Module 7 – Reviewer: Rizal’s Life, Exile, Trial, and Death
Rizal’s Life in Dapitan (1892–1896)
• Arrived in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte on July 17, 1892.
• Served as educator, doctor, farmer, engineer, artist, and naturalist.
• Used lottery winnings to buy land in Talisay where he built 3 houses:
1. Square house – Rizal’s home.
2. Octagonal house – dormitory for pupils.
3. Hexagonal house – barn for chickens.
🌿 Rizal as Community Leader and Scientist
• Cultivated a 34-hectare farm in Katipunan.
• Built a school, dormitory, and a clinic.
• Constructed a dam, waterworks, and Dapitan town plaza.
• Conducted archaeological excavations and collected specimens.
• Studied Visayan and Malayan languages.
💕 Affair with Josephine Bracken
• Met Josephine Bracken, foster daughter of George Tauffer.
• Josephine’s uncle sought Rizal’s help for his eye ailment.
• Rizal fell in love with Josephine and made her his common-law wife.
✍️Literary Works in Dapitan
• “Mi Retiro” – poem about peace in exile.
• “Himno a Talisay” – song for his pupils.
• Sculptures: “Oyang Dapitana” and “The Mother’s Revenge.”
⛪ Attempts to Win Back Rizal to Catholicism
• Jesuits who tried: Fr. Antonio Obach, Fr. Villaclara, Fr. Sanchez, Fr. Pastells.
• Rizal debated religion with Fr. Pastells but was not persuaded.
⚕️Decision to Volunteer as a Doctor in Cuba
• Friends planned his rescue; Blumentritt advised volunteering.
• Applied on Dec. 17, 1895; approved on July 30, 1896.
• Despite parents’ objections, agreed to serve as doctor in Cuba.
🚢 Adios Dapitan
• Left Dapitan on July 31, 1896 via steamer España.
• Arrived in Manila on August 6, 1896.
• Detained aboard Castilla; only visited by family and Josephine.
⚖️Trial and Martyrdom of Rizal
• Preliminary investigation began Nov. 20, 1896 by Col. Olive.
• Evidence: letters, poems, and testimonies from associates.
• Defense lawyer: Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade.
• Prosecutors: Judge Advocate Dominguez and Alcocer.
• Verdict: Guilty of rebellion; sentenced to death by firing squad.
• Approved by Gov. Polavieja; execution set for Dec. 30, 1896.
⏳ Last Hours of Rizal
• Informed of death sentence on Dec. 29, 1896.
• Saw family, friends, and Josephine.
• Gave personal items; hid “Mi Último Adiós” inside an alcohol burner.
• Wrote farewell letters to family, Paciano, and Blumentritt.
💔 Execution of a Hero
• Executed on Dec. 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan.
• Walked calmly in black suit, arms tied.
• Denied request to face the firing squad.
• Shot at 7:03 a.m., turned to face the sky as he fell.
• His death inspired Filipino nationalism and revolution.
Key Takeaways
• Rizal’s exile showed selflessness and patriotism.
• His trial revealed Spanish injustice.
• His martyrdom became the spark for Philippine freedom.