Module 2

RIZAL’S LIFE

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the module, the student is expected to:
1. Examine Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s life, family, childhood, and early education;
2. Differentiate the system of education during Rizal’s time and the present
educational system in the Philippines;
3. Analyze the factors that lead to Rizal’s execution; and
4. Explain the reasons why every Filipino should be proud of Rizal.

Module Outline
 Family
 Education
 Last Hours
 Death
Introduction
A biography narrates how a person has lived during a certain period of time.
It presents not only the life of an individual and how he/she has influenced the society
but also how an individual and his/her ideas have been shaped by historical events.
Jose Rizal lived in the nineteenth century, a period in Philippine history when changes
in public consciousness were already being felt and progressive ideas were being
realized. Studying Rizal’s biography, therefore, will lead to a better understanding of how
Rizal devoted his life in shaping the Filipino character. This chapter will cover
Rizal’s life and how he became an important hero of the Philippines.
RIZAL’S FAMILY

The Rizal family belonged to the “principalia” an aristocratic town of distinguished

families. By frugal living, hard and honest work, Rizal’s parents were able to live well.
From the farms, which were rented from the Dominicans Order, they harvested rice, corn
and sugarcane. They raised pigs, chickens and turkeys in their backyard. In addition,
Doña Teodora managed a grocery store and operated a small flour mill.

Rizal’s parents were able to build a large stone house which was situated near the
town church. They owned a carriage which was a status symbol of the ilustrados in the
Philippines and a private library consisting of 1,000 volumes.

The Rizal family had a simple, contented and happy life and was intimately close.
Don Francisco and Doña Teodora loved their children, but they never spoiled them. They
were strict parents and they trained their children to love God, to behave well, to be
obedient and to respect people especially the old folks.

The Hero’s Father

Jose Rizal’s Father, Don Francisco Mercado Rizal

(1818-1898) was born in Biñan, Laguna. He studies
Latin and Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila.
After their parent’s death, Francisco and two of his sisters
moved to Calamba. He became a tenant farmer of the
Dominican-owned hacienda. He was handworking, and
independent-minded who talked less but worked more and
valiant in sprite. Jose Rizal described his father in his dairy:
“My father was a model of fathers had given us
an education commensurate with our small fortune;
and through thrift he was able to build a stone
house; erect a little nipa
house in the middle of our
orchard under the shade of some trees and others.”

The Hero’s Mother

Doña Teodora Alonso Y Realonda (1826-1911) was born in Meisik, Sta. Cruz Manila. She
studied at Colegio de Sta. Rosa in Manila. She was a woman of refined culture and
character, with exemplary literary talents, the fortitude of a Spartan woman and with
business ability, she managed their store. Rizal lovingly described his mother:
“My mother is a woman of more than ordinary culture; she knows literature and
speak Spanish better than I. She even corrected my poems and gave me wise
advises when I was studying rhetoric. She is a mathematician and has read many
books.”

Both parent greatly influenced Rizal as shown in his character. “From his father he
inherited a profound sense of dignity and self-respect, seriousness and from his mother
the dreamer and bravery for sacrifices and her literary prowess”.

Don Francisco Mercado Rizal and Doña Teodora Alonzo Y Realonda were blessed
with eleven (11) children: two (2) boys and nine (9) girls. They were as follows in the
order of their birth.

Rizal Siblings

1. Saturnina (1850-1913)
The eldest child of the Rizal children. Her nickname was “Neneng”, she married
to Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas. Their children were Alfredo, who
married Aurora Tiaoqui; Adela, who married Jose Ver; Abelardo; and Amelia and
Augusto, who both died young. Hidalgo and Rizal sent frequent correspondence
while the latter was in Europe. In 1909, Saturnina published Pascual Poblete’s
Tagalog translation of the Noli Me Tangere.

2. Paciano (1851-1930)
He was the second child, closest, oldest brother of Jose Rizal. He was Rizal’s
confidant, and he was the one who convinced Rizal to study in Europe without
their parent’s permission. He studied Latin under maestro Justiniano Cruz before
attending the Colegio de San Jose in Manila. While in the city, Paciano lived and
worked with Fr. Jose A. Burgos, who earned the anger of the Spanish friars by
campaigning for the secularization movement. Paciano was in charge of sending
money and budget, and constantly advised his brother Jose Rizal through letters
while in Europe.

Paciano became an ally of the Katipunan. He became a general in the

revolutionary army during the 1900’s After Rizal’s execution in December 1896 at
Bagumbayan, he joined the Philippine Revolution and became a combat general.
He turned to his farm in Los Baños, where he lived as a gentleman, farmer,
and died at the age of 79.

3. Narcisa (1852-1939)
The third chid and whose nickname is “Sisa” and was married to Antonio Lopez
(nephew of Father Leoncio Lopez). She was a musician and educator from
Pueblo de Morong Oformer name of Rizal Province). Their children were Emilio,
Angelica, who married Benito Abreu; Antonio, who married Emiliana Riza,
(the daughter pf Paciano Rizal); Consuelo: Leoncio, who married Natividad
Arguelles; and Isabel, Francisco, and Fidela, all of whom died young. Narcisa
could recite from memory almost all poems of Jose Rizal.

4. Olimpia (1855-1887)
The fourth child with a nickname “Ypia”, who was married to Silvestre Ubaldo, a
telegraph operator from Manila. Their children were Aristeo, who married
Leonarda Limjap: Cesario and another boy, both of whom died young. She
died while giving birth in 1887.

5. Lucia (1857-1919)
 Who married Mariano Herbosa (nephew of Father Casañas) of Calamba, Laguna.
Their children were Delfina, first wife of General Salvador Natividad and who
helped Marcela Agoncillo make the first Philippine flag in Hong Kong; Concepcion;
Patrocinio, who married Jose Battalones; Teodisio, who married Lucina
Vitingco; Estanislao, and Paz, and Jose. Herbosa died of Cholera and was denied of
Christian burial being the brother-in-law of Jose Rizal.

6. Maria (1859-1945)
Her nickname was “Biang” and was married to Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan
Laguna. The couple was blessed with five children. Their children were
Encarnacion, who married Rosendo Banaad; Mauricio, who married Concepcion
Arguelles; and Petrona, Paz, and Prudencio, who all died young.

7. Concepcion (1862-1865)
Her nickname was “Concha”. She died at the age of three. Her death was Rizal’s
first sorrow in life.

8. Josefa (1865-1945)
Her nickname was “Panggoy”. She was epileptic and died spinster at the age of
80. She became a member of the Katipunan.

9. Trinidad (1868-1951)
Her nickname was “Trining”. She was the last of the Rizal children to survive and
died as spinster too and died at the age of 83. She also became a member of the
Katipunan and she was the caretaker of “Mi Ultimo Adios”.

10. Soledad (1870-1929)

The youngest whose nickname is “Choleng” married to Pantaleon Quintero of
Calamba and was blessed with five children were Trinitario, who married
Maria San Mateo; who married Bernane Malvar (son of General Miguel
Malvar); Luisa, who married Jose Arguelles: and Serafin and Felix, both of whom
died young. She became a teache, is said to have been “the best educated”
among Rizal’s sisters. Soledad passed away in 1929, at age of 59.

Jose P. Rizal, the 7th child of the Rizal family, was born on June 19, 1861,
Wednesday, between 11:00 and 12:00 midnight in the town of Calamba, province of
Laguna, Philippines. His mother almost died during her delivery because Jose’s head was
big. As he recounted in his student memoirs:

“My coming out in this vale of tears would have cost my mother her life,
had she not vowed to the Virgin of Antipolo to take me to her sanctuary
by way of pilgrimage”.

He was baptized in the Catholic Church in Calamba on June 22, 1861 by the parish
priest, Father Rufino Collantes. His godfather was Father Pedro Casañas, a close friend of
the Rizal family. Father Collantes was impressed by the big head of baby Jose. He told
them “take good care of this child, for someday he will become a great man”. The name
“Jose” was chosen by his mother in honor of San Jose (St. Joseph) whose feast was March
19.

His complete name was JOSE PROTACIO MERCADO RIZAL ALONZO Y

REALONDA. The name Protacio was taken from the Catholic calendar whis was
practice during the Spanish time, that when a child is born, he/she is named after the
saint of the day. The surname Mercado which means market in English was adopted in
1731 by the paternal great-grandfather, Domingo Lanco, a full-blooded Chinese
merchant.

Added surname Rizal was given by Don Francisco which is closer to the Spanish
word Racial which means “luntiang bukirin” related to his work as hacienda
owner/farmer. Alonzo was the surname of Rizal’s mother and Realonda was used by
Doña Teodora which is the surname of her godmother.

Meaning of your name:

RIZAL’S EDUCATION

Early Childhood

1. First teacher hired by his father: Lucas Padua and Leon Monroy
2. His mother, Doña Teodora
Reader used: El Amigo de los Niños (The Children’s Friend)
Prominent lesson learned as a young boy was from “The story of the moth”
3. Uncle Gregorio taught him the value of hard work, to think for himself, and to
observe his surrounding keenly.
4. Uncle Jose encourage him to sketch, paint, and make sculpture.
5. Uncle Manuel encourage him to pursue his physical development. He taught the
young boy swimming, fencing, wrestling, and other sports.
6. His yaya (nanny) told stories of duwendes (dwarves), ghosts, and aswang (evil
spirits), of the beautiful Mariang Makiling, and other tales on the beautiful
surroundings of his hometown, Calamba. Stories that awakened the imagination
and creativity of the young boy.
7. Poems written:
“Sa Aking Mga Kabata”
“Un Recuerdo de Mi Pueblo” (A Memory of my Town) a poem about Calamba
8. He made sculpture out of mud.
9. He drew things surrounding their house like trees, flowers, birds, butterflies, and
anything he saw around [Link] used charcoal and juices of leaves and flowers
for colors.

During his Secondary Education

1. Place: Biñan, Laguna

Teacher: Justiniano Aquino Cruz. He was quick to discipline his students for any
infraction using a short, thin stick.

2. Injustice to the Rizal Family.

Doña Teodora was accused as an accomplice of Jose Alberto of trying to poison
his wife. Doña Teodora tried to mediate between the spouses but she was
ccused of trying to poison the wife. Doña Teodora was thrown to jail.

3. As a student of Ateneo (1872-1877)

Jose Rizal enetered Ateneo Municipal as an eleven-year-old. His close friendship
with Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, S.J. inspired the young student. Some
poems written under the guidance of Fr. Sanchez: “The Tradegy of St.
Eustace”, “In the Memory of my Town”, “Intimate Alliance Between Religion
and Good Education”, and “Through Education Motherland Receives
Enlightenment”. He had excellent achievements and graduated highest in his
class.

Other activities while in Ateneo:

1. He studied painting under Agustin Saez.
2. He studied sculpture under Teodoro Romualdo de Jesus.
3. He carved the image of the blessed Virgin Mary on a batikuling wood.
4. He carved the imaged of the sacred heart.
5. He joined the organization Marian Congregation. His mentor was Fr. Pablo Pastells,
S.J.
6. He was a member of the academy of Spanish literature.
7. He was a member of the academy of natural sciences.
8. Fr. Jose Villaclara, S.J. encouraged him to pay attention also to the sciences and
philosophy.

9. In S.Y. 1877-1878, he returned to Ateneo while studying at the University of Santo

Tomas. He took up a course on land surveying which offered then as a
vocational course. He completed the surveyor’s course and was awarded the title
perito agrimensor. He passed the final examination for the course. He could
not practice the surveyor’s profession since he was still underage when he
passed the course. He was issued his certificate on November 25, 1881, at the
age of 20.
10. As the student of the University of Santo Tomas:
He enrolled at the Faculty of Philosophy and letters; majored in Philosophy,
1877-1878. He pursued medicine at the University of Santo Tomas. Some of his
grades were still excellent but also had lower grades. He submitted an entry in
the Liceo Artistico Literario de Manila in 1879, entitled “A La Juventud Filipina”
(To the Filipino Youth). He won first prize in the contest. He was awarded a
silver quill. For the first time, he used the phrase “the youth, the fair hope of
my country” (kabataan, pag-asa ng aking bayan).

In 1880, a literary contest was held by Liceo Artistico de Manila. Jose Rizal
submitted an entry entitled: “El Consejo de los Dioses” (Council of the God’s).
This was held in commemoration of the 400 th death anniversary of Miguel de
Cervantes, Spain’s national poet. This poem was in praise of Cervantes and
made him coequal with Homer and Virgil. He was awarded the grand prize. The
award was a gold ring with an engraved bust of Cervantes.

11. Other literary works: “Junti al Pasig”, this one-act play was requested by the
Jesuits on the feast day of the Immaculate Concepcion. This was a satire
showing the good elements and bad elements. In the end, it was a victory
for the good elements.

The corridor of the Colegio de Medicina (Hospital de San Carlos) has a marker
indicating that is was here where Rizal studied medicine. He began his medical studies
on October 2, 1882 and finished it two years later in June 1884. One of his professors
was then famous Marquez de Busto. The other professors he had mentioned were Drs.
Mariani, Polo and Stocker. Her apparently spent his residency at the Hospital de la
Princesa where, as he had written to his family, he performed two operations on
detached ligatures.

But as time went on, Rizal’s heart was not in medicine as shown by his enrolment
in other courses. His medical interest was animated more by a desire to remove
cataracts on his mother’s eyes; she was then close to being blind. Already losing her
eyesight, Rizal’s mother could write to him only with the assistance of her daughters.
Rizal would have to go to Paris to specialize in ophthalmology.

At the same time that Rizal was taking courses in medicine, he went to the nerby
Escuela de Bellas Artes de San Fernando and took five hours of painting lessons under
Carlos de Haes. He likewise enrolled at the Facultad de Derechos (UCM) but his rother
dissuaded him from continuing the course. Rizal’s interest in law was in line with the
desire for political autonomy in the Philippines. But his interest in the humanities
overtook all other interests. He transfereed to the Facultad de Filosofia y Letras, and
worked towards a humanities course which he finished in June 1885. This faculty was
then located at calle Bernardo, the building housing it then is now occupied by the
Ministerio del Justicia.

Although not an educational institution but an exclusive club for men of letters and
science, the Ateneo contributed to the professional development of Rizal. It was here
where he regularly attended theatrical presentations, music and poetry recitals and book
launchings. He was in attendance when Roman de Compoamor delivered his best poetry
in 1884. It was also at the Ateneo where he studied English under the tutelage of Sr.
Schuts. At one time, Rizal was presented to the Principe de Baviera, then presiding over
the meeting.

Even now, the ambiance of the Ateneo is one of quiet, civility and seriousness, with
people spending their time in high-ceilinged rooms and galleries. The theatre has
retained the classical stage reminiscent of a place for Greek plays. On the hallway are
portraits of its prominent members. Rizal’s portrait used to hang at the end of the
hallway. (Rizal’s Madrid / Philippine Embassy Madrid)

Before reaching Madrid to pursue his medical career in 1882, Jose Rizal had many
stopovers. He visited the progressive English colony of Singapore, traversed the historic
waterway of Suez Canal via the steamship Djemnah, reached the Italian City of Naples,
disembarked at the French port of Marseilles, then took a train to the historic city of
Barcelona.

In Barcelona, Rizal wrote his first essay on a foreign soil - the “El Amor Patrio”
(Love of Country) - which he sent to his friend, Basilio Teodora, an editorial staff member
of the Diariong Tagalog.

Rizal lived a frugal life in Madrid, strictly budgeting both his (1)money for food,
clothing, and school materials; and (2) time for his studies and social life. He joined the
Circulo Hispano Filipino and wrote the poem, Me Piden Versos (They Asked Me for Verse).

In 1884, Rizal made a splendid speech which saluted two Filipino masters of
painting, Juan Luna, and Felix Resurrection Hildago, in a banquet held at the National
Exposition of Fine Arts. He met and almost fell in love with Consuelo Ortiga y Rey if not
for his engagement with Leonor Rivera and his friendship with Eduardo de Lete who had
a romantic feeling for Consuelo.

In Heidelberg, he was astounded with the flowers along the Neckar River,
especially the forget-me-nots, which made him compose the poem, A Las Flores de
Heidelberg (To the Flowers of Heildelberg), on April 22, 1886. It was also in this German
City where the long-distance friendship between Jose Rizal and Ferdinand Blumentritt
began.

The stunning beauty of the European lands did not stop Rizal from continuously
adoring his native land. After the Noli Me Tangere was published, he decided to return to
Calamba despite the many warnings he received from friends and relatives alike. He had
four reasons for returning to the Philippines:

1. To perform an operation on Doña Teodora’s eyes;

2. To defend his oppressed countrymen more effectively than doing so in a
foreign land;
3. To find out how his Noli was received by the Filipinos and Spaniards; and
4. To know the reason for Leonor Rivera’s long silence.

RIZAL’S LAST HOURS

July 6, 1892
Ordered deported to Dapitan, but the decree and charges were kept secret from.
Him. Taught school and conducted a hospital during his exile, patients coming
from China coast ports for treatment. Fees thus earned were used to beautify
the town. Arranged a water system and had the plaza lighted.

August 1, 1896
Rizal (aged 35) left Dapitan en route to Spain as a volunteer surgeon for the
Cuban yellow fever hospitals. Carried letters of recommendation from Governor
General Blanco.

August 7 to September 3, 1896

On Spanish cruiser Castilla in Manila Bay. Sailed for Spain on Spanish mail
steamer and just after leaving Port Said was confined to his cabin as a prisoner
on cabled order from Manila. (Rizal’s enemies to secure the appointment of a
governor-general subservient to them, the servile Polavieja had purchased
Governor-General Blanco’s promotion).

October 6, 1896
Place in Montjuich Castle dungeon on his arrivals in Barcelona and the same days
re-embarked for Manila. Friends and countrymen in Londn by cable made an
unsuccessful effort for a Hebeas Corpus writ at Singapore. On arrival in Manila
was placed in Fort Santiago dungeon.

December 3, 1896
 Charged with treason, sedition and forming illegal societies, the prosecution
arguing that he was responsible for the deeds of those who read his writings.
During the imprisonment Rizal began to formulate in his mind his greatest poem
who others later entitle: “My Last Farewell.” (later concealed in an alcohol cooking
lamp)

December 12, 1896

Rizal appears in a courtroom where the judges made no effort to check those who
cry out for his death.

December 15, 1896

Wrote an address to insurgent Filipinos to lay down their arms because their
insurrection was at that time hopeless. Address not made public but added to
the charges against him.

December 26, 1896

A Spanish court martial found Jose Rizal guilty for sedition and sentenced him to
death. Pi y Margall, who had been president of the Spanish Republic, pleaded with
the Prime Minister for Rizal’s life, but the Queen Regent could not forgive his having
referred in one of the writings to the murder by, and suicide of, her relative, Crown
prince Rudolph of Australia.

December 28, 1896

It was decided that Rizal will be executed by musketry, Governor-General Camillo
Polavieja confirmed the sentence.

Teodora Alonzo wrote the Governor-General asking for clemency for her son.

At Malacañan Palace, Rizal’s sisters pleaded to Governor-General Polavieja: stay

Rizal’s execution.

December 29, 1896

Rizal was read his death sentence.

Rizal was visited by several priests including Fr. Faura, S.J.

Rizal wrote his last letter to Ferdinand Blumentritt which read:

My dear Brother,
When you receive this letter, I shall be dead by then. Tomorrow at
seven, I shall be shot; but I am innocent of the crime of
rebellion. I am to die with a tranquil conscience. Adieu, my best, my dearest friend, and
never think ill of me! Fort Santiago, 29December 1896 Jose Rizal Regards to the whole
family, to Sra. Rosa, Loleng, Conradito, and Federico. I leave a
book for you as my remembrance.

Teodora Alonzo paid her final visit to Rizal. She was accompanied by her
daughter, Trinidad Mercado.

Rizal’s sisters were allowed to pay him visits. He gave them his worldly
possessions:
Narcisa - Wicker chair
Angelica - Handkerchief
Mauricio, nephew - belt, watch, and chain
Trinidad - alcohol burner with Mi Ultimo Adios

December 29, 1896

6:00-7:00 am
Sr. S. Mataix asks Rizal’s permission to interview him. Capt. Dominguez reads
death sentence to Rizal. Source of information: cablegram of Matraix to EL
Heraldo. De Madrid, Note of Capt. Dominguez and Testimony of Lt. Gallegos.
7:00-8:00 am
Rizal is transferred to his death cell. Fr, Saderrra talks briefly with Rizal. Fr. Viza
presents statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and medal of Mary. Rizal rejects
the letter, saying “Im little of a Marian, Father.” Source: Fr. Viza

8:00-9:00 am
Rizal is shares his milk and coffee with Fr. Rosell. Lt. Andrade and chief of
Artillery come to visit Rizal who thanks ech of them. Rizal scribbles a note
inviting his family to visit him. Source: Fr. Rosell and letter of Invitation.

9:00-10:00 am
Sr. Mataix, defying stringent regulation, enters death cell and interviews Rizal in
the presence of Fr. Rosell. Later, Gov. Luengo drops in to join the conversation.
Source: Letter of Mataix to Retana Testimony of Fr. Rosell.

10:00-11:00 am
Fr. Faura persuades Rizal to put down his rancours and order to marry Josephine
canonically. A heated discussion on religion occurs between them ion the hearing
of Fr. Rosell. Source: El Imparcial and Fr. Rosell.

11:00-12:00 noon
Rizal talks on “various topics” in a long conversation with Fr. Vilaclara who will
later conclude (with Fr. Balaguer, who is not allowed to enter the death cell) that
Rizal is either to Protestant or rationalist who speak in “a very cold and calculated
manner” with a mixture of a “strange piety.” No debate or discussion on religion is
recorded to have taken place between the Fathers mentioned and Rizal. Sources: El
Imarcial and Rizal y su Obra.

12:00-1:00 pm
Rizal reads Bible and Imitation of Christ by Kempis, then meditates. Fr. Balaguer
reports to the Archbishop that only a little hope remains that Rizal is going to
retract for Rizal was heard saying that he is gong to appear tranquilly before God.
Sources: Rizal’s habits and Rizal y su Obra.

1:00-2:00 pm
Rizal denies (probably, he is allowed to attend to his personal necessities).
Source: Notes of Capt. Dominguez.
2:00-3:00 pm
Rizal confers with Fr. March and Fr. Vilaclara. Source: Notes of Capt. Dominguez
in conjunction with the testimonies of Fr. Pi and Fr. Balaguer.

3:00-4:00 pm
Rizal reads verses which he had underlined in Eggers german Reader, a book
which he is going to hand over to his sisters to be sent to Dr. Blumentritt
through F. Stahl. He “writes several letters…, with his last dedications,” then he
“rest for a short.” Sources: F. Stahl and F. Blumentritt, Cavana (1956) and the
Notes of Capt. Dominguez.

4:00-5:30 pm
Capt. Dominguez is moved with compassion at the sight of Rizal’s kneeling
before his mother and asking pardon. Fr. Rosell hears Rizal’s farewell to his sister and his
address to those presents eulogizing the cleverness of his nephew. The other
sisters come in one by one after the other and to each Rizal’s gives promises to give
a book, an alcohol burner, his pair of shoes, an instruction, something to remember.
Sources: Notes of Capt. Dominguez and Fr. Rosell, Diaro de Manila.

5:30-6:00 pm
The Dean of the Cathedral, admitted on account of his dignity, comes to
exchange views with Rizal. Fr. Rossell hears an order given to ertain “gentlemen”
and “two friars” to leave the chapel at once. Fr. Balaguer leaves Fort Santiago.
Sources: Rev. Silvino Lopez-Tuñon, Fr. Rossell, Fr. Serapio Tamayo, and Sworn
Statement of Fr. Balaguer.

6:00-7:00 pm
 Fr. Rossell leaves Fort Santiago and sees JosephineBracken, Rizal calls for
Josephine and then they speak to each other for the last time. Sources: Fr. Rosell,
El Imparcial, and testimony of Josephine to R. Wildman in 1899.

7:00-8:00 pm
Fr. Faura returns to console Rizal and persuades him once more to trust him and
the other professors at the Ateneo. Rizal is emotion-filled and, after remaining some
moments in silence, confesses to Fr. Faura. Source: El Imparcial.

8:00-9:00 pm
Rizal rakes supper (and, most probably, attends to his personal needs). Then, he
receives Bro. Tiltlot with whom he had a very “tender” (Fr. Balaguer) or “useful”
(Fr. Pi) interview. Sources: Separate testimonies of Fr. Balaguer and Fr. Pi on the
report of Bro. Titllot; Fiscal Castaño.

9:00-10:00 pm
Fiscal Castaño exchanges views with Rizal regarding their respective professors.
Source: Fiscal Castaño.

10:00-11:00 pm
Rizal manifests strange reaction, ask guards for paper and pen. From rough drafts
and copies of his poem recovered in his shoes, the Spaniards come to know that Rizal is
writing a poem. Sources: El Imparcial and Ultimo Adios; probably, Fiscal Castaño.

11:00-12:00 midnight
Rizal takes time to his hide his poem inside the alcohol burner. It has to be done
during night rather than during daytime because he is watched very carefully. He
then writes his last letter to brother Paciano. Sources: Testimonies and circumstantial
evidence.

12:00-4:00am
Rizal sleeps restfully because his confidence in the goodness of God and the
justness of his cause gives him astounding senerity and unusual calmness.

December 30, 1986

4:00-5:00 am
Rizal picks up Imitation of Christ, reads, meditates, and then writes in Kempis’
book a dedication to his wife Josephine and by this very act in itself he gives to
her their only certificate of marriage.

5:00-6:15 am
Rizal washes up, takes breakfast, attends to his personal needs. Writes a letter to
his parents. Reads Bible and meditates. Josephine is prohibited by the Spanish
officers from seeing Rizal, according to Josephine’s testimony to R. Wildman in
1899.

6:15-7:00 am
Rizal walks to the place of execution between Fr, March and Fr. Vilaclara with
whom he converses. Keep looking arround as if seeking or expecting to see someone.
His last word, said in a loud voice: “It is finished.”

7:00-7:03 am
Sounds of guns. Rizal vacillates, turns halfway around, falls down backwards and
lies on the ground facing the sun. Silence. Shouts of vivas in Spain.

Rizal was 35 years, 6 months, 11 days old.

Activity no. 4 : “MI ULTIMO ADIOS”
My Last Farewell / Huling Paalam

RIZAL’S DEATH
 December 30, 1896. After the execution, Rizal’s body was brought to San Juande
Dios Hospital. Rizal’s remains were buried in the Paco Cementary in an unmarked grave.
Rizal’s sister, Narcisa searched suburban graveyards for where Jose Rizal was buried.
She eventually discovered that he was buried in Paco Park. She marked the plot with the
letters R.P.J. (Rizal’s initials in reverse).

January 1897. Commemorated by Spanish free-masons who dedicated a tablet to

his memory, in their Grand Lodge hall in Madrid, as a martyr to liberty.

August 1898. Filipinos who placed over it in Paco cemetery, a cross inscribed
simply “December 30, 1896,” sought his grave, immediately after the American capture
of Manila. Since his death his countrymen had never spoken his name, but all references
had been to “The Dead.”

Rizal’s remains were exhumed and brought to the Rizal’s family house in Binondo.
The remains of Rizal, after exhumation on August 17, 1898, were kept in the Rizal family
house in Binondo until

they were brought to their final resting place in Luneta. On December 30, 1912, a
solemn ceremony was held to finally bury the remains in the base of the monument
dedicated in memory of Rizal.

December 20, 1898. President Aguinaldo of the Philippine Revolutionary

Government proclaimed December 30 as a day of national mourning.

The execution of Rizal stirred emotions all over the world. The newspapers, which
otherwise hardly took notice of this distant country reported about the execution. The
international prestige of the Spanish colonialism, already discredited, suffered a heavy
blow.

Indeed in the Philippines itself, the death of the man, who for millions of people
had been the embodiment of uprightness, of tolerance, of kindness and helpfulness, but
above all of liberalism, of freedom and independence, had the effect of a beacon.

December 30, 1898. Filipinos held memorial services at which time American
soldiers on duty carried their arms reserved. December 30, 1912, Rizal’s ashes
transfered to the Rizal Mausoleum on the Luneta with impressive public ceremonies.

The Philippine Government declared December 30 as the national Hero’s day in

commemorating the heroism of Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda.

Long live Filipinas!!!!!