Rizal’s Abandonment of

Assimilation
• In the 19th century, 2 Jose Rizal’s myths regarding to the Philippine national
movement.
• 1st myth- The opposing the 1896 revolution and the encouragement of Spain and
Philippines.
• 2nd myth- The prejudice against the Katipunan, was called an organization of the
“uneducated and unfortunate” people.
 Historical Evidences that contradicted the
1st myth of Rizal in 1887-1992
• In 1887, Rizal wrote 2 letters to
German scholar Ferdinand
Blumentritt, his friend and mentor.
• He stated on both of his letters that he
wanted Philippines to be liberated
from the Spanish colonizers.
• January 26, 1887- He stated that
Spain can never learn like the South
American colonies, England, nor the
United States. He only wanted a
better education and government.
• “Quos Deus vult perdere, prius
dementat”
• February 21, 1887- “Filipinos
wished for Hispanization and they
regretted it. The Philippines didn’t
want Assimilation but it was Spain
who wished for it.
 Cont……
• Ruth Roland, an American author, • In October 1891, Rizal cut ties with the
revised and omitted some of Rizal’s reformist in Madrid through a letter
letters. signed by La’ong La ’an.
• In April 1980, Marcelo H. Del Pilar • During Rizal's imprisonment, he wrote
stated that Rizal appreciated the the December 15,1896 manifesto.
reform movement and didn’t • Austin Coates and Nick Joaquin’s
condemn it. translated the “Mi Ultimo Adios”
• On the 4th of April, 1890, Rizal Rizal’s last testament to English.
abandoned the propaganda of La
Soladaridad.

• Joaquin’s translation showed
similarities to Rizal’s Spanish
writing.
• Joaquin’s translation of “Sin
dudas, sin pesar” made him able
to claim that “Rizal did not
entirely agree” with the
Revolutionaries'’ actions.
• Rizal’s Spanish text and Nick
Joaquin’s both appeared in
Philippine Literature, edited by
Bienvenido Lumbera.
• The last poem of Jose Rizal was
distributed to the revolutionaries by
Bonifacio with his own vernacular
translation in a happy tone.
• Adding more controversy and interest to
Bonifacio’s translations of Rizal’s untitled
poem which appeared in The Writings
and Trial of Andres Bonifacio was edited
by Teodoro Agoncillo in 1963.
• Rizal left a farewell gift to Josephine,
Kempis’ La Imitacion del Cristo. The
words “Consumatum est!” Jesus’ last
words were heard from Rizal’s lips before
his execution.
 • Rizal’s death was later on compared
with Pasyon or Christ’s suffering.
• Martyrdom has always played a
vital role in the Philippine
• The aftermath of Rizal’s death
revolutionary custom from Hermao
caused lead to the uprising of his
Pule (1840) to Felipe Salvador
supporters.
(1910) to Tatand de los Santos
• Rizal’s exile in Guam because he
(1967), and to the three priests
refused to take an oath of allegiance
Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora who
to America, Mabini respected his
were executed in 1872.
actions as a National Hero. • Rizal’s last poem became the
• Unlike the GOMBURZA’s death,
rallying cry of the Katipuneros. It
who died in tears, Rizal faced a
urged them to reminisce the
happy death which inspired the
ultimate sacrifice of Rizal for the
Filipinos to continue the battle for
sake of nationalism and liberty.
liberation.