“JOSE RIZAL”

Scriptwriters:

Katherine Piañar
Kaye April Tamayo
FADE IN - WHITE:

OUTSIDE MERCADO’S HOUSE – DAY/DUSK

Young-Jose goes home barefooted. Teodora Alonso is outside their
home when she saw her son in a hurry to get inside their house.

TEODORA
Pepe!

Young-Jose stops, looks at his mother and guiltily smiles. He

approaches Teodora to kiss her hand (mano).

JOSE
Ina.

TEODORA
(strict)
Where are your slippers, Pepe?

JOSE
(apologetic)
I’m sorry, Ina. I lost it while we were
boating. Not both at once, though. I lost
one so I decided to throw the other one.
Without the other pair, the other is
useless, right Ina? Someone might be able
to pick both slippers and use the pair of
slippers well.

Saturnina shouts at their front door. Both will look at her.

SATURNINA
(shouts)
Pepe! Ina! It is time for the Angelus

JOSE
Oh, I’m coming!
(looks back to his mother and gives a silly
smile) I’m sorry, Ina.(runs to Saturnina)

SATURNINA
Where have you been?
(goes inside the house)

JOSE
Boating. (smiles guiltily)
 (looks back to his mother, smiles and goes
inside the house)

TEODORA
(sighs then smiles)

INSIDE MERCADO’S HOUSE - BY THE ALTAR

The Mercado Family are all gathered around the altar.

NARCISA
Pepe, you smell like mud, have you been wandering around again?

TEODORA
That is enough. Pepe, wash up after this. For now, let’s pray

JOSE
En el nombre del...

EVERYONE
Padre, y del Hijo, y del Esperitu Santo, Amen

Teodora guided Pepe’s hands in doing the sign of the cross and
they proceed with praying the angelus.

FADE OUT - WHITE

FADE IN:

IN THE LIBRARY

Jose is reciting a poetry while seated on the dining table.

Meanwhile, Teodora and Francisco welcomed his new tutor

TEODORA
Pepe is a wise kid for his age

FRANCISCO
Maestro, I trust that you will help Pepe

MAESTRO CELESTINO
This child is indeed full of potential

Francisco and Maestro Celestino shook hands

FRANCISCO
Pepe! Come, meet your new tutor
Jose stood and went to his father to kiss Maestro’s hand (mano)

FADE OUT – WHITE

FADE IN:

INSIDE MERCADO’S LIVING ROOM – DAY

Jose is prepping for his journey to Binan

FRANCISCO:
Pepe, you have to understand why I am sending you to Binan to
study

JOSE:
But, Ama, haven’t I learned enough from Ina and Maestro Monroy?

FRANCISCO:
Anak, it is for your own good. You must learn how to be
independent. You cannot be a child forever.

PACIANO:
It will be fine Pepe, I will accompany you to Binan and
introduce you to my former teacher, Maestro Cruz.

Teodora called out as the carromata (kalesa) arrived to fetch

Jose and Paciano

TEODORA:
Pepe, your ride is here! Paciano, take care of Pepe

Teodora and the rest of Jose’s siblings bid their farewells

JOSE:
(Goes in the carromata and looks back to his family waving him
goodbye as it starts to move forward)

FADE OUT – WHITE

FADE IN – INSIDE THE STUDY OF JUANCHO

Juancho enters the room and observes Jose’s painting

JUANCHO:
De hecho has mejorado Jose
(You indeed have improved Jose)

JOSE:
 Gracias Maestro, aprendi de los mejores
(Thank You Maestro, I learned from the best)

JUANCHO:
Your Spanish have improved so well too. Keep it up.
(Hands a letter to Jose)

JUANCHO:
This is a letter from your sister Saturnina, I’m assuming it is
good news. Have a safe trip home Jose
(taps Jose’s shoulder)

FADE OUT - WHITE

FADE IN:

MERCADO’S HOME (LIVING AREA) – DAY

FRANCISCO:
I have matters to discuss with you Pepe

JOSE:
What is it Ama?

TEODORA:
Let us wait for Paciano first.

FRANCISCO:
This is not the time to wander, find Paciano

FADE OUT
FADE IN:

PUBLIC PLACE – DAY

The whole town is gathered by the park. Guards escorted the

GOMBURZA priests to the center

PRIEST:
They are the traitors of the church and to
the Mother Spain.

GOMEZ:
I committed no mistake. I will die with
clean conscience!

PRIEST
 No mistake!? You are who sinned for starting
a chaos in Cavite. You deserve no mercy.
Their souls deserve no mercy!

Paciano stands in the middle of the crowd watching with vengeful

eyes as he tears in contempt and anguish.

PRIEST:
You fools!
(The rope was let loose leaving the GOMBURZA
Priests hanging. The crowd wails, some
prayed as Paciano left the scene with a
silent promise of getting equal)

FADE OUT

FADE IN

MERCADO’S YARD
JOSE
Kuya, Ama and Ina were looking for you. Ama
said we have matters to discuss

PACIANO
(looking sad and revengeful; stands beside
Jose) Pepe.

JOSE
What’s the matter Kuya?

PACIANO
Three Filipino priests were just executed.
Mariano Gomez, Father Jose Burgos and Father
Jacinto Zamora.

JOSE
(shocked)
Why!? What have they done?

PACIANO
(angry)
They were executed by the Spaniards on
charges of subversion. The charges against
them were their alleged complicity in the
uprising of workers at the Cavite Naval
Yard. (both sighs) I must do something.
 JOSE
(eager)
I’d like to do something, too.

PACIANO
You will use Rizal as your surname, Jose
Rizal. I fear that you might get yourself in
trouble since they know I have my links to
Father Burgos.
FADE OUT

FADE IN

MERCADO’S HOME (LIVING AREA)

TEODORA:
Pepe already knows what he needs to know. He
doesnt need to study more

PACIANO:
But, wouldnt it be better if Pepe goes to
University so he would go far in life?

TEODORA:
Where else does he need to go? Our life’s
work is here in the mountains. We need you
to work on our business. I made our business
succcesful with lesser educational level
than he has

JOSE:
But Inay, were you not the one who taught me
how learning is important for the soul?

TEODORA:
It was then, now I change my mind. Knowledge
will bring you harm. The wise are beheaded!

PACIANO:
Is it not knowledge which will bring us a
good life?

TEODORA:
You know very well that the situation is
different here. What good can your knowledge
bring if it will only cost you your life

PACIANO:
 Then we must change the situation. They dont
want us to become knowledgeable in fear of
us finding out their discrepancies

TEODORA:
Then will you be able to change our
situation? Look at what happened to Father
Burgos, Gomez, and Zamora.

JOSE:
Ina, I want to learn. There are a lot of
things I want to learn about the world and
surely, everything I learn will be exhausted
to better our lives, right? Ina, please let
me

FRANCISCO:
Teodora, it would be better if Pepe can
finish university and Pepe, promise that you
will stay away from trouble and after this
you will use everything you learn here in
Calamba

JOSE:
(Nods at his father)

FADE OUT

FADE IN

TIYO ANTONIO’S LIVING ROOM

PACIANO
Tiyo Antonio, this is my brother Pepe

JOSE
(Kisses Tiyo Antonio’s hand)
Thank you for letting me stay with you Tiyo

TIYO ANTONIO
I am glad we finally met Pepe, I’d be happy
to have you here in my home. And one thing,
I’d like you to meet my daughter.
(Calls out Leonor)
Leonor!

Leonor:
 Yes, Ama?

JOSE
(Looks at Leonor with a look of wonder,
extremely captivated by her beauty)

TIYO ANTONIO
This is Pepe, he will be staying with us as
he study here in Manila. Pepe, your cousin,
Leonor

JOSE
(kisses Leonor’s hand)
It is my pleasure to meet you Leonor

FADE OUT

FADE IN

Jose’s attraction to Leonor grows deeply as their time were

spent more together than apart.

BY THE BEACH
JOSE
(Sketching Leonor by the seashore)

LEONOR
What are you doing?

JOSE
Nothing

LEONOR
May I see?

JOSE
(Hands his sketch to Leonor)

LEONOR
(Overwhelmed as she examined the sketch, she looked back up at
Jose)
Read me a poetry

JOSE
(Excerpt from Noli Me Tangere dedicated to Leonor)
You are light
You are fire
 You are water, my source of life
You smile and the heavens part
Your eyes, behold a night filled with stars

Jose and Leonor looks at each other, eye to eye, conversing

their emotions with a mere look of constant promise of an
unspoken love

FADE OUT

FADE IN

MERCADO’S DINING ROOM

JOSE
Ina!
(Meets Teodora in a warm embrace)

TEODORA
(Eyes in the distant)
Pepe, I had no idea you were coming home. Wait here, let me
fetch you something to drink. You must be tired from the road

SATURNINA
Let me, Ina

TEODORA
It is fine, I want to serve my son
(Teodora fetched water for Jose and poured it in his glass not
realizing the water is overlapping the glass)

JOSE
Ina?
(Voice breaks in deep worry)

TEODORA
(Searches for Jose’s face, her one hand on his cheek)
Yes, Pepe? Is there something wrong?
(Puts down the pitch of water, not knowing it missed the table,
the water splashed all over the floor)

FRANCISCO
(Guides Teodora)
Come, Teodora, you need to rest

TEODORA
Im fine, I miss my Pepe
 (eyes in tears)

FADE OUT

FADE IN

MERCADO’S LIVING ROOM

JOSE
How long has it been since this happened to Ina? Have you had
her looked at by a Doctor

PACIANO
We did, but the clinic does not have the right supplies nor
enough knowledge on this case. Ina needs to be admitted abroad

JOSE
But there is still a chance to fix her eyesight right?

PACIANO
Pepe, you know what must be done so we can help Ina. One of us
must go far first

JOSE
I will help Ina. I will study medicine.

FADE OUT
FADE IN

SCHOOL HALLWAY

1882 – 2 YEARS LATER

Paciano came to visit Jose

PACIANO
(Hugs Jose)
Pepe!

JOSE
Kuya! Its been a while

PACIANO
(Serious tone)
I have important things to discuss with you. No one must know
about this
 JOSE
What is it?

PACIANO
The Civil Guards as ordered by the Friars are watching us. If
you dont leave now, you may not be able to leave anymore

JOSE
Kuya, I dont understand. How about Ina, and Ama? Don’t we tell
them? Even Leonor?

PACIANO
For now, no one can know about this. They will know once you’ve
boarded the ship. Jose, please go to Europe. You will continue
your medical studies in there and carry out the secret mission.

JOSE
What is the secret mission?

PACIANO
You have to observe keenly the life and
culture, languages and customs, industries
and commerce, and governments and laws of
the European nations in order to prepare
yourself in the mighty task of liberating
our fellow oppressed people from the Spanish
tyranny.

JOSE
(nod; determined)

FADE OUT

FADE IN

IN THE CHURCH

Leonor is kneeling in prayer as Jose joined her

LEONOR
Jose

JOSE
Ill be going home to Calamba

LEONOR
(saddened)
 When will I see you again?
(put her hands down on the chair)

JOSE
(Held Leonor’s hand)
It is indefinite, but granted, I will see you again

LEONOR
(Opened Jose’s hand giving him her necklace)
Even if we might be apart for long, a part of me will always be
with you

(Stares at one another lovingly)

JOSE
(tear fell from his eye)

LEONOR
(wipes his tears)

JOSE
(Leaned in to her hand and kissed it)

FADE OUT

FADE IN

OUTSIDE THE MERCADO’S HOME

PACIANO
Pepe, it is time for your return to Manila

FRANCISCO
We will see you soon again Pepe, when you come back, Paciano and
I will set up a clinic for you here in Calamba

TEODORA
Pray always anak, we love you
(hugs and kissed Pepe)

Jose and Paciano stepped in the carromata. Jose looked back as

it began to move forward. Teodora weeps as she waves her son
goodbye ignorant of the inevitable fate of his son in his secret
mission to Europe

IN THE CARROMATA
 JOSE
Kuya, please deliver this one to Ina once I am on board
(Jose handed Paciano the letter for his parents.)
And this one for Leonor
(Handed another letter for Leonor)

PACIANO
Dont worry Pepe, this will reach them. The works you are about
to do will be remembered brother.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

LEONOR’S ROOM

Leonor, standing by the window, she excitedly opens the letter

from Rizal

JOSE
(VOICE)
And so it has arrived – the fatal instant,
The dismal injunction of my cruel fate;
So it has come at last – the moment, the date,
When I must separate myself from you

Goodbye, Leonor, goobye! I take my leave,

Leaving behind with you my lover’s heart!
Goodbye, Leonor: from here I now depart.
O Melancholy absence! Ah, what pain!

Leonor cried in silence, her tears flowing nonstop her face.

Looking past the horizon wondering where his lover has gone.

In the bushes beneath, a tearful Jose stares up at his lover

wondering for the love so close yet so far. Walking away,
wearing his hat, eyes determined to cross the path he chose and
sacrificed his time with his loved ones for.

FADE OUT
FADE IN

NARRATION

Jose Rizal left the Philippines in secret.

 He reached Barcelona, Spain on June 16, 1882. He was welcomed
by his former classmates at a coffee house in Plaza de Cataluña.

After the summer vacation, Jose Rizal moved to Madrid where

he enrolled in Medicine and Philosophy and Letters at the
Unibersidad Central de Madrid. Jose Rizal was awarded with the
degree and title of Licentiate in Medicine for passing the medical
examinations in June 1884.

However, he was able to feel the effect of the difficult

economic situation in Calamba. He was not able to pay the fee
required to defend his thesis and there were delays in his monthly
allowance.

It was in Madrid that he was able to write the first half of

his novel, Noli Me Tangere. He dedicated his days on writing the
draft of Noli Me Tangere.

In 1885, JOSE RIZAL arrived in Paris. He was an assistant

ophthalmologist to Dr. Louis de Weckert.

In Germany, he also worked with ophthalmologist Dr. Otto

Becker.

He then went to Berlin. He finished Noli Me Tangere in there

which was published on March 21, 1887 with the financial help of
his friend Maximo Viola.

DISSOLVE

FADE IN:

OUTSIDE MERCADO’S HOME – DAY

ANY FEMALE SIBLING

(shouts)
He’s here!

FRANCISCO
(happy)
Jose!

All hugs JOSE RIZAL in excitement. All looking happy to see him
again.

TEODORA
(delighted)
 It’s been five years son, how have you been?

JOSE RIZAL
Europe is indeed full of wonders, Ina. I can
now help you with your failing eyesight.
(looks at everyone) I’m so happy to see
everyone.

DISSOLVE

FADE IN:

DINING HALL

Everyone is eating, talking and happy. Paciano arrives.

TEODORA
Paciano, where have you been? Hurry and join
us here.

PACIANO
(heavy breathing)
Ina, (pauses) Ama, I am very sorry but I
think Jose (looks at Jose deep in worry)
might need to leave as soon as possible.

ANY FEMALE SIBLING

(all were shocked)
Pepe’s been home for less than a week. What
is this all about?

PACIANO
(looks at Jose)
You are now being targeted by friars. They
are accusing you of negatively portraying
them in your novel Noli Me Tangere.

DISSOLVE

FADE IN:

NARRATION

JOSE RIZAL left the country for the second time on February
16, 1888.
 He became more active in the Propaganda Movement. He became
preoccupied with writing articles and essays which were published
in the Propaganda Movement’s newspaper La Solidaridad.
In July 1891, JOSE RIZAL completed his second novel, El
Filibusterismo. It was published on September 18, 1891 through the
help of Valentin Ventura.

In 1892, JOSE RIZAL went back to the Philippines despite of

the warnings and his family’s disapproval.

FADE OUT
FADE IN:

PHILIPPINES - DAY

JOSE RIZAL with his friends in the newly formed La Liga Filipina
were stopped by a couple of soldiers.

SOLDIER
Jose Rizal, you have to come with us. You
are being charged for bringing with you
leaflets entitled Pobres Frailes from Hong
Kong. This is against the Dominican friars.

JOSE RIZAL was forcibly arrested and brought to Fort Santiago. He

was exiled to Dapitan in Mindanao. On the eve of June 21, 1896,
Dr. Pio Valenzuela visited Rizal.

DR. PIO VALENZUELA

Jose, our fellow countrymen are planning a
revolution. And we think you are the best
leader to appoint for this. We will do
something to get you out in here and…

JOSE RIZAL
I refuse!

DR. PIO VALENZUELA

What?! (stutter) Why!?

JOSE RIZAL
(stands)
Violence is never a solution. That would
only be suicide.

DR. PIO VALENZUELA

 And you think your works are enough to stop
them?

JOSE RIZAL
That explains why I am here. How can a bolo
defeat a gun? Tell me. (pauses) I have only
used ink and paper, and now they see me as a
threat. We all know how important it is to
have a well-planned movement with sufficient
arms. I can’t just let my men go directly to
the battle field to die

DR. PIO VALENZUELA

(shakes his head in disbelief and then
leaves)

FADE OUT

FADE IN:

NARRATION

Jose Rizal’s request to go to Cuba was approved. The next

day, he left for Manila. Upon arriving at the port, Governor-
General Despujol told him there was an order to ship him back to
Manila. On November 3, 1896, Jose Rizal arrived in Manila and was
immediately brought to Fort Santiago.

DISSOLVE

FADE IN:

COURT – DAY

LAWYER
(reading what’s on the paper)
Preliminary investigation of Jose Rizal’s
case. Accused of being the main organizer of
the revolution by having proliferated the
ideas of rebellion and of founding illegal
organizations. (lifts his head and looks at
Jose Rizal)

JOSE RIZAL
Not guilty, sir!

DISSOLVE
FADE IN:

NARRATION

On December 28, 1896, Governor-General Camio de Polavieja

signed the court decision. He decreed that Rizal be executed by
firing squad at 7:00 AM of December 30. Jose Rizal wrote his last
poem which was about his farewell to the Filipino people.

December 30, 1896, Jose Rizal black suit with black hat, arms
tied behind his back, a rosary in his hand, walked to Bagumbayan.
Moments before he was being shot, Rizal remembered the wonderful
moments of his life.

JOSE
Consummatum Est!
(It is done)

The orders were given and shots were fired. Rizal died
offering his life for his country and freedom.

GUN SHOT. Loud sound from falling to the ground – Court hitting
the (*order in the court thingy*)

MAN
(hitting the hammer)

WOMAN
(stands in the center)
The Rizal Law
Republic Act No. 1425
An act to include in the curricula of all
public and private schools, colleges and
universities courses on the life, works and
writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his
novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, authorizing the printing and
distribution thereof, and for other
purposes.
(pauses)
The Rizal Law.

MAN
(hitting the hammer)
 WHITE FADE OUT

FADE IN

PRESENT – CLASSROOM

TEACHER
And that was the life of our national hero,
Jose Rizal. Why do you think we need to
study his life? Anyone?

STUDENT 1
(raises hand)

TEACHER
Yes (insert name).

STUDENT 1
According to Senator Jose P. Laurel, “Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo must be
read by all Filipinos. They must be taken to
heart, for in their pages we see ourselves
as in a mirror, our defects as well as our
strengths, our virtues as well as our vices.
Only then would we become conscious as a
people and so learn to prepare ourselves for
painful sacrifices that ultimately lead to
self-reliance, self-respect and freedom.”

TEACHER
That’s correct. Anyone else?

STUDENT 2
(raises hand)

TEACHER
Yes (insert name)

STUDENT 2
 According to Senator Claro M. Recto, “He
aimed at inculcating civic consciousness in
the Filipinos’ national dignity, personal
pride, and patriotism and if references were
made by him in the course of his narration
to certain religious practices in the
Philippines in those days, and to the
conduct and behavior of erring ministers of
the church, it was because he portrayed
faithfully the general situation in the
Philippines as it then existed.”

TEACHER
(smile and nods)
Very well said everyone.
(continues talking until inaudible)

ZOOM OUT

Reveals JOSE RIZAL in place of the teacher. He’ll then put on his
hat and exits the class after the class bell rang.

SLOW FADE OUT