Rizal- Reviewerrr

Life and Works of Rizal (Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila)

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 LIFE AND WORKS OF gratuitous and misleading.” (Cuenco)
RIZAL REVIEWER

RIZAL LAW
REPUBLIC ACT 1425 - also known as “The Rizal Law”

Under this law mandates the study of Rizal’s life and

works, as shown in section 1. This Republic Act calls for
an increased sense of nationalism from the Filipinos
during a time of a dwindling Filipino identity.
The measure was strongly opposed by the Roman
Catholic Church in the Philippines due to the anti-
clerical themes in Noli Me Tanger and El Filibusterismo.

June 12, 1956 - The Republic Act was signed by the

President Ramon Magsaysay.
February 15, 1996 – the CHED issued Memorandum
Order 6 ordering all colleges and universities to offer
rizal course as a separate three-unit course fully and
immediately.

“consummatum est,” which means, “It is finished.”

SENATOR CLARO M. RECTO - authored the Rizal Bill

SENATOR JOSE P LAUREL SR. - sponsored the bill in the
Senate, who was then the Chairman of the Committee
on Education.

Fr. Jesus Cavanna – commented that Rizal’s Novels

belonged in the past and it would be harmful to read
these because these presented a false picture of the
conditions of the country that time.
Jesus Paredes (radio commentator) - also said that
Catholics had the right to refuse to read them as it
would “endanger their salvation”.
Notable persons
Senator Decoroso Rosales
who tried to block
Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo
the approval of Rizal
Senator Mariano Cuenco law.

Decoroso - brother of Archbishop (Cardinal)

Rosales
Rodrigo - President of Catholic Action of the
Philippines
Narciso Pimentel – speculated that Recto was
motivated by politics in drafting his Rizal Bill.
` and Senator Francisco Rodrigo – the main
voices of the Church opposition in both houses of the
Congress. Rizal, “attack[ed] dogmas, beliefs and
practices of the Church. The assertion that Rizal
limited himself to castigating underserving priests
and refrained from criticizing, ridiculing in doubt
dogmas of the Catholic Church, is absolutely

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 wife from wealthy Chinese who evaded the anti-
President Fidel Ramos – issued Presidential Chinese law. The Filipinos
Memorandum Order 247 dated December 26, 1994
directing the Department of Culture and Sports and
Commission on Higher Education to immediately
and fully implement RA 1425.
This nationalism served as the foundation to come
up with this republic act, to set our country free
from the hands of others and stand up on our own
—exactly the ideals and values that Rizal strove to
fight for. It was written for the Filipino people,
specifically the Filipino youth, who may have lost
their sense of nationalism. The writers endeavored
to rekindle a lost spark in each Filipino’s belief in
their country.

THE WORLD DURING RIZAL’S TIME 19th

CENTURY
a. Political Image
The 19th century – an age of revolutions! Human
and civil rights, democracy and nationalism,
industrialization and free market systems, all
ushered in a period of change and chance.
EUROPE - People across Europe challenged
aristocratic ruling classes and fought for the
development of civil and human rights, democracy
and national independence.
US – By the end of the 19th century, the United
States acquired significant overseas interests for
the first time.
b. Corrupt Spanish Officials
Apparently, they symbolized the decadent Spain of
the 19th century — not Spain of the Siglo de Oro
which produced Miguel Cervantes, Lope de Vega,
Calderon de la Barca, El Greco (Domenico
Theotocopuli), Velasquez, St. Theresa de Avila, and
other glories of the Hispanic nation.

General Rafael de Izquierdo (1871-73), a boastful

and ruthless governor general, aroused the anger
of the Filipinos by executing the innocent Fathers
Mariano- Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto
Zamora, the "Martyrs of 1872.". His successor,
Admiral Jose Malcampo (1874- 77), was a good
Moro fighter, but was an inept and weak
administrator. General Fernando Primo de Rivera,
governor general for two terms (1880-83 and 1897-
98), enriched himself by accepting bribes from
gambling casinos in Manila which he scandalously
permitted to operate. General Valeriano Weyler
(1888- 91), a cruel and corrupt governor general of
Hispanic- German ancestry, arrived in Manila a
poor man and returned to Spain a millionaire. He
received huge bribes and gifts of diamonds for his
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scornfully called him 'tyrant" because of his brutal patriots valiantly pleaded for the restoration of
persecution of the Calamba tenants, particularly the Philippine representation in the Cones. One of them,
family of Dr. Rizal The Cubans contemptuously cursed the silver-tongued Graciano Lopez Jaena, implored in
him as "The Butcher" because of his ruthless sonorous Castilian on October 12,1883, during the
reconcentration policy during his brief governorship in 391st anniversary of the discovery of America by
Cuba in 1896, causing the death of thousands of Columbus in Madrid: "We want representation in the
Cubans. General Camilo de Polavieja (1896-97), an able legislative chamber so that our aspirations may be
militarist but heartless governor general, was widely known to the mother country and its government."
detested by the Filipino people fur executing Dr. Rizal. Lamentably Spain ignored the fervent plea of Lopez
Jaena and his compatriots. Their grievance was
Other Spanish colonial officials were of the same curl embittered by the fact that Cuba and Puerto Rico were
breed men as the corrupt and degenerate governor granted representation in the Cortes by the Spanish
general mentioned above. After the loss of Mexico. Constitution of 1876. Until the end of Spanish rule in
Guatemala, Chile. Argentina, and other colonies in Latin 1898, Philippine representation in the Cones was
America, numerous job-seekers and penniless Spanish never restored.
sycophants came to the Philippines. where they
became judges. provincial executives, army officers, No wonder, Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano
and empleados (government employees). They were Lopez Jaena, and other youthful patriots launched the
either relatives or proteges of civil officials and friars. Propaganda Movement, which paved the way for the
Mostly ignorant and profligate. they conducted Philippine Revolution of 1896.
themselves with arrogance and superciliousness
because of their alien white skin and tall noses. They d. Abuses of Governor General and Church
became rich by illegal means or by marrying the
heiresses of rich Filipino families. i. Human Rights Denied to Filipinos

c. Philippine Representation in the Since the adoption of the Spanish Constitution of

Spanish Cortes (parliament) 1812 and other constitutions in succeeding years, the
To win the support of her overseas colonies during people of Spain enjoyed freedom of speech, freedom of
the Napoleonic invasion, Spain granted them the press, freedom of association, and other human
representation in the Cortes (Spanish parliament). rights (except freedom of religion). The Spaniards
Accordingly, the Philippines experienced first period of ardently guarded these rights so that no Spanish
representation in the Cortes from 1810 to 1813. monarch dared abolish them.
History demonstrates that the first Philippine delegate, Strangely enough, the Spanish authorities who
184 Ventura de los Reyes, took active part in the cherished these human rights or constitutional liberties
framing of the Constitution of 1812, Spain's first in Spain denied them to the Filipinos in Asia. Such
democratic constitution, and was one of its signers. inconsistency was lamented by Sinibaldo de Mas,
This constitution was extended to the Philippines. Spanish economist and diplomat, who wrote in 1843:
Another achievement of Delegate De los Reyes was the "Why do we fall into an anomaly, such as combining
abolition of the galleon trade. our claim for liberty for ourselves, and our wish to
impose our law on remote peoples? Why do we deny
The first period of Philippine representation in the others the benefit which we desire for our
Spanish Cortes (1810-1813) was thus fruitful with fatherland?”
beneficent results for the welfare of the colony.
However, the second period of representation (1820- ii. No Equality Before the Law
23) and the third period (1834-37) were less fruitful
because the Philippine delegates were not as energetic The Spanish missionaries, who introduced
and devoted in parliamentary work as De los Reyes. Christianity into the Philippines as early as in the 16th
Unfortunately, the representation of the overseas century, taught that all men, irrespective of color and
colonies (including the Philippines) in the Spanish race, are children of God and as such they are brothers,
Cortes was abolished in 1837. Since then Philippine equal before God. Fascinated by this noble concept of
conditions worsened because there was no means by human relations and convinced by the truths of the
which the Filipino people-could expose the anomalies Christian faith, most Filipinos (except those in the
perpetrated by the colonial officials. Many Filipino hinterlands of Luzon and the Visayas and in Mindanao
and Sulu) became Christians.

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 In practice, however, the Spanish colonial With this unchristian attitude, many Spaniards and
authorities, who were Christians, did not implement their mestizo satellites derisively called the brown-
Christ's precept of the brother-hood of all men under skinned and flat-nosed Filipinos 'Indios" (Indians). In
the fatherhood of God. Especially during the last retaliation, the Filipinos jealously dubbed their pale-
decades of Hispanic rule, they arrogantly regarded the complexioned detractors with the disparaging term
brown-skinned Filipinos as inferior beings, not their "bangus" (milkfish). During Rizal's time a white skin, a
Christian brothers to be protected but rather as their high nose, and Castilian lineage were a badge of
majesty's subjects to be exploited. To their imperialist vaunted superiority. Hence, a Spaniard or a mestizo, no
way of thinking, brown Filipinos and white Spaniards matter how stupid or mongrel-born he was, always
may be equal before God, but not before the law and enjoyed political and social prestige in the community.
certainly not in practice. v. Frailocracy
iii. Maladministration of Justice Owing to the Spanish political philosophy of union of
The courts of justice in the Philippines during Rizal's Church and State, there arose a unique form of
time were notoriously corrupt. Verily, they were courts government in Hispanic Philippines called "frailocracy"
of "injustice", as far as the brown Filipinos were (frailocracia), so named because. it was "a government
concerned. The Spanish judges, fiscals (prosecuting by friars". History discloses that since the days of the
attorneys), and other court officials were inept, venal, Spanish conquest, the friars (Augustinians, Dominicans,
and oftentimes ignorant of law. Justice was costly, and Franciscans) controlled the religious and
partial, and slow. Poor Filipinos had no access to the educational life of the Philippines, and late) in the 19th
courts because they could not afford the heavy century they came to acquire tremendous political
expenses of litigation. Wealth, social prestige, and color power, influence, and riches.
of skin were preponderant factors in winning a case in The friars practically ruled the Philippines through a
court. Irrespective of the weight of evidence, a rich facade of civil government. The colonial authorities,
man or a Spaniard, whose skin was white, easily from the governor general down to the alcaldes
achieved victory in any litigation. mayores, were under the control of the friars. Almost
To the Filipino masses, a litigation in court was a every town in the archipelago, except in unpacified
calamity. The expenses incurred even in a simple Islamic Mindanao and Sulu and in the pagan
lawsuit often exceeded the value of the property at hinterlands, was ruled by a friar curate. Aside from his
issue, so that in many instances the litigants found priestly duties, the friar was the supervisor of local
themselves impoverished at the end of the long tussle. elections, the inspector of schools and taxes, the
Criminal cases dragged on for many years during which arbiter of morals, the censor of books and comedias
period either the delinquents took to flight, or the (stage plays), the superintendent of public works, and
documents were lost. the guardian of peace and order. So great was his
Dr. Rizal and his family were victims of Spanish political influence that his recommendations were
injustice. Twice, first in 1871 and Second in 1891, Dona heeded by the governor general and the provincial
Teodora (Rizal's mother) was unjustly arrested and officials. He could send a patriotic Filipino to jail or
jailed on flimsy grounds. Rizal himself was deported in denounce him as a filibustero (traitor) to be exiled to a
July 1892 to Dapitan without benefit of a trial. His distant place or to be executed as an enemy of God and
brother Paciano and several brothers-in-law were Spain.
exiled to various parts of the archipelago without due
process of law. Like Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose vi. Forced Labor
Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, Rizal was executed — a Known as the polo, it was the compulsory labor
noble victim of Spanish miscarriage of justice. imposed by the Spanish colonial authorities on adult
Filipino males in the construction of churches, schools,
iv. Racial Discrimination hospitals; building and repair of roads and bridges; the
Spain introduced Christianity into the Philippines building of ships in the shipyards; and other public
with its beautiful egalitarian concept of the brother- works.
hood of all men under God the Father. The Spanish Originally, Filipino males from 16 to 60 years old were
authorities, civil as well as ecclesiastical, zealously obliged to render forced labor for 40 days a year. Later,
propagated the Christian faith, but seldom practiced its the Royal Decree of July 12, 1883, implemented by the
sublime tenets. They regarded the converted Filipinos New Regulations promulgated by the Council of State
not as brother Christians, but as inferior beings who of February 3, 1885, increased the minimum age of the
were infinitely undeserving of the rights and privileges polistas (those who performed the forced labor) from
that the white Spaniards enjoyed. 16 to 18 and reduced the days of labor from 40 to 15.
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The

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same royal decree provided that not only native • Jesuits- were responsible for the awakened minds of
Filipinos, but also all male Spanish residents from 18 Filipinos. Inculcated among Filipino students a sense of
years old to 60 must render forced labor, but this nationalism through their humanistic form of
particular provision was never implemented in the education
Philippines for obvious reasons. So actually the brown
Filipinos did the dirty job of building or repairing the Social Class
public works. The well-to-do among them were able to • The 19th Century gave birth to the middle class,
escape this manual labor by paying the falla, which was the lands became the primary source of wealth
a sum of money paid to the government to be because of the cash-crops, and being able to
exempted from the polo. afford constructions; it gave rise to
technological interconnections among the
Economic status during Rizal’s time separated islands of the Philippines. The
ASIA: Monetary system forever due to the globalization Philippines’ regional diversity became
of trade, colonization, and inflation. interconnected by railroads, steam ships, and
advance in communication.
PHILIPPINES: • Literacy was also considered a weapon by the
• Filipino merchants and small-scale Filipinos – a weapon for decolonization.
industrialists become prominent in Philippine
Society, thus forming a new group of
influential middle-class Filipinos
• The rise of commercial agriculture gave birth
to a new social class. Along with the church's
landholdings and the pre-Spanish
• Public education did not begin until 1863
• Prominent figures in Propaganda
movement, against the colonizers came
from the middles class
• During the 19th century, the Philippines’
economic condition gave rise to Haciendas or
the “cash-crop economy”. Where large parts
of lands would be used for crops considered
as cash-crop. Some cash-crops are: Sugar,
Tobacco, Abaka, and Coffee. Being open to RIZAL’S CHILDHOOD
world trade and having these products a. Rizal’s lineage, family Members
abundant in the Philippines, the Philippines and influence
became a major exporter for these products
and became well-known in other parts of the Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda –
rizal’s full name. He was born on June 19, 1861, in
world. By these events, there was a shift from
Calamba, Laguna in the Philippines. His birth was
barter system to moneyed economy
Wednesday between eleven o’clock and midnight.
Important Contribution of Suez Canal
• direct commercial relations with Spain instead of Jose Rizal’s family was known as a wealthy family in
through Mexico (via the galleon trade) 17 Calamba, Laguna. They are also considered as one of
November 1869 the largest families during that time. They had mixed
• Migration races from their great ancestors – Chinese, Japanese,
• two types of teachers Jesuits and Friars Spanish, Malay, and Negrito blood.
• Friars- did not do too much to educate Filipinos
since they were suspicious about the success of the Francisco Mercado – rizal’s father was the youngest of
Filipinos invariably. 13 children of Juan and Cirila Mercado and born in
Biñan, Laguna. He studied at San Jose College of
Manila.

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Teodora Alonzo - came from a family of professionals - He was an active member of a religious society,
was the 2nd daughter of Lorenzo Alberto Alonzo and Marian Congregation, and a member of the
Brigida de Quintos. She studied at the College de Santa Academy of Spanish Literature and the
Rosa. Academy of Natural Sciences.
-
With all the resources and status, the married couple RIZAL ENTERS UST (1877-1882)
has, they can afford to send their 11 children to Manila - Rizal took the course on Philosophy and Letters
for college and studies. because his father liked it, and he was still
uncertain as to what career to pursue.
Saturnina Mercado Rizal Hidalgo- the eldest child and - Rizal shifted to Medicine for 2 reasons: (1) he
daughter of Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonzo. received the advice of Father Pablo Ramon to
She was married to Manuel Hidalgo of Tanauan, study medicine; and (2) to be able to cure his
Batangas. mother’s growing blindness.
- The first woman he was into was Segundina
Paciano Mercado - Jose Rizal’s 2nd sibling and the only Katigbak of Batangas. At that time, he was
brother he had. Paciano also helped Rizal’s in courting both Leonor (Orang) Valenzuela and
everything from money, studies, updates in their Leonor Rivera.
college and their family. ACTIVISM IN UST
Rizal created a secret group of Filipino students called
The other sisters of Jose Rizal were Narcisa, Olympia, “Compañerismo.”
Lucia, Maria, Concepcion, Josefa, Trinidad, and Soledad. - The Spanish and mestizo students called the
Trinidad Rizal- was the person who received the Filipinos indio or chongo. In return, Rizal and
alcohol lamp when they visited Jose Rizal at Fort his peers retaliated by calling them Kastila or
Santiago before he died. This is the elegy known as the bangus.
“Mi Ultimo Adios” which proves that even in the end of
his time Dr. Jose Rizal did not retract his beliefs and c. Rizal’s controversial Poem
continued to fight his love for the Philippines. “SA AKING MGA KABATA” (TO MY FELLOW YOUTH)
o It was a nationalistic artwork promoting the
use of Tagalog (Filipino language by the Filipino
b. Important events in Ateneo and UST people.
RIZAL ENTERS ATENEO o It is also about the love of one’s native language
Father Margin Fernando refused to admit Jose in o The poem was traditionally believed to be
Ateneo because: Rizal’s first written Tagalog poem at the age
• He was late for registration and of 8.
• He was sickly and undersized for his age THE CONTROVERSY
(11 years old). • Recent investigations cast serious doubts
1st Year in Ateneo(1872-73) concerning the assumed authorship of the
Rizal ‘s first professor in Ateneo was Fr. Jose Bech. poem. Many scholars today believe that the
Rizal was placed at the bottom of the class since he very young Rizal could have not written that
was a newcomer and knows little Spanish. nationalistic poem. For one thing, it is doubted
2nd Year in Ateneo (1873-74) that an eight-year old child, who normally just
At the end of the school year, Rizal received excellent begins to read, could write a five-stanza poem
grades in all subjects and a gold medal. with profound terms.
3rd Year in Ateneo (1874-75) • Jose Rizal had a preserved correspondence
Rizal grades remained excellent in all subjects, but he (letter) with Paciano, his brother expressing
won only one medal in Latin. that he had difficulties in using the Tagalog
4th Year in Ateneo (1875-76) language particularly in translation. More
He became an intern in Ateneo. Fr. Francisco de Paula significantly, Jose admitted that he had only
Sanchez, one of his professors, inspired him to study encountered the word “Kalayaan” when he was
harder and write poetry. already 21 years old. The term “Kalayaan” was
Last Year in Ateneo (1876-77) used not just once in the poem.
- Rizal, 16 years old, received the degree of
Bachelor of Arts, with highest honors.

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 • The poem was said to have been published 3. Great Solace in Great Misfortune – a
posthumously many years after Rizal’s death. description of the tragic life of Columbus
It was first published on 1906. 4. A Farewell Dialogue of the Students – the
• The poem was only published ten years after last poem Jose Rizal wrote in Ateneo
Rizal’s death, leading historians into questioning
its authenticity. Poets Herminigildo Cruz (a Rizal’s Travel
Filipino writer and trade union organizer), and a. Reasons why Rizal choose to
Gabriel Beato Francisco (a novelist and author study abroad
of “Ang Katipunan”) have since been linked to • To gain further knowledge of ophthalmology.
the poem but so far, the case of the lost • To further his studies of sciences and languages.
author remains an open mystery. • To observe the economic and
political conditions of the German
d. Rizal’s Poems in Ateneo nation.
(1874) • To associate with famous German scientist
- My first Inspiration – dedicate to his mother and scholars, and.
(1875) • To publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere.
1. Felicitation b. Famous persons who met
2. The Departure: Hymn to Magellan’s Fleet. Rizal and Rizal mentors
3. And He is Spanish: El Cano, the first to - Dr. Louis de Wecker - a leading French
Circumnavigate the World ophthalmologist whom Rizal learn
4. ‘The Battle: Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo ophthalmology from.
- Ferdinand Blumentrit – Introduced Rizal to Dr.
These poems were written through the encouragement Reinhold Rost (Permitted Rizal to use the British
of Fr. Sanchez Library where he found Sucesos de las Islas)
(1876) - Maximo Voila – Patron and funded Noli
Poems Jose Rizal written this year was on different - Valentin Ventura – Helped Rizal publish El Fili
topics – religion, war, childhood memories and - Jose Basa (Ismagler ng Himagsikang Pilipino) –
education. Distributor of Liberal newspaper ( helped rizal
1. In Memory of My Town – a poem in honor to bring la solidaridad and two novels)
of Calamba, the hero’s birthplace
2. Intimate Alliance Between Religion and c. Rizal’s experiences in various
Good Education countries and his impressions
3. Through Education the Country Receives
Light GERMANY. Rizal stayed in Berlin, capital of Germany, to
4. The Captivity and the Triumph: Battle of gain further knowledge of ophthalmology, to attend
Lucena and the Imprisonement of Boabdil – some lectures at its Heidelberg university, to further his
This martial poem conjured up the defeat studies of sciences and languages, to get familiar with
and capture of Boabdil, the last Moorish the scenic Germany, to be part of the scientific
Sultan of Granda. community and to finish his novel, "Noli Me Tangere."
5. The Triumphal Entry of the Catholic (1887)
Monarchs into Granda – a description of
the victorious entry of King Ferdinand and PARIS. Rizal went to Paris to train under the famous
Queen Isabel into Granda oculoplastic surgeon, Dr. Louis de Wecker where he
(1877) served as assistant at de Wecker's clinic for four
Rizal’s Final Year in Ateneo, Poems written were the months. According to Rizal “Paris is the costliest capital
following: in Europe.”
1. The heroism of Columbus – A poem of
praise to Columbus, the discover of
America. MADRID. Rizal spent many happy days in Madrid. He
2. Columbus and John II – this poem relates attended musical concerts, dances, and operas. He
how king John II of Portugal lost fame and drank coffee with them at Restaurant de Madrid,
riches by his failure to finance the projected Antiguo Cafe de Levante, and other restaurants. He
expedition of Columbus to the New World attended dances because he loved to dance.

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BARCELONA. In Barcelona, Rizal wrote a nationalistic Letters and Medicine.
essay entitled "Amor Patrio" which was his first
written article on Spain's soil. He then sent his article
to Basilio Teodoro Moran, publisher of Diariong
Tagalog. Basilio was deeply impressed by the article
and congratulated Rizal and asked Rizal to publish more
articles.

HONG KONG. During his stay in Hong Kong, Rizal made

a living by running an eye clinic on Hong Kong Island.
He also drafted the constitution of the La Liga Filipina,
inspiring the revolutionary group that would later
spearhead the country's bid for independence against
Spain.

BELGIUM. In Belgium, Rizal arrived in Brussels. Rizal

was busy writing his El Fili. He wrote articles for La
Solidaridad and letters for his family and friends. He
spent part of his time in a medical clinic. He had
gymnastics at the gymnasium and target practice and
fencing at the armory.

LONDON. Rizal lived in London. He went on to settle as

a lodger with the family of Charles Beckett, one of the
terraces or rows of adjoining houses in the
development. He chose London to improve his
knowledge of the English language, to study and
annotate Morga's Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas and
London was a safe place for him to carry on his fight
against Spanish tyranny.

USA. Rizal traveled to America; he saw the statue of

Liberty on Bedloe island. Rizal was awed and inspired
by the memorial of George Washington. Rizal's
impression of America is the land par excellence of
freedom but only for the whites. American health
authorities placed the ship under quarantine, saying
that it came from the far east where a cholera
epidemic was alleged to be raging.

JAPAN. In Japan he studied Japanese drama, arts,

music, and judo. He also visited museums, libraries, art
galleries, and shrines. He visited Meguro, Nikko,
Hakone, Miyanoshita, and the charming villages of
Japan. During one time, Rizal went to the park and
heard the Tokyo band playing a classical work of
Strauss.

d. Rizal’s medical school

- After finishing the 4th year of the medical
course in the University of Santo Tomas, Rizal
decided to complete his studies in Spain.
- Rizal enrolled at the Universidad Central de
Madrid where he took up Philosophy and
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 - He was given the degree of Licentiate in C.O. y R., which became one of his best poems. The
Medicine for this and continued his Ortiga's residence in Madrid was frequented by Rizal
doctorate degree in medicine.
- He was given the degree of Licentiate in
Medicine for this and continued his
doctorate degree in medicine.
o He was allowed to practice
medicine but cannot teach
medicine.
- He still completed his course in Philosophy
and Letters and earned the degree
Licenciado in Filosofia y Letras.
-
e. Noli Me Tangere
Is an 1887 novel by José Rizal during the
colonization of the Philippines by the Spanish
Empire, to describe perceived inequities of the
Spanish Catholic friars and the ruling government.

f. Love Affairs
There were at least nine women linked with Rizal;
namely Segunda Katigbak, Leonor Valenzuela,
Leonor Rivera, Consuelo Ortiga, O-Sei San,
Gertrude Beckette, Nelly Boustead, Suzanne Jacoby
and Josephine Bracken. These women might have
been beguiled by his intelligence, charm and wit.

SEGUNDA KATIGBAK/ UST

Segunda Katigbak was his puppy love.
Unfortunately, his first love was engaged to be
married to a town mate- Manuel Luz. After his
admiration for a short girl in the person of
Segunda, then came Leonor Valenzuela.

LEONOR ‘ORANG’ VALENZUELA/LAGUNA

A tall girl from Pagsanjan. Rizal send her love notes
written in invisible ink, that could only be
deciphered over the warmth of the lamp or candle.
He visited her on the eve of his departure to Spain
and bade her a last goodbye.

LEONOR RIVERA
Leonor Rivera, his sweetheart for 11 years played
the greatest influence in keeping him from falling in
love with other women during his travel.
Unfortunately, Leonor's mother disapproved Rizal,
who was then a known filibustero. She hid from
Leonor all letters sent to her sweetheart. Leonor
believing that Rizal had already forgotten her, sadly
consented her to marry the Englishman Henry
Kipping, her mother's choice.

CONSUELO ORTEGA Y REY/MADRID

Consuelo Ortiga y Rey He dedicated to her A la Senorita

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and his compatriots. He probably fell in love with her boarding house of the two Jacoby sisters. In time, they
and Consuelo apparently asked him for romantic fell deeply in love with each other. Suzanne cried when
verses. He suddenly backed out before the Rizal left Brussels and wrote him when he was in
relationship turned into a serious romance, because Madrid.
he wanted to remain loyal to Leonor Rivera??
JOSEPHINE BRACKEN/IRISH
O SEI SAN/JAPAN In the last days of February 1895, while still in Dapitan,
O Sei San, a Japanese samurai's daughter taught Rizal Rizal met an 18-year old petite Irish girl, with bold blue
the Japanese art of painting known as su-mie. She also eyes, brown hair and a happy disposition. She was
helped Rizal improve his knowledge of Japanese Josephine Bracken, the adopted daughter of George
language. If Rizal was a man without a patriotic mission, Taufer from Hong Kong, who came to Dapitan to seek
he would have married this lovely and intelligent Rizal for eye treatment. Rizal was physically attracted to
woman and lived a stable and happy life with her in her. His loneliness and boredom must have taken the
Japan because Spanish legation there offered him a measure of him and what could be a better diversion
lucrative job. that to fall in love again. But the Rizal sisters suspected
Josephine as an agent of the friars and they
considered her as a threat to Rizal's security. Rizal
GERTRUDE BECKETT/LONDON asked Josephine to marry him, but she was not yet
While Rizal was in London annotating the Sucesos de ready to make a decision due to her responsibility to
las Islas Filipinas, he boarded in the house of the the blind Taufer. Since Taufer's blindness was
Beckett family, within walking distance of the British untreatable, he left for Hon Kong on March 1895.
Museum. Gertrude, a blue-eyed and buxom girl was Josephine stayed with Rizal's family in Manila. Upon her
the oldest of the three Beckett daughters. She fell in return to Dapitan, Rizal tried to arrange with Father
love with Rizal. Tottie helped him in his painting and Antonio Obach for their marriage. However, the priest
sculpture. But Rizal suddenly left London for Paris to wanted a retraction as a precondition before marrying
avoid Gertrude, who was seriously in love with him. them. Rizal upon the advice of his family and friends
Before leaving London, he was able to finish the group and with Josephine's consent took her as his wife even
carving of the Beckett sisters. He gave the group without the Church blessings. Josephine later give birth
carving to Gertrude as a sign of their brief prematurely to a stillborn baby, a result of some
relationship. incidence, which might have shocked or frightened her.

RIZAL IN (Exile) DAPITAN, ARREST and EXECUTION

NELLIE BOUSTED/EUROPE a. La Liga Filipina (July 3, 1982)
While a guest of the Boustead family at their residence
“Unos Instar Omnium” – One like all
in the resort city of Biarritz, he had befriended the two
Jose Rizal established La Liga Filipina, a civic
pretty daughters of his host, Eduardo Boustead. Rizal
association, in the house of Doroteo Ongjunco at Ilaya
used to fence with the sisters at the studio of Juan
Street, Tondo, Manila on July 3, 1892. Though it was
Luna. Antonio Luna, Juan's brother and also a frequent
Jose Ma. Basa who conceived the establishment of ‘La
visitor of the Boustead’s, courted Nellie but she was
Liga Filipina’ (The Philippine League), his friend and
deeply infatuated with Rizal. In a party held by Filipinos
namesake Jose Rizal was the one who wrote its
in Madrid, a drunken Antonio Luna uttered unsavory
constitution in Hong Kong and actually founded it
remarks against Nellie Boustead. This prompted Rizal
upon his return in the Philippines in 1892.
to challenge Luna into a duel. Fortunately, Luna
Considered an indirect upshot and subsidiary of the
apologized to Rizal, thus averting tragedy for the
Propaganda, the La Liga aimed to directly involve the
compatriots. Their love affair unfortunately did not end
patriotic Filipinos, especially those based in the country,
in marriage. It failed because Rizal refused to be
in the reform movement. Intending to uplift the life of
converted to the Protestant faith, as Nellie demanded
the Filipinos, the society would promote mutual aids
and Nellie's mother did not like a physician without
through projects like establishing cooperatives to
enough paying clientele to be a son-in-law. The lovers,
provide supports like legal assistance, scholarship
however, parted as good friends when Rizal left Europe.
grants, and economic loans. The La Liga aspired, among
others, to 1) unite the whole archipelago into one
SUZANNE JACOBY/ BRUSSELS
strong and united organization; 2) have mutual
In 1890, Rizal moved to Brussels because of the high protection in every need and want; 3) serve as a
cost of living in Paris. In Brussels, he lived in the

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defense against all violence and injustices; 4) instructed two Jesuits in Mindanao – Father Obach,
encourage education, agriculture, and commerce; and cura of Dapitan, and Father Jose Villaclara, cura of
5) study the application of reforms. Dipolog – to try their best to bring back Rizal within the
Catholic fold.
b. Propaganda Movement
The Propaganda Movement aimed for reforms Immediately, upon his arrival in Dapitan, Father
such as: 1) for the Philippines to be made a province Sanchez lost no time in meeting his former favorite
of Spain so that the native Filipinos would have equal student.
rights accorded to Spaniards; 2) to have a
representation of the Philippines in the Spanish In Dapitan, Rizal had an exemplary life, idyllic in
Cortes; serenity. Since August 1893, members of his family
3) for the secularization of parishes. took turns in visiting him in order to assuage his
La Solidaridad was Rizal's Propaganda loneliness in the isolated outpost of Spanish power in
Movement newspaper. Marcelo del Pilar asked Rizal to the Moroland.
translate The Women of Malolos in 1889. Rizal moved
to Brussels in 1890. Paris' social life distracts Rizal from During the early days of November 1893 Rizal was
writing El Filibusterismo. La Solidaridad published his living peacefully and happily at his house in Talisay. His
novel chapters. Dr. Miguel Morayta, a Spanish blissful life was then suddenly jolted by a strange
professor and mason grandmaster, formed Asociacion incident involving a spy of the friars.
Hispano Filipino. Voters chose the propaganda's goal.
90 Filipinos joined. Rizal beat del Pilar but left Madrid On July 31, 1896, Rizal’s four-year exile in Dapitan
to avoid dividing Filipinos. came to an end. At midnight of that date, he embarked
on board the steamer Espana
c. Rizal’s Exile in Dapitan (July 17, 1892)
Rizal lived in exile in far-away Dapitan, a remote town Rizal was accused as allegedly the leader of the
in Mindanao, which was under the missionary revolution. During the trial, Rizal was only given the
jurisdiction of the Jesuits, from 1892 to 1896. This four- option to choose his lawyer among Spanish lawyers
year interregnum in his life was tediously unexciting, presented.
but was abundantly fruitful with varied achievements.
Rizal spent his last hours by going to the prison chapel.
The steamer Cebu which brought Rizal to Dapitan His mother and sisters visited him on the same day.
carried a letter from Father Pablo Pastells, Superior of
the Jesuit Society in the Philippines, to Father Antonio He took time to write his last letter to his best friend
Obach, Jesuit parish priest of Dapitan. In this letter, Blumentrit. The last poem he composed was the
Father Superior Pastells informed Father Obach that longest he ever written, it was entitled “Mi Ultimo
Rizal could live at the parish convent on the following Adios” or My Last Farewell. His last letter to his family
conditions: was to forgive him for the pain he will cause and his
wishes after his death.
● That Rizal publicly retract his errors concerning
religion, and make statements that were clearly pro- persuade Rizal to discard his “errors of religion,”
Spanish and against revolution.
● That he perform the church rites and make a general
confession of his past life.
● That henceforth he conduct himself in an exemplary
manner as a Spanish subject and a man of religion.

During his exile in Dapitan Rizal had a long and

scholarly debate with Father Pastells on religion. It
started when Father Pastells sent him a book by Sarda,
with advice that the latter (Rizal) should desist from his
majaderas (foolishness) in viewing religion from the
prism of individual judgment and self-esteem.

Father Pastells, aside from his personal efforts to

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December 30, 1896, Rizal walked to Bagumbayan
with his hands tied. Walking along with his lawyer
and two Jesuit priests with military men around
them. Spectators gather around the area, Rizal
then acknowledged those who came to
sympathized.

- Rizal did not kneel as he was not a traitor

to his country.
- He requested to face the firing squad, but
it was declined.
- Rizal again requested to not be shot in the
head, but in the back. His request was
accepted.
- After the command to shoot, Rizal was shot
and shouted “Consummatum est!”.

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 - Rizal was then shot again by one of the
Captain’s men in the head, a mercy shot.

d. Rizal’s struggles in his wife

After 6 months, Josephine returned to Dapitan. Doña

Teodora, Rizal’s mother, permitted her son to marry
Josephine, but Fr Antonio Obach of Dapitan refused to
marry them without a special dispensation from the
Bishop of Cebu. Because Rizal was a Mason and
Josephine was a Roman Catholic, a dispensation was
not given.

Being a mason, Rizal and Josephine could not get

married. Josephine and Rizal reunited for the last time
at the latter’s cell in Fort Santiago on December 30,
1896. The couple were married in Catholic rites by Fr.
Victor Balaguer two hours before Rizal’s execution at
Bagumbayan.

A few hours before Jose Rizal’s execution, He and

Josephine Bracken embraced for the last time. He gave
her a souvenir—a religious book with his dedication,
“To my dear unhappy wife, Josephine.” Marie
Josephine Leopoldine Bracken was born on August 9,
1876 in Victoria, Hong Kong.

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