BUKIDNON STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

GENERAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

An instructional
material in
GE 109 THE
Life and
works of
rizal
Authors:
Jan Daniel p. ching
Roldan m. bonghanoy
Ebbeth joy h. bercero
 PREFACE

This instructional material is specifically designed for students pf Bukidnon

State University who are currently in the safety of their homes due to the COVID-
19 Pandemic. Based on the GE 109 Recalibrated Syllabus the topics and activities
of this IM has been carefully selected so as not to congest students with activities
during the pandemic period and yet still offer a comprehensive discussion of Jose
Rizal’s life and expose students to some of his works.

This material follows the INTO, THROUGH and BEYOND framework. The IN-
TO Phase follows a stage where tasks are introduced and contextualized as a se-
ries of introductory activities. The THROUGH Phase is where the students are
going to accomplish the main tasks with the course outcomes targeted in the ma-
terial. The BEYOND Phase is where the students will apply the skills and im-
portant lessons learned in the context of their respective lives. This instructional
material students are expected to learn from the different perspectives in which
the life of Rizal is taught and at the same time make Rizal as a figure who is relat-
able and inspirational than someone who is a highly learned historical figure, de-
tached from our day to day lives.

It is also hoped that will also aide learners to become more patriotic, nationalistic,
responsible citizens of the state capable of responding to the needs of the society
in a manner that benefits all.
 ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Mr. Jan Daniel Ching is a faculty of the General Education Department of Bukid-
non State University. He finished his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education
Major in Social Studies in the same institution. He completed his Masters degree in
History in Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT).

Mr. Roldan M. Bonghanoy is a graduate of Bukidnon State University with the de-
gree Bachelor in Secondary Education major in Social Studies. He is currently a fac-
ulty of the General Education Courses Department of the College of Arts and Sci-
ences.

Ms. Ebbeth Joy H. Bercero is a graduate of Central Mindanao University, with a

degree in Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is currently a faculty of the General
Education Courses Department of Bukidnon State University and currently pursu-
ing her master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. THE BIRTH AND LIFE OF A NATIONAL HERO

Why Rizal?
The Young Jose in Calamba to Biṅan, Laguna

From Ateneo Municipal to UST

Europe to the United States
First Homecoming to the Philippines
Second Homecoming and the Death of Rizal
The Issue on Rizal’s Retraction

PART II. THE WRITTEN WORKS OF RIZAL

The Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
The Indolence of the Filipinos
Letter to the Young Women of Malolos

PART III. JOSE RIZAL THE MAN OF PROJECT

Rizal in Dapitan
Rizal’s Achievements in Dapitan
 PART I: THE BIRTH AND LIFE OF A
NATIONAL HERO

WELCOME STATEMENT
Welcome to the first part of this instructional material , you will be introduced to certain
topics, discussions, and activities that will give you an opportunity to get to know out Na-
tional Hero. If you have questions, feel free to contact your instructor so that he/she can
guide you on how to go about with this material. Keep Safe and God Bless.

COURSE OUTCOME
 Recognize the value of differing narratives and interpretation of Rizal’s life
and work.

SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES

 Create personal reflection/analysis on the social realities of the past presented in
Rizal’s works and how these relate to the current period.

THE TOPICS IN THIS MATERIAL

 Why Rizal?
 The Young Jose in Calamba to Biṅan, Laguna
 From Ateneo Municipal to UST
 Europe to the United States
 First Homecoming to the Philippines
 Second Homecoming and the Death of Jose Rizal
 The Issue on Rizal’s Retraction
 I. WHY RIZAL?
INTO
This is one of the questions that baffles anyone enrolled in this subject. Why Rizal? Why not Bonifacio?
Why Rizal? When we have Lapu-Lapu?. This part of the material will offer you a glimpse on why Rizal
is made the foremost National Hero but before that, let’s answer the following questions:

 What do you think are the qualities and characteristics of a person for him/her to be considered a
Hero?
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 Based on the qualities and characteristics you mentioned above, who among the people you know
fits into you definition of a Hero? Why do you consider him/her a hero?
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 If you were to elect another historical figure as our National Hero, who would it be and why?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
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 These are the Reasons why Jose Rizal is considered the
Foremost National Hero and Why we take on his life and
works as part of curriculum:

•BECAUSE OF THE HISTORICAL VALUE OF RIZAL’S

LIFE.
•BECAUSE IT IS LEGAL /MANDATED BY LAW
(REPUBLIC ACT 1425).
•TO INCULCATE NATIONALISM AND PATRIOTISM

RIZAL’S HISTORICAL VALUE

 NOT BASED ON THE WOMEN HE DATED.
 BUT HIS HISTORICAL VALUE RESTS ON HIS WRITINGS AND SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBU-
TION IN SOCIETAL DEVELOPMENT
 NOLI ME TANGERE (1887) AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO (1891) HAD A HUGE IMPACT IN THE
LIVES OF THE FILIPINOS.
 HE WAS ONE OF THE FOREMOST INITIATORS OF NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS

BRIEF HISTORY OF RA 1425/ THE RIZAL LAW OF 1956

 SENATOR CLARO M. RECTO AUTHORED SENATE
BILL 438/ RIZAL BILL OF 1956
 THE BILL PROPOSES THE COMPULSORY TEACHING
OF RIZAL’S LIFE AND THE UNEXPURGATED FORM OF
HIS NOVELS.
 IT WAS ALSO TO PROVIDE A CONSTANT SOURCE OF
PATRIOTISM FOR THE YOUTH.
 THE BILL MAKES THE RIZAL COURSE A REQUIRED
SUBJECT IN ALL TERTIARY (PUBLIC/PRIVATE) EDU-
CATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
 THE SAID BILL WAS CONSIDERED AN ATTACK TO
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
 WHY IS RIZAL THE FOREMOST NATIONAL HERO?

•HIS WRITINGS
•HIS PERSON
•PUBLIC HONOR (BEFORE AND AFTER DEATH)

HIS WRITINGS
RIZAL’S WRITINGS, ESPECIALLY THE NOLI ME TANGERE
AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO MADE HIM THE FOREMOST
HERO OF HIS COMPATRIOTS AS IT WAS UNIVERSAL
ANALYSIS OF WHAT WAS REALLY GOING ON IN THE
PHILIPPINES.

HIS PERSON
ACCORDING TO DR. SIXTO OROSA, RIZAL’S QUALITIES
ARE THE FOLLOWING:
•AS A CHILD HE WAS OBEDIENT, COURTEOUS, SUPERI-
OR YET HUMBLE, AND KIND.
•AS A STUDENT, HE WAS SERIOUS, STUDIOUS, INTELLI-
GENT, METHODICAL, AND KNEW HOW TO BUDGET HIS
TIME.
•AS A CITIZEN, HE HAD A CONSUMING PURPOSE AND
PASSION TO SERVE HIS COUNTRY.
•AS A MAN, HE WAS COURAGEOUS, WELL DISCIPLINED AND SELF-SACRIFICING.
•AS A LEARNED MAN, HE WAS HUMBLE.

HIS PUBLIC HONOR

 BEFORE HIS DEATH, FERNANDO ACEVEDO REVERED
RIZAL AS THE MODEL OF THE FILIPINOS.
 TOMAS AREJOLA ON 1891 (MADRID) STATED THAT RI-
ZAL’S MORAL INFLUENCE WAS UNDISPUTABLE.
 FERDINAND BLUMENTRITT CONSIDERED RIZAL AS
THE GREATEST PRODUCT OF THE PHILIPPINES
WHOSE BRILLIANCE APPEARS ONLY EVERY OTHER
CENTURY.
WHO MADE RIZAL THE NATIONAL
HERO?
 THERE IS NO LAW THAT AFFIRMS RIZAL AS
OUR NATIONAL HERO. THERE IS ONLY ONE
FOR THE STUDY OF HIS LIFE.

SO WHO MADE HIM THE NATION-

AL HERO?
 THE AMERICANS (THEY PROMOTED HIM)
 THE FILIPINO PEOPLE
 HIMSELF

AN OVERVIEW OF RIZAL’S LIFE

FATHER
 FRANCISCO MERCADO
 BORN ON MAY 11, 1818
 EDUCATED IN COLLEGIO DE SAN JOSE IN MANILA TAKING
PHILOSOPHY AND LATIN
 DIED ON JANUARY 5, 1898
 HE WAS DESCRIBED BY RIZAL AS QUIET BUT RESPONSIBLE

MOTHER
 TEODORA ALONSO-REALONDA
 BORN ON NOVEMBER 28, 1826.
 DIED ON AUGUST 16, 1911 IN MANILA.
 SHE STUDIED IN COLEGIO LA CONCORDIA
 SHE WAS A MATHEMATICIAN WHO TAUGHT RIZAL TO
PRAY, WRITE, AND SPEAK IN SPANISH AND LATIN
 JOSE RIZAL’S FAMILY

 DON FRANCISCO AND DONYA TEO-

DORA HAD 12 CHILDREN.

 THESE ARE THE FOLLOWING:

–SATURNINA

–PACIANO

–NARCISSA

–OLYMPIA

–LUCIA

–MARIA

–JOSE

–CONCEPCION

–JOSEFA

–TRINIDAD

–SOLEDAD

JOSE’S BIRTH AND BAPTISM

 JOSE WAS BORN ON JUNE 19, 1861 ON A WEDNESDAY IN CALAMBA

LAGUNA.

 HIS MOTHER HAD A DIFFICULT LABOR BECAUSE RIZAL HAD A BIG

HEAD.

 THE MOTHER HAD PRAYED TO THE “VIRGIN OF ANTIPOLO/OUR LA-

DY OF GOOD VOYAGE” FOR A SAFE DELIVERY.

 SHE VOWED THAT IF SHE WERE TO SURVIVE THE LABOR, SHE

WOULD BRING JOSE TO A PILGRIMAGE TO HER SHRINE.

 JOSE WAS NAMED AFTER ST. JOSEPH THE CARPENTER

 HE WAS BAPTIZED ON JUNE 22, 1861 BY FATHER RUFINO COLLANTES.

 FR. PEDRO CASAŇAS SERVED AS HIS GODFATHER

JOSE’S CHILDHOOD
•AT THE AGE OF 3 HE BEGAN TO PARTICIPATE IN RELIGIOUS PRACTICES OF THE FAMILY.

•AT THE AGE OF 4, HE EXPERIENCED HIS FIRST SORROW; THE DEATH OF CONCEPCION.

•AT THE AGE OF 5, HE BEGAN TO READ THE SPANISH BIBLE (HALTINGLY). JOINED PROCESSIONS, BEGAN TO MAKE
SKETCHES AND MOULDED CLAY TO MAKE SCULPTURES.

•HE WROTE A POEM “ A MOTHER’S BIRTHDAY” AT THE AGE OF 9 YEARS OLD, ALONG WITH “Mi PREMIERA IN-
SPIRACION”/ MY FIRST INSPIRATION
 JOSE IN ATENEO 1872-1877

RIZAL ENTERED IN ATENEO MUNICIPAL (FORMERLY

ESCUELA PIA NOW ATENEO DE MANILA) ON JUNE 10,
1872.

•ATENEO MUNICIPAL WAS ESTABLISHED AND RAN BY

THE JESUITS.

•HE WAS ADMITTED BECAUSE OF THE HELP OF FR.

MANUEL XERES-BURGOS.

•HE WAS DENIED REGISTRATION AT FIRST BY FR.

MAGIN FERRANDO FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

–HE REGISTERED LATE

–HE WAS FRAIL, WEAK AND SICKLY WHICH CAUSED

HIM TO NOT PASS THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION.

•JOSE FOUND THE ATENEO CLASSROOM AS A GOOD

PLACE TO LEARN AS IT FOSTERED HIS POTENTIALS.

•STUDENTS WERE DIVIDED INTO TWO EMPIRES;

THE ROMAN EMPIRE (INTERNO) AND THE CAR-
THAGINIAN/GREEK EMPIRE (EXTERNO).

•EACH OF THESE EMPIRES HAD OFFICIALS WHO

WERE THE TOP 5 MOST INTELLIGENT STUDENTS:

–EMPEROR

–TRIBUNE

–DECURION

–CENTURION

–STANDARD BEARER
 RIZAL BECAME THE EMPEROR OF THE
CARTHAGINIAN EMPIRE AND NONE OF
HIS CLASSMATES TOOK THE RANK
FROM HIM.

HIS FIRST PROFESSOR WAS FR. JOSE

BECH

HE EVENTUALLY BECAME EMPEROR OF

THE ROMAN EMPIRE AS HE MOVED TO
HIS HIGHER YEARS.

RIZAL WAS THE FAVORITE STUDENT OF

ONE OF HIS TEACHERS; FR. FRANCISCO
DE PAULA SANCHEZ, HIS 4TH YEAR
PROFESSOR.

HE FINISHED HIS STUDIES ON 1877 WITH

SUBRESALIENTE (EXCELLENT) MARKS.

RIZAL’S INTERESTS

1874, RIZAL BECAME INTERESTED

IN READING LITERATURE BOOKS,
HE WAS FOND OF THE COUNT OF
MONTE CRISTO BY ALEXANDER
DUMAS.

AT THE AGE OF 15 YEARS OLD HE

WROTE IN MEMORY OF MY TOWN
(UN RECUERDO AMI PUEBLO) AS A
RECOLLECTION OF HIS CHILD-
HOOD IN CALAMBA.
 JOSE IN UNIBERSIDAD DE SANTO TOMAS

RIZAL ENROLLED PHILOSOPHY AND

LETTERS IN UNIBERSIDAD DE SAN-
TO TOMAS FROM 1877-1878.

HE ALSO TOOK UP SURVEYING IN

ATENEO MUNICIPAL

HE WAS UNHAPPY IN UST FOR THE

FOLLOWING REASONS:

–THE HOSTILITY OF THE DOMIN-

ICAN PROFESSORS

–RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
AGAINST THE INDIOS

–OBSOLETE AND REPRESSIVE IN-

STRUCTION

SOME OF RIZAL’S ACHIEVE-

MENTS IN UST
1879, TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH (SA
AKING MGA KABATA); FOR THE AR-
TISTIC LYCEUM IN MANILA; FIRST
PRIZE

1880, THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS;

GOLD MEDAL AWARD

RIZAL WAS INVOLVED IN MOB FIGHTS

IN THE SCHOOL (NOT AN ACHEIVE-
MENT) .
 JOSE IN UNIBERSIDAD DE SANTO TOMAS

RIZAL ENROLLED PHILOSOPHY AND

LETTERS IN UNIBERSIDAD DE SAN-
TO TOMAS FROM 1877-1878.

HE ALSO TOOK UP SURVEYING IN

ATENEO MUNICIPAL

HE WAS UNHAPPY IN UST FOR THE

FOLLOWING REASONS:

–THE HOSTILITY OF THE DOMIN-

ICAN PROFESSORS

–RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
AGAINST THE INDIOS

–OBSOLETE AND REPRESSIVE IN-

STRUCTION

SOME OF RIZAL’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN UST

1879, TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH (SA

AKING MGA KABATA); FOR THE AR-
TISTIC LYCEUM IN MANILA; FIRST
PRIZE

1880, THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS;

GOLD MEDAL AWARD

RIZAL WAS INVOLVED IN MOB FIGHTS

IN THE SCHOOL (NOT AN ACHEIVE-
MENT) .
 RIZAL IN EUROPE
JOSE DECIDED TO LEAVE FOR EUROPE
FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

–PURSUE/FINISH HIS MEDICAL

STUDIES

–FULFILL HIS SECRET MISSION

(ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERINGS OF HIS
COUNTRYMEN).

RIZAL TOOK UP MEDICINE IN UNIBER-

SIDAD CENTRAL DE MADRID.

HE ALSO TOOK UP COURSES IN PHI-

LOSOPHY AND LETTERS, PAINTING,
SCULPTURE, FRENCH AND GERMAN
LANGUAGES.

HE RECEIVED HIS LICENTIATE IN PHI-

LOSOPHY AND LETTERS ON 1885.

HE WAS GIVEN HIS LICENSE FOR MEDICINE

BUT WAS NOT GIVEN HIS DIPLOMA FOR THE
FOLLOWING REASONS:

–HE WAS UNABLE TO PAY HIS TUITION

–HE WAS UNABLE TO SUBMIT HIS THESIS

•HIS PROFESSOR, PROF. MIGUEL MORAYTA

WAS ABLE TO CONVINCE RIZAL TO JOIN
THE ACACIA LODGE, A MASONIC ORGANI-
ZATION

•HIS PURPOSE OF JOINING THE MASONRY

WAS FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
 JOSE’S ACTIVITIES IN EUROPE
HE APPRENTICED HIMSLF TO DR. LUIS DE
WECKERT, A FRENCH OPTHALMOLOGIST.

HE WENT TO GERMANY AND WORKED FOR

DR. SCHULTZER AND DR. GALEZOWSKI,
BOTH WERE GERMAN OPTHALMOLOGISTS.

HE ALSO STARTED WITH HIS SECRET MIS-

SION BY SPENDING TIME IN MUSEUMS AND
LIBRARIES AND OBSERVING THE LIFE OF
LIBERAL COUNTRIES.

RIZAL WAS SURPRISED THAT EUROPEAN

COUNTRIES WERE NOT UNDER A FRAILOC-
RACY UNLIKE THE PHILIPPINES.

ONE OF WHIS ACHIEVEMENTS WAS THE AN-

NOTATION OF ANTONIO DE MORGA’S SUC-
CESOS DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS;

WHICH PROVED THE INDIOS HAD A CUL-

TURE BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THE SPAN-
IARDS.

HE BECAME AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE

PROPAGANDA MOVEMENTS SUCH AS THE
LA SOLIDARIDAD.

HE STARTED WRITING HIS FRIST NOVEL IN

MADRID, AFTER THREE YEARS HE PUB-
LISHED THE NOLI ME TANGERE IN BERLIN
GERMANY ON MARCH 21, 1887.

HE DID HAVE MONEY TO PUBLISH THE

NOVEL AND ALMOST THREW THE MANU-
SCRIPT INTO THE FIRE PLACE, BUT HIS
FRIEND MAXIMO VIOLA ALLOWED HIM TO
BORROW THE NEEDED AMOUNT TO PUB-
LISH THE NOVEL.
 HE ALSO HAD ACQUAINTANCES WITH
FERDINAND BLUMENTRITT AN AUSTRI-
AN SCHOLAR WHO BECAME HIS BEST-
FRIEND AND FATHER-LIKE FIGURE IN
EUROPE.

THEY FIRST MET ON MAY 13, 1887 IN LEI-

MERITZ, BOHEMIA.

RIZAL WROTE HIS FIRST ARTICLE FOR

LA SOLIDARIDAD ENTITLED; LOS AGRI-
CULTORES FILIPINOS; PUBLISHED ON
MARCH 25, 1889

RIZAL USED LAONG-LAAN AND DIS-

MASALANG AS HIS PEN NAMES.

RIZAL’S FIRST HOMECOMING

THE PUBLICATION OF THE NOLI CAUSED AN UP-

ROAR IN THE PHILIPPINES, FRIENDS FROM
HOME TOLD HIM NOT TO RETURN HOME.

RIZAL DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE PHILIP-

PINES FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

–PERFORM THE OPERATION ON HIS MOTHERS

EYES

–RENDER SERVICE TO HIS OPPRESSED COUN-

TRYMEN.

–SEE THE EFFECTS OF THE NOLI IN THE PHILIP-

PINES

–KNOW WHY LEONOR RIVERA REMAINED SI-

LENT.

LT. JOSE TAVIEL DE ANDRADE WAS DESIGNATED AS RIZAL’S GUARD TO ENSURE

THAT RIZAL WILL BE SAFE DURIGN HIS STAY IN THE COUNTRY.

ON FEBRUARY 1888, RIZAL WAS FORCED TO LEAVE FOR JAPAN.

 SECOND HOMECOMING
AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF HIS SEC-
OND NOVEL, EL FILIBUSTERISMO IN
GHENT, BELGIUM ON SEPTEMBER 22,
1891; RIZAL DECIDED TO RETURN TO
THE PHILIPPINES , HE ARRIVED ON
JUNE 26, 1892.

JUST LIKE WITH THE NOLI RIZAL HAD

NO FUNDS TO PUBLISH HIS SECOND
NOVEL, VALENTIN VENTURA ALLOWED
HIM TO BORROW THE NEEDED SUM
FOR THE PUBLICATION.

ON JULY 3, 1892 HE ESTABLISHED THE

LA LIGA FILIPINA, WITH THE MOTTO
“ONE LIKE ALL”.

HE WAS ARRESTED AFTERWARDS AS

THE AUTHORITIES WERE SUSPICIOUS
OF THE NATURE OF THE LIGA.

HE WAS THEN DEPORTED TO DAPITAN

WHERE HE WAS LIVED A QUIET LIFE.

LAST TRIP ABROAD AND EXECUTION

RIZAL WAS GIVEN THE CHANCE TO REDEEM
HIS FREEDOM BY SERVING AS A MILITARY
DOCTOR FOR THE SPANISH FORCES IN CU-
BA.

HE LEFT DAPITAN AND ON SEPT. 3, 1896 HE

BOARDED ISLA DE PANAY FROM MANILA
FOR BARCELONA.

TWO MONTHS LATER, HE WAS NOT AL-

LOWED TO DISEMBARK AS THE KKK START-
ED THEIR REVOLUTION AND RIZAL’S NAME
WAS IMPLICATED.

HE WAS DEPORTED BACK ON NOVEMBER 3,

1896 AND WAS BROUGHT FOR FORT SANTIA-
GO AND FACED A MILITARY COURT TRIAL.