Professional Documents
Culture Documents
LEARNING CONTENT:
August 1886, Rizal decided to return to the Philippines. He left Rome by train for
Marseilles, boarded the Djemnah bound to Saigon.
On July 30, 1886, Rizal arrived in Saigon, where he transferred to the steamer
Haifong.
On August 6, 1886, Rizal arrived in Manila. He noticed that Manila has not
changed that much.
The good news spread like wildfire as many sick people flock to seek medical
help. His professional fee was very simple: If the patient is poor, a simple “thank
you” is enough. Some patients gave him vegetables, fruits, chickens, etc. If the
patient is rich, he would charge in the European way. The people called him Dr.
Uleman having arrived from Germany.
Rizal shared his blessings to his townmates. He built a gymnasium for the youth
to discourage them from engaging in different forms of gambling. He wanted
them to spend time on productive activities.
Unfortunately, Rizal failed to see Leonor in his six months’ vacation due to the
conflicts of his parents and Leonor’s.
Rizal’s enemies kept doing everything to persecute him. They accused the novel
to have subversive ideas against the church and the Spanish government.
The kind Governor assigned a bodyguard for Rizal, to protect him from danger.
His bodyguard was a young Spanish Lieutenant, Don Jose Taviel de Andrade.
The two became true friends in no time at all because they have common
interests.
The powerful friars put the novel under strict scrutiny headed by Manila
Archbishop Msgr. Pedro Payo. He sent a copy to the UST Fr. Rector Gregorio
Echevarria for examination. The latter found the novel heretical, impious, and
scandalous.
The Governor sent the novel for further assessment to the Permanent
Commission on Censorship composed of priests and laymen headed by Fr.
Salvador Font, Tondo parish priest. The body found the novel with subversive
ideas against the Church and the Spanish government. The Commission
recommended that the book be banned and have its circulation in the islands be
totally stopped. The move boomeranged because it only made the Filipinos more
curious in reading the novel. Thus, the novel’s price was exorbitantly priced. No
arrests were made, thanks to the liberal-minded governor.
Among Rizal’s enemies were Manila Archbishop Msgr. Pedro Payo, UST Rector
Fr. Gregorio Echevarria, Fr. Salvador Font- head of the Permanent Commission
on Censorship.
Fr. Jose Rodriguez published an anti-Noli pamphlet entitled “Caiingat Cayo.” The
pamphlet stated that “whoever reads the novel commits a mortal sin.”
Another attacker of the Noli was Vicente Barrantes, a Spanish writer who openly
criticized the novel in the Spanish newspaper La Esperanza Moderna.
Meanwhile, Rizal also had allies like Marcelo H. Del Pilar- using the pen name
Dolores Manapat, who published a pamphlet entitled “Caiigat Cayo” that refuted
and ridiculed Fr. Rodriguez’ “Caiingat Cayo.”
The other one was Fr. Francisco Sanchez, Rizal’s beloved Ateneo teacher.
The friars were furious because they were attacked on their most sensitive point:
money! The report never reached the desk of the governor-general. The
Dominicans responded by filing an action for eviction against the Calamba
tenants. However, when the justice of the Peace of Calamba ruled in favor of the
tenants, the Dominicans immediately brought the case to the Supreme Court in
Manila, which immediately decided in the Dominican’s favor. The tenants and the
Rizal family had no recourse but to appeal their case to the Supreme Court in
Madrid.
Rizal advised his family to stop paying the rent. The rest of the Calamba tenants
followed suit and with Rizal’s encouragement, petitioned the government to
intervene by authorizing and supervising the drawing up of a new contract
between the people of Calamba and the Dominican landowners.
The original hacienda owned by the Jesuits consisted of only a small part of land
and included only a part of the town, but the Dominicans had claimed a much
more extensive area, no less than the whole town and its surrounding fields. The
Dominicans were paying the government only the income tax due on the original
smaller hacienda.
Rizal wrote down his findings, which were signed by the tenants in January
1888, and he submitted the report to the government.
The friars wanted to withhold the tenants to tell the truth. The Rizal family as well
as the other Calamba tenants wanted to tell the truth. The tenants asked Rizal to
draft a report for the town council. Rizal asked his town mates to supply him with
all the relevant facts about the estate from the very beginning. Rizal had not
anticipated but he soon became the center of the tenant’s struggle against the
Dominicans.
What came out was a horror story of Dominican corruption and financial deceit
on a massive scale. The original hacienda owned by the Jesuits consisted of
only a small part of land and included only a part of the town, but the Dominicans
had claimed a much more extensive area, no less than the whole town and its
surrounding fields. The Dominicans were paying the government only the income
tax due on the original smaller hacienda.
Hounded by powerful enemies, Rizal was forced to leave his country for the
second time in 1888. He was 27 years old, a practicing physician, and a
recognized man of letters.
Amoy, in Hong Kong was the first stop over of the ship. After six months of
staying in the Philippines Rizal left via the steamer Zafiro bound for Hong Kong.
Rizal did not get off the ship for the following reasons: (a) He was not feeling
well. (b) It was raining hard. (c) He heard that the city is dirty.
Hong Kong is a British colony by that time. Rizal stayed in the Victoria Hotel.
There he met Jose Maria Basa, Balbino Mauricio, and Manuel Yriarte (son of the
alcalde mayor in Calamba)
Rizal also Visited Macau, a Portuguese colony near Hong Kong. Rizal together
with Basa boarded a ferry named Kiu-Kiang going to Macau. Curiously, Jose
Sainz de Varanda is among the passengers. Rizal and Basa visited Don Juan
Francisco Lecaros, a Filipino gentleman who is married to a Portuguese lady.
Rizal and Basa stayed in his house for two days while they were in Macau.
During Rizal’s two week vacation in Hong Kong, he studied Chinese life,
language, drama and customs and found out the following which he wrote in his
diary:
• The celebration of the Chinese New Year was quite very noisy due to the
continuous explosion of firecrackers on the streets.
• The Lauriat party, wherein the guests were served a variety of dishes,
shows lavishness and hospitality among the Chinese.
• The Dominican Order, the richest religious order in Hong Kong, had
millions of dollars deposited in various banks earning very high interests.
• The graveyards for Catholics, Protestants and Muslims were well
maintained.
Rizal left Hong Kong on board of the Oceanic, an American steamer on his way
to Japan. He arrived in Yokohama, Japan and stayed for one day in the Grand
Hotel.
After spending a day in Yokohama, Rizal went to Tokyo and stayed in Tokyo
Hotel for five days. Juan Perez Caballero – secretary of the Spanish legation
visited him in the hotel inviting him to stay in the Spanish legation. Knowing that
it is a plot to monitor him, Rizal accepted the offer for the following reasons:
When Rizal first introduced himself to her, he took off his hat as a sign of respect
(A German custom).
O-Sei-San was more than Rizal’s girlfriend, for she was his guide, interpreter and
tutor. She improved his knowledge of the Japanese language. She eases the
pain left by Leonor Rivera.
Rizal fell greatly in-love with O-Sei-San that he was tempted to leave the
Philippines and settle down in Japan. He was offered a job in the Spanish
Legation but his brother Paciano wrote to him reminding him of his duty and why
he left the Philippines in the first place.
Rizal left Japan via the ship Belgic, an English steamer in Yokohama bound for
United States. It ended 45 days of his unforgettable stay in Japan and his
relationship with O-Sei-San.
O-Sei-San after Rizal’s Departure
Alfred Charlton became the husband of O-Sei-San in 1897, one year after Rizal
was executed. He was a British teacher of chemistry in Peers’ School in Tokyo.
They had a daughter named Yuriko, who married a son of a Japanese senator.
Seiko-Usui died in 1947 at age 80 and was buried beside her husband.
Rizal in steamer Belgic met a semi-Filipino family, Mr. Reinaldo Turner and his
wife Emma Jackson, their children and maid from Pangasinan. He also met
Tetcho Suehiro, a fighting Japanese journalist, novelist, champion of human
rights, who was forced by the government to leave Japan.
Via the steamer Belgic, Rizal arrived in San Francisco, USA on April 28, 1888.
According to the Americans, Cholera was an epidemic raging in the Far East.
Thus, all passengers are quarantined for safety. But, Rizal was surprised
because there is no outbreak of the disease in the Far East, thus he joined other
passengers in protest. In actuality, there were 643 Chinese coolies who boarded
the ship from China who came as illegal migrants wanting to displace the White
laborers in railroad construction camp. But Rizal was questioning how come 700
bolts of silk were unloaded without fumigation.
After a week Rizal together with other first class passengers were permitted to
land. But the Japanese and the Chinese and passengers belonging to the
second and thirds class remained aboard.
Rizal stayed in the Palace Hotel (then a first class hotel) in San Francisco. He
stayed there for two days. Grover Cleveland was the president when Rizal
visited the United States. There he met Leland Stanford, the founder and
benefactor of the Stanford University who was then a senator representing
California.
Rizal Toured the United States
He left the United States for Liverpool, London on board the City of Rome, and
the second largest ship in the world. Great Eastern was the largest ship in the
world during his time.
STUDIES IN LONDON
PARIS EXPOSITION
LIFE IN BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
LEARNING CONTENT:
After visiting the United States, Rizal boarded the S.S. City Of Rome en route to
London. While on board, he entertained the American and European passengers
with his skill of the yoyo.
By train he arrived at London on May 25, 1888. Upon his arrival, he stopped at
Grand Hotel Midland.
Mr. Beckett, an organist of St. Paul’s Church and Mrs. Beckett had 4 daughters
(Gertrude, Blanche, Flory and Grace) and 2 sons.
Rizal came to know Dr. Reinhold Rost through a letter from Dr. Ferdinand
Blumentritt. He was the Librarian of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Rost was
an Authority on Malayan language and customs. He called Rizal “a pearl of a
man” as he was impressed by his learning and character
After Rizal left the country, the persecution of the Filipino patriots who signed the
Anti-Friar Petition 1888 escalated. The Calamba Agrarian Conflict of 1888 in
which the tenants, including Rizal’s family, were being persecuted by the
Dominicans.
Laureano Viado, a medical student at UST and a friend of Rizal, was imprisoned
because of owning a copy of Noli Me Tangere.
Rev. Vicente Garcia defended the Noli Me Tangere against the attack of the
friars. He heard this news from Mariano Ponce. On January 7, 1891, Rizal wrote
to Father Garcia expressing his personal gratitude.
Early in September 1888, Rizal visited Paris for a week in order to search for
more historical materials in the Bibliotheque Nationale. On December 11, 1888,
Rizal went to Madrid and Barcelona in Spain to meet with Marcelo H. Del Pilar
and Mariano Ponce
Rizal returned to London on December 24, 1888 and spent Christmas and New
Year’s Eve with the Becketts. He was extremely delighted to experience the
holiday season. He reflected on the meaning of the holiday as it reminded him of
memorable days not just from his childhood but also from history. “How it shocks
me to see some people misuse His name to commit many crimes.”
Annotating and studying the Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (1609) was the main
goal of Rizal in the English capital. Antonio De Morga. Annotate means to
supply with critical or explanatory notes; comment upon in notes.
Aims of La Solidaridad
Rizal published his work Los Agricultores Filipinos (The Filipino Farmers) on
March 25, 1889, 6 days after he left London for Paris. This was his first article in
La Solidaridad.
3|THE LIFE AND WORKS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL
Rizal received news on Fray Rodriguez’s attack on his novel Noli Me Tangere.
He wrote a pamphlet entitled La Vision del Fray Rodriguez which was published
in Barcelona under his pen name Dimas-Alang.
In this article, Rizal addressed Filipino women to work for their education and not
to merely be influenced by the friars.
By unanimous vote of all the members, Rizal was chosen to be the president of
society called Asociacion La Solidaridad.
Goodbye, London
Rizal was forced to leave London because Gertrude’s love for him has become
serious. He could not take advantage of her affection and she would not be
happy because Rizal was still in love with Leonor Rivera. He decided to move to
Paris so she would forget about her.
• Prometheus Bond
• The Triumph of Death over Life
• A composite carving of the heads of the Beckett sisters (gave as farewell
gift to the Beckett sisters)
• The Triumph of Science over Death
On March 19, 1889, Rizal departed for Paris. He was sad as he crossed the
English Channel for he had many beautiful memories of London.
The Exposition Universale Held in Paris, France from May 6 to October 31,
1889. The fair attracted exhibits from Europe, South America, United States, and
French colonies, yet it really was a celebration of French achievements on the
4|THE LIFE AND WORKS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL
centennial of French Revolution. Because of the thousands of tourists, almost all
hotel accommodations were taken.
But he finally lived together with other Filipinos, Justo Trinidad and Jose Albert.
In the exposition, there was this International Art Competition where Felix
Hidalgo won the 3rd prize, Pardo de Tavera and Juan Luna won the 2nd prize,
and, unfortunately, Rizal got nothing.
He spent his time in Bibliotheque Nationale, reading and checking with his
historical annotations of Morga’s book. He visited his friends like the Boustead’s,
Luna’s, Tavera’s, etc. He also organized societies with his fellow Filipinos.
Kidlat Club
The Kidlat Club was founded on March 19, 1889. The purpose was to enjoy their
journey in the exposition.
It was called Kidlat because this was only a temporary group. The members
include Antonio and Juan Luna, Gregorio Aguilera, Fernando Canon, Lauro
Dimayuga, Julio Llorente, Guillermo Puatu, and Baldomero Roxas. Later, the
group’s name was changed to Indios Bravos which purpose was to stand and
not be ashamed of being called Indios.
William Frederick Cody a.k.a. Buffalo Bill, founder and performer of Wild West
shows Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show in 1890 which presented the skills and life of
American Indians became the inspiration of Rizal in naming his one societal club
as Indios Bravos.
Another group known only as R.D.L.M. which stands for Redencion de Los
Malayos was also formed. Its purposes were: (a) to propagate useful knowledge,
in any forms, in the Philippines; and (2) to promote the redemption of Malayan
race. This group’s members don’t know each other, and Rizal doesn’t know them
as well. It’s still a mystery. * Mentioned in the letters of Rizal to Jose Maria Basa
on Sept. 21, 1889, and to Marcelo H. del Pilar on November 4, 1889
Although this was an outstanding achievement of Rizal, there were still some
errors:
1. Commits the error in appraising the history of the past in the light of the
present standard
2. Rizal’s attacks of the church were unfair and unjustified because the
abuses should not be construed to mean the Catholic is bad.
Rizal planned to establish a Filipino College in Hong Kong. The purpose was to
educate men of good family and financial means.
Mariano Cunanan promised to raise P40, 000 as initial payment for this college.
Its curriculum consists of: Ethics, Study of Religion, Natural Law, Civil law,
Deportment, Hygiene, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, Natural History,
Geography, Political Economy, Universal History, Philippine History, Logic,
Rhetoric, Poetics Spanish, English, French, German, Chinese, Tagalog
Gymnastics, Equitation, Fencing, Swimming, Music, Drawing and Dancing.
Rizal had been coming back and forth from Paris to London, then Paris at last,
with his aim to check up or compare on his annotation of Morga’s book to its
original copy found in British museum. (January 1890)
On January 28, 1890, Rizal left Paris for Brussels, Belgium. Two reasons why
Rizal left Paris:
• The cost of living in Paris was very high because of the Universal
Exposition.
• The gay social life of the city hampered his literary works, especially the
writing of his second novel El Filibusterismo.
Rizal received news from Juan Luna and Valentin Ventura, that there are some
Filipinos who were destroying the reputation of Filipinos by gambling too much.
Thus, he wrote a letter address to Del Pilar, to remind the Filipinos in Madrid that
they did not come to Europe to gamble, but to work for their Fatherland’s
freedom. The gambling Filipinos were angry when they learned or Rizal’s
moralizing. They called him “PAPA” instead of Pepe.
In his moment of despair Rizal had bad dreams. And although he was not
superstitious, he feared that he would not live long. But he wanted to finish his
2nd novel El Fili before he went to his grave.
In his letter to MH Del Pilar he said: In my childhood I had a strange belief that I
would not reach 30 years of age In the face of sufferings, Rizal planned to go
home. All his friends objected to his plan and warned him of the danger that
awaited him at home. Something happened that changed his decision and he
informed MH Del Pilar that he was going to Madrid to supervise the handling of
the case of his family in Calamba.
Like all the other girls in Rizal's life, Suzanne fell in love with Rizal. And she cried
when he left for Madrid.
1. La Defensa
2. La Verdad Para Todos
3. Vicente Barrantes
4. Profanacion
5. Verdades
6. Nuevas
7. Crueldad
8. Diferencias
9. Inconsequencias
10. Llanto y Risas
11. Ingratitudes
• Describe the various misfortunes and pains Rizal suffered in Europe prior
to his return to the country
• Analyze the moving forces that left with no option but to return to the
country for the 2nd time
• Figure out what Rizal tried to do in order to help his family and townmates.
LESSON CONTENT:
August, 1890, Rizal arrived in Madrid. He immediately secured the help of the
Filipino colony and the association of the Hispano-Filipino and the liberal
Spanish newspaper. In securing justice for the oppressed Calamba tenants
including his family. Together with MH Del Pilar (acted as his lawyer) and Dr.
Dominador Gomez (secretary of the association) called on the Minister of
Colonies to protest the injustices committed against the Calamba tenants.
Nothing came out of Rizal's interview. More terrible news reached Rizal as he
was waging a futile war for justice. He learned that there was already an
ejectment order against Rizal's family and the other Calamba tenants. He further
learned that their parents were forcibly ejected from their homes and were then
living in the house of Narcisa. He even sought the help of liberal Spanish
statesmen but he was again disappointed. They just gave him honeyed words of
sympathy and nothing else.
Blumentritt urged him to talk with Queen Regent Maria Cristina (the ruler of
Spain). But he could not because he had neither powerful friends to bring him to
the queen nor gold to grease the palms of influential courtiers. Another
disappointment happened when his friend Jose Ma. Panganiban died in
Barcelona after lingering illness.
Towards the end of August, Rizal attended a social reunion. At that time Antonio
Luna was bitter because of his frustrated romance with Nellie Boustead. He was
blaming Rizal for his failure to win her. In a fit of jealousy, caused by his alcohol
be-fogged mind, he uttered unsavoury remarks about Nellie.
Rizal overheard him and due to his high regards to women. Angrily he
challenged Luna to a duel. The Filipinos was shocked and tried to pacify Rizal
and Luna pointing that it could damage their cause in Spain. Luna when he
became sober realized that he made afoul of himself and apologized to Rizal.
Retaña to save his own skin, he published a retraction and an apology in the
newspaper after being warned of Rizal's superior skills in both pistol and sword.
Amidst Rizal’s frustrations in Madrid, he received a letter from Leonor Rivera, his
girlfriend for 11 years informing him that she was getting married. It pained his
heart greatly. He still loved Leonor despite having courted girls before. He grew
pale and sickly having been jilted by Leonor.
Galicano Apacible, a UST friend, consoled him by saying there are many girls in
the world. He informed Rizal that the daughter of Pi y Margall, was deeply in love
with him, ready to marry him.
On Leonor’s side, she was mad at Rizal having been very quiet. She said that
she still loved Rizal, that her decision to marry was not because she no longer
loved him. She did it because she thought Rizal no longer loved her. 11 years of
waiting was too long. Leonor wasn’t getting younger and lamented the fact that
Rizal didn’t bother to see her. Rizal could have misunderstood her. Leonor
married Henry Kipping, an Englishman in Manila.
Others thought otherwise. They endorsed MH del Pilar’s candidacy. In the 1st
meeting, Eduardo de Lete presided. Rizal was in favor of the creation of a new
movement. Del Pilar objected because to him they already have the La
Solidaridad and the AHP to take care of the said objectives. His argument lost
was overruled. A committee was formed to draw the statutes.
Rizal and Del Pilar became the two candidates. They both wanted to withdraw.
The rule of the election: the winner must garner 2/3 majority vote.
1st Balloting- Rizal was ahead but not enough. 2nd and 3rd Balloting gave the
same results. The meeting adjourned
The next day, del Pilar was absent. The results didn’t change. Rizal grew
impatient. He announced his withdrawal from the race. He bade farewell. But
Ponce quickly asked Lete, Sandiko, Luna and others to shift their votes to Rizal.
Dominador Gomez spoke in behalf of the Pilaristas saying they changed their
votes for the sake of unity. Thus, Rizal was voted unanimously.
Rizal gave his admonitions to the group in his acceptance speech. Rizal blamed
Eduardo de Lete for the election fiasco. Expressed disappointment with del Pilar
He said it would have been a disappointing news to the nationalist movement in
Manila to know that Rizal was defeated because he was the acknowledged
leader back home.
A Biarritz Interlude
Rizal went to see Nelly in Biarritz. He finally decided to marry Nelly Boustead.
Conditions made by Nelly’s father:
Rizal, however, decided to back down from his proposal thinking he wasn’t ready
yet to answer the given conditions set by Nelly’s father.
In February 1891, Rizal went back to Brussels to edit and revise the novel. By
end of May 1891, the novel was ready for printing. He brought the novel to Ghent
because printing was cheaper there. There was no financial aid sent by the
Centro de Propaganda. He had spent all his money for the printing cost.
He only received P100 from his countrymen as part of his allowance. He was
abandoned by the society after just a month. He was consoled by the financial
help given by Valentin Ventura.
The novel was printed at F. Meyer van Loo Press. Rizal gave the original
manuscripts to Ventura.
Rizal Resigns
He quickly visited Nelly to bid goodbye. He will go back to the Philippines to take
care of his family’s problems. He boarded the SS Melbourne, a ship from
Marseilles bound to Hong Kong. He was with the company of many friars
including Fr. Volunteri, less like Fr. Damaso.
Rizal was alone, having dinner; he overheard the German ladies which were
gossiping loudly about him, being lonely. The door in the dining room was blown
open when the steamer encountered a heavy squall (a gust of wind). One of the
ladies said “if this man in front of us were a gentleman, he would close the door”.
Rizal heard this, and, without saying a word, closed the door. This incident made
the ladies embarrassed and treated Rizal with respect and admiration.
On Nov. 20, 1891, Dr. Jose Rizal was welcomed by old friends, especially Jose
Ma. Basa. He established his residence in No.5 D’ Aguilar St., No.2 Rednaxela
Terrace where he also opened his medical clinic.
On Dec. 1, 1891, Rizal wrote to his parents to ask their permission for him to
come home.
Before Christmas of 1891, Rizal’s father, brother and Silvestre Ubaldo (brother-
in-law) arrived in Hong Kong. Not long afterwards his mother (who was then 65
years old and almost blind) and sisters, Lucia, Josefa and Trinidad arrived. The
Christmas of 1891 in Hong Kong was one of the happiest Yuletide celebrations
in Rizal’s life. He even wrote to Blumentritt on Jan. 31, 1892 about the pleasant
life they’re living in Hong Kong.
Rizal successfully operated on his mother’s left eye so that she was able to read
and write again. Some of his friends gave him moral and substantial aid in his
medical practice, from Biarritz, Mr. Boustead, Nellie’s father, wrote to him in
March 21, 1892, praising him for practising his medical profession.
Dr. Ariston Baustista Lin, from Paris, sent him a congratulatory letter and a book,
on Diagnostic Pathology by Dr. H. Virchow and another book, Traite
Diagnostique by Mesnichock. Don Antonio Vergel de Dios, also from Paris,
offered his services for the purchase of medical books and instruments which he
might need in his profession.
On May 26, 1892, Lopez-Jaena wrote to Rizal expressing his support and great
desire in the project along with their other friends: Juan and Antonio Luna,
Blumentritt, Dr. Bautista Lin, etc.
o Ang Mga Karapatan Nang Tao. The translation of “The Rights of Man”
which was proclaimed in the French Revolution 1789.
o A la Nacion Española (To the Spanish Nation) An appeal to Spain to right
the wrongs done to the Calamba tenants.
o Sa Mga Kababayan was written on December 1891, explaining the
Calamba agrarian situation.
In The Hong Kong Telegraph Rizal contributed articles to this British daily
newspaper. The editor was Mr. Frazier Smith, who was his friend.
On March 2, 1892 Rizal wrote “Una Visita a la Victoria Gaol” A Visit to Victoria
Gaol, an account of his visit to the colonial prison of Hong Kong.
In May 1892, Rizal made up his mind to return to Manila. This decision was
spurred by the following:
1. To confer with Governor Despujol regarding his Borneo colonization
project
2. To establish the Liga Filipina in Manila
3. To prove that Eduardo de Lete was wrong in attacking him in Madrid
Last Hong Kong Letters
Relatives and friends of Rizal opposed his decision to return home because it
was like bearding the lions in their den.
On June 19, 1892, he spent his birthday in Hong Kong. Evidently, he had a
premonition of his death, for the following day, June 20, he wrote two letters
which he sealed, inscribed on each envelop “to be opened after my death” and
gave them to his friend Dr. Marquez for safekeeping. His first letter addressed To
My Parents, Brethren and Friends. The second letter addressed to The Filipinos.
On June 21, 1892, Rizal penned another letter in Hong Kong for General
Despujol. He informed the governor-general of his coming to Manila and placed
himself under the protection of the Spanish government.
On June 21, 1892, Rizal and his sister Lucia, widow of Herbosa, left Hong Kong
for Manila. They carried a special passport or “safe-conduct” issued by the
Spanish consul-general in Hong Kong.
Immediately after Rizal’s departure from Hong Kong: the Spanish consul-
general, who issued the government guarantee of safety, sent a cablegram to
Gov. Despujol that the victim “is in the trap” On the same day, a secret case was
filed in Manila against Rizal and his followers “for anti-religious and anti-patriotic
agitation”
On June 26, 1892, Sunday at 12:00 noon, Rizal and his widowed sister Lucia
arrived in Manila. At 4:00PM, he went to Malacañang Palace to seek audience
with the Spanish governor-general. On June 27, 1892, at 6:00pm, Rizal boarded
a train in Tutuban Station and visited his friends in Malolos, San Fernando,
Tarlac, and Bacolor.
FOUNDING OF THE LA
LIGA FILIPINA AND
DAPITAN EXILE
Learning Outcomes:
Analyze the rationale of the founding of the La Liga
Filipina
Assess the factors that led to Rizal’s exile in Dapitan;
and
Examine the significance of Rizal’s exile to the local
populace.
Founding of the
La Liga Filipina
• July 3, 1892- after his interview with
Gov. Despujol, Rizal together with
some patriots had a meeting at the home
of Doroteo Ongjungco, a Chinese-
Filipino mestizo, on Ilaya St., Tondo,
Manila.
Doroteo Ongjungco
Attendees of the meeting:
Pedro Serrano Laktaw (Panday Pira) Domingo Franco (Felipe Real)
a mason and a school teacher a mason and a shoe keeper
President: Ambrosio Secretary: Deodato Treasurer: Bonifacio Fiscal: Agustin dela Rosa
Salvador Arellano Arevalo
Aims of the La Liga Filipina:
Mutual protection in
02
01 To unite the whole
archipelago into onecompact, every want and
vigorous, and homogenous necessity
body
(left to right)
RIZAL-PASTELLS RELIGIOUS
DEBATES
Fr. Pablo Pastells sent Rizal a book
Sarda advising the latter to refrain
from being proud and too
judgmental
Rizal’s letters revealed his anti-
Catholic ideas caused by the abuses
committed against his family and
people
He criticized the friars for using
Fr. Pablo Pastells their religious authority to oppress
and abuse other people
He said that individual judgment is a gift
from God and everyone should use it to
light his way; that self-esteem if used
moderately, saves man from unworthy acts.
He further argued that pursuit of truth
has different paths, thus, religions may
vary, but they all lead to the light.
Fr. Pastells tried to win back Rizal to the fold of
Catholicism.
He admonished Rizal that divine faith supersedes
everything: reason, self-esteem and individual
judgment.
No matter how intelligent a man is, his intelligence
is limited; he still needs God’s guidance.
He failed to convince Rizal
AN ABORTED DUEL
Juan Lardet, a French businessman who was a personal
acquaintance of Rizal had a quarrel that almost ended
up in a duel.
Reasons:
Lardet bought logs from Rizal
Found some of the logs to be of poor quality
Accused Rizal as a cheater
Lardet wrote a letter to Antonio Miranda,
a Dapitan merchant expressing disgust
over the business deal he had with Rizal
Miranda sent the letter to Rizal
Rizal confronted Lardet and challenged
him to a duel
The Frenchman asked for an apology
JESUIT MISSION: “WIN RIZAL BACK”
Apogania Rizali
Rhacophorus Rizali
RIZAL, THE INVENTOR AND
SCULPTOR
As an inventor, Rizal
made a lighter that ignites
through stones; and a
brick maker machine.
A lighter called "sulpakan"
which he gave to a friend
as a birthday gift
RIZAL, THE INVENTOR AND
SCULPTOR
As an artist, he carved a
number of sculptures:
1. “The Mother’s Revenge” a
tribute to his dog Syria, whose
child was killed by a crocodile
2. “The Dapitan Girl”
3. Josephine’s Image
4. Busts of Fr. Guerrico and St.
Paul
PERIOD OF PAIN
Unhappy Days in Dapitan:
He missed his family; until his mother, three sisters
and nephews arrived and stayed with him
He was sad because of the plight of his family, the
country and the people
He had no opportunity to see Leonor when she died
in August 1893
A Beautiful Stranger
In his darkest moments in
Dapitan, an 18-year old Irish
girl arrived in Dapitan
She’s Josephine Bracken, whose
mother died in childbirth.
She is adopted by Mr. George
Taufer, who later became blind.
The two came to the Philippines
to have Mr. Taufer’s eyes be
cured
DAPITAN WRITINGS
“Himno a Talisay” (Hymn to the Talisay Tree) – a
hymn/poem written in tribute to a tree to which a
town was named after; where Rizal often stayed.
Rizal and his students have always used the talisay
tree as a meeting place
In gratitude, the students would always sing the
hymn.
DAPITAN WRITINGS
“Mi Retiro” (My Retreat) –depicts Rizal’s
life as an exile in Dapitan
“Canto del Viajero” (Song of the Traveler) –
a poem celebrating his renewed opportunity
to travel abroad and end of his exile in
Dapitan
TO BE
CONTINUED....
NEXT TOPIC: 1896 REVOLUTION;
END OF EXILE; ARREST TRIAL
AND MARTYRDOM
UNIT 12
LEARNING CONTENT:
In 1895, the Cubans revolted against the Spaniards.In 1896, the Filipinos also
staged their revolt against Spain. The Filipinos thought that it would be
advantageous for them because Spain would have divided attention and
strength.
NOTE: Prior to the execution of Jose P. Rizal on Dec. 30, 1896, there was the
so-called "First Cry of Philippine Independence" on April 10, 1895, in Montalban,
Rizal. The more famous Cry of Balintawak was on Aug. 26, 1896. The Filipino
rebels fired the first shots of the revolution on the same day.
May 2, 1896 – Dr. Pio Valenzuela was sent by the KKK Supreme Council to
convince Rizal in Dapitan to join and lead the Katipunan, he being the
recognized leader and savior of the Filipinos.
Rizal did not adhere to the idea of the KKK. He believed the KKK would fail to
defeat the powerful Spanish army because of several reasons…
The KKK does not have enough weapons to fight against the fully
equipped Spaniards
The KKK members do not have enough skills and training to fight a
professional army tested in war
The KKK hierarchy lacks credibility which would result to confusion in the
chain of command
The enemy has allies which necessitates that the revolutionaries must
have foreign aid to ensure sufficient funds
Naval ships are needed, especially in an archipelago like the Philippines
for communication purposes
Rizal believed that it was not yet time for a revolution. It must not be held solely
on the basis of sentiment and burning passion. It must be launched on the
context of the ability to succeed in the end. If the revolution is the last resort, it
must be prepared for another five to ten years to ensure victory.
Rizal applied as a volunteer war physician to the Cuban revolution hoping to end
his Dapitan exile. His letter was finally approved after months of waiting.
On July 31, 1896, he left Dapitan together with Josephine, Narcisa, three
nephews and a niece on board the steamer España. This ended his Dapitan
exile.
The Arrival of España in Manila was delayed. The Isla de Luzon had left. Rizal
was told to wait for the Isla de Panay which will arrive in 28 days. Rizal was
transferred to the Castilla, manned by Enrique Santalo, where he would wait for
another 26 days.
Aboard a launch Caridad, some KKK members sneaked in and made a last ditch
attempt to rescue Rizal. Jacinto introduced himself and told Rizal he would be
rescued. Rizal politely refused the offer saying he knew what he was doing.
Inside the Castilla, while waiting for the arrival of the Isla de Panay, the
Katipunan was discovered.
On the 26 of August, Bonifacio and the rest of the KKK raised the “Cry of
Pugadlawin,” which marked the start of the Philippine Revolution.
Rizal expected this to happen.
On August 30, 1896, Rizal finally received the letter of Gov. Blanco, expressing
his congratulations and recommendation.
On September 3, aboard the Isla de Panay, he left for Spain. The ship
proceeded to Singapore. His co-passengers Pedro and Periquin Roxas escaped
and he was encouraged to do the same. Rizal refused because he didn’t want to
become a fugitive.
The discovery of the KKK led to the uncovering of its secrets. Bulks of
documents were uncovered. Many of these documents implicated Rizal to the
KKK. Pictures, copies of the Noli and Fili were also found. Documents declaring
Rizal as the KKK honorary president were likewise discovered.
Spanish authorities learned that Rizal was used as a rally cry of the members.
He was regarded as their true leader and hero. These documents, together with
many letters and testimonies from those arrested led to the conclusion that Rizal
was part of the revolutionary group.
On September 30, 1896, Capt. A. Alemany followed the order and kept Rizal in
his cabin during the remainder of the trip
On October 7, Rizal was transferred to a new ship the SS Colon bound for
Manila. Rizal kept records of the Philippines since he left for Barcelona
There were a total of fifteen exhibits for the documentary evidence. Testimonial
evidences, on the other hand, were comprised of oral proofs provided by:
Rizal chose Lt. Don Luis Taviel de Andrade, 1st Lt. of the Spanish Artillery to be
his defense lawyer. Rizal discovered that the said lieutenant was the brother of
Lt. Jose Taviel de Andrade who worked as Rizal's personal body guard
in Calamba in 1887.
On the 11th of December 1896, in the presence of his Spanish counsel, charges
against Rizal were read:
He was accused of being the principal organizer and the living soul of Filipino
insurrection. The founder of societies, periodicals and books dedicated to
fomenting and propagating ideas of rebellion.
When asked regarding his sentiments or reaction on the charges, Rizal replied
that:
On December 15, inside his cell at Fort Santiago, Rizal wrote a controversial
letter, The Manifesto addressed to his countrymen. The Manifesto was a letter
denouncing bloody struggle, and promoting education and industry as the best
means to acquire independence.
Judge Advocate General Nicolas de la Peña requested to Gov. Polavieja that the
publication of the manifesto be prohibited.
The prosecution drew information from the dossier on Rizal which detailed his
“subversive activities” some of which are the following:
The Judge Advocate Rafael Dominguez was assigned with the task of deciding
what corresponding action should be done. After a brief review, he transmitted
the records to Don Nicolas de la Pena.
Despite all valid pleadings, the military court, vindictive as it was, unanimously
voted for the sentence of death. Governor Polavieja affirmed the decision of the
court martial and ordered Rizal to be shot at 7:00 in the morning of December
30, 1896 at Bagumbayan field.
A Jesuit priest now came running and asked Rizal to kiss the crucifix that he
held. Rizal turned his back on the crucifix and thus, against the firing squad. He
was ready for the execution.
Rizal spent his 24 hours in his death cell where he received members of his
family and writes his letter, the first one to his “second brother” Ferdinand
Blumentritt. He gave his sister Trinidad and old petroleum lamp and whispered to
her in English that there is something inside the lamp. Thus is Rizal’s famous
Farewell poem, “Mi Ultimo Adios”, (“My Last Farewell”) was found.
On December 29, 1896, 6 AM: Capt. Rafael Rodriguez was assigned by Gov.
Gen. Camilo Polavieja to read Rizal’s death sentence, - to be shot at
Bagumbayan by a firing squad at 7am the next day.
At 7AM: Rizal moved to the prison chapel, where he spent his last moments
At 7:15AM: Rizal reminded Fr. Luis Viza the statuette of the Sacred Heart of
Jesus whom he carved as a student in Ateneo.
By 9AM: Fr. Federico Faura arrived. Rizal reminded him that he said that (Rizal)
would someday lose his head for writing the Noli. “Father, you are indeed a
prophet.”
At 10AM: Fr. Jose Villaclara and Fr. Vicente Balaguer visited Rizal then
discussed with him his retraction letter. Santiago Mataix, a Spanish journalist,
followed for the newspaper, El Heraldo de Madrid.
From 11AM- 3PM: Rizal stayed in his cell. He was busy writing poems and
letters. He hid his farewell poem in an alcohol cooking stove. He also wrote his
last letter to Professor Blumentritt.
At 4PM: Teodora Alonzo visited him. They had a very emotional encounter. Rizal
gave the alcohol cooking stove to Trinidad which contains his farewell poem.
Several priests have visited him afterwards.
At 6PM: Don Silvino Tuňon, the Dean of the Manila Cathedral visited Rizal.
At 8PM: Rizal had his last supper. He told Captain Dominguez that he forgave
his enemies including the military judges.
At 9:30PM: Rizal was visited by Don Gaspar Cestaňo, fiscal of the Royal
Audience de Manila.
At 10PM: The draft of the retraction letter sent by the anti- Filipino Archbishop
Bernardo Nozaleda was given by Fr. Balaguer to Rizal for his signature. He had
rejected It.
Upon Rizal’s death, his supposedly Retraction Letter became of one of the most
controversial documents in our history. This Retraction Letter allegedly contains
his renunciation of the Masonry and his ‘anti-Catholic Religious Ideas’
Depending on whose side you are on, some Rizalists claim that it is fake while
some believe it to be genuine. There had been some evidences but so far these
had only heated up the debate between two factions.
On December 30, 1896, 3AM: Rizal heard Mass, confessed his sins and took
Holy Communion.
By 5:30AM: He took his last breakfast. After which he wrote his last letters for his
family and his brother, Paciano.
Rizal said, “Now I am about to die, and it is to you I dedicate my last lines, to tell
you how sad I am to leave you alone in life, burdened with the weight of the
family and our old parents.”
At 5:30AM: Josephine Bracken arrived together with Rizal’s sisters, Josefa, with
tears in her eyes, bade him farewell. Rizal embraced her for the last time, and
before she left, Rizal gave her a last gift, a religious book, “Imitation of Christ” by
Father Thomas Kempis.
By 6AM: As the soldiers were getting ready for the death march to Bagumbayan,
Rizal wrote his last letter to his beloved parents.
“My beloved Father, pardon me for the pain with which I repay you, for sorrows
and sacrifices for my education. I did not want it nor did I prefer it. Goodbye,
Father, goodbye!”
At 6:30 AM: a trumpet sounded at Fort Santiago to signal the death march to
Bagumbayan. Rizal walked calmly with his defense counsel and two Jesuit priest
at his sides. He was dressed elegantly in a black suit, black derby hat, black
shoes, white shirt and black tie. His arms were tied behind from elbow to elbow.
There’s a lot of spectators lining the street from Fort Santiago to Bagumbayan.
As he was going through the narrow Postigo Gate, Rizal looked at the sky and
said to one of the priests: “How beautiful it is today, Father. What morning could
be more serene! How clear is Corregidor and the mountains of Cavite! On
mornings like this, I used to take a walk with my sweetheart.”
While he was passing in front of Ateneo, he saw the college towers above the
walls. He asked: “Is that Ateneo, Father?” Yes”, replied the priest.
Rizal bade farewell to his Fathers March and Villaclara and to his defender, Lt.
Luis Taviel de Andrade. Although his arms were tied, he had firmly clasped their
hands in parting.
One of the priests blessed him and offered him a crucifix to kiss.
He requested the commander of firing squad that he be shot facing them. His
request was denied for the captain had implicit orders to shoot him at his back.
A Spanish military physician, Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo, asked his permission to
feel his pulse. He was amazed to find it normal, showing that Jose Rizal was not
afraid to die.
The death ruffles of the drums filled the air. Above the drum beats, the sharp
command “fire” was heard, and the guns of the firing squad barked. Rizal, with
supreme effort, turned his bullet- riddled body to the right, and fell on the ground
dead, with face upward facing the morning sun. At exactly 7:03 am, Rizal
shouted “consummatum es” before the shot rang out. The hero’s life ended. In
the background could be heard, “Viva Espaňa!”; “Morir es traidores!” On that
fateful day, Rizal was 35 years, 5 months and 11 days old.
“I die just when I see the dawn break, through the gloom of night, the herald the
day; and if color is lacking my blood thou shalt take, poured out at need for thy
sake, to dye with its crimson the waking ray…”
It is interesting to note that 14 years before his execution, Rizal predicted that he
would die on December 30th. He was then a medical student in Madrid, Spain.
Martyrs are rare stars in the vast firmament of humanity. Every instance of
martyrdom is distinct in magnitude and direction. Indeed, martyrs are the
meteors of history, they flash across the sky and light the world and in the
process consume themselves.
They are the person who is put to death or made suffer greatly or other beliefs
because of religion. Other elements of martyrdom are usefulness of life and
dedication to a high purpose. Rizal’s death was an emotional event in our history
as it produced
Source: https://www.slideshare.net/yazmin9457/martyrdom-at-
bagumbayan-jose-rizals-life