Rizal Finals
Rizal Finals
Better in brussels. Lifestyle in brussels was cheap. Nevertheless, the city was
beautiful and architecturally impressive. He boarded with the jacoby sisters, marie
and Suzanne, whose household included a niece who also had a name Suzanne. He
arrived in brussels together with jose albert.
The jacobys were delighted with rizals presence. He easily became part of
the family. Suzanne and rizal spent a lot of time together in just simple
conversations. In this atmosphere of a friendly company. Rizal continued writing el
filibusterismo, the sequel to noli me tangere. As his stay lengthened in the jacoby
residence, affectionate sentiments soon filled the air between him and Suzanne.
Rizal was not in favor of whatever it is that he might have made of Suzanne. His
friend Valentin ventura, to whom rizal sent a sculpture of a naked woman, had
noticed a view of romance going on in brussels. He wondered who could have been
the model of rizal for the sculpted woman.
In brussels, rizal was busy writing his second novel which served as the
continuation of Noli. In noli me tangere, he initiated action by exposing the cancer
present in the society through as accurate depiction of the day to day events in his
country under the reign of Spanish oppression. This leads up to el filibusterismo, his
call to revolution, which is the last resort and ultimate resolution against oppression.
Aside from writing the chapters of the sequel, he also wrote articles for la
solidaridad and letters to his family and friends. Being a physician, he spent part of
his time in the medical clinic. For recreation he had gymnastics, target practice and
fencing. When jose albert left the city, he was replaced by a new boardmate, jose
alejandrino.
La solidaridad. La solidaridad became the voice of the prapagandists. It
heralded the attempt of ilustrados to push for liberal reforms in the Philippines. The
fortnightly newspaper was founded by graciano lopez jaena in Barcelona, spain on
February 15, 1889. The idea was initially offered to rizal, but rizal declined to found
it that time for he was still very busy finishing his annotation of morgas sucesos de
las islas Filipinas. Nevertheless, rizal came to be a most valued adviser and
supporter to the newspaper.
The three main personalities that put forward the endeavor wore jose rizal,
marcelo H. del pilar and graciano lopez jaena. With rizal far away, mariano ponce
became a significant contributor to the works for the paper. To protect the interest
and welfare of the contributors and writers of the paper, together with their families
against the vindictive scheme of Spaniards, the propagandists adopted various
pseudonyms in la solidaridad. Some examples are the following:
La solidaridad articles of rizal. The first article of rizal that appeared in the first issue
of la solidaridad was entitled los agricultores Filipinos which described the
deplorable condition of the Filipino farmers. The following articles appeared in the
later issues:
1. La verdad para todos(The truth for all)
2. Verdades Nuevas(New truths) july 31, 1889
3. Una pronfanacion, an attack against the friars for refusing the burial of
mariano herbosa in catholic cemetery
4. Diferencias(differences, sept 15, 1889)
5. Filipinas dentro de cien anos( the Philippines a century hence)
6. Ingratitudes(ingratitudes) january 15, 1890
7. Sin nombre(without name)
8. Sobre la nueva ortgrafia de la lengua tagala( on the new ortography of the
tagalog language)
9. Cosas de Filipinas(things about the Philippines
10.Sobre la indolencia de los Filipinos(on the indolence of the Filipinos)
11.A la defense(to la defense)
12.Crueldad(cruelty)
Anti-gambling pope. Rizal news from juan luna and valentin ventura that
many Filipinos in spain were ruining the reputation of their country by gambling
too much. He reminded them that they did not arrive in madrid only to gamble.
He advised them further that they should just continue supporting the
propaganda rather than wasting their money in games.
The gambling gilipinos in madrid were angered when they learned of rizals
comments trying to moralize them. Thereafter, to ridicule him, they started
calling him papa instead of pepe.
Rizal wrote to M.H. del pilar on may 28, 1890 to remind the Filipinos in madrid
that they did not come to Europe to gamble but to work on things for their
peoples cause and their fatherlands freedom. He reminded them that their
activities must not only serve themselves but also their people who need much
their help.
The sequel. El filibusterismo in rizals novel on a nation that is on the brink of
a revolution. This is presented clearly as an alternative to the reform efforts that
led the Filipinos nowhere. In the story, rizal was also clearly pointing out the
presence of danger of taking an alternative that is based on hate and
vengeance. According to rizals biographer Austin coates, elfilibusterismo is a
morality, a profound description of the mentality and climate of revolt with all
the urgency of its demands, and with all its shortcomings in their fulfillment. But
to spain it was a last and terrible warning.
Rizal, at this time, already wanted to go home. He was already being drawn
closer to his country by a strong force which seeks the warmth of the love of his
parents and family. In any event, he felt that life for him in Europe had become
Frustrated in madrid.
No justice found. Realizing the need to amend the events that surrounded tha
calamba agrarian situation, rizal arrived to madrid to call the attention of
minister fable of the ministry of the colonies and to protest against the injustices
committed by gov. general valeriano weyler and the Dominicans to the farmer
tenants of calamba. To heighten the pressure on the government concerning the
agrarian issue, through the asociacion hispano-filipina, he asked for aid from
some liberal news media in spain like la justicia, el dia and el globo to publish
some articles on the issue. Marcelo h. del pilar, who served as his lawyer and
dominador Gomez were there to assist rizal.
The meeting rizal had with the minister was fruitless as no compromise was
reached. The newspaper el resumen condemned the inaction.
part in rizal that was still assuming that Leonor would still wait. He still would
have married her. The news shattered rizal so uch he started to grow thin while
in madrid. In a letter to blumentritt, rizal accused Leonor of infidelity. Love had
turned to hate. Galicano apacible, a long time friend since the ust days, and who
had known the affair, consoled rizal by telling him that there are lots of girls in
the world. He even endorsed him to marrying instead the daughter of Margall,
another girl who was truly in love with rizal.
On the part of Leonor, she was mad at him because of his silence. It had been
a long time for him. In the letter she sent, she expressed how much she still
loved him and that her marriage to another was not because of her lack of love
for him, rather, it was possibly because of his lack of love for her.
On whatever standards, traditional or modern eleven years of wait is too
long. Leonor was already getting old and the last time her lover went to the
Philippines, he did not even bother to see her. She was disappointed on his
silence and was not sure of whatever it was happening to him. Rizal probably
just could not understand that. Leonor married an Englishman in manila, henry
kipping, an engineer.
The leader of all Filipinos. A situation was taking place in the propaganda
circles. At a banquet at calle de atocha, rizal, in his speech, called for unity
among the members of the propaganda. He encountered his fellow paisanos to
be more solid and compact in determining matters for the well-being of their
country. Furthermore, he emphasized that discipline and a sense of sacrifice are
needed in every endeavor.
As a reaction to the speech, a proposal was put forward by some paisanos to
create a movement that would bind the colony into a single entity in the aim of
making all actions more effective towards the redemption of the native land.
They proposed that a responsible be elected as a leader who would become
undisputed and official representative of all Filipinos abroad.
When rizal learned the plan, he was in favor of it. He already believed at this
point that he was the one they were referring to for he was the most outstanding
Filipino in abroad or in the islands. Little did rizal know that there were those who
did not like him. Some thought that he was a self- righteous individual, a
dictatorial and a hypocrite. This group endorsed the candidacy of M.H del pilar.
When the first session on the matter began, rizal arrived surrounded by those
who had initiated the movement, and were out to support him. Eduardo de lete
presided and introduce to the members the plan. Rizal supported the idea. On
the other hand, del pilar opposed the plan. He believed there was no need for it
since there were already entities to take care of every necessity: the asociacion
hispano Filipina, to take care of their political purposes, and the centro de
propaganda, a patriotic association formed in the islands. However, del pilars
arguments were quickly refuted by the rest. A committee was later created to
draw up the salutes that would transform the colony into one homogenous body.
The committee was composed of julio llorente, del pilar and rizal. The two
agreed to choose rizal as head.
When the by laws were drawn, del pilar objected the provision which states
that the responsible wold have control over the politics of the colony and the
editorial policies of la solidaridad. Del pilar contended that the solidaridad was
an entirely separate entity. Rizal, nevertheless, pacified del pilar when he said
that he and his companios would vote for him anyway. This issue then would be
immaterial. To end the issue, the comitee settled it by amending the provision
making the soli the official organ which would serve as guidance to the policymaking power of the responsible.
The statutes were then read to the body in another meeting. Questions and
answers were exchanged to clearly point the authority of the responsible and the
role of the soli. At the end of the discussion, the moved to the agenda of
election.
Rizal and del pilar became two candidates. Both wanted to withdraw, but the
members insisted their nominations. The test of popularity was on. The rule of
the election was that the candidate must have a 2/3 majority vote in order to be
declared winner.
In the first balloting, though rizal had a slight majority, neither was able to
reach two-thirds. The same results were obtained in the second and third
balloting. The session was adjourned without results. The next day, del pilar was
absent. The results in the balloting did not change a bit. As the stalemate
continued, both had wanted to withdraw. However according to their friends,
they should not so for their honor and reputation were at stake here. A few
moments passed and no settlement was reached. Thinking that all these were
just to ridicule him by pointing out that he was not that popular at all to become
the responsable, rizal, already growing impatient publicity announced that he
was leaving madrid to work alone.
When the second balloting was over, it also resulted to another deadlock.
Rizal then counted his votes and said good I see I have but nineteen friends in
the colony. Farewell gentlemen, Im going to pack my bags. Until we meet again.
He took his hat and left.
Ponce quickly turned to lete, sandiko, Antonio luna and others to shift their
votes to rizal. Whom all pilaristas were convinced, dominador Gomez spoke
intheir behalf announcing their charge of vote for the sake of unity, this made
rizal elected unanimously.
The election continued up to the second day without rizal. Lete won as
counselor. On the third day, realizing that he won as responsible, rizal was
present upon the insistence of friends. Modesto reyes was elected as the other
counselor since the members could not agree once more between apacible and
ponce. Before taking the oath of office, rizal, in his acceptance speech
admonished the paisanons for their lack of unity. He blamed lete for being the
one who caused all the trouble. He also expressed his disappointment with del
pilar who should have immediately withdrawn his candidacy to avoid all the
troubles. Being the leader of the nationalist movement in manila, it would have
been disappointing to receive the news of him being defeated as leader of the
movement abroad. Rizal reminded them that even the centro de propaganda in
manila looked up on him as the author of all political thought that agitate the
people. Though it may sound that rizal was being to proud of himself, what he
proclaimed were, nevertheless, true. He was indeed even at the times was
already the most popular Filipino in the islands and abroad.
A Biarritz interlude. After a month being disappointed with everything in
madrid, rizal tried to cheer himself up by seeing nelly in Biarritz. In his brief stay,
he finally made a decision to marry her. Edward boustead, nellys father, was not
against with the desire of the two to settle down, but to protect his child he
made some conditions for rizal. First that he would stay with his daughter and
abort his intentions to travel abroad. Second that he would practice medicine
and leave politics. And thirdly that he would be converted as a protestant before
marriage. Nelly told him that hic conversion would be most important for her.
Rizal, realizing that he would not be able to answer to these conditions, not in
the meantime, told nelly that he would need to take some time first to think
about it.
Printing the fili. Rizal went back by February, 1891 to edit revise his el
filibusterismo. By the end of may, it was ready for press. Upon learning that
printing was cheaper in ghent, rizal, with alejandrino moved to the city that july.
He expected that the centro de propaganda would supply him fund needed for
printing of el filibusterismo. Nothing, to his disappointment, ever came. He had
spent all his money to finish the novel. He also had nothing to pawn anymore. All
that he received from his countrymen was 100 pesos as part of his allowance
from the society.
This was where it all would end. Rizal, in his letter to basa, expressed that he
was tired of believing in his country men. They have made his life miserable with
promises that never materialized. Rich people have pledged to finance the
publication of his book, and yet, when it was done, they had forgotten him. His
position as leader was only good for more than a month, and then, they have
abandoned him.
Rizal was only consoled when, finally, valentin ventura agreed to load him the
money enough to finish the printing of the fili. The novel was printed by F.Meyer
van loo press. As a gesture of his appreciation, he gave the original manuscript
to ventura. Rizal dedicated the novel in memory of the three martyrs of freedom,
Gomez, burgos, and Zamora.
Rizal resigns. Before leaving for manila, rizal sent a letter of his resignation as
a contributor of la solidaridad. In his proclamation, he also sent a message to his
compatriots that he was giving up on his political leadership in spain and would
from now on work on his own for the same endeavor. This news saddened many
in the propaganda circle.
Before his departure from Europe, rizal made a quick visit to nelly to say
goodbye. Since he could not marry her yet, he might as well go back to the
Philippines to take care of the problems of his family. He, then, proceeded to
marselles for a trip to hongkong. Rizal boarded the ship SS Melbourne.
In the company of friars. Inside the ss Melbourne of so many passengers that
he could have joined cabin with, it was friar that came to accompany him. He
was fr. Volunteri, an Augustinian who have spent years in the Philippines. Rizal
described him as a sort of padre damaso, only kinder. He also met the fr. Fuchs
and many other friars on board who were together with fr. Volunteri.
Hongong practice
Back in hongkong. Rizal arrived in hongkong on November 20,1891. He was
welcomed by Filipino friends including jose Ma. Basa. He established his
residence at DAguilar st. rednaxela terrace, on top a seamans bar, where he
also opened a medical clinic. In his letters to his family, he expressed how much
he wanted to return home. If only they would permit him, then he would do so.
He was aware of the frustrations and despair they suffered from and would do
anything just to be with them. To make this reunion come true, the family
conceived a way.
A family reunion. A few days before Christmas, rizal was delighted by the
arrival of his father, brother, and Silvestre ubaldo in hongkong. Not long
afterwards, his mother and sisters Lucia josefa, and Trinidad also arrived. His
mother was then 65 yrs old and was almost blind. She was just again arrested
recently for refusing to use the new surname and had suffered so much from
spain brutality and injustice.
The Christmas of 1891 in hongkong was one of the the most joyful
celebrations in rizals life. For the first time, in four years, he was finally reunited
with his family. Writing to blumentrit, rizal mentioned his pleasant life in
hongkong being that was able to secure his family safe and far from the
persecutions of the government in the Philippines.
The practice. In order to earn some money for himself and his family. Rizal
practiced medicine. In time, rizal was able to meet other physicians. A new
friend, dr Lorenzo marques, gave a set of clientele with ophthalmic cases to rizal
in recognition to his exceptional talent in his fiel. In due time, the new doctor in
town became a successful and popular as a medical practitioners in hongkong.
He had many patients including foreigners, Asians or Europeans. Through his
continued correspondence with friends abroad, supports in the form of books
and equipment started to come in. for the second time, he operated on his
mothers eye so that she may read and write again.
Writings. Alongside his practice, rizal continued to write. As he browsed along
the individual rights the Spaniards have violated against his people, rizal came
to the idea of translating into tagalog the rights of man, as proclaimed by the
The initiation. Rizal explained the objectives of the liga Filipina, a civic league
of Filipinos, which desire to establish and make its role in the socio economic life of
the people. He presented the constitution of the liga which he had written in
hongkong and discussed its provisions. The patriots were favorably impressed and
gladly approved the establishment of the liga. The officersof the new league were
elected as follows, ambrosia Salvador, president, deodato arellano, secretary,
bonifacio Arevalo, treasurer, and agustin de la rosa, fiscal.
To unite the whole archipelagic into one compact and homogenous body
Mutual protection in every want and necessity
Defense against all violence and injustice
Encouragement of education agriculture and commerce
Further study and application of reforms
The motto of the la liga Filipina was: unus imstar omnium(one like all)
The liga government. The government body of the league was the supreme council
which had jurisdiction over the whole country. It was composed of a president, a
secretary, a treasure, and a fiscal. There was a provincial council and a popular
council in every town.
The duties of the liga Filipina members are as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
In later by the time that he was already aboard the ship, did he learn that the
destination was not at all bataan it was dapitan a far military district in Mindanao.
The gubernatorial decree gave the reasons for rizals deportation as follows:
1. Rizal had published books and articles abroad which showed his disloyalty to
spain and which were frankly anti-catholic and imprudently anti-friar
2. A few hours after his arrival in manila there was found in one of the packages
a bundle of handbills entitled pobres frailes in which the patient and humble
generosity of the Filipinos is satirized and which accusation is published
against the customs of the religious orders.
3. His novel el filibusterismo was dedicated to the memory of three traitors
burgos Gomez and Zamora and on the title page he wrote that in views of the
vices and errors of the Spanish administration the only salvation for the
Philippines was separation from the mother country.
4. The end which he pursues in his efforts and writings is to tear from the loyal
Filipino breasts the treasures of our holy catholic faith
Shortly after midnight july 14(that is 12:30am of july15, 1892). Rizal was brought
under heavy guard to the steamer CEBU which was sailing for dapitan. This
steamer under captain delgras at 1:00am, july 15 sailing south, passing Mindoro
and panay, and reaching dapitan on Sunday the 17 of july, at 7:00 in the
evening.
Captain delgras went ashore and handed rizal over to captain ricardo
carcinero, Spanish commandant of dapitan. That same night, july 17, 1892, rizal
began his exile in lonely dapitan, which would last until july 31, 1896, a period of
four years.
The dapitan exile
The cast away. Rizal lived in exile in far away dapitan, a remote town in
Mindanao which was under the the missionary jurisdiction of the Jesuits, from
1892-1896. This four year interlude in his life was tediously unexciting, but was
abundantly fruitful with varied achievements. He practiced medicine, pursued
scientific studies, continued his artistic and literary works, widened his
knowledge of languages, established school for boys, promote community
development projects, invented a wooden machine for making bricks and
engaged in farming and commerce.
The steamer cebu which brought rizal to dapitan carried a letter from father
Pablo pastelles, superior of Jesuit society of the Philippines, to father Antonio
obach, Jesuit parish priest of dapitan. In his letter, father superior pastels
informed obach that rizal could live at the parish convent on the following
conditions:
1. That rizal publicly retract his errors concerning religion and make
statements that were clearly pro-spanish and against revolution
2. That he perform the church rites and make a general confession of his
past life
Rizal did not agree with these conditions and had just preferred to stay in
casa real, the residenc of the commandant. Captain carcinero(the warden)
A new friend. Carcinero was fascinated by rizals fine qualitites and
personality. He came to know that rizal was not a common felon much less a
filibuster. So fond of rizal he gave good report on his prisoner to governor
despujol and even gave him complete freedom to go anywhere and to report
only once a week at his office.
Rizal on the other hand admired the kind and generous Spanish
captain and as evidence of his esteem, he wrote a poem a don ricardo
carcinero on august 26, 1892 on occasion to captains birthday.
The katipunan was born. Right after the banishment of rizal to dapitan, the
members of the liga Filipina met once more to discuss the future of the
organization and what moves to make in order to continue their patriotic
cause.
In this meeting the members were divided as to what should be the
next step. Some proposed that the liga Filipina continue its cause for reforms.
Somehow, this was not the view of others. The company of ambrosia slavador
believed that there was still hope for reforms. On the other hand, deodato
arellano, andres bonifacio and the rest saw the liga as rizals initial effort to
an eventual separation from spain. The liga was eventually divided as those
who still believed in reforms founded the companerismo. Those who believed
in a more radical action against spain, separated to organize a secret
organization called katipunan. Arellano, bonifacio with ladislao diwa and
teodoro plata founded the organization.
Rizal won lotto. On September 21, 1892, the sleepy town of dapitan
burst in excitement when a mail boat butuan approached the town. It brought
no Spanish officials but onlt the happy tidings that the lottery ticket no. 9736
jointly owned by captain carcinero, rizal and Francisco equilor(a Spanish
resident of dipole, a neighboring town of dapitan) won the second prize of
P20000 in the government owned manila lottery.
Rizals share of the winning lottery ticket was P6200. Upon receiving
this sum, he gave P2000 to his friend basa in hongkong, and the rest he
invested well by purchasing agricultura lands along the coast of talisay, about
1km away from dapitan.
Rizals-pastells religious debates. During his exile in dapitan, rizal had a
long and scholarly debate with father pastels on religion. It started when
father pastels sent him a book by sarda, with advice that the latter should
refrain being locked to his idea of individual judgement and self-esteem.
In all his letters to father pastelles, rizal revealed his anti-catholic ideas. He
expressed his embitterment over the persecution being done by many friars
to his people. He criticized the friars for being abusive using their religious
authority to subjugate the will of others. According to rizal, individual
judgement is a gift from god and everybody should use it like a lantern to
show the way and that self-esteem if moderated by judgement saves man
from unworthy act. He also insisted the pursuit of truth in diferent paths and
thus religions may vary, but they all lead to the light.
Father pastels, tried his best to win back rizal to the fold of Catholicism divine
faith, he told rizal, supersedes everything, incuding reason, self-esteem, and
individual judgement. No matter how wise a man is his intelligence is limited,
hence he needs the guidance of god. He refuted rizals attacks on catholic
dogmas as misconceptions of rationalism and naturalism, errors of misguided
souls.
The interesting debate of the two on religion inclusively. Rizal couldnt be
convinced by pastellas argument so that he lived in dapitan beyond the pale
of his mother church.
Duel aborted again. As a businessman, rizal involved himself in the sale of
lumber logs. In an occasion, rizal was involved in a quarrel with a French
acquaintance in dapita, mr. juan lardet, another businessman. At one time
juan purchased a number of logs from rizal, after the deal, lardet found that
many of those delivered to him were of poor quality. This enraged lardet and
started accusing rizal of being a cheater.
Lardet in a letter written to dapitan merchant Antonio Miranda, expressed his
disgust over the kind of person rizal was as based on the belief that he was
cheated by the latter in one of their business deals. Miranda, on the other
hand, little did lardet know, was a loyal friend of rizal. To be just to his friend
he indiscreetly forwarded the letter to rizal. Rizal flared up in anger and
confronted lardet with a challenge of a duel. However instead of accepting
the challenge asked rather and apology. Rizal being honorable man, accepted
it.
A Jesuit mission. Father pastels, in the attempt to take rizal back to the
catholic folds, instructed two Jesuits to proceed to Mindanao. They were
father obach, cura of dapitan and father jose vilaclara, cura of dipolog.
Furthermore, he also assigned father Francisco de paula sanchez, to dapitan
as well.
Father sanchez, had spent three years in Europe and returned to manila in
1881 to resume teaching at the ateneo and to head its museum. He was the
only Spanish priest to defend rizals noli me tangere in public.
As a former professor who was much loved by rizal, sanchez was chosen by
the superior to be an agent in the much desired conversion of rizal. Despite
of his failure to persuade rizal to discard his unorthodox views on the catholic
religion, he enjoyed the latters company. Rizal was like a son to him and
whatever he may have been started to believe in, as he told rizal, he would
respect it. During his birthday, rizal gave him a manuscript entitled estudios
sobre la lengua tagala(studies of the tagalog language). With sanchez, Rizal
made some of his projects in dapitan. It was sad that they had separate so
soon.
Always being curious what he could come up with, rizal made a couple of
inventions. They included a lighter that ignites through stones and a brick
maker.
As an artist rizal made a lot of sketches which mostly featured the flora and
fauna of Mindanao. A number sculptures were carved while he was in
dapitan. They are namely, the mothers revenge, a tribute to his dog Syria
who child was killed by a crocodile, the dapitan girl, a woodcarving of
josephines image and the busts of Fr. Guerrico and st. paul.
An agriculturist and entrepreneur. Coming from a family of farmers rizal made
himself busy in managing the vast lands that he purchased in talisay which
covered around 70 hectares. He was able to purchase these lands through
the money that he won in the lottery.
Though sad and lonely, rizal spent his days fruitful by diligently farming his
lands together with a number of helpers. Here he planted coconuts,
abaca(hemp), cacao, corn, sugarcane and fruit trees. Seeing the potential of
the abaca industry he made a partnership with a businessman ramon
carreon. Rizal also indulged himself in fishery through a fish pond that he also
purchased.
A period of pain. The life of rizal in dapitan maybe generalized as somehow
unhappy. Years have passed and this made him miss his family so much,
especially those who never even had the opportunity of visiting him. It had
been a long time since he saw his father, brother, and other sisters. The only
consolation to him was the arrival of his mother and three sisters who stayed
with him together with some of his nephews, for his company and assistance.
Rizal had always been sad because of what has happened to his life and his
family. He was also sad because nothing good has ever happened to his
country and people. Leonor rivera died in august 1893 and this even created
a terrible pain in his heart. A mixture of disappointment and guilt were what
he felt he was never there for her.
A beautiful stranger(dulce estranjera). Since 1892 everything had been
routine in the life of rizal. Love was never something that he thought about
for sometime. But all these was about to change when one time someone
came along. She was Josephine bracken, an irish girl of sweet eighteen. Her
mother died in childbirth, and was adopted by mr. George taufer, who later
became blind. When they heard about the famous ophthalmic surgeon, dr.
rizal, they went to dapitan for his advice with a Filipina companion, Manuela
Orlac.
As days passed rizal and Josephine fell in love with each other. It was at first
sight and after one month of courtship they already have planned not to
separate and get married. They asked the permission of mr. taufer but he
flared up in violent rage and attempted to commit suicide. It was fortunate
that rizal was able to stop him.
When rizal broke the news that mr. taufers blindness was incurable, the
latter planned to come back to hongkong. Mr. taufer returned to hongkong
and Josephine assisted him to manila. Here, Josephine stayed with rizals
family. After a while she returned to dapitan and reunited with rizal. The two
planned to be married in a catholic ceremony, however fr. Antonio obach
insisted that rizal must first retract and embrace the faith once more before
any ceremony. Rizal refused for he would not give up his personal beliefs just
for a personal favor. With no priest or church, rizal and Josephine married
themselves as god was their witness.
The two led a happy life for quite some time in dapitan until there was such a
time that the two discovered their differences. Being a catholic, Josephine
often went to parish church. Here many, including rizals isters, have seen
Josephine having conversations with the friars therein. Rizal was informed of
such a activities of his wife. With his sisters not really liking Josephine from
the very start news and comments reached rizal on assimilated manner. Rizal
began to become paranoid even suspecting his wife as a spy the friars may
have hired against him. Heated arguments between the couple started to
become frequent.
Rizals son. Rizal loved Josephine, however due to the problems the two
recently faced, Josephine grew to become worrisome and always frightened
of what may happen to the relationship. This became a reason why Josephine
prematurely gave birth to their baby at the eighth month. Rizal tried to save
his baby but to no avail. Rizals son lived for around three hours. He named
the baby Francisco after his father. So much was rizals grief that he had to
bury his own child. Sometime after the delivery Josephine left rizal and
proceeded to manila. Rizal made all efforts to take her back.
Dapitan writings. Rizals exile gave away from him to write once more.
Himmo a talisay(hymn to talisay) was a hymn poem written in tribute of a
tree to which a town was named, and where rizal often stayed. Rizal and his
students have always used the talisay tree as a meeting place and in grateful
appreciation of the shade she provided they would occasionally sing the
hymn.
The other poems wrote are Mi retiro(my retreat), which depicts his life as an
exile in dapitan, and canto del viajero(song od the traveler), a poem
celebrating his renewed opportunity to travel abroad and end of exile in
dapitan.
The revolution of 1896 and rizal. Since the beginning of the Cuban revolution
in 1895, the katipunan had been contemplating on the idea that a revolution
was also inevitable in the Philippines. With the Cubans fighting the Spaniards
in the other side of the pacific it would be a great disadvantage for the
Filipino to strike as well at the same time for it is whenspain would have
divided attention and strength. In a meeting at the montalban cave in april of
1896, bonifacio and the katipunan made a decision that the revolution was
had already come to pass. On the 2nd of may, the katipunan supreme council
1896, rizals four year exile in dapitan came to an end. He embarked that day
on board the steamer espana. Together with him were his sister narcisa ,
three nephews, a niece and his wife whome he got reunited with just a few
days after departure. Almost all dapitan folks were at shore tobid him
goodbye. It was a sad farewell for he already came to love the good people of
dapitan and will never forget them in his heart.
do the same for it would be safer to stay in the English colony. But no avail,
rizal insisted that he stay out. He did not want to become a fugitive. He was
not afraid to face anything for he believe he had done nothing wrong.
Without a doubt. The discovery of the katipunan led to the uncovering of its
secrets. Successive raids and mass arrests were made by the authorities.
Bulks of documents were found in secret offices and hide-outs which were
further investigated. Many of these documents implicated rizal to the
katipunan. Pictures, copies of noli me tangere and el filibusterismo were
likewise found. Documents declaring rizal as honorary president of the
katipunan were also found. The Spanish authorities learned also that rizal was
being used as the rally cry of the members, their true leader and hero. All of
these together with many letters and testimonies from those arrested led to
the conclusion that rizal was part of it all.
The arrest. Realizing the deep involvement of rizal with the revolution,
directly or indirectly, archbishop of manila Bernardino nozaledas insisted that
jose rizal be placed under arrest before he reaches cuba and all become to
late. On his part gov. blanco was reluctant for he already gave rizal his word
guaranteeing his arrival to cuba as a volunteer physician. However, after
further evaluation, together with the clerical pressure, the governor came up
to his mind that rizals arrest and return to the Philippines was unavoidable.
By telegraph, the governor ordered the arrest and detection of rizal aboard
the ship.
On September 30, while the ship was cruising the Mediterranean sea, rizal
was put put under arrest by capt. Alemany. Rizal was enraged by the order
and referred to blanco as worse than an animal. He was detained inside his
cabin during the remainder of the trip
On early oct 6, the ship reached barcelona. Rizal was imprisoned at the
montjuich. Later that day, eulogio despujol the former Philippine governor
who banished him to dapitan pain a visit. Despujol was the military
commander of cataluna that time.
The next day, rizal was transferred to anew ship, the ss colon. The ship was
bound for manila.
The final homecoming. Since leaving Barcelona on October 6, rizal
continuously recorded the events in his diary. On October 8 an officer told
him that the madrid newspapers were full of stories about the bloody
revolution in the Philippines and all blame was on him. Realizing the adverse
effects of these unjust public opinion, he thanked god for giving him the
chance to return in order to confront his slanderers and to vindicate his
name.
News of rizals predicament reached his friends in Europe and Singapore.
From London dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor and sixto lopez dispatched telegrams to
an English lawyer in Singapore named hugh fort to rescue rizal from the
paid for that through the banishment imposed on him that lasted for three
years. He admitted having the conversation Valenzuela in regard to the
secret organization, nevertheless, just like as how he testified to it, he was
never in agreement with their plans. The manner by which the rebels
dragged his name to the rebellion was something that surprised him and one
that which he truly condemned. In the end of his speech, rizal finally argued
that if he were the leader of the rebellion then what kind of a leader would he
be that in the middle of the rebellion there he was abandoning his men and
trying to go abroad.
On the same day the court decision was submitted to gov. gen. polavieja.
Immediately polavieja sought the opinion of judge advocate general Nicolas
de la pena on his court decision. The latter affirmed the death verdict.
On December 28th polavieja approved the decision of the cort martial ordered
rizal to be shot at 7:00 in the morning of December 30 at bagumbayan field
(luneta).
The martyrdom
The last hours of rizal is an episode in the life of the hero og which only the
Jesuits and some Spanish officials who were the only ones allowed to be
present can make full a account of. Though the account had caused much
controversy concerning the eventual religious stand of rizal in the final
moments of his life it is important that it must be presented so as to provide
the reader a way of reasoning to himself whether or not he would believe it.
The reader must also finde guide that masons and some other rizalist find it
difficult to accept the story that follows.
At 6:00am December 29 1986, captain Rafael Dominguez, who was
designated by gov. gen. Camilo polavieja to take charge of all arrangements
for the execution of the condemned prisoner, read the death sentence to
rizal. He was informed that the manner of execution was that he was to be
shot at back by a firing squad at 7:00am in bagumbayan(luneta).
At seven oclock am in an hour after reading of the death sentence, rizal was
moved to the prison chapel. It is here when he spent his last moments. His
first visitors were father Miguel saderra mata(rector of ateneo municipal) and
father luis viza,Jesuit professor. At 7:15 rizal happily received from viza the
statuette sacred heart of jesus which he carved when he was still in ateneo.
He placed it on hi writing table. At 8:00 am. Fr. Antonio rosell arrived to
relieve father viza. Rizal invited rossell to join him for breakfast. After
breakfast, rizals defense councel came whom he thanked for the gallant
service rendered.
By 9:00am fr. Frederico faura arrived from 12:00 am to 3:30 pm rizal was left
alone in his cell. He took his lunch and after which he was busy writing it was
probably during this time that he finished his farewell poem and hid it at the
alcohol cooking stove. At the same time he wrote his last letter to professor
I rizal were a catholic before he died, why then was he not given a
catholic burial? Where is the death certificate?
If rizal and Josephine bracken were married before the formers
execution, where then is the marriage certificate?
Where are the books that rizal signed?
The questions with regards to the existence of the retraction document rizal signed
was not answered clearly enough by baaguer by claiming that it burden of proof
was turned to those who claim the conversion. There was no definite answer to the
mystery until, in the early part of 1930s, when a certain priest claimed to have
found a retraction document other papers and a number of books that appeared to
be rizals. this was the retraction document and all the others he had signed the day
before his execution.
By the time the retraction came out in the public the masons and the antiretraction rizalists, to continue their argument, made intensive investigation of the
document. There are those who claimed that the discovered retraction was
authentic. However, there are others who said that this was a product of forgery.
This argument was backed up by sides on the document that lead them to believe
that the one who signed the document was not rizal, and that the whole document
was a handwriting in the document had many indications of stops. Which only
happens when a forger pauses to determine his next stroke. Another finding is that,
of all signatures of rizal this was most slanted or disfigured. With so many
controversies created around on the document, soon, its public presentation was
denied for further studies.
The issue on the retraction continues as there are many arguments from both sides
of the story that continue to come along. Some say its not that important because
this issue would only refer to the religious conviction of rizal before he died and has
nothing to do with his consistent political views. However others say that this is
significant because the claim rizal retracted was only conceived that rizal would
retract all he had said, done and write, be it political or religious. He was a man of
integrity and honor, and not even death would be able to break him from the beliefs
he deeply held against spain and the church al throughout his matured life.
The martyrdom of rizal. Around 6:30 am. Rizal elegantly dressed in black, began his
death march. Tough tied by all his elbows, rizal walked on through with all serenity.
Together with him were luis taviel de Andrade on one side and frs. Vilaclara and
march in the other. Infront of them were the four advance guards with drawn
bayonets.
There were only a number of people who were there from the fort to plaza del
paacio. By the time they arrived at bagumbayan, a multitude was already gathered
to watch the execution.
As they walked on, rizal greeted the lovliness of the morning, the clearness of the
mountains of cavite and coregidor. He even made a last glance of the ateneo and
talked about it with the friars.