Life, Works, and Writings of Jose Rizal Notes by Sir Jeric Ambrad
Writing: Sa Aking mga Kabata (Poem)
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Wrote by Rizal when he was 8 years old.
Pointed out the nationalistic significance of the Mother Tongue.
Doña Teodora – First Teacher
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Taught Jose Rizal the ABC’s.
Encouraged to write poems.
Stimulated her son’s imagination by telling many stories.
Amigo de los Nios – The Children’s Friend, a story book. (Donya Lolay scolded Jose for
drawing on the pages of the story book.)
Uncle of Rizal – Influences
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Tio Jose Alberto - cultivate his artistic ability.
Tio Manuel - physical exercises
Tio Gregorio - intensified avidness to read good books.
The Private Tutors
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__________________________1 – was Jose’s first private tutor. (Spanish Language and
Grammar)
__________________________2 – was the second private tutor. (Spanish Language and
Grammar)
__________________________3 – Tutor in Spanish and Latin. He was a classmate of Don
Francisco.
Writing: ____________________________________________________4 (Poem)
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It was written to express his love and appreciation for the place of Calamba.
Rizal loved his hometown Calamba in Laguna. He fondly remembered his memories of the
said town.
In 1876, Rizal as a 15-year-old student in the Ateneo Municipal de Manila wrote the poem “In
Memory of My Town”. It was written to express his love and appreciation for the place.
The imprisonment of Doña Teodora
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Arrested for alleged attempt to poison her sister-in-law.
She was around 45 years old.
Walk 50 km around Laguna.
Imprisoned for 2 years without trial.
The Death of GomBurZa
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200 workers staged a mutiny led by Fernando La Madrid
Mariano Gomez – Bacoor Priest
Jose Burgos – Manila Priest
Jacinto Zamora – Marikina Priest
TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY COMPETITION, CLASSES IN ATENEO WERE DIVIDED INTO TWO
GROUPS
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__________________________5 - Internos or Boarders
__________________________6 - Externos or Non-boarders
Writings in Ateneo
____________________________________________________7 (Poem)
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Education Gives Luster to Motherland
He compared education to the goddess of light, wisdom, hope, peace and truth and to a
lighthouse.
____________________________________________________8 (Poem)
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The Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education
A Poem he wrote to show the important relationship between religion and education.
_____________________________9 (Poem)
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Jose Rizal’s poetic verses show his eternal love and appreciation for his mother.
Felicitacion, 1875 (Poem)
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Felicitación is a Spanish poem written by Jose Rizal in 1875 to greet his brother-in-law,
Antonio Lopez, on his saint's day.
Writings in UST
To The Philippine Youth (A La Juventud Filipina, November 1879) (Poem)
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This was a winning poem in 1879. Rizal submitted it as his entry to the literary contest held by
the ‘Liceo Artistico-Literario’.
El Consoje delos Dioces
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It was an allegory in praise of Cervantes as a co-equal of Homer and Virgil. The entry was
judged the best entry in the competition that year.
First Travel Abroad
Writings in Europe
____________________________________________________10 (Essay)
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First used the penname “Laon Laan”
Aimed to establish nationalism and patriotism among the natives.
The first essay in the foreign land
If one has to die, at least one must die in his own country, by his country and for his country.
____________________________________________________11 (Speech)
1. The independence of the Philippines in the future because the Filipinos already had education from
Spain and their achievements were recognized abroad.
2. The genius could come from any nations so the people in a particular race should not treat
themselves as superior.
3. The talents and intelligence of the Filipinos are innate and Spain gave them education which
polished their capabilities.
4. The Filipinos are ready for the reforms that the Spanish government will give.
5. The Union of Spain and the Philippines is not impossible and he recognized the contributions of
Spain for our country.
6. The credit should be given to Juan Luna, Felix Hidalgo, to the students who choose to be apart
from their families to continue their education and to the parents who worked hard and bore the
longing for their children for the sake of their education.
Organizations in Philippines and Madrid
_________________________12 (UST)
_______________________________________13 (Madrid)
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This new group was founded by Filipinos and Spaniards who are pushing for the reform in the
government. The group also created a newspaper called the
_______________________________________________________14, in order to addressed
to the government authorities in Spain all the abuses and harsh treatment being done to the
Philippines and the changes that they wanted to be done.
_______________________________________15 (Madrid)
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In Madrid, Rizal was able to meet different personalities with liberal ideas like Miguel Morayta,
Francisco Pi y Margal and other people who were brave to openly criticize the government and
friars during their time and Rizal also joined the group.
Writings in Europe
____________________________________________________16 (Poem)
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Written while Rizal was a member of Circulo Hispano Filipino. It reflects how sad it was for him
to have the ability to steer emotions through his poems, and have these emotions stifled and
muted by the powerful and oppressive Spaniards.
____________________________________________________17 (Poem)
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A poem that expresses prayer for the wellbeing of his native land and shows the loneliness,
sadness and homesickness of Rizal.
Organization in Germany
Berlin Ethnological Society and the Berlin Anthropological Society
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Rizal met Dr. Feodor Jagor, the author of Travels in the Philippines, a book Rizal admired for
its keen observations in the Philippine setting. In turn, Dr. Jagor introduced Rizal to Dr. Rudolf
Virchow, a well-known anthropologist, and his son, Dr. Hans Virchow, a professor of
Descriptive Anatomy. They give him membership in the Anthropological Society,
Ethnological Society, and Geographical Society of Berlin. Dr. Virchow recognized Rizal's
genius and invited him to speak before the Berlin Ethnographic Society. Rizal published a
scholarly paper titled Taglische Verkunst (Tagalog Metrical Art) that received positive
feedback from all scientific circles.
Place
Country
People encountered
Berlin
Germany
Dr. Feodor Jagor, Dr. Rudolf Virchow and Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger
(Well-known German Opthalmologist)
Dresden
Germany
Dr. Adolph Meyer (Director of Anthropological and Ethnological
Museum)
Grand Tour of Europe
Place
Country
People encountered
Leitmeritz
Czechoslovakia Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt
Prague
Czechoslovakia
Vienna > Lintz > Salizburg
Austria
Munich > Nuremberg > Ulm > Stuttgart
Germany
Place
Country
Baden > Rheinhall > Schffhaussen >
Basel > Bern > Lausanne > Leman >
Geneva
Switzerland
Turin, Milan, Venice, Florence and Rome
Italy
People encountered
- In Geneva Rizal celebrated his 26th
birthday with Viola.
- After Geneva, Rizal and Viola decided to
part ways (Viola returning to Barcelona)
First Home Coming
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August 1887 after a five-year adventure in Europe, Rizal returned to the Philippines, despite
the fact that his life is in danger due to the uproar caused by Noli me Tangere.
August 08, 1887, he returned to Calamba and opened a medical clinic, and his first patient
was his mother.
He received a letter from Governor General Emilio Terrero requesting that he come to
Malacanang Palace a few weeks after his arrival. Rizal testified before Governor General
Terrero, denying the governor general's accusations against his novel, the Noli me Tangere.
He clarified that it was simply an exposition of truth, and he did not advocate for radical ideas.
Oppositions to Noli me Tangere
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_________________________18, the Archbishop of Manila, sent a copy of the novel to Father
_________________________19 of UST for further examination of the committee.
The committee declared as against to the teaching of Catholics and as anti-patriotic, seditious
to public order and harmful to the Spanish government.
The novel was banned from inside and outside the Philippines.
_________________________20 claim that Rizal was an “impious man, a heretic who hated religion
and Spain” but _________________________21 refuted the claim.
As a result, Fr. _____________22 made the following statement:
1. Jose Rizal was a graduate of Spanish universities and a recipient of scholastic honors, so he
couldn’t be an ignorant;
2. Jose Rizal does not criticize the church or Spain because what he criticizes in the novel are bad
Spanish officials, not Spain, and bad corrupt Friars, not the church;
3. Finally, the friars believe that those who have read the novel have committed a mortal sin, so
Father Rodriguez has also committed a mortal sin.
Second Travel Abroad
Place
Duration
Hongkong
Until February 22, 1888
Yokohama, Japan > Tokyo, Japan
Feb. 28, 1888 – April 13, 1888
United States
April 28, 1888 – May 16, 1888
Liverpool, UK > London, UK
May 25, 1888 – March 1889
Paris, France
September 1888 (For only one week then
returned to London)
Madrid and Barcelona, Spain
Dec. 11 – 24, 1888 then returned to London (La
Solidaridad was founded)
The La Solidaridad’s aim is to:
 Assimilation from Spain.
 Bring to the authorities the corruptions that are happening in the Philippines.
 To fight for justice and development of the country.
 To ask for a change or reform in the government policies and society.
 Introduce the spirit of democracy.
Writings in Europe
To The Young Women of Malolos (Essay)
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Written on Feb. 22, 1889, in London
Women of Malolos planned to establish a school where they could learn Spanish despite the
opposition of Felipe Garcia, Spanish parish priest of Malolos.
1. Rizal expressed wrote this letter at the request of Marcelo del Pilar.
2. Rizal commended the bravery of the young women of Malolos, Bulacan.
3. Bravery of women which is not common to all Filipinas.
4. Thus, the Philippines remains as a colony of Spain because of the Filipino women.
Return in Europe
Place
Paris, France
Duration
March 19, 1889 – January 1890 (Rizal created Redencion de los
Malayos and joined “International Association of Filipinologist.”)
Writings in Europe
A La Defensa (Essay)
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In this writing, he depicted the deplorable conditions of the Filipino farmers in the Philippines,
hence the backwardness of the country. This was in response to the anti-Filipino writing by
Patricio de la Escosura published by La Defensa on March 30, 1889, issue.
Llanto Y Risas (Tears and Laughter) (Essay)
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a denunciation of the racial prejudice of the Spanish against the Filipinos. His essay is a satire
where Rizal conveys his gratitude and tribute for the agony of his country and compatriots in
the hands of the Spaniards. He reflects on events of his childhood and adolescent years, up to
his stay in Europe. But then, Rizal sarcastically expresses his delight over the country’s fate
and tears fall in his heart as rain falls on his beloved country. It is such a secret place, the land
of tears.
Sobre La Nueva Ortografia De La Lengua Tagala (On the New Orthography of The Tagalog
Language) (Essay)
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He laid down rules for the Tagalog language.
The letters "k" and "w" be used instead of the Spanish "c" and "o."
Inspired by Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera’s “El Sanscrito en la Lengua Tagala” (Sanskrit in
the Tagalog Language)
Rizal in Belgium
Place
Duration
Brussels, Belgium
January 28, 1890 (Rizal was working with his second
novel – El Filibusterismo)
Madrid, Spain
August 1890 (returned to Brussles, Belgium)
Ghent, Belgium (from Brussels)
July 5, 1891 (published El Filibusterismo)
Hongkong
Nov. 1891 – June 1892
Writings in Europe
Una Profanacion (A Desecration/A Profanation, 1889) (Essay)
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this essay/article mockingly attacked the friars for refusing to give Christian burial to Mariano
Herbosa.
Filipinas Dentro De Cien Anos (The Philippines A Century Hence, 1890) (Essay)
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He ‘prophesied’ Filipinos’ revolution against Spain, winning their independence, but later the
Americans would come as the new colonizer.
Filipinos have lost confidence in their PAST, lost faith in the PRESENT, and lost their hope in
the FUTURE.
Lost of National Identity (Destruction of culture: Adopting of new culture)
Change of Masters; Gotten used to Slavery.
Because of the changes in the country, Filipinos are starting their resistance.
Sobre La Indolencia De Los Filipinas (The Indolence of the Filipinos) (Essay)
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This logical essay is a proof of the national hero’s historical scholarship. The essay rationally
countered the accusations by Spaniards that Filipinos were indolent (lazy) during the Spanish
reign. It was published in La Solidaridad in five consecutive issues on July (15 and 31), August
(1 and 31) and September 1, 1890.
Rizal argued that Filipinos are innately hardworking prior to the rule of the Spaniards. What
brought the decrease in the productive activities of the natives was actually the Spanish
colonization. Rizal explained the alleged Filipino indolence by pointing to these factors:
It is natural.
Man is not a brute nor a machine.
It is not a cause but an effect of backwardness.
1) the Galleon Trade destroyed the previous links of the Philippines with other countries in Asia
and the Middle East, thereby eradicating small local businesses and handicraft industries;
2) the Spanish forced labor compelled the Filipinos to work in shipyards, roads, and other
public works, thus abandoning their agricultural farms and industries;
3) many Filipinos became landless and wanderers because Spain did not defend them against
pirates and foreign invaders;
4) the system of education offered by the colonizers was impractical as it was mainly about
repetitive prayers and had nothing to do with agricultural and industrial technology;
5) the Spaniards were a bad example as negligent officials would come in late and leave early
in their offices and Spanish women were always followed by servants;
6) gambling like cockfights was established, promoted, and explicitly practiced by Spanish
government officials and friars themselves especially during feast days;
7) the crooked system of religion discouraged the natives to work hard by teaching that it is
easier for a poor man to enter heaven; and
8) the very high taxes were discouraging as big part of natives’ earnings would only go to the
officials and friars.
Moreover, Rizal explained that Filipinos were just wise in their level of work under topical
climate. He explained, “violent work is not a good thing in tropical countries as it is would be
parallel to death, destruction, annihilation. Rizal concluded that natives’ supposed indolence
was an end-product of the Spanish colonization.
The essay rationally countered the accusations by Spaniards that Filipinos were indolent (lazy)
during the Spanish reign.
Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
Noli me Tangere
Published date: March 21, 1887
Berlin, Germany
Social Cancer
Touch me Not (John 20:17)
Dedicated to the Fatherland
Inspired on “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet
Beecher Stowe
Savior/Sponsor: Maximo Viola
64 Chapters
El Filibusterismo
Published date: September 18, 1891
Ghent, Belgium
Reign of Greed
The Subversive
Dedicated to the GomBurZa
Inspired by the “Count of Monte Cristo” by
Alexander dumas
Savior/Sponsor: Valentine Ventura
38 Chapters
______________23 Novel
______________24 Novel
Work of the _____________25
Work of the _____________26
Notable Characters of Noli me Tangere
Juan Crisostomo Ibarra
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He is a Filipino who studied in Europe for 7 years and the son of Don Rafael Ibarra. He is
Maria Clara’s sweetheart and love interest.
Raised in San Diego, a fictional town in Laguna, Ibarra spent seven years studying in Europe.
He returned to the Philippines after learning about the death of his father, Don Rafael.
An idealistic student, Ibarra decides to honor his father's reputation of being kind and helpful
by doing the same.
He seeks to improve the country and believes in the power of education. He even made efforts
to establish a school in San Diego.
Maria Clara
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Maria Clara is a dalagang Filipina and is the novel's primary female character. She is a sweet
and kindhearted young woman, who is well-loved by everyone.
She is Crisostomo Ibarra's childhood friend and fiancée. When he was away in Europe, her
father, the wealthy Capitan Tiago, sent Maria Clara to study at the Beaterio de Santa Clara.
Maria Clara is known to be the ideal, conservative Filipino woman. Her mother, Doña Pia Alba,
died in childbirth, so she was raised by her aunt, Tiya Isabel.
Elias
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He is Ibarra’s mysterious friend. He is a master boater who helps Ibarra to escape; he is also a
fugitive.
The mysterious fugitive is Ibarra's most devoted supporter and saved him on multiple
occasions. Born rich but growing up disillusioned with the status quo, Elias devoted his life to
helping out those most oppressed in society.
Crispin
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Basilio's younger brother. Basilio was very close to his brother Crispin, the two working
together as sacristans at the San Diego church. Following the incident that left Crispin missing
and presumably dead, Basilio became wracked with grief and guilt for leaving Crispin behind
to save himself. Throughout his life Basilio was presumably motivated by Crispin, taking on his
dream of becoming a doctor and working tirelessly to achieve it. Crispin's disappearance was,
therefore, the driving force that inspired Basilio to study, as a way of keeping his brother's
memory alive.
Padre Salvi
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Bernardo Salvi is a priest who is in love with Maria Clara.
The town curate of San Diego and the successor of Padre Damaso. Possessing a rivalry with
the town's alferez, he later orchestrated the downfall of Crisostomo Ibarra, manipulating the
townspeople in the process.
Padre Damaso
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Padre Damaso is the former parish priest of San Diego.
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The arrogant priest acts superior to everyone around him and does not control his words—
especially to Ibarra—even if others will feel embarrassed or guilty.
He is later revealed to be the real father of Maria Clara, and aims to stop her marriage to
Ibarra.
Capitan Tiago
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Maria Clara's father and an influential businessman. He befriended Don Rafael Ibarra and
Padre Damaso in San Diego.
Pilosopo Tasyo
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Tasio is one of the characters in the novel that Rizal can relate to, as the former is patterned
after the latter's oldest brother, Paciano Rizal.
also known as Don Anastacio. On the one hand, he is described to as a philosopher/sage
(thus the name Pilosopo Tasyo) because his thoughts were in tune with the townspeople's
brains.
Sisa
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Sisa is the mother of Basilio and Crispin. After enduring an abusive husband and the
disappearance of her boys, she eventually loses her sanity due to the trauma.
Sisa is a caring and devoted mother. She never stopped looking for her sons and wandered
around San Diego while calling out their names.
Doña Victorina
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Dona Victorina de los Reyes de Espadaña is the woman who pretended to be a meztisa (a
Spanish woman born in the Philippines) and dreamed of marrying a Spaniard, which she did
when she married Don Tiburcio. Because of her strange looks, vicious personality, and
passionate rivalry with Donya Consolacion, she was feared by everyone in the village.
Doña Consolacion
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Doña Consolacíon, the Civil Guards Museum's muse and Alférez's wife, was a laundry worker
for the town of Alferez at one time. After marrying a Spaniard, she became extremely wealthy.
Doña Consolación is a brutal, vulgar partner who berates the ensign, engaging him in intense
physical fights heard across the town.
Notable Characters of El Filibuterismo
Simoun
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He is Crisostomo Ibarra who reincarnated as a wealthy jeweler.
Don Tiburcio de Espadaña
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Isagani
Henpecked husband of Dona Victoria. Make a living as a quack doctor.
He is timid and never participated in conversation. Represented the ignorant Spaniards whose
foolishness the other Spaniards tolerated, often resulting in disastrous consequences for the
natives.
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He is poet and Basilio’s bestfriend; portrayed as emotional and reactive; Paulita Gomez
boyfriend before being dumped for student Juanito Pelaez.
Paulita's lover. The man was Paulita's first love, and she demonstrated care for him on some
level. Despite this, she often quarreled with him and outright dismissed his dreams for the
future as being unattainable. Ultimately, Paulita did not think of being with Isagani as sensible,
and married Juanito in order to secure a life of wealth and security.
Basilio
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Basilio was a young boy living in San Diego and the older brother of Crispin. Following his
mother's death and his brother's disappearance, Basilio fled the town and was taken in
by Capitan Tiago. Living in Manila, he became a medical student, also joining the student
organization attempting to found the Castilian Academy.
Basilio was born the son of Sisa in San Diego sometime in 1871. Growing up with his younger
brother Crispin, the two eventually became sacristans at the San Diego parish.
Tribulations of a Sacristan
On All Saints' Day, 1881, Basilio and his brother were ringing the bells in the San Diego
church. Having been accused of stealing two gold pieces by the sacristan mayor, Crispin
related his worries to his brother.
When the sacristan mayor suddenly arrived and began beating them, Crispin was unable to
escape while Basilio fled. Fired at by the Guardia Civil, Basilio was grazed by a bullet before
returning home, comforted by his mother. Telling her what had happened, Basilio later fell
asleep, dreaming of his brother being beaten and killed by the sacristan mayor and Padre
Salvi.
The following day, Sisa went to town to fetch Crispin. As he saw Guardia Civil approach,
Basilio fled the house; at some point, he became wounded, fell unconscious, and was
discovered in the woods by the De Dios Family. Taken in by them, Basilio recovered over the
two months he stayed with them.
On Christmas Eve, Basilio went into town, worried about his mother and brother. He eventually
located Sisa at the town square; with the woman having gone insane, she ran away from him,
Basilio pursuing her into the forest.
Finally reuniting with her, Basilio watched Sisa have several moments of lucidity before dying.
Fainting soon after, he came to and saw a stranger, Elias, and was instructed by him to
cremate him and his mother. Going out to fetch wood, Basilio later returned and found Elias
dead, and another man, Ibarra, there; the two then cremated Elias and buried Sisa. Given a
few gold coins by Ibarra and told to flee, Basilio traveled to Manila.
While there, Basilio chanced upon the carriage of Capitan Tiago and Tia Isabel. Hired as a
serving-man for the household, Basilio worked for Capitan Tiago, who funded his education
and allowed him to become a medical student. During this time, Basilio reunited with Juli, the
daughter of Cabesang Tales, and the two became sweethearts.
In December of 1894, Basilio rode the steamship Tabo with his close friend Isagani, the two
discussing with Capitan Basilio the student association's plans to establish an academy
teaching Spanish. In reply, Capitan Basilio expressed his doubts and left.
After arriving in San Diego, Basilio learned from the coachman about Cabesang Tales'
abduction by bandits. Planning to visit the de Dios family, Basilio first stopped by the grave of
his mother on Christmas Eve, where he encountered the jeweler Simoun, really a disguised
Crisostomo Ibarra. As Simoun attempted to recruit him into his revolution, Basilio
refused. Following his visit, he learned that Juli had become a maid for Hermana Penchang;
he then withdrew his savings to free her from her servitude.
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Two months later, Basilio learned that Maria Clara had died at the Sta. Clara convent. Later
that day, Basilio was tending to Capitan Tiago, who was in his final moments due to opium
poisoning, when he was visited by Simoun. As Simoun attempted to recruit him once again,
Basilio to be designated with rescuing Maria Clara from the convent, Basilio related that she
had died earlier that day, with Simoun leaving soon after.
Later on, Basilio visited the hospital and learned that seditious posters had been posted all
over the university. Traveling to Makaraig's house for a loan, Basilio was then arrested for
being part of the student organization supposedly behind the seditious posters.
Due to the manipulation of Padre Irene, none of Capitan Tiago's wealth was passed down to
Basilio following his death, causing him to remain in prison while his other friends were set free
Eventually, Basilio was bailed out by Simoun. Learning of Juli's suicide after being assaulted
by Padre Camorra, Basilio visited Simoun and swore allegiance to him, agreeing to join his
revolution. As he learned Simoun's plan of detonating a bomb disguised as a lamp during an
important celebration, Basilio was tasked with leading the masses to a warehouse with
weapons once the revolt broke out.
While walking the streets, Basilio noticed the wedding reception of Juanito Pelaez and Paulita
Gomez, surmising it to be the celebration Simoun was referring to. Seeing Isagani, Basilio told
him to run away, only to be met with his friend's refusal. Basilio then fled soon after.
Basilio was an optimistic and hopeful individual in spite of the hardships he faced. At a young
age, Basilio demonstrated a certain maturity, aware of his father's abuse towards his mother
and recognizing the need to find his family after he was taken in by Selo. As part of this
maturity, Basilio dreamed of becoming a herdsman for Crisostomo Ibarra and eventually work
in the fields in order to lift his family out of poverty.
Basilio's optimism extended into his life as a young man, working tirelessly to become a doctor
and participating in the student organization's efforts to establish the Castilian Academy.
Because of his values, Basilio initially rejected Simoun's offer to join his revolution, reluctant to
endanger himself and not wanting to avenge his family. However, after losing Juli, Basilio
became embittered and joined Simoun's cause, not having anything left to lose. Throughout
his life, Basilio was dutiful towards his family, including Capitan Tiago, whom he saw as a
father.
Paulita Gomez
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Juli
a beautiful and flirtatious orphan who knows that every boy in the university admires her. She
was the girlfriend of Isagani but in the end she married another man just to follow the request
of her aunt, Doña Victorina.
At a young age, Paulita became orphaned and was put under the care of her uncle and aunt,
Don Tiburcio and Doña Victorina. She also, at some point, became lovers with Isagani.
Later on, Paulita watched Les Coches de Corneville with her aunt and Juanito Pelaez, seeing
Isagani look at the cancan dancers and becoming jealous. She later met with Isagani in
Malecon, having him explain his behavior at the theater. As Isagani discussed his dreams with
her, she dismissed them as being too idealistic.
Following Isagani's imprisonment and eventual release, Paulita broke off her relationship with
him and was betrothed instead to Juanito, having their wedding reception at the old house
of Capitan Tiago. During the reception, the guests became panicked as the lamp given as a
wedding gift by the jeweler Simoun bore a note from the dead Crisostomo Ibarra. As the lamp
was about to explode, however, the plan was foiled by Isagani.
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She was a resident of San Diego and the daughter of Cabesang Tales. After her father was
abducted by bandits, she did whatever she could to raise enough ransom money.
Juli was born a member of the De Dios Family alongside her older siblings Lucia and
Tano. When her grandfather Selo took in the injured Basilio in November of 1881, Juli became
playmates with the young boy. Later on, when her father Cabesang Tales cultivated some
land in the forest, Juli became ill along with the rest of her family; soon after, both her mother
and Lucia died. She also witnessed Tano get drafted into the Guardia Civil. At some point, she
reunited with Basilio and the two became sweethearts.
Basilio's lover. Basilio made sacrifices for her, such as withdrawing his savings to get her out
of being Hermana Penchang's servant. Juli's death stemming from Padre Camorra pushed
Basilio into his lowest point, causing him to join Simoun's revolution as an embittered and
destructive version of his former self.
Placido Penitente
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He was a student from the province. A scholar and a victim of a self-centered professor. He
walked out from school and joined the plan of Simoun.
Ben Zayb
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Abraham Ybanez
Spanish journalist who wrote only articles about the Filipinos
He has his own version of the truth in his mind. He sensationalizes and embellishes events to
showcase his writing and promote his own interests.
Kabesang Tales
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former cabeza de barangay; Telesforo Juan de Dios
His family and father cultivate a piece of land. From the hardship and sickness (malaria) they
experience, Tales's wife and eldest daughter die.
Padre Camorra
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Padre Camorra represents the abuse experienced by women. He only has eyes for. beautiful
women and not caring (or noticing) whether his behavior makes them.
The following year, when Basilio was arrested on the charge of sedition, Juli learned of his
subsequent imprisonment. Desperate, she sought the help of Padre Camorra, the parish priest
of Tiani. While there, she was assaulted by him, causing her to jump off the church tower and
commit suicide.
Padre Irene
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Kapitán Tiago's spiritual adviser
Irene secretly but regularly supplies Kapitán Tiago with opium.
He embellished stories of panic following the outlawing of the student association Basilio was
part of, hastening Kapitán Tiago's death. With Basilio in prison, he then struck Basilio out of
Tiago's last will and testament, ensuring he inherited nothing.
Padre Florentino
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Priest with sad and serious features perhaps tried by deep moral suffering.
Padre Florentino was the parish priest of the town of Tiani and the adoptive uncle of Isagani.
He eventually came to shelter both Don Tiburcio and Simoun from their respective threats.
Writing in Dapitan
_________________________________27 (Poem)
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Upon the request of Doña Teodora, Jose Rizal came up with a beautiful poem vis-à-vis his
tranquil life in Dapitan.
The poem was sent to his mother in 1895. It was commended by the critics as one of the best
of his literary creations.
In the poem, he gave a narrative account of his peaceful life while exiled in Dapitan where he
lived a well-rounded life as a farmer, teacher, and a merchant.
Achievements of Rizal in Dapitan
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Won the lottery
Established community __________________30
Practice medicine
Engaged in farming and commerce
Established Cooperative Association of Dapitan Farmers
Created a large relief map of Mindanao
Created a water system
Gather specimen of flowers, insects, shell and reptiles
Conducted scientific research
Invented wooden machine for making bricks
Invented _________________29 – wooden cigarette lighter
Coco Lumber Business
My Last Farewell (Mi Ultimo Adios, December 1896) (Poem)
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_____________30
This untitled poem is considered as the most celebrated poem by the national hero.
Rizal’s friend, Mariano Ponce,was the one who titled the poem “Mi Ultimo Pensamiento”(My
Last Thought). Later, the poem was referred to as “My Last Farewell” (Mi Ultimo Adios).
“Mi Ultimo Adios”, a brilliant creation, was assumed to be written the night before Jose Rizal’s
execution on December 30, 1896. As the dear visitors were leaving, Jose handed over to his
sister Trinidad an alcohol cooking stove, a gift from the Pardo de Taveras, whispering to her in
a language which the guards could not comprehend, “There is something in it.” That
‘something’ was Rizal’s unsigned, undated, and untitled poem consisting of 14 five-line
stanzas. The Rizal family reproduced and distributed copies of it and sent copies to the hero’s
friends in the country and abroad.
The poem requests Filipinos to pray for others who also have died and suffered for the
country. It begged the Filipino people to never lose hope and faith in the Lord God. Forceful
words were used to inspire them not to be discouraged by the oppressions of the Spaniards.
At the last part of the poem, Jose Rizal mentioned of his “sweet stranger” as his friend and joy.
This implied his farewell to his beloved “dulce estranjera”, Josephine.