CHAPTER 4:
Rizal’s Life: Higher Education and Life Abroad
Rizal did not continue his studies in the Philippines, instead he went to Europe. He left Calamba on May 1, 1882
and was able to reach Manila in ten hours. He left Manila on May 3, 1882.
Rizal’s secret mission was to observe the lives, cultures, laws, and governments of the countries in Europe, in
preparation for liberating the Philippines from Spain’s tyrannical rule.
Rizal’s journey took him through several countries, including Singapore. Sri Lanka, Italy and France. He arrived in
Barcelona on June 16, 882, after a month and a half of travel.
BARCELONA
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It was summer vacation, so he was able to meet and socialize with acquaintances and former classmates
from the Ateneo.
MADRID
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Jose Rizal went to Madrid in 1882, where his brother Paciano wanted him to stay because it was the center
of all the provinces of Spain and where he could learn the most.
Rizal wasted no time in Madrid – he began writing for the Diariong Tagalog under the pseudonym Laong
Laan, which means “ever prepared.”
On August 20, 1882, his essay “El Amor Patrio “ (Love of Country) was published. – this work focuses on
the Author’s perceptions of the Philippines, both tangible and imagined. It paints the Philippines as a
homeland, worthy of love and protection.
After writing “El Amor Patrio”, Rizal suspended writing articles about the country because of his mother’s
opposition. Rizal also had a difficult time gaining fame, and he decided to focus on his studies instead.
Rizal’s education in Madrid – Universidad Central de Madrid ( Medicine, Philosophy and Letters),
Academy of San Carlos (Painting, Sculpture and languages in French, German and English), Academia de
Bellas Artes de San Fernando (Drawing)
During his first year in Madrid, Jose Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano Filipino, a Filipino student
organization that met regularly to discuss political issues and to voice out the concerns of Filipinos.
The organization was able to publish the newspaper Revista del Circulo Hispano Filipino, which aimed to
express thoughts about the abusive Spanish government
The publication was short-lived due to lack of funds and conflicting political issues
Notable members of the organization included Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Juan Luna, and Graciano
Lopez Jaena.
Influenced by Miguel Morayta, history professor at the Universidad de Madrid, Rizal became a member of
freemasonry with “Dimasalang” as its masonic name. An organization outlawed by the Catholic Church
because of its beliefs contrary to the church’s doctrines. He became a master mason in Lodge Solidaridad
on November 15, 1890 and he was removed immediately from the Catholic church.
Jose Rizal had a difficulty time financially during his stay in Madrid
Rizal’s love interest in Madrid was Consuelo and he wrote a poem to express his admiration entitled A La
Señorita C.O.yR.
On the evening of June 25, 1884, after a day of not eating. Jose Rizal attended a banquet in Madrid to
celebrate the success of two Filipino painters, Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo at the
Exposicion Nacional de Bellas Artes. Luna’s painting “Spoliarium” won a gold medal, while Hidalgo’s
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painting “Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Papulacho (Christian Virgines Exposed to the Population)
won a silver medal. At the banquet, Rizal gave a toast speech ( Brindis Speech ) that would make history.
Rizal’s speech was recorded by the reporters who attended the banquet, and it was published in the
magazine “Los Dos Mundos”
At the age of 24, Jose also finished his licentiate in Philosophy and Letters in 1885
PARIS
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In November 1885, Rizal moved to Paris to specialize in ophthalmology
He worked as an assistant to Dr. Louis de Wecker, a renowned French ophthalmologist who was known for
using a pair of scissors in performing surgeries
As a result, Rizal skills in the field vastly improved.
He learned how to conduct eye operations, diagnose eye ailments, and use different techniques of eye
surgery
Rizal also took the time to meet up with friends including painter Juan Luna and fellow writer and medical
student Maximo Viola
During his stay with Luna, he became a model and posed for two historical paintings, The Blood Compact
(as Sikatuna) and Death of Cleopatra (as a Priest)
Also at this time, Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere was half-finished
Due to the high cost of living in Paris, he left for Germany in February 1886
GERMANY
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He arrived in Heidelberg, an old university town, where he worked as an assistant to Dr. Otto Becker, an
eminent German ophthalmologist at the University Eye Hospital
Rizal mastered the techniques of diagnosing eye ailments under Dr. Becker, which he had first learned from
Dr. Louis de Wecker.
Rizal’s experience with actual patient operations in Paris helped him become one of Dr. Becker’s best
students
While studying in Germany, Rizal heard an Austrian scholar who was interested in the Philippines. He had
never seen the country, but he was eager to learn more about it.
Rizal was eager to share his knowledge about his motherland with the curious Austrian scholar. Upon
learning that Blumentritt was studying the Tagalog language, Rizal sent him a letter. Together with his letter
a book entitled Aritmetica by Rufino Baltazar Hernandez – tagalog version
LEIPZIG
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Rizal arrived in Leipzig on August 14, 1886, and attended lectures conducted by a German historian and a
well-respected anthropologist.
He quickly mastered German, which is a difficult language to learn. He not only learned the language, but
also translated some German works into Tagalog. He was not satisfied with simply translating one work,
however. He went on to translate several fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen.
BERLIN
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Rizal moved to Berlin, the capital of Germany, in November 1886
He wanted to learn more about ophthalmology, German culture and government, and to meet with scientist.
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He worked as an assistant in the clinic of Dr. Schweigger in the morning and attended classes at the
University of Berlin in the evening.
He intended to publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere, but he was sick, sad, and penniless. His brother
Paciano was unable to send hum his monthly allowance due to crop failures in Calamba. Rizal had to
pawn his diamond ring and sell his books to bookstores in order to eat and on turning point of throwing his
work into the fire
His poor nutrition led to him contracting tuberculosis
When Maximo Viola learned of Rizal’s troubles, he lent him money for allowance and 300 pesos, a huge
sum of money at that time, for the printing of Noli Me Tangere
In 1887, two thousand copies of Noli Me Tangere were produced and distributed to Filipinos in Europe,
including Dr. Blumentritt.
Rizal took a ship from Marseilles and started home on July 5, 1887. He was finally ready to operate on his
mother’s cataracts.
THE PROPAGANDIST’S JOURNEY
The Propaganda Movement
The movement emerged as a reform and national consciousness movement among young Filipino expatriates
in the late 19th century. The group primarily consisted of illustrados – Filipino intellectuals studying abroad – who had
awakened to liberal and nationalistic ideas. The early students who participated in the Propaganda Movement came
from well-to-do families, as the expenses of travel and studying abroad were considerable. The Propaganda movement
published its own newspaper, La Solidaridad, which saw print every two weeks. Graciano Lopez Jaena was the
first editor, and Marcelo H. del Pilar took over in late 1889. Del Pilar managed the publication until the newspaper
folded due to lack of funds. The propaganda movement that sought to fully incorporate the Philippines into the Spain.
They also wanted to empower a native Filipino clergy and showcase Filipino intellectual sophistication to the world.
PHILIPPINES
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Jose Rizal returned to the Philippines in August 1887 after five years of living abroad.
He was greeted by controversy, as the Jesuits at the Ateneo attempted to get him return to his old faith
Padre Faura, the priest who had taught Rizal to carve the Sacred Heart of Jesus, told him that he had made
some mistakes in his novel, Noli Me Tangere. However, Rizal stood by his work, believing that he had told
the truth.
The novel had already caused a stir in the Philippines, and the friars were determined to silence Rizal
The preached sermons against him in church and wrote pamphlets denouncing him and his work
Rumors spread that Rizal was a German spy, a mason, and other dangerous things. As a result, Rizal
received death threats daily.
His family was so worried about him that they made him eat with silver utensils, as it was believed that
poison would react with silver.
He established a medical clinic, and his first patient was his mother.
He cured the sick, and soon he was known as an eye specialist and surgeon. In the town, Rizal was called
Doctor Uliman, because he was mistaken for a German.
On August 30, 1887, Rizal left Calamba for Manila to meet with Governor-General Emilio Terrero, a
liberal-minded Spanish official. When Terrero read the novel, he found nothing wrong with it. However,
Archbishop of Manila, Bernardo Nozaleda recommended that the importation, reproduction, distribution,
and possession of the novel be stopped.
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Terrero, concerned for Rizal’s safety, assigned Lieutenant Jose Taviel de Andrade to protect him.
Terrero also requested that Rizal leave the country, but Rizal refused. At about the same time, Terrero
ordered an investigation into the Calamba agrarian problems. Rizal was asked to lead the group of Calamba
tenants in the investigation.
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He presented his findings to Terrero, which showed that the friars were exploiting the tenants and taking
advantage of their poverty.
1. The hacienda of the Dominican Order comprised not only the lands around Calamba but the whole
town of Calamba.
2. There was increased profit for the Dominican order because of the arbitrary increase of the rentals
paid by the tenants.
3. The hacienda owner never contributed for the celebration of the children, and for the improvement
of agriculture.
4. Tenants who spent more labor in clearing the lands were dispossessed of the said lands for a weak
reason.
5. For delayed payment of rentals, high rates of interest were charged to the tenants.
6. Work animals, tools, and farm implements of the tenants were confiscated by the hacienda
management if the rentals were not paid by the tenants.
The friars were furious with Rizal’s findings. They demanded that Terrero order Rizal to leave the
country. Terrero refused, but he did advise Rizal to leave for his own safety
Rizal’s family and relatives also advised him to leave
After six months in the Philippines, Rizal left for Hong Kong
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HONGKONG
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In Hong Kong, he met Filipino exiles Jose Maria Basa, Balbino Mauricio, and Manuel Yriarte
He also studied the Chinese language, drama, and theater, and Chinese culture and values
He became friends with some leading Spaniards, including the Gov. General secretary, Jose Joaquin
Barranda
JAPAN
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Rizal arrived at Yokohama Japan, and stayed at the Tokyo Hotel for a few days
He was invited by Juan Perez Caballero to live at the Spanish legation for a month
During his stay, he studied the Japanese Language, Culture, Theater, and Martial Arts
While living at the Spanish legation Rizal met O-Sei-San, a Japanese woman, they became friends and
eventually fell in love
Rizal considered staying in Japan for good, but he had duties to fulfill for his country. He said goodbye to
O-Sei-San and left Japan.
USA
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Rizal’s ship was quarantined in San Francisci when it arrived on April 28, 1888
The ship was suspected of carrying cholera, but Rizal knew that the real reason was because it was carrying
Chinese and Japanses laborers, who were seen as a threat to American jobs
After a week of quarantine, some passengers were allowed to disembark, but the Chinese and Japanese
passengers were quarantined for a longer period
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Rizal was able to leave the ship and travel to different cities in the United States, including Reno, Utah,
Colorado, Nebraska, Chicago, Albany, and New York City.
Rizal was impressed by the natural beauty of the United States, the hardworking Americans, and the
material progress of the country.
He also saw the opportunities that were able for poor immigrants to improve their lives. However, he was
also critical on the lack of racial equality in the United States.
LONDON
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After his trip to USA, Rizal arrived in London on May 24, 1888 to study the “Sucesos de Las Islas
Filipinas” of Antinio Morga to defend his fellowmen against Spanish tyranny.
Rizal met Dr. Reinhold Rost, the librarian of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in England. Dr Rost
allowed Rizal to undertake research at the British Museum, where he had the opportunity to red
Morga’s Sucesos.
To prove that the hero was not a heretic or blasphemer as accused by the friars those who supported the
Anti-friar petition of 1888 was faced persecution and was exiled to Bohol including Rizal’s family and
relatives and Rizal’s friend Laureano Vida was arrested for keeping copies of Noli Me Tangere in his
home.
PARIS
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Reluctantly, Rizal left the wonderful library of the British Museum and departed for Paris in the middle of
March 1889 to continue working on El Filibusterismo.
BELGIUM
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In January 1890, Jose Rizal moved to Brussels, Belgium, to escape the high cost of living in Paris and the
distractions of social life.
He was concerned that the social life in Brussels would interfere with his writing, so he limited his social
engagements.
Rizal was troubled by reports that some Filipinos in Spain were gambling too much, and he feared that
this was giving the friars in the Philippines ammunition to discredit the Propaganda Movement.
He wrote the Marcelo H. del Pilar, asking him to remind the Filipinos that they were not in Europe to
gamble, but to work for the freedom of the Philippines.
The Dominican friars, who owned the land, had raised the rents, and the Rizals and other tenants could not
afford to pay.
Rizal was deeply angered and saddened by this news. He felt that the friars were taking advantage of the
poor tenants, and he was determined to help them.
He wrote a poem entitled “A Mi Musa” (To My Muse) that was published on La Solidaridad to express his
disappointment and to call for justice.
Rizal tried to defend his family in court, but he was unsuccessful. The friars won the case, the Rizals were
forced to leave Calamba.
This was a major blow to Rizal and made him even more determined to fight the rights of the Filipino
people.
Rizal spent about a year in Brussels, where he completed the first draft of El Felibusterismo.
MADRID
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In July 1891, he traveled to Madrid, where he attended a gathering of Filipinos. At the gathering, Rizal had
a fight with Antion Luna over a girl named Nellie Bousted.
Luna felt that he had the first claim on Bousted, but she was clearly infatuated with Rizal. After they had
been drinking, Luna made some nasty comments about Bousted. Rizal was furious and challenged Luna to
a duel. When Luna regained his sobriety, he realized his mistake and apologized to Rizal.
In another incident, Rizal was offended by an article written by the historian Wenceslao Retana. Retana
hinted that the Rizals had been ejected from their ancestral property in Binan for non-payment of taxes.
Rizal challenged Retana to a duel, but Retana issued a public apology, and the duel was called off.
Rizal left Madrid and went to Hong Kong after publishing El Filibusterismo in Ghent, Belgium in Sept.
18, 1891.
He was unhappy with the political situation there, especially his disagreements with del Pilar and other
Filipino expatriates
The rivalry between Rizal and del Pilar arose in 1890 when del Pilar took over as editor of La Solidaridad
The two men had different political visions, and del Pilar’s editorial policies alienated Rizal.
In attempt to resolve their differences, about 90 Filipinos met to elect a leader, called the Responsible
Rizal then left Madrid and no longer contributed to La Solidaridad. He arrived in Hong Kong on
November 20, 1891.
HONGKONG
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Rizal decided to practice medicine in Hong Kong, and he was granted a license to practice.
His family also went to Hong Kong and they spent their Christmas together.
In a letter to his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt in Vienna, he expressed his emotions. ”Here we are all
living together, my parents, sisters, and brother, in peace and far from the persecutions they suffered in
the Philippines.
While in Hong Kong, he began writing the constitution of La Liga Filipina, with the help of Jose Maria
Basa.
The league’s goals were to: (1) Unite the entire archipelago into one body. (2) Provide mutual protection
in times of need. (3) Protect against all forms of violence and injustice. (4) Promote education, agriculture,
and commerce. (5) Study and implement reforms.
During his time in Hong Kong, Rizal penned two articles: (1) To the Spanish Nation (2) To My
Countrymen
During his journey to Hong Kong from Marseilles, Rizal met William Pryer, who managed the British
North Borneo Company.
When Rizal heard about Pryer’s plans for the British colony, he suggested creating a Filipino colony in
North Borneo for the evicted Calamba tenants. Pryer liked the idea and welcomed Rizal’s proposal.
Together with Pryer, Rizal met with the governor of North Borneo to talk about leasing at least 5000 acres
of land, with an option to buy even more for 950 years.
But there was a problem—the Calamba tenants couldn’t leave the Philippines without permission from the
Spanish Governor, Eulogio Despujol.
To address this, Rizal wrote to Despujol asking for permission to change their nationality, sell their property
in the Philippines and let those facing trouble leave the country.
Despujol got angry and thought Rizal might use the Filipino colony in North Borneo to start a revolution
against Spain.
Instead of replying directly, he asked the Spanish Consul in Hong Kong to invite Rizal back to Manila ti
discuss the matter.
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Rizal’s family and friends advised him to decline Despujol’s invitation, considering it a trap.
However, Rizal was resolute in his determination to improve the lives of the evicted Calamba tenants. ”The
step which I have taken or which I am about to take is very hazardous, no doubt, and I need not to say
that I have thought much about it. I know that almost everybody is against it; but I know also that
almost nobody knows what is going on in my heart.”
“I cannot live knowing that many are suffering unjust persecutions on my account; I cannot live seeing
my brother, sisters, and their numerous families pursued like criminals; I prefer to face death, and I
gladly give my life to free so many innocents from such unjust persecution.
“Once more, Rizal shall set foot upon the cherished land of the Philippines, where destiny beckons him
to weave his final chapter, immersing himself in its embrace until the final whispers of mortality claim
him”.
CHAPTER 5:
Rizal’s Life: Exile, Trial and Death
Rizal’s Exile
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Jose Rizal’s arrival in Manila on June 26, 1892 had become very sensational among the Filipinos. His
popularity feared the Spaniards, and such paid careful attention to his every move—all the houses where he
had been were searched and the Filipinos seen in his company were suspected.
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As he had planned, on July 3, 1892 he founded the La Liga Filipina in the house of Doroteo Ongjunco in
Tondo, Manila.
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Four days after the civic organization’s foundation, Jose Rizal was arrested by the Spanish authorities on
four grounds:
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for publishing anti-Catholic and anti-friar books and articles;
for having in possession, a bundle of handbills, the Pobres Frailes, in which advocacies were
violation of the Spanish orders;
for dedicating his novel, El Filibusterismo to the three “traitors” (Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora)
and for emphasizing on the novel’s tittle page that the only salvation for the Philippines was
separation from the mother country (referring to Spain), and
for simply criticizing the religion and aiming for its exclusion from the Filipino culture
Rizal’s Exile in Dapitan
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July 17, 1892 – Rizal, together with his guard Captain Ricardo Carnicero, arrived in Dapitan.
Rizal was given the choice to live in the house of the parish priest, Fr. Antonio Obach or at Carnicero’s
house
He could live in the priest’s quarters only if:
 he publicly retracted his Masonic and antichurch beliefs
 he regularly participate in church rites
 he conduct himself as a good Spanish subject and a man of religion
Rizal made him a bust and composed a poem in his honor A Don Ricardo Carnicero on his birthday on
August 26, 1892
Life in Talisay
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Both men betted on the lottery and won 20,000 pesos
Lottery Ticket Number: 9736
He used his money to build an octagonal house made up of bamboo and nipa in Talisay
Rizal built a school and accepted students with no tuition
The other part was used for his eye clinic
He also built a house for the ladies in his family who were free to visit him in Dapitan
Carnicero also wrote a letter to Governor General to allow his mother and sisters to join him in Dapitan
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May 4, 1893 – Carnicero was replaced by Captain Juan Sitges
He did not want living with a deportee
He assigned Rizal to live in a house near the headquarters
The Jesuits sent is old professor at the Ateneo. Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez – to entice him back to the
Church
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He helped clean up the plaza of Dapitan and lit it up at night with coconut oil lamps
Rizal fell in love with the eighteen-year old Josephine Bracken- adopted by Mr. George Taufer
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Rizal and Josephine tried to have themselves married in Catholic rites but Fr. Obach required that Rizal
retract his beliefs
Rizal’s relatives and friends looked at Josephine with suspension and condescension
Pablo Mercado – a spy of the friars who posed as Rizal’s relative (Florencio Namanan – his true name)
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Pio Valenzuela – an emissary of Andres Bonifacio, he was asking for advice on how to launch a
revolution. He offered to have the Katipunan assist him in escaping from Dapitan
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Rizal objected to the projected revolution, the revolutionaries must have enough arms and weapons
The End of the Dapitan Exile
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When Cuba was under revolution and raging yellow fever epidemic, Rizal wrote to Governor General
Ramon Blanco offering his service as a military doctor.
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Governor General Ramon Blanco – he approved the request of Rizal on July 1, 1896
At the midnight of that day, he left aboard the steamer España
The townspeople of Dapitan wept because they considered Rizal as a good son and neighbor
He stayed in Dapitan for four years, thirteen days and a few hours
August 6, 1896 – upon arriving in Manila Bay, Rizal was not able to leave immediately for Spain since the
vessel Isla de Luzon already left
He was transferred to Spanish cruiser Castilla and stayed there for a month from August 6 to September
2, 1896
August 19, 1896 – the Katipunan plot to overthrow the Spanish rule by means of revolution, it was
discovered by Fr. Mariano Gil after Teodoro Patino’s disclosure of organization’s secrets
At that time, Katipunan was already discovered and the Philippine Revolution was already raging
August 26, 1896 – Bonifacio and Katipunan raised the Cry of Revolution (Sigaw sa Pugadlawin) in the
hills of Balintawak, a few miles of North of Manila
In the afternoon, Governor General Blanco proclaimed a state of was in the first eight provinces for rising
arms against Spain – Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac
Rizal received letters from Governor General Blanco which absolved him from all the blame for the raging
revolution
He transferred to Isla de Panay which was sailing for Barcelona, Spain
Don Pedro Roxas advised Rizal to stay and take advantage of the protection of British Law
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Arrest and Trial
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September 30 – the Isla de Panay had already sailed past Port Said in Egypt and was now sailing in
the Mediterranean
A telegraphic message was received ordering that Rizal be placed under arrest
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Bernardo Nozadela – Archbishop of Manila who clamored for the arrest of Rizal who said to be the
spirit of Philippine Revolution
October 3 – the Isla de Panay arrived in Barcelona and Rizal was sent to a prison-fortress, Montjuich
Castle
Rizal’s interview with Despujol he would be shipped back to Manila
On the night of same day, after the interview, Rizal was taken aboard the Colon which was loaded with
Spanish troops sailed for Manila.
Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor and Sixto Lopez – they exerted all their efforts to find a lawyer in
Singapore who could aid their friend
Attorney Hugh Fort – English lawyer in Singapore
Unfortunately, Chief Justice Lionel, the judge in Singapore denied the request
November 3, 1896 – the Colon arrived in Manila Bay and Rizal was taken to Forth Santiago
November 20, 1896 – Rizal was brought before a Spanish military tribunal headed by Colonel
Francisco Olive
Oral testimonies were taken and were used to implicate Rizal in the Philippine Revolution
Governor General appointed Captain Rafael Dominguez to institute charges against Rizal
Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade – the lawyer of Jose Rizal and brother of his former bodyguard Jose
Taviel de Andrade
December 13 – the case was forwarded to Governor General Camelio de Palovieja – replacement of
Governor Blanco
Rizal’s actual trial began on December 26, 1896 and it was held at the Hall of Banners of the Cuartel
de España in Fort Santiago
Rizal was charged with three crimes: rebellion, sedition, and formation of illegal associations
In defending himself, Rizal presented twelve arguments
The court judged Rizal guilty for the charges and voted for the death penalty
December 28, 1896 – Governor General Polavieja signed Rizal’s death warrant ordering him to be
shot at 7:00 o’clock in the morning at Bagumbayan
Rizal signed it saying that he was innocent
Rizal’s Final Days
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Rizal was transferred to the prison chapel
Fr. Miguel Saderra Mata, Rector of the Ateneo Municipal and Fr. Luis Viza
Fr. Viza bought the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Fr. Antonio Rosell – he ate breakfast with Rizal
Lt. Taviel de Andrade – also arrived and Rizal thanked him for his gallant services
Fr. Balaguer – he remained with Rizal around noon
At three o’clock in the afternoon, Fr. Balaguer returned and tried to persuade Rizal to retract his Masonic
beliefs but Rizal remained firm
After he left, Rizal’s mother and sisters arrived
Rizal gave an alcohol stove to Trinidad which was a gift from Pardo de Tavera and whispered to her in
English “There is something inside”
He also told her to look inside his shoes after he is executed
After his family left, Fathers Vilaclara and Balaguer again arrived to convince Rizal to retract
By eight in the evening, Fr. Balaguer returned with Fr. Viza and again talked with Rizal on Religious
matters. At this point, they were joined by Fiscal Gaspar Castaño of the Royal Audiencia
At around 10:00, a draft of retraction arrived from Archbishop Bernandino Nozaleda
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Another draft of retraction was made by Fr. Pio Pi – the superior of the Jesuit Mission in the Philippines
At 11:30, Rizal signed his retraction from Freemasonry and it was witnessed by Juan del Fresno – the
Chief of the guard detail and the Adjutant of the Plaza Elroy Moure
After signing, Rizal had confession with Fr. Vilaclara and rested afterwards
At 5:00 am, Rizal had his breakfast, autographed his remaining books which became his last souvenirs
Fr. Balaguer – he performed the marriage rites of Rizal and Josephine
Rizal gave a book to Josephine, Imitacion de Cristo by Thomas Kempis which he autographed
Afterwards, he wrote three farewell letters: to Parents, Dr. Blumentritt and Paciano
At around 6:30, Rizal was taken from cell and the march to Bagumbayan began
A colonel took Rizal to the site of his execution
Rizal had requested the firing squad to spare his head which he was granted
He also requested to be shot at his front, but it was denied
Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo took Rizal’s Pulse and found that it was normal
The commanding officer ordered his men to aim by means of his saber and there was a simultaneous crack
of gunfire and Jose Rizal made one last effort to drop on his back with his face facing the sun
The Spanish spectators shouted Viva España!
The military band played Marcha de Cadiz
Rizal’s body was secretly buried at Paco Cemetery where later it was traced by his sister
The remains of Rizal’s were cleaned in Higino Mercado’s house in Binondo and were given to Dona
Teodora
His remains were laid to rest inside the Rizal monument in Luneta
TRIAL AND DEATH OF RIZAL
On November 20, 1896, the assigned Judge to summon Rizal was Colonel Francisco Olive, an Advocate of
the Spanish military tribunal. The preliminary investigation began, and a five-day investigation was conducted. He
was blamed for being the leader of the revolution by increasing the people’s ideas about rebellion and making illegal
organizations. As expected, Rizal was not given the chance to interrogate his witnesses. He was only allowed to choose
his lawyer from a list of young Spanish officers who were not into law. He chose Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade, who
was the bodyguard of Rizal when he first came home. There were two kinds of evidences presented to him during the
investigation: documentary and testimonial. There were fifteen documents against Rizal and ten witnesses for
testimonial. All efforts were made by Lt. Taviel de Andrade to defend Rizal of his innocence but as obvious as it may
have seemed, Rizal was still found guilty.
Note that Rizal cited twelve points to prove his innocence:
1. Rizal was against rebellion as testified by Pio Valenzuela.
2. No letter consisting of revolutionary elements was addressed to the Katipunan was written
3. Without his consent, the Katipunan used his name as one of the passwords.
4. If he was guilty, he could have left the country while in exile; he would not have built a home, and would not have
bought a parcel of land to put up a hospital in Dapitan.
5. The revolutionists could have consulted him if he was the leader.
6. He did not deny that he wrote the by-laws of the Liga Filipina, but to make things clear, it is a different organization
from Katipunan. The former being a civic association and the latter being a revolutionary society.
7. After the first meeting of the Liga, the association banished because of his exile in Dapitan and it did not last long.
8. He had no idea, that the Liga was reorganized nine months after.
9. If the Liga had a revolutionary purpose, then Katipunan should not have been founded. If the Spanish authorities
found his letters offending, it was because in 1890, his family has been persecuted.
11. He lived a good life in Dapitan – the politico military commander and missionary priest in the province could
attest to it.
12. The witnesses said that if the speech delivered at Doroteo Ongjunco’s house had inspired the revolution, he should
be given a chance to confront these persons. If he was in the revolution, the Katipunan should not have sent an
unfamiliar emissary to him in Dapitan. For this, his friends knew that he never promoted violence.
RIZAL’S REMAINING DAYS AND THE LAST FAREWELL
When Rizal heard the court decision, he knew that there will be no chance of changing his fate. At six o’ clock in the
morning of December 29, 1896, Captain Rafael Dominguez, read him the official notice of his execution. Rizal spent
his last hours by going to the prison chapel. His mother and sisters visited him on the same day. He then gave them
his remaining possessions, reached out for the gas lamp and gave it to his sister, Trinidad and carefully whispered,
“There is something inside.” Then Trinidad and his sister Maria got a copy of Rizal’s last poem from the lamp.
Unfortunately, it was said that on his last days that Rizal was not allowed to embrace his mother. He took time to write
his last letter to his best friend Bluementrit. The last poem he composed was the longest he ever written, it was entitled
“Mi Ultimo Adios” or My Last Farewell.
My Last Farewell
Farewell, dear Fatherland, clime of the sun caress'd
Pearl of the Orient seas, our Eden lost!,
Gladly now I go to give thee this faded life's best,
And were it brighter, fresher, or more blest
Still would I give it thee, nor count the cost.
On the field of battle, 'mid the frenzy of fight,
Others have given their lives, without doubt or heed;
The place matters not-cypress or laurel or lily white,
Scaffold or open plain, combat or martyrdom's plight,
T is ever the same, to serve our home and country's need.
I die just when I see the dawn break,
Through the gloom of night, to herald the day;
And if color is lacking my blood thou shalt take,
Pour'd out at need for thy dear sake
To dye with its crimson the waking ray.
My dreams, when life first opened to me,
My dreams, when the hopes of youth beat high,
Were to see thy lov'd face, O gem of the Orient sea
From gloom and grief, from care and sorrow free;
No blush on thy brow, no tear in thine eye.
Dream of my life, my living and burning desire,
All hail ! cries the soul that is now to take flight;
All hail ! And sweet it is for thee to expire ;
To die for thy sake, that thou mayst aspire;
And sleep in thy bosom eternity's long night.
If over my grave some day thou seest grow,
In the grassy sod, a humble flower,
Draw it to thy lips and kiss my soul so,
While I may feel on my brow in the cold tomb below
The touch of thy tenderness, thy breath's warm power.
Let the moon beam over me soft and serene,
Let the dawn shed over me its radiant flashes,
Let the wind with sad lament over me keen ;
And if on my cross a bird should be seen,
Let it trill there its hymn of peace to my ashes.
Let the sun draw the vapors up to the sky,
And heavenward in purity bear my tardy protest
Let some kind soul o 'er my untimely fate sigh,
And in the still evening a prayer be lifted on high
From thee, 0 my country, that in God I may rest.
Pray for all those that hapless have died,
For all who have suffered the unmeasur'd pain;
For our mothers that bitterly their woes have cried,
For widows and orphans, for captives by torture tried
And then for thyself that redemption thou mayst gain.
And when the dark night wraps the graveyard around
With only the dead in their vigil to see
Break not my repose or the mystery profound
And perchance thou mayst hear a sad hymn resound
'T is I, O my country, raising a song unto thee.
And even my grave is remembered no more
Unmark'd by never a cross nor a stone
Let the plow sweep through it, the spade turn it o'er
That my ashes may carpet earthly floor,
Before into nothingness at last they are blown.
Then will oblivion bring to me no care
As over thy vales and plains I sweep;
Throbbing and cleansed in thy space and air
With color and light, with song and lament I fare,
Ever repeating the faith that I keep.
My Fatherland ador'd, that sadness to my sorrow lends
Beloved Filipinas, hear now my last good-by!
I give thee all: parents and kindred and friends
For I go where no slave before the oppressor bends,
Where faith can never kill, and God reigns e'er on high!
Farewell to you all, from my soul torn away,
Friends of my childhood in the home dispossessed !
Give thanks that I rest from the wearisome day !
Farewell to thee, too, sweet friend that lightened my way;
Beloved creatures all, farewell! In death there is rest !
Rizal had his last supper in the evening of December 29, 1896. At that time, he said to Captain Dominguez that he has
already forgiven his enemies including those who wanted him dead. At three in the morning on the day of his
execution, he prayed and confessed his sins in the chapel. At exactly 5:30 in the morning, he had his last breakfast of
three hard boiled eggs. After breakfast, he singed some memorabilia including religious pictures and books, some of
which he gave to his mother and sister, Trinidad. To his wife Josephine, he gave the Imitacion de Cristo as a gift.
He once again wrote a letter to his family, sisters and brother that said:
To my family, I ask you for forgiveness for the pain I cause you, but some day I shall have to die and it is
better that I die now in the plentitude of my conscience. Dear parents and brothers: give thanks to God that I may
preserve my tranquility before my death. I die resigned, hoping that with my death you will be left in peace. Ah! It is
better to die than to live suffering. Console yourselves. I enjoin you to forgive one another the little meanness of life
and try to live united in peace and good harmony. Treat your old parents as you would like to be treated by your
children later. Love them very much in my memory. Bury me in the ground. Place a stone and a cross over it. My name,
the date of my birth and of my death. Nothing more. If later you wish to surround my grave with a fence, you can do
it. No anniversaries. I prefer Paang Bundok. Have pity on poor Josephine. My Dear Brother, It is now four and a half
years since we have seen one another, or have we exchanged letters. This I think is not because of any lack of love on
my part or yours, but because, knowing one another so well, we do not need to talk in order to be understood by one
another. Now I am about to die, and it is to you I dedicate my last line, to tell you how sorry I am to leave you alone
in this life, burdened with the weight of the family and of our old parents. I am thinking how hard you have work to
give me a career; I have tried not to waste my time. My brother, if the fruit been bitter, it is not my fault, but the fault
of cir◻cumstances. I know that you have suffered much for me, and I am sorry. I assure you, brother, that I die innocent
of this crime of rebellion. That my former writings may have contributed toward it, I cannot wholly deny; but then, I
thought I had expiated for the pass in my deportation. Tell our father that I remember him, and how much! I remember
his affection and his love since my earliest childhood. Ask him to forgive me for the pain I have unwillingly caused
him.
(Signed) Jose Rizal
Wearing a black suit, black pants, black bowler hat, and white shirt with his arms tied behind his back, Rizal walked
to Bagumbayan at 6:30 in the morning of December 30, 1896. He walked along with his defense lawyer, Andrade,
and two Jesuit priests, March and Vilaclara. In front of them
were the advance guard of armed soldiers and behind them
were another group of military men. The sound of a trumpet
signaled the start of the death march and the muffled sound of
drums served as the musical score of the walk. People were
lined up in the streets—”some were sympathetic to him,
oothers, especially the Spaniards, wanted nothing less than to
see him die. Some observed that his family or the katipuneros
would make a last minute effort to sprint him from the trap”
(Ocampo, 2016). Prior to his death, it was believed that Rizal
has managed to remain calm. Spectators said Rizal
acknowledged the familiar faces in the crowd by nodding his head from left and right. Some people even saw that
Rizal smiled from time to time. At the time of his death, Rizal refused to kneel and declined the traditional blindfold.
Maintaining that he was not a traitor to his country and to Spain, he even requested to face the firing squad. The
Commander of the firing squad denied his request but after some time, Rizal agreed to turn his back to the firing squad
but requested that he be shot not in the head — but in the small of the back instead. When agreement has been reached,
Rizal shook the hand of his defense lawyer. The military physician asked permission to feel the pulse of the man who
had only a few minutes to live and the doctor was startled to find it normal. Before leaving Rizal in his appointed
place, the priests offered him a crucifix to kiss “but he turned his head away and silently prepared for his death. When
the command had been given, the executioners’ guns barked at once. Rizal yelled Christ’s two words,
“Consummatum est!” (It is finished!) simultaneously with his final effort to twist his bullet-pieced body halfway
around. Silence was all over. Unfortunately, the Captain did not keep his words about the request made by Rizal of
not shooting his head, but one of his men came near to the body and gave Rizal “tira de gracia” or the mercy shot in
the head to make sure that Rizal is dead. The Spaniards houted, Viva Espana! Muerte a los Traidores! But the crowd
did not respond. To break the ice, the military band played “Marcha de Cadiz,” and so they cheered.