0% found this document useful (0 votes)
9 views108 pages

Rizal Law: Mandating Jose Rizal's Studies

Republic Act No. 1425, known as the Rizal Law, mandates the inclusion of courses on the life, works, and writings of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in all educational institutions in the Philippines. The law aims to instill nationalism and civic consciousness among students by studying Rizal's novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, and emphasizes the importance of his contributions to Philippine history. It also provides for the translation and distribution of Rizal's works to ensure accessibility for all Filipinos.

Uploaded by

ezzatmieadu
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
9 views108 pages

Rizal Law: Mandating Jose Rizal's Studies

Republic Act No. 1425, known as the Rizal Law, mandates the inclusion of courses on the life, works, and writings of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in all educational institutions in the Philippines. The law aims to instill nationalism and civic consciousness among students by studying Rizal's novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, and emphasizes the importance of his contributions to Philippine history. It also provides for the translation and distribution of Rizal's works to ensure accessibility for all Filipinos.

Uploaded by

ezzatmieadu
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

CHAPTER 1

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425 (Rizal Law)


The study of Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s life,
works and writings has been mandated by
Republic Act no. 1425 known as Rizal Law
enacted on June 12, 1956 and took effect on
August 16, 1956. This was sponsored by Sen.
Jose P. Laurel Sr. as Chairman of the Senate
Committee on Education.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425


AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND
PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE
LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS
NOVELS NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING
THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a
need for a re-dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our
heroes lived and died;
WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national
hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we remember with special fondness and
devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national character;
WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his
novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring
source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth, especially during their
formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused;
WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the supervision of,
and subject to regulation by the State, and all schools are enjoined to develop
moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience and to teach the duties
of citizenship; Now, therefore,
SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal,
particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included
in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or private:
Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions
of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation shall
be used as basic texts.

1
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to
adopt forthwith measures to implement and carry out the provisions of this
Section, including the writing and printing of appropriate primers, readers and
textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this
Act, promulgate rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature,
to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act. The Board shall promulgate
rules and regulations providing for the exemption of students for reasons of
religious belief stated in a sworn written statement, from the requirement of
the provision contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this
section; but not from taking the course provided for in the first part of said
paragraph. Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after
their publication in the Official Gazette.
SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and
universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of the
original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography. The said
unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their
translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal shall be included in
the list of approved books for required reading in all public or private schools,
colleges and universities.
The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the
number of books, depending upon the enrolment of the school, college or
university.
SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the
translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as other
writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine
dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them
to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the
Purok organizations and Barrio Councils throughout the country.
SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or
repealing section nine hundred twenty-seven of the Administrative Code,
prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public school teachers and
other person engaged in any public school.
SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby
authorized to be appropriated out of any fund not otherwise appropriated in
the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved: June 12, 1956
By integrating Rizal in the curriculum, this would benefit the Filipino
youth as well as the whole nation to acquire the following traits incorruptible,
confidence, direction, courage and determination, high sense of relationship,
nationalism and patriotism.

2
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
Department of Education (Dep Ed) Order No. 2 Series of 1996 directs
the Committee on Education for the inclusion of the Rizal Course as a 3-unit
lesson with the following aims and purposes:
1. THE LAW AIMS AND DESIRES TO re-establish that the Filipinos
themselves be imbued with the principles of freedom and a sense of
nationalism. The rational of which is to perpetuate the memories of our hero s
death and sacrifices.
2. The law aims to honor the heroes particularly Dr. Jose P. Rizal and
to remind us of his and his two novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
that paved the way to the nationalism and patriotism of the entire country.
3. The law aims to cultivate and inculcate among the students in all
schools the character development, Self - discipline, civic consciousness and
to teach the duties of citizenship which became the primary reasons for the
enactment of the law for reforms and changes.
To take one’s interest of and to comprehend fully and satisfactorily the
life, works and writing of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, our national hero, it is indeed
indispensable to gain knowledge of the background of world history and the
Philippines during his times. The 19th century of violent blow of the winds in
its history, most particularly in Asia, Europe and America. It was a rigid pour of
events that emanated beyond ones control like sea tides that ruthlessly
inflicted the human lives and fortunes of mankind.
On June 19, 1861, Rizal was born, as the titanic chaos exploded on
April 12, 1861 which resulted into the American Civil War (1861 - 1865) that
rage indignantly in the United States over the issue of Negro slavery
Compelling President Abraham Lincoln to proclaim the Emancipation of Negro
slaves in September 22, 1861.
Rizal s time was deemed to be the height of the maladministration of
Spain and its decay that obscured the Philippine skies. The Filipino people
suffered intensely beneath the bondage of Spanish misrule for they were ill-
fated victims of the evils, injustice, prejudices and sudden collapse of colonial
power. Among these baneful features were the following:
1. Instability of Colonial Administration
2. Corrupt Spanish Officials
3. No Philippines Representation to the Spanish Courts
4. Human rights Denied to the Filipinos
5. No equality before the law
6. Maladministration of justice
7. Racial Discrimination
8. Frailocracy/secularization of Filipino Priest
9. Forced Labor / excessive Taxes

3
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
10. Haciendas owned by Friars and Spanish Officials
11. The abuses of the Guardia Civil, Church Officials and Political
Leaders
Dr. Jose Rizals writing summarize his nationalistic and patririotics
philosophy as well as his keen sense of awareness of the Filipino people s
need for nation building.
A tribute to a man and hero should be our rationale, because we
believe that Dr. Jose Rizal was an exponent of the roots of our nationhood
The framers of the Rizal law Envisioned that by studying his life,
dissecting his teachings and literary works, the youth may gain inspiration and
might personally involve themselves in nation-building.

DR. JOSE P. RIZAL WAS CHOSEN AS THE GREATEST PHILIPPINE


NATIONAL HERO

Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Y Alonzo was a man of


DR. JOSE P. many talents.
RIZAL WAS
CHOSEN AS The Noli Ma Tangere and El Filibusterismo provided the
THE ember that awaked Filipino nationalism and paved the way
GREATEST for the Philippine Revolution of 1896.
PHILIPPINE
NATIONAL He proved that the “Pen is Migther than Sword” to
HERO redeem a people from their political slavery.

He
should be
a Filipino

He died
for the Criteria in He is a
country choosing the peace-
as a national hero loving
Dr. Otley Bayer, an person
anthropologist and martyr
technical members of the
panel of the Phlippine
Commission recommended
the following criteria in He has
choosing the national hero. high
ideals
and love
of country

4
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
REASONS WHY RIZAL WAS CHOSEN AND
DECLARED AS THE PHILIPPINE
NATIONAL HERO

He is model for being a


peacemaker by his complete self -
He was the first Filipino to unite denial his complete abandonment
and awaken the Filipino people to of his personal interest and to
peacefully rise for independence. think only of his country and
people.
THE REASONS WHY
RIZAL WAS CHOSEN
AND DECLARED AS
THE PHILIPPINE
NATIONAL HERO

He was a towering figure in the He was a martyr at Bagumbayan


propaganda campaign from 1882 - where he willingly died for our
1896. country.

5
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
OTHER COUNTRIES CHOOSE THEIR NATIONAL HEROES
Warriors and generals who serve their cause with the sword, distilling,
blood and tears are the heroes of occidental nation. The hero of the Filipinos
served his cause with the pen.
In some countries, they chose their national heroes from soldier-
generals, who fought for the country’s Liberty and independence in the
battlefield with their called mighty “swords”.
Some of them were George Washington of USA, Joan of Arc of
France, Simon Bolivar of Venezuela, Jose de San Martin of Argentina, Jimmo
Tenno of Japan and other.
While in the Philipiines, Jose Rizal, the Philippine national hero was a
pacifist and a civilian who served his cause with the pen through which his
writings had awakened Filipino nationalism and paved the way for the
Philippine Revolution.

What other great men said about the pen and sword.

Napoleon I who was a great conqueror and ruler said. “There are
only two powers in the world the sword and pen; and in the end
former is always conquered by the sword and pen and the end the
former is always conquered by the latter.”

Sir Thomas Browne said “Scholars are men of peace; they bear no
arm, but their tongue are sharper than the sword. Their pens carry
further and give a louder report than thunder. I rather stand in the
shock of a basilisk than in the fury of a merciless pen”.

What is most admirable in Rizal according to Rafael Palma: “Is


his complete self –denial, his complete abandonment of his
personal interest in order to think only of his country. He could
have been whatever he wished to be , considering his natural
endowments, he could have earned considerable sum of money
from his profession, he could have lived relatively rich happy,
prosperous, had he not dedicated himself to public matters. He
preferred to live far from his family and to sacrifice his personal
affection for an ideal he had dreamed of following his conscience.
He did not have great means at his disposal to carry out 6his
campaign; He contented himself with what he had. He suffered the
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
cold winter IN [Link],
of Europe, ED 07 (THEprivation
LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)but when he
and misery
raised his eyes to heaven and saw his ideals, his hope was reborn,
he soon felt, comforted and resumed the task of bearing the cross
HONORS ACCORDED TO RIZAL A THE PHILIPPINE
NATIONAL HERO

T h e d a y o f h is b irth a n d d a y o f h is e x e c u tio n a re fittin g ly c o m m e n te d b y a ll


c la s s e s o f p e o p le th ro u g h o u t th e c o u n try a n d o th e r F ilip in o s a b ro a d .

N o o th e r F ilip in o H e ro c a n s u rp a s s R iz a l in th e n u m b e r o f m o n u m e n ts
e re c te d in h is h o n o r, in to w n s , b a rrio s , a n d s c h o o ls .

H is n a m e is a b y w o rd in e v e ry h o m e a n d h is p ic tu re in p rin te d a n d u s e d
in p o s ta g e s ta m p s .

T h e m o n e y p a p e r/c o in s w ith h is im a g e h a v e th e w id e s t c irc u la tio n th a t


th e p o o re s t o f th e p o o r c a n ta k e h o ld .

S tre e ts , b o u le v a rd s , e d u c a tio n a l in s titu tio n a n d p e rs o n s w e re n a m e d


“R iz a l”.

H is N o b le th o u g h ts a n d te a c h in g s h a d b e e n fre q u e n tly in v o k e d a n d q u o te d
b y s p e a k e rs .

T h e u n io n o f M a n ila a n d M o ro n g to b e a p ro v in c e w a s n a m e d a fte r th e
illu s trio u s F ilip in o h e ro th u s th e R iz a l p ro v in c e w a s e s ta b lis h e d .

Spanish rule was imposed in the Philippines by conquest.

SPAIN
AND THE Miguel Lopez de Legaspi established the first Spanish
settlement in 1565 in Cebu.
PILIPPINE
IN The Spanish conquerors forced them to adopt foreign ways
RIZAL’S and Spanish Catholicism that they never understood.
TIME 7
They lost hire ancestral lands to the “conquistador” by the
encomienda
INSTRUCTIONAL system.
MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)

Changes in the form of government and laws took place.


POLITICAL SYSTEM
The King and the other officials issued royal decrees governing the
Philippines through the Ministry of Colonies (Ministro de UltraMar) based in
Madrid. It helped the Spanish monarch manage the affairs of the colonies and
govern the Philippines though the centralized government in manila exercising
the three powers, the executive, legislative and religious power.
The Governor General, was appointed by the Spanish King headed
the central administration. He was the king’s representative in the government
matters and was the Vice-Royal Patron in terms of religious matters.

He exercised extensive powers as the head of the state


and the church.
He issued executive orders and proclamations.
He was commander-in-chief of the military, and he also
exercised legislative powers with his “cumplase” by
Governor which he could decide which law or royal decree to
General implement of disregard
He enjoyed judicial powers as an ex-officio president of
the Royal Audencia.
His religious duty gave him the prerogative to nominate
priest to ecclesiastical positions and to control the
finances of the missions.

The Governor General was assisted by the Lieutenant General


(General Segundo Cabo) and advisory group such as the Board of
Authorities, Council of Administration and Secretariat of the Central
Government.
Next to the Central government was the provincial government or
alcaldias run by civil governors, the city government called “cabildo or
ayuntamiento” administered by mayor and a vice mayor who were both chief
executives and chief judicial magistrate. It should be noted that the above
positions are occupied by the Spaniards.
The local government composed of barangay headed by the”
governadorcillo” (later called capitan). This is the highest position in the

8
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
government to which a native Filipinos could be appointed. He was elected
at the beginning of every year by the “principalia” made up of the incumbert
ex-cabesa de barangay, the smallest unit of government.
The barangay or barrio headed by the “cabeza de barangay” whose
main responsibility was to collect taxes and tributes from the families. For his
services, he received two percent (2%) of the tax proceeds, and four percent
(4%) of the “sanctorum” or tax paid to the church each year to cover the cost
of three fiestas namely; All Saints Day, Holy Thursday and Corpus Christi.
To ensure that the revenues collected will be submitted, the cabeza’s
properties were deemed mortgaged to the state for the entire duration of his
term that ran for three years

ABUSES OF THE GOVERNMENT

Governor General His prerogatives often gave him the


opportunity to reward his favorites and
relatives and to penalize those who had
displease him.
The excessive powers and
He oftentimes lacked the moral strength to
privileges of the governor resist corruption for material advancement.
general made him weak and He filled in some positions in the
undisciplined. government from the highest bidder thus
many officials exploited their offices to
recover their expenses and to enrich
themselves.

Alcalde Mayor He controlled the principal trade.


He bought the people's rice and other
The provincial government products at low price and sold them back to
where the alcalde mayor the natives at high prices.
was the administrator, judge, He collected all the products to complete his
and military commander was needed quota even in time of poor harvest9
or crops failure, thus leaving the farmers
the most corrupt branch
INSTRUCTIONAL of
MATERIALS IN GEN. EDno
07 (THE LIFEfor
ANDnext
WORKS OF RIZAL)More for
with seeds planting.
the government. taxes were collected than required by law
and pocketed the excess collections.
The parochial schools were established with Spanish
missionaries as the teachers.
EDUCATION
SYSTEM The friars occupied the dominant positions.
DURING THE
SPANISH
REGIME
The friars decided what to be taught to the children.

Learning in every level was by rote or memorization and the


students memorized the contents of the book that they did not
understand.

The students were taught in the native dialect although there


was a law requiring the children to be taught in Spanish. The
Spaniards believed that learning Spanish would make the
Filipino people to opposed Spanish rule.

Religion was the most important subject.

The natives were reminded that had they had inferior


intelligence and they were fit only for manual labor.

The children attended classes on the ground floor of the


convent, or in a stable in the casa real or in the darkest corner
in the pueblo’s town hall.

The friars maintained these miserable schools to repress


human intellect rather than to cultivate and develop them.

The Filipinos must keep in the dark. Thus, this explained why
books read by the Filipino people had to pass rigid censorship
by church authorities as well as the government.

10
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
At the end of the Spanish period, the University of Santo Tomas (UST)
was the only institution of university level in Manila. It was established in 1611
solely for the Spaniards and mestizos. It opened its doors to Filipino students
four decades before the end of the Spanish regime, thus Jose Rizal and other
heroes had come to study. The official secondary schools for boys were San
Juan de Letran College and Ateneo de Manila. Secondary Education for girls
was established in Manila; pioneered by Santa Isabel College, La Concondia,
Sta. Catalina College, Sta. Rosa and Asilo de [Link] the Spanish
colonial administration issued the education decree of 20 December 1863
stating, “that each major town of in the Philippines should establish at least
one primary school for boys and another for girls, that the medium of
instruction is Spanish”, the friars did not implement this decree because they
believed that if Filipinos will be educated, it might be inspired by new ideas of
freedom and independence as well as justice.
Another noble intention of Spain to improve
the Educational System in the Philippines was the
Moret Decree of 1870. This decree intended to
secularize higher education in the colony; again
the friars opposed the idea of the government’s
control over education.

INSTABILITY OF COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION


The political instability in Spain adversely affected Philippine affairs
because it brought about frequent periodic shifts in colonial policies and a
periodic rigodon of colonial officials. For instance, from 1849-1898, the
Philippines was ruled by forty-five governor-generals, each serving an
average term only one year and three months. At one time, from December
1853 to November 1854- a period of less than a year, there were four
governor generals.
The frequent change of colonial officials hampered the political and
economic development of the Philippines. Hardly had one governor-general
begun his administration when he was soon replaced by his successor.
Naturally, no chief executive, no matter how able and energetic he was, could
accomplish much for the colony.

CORRUPT SPANISH OFFICIALS

11
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
General Rafael de Izquierdo (1871-1873), a boastful and ruthless governor general,
aroused the anger of the Filipinos by executing the innocent Fathers Mariano Gomez,
Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora, the “Martyrs of 1872”.

Admiral Jose Malcampo (1874-1877) a good Moro fighter, but he was an inept and
weak administrator.

General Fernando Primo de Rivera, governor general for two terms (1880-1883) and
(1897-1898), enriched himself by accepting bribes from gambling casinos in Manila
which he scandalously permitted to operate.

General Valeriano Weyler (1888-1891), a cruel and corrupt governor general of


Hispanic-German ancestry, arrived in Manila a poor man and returned to Spain a
millionaire. He received huge bribes and gifts of diamonds for his wife from wealthy
Chinese who evaded the anti-Chinese law. The Filipinos scornfully called him “tyrant”
because of his brutal persecution of the Calamba tenants, particularly the family of Dr.
Rizal. The Cubans contemptuously cursed him as “The Butcher” because of his
ruthless reconcentration policy during his brief governorship in Cuba in 1896, causing
the death of thousands of Cubans.

General Camilo de Polavieja (1896-1897), an able militarist but heartless governor


general, was widely detested by the Filipino people for executing Dr. Jose Rizal.

PHILIPPINE REPRESENTATION IN THE SPANISH CORTES


The first period of the Philippines representation in the Spanish Cortes
(1810-1813) was fruitful with the beneficent results for the welfare of the
colony. However, the second period of representation (1820-1823) and the
third period (1834-1837) were less fruitful in the parliamentary work.
Unfortunately, the representation of the overseas colonies (including
the Philippines) in the Spanish Cortes was abolished in 1837. Since then,
Philippine conditions worsened because there was no means by which the
Filipino people could expose the anomalies perpetrated by the colonial
officials. Many Filipino patriots valiantly pleaded for the restoration of the
Philippine representation in the Cortes. Spain ignored the fervent plea of
Graciano Lopez Jaena and his compatriots. Their grievance was embittered
by the fact that Cuba and Puerto Rico were granted representation in the
Cortes by the Spanish Constitution of 1876. Until the end of Spanish rule in
1889, Philippine representation in the Cortes was never restored.

4.2 HUMAN RIGHTS DENIED TO FILIPINOS


Since the adoption of the Spanish Constitution of 1812 and other
constitutions, the people of Spain enjoyed freedom of speech, freedom of the
press, freedom of association, and other human rights. The Spanish who
cherished these human rights or constitutional liberties in Spain denied them
to the Filipinos in Asia.

12
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
4.3 NO EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW
The Spanish missionaries, who introduced Christianity into the
Philippines as early as in the 16th century, taught that all men, irrespective of
color and race, are children of God and such they are brothers, equal before
God. In practice, the Spanish colonial’s authorities, who were Christians, did
not implement Christ’s precepts of the brotherhood of all men especially
during the last decades of Hispanic rule. They arrogantly regarded the brown-
skinned Filipinos as inferior beings, not their Christians brothers to be
protected but rather as their subjects to be exploited. The Filipinos were
abused, brutalized, persecuted, and slandered by their Spanish master. They
could not appeal to the law for justice because the law, being dispensed by
the Spaniards, was only for the white Spaniards.

MALADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE

The courts of Justice was costly, partial, and slow.


justice in the Philippines
during Rizal’s time were
notoriously corrupt. They Poor Filipinos had no access to the courts because they
were courts of injustice, could not afford the heavy expenses of litigation.
as far as the brown
Filipinos were
concerned. The Spanish To the Filipino masses, litigation on court was calamity.
judges, fiscals
(prosecuting attorneys)
and other court officials The expenses incurred even in a simple lawsuit often
were inept, venial, and exceeded the value of the property at issue, so that in
often time of law many instances the litigants found themselves
impoverished at the end of the long tussle.

Criminal cases dragged on for many years during which


period either the delinquents took to flight, or the
documents were lost.

Dr. Rizal and his family were victims of Spanish injustice. Twice, first in
1871 and second in1891, Dona Teodora (Rizal’s mother) was unjustly
arrested and jail on flimsy grounds. Rizal himself was deported in July, 1892
to Dapitan without benefit of a trial. His brother Paciano and his brother-in-law
were exiled to various parts of the archipelago without due process of law.

13
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
Like Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, Rizal was
executed—a noble victim of Spanish miscarriage of justice.

Spaniard or a mestizo, no matter how stupid or Mongol


born, always enjoyed political and social prestige in the
4.5 community.
Racial prejudice was prevalent everywhere--- in
RACIAL government offices, in the courts of justice, in the
DISCRIMINATION armed forces, in the social circles, and even in the
educational institutions and in the ecclesiastical
hierarchy.

The Spanish political philosophy of union of Church


and State arose a unique form of government in
Hispanic Philippines called "frailocracy" (frailocracia),
because it was a government by friars.
The friars (Augustinians, Dominicans, and
Franciscans) controlled the religious and educational
4.6 FRAILOCRACY/ life of the Philippines, and later in the 19th century,
SECULARIZATION they came to acquire tremendous political power,
OF FILIPINO influences and riches.
PRIEST The friars practically ruled the Philippines through a
facade of civil government. The colonial authorities,
from the governor general down to the alcaldes
mayores, were under the control of the friars.
He could send a patriotic Filipino to jail or denounce
him as a filibuster (traitor) to be exiled to a distant
place or to be executed as an enemy of God.

14
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
4.9 The last hated symbol of Spanish tyranny was the
Guardia Civil (Constabulary) which was created by the
THE ABUSES OF Royal Decree of February 12, 1852, as amended by
GUARDIA CIVIL, another Royal Decree on March 24, 1888, for the
CHURCH purpose of maintaining internal peace and order in the
OFFICIALS AND Philippines.
POLITICAL It was patterned after the famous and well-disciplined
LEADERS Guardia Civil in Spain.
They later became infamous for their rampant abuses,
such as maltreating innocent people, looting their
carabaos, chickens and valuableelongings and raping
helpless women.
Both officers (Spaniards) and men (Natives) were ill
trained and undisciplined, unlike the Guardia Civil in
Spain who were respected and well-liked by the
populace.

Jose Rizal actually witnessed the atrocities committed by the Guardia


Civil on the Calamba folks. He himself and his mother had been victims of the
brutalities of a lieutenant of the Guardia Civil.
It was natural that Rizal directed his stinging satire against the hated
Guardia Civil. Through Elias in Noli Me Tangere, he exposed the Guardia Civil

15
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
as bunch of ruthless ruffians good only “for disturbing peace and
persecuting honest men.”

Chapter I Exercises

I. IDENTIFICATION. Identify the following statements


correctly by writing the answer on the space provided
before the number.

1. He is n anthropologist who recommended the criteria in choosing the


Philippines National Hero to the technical members of the Philippine
Commission.
2. Name the two powerful novels of Dr. Jose Rizal that
awakened Filipino Nationalism and paved the way for the
Philippine Revolution.
3. He is the Philippine National Hero considered as a pacifist
and a civilian who served his cause with the pen which his
writing hand had awakened. Filipino nationalism and paved
the way for the Philippine Revolution.

16
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
4. He is the great man and leader who mentioned that,
“Scholars are men of Peace; they bear no arms, but their
tongue are sharper than sword. Their pens carry further and
giver a louder report than thunder”.
5. He is the Spanish colonizer who imposed and established
the first Spanish settlement in 1565 in Cebu.
6. It is the governing body which helped the Spanish monarch
manage the affairs of the colonies and govern the
Philippines through the centralized government in Manila
and issued through Royal decrees.
7. Name the educational institution that was established in
1611 solely for the Spaniards and mestizos which opened its
doors to Filipino students four decades before the end of the
Spanish regime; thus Jose Rizal and other heroes had come
to study.
8. He is the beautiful and ruthless governor general that
aroused the anger of the Filipinos by executing the innocent
Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora
in 1872.
9. It is a unique form of government in Hispanic Philippines
which resulted in the Spanish political philosophy of the
union of church and state.
10. It is the sum of money to be paid to the government to be
exempted from the Polo and compulsory labor imposed by
the Spanish colonial authorities.

II. TRUE OF FALSE. Write TRUE if the statement is


correct and FALSE if otherwise.
1. Dr. Jose Rizal proved that: “sword is mightier
that Pen” to redeem a people from their
political slavery.

2. The most admirable in Rizal according to Jose Palma: is his


complete self-denial his complete abandonment of his
personal interest in order to think only of those of his country.

17
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
3. One of the reasons why Rizal was chosen and declared as the
Philippines National Hero because he was the first Filipino to write and
awaken Filipino people to peacefully fight for independence.

4. The heroes of occidental nations are warriors and generals who served
their cause with the pen while the heroes of the Filipinos who served
their cause with the sword.

5. Dr. Jose Rizal said that, “There are only two powers in the world, the
sword and pen; and in the end the former is always conquered by
latter”.

6. No other Filipino hero can surpass Rizal in the number of monuments


erected in his honor, in towns, barrios, school and some places of the
world.

7. The barangay or barrio during Spanish era was headed by the


“Cabeza de barangay” whose only responsibility was to collect taxes
and tributes from the families.

8. The Spaniards believed that learning Spanish would cause the Filipino
people to oppose Spanish rule.

9. Spain ignored the fervent plea of Graciano Lopez Jaena and his
compatriots and their grievances; hence, they were embittered by the
fact that Cuba and Puerto Rico were granted representation in the
Cortes by the Spanish constitutions of 1876.

10. The union of Manila and Rizalinto a province after the illustrious Filipino
brought about the establishment of the Rizal province.
III. ESSAY

1. Explain the reasons why Dr. Jose Rizal was chosen


and declared as the Philippine National Hero.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________ 18
______________________________________________
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
2. Compare and contrast the educational system during
the Spanish period to our present education system.
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
3. Enumerate and discuss briefly the reasons behind
the Filipino revolts against the Spanish Government.
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
4. Identify and explain briefly at least four (4) virtues of
Rizal that you should possess as a student.
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
CHAPTER 2
________________________________________________

JOSE RIZAL’S FAMILY TREE AND HISTORY

19
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
The wisdom and sacrifices of Jose Rizal for the country earned him the
title of the greatest Malayan who ever lived. It was an honor he rightfully
deserves. Up to this day, no Asian has surpassed Rizal’s ingenuity and
extreme intelligence.
The fact that he is the national hero of the Philippines is just one of side
of him. The life and times of Rizal though short is an endeavor that scholars
and scientist alike find worthy to study and analyze. What is about the union
of Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonzo (Rizal’s parents) that produce
Jose Rizal? As well-known Rizalist, Dr. Austin Craig was the first to trace
Rizal’s family roots and discover his Chinese ancestry.

Rizal’s Chinese ancestors, a Chinese immigrant and business tycoon


Don Domingo Lamco, (Chinese name: Cue Yi-Lam) of Laguna was the great-
great grandfather of Jose Rizal. Lamco is originally from Amoy, China who
came to the Philippines in the mid-17 th century. This is where he met his wife,
Inez de la Rosa daughter of Augustin Chinco an immigrant trader from
Chuanchow.
To prevent conflict and hostility with the Spanish authorities, he
decided to drop the name Lam-co and adapted a Spanish surname. As
merchants, they chose the name “Mercado” because it means market.
Lamco started the businesses of the Mercado clan. He was a successful
entrepreneur in spite of the discrimination experienced by Chinese traders
from Spaniards.

20
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
In June,1697, Lamco was baptized in the Catholic church of Manila’s
Parian Chinese ghetto and moved to Biñan, Laguna. He was 35 years old at
the time. His financial state improved in Biñan and he became a Chinese
community leader. Lamco’s son Francisco Mercado and grandson Juan
Mercado married Chinese mestizas and both served as distinguished mayors
of Biñan for five terms.
Juan’s wife Cirila Alejandra was the daughter of an immigrant trader
and Domingo Lamco baptismal godson Siong-co. They are the parents of
Rizal’s father. When Rizal’s father was born, the family transferred to
Calamba. The house they built was the first stone house in the whole town.
Jose Rizal’s brother, Paciano was identified with one of the martyred
priest, Jose Burgos, so the family changed their surname from Mercado to
Rizal.
Recent genealogical findings revealed that Rizal also had Spanish,
Japanese, and Negrito acncestry. Teodora’s (Rizal’s mother) great
grandfather, Eugenio Ursua was a descendant of Japanese settlers.
Ursua married a Filipina named Benigna and their union produced
Regina Ursua. Atty. Manuel de Quintos, a Sangley mestizo from Pangasinan
married Regina and their daughter is named Brigida. Brigida married half-
caste Spaniard named Lorenzo Alberto Alonzo. They are the parents of
Teodora and Rizal’s grandparents.

JOSE RIZAL’S FAMILY


The Rizal family belonged to the “Principalia” an aristocratic town of
distinguished families.
THE HEROE’S PARENTS

Don Francisco Mercado Rizal (1818-1898) was


born in Biñan, [Link] studied Latin
Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila.
After their parent’s death, Francisco and two of
his sisters moved to Calamba. He became a
tenant farmer of the Dominican-owned hacienda.

Doña Teodora Alonso Y Realonda (1829-1911)


was born in Meisika Sta. Cruz Manila. She
studied at Colegio fe Sta. Rosa in Manila. She
was woman of refined culture and character, with
exemplary literary talents, the fortitude of Spartan
woman and with business ability, she managed
their store.
Jose Rizal described his father in his diary:

21
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
“My father was a model of fathers had given us an education commensurate
with our small fortune; and through thrift he was able to build a stone house;
erect a little nipa house in the middle of our orchard under the shade of some
trees and others.”
Rizal lovingly described his mother:
“My mother is a woman of more than ordinary culture: she knows literature
and speaks Spanish better than I. She even corrected my poems and give me
wise advices when I was studying rhetoric. She is a mathematician and has
read many books.”
Both parents greatly influenced Rizal as shown in his character, “From
his father he inherited a profound sense of dignity and self-respect,
seriousness and from his mother the dreamer and bravery for sacrifices and
her literary prowess”.
Don Francisco Mercado Rizal and Doña Teodra Alonso Y
Realenda were blessed with eleven (11) children: two (2) boys and nine (9)
girls. They were as follows in order of their birth.

1. Saturnina Rizal 1. He eldest child of the Rizal children, nicknamed


“Neneng” who was married to Manuel T.
(1850-1913)
Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas. Hidalgo and
Rizal sent frequent correspondence while the
latter was in Europe.

22
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
2. Paciano Rizal 1. He was the second child and oldest brother of
Rizal. He was Rizal’s confidant, and he was the
(1851-1930)
one who convinced Rizal to study in Europe
without their parent’s permission. Paciano
constantly advised his brother Jose Rizal
through letter while in Europe. After Rizal’s
execution in December 1896 at Bagumbayan,
he joined the Philippine Revolution and became
a combat General. He returned to his farm in
Los Baños, where he lived as a gentleman
farmer and died at the age of 79.
3. Narcisa Rizal 1. The third child and whose nickname is “Sisa”
and was married to Antonio Lopez (nephew of
(1852-1939)
Father Leoncio Lopez) a school teacher in
Morong, Bataan.
4. Olympia Rizal 1. The fourth child with a nickname “Ypia”, who
was married to Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph
(1855-1887)
operator form Manila and was blessed with five
children. She died while giving birth in 1887.

5. Lucia Rizal 2. Who married Mariano Herbosa (nephew of


Father Casañas). Herbosa died of Cholera and
(1857-1919)
was denied of Christian burial being the
brother-in-law of Jose Rizal.

6. Maria Rizal 3. Nicknamed “Biang” and was married to Daniel


Faustino Cruz of Biñan Laguna. The couple
(1859-1945)
was blessed with five (5) children.
7. Jose Rizal 4. Nicknamed “Pepe” the greatest Filipino hero,
and peerless genius. He became the National
(1861-1896)
Hero of the Philippines. He had a common law
relationship with Josephine Bracken, an Irish
girl from Hong Kong. He had a son but died few
hours after birth. Rizal named him after his
father.
8. Conception Rizal 5. Nicknamed “Concha” who died at the age of
three. Her death was Rizal’s first sorrow in life.
(1862-1865)
9. Josefa Rizal 6. Nicknamed “Panggoy”. She was epileptic and
died spinster at the age of 80.

23
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
(1865-1945)
10. Trinidad Rizal 7. Nicknamed “Trining”. She was the last of Rizal
children to survive and died as spinster too and
(1868-1951)
died at the age of 83.

11. Solidad Rizal 8. The youngest whose nickname is “Choleng”


married to Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba and
(1870-1929)
blessed with five children.

Jose Rizal loved his sister that he usually wrote letter to them while in
the Philippines and foreign countries. He emphasized his ideas about women
and their righteous place in the society. He also compared the Filipina to
European women as to their dignity. Once of his letters before he left the
Philippines for Cuba 1896 stated thus:
“I urge you take care, serve and love our parents as you would like
your children later to take care of you, serve and love you in your old age.
May you live united, forgive one another’s faults, and avoid misunderstanding,
the natural thorns of life because it is displeasure for parents to see that their
children not living in harmony”.

RIZAL’S AUTOBIOGRAPHY
THE BIRTH OF RIZAL
Jose Rizal, the 7th child of the
Rizal family, was born on June 19,
1861 Wednesday between 11:00 and
12:00 night in the town of Calamba,
province of Laguna, Philippines. His
mother almost died during her delivery
because Jose’s head was big. As he
recounted in his student memoirs:
“My coming out this vale of
tears would have cost my mother and
her life, had she not vowed to the
Virgin of Antipolo to take me to her
sanctuary by the way of pilgrimage”.
He was baptized in the Catholic
Church in Calamba on June 22, 1861 by the parish priest, Father Rufino
Collantes. His godfather was Father Pedro Casañas, a close friend of the
Rizal family. Father Collantas was impressed by the big head of baby Jose.
He told them “Take good care of this child, for someday he will become a

24
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
great man”. The name “Jose” was chosen by his mother to honor of
San Jose (St. Joseph) whose feast was March 19.
His complete name was JOSE PROTACIO MERCADO RIZAL
ALONZO Y REALONDA. The name Protacio was taken from the Catholic
calendar which was a practice during the Spanish time, that when a child is
born, he/she is named after the saint of the day. The surname Mercardo
which means market in English was adopted in 1731 by his paternal great-
grandfather, Domingo Lamco a full-blooded Chinese merchant.
Added surname Rizal was given by Don Francisco which is closer to
the Spanish word Racial which means “luntiang bukirin” related to his work as
hacienda owner/farmer. Alonzo was the surname of Rizal’s mother and
Realoda was used by Doña Teodora which is the surname of her godmother.

JOSE RIZAL’S CHILHOOD YEARS


Jose Rizal, as a young boy had beautiful, fruitful and pleasant
memories as well as sorrow. He grew up in a happy home. He could
remember the tenderest care of his parents because he was frail, sickly and
undersized boy. His father built a nipa hut in the garden for him to play in the
daytime. At the age of three (3), he enjoyed watching in the garden the
insects, the maya, culiawan, maria capra, pipit the martin and other birds. He
listened “with excitement and wonder” to their twilight songs and sounds.
Another childhood memory was the daily praying of Angelus of 6:00pm
in their altar as all of them gathered for prayers.
At the “azotea” on a moonlit night, the aya (nursemaid) would tell
stories about fairies, legends, tales of buried treasures, and other fabulous
stories. Sometimes if he did not like to eat his supper, the Aya would threaten
him that aswang, tikbalang, nuno or the turbaned Bombay will come to take
him away.
He is brought for a walk for the relief-giving breeze, to see the fruit
bearings trees, flowers, birds. The scenic beauty of his hometown Calamba,
the legendary Mt. Makiling and the distant Antipolo with the shrine of the
miraculous Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.
At the age of three (3) he began to join religious processions, novena
in the church and and at the age of five (5) he was able to read the Spanish
Bible with the help of his mother.
When Rizal was nearly 7 years old (June 6, 1868), his father took him
for a pilgrimage to Antipolo in order to fulfil his mother’s vows which was
made when Jose was born. Doña Teodora could not accompany them
because he had given birth to Trinidad. It was the first trip of Rizal across
Laguna de Bay and his first pilgrimage to Antipolo.
After praying at the shrine of the Virgin of Antipolo, they went to Manila,
to visit his sister Saturnuna at the La Concordia College in Santa Ana.

25
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
THE HERO’S FIRST SORROW
The Rizal children were bound together by the ties of love and care.
Jose loved most his little sister Concha (Concepcion) who has next to him.
Unfortunately, Concha died at the age of three and for the first time he shed
tears for love and grief, which is said to be his first sorrow.

THE STORY OF THE MOTH


Of all the stories told by Doña Teodora to Jose, the story of the moth
made the profoundest imprint of him which he recalled after some years.
“My Mother was teaching me how to read in Spanish” The Children’s
Friends (El Amigo de Los Niños). This was a rare book and old copy. This
night my mother became impatient with hearing me read so poorly. I did not
understand Spanish and so I could not read with expression. She took the
book and read it to me but I was watching the flame with some little moths
circling around the flame. Soon as my mother noticed that I was not
interested. She stopped and said to me, “I once opened my eyes on hearing
the word story. She told me “The story of the moth”.
Once upon a time, an old moth had warned her daughter against the
flame, so beautiful, so inviting, yet fatal and deceitful fir it destroyed whoever
came too close. She herself said, she was once been tempted by it; she had
barely escaped with half-burnt wings. The frightened young moth promised to
obey, but was soon asking herself: “now why should my mother try to give me
such a scare? Why should I close my eyes to such a pretty sight? These old
people are such cowards! They thinks every fly is ‘an elephant, any old dwarf
a giant. What harm can it do to me, whatever she says, if I come near the
flame, so long as I am careful? What I am, a little silly? What a story I shall
have for all other girls if I, being very careful of course, take a closer look. “No
sooner said that done, and the silly little moth went fluttering around the flame.
At first she only felt pleasantly warm; this encouraged her and she flew closer
and closer until at last, dazzled by flame, fell and perished in it.
As she put me to bed, my mother said: “See to it that you do not
behave like the young moth. Don’t be disobedient, or you may get burned as it
did.” I do not know whether I answered or not.
The story revealed to
me the things until then
unknown. Moths no longer
were, for me, insignificant
insects. Moths talked, they
knew how to warn. They
advised just like my mother.
The light seemed to me
more beautiful. It had

26
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
grown more dazzling and more attractive. I knew why the moths circled the
flame. The tragic fate of the young moth left a deep impact on Rizal’s mind,
and like that young moth he was fated to die as a martyr for a noble ideal.
RIZAL’S MENTORS
Doña Teodora, Rizal’s mother was his first teacher. Barely three (3)
years old. Rizal learned the alphabet from his mother. He was taught how to
read and wright in Spanish.
As he grew older, his parents employed private tutors to give him
lessons at home. The first was Maestro Celestino and the second, Maestro
Lucas Padua. Later, and old man named Leon Monroy, a former classmate of
Rizal’s father, became the boy’s tutor. This old teacher lived at the Rizal home
and instructed Jose in Spanish and Latin. Unfortunately, he did not live long.
He died five months later.
After Monroy’s death, the hero’s parents decided to send their gifted
son to a private school in Biñan.
At about this time, two of his mother’s cousin frequented Calamba.
Uncle Manuel Alberto, seeing Rizal frail in body, concerned himself with the
physical development of his young nephew and taught the latter love for the
open air and developed in him a great admiration for the beauty of nature,
while Uncle Gregorio, a scholar, instilled into the mind of the boy love for
education. He advised Rizal: “Work hard and perform every task very
carefully; learn to be swift as well as thorough; be independent in thinking and
make visual pictures of everything.”
Rizal possessed a God-given talent for literature. His mother who was
a lover of literature noticed his poetic inclination, hence, she encouraged him
to write poetry.
Since childhood, Rizal showed an unusual talent in art and literature.
He scribbled verses on loose sheets of paper and on the textbooks of his
sisters. His mother, who was a lover of literature, noticed his son’s inclination
and gift for writing poetry. At the age of eight years old, Rizal wrote his first
poem in the native language entitled, “Sa aking Mga Kabata – To My fellow
children”.

TO MY FELLOW CHILDREN
Whenever people of a country truly love
The language which by heav’n they were taught to use
That country also surely liberty pursue
As does the bird which soars to freer space above
For Language is the final judge and referee
Upon the people in the land where it holds sway;

27
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
In truth our human race resembles in this way
The other living beings born in liberty.
Whoever knows not how to love his native tongue
Is worse than any beast or evil smelling fish.
To make our language richer ought to be our wish
The same as any mother loves to feed her young.
Tagalog and the Latin language are the same
And English and Castillian and the angels’ tongue;
And God, whose watchful care o’er all is flung,
Has Given us His blessing in speech we claim,
Our mother tongue, like all the highest that we know
Had alphabet and letters of its very own;
But these were lost – by furious waves were overthrown
Like bancas in the stormy sea, long years ago.

This poem reveals Rizal’s earliest nationalist sentiment. In poetic


verses, he proudly proclaimed that a people who truly love their native
language will surely strive for liberty like “the bird which soars to freer space
above” and that Tagalog is the equal of Latin, English, Spanish, and any other
language.
Father Leoncio Lopez, the old and learned parish priest of Calamba
fostered Rizal’s love for scholarship and intellectual honesty.
At an early age, Rizal was already exposed to the injustices and
brutalities of Spanish authority in the Philippines particularly the Guardia Civil
who were supposed to protect the people from harm. Rizal wondered why
these abuses were happening especially to the poor. Years later, he related:
I spent many, many hours of my childhood down on the shore of the
lake, Laguna de Bay. I was dreaming of what might be over on the other side
of the waves. Almost every day, in our town, we saw the Guardia Civil
lieutenant injuring some unharmed and inoffensive villagers. The villager’s
only fault was that while at a distance he had not taken off his hat and made
his bow. The alcalde treated the poor villagers in the same way whenever he
visited us.
We saw no restraint put upon brutality. Acts of violence and other
excess were committed daily… I asked myself if, in the lands which lay across
the lake, the people lived in this same way. I wondered if there, they tortured
any countryman with hard and cruel whips merely on suspicion. Or ever
yonder also, in order to live in peace, would one have to bribe tyrants?
Rizal, young as he was, grieved deeply over the unhappy situations of
his beloved fatherland. The Spanish misdeeds awakened in his boyish heart a
great determination to fight tyranny.

28
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
Chapter 2 Exercises
I. IDENTIFICATION. Identify the following statements
correctly by writing the answer on the space provided
before the number.

1. The old parish priest of Calamba who fostered Rizal to value


intellectual honesty and scholarship.
2. The first native poem written by Rizal when he was eight (8)
years old.
3. An old man and former classmate of Rizal’s father who
taught Rizal Spanish and Latin.
4. The complete name of the Philippine National Hero.
5. The priest who baptized Rizal in the Catholic Church in
Calamba on June 22, 1861.
6. The name that was taken from the catholic calendar which
was a practice during Spanish time, that when a child is
born, he/she is named after the saint of the day.
7. The name of the saint whose feast day is celebrated every
March 19 that gave the mother of Rizal to derive his name.

29
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
8. A woman of refined culture and character, who studied at
Colegio de Sta. Rosa, with exemplary literary talents, with
business ability and was considered the great mother of
Rizal.
9. A great man who took Latin and Philosophy at the Colegio
de San Jose, became a tenant farmer of the Dominican-
owned hacienda, hardworking and independent minded.
10. A well-known Rizalist who was the first to trace Jose Rizal’s
family roots and discovered the Chinese ancestry of Rizal.

II. TRUE OF FALSE. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if
otherwise.
1. Of all the stories told by Doña Teodora to Rizal, the story of
the moth made the profoundest imprint of him.

2. Both of Rizal’s parents greatly influenced his character.


“From his father he inherited a profound sense of dignity
and self-respect; and from his mother, the dreamer, bravery
for sacrifices and literary prowess.

3. The sacrifices and wisdom of Jose Rizal for the country gave
him the title of the Greatest Malayan.

4. The Rizal surname was given by Doña Teodora Alonzo


which is closer to the Spanish word “Ricial” which means
“luntiang bukirin” related to his work as hacienda owner.

30
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
5. At the age of four (4), Rizal joined religious processions,
novena in the church and at the age of five (5), he was able
to read the Spanish Bible with the help of his mother.

6. Doña Teodora was the first teacher of Rizal and by three (3)
years old, Rizal learned the alphabet, and also how to read
and write in Spanish.

7. The Rizal family belonged to the “principalia”, the aristocratic


section of the town composed of distinguished families.

8. Josefa was the most beloved sister of Rizal who was next to
him and died at the age of 3 and for the first time he shed
tears for love, grief and said to be his first sorrow.

9. Jose Rizal was the 8th child of the Rizal family, was born on
June 19, 1861 Wednesday between 11:00 and 12:00 night
in Calamba, Laguna.

10. When Rizal was nearly seven (7) years old, his mother took
him for a pilgrimage to Antipolo in order to fulfill the vow his
mother made when Jose Rizal was born.

III. ESSAY

1. Explain the message of the letter given by Rizal to


his beloved sisters before he left the Philippine for
Cuba in 1896.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________

31
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
2. Enumerate and explain briefly the importance and
similarities of your family and parents to Rizal’s family
and parents.
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
3. Explain the important lesson that we can learn
from “the Story of the Moth” particularly in dealings
with our parents’ advice and reminders
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
4. Explain the message of the poem, “To My fellow
Children” giving importance to nationalism and national
identify.
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
CHAPTER 3
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
JOSE RIZAL’S ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

EDUCATION AT BIÑAN, LAGUNA


In June of 1896, Paciano, Rizal’s brother accompanied him to Biñan tp
continue his studies. They proceeded to their aunt’s home where Jose will
stay.
Paciano brought Rizal to the school of Maestro Justiniano Aquino
Cruz, his older brother’s former teacher. The school, which was made if Nipa
doubled as the house of the Maestro. At once, Jose Rizal was assigned a

32
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
seat and was asked and replied at once: “Do you know Spanish? “A little Sir”
Do you know Latin? “A little Sir” The boy in the class, especially Pedro, the
teacher’s son laughed at Jose’s answers. The teacher sharply stopped all
noises and begun the lessons of the day.
Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz was a disciplinarian. He was a tall
man, lean and long-neck, with a sharp nose and a body slightly bent forward.
He used to wear a sinamay shirt woven by deft hands of Batangas women.
In afternoon of his day in school, when the teacher was having his
siesta, Jose met the bully, Pedro. He was angry for making fun of him during
his conversation with teacher in the morning.
Jose challenged pedro to a fight. The latter readily accepted, thinking
that he could easily beat the Calamba boy who was smaller and younger.
The two boys wrestled furiously in the classroom, much to the glee of
their classmates. Jose, having learned the art of wrestling from his athletic
Tiyo Manuel, defeated the bigger boy. Because of this, he became popular
among his classmates.
After the class in the afternoon, a classmate named Andres
Salandanan challenged him to an arm-wrestling match. They went to a
sidewalk of a house and wrestled with their arms. Jose, having the weaker
arm, lost and nearly cracked his head on the sidewalk.
In succeeding days, he had other fights with boys of Biñan. He was
not quarrelsome by nature, but he never ran away from a fight.
Jose spent his leisure hours with teacher Justiniano’s father in-law, a
master painter named Juancho. He took the opportunity to become an
apprentice together with his classmate Jose Guevarra. Sooner they became
the class’s best painters.
Jose Rizal led a frugal and methodical life in Biñan. His time was well
budgeted form 4 o’clock in the morning such as hearing mass, eating time,
studies and leisure time at times he played in the street with friends and other
boys when there was the moon. He concentrated on his studies diligently and
he excelled in Spanish, Latin and all subjects.
Having finished his studies in Biñan, Rizal returned to Calamba on
board the motorboat “Talim”. His parents planned to transfer him to Manila to
continue his studies.

EDUCATION AT THE ATENEO DE MANILA


On June 10, 1872, Paciano accompanied Rizal to take the entrance
examination at College of San Juan de Letran and passed it. Don Francisco
changed his mind and decided to send Rizal to Ateneo Municipal.
Paciano accompanied Rizal to Manila to enrol at the Ateneo
Municipal. Father Magin Fernando, the school registrar, refused to admit him

33
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
for these reasons: he was late for registration and he was sickly and small for
his age. With the intercession of Perez Burgos, a nephew of Father Burgos,
he was admitted to the Ateneo that was located in Intramuros within the walls
of Manila.

The Jesuit’s The Jesuit’s system of education was more advanced.


system of
education Its discipline was rigid and the methods are varied.

It promoted physical culture, humanities and scientific


studies.
It also establishes vocational courses in agriculture,
commerce and mechanics as a religious institute, its
principal purpose was to mold the character and the will of
the boys, to comply more easily with the precepts of the
church.

The students hear mass before the beginning of the class,


which was opened and closed with prayers.

Rizal’s first professor in Ateneo was Fr. Jose Bech. Being a newcomer
and with little knowledge of Spanish, and an externo (non-boarders), he was
placed in the Carthaginian Empire. The other group was the “Roman Empire”
consisting of the internos (boarders). Within the empire, the students aspired
for the position by answering the questions for the day’s lesson. If a student
made three (3) mistakes he could lose his position. Any student might be at
the end of the line, but if he studies hard and was brilliant, he could become
an “emperor”. The two groups “Roman Empire” and “Carthaginian
Empire” were in constant competition for supremacy in the class.
Jose Rizal progressed well in his studies that after a month he became
the “emperor” and was considered the brightest pupil of the class. He was
awarded a prize, namely, “a religious picture” which he was so proud of
because it was the 1st prize he ever received at Ateneo.
He spent his leisure hours by taking private lessons to improve his
Spanish at Sta. Isabel College. He paid three pesos for the Spanish Lessons.
At the end of the school year on March 1873, he returned to Calamba
for the summer vacation. He did not enjoy his vacation because his mother
was in prison at Sta. Cruz. Doña Teodora was arrested on a malicious charge
that she and her brother, Jose Alberto tried to poison the latter’s wife. After
her arrest, Doña Teodora was forced to walk from Calamba all the way to Sta.
Cruz, a distance of 50 kilometers. She was imprisoned for two and half years.
In his second year in Ateneo (1873-1874), nothing unusual happened
to Rizal. Once again, he received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold
medal as a diligent student and voracious reader. Rizal kept reading fiction,
non-fiction and novel like the Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. His
imagination was stirred by the sufferings of Edmond Dantes (the hero), his

34
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
escape from the dungeon of Chateau d’ If, and his finding a buried treasure
on the rocky island of Monte Cristo and his revenge on his enemies who had
offended him.
Rizal also read Travels in the Philippines written by Dr. Feodor Jagor, a
German scientist-traveller who visited the Philippines in 1859-1860. The book
consisted of the keen observation of the defects of Spanish colonization and
that America would come to succeed her as a colonizer. Through his
readings, he discovered the wisdom of books and its influences on his search
for knowledge.
Another book that his father bought was the Universal History by Cesar
Cantus which a risk source of historical facts about the world. He used to read
this while studying in Ateneo.
On his fourth year in Ateneo, Jose Rizal was inspired to study hard and
to write poetry by one of his professors, Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez,
a great educator and scholar. Rizal had a highest affection and respect for
Father Sanchez, whom he considered his best professor in Ateneo.
Rizal’s formal lessons at the Ateneo gradually gained him proficiency
both in the art of rhetoric and in the art of independent thinking.
He expressed his ideas on the value of education in his poem
“Through Education The Country Receives Light” (Por la Education Recibe
Lustre la Patria). He stressed that responsible education instills in the youth,
noble ideas and sublime virtues. Learning infuses truth, and discipline brings
peace, glory and tranquillity to the nation.

Por la Education Recibe Lustre la Patria. “Through Education the


Motherland Receives Light” (1 April 1876). This poem shows Rizal’s higg
regard for education. He strongly believed in the important role which
education plays in the development and progress of a nation.
Wise education, vital spirit,
Instills an enchanting virtue,
She elevates the country to the lofty seat
Of immortal dazzling glory
And as the gently puff of the fresh breeze

35
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
Again turns green the hue of fragrant flower
Thus education, with learned hand,
Beneficently exalts the human being.
For her the mortal sacrifices
His existence and placid repose;
For her born are seen art and science
That crown the human with beautiful laurels;
And as a from the eminence of lofty mountain
Springs pure torrent of the wavy river;
Thus education without measure gives
To the country were peace securely dwells.
Where wise education raises a throne
Vigorous youth robustly grows,
That subdues error with firm resolve
And with noble ideas exalts itself
The cervix of vice she breaks;
Black crime before her pales;
Barbarous nations she tames.
And of savages champions she makes.
In sapphire may her deeds be carved;
Let the country a thousand honors pay her;
For in her son’s noble breast
Virtue transplanted vigorous flowers;
And in the love of good ever strong
Rulers and masters shall see
The people noble who with faithful happiness
Ever seek Christian education
And like the golden morning sun sheds
Resplendent rays of gold,
And like the beautiful golden and scarlet dawn
Scatters its refulgent colors;
Thus virtue of pleasure to the living,
And to beloved illustrious country
Immortal splendor and luster she offers.

There were other poems written by Jose Rizal while in Ateneo as inspired by
Father Sanchez: “to make full use of his God-given talents in poetry and open
his mind to the rich influence of the world’s literature”.
In 1876, Rizal wrote poems on various topics – religion, education,
childhood memories, and war. They were as follows:

1 . U n R e c u e rd o a M i P u e b lo (In M e m o ry o f M y T o w n ) – A te n d e r
p o e m in h o n o r o f C a la m b a , th e h e ro ’s n a ta l to w n .

2 . A lia n z a In tim a E n tre la R e lig io n y la B u e n a E d u c a tio n


(In tim a te A llia n c e B e tw e e n R e lig io n a n d G o o d E d u c a tio n ).36
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)

3 . P o r la E d u c a tio n R e c ib e L u s tre la P a tria (T h ro u g h


E d u c a tio n th e C o u n try R e c e iv e s L ig h t).
A year later, in 1877 he wrote more poems. It was his last year in Ateneo.
Among the poems written that year were:

1. E l H ero ism o d e C o lo n (T h e H ero ism o f C o lu m b u s) – T his year


praises C olum bus, the discoverer of A m erica.

2. C o lo n y Ju an II (C o lu m b u s an d Jo h n II ) – T his poem related


how K ing John of P ortugal m issed fam e and riches by his failure to
finance the projected expedition of C olum bus to the N ew W orld.

3. G ran C o n su elo en la M ayo r D esd ich a (G reat S o lace in G reat


M isfo rtu n e) – T his is a legend in verse of the tragic life of
C olum bus.

4. U n D ialo g o A lu sivo a la D esp ed id a d e lo s C o leg iales (A F arew ell


37 in
D ialo g u e o f th e stu d en ts) – T his w as the last poem w ritten by R izal
A teneo; it is a poignant poem of farew ell to his classm ates
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
LAST YEAR OF RIZAL AT ATENEO (1876-1877)
He excelled in all subjects and won five medals at the end of the
schools term. He proudly offered all his excellent ratings and medals to his
parents, a way to repay them for their sacrifices and love. He was
considered, the most brilliant Ateneo of his time, he was truly the “Pride of
the Jesuits”. His scholastic records at the Ateneo from 1872 to 1877 were
as follows:
1872 – 1873 1873 – 1874
SUBJECT RATING SUBJECT RATING
Arithmetic Excellent Greek 2 Excellent
Greek I Excellent Latin 2 Excellent
Latin I Excellent Spanish 2 Excellent
Spanish I Excellent Universal Geography Excellent

1874 – 1875 1875 – 1876


SUBJECT RATING SUBJECT RATING
Arithmetic & Algebra Excellent French I Excellent
Greek 3 Excellent Geometry & Excellent
Trigonometry
History of Spain and Excellent Rhetoric & Poetry Excellent
the Philippines
Latin 3 Excellent
Spanish 3 Excellent
Universal History Excellent

38
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
1876 – 1877
SUBJECT RATING
Botany & Zoology Excellent
Mineralogy & Excellent
Chemistry
Philosophy 1 Excellent
Philosophy 2 Excellent
Physics Excellent

The academic excellence of Rizal and his literary skills qualified him for
membership in two exclusive organizations of Ateneo, namely, “The Academy
of Spanish Literature and the Academy of Natural Science” where he became
the “prefect”.
He also joined the Marian Congregations; (Sodality of our Lady and
Apostleship of Prayer) where he became the secretary of the Marian
Congregations.

RIZAL’S STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS 1877- 1882


For higher studies, after graduation from Ateneo, he pursued his
studies at the University of Sto. Tomas. The Bachelor of Arts course during
the Spanish times was equivalent only to the high school and Junior College
Courses today.
His mother Doña Teodora was opposed to his son’s pursuing higher
education in Manila because she was reminded of the fate of intelligent
Filipinos like the priests GOMBURZA.
Don Francisco believed of the great future that awaited to his son
whose intelligence was among the “best” during that time.
During his first year at UST he studied simultaneously at Ateneo taking
up vocational course leading to the title of “perito agrimensor” (expert
surveyor) with grades of “Excellent” but was not given the title because he
was still 17 years old.
He finally decided to take up medicine with the advice of Fr. Pablo
Ramon, the Director of Ateneo de Manila with the intention and desire to cure
Doña Teodora’s failing eyesight.

39
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
EXPERIENCE OF SPANISH BRUTALITY
Rizal experienced his first taste of Spanish Brutality when he was in
Calamba spending summer vacation after a long tedious study as medical
students of UST.
One night while he was walking alone along a dark street, Rizal failed
to recognize the Spanish civil guard, passing by his side, thus, he did not bow,
salute or greet the man. At a striking distance, the civil guard (Guardua Civil)
whipped Rizal mercilessly at the back with a stingray tail (buntot pagi). He
suffered from the wounds inflected on his back that lasted for two weeks
before it was completely healed. He could not accept such brutal treatment.
When the incident was reported to the Captain General Primo de Rivera, he
was even reprimanded and even told Rizal that he should be thankful for
being still alive and spared by the civil guard.

RIZAL’S ARTISTIC WORKS


While at UST, Jose Rizal showed his literary prowess. In the year
1879, the Artistic-literary Lyceum of Manila (Liceo Artistico Literario) a society
whose members were the artists in literature held a contest in poetry writing
and composition.
The contest is opened to natives or mestizos. Rizal showed his literary
prowess. In the year 1879, the Artistic-literary Lyceum of Manila (Liceo
Artistico Literario) a society whose members were the artist in literature held a
contest in poetry writing and composition.
The contest is opened to natives or mestizos. Rizal joined the contest
and submitted his poem “To the Filipino Youth” (A La Juventud Filipina). It is
an inspiring poem of very significant form. Rizal pleaded to the Filipino youth
to rise from their complacency and how their talents and skills.

TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH / A LA JUVENTUD FILIPINA

Unfold, oh timid flower!


Lift up your radiant rainbow,
This day, Youth of my native strand!
Your abounding talents show,
Resplendently and grand,
Fair hope my Motherland! Soar high, oh genius great,
And with noble thoughts filled their mind;
The honor’s glorious seat,
May their virgin mind fly and find
More rapidly than the wind.
Descend with the pleasing light
Of the arts and sciences to the plain,

40
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
Oh Youth, and break forthright
The links of the heavy chain
That your poetic genius enchain.
See that in the ardent zone,
The Spaniard, where shadows stand,
Doth offer a shining crown,
With wise and merciful hand
To the son of his Indian land.
You, who heavenward rise
On wings of your rich fantasy,
Seek in the Olympian skies
The tenderness poesy,
More sweet that divine honey;
You of heavenly harmony,
On a calm unpredictable night,
Philomel’s match in melody,
That in varied symphony
Dissipate man’s sorrow’s blight;
You at th’ impulse of your mind
The hard rock animate
And your mind with great pow’r consigned
Transformed into immortal state
The pure mem’ry of genius great;
And you, who with magic brush
On canvas plain capture
The varied charm of Phoebus,
Loved by the divine Apelles,
And the mantle of Nature;
Run! For genius’ sacred flame
Awaits the artist’s crowning
spreading far and wide the fame
Throughout the sphere proclaiming
With trumpet the mortal’s name
Oh, joyful, joyful day,
The Almighty blessed be
Who, with loving eagerness
Sends your luck and happiness

After the expert reading and scrutiny, discussion of all the entries, the
Board of Judges had chosen Rizal’s poem as superior and had won the first
prize and recognition. The prize consisted of a feather shaped silver pen
decorated with a gold ribbon.

41
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
The following year, the Liceo again sponsored another competition
celebrating the centenary of the death of Miguel de Cervantes, the national
poet of Spain. Again he joined and won the first prize for his play; The Council
of the Gods (El Consejo de los Dioses).
This presented a discussion among the Olympian gods and goddesses
as to who the greatest poet was between Homer, Virgil, or Cervantes. Jupiter
was the final judge. The evaluation showed that the works of the three poets
were of equal value. Critics and readers praised the work lavishly. They
awarded the first prize to Rizal’s work due to its superiority and quality. The
second was awarded to a Spanish writer. The two prize winning works proved
that an “Indio” could write as well as a Spaniard, or even better.
The allegory gave a parallel among Homer, Vigil and Cervantes. The
gods discussed the merits of the great writers. The decision was to give the
trumpets to Homer, the lyre to Virgil, and the laurel to Cervantes. At the end,
the naiads, nymphs, satyrs, and other mythological characters dancing and
gathering laurels for Cervantes.
Another literary piece that Rizal penned was the zarzuela; JUNTO al
PASIG (Beside the Pasig) which was staged by the Ateneans on December
8, 1880 on the occasion of the annual celebration of the Feast Day of the
Immaculate Conception.

OTHER LITERARY WORKS OF RIZAL


To the Philippines (A Filipinas) – a sonnet that Rizal dedicated to the
Society of Sculpture in 1880.
AL M.R.P. – Birthday greetings to the very reverend Father Pablo Ramon,
S.J. Rizal gave honors to the kind priest who raised his spirit and intelligence.
He wrote the poem in January 25, 1881.
The study of Rizal at University of Sto. Tomas (UST) was not
meaningful and fruitful just like when he was at Ateneo. He found the
atmosphere at UST suffocating to his sensitive spirit. He was unhappy at the
Dominican institution of higher learning. The professor were hostile ot him, the
method of teaching was farm from the brilliant method at Ateneo and
prejudice and racial discrimination was prevalent.
Because of his situation, Rizal failed to win high scholastic honors.
Although his grades in the first year of the Philosophy courses were all
“excellent” they were not impressive in the four years of his medical courses.
His scholastic records were as follows:

Philosophy & Letters 1877 – 1878 Medicine 1878 – 1879 – 1st year
SUBJECT RATING SUBJECT RATING
Cosmology & Excellent Anatomy I Good

42
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
Metaphysics
History of Philosophy Excellent Chemistry Excellent
Theodicy Excellent Dissection I Good
Natural history Good
Physics Fair

Medicine 1879 – 1880 – 2nd year Medicine 1880 – 1881 – 3rd year
SUBJECT RATING SUBJECT RATING
Anatomy 2 Good General Pathology Good
Dissection 2 Good Surgery Good
Physiology Good Therapeutics Excellent
Private Hygiene Good
Public Hygiene Good

Medicine 1881 – 1882 – 4th year


SUBJECT RATING
Medical Pathology Good
Obstetrics Good
Surgical pathology Excellent

Chapter 3 Exercises
I. IDENTIFICATION. Identify the following statements
correctly by writing the answer on the space provided
before the number.

43
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
1. He was the priest that Rizal considered as the best
professors in Ateneo.
2. He prophesied that someday Spain would lose the
Philippines, and America will succeed her as a colonizer.
3. He was considered the brilliant Atenean of his time and
Pride of the Jesuits.
4. The teacher of Rizal in Biñan who was a disciplinarian and
also a former teacher of Paciano.
5. The first prize winning poem of Rizal while at UST which he
pleaded to the youth to rise from their complacency and use
their talents and skills.
6. The book written by Dr. Feodor Jagor consisting of his keen
observation of the defects of Spanish Colonization in the
Philippines.
7. The novel read by Rizal that his imagination was stirred by
the hero’s (Edmond Dantes) sufferings and his revenge on
his enemies.
8. The school registrar of Ateneo Municipal who refused, to
admit Rizal because he was sickly and undersized for his
age.
9. The poem written by Rizal which stressed that education
instills in the youth noble ideas and sublime virtues toward
the development and progress of a nation.
10. The school in Manila where Rizal first took the college
entrance examination.

II. TRUE OF FALSE. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if
otherwise.
1. The book Universal History that Rizal’s father bought was a rich source
of historical facts about the world.

44
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
2. Jose Rizal was inspired by the Dominican fathers to make full use of
his God given talents in poetry.

3. When Rizal finished his medical course at UST, all his grades were
excellent.

4. While in Ateneo, Jose Rizal became the “emperor” and was considered
the brightest pupil in class.

5. Doña Teodora was not spared the brutalities of the Guardia Civil and
was imprisoned for two and half years.

6. Being a man, Jose Rizal was not qualified to join the Marian
Congregations which is one of the exclusive organizations at Ateneo.

7. Jose Rizal as a young boy was by nature quarrelsome that’s why he is


always involved in fights in school.

8. Jose Rizal offered all his excellent ratings and medals to his parents to
repay them to their sacrifices and love.

9. The guardia civil was reprimanded by the captain general when Rizal
reported to him that he was whipped mercilessly when he failed to bow,
to salute and to greet him.

10. The grouping of the class with certain ranks/ position to be maintained
by its member is a good motivation to make the students to study hard.

45
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
IV. Diagramming. Make a brief historical sketch of Rizal’s Education using
the flowchart below.
_________________
_________________
___________________
___________________ _________________
___________________ ___________________
___________________ ___________________
___________________ ___________________
___________________
___________________ ___________________ ___________________
___________________ ___________________ ___________________
___________________ ___________________
___________________
___________________ ___________________
___________________
___________________ ___________________ ___________________
___________________ ___________________ ___________________
___________________ ___________________
___________________
___________________ ___________________
___________________
___________________ ___________________ ___________________
___________________ ___________________
___________________
___________________ ___________________
___________________ ___________________
___________________
___________________

IV. ESSAY
1. Name at least three of the qualities or virtues of
Rizal as a student which you can also put to practice
while you are here in our institution.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
2. Describe fully how Jose Rizal as a student spent his
money and leisure time wisely. What about you?
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
46
________________________________________________
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
________________________________________________
CHAPTER 4
JOSE RIZAL TRAVELS AND STUDIES

FIRST TRAVEL DECISION TO GO ABROAD


Jose Rizal continued his four years of the medical course at the
University of Santo Tomas (UST). The academic freedom that he had enjoyed
while at the Ateneo was weakened by the racial prejudice and limitation at the
UST. Nevertheless, he finished his course for he wanted to treat the failing
eyesight of his mother. His general average was creditable but he found the
classroom inadequate for his academic curiosity. He them decided to continue
his studies in Spain.
Aside from continuing his studies abroad, he intended to observe the
life, culture, industries, government and laws of the European nations in order
to prepare himself in his obsession to liberate the Filipino people from
Spanish tyranny.
The plan was not known to his parents because they would surely
disapprove of his leaving for Spain. His older brother Paciano, his two sisters,
Saturnina and Lucia, his uncle Antonio Rivera and other friends supported
him.

TRAVEL FOR SPAIN


On May 1, 1882, he began writing
farewell to his friends and family. Using
the name Jose Mercado, Jose Rizal’s
departure for Spain was made possible.
His brother Paciano gave him some
money, while Saturnina gave him a
diamond ring and a Jesuit priest gave him
letter of recommendation from the Ateneo
authorities to the Jesuit father in
Barcelona, Spain.
On May 3, 1882, Rizal left on board the Spanish steamer ship
SALVADORA bound for Singapore. He was the only Filipino and the rest were
Spaniards, British and Indian Negroes. He got along famously with his fellow
passengers, some of them older than him, whom defeated in chess. Even the
ship Captain, Donato Lecha from Asturias, Spain had made friends with Rizal.

47
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
After five days of sailing, the Salvadora reached the English Colony of
SINGAPORE. He registered at Hotel dela Paz. His two days stopper were
spent most of the time in visiting the historic places, temples, botanical
garden, art galleries and the status of Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles ( Founder
of Singapore in 1819).

FROM SINGAPORE TO COLOMBO, SRI-LANKA (CEYLON)


From Singapore he boarded the DJEMNAH,
A French steamer bound for Europe on May 11,
1882. French was mostly spoken on board. To
his surprise. The Frecsh he learned at the
Ateneo could not be understood. He gradually
improved his facility of the language by
conversing daily with the passengers.
On May 17,
1882, Djemnah made its stopover at the
POINT GALLE. He noted, “ Point Galle, a
seacoast town in southern Ceylon (now Sri
Lanka) which is picturesque but lonely, quiet
and at the same time sad.” The ship then
headed north and on May 18, docked at
COLOMBO, capital of Ceylon. Rizal wrote,
“Colombo is more beautiful, smart and elegant
than Singapore, Points Galle and Manila”.

TRIP THROUGH SUEZ CANAL


The Djemnah continued to voyage crossing
the Indian Ocean to the CAPE OF
GUARDAFUL, the barren coast of Africa
which for Rizal was an inhospitable land but
famous, The next stopover was in ADEN.
This was the first time Rizal stepped in
Africa soil and saw camels. From Aden, the
Djemnah arrived at the PORT SAID in the
CITY OF SUEZ. The Red Sea Terminal
suez Canal Rizal was fascinated to hear the multi-racial inhabitants speaking
“A babel of tongues” Arabic, Egyptian, Greek, French, Italian, Spanish etc..
From PORT SAID, the ship traversed the suez Canal and on June 11,
arrived at NAPOLCOM ( Now NAPLE, Italy). Passengers were allowed to
move around the place and Rizal never wasted time to explore the first
European territory in his sight. He was pleased because of its business
activities, its lively people, its panoramic beauty like Mt. Vesuvius, the Castle
of Saint. Telmo, and other historic sights.

48
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
After the brief stop at Napoli, the ship proceeded to MARSEILLES and
arrived at the French harbor on June 12, 1882. He visited the famous chateau
d’ If where DANTES, the hero of “THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO” was
imprisoned. He enjoyed reading this novel of Alexander Dumas when he was
at the Ateneo. In the afternoon of June 15, Rizal left Marseilles by train bound
for BARCELONA. The train crossed PYRENEES and stropped for a day at
PORT BOU for passport inspection and they finally reached BARCELONA on
June 16, 1882, the second largest city of Spain and the greatest city of
Cataluña.
Jose Rizal’s first impression of the city was not favorable for he
happened to stay upon his arrival at a dirty inn wherein the staff and guest
were indifferent to him. However, as he had stayed in the city this impression
had changed and found Barcelona to be really great city. The people were
courageous, open-hearted and hospitable, and most of all the atmosphere of
freedom and liberalism in Ateneo welcomed him. He was given a party at their
favorite café in PLAZA DE CATALUÑA, with customary exchange of toast.
The acquaintances, the attractions of the city and the good customs of the
Spanish people were the opposite of the in the Philippine.
While in Barcelona, Rizal wrote a nationalistic essay entitled, LOVE OF
COUNTRY (AMOR PATRIO) which was his first article written in Spin’s soil
under the penname LAONG LAAN. He sent this to his friends BASILIO
TEODORO MORAN, publisher of DIARIONG TAGALOG, the first Manila
newspaper that published both Spanish and Tagalog. This AMOR PATRIO
was published on August 20, 1882 in two texts. The Tagalog text was the
translation made by MARCELO H. DEL PILAR. In this essay, he urged the
Philippines to love the love the Philippines, their fatherland. He wanted them
to be free, to be people with dignity and honor according to God’s plan and
not slaves. He was requested by his friend to write more articles because it
had caused a sensation to the readers because of its nationalistic fervor. In
response to the request , he wrote the second article for Diariong Tagalog
LOS VIAJES (TRAVELS). His third article entitled REVISTA DE MADRID
( REVIEW OF MADRID) was returned to him for Diariong Tagalog had
stopped publication because of lack of funds.

IN MADRID
With unwavering determination, prodigious
energy and talent, he left Barcelona on November
3, 1882. He enrolled at the Central University of
Madrid ( Universidad Central de Madrid) for the
Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters. He followed
systematic and well-organized schedule of study
because he wanted to learn so much within a
short time. To enhance his artistic talents he also
took up lessons in painting and sculpture at the
Academia de Bella Artes de San Fernando ( Academy of Fine Arts of San
Fernando) as well as lessons French, German and English under private.

49
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
During his free hours, he practiced fencing and shooting or he attended
lectures on art galleries and museums, and read books on all subjects
including military engineering. He rigidly budget his money and time. He lived
frugally, with immense capacity for work. He was a voracious reader who
could stay until midnight reading fiction and non-fiction novels, which a habit
he acquired early in life at home. With the many books he had read, two
books left a deep impression on him that heightened his sympathy for the
oppressed and unfortunate people. These were Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Hariet
Beecher Stowe and The Wandering Jew by Eugene Sue.
Rizal joined the Hispano Philippine Circle ( Circulo Hispano-Filipino), a
society of Spaniards and Filipinos shortly after his arrival in Madrid. Upon the
request of the members of this society, he wrote a poem entitled, THEY ASK
ME FOR VERSES (ME PIDEN VERSES) which he personally declaimed
during the New Year’s Eve reception in Madrid last December 31, 1882. In
this sad poem, he poured out the cry of his agonizing heart, his loneliness and
sadness of being alone in a foreign land.
They Ask Me for (Mi Piden Versos)
He was wrote this poem in 1882 while he was enrolled in the
Universidad de Madrid. Addressed to his mother, he bared his loneliness and
sadness of being alone in a foreign shore. He showed also the physical and
emotional strains of his crusade for freedom.
He lamented that he did not have “love, fervor and eagerness”
anymore for he left them “ neath the sky of so flowery a region” the Philippine.
During his first summer vacation in Madrid from June 17 to August 20,
1883 he went to Paris which is the famous capital of France. Like all tourists,
Rizal was attracted to the sights of Paris like the beautiful boulevards
(Champs Elysses), the arch of Triumph, the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the
Invalides (containing the tomb of Napoleon the Great). He also observed
closely the French way of life, visiting museums, the world famous Louvre;
botanical garden in Luxembuirg; Laennee Hospital and Sariboisiere Hospital
where he observe Dr. Nicaise treating his patients.
Among the significant developments in Rizal’s Life in Madrid was his
becoming a mason. He came in close contact with the Spanish liberals and
republicans who were mostly masons. He was impressed by the Spanish
masons openly and freely criticized and attacked the government and the
church which could not be done in the Philippines for they will be jailed or
executed if they do so. He discovered the political possibilities of becoming a
Mason so he joined the Masonic lodge called Acacia in Madrid with the
Masonic name DIMASALANG. Two reasons impelled him to join masonry; to
secure freemasonry’s aid in his fight against the friars in the Philippines for
they use the Catholic religion as a shield to entrench themselves in power and
wealth and persecute the Filipino patriots; second, to utilize freemasonry as
his shield to combat these problems in the Philippines and for more mature
contacts and enlightenment as he was writing his Noli Me Tangere. He had
been awarded the diploma as Master Mason on Feb. 15, 1892. After joining

50
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
the masons, Rizal naturally ceased going to mass and wandered far from the
faith. He continued to have faith in Divine Providence, a testimony to the deep
imprint of Catholicism in his soul.
While in Madrid, the Filipinos including Rizal were having financial
problems. However, they were inspired by the victory of Juan Luna and
Resurrection Hidalgo. Luna’s painting, “Spolarium” won first prize gold medal
while Hidalgo’s painting, “Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace” was a
awarded second prize silver medal in the National Exposition of Fine Arts in
Madrid. It was an Exalting moment for the Filipinos colony in Madrid and Rizal
was invited to give the principal speech held in the evening of June 25, 1884.
It was attended by prominent Spanish artists, newspapermen, statesmen and
Filipinos. He salute Luna and Hidalgo as the two glories of Spain and the
Philippines Speaking in sonorous Castilian, he held his audience spellbound.
He concluded with refined sarcasm the abuse and blindness of some
Spaniards who could not comprehend an university genius. He significantly
conducted his memorable speech by offering a toast to Luna and Hidalgo to
parents whose sons were in Europe. The magnificent speech of Rizal was
greeted with ovations, for they have not heard such speech from the lips of a
brown Filipino which was almost peerless in mobility of thoughts, in Spanish
rhetoric eloquence and sincerity of feelings.

RIZAL’S EDUCATION IN SPAIN


Rizal followed a systematic and well-organized schedule of study. He
completed his medical course and was conferred the degree of Licentiate in
Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid on June 21, 1884 that made
him a full-pledge physician, qualified to practice medicine. The next academic
year ( 1884-1885) he studied and passed all subjects leading to the degree of
Doctor of Medicine but was not awarded his Doctor’s Diploma for he did not
submit the thesis as a requirement for graduation nor paid the corresponding
fees. At the same time, he was also awarded the degree of Licentiate in
Philosophy and Letters on June 19,1885 with the rating of “ Sobresaliente”
(excellent). The degree of Doctor of Medicine was conferred on him
posthumously in 1961 during the centenary of his birth.

RIZAL IN PARIS AND BERLIN (1885-1887)


With Rizal’s relentless search for
relevant education and advance studies, he
went to Paris, France and Berlin, Germany
to specialize in ophthalmology because be
wanted to cure his mother’s eyes ailment.
On his way to Paris he stopped at
Barcelona to visit his friend, Maximo Viola,
a medical student who belonged to a rich
family in San Miguel, Bulacan and Don Miguel

51
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
Morayta, the owner of La Publicidad. He arrived in Paris in October of 1885
and stayed there for four months as an assistant to Dr. Louis de Weckert a
leading French Ophthalmologist. After four months and concentrated study,
he learned the medical techniques of an eye operation.
During his stay in Paris, he visited the studio of Juan Luna, the home of
Pardo de Tavera and Felix Ressurecion Hidalgo. They had long hours of
discussion on the many problems of art and learned techniques of his own.
He help Luna by posting as a model in several paintings like “The Death of
Cleopatra” where he posed as the Egyptian priest. In another of Luna’s great
painting, ”The Blood Compact”, he posed as Sikatuna with Dr. Trinidad Pardo
de Tavera taking the role of Legazpi.

RIZAL IN HISTORIC HEIDELBERG, BERMANY


His limited allowance and his
desire to learn more about eye
ailments prompted him to go to
Germany, where the cost of living
was cheaper than in Paris. On
February 2, 1886, he reached
Heidelberg, a historic city in
Germany famous for its old
university. He worked at the
University Eye Hospital under the direction and supervision of Dr. Otto Becker
a distinguished renowned German ophthalmologist. He attended the lectures
of Doctor Becker and Prof. Wilhelm Kuehne at the University. During
weekends, Rizal visited scenic spots around Heidelberg, the famous
Heidelberg Castle, the romantic Neckar River, the old churches. He noticed
that the German Catholics and Protestants practiced ecumenism for they
lived together in harmony and cordially. Half of the town churches was used
by Catholics and the other by the Protections.
During his stay in Heidelberg he lived with a Protestant pastor Dr. Karl
Ullmen, who became, who became his good friend. The two had many
friendly conversations on the merits of Catholicism and Protestantism Rizal a
mason by this time, ably defended Catholicism. In the spring of 1886, Rizal
was fascinated by the blooming flowers along the banks of the Neckar River.
Among them was his favorite flower – the light blue “forget me Not”.
“A Las Flores de Heidelberg “To The Flower of Heidelberg” (April 22,
1886) was written during his stay in the city of Heidelberg, Germany. He was
inspired by the pretty flowers strewn along the banks of the Neckar River. In
his poem, he revealed his longings for his native land. Rizal sent his
message of love and faith in the Philippines.

FIRST LETTER TO PROFESSOR FERDINAND BLUMENTRITT

52
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
Rizal’s pride in his linguistic talent was heightened when he wrote in a
German letter to Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt, Director of Ateneo of
Leitmeritz Austria on July 31, 1886. He knew that his Austrian Ethnologist was
interested in Philippine languages.
With the letter, sent the book which he mentioned and was entitled
ARITHMETICA ( Arithmetic) in our language Spanish and Tagalog by
university of Santo Tomas press in 1868 authored by Rufino Baltazar
Hernandez, a native of Sta. Cruz Laguna. Blumentritt was impress by Rizal’s
letter and the reciprocated by sending Rizal two books as a gift. This marked
the beginning of their correspondence, and their friendship that lasted all their
lives Blumentritt became the best friend of Rizal. Rizal was fortunate to see
the fifth celebration of the University of Heidelberg on August 6, 1886. It was
three days before departure, and he was sad because he had come to love
the beautiful and its hospitable people, which he lamented; if he would be able
to return to his place again.

FROM GENEVA, SWITZERLAND TO ITALY


On June 19, 1887, in Geneva, Switzerland,
Rizal celebrated his 26th birthday. After two
weeks, then he toured Italy. He visited the
famous cities of Venice, Turin Milan,
Florence and Rome. In Rome, it was
regarded as an “ Eternal City” and the “ City
of Caesars”. The Vatican is the “ Seat of
Authority of the Roman Catholic Church”
and
regarded as “City of Pope”. Rizal stayed in
Rome for almost one week and headed
back home.

53
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
Chapter 4 Exercises
I. IDENTIFICATION. Identify the following statements
correctly by writing the answer on the space provided
before the number.

1. The name used by Dr. Jose Rizal when he traveled in Spain.


2. The nationalistic essay written by Dr. Jose Rizal while in
Barcelona wherein he used Laong Laan as his pen name.
3. The school in Madrid, Spain where Dr. Jose Rizal enrolled
for the Licentiate in Medicine and Philosophy and letters.
4. The title of the poem personally declaimed by Rizal during
the New Year’s Eve reception in Madrid Dec. 31, 1882,
wherein he poured out the cry of his agonizing heart,
loneliness and sadness of being alone in a foreign land.
5. Rizal third article that was returned to him for Diariong
Tagalog had stopped publication because of lack of funds.
6. The poem written by Rizal which revealed his longings for
his native land and inspired him by the pretty flowers
growing along the banks of the Neckar River.
7. A distinguished renown German ophthalmologist in the
University Eye Hospital who directly supervised Rizal during
his stay at Heidelberg, Germany.
8. An Austrian Ethnologist and Director of Ateneo of Leitmeritz
who was interested to study Philippine languages, wherein
Rizal gave him a German letter of appreciation and a
valuable book written by his countrymen.
9. The school in Spain, Madrid where Jose Rizal enrolled to
enhance his artistic skills in painting and sculpture.

54
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
10. The painting of Resurrecion Hidalgo which was awarded
second prize silver medal in the National Exposition of Fine
Arts in Madrid.

II. TRUE OF FALSE. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if
otherwise.
1. The academic freedom that Rizal had enjoyed while at the Colegio de
San Juan de Letran was weakened by the racial prejudice and limited
findings at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST).

2. Rizal wrote that “Colombo” is more beautiful, smart and elegant than
Singapore, Point Galle and Manila”.

3. Rizal was fascinated to hear the multi-racial inhabitants speaking “A


babel of tongues” such as Arabic, Egyptians, Greek, French, Italian
and Spanish.

4. On June 12, 1882, when Rizal arrived at the Pearl Harbor he visited
the famous Chateau d’ If where Dantes, the hero of “The Count of
Monte Cristo” was imprisoned.

5. The third article of Rizal entitled “Amor Patrio” was returned to him for
Diariong Tagalog which had stopped because of lack of funds.

6. The magnificent speech of Rizal was greeted with ovations, for they
have not heard such speech from the lips of a brown Filipino which was
almost peerless in mobility of thoughts, in Spanish rhetoric eloquence
and sincerity of feelings.

55
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
7. During the stay of Rizal in Berlin, he visited the studio of Juan Luna the
home of Pardo de Tavera and Felix Ressurrecion Hidalgo to discuss
the problems of art and learned techniques of his own.

8. Dr. Jose Rizal completed his medical course and was conferred the
degree of Licentiate in Medicine by the Universidad Cental de Madrid
on June 21, 1884 that made him a full-pledged physician.

9. On May 3, 1882, Rizal left on board the Spanish steamer Salvadora


bound for Berlin.

10. The plan of Rizal on leaving for Spain was supported by his older
brother Paciano, his two sisters, Saturnina and Lucia, his uncle Antonio
Rivera and other friends.

IV. ESSAY
1. Explain the reasons behind the decision of Rizal to
go Spain.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
2. Explain how Rizal gave honor and glory to both Spain and
Philippines in his speech given on the victory of Juan Luna
and Resurrecion Hidalgo during the National Exposition of
Fine Arts in Madrid.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
56
____________________________________________________
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
____________________________________________________
IV. Diagramming. List three places that Rizal visited that you would also want
to visit too. Briefly explain why did you chose these places.

_________________________________
_________________________________
___________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
___________________________

_________________________________
_________________________________
___________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
___________________________

_________________________________
_________________________________
___________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
___________________________

CHAPTER 5
THE GREAT NOVEL AND THE FIRST HOMCOMING

THE NOVEL; NOLI ME TANGERE


As a man obsessed with freedom and liberty for the Filipino people,
Rizal proposed a book wring project to the Filipino members of the Circulo
Hispano Filipino. The book would deal on the socio-cultural and political
aspects of life in the Philippines. When details were discussed during the
meeting, most of the members wanted to write about the characters and
activities of the Filipino women. Most of them were not interested in Rizal’s
proposed project. With this, Rizal decided to write the book by himself. He did
not lose hope, using his talent and writing, skills he started to write his
masterpiece, the “ Noli Me Tangere”. He joined the Brotherhood of Masons for
more mature contacts and enlightenment to complete the book.
He managed to finish the first half of the noli Me Tangere in Madrid. He
continued writing in Paris where he was inspired through the immortal
declaration of the rights of man, that had been passed and being

57
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
implemented. He finished it in Germany where scientific research and
philosophy were free from the church and state.

The Noli Me Tangere was printed in Berlin


because Rizal was short of funds. He was
charged P300.00 for 2,000 copies. His friend
Maximo Viola offered to pay the amount and the
book was finally released in March 1887.

Rizal studied Hebrew to enable him to interpret the


Bible its original text and be better prepared to
defend any controversial religious issues that Noli Me
Tangere might arise.

“Noli me tangere” is a Latin phrase that Rizal took from


the Bible meaning : Touch me not.” In John 20:13-17, the
newly-risen Christ says to Many Magdalene. “Touch me
not; I am not yet ascended to my Father, but go to my
brethren, and say unto them I ascend unto my Father
and Father, and to my God and your God”.

Noli Me Tangere ( The Social Cancer as the alternative English


title) is a Spanish-language novel written by Jose Rizal that is
credited with the awakening of nationalism among the Filipinos
of Rizal’s time. It was published in 1887 in Berlin. The novel is
commonly referred to by its shortened name Noli. The English
translation of Charles Derbyshire was titled The Social Cancer.

SUMMARY OF NOLI ME TANGERE

Having completed his studies in Europe, young Juan Crisostomo Ibarra


came back to the Philippines after a 7 year absence. In his honor, Captain
Tiago threw a get-together party, which was attended by friars and other
prominent figures. In an unfortunate incident, Former curate father Damaso
belittled and slandered Ibarra. But Ibarra brushed off the insult and took no
offense; he instead politely excused himself and left the party because of an
allegedly important task.
The day after the humble party, Ibarra went to see Maria Clara, his love
interest, a beautiful daughter of Captain Tiago and an affluent resident of
Binondo, Manila. Their long-standing love was clearly manifested in this
meeting, and Maria Clara cannot help but reread the letters her sweetheart
had written her before he went to Europe. Before Ibarra left for San Diego,
Lieutenant Guevara, a Guardia Civil, revealed to him the incidents preceding
the death of his father, Don Rafael Ibarra, a rich haciendero of the town.

58
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
According to the Lieutenant, Don Rafael was unjustly accused of being
a heretic, in addition to being a filibuster- an allegation brought forth by Father
Damaso because of Don Rafael non partition in the Sacraments, such as
Confession and Mass. Father Damaso’s animosity against Ibarra’s father was
aggravated by another incident when Don Rafael helped out on a fight
between a tax collector and a student fighting, and the former’s death was
blamed on him, although it was not deliberate. Suddenly, all of those who
thought ill of him surfaced with additional complaints. He was imprisoned, and
just when the matter was almost settled, he got sick and died in jail. Still not
content with what he had done, Father Damaso arrange for Don Rafael’s
corpse to be dug up and transferred from the Catholic cemetery to the
Chinese cemetery because he thought it inappropriate to allow a heretic such
as Don Rafael a Catholic burial round. Unfortunately, It was raining and
because of the bothersome weight of the cadaver, the men in charge of the
burial decided to throw the corpse into lake.
Revenge was not in Ibarra’s plans; instead he carried through his
father’s plan of putting up a school, since he believed that education would
pave the way to his country’s progress (all over the novel the author refers to
both Spain and the Philippines as two different countries which form part of a
same nation or family , being Spain the mother and the mother and the
Philippines the daughter). During the inauguration of the school, Ibarra would
have been killed in a sabotage had Elias-a mysterious man who had warned
Ibarra earlier of a plot to assassinate him-not saved him. Instead the hired
killer met an unfortunate incident and died. The sequence of events proved to
be too traumatic for Maria Clara who got seriously ill was luckily cured by the
medicine Ibarra sent her.
After the inauguration, Ibarra hosted a luncheon during which Father
Damaso uninvited and gate-crashing the luncheon, again insulted him. Ibarra
ignored the priest’s insolence, but when the latter slandered the memory of
his dead father, he was no longer able to restrain himself and lunged at
Father Damaso, prepared to stab the latter for his imprudence. As a
consequence, Father Damaso excommunicated Ibarra. Father Damaso took
this opportunity to persuade the already-hesitant father of Maria Clara to
forbid his daughter from marrying Ibarra. The friar wished Maria Clara to
marry a Peninsular named Limares who just arrived from Spain.
With the help of the Captain-General, Ibarra’s ExCom munition was
nullified and the Archbishop decided to accept him as a member of the
Church once again. But as fate would have it, some incident of which Ibarra
had known nothing about was blamed on him, and he was wrongly arrested
and imprisoned. But the accusation against him was overruled because
during the litigation that followed, nobody could testify that he was indeed
involved. Unfortunately, his letter to Maria Clara somehow got into the hands
of the jury and was manipulated such that it then became evidence against
him.
Meanwhile, in Captain Tiago’s residence a party was being held to
announce the upcoming wedding of Maria Clara and Linares. Ibarra with the

59
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
help of Elias, took his opportunity and escaped from prison. But before
leaving, Ibarra talked to Maria Clara and accused her of betraying him,
Thinking that she gave the letter he wrote her to the jury, Maria Clara
explained to Ibarra that she will never conspire against him but that she was
forced to surrender Ibbara’s letter to her in exchange for the letter written by
her mother even before she, Maria Clara, was born. The letters were from her
mother, Pia Alba, to Father Damaso alluding to their unborn child; and that
she, Maria Clara, was therefore not the daughter of Captain Tiago, but of
Father Damaso,
Afterwards, Ibarra and Elias boarded a boat and left the place Elias
instructed Ibarra to lie down and the former covered the latter with grass to
conceal the latter’s presence . As luck would have it, they way spotted by their
enemies. Elias thought he could outsmart them and jumped into the water.
The guard rain shots on the person in the water, all the while not knowing that
they were aiming at the wrong man.
Maria Clara, Thinking that Ibarra has been killed in the shooting incident, was
greatly overcome with grief Robbed of hope and serve disillusion, she asked
Father Damaso to confine her into a nunnery. Father Damaso reluctantly
agreed when Maria Clara threathe1ned to take her own life demanding :” the
nunnery or death”. Unbeknown to her, Ibarra was still alive and able to
escape. It was Elias who had taken the shots. It was Christmas Eve When
Elias woke up in the forest, gravely wounded and barely alive. It was in this
forest that Elias found Basilio and his lifeless mother, sisa.

Noli Me Noli Me Tangere was Rizal’s first novel


Tangere
Rizal was 26 years old during the publication of Noli Me
Tangere.

Noli Me Tangere was historically significant and was


instrumental in establishing the Filipino’s serve of national
identity.

Noli Me Tangere indirectly influenced a revolution although


the author, Jose Rizal, actually advocated for direct
representation to the Spanish political affairs.

The Noli Me Tangere was written in Spanish, the language


of the educated at a time when Filipinos were markedly
segregated by diverse native languages and regional
cultures.
60
The Noli Me Tangere created so much controversy that only
INSTRUCTIONAL
a fewMATERIALS IN GEN.
days after ED 07Governor-General
arrival, (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)Terrero
Emilio
summoned him to the Malacañang Palace and told him of
the charges saying that the Noli Me Tangere was full of
“My book made a lot of noise, everywhere, I am asked about it. They wanted
to excommunicate me because of it……. I am considered a German spy, an
agent of Bismarck they say I am a Protestant, a freemason, a sorcerer, a
dammed soul and evil. It is whispered that I want to draw plans that I have a
foreign passport and that I wonder through the streets by night…..”

THE FIRST HOMECOMING


With all beautiful memories of his five years of travel to foreign Lands,
Rizal could never forget the Philippines, his Fatherland. During the time he
was abroad, he studied, acquired knowledge and learned the languages
foreign nations, enjoyed the friendship of many great men of the Western
world, but he remained at heart a true Filipino with an endorsing love for the
Philippines and very strong determination to serve and die in the land of his
birth the Philippines. He decided to return to Calamba for three reasons: (1) to
operate on his mother’s eye; (2) to help his family and the Filipino people; to
find out for himself how the Noli Me Tangere ands his other writings were
affecting the Filipinos and Spaniards in Philippines. Last but not the least; (3)
he wanted to find out why Leonora Rivera remained silent while he was in
Rome. On June 29, 1887, Rizal wrote to his father about his homecoming. He
expected to be in the Philippines by the 15th to 30th of August 1887.
Rizal boarded the steamer Djemnah on July 3, 1887, the same ship
which brought him to Europe 5 years ago, Rizal was the only Filipino among
the passengers (Englishmen, German, Chinese, French and also Japanese)
who could speak many languages, so he had a good time acting as
interpreter for his companions. He also got along well with the other
passengers by playing chess.
Reaching Saigon, he transferred to another steamer Haiphong which
was bound for Manila on August 2, 1887. He reached Manila on August 6,
and was welcomed heartily by his parents, relatives and friends. He found
Manila the same as when he left it 5 years ago. He stayed in the city for a

61
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
short time to visit his friends. He returned to Calamba on August 8. He wrote
to Blumentritt. “ I had a pleasant voyage, I found my family enjoying good
health and happiness. It was great seeing each other again. They shed tears
of joy and I had to answer their thousands of question at the same time”.
Amidst the happy and peaceful aura of his arrival, his family was
worried for his safety. Thus, Paciano did not leave him to protect him from any
enemy assault. His own father would not let him go out alone for something
else might happen.
In Calamba, Rizal built a medical clinic with his mother as his first
patient who was almost blind. He treated his mother’s eyes but could not be
operated on because her eye contracts were not yet ripe. His coming back as
a doctor spread far and wide. He was called “Doctor Uliman” because he
came from Germany. His professional fees were reasonable, even “gratis: for
the poor He opened a gymnasium for young folks to introduce European
sports, gymnastics, fencing and shooting so as to discourage time being
spent in cockfights ( sabong) and gambling.

TROUBLE IN NOLI ME TANGERE


A few weeks after his stay in Calamba, he received a letter from the
Gov. General Emilio Terrero requesting him to come to Malacañang Palace to
explain about the subversive ideas contained in the Noli Me Tangere. Rizal
went to see the Governor General. He denied the charges and explained that
he merely exposed the truth but he did not advocate subversive, pleases by
his explanation and curious about the controversial book the Governor
General asked for a copy. Rizal promised to give him one. The Governor
General minded Spaniard and knew that Rizal’s life was in danger because
the friars were powerful, he assigned a cultured Spanish lieutenant named
Don Jose Taviel de Andrade as his bodyguard. Governor General Terrero
read the Noli Me Tangere and found nothing wrong with it. Nonetheless, he
had it banned when reports were submitted to him by the Commission of
Censorship calling for its outright censorship. The banning of the Noli Me
Tangere made it more popular; causing everybody among the masses to read
the moved at night secretly.
THE ATTACKS OF NOLI ME TANGERE
Salvador Fort printed copies of the Commission’s report and Fr. Jose
Rodriquez printed eight pamphlets under general heading “Questions of
Sumpreme Interest (Custiones de Sumoditues)”. Many Filipinos were focused
to buy but they did not believe these Anti-Rizal pamphlets. The Noli Me
Tangere was also attacked in the senate of the Spanish Cortes. It was also
vociferously attacked by the Spanish academician. Vicente Barrantes who
was once a ranking official of the Philippines.

DEFENDERS OF NOLI ME TANGERE

62
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
The Noli Me Tangere had its great defenders who bravely came out to
prove the merits of the novel and to enlighten the unkind attackers. They were
the reformers in foreign lands like:

Marcelo H. del Pilar;


Graciano Lopez Jaena;
Mariano Ponce;
Dr. Antonio;
Ma. Regidor;
Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt;
Dr. Miguel Morayta
Don Segundo Moret, a former Minister of the Court;
Father Sanches of Ateneo upheld and praised the Noli in public.
Rev. Father Vicente Garcia

Rev. Father Vicente Garcia is a Filipino Catholic priest-scholar, a


theologian of the Manila Cathedral and a Tagalog Traslator of the famous
Imitation of Christ by Kempis wrote a defense of the Noli Me Tangere under
the pen name Justo Desiderio Magalang. This was published in Singapore as
an appendix to a pamphlet dated July 18, 1885. He blasted the attacks and
arguments of Fr. Rodriguez with the following counter argument.

Rizal cannot be an “ ignorant m an” as Fr. Rodriguez alleged.


Because he was graduate of Spanish universities and was a
recipient scholastic honors.

Rizal does not attack the Church and Spain because what Rizal
attacked in the Noli M e Tangere were the bad Spanish officials
and not Spain, and the bad corrupt friars and not the Church.

Father Rodriguez said that those who read the Noli M e Tangere
com m ited a m ortal sin. Since he (Fr. Rodriguez) had read the novel
therefore he also com m itted m ortal sin
Rizal cried with overwhelming gratitude to Father Garcia’s Brilliant defense
of his Noli Me Tangere. Rizal wrote a letter to Barrantes to defend himself and
to expose Barrantes’ ignorance of the Philippine affairs and mental dishonesty
which is unworthy of an academician. While the controversy over the Noli was
ranging in fury, Rizal was untouched in Calamba because he was with a
bodyguard. Because both of them are young, educated and cultured with
same interest so they became friends.
While Rizal was in Calamba, his help was sought by the folks for their
grievances against the hacienda management and they were calling for the
central government to impose certain reforms. After thorough study of the
conditions of the Calamba hacienda.

63
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
With the Dominician order owned since 1883, he wrote down his findings
which the tents and the tree officials of the hacienda signed on January 8,
1888 and was submitted to the governor general for action.
1. The hacienda of the Dominican order comprised not only the lands
around Calamba but the town of Calamba.
2. The profits of the Domincan order continuously increased because of
the arbitrary increase of the rentals being paid by the tenants.
3. The hacienda owner never contributed a single centavo for the
celebration of the town fiesta; for the education of the children and for
the improvement of agriculture.
4. Tenants who had spent much labor clearing the lands were rejected
from their lands for flimsy reasons.
5. High rates of interview were charged from the tenants for delayed
payment of rentals and when the rentals could not be paid, their
carabaos, tools and homes were confiscated.
This report further heightened the anger of the friars and they pressured
the governor general to deport him. Governor Terrero refused for there is no
valid charge against Rizal in court. Governor General Terrero advised Rizal to
leave the Philippines for his own good and homes were confiscated.
1. His presence in Calamba is endangering the safe and happiness of his
family and friends.
2. He could fight better his enemies and serve his country’s cause
efficiently by writing in foreign countries.
Before Rizal left Calamba in 1888, his friends from Lipa requested him to
write a poem to commemorate the town’s elevation to a city (villa) by virtue of
the Becerra Law of 1888.
He wrote the poem dedicated to the industrious folks of Lipa entitled Hymn
to Labor (Himno Al Trabajo). He finished it and sent it to Lipa before his
departure from Calamba.

Chapter 5 Exercises
I. IDENTIFICATION. Identify the following statements
correctly by writing the answer on the space provided
before the number.

64
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
1. Character in Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere representing a Filipino
who acquired ideas through his education in Europe.
2. The first novel of Dr. Jose Rizal which awakened the minds
of Filipinos under the Spanish rule.
3. The antagonist of Rizal’s novel who represents the
unChristian works of the Catholic friars.
4. The character in Noli Me Tangere who married the Filipina
woman of religious upbringing and orientation.
5. A poem of Rizal for the people in Lipa to commemorate a
city in Batangas.
6. The pen name used by the Tagalog translator of the famous
Imitation of Christ in his defense for “Noli me Tangere”.
7. He represented the Filipino masses who suffered from
Spanish brutalities and abuse due to his weakness in the
novel.
8. The character who argued with the belief of the Catholic
Church and social changes in Rizal’s novel.
9. The friend of Rizal who offered to pay the amount for the
printing Rizal’s first novel, “Noli Me Tangere”.
10. Official who invited Rizal to Malacañang to talk about the
subversive ideas of Rizal’s novel.

II. TRUE OF FALSE. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if
otherwise.
1. The academic freedom that Rizal had enjoyed while at the Colegio de
San Juan de Letran was weakened by the racial prejudice and limited
findings at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST).

65
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
2. Rizal wrote that “Colombo” is more beautiful, smart and elegant than
Singapore, Point Galle and Manila”.

3. Rizal was fascinated to hear the multi-racial inhabitants speaking “A


babel of tongues” such as Arabic, Egyptians, Greek, French, Italian
and Spanish.

4. On June 12, 1882, when Rizal arrived at the Pearl Harbor he visited
the famous Chateau d’ If where Dantes, the hero of “The Count of
Monte Cristo” was imprisoned.

5. The third article of Rizal entitled “Amor Patrio” was returned to him for
Diariong Tagalog which had stopped because of lack of funds.

6. The magnificent speech of Rizal was greeted with ovations, for they
have not heard such speech from the lips of a brown Filipino which was
almost peerless in mobility of thoughts, in Spanish rhetoric eloquence
and sincerity of feelings.

7. During the stay of Rizal in Berlin, he visited the studio of Juan Luna the
home of Pardo de Tavera and Felix Ressurrecion Hidalgo to discuss
the problems of art and learned techniques of his own.

8. Dr. Jose Rizal completed his medical course and was conferred the
degree of Licentiate in Medicine by the Universidad Cental de Madrid
on June 21, 1884 that made him a full-pledged physician.

9. On May 3, 1882, Rizal left on board the Spanish steamer Salvadora


bound for Berlin.

10. The plan of Rizal on leaving for Spain was supported by his older
brother Paciano, his two sisters, Saturnina and Lucia, his uncle Antonio
Rivera and other friends.

66
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
IV. ESSAY
1. Describe and explain how Jose Rizal, gained the
friendship of the passengers of the steamer Djemnah
even if he was the only Filipino on board.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
2. Among the characters of Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere who
among them would you like to be in relation to you as a
students? Why?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

IV. Enumeration.
__________________________________
Give at least five (5) out __________________________________
of ten (10) defenders of __________________________________
NOLI ME TANGERE. __________________________________
__________________________________

Give the three (3) counter


arguments of Rev. Father __________________________________
Vicente Garcia in the __________________________________
attacks and arguments of __________________________________
Fr. Rodriguez.

Governor General
Terrero advised Rizal to __________________________________
leave the Philippines for __________________________________
his own good because of
the two (2) reasons.
67
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
CHAPTER 4
RETURN TO EUROPE
1. Realizing that Rizal’s family and friends’ safety were at risk; and that
his fight against the Spaniards had better chance of winning if he had
to abroad, he finally decided to sail back to Europe.
2. Before his departure, he gave the poem dedicated to the industrious
workers of Lipa City which was the Himno al Trabaho (Hymn to Labor).

EAST ASIA
1. On February 3, 1888, for the second time, Rizal sailed to HongKong as
a frustrated being who wanted the utmost reform is his native land.
Terrero’s former secretary, Jose Sainz de Varranda, followed Rizal in
the said British colony, and was believed to be commissioned by the
Spanish authorities to spy on the hero.
2. After almost three weeks, on board the American steamer, Oceanic, he
left Hongkong and sailed to Japan where he was invited by secretary
Juan Perez Caballero to live at the Spanish Legation. His instinct told
him that it was a bait – a way for the Spanish officials to keep track of
his activities. Since it was economical to stay at the legation and he
believed that he had nothing to hide, he accepted it. Rizal was
impressed by the scenic Japan and had keenly observed the life,
customs and culture of the people.
3. He had fallen in loved not only with the view but more to its women,
particularly with the 23- year old O-Sei-San (a.k.a.. USUI Seiko).

SAIL TO THE WEST


1. Rizal was almost tempted to settle in Japan with OSei-Sanbut on April
13, 1888, Rizal board the English Steamer, Belgic bound for the United
States, reaching the land on April 28.
2. He visited San Francisco, left it on the second day for Oklahoma, then
to Sacramento, then to Reno, and finally to New York.
3. On May 16,1888 the ship, City of Rome sailed for Liverpool and where
he decided to stay in London until March 1899, Rizal chose to stay in
London so that he could improve his English skills, study and do an
annotation of Antonio Morga’s Sucesos de las islas Filipinas and
because he believed that the said English city was a safe place for him
to carry on the reform he wanted for the Philippines.

68
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
4. He stayed at Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor’s home and boarded at the
Beckett family where he fell in love with Gertrude.

INGREAT BRITAIN
1. In London, Rizal received both good news and bad news from home.
The good news that Rev. Vicente Garcia was defending his Noli from
the attacks of the friars.
2. The bad news was the Filipino signatories of the “Petition of 1888” and
the tenants of the Calamba agrarian trouble were facing persecution;
that his brothers-in-law, Manuel T. Hidalgo and Mariano Herbosa, were
exiled to bohol and was denied Christian burial, respectively; and his
friend, Laureano Viado, a UST medical student was imprisoned for
possessing a copy of his Noli.
3. Rizal also made used of his time in writing Filipino and Spanish
Friends, they founded the Asociacion Hispano Filipino which aimed for
unionism and reforms. After ten months, Rizal left London and
departed for Paris.

IN FRANCE
1. In Paris, Rizal continued his study on various languages and practiced
his artistic skills, and finish two status. “ The Beggar” and “ The Maid
With A Basket.”
2. He organized a social club called Kidlat Club which brought together
young Filipinos residing in France Soon, the members of the said culb
founded a nes Filipino society – the Indios Bravos, an organization
which envisioned Filipinos being recognized by Spain for being
excellent in various fields of knowledge.
By January 1890, Rizal’s annotation of the Sucesos was finally printed
and published by the Garnier Freres.

IN BELGIUM
1. With his roommate, Jose Albert, Rizal celebrated Christmas in Paris.
2. Shortly after New Year, he visited London for the last time and on
January 28, 1890, left Paris for Brussels.
3. With Albert, they left the extravagant and gay social life in Paris and
stayed in a boarding houses owned by the Jacoby sisters in Brussels.

69
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
4. Rizal continued contributing for La Solidaridad under the pseudonyms
Dimas Alang and Laong Laan.
5. From Calamba, Rizal received letters telling that the agrarian trouble in
the province was getting worse. And as such he decided to go home.
But instead of going home a letter from paciano told him that hey
already lost the case against the Dominicans and they were in need of
a lawyer who would defend their family and the families in Calamba
from Madrid.
6. Rizal traveled to Madrid to seek justice but in vain-he could not find the
right person andf the heard that his family was already evicted from
their land in Calamba and other family members were banished to
Mindoro and Manila.

IN SPAIN
1. Rizal had many misadventure in Madrid. For one, he challenged
Antonio Luna and Wenceslao Retana in a duel. With Luna, it was about
the latter’s frustration with his unsuccessful “love affair” with Nellie
Bousted, and so gave negative remarks with Retana who had insulted
Rizal and his family by writing, in La Epoca, an anti-Filipino newspaper
that the Rizal family in Calamba was evected from their lands because
they did not pay their rent.
2. It is also from this city where Rizal heard the news of Leonor Rivera’s
marriage with Henry Kipping, an Englishman, which terribly broke his
heart.
3. Another marked events in Madrid was the Marcelo H. del Pilar-Jose
Rizal rivalry for leadership in the Asociation Hispano Filipino.
4. A faction emerged from the Filipino in Madrid, the Rizalitas and
Pilaristas, Rizal and del Pilar’s compatriots, respectively, during the
organization’s election.
5. Losing the election, Rizal decided to go back home, fearing that his
presence may result to bigger and stronger faction among the Filipino
in Madrid. But instead of going straight to Hong Kong he went back to
Brussels to finish his second novel, the El Filibusterismo.

EL FILIBUSTIRISMO
Jose Rizal wrote his second novel which was a continuations of the Noli
Me Tangere in Brussels and he finished it in Biarritz, Madrid, Inspired by the
magnificent place and the his romance with Nellie Bousted.
1. On March 29, 1891 the eve of his departure from Biarritz to Paris, he
finished the manuscript of El Filibusterismo and he completed the
evision on May 30, 1891, ready for printing.

70
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
2. He searched for a cheaper printings shop and he did find a publisher F.
MEYER-VAN LOOPRESS, No 66 Viaanderen Street that published his
books in an installment basis.
3. He pawned his jewels in order to pay the down payment and early
partial payments during the printing of the novel.
4. He had received some funds from Basa and Rodriguez Arias.
5. Printing was suspended because of insufficient funds and then
Valentin Ventura in Paris helped him because he learned about Rizal’s
predicament. He immediately sent the necessary funds for printing.
6. On September 18, 1891, the novel came off the press in ghent. He
immediately sent copies to Basa, to Sixto Lopez in Hong Kong, to his
friends Valintin S. Ventura in Paris and to his friends in the Philippine.
7. The novel was praised to the skies by Filipino patriots in foreign lands
and in the Philippines of the Filipino colony of Barcelona published a
tribute La Publicidad, a Barcelona newspaper, eulogizing, the novel’s
original style which is comparable only to sublime Alexander Dumas
and may well be offered as “ a model, a precious jewel in the decadent
literature of Spain”’
8. The liberal Madrid newspaper, El Nuevo Regimen, serialized the novel
in its issues of October, 1891.
9. Rizal dedicated El Filibusterismo to the martyrs, Father Gomez,
Burgos, and Zamora. Their martyrdom, which Paciano related to him
when he was a boy in Calamba was never forgotten.

COMPARISON OF NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO


Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo vary in many aspect, although
they are written by the same author and are supposed to be dealing with the
same story and have the same characters.

Noli Me Tangere Identity El Filibusterismo Identity

It is a romantic novel. It is a political novel.


It is a “work of the heart” and “a It is a “ work of heal” and a “ book
book of feeling”. of the thought”.
It has freshness, color, humor, It contains bitterness, hatred,
Lightness and wit pain, violence and sorrow.
It contains 64 chapters. It contains 38 chapters.
Noli is longer that Fili El Filisterismo is shorter that Noli

Jose Rizal’s original intention was to make the El Filisterismo longer


than the Noli Me Tangere. However, El Filisterismo is shorter that Noli.

71
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
There were many options as to which is the superior novel-the Noli or
the Fili.
1. Rizal himself considered the Noli as the superior to the Fili. As novel.
Marcelo H. del Pilar and Retana, Rizal ‘s first Spanish biographer, also
believe that Noli is superior.
2. Blumentritt, Graciano Lopez Jaena and Dr. Rafael Palma against the
opinion of Rizal. They believed the Fili is the superior to the Noli. In
Lopez Jaena’s letter he said that the fili was superior because of its
exquisite delicate, literary style, its easy and correct dialoque, its
phraseology, vigorous and elegant and its profound ideas and sublime
thoughts. However Jaena advised Rizal to write another novel because
he was not satisfied with fili as political novel.
The issue of which is the superior novel is purely academic. Noli and Fili are
good novels from the point of view of history. Both Depict with realistic colors
the actual conditions of the Philippines and Filipinos the decadent days of
Spanish rule. Both are instrumental in awakening, the spirit of Filipino
nationalism and are responsible in paving the ground for Philippine Revolution
that thought about the downfall of Spain. Neither the Noli nor the Fili is
superior to one another, Mariano Ponce told Rizal that Fili was indeed
excellent novel but it was marvelous like all the brilliant production of his pen.
He also said that it was a true twin of the Noli.

Chapter 6 Exercises

I. IDENTIFICATION. Identify the following statements


correctly by writing the answer on the space provided
before the number.

1. The women to whom Rizal fell in love with when he stayed in


Japan.
2. The book of Ateneo Morga which talked about the great
historical event in the island of Philippines.
3. The poem written by Rizal whom he dedicated to the
industrious worker in Lipa City, Batangas.
4. The organization founded in June 12, 1889 by Rizal, with his
Filipino and Spanish friends. It aimed for union and reform of
Filipino and Spanish.
5. The two pen names used by Jose Rizal in his writing for La
Solidaridad.
6. The club organized by Rizal for the union of young Filipinos
in France.

72
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
7. The publisher which printed and published the annotation of
Rizal to the book of Morga “Sucessos de las Islas Filipinas”.
8. An anti-Filipino newspaper where Wenceslao Retana wrote
that Rizal family in Calamba had been evicted from their
lands because they did pay their rents.
9. The school in Spain, Madrid where Jose Rizal enrolled to
enhance his artistic skills in painting and sculpture.
10. The painting of Resurrecion Hidalgo which was awarded
second prize silver medal in the National Exposition of Fine
Arts in Madrid.

II. TRUE OF FALSE. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if
otherwise.
1. Jose Rizal admired the cleanliness, courtesy and industry of Japanese.

2. Rizal stayed in London to improve his English skills and to finish his
annotation to the book of Morga.

3. On April 28, 1888, Rizal boarded Belgic bound for United States.

4. Jose Rizal continued his study in Spain on various languages and


practiced his artistic skills.

5. Rizal had seen that the treatment of Americans to the White and Black
is unreasonable.

73
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
6. The two statues finished by Rizal were “The Beggar” and “The Man
with a Basket”.

7. The annotation of the sucesos was printed and published on February


1890 by the F. Meyer Publishing.

8. Rizal organized “Kidlat Club” to unite young Filipinos in France.

9. The annotation of Morga’s book was written in museum of Great


Britain.

10. “Kidlat Club” is an organization which envisioned Filipinos for being


versatile, recognized by Spain.

IV. ESSAY
1. Explain the significance of La Solidaridad in Rizal’s
life and to the Filipinos.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________ 74
______________________________________________
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
2. Discuss and explain briefly the implications and lessons
learned from Rizal’s novel “El Filibusterismo” to you as
student.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

IV. Enumeration. List down the identities of the two (2) novels of Dr. Jose
Rizal.

__________________________________
__________________________________
NOLI ME TANGERE __________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________

__________________________________
__________________________________
EL FILIBUSTERISMO __________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________

CHAPTER 7

75
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
TRIP BACK HOME
BACK IN HONGKONG
After the El Filisterismo was published Rizal left Europe. Abroad the
S.S. Melbourne, he sailed to Hongkong where he lived for sever months. His
reasons for venturing to Hong Kong were the following.
1. To leave behind his rivalry with Marcelo H. del Pilar;
2. To facilitate a Propaganda Movement in Hong Kong; and
3. To be proximate to his family in the Philippine.
On November 20, 1891, Rizal arrived in Home Hong Kong and was
cordially welcomed by the Filipino resident in the city, particularly his friend
Jose Ma. Basa. He resided at No. 5 D Aguilar Street No.2 Rednaxela Terrace
and opened a medical clinic there. Rizal had a continued correspondence with
his family in Calamba and has been aware of the unsettled agrarian problem.
Through a letter from his brother-in-law, Manuel t. Hidalgo, he had been
informed of the deportation of twenty-five persons in Calamba, Including the
Rizal family. This news made Rizal even more desperate to return to Manila,
but his sorrow was replaced by surprise when his family visited him in
HongKong and celebrated the 1891 Christmas with him.
While in Hong Kong, Rizal practiced his medical career. With the help of
his friend, Dr. Lorenzo P. Marquez, they built a large clientele and opened a
medical clinic where he was recognized as an excellent eye surgeon. He was
equally supported and aided both morally and financially by his family and
friends with chosen career.

PLAN FOR FILIPINO COLONY IN BORNEO


Another marked event during Rizal’s stay in Hong Kong was his plan to
move the landless Filipino to Borneo and transform the said wilderness into a
“ New Calamba” through the so called Boneo Colonization project. In April
1892, he visited Borneo and negotiated with the British authorities who were
willing to provide 100,000 acres of land for the Filipinos. Many Filipino patriots
found this project amusing, thus promoted the said project. However, there
was a number who objected it, one of which was Rizal’s brother-in-law,
hidalgo. Twice did Rizal wrote a letter addressed to Governor General Eulogio
Despujol informing his Borneo colonization project, with whom he received no
response. Instead, Despujol commanded the Spanish consul-general in Hong
kong to notify Rizal that such project was very unpatriotic, and by immigrating
Filipinos to Borneo, the Philippines will surely be lacking of laboratories.
Despite the much opposition from friend and relatives, he decided to
return to Manila on the following reason:
1. to discuss with Governor General Despujol his Borneo colonization
project;

76
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
2. to form the La Liga Filipina in the Philippines; and
3. to prove that Eduardo de Lete’s allegations on him and his family in
Calamba were wrong.
Before his departure, he wrote three more letters – the first addressed to his
parents and friends; the second one, to the Filipinos; and the last to Governor
General Eulogio Despujol. Instead of having the protection he desired, Rizal and his
sister, Lucia, fell into the Spanish trap- a case was secretly filed against Rizal, and
Despujol ordered his secretary, Luis de la Torre, to verify whether the patriot had
naturalized himself as a German citizen or not. Therefore, the siblings sailed across
the China Sea without prior knowledge of what awaits them in the Philippines.

LA LIGA FILIPINA
1. Rizal return to the Philippines in July, 1892, Rizal organized the La Liga
Filifina, this constituted a forward step in the reformist ideas of the times in the
sense that the new group sought to involve the people directly in the reform
movement.
2. Andres Bonifacio is one of the founders of the organization.

LA LIGA To unite the whole archipelago into one compact, vigorous,


FILIPINA and homogenous body;
AIMS WERE:
Mutual protection in every want and necessity;

Defense against all violence and injustice;

Encouragement of instruction, agriculture, and commerce;


and
Study and application of reform.

As Rizal envisioned it, the league was to be a sort of mutual aid and
self – help society dispensing scholarship funds and legal aid; loaning capital
and setting up cooperatives. These were innocent, even naïve objectives that
could hardly alleviate the social ills of those times, but the Spanish authorities
were so alarmed so alarmed that they arrested Rizal on July 6, 1892, merely
four days after the Liga was organized for allegedly found in his baggage
bundle of leaflets entitle “Poor Friar” which were against the Dominicans
priests who acquired riches contrary to their vow of poverty. Rizal was held in
Fort Santiago for about a week and then was deported to Dapitan.

77
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
With Rizal deported to Dapitan, the Liga became inactive until, through
the efforts of Domingo Franco and Andres Bonifacio, it was recognized.
Apolinario Mabini became the secretary of the Supreme Council.

RIZAL’S MEANINGFUL LIFE IN DAPITAN


3. Rizal had an exemplary and meaningful life in Dapitan.
4. On July 1892, he traveled to Dapitan under Delgas passing Mindoro
and Panay. Reaching the Place after two days, Rizal was handed to
Captain Carnicero, the Spannish commandant of Dapitan.
5. Rizal had lived in the place for four years. Dapitan is a remote town in
Mindanao which is under the missionary jurisdiction of the Jesuits. He
stayed and lived in the house of Captain Carnicero. The relation
between Carnicero (warden) and Rizal (prisoner) was warm and
friendly, they ate together and they had many friendly conversations,
Captain Carnicero admired Rizal’s fine qualities and personalities. He
came to know that Rizal was not a common fellow, much less a
filibuster, the captain gave Rizal complete freedom to go anywhere and
gave good reports on his prisoner to Governor General Despujol.
6. Rizal was grateful to the kindness and generosity of the Spanish
Captain. He even wrote a poem on his birthday. “A Don Ricardo
Carnicero” on August 26, 1892.
7. On September 21, 1892. The lottery ticket no. 9736 jointly owned by
Captain Carnicero ,Jose Rizal and Francisco Equiror (from Dipolog)
won the second prize of P20,000.00 in the government-owned Manila
lottery.
Rizal’s mother, sisters, Trinidad, Maria, Narcisa and his nephews had
taken turns to visit him in Dapitan. Father Francisco Sanchez, his favorite
teacher at the Ateneo de Manila, had also come to Dapitan to bring him back
to Catholic fold. But all of his efforts were in vain. Despite his failure to
convince Rizal , he enjoyed Rizal’s company; He assisted Rizal in beautifying
the town.
Rizal had a long and scholastic debate with Father Pastells on religion.
In all his letters to Fr. Pastells, he revealed his anti - catholic ideas which he
had acquired in Europe and embitterment for his persecutions of the friars.
Father Pastells tried his best to win back Rizal to the fold of Catholicism.
Despite their religious differences, they remained good friends.
On November 3, 1893, he was visited by the spy of the friars who
introduced himself as a friend and a relative named. Pablo Mercado. In the

78
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
course of their conversation, thy spy offered his services as a confidential
courier of Rizal’s letters and writings for his friends in Manila. Rizal became
suspicious but he hospitably invited the strange visitor considering the late
hour of the night and the heavy rainfall. The next day Rizal learned that the
impostor was still in Dapitan, he reported to the “ commandacia” about the
spy’s mission to Captain Juan sitges (who succeded Captain Carnicero) as
commandant of Dapitan. Upon his arrest and subsequent investigation, the
stranger’s real name was known as “ Florencio Namanan”, who was hired by
the Recollect friars for the secret mission. He was tasked to spy on Rizal’s
activities. The spy was released and the result of investigation was sent to
Gov. General Blanco. Rizal then Requested for a copy of the proceedings of
the turn of events. The incident of the secret mission of the spy was not an
attempt to assassinate Rizal but was merely to spy, a plot masterminded by
the friars.

he rendered fee medical services to the poor


especially to those patients from Talisay and
Dapitan
he provided them with medicines which himself had
concocted and prepared them with medicines which
RIZAL AS A himself had of local medical plants.
PHYSICIAN Mr. George Taufer of Hong Kong came for
treatment of his eye accompanied by his adopted
daughter, Josephine Bracken.
He operated the right eye of his beloved mother in
July 1894. Doña Teodora’s sight was fully restored.

He obtained from Ateneo the title of expert surveyor


( Pertilo agrimensor) and he supplement his training
as surveyor by reading Engineering books.
he applied his knowledge of engineering by
JOSE RIZAL constructing a system of waterworks in Dapitan
AS AN which was completed in 1895 with the help of his
ENGINEER students people.
He was able to accomplish this without any aid from
the government, with inadequate tools, meager
materials, and very limited finances.

On 1893, he established a school that existed until


the end of his exile in July 1896.
It all started with 3 pupils then enrollment increased
to 16 pupils.
They worked in the garden, field, and construction
projects in the community.
He gave the boys vocational and academic
JOSE RIZAL trainings, Rizal taught the boys Reading, Writing,
AS A Languages (Spanish, and English) Geography, 79
TEACHER IN History, Mathematics ( Arithmetic and Geometry),
Industrial
INSTRUCTIONAL
DAPITAN work,
MATERIALS Nature
IN GEN. ED 07and
(THE Study,
LIFE ANDMorals and
WORKS OF RIZAL)
Gymnastics.
He made their learning functional, relating their
activities to their actual life [Link] lessons
He found Mindanao a rich virgin field for collecting
specimens. With his pupils, they explored the
jungles and coasts for specimen of insects, birds,
snakes, lizards, frogs, shells and plants.
JOSE RIZAL For his four – year exile in Dapitan, he built up a
AS A rich collection of concology which consisted of 346
SCIENTIST/ shells representing 203 species.
HIS He discovered some rare specimen which were
CONTRIBUT named in his honor by the scientist e.q. Draco Rizal
ION TO (a flying dragon) Rhacoporus Rizali (a rare frog.),
SCIENCE etc.
He also conducted anthropological, ethnographical,
Archaeological, geological, and geographical
studies.

He bought 16 hectares of land in Talisay where he


built his home, his school and hospital.
He planted the land with copra, coffee, sugarcane,
coconuts.
He acquired more lands until his total holdings
JOSE RIZAL reach 70 hectares with 6,000 hemp plants, 1,000
AS AN coconuts and other fruit trees.
ENGINEER He introduced modern methods of agriculture which
he had observed in America and Europe.
He encourage the Dapitan farmers to discard their
primitive way of farming and adopt the modern
agricultural method.

In 1887, Rizal’s first invention was known while in


Calamba. He invented a cigarette lighter, “sulpukan” 80
made
INSTRUCTIONAL of wood
MATERIALS which
IN GEN. he(THE
ED 07 sent toAND
LIFE Blumentritt. “it’s
WORKS OF RIZAL)
mechanism is based on the principle of compressed
air” Rizal said.
JOSE RIZAL
While in Dapitan, he invented machine for making
While in Dapitan, in partnership with Ramon
Carreon, Rizal made profitable business
ventures in fishing, copra, hemp industries and
lime manufacturing. At one deal, they made a
profit of P200.00.
To break the Chinese monopoly on business
in Dapitan, he organized the Cooperative
Association of Dapitan Farmers in January 1,
1895. He prepared the constitution and by
laws. Among its purposes were “to improve the
RIZAL AS A farm products, obtain better outlets for them,
BUSINESSMAN collect funds for their purchase…. Help the
producers and workers by establishing a store
wherein they can buy prime commodities at
moderate prices”.
Rizal invited Saturnina to come to Mindanao for
could profitably engage in the textile, jewelry
and hemp business. He requested his brother-
in-law, to buy a big net and he bring along two
good Calamba fishermen to teach the Dapitan
folks better methods of fishing.

He had known 22 languages.


JOSE RIZAL In Dapitan, he learned the Bisayan, subanun and
AS ONE OF Malay languages.
THE He was a born polyglot. He learned different
WORLD’S languages when he traveled abroad. Among them
GREAT were Latin, Greek, English, French, German,
LINGUISTS Arabic, Japanese, Portuguese, Swedish, Russian
and Filipino dialects such as Tagalog and Ilokano.

81
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
OTHER PROJECTS OF RIZAL IN DAPITAN
To the best of his God given talents and so awaken civic
consciousness of the people in Dapitan, Rizal did all he can for the town. He
knew that “Malaria” was spread by mosquitoes which thrive in swampy
places, thus he spent many months draining the marshes to get rid of malaria.
With the P500 that an English patient paid him, it was used for the lighting
system consisting of coconut oil lamps placed in the dark streets. The
beautification of Dapitan was one of Rizal’s concerns with the help of his
former Jesuit teacher Father Sanchez. Together, they remodeled the town
plaza to enhance its beauty. In front of the church, he made a huge relief map
of Mindanao out of earth, stones and grass. This map which still exists today
was used by Rizal as a motivating, devise in the teaching of geography to his
pupils. With the aid of the map, he discussed with the townspeople and
visitors the position of Dapitan and its relation to the rest of Mindanao.

JOSE RIZAL AND JOSEPHINE BRACKEN IN DAPITAN


While in Dapitan, after the day’s hard work, Rizal was offers sad. He
missed his family and the death of Leonora Rivera caused him much pain.
Taufer who came all the way from Hong Kong with his adopted daughter
Josephine Bracken to seek the services of the ophthalmic surgeon. Rizal and
Josephine fell in love with each other at first sight. After a month’s love affair,
they agreed to marry but Father Obach, the priest of Dapitan, refuse to marry
them without permission of the bishop of Cebu. When Mr. Taufer learned of
their marriage he could not endure the thought of losing his adopted daughter
Josephine, he nearly committed suicide. Accompanied by Josephine to
Manila, the blind man went home uncured because his eyed ailment is
incurable, Josephine stayed with Rizal’s family and later she returned to
Dapitan. Since no priest would marry them, Rizal and Josephine held hands
together and married themselves in the eyes of God and lived as husband
and wife. They lived happily in Dapitan and was blessed with a son who
survived only for three hours after birth and was buried in Dapitan. The boy
was named Francisco in honor of Jose Rizal father.
Who was Josephine that made Rizal’s life happy.
She was an Irish girl sweet eighteen, slender, blue eyed, hair chestnut
blond, dressed with elegant simplicity. He was born in Hong Kong on October
3, 1876 of Irish parents. Her mother was Elizabeth James MacBride who died
in childbirth and her father James Bracken, a corporal in the British garrison.
She was adopted by Mr. George Taufer, who later became blind.

RIZAL AND KATIPUNAN


While Rizal was still mourning the loss of his son, a revolution was
being planned be the Katipunero led by Andres Bonifacio. Dr. Pio Valenzuela

82
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
was named emissary to Dapitan in order to inform Dr. Jose Rizal of their plans
of the revolution for freedom’s sake. He brought with him a blind man by the
name of Raymundo Mata. They left Manila and arrive in Dapitan in the
evening of July 21, 1896. After supper, the two had a heart- to – heart talk.
1. Rizal objected to the revolutionary plans which would mean a veritable
suicide for two reasons:
1. the people are not ready for revolution
2. arms and funds must be raised before the revolution.
2. He also disapproved of the other plan of the Katipunan to rescue him
because he had given his word of honor for the Spanish authorities and
he would not break it.
3. Rizal understood the sentiments of his oppressed people. He was
aware of this possibility when Spain refused to grant the reforms they
were fighting for. He knew that his countrymen had slim chance of
winning but he could not blame them for their impulsiveness and desire
for freedom.
4. Rizal said with a tongue of sadness “To die and to conquer is pleasant
but to die and be conquered is painful.”
5. Rizal informed Valenzuela of his pending “Application as volunteer
surgeon” in the Spanish army fighting the Cuban revolution. The later
objected to his plan because Weyler who was the general-in-chief of
the Spanish troops in Cuba might shoot him. He assured Valenzuela
that would not happen and revealed that once in Cuba he could study
the war in a practical way; he would mix with Cuban soldiers so he
could find solution to the Philippine situation.
6. He almost gave up his hope that his humanitarian offer as volunteer
doctor in Cuba would be approved. But on July 30, 1896 he received a
letter from Gov. General Blanco dated July 1, 1896 notifying him of the
acceptance of his offer.
7. Rizal’s four- year exile in Dapitan ended in July 31, 1896 with great joy,
he again travel and free to go to Europe and Cuba. He wrote his heart-
warming poem. “ The Song of the Traveller” .
8. He left Dapitan on July 31, 1896. on board the steamer España
accompanied by Josephine.
9. He was kept as “guest on board” the Spanish cruiser “Castilla” and
held “incommunicado” except to his family for about a month from
August 6 to September 2, 1896 .
10. In august 19, 1896, Fray Mariano Gil the Agustinian parish priest of
tondo discovered the plans of the Katipunan to overflow Spanish rule
by means of revolution.

83
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
11. In August 26, 1896, the “Cry of Balintawak” was raised by Bonifacio
and the Katipunero. At sunrise of August 30, the revolutionaries led by
Bonifacio and Jacinto Attacked San Juan (Battle of San Juan) and
suffered heavy losses. On this day, Governor General Blanco declared
a state of war in the first eight provinces for rising against Spain Manila
(as a province) Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga, Nueva
Ecija and Tarlac.
12. Rizal received two letters from Governor General Blanco. These two
letters of introduction for the Minister of War General Marcelo de
Ascarraga and Mister of Colonies with covering letter absolved Rizal
from all blame for the ranging revolution which is at the moment
trapping in the Philippines.
13. At 6:00 PM of September 2, Rizal was transferred to the steamer Isla
de panay which will sail for Barcelona the next day. Among the fellow
passengers on board were Don Pedro Roxas (rich man from Manila)
and his son Periguin.
14. On September 7, 1896, the steamer Isla de panay arrived at
Singapore. Rizal and other passengers went ashore for sightseeing.
He noticed its great change since her saw it last 1852.
15. Rizal was advise by Don Pedro and other Filipino residents to stay and
never to go Barcelona. For he is safe in Singapore with the protection
of the of the British Law. He ignored their appeal because he had given
his word of honor to Gov. General Blanco and he did not like to break
it.
16. Rizal was not aware that General Blanco and Minister of War were
exchanging coded telegrams and confidential message for his arrest
upon reaching Barcelona.
17. As the steamer had left Port Said (Terminal of Suez Canal), a
passenger told Rizal the had news that he would be arrested by order
of Gov. General Blanco and would be sent to prison. He was shocked
and it was too late to realize that he was duped by the sly Spanish
official. He immediately wrote a letter to his best friend Blumentritt to
unburden his bitterness and agonizing heart.
18. In September 30, at 4:00pm he was officially notified by Captain
Alemany that he should stay in his cabin until further orders in Manila.
He was kept heavily guarded for three days. What a coindence, the
military commander of Barcelona was General Eulogio Despujol who
ondered his exile in Dapitan for years (1892-1896). He had heard
rumors on board the ship that he was being blamed for the outbreak of
the revolution in the Philippines.
19. The ship docked at Barcelona on October 6 at 3:00am and he was
brought to an infamous prison fortress named Monjuich. At about
2:00pm, he was brought to the headquarters of Gen. Despujol. The
interview lasted for a quarter of an hour. The ship left at 8:00pm full of

84
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
soldier and officers and their families to fight the Filipino
revolutionaries. While on board, Rizal wrote all his thoughts and
activities. Among the important realizations he had written was:
“I think God is doing me good by allowing me to return to the Philippines in
order to disprove so many charges against me. Either they will give me justice
and knowledge my innocence and when I shall have all my rights restored, or
they will condemn me to death and then I shall be expiated my supposed
crime in the eyes of society. She will forgive me later, without any doubt, I
shall be given justice, and become one martyr more…. I feel that peace had
descended upon me. Thank God that my hope and my consolation. Let your
will be done. I am ready to obey it.”
20. On November 3, 1896, Dr. Jose Rizal was brought directly to Fort
Santiago under heavy guard while there was rejoicing for the
Spaniards and friars because of the military supplies and more military
reinforcements.
21. Spanish authorities had brutally tortured many Filipino patriots to get
evidences against Rizal. Including hi brother Paciano who was
rendered almost dead, paralyzed and speechless for several days.

Chapter 7 Exercises

I. IDENTIFICATION. Identify the following statements


correctly by writing the answer on the space provided
before the number.

1. The friend of Rizal who helped him to continue and practice his career
as an eye surgeon.
2. The proposed project of Rizal that will transform the life of
the people in Calamba who were abused and evicted from
the hacienda.

85
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
3. The favorite teacher of Rizal at Ateneo de Manila who tried
to bring him to the Catholic fold before he was executed in
Bagumbayan (Luneta).
4. The poster father of Josephine Bracken, who was Rizal’s
eye patient while in Dapitan however his eye ailment was
incurable.
5. The title that Rizal obtained from Ateneo de Manila being
“Portilo Agremensor” in Spanish.
6. The favorite place of Rizal with his students in Dapitan
where sometimes they held their lessons.
7. A discovered specimen of a flying dragon sent to Dresden
museum named after Dr. Jose Rizal.
8. The real name of the stranger who visited Rizal in Dapitan
believed to be “plot spy” of the friars.
9. The poem written by Rizal for Captain Carnicero for the
latter’s birthday.
10. The business partner of Rizal in their ventures in fishing,
copra, hemp, industries and lime manufacturing.

II. TRUE OF FALSE. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if
otherwise.

1. Rizal practiced his medical career in Hongkong where he was


recognized as an Excellence eye Surgeon.

2. The British authorities provided 100,000 acres of land for the


Filipinos in Calamba.

86
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
3. Andres Bonifacio was one of the founder of La Liga Filipina..

4. All Spaniards who have “care and love” for country can be a member of
La Liga Filipina.

5. In 1887, Rizal invented a cigarette lighter, “sulpukan” as his third


invention.

6. Rizal’s intention of organizing a cooperative association in Dapitan is to


break the Chinese monopoly.

7. Rizal as one of the greatest polyglots, had known 29 languages.

8. Captain Carnicero admired Rizal’s fime qualities and personalities.

9. Rizal had long and scholastic arguments with Fr. Pastells about the
novel “Noli Me Tangere”

10. Rizal taught the boys in Dapitan: Reading, Writing language,


Geography, History, Mathematics, Industrial work, Nature and Study,
Moral and Gymnastics.

87
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
IV. ESSAY
1. Described and explain why Jose Rizal was exiled in
Dapitan and how did he live his life there.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
2. Differentiate the justice system from Rizal’s time with the
present justice system in the Philippines.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

IV. Enumeration. Describe briefly Rizal’s life in Dapitan as with his various
capabilities:

____________________________________
____________________________________
JOSE RIZAL AS A ____________________________________
TEACHER IN DAPITAN ____________________________________
_________________________

____________________________________
____________________________________
RIZAL AS A PHYSICIAN ____________________________________
____________________________________
__________________________

____________________________________
____________________________________
RIZAL AS A PHYSICIAN ____________________________________ 88
____________________________________
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
__________________________
CHAPTER 8
THE FINAL JOURNEY

JOSE RIZAL’S TRIAL AND MATYRDOM AT BAGUMBAYAN


A week after the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution, on September
2, 1896, Jose Rizal left Manila for Spain. Going back to Governor General
Ramon Blanco’s last letter to Rizal, the former approved the latter’s request
the he be sent to Cebu as military doctor. As such, Rizal was to go to Spain
first before going to Cuba. But even before he reached his first destination, he
was arrested by the Spanish authorities on board, jailed in Barcelona and
shipped back to manila and was jailed at Fort Santiago for the last 3 months
of his life.

RESCUE ATTEMPT BY THE KATIPUNAN


1. Dr. Pio Valenzuela, informed the former of the secret organization’s
attempt to rescue him and to sneak him on a ship destined to Japan .
However, Rizal was not in favor of this plan as he had no plan of
breaking his promises to the Spanish authorities.
2. For the second time, in August 1896, during Rizal’s stopover in Manila
Bay, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and other selected Katipuneros
disguised as sailor of the motor Caridad so that they can easily
penetrate the cruise Castilla, then harbored at Manila Bay. Rizal was
on deck at that time when he was approach by Jacinto who whispered
that they were Katipuneros and were there to rescue him. However,
despite the opportunity given to him, Rizal refused to be rescued.
On board Castilla, Rizal heard of the outbreak of the revolution and
was not surprised. However, his worry was that Spanish authorities might
think that he incited the said struggle. Two recommendation letters from
Governor Blanco diverted Rizal’s anguish-one for the Minister of War, General
Marcelo de Azcarraga; and the second, for the Minister of Colonies.
1. September 2, 1896, Rizal aboard the steamer, Isla de Panay and left
Manila for Spain, not know that this will be his last travel abroad. The
night before his departure, he wrote a letter to Doña Teodora Alonzo
telling her that his task required strength and dedication, and if he died,
at least he had done something good for mankind.

89
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
2. By the eve of September 7, 1896, the steamer reached Singapore and
on the 30th, while Isla Panay was on its voyage along the
Mediterranean Sea, a telegraphic message was received by Captain A,
Alemany, the ship skipper, ordering him to arrest and confined Jose
Rizal in his cabin until they arrive in Barcelona on 3rd of October.
3. Early morning of October 6, Rizal was transferred to Montjuich Castle
where he was Visited by Eulogio Despujol who was then military
Commander of Cataluña. By 8 o’clock in the evening, aboard the
steamer Colon, Rizal left Barcelona for Manila.
4. November 3, 1896, Colon Arrived in Manila- Jose Rizal, under heavy
security, was brought immediately to Fort Santiago. During his stay ,
Spanish authorities were searching for evidence against him. In fact,
Filipinos who had been recognized at his side were brutally tortured to
implicate him. Some of them were as follows; Deodato Arellano, Dr.
Pio Valenzuela, Moises Salvador, Jose Dizon, Domingo Franco and
Timoteo Paez. Even his only brother, Paciano was arrested anf
inflicted with pains which the latter endured for his younger brother’s
sake.

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
1. On November 20, 1896, the preliminary investigation on Rizal began.
During the five-day investigation, Rizal was informed of the charges
against him before Judge Advocate Colonel Francisco Olive.
2. He was put under interrogation without the benefit of knowing who
testified against him. Presented before him were two kinds of
evidences documentary and testimonial.
3. There were a total of fifteen exibits for the documentary evidence.
4. Testimonial evidence, on other hand, were comprised of oral proofs
provided by Martin Constantino, Aguedo del Rosario, Jose Reyes,
Moises Salvador, Jose Dizon, Domingo Franco, Deodato Arellano, pio
Valenzuela, Antonio Salazar, Francisco Quizon, and Timoteo Paez.
These evidences were endorse by Colonel Olive to Governor Ramon
Blanco who designated Captain Rafael Dominguez as the judge Advocate
assigned with the task of deciding what corresponding action should be done.
Dominguez, after a brief review, transmitted the reords Don Nicolas de la
Peña, the Judge Advocate General, for an opinion. Peña’s recommendations
were as follows.
1. Rizal must be immediately sent to trial.
2. He must be held in prison under necessary security.
3. His properties must be issued with order of attachment, and as
indemnity, Rizal had to pay one million pesos.

90
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
4. Instead of a civilian lawyer, only an array officer is allowed to defend
Rizal.
Although given the “privilege” to choose his own defense counsel, this was
limited to a list of 100 names – both first and second lieutenants – that the
Spanish authorities provided him. Of the list, one familiar name stood out – Lt.
Luis Taviel de Andrade. Rizal discovered that the said lieutenant was he
brother of Lt. Jose Taviel de Andrade who worked as Rizal’s personal
bodyguard in Calamba 1887.

CHARGES AGAINST RIZAL


On the 11th of December 1896, in the presence of his Spanish counsel,
charges against Rizal were read. When asked regarding his sentiments and
reaction on the charges, Rizal replied that;
1. He does not question the jurisdiction of the count.
2. He had nothing to attend except that during his exile in Dapitan in
1892, he had not dealt in political matters.
3. He had nothing to admit on the charges against him.
4. He had nothing to admit on the declarations of the witnesses, he had
not met nor knew, against him.
Two days after, Rizal’s case was endorsed to Blanco’s successor,
Governor Camilo de polavieja, who had the authority to command that the
case be court martialed. On December 15, inside his cell at Fort Santiago,
Rizal wrote the controversial Manifesto addressed to his countrymen – a letter
denouncing, bloody struggle, and promoting education and industry as the
best means to acquire independence. However, Judge Advocate General
Nicolas de la peña requested Governor Polavieja that the publication of the
manifesto be prohibited, and so, the government did.

JOSE RIZAL TRIAL


Accutomed to share the merry season with family, friends and
relatives, the 1896 Christmas was indeed, Rizal’s saddest Confined in a dark,
gloomy cell, Rizal was in despair and had no idea of
what his fate may be. Under this delusion, he wrote a
letter to Lt. Taviel de Andrade requesting the latter to
visit him before his trial for there was a very important
matters they need to discuss. Likewise, Rizal greeted
the lieutenant a joyous Christmas.
The next day, December 26, about 8 o’clock in
morning, the court martial of Rizal Commenced. The
hearing was actually a kind of moro moro – a planned
trial wherein Rizal, before hearing his verdict, had

91
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
already been prejudged. Unlike other accused, Rizal had not been allowed to
know the people who witnessed against him. The trial took place at Cuartel
de España, a military building, with a court composed of seven military
officers headed by Lt. [Link] Togores Arjona. Present at the courtroom
were Jose Rizal, the six other officers in uniform (Capt. Ricardo Muños. Arias,
Capt Manuel Reguera, Capt Santiago Izquierdo Osorio, Capt. Braulio
Rodriquez Nuñes, Capt Manuel Diaz, Escribano, and Judge Advocate Capt.
Rafael Dominguez, Lt. Enrique de Alcocer (prosecuting attorney) and a
number of spectator, including Josephine Bracken.
After Judge Advocate Dominguea opened the trial, it was followed by
Atty. Alcocer’s reiteration of the charges against Rizal, urging the court that
the latter be punished with death. Accordingly, the three crimes accused to
him were rebellion, sedition and illegal association – the penalty for the first
two being life imprisonment to death, while the last, correctional imprisonment
and a charge of 325 to 3,250 pesetas.
Lt. Taviel de Andrade, on the other hand, later took the floor reading
his speech in defense of Rizal. To supplement this, Rizal read his own
defense which he wrote in his cell in Fort Santiago. According to Rizal, there
are twelve points to prove his innocence.
1. As testified by Pio Valenzuela, Rizal was against rebellion.
2. He had not written a letter addressed to the Katipunan comprising
revolutionary elements.
3. Without his knowledge, his name was used by the Katipunan; if he
really was guilty, he could have escape while he was in Singapore.
4. If he was guilty, he should have left the country while in exile; he
shouldn’t have built a home, bought a parcel of land or established a
hospital in Dapitan.
5. If he was really the leader of the revolution, the revolutionaries should
have consulted.
6. He had not deny that he wrote the by-laws of the La Liga Filipina, but to
make things clear, the organization was a civic association, not a
revolutionary society.
7. After the first meeting of La Liga, the association banished because of
his exile in Dapitan, Did not last long.
8. If the La Liga was reorganized nine months later, he had no idea about
it.
9. If the La Liga ha revolutionary purpose, then Katipunan should not
have been organized’
10. If the Spanish authorities found his having bitter atmosphere, it was
because in 1890 his family was being persecuted resulting by their
dispossession of properties and deportation of all his brothers – in- law.

92
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
11. He lived an exemplary life in Dapitann – the politico – military
commanders and missionary priest in the province could attest to that.
12. If according to witnesses the speech he delivered at doroteo
Ongjunco’s house had inspired the revolution, then he want to confront
these persons. If he really was for the revolution, then why did the
Katipunan send an unfamiliar emissary to him in Dapitan? It is so
because all his friends were aware that he never advocate violence.
But the military court remained indifferent to the pleads of Rizal. Rizal
was civilian, but was tried by a military court composed of military officials.
The case was already prejudged in the absence of due process. After a short
deberation he was sentenced to be shot in musketry until death at 7 o’clock in
the morning on December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan . The decision was
submitted to Gov. Polavieja who immiditely sought the opinion of Nicolas de
la Peña - the latter found the court’s decision and ordered Rizal execution
with all the formalities as required by the law.

MARTYRDOM AT BAGUMBAYAN
Upon hearing the court’s decision,
Rizal already knew that there is no way
that his destiny would be change-Rizal
knew it was his end. And had accepted his
fate. Captain Rafae Dominguez, at 6 o’clock
in the morning of his execution, scheduled
the next day. Rizal was immediately
transferred to the prison chapel where he
spent his last hours on earth.

93
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
Inside the chapel, Rizal busied himself by writing. Correspondences to
friends and family, bidding everyone farewell, and conversing with his Jesuit
priests’ friends. He had a lot of visitors, arriving one or two after the other.
1. Fr. Miguel Saderra Mata – the Rector of the Ateneo Municipal, arrive in
the prison early in the morning.
2. Fr. Luis Viza – came with Fr. Mata; the priest to whom Rizal asked for
the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which he made during his stay
in Ateneo.
3. Fr. Antonio Rosell – another friend of Rizal who Rizal gladly ate a fine
breakfast with him, returned in the afternoon to resume his talk with
Rizal.
4. Lt. Taviel de Adrade – Rizal extended his appreciation for Andrade’s
services as his defense counsel.
5. Fr. Federico Faura – had prophesied earlier rather comically that Rizal
would lose his head for writing the Noli Me Tangere, and the latter “
congratulated “ the priest for being right.
6. Fr. Jose Villaclara – Rizal’s former teacher in Ateneo ; ate lunch with
him.
7. Fr. Vicente Balaguer – accompanied Fr.
Villaclara; ate lunch with Rizal as well.
8. Santiago Mataix – contributor in the El Heraldo
de Madrid.
9. Teodora Alonzo – Rizal Knelt before his beloved
mother, begging for forgiveness and
understanding; the mother and son were
separated by the strong grip of the prison guard.
10. Trinidad – arrived when Doña Teodora Left the
chapel; to her, Rizal handed down an alcohol
cooking stove and whispered that something was inside it (turned out
to be his last piece, the Mi Ultimo Adios, Written in a small piece of
paper).
11. Gaspar Castaño – fiscal of the Royal Audiencia; had a good
conversation with Rizal.
Late at night around 10 o’clock a retraction letter prepared by
Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda was presented to
Rizal, however, he rejected it for being too long. Fr.
Balaguer, on the other hand, showed another draft
from Fr. Pio Pi, Which Rizal liked but wanted some
parts of which be changed. By 11:30 P.M. Rizal wrote
and signed the retraction letter in which he renounced
the mason movement – witnesses to this event were
Juan del Fresno (Chief of the, Guard Detail) and Ely

94
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
Moure (Assistant of the Plaza). Rizal then confessed to Father Villaclara, and
after which, slept. Two hours later, he rose up and prayed and confessed
again. Inside the chapel he knelt before the altar and prayed with the rosary.
He, for the third time, confessed to Fr. Villaclara and once finished, read
Imitacion de Cristo by Tomas Kempis.
At 3:30 in the morning of December 30. 1896, Fr. Balaguer lead a
mass – Rizal, once again, made a confession and received Communion. At
5:00 A.M., he ate his last breakfast and autographed some memorabilia
including religious picture and books which will be passed on to his mother,
and her sister, Trinidad. Accompanied by his sister Narcisa, Josephine
Bracken arrive and requested by Rizal, the couple was canonically blessed as
husband and wife by Fr. Balaguer. To Josephine, Rizal gave the Imitacion de
Cristo as a wedding gift. For the last time, he wrote a letter to his parents
Ferdinand Blumentritt and Paciano.
Rizal’s march to Bagumbayan commenced 6:30 in the morning. He is
in black suit, black necktie, black hat, black shoes and white vest. With Lt.
Taviel de Andrade on one side, and Fathers
Estanislao March and Jose Villaclara, on the
other side, He calmly walked from his proson
cell in Fort Santiago to the execution site.
They walked behind four advanced guards
armed with bayonets.
Jose Rizal was tied behind from elbow
to elbow, although, still had the freedom
to move his arms. In his right arm was a
rosary which he kept on holding until his
final breath. Meters before the execution
place a number of spectators awaited Rizal. During his long march. Rizal
saw familiar faces and places, he spent his time reminiscing his
childhood, the fun he had with his family and friends.
In Bagumbayan Field,
Rizal shook the hands of the two
priest and his defender, bidding
them farewell. A priest bleeds and
offered him a crucifix which he
gently kissed. Rizal had one
request, that is,
that he be shot
facing the firing
squad, however,
in vain since the captain of the squad ordered a back shot. As
such, Rizal had no choice but to turn back. A Physician by the
name of Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo was amazed that Rizal’s
vital sign were normal, particularly his pulse rate – was Rizal
really unafraid to die?

95
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
The Firing squad was commanded in unison with drumbeats Upon the
brick command “Fire”, the guns of the squad flared Rizal, by his sheer effort
and remaining, energy, twisted his body around to face the firing squad, and
so, fell on the ground with.

His face forward the blue sky, his head slightly inclined toward the
rising sun in the east. What can be heard from the crowd of Spaniards was
their loud, and audible voice, shouting :Long live Spain! Death to Traitors!”
Jose Rizal died at exactly 7:00 in the morning of December 30, 1896.

MY LAST FAREWELL ( Mi ultimo Adios)


My last Farewell was Rizal’s last and
greatest poem written before his execution,
December 29, 1896, this poem is considered a
priceless gem of the Philippines literature.
The poem was given by Rizal to his sisters
at the eve of his execution. Rizal gave to his sister,
Trinidad the alcohol stove though the guard, and
said” there is something inside” The sisters
discover inside the stove an untitled poem with 14
stanzas. The sister reproduce the poem and sent it

96
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
to Rizal’s friend abroad. Later Mariano Dacana, a Filipino Priest, entitled the
poem Mi Ultimo Dios and Published it in La independencia of Antonio Luna on
September 25, 1898.
The Mi Ultimo could be the most translated poem in the world
Presently, it has been translated into 40 language/dialects. The languages
are: Bengali, Bulgarian, Burmese, Chinese, Czeck, Danish, Dutch, English,
Fijian, Filipino, French, German, Greek, Hawaiian, Hebrew, Hidi, Hungarian,
Igbo,, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Javanese, Korean, Latin, Maori,
Norwegian, Portuguses, Romanian, Russian, Sanskrit, Sinhalese, Somali,
Tahitian, Thai, Tongan, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese, Wolof, and Yoruba.

Mi Ultimo Adios

Adios, Patria adorada, region del sol querida,


Perla del Mar de Oriente, nuestro perdido Eden!
A darte voy alegre la triste mustia vida,
Y fuera más brillante más fresca, más florida,
Tambien por tí la diera, la diera por tu bien.

En campos de batalla, luchando con delirio


Otros te dan sus vidas sin dudas, sin pesar;
El sitio nada importa, ciprés, laurel ó lirio,
Cadalso ó campo abierto, combate ó cruel martirio,
Lo mismo es si lo piden la patria y el hogar.

Yo muero cuando veo que el cielo se colora


Y al fin anuncia el día trás lóbrego capuz;
Si grana necesitas para teñir tu aurora,
Vierte la sangre mía, derrámala en buen hora
Y dórela un reflejo de su naciente luz.

Mis sueños cuando apenas muchacho adolescente,


Mis sueños cuando joven ya lleno de vigor,
Fueron el verte un día, joya del mar de oriente
Secos los negros ojos, alta la tersa frente,
Sin ceño, sin arrugas, sin manchas de rubor.

Ensueño de mi vida, mi ardiente vivo anhelo,


Salud te grita el alma que pronto va á partir!
Salud! ah que es hermoso caer por darte vuelo,
Morir por darte vida, morir bajo tu cielo,
Y en tu encantada tierra la eternidad dormir.

Si sobre mi sepulcro vieres brotar un dia


Entre la espesa yerba sencilla, humilde flor,
Acércala a tus labios y besa al alma mía,
Y sienta yo en mi frente bajo la tumba fría
De tu ternura el soplo, de tu hálito el calor.

97
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
Deja á la luna verme con luz tranquila y suave;
Deja que el alba envíe su resplandor fugaz,
Deja gemir al viento con su murmullo grave,
Y si desciende y posa sobre mi cruz un ave
Deja que el ave entone su cantico de paz.

Deja que el sol ardiendo las lluvias evapore


Y al cielo tornen puras con mi clamor en pos,
Deja que un sér amigo mi fin temprano llore
Y en las serenas tardes cuando por mi alguien ore
Ora tambien, Oh Patria, por mi descanso á Dios!

Ora por todos cuantos murieron sin ventura,


Por cuantos padecieron tormentos sin igual,
Por nuestras pobres madres que gimen su amargura;
Por huérfanos y viudas, por presos en tortura
Y ora por tí que veas tu redencion final.

Y cuando en noche oscura se envuelva el cementerio


Y solos sólo muertos queden velando allí,
0No turbes su reposo, no turbes el misterio
Tal vez acordes oigas de citara ó salterio,
Soy yo, querida Patria, yo que te canto á ti.

Y cuando ya mi tumba de todos olvidada


No tenga cruz ni piedra que marquen su lugar,
Deja que la are el hombre, la esparza con la azada,
Y mis cenizas antes que vuelvan á la nada,
El polvo de tu alfombra que vayan á formar.

Entonces nada importa me pongas en olvido,


Tu atmósfera, tu espacio, tus valles cruzaré,
Vibrante y limpia nota seré para tu oido,
Aroma, luz, colores, rumor, canto, gemido
Constante repitiendo la esencia de mi fé.

Mi Patria idolatrada, dolor de mis dolores,


Querida Filipinas, oye el postrer adios.
Ahi te dejo todo, mis padres, mis amores.
Voy donde no hay esclavos, verdugos ni opresores,
Donde la fé no mata, donde el que reyna es Dios.

Adios, padres y hermanos, trozos del alma mía,


Amigos de la infancia en el perdido hogar,
Dad gracias que descanso del fatigoso día;
Adios, dulce extrangera, mi amiga, mi alegria,
Adios, queridos séres morir es descansar.

98
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
This is a poem by Dr. Jose Rizal, penned just
hours before he was executed. The poem was originally
written in spanish and was not given any title. Rizal hid
the paper containing the poem in an alcohol stove which
was later given to his sister Narcisa. Another possible
poem was written in a piece of paper hidden in Rizal’s
shoes but the text became unreadable so its content
remains a mystery.

99
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
Mariano Ponce had the poem published in Hong Kong and gave it the title “Mi
Ultimo Pensamiento”. Father Mariano Dacanay, a Filipino priest, gave the poem the
title “Ultimo Adios”. So the poem came to be known as “Mi Ultimo Adios” or “My Last
Farewell”. The poem has been translated many times in a number of languages. One
of the most popular translation is the English version by Charles E. Derbyshire. It was
also translated in Filipino version by Andres Bonifacio.

English Version Filipino Version

Huling Paalam
My Last Farewell

Farewell, dear Fatherland, clime of the


sun caress’d Pahimakas ni Dr. Jose Rizal
Pearl of the Orient seas, our Eden
lost!,
Gladly now I go to give thee this faded Pinipintuho kong Bayan ay paalam,
life’s best, Lupang iniirog ng sikat ng araw,
And were it brighter, fresher, or more mutyang mahalaga sa dagat Silangan,
blest kaluwalhatiang sa ami'y pumanaw.
Still would I give it thee, nor count the
cost. Masayang sa iyo'y aking idudulot
ang lanta kong buhay na lubhang
On the field of battle, ‘mid the frenzy of malungkot;
fight, maging maringal man at labis alindog
Others have given their lives, without sa kagalingan mo ay aking ding
doubt or heed; handog.
The place matters not-cypress or
laurel or lily white, Sa pakikidigma at pamimiyapis
Scaffold or open plain, combat or ang alay ng iba'y ang buhay na kipkip,
martyrdom’s plight, walang agam-agam, maluag sa dibdib,
‘Tis ever the same, to serve our home matamis sa puso at di ikahapis.
and country’s need.
Saan man mautas ay dikailangan,
I die just when I see the dawn break, cipres o laurel, lirio ma'y patungan
Through the gloom of night, to herald pakikipaghamok, at ang bibitayan,
the day; yaon ay gayon din kung hiling ng
And if color is lacking my blood thou Bayan.
shalt take,
Pour’d out at need for thy dear sake Ako'y mamamatay, ngayong
To dye with its crimson the waking ray. namamalas
na sa silinganan ay namamanaag
My dreams, when life first opened to yaong maligayang araw na sisikat
me, sa likod ng luksang nagtabing na ulap.
My dreams, when the hopes of youth
Ang kulay na pula kung kinakailangan

100
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
beat high, na maitina sa iyong liway-way,
Were to see thy lov’d face, O gem of dugo ko'y isabong at siyang ikinang
the Orient sea ng kislap ng iyong maningning na ilaw
From gloom and grief, from care and
sorrow free; Ang aking adhika sapul magkaisip
No blush on thy brow, no tear in thine ng kasalukuyang bata pang maliit,
eye. ay ang tanghaling ka at minsan masilip
sa dagat Silangan hiyas na marikit.
Dream of my life, my living and
burning desire, Natuyo ang luhang sa mata'y nunukal,
All hail ! cries the soul that is now to taas na ang noo't walang kapootan,
take flight; walang bakas kunot ng kapighatian
All hail ! And sweet it is for thee to gabahid man dungis niyong kahihiyan.
expire ;
To die for thy sake, that thou mayst Sa kabuhayang ko ang laging gunita
aspire; maningas na aking ninanasa-nasa
And sleep in thy bosom eternity’s long ay guminhawa ka ang hiyas ng diwa
night. hingang papanaw ngayong biglang-
bigla.
If over my grave some day thou seest pag hingang papanaw ngayong
grow, biglang-bigla.
In the grassy sod, a humble flower,
Draw it to thy lips and kiss my soul so, Ikaw'y guminhawa laking
While I may feel on my brow in the kagandahang
cold tomb below akoy malugmok, at ikaw ay matanghal,
The touch of thy tenderness, thy hiniga'y malagot, mabuhay ka lamang
breath’s warm power. bangkay ko'y masilong sa iyong
Kalangitan.
Let the moon beam over me soft and
serene, Kung sa libingan ko'y tumubong
Let the dawn shed over me its radiant mamalas
flashes, sa malagong damo mahinhing
Let the wind with sad lament over me bulaklak,
keen ; sa mga labi mo'y mangyayaring itapat,
And if on my cross a bird should be sa kaluluwa ko hatik ay igawad.
seen,
Let it trill there its hymn of peace to my At sa aking noo nawa'y iparamdam,
ashes. sa lamig ng lupa ng aking libingan,
ang init ng iyong paghingang dalisay
Let the sun draw the vapors up to the at simoy ng iyong paggiliw na tunay.
sky,
And heavenward in purity bear my Bayaang ang buwan sa aki'y ititig
tardy protest ang iwanag niyang lamlam at tahimik,
Let some kind soul o ‘er my untimely liwayway bayaang sa aki'y ihatid

101
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
fate sigh, magalaw na sinag at hanging hagibis.
And in the still evening a prayer be
lifted on high Kung sakasakaling bumabang
From thee, 0 my country, that in God I humantong
may rest. sa krus ko'y dumapo kahit isang ibon
doon ay bayaan humuning hinahon
Pray for all those that hapless have at dalitin niya payapang panahon.
died,
For all who have suffered the Bayaan ang ningas ng sikat ng araw
unmeasured pain; ula'y pasingawin noong kainitan,
For our mothers that bitterly their woes magbalik sa langit ng boong dalisay
have cried, kalakip ng aking pagdaing na hiyaw.
For widows and orphans, for captives
by torture tried Bayaang sino man sa katotang giliw
And then for thyself that redemption tangisang maagang sa buhay pagkitil;
thou mayst gain. kung tungkol sa akin ay may
manalangin
And when the dark night wraps the idalangin, Bayan, yaring pagka
graveyard around himbing.
With only the dead in their vigil to see
Break not my repose or the mystery Idalanging lahat yaong nangamatay,
profound mangagatiis hirap na walang
And perchance thou mayst hear a sad kapantay;
hymn resound mga ina naming walang kapalaran
‘Tis I, O my country, raising a song na inihihibik ay kapighatian.
unto thee.
Ang mga bao't pinapangulila,
And even my grave is remembered no ang mga bilanggong nagsisipagdusa;
more dalanginin namang kanilang makita
Unmark’d by never a cross nor a stone ang kalayaan mong, ikagiginhawa.
Let the plow sweep through it, the
spade turn it o’er At kung an madilim na gabing
That my ashes may carpet earthly mapanglaw
floor, ay lumaganap na doon sa libinga't
Before into nothingness at last they tanging mga patay ang
are blown. nangaglalamay,
huwag bagabagin ang katahimikan.
Then will oblivion bring to me no care
As over thy vales and plains I sweep; Ang kanyang hiwagay huwag
Throbbing and cleansed in thy space gambalain;
and air kaipala'y maringig doon ang taginting,
With color and light, with song and tunog ng gitara't salterio'y mag saliw,
lament I fare, ako, Bayan yao't kita'y aawitin.
Ever repeating the faith that I keep.
Kung ang libingan ko'y limat na ng

102
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
My Fatherland ador’d, that sadness to lahat
my sorrow lends at wala ng kurus at batang mabakas,
Beloved Filipinas, hear now my last bayaang linangin ng taong masipag,
good-by! lupa'y asarolin at kauyang ikalat.
I give thee all: parents and kindred
and friends At mga buto ko ay bago matunaw
For I go where no slave before the maowi sa wala at kusang maparam,
oppressor bends, alabok ng iyong latag ay bayaang
Where faith can never kill, and God siya ang babalang doo'y makipisan.
reigns e’er on high!
Kung magka gayon na'y aalintanahin
Farewell to you all, from my soul torn na ako sa limot iyong ihabilin
away, pagka't himpapawid at ang panganorin
Friends of my childhood in the home mga lansangan mo'y aking lilibutin.
dispossessed ! Matining na tunog ako sa dingig mo,
Give thanks that I rest from the ilaw, mga kulay, masamyong
wearisome day ! pabango,
Farewell to thee, too, sweet friend that ang ugong at awit, pag hibik sa iyo,
lightened my way; pag asang dalisay ng pananalig ko.
Beloved creatures all, farewell! In
death there is rest! Bayang iniirog, sakit niyaring hirap,
Katagalugang ko pinakaliliyag,
dinggin mo ang aking
pagpapahimakas;
diya'y iiwan ko sa iyo ang lahat.

Ako'y patutungo sa walang busabos,


walang umiinis at berdugong hayop;
pananalig doo'y di nakasasalot,
si Bathala lamang dooy haring lubos.

Paalam, magulang at mga kapatid


kapilas ng aking kaluluwa't dibdib
mga kaibigan bata pang maliit
sa aking tahanan di na masisilip.

Pag pasasalamat at napahinga rin,


paalam estranherang kasuyo ko't aliw,
paalam sa inyo, mga ginigiliw;
mamatay ay siyang pagkakagupiling!

103
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
Brief Explanation
The poem shows Jose Rizal’s thoughts and
sentiments in the time of trial and execution.
The succeeding are the interpretations for
each stanza.

First stanza – He express of sacrifice for and goodbye to his


motherland.
Second stanza – He deals with martyrdom and his service for the country by
offering his life.
Third stanza – He talks about his death/final end.
Fourth stanza – He presents his vision, that is, to see Philippines free and
developed.
Fifth stanza – He goes back to his death. He declares that is his desire to die
for the sake of the country.
Sixth stanza – He desires that his country also shows love for him by offering
flowers on his tomb.
Seven stanza – He request for proper burial.
Eight stanza – He urges the country to offer prayer for him and the rest in
God.
Ninth stanza – He request for prayer for others. Those who died and for those
mothers who mourn.
Tenth stanza – He mentions that the dead are forgotten.
Eleventh and twelfth stanza – Although the dead are forgotten, he hopes that
his spirit will continue to live on.
Thirteenth stanza – He expresses farewell to his loved ones. He also
discusses heaven, a place where no slave and oppressor and there is only
one Almighty Creator.
Fourteenth stanza – Finally, he said that death is rest. All people die. Here, he
shows us the thoughts and sentiments.

104
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
Chapter 2 Exercises
I. IDENTIFICATION. Identify the following statements
correctly by writing the answer on the space provided
before the number.

1. They disguised as sailors of the motor Caridad to rescue


Rizal in the cruiser Castilla harbored at Manila Bay.
2. The chosen defense counsel if Rizal in his case that was
from the first and second lieutenants that the Spaniards
provided.
3. A letter denouncing bloody stuggle and promoting education
and industry as the best means to acquire independence.
4. The military building where Rizal’s trial took peace.
5. The governor who signed and approved the court’s decision
and ordered Rizal’s execution.
6. The last masterpiece of Rizal which was put inside the
alcohol cooking stove given to his sister, Trinidad.
7. The last wedding gift of Rizal for his lonely wife, Josephine
Bracken.
8. The rescuer of Rizal on the steamer “colon” but failed to do
because the judge in Singapore denied the rescuers request
to free Rizal.
9. The judge who was assigned to handle the task of deciding
what corresponding action against Rizal.
10. The physician who was amazed of Rizal’s normal vital signs
and normal pulse rate during his last five minutes on his last
day.

105
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
II. TRUE OF FALSE. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if
otherwise.

1. Rizal was boarded on steamer Isla de Panay for Spain which was his
last travel abroad.

2. There were twenty-four exhibits of documents during Rizal’s


preliminary investigation.

3. Rizal was not given the privilege to choose his own defense.

4. The three crimes accused to Rizal were rebellion, libel and illegal
association.

5. Rizal had twelve points to prove his innocence which he had written in
his cell in Fort Santiago.

6. Rizal was sentenced to be shot to death at exactly 7:05 in the morning


of December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan.

7. Rizal looked elegant in his black suit, black necktie, black hat, black
shoes, and white nest when he started marching to Bagumbayan.

8. Jose Rizal was shot facing the firing squad.

9. Rizal died at exactly 7:03 in the morning of December 30, 1986.

10. The penalty for his crime was imprisonment to death, correctional
imprisonment and a charge of 325 to 32500 pesetas.

III. ESSAY

106
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
1. Explain why Dr. Jose Rizal was sentenced to death.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
2. Explain how the Spanish authorities handle the case
of Rizal.
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
3. 3. Describe the process of Rizal’s case. Explain your
answer.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
4. Explain how Rizal proved that “Pen is mightier than
Sword”.
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
REFERENCES
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
107
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)
Books
Jeorge Bocobo, El FIlibusterismo, trans. R. Martinez and Sons Quezon City,
1957.
Lazo, Ricardo S. Jr., Philippine Governance and the 1987 Constitution,
2006 edition, Rex Book Store, Inc., 2006.
Pangilinan, Michael C., Dr. Jose P. Rizal Life, Works and Writings, Mind
Shapers Co., Inc.,Intramuros, Manila, 2015.
Republic Act No. 1425, s. 1956.
Zaide, Gregorio F. and Sonia, Rizal Life, Works, and Writings of a Genius,
Writer, Scientist, and National Hero, All Nations Publishing Co., Inc.
Quezon City, 2011.

Online
[Link]/poem-mi-ultimo-adios-last-farewell-by-jose-rizal/
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]/voelkerkunde/apsis/aufi/rizal/[Link]
[Link]/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/
[Link]/voelkerkunde/apsis/aufi/rizal/[Link]
[Link]
[Link]

108
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN GEN. ED 07 (THE LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL)

You might also like