CHAPTER 23

LAST TRIP ABROAD

(1896)
BY: MELO, JOHN LLOYD
SORIANO, JOELSON LYKO
 INTRODUCTION

• Rizal had a pleasant trip from Dapitan to Manila, with delightful stopovers in
Dumaguete, Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz, and Romblon.
• He missed the regular steamer Isla de Luzon, which sailed to Spain the day before he
arrived in Manila bay.
• August 26, 1896, Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan raised the cry of revolution.
• Rizal, worried about the raging hostilities left for Spain on the steamer Isla de Panay
on September 3, 1896.
ISLA DE LUZON
ISLA DE PANAY
 FROM DAPITAN TO MANILA

• July 31, 1896, the España, with Rizal and party on board, sailed northward.
• Saturday of August 1st, it anchored at Dumaguete.
• Rizal wrote in his travel diary, "Dumaguete," "spreads out on the beach. There are big houses,
some with galvanized iron roofing. Outstanding are the house of a lady, whose name I have
forgotten, which is occupied by the government and another one just began with many ipil posts."
• In Dumaguete, Rizal visited a friend and former classmate, Herrero Regidor. He also visited other
friends, including the Periquet and Rufina families.
• In the afternoon he operated on a Spanish captain of the Guardia Civil.
 FROM DAPITAN TO MANILA

• The España left Dumaguete about 1PM and reached Cebu the following morning.
• At the house of Attorney Mateos he met an old couple.
• He wrote in his diary, "In Cebu," "I did two operations of strabotomy, one operation
on the ears, and another of tumor.
• Monday, August 3, Rizal left Cebu going to Iloilo.
 FROM DAPITAN TO MANILA

• He wrote, "The voyage was fine, at the right we saw Mactan, an island famous for
what happened to Magellan. The whole afternoon was magnificent... We saw many
islands along our way... The next day, in the morning, we entered Iloilo..."
• Rizal landed in Iloilo went shopping in the city and visited Molo Church.
• He commented, "the church is pretty outside and the interior is not bad, considering
that it had been painted by a lad. The paintings are mostly copies of biblical scenes by
Gustave Dore."
• From Iloilo, Rizal's ship sailed to Capiz
MOLO CHURCH
 RIZAL MISSES SHIP GOING TO SPAIN

• The España arrived in Manila Bay early in the morning of Thursday, August 6, 1896.
• Rizal was not able to catch the mail ship Isla de Luzon. He was greatly disappointed,
but he took this unlucky incidence with abiding resignation.'
• Writing to Blumentritt, "Unfortunately, I did catch the mail ship for Spain, and fearing
that my stay in Manila for a month might bring me troubles I made known to the
governor general. while remaining on board the ship, of my wish to be isolated from
everybody except my family."
 RIZAL MISSES SHIP GOING TO SPAIN

• August 6, Rizal was transferred to the Spanish cruiser Castilla, by order of Governor
General Ramon Blanco.
• He was given good accommodation by the gallant captain, Enrique Santalo.
• Rizal stayed on the cruiser for about a month, from August 6 to September 2, 1896.
 OUTBREAK OF THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION

• While Rizal was patiently waiting on the cruiser Castilla for the next steamer to
Spain, portentous events occurred.
• August 19, 1896, the Katipunan plot to overthrow Spanish rule by means of
revolution was discovered by Fray Mariano Gil.
• On August 26, 1896, the tumult produced by the discovery of the Katipunan plot was
aggravated by the "Cry of Balintawak."
• On August 30, the revolutionists led by Bonifacio and Jacinto attacked San Juan but
they were repulsed with heavy losses.
 OUTBREAK OF THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION

• After the Battle of San Juan, Governor General Blanco proclaimed a state of war in the
eight provinces: Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija,
and Tarlac.
 OUTBREAK OF THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION

• Rizal learned of the eruption of the revolution and the raging battles around Manila
through newspapers. He was worried for two reasons:
(1) the violent revolution which he sincerely believed to be premature and would only
cause much suffering and terrible loss of human lives and property, and
(2) it would arouse Spanish vengeance against all Filipino patriots.
 DEPARTURE FOR SPAIN

• August 30, 1896, the day when the state of war was proclaimed in the eight provinces,
Rizal received from Governor General Blanco two letters of introduction for the
Minister of War and the Minister of Colonies, with a covering letter which absolved
him from all the blame for the raging revolution.
• The two letters of introduction were identical.
Mr. Jose Rizal My Dear Sir: Enclosed are two letters for the Ministers of War and Colonies which I think will
be well received. I have no doubt that you will justify me before the Government by your future behavior not
only for your word of honor but because the present happening must have shown you palpably that certain
actions which are the product of foolish ideas yield no other result but hatred, destruction, tears, and blood.
May you be very happy is the wish of your attentive servant who kisses your hand. Ramon Blanco

Most Excellent Marcelo de Azcarraga My esteemed General and distinguished Friend, I recommend to you
with genuine interest Dr. Jose Rizal who is departing for the Peninsula at the disposal of the Government, ever
desirous for rendering his services as physician to the Army in Cuba. His conduct during the four years that he
was in exile in Dapitan has been exemplary and he is, in my opinion, the more worthy of pardon and
benevolence as he is in no way involved either in the criminal attempt that we are lamenting these days or in
any conspiracy or secret society that they have been plotting. With this object I have the pleasure to remain,

Your most affectionate friend and colleague who kisses your hand.
Ramon Blanco
September 2, 1896, the day before his departure for Spain, Rizal wrote to his mother.
My dearest Mother, As I promised, I am addressing you a few lines before leaving, to let you know about the
condition of my health. I am well, thank God, I am only concerned as to what will happen or shall have happened to
you in these days of upheaval and disorder. God will that my old father may not have any indisposition. I shall write to
you from the places where the boat stops; I expect to be in Madrid or at least in Barcelona at the end of this month. Do
not worry about anything; we are all in the hands of Divine Providence. Not all those who go to Cuba die, and in the
end one has to die; at least die doing something good. Take good care of yourself and take care of my old father so
that we shall see each other again. Many regards for my brother, sisters, nephews and nieces, aunts, etc., etc. I leave
contented, confident that as long as you are alive the family will remain united and the old intimacy will reign in it.
You two are the bond that unites all of us. With nothing more, my very dear mother, I kiss your hand and that of my
father with all the affection and love that my heart is capable of giving; give me your blessings of which I am in much
need. A fond embrace for everyone for my sisters; may they love one another just as I love all of them.

Your son, Jose

 DEPARTURE FOR SPAIN

• September 2, Rizal was transferred to the steamer Isla de Panay which was sailing for
Barcelona, Spain.
• September 3, this steamer left Manila Bay.
• Rizal's last trip to Spain began.
• Among his fellow passengers on board were Don Pedro Roxas and his son named
Periquin.
 RIZAL IN SINGAPORE

• The Isla de Panay arrived at Singapore in the evening of September 7.

• The following morning Rizal and other passengers went ashore for sightseeing and
shopping for souvenirs.
• In his travel diary, Rizal wrote "I have observed some changes. There are more
Chinese merchants and less Indian... I bought a Chinese gown... Singapore has
changed much since I saw it for the first time in 1882."
 RIZAL IN SINGAPORE

• Don Pedro, with his son, disembarked at Singapore. He advised Rizal to stay behind
too and take advantage of the protection of the British law.
• Several Filipino residents of Singapore, headed by Don Manuel Camus, boarded the
steamer, urging him to stay in Singapore to save his life.
  
VICTIM OF SPANISH DUPLICITY

• Rizal refuses to break his word of honor in Singapore, Rizal sealed his own doom.
• For without his knowledge, Governor General Blanco was secretly conspiring with the
Ministers of War and Colonies for his destruction.
• Great hero and genius that he was, Rizal proved to be as gullible as Sultan Zaide.
• One of his greatest mistakes was to believe that Governor General Blanco was a man
of honor and a friend.
 VICTIM OF SPANISH DUPLICITY

• The truth of the matter, as now substantiated by the declassified documents in the
Ministries of War and the Colonies, was that Blanco was implacable foe, who regarded
him as a "dangerous Filipino."
• Rizal was unaware that since his departure from Manila on his way to Spain, Blanco
and the Ministers of War and the Colonies were exchanging coded telegrams and
confidential messages for his arrest.
RIZAL ARRESTED BEFORE REACHING BARCELONA

• The Isla de Panay, with Rizal on board, left Singapore at 1PM, September 8.
• Unaware of the Spanish duplicity, he happily continued the voyage towards Barcelona.
• September 25, he saw the steamer Isla de Luzon, leaving the Suez Canal, crammed
with Spanish troops.
RIZAL ARRESTED BEFORE REACHING BARCELONA

• Sunday, September 27, he heard from the passengers that a telegram from Manila
reporting the execution of Francisco Roxas, Genato, and Osorio.
• September 28, a day after the steamer had left Port Said, a passenger told Rizal the bad
news that he would be arrested by order of Governor General Blanco.
• Shocked by the alarming news, Rizal belatedly realized that he was duped by the
unscrupulous Spanish officials.
RIZAL ARRESTED BEFORE REACHING BARCELONA

• S.S. Isla de Panay, Mediterranean September 28, 1896 My very dear Friend, A
passenger on board has just told me a news that I can hardly believe and should it be
true, would bring to an end the prestige of Philippine authorities. I cannot believe for it
would be the greatest injustice and the most abominable infamy, unworthy not of a
military official but of the last bandit. I have offered to serve as a physician, risking
life in the hazards of war and abandoning all my business. I am innocent and now in
reward they are sending me to prison!! I cannot believe it! This is infamous, but if it
turns out to be true, as everybody assures me, I am communicating to you these news
so that you may appraise my situation. Yours, Jose Rizal
 RIZAL ARRESTED BEFORE REACHING BARCELONA

• September 29, Rizal wrote in his travel diary:

"There are people on board who do nothing but slander me and invent fanciful stories
about me. I'm going to become a legendary personage." September 30 at 4PM, he was
officially notified by Captain Alemany that he should stay in his cabin until further
orders from Manila.
 ARRIVAL IN BARCELONA AS A PRISONER

• 6:25PM, September 30, the steamer anchored Malta.

• Rizal was not able to visit the famous island-fortress of the Cristian crusaders. He
wrote in his diary, "I saw through a tiny window, the beautiful view of the port with its
monumental and magnificent castle in three levels illumined by the lingering
afternoon lights."
 ARRIVAL IN BARCELONA AS A PRISONER

• October 3 at 10 in the morning, the Isla de Panay arrived in Barcelona, with Rizal as a
prisoner on board.
• His jailor was no longer the ship captain but the Military Commander of Barcelona,
who happened to be General Euologio Despujol.
• It was one of those coincidences in the lives of men that make "history stranger than
fiction."
FORT ST ELMO, VALLETTA
  
ARRIVAL IN BARCELONA AS A PRISONER

• On his second day in Barcelona, Rizal noticed the city celebration of the Feast of St.
Francis of Assisi.
• Rizal recorded it in his diary as follows, "At 6 in the morning many cannon shots
awakened us. It seems that they are in honor of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi... At
12 o'clock I counted as many 31 cannon shots and at 6 there were again as many. At
night there was a concert in the dining room which can be heard from my cabin."
• 3AM on October 6, Rizal was awakened by the guards and escorted to the grim and
infamous prison fortress name Monjuich.
 ARRIVAL IN BARCELONA AS A PRISONER

• 2 in the afternoon, he was taken out of prison by the guards and brought to the
headquarters of General Despujol.
• In the interview, which lasted a quarter of an hour, the brusque general told Rizal that
he would be shipped back to Manila on board.
• 8PM, October 6, the ship left Barcelona, with Rizal on board.
THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING!!