Module 10:
Title: Retraction of Rizal
Introduction:
Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda also known as Jose Rizal, a
National Hero of the Philippines. He is well known on his patriotism, affirmation
against his enemies especially the Spaniards through his noble writings. He was
accused and alleged committed crimes such as rebellion, sedition and illegal
association.
After a hundred of years, many of Filipino still debates on Rizal’s retraction
letter. As of today many of us still unaware about this controversy, it was debated and
hotly discussed many times. Some teachers didn’t tackle this topic and don’t sure
what is the truth behind of this. Many of them give and think that this is the most
controversial timeline of his life. Some of us insist that it’s forged by Spaniard or
think that He is coward or even it is a real and views that Rizal only wanted to repent
and gave up his life to God before he died.
The said lesson help student’s understand and reflect every details of Rizal’s life
for them to realize the essence of walking in the highways even late at night without
any fear to be detained by Spanish colonials and/or the essence of putting their right
hands into their left chest while looking into the Philippine flag as well as singing its
national anthem.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this topic, you are expected to:
1. explain and discuss the effects of Rizal’s death and legacy; and
2. understand and dedicate oneself as a patriot for the sake of the motherland by
reflecting Rizal’s life.
Learning Content:
Presentation of Facts about Rizal’s Retraction
The retraction of Rizal is still one of the greatest historical issues of all time.
The story of the Retraction has been told and retold and has created tremendous
ambiguities in Philippine history on the credence of the national hero.
Did the national hero really retract his anti-Catholic ideas?
Will that retraction make him less of a hero?
Major arguments for the Retraction
1. Archivist Fr. Manuel Garcia, C.M. discovered the “original" text containing
the so-called retraction formula in the archdiocesan archives on May 18, 1935,
thirty-nine years after Rizal’s execution. This Retraction “Document” found
was considered imperative evidence to the Retraction, itself. The text appears
to have been released to the press and published after the death of Rizal but
the original document was not produced until 1935 because it was believed
that the documents were handed by Fr. Balaguer to Fr. Pi and from Fr. Pi to
Fr. Nozaleda in order to kept safely by his secretary.
2. There were eyewitnesses closely associated with the events - According to
Ricardo P. Garcia’s “The Great Debate: The Rizal’s Retraction” there were
two great testimonies of eyewitnesses who were privy to what happened in
Rizal’s cell from early morning of December 29 to 6:30 am of December 30.
Fr. Vicente Balaguer – According to him, Rizal woke up several
times, confessed four times, attended a Mass, received communion,
and prayed the rosary, all of which seemed inconsistent of his
personality.
Former Lieutenant of the Infantry- Mariano Martinez Gallegos – He
confirmed that Rizal did write a retraction piece and signed his
signature on it with Juan del Fresno and Eloy Moure as his witnesses.
These two witnesses also affixed their signatures on the said
retraction document.
Newly released document and new interpretation that may affirm his retraction:
1. The Cuerpo de Vigilancia.
“At 7:50 yesterday morning, Jose Rizal entered death row accompanied by his counsel, Señor Taviel de Andrade, and the
Jesuit priest Vilaclara. At the urgings of the former and moments after entering, he was served a light breakfast. At
approximately 9, the Assistant of the Plaza, Señor Maure, asked Rizal if he wanted anything. He replied that at the
moment he only wanted a prayer book which was brought to him shortly by Father March.
“Señor Andrade left death row at 10 and Rizal spoke for a long while with the Jesuit fathers, March and Vilaclara,