first
III. The Illustrado Family
among the Indios to refer to himself as
“Filipino” as found in his works and writings.
- History has it that the people referred to as
Filipinos at the time were , in fact, the insulares
or those Spanirad who were born in the
Philippines.
- Three days later, Jose was christened in the
town’s church by Father Rufino Collantes.
- Her mother Doña Teodora Alonso y Realonda a
frim catholic. Chose Jose since she was a
devotee of San Jose.
- HIs Father Don Francisco Mercado y Alejandro
or Mang kikoy, gave the second name “Protasio”
as near to protesto.
II. Noble of Ancestry
- The family name “Mercado '' had been given to
Jose’s great-grandfather by their Chinese
great-great-grandfather Domingo Lam-co in
1731, who migrated to the Philippines from
Amoy, China.
- In 1850 the Spanish Governor General Narciso
Claveria had decreed that “Mercado” should be
the family name.
- The Royal Decree of 1849, a vast number of
families all over the Spanish -occupied areas
through the release of Catalogo Alfabetico de
Apellidosor (Catalog of Alphabetical Surnames).
- Jose’s father was a man of independent
thought. To be called “Mecado”, which means
market , crossed his mind to be unsuitable for
an Inquilino or tenant farmer. Don Francisco was
responsible for clearing, weeding, preparing the
fields, planting, seedling, raising them until
maturity, harvesting and preparing crops for
sale.
- He decided to modify his family’s surname and
adopted the word “Ricial”, which means “Green
Field” and changed the spelling to Rizal and
gave his children that name, just for the sake of
his independent soul and his sense of fitness.
- If Jose Rizal inherited his free soul from his
father, he inherited his genius mainly from his
mother.
- Both Jose’s parents were educated in well-
established schools at the time. Don Francisco
studied at the Colegio de San Jose in Manila
while Doña Teodora completed her education at
Colegio de Santa Rosa, a prestigious college for
girls in Manila.
- Jose described Mang Kikoy as a great model
attributed to his honesty, frugality,
productiveness, composure and profound
dignity.
- Jose described Aling Lolay as a woman of
discipline, culture, literature, and religion. She
was a good wife and a mother of warm
affection.
- -Both of his parents were his source of virtues
of patience and self sacrifice.
- The Mercados and the Alonso belonged to the
Principalia, that is to say, they had enough land
and money to raise a living m stine houses
which were among the first of its kind in the
town of Calamba, sari-sari store of no
competitors, horses that only affluent families
could own, preferences in civic and in religious
processions.
 - They are illustrados, that is to say, they could
read, write and figure, and owned the most
extensive built in library in Calamba.
- Jose Rizal came from a 13-member family
consisting of his parents, Francisco Mercado II
and Teodora Alonso Realonda, and nine sisters
and one brother
- FRANCISCO MERCADO (1818-1898)- father
- TEODORA ALONSO (1827-1913) - mother
- SATURNINA RIZAL (1850-1913)- Eldest child of
the Rizal-Alonzo marriage
- PACIANO RIZAL (1851-1930)- Only brother of
Jose Rizal and the second child. Studied at San
Jose College in Manila; became a farmer and
later a general of the Philippine Revolution.
- NARCISA RIZAL (1852-1939)- The third child.
married Antonio Lopez at Morong, Rizal; a
teacher and musician.
- OLYMPIA RIZAL (1855-1887)- The fourth child.
Married Silvestre Ubaldo; died in 1887 from
childbirth.
- LUCIA RIZAL (1857-1919)-The fifth child.
Married Matriano Herbosa.
- MARIA RIZAL (1859-1945)-The sixth child.
Married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna.
- JOSE RIZAL (1861-1896) -The second son and
the seventh child. He was executed by the
Spaniards on December 30,1896.
- CONCEPCION RIZAL (1862-1865) -The eight
children. Died at the age of three.
- JOSEFA RIZAL (1865-1945) - The ninth child. An
epileptic, died a spinster. (unmarried)
- TRINIDAD RIZAL (1868-1951) - The tenth child.
Died a spinster and the last of the family to die.
- SOLEDAD RIZAL (1870-1929) -The youngest child
married Pantaleon Quintero.
- His parents and siblings fondly called Jose as Ute
- Among his friends and acquaintances, especially
during his Ateneo days, Jose was known by the
nickname Pepe.
IV. Memories and Stories like no other
- The favorite dish of the Jose was carne asada or
beef steak
- Among the stories he heard of, it was his
mother’s fable about the moth that appeared to
leave him an everlasting fascination.
- Doña Teodora was teaching him to read in
Spanish, a proof that she was the hero’s first
teacher.
- So the fable of the moth was related by Doñ
Teodora. The story was that a young moth that
was mesmerized by the beautiful flame, flew
closer to it despite its mother’s warning not to
do so, soon dazzled until it got consumed by the
flame and perished in it.
- Doña Teodora warned Jose that if he would not
adhere to the advice of his parents, he would
likely suffer the same thing as that of the young
moth. On this note, the fable could fit the
allegory of a young insurgent charmed by the
light of reason who died in it as well, very much
like the fate of Jose rizal.
- Jose was also presented by his father with a
donkey named “Alipato” and a dog named
“Usman”.
V. Many Splendid Talents
- When Jose was nine years old, he was sent to a
school for boys in the town of Biñan, where his
uncle José Alberto was residing. His teacher was
Señor Justiniano Aquino Cruz. He was a strict
practitioner with an ancient method of
pounding knowledge not only into the eye and
ear but also into the palm. He used an especially
tight switch for this purpose.
- Had it not been tough it would soon have worn
out. José's childhood story preserves his
memories of the just teacher where he
recounted.
- Then, a few months later, Jsé was instructed to
go home because he had learned all there was
to be taught at Biñan.
- When his father found out, José was scolded
and hurried back to the school. Señor Justiniano
told Don Francisco that the boy's statement was
true. So in 1871, José left Biñan for the
Christmas vacation (Craig, 1992).
- The Mercado family, or might as well now called
Rizal, as it will appear in the following chapters,
 was determined that José should continue his
education in Manila. He was making
preparations to depart when injustice occurred
which threw the first shadow across his happy
- young life. His mother was thrown into prison,
accused of a crime of which she was so wholly
incapable of being that everybody knew it was a
pure fabrication. The charge against her was
that she had conspired with her brother,
Alberto, to kill his wife, who had separated from
him.
- The real reason for the arrest, as everybody in
the town well knew, was that honest,
independent Don Francisco had been too frank
in dealing with two Spanish officials and in
denying them of their requests, a feed for their
horses, and that these men now sought to
wreak vengeance on the father of José by
arresting his mother. The poor Doña Teodora
was forced to walk from Calamba to Santa Cruz,
a distance of 50 kilometers, and upon reaching
there, she was imprisoned at the provincial jail
for two years (Zaide & Zaide, 2008).
VI. Rizal's Early Informal Education
- Rizal's first teacher was his mother, who was a
remarkable woman of good character and
fascinating culture. At the very young age of
three, he learned the alphabet and the prayers.
"My mother, " wrote Rizal in his student
memoirs, "taught me how to read and to say
haltingly the humble prayers which I raised
fervently to God.
- Doña Teodora was understanding, patient, and
a conscientious tutor of pepe, It was she who
first discovered that her son had a talent for
poetry, Accordingly, she encouraged him to
write poems. To lighten the monotony of
memorizing the alphabets and to stimulate her
son's imagination, she related many stories.
- As Jose grew older, his parents employed
private tutors to give him lessons at home.
- The first was Maestro Celestino and the second
was Maestro Lucas Padua. Later, an old man
named Leon Monroy, a former classmate of
Rizal's father, became the boy's tutor. This old
teacher lived at the Rizal home and instructed
Jose in Spanish and Latin. Unfortunately He did
not live long. He died five months later.
- After Monroy's death, Rizal's parents decided to
send their gifted Son to a private school in
Biñan.
- The Mercado family enjoyed relative affluence
as landowners who leased the land of their
hacienda to the Dominican friars in Laguna.
Hence, education was the prime concern for the
Mercado family, and young Jose
- Protacio was sent to learn from Justiniano
Aquino Cruz, a tutor from adjacent Binan,
Laguna.
- However, the capability of a small town and a
tutor did not fairly quench the young man's
thirst for education, and soon, the family
decided to prepare for his new endeavor, his
admission to the Ateneo Municipal de Manila,
in the capital of the Philippines.
- The school administered by the Jesuit Order,
was one of the most distinguished academic
institutions in the country which catered to the
rich, the powerful and most intelligent students
the country had, indeed a place for a young
man like Jose Protacio Mercado.
VII. First Day in Biñan (1869-1871)
- The next morning (Monday) Paciano brought his
dear brother to Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz.
The school was within the vicinity of teachers
ancestral home, which was a small nipa hut
about 30 meters from the home of Jose's aunt.
Paciano knew the teacher was competent
because he had been a pupil under him before.
He introduced Jose to the Teacher, after which
he left to return to Calamba.
- According to Jose Rizal his teacher in Biñan was
tall, thin, long-necked, with a sharp nose and
body slightly bent forward, and he used to wear
a sinamay shirt, woven by the skilled hands of
the women of Batangas.
 - He Knew by heart grammar by Nebrija and
Gainza.
VIII. First School Brawl
- In the afternoon of his day in school when the
teacher was having his siesta, Jose met the
bully, Pedro. He was annoyed at this intimidator
for making fun of him during his discussion with
the teacher this morning.
- Jose challenged Pedro to a fight. The latter
quickly agrees, thinking that he could easily
beat the Calamba boy who was smaller and
younger. The boys grapple furiously in the
classroom, much to the elation of their
classmates.
-
- Jose, having learned the art of fighting from his
athletic Tio Manuel, defeated the bigger boy.
For this feat, he became well-liked among his
classmates. In the afternoon after school, a
classmate named
- Andes Saladanan challenged him to an
arm-wrestling match. They went to the sidewalk
of a house and wrestled with their arms. Jose,
having the weedy arm, lost and nearly cracked
his head on the sidewalk. In succeeding days, he
had other fights with boys of Biñan. He was
quarrelsome by nature, but he never ran away
from the fight.
IX. Painting Lesson in Biñan
- Near the school was the house of an old painter,
called Juancho, who was the father-in-law of the
school teacher. Jose, because of his love for
painting, spent many leisure hours at the
painter's studio. Old Juancho freely gave him
lessons in drawing and painting. He was excited
by the artistic talent of the Calamba young mar
X. Best Student in School
- In academic studies, Jose beat all Biñan boys. He
transcends them all in Spanish, Latin, and other
subjects.
XI. End of Schooling in Biñan
- In 1870 before the Christmas season, Jose
received a letter from his sister Saturnina,
informing him of the arrival of the streamer
which would take him from Biñan to Calamba.
After reading the letter, he had an intuition that
he would not return to Binan so that one
beamed sad. He prayed in the town church,
collected pebbles in the river for souvenirs, and
regretfully bade farewell to his teacher and
classmates.
- He left Binan on Saturday afternoon, December
17, 1870, after one year and a half of schooling
in that town. He was thrilled to take passage on
the streamer Talim, for it was the first time he
ever rode a streamer. On board was a
Frenchman named Arturo Camps, a friend of his
father who took care of him.
XII. Life and Studies at Ateneo (1872-1877)
- On June 10, 1872, Jose accompanied by
Paciano, went to Manila. He took the
examinations on Christian doctrine, reading,
and arithmetic at the college of San Juan de
Letran, and passed them. He returned to
Calamba to stay a few days with his family and
to attend the town hesta.
- His father who first wished him to study at
Letran changed his mind and
- decided to send him to Ateneo instead.
- Upon his return to Maníla, Jose, again
accompanied by Paciano, enrolled at the Ateneo
Municipal. At first, Father Magin Ferrando, who
was college registrar, refused to admit him for
two reasons
1. He was late for registrar, and
2. He was sickly and undersized for his age. Rizal
was then eleven years old.
- However, upon the intercessions of Manueleres
Burgos, nephew of Father Burgos, he was
reluctantly admitted at the Ateneo. Jose Rizal
was the first of his family to embrace the
surname "Rizal" He registered under this name
at the Ateneo because their family name
 "Mercado" as his surname at the College of San
Jose and he was known to the authorities as
Father Burgos' favorite student and confidant.
- The Ateneo, during the college days of Jose, was
located in Intramuros, within the walls of
manila, Rizal first lodge in a house outside
Intramuros, on Caraballo Street, 25 minutes'
walk from the college. The lodging house was
owned by a spinster named Titay who owed the
Rizal family the amount of P300. Jose boarded
at Titay's place in order to collect part of the
debt.
XIII. Jesuits System of Education
- The system of education given by the Jesuits in
Ateneo was more advanced than that of other
colleges at that period. It trained the students
to have good character through rigid discipline
and religious instruction.
- It promoted material culture, humanities, and
scientific studies. Aside from academic courses
leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts, it
offered vocational courses in agriculture,
commerce, mechanics, and surveying.
First Year in Ateneo (1872-1873)
- On his first day of class in the Ateneo, June
1872, Rizal first heard Mass at the college
chapel and prayed fervently to God for guidance
and success.
- When the mass finished, he went to his class,
where he saw a significant number of boys,
Spaniards, mestizos and Filipinos.
- Rizal's first professor in Ateneo was Fr. Jose
Bech, whom he described as a "tall, thin and
with a body slightly bent forward, a harried
walk, an ascetic face, severe and inspired, small
deep-sunken eyes, a sharp nose that was almost
Greek and thin lips forming an arc whose ends
fell toward the chin.
- As a newcomer who knew little Spanish, Rizal
was placed at the back of the class. He was
externo; hence he was assigned to the
Carthaginians, occupying the end of the line.
- After the first week, the infirm Calamba boy
advance swiftly. At the end of the month, he
became "emperor. He was the dazzling pupil in
the whole class, and he was awarded a prize.
"How pleased I was, " he said, "when I won my
first prize, a religious picture!" He was proud of
it because it was the prize he ever won at the
Ateneo.
- To boost his Spanish, Rizal took private lessons
in Santa Isabel College during the noon
recesses, when other Ateneo students were
playing or chatting. He paid three pesos for
those auxiliary Spanish lessons, but it was
money well spent.
Second Year in Ateneo (1873-1874)
- Nothing unusual happened during Rizaľs second
term in the Ateneo, except that he got remorse
full having failed to look after his studies the
past year simply because he was upset by the
teachers remarks. So, to get back his lost class
leadership, he studied harder, once more he
became emperor
- Some of his classmates were new. Among them
were three boys from Binan, who had been his
classmates in the school of Maestro Justiniano.
- Jose Rizal conferred excellent grades in all
subjects and a gold medal during the end of the
school year. With such scholastic honors, he
jubilantly returned to Calamba in March 1874
for the summer vacation.
Third Year in Ateneo ( 1875-1875)
- In June 1874, Rizal returned to Ateneo for his
junior year. Shortly after the opening of classes,
his mother arrived and joyously told him that
she was released from prison, just as he had
predicted during his last visit to her prison cell
in Santa Cruz, Laguna. He was happy, of course,
to see his mother once more as a free woman.
- However, despite the family happiness, Rizal did
not make an excellent showing in his studies as
in the previous year. His grades remained
excellent in all subjects, but he won only one
medal in Latin.
 - He failed to win the medal in Spanish because
his spoken Spanish was not fluently sonorous.
He was beaten by a Spaniard who, naturally,
could speak Spanish with fluency and with right
accentuation.
- In March 1875 at the end of the 1875 school
year, Rizal went home to Calamba for the
summer vacation. He was not impressed by his
academic work.
Fourth Year in Ateneo (1875-1876)
- After a refreshing and happy summer vacation,
Rizal went back to Manila for his fourth-year
course. On June 16, 1875, he became an Interno
in Ateneo. One of his professors this time was
Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, a great educator
and scholar. He became an admirer and friend
of the slender Calambala, whose God-given
genius he saw and recognised. On his part, Rizal
had the highest affection and respect for Fr.
Sanchez, whom he considered his best
professor in Ateneo.
- In his student memoirs, Rizal wrote of Father
Sanchez in glowing terms, showing his affection
and gratitude. He described this Jesuit professor
as "model of uprightness, earnestness, and love
for his pupils
Last Year in Ateneo (1876-1877)
- After the summer vacation, Rizal returned to
Manila in June 1876 for his last year in the
Ateneo. His studies continued to fare well. As
matter-of-fact, he excelled in all subjects. The
most brilliant Atenean of his time, he was
indeed the pride of the Jesuits.
- Rizal finished his last year at the Ateneo in a
blaze of glory. He gained Rizal the highest
grades in all subjects-philosophy, physics,
biology, chemistry, language, mineralogy, etc.
- Rizal decided to enroll in medicine because It
was the course recommended by Fr. Sanchez,
his best professor at the Ateneo.
Graduated with Highest Honors.
- Rizal graduated head of his class. His scholastic
record received a top mark in all subjects at the
Ateneo from 1872 to be as follows.
- Before his admission in this prominent learning
institution, his older brother Paciano Rizal
Mercado made a stand that Jose drop the
surname "Mercado, to ensure that the younger
Mercado would break away from the agitational
reputation of his older brother. Thus, the young
man known as Jose Protacio Rizal enrolled at
the Ateneo Municipal de Manila.
- Being the child of a family of wealthy
landowners, Jose Rizal decided to study for a
degree in Land Surveying and Assessment at the
Ateneo de Municipal de Manila where he
graduated on March 14, 1877, with honors or
sobresaliente. He took and passed the licensure
exam for land surveying and assessment in 1878
but was not given a license until 1881 when he
turned 21.
- In 1878, after the completion of his degree from
Ateneo Municipal de Manila, he pursued his
passion for the arts as he enrolled at the Faculty
of Arts and Letters for a degree in Philosophy at
the University of Santo Tomas. Although he
excelled at philosophy, the news of his mother's
impending blindness convinced him to take up
Medicine, and in 1878 he enrolled in the Faculty
of Medical Sciences at University of Santo
Tomas to specialize in ophthalmology.
Rizal’s Life: Higher Education and Life Abroad
Prepared by: Mr. Alvin S. Lopez Jr. LPT
- Rizal decided to complete his studies in Spain
after he completed a four-year medical course
at the University of Sto Tomas.
- He decided to study in Spain because he was
disgusted with the method of instruction of the
Dominican-owned University and to escape the
racial prejudice of the Dominican professor
against Filipino students.
 - Rizal had a secret mission, that is to observe the
life and culture, languages, customs, industries
and commerce and governments and laws of
the European nations, keenly, in order to
prepare himself in the mighty task of liberating
his oppressed people from Spanish tyranny.
- His departure was kept secret to avoid detection
by the Spanish authorities and the friars. He
used the name Jose Mercado, who was a cousin
from Binan.
Rizal’s First Trip to Abroad
- On May 3, 1882, Rizal left in the Philippines for
the first time to go to Spain. He boarded the
Salvadora.
Singapore
- On May 9, 1882 Salvadora docked at Singapore.
He transferred to another ship called Djemnah
- May 17, 1882 Dyemnah reached Point Galle, a
lonely and quiet place according to Rizal.
- The day after, Djemnah reached Colombo,
which he described to be “Beautiful, smart, and
elegant.
- The voyage continued until he crossed the
Indian Ocean to the cape of Guardafui, Africa.
He sighted the barren coast of Africa and called
it “inhospitable land but famous.
Naples and Marseilles
- Rizal reached Naples which pleased him
because of its business activity, its lively people
and its scenic beauty.
- On June 12,1882 the steamer docked at the
French Harbor of Marseille.
- June 15, 1882, Rizal left Marseilles for Barcelona
boarding an express train.
Spain
- Dr. Jose Rizal reached Barcelona on June 16,
1882. He thought of the city as ugly, with dirty
little inns and inhospitable residents because he
happened to stay , upon his arrival at the town's
most ugly side.
- Later on he changed his bad impression and
found the city a great city with an atmosphere
of freedom and liberalism.
- People are open-hearted, hospitable and
courageous.
- August 20, 1882, his article Amor Partio was
published in the Diarong Tagalog, a Manina
newspaper edited by Basilio Teodoro.
- It was his first article he wrote abroad.
- Rizal enrolled at Universidad Central de Madrid.
- He took the following subjects: Medical Clinic,
surgical clinic, legal medicine, and obstetrical
clinic.
- In November 1882 he wrote an article entitled
Las Dudas was sign by Laong Laan (Rizal pen
name).
- He received a piece of sad news about cholera
that was ravaging Manila and the provinces
which caused a lot of people’s death.
- Paciano advised Rizal to finish his medical
course in Madrid in two courses of Philosophy
and Letters and Medicine.
- Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino and
wrote a poem entitled Me Piden Versos (They as
me for verses)
- In Spain, Jose came in close contact with
Spanish liberal and republican Spaniards who
were mostly masons.
- In March 1883, Rizal joined the Masonic lodge
called Acacia in Madrid.
- So that he could secure Freemasonry's aid in his
aim to fight against the friars in the Philippines.
Rizal in Madrid
- On September 28, 1883, Rizal enrolled at the
Central Universidad de Madrid for the second
course in medicine.
- In October 1883 he came to know of the
imprisonment of the 14 wealthy innocent
persons in Manila. They knew nothing about
their detention.
- Rizal was indignant of this inhuman act.
- January 2, 1884 Rizal proposed to the members
of Circulo to assemble in the house of Pasteros,
the publication of a book by association.
 - This idea became the embryo of his first novel
Noli me Tangere.
- June 2, 1884 he finished the degree of
Licentiate in Medicine with the grade Aprobado
by the Central Universidad de Madrid.
- July 1,1884 Rizal explained the term
“Filibusterismo” in the newspaper of Madrid Ed
Progreso, calling the attention of the Spanish
authorities over the case of the future of the
Filipino.
- He asked for freedom of the press and the right
of representation at the Spanish Cortes.
Rizal in Berlin, Germany
- March 21, 1887 copies of his novel came off the
press. He sent one copy to Professor
Blumentritt.
- In a letter of his Austrian friend, he says it was
the first impartial and daring book to be written
on the life of the Tagalogs.
- He opined that the Spanish authorities and
friars would attack the book.
Important Things to Remember in Europe
- Potsdam (Germany)
- Companion: Dr. Maximo Viola
- Rizal’s luggage include letters from his
family and friends.
- Dresden(Germany)
- Regional Floral Exposition
- Visited Dr. Adolph B Meyer (Museum of
Art)
- Met Dr. Jagor who advised them to wire
Blumentritt.
- Leitmeritz, Bohemia (Czech Republic)
- Meeting with Blumentritt, a kind
hearted old Austrian professor who
helped Rizal And Viola during their stay
in Leitmeritz, greeted each other in
fluent German.
- He painted a portrait of Blumentritt and
gave it to him.
- Geneva (Switzerland)
- June 23, Viola and Rizal parted ways.
First Homecoming
- Rizal arrived in Manila on August 5, 1887 at 9pm
after five years of study in Europe.
- On August 18, 1887 in a letter, Archbishop P.
Payo advised Fr. Gregorio, a member of the
clergy, said that a piece of information about
the novel Noli me Tnagere was issued by a
commission.
- August 30, 1887, Jose Rizal left Calamba for
Manila to see Governor General Terre on the
issue of the Noli me tangere which caused
torment among the friars in the Philippines.
- Governor Terrero asked for a copy and Rizal
handed him a worn out one.
- The Archbishop of Manila issued an order
prohibiting the possession and reading of the
Noli me Tangere.
- Governor Terrero assigned a civil guard to
protect Rizal. Named Jose Taviel de Andrade.
- The permanent Board of Censure headed by. Fr.
Salvador Font issued a judgment prohibiting the
circulation of the Noli Me Tangere in the
Philippines.
Rizal’s Second Trip Abroad
- Rizal left Manila for Hong Kong on February 3,
1888.
- He arrived at Amony, the dirty city according to
some travelers.
- On 8, 1888, he arrived in Hong Kong. He was
welcomed by Filipino residents (mostly exiled
Filipinos).
- Rizal left Hong Kong for Macau. They lived in the
house of Juan Lecaroz.
- Some works of Rizal were translated by Antonio
de Morga, Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (Events
in the Philippine Islands) which were written in
1890.
Yokohama, Japan
- Rizal arrived in Japan. He was visited by Juan
Perez Caballero who invited Rizal to live at the
Spanish Legation.
 - Rizal was fascinated by the beauty of the - Rizal received news from Juan Luna and Valentin
country’s flowers, mountains, and scenic Ventura that the Filipinos in Spain were
panoramas. He also noticed the cleanliness, destroying the right name of their nation by
politeness, and industry of the Japanese people. gambling too much.
- Rizal received news from Juan Luna and Valentin
London, England Ventura that the Filipinos in Spain were
destroying the right name of their nation by
- Rizal chose London to improve on his English.
gambling too much. Rizal urged to do something
- Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas was only
about it.
available at the British Museum.
- Rizal wrote to M.H. Del Pilar on May 28, 1890,
- One good news was the defense for the Noli by
to remind the Filipinos in Madrid that they did
Rev. Vicente against the friars annotating
not come to Europe to gamble, but to work for
Morga’s book which Rizal considered to be his
their Fatherland's freedom. However, he had
most significant achievement during his stay in
received a piece of bad news, letters from home
London.
which Rizal received in Brussels worried him.
- One good news was the defense for the Noli by
- The Calamba agrarian trouble was getting
Rev. Vicente Garcia against the friars annotating
worse. The management of Dominican hacienda
Morga's book which Rizal considered to be his
continually raised the land rents until such time
most significant achievement during his stay in
that Rizal's father refused to pay his rent. The
London. Juan Luna and his wife entertained
Dominican Order filed Suit in court to
Rizal while in London.
dispossess the Rizal family of their lands in
- In December 1888, Rizal visited Barcelona and
Calamba the face of sufferings which afflicted
Madrid where he first met Marcelo H. Del Pilar
his family, Rizal planned to go home.
and Mariano Ponce, the leaders of the
- He could not stay in Brussels writing a book
propaganda movement. On December 31, 1888,
while his parents, relatives, and friends in the
the Asociacion La Solidaridad was inaugurated,
Philippines were being persecuted. July
Rizal chose the honorary president. On February
18,1890, he wrote a letter to Ponce where he
15, 1889: Graciano Lopez Jaena founded La
expressed his determination to go home.
Solidaridad in
- All his friends were horrified by Rizal's plan to
- Barcelona. March 25, 1889: Rizal's first article in
return to philippines. They warned him of the
La Solidaridad entitled Los Agricultores Filipinos
danger that awaited him at home. However,
was published. Jose wrote the Tagalog version
Rizal ignored the dire warning to his friends.
of The Women of Malolos on February 22, 1889.
Something, however, happened that suddenly
This letter was about a Filipino woman and her
made him change his mind. It was a letter from
rights. Rizal finished four sculptural works:
Paciano which related that they 1ost the case
- Annotated edition of Morga’s Sucesos was
against the Dominicans in Manila, but they
published . Rizal wrote the “Philippines within a
appealed it to the Supreme Court in Spain.
colony” and the essay "Indolence of the
Hence a lawyer was needed to handle it in
Filipinos.
Madrid.
Brussels, Belgium - Rizal wrote to M.H. del Pilar on June 20, 1890,
retaining the latters services as a law
- Rizal was busy writing his second novel, El - He further informed M.H. del Pilar that he was
Filibusterismo which is a continuation of the going to Madrid, in order to supervise the
Noli. handling of the case. In another letter to Ponce,
- Aside from writing its chapters, he wrote written in Brussels, July 29, 1890, Rizal
articles of La Solidaridad. announced that he was leaving Brussels at the
 beginning of the following month and would
arrive in Madrid about the 3rd or 4th of August.
Rizal Arrived in Madrid
- In August 1890, Rizal arrived in Madrid, Spain.
Rizal failed to seek justice for his family and the
Calamba tenants. August 1890, Rizal attended a
social reunion of the Filipinos in Madrid and had
a fight with Antonio Luna and also challenged
Retana, a talented Spanish scholar and Rizal's
bitter enemy of the pen, to a duel. August 23,
1890, He reported to Juan Luna what transpired
between him and Antonio Luna.
Disappointment piled on Rizal from the two
fought duels with Antonio Luna and Wencenslao
Retana. Asociacion Hispano-Filipina and the
liberal Spanish newspapers help fight securing
justice for the Calamba tenants and Rizaľ's
family. Shocking news reached Rizal in Madrid
as he was fighting for justice. Rizaľ's brother in
law, Silvestre Ubaldo received a copy of
ejectment order by the Dominicans against
Francisco Rizal and other Calamba tenants. In
desperation, Rizal sought the aid of the liberal
Spanish statesmen, who were former members
of the ministry.
- Unfortunately, they just gave honeyed words of
sympathy and nothing else.
- August 19, 1890: death of Jose Ma. Panganiban
a friend of Rizal who died because of a lingering
illness. After the death of Jose Ma. Panganiban,
Rizal wrote a great Eulogy to Panganiban. Late
l890 there arose an unfortunate rivalry between
Rizal and M.H. del Pla for supremacy. An
election took place and Rizal won but declined
the coveted position and left Madrid.
- With the Bousted in Biarritz, France
With the Bousted in Biarritz, France
- Rizal arrived in Biarritz at the beginning of
February 1891 and was welcomed by the
Bousteads family. The one month vacation
made Rizal forget the bitter memories in Madrid
and had an affection for Nelly Boustead. On
March 29, 1891, he finished writing his book El
Filibusterismo.
- He planned, however, to revise some chapters,
May 30. In 1891, the revision of the El Fili was
completed and was ready to be Published. Rizal
set 20 chapters ready for the printing of the
manuscript of the El Filibusterismo. He was
waiting for an amount to defray the publication
expense.
To Paris and Back to Brussels
- On the same day of March 30, 1891, Rizal went
back to Paris and stayed at the home of his
friend, Valentin Ventura. By mid of April 1891,
Rizal went back to Brussels and was welcomed
by the Jacoby sisters. From Brussels on May 1,
1891, he notified the Propaganda authorities of
his retirement. Rizal also immediately stopped
writing for La Solidaridad after his retirement. In
a letter sent to Basa, Rizal reiterated his desire
to be in Hong Kong, reminding the former of the
amount he was borrowing for his fare.
- Rizal also informed Deodato Arellano of his plan
to move from Europe to either Hong Kong,
Philippines or Japan, and to renounce receiving
the pension from Propaganda.
- July 9, 1891, he was financially hard up. Jose did
not receive for three months up to this date any
pension from home. He was living in the most
challenging situation, renting a small room and
eating modest food in order to economize and
be able to publish the El Filibusterismo.
- He has already pawned all his jewels.
Salient Point to Ponder before El Filibusterismo was
Published in Ghent
- 1. October 1887 Jose Rizal started writing El
Filibusterismo
- 2. In 1888 in London he made changes in the
plot and added more characters in Paris and
Madrid.
- 3. March 19, 1891, he finished his manuscript in
Biarritz
- 4. July 5, 1891, Rizal left Brussels for Ghent
 - 5. On August 6, 1891, he suspended the
publishing of the novel because of lack of funds.
- 6. Valentin Ventura in Paris gave Rizal funds to
resume the novel.
- 7. Sept. 8, 189, El Fili came off the press.
Ophthalmic Surgeon in Hong Kong
- Rizal went to Hong Kong after the novel got
published in Europe.
- He left Europe because life there was
unbearable because of his political differences
with Marcelo H. del Pilar and another Filipino in
Spain.
- On November 20, 1891, he arrived in Hong Kong
and was welcomed by Filipino relatives.
December 1, 1891, Rizal asked permission to go
back to the Philippines.
- In Calamba, there were 25 persons caught by
the Spaniards including Neneng, Sisa, Lucia,
Paciano, and his father, while he was planning
to go back home.
- Ophthalmic Surgeon, Rizal studied in Hong Kong
and had a friend named Dr. Lorenzo P. Marques
who helped him build a vast clientele. This
doctor always turned over to Rizal his eve cases.
Rizal treated the eyes of his mother and finally
she was able to see.
Second Homecoming and the Liga Filipina
- June 26, 1892, Rizal arrived in the Philippines
from Hong Kong on board the boat Don Juan.
After having been inspected by the customs
men, he boarded in the Oriente Hotel where he
occupied room No. 22, facing the Binondo
church. His sister, Lucia, accompanied him on
his return to the Philippines. In the evening, he
attended the reunion held in the house of Don
Ong-junco, a Chinese mestizo, who was living in
the district of Tondo. There he met many
Filipinos who were later arrested and executed
as a consequence of the discovery of the
Katipunan.
- Rizal had an interview with Governor General
Despujol again.
- In July 1892 he thanked Governor-General
Despujol for lifting the order of exile for his
sisters. The Governor told him to come back the
following Wednesday. In the evening, he
attended a meeting at a house on au Ylaya to
discuss the proposed Liga Filipina.
- The founding of the Liga Filipina, a civic league
of Filipinos, which he desired to establish a role
in the socio-economic life of the people. Liga
Filipina on Officers were
- 1. Ambrosio Salvador (President)
- 2. Deodato Arellano (Secretary);
- 3. Bonifacio Arevola Agustin de la Rosa
(Treasurer)
Fiscal Conditions of Liga Filipina
1. To unite the archipelago into one compact and
homogeneous body,
2 Mutual Protection in every want and necessity.
3. Defense against all violence and injustice
4. Encourage education, agriculture and commerce.
5. Study of application and reforms.
The Motto of Liga Filipina: One Like Them (unus instar
omnium)
- Rizal was arrested and jailed in Fort Santiago
July 6, 1896 he resumed his interview with the
governor general Despujol but suddenly showed
Rizal printed leaflets entitled Pobres Frailes
(Poor Friars) under the authorship of Fr. Jacinto
from Paris
Last Trip Abroad
- Rizal traveled from Dapitan to Manila-He missed
the regular steamer to Spain "Isla de Luzon. He
stayed on b0ard Spanish cruiser Castilla" on
August 26, 1896. Andres Bonifacio and
Katipunan start a revolution in Balintawak. Rizal
leaves for Spain aboard "Isla de Panay, upon
leaving for Spain, He receives two letters of
introduction for the Minister of War and the
 Minister of Colonies. Upon arriving in Singapore,
Rizal was urged by fellow Filipinos to stay. He
refused as he had given his word to Gov. Gen.
Blanco. Upon arriving in Barcelona, Rizal was
arrested and taken to the fortress Monjuich.
General Despujol Sends Rizal back to Manila to
be tried by the court.
Last Homecoming and Trial
- Rizal is kept under heavy guard while in transit
from Barcelona To manila. October 8: a friendly
soldier tells Rizal that newspapers have stories
about him and being blamed for the revolution.
- In Singapore friends attempt to rescue Rizal
through inciting Habeas Corpuz Unfortunately
the request was denied as the ship Rizal
boarded to Manila was classified as a warship
and as such is out of Singaporean jurisdiction.
- November 3: the "Colon arrived in Manila. Rizal
was transferred to fort santiago. Rizal was
subjected to a 5 day investigation by Judge the
Advocate Colonel Francisco Olive. Rizal chose
Don Luis Taviel to defend him in court.
- Rizal pleads not guilty to inciting rebellion.
- Dec 28, 1896 Governor General Polavieja
approves Rizal’s execution by firing squad.
Rizal’s Life: Exile, Trial and Death
Prepared by: Mr. Alvin S. Lopez Jr. LPT
An Exile in Dapitan
- On board the steamer Cebu, Rizal left Manila,
sailing through the islands of Mindoro and
Panay, until seven o'clock in the evening of July
17, 1892, he reached Dapitan, a remote town in
Mindanao which was under the missionary
jurisdiction of the Jesuits.
- Dapitan became the solitary witness on July 31,
1896.
- One of the most fruitful periods with varied
achievements in Rizal's life. His stay in the town
was more than a life in exile-it was the period.
- Rizal had focused more on serving the people
and the society through his civic works, medical
practices, land development, and promotion of
education; it was the period when Rizal found,
somehow, his brief interlude of peace and
freedom.
- During the early part of his exile in the town,
Rizal lived at the residence of Captain
Carnicero-politico-military governor of the
district-because he did not agree with the
conditions laid to him by Fr. Pablo Pastells,
superior to the Jesuit parish priests of Dapitan.
The conditions were the following:
1. that Rizal must publicly retract his errors concerning
religion, and make statements that were clearly
pro-Spanish and against revolution;
2. that he must perform the church rites and make a
general confession of his past life; and
3. that henceforth, Rizal must present himself in an
exemplar manner as a Spanish subject and a man of
religion.
- Nevertheless, it is interesting to note the
relations between the warden Captain. Carnicero
and the prisoner Rizal were warm and friend
- The commandant came to realize that Rizal was
not like any other culprit.
- The former gave useful reports on his prisoner to
Governor- General Despujol in Manila.
- He gave Rizal complete freedom to roam
anywhere in Dapitan and permission to ride on
his favorite horse-Rizal was an excellent
equestrian after all. Rizal, in return, respected
the generosity of the commandant and wrote a
poem entitled "A Don Ricardo Carnicero” on
August 26, 1892, as a gift to the captain's
birthday.
All About Faith
- In Dapitan, Rizal had a scholarly debate with Fr.
Pastells regarding religion.
- This exchange of heated arguments revealed the
anti-clerical Rizal, his bitterness on the abuses
performed by friars, doing such under the name
of pure religion.
- Though Rizal and Fr. Pastells had religious
differences, they remained good friends. Fr.
Pastells gave Rizal a copy of a famous Catholic
book by Father Thomas á Kempis entitled
"Imitacion de Cristo “(Imitation of Christ). Rizal
reciprocated by giving the Jesuit priest a bust of
St. Paul which he had made.
- Although Rizal did not subscribe to Pastells
interpretations of the church doctrines, he
 continued to be a Catholic. He heard mass at the
Catholic Church of Dapitan, and celebrated
Christmas and other religious festivities
accordingly. His Catholicism, though, was an
inquisitive form of such sort-seeking for
profound and acceptable explanations.
The Awakening of Dapitan
- When Rizal reached Dapitan as a prisoner in
July 1892, he found a sleepy little town, but
soon it became wide awake. Rizal had
maximized his stay in the town by devoting
much of his time in improving artistic and
literary skills, doing agricultural and civic
projects, engaging in business activities, and
keeping correspondence with his friends in
Europe, particularly with Blumentritt and
Reinhild. His careers and achievements in
different fields were as follows:
1. Architectural and Engineering Works
- Going back to his academic life when Rizal
obtained the title of Perito agrimensor (expert
surveyor) from the Ateneo Municipal, he already
had the practical knowledge in the field of
surveying and found it very useful in his
career in Dapitan.
- Moreover, he widened his knowledge by reading
engineering-related books. As a result, despite
the inadequacy of tools at hand, he successfully
provided a sound water system in the province.
He directed the construction of a water system
for Dapitan. The water was brought several
kilometers, following the contour of a valley,
and crossing several gullies with bamboo tubes.
The bottom of the conduit was lined with tiles
from decaying houses of the town. I want to do
all I can for this town," he said to Father Pastells
in his letter.
2. The Doctor is "In"
- Rizal provided free medicine to his patients;
most of them were underprivileged. However, he
also had wealthy patients who paid him well
enough for his excellent surgical skill. Among
them was Don Ignacio Tumarong who gave
Rizal P300 for restoring his sight; an
Englishman who gave him P500; and Aklanon
haciendero, Don Francisco Azcarraga, who paid
him a cargo of sugar. As a doctor, Rizal spent
many months draining swamps to get rid of
malaria which infested the region. His skill was
put to test in August 1893 when his mother,
Doña Teodora Alonzo, was placed under
ophthalmic surgery for the third time. The
operation was successful. However, Doña
Teodora ignored her son's instructions and
removed the bandages in her eyes which led to
irritation and infection.
3. Rivaling the Best in Europe
- Together with his friend Fr. Francisco Sanchez
helped remake the plaza, which he jokingly said,
"Must rival the best in Europe. In front of the
church, they made an excellent relief map of
Mindanao out of stones, earth, and grass. They
helped the citizens place lampposts at every
corner for Dapitan's first lighting system.
Delighted at improvement, Commandant
Carnicero wrote the Governor General if
possible to send for the new plaza twenty-four
iron benches and twenty-six hundred meters of
wire.
4. From Lotto to Lot; Farmer to Trader
- Rizal devoted time in planting important crops
and fruit-bearing trees in nis To-hectare land,
reaching as large as 70 hectares later, which one
was able to claim because the lottery ticket
which he had purchased that won him prize of
P6,200, and all of which ne spent in Dapitan.
- He bought the land along the bay a Few hundred
meters east of the town of Dapitan and built
himself a little house, where he spent much time
there.
- At this charming retreat, the bay seems to be
surrounded by land at a narrow neck precisely in
the west where the sun drops into the sea.
- He imported agricultural machinery from the
United States and introduced to the native
farmers of Dapitan the modern agricultural
methods.
- He planted cacao, coffee, sugarcane, and
coconuts among many others.
- Rizal also visualized having an agricultural
colony in Sitio Ponot, within the Sindangan Bay.
- He believed that the area was suitable for
cattle-raising and cash-crops as the area had
abundant water. Unfortunately,
- this plan did not materialize,
 - The adventurous Rizal, with his partner, Ramon
Carreon, tried his luck in the fishing, hemp, and
copra industries.
- In a letter to his brother-in-law, Manuel T
Hidalgo, he pointed out the potential of the
fishing industry in the province for the area was
abundant with fish and was also an excellent
beach. He requested that two good Calamba
fishermen be sent to Dapitan to teach the fisher
folks of the new fishing methods, using a big net
called pukutan. However, the industry in which
Rizal became more successful was in hep,
shipping the said product to a foreign firm in
Manila.
5. Once a Poet, Always a Poet
- It will be recalled that when Rizal left Hong
Kong for Manila in 1892, only his sister Lucia
had gone with him. The rest of his sisters and the
father and mother remained in Hong Kong.
- However, on August 26, 1893, Trinidad and
Doña Teodora left Hong Kong and proceeded to
where Rizal was. Consequently, they spent the
next eighteen months with Rizal in Dapitan. He
gave his mothers eyes the final treatment needed
to restore her sight so that she was able to see
the rest of her life. She returned to Manila in
February 1895.
- Rizal wrote another poem, in response to a
request from his mother, who had all his life
inspired his poetry. Thus he sent his mother on
October 22, 1895, the poem entitled "Mi Retiro."
6. A Polyglot
- Rizal was interested in the languages used in
Dapitan, thus, studied and made comparisons of
the Bisayan and Malayan languages existing in
the region. Rizal knew 22 languages: Tagalog.
Ilocano, Bisayan, Subanun, Spanish, Latin,
Greek, English, French, German, Arabic,
Malayan, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Dutch, Catalan,
Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Swedish,
and Russian.
7. Inventions and Scientific Works
- Little is known of Rizal in the field of invention.
However, in 1887, during his medical practice in
Calamba, he invented a particular type of lighter
called sulpukan which he sent to Blumentritt as
a gift. According to Rizal, the wooden lighter's
mechanism was based on the principle of
compressed air Another of his inventions was
the wooden brick-maker that could manufacture
about 6,000 bricks a day.
- Rizal shared his interest with nature to his
students. With his boys, they explored the
jungles and searched for specimens which he
sent to museums in Europe, particularly in the
Dresden Museum. In return, scientific books and
surgical instruments were delivered to him from
the European scientists. He also did a bulk of
other research and studies in the fields of
ethnography, archaeology, geology,
anthropology, and geography. However, Rizals
most significant contribution in the scientific
world was his discovery of three species:
a. Draco rizali, a flying dragon;
b. Apogonia rizali, a small beetle; and
c. Rhacophorus rizali, a rare frog.
8. Tree of Knowledge
- Rizal established a school in talisay, near
Dapitan where he had his farm and hospital.
Sixteen young boys from prominent families
attended the class. Instead of charging them for
the matriculation, he made the students do
community projects for him like maintaining his
garden and field. He taught them reading,
writing in English and Spanish, geography,
history, mathematics, technical work, nature
study, morals, and gymnastics.
- He encouraged his students to engage in sports
activities to strengthen their bodies as well.
There was no formal room, as the typical
classroom nowadays. Classes will be conducted
from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with the teacher
sitting on a hammock while the students sit on a
long bamboo bench.
- His favorite rendezvous with his boys was under
a Talisay tree, after which the place. In honor of
Talisay, he wrote a poem entitled "Himno A
Talisay" for his pupils to sing.
9 The "Sweet Foreigner
- Rizal had always been missing his family and
their happy moments together in Calamba, and
his despair heightened upon hearing of Leonor
Rivera's death. Soon after, to his surprise, an
Irish girl lightened up his rather gloomy heart.
This girl was the 18-year old Josephine Bracken
slender, blond, blue eyes, well dressed and of a
light countenance.
 - From Hong Kong, she arrived in Dapitan in
February 1895 with his blind foster father,
George Taufer, and a Filipina named Manuela
Orlac, mistress of someone in the Manila
Cathedral. Rizal's fame as an ophthalmic
surgeon reached overseas, and one of Rizal's
friends, Julio Llorente referred his group to
Rizal.
- Rizal and Josephine instantly fell in love with
each other, a relationship which Rizal's family
was not pleased with. Rizal had anticipated the
anxious reaction of his family and so he tried to
bridge such a gap between his relatives and
"Miss B" as he called her. In a letter dated
March 14, 1895, he appealed to Doña Teodora,
Please treat Josephine as a person whom I
esteem and much appreciate, and I would not
like to see exposed and abandoned.
- In one month's time, they agreed to marry and
when Mr. Taufer sensed their developing affair,
he flared up in violent rage trying to commit
suicide, but Rizal prevented him from killing
himself. To avoid any tragedy, Josephine went
away with Taufer to Manila. The blind man
sailed off uncured because his ailment was
venereal, hence, incurable.
- Mr. Taufer returned alone to Hong Kong, and
Josephine stayed in Manila with Rizal's family.
Later, she returned to Dapitan. However, the
parish priest of Dapitan, Fr. Pedro Obach refused
to marry them unless Rizal retracted from
religious error and returned to the Catholic
Church.
- Since no priest was willing to marry the two,
they decided to have a "live-in' relationship
which enraged the priest even more. In 1896,
this bore its fruit-Josephine was pregnant.
Unfortunately, like some accounts say, as a
result of some incidents that might have shocked
or frightened Bracken, she gave birth to a
premature baby boy who lived only for three
hours. The child was buried in Dapitan, bearing
the name "Francisco, after Rizal's father.
10. A Talk in the Garden
- Before the outbreak of the revolution, the
Katipunan leader, Andres Bonifacio, sought the
advice of Rizal. In a secret meeting on May 2,
1896, at Bitukang Manok River in Pasig, the
group agreed to send Pio Valenzuela as a
representative to Dapitan who would inform
Rizal of their plan to launch a revolution against
the Spaniards.
- With a round trip first class ticket worth P60.
Valenzuela went to Dapitan and used the name
Procopio Bonifacio. Aboard the steamship
Venus, he arrived at the bay of Dapitan on June
21, 1896. Together with him on the ship were
Josephine Bracken, Rizal's sister Narcissa, and
Rizal's niece, Angelica Lopez. From the ship,
Valenzuela together with two other companions,
Raymundo Mata, a blind man, and Rufno
Magos, an attendant, proceeded directly to the
house of Rizal.
- At night, Rizal invited Valenzuela for dinner.
After supper, they talked in the garden. There,
Valenzuela told him of the Katipunan's plan.
Regarding this, Rizal outspokenly objected
Bonifacios "premature idea for two reasons:
a. The Filipinos were still unprepared for such bloody
revolution; and
b. The Katipunan lacked machinery-before plotting a
revolution, there must be sufficient arms and funds
collected.
- Rizal also advised the Katipunan leaders to
attract all wealthy and influential persons of
Manila and the provinces to join the secret
organization. To attract the rich, he suggested
they seek the help of Antonio Luna.
- Rizal believed that Luna would be very helpful
in the revolution because "he can direct the
campaign in case hostilities break out."
Valenzuela, on the other hand, told Rizal of their
plan to rescue him in Dapitan. Again, the exiled
hero disagreed because he had no plan of
breaking his word of honor to the Spanish
authorities.
- So Valenzuela went back to Manila without
convincing Rizal.
11. "Nails in the Coffin"
- During the peak of the Cuban revolution in
- 1896, even before the Katipunan contacted him,
Rizal offered his services as a military doctor to
help fill the shortage of physicians in the said
country. It was his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt
who informed him of the situation in Cuba,
being hit by yellow fever, and suggested that he
volunteer himself as an army doctor. On
December 17,1895, Rizal sent a letter to
 Governor-General Ramon Blanco, Despujol's
successor, about renouncing his service in Cuba.
- However, for months Rizal waited in vain for the
governor's reply and lost hope that his request
would be granted. It was only on July 30, 1896,
when Rizal received a letter from Governor
Blanco, dated July 1, 1896, accepting his offer.
The letter also stated that Rizal would be given a
pass so that he could go to Manila, then to Spain
where its Minister of War would assign him to
the Army of Operations in Cuba.
- It is interesting to note that Rizal, at this point,
could be compared with the young moth allured
by the flame of an oil lamp. When it reached the
lamp, it burned itself in the fire as what was told
in the anecdote. The moth thought it conquered
the burning flame, but it did not. In the case of
- Rizal, his burning desire to leave for Cuba to
help the needy would mean triumph over his
enemies' doubt. Relatively it was not. It was but
nails in his coffin.
12. The Trap is Laid
- At midnight of July 31, 1896, Rizals four-year
exile in Dapitan came to a sudden end. He left
the town on board the steamer España, together
with Josephine, Narcissa, Angelica, three
nephews, and six of his students. Many were
saddened as the adopted son of Dapitan finally
bade them"paalam”.
- In Cebu, on their way to Manila, Rizal
successfully performed an ophthalmic operation
to a merchant who paid him P50. After almost a
week, on August 6, 1896, España arrived in
Manila. Rizal was supposed to board the Isla de
Luzon for Spain, but unfortunately, it left ahead
of time. Instead, he was transferred to the
Spanish cruiser Castilla to stay and wait for the
next mail ship that would sail for Spain next
month.
- Meanwhile, towards the end of August 1896,
Bonifacio and his valiant Katipuneros wreaked
havoc in Manila as they finally stipulated the
revolution. Rizal learned of the eruption of the
revolution and the raging battles around Manila.
In effect, he was prohibited from leaving the
vicinity but was allowed to accept visitors so
long as they were his immediate family. Of
course, all these delays were part of the drama-
Rizal fell to the deadly Spanish trap
"El Último Viaje"
- On the very day of August 30, 1896, the eight
provinces of Luzon were put under martial law.
Rizal received from Governor-General Blanco
two letters of introduction for the Minister of
War and the Minister of Colonies. The cover
letter stated that Rizal's conduct in Dapitan was
exemplary and that he had no connection at all
with the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution.
- Three days later, Rizal was transferred to the
boat Isla de Panay at 6:00 p.m. He was met by
the captain of the boat, Capt. Alemany, and was
given the best cabin. Later, he wrote a letter to
his mother informing her of his good health on
board the ship.
- He informed his mother of his departure for
Cuba, comforting her that "everything is in the
hands of the Divine Providence" To his sisters,
he urged them to take good care and love their
aged parents the way they expect their children
to love them.
- Rizal was given a new cabin, No. 22, with a
couch the following day. The boat anchored near
Manila to load passengers, among whom were
Pedro Roxas, Maria Tuason, and Pedro Paterno.
He then left Manila for Spain-destined to be his
last trip abroad.
A "Dangerous Filipino
- The truth of the matter is that Rizal was unaware
that since nis departure from Manila Bay,
Governor-General Blanco and the Ministers of
War and the Colonies conspired for his
destruction as a "Dangerous Filipino. They were
exchanging telegrams and private messages for
his arrest upon reaching Barcelona and that he
was an exile secretly kept under surveillance.
- En route to Spain, Rizal, to his surprise and
dismay, learned part of the whole lie he was
about to witness. Rizal became the object of this
day. Some passengers were inventing malicious
talk stories against him. He informed them that
San Roque, a district of Cavite, was being
bombarded.
- A young student on board also informed him
that around 600 Filipinos were already ordered
shot by the Spanish authorities due to the
revolution.
- To this end, Rizal called to the captain's cabin,
where he was informed that he was being
 implicated in a revolution that had raged in
Manila. Shocked by the alarming news, Rizal
belatedly realized that the unscrupulous Spanish
officials duped him. With so much weight in his
heart, he wrote a letter dated September 28,
1896, to Blumentritt expressing his disgust and
bitterness, apart from it is as follows:
My very dear Friend,
I cannot believe it! This is infamous, but if it
turns out to be true, as everybody assures me, I am
communicating to you this news so that you may
appraise my situation.
Yours,
(Signed) José Rizal
- The following day, Rizal was informed by Capt.
Alemany to stay in his cabin until further orders
from Manila. In the morning of October 3, 1896,
the Isla de Panay arrived in Barcelona, with
Rizal as a prisoner on board. His warden was no
longer the Spanish captain but the Military
Commander of Barcelona, General Eulogio
Despujol, who happened to be the same man
who ordered his deportation to Dapitan four
years earlier.
- Placed under arrest, Rizal was imprisoned in
Montjuich Castle in Barcelona after three days.
At 8:00 p.m. of the same day, Rizal boarded the
Colon which was full of soldiers and officers
together with their families. The ship left
Barcelona for Manila via Singapore.
- However, he was free to roam about the vessel
when it was already high seas. Jose was
prohibited from disembarking at any port where
they stopped for fuel and supplies. To make sure
he could not escape was put behind bars hours
before reaching the port. The officers even
confiscated his diary and critically scrutinized it
but nothing dangerous was found in its contents.
Twice, he was handcuffed. Sixteen hours before
docking at Singapore, the last fuel stop before
Manila, Rizal Was again put behind bars. Here a
writ was requested for him.
- News of Rizal's dilemma reached his friends in
Europe, especially Antonio Maria Regidor who
was in London at that time. Regidor dispatched
two telegrams to familiar friends in Singapore
requesting them to petition the Singapore court
to issue a writ of habeas corpus, thus allowing
Rizal to step foot and walk to liberty. However,
these Filipinos were frightened that Spain would
retaliate against their relatives in the Philippines;
hence, they hired English lawyers in Singapore
including Mr. Fort, to do it for them.
Unfortunately, the chief justice of Singapore
discarded the application for a writ after
reviewing the case because Rizal, in the first
place, was a Spanish prisoner abo0ard a Spanish
ship. Besides, the steamer Colon flew the
Spanish royal flag and was carrying troops so
that the court held it was not a merchant ship
that would be subject to British law but a war
vessel which remained Spanish wherever it was.
Last Attempt to Save the Hero
- Though a writ could be issued on the ground of
some preceding incidents like in the case of the
great Chinese patriot Sun Yat Sen who was
saved by the same method the very day Mr. Fort
made his affidavit to the court of Singapore- the
Spanish consul could protest and produce a
document justifying Rizal was a dangerous
prisoner in which Spain, of all nations claiming
to be civilized, did the charges against him that
constituted a crime, "carrying on an
anti-religious and anti-patriotic campaign of
education."
- Rizal was unaware of the attempt of heroism his
friends made to rescue him in Singapore. Three
times, England tried to aid him. An English
woman even had sought an interview in Madrid
with the Queen Regent as she cried out, "Justice,
madam, for poor Rizal! Nevertheless, Rizal was
shipped home to face, which, to Ambeth
Ocampo’s words, 'a kangaroo court that
sentenced him to death.
Thrilla in Manila"
- On November 3, 1896, the Colon reached
Manila. The unscrupulous Spaniards and friars
celebrated the arrival of the ship because it
brought more military reinforcements; but for
the Filipino patriots, it was the dissolution of
their elusive quest for independence.
- While Rizal quietly transferred under heavy
guard from the ship to Fort Santantiago, the rest
of the Manila had been frightened by the
insurrection fear, the authorities blindly resorted
to their and in their terror. The jails crowded,
 executions were made public to old tricks of
striking terror, dishearten patriotSm, and
Governor-General Camilo de Polavieja, an
ardent terrorist, superseded the only man,
Blanco, who had dared to remain calm.
- Spanish authorities were searching for evidence
against him. Filipinos who had recognized him
were brutally tortured to implicate him. Some of
them were as follows: Deodato Arellano, Pio
Valenzuela, Domingo Franco, Pedro Serrano,
Moises Salvador, Jose Dizon, and Timoteo Paez.
Even his only brother, Paciano, was arrested and
inflicted with pains which the latter endured for
his younger brother's sake. Although Paclano
suffered too much crush on the torture rack, his
the gallant Filipino spirit remained unbroken.
"Fishing" Evidence
- After fishing for as much evidence as possible
(some of which were planted and fabricated), on
November 20, 1896, the preliminary
investigation on Rizal began. During the
five-day investigation, Rizal was informed of the
charges against him before Judge Advocate
Colonel Francisco Olive. Rizal was put under
interrogation without the benefit of knowing
who testified against him. Presented before him
were two kinds of evidence-documentary and
testimonial.
- The prosecution then presented fifteen
documents against Rizal.
1. A letter from Antonio Luna to Mariano Ponce proving
that Rizal helped organize La Solidaridad, a radical
periodical.
2. A letter of Rizal to his sister, written August 20, 1890,
from Madrid when his family was suffering terrible
persecutions The letter said: "If the authorities were
illustrados there would be no treasonous government
trials, nor tricks nor infamies. I see the hand of
Providence in the exile of the illustrados to distant
points, for they keep alive the spirit of the people, not
permitting them to sleep in a lazy peace, and they
accustom the people not to fear dangers, to hate tyranny,
etc.
4. Kundiman, a p0oem is calling for Liberty, but
mistakenly ascribed to Rizal. He denied having written
it.
6. A Masonic document bearing the dreadful words:
"Liberty,
Equality, Fraternity"
7. A letter of Rizal from Hong Kong dated May 24,
1892, saying that I am now devoting myself to preparing
a secure refuge in Borneo for our countrymen in case of
persecution, and I am writing a few articles for
propaganda.
13. Copy of a speech by EmilioJacinto in a Katipunan
meeting saying "Viva Filipinas! Vivala Libertad! Viva el
Doctor Rizal! Unión!" and by José Turiano Santiago in
the same meeting: "We all cry together: Viva Filipinas!
Viva la Libertaa: VIva the eminent Dr. José Rizal! Death
to the oppressive nation!"
15. The poem Rizal wrote for his boys in Dapitan,
"Hymno A Talisay" in which the author mnade the
Dapitan schoolboys sing that they know how to fight for
their rights.
- The documents 3, 5, 8, 10, 11, and 14 which we
omitted from the list, were harmless. The
testimony of the ten "witnesses" seemed to be as
weak as the documents. Pio Valenzuela, the
young doctor whom Andres Bonifacio had sent
to Dapitan and whom Rizal had made so bitter,
had a chance to witness and so gain revenge on
Rizal. Some Filipinos agreed in Pasig that they
would go to Japan and wait for the decision of
Rizal!" That was all Valenzuela could tell.
- Two of the witnesses said Rizal was Honorary
President of the Katipunan. They did not say
how "angry" he was to have his name used
without his consent! Several witnesses said they
"believed" the Liga Filipina planned separation
from the Islands. One witness said that Rizal's
sister had gone to Singapore to charter a boat
and to help Rizal escape from Dapitan.
- On December 11, 1896, the information of
charges was formally read to Rizal in his prison
cell in Fort Santiago. He was accused of being
the principal organizer of the Philippine
Revolution; and founder of societies periodicals,
and books dedicated to propagating ideas of
rebellion.
- On December 15, 1896, Rizal wrote a manifesto
to his people appealing to them to stop the
necessary shedding of blood and to achieve their
liberties using education and industry.
The "Kangaroo Trial"
- Under all these circumstances, around 8:00
a.mDecember 26, 1896, Rizal was fetched to a
building called Cuartel de España and brought
to treat Derore, a military court composed of
seven military officers headed oy Lt. Col. Jose
logores Arjona. Present at the courtroom suere
the six other officers in uniform-Capt. Ricardo
Muñoz Arias, Capt. Manuel Reguera, Capt.
Santiago Izquierdo Osorio, Capt. Braulio
Rodriguez Nunez, Capt. Manuel Diaz Escribano,
and Capt. Fernando Perez Rodriguez =Judge
Advocate Capt. Rafael Dominguez, Lt. Enrique
de Alcocer (prosecuting attorney) and several
spectators, including Josephine Bracken.
- He was even denied the right of counsel, for he
was only permitted to choose his advocate from
a list of strange young Spanish officers who
were untrained in the law. Fortunately, one
name sounded familiar, Lt. Luis Taviel de
Andrade, who happened to be the brother of
Rizal's bodyguard on his first homecoming.
- After Judge Advocate Dominguez opened the
trial, it was followed by Atty. Alcocer's
reiteration of the charges against Rizal, urging
the court that the latter be punished with
death. Accordingly, the three crimes accused
him were "rebellion, sedition, and illegal
association- the penalty for the first two being
life imprisonment to death, while the last,
correctional imprisonment and a charge of P325
to P3, 250.
- Lt. Taviel de Andrade, on the other hand, took
real courage to make such a defense as he did
all intelligence and devotion he could do to get
a fair trial for the stranger dependent on his
chivalry and in so unpopular a cause. He ended
his defense with a noble rebuke to the members
of the military court: "the judges cannot be
unkind; the judges can only be just?" However,
the result was never in doubt. To supplement
this, Rizal read his defense which he wrote
inside his cell. According to Rizal, there were
twelve points to prove his innocence:
1. As testified by Pio Valenzuela, Rizal was against
rebellion.
2. He had not written a letter addressed to the
Katipunan Comprising revolutionary elements.
3. Without his knowledge, his name was used by the
Katipunan; if he was guilty, he could have escaped while
he was in Singapore.
4. If he was guilty, he should have left the country while
in exile he should not have built a home, bought a
parcel of land, or established a hospital in Dapitan.
5. If he was the leader of the revolution, the
revolutionists should have consulted him.
6. He did not deny that he wrote the by-laws of the Liga
Filipina, but to make things clear, the organization was a
civic aSsOciation, not a revolutionary society.
7. After the first meeting of Liga, the association
banished because of his exile in Dapitan, thus, did not
last long.
8. If the Liga was reorganized nine months later, he had
no idea about it.
9. If the Liga had a revolutionary purpose, then
Katipunan should not have been organized.
10. If the Spanish authorities found his letters having a
bitter atmosphere, it was because in 1890 his family was
being persecuted resulting in their dispossession of
properties and deportation of all his brothers-in-law.
11. He lived an exemplary life in Dapitan- the
politico-military commanders and missionary priests in
the province could attest to that.
12. If, according to witnesses, the speech he delivered at
Doroteo Ongjuncos house had inspired the revolution,
then he wanted to confront these persons. 1f he was for
the revolution, then why did the Katipunan send an
unfamiliar emissary to him in Dapitan? It is so because
all his friends were aware that he never advocated
violence.
 - However, the military officers remained
indifferent to Rizal's pleading until, after a short
deliberation, the members of the military court
unanimously voted for death as a verdict. Then,
the decision was submitted to the
Governor-General who immediately sought the
opinion of the Judge Advocate Gen. Nicolas de
la Peña - the latter found the verdict just and
final.
On December 28, Governor-General Polavieja, without
any remorse, therefore signed, ordered, and sealed the
execution of Jose Rizal through firing squad at seven
o'clock in the morning December 30, 1896, at
Bagumbayan.
Alone in the Cell
- Spain lost no time, neither in convicting him nor
in confirming the military courts decision but he
was sentenced to be shot on December 30,
1896.
- Upon hearing the court's decision, Rizal already
knew that there was no way that his destiny
would be changed. Rizal knew it was his end
and had accepted his fate. Capt. Rafael
Dominguez, at six o'clock in the morning of
December 29, 1896, read before him the official
notice of his execution, Scheduled the next day.
Rizal immediately transferred to the prison
chapel where he spent his last hours on earth.
Inside the chapel, Rizal made himself busy by
writing correspondences to friends and family,
bidding everyone farewell; and conversing and
reminiscing with his Jesuit friends. He had many
visitors, arriving one or two after the other.
- From 12:00 noon to 3:00 in the afternoon, Rizal
was left alone in his cell. He took his lunch, after
which he wrote his last letter, in German, to
Blumentritt- his best friend.
My dear Brother,
When you receive this letter, I shall be dead. 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
Goodbye, my dearest friend, and never think ill of me.
Fort Santiago, December 29, 1896.
(Signed) José Rizal
Last Masterpiece
- The account of Rizal's family was very different
from what the enemies told about his final
hours. His sisters related that Rizal was not
allowed to embrace his mother. He stamped his
foot in anger and said, Towards! Soon Spain will
be out of the Philippines.``
- Narcissa said she was not allowed to go near
Rizal. He said to her: "Don't permit your sons to
go to school as long as Spain rules here."
- He tried to give some remembrance to each
member of the family. He told Narcissa that she
was to have his pen and a reclining wicker chair
which his relatives had brought so that he
would not have to sleep on the ground. To
Narcissa's daughter Angelica, he gave his
handkerchief However, he soon needed it. As he
said farewell to Maria, he asked for her
handkerchief. He put a corner of it between his
teeth and twisted it with his hands to suppress
his emotions.
- The other sisters had to enter one by one and
could not touch their brother. No male relatives
were allowed to enter. Little seven-year-old
Mauricio, son of Maria, was admitted. Rizal
unbuckled his belt and handed it to Mauricio
with his watch and chain.
- When Trinidad had come, Rizal gave his real
legacy and said to her: "I want you to have my
lamparilla."
- Moreover, so the guard might not understand,
he said in a low tone, in English: "There is
something inside." She took the lamp and
reclining chair from Rizal's cell and gave them to
the sisters outside the prison.
- When Doña Teodora and Rizal's sisters reached
home that night they dared not meddle into the
lamp for fear of being seen by spies. Late on
New Year's Eve, they opened the lamparilla and
 found nothing. They shook it a couple of times,
and a tiny piece of folded paper fell out. They
cautiously opened this with their hair pins. The
piece of paper contained the unsigned, untitled,
and a neatly handwritten poem that came to be
known as Mi Ultimo Adios. Through their tears,
they read one of the most touching poems ever
penned in any language. The perfect finesse
indicated that Rizal must have been writing it all
during his imprisonment in Fort Santiago.
Eventually, his sisters made copies of the poem
and distributed them to their friends. When
Mariano Ponce received one, he gave it the title
"Ultimo Pensamiento" and financed the first
printing of the poem and distributed it for free.
Of Letters and Tears
- RIzal had his last supper at eight o'clock in the
evening on December 29, 1896. Then he
informed Capt. Dominguez that he forgave his
enemies including those who condemned him
to death.
- At this point, a retraction letter was said to have
been written and signed by Rizal, in which he
renounced the mason movement.
- This also applies to the other controversy as
- Josepsephine Bracken or not. It is argued that
"he recanted in order to marry Josephine under
Catholic rites." Therefore, to accept Rizal as
having married Josephine is to accept his
alleged retraction of clerical error. to whether
Rizal married
- However, these retraction and marriage issues
have been a matter of debate for more than a
century now. For those who affirm Rizal's
unshaken principles, they claim the retraction as
a forgery; but for those who vieW it as Rizaľ's
likely submission to faith, they believe it as
genuine. In the light of historical evidence
available and numerous books about Rizal, we
cannot affirm or reject such issues. There may
be other pieces of historical evidence that have
not been brought to light. Nevertheless,
whether he retracted and married or not, the
truth remains that "he is a martyr and a hero"
- At 3:00 a.m.on December 30, 1896, he rose up,
prayed, and confessed his sins. Inside the
chapel, he knelt before the altar and prayed the
rosary, and once finished, read Imitacíon de
Cristo by Tomas á Kempis.
- At 5:30 a.mHe ate his last breakfast of three
hard-boiled eggs. Afterward, he signed some
memorabilia including religious pictures and
books which would be passed on to his mother,
and his sister, Trinidad. To Josephine, Rizal gave
the Imitacíon de Cristo as a gift. For the last
time, he wrote a letter to his family, sisters, and
brother.
To My Family,
I ask you for forgiveness for the pain I cause you, but
someday I shall have to die and it is better that I die now
in the plentitude of my conscience.
Dear parents, brother, and sisters, give thanks to God
that I may preserve my tranquility before my death. I die
resigned, hoping that with my death you will be left in
peace. Ah! It is better to die than to live suffering.
Console yourselves.
Tenjoin you to forgive one another the little meanness of
life and try to live united in peace and good harmony.
Treat your parents as you would like to be treated by
your children later. Love them very much in my memory.
To Die is to Rest"
- It was a beautiful Wednesday morning. It was
clear and cool. There was to be public
execution, and consequently the streets and
buildings were hung with flags. For the enemies,
a day of execution was a fiesta. A trumpet
sounded at Fort Santiago, an indication to
commence the death march to the field of
Bagumbayan. Slow walk followed at 6:30a.m.
- Rizal was dressed accordingly in black-black
coat, black pants, black bowler hat, and white
shirt. As a condemned, he was tied elbow to
elbow but he proudly held his head up.
- The muffled sound of the drums gave a pulse to
each of his steps. There was a huge crowd lining
the street from Fort Santiago to the Plaza del
 Palacio in front of the Manila Cathedral.
Everybody seemed to be Out in the streets of
Manila just to witness yet another martyrdom
at Bagumbayan. In the same place was where
the three priests had been killed by garrote in
February of 1872, and for dignity they were
Rizal's inspiration for the novel for which he was
dying.
- From Fort Santiago Rizal took a right turn and
walked along the Paseo Maria which gave him a
panoramic view of the rising sun on Manila
- Bay to his right; and a glimpse of Intramuros to
his left. He walked alone In the middle of two
Jesuits, Fr. Estanislao March and Fr. Jose
Villaclars while behind him was his defense
counsel, Lt. Taviel de Andrade.
- The crowd was so dense, and there was so
much bumping and hitting for a better view,
that police arrangements broke down and the
prisoner's military escort, who should have
been behind him, had to form a file on either
side of him, forcing his way through to the
execution ground. Within the fairly wide
corridor of space thus created, what remained
of the procession was able to move through the
mass of people with heterogeneous emotions.
- Although he was a few steps away from his
death, Rizal was described by the spectators as
calm. It was said that Rizal nodded his head left
and right to acknowledge the familiar faces in
the crowd. Some people even noticed that he
smiled from time to time.
- "It was a beautiful morning!said Rizal. He could
even see the island of Corregidor. On mornings
like this, as he recounted, "I used to take walks
with my sweetheart."
- Before reaching Bagumbayan, he took one last
look at Intramuros and asked:
- "Is that Ateneo, Father?
- "Yes," replied the priest.
- I spent many happy years there.
- There were troops waiting, formed in a hollow
square open to the sea, and a band ready to
play the national anthem when everything was
over. Hundreds of government officials and
other Spaniards were there with their families,
shouting with pleasure as the noblest, most
learned, and most gifted men in the Spanish
realms. Eight Filipino soldiers armed with rifles
formed the firing squad. They were the ones to
fire at Rizal. There were also eight Spanish
soldiers behind them, ready to shoot them if
they refused to pull the trigger.
- Someone took a photograph of the execution.
- There was a slight delay because Rizal requested
the commander of the firing squad that he be
shot facing his executioners. His request was
denied though. The captain had to insist that he
must be shot in the back as ordered because he
was a "traitor to Spain" Rizal remarked that he
had never been a traitor to anyone. However,
Rizal turned his back but refused the blindfold
and kneeling.
- He made one last request that the firing squad
spare his head and shoot him in the back right
through his heart. The captain agreed. Although
his hands were tied, he firmly clasped the hand
of Lt. Taviel de Andrade to thank him for his
chivalry. He bade farewell to the priests. A
curious Spanish military doctor came and
checked the pulse of Rizal- to his surprise, he
found it normal. One of the priests blessed him
and offered him a crucifix for him to kiss, but
based on a witness, he turned his head away
and silently prepared for death.
- The captain was about to give the final blow. As
he raised his saber up high, he ordered his men
to prepare and aim their rifles, "Preparen!
Apunten!"
- People held their breath.
- But before the captain brought down his saber
to order "Fuego!" or fire, Rizal, in the nick of
time, shouted with all might the same last
words of Christ, "CONSUMMATUM EST!"
- Guns barked in the air. Bullets riddled Rizal,
who, with supreme effort, turned his body to
the right, and fell down backwards on the
ground facing the beautiful morning sun.
- Silence prevailed over suspense.
- The captain did not keep his word to Rizal. One
of his men came closer to the body and gave
 Rizal fira de gracia (mercy shot) in the head to
guarantee he was dead.
- "Viva España! Muerte a los Traidores! yelled the
Spaniards but the crowd did not respond, and to
break the ice, the military band played "Marcha
de Cadiz," and so they cheered.
- It was three minutes past seven. But it was not
yet over. The shot which the crowd had just
heard Was the shot which would make the
Spanish empire in the Philippines collapse.