Mid-term Lecture Notes in Life and Works of Rizal (GE 9)
CLARENCE D. VERCELES, JD, PhD
Faculty, Social Science Department
Pangasinan State University
Bayambang, Pangasinan
Lesson 1
Rizal Law
 Rizal Law (Republic Act 1425) – legal basis; Claro Recto – main author
 June 12, 1956 – date of passage of Rizal Law
 Important aspects of Rizal Course - Rizal can be a valuable role model and source
of inspiration for all Filipinos; the subject offers insights on how to deal with the
present issues; it allows us to better understand ourselves as Filipinos.
 Catholic church opposed the passage of Rizal Law - Rizal’s novels are anti-clerical
and anti-Catholic
 The bill violates the freedom of conscience and religion - claims used by those who
opposed the Rizal Bill's passage.
 Rizal's course must be viewed in relation to the historical period and society he
lived
 Patriotic goals of Rizal Law - to foster the development of moral character,
personal discipline, citizenship, and vocational efficiency by developing an
understanding and appreciation of Rizal's qualities, behavior, and character, as
well as his thoughts and ideas; and to recognize the relevance of Rizal's ideals,
thoughts, teachings, and life values to current conditions in the community and
country, and to apply them in solving day-to-day situations and problems in modern
life.
 Pertinent mandates of the Rizal Law - all schools, colleges, and universities must
keep a sufficient number of copies of the original and expurgated editions of Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as Rizal's other works and biography,
in their libraries; and courses on Jose Rizal's life, works, and writings, particularly
his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, must be included in the curricula
of all public and private schools, colleges, and universities.
 Situation where students are excused from reading the Noli and Fili – on the
ground of violation of faith
 Memorandum Order 247 – issued by President Fidel V. Ramos; President Fidel V.
Ramos instructed the Secretary of Education, Culture, and Sports and Chairman
of the Commission on Higher Education to fully implement the Rizal Act through
Memorandum Order 247.
 Catholic Church - led the strong opposition to the passage of the Rizal Law
 Reason why religion was a compulsory subject for all levels - aims to convert the
native Filipinos to be Christians in the Catholic faith
 Significance of studying Jose Rizal's life, works, and writings - to reawaken youth's
commitment to the values of freedom and nationalism for which our hero fought
and died; through the study of Rizal's life, works, and writings, one can obtain an
inspiring source of patriotism; and to honor our national hero for dedicating his life
and work to forming the Filipino character.
Lesson 2
The Philippines in the Nineteenth Century in Rizal’s Context
 Filipino nationalism - it is a product of the social, political and economic changes
in the 19th century
 Importance - for us to see Rizal's unique features, he did not only know the
valuable information about his society but also had a quality of mind to use this
valuable information in a way he could think about what was going on in the world
and what might happen within himself; to better understand where his ideals,
belief, and principles originated; it enables us to see Jose Rizal's life in his society
 19th Century - it is often depicted as the beginning of modern life; it was a time of
massive change in Europe, Spain, and the Philippines; Spain's power and glory in
its colonies and throughout the world had waned during this era.
 Nineteenth Century in Rizal’s Context - the qualified tenancy system or the right to
use the land for rental purposes is called the inquilino system; the galleon trade is
the ship trade going back and forth between Manila and Acapulco, Mexico; and
Manila became a trading hub where China, India, Japan, and Southeast Asian
countries sent their goods to be consolidated for shipping because of the Galleon
trade.
 Carlos Maria Dela Torre - liberal and democratic general who provided a
foreshadow of democratic rule and way of life for Jose Rizal and others; considered
to be the most beloved of the Spanish Governors-General ever assigned in the
country
 Opening of Suez Canal - paved away for the influx of liberal ideas from Europe
which is also influenced the emergence of Filipino consciousness; paved the way
for the infusion of liberal ideas from Europe, which influenced the emergence of
Filipino consciousness and encouraged to pursue education abroad.
 Tobacco monopoly in 1782 considered to be the most controversial and
oppressive to locals - the monopoly brought food shortages since the planting of
basic crops like rice was somewhat neglected and abandoned; because the
Philippine tobacco was the most exported product at that time.
 Bourbon reform policies - the Philippines was practically far from the Spain, so it
was difficult for Bourbon advocates to check whether reform policies were
implemented correctly in Spain's Far East colony; there was no ideological
coherence in the policies; and the reform process was viewed as complicated, to
the point where Spanish reformers advocated for a variety of policies for provinces
across their vast empire.
 significant impact of the Bourbon reforms - it gave people, particularly natives in
the Philippines, the impression that colonization could be carried out without the
intervention of the Catholic Church.
 Cadiz Constitution - legal document gave sovereignty to the people, acknowledged
the equality of all human beings and the citizen's freedom, and the right to vote
Lesson 3
Rizal’s Life: Family, Childhood and Early Education
 Jose Rizal (Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda) - a unique
example of many splendored genius who became the greatest hero of the nation
 June 19, 1861 – birth date of Rizal
 Calamba, Laguna – birth place of Rizal
 Rizal’s head is big - reason why Rizal’s mother almost died during her delivery.
 The Count of Monte Cristo - first romantic book Jose Rizal read
 To My Fellow Children (Sa Aking Mga Kabata) - first poem Jose Rizal wrote during
his childhood.
 Andres Salandanan - challenged Rizal to a wrestling match
 principalia - Filipinos who lived and studies in Europe; and Spaniards that were
living in the Philippines.
 ilustrados - Filipinos from middle class families who were able to study in Europe
 aim of secularization movement - Transfer of authority over parishes from regular
priests to the secular priests
 1872 Cavite Mutiny - event viewed by the Spanish government officials as a move
to overturn the Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines
 Importance of 1872 Cavite Mutiny - Cavite Mutiny of 1872 was the beginning of
Filipino nationalism as manifested in Rizal when he dedicated his novel El
Filibusterismo to the three martyr priests; and it ignites an anti-Spanish sentiment
when the three Filipino priests, José Burgos, Mariano Gómez, and Jacinto Zamora,
were martyred for allegedly conspiring with the rebels in Cavite.
 The Story of the Moth - Jose Rizal, undoubtedly, was the young moth burned
because of his passion for ideas and love of country.
 Reason why officials arrested the mother of Rizal before of June of 1872 accomplice in poisoning of Jose Alberto’s perfidious wife
 University of Santo Tomas (1877-1882) - university where Rizal took his college
degree
 Segunda Katigbak - the pretty fourteen-year old Batanguena whom Rizal fall in
love with; first infatuation of Rizal
 A Mis Compañeros De Nunes - believed to be Rizal’s first written poem at the age
of eight
 Death of Concha - first sorrow of Rizal
 Rizal’s early childhood - he showed an early interest in the arts; he had a special
talent for painting and sculpture as a child; and Rizal had learned to write and read
and mastered the alphabet
 Teachers of Rizal - Doña Teodora; Maestro Leon Monroy; Maestro Celestino
Padua; and Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz
 Rizal changed his course from Philosophy and Letters to Medicine - Rizal hopes
to treat his mother’s failing eyesight
 El Amor Patrio - first article of Jose Rizal written in Spain's soil under the pen name
Laong Laan
 Francisco de Paula Sanchez – Rizal’s favorite teacher
 Rizal unhappy days at the University of Santo Thomas - the Filipino students were
racially discriminated against by the Spaniards; the method of instruction was
obsolete and repressive; and the Dominican professors were hostile to him
 The Council of Gods (El Consejo de los Dioses) - poem submitted by Jose Rizal
in a contest which he won first prize and made a significant impact because, for
the first time in history, an Indio excelled in a national literary contest
 A La Juventud Filipina - it was a great poem in Spanish written by Filipino and
recognized by Spanish literary authorities; and it expressed the nationalistic
concept that Filipinos, and not the foreigners, were the "fair hope
 Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas - book manually copied and annotated by Rizal
which is available in British Museum
Lesson 4
Rizal’s Life: Higher Education and Life Abroad
 June 16, 1882 - Rizal arrived at Barcelona
 November 3, 1882 - Rizal enrolled at Universidad Central de Madrid (Central
University of Madrid) where he enrolled Medicine and Philosophy and Letters.
 Junto al Pasig (Beside the Pasig) - zarzuela written by Rizal and staged by
Ateneans on December 2, 1884 on the occasion of the annual celebration of the
Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion (Patroness of the Ateneo).
 Propaganda Movement - established by ilustrados which exposed the conditions
of the Philippines and demanded reforms from Spain
 Propaganda Movement - it was intended to raise awareness of the Philippines'
problems and needs among the Spanish, as well as to promote a better
relationship between the colony and the "mother country."; the Propaganda
Movement lasted 25 years (1872-1896), began with the GomBurZa martyrs'
deaths and ended with Rizal's execution; the Propaganda Movement was founded
in 1872 by Filipino expatriates in Europe as a cultural organization.
 Contributions of the Propaganda movement in the history of the Philippines became a catalyst for the development of Filipino Nationalism; it paved the way for
the independence of the Philippines from Spain; and it served as an eye-opener
for the Filipinos about the abuses of the Spanish.
 Legacies of the Propaganda Movement - secularization of Philippine churches; the
concept of Filipino nation and identity
 Contents of the La Solidaridad - reforms needed by the Philippines; Spanish
literature, culture and society; and articles about Philippine history and culture
 Dimas Alang and Laong Laan - pen names of Jose Rizal in the newspaper La
Solidaridad founded by Graciano Lopez Jaena
 Asociacion La Solidaridad (Solidaridad Association) – a patriotic society which
cooperates in the crusade for reforms and it was inaugurated on December 31,
1888.
 Kidlat Club, Indios Bravos and Sociedad RDLM (Redencion de los
Malayos/Redemption of the Malays) - formed or organized by Jose Rizal in France
 Noli Me Tangere – finished in Berlin
 Berliner-Buchdruckre-Action Gesselschaft - printing shop which charged the
lowest rate, that is, 300 pesos for 2, 000 copies of Noli Me Tangere.
 Maximo Viola – savior of Noli Me Tangere
 Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin - novel inspired Rizal to prepare a
novel that would depict the miseries of his people under the lash of Spanish tyrants.
 The Indolence of the Filipino - essay argued that Filipino became indolent and
unproductive because they do not benefit from their labors and that they were
abused and enslaved by the Spaniards written by Rizal.
 Letter to the Young Women of Malolos – a famous letter wrote by Rizal on February
22, 1889 in Tagalog in order to praise the young ladies of Malolos for their courage
to establish a school where they could learn Spanish.
 Himno Al Trabajo (Hymn to Labor)- the poem Rizal wrote and dedicated to the
industrious folks of Lipa before leaving Calamba in 1888.
 Jose Sainz de Varanda - A Spaniard who shadowed Rizal’s movement in Hong
Kong and it was believed that he was commissioned by the Spanish authorities to
spy on Rizal
 O-Sei-San - the Japanese girl whom Rizal fall in love with
 Lack of racial equality - bad impression Rizal had when he visited the America
 F. Mayer-Van Loo Press (No. 66 Viaanderer Street) - a printing shop that gave
Rizal the lowest quotation for the publication of El Fili and willing to print his novel
on installment basis.
 Valentin Ventura - savior of the El Fili when he learned of Rizal’s predicament and
immediately sent him the necessary funds.
 Liga Filipina - A civic league of Filipinos which Rizal desired to establish and its
role in the soci-economic life of the people.
 Unus Instar Omnium (One Like All) - motto of the Liga Filipina
 Rizal left Europe for Hong Kong where he lived from November 1891 to June 1892
- Life was unbearable in Europe because of his political difference with Marcelo H.
del Pilar and other Filipinos in Spain; and to be near his idolized Philippines and
family
Lesson 5
Rizal's Life: Exile, Trial, and Death
 Four years (July 17, 1892-July 31, 1896) – duration of exile of Rizal.
 Rizal founded a school in Dapitan in 1893
 Animal species named after Rizal - Rhacophorus Rizali (toad/frog), Apogonia
Rizali (beetle); and Draco Rizali (flying dragon/lizard)
 Mi Retiro (My Retreat) - Rizal wrote this beautiful poem about his serene life as an
exile in Dapitan and sent it to her mother on October 22, 1895.
 Betting in a lottery ticket - vice of Rizal while in Dapitan
 September 21, 1892; P20, 000.00 (Lottery Ticket No. 9736)
 The Mother Revenge - A statuette made by Rizal representing the mother dog
killing the crocodile by way of avenging her lost puppy.
 Hymn to Talisay (Himno A Talisay) - Title of the poem Rizal wrote in honor of
Talisay for his pupils to sing during his exile in Dapitan.
 Pablo Mercado (Florencio Namanan) - friar’s spy who secretly visited Rizal
 Dr. Pio Valenzuela - emissary to Dapitan in order to inform Rizal of the plan of the
Katipunan to launch a revolution for freedom’s sake.
 Andres Bonifacio - the “Great Plebian” and founded the Katipunan on July 7, 1892
 Reasons of Rizal's refusal to approve the Katipuneros' uprising - he claimed that
peaceful means of obtaining freedom were far superior to violent methods; he was
well aware that they lacked the support from wealthy and well-educated Filipinos;
and he believed that a revolution would fail if it lacked weapons and financial
backing.
 Fray Mariano Gil - discovered the plan of the Katipuneros to overthrow the
Spaniards by means of revolution
 Accomplishment of Rizal in Dapitan - Rizal developed a wooden brick-making
machine; Rizal improved the town’s drainage and constructing better water system
using empty bottles and bamboo joints; and Rizal educated the residents of the
town about health and sanitation.
 Emilio Jacinto – Brain of Katipunan; disguised as a ship crew in order to rescue
Rizal
 Lt. Luis Traviel de Andrade - Rizal's defense counsel
 Gov. Gen. Polavieja - affirmed the court decision and decreed that Rizal be
executed by firing squad
 Imitacion de Cristo (Imitation of Christ) – a famous Catholic book by Fr. Thomas
Kempis which Fr. Pastells gave to Rizal.
 Josephine Bracken - called the “Dapitan Girl”
 Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo - Spanish military physician and asked Rizal permission to
feel his pulse and was amazed to find it normal showing that Rizal was not afraid
to die.
 Trinidad - custodian of Rizal’s last and greatest poem which is "Mi Ultimo Adios."
 Consummatum est! - last words of Rizal
 Paco Cemetery – where Rizal secretly buried after he was executed.
 Rizal play in the emergence of Filipino nationalism and identity - Rizal
demonstrated and made efforts to awaken Filipinos' interest in their history and
identity; through his works, Rizal inspired Filipinos to be proud of themselves; his
work is concerned with citizenship and patriotism.
 Act No. 345 - observance of the death anniversary of Rizal every December 30.