SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Surigao City

LEARNING MODULE
GE RIZAL

Hk

RA 1425 “RIZAL LAW” MANDATES

THE TEACHING OF LIFE, WORKS, and, WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE PROTACIO

REALONDA MERCADO RIZAL IN ALL SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY

Prepared by:

ELIENLU L. GEMAO, MIE

Instructor

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Rizal Grand Tour with Maximo Viola

Rizal and Viola to Dresden- Their tour of Europe began through their visit of
Potsdam, a city near Berlin (Zaide, 1999). Here 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. While viewing the floral
exposition, Rizal and Viola met Dr. Jagor, Rizal told Dr. that he planned to visit
Leitmeritz, Czechoslovakia to meet Blumentritt, Dr. Jagor, however told Rizal to
wire the professor of their arrival at Leitmeritz.

In Leitmeritz- Rizal and Viola arrived at Leitmeritz in the afternoon of May 13,
1887. They stepped down from the train that ferried them to Leitmeritz and were
warmly received by Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt. Rizal was enjoyed because he
finally met the professor in person. Blumentritt was likewise pleased to see Rizal
and embraced him.

To commemorate his happy hours at the Blumentritt home Rizal made pencil sketch of
Blumentritt and gave it to him. Blumetritt was so pleased with this gift, which to
him as a gesture of cordial friendship. On their last night at Leitmeritz, Rizal and
Viola invited the Blumetritt family in Hotel and tendered a farewell dinner to
express their gratitude for the hospitality they were accorded by their host. 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 Czechoslavakia.

In Prague-To facilitate their visit into the different historic spots in Prague,
Blumentritte gave Rizal letters of recommendations to Dr. Welkom, a history
professor at the University of Prague. The Prague welcomed them and
accompanied the two in visiting the historic places and spots in Prague. After a
few days, Viola and Rizal went to Vienna via Brunn.

In Vienna-Rizal and Viola arrived at Vienna, the capital city of Austria Hungary
on May 20, 1887. The two Filipinos spent four days visiting the beautiful buildings
and examining holy images and statues. They were also impressed with song and
beautiful stories of the city.

In Lintz and Rheinfall-The end of their Danube River voyage ended in Lintz.
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
Neuremberg, 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 mist beautiful waterfallin the continent of Europe.

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 Meanwhile, the two spent some afternoon on boating at Leman Lake. This boat
trips that they had, gave Rizal the opportunity todemonstrate his skillfulness
I rowing and steering a boat. It was also at Geneva where Rizal celebrated his
26th birthday. After being together for 15 days in the city, the two departed ways
on June 23, 1887. Rizal toured Italy, while Viola returned to Barcelona.

In Italy-In Rome, 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 (the seat of authority of the RomaCatholic Church), and the
capital of the Ancient Roman Empire, attachedhim so much. The grandeur of
Rome was something that Rizal did not fail to appreciate, in his sojourn to Italy.
Rizal was very much amazed with the Coliseum and the Roman Church Forum.
There he spent long hours reminiscing the past and recreating life to the ruins.
After a week of travel in Rome Rizal prepared for his homecoming to the
Philippines.

His tour of several countries of Europe in the next two years following his graduation
in Madrid was part of his period of preparation. This was for his specialization
in ophthalmology and for broadening his knowledge of the life of the people in
various parts of the continent which he would be able return to his own country.
Travelling was a part of his education for leadership. He visited many great
interesting spots.

“I am here in Germany going from city to city, from town to town,

visiting all the educational centers, the town , schools, the parishes, the
churches, and many times after listening t a Catholic sermon. I go to
Protestant church attend the services there and sometimes to the
synagogues of the Jews Everything that can teach me something interest
me.

Noli Me Tangere as a Charter of Filipino Nationalism

(John:20-17)

“Jesus say unto her; touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father; but
go to my brethren , and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your
Father; and to my God and your God”

The novel can be considered a charter of Filipino nationalism Schumacher,1977), It calls on

the Filipino to: regain his self- confidence; appreciate his self-worth; return to the
heritage of his ancestors; asserts himself as a co-equal of the Spaniards. It
likewise, Insists on the need for education, dedication to the country

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 assimilating the aspects of Western cultures that could enhance native
traditions.

The novel does not only expose the social maladies in the Philippines during
Rizal’s time. It outlines the reform needed in Filipino society then. These reforms
include the following : radical reforms ins the armed forces, clergy, and
administration of justice, more respect for human dignity, greater security for the
individual; less strength in the constabulary, and less privileges for organizations
prone to abuses and corruption.

First Reactions to the Noli- Prior to the publication of the Noli Me

Tangere, a number by Filipino writers from 1882 to 1896 were produced.
Mention can be said of the following: Paterno’s novel Ninay; published in
Madrid in 1885; del Pilar’s La Soberania Monacal and Graciano Lopez
Jaena’s Discursos y Articulos Varios published in Barcelona in 1889 and
1891.; and Antonio Luna’s Impresiones, which came out in Madrid in 1893.
None of these publication’s however, evoked such favorable and
unfavorable comments from friends and enemies as did Rizal’s Noli Me
Tangere.

The attacks on Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere were not only confined in the
Philippines but were also staged in Madrid by some notable persons who
unjustly lambasted and criticized in the two chambers of Spanish Cortes in 1888
and 1889. Another attack on the novel came from Vicente Barrantes , a Spanish
academician, who had spent many years in high posts of Philippine Legislature.
He described Rizal as a man of contradiction , whose criticisms of the friars and
the Spanish Regime were actually an insult to the Filipinos themselves. The first
attack on the Noli in the Philippines came from an anonymous letter signed by
the friar. In this letter, Rizal was labeled an ungrateful man. At the same time,
Rizal was challenged to come out into open if he had a grievance against the
religious establishment.

A direct attack on the Noli was launched by Father Jose Rodriguez, by issuing a
series of pamphlets under the tile Cuestiones de Sumo Interes (Agoncillo, 1999).
As pointed out by Schumacher,1997), Fr. Rodriguez judged the novel on a
doctrinal level, when he said that it should not read by devout Christian as the
book is:

“Full of heresies, blasphemies, and the grossest errors, containing as it does, propositions which
are false, rash, offensive to pious ears, injurious to the sacred hierarchy and to the faithful,
impious, foolish erroneous, likely to lead into errors condemned in Luther and other
.heretics, savoring of heresy and heretical, and likely lead to atheism”

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While Rizal’s Noli was attacked severely by the establishments, particularly the
friars, there were those who tried to prove the merits of the novel and
countered the arguments of its attackers.

The greatest defender of the Noli came from a Filipino priest Fr. Vicente
Garcia with his pen name Desiderio Magalang, he refuted Fr. Rodriguez
condemnation of the Noli for its blasphemy and heresy. According to him that
the book was a work of literature, and it should be judged that the way and not
on a doctrinal level. And using his knowledge on logic, he said “If the reading of
the Noli is a mortal sin, then, Fr.Rodriguez has also committed a mortal” On the
issue of Rizal’s ignorance, Fr. Garcia Asserted that the former was not an ignorant
man, considering that he was an alumnus of Spanish of Spanish universities and a
recipient of numerous academic honors and awards.

For Blumentritt, Rizal’s novel was a patriotic one. It was a truthful and
heartfelt effort to make Spain realize the need to remedy the social ills plaguing
Filipino society, then. Moreover, Blumentritt stressed the point that the
Spanish nationals have to accept these criticisms.

Apparently, the attacks on Rizal and his novel clearly showed the power and
influence of friars who considered their interest of prime importance than that of
the interest of the state. Thus, for Rizal, as the novel Noli Me Tangere has not yet
been judged and cannot be judged rightly as its effects are still being felt.
(Guerrero, 1998).

Rizal First Homecoming- After five years sojourn to Europe, Rizal decided to
return to the Philippines, despite disapproval from family members and friends.
Nonetheless, before his first homecoming to the Philippines, he had grand tour of
Europe with Maximo Viola.

In 1887, motivated by the following reasons, Rizal decided to return to his

homeland:

(1) to operate his mother’s failing eyes;

(2) to serve the people oppressed by the Spaniards;
(3) to find out for himself these effects of this Novel Noli Me Tangere to the
Filipinos and the Spaniards;
(4) to find out the cause of Leonor Rivera’s silence.

Despite the objection by Paciano and Rizal’s friends, Rizal family decided after
securing the permission form his father for his return to the country.

Rizal Arrives in Manila- He stayed in Manila for three days. He visited and
called up Isabelo delos Reyes but was unable to him. Later he visited Ateneo. At

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 Ateneno, attempts were made by the Jesuits to win Rizal back to the fold of his
old faith. Father Faura showed Rizal the Image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
which he carved during his student’s days. He told Rizal what was wrong with
the Noli. Rizal simply responded by saying that he wrote was the truth.

Rizal arrived in Calamba on August 8, 1887. He found his family on the best of health.
They shed tears of joy seeing Rizal again. At the same time they asked Rizal to answer several
questions about his stay, and travel and studies in Europe.

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 (Guerrero,1998). Moreover ,
Rizal was receiving threat everyday. His family was, therefore very anxious about his
safety, so Paciano accompanied him wherever he went to protect Rizal from any untoward
incident. Even Don Francisco, his father, did not permit him to go out on his own for fear
that something bad might happen to him.

Rizal kept himself busy during his entire stay in Calamba. He opened a medical clinic and
started practicing his profession. He cured the sick and soon gained fame a s an eye specialist
and surgeon. He came to be called by the old folks of Calamba as Doctor as Doctor Uliman, as
he was mistaken for a German. To discourage his town mates from indulging in sabong
and panggingue, Rizal gave lessons in gymnastics, fencing, and even shooting. Despite his
activities in Calamba, never did he fail communicating to Ferdinand Blumentritt.

Terrero Summoned Rizal to Malacañan Palace- After a few weeks in

Calamba, received a letter from Governor-General Terrero ordering him to
go to Malacañan (Romero, Romana & Santos, 1879). This was the time when a
battle over the Noli Me Tangere. 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. Rizal returned with a copy of the Noli and handed it to
Governor Terrero.

After reading the novel, Governor Terrero did not find anything wrong with it.
Being liberal-minded and sensing the threat on the security of Rizal, owing
the power of the friars, Terrero gave Rizal a bodyguard in the person of Don
Jose Taviel de Andrade. Terrero even counseled Rizal to leave the country for his
own good and foe the good of his family.

Rizal was, thus, very luck when he returned to the Philippines.This was because
the government was under the control of a liberal-minded chief executive. If
then governor-general was not liberal-minded, he could have been
imprisoned upon arriving in the country after his five year sojourn in Europe.

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Despite the advice given by Governor-general Terrero, Rizal opted to stay in his
hometown, and make it the venue of his advocacy (Guerrero, 1998).

Calamba Agrarian Problem-As the word war on Noli Me Tangere

continued, Rizal was embroiled into 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 land tenant relations. One of the friar estates affected was the
Dominican-owned hacienda in Calamba.

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 disposed of the
said lands for flimsy reasons; and
5.High rates of interest were arbitrarily charged the tenants for delayed
payment of rentals; and
6.When the rentals could not be paid, the hacienda confiscated the animals,
tools, and farm implements of the tenants.
Rizal Shows Leadership in Calamba

After five years of absence from the Philippines from May, 1882 to
July 1887, Rizal came home eager to initiate changes and anxious to apply some
of the things he had observed in the countries he had, visited. His short stay of
six months in Calamba afforded him the opportunity to help the tenants in the
agricultural estate owned by the Dominicans. It was a happy coincidence that
the town was asked by the governor-general to furnish facts and figures
production in the three years preceding the time Rizal had came home.

Rizal’s exposure of the deplorable plight of the tenants attested. By

the complainants and hacienda officials, aroused the ire of the friars. The friars
pressured Malacañan to have Rizal eliminated.

When Governor Terrero fell on deaf ears, the friars demanded for his
deportation. As a consequence, Rizal’s security was
stake at Governor Terrero reiterated his advice to Rizal to leave the country, for
good. In the way, his parents and relatives compelled him to leave the
Philippines for his own good and to escape the wrath of the friars.

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 Rizal was, thus, forced by the situation to leave his homeland after six months
of stay at Calamba for two reasons (Zaide & Zaide,1999) First this presence at
Calamba was endangering the safety and happiness f his family and friends.
Finally, he could be able to fight better his detractors and serve his country’s
cause on a foreign land.

To counter –attack what the tenants did in Calamba, the friars

evicted tenants from the Dominican hacienda, the first victim of whom was Rizal’s
family. The counter-attack by the Dominicans was facilitated by the replacement
of Terrero as governor-general by Lt. General Valeriano Weyler (Guerrer0,1998).
The friar whose powers and prestige declined suddenly recovered what they lost.
Upon assuming his post, Weyler acknowledge publicly the role played by the
friars on the conquest of Luzon and Visayas. On account of this role, Weyler
stressed the point that religion should be a means of government in the
aforementioned islands in the Philippines.

Reaction to Mass Eviction- In response to the mass eviction by the Dominican

friars from their estate in Calamba, the tenants staged a public demonstration in
Manila. Doroteo Cortes organized this movement (Guerrero,1998). In the said
March Demonstration, the tenants of the Dominican hacienda presented a
petition to Queen Regent asking for the expulsion of the friars from the
Philippines. An immediate aftermath of this event was the arrest of those who
participated in the said protest rally. This event made the friars demand strong
measures against subversion from the government.

Trials Rizal Went Through for his Advocacy-As a result of advocating the
plight of the tenants in Calamba, Rizal had to leave his family again. Worst, his
family was evicted from the Dominican-owned hacienda in his hometown.

When Mariano Herbosa, his brother-in-law died, the Roman Catholic

refused to give him a Christian burial. This was simply because Mariano was
married to Lucia, Rizal’s sister. Death had become a political issue as a result of
Rizal’s advocacy of the plight of the tenants. Rizal was already out of the country
when this happened. In response to this event, he wrote the essay entitled A
Profanacion (Una Profanacion), which attacked the denial of Christian burial to his
brother in law who died of cholera.

To add up to injury, twenty-five Calambeños, after Rizal had left the

country for the second time, were exiled of rusticated to other parts of the
country. Notable among those who were exiled were Don Francisco, Paciano,
Saturnia, Narcisa and Lucia (Guerrero,1998)

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, its now his own

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family- bearing the brunt of what he did. This, in effect caused him so much
despairs.’

Rizal Leaves Calamba for the Second Time-Rizal was obliged to leave
Calamba for the second time because his stay in his hometown might expose his
family and friends worry and anxiety. Harassed and persecuted by the friars, he
did not have any option but to leave the country in February 1888. By this time
he was already 27 years old, a medical practitioner and a recognized man-of –
letters.

Exercise No.6

Name: Ma.EricaJane B. Pancho

Score:_____________

Course & Year: BSCpE 2A Date: _____________

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 A.

1.What activities did Rizal and Viola undertake in each of the places they visited?

• Rizal and Viola arrived at Leitmeritz in the afternoon of May 13, 1887. Rizal and
Viola invited the Blumetritt family in Hotel and tendered a farewell dinner to
express their gratitude for the hospitality they were accorded by their host.

• Rizal and viola facilitate their visit into the different historic spots in Prague
• In Viena May 20, 1887. The two Filipinos spent four days visiting the beautiful
buildings and examining holy images and statues.
• From Ulm, Rizal and Viola moved to Stuttgart, Baden, and Rheinfall. It was at
Rheinfall where they saw the Bin Waterfall, the mist beautiful waterfall in the
continent of Europe.
• In Rome, 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 (the seat of authority of the Roma Catholic Church), and the capital of
the Ancient Roman Empire, attached him so much.

2. Why did Rizal and Blumentritt become the best of friends?

• A Chronology of a Friendship. It is one of the fortunate accidents in life that a
single letter to someone known only by reputation can turn into a lifelong
friendship. It is not often that a casual inquiry about a person's research grows into
brotherly affection after all that they become best of friends.

3.Why did Rizal decide to return to his homeland in 1887, despite of the disapproval
of Paciano and his fellow expatriates
• Rizal decided to return to his homeland:
To operate his mother’s failing eyes, to serve the people oppressed by the
Spaniards, to find out for himself these effects of this Novel Noli Me Tangere to the
Filipinos and the Spaniards, to find out the cause of Leonor Rivera’s silence.
Despite the objection by Paciano and Rizal’s friends, Rizal family decided after
securing the permission form his father for his return to the country.

4. Why did Governor-general Emilio Terrero summon Rizal at Malacañan after few
weeks of arrival at his hometown?
•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

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the novel is really subversive and inciting the people to rise up in arms
against the government.

5. How was Rizal affected by his advocacy of the plight of the tenants in Calamba?
•One of the friar estates affected was the Dominican-owned hacienda
in Calamba.

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 disposed
of the said lands for flimsy reasons; and
5.High rates of interest were arbitrarily charged the tenants for
delayed payment of rentals; and
6.When the rentals could not be paid, the hacienda confiscated the
animals, tools, and farm implements of the tenants.
Rizal Shows Leadership in Calamba

Rizal Leaves the Philippines for the Second Time - Rizal had to leave the Philippines
because he had already been a marked man for the friars. With a heavy heart, he
left the country for his own good and the safety of his family, and friends. On
February 3, 1888 he left the Philippines for the second time to give peace to his
family and friends to continue the second phase of his leadership and work for his
country. Passing through Hongkong and Japan for few weeks he made useful
observation on the life and culture if the peoples. On his way to the United Stated,
he met and befriended a Japanese, Tetcho Suehiro, who had to leave Japan for
attacking Japanese law restricting freedom of the press. Two easily became friends;
they travelled together on the way to London.
In his travel memoirs, Tetcho wrote:

I had met him on board the Belgic bound for San Francisco. From
that time we were together through America and London. We came and
went with each other very often. He was frank and daring fellow, food of
various arts, especially good at drawing and also exquisite at soldering
works. I heard from him that the Spanish government announced to

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 regard him as a political defender and that whoever gained Rizal’s work
was to be taken for as his sympathizer, and to be imprisoned.

Rizal in Hongkong- Rizal was met by Jose Ma. Basa, Balbino Mauricio,
and other exiles in Hongkong. He was depressed by the colony of Filipinos on the
island because they do not want to return to Manila. He became aquainted with
important Spaniards based in Hongkong. One of them was Barranda Terreros’s
secretary. Barranda and other Spaniard accompanied Rizal in his visit to Macao.
While in Hongkong, Rizal stayed at the Spanish legation for almost a month.

Some of his observations about Hongkong as written his diary are as follows:
1. The celebration of the Chinese New Year was quite very noisy due
to the continues explosion of firecrackers on the streets;
2. Chinese theaters are usually animated due to the different
percussion instruments used by the participants, in addition to the
noise created by the audience;
3. The Lauriat party, wherein the guests were served as variety of
dishes, shows lavishness and hospitality among Chinese;
4. The Dominican order, the richest religious order in Hongkong had
millions of dollars deposited in various banks earning very high
interests;
5. The graveyards for Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims were well
maintained.

Rizal in Japan- Rizal arrived in Japan on February 28, 1888. He entered the
country through Yokohama and stayed at Tokyo Hotel for a few days. Later on
his stayed the Spanish legation for almost a month. It was during this period that
he visited Japanese provinces, learned Nippongo of the Japanese language, and
dedicated himself to the study of Japanese art and culture As a keen observer,
he was impressed with the city of Tokyo and its people. Some of Rizal’s
favorable impression of Japan, based on Lanuza and Zaide’s account was the
following:

1. The scenic beauty of the country;

2. The cleanliness, politeness, and industry of the people;
3. The picturesque dress and simple charm of the Japanese women;
4. The existence of few thieves in Japan; and
5. The beggars rarely had seen the streets of the city.

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 Nonetheless, Rizal was disgusted seeing Japanese men pulling the
kuruma or rickshaw like horse (Guerrero, 1998). The kuruma was
popular mode of transportation on Japan during that time.

Romance with Usui-Seiko- Rizal’s romance with O-Sei-San began early in

the early spring of March. After moving to the Spanish legation, Rizal saw her
walking near the gate of legation. Charmed by her beauty, he tried to find a way
by which to meet and know her.

The friendship established between Rizal and Seiko developed into a

love affair. While Rizal had a good impression of Seiko, the latter 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. Owing to the irresistible
beauty, affection and warmth of O-Sei-San, Rizal became tempted to stay for
good in Japan, Nevertheless, Rizal felt that he had other duties to fulfill for his
country, so he left Japan. His love for –Sei-San can be gleaned from the diary he
wrote on the eve of his departure from Japan, which runs as follows (Lanuza et
al., 1961).

“Japan has pleased me. The beautiful scenery, the flowers, the trees,
and the inhabitants-so peaceful, so courteous, so pleasant, O-Sei-San-Sayonara,
Sayonara! I have spent a lovely golden month; I do not know if I can have
another one like that in all my life. Love, money, friendship, appreciation,
honors-these have not been wanting.

To think that I am leaving this life for the uncertain, the unknown.
There I was offered an easy way to live, beloved and esteemed.

To you I dedicate the final chapter of these memoirs of my youth. No

woman like you, have ever loved me. No woman, like you has sacrificed for me.
Like the flowers of the Chodji that falls from the stem, fresh and whole without
falling leaves or without withering-with poetry still despite its fall-thus you feel.
Neither have you lost your purity nor have you lost your purity nor have the
delicate petals of your innocence faded-Sayonara!

You shall never return to know that I have once more thought of you
and that your image lives in my memory; and undoubtedly, I am always thinking
of you. Your name lives in the sight of my lips; your image accompanies and
animates all my thoughts. When shall I pass another divined afternoon like that
in the temple of Meguro? When shall the sweet hours, I spent with you return?

When shall I find them sweeter, more tranquil, and more pleasing?
You the color of the camellia, its freshness, its elegance….

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 Rizal left Japan by the middle of April 1888. He arrived in the United
States on April 28, 1888 on board the English steamer Belgic. Rizal and the other
passengers, however, were not allowed to disembark until May 4, 1888. Later,
Rizal discovered the reason for the quarantining of their ship. As marked by Rizal
in his diary:

“They put us in quarantine because our ship carried 600 Chinese;

elections were then being held in San Francisco and the government seeking
votes, was making a great show of adopting rigorous measures against the
Chinese to capture the sympathies of the people. They notified us of the
quarantine verbally, without telling us how long it was going to last, yet on the
same day they unladed 700 bolts of silk without fumigating them.”

After a few days of quarantine, all first class passengers, including Rizal
were permitted to land. Nonetheless, Japanese and Chinese passengers
remained on board for a longer period of quarantine. Rizal’s entry point in the
United States was San Francisco. Hence he stayed at Palace Hotel. After his two
day stay at San Francisco, he left Oakland and passed through Sacramento, Reno,
Ogden bound to New York City. His arrival in New York ended his trip across the
American continent.

Some of his impression’s in America (Zulueta,1999)

1.The material progress of the country

2.The drive and the energy of the American people;
3.The natural beauty of the land; the high standard of living;
4.America is only for the whites; and

5.The opportunities for better life offered to poor immigrants.

His negative impressions to U.S
6. Non-existence of true civil liberty, as a Negro cannot marry an
American and vice-versa
7. The existence of racial prejudice, as shown in their hatred of the Chinese, Japanese, and
Negroes; and
8. The valuing of money over human life

Rizal in London-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 Sucesso’s de las Islas Filipinas; and
3.To carry on his fight against Spanish tyranny .

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 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. As a result of the favorable
recommendation given by Rost for Rizal, he was able to spend time reading
Morga’s Socuesos de las Islas Filipinas

Good and Bad News from Home - While he was in London, Rizal received good and bad news
from the Philippines. Notable among the bad and good news that he was able to
know were the following:

1.Persecution of the Filipino patriots signed the Anti-Friars Petition of 1888 addressed to the
Queen Regent requesting the expulsion of the friars, including Archbishop Pedro
Payo;

2.Persecution of Calamba tenants, including Rizal’s family and relatives for their courage to
petition the government for reforms;

3.Exile of Manuel T. Hidalgo to Bohol, the husband of his sister Saturnina, on the order of
Governor Valerian Weyler without due process.

Furious attacks on Rizal by Senators Salamanca and Vida in the Spanish Cortes;

1.Arrest and Incarceration of Laureano Vida, a medical student of UST for finding copies of the
Noli in his residence; and

2.Rev. Vicente Garcia’s defense of the Noli against the attacks of the friars.

Romance with Gertrude Beckett- Rizal became attracted to Gertrude, who

was known by her nicknames Tottie and Sissie. She was smaller than Rizal and
chubby just like Segundina Katigbak or Orang (Guerrero, 1998). Rizal falling in love
with Seiko, then with Gertrude seems to imply that he was not desperately in love
with Leonor Rivera.

Rizal’s Annotation of Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas- Morga’s Sucesos of Historical
Events of the Philippine Islands was published in Mexico in 1605 to provide
European readers information about the Philippines.

There were basically three purposes for Rizal’s annotation of the Sucesos (Guerrero,1998):

1.To awaken the consciousness of the Filipinos of their glorious or dignified ways of the past;
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.

15
 Rizal spent four months for research and writing and one year to have his manuscript
printed. Ferdinand Blumentritt wrote the preface of the annotation. The salient
points emphasized by Blumentritt were the following:

1. That the Spaniards have to correct their erroneous conception of the Filipinos as
children of limited intelligence;
2. That Rizal’s comments on Spanish government were unique as they were given
from the point of view of the victims of colonialism.

That there existed three kinds of Spanish delusions about the Philippines:

1.That the Filipinos were an inferior race;

2.That the Filipinos were not ready for parliamentary representation and other reforms; and
3.That denial of equal rights can be compensated by strict dispensation of justice.
4.That Spain had to learn Philippines realities from Rizal’s new edition of Morga’s sucesos; and
5.That if Spanish authorities will not listen to the Filipinos, the Philippines will be lost through
her own fault.

Rizals’ annotation consisted of 8 chapters (Guerrero, 1998). The first seven chapters delved on
the events during the time of the forest 11 governors-generals in the Philippines,
particularly from Legaspi to Acuña. The last chapter was focused on custom 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.

There were three main propositions in Rizal’s new edition of Morga’s Sucesos, namely
(Guerrero, 1998):

1.That the people of the Philippines had a culture of their own before the coming of the
Spaniards;

2.That the Filipinos were decimated, demoralized, exploited and ruined by Spanish colonization;

3.The present state of the Philippines was not necessary superior to its past.

With this new edition of Morga’s Sucesos, Rizal was able to produce the first history book of
the Philippines, written for the Filipinos.

Founding of Asociacion La Solidaridad

While Rizal was very much preoccupied with his annotation of Morga’s
Sucesos, he learned of the plan of the Filipino expatriates in Barcelona to
establish a patriotic society that shall work for reforms from the Spanish

16
government. This organization, which came to be called Asociacion La
Solidaridad, was formally established on December 31,1888( Zaideet al.,1999).
The officers of this patriotic society were the following:

President…………………………….Galiciano Apacible
Vice President……………………. Graciano Lopez-Jaena
Secretary……………………………. Manuel Sta. Maria
Treasurer……………………………. Mariano Ponce
Accountant…………………………. Jose Ma. Panganiban

Although Rizal was not present during the organization of the society, he was
unanimously chosen as the honorary president of the Asociacion La Solidaridad.
This implies that Rizal, at this point in time, was already recognized as the leader
of the Filipino colony in Barcelona.

On February 15, 1889, Rizal was also informed about the founding of the
organ of the Propaganda Movement by Graciano Lopez-Jaena. This came to be
called La Solidaridad (Schumacher,1997). The aims of this fortnightly organ of
Philippine opinion were the following:

1. To work peacefully for political and social reforms;

2. To portray the deplorable conditions of the Philippines for Spain
to remedy them;
3. To oppose the evil forces of reaction and medievalism;
4. To advocate liberal ideas and progress; and
5. To champion the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino people to
life, democracy, and happiness.

Short Visit to Paris and Madrid- Rizal went to Paris early in September
1888 in search for historical materials in the Bibliotheque Nationale. Juan Luna
and Paz Pardo de Tavera-Luna acted as his host in the gay city. After his
intensive search or manuscripts and old books, he returned to London, where
spent Christmas and New Year with the Beckett family.

Other Writings in London - It was also in London where he wrote the

famous “Letter to the Young Women in Malolos” This letter was written by Rizal
upon the request of Marcelo H. del Pilar to commend the young women of
Malolos for their courage to establish a school, where they could learn Spanish,
despite the vehement opposition of the parish priest of Malolos, Fr. Felipe
Garcia.

Goodbye London- Rizal left London for Paris on March 19, 1889. As he departed
from London, Rizal could not help but reminisce the beautiful and memorable

17
 experiences he had as he crossed the English Channel on his way to the gay city
of Paris.

Exercise No.7

Name: Ma. Erica Jane B. Pancho Score___________________________

Course & Year: BSCpE 2A. Date ___________________________

1. Why did Rizal leave the Philippines and his family and friends for the second
time?
• On February 3, 1888 he left the Philippines for the second time to give peace to his family and
friends to continue the second phase of his leadership and work for his country.

2.What were the observations he had of Hongkong as written in his diary?

• The celebration of the Chinese New Year was quite very noisy due to the continues
explosion of firecrackers on the streets.
• Chinese theaters are usually animated due to the different percussion instruments used by
the participants, in addition to the noise created by the audience.
• The Lauriat party, wherein the guests were served as variety of dishes, shows lavishness and
hospitality among Chinese;
The Dominican order, the richest religious order in Hongkong had millions of dollars deposited
in various banks earning very high interests.
• The graveyards for Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims were well maintained.

3.What impressions did Rizal have of Japan?

18
• The scenic beauty of the country.
• The cleanliness, politeness, and industry of the people.
• The picturesque dress and simple charm of the Japanese women.
• The existence of few thieves in Japan.
• The beggars rarely had seen the streets of the city.

4.Who was O-Sei-San? What made attracted to her? How did Rizal come to know her? What
made O-Sei- San fall in love with Rizal?

• After moving to the Spanish legation, Rizal saw her walking near the gate of legation.
Charmed by her beauty, he tried to find a way by which to meet and know her. To Seiko
Rizal was a man of versatile talents, a man of gallantry, a man of dignity, and a man of
courtesy.

5.What were the positive and negative impressions Rizal had of the United States?
His Positive Impressions to U.S

• 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;
• America is only for the whites; and
• The opportunities for better life offered to poor immigrants.

His negative impressions to U.S

• Non-existence of 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

6.Why did he choose London to be his second home during his second journey to Europe?
• To improve his knowledge of the English language.
• To study and annotate Morga’s Sucesso’s de las Islas Filipinas.
• To carry on his fight against Spanish tyranny.

8.How was he able to have access to the historical materials and documents at the British
museum?
• Rizal 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.

19
 9.Why did he annotate Morga’s Sucessos de Las Islas Filipinas? What
preparations did he undertake for this?
• To awaken the consciousness of the Filipinos of their glorious or dignified ways of the
past.
• To correct what has been distorted and falsified about the Philippines prior to Spanish
conquest.
• To prove that the Filipinos were civilized, even before the coming of the Spaniards.
• Rizal spent four months for research and writing and one year to have his manuscript
printed.

10.What insights about Spain and Philippines were drawn by Ferdinand Blumentritt from
Rizal’s new edition of 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 necessary superior to its past.

Outlining: Provide necessary details to complete each of the following topics below:
Rizal’s Purposes in Annotating Morga’s Sucesos delas Islas Filipinas

12.• He learned of the plan of the Filipino expatriates in Barcelona to establish a patriotic
society that shall work for reforms from the Spanish government.

13 Spanish delusions about the Philippines according to Blumentritt

• Filipinos were an inferior race.
• Filipinos were not ready for parliamentary representation and other reforms.
• The denial of equal rights can be compensated by the strict

14. Main propositions of Rizal’s new edition of Sucesos delas Islas Filipinas
• That the people of the Philippines had a culture of their own before thecoming of the
Spaniards

15. Rizal’s negative impression of the United States of America

• Non-existence of 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

Aims of La Solidaridad
• To work peacefully for political and social reforms.
• To portray the deplorable conditions of the Philippines for Spain to remedy them.
• To oppose the evil forces of reaction and medievalism.
• To advocate liberal ideas and progress.

20
• To champion the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino people to life, democracy, and
happiness.

What impressed Rizal of Japan

28.• The scenic beauty of the country.

29.• The cleanliness, politeness, and industry of the people.

30.• The picturesque dress and simple charm of the Japanese women.

C. answer the following question briefly but concisely

30-35 If you were Rizal, would you do what he did when confronted with
Threat to own security and to your family, as well, why or why Not?

31.For me maybe I’ll do what Rizal did for the Safety of my family and friends and to maximize
the chances of freeing the oppressed Filipinos.

32 . I will do the same way by dedicating my whole life in securing freedom for my country
and happiness for the people, a devotion unparalleled in the history of our country.

33.I don't care about myself as long I fullfil my promises that's all that matter.

34.If I am courageous, strong and able-bodied like Rizal. I can protect all my love one's and fight
for the safety of my family and friends.

35.As long as I know what is wrong and right I will fight, prove and confronted the security
to know them what is their mistakes.

36-40 The designation of Rizal as the honorary president of the Asociacion La Solidaridad
is a clear recognition of his leadership Among Filipino expatriate in Europe.
Prove/disapprove this statement.

36. Surely, I can prove that the Asociacion recognize Rizal’s leadership and made him the
honorary President of the solidaridad because of his Noli Me Tangere and the Obvious fact that
rizal is a Fearless Anti Oppressor of the Spanish and ant Tyranny.

37. Even the Ferdinand Blumeritritt recognize Rizal.

21
 38. Rizal was unanimously chosen as the honorary president which implies that Rizal was
already recognized as a leader of the Filipino colony in Barcelona.

39. Rizal was the greatest product of the Philippines & that his coming to the world was like
the appearance of a rare comet, whose rare brilliance appears only every other century.

40. Even before the outbreak of the revolution against Spain in 1896, many instances can
be cited to prove that his country here & abroad recognized Rizal’s leadership.

A Public Demonstration is Another Eye-Opener A few weeks after Rizal’s, departure, a

public demonstration headed by Doroteo Cortes, a lawyer, took place in Manila on March
1,1888. A petition signed by seven hundred persons, including prominent Principalias of
Manila and neighboring towns was presented to the civil governor of Manila.

The “Calamba Affair” must have inspired the demonstration. Awakening of

some kind was becoming noticeable. This was a healthy sign for a people that had
been sleeping too long. Rizal could see this from afar. And in the far-away places
he had chosen to go, he continued preparing himself-researching, studying,
writing, observing, planning. What he saw and experienced in his short stay in the
country made him a more determined crusader.

Rizal Shows Intellectual Leadership- Rizal stayed in London from May 24,
1888 to the second week of March, 1889. He was aware that to be able to
participate actively in the campaign for reforms he would have to equip himself
with an effective tool, that is, a wider and deeper knowledge of his country’s
history. He availed himself of the rich collection of materials on the Philippines in
the British museum.

Researching extensively on his land and people, copied and annotated

one book which fascinated him most, the original 1609 edition of Dr. Antonio de
Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (Historical events of the Philippine Islands).
He saw the value of the book as an effective medium with which he could draw
attention to the pre-colonial civilization of the Filipino and the ruinous effect of
Spanish
By patiently copying the whole text and adding his own notations he aimed
to show that our forefathers possessed a developed culture. This was to be seen
from their religious beliefs, language, system of writing, literature, songs, dances
and other forms of artistic expressions, agriculture, domestic and foreign trade,
industry, manufacture including the production of implements for warfare,
government and laws, and above all, a keen sense of morality. Rizal strongly
believed that this priceless historical document would not only disprove erroneous
claims but would awaken a sense of pride and national consciousness among his

22
people. The annotated edition, a critique of Spain’s rule, was published in Paris,
France in 1890.
The publication of the new edition of Morga’s book was well received not
only in the Philippines, but also in some European countries. German scholars,
especially Ferdinand Blumentritt, Dr. Jagor, Dr. Adolf B. Meyer and Hofrath Meyer
praised the book for its scholarly, presentation of useful annotations numbering
no less than 639 items. Blumentritt asked Rizal to sesnd copies of the book to
Leipzig and Amsterdam.

Rizal’s Edition of Morga is a Perennial Monument to His Intellectual

Leadership. Blumentritt warmly praised patriotic scholarly work and fervently
wished that Spain would ponder well her sacred duties as a Mother Country.

Blumentritt wrote to Rizal:

The new edition of the Sucesos is dedicated to scholars and patriots.

Both will be grateful to you. I have no doubt that your notes, so scholarly and well-
thought will stir the European world.
It is the desire of my soul that your book will find in Spain a circle of
readers who will not burst into imprecations but will knowhow to deduce from its
perusal that the Filipinos in reality are not like those in the disfigured picture
painted by your enemies, I they, they do not attend to the Filipinos, the Philippines
will lost, but through their fault.
Finally, I reiterate my expressions of gratitude for the precious gift with
which you have favored your Mother Country and the whole civilized world. I hope
that you will continue your studies that honor Spain and the Philippines and glorify
your name and with it the name of Tagalog.
My purpose is to thank you in the name of the international republic of
scholars, in the name of the Philippines, in the name of Spain, for the publication of
this most important chronicle of the dear country in which you were born and
whose adopted son I consider myself to be. With this reprinting you have erected a
monument to the name of Rizal.

Rizal Becomes Interested in the Study of Colonies- The lively reception of the
book brought home to Rizal conviction that the Filipinos could be best serve their
country by telling the truth, however bitter the truth was. So he busied himself
with studies on colonies and colonial governments. Because many colonies were
located in East Asia he avidly read everything about the region.

Rizal Becomes a Prolific Writer - Rizal’s activities in England were to form for the
subsequent action in other cities. It was the years of active preparation were a
period of learning and striving. It was the significant portion of his life where
preparations for leadership and actual leadership were to develop.

23
Rizal Leaves for the Philippines for the Second Time- Disturbing news from the
Philippines which he and fellow propagandists received with great concern was to
add determination and drive to his efforts at calling their condition to a more
concerted action. Deterioration of the already miserable condition he knew too
well in the specific acts of oppression inflicted from the members of his family
were to make him work harder. Confiscation of the family property in Calamba,
the exile of his brothers-in-law and the untold sufferings of his olds were
revengeful doings f the authorities. That he caused all these, was to Rizal a
nagging thought that made his sufferings a hundredfold heavier. From where he
was he could see his family’s misery, his peoples’ continued, and his country’s slow
death.

On October 18, 1891 Rizal left Madrid and arrived in Hongkong the
following month. His departure from Madrid brought to an end his active
participation in the Propaganda Movement in Europe. The family did not allow
him to go back to the Philippines for fear of his safety. That Christmas his parents,
his brother, two of his sisters, and a brother-in-law joined him in Hongkong.

Rizal Conceives the North Borneo Project- When Rizal Left Europe to live in
Hongkong, met aboard ship W.B.Pryr and his wife who were bound for Elok, Pura,
Borneo. Pryr was a manager of the North Borneo Development Company, and
Rizal’s plan to set up a colony for the tenants of Calamba was stimulated by his
conversation with him.

Rizal of sometime with the family of Jose Ma. Basa, a Filipino patriot , at
Rednaxela Terrace. To earn a living in the British colony, Rizal practice
ophthalmology. He established an eye clinic in Central downtown Victoria. Aside
from practicing ophthalmology, he spent his time writing, His friendship with Dr.
Marquez spurred his North Borneo project because Dr. Marquez has plans also of
setting up a colony in Borneo for the rehabilitation of convicts. The project
enthusiastic approval and commendation from friends like Juan Luna, Antonio
Luna, and Ariston Bautista who wrote from Europe.

Rizal Asks Permission for the North Borneo- Rizal requested Governor-General
Eulogio Despujol for permission to change his nationality and be qualified to emigrate to
North B Borneo. His request to change his nationality was in accord with the spirit of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document approved by the United Nations on
Decembers 10, 1948. Rizal’s litter ran thus:

“Thought of my whole life has always been love of my country and her moral and
material development, and as it seems to me now that this development is very well
begun under your administration, but also to get, should it be necessary, the adherence to
Spain of all Filipinos. Nevertheless, there are prepossessions and prejudices in every
society, as in every society, as in every man there are diverse tendencies, distinct ways of

24
thinking, originating I passion, errors, and at times hatred-prepossessions and tendencies
that we cannot always resist-I permit myself to make to your Excellency a proposition.”

Rizal’s Leadership is Unique -Writing to Blumenttrit about North Borneo project, he

said that he would not be a planter but a leader of the planters. He also expressed his
desires to be eclipsed by others:

“ In Borneo I shall not be a planter but the leader of the planters who are thinking
of emigrating there with me. I feel flattered by the thought that I can still serve my
country with my pen. You know very well that always, at all times, I am ready to sere my
country not only with the pen but also with my life whenever my country would demand of
me this sacrifice… If it is impossible for me to give freedom to my country, at least I should
like to give it to those noble compatriots in other lands.”

(The North Borneo project was not approved by the Governor-general)

Rizal as a Leader Will not Kill La Solidaridad- Rizal’s peaceful life with some of his
family in Hongkong was constantly darkened by news about persecution in
Calamba. But while reports about repeated cruelties to his relatives saddened
him. One day he received a letter from Linares Rivas, a Spanish lawyer and
politician who had deep sympathy with the Filipino cause. He assured Rizal that he
was doing his best for the people of Calamba. Rizal’s letter the campaign
conducted by La Solidaridad, the newspaper of the Filipinos in Madrid, Spain and
the support of the Associacion Hispano-Filipino editorial staff of La Solidaridad, the
directors of the association, and Attorney Rivas. He wrote the La Solidaridad
people:

I have read in the newspaper about the Calamba campaign you have
waged on account of the events in Calamba and I feel profoundly grateful, as all
Calambeños must be, for so patriotic a conduct.

As letter of 17 January that Linares Rivas had written me he admits the outrage
and promises timely redress. Already they have pardoned some (individuals who
were persecuted in Calamba). As a conservative. Linares Rivas wants to fix things
little by little.

Our sincere gratitude to the Director, Morayta, Lete, (Tomas) Cajigas,

and all those who have given attention to the Calamba question. The Filipinos will
see that if they lack comrades for he struggle, at least there are avengers. This is
already something.

Rizal showed his great dedication to his country and people when he told
his friends that the interests of the Philippines were above his own interests. La
Liga Filipina was not only national in aim, but in its structure as well. It has councils
for the three levels of the organizational divisions. These are the popular, the
25
provincial, and the supreme councils. Each was top be composed of a chief, a
fiscal, a treasurer, secretary and the members.

Rizal as a Practical Leader Conceives La Liga Filipino- The other project he

conceived while in Hongkong was the founding of La Liga Filipina. This was to be
established in the Philippines, hence the need to return to his country. The
constitution of La LIga Filipina was drafted: with the cooperation of his friend, Jose
Ma. Basa. The association aimed to unite the people of the entire archipelago into
a compact body. It would provide mutual protection in every difficulty and
necessity; defense against all violence and injustices instruction, agriculture and
commerce; and carry out the study and application of reforms. Its motto “One is
worth for all””.

The member of the La Liga Filipina was entitled to (1) moral, material, and
financial aid from his council and from La Liga Filipina; (2) a demand that all fellow
members favor him in business or profession so long as he offered the same
guarantees to others (3) full assistance from La Liga Filipina in case of trouble,
affront or injustices; and (4) financial assistance in any business of funds were
available in the treasury.

Rizal as a Fearless Leader Returns to Manila to carry on his Patriotic Work-

With the permission of his parents, Rizal made a painful and patriotic decision. He
would return to Manila to continue his reform work. He would see the Governor-
general about his North Borneo project and request pardon for his relatives who
left the Philippines. Then, too he must sound the Filipinos about the organization
of La Liga Filipina.

Rizal then proceeded to Malacañang Palace to see Governor-General

Despujol. Following Rizal’s several interviews with Despujol, the former’s parents
and sisters were allowed to return to Manila. But the plan to establish a Filipino
colony in North Borneo was disapproved by Governor-general Despujol.

Rizal’s Legacy to Young Filipino Women- On December 12, 1888, a group of

twenty women ofMalolos petitioned Governor-General Weyler for permission to
open a night school so that they may study Spanish under Teodoro Sandiki. Father
Felipie Garcia, objected resulting into the turning down of the petition by the
governor-general. In defiance of the ire of the friars, these young women
courageously sustained their agitation for the establishment of the school.

The letter Rizal transmitted to the young women of Malolos focused on the
following salient; the rejection of the spiritual authority of the friars, the defense
of private judgment; qualities Filipino mothers need to possess; duties and
responsibilities of Filipino women to their children, duties and responsibilities of a

26
 wife to her husband, and counsel to young women on their choices of a lifetime
partner.

Rizal’s Message to Filipino Women-Now that you have responded to our

vehement clamor for public welfare; now that you have shown a good example to
fellow young women, who like you, desire to have their eyes opened and to be
lifted from their prostration, our hope is reposed, now we are confident of victory.
The Filipino women no longer bows her head and bends her knees; her hope in the
future is revived; gone is the mother who helps to keep her daughter in the dark,
who educates her in self-contempt and moral annihilation. It is no longer the
highest wisdom to bow the head to every unjust order, the highest goodness to
smile at an insult, to seek solace in humble tears , etc…etc.
God gave each one his own mind and his own conscience so that he can
distinguish between right and wrong. All men are born without chains, free and
not one can subject the will and spirit of another. Why would you submit to
another your noble and free thought? It is cowardice and an error to believe that
blind obedience is piety and it is arrogance to think and to reflect. Ignorance is
ignorance and not goodness and honor. God, Fountain of Wisdom, does not
expect msn, created in his image, to allow himself to be fooled and blinded. The
gift of reason with which we are endowed must be brightened and utilized.
We shall not falter you help us. God will help us to dispel the mist for He is
the God of truth, and the former brilliance of the Filipino women who will be
restored undiminished. She lacks nothing but a free mind for she has an excess of
goodness.

TO MY FATHERLAND

Recorded in the history of human sufferings is a cancer so malignant, a

character that the least touch irritates it and awakens in it the sharpest pains.
Thus, how many times, when on the midst of modern civilizations I have wished to
call thee before me, now to accompany me in memories, now to compare thee
with other countries so that every dear image presented itself showing a social
cancer like to that other!

Desiring thy welfare, which is our own, and seeking the best treatment. I
will do with thee what the ancients did with their stick, exposing them on the steps
of the temple so that every on e who came presented invoke the Divinity might
offer them a remedy.

And to this end, I will strive to reproduce thy condition faithfully, without
discriminations; I will raise a part of the veil did with covers the evil, sacrificing to
truth everything, even vanity itself, since as thy son I am conscious that also suffer
thy defects from thy defects and weaknesses.

27
 THE AUTHOR

The Resolute Propagandist Abdicates Leadership - Rizal gave up

the idea of going back to the Philippines upon learning that his family lost the case
against the Dominicans in Manila. He thus, decided to go to Madrid to supervise
the handling of his family’s appeal of the case the Audiencia Real. From 1890 to
1891, Rizal culminated in his abdication of leadership in the reform movement in
Europe.

Upon arriving in Madrid early in August, 1890, Rizal exhausted all available
legal remedies to seek justice for his family and the farmers of Calamba. He
sought the assistance of the Associacion Hispano-Filipina and used the liberal
newspapers in Madrid to ventilate the grievances of his family and the oppressed
tenants in his hometown but everything ends in promises and failures.

The News About the Marriage of Leonor Rivera- Rizal had not yet recuperated
from the misfortunes he had suffered in Madrid, when he received a letter from
Leonor Rivera in the early part of December 1890. This letter shocked and
saddened Rizal so much as Leonor informed him that she will be married to an
Englishman, chosen for her by her mother.

It took him several weeks before he was able to divulge to Blumentritt his
broken-heartedness and despair. Blumentritt, cognizant of Rizal’s misfortunes
consoled Rizal. He tried to make Rizal realize that Leonor Rivera was not for him.
Moreover, he stressed the point that even though he lost Leonor, Rizal had a
nobler object of love, which was none other than his love of his Motherland.

An Affair with Nelly Boustead- Rizal arrived in Biarritz in the early of

February 1891. He stayed with Bousteads. Owing to the encouragement he
received from his friends, Rizal courted Nellie. He won the love and affection of
Nelly Boustead, but unfortunately the affair that blossomed between the two was
not consummated for two reasons: Rizal did not give up his Catholic faith in
exchange for the love of Nellie who was a Protestant. In addition to the foregoing,
Rizal was not acceptable to Nelly’s mother. Cognizant of the financial status of
Rizal and the dangers Rizal facing as an enemy of the friars, Mrs. Boustead did not
want her daughter to lead a miserable life with Rizal.

The El Filibusterismo

The Message of the EL FILIBUSTERISMO- Rizal’s message in El Fili is

very clear: that the present system of government in the Philippines through

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 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 own 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 -After the publication of El Filibusterismo, Rizal no longer shared the
view of the reforms that reforms in the country will be granted by the Spanish
government. He gave up the idea of gradual and peaceful emancipation of the
country, which he clearly communicated to Blumentritt in 1887. As stressed by
Rizal in the aforementioned correspondence Peaceful struggle will jut remain a
dream, considering that Spain had not learned the lesson of her former colonies
in South America” (Guerrero,1998). Believing that reforms would no longer be
granted by Spain, Rizal became a separatist. As a separatist, he was quite unique
considering that he left to God the attainment of independence.

The Decision to Return to the Philippines-His decision to return to the country was
vehemently opposed by his parents and friends because of their fear of the
negative consequence it can bring about for Rizal. Despite the advices given to
him, Rizal was determined to be back in the Philippines, Before the leaving
Hongkong, he celebrated his 31st birthday with some of his friends and wrote two
letters. The first letter was addressed to the family and the second for his friends.

Back to the Philippines Rizal and his sister arrived in Manila on June 26,1892. After going
through routinary inspection of luggage, the two were allowed to land. Soon, he
sought an audience with Governor-General 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 Project

July 3,1892, Rizal founded the La Liga Filipina in Tondo, in the home of Doroteo Ongjunco.
Noted members of the LA Liga Filipina were Mabini, Bonifacio, Arellano, Paez,
Adriano, Del Rosario and Dizon.

Rizal Deported to Dapitan-Three days after the founding of the Ligam, rizal went to
Malacañangagain. The governor asked him whether he has an intention to go
back to Hongkong. Rizal replied positively to the query. After a while the
governor proceeded to ask him the owner of the pillows and the mats in his

29
 luggage, as there were questionable handbills in them. Rizal’s answer was that
they belong to his sister Lucia. Despujol, therefore ordered his aide-de-camp to
arrest Rizal and incarcerate him at fort Santiago.

Rizal was detained in Fort Santiago for 9 days. On July 15, 1892, he left Manila for Dapitan,
where he would be spending the next four years of life. With his deportation to
Dapitan, the Liga died its natural death.

Dapitan During the Arrival of Rizal -Rizal arrived at Dapitan on July 17,1892, on board the
steamer Cebu. The place was swampy with unclean streets, the Rizal set foot in
Dapitan, but he found its land fertile. There were no potable water, as well as
lighting system, which made the town appear desolate. People were dying with
different diseases, as they were not provided proper medical services by the
authorities, it was controlled by the Chinese inhabitants of the place.

Rizal builds his home at Talisay-With cash on hand, he immediately bought land in Talisay,
which was more than 70 hectares. Then he constructed his house made of nipa
hut. As a physician he was cognizant at the dangers of dysentery and cholera
germs from an open pit, so he took all the necessary precautions to prevent their
occurrence in his home.

Rizal opened a school for young boys of his neighborhood, following the Atenean system of
education. As a doctor, Rizal practices his profession in his new home. The
foregoing experiences that Rizal had in Dapitan greatly enhanced his concept of
practical leadership and nationalism.(Romero,1978).

Rizal and Josephine Bracken-Rizal’s fame as an ophthalmologist spread beyond Dapitan

and the Philippines. Josephine Bracken and her uncle Mr. Tauffer, all the way
from Hongkong with a card of introduction from Julio Llorente, who was suffering
from eye ailment. Rizal saw Josephine the qualities which made him attracted, so
he sought the permission of Mr. Tauffer and expectedly the latter raged in fury.
Rizal had been treating him, permitting him to regain a little eyesight.
Nonetheless, ,Tauffer lose hope of regaining his eyesight as his case was hopeless
for it was terminal ailment.

Tauffer, then left Dapitan and instead Josephine accompany him, she did not go against the
demand of the old man. Upon arriving Manila, however, Josephine took refuge in
the house of Rizal’s mother, to whom she brought Rizals’ of introduction, which
runs as follows: (Quirino,1940):

My very dear Mother,

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The bearer of this letter is Miss Josephine Tuafer with whom I was on the point of marrying ,
relying of course on your consent. Our relations were broken at her suggestions
because of the many difficulties that came on the way. She is almost an orphan
in everything; she has no relatives except distant ones.

As I am interested in her and it is very easy for her later to decide to join me, and since she
may be left all alone and abandoned, I beg of you to give her the hospitability,
treating her as if she were a daughter, until she has better opportunity or occasion
to come back.

Treat Miss Bracken as a person whom esteem and greatly appreciate and whom I would not like
to see exposed or abandoned.

Your affectionate son who loves you, Jose Rizal

The Revolution Breaks Out-The discovery of Katipunan, as a result of Teodoro Patiños

disclosure of the organization’s secrets to Fr. Mariano Gil on August 19, 1896,
resulted in a mass arrests of Katipuneros and non-katipuneros in Manila.

Rizal Sails to Spain For Cuba

On September 3, 1896, Rizal boarded the steamer Isla de Panay, which shall ferry him to
Barcelona, Spain. So he was happy. He felt that he succeeded in his race against
the revolution, spearheaded by the Katipuneros. Without his knowledge, the
sinister plan of Blanco was already in place at the very moment he left Manila for
Spain. By October 3, 1896, Rizal reached Barcelona. He was heavy guarded and
detained as a prisoner at the steamer Isla de Panay. On October 6, at 3:00 in the
morning he was informed that he would be taken to Fort Monjuich, the prisoner
citadel of the city . Despujol the governor who decreed his deportation to
Dapitan, told Rizal that he would be shipped back to the Philippines, so he left
Barcelona for Spain, and that same date he sailed back to the Philippines.

The steamer arrived in Manila on November 3,1896, and he was brought to Fort Santiago. The
Spanish authorities commenced their expedition of fishing all evidences that can
be used against Rizal. Those who sympathized with Rizal were harassed and
tortured.

The 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.

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 The Trial of Rizal-Rizal’s case was turned over to Dominguez and Alcoser on December
19,1896 for prosecution. The trial commenced on December 26, at the Halls of
Banner of Cuartel de España. Two days prior to the trial, the court martial was
constituted, with Colonel Jose Colonel Jose Togores as president and the
following as members: Ricardo Muñoz Airas: Manuel Reguera; Santiago
Isquierdo; Manuel Escribano; and Fermin Rodriguez de Alcoser was designated
as prosecutor.

The trial started with the reading of the charges against the accused by judge Advocate
Dominguesz. This was followed by a detailed presentation of Rizal’s case by
Alcoser, which culminated in his call on the members of the military tribunal to
render a decision by imposing death penalty on the accused. Alcoser’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, Thus, Alcoser averred that:

In a crime founded on rousing the passions of the people against government powers, the main
burden of guilt is on the man who awakens dormant feelings and raises false
hopes for the future (Guerrero,1998).

After the Alcoser’s Speech-Passionate speech, Taviel de Andrade took the floor to
present his defense of Rizal. Taviel de Andrade”s defense 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 penalties can only be imposed on an accused through any of the following
means: ocular inspection; confession of the accused; credible witnesses; expert
opinion; officials documentation or conclusive evidences(Guerrero,1998). As
none of these conditions existed, Rizal was not guilty of the crime charged him.
Moreover, as oral testimonies used against Rizal were given by those who were
interested in ascribing leadership of the revolution to Rizal, these were biased
and should not be used against the accused.

After Taviel de Andrade’s brilliant defense, Rizal was asked by the judge advocate whether he
had something to add to what his counsel had presented. Rizal stood up and
presented his own brief,(Zuueta,2004; Guerrero,1998).

1.I am not guilty of rebellion as I even advised Dr. Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan not to rise in
revolution;

32
2.The revolutionists used by name without my knowledge. If I were guilty, I could have escape
from Singapore;

3.If I had hand in the Katipunan revolution, I could have escaped Dapitan and should have not
built a house there;

4.If I were the chief of the revolution, why did they not consult me on their plans?

5.I was not the founder of La Solidaridad and the Association Hispano-Filipino;

6.I had nothing to do with the introduction of masonry in the Philippines. Serrano had a higher
degree than I had. If I were the head, sisnce when does an officer permit himself
to be promoted to a captain general?

7.The La Liga Filipina did not live long. It died a natural death after my banishment to Dapitan;

8.If the La Liga was re-organized nine months later, I was totally unaware of it;

9.It was true that I wrote the statutes of the La Liga. The La Liga however, is a civic association
whose purpose are unity and development of commerce and industry;

10.While it was true that there were some bitter statements in my letters, it was because they
were written when my family was being persecuted, being disposed of their
houses and lands, and my brother and brother-in-law were rusticated without
due process of law;

11.It was not true that the revolution was inspired in one of my speeches at the house of Doroteo
Onmjungco, as alleged by the witenesses who I would like to confront. My
friends knoew ver*y well about my vehement opposition to an armed rebellion;

12.Why did the Katipunan send an emissary to in Dapitan, who was a total stranger to me?
Because those who knew me were cognizant that I would never sanction any
violent movement?

13.My life in Dapitan had been exemplary, as evidenced by my productive activities for the
welfare of the people. Even the politico-military commanders and missionary
priests could attest to this.

Rizal’s Trial and His Alleged Guilt-Rizal’s trial was a clear case of mistrial – a very
clear confirmation of the injustice of the Spanish Regime (Zaide& Zaide,1999). It
was a deliberate effort to condemn Rizal to death for the following reasons:

33
 1.Rizal was a civilian but was tried by a military tribunal;
2.Rizal was already condemned guilty even before the trial.
3.All allegations against Rizal were accepted by the court nut not the arguments and
evidence in his favor;
4.Rizal was not allowed to confront witnesses against him nor his counsel to cross-
examine them; and
5.Evidences to convict Rizal did not have any bearing on his alleged commission of the
complex crime of rebellion.

The Manifesto, as translated by Palma (1949) is presented below:

My Countrymen:

“On my return from Spain, I learned that my name had been used as a war cry among some
who were in arms. The news painfully surprised me, but believing it was all over,
I kept silent over what I considered irremediable. Now I hear rumors that the
disturbances continue, and lest any persons should still go on using my name in
bad or good faith, to remedy this abuse and to undeceive the unwary. I hasten to
address you these lines so that the truth may be known.

From the beginning, when I had news of what was being planned, I opposed it,
fought it, and demonstrated its absolute impossibility. This is the truth and
witnesses to my words are still living. I was convinced that the idea was highly
absurd and, what was worse, would bring great suffering. I did more. When
later, in spite of my counsels, the movement broke out. I spontaneously offered
not only my services, but my life, even my name so that they might use them in
the manner they was fir to suppress the rebellion, for convinced of the evils that
would befall them. I considered myself fortunate of, at any sacrifice. I could
prevent such useless misfortunes. This is equally of record.

Rizal’s Last Remaining Hours on Earth- The verdict sentence of death sentence was read to
Rizal on December 29, 1896 (Romero,1978). At the outset, Rizal refused to sign
it owing to his innocence and objection to his being labeled as a Chinese mestizo.
Later, realizing that the law required it, he affixed his signature on the
notification of the court’s decision.

While busy attending to his visitors, he took time to write his last letter
to his best friend and confidante, Blumentritt. The letter runs this way
(National Commission,1962).

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 When you receive this letter, I shall be dead. I shall be shot tomorrow at seven
o’clock, but I am innocent of the crime of rebellion. I am going to die with a
clear conscience. Farewell my best, my dearest friend, and never think ill of me.

Rizal’s Mi Ultimo Adios was the longest, untitled poem written on

December 29, 1896. According to Coates (1968),this poem is remarkable for it
achieves four separate purposes.

*It is a farewell
*It is an appeal to the Filipinos, not for him
*It is Rizal’s last will and testament
* It is Rizal’s autobiography

__________________________________________________________

Texts & References:

Capino, Diosdado G. et.al Rizal, Life, Works and Writings-their impact on our National
Identity. Quezon City: Bookman Inc.2005.

35
Guerrero, Leon Ma. The First Filipino. Quezon City: National Historical Institute;2010

Montemayor, Teofilo H. Rizal pictorial calendar. Manila National Historical Institute

Ocampo, Ambeth R . Rizal without the Overcoat. Metro Manila: Anvil Publishing, Inc.

Romero, Ma. Corona S. et al. Rizal and the Development of National Consciousness.
Quezon City: JMC Press, Inc.

Habulan, Avi V. The Anvil Jose Rizal Reader. On the Occasion of the Sesquicentennial of
his Birth ((1861-2011). Anvil Publishing Inc., Manila:2011.

Borinaga, Rolando O. et al. The Journal of History. Manila: Philippine National Historical
Society. Vol. LIX , 2013

Santos, delos Santos et.al. A Review on the Life & Works of the First Filipino. Malabon
City: Jimczcyville Publications; 2013.

Schreurs, Peter, MSC. Angry Days in Mindanao. Manila: 4th ed. National Historical
Commission of the Philippines, 2012.

Lubang, Jeffrey A. et.al. Iba’t Ibang Rizal: Halagat at Saysay ng Dakilang Pilipino. Quezon
City: CJS PUBLISHING , 2010.

Souvenir Programs:

Order of the Knights of Rizal (Dec.1999). Jose Rizal Centennial Martyrdom .Rizal Youth
Leadership Institute. Baguio City

Order of the Knights of Rizal (Dec 1977) National Rizal Youth Leadership Institute. Baguio
City

Order of the Knights of Rizal (1993) Youth Leadership Institute . Baguio City.

The Patriotic Objectives of Rizal Law

Republic Act of 1425, commonly known as Rizal Law and anchored by

SenatorClaro , was signed by the president on June 12, 1956. The passing of the Rizal Law
rise to the implementation o the Rizal Law course as requirement for graduation in all
nondegree and degree courses in the tertiary education. It requires the curricula of
private and public schools, colleges, and universities to include courses on the life, works
and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
According to the Official Gazette, the law was made effective on August 16, 1956.

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Particularly the Rizal Law aims to:
1. Recognize the relevance of Rizal’s ideals, thoughts, teachings, and life-values to
present conditions the community and the country and apply them in the solution
to day-to-day situations and problems of contemporary life;
2. Develop an understanding and appreciation of the qualities, behavior, and character
of Rizal, as well as thoughts and ideas, and thus, foster the development of moral
character , personal discipline, citizenship, and vocational efficiency;
3. Comp with the patriotic objectives of the Rizal Law given by late Senator Jose P.
Laurel.

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