CHAPTER 9 A STORM OF PERSECUTION Fermenting the Revolutionary Mind “All that you tell is unfortunately the sad truth and taken from real life. oust Because ou tll the truth can tell to well, your swork has caused fury without bounds in the much so that Fray Salvador Font (of Tondo). in December 1887, petitioned inthe name ofthe clergy that Governor General Terrero should not allow your book tobe in the Philippines. The Effects of the Noli: Trials and Persecutions of Rizal's Family From the Philippines came news that Noli Me Tangere was reaching farther and farther every month. The book was setting the Filipinos on fire. The friars retaliated by persecuting Rizal's relatives and town. Lucia's husband, Mariano Herbosa, died of cholera on May 28, 1889.° Ona plea that Mariano had not confessed since he was married, the Spanish friar of Calamba would not allow him to be buried in the cemetery, and he had to be buried on a little hill outside the town. When Rizal heard this, “it required all his cool blood not to lose control of himself” Poor widow Lucia ‘wrote tragically to her brother: “Since the death of Mariano, the ‘misfortunes which follow me have had almost no interruption. When I think my mind will be overwhelmed, the only consolation I ean find is to read your letters, which serve as a balm to my miseries. Now abuse, folly, and despotism are on the throne.” Lucia was hailed before the court and ordered to abandon the house she had been building since her husband’s death. Rizal's brother-in-law, Manuel T. Hidalgo, who had been released from exile for good behavior, was back in Calamba and kept Jose awake * Not the Filipino clergy but the Spanish friars, * Epistolario Rizalino, vol. 2 p. 164. 1 Bid, vol. 1 p, 29, nd La Solidaridad, July 3, 1889. * Epistolario Rizalino, vol. 3, . 45 (written on May 30, 1890)fj MEEED e iai The Man athe Hero at nights by the news he wrote: “The Governor General in company with the rector of the University and two Dominicans were here on the 27th of this month... to intimidate the tenants into paying their rent..., The trustee friar Francisco Gobeas, who is in our town today, is going around telling the people that when the Governor General arrives again, he will order lashed and exiled the persons whom he designates... The General is sold to the friars body and soul; and wherever he goes, he is accompanied by two or three of them. None of us here is safe.” Hidalgo himself had been ordered to be deported anew. The trustee had declared that Hidalgo was the man who incited the people to refuse to pay and that he caused the unrest in Calamba— ‘which was doubtless partly true. Manuel wrote pleading with Rizal to appeal to the Spanish government to suspend his exile, * but dose knew too well that his every word was like a red rag waved before a bull ‘The next bad news came from druggist Elejorde of Calamba. “They have chased your brothers-in-law off their land, and I hear they are going to do the same with all your supporters; they have accused my brother of putting his faith in Jose Rizal and so not paying fees for mass. They are inhuman. Oh, Jose! The people here ask only about you and pin their faith in you! Even the poor people in the mountains ask me when you will return, and seem to think you are a second Joshua who is going to save them from their miseries.” Here are thirty pesos, to be their Joshua! They ask when he will return. Ah, little do they realize what that return will mean! But he sees it clearly now; not Joshua; no sun will stand still—but a cross!” A telegram from Manila came one day pleading with him to seek release for the prisoners in the Philippines. In August 1890 he reached Madrid, his heart heavier than it had ever been in all his sorrowful life. He would do all he could for his relatives and Calamba; but would not every step he took make his foes more furious? His worst fears were justified by what followed. Like albatrosses of evil omen, the letters came on every boat piling tragedy upon tragedy. From Silvestre Ubaldo he had already received a copy of the order of ejectmnent made by the hacienda’ of Calamba against Francisco Rizal and others, "Tid, vol 2, p. 187. ‘Toi, p. 250. * Thid, p. 184. * Thid, vol. 3, p. 70. A Storm of Pr The Turkey Controversy ‘The fight of the people of hacienda was not a fight against fight between Spanish landlords just as easily have occurred on the Dominicans were oppressive I not because they belonged to the conduct toward the tenants was: Christian professions. The story of the insolence and oppression of that “My father was a friend of the the lay brother-manager of the haci whatever he needed; rarely did he for a turkey, which my father gladly epidemic, nearly all the turkeys-died,. that remained for brooding purposes. “One day the lay brother asked to say that he had none to spare for The brother was furious at this will pay for this’... A few days later written by the manager saying that ‘was being increased one-third. My for no other tenant received such a ‘a word of protest. But in a few mont that, since my father realized so much could have machines for making su, what it had been. My father appealed: houses, land, and machinery—all for a Writ of Eviction From Saturnina”® came the ordered to get out of our home. They required by the order of dispossession “Paciano, Antonio, Dandoy, Silvs toad of banishment to Mindoro at (Narcisa) and I accompanied them to the there until the departure of the steai * Wenceslao E. Retana., Vida y Bscrit Libreria General de Vietoriano Suarez, 1907, "Ibid, vol. 3, p. 101. September 6, 1890.{Storm of Prosecution: Fermenting the Revolutionary Mind ‘The Turkey Controversy ‘The fight of the people of Calamba against the Dominican hacienda was not a fight against the Church or religion. It was a fight between Spanish landlords and Filipino tenants, and might just as easily have occurred on the great secular haciendas. The Dominicans were oppressive landlords at this period and place, not because they belonged to the Church but in spite of it. Their conduct toward the tenants was treason to their Church and to their Christian professions. The story of Rizal's own family illustrates the insolence and oppression of that period:* “My father was a friend of the corporation and was intimate with the lay brother-manager of the hacienda, who asked my father for ‘whatever he needed; rarely did he fail to ask, among other things, for a turkey, which my father gladly gave him. But because of an epidemic, nearly all the turkeys-died, and my father saved the few that remained for brooding purposes. “One day the lay brother asked for a turkey and my father had to say that he had none to spare for nearly all of them had died. The brother was furious at this answer and ended by saying: ‘You will pay for this’... A few days later my parents received a paper written by the manager saying that the rental of my father's land was being increased one-third. My father at once knew the reason, for no other tenant received such a notice. He paid the rental without a word of protest. But in a few months he received another notice that, since my father realized so much income from the land that he ‘could have machines for making sugar, the rental would be twice what it had been. My father appealed to the courts, and finally lost. houses, land, and machinery—all for a turkey!” Writ of Eviction From Saturnina” came the terrible news: “Our parents were ordered to get out of our home. They were told that this action was required by the order of dispossession and ejectment against them. “Paciano, Antonio, Dandoy, Silvestre, and Teong took the ‘road of banishment to Mindoro at four-thirty this afternoon. Sisa (Narcisa) and | accompanied them to the wall (of Manila) and waited there until the departure of the steamship Brutus in which the ® Wenceslao B. Retana., Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jose Rizal. Madrid: Libreria General de Victoriano Suarez, 1907, p. 57, ™ Tbid, vol, 8, p. 101. September 6, 1890.MIE. 0s Ri THe Man ana Heo unfortunates were embarked. We ourselves were not so sorrowful nor did we lament so much as when Menang (Manuel Hidalgo) was first banished. I am becoming habituated to these sorrows of separation, especially when I think how our eruel misfortunes will bear fruit for the welfare of all: I fortify my faith with all you have told me. Our parents are now living with Narcisa” From Felipe Buencamino himself came a heartbreaking letter:" “Lam writing you about the case of your good sister Sisa... ‘At bottom the question in this case is a confusion of justice. The friars cannot support the ownership of the land, but neither can the tenants do so, What is true is the historical fact that they have paid rents. The strict interpretation of the law permits our opponents to ask the court: 1. To complete the process of dispossession 2. Afterwards to make a judicial decision about the property “There is no clear law either for us or for our opponents. In seeking for postponement, I proposed a settlement with Don Francisco Iriarte as arbitrator. He accepted generously... The governor and your fellow townsmen approved... Iriarte has power to arrange with the Dominicans and settle in conformity with the following basic principals: 1. For the tenants now to be allowed to return to their land 2. For all titles to be examined by three attorneys to be named by agreement by both sides 8, For the tenants to be permitted to stay on their land until the case is settled 4. That if the case went to the friars, there should be just conditions for leasing the land 5. There should be no payment of rentals until the case is settled 6. The costs of the trial should be divided between both sides equally” “My dear brother, I will try to tell you clearly all that has happened in the past two months, January and February, in case you have not received any news about our fellow townsmen. They have been evicted and dispossessed of all their land, homes, animals, and harvest of sugar, rice, and other fruits of their labors. The sufferers from these atrocities exceed three hundred families, now destitute, AStorm of not counting the small families’ are now suffering with their: shade of the trees, those by the: the inhabitants of the central lay brother Administrator has: forbidding anybody to show This very sad and lamentable possible, for the power of the nothing about it. What is there very much persecuted by all the Guards, who are everywhere, i “The way people are di toa place with the justice of the of guards, and the ecclesiastical do all that the sentence of di find any animals, they flog those or the licutenant of the barrio; in teeth knocked out from a hard others sometimes fall senseless “Because of these ferocious starved for want of bread enough to continue these atrocities, Calamba do are able to transfer to other will naturally have to suffer misery, or death itself. There is an infinity. in this letter, s0 as not to pain you “The only thing we hope from who already have the power of ai the complaint before the Supreme outrages. Your Sister, Narcisa”!? His brother and brothers-in-law. their home! Now some towns of G: he well knew, was to torture him! to save what was left? His money generous offer of hospitality from his’ to Hong Kong! At once he wrote: “Lam eager to return to Manil go immediately... The only thing that means with which to make the trip; if "bid, vol. 8, p. 148. 8 Epistolario Rizalino, vol. 8, p. 167.{A Storm of Prosecution: Fermenting the Revolutionary Ming not counting the small families who live in the distant fields, and are now suffering with their evicted masters; some live under the shade of the trees, those by the seashore are on the sand, some of the inhabitants of the central village are in the streets, because the lay brother Administrator has enforced the instructions he received forbidding anybody to show hospitality to the people dispossessed. This very sad and lamentable situation we endure as silently possible, for the power of the authorities is so great that we can do nothing about it. What is there for us to do? We are now in a land very much persecuted by all the authorities including the Civil Guards, who are everywhere, injuring everybody. “The way people are dispossessed is very sad; the authorities go toa place with the justice of the peace, the lieutenant, his three pairs of guards, and the ecclesiastical judge; they arrive with powers to do all that the sentence of dispossession includes: and if they do not find any animals, they flog those who had the animals in charge, or the lieutenant of the barrio; in proof of this one of them has two teeth knocked out from a hard blow that struck him on the mouth; others sometimes fall senseless during the violent flogging. “Because of these ferocious abuses the unfortunates are almost starved for want of bread enough to sustain life. I believe that if they continue these atrocities, Calamba will cease to exist. The well-to- do are able to transfer to other towns: but those who cannot do this will naturally have to suffer misery, hunger, and other calamities, or death itself. There is an infinity of things which I will not tell in this letter, 50 as not to pain you too much. “The only thing we hope from those over there [in Burope] who already have the power of attorney, is that they will present the complaint before the Supreme Court against these iniquitous ‘outrages. Your Sister, Narcisa”"* é His brother and brothers-in-law exiled! His parents driven from their home! Now some towns of Calamba being destroyed, and all, he well knew, was to torture him! What could he do quickly enough to save what was left? His money was gone. He would accept the generous offer of hospitality from his faithful friend Basa and go to Hong Kong! At once he wrote: “Lam eager to return to Manila... If [had the money I would go immediately... The only thing that keeps me here is a lack of the means with which to make the trip; if you could kindly guarantee ® Bpistolario Rizalino, vol. 8, p. 167,[RMMEETY ose Raat Te Mon ond ne Heo my passage by means of a written order to the Compaita Maritima for a first-class passage to Hong Kong, I could realize my desire. In Hong Kong I expect to practice as an oculist and make a living in that way... Please guarantee to pay at that end only in case I take passage, for I might die or something might happen, and I do not want you to lose anything if I do not embark or if I delay my journey... Be sure to insert the condition ‘If I embark’ for I fear something may happen, so that I cannot take the trip."13. The Continuing Trials and Persecutions “There is much wickedness, much mischief, in the ranks of our enemies. I realize that we must regard them, not as lions, but as reptiles. So we must arm ourselves and put on our gloves before we touch them, There are many reptiles.” Rizal wrote to his sister Soledad these noble words: “Ihave caused much harm to my family, but at least there remains to us the consolation of knowing that the motive is not disgraceful nor does it humiliate anybody. On the contrary it raises us up and gives us more dignity in the eyes of our very enemies themselves; to fall with the head high and the brow serene is not to fall, itis to triumph. The sad thing is to fall with the stain of dishonor, Moreover I may be what my enemies desire me to be, yet never an accusation are they able to hurl against me which makes ‘me blush or lower my forehead, and I hope that God will be merciful enough with me to prevent me from committing one of those faults which would involve my family."15 ‘The storm of persecution now broke with even more terrible fury against Rizal's family, his town, and as far as he could be reached, against himself. His works had already been prohibited in the Philippines."* His brother-in-law Hidalgo, after being released for good behavior, was exiled for the second time “without any ‘accusation, without his knowing any crime of which he was accused, ‘excepting that he was my brother-in-law.” " Hidalgo told him that “since January, many reports of your death have been heard here, presumably from friar sources: Thi, vol. 8, p. 190. Thid, vol. that you were poisoned, that you you have been bought off for direct your efforts in favor of this country; rumors which are The letters said that rents had Calamba landlords until they: Rizal replied: “I want to go| [know it would be daring and ‘The Filipinos are all very pi going the way she is, As it seems: any progress by following pathway! The only thing that can: arate agree; I am afraid to di object to my coming, I hope. other part of the world.” " Horrified, his friends all u; Philippines, for they knew he was of them all, he would have been on. 1890) if he had not received a letter’ change his plans, From Europe to Hong Kong Rizal was convinced that he in Europe. Against his will he had controversy among the Filipinos. One, him the Filipino leader, while another H. del Pilar. Friends of Del Pilar were of attacks that always appear in polit to take himself out of the picture at “I ought not to introduce divisi Solidaridad). I prefer to be buried in than disturb the harmony and peace Rizal desired to get away from Ei Persistent rumors reached him that were getting money from the Philiy then wasting and misappropriating it. “Thi, vol. 3, p. 3. Tid, vol. 3, p. 82. * Tbid, vol. 3, pp. 88-89, 120. * Tbid, vol. 3, p. 242. * Tid, vol. 3, p. 226. :| Storm of Prosecution: Fermenting the Revolutionary Mind that you were poisoned, that you are imprisoned in Madrid, and that you have been bought off for more than a hundred pesos, and now direct your efforts in favor of the friars and are indifferent towards this country; rumors which are received here with laughter...”"* ‘The letters said that rents had been doubled and redoubled by the Calamba landlords until they were intolerable. Rizal replied: “I want to go back to the Philippines, and although Tknow it would be daring and imprudent, what does that matter? The Filipinos are all very prudent, and that is why our country is going the way she is. As it seems to me that we are not making any progress by following prudence, I am going to look for another pathway! The only thing that can detain me is a doubt whether my parents agreo; I am afraid to disturb their last years; in case they object to my coming, I hope by working to gain a livelihood in some other part of the world.” Horrified, his friends all urged him to stay away from the Philippines, for they knew he was walking into death.” In spite of them all, he would have been on his way that very month (July 1890) if he had not received a letter from Paciano that made him change his plans. From Europe to Hong Kong, Rizal was convinced that he could accomplish nothing further in Europe. Against his will he had been drawn into a political controversy among the Filipinos. One group was bent upon making him the Filipino leader, while another group rallied around Marcelo H. del Pilar. Friends of Del Pilar were beginning to print the kind of attacks that always appear in political conflicts. Rizal resolved to take himself out of the picture at once. He wrote to Del Pila “J ought not to introduce division in this publication (La Solidaridad). I prefer to be buried in solitude and isolation, rather than disturb the harmony and peace of its editors.”21 Rizal desired to get away from Europe for still another reason. Persistent rumors reached him that some of the Filipinos in Madrid ‘were getting money from the Philippines by using his name, and ° then wasting and misappropriating it.** Old Graciano Jaena, who bid, vol. 3, p.3. Tid, vol. 3, p. 82. ® Tbid, vol. 3, pp. 88-69, 120. ® Thid, vol. 3, p. 242. ™ Thid, vol. 8, p. 226.Jose Rizal: The Man and he Hero had been the founder of La Solidaridad but had been jockeyed out of his position and left in poverty, wrote to Rizal urging him to help bring about the “downfall of these little patriots who exploit patriotism for their own profit... We should swear to prevent, by every means, the triumph of these false apostles of the salvation of the Philippines.”® Rizal would not then nor at any other time lift a finger against his countrymen, but he could not rest so long as he was entangled with any affair which was in the slightest degree questionable. He must get away! He sailed for Hong Kong on the 8. S. Melbourne on October 18, 1891, With him he carried eight hundred copies of the first edition of El Filibusterismo, hoping that he might be able to introduce them into the Philippines little by little, through ship captains, Chinese, or other travelers. Hong Kong was clearly the right place to go, at least for the time being, not only because it was near the Philippines but also because his dear friend Basa was there. Then in Hong Kong, as Jaena wrote, “You will find a group of enthusiastic young men not yet contaminated by these miserable passions that divide us in Europe. Stir up their zeal, direct their ideals into the right road, and you, with our exquisite tastes, will do much good for the Philippines... I have written to them and they will receive you in ‘Hong Kong as their master and guide.” When Rizal reached Hong Kong, he opened his office as an oculist. Dr. Lorenzo Marques, a prominent Portuguese physician, admired his skill as a surgeon and had great affection for him as a man. All of Dr. Lorenzo's eye cases were turned over to Rizal, and hhe soon had a thriving practice. Appeal to the Queen “Iam sending you copies of the official letters and decrees ordering the deportation of twenty-five persons from Calamba, so you may realize the critical plight of our town. I am preparing a letter to the Queen Regent,”® which Nancy will also sign. In it I am telling all that Governor General Weyler has done against us and how impossible it is for us to get justice. I have told not only *Tbid, vol 8, p- 252 ™Thid, * Queen Maria Christiana (1858-1929), an Austrian archduchess who married King Alfonso of Spain in 1879. After his death and at this time, ‘she was regent (1886-1902) for his posthumous son, Alfonso XIII. She was reluctant to take part in political affairs. write to Queen Vietoria of Engl name of humanity against the from Calamba, including the rest of us. letting them see us; but if they without anxiety. I am convinced very skies fall, all will come out’ wrong. Nening feels the same.” Such letters, full of magni which Rizal’s bitter experience futile, wrung his heart until it ‘My dear parents, brother, “Lam following step by st treading. Do not be seat tek would allow me to go there and would be! Perhaps everything your permission and I will come that we will come out all right. I of our fellow townsmen to Jolo, ‘Manila. Ihave learned too, that once more been summoned before’ little patience! Courage! Eagerly longing to embrace The Borneo Plan “Working and working,” that fine progress with a new plan! the three hundred families, who! to Borneo and there to establish free British flag. * Epistolario Rizalino, vol. 8, * Ibid, vol. 8, p 263,Storm of Prosecution: Fermenting the Revolutionary Mind about our own family but also about all who were involved in the last deportation from Calamba. Ifthe Queen will not listen, we will write to Queen Victoria of England appealing for protection in the name of humanity against the deportation of twenty-five persons from Calamba, including Father, Nening, Sisa, Lucia, Paciano, and the rest of us.... We are impatiently awaiting our own deportation, perhaps to dJolo. We are not afraid. We avoid, when we can do so, letting them see us; but if they take us, we will go without fear, without anxiety. I am convinced that, come what may, though the very skies fall, all will come out well, because we have done no wrong. Nening feels the same.” Such letters, full of magnificent courage but nursing hopes which Rizal's bitter experience in Europe had taught him were futile, wrung his heart until it bled. He wrote his loved ones: “My dear parents, brother, and sisters: “1 am following step by step the bitter Calvary which you are treading. Do not be afraid, for I am working and working. If you would allow me to go there and reunite with you, what joy that ‘would be! Perhaps everything would be different! So just give me your permission and I will come at once. I hope and have assurance that we will come out all right. I have learned of the exile of four of our fellow townsmen to Jolo, and of the return of my brother to Manila. Ihave learned too, that Nanay, Pangoy, and Trinidad have ‘once more been summoned before the civil government. Paciano, a little patience! Courage! ‘Eagerly longing to embrace you. “Your son, “Rizal”? ‘The Borneo Plan “Working and working,” that letter had said. And he was making fine progress with a new plan! This was to take his relatives and the three hundred families, who had been dispossessed in Calamba, to Borneo and there to establish a new Filipino colony under the free British flag. ® Epistolario Rizalino, vol. 3, p. 261 =Thid, vol. 3, p. 263.Jose Rizal: The Man and the Hero Rizal took a steamer from Hong Kong to Borneo. The British governor of that Island conceded the Filipinos 100,000 acres of land, a beautiful harbor, and a good government for 999 years, free of all charges.” Jaena wrote from Barcelona: “I received your postal card which you sent me from Borneo. Congratulations for the idea of founding a country of Filipinos. It will be a base from which must issue later the redemption of our Archipelago... have a piece of land ready for me there, where I ean plant sugareane. He began to gather his loved ones about him in Hong Kong in spite of many difficulties. On December 12, 1891, his heart was beating high with new hope as he wrote to his sister Maria: “Thank God, Father, Paciano, and Bestre are here with me already. Father is getting fat and his cheeks are getting red; he is always happy now, walks as well as you do, and is very content here in Hong Kong. They are all very happy to have arrived here.” At length his mother and sisters Lucia, Pangoy, Josefa, and ‘Trinidad were able to get out of the Philippines; and they reached Hong Kong after a stormy voyage and much seasickness.” The aged couple found Hong Kong a real haven, In the quiet way of country folks, they observed the freedom enjoyed by residents of that British colony. “I want to die here,” exclaimed Francisco Rizal to his family. “[never want to return to Calamba—life there is impossible!”* Rizal performed the second operation on the cataracts which had grown in his mother’s eyes, and she could now see with both eyes. He urged the rest of the family to hurry over as soon as possible. Saturnina, agreed to come™ though she named some objections. Spanish was not spoken in Hong Kong and she thought it would bea long, painful process to learn English. Could they do business without knowing the English language? Would the children’s diplomas from Hong Kong be good in the Philippines? Governor Despujol: A Friend or a Traitor? Governor General Weyler departed and a new Governor General named Eulogio Despujol arrived in Manila.** Despujol promulgated * Ibid, vol. 3, pp. 336, 342. * Tid, vol. 3, p. 342. Ibid, vol. 3, p. 272, 274. ® Carlos Quirino, The Great Malayan, Chapter XIII. Epistolario Rizalino, vol. 3, pp. 297, 808. , vol. 3, p. 262. Storm of Prosecution: a fine-sounding program of reforms. which Rizal had been praying? Despujol’s first few months in of for hope. In him they thought they saw Weyler—Despujol was a second Gi liberal executive that the Philippines century. On Despujol’s birthday, March order banishing thirteen of the sever of Rizal exiled in Jolo, capital of Sulu, Malacafian Palace, Hundreds of promi gifts, and to all of them Despujol was the continually protesting that he did not and affection from the native population! Rizal wrote the Governor Gener congratulations: “You are in a country ‘on the eve of falling into a lamentable sl it into a crisis; and I consider your step as and as that of a man of good purpose...” ‘Then he offered the Governor General “thinks that my poor services may be of wrong in our country and in assisting to recent injustices, you need only say the in your word as a gentleman that my Ii respected, will place myself at once at all I ought to do, without ceasing to love preserve her for Spain by means of a and our common interest. “Hoping to have the honor of rece Excellency, with profound respect, Your ‘Jose Rizal” j But no reply came from the Governor G _the persecution of Calamba continued unal Rizal's Attempt to Change His National Rizal’s Borneo project still remained. It his relatives and neighbors relief, Beside admirable location from which to pursue t which he believed the Philippines needed ™ Carlos Quirino, The Great Malayan, Chap % Bpistolario Rizalino, vol. 3, p. 270.| Storm of Prosecution: Fermenting the Revolutionary Mind a fine-sounding program of reforms. Was this the opportunity for which Rizal had been praying? Despujol’s first few months in office gave Filipinos ground for hope. In him they thought they saw the reverse of Valeriano Weyler—Despujol was a second Governor de la Torre, the most liberal executive that the Philippines ever had in the nineteenth century. On Despujol’s birthday, March 17, 1892, he rescinded an order banishing thirteen of the seventeen relatives and followers of Rizal exiled in Jolo, capital of Sulu. A big fiesta was held in Malacafian Palace. Hundreds of prominent Filipinos came tendering gifts, and to all of them Despujol was the mirror of Castilian virtues, continually protesting that he did not deserve such tokens of esteem and affection from the native population. Rizal wrote the Governor General a beautiful letter of congratulations: “You are in a country profoundly demoralized and on the eve of falling into a lamentable skepticism, which might drive it into a crisis; and I consider your step as the act of a wise governor and as that of a man of good purpose...” ‘Then he offered the Governor General his aid: “If Your Excellency “thinks that my poor services may be of value in pointing out what is, wrong in our country and in assisting to heal the wound caused by recent injustices, you need only say the word, and I, reposing faith in your word as a gentleman that my liberty as a citizen will be respected, will place myself at once at your command... Thave done all I ought to do, without ceasing to love the good of my country, to preserve her for Spain by means of a sound policy, based on justice and our common interest. “Hoping to have the honor of receiving a reply, I am, Your Excellency, with profound respect, Your loyal and faithful servant, ‘Jose Rizal” But no reply came from the Governor General. On the contrary the persecution of Calamba continued unabated. Rizal's Attempt to Change His Nationality Rizal's Borneo project still remained. It alone promised to give his relatives and neighbors relief. Besides, Borneo would be an admirable location from which to pursue the process of education which he believed the Philippines needed most. ™ Carlos Quirino, The Great Malayan, Chapter XIII. °% Bpistolario Rizalino, vol. 8, p. 270. re‘a Jose Riza: The Man and the Herb A Storm of Prose The replacement of Weyler by Eulogio Despujol late in 1891 “In my previous letter, I told heartened Filipino nationalists, including Rizal, who immediately Philippines would place me at the h wrote a letter offering his services to the government in the interest Some regard me as an agitator, and. of justice and reform. The letter was never answered. The following for Thave agitated much for the peas March Rizal again wrote a letter to Governor Despujol asking for Jaws. Your Excellency will perhaps official permission to allow Filipinos to change their nationality and easy to resist the environment in sell their holdings in the Philippines for the purpose of emigrating , to Borneo. ‘The next necessary step was to secure permission from the government for the colonists to go. After waiting for three months for a reply to his first letter to the Governor General and receiving no reply, Rizal wrote a second letter (March 21, 1892) and gave it to a sea captain who promised to deliver the letter in person to Governor General Despujol."* The letter said:** to resort to violent and often unjust “Most Excellent Sefior: : dlopedeica) itt groper “Late last year I had the honor to write to Your Excellency the offer ofthe English state Tn this offering my poor services; various persons had assured me that Your will grant us the necessary Excellency, true to your habit of courtesy, would see fit to answer me; taking with us the little goods whit and since, up to this moment, I have not received a letter from you, us, and that you will endorse the emi Thave to assume that mine must have gone astray. the dislike of more or Jess powerful “The purpose of this letter is not to insist upon my offer. Your is Excellency, since you took over the reins of government, has known severe punishment; the country will how to gain the sympathy of all and to renew the wavering confidence the government will be able to say to: of the country so successfully that one might expect that, if God country are always open.’ preserves your life, in three years the Filipinos will have peace and “Nothing should prevent your tranquility. The country is very easy to govern; with a little love it what they cannot find in their own ¢0 forgets at once its past grievances: And your Excellency will assuredly thave been most despotic lands, now know how to strengthen the love for Spain, so that later, when evil Enhabitanta in this matter years come, they will not need a fleet nor fortifications, nor a force from Spain; it will be enough for the country to be in harmony with ‘Your Excellency, and as the saying goes, the Filipino governors will bbe like sardines in a can; lying in alternate files. “We only beg to live and not Government. If Your Excellency g doubt not you must do. i Your Excellency and to express my gz “As the thought of my whole life has been the love of my country E few possessions and to take my fr and its moral and material development, and as now it seems ee nea to me that this development is beginning very well under Your Pins ype that you will not Excellency’s government, I deem it to be my duty not only to honor give sincere prayers to God to save} your government myself but also to encourage the allegiance of all, hhonor of Spain and for the good of the! the Filipinos to Spain, “Lam with all respect, Your servant, ™ Thid, vol. 3, p. 330, ® Tid, vol 3, pp. 905-306.‘Storm of Prosecution: Fermenting the Revolutionary Mind “In my previous letter, I told you that public opinion in the Philippines would place me at the head of the progressive movement. Some regard me as an agitator, and to a certain point they are right, for Ihave agitated much for the peaceful improvement of people and laws. Your Excellency will perhaps share this view, for itis not always easy to resist the environment in which one lives; I will not seek to change your view. “Only this: I desire the welfare of my country and wish to make sure so far as it depends upon me that: you will be able to govern it with all tranquility. With this in view, I plan to found a colony in North Borneo, ‘on land which that country has offered me and where there are already Filipinos. If those who are able to make my country happy believe that ‘my presence and that of my friends and relatives are prejudicial to the tranquility of the Philippines (inasmuch as they are obliged always to resort to violent and often unjust means, such as deportation and dispassion), itis not improper for us who are permanently exiled to accept the offer of the English state, In this matter Iask that Your Excellency will grant us the necessary permission to change our nationality, taking with us the little goods which our many troubles have left to us, and that you will endorse the emigration of all who have incurred the dislike of more or less powerful persons... Then nobody will stain his conscience with unjust dispossessions, or will he be obliged to apply severe punishment; the country will have less cause to murmur, and the government will be able to say to the discontented: ‘The doors of the country are always open? “Nothing should prevent your subjects from seeking elsewhere what they cannot find in their own country. China and Japan, which have been most despotic lands, now grant ample freedom to their inhabitants in this matter. “We only beg to live and not disturb the tranquility of the Government, If Your Excellency grants us this permission (as I doubt not you must do....), I will come to the Philippines to greet Your Excellency and to express my gratitude, as well as to collect our _ few possessions and to take my friends and relatives away with me. “In the hope that you will not deny me the courtesy of a reply, 1 give sincere prayers to God to save Your Excelleney’s life, for the honor of Spain and for the good of the Philippines. “Lam with all respect, Your Excellency's attentive and faithful servant, dose Rizalper QREEETY 0s ra! Tre Man ana tne Hero ‘The Governor General did not grant him “the courtesy of a reply” in writing but sent word by the Consul General in Hong Kong “that seeing how the Philippines lacked labor, it was not very patriotic to go off and cultivate a foreign soil, and hence we cannot favor that project, but we added that every Filipino was free, in any part of the Archipelago he chose, to contribute to the prosperity of the country, so long as he obeyed the laws.” Rizal decided to go to Manila and see what could be done. What was the point of Rizal in his proposed changing of his citizenship? Would the change of his citizenship make him less a hero and degrade his sense of Philippine nationalism? The answer to this rhetoric is of course no. During that time the life of Rizal ‘was extremely low because of persecution to members of his family. In many instances history witnessed extreme poverty and poor living condition of Rizal in his life in different parts of Europe, yet he never gave up. But when the lives of the members of his family were at stake, there was nothing he would not do for their sakes. Yet in his heart and mind he remained loyal and true to the cause of reforms. Indeed there is time for everything. The Filipino value of love of family that was exhibited by Rizal in his time survived the test of time. In the contemporary life, countless Filipino workers seek employment abroad or even change their citizenship, but it does not mean that they do not love the Philippines anymore; in fact they are considered “Mga Bagong Bayani.” Course/Year/Section: EXERCISE 9.1, Present a role playing on the guided by the following criteria: eae eee Relates to audience Provides a fluent rendition Role-plays with feeling and Varies intonation Presents character ap, Gives the scenario its full