RIZAL: LIFE, WORKS, AND WRITINGS opposition.

The essay had alerted Spanish officials to

SEMI FINAL Rizal’s nationalistic tendencies, and his mother feared that
he would be arrested.
CHAPTER 2: Rizal’s Life o Rizal also had a difficult time gaining fame, and he decided
✓ Rizal’s Family to focus on his studies instead. Jose Rizal enrolled in
✓ Rizal’s Childhood Universidad Central de Madrid, he took Medicine and later
✓ Rizal’s Early Education on took Philosophy and Letters. He also enrolled in the
✓ Rizal’s Higher Education Academy of San Carlos to learn painting and sculpture. And
✓ Rizal’s Life Abroad drawing at Academia de Ballas Artes de San Fernando. He
✓ Rizal’s Exile also found time to learn and to be proficient in French,
✓ Rizal’s Trial German, and English.
✓ Rizal’s Death o During his first year in Madrid, Jose Rizal joined the Circulo
Hispano-Filipino, a Filipino student organization that met
RIZAL’S LIFE ABROAD regularly to discuss political issues and to voice out the
• On May 3, 1882, Jose Rizal secretly left the Philippines concerns of Filipinos. The organization was able to publish
aboard the S.S. Salvadora. Only his brother Paciano, two the newspaper Revista del Circulo Hispano-Filipino, which
sisters, and a few close friends knew about his departure. aimed to express thoughts about the abusive Spanish
• Rizal knew that his parents would not approve of his government. However, the publication was short-lived due
decision to leave, as they feared for his safety. to lack of funds and conflicting political issues. This led to
• When Rizal’s parents learned of his departure, they were the dissolution of the organization. Notable members of the
heartbroken. His father, especially, was devastated. organization included Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Juan
• In a letter to Rizal, his brother Paciano wrote: “When the Luna, and Graciano Lopez Jaena.
telegram was received in Calamba, telling us of your o Jose Rizal had a difficult time financially during his stay in
departure, our parents were distracted, but especially our Madrid. His family’s financial status had been declining due
old father, who became silent, stayed in his room and wept, to crop failures and the increase in rentals of the Dominican
and refused to be consoled by his family, the priest, or hacienda lands in his hometown.
anybody else. I had to go down to Manila, to find out what o As a result, the monthly allowance that Rizal received from
means you had succeeded in making the journey to satisfy the Philippine was often delayed or not enough.
him, and on my return, I assured him that your way was paid o As a student in Spain, Rizal relied on money sent to him by
by some of your friends in Manila, expecting that this would his brother Paciano. He was instructed not to work so that
make him more content; but despite everything, I saw that he would not be distracted from his mission of studying
he remained disconsolate. Seeing this and fearing that his medicine and learning about the cultures and societies of
silence might develop into an illness, I told him the whole Europe in order to help bring reforms to the Philippines.
story, but to him alone, asking him to keep the secret, which o Rizal lived on a tight budget for food, clothes, and housing.
he promised to do; then he seemed to become a little He spent his money on education. In fact, there were times
content and returned to usual activities. As for you other when he attended his classes on an empty stomach. He
friends, acquaintances and strangers in the community, for skipped many meals just to pay for his exam fees and to buy
many days you were the theme of their conversation; they the required books and tools.
conjectured and prophesied, but nobody guessed the truth.” o In his free time, he frequently visited museums and read
• Jose’s primary goal in leaving for Europe in 1882 was to books. He often walked around restaurants and cafes,
complete his education. However, he also had a secret hungry, and satisfied his hunger with the smell of food.
mission. His secret mission was to observe the lives, o He also complained about not being able to take a bath
cultures, laws, and governments of the countries in Europe, every day because every bath had a fee. He quipped that
in preparation for liberating the Philippines from Spain’s he had not taken a bath for at least a month.
tyrannical rule. o On the evening of June 25, 1884, after a day of not eating,
• Rizal’s journey took him through several countries, including Jose Rizal attended a banquet in Madrid to celebrate the
Singapore, Sri Lanka, Italy, and France. He arrived in success of two Filipino painters, Juan Luna and Felix
Barcelona on June 16, 1882, after a month and a half of Resurreccion Hidalgo, at the Exposicion Nacional de Bellas
travel. Artes. Luna’s painting “Spoliarium” won a gold medal, while
Hidalgo’s painting “Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al
• In Barcelona... Populacho” won a silver medal.
It was summer vacation, so he was able to meet and o At the banquet, Rizal gave a speech that would make
history. “Sina Luna at Hidalgo ay parehong kaluwalhatian ng
socialize with acquiantances and former classmates from Espanya at Pilipinas. Isinilang sila sa Pilipinas, ngunit
the Ateneo. maaaring isinilang sila sa Espanya dahil ang pagiging henyo
ay walang kinikilalang bansa. Sumisibol ito kahit saan. Gaya
• In Madrid... ng liwanag, gaya ng hangin, ang patrimonya ng lahat,
o Jose Rizal went to Madrid in 1882, where his brother kosmopolitan na gaya ng kalawakan, gaya ng buhay, gaya
Paciano wanted him to stay because it was the (1) center of ng Diyos. Ang panahon ng patriyarka sa Pilipinas ay pawala
all the provinces of Spain and (2) where he could learn the na. Ang mga gawain ng kaniyang mahuhusay na anak ay
most. hindi na masasayang pa sa kaniyang tahanan. At higit sa
o Rizal wasted no time in Madrid. He began writing for the lahat, ipinagdarasal ko ang kaligayahan ng mga magulang
Diariong Tagalog under the pseudonym Laong Laan which na hindi nakadarama ng pagmamahal ng kanilang mga
means “ever prepared.” anak. Nasa malalayong lugar. Nagsasakripisyo para sa
o On August 20, 1882, his essay “El Amor Patrio” (Love of kapakanan ng lahat ng matamis na konsolasyon na kapos
Country) was published. This work focuses on the author’s sa bukang liwayway ng buhay.”
perceptions of the Philippines, both tangible and imagined. o Rizal’s speech was recorded by the reporters who attended
It paints the Philippines as homeland, worthy of love and the banquet, and it was published in the magazine “Los Dos
protection. Mundos.” Overnight, Rizal became famous.
o In his essay, Rizal wrote: “Love is and extremely powerful o Paciano told his brother, “You are the cause of her sickness.
force behind most noble activities. Of all loves, the love of I’ll tell you why. About that time, the talk here was the speech
country has inspired the grandest, the most heroic, and the you delivered at the banquet in honor of the Filipino painters.
most selfless of deeds. We need only read history books, Some people said that you would not be able to come back;
historical records, or traditions to see this.” others said that it would be desirable for you to remain there;
o After writing “El Amor Patrio,” Rizal suspended writing still others said that you have made enemies; and there
articles about the country because of his mother’s were those who asserted that you have lost friends. In short,
1
 all were unanimous in saying that it was not convenient for Technology, different cultures and personal matters. They
you to return here. These gratuitous suppositions were the even exchange books, manuscripts, and maps.
ones that afflicted our mother very much and made her o After four months of correspondence, Rizal mustered the
sick.” courage to suggest that they exchange photographs.
o Despite the controversy caused by his speech, Rizal Blumentritt readily obliged, while Rizal sent a self-portrait in
continued his studies for a doctorate in medicine. He crayon.
finished the coursework but was not granted the Doctor’s o According to Ambeth Ocampo, “...Ferdinand Blumentritt is
diploma because he was not able to submit the thesis not known to the average Czech citizen today, but his name
required for graduation nor pay the corresponding fees. is familiar to most Filipinos, who know him from textbook
However, during Rizal’s time, a licentiate was enough to history, as Jose Rizal’s BFF. In the age before texting,
practice medicine. (1884) Facebook, Twitter, and Viber, theirs was a virtual friendship
o At the age of 24, Jose also finished his licentiate in maintained through an exchange of over 200 letters
Philosophy and Letters in 1885. documenting a decade, from the time Rizal began writing
the “Noli me tangere” in 1886 to his death in 1896. There is
• In Paris... no bromance, no gay angle to the relationship viewed with
o In November 1885, Rizal moved to Paris to specialize in raised eyebrows by people today, who cannot understand
ophthalmology. He worked as an assistant to Dr. Louis de why two grown men would exchange personal letters that
Wecker, a renowned French ophthalmologist who was sometimes signed off with courteous Spanish valediction or
known for using a pair of scissors in performing surgeries. closing “s.s.q.b.s.m” (su seguro servidor que besa su mano)
o As a result, Rizal’s skills in the field vastly improved. He - in English, “your sure servant who kisses your hand.”
learned how to conduct eye operations, diagnose eye
ailments, and use different techniques of eye surgery. • In Leipzig...
o Rizal also took the time to meet up with friends, including o Rizal arrived in Leipzig on August 14, 1886, and attended
painter Juan Luna and fellow writer and medical student lectures conducted by a German historian and a well-
Maximo Viola. respected anthropologist. He quickly mastered German,
o During his stay with Luna, Rizal became a model and posed which is a difficult language to learn. He not only learned the
for two historical paintings: (1) The Blood Compact (as language, but also translated some German works into
Sikatuna); and (2) Death of Cleopatra (as priest). Tagalog.
o Also at this time, Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere was half- o Rizal translated William Tell into Tagalog so that his
finished. countrymen would know of, and perhaps draw inspiration
from, the tale of independence. He was not satisfied with
• In Germany... simply translating one work, however. He went on to translate
o Due to the high cost of living in Paris, Rizal left for Germany several fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen (The Fir Tree,
in February 1886. Thumbelina, The Little Matchgirl, The Ugly Duckling).
o He arrived in Heidelberg, an old university town, where he
worked as an assistant to Dr. Otto Becker, an eminent • In Berlin...
German ophthalmologist at the University Eye Hospital. o Jose Rizal moved to Berlin, the capital of Germany, in
Rizal mastered the technique of diagnosing eye ailments November 1886. He wanted to learn more about
under Dr. Becker, which he had first learned from Dr. Louis ophthalmology, German culture and government, and to
de Wecker. meet with scientists. He worked as an assistant in the clinic
o However, the program placed less emphasis on actual of Dr. Schweigger in the morning, and attended classes at
operations. Rizal’s experience with actual patient operations the University of Berlin in the evening.
in Paris helped him become one of Dr. Becker’s best o He intended to publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere, but he
students. Rizal stated, “At the hospital, I practice and was sick, sad, and penniless.
examine patients who come every day. The professor o His brother Paciano was unable to send him his monthly
corrects our mistakes in diagnosis; I help in the treatment, allowance due to crop failures in Calamba. Rizal had to
and although I don’t see as many operations as I did in pawn his diamond ring and sell his books to bookstores in
Paris, I study the practical side more here.” order to eat. His poor nutrition led to him contracting
o While studying in Germany, Rizal heard of an Austrian tuberculosis.
scholar (Blumentritt) who was interested in the Philippines. o Rizal stated, “I did not believe that Noli Me Tangere would
He has never seen the country, but he was eager to learn ever be published. I was in Berlin, heartbroken, weakened,
more about it. and discouraged from hunger and deprivation. I was on the
o Rizal was eager to share his knowledge about his point of throwing my work into the fire as the thing accursed
motherland with the curious Austrian scholar. Upon learning and fit only to die.”
that Blumentritt was studying the Tagalog language, Rizal o When Maximo Viola learned of Rizal’s troubles, he lent him
sent him a letter. money for allowance and 300 pesos, a huge sum of money
o In his letter, Rizal expressed his gratitude for Blumentritt’s at that time, for the printing of Noli Me Tangere.
interest in the Philippines and sent him a Spanish-Tagalog o In 1887, two thousand copies of Noli Me Tangere were
arithmetic book as a gift. He wrote, “Esteemed Sir, Having produced and distributed to Filipinos in Europe, including Dr.
heard that Your Lordship is studying our language and that Blumentritt.
you have already published some works on the subject, I o Bound copies were boxed and sent to some friends in
take the liberty of sending you a valuable book written in that Barcelona and Madrid. These friends employed a clever
language by a countryman of mine. The Spanish version is ruse for getting them into the Philippines disguised as
mediocre because the author is only a modest writer, but the merchandise.
Tagalog version is good.” o With Viola, Rizal visited lovely sections of Germany,
o Blumentritt was delighted to receive Rizal’s letter and gift, Switzerland, and Austria. After a visit to Vienna, Rome, and
and he reciprocated by sending Rizal two books. In his few other cities of Italy, Rizal took a ship from Marseilles and
letter, Blumentritt wrote, “Very esteemed Sir, I received your started home on July 5, 1887. He was finally ready to
letter together with the two books that I value very much. I operate on his mother’s cataracts.
read them with great pleasure and satisfaction. I appreciate
your kindness, and I shall not forget your courtesy in The Propaganda Movement
accepting my insignificant gift.” − The movement emerged as a reform and national
o Rizal and Blumentritt became close friends, and they consciousness movement among young Filipino expatriates
corresponded regularly for many years. They wrote to each in the late 19th century.
other about the Philippines, Europe, government, Science,

2
− The group primarily consisted of Ilustrados - Filipino 6) Work animals, tools, and farm implements of the tenants
intellectuals studying abroad - who had awakened to liberal were confiscated by the hacienda management if the
and nationalistic ideas. rentals were not paid by the tenants.
− The early students who participated in the Propaganda o The friars were furious with Rizal’s findings. They demanded
Movement came from well-to-do families, as the expense of that Terrero order Rizal to leave the country.
travel and studying abroad were considerable. o Terrero refused, but he did advise Rizal to leave for his on
− The Propaganda Movement published its own newspaper, safety. Rizal’s family and relatives also advised him to leave.
La Solidaridad, which saw print every two weeks. After six months in the Philippines, Rizal left for Hong Kong.
− Graciano Lopez Jaena was the first editor, and Marcelo H.
del Pilar took over in late 1889. Del Pilar managed the • In Hong Kong...
publication until the newspaper folded due to lack of funds. o In Hong Kong, he met Filipino exiles Jose Maria Basa,
− This was an assimilationist movement that sought to fully Balbino Mauricio, and Manuel Yriarte.
incorporate Philippines into Spain. They also wanted to o He also studied the Chinese language, drama, and theater,
empower a native Filipino clergy and showcase Filipino and Chinese culture and values. He also visited the
intellectual sophistication to the world. botanical garden, casino, cathedral and churches, pagodas,
and bazaars.
• In Philippines... o He even met with some leading Spaniards, including the
o Jose Rizal returned to the Philippines in August 1887 after Governor-General’s secretary, Jose Joaquin Barranda.
five years of living abroad. He was greeted by controversy,
as the Jesuits at the Ateneo attempted to get him to return • In Japan...
to his old faith. o Rizal arrived in Yokohama, Japan, and stayed at the Tokyo
o Padre Faura, the priest who had taught Rizal to carve the Hotel for a few days. He was then invited by Juan Perez
Sacred Heart of Jesus, told him that he had made some Caballero to live at the Spanish legation for a month.
mistakes in his novel, Noli Me Tangere. However, Rizal o During his stay in Japan, he studied the Japanese language,
stood by his work, believing that he had told the truth. culture, theater, and martial arts. He also visited Japanese
o The novel had already caused a stir in the Philippines, and provinces and appreciated the cleanliness, politeness, and
the friars were determined to silence Rizal. They preached industry of the Japanese.
sermons against him in church and wrote pamphlets o While living at the Spanish legation, Rizal met O-Sei-San, a
denouncing him and his work. Rumors spread that Rizal Japanese woman. They became friends and eventually fell
was a German spy, a mason, and other dangerous things. in love. It was no surprise that Jose fell for the charming,
As a result, Rizal received death threats daily. modest, pretty, and intelligent daughter of a samurai.
o His family was so worried about him that they made him eat o Rizal considered staying in Japan for good, but he had
with silver utensils, as it was believed that poison would duties to fulfill for his country. He said goodbye to O-Sei-San
react with silver. and left Japan.
o Rizal’s brother, Paciano, accompanied him everywhere he o On the eve of his departure, Rizal’s diary entry reflected on
went, and even their father, Don Francisco, was hesitant to what he had given up by leaving O-Sei-San. “Japan has
let him leave the house. enchanted me. The beautiful scenery, the flowers. the trees,
o Nevertheless, Rizal kept himself busy while in Calamba. He and the inhabitants - so peaceful, so courteous, and so
established a medical clinic, and his first patient was his pleasant. O-Sei-San, sayonara, sayonara! I have spent a
mother. happy golden month; I do not know if I can have another one
o He cured the sick, and soon he was known as an eye like that in all my life. Love, money, friendship, appreciation,
specialist and surgeon. In the town, Rizal was called Doctor honors - these have not been wanting. To think that I am
Uliman, because he was mistaken for a German. leaving this life for the uncertain, the unknown, there I was
o On August 30, 1887, Rizal left Calamba for Manila to meet offered an easy way to live, beloved and esteemed.
with Governor-General Emilio Terrero, a liberal-minded
Spanish official to talk about his novel. When he read the • In USA…
novel, he found nothing wrong with it. o Rizal’s ship was quarantined in San Francisco when it
o But the archbishop of Manila that time, who was Bernardo arrived on April 28, 1888. The ship was suspected of
Nozaleda, doesn’t like what Rizal stated. He recommended carrying cholera, but Rizal knew that the real reason was
that the importation, reproduction, distribution, and because it was carrying Chinese and Japanese laborers,
possession of the novel be stopped. who were seen as a threat to American jobs.
o Terrero, concerned for Rizal’s safety, assigned Lieutenant o After a week of quarantine, some passengers were allowed
Jose Taviel de Andrade to protect him. The governor- to disembark, but the Chinese and Japanese passengers
general also requested that Rizal leave the country, but were quarantined for a longer period.
Rizal refused. o Rizal was able to leave the ship and travel to different cities
o At about the same time, Governor-General Terrero ordered in the United States, including Reno, Utah, Colorado,
an investigation into the Calamba agrarian problems. Rizal Nebraska, Chicago, Albany, and New York City.
was asked to lead the group of Calamba tenants in the o Rizal was impressed by the natural beauty of the United
investigation. He presented these findings to Terrero, which States, the hardworking Americans, and the material
showed that the friars were exploiting the tenants and taking progress of the country. He also saw the opportunities that
advantage of their poverty: were available for poor immigrants to improve their lives.
1) The hacienda of the Dominican Order comprised not However, he was also critical on the lack of racial equality
only the lands around Calamba but the whole town of in the United States.
Calamba.
2) There was increased profit for the Dominican order • In London…
because of the arbitrary increase of the rentals paid by o After his trip to the United States, Rizal arrived in London on
the tenants. May 24, 1888.
3) The hacienda owner never contributed for the o There are many reasons why he decided to live here. (1) He
celebration of the town fiesta, for education of the wanted to improve his English (2) to study the Sucesos de
children, and for the improvement of agriculture. las Islas Filipinas by Antonio Morga. (3) To research
4) Tenants who spent more labor in clearing the lands were Philippine History and (4) to continue writing for La
dispossessed of the said lands for a weak reason. Solidaridad to defend other Filipino against Spanish tyranny.
5) For delayed payment of rentals, high rates of interest o Rizal met Dr. Reinhold Rost, the librarian of the Ministry of
were charged to the tenants. Foreign Affairs in England.

3
o Dr. Rost allowed Rizal to undertake research at the British o Rizal spent about a year in Brussels. In Biarritz, he
Museum, where he had the opportunity to read Morga’s completed the manuscript of El Filibusterismo.
Sucesos. o In August 1890, he traveled to Madrid, where he attended
o And then… there were good news and bad news. a gathering of Filipinos.
− Not all people in the church hated his Noli, Filipino priest o At the gathering, Rizal had a fight with Antonio Luna over a
Vicente Garcia defended the novel against the friars. He girl named Nellie Boustead. Luna felt that he had the first
created a defense letter that cited praises from the novel claim on Boustead, but she was clearly infatuated with
to prove that Rizal was not a heretic or blasphemer as Rizal. After they had been drinking, Luna made some nasty
accused by the friars. comments about Boustead. Rizal was furious and they had
− The compatriots of Jose Rizal who supported the Anti- a duel. When Luna regained his sobriety, he realized his
Friar Petition of 1888 faced persecution, it includes the mistake and apologized to Rizal.
tenants of Calamba (including Rizal’s family and
relatives). Rizals’ brother-in-law, Manuel T. Hidalgo was • In Hongkong... again
exiled to Bohol, and Rizal’s friend Laureano Vida was o Rizal left Madrid and went to Hong Kong after publishing El
arrested for keeping the copies of Noli Me Tangere in Filibusterismo in Europe. He was unhappy with the political
his home. situation there, especially his disagreements with del Pilar
and other Filipino expatriates.
• In Paris... again − (IN MADRID) The rivalry between Rizal and del Pilar
o Reluctantly, Rizal left the wonderful library of the British arose in 1890, when del Pilar took over as editor of La
Museum and departed for Paris in the middle of March 1889 Solidaridad. The two men had different political visions,
to continue working on El Filibusterismo. and del Pilar’s editorial policies alienated Rizal.
o In the National Library of Paris, he continued his research − In an attempt to resolve their differences, about 90
on the history of Philippines. He also polished the annotated Filipinos met to elect a leader, called the Responsable.
version of Antonio Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas. The Responsable would be responsible for unifying the
group and ensuring that their work was coordinated.
• In Belgium... − Unfortunately, the election produced a division among
o In January 1890, Jose Rizal moved to Brussels, Belgium, to the group: The Rizalistas and Pilaristas.
escape the high cost of living in Paris and the distractions of − The election was held two times, and each time Rizal
social life. He was concerned that the social life in Brussels won most votes. However, he did not receive the
would interfere with his writing, so he limited his social required two-thirds majority, so he was not declared the
engagements. Responsable.
o Rizal was troubled by reports that some Filipinos in Spain − On the third day, Mariano Ponce urged some Pilaristas
were gambling too much, and he feared that this was giving to support Rizal, and the election resulted in Rizal’s
the friars in the Philippines ammunition to discredit the becoming the legal Responsable. However, Rizal
Propaganda Movement. He wrote to Marcelo H. del Pilar, declined the position because he knew that there were
asking him to remind the Filipinos in Madrid that they were people who did not like either his views or personality.
not in Europe to gamble, but to work for the freedom of the − Rizal then left Madrid and no longer contributed to La
Philippines. Solidaridad. He arrived in Hong Kong on November 20,
o Rizal said, “Luna in Paris complains about the gambling of 1891.
the Filipinos in Madrid, and so does Ventura. They tell me o Rizal decided to practice medicine in Hong Kong, and he
that reports come from the Philippines that the older people was granted a license to practice.
are very unhappy about it; it seems that Don Felipe Roxas o His family also went to Hong Kong and they spent their
is the one who learned that these gamblers are known in Christmas together.
Manila. I fear we are playing in the hands of the friars. Is o In a letter to his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt in Vienna, he
there nothing to remind them that the Filipino did not come expressed his emotions: “Here we are all living together, my
to Europe to gamble and enjoy himself, but to work for our parents, sisters, and brother, in peace and far from the
liberty and for the honor of his race? To gamble, it is not persecutions they suffered in the Philippines.”
necessary to leave the Philippines, for there is too much o While in Hong Kong, Jose Rizal began writing the
gambling there. If we are the ones called upon to do constitution of La Liga Filipina, with the help of Jose Maria
anything, if we, in whom the poor country reposes its little Basa.
hope, pass our time in these ways, just when the years of o The league’s goals were to: (1) Unite the entire archipelago
youth ought to be utilized in some nobler and grander into one body. (2) Provide mutual protection in times of
manner for the very reason that youth is noble and need. (3) Protect against all forms of violence and injustice.
generous, I very much fear that we will be fighting for a futile (4) Promote education, agriculture, and commerce. (5)
illusion, and that in place of being worthy of liberty we will Study and implement reforms.
be worthy only of slavery.” o During his time in Hong Kong, Rizal penned two articles: (1)
o Jose Rizal was living in Europe when he received news that To the Spanish Nation (A La Nacion Espanola) (2) To My
his family and relatives had been evicted from their land in Countrymen (Sa Mga Kababayan)
Calamba. o During his journey to Hong Kong from Marseilles, Rizal met
o The Dominican friars, who owned the land, had raised the William Pryer, who managed the British North Borneo
rents, and the Rizals and the other tenants could not afford Company. This company had a lease to oversee North
to pay. The friars then filed a case to strip the Rizals of their Borneo.
ownership of the land. o When Rizal heard about Pryer’s plans for the British colony,
o Rizal was deeply angered and saddened by this news. He he suggested creating a Filipino colony in North Borneo for
felt that the friars were taking advantage of the poor tenants, the evicted Calamba tenants. Pryer like the idea and
and he was determined to help them. He wrote a poem welcomed Rizal’s proposal. Together with Pryer, Rizal met
entitled “A Mi Musa” (To My Muse) that was published on La with the governor of North Borneo to talk about leasing at
Solidaridad to express his disappointment and to call for least 5,000 acres of land, with an option to buy even more
justice. for 950 years.
o Rizal tried to defend his family in court, but he was o But there was a problem - the Calamba tenants couldn’t
unsuccessful. The friars won the case, and the Rizals were leave the Philippines without permission from the Spanish
forced to leave Calamba. Governor-General, Eulogio Despujol.
o This was a major blow to Rizal, and it made him even more o To address this, Rizal wrote to Despujol asking for
determined to fight for the rights of the Filipino people. permission to change their nationality, sell their property in

• In Madrid... again
4
 the Philippines, and let those facing trouble leave the • Manila newspapers published the Governor General’s
country. decree, outlining four charges that led to Rizal’s exile.
- Despujol got angry and thought Rizal might use the 1) “During his “voluntary exile,” he had published books and
Filipino colony in North Borneo to start a revolution proclamations of very doubtful loyalty to Spain, which are
against Spain. Instead of replying directly, he asked not only frankly anti-Catholic, but impudently anti-friar, and
the Spanish Consul in Hongkong to invite Rizal introduced these into the archipelago.”
back to Manila to discuss the matter. 2) A few hours after his arrival in the Philippines, there was
o Rizal’s family and friends advised him to decline Despujol’s found in one of the packages belonging to the said subject
invitation, considering it a trap. However, Rizal was resolute a bundle of handbills entitled “The Poor Friars” in which the
in his determination to improve the lives of the evicted patient and humble generosity of the Filipinos were
Calamba tenants. satirized and in which accusation was published against
the customs of the religious orders.
o If meeting Despujol in Manila was necessary to achieve this
3) His last book EL Filibusterismo was dedicated to the
goal, he was willing to do so.
memory of three traitors to their country (Gomes, Burgos,
o On June 20, 1892, Rizal wrote a letter to his countrymen and Zamora), but extolled by him as martyrs, while in the
explaining his decision to return to Manila, “The step which epigraph of the title page of said book was the doctrine that
I have taken or which I am about to take is very hazardous, because of the vices and errors of the Spanish
no doubt, and I need not say that I have thought much about administration, there was no other salvation for the
it. I know that almost everybody is against it; but I know also Philippines than separation from the mother country.
that almost nobody knows what is going on in my heart. I 4) The end which he pursued in his efforts writings was to tear
cannot live knowing that many are suffering unjust from the loyal Filipino breasts the treasure by our holy
persecutions on my account; I cannot live seeing my Catholic faith.
brother, sisters, and their numerous families pursued like • Now that Rizal is gone, La Liga Filipina became inactive and
criminals; I prefer to face death, and I gladly give my life to began to fell apart.
free so many innocents from such unjust persecution.
II. LIFE IN DAPITAN
Once more, Rizal shall set foot upon the cherished land of the • From 1892 to 1896, Rizal lived in exile in Dapitan, a remote
Philippines, where destiny beckons him to weave his final town in Mindanao.
chapter, immersing himself in its embrace until the final whispers • Dapitan was inaccessible, underdeveloped, and under the
of mortality claim him. control of the Jesuits, who hoped to reform his Catholic faith.
• This island sounds like a paradise, but it was remote and
RIZAL’S EXILE unfamiliar, far from the civilization to which Rizal was
• Rizal’s friends and relatives warned him against returning to accustomed.
the Philippines. • Good thing, Rizal found a silver lining. While they curbed his
• Antonio Lopez wrote to him, “Nearly everyone opposes your political rights, Spanish authorities still allowed him to move
coming, and I am of the same opinion.” freely and participate in civic activities. Their goal was to
• Rizal’s sister was hysterical when she heard the news. “She “tame” him so that he would be less likely to entertain ideas
cried and begged me to advise you not to return, for you of “subversion.”
would be killed.” • Instead of losing hope in life, Rizal transformed his exile into
• But despite their warnings, Rizal, firmly believing that the a period of meaningful contribution.
battlefield was in the Philippines, sailed to Manila on June • Rizal was a teetotaler and non-smoker, but he had a
21, 1982, with his sister Lucia. fondness for the lottery. Wenceslao Retana, called the
• Upon his arrival in Manila on June 26, 1892, Rizal was lottery Rizal's "only vice.”
greeted by a group of patriots including Apolinario Mabini, • Months after being exiled to Dapitan, Rizal, along with two
Deodato Arellano, Andres Bonifacio, and many more. other people, bought a lottery ticket, winning the second
Together, they founded La Liga Filipina, which means “The prize of P20,000. Their combined winnings were divided,
Filipino League.” leaving Rizal with a substantial sum of P6,200.
I. LA LIGA FILIPINA • Rizal spent a portion of his winnings on buying agricultural
• The Liga’s constitution outlined five purposes: lands along the coast of Talisay. On his purchased land, he
o To unite the entire archipelago into a compact, vigorous, built a house, established a farm, set up a school, and even
and homogenous body. opened a clinic.
o To provide mutual protection in every grievance and • Through these endeavors, he seamlessly embraced the
need. roles of a farmer, a teacher, and a physician.
o To defend against violence and injustice.
o To encourage educational, industrial, and agricultural • Rizal as a Farmer
enterprises. o Rizal’s upbringing as a member of an inquilino family
o To study and implement reforms. instilled in him a deep connection to farming.
• La Liga Filipina also has a motto in Latin: Unus Instar o Rizal bought farmland in Dapitan, initially growing rice and
Omnium which means “One like all.” corn. He later partnered with his brother-in-law to sell abaca,
• Liga’s Masonic roots and secrecy are enough to arouse a profitable crop in Manila.
Spanish suspicion, even without seditious language in its o When Rizal found the locals' agriculture and fishing
constitution. In addition, Rizal had just published his methods outdated, he helped them.
controversial novel, El Filibusterismo. o Rizal achieved notable success as a farmer in Dapitan. “His
• Just three days after founding La Liga Filipina, Rizal faced total landholdings reached 70 hectares, comprising 6,000
arrest at Malacañang. The Spanish cited a prior, unrelated hemp plants, 1,000 coconut trees, and an abundance of fruit
reason. trees, sugarcane, corn, coffee, and cacao.” (Gregorio Zaide)
• JUNE 26, 1892 – Manila. Rizal and his sister were greeted o Rizal held the profession of farming in high esteem. He
by carabiniers and a major upon arrival in Manila. Their actively engaged in agricultural practices, not only to sustain
luggage was inspected at the customs house. After that, the himself but also to uplift the lives of the local community.
officials let them pass without any issues.
• A package of “seditious paper” satirizing wealthy Dominican • Rizal as a Teacher
friars was confiscated and brought to the attention of o Rizal’s vision of a modern and progressive education
Governor-General Despujol. materialized during his exile.
• Rizal denied that the leaflets belonged to him or his sister o In Talisay, he founded a school that emphasized school-
but was arrested anyway and escorted to Fort Santiago. based management and community-based education,
defying 19th century norms.
5
o Rizal’s Curriculum: Spanish, English, Mathematics, o In a letter to his dear friend Ferdinand Blumentritt on
Geography, Geometry, Proper Conduct, Physical Education December 19, 1893, Jose Rizal painted a vivid picture of his
– Gymnastics, Fencing, and Swimming idyllic life in Dapitan.
o As an agriculturist, Rizal incorporated nature study into his o Rizal's exile coincided with the burgeoning revolutionary
school's curriculum, fostering appreciation for the natural movement. While attempts were made to reorganize Rizal's
world. organization, the La Liga Filipina ultimately split into two
o Rizal and his students collected various flora and fauna, groups: (1) Conservatives (peaceful; advocate reforms);
which he then sent to his academic friends in Europe in and (2) Radicals (drastic solution like revolution.)
exchange of books. o To inform Rizal of Katipunan's founding and planned
o Rizal also had a passion for conchology, the study and revolution, Pio Valenzuela and Raymundo Mata visited him
collection of shells. in Dapitan. During their conversation, Valenzuela informed
o Rizal also discovered new species of animals, which were Rizal of the Katipunan's plans and their plan to help him
named after him: Flying dragon – Draco rizali; Small beetle escape. However, Rizal declined the offer and stated that
– Apogonia rizali; Flying lizard – Rhacophorus rizali. the people were not ready for a revolution.
o The influence of Rizal's education at Ateneo were also − According to the historian Zaide, Rizal objected to
evident in his teaching methods during his exile in Dapitan. Bonifacio's project to plunge the country into a
To effectively manage his classroom, he divided his bloody revolution because of his "sincere belief that
students into two groups based on their height: "grandes" it was premature" and that "arms and funds must be
(big) and "pequenos" (small). collected first before raising the cry of revolution."
o Using his Ateneo-honed surveying skills, he also o During their meeting, Rizal suggested both obtaining
constructed a water system in Dapitan, providing clean support from Manila's wealthy and acquiring ships/weapons
water to homes lacking access before. from Japan. Rizal also suggested that the Katipunan’s seek
o Rizal, with Ateneo professor Fr. Sanchez's help, created a help from the Lunas in order to build relationship with the
significant relief map of Mindanao. elite.
o Rizal's school in Talisay served as a model for the type of o Dr. Blumentritt suggested that Rizal offer his services as a
education he believed was necessary for the country's military doctor in Cuba in exchange for ending his exile. This
progress. is because in Cuba, a revolution against Spain was
o “Dapitan reminds us that Rizal is much more than a hero unfolding alongside an epidemic of yellow fever.
who wrote two novels for a nation that does not read and o After months of waiting, a letter arrived from Governor-
got shot for them. Dapitan reminds us of the promise of General Blanco: Rizal's offer was accepted.
youth and education.” – Ambeth Ocampo o Finally, after four years, Rizal was no longer in exile.
o However, the Philippines was also experiencing its own
• Rizal as a Physician revolution, spearheaded by Bonifacio and the Katipunan.
o In Dapitan, Rizal continued his medical practice, offering
free care to those in need. He extended his reach by making RIZAL’S TRIAL
house calls, ensuring that healthcare was accessible to the • Upon arriving in Manila on November 3rd, Rizal was
sick and infirm. Even when paid for his services, Rizal found promptly imprisoned in Fort Santiago.
ways to channel his earnings for the betterment of Dapitan. • A mere two weeks later, on November 20th, a five-day
o As Rizal’s biographer and former enemy Wenceslao Retana preliminary investigation began under Colonel Francisco
recounts, “There was a rich Englishman who came to Olive.
consult him: Rizal removed his cataract and charged him • While informed of the charges against him and allowed to
500 duros, which the Englishman gladly paid. Those 500 respond to questions, Rizal was not given the opportunity to
duros Rizal donated to Dapitan for public lighting which it did directly confront those who testified against him.
not have.”
o Rizal's medical profession also led to a remarkable Evidences Against Rizal
encounter. As the story goes, Rizal had become one of the • Fifteen documentary pieces and thirteen testimonial pieces
most respected ophthalmologists in the Philippines. of evidence were presented against Rizal. However, it is
o Hoping for Rizal's healing touch, ailing George Taufer worth noting that some required documents and testimonies
journeyed from Hong Kong to Dapitan with adopted from Laguna were not yet received during his trial.
daughter Josephine Bracken. • Final papers were only obtained in April 1898, sixteen
− Josephine, an 18-year-old Irish woman, was likely months after Rizal's execution.
captivated by Rizal's intellect, charm, and wit, and fell • Documentary Pieces
deeply in love with him. 1. A letter of Antonio Luna to Mariano Ponce, dated Madrid,
− Rizal, in turn, was smitten by Josephine's beauty and October 16, 1888, showing Rizal's connection with the Filipino
eagerness. reform campaign in Spain.
− After just one month of romance, they expressed their 2. A letter of Rizal to his family, dated Madrid, August 20, 1890,
desire to marry each other. stating that the deportations are good for they will encourage
the people to hate tyranny.
− However, their relationship was met with disapproval 3. A letter from Marcelo H. del Pilar to Deodato Arellano, dated
from others. Tauffer attempted suicide due to his strong Madrid, January 7, 1889, implicating Rizal in the Propaganda
disapproval of their planned marriage. Rizal's family campaign in Spain.
also disapproved, possibly because of conservative 4. A poem entitled Kundiman, allegedly written by Rizal in Manila
views on marriage and Rizal hinting at cohabitation with on September 12, 1891.
Josephine without marriage. 5. A letter of Carlos Oliver to an unidentified person, dated
− We can see this disapproval when Josephine lived with Barcelona, September 18, 1891, describing Rizal as the man
the Rizals. Josephine wrote to her dear Joe, “Ah, my to free the Philippines from Spanish oppression.
6. A Masonic document, dated Manila, February 9, 1892,
dear, I am suffering a great deal with them in Trozo
honoring Rizal for his patriotic services.
(house of Teodora Alonso). They ought to be ashamed 7. A letter signed Dimasalang (Rizal's pseudonym to Tenluz
of me, as they say to my face and in the presence of (Juan Zulueta's pseudonym), dated Hongkong, May 24, 1892,
Sra. Narcisa and their children, because I am not stating that he was preparing a safe refuge for Filipinos who
married to you.” may be persecuted by the Spanish authorities.
− Despite their opposition, Rizal and Josephine continued 8. A letter of Dimasalang to an unidentified committee dated
to be with each other and even had a child together that Hongkong, June 1, 1892, soliciting the aid of the committee in
sadly passed away. the "patriotic work."
9. An anonymous and undated letter to the Editor of the
Hongkong Telegraph, censuring the banishment of Rizal to
Dapitan.
6
 10. A letter of Ildefonso Laurel to Rizal, dated Manila, September was ill-timed, should be stopped, and argued that reforms
3, 1892, saying that the Filipino people look up to him (Rizal) should come from the authorities, not initiated by the
as their savior. citizens.
11. A letter of Ildefonso Laurel to Rizal, dated Manila, September
17, 1893, informing an unidentified correspondent of the arrest
and banishment of Doroteo Cortes and Ambrosio Salvador.
The Trial of the Century
12. A letter of Marcelo H. del Pilar to Don Juan A. Tenluz (Juan • Jose Rizal stood a formal trial before a military court on
Zulueta), dated Madrid, June 1, 1893 recommending the December 26, 1896. Historian Zaide notes that the day
establishment of a special organization, independent of before the court trial was Rizal's saddest Christmas, as he
Masonry, to help the cause of the Filipino people. "found himself alone and depressed in a dreary prison cell."
13. Transcript of a speech of Pingkian (Emilio Jacinto), in a • The prosecuting attorney urged the court to sentence the
reunion of the Katipunan on July 23, 1893, in which the accused to death. Andrade did his best to defend Rizal's
following cry was uttered "Long Live the Philippines! Long live
innocence.
Liberty! Long live Doctor Rizal! Unity!"
14. Transcript of a speech on Tik-Tik (Jose Turiano Santiago) in • The court also asked Rizal if he would like to add anything,
the same Katipunan reunion, where in the katipuneros to which Rizal responded by reading his supplementary
shouted: "Long live the eminent Doctor Rizal! Death to the defense, outlining twelve points proving his innocence.
oppressor nation!" o The following twelve points were presented to demonstrate his
15. A poem by Laong Laan (Rizal), entitled A Talisay, in which the innocence: (Zaide & Zaide, 1999)
author makes the Dapitan schoolboys sing that they know how 1) He could not be guilty of rebellion, for he advised Dr. Pio
to fight for their rights. Valenzuela in Dapitan not to rise in revolution.
2) He did not correspond with the radical, revolutionary
• Testimonial Evidences elements.
1. Martin Constantino 3) The revolutionists used his name without his knowledge. If he
2. Aguedo del Rosario were guilty, he could have escaped in Singapore.
4) If he had a hand in the revolution, he could have escaped in a
3. Jose Reyes
4. Moises Salvador Moro vinta and would not have built a home, a hospital, and
5. Jose Dizon bought lands in Dapitan.
6. Domingo Franco 5) If he were the chief of the revolution, why was he not consulted
7. Deodato Arellano by the revolutionists?
8. Ambrosio Salvador 6) It was true he wrote the by-laws of the Liga Filipina, but this is
9. Pedro Serrano Laktaw only a civic association—not a revolutionary society.
10. Dr. Pio Valenzuela 7) The Liga Filipina did not live long, for after the first meeting he
11. Antonio Salazar was banished to Dapitan and it died out.
12. Francisco Quison 8) If the Liga was reorganized nine months later, he did not know
13. Timoteo Paez about it.
9) The Liga did not serve the purpose of the revolutionists,
otherwise they would not have supplanted it with the
Rizal’s Defense and Plea Katipunan.
• Rizal insisted that he had no knowledge of his identity being 10) If it were true that there were some bitter comments in Rizal's
used in the revolution. He did not consent to the Katipunan letters, it was because they were written in 1890 when his
using his pictures and as a password, nor did he have any family was being persecuted, being dispossessed of houses,
idea that he was named their honorary president. warehouses, lands, etc. and his brother and all his brothers-
• Rizal's defense noted that if he were the leader of the in-law were deported.
revolution, then how come when he said yes, his followers 11) His life in Dapitan had been exemplary as the politico-military
commanders and missionary priests could attest.
said no? And if he were involved, then how come he was
12) It was not true that the revolution was inspired by his one
not there even in the beginning? speech at the house of Doroteo Ongjunco, as alleged by
• Following the preliminary investigation, Colonel Francisco witnesses whom he would like to confront. His friends knew
Olive transmitted the records to Governor-General Ramon his opposition to armed rebellion. Why did the Katipunan send
Blanco. an emissary to Dapitan who was unknown to him? Because
• Captain Rafael Dominguez was then designated as the those who knew him were aware that he would never sanction
special judge advocate, tasked with determining the any violent movement.
appropriate course of action regarding Rizal. After • However, the trial was ultimately meaningless, as the
Dominguez provided a concise summary of the Spaniards had already predetermined the outcome. As
accusations, he returned the papers to Blanco. Blanco, in Miguel A. Bernad states in his article "The Trial of Rizal,
turn, forwarded them to Judge Advocate General Don “Rizal was far away in Dapitan when those cries were
Nicolas de la Peña for his legal opinion. raised. Yet his name was invoked. In his absence and
• Peña recommended the following actions: (1) Rizal should without his consent he was declared honorary president of
be immediately brought to trial, (2) he should be kept in the Katipunan. His portrait was on the wall of their meeting
prison, (3) an order of attachment must be issued against place. This was the real reason why Rizal was sentenced to
his property for the amount of one million pesos as death. Not because (as alleged in the indictment) he had
indemnity, and (4) instead of a civilian lawyer, only an army anything to do with the Katipunan or the Revolution, but
officer is allowed to defend him. because without him, there might not have been any
• On December 8, a list of names was shown to Rizal for him revolution. Without his doing anything, he was (as the
to choose his defender. None of them were lawyers, as he prosecution accurately said) "the very soul" of the
was given a list of military officers. He selected Lieutenant movement that led to the revolution."
Luis Taviel de Andrade, brother of his former bodyguard in • It is surprising that the Spanish officials did not learn from
Calamba, Jose Taviel de Andrade. their mistakes. As Bernad notes, "Rizal's death did not
• On December 11th, after the formal reading of his quench the revolutionary fire. It added fuel to it... Only
accusations, Rizal pleaded not guilty to charges of rebellion. twenty-four years earlier, they had rushed through the
• On December 13th, Governor-General Blanco, who was not execution of three priests, Burgos, Gomez and Zamora,
convinced of Rizal's guilt of being a traitor and who hoping thereby to make an example of them and thus
possessed a humane character, was replaced by Governor- intimidate the Filipinos into submission. But you can kill a
General Camilo G. de Polavieja, "the blood and iron person: you cannot kill an idea by firing squad or
governor," who was more ruthless in nature. strangulation."
• On December 15th, Rizal penned a manifesto. In it, he
vehemently denied any involvement in the revolution, RIZAL’S DEATH
clarifying that his name was merely used to recruit others. A Mother's Tears
While he may have been approached about the planned • On December 29th, at 6 in the morning, Captain Rafael
uprising, he firmly condemned it. He believed the rebellion Dominguez spoke to Rizal, reading the details of his
7
 execution. He declared that Rizal would be shot by a firing approved his request to forego a blindfold but denied his
squad in Bagumbayan at 7 o'clock the following morning, request to face the firing squad.
December 30th. • Rizal agreed to turn his back to the firing squad but
• Later that day, Rizal received a visit from his mother, requested to be shot in the back (toward the heart) rather
Teodora, and his sister, Trinidad. They were also than the head, to which the commander agreed. After the
accompanied by other family members, yet they were not request, Rizal thanked Lieutenant Andrade for his valiant
allowed to enter the cell. efforts defending him in the military court.
• The following scene was heart-wrenching. Teodora and • Rizal remained calm. A Spanish military doctor checked
Rizal wept openly, while Rizal knelt before his mother, Rizal's pulse and found it to be strangely normal.
pleading for her forgiveness. The Spanish guards, however, • Jesuits were the last people to leave Rizal's company. They
remained unmoved, preventing any physical contact raised a crucifix to Rizal's face and lips, but he turned his
between the family members. head away and prepared to meet his death.
• As Trinidad entered the cell to fetch their mother, Jose gave • The captain raised his saber in the air, ordered his men to
her an alcohol stove. He whispered, "There's something get ready, and barked the commands: "Preparen!"
inside," in English, since the guards wouldn't understand the "Apunten!" "Fuego!"
language. Inside the stove was an untitled and undated
poem, later given the name "Mi Ultimo Adios" ("My Last The Aftermath
Farewell"). • The Captain did not keep his word. As Rizal lay down, one
o Despite popular belief, it was not an alcohol lamp but an man approached and administered a "tiro de gracia," or
alcohol stove used for reheating food. mercy shot, to his head.
• His time of death was recorded at 7:03 a.m.
Rizal's Last Letters • As he breathed his last, Spanish soldiers shouted, "Long
• Even in the face of death, Rizal still had the sound mind to live Spain! Death to the traitors!"
write. This is the letter he wrote to his friend Blumentritt: • Rizal's final wishes regarding his burial were ignored. He
"Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt: My dear brother: When you was not returned to his family, nor was he given a proper
receive this letter, I shall be dead. Tomorrow at seven, I shall funeral or burial. Instead, he was interred in an unmarked
be shot; but I am innocent of the crime of rebellion. I am grave.
going to die with a tranquil conscience. Goodbye, my best, • Later, his body was exhumed and placed in an ivory urn. In
my dearest friend, and never think ill of me." 1912, the urn was finally entombed at the base of the Rizal
• On the next day, in the morning, more than an hour before monument.
his death, Rizal still found the strength to write. Here's his • Ironically, annual celebrations honoring him continue, even
letter to Paciano: "My dear brother: It has been four years though he had expressly opposed such commemorations.
and a half that we have not seen each other nor have we • Relatives of Rizal also created malicious stories about
communicated with each other. I do not think it is due to lack Josephine Bracken.
of affection on my part nor on yours, but because, knowing • As the podcast Rizal on Air points out, "Ultimately, he
each other so well, we do not need to talk to understand doesn't really have a choice in the matter, since he's
each other. Now I am about to die, and it is to you that I deceased. The people, in the end, decided what Rizal stood
dedicate my last lines, to tell you how sad I am to leave you for."
alone in life, burdened with the weight of the family and our
• After Rizal died, Josephine gave his last poem to Andres
old parents. I am thinking now how hard you have worked
Bonifacio. She did this so that it could be translated into
to give me a career; I believe I have tried not to waste my
Tagalog and distributed to the revolutionaries.
time. Brother of mine, if the fruit has been bitter, it is not my
• According to historian Xiao Chua, Rizal was ambivalent or
fault, but the fault of circumstances. I know that you have
hesitant about the rebellion. However, through his last
suffered much on my account, and I am sorry."
poem, in which he praises the revolutionaries on the
• Through writing, Rizal also relayed to his family his wishes
battlefield and their courage in not minding dying for their
for what should happen after his death. "Bury me in the
motherland, we can say that in the end he also agreed with
ground. Place a stone and a cross over it. My name, the
the revolution.
date of my birth, and of my death. Nothing more. If later you
• When studying Rizal, we realize we are not just exploring
wish to surround my grace with a fence, you can do so. No
what he lived, but also how his experiences resonate with
anniversaries. I prefer Paang Bundok. Have pity on poor
our own. Each of us develops our own understanding and
Josephine."
perception of Rizal based on our biases, beliefs, and
Rizal's Final Walk
experiences.
• As the morning light painted the sky on December 30th,
Rizal, dressed in black, walked towards his execution at
While we continue to revisit his life and discuss the life he
Bagumbayan. Accompanied with his lawyer and two priests,
and escorted by soldiers and military men, his eyes traced lived, it is important that we ensure he does not
familiar sights. experience another death.
• His gaze fell upon the serene landscape - Cavite's
mountains and Corrigidor bathed in the morning light. He
reminisced to a priest, "How beautiful it is today, Father. On
mornings like this, I used to take a walk with my sweetheart."
• Passing the Ateneo, its towers peeking over the walls, he
inquired, "Is that the Ateneo? My happy years were spent
there."
• Crowd lined the execution area. “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 last-minute effort to sprint him
from the trap.”
• Eight Filipino soldiers formed the firing squad facing José
Rizal. Behind them stood a line of Spanish troops, ready to
kill any Filipino soldier who hesitated or missed their mark.
• Recognizing his impending fate, Rizal made his final
requests. He asked to be executed without a blindfold and
face his executioners. The commander of the firing squad
8