Life and Works of Jose Rizal: Prelim Midterm
Life and Works of Jose Rizal: Prelim Midterm
Summary
Submitted to:
Ferissa B. Dizon
Professor
Submitted by:
Shermagne A. Cabrera
Student
HISTORICAL FRAMEWORK
PRELIM
In the Philippines
The Filipino people suffered of the Spanish misrule, for they were victims of the evils of an
unjust, bigoted and deteriorating colonial power and Rizal could attest on the evil events that
made Filipino felt
Marginalized, discriminated and poorly administered.
Evils during the Spanish rule in the Philippines
Instability of colonial administration
The political turmoil that Spain experiencing during that time was a great effect to administer its
colonized countries.
It brought frequent periodic shifts in colonial policies of colonial officials.
For example, from 1834-1897, the Philippines was ruled by 50 governors general, that at one
time a period of less than a year, there were four Governor Generals.
Corrupt officialdom
The colonial official sent by Spain in the 19 th century were a far cry from their able and
dedicated predecessors of the 16th, 17th, 18th centuries.
The “Siglo de Oro” of the Spaniards which produced Miguel Cervantes, Lope de Vega, and
other glories of the Hispanic nation
General Rafael Isquierdoq, a ruthless governor general, aroused the anger to the Filipinos by
executing the innocent GOMBURZA.
General Valeriano Weyler, a cruel and corrupt governor general, arrived in Manila a poor man
and returned to Spain millionaire. He was called ‘tyrant” because of his brutal persecution of
the Calamba tenants.
For some, accepting brides and gifts to favor to someone
No Philippine representation in Spanish Cortes
The first Philippine representation was with Ventura Delos Reyes, took active part to represent
concerns and issues to the Cortes.
In his representation he achieved to speak on the issue of the galleon trade that later on he
managed to abolish it.
Human rights denied to Filipinos
No freedom of expression
No equality before the Law
Filipinos were abused, brutalized, persecuted and slandered.
Spanish missionaries thought that ALL MEN irrespective of color and race are children of God
and as such they are brothers, equal before God and not before the law… not in practice.
Filipino were fascinated by this noble concept of human relations that is why they chose to
become Christians. But in practice, Spaniards arrogantly – regarded the brown-skinned
Filipinos as inferior beings.
Maladministration of Justice
To the Imperialist way of thinking, brown Filipinos and white Spaniards may be equal before
God, but not before law certainly not in practice.
The Spanish Penal Code, imposed heavier penalties on native Filipinos or mestizos and lighter
penalties on white Spaniards.
Wealth, social prestige, and color of the skin were preponderant factors in winning a case in
court. Irrespective of the weight evidence, skin white can easily achieved victory in any
litigation.
Racial Discrimination
Racial prejudice was prevalent everywhere- in government offices, in the courts of justice, in
the armed forces and even in the educational institutions and in the ecclesiastical hierarchy.
Frailocracy
“government of the friars”
The friars practically ruled the Philippines through a façade of civil government. The colonial
authorities, from the government general down to the Alcaldes Mayores, were under the
control of the friars.
Forced Labor
Known as the “polo”, it was the compulsory labor imposed by the Spanish colonial authorities
on adult Filipino males.
The well-to-do Filipinos were able to escape this manual labor by paying the “falla” which was
a sum of money paid to the government to be exempted from rendering services
Hacienda owned by the Friars
Spanish Friars belonging to different religious orders were the richest landlords, for they owned
the best haciendas.
The rural folks, who had been living in these haciendas and cultivating them generation after
generation become tenants.
Guardia Civil
The Guardia Civil had rendered meritorious services in suppressing the bandits in the
provinces, they later become infamous for their rampant abuses.
Rizal actually witnessed the atrocities committed by the Guardia Civil on the Calamba folks. He
and her mother had been victims of the brutalities of the Guardia Civil.
Important changes in the 19th century
Struggle of nationalism
Gradual spread of democracy
Modernization of living through the Industrial Revolution
Advance of Science
March of Imperialism
New current in the movement of thought and growing confidence on progress.
Also during this time, revolts against monarchy in Europe had arisen. Illustrados like Rizal, Del
Pilar and Jaena who had their education in Europe obtained liberal ideas on these significant events
in the history of the world. They were the first individuals realized that they need to voice out their
opinion and thoughts about the exploitation of Spanish officials and friars to the Filipinos. Though,
before Rizal time revolts against Spaniards occurred. On 1832, Apolinario de la Cruz, a religious and
rebel leader, founded the brotherhood of Confradia de San Jose, in Lukban, Quezon that fought for
religious freedom. As founder, he was given the title of hermano mayor, and thus was also known as
Hermano Pule. It simply proved that Filipinos did not like the ruling of Spaniards. Yet these revolts did
not succeed because of geographical condition of the country. We could not easily unite. The death
of the three priests or also known as GOMBURZA raised the consciousness of Filipinos to revolt. The
three priests were killed because they wanted reform in the secularization. Also the invention of
printing press helped the propagandist express and show their thoughts and ideas through
newspaper. Because of this, Filipino masses became more aware on the events happening around
them. They recognize the importance of expressing their self, their own nationality, and their freedom.
The death of Jose Rizal awakens the mind and touched the heart of many Filipinos. They
realized that they should fight for not for their own sake but for the next generations that would come.
Andres Bonifacio who became inspired by Rizal, led the revolution and succeeded.
Thus, Rizal's martyrdom by the Spanish colonial authorities, while he was still quite young, was a
huge loss to the Philippines, and to the world at large.
Today, the people of the Philippines honor him as their national hero.
LIFE AND BACKGROUND
On June 19, 1861, Francisco Rizal Mercado and Teodora Alonzo y Quintos welcomed their seventh
child into the world at Calamba, Laguna. They named the boy Jose Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso
Realonda.
The Mercado family were wealthy farmers who rented land from the Dominican religious order.
Descendants of a Chinese immigrant named Domingo Lam-co, they changed their name to Mercado
("market") under the pressure of anti-Chinese feeling amongst the Spanish colonizers.
From an early age, Jose Rizal Mercado showed a precocious intellect. He learned the alphabet from
his mother at the age of three and could read and write at age five.
She played an important role in the life of Jose Rizal. She was the first teacher of the hero, the one
who taught him Spanish language, made necessary corrections in poem composition and gave good
advice in rhetoric. She was a mathematician and a lover of books. She died on August 16, 1911 in
Manila at the age of 80. Shortly before her death, the government offered her a monthly pension but
she did not accept. Such gesture befitted her more as a mother of our great national hero.
It is said that Dona Teodora’s family descended from Lakandula, the last native king of Tondo. Her
great-grandfather was Eugenio Ursua (Japanese ancestry), who married a Filipina named Benigna.
Their daughter, Regina married Manuel de Quintos, a Filipino-Chinese lawyer form Pangasinán. One
of the daughters of Attorney Quintos and Regina was Brigada, who married Lorenzo Alberto Alonzo,
a prominent Spanish-Filipino mestizo form Biñan. Their children were Narcisa, Teodora (Jose Rizal’s
mother), Gregorio, Manuel and Jose.
Obviously Jose Rizal was a product of a mixture of races. In his veins flowed the blood of the east
and the west. He was a Malayan and was a great magnificent specimen of Asian manhood.
EDUCATION
Jose Rizal Mercado attended the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, graduating at the age of 16 with
highest honors. He took a post-graduate course there in land surveying.
Rizal Mercado completed his surveyor's training in 1877, and passed the licensing exam in May
1878, but could not receive a license to practice because he was only 17 years old. (He was granted
a license in 1881 when he reached the age of majority.)
In 1878, the young man also enrolled in the University of Santo Tomas as a medical student. He later
quit the school, alleging discrimination against Filipino students by the Dominican professors
MIDTERM
Dr. Rizal’s Travels and Homecomings
After finishing the 4th year of the medical course in UST, Jose Rizal decided to complete his studies
in Spain. He decided to study in Spain for the following reasons: a) He was disgusted with the method
of instruction of the Dominican-owned University and the racial prejudice of the Dominican Professors
against Filipino students, and b) Rizal’s secret mission was to observe keenly the life and culture,
languages, and customs, industries and commerce, and governments, and laws of the European
nations in order to prepare himself in the mighty task of liberating his oppressed people from Spanish
tyranny. Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept secret to avoid detection by the Spanish authorities and
the friars.
SINGAPORE
During the voyage to Singapore, he carefully observed the people and things on board the steamer.
There were sixteen passengers including himself.
May 9, 1882: The Salvador docked at Singapore. In Singapore, Rizal transferred to another
ship Djemnah.
May 17, 1882: Djemnah reached Point Galle, and he found this place lonely and Quiet.
The following day, the Djemnah reached Colombo, and he found this place “Beautiful, Smart,
and Elegant” From Colombo, it continued the voyage crossing the Indian Ocean to the cape of
Guardafui, Africa. Rizal sighted the barren coast of Africa and called it “inhospitable land but
famous”.
Rizal had a stopover at Aden wherein he found the city hotter than Manila.
From Aden, the Djemnah proceeded to the city of Suez, the red sea terminal of the Suez Canal.
On June 11, 1882: Rizal reached Naples which really pleased him because of its business
activity, its lively people, and its panoramic beauty.
June 12, 1882: The steamer docked at the French Harbor of Marseilles.
SPAIN
BARCELONA
MADRID
Rizal enrolled in the Universidad Central de Madrid in two courses- Medicine and Philosophy
and Letters.
He also studied painting and sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando and took
lessons in French, German, and English under private instructors.
His thirst for knowledge of music, he visited the art galleries and museums and read books on
all subjects in order to broaden his cultural background.
He spent his leisure time reading and writing at his boarding house, practicing fencing,
shooting at the gymnasium.
Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-Philippine Circle) and wrote a poem entitled
“Me Piden Versos” (They ask me for Verses)
FRANCE
PARIS
During Rizal’s first summer vacation in Madrid, he went to Paris from June 17 to August 20,
1883.
Like all tourists, he enjoyed the attractive sights, the historical places, etc. but unlike ordinary
tourists, Rizal spent many hours in Museums, Botanical gardens, Libraries, Art galleries, and
Hospitals.
In Spain, Rizal came in close contact with Spanish liberal and republican Spaniards who were
mostly masons.
March 1883, Rizal joined the Masonic lodge called Acacia in Madrid. He became a mason so
that he could secure Freemasonry’s aid in his fight against the friars in the Philippines.
Later on, he transferred to Lodge Solidaridad where he became a Master Mason.
He was awarded the diploma as a Master Mason by Le Grand Orient de France in Paris.
GERMANY
POSTDAM
DRESDEN
LEITMERITZ, BOHEMIA
PRAGUE
VIENNA
Rizal was fascinated by its beautiful buildings, religious images, haunting waltzes and majestic
charm.
GENEVA
ITALY
HONGKONG
JAPAN
Feb.28-Apr.13: arrival in Japan
YOKOHAMA
LONDON
London was a safe place to continue his fight against Spanish tyranny
Continued to write for La Solidaridad in defense of his people against Spain
→A friend of Rizal was arrested and jailed in Bilibid prison for keeping a copy of Noli.
→The good news that reached Rizal was the defense of Noli by Rev. Vicente Garcia against the
friars.
Annotating Morga’s book was considered his greatest achievement during his stay in London
Rizal was entertained by Juan Luna and his wife during his stay in London
December 1888: Rizal visited Barcelona and Madrid
This was where Rizal first met Marcelo H Del Pilar and Mariano Ponce(two titans of the
propaganda movement)
December 31, 1888: Asociacion La Solidaridad was inaugurated. Rizal was chosen honorary
president
February 15, 1889: La Solidaridad in Barcelona was founded by Graciano Lopez Jaena
March 25, 1889: Rizal’s first article in the La Solidaridad was entitles Los Agricultores Filipinos
was published.
Wrote the Tagalog version of The Women of Malolos on Feb 22 1889. This letter was about
the Filipino woman and their rights
Before he left London Rizal finished four sculptural works:
*Prometheus bound
*The triumph of death over life
*The triumph of science over death
*A carving of the heads of the Beckett sisters
March 19, 1889: left London for Paris
CHARACTERS OF NOLI
· The Noli Me Tangere was a true story of the Philippine conditions during the last decades of
Spanish rule
· Maria Clara-was Leonor Rivera, although in real life she became unfaithful and married an
Englishman
· Ibarra and Elias- represented Rizal himself
· Tasio-the philosopher was Rizal’s elder brother Paciano
· Padre Salvi-was identified by Rizalists as Padre Antonio Piernavieja, the hated Augustinian
friar in Cavite who was killed by the patriots during the Revolution
· Capitan Tiago-was Captain Hilario Sunico of San Nicolas
· Doña Victorina- was Doña Agustina Medel
· Basilio and Crispin- were the Crisostomo brothers of Hagonoy
· Padre Damaso- typical of a domineering friar during the days of Rizal, who was arrogant,
immoral and anti-Filipino
August 1887 was his first homecoming. He arrived in manila in June 26 1892 arrival in manila with
his sister, Lucia going to the Hotel de Oriente with a major
Visiting friends in Central Luzon- Malolos (Bulacan), San Fernando (Pampanga), Tarlac, Bacolor
(Pampanga). On the next day he returned to Manila, the houses he visited were raid by the Guardia
Civil who took some copies of Noli and El Fili and some subversive pamphlets.
RIZAL’S SECOND SOJOURN IN PARIS AND
THE UNIVERSAL EXPOSITION OF 1889
For a short time Rizal lived in the house of his friend Valentin Ventura. This was where he polished
the annotated edition of Morga’s book. He was able to find a room and lived with two other Filipinos,
Captain Justo Trinidad and Jose Albert. In spite of a joyous lifestyle in Paris, Rizal kept himself busy.
Continue researching. Spent most of his time at the National Library. May 6, 1889: Rizal was
fascinated in opening of Exposition of Paris. March 19, 1889: Kidlat club was formed by Rizal. The
kidlat club was then replaced by Indios Bravos. Another secret society the Rizal formed was the
R.D.L.M. Paris 1890: annotated edition of Morga’s Sucesos was published. Rizal wrote the
“Philippines within a colony” and the essay “Indolence of the Filipinos”
On January 28, 1890, Rizal left Paris for Brussels, capital of Belgium.
BELGIUM
BRUSSELS
Rizal was accompanied by Jose Albert when he moved to Brussels. They lived in a modest
boarding house on 38 Rue Philippe Champagne. Later Albert left the city, and was replaced by
Jose Alejandro, an engineering student.
Rizal was busy writing his second novel, El Filibusterismo which is a continuation of the Noli.
Aside from writing its chapters, he wrote articles for La Solidaridad which were:
“A La Defensa” (To La Defensa), April 90, 1889
“La Verdad Para Todos” (The Truth For All), May 31, 1889
“Vicente Barrantes’ Teatro Tagalo” June 15 ,1889
“Una Profanacion” (A Profanation), July 31,1889
“Verdades Nuevas” (New Truths), July 31, 1889
“Crueldad” (Cruelty), August 15, 1889
“Diferencias” (Differences), September 15, 1889
“Inconsequencias” (Inconsequences), November 30, 1889
“Llanto y Risas” (Tears and laughter), November 30, 1889
“Ingratitudes” (Ingratitude), January 15, 1890
In here, Rizal received news from Juan Luna and Valentin Ventura that the Filipinos in Spain
were destroying the good name of their nation by gambling too much. This urged Rizal to do
something about it. 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 for their Fatherland’s freedom.
The Calamba agrarian trouble was getting worse. The management of Dominican hacienda
continually raised the land rents until such time that Rizal’s father refused to pay his rent.
The Domincan Order filed a suit in court to dispossess the Rizal family of their lands in Calamba.
In the face of sufferings which afflicted his family, Rizal planned to go home. He could not stay in
Brussels writing a book while his parents, relatives, and friends in the Philippines were persecuted
July 18, 1890: Rizal wrote a letter to Ponce where he expressed his determination to go home.
All his friends were horrified by Rizal’s plan to return to the Philippines. They warned him of the
danger that awaited him at home. But Rizal ignored the dire warning of his friends. Something,
however, happened that suddenly made him change his mind. It was a letter from Paciano which
related that they lost the case against the Dominicans in Manila, but they appealed it to the Supreme
Court in Spain, hence a lawyer was needed to handle it in Madrid. Rizal wrote to M.H. Del Pilar on
June 20, 1890 retaining the latter’s services as lawyer. He further informed M.H. Del Pilar that he was
going to Madrid, in order to supervise the handling of the case. In another letter to Ponce, written at
Brussels, July 29, 1890, Rizal announced that he was leaving Brussels at the beginning of the
following month and would arrived in Madrid about the 3rd or 4th August.
Rizal arrived in Biarritz at the beginning of February, 1891 and was welcomed by the
Boustead’s family. -The one month vacation made Rizal forget the bitter memories in Madrid
and had an affection for Nelly Boustead
March 29, 1891: his departure from Blumentritt he finished the manuscript of El Filibusterismo
TO PARIS AND BACK TO BRUSSELS
On March 30, 1891 Rizal went back to Paris and stayed at the home of his friend, Valentin
Ventura. By mid of April, 1891 Rizal went back to Brussels and was welcomed by the Jacoby
sisters. From Brussels on May 1, 1891, he notified the Propaganda authorities of his retirement. Rizal
also immediately stopped writing for the La Solidaridad after his retirement.
May 30, 1891: the revision of the El Fili was completed and was ready for Published.
Rizal Arrested and Jailed in fort Santiago – July 6 he resume his interview with the governor general
but suddenly showed him a printed leaflets were entitled Pobres Frailles (Poor Friars) under the
authorship of Fr. Jacinto from Paris
EXILE IN DAPITAN
1892-1896
Rizal lived in exile in far-away Dapitan, a remote town in Mindanao which was under the missionary
jurisdiction of the Jesuits, from 1892 to 1896. This four-year inter regnum 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 a school for boys, promoted community development projects, invented a wooden
machine for making bricks, and engaged in farming and commerce. Despite his multifurious activities,
he kept an extensive correspondence with his family, relatives, fellow reformists, and eminent
scientists and scholars of Europe, including Blumentritt, Reinhold Rost, A. B. Meyer, W. Joest of
Berlin, S. Knuttle of Stuttgart, and N.M. Keihl of Prague.
The streamer Cebu which brought Rizal to Dapitan carried a letter from Father Pablo Pastells,
Superior of the Jesuits parish priest of Dapitan. In this letter, Father Superior Pastells informed Father
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”.
3. “That henceforth he conduct himself in an exemplary manner as a Spanish subject and
a man of religion.”