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Rizal's Liga Filipina and His Trial

The document discusses José Rizal's life during his exile, trial, and execution, emphasizing the impact of his actions on the Philippine struggle for independence. It outlines the reasons for his exile, including his anti-colonial writings and involvement in La Liga Filipina, and details his contributions to the community during his time in Dapitan. The report highlights Rizal's dedication to education, civic projects, and his romantic relationship with Josephine Bracken, culminating in his arrest and execution in 1896.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
24 views10 pages

Rizal's Liga Filipina and His Trial

The document discusses José Rizal's life during his exile, trial, and execution, emphasizing the impact of his actions on the Philippine struggle for independence. It outlines the reasons for his exile, including his anti-colonial writings and involvement in La Liga Filipina, and details his contributions to the community during his time in Dapitan. The report highlights Rizal's dedication to education, civic projects, and his romantic relationship with Josephine Bracken, culminating in his arrest and execution in 1896.

Uploaded by

Cyril Laureano
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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REPORT IN

GEM 101
CHAPTER IV
Rizal’s Life: Exile, Trial and Death

SUBMITTED BY:
ELLEN HALLARSIS
ROSEMAE NARVASA
JECONIAS BERMEJO

BSEd SOCIAL STUDIES 2

SUBMITTED TO:

MRS. JHENINA P. ODUCADO

-COURSE FACILITATOR
,
CHAPTER V. RIZAL’S LIFE: Exile, Trial and Death

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Analyze the factors that led to Rizal’s execution. 2. Analyze the effects of Rizal's execution on
Spanish colonial rule and the Philippine Revolution.

INDICATIVE CONTENT
1. Introduction
2. Rizal’s Life: The Reason Why He Was Exiled
3. La Liga Filipina
4. Arrival in Dapitan
5. Exile Life in Dapitan
6. Romantic Affair with Josephine Bracken
7. The Katipunan and Cuba
8. Trials and Death of Rizal
9. Rizal's Remaining Days and the Last Farewell

Introduction

Studying José Rizal's life, particularly his exile, trial, and death, is crucial in understanding the
Philippine struggle for independence and the ideals that shaped the nation. Rizal’s life journey serves as a
testament to the power of education, peaceful reform, and patriotic sacrifice. His exile in Dapitan
demonstrated his resilience and dedication to helping the Filipino people, even in isolation. His trial and
eventual execution highlighted the oppressive nature of the Spanish colonial government and catalyzed the
revolutionary spirit among Filipinos. By delving into these significant moments, we not only honor Rizal’s
role in Philippine history but also gain insight into the values of justice, freedom, and nationalism that
continue to resonate today.
________________________________________________________________________

 Rizal’s Life: The Reason Why He Was Exiled

José Rizal was exiled to Dapitan in 1892 due to his growing influence and the perceived threat he
posed to Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines. The main reasons for his exile include:
• Anti-colonial writings: Rizal’s novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo were highly critical of
the Spanish government and the friars in the Philippines. These works exposed the abuses and injustices
of the colonial system, which alarmed the Spanish authorities. Moreover, for dedicating his novel, El
Filibusterismo to the three “traitors” (Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora) and for emphasizing on the
novel's title page that “the only salvation for the Philippines was separation from the mother country
(referring to Spain)”.
• Involvement in La Liga Filipina: Rizal founded La Liga Filipina, a peaceful reformist organization
aimed at uniting Filipinos and advocating for social reforms. Though Rizal's goals were peaceful, the
Spanish authorities viewed this as a move towards revolution and national unity against their rule.
• Association with revolutionaries: Despite Rizal's opposition to violent revolution, the Spanish
government believed that his ideas and writings inspired groups like the Katipunan, which sought
Philippine independence through armed revolt.
• Accusations of sedition: The colonial government accused Rizal of promoting sedition and rebellion.
His writings and advocacy for reforms were seen as direct challenges to the legitimacy of Spanish
authority in the Philippines.
These factors combined led the Spanish authorities to arrest and exile Rizal to Dapitan in Mindanao,
where he lived for four years until he was arrested again and eventually executed in 1896.

 La Liga Filipina

As soon as Rizal arrived in Manila on June 26, 1892, he was welcomed by Apolinario Mabini,
Andres Bonifacio, Ambrosio Salvador, Pedro Serrano Laktaw, Deodato Arellano, and other patriots,
who, altogether founded La Liga Filipina (The Filipino League). They wanted to discuss the plan for La
Liga Filipina which was held in a house on Calle Ylaya. That time, Rizal was able to talk to Governor-
General Despujol in July 1892, saying his gratitude for lifting the order of exile for his sisters.

❖ Rizal planned to establish the La Liga Filipina on July 3, 1892, which was held in the house of
Doroteo Ongjunco in Calle Ylaya or now Ilaya Street, Tondo, Manila
❖ La Liga Filipina has the purpose of building a new group that sought to involve the people
directly in the reform movement. The league was to be a sort of mutual aid and self-help society
dispensing scholarship funds and legal aid, loaning capital and setting up cooperatives, the league
became a threat to Spanish authorities that they arrested Rizal on July 6, 1892, then he was sent
to Dapitan. It aims to:
➢ Unite the whole country to have a common goal
➢ To defend every Filipino citizen against the cruelty, injustice and harsh treatment from the
Spaniards
➢ Protection for all Filipinos
➢ Improve the system of education, agriculture and commerce in the whole country, and
➢ To study and implement the reform needed for the government

 Arrival in Dapitan

Dapitan is a remote town in Mindanao, which served as an outpost of the Spaniards in the Philippines.
Dapitan became the only witness to Rizal’s fate since July 1896. During his exile, Rizal became close with
Captain Ricardo Carnicero for allowing him to roam the place on the condition that Rizal will relay his
activities in his office once a week. In Dapitan, he continued his medicine, research and continued his talent
in sculpture, painting, sketching and poetry writing. He put up a school for boys and introduced projects for
the community. As a gift to Captain Carnicero, Rizal wrote a poem entitled, "A Don Ricardo Carnicero" on
August 26, 1892.

❖ Aboard the steamer Cebu and under heavy guard, Rizal left Manila, sailing to Mindoro and
Panay, until he reached Dapitan at seven o'clock in the evening of June 17.
❖ From that day until July 31, 1896, Dapitan became the bear witness to one of the most fruitful
periods in Rizal's life.
❖ His stay in the province was more than “he” living in exile – it was the period when Rizal had
been more focused on serving the people and the society through his civic works, medical
practices, land development, and promotion of education.

 Exile Life in Dapitan

Rizal helped the people of Dapitan with their livelihood – he did farming and business and even
invented a wooden equipment in making bricks. On September 21, 1892, Rizal together with Carnicero and
another Spaniard, won a lottery ticket. The amount given to him as his share was P6,200. Part of his share
was used to buy a land in Talisay. He built a house, a clinic and a school within the area. He sent letters to
Blumentritt, narrating his daily activities in Dapitan: He wrote poems, performed operation on his mother's
eyes, and studied on medicinal plants of Dapitan to be prescribed to his patients.

Another project of Rizal for Dapitan was the creation of a big map of Mindanao at the plaza to be
used for geography class. He explained the position of Dapitan to the town people in relation to other places
in Mindanao. With the help of Rizal's students, he invented a water system that gave the town people water
for their drinking and irrigation. He also helped the people in putting-up lamp posts in every corner of the
town.

❖ Challenging the Religion


In Dapitan, Rizal had a scholarly debate with Father Pablo Pastells regarding religion. This exchange of
heated arguments revealed the anti-Christian Rizal – his bitterness on the abuses performed by friars, doing
such under the name of the sacred religion. Father Pastells tried his best to win Rizal back to the faith but
fortunately or unfortunately, in vain. These series of debate ended inconclusively in which neither of them
convinced the other of his judgments/arguments.
❖ Careers and Contributions
Rizal had maximized his stay in Dapitan by devoting much of his time in improving his artistic and literary
skills; doing agricultural and civic projects; engaging in business activities, and writing letters to his friends
in Europe, particularly to Ferdinand Blumentritt and Reinhold Rost. His careers and achievements in
different fields were as follows:
• As a physician, Rizal provided free medicine to his patients, most of them were underprivileged.
However, he also had wealthy patients who paid him well enough for his excellent surgical skills. His
skill was put into test in August 1893 when his mother, Doña Teodora Alonzo, was placed under
ophthalmic surgery for the third time. The operation was a success, however, Alonzo, ignored her son's
instructions and removed the bandages in her eyes which lead to irritation and infection.
• As an engineer, Rizal applied his knowledge through the waterworks system he constructed in Dapitan.
Going back to his academic life, Rizal obtained the title of expert surveyor (perito agrimensor) from
the Ateneo Municipal.
• As an educator, Rizal established a school in Dapitan which was attended by 16 young boys from
prominent families. Instead of charging them for the matriculation, he made the students do community
projects for him like maintaining his garden and field. He taught them reading, writing in English and
Spanish, geography, history, mathematics, industrial work, nature study, morals, and gymnastics. He
encouraged his students to engage in sports activities to strengthen their bodies as well.
• As an agriculturist, Rizal devoted time in planting important crops and fruit-bearing trees in his
16hectare land (later, reaching as large as 70 hectares). He planted cacao, coffee, sugarcane, and
coconuts, among many others. He even invested part of his earnings from being a medical practitioner
and his 6000peso winnings from a lottery on lands.
• As a businessman, the adventurous Rizal, with his partner, Ramon Carreon, tried his luck in the
fishing, hemp and copra industries.
• As an inventor, little was known of Rizal. In 1887, during his medical practice in Calamba, he invented
a special type of lighter called sulpukan which he sent to Blumentritt as a gift. According to Rizal, the
wooden lighter's mechanism was based on the principle of compressed air. Another of his inventions was
the wooden brick-maker can manufacture about 6,000 bricks a day.
• As an artist, he had contributed his talent to the Sisters of Charity who were preparing for the arrival of
the image of the Holy Virgin. Rizal was the person who modeled the image's right foot and other details.
He also conceptualized its curtain, which was oil-painted by a Sister under his instruction. He also made
sketches of anything which attracted him in Dapitan.
• As a linguist, Rizal was interested in the languages used in Dapitan and, thus, studied and made
comparisons of the Bisayan and Malayan languages existing in the region. In fact, Rizal had knowledge
in 22 languages: Tagalog, Ilocano, Bisayan, Subanen, Spanish, Latin, Greek, English, French, German,
Arabic, Malayan, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Dutch, Catalan, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Swedish and
Russian.
• As a scientist, Rizal shared his interest in nature with his students. With his boys, they explored the
jungles and searched for specimens which he sent to museums in Europe, particularly in Dressed
Museum. In return, scientific books and surgical instruments were delivered to him from European
scientists. He also made a bulk of other research and studies in the fields of ethnography, archaeology,
geology, anthropology and geography. However, Rizal's most significant contribution in the scientific
world was his discovery of three species:
✓ Draco rizali – flying dragon or lizard
✓ Apogonia rizali – small beetle ✓
Rhacophorus rizali – rare frog

Rizal also partakes in civic works in Dapitan. Upon arriving in the province, he noticed its poor condition.
He drained the marshes of Dapitan to get rid of malaria-carrying mosquitoes. He also provided lighting
system – coconut oil lamps posted in dark streets – in the province out of what he earned from being a
physician. He beautified Dapitan by remodeling the town plaza, with the aid of his Jesuit teacher, Fr.
Francisco Sanchez, and created a relief map of Mindanao (footnote: using stones, soil, and grass) right in
front of the church.

Romantic affair with Josephine Bracken

Rizal had been known to be one of the best ophthalmologists. Upon hearing this, George Tauffer
who had an eye ailment, together with her adopted daughter, Josephine Bracken, traveled from Hong Kong
to Dapitan. Rizal developed an attraction with Josephine and soon, they became husband and wife even if it
was against Father Obach and both their relatives.

❖ Rizal had always been missing his family and their happy moments together in Calamba and his
despair doubled upon the announcement of Leonor Rivera's death. Not soon, to his surprise, an
Irish girl enlightened his rather gloomy heart. This girl was the 18-year-old Josephine Bracken.
❖ From Hongkong, she arrived in Dapitan in February, 1895 with his blind foster father, George
Taufer, and a Filipina named Manuela Orlac. Rizal's fame as an ophthalmic surgeon reached
overseas, and one of Rizal's friends, Julio Llorente referred the group to Rizal. Rizal and
Bracken instantly fell in love with each and in just one month, they agreed to marry which
appalled and disturbed Taufer. However, the parish priest of Dapitan, Father Pedro Obach,
refused to do so unless they be permitted by the Bishop of Cebu.

 The Katipunan and Cuba

When revolution commenced in Manila in 1896, Dr. Pio Valenzuela together with Raymundo
Mata, a blind man, visited Rizal in Dapitan to narrate to him the founding of Katipunan and its plan for
revolution. For a while, Rizal sent letters to Governor General Ramon Blanco from 1894 to 1895. He
wanted his case to be reviewed so Blumentritt proposed that Rizal may offer his services as a surgeon to the
Spanish government in Cuba to end his exile. That time, Cuba was also a colony of Spain and was raged by
a yellowfever epidemic.
On July 30,1896, Governor-General Ramon Blanco granted Rizal's request to go to Cuba. Rizal left
Manila, embarked the steamer España and on September 3, 1896, he went to Barcelona boarded the
steamer Isla de Panay. When he arrived at the port, Governor-General Despujol told Rizal that there was a
command to return him back to Manila. Rizal was arrested while on his trip at the Mediterranean Sea. He
was put into prison in Barcelona, Spain and was brought back to the Philippines. Safely guarded while on
the way from Barcelona to Manila, Rizal reached the capital on November 3,1896 and was soon brought to
be imprisoned at Fort Santiago.
On board the steamer Venus, Valenzuala left Manila on June 15, 1892, and in 6 days, arrived
at Dapitan with a blind companion, Raymundo Mata. At night, Rizal and Valenzuela had a talk in the
former's garden. There, Valenzuela told him of the Katipunan's plan. Regarding this, Rizal
outspokenly objected Bonifacio's “premature” idea for two reasons:
➢ the Filipinos were still unready for such bloody revolution; and
➢ the Katipunan lacked machinery – before plotting a revolution, there must be sufficient arms and
funds collected.
❖ During the peak of the Cuban revolution, Rizal offered his services as a military doctor to
compromise with the shortage of physicians in the said country. It was his friend Ferdinand
Blumentritt who informed him of the situation in Cuba and suggested that he volunteer
himself as army doctor.
❖ On December 17, 1895, Rizal sent a letter to Governor General Ramon Blanco rendering
his service for Cuba. But for months Rizal awaited in vain for the governor's reply, and loss
hope that his request will be granted. It was only on July 30, 1896, when Rizal received a
letter from Governor Blanco, dated July 2, 1896, accepting his offer. The letter also stated
that Rizal will be given a pass so that he can go to Manila, then to Spain where its Minister of
War will assign shim to the Army of Operations in Cuba.
❖ At midnight of July 31, 1896, Jose Rizal left Dapitan on board the steamer España, together
with Narcisa, Josephine, Angelica (Narcisa's daughter), three nephews and six of his students.
Many were saddened as the adopted son of Dapitan left.

________________________________________________________________________

 TRIAL AND DEATH OF RIZAL

On November 20, 1896, the assigned Judge to summon Rizal was Colonel Francisco Olive, an Advocate
of the Spanish military tribunal. The preliminary investigation began, and a five-day investigation was
conducted. He was blamed for being the leader of the revolution by increasing the people's ideas about
rebellion and making illegal organizations. As expected, Rizal was not given the chance to interrogate his
witnesses. He was only allowed to choose his lawyer from a list of young Spanish officers who were not into
law. He chose Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade, who was the bodyguard of Rizal when he first came home.
There were two kinds of evidence presented to him during the investigation: documentary and testimonial.
There were fifteen documents against Rizal and ten witnesses for testimonial. All efforts were made by
Lt. Taviel de Andrade to defend Rizal of his innocence but as obvious as it may have seemed, Rizal was
still found guilty.

Note that Rizal cited twelve points to prove his innocence:


1. Rizal was against rebellion as testified by Pio Valenzuela.
2. No letter consisting of revolutionary elements was addressed to the Katipunan was written
3. Without his consent, the Katipunan used his name as one of the passwords.
4. If he was guilty, he could have left the country while in exile; he would not have built a home and would
not have bought a parcel of land to put up a hospital in Dapitan.
5. The revolutionists could have consulted him if he was the leader.
6. He did not deny that he wrote the by-laws of the Liga Filipina, but to make things clear, it is a different
organization from Katipunan. The former being a civic association and the latter being a revolutionary
society.
7. After the first meeting of the Liga, the association banished because of his exile in Dapitan and it did not
last long.
8. He had no idea, that the Liga was reorganized nine months after.
9. If the Liga had a revolutionary purpose, then Katipunan should not have been founded.
10. If the Spanish authorities found his letters offending, it was because in 1890, his family has been
persecuted.
11. He lived a good life in Dapitan - the politico military commander and missionary priest in the
province could attest to it.
12. The witnesses said that if the speech delivered at Doroteo Ong junco’s house had inspired the
revolution, he should be given a chance to confront these persons. If he was in the revolution, the
Katipunan should not have sent an unfamiliar emissary to him in Dapitan. For this, his friends knew that
he never promoted violence.
________________________________________________________________________

 RIZAL'S REMAINING DAYS AND THE LAST FAREWELL

When Rizal heard the court decision, he knew that there would be no chance of changing his fate. At six o'
clock in the morning of December 29, 1896, Captain Rafael Dominguez, read him the official notice of
his execution. Rizal spent his last hours by going to the prison chapel. His mother and sisters visited him on
the same day. He then gave them his remaining possessions, reached out for the gas lamp and gave it to his
sister, Trinidad and carefully whispered, "There is something inside." Then Trinidad and his sister Maria got
a copy of Rizal's last poem from the lamp. Unfortunately, it was said that on his last days that Rizal was
not allowed to embrace his mother.

He took time to write his last letter to his best friend Blumentritt. The last poem he composed was
the longest he ever written, it was entitled "Mi Ultimo Adios" or My Last Farewell.

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 fight,
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,
T is ever the same, to serve our home and country's need.
I die just when I see the dawn break,
Through the gloom of night, 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 waking 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 some day 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 sad lament over me keen;
And if on my cross a bird should be seen, Let
it trill there its hymn of peace to 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 widows 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 hear a sad hymn resound "T
is I, O my country, raising a song unto thee.
And even my grave is remembered no more
Unmark'd by never a cross nor a stone
Let the plow sweep through it, the spade turn it o'er
That my ashes may carpet 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 the faith that I keep.
My Fatherland ador'd, that sadness to my sorrow lends
Beloved Filipinas, hear now my last good-by!
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!
Rizal had his last supper in the evening of December 29, 1896. At that time, he said to Captain Dominguez
that he has already forgiven his enemies including those who wanted him dead. At three in the morning on
the day of his execution, he prayed and confessed his sins in the chapel. At exactly 5:30 in the morning, he
had his last breakfast of three hard boiled eggs. After breakfast, he singed some memorabilia including
religious pictures and books, some of which he gave to his mother and sister, Trinidad. To his wife
Josephine, he gave the Imitacion de Cristo as a gift,

He once again wrote a letter to his family, sisters, and brother that said:

To my family, I ask you for forgiveness for the pain I cause you, but some day I shall have to die, and it is
better that I die now in the plentitude of my conscience.

Dear parents and brothers: give thanks to God that I may preserve my tranquility before my death. I die
resigned, hoping that with my death you will be left in peace. Ah! It is better to die than to live suffering.
Console yourselves.

I enjoin you to forgive one another the little mcanness of life and try to live united in peace and good
harmony. Treat your old parents as you would like to be treated by your children later. Love them very
much in my memory.

Bury me in the ground. Place a stone and a cross over it. My name, the date of my birth and of my death.
Nothing more. If later you wish to surround my grave with a fence, you can do it. No anniversaries. I prefer
Paang Bundok.

Have pity on poor Josephine.

My Dear Brother, it is now four and a half years since we have seen one another, or have we exchanged
letters. This I think is not because of any lack of love on my part or yours, but because, knowing one another
so well, we do not need to talk in order to be understood by one another.

Now I am about to die, and it is to you I dedicate my last line, to tell you how sorry I am to leave you
alone in this life, burdened with the weight of the family and of our old parents. I am thinking how hard you
have work to give me a career; I have tried not to waste my time. My brother, if the fruit been bitter, it is not
my fault, but the fault of circumstances. I know that you have suffered much for me, and I am sorry.

I assure you, brother, that I die innocent of this crime of rebellion. That my former writings may have
contributed toward it, I cannot wholly deny; but then, I thought I had expiated for the pass in my
deportation.

Tell our father that I remember him, and how much! I remember his affection and his love since my earliest
childhood. Ask him to forgive me for the pain I have unwillingly caused him.

(Signed)
Jose Rizal

Wearing a black suit, black pants, black bowler hat, and white shirt with his arms tied behind his back, Rizal
walked to Bagumbayan at 6:30 in the morning of December 30, 1896. He walked along with his defense
lawyer, Andrade, and two Jesuit priests, March and Vilaclara. In front of them were the advance guard of
armed soldiers and behind them were another group of military men. The sound of a trumpet signaled the
start of the death march, and the muffled sound of drums served as the musical score of the walk. People
were lined up in the streets – "some were sympathetic to him, others, especially the Spaniards, wanted
nothing less than to see him die. Some observed that his family or the katipuneros would make a lastminute
effort to sprint him from the trap" (Ocampo, 2016).

Prior to his death, it was believed that Rizal has managed to remain calm. Spectators said Rizal
acknowledged the familiar faces in the crowd by nodding his head from left and right. Some people even
saw that Rizal smiled from time to time.

At the time of his death, Rizal refused to kneel and declined the traditional blindfold. Maintaining that he
was not a traitor to his country and to Spain, he even requested to face the firing squad. The Commander
of the firing squad denied his request but after some time, Rizal agreed to turn his back to the firing squad
but requested that he be shot not in the head – but in the small of the back instead. When agreement has
been reached, Rizal shook the hand of his defense lawyer. The military physician asked permission to feel
the pulse of the man who had only a few minutes to live and the doctor was startled to find it normal.
Before leaving Rizal in his appointed place, the priests offered him a crucifix to kiss "but he turned his head
away and silently prepared for his death. When the command had been given, the executioners' guns
barked at once.

Rizal yelled Christ's two words, "Consummatum est!" (It is finished!) simultaneously with his final effort
to twist his bullet-pieced body halfway around.

Silence was all over. Unfortunately, the Captain did not keep his words about the request made by Rizal
of not shooting his head, but one of his men came near to the body and gave Rizal "tira de gracia" or the
mercy shot in the head to make sure that Rizal is dead.

The Spaniards shouted, Viva Espana! Muerte a los Traidores! But the crowd did not respond. To break
the ice, the military band played "Marcha de Cadiz," and so they cheered.

References:

Admin, ESSC. 2018. “Talisay Forest Home.” Institute of Environmental Science for Social Change. July 26.
[Link]
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_ptMKdo_aem_oiHTfhtOpWb6RukXKxUveg#:~:text=On%2017%20July%201892%2C%20Dr,by
%20musketry%20five%20months%20later.
CHAPTER Eight: JOSE P. RIZAL’S EXILE IN DAPITAN (1892-1896). (n.d.). Retrieved from
[Link]
1892-1896?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3K1-Bwl_V1gq3IaEsJa-
npjE7Xb0zn1Ex1OHUSbvjkNJZATfalrSc0_tY_aem_8efCF8QWD6sk2H5kVSVkAQ
La Liga Filipina. (2024). Retrieved from [Link]

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Rizal's life and work emphasize a profound commitment to peaceful reform and intellectual empowerment as strategies against colonial rule. Through writings, advocacy, and the establishment of La Liga Filipina, Rizal sought to enlighten and organize Filipinos for systemic improvements . His scientific pursuits and community projects during his exile in Dapitan reflected a vision of an enlightened and self-sufficient nation, capable of self-governance . Rizal's dedication to education, health, and socio-economic advancement underscores his belief in gradual reform over armed conflict, seeking an eventual independence rooted in a strong socio-political foundation .

"Mi Ultimo Adios" encapsulates Rizal's deep commitment to sacrifice and nationalism, portraying his readiness to offer his life for the freedom of the Philippines . Through the poem, Rizal expresses a sense of fulfillment and peace in dying for the motherland, viewing it as a noble cause despite the personal cost. His reflections on the country's struggles and his hopes for its eventual freedom highlight his undying patriotism . The poem is imbued with themes of love for the country, collective struggle, and a hopeful vision of dawn following darkness, which encapsulates Rizal's belief in enduring sacrifice for national redemption.

Rizal's return to Manila in 1892 was a pivotal moment that significantly influenced the political landscape of the Philippines. Welcomed by influential patriots such as Apolinario Mabini, Andres Bonifacio, and other key figures, he founded La Liga Filipina, which aimed to unite Filipinos for reform and progress . This move galvanized nationalist sentiments, offering a platform for collective action against colonial oppression . Despite resulting in Rizal's arrest and exile, his initiatives inspired future revolutionary movements and leaders, such as the Katipunan led by Bonifacio, thus indirectly fostering a more organized and fervent struggle for independence .

Rizal established La Liga Filipina on July 3, 1892, with the primary aim to unite the Filipinos to have a common goal of defending against the cruelty, injustice, and harsh treatment of the Spaniards, and to work towards improving education, agriculture, and commerce in the country . This organization served as a mutual aid society, providing scholarship funds, legal aid, capital loans, and establishing cooperatives which threatened Spanish authority by proposing organized reform and cooperation . As a direct response to his reforms and leadership in challenging Spanish control, Rizal was arrested and exiled to Dapitan just days after its founding .

Rizal's trial was marked by a lack of due process and was heavily biased against him. Conducted by a Spanish military tribunal, the trial denied Rizal the opportunity to properly defend himself or cross-examine witnesses, with evidence heavily skewed by fifteen documents and ten testimonies against him . His representation was through an imposed Spanish officer, suggesting prejudged guilt . This mock trial highlights the oppressive nature of Spanish colonial justice, where legal procedures served to legitimize predetermined political ends rather than ensuring fair trial standards . Rizal's execution despite a dubious trial process starkly illustrates the colonial priority to suppress nationalist movements through juridical manipulation.

Josephine Bracken played a significant role in Rizal's life during his time in Dapitan by providing emotional support and companionship. Upon meeting, they developed a mutual affection that led them to consider marriage, even though it faced religious and familial opposition . Their relationship gave Rizal a personal source of solace amidst the emotional turmoil of his exile, as he was missing his family and was in despair over Leonor Rivera's death . Josephine's presence likely helped Rizal to maintain personal stability and emotional strength during a challenging period of isolation and reflection.

Rizal's works in Dapitan, both scientific and civic, epitomized his broader vision of societal reform through education, health, and infrastructure improvement. His scientific discoveries, like identifying new species, highlighted his belief in leveraging knowledge to enhance national pride and identity . His civic projects, such as draining marshes to reduce disease and building infrastructure like a relief map and lighting systems, were practical implementations of his vision to elevate living standards and foster self-reliance . These actions reflected his philosophy of achieving reform not just through political means but also through direct community improvement and empowerment initiatives.

In his final moments, Rizal demonstrated calm and resolve, embracing death with dignity. His last actions, including praying, writing to his family, and forgiving his enemies, reflect a deeply rooted sense of peace and forgiveness . He conveyed profound love and care for his family, encouraging them to live in harmony and remember him positively . Rizal's focus on his country's future was evident in his desire for his sacrifice to contribute to eventual peace and freedom, displaying his enduring patriotism and selfless commitment to national liberation . His composed acceptance of fate and the thoughtful dissemination of his possessions reveal a life lived with intention and honor.

Rizal opposed an armed revolution, as proposed by the Katipunan, primarily because he believed the Filipinos were not ready for such a drastic action. He considered the lack of preparedness in terms of sufficient arms, funds, and public readiness a recipe for disaster . Rizal felt that a revolution should not be undertaken without adequate machinery to support it, indicating that spontaneous and unprepared actions would likely lead to failure and unnecessary bloodshed . He emphasized the need for a solid foundation, including both resources and broad public support, before engaging in a revolutionary uprising.

During his exile in Dapitan, Rizal focused on several community and scientific projects. He continued practicing medicine, engaged in research across various scientific fields, and made significant discoveries like Draco rizali, Apogonia rizali, and Rhacophorus rizali . He also addressed public health issues by draining marshes to combat malaria and implemented a lighting system using coconut oil lamps . Additionally, Rizal improved urban aesthetics by remodeling the town plaza and creating a relief map of Mindanao, showcasing his commitment to improving local infrastructure and education . His efforts significantly improved the living conditions in Dapitan and demonstrated his dedication to service, even while in exile.

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