RIZAL’S TRIAL, EXILE, AND DEATH MODULE NO.

RIZAL’S TRIAL, EXILE, AND DEATH

MODULE OVERVIEW

Dr. Jose Rizal’s return to the Philippines in 1892 marked a turning point in his life and the
nation’s history. His proposal of the Borneo plan was rejected by Governor General
Despujol, leading to the founding of La Liga Filipina—a civic organization aiming for social
reform, unity, and progress. Days after its establishment, Rizal was arrested and exiled to
Dapitan, where he transformed the quiet town into a center of education, health care, and
community development. During his exile, he wrote notable literary works such as Hymn to
Talisay and Mi Retiro, reflecting his love for nature, service to others, and acceptance of
destiny. His peaceful life ended when he was implicated—falsely—in the Katipunan revolt,
leading to his arrest, trial, and execution on December 30, 1896. His Mi Último Adiós
remains a timeless testament to his patriotism, vision for the nation, and farewell to his loved
ones.

PRETEST

Choose the letter of the correct answer for each question and write it on your answer sheet.

__________1. Which of the following statements was the main objective of La Liga Filipina?
A. To fight for independence
B. To reform the government
C. To unite the whole archipelago
D. To develop the education system
__________2. Which group was considered the radical wing of La Liga Filipina?
A. Compadrenismo
B. KKK
C. Propaganda
D. KBL
__________3. Which body served as the chief executive of La Liga Filipina?
A. Supreme Council
B. Provincial Council
C. Executive Committee
D. Prime Minister
__________4. Who was the president of La Liga Filipina?
A. Andres Bonifacio
B. Jose Rizal
C. Ambrosio Salvador
D. Apolinario Mabini
__________5. Which governor general signed the exile of Jose Rizal to Dapitan?
A. Miguel Lopez de Legaspi
B. Eulogio Despujol
C. Camilo Polavieja
D. Ricardo dela Cruz
__________6. Which novel of Rizal was used by the Spanish government as evidence that
he encouraged revolution?
A. Makamisa
B. El Filibusterismo
C. Noli Me Tangere
D. The Count of Monte Cristo

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RIZAL’S TRIAL, EXILE, AND DEATH MODULE NO. 5

__________7. Who was the guard of Jose Rizal in Dapitan?

A. Jose Taviel de Andrade
B. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera
C. Ricardo Canicero
D. Luis Taviel de Andrade
__________8. Which group represented the conservative faction of La Liga Filipina?
A. Cuerpo de Compromisarios
B. Propaganda
C. Magdalo
D. Magdiwang
__________9. Who was the head curate of Dapitan with whom Rizal had an exchange of
thoughts?
A. Francisco Paula de Sanchez
B. Pablo Pastells
C. Vicente Garcia
D. Marco de Echeverria
_________10. Which lighter did Rizal invent in Dapitan?
A. Sulpukan
B. Sultukan
C. Paltik
D. Lutukan
__________11. Which governor general allowed Dr. Jose Rizal to go to Cuba as a volunteer
doctor?
A. Rafael Izquierdo
B. Eulogio Despujol
C. Ramon Blanco
D. Basilio Agustin
__________12. Where was Rizal imprisoned in 1896?
A. Dapitan
B. Muntinlupa
C. Fort Santiago
D. Cebu
__________13. Which organization implicated Rizal as the leader of the revolution?
A. La Liga Filipina
B. Circulo-Hispano Filipina
C. KKK
D. La Solidaridad
__________14. Who served as the legal counsel of Dr. Jose Rizal?
A. Jose Taviel de Andrade
B. Ramon Blanco
C. Luis Taviel de Andrade
D. Eulogio Despujol
__________15. Who was sent by Andres Bonifacio to Dapitan to inform Rizal about the
existence of the KKK?
A. Pio Valenzuela
B. Mariano Alvarez
C. Teodoro Patino
D. Apolonio Samson
__________16. Which sister of Jose Rizal marked his grave?
A. Maria
B. Narcisa
C. Olympia
D. Saturnina

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__________17. Which American civil governor ordered the establishment of the monument
of Rizal?
A. William McKinley
B. Adam Smith
C. William Howard Taft
D. Francis Burton Harrison
__________18. What was the password of the highest rank of the KKK?
A. Bonifacio
B. Mabini
C. Rizal
D. Aguinaldo
__________19. Which governor general signed the execution of Dr. Jose Rizal?
A. Camilo Polavieja
B. Primo de Rivera
C. Basilio Agustin
D. Ramon Blanco
__________20. Where did Rizal choose to be buried?
A. Calamba
B. Parian
C. Luneta
D. Paang Bundok

INTRODUCTION

The life of Dr. Jose Rizal from the founding of La Liga Filipina to his martyrdom represents
the convergence of peaceful reform, civic engagement, and ultimate sacrifice. While he
sought to advance the Philippines through unity, education, and lawful change, the colonial
authorities viewed his works and associations as threats to their power. His exile to Dapitan
became a chapter of remarkable community contributions, where he lived simply yet
purposefully—teaching, healing, and innovating. Even in isolation, his writings and projects
revealed his deep love for the country and belief in the power of enlightened citizens.
However, political upheaval and false accusations sealed his fate, culminating in a trial
marked by prejudice and a death that would inspire generations.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:

 Analyze the factors that led to Rizal’s execution;
 Analyze the effects of Rizal’s execution on Spanish colonial rule and the Philippine
Revolution.

PRESENTATION OF THE LESSON

A. La Liga Filipina and Exile to Dapitan

One of the reasons why Dr. Jose Rizal would want to go back to the Philippines is he
wanted to discuss the Borneo plan to Governor General Eulogio Despujol. However, he did
not agree to the plan and as a result he pushed the establishment of La Liga Filipina.

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In one Sunday, evening, July 3, 1892, Rizal founded La Liga Filipina in the house of a
Chinese-Filipino Doroteo Ongjunco, at Ylaya St. Tondo, Manila. Present in the area were the
Filipino Patriots like Andres Bonifacio. La Liga Filipina was a civic society which aimed for
reform in the society.
Motto: Unus instar omnium
Aims of the La Liga Filipina
1. To unite the archipelago
2. To protect the Filipino
3. Defense against injustices and abuse
4. The encouragement of education, agriculture and commerce
5. To study the needed reform in society

Officers of the Civic Organization

The administration of the civic organization is divided into popular, provincial and
supreme council. Each council is composed of a chief, a fiscal, a treasurer, a secretary and
members. The supreme council shall command the organization and supervise directly by
provincial and popular chiefs. While the provincial council will direct the popular chiefs.
Duties of the Members Rights of the members
1. Pay monthly dues of 10 centimos Each member has a right to the
moral and material aid for his
council and also the support of the
organization.
2. Obey blindly and promptly the order The member can demand favor in terms of
of Council or a chief. trade or profession.
3. Inform the fiscal in case they hear In case of injury or injustice the member
any comments about the can request the support of the whole
organization organization
4. Preserve the secrecy of the decision The member can request financial support
of the council of the organization for an enterprise from the organization
whenever there are funds.
5. They should pay all the products The member can demand rebate from the
that they will purchase in the store institutions and enterprises run by the
of the other members organization
6. The member should help each The member is entitled in due process
other.
7. The member shall choose his name,
and it should not be changed unless
he became a provincial chief.
8. The member shall not submit to any
humiliation or treat other people with
contempt.

Officers of La Liga Filipina

Founder: Dr. Rizal
President: Ambrosio Salvador
Fiscal: Agustin de la Rosa
Treasurer: Bonifacio Arevalo
Secretary: Deodato Arellano

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Members:

1. Andres Bonifacio
2. Mamerto Natividad
3. Domingo Franco
4. Moises Salvador
5. Numeriano Adriano
6. Jose A. Dizon
7. Apolinario Mabini
8. Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista
9. Timoteo Lanuza
10. Marcelino de Santos
11. Paulino Zamora
12. Juan Zulueta
13. Doroteo Ongjunco
14. Arcadio del Rosario
15. Timoteo Paez
Rizal Was Arrested
On July 6, 1892, Rizal was arrested because of the case planted against him. The
Spanish authorities were able to put the paraphernalia which were anti-government in his
luggage. And on July 7, 1892 Governor General Eulogio Despujopl issued a decree ordering
the deportation of Rizal to Dapitan. The following were the reasons for his deportation:
1. The publication of Rizal of novels abroad which showed disloyalty to the Spanish
Government
2. A few hours after his arrival in Manila the Spanish Authorities saw paraphernalia
which were anti-government and anti-church.
3. The second novel of Rizal, the El filibusterismo was dedicated to GomBurZa which
were traitors.
4. His writings encouraged the Filipinos to withdraw their loyalty to the Spanish religion.
After the exile of Rizal to Dapitan, La liga Filipinas was split into two factions. The
Cuerpo de Compromisarios founded by the conservatives and Katipunan founded by the
radicals led by Andres Bonifacio. However, after several months it was dissolved because of
the lack of involvement of the members and the fear of the other members to be caught and
executed.

RIZAL IN DAPITAN
On July 14, 1892 with heavy guard, he rode the steamer Cebu that brought him to
Dapitan.
Together with his guard Captain Ricardo Carnicero, Rizal arrived in Dapitan in July 17,1892.
In his first night, he viewed Dapitan as a place full of darkness and it ended his career. The
first problem which he encountered in Dapitan was the place where he would stay. He was
not allowed to stay in the Jesuit house because according to Fr. Pastells, he needed to
retract all the things that he wrote against the church and because he did not want to retract
his writings, he chose to live in the house of Capitan Ricardo Carnicero.

On September 28, 1892, Capitan Ricardo, Jose Rizal and the other guards decided
to bet on a lottery and luckily, they won 20,000. They divided the money among themselves,
and Jose Rizal used the money that he received to purchase a land which was one kilometer
away from Dapitan, the place of Talisay. His guard allowed him to put up a house in Talisay
on the condition that he would report to Capitan Ricardo three times a day. However, he had
a bodyguard named Jose Taviel de Andrade. But because he earned the trust of Captain
Ricardo, he was able to live in Talisay in his exile in Dapitan.

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Life in Talisay
Away from his busy life in big cities in Europe, he was conferred to adjust in a simple
life in Dapitan which was very different from the busy places that he had been to in Europe.
But instead of being bored he spent his time doing things that would make Dapitan
productive.
He used his money to build an octagonal house made up of Bamboo and Nipa in
Talisay. One portion of the house is allotted for the school for the young boys in Talisay, the
other part was used for his eye clinic which was known in the country and also in Hongkong.
He also built a house for the ladies in his family who were free to visit him in Dapitan. He
earned a lot of money because some of his customers came from Hongkong and from
wealthy families in the other provinces of the country. He used the money as capital for his
lumber business in Dapitan and as he wrote to his friend Blumentritt, he earned money in
Dapitan which made him wealthy.

Contributions to Dapitan
1. Opened an eye clinic for the poor, some of his patients came from the different part
of the country and from Hongkong.
2. Developed waterways so that the people in Talisay, Dapitan could have clean water.
3. Create a system for the lighting and cleaning of the areas to avoid mosquitoes.
4. Established a school that catered to the education of the young people for free.
5. Taught the more advanced system of farming.
6. Initiated the founding of a cooperative for the fishermen and farmers in Talisay.
7. Research and account the different species that could be found in Dapitan.
8. Invented “Sulpukan” lighter and the machinery in making bricks.
10. Worked on the development of sugar, abaca and lumber trading.
11. Together with Fr. Paula de Sanchez, he created a big map of Mindanao

Literary Works in Dapitan

In Dapitan, his literary brilliance still exists. He had written two poems. First is “Hymn
to Talisay to honor the place where he finds peace and contentment. Second is Mi Retiro,
the poem of Rizal upon the request of his mother.
Thoughts of Jose Rizal in Hymn to Talisay
1. Dapitan was gifted with scenery from nature. It has a sandy beach, mountains,
valleys covered by flowers.
2. The Talisayon are small but brave. They are fishermen who were able to sail in
the mighty seas, they are intelligent who knows three languages, and they can
fight using weapons or thru writings.
3. Happy are the children of Talisay. They have memories that will equip them to
face the challenges as a grown man.
4. Jose Rizal also commended the resiliency and simple living of Talisayon.

HYMN TO TALISAY
Hail, Talisay,
firm and faithful,
ever forward
march elate!
You, victorious,
the elements
—land, sea and air—
shall dominate!

The sandy beach of Dapitan

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RIZAL’S TRIAL, EXILE, AND DEATH MODULE NO. 5

and the rocks of its lofty mountain

are your throne. O sacred asylum
where I passed my childhood days!
In your valley covered with flowers
and shaded by fruitful orchards,
our minds received their formation,
both body and soul, by your grace.

We are children, children born late,

but our spirits are fresh and healthy;
strong men shall we be tomorrow
that can guard a family right.
We are children that nothing frightens,
not the waves, nor the storm, nor the thunder;
the arm ready, the young face tranquil,
in a fix we shall know how to fight.

We ransack the sand in our frolic.

through the caves and the thickets, we ramble.
our houses are built upon rocks.
our arms reach far and wide.
No darkness, and no dark night,
that we fear, no savage tempest;
if the devil himself comes forward,
we shall catch him, dead or alive!

Talisayon, the people call us:

a great soul in a little body;
in Dapitan and all its region
Talisay has no match!
Our reservoir is unequalled;
our precipice is a deep chasm;
and when we go rowing, our bancas
no banca in the world can catch!

We study the problems of science

and the history of the nation.
We speak some three or four languages;
faith and reason we span.
Our hands can wield at the same time
the knife, the pen and the spade,
the picket, the rifle, the sword—
companions of a brave man.

Long live luxuriant Talisay!

Our voices exalt you in chorus,
clear star, dear treasure of childhood,
a childhood you guide and please.
In the struggles that await the grown man,
subject to pain and sorrow,
your memory shall be his amulet;

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RIZAL’S TRIAL, EXILE, AND DEATH MODULE NO. 5

and your name, in the tomb, his peace.

My Retreat (Mi Retiro)

Jose Rizal was able to travel in different parts of the world. He explores the
metropolitan and famous landmark in Europe. He spends his time studying, writing and
meeting other people of various nationalities. Thus, his life in Dapitan is far from what he
experiences in other countries.
His being part of cosmopolitan did not become hindrance for him to enjoy life in
Dapitan and develop projects for the advancement of the life of the people.

Ideas of Jose Rizal in Mi Retiro

1. The place where Rizal chose to retreat is near the spacious beach, his house is made of
nipa and bamboo and lulled by the sounds of the sea.
2. He appreciates the surrounding jungle, the animals exploring the wilderness, the sound
of the night and the calmness brought by morning dew.
3. His life in Dapitan is his retreat. Although it is different from the life he had, he willingly
accepts his destiny.
4. He thanks all his friends who did not live him in the times of his agony.
5. The land of Dapitan brings him closer to his origin and the sweet secrets of a virginal
romance.
6. Beside a spacious beach of fine and delicate sand of Dapitan, he will retire and embrace
the serene tranquility of the place.

My Retreat
(Mi Retiro)

Beside a spacious beach of fine and delicate sand

and at the foot of a mountain greener than a leaf,
I planted my humble hut beneath a pleasant orchard,
seeking in the still serenity of the woods
repose to my intellect and silence to my grief.

Its roof is fragile nipa; its floor is brittle bamboo;

its beams and posts are rough as rough-hewn wood can be;
of no worth, it is certain, is my rustic cabin;
but on the lap of the eternal mount it slumbers
and night and day is lulled by the crooning of the sea.

The overflowing brook, that from the shadowy jungle

descends between huge bolders, washes it with its spray,
donating a current of water through makeshift bamboo pipes
that in the silent night is melody and music
and crystalline nectar in the noon heat of the day.

If the sky is serene, meekly flows the spring,

strumming on its invisible zither unceasingly;
but come the time of the rains, and an impetuous torrent
spills over rocks and chasms—hoarse, foaming and aboil—
to hurl itself with a frenzied roaring toward the sea.

The barking of the dog, the twittering of the birds,

the hoarse voice of the kalaw are all that I hear;

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RIZAL’S TRIAL, EXILE, AND DEATH MODULE NO. 5

there is no boastful man, no nuisance of a neighbor

to impose himself on my mind or to disturb my passage;
only the forests and the sea do I have near.

The sea, the sea is everything! Its sovereign mass

brings to me atoms of a myriad faraway lands;
its bright smile animates me in the limpid mornings;
and when at the end of day my faith has proven futile,
my heart echoes the sound of its sorrow on the sands.

At night it is a mystery! … Its diaphanous element

is carpeted with thousands and thousands of lights that climb;
the wandering breeze is cool, the firmament is brilliant,
the waves narrate with many a sigh to the mild wind
histories that were lost in the dark night of time.

‘Tis said they tell of the first morning on the earth,

of the first kiss with which the sun inflamed her breast,
when multitudes of beings materialized from nothing
to populate the abyss and the overhanging summits
and all the places where that quickening kiss was pressed.

But when the winds rage in the darkness of the night

and the unquiet waves commence their agony,
across the air move cries that terrify the spirit,
a chorus of voices praying, a lamentation that seems
to come from those who, long ago, drowned in the sea.

Then do the mountain ranges on high reverberate;

the trees stir far and wide, by a fit of trembling seized;
the cattle moan; the dark depths of the forest resound;
their spirits say that they are on their way to the plain,
summoned by the dead to a mortuary feast.

The wild night hisses, hisses, confused and terrifying;

one sees the sea afire with flames of green and blue;
but calm is re-established with the approach of dawning
and forthwith an intrepid little fishing vessel
begins to navigate the weary waves anew.

So pass the days of my life in my obscure retreat;

cast out of the world where once I dwelt: such is my rare
good fortune; and Providence be praised for my condition:
a disregarded pebble that craves nothing but moss
to hide from all the treasure that in myself I bear.

I live with the remembrance of those that I have loved

and hear their names still spoken, who haunt my memory;
some already are dead, others have long forgotten—
but what does it matter? I live remembering the past
and no one can ever take the past away from me.

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RIZAL’S TRIAL, EXILE, AND DEATH MODULE NO. 5

It is my faithful friend that never turns against me,

that cheers my spirit when my spirit’s a lonesome wraith,
that in my sleepless nights keeps watch with me and prays
with me, and shares with me my exile and my cabin,
and, when all doubt, alone infuses me with faith.

Faith do I have, and I believe the day will shine

when the Idea shall defeat brute force as well;
and after the struggle and the lingering agony
a voice more eloquent and happier than my own
will then know how to utter victory’s canticle.

I see the heavens shining, as flawless and refulgent

as in the days that saw my first illusions start;
I feel the same breeze kissing my autumnal brow,
the same that once enkindled my fervent enthusiasm
and turned the blood ebullient within my youthful heart.

Across the fields and rivers of my native town

perhaps has traveled the breeze that now I breathe by chance;
perhaps it will give back to me what once I gave it:
the sighs and kisses of a person idolized
and the sweet secrets of a virginal romance.

On seeing the same moon, as silvery as before,

I feel within me the ancient melancholy revive;
a thousand memories of love and vows awaken:
a patio, an azotea, a beach, a leafy bower;
silences and sighs, and blushes of delight …

A butterfly athirst for radiances and colors,

dreaming of other skies and of a larger strife,
I left, scarcely a youth, my land and my affections,
and vagrant everywhere, with no qualms, with no terrors,
squandered in foreign lands the April of my life.

And afterwards, when I desired, a weary swallow,

to go back to the nest of those for whom I care,
Suddenly fiercely roared a violent hurricane
and I found my wings broken, my dwelling place demolished,
faith now sold to others, and ruins everywhere.

Hurled upon a rock of the country I adore.

the future ruined; no home, no health to bring me cheer.
you come to me anew, dreams of rose and gold,
of my entire existence the solitary treasure,
convictions of a youth that were healthy and sincere.

No more are you, like once, full of fire and life,

offering a thousand crowns to immortality.

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Somewhat serious I find you, and yet your face beloved,

if now no longer as merry, if now no longer as vivid,
now bear the superscription of fidelity.

You offer me, O illusions, the cup of consolation.

you come to reawaken the years of youthful mirth.
Hurricane, I thank you; winds of heaven, I thank you
that in good hour suspended by uncertain flight
to bring me down to the bosom of my native earth.

Beside a spacious beach of fine and delicate sand

and at the foot of a mountain greener than a leaf,
I found in my land a refuge under a pleasant orchard,
and in its shadowy forests, serene tranquility,
repose to my intellect and silence to my grief.

IMPRISONMENT IN FORT SANTIAGO

Rizal’s departure to Dapitan only lasted four years (1892-1996). He asked Governor
General Blanco if he could serve as a doctor under the Spanish flag in Cuba. The Governor
general granted his request, however, because of the influential people who wanted to
execute him, Governor General Blanco was pressured to follow the order.
On July 31, 1896, his exile to Dapitan ended. The Governor General Ramon Blanco
had a recommendation to the he can be a volunteer doctor to Cuba under the Spanish flag.
This is part of the letter of recommendation of Governor General Blanco
“ His (Rizal) behavior during the four years he stayed in Dapitan has been exemplary.
And in my opinion, more worthy of pardon and benevolence, provided he is no way
implicated in the revolution attempt. Which he laments these days, nor in any conspiracy or
secret nor in any secret society that is being plotted.”
On August 6, 1896 he rode a ship named Castilla and waited for the start of his trip
going to Spain and then from Spain to Cuba.
On August 19, 1896 the secret society of Katipunan was revealed to the Spanish
government. Since they saw picture of Jose Rizal in its head quarter, they accused Rizal of
being the founder of the Katipunan. But Rizal had no connections to KKK and he do not
know Andres Bonifacio.
On August 26, 1896 the uprising against the Spaniards started
On August 30, 1896 governor general Blanco declared the state of war against the
eight provinces in the Philippines.
On September 2, 1896, Rizal’s trip going to Spain started and he was not aware that
he was being accused as the leader of the said uprising.
On September 3, 1896, he boards Isla de Panay ship to travel to Spain. In this ship
he met the multimillionaire Pedro de Roxas.

On September 28, 1896, Rizal was able to know the plan of Blanco against him.
On October 3, 1896, Rizal reached Barcelona but he was not allowed to go down
the ship and he was under the watch of General Eulogio Despujol the same person who
signed his deportation to Dapitan four years ago.
On November 3, 1896, he reached Manila and was imprisoned in Fort Santiago.

The Trial
Upon his return in Manila, he was imprisoned in Fort Santiago while the Spanish
authorities were investigating his case. On November 20, 1896 the Spanish authorities

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discussed the nature of his case. They used the different poems, novels and letters of Rizal
against him. Among the writings which were used against him were the Hymn for Talisay,
Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo, his speeches and letters to his friends which according to
them were used by Rizal to encourage rebellion against the church and government.
He was accused as the leader of the uprising and the founder of KKK since some of
the founder of KKK were present in the establishment of La Liga Filipinas. They also found
the photograph of Rizal in the headquarters of KKK and his name was also used as the
password of KKK.
On December 8,1896, Rizal choose from among the names given to him, the person
who could be his legal counsel. And he chose Luis Taviel de Andrade, the brother of his
former guard.
On December 15, 1896, Rizal presented the letter to his countrymen stating that the
leaders of the uprising only used his name to collect funds, and he was not connected to the
uprising.
On December 16, 1896, the trial against Rizal started. And to defend himself he
wrote the following statements:

1. Starting on July, 1892 he had no political affiliation or any participation in any political
acts. And when the Katipuneros asked Pio Valenzuela to talk to him about the plan, he tried
to convince him that they should go back on the side of the government and cooperate.
2. It was not true that he had conversation or correspondence to the rebels and there
was no letter that could prove his communications to the leader of KKK.
3. His decision to become a volunteer doctor to Cuba was the evidence that he wanted
to reconcile with the Spanish government. And if he had intention to escape, he could have
done it while he was in Singapore.
4. In Dapitan he had a small boat or kayak which he could use if he really had intention
to escape or join the rebel group.
5. If he was the leader of the uprising, he should know all the plans and the other
members should constantly ask for his advice.
6. The truth was that he only established the La Liga Filipina, a civic society which
aimed for the reform of the government.
7. The aims of La Liga Filipina were not realized because of his deportation to
Dapitan.
8. He was not aware of the continuous establishment of La Liga Filipina after his
deportation to Dapitan.
9. The La Liga Filipina had no connection to the KKK since their aims were in contrast.
10. The time when he wrote his novel should be considered because the injustices that
he discussed in his works were based on the injustices that his family had experienced.
11. In his four years of deportation in Dapitan, he followed all the rules, and this could be
attested by his guards and other missionaries who had contact with him during his
deportation.
12. All the things that the authorities accused him of were baseless and there was no
one who could testify to his direct involvement to the uprising.

The Decision
The Governor General Ramon Blanco reviewed all the things related to the case of
Rizal and the friars were not happy with the way Blanco was handling the case of Rizal.
Using their influence, they replaced him and appointed Governor General Camilio Polavieja.
On December 26, 1896, the trial was held, and all of the evidence were presented to
Governor General Camilo Polavieja. Then Polavieja presented the documents to Lt. Col.
Togores Arjona.
On December 29, 1896, the Governor General signed the decision that Jose Rizal
would be executed at 7:00 AM in Bagumbayan.

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On December 29, 1896, Rizal was informed about the decision, and he was not
surprised. On the remaining time he wrote letters to his family and friends.

To my family,
I ask you for forgiveness for the pain I cause you, but someday I shall have to die
and it is better that I die now in the plenitude of my conscience.
Dear parents and brothers: give thanks to God that I may preserve my tranquility
before my death. I die resigned, hoping that with my death you will be left in peace. Ah! It is
better to die than to live suffering. Console yourselves.
I enjoin you to forgive one another the little meanness of life and try to live united in
peace and good harmony. Treat your old parents as you would like to be treated by your
children later. Love them very much in my memory.
Bury me in the ground. Place a stone and a cross over it. My name, the date of my
birth and of my death. Nothing more. If later you wish to surround my grave with a fence,
you can do it. No anniversaries. I prefer Paang Bundok.
Have pity on poor Josephine.
Jose Rizal

Aside from the letters to his friends and family, he also wrote a poem stating his last farewell
to his countrymen. The message of his last poem can be divided into his hope for his county,
his wish about his remains and his farewell to his family and friends.
A. Hope for his country
He wishes that his country would finally gain independence, peaceful and sorrow
free. He knows he will die without seeing freedom, but he had high hopes for the
youth who may serve the country like him, who is willing to die for its sake.
B. Wish for his remains
He wished to be buried in the ground. Plant a flower over his grave, put a stone,
write his name. And if people forget him, let his ashes cover the floor and spread
to the air to clean them in their space and air. He will now rest in the place of God
where there are no oppressions, and everyone is equal.
C. His Farewell to his family and friends
Prayer for those who died in battle, for those who suffered in pain, for the mother
who lost their child, for the widows and the orphans for they will redeem
themselves again
He then says goodbye to the land known as the pearl of the orient seas, to his
friends who did not leave him and to his family.

MY LAST FAREWELL

Farewell, dear Fatherland, clime of the sun caress’d,

Pearl of the Orient seas, our Eden lost!
Gladly now I am going to give this faded life’s best,
And where it is brighter, fresher, or more blest,
Still would I give it there, nor count the cost.

On the field of battle, ‘mid the frenzy of fight,

Others have given their lives, without doubt or heed;
The place matters not--cypress or laurel or lily white, Scaffold of open plain, combat or
martyrdom’s plight, ‘Tis ever the same, to serve our home and country’s need.
I die just when I see the dawn break,
Through the gloom of night, to herald the day;
And if color is lacking my blood thou shalt take,
Pour’d out at need for thy dear sake,

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RIZAL’S TRIAL, EXILE, AND DEATH MODULE NO. 5

To dye with its crimson the waking ray.

My dreams, when life first opened to me,
My dreams, when the hopes of youth beat high,
Were to see thy lov’d face, O gem of the Orient Sea,
From gloom and grief, from care and sorrow free;
No blush on thy brow, no tear in thine eye

Dream of my life, my living and burning desire,

All hail! cries the soul that is now to take flight.
All hail! And sweet it is for thee to expire.
To die for thy sake, that thou mayst aspire.
And sleep in thy bosom eternity’s long night.

If over my grave someday thou sees grow,

In the grassy sod, a humble flower,
Draw it to thy lips and kiss my soul so,
While I may feel on my brow in the cold tomb below
The touch of their tenderness, they breathe warm power.

Let the moon beam over me soft and serene,

Let the dawn shed over me its radiant flashes,
Let the wind with sad lament over me keen.
And if on my cross a bird should be seen,
Let it trill there its hymn of peace to my ashes.

Let the sun draw the vapors up to the sky,

And heavenward in purity bears my tardy protest.
Let some kind soul o’er my untimely fate sigh,
And in the still evening a prayer be lifted on high
From there, O my country, that in God I may rest.

Pray for all those that hapless have died,

For all who have suffered the unmeasured pain.
For our mothers that bitterly their woes have cried,
For widows and orphans, for captives by torture tried.
And then for thyself that redemption thou mayst gain.
And when the dark night wraps the graveyard around,

With only the dead in their vigil to see.

Break not my repose or the mystery profound,
And perhaps, thou mayst hear a sad hymn resound;
‘Tis I, O my country, raising a song unto thee.

When even my grave is remembered no more,

Unmarked by never a cross or a stone;
Let the plow sweep through it, the spade turns it o’er,
That my ashes may carpet thy earthly floor,
Before into nothingness at last they are blown.
Then oblivion will bring me no care,
As over thy vales and plains I sweep.
Throbbing and cleansed in thy space and air,

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RIZAL’S TRIAL, EXILE, AND DEATH MODULE NO. 5

With color and light, with song and lament I fare,

Ever repeating the faith that I keep.

My Fatherland ardors, that sadness to my sorrow lends,

Beloved Filipinas, hear now my last good-bye!
I give thee all: parents and kindred and friends.
For I go where no slave before the oppressor bends,
Where faith can never kill, and God reigns e’er on high!

Farewell to you all, from my soul torn away,

Friends from my childhood in the home dispossessed!
Give thanks that I rest from the wearisome day!
Farewell to too, sweet friend that lightened my way;
All beloved creatures, farewell! In death there is rest!

The Execution
On December 30, 1896 at 6:30 AM, Jose Rizal, Taviel de Andrade, Fr. March and Fr.
Villaclara left Fort Santiago to face the execution of Rizal. According to the physician who
examined Rizal, his heartbeat was normal at the time of the execution. Before he was shot,
he asked the guards to spare his head and if he could face the firing squad during the
execution. But the second request was not granted since he was considered as a traitor.
At 7:03 in the morning he was executed in Bagumbayan. His remains were brought
to the Paco cemetery. Narcisa, his sister follows those who will bury him and wrote the
initials RPJ to label his grave.
On December 30, 1912, by virtue of the law signed by Civil Governor William
Howard Taft, his remains finally rest in his monument in Luneta.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

I. Discuss the answer to the following questions. Write your answer on the
space provided.

1. Discuss the responsibilities of the members of La Liga Filipina and how these
responsibilities reflect the principles of Rizal

2. Explain how Jose Rizal transformed Dapitan

I. Arrange the following events in the proper order. Write letter A-E to the blank.
A.
____________1. he rode a ship named Castilla and waited for the start of his trip going to
Spain and then from Spain to Cuba.
____________2 The uprising against the Spaniards started
____________3. Governor General Blanco declared the state of war against the eight
provinces in the Philippines.
____________4. Rizal’s trip going to Spain started and he was not aware that he was being
accused as the leader of the said uprising.
____________5. The secret society of Katipunan was revealed to the Spanish government.

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RIZAL’S TRIAL, EXILE, AND DEATH MODULE NO. 5

B.
___________1. The trial was held, and all of the evidence was presented to
Governor General Camilo Polavieja.
___________2. The execution of Dr. Jose Rizal.
___________3. Rizal was informed about the decision, and he was not surprised. On
the remaining time he wrote letters to his family and friends.
___________4. The Governor General signed the decision that Jose Rizal would be
executed at 7:00 AM in Bagumbayan.
___________5. The return of Rizal from Spain

GENERALIZATION

Rizal’s journey from reformist leader to national martyr illustrates that true patriotism
transcends personal comfort and safety. His vision for the Philippines—rooted in unity,
education, and moral integrity—remained steadfast despite exile, persecution, and the threat
of death. Through his civic works in Dapitan, his literary masterpieces, and his dignified
defense during trial, Rizal showed that national service can take many forms, from quiet
community-building to courageous defiance of injustice. His execution was not the end but
the spark that fueled the flames of independence, proving that ideas, once sown, cannot be
silenced by force.

ASSESSMENT

Write a letter similar to Teodora Alonzo’s letter to Governor Polavieja persuading him to
spare Rizal’s life.

POSTTEST

Choose the letter of the correct answer for each question and write it on your answer sheet.

__________1. Which of the following statements was the main objective of La Liga Filipina?
A. To fight for independence
B. To reform the government
C. To unite the whole archipelago
D. To develop the education system
__________2. Which group was considered the radical wing of La Liga Filipina?
A. Compadrenismo
B. KKK
C. Propaganda
D. KBL
__________3. Which body served as the chief executive of La Liga Filipina?
A. Supreme Council

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RIZAL’S TRIAL, EXILE, AND DEATH MODULE NO. 5

B. Provincial Council
C. Executive Committee
D. Prime Minister
__________4. Who was the president of La Liga Filipina?
A. Andres Bonifacio
B. Jose Rizal
C. Ambrosio Salvador
D. Apolinario Mabini
__________5. Which governor general signed the exile of Jose Rizal to Dapitan?
A. Miguel Lopez de Legaspi
B. Eulogio Despujol
C. Camilo Polavieja
D. Ricardo dela Cruz
__________6. Which novel of Rizal was used by the Spanish government as evidence that
he encouraged revolution?
A. Makamisa
B. El Filibusterismo
C. Noli Me Tangere
D. The Count of Monte Cristo
__________7. Who was the guard of Jose Rizal in Dapitan?
A. Jose Taviel de Andrade
B. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera
C. Ricardo Canicero
D. Luis Taviel de Andrade
__________8. Which group represented the conservative faction of La Liga Filipina?
A. Cuerpo de Compromisarios
B. Propaganda
C. Magdalo
D. Magdiwang
__________9. Who was the head curate of Dapitan with whom Rizal had an exchange of
thoughts?
A. Francisco Paula de Sanchez
B. Pablo Pastells
C. Vicente Garcia
D. Marco de Echeverria
_________10. Which lighter did Rizal invent in Dapitan?
A. Sulpukan
B. Sultukan
C. Paltik
D. Lutukan
__________11. Which governor general allowed Dr. Jose Rizal to go to Cuba as a volunteer
doctor?
A. Rafael Izquierdo
B. Eulogio Despujol
C. Ramon Blanco
D. Basilio Agustin
__________12. Where was Rizal imprisoned in 1896?
A. Dapitan
B. Muntinlupa
C. Fort Santiago
D. Cebu
__________13. Which organization implicated Rizal as the leader of the revolution?
A. La Liga Filipina
B. Circulo-Hispano Filipina

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RIZAL’S TRIAL, EXILE, AND DEATH MODULE NO. 5

C. KKK
D. La Solidaridad
__________14. Who served as the legal counsel of Dr. Jose Rizal?
A. Jose Taviel de Andrade
B. Ramon Blanco
C. Luis Taviel de Andrade
D. Eulogio Despujol
__________15. Who was sent by Andres Bonifacio to Dapitan to inform Rizal about the
existence of the KKK?
A. Pio Valenzuela
B. Mariano Alvarez
C. Teodoro Patino
D. Apolonio Samson
__________16. Which sister of Jose Rizal marked his grave?
A. Maria
B. Narcisa
C. Olympia
D. Saturnina
__________17. Which American civil governor ordered the establishment of the monument
of Rizal?
A. William McKinley
B. Adam Smith
C. William Howard Taft
D. Francis Burton Harrison
__________18. What was the password of the highest rank of the KKK?
A. Bonifacio
B. Mabini
C. Rizal
D. Aguinaldo
__________19. Which governor general signed the execution of Dr. Jose Rizal?
A. Camilo Polavieja
B. Primo de Rivera
C. Basilio Agustin
D. Ramon Blanco
__________20. Where did Rizal choose to be buried?
A. Calamba
B. Parian
C. Luneta
D. Paang Bundok

REFERENCES

Chua, X. (2013, July 23). Xiao Time, 17 July 2013: Ang paninirahan ni Dr. Jose Rizal sa
Dapitan. It’s Xiaotime! Retrieved from [Link]
2013-ang-paninirahan-ni-dr-jose-rizal-sa-dapitan/

Chua, X. (2016, December 29). The last days of José Rizal: A timeline of his last arrest,
incarceration, execution and the journey of his remains. It’s Xiaotime! Retrieved from
[Link]
incarceration-execution-and-the-journey-of-his-remains/

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Rizal, J. (1896, December 30). Mi ultimo adiós. Fabulous Philippines. Retrieved from
[Link]

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