Retelling the

Struggles, Trials, and

Execution of Rizal

Presented by: Group 4

Agenda:
Second Homecoming
Exile in Dapitan
and the La Liga Filipina

Last Homecoming and Martyrdom at

Trials Bagumbayan
Struggles, Trials, and Execution of Rizal
 June 26, 1892

Rizal’s bold return to Manila after many people

warned him of his possible arrest.
second homecoming.
At noon, he and his widowed sister arrived in
Manila.
 According to Rizal, he described his second homecoming as follows:

I arrived in Manila on June 26, 1892, Sunday, at 12 noon. I was met by

many carabiners headed by a major. There were in addition one captain and one
sergeant of the Veteran Civil Guard. I came down with my luggage and they
inspected me at the custom house. From there, I went to the Hotel de Oriente
occupying room 22 wherein the room faces the church of Binondo. In the
afternoon at 4 o’clock, I went to the Malacanang Palace to talk with the Spanish
Governor General, General Eulogio Despujol, Conde de Caspe, but I was told to
return at 7 o’clock. So I promptly returned to the given time and I was able to
confer with General Despujol who agreed to pardon my father but not the rest
of the family. And so I was told to return on June 29.
 June 27, 1892
As of 6 PM, Rizal boarded a train in Tutuban Station and
visited his friends living in Malolos, Bulacan, San Fernando,
Pampanga, Tarlac, and Bacoor, Pampanga.

June 28, 1892

Rizal returned to Manila while being shadowed by the
government spies.
In this day, the homes he visited were raided by the Guardia
Civil who seized some copies of the Noli and Fili.
 June 29, 1892
-Rizal came back to the Palace as advised. However, he did
not succeed in having the penalty of exile lifted, yet General
Despujol gave hope with regard to his sisters.

June 30, 1892

Rizal came back to the Palace and they talked about the
question of Borneo. The general was very much opposed to it
and Rizal was told to come back on Sunday.
 July 3, 1892
Rizal came back to the palace and the general
announced that the exile of his sisters was lifted. The
general then asked Rizal if he would like to go to Hong
Kong and Rizal gladly said yes. With this, he was advised
to come back on Wednesday.
Founding of the Liga Filipina
On July 3, after Rizal’s brief meeting with the Spanish
general, he attended a meeting of the patriots in Tondo,
Manila. Rizal explained the objectives of the Liga Filipina,
a civic league of the Filipinos. He presented the
Constitution of the Liga which he had written in Hong
Kong. The patriots were impressed and approved the
establishment of the Liga
Member of the Liga
Constitution of the Liga Filipina
1. To unite the archipelago into one compact and
homogeneous body
2. Mutual protection in every want and necessity
3. Defense against all violence and injustice
4. Encourage education, agriculture, and commerce
5. Study of application and reforms

Motto of the Liga Filipina

Unus Instar Omnium → which means one like all.
 Duties of the Liga
Filipina Members
1. Obey the orders of the Supreme Court;
2. Help in recruiting new members;
3. Keep in strictest secrecy the decisions of the Liga authorities;
4. Have a symbolic name which cannot change until he becomes
president of the council;
5. Report to the fiscal anything that he may hear which affects the Liga;
6. Behave well and benefits a good Filipino; and
7. Help fellow members in all ways.
July 6, 1892
Rizal went back to the Palace to resume his conversation with
the Spanish general but the latter showed printed leaflets
entitled Pobres Frailes (Poor Friars). Rizal denied having those
leaflets. But despite the denial and insistent demand for
investigation, Rizal was placed under arrest and was
escorted to Fort Santiago by Ramon Despujol, nephew and
aide of General Despujol
July 7, 1892
Graceta de Manila published a story of Rizal’s arrest and the paper
issues a gubernatorial decree which consists of the reasons for Rizal’s
deportation
1. Rizal published books and articles abroad which showed disloyalty to Spain
2. After Rizal’s arrival last June 26, there was something found in his
packages, a bundle of handbills entitled Pobres Frailes
3. Rizal’s novel, El Filibusterismo, was dedicated to the memory of the three
traitors
4. Rizal’s efforts in writings is to tear from the Filipino breasts the treasures of
our catholic faith
July 15, 1892
Around 1 AM, Rizal was brought under heavy guard, headed by Captain
Delgras, to the streamer Cebu which was sailing to Dapitan.

July 17, 1892

They reached Dapitan around 7 AM. Captain Delgras handed Rizal to
Captain Ricardo Carcinero, the Spanish commandant of Dapitan
From then on, Rizal began his exile in Dapitan which would last until July
31, 1896, a period of four years.
Struggles, Trials, and Execution of Rizal
 Rizal was brought under a
maximum security to the
steamer Cebu headed by
Capt. Delgras on the 15th of
July, 1892, which sailed to
Dapitan.
 Rizal carried a letter
from Father Pablo
Pastells, Superior of the
Jesuit society in the
Philippines to Father
Antonio Obach, Parish Father Pablo
Pastells
Father Antonio
Obach
priest of Dapitan.
In this letter, Fr. Pastells informed Fr. Obach that Rizal could
live at the parish convent on the following conditions:

2. That he performs the

1. That Rizal publicly retract church rites and make a
his errors concerning his general confession of
his past life.
religion, and make
statements that were clearly 3. Conduct himself in an
pro-Spanish and against exemplary manner as the
Spanish subject and a
revolution. man of religion.
 However, Rizal did not agree with these conditions.
Consequently, he lived in the house of the
Commandant Captain Carnicero. Carnicero was
charmed by Rizal’s fine qualities and personality.

The relationship between Carnicero (the warden)

and Rizal (the prisoner) were warm and friendly.

Rizal on his part admired Carnicero for being kind,

generous Spanish Captain. As evidence of his
esteem, he wrote a poem, “A Don Ricardo Captain Ricardo
Carnicero”, on August 26, 1892 on the occasion of Carnicero
the captain’s birthday.
Rizal wins On September 1, 1892, the steam boat, Butuhan,
made its way into the shores of Dapitan. Winning the
in Manila lottery ticket no. 9763 which was jointly owned by

Lottery
Captain Carcinero, Dr. Rizal and Francisco Equilor won
the second prize of P20, 000 in the government-
owned Manila Lottery.
20, 000 - lottery price
6, 200 - it was given to Rizal
2, 000 - this share gave to his father
200 - to Basa in Hong Kong
The rest he invested thru purchasing agricultural
land in Talisay, about kilometer away from Dapitan.
Rizal - Pastells Debate on Religion
During his exile in Dapitan, Rizal had a long and scholarly debate with Fr.
Pastells on religion.
The debate started when Pastells sent Rizal a book by Sarda along with an
advice that the latter (Rizal) should desist from his majaderas (foolishness)
in viewing religion from the prism of individual judgement and self-esteem.
Rizal was bitter against the friars because they commit abuses under the
cloak of religion. Father Pastels tried to bring back to Catholicism Rizal by
telling that human intelligence is limited, thus he needs the guidance of
God.
 Despite Jose Rizal’s anti feeelings for the Catholic Church, he continued his
catholic routine by going mass, celebrating the importance of Christmas and
catholic related fiestas. Behind the debate, Pastells and Rizal were friends as
evidently pictured when:
Pastells gave Rizal a copy of Imitacion de Cristo by Fr. Thomas Kempis.
Rizal gave Pastells a bust of St. Paul which he had made Rizal continued to
hear mass and celebrate religious events.

Imitacion de Cristo Bust of St. Paul

Rizal Challenges a
Frenchman to a Duel
Rizal was involved in a general with a
French acquaintance in Dapitan, Juan
Lardet wrote a letter to Antonio
Miranda, a Dapitan merchant and
friend of Rizal, expressed his disgust
with the business with Rizal. This man
purchased many logs were of poor
quality.
Miranda forwarded the
letter to Rizal. When he read
Lardet’s letter he flared up in
anger and challenge him to a
duel, Lardet wrote to Rizal
apologizing for the insulting
comment and Rizal accepted
his apology.
 Rizal and
Father
Sanchez
Father Pastells tried his best to bring back
Rizal within the Catholic fold. He asked Father
Francisco de Paula Sanchez, Rizal’s famous
teacher at the Ateneo de Manila for his help.
Father Sanchez was assigned to go to Dapitan
but all the efforts of Fr. Sanchez were in vain.
Father Francisco Rizal could not be convinced by his famous
de Paula Sanchez beloved teacher.
 Rizal led an exemplary life, fruitful of
achievement and idyllic in serenity. The Idyllic Life
members of his family take turns in visiting in Dapitan
him to assuage his loneliness in Dapitan.
Among his family members who visited Rizal
were:
1. His mother
2. His sisters Trinidad, Maria, and Narcisa
3. Nephews Teodosio, Estanislao, Mauricio,
and Prudencio
He built his own house by the seashore
surrounded by a garden of fruit trees. He
had also another house for his school for the
boys and a clinic for his patients
Rizal's Encounter with the Friar's Spy
Pablo Mercado- assumed name of the spy who visited Rizal at his house and pretended to be a
relative by showing a photo of Rizal and a pair of buttons with the initial P.M as evidence of kinship.
The spy offered to be Rizal's courier of letters for the patriots in Manila. Rizal became suspicious and
wanted to throw the spy outside but considering his values and late how of the night, he offered the
spy to spend the night at his house. The next day, he sent the spy away.
The spy stayed in Dapitan and spread talks among the people that he was a relative to Rizal. Rizal
went to the commandant and reported the impostor to captain Juan Sitges (successor of
Carnicero).Stiges ordered Pablo Mercado's arrest and told Anastacio Adriatico to investigate him
immediately.
Florencio Namanan a.k.a Pablo Mercado, single and about [Link] who was hired by the Recollect
friars to spy on Rizal's activities, the secret mission of Pablo Mercado was not an assassination
attempt.
All his time Rizal devoted as a:

a. Physician d. Scientists g. Farmer

b. Engineer e. Linguist h. Businessman

c. Educator f. Artist i. Inventor

 Rizal as Physician
Dona Teodora and Maria lived with Rizal for a
year and a half. It is here when Rizal operated his
mother’s right eye. Though the operation was
successful, his mother had a wound infection after
ignoring Rizal’s instruction of not removing the
bandages. However, the infection was
immediately treated.
Don Ignacio Tumarong, Rizal’s patient who was
able to see again after his operation. He paid Rizal
P3,000.
Don Florencio Azcarraga, rich haciendero of Aklan who was cured of eye ailment, in
turn he gave Rizal a cargo of sugar.
Rizal prescribed medicinal plants to his poor patients.
 As a perito agrimensor (expert surveyor), Rizal
applied his engineering knowledge by constructing a
system of waterworks to furnish clean water to the
towns people.
Talisay Water System
Mr. Cameron, an American engineer who praised
Rizal for his engineering ingenuity.
Rizal had drained the marshes to get rid of
malaria that was infesting Dapitan; equipped the
town with lighting system using P500 one of his
patients paid him. The lighting system consisted of
coconut oil lamps; beautified the town of Dapitan
Rizal as
by remodelling the town plaza and making a huge an Engineer
relief map of Mindanao out of earth, stones and
grass.
 Rizal as an Educator
Rizal established in Dapitan a school. It began with 3 pupils who increased to 16
and eventually 21. 16 of his pupils did not pay tuition. Instead of charging them
fees, He made them work in his gardens and construction projects.
Formal classes were between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm . He also applied the
"emperor" system like that of Ateneo.
During recess, pupils built fires to drive away insects, pruned fruit trees and
manured the soil. Outside class hours, students had gymnastics, boxing,
wrestling, stone-throwing, swimming, boating and arnis.
Hymn to Talisay - a poem Rizal wrote in honor of Talisay which he made his
pupils sing.
Rizal as a Rizal sent specimens he found to the museum of Europe
especially the Dresden Museum. In turn, he received

Scientist
scientific books and surgical instruments.

He built up a rich collection of conchology (consisting of

He had discovered rare 346 shells of 203 species).
specimens like:
Apogonia rizali
(small beetle)
Rhacophorus rizali
(rare frog)
Draco rizali (flying
dragon)
Apogonia rizali Rhacophorus rizali Draco rizali
Containing his study of He knew by that time 22
languages, Rizal learned in languages as follows Tagalog,
Dapitan: Malay, Ilokano, Hebrew,
Bisayan, Sanskrit, Subanun,
1. Bisayan Dutch, Spanish, Catalan Latin,
2. Subanun Italian, Greek, Chinese, English,
3. Malay Languages Japanese, French, Portuguese,
German, Swedish, Arabic and
Russian.

Rizal as a Linguist
Rizal as an
Artist
To pursue his artistic activities, Rizal:
1. Contributed paintings to the Sisters of Charity who were preparing the
sanctuary of the Holy Virgin.
2. Made sketches of persons and things that attracted him in Dapitan.
3. Modeled a statuette called "The Mother's Revenge" to the moral of the incident
where a puppy of his dog, Syria was eaten by a crocodile.
4. Constructed a statue of a girl called "The Dapitan Girl", a woodcarving of
Josephine Bracken.
5. Made a bust of St. Paul for Father Pastells.
 Rizal as
Farmer
Rizal acquired total land holdings of 70 hectares where 6,000
hemp plants, 1,000 coconut trees and numerous fruit trees,
sugarcanes, corn, coffee and cocoa were planted.
He planned to establish an agricultural colony in Sitio Panot
because it was ideal for raising cocoa, coffee, coconuts and
cattle. However, this did not materialize due to lack of support
from the government..
 Rizal as
Businessman
Roman Carreon - Rizal's business partner in Dapitan. Rizal made profitable
business ventures in fishing, copra, and hemp industries.
Hemp Industry - Rizal's most profitable business.
Once he shipped 150 bales of hemp to Manila. He purchased hemp in Dapitan at
P7 and 4 reales per picul and he sold it to Manila at P10 and 4 reales.
He also engaged in lime manufacturing. Their lime burner had a monthly capacity
of more than 400 bags of lime.
He organized the Cooperative Association of Dapitan Farmers to break Chinese
monopoly.
 Among Rizal's inventions
were:
1. Cigarette literally which he
sent as a gift to Blumentritt
called "SULPUKAN". (Picture)
2. A wooden machine for
making bricks.

Rizal as Inventor
 "My Retreat"

Upon restoring her eyesight, Dona Teodara returned

to Manila. Seeing how busy Rizal is, she regretted
neglecting her muses. She requested Rizal to write poetry.
As a response, Rizal wrote "Mi Retiro" relating his serene life
as an exile in Dapitan.
 Jose Rizal
and
Josephine Bracken
The death of Leonor Rivera left a
poignant void in Rizal's heart. In his
loneliness, he met Josephine.
An Irish girl
Born in Hongkong
The parents of Josephine are James
Bracken and Elizabeth Jane MacBride.
Both of them are Irish in citizenship.
Mr. George
Taufer

The man who adopted Josephine

after her mother died at childbirth.
He became blind so he sought for
an ophthalmic specialist.
Manuela Orlac - Filipina companion who accompanied Josephine
Bracken to Dapitan.
Rizal and Josephine decided to get married but Father Obach
refuse to marry them without the permission of the Bishop of Cebu
having no priest to marry them.
Hearing of the planned marriage and unable to endure the thought
of losing Josephine, Mr. Taufer tried to commit suicide by cutting
off his throat with a razor but Rizal was able to prevent this.
To avoid a tragedy, Josephine accompanied Mr. Taufer back to
Manila. Mr. Taufer returned to Hong Kong alone while Josephine
stayed with Rizal in Manila. Having no priest to marry them, Rizal
and Josephine married themselves before the eyes of God.
Rizal and Josephine were happy for they were expecting for a
baby. However, Rizal played a prank on Josephine making her give
birth to an eight-month baby boy. The baby lived for only 3 hours.
He was named "Francisco" in honor of Rizal's father.
Rizal and The Katipunan
Pio Valenzuela - emissary to Dapitan in order to inform Rizal of the plan
of Katipunan during the meeting at a little river called Bitukang Manok.
Venus - steamer Valenzuela boarder to reach Dapitan.
Raymund Mata - blind man who came with Valenzuela to camouflage his
mission.
Rizal objected Bonifacio's project because:
1. The people are not ready for a revolution
2. Arms and funds must first be collected before raising the cry of
revolution.
Volunteers as Military Doctor in Cuba
When Cuba was under revolution and raging yellow fever
epidemic, Rizal wrote to Governor General Ramon Blanco
offering his service as military doctor.
Governor Blanco later notified Rizal of the acceptance of the
offer. The notification came along with an instruction of
acquiring first a pass for Manila from the Politico-Military
commander of Dapitan.
"The Song of the Traveler"
Upon receiving the acceptance of his offer to go to Europe then to
Cuba to help in the curing of patients suffering yellow fever, he
wrote a poem "El Canto del Viajero".
España - steamer which brought Rizal to Manila from Dapitan. Rizal
was accompanied by Josephine, Narcisa, Angelica (Narcisa's
daughter), his three nephews and six pupils.
As farewell, the town brass of Dapitan played the dolorous Funeral
March of Chopin. He stayed in Dapitan for four years, thirteen days
and a few hours.
Struggles, Trials, and Execution of Rizal
Rizal Leaves Barcelona
On October 6, 1896 at 8:00 in the evening, Rizal leaves
Barcelona and is bound for Manila. He was given a
second class cabin in the transport ship Colon. He had a
diary with him which he wrote about his homecoming
journey.
 Confiscation of
Rizal's Diary
The Spanish authorities who were on board Colon knew that Rizal had
been keeping track of the daily events in the ship on his diary. They were
curious and their suspicion was aroused for they were fearful that Rizal
might be writing something seditious or treasonable. On October 11, before
reaching Port Said, Rizal's diary was confiscated by the Spanish
authorities and was critically scrutinized. The Spanish authorities did not
find anything incriminating in Rizal's diary. The diary was then returned to
Rizal on the 2nd of November.
Rescue Attempt in
Singapore
News of Rizal's predicament reached his friends in Singapore and
Europe. Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor and Sixto Lopez dispatched telegrams
to an English lawyer in Singapore names Hugh Fort to save Rizal from
the Spanish steamer. The plan was to rescue Rizal by means of a Writ
of Habeas Corpus. Unfortunately, Chief Justice Loinel Cox denied the
Writ on the ground that Colon was a warship of a foreign power which
was beyond the jurisdiction of Singapore authorities.
 Arrival in Manila
On November 3, Colon reached Manila. On his arrival, Rizal was then
transported to Fort Santiago under heavy guard of Spanish troops.
While Rizal was in Fort Santiago, the Spanish authorities were fishing
for evidence against Dr. Jose Rizal. Many Filipino patriots including
Deodato Arelano, Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Moises Salvador, Temoteo Paez
and even Rizal's brother Paciano were arrested and brutally tortured
to implicate Rizal. Paciano suffered many broken bones including his
left hand.
 Preliminary Investigation
On the 20th of November, Rizal appeared before the judge
advocate Col. Francisco Olive. Rizal was subjected to a grueling
five day trial. He answered all questions thrown at him but he was
not allowed to confront his accusers. The court had presented two
kinds of evidences against Rizal, namely documentary and
testimonial. The documentary evidence consisted of fifteen exhibits.
 1. A Letter of Antonio Luna to Mariano Ponce, dated Madrid, Oct. 16 1888, showing Rizal's
connection with the Filipino reform campaign in Spain.
2. A letter of Rizal's to his Family, dated Madrid, Aug. 20, 1890, stating that the
deportations are good for they will encourage the people to hate tyranny.
3. A letter from Marcelo H. del Pilar to Deodato Arellano, Dated Madrid Jan. 7, 1889,
implicating Rizal in the Propaganda campaign in Spain.
4. A poem Entitled Kundiman, allegedly written by Rizal in manila on Sept. 12, 1891.
5. A letter to Carlos Oliver to an unidentidified person, dated Barcelona, Sept. 18, 1891,
describing Rizal as a man to free the Philippines from Spanish oppression.
6. A Masonic document, dated Manila Feb. 9, 1892, honoring Rizal for his patriotic services
7. A letter signed Dimasalang ( Rizal pseudonym) to Tenluz ( Juan Zulueta's pseudonym)
dated Hong Kong, May 24, 1892, stating that he was preparing a sage refuge for
filipinos who may be persecuted by the spanish authorities.
8. A letter to Dimasalang to unidentified committee, dated Hong Kong, June 1, 1892,
soliciting the aid of the committee in the "patriotic work".
9. An anonymous and undated letter to the Editor of Hong Kong Telegraph, censuring the
banishment of Rizal to Dapitan.
10. A letter to Ildefonso Laurel to Rizal, dated Manila Sept. 3, 1892, saying that the filipino
people look up to him (Rizal) as their savior.
11. A letter to Ildefonso, Laurel to Rizal, dated Manila, 17, 1893, informing unidentified
correspondent of the arrest and banishment of Doroteo Cortes and Ambrosio Salvador.
12. A letter to Marcel H. del Pilar to Don Juan A. Tenluz ( Juan Zulueta ), dated Manila,
June 1, 1893, recommending the establishment of a special organization, independent of
masonry, to help the cause of the filipino people.
13. Transcript of a speech of Pingkian ( Emilio Jacinto ), in a reunion of katipunan on July
23, 1893 in which the following cry was uttered " Long Live the Philippines! Long Live
Liberty! Long live Doctor Rizal! Unity!"
14. Transcript of speech of Tik-Tik ( Jose Turiano Santiago ) in the same katipunan
reunion where in the katipuneros shouted: "Long live the eminent Doctor Rizal! Death
to the oppresor nation!".
15. A poem by Laong Laan (Rizal), Entitled A talisay in which the author makes the
dapitan schoolboys sing that they know how to fight for their rights.

On the 26th of November, Col. Olive transmitted the reports of Rizal's case to Gov.
Gen. Ramon Blanco and the latter appointed Capt. Rafael Dominguez as special judge
to take action against Rizal. Immediately, Dominguez resumed the investigation
against Rizal and returned the papers to Gov. Gen. Blanco.
Rizal Chooses His Defender
Rizal had to make the choice for his defender. His choices were
limited as the list of possible army lawyers was provided for him. On
the 8th of December, Rizal was given the list of 100 lieutenants in
the Spanish army. One name in the list struck his fancy, Don Luis
Taviel de Andrade, who was actually the brother of his former body
guard, Jose de Andrade. Don Luis Taviel de Andrade was Rizal's
choice for a lawyer.
 A New Governor General

On the 13th of December, Gen. Camilo de Polavieja

took the seat of General Blanco as governor general of
the Philippines. The withdrawal of Blanco from the
position had sealed Rizal's fate as Polavieja was
ruthless and was biased against Rizal.
Rizal's Manifesto

On December 15, Rizal wrote a manifesto to his people

appealing to them to stop the necessary shedding of
blood and to achieve their liberties by means of
education and industry. Judge Advocate de la Pena
however suppressed the release of this manifesto.
Rizal's Saddest Christmas

December 25, 1986 was Rizal's last and saddest Christmas. He

was accustomed to celebrating Christmas with his family or his
beloved friends. On his last Christmas, he found himself alone
and depressed in a dreary prison cell. He was in despair in this
particular Christmas as he had no illusions about his fate. He
took time to write a letter to Lt. Taviel de Andrade. He wished to
see Lt. Andrade before he makes an appearance in court.
 The Trial of Rizal
On the 26th of December at 8:00am, the court-martial of Rizal started
in the building called Cuartel de Espana. Seated behind the table
were seven members of the military court. In their army uniforms, the
officers present were: Lt. Col. Arjona, Capt. Munoz, Capt. Reguera,
Capt. Osorio, Capt. Nunez, Capt. Escribrano and Capt. Rodriguez.
The trial was opened by judge Dominguez who explained the case
against Rizal. After him, Atty. Alcocer arose and delivered a long
speech summarizing all charges against Rizal and urged to give him a
death sentence. The spectators applauded the petition for Rizal's
death.
 In Defense of Rizal
After all accusations have been read, Lt. Taviel de Andrade took
the floor and read his eloquent defense for Rizal. He ended his
defense with a noble but futile statement for the members of the
court: "The judges cannot be vindictive; the judges can only be
just." However, his defense proved to be of not much use as the
Spanish officers had already prejudged Rizal guilty of all
accusations.
When Lt. Andrade was seated, the court asked Rizal if he had
anything to say. Rizal then read his defense for himself which he
had prepared in his prison cell.
He further proved his innocence by twelve points:
1. He could not be guilty of rebellion, for he advised Dr. Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan not to
rise in revolution.
2. He did not correspond with the radical, revolutionary elements.
3. The Revolutionist used his name without his knowledge. If he were guilty he could
have escaped in Singapore.
4. If he had a hand in the Revolution, he could have escaped in a moro vinta and would
not built a home, a hospital, and bought lands in dapitan.
5. If he were the chief of the revolution, why was he not consulted by the
revolutionists?
6. It was true he wrote the by-laws of the Liga Filipina, but this is only a civic
association - not a revolutionary society.
7. The Liga Filipina did not live long, for after the first meeting he was banished to
dapitan and it died out.
8. If the Liga was recognized nine months later, he did not know about it.
9. The Liga did not serve the purpose of the revolutionists, otherwise they would not
have supplanted it with the katipunan.
10. If it were true that there were some bitter comments in Rizla's letters. it was
because they were written in 1890 when his family was being persecuted, being
dispossessed of houses, warehouse, lands, etc. and his brother and all his brothers-
in-law were deported.
11. His life in dapitan had been exemplary as the politico-military commanders and
missionary priest could attest.
12. It was not true that the revolution was inspired by his one speech at the house of
Doroteo Ongjunco, as alleged by witnesses whom he would like to confront. His
friends knew his opposition to armed rebellion. Why did the Katipunan send an
emissary to Dapitan who was unknown to him? because those who knew him aware
that he would never sanction any violent movement.
On the 28th of December, Polavieja approved the
decision of the court-martial and ordered that Rizal be
shot at 7:00am on December 30 at Bagumbayan Field
(Luneta). His approval for the death penalty was then
forwarded to Judge Advocate Capt. Don Rafael
Dominguez for compliance. This fatal document signed
by Capt. Dominguez sealed the fate of Dr. Jose Rizal
Mercado.
Polavieja Signs
Rizal's Execution
Struggles, Trials, and Execution of Rizal
After being court-martialed, Rizal returned to his cell
in Fort Santiago to prepare his rendezvous with
destiny.
During his last 24 hours on earth – from 6:00 A.M. of
Dec. 29 to 6:00 A.M. of Dec. 30, 1896 – he was busy
meeting visitors which includes his family and friends.
He was also able to write his last poem – his final
contribution for the emancipation of the Filipino
people.
 December 29, 1896
6:00 A.M. – Captain Rafael Rodriguez read Rizal’s death sentence – he
will be shot at the back by firing squad at 7:00 A.M. in Bagumbayan.
7:00 A.M. – Rizal was moved to the prison chapel where he spent his
last moments. His first visitors were Jesuit priests.
7:15 A.M. – Rizal reminded Fr. Luis Viza the statuette of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus whom he carved as a student in Ateneo.
8:00 A.M. – Rizal had a breakfast with Fr. Antonio Rosell. After
breakfast, his attorney, Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade came.
9:00 A.M. – Fr. Frederico Faura arrived. Rizal reminded the priest of his
earlier ‘prophecy’ about Rizal.
 December 29, 1896
10:00 A.M. – More Jesuit priests had visited him. After then, he was
interviewed by Santiago Mataix for the newspaper El Heraldo de
Madrid.
12:00 – 3:30 P.M. – Rizal was left alone in his cell. He took his lunch and
continued writing his farewell poem which he hid in an alcohol cooking
stove. He also wrote his last letter to Professor Blumentritt.
3:30 P.M. – Father Vicente Balaguer returned to his cell and discussed
with Rizal his retraction letter.
4:00 P.M. – Teodora Alonzo visited him. They had a very emotional
encounter. Rizal gave the alcohol cooking stove to Trinidad which
contains his farewell poem. Several priests have visited him afterwards.
 December 29, 1896
6:00 P.M. – Don Silvino Lopez, dean of the Manila Cathedral visited
him.
8:00 P.M. – Rizal had his last supper. He told Captain Dominguez that
he forgave his enemies including the military judges.
9:30 P.M. – Rizal was visited by Don Gaspar Cestano, fiscal of the
Royal Audience
10:00 P.M. – The draft of the retraction letter sent by the anti-Filipino
Arch bishop Bernardino Nozaleda was given by Fr. Balaguer to Rizal
for his signature. He had rejected it.
Upon Rizal’s death, his supposedly ‘retraction letter’ became of
one of the most controversial documents in our history.
This ‘retraction letter’ allegedly contains his renunciation of the
Masonry and his ‘anti-Catholic religious ideas.’
Depending on whose side you are on, some Rizalists claims that
it is fake while some believe it to be genuine.
There had been some evidences but so far these had only
heated up the debate between the two factions.
December 30, 1896
3:00 A.M. – Rizal heard Mass, confessed his sins and took Holy Communion.
5:30 A.M. – He took his last breakfast. After which he wrote his last letters
for his family and his brother, Paciano.

“Now I am about to die and it is to you I dedicate my last lines, to tell you how sad
I am to leave you alone in life, burdened with the weight of the family and our old
parents.”

5:30 A.M. – Josephine Bracken arrived together with Rizal’s sister, Josefa,
with tear seen her eyes, bade him farewell. Rizal embraced her for the last
time, and before she left, Rizal gave her a last gift – a religious book,
Imitation of Christ by Father Thomas Kempis.
December 30, 1896
6:00 A.M. – As the soldiers were getting ready for the death march to
Bagumbayan, Rizal wrote his last letter to his beloved parents.

“My beloved Father, pardon me for the pain with which I repay you, for sorrows
and sacrifices for my education. I did not want it nor did I prefer it. Goodbye
Father, goodbye.”
“To my very dear Mother, Sra. Dona Teodora Alonso 6o’oclock in the morning,
December 30, 1896.”

At about 6:30 A.M., a trumpet sounded at Fort Santiago, a signal to begin the
death march to Bagumbayan.
December 30, 1896
Rizal walked calmly with his defense counsel and two Jesuit priests at his
sides.
He was dressed elegantly in a black suit, black derby hat, black shoes, white
shirt and black tie. His arms were tied behind from elbow to elbow.
There a lot of spectators lining the street from Fort Santiago to Bagumbayan.
As he was going through the narrow Postigo Gate, Rizal looked at the sky
and said to one of the priests:

“How beautiful it is today, Father. What morning could be more serene! How clear
is Corregidor and the mountains of Cavite! On mornings like this, I used to take a
walk with my sweetheart.”
 December 30, 1896
While he was passing in front of the Ateneo,he saw the college towers above
the walls.
He asked: “Is that the Ateneo, Father?” “Yes”, replied the priest.
Rizal bade farewell to Fathers March and Vilaclara and to his defender, Lt.
Luis Tavielde Andrade. Although his arms were tied, he had firmly clasped
their hands in parting.
One of the priests blessed him and offered him a crucifix to kiss.
He requested the commander of the firing squad that he be shot facing them.
His request was denied for the captain had implicit orders to shoot him at his
back.
 December 30, 1896
A Spanish military physician, Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo, asked his permission to feel
his pulse. He was amazed to find it normal, showing that Jose Rizal was not
afraid to die.
The death ruffles of the drums filled the air. Above the drum beats, the sharp
command “Fire” was heard, and the guns of the firing squad barked. Rizal, with
supreme effort, turned his bullet-riddled body to the right, and fell on the
ground dead – with face upward facing the morning sun. It was exactly 7:03 in
the morning –aged 35 years, 5 months and 11 days.
It is interesting to not that 14 years before his execution, Rizal predicted that he
would die on December 30th. He was then a medical student in Madrid, Spain.
 Letter to his family, Dapitan (c. 1884)
“To live is to be among men and to be among men is to struggle,
a struggle not only with them but with oneself; with their
passions, but also with one's own.”

Taken from ‘El Filibusterismo’

“There can be no tyrants where there are no slaves.”
 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 sake,
to dye with its crimson the waking ray.
Thank you
for listening!