Padre Faura Witnesses the Execution of
Rizal
Author: Danton Remoto (Poetry)
I stand on the roof
Of the Ateneo municipal,
Shivering
On this December morning.
Months ago,
Pepe came to me
In the observatory.
I thought we would talk
About the stars
That do not collide
In the sky:
Instead, he asked me about purgatory
(His cheeks still ruddy
From the sudden sun
After the bitter winter
In Europe)
And on this day
With the years beginning to turn,
Salt things my eyes.
I see Pepe,
A blur
Between the soldiers
With their Mausers raised
And the early morning’s
Star:
Still shimmering
Even if millons of miles away,
The star itself
Is already dead.
1. Who is Pepe? Explain.
Pepe is Jose P. Rizal. He is our
National Hero; The author of the famous
book Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
He is the great and remarkable captain of
revolution and one of the most notable
propagandist and prominent contributor in
the Philippine history as well as in the
Philippine Literature.
2. Why does Pepe ask the persona about
the purgatory?
Meriam Webster Dictionary stated
that in Roman Catholic, purgatory is a
place of suffering of the souls who died.
And I think he asked the persona about it
because he thinks that purgatory is the
consequences for rebelling the Outsiders
and waking up the Filipinos to use the
sword against them and on the top of that,
he asked about it because he nearly feel
that his life is about to end.
3. The poem talks about the nature of stars.
Can you explain what he means, in
terms of science?
A star is a big, hot ball of fire. Stars
are born to do its duty and function in the
universe. It is to give heat and light to the
planets and other heavenly bodies. And
once it reaches the coldest temperature, it
will stop living but it will continue to shine as
if it is not dead.
4. This discussion of a star is also a
metaphor. What is it a metaphor for?
Explain.
The star refers to Jose Rizal. Like a star, he
was born to do his purpose here on earth.
It is to bring hope and light not just to the
Filipinos but also to other nations who suffer
the same way as we witness it to the hands
of the foreign subjugator. Like a star that is
million miles away from us, his light will still
continue to shine conquering our mind
and soul through his Literature Artworks.
5. Why was Rizal executed? How is this 8. What would you say was Rizal’s greatest
similar to the idea of a star? Relate this to contribution to Philippine society?
Philippine history.
I think the greatest contribution of
Rizal was executed because his Rizal in our country is his sayings and
writings are act of rebellion against the published works, The Noli Me Tangere and
Spanish Government. It is similar to a star El Filibusterismo because without this, we
because his works will remain as part of the will not be aware of what they’ve
Philippine History. I am assured that Rizal (Spaniards) done to us as well as not
and other valiant writers left a mark that knowing what our history is.
will always be remembered through
generations.
9. If you were in Rizal’s place, would you
6. What do you think the persona felt for
have supported the Katipunan? Why or
Rizal? Give textual evidence.
why not?
“And on this day, with the year
If you think critically, a Spaniard with
beginning to turn, Salt stings my eyes.” As
a big gun versus Filipino with a bolo;
analyzing this phrase, I think the persona
Spaniards have tons of army who are
felt for Rizal is too painful and forlorn
trained well. Filipinos will never win against
because he knows that Rizal wants to be
their cannons and guns. If I were Rizal, I will
free in our own country. And the words are
not support the Katipunan. Supporting
not enough to unite all Filipino as one to
them is a suicide. We have no match
fight and to make the Spaniards leave in
against the foreign subjugator.
our own land.
10. Who do you consider as our national
7. Do you feel the same way? Why or why
hero? Jose Rizal or Andres Bonifacio?
not?
“Pen is mightier than the sword.”
I feel the same way because First,
And because of that I will still consider Rizal
Rizal just stated the fact about the way of
as our National Hero. Through his skills in
ruling of Spaniards in our nation and he just
writing, he used this to lead a rebellion and
wanted to be free from their abusive hand.
he clearly stated the immorality and villainy
Secondly, he also put an effort to write in
of Spaniards toward Filipinos. And because
order to know what is the true face or
of his patriotism in his published works,
identity of the outlanders. And lastly, as the
every Filipino who reads it awakens his
bible says in the Ten Commandments
mind and soul to start a revolution and be
which are the teaching of the Roman
united as one to fight against the vulgar
Catholic, a man should not kill a man. Rizal
Spaniards. Unlike Bonifacio who prefer a
is a human; we don’t have the right to take
remorseless bloody rebellion, Jose Rizal
away anyone’s life.
stays a silent warrior who leaves a primary
source or evidence of what he really did
for our country.