1.

Title of the Module

Chapter 4: Rizal‘s life: Higher Education and Life Abroad
2. Introduction
This chapter deals with an analysis and evaluation of Jose Rizal's life: his
quest for higher education and struggles and challenges in his life abroad. He was not
only busy academically but he spent much of his time in self-improvement via self-
education. In his spare time he also learned sculpture, painting, languages and kept up
with the latest research in philosophy and science. It will also examine the contributions
of Rizal as the leader of the propaganda movement that awakened the Filipino people
from the abuses of the Spanish [Link] unwavering campaign for political and
social freedoms. In this module, students are initiated to a reflective study about the
aspects of Rizal‘s life, a genius with many talents and most importantly his good traits
and virtues that are worthy to be emulated.
3. Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, the students should be able to:
a. Analyse and evaluate the important events in the life Rizal abroad;
b. Reflect on the importance of Higher Education to the life of Jose Rizal;
c. Explain the principles of assimilation advocated by the propaganda movement;
d. Appraise Rizal‘s relationship with other propagandists;
e. Examine Rizal‘s growth as a propagandist and disavowal of assimilation.
4. Learning Content
Now, let us discuss important ideas and information regarding Rizal‘s life: Higher
Education and Life Abroad.
TOPIC 1- A STUDENT AT THE ATENEO (1872-1877)

Introduction:
Jose was sent to Manila four months after the
martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za and with Dona
Teodora still in prison. He studied in the
Ateneo Municipal - a college under the
supervision of the Spanish Jesuits. Ateneo
Municipal, a bitter rival of the Dominican-owned
College of San Juan de Letran formerly the
Escuela Pia (Charity School)- for poor boys in
Manila established in 1817, In 1859- name was
changed to Ateneo Municipal by the Jesuits and
later became the Ateneo de Manila.
RIZAL ENTERS ATENEO
• June 10, 1872- Jose, accompanied by
Paciano, went to Manila to take the entrance
examinations on Christian Doctrine, arithmetic,
and reading at the College of San Juan de
Letran, and passed them. His father was the first one who wished him to study at
Letran but he changed his mind and decided to send Jose at Ateneo instead. Father
Margin Fernando, college registrar of Ateneo Municipal, refused to admit Jose because:
He was late for registration and; He was sickly and undersized for his age (11 years
old). Upon the intercession of Manuel Xeres Burgos, nephew of Father Burgos, he was
admitted at Ateneo. Jose adopted the surname Rizal at the Ateneo because their family
name Mercado had come under suspicion of the Spanish authorities. Ateneo was
located in Intramuros, within the walls of Manila. He boarded in a house on Caraballo
Street, 25 min walk from the college. The boarding house was owned by Titay, who
owed Rizal family P300. Jose boarded there to collect part of the debt.
JESUITS SYSTEM OF EDUCATION
• Jesuits trained the character of the student by rigid discipline, humanities and
religious instruction. They heard Mass early in the morning before the beginning of daily
class. Classes were opened and closed with prayers. Students were divided into two
groups: Roman Empire- consisting of the internos (boarders) with red banners. Second
group, Carthaginian Empire- composed of the externos (non-boarders) with blue
banners each of these empires had its rank. Students fought for positions. With 3
mistakes, opponent‗s position could lose his position. - 1st best: emperor - 2nd best:
tribune - 3rd best: decurion - 4th best: centurion - 5th best: standard-bearer. Ateneo
students‗ uniform is consisted of hemp-fabric trousers´ and striped cotton coat. The coat
was called Rayadillo and was adopted as the uniform for Filipino troops during the days
of the First Philippine Republic.
RIZAL’S FIRST YEAR IN ATENEO (1872-1873)
• Rizal‗s first professor in Ateneo was Fr. Jose Bech. Rizal was placed at the
bottom of the class since he was a newcomer and knows little Spanish. He was an
externo (Carthaginians), occupying the end of the line. But at the end of the month, he
becomes emperor´ of his Empire. He was the brightest pupil in the whole class, and he
was awarded a prize, a religious prize. Rizal took private lessons in Santa Isabel
College during noon recesses to improve his Spanish language paying three pesos for
those extra lessons. He placed second at the end of the year, although all his grades
were still marked Excellent´
SUMMER VACATION (1873)
• Rizal didn‗t enjoy his summer because his mother was in prison so Neneng
(Saturnina) brought him to Tanawan. But without telling his father, he went to Santa
Cruz to visit her mother in prison. He told her of his brilliant grades. After summer, he
returned to Manila and now boarded inside Intramuros at No. 6 Magallanes Street.
Dona Pepay, who had a widowed daughter and 4 sons, was his landlady.
PROPHECY OF MOTHER’S RELEASE
• Dona Teodora told her son of her dream the previous night. Rizal, interpreting
the dream, told her that she would be released from prison in 3 months‗ time. It became
true. Dona Teodora likened his son to the youthful Joseph in the Bible in his ability to
interpret dreams.
• Teenage Interest in Reading. The first favorite novel of Rizal was The Count of
Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. His boyish imagination was stirred by the sufferings
of Edmond Dantes (the hero) in prison, his spectacular escape from the dungeon of
Chateau de If, his finding a buried treasure in the rocky island of Monte Cristo, and his
dramatic revenge on his enemies who had wronged him. Rizal also read non-fiction.
He persuaded his father to buy a costly set of Cesar Cantu‗s historical work entitled
Universal History. He also read Travels in the Philippines by Dr. Feodor Jagor, a
German scientist-traveler who visited Phil in [Link] was impressed by: Jagor‗s
keen observations of the defects of Spanish colonization; and his prophecy that
someday Spain would lose the Philippines and that America would come to succeed her
as colonizer.
THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1875-76)
• June 16, 1875- He became an interno in Ateneo. Fr. Francisco de Paula
Sanchez, one of his professors, inspired him to study harder and write poetry. Rizal‗s
best professor in Ateneo. Rizal described him as model of uprightness, earnestness,
and love for the advancement of his pupils. He returned to Calamba with 5 medals and
excellent ratings.

FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO

• March 23, 1877- Rizal, 16 years old, received from his Alma Mater, Ateneo
Municipal, the degree of Bachelor of Arts, with highest honors. Rizal was the highest in
all subjects and won five medals at the end of the school term. He excelled in all his
subjects and was the most brilliant Atenean, he was truly ―the pride of the Jesuits‖
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN ATENEO
• He was an active member, later secretary, of Marian Congregation - a religious
society. He was accepted because of his academic brilliance and devotion to Our Lady
of Immaculate Conception, the college patroness. He is also a member of the Academy
of Spanish Literature and the Academy of Natural Sciences. He studied painting under
Agustin Saez, a famous painter, and sculpture under Romualdo de Jesus. He continued
his physical training under hi sports-minded Tio Manuel.
SCULPTURAL WORKS IN ATENEO
• He carved an image of The Virgin Mary on a piece of batikuling (Philippine
hardwood) with his pocketknife. The Jesuits fathers were amazed. Father Lleonart
requested him to carve for him an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He intended to
take the image with him in Spain but forgot to do so. So the Ateneo boarders placed it
on the door of their dormitory. It plays a significant part in Rizal‗s last hours at Fort
Santiago.
POEMS WRITTEN IN ATENEO
• Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration) - first written poem of Rizal, which
was dedicated to his mother on her birthday. He wrote it when he was 14 years old. El
Embarque: Himno a la Flota de Magallanes ( The Departure: Hymn to Magellan‗s
Fleet). Y Es Espanol: Elcano, el Primero en dar la Vuelta al Mundo (And He is Spanish:
Elcano, the Fist to Circumnavigate the World). El Combate: Urbiztondo, Terror de Jolo
(The Battle: Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo) In 1876, he wrote poems on religion, education
memories and war. (e.g. In Memory of my Town)

RIZAL‘S POEM ON EDUCATION

•Through Education Our Motherland Receives Light- education plays in the progress
and welfare of a nation.
•The Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education- showed that Education
without God is not true education
RIZAL‘S RELIGIOUS POEM
•Al Nino Jesus (To the Child Jesus)- written when he was 14 years old, expressing his
Catholic faith devotion.
•A La Virgen Maria (To the Virgin Mary)

MOTHER‘S OPPOSITION TO HIGHER EDUCATION

• Both Don Francisco and Paciano wanted Jose to pursue higher learning in the
university. But Dona Teodora who is a woman of education and culture objects to Rizal
desire for University education. She knew what happened to the Gom-Bur-ZA, and told
her husband ― Don‘t send him to Manila again, he knows enough. If he gets to know
more the Spaniards will cut off his head‖.

TOPIC 2- THE UNIVERSITY OF STO. TOMAS (1877- 1882)

RIZAL ENTERS THE UNIVERSITY

• Rizal took the course on Philosophy
and Letters. Two reasons why Rizal
enrolled in these course: His father like it;
and He was still uncertain as to what
career to pursue. It was the following term
(1878-1879)
RIZAL TOOK UP THE MEDICAL COURSE
• Two reasons: He received the
advice of Father Pablo Ramon, Ateneo‘s
Rector to study medicine and to be able to
cure his mother‘s growing blindness.
• He excelled in all subjects in the
surveying course in Ateneo.
• He obtained gold medals in
agriculture and topography
FINISHES SURVEYING COURSE IN ATENEO
• 1877-1878 Rizal took the vocational course leading to the title of ―perito
agrimensor‖ (expert surveyor). He passed the final examination in the surveying course
on November 25, 1881. He remained loyal to Ateneo.
LITERARY WORKS (1879)
• Liceo-Artistico-Literario (Artistic-Literary Lyceum) of Manila, a society of literary
men and artists, held a literary contest.
1. A La Juventud Filipino (to the Filipino youth)- a poem written by Rizal, it was the
first prize winner. Two reasons why Rizal‗s poem is a classic in the Philippine
literature: 1. It was the first great poem in Spanish written by the Filipino,
whose merit was recognized by Spanish literary authorities. 2. It expressed for
the first time the nationalistic concept that the Filipino, and not the foreigners,
was the ―fair hope of the fatherland.

2. THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS (1880)

An allegorical drama written by Rizal which he entered in the literary contest of Artistic-
Literary Lyceum in 1880 to commemorate the fourth centennial of the death of
Cervantes. It was a literary masterpiece based on the Greek classics. The prize was
awarded to Rizal, a gold ring on which was engraved the bust (figure) of Cervantes.
3. Junto al Pasig (Beside the Pasig)
a zarzuela, written by Rizal. It was staged by the Ateneans on December 8, 1880,on the
occasion of the annual celebration of the Feats Day of the Immaculate Conception,
Patroness of the Ateneo.
CHAMPION OF THE FILIPINO STUDENTS
• Rizal was the champion of the Filipino students. In 1880. Rizal founded a secret
society of Filipino students. He became the chief of the secrete students society.

UNHAPPY DAYS AT THE UST

• Rizal found the atmosphere at the University of Santo Tomas suffocating to his
sensitive spirit. He was unhappy at this Dominican institution of higher learning
because:
(1) the Dominican professors were hostile to him
(2) the Filipino students were racially discriminated by the Spaniards
(3) the method of instruction was obsolete and repressive

TOPIC 3- IN SPAIN 1882-1885

After finishing the 4th year of the medical course in the University of Santo Tomas, Rizal
decided to complete his studies in Spain.
SECRET MISSION IN SPAIN
• to observe keenly the life and culture, languages and customs, industries and
commerce, and governments and laws of the European nations. In order to prepare
himself in the mighty task of liberating his oppressed people from Spanish tyranny.

RIZAL IN BARCELONA
• May 3, 1882- Rizal departed on
board the Spanish Steamer Salvadora
bound for Singapore. Rizal‘s departure
for Spain was kept secret to avoid
detection by the Spanish authorities and
the friars
• June 16, 1882- Rizal finally
reached his destination—Barcelona.
ARTICLES WRITTEN BY RIZAL
• Amor Patrio (Love Of Country) -
a nationalistic essay written by Rizal
under his pen name Laong Laan which
urged his compatriots to love their
fatherland, the Philippines. Basilio Teodoro Moran- publisher of Diariong Tagalog. Other
written articles of Rizal: - Los Viajes (Travels)- second article - Revista de Madrid
(Review of Madrid)- returned to him because the Diariong Tagalog had ceased
publication for lack of funds.

RIZAL IN MADRID
• November 3, 1882- Rizal enrolled in Universidad Central de Madrid in two
courses- Medicine and Philosophy and Letters. Rizal led a Spartan life in Madrid.
• He also studied in Painting and Sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts and took
lessons in French, German and English.
CIRCULO HISPANO-FILIPINO (HISPANO-PHILIPPINE CIRCLE)
• Shortly after his arrival, Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-
Philippine Circle), a society of Spaniards and Filipinos.
• ―They Ask Me For Verses‖ (Me Piden Versos) - a poem written by Rizal in
response to the request of the members of the society. It is a sad poem in which Rizal
poured out the cry of his agonizing heart.
RIZAL AS LOVER OF BOOKS
• Beecher Stowe‘s Uncle Tom‘s Cabin and Eugene Sue‘s The Wandering Jew -
aroused the sympathy of Rizal to his oppressed and unfortunate people.
RIZAL AS A MASON
• March 1883- Rizal joined the Masonic Lodge Acacia in Madrid under his Masonic
name Dimasalang. Rizal‗s reasons of becoming a mason: 1. the bad friars in the
Philippines, by their abuses unworthy of their priestly habit or calling, drove Rizal to
desperation and Masonry; 2. he needed the help of the Masons to fight the bad friars in
the Philippines, for Masonry, to Rizal, was a shield to use in his fight against the evil
forces of tyranny.
RIZAL IN PARIS, CAPITAL CITY OF FRANCE
• June 17 1883, Rizal sojourn in Paris. He stayed at a cheaper hotel on 124 Rue
de Rennes in the Latin Quarter.
• Like all tourist, Rizal was attracted by the beautiful sights of Paris. He visited
important landmarks like the Place de la Concorde, Arch of Triumph, the Cathedral of
Notre Dame and others. Rizal improved his mind by observing closely the French way
of life. He spent his hours in museums, botanical garden and art galleries. According to
Rizal ―Paris is the costliest capital in Europe.‖ Prices of food, drinks, theatre, laundry,
hotels and transportation were too high.
• Two hospitals where Rizal made some observations:
Laennec Hospital- where Rizal observed Dr. Nicaise treating his patients
Lariboisiere Hospital- where Rizal observed the examination of different diseases of
women.
• August 20, 1883 he returned to Madrid and continues with his studies.
RIZAL‘S SALUTE TO LUNA AND HIDALGO.
• In the evening of June 25, 1884, a banquet was sponsored by the Filipino
community to celebrate the double victory of the Filipino artist in the National Exposition
of Fine Arts in Madrid - Luna‘s Spoliarium winning the first prize and Hidalgo‘s Christian
Virgins Exposed to the Populace second prize. Rizal was the guest speaker. It was a
magnificent speech of Rizal, he saluted Luna and Hidalgo being the two glories of Spain
and the Philippines. He also assailed with refined sarcasm the bigotry and blindness of
certain unworthy Spaniards who could not comprehend the universality of Genius.
STUDIES COMPLETED IN SPAIN
• June 21, 1884- conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine. He was not
awarded his Doctor‗s diploma due to the fact that he did not present the thesis required
for graduation nor paid the corresponding fees.
June 19, 1885- Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters with the rating of
―Excellent‖(Sobresaliente).

TOPIC 4- CONTINUED STAY IN EUROPE 1885-1887

• Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to specialize in Ophthalmology. He
travelled and observed European life and customs in Paris, Heidelberg, Leipzig, and
Berlin.

PARIS (1885-1886)
• He was 24 years old and already a physician, he went to Paris to obtain
knowledge in Ophthalmology. In November 1885, he worked for four months as an
assistant to Dr. Louis de Weckert, a leading French ophthalmologist.
• Outside of his working hours, he also found time to relax and be with his good
friends like the Pardo de Taveras, Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo. At the
studio of Juan Luna, he improved his painting technique. He became a model to Juan
Luna‘s several paintings. In the home of the Pardo de Tavera, Rizal played the flute, he
admitted that he had no natural aptitude for music.
GERMANY
IN HEIDELBERG
• In February 1886, Rizal left Paris and went to Germany. He arrived in
Heidelberg, a historic city in Germany famous for its old university and romantic
surroundings.
• He lived near the University of Heidelberg and worked as an assistant to Dr. Otto
Becker at the University Eye Hospital. Outside his apprenticing hours, he also listened
to lectures delivered by Dr. Becker and Prof. Wilhelm Kuchne.
• Rizal devoted his free time visiting Heidelberg Castle, Neckar River, the theatre
and some old churches found in the city. The Neckar River and the beautiful spring
flowers blooling along its banks reminded him of how dearly he missed Calamba.
• April 22, 1886, Rizal wrote a touching poem entitled To the Flowers of
Heidelberg.
IN WILHELMSFELD
• A mountainous village near Heidelberg where Rizal spent his summer vacation.
• Rizal lived with the family of Pastor Karl Ullmer, a Protestant pastor who became
his good friend and admirer. The pleasant personality and talents in languages and
sketching endeared him to the Ullmer‘s family.
• For three months he enjoyed the hospitality and kindness of the family.
• June 25, 1886, he returned to Heidelberg.
FIRST LETTER TO BLUMENTRITT
• July 31, 1886 Rizal wrote his first letter in German to Professor Ferdinand
Blumentritt, Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria. Rizal wrote to him after
learning that this ethnologist was interested in the Tagalog language. He sent him a
book entitled Arithmetica. Published in 2 languages- Spanish and Tagalog. By UST
Press of 1868. Author was Rufino Baltazar Hernandez a native of Santa Cruz, Laguna.
Ferdinand reciprocated the thoughtful gesture of Rizal by sending him two books. The
exchanged marked the beginning of their long and beautiful friendship.
IN LEIPZIG
• In August 1886, Rizal arrived in Leipzig. He stayed here for two months doing a
lot of writing and translating.
• He very much liked what he saw, the magnificent buildings, wide and clean
streets and amiable people.
• William Tell- written by Schiller, Rizal translated it from German into Tagalog so
that Filipino might know the story of the champion of Swiss independence.
• Hans Andersen‘s Fairy Tales - Rizal also translated this in Tagalog for his
nephews and nieces.
• Because of his knowledge of German, Spanish, and other European languages,
Rizal worked as proof-reader in a publishing firm.
• He attended some lectures on history and psychology at the University of Leipzig
and met Professor Friedrich Ratzel- a famous German historian and Dr. Hans Meyer-
German anthropologist. They had become his friends.
IN BERLIN
• In November 1886, Rizal arrived in Berlin. He was enchanted by this city
because of its scientific atmosphere and the absence of racial prejudice.
• Dr. Feodor Jagor - Rizal met for the first time this celebrated German scientist-
traveler and author of Travels in the Philippines, a book which Rizal read and admired
during his student days in Manila.
• Dr. Rudolf Virchow- a famous German anthropologist. (Dr. Jagor, introduced
Rizal to Dr. Virchow)
• Dr. Ernest Schweigger (1830-1905)- famous German ophthalmologist where
Rizal worked
• Rizal became a member of the Anthropological Society, the Ethnological Society,
and the Geographical Society of Berlin, upon the recommendation of Dr. Jagor and Dr.
Meyer
• Tagalische Verkunst (Tagalog Metrical Art)- Rizal wrote this scholarly paper in
German which he read before the society in April 1887. This paper was published by
the society in the same year, and elicited favorable comments from all scientific quarters
GERMAN WOMEN AND THEIR CUSTOMS
• Rizal wrote a letters addressed to his sister, Trinidad. He said that German
woman is serious, diligent, educated, and friendly. She is not gossipy, frivolous and
quarrelsome.
• Aside from women, Rizal admired the German customs. The Christmas custom
of the German delighted him most of his yuletide custom he wrote on Christmas eve.
Another interesting German custom observed by Rizal is self-introduction to strangers in
a social gathering.

NOLI ME TANGERE PUBLISHED IN BERLIN (1887)

• March 21, 1887- the Noli Me Tangere

came off the press. The title Noli Me
Tangere is a Latin phrase which means
―Touch Me Not‖. ―Noli Me Tangere, are
words taken from the Gospel of St. John
(Chapter 20 Verses 13 to 17).
Rizal dedicated his Noli Me Tangere to the
Philippines—―To My Fatherland‖. It contains
63 chapters and an epilogue. Maximo Viola-
The savior of Noli, he gave him the needed
funds to publish the novel.

GRAND TOUR FROM GERMANY TO ITALY

• May 11, 1887- Rizal and Viola left Berlin by train going to Dresden, one of the
best cities in Germany
• May 13- 16, 1887- Rizal and Viola went to Leitmeritz, Bohemia to visit Professor
Blumentritt. A kind-hearted, old Austrian professor who became a dear friend of Rizal.
• With Prof. Blumentritt as their guide, Rizal and Viola visited the churches, the
residence of the Bishop and other important buildings of the city.
• From May 20-30, 1887 -They visited other cities in Europe like, Prague, Vienna-
the "Queen of Danube", Lintz, Rheinfall, Munich and Nuremberg. They visited
museums, magnificent buildings,
cathedrals and beautiful sights.

• June 2 to 3, 1887- stayed at

Schaffhausen, Switzerland. GENEVA- This
Swiss city is one of the most beautiful cities
in Europe, visited by world tourists every
year.
• June 19, 1887- Rizal treated Viola to
a blow-out. It was his 26th birthday. Rizal
and Viola spent fifteen delightful days in
Geneva.
• June 23, 1887- Viola and Rizal parted ways—Viola returned to Barcelona while
Rizal continued the tour to Italy
• June 27, 1887- Rizal reached Rome, the ―Eternal City‖ and also called the ―City
of the Caesars. After a week of wonderful sojourn in Rome, Rizal prepared to return to
the Philippines.
TOPIC 5- FIRST RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES 1887-1888
TRAVEL TO THE PHILIPPINES
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 warning he received from friends and relatives alike.
• He had four reasons for returning to the Philippines:
a) To perform an operation on Dona Teodora‘s eyes;
b) To defend his oppressed countrymen more effectively than doing so in a foreign
land;
c) To find out how his Noli was received by the Filipinos and Spaniards; and
d) To know the reason for Leonor Rivera‘s long silence.

• July 3, 1887, Rizal left Marseilles (France), it was his first return to the Philippines
after leaving it to study in Spain five years ago.
• August 6, 1887, he arrived in Manila and visited some friends.
AT HIS HOMETOWN
• August 8, 1887, he reached Calamba. He opened a medical clinic and restored
his mother‘s vision. Such ―miraculous‖ news spread throughout the community like wild
fire, thus, his clinic was flocked by people aspiring for a better eyesight. Newly arrived
from Germany, he began to be known as ― Doctor Uliman‖ (from the word Aleman) and
soon he acquired a lucrative medical practice. He earned $900 from his services as
physician.
• Rizal opened a gymnasium for young folks, where he introduced European
sports to discourage his town mates from idleness and gambling.
• He also took part in Calamba‘s civic affairs and on his spare time made paintings
of the town‘s landscapes and translated the German poems of Von Wildernath into
Tagalog.
• His happy days at Calamba was marred with the death of his older sister,
Olimpia, and to see Leonor Rivera. His family begged him not to see her at her
hometown in Camiling because of increasing concerns about his safety. Also Leonor‘s
mother objected to their relationship.
THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE NOLI
• Copies of the Noli Me Tangere had arrived at the Philippines weeks before
Rizal‘s return to the Philippines. Some of copies of his book fell into the hands of the
Spaniards especially the friars. They found the novel ―heretical, impious, and
scandalous in the religious order and anti-patriotic, subversive of public order, injurious
to the government of Spain and its function in the Philippine Islands in the political
order‖.
• The controversy over the novel had reached the office of Governor General
Emilio Terrero. He requested Rizal to come to Malacańang Palace. Rizal met Governor
General Emilio Terrero who informed him of the charges against him. As a defense,
Rizal told Terrero that Noli only expose reality. Not having read the book yet and out of
curiosity, the governor general asked for a copy of the controversial novel, which he
later confessed that he enjoyed reading. He saw no problem on the book, yet to protect
Rizal‘s life which was then in danger, he assigned Jose Taviel de Andrade, a young
Spanish lieutenant, as Rizal‘s personal bodyguard. The friars asked Governor General
Terrero to deport him, but the latter refused because there was no valid charge against
Rizal in court.
• While still in Calamba, Rizal was seen as a troublemaker. There are groundless
tales circulated by his enemies that he was ―a German spy, an agent of Bismarck, a
Protestant, a Mason, a witch, a soul beyond salvation, etc.‖ Realizing that his family‘s
and friend‘s safety were risked; and that his fight against the Spaniards have better
chance of winning if he‘d stay abroad, Rizal, six months after, finally decided to sail
back to Europe. His plan was to return to Europe via Hong Kong, Macao, Japan and the
United States
TOPIC 6- TRAVELS IN ASIA (HONG KONG, MACAU AND JAPAN) AND THE U.S.
FIRST TRIP TO HONG KONG AND MACAU
• On February 3, 1888, with a heavy heart, Rizal left Manila for Hong Kong. His
powerful enemies refused to give him peace and quiet. Anonymous letters with threats
on his life were sent to his parents‘ house in Calamba.
• On February 8, 1888- Rizal arrived in Hong Kong and he was welcomed by
Filipino residents.
• Jose Sainz de Varranda, Terrero‘s former secretary, followed Rizal in the said
British colony, and was believed to be commissioned by the Spanish authorities to spy
on the hero.
• While in Hong Kong, Rizal engaged in cultural activities. Among the experiences
while he observed were:
a) The Chinese way of celebrating their New Year, which included making noise
and exploding firecrackers to drive away evil spirits;
b) Chinese lauriat parties, where they served many different types of dishes;
c) Chinese theatres which used symbolisms and noisy music to entertain an equally
noise audience;
d) He also managed to visit different churches and cemeteries that were owned by
Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims.
• On February 18-21, 1888, Rizal also visited Macau, a Portuguese colony near
Hong Kong. He was invited to stay at the residence of Don Juan Francisco Lecaros,
who was a former Filipino delegate to the Spanish Cortes. For two days, Rizal enjoyed
being a tourist and visited different cultural places which included churches, botanical
gardens, theaters and the Macao Casino.
• February 22, 1888- Rizal left Hong Kong, his destination was Japan.
IN JAPAN
• February 28, 1888- Rizal arrived in Yokohama, the next day he went to Tokyo
and stayed at Tokyo Hotel for six days.
• Shortly after his arrival, Juan Perez Caballero-secretary of the Spanish Legation,
visited Rizal at his hotel who latter invited him to live at the Spanish Legation. Rizal
being an intelligent man, realized that the Spanish diplomatic authorities were instructed
from Manila to keep track of his activities. Since it was economical to stay at the
legation and he believed that he had nothing to hide, he accepted it.
• March 7, 1888- Rizal checked out of Tokyo Hotel and lived at the Spanish
Legation
• Rizal was impressed by the scenic Japan and had keenly observed the life,
customs, and culture of the people. The things which favourably impressed Rizal in
Japan were: the beauty of the country; the cleanliness, politeness, and industry of the
Japanese people; the picturesque dress and simple charm of the Japanese women;
there were very few thieves in Japan; beggars were rarely seen in the city, streets,
unlike in Manila and other cities.
• April 13, 1888, Rizal left Japan and boarded the Belgic, bound for the United
States.
RIZAL‘S VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES (April- May 1888)
• April 28, 1888, Rizal arrived in San Francisco, California. The ship was held
under quarantine by the American health authorities, reasoning that there was a cholera
epidemic in the Far East where their ship come from. Rizal and other first class
passenger of the ship were released from quarantine and allowed to land after seven
days.
• On May 4, 1888, Rizal arrived in San Francisco and registered at the Palace
Hotel and stayed for two days. May 6, 1888, he was in Oakland, he boarded the train for
his grand transcontinental trip to the American continent. He was able to see places
such as Sacramento, Reno, (Nevada), Colorado, Nebraska, Chicago, Albany and on
May 13 he reached New York. He stayed in this city for three days, he visited the scenic
and historic places.
RIZAL‘S IMPRESSIONS OF AMERICA
• Good impressions
a) the material progress of the country as shown in the great cities, huge farms,
flourishing industries and busy factories;
b) the drive and energy of the American People
c) the natural beauty of the land
d) the high standard of living;
e) the opportunities for better life offered to poor immigrants.
• Bad impression
a) the lack of racial equality: ―America is the land par excellence of freedom but only
for the whites‖
• May 16, 1888- Rizal left New York for Liverpool, England.
TOPIC 7- REFORMIST WORKS IN EUROPE (1889-1981)
IN LONDON
• May 25, 1888 to mid-March 1889- Rizal decided to stay in London because he
could improve his English, study and do an annotation of Antonio Morga‘s Sucecos de
las Islas Filipinas and perceived it was a place for him to carry on the reforms he
wanted for the Philippines.
ANNOTATING MORGA‘S BOOK
• May 1888-March 1889- He spent ten months (10) in the reading room of the
British Museum deeply immersed in his historical studies in London. This was the
greatest achievement of Rizal in London, the annotating of Morga‘s book, Sucesos de
las Islas Filipinas (Historical Events of the Philippine Islands), which was published in
Mexico, 1609.

RIZAL AND THE LA SOLIDARIDAD

• December 31, 1888- inauguration of Asociacion La Solidaridad (Solidaridad
Association), a patriotic society. They crusade for reforms in the Philippine Government.
By unanimous vote of all members, Rizal was chosen honorary president. This was a
recognition of his leadership among all Filipino patriots in Europe.
• February 15, 1889- Graciano Lopez Jaena founded the patriotic newspaper
called La Solidaridad in Barcelona. A fortnightly periodical which served as the organ of
the Propaganda Movement.
• Its aims were as follows:
to work peacefully for political
and social reforms; to portray
the deplorable conditions of
the Philippines so that Spain
may remedy them; to oppose
the evil forces of reaction and
medievalism; to advocate
liberal ideas and progress; to
champion the legitimate
aspirations of the Filipino
people to life, democracy and
happiness. During his stay in
London, Rizal also made used
of his time in writing essays
and articles for La Solidaridad.
He also wrote La Vision del
Fray Rodriguez (The Vision of
Fray Rodriguez)-pamphlet which published in Barcelona under his nom-de-plume
Dimas Alang in order to defense his novel.
• In London, Rizal received both good news and bad news from news. The good
news that Rev. Vicente Garcia was defending his Noli from the attacks of the friars. On
the other hand, the bad news were that the Filipino signatories of the ―Petition of 1888‖
and the tenants of the Calamba agrarian trouble were facing persecution; that his
brothers-in-law Manuel T. HIdalgo and Mariano Herbosa, were exiled to Bohol and was
denied Christian burial, respectively; and his friend, Laureno Viadoa, a UST medical
student, was imprisoned for possessing some copies of his Noli.
IN PARIS
• It was mid-March 1899, Rizal decided to move to Paris. He noticed that Parisian
life was different from the life he experienced in London. It was a city bursting with
merriment, exciting events, and unending social gathering. The cost of living was also
very high.
• Rizal never lost his focus although life in Paris was gay, he continued to spend
long hours at the National library in Paris. There, he went on reviewing and rewriting his
historical annotations on De Morga‘s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas. It was published on
January 1890. He also wrote a satirical booklet entitled Por Telefono, in answer to Fr.
Salvation Fort, a Spanish friar who hurled attacks on the Noli Me Tangere and caused
its banning.
• He continued his study on various languages especially the French language,
which he was able to perfect during his 10 months stay at the French capital city.
• He organized a social club called Kidlat Club, a social club which brought
together young Filipinos residing in Paris. Soon, the members of the said club founded
a new Filipino society - the Indios Bravos, an organization which envisioned Filipinos
being recognized by Spain for being excellent in various fields of knowledge.
• In between his more serious activities, Rizal also had leisurely activities like
socializing with friends in their homes. Among those he frequently visited were the
homes of the Pardo de Taveras, the Venturas, the Lunas, the Bousteads and others.
• Although Rizal lived a frugal life, he prepared a sumptuous Christmas dinner for
some of his friends. Shortly after New Year, he visited London for the last time
In BRUSSELS
• January 28, 1890, left Paris for Brussels. He left the extravagant and gay social
life in Paris and stayed in a boarding house owned by the Jacoby sisters in Brussels.
• From 1889- 1890, Rizal continued contributing for La Solidaridad under the
pseudonyms Dimas Alang and Laong Laan. Among the 10 articles he had contributed
below were some of the most famous and important articles:
a) The Philippines Within a Century-article written by Rizal which he expressed his
views on the Spanish colonization in the Philippines.
b) The Indolence of the Filipinos- It is an able defence of the alleged indolence of
the Filipinos.
 c) the Sobre la Nueva Ortografia de la Lengua Tagala (The New Orthography of the
Tagalog Language) In this article, he laid down the rules of the new Tagalog
orthography
• From Calamba, Rizal received letters telling that the agrarian trouble in the
province was getting worse, and as such, he decided to go home. But instead of going
home, a letter from Paciano told him that they already lost the case against the
Dominicans and they were in need of a lawyer who would defend their family and the
families in Calamba from Madrid.
• Rizal wrote a letter to Ponce, he announced that he was leaving Brussels and
decided to go to Madrid because this case must be presented to the Supreme Court
and he needs to pay close attention to the developments of the case.

MISFORTUNES IN MADRID (1890-1891)

• August, 1890, Rizal arrived in Madrid. Upon arrival in Madrid. Rizal immediately
sought help of the Filipino colony, The Asociacion Hispano-Filipina, and the liberal
Spanish newspaper in securing justice for the oppressed Calamba tenants. Nothing
came out of this, several newspapers were sympathetic to the plight of the Calamba
tenants but this did not translate to any form of action. By this time, Francisco Rizal and
other tenants were already forcibly evicted from Calamba by Governor General
Valeriano Weyler. Their houses were burned and more people were exiled regardless
of their gender.
• August 1890, Rizal attended a social reunion of the Filipinos in Madrid. After
drinking so many glasses the guests became more talkative. One of them, Antonio Luna
became drunk. Rizal challenged Antonio Luna, it was about the latter‘s frustration with
his unsuccessful ―love affair‖ with Nellie Boustead, and so gave negative remarks on the
lady which Rizal did not tolerated. The Filipinos tried to pacify them, pointing out that
such a duel would damage their cause in Spain. Fortunately, Luna, realized his
mistakes he apologized and Rizal immediately accepted his apology and became good
friends again.
• Rizal challenged Wenceslao Retana in a duel. Retana had insulted Rizal and his
family by writing in La Epoca, an anti-Filipino newspaper, that the Rizal family in
Calamba was ejected from their lands because they did not pay their rents. Rizal was,
by nature neither hot-tempered but when the honor of his people, family, women or
friends was besmirched, he never hesitated to fight even if he were risking his own life.
Retana at once published a retraction and an apology, he knew that Rizal was superior
in both pistol and sword.
• December 1890, Rizal received a letter from Leonor Rivera announcing her
coming marriage to Henry Kipping, an Englishman (the choice of her mother).This was
a big blow for him and his heart broke.
• Another marked event in Madrid was the Marcelo H. Del Pilar-Jose Rizal rivalry
for leadership in the Asociacion Hispano Filipino. A fraction emerged from the Filipinos
in Madrid, the Rizalistas and Pilaristas. The group decided that the leader must be
elected by two-thirds vote. Rizal won the election, he was offered the appointment but
he did not want to see the Filipinos in Madrid divided so he thought it best to leave the
city.
• Rizal took a vacation in the resort city of Biarritz on the fabulous French Riviera.
He was a guest of the rich Boustead family at its winter residence—Villa Eliada. The
one month vacation in this city worked wonders for Rizal. This is where he was able to
finish his second novel El Filibusterismo.
• March 30, 1891, Rizal bade farewell to the hospitable and friendly Bousteads and
proceeded to Paris by Train. He stayed at the home of his friend Valentin Ventura.

RETIREMENT FROM THE PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT

• April 1891, Rizal was back to Brussels where he became busy revising and
polishing the manuscript of El Filibusterismo.
• Rizal retired from the Propaganda Movement. He notified the Propaganda
authorities in Manila to cancel his monthly allowance and devote the money to some
better cause, such as the education of a young Filipino student in Europe. He desired to
publish his second novel, to practice his medical profession, and later when he became
financially independent, he expected to make a more vigorous campaign for his
country‘s redemption.
• Simultaneously with his retirement from the Propaganda Movement, Rizal
ceased writing articles for La Solidaridad. Many of his friends in Spain urged him to
continue writing because his articles always attracted considerable attention in
European countries.
• M.H. Del Pilar himself realized the need for Rizal‘s collaboration in both the
Propaganda Movement and in the La Solidaridad newspaper because the enthusiasm
for the reform crusade was declining. He wrote to Rizal begging for forgiveness for any
resentment and requesting him to resume writing for the La Solidaridad.
• Rizal replied to Del Pilar‘s letter, he wrote denying any resentment and explaining
why he stopped writing. Below are reasons why Rizal stopped writing for La Solidaridad:
a) Rizal need to work on his book ;
b) He wanted other Filipinos to work also;
c) Rizal considered it very important to the party that there be unity in the work ;
d) Marcelo H. Del Pilar is already at the top and Rizal also have his own ideas it is
better to leave Del Pilar alone to direct the policy.
THE PRINTING OF THE EL FILIBUSTERISMO
• July 5, 1891- Rizal left Brussels for Ghent, a famous university city in Belgium
because the cost of printing in Ghent was cheaper than in Brussels. F. Meyer-Van Loo
Press-a printing shop that give Rizal the lowest quotation for the publication of his novel.
• August 6, 1891-the printing of his book had to be suspended because Rizal could
no longer give the necessary funds to the printer. Valentin Ventura- the savior of the Fili,
when he learned of Rizal‘s predicament he sent him the necessary funds.
• September 18, 1891- El Filibusterismo came off the press. Rizal gratefully
donated the original manuscript and an autographed printed copy to Valentin Ventura

TOPIC 8- BACK IN HONGKONG

• On October 18, 1891, after the Fili‘ was published, Rizal left Europe. Aboard the
S.S Melbourne, he sailed to Hongkong where he lived for seven months. His reasons
for venturing to Hongkong were the following:
a) To leave his rivalry with del PIlar
b) To facilitate a Propaganda Movement in Hongkong; and
c) To be proximate to his family in the Philippines
• On November 20, 1891, Rizal arrived in Hongkong and was cordially welcomed
by the Filipino residents in the city, particularly, his friend Jose Ma. Basa.

• December 1, 1891- Rizal wrote his parents asking their permission to return
home. Rizal had a continued correspondence with his family in Calamba and had been
aware of the unsettled agrarian problem. On the same date, his brother-in-law, Manuel
T. Hidalgo, sent him a letter relating the sad news of the ―deportation of twenty-five
persons from Calamba, including father, Neneng, Sisa, Lucia, Paciano and the rest of
us.‖
FAMILY REUNION IN HONG KONG
• The Christmas of 1891 in Hong Kong was one of the happiest Yuletide
celebrations in Rizal‘s life, he had a happy family reunion.
• While in Hongkong, Rizal practiced his medical career. With the help of his
friend, Dr Lorenzo P. Marquez, they built a large clientele and opened a medical clinic
where he was recognized as an excellent eye surgeon. He was equally supported and
aided both morally and financially by his family and friends with his chosen career.
• Another marked event during Rizal‘s stay in Hongkong was his plan to move the
landless Filipino to Borneo and transform the said wilderness into a ―New Calamba‖
through the so-called Borneo Colonization Project.
• In April 1802, he visited Borneo and negotiated with the British authorities who
are willing to provide 100,000 acres of land for the Filipinos. Many Filipino patriots found
this project amusing, thus, promoted the said project. However, there were a number
who objected it, one of which was Rizal‘s brother-in-law, Hidalgo.
• Twice did Rizal wrote a letter addressed to Governor General Eulogio Despujol
informing his Borneo colonization project, with whom he received no response. Instead,
Despujol commanded the Spanish consul-general in Hongkong to notify Rizal that such
project was very unpatriotic, and by immigrating Filipinos to Borneo, the Philippines will
surely be lacking of laborers.
• Despite the many oppositions from friends and relatives, he decided to return to
Manila on the following reasons:

a) To discuss with Governor General Despujol his Borneo colonization

project;
b) To form the La Liga Filipina in the Philippines; and
c) To prove that Eduardo de Lete‘s allegations on him and his family in
Calamba were wrong.
• Before his departure, he wrote three more letters- the first addressed to his
parents and friends; the second one, to Filipinos; and the last Governor General Eulogio
Despujol.
• Instead of having the protection he desired, Rizal and his sister, Lucia fell into the
Spanish trap - a case was secretly filed against Rizal, and Despujol ordered his
secretary, Luis de la Torre, to verify whether the patriot had neutralized himself as
German citizen or not. And so, the siblings sailed across the China Sea without prior
knowledge of what awaits then in the Philippines.

TOPIC 9- RIZAL’S GREAT LOVES

1) Second Love: Leonor Valenzuela (1878)
Leonor ―Orang‖ Valenzuela, Rizal‘s second
object of affection, is literally the girl-next-door. They
met when Rizal was a sophomore medical student at
the University of Santo Tomas, during which time he
also lived at Doña Concha Leyva‘s boarding house in
Intramuros, Manila. Orang, who was then 14 years
old, was his neighbour. During the courtship, Rizal
was said to have sent Leonor private and secret love
letters, which he wrote using invisible ink made with
water and salt—he was adept in chemistry, too. To
read the letters, Orang had to heat the letter over a candle or a lamp. Rizal also
frequented the Valenzuelas‘ home, which was a hang out place of the students in the
area. There are, however, documents that may serve as proof that Rizal‘s efforts were
not effective. Some accounts say he was courting Leonor Valenzuela and his second
cousin Leonor Rivera at the same time—thus the need for invisible letters. (Still, we
need to appreciate the effort that went with it.) Rivera apparently knew of this and gave
way to Rivera‘s attraction for Rizal. When Rizal left for Spain in 1882, it was said that he
did say goodbye to Orang, but kept in touch with the help of Rizal‘s close friend, Jose
―Chenggoy‖ Cecilio.

2) Third Love: Leonor Rivera, Age 15, (1878-1890)

Jose Rizal was never the preferred choice of
Leonor Rivera‘s mother, who confiscated all the
correspondences between Leonor and Rizal till it
frittered down to zero. Rizal was 18 going on 21 and
was devoted to Leonor. But he was just then opening
his eyes to Europe‘s Enlightenment, where the
women were pleasing and the men were gallant.
Rizal really was in love with Leonor Rivera. He even
invented a coded alphabet so that they could write
sweet nothings to each other. But soon, Leonor faded
in memory. Why? Because in Europe, Rizal
conveniently romanced other girls and forgot he was
engaged to her. Eventually the Leonor Rivera-Rizal
engagement did not survive the long-distance
romance. In the end, it turned into an idealized one
(reflected as Maria Clara in Rizal‘s novel, Noli me
Tangere), a painful love match doomed to fail from
the very start. Yes, count this one as real love. As an
engaged couple, they showed real affection for each
other while it lasted.

3) Fourth Love: Consuelo Ortiga Y Reyes, (1884)

In Madrid, Rizal courted Consuelo Ortiga, age

18, the daughter of Señor Pablo Ortiga y Rey, who
was once mayor of Manila and who owned the apartment where the Circulo Hispano
Filipino met regularly. Rizal, age 23, was then acquiring and developing his charming
ways with women. He treated them with special consideration and with gallant
courteousness. All the young Filipino expatriates courted Consuelo, and she in turn
encouraged every one including José Rizal, Eduardo Lete, the Paterno brothers (Pedro,
Antonino, and Maximiano), Julio Llorente, Evangelista, Evaristo Esguerra, Fernando
Canon and others. Rizal gave Consuelo gifts: sinamay cloth, embroidered piña
handkerchiefs, chinelas (slippers) -- all ordered through his sisters in Calamba (see his
letters). Consuelo accepted all the swains‘ regalos but played Eduardo Lete against
Rizal. She finally rejected Rizal‘s attention in favor of Eduardo‘s, a Filipino Spanish
mestizo from Leyte who, a year later, dumped her. Two-timing Consuelo didn't really
catch Rizal's true fancy except that he impulsively joined the crowd.

4) Fifth Love: O Sei-San, Age 22, The Samurai‘s

Daughter (1888)
Rizal had fallen in love not only with the view of
Japan but more to its women, particularly with the 23-
year old Seiko Usui. Rizal affectionately called her O-
Sei-San. Rizal was attracted by her regal loveliness
and charm. Rizal saw in her the qualities of his ideal
womanhood—beauty, charm, modesty and intelligence.
Rizal was almost tempted to settle in Japan with O-Sei-
San. Although, she was very dear to him, his love for
his country and fellow Filipinos was greater. Sacrificing
his personal happiness, Rizal had to carry on his
libertarian mission in Europe, leaving behind the lovely
O-Sei-San.
―O Sei San, sayonara, sayonara! …. No woman
like you has ever loved me. … Like the flower of the
chodji that falls from the stem whole and fresh without
stripping leaves or withering... you have not lost
your purity nor have the delicate petals of your
innocence faded--sayonara, sayonara.‖ Rizal.

5) Sixth Love: Gertrude Beckett, Age 19, (1886)

In May 1888 Rizal visited London for a short
time, boarding the house of the Beckett family: Mr. &
Mrs. Beckett, their two sons, and their four
daughters. The eldest daughter was named
[Link] was a buxom young lady with blue eyes and brown hair. She fell in love
with Rizal and gave him all of her attention during the family picnics and gatherings.
When Rizal stayed indoors during rainy days painting and sculpting, she helped him mix
his colors and prepare his clay.
Rizal enjoyed her company. Eventually their flirtatious friendship drifted towards
a blossoming romance. He affectionately called her "Gettie," and in return she called
him "Pettie."Rizal withdrew before his relationship with Gettie could become more
serious, realizing that he had a greater mission to fulfill and that in order to accomplish it
he could not yield to the option of marrying her. He suppressed the yearnings of his
heart and decided to leave so that the lady may forget him. Before he did, however, he
finished a number of sculptural works, one of which was a carving of the heads of the
Beckett sisters.

6) Seventh Love: Suzanne Jacoby (1890)

On January 28, 1890, Rizal left for Brussels,
Belgium. He stayed for a considerable time, paying for
room and board. His landladies had a pretty niece
named Petite Suzanne Jacoby. She was taken by
Rizal's charm and gallantry, and provided him good
company. Rizal could have flirted with the lady,
considering that his beloved Leonor was far away and
he was a lonely man in a strange and foreign land, but
he realized he could not deceive her. Suzanne fell in
love with Rizal, and wept when he left for Madrid in
July 1890.
She wrote to him in French:
"Where are you now? Do you think of me once
in a while? I am reminded of our tender conversations,
reading your letter, although it is cold and indifferent.
Here in your letter I have something which makes up
for your absence. How pleased I would be to follow you, to travel with you who are
always in my thoughts.
You wish me all kinds of luck, but forget that in the absence of a beloved one a
tender heart cannot feel happy.
A thousand things serve to distract your mind, my friend; but in my case, I am
sad, lonely, always alone with my thoughts -- nothing, absolutely nothing relieves my
sorrow. Are you coming back? That's what I want and desire most ardently -- you
cannot refuse me.
 I do not despair and I limit myself to murmuring against time which runs so fast
when it carries us toward a separation, but goes so slowly when it's bringing us together
again.
I feel very unhappy thinking that perhaps I might never see you again.
Goodbye! You know with one word you can make me very happy. Aren't you
going to write to me?"

7) Eight Love: Nellie Boustead (1891)

In 1891, Rizal took a vacation in Biarritz in
order to find reprieve from his troubles in Madrid. He
was a guest of the Boustead family in their winter
residence, Villa Eliada. Mr. and Mrs. Boustead had
two beautiful daughters, Adelina and Nellie. After
having lamented his frustrated romance with Leonor
Rivera on account of the lady's engagement to
another man, Rizal came to develop considerable
affection for Nellie, the prettier and younger daughter
of Mr. Eduardo Boustead. He found her to be
intelligent, morally upright, and full of life. Rizal wrote
to his closest friends about his intention to marry her.
Rizal's friends were delighted to hear that he had
found a suitable girl whom he at last wished to settle
down with. Even Antonio Luna, who had previously
loved Nellie, encouraged Rizal to court her and ask
for her hand in marriage. With all the
encouragement from the friends he held dear, Rizal wooed Nellie (also called Nelly)
who, in turn, returned his affections.
Rizal's marriage proposal failed for two reasons: first, Nellie demanded that he
give up his Catholic faith and convert to Protestantism, which was her religion. Rizal did
not like this idea. Second, Nelly's mother did not approve of Rizal, as she had no
desire to entrust her daughter to a man who was wanting in wealth and persecuted in
his own country. In spite of the circumstances, Rizal and Nellie parted as good friends.

5. Recommended learning materials and resources for supplementary reading

a) RIZAL AT ATENEO - [Link]

rizal%E2%80%99s-ateneo
 b) RIZAL AT UST - [Link]
[Link]

c) RIZAL‘S TRAVEL -
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]

d) RIZAL‘S WORK- [Link]

[Link]
[Link]

e) RIZAL AS A MASON - [Link]

[Link]

f) RIZAL AND THE PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT-

1) [Link]
2) [Link]
3) [Link]

g) RIZAL'SROMANCES- [Link]
[Link]

References
Books

Ocampo, A. R. (2000). Rizal: Without the Overcoat. Pasig City: Anvil Publishing, Inc.
Purino, A. P. (2008). Rizal, Thre Greatest Filipino Hero. Manila: Rex Book Store.
Viana, A. e. (2011). jose Rizal Social Reformer and Patriot. Manila: Rex Book Store.
Zaide, G. a. (2008). Jose Rizal: Life Works and Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist
and National Hero. Quezon City: All Nations Publishing Co. Inc.

Electronic Sources:
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link] [Link]
 CHAPTER 5

JOSE RIZAL’S LIFE: EXILE, TRIAL AND DEATH

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Analyze the factors that led to Jose Rizal‘s execution; and
2. Analyze the effects of Jose Rizal‘s execution on Spanish colonial rule and the
Philippine revolution.

Class Activity:
1. Read the constitution of La Liga Filipina and fill out a table (graphic organizer) with
the aims of La Liga Filipina in one column and examples of these aims could be
attained in another column.
2. Read Rizal’s last letters to family members and Blumentritt.
3. Read Teodora Alonzo’s letter to Governor General Polavieja and write a similar
letter persuading him to spare Rizal’s life.

Jose Rizal’s Exile (1892-96)

Jose dwelled as exile in Dapitan, Zamboanga Del Norte, and a far-remotest town in
Mindanao from 1892 to 1896. This four-year interregnum in Jose‘s life was summed up by Zaide
and Zaide (2104) as:
Tediously unexciting, but was abundantly fruitful with varied achievements. He
practiced medicine, pursued scientific studies, continued his artistic and literary works,
widened his knowledge of languages, established a school for boys, promoted
community development projects, invented a wooden machine for making bricks, and
engaged in farming and commerce. Despite his multifarious activities, he kept an
extensive correspondence with his family, relatives, fellow reformists, and eminent
scientists and scholars of Europe.
 In Dapitan, Jose had a very peaceful, happy, and enjoyable life and the way he lived it
was extremely good and deserving to be admired and appreciated. He made sure his stay in
Dapitan would be fruitful, so he engaged in
manifold activities. His excellent skill in the
science of medicine spread like wild fire in
Dapitan. His medical practice attracted
many patients who were mostly poor. He
put to good use the curative values of the
Philippines medicinal plants which he
studied and doled them out to his poor
patients who could not afford to buy
imported medicine. He welcomed both
affluent and indigent patients. He normally
undercharged them if not for free and accepted any payments in kind from those who had little
or no money.

With the assistance of Father Francisco Sanchez, his former Jesuit teacher, Jose
buckled down to work. He enhanced the town plaza and accentuated it with a huge relief map of
Mindanao, which can still be viewed today. One of the impressive projects of Jose was the
water system he designed and constructed in order that people of
Dapitan can have access to clean water. In spite of lack of funds,
exiguous resources and no government assistance, he was able to
build it, armed only with his training in Ateneo, readings of
engineering books, sheer determination and ingenuity. To reduce the
occurrence of malaria, he drained the marshes where mosquitos
thrived. Utilizing the 500 pesos he received from an English patient,
he introduced a lighting system made up of coconut oil lamps in glass
protectors which lighted up dark areas in the town.

Imbued with the value of education since childhood, Jose

realized his dream to establish his own school in which he applied the
educational system he learned abroad. The school opened with three pupils which increased to
16 and later to 21. His lessons constituted of reading, writing languages (Spanish and English),
geography, history, mathematics (arithmetic and geometry), industrial work, study of nature, and
morals. He also trained and exposed them to gymnastics, boxing, wrestling, stone-throwing,
swimming, arnis (native frencing), and boating for physical development and discipline. He did
not charge his pupils for sharing his knowledge, instead, he encouraged them to help him in his
garden, farm, and construction projects in the community.
Jose conducted scientific
studies in the rich virgin field of
Dapitan and collected specimens of
animals and plants. He forwarded
these specimens to the Dresden
museum of Europe and he received
scientific books and surgical
instruments as payment. He has an
impressive assemblage of his study of
346 shells from 203 species. He
obtained knowledge on some rare
specimens which were named in his honor by European scientists such as Draco rizali (a flying
dragon), Apogonia rizali (a small beetle), and Rhacophorus rizali (a rare frog).
While in Dapitan, Jose studied the
Bisayan, Subanum, and Malayan languages
and wrote a Tagalog grammar. He wrote
poems entitled: A Don Ricardo Carnicero,
Himno A Talisay (Hymn to the Talisay Tree) Mi
Retiro (My Retreat), El Canto del Viajero (The
Song of the Traveler) and Josephine. He also
made some drawings and sculptures of people
and things that captivated him.
Jose acquired lands in Dapitan which
reached total holdings of 70 hectares, where
he constructed his house, school, hospital, and planted in his farm many fruit trees, corn, coffee,
cacao, sugarcane, and hemp. He also introduced and encouraged the use of modern European
and American methods of agriculture. He, however, did not realize his dream of transforming
Dapitan into an agricultural colony because he did not get the acceptance and permission of the
government.
In collaboration with Ramon Carreon, a Dapitan merchant, Jose was successful in his
business ventures in fishing, copra, and hemp industries. He established the Cooperative
Association of Dapitan Farmers to break the Chinese business monopoly in Dapitan. The
confederation, according to Jose Rizal’s Political and Historical Writings (1964) aimed ―to
improve the farm products, obtain better outlets for them, collect funds for their purchases, and
help the producers and workers by establishing a store wherein they can buy prime
commodities at moderate prices.‖
He devised an unusual ―sulpukan‖, a cigarette lighter made of wood which employed the
principle of compressed air. Subsequently, it was received by Blumentritt as a gift. He also
formed an idea of a machine for making bricks. Patterned after a Belgian example, Jose‘s
version could produce about 6,000 bricks daily.
In spite of his achievements in Dapitan, Jose felt empty. He missed his family, relatives,
and friends. He felt he needed somebody to rejuvenate him. Expressed in Letters between Rizal
and Family Members (1964), Jose found his answer in Josephine Bracken:
In God‘s own time, this ―somebody‖ came to Dapitan, like a sunbeam to dispel
his melancholy mood. She was Josephine Bracken, an Irish girl of sweet eighteen,
―slender, a chestnut blond, with blue eyes, dressed with elegant simplicity, with an
atmosphere of light gayety‖. She of Irish parents. She was born in Hong Kong on
October 3, 1876 of Irish parents – James Bracken, a corporal in the British garrison, and
Elizabeth Jane MacBride.
Jose and Josephine fell inlove with each other and decided to seal their relationship with
marriage but no priest would marry them. Even without the blessing of the church, Jose and
Josephine joyfully shared each other‘s life in Dapitan. His happiness doubled when he learned
that Josephine was expecting a baby. By twist of fate, the baby, only lived for three hours. He
named his baby boy ―Francisco‖ in honor to his father.
 In 1876, Andres Bonifacio and his Katipunan (revolutionary society founded on July 7,
1892) organized an armed rebellion. They assigned Dr. Pio Valenzuela to notify Jose Rizal
about their plan. To conceal his assignment, Dr. Pio was accompanied by Raymundo Mata, a
blind man to consult Jose‘s medical advice. Jose opposed the Katipuneros very bold and
shocking uprising. He firmly believed that they are not ready for a revolution. He added that they
do not have adequate arms and funds. He also declined the offer of Katipuneros to rescue him.

Several months before the Katipuneros communicated with Jose, Blumentritt revealed to
him the pitiful health situation (yellow fever epidemic) in war-ridden Cuba and admonished him
to volunteer as an army doctor there to end his exile. On December 17, 1895, acting upon his
friend‘s counsel, Jose sent Governor General Ramon Blanco a letter, offering his medical
services in Cuba. He almost gave up hope when he did not get a response after months had
passed.
However, on July 30, 1896, when he least expected it, a letter from the Spanish
Governor arrived informing him of his proposal. This letter also expressed that he would be
given a pass so that he could travel in Manila, where he would be given a safe-conduct to Spain
and subsequently to Cuba.
July 31, 1896 marked Jose Rizal‘s emotionally charged departure from a town he
learned to love. Many teary-eyed Dapitan folks were at the shore to bid goodbye to a person
who unselfishly did all he can for their town. With weeping heart brimming with tears of nostalgic
memories, Jose gestured his farewell salute to the town‘s devoted and friendly folks.

Jose Rizal’s Trial

Andres Binifacio and his dauntless Katipuneros, on August 26, 1896, raised the cry of
rebellion in the hills of Balintawak (popularly known as ―Cry of Balintawak‖), a few miles in north
of Manila. In August 30, they assaulted San Juan, near the city of Manila, but they were repelled
with massive losses. In the aftermath of the Battle of San Juan, Governor General Blanco
declared a state of war in the eight provinces for their insurgency against Spain-Manila (as a
provice), Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga, Nueva Vizcaya, and Tarlac. Jose
feared that the turbulent insurrection would only beget much suffering and horrifying decimation
of human lives and property. He was also frightened of the likelihood of Spanish reprisal against
all Filipino patriots.
Amidst the chaos created by the uprising, Jose received from Governor General Blanco
two letters which exculpated him from the raging insurrection. In his last trip abroad, Jose
troubled by the violent attempt of the Katipuneros to end the rule of the Spanish government,
left for Spain on September 3, 1896. He, however, was transferred to another steamer which he
thought would take him from Spain to Cuba to carry out his humanitarian offer which is to serve
as military physician. Unexpectedly, he was apprehended and unlawfully detained as a prisoner
in a Spanish steamer before reaching Barcelona. He was informed that he would be shipped
back to Manila on board the transport ship Colon. Upon arriving in Manila, on November 3,
1896, the heavily guarded Jose was transferred from the Colon to Fort Santiago.

A Severe five-day preliminary investigation began on November 20, 1896. Jose

appeared before the Judge Advocate, Colonel Francisco Olive who detailed the charges against
him. Two types of evidence, documentary and testimonial, were presented against Jose Rizal.
Palma (1949) in his translated work, Pride of Malay Race, made available the documentary
evidence which consisted of fifteen exhibits, as follows:

1. A letter of Antonio Luna to Mariano Ponce, dated Madrid, October 16, 1888,
showing Rizal's connection with the Filipino reform campaign in Spain.
2. A letter of Rizal to his family, dated Madrid, August 20, 1890, stating that the
deportations are good for they will encourage the people to hate tyranny.
3. A letter from Marcelo H. Del Pilar to Deodato Arellano, dated Madrid, January 7, I
889, implicating Rizal in the Propaganda campaign in Spain.
4. A poem entitled Kundiman, allegedly written by Rizal in Manila on September
12, 1891.

This poem is as follows:

KUNDIMAN
In the Orient beautiful
Where the sun is born
In a land of beauty
Full of enchantments
But bound in chains.
Where the despot reigns,
The land clearest to me.
Ah! That is my country,
She is slave oppressed
Groaning in the tyrant's grips;
Lucky shall he be
Who can give her liberty!

5. A letter of Carlos Oliver to an unidentified person, dated Barcelona, September

18, 1891, describe Rizal as the man to free the Philippines from Spanish
oppression.
6. A Masonic document, dated Manila, February, 9, 1892, honoring Rizal for his
patriotic services.
7. A letter signed Dimasalang (Rizal's pseudonym) to Ter:.luz (Juan Zulueta's
pseudonym), dated Hong Kong, May 24, 1892, stating that he was preparing a
safe refuge for Filipinos who may be persecuted by the Spanish authorities.
8. A letter to Dimasalang to an unidentified committee, dated Hong Kong, June 1,
1892, soliciting the aid of the committee in the, "patriotic work."
9. An anonymous and undated letter to the Editor of the Hong Kong Telegraph,
censuring the banishment of Rizal to Dapitan.
10. A letter of Ildefonso Laurel to Rizal, dated Manila, September 3, 1892, saying
that the Filipino people look up to him (Rizal) as their savior.
11. A letter of Ildefonso Laurel to Rizal, dated Manila 17, 1893, informing an
unidentified correspondent of the arrest and banishment of Doroteo Cortes and
Ambrasio Salvador.
12. A letter of Marcelo Del Pilar to Don Juan A Tenluz (Juan Zulueta), dated Madrid,
June l, 1893 recommending to establishment of a special organization,
independent of Masonry, to help the cause of the Filipino people.
 13. Transcript of a speech of Pingkian (Emilio Jacinto), in a reunion of the Katipunan
on July 23, 1893, in which the following cry was uttered "Long Live the
Philippines! Long Live Liberty! Long Live Doctor Rizal! Unity!"
14. Transcript of a speech of Tik-Tik (Jose Turiano Santiago) in the same Katipunan
reunion, where in the katipuneros shouted: "Long live the eminent Doctor Rizal!
Death to the oppressor nation!''
15. A poem by Laong Laan (Rizal), entitled A Talisay, in which the author makes the
Dapitan schoolboys sing that they know how to fight for their rights.

The oral testimonies of the following persons: Martin Constantino. Aguedo de! Rosario,
Jose Reyes, Moises Salvador, Jose Dizon, Domingo Franco, Deodato Arellano. Ambrosio
Salvador, Pedro Serrano Laktaw, Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Antonio Salazar, Francisco Quison, and
Timoteo Paez were forwarded as testimonial evidence against Jose.
On November 26, 1896, Judge Advocate, Colonel Francisco Olive forwarded the records
of the case to Governor General Ramon Blanco, who designated Captain Rafael Dominguez as
special Judge Advocate to initiate proceeding against Jose. Captain Dominguez submitted a
summary of the action to Governor General Ramon Blanco who thereupon, send it to the Judge
Advocate General, Don Nicolas De la Pena.
After studying the papers, Pena submitted the following recommendations: (1) the
accused be immediately brought to trial; (2) he should be kept in prison; (3) an order of
attachment be issued against his property to the amount of one million pesos as indemnity; and
(4) he should be defended in the court by an army officer, not by a civilian lawyer (Zaide and
Zaide, 2014).
With his counsel by his side, charges were read to Jose in his prison cell on December 1
L 1896. He was accused, Medina ( 1998) disclosed, of being "the principal organizer and the
living soul of the Filipino insurrection, the founder of societies, periodicals and books dedicated
to fomenting and propagating ideas of rebellion." Jose was not against the jurisdiction of the
court, but asserted that he was not guilty of revolution. He acknowledged that he authored the
Constitution of the Liga Filipina and emphasized that it was simply a civic alliance. He reiterated
that he had no political involvement since his exile to Dapitan. On December 13, 1896, Captain
Dominguez transmitted Jose's case to the new Governor General of the Philippines, General
Camilo G. de Polavieja who replaced General Ramon Blanco.
During the time Jose was in prison cell at Fort Santiago, he penned a manifesto
seriously asking the Filipino people to cease the needless and tumultuous war. He encouraged
them to attain freedom through education and habit of working hard and steadily, Palma (1964)
promulgated this manifesto as follows:

My Countrymen:

On my return from Spain, I learned that my name had been used as a war
cry among some who were in arms. The news painfully surprised me, but
believing it was all over, I kept silent over what I considered irremediable. Now I
hear rumors that the disturbances continue, and lest any person should still go
on using my name in bad or good faith, to remedy this abuse and to undeceive
the unwary, I hasten to address you these lines so that the truth may be known.

From the beginning, when I had news of what was being planned, I opposed it,
fought it, and demonstrated its absolute impossibility. This is the truth, and
witnesses to my word are still living. I was convinced that the idea was highly
absurd and, what was worse, would bring great suffering. I did more. When later,
 in spite of my counsels, the movement broke out, I spontaneously offered not
only my services, but my life, and even my name so that they might use them in
the manner they saw fit to suppress the rebellion, for, convinced of the evils that
would befall them, I considered myself fortunate if, at any sacrifice, I could
prevent such useless misfortunes. This is equally of record.

My countrymen: I have given proofs, more than. Anybody else, of desiring

liberties for our country and I still desire them. But I place as a premise the
education of the people so that by means of education and of labor they might
have a personality of their own and make themselves worthy of liberties. In my
writings I have recommended redemption. I have also written (and my words
have been updated) that reforms, to be fruitful, have to come from above, that
those that come from below are irregular and unstable. Imbued with these ideals,
I cannot but condemn and I do condemn this absurd, savage uprising planned
behind my back, which dishonors us, the Filipinos, and discredits those who may
advocate our cause. I abhor its criminal methods and disclaim all participation
therein, pitying from the bottom of my heart the unwary who have allowed
themselves to be deceived. Return then to your homes, and may God forgive
those who have acted in bad faith.

The trial of Rizal was an eloquent proof of Spanish injustice and misrule.
More than a farce, it was patently a mistrial. Rizal, a civilian, was tried by a
military court composed of alien military officers. His case was prejudged; he was
considered guilty before the actual trial. The military court met not to give him
justice, but to accuse and condemn him. lt accepted all charges and testimonies
against him, and ignored all arguments and proofs in his favor. Moreover, Rizal
was not given the night (which any accused is entitled to have in a real court of
justice) to face the witnesses against him in open court.

The trial of Jose commenced in the Cuartel de Espana, a military building, on December
26, 1896, at eight o'clock in the morning. Present in the trial were seven members of the military
court: Lt. Col. Jose Togores Arjona (President), Capt. Ricardo Munoz Arias, Capt. Manuel
Reguerra, Capt. Santiago Izquierdo Osorio, Capt. Braulio Rodriguez Nunez, Capt. Manuel Diaz
Escribano, and Capt. Fermin Perez Rodriguez. Also in the military court were Lt. Don LuisTaviel
de Andrade (Jose's defense counsel) Capt. Rafael Dominguez (Judge Advocate) Lt. Enrique de
Alconcer (Prosecuting Attorney) and observers which included Josephine Bracken, a sister of
Jose, newspapermen, and other Spaniards.

Judge Advocate Capt. Rafael Dominguez began the trial and explained the case leveled
against Jose. Jose was charged of three crimes: rebellion, sedition, and illegal association. Lt.
Enrique de Alconcer, prosecuting lawyer, advanced a gingerly harangue, detailing accusations
against Jose. He mercilessly made an effort to persuade the members of the military court to
punish the accused with death sentence. Lt. Don Luis Taviel de Andrade, defense counsel of
Jose tried hard to come up with a convincing defense. He brought an end to his defense by
reminding the judges to be fair and avoid vindictiveness in their judgment. After Lt. Don Luis
Taviel de Andrade's defense, the court queried Jose if there is anything he wanted to say. Jose
confidently read a supplement to his defense. De Viana, Augusto V. et al (2011) put forward
Jose's supplementary defense as follows:

1. He could not be guilty of rebellion, for he advised Dr. Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan not to
rise in revolution.
 2. He did not correspond with the radical, revolutionary elements.
3. The revolutionists used his name without his knowledge. If he were guilty he could
have escaped in Singapore.
4. If he had a hand in the revolution, he could have escaped in a Moro Vinta and
would not have built a home, a hospital, and bought lands in Dapitan.
5. If he were the chief of the revolution. Why has not he consulted by the revolutionists?
6. It was true he wrote the by-laws of the Liga Filipina, but this a civic association ---
not an evolutionary society.
7. The Liga Filipina did not live long, for after the first meeting he was banished to
Dapitan and it died out.
8. If the Liga was reorganized nine months later, he did not know about it.
9. The Liga did not serve the purpose of the revolutionists, otherwise they would not
have supplanted it with the Katipunan.
10. If it were true that there were some bitter comments in Rizal's letters, it was
because they were written in 1890 when his family was being persecuted, being
dispossessed of houses, warehouses, lands, etc. and his brother and all his
brother-in-law were deported.
11. His life in Dapitan had been exemplary as the politico-military commanders and
missionary priests could arrest.
12. It was not true that the revolution was inspired by his one speech at the house
of Dorotea Ongjunco, as alleged by witnesses whom he would like to confront. His friends
knew his opposition to armed rebellion. Why did the Katipunan send an emissary
to Dapitan who was unknown to him? Because those who knew him were aware that he
would never sanction any violent movement.

The biased military court was apathetic to Jose's appeal. After a brief deliberation, the members
of the military court agreed to convict Jose and sentenced him to death. On December 26,
1896, the unjust military court decision was given to Governor General Camilo G. de Polavieja
who asked the judgment of judge advocate General Nicolas de la Pena who confirmed the
death verdict. On December 28, 1896, Governor General Camilo G. de Polavieja signed the
court-martial's decision to execute Jose Rizal. Medina (1998) presented this decree as follows:

Manila, December 28, 1896:

Conformably to the foregoing opm10n. I approve the sentence dictated by

the Court Martial in the present case, by virtue of which the death penalty is
imposed on the accused Jose Rizal Mercado, which shall be executed by
shooting him at 7:00 o'clock in the morning of the 30th of this month in the field of
Bagumbayan.
For compliance and the rest may correspond, let this be returned to the
Judge Advocate, Captain Don Rafael Dominguez.
 Camilo G. de Polavieja

Jose Rizal's Death

After learning the unjust

decision of the court martial, Jose
spent the next twenty fours of his
remaining life seeing and speaking
to his friends, family and
Josephine Bracken whom he tied
the knot with canonically on
December 30, 1896 officiated by Fr. Balaguer. After the reading of the death penalty, Jose
opted to spent quiet moments in the prison chapel. He turned into writing when he was left
alone in his cell. He penned a letter to his brother Paciano, another one to his best friend Dr.
Ferdinand Blumentritt, and another letter addressed to his father and mother. It was also
assumed that he signed a document abjuring Masonry (which some scholars doubted).

It is commonly believed that on December 29, 1896, Jose composed his last poem, Mi
Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell). He was able to thrust it inside an alcoh0I cooking stove which
he gave to his sister Trinidad to whom, he divulged 'There is something in it.' Jose's last poem,
composed without a title and unsigned was translated in English by Charles E. Derbyshire,
which runs below:

My Last Farewell

Farewell, dear Fatherland, clime of the sun caress' d

Pearl of the Orient seas, our Eden lost!
Gladly now I go to give thee this faded life's best,
And were it brighter, fresher or more blest
Still would I give it thee, nor count the cost.

On the field of battle, mid the frenzy of light,

Others have given their lives, without doubt or heed;
The place matters not - cypress or laurel or lily white,
Scaffold or open plain, combat or martyrdom's plight,
'Tis ever the same to serve our home and country's need.

I die just when I see the dawn break,

Through the gloom of riight, to herald the day;
And if color is lacking my blood thou shalt take,
Pour'd out at need for thy dear sake,
To dye with its crimson the walking ray.

My dreams, when life first opened to me.

 My dreams, when the hopes of youth beat high,
Were to see thy lov'd face, O gem of the orient sea
From gloom and grief, from care and sorrow free;
No blush on thy brow, no tear in thine eye.

Dream of my life, my living and burning desire,

All hail! Cries the soul that is now to take flight;
All hail! And sweet it is for thee to expire,
To die for thy sake, that thou mayst aspire,
And sleep in thy bosom eternity's long night.

If over my grave someday thou seest grow,

In the grassy sod, a humble flower,
Draw it to thy lips and kiss my soul so,
While I may feel on my brow in the cold tomb below
The touch of thy tenderness, thy breath's warm power.

Let the moon beam over me soft and serene,

Let the dawn shed over me its radiant flashes
Let the wind with the sad lament over me keen;
And if on my cross a bird should be seen,
Let it trill its hymn of peace of my ashes.

Let the sun draw the vapors up to the sky,

And heavenward in purity bear my tardy protest;
Let some kind soul o'er my untimely fate sigh,
And in the still evening a prayer be lifted on high,
From thee O my country, that in God I may rest.

Pray for all those that hapless have died.

For all who have suffered the unmeasur'd pain;
For our mothers that bitterly their woes have cried,
For widow and orphans, for captives by torture tried;
And then for thyself that redemption thou mayst gain.

And when the dark night wraps the graveyard around,

With only the dead in their vigil to see;
Break not my repose or the mystery profound,
And perchance thou mayst bear a sad hymn resound,
'Tis I, O my country, raising a song unto thee.

When even my grave is remembered no more,

Unmark'd by never a cross or a stone;
Let the plow sweep through it, the spade‚‘ tum it o'er
That my ashes may carpet thy earthly floor,
Before into nothingness at last they are blown.

Then, will oblivion bring to me no care;

As over thy vales and plains I sweep:
Throbbing and cleansed in thy space and air,
With color and light, with song and lament I fare,
 Ever repeating and faith that I keep.

My Fatherland ador'd that my sadness to my sorrow lends,

Beloved Filipinas, hear now my last good-bye!
I give thee all; parents and kindred and friends;
For I go where no slave before the oppressor bends,
Where faith can never kill, and God reigns e'er on high!

Farewell to you all, from my soul torn away,

Friends of my childhood in the home dispossessed!
Give thanks that I rest from the wearisome day!
Farewell to thee; too, sweet friend that
lightened my way;
Beloved creatures all, farewell! In death there is
rest!

On December 30, 1896, approximately at six

thirty in the morning. Jose's walk towards his
death commenced signaled by a trumpet sound
at Fort Santiago. The death march was delineated by Zaide and Zaide (2014) as follows:

The advance guard of four soldiers with bayoneted rifles moved. A few meters
behind, Rizal walked calmly, with his defense counsel (Lt Luis Taviel de Andrade) on
one side and two Jesuit priests (Fathers March and Vilaclara) on the other. More
well-armed soldiers marched behind him.

Rizal was dressed elegantly in a black suit, black derby hat, black shoes, white
shirt and a black tie. His arms were tied behind from elbow to elbow, but the rope was
quite loose to give his arms freedom of movement.

To the muffled sounds of the drums, the cavalcade somnolently marched slowly.
There was a handful of spectators lining the street from Fort Santiago to the Plaza de!
Palacio in front of the Manila Cathedral. Everybody seemed to be out at Bagumbayan
where a vast crowd gathered to see how a martyr dies.

As Jose calmly made his way to Bagumbayan, he remarked about the beauty and
serenity of the morning, uttered a few observations about Corregidor, the mountains or Cavite
and the Ateneo College. Upon reaching the place of execution, Jose noticed the very large
number of prying persons and soldiers waiting for them. After final blessings were bestowed on
him he said his adieu to Fr. March, Fr. Villaclara and Lt. Taviel de Andrade. Jose's request that
he be shot facing the firing squad was denied because there was an order to shoot him in the
back. The normal pulse of Jose, felt by Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo, a Spanish military doctor,
proved that he did not fear death. Above the beating of the drums that filled the air was the cold-
blooded command "Fuego" (Fire) which ended Jose's life. He fell to the ground three minutes
past seven o'clock in the morning and was declared dead.

Expectedly, the passing away of Jose Rizal's was greeted with joy by his enemies. On
the contrary, those who love, respected and supported him were brokenhearted and painfully
inflamed. For them, he died a hero and martyr to Philippine freedom.
 CHAPTER 6

ANNOTATION OF ANTONIO MORGA’S

SUCESOS DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Analyze Rizal's ideas on how to rewrite Philippine history.
2. Compare and contrast Rizal and Marga's different views about Filipinos and
Philippine culture.

Class Activity:
1. Read the introduction and last chapter of Rizal's Annotation of Antonio Morga 's
Sucesos de tas Islas Fiiipinas.
2. Read: "A Legacy of the Propaganda: The Tripartite View of Philippine History" by
Zeus Salazar.

Background

Among Rizal's works that

typically shown his nationalistic
sentiments, his annotations of
Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas by
Antonio Morga was not as popular as his
two novels, Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo. We can actually say
that his annotations of Sucesos is as
equally-important as all his works. As
Ocampo in his article published in
Philippines Studies would say, it
shows that there is history of the
Philippines before the time of
colonization.
Rizal's Propositions

Rizal agued in three main propositions in his annotations: 1) The inhabitants of the
Philippines has a culture even before Spanish colonization; 2) Filipinos then, were depressed,
oppressed and marginalized by mechanism of colonization and; 3) Philippines at present was
not necessarily more ahead than to its past.

In these arguments, we can see how much in favor is Rizal in the history of his
motherland. He insisted on the importance of knowing the cultural identity Filipinos have even
before colonization. Basing his arguments on the notes of a Spanish conquistador himself
(Morga), He has supported in full conviction the state of the Philippines and its people under the
rule of the colonizers. That, even if the Philippines was largely Hispanized because of more than
300 years of colonization, Filipinos and the Philippines itself can equally be proud of the pre-
conquest past with its culture and existence.

Rizal's annotation of the Morga shows his social scientist side, most especially his side
of being a historian. Even if it is a question whether his work (being a mere annotation of
somebody else's work) can be a contribution in Philippine historiography, we cannot argue for
the fact that he was a nationalist in his arguments. Although in the streams of historical writing,
what he had written was somewhat invaluable because of it being as secondary source. As
what Ocampo has written in his journal article:

Rizal's annotation are largely disregarded today stems basically from the recent
advances in historical, archeological and ethnographic research. Although many of
Rizal's assertions have been validated by recent research, the fact is that his work is
now dated. Moreover Rizal's annotations are secondary, and today's scholars
concentrate more on the primary source, Morga, than on Rizal's notes. Few Filipinos
today, even the most patriotic, would find the time and energy to read the small text of
Rizal's footnotes, even if penned by the national hero (Ocampo, 1998).

Rizal's views on pre-conquest past were valid if and only if we have to look into his
nationalistic ideals. However, there are some notes on Morga which were validated by today's
scholars which are exaggerations on the part of Rizal so as not to deviate in his major
argument. Some examples were actually mentioned in Ocampo's article. For the matter it was
however obvious why he made those inconsistencies. Morga, being a Spanish who actually,
according to Rizal made one of the most accurate accounts of history before and during
Spanish colonization, had still his own biases in writing. Other writers would even immortalize
almost everything because it is their way of pacifying the Filipino natives. How religious groups
(religious missionaries, the first three before the Jesuits) have made stories just to get convert
everyone is something Rizal, himself resent. His choice of annotating the work of Morga has
somehow show his anti-clergy sentiments and that would also show, ironically his own bias in
how history is portrayed during Spanish colonization. As Ocampo would say: Rizal maintained
mixed feelings for the Morga, depending on its usefulness for his thesis, that, 'Spanish
colonization retarded, rather than brought civilization to the Philippines and its inhabitants'
(Ocampo, 1998).

Conclusion

Rizal's annotation of Sucesos delas ls-las Filipinas is a gem in the stream of Philippine
historiography. He did well in his ambitions of giving justice in the pre-colonial life of the
Filipinos. His patriotism was very evident in this piece and he did not get away in his personality
in doing this work. He also has set a good example in doing making researches (thus having his
social scientist side).

Among many Spanish writers who had so much interest in writing about the Philippines
and his People, he chose Morga because he believes he was less biased than those from the
religious orders. Morga had connections to the Spanish government being a lieutenant but he
was not a part of the church. He also chose Morga because of his wide experience in the
different places and cultures in the Philippines. And as what Rizal has said in his annotations, it
is very much evident in the accounts made by Morga that our country can stand in terms of the
richness of culture even without the influence of the Spaniards.

Rizal has his own biases in writing his annotations, but he was never unaware of his
arguments and he never get away in his love for his country and countrymen. And more
importantly, Rizal began the task of writing the first Philippine history from the viewpoint of a
Filipino. (Ocampo, 1998).