Rizal’s Life: Exile, Trial and

Death
As soon as Rizal arrived in
Manila on June 26,1892,
he was welcomed by
Apolinario Mabini, Andres
Bonifacio, Ambrosio
Salvador, Pedro Serrano
Laktaw,
Deodato Arellano, and other
patriots, who, altogether
founded La Liga Filipina
(The
Filipino League). They wanted
to discuss the plan for La Liga
Filipina which was held in
a house on Calle Ylaya. That
time, Rizal was able to talk to
GovernorGeneral Despujol
on July 1892, saying his
gratitude for lifting the order of
exile for his sisters
Rizal’s Life: Exile, Trial and
Death
As soon as Rizal arrived in
Manila on June 26,1892,
he was welcomed by
Apolinario Mabini, Andres
Bonifacio, Ambrosio
Salvador, Pedro Serrano
Laktaw,
Deodato Arellano, and other
patriots, who, altogether
founded La Liga Filipina
(The
Filipino League). They wanted
to discuss the plan for La Liga
Filipina which was held in
a house on Calle Ylaya. That
time, Rizal was able to talk to
GovernorGeneral Despujol
on July 1892, saying his
gratitude for lifting the order of
exile for his sisters.
Rizal’s Life: Exile, Trial and
Death
As soon as Rizal arrived in
Manila on June 26,1892,
he was welcomed by
Apolinario Mabini, Andres
Bonifacio, Ambrosio
Salvador, Pedro Serrano
Laktaw,
Deodato Arellano, and other
patriots, who, altogether
founded La Liga Filipina
(The
Filipino League). They wanted
to discuss the plan for La Liga
Filipina which was held in
a house on Calle Ylaya. That
time, Rizal was able to talk to
GovernorGeneral Despujol
on July 1892, saying his
gratitude for lifting the order of
exile for his sisters.
As soon as Rizal arrived in
Manila on June 26,1892,
he was welcomed by
Apolinario Mabini, Andres
Bonifacio, Ambrosio
Salvador, Pedro Serrano
Laktaw,
Deodato Arellano, and other
patriots, who, altogether
founded La Liga Filipina
(The
Filipino League). They wanted
to discuss the plan for La Liga
Filipina which was held in
a house on Calle Ylaya. That
time, Rizal was able to talk to
GovernorGeneral Despujol
on July 1892, saying his
gratitude for lifting the order of
exile for his sisters
As soon as Rizal arrived in
Manila on June 26,1892,
he was welcomed by
Apolinario Mabini, Andres
Bonifacio, Ambrosio
Salvador, Pedro Serrano
Laktaw,
Deodato Arellano, and other
patriots, who, altogether
founded La Liga Filipina
(The
Filipino League). They wanted
to discuss the plan for La Liga
Filipina which was held in
a house on Calle Ylaya. That
time, Rizal was able to talk to
GovernorGeneral Despujol
on July 1892, saying his
gratitude for lifting the order of
exile for his sisters
As soon as Rizal arrived in
Manila on June 26,1892,
he was welcomed by
Apolinario Mabini, Andres
Bonifacio, Ambrosio
Salvador, Pedro Serrano
Laktaw,
Deodato Arellano, and other
patriots, who, altogether
founded La Liga Filipina
(The
Filipino League). They wanted
to discuss the plan for La Liga
Filipina which was held in
a house on Calle Ylaya. That
time, Rizal was able to talk to
GovernorGeneral Despujol
on July 1892, saying his
gratitude for lifting the order of
exile for his sisters
As soon as Rizal arrived in
Manila on June 26,1892,
he was welcomed by
Apolinario Mabini, Andres
Bonifacio, Ambrosio
Salvador, Pedro Serrano
Laktaw,
Deodato Arellano, and other
patriots, who, altogether
founded La Liga Filipina
(The
Filipino League). They wanted
to discuss the plan for La Liga
Filipina which was held in
a house on Calle Ylaya. That
time, Rizal was able to talk to
GovernorGeneral Despujol
on July 1892, saying his
gratitude for lifting the order of
exile for his sisters
As soon as Rizal arrived in
Manila on June 26,1892,
he was welcomed by
Apolinario Mabini, Andres
Bonifacio, Ambrosio
Salvador, Pedro Serrano
Laktaw,
Deodato Arellano, and other
patriots, who, altogether
founded La Liga Filipina
(The
Filipino League). They wanted
to discuss the plan for La Liga
Filipina which was held in
a house on Calle Ylaya. That
time, Rizal was able to talk to
GovernorGeneral Despujol
on July 1892, saying his
gratitude for lifting the order of
exile for his sisters
As soon as Rizal arrived in
Manila on June 26,1892,
he was welcomed by
Apolinario Mabini, Andres
Bonifacio, Ambrosio
Salvador, Pedro Serrano
Laktaw,
Deodato Arellano, and other
patriots, who, altogether
founded La Liga Filipina
(The
Filipino League). They wanted
to discuss the plan for La Liga
Filipina which was held in
a house on Calle Ylaya. That
time, Rizal was able to talk to
GovernorGeneral Despujol
on July 1892, saying his
gratitude for lifting the order of
exile for his sisters
As soon as Rizal arrived in
Manila on June 26,1892,
he was welcomed by
Apolinario Mabini, Andres
Bonifacio, Ambrosio
Salvador, Pedro Serrano
Laktaw,
Deodato Arellano, and other
patriots, who, altogether
founded La Liga Filipina
(The
Filipino League). They wanted
to discuss the plan for La Liga
Filipina which was held in
a house on Calle Ylaya. That
time, Rizal was able to talk to
GovernorGeneral Despujol
on July 1892, saying his
gratitude for lifting the order of
exile for his sisters
As soon as Rizal arrived in
Manila on June 26,1892,
he was welcomed by
Apolinario Mabini, Andres
Bonifacio, Ambrosio
Salvador, Pedro Serrano
Laktaw,
Deodato Arellano, and other
patriots, who, altogether
founded La Liga Filipina
(The
Filipino League). They wanted
to discuss the plan for La Liga
Filipina which was held in
a house on Calle Ylaya. That
time, Rizal was able to talk to
GovernorGeneral Despujol
on July 1892, saying his
gratitude for lifting the order of
exile for his sisters
As soon as Rizal arrived in
Manila on June 26,1892,
he was welcomed by
Apolinario Mabini, Andres
Bonifacio, Ambrosio
Salvador, Pedro Serrano
Laktaw,
Deodato Arellano, and other
patriots, who, altogether
founded La Liga Filipina
(The
Filipino League). They wanted
to discuss the plan for La Liga
Filipina which was held in
a house on Calle Ylaya. That
time, Rizal was able to talk to
GovernorGeneral Despujol
on July 1892, saying his
gratitude for lifting the order of
exile for his sisters
Rizal’s Life: Exile, Trial and Death

On June 26, 1892, when Rizal arrived in Manila, he was greeted by Apolinario Mabini, Andres
Bonifacio, Ambrosio Salvador, Pedro Serrano Laktaw, Deodato Arellano, and other patriots who
together created La Liga Filipina (The Filipino League). They wanted to talk about the La Liga Filipina
tournament, which was being hosted in a home on Calle Ylaya. In July 1892, Rizal had the opportunity to
speak with Governor General Despujol and express his appreciation for dropping the exile order for his
sisters.

The distant village of Dapitan on Mindanao served as a Spanish outpost in the Philippines. Since
July 1896, Dapitan has been the only eyewitness to Rizal's demise. During his exile, Rizal grew close to
Captain Ricardo Carnicero, who gave him permission to wander the area in exchange for reporting on his
exploits once a week at his office. He continued practicing medicine, conducting research, and honing
his artistic skills in sculpture, painting, sketching, and poetry writing in Dapitan. He established a school
for boys and started neighborhood improvement initiatives. On August 26, 1892, Rizal composed a
poem titled "A Don Ricardo Carnicero" as a present for Captain Carnicero.

Rizal assisted the residents of Dapitan in sustaining their way of life by engaging in farming,
business, and even the invention of a tool for producing bricks out of wood. Rizal, Carnicero, and
another Spaniard all won a lottery ticket on September 21, 1892. He received P6,200 as his portion of
the proceeds. He purchased a piece of land in Talisay with some of his share. Within the region, he
constructed a residence, a clinic, and a school. He wrote letters to Blumentritt about his daily activities in
Dapitan, which included writing poetry, operating on his mother's eyes, and researching local herbs that
could be used to treat patients.

Rizal was regarded as one of the top ophthalmologists at the time. When George Tauffer
learned of this, she and her adoptive daughter Josephine Bracken left Hong Kong for Dapitan. George
Tauffer had an eye condition. Even though it was against Father Obach and both of their families, Rizal
and Josephine quickly fell in love and got married.
 Rizal also created a large map of Mindanao for the plaza in Dapitan to be used in geography
lessons. He described Dapitan's location in respect to other areas of Mindanao to the locals. He created
a water system that provided the town's residents with water for drinking and irrigation with the aid of
Rizal's students. Additionally, he assisted the locals in installing lampposts all across the town.

When the Philippine Revolution began in Manila in 1896, Dr. Pio Valenzuela and a blind man
named Raymundo Mata went to Rizal's home in Dapitan to tell him about the creation of Katipunan and
its revolutionary strategy. From 1894 until 1895, Rizal wrote letters to Governor General Ramon Blanco.
Blumentriit suggested that Rizal offer his surgical expertise to the Spanish government in Cuba in order
to terminate his exile because he wanted his case to be reconsidered. At that time, yellow fever was
raging throughout Cuba, which was a colony of Spain. Governor-General Ramon Blanco granted Rizal's
request to visit Cuba on July 30, 1896. On September 3, 1896, Rizal boarded the vessel Isla de Panay at
Barcelona after departing from Manila on the liner Espaa. Rizal was informed by Governor-General
Despujol that he had been ordered to return to Manila when he landed at the harbor. While on an
excursion in the Mediterranean Sea, Rizal was detained. He was sent back to the Philippines after being
imprisoned in Barcelona, Spain. On November 3, 1896, after traveling from Barcelona to Manila under
watchful care, Rizal arrived in the city and was quickly taken to be imprisoned at Fort Santiago.

TRIAL AND DEATH OF RIZAL

Colonel Francisco Olive, an attorney for the Spanish military tribunal, was the designated Judge
on November 20, 1896, and he summoned Rizal. The preliminary investigation got under way, and it
lasted for five days. He was accused of being the revolution's architect by fostering anti-establishment
sentiment and creating unlawful organizations. As anticipated, Rizal was denied the opportunity to
question his witnesses. Only young Spanish policemen who had no interest in law were on the list from
which he could select his attorney. He went with Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade, who was Rizal's security
when he first returned to his house. During the investigation, he was given access to both documentary
and testimonial material. There were ten testifying witnesses and fifteen documents used against Rizal.
Lt. Taviel de Andrade made every effort to prove Rizal's innocence, but despite how clear-cut the
evidence was, Rizal was still declared guilty.

RIZAL’S REMAINING DAYS AND THE LAST FAREWELL

Rizal understood that there was no hope of reversing the court's ruling when he heard it. The
official notice of his execution was read to him by Captain Rafael Dominguez at six in the morning on
December 29, 1896. Rizal visited the jail church during his final hours. On the same day, his mother and
sisters paid him a visit. After giving them his remaining belongings, he grabbed for the gas light and
handed it to Trinidad, telling her to carefully open it, "There is something within." Maria and Trinidad
then took a copy of Rizal's final poem from the lamp. Unfortunately, it was said that Rizal was denied the
opportunity to hug his mother in his final moments.

He took the opportunity to write his best friend Bluementrit one final letter. His final poem, "Mi
Ultimo Adios" or "My Last Farewell," was the longest he had ever written.

On December 29, 1896, in the evening, Rizal ate his last meal. He told Captain Dominguez at the
time that he had already forgave his enemies, even those who had wanted him killed. He prayed and
confessed his sins in the chapel at three in the morning on the day of his execution. He consumed three
hard boiled eggs for his final breakfast at precisely 5:30 in the morning. He inscribed some memorabilia
after breakfast, including religious artifacts and books, some of which he handed to his mother and
Trinidad. He presented the Imitacion de Cristo to his wife Josephine.

He once more sent a letter to his parents, siblings, and brother in which he stated:

To my family, I ask you for forgiveness for the pain I cause you, but someday I shall have to die
and it is better that I die now in the plentitude of my conscience.

Dear parents and brothers: give thanks to God that I may preserve my tranquility before my
death. I die resigned, hoping that with my death you will be left in peace. Ah! It is better to die than to
live suffering. Console yourselves.

I enjoin you to forgive one another the little meanness of life and try to live united in peace and
good harmony. Treat your old parents as you would like to be treated by your children later. Love them
very much in my memory.

Bury me in the ground. Place a stone and a cross over it. My name, the date of my birth and of
my death. Nothing more. If later you wish to surround my grave with a fence, you can do it. No
anniversaries. I prefer Paang Bundok. Have pity on poor Josephine.

My Dear Brother, it is now four and a half years since we have seen one another, or have we
exchanged letters. This I think is not because of any lack of love on my part or yours, but because,
knowing one another so well, we do not need to talk in order to be understood by one another.

Now I am about to die, and it is to you I dedicate my last line, to tell you how sorry I am to leave
you alone in this life, burdened with the weight of the family and of our old parents. I am thinking how
hard you have work to give me a career; I have tried not to waste my time. My brother, if the fruit been
bitter, it is not my fault, but the fault of circumstances. I know that you have suffered much for me, and I
am sorry.

I assure you, brother, that I die innocent of this crime of rebellion. That my former writings may
have contributed toward it, I cannot wholly deny; but then, I thought I had expiated for the pass in my
deportation.

Tell our father that I remember him, and how much! I remember his affection and his love since
my earliest childhood. Ask him to forgive me for the pain I have unwillingly caused him.

(Signed)

Jose Rizal

On December 30, 1896, at 6:30 in the morning, Rizal walked to Bagumbayan while dressed in a
black suit, black slacks, a black bowler hat, and a white shirt with his arms tied behind his back. Along
with him on the stroll were two Jesuit priests, March and Vilaclara, as well as his defense attorney,
Andrade. A number of armed soldiers stood in front of them, while other soldiers were standing behind
them. The death march was announced by a trumpet, and the muffled beat of the drums provided the
march's soundtrack.
People had gathered in the streets in long lines; while some of them sympathized with him, others,
particularly the Spaniards, wanted nothing more than to see him go. Some people noted that his
relatives or the katipuneros would attempt to dash him out of the trap at the very last second (Ocampo,
2016).

People had gathered in the streets in long lines; while some of them sympathized with him, others,
particularly the Spaniards, wanted nothing more than to see him go. Some people noted that his
relatives or the katipuneros would attempt to dash him out of the trap at the very last second (Ocampo,
2016).

Rizal declined the customary blindfold and refused to kneel at the time of his death. Even asking to
stand before the firing squad, he insisted that he wasn't a traitor to Spain or his nation. The firing squad
commander initially refused his plea, but after some time Rizal consented to do so in exchange for being
shot in the small of the back rather than the head. After reaching an understanding, Rizal shook his
defense attorney's hand. The man had only a few minutes to live, so the military doctor asked for
permission to check his pulse. He was shocked to see that it was normal. The priests presented Rizal
with a crucifix to kiss before departing, but he refused and resigned himself to death in silence. The
moment the command was delivered; the executioners' guns began to bark. Christ's two words,
"Consummatum est!" were shouted by Rizal. He made one last effort to turn his bullet-riddled body
halfway around and said, "(It is finished!).

There was total silence. Unfortunately, the Captain broke his word when Rizal asked him not to shoot his
head; instead, one of his soldiers approached the body and shot Rizal in the head with a "tira de gracia,"
or mercy shot, to ensure his death.

Viva Espana! they shouted in Spanish. Death to the traitors! However, the throng made no noise. They
applauded as the military band played "Marcha de Cadiz" to break the ice.