THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR.

JOSE RIZAL GEC 9

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
UNIVERSITY OF ANTIQUE TARIO LIM MEMORIAL CAMPUS

HANDOUT IN RIZAL

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF RIZAL’S LIFE, WORKS AND

WRITINGS

WHY STUDY RIZAL?

It is of great importance that students understand the rationale behind having to

take up a Rizal course in college. For high school students, the Noli Me Tangere and the El
Filibusterismo are injected into the Filipino subject as part of the overall curriculum. In
tertiary education, however, Rizal is a subject required of any course, in any college or
university in the Philippines.

Usually, during the first day of the course, the professor asks the well-overused questions:
 Why study Rizal?
 What is the importance of studying Rizal?
 Why is Rizal one of the minor subjects taken up in college?
 Why is Rizal included in the course outline?
 What relevance does Rizal have in college education?

THE RELEVANCE OF STUDYING RIZAL

 Most often students feel that Rizal course is an additional burden to their studies
because it is a minor subject.
 The person had been studied was already dead.
 The student said they cannot use the name Rizal as their reference in applying job;
 The life of Rizal as a springboard of discussing the culture of the Filipinos, it’s
political, economic and social affairs in the past and relates it at present situation of
the people.
 As a result students would take an active part not only in the classroom setting but
also in participating outside activities for the betterment of the Philippine society in
general.
 More importantly, the value of being a religious person, a loving and obedient son to
his parents/family, a responsible student, a strong willed individual who stands for
his convictions, the one who loves and serves the country are some of the virtues of
Rizal that must and should be emphasized in the whole duration of the coarse. And
that’s where the relevance of Rizal subject lies.

THE ANSWER TO SUCH QUESTIONS CAN BE SUMMED UP IN TWO POINTS:

First and foremost, because it is mandated by law.
1. The teaching of Jose Rizal’s life, works, and writings is mandated by Republic
Act 1425, otherwise known as the Rizal Law(entitled as “An Act to include in
the Curricula of All Public and Private Schools, Colleges and Universities
courses on the life, works, and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal);
2. Senator Jose P. Laurel, the person who sponsored the said law,
3. Rizal was the founder of Philippine nationalism and has contributed much to the
current standing of this nation, it is only right that the youth as well as all the
people in the country know about and learn to imbibe the great ideals for which
he died.

Page | 1
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
THE RIZAL LAW, ENACTED IN 1956, SEEKS TO ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING
GOALS:
1. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for which
our heroes lived and died;
2. To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the
Filipino character
3. To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works, and
writings.

Rizal Law . . . Merely . . Clarified the manner in which Rizal’s life and works should be
taught and treated in all schools.

 Secondly, because of the lessons contained within the course itself.

1. To recognize the importance of Rizal’s ideals and teachings in relation to present
conditions and situations in the society.
2. To encourage the application of such ideals in current social and personal problems
and issues.
3. To develop an appreciation and deeper understanding of all that Rizal fought and
died for.
4. To foster the development of the Filipino youth in all aspects of citizenship.
5. Serves to remind and inspire the educators and educational leaders in educating the
youth and in shaping the Filipino character.
6. Rizal’s life, his character and his ideals, and how he lived and thought and died,
offers us the best lesson.
7. The life of Rizal- will lead you to the realization that Rizal was both GREAT and
WISE.
8. Great- because he suffered sacrificed, and finally died for his country
9. Wise- his wisdom, his versatility, his many-sided talents-novelist, poet, linguist,
physician, sculpture, painter, musician. . .
[Link] best way to appreciate the character and greatness of Rizal is to know about
him- his life, his works and his writing.
[Link] best way to know the greatness of Rizal is precisely to read about him and what
he wrote

A BETTER MODEL FOR THE YOUTH . . .

 His love and affection for his parents and sisters . . .
 His diligence, not to mention his intelligence, in his studies and in everything he
did . . .

WORTHY AND PERFECT EXAMPLE TO HIS PEOPLE OF ALL AGES . . .

1. He possessed qualities that are so urgently needed and yet so rarely found in this
day and age in our country.
2. These days when juvenile delinquency seems to be at a loss as to its solution, we
have an effective recourse and that is to show and teach the youth Rizal way.
3. And in pointing to and prescribing the Rizal way as the rightful course in the
development of our national character and in shaping the destiny of the youth.

WHAT IS A HERO?
 A prominent or central personage taking an admirable part in any remarkable
action or event.(Webster)
 A person of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering.
 A man honored after death by public worship, because of exceptional service to
mankind.

Page | 2
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
 A man becomes a hero, or a national hero, not because he leads a revolution – but
because he is admired for his achievements and noble qualities, and considered a
model or ideal.”

ISSUES ON RIZAL
1. American-Sponsored hero- "Taft quickly decided that it would be extremely useful
for the Filipinos to have a national hero of their revolution against the
Spaniards in order to channel their feelings and focus their resentment
backward on Spain. But he told his advisers that he wanted it to be someone who
really wasn't so much of a revolutionary that, if his lives were examined too closely
or his works read too carefully, this could cause us any trouble. He chose Rizal as
the man who fit his model."

Taft also picked Rizal because he was already dead and he could not speak against
the American neocolonialism. Every aspect of so-called Filipino live is infiltrated by
our colonial and neocolonial past, even our heroes have become used against us.

THE TRUTH
But, did you know that it was Gen. Aguinaldo, who first recognized Rizal as the
National Hero, and not the 2nd Philippine Commission Headed by Civil Gov. Taft?

It was General Aguinaldo, and not the second Philippines Commission headed by
Civil Governor Taft, who first recognized Dr. Jose Rizal’s "national day of mourning"
in memory of Rizal and other victims of Spanish tyranny. Full text of these decree in
two languages, Tagalog and Spanish, appeared in the government organ, El Heraldo
de la Revolution on December 25, 1898.

ACCORDING TO AGONCILLO…(1986)
 He pointed out that Rizal was acceptable as a national hero to the Americans
because he was a symbol of assimilation, which was the American Policy then in
the Philippines.

CONSTANTINO…..
 said that there were other factors, which contributed to Rizal’s acceptability as
the official hero of the Philippines:
 Rizal was already dead at the time the Americans began their aggression in the
Philippines.
 No embarrassing anti-American quotations could ever be attributed to Rizal.
 Rizal’s dramatic martyrdom had already made him the symbol of Spanish
oppression.

GUERRERO (1998)
 Asserts that it is the Filipinos who have chosen Rizal to be the symbol of our
nationalism as a people even before he died. In choosing Rizal as our Filipino
national hero, a number of conclusions can be drawn:
 Since the Filipinos love peace, they have chosen to magnify a man of peace above
the men of war.

DE OCAMPO(1969)
 said that Rizal was the first exponent of Asian nationalism since he was the
source of inspiration for the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution of 1896.

Page | 3
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
SELECTION AND PROCLAMATION OF NATIONAL HEROES AND LAWS
 No law, executive order or proclamation has been enacted or issued officially
proclaiming any Filipino historical figure as a national hero. However, because of
their significant roles in the process of nation building and contributions to
history, there were laws enacted and proclamations issued honoring these
heroes.

SELECTION AND PROCLAMATION OF NATIONAL HEROES

 On March 28, 1993, President Fidel V. Ramos issued Executive Order No.75
entitled "Creating the National Heroes Committee under the Office of the
President".
 The principal duty of the Committee is to study, evaluate and recommend
Filipino national personages/heroes in due recognition of their sterling
character and remarkable achievements for the country.

CRITERIA FOR NATIONAL HEROES

1. Heroes are those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and
struggle for the nation’s freedom. Our own struggle for freedom was begun by
Bonifacio and finished by Aguinaldo, the latter formally declaring the
revolution’s success. In reality, however, a revolution has no end. Revolutions
are only the beginning. One cannot aspire to be free only to sink back into
bondage.
2. Heroes are those who define and contribute to a system or life of freedom and
order for a nation. Freedom without order will only lead to anarchy.
Therefore, heroes are those who make the nation’s constitution and laws,
such as Mabini and Recto. To the latter, constitutions are only the beginning;
for it is the people living under the constitution that truly constitute a nation.
3. Heroes are those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation.

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR HEROES

1. A hero is part of the people’s expression. But the process of a people’s
internalization of a hero’s life and works takes time, with the youth forming a
part of the internalization.
2. A hero thinks of the future, especially the future generations.
3. The choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events
in history, but of the entire process that made this particular person a hero.

Activity: Mind Exercise

 Resolved that: Rizal subject should be abolished.

 Resolved that Andres Bonifacio should be our national and not Jose Rizal.

Note: Rizal monument at Luneta is imported. It was created by Swiss, Henry Kissling, a
runner
up in the International competition for designing Rizal’s monument, sponsored by
nationalist in 1912. The winner was an Italian sculptor Carlos Napoli but failed to
present
his creation. Pieces of this monument were shipped from Europe and installed at
Luneta
near the spot where Rizal fell.

Page | 4
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Rizal’s monument has been criticized as “un-Filipino” for his European winter coat
while
he is in the Philippines with tropical climate. The winter coat was a vogue for the
ilustrados and the principalia in the Philippines in the 19th century and the book in
his
hand signifies his travels, studies and exposure to different cultures of the world;
likewise
his imbuement of liberalism, value of education and the socio-economic and political
nature of the novels he wrote (Daquila, 2008, p.5).

RIZAL, A TRUE FILIPINO HERO

In making Rizal as our Filipino national hero, a number of conclusions can be drawn:
 Since Filipinos love peace, they have chosen to magnify a man of peace, they have
chosen to magnify a man of peace above the men of war;
 Because Filipinos are lovers of freedom and justice, they have given their worship to
a man who gave up all comforts and pleasures of peace for their sake; and
 Filipinos prize virtue more than victory, and sacrifice above success.

In the words of noted historian Renato Constantino, Rizal is a hero in the sense that he
was able to see the problems generated by historical forces, discerns the new social needs
created by the historical development of new social relationships, and takes an active part
in meeting these needs. He was a hero considering that he served the Filipino people by
consciously articulating the unconscious course of events. To Guerrero, Rizal was the first
Filipino. This was because it was Rizal who first called the Philippines his fatherland. It
was he who taught his countrymen that they could something else, Filipinos who were
members of the Filipino nation. He was the first to work towards the unification of the
Philippine archipelago into a compact and homogenous body based on common interests
and mutual protection.

RIZAL, PIONEER ASIAN NATIONALIST LEADER

Rizal espoused the following liberal ideas and principles that includes;
 The worth and dignity of the individuals;
 The inviolability of human rights;
 The innate equality of all men and races;
 The necessity for constitutional government;
 Due process of law;
 Popular sovereignty as the basis of all political authority;
 Faith in human reason and enlightenment;
 The rights of the masses to public education; and
 Belief in social progress through freedom.

Rizal was the first Asian leader to assert that the aforementioned ideas and principles
be established in Asia for the benefit of the Asians. It was through Rizal that the basic
tenets of modern and social democracy were given a major voice in Asia for the first time.
Thus, Rizal deserved to be called the First Asian Nationalist Leader.

In reality:

• It is the Filipinos themselves who chose Rizal as their national hero;

• The katipuneros considered him honorary leader of the Katipunan;

Page | 5
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
• Rizal’s name was one of the passwords of the secret society which swore to fight for
the country’s freedom;

Two years after his death:

• Emilio Aguinaldo issued a decree on December 20, 1898 ordering that December 30,
the anniversary of Rizal’s execution at Bagumbayan which was commemorated as “a
day of mourning for Rizal and the victims of the Philippine Revolution;”
• Later, the Philippine Commission set aside December 30 as the day of Observance,
by the virtue of Act No. 345 (an early admiration of Rizal was manifested in the
erection of his first monument in his honor at Daet, Camarines Norte boring the
words, “A Jose Rizal” as well the words “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo”,
his two most important novels.
• Act No. 243 of the Philippine Commission- was the erection of Rizal’s monument in
Luneta through public subscription.
• Act No. 137 of the Philippine Commission- was the naming of Rizal province after
Jose Rizal as well as many main streets and avenues of towns and cities.

Who Made Jose Rizal Our Foremost National Hero, and Why?
 1st: He is our greatest hero because, as a towering figure in the Propaganda
Campaign, he took an “admirable part” in that movement which roughly covered the
period from 1882 to 1896.
 2nd: No Filipino has yet been born who could equal or surpass Rizal as “a person of
distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering.
 3rd: Because he is a “man honored after death by public worship, because of
exceptional service to mankind.”

WHY NOT BONIFACIO?

 “The pen is mightier & even more powerful than the sword.”
 “There are only two powers in the world, the sword & the pen; & in the end the
former is always conquered by the latter.”
- Napoleon I
 “Scholars are men of peace; they bear no arms; but their tongues are sharper than
the sword; their pens carry further & give a louder report than thunder.”
- Sir Thomas Browne

WHO MADE RIZAL THE FOREMOST HERO OF THE PHILIPPINES?

 “No single person or groups of persons were responsible for making the Greatest
Malayan the Number One Hero of his people. Rizal himself, his own people, & the
foreigners all together contributed to make him the greatest hero & martyr of his
people.”

Major Periods in the Life of Rizal

There are four major periods in the life of Rizal: 1861-1872; 1872-1882; 1882-1892;
and 1892-1896.

First Period (1861-1872). This was the period when the young Rizal learned how
to read, write and listened to stories that triggered the imaginative and critical thinking on
his part. It was a period when the following values and virtues were developed in him:
industriousness instead of idleness; creativeness instead of unproductiveness; rationality
instead of blind acceptance; and dignity instead of servility.

Second Period (1872-1882). This was the first turning point in the life of Rizal. He
was then 11 years and was enrolled at Ateneo Municipal, despite the objection of his

Page | 6
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
mother. It was the period when Fathers Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora were unjustly
executed by the Spanish government. The martyrdom of these three priests led Rizal to be
awakened to the abuses of the regime and at the same time led him to devote himself in
the future to avenge the victims of injustices and cruelties of the Spanish colonized. Other
significant developments in his life during this period include the following:
 Strengthening of his religious foundation;
 Cultivation of the drive toward excellence;
 Conception of the Philippines as his fatherland;
 Envisioning the Philippines receiving light thru education; and
 Perception of the intimate alliance between religion and education.

Third Period (1882-1892). The year 1882 was the second major turning point in
the life of Rizal. It was at this time that Rizal decided to leave the Philippines to escape
persecution. He went to Europe and everywhere he went, Rizal was always an observer
and a student, learning from everything he saw, read and heard. He urged the Filipino
colony in Spain to prove that Filipinos can compete with the Europeans in intellect and
talent. Thru his membership in exclusive societies of scholars and scientists in Europe
where he presented monographs and was greatly appreciated, Rizal provided his
compatriots an example.

Fourth Period (1892-1896). The year 1892 can be considered the last turning
point in the life of our national hero, before his martyrdom on December 30, 1896. Rizal
was exiled in Dapitan. It was in Dapitan where Rizal demonstrated what an individual
could do and accomplish within a short period. It was there where he detached his
connection with politics and devoted more of his time in practical service and usefulness
to the community.

CHAPTER II – THE 19th CENTURY WORLD OF JOSE RIZAL

To fully comprehend the role of Dr. Jose Rizal played in the shaping of the Filipino
nationalism, there is a need to look into the developments in the 19 th century. This is
essential in understanding his ideology and outlook as an individual. Important
developments during the said century are as follows: (1) growth and development of
nationalism; (2) rise and gradual spread of liberalism and democracy; (3) industrial
revolution; (4) the upsurge of western imperialism; (5) triumph of science and
technology; and (6) optimism and confidence in progress.

A. The Growth of Nationalism

 Nationalism is a sense of loyalty or psychological attachment of members of a nation

share, based on a common language, history, culture, and desire for independence
(Jackson & Jackson, 2000).
 It is a feeling that drives a people together as nation. It is love of country expressed
in devotion to and advocacy of national interest and independence.
 The growth of nationalism can be attributed to two major revolutions of the earlier
century: the American Revolution of 1776-1783; and French Revolution of
1789-1799. Both revolutions gave birth to the idea that an individual’s loyalty has
to be in his nation not to the king and American Revolution gave birth to the United
States of America. On the other hand, French Revolution led to the overthrowing of
the absolute rule of the Bourbon Dynasty and the abolition of Feudal system.
 The ideology of the French Revolution – liberty, Fraternity, and equality – had
influenced subject people to cast off the yoke of colonialism by means of armed
uprising. Owing to the nationalistic spirit, Italy became a united kingdom under King

Page | 7
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Victor Emmanuel II. In the same way, Germany became a united country through the
policy of blood and iron implemented by Otto Von Bismarck.
 Nationalism is one of the radical ideas in the years after 1815, which influenced the
modern world tremendously.
1. Nationalism has evolved from a real or imagined cultural unity, manifesting itself in
a common language, history and territory.
2. Nationalist have usually to seek this cultural unity into political reality so that the
territory of each people coincides with its state boundaries.
3. Nationalists believed that every nation has the right to exist in freedom and develop
its character and spirit
4. While nationalism can foster national unity, progress, and independence, it also has
its negative side. The ideas of national superiority and national mission can lead to
aggressive crusades and counter-crusades. Nationalism can also stress
differences among people.

The development of nationalism in the Philippines, however, was very slow. Loyalty
to the nation began only after the unjust execution of the GOMBURZA on February 17,
1872.

B. Rise and Gradual spread of Liberalism and Democracy

 The rise and spread of liberalism and democracy was actually a consequence of the
growth and development of nationalism (Black, 1999).
 The principal ideas of liberalism – liberty and equality – were first realized
successfully in the American Revolution and then achieved in part in the French
Revolution.
 The idea of liberty also meant specific individual freedoms: freedom of press;
freedom of speech; freedom of assembly; and freedom from arbitrary arrest.
 Democracy was gradually established thru the following means: promulgation of
laws that advance democracy; undertaking of reforms thru legislation; abolition of
slavery; adoption of liberal constitution; providing the citizen to propose laws;
adoption of manhood suffrage; and granting of political, economic and social rights
to the people.
 Democracy was non-existent in the Philippines in the 19th century. The ecclesiastical
and civil authorities then were not inclined to grant basic human rights to the
Filipinos, as it will be detrimental to Spain’s colonial administration of the
Philippines. They believe that if the Filipinos will enjoy basic rights and freedom,
they would be motivated to work for independence and topple down the regime.

C. The Industrial Revolution

 One of the most crucial developments in the 19 th century was the industrial
Revolution. The Industrial Revolution refers to the transformation of manufacturing
brought about by the invention and use of machines. This development started in
England and later spread into Belgium, France, Germany and even the United States.

The invention of machines and their use in manufacturing brought about significant
changes in people’s lives. Some of the positive effects brought about by the
development include the following:
 The rise of the factory
 Mass production of essential and non-essential goods;
 Improvement of people’s standard of living;
 Greater urbanization of society;
 Beginnings of specialization or division of labour;
 Invention of labour-saving devices;

Page | 8
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
 The beginnings of industrial capitalism;
 Fostering of liberalism and nationalism; and
 Encouragement of people’s mobility.

On the other hand, there were negative effects of Industrial Revolution to people, some
of the evils associated with the Industrial Revolution to people. Some of the evils
associated with the Industrial Revolution are as follows:
 Widening the gap between the rich and the poor;
 Unending economic warfare between labour and capital;
 Pollution and other environmental problems;
 Beginning of child and women labour; and
 Intensification of imperialistic rivalry between and among industrialized countries.

To solve the evils created by the industrial system, different measures were proposed
by concerned sectors of world society (Doreen, 1991).
 For Liberals, laissez-faire policy or government’s non-interference in the conduct of
trade and business has to be sustained for the continuous expansion of the
economy;
 For socialists assert that the government has to control vital industries and
resources. This is necessary in promoting equality of opportunity and people’s
welfare in society.
 The communists, on the other hand, suggest that all factors of production be owned
and controlled by the government. Equality in the society can be achieved if social
classes are destroyed and dictatorship of the proletariat is established.
 Conversely, the Catholic Church calls for humane treatment of workers’ rights, and
social justice for the poor. It also enjoined the government to regulate the use of
private property and provide humane and favourable working conditions for the
proletariat.

D. The Advance of Science

 The rapid expansion of scientific knowledge profoundly influence Western thought
in the 19th century. Breakthroughs in industrial technology enormously stimulated
basic scientific inquiry. The result was an explosive growth of fundamental scientific
discoveries from 1830s onward.
 The translation of better scientific knowledge into practical benefits was evident in
biology, medical, sciences, physics, and chemistry.
The triumph of science and technology had at least three significant
consequences.
• First, everyday experience and innumerable scientists impressed the importance of
science on the mind of ordinary citizens;
 Second, as science more became prominent in the popular thinking, the
philosophical implications of science spread to broad sections of the population.
Technical advances led to the people to develop optimistic faith in man’s capability
to achieve progress.
 Third, the methods of science acquired unrivalled prestige after 1850. For many, the
union of careful experiment and abstract theory was the only route to truth and
objective reality.
 Science was not given emphasis in the Philippines in the 19th century. Rizal stressed
this point in his novel, El Filibusterismo. University students in their class in Physics
were not given opportunity to manipulate laboratory apparatus nor given the
chance to undertake experiments to prove or disprove scientific hypotheses.

F. The Upsurge of Western Imperialism

Page | 9
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
 In the 19th century, the industrializing West entered the third and most dynamic
phase of its centuries-old expansion into non-Western lands. In so doing, these
western nations profitably subordinated those lands to their economic interests,
sent forth millions of emigrants, and political influence in Asia and vast political
empires in Africa. The reason for this culminating surge was many, but the economic
thrust of robust industrial capitalism, an ever-growing lead in technology, and the
competitive pressures of European Nationalism were particularly important.
 Western expansion had far reaching consequences. The first time in human history,
the world became in many ways a single unit. Moreover, European expansion
diffused the ideas and techniques of a highly developed civilization. Yet the
west relied on force to conquer and rule, and treated non-Western people as
racial inferiors. Thus, non-Western elites, armed with western doctrines,
gradually responded to Western challenge. They launched a national, anti-
imperialist struggle for dignity, genuine independence, and modernization.
Colonized peoples, therefore, started to assert their right to self-determination
or the right to choose the kind of government under which they would live.

G. Optimism and Confidence in Progress

 Optimism or faith in society and man’s ability to progress was brought about by the
advancement of Science, the coming of the steamed power industries and the spread
of liberalism and socialism.
 The optimism of the century was summed by Marquis de Condorcet in his work,
“Sketch for a Historical Picture of Progress of the Human Mind.” He saw that
“the strongest reasons for believing that nature have set no limit to the
realization of our hopes” and foresaw “the abolition of inequality between
nations, the progress of equality within nations, and the true perfection of
humanity. Progress was now independent of any power that might wish halt it
and never be reversed.”

Optimism and confidence in progress can be gleaned from the achievements of men
in the 19th century. Notable among these were the following:
 Extension of human rights to many people;
 Promotion of higher education for men and women;
 Education for nationalism in schools;
 Investment in science to serve mankind;
 Improvement of public health thru the establishment of numerous hospitals; and
 Emergence of realistic literature, depicting the life of the time.

SUMMARY OF EVENTS DURING RIZAL’S TIMES (19TH CENTURY WORLD)

• February 19, 1861 – Czar Alexander II (1855-1881) issued proclamation
emancipating 22,500 serfs to appease Russian masses. April 12, 1861 American Civil
War erupted because of negro slavery this compelled United States Pres. Abraham
Lincoln to issue EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION on September 22, 1863 freeing
negro slaves.
• April 1862 – EMPEROR NAPOLEON III of 2nd French Empire invaded Mexico and
installed ARCHDUKE MAXIMILIAN as puppet emperor of Mexico City on June12,
1864. With President Lincoln support Suarez defeated French forces in the BATTLE
OF QUERETARO (May 15, 1867).
• Later part of the 19th century Italians under COUNT CAVOUR OF GARIBALDI and his
ARMY OF RED SHIRTS drove out Austrians and French Armies and proclaimed
KINGDOM OF ITALY under KING VICTOR EMMANUEL with ROME as the Capital
City.

Page | 10
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
• The PRUSSIANS under OTTO VON BISMARK, the IRON CHANCELLOR defeated
France and established the GERMAN EMPIRE in January 18, 1875 with KING
WILHELM OF PRUSSIA as FIRST KAISER.
• The glorious reign of QUEEN VICTORIA (1837-1901) proudly asserted. BRITANIA
RULES THE WAVES. Acquired the island of HONGKONG when she defeated the
Chinese MANCHU DYNASTY in OPIUM WAR (1840-1842).
• SHE (England) won again the OPIUM WAR (1856 – 1860) that force the MANCHU
DYNASTY to cede KOWLOON PENINSULA opposite HONGKONG.
• ENGLAND conquer India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in 1859. She also conquered
Burma, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Aden, Malaya, Singapore, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand.
• In 1858-1863 France conquered Vietnam and annexed Cambodia in 1863 and Laos
in 1893- FRENCH INDOCHINA
• The DUTCH – drove Portuguese and Spain from Indonesia occupied and named it
Netherlands East Indies.
• CZARIST RUSSIA conquered Siberia, Kamchatka, Kuriles, and Alaska. From 1865-
1884 she conquered the Muslim KHANATES, KHLUA and KOKAND in Central Asia
SHE acquired MANCHURIA and build the longest railroad linking Moscow and
Vladivostok.
• 1639-1853 Meiji (Matsuhito) grabbed Formosa and Pescadores in SINO-JAPANESE
WAR (1894-1895). In 1950 annexed Korea.
• August 25, 1885 - GERMANY seized CAROLINES and PALAUS archipelago from the
SPAIN. Spain and Germany submitted the Carolina question to POPE LEO XIII for
arbitration who ruled in favor of the Spain but granted Germany:
1. Right to trade in disputed island
2. Right to establish a coaling station to Germany
Rizal was in BARCELONA visiting MAXIMO VIOLA
 SPAIN Lost – Paraguay – (1811) Argentina (1816) Chile (1851) Colombia and
Equador (1819) Costa Riza, Honduras, Guatamela, El Salvador and Nicaragua in
(1821), Venezuela (1822), Peru (1824) and Bolivia and Uruguay (1825)

CHAPTER 3: SPAIN IN THE PHILIPPINES IN THE 19TH CENTURY

SPAIN
 Turbulent century of politics in Spanish history (Zaide, 1994). Therefore, for them to
rescue the country from political disunity they engaged on canovite system or
rotativism.
 Adaption of laissez faire policy and abandoned the mercantilism.

EFFECT ON PHILIPPINES
 As an effect, the country frequently changing the top colonial administration has
adversely results to dumping ground for the relatives and favorites of Spanish
politicians in Madrid.
 Therefore, it ended the Galleon or the Manila Acapulco Trade 1873 that hopefully
will led to the country for world commerce.

THE PHILIPPINES DURING RIZAL’S TIME

The Filipino people agonized beneath the yoke of Spanish misrule, for they were
unfortunate victims of unjust, bigoted, deteriorating colonial power.
Among these evils are:
1. Instability of colonial administration

Page | 11
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
The political instability of Spain adversely affected the country because it brought
about frequent periodic shift in colonial policies and periodic rigodon of colonial
officials.
2. Corrupt colonial officials
Spaniards were highly corrupt, incompetent, cruel or venal. Gen. Rafael de
Izquierdo, boastful and ruthless govenor general executed fathers Mariano Gomez,
Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora. Moreover, the Filipinos lost their ancestral lands
and ownerships because of the corruption of Encomienda system.
3. Human rights are denied to Filipinos
Unlike the Spaniards the Filipinos have no freedom of speech, freedom of press,
freedom of association, and other human right except only from religion.
4. No Equality before the law and injustice to Filipinos
Spanish colonial authorities did not implement the law yet they arrogantly regarded
the brown-skinned Filipinos as inferior beings. Most of Filipinos were abused
brutalized, persecuted and slandered by the Spanish masters. Justice was costly,
partial and slow. In that sense when justice is delayed therefore justice is denied.
5. Racial Discrimination and Forced Labor
Spain introduced Christianity into Filipinos with beautiful egalitarian concept of the
brotherhood of all men under God the father. But they converted Filipinos not as
brother Christians but who were infinitely undeserving of the rights and privileges
that white Spaniards enjoyed. Our polo or labor forced were addressed to
construct churches, schools, hospitals, buildings and repairing roads and bridges
and other public works.

PHILIPPINE ADMINISTRATION UNDER SPAIN

Because of the Spanish conquest of the Philippines, the Filipinos lost their ancestral
lands on account of Spain’s institution of the Encomienda system. They were forced by
the Spanish colonizers to accept Spanish culture and religion. This change was evident in
the administrative organization of the country, social structure and educational system of
the Philippines, and economic situation in the 19th century.

Administrative Organization
The Philippines was governed directly by the Spanish crown, thru the Ministry of
Colonies in the 19th Century. The government of the country is unitary as policies
implemented by the colonial administrators from Luzon to Mindanao emanated from the
Manila, the seat of the central government.
The Governor-General, appointed by the Spanish monarch, was the head of the
Spanish colonial government in the country. As such, he represented the Crown in all
governmental matters. He was the Vice Royal Patron over religious affairs. As the Vice
Royal Patron, he could nominate priests for ecclesiastical administration of the parishes.
He was also the commander in chief of the colonial army.
As the chief executive of the colonial government, he was an ex-officio president of
the Royal Audencia, the Supreme Court during those times. Considering that there was no
law making body in the country then, the governor-general had legislative powers. He had
also the cumplase or the power to decide which law or royal decree should be
implemented or disregarded in the colony.
Below the national government were the local government units, namely; towns,
cities, and barrios. The provinces during the Spanish regime were called alcadias. Each
province was headed by an alcalde mayor or provincial governor, who exercised executive
and judicial powers. The alcadias or provinces were divided into towns or pueblos. Each
pueblo was headed by gobernadorcillo or town mayor. As town mayor, his principal
responsibility was tax collection.

Page | 12
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Each town was divided into barrios or barangays. As the smallest unit of
government, each barangay was headed by a cabeza de barangay. His main function was
the maintenance of peace and order and the collection of taxes and tributes in the
barangay.
The city government during the Spanish Regime was called ayuntamiento. It was
governed by cabildo or city council composed of a city mayor (alcalde en ordinario),
councilors (regidores), chief constable (aguacil mayor), and a secretary (escribano).
A key figure in the local administrative set-up was the Spanish friar. This was
because of the union of the church and the state in the Philippines, a principle upon which
the Spanish colony government in the country was founded. The friar was the supervising
representative of the Spanish government for all local affairs. Thus, his approval was
necessary on almost all acts of the local officials. He was practically the ruler of the town as
he was the local school inspector, health inspector, prison inspector, inspector of the
accounts of the gobernadorcillos and cabeza de barangays. His approval was required in
census lists, tax lists, list of army conscripts, and register of births, deaths, and marriages.
Aside from the friars who were considered as the governors of both bodies and soul,
another institution feared in the Philippines then was the Guardia Civil. The Guardia Civil
was organized in 1867, as a corps of native police under the leadership of Spanish officers
for dealing with outlaws and renegades. In 1880, it was the most feared instrument of
summary arrests of individuals identified by the friars as Filibusteros or enemies of the
government and erehes or enemies of the Catholic Church.
The Judicial power of government was vested on the Royal Audiencia, the Supreme
Court during those times and lower courts. Below the Royal Audiencia were territorial
audiencias, courts of first instance, and the justice of the peace courts. There was no
legislature in the Philippines before the country was taken over by the United States in
1898. Therefore, governance of the Philippines was based on special laws.
Thus, with regard of governance, the Spaniards mismanaged the Philippine. The
inefficiency of government and their cruelties provided a situation that the ordinary mind
of Filipino cannot accept. The life was very deplorable and hard while Spaniards are
benefiting from our limited resources of the Philippines. They denied us our rights and our
freedom at expense of their own glory and prestige.

Education in the Philippines

Before the end of 19th century, the existing higher education in the Philippines is the
University of Santo Tomas. The Dominicans founded it in 1611. There are some
Secondary schools like Ateneo Municipal and Colegio San Juan de Letran but there were no
existing public elementary schools. In some towns, parochial schools were present.
However, these institutions have limited impact to the lives of the Filipino. The Spaniards
used education not to make us a better and responsive citizen that will lead our nation to
progress but used it as a medium in abusing and raping our Filipino nation. How did they
do it? First, the medium of instruction before was Spanish but the Filipinos were
rated not on their comprehension of the subject but on the fluency of Spanish
language. Second, the teaching of fear of God and obedience to priests dominated the
early education of the Filipinos. They emphasized on religion. Third, there is racial
discrimination in admitting students. The schools only admit those children of the
Spaniards and few rich Filipino. The Spaniards also infused on the minds of the Filipinos
that Indios were of inferior intelligence and suited for manual work. Consequently,
Filipino children did not able to develop self-confidence; inferiority complex and culture of
silence. The Spaniards did not taught us the real understanding of the Spanish language
because it would lead to the development of political and social awareness among the
natives, which in effect could trigger in them the desire to work for freedom and
independence.

Page | 13
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9

SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF THE FILIPINO SOCIETY

Peninsulares
& Insulares

In

Spanish mestizos, Chinese mestizos and

the Principalia

Indios

Awakening of Philippine Nationalism

Nationalism is a collective sentiment shared by the citizens of a polity; the belief

that national interests are important or simply love for your country. This attitude has
never been illustrated before and at the time of the Spanish time. As we can recall, there
was no Philippines before but only independent and self-governing barangays and peopled
by diverse tribes. There was no solid attitude or sense of being Filipino yet. This was the
reason why early revolutions failed because there is no unity and the late development of
nationalism. With the use of cross and highly centralized government under the Spanish
crown, the separated barangays before where consolidated and united to become
Philippines. However, due to the inhumane policies of the Spaniards like high taxes,
forced labor, and government monopolies, the people living on the Philippines
experienced the same hardships and miseries. Thus, it led the Filipinos to think that
there’s only one enemy and developed the feeling of nationalism.

Moreover, the opening of Manila to world trade on the year 1834 and the opening of
Suez Canal in Africa resulted to the rapid rise of foreign firms. The opportunities for trade,
increased Filipino contacts with foreigners and number of families prospered form foreign
commerce. Consequently, it led to rising of the rich middle class called “ilustrados”. The
middle class sent their children abroad for education. Thus, they became aware of the
completely different type of society prevalent in Europe and embraced the new
political ideology called “liberalism” (ideology that sees the role of government as
protecting individual liberties or freedom while at the same time ensuring the
chance to lead the best possible life and to fulfill his or her individual potential).

In general, these factors fueled the Filipinos to yearn for Philippine independence.
However, nationalism is still not ripe and the Filipinos are swallowing these hardships
because of fear and the absence of leader to lead for change. These factors are not enough
to let the Filipinos stand and expel the cruel Spaniards here in the Philippines. Until such
time, when Gumburza, Rizal, Bonifacio, Aguinaldo, and other Filipinos volunteered
themselves to beat the odds in transforming “new” Philippine nationalism.

CHAPTER 4 – THE DAWN OF FILIPINO NATIONALISM

Page | 14
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
As pointed out in chapter II, the development of Filipino nationalism in the
Philippines is quite slow. Although there was early resistance to the colonial rule, Filipino
nationalism emerged only in the 19th century. This chapter is geared towards analyzing
events that finally ushered in the development of Filipino National consciousness and
sense of nationhood.

Unification of the Philippines Under Spanish Rule

Spain ruled the Philippines for more than 300 years. Prior to its colonization of the
Philippines consisted of independent and self-governing barangays, peopled by diverse
tribes. It was Spain that gave the country its identity (Zaide, 1994). The country came
known as the Philippines due to her three centuries of colonization.

Different techniques/strategies of pacification:

a. The use of Cross which Pacified the Natives (Agoncillo & Guerrero, 1994).
1. The Reduccion plan of Fr. Juan de Plasencia was implemented, which required the
natives to live near the church through Bajo de campana, in which Spanish
encomenderos found it easy to collect taxes from the native.
2. Transformed the Filipinos into Law-abiding citizens under the Spanish crown,
resulting to
the lost of its independence and relocating them under the church.
3. imposition of Catholism and Spanish culture, that partially transformed Filipinos
into little
brown Spaniards.
b. Gradual introduction of Spain’s Political system
1. Highly centralized government
2. The people became politically united under the Spanish crown.
3. Barangay emerged to form pueblos, ayuntamientos, alcadias

EARLY RESISTANCE TO SPANISH RULE

The integration of the country into the Spanish empire resulted to:
 Implementation of taxation without representation
 Polo y servicio or forced labor
 Galleon trade
 indulto de comercio
 government monopolies
Reasons/ Caused for Resistance or Uprising under Spanish Rule
1. The desire to regain lost freedom (Examples of revolts: Revolt of Raha Sulayman
and Lakan Dula (1574); Tondo Conspiracy (1587-1588); Malong Revolt (1660-
1661); Dagohoy’s Revolt (1744-1829), Revolt of Diego Silang (1762-1763); and
Palris Revolt (1762-1764)
2. Resistance to Spanish-imposed institution
Some revolts due to the aforementioned factors:
• Magalat revolts(1596)
• Revolts of the Irayas(1621)
• Cagayan revolts(1639)
• Sumuroy rebellion(1649-1650)
3. Other revolts caused by Agrarian unrest – the desire of the natives to recover the
lands grabbed from them by the friars (1745 to 1865)
4. Revolts triggered by the desire to revert to their native religion
Revolts ignited by the aforementioned are:
• Igorot revolts(1601)
• Tamblot revolt(1621-1622)
• Revolt of Lanab and Alababan(1625-1627)

Page | 15
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
• Tapar revolt(1663)
• Revolt of Francisco Rivera(1618)
• Revolt of “Hermano Pule” Apolinario dela Cruz(1840-1841)
• Revolts of Muslims in Southern Philippines

Reasons for the Failure of Early revolts against Spanish rule:

• Owing sectional jealousies
• Lack of communication facilities in the Provinces
• Absence of national leadership
• Disunity
• Fragmented
• Sporadic
• Disorganized
• Implementation of the policy of divide et impera or divide and rule

The Emergence of Filipino Sense of Nationhood was attributable to the following:

1.) Opening of the Philippines to world trade;
2.) The rise of class media;
3.) Spanish Revolution of 1868
4.) Opening of Suez Canal
5.) Liberal regime of Carlos Ma. De la Torre;
6.) Racial discrimination;
7.) Secularization controversy; and
8.) Cavite mutiny of 1872.

The Opening of the Philippines to World Commerce.

The opening of the country to the World Commerce was a consequence of Spain’s
adoption of the laissez faire policy. With the early of foreign products & business, the
economic isolation ended. A more significant effect of this development was the influx
liberal ideas into the country like John Locke’s Theory of Revolution; Jean Jacques
Rousseau’s Social Contract Theory, Montesquieu, etc.
In Locke’s theory people learned that they could overthrow a government that is not
working for the good of the governed.
GOVERMENT- is an agreement between the ruler and the ruled to govern for the welfare
of the ruled.
Liberal ideas that the Filipino came to learn:
1. Equality before the law
2. Freedom of speech
3. Freedom of religion
4. Freedom of assembly
5. Protection of human rights
6. Representation in legislature
7. Sovereignty of the people

The Rise of the Clase Media

The rise of the middle class can be traced by the prosperity of a relatively small class
of mestizos and the principalia or the ruling elite who benefited from the opening of the
country to foreign commerce.
Families which prospered during this time, were able to send their sons for education in
Europe.

Page | 16
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Liberal Regime of Carlos Ma. Dela Torre

With his assumption into office as a chief executive of the country, he demonstrated
his democratic and liberal philosophy in governing the country.
He encouraged the aspirations of the reformists and abolished the censorship of the
press. Reform commissions were set up and public discussions took place in the
newspapers for the first time

Liberty Serenade of 1869

Filipino people express satisfaction and joy for the leadership of Dela Torre. This
development was something the friars then did not like. For the first time the Filipinos
were allowed to talk about freedom and democracy openly. During his term of Office
freedom of speech and the press as guaranteed by the Spanish Constitution was
recognized. As a consequence of his liberal policy. Father Burgos and other Filipino clergy
were motivated to work for the Filipinization of parishes throughout the country. In 1870
the restoration of the Spanish Monarchy and the return of conservatives in Spain, De la
Torre was removed from the office and replaced by Rafael de Izquierdo.

Racial Discrimination

The factor that contributed to the development of Filipino sense of nationhood was
the inferior treatment of Spaniards to the Filipino race and sarcastically called them
Indios. Discrimination of the Filipinos was prevalent in the University and Colleges,
government offices, church and court of justice.

Fray Miguel de Bustamante

In his pamphlet entitled Si Tandang Basio Macunat portrayed the Filipino as an

individual with low mental ability, incapable of acquiring European Education, and fitted
only to work in field and tend carabaos.
Racial discrimination had led them to realize that the Spaniards and the Filipinos
were two separate distinct people.

Secularization Controversy

Secularization of the parishes was the transfer of the ministries established by the Spanish
regular to the Filipino seculars. Controversy begun: During 1768 when the Jesuits were
expelled from the country
Secularization controversy is a religious issue on the right of the regular and secular
priests to administer the parishes; it further led to the unification of the Filipino clergy
which in effect strengthened their sense of identity.
Racial controversy – this means that the Filipino clergy has no right to administer the
parishes because they were unqualified.

Persons involved in the Secularization Controversy:

Fr. Pedro Pelaez - the Father of Secularization Movement; an Insulares who led the fight
against the Royal Decrees turning secular priests over to the friars; appealed to the Queen
Isabella II for ecclesiastical equality between the Spanish regulars and Filipino seculars
June 3, 1868 - Fr. Pelaez died due to the earthquake that occurred in Manila, thus, the
struggle foe equality was temporarily stopped.

Page | 17
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Fr. Burgos continue the struggle started by his former professor; exerted all the efforts to
defend the Filipino clergy against the Spanish regulars; asserted that the Filipino priests
were qualified to administer the parishes.

Gregorio Meliton Martinez - trained the Filipino seculars to become good parish priests;
appealed to the Spanish Queen to give the Filipino priests the chance to prove that they
can equal to the Spanish regulars.

Cavity Mutiny of 1872 (Regime of Gov. Gen. Rafael de Izquierdo)

January 20, 1872 – mutiny broke out among Filipino soldiers in the Arsenal of Cavite with
the
Leadership of Sgt. La Madrid

Cause of mutiny: When Izquierdo abolished the exemption from the tribute and forced
labor to the workers of Fort San Felipe and Filipino Soldiers which the Filipino enjoy since
1740.
- this was the turning point in Phil. History in which Filipino realize the need for unity of
end the
Miseries;
- an era of peaceful campaign for reforms to counter the evils of Spanish Regime known as
Propaganda Movement - Rizal at this time was only 11 years old.

Impacts of 1872 on the life of Rizal:

1. He would be a Jesuit and instead of writing the Noli Me Tangere , would have
written the opposite.
2. He swore to devote the avenge one day so many victims of in justices and cruelties

CHAPTER 5 – RIZAL AND HIS CHILDHOOD YEARS AT CALAMBA

The Birth of a Hero.

DR. JOSE PROTACIO MERCADO RIZAL ALONZO Y REALONDA

Meaning:
• Doctor- completed his medical course in Spain and was conferred the degree of
Licentiate in Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid
• Jose- was chosen by his mother who was a devotee of the Christian saint San Jose
(St.
Joseph)
• Protacio- from Gervacio P. which come from a Christian calendar
• Mercado- adopted in 1731 by Domigo Lamco (the paternal great-great grandfather
of
Jose Rizal) which the Spanish term mercado means ‘market’ in English
• Rizal- from the word ‘Ricial’ in Spanish means a field where wheat, cut while
still green,
sprouts again
• Alonzo- old surname of his mother
• Y- and
• Realonda- it was used by Dona Teodora from the surname of her godmother
based on the culture by that time
• June 19, 1861, moonlit of Wednesday between eleven and midnight Jose Rizal was
born in the lakeshore town of Calamba, Laguna Province, Philippines.
• His mother almost died during the delivery because of his big head.

Page | 18
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
• He was baptized in the Catholic Church of his town on June 22, aged three days old,
by Fr. Rufino Collantes
• His godfather was Fr. Pedro Casanas
• His name was “Jose” because her mother was a devotee of St. Joseph
• Lieutenant-General Jose Lemery- the governor general of the Philippines when
Rizal was born

Rizal’’s Parents :Francisco Mercado Rizal – father

• born in Biñan, Laguna on May 11, 1818
• studied Latin and Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila
• a tenant-farmer of the Dominican-owned hacienda ( a successful farmer)
• He was a hardy and independent-minded man, who talked less and worked more,
and was strong in body and valiant in spirit
• 1849 decree of Governor-General Narciso Claveria (to Hispanized Filipino
surnames)
• RIZAL surname came from “ricial”- green field for pasture or a field which is green
after the grain has been cut
• He was 30 years old when he got married with Teodora Alonso on June 28, 1848
• died on January 5, 1898, at the age of 80.
• “a model of fathers”.
• he inherited . . . Profound sense of dignity self-respect, seriousness and self-
possession
• he loved books
• an excellent model for Rizal that molded him up into a man of honor
• Understood the world of humanity which furnished him with greater respect for
other people, and a greater respect to the dignity of labor.

Rizal’s Parents :Teodora Alonso Realonda– mother

• born in Manila on November 8, 1826
• College of Santa Rosa
• She was described as an intelligent, cultured and a woman of strong character.
• died in Manila on August 16, 1911, at the age of 85.
• talented and remarkable woman
• he inherited . . . temperament of the poet and dreamer and bravery for sacrifice
• his first teacher
• inculcated the value of knowledge and education to the young Rizal
• a good Mathematician and Manager of business of the Rizal family

The Rizal Children

1. Saturnina-the oldest of the Rizal children, nicknamed Neneng; she married Manuel
T. Hidalgo of Tanawan, Batangas.
2. Paciano- older brother and confidant of Jose Rizal; after his younger brother’s
execution, he joined the Philippine Revolution and became a combat general; after
the revolution, he retired to his farm in Los Baños, where he lived as a gentleman
farmer and died on April 13, 1930, an old bachelor aged 79. he had two children by
his mistress (Severina Decena)—a boy and a girl.
3. Narcisa- her pet name was Sisa and she married Antonio Lopez (nephew of Fr.
Leoncio Lopez), a school teacher of Morong.
4. Olimpia- Ypia was her pet name; she married Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator
from Manila.

Page | 19
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
5. Lucia- she married Mariano Herbosa of Calamba, who was a nephew of Fr. Casanas.
Herbosa died of cholera in 1889 and was denied Christian burial because he was a
brother-in-law of Rizal.
6. Maria- Biang was her nickname; she married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna.
7. JOSE- the greatest Filipino hero and peerless genius; his nickname was Pepe; during
his exile in dapitan he lived with Josephine Bracken, Irish girl from Hong Kong; he
had a son by her, but this baby-boy died s few hours after birth; Rizal named him
“Francisco” after his father and buried him in Dapitan.
8. Concepcion- her pet name was Concha; she died of sickness at the age of 3; her
death was Rizal’s first sorrow in life.
9. Josefa- her pet name was Panggoy; she died an old maid at the age of 80.
[Link]- Trining was her pet name; she died also an old maid in 1951 at the age of
83.
[Link]- youngest of the Rizal children; her pet name was choleng; she married
Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba.

RIZAL’S ANCESTRY

• Rizal was a product of the mixture races. In his veins flowed the blood of both East
and west—Negrito, Indonesian, Malay, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish.
Predominantly he was a Malayan and was a magnificent specimen of Asian
manhood.

Ancestry Paternal Side

Domingo Lamco Ines de la Rosa

(a Chinese immigrant from (Well-to-do Chinese
the Fukien city arrived in Christian girl of
Manila about 1690) Changchow
`
Francisco Cirila Bernacha
Mercado

Juan Mercado
(Rizal’s
Cirila Alejandro
grandfather)
Gobernadorcillo of
Biñan, Laguna

Had thirteen children, the youngest being

Francisco
Mercado (Rizal’s father)

Page | 20
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Ancestry Maternal Side

Lakandula
(The last native king
of Tondo)

Eugenio Ursua
(Rizal’s maternal Benigna
Great-great (a Filipina with
Grandfather of unknown surname)
Japanese Ancestry)

Regina Manuel de
Quintos
(a lawyer, Filipino-
Chinese from
Pangasinan)

Lorenzo Alberto
Brigida (one of
Alonso
the daughter) (a prominent
Spanish Filipino
mestizo of Binan)

Narcisa,
Teodora (Rizal’s
mother),
Gregorio,
Manuel and
Jose Alberto

THE RIZAL HOME

 Behind the house were the poultry yard full of turkeys and chickens and a big garden of
tropical fruit trees- atis, balimbing, chico, macopa, papaya, santol, tampoy, etc.
 was one of the distinguished stone houses in Calamba during the Spanish times
 it was a two-storey building, rectangular in shape, built of adobe stones and hard-
woods and roofed with red tiles
 by day, it hummed with the noises of children at play and the songs of the birds in the
garden; by night, it echoed with the dulcet notes of family prayers
 The Rizal family belonged to the principalia, a town aristocracy in Spanish Philippines
 The Rizal family had a simple, contented and happy life
 The affluence of Rizal’s family can be gleaned from the following: 1.) house of adobe
and hardwood; 2.) ownership of carriage and horses-the symbols of wealth and
respectability during those times; 3. a home library with numerous volume of books; 4.)

Page | 21
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
presence of personal servants taking care of the needs of the children, and 5.) private
tutoring of children in the family’s domicile. The family’s thriving business in rice and
sugarand its ability to send their children for education was further an indication of
their socio-economic status in Calamba.
SIBLING RELATIONSHIP
• The sibling relationship among the Rizal was affectionately cordial;
• As a little boy, Rizal used to play games with his sister;
• Showing deep respect with her sisters calling them “Doña” (married) and
“Señorita”(unmarried)
• Jose Rizal’s relationship with Paciano, who was ten(10) years older, was more than
a brother, and a second father.
• Throughout his life Rizal respected him and greatly valued his sagacious advice;
• Immortalized in his novel Noli Me Tangere as the wise Pilosopo Tasio ;
• Regarded as the “most noble of Filipino” and though an “Indio”, more generous
and noble than all Spaniards put together.

CHILDHOOD YEARS IN CALAMBA

 Calamba was named after a big native jar

 Calamba was a hacienda town which belonged to the Dominican Order, which also
owned all the lands around it.
o Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town)- a poem about Rizal’s beloved
town written by Rizal in 1876 when he was 15 years old and was student in the Ateneo
de Manila
o The first memory of Rizal, in his infancy, was his happy days in the family garden when
he was three years old;
o Another childhood memory was the daily Angelus prayer. By nightfall, Rizal related, his
mother gathered all the children at the house to pray the Angelus
o Another memory of Rizal’s infancy was the nocturnal walk in the town, especially when
there was a moon
o The death of little Concha brought Rizal his first sorrow
o At the age of three, Rizal began to take a part in the family prayers
o When Rizal was five years old, he was able to read haltingly the Spanish family bible
o The Story of the Moth- made the profoundest impression on Rizal -“died a martyr to
its illusions”
o At the age of five, Rizal began to make sketches with his pencil and to mould in clay and
wax objects which attracted his fancy
o Sa Aking Mga Kababata (To My Fellow Children)- Rizal’s first poem in native
language at the age of eight; reveals Rizal’s earliest nationalist sentiment
o At the age of eight, Rizal wrote his first dramatic work which was a Tagalog comedy

OTHER FACTORS WHICH INFLUENCE AND MOLD RIZAL AS AN EPITOME OF A

GREAT FILIPINO

• Why is it all of these children, only one boy – Jose Rizal – rose to fame and
greatness?
• In the lives of all men there are influences which some to be great and others not. In
case of Rizal, he had all favourable influences, few other children in his time enjoyed.
These influences were the following: (1) hereditary influence; (2) environmental
influence, and (3) aid of divine providence.

Page | 22
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
1.) Hereditary Influence:
According to biological science, there are inherent qualities which a person’s
inherits from his ancestors and parents. From his Malayan ancestors, Rizal,
evidently, inherited his love for freedom, his innate desire to travel, and indomitable
courage; From his Chinese ancestors, he derived his serious nature, frugality,
patience, and love for children; from his Spanish ancestors, he got his elegance of
bearing, sensitivity to insult, and gallantry to ladies.
• From his father, he inherited the profound sense of respect, the love of work, and
the habit of independent thinking. And from his mother, he inherited his religious
nature, the spirit of self-sacrifice, and the passion for arts and literature.

2. Environmental Influence:
According to Psychologists, environment, as well as heredity, affects the nature of a
person. Environmental influence includes places, associates, and events. The
scenic beauties of Calamba and the beautiful garden of the Rizal family
stimulated the inborn artistic and literary talents of Jose Rizal. The religious
atmosphere at his home fortified his religious nature.
• His brother Paciano, instilled in his mind the love for freedom and justice.
• From his sisters, he learned to courteous and kind to women. The fairy tales
told by his aya during his early childhood awakened his interest in folklore
and legends.
• His three uncles, brothers of his mother, exerted a good influence on him. Tio Jose
Alberto who had studied for eleven years in a British School in Calcutta, India and
had travelled in Europe inspired him to develop his artistic ability. Tio Manuel, a
husky and athletic man encouraged him to develop his frail body by means of
physical exercises, including horse riding, walking and wrestling. And Tio Gregorio,
a book lover, intensified his voracious reading of books.
• Father Leoncio Lopez, the old and learned parish priest of Calamba, fostered
Rizal’s love for scholarship and intellectual honesty.
• The sorrows in his family, such as the death of Concha 1865 and the imprisonment
of his mother in 1871-1874, contributed to strengthen his character, enabling him to
resist blows of adversity in later years.

CHAPTER 6 – FORMAL SCHOOLING AT THE VILLAGE SCHOOL

School Days in BiÑan
The first formal schooling of Rizal was Biñan, the natal town of his father. This town
is near Calamba. He attended a private school under Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz,
who was reputed to be a good teacher. Rizal studied in this school from 1870 to 1871, a
brief interlude in his boyhood, which was full of significant memories. It was an education
with much religion and overly strict discipline. A pupil had to study the hard way. He was
whipped by the teacher to make him learn his lessons or to behave well.
Early Schooling.
The first teacher of Rizal, as we have already stated was his mother. On her lap, he
learned the Latin alphabet and the Catholic prayers. He was given further instruction by
private tutors, such as Maestro Celestino and later Maestro Lucas Padua. Later his
father hired an old man, Leon Monroy, who had been his classmate, to give Rizal, the first
lessons in Latin. This old Latin teacher lived in the Rizal home, but he died five months
later. His death cut short Jose’s instruction in Latin. Don Francisco was not discouraged by
the loss of the private tutor. He heard of a good teacher, who was running a private school
in BiÑan, and, being eager to give his son a good education, he decided to send Jose to that
town. DoÑa Teodora agreed to his decision. Little Jose was the 9 years old.
Jose goes to BiÑan.

Page | 23
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
One Sunday afternoon in June 1870, Jose, after kissing the hands of his parents and a
tearful parting from his sisters, left Calamba for Biñan. He was accompanied by Paciano,
who acted as his second father. The two brothers rode in a carromata, reaching their
destination after one and one-half hour’s drive. They proceeded to their aunt’s house
(Tomasa), where Jose was to lodge. It was almost night when they arrived, and the moon
was about to rise. That same night Jose, with his cousin named Leandro, went sightseeing
in the town. Instead of enjoying the sights, Jose became depressed because of
homesickness.
FIRST DAY IN BIÑAN SCHOOL.
The next morning (Monday) Paciano brought his younger brother to the school of
Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz. The school was in the house of the teacher, which was a
small nipa hut about 30 meters from the home of Jose’s aunt. Paciano knew the teacher
well because he had been a pupil under him before. He introduced Jose to the teacher, after
which he departed to return to Calamba.
FIRST SCHOOL BRAWL.
In the afternoon of his first day in school, when the teacher was having his siesta,
Jose met the Bully Pedro. He was angry at this bull for making fun of him during the
conversation with the 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 arts of wrestling from his athletic Uncle Manuel,
defeated the bigger boy. For this feat, he became popular among his classmates. In
succeeding days, he had other fights with the boys of BiÑan. He was not quarrelsome by
nature, but he never run away from a fight. In these school fights, he won some and lost
others particularly with Andres Salandanan who challenged Rizal to an arm-wrestling
match.
PAINTING LESSONS IN BIÑAN.
Near the school was the house of an old painter, called Juancho, who was the father-
in-law of the schoolteacher. Jose, lured by his love for painting, spent many leisure hours
at the painter’s studio. Old Juancho freely gave him lessons in drawing and painting. The
artistic talent of the Calamba lad impressed him. Jose and his classmate, Jose Guevara,
who also loved painting, became apprentices of the old painter.
Academic studies in Biñan
Rizal did not enjoy his schooling at the village under Maestro Justiniano Cruz in
Biñan. Although he did not like his mentor, he considered him an expert in Latin and
Spanish grammars. One thing that he detested from his teacher was the uses of corporal
punishment in making the pupils learn the lesson for the day in which he said such kind of
instruction was barbarous. Thus, it was highlighted in his novel, Noli Me Tangere of
establishing a school in San Diego that is, a playground of the mind and not a torture
chamber.
In school studies, Jose beat all Biñan boys. Even he was quite small for his age, he
tried to overcome his deficiency in physical stature with a self-assertiveness
centered on aggressiveness. Moreover, as a student he lives in a systematic and
disciplined life (methodical life) and not surprisingly, he found himself being on the top of
the class. He even surpassed them all in Spanish, Latin, and other subjects. Some of his
older classmates were jealous of his intellectual superiority. They wickedly squealed to the
teacher’s eyes. Consequently, the teacher had to punish Jose. Thus Rizal, years later, said
that “in spite of the reputation I had of being a good boy, the day was unusual when I was
not laid on a bench and given 5 or 6 blows.
END OF BIÑAN SCHOOLING.
Time came when Jose learned all that Maestro Justiniano could teach him.
Accordingly, the teacher informed his parents that he should be sent to college in Manila.
In December, 1871, Jose received a letter from his sister Saturnina, informing him of the

Page | 24
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
steamer “Talim” which would take him from BiÑan to Calamba. Upon reading the letter, he
had a premonition that he would not return to BiÑan, so that he became sad. He prayed in
the town church, collected pebbles in the river for souvenirs, and regretfully bade farewell
to his teacher and classmates. He left BiÑan on Saturday afternoon, December 17, 1871. He
was thrilled to take passage on the streamer “Talim”, for it was the first time he ever rode
on steamer. On board a Frenchman named Arturo Camps, a friend of his father, took care
of him. Upon his arrival in Calamba, his parents, brother, and sisters welcomed Jose home.
The Christmas of 1871 was a joyous and memorable one for him. He was home, and he
regaled his brother and sisters with numerous tales of his fights, escapades, and school
triumphs in Biñan.

INJUSTICE TO HERO’S MOTHER.

After the happy Christmas holiday in 1871, Don Francisco thought of sending Jose to
Manila to study. Before June came, tragedy struck the Rizal family. Doña Teodora was
arrested on malicious charge that she aided her brother, Jose Alberto, in trying to poison
Alberto’s wife. Jose Alberto, a rich Biñan landowner, had encouraged the artistic
development of his talented nephew, Jose Rizal. He had gone to Europe on a business trip.
During his absence, his wife abandoned their home and children. When he returned to
Biñan, he found her living with another man. Enraged by her infidelity, he planned to
divorce her. DoÑa Teodora, to avert family scandal, persuaded him to forgive his erring
wife. The family trouble was amicably settled, and Jose Alberto lived again with his wife.
However, the unfaithful wife connived with the lieutenant of the Guardia Civil to fabricate
evidence that her husband attempted to poison her, with Doña Teodora as an accomplice.
The lieutenant had an ax to grind against the Rizal family because at one time Rizal’s father
refused to give him fodder for his horse. Taking the opportunity to avenge himself against
Don Francisco, he arrested Doña Teodora. He was so brutal in placing her under arrest,
forgetting that many times he had been a guest in the Rizal home. Ordinarily, Doña
Teodora, the accused, should have been confined in the Calamba jail. The judge, who had
also been a guest many times at the Rizal home, was also vengeful. Like the lieutenant, he
nursed a grudge against the Rizal family because he imagined that he was not accorded
greater respect than the Filipino guests in the Rizal home. He ordered that Doña Teodora
be sent to the provincial jail in Santa Cruz, capital of Laguna. The lieutenant forced the
hero’s mother to walk on foot from Calamba to Santa Cruz, a distance of more than 50
kilometers. She languished in jail, for her case dragged on until it reached the Supreme
Court.

THE MARTYRDOM OF GOM-BUR-ZA.

The Rizal family had not yet recovered from the painful shock of the mother’s
imprisonment when another calamity occurred. On January 20, 1872, the Cavite Mutiny
flared up, followed by the execution of Fathers Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora on February
17, 1872. Jose’s older brother, Paciano, then a student in College of San Jose, was boarding
with Father Burgos, his beloved professor and friend. He was trusted assistant of Burgos in
the fight for Filipinization of the parishes. After the execution of Fathers Gomez, Burgos,
and Zamora, Paciano quit college. He returned to Calamba and related the story of Burgos;
martyrdom to his younger brother Jose. Years later, Dr. Jose P. Rizal wrote of Burgos: “He
awakened my intellect and made me understand goodness and justice. His farewell words
I shall always remember- “I had tried to pass on to you what I received from my teachers.
Do the same for those who come after you.”

CHAPTER 7 – FORMAL SEARCH FOR KNOWLEDGE AT ATENEO MUNICIPAL

Triumphs in Ateneo,1872-77

Page | 25
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Four months after the martyrdom of Gom-bur-Za and with Dona Teodora still in
prison, who had not yet celebrated his eleventh birthday, was sent to Manila. He studied in
Ateneo Municipal, a college under the supervision of Spanish Jesuits. This college was a
bitter rival of the Dominican owned College of San Juan de Letran. It was formerly the
Escuela Pia (Charity School), a school for poor boys in Manila, which was established by
the city government in 1817. When the Jesuits who had been expelled from the Philippines
in 1768, returned in 1859, they were given the management of the Escuela Pia, whose
name was changed to Ateneo Municipal, and later became Ateneo de Manila. They had lost
all their properties during the period of their exile; hence, they were given splendid
educators, so that within a few years Ateneo acquired wide prestige as an excellent college
for boys.
Rizal enters Ateneo. On June 10, 1872, Jose, accompanied by Paciano, went to
Manila. He took the entrance examinations on Christian Doctrine, arithmetic and reading
at the College of San Juan de Letran, and passed them all. He returned to Calamba to stay a
few days with his family and to attend the town fiesta. His father, who wished him to study
at the Letran, changed his mind and decided to send him to Ateneo instead.
Thus upon his return to Manila, Jose, again accompanied by Paciano, matriculated at
the Ateneo Municipal. At first, Father Magin Fernando, who was the college registrar,
refused to admit him for two reasons- 1. He was late for registration 2. He was sickly and
undersized for his age. He was eleven years old at the time. However, upon the
intercession of Manuel Xerez Burgos, nephew of Father Burgos, he was reluctantly
admitted.
Jose was the first in his family to adopt the surname 'Rizal'. He registered under this
name at the Ateneo because their family name 'Mercado' had come under the suspicion of
the Spanish Authorities. Paciano had use “Mercado' as his surname at the college of San
Jose and he was known to the Authorities as Father Burgos' favorite student and helper.
At the time Jose studied in the Ateneo, this college was located in Intramuros, within
the walls of Manila. He first boarded in a house outside Intramuros on Caraballo Street,
25 minutes walk from college. A spinster named Titay who owed the Rizal family the
amount of P300 owned this house. Jose boarded with her in order to collect the debt.
Jesuit System of Education. The system of education given by the Jesuits in Ateneo was
advanced from that of other colleges at the time. It trained the character of the student by
rigid discipline and religious instruction. It promoted physical culture, fine arts and
scientific studies. Aside from academic courses leading to degree of AB., it offered
vocational courses in agriculture, commerce and mechanics.

The method of instruction Rizal was subjected to at Ateneo was the ratio
studiorum, a system of indoctrination under tight and constant discipline, with
every incentive of compensation and reward (Guerrero, 1998). Essentially it’s a method
of indoctrination combined with memory and understanding.

Moreover, the Athenian education at that time pursued one aim – Ad Mojorem Dei
Gloriam or for the better glory of God (Guerrero, 1998). The ultimate task of the Jesuit
teachers was to make lifelong Catholics. The student’s life was centered on the chapel, with
the membership in religious confraternities as the highest level of extra-curricular
activities. The students heard mass in the morning before the beginning of the daily class.
Classes in every subject were opened and close with prayers.
Students were divided into two groups, namely the Roman Empire consisting of the
Internos (boarders) and the Carthaginian Empire composed of the externos (non-

Page | 26
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
boarders). Each of these empires has their ranks. The best student was the emperor
followed by tribune, decurion, centurion and lastly the stand-bearer. Within the
empire, the students vie for the positions. Any student could challenge any officer in his
empire to answer questions on the day's lessons .His opponent could lose his position if he
committed three mistakes. Any student might be at the end of the line. If he studied hard
and might be brilliant, he could depose the officers one after another and be the emperor.
The two groups the Roman Empire and the Carthaginian Empire were in perpetual
warfare for supremacy in the class. They have their distinctive banners, red for the
Romans and Blue for the Carthaginians. At the beginning of the school term, both banners
were used equally in the classroom. Upon the first defeat, the banner of the losing party
was transferred to the left side f of the room. Upon the Second, it was placed in an inferior
position on the right side. Upon the third, the inclined flag was placed on the left. Upon the
fourth, it was reversed and placed to the right . Upon the fifth the reversed flag was placed
of the left. Upon the sixth ,the figure was changed into that of a donkey.
The Athene students in Rizal's time wore a uniform, which consisted of hemp fabric
trousers and stripped cotton coat. The coat material was called Randall, which later
became famous for it was adapted as uniform for the Filipino troops during the days of the
first Philippine Republic.
Rizal's First Year in Ateneo (1872-73).On his first day of class in Ateneo, in June
1872, Rizal first heard mass at the college chapel and prayed fervently to God for guidance
and success. When the mass was finished, he went to his class, he saw a great number of
boys, Spaniard , Mestizos and Filipinos.
Rizal's first professors in Ateneo was Fr. Jose Bech, whom he described as a tall,
thin man with a body slightly bent forward , a hurried walk, an ascetic face , severe and
inspired, small sunken deep eyes, a sharp nose that almost Greek and thin lips forming an
arc whose ends fell toward the chin.
Being a newcomer and knowing little Spanish, He was placed at the bottom of class.
He was an externo, hence he was assigned to the Carthaginians, occupying the end of the
line.
After the first week, the frail Calamba boy progressed rapidly. At the end of the
month, .he became the emperor. He was the brightest in the whole class, and he was
awarded a prize. He was proud of the religious picture he received, as it was his first prize
he won in Ateneo.
To improve his Spanish, Rizal took private lessons in Santa Isabel College during the
noon recesses, when other Ateneo students are busy playing or gossiping. He paid three
pesos for those extra Spanish lessons, but it was money well spent.
In the second half of his year in the Ateneo, Rizal did not try hard enough to retain
his scholarship supremacy that he held during the first half of the term. This was because
he resented more remarks of his professor. He placed second at the end of the school year,
although all his grades were still marked excellent.
Summer Vacation (1873). A t the end of school year in March 1878, Rizal returned
to Calamba for summer vacation. He did particularly enjoy his summer vacation because
his mother was in prison. To cheer him up, his sister Neneng brought him to Tanawan with
her. This did not cure his melancholy. Without telling his father, he went to Santa Cruz and
visited his mother in prison. He told her of his brilliant grades in Ateneo and tearfully
embraced each other.

Page | 27
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
The summer vacation ended, Rizal returned to Manila for his second term in Ateneo.
This time he boarded inside Intramuros at NO.6 Magallanes Street. His landlady was an
old lady named Dona Pepay, who had a widowed daughter and four sons.
Second year in Ateneo.(1873-74).Nothing unusual happened to Rizal during his
second term in the Ateneo, except that he repented having neglected his studies the
previous year simply because he was offended by the teacher's remarks, and so to regain
his lost class leadership. He studied harder. Once more, he became emperor.
Some of his classmates were new. Among them were three boys from Binan, who
had been his classmates in the school of Maestro Justiniano.
At the end of the end of the school year, Rizal received excellent grades in all
subjects and a gold medal. With such scholastic honors, he triumphantly returned to
Calamba in March 1874 for summer vacation.
Prophecy for Mother's release. Rizal lost no time in going to Santa Cruz on order
to visit his mother in provincial Jail. He gladdened Doña Teodora's lonely heart with his
scholastic triumphs in Ateneo and with funny tales about his professors and fellow
students. The mother was very happy to see her favorite child making such splendid
progress in college.
In the course of their conversation, Doña Teodora told her son of her dream the
previous night. Rizal interpreted such dream, said to her that she would be released from
prison in three months' time. Doña Teodora smiled, thinking that her son’s prophecy was
mere boyish attempt to console her.
However, Rizal's prophecy became true. Barely three months passed, and suddenly
Doña Teodora was set free. By that time, Rizal was already in Manila attending his classes
in Ateneo.
Dona Teodora, happily back in Calamba, was more proud of her son Jose who was
like the youthful Joseph in the Bible.
Teenage Interest in Reading. It was during the summer vacation during 1874 in
Calamba when Rizal began to take interest in reading romantic novels. As a normal
teenager, he became interested in love stories and romantic tales.
The first favorite novel of Rizal was the “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexander
Dumas. This thrilling novel made a deep impression on him. His boyish imagination was
stirred in the sufferings of Edmond Dantes (the hero) in prison, his spectacular escape
from the dungeon of Chateau d'If , his finding of the buried treasure on the rocky island of
Monte Cristo and his dramatic revenge on the people who wronged him.
Rizal read numerous other numerous romantic novels with deep interest. The
reading habit helped enrich hi fecund mind.
As a voracious reader, he read not only fiction, but also non- fiction. He persuaded
his father to buy him a costly set of Cesar Cantu's historical work entitled “Universal
History.” According to Rizal, this valuable work was of great aid in his studies and enabled
him to win more prizes in Ateneo.
Later Rizal read “Travels in the Philippines” by Dr. Feodor Jagor, German
scientist-traveler who had visited the Philippines. What impressed him in this book were
1).Jagor's keen observations and 2.) his prophecy that someday Spain would lose the
Philippines, and that America would come to succeed her as the colonizer.

Page | 28
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Third Year In Ateneo.(1874-75). In 1874, Rizal returned to Ateneo for his junior
year. Shortly after the opening of the classes, his mother arrived and joyously told him that
was released from prison, just as he predicted during his last visit to her prison cell in
Santa Cruz, Laguna. He was happy, of course too see his mother once again a free woman.
However, despite the family happiness, Rizal did not make an excellent showing in
his studies as in the previous year. His grades were all excellent, but he only won one
medal- in Latin. He failed to win the medal in Spanish because his spoken Spanish was not
fluently sonorous. He was beaten by a Spaniard who was naturally could speak Spanish
with fluency and with the right accentuation.
At the end of the school year (March 1875), Rizal returned to Calamba for summer
vacation. He himself was not impresses by his scholastic work. He said: I returned
dissatisfied to my hometown.
Fourth Year In Ateneo (1875-76). After a refreshing and happy summer vacation,
Rizal went back to Manila for his fourth year course .On June 14, 1875; he became an
internee in Ateneo. One of his professors this time was Fr. Francisco Sanchez, a great
educator and scholar. He inspired young Rizal to study harder and write poetry. He
became an admirer and friend of the slender Calamba lad, whose God given genius he saw
and recognized since their first meeting. On his part, Rizal had the highest affection and
respect for Fr. Sanchez whom he considered his most beloved professor in Ateneo.
Years later Rizal wrote of Fr. Sanchez in glowing terms, showing his affection and
gratitude. He described this Jesuit professor as model of rectitude, solicitude and
devotion to his people's progress.
Inspired by Fr. Sanchez, Rizal resumed his studies with vigor and zest. He topped all
his classmates in all his subjects won five medals at the end of the school term. He
returned to Calamba for his summer vacation (March 1876) and proudly offered his five
medals and excellent ratings to his parents. He was extremely happy, for he was able to
repay his father somewhat for his sacrifices.
Last year In Ateneo (1876-77). After the summer vacation, Rizal returned to
Manila in June, 1876 for his last year in Ateneo. His studies continued to fare well. In fact,
He excelled in all subjects. The most brilliant Atenean of his time, he was truly the pride of
the Jesuits.
Rizal finished his last year in Ateneo in blaze of glory. He obtained the highest grade
in all subjects-philosophy, physics, biology, chemistry, languages, mineralogy, etc.
Graduation with Highest Honors. Rizal graduated at the head of his class. His
scholastic records at Ateneo from 1872 to 1877 contained nothing except marks of
excellent.
On commencement day, March 13, 1877, Rizal who was 16 years old, received from
his Alma Mater, Ateneo Municipal, the degree of Bachelor of Arts, with highest honors. It
was a proud day for his family. But to Rizal, like all graduates, Commencement Day was a
waste of time of bitter sweetness, a joy mellowed with poignancy. The night before
graduation, his last night at the college dormitory, he could not sleep. Early the following
morning, the day of the graduation , he prayed fervently at the college chapel and
commended my life as he said to the Virgin so that she might protect me when I set foot in
that world which inspired me with such dread.
Extra curricular Activities at Ateneo. Rizal, unsurpassed in academic triumphs,
was not a mere bookworm. He was active in extracurricular activities. An emperor inside

Page | 29
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
the classroom, he was a campus leader outside. He was an active member, later secretary,
of a religious society, the Marian congregation. He was accepted as a member of this
sodality not only because of his academic brilliance but also because of his devotion to Our
Lady. Only Ateneans who distinguished themselves in class for their piety and good
scholarship could be members of this society. Rizal was also a member of the Academy of
Spanish literature and Academy of Natural Sciences. These Academies were exclusive
societies in the Ateneo, to which only Ateneans who were gifted in literature and sciences
could qualify for membership.
In his leisure hours, Rizal cultivated his literary talents under the guidance of Fr.
Sanchez. Another professor, [Link] Villaclara, advised him to stop communing with the
Muses and pay more attention to practical studies such as philosophy and natural sciences.
Rizal did not heed his advice. He continued to solicit Fr. Sanchez' help in improving his
poetry.
Aside from writing poetry, he devoted his spare time in fine arts. He studied
painting under the famous Spanish painter, Agustin Saez, and sculpture under Romualdo
de Jesus, a noted Filipino Sculptor. Both art masters honored him with affection, for he
was a talented pupil.
Furthermore, Rizal, to develop his weak body, engaged in gymnastics and fencing.
He thereby continued the physical training he began under his sports minded Uncle
Manuel.
Sculptural works In Ateneo. Rizal impressed his Jesuit professors in the Ateneo
with his artistic skill. One day he carved an image of our Virgin Mary on a piece of
batikuling (Philippine hardwood) with his pocketknife. The Jesuits Fathers were amazed
at the beauty and grace of the image.
Fr. Lleonart, impressed by Rizal's sculptural talent requested him to carve for him
an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Young Rizal complied and within a few days, he
presented it to Fr. Lleonart. The old Jesuit was highly pleased and profusely thanked the
teenage sculptor. He intended to take the image with him to Spain, but being an absent-
minded professor, he forgot to do so. The Ateneo boarding students placed it on the door
of their dormitory and it remained there for nearly 20 years, reminding all Ateneans of Dr.
Jose Rizal, the greatest alumnus of their Alma Mater. This image played a significant part in
Rizal's last hours in Fort Santiago.
Anecdote on Rizal the Atenean. One of Rizal's contemporaries in Ateneo was Felix
M. Roxas. He related an incident of Rizal's schooldays in the Ateneo, which reveals the
hero's resignation to pain and forgiveness. One day many Ateneans, including Rizal, were
studying their lessons at the study hall. Two Ateneans, Manzano and Lessaca, quarreled
and hurled books at each other. Rizal, who was busy at his desk poring over of his lessons,
was hit in the face by one of the thrown books. He did not raise a cry of protest, although
his wounded face was bleeding. His classmates brought him to the infirmary where he had
to undergo medical treatment for several days. After the incident, he continued to attend
his classes, feeling neither bitterness nor rancor toward the guilty party.
Manuel Xerez Burgos related another anecdote on Rizal the Atenean in whose
house was boarded by Rizal before he became an internee in Ateneo. This anecdote
illustrates Rizal’s predilection to help the helpless at the risk of his own life. One Thursday
afternoon, being vacation day, the boys flew their kites from the azotea. Young Rizal was
the busy reading Spanish book of fables at the window. After a while, he heard Julio
Melliza from Iloilo, one of the smallest boarders, crying—because the vines growing on
the belfry of the Manila Cathedral, which was near the boarding house, caught his kite. The

Page | 30
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
bigger boys were laughing, making fun of Julio's misfortune. Rizal closed the book he was
reading and told Julio not to cry, for he would try to retrieve the kite. True to his promise,
he courageously climbed the high cathedral tower and successfully recovers the kite.
Poems written in Ateneo. It was DoÑa Teodora who first discovered the poetical
genius of her son, and it was she who first encourages him to write poems. However, it was
Fr. Sanchez who inspired Rizal to make full use of his God given genius in poetry and
improved the latter is poetical arts by opening his mind to the enriching influences of
world’s literature.
The first poem Rizal probably wrote during his days in Ateneo was Mi Primera
Inspiracion( My First Inspiration) which was dedicated to his mother on her birthday. It is
said that he wrote it before he was 14 years old that is in the year 1874. Before this year,
he did not write poetry because there was gloom in his heart owing to his mother's
imprisonment. Upon the release of his mother in 1874, his poetic heart began to sing with
ecstasy and joy.
In 1875, inspired by father Sanchez, he wrote more poems, such as:
1. Felicitacion (Felicitation)
2. El Embarque: Himmo a la Flota de Magallanes ( The Departure: Hymn to Magellan's
Fleet)
3. Y Es Espanol:Elcano, el Primero en dar la Vuelta el Mundo( And He is Spanish;Elcano
,The First to Circumnavigate the World)
4. El Combate:Urbiztondo, Terror de Jolo (The Battle: Urbiztondo, Terror Of Jolo)
In 1876, Rizal wrote poems on various topics- religion, education, childhood
memories and war. They were as follows:
1. La Tragedia de San Eustachio ( The Tragedy of St. Eustace)
2. Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo ( In memory Of My Town)
3. Alianza Intima Entre la Religion y la Buena Educacion (Intimate alliance Between
Religion and Good Education)
4. Por la Educacion Recibe Lustre la Patricia ( Through Education The Country
Receives Light)
5. El Cautivero y el Triunjo: Batalla de Lucena y Prision de Boabdil ( The Captivity and
Triumph: The Battle Of Lucena and the Imprisonment of Boabdil)
6. La Entrada Triunfal de los Reyes Catolicos en Granada (The Triumphal Entry of the
Catholic Monarchs into Granada)
A year later in 1877, he wrote more poems. It was his last year in Ateneo. Among the
poems written this year was:
1. El Heroismo de Colon ( The Heroism Of Columbus)
2. Colon y Juan II (Columbus and John II)
3. Gran Consuelo en la Mayor Desdicha (Great Comfort In Great Misfortune)
4. Un Dialogo Alusivo a la despidida de los Colegiales ( A Farewell Dialogue of the
Students)
Rizal's Poem in Education. Examples, Through Education Our Motherland Receives Light.
Rizal's Religious Poems. During his student days Rizal expressed his devotion to Catholic
faith in melodious poetry. Such of them are Al Nino Jesus (to The Child Jesus) 1875; and A
la Virgen Maria( To the Virgin Mary).
First Romance of Rizal. Shortly after his graduation from Ateneo, Rizal who
was then sixteen years old experienced his first romance-that painful experience which
comes to nearly all adolescents. The girl was Segunda Katigbak, a pretty fourteen-year-old

Page | 31
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Batanguena from Lipa. In Rizal's own words: she was rather short, with eyes that were
eloquent and ardent at times and languid at others, rosy cheeked with an enchanting and
provocative smile that revealed very beautiful teeth, and the air of a sylph; her entire self
diffused a mysterious charm.
One Sunday Rizal visited his maternal grandmother who lived in Trozo, Manila.
His friend Mariano Katigbak accompanied him. His old grandmother was a friend of the
Katigbak family in Lipa . When he reached his grandmother’s house he saw other guests.
One of whom was an attractive girl, who caused his heart to palpitate with strange ecstasy.
She was the sister of Mariano, and her name was Segunda.
His grandmother's guests, who were mostly college students, knew of his skill
in painting, so they urged him to draw Segunda's portrait. He complied reluctantly and
made a pencil sketch of her. From time to time, he reminisced later, she looked at me and I
blushed.
Rizal came to know Segunda more intimately during his weekly visits to la
Concordia College where his sister Olympia was a boarding student. Olympia was a close
friend of Segunda. It was apparent that Rizal and Segunda loved each other. Theirs was a
indeed a love at first sight. However, it was hopeless from the very beginning because
Segunda was already engaged to be married to her town mate, Manuel Luz. Rizal, for his
entire artistic and intellectual prowess, was a shy and timid lover. Segunda had manifested
by insinuation and deeds, her affection for him, but he timidly failed to propose.
The last time they talk to each other was one Thursday in December 1877,
when Christmas vacation was about to begin. He visited Segunda at La Concordia College
to say good-bye because he was going home to Calamba the following day. She on her part
told him she was going home one day later. She kept quiet after her brief reply, waiting for
him to say something her heart was clamoring to hear.
However, Rizal failed to come up to her expectations. He could only mumble:
well good bye. Anyway -I'll see when you pass Calamba on your way to Lipa .
The next day Rizal arrived by steamer in his hometown. His mother didn’t
recognize him at first, due to her failing eyesight. He was saddened to find out his mother's
growing blindness. His sisters gaily welcomed him, teasing him about Segunda, for they
knew his romance through Olympia.
That night he demonstrated his skill in fencing to his family. He had a friendly
match with the best fencer in Calamba and bested him.
The following day (Saturday) he learned that the steamer carrying Segunda and
her family would not anchor at Calamba because of the strong winds; it would stop in
Binan. He saddled his white horse and waited at the side of the road. A cavalcade of
carromatas from Biñan passed by. In one of them, was Segunda smiling and waving her
handkerchief at him. He doffed his hat and was tongue tied to say anything. Her carriage
rolled on and vanished from the distance like a swift shadow. He returned home dazed and
desolate, with his first romance ruined by his own shyness and reserve. The first girl,
whom he loves with ardent fervor, was lost to him forever. She returned to Lipa and
married Manuel Luz. He remained in Calamba, a frustrated lover, cherishing nostalgic
memories of a lost love.
Three years later Rizal, recording his first and tragic romance, said: Ended at an
early hour, my first love! My virgin heart will always mourn the reckless step it took on the
flower-decked abyss. My illusions will return, yes, but indifferent, uncertain, ready for the
first betrayal on the path of love.

Page | 32
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
CHAPTER 8 – RIZAL AT THE DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY IN THE PHILIPPINES
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS 1877-1882
Fortunately, Rizal's first tragic romance, with its bitter disillusionment, did not
adversely affect his studies in the University of Santo Tomas. His love for higher education
proved to be greater than his love for a pretty girl. After finishing the first year of course in
Philosophy and Letters (1877-78), he transferred to the medical course.
Mother's Opposition to Higher Education. After graduating with the highest
honors from the Ateneo, Rizal had to go to the University Of Santo Tomas in order to
prepare himself for a career. The Bachelor of Arts degree during Spanish times was
equivalent to a high school diploma. It merely qualified its holder to enter a university.
Both Don Francisco and Paciano wanted that Rizal should pursue higher learning. But
Dona Teodora did not want him to study more. Evidently, she had a premonition that too
much knowledge would imperil her son's life.
In a family council in the Rizal home in Calamba, she vigorously objected to have
her son acquire higher education. She was thinking of the safety of her son. She knew the
fate of the Filipino intellectuals—Father Burgos, Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, Jose [Link] and
other exiles of 1862—who were either executed or exiled by Spanish authorities, and she
blamed their sad fate to their learning.
Fearful of the Spanish authorities who seemed to frown on those Filipinos who
learned too much, she warned her husband. “Do not send Jose again to Manila. If he gets to
know to much, they will cut off his head!”
Jose who was present in the family council when his mother said this, was shocked.
He knew his mother was a woman of education and culture; she even taught him and
inspired him to write poetry; and she came from a family of higher learning—her own
brother (and his uncle) Jose Albert Alonso had been educated abroad and could speak
Spanish, French, English, and German.
Evidently, Don Francisco and Paciano were able to overcome Dona Teodora's
objection. It was finally decided that Jose would study at the University Of Santo Tomas.
Rizal enters the University. In April 1877, Rizal, who was then nearly 16 year old,
matriculated at the UST taking Philosophy and Letters. He enrolled in this course for two
reasons: (1) his father liked it and (2) he was still uncertain as to what career to follow. He
had written to Father Pablo Ramon, Rector of the Ateneo, who had been good to him
during his student days in that college, asking for advice on the choice of career.
Unfortunately, the Father Rector was in Mindanao and during those days it took several
months for a letter to travel between Manila and Mindanao. Consequently, during his first
year term (1877-78) in the University Of Santo Tomas, he studied Cosmology,
Metaphysics, Theodicy, and History of Philosophy.
It was during the following school term (1878-79) that Rizal took up medicine,
enrolling simultaneously in the preparatory medical course and the regular first year
medical course. The reason why he studied medicine were: (1) he wanted to be a physician
so that he might cure his mother's failing eyesight and (2) the Father Rector of Ateneo ,
whom he consulted for choice of career, finally answered his letter, recommending
medicine.
Finishing Surveying Course in Ateneo, 1878. During his first school term in the
University of Santo Tomas (1877-78, Rizal also studied in the Ateneo. He took the
vocational course leading to the title of perito agrimensor (expert surveyor). In those

Page | 33
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
days, it should be remembered, the college for boys in Manila offered vocational courses in
agriculture, commerce, mechanics, and surveying.
Rizal, as usual, excelled in all subjects in the surveying course in the Ateneo, with all
gold medals in agriculture and topography. At the age of 17 , he passed the final
examination in the surveying course , bad not be granted the title as surveyor because
he was age . The title was issued to him on November 25 1881.
Although was then a Thomasian, he frequently visited the Ateneo. It was due not to
his surveying course, but more because of his loyalty to Ateneo, where he had so many
beautiful memories and whose Jesuit professors, unlike the Dominicans, loved him and
inspired him to ascend to higher education. He continued to participate actively in the
Ateneo's extra-curricular activities. He was president of the Academy of Spanish
Literature and secretary of the Academy of Natural Sciences. He also continued his
membership in the Marian Congregation, of which he was the secretary.
Romances with Other Girls. Notwithstanding his academic studies in the
University of Santo Tomas and extra-curricular activities in the Ateneo, Rizal had ample
time for love. He was a romantic dreamer who liked to sip the “nectar of love”. His sad
experience with his first love had made him wiser in the ways of romance.
Shortly after losing Segunda Katigbak, he paid court to a young woman in Calamba.
In his memoirs he simply called her Miss L, describing her as far with seductive and
attractive eyes”. After visiting her in her house several times, he suddenly stopped his
wooing, and the romance died a natural death. Nobody today knows who this woman was.
Rizal himself did not give her name. Hence, her identity is lost to his history. However, he
gave two reasons for his change of heart, namely: (1) the sweet memory of Segunda was
still in his heart and (2) his father objected to the match.
Several months later, during his sophomore year at the University of Santo Tomas,
he boarded in the house of Dona Concha Leyva in Intramuros. The next-door neighbors of
Dona Concha were Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela, parents of a charming
girl named Leonor. Rizal, the medical student from Calamba, was a welcomed visitor in the
Valenzuela home, where he was the life of the social parties because of his clever sleight-
of-hand tricks. He courted Leonor Valenzuela, who was a tall girl, “almost as tall as Jose
himself,” and had a regal bearing. He sent her love notes written in invisible ink. This ink
consisted of common table salt and water. It left no trace on the paper. Rizal, who knew
his chemistry, taught Orang (pet name of Leonor Valenzuela) the secret of reading any
note written in the invisible ink by heating it over a candle or lamp so that the lettering
may appear. But as with Segunda, he stopped short of proposing marriage to Orang.
Rizal's next romance, which modern writers have glamorized, was with another
Leonor – Leonor Rivera – his cousin from Camiling. In 1879, at the start of his junior year
at the university, he lived in “Case Tomasina.” a boarding house managed by his uncle,
Antonio Rivera, at No. 6 Calle Santo Tomas, Intramuros. His landlord had a pretty
daughter, Leonor, a student at La Concordia College, where Soledad (Rizal’s youngest
sister) was then studying. Leonor, born in Camiling, Tarlac, on April 8, 1887, was a frail,
beautiful girl tender as budding flower with kindly, wistful eye. Between Jose and Leonor
sprang a tenderly, beautiful romance. They became engaged. In her letters to Rizal, Leonor
signed her name as Taimis, in order to camouflage their intimate relationship from their
parents and friends.
Victims of Spanish Officer's Brutality. When Rizal was a freshman medical
student at UST, he got his first taste of Spanish Brutality. One dark night in Calamba, during
his summer vacation in 1880, he was walking in the street. He dimly perceived the figure

Page | 34
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
of a man in passing him. Not knowing the person due to darkness, he did not salute or say
a courteous Good evening. The vague figure was a lieutenant of the Guardia Civil. With a
snarl, he turned upon Rizal, whipped out a sword and brutally slashed the latter on the
back.
The wound was not serious, but it was painful. When he recovered, Rizal reported
the incident to General Primo de Rivera, the Spanish Governor General at the time. But
nothing came out of his complaint; because he was an indio and the abusive lieutenant was
a Spaniard. In a letter to Blumentritt , dated March 21 1887, he related : I went to the
Captain General but I could obtain no justice ; my wound lasted two weeks.
To the Filipino Youth(1879). In the year 1879 the Liceo-Artistico
Literario( Artistic Literary Lyceum) of Manila, a society of literary men and artists, held a
literary contest. It offered the prize for the best poem by native or mestizo. Rizal who was
then eighteen years old, submitted one entitled “A Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino
Youth).
The board of Judges, composed of Spaniards, was impressed by Rizal's poem and
gave it the First prize. This prize was silver pen, feather shaped and decorated with a gold
ribbon. Young Rizal was happy to win the contest. The Jesuits sincerely congratulated him,
especially by his former teachers in Ateneo.
The prize-winning poem is an inspiring poem of flawless form. In exquisite verses,
Rizal beseeched the Filipino youth to rise from lethargy to let his genius fly swifter than
the wind and descend with art and science to break the chain that has long bound the
poetic genius of the country.
The Council of the Gods (1880). The following year (1880) the Artistic- literary
Lyceum opened another literary contest to commemorate the fourth centennial of the
death of Cervantes, Spain's glorified man- of -letters and famous author of Don Quixote.
This time the contest was opened for both Filipinos and Spaniards.
Many writers participated in the contest—priest, newspaperman, scholars, and
professors of the University of Santo Tomas. Rizal inspired by his poetical triumph the
previous year, entered the literary joust, submitting an allegory in prose, EL Consejo de
los Dioses (The Council of The Gods).
The judges of the contest were all Spaniards. After a long and critical appraisal of
the entries, they were forced to award the prize to Rizal because of its literary superiority
over the others. The Spanish community in Manila spearheaded by the Spanish press
howled in great indignation against the decision. Despite all objections, the prize was
awarded to Rizal, which was gold ring on which was engraved the bust of Cervantes. A
Spanish writer, D.N. Del Puzo, won the second prize. For the first time in history, an Indio
—and a 19-year old medical student at that—excelled in a national literary contest,
defeating the best Spanish writers of his time in Manila. Rizal was particularly, happy, for
he proved the fallacy of Spanish superiority over the Filipino and revealed that the Filipino
can hold his own fair competition against all races.

The winning allegory of Rizal was a literary masterpiece based on the classics. In
writing it, Rizal, although a student of the University of Santo Tomas, was aided by the kind
Father Rector of Ateneo in securing the needed reference materials. The allegory
established a parallel among Homer, Virgil, and Cervantes. The gods discussed the
comparative merits of these different bards and finally decide to give the trumpet to
Homer, the lyre to Virgil and the laurel to Cervantes.

Page | 35
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Other Rizalian literary works. Aside from the two prize winning works mentioned
above, Rizal, although studying medicine, produced other poems and a drama. The drama
was Junto al Pasig (Beside 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 Concepcion,
Patroness of Ateneo. It was a melodrama, which he wrote as president of the Academy of
Spanish literature in Ateneo.
As a piece of Literature, the drama was mediocre. But there are passages in it which
express in subtle satire the author's nationalist ideas.
In the same year (1880), he wrote a sonnet entitled A Filipinas in the album of the
society of Sculptors. In this sonnet, he urged all Filipino artists to glorify the Philippines.
The year before in 1879, he composed a poem entitled Abd-el-Asis y Mahoma,
which was declaimed by an Atenean Manuel Fernandez, on the night of December 8,
1879 in the honor of Ateneo's Patroness.
Later in 1881, he composed a poem, Al M.R.P. Pablo Ramon, Rector del Ateneo, en
Sus dias. He wrote this poem as an expression of affection to Father Pablo Ramon, the
Ateneo rector, who had been so kind and helpful to him.
Champion Of the Filipino Students. Rizal was the champion of the Filipino
students in their frequent fights against the arrogant Spanish, who were often surpasssed
by the Filipinos in class work, insultingly called their brown classmates—Indio, chonggo!
The latter retaliated by calling them Kastila, bangus! Hostility between these two groups of
student often exploded in hectic street brawls.
Rizal participated in these street brawls. Owing to his skill in fencing, his prowess in
wrestling, and his indomitable courage, he was particularly conspicuous in many fights.
His three close friends, inspired by Dumas' novel, called themselves the Three Musketeers
and chose him as Treville, their chief. He was also the chief of a secret society of Filipino
students, called Companerismo (Comradeship), which he organized in 1880. Galicano
Apacible was secretary of this secret student organization. The members call themselves
Companions of Jehu.
Rizal's Unhappy Days at UST. Rizal, Ateneo's boy wonder, found the atmosphere at
the UST suffocating to his sensitive spirit. He was unhappy at this Dominican institution of
high learning because (1) the professors were hostile to him, (2) the Filipino students
were racially discriminated and (3) the method of instruction was obsolete and repressive.
In his novel El Filibusterismo, he described how the Filipino students were
humiliated and insulted by their Dominican professors and how backward the method of
instruction, especially in teaching of natural sciences.
In Rizal's time, the Filipino thirst for knowledge was not encouraged by Dominican
professors in the University of Santo Tomas. Because of the unfriendly attitude of his
professors, Rizal, the most brilliant graduate of Ateneo, failed to win high scholastic
honors. Although his grades in the first year of philosophy course were all excellent, they
were not impressive in the four years of medicine.
Decision to study Abroad. After finishing the fourth year of his medical course,
Rizal decided to study in Spain. He could no longer endure the rampant bigotry,
discrimination and hostility in the UST. His uncle, Antonio Rivera, Leonor's father,
encouraged him to go abroad. Both Paciano and Saturnina, whom he contacted, were of
similar opinion.

Page | 36
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Rizal's parents (for reasons regarding his mother), Leonor, and the Spanish
authorities knew nothing of his decision to go abroad in order to finish his medical studies
in Spain, where the professors were more tolerant and understanding than those of the
University of Santo Tomas.
CHAPTER 9: RIZAL IN PENINSULAR SPAIN

RIZAL’S LIFE IN SPAIN

 Rizal decided to leave the country to complete his medical studies in Europe.
 He travelled twice in Spain
- 1882-1885 with summer stay of a few weeks in France in 1883
- 1890 to January 1891 (5 months stay).
 Aside from completing his medical studies, there were also hidden purposes in his
voyage:
☻To make a name for his realm of journalism;
☻To observe and study European society;
☻To specialize ophthalmology
☻To prepare himself for the task of liberating the Filipino from Spanish tyranny.

Rizal’s Departure
 Rizal left Calamba on May 1, 1882 and was able to reach Manila after ten hours of
journey via carromata. No one from among the family members of Rizal knew his
departure for Spain except Paciano, Saturnina, his Tio Antonio and a few friends.
 The trip was kept secret to avoid detection by Spanish authorities especially the
friars. His brother Paciano did everything to ensure that Rizal can leave the country
secretly. He secured Rizal’s pass port with the name Jose Mercado.
 Rizal stayed in Manila for two days before his trip to Spain. He was scheduled to
depart from Manila on the 3rd day of May. He then woke up early, heard the mass at
Santo Domingo church in the Walled City and then proceeded to Pasig River to
board the cruiser Salvadora bound for Singapore and befriended with Donato
Lecha, ship captain of Salvadora.

Way to Spain
 From Manila, the Salvadora sailed for Singapore. At first he felt very sad leaving his
country and family. He tried to observe people and things around him and noted
many Spanish-speaking travelers spoke ill of the country.
 After one week of sailing, the cruiser docked at Singapore. Rizal stayed at Singapore
for two days and stayed at Hotel de la Paz. He further visited the Botanical garden,
Buddhist temple, busy market and the statue of Sir Thomas Standford Raffles-
founder of Singapore.
 From Singapore, Rizal boarded the ship Djemnah, which shall ferry him to France.
 With him on the ship were friends-speaking nationals. From his boarding point, the
ship had its stop over at point Galle in Ceylon, Aden and Port Said at Suez Canal. The
steamer reached Naples on June 11, 1882.
 From Naples, the steamer sailed to France. It docked at the harbor of Marseilles on
June 12, 1882.
 From Marseilles, Rizal took the train for Barcelona. He reached the Barcelona on the
June 16, 1882.
 At first, Rizal had a negative impression of the city and its people. Later, he came to
like Barcelona due to the prevalence of freedom and liberalism in the city. And the
good qualities demonstrated by its residents open-heartedness; hospitality, and
courage.

Page | 37
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9

Important Consequences of Rizal’s Trip

 First, owing to his interaction with foreign nationals on the board the Salvadora
and Djemnah, there was a sudden change in his religious outlook – Rizal became
inattentive to saints. Instead of calling them for guidance and protection while on
his journey, he prayed directly to God. Evidenced for his changes of religious outlook
was his attendance in Protestant worship service in Singapore.
 Second, is the melting down of his social complex- able to get along with other
passengers.

Life in Barcelona

 Rizal wrote a nationalistic essay where he urged the Filipinos to love their mother
land. He entitled it, “Amor Patrio” (Love of country) his first article written on Spain
soil. He sent article to his friend in Manila, Basilio Teodoro Moran-publisher of
Diariong Tagalog.
 Rizal’s Amor Patrio under Pen name Laong Laan appeared in print in Diariong
Tagalog on August 20, 1882. It was published in two type – Spanish and Tagalog.
The Spanish text was the one originally written by Rizal in Barcelona. The Tagalog
text was a Tagalog translation made by M.H. del Pilar. In this essay, Rizal stressed
that loving one’s country was the most heroic and sublime sentiment a person could
have. He further challenge the Filipinos that they must sacrifice their welfare, youth,
pleasures, splendor of genius or even their life. Finally, Filipinos should not fear of
losing their lives for they will gain two immense fortunes: liberty and glory.
 Rizal wrote the second article for Diariong Tagalog entitled, “Los Viajes” (Travels).
His third article, entitled, “Revista de Madrid” (Review of Madrid), which he wrote
in Madrid on November 29, 1882, was returned to him because the Diariong
Tagalog had ceased publication for lack of funds.

Life in Madrid
 Rizal decided to move to the capital city of Spain in September 1882 to continue his
studies. On November 3, 1882, Rizal enrolled in the Unibersidad Central de Madrid
(Central University of Madrid) in two courses, Medicine and Philosophy and Letters.
Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando
*he studied painting and sculpture,
*took lessons in French, German, and English under private instructors
Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell
*assiduously practice fencing and shooting
Madrid Ateneo
*lessons in English, French and German.
*He even contemplated taking the examination in Roman Law for possible
enrolment in
law.
 Despites Rizal’s hectic schedule in his studies, he associate with the Filipino
Expatriates in Madrid. Pedro Paterno, Graciano Lopez jaena, Gregorio Sanciano,
Juan Luna, Felix Hidalgo, Marcelo del Pilar, and a lot more.
 He became associated with them and later on, came to be called the Triumvirate
of the Propaganda Movement.

Rizal Joined the Masonry

Page | 38
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
o Living in Madrid exposed Rizal to liberal ideas, stressing the value of individual
freedom of action on matters of religion and expression.
o In viewed with the vitality of youth and idealism, he became fascinated with the
manner by which Spanish Masons in Madrid discussed political issues fearlessly.
He was overwhelmed by their progressive ideas on government politics and
religion.
o Joined the Masonry for two probable reasons
* the abuses committed by the friars against the Filipinos;
* in the possible assistance the Masons can extend him in his struggle against
Spanish tyranny and oppression.
o He became Master Mason in Lodge Solidaridad on November 15, 1890. Later, he
was awarded as Master Mason by Le Grand Orient de France in Paris on
February 15, 1892.
 They Ask Me for Verses
In 1882, shortly after his arrival in Madrid, Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino
(Hispano- Philippine Circle), a society of Spaniards and Filipinos.
Upon the request of the members of this society, he wrote a poem entitled “Me
Piden Versos” (They Ask Me for Verses) which he personally declared during the
New Year’s Eve reception of the Madrid Filipino held in the evening of December 31,
1882.

Rizal’s Toast to Luna and Hidalgo

 June 24, 1884 was a memorable day of Rizal, he had no breakfast that morning.
Despite the hunger, he attended classes at the UCM. On the same day, he was the
contestant in the Greek language derby and won the prize of a gold medal.
 It was also the day he delivered the famous Brindis (A Toast) to Juan Luna for his
Spolarium and Felix Resurrection Hidalgo for his Las Virgenes Cristianas
Expuestas al Populacho (Christian Virgins Expose to the Populace). He stressed
that “genius knows no race.”
 Juan Luna was awarded a gold medal for his painting Spoliarium, while Hidalgo,
a silver medal for his entry, Christian Virgins Expose to the Populace. Luna and
Hidalgo’s paintings were reflections of the reality of politics, society and moral life of
the Filipinos under Spanish rule. Moreover, the two paintings clearly shown
humanity in severe ordeal, unredeemed, reason and idealism in an open struggle
with fanaticism and injustice.
 A banquet was rendered in honor of these two Filipino artists at the Café Ingles. The
speech was originally assigned to Pedro A. Paterno.
Rizal’s Affair with Consuelo
 Filipino expatriate in Madrid then usually visited the house of Don Pablo Ortega y
Rey on Saturday evenings. Don Pablo was the former city mayor of Manila during
the time of Governor Carlos dela Torre. Being away from home, he joined his fellow
student expatriates to visit Don Pablo’s residence.
 He played with his colleagues and laughed with them together with Consuelo and
Pilar, Don Pablo’s daughters. Rizal was attracted with Consuelo due to her fine
manners and enchanting smile. He gave her flowers occasionally, which Consuelo
appreciated.
 Consuelo fell in love with him. Rizal, however, suppressed his emotions since he was
still engage with Leonor Rivera, way back home. Besides, he did not want to destroy
his friendship with Eduardo de Lete, who was madly in love with Consuelo.
 Before leaving Madrid in 1883, Rizal composed a poem for Consuelo, it was entitled
A La Seňorita C. O. y R. (Consuelo Ortega y Perez)

Page | 39
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Rizal Involved in Student Demonstrations
 On November 20-22, 1884 the serene city of Madrid exploded in bloody riots by the
students of the Central University of Madrid. Rizal and other Filipino Students
participated, together with Cuban, Mexican, Peruvian, and Spanish students in the
tumult.
 This student demonstration were caused by the address of Dr. Miguel Morayta,
professor of history at the opening ceremonies of the academic year on November
20, in which he proclaim “the freedom of science and the teacher” such a liberal
view was condemned by the Catholic Bishops of Spain, who promptly
excommunicated Dr. Morayta and those who applauded his speech.
 Rizal completed his medical course in Spain. He was conferred the degree of
licentiate in medicine by the Unibersidad Central de Madrid on June 21, 1884.
The next academic year (1884-85) he studied and passed all subjects leading to the
degree of doctor of medicine.
 Due to the fact, however, that he did not pay the fee for the presentation and
defense of his thesis which was the final requirement for the course, he was not
awarded his Doctor’s Diploma. Rizal also finished his studies in Philosophy and
Letters with higher grades.
 He was awarded the degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters by the
Unibersidad Central de Madrid on June 19, 1885 (His birthday), with the rating of
“excellent” (Sobresaliente).

Doña Teodora’s reactions on Rizal’s Speech

 She advised Rizal to refrain from writing articles that might offend the friars and the
regime; that he should not fail in his duties as a Christian.
 She also warned him not to continue pursuing further studies since she had that fear
that it could cause his death later.

Rizal Responded to her mother by stressing the following points:

 He will still have enemies, even if he puts an end of writing articles considered anti-
Spanish
 Life can’t be without any sorrow
 Misfortunes are welcomed when they can avert debasement and degradation
 Conscience has to decide whether to submit or perish in the society where a person
is born
 People have to put their trust in God in the sincerity of their purpose.
 The best legacies parents can give their children are upright judgment; generosity is
the exercise of rights; and perseverance in adversity.
 A son can pay honor to his parents thru honesty and good name
 Religion is the holiest of things but a person can only believe by reasoning; and
 Conscience can accept only what a compatible with reason.

CHAPTER 10 - RIZAL IN FRANCE AND GERMANY

Rizal in Paris (1885-1886)

 June 17 to August 20, 1883- Rizal sojourn in Paris

 Hotel de Paris- located on 37 Rue de Maubange wherein Rizal billeted but later, he
moved to a cheaper hotel on 124 Rue de Rennes in the Latin Quarter
 Laennec Hospital- where Rizal observed Dr. Nicaise treating his patients
 Lariboisiere Hospital- where Rizal observed the examination of different diseases
of women

Page | 40
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
 Rizal was impressed by the way the Spanish Mason openly and freely criticized the
government policies and lambasted the friars, which could not be done in
Philippines
 Rizal’s decision to move to France and Germany was due to his desire to specialize
in ophthalmology. His preference in ophthalmology as a specialization in medicine
was prompted by his desire to cure the eye ailment of his mother.
 He also continued his observations of the government and laws, as well as the
customs and traditions of France and Germany.
 Rizal was a full-pledged surgeon when he migrated into Paris.
 Rizal worked as an assistant at the eye clinic of Dr. Louis de Weckert for four
months. From Dr. Weckert , Rizal learned the following:
1. Actual performance of eye operation
2. Recent studies on the ailment of the eyes
3. Various techniques of eye operation
 He stayed in Luna’s studio and became a model in two of Luna’s historical
canvasses: a. the Blood Compact (posed as Sikatuna); and
b. Death of Cleopatra (posed as Egyptian priest)
 November 27, 1878- Rizal told Enrique de Lete that he “learned the solfeggio, the
piano, the voice culture in one month and a half”. By sheer determination and
constant practice, Rizal came to play the flute fairly well. He was a flutist in various
impromptu reunions of Filipinos in Paris.
 Alin Mang Lahi (Any Race)-a patriotic song written by Rizal which asserts that any
race aspires for freedom.
 La Deportacion (Deportation)- a sad danza which Rizal composed in Dapitan
during his exile
 Before leaving the city, Rizal had completed one-fourth of his first novel, the Noli
Me Tangere.

RIZAL IN HEIDELBERG, GERMANY

 February 1, 1886- Rizal left gay Paris for Germany due to its high cost of living,
which he could not cope.
 February 3, 1886- Rizal arrived in Heidelberg, a historic city in Germany famous
for its old university and romantic surroundings.
 He was recommended to become a member of Chess Players’ Club of Heidelberg.
 He was privileged to work at the eye hospital of the University of Heidelberg, under
the tutelage of Dr. Otto Becker. It is where he perfected the techniques of
diagnosing eye ailments, which he learned under Dr. Louis de Wecker.

A Los Flores del Heidelberg (April 22, 1886 he wrote this poem)
 This is a poem he wrote when he visited Neckar River on April 12, 1886. This poem
was translated by Derbyshire (To The Flowers of Heidelberg).
 As pointed out by Dizon (1961), the poem A Los Flores de Heidelberg, is a poem of
two of the great loves of man on earth. It is a poem of remembrance and a poem
of the motherland.
 Rizal in these particular verses expressed his longing for his native land and
commanded the flowers of Heidelberg, forget-me-nots, to go to the Philippines and
tell his countrymen and loved ones of his loves for the country.

SUMMER VACATION AT WILHELMSFELD

 Wilhelmsfeld- a mountainous village at Heidelberg. It is where Rizal met Dr. Karl
Ulmer, a pastor of the vicarage of Wilhelmsfeld.

Page | 41
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
 Rizal’s vacation at Wilhelmsfeld was quite an enjoyable one for him. He returned to
Heidelberg on June 2, 1886 remembering the hospitality and friendship accorded to
him by the Ulmers.
 Rizal appreciated so much from his stay in the German village-the religious
tolerance the people practice in the area. He observed Pastor Ulmer being able to
get along well with the Catholic priest in the area, something that will not be
possible in the Philippines as that time due to the dominant belief of the friars that
only they were the only true transmitters of the words of God.

First Correspondence with Blumentritt

 Rizal sent his first correspondence with Ferdinand Blumentritt, after his summer
vacation at Wilhelmsfeld, on July 31, 1886.
 What impelled him to write Blumentritt was the latter’s interest in the ethnology
and Philippine languages. Accompanied was a book entitled, “Arithmetica”
authored by Rufino Baltazar Hernandez and published by UST press in 1868.
 Rizal’s first correspondence impressed Blumentritt, the Director of the Ateneo of
Leimeritz. In return, Blumentritt sent Rizal two books.
 This marked the beginning of the frequent communication between Rizal and
Blumentritt through the medium of writing. Similarly, it signaled the
commencement of a lasting friendship between them.

Rizal to Leipzig and Dresden

 After attending the fifth centenary foundation day celebration of the University of
Heidelberg, Rizal visited other cities in Germany
 August 14, 1886- Rizal arrived in Leipzig on board on a train
 Rizal attended the lectures given by the German professors in history and
psychology.
 While at Leipzig, Rizal worked as a proof-reader in a publishing company to
augment his allowance. He was fortunate enough to be accepted due to his
knowledge of German, Spanish, and other European languages. Owing to the lower
cost of living at Leipzig, he stayed in the city for two months.

Rizal came to know:

 Prof. Friedrich Ratzel- a well-known German historian
 Dr. Hans Meyer- a famous German anthropologist
 Rizal translated Schiller’s William Tell into Tagalog for the Filipinos to become
aware of the story of the champion of Swiss Independence.
 He also translated the Fairy Tales written by Hans Christian Andersen for the
benefit of his young nice and nephews in the Philippines.
 October 29, 1886- Rizal left Leipzig and went to Dresden where he met Dr. Adolph
Meyer, the Director of Anthropological and Ethnological Museum

Rizal in Berlin

 November 1,1886- Rizal left Dresden for Berlin by train.

 He went to Berlin due to the following reasons:
1. to further enhance his knowledge of ophthalmology
2. to supplement his studies of languages and sciences
3. to study and observe the political and economic conditions of Germany
4. to join the circle of famous German Scientists and scholars
5. to complete publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere

Page | 42
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Rizal admired the book Travels in the Philippines authored by Dr. Feodor Jagor for two
reasons:
 It predicted the collapse of the Spanish regime in the Philippines
 It prophesied the coming of the Americans into the Philippines
Acquaintance with Jagor and letter of introduction from Blumentritt resulted in
befriending numerous German intellectuals:
 Dr. Rudolf Virchow – German Anthropologist
 Dr. Hans Virchow – German Professor of Descriptive Anatomy
 Dr. W. Joest – famous German Geographer
 Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger – a noted German Ophthalmologist.
On the recommendation of Dr. Jagor and Dr. Meyer, Rizal was accepted as member of the
following societies in Berlin:
 Anthropological society
 Ethnological society
 Geographical society
Rizal presented a paper in German entitled Tagalische Verkunst (Tagalog Metrical Art)
to the Ethnographic society of Berlin
Rizal’s life in Berlin
 Rizal worked as an assistant in Dr. Schweigger’s clinic
 Attended lectures at the University of Berlin
 He continued his physical trimming exercises and practice in speaking German,
French, and Italian Languages
 He took time in writing and completing his first novel Noli Me Tangere published in
Berliner Buckdruckrei-Action Gesselschaft Printing Press on February 21, 1887
(P300 for 2,000 copies).
 Although Rizal was exposed to a lot of enriching experiences in Berlin, there was a
time that he found himself penniless. This happened from November 1886 to May
1887. His brother Paciano was unable to send him his monthly stipend owing to
crop failures in Calamba. In order to eat, he had to pawn the diamond ring given by
his sister Saturnina and sell his books to second-hand bookstores. Without proper
nutrition, he got sick with coughs and colds, signs of tuberculosis. Penniless at
Berlin, he thought of burning the manuscript of his first novel, which he had
completed.

CHAPTER 11- NOLI ME TANGERE: A Diagnosis Of Filipino Society

A PROPOSAL ON WRITING A NOVEL ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES

 Filipinos were practically on unknown nation. They were mistaken for Chinese in
Spain. And Japanese in Paris.
 Rizal encouraged his fellow expatriates to call themselves “Indios Bravos” for them
to have a sense of national identities.
 Rizal presented a proposal on writing a novel about the Philippines to the Circulo-
Hispano Filipino on January 2, 1884.
 Pedro Paterno published his novel entitled “Ninay” with its subtitle “Costumbres
Filipinas” (Philippine Customs) that delved only on one aspect of Filipino culture.

IDEAS ON WRITING A NOVEL ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES

1. Luna’s Spolarium
 Luna’s canvass conveyed the plight of the vanquished and the pathetic
suffering of the human race.
2. Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Page | 43
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
 This novel portrayed the brutalities committed by American slave owners
against their Negro slave.
3. The Wondering Jew by Eugene Sue
 Rizal used this novel as a model to arouse the feeling against the existing
Philippine situation and at the same time communicate to the Filipino ideals
he wanted them to embrace.

THE WRITING OF THE NOLI ME TANGERE

 Rizal started writing the Noli Me Tangere in 1884 while he was studying in Europe.
He completed one half of the novel in Madrid. One fourth of the novel was written
when he was at Paris while the remaining one fourth was completed in Berlin,
Germany on February 21, 1887.
 The novel came off the press on March 21, 1887 with the financial assistance of
Maximo Viola.
 The title can be translated into English as “Touch Me Not”

RIZAL’S LETTER TO FERDINAND BLUMENTRITT

I send you a book…. It is the first impartial and bold book on the life of the Tagalogs. The
Filipino will find in it the history of the last ten years (1877-1887)…. Here I answer all the
false concepts which I have been formed against us and all the insults which have been
intended to belittle us.

RIZAL’S LETTER TO MARCELO H. DEL PILAR

I wrote my Noli Me Tangere to stir the patriotism of my countrymen. I would be happy if
among those I have stirred, I shall find notable companions…..

PURPOSES FOR WRITING NOLI ME TANGERE

 To picture the past and the realities in the Philippines.
 To reply to insults heaped on the Filipinos and their country.
 To unmask the hypocrisy that have impoverished and brutalized the Filipino people.
 To stir the patriotism of the Filipino people.

CHARACTERS IN THE NOLI ME TANGERE

1. JUAN CRISOSTOMO IBARRA
 He represented the affluent and liberal European – Educated Filipino. Civic –
minded, liberty – minded and patriotic, he desired the education of the people.
2. ELIAS
 He represented the Filipino masses and as a symbol of common people. Elias did
everything to vindicate them from the injustices suffered from the Spaniards. He
believe that the redemption of the country depends on the illustrados. He is a
mouthpiece of Rizal’s contradictory thoughts and purposes.
3. MARIA CLARA
 As the object of Ibarra’s love and affection, Rizal represented Filipino
womanhood trained in a convent and immersed in education basically religious
in orientation. She symbolizes the Filipino womanhood in their fidelity coyness
and modesty.
4. DON RAFAEL IBARRA
 He symbolizes an affluent landlord with a social conscience. Father Damaso
considered him a heretic and Filibustero owing to his liberal and independent
views.
5. SISA

Page | 44
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
 The mother of Basilio and Crispin and lost her mental balance. She represented
the typical characteristics of Filipino mothers – fully cognizant of the attributes
of their sons and daughters; and willing to defend them from all forms of
injustice or accusations.
6. CAPITAN TIAGO
 His wealth was derived from his involvement in the illegal opium trade. He was
a symbol of cacique mentality. He represented the subservient Filipino to the
authorities who protect his personal and business interest.
7. DOÑA VICTORINA
 As a social climber, she married Don Tiburcio de Espardania to support her
claim of being a Spaniard. She symbolizes the colonial mentality among some
Filipinos during Rizal’s time.
8. DOÑA PATROCINIO
 Mistress of the Alferez, she was noted to be imprudent, vulgar, cruel, and
quarrelsome. As such, she symbolized the mentality of the Guardia Civil. Being
the only competitor of Capitan Tiagoin Godliness, she did everything to pretend
that she was really religious by showing off to the public what she could
contribute for the church.
9. PILOSOPO TASYO
 He represented Rizal’s epitome of a philosopher. He was perceived to be a sage
by the educated and a weird or lunatic by those who did not know him.
10. THE SCHOOL MASTER OF SAN DIEGO
 He symbolized intellectual dissatisfaction in Filipino society during Rizal’s time.
As an educated individual, he dreamed of changing the methods of teaching to
facilitate greater learning on the part of the pupils then.

THE FILIPINO SOCIETY AS PICTURED IN THE NOLI

 The government was administered by self-seekers, motivated by the desire to

enrich themselves at the expense of the people.
 Honest and sincere officials were few.
 Corruption is rampant.
 Banditry became a way of life for many due to the corruption and brutality of the
Guardia civil.
 Friars used the Catholic Church to amass wealth and perpetuate themselves into
power.
 Filipinos were not spared in Rizal’s criticism of Filipino society. He criticized his
fellow countrymen for their blind religious fanaticism, corruption, passion for
gambling, subservience of the wealthy Filipinos toward the friars and government
officials and their ridiculous efforts to distance themselves from the common
people.

GOOD QUALITIES AND VIRTUES OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE

 Modesty and devotion of the Filipino woman.

 Open-handed hospitality of the Filipino family.
 Devotion of parents to their children and children to their parents.
 Deep sense of gratitude of the Filipino peasant.

RIZAL’S DIAGNOSIS OF FILIPINO SOCIETY

 Friars were the enemies of reform, progressive and justice in the country because
of:

Page | 45
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
1. The agrarian problem in Calamba between the tenants and the Dominicans.
2. Rizal’s stay in Europe.
3. Influence of the Spanish anti-clericalism.

ROLES OF FRIARS
 Parish priest
 Tax collector
 School inspector
 Superintendent of public work by force labor
 Intelligence officer
 President of local boards

NOLI ME TANGERE AS A CHARTER OF FIIPINO NATIONALISM

It calls on the Filipino to:
 Regain self-confidence
 Appreciate his self-worth
 Return to the heritage of his ancestors
 Assert himself as a co-equal of the Spaniards
 Need for Education
 Dedication to the country
 Assimilating the aspects of western cultures

Reform needed by Filipino:

 Radical reforms in the armed forces, clergy and administration of justice.
 More respect for human dignity.
 Greater security.
 Less strength in the constabulary.
 Less privileges for organizations prone to abuses and corruption.

FIRST REACTION TO THE NOLI ME TANGERE

 ANTONIO REGIDOR
A Filipino exile for his allege complicity in the 1872 uprising. “The book is
superior, if Don Quijote has made its author immortal because he exposed to the
world the sufferings of Spain, your Noli Me Tangere will bring you equal glory”
 FERDINAND BLUMENTRITT
“Your work, as we Germans say, has been written with blood and heart…. Your
work has exceeded my hopes and I consider myself fortunate and happy to have
been honored with your friendship. Not only I but your country, may feel happy
for having you, a patriotic and son.
 AUGUST 30, 1887 Archbishop Payo found the book to be heretical, impious and
scandalous in its religious aspect, unpatriotic, subversive of public order and
offensive to the government of Spain.
 DECEMBER 29, 1892 Father Salvador Font recommended the prohibition of the
importation, reproduction and circulation of the pernicious books in the Philippines.

ATTACK AND DEFFENSE OF THE NOLI ME TANGERE

 VICENTE BARANTES
A Spanish academician, he attacked Rizal in 1889 by describing him as a man of
contradiction, whose criticisms of the friars and the Spanish regime were actually
an insult to the Filipinos themselves.
• ANONYMOUS FRIARS

Page | 46
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Rizal was labeled an ungrateful man and challenged him to come out into the open
if he had a grievance against the religious establishment.
 FATHER SALVADOR FONT
He tried to prevent the circulation of the novel by publishing a few copies of his
report.
FOUR PARTS OF HIS REPORT:
1. Attacks on the religion of the state.
2. Attacks on the administration, the government employees and the court.
3. Attacks on the civil guards.
4. Attacks on the territorial integrity of the Spanish kingdom.
 FR. JOSE RODRIGUEZ
Wrote a series of pamphlets under the title “Cuestiones de Sumo Interes” that
judge Rizal’s novel on a doctrinal level that devoted Christian shouldn’t read it
because it contains alleged blasphemy and heresy.
• FR. FRANCISCO SANCHEZ
Rizal’s teacher in rhetoric at Ateneo. After reading the pamphlet written by father
Rodriguez, he told Rizal that it was that pamphlet written with the feet and not the
Noli Me Tangere. He defended Rizal publicly.
 FR. VICENTE GARCIA
A Filipino priest and the translator into Tagalog of the famous imitation of Christ
writing under the pen name of “Desiderio Magalang”.
 “Noli Me Tangere was a work of literature and should be judge that way and
not on a doctrinal level.”
 “If reading the Noli Me Tangere is a mortal sin, then Fr. Rodriguez had also
committed a mortal sin.”
 “Rizal was not ignorant man because he was an alumnus of Spanish
Universities and a recipient of numerous academic honors and awards.”
 BLUMENTRITT
Rizal’s novel is a patriotic one. It was a truthful and heartfelt effort to make Spain
realize the need to remedy the social ills plaguing the Filipino society.

CHAPTER 12 - THE FIRST HOMECOMING

Rizal’s plans of coming back home

 As early as 1884, Rizal wanted to go back to the Philippines for the following
reasons:
◦ Financial difficulties in Calamba
◦ Dissatisfaction with his studies in Madrid
◦ Desire to prove that there is no reason to fear going home.
◦ His belief that the Spanish regime will not punish the innocent.
Decision to return home
• After five years of his memorable sojourn in Europe, Rizal returned to the
Philippines.
• However, Rizal was warned by the following not to return to the Philippines
because his Noli Me Tangere angered the friars:
– Paciano Mercado – Rizal’s adviser and only brother.
– Silvestre Ubaldo – Rizal’s brother in law; husband of Olympia.
– Jose Ma. Cecilio (Chenggoy) – one of Rizal’s closest friends.
Rizal was determined to come back to the Philippines for the following reasons:
◦ To operate his mother’s eyes
◦ To serve his people who had long been oppressed by Spanish tyrants.

Page | 47
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
◦ To find out for himself how the Noli Me Tangere and his other writings were
affecting Filipinos and Spaniards.
◦ To inquire why Leonor Rivera remained silent.
 Despite the disapproval from family members and friends, Rizal to return to the
Philippines but before his first homecoming he had a grand tour of Europe with
Maximo Viola.
 Viola finished his early education in San Miguel. He took his pre-medical studies at
the University of Santo Tomas, where he witnessed the prejudice of Spaniards
against the Filipino students. In 1882, he sailed to Spain and enrolled Medicine at
the University of Barcelona, where he met other Filipino students particularly Jose
Rizal, with whom he developed close friendship.
 Viola played an important role in the life of Jose Rizal, he financed the publication of
Noli Me Tangere.
DRESDEN
 Their tour of Europe began through their visit of Potsdam in which they saw the
imposing mausoleum enclosing the statue of Frederick the Great.
 Rizal and Viola left Berlin at dawn of May 11 1887 by train, bound for Dresden.
Their
visit coincided with the holding of a regional floral exposition.
 It was in this city that Rizal visited Dr. Adolph Meyer, who was very happy seeing
him.
 They visited Botanical garden
 They were also impressed by the way the people of Dresden maintain monuments
and landmarks of aesthetic historical significance.
 They met Dr. Jagor that he planned to visit Leitmeritz to meet Dr. Blumentritt.
IN LEITMERITZ
 May 13, 1887.
 They were warmly received by Ferdinand Blumentritt.
 Ferdinand Blumentritt was a teacher, secondary school principal in Litoměřice,
lecturer, and author of articles and books on the Philippines and its ethnography. He
is
well-known in the Philippines for his close friendship with the country's national
hero,
Jose Rizal, and the numerous correspondences between the two provide a vital
reference for Rizal historians and scholars.
 Rizal was the greatest product of the Philippines, whose coming into this world can
be
likened to a comet.
 To memorialize his happy hours at the Blumentritt home, Rizal Made a pencil sketch
of
Blumentritt and gave it to him.
 On their last night at Leitmeritz, Rizal and Viola invited the Blumentritt family in
Hotel
Krebs and tendered a farewell dinner to express their gratitude for the hospitality
they
were accorded by their host.
 Dr. Carlos Czepelak- renowned scientist of Europe
 Professor Robert Klutschak- an eminent naturalist
 May 16, 1887 at 9:45 AM- Rizal and Viola left Leitmeritz by train
IN PRAGUE
 At around 9:30 in the morning of May, 17, 1887, Rizal and Viola left Leitmeritz by
train
bound for Prague, a historic city and the capital of Czechoslovakia

Page | 48
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
 Their travel to the different historic spots in Prague was facilitated by Dr.
Welkomm , A
historical professor at the university of Prague.
 They took time to visit the tomb of Nicolaus Copernicus, a famous polish
astronomer.
IN VIENNA
 Rizal and Viola arrived at Vienna , the capital city of Austria- Hungary on May 20,
1887.
 They spent four days visiting the beautiful buildings and examining Holy images
and
statues. They were also impressed with the songs and beautiful stories of the city.
 Rizal and Viola took time to see art galleries, museums, public parks and recreation
centers.
 To change the routine of their travel, the two decided to take a small boat that took
them to the famous Danube river.
IN LINTZ AND RHEINFALL
 The voyage of Danube River ended in Linz. They left Austria from Salzburg, the
Birthplace of Mozart and re-entered Germany upon arrival at Munich on May
27,1887.
 From Munich they proceeded to Nuremburg, where they saw the horrible TORTURE
MACHINES used during the inquisition against the enemies of the Catholic Church.
 From Ulm, Rizal and Viola moved to Stuttgart, Baden, and Rheinfall. It was at
Rheinfall
where they saw the Bin Waterfall, the most beautiful waterfall in the continent of
Europe.
IN SWITZERLAND
 From Rheinfall, Rizal and Viola crossed the Swiss boarder via Schaffhausen..
 Upon arriving at Geneva, Rizal received the news from his friends in Madrid of the
deplorable conditions of the primitive Igorots who were exhibited in the exposition
on the Philippines.
IN ITALY
 From Geneva, Rizal continued his travel to Italy. He visited the cities of Turin, Milan,
Venice, Florence, and Rome. The city of Rome, the eternal city, the site of the
Vatican.
 In Rome, Rizal had the opportunity to see St. Peter’s Dome by Michaelangelo and
Giacomo dela Porta and St. Peter’s Basilica, the first known Christian church
dedicated during the time of emperor Constantine.
 At one time, he even witnessed the devout and faithful Catholics jamming St. Peter’s
Square at the Vatican City to receive the blessings of the Pope.
Rizal Germany and Blumentritt
 Among the countries Rizal visited, it was 19th century Germany that he appreciated
much. A basic reason for this was Rizal’s appreciation of the qualities possessed by
the German people during those times.
 Thus, for Rizal Germany was his link to Europe and Ferdinand Blumentritt was his
link to Germany.
Rizal Arrives in Manila
 Rizal left Rome by train headed for Marseilles, France on July 3, 1887.
 Boarded the steamer Djemnah going to Saigon; Boarded on the Steamer
Haiphong from Saigon to Manila.
 He stayed in Manila for three days. He visited and called up Isabelo de los Reyes
twice but was unable to find him.
 Father Faura showed Rizal the Image of the Sacred heart of Jesus, which he carved
during his student days.

Page | 49
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Back to Calamba
 Rizal arrived in Calamba on August 8, 1888, He found his family in the best of
health. They shed tears of joy for seeing Rizal again.
 Upon his arrival at Calamba, rumors were spreading that Rizal was a German spy, an
agent of Bismarck, a mason, and a soul halfway to damnation.
 Rizal receives threat everyday that’s why Paciano accompanied him wherever he
went in order to protect him.
 Upon his stay, he opened a medical clinic and started practicing his profession and
gained fame as an eye specialist and surgeon.
 He came to be called by the Calamba folks as Doctor Uliman for he was mistaken as a
German spy.
 To discourage his town mates from indulging in sabong and panginggue, he gave
them lessons in gymnastics, fencing and even shooting.
 Despite his busyness he never fail to communicate with Ferdinand Blumentritt.

Terrero summoned Rizal to Malacañang

 This was the time when the battle over the Noli Me Tangere was raging on.
 The governor general informed Rizal that his novel had caused much pandemonium
among the government and the clergy and that he wanted to have a copy of the
novel to find out for himself whether the novel is really subversive and inciting the
people to rise up in arms against the government.
 The governor-general gave Rizal a bodyguard in the person of Jose Taviel de
Andrade in which they became close friend.

Calamba Agrarian Problem

 This problem started when Governor-General Terrero ordered an investigation of
the friars’ estates in order to remedy the agrarian problems relating to land taxes
and tenants relations.
 The tenants of Calamba sought Rizal’s assistance by making him their spokesperson.
 Some of the findings Rizal submitted to the governor-general for appropriate action
were as follows:
1. The Hacienda of the Dominican Order comprised not only the lands around
Calamba, but the whole town of Calamba.
2. The profits of the Dominican order continually increased because of the
arbitrary increase of the rentals 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 spent much labor in clearing the lands were dispossessed of the
said lands for flimsy reasons.
5. High rates of interest were arbitrarily charged the tenants for delayed
payments of rentals
6. When the rentals could not be paid, the hacienda management confiscated the
work animals, tools, and farm implements of the tenants
The Friars pressured Malacañan to have Rizal eliminated.
Rizal was forced by the situation to leave his homeland after six months of stay at
Calamba for two reasons:
 First, his presence at Calamba was endangering the safety and happiness of his
family.
 Second, He could be able to fight better his detractors and save his country’s cause
in a foreign land.
Reaction to mass eviction

Page | 50
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
 In response to mass eviction by the Dominican friars from their estate in
Calamba, the tenants staged a public demonstration in manila.
 Doroteo Cortes organized this movement.
 In the march demonstration, the tenants of the Dominican hacienda presented a
petition to queen regent asking for the expulsion of the friars from the
Philippines. This event made the friars demand strong measures against
subversion from the government.
Trials Rizal went through for his advocacy
 Rizal felt that he was witnessing the re-enactment of what he wrote in the Noli Me
Tangere. After advocating the rights of the tenants, it’s now his own family bearing
the brunt of what he did that in effect had caused him much despair.
A Poem for Lipa
 Rizal was requested by his friend from Lipa to compose a poem to commemorate
the conversion of Lipa from a pueblo (town) to a villa (city). The poem was entitled
Himno al Trabaho or Hymn to Labor.
 For him labor plays a vital role in keeping up the dignity of man for it is work that
sustains the man, the motherland, family, and the home. “He considered labor as
the country’s blood, health, and life.”

Rizal leaves Calamba for the second time

 Rizal was obliged to leave Calamba for the second time because his stay in his home
town might expose his family and friends worry and anxiety.
 He leaves the country on February 1888. He was already 27 years old, a medical
practitioner and a recognized man of letters.

CHAPTER 13 - FROM CALAMBA TO EUROPE FOR THE SECOND TIME

Hounded by powerful enemies, Rizal was forced to leave his country for the second time in
February 1888. He was 27 then, a practicing physician, and a recognized man-of-letters.

The Trip to Hong Kong

 February 3, 1888 – after a short stay of six months in his beloved Calamba, Rizal left
Manila for Hong Kong on board the Zafiro
 February 7, 1888 – their ship made a brief stopover at Amoy and for three reasons he
did not get off (1) he was not feeling well, (2) it was raining hard, and (3) he heard the
city was dirty
 February 8, 1888 – Rizal arrived in Hong Kong. He was welcomed by Filipino residents,
including Jose Maria Basa, Balbino Mauricio,and Manuel Yriarte (son of Francisco
Yriarte, alcalde mayor of Laguna)
 Victoria Hotel – it is where Rizal resided during his stay in Hong Kong
 Jose Sainz de Varanda – a Spaniard who was a former secretary of Governor General
Terrero shadowed Rizal’s movement in Hong Kong. It is believed that he was
commissioned by the Spanish authorities to spy on Rizal.
 February 16, 1888 - Rizal described on his letter to Blumentritt that Hong Kong is a
small, but very clean city. Many Portuguese, Hindus, English, Chinese, and Jews live in it.
There are some Filipinos, the majority of whom being those who had been exiled to the
Marianas Islands in 1872. They are poor, gentle, and timid. Formerly they were rich
mechanics, industrialists, and financiers.

VISIT TO MACAO
 February 18, 1888 – Rizal accompanied by Basa, boarded the ferry steamer Kiu-Kiang
for Macao and on that same ship, he was surprised to see Jose Sainz de Varanda

Page | 51
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
 “Macao is a Portuguese colony near Hong Kong. According to the diary of Rizal, the city
of Macao is small, low, and gloomy. There are many junks, sampans, but few steamers.
It looks sad and is almost dead.
 Don Juan Francisco Lecaros – a Filipino gentleman married to a Portuguese lady. He
was rich and spent his days cultivating plants and flowers, many of which came from
the Philippines. It is in his home where Rizal and Basa stayed during their visit to
Macao.
 During his two-day brief stay, Rizal visited the theatre, casino, cathedral and
churches, pagodas, botanical garden, and bazaars. He also saw the famous Grotto of
Camoens, Portugal’s national poet.
 February 20, 1888 – Rizal and Basa returned to Hong Kong, again on board the
ferry steamer Kiu – Kiang.
 The following are some of his diary entries regarding his experiences
(observations):
1. Noisy celebration of the Chinese New Year which lasted from February 11th
(Saturday) to 13th (Monday). Continuous explosions of firecrackers. The
richer the Chinese, the more firecrackers he exploded. Rizal himself fired
many firecrackers at the window of his hotel.
2. Boisterous Chinese theatre, with noisy audience and noisier music. In the
Chinese dramatic art, Rizal observed the following: (1) a man astride a stick
means a man is riding on horseback, (2) an actor raising his leg means he is
entering a house, (3) a red dress indicates a wedding, (4) a girl about to be
married coyly covers her face with a fan even in the presence of her fiancé,
and (5) a man raising a whip signifies he is about to ride a horse.
3. The marathon laureate party, wherein the guests were served numerous
dishes, such as dried fruits, geese, shrimps, century eggs, shark fins, bird
nests, white ducks, chicken with vinegar, fish heads, roasted pigs, tea, etc. The
longest meal in the world.
4. The Dominican Order was the richest religious order in Hong Kong. It
engaged actively in business. It owned more than 700 houses for rent and
many shares in foreign banks, it had millions of dollars deposited in the banks
which earned fabulous interests.
5. Of the Hong Kong cemeteries belonging to the Protestants, Catholics, and
Muslims, that of the Protestants was the most beautiful because of its well-
groomed plants and clean pathways. The Catholic cemetery was most
pompous, with its ornate and expensive mausoleums and extravagantly
carved sepulchers. The Muslim cemetery was the simplest, containing only a
little mosque and tombstones with Arabic inscriptions.
Departure from Hong Kong
 February 22, 1888 – Rizal left Hong Kong on board the Oceanic, an American
steamer. His destination was Japan.
 Rizal’s entry point in Japan was Yokohama and he registered at the Grand Hotel
 The next day, he proceeded to Tokyo and stayed at Tokyo Hotel for few days.

Letter to Professor Blumentritt

Tokyo is more expensive than Paris. The walls are built in cyclopean manner. The
streets are large and wide.”
 He was visited by Juan Perez Caballero, secretary of the Spanish Legation and was
invited to live at the Spanish Legation.
2 Reasons why Rizal accepted the Invitation
1.) He could economize his living expenses by staying at the legation
2.) He had nothing to hide from the prying eyes of the Spanish authorities
 He and Perez Caballero became good friends

Page | 52
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
 He described the Spanish diplomat as “a young, fine and excellent writer” and “an
able diplomat who had traveled much”
 He visited Japanese provinces, learned Nippongo and studied Japanese art and
culture.
 He was impressed with the city of Tokyo.
Rizal’s favorable impression of Japan
1. The beauty of the country- its flowers, mountains, streams, and scenic panoramas.
2. The cleanliness, politeness and industry of the Japanese people.
3. The picturesque dress and simple charm of Japanese women.
4. There were very few thieves in Japan so that the houses remained open day and
night, and in the hotel room one could safely leave money on the table.
5. Beggars were rarely seen in the city streets, unlike in Manila and other cities.
Rizal was disgusted seeing Japanese men pulling the kuruma or rickshow like horse.

Romance With O- Sei- San

Rizal’s romance with O-Sei-San began in the early spring of March. After moving to
the Spanish Legation, Rizal saw her walking near the gate of the legation. Charmed by her
beauty, he tried to find a way by which to meet and know her. Through the serious inquiry
that Rizal undertook, he learned from the gardener of the legation that the beautiful lady
was Seiko Usui, called fondly by her friends as O-Sei-San.

In Seiko, Rizal saw the ideals of womanhood, namely: beauty, charm, intelligence,
and modesty. The aforementioned ideals made Rizal too much attracted with Seiko. The
friendship established between Rizal and Seiko developed into a love affair. While Rizal
had a good impression of Seiko, Seiko also had a good perception of Rizal. To Seiko, Rizal
was a man of versatile talents, a man of gallantry, a man of dignity, and a man of courtesy.
O-Sei-San loved Rizal sincerely and Rizal responded by his sincere affection. They spent
joyful and unforgettable days visiting temples, shrines, and castles and even watched
Kabuki plays. There was even time when O-Sei-San invited Rizal to a cha-no-yu (tea
ceremony), a social tradition of the Japanese people, signifying harmony, purity,
tranquility and reverence. Owing to the irresistible beauty, affection and warmth of O-
Sei-San, Rizal felt that he had other duties to fulfill for his country. So he left Japan, with
sayonara from O-Sei-San.
About 1897, a year after Rizal’s execution, Osei San married Alfred Charlton, a
British teacher of chemistry of Peer’s school in Tokyo. Their wedlock was blessed by only
one child – a daughter Yuriko.

RIZAL AND TETCHO SUHEIRO- a passenger befriended by Rizal on board the steamer
Belgic. He was a fighting Japanese journalist, novelist, and a champion of human rights,
who was forced by the Japanese Government to leave the country; he further came to
admire Rizal, whose patriotism and magnificent talents greatly fascinated him and
influenced him to fortify his own crusade for human rights in his own country.

RIZAL IN UNITED STATES

 Rizal arrived in United States on April 28, 1888 via English Steamer Belgic.
 Rizal and other passenger were not allowed to disembark until May 4, 1888
 Rizal’s entry point in the U.S. was San Francisco.
 The reason for the quarantining of their ship was narrated by Rizal in his diary,
“ They put us in quarantive because our ship carried 600 Chinese; elections were being
held in San Francisco and the government seeking votes, was making a great show of
adopting rigorous measures against Chinese to capture the sympathies of the people. They

Page | 53
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
notified us of the quarantive verbally, without telling us how long it was going to last, yet
on the same day they unloaded 700 bolts of silk without fumigating them.”

Good Impression of Rizal to United States of America

 The material progress of the country
 The drive and the energy of the American people
 The natural beauty of the land
 The high standard of living and
 The opportunities for a better life offered to poor immigrants

Rizal’s negative impression about US

 Non-existence of the true civil liberty, as a Negro cannot marry an American and
vice-versa
 The existence of racial prejudice, as shown in their hatred of the Chinese, Japanese
and Negroes and
 The valuing of money over human life.

RIZAL IN LONDON
During his Trans-Atlantic voyage, Rizal entertained the American and European
passengers with his marvelous skills with the yo-yo as an offensive weapon (the yo-yo is a
small wooden disc attached to a string from the finger; it used by Filipino children as a
toy).

Rizal arrived at Liverpool on May 24, 1888. After staying for one night at Adelphi
Hotel, he moved to London. Rizal resided in London from May 1888 to March 1889. He
opted to stay in the city and make it his second home for three reasons:
1. To improve his knowledge of the English language;
2. To study and annotate Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas;
3. To carry on his fight against Spanish tyranny safely.

Upon arriving in London on May 25, 1888, he stayed as a guest at the residence of
Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, a practicing lawyer in London and an exile of 1872. Later, he
lived as a boarder of the Beckett Family at No. 37 Chalcot Crescent Primrose Hill.

Rizal eventually became acquainted with Dr. Reinhold Rost, the Librarian of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was Dr. Rost who recommended that Rizal be allowed to
undertake research at the British Museum and he was able to spend time reading Morga’s
Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas.

Good and Bad news from home

 Persecution of the Filipino patriots who signed the Anti- Friar Petition of 1888
addressed to the queen regent requesting the expulsion of the friars , including
Archbishop Pedro Payo;
 Persecution of Calamba tenants, including Rizal’s family and relatives for their
courage to petition the government for reforms;
 Exile of Manuel Hildago to Bohol , the husband of his sister Saturnina, on the order
of Governor Valerio Weyler without due process
 Furious attack on Rizal by Senators Salamanca and Vida in the Spanish Cortes
 Arrest and incarceration of Laureano Vida, a medical student of UST for finding
copies of Noli in his residence ,and
 Rev. Vicente Garcia’s defense of the Noli against the attacks of the friars.

Romance with Gertude Beckett

Page | 54
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
 Gertrude Beckett- known for his nicknames Tottie and Sissie. Smaller than Rizal
and chubby like Segunda Katigbak or Orang but less beautiful than Leonor and Rizal
was attracted to her
 Rizal attracted to her because of her propinquity and happy family but Rizal
suppressed his emotions for her when Rizal found out that she was falling in love
with him.

Rizal’s Annotation of Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas

 Morga’s Sucesos of historical events of the Philippines Island was publish in Mexico
in 1605 to provide European leaders information about the Philippines

3 BASIC PURPOSES FOR RIZAL’S ANNOTATION OF THE SUCESOS

1. To awaken the consciousness of the Filipinos of their glorious or dignified ways of
the fast;
2. To correct what has been distorted and falsified about the Philippines prior to
Spanish conquest; and
3. To prove that the Filipinos were civilized, even before the coming of the Spaniards

SALIENT POINTS EMPHASIZED BY BLUMENTRITT

 That the Spaniards have to correct their erroneous conception of the Filipinos as
children of limited intelligence;
 That Rizal’s comments on the Spanish government were unique as they were given
from the point of view of the victims of the colonialism;
 That there existed three kinds of Spanish delusion about the Philippines;
1. That the Filipinos were an inferior race;
2. That the Filipinos were not already for parliamentary representation and other
reforms; and
3. That denial of equal rights can be compensated by strict dispensation of justice
 That Spain had to learn Philippine realities from Rizal’s new edition of Morga’s
Sucesos; and
 That if Spanish authorities will not listen to the Filipinos, the Philippines will be lost
through their own fault.
Rizal annotation consisted of 8 chapters (Guerrero, 1998). The first 7 chapters delved
on the events during the time of the first 11 governor-generals in the Philippines starting
from Legaspi to Acuña. The last chapter was focused on customs and usages of the
Filipinos. His notes were of three categories, namely: anti-clerical; sociological and
historical. Through his annotation, Rizal hoped that he could equal Blumentritt.

3 MAIN PROPOSITIONS IN RIZAL’S NEW EDITION OF MORGA’S SUCESOS

 That the people of the Philippines had a culture of their own before the coming of
the Spaniards;
 That the Filipinos were decimated, demoralized, exploited and ruined by Spanish
colonization;
 The present state of the Philippines was not necessarily superior to its past.
With new edition of Morga’s Sucesos, Rizal was able to produce the first history book of
the Philippines, written for the Filipinos.

Founding Association La Solidaridad

 Asociation la Solidaridad- a patriotic society that work for reforms from the Spanish
and establish on December 31, 1888.
Officers :
Presidents- Galiciano Apacible
Vice- Pres- Graciano Lopez Jaena

Page | 55
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Secretary- Manuel Sta. Maria
Treasurer- Mariano Ponce
Accountant- Jose Ma. Panganiban
 Rizal was chosen as honorary president even he is not present the organization of
the society and this implies that Rizal is already considered as leader by the Filipino
 On February 28, La Solidaridad was founded as a organ of the Propaganda
Movement by Graciano Lopez Jaena.

Aims of La Solidaridad
 To work peacefully for political and social reforms;
 To portray the deplorable conditions of the Philippines for Spain to redemy them;
 To oppose the evil forces of the reaction and medievalism;
 To advocate liberal ideas and progress; and
 To champion the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino people to life, democracy, and
happiness.

La Solidaridad serve as an outlet to Rizal to express all his feeling and thoughts fearlessly.
Los Agricultores Filipinos- first article written by Rizal that described the deplorable
conditions in the country which has brought it’s backwardness.

SHORT VISIT TO PARIS AND MADRID

 Rizal went to Paris in early of September 1888 in search for historical materials in
the Bibliotheque Nationale and Juan Luna and Paz Pardo de Tavera- Luna was his
host in the gay city.
 He went to Madrid and Barcelona on Dec. 11, 1888.
 Rizal returned to London on Dec. 24, 1888 where he spent his Christmas and New
Year in Beckett Family.

Other writings in London

 La Vision del Fray Rodriguez- reply to the attacks made by Fr. Rodriguez on the
Noli Me Tangere
 Letter to the Young women of Malolos- a letter that gives advices to the young
woman of Malolos and commended the young woman for their courage.
 Rizal also contributed two articles in the Trubner’s Record, a journal devoted to
the literature of the East.
1. Specimens of Tagal Foklore- a collection of 14 proverbs, 8 puzzles and 2 verses.
2. Two Eastern Fables- compared a Japanese with that of a Filipino fable

Rizal left London for Paris on March 19, 1889 and before he left, he carved fine and
realistic sculptures works: Prometheus Bound, Triumph of death over life, Triumph
of Science over death and composite carving of the heads of Beckett sisters.
Rizal also received a gift from Mr. Beckett the book entitled, “The life and
Adventure of Valentine Vox.”

CHAPTER 14 - RIZAL’S LEGACY TO YOUNG FILIPINO WOMAN

Rizal’s letter to the Young woman of Malolos

 On December 12, 1888, a group of women of Malolos petitioned that they may study
Spanish under Teodoro Sandiko but Father Felipe Garcia objected it resulting into
turning sown of petition by the governor general.
 On Dec 12, 1888, Alberta Ui Tangcoy, Teresa and Nenita Tontoco Merced, Basilia Paz
and Feliciana Tiongson, Eugenia and Aurea Tangchangco, Leonica and Olympia

Page | 56
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Reyes and Maria delos Reyes presented to Governor Weyler asking that they should
allowed to open night school.
 They triumph in the end and were granted permission to their project on the
condition that Señorita Guadalupe Reyes should be their teacher.
 Because of the bravery of the women of the Malolos, del Pilar requested Rizal to
write a letter commending for them for their extraordinary courage.
Letter to the women of Malolos focused on the following salient point:
 The rejection of the spiritual authority of the friars
 The defense of private judgment
 Qualities Filipino mothers need to posses
 Duties and responsibilities of Filipino mothers to their children
 Duties and responsibilities of a wife to their husband
 Counsel to the young women on their choice of a lifetime partner
Rizal’s Message to Filipino Woman
 Rizal’s ultimate desire was to afford Filipino women with same opportunities
enjoyed by men in education- an education that will liberate women.
 Thus, he emphasized the need for maintaining the independence of mind and
reasons with the attendant strengthen the will.
 Moreover, he urged women to be vigilant over their rights and not be docile and
passive in their attitude towards the many injustices forced upon them.
Responsibilities of Mother to their children
 According to Rizal Youth is a flower- bed that is to bear rich fruit and must
accumulate wealth for its descendents.
 Rizal was very certain as to the duties mothers should fulfill to their children.
 These duties are:
a. To raise children closer to the image of God.
b. To awaken and prepare the mind of the child for every good and desirable
idea.
c. To teach children to prefer death with honor to life with dishonor.
 Rizal stressed the need for mothers to educate their children on the following
values: love for honor, sincere and firm character, clear mind, clear conduct, noble
action, love for one’s fellowmen; and respect for God.
 Rizal was stressing for mothers to educate their children on what is good, what is
true and what is noble.
Qualities of Mother have to possess
 The Filipino Mother has to be a noble wife.
 She has to rear her children in the service of the state.
 The woman of Sparta should serve as a model for rearing children for the service for
the state.

Aside from the two qualities pointed out, for Rizal, the wife has to set standards of
behavior for men around her.
3 basic thing of a wife must instill in the mind of her husband
1. Activity and industry
2. Noble behavior
3. Worthy sentiments
In as much as the wife is the partner of her husband’s heart and misfortunes.
Rizal gave the following advises to a married woman:
1. Aid her husband
2. Share his perils
3. Refrain from causing him worry
4. Sweeten his moment of affliction
Rizal’s advice to Unmarried and men and women

Page | 57
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
 Young men should not consider physical beauty or the sweetness of disposition of a
woman but rather give priority to firmness of character and lofty ideas in choosing
their lifetime partner.
 Rizal counseled young woman not to surrender their womanhood to a weak and
timid heart.

3 things that young woman must look for a man she is going to marry:
1. A noble and honored name
2. A manly heart
3. A high spirit incapable of being satisfied with engendering slaves.

Rizal’s Reminders on Equality, Self-respect and true spirit of religion (last part of the
letter)
1. The tyranny of some is possible only through cowardice and negligence on the part
of others.
2. What makes one contemptible (distasteful) is lack of dignity and abject (hopeless)
fear of once who holds on in contempt.
3. Ignorance is servitude, because as a man thinks, so he is, a man who does not think
for himself and allows himself to guide by the thought of another is like a beast lead
by a halter.
4. He who loves his independence must first and his fellowmen, because he who
refuses protection to others will find himself without it.
5. If the Filipina will not change her mode of being. Let her rear no more children, let
her merely give birth to them. She must cease to be the mistress of the home,
otherwise she will unconsciously betray husband, child, native land and all.
6. All men are born equal, naked, without bonds. God did not create man to be a slave,
nor did he endow him with intelligence to have him hoodwinked or adorn him with
reason to have him deceived by others.
7. Consider well what kind of religion they are teaching you. See whether it is the will
of God or according to the teachings of Christ that the poor be succored (helped) and
those who suffer alleviated.

Rizal’s letter to the young women of Malolos focused on five major points:
 Filipino mothers should teach their children love of God, country and fellowmen.
 Filipino mothers should be glad and honored like Spartan mothers to offer their
sons in defense of their country
 Filipino women should know how to protect their dignity and honor.
 Filipino women should educate themselves aside from retaining good racial values.
 Faith is not merely reciting prayers and wearing religious pictures. It is living the
real Christian way with good morals and manners.

CHAPTER 15 - THE VISIONARY JOURNALIST TO PARIS AND BRUSSELS

 Universal Exposition in the City on May 6, 1889

 Campaign for reform in Barcelona and Madrid
 Became a Visionary Journalist

Synthesizing Historical Materials about Philippines

 Libraries and Museums in Acapulco, Sevilla, Madrid, Paris, London and Berlin
 Rizal conceived of the Organization of an International Association of
Philippinologist

Rizal and the Exposition of 1889

Page | 58
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
 Kidlat Club- to bring together the youthful Filipinos
 Indios Bravos (Brave Indians)- replaced the Kidlat Club; the members of this
organization vowed to excel in intellectual and physical prowess in order to gain the
admiration of foreigners especially the Spaniards.
 Sociedad R.D.L.M ( Redencion de los Malolos )- aim is the propagation of all useful
knowledge in the Philippines

Other activities and Accomplishments in Paris

 Annotation of Morga’s Sucesos
 Satirical essay “Por Telefono” in response to Fr. Salvador Font with a pen-name
“Dimas Alang”
 Establishments of Modern College in Hong Kong – one who pledged was Mariano
Cunanan amounting to P40,000.00.
 Sobre la Indolencia de los Filipinos
 Filipinas Dentro de Cien Anos

SOBRE LA INDOLENCIA DELOS FILIPINOS

 Essay represents his defense of the Filipinos that they were not inherently lazy or
indolent
 Deterioration of Filipinos’ Industries are attributable with two factors; attributable
by the Spanish colonizers and by the Filipinos itself.
Attributable to Spanish Colonizers
1. Wars and International disorders that followed Spanish Conquest
2. Piratical attacks on Coastal Towns and Villages by Muslim Pirates
3. Forced labor in Shipbuilding
4. Governments’ neglect and apathy to Agriculture, Industry and Commerce
5. Absence of Material and Moral Incentives to work harder
6. The Teaching of the Spanish Missionaries that the Heaven is for the poor
7. Too much Government restriction and Red tape in the approval of the permit to
transact business
8. Encouragement and propagation of gambling
9. Ownership of big states by Friars
[Link] sets of the Spaniards of disdaining Manual labor
[Link] of Human Dignity
Attributable to Filipinos
1. Feeling of inferiority
2. Placing Hopes on Miracle
3. Lack of Spirit to pursue lofty purposes
4. Lack of National Sentiment

FILIPINAS DENTRO DE CIEN ANOS - means “The Philippines A Century Hence” is to

forecast the future of the country within a hundred years.

3 Causes of Misery of the people came out from the articles of La Solidaridad
1) Spain’s implementation of the Military Policies
 The country was depopulated
 Poverty became widespread
 Family and farmlands were neglected
 All phases of the life of the Filipinos was retarded
2) Deterioration and disappearance of Filipino Indigenous Culture
 The lost of people’s confidence in the past
 Lost of faith in the present
 Lost of hope in the future

Page | 59
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
3) Passivity and submissiveness to Spanish colonizers
Consequences:
*they accumulated grievances against the colonial Master, which culminated with
the outbreak of uncoordinated and unsuccessful revolts
*Divide et Impera (divide and rule policy)-this policy according to Rizal, would no
longer be effective owing to the east of movement in the Archipelago brought about
by improved means of transportation
Rizal in Brussels
 Rizal left Paris for Brussels, Belgium in January 28, 1890. his departure fro the city
was brought about by two reasons;
a) the cost of living in the Paris became so exorbitant
b) he could not resist the gay social life in Paris, which interfered with the writing of his
second novel, El Filibusterismo
 Accompanied by Jose Alberto, Rizal transferred to Brussels and resided in a
boarding house or 38 Rue Champagne manage by Suzanne and Marie Jacoby. Jose
Alejandro, an engineering student, stayed with Rizal while Jose Alberto left the city.

Articles written for the la Solidaridad

 A La Defensa (to the Defense)- Reply to an anti-Filipino writing of Protacio de La
Escurora, which Rizal Published on April 30, 1889
 La Verdad Para Todos (the truth for all)- written on May 21,1889. It is a defense
against Spanish accusations that the nature local officials mere ignorant and in
mortal
 Vicente Barrantes Teatro Tagalog- published in June 15,1889. It exposed
Barrantis’ ignorance in the theatrical Arts in Tagalog.
 Una Profanacion ( A profanation)- published July 31,1889.
 Vendades Nuevas (New truths)- July 31,1889
 Crueldad ( Cruelty)-August 15, 1889.
 Differencias ( Differences)- September 14, 1889
 In Consequencias ( Inconsequence)- Nov. 30, 1889
 Llanto Y Risas ( Tears and Laughter's)- Nov. 30, 1889
 Ingratitudes (Ingratitude's)- January 15, 1890

Criticism of Filipinos’ passion for Gambling

 Rizal was informed by Juan Luna and Valentine Ventura that many of his fellow
Filipino expatriates in Madrid had become too much preoccupied with gambling.
 Rizal responded by sending Marcelo H. del Pilar a letter dated May 28, 1890
reminding his fellow Filipino that their mission in Europe was to work for the
freedom of the Philippines.
Disturbing News from home
 The management of Dominican Hacienda continually raised the land’s rent until
such time that Rizal’s father refused to pay his rent.
 His heart bled to know the sorrowful plight of the family.
The Premonition of Rizal
 Rizal experienced a sleepless and restless nights
 His only wish is to finish his second novel El Filibusterismo, before he finally bid this
world adios.
The plan to return to Philippines
 Depressed and misfortune suffered by his family, he planned to return to the
Philippines
 Graciano Lopez Jaena planned to go to Cuba
 Rizal’s friend and compatriots were stunned and horrified with his decision for he
was already a marked man for the Friars.

Page | 60
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9

CHAPTER 16 - THE RESOLUTE PROPAGANDIST ABDICATES LEADERSHIP

 Rizal went to Madrid to supervised the handling of his family’s appeal of the case at
the Audiencia Real
 The Chapter focused on Rizal’s misfortune in Madrid from 1890 to 1891, which
culminated in his abdication of leadership in the reform movement in Europe.

Rizal seek Justice for his Family

 He sought the assistance of Association Hispano- Filipina and the Liberal news
paper in Madrid to ventilate the grievances experienced by his family and the
oppressed tenants in his home town
 Sought an audience with Senior Fabie, the Minister of Colonies to air the injustices
committed by Governor-General Valeriano Weyler and the Dominican friars against
the powerless and poor farmers of Calamba which proved to be futile.
 Blumentritt suggested to bring the case to the Queen Regent of Spain

The Death of Jose Maria Panganiban

 Rizal write eulogy for JOMAPA, praising her for his extraordinary talent intelligence
and industry and consider the latter demise as a lost for the country

Aborted Duel with Antonio Luna

A Duel with Retana

 Wenceslao Retana published numerous articles in the anti-Filipino news paper in
Madrid, La Epoca.

News about Leonor Rivera

 He received a letter from Leonor Rivera in early part of December 1890 that made
him shocked and saddened so much for it informed him that she is to marry an
Englishman, Henry Kipping that is chosen for her by her mother.

Rizal’s break with del Pilar

 Rizal was the undisputed leader of the Filipino expatriates in Europe
 He believe that to gain the respect of the Spaniards and their Government, they
ought to demonstrate a high sense of dignity and be willing to make sacrifices for
their country
January 1, 1891- meeting was held to settle the differences between del Pilar and
Rizal
and bolster the campaign for reform.
 It was decided in the meeting that a leader called “responsible or responsable”, be
chosen to direct the affairs of the Filipino Community and to determine the editorial
policy of La Solidaridad

Rizal abdicates his leadership

 First week of February, 1891that an election took place
 Rizal’s abdication of leadership brings to fore the question of who was a better
politician without ambition
 Del Pilar was a better politician than Rizal ( Guerrero, 1998)

For Guerrero, Rizal was a politician without ambition

Page | 61
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
The fight between Rizal and del Pilar soon intensified because Rizal informed del
Pilar that he would no longer contribute articles to La Solidaridad.

Affair with Nelly Boustead

 February 1891Rizal arrived in Biarritz and he stayed with Nelly Boustead.
 For him, Nelly was an epitome of real Filipina, virtuous, highly intelligent and full of
life. He won the love and affection of Nelly. Unfortunately, that love that blossomed
between the two was not consuminated for two reasons.
1. Rizal did not give up his Catholic faith in exchange for love of Nelly, who was a
devout protestant
2. Rizal was not acceptable by Nellie’s mother. Cognizant of financial status of Rizal
and
danger that he was facing as an enemy of friars.
It was there that Rizal finished his second novel he entitled El Filibusterismo

To Paris and Brussels once again

 March 30, 1891- Rizal left Biarritz and traveled to Paris in train. He stayed at his
friend Valentine Ventura. Upon arriving in the city, he wrote letter for Jose Maria
Basa in Hong Kong and practice Ophthalmology to support himself.
 From Paris, Rizal went to Brussel and was received by Jacoby sisters. He met Petite
and Zuzanne, with whom he had a love affair before. It was while when Rizal
informed the propagandist of his decision to retire from the reform movement
 Without from the activities of propaganda, Rizal concentrated his time and effort in
completing his novel El Filibusterismo
 May 30, 1891. Rizal’s sequel to Noli was ready to publish
A Mi Musa (To My Muse)
This poem was written by Rizal in 1890 as a result of his disenchantment over the
lukewarm attitude of Filipino expatriates in Spain working for reforms from Spanish
government.

CHAPTER 17 - EL FILIBUSTERISMO: A REVOLUTION THAT FAILED

This Chapter focused on the novel of Jose Rizal, which was his sequel to the Noli Me
Tangere.
Rizal in Ghent
 Rizal left Brussels for Ghent on July 5, 1891
• Because of cheaper cost of printing in Ghent
• Evade the enticing attraction of Petite Suzanne
 In the city, Rizal met Jose Alejandro Evangelista of Manila, who was then studying
engineering at the University of Ghent.
 Rizal Suffered on the Ghent because of limited and meager financial he has.
The Publication of El Filibusterismo
 Rizal searched for lowest quotation for the printing of Fili, fortunately he found F.
Meyer-Van Loo Press willing to publish his novel on installment basis.
 Due to lack of funds, Valentin Ventura, a friend of Rizal in Paris came to support
with financial assistance.
 The publication was completed on September 1981 and shipped to Hong Kong and
which were smuggled into the Philippines.

A Comparison of the Noli and Fili

Noli Me Tangere
 A romantic novel
 A work of the heart

Page | 62
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
 Book of feeling
 To the motherland
 64 chapters
El Filibusterismo
• A political novel
• A work of the head
• Book of thought
• For the Gomburza
• 38 chapters

Symbolic Interpretation of El Filibusterismo

Simoun
 could be made to represent the portion of Filipino Society which, tired of
oppressor’s rule wanted that rule to be overthrown at all cost, but had no systematic
plan for the new society, if the old is overthrown.
Maria Clara
 Who after suffering from untold physical and spiritual abuse for at least 13 years, at
least dies, can still be made to symbolize in the Fili, the friar-dominated culture,
which is now ripe for revolution. That there is no eventual union between Simoun
and Maria Clara, not even meeting the two since they parted 13 years ago in
significant. Although
 Simoun wanted very much to see and possess her, he was not permitted to do so.
This is indicative, symbolically speaking, of Rizal’s refusal to recognize that the friar-
dominated Filipino culture could still be reinvigorated through the infusion of new
elements into its anemic bloodstream.
Señor Pasta
 The idealist turned mercenary, could be made to represent that portion of Filipino
society who have abandoned their noble social ideals and have become thoroughly
self-seeking opportunist, serving only the interest of those who have hired them.
Isagani
 A young student, who is inspired by high ideals for his country but at critical
moment apparently and unwittingly forgets those ideals for selfish reasons, could be
made to symbolize the untested and unreliable idealism of a segment of the
educated Filipino youths of the time.
Paulita Gomez
 The hapless object of Isagani’s affection, a girl who is more free from the fetters of
convention than Maria Clara, can be made to represent the portion of Filipino
womanhood– still half breed like Maria Clara – which is relatively enlightened but
which is itself almost thoroughly bereft of love of country and of a desire for the
social good.
Basilio
 The medical student who, despite the extreme sufferings undergone by his family as
a result of clerical perfidy and cruelty, refuses to entertain any revolution though
even in the face of rampant social injustices, could be made to symbolize that
segment of the educated Filipino society which has been so brutalized that it has
become insensible to the social welfare.
Placido Penitente
 Is another young man who has been so disillusioned by the state of affairs he finds
himself in as a student, entertains the desire to go abroad. When shown by Simoun
some signs of a possible uprising, he becomes so frightened that he could not make
up his mind whether to join or not to join. He persuasively could be made to
symbolize those elements of Philippine society, which had not yet been infused with
a national sentiment or social conscience.

Page | 63
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Cabesang Tales
 A victim of land grabbing by the friars, became desperate and joined the outlaws for
personal revenge. He died of fever and found no justice in courts.
Don Custodio
 A typical Spanish official in the country, who occupies several positions despite the
absence of qualification, believes that any idea that does not come from him
deserves no consideration. As a character in the Fili, Rizal portrayed him as one who
finds pleasure in developing a feeling of inferiority among the people.
Juli
 Innocent-looking and unaffected daughter of Cabesang Tales and sweetheart of
Basilio, took her own life because of her love for honor and chastity rather than
surrender her womanhood to the mundane desire of Fr. Camorra
The School Master
 Rusticated as a rebel for having experimented teaching the Spanish language to
young children against the wishes of the Spanish friars was pardoned due to the
influence wielded by Simoun. Later on, he became Simoun’s gunpowder expert.

The Message of Fili

Rizal’s message in El Filibusterismo is very clear: that the present system of government in
the Philippines through corrupt officials, dominated by the friars can lead to the downfall
of Spain. This point was stressed by Simoun in the novel, when he said, “What is a man to
do when he is denied justice? Take the law into his hands or wait for Spain to give him
rights…” From the foregoing, Rizal was very certain that because of the nature and
operation of the government, those who are intelligent, generous, hardworking,
courageous and loyal citizens were driven into opposition, crime and subversion.

Rizal After the Fili

 Rizal gave up the idea of gradual and peaceful emancipation of the country.
 Rizal became a separatist, considering that he left to God the attainment of
independence.
 Rizal decided to severe his connection with the propagandists in Madrid to avert
possible split in their unity.

CHAPTER 18 - BACK TO HONGKONG AND THE PHILIPPINES

After the publication of El Fili, Rizal left Europe for Hong Kong.
His reasons for leaving Europe were:
1. Life was unbearable in Europe because of his political indifferences with Marcelo H.
del Pilar and other Filipinos in Spain.
2. His desire to be with his family.

Before Proceeding to Hong Kong, Rizal took time to inform Marcelo H. del Pilar of his
retirement from the reform movement to preserve the unity of his fellow Filipinos in
Spain.

Life in Hong Kong

 Rizal left Europe via Marseilles, France October 18, 1891 on board on the steamer
Melbourne;
 He was welcome by the Filipino residents especially his friend Jose Ma. Basa.
 Established his office(clinic) at No. 5 Rednaxola Terrace in order to earn a living.
 At first he has few patients but because of the referrals of Dr. Lorenzo Marquez, a
Portuguese ophthalmologist in Hong Kong he was able to earn numerous clients.

Page | 64
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
 He received news from his brother-in-law Manuel Hidalgo that Don Francisco,
Neneng, Sisa and Paciano and other Calambeños were rusticated.
 Before Christmas of 1981, Rizal was overjoyed by the arrival of his father, brother,
Silvestre Ubaldo, and later on by Lucia, Josefa, and Trinidad, in Hong Kong. Don
Francisco and the rest of his family were very happy to see Rizal.
 Rizal’s medical practice in Hong Kong came to the attention of his friends in Europe.
Letters started pouring to Rizal from Spain.
 Lorenzo Miclat congratulated Rizal for starting anew and pledge in all his
undertaking.
 Alejandrino informed him of his plan to establish an organization to counter-act
Del Pilar’s lamentable policy.
 Linares Rivas promised Rizal that he would seek an audience with the Minister of
Colonies in Madrid on the Agrarian problem of Calamba.
 He also received letters of sympathy from the Govantes and Boustead families, for
what had happened to him in Madrid.

Reawakening of Interest in Politics

The numerous correspondences from Europe that Rizal received while he was in Hong
Kong affected Rizal in three ways:
1. His frequent receipt of letters from fellow expatriates based in Europe restored
Rizal’s self-confidence.
2. Rizal re-awakened his interest in the politics.
3. In effect, this had led him to re-examine his whole political strategy.

The need to re-examine his political strategy could have been due to the radical ideas
propounded by Luna and Evangelista of a need for a separatist propaganda and a policy of
separation and independence. This strategy as suggested by Luna and Evangelista was
patterned after that of the Cuban strategy.
 According to Evangelista, the old corrupt generation of principales had to be
rejected.
 For Luna, a separatist movement under the guise of assimilation has to be started.
Thus , in Rizal’s letter to Blumentritt, he said that he had lost his hope in Spain and
La Solidaridad. He thus, came to realization that nothing can be expected from the
peaceful advocacy of reforms.

Blumentritt warned Rizal not to be involved in a revolutionary movement for “whoever

begins a revolution should have at least the probability of success.” Nonetheless
Blumentritt cited four conditions necessary for a revolution to succeed:
1. A part of the army and the navy should rebel.
2. The metropolis should be at war with another country.
3. There were money and munitions: and
4. Some foreign country was to lend official or secret support to the insurrection.

The Borneo Colonization Project

Owing to the harsh rule of Governor-General Valeriano Weyler, the butcher of

Cuba, Rizal felt that the tenants of Calamba and other town mates were hopeless in
improving the quality of their life. He, therefore, conceived and planned the founding of a
Filipino colony in North Borneo or Sabah. He visited the place on March 7, 1891 and
negotiated with the British authorities in charge of the North Borneo Company. His
mission was a success as the British authorities offered him 100,000 acres of land free of
charges for 99 years. Jaena, Luna, Bautista , Blumentritt and his other friends Europe were

Page | 65
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
delighted upon hearing the plan and expressed their support to the endeavor but Manuel
Hidalgo was not in favor of this project.

A Hope for the Realization of the North Borneo Project

While Rizal was busy making preparations for the relocation of his family to North
Borneo Governor Eulogio Despujol replaced Governor Valeriano Weyler. Governor
Despujol rejected the request of Rizal to move to Borneo for two reasons.
1. the colony lacked workers
2. and leaving the country and cultivating a foreign soil would mean becoming
unpatriotic to Spain

Writings in Hong Kong

As a consequence of the re-awakening of his interest in politics, Rizal continued writing
articles, which were published by Hong Kong Telegraph edited by Frazier Smith. Some
of the articles he while in Hongkong included the following:
1. Ang Mga Karapatan ng Tao – This was Rizal’s version of the Rights of Man, a
historic document proclaimed by the French Revolution of 1789.
2. A La Nacion Española (To The Spanish Nation) – This article was Rizal’s appeal to
Spain to rectify the wrongs done to the landless peasants of Calamba.
3. Sa Mga Kababayan (To My Countrymen) – This article was Rizal’s exposition on the
Calamba agrarian problem.
Rizal Lays Down the Basis of the La Liga Filipina
Rizal drafted the constitution of the La Liga Filipina, with the assistance of Jose Ma. Basa.
The La Liga sought to achieve the following aims:
1. The unification of the whole archipelago into a vigorous, compact body
2. Mutual protection in every want and necessity
3. Defense against all forms of violence and injustice
4. Stimulation of instruction, agriculture, and commerce, and
5. The undertaking of study and application of reforms.
Its motto was Unus Instar Omnium or One Like All.

The Decision to Return to The Philippines

Rizal decided to go back to the Philippines due to Despujol’s rejection of his project.
Rizal was determined to go back in the Philippines even his family and friends were
vehemently opposing him.
Before leaving Hong Kong he celebrated his 31st birthday with some of his friends
and wrote two letters. The 1st letter was addressed to his family and the 2 nd to his
countrymen, with the instruction that these letters should only be opened and published
after his death.
1st – To My parents, Brethren, and Friends
2nd – To The Filipinos

Back to the Philippines

Rizal and his sister arrived in Manila on June 26, 1892. After going through the
routinely inspection of their luggage, the two were allowed to land. Lucia stayed with her
sisters, while Rizal lodged himself at Hotel Oriente in Binondo. After settling in the said
hotel, Rizal visited his sisters who were residing near it.
Soon, he sought an audience with Governor Despujol in Malacañang. The interviews
that he had with Despujol, resulted to the securing of permission for the return of his
parents and sisters to Manila. Despujol, however, reiterated his disapproval of Rizal’s
North Borneo Colonization Project.

The founding of La Liga Filipina

Page | 66
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
From Manila, Rizal proceeded to Bulacan to visit his friends – Jose Bautista, Manuel
Crisostomo, and Vicente Gatmaitan informing them the details of organizing La Liga
Filipina. He further travelled to San Fernando, Pampanga to visit Hilario Tiburcio and
Cecilio Hilario who were very active members of the revolutionary movement. Further
went to Tarlac where he met Villafuertes, Punos, and Tañedos who were convinced that La
Liga will be organized. Upon returning to Manila, in July 3, 1892 he founded La Liga
Filipina in Calle Ilaya, Tondo at the house of Doroteo Ongjungco and Ambrosio Salvador
was elected president. Other members of the league were: Agustin de la Rosa, fiscal;
Bonifacio Arrevalo, Treasurer; and Deodato Arellano, secretary. Noted members were
Apolinario Mabini, Andres Bonifacio, Dedato Arellano, Timoteo Paez, Numeriano Adriano,
Tomas del Rosario and Jose M. Dizon.

Rizal Deported in Dapitan

Three days after the founding of La Liga, Rizal was asked by the Governor-General who
was the owner of the pillows and the mats on his luggage as there were found questionable
handbills in them. Rizal answered that it belonged to his sister Lucia, thus Despujol
ordered his aide-de-camp to arrest and incarcerate Rizal at Fort Santiago.
On July 7, 1892, Despujol released a Gubernatorial decree ordering for the
deportation of Rizal at Dapitan. The following charges were:
1. publication and introduction of various anti-monastic books and handbills;
2. travelling to different province without the permit to the Governor-General;
3. finding on his luggage a pamphlet Pobres Frailes or Poor Friars which mocked
religious orders;
4. dedication of El Fili to Gomburza; and Rizal’s attempt at de-Catholicizing and
denationalizing the Filipinos.
The verdict of Despujol was done without due process. Thus, Rizal was detained in Fort
Santiago for 9 days and was sailed to Dapitan on July 15, 1892.

CHAPTER 19 - PRACTICAL NATIONALISM IN DAPITAN

Dapitan During the Arrival of RIZAL
 Politico-military outpost of the Spaniards in the Philippines
 One of the forefronts of Spanish culture, religion and civilization in Muslim
Mindanao
 It was headed by a politico-military commander and with a parish priest
 RIZAL arrived at Dapitan on July 17, 1892 on board the steamer CEBU.
 Swampy with unplanned streets
 No potable water in the place as well as lighting system
 The town appears DESOLATE
 People were dying of different diseases, as they were not provided proper medical
services by the authorities
 The economy was tied to primitive agriculture with undeveloped fishing industry
RIZAL and Captain Carnicero
 Captain Ricardo Carnicero, the politico-commander of the town received Rizal as a
prisoner.
 Originally Rizal was to reside at the Jesuit Mission House under Fr. Obach, the parish
priest of Dapitan, based on the letter of Fr. Pablo Pastells, the superior of the Society
of Jesus in the Philippines.
 However, Rizal opted not to stay with the Jesuits due to some conditions stated in
Pastells’ letter that Rizal :
1) should make public retraction of his religious errors;
2) to issue public statements unmistakably pro-Spanish;
3) to undergo spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius;

Page | 67
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
4) to make general confessions of his past life; and
5) to lead a model religious and pro-Spanish life (Guerrero, 1998).
 Decided to live temporarily with Carnicero, a free thinker, Rizal was a man of
commendable qualities and good personality was able to go along with him and
became good friends.
 Carnicero gave Rizal liberties except to leave the place and required him to report to
the military outpost once a week.
 The two shared political beliefs that for Rizal, the Philippines would become the
happiest country in the world if Spain would grant her the following reforms:
1. Representation in the Spanish Cortes
2. Secularization of Parishes
3. Reformation of the administration in all its branches
4. Encouragement of primary instruction and elimination of friar intervention.
5. Granting teachers both sexes better salaries.
6. Division of government jobs equally between Spaniards and Filipinos.
7. Making administration moral.
8. Creation of schools of arts and trades in provincial capitals.
9. Freedom of the speech and press.
[Link] of religion.

In appreciation of Carnicero’s kindness and generosity Rizal composed a poem,

entitled A Don Ricardo Carnicero.

RIZAL WINS IN MANILA LOTTERY

On September 21, 1892, the mail boat Butuan, brought no Spanish officials but the
happy tidings that lottery ticket no. 9736 jointly owned by Rizal, Captain Carnicero and
Francisco Equilior, a resident of Dapitan won second prize of P20,000.00 in the
Government-owned lottery.
Rizal won 6,200.00 in which 2,000.00 was given to his father, 200 to Jose Ma. Basa in
Hong Kong, and the rest were invested well by purchasing agricultural lands along the
coast of Talisay, about one Kilometer away from Dapitan.

Rizal Builds His Home at Talisay

 Rizal was able to build his own home in Dapitan on more than 70 hectares land he
bought in Talisay for winning Php 6,200.00 in the Spanish lottery. In Talisay, Rizal
practiced his profession as a doctor, farmer, teacher, inventor, community
developer, engineer, and scientist.

Community Leadership in Dapitan

With the assistance of the newly arrived Father Sanchez, his former teacher at Ateneo
Municipal, Rizal constructed a huge relief map of Mindanao out of stones, earth, and grass.

ATENEAN EDUCATION SYSTEM – a system followed by Rizal when he opened a school for
young boys of his neighborhood.
 The subject offered consisted of reading, writing, arithmetic, geometry, languages,
geography, history and good conduct.
 He also taught his pupils boxing, swinging or parallel bars and rings, swimming and
arnis on account of his belief that a sound body makes a sound mind.

Doña Teodora – Rizal’s mother and became one of his patient in the month of August
1893 because of her failing eyesight and travelled at Dapitan with Trining.

RIZAL CHALLENGES A FRENCH TO A DUEL

Page | 68
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Rizal became involved in a quarrel with a Frenchman in Dapitan named Juan Lardet, a
businessman who purchased many logs from the land of Rizal that happened to be of poor
quality as expressed by a merchant friend of Rizal, Antonio Miranda. Immediately, Rizal
challenged him with a duel.

Contributions of Rizal in Dapitan

1. Science- Rizal discovered rare specimens which were named in his honor by the
scientists.
1.1. Draco Rizali – a flying dragon
1.2. Apogania Rizali – a small beetle
1.3. Rhacaphorus Rizali – a rare frog
2. Linguistic Studies – he was able to masters 22 languages
3. Artistic works – he contributed his painting skill to the sisters of Charity; he also made
sketches of persons and things that attracted him in Dapitan; modeled a statuette
representing a mother dog killing the crocodile (The Mother’s Revenge)

OTHER SCULPTURAL WORKS:

1. Bust of Fr. Guerrico (one of his Ateneo professor)
2. Dapitan Girl - A statue of a girl
3. The bust of Saint Paul – given to Fr. Pastells
4. As a Farmer – devoted his time in agriculture; bought 16 hectares of land in Talisay;
later acquired more lands until his total holdings reached 70 hectares – planted by
6,000 hemps, 1,000 coconut trees, numerous fruit trees, sugarcane, coffee and cacao.
5. As a Businessman – engaged on business in partnership with Ramon Carreon, a Dapitan
merchant venturing in fishing, copra and hemp industries; 1895 organized the
Cooperative Association of Dapitan.
6. Inventive ability – 1887 invented “sulpukan”, a unique cigarette lighter made of wood;
in Dapitan, he invented a machine for making bricks- that could manufacture 6,000
bricks daily.

RIZAL-PASTELLS DEBATE ON RELIGION

During his exile in Dapitan, Rizal had a long and scholarly debate by correspondence
with Fr. Pastells on religion. It started when Fr. Pastells sent a book by Sarda to Rizal, with
an advice that the latter should desist from foolishness (majaderias) in trying to view
religion from prism of individual judgment and self esteem.
In all his letters to Fr. Pastells, Rizal revealed his anti- Catholic ideas, which he
acquired from Masonry and embittered by his prosecutions by the bad friars. It is
understandable why he was bitter against the friars who committed certain abuses under
the cloak of religion.
According to Rizal, individual judgment is a gift from God and everybody should use
it as a lantern to show the way and that self esteem, if moderated by judgment saves man
from unworthy acts. He also argued that the pursuit of truth may lie in different paths, and
“thus religion may vary, but they all lead to the light.”
Fr. Pastells tried his best to win back Rizal to the fold of Catholicism. Divine faith, he
told Rizal, supersedes everything, including reasons, self-esteem and individual judgment.
No matter how wise a man is, he argued , his intelligence is limited , hence he needs
guidance of God. He refuted Rizal’s attacks on Catholic Dogmas as misconceptions of
rationalism and naturalism, errors of misguided souls. This interesting debate between
two brilliant polemists ended inconclusively. Rizal could not be convinced by Pastells's
argument, thus he lived in Dapitan beyond the pale of his Mother Church.

Page | 69
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
RIZAL AND JOSEPHINE BRACKEN – travelled all the way from Hong Kong with a card of
introduction from Julio Llorente with her uncle George Tauffer because of his failing
eyesight which was not cured in the British colony by local eye specialists.
 She was beautiful and possessed all the enticement of womanhood which made Rizal
head over heels in love with her which in turn, reciprocated Rizal’s feelings for her.
 She was the fifth and the youngest child of an Irish school master in the Pembroke
Detachment at Victoria barracks in Hong Kong, and when her mother died in 1876 after
giving her birth, she was given to the Tauffer to be brought up.

Father Obach – the parish priest of Dapitan who insisted to be that a retraction is
necessary before marriage between Rizal and Josephine can be officiated.

LITERARY WORKS AT DAPITAN

Two important literary works Rizal produced, as an exile, were the poems:
1. Hymn To Talisay
 is a poem which Rizal intended to be a college song for the pupils he was teaching
in Talisay. This poem was used as evidence, against him at his trial.
2. My Retreat
 Another important literary work by Rizal while at Dapitan was the poem entitled Mi
Retiro or My Retreat.
 This poem portrays Rizal’s serene life in his place of rustication. He wrote the poem
in response to his mother’s request that Rizal should revive his interest in poetry
writing.
 From this poem, Rizal clearly expressed his acceptance of his fate for he believed
that justice would prevail in the end.

RIZAL AS AN EXILE IN DAPITAN

JUAN SITGES – the military commander who replaced Carnicero and restricted Rizal’s
exercise of freedom he enjoyed during Carnicero’s time.
 As an exile, Rizal did not forget his high sense of honor. This was evidenced by his
constant reminders to his pupils of the importance of good conduct and behavior.
 He did not even escape Dapitan despite the encouragement of many who visited him
in the area.
 Here, we could see Rizal demonstrating the values of obedience, self control and
discipline.

RIZAL IN DAPITAN HAS BECOME:

1. The first to introduce social and environmental engineering

2. The first rural doctor
3. The first to engage in business
4. The first practitioner of town planning and beautification
5. The first to introduce the principles of livelihood and self-reliance programs
6. The first to show the way to community school, with he himself as the first teacher.
7. The first systematic collector of Philippine shells, butterflies, reptiles, and other
flora and fauna in Mindanao.
8. The first in sanitary engineering and public health work.
9. The first Filipino doctor with social conscience charging fees according to the
patient’s ability to pay.

CHAPTER 20 - RIZAL AND THE REVOLUTION OF 1896

Page | 70
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
This chapter is an exposition of the other developments in the life of Rizal, while he was
an exile in Dapitan and these affected his decision to volunteer as a medical surgeon in the
Spanish army at Cuba in 1896.
 Rizal’s Plea for the Lifting of his Rustication Order
Despujol – directed Carnicero to convince Rizal to put down into writing his intention
of staying at Dapitan.
Federico Ochando – replaced Despujol as Governor-General on May 24, 1893.
Ramon Blanco – replaced Ochando and took over the reins of the colonial government
as Governor-general which enabled Rizal to reiterate his appeal for the lifting his
deportation and he promised Rizal that he would be relocated either at Vigan or La
Union.
February 1895 – Rizal sought the permission of Blanco in opening an agricultural
settlement at Sindangan Bay, Zamboanga but he did not receive any reply for this.

ATTEMPTS TO WIN BACK RIZAL TO CATHOLICISM

While in Dapitan, attempts were made by the Catholic Church through the Jesuits to
win back Rizal to the fold of the church. Efforts exerted by: Fr. Antonio Obach, the parish
priest of Dapitan;
Fr. Villaclara, the parish priest of Dipolog;
Fr. Francisco Sanchez, his former teacher at Ateneo, failed.
Fr. Pablo Pastells, the Superior of the Jesuit Order, continued the work of his
predecessors but in the end Rizal was persuaded.

The arrival of Josephine Bracken in Dapitan aggravated the situation. In his love for
Josephine, Rizal requested Fr. Obach to officiate a church wedding to legalize his union
with the young Irish lady. Nonetheless two conditions were given to Rizal before the
priest will solemnize their marriage, to wit:
1. retraction of Rizal’s religious errors; and
2. a general confession. Since Rizal did not concur with these requirements, no church
wedding took place.
The friars were closely monitoring what the Jesuits were doing. Having known of
the failure of the Jesuits, the friars attempted to win back Rizal to Catholicism.

Strategies attempted to win back Rizal to Catholicism:

1. One strategy they employed was bribery. They offered Rizal a professional chair in
a university, landed estate, and 100, 000 pesos on the condition that Rizal would
repudiate his Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Maria, Rizal’s sister urged Rizal
to accept the offer. Rizal responded by saying: “what my right hand did, my left hand
will not undo.
2. A second strategy applied by the friars was the use of a spy to trap Rizal. Pablo
Mercado, whose real name was Florencio Namanan of Cagayan de Misamis
(Cagayan de Oro), was sent by the friars to Dapitan to spy on the activities of Rizal.
Namanan agreed to work for the friars due to the promise of the recollects that he
shall be conferred the title, father curator of the Recollects should he succeed in this
mission- that of securing letters and other articles that would show that Rizal was a
separatist. He then went to Dapitan and offered himself as a courier of Rizal’s letter
and writings for the patriots in Manila. Since Rizal was an intelligent man and could
not recall any relative having the surname of Mercado, he was able to detect that
Pablo Mercado was an impostor and had him arrested by Commander Juan Sitges.

Attempts to Rescue Rizal from Dapitan

Page | 71
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Rizal’s friends in Manila and Europe learned about Governor Blanco’s suggestion for
Rizal to leave the country. The Grand Regional Council of the Philippine Masonry
reacted to this by generating funds for Rizal’s trip to Spain. Members of the said council
were so eager to see Rizal leave the country, as his presence is a threat to the existence of
masonry. With Rizal around, they feared that the friars would always be blaming the
masons for all agitation for change in the Philippines. While the masons wanted Rizal to
leave the country for good, for their personal advantage, his friends in Europe had other
purpose in mind. They had to rescue Rizal at all cost.
1. Timoteo Paez was commissioned by the propagandists to find a suitable vessel in
Hong Kong or Singapore to rescue Rizal but failed in chartering one.
2. Jose Ma. Basa and Antonio Ma. Regidor worked out a more rational scheme to
rescue Rizal. Based on Basa’s plan, he would be working for Rizal’s release through
his friends among the ministers in Madrid. But for Regidor, it would be wise to
work out for Rizal’s freedom in Manila. The problem nonetheless, was no one would
intercede with Blanco on this matter. Regidor, therefore, finally arrived at a
solution: ESCAPE FROM DAPITAN. If Rizal would not escape, the alternative was
to work for his election as a deputy in Spanish Cortes. If this would not be
acceptable to Rizal, then the other option was to ensure the election of Marcelo H.
Del Pilar to the Cortes and let him work for Rizal’s liberation.
3. The last attempt to rescue Rizal came from Katipunan. Based on the Katipunan’s
plan, Rizal had to be kept in the Philippines for him to freely lead the revolution.
Bonifacio, the Supremo of the Katipunan commissioned Pio Valenzuela to be
his emissary to Rizal. So on July 21, 1896, he arrived at Dapitan posing as a
companion of Raymundo Mata, a blind man who shall be seeking Rizal’s medical
assistance. Valenzuela informed Rizal of the plan of the Katipunan and the need for
his support to the revolution. In the course of the conversation between Rizal and
Valenzuela, Rizal clearly expressed his rejection of the plan for a bloody
revolution of the Katipunan. His disapproval of the scheme rested on the two
grounds:
a. the unpreparedness of the people; and
b. the lack of funds and weapons. Rizal further stressed the point that pursuing
the revolution would tantamount to national suicide. Rizal expressed his
gratitude for the concern of the Katipunan for his welfare. Nonetheless, he was
not persuaded by Valenzuela to escape Dapitan as he had given his word to the
Spanish authorities.

Meanwhile, Blanco approved Rizal’s letter requesting the opening of a settlement

along Sindangan Bay. Rizal, however, had dropped the idea as he was considering the
possibility of leaving Spain. Despite the expressed disapproval of his parents, Rizal applied
as a volunteer doctor to Cuba through Governor Blanco on December 17, 1895. In as
much as no reply from Blanco came, he was no longer expecting that his application would
be approved. 6 months after, however, Blanco suddenly acted favourably to his letter. The
said correspondence reached Rizal on July 30, 1896. This letter stated that a safe conduct
pass shall be given to Rizal to come to Manila and upon reaching Spain, shall be given
assignment to the army operations in Cuba.

ADIOS DAPITAN
July 31, 1896 – Rizal left Dapitan on board the Steamer España.
Castilla – a cruiser where Rizal stayed for almost a month, pending for the availability of a
vessel bound for Spain.
Enrique Santalo - He was a gallant captain of Castilla who gave Rizal a good
accommodation.

Page | 72
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Josephine Bracken – Rizal’s frequent visitor, a beautiful Irish lady whom Rizal gave his
name and heart.
THE OUTBREAK OF THE REVOLUTION
August 19, 1896 – the discovery of Katipunan due to Teodoro Patiño disclosure of the
organization’s secret to Fr. Mariano Gil which resulted in mass arrests of Katipuneros and
non-Katipuneros in Manila.
August 23, 1896 – the “Cry of Balintawak” in which Katipuneros upon the order of
Bonifacio tore their cedulas into pieces shouting “Mabuhay ang Pilipinas” marked the
beginning of the Philippine revolution against Spain.
August 30, 1896 – Governor-general Ramon Blanco issued a gubernatorial decree
declaring state of war against the provinces of Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna, Nueva Ecija,
Pampanga, and Tarlac including Manila placing them under martial law.
Rizal received a letter of recommendation to Azcaraga and the colonial minister
which absolved him from the insurrection that was raging then.

RIZAL SAILS TO SPAIN FOR CUBA

September 3, 1896 – Rizal boarded the Steamer Isla de Panay which shall ferry to
Barcelona, Spain and reaching the place on October 3, 1896 heavily guarded and detained
as prisoner and was taken to Fort Monjuich, the prison citadel of the city.
Don Pedro Roxas – Rizal’s fellow passenger at the Steamer Isla de Panay who advised
him to take advantage of the protection of the British Law while their ship temporary
docked at Singapore.

Don Manuel Camus- headed several Filipino residents in Singapore, boarded the steamer,
urging Rizal to stay in Singapore to save his life

Regidor and Lopez – transmitted letter to an English Lawyer in Singapore Hugh Fort to
rescue Rizal by means of Habeas Corpus. But Chief Justice Lionel Cox did not grant the
writ of Habeas Corpus because the steamer Colon carries Spanish troops and was not
included under the British jurisdiction in Singapore based on the existing International
Law.
November 3, 1896 – the steamer arrived in Manila under tight security and Rizal was
brought at Fort Santiago and was incarcerated.

CHAPTER 21 - THE TRIAL AND MARTYDOM OF RIZAL

The Preliminary Investigation

Colonel Francisco Olive, the Judge Advocate of the Spanish military tribunal,
summoned Rizal to appear before him on November 20, 1896. Desiring to clear his name
from the accusations imputed on him, Rizal appeared before the Judge Advocate.

There were two kinds of evidences presented by the Olive to Rizal during the
preliminary investigation of Rizal (Palma, 1949):
1. documentary - the documentary evidences were culled from the following: the
letters of Antonio Luna, Marcelo del Pilar, Carlos Oliver and Rizal himself; poems
Kundiman and Hymn to Talisay, and transcript of speeches of Emilio Jacinto and
Jose T. Santiago.
2. the testimonial evidence against Rizal consisted of oral statements of people who
had been associated with him, like Jose Dizon, Deodato Arellano, Pio Valenzuela,
Timoteo Paez and Pedro Laktaw.

Six days after preliminary investigation, Colonel Olive transmitted his report of the
case to Governor Ramon Blanco for appropriate action on November 26, 1896. Blanco then

Page | 73
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
appointed Captain Rafael Dominguez as a Special Judge Advocate to evaluate the case.
After, a careful scrutiny of Olive’s report, forwarded to him by the governor general, he
concluded that a prima facie case exists against Rizal. He, then, endorsed his summary of
charges against Rizal to Nicholas de la Peña, the Judge Advocate General, for legal
opinion and adjudication.
After reviewing the report prepared by Olive, Peña concurred with Olive on his
assessment of the case. As a prima facie case against Rizal for the complex crime of
rebellion and formation of illegal organization, Pena made the following
recommendations to Governor Blanco on December 8, 1896). (Zulueta, 2004);
(1) that the accused be kept under the custody of law;
(2) that accused be brought to trial;
(3) that an order of attachment be issued against his property; and
(4) that the accused be defended in court by an army officer.

The Arraignment of Rizal

On December 8, 1896, Rizal was informed by the Judge Advocate General to choose
his counsel as his arraignment was set on December 11. A roster of military officers was
presented to him, where he could select his defender. After going through the list, Rizal
chose Luis Taviel De Andrade, the brother of Jose Taviel de Andrade who was his
bodyguard during his six-month stay in Calamba four years ago.

The information of charges was read to Rizal on December 11, 1896, in the
presence of his defence counsel. He was accused of the complex crime of rebellion as
he was the principal organizer and the living soul of the insurrection, the founder of
societies, periodicals and books dedicated to the fomenting and propagating the
ideas of rebellion (Palma, 1949).

He pleaded not guilty to the crime charged against him and did not even question
the jurisdiction of the military tribunal on his case, considering that the eight provinces
that started the revolution were under martial law.

Dominguez submitted the transcript of the arraignment proceeding to Malacañang

Palace on December 13, 1896. By this time, General Camillo de Polavieja relieved
Governor Blanco. With Blanco as the governor, Archbishop Nozaleda and the Dominicans
felt that Rizal would be absolved from the accusation against him (Guerrero, 1998). Their
gut feeling stemmed from the fact that Blanco did not believed that Rizal was a traitor.
With Polavieja into the gubernatorial office, Rizal’s fate had been sealed (Zaide & Zaide,
1999)

The Trial of Rizal

Rizal’s case was turned over to Dominguez and Alcocer on December 19, 1896
for prosecution. The trial commenced on December 26 at the Halls of Banners of Cuartel de
Espana. Two days prior to the trial, the court martial was constituted by Colonel Jose
Togores as president and the following as members:
1. Ricardo Munoz Arias;
2. Manuel Reguera;
3. Santiago Izquierdo;
4. Manuel Escribano; and
5. Fermin Rodriguez. Enrique de Alcocer was designated as prosecutor.

The trial started with the reading of the charges against the accused by the Special
Judge Advocate Dominguez. This was followed by a detailed presentation of Rizal’s case
by Alcocer, which culminated in his call on the members of the military tribunal to

Page | 74
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
render a decision by imposing death penalty on the accused. Alcocer’s argument
rested on Rizal’s admission of the founding of La Liga, which to his mind had something to
do with Bonifacio’s revolution.

After the Alcocer’s passionate speech, Luis Taviel de Andrade took the floor to
present his defense of Rizal. Taviel de Andrade’s defence was based on the rule of
evidence and the law applying the Penal Code of Spain in the Philippines. Believing
that the prosecution was biased on Rizal, he defended Rizal by saying that the penalties
can only be imposed on an accused through any the following means:
1. ocular inspection;
2. confession of the accused;
3. credible witnesses;
4. expert opinion;
5. official documents or conclusive evidences (Guerrero, 1998).

As none of these conditions existed, Rizal was not guilty of the crime charged against
him. Moreover, as oral testimonies used against Rizal were given by those who were
biased and should not be used against accused.
After Taviel de Andrade’s brilliant defense, Rizal was asked by the judge advocate
whether he had to add to what his counsel had presented. Rizal stood up and presented
that:
 I am not guilty of rebellion as I even advised Dr. Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan not to rise
in revolution.
 The revolutionists used my name without my knowledge. If I were guilty, I could
have escaped from Singapore.
 If I were the chief of the revolution, why did they not consult me on their plans?
 Why did the Katipunan send an emissary to me Dapitan, who was a total stranger to
me? Because those who knew me were cognizant that I would never sanction any
violent movement.
 My life in Dapitan had been exemplary, evidenced by my productive activities for
the welfare of the people. Even the politico-military commanders and missionary
priests could attest to this.

On the same day, the verdict of the military court, signed by Jose Togores, was
submitted to Governor Polavieja, who referred the same to Nicholas de la Peña, the Judge
Advocate General, for comments. Nicholas de la Peña concurred with the decision made by
the court. He found Rizal guilty beyond reasonable doubt and therefore, should be
condemned to death by firing squad at the place and time to be chosen by the
governor-general. Polavieja approved Nicholas de la Peña’s recommendations on
December 30 at 7:00 o’clock in the morning at Bagumbayan Field.

The Last Remaining Hours on Earth

The verdict of death sentence was read to Rizal on December 29, 1896. At the
outset, Rizal refused to sign it owing to his innocent and objection to his being labeled as
Chinese mestizo. Later, realizing that the law required it, he affixed his signature on the
notification of the court’s decision.
With only twenty four hours remaining on Earth, Rizal sent a note to his family, as
he wants to see them before his execution. The day proved to be a hectic one for him as
visitors come and go; members of his family; journalists; his defense counsel; other Jesuits
and other priests who were convincing Rizal to go back to the fold of Catholicism. Later in
the afternoon, his mother, together with Maria, Trinidad, Narcisa, his niece Angelica, and
his favourite nephew, Mauricio, visited Rizal. First to see him was his mother, Doña
Teodora, who was then crying, approached Rizal to embrace him but the cell guard

Page | 75
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
separated them. Rizal knelt and kissed his mother’s hand. After a brief silence between
them, Rizal asked Doña Teodora to secure the permission of the authorities to bury his
dead body. She, then, left the cell afterwards. As his mother could not accept Rizal’s fate,
she even tried seeking executive clemency for her son. Nonetheless, her attempt to secure
such pardon from the governor-general was futile. After his mother, Rizal’s family
members came one at a time. As a person who is about to die, he tried to give each one of
them something that would make to remember him. He gave a wicker chair to Narcisa,
while Angelica, his niece, received a handkerchief from him. To Trinidad, Rizal gave
an alcohol burner and told her that something important was inside it. It was inside
this alcohol burner where Rizal had placed his last poem, which came to be entitled later
as Mi Ultimo Adios or My Last Farewell. Only Maria, however, was not given a gift by
Rizal as nothing left to her. Josephine Bracken came later for a brief visit. Rizal gave his
last gift to her the book of Thomas Kempis, entitled “Imitation of Christ”.

Meantime, the Jesuits came back to see Rizal to convince him to retract his alleged
religious errors and return to the fold of Catholicism. Rizal’s last day was indeed an
exhausting one for him.

The Death March and Execution of Rizal

Rizal woke up early in spite of the physical and mental fatigue he had the previous
day. After taking his breakfast at 5:30 in the morning, he took time to write two letters: one
for his family, and the other one for Paciano. Josephine arrived at 5:30 in the morning,
accompanied by Josefa. With tears in her eyes, she embraced Rizal. Rizal reciprocated by
embracing her and giving her, his last gift, the book of Thomas Kempis, entitled Imitation
of Christ. After watching, Josephine walkout of his cell, Rizal wrote his last letter to his
father. Rizal also prepared a letter for his mother but he was not able to complete it. The
trumpet sounded at 6:30 in the morning, signalling the beginning of Rizal’s death march.
Upon arriving at Bagumbayan Field, Rizal bid goodbye to Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade (his
defender), Fr. March, and Fr. Villaclara who accompanied him in the march and finally, to
Josephine. Before proceeding to the designated place where Rizal was supposed to stand,
Dr. Felipe Castillo, a military physician, checked his pulse and found it normal. Before the
execution, Rizal requested the commander of the cavalry that he be shot facing his
executioners considering that he was not a traitor. The request, however, was denied as
the Spanish officer had a standing order from the higher authorities that Rizal should be
shot at the back. The trumpet sounded again signalling the commencement of the
execution. As the commander shouted fuego or fire, the guns rang out in a row. Rizal
slowly turned his back to the firing squad, faced the sea and fell to the ground. The military
band played the Marcha de Cadiz, Spain’s national anthem. Shouts of Viva España and
Muerte a Los Traidores (Death to the Traitors) could be heard all over the place at exactly
7:03 in the morning. It was all over. Rizal had been executed and buried in Paco
Cemetery. Rizal died but he lives in the hearts of the people, as a martyr to Filipino
freedom. His leadership- being direct, enlightened, liberal, democratic, progressive,
compassionate, and peaceful- was the crowning glory of his service to the Filipino people.
This kind of leadership that he manifested can be gleaned from his writings and personal
examples. Here lies his excellence as an individual, a man with a purpose and conscience.

Rizal’s Mi Ultimo Adios

This poem was the longest, untitled poem written by Rizal on December 29, 1896.
According to Coates, this poem is remarkable for it achieves four separate purposes:
1. it is a poem of farewell,
2. it is an appeal to the Filipinos, not to forget him,
3. it is Rizal’s last will and testament, and
4. it is Rizal’s auto biography.

Page | 76
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
Close reading of the poem reveals Rizal’s spirit of fairness and justice, as no stanza
is given over to condemnation, no phrase or word of hatred despite of oppression and
injustice he suffered. The poem was Rizal’s farewell to his native land, which he called as
“Fatherland, Clime of the Sun Caressed and Pearl of the Orient Seas” and to his parents. He
even expressed his grief leaving his family whom he considered as his childhood friends in
the lost paradise. He, likewise, bid farewell to Josephine- his dulce extranjera, a friend, a
wife, and a source of delight.
Mi Ultima Pensamiento – first title used by Ponce for Rizal’s poem.
Father Mariano Dacanay- a Filipino priest-patriot, who gave the title Ultimo Adios (Last
Farewell) and under such title the poem was published for the first time in La
Independencia (General Antonio Luna’s newspaper) on September 25, 1898

ON THE ISSUE OF RETRACTION

• One of the controversial issues about Rizal was on the question whether he died a
Catholic or a Mason.
• The assumed retraction of Rizal has continuously intrigue historians and students;
• Some are arguing that Rizal retracted his masonic views and embraced his Catholic
faith before he died.
• On the other hand, there are those that retraction is a lie considering that Rizal,
throughout his life was a free and rational thinker.

The Two Version of Rizal’s Retraction Document

• Cited by Hessel (1965) in a paper presented at Siliman University:
1. The Retraction document is the chief witness to the reality of the retraction itself,
since its discovery in 1935. The burden of proof rests with those who question the
retraction.
2. Rizal recited and signed the prayer book entitled “Acts of Faith, Hope and Charity”-
this book was offered to Rizal after his signing of the retraction document to Fr.
Balaguer.
3. The testimony of the Press at the time of the event, of eyewitnesses, especially those
who were closely associated with the events, like the head of the Jesuit order,
attested that Rizal did retract and sign a retraction document.
4. Rizal performed acts of piety during his last hours, as testified by the witnesses.
5. The Church, through the Jesuits, solemnized Rizal’s marriage with Josephine
Bracken, as attested by witnesses. The Catholic Church will not officiate a marriage
without Rizal’s retraction of his religious errors.

Cavanna and other anti-retraction Scholars pointed out the foregoing

evidences to support their position:
1. The retraction document is forgery- as pointed out by Pascual (1950), the
handwriting in the document is questionable, as only one man prepared it. This was
further corroborated by the confession made by the forger to Antonio Abad on
August 13, 1901, employed by the friars earlier that same year to make several
copies of the retraction document (Runes & Buenafe, 1962).
2. The other acts and facts do not fit well with the story of Retraction.
3. The Retraction is out of character. It is not keeping with Rizal’s character and faith.
It is incongruent with his previous assertions and declarations of religious thought.

• Rizal’s life, works and writings are divided on the issue of his retraction, either it
adds or diminishes his greatness as a Filipino.
• Nevertheless, his contribution to the nation makes the people revere him.

Page | 77
 THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL GEC 9
• In other words of Hessel (1965): “Catholic or mason, Rizal is still Rizal; the hero
who courted death to prove to those who deny our patriotism that we know
how to die for our duty and our beliefs.”

REFERENCES:

1. Garcia, Carlito V.; Viana, Augusto V.; Cruz, Cynthia B.“Rizal the Development of
Filipino Nationalism: A Textbook on the life, works and writings of our
National Hero.”Books Atbp. Publishing Corporation, Mandaluyong City, Philippines.
Copyright 2011.
2. Zaide, Gregorio F. and Zaide, Sonia M. “Jose Rizal: Life, Works, and Writings of
Genius, writer, scientist, and national hero”, 2nd ed. All Nations Publishing Co.,
Inc. Copyright 2013.
3. Ocampo, Ambeth R. “Rizal Without The Overcoat”. ANVIL Publishing, Inc.,
Mandaluyong City, 2012.
4. Internet
a. An Outline of Jose Rizal’s [Link]

Page | 78