GEED10013 Buhay at Mga Sinulat Ni Rizal

Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR BRANCHES AND EXTENSIONS
MARAGONDON BRANCH
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
IN
GEED 10013
BUHAY AT MGA SINULAT NI RIZAL
Compiled by:
Andres, Fatima
Argente, Dan Jason L.
Batoon, Russel A.
Culanding, Aliyah Rein G.
de Guzman, Zylle Arlond D.
Labarda, Jean Cristelle P.
Martal, Irish Joy A.
Salome, John Carlo
Sison, Michaella
Officers of BSA-MR 1-1
Checked and Approved by:

Dr. Edmer Ramirez, RL, MILS
Associate Professor 3 Special Lecture
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. This module will help you become an
effective learner and successfully meet the requirements of the course. You will discover that you
can learn in an incredibly challenging way at your own pace. You can learn while enjoying every
activity in this module.
Happy learning!
THE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
VISION
PUP: The National Polytechnic University
MISSION
Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities
through a re-engineered Polytechnic University by committing to:
• provide democratized access to educational opportunities for the holistic development of

individuals with global perspective
• offer industry-oriented curricula that produce highly skilled professionals with managerial
and technical capabilities and a strong sense of public service for nation building
• embed a culture of research and innovation
• continuously develop faculty and employees with the highest level of professionalism
• engage public and private institutions and other stakeholders for the attainment of social
development goal
• establish a strong presence and impact in the international academic community
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PHILOSOPHY
As a state university, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines believes that:
• Education is an instrument for the development of the citizenry and for the enhancement
of nation building; and
• That meaningful growth and transmission of the country are best achieved in an
atmosphere of brotherhood, peace, freedom, justice and nationalist-oriented education
imbued with the spirit of humanist internationalism.
•
TEN PILLARS
Pillar 1: Dynamic, Transformational, and Responsible Leadership

Pillar 2: Responsive and Innovative Curricula and Instruction
Pillar 3: Enabling and Productive Learning Environment
Pillar 4: Holistic Student Development and Engagement
Pillar 5: Empowered Faculty Members and Employees
Pillar 6: Vigorous Research Production and Utilization
Pillar 7: Global Academic Standards and Excellence
Pillar 8: Synergistic, Productive, Strategic Networks and Partnerships
Pillar 9: Active and Sustained Stakeholders’ Engagement
Pillar 10: Sustainable Social Development Programs and Projects
SHARED VALUES AND PRINCIPLES
• Integrity and Accountability

• Nationalism
• Spirituality
• Passion for Learning and Innovation
• Inclusivity
• Respect for Human Rights and The Environment
• Excellence
• Democracy
3
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
MARAGONDON BRANCH
GOALS
• Quality and excellent graduates

• Empowered faculty members
• Relevant curricula
• Efficient administration
• Development – oriented researches
• State-of-the-art physical facilities and laboratories
• Profitable income – generating programs
• Innovative instruction
• ICT – driven library
• Strong local and international linkages
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The College of Accountancy aims to:
1. Provide the highest quality of accountancy education that meets international

standards and broaden opportunities to poor/marginalized but highly intelligent
students.
2. Generate and diffuse knowledge through intensive research and extension to make
accountancy education both relevant and responsive to contemporary and future
demands of national and global development.
3. Enhance the competencies of its faculty and administrative staff through information
and communications technology, continuing professional education in-services
trainings and International exposures.
4
GEED 10013
BUHAY AT MGA SINULAT NI RIZAL
COURSE DESCRIPTION
COURSE TITLE : BUHAY AT MGA SINULAT NI RIZAL
COURSE CODE : GEED 10013
COURSE CREDIT : 3 UNITS
PRE-REQUISITE : NONE
As mandated by Republic Act 1425, this course covers the lives and works of ourheroes who
lived and died for the ideals of freedom and nationalism which have shaped our national character.
A major focus of discussion would be Jose Rizal’s life, works, and writing particularly his novels
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo which serve as constant and inspiring sources of patriotism.
This course seeks to develop a sense of moral character, personal discipline, civic consciousness,
and duties of citizenship of the Filipino youth.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
After completing this course, you must be able to:
1. Utilize appropriate various learning materials in explaining the life of Jose Rizal.
2. Demonstrate deep and principled understanding in the relevance of Rizal’s ideas, thoughts,
teachings, and life values to present conditions in the society.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in oral and written communication skills.
4. Foster the development of moral character, personal discipline, citizenship and vocational
efficiency among Filipino Youth.
5. Pay tribute to the national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the Filipino character.
5
GRADING SYSTEM
The grading system will determine if the student passed or failed the course. The Final Grade will
be computed as: 70% Class Standing + 30% Major Examination. Major Examination will be the
average grade of Midterm and Final Examinations.
Class Standing 70%
• Quizzes
• Attendance
• Recitation
• Group participation
• Practical Exam
Midterm / Final Examinations 30%

100%
Midterm Grade + Final Term Grade = FINAL GRADE

2
COURSE GUIDE
Regular Class: (18 weeks, 3 hrs/week, 54 hrs)
Learning
Week Topic Methodology Resources Assessment
Outcomes
Orientation Understand and Setting of PUP Student Statement of
internalize the expectations Handbook expectations
Introduction to the VMGO of the
Week course University. Discussion of Course syllabus
1 syllabus
Show appreciation
of the importance
of the course
Republic Act 1425 Discuss and discern Lecture- Atienza, Glecy Pre-test
facts regarding the Discussion C, et.al. (2008).
Week
enactment of the Jose Rizal: Ang Post-test
2
said law. Pambansang
Bayani. Reaction Paper
6
Appreciate Malabon City:
numerous figures Mutya Reflection
that contributed in Publishing Paper
the process of House, Inc.
passing the law.
RA 1425.
Understand the http://www.official
deep-rooted fight in gazette.gov.ph
establishing the
Republic Act 1425
Jose Rizal’s Context Analyze the various Lecture- Albuladora, A. Pre-test
(The Philippines in social, economic, Discussion H., Lim, A., and
the 19th Century political, and Ponsaran, J. Post-test
cultural changes (2003). Jose
that took place in Rizal: The Reaction Paper
the Philippines Philippines’
during the 19th Greatest. Reflection
century. Adamson Paper
University.
Examine how
social conditions Zaide, Gregorio F.
shaped Rizal’s life and Zaide, Sonia
and identity. M. Jose Rizal:
Life, Works, and
Week Writings of a
3 Genius, Writer,
Scientist, and
National Hero.
2nd ed.
Mandaluyong
City: Anvil
Publishing,
Inc.2014.
The Sociological
Imaginatio
n of
C. W. Mills.
http://sites.middle
bury.edu
Rizal’s Family, To have a better Lecture- Zaide, Gregorio F. Pre-test
Childhood, and Early understanding of Discussion and Zaide,
Week Education Rizal’s life as a Sonia M. Post-test
4 child Jose Rizal: Buhay,
mga Ginawa, Reaction Paper
7
To know the people at mga Sinulat ng Reflection
in Rizal’s life who Isang Henyo, Paper
played an important Manunulat,
role Siyentipiko, at
Pambansang Bayani.
To know Rizal’s Quezon City:
experience in his All Nations
first formal Publishing co. Inc.
education. 1997.
Atienza, Glecy C,
et.al. (2008). Jose
Rizal: Ang
Pambansang
Bayani. Malabon
City: Mutya
Publishing House,
Inc.
Rizal as a Student To further discuss Lecture- Zaide, Gregorio F. Pre-test
(Ateneo and UST) Rizal’s journey as a Discussion and Zaide,
student Sonia M. Post-test
Rizal as a Writer Jose Rizal: Buhay,
To understand the mga Ginawa, Reaction Paper
purpose and at mga Sinulat ng
Week objectives of Isang Henyo, Reflection
5-7 Rizal’s works. Manunulat, Paper
Siyentipiko, at
Pambansang Bayani.
Quezon City:
All Nations
Publishing co. Inc.
1997
Rizal as a Historian Determine the Lecture- Zaide, Gregorio F. Pre-test
motives of Rizal for Discussion and Zaide,
creating an Sonia M. Post-test
annotation to Jose Rizal: Buhay,
Morga’s Sucesos. mga Ginawa, Reaction Paper
at mga Sinulat ng
Week Judge Rizal’s Isang Henyo, Reflection
8 annotation as Manunulat, Paper
purely historical Siyentipiko, at
work or as a form Pambansang Bayani.
of propaganda. Quezon City:
All Nations
Publishing co. Inc.
1997
8
Atienza, Glecy C,
et.al. Jose Rizal:
Ang Pambansang
Bayani. Malabon
City: Mutya
Publishing House,
Inc.2008.
Week MIDTERM EXAMINATION

9
Rizal as a Discuss the aims of Lecture- Atienza, Glecy C, Pre-test
Propagandist Rizal for the Discussion et.al. Jose Rizal:
country as a Ang Pambansang Post-test
propagandist. Bayani. Malabon
City: Mutya Reaction Paper
Explain how the Publishing House,
novels, Noli Me Inc.2008. Reflection
Tangere and El Paper
Week
Filibusterismo, Mañebog, Jensen
10-11
created an impact DG. (2013).
on the Filipinos’ Jose Rizal’s
consciousness and Essays and
the Philippines’ Articles.
enemies. https://ourhappys
chool.com.
http://joserizal.ph/i
n01.html
Rizal as a Traveler Explain the motives Lecture- Zaide, Gregorio F. Pre-test
of Rizal for visiting Discussion and Zaide,
different countries. Sonia M. Post-test
Jose Rizal: Buhay,
Describe Rizal as a mga Ginawa, Reaction Paper
traveler and to at mga Sinulat ng
compare it to the Isang Henyo, Reflection
Week travelers at present. Manunulat, Paper
12-13 Siyentipiko, at
Pambansang Bayani.
Quezon City:
All Nations
Publishing co. Inc.
1997
http://joserizal.ph/i
n01.html
Rizal as a Lover To identify the Lecture- Atienza, Glecy C, Pre-test
Week
women in Rizal’s Discussion et.al. Jose Rizal:
14
life. Ang Pambansang Post-test
9
Bayani. Malabon
To give an idea of City: Mutya Reaction Paper
how Rizal as a Publishing House,
suitor. Inc.2008. Reflection
Paper
To describe women Zaide, Gregorio F.
linked to Rizal. and Zaide,
Sonia M.
Jose Rizal: Buhay,
mga Ginawa,
at mga Sinulat ng
Isang Henyo,
Manunulat,
Siyentipiko, at
Pambansang Bayani.
Quezon City:
All Nations
Publishing co. Inc.
1997
Rizal in Dapitan Know the reason Lecture- Zaide, Gregorio F. Pre-test
why Rizal was Discussion and Zaide,
exiled in Dapitan. Sonia M. Post-test
Jose Rizal: Buhay,
Enumerate Rizal’s mga Ginawa, Reaction Paper
Week activies during his at mga Sinulat ng
15 stay in Dapitan. Isang Henyo, Reflection
Manunulat, Paper
Reflect on Rizal’s Siyentipiko, at
attitude as a way of Pambansang Bayani.
facing our stops in Quezon City:
life. All Nations
Rizal’s Trial To discuss how Lecture- Publishing co. Inc. Pre-test
Rizal confronted Discussion 1997
his trial. Post-test
To analyze the Reaction Paper

factors that led to
Week
Rizal’s execution. Reflection
16
Paper
To appreciate
Rizal’s bravery and
patriotism as he
underwent trial and
knew his death.
10
Rizal’s Execution To discuss Rizal’s Lecture- Pre-test
execution in more Discussion
detail Post-test
To learn what Reaction Paper

happened in Rizal’s
Week last hours Reflection
17 Paper
To understand how
Rizal’s death
affected the
attainment of
Philippine
independence
Week FINAL EXAMINATION
18
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic Page
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………… 2
Lesson 1 Republic Act No. 1425 ……………………………………………. 13
Lesson 2 Jose Rizal’s Context (The Philippines in the ……………………… 22
19th Century)
Lesson 3 Rizal’s Family, Childhood, and Early Education …………………... 30

Lesson 4 Rizal as a Student (Ateneo and UST) and Rizal as a Writer ………... 41
Lesson 5 Rizal as a Historian …………………………………………………. 49
Lesson 6 Rizal as a Protagonist and Rizal as a Traveler ………………………. 58
Lesson 7 Rizal as a Lover …………………………………………………… 68
Lesson 8 Rizal in Dapitan ……………………………………………………… 74
Lesson 9 Rizal’s Trial ……………………………………………………….. 91
Lesson 10 Rizal’s Execution ………………………………………………….. 99
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LESSON 1 – Republic Act No. 1425
Overview:
The purpose of this paper is to further learn and analyze the efficiency, history, and rationale
of passing the Rizal Law. Accordingly, this discusses the following topics encompassing the
Republic Act 1425, also known as the Rizal Law.
1. Introduction of the enacted legislative bill

2. Clauses to support the need of enactment
3. Provisions
4. History
5. Process
6. Evaluations
Learning Objectives:
After discerning the facts offered in the paper, you must be able to:
1. Discuss and discern facts regarding the enactment of the said law.
2. Appreciate numerous figures that contributed in the process of passing the law.
3. Understand the deep-rooted fight in establishing the Republic Act 1425
Course Materials:
INTRODUCTION OF THE ENACTED LEGISLATIVE BILL

The Republic Act 1425, also known as the Rizal Law, is 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 (Republic Act. 1425, 1856).
CLAUSES TO SUPPORT THE NEED OF ENACTMENT

The act gave prominence to several grounds which made the passing of the RA. 1425. As
stated in the preamble or RA 1425 which includes the following basis: the need for rededication
to the ideals of freedom and nationalism; honoring them is to remember their lives and works with
special fondness and devotion that have shaped the national character; the life, works, and writing
of Rizal is a constant inspiring source of patriotism which must be planted in the minds of the
youth; thus, all educational institutions shall be under the provision of and subjected to develop
moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience, and the duties of citizenship (Republic Act.
1425, 1856).
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PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT. 1425
The Section 1 of the RA. 1425 mandates that courses on the life, works and writings of Jose
Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the
curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or private (Republic Act. 1425, 1856);
Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translations shall be used as basic texts. The Board
of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to implement
and carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing and printing of appropriate
primers, readers and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this
Act promulgate rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and
enforce the regulations of this Act. The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing
for the exemption of students for reason of religious belief stated in a sworn written statement
from the requirement of the provision contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this
section; but not from taking the course provided for in the first part of said paragraph. Said rules
and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the Official Gazette
(Republic Act. 1425, 1856).
The Section 2 of RA. 1425 subsequently ratified the rule that the course subject shall be
obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number
of copies of the original and expurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as
well as Rizal’s other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo or their translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal shall be
included in the list of approved books for required reading in all public or private schools, colleges
and universities. The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of
books, depending upon the enrollment of the school, college or university (Republic Act. 1425,
1856).
The Section 3 of RA. 1425 oblige the Board of National education in the cause of the
translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal
into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap,
popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them,
through the Purok organizations and the Barrio Councils throughout the country (Republic Act.
1425, 1856).
The Section 4 of RA. 1425 emphasizes the fact that Nothing in this Act shall be construed
as amending or repealing section nine hundred twenty-seven of the Administrative Code,
prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public school teachers and other persons
engaged in any public school (Republic Act. 1425, 1856).
The Section 4 of RA. 1425 sanctions a sum of three hundred thousand pesos hereby
authorized to be appropriated out of any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury
to carry out the purposes of this Act (Republic Act. 1425, 1856). It was then enacted as stated in
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the Section 6 of RA. 1425 that this act shall take effect upon its approval (Republic Act. 1425,
1856).
HISTORY
I. The creation of the controversial Bill
The Republic Act was signed by the President on June 12, 1956 (Palafox, 2015). From the
notes preceding the body of the document, one may infer that the bill was originally proposed in
the Legislative arm of the Philippine Republic (House Bill No. 5561), in the Senate and House of
Representatives (Senate Bill No. 438). Republic Act 1945 considered as one of the most
controversial bills in the Philippines. Implementation of the law became hot in the eye, and a
coalescence of religious groups within the church rallied to block the passage of the bill in the
Senate (Dimasalang, nd).
II. Catholic Church staunchly opposed the Rizal Law

The Catholic Church urged its faithful to write to lawmakers to make their opposition to the
bill known. Among the most active groups that went against the Rizal Bill were the Catholic
Action of the Philippines, the Knights of Columbus, the Congregation of the Mission, and the
Catholic Teachers Guild. It was not only church groups and clergy who vehemently opposed the
Rizal Bill. It came to a point when a number of Catholic schools threatened to close down if the
Rizal Bill became law. The individuals who went against the Rizal Bill painted Recto as socialist
and hostile to Catholicism. As indicated by Abinales and Amoroso (2005), the Church feared the
bill would disregard the freedom of conscience and religion (Limos, 2020).
III. There were many who were sitting in their position who opposed it
Senator Recto carried the bill to the Senate and Senator Jose B. Tree Sr. who was then the
Chairman of the Committee on Education supported the bill that thus promptly led to countless
contentions from the Congress. The bill was headedly gone against by three Senators in particular
Senator Francisco Rodrigo who was a previous Catholic Action President, Senator Mariano
Cuenco and Senator Decoroso Rosales who was the sibling of Julio Rosales, a diocese supervisor.
Other oppositors were from Lower House to be specific Congressmen Ramon Durano, Marciano
Lim, Jose Nuguid, Manuel Soza, Godofredo Ramos, Miguel Cuenco, Lucas Paredes,
Congressmen Carmen Consing and Tecia San Andres Ziga. The Catholic Church was by
implication remembered for the discussions and assumed a significant part for the intervention
of signing of the bill into a law (Dimasalang, nd).
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IV. Compromise with Catholic Church and the Sponsors of Rizal Bill
In 1956, the Catholic Church tried to stop Congress from requiring all schools from including
the novels of our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal in the curriculum (Robles, 2011)Excitement and
intense scenes eventually arose in settling the Rizal Bill. One of which was the debate of Cebu
Representative Ramon Durano and Pampanga Representative Emilio Cortes that ended with a
fistfight in Congress. Bacolod City Bishop Manuel Yap threatened to campaign against pro-rizal
bill legislators and to punish them in future elections. Catholic Schools Representatives threatened
to close down their schools if the Rizal Bill was passed. Recto told them that if they did, the State
could nationalize the catholic schools. When there was a proposal to use the expurgated novels as
textbooks and put the original copies under lock and key in the school libraries, Recto rejected
this amendment. But instead, the Legislator, particularly Recto, consented to the state of diluting
the ethically hostile pieces of Rizal's books before they were instructed to schools. They called it
the expurgated versions. Further, it was concurred that main schools and colleges would show
these materials to their understudies (Limos, 2020).
PROCESS
Senator Laurel created an amendment to the original bill in which, other than Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo, works written by Rizal and works written by others about Rizal
would be included and reading of the unexpurgated revision of the two novels would no longer
be compulsory to elementary and secondary levels but would be strictly observed to college level
(Ybiernas, 2021). According to the amendment made by Senator Laurel, the written works made
by Rizal and made by other people regarding Rizal will be included that only contain the complete
original work, without changes where they are not required in elementary and secondary but will
be strictly followed at the college level. Along with him is a known Senator Lim, who suggested
the exemption to those students who feel that reading Rizal’s novels would negatively affect his
or her faith. According to Senator Lim, he proposed the dispensation of students who feel that
reading Rizal's novels will negatively affect their faith. At the same time, Senator Primicias
accompanied the Senators above mentioned by creating an additional amendment that
promulgates the rules and regulations in getting an exemption only from reading the two novels
through written statement or affidavit and not from taking the Rizal Course. According to Senator
Primicias, he made an amendment that states the rules and regulations on having a dispensation
that is only for reading two novels through a written statement or affidavit and not for taking the
Rizal Course (Dimasalang, nd).
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EVALUATION: Efficiency of RA. 1425
I. It fostered both nationalism and patriotism from Filipino citizens, particularly
Filipino youth.
According to Hernan Abaya (1984), the law made UP students aware of the sacrifices and
contributions made by Dr. Jose Rizal. It opened their eyes and awoke their patriotism and
nationalism. It emphasized the importance of liberty and independence. This Republic Act served
as a model for the youth.
II. People's faith is being called into question. The Youth became skeptical or doubtful
of the church's teachings and traditions.
In June 12,1956. Former president Ramon Magsaysay approved the Republic Act 1425
known as Rizal Law. This is despite intense debate over whether Rizal's two novels should be
studied; Noli me tangere and El Filibusterismo. The Catholic church is concerned because it might
have an impact on children's faith and lead them to believe that the church still practices what the
book implied it was doing (Chua, 2016).
This is the question that students are constantly asked on the first day of the Rizal course.
How many girlfriends did Rizal have? Was Rizal the father of Hitler and Mao Zedong? This is
because the professors thought it would catch the children's attention, but they were mistaken.The
implementation of K-12 raises concerns about the effectiveness of the Rizal Course. But, if it isn't
as effective as they believe, who is to blame? Laurel and Recto believed that Rizal's life and works
would awaken Filipinos to the importance of protecting and promoting their own interests. The
aftermath of World War II led Filipinos to believe that America was our savior. It worries the two
nationalists because it weakens young people's resolve to love their country and their countrymen.
This course is not about Rizal's failed love, whether he was gay or not, or when or where his
novels were published. Patriotism, honesty, courage, fortitude, and nationalism are all emphasized
in this course. It's no wonder why the Rizal Course has become tedious, pointless, and a waste of
time in the eyes of college students. The administrators and teachers are to blame. Teachers who
were only interested in their hourly wages and never had a deep passion for teaching were
permitted by the administrators. Students lost interest in this course as a result of being compelled
to memorize every bit of the information and being titillated (Quiray, 2016).
We are aware that Rizal Law was successful in instilling a sense of Filipino nationalism in
his subjects. However, as a result of globalization, nationalism is once more slowly diminishing.
The worst of all was how quickly the youth embraced colonial mentality and assimilated foreign
cultures.
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CONCLUSION
In 2019, during a lecture at University of Toronto, a multi-awarded historian named Ambeth
Ocampo remarked that we must make Rizal relevant in our times. We must remind ourselves that
to know Rizal is to know our own capacity for greatness (Ocampo, 2019). Decades have passed
since the fight of Claro M. Recto along with Jose P. Laurel and the other Senators to learn history
in tertiary school have been acknowledged through the passages of the Republic Act. 1425.
I have unmasked the hypocrisy that under the cloak of religion has impoverished and
brutalized us. I have lifted the curtain in order to show what is behind the deceitful and dazzling
promises of our government. The works of Rizal being deemed as medium of fiction, portrayed a
vivid and realistic picture of the social conditions suffered by the homeland. Jose Rizal is known
as the Father of Filipino Nationalism, not on the grounds that he established solely the
independence of the Philippines but rather he minister the conceptualization of the ”Filipino”
(Delmendo, 2005, p. 15). Rizal, through his manifesto, sparked patriotism amongst the Filipino.
Jose Rizal’s short but meaningful life was continually explored and exhausted due to the fact that
as an iconic figure of heroism, he played a major part in the fight for the country’s struggle for
reforms and freedom. He led the achievement of the now-and-then independence and liberties
enjoyed by the Filipino (Piedad, 2012).
By passing the law, it would benefit the Filipino youth in acquiring certain traits such as
courage and determination through Rizal's example of patriotism which can strengthen nation
building and Filipino identity (Rizal & the Development of National Consciousness, 2008). Thus,
we could say that learning the life, works, and his writing would be beneficial to us due to the fact
that Rizal was the text; Text that reflects his characters: patriotism, nationalism, a sense of social
and moral consciousness which shall be instilled in the minds of the youth. The law was to light
the feeling of patriotism of the nation's kin. It's not only to pass or rather run a mill of regulation
expressing that everybody ought to have knowledge about the national hero and his works. Indeed,
its primary concern was to allow each Filipino to gain from the past as portrayed in Dr. Jose
Rizal's books.
Activities/Assessments:
Choose the letter of the best answer that corresponds to the following questions or statements.
1. 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.
a. Republic Act 1422
18
b. Republic Act 1423
c. Republic Act 1424
d. Republic Act 1425
2. He was a multifaceted intellectual and a political activist, best known for his political writings
that inspired the Philippine revolution and ultimately led to his execution by the Spanish colonizers.
a. Andres Bonifacio
b. Jose Rizal
c. Emilio Aguinaldo
d. Apolinario Mabini
3. Reading of the unexpurgated revision of the two novels would be strictly observed to _______
a. Elementary
b. Secondary
c. College
d. Kinder
4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or repealing section nine hundred twenty-
seven of the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public school
teachers and other persons engaged in any public school.
a. Section 1
b. Section 2
c. Section 3
d. Section 4
5. He created an amendment to the original bill in which, other that Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, works written by Rizal and works written by others about Rizal would be included
and reading of the unexpurgated revision of the two novels would no longer be compulsory to
elementary and secondary levels but would be strictly observed to college level.
a. Senator Lim
b. Senator Primicias
c. Senator Laurel
d. Senator Ramos
6. The two famous novels of Dr. Jose Rizal are:

a. The Reign & The Revolution
b. Noli Me Tangere & El Filibusterismo
c. Makamisa & The Subversive
d. His life, works and novels & The Filipino People
19
7. When was the Rizal Bill signed into law by President Ramon Magsaysay?
a. June 12, 1956
b. May 14, 1951
c. November 13, 1954
d. March 11, 1953
8. He created an additional amendment that promulgates the rules and regulations in getting an
exemption only from reading the two novels through written statement or affidavit and not from
taking the Rizal Course.
a. Senator Lim
c. Senator Laurel
d. Senator Ramos
9. He suggested the exemption to those students who feel that reading Rizal’s novels would
negatively affect his or her faith.
a. Senator Lim
c. Senator Laurel
d. Senator Ramos
10. The bill was not just fiercely opposed by people from the Legislative Arm but also by the
__________ due to the inclusion of compulsory reading of Rizal’s novels in which according to
them, their dogmas are humiliated.
a. Muslim
b. Islam
c. Catholic
d. Buddhist
Reflection:
Write a comprehensive reflection about the lesson.
References:
Chua, X. [PTV] (2016, May 28). [Xiao time] Rizal law @60: anyare?! [Video]. YouTube.
https://youtu.be/tFJTiYAsKMk
Delmendo, S. (2005). The Star-entangled Banner: One Hundred Years of America in the
20
Philippines. The University of Philippines Press.
Dimasalang. (n.d.). R.A. 1425. The Rizal Law. Retrieved August 04, 2022, from
https://dimasalang.weebly.com/ra-1425.html
Limos, M. A. (2020, September 29). Why did the Catholic Church staunchly opposed the Rizal
law?. Esquiremag.ph. Retrieved August 4, 2022, from https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-
reads/features/rizal-law-and-the-catholic-church-a00293-20200929
Ortiz, G. (1956, June 12). Republic act no. 1425: Govph. Official Gazette of the Republic of
the Philippines. Retrieved August 4, 2022, from
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/
Palafox, Q. A. J. (2015, September 7). Historical context and legal basis of Rizal Day and
other memorials in honor of Jose Rizal. National Historical Commission of the
Philippines. Retrieved August 4, 2022, from https://nhcp.gov.ph/historical-context-and-
legal-basis-of-rizal-day-and-other-memorials-in-honor-of-jose rizal/#:~:text=1.,Recto.
Philippines Consulate General (n.d.). Govph. Prof. Ambeth R. Ocampo Lectures At Two (2)
Leading Universities In Toronto. Retrieved August 4, 2022, from
https://torontopcg.dfa.gov.ph/news/press-releases/134-prof-ambeth-r-ocampo-
lectures-at-two-2-leading-universities-in-toronto
Piedad-Pugay, C. A. (2012, September 4). Jose Rizal and the revolution. National Historical
Commission of the Philippines. Retrieved August 4, 2022, from
https://nhcp.gov.ph/jose-rizal-and-the revolution/#:~:text=Rizal%20in%20his
%20manifesto%20put,shaky%2C%20irregular%2C%20and%20uncertain.
Quiray, E. L. (2016). How Rizal's life should be taught. Inquirer.Net

. https://www.google.com/amp/s/opinion.inquirer.net/112944/rizals-life-taught/amp
Ybiernas, V. (2021, June 25). Laurel and recto: Nationalists. The Manila Times. Retrieved
August 4, 2022, from https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/06/25/opinion/
columns/laurel-and-recto-nationalists/1804553
21
LESSON 2 – Jose Rizal’s Context (The Philippines in the 19th
Century)
Overview:
This lesson explains and compiles key information about the various social, economic,
political, and cultural changes that took place in the Philippines during the 19th century and
examine how these social conditions shaped Rizal’s life, work, and identity.
After successful completion of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Analyze the various social, economic, political, and cultural changes that took place in
the Philippines during the 19th century.
2. Examine how social conditions shaped Rizal’s life and identity.
Course Materials:
The 19th century Philippines is divided into three aspects: economic, social, and political.
Take a look at it one by one, as it discussed major historical events that had helped shape the
country for what she is now.
Economic Context
Establishment of the Encomenderos in Haciendas
According to Agoncillo (1990), when the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines permanently
in 1565, they discovered Filipinos residing in either nucleated or linear communities called
Barangay communities which are dispersed around rivers, mountain ridges, and waterways. This
is a challenge for the Spaniards who are eager to conquer the whole country to promote their main
goal in the Spanish exploration which is Gold, God and Glory. To solve this problem, the Spanish
government imposed missionaries (especially the friars) and encomenderos to collect all the
scattered Filipinos together in a settlement (reduccion) in the plains and fields. The encomenderos
were given a special grant from the Spanish Government, specifically from the King himself, to
have a right to demand forced labor and payment tribute (tax) to the inhabitants of the reduccion
usually the native Filipinos or the indios. They were to exercise power and control to the natives
and have the privilege to monopolize trade in the reduccion. This is based on the same concept
done by the Spaniards when they occupied Mexico (New Spain). Encomenderos also helped the
friars to indoctrinate the mass about Catholicism. They were allowed to collect tax as per the rules
given the Spanish government. However, blinded by the income from the tributes, most of them
raised the rate of the imposed tax and price of some staple products like rice and clothing. There
were also records of hoarding by the encomenderos so that they could sell the hoarded products at
22
a higher price later. But the Filipinos are forced to pay for these because these are staple products
after all. Most of the people in the settlements are forced to labor in production of farm produce
like rice and others for very inhumane compensation and to buy those products from the
encomenderos at a high price (usually through cash or reales and gold). This led the Filipinos to
eat substitute foods like coconut and banana shoots in times of great famine and drought which
are not enough to keep them alive and this is the reason why most of them died in this system of
labor and economy. If they resisted towards the encomenderos they were usually tortured and
jailed by the guardia civil. These inhumane records and collective experience of many Filipinos
who voiced their resistance are one of the reasons for the slow rise of the revolution in the
Philippines.
I. Economic Development
A. End of the Galleon Trade
The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade or most known as ‘Galleon Trade’ were named from
the ships called Manila galleons or Manila Acapulco galleons which reflects the cities in which
these ships are sailing from. The trade started in 1565 after Andrés de Urdaneta discovered the
ocean passage and lasted until the Mexican War of Independence permanently stopped it on
September 4, 1815. Making this trade between the Philippines and Mexico last up to 250 years.
However, even before the Spaniards came to the country, the Philippines was already trading with
different countries, such as China, Japan, Siam, India, Cambodia, Borneo, and Moluccas. But then
the Spaniards closed the ports of Manila to all countries except Mexico, bringing this galleon trade
into existence. The Manila galleons transported precious goods like silk, spices, and porcelain
from Manila in the Philippines to Acapulco, Mexico. Then they’ll return to the Philippines loaded
with silver, for them to buy more goods for the next trip. This trade remained vital to Spain’s
trading economy, not until the Philippines opened to other European traders in 1785. Even after
this occurrence, the galleons still sailed for Mexico until Mexican rebels took control of Acapulco
in 1811. Later on, the Spanish declared to end the route in 1813, while the one final Manila galleon
called ‘San Fernando’, sailed to Acapulco in 1815. However, galleon trade only benefited the
Spaniards including the Spanish residents in Manila. The only positive result that the Philippines
got from it is the intercultural exchanges between other countries, such as America and Mexico.
B. Opening of Suez Canal and ports of the world trade

Suez canal- one of the important artificial sea-level waterways in the world was opened on
November 17, 1869. It is located in Egypt and connects the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea.
Although the construction lasted for about 10 years, with an estimated number of 1.5 million
people working on it, ships were now allowed to travel between Europe and South Asia without
having to navigate around Africa. Reducing the travel distance by about 7,000 kilometers. This
canal has no lock system and is owned and maintained by the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) of
23
Egypt, under the Convention of Constantinople. It was also said that the canal is intended to be
open to ships from all countries, regardless if it was for the purpose of war. The Philippines, being
one of its beneficiaries, was able to create direct commercial relations with Spain instead of via
Mexico. The travel time from the Philippines to Spain and vice versa was shortened to 30 days
than before which is more than two month. This positively affected the development of agricultural
exports, which brought economic prosperity to native indios or what’s also called as ‘ilustrados’
which are Filipinos with money and education. These developments also paved the way for
Filipino "ilustrados" to send their children to universities in Europe. The idea of Philippines
opening up for the world trade is brought upon by Governor-General Felix Berenguer de Marquina
when he suggested it to the King of Spain. And since the Real Compana de Filipinas or the Royal
Company of the Philippines at that time is suffering from bankruptcy, the king has no choice but
to use this idea. So in September 6,1834 the privileges of the company was revoked and the port
of Manila became open to trade after the issuance of the royal decree. But as Manila, being a great
harbour that it is, became one of the cities which are known to be the best choice for trading. As a
result, the American, British, European and Asian merchants were lured, while Spain's economic
supremacy was lost. Philippine agricultural products became in demand during this time, as
British, French, Dutch and North American traders wanted supplies of sugar, cigars and abaca.
WIth this, the economy of the Philippines rose rapidly and local industries were able to develop
in order to satisfy the demands of industrializing Europe. Manila itself also expanded as more
people came to the city for trading purposes and as more shops opened in the area- some of them
are even owned by Filipinos. All in all, after the opening of the port to world trade, there are
significant changes that happened in the lives of the people. They were able to prosper and their
standard of living even improved, making this phase remarkable for the economic development of
the country.
C. Rise of the Export crop economy and Monopolies

Between 1855 and 1873 the Spanish opened new ports to foreign trade, including Ilo-Ilo in
Panay, Zamboaga in western portion of Mindanao, Cebu in Cebu and Legaspi in Bicol. It became
their respective route to export their crop to different places. The opening of the Suez Canal in
1869 had contributed to a spectacular increase in the volume of trade. By the late 19th Century
three crops which are tobacco, abaca, and sugar, became the main export commodities in the
Philippines. Being open to world trade and having these products abundant, the Philippines
became a major exporter for these products and became well known in other parts of the world.
There was an increasing commodity concentration export in : United Kingdom, China British,
East Indies, United State, and Spain. Because of these, the economies of the region's colonial
powers tried to increase agricultural output by pressuring the peasants to produce more goods for
export and to develop plantation agriculture. According to Benito Legarda in 1820 and 1870,
peasants or poor farmers were the primary responsible for transforming the Philippine from a
subsistence to an export economy. By the mid 1830’s Manila was open to foreign merchants.
24
Because of the growth of worldwide shipping, Philippine abaca was considered the best material
for ropes and cordage grew in importance. In 1850 it alternated with sugar as the island's most
important export.
Monopoly came from the word mono derived from the Greek word ‘monos’ meaning one
and ‘polein’ which means to sell. It is a market structure characterized by a single seller, selling
unique products in the market. The seller faces no competition as he or she is the sole seller of
goods with no close substitute.
Reasons why monopoly is created

1. Limit or prevent competition
2. It could fix prices for its product
3. Consumers would not have alternate source
4. Skilled labor are force to work whatever wages they are being paid with
In late nineteenth century there are business who use monopolies and several of the powerful
monopolies were:
• Standard Oil Company of John D. Rockefeller's formed the first trust in 1882 .
• Families and business use this to heat their homes and buildings
• Steel Company of Andrew Carneige founded in July 1 1892
• American tobacco Company founded in 1890 by James Buchanan Duke
They abused their power by forcing consumers to pay high prices for the things needed on a
regular basis. Senator John Sherman Hammer made a law that stops the abuses of the monopolies,
“Sherman Antitrust Act.” name after the U.S senator John Sherman Hammer. President Benjamin
Harrison passed the Sherman Antitrust Act, this act banned trust and monopolies and shattered big
companies to smaller pieces. It was passed and approved in 1890 but monopolies ended in January
8,1982.
II. Social Context

A. Education
The Spanish offered the European system of education to the country. The schools were run
by Catholic missionaries. To convert the natives to Christianity, Religion was made a compulsory
subject at all levels.
The Laws of the Indies mandated the Spanish authorities to teach the natives how to read
and write and to learn and speak Spanish. The Spanish missionaries-built schools and educated the
natives of the rudiments of education, but not seriously taught the Spanish language. They feared
25
that if the natives would become knowledgeable, they would be like them. Later, they would expel
them to the country.
The first formal schools in the land were the parochial schools that were operated by the
missionaries like Augustinians, Franciscans, Jesuits, and Dominicans. They introduced the 4Rs:
Reading, Writing, Arithmetic and Religion. Some vocational and practical art subjects were
introduced. Also, Latin language was taught in schools.
Colleges were opened for boys and girls separately. The subjects taught were Latin, History,
Geography, Philosophy, and Mathematics. And in the beginning of the 17th Century, universities
were established in the country. At first, colleges and universities were only offered to Spanish and
Spanish mestizos. It took two centuries before Filipinos were accepted to enter school. And still, the
emphasis of education was Religion.
In the middle of the 19th century, a Royal Decree of 1863 ordered the establishment of public
schools in the country. Formerly, schools were run by missionaries, by this time, the government
officials in the country run the schools. If before, the schools were only for Spanish and Spanish
mestizos, this time that was opened for the Filipinos and even Chinese mestizos.
As the decree opened schools for all, there was a rising number of educated Filipinos. This
paved the way for the new social class in the country, the Ilustrados. But despite their wealth and
education, they were still treated inferior to the Spanish. Because of this, they aimed to be on the
same level with the Spanish.
The opening of the Suez Canal and the coming of modern and liberal ideas in the country,
many of the Ilustrados went abroad, especially in Europe to further their studies. Rizal, del Pilar,
Luna, and the rest of the Ilustrados in Madrid did their best to help the country gain her
independence, an example is the establishment of the Propaganda Movement.
B. Rise of Chinese Mestizo

It was already discussed in the previous topics that at the beginning of the 19th century,
there were economic and political changes that happened in the country. Significantly, the end of
Galleon Trade paved the way for monopolies in the country. Opium Monopoly was opened for the
Chinese in the Philippines. Also, they were granted to study by the virtue of Royal Decrees of 1863.
Because of these, the Chinese mestizos were given the opportunity to hold positions in the country.
III. Political Aspect

Liberalism
Liberalism is a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of
the human race, and the autonomy of individuals and standing for the protection of political and
civil liberties. The liberals always believe that government is necessary in protecting the
individuals from other people.
26
The opening of the Suez Canal and opening of Manila to world trade paved the way for the
entry of modern and liberal ideas in the country. These political thoughts and liberal ideas
encouraged and stimulated the Ilustrados to further their studies abroad and to study the liberal
ideas and political system in Europe that later on were applied to gain the independence of the
country.
Summary and Conclusion:

There were many changes that had happened in the 19th century. In the Philippines, these
changes were divided into: economic, social and political aspects. Economic changes include the
end of Galleon Trade, opening of Suez Canal, rise of export crop economy and monopolies.
Socially, these changes were brought by the rise of Chinese mestizos and the opening of schools
for all. For politics, is the coming of liberal ideas to the country that swayed the Ilustrados to help
the country redeem her independence. These changes brought massive impact to the country as a
whole.
1. Who runs the educational institutions during the reign of the Spaniards?
a. Catholic Missionaries
b. Cabeza de Barangay
c. Encomenderos
d. Guardia Civil
2. Which of the following is not part of the 4Rs of learning that the Spaniards introduced?
a. Reading
b. Religion
c. Writing
d. Reasoning
3. This refers to the market structure characterized by a single seller, selling unique products in
the market heavily utilized during Spanish reign
a. Monopoly
b. Oligopoly
c. Free Market
d. Monopolistic Competition
27
4. This refers to the special grant given by the Spanish crown that authorizes people to demand
labor and tribute in the inhabitants of a certain place
a. Encomienda
b. Reduccion
c. Polo y Servicio
d. Monopoly power
5. Which of the following is not one of the main export commodities of the Philippines during
the Spanish reign?
a.tobacco
b.abaca
c.sugar
d.coffee
6. Opium Monopoly was introduced and opened in the Philippines by which of the following
nationalities?
a. Chinese
b. Americans
c. Mexicans
d. Filipino
7. This term refers to Filipino who were given the chance to study abroad and are considered as
the Philippines' educated elite during the Spanish occupation?
a. Ilustrados
b. Freemason
c. Mestizos
d. Indios
8. Because of the fear that Filipinos would become knowledgeable, which of the following
language is not taught seriously by the Spanish missionaries even though it is stated in the Laws
of the Indies
a. English
b. Spanish
c. Chinese
d. Tagalog
28
9. It is one of the most important sea-level waterways in the world and was opened on November
17, 1869 and very important in the trades between Europe, Africa and Asia
a. Suez Canal
b. Panama Canal
c. Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal
d. Kiel Canal
10. The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade is of vital importance between the trades of the
Philippines and Mexico which Spaniards benefited the most. It ended in 1813. What is the name
of the final Manila galleon that sailed to Acapulco in 1815, two years after the Manila-Acapulco
route ended?
a. San Jose
b. San Diego
c. San Fernando
d. Sta. Maria
Reflection:
Write a comprehensive reflection about the lesson.
References:
Anderson, James A. (2002). El Costo del Imperio Asiatico: La Formación Colonial de Las
Islas Filipinas bajo Dominio Español, 1565-1800. Philippine Studies, Vol 60. Retrieved
from: http://www.philippinestudies.net
Agoncillo, T.A. (1990) The history of the Filipino people. R.P. Garcia Publishing Co :
Quezon City.
Manila Galleon. (2004, March 25). In Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila_galleon
Mullen, M., Onion, A. & Sullivan, M. (2018). Suez Canal. Retrieved
from:https://www.history.com/topics/africa/suez-canal
Schumacher, J. (1991). The Making of a Nation: Essays on Nineteenth-century Filipino
Nationalism. Quezon City: ADMU Press
Vicente, P. (2015). Nineteenth-Century Philippines and the Friar-Problem. Cambridge
University Press. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.2307/979040
29
LESSON 3 – Rizal’s Family, Childhood, and Early Education
Overview:
Jose Rizal's 13-member family, which included his father, mother, himself, nine sisters,
and one brother, was considered one of the wealthiest in Calamba, Laguna, at the time.
Francisco Rizal Mercado y Alejandro and Teodora Alonso Realonda y Quintos welcomed Jose
Rizal into the world in 1861 in the town of Calamba in Laguna province. His parents were the
lessees of a rice estate and Dominican-owned hacienda. The relationships between Rizal and
his siblings were extremely tight. From his early years until adulthood, he was very close to his
sisters. He addresses them as Doña or Seniorita out of respect. While Paciano, who was his only
brother and ten years older than him, served as a sort of second father to him.
At three years old, he started learning the alphabet, prayers, good manners, and proper
conduct. His first instructor was his mother, Doña Teodora. Calamba and Biñan are where Rizal
got his early education. The education a son of an ilustrado family would have received at the
time was standard and focused on the four R’s: reading, writing, arithmetic, and religion. The
curriculum was severe and rigid. With the use of the teacher’s whip and the laborious memory
technique, knowledge was compelled into the students’ heads. Rizal was able to obtain the
training required to prepare for college studies in Manila despite the flaws in the Spanish basic
education system. One could argue that Rizal, who was physically weak from birth, developed
into an intellectual giant despite rather than as a result of the outdated and archaic educational
system in place in the Philippines during the latter years of the Spanish rule. He took the course
Bachelor of Arts and attained sobresaliente in Ateneo Municipal (1872-1877). He finished a
year in Philosophy and Letters, a year in Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy, and History of
Philosophy, and the succeeding year in a medical course at the University of Santo Tomas
(1877-1882). He was the second best student who passed the medicine course and decided to
study in Spain after which. He took up the courses Philosophy and Letters and Medicine in
Universidad Central de Madrid (1882-1885) and was awarded the degrees of Doctor of
Medicine and Degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters. He also attended classes at the
University of Paris and he completed his eye specialization course at the University of
Heidelberg in 1877.
Focusing on what life can offer to a person, Rizal's life is as like a typical story of a life
that spent his existence fighting for the betterment of the public. He experiences happiness in
life during his childhood but eventually darkens up when the whole allies of the Spaniards fight
against him. With his novels entitled Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, the spirit of anger
and wrath of the Spaniards boosted up and sued him until his final hour. Inside this lesson, the
flow and stages of Rizal as whatever he is will be tackled and discussed from the beginning of
his bliss up to the end of his agony as the savior of the closed-minded Filipino people.
30
1. To have a better understanding of Rizal's life as a child
2. To know the people in Rizal's life who played an important role
3. To know Rizal’s experience in his first formal education.
Course Materials:
FAMILY OF RIZAL
CALAMBA AT THE TIME OF RIZAL’S BIRTH
As described by Palma (1949), Calamba is an enchanting town. It is situated between Laguna

de Bay and Mt. Makiling as if enclosed in a valley. The town is panoramic with its landscape as if
nature has lavished this town with all its tenderest caresses.
Calamba at the time of Rizal's birth was an agricultural town (Romero et al, 1978). The town
was virtually owned by the Dominican friars and it became a prosperous town due to its
specialization in the production of sugar. On the part of the people who were just tenants in the
Dominican hacienda, life was filled with hardship. But despite the cruelties suffered them, their life
was far better than in the other towns in Laguna during those times. Nature has been good to the
Calambeños. The people were able to raise and harvest different kinds of crops with their fertile soil
and favorable climate. The picturesque beauty of the town provided the young Rizal the inspiration
and springboard to hone his poetic and artistic sensibilities The misfortunes suffered by the tenants
from the hands of the Guardia Civil and the Dominican friars, the Institutions of power in Calamba,
had ingrained in his you mind hatred of oppression and exploitation of the weak by the strong.
31
BIRTH OF THE YOUNG JOSE
Jose was born on June 19, 1861 (Zalde & Zaide, 1999). His mother nearly died during his
delivery owing to his very big head. Three days after his birth, Rizal was baptized by Father Rufino
Collantes at the Calamba Catholic Church, with Father Pedro Casañas, as his godfather.
Rizal was the seventh child in the family of 11 children of Don Francisco and Doña Teodora.
The children of the Rizal family in their birth order were as follows: Saturnina (1850); Paciano
(1851); Narcisa (1852); Olimpia (1855); Lucia (18571; Maria (1959); Rizal (1861); Concepcion
(1862); Josefa (1865); Trinidad (1868); and Soledad 1870).
RIZAL’S ANCESTRY
Rizal came from a mixture of races. His great grandfather from his father's side was a
Chinese merchant named Domingo Lamco. He married a wealthy Chinese mestiza, Ines Dela Rosa.
In 1819, Domingo Lamco assumed the surname Mercado in keeping with the gubernatorial decree
of Narciso Claveria on the use of Spanish surnames in the Philippines by all Spanish subjects in the
colony and to free themselves and their children from the prejudices associated with a Chinese
surname (Craig, 1913). The couple moved to Biñan from Parian in Manila and ends up as tenants in
the Dominican hacienda. Rizal's grandfather from his father's side was Juan Mercado who married
a Chinese-Filipino mestiza, Cirila Alejandrino. Juan Mercado became a gobernadorcillo of Biñan,
Laguna at one point in time. Juan and Cirila had 14 children, one of whom was Rizal’s father, Don
Francisco. Rizal’s great grandfather on his mother’s side was a Chinese mestizo from Lingayen,
Pangasinan, named Manuel de Quintos (Romero et al, 1978). He married Regina Ursua, a woman
of Japanese ancestry. One of their daughters, Brigida, married Lorenzo Alberto Alonso. The couple
had five siblings, one of whom was Teodora, Rizal's mother.
RIZAL’S IMMEDIATE FAMILY

Rizal was reared in a typical middle-class family in the 19th-century Philippines (Capino et
al, 1977). He lived a life of comfort and affluence, considering that his family belonged to the
principalia class or ruling elite of his town (Guerrero, 1998). The affluence of Rizal's family can be
gleaned from the following: the family's predilection for studies; its stone house of adobe and
hardwood; ownership of carriage and horses — the symbols of wealth and respectability during
those times; a home library with numerous volumes of books; the presence of personal servants
taking care of the needs of the children, and private tutoring of the children in the family's domicile.
The family's thriving business in rice and sugar and its ability to send their children for education in
Manila further indicate their socio-economic status in Calamba. Rizal's father, Don Francisco
Mercado, was an educated man. His father took courses in Latin and Philosophy at the Colegio de
San Jose in Manila. Rizal described him as a model father owing to his honesty, frugality, and
industry. He, later on, became a tenant at the Dominican Hacienda in Calamba. From his father,
Rizal inherited a profound feeling
32
Of dignity, self-respect, serenity and poise, and seriousness (De Ocampo, 1960). Just like
his father, Doña Teodora Alonso was an educated woman. She completed her education at the
Colegio de Santa Rosa, a prestigious college for girls in Manila then. Rizal described her as a
disciplinarian, a woman of more than average education, a woman of culture and religion, and a
sacrificing and industrious housewife. From his mother, Rizal learned the values of warmth and
virtue. From Doña Teodora, Rizal inherited a practical temperament, stoicism, self-sacrifice,
temperament of a dreamer, and fondness for poetry (Villa Abrille, 1969).
CHILDHOOD DAYS AND MEMORIES

Owing to happy and comfortable life Rizal bad, he had good memories of his childhood days
in Calamba. He could not forget the times when the family stayed in the garden to exchange stories.
He always treasured the care demonstrated to him by his parents due to his poor health. It was in
this garden where he experienced closeness in nature. Another experience that he was not able to
forget was the daily family prayer during Angelus, where all the members of his family gather and
prayed together. Even the times when her servant narrated to him legends and fairy tales at the
Azotea, after the Angelus, was something Rizal treasured. These imaginary tales narrated to Rizal
by his servant aroused in him an enduring interest in legends and folklores (Zaide, 1999).
He grew up a pious Catholic owing to the training provided him by his mother. At three years
old, he learned how to pray and even read the Bible. This training he had at home was strengthened
by his frequent visit to Father Leoncio Lopez, the parish priest of Calamba, who made the young
Rizal the need to develop a sound philosophy of life. It was also from him that Rizal learned the
value of scholarship and intellectual honesty. At the age of four, Rizal experienced his first sorrow.
This was when his younger sister Concepcion, whom he fondly called Concha, died. It was the first
time he cried as a young boy since it was from her that Rizal learned the importance of sisterly love.
As a young boy, he spent many hours down the shore of Laguna de Bay, thinking of what was
beyond, dreaming of what might be over on the other side of the waves (Craig, 1918).
He even witnessed everyday acts of violence and excesses committed against the
Calambeños by the Guardia Civil and the Gobernadorcillo. At his young age, he was always asking
himself if these incidents in Calamba were also happening in the lands across the Laguna de Bay.
From the foregoing usual activity of Rizal at the lakeshore, it can be noted that he was a good
observer, noting every detail of what he saw. These observations of Rizal had an impact on the
shaping of his political and social ideas later.
THE STORY OF THE MOTH AND THE FLAME

Rizal has a story that leaves an unforgettable lesson that came to the story of her mother
during his childhood days entitled The Moth and Flame (Jose Rizal Centennial Commission, 1961).
Previous studies have emphasized that the said story is not just a story, since it is a highminded tale
that everyone should learn especially the youth of today’s generation. One lesson from the moth
33
story is obedience; be a listener and obey the mandate of our older relative especially if it will give
us better and can enhance the maturity of our life. The little moth in the story died because he
disobeyed his parent and went close to the flame, which burnt him to death. Just like this, Jose Rizal's
life goes like the moth in the story he fell into the flame created by the injustice of the Spanish people
who stepped the dignity and rights of the Filipino people (Pablo, 2020).
Below is the highlight that burned our hearts to appreciate the exceptional story of Dr. Rizal;
As she put me to bed, my mother said: "See that you do not behave like the young moth.
Don't be disobedient, or you may get burnt as it did." I do not know whether I answered or not... The
story revealed to me things until then unknown. Moths no longer were, for me, insignificant insects.
Moths talked; they know how to warn. They advised just like my mother. The light seemed to me
more beautiful. It had grown more dazzling and more attractive. I knew why the moths circled the
flame.
In the light of this climax in the story, it is conceivable that the pleasure of brightness attracts
moths and in the case of reality the people. Society always views the good things as success and
they see failure as bad luck, but in reality, these unfortunate things happen for the maturity and
growth of the people experiencing those situations. Don't be a moth that stays together only in one
place, learn to step out of what your circle used to do because humans are not created to be happy
all the time. It was revealed that humans are not originated to be happy, or even content. Instead,
they are created more importantly to reproduce and to survive, like other creatures. A state of
contentment is discouraged by nature because it would lower our guard against possible threats to
our survival (Euba, 2019).
EARLY DEMONSTRATION OF INBORN TALENTS

Aside from the story of the moth and the flame, at the age of eight years old he wrote the
poem entitled “Ang Aking Kabata” or “To My Fellow Children”. A young Rizal was an
intellectually gifted child who masters the alphabet at the age of three. And also, at a young age, he
shows a love for reading with his critic and reading teacher, Doña Teodora his mother. As a visual
artist, Dr. Jose Rizal was very flexible that he had so many talents that were seen in his existence at
an early age. He made various paintings, sketches as well as sculptures. Having a lot of sweethearts
he made portraits of names mostly made by oil on canvas as his medium (All About Rizal, 2019).
THE FIRST TASTE OF INJUSTICE

Early Filipino especially the children in those times is open to how other races of people are
tortured and treated Filipino more than like an animal. The Guardia Civil together with the Spanish
officials. With those injustices, the incident that opened the eye of our hero is the arrest and
incarceration of his mother in 1871 due to her alleged complicity in the attempted murder of his
34
uncle’s unfaithful wife. This allegation ignites his anger toward the friars and Spanish officials since
his mother is not guilty of what they say about his mother. But also on 1872, the popular three
martyrs were executed without a proper process in court. He witnessed how the three heroes, lost
their life while remaining loyal in the Philippines. In fact, According to Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas,
which is lined with the bills created in honor of the 3 priests, GOMBURZA was an inspiration for
Jose Rizal’s historic work, El Filibusterismo.
RIZAL’S EARLY EDUCATION

Early education for Rizal took place in Calamba and Biñan, and at the time, the 4Rs—
reading, writing, arithmetic, and religion—were the pillars of instruction. The education a son of an
ilustrado family received was standard. Rizal was able to obtain the skills needed for college work
in Manila and abroad despite the shortcomings of the Spanish basic education system. (Zaide, n.d)
FIRST TEACHER
A very gifted student with a strong will and desire to learn was hiding beneath the frail,
unwell, and undersized child. Studies revealed that Rizal had multiple intelligences, which he
utilized to fight for his nation despite having a weak physical physique. Doña Teodora, Rizal's
mother, and his first teacher laid the groundwork for his great academic career by starting to teach
him the alphabet and prayers when he was just three years old. She was a kind, compassionate, and
patient teacher who was also the first to recognize Rizal's talent for poetry. Rizal's mother
encouraged him to write poetry from a young age, and at the age of 8, he composed "Sa Aking Mga
Kababata," which contains the well-known lines "Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika, daig pa ang
malansang isda." Dona Teodora utilized the method of linking the alphabet to stories to help the
young Rizal memorize it. (Zaide, n.d)
PRIVATE TUTORS
Doña Teodora and Francisco Mercado hired private tutors as Rizal grew to improve his
education. Maestro Calestro served as Rizal's initial tutor before being replaced by Maestro Lucas
Padua. After some time, Rizal received Spanish and Latin instruction from an elderly man named
Leon Monroy, a former classmate of his father's. Sadly, Leon Monroy passed away five months
later, leading Rizal's parents to enroll him at a private school in Biñan. (Zaide, n.d)
FIRST FORMAL EDUCATION

In June 1869, Rizal departed Calamba for Biñan to continue his studies after Leon Monroy
passed away. He was accompanied by his brother Paciano, who served as both his confidant and his
second father and he stayed at his aunt's home in Biñan. Between 1870 and 1871, he studied under
Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz at a private, all-boys school in Biñan, Laguna. Paciano was
35
acquainted with Maestro Justiniano because he had formerly been his student. Rizal received his
first formal education at Maestro Justiniano's private school, where he learned Latin and Spanish in
the Maestro's nipa hut. (Zaide, n.d)
SCHOOL BRAWL EXPERIENCE

Rizal was a talented student who yet encountered bullying and fights. The teacher's son,
Pedro, did not particularly like Jose. During Rizal's talk with their teacher, he taunted and bullied
Rizal, which sparked Jose's first school fight. After that, Rizal challenged him to a duel, which Rizal
won since his athletic uncle Manuel taught him the art of wrestling. With his classmate Andres
Salandanan, who challenged Rizal to an arm-wrestling match that Rizal ultimately lost, Rizal
engaged in his second school brawl. Rizal engaged in more battles with the lads of Biñan in the days
that followed this one, thus it wasn't his last school fight. (Zaide, n.d)
PAINTING LESSONS IN BINAN

Owing to his keen interest in art, Rizal frequently visited Juancho, a painter whose home was
close to the school. The elderly painter, who was the father-in-law of his teacher, taught Rizal how
to draw and paint for free. Juancho was fascinated by the young Pepe's artistic talent, and eventually,
Jose and his friend Jose Guevarra, who also loved painting, joined the elderly painter's apprentice
program. As they developed their skills, they have been the "class favorite painters." (Zaide, n.d)
BEST STUDENT IN SCHOOL

In terms of academics, we all know that Rizal is the best in their class. He was the most
outstanding student in his class; he beat all his classmates in Latin, Spanish, and other subjects. And
it became the reason why all of his classmates were so jealous of him—because he was the best in
their class. Many of his classmates envied him because of his knowledge and intelligence. And it
became the reason why all of his classmates didn't like him. When he got into a fight, his classmates
will immediately tell to their teacher. In the end, his teacher got angry with him, he was blamed, and
then he will be punished. Those are the things that happened during his school days.
END OF BINAN SCHOOLING

In 1870, before the Christmas season ends, Rizal received a message from his sister
Saturnina. In the letter, he was told to go to the pier and rode with the ship Talim because it will
bring him from Binan back to Calamba. But, Rizal knew that he will not get back to Binan anymore.
So, before riding the ship, he went to the church to pray, go to the riverside to get some pebbles as
a souvenir, and then went to his school to say his goodbyes to his teachers and classmates.
After 1 and a half years of studying in Binan, he left the city on December 17, 1870. When
he rode the ship, he was nervous at first because it was his first time riding a ship. But then, he was
36
amazed by the view and he felt at ease because together with him was the friend of his father named
Arturo Camps, to assist and took care of him.
MARTYRDOM OF GOMBURZA
Abusing human rights, unequal treatment, and torture were prominent at this time. Because of
the unequal treatment and the forced labor of 200 soldiers by reactionary Governor Rafael de
Izquierdo, Cavite Mutiny was formed. It is like an association of the soldiers against the Spanish
government. They blamed Father Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora as the head and
the most active members of this association. But it was just a false accusation. But, even if they
knew that the GomBurZa were innocent, they were still executed at sunrise on February 17, 1872,
at the command of Governor General Izquierdo.
The death of GomBurZa brought sadness to Rizal's Family and the whole people of the
Philippines. That execution brought inspiration and triggered Rizal to fight against the Spanish
government in the form of writings. In 1891, he dedicated his second novel, which is the El
Filibusterismo, to GomBurZa.
INJUSTICE TO HERO’S MOTHER

Before June of 1872, a tragedy struck Rizal’s family. Dona Teodora, mother of Rizal, and
her brother Jose Alberto were arrested. Alberto was a rich Illustrado. When he arrived in Binan from
a business trip, he found out that his wife abandoned their house and their children, and then she
lived with another man. He wanted to file a divorce, but his sister Dona Teodora didn't agree with
his decision. She wanted him to still live with his wife because he believed that they can make up
the things between them. Their relationship went well. But then, his wife filed a case in the court,
with the connivance of the Spanish Lieutenant of the Guardia Civil, and said that Jose and Dona
Teodora tried to poison her.
Then they found out that this lieutenant happened to have anger against their family. After
Dona Teodora was arrested by the lieutenant, he was forced by him to walk from Calamba to Santa
Cruz a distance of 50 kilometers. When they arrived at Santa Cruz, she was incarcerated at the
provincial prison, where she suffered for two and a half years until the Manila Royal Audencia
(Supreme Court) acquitted her of the alleged crime.
CONCLUSION
Physical limitations did not prevent Rizal from achieving success in a variety of disciplines.
He persisted in seeking knowledge from various people and institutions, using it to benefit not just
his fellow Filipinos but also the nation he adored so much. Rizal demonstrated to never back down
in battle and never tolerate insults from bigger and more powerful individuals, no matter what
The foundation of Rizal's family was Francisco Rizal Mercado and Teodora Alonso
Realonda, who had 11 children together—nine girls and two boys—as a result of their love. Rizal
37
can confide in only one of their brothers, Paciano, who serves as his younger brother's confidant.
Concepcion, also known as "Con-cha," was a sister to Rizal who, as a result of her illness, lived for
only three years. As the greatest Filipino hero and an unrivaled brilliance, Rizal is frequently referred
to as "Pepe."
Rizal's sense of patriotism began as a result of his awareness of the daily events affecting his
fellow Filipinos and his ability to observe their suffering. And we, as modern citizens, ought to be
conscious of the direct torture and deceit used by people in authority. Instead of remaining silent
and allowing the oppressors to rule us once more, we must be angry and take action. The only
difference is that this time, the oppressors are our countrymen. Be sensible like Rizal and don't be
fooled by the unrealistic promises of those in positions who abuse their power. Let's demonstrate
true patriotism through fighting for our country and not for our leaders.
Rizal was the best in their class. He stands out because of his knowledge and intelligence.
Even his other classmates envied him because he was smart. That's why they all hate him and didn't
help him when he got bullied. But then, all must come to its end. He stopped studying in Biñan and
came back to Calamba because that's what his sister Saturnina wants. He rode the ship together with
his father's friend— Arturo Camps. Then the execution of the GomBurZa happened. The reactionary
Governor Rafael Izquierdo thought that the GomBurZa was the founder and an active member of
the Cavite Mutiny. But it was all false accusations. But then, with the power that Izquierdo had, the
GomBurZa were still executed at sunrise on February 17, 1872. Then this unexpected thing
happened to Rizal's family— Doña Teodora, his mother, and her brother Jose Alberto was arrested.
This brought sadness to Rizal's family. They were accused of poisoning Jose Alberto's wife, which
is not true. His wife filed a case in court with the connivance of the Spanish Lieutenant of the Guardia
Civil. Then they found out that this Lieutenant happened to have wrath with Rizal's family. After
two and a half years of suffering in the prison, Doña Teodora, with the help of Manila Royal
Audencia (Supreme Court) has been acquitted of the alleged crime
1. Who is Jose Rizal's great grandmother on his mother's side?

a. Ines dela Rosa
b. Regina Ursua
c. Cirila Alejandrino
2. Rizal's younger sister who died at the age of 3.

a. Con-cha
b. Trining
c. Neneng
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3. Who is Jose Rizal's first teacher?
a. Leon Monroy
b. Doña Teodora
c. Maestro Celestro
4. The poem Jose Rizal wrote when he was eight years old.
a. Through Education Our Motherland Receives Light
b. My Inspiration
c. To My Fellow Children
5. When did Jose Rizal leave Calamba for education?

a. June 1869
b. June 1865
c. June 1861
6. Who is the old painter who gave Jose Rizal free lessons in drawing and painting?
a. Andres
b. Juancho
c. Pedro
7. A town situated between Laguna de Bay and Mt. Makiling.

a. Calamba
b. Biñan
c. Los Baños
8. Jose Rizal was born on ____.

a. June 19, 1961
b. June 19, 1861
c. June 19, 1761
9. Who is Jose Rizal's grandfather on his father 's side?

a. Lorenzo Alberto Alonso
b. Manuel de Quintos
c. Juan Mercado
10. Dona Teodora Alonso completed her education at ____.

a. Colegio de Nuestra Señora de la Consolacion
b. Colegio de Santa Rosa
c. Colegio de San Jose
39
Reflection:
Write a comprehensive reflection about the topic.
References:
150th Anniversary of GOMBURZA Martyrdom. (n.d.). Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas.
Retrieved August 5, 2022, from
https://www.bsp.gov.ph/Pages/AboutTheBank/Facilities/BSP%20Museum%20Collection/
Announcements/Gomburza.aspx
All About Rizal. (2019, January 12). Word Press. Retrieved August 5, 2022, from
https://allaboutrizal.wordpress.com/
Euba, R. (2019, July 19). Humans aren’t designed to be happy – so stop trying. The
Conversation. Retrieved August 5, 2022, from https://theconversation.com/humans-arent-
designed-to-be-happy-so-stop-trying-119262
Garcia, C. D., de Viana, A. V., & Cruz, C. B. (2015). Rizal and the Development of Filipino
Nationalism (3rd ed.). Books Atbp Publishing.
Pablo, C. H. (2018, November 18). What was the moral story of “The Story of the Moth”?
ProProfs. Retrieved August 5,
2022, from https://www.proprofsdiscuss.com/q/589638/what-was-the-moral-
story-of-moth
The Life and Works of Jose Rizal. (n.d.). Blogspot. Retrieved August 5, 2022, from
http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/2011/12/on-story-of-moth.html
Zaide, G. F., & Zaide, S. M. (n.d.). Jose Rizal: Life, Works, and Writings of a Genius Writer,
Scientist, and National Hero (2nd ed.). ALL NATIONS Publishing.
40
LESSON 4 – Rizal as a Student (Ateneo and UST) and
Rizal as a Writer
Overview:
The lesson talk through Rizal's life as a student. The hardships he faced while he was still
studying Life and Studies in Ateneo and Medical Studies in University of Sto. Thomas and how
he started his life as a student from inferior to emperor.
Also, this lesson also examine Rizal's life as a writer. It will also be discussed in this lesson
the works of Jose Rizal at young age, the reason why Rizal wrote his novels El Filibusterismo
and Noli Me Tangere and how Rizal conquered his opponents with the use of his pen and paper,
and other works of Rizal which are related with Spanish Colonization will also be explained.
1. To further discuss Rizal's journey as a student
2. To understand the purpose and objectives of Rizal's works.
Course Materials:
RIZAL AS A STUDENT
Rizal as a Student at Ateneo (1872-1877)
On June 10, 1872, Rizal went to Manila despite his mother still being imprisoned due to
accusations of a crime she did not commit. There he took and passed the entrance examinations of
the College of San Juan de Letran but instead of enrolling there, he enrolled at the Ateneo
Municipal (known as Ateneo de Manila University today). At first, the school administrator,
Father Magin Ferrando refused to admit Rizal since he was late for registration and was weak and
undersized for his age. Nonetheless, he was finally allowed to enroll through the help of Dr.
Manuel Xeres Burgos, the nephew of Father Burgos (Zaide, Bartolome, and Orosa, 1996).
Rizal was placed at the bottom of the class on their first day since he was a newcomer and
only knew little Spanish. And as a non-boarder student, Rizal was assigned as Carthaginian which
will occupy the end of the line. But this sickly Calamba boy progressed rapidly in just one week.
By the end of the month, he was classified as an “emperor” or the best student. He was even
awarded a prize for being the brightest student in the class. When other Ateneo students were
playing and gossiping about him, he then wanted to improve his Spanish that’s why he took private
lessons during their noon recesses in Santa Isabel College. In the second half of his first year at
Ateneo, he did not try hard enough for him to remain the class’s best student due to the resentment
41
he had toward his professor’s remarks. Despite him just being placed second in the class, he still
managed to have all his grades in “Excellent” mark.
In the succeeding years, he went back and forth from Manila to Calamba and vice for his
summer vacation and studies. In his second year in Ateneo,1873, Rizal studied harder to regain
his lost class leadership in the previous year. And he once more became the class “emperor”. And
at the end of the year, Rizal was awarded a gold medal and received excellent grades in all of his
subjects. He then came back to Calamba for summer vacation and three months after that his
mother had been free from prison that’s why he returned to Manila very happy to see his mother
as a free woman again. Despite the happiness their family experienced, he couldn’t perform well
in his studies in his third year in Ateneo although all his grades in all subjects remained excellent.
He went back to Calamba being unimpressed about his scholastic work. In Rizal's fourth year in
Ateneo, he had Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez as one of his professors who is known to be a great
educator and scholar. It is he who inspired Rizal to study harder and write poetry. He considered
Dr. Sanchez as his best professor in Ateneo and he even had the highest affection and respect for
the professor. He resumed his studies with so much enthusiasm as he was inspired by Father
Sanchez. And at the end of the school term, he topped all his classmates in all of their subjects and
he won five medals. He then returned to Calamba and offered his achievements to his parents, and
he was extremely happy. During Rizal’s fifth and last year in Ateneo, he continued to perform
well and excelled in all subjects. He used to be known as the most brilliant Atenean of his time
and was the “pride of the Jesuits”. He obtained the highest grades in all their subjects which
allowed him to graduate at the head of his class with the highest honors. On their Commencement
Day, March 23, 1877, he was 16 years old then when he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts,
with the highest honor from his Alma Mater, Ateneo Municipal (Zaide and Zaide, 1997).
Extra-Curricular Activities in Ateneo

Rizal not only excelled in his academic studies, but he had been up for other extracurricular
activities. Under a prominent Spanish painter and professor of art, named Don Agustin Saez, he
took up painting. As well as took up sculpture under a famous Filipino sculptor, Romualdo de
Jesus. His love for writing poetry was inspired by his favorite Jesuit professor, Father Francisco
de Paula Sanchez. Another Jesuit professor, Father Lleonart, encouraged him to curve images of
saints (Zaide et al., 1996).
Medical Studies of Rizal in UST

Rizal as a Student at University of Santo Tomas (1877-1882)
Despite Rizal’s scholastic honor from Ateneo, his mother, Doña Teodora was not in favor of
him to further studying at a university. It is because she was afraid that his son would lose his life if
he became too wise. She also remembered other educated Filipinos who had been persecuted and
executed by the authorities, including Father Gomez, Father Burgos, Father Zamora, and Dr.
42
Antonio Ma. Regidor and others. But through his husband and son, Paciano, she then was persuaded
(Zaide et al., 1996).
At the age of 16, Rizal enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas. He took up the course in
Philosophy and Letters for the reason that his father wanted him to be a philosopher. The year
following (1878), he changed his course to medicine as advised by the Rector of Ateneo and had the
reason to finally be able to cure the blindness of his mother’s eye. While studying at the University
of Santo Tomas, he was able to pursue his love for literary writing and by that, he wrote a poem, To
the Filipino Youth, and an allegorical drama, The Council of the Gods, and both won first place in
the literary contest he joined (Zaide et al, 1996).
Rizal Leaves the University of Santo Tomas

Rizal was not happily studying at the University of Santo Tomas. It is because he did not
like the Dominican method of instruction, and he objected to how the Spanish professors have racial
discrimination against brown Filipino students. Compared to his scholastic performance in Ateneo,
he did not excel in the university despite his God-given brilliance. Rizal finished his 4 years of
medical course but finally decided to quit his studies at the University of Santo Tomas because he
could no longer endure the Dominican instruction (Zaide et al., 1996)
RIZAL AS A WRITER
Works of Jose Rizal at Young Age
From a young age, Jose Rizal wrote a great deal. He wrote a play when he was 7 years old,
and it was performed at the community fiesta. At the age of eight, he composed the famous poem
"Sa Aking Mga Kababata" which means about the love of one's native language written in
Tagalog. When he was studying at Ateneo and UST, he also wrote numerous poems, plays, and
other literary pieces; he won several times after joining different contests. He contributed essays,
allegories, poems, and editorials to the Spanish newspaper La Solidaridad in Barcelona as the head
of the reform movement of Filipino students in Spain (in this case Rizal used a pen name,
Dimasalang and Laong Laan). His writings are primarily liberal and progressive, with a focus on
the freedom and rights of the Filipino people. (Tonogbanua, C. (2011), p.2-3) In his 14-year-old
essay "To the Child Jesus," Rizal describes his early interest in social injustice and Christianity
(Gunner, J. Books and Literary Works Written by José Rizal).
Rizal's Criticism of Spanish Administration

Rizal was very vocal in his criticism of the Spanish government, but he did so in a calm and
foresighted manner. Through his writings, he exposed the corruption and criminality of Spanish
friars as well as presidential officials. The majority of his essays and editorials emphasized the
importance of personal liberty and liberties, particularly for Filipinos. As part of his reforms, he
even demanded that the Philippines be admitted as a province of Spain. Among his best books,
43
Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) and El Filibusterismo (The Reign of the Greed/ The Rebel)
stood out. In both novels, Rizal exposed the shortcomings in the Philippine society at the time and
strongly denounced the Spanish colonial rule of the nation. the authorities restricted Filipinos from
reading the controversial novels because he wrote about the unfairness and violence done by the
Spaniards inside the Philippines. But they aren't able to outlaw it. More and more Filipinos began
to read the books, and as they did, they started to recognize that the friars were abusing them in
ways that went far beyond words. These two books by Rizal, which are widely regarded as his
literary masterpieces, are credited with having indirectly spurred the Philippine Revolution.
(Ashlyrondib,2021).
A turning point occurred for the nation he battled to defend with political writing and reform
propaganda when he was executed at the age of 35 for the crime of rebellion. Inconsistent social
injustices and fervent patriotism that would come to characterize the Philippines at the turn of the
19th century are echoed in Rizal's prosaic body of work. (Gunner, J.Books and Literary Works
Written by José Rizal).
Other Works of Rizal
Mi Ultimo Adios
The poem that has come to be known as "Ultimo Adios" or "Last Farewell" is Rizal's
masterpiece. The original Spanish version has been translated into many of the most widely spoken
languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Nippongo, Malyo, and many more. It has
also been translated into several languages spoken in the Philippines, including Tagalog, Ilokano,
Kapampangan, Pangasinan, Bikol, Sugbuhanion, and Hiligaynon. The majority of them translated
it into Tagalog, although Jose Gatmaytan's translation has the most widespread pronunciation in
Luneta. There is no title for this translation of Rizal's final work. When he last saw his brother
Trinidad before being killed, he gave him this poem that he had written at Fort Santiago and placed
in the alcohol lamp. Sadness permeates Rizal's final poem as he prepares to part from his homeland
and say goodbye to his loved ones. He made no requests for himself in the face of death; everything
was done for the sake of his fellow citizens and his people. (Fajardo, M, 2004)
The Indolence of the Filipino

The Indolence of the Filipinos, often referred to as La Indolencia de Los Filipinos, is better
known in its earlier mentioned English translation. Dr. Jose Rizal, a national hero of the
Philippines, wrote an exploratory essay explaining the purported laziness of his people during the
Spanish colonization, which was published in La Solidaridad in March 1890. By presenting the
truth, he hoped to alert the Filipinos to Spain's corrupt and flawed colonization system. He wrote
it as part of his ongoing campaign for Filipino education. Rizal thoroughly investigated the
Filipinos' propensity for laziness "without superciliousness or sensitiveness. (Mendoza, D, 2021)
44
Filipinas Dentro De Cien Anos
José Rizal published a sociopolitical essay titled Filipinas dentro de cien anos in four sections
in the journal La Solidaridad. Rizal traces the events that led to the Filipino people's awakening
and, as a result, the formation of the Filipino spirit of a country in one of the most important
political works of the movement in Spain. He emphasizes that if Spain wants to avoid a complete
breakup with the Philippines, a new type of political partnership must be established between the
two countries. Rizal also predicted that after liberation, the nation will switch to a federal
republican system of governance. He also cautioned against sanguinary upheavals if significant
changes are not made to the nation. (Wikipedia, 2022)
1. In these novels, Rizal exposed the shortcomings in the Philippine society at the time and
strongly denounced the Spanish colonial rule of the nation
a. Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
b. The Indolence of the Filipino and The Subversive
c. Mi Ultimo Adios and A La Juventud Filipina
d. Junto al Pasig and The Revolution
2. It is one of the most significant political works of the movement in Spain, Rizal tracing the
circumstances that brought about awakening of the Filipino and consequently the birth of the
Filipino spirit of a nation
a. Indolence of the Filipino
b. The Reign of the Greed
c. Touch Me Not
d. Filipinas Dentro De Cien Anos
3. In what year in Ateneo did Jose Rizal not be able to perform well in his studies?
a. 1st year
b. 2nd year
c. 3rd year
d. 4th year
4. Who inspired Jose Rizal to study harder and write poetry?

a. Dr. Manuel Xeres Burgos
b. Father Magin Ferrando
c. Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor
d. Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez
45
5. At what age did Jose Rizal enter the University of Sto. Tomas?
a. 16
b. 17
c. 18
d. 19
6. Jose Rizal took up the course in _____ for the reason that his father wanted him to be a
philosopher.
a. Philosophy and Religious Studies
b. Philosophy and Letters
c. Philosophy, Politics and Economics
d. Philosophy, Business and Ethics
7. What is the famous poem that Jose Rizal wrote at the age of 8?
a. Mi Ultimo Adios
b. To the Young Women of Malolos
c. Sa Aking Mga Kababata
d. To the Child Jesus
8. Jose Rizal wrote a play when he was 7 years old, and it was performed at the ____
a. competition
b. community fiesta
c. theatre
d. special event at school
9. Who helped Jose Rizal to enroll in Ateneo?

a. Father Magin Ferrando
b. Dr. Manuel Xeres Burgos
c. Father Sanchez
d. Romualdo de Jesus
10. The school administrator of Ateneo refused to enroll Jose Rizal because he was late for
registration and he was ______ for his age
a. weak and undersized
b. too short and skinny
c. too genius and advanced
d. strong and oversized
46
Reflection:
Write a simple reflection about the topic.
References:
Aning, J & Avendaño, C. O. (2016). "Follow Rizal's lead, Filipinos told". INQUIRER. Retrieved
from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/857847/follow-rizals-lead-filipinos-told
Arensmeyer, E. C. (1970). Little Mansions: Some Aspects of Jose Rizal as a Novelist. Philippine
Studies, 18(4), 740–752. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/42632086
Ashlyrondib. (2021). Why is Rizal the greatest Filipino hero? Retrieved from
https://ashlyrondib.medium.com/why-is-rizal-the-greatest-filipino-hero-7f07f7e90493
Britannica Kids. (2022). Jose Rizal. Retrieved from

https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Jos%C3%A9-Rizal/276740
Craig, A. (2011). Lineage, Life, and Labors of Jose Rizal: Phillippine Patriot. Retrieved from
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/6867/6867-h/6867-h.htm#d0e1835
Fajardo, M. (2004). Huling Paalam. Retrieved from

http://www.joserizal.ph/pm02.html?fbclid=IwAR3CSBkswHUJzE8SrSyI8NkmyRG8eR
C8DjGhk99Z1YUGWjH-QqhLS8GIvow
Filipinas Library Heritage. (2018). Rizal’s Education on Philippine History and Culture. Retrieved
from https://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/articles/rizals-
education/#:~:text=Jose%20Rizal%27s%20first%20teacher%20was,the%20Ateneo
%20Municipal%20de%20Manila.
Gonzales, G. S. (2015). Rizal as a Student. Retrieved from

https://www.slideshare.net/vernaabueno/rizal-as-a-student
Gunner, J. Books and Literary Works Written by Jose Rizal. Retrieved from
https://reference.yourdictionary.com/books-literature/what-are-literary-works-jose-
rizal.html
Mendoza, D. (2021). The Indolence of Filipino: The Reality of the Philippines as a Nation.
Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/indolence-filipino-reality-philippines-
nation-dash-mendoza?fbclid=IwAR3GDE0S6VtGG9OUCg5zPr9NG4IgvPd-
kY1BjQFqJMSkjAYTR9akV_srVE0
47
Morris, J. D. (2011). Jose Rizal and the Challenge of Philippines Independence. Retrieved from
http://www.schillerinstitute.org/educ/hist/rizal.html
Ogao-ogao, E. (2013). Rizal as a Student. Retrieved from https://prezi.com/yfn49apowqxq/rizal-

as-a-student/
On This Day Pte. Ltd. (2000-2022). Jose Rizal. Retrieved from

https://www.onthisday.com/people/jose-rizal
Pablo, T. (2016). "Rizal, a century and a federal republic hence". INQUIRER. Retrieved from
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/789195/rizal-a-century-and-a-federal-republic-hence
Rizal, José (1912). The Philippines a Century Hence. Philippine Education Company. p. 9.
Retrieved from
https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=Zbw4AQAAIAAJ&pg=PA9&redir_esc=y#v=one
page&q&f=false
Sumsky, V. (2001). "The Prophet of Two Revolutions". Philippine Studies. 49 (2):236–254. ISSN
0031-7837. JSTOR 42634628. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/42634628
Tonogbanua, C. (2011). Jose Rizal’s Literary talent. Retrieved from

https://www.slideshare.net/carlotonogbanua/jose-rizals-literary-talent
Weebly. (2014). Chapter Five: Rizal as a Student (Biñan & Laguna). Retrieved from
https://bshmjoserizal.weebly.com/our-hero-jose-rizal/chapter-five-rizal-as-a-student-
binan-laguna
Wikipedia (2022) Filipinas dentro de cien años. Retrieved from

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filipinas_dentro_de_cien_a%C3%B1os?fbclid=IwAR3k
UgaFB7P2vwylaggTBm9EwFItk9ZrhcRQ9Kiawvs46dTPnHNJujBbgnI
Zaide G.F. et al. (1996). Jose Rizal the Genius. Caloocan City: Emgee Enterprises. Imeldamamua.
(2022). As a Student. Retrieved from https://www.coursehero.com/file/98750086/As-a-
studentdocx/Saney, P. (2022). Dr. Jose Rizal’s Education and Love for Learning. Retrieved
from https://eduzaurus.com/free-essay-samples/dr-jose-rizals-education-and-love-for-
learning/
48
LESSON 5 – Rizal as a Historian
Overview:
This lesson provides discussions about Dr. Antonio de Morga and his Sucesos, reasons
why Rizal chose the Sucesos, Rizal’s Preface of the Annotation and Arguments of Morga’s
Sucesos, Propagandist or Historian? Rizal Synthesizing Historical Materials About the
Philippines and other Notable Works in the Field of Philippine History.
1. Determine the motives of Rizal for creating an annotation to Morga's Sucesos.
2. Judge Rizal's annotation as purely historical work or as a form of propaganda.
Course Materials:
According to the book by Nicolas Zapra, a Filipino historian and educator, entitled JOSE
RIZAL: HISTORICAL STUDIES, he said that Dr. Jose Rizal was not a professional historian.
Instead, he was a dedicated student of history who made significant contributions to Philippine
historiography. Through the centuries, Jose Rizal has been known to be an earnest seeker of
truth—it is this characteristic that marked him as a great historian. Just like him, as Filipinos we
should be eager to search for the truth as well, not just for ourselves but for the people surrounding
us too.
This topic will circulate in several sub topics namely:

• Dr. Anontio de Morga and his Sucesos
• Rizal's Preface of the Annotation & Notable Annotations
• Rizal’s Arguments of Morga’s Sucesos
• Propagandist or Historian?
• Rizal Synthesizing Historical Materials About the Philippines
• Other Notable Works in the field of Philippine History
Dr. Antonio De Morga and His Sucesos

Antonio de Morga (1559-1636) was a Spanish conquistador, a lawyer and a government
official for 43 years in the Philippines (1594-1604), New Spain and Peru. A conquistador is a
Spanish word that translates in English as conqueror, he is a Spanish conqueror to be precise. He
restored the audiencia as the nation's deputy governor, taking up the role of judge or oidor. Audencia
is a high court of justice in a Spanish colony frequently exercising military power as well as judicial
49
and political functions. In a 1600 naval fight against Dutch corsairs, he also oversaw the Spanish
ships, but he lost and barely made it out alive. Even though he suffered significant setbacks in both
his military and political roles, he is today most known for his work as a historian. With Morga’s
position in the colonial government, he had access to many important documents that allowed him
to write about the natives’ and their conquerors’ political, social and economic phases of life from
the year 1493 to 1603. Due to this very reason, Rizal was greatly impressed by Morga’s work that
he decided to annotate it and publish a new edition. He meticulously added footnotes on every
chapter of the Sucesos that could be a misrepresentation of Filipino cultural practices. He began his
work in London and completed it in Paris in 1890.
Just like what was stated earlier, through the centuries, Jose Rizal has been known to be an
earnest seeker of truth – it is this characteristic that marked him as a great historian. When the
Spaniards came to conquer the islands, he had been so passionate to know the true conditions of the
Philippines. But imagine how difficult it was to search for information during those days – The
majority of the texts were either created by religious order friars or fervent missionaries determined
to eradicate native cultural practices and beliefs that they viewed as barbaric and pagan. Rizal wrote
to Ferdinand Blumentritt, the author of "Versucheiner Ethnographie der Philippinen," and this is
how their friendship started. Dr. Antonio Morga's Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, which, according
to many historians, gave an honest portrayal of the Philippine situation during the Spanish time, was
suggested by Dr. Blumentritt, a competent Filipinologist.
However, according to other sources, Rizal learned about Antonio Morga via his uncle, Jose
Alberto. Sir John Browning, the English governor of Hong Kong, had once visited Rizal's uncle and
had informed him about an ancient Philippine history written by a Spaniard. As soon as he arrived
in London, Rizal became familiar with the British Museum, where he discovered one of the few
existing copies of Morga's Sucesos. Austin Craig, an early biographer of Rizal, translated some of
the more significant annotations into English. Rizal paid to have the book republished with
annotations that demonstrated how the Philippines had a sophisticated civilisation before Spanish
occupation.
Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas

The book Sucesos de las Islas Filipanas eflects the first formal record of the earliest days of
the Philippines as a Spanish colony. This is said to be the best account of Spanish Colonialism in
the country since this is based partly on documentary research, keen observation, partly on his
personal involvement and knowledge. The book was written in Spanish and is consists of 347 pages
with 8 chapters. With Morga’s position in the colonial government, he had access to many important
documents that allowed him to write about the natives’ and their conquerors’political, social and
economic phases of life from the year 1493 to 1603.
50
Importance of the Sucesos in the lesson: Rizal as a Historian
The book Annotation of the Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas is the only that Dr. Jose Rizal wrote
as a historian. In addition to that, this book gave the most significance in the field of Philippine
Historiography out of all the national hero’s works.
What was Morga’s Purpose for Writing Sucesos?

Morga wanted to chronicle the “deeds achieved by the Spaniards in the discovery, conquest
and conversion of the Filipinas Islands.”
Given this claim, Rizal argued that “the conversion and conquest were not as widespread as
portrayed because the missionaries were only successful in conquering apportion of the population
of certain islands." Dr. Antonio De Morga wanted to chronicle the “deeds achieved by the Spaniards
in the discovery, conquest and conversion of the Filipinas Islands. Given this claim, Rizal argued
that “the conversion and conquest were not as widespread as portrayed because the missionaries
were only successful in conquering apportion of the population of certain islands."
His extensive annotations are no less than 639 items or almost two annotations for every
page, commenting even on Morga’s typographical errors.
Reasons why Rizal chose the Sucesos

There are many reasons why Dr. Jose Rizal chose the Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas. First,
the book was rare. The book was written in 1609, centuries before Dr. Jose Rizal was even born. On
Rizal’s lifetime only few copies of the book existed, and can only be found in the British Museum
located in London. Another reason is that reason was a layman and not a religious chronicler which
meant that he is objective and sympathetic to the Indios. He described and commented to the Indios
in an analytical manner and way. Because he was a layman, his work did not revolved all around
the achievements of Spaniards and Catholicism. Lastly, Rizal chose the Sucesos because it was
written by an actor during the start of the colonization.
Reasons why Rizal annotated Morga’s work

The book tells the history of wars, intrigues, diplomacy and evangelization of the Philippines
in a somewhat disjointed way. Historians, including Rizal, have noticed a definite bias. A lot of
created stories and distorted facts in the book just to fit Morga’s defense of the Spanish conquest.
Rizal began his work in London and completed it in Paris in 1890. In his dedication to complete his
new edition of the Sucesos, he explained among other things, that the purpose of his work is:
To recover the lost history of the people of the Philippines and to awaken their consciousness
about the memories of their past which was obliterated and falsified by the Spaniards.
Aside from that reason, Antonio De Morga wanted to save his reputation. As you may know,
Dr. Antonio De Morga undergone a lot of failures in his political and military capacity which in
return made his reputation and public image worsen.
51
Rizal's Preface of the Annotation & Notable Annotations
Written with “Jose Rizal, Europe 1889” as a signature, the following Preface was indicated in Rizal’s
Annotation:
“To the Filipinos: In Noli Me Tangere (The Social Cancer) I started to sketch the present
state of ournative land. But the effect which my effort produced made me realize that, before
attempting to unroll before your eyes the other pictures which were to follow, it was necessary first
to post you on the past.. I was born and brought up in ignorance of our country’s past and so, without
knowledge or authority to speak of what I neither saw nor have studied, I deem it necessary to quote
the testimony of an illustrious Spaniard who in the beginning of the new era controlled the destinies
of the Philippines and had personal knowledge of our ancient nationality in its last days. If the work
serves to awaken in you a conciousness of our past, and to blot from your memory or to rectify what
has been falsified or is calumny, then I shall not have labored in vain.
The whole preface of Rizal’s edition of the book talks about his sentiment over how the
portions of the history and identity of Filipinos were falsified. In addition to that he also expressed
how his work will not result in vain if it will be useful to Filipinos, in learning the real history and
our real native identity.
Rizal’s Arguments of Morga’s Sucesos

Three main propositions emphasized in Rizal’s New Edition of Morga’s Sucesos:
1. The people of the Philippines had a culture on their own, even before the coming of the
Spaniards.
2. Filipinos were decimated, demoralized, exploited, and ruined by the Spanish colonization.
3. The present state of the Philippines was not necessarily superior to its past
He mainly emphasized and annotated the falsified claims about the culture and tradition of
the native Filipinos. Rizal also wanted to correct the false informations about the lifestyle of
Filipinos such as our foods, and clothings.
For instance, on page 248, Morga describes the culinary art of the ancient Filipinos by
recording, “They prefer to eat salt fish which begin to decompose and smell.” Rizal’s footnote
explains, “This is another preoccupation of the Spaniards who, like any other nation in that matter
of food, loathe that to which they are not accustomed or is unknown to them. The fish that Morga
mentions does not taste better when it is beginning to rot; all on the contrary, it is bagoong and all
those who have eaten it and tasted it know it is not or ought to be rotten.
In addition to that in Rizal’s historical essay, he correctly observed that as a colony of Spain,
“The Philippines was depopulated, impoverished and retarded, astounded by metaphor sis, with no
confidence in her past, still without faith in her present and without faltering hope in the future”.
Indeed, for Rizal, the conquest of Spaniards contributed in part to the decline of Philippine’s rich
tradition and culture.
52
Propagandist or Historian?
Dr. Jose Rizal was never a professional historian as stated in the book of Nicolas Zapra
entitled “Jose Rizal: Historical Studies.” Instead he was a dedicated student of history who made a
lot of significant contributions in the Philippine Historiography. Now, his annotation became center
of debates and discussions as no one can really prove whether it was a work of a propagandist or a
work of a historian.
Propagandist are people who promotes or publicizes a particular organization political cause
or point of view while historians are research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past by studying
historical documents and sources. Meaning to say, historians are the gatekeepers of truth. Rizal made
a lot of untrue and exaggerated claims in the annotation that made it hard for the historians to say
that it was a work of historian. On the other side, if Rizal really believed that everything he wrote
are true, then it is possible that those are not intentional and the real intention was for it to be used
for historical purposes.
Synthesizing Historical Materials about the Philippines

• After annotating Morga’s Sucesos, Rizal realized that numerous materials about the
Philippines and Filipinos.
• These materials are particularly in the libraries and museums in Acapulo, Sevilla, Madrid,
Paris, London, and Berlin. • He felt that the materials must be collected and synthesized.
• Rizal conceived of the organization of an International Association of Philippinologists,
with Rost, Blumentritt and himself as organizers.
The association was formed in order to address the problems associated with synthesizing
the materials he found on different libraries in Europe.
• Organization of the international association would coincide with the Universal Exposition
of 1899 in Paris.
The Universal Exposition of 1889 was a highly successful international exhibition and one
of the few world's fairs to make a profit.
• The plan did not materialize.
The plan did not materialize as the French government limited the number of conferences
during the exposition in 1889.
53
Other Notable Works
Other works of Rizal as a historian:
• Sobre la indolencia delos Filipinos
This was the longest essay written by Rizal, which was published in five installments in the La
Solidaridad, from July 15 to September 15, 1890.
• Filipinas Dentro De cien Años
He wrote Filipinas Dentro De Cien Años or The Philippines A Century Hence to forecast the
future of the country within a hundred years. The aforementioned essay came out as a series of four
articles in the La Solidaridad from September 30, 1889 to February 1, 1890.
Conclusion
• Rizal wanted to use history as a weapon of propaganda
Rizal’s purpose in writing the Annotation of the Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas was to use it
as a weapon for propaganda. He used the history and even history revisionism to use it as a
propaganda material. He hoped that if he made the Filipinos proud after reading the annotation, it
will ignite and accelerate the sense of nationalism, national consciousness, and national identity
within the hearts of Filipinos which can be the stepping stone for our independence back in the
Spanish Colonial Era.
• Rizal worked more of a propagandist than a historian.

To judge Rizal’s work whether it is more of a work of a propagandist or is it work of a
historian; he wrote the book as a propagandist but acted like a historian. Meaning to say, Rizal
worked more of a propagandist than as a historian as many events and informations are untrue an
exaggerated.
Always Remember
“If you don't know history, then you don't know anything”
-Michael Crichton
54
1. When did Rizal's annotated edition of Morga's Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas was
published?
a. 1890
b. 1891
c. 1892
d. 1893
2. All are Rizal's reason of annotating Morga’s work except:

a. The book tells the history of wars, intrigues, diplomacy and evangelization of the
Philippines in a somewhat disjointed way
b. He noticed a definite bias
c. The book is based on facts, research, supported evidence and knowledge
d. A lot of created stories and distorted facts in the book just to fit Morga’s defense of
the Spanish conquest
3. Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase that means _____________ in English in accordance to

John 20:17, by Jesus words to Mary Magdalene.
a. The Reign of Greed
b. The Social Cancer
c. Touch me not
d. The Subversive
4. What is Dr. Jose Rizal’s purpose of annotating the book of Morga entitled Sucesos de las
Islas Filipinas?
a. To recover the lost history of the people of the Philippines and to awaken their
consciousness about the memories of their past which was obliterated and falsified by
the Spaniards
b. Rizal wanted to propose that the Philippines does not have its civilization and
culture before the Spanish came, and it was only built during colonization
c. Rizal refuted the claim by making Morga’s Sucesos a tangible proof to attest that
Filipinos lost their old traditions even before Spaniards occupied the country
d. He had been rethinking the idea of the Filipino as a people who were equal to their
Spanish colonizers but a people without a unique civilization that was only built by
colonization
55
5. How many propositions were emphasized in Rizal’s New Edition of Morga’s Sucesos?
a. 2
b. 3
c. 5
d. 8
6. For Rizal, the conquest of __________ contributed in part to the decline of Philippine’s
rich tradition and culture?
a. Americans
b. Japanese
c. Spaniards
d. Chinese
7. What did Rizal realized after annotating Morga’s Sucesos?

a. Few materials about the Philippines and Filipinos
b. Numerous materials about the United State of America and Americans
c. Numerous materials about the Philippines and Filipinos
d. Few materials about the United State of America and Americans
8. Which organization will coincide with the Universal Exposition of 1899 in Paris?
a. La Liga Filipina
b. The Philippine League
c. Social Welfare Organizations
d. Organization of the International Association
9. This was the longest essay written by Rizal, which was published in five installments in the
La Solidaridad
a. Filipinas Dentro De Cien Años
b. La Liga Filipina
c. El Filibusterismo
d. Sobre La Indolencia Delos Filipinos
10. Rizal left Paris for ______

a. Madrid, Spain
b. Brussels, Belgium
c. Manila, Philippines
d. Berlin, Germany
Reflection:
Write a simple reflection about the lesson.
56
References:
Ambeth R. O. (1998). Rizal’s Morga and Views of Philippine History. Ateneo de Manila
University, Philippines: JSTOR Collection
Carlito G., Augusto D.V., & Cynthia C. (2015). Rizal and the Developmental of Filipino
Nationalism: A Textbook on the Life, Works, and Writings of our National Hero.
Mandaluyong, City, Philippines: Books Atbp. Publishing Corp
Gregorio Z., & Sonia Z. (1957). Jose Rizal: Life Works, and Writings of a Genius, Writer,
Scientist, and National Hero. Quezon, City, Philippines: All-Nations Publishing Co.,
Inc.
Jaballa, J. P. (2016). Rizal as historian. SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/JoPao21/rizal-

as-historian
Siasit, P. (2013). Rizal’s annotation of Sucesos De Las Islas Filipinas. Prezi.Com.

https://prezi.com/qawe8nczviaq/rizals-annotation-of-sucesos-de-las-islas-filipinas/
57
LESSON 6 – Rizal as a Protagonist and Rizal as a Traveler
Overview:
The lesson will tackle Rizal's life as a Propagandist and as a traveler. It is divided into 2 parts
wherein the first part will discuss his motives for the country and will explain his 2 most famous
novels. On the other hand, the second part will describe his wonderful journey throughout the
world and the reasons behind each of his travels.
Part I: Rizal as a propagandist –
1. Discuss the aims of Rizal for the country as a propagandist
2. Explain how the novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, created an impact
on the Filipinos' consciousness and the Philippines' enemies.
Part II: Rizal as a traveler

1. Explain the motives of Rizal for visiting different countries.
2. Describe Rizal as a traveler and to compare it to the travelers at present.
Course Materials:
Part I: Rizal as a Propagandist

The Great Reformists
Not all the sons of wealthy Filipinos who went to Spain in the second half of the nineteenth
century were in the propaganda movement. Some of them were there to study in the hope that they
would someday become successful professionals and businessmen in their own country. Only a few
of them were connected with the movement. They were serious-minded young men whose faith in
their country was boundless, whose idealism in a corrupt age made them think of the welfare of their
country first and their personal welfare last. To this group of young Filipinos belonged Graciano
Lopez Jaena, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Jose Rizal, Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce, Jose M. Panganiban,
Eduardo de Lete, and a few others whose role in the reform movement was more or less passive.
JOSE RIZAL, the most cultured of the reformists, was born in Calamba, Laguna, on June
19, 1861, the son of Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonzo. At the age of twenty-six he finished
his novel Noli Me Tangere. This is a socio-historical novel based on facts that he gathered while in
the Philippines. The book is a novel only in the sense that the technique employed by the author is
that of fiction. It is a mistake to suppose that because it was written in novel form it is, therefore,
fiction.
58
The novel gained immediate popularity, but only a limited number of copies entered the
Philippines, for the Spanish authorities, particularly the friars whom Rizal ridiculed in the novel,
prohibited its reading. Anybody caught reading it was punished severely. The effect of the book on
the Spaniards in the Philippines was tremendous, for in it they found their unflattering images: all
their defects, their ignorance, their immorality, their bogus culture, and their vices were faithfully
mirrored in the novel.
The book was attacked in all quarters of the Spanish community in the Philippines. Fr. Jose
Rodriguez, as already intimated, issued his pamphlet Caingat Cayo, which warned the Filipinos
against reading the Noli. In 1889, Rizal published his answer to Fr. Rodrfguez in the pamphlet La
Vision de Fr.Rodriguez, a brilliant satire in which Rizal exposed the ignorance of the friar. The result
of all his writings was to antagonize the Spaniards, but Rizal with a single-minded devotion to his
country and his people, worked harder for the welfare of the native land. In 1891, he finished his
second novel, El Filibusterismo published the same year with the help of Valentin Ventura, who lent
him the money necessary to print the book. Remembering the unjust execution of the three Filipino
priests Burgos, Gomez, and Zamora, Rizal dedicated his second novel to their memory.
The Fili, in contrast with the Noli, is a political novel in which Rizal predicted the coming
of the Revolution. Yet because he was essentially a man of peace, he made that Revolution fail, for
he conceived of it only as a peaceful, not an armed, revolution.
Propaganda Movement
● Peaceful crusade or campaign for reforms.
● It was organized and participated by the illustrados.
● Dr. Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar and Graciano Lopez Jaena are the leaders of the said
movement
Rise of the Propaganda Movement

● It began in 1872, when Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora were
executed at the Luneta.
● The Filipino exiles of 1872 and many patriotic students abroad met in Hong Kong,
Singapore, Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, London and other foreign cities.
● Work of promoting the welfare and happiness of the fatherland.
● Aggressively but peacefully, by means of writing and speeches, they crusaded for reforms
to rectify the evils of the Spanish colonial system.
Goals of Propaganda Movement

● Equality of the Filipinos and Spaniards before the laws.
● Assimilation of the Philippines as a regular province of Spain.
● Restoration of the Philippine representation in the Spanish Cortes.
● Filipinization of the Philippine parishes and expulsion of the friars.
59
● Human rights for Filipinos, such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom
to meet and petition for redress of grievances.
Literature of the Propaganda Movement

Despite its political spirit, the Propaganda Movement produced certain meritorious literary
works which contributed to the blossoming of Filipino literature.
Dr. Jose Rizal was the greatest writer of the Propaganda Movement. His works are:
● “Noli Me Tangere”
● “El Filibusterismo”
● “La Vision del Frey Rodriguez” (1889) –exposed the stupidities of Fr. Rodriguez
● “Por Telefono” (1891) –about Fr. Salavador Font
La Solidaridad, Organ of the Propaganda Movement

- a newspaper founded by Graciano Lopez Jaena in Barcelona on February 15, 1889.
- La Solidaridad was created due to the reality that mass media is important in propagating
the Propaganda Objectives.
Aims of La Solidaridad
1. to portray vividly the deplorable condition of the Philippines.
2. to work peacefully for the political and social reforms
3. to combat the evil forces of medievalism and reaction
4. to advocate liberal ideas and progress
5. to champion the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino people for democracy and happiness.
La Liga Filipina (Philippine League)

- a Filipino civic association
- founded by Rizal on July 3, 1892 in a house at Ilaya St., Tondo
- its constitution was written by Jose Rizal, helped by Jose Ma. Basa
- Motto: "Unus Instar Omnium" meaning One like all
Aims:
1. Union of the Archipelago into a compact, vigorous and homogeneous body.
2. Mutual protection in all cases of pressing necessity.
3. Defense againts all violence and injustice.
4. Encouragement of Education, agriculture, and commerce.
5. Study and application of reforms.
- However, 3 days after the founding of Liga Filipina, Rizal was arrested by order of
Governor General Despujol.
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- On July 6, 1892, Rizal was exiled to Dapitan-known to be the Liga Filipina's collapse.
End of Propaganda Movement

- Rizal's arrest to Dapitan marks the end of the Propaganda Movement.
- Radical members like Andres Bonifacio separated from the movement, believing that it
was useless to expect reforms from Spaniards.
Los Compromisarios
- a group organized in purpose of prolonging the movement.
- each member promised to contribute financially to aid the Propaganda movement in Spain.
- For some months, the Compromisarios sent funds to M.H. del Pilar in Madrid for the
continued printing of La Solidaridad.
- Later, many members stopped paying their contributions so that the flow of funds to Spain
ceased.
- Fr lack of funds, La Solidaridad died out after its last issue on November 15, 1895.
- With the demise of the La Solidaridad, the Propaganda Movement consequently ended.
- The Propaganda movement failed, but the ideas of freedom and justice which it sowed
paved the ground for the Philippine Revolution that the Katipunan and Andres Bonifacio
began in the hills of Balintawak in August 1896.
Conclusion:
• Not all the sons of wealthy Filipinos who went to Spain in the second half of the nineteenth
century were in the propaganda movement.
• They were serious-minded young men whose faith in their country was boundless, whose
idealism in a corrupt age made them think of the welfare of their country first and their
personal welfare last.
• The novel gained immediate popularity, but only a limited number of copies entered the
Philippines, for the Spanish authorities, particularly the friars whom Rizal ridiculed in the
novel, prohibited its reading.
• Anybody caught reading it was punished severely.
• The effect of the book on the Spaniards in the Philippines was tremendous, for in it they
found their unflattering images: all their defects, their ignorance, their immorality, their
bogus culture, and their vices were faithfully mirrored in the novel.
• Fr.Jose Rodriguez, as already intimated, issued his pamphlet Caingat Cayo, which warned
the Filipinos against reading the Noli.
• In 1889, Rizal published his answer to Fr.Rodrfguez in the pamphlet La Vision de
Fr.Rodriguez, a brilliant satire in which Rizal exposed the ignorance of the friar.
• The result of all his writings was to antagonize the Spaniards, but Rizal with a single-minded
devotion to his country and his people, worked harder for the welfare of the native land.
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• In 1891, he finished his second novel, El Filibusterismo published the same year with the
help of Valentin Ventura, who lent him the money necessary to print the book.
• Remembering the unjust execution of the three Filipino priests Burgos, Gomez, and Zamora,
Rizal dedicated his second novel to their memory.
• The Fili, in contrast with the Noli, is a political novel in which Rizal predicted the coming
of the Revolution. Yet because he was essentially a man of peace, he made that Revolution
fail, for he conceived of it only as a peaceful, not an armed, revolution.
Part II. Rizal as a Traveler
Rizal's First Trips Abroad

- Jose Rizal is the most travelled Filipino hero in history. His travel and adventures are an
important facet of his education and sophistication through which he learned the culture and
politics of other countries.
Travel to Spain
- May 1, 1882. Rizal began writing farewell letters to his friends and families. Paciano gave
him money for his allowance. Saturnina gave him a diamond ring.
- May 3, 1882. He left the Philippines for the first time. He boarded Salvadora using a
passport of Jose Mercado which was procured for him by his uncle Antonio Rivera. His first
trip abroad was bound for Spain. - (Of all the passengers, Rizal was the only Filipino, the
rest were Spaniards, British and ancient negros.)
- After 5 days of sailing, the Salvadora reached Singapore
- He registered at Hotel dela Paz. His 2 days stop over were spent in visiting historic places.
From Singapore to Colombo Sri- Lanka

- May 11, 1882. From Singapore, he bounded to Djemnah, a French steamer bound to
Europe.
- May 18, 1882. It was Rizal's journey to Colombo, Sri Lanka that was important for him to
improve his knowledge of the French language while he on board French ship, Djemah.
- Rizal wrote in his travel gallery: "The general appearance of Punta de Gales is picturesque
but lonely and quiet and at the same time sad." (Sri Langka - southern part of India)
- May 27, 1882. He landed in Aden, Yemen. (Aden is a city hotter than Manila. Rizal was
amused to see camels for the first time.)
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Trip through Suez Canal
- June 2, 1882. He arrived at the Suez Canal (a man-made canal created to serve as a shortcut
for traders not to go around the African ocean) en route to Marseilles. Rizal was impressed
by the beautiful moonlight which reminded him of Calamba and his family.
- June 11, 1882. He arrived at the City of Naples, Italy for one hour and this was the first
European ground he set foot on.
Where life of Rizal revolve mostly

- June 16, 1882. Rizal arrived at Barcelona, Spain and boarded the Fonda de Espeña. Rizal's
first impression of Barcelona, the greatest city of Cataluña and Spain's second largest city
was unfavorable. (According to his diary, there was a lot of people here and the place is a
very business area)
Life in Barcelona:
- He wrote an essay entitled "Amor Patrio" (Love of Country) and ofcourse his inspiration
in doing so is his own country. According to historians, Rizal was getting homesick and he
misses his family. It was the first literary piece written by Rizal when he was abroad.
- September 2, 1882. Rizal moved to Madrid in order to continue his medical studies.
- November 3, 1882. Rizal enrolled at University central de Madrid. In 2 courses - Medicine
and Philosophy and Letters.
Life in Madrid:
- While in Madrid, he also went to the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando to study
painting and sculpture. - He took French, German and English under private tutors.
- He also practiced fencing & shooting at the Hall of Arms in Sanz y Carbonell.
- Rizal became so productive here and doesn't only focus on his academic career.
- Rizal joined the Circulo-Hispano Filipino. It is an association formed by Filipino students

in Spain composed of both Filipinos and Spaniards.
- Mi Piden Versos (They Ask me for Verses) - upon the request of the members of the
society, Rizal wrote this poem which he personally declaimed during the New Year's Eve
reception held in the evening of December 31, 1882.
- March 1883. He joined the Masonic Lodge called Acacia. His reason for was to secure
Freemasonry's aid in his fight for the Philippines.
- November 1883. He transferred to Lodge Solidaridad, where he became a Master Mason.
(The masonry's members experienced a lot of discriminations coming from the government
and the churches. They aren't mad with the religion but they are mad on how it is being run
by the officials.)
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Paris to Berlin
- Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to specialize in Ophthalmology - Rizal chose
this branch of medicine because he wanted to cure his mother's eye alignment.
- Dr. Louis De Wrecker. He is the leading French Ophthalmologist during this period. He
is the leading authority among the oculist of France, who found Rizal such a competent
student and make him as his clinical assistant.
- June 15, 1883. He left Madrid for Paris, France to spend his summer vacation and to
observe the big French City.
- February 3, 1833. Rizal arrived in the town of Heidelberg, germany. Rizal was so
enamored with the Heidelberg flower that he wrote a beautiful poem about them, "To the
flowers of Heidelberg."
- Dr. Otto Becker - Distinguished German Ophthalmologist where Rizal worked
- University Eye Hospital.
- November 1886. Rizal arrived in Berlin. He was enchanted by the scientific atmosphere
and the absence of racial prejudice in Berlin.
Rizal's reason in staying in Berlin

- To gain further knowledge in Ophthalmology
- To improve further his studies of sciences and languages
- To observe the economic and political conditions of the German nation
- To associate with famous German scientists and scholars
- To publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere
Noli Me Tangere (Published in Berlin, 1887)

- The bleak winter of 1886 in Berlin and was Rizal's darkest winter because no money arrived
from Calamba and he was flat broke. The diamond ring which his sister, Saturnina, gave him
was in the pawnshop. It was memorable in the life of Rizal for two reasons:
1. It was a painful episode because he was hungry , sick and despondent in a strange city.
2. It brought him great joy after enduring so much sufferings, because his first novel, Noli
Me Tangere came off the press in March, 1887.
Uncle Toms Cabin | Harriet Beecher Stowe

- It inspired Rizal to prepare a novel that would depict the miseries of the people under the
lash of Spanish tyrants.
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Maximo Viola
- Rizal's friend from Bulacan , arrived in Berlin at the height of Rizal despondency and loaned
him the needed funds to publish the novel. Savior of Noli
February 21, 1887. The Noli was finally finished and ready for printing.
Berlin Buchdruckrei-Action-Gesellschaft - A printing shop which charged the lowest rate, that is,
300 pesos for 2,000 copies of the novel.
Rizal's Grand Tour of Europe with Maximo Viola

- May 21, 1887. Rizal and Viola left Berlin by train going to Dresden, one of the best cities
in Germany.
- Rizal met his bestfriend. Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt - a kind hearted, old Austrian
Professor.
- Vienna. Rizal and Viola arrived in the beautiful city of Vienna, capital of Austria-Hungary.
Vienna was truly the "Queen of Danube" because of its beautiful building, religious images,
haunting waltzes and majestic charm.
- Geneva. The Swiss City is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. June 19, 1887. Rizal
treated Viola to a blow-out. It was his 26th birthday.
- June 23, 1887 - Viola and Rizal parted ways Viola returned to Barcelona while Rizal
continued the tour to Italy.
- Exposition Of the Philippines in Madrid, Spain. Rizal was outraged by this degradation
of his fellow countrymen, the Igorots of Northern Luzon.
- June 27, 1887. Rizal reached Rome, "Eternal City" and also called the "City of Caesars".
Rizal was thrilled by the sights and memories of the Eternal city.
- June 29, 1887. He visited the Vatican which is the City of Popes.
Every night, after seeing the whole day, Rizal returned to his hotel, very tired. "I am tired as dog",
he wrote to Blumetritt, "but I will sleep as a God ''.
After a week of wonderful journey in Rome, Rizal prepared to return to the Philippines. He had
already written to his father that he was coming home.
Conclusion:
Unlike most of the travelers nowadays who only travel for leisure, Rizal travelled because
of several intentions. And these are to improve his studies; to master his chosen profession in
medicine by means of working with the famous doctors within the said field; to publish his novels;
to learn and observe the society and it's political aspects; to gain more skills; to prepare for his fight
for the Philippines against the Spaniards; and lastly with all the knowledge and experiences he
gained, he can now apply it in serving his country.
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1. They were scions of good families, highly intelligent, educated, patriotic, and courageous, who
symbolized the flower of Filipino manhood.
a. Propagandists
b. Propaganda Movement
c. Peaceful Crusade
2. A Filipino civic association founded by Jose Rizal on July 3 , 1892 in a house at Ilata St. Tondo.
a. Liga Filipina
b. Propaganda
c. Revolution
3. Organized by M.H. del Pilar and Julio Llorante in Madrid.

a. Lodge Solidaridad
b. Lodge Nilad
c. Revolution
4. 1st Masonic Filipino lodge founded by Serrano Laktaw in Manila on January 6, 1892.
a. Lodge Nilad
b. Lodge Solidaridad
c. Revolution
5. A Filipino civic association founded by Jose Rizal on July 3 , 1892 in a house at Ilata St. Tondo.
a. Liga Filipina
b. Propaganda
c. Revolution
6. Is the most traveled Filipino hero in history.

a. Dr. Jose Rizal
b. Marcel H. Del Pilar
c. Mariano Ponce
7. The date Rizal left the Philippines for the first time.
a. May 3, 1882
b. May 3, 1881
c. May 3, 1883
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8. On June 16, 1882, Rizal arrived at Barcelona, Spain and boarded the
a. Fonda de España
b. Punta de Gales
c. Hotel dela Paz
9. His first novel, _________________ came off the press in March, 1887.
a. Noli Me Tangere
b. El Filibusterismo
10. It was the first literary piece written by Rizal when he was abroad.
a. Amor Patrio (Love of Country)
b. El Filibusterismo
c. Noli Me Tangere
Reflection:
Make a simple reflection about the lesson.
References:
Agoncillo, T. (1990). History of the Filipino People. (8th ed.). R.P. Garcia Publishing Co.
Aimae Basanez. (2021, June 29). Rizal as Propagandist [Video]. Youtube.

https://youtu.be/Fqx1yja4BZA
Borromeo, R. (2013, August 3). Propaganda Movement (in Philippine History). Slide Share.
https://www.scribbr.com/apa-examples/website/
edu-creator. (2020, October 25). Chapter 4 (Part 2): RIZAL'S HIGHER EDUCATION AND
LIFE ABROAD [Video]. Youtube. https://youtu.be/ik0QXcWz2oE
edu-creator. (2021, April 10). RIZAL'S LIFE ABROAD [Video]. Youtube.

https://youtu.be/Nks_4b1IEjo
Nery, I, & Sion, J. (2019). The Life and Works of Rizal. (1st ed.). JICA Publishing.
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LESSON 7 – Rizal as a Lover
Overview:
Rizal is known for his nationalistic ideas, bravery and even the national hero of the
Philippines. However, he was also known to be a heartthrob in his generation. Jose Protacio Rizal
Mercado y Alonso Realonda also known as Dr. Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861 in Calamba,
Laguna. He wrote his first novel, Noli Me Tangere to exposed the wrong doings of the Spaniards.
He became a target because of this and decided to left the Philippines. Dr. Jose Rizal already has
gone to different countries to study. But little did you know that upon traveling in those countries,
he met some women who became a part of his life. There were nine women that Rizal had a
relationship. Segunda Katigbak is Rizal’s first infatuation. They relationship did not last since
Segunda Katigbak was already engaged to someone. Next to the list is Leonor Valenzuela or also
known as Orang. Rizal wrote her love letters written in an invisible ink. Just like Segunda their
relationship did not end seriously. It was because Rizal was also pursuing Leonor Rivera that
time. Next is Leonor Rivera, the person behind the inspiration of Maria Clara. Leonor Rivera was
Rizal had a longest relationship for about 11 years. Unfortunately, their relationship also failed
because of Leonor Rivera’s mother. It was then followed by some women like Consuelo Ortiga,
Seiko Usui, Gertrude Beckett, Nellie Boustead and Suzanne Jacoby. After having a lot of women
that Rizal encountered in his life, there is a specific woman that he declared as his wife until his
last breath. It’s his “dulce extranjera”, Josephine Bracken. They even had a child who was named
after Rizal’s father, Francisco, unfortunately it also died. After all adversities, Josephine Bracken
stayed with Rizal until the end.
1. To identify the women in Rizal’s life.
2. To give an idea of how Rizal as a suitor.
3. To describe women linked to Rizal.
Course Materials:
According to History Division Library of Congress (2011), Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y
Alonso Realonda also known as Dr. Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861 in Calamba, Laguna.
Rizal is a son of a Filipino man and a Chinese woman and he came from a wealthy family. He
studied in Ateneo, which is a private high school, and at the University of St. Thomas in Manila.
In 1882, he entered the University of Madrid for postgraduate work. We are all familiar with his
famous novels, Noli Me Tangere, and its seque El Filibusterismo. He wrote the first
aforementioned book at the University of Heidelberg when he was studying medicine in 1886.
During his return to the Philippines, he was targeted by the police upon the publication of his first
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novel, Noli Me Tangere. We’re all aware that the content of his first novel is all about condemning
Catholic Church because it is promoting Spanish Colonialism. Also, Dr. Rizal himself revealed
how the Spanish treated indios badly. He revealed how those dirty priests hide their bad doings in
their “Saint” personality. Afterward, he left the Philippines and went back to Spain, and in 1891,
he wrote the sequel of his first book and it was his second novel titled El Filibusterismo. By 1892,
he came back to the Philippines and created La Liga Filipina. Spanish exiled Dr. Rizal to Mindanao
and after 4 years of staying there, he was arrested and executed by firing squad on December 30,
1896.
According to Montemayor (2017), Dr. Rizal already has gone to different countries to study.
But little did you know that upon traveling in those countries, he met some women who became a
part of his life. Segunda Katigbak was supposed to be the first girlfriend of Dr. Jose Rizal. Segunda
was described by Rizal as having eloquent eyes, rosy cheeks, and a smile that shows very beautiful
teeth. There’s a rumor that the one who did the courtship was Segunda but after a few encounters,
Rizal started to fall in love with her. It was indeed his so-called “puppy love” because he met her
in Trozo, Manila in his grandmother’s house when he was 16 but they both first met in Lipa,
Batangas when Segunda was already engaged to be married and betrothed to his townmate,
Manuel Luz. Sadly, it was the reason why Rizal and Segunda didn’t end up together.
His second love was the daughter of Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela, Leonor
Valenzuela or also known as “Orang”. She captivated Rizal’s attention by his height came along
with her great grace and elegance. They met in the House of Doña Concha Leyva in Intramuros
and Rizal was her neighbor. Because of that, our lover boy always came to visit Orang without
any special occasions. Did you know that Rizal made a chemical substance that he learned from
his Chemistry class? He always wrote a letter and gave it to Orang as a sign that he really wants
to pursue her but it is just not only a simple letter. It was written with invisible ink so for Orang to
read it, it needs to be heated over a candle or a lamp and it was that substance where he can write
without leaving any trace. But again, they didn’t end up together. There’s a rumor that Rizal is
also pursuing Leonor Rivera which is why he and Orang are exchanging letters through the use of
invisible ink. But Orang, being an unbothered woman, didn't even shed a tear for Rizal.
(Monde,2019)
Did you ever wonder who’s the inspiration behind the characters of those books that Dr.
Rizal wrote? We all know that Maria Clara was one of the main female characters in Rizal’s two
novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. The inspiration for that character was one of
Rizal’s ex-lovers Rivera. She is the greatest inspiration for Rizal while he was doing the
aforementioned novels. She was described by the historian Austin Coates in the book Rizal:
Philippine Nationalist and Martyr as an attractive woman with soft, wavy hair, engaging dimples,
and a beautiful singing voice. Because of Leonor’s mesmerizing beauty, Rizal real in love with
her but the thing is, they’re cousins. But being blood-related does not become a hindrance for them
to continuing their love for each other. Instead, they still continue what they had for each other
even though Rizal was in another country. Our National Hero really fell to this woman to the point
that he invented a coded alphabet to write sweet things to each other. After eight consecutive years
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of being in love with each other, Rizal received a letter containing that Leonor was going to marry
the man that was chosen by her mother named Charles Henry Kipping. Because even in the first
place Rizal was not the preferred choice of Leonor’s mother to be her partner.
Consuelo Ortiga y Perez became the next lover of Rizal, who is the daughter of the Vice
President of the Council of the Philippines in the Ministry of Colonies, Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey.
Because of that, their house became the meeting place of Circulo-Hispano Filipino wherein Rizal
is one of the members. Actually, according to Consuelo’s diary which she wrote, Rizal spent a
night in their residence and entertained them with his intelligence, wit, and sense of humor. Our
lover boy wrote a poem for Consuelo entitled “A La Señorita C.O y R.” as an attempt of expressing
what he felt towards the woman. Rizal wanted to have a relationship with her but he needed to
back off because his friend of mine had feelings for Consuelo and he was still engaged to Leonor
during that time. Don’t be shocked if Rizal wanted to have a relationship with another woman
even though he's still engaged with Leonor. As mentioned earlier, Rizal and Leonor continue their
relationship even though Rizal was in another country but during his stay in Europe, he
conveniently romanced other girls.
According to Villan(2019), after working in the Spanish Legation in Tokyo, Rizal met Seiko
Usui or known as O-Sei-San. Rizal asked a gardener to introduce him to Seiko and that’s where
their friendship started but after a month of a happy relationship, Rizal had to leave for San
Francisco in April 1888. Later on, Seiko married a British chemistry teacher, Alfred Charlton.
In addition, Rizal headed to London after his agenda in the United States and stayed in a
boarding house. He met one of the daughters of the owner named Charles Beckett and they became
friends. Beckett’s daughter, Gertrude Beckett wanted to be more than just a friend to Rizal that is
why she is helping him with his paintings and sculptures. Later on, Rizal withdrew his feelings for
Gertrude after realizing that he has a greater mission that needs to be fulfilled and the woman was
being friend zone” by our lover boy.
According to Flores (2018) on February 2, 1890, Rizal together with his friend arrived in
Belgium and they both stayed in a boarding house which was run by the two sisters, Suzanne and
Marie Jacoby. During his stay in the city for six consecutive months, he had a “transitory romance”
with Suzanne. Rizal realizes that he could not deceive her. After knowing that Rizal already left
Brussels, she cried and didn’t even bother to touch the chocolate that she received from Rizal. Two
months after, she wrote a letter saying that “Don’t delay too long writing us because I wear out
the soles of my shoes from running to the mailbox to see if there is a letter from you”
In addition, Rizal met Nellie Boustead, a daughter of a mestiza Filipina and a wealthy
English French man by 1891. They both met in Boustead’s vacation home in Biarritz, France and
they had a relationship. Everyone supported them, even Antonio Luna, who has feelings toward
Nellie. But Nellie’s mother didn’t see that Rizal would be a great provider for her daughter.
Because Nellie wanted Rizal to be converted to Protestantism, they both ended up parting their
ways because Rizal refused to do so.
We cannot deny that Dr. Rizal was good at getting women. He's a patriot, physician, and a
man of letters. And because of his wit, intellect, and sense of humor, women can fall in love with
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him naturally. After having a lot of women that Rizal encountered in his life, there is a specific
woman that he declared as his wife until his last breath. It’s his “dulce extranjera”, Josephine
Bracken. During the exile of Rizal in Dapitan, he met this elegant Irish woman. She possesses this
bold-blue eyes, brown hair, and a happy disposition. Even Rizal himself sees Josephine with an
atmosphere of light gaiety. After all the adversities, she stayed with Rizal up until the end.(Flores,
2018)
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, Jose Rizal as a lover is a very interesting figure in Philippine history. Rizal's
works can still be seen in many places in the country. During his lifetime, Rizal wrote many poems
and short stories to inspire Filipinos and give them hope for their future. In these works, he often
talks about love in general and about certain people who influenced him throughout his life. Rizal
was a romantic at heart, and he knew what it meant to be loved by another person. This knowledge
served as inspiration for many of his poems and short stories. Many of these stories were about
women who were important in his life: his mother, his sister, and the girls who came into his life.
Young people must learn to share loving thoughts when they experience love at a young age.
Just like in Rizal's love story, they need to know how to deal with their feelings, including
infatuation and frustrations in love. They should also learn the true meaning of true love - loving
and cherishing relationships, be they friendships, family relationships or special people
1. She is known for being Rizal's first infatuation.

a. Segunda Katigbak
b. Leonor Rivera
c. Gertrude Beckett
2. She and Rizal were married in Catholic rites by Fr. Victor Balanguer.
a. Gertrude Beckett
b. Leonor Valenzuela
c. Josephine Bracken
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3. She is Rizal's sweetheart for 11 years.
a. Leonor Rivera
b. Josephine Bracken
c. Gertrude Beckett
4. She is the one who taught the Japanese culture to Rizal.

a. Seiko Usui/Sei San
b. Leonor Rivera
5. Rizal dedicated a poem to her entitled 'A La Señorita C.O.y.R'.

a. Consuelo Ortiga
c. Segunda Katigbak
6. Rizal used to send her love notes written in invisible ink.

a. Segunda Katigbak
b. Consuelo Ortiga
c. Leonor Valenzuela
7. Rizal left her the carving of the head of her sisters as a gift for her.
a. Leonor Valenzuela
b. Consuelo Ortiga
c. Gertrude Beckett
8. She is the woman behind the fight between Antonio Luna and Rizal.
a. Nellie Boustead
b. Leonor Rivera
c. Segunda Katigbak
9. Rizal left her a box of chocolates after leaving Brussels.

a. Nellie Boustead
c. Suzanne Jacoby
10. He is known to be a hearttrob of his generation.

a. Antonio Luna
b. Emilio Agunaldo
c. Dr. Jose Rizal
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Reflection:
Write a simple reflection about the topic.
References:
Flores, P. V. (2018, September 25). Rizal’s great loves – positively Filipino: Online magazine
for Filipinos in the Diaspora. Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the
Diaspora. Retrieved August 9, 2022, from
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2013/6/rizals-great-loves
José Rizal. Jose Rizal – The World of 1898: The Spanish-American War (Hispanic Division,
Library of Congress). (n.d.). Retrieved August 9, 2022, from
https://loc.gov/rr/hispanic/1898/rizal.html
Monde, J. (2019, September 19). Jose Rizal Love story with Leonor Valenzuela & the
invisible love letters. Philippine News. Retrieved August 9, 2022, from
https://philnews.ph/2019/09/19/jose-rizal-love-story-leonor-valenzuela-invisible-love-
letters/
Rizal, the romantic. - jose rizal: Our national hero. Google Sites: Sign-in. (n.d.). Retrieved
August 9, 2022, from https://sites.google.com/site/joserizalournationalhero/rizal-the-
romantic
Villan, T. (2019, June 19). Jose Rizal’s long list of ex-lovers ranked from ‘marupok’ to
‘badass’. POP! Retrieved August 9, 2022, from https://pop.inquirer.net/70593/jose-
rizals-long-list-of-ex-lovers-ranked-from-marupok-to-badass
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LESSON 8 – Rizal in Dapitan
Overview:
Rizal lived in exile in far-away Dapitan, a remote town in Mindanao, which was under
the missionary jurisdiction of the Jesuits, from 1892 to 1896. This four-year interregnum in his
life was tediously unexciting, but was abundantly fruitful with varied achievements. He
practices medicine, pursued scientific studies, continued his artistic and literary works, widened
his knowledge of languages, established a school of boys, promoted community development
projects, invented a wooden machine for making bricks, and engaged in farming and commerce.
Despite his multifarious activities, he kept an extensive correspondence with his family,
relatives, fellow reformists, and eminent scientists and scholars of Europe.
1. Know the reason why Rizal was exiled in Dapitan.
2. Enumerate Rizal's activies during his stay in Dapitan.
3. Reflect on Rizal's attitude as a way of facing our stops in life.
Course Materials:
According to Zaide, G.F., & Zaide, S.M. (2008) Rizal lived in exile in far-away Dapitan, a
remote town in Mindanao, which was under the missionary jurisdiction of the Jesuits, from 1892
to 1896. This four-year interregnum in his life was tediously unexciting, but was abundantly
fruitful with varied achievements. He practices medicine, pursued scientific studies, continued his
artistic and literary works, widened his knowledge of languages, established a school of boys,
promoted community development projects, invented a wooden machine for making bricks, and
engaged in farming and commerce. Despite his multifarious activities, he kept an extensive
correspondence with his family, relatives, fellow reformists, and eminent scientists and scholars
of Europe.
Beginning of Exile in Dapitan.

The steamer Cebu which brought Rizal to Dapitan carried a letter from Father Pablo Pastells,
Superior of the Jesuit Society in the Philippines, to Father Antonio Obach, Jesuit parish priest of
Dapitan. In this letter, Father Superior Pastells informed Father Obach that Rizal could live at the
parish convent on the following conditions:
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1. “That Rizal publicly retract his errors concerning religion, and make statements that were
clearly pro-Spanish and against revolution.
2. “That he perform the church rites and make a general confession of his past life.
3. “That henceforth he conduct himself in an exemplary manner as a Spanish subject and a
man of religion.”
Rizal did not agree with these conditions. Consequently, he lived in the house of the
commandant, Captain Carnicero. The relations between Carnicero (the warden) and Rizal (the
prisoner) were warm and friendly.
Carnicero was charmed by Rizal’s fine qualities and personality. They ate together at the same
table and had many friendly conversations. Carnicero came to know that Rizal was not a common
felon, much less a filibustero. He gave good reports on his prisoner to Governor Despujol. He gave
him complete freedom to go anywhere, reporting only once a week at his office, and permitted Rizal,
who was a good equestrian, to ride his chestnut horse.
Rizal, on his part, admired the kind, generous Spanish captain. As evidence of his esteem, he
wrote a poem, A Don Ricardo Carnicero, on August 26, 1892, on the occasion of the Captain’s
birthday.
Wins in Manila Lottery.

According to the book of Zaide (2008) On September 21, 1892, the sleepy town of Dapitan
burst in hectic excitement. The mail boat Butuan was approaching the town, with colored pennants
flying in the sea breezes. Captain Carnicero, thinking that a high Spanish official was coming, hastily
dressed in gala uniform, ordered the town folks to gather at the shore, and himself rushed there,
bringing a brass band.
The mail boat, Butuan, brought no Spanish officials but the happy tidings that the Lottery
Ticket No. 9736 jointly owned by Captain Carnicero, Dr. Rizal, and Francisco Equilor (Spanish
resident of Dipolog, a neighboring town of Dapitan) won the second prize of P20, 000 in the
governmentowned Manila Lottery.
Rizal’s share of the winning lottery ticket was PHP6, 200.00. Upon receiving this sum, he
gave PHP2, 000.00 to his father and PHP200.00 to his friend Basamin Hong Kong, and the rest he
invested well by purchasing agricultural lands along the coast of Talisay, about one kilometer away
from Dapitan.
Rizal’s winning in the Manila Lottery reveals an aspect of his lighter side. He never drank
hard liquor and never smoked, but he was a lottery addict. During his first sojourn in Madrid from
1882 to 1885 he always invested at least three pesetas every month in lottery tickets. “This was his
only vice,” commented Wenceslao Retana, his first Spanish biographer and former enemy.
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Rizal-Pastells Debate on Religion.
During his exile in Dapitan Rizal had a long and scholarly debate with Father Pastells on
religion. It started when Father Pastells sent him a book by Sarda, with advice that the latter (Rizal)
should desist from his majaderas (foolishness) in viewing religion from the prism of individual
judgment and self-esteem.
This interesting religious debate may be read in four letters written by Rizal, as flows: (1)
September 1, 1892; (2) November 11, 1892; (3) January 9, 1893; and (4) April 4, 1893; and in Father
Pastells’ replies dated: (1) October 12, 1892, (2) December 8, 1892, (3) February 2, 1893, and (4)
April (no exact date), 1893.
In all his letters to Father Pastells, Rizal revealed his anti-Catholic ideas, which he had
acquired in Europe and embitterment at his persecution by the bad friars. It is understandable why
he was bitter against the friars who committed certain abuses under the cloak of religion. As he
wrote to Blumentritt from Paris on January 20, 1890: “I want to hit the friars, but only friars who
utilized religion not only as a shield, but also as a false and superstitious religion in order to fight
the enemy who hid himself behind it.”
According to Rizal, individual judgment is a gift from God and everybody should use it like
a lantern to show the way and that self-esteem, if moderated by judgment, saves man from unworthy
acts. He also argued that the pursuit of truth may lie in different paths, and thus “religious may vary,
but they all lead to the light.”
Father Pastells tried his best to win back Rizal to the fold of Catholicism. Divine faith, he
told Rizal, supersedes everything, including reason, self-esteem, and individual judgment. No matter
how wise a man is, he argued, his intelligence is limited; hence he needs the guidance of God. He
refuted Rizal’s attacks on Catholic dogmas as misconceptions of rationalism and naturalism, errors
of misguided souls.
This interesting debate between two brilliant polemicists ended inconclusively. Rizal could
not be convinced by Pastells arguments so that he lived in Dapitan beyond the pale of his Mother
Church.
In spite of their religious differences, Rizal and Pastells remained good friends. Father
Pastells gave Rizal a copy of the Imitacion de Cristo (Imitation of Christ), a famous Catholic book
by Father Thomas a Kempis. And Rizal, in grateful reciprocation, gave his Jesuit opponent in debate
a bust of St. Paul, which he had made.
Although Rizal did not subscribe to Pastells’ religious interpretation of Catholic dogmas, he
continued to be a Catholic, and celebrate Christmas and other religious fiestas in the Catholic way.
His Catholicism, however, was the Catholicism that inquires and enlightens, the “Catholicism of
Renan and Teilhard de Chardin.”
Rizal Challenges a Frenchman to a Duel.

While Rizal was still debating with Father Pastells by means of exchange of letters, he
became involved in a quarrel with a French acquaintance in Dapitan, Mr. Juan Lardet, a
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businessman. This man purchased many logs from the lands of Rizal. It so happened that some of
the logs were of poor quality.
Lardet, in a letter written to Antonio Miranda, a Dapitan merchant and friend of Rizal,
expressed his disgust with the business deal and stated that “if he (Rizal – Z) were a truthful man,
he would have told me that the lumber not included in the account were bad.
Miranda indiscreetly forwarded Lardet’s letter to Rizal. One of the hero’s weaknesses, it
should be noted was his sensitivity. When he read Lardet’s letter, he flared up in anger, regarding
the Frenchman’s unsavory comment as an affront to his integrity. Immediately, he confronted Lardet
and challenged him to a duel.
When the commandant heard of the incident, Carnicero told the Frenchman to apologize
rather than accept the challenge. “My friend, you have not a Chinaman’s chance in a fight with Rizal
on a field of honor. Rizal is an expert in martial arts, particularly in fencing and pistol shooting.”
Heeding the commandant’s advice, Lardet wrote to Rizal in French, dated Dapitan, March
30, 1893, apologizing for the insulting comment. Rizal, as a gentleman and well-versed in pundonor
(Hispanic chivalric code) accepted the apology, and good relations between him and the Frenchman
were restored.
It is interesting to recall that twice before his sensitivity caused him to challenge people to a
duel
– Antonio Luna in 1890 and W.E. Retana in the same year.
Rizal and Father Sanchez.

Father Pastells, aside from his personal efforts to persuade Rizal to discard his “errors of
religion,” instructed two Jesuits in Mindanao – Father Obach, cura of Dapitan, and Father Jose
Villaclara, cura of Dipolog – to try their best to bring back Rizal within the Catholic fold.
Furthermore, he assigned Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez, Rizal’s favorite teacher at the Ateneo
de Manila, to Dapitan.
Father Sanchez, since Rizal’s days at the Ateneo, had spent three years in Europe and
returned to Manila in 1881 to resume teaching at the Ateneo and to head its museum. He was the
only Spanish priest to defend Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere in public.
Immediately, upon his arrival in Dapitan, Father Sanchez lost no time in meeting his former
favorite student. Of all the Jesuits, he was the most beloved and esteemed by Rizal. Almost daily
they carried theological arguments in a friendly manner. But all efforts of Sanchez were in vain. For
once, his former beloved teacher could not convince Rizal.
Despite his failure to persuade Rizal to discard his unorthodox views on the Catholic religion,
Father Sanchez enjoyed the latter’s company. He assisted Rizal in beautifying the town plaza. On
his birthday, Rizal gave him a precious birthday gift – a manuscript entitled Estudios sobre la lengua
tagala (Studies on the Tagalog Language) – a Tagalog grammar which Rizal wrote and which he
dedicated to his beloved former teacher.
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Idyllic Life in Dapitan. In Dapitan.
According to Zaide, G.F., & Zaide, S.M. (2008) Rizal had an exemplary life, idyllic in
serenity. Since August 1893, members of his family took turns in visiting him in order to assuage
his loneliness in the isolated outpost of Spanish power in the Moroland. Among them were his
mother; sisters Trinidad, Maria, Narcisa, and nephews Teodosio, Estanislao, Mauricio, and
Prudencio. He built his house by the seashore of Talisay, surrounded by fruit trees. He had also
another house for his schoolboys and a hospital for his patients.
Describing his life in Dapitan, Rizal wrote to Blumentritt on December 19, 1893
I shall tell you how we live here. I have three houses: one square, another hexagonal, and a
third octagonal, all of bamboo, wood, and nipa. In the square house we live, my mother, sister
Trinidad, a nephew and I; in the octagonal live my boys or some good youngsters whom I teach
arithmetic, Spanish and English; and in the hexagonal live my chickens. From my house I hear the
murmur of a crystal, clear brook which comes from the high rocks; I see the seashore, the sea where
I have many fruit trees, mangoes, lanzones, guayabanos, baluno, ninja, etc. I have rabbits, dogs, cats,
etc. I raise early – at five – visit my plants, feed the chickens, awaken my people with tea, pastries,
cheese, sweetmeats, etc. Later I treat my poor patients who come to my land; I dress, go to the town
in my baroto, treat the people there, and return at 12, when my luncheon awaits me. Then I teach the
boys until 4 P.M. and devote the afternoon to agriculture. I spend the night reading and studying.
Rizal’s Encounter with the Friar’s Spy

During the early days of November 1893 Rizal was living peacefully and happily at his house
in Talisay, a kilometer away from Dapitan. His mother, sisters Narcisa and Trinidad, and some
nephews were then living with him. His blissful life was then suddenly jolted by a strange incident
involving a spy of the friars. This spy with the assumed name of “Pablo Mercado” and posing as a
relative, secretly visited Rizal at his house on the night of November 3, 1893. He introduced himself
as a friend and relative, showing a photo of Rizal and a pair of buttons with the initials “P.M.” (Pablo
Mercado) as evidences of his kinship with the Rizal family.
In the course of their conversation the strange visitor offered his services as a confidential
courier of Rizal’s letters and writing for the patriots in Manila. Rizal, being a man of prudence and
keen perception became suspicious. Irked by the impostor’s lies, he wanted to throw him out of the
house, but mindful of his duty as a host and considering the late hour of the night and the heavy
rainfall, he hospitably invited the unwanted visitor to stay at his house for the night. And early the
nest day, he sent him away.
After the departure of his bogus relative, Rizal attended to his daily chores, forgetting the
incident of the previous night. Later he learned that the rascal was still in Dapitan, telling people
that he was a beloved relative of Dr. Rizal. Losing his cool, he went to the commandancia and
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denounced the impostor to Captain Juan Sitges (who succeeded Captain Carnicero on May 4, 1893
as commandant of Dapitan. Without much ado, Sitges ordered the arrest of “Pablo Mercado” and
instructed Anastacio Adriatico, to investigate him immediately.
The truth came out during this investigation. The real name of “Pablo Mercado” was
Florencio Namanan. He was a native of Cagayan de Misamis, single and about 30 years old. He was
hired by the Recollect friars to a secret mission in Dapitan – to introduce himself to Rizal as a friend
and relative, to spy on Rizal’s activities, and to filch certain letters and writings of Rizal, which
might incriminate him in the revolutionary movement. Strangely, Commandant Sitges suddenly
quashed the investigation and released the spy. He promptly forwarded the transcripts of the
investigation together with his official report to Governor General Blanco who, in turn, kept these
documents as highly confidential. Rizal, who was surprised at the turn of events, requested for a
copy of the proceedings of the investigation, but Sitges denied his request. As now declassified and
preserved at the Biblioteca Nacional in Madrid, these documents contain certain mysterious
deletions.
These available documents on the friars’ spy failed mission have been quoted by three
Rizalist biographers,-Retana (1907), Palma (1949), and Jose Baron Fernandez (1982). Not one of
these biographers quoted the text of another document that is more reliable and valuable in clarifying
the whole incident. Based-upon all these available documentary sources, the incident of the secret
mission of “Pablo Mercado” in Dapitan was not an “Assassination Attempt on Rizal.” It was merely
an espionage plot concocted by the friars.
As Physician in Dapitan.
According to Zaide, G.F. (2008) Rizal practiced medicine in Dapitan. He had many patients,
but most of them were poor so that he even game them free medicine. To his friend in Hong Kong,
Dr. Marquez, he wrote: “Here the people are so poor that I have even to give medicine gratis.” He
had, however, some rich patients who paid him handsomely for his surgical skill.
In August 1893 his mother and sister (Maria) arrived in Dapitan and lived with him for one
year and a half. He operated on his mother’s right eye. The operation was successful, but Doña
Teodora, ignoring her son’s instructions, removed the bandages from her eyes, thereby causing the
wound to be infected. Thus Rizal told Hidalgo, his brother-in-law: “Now I understand very well why
a physician should not treat the members of his family.” Fortunately, the infection was arrested so
that Doña Teodora’s sight, thanks to her son’s ophthalmic prowess, was fully restored.
Rizal’s fame as a physician, particularly as an eye specialist, spread far and wide. He had
many patients who came from different parts of the Philippines – from Luzon, Bohol, Cebu, Panay,
Negros, and Mindanao – and even from Hong Kong. A rich Filipino patient, Don Ignacio Tumarong,
was able to see again because of Rizal’s ophthalmic skill; and highly gratified by the restoration of
his sight, he paid PHP3,000. Another rich patient, an Englishman, paid P500. Don Florencio
Azacarraga, a rich hacendero of Aklan, was also cured of eye ailment, and paid Rizal a cargo of
sugar.
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As a physician, Rizal became interested in local medicine and in the use of medicinal plants.
He studied the medicinal plants of the Philippines and their curative values. To poor patients, who
could not afford to buy imported medicine, he prescribed the local medicinal plants.
Water System for Dapitan.

Rizal held the title of expert surveyor (perito agrimensor), which he obtained from the
Ateneo. He supplemented his training as a surveyor by his reading of engineering books, so that he
came to know about engineering. In Dapitan, he applied his knowledge of engineering by
constructing a system of waterworks in order to furnish clean water to the townspeople.
Rizal held the title of expert surveyor (perito agrimensor), which he obtained from the
Ateneo. He supplemented his training as a surveyor by his reading of engineering books, so that he
came to know about engineering. In Dapitan, he applied his knowledge of engineering by
constructing a system of waterworks in order to furnish clean water to the townspeople.
An American engineer, Mr. H.F. Cameron, praised Rizal’s engineering feat in the following
words:
Another famous and well-known water supply is that of Dapitan, Mindanao, designed and
constructed by the Spanish authorities… This supply comes from a little mountain stream across the
river from Dapitan and follows the contour of the country for the whole distance. When one
considers that Doctor Rizal had no explosives with which to blast the hard rocks and no resources
save his own ingenuity, one cannot help but honor a man, who against adverse conditions, had the
courage and tenacity to construct the aqueduct which had for its bottom the fluted tiles from the
house roofs, and was covered with concrete made from lime burned from the sea coral. The length
of this aqueduct is several kilometers, and it winds in and out among the rocks and is carried across
gullies in bamboo pipes upheld rocks and is carried across gullies in bamboo pipes upheld by rocks
or brick piers to the distribution reservoir.
Another famous and well-known water supply is that of Dapitan, Mindanao, designed and
constructed by the Spanish authorities… This supply comes from a little mountain stream across the
river from Dapitan and follows the contour of the country for the whole distance. When one
considers that Doctor Rizal had no explosives with which to blast the hard rocks and no resources
save his own ingenuity, one cannot help but honor a man, who against adverse conditions, had the
courage and tenacity to construct the aqueduct which had for its bottom the fluted tiles from the
house roofs, and was covered with concrete made from lime burned from the sea coral. The length
of this aqueduct is several kilometers, and it winds in and out among the rocks and is carried across
gullies in bamboo pipes upheld rocks and is carried across gullies in bamboo pipes upheld by rocks
or brick piers to the distribution reservoir.
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Rizal as Teacher.
Since boyhood Rizal knew the value of good education. During his travels abroad he
observed the education system of modern nations. He himself planned to establish a modern college
in Hong Kong for Filipino boys so that he could train them in modern pedagogical concepts, which
were then unknown in the Philippines.
His exile to Dapitan gave him the opportunity to put into practice his education ideas. In
1893 he established a school, which existed, until the end of his exile in July, 1896. It began with
three pupils and in the course of time the enrolment increased to 16 and later to 21. In his letter to
Blumentritt on March 13, Rizal said that he had 16 pupils in his school and that these pupils did not
pay any tuition. Instead of charging them tuition fees, he made them work in his garden, fields, and
construction projects in the community.
Rizal taught his boys reading, writing, languages (Spanish and English), geography, history,
mathematics (arithmetic and geometry), industrial work, nature study, morals and gymnastics. He
trained them how to collect specimens of plants and animals, to love work, and to “behave-like
men.”
Formal classes were conducted between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Rizal, the teacher, sat on a
hammock, while the pupils sat on a long bamboo bench. On one day the lessons were conducted in
Spanish; on the next day, in English. As in the Ateneo, the best pupil was called “emperor” and he
sat at the head of the bench; the poorest pupil occupied the end of the bench.
During the recess the pupils built fires in the garden to drive away the insects, pruned the
fruit trees, and manure the soil.
Outside the class hours, Rizal encouraged them to play games in order to strengthen their
bodies. They had gymnastics, boxing, wrestling, stone-throwing, swimming, arnis (native fencing),
and boating.
Contribution to science.
Rizal found Mindanao a rich virgin field for collecting specimens. With his baroto (sailboat)
and accompanied by his pupils, he explored the jungles and coasts, seeking specimens of insects,
birds, snakes, lizards, frogs, shells, and plants. He sent these specimens to the museum of Europe,
especially the Dresden Museum. In payment for these valuable specimens, the European scientist
sent him scientific books and surgical instruments.
During his four-year exile in Dapitan, Rizal built up a rich collection of oncology, which
consisted of 346 shells representing 203 species.
He discovered some rare specimens who were named in his honor by the scientists. Among
these was Draco rizali (a flying dragon), Apogonia rizali (a small beetle), and Rhacophorus rizali (a
rare frog).
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Rizal also conducted anthropological, ethnographical, archaeological, geological and
geographical studies, as revealed by his voluminous correspondence with his scientist friends in
Europe. There was no limit to his scientific versatility.
Linguistic Studies.
A born linguist, Rizal continued his studies of languages. N Dapitan he learned the Bisayan,
Subanun, and Malay languages. He wrote a Tagalog grammar, made a comparative study of the
Bisayan and Malayan languages, and studied the Bisayan (Cebuan) and Subanun languages.
On April 5, 1896, his last year of exile in Dapitan, he wrote to Blumentritt: “I know already
Bisayan and I speak it quite well; it is necessary, however, to know other dialects of the Philippines.”
By this time, Rizal could rank with the world’s great linguist. He knew 22 languages, as follows:
Tagalog, Ilokano, Bisayan, Subanun, Spanish, Latin, Greek, English, French, German, Arabic,
Malay, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Dutch, Catalan, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Swedish, and
Russian.
Artistic Works in Dapitan.

According to Zaide (2008) Rizal continued his artistic pursuits in Dapitan. He contributed
his painting skill to the Sisters of Charity who were preparing the sanctuary of the Holy Virgin in
their private chapel. For the sake of economy, the head of the image was “procured from abroad.”
The sisters made the vestments concealing all the rest of the figure except the feet, which rested
upon a globe encircled by a snake in whose mouth is an apple. Rizal modeled the right foot of the
image, the apple, and the serpent’s head. He also designed the exquisite curtain, which was painted
in oil by an artist Sister under his direction.
Rizal made sketches of persons and things that attracted him in Dapitan. He drew, for
instance, the three rate species of animal life – the dragon, the frog, and the beetle – which he had
discovered. He had sketches of the numerous fishes he caught in Dapitan waters.
Rizal made sketches of persons and things that attracted him in Dapitan. He drew, for
instance, the three rate species of animal life – the dragon, the frog, and the beetle – which he had
discovered. He had sketches of the numerous fishes he caught in Dapitan waters.
Other sculptural works of Rizal in Dapitan were a bust of Father Guerrico (one of his Ateneo
professors), a statue of a girl called “The Dapitan Girl,” woodcarving of Josephine Bracken (his
wife), and a bust of St. Paul, which he gave to Father Pastells.
Rizal as Farmer.
In Dapitan Rizal devoted much of his time to agriculture. He bought 16 hectares of land in
Talisay, where he built his home, school, and hospital, and planted cacao, coffee, sugarcane,
coconuts and fruit trees. “My land,” he wrote to his sister Trinidad, “is half an hour from the sea. It
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is very poetic and very picturesque. If you and our parents come I will build a big house we can all
live in.” Later, he acquired more lands until his total holdings reached 70 hectares, containing 6,000
hemp plants, 1,000 coconut trees, and numerous fruit trees, sugarcane, corn, coffee and cacao.
On his farms, Rizal introduced modern methods of agriculture, which he had observed in
Europe and America. His pupils helped him in the daily farm labor. He encouraged the Dapitan
farmers to discard their primitive system of tillage and adopt the modern agricultural methods. He
imported agricultural machinery from the United States.
Rizal dreamed of establishing an agricultural colony in the Sitio of Ponot near Sindangan
Bay, where there was plenty of water and good port facilities. He believed that this place would be
ideal to raise cacao, coffee, coconuts, and cattle. He invited his relatives and friends, especially those
in Calamba, to come to his projected agricultural colony. “We will establish a new Kalamba,” he
wrote to Hidalgo, his brother-in-law. Unfortunately this colony did not materialize, like his previous
Borneo colonization, because he could not get the support of the government.
Rizal as Businessman.
Aside from farming, Rizal engaged in business. In partnership with Ramon Carreon, a
Dapitan merchant, he made profitable business ventures in fishing, copra, and hemp industries. He
invited his relatives, particularly Saturnina and Hidalgo to come to Mindanao, for there “is vast and
ample field of business” in the island. He particularly told Saturnina that in Dapitan she could
profitably engage in the textile, jewelry, and hemp business.
In a letter to Hidalgo, dated January 19, 1893, he expressed his plan to improve the fishing
industry of Dapitan. He said that the two has a good beach like Calamba and there is abundant fish
in the sea; however, the fishing folks, using primitive methods of fishing, were able only to catch
small fishes. Accordingly, he instructed Hidalgo to help him buy a big net for trawl fishing
(puklutan) and to send him two good Calamaba fishermen who could teach the Dapitan folks better
methods of fishing.
The most profitable business venture of Rizal in Dapitan was in the hemp industry. At one
time, he shipped 150 bales of hemp to a foreign firm in Manila at huge profit for himself and his
business partner. He purchased hemp in Dapitan at) 7 and 4 reales per picul and sold it in Manila at
P10 and 4 reales, giving him a profit of P3 per picul. In his letter to Blumentritt on July 31, 1894, he
said: “To kill time and to help also the people of this town, I have become a merchant. I buy abaca
and ship it to Manila. Luck was with me this month. I made a profit of P2000 in one stroke.”
On May 14, 1893, Rizal formed a business partnership with Ramon Carreon (Dapitan
businessman () in lime manufacturing. Their lime burner had a monthly capacity of more than 4000
bags of lime.
To break the Chinese monopoly on business in Dapitan, Rizal organized on January 1, 1895
the Cooperative Association of Dapitan Farmers. According to its constitution, which he had drafted,
its purposes were “to improve the farm products, obtain better outlets for them, collect funds for
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their purchases, and help the producers and workers by establishing a store wherein they can buy
prime commodities at moderate prices.”
Rizal’s Inventive Ability.

One little knows fact about Rizal was that he was also an inventor. It should be remembered
that in 1887, while practicing medicine in Calamba, he invented a cigarette lighter, which he sent as
a gift to Blumentritt. He called it “sulpuklan.” This unique cigarette lighter was made of wood. “Its
mechanism,” said Rizal, “is based on the principle of compressed air.”
During his exile in Dapitan, he invited a machine for making bricks. This machine could
manufacture about 6, 000 bricks daily. Thus Rizal wrote to Blumentritt on November 20, 1895: “I
have made a wooden machine for making bricks, and I believe it could make more or less 6,000
bricks a day… When I was in Belgium, I saw the making of bricks out-of-doors without kilns, and
during my visit to Baden I saw also a mount of bricks on the ground. I suppose in Bohemia they
make bricks on the by means of a different method; if this is so, please inform me how the bricks
are baked such that not much heat is wasted”.
“My Retreat”. In February 1895, Doña Teodora, with her eyesight fully restored, returned to
Manila. During her long stay in Dapitan, she saw how busy her talented son was and regretted that
he had neglected the Muses. She requested him to write poetry again.
In response to her request, Rizal wrote a beautiful poem about his serene life as an exile in
Dapitan and sent it to her on October 22,1895. This poem was “Mi Retiro”(My Retreat), which is
acclaimed by literary critics as one of the best ever penned by Rizal. It is as follows:
Rizal and Josephine Bracken.

According to the book of Zaide, G.F., & Zaide, S.M. (2008) In the silent hours of the night
after the day’s hard work, Rizal was often sad. He missed his family and relatives, his good friends
in foreign lands, the exhilarating life in the cities of Europe, and his happy days in Calamba. The
death of Leonora Rivera on August 28, 1893 left a poignant void in his heart. He needed somebody
to cheer him up in his lonely exile.
According to the book of Zaide, G.F., & Zaide, S.M. (2008) In the silent hours of the night
after the day’s hard work, Rizal was often sad. He missed his family and relatives, his good friends
in foreign lands, the exhilarating life in the cities of Europe, and his happy days in Calamba. The
death of Leonora Rivera on August 28, 1893 left a poignant void in his heart. He needed somebody
to cheer him up in his lonely exile.
No ophthalmic specialist in Hong Kong could cure Mr. Taufer’s blindness so that he,
accompanied by his adopted daughter Josephine went to Manila to seek the services of the famous
ophthalmic surgeon, Dr. Rizal. They heard in the city that a Filipino companion, Manuela Orlac, in
Dapitan, where they proceeded – accompanied Dr. Rizal. They presented to Rizal a card of
introduction by Julio Llorente, his friend and schoolmate.
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Rizal and Josephine fell in love with each other at first sight. After a whirlwind romance of
one month, they agreed to marry. But Father Obach, the priest of Dapitan, refused to marry then
without the permission of the Bishop of Cebu.
When Mr. Taufer heard of their projected marriage, he flared up in violent rage. Unable to
endure the thought of losing Josephine, he tried to commit suicide by cutting off his throat with a
razor. Rizal, however, grabbed his wrists and prevented him from killing himself. To avoid a
tragedy, Josephine went with Taufer to Manila by the first available steamer. The blind man went
away uncured because his ailment was venereal in nature, hence incurable.
Mr. Taufer returned alone to Hong Kong. Josephine stayed in Manila with Rizal’s family.
Later she returned to Dapitan. Since no priest would marry them, Rizal and Josephine held hands
together and married themselves before the eyes of God. They lived as man and wife. Of course,
Father Obach was scandalized, and many unsavory tales were circulated by gossips in Dapitan.
Rizal and Josephine lived happily in Dapitan. In several letters to his family, Rizal praised
Josephine and revealed his new happiness. He was no longer lonely. Dapitan had become for him a
heaven of bliss.
In the early part of 1896 Rizal was extremely happy because Josephine was expecting a baby.
Unfortunately, he played a prank on her, frightening her so that she prematurely gave birth to an
eight-month baby boy, who lived only for three hours. This lost son of Rizal was named “Francisco”
honor of Don Francisco (he hero’s father) and was buried in Dapitan.
Rizal and the Katipunan.

While Rizal was mourning the loss of his son, ominous clouds of revolution gradually
darkened the Philippines skies. Andres Bonifacio, the “Great Plebeian” was sowing the seeds of an
armed uprising. The secret revolution society, called Katipunan, which he founded on July 7, 1892,
was gaining more and more adherents.
In a secret meeting of the Katipunan at a little river called Bitukang Manok, near the town
of Pasig, on May 2,1896, Dr. Pio Valenzuela was named emissary to Dapitan, in order to inform
Rizal of plan of Katipunan to launch a revolution for freedom’s sake.
Dr. Valenzuela arrived in Dapitan in the evening of June 21, 1896. Rizal, ever a hospitable
host, welcomed him. After supper, the two had heart-to-heart talk in the garden. Valenzuela told him
of the Katipunan plan and the necessity of his support.
Rizal objected to Bonifacio’s audacious project to plunge the country in bloody revolution.
He was of the sincere belief that it was premature, for two reasons: (1) the people are not ready for
revolution, and (2) arms and funds must first be collected before raising the cry of revolution. He
also disapproved the other plan of the Katipunan to rescue him because he had given his word of
honor to the Spanish authorities and he did not want to break it.
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Volunteers as Military Doctor in Cuba.
Months before the Katipunan contacted him, Rizal had offered his services as military doctor
in Cuba, which was then in the throes of a revolution and a raging yellow fever epidemic. There was
a shortage of physicians to minister to the needs of the Spanish troops and Cuban people. It was
Blumentritt who told him of the deplorable health situation in war-ridden. Cuba and advised him to
volunteer as army physician there.
Act in response to Blumentritts advice, Rizal wrote to governor General Ramon Blanco,
Despojul’s successor, on December 17, 1895, offering his services as military doctor in Cuba.
Months passed and he received no reply from Malacañang. He gave up hope that his humanitarian
offer would ever receive government approval.
When he least expected it, a letter from Governor Blanco dated July 1, 1896 arrived in
Dapitan, notifying him of the acceptance of his offer. This letter, which reached him on July 30th,
also stated that the politico-military commander of Dapitan would give him a pass so that he could
come to Manila, where he would be given a safe-conduct to Spain, “and there the Minister of War
will assign you to the Army of Operations in Cuba, detailed to the Medical Crops”.
The Song of the Travelers”. Great was Rizal’s joy in receiving the gladsome news from
Malacañang. At least, he was free! Once more, he was going to travel- to Europe and then to Cuba.
It was with this joyous thought of resuming his travels that he wrote his heart-warming poem. “El
Canto del Viajero” (The Song of the Traveler) which runs in full:
Adios, Dapitan
On July 31, 1986, Rizal’s four-year exile in Dapitan came to an end. At midnight of that
date, he embarked on board the steamer Espana, He was accompanied by Josephine, Narcisa,
Angelica (Narcisa’s daughter), his three nephews, and sic pupils. Almost all Dapitan folks, young
and old, were at the shore to bid him goodbye. Many wept as the steamer sailed away – especially
the other pupils who aware too poor to accompany their beloved teacher to Manila. As farewell
music, the town brass band strangely played the dolorous Funereal March of Chopin. As its
melancholy melody floated in the air, Rizal must have felt it deeply for with his presentiment of
death, it seemed an obsequy or a requiem.
As the steamer pushed out into the sea, Rizal gazed for the last time on Dapitan with his
hands waving in farewell salute to its kind and hospitable folks and with a crying heart filled with
tears of nostalgic memories. When he could no longer see the dim shoreline, he sadly went to his
cabin and wrote in his diary: “I have been in that district four years, thirteen days, and dew hours.”
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CONCLUSION
Jose Rizal was exiled in Dapitan from 1892-1896, these was his last four years. Dapitan
served as his prison cell. He always compared it to a “beautiful cage” where he is imprisoned. This
was the longest imprisonment Rizal ever had. He became so lost by those times, but still he did not
lose his mind. He refused to just mope around and wait for his freedom. Instead, he made his exile
in Dapitan very fruitful as much as possible. Even there, he continued studying and dicovering
things. He continued his conversation with his family, friends, scientists and doctors outside the
country. His life there was as peaceful as a simple man would. He would not wish for a place where
he will not be able to do anything for his country. Even in his exile state, he managed to build a
house, a clinic – where the poor and rich are welcome, and a school where he had 16 students. This
is a call for every Filipino to be productive amidst hardship and imprisonment.
While many people would be in panic, despair or lose hope for any success in their lives
because of being exiled, Jose Rizal continued to serve his country. He was truly a man of action. He
always put his countrymen first before him. He did not only looked over the people nor just tell
people what to do, he helped them in their everyday work. He was truly a patriot and nationalistic
for he never wanted to see his fellow countrymen being oppressed and being exploited. He opened
our eyes and fought for our freedom even if it means endagering himself and his family. He knew
the consequences of his actions yet he still continued and never gave up the fight and stood till the
very end. A call for everyone that life does not end as long as you live for other and not for yourself
only.
1. Place where Rizal was exiled?

a. Dapitan
b. Manila
c. Tondo
d. Palawan
2. Rizal bought a third of Lottery Ticket No. 9736, jointly owning it with Dapitan Gov. Ricardo
Carnicero and Francisco Equilor, a Spanish resident in Dipolog.
a. Lottery ticket No. 9736
b. Lottery ticket No. 9746
c. Lottery ticket No. 9733
d. Lottery ticket No. 9756
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3. An organization found by Rizal on July 3, 1892. The goal of the organization is for the
promotion of reform for the Philippines and not for rebolution.
a. La Liga Filipina
b. La Liga Pilipina
c. La Liga Pilipinas
d. La Liga
4. He is known as "Ismagler ng Himagsikang Filipino".

a. Fr. Jose Villaclara
b. Fr. Antonio Obach
c. Imitación de Cristo
d. Jose Basa
5. A woman in Rizal's life. They met in Dapitan when she arrived with her stepfather George
Taufer for eye treatment.
a. Segunda Katigbak
b. Leonor Rivera
d. Leonor Valuenzuela
6. Rizal was exiled in Dapitan for how many years?

a. 5
b. 4
c. 8
d. 10
7. A fictional story about the corruption of Dominican Friars.

a. El Canto del Viajero
b. Pobre Frailes
c. Noli Me Tangere
d. El Filibusterismo
8. Spy who disguised himself as Rizal's relative and offered to be confidential courier of Rizal's
letters.
a. Ignacio Tumarong
b. Antonio Miranda
c. Pablo Mercado
d. Pablo Pastells
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9. A poem in honor of Talisay.
a. Himno A Talisay
b. Bayan ng Talisay
c. Talisay kong Minamahal
d. Aking Talisay
10. Rare frog discovered by Rizal.

a. Apogonio rizali
b. Draco rizali
c. Rhacophorus rizali
d. Baroto
Reflection:
References:
Edu-cator. (2021). RIZAL'S EXILE, ARREST AND EXECUTION [Video]. YouTube.
https://youtu.be/HVPPe8FaSRQ
Gayares, J. (2021). Rizal In Dapitan [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/DmfCf-XvzKY
Javier, J. S. (2021, July 1). What Rizal Did in Dapitan: Collecting Local Fauna, Establishing a
Boarding School, and Healing the Sick. Retrieved from
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.esquiremag.p
h/long-reads/features/rizal-in-dapitan-a2653-20210701-
lfrm&ved=2ahUKEwjCreffmdD5AhXbpVYBHZQ0Ab8QFnoFCJQBEAE&usg=AOv
Vaw0DL-dAhLNtE39TuFvdVJyr
MNLtoday.Ph. (2018, December 28). JOSE RIZAL IN DAPITAN. Retrieved from
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://mnltoday.ph/2018/
12/28/rizal-sa-
dapitan/&ved=2ahUKEwiypMyHmtD5AhW3gFYBHVNcB4gQFnoECCUQAQ&usg
=AOvVaw3nyNgjbf3Jv1ZnQQnfxxsF
Quelz. (2014, January 22). Rizal's Life in Dapitan. Retrieved from
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.slideshare.net
/quelz/rizals-life-in-
dapitan&ved=2ahUKEwjCreffmdD5AhXbpVYBHZQ0Ab8QFnoFCI8BEAE&usg=A
OvVaw2JyWb4rZozRElmuWyVBECf
Sir E!. (2022). RIZAL IN DAPITAN (A LECTURE ON THE LIFE AND WORKS OF
RIZAL) [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/S_3_ZcOQI0U
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Sean, J. (2016, February 16). Rizal's Exile in Dapitan, 1892-1896. Retrieved from
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://prezi.com/lw7_f56
vpoex/rizals-exile-in-dapitan-1892-1896/&ved=2ahUKEwjFnILFmdD5AhW-
q1YBHcCmC40QFnoECCwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1pPutKOh1fQ0gUgWMkkFve
Zaide, G.F., & Zaide, S. M. (2008). Jose Rizal: Life, Works, and Writings of a Genius, Writer,
Scientist and National Hero (Second Edition). All Nations Publishing Inc. Quezon
City. 2008..
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LESSON 9 – Rizal’s Trial
Overview:
On December 6, 1896, a Spanish military court began the trial of Dr. Jose Rizal for
sedition, rebellion, and conspiracy. His execution and martyrdom were the result of this trial.
Rizal, who was imprisoned first in Barcelona and then in Fort Santiago, was involved in the
revolution initiated in August 1896 by the Katipunan, led by Andres Bonifacio, with the goal
of separating the country from Spanish colonial rule. At the time of his detention, Rizal was
scheduled to go to Cuba after being given permission to work as a military surgeon in that
country, where there was also a revolt against Spain, by sympathetic Spanish Governor-General
Ramon Blanco. Before leaving his exile in Dapitan for Manila and later for Spain, Rizal wrote
a manifesto in which he rejected the revolution and stated that the Filipino people's education
and development of a national identity were necessary conditions for freedom. Rizal was
detained on his way to Spain, imprisoned there, and later returned to Manila to face trial. He
was accused of being the initiator of the revolution and a traitor to Spain. Despite his claims of
innocence, he was found guilty on all three counts of rebellion, sedition, and conspiracy, and
received the death sentence. Prior to the release of his two outstanding works, Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo, Rizal was already labelled by the Spanish authorities as an opponent of
the government. Thus, Bagumbayan (Luneta), which has since been renamed Rizal Park in his
honor, served as the site of Rizal's execution on December 30, 1896.
1. To discuss how Rizal confronted his trial.
2. To analyze the factors that led to Rizal’s execution.
3. To appreciate Rizal’s bravery and patriotism as he underwent trial and knew his death.
Course Materials:
Introduction and Overview about Rizal’s Trial

According to an article on The Kahimyang Project, on December 6, 1896, a Spanish military
court began the trial of Dr. Jose Rizal for sedition, rebellion, and conspiracy. According to His
execution and martyrdom were the result of this trial. Rizal, who was imprisoned first in Barcelona
and then in Fort Santiago, was involved in the revolution initiated in August 1896 by the Katipunan,
led by Andres Bonifacio, with the goal of separating the country from Spanish colonial rule.
At the time of his detention, Rizal was scheduled to go to Cuba after being given permission
to work as a military surgeon in that country, where there was also a revolt against Spain, by
sympathetic Spanish Governor-General Ramon Blanco. Before leaving his exile in Dapitan for
Manila and later for Spain, Rizal wrote a manifesto in which he rejected the revolution and stated
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that the Filipino people's education and development of a national identity were necessary conditions
for freedom.
Rizal was detained on his way to Spain, imprisoned there, and later returned to Manila to
face trial. He was accused of being the initiator of the revolution and a traitor to Spain. Despite his
claims of innocence, he was found guilty on all three counts of rebellion, sedition, and conspiracy,
and received the death sentence.
Prior to the release of his two outstanding works, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo,
Rizal was already labelled by the Spanish authorities as an opponent of the government. Thus,
Bagumbayan (Luneta), which has since been renamed Rizal Park in his honor, served as the site of
Rizal's execution on December 30, 1896.
Preliminary Investigation
According to Karim (2014), the preliminary investigation happened on November 20, 1896.
It is a five-day investigation wherein later on, Dr. Jose Rizal was informed of charges against him.
He was accused of being the leader of the revolution by increasing the ideas of people about rebellion
and making illegal organizations. Rizal was interrogated by Colonel Francisco Olive, in which he
answered the questions asked yet he was not permitted to confront those who testified against him
(Hipolito, 2021). He was only allowed to choose his lawyer from a list of young Spanish officers
who were not into law. Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade was the one Rizal chose from that group. He
appealed for Rizal's innocence, but despite how clear-cut the evidence was, Rizal was still declared
guilty.
Kinds of Evidence presented during Investigation

According to Ganaden (2015), there were two (2) kinds of evidence presented to Rizal during
the investigation which are the documentary evidence and oral testimonies.
Documentary. There were fifteen (15) documentary pieces of evidence presented to Rizal,
consisting of letters to his friends and poems confiscated by Spanish authorities.
Letter to Antonio Luna. A letter of Antonio Luna to Mariano Ponce, dated Madrid, October
16, 1888, showing Rizal’s connection with the Filipino reform campaign in Spain.
Letter to his family. A letter of Rizal to his family, dated Madrid, August 20, 1890, stating
that the deportations are good for they will encourage the people to hate tyranny.
Letter to Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Deodato Arellano. A letter from Marcelo H. del Pilar
to Deodato Arellano, dated Madrid, January 7, 1889, implicating Rizal in the Propaganda campaign
in Spain.
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Kundiman. A poem entitled Kundiman, allegedly written by Rizal in Manila on September
12, 1891.
Letter to Carlos Oliver. A letter of Carlos Oliver to an unidentified person, dated Barcelona,
September 18, 1891, describing Rizal as the man to free the Philippines from Spanish oppression.
Masonic Document. A Masonic document, dated Manila, February 9, 1892 honoring Rizal
for his patriotic services.
Letter to Juan “Tenluz” Zulueta. A letter signed by Dimasalang to Tenluz (Juan Zulueta’s
pseudonym), dated Hongkong, dated May 24, 1892, stating that he was preparing a safe refuge for
Filipinos who may be persecuted by the Spanish authorities.
Letter to a committee. A letter of Dimasalang to an unidentified committee, dated
Hongkong, June 1, 1892, soliciting the aid of the committee in the “patriotic work”.
Undated letter to the editor of Hong Kong Telegraph. An anonymous and undated letter
to the Editor of Hongkong Telegraph, censuring the banishment of Rizal to Dapitan.
Letter from Ildefonso Laurel. A letter of Ildefonso Laurel to Rizal, dated Manila,
September 3, 1892, saying that the Filipino people look up to Rizal as their savior.
Letter of Rizal Segundo. A letter of Rizal Segundo, dated Manila, September 17, 1893,
informing an unidentified correspondent of the arrest and banishment of Doroteo Cortes and
Ambrosio Salvador.
Letter of Marcelo H. Del Pilar to Juan Zulueta. A letter of Marcelo H. del Pilar to Don
Juan Tenluz, dated Madrid, June 1, 1893 recommending the establishment of a special organization,
independent of Masonry, to help the cause of Filipino people.
Speech of Emilio Jacinto in Katipunan. A transcript of a speech of Pingkian (Emilio

Jacinto), in a reunion of the Katipunan on July 23, 1893, in which the following cry was uttered
“Long live the Philippines! Long live Liberty! Long live Doctor Rizal! Unity!”.
Speech of Jose T. Santiago in Katipunan. A transcript of a speech of Tik-Tik (Jose Turiano

Santiago) in the same Katipunan reunion, wherein the Katipuneros shouted: “Long live the eminent
Doctor Rizal! Death to the oppressor nation!”.
A Talisay. A poem by LaongLaan, entitled A Talisay, in which the author makes the Dapitan
school boys sing that they know how to fight for their rights.
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Testimonial. There were thirteen (13) presented testimonial evidences of Rizal’s close friends who
were tortured. They were from Martin Constantino, Aguedo del Rosario, Jose Reyes, Moises
Salvador, Jose Dizon, Pio Valenzuela, Ambrosio Salvador, Francisco Quison, Timoteo Paez,
Deodato Arellano, Pedro Serrano Laktaw, Antonio Salazar, Domingo Franco.
Detention
On November 26, 1896, Colonel Olive transmitted the records of the case to Governor-
General Ramon Blanco. Governor-General Ramon Blanco appointed Captain Rafael Dominguez as
the special Judge Advocate to institute the corresponding action against Rizal. They made a
summary of the case and submitted it to judge advocate general, Nicolas Dela Peña. (Hipolito, 2021)
Peña’s Recommendations
Ganaden (2015) included in his study the four major scenes recommended by Nicholas Dela
Peña, which are; (1) Rizal must be brought to a trial, (2) Rizal must be kept in jail during the time
of trial, (3) Rizal's properties must be issued with order of attachment, and as indemnity, he had to
pay one million pesos, and (4) Rizal must have a Spanish army officer for as a lawyer not a civilian
lawyer.
Rizal’s Arraignment
On December 11, 1896, Rizal was formally charged with being the primary organizer of the
revolution and the formation of an unlawful organization. He was accused of committing the act of
rebellion and creating unlawful groups. (Karim, 2014)
Rizal did not dispute the court's authority. He had nothing to change other than the point that
he had not even dealt with politics while in exile in Dapitan in 1892. Regarding the accusations
against him, he had nothing to admit. And furthermore, he had nothing to express in response to the
accusations made against him by witnesses he had never met nor known.
Rizal wrote a Manifesto

On December 13, 1896, Governor General Blanco was replaced as governor general of the
Philippines by Governor General Camilo Polavieja while Rizal's trial was ongoing. And on
December 15, while still imprisoned at Fort Santiago, Rizal wrote a manifesto in which he
denounced the revolution and condemned Katipunan for using his name without his consent.
However, Governor Polavieja rejected the document because he believed it might have a negative
impact on the ongoing, fierce struggle. (Karim, 2014)
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The Actual Trial
On December 26, 1896, the actual trial happened at Cuartel de España (military court) led
by Jose Togores Arjona and subordinated by Capt. Ricardo Muñoz Arias, Capt. Manuel Reguera,
Capt. Santiago Izquierdo Osorio, Capt. Braulio Rodriguez Nuñez, Capt. Manuel Diaz Escribano,
and Capt. Fermin Perez Rodriguez. Rizal was accused of three (3) crimes which were rebellion,
sedition, illegal associations, having the penalty of life imprisonment-to-death for rebellion and
sedition, correctional imprisonment and a fine of 325 to 3250 pesetas for illegal association. Rizal,
on the other hand, proved his innocence by twelve points.
Twelve (12) points Rizal cited to prove his innocence

According to Nery & Sion (2019), Rizal cited twelve (12) points to prove his innocence. (1)
Rizal was against rebellion as testified by Pio Valenzuela. (2) No letter consisting of revolutionary
elements addressed to the Katipunan was written. (3) Without his consent, the Katipunan used his
name as one of the passwords. (4) If he was guilty, he could have left the country while in exile; he
would not have built a home, and would not have bought a parcel of land to put up a hospital in
Dapitan. (5) The revolutionists could have consulted him if he was the leader. (6) He did not deny
that he wrote the by-laws of the Liga Filipina, but to make things clear, it is a different organization
from Katipunan. The former being a civic association and the latter being a revolutionary society.
(7) After the first meeting of the Liga, the association banished because of his exile in Dapitan and
it did not last long. (8) He had no idea that the Liga was reorganized nine months after. (9) If the
Liga had a revolutionary purpose, then Katipunan should not have been founded. (10) If the Spanish
authorities found his letters offensive, it was because in 1890, his family had been persecuted. (11)
He lived a good life in Dapitan – the politico military commander and missionary priest in the
province could attest to it. (12) The witnesses said that if the speech delivered at Doroteo Ongjunco’s
house had inspired the revolution, he should be given a chance to confront these persons. If he was
in the revolution, the Katipunan should not have sent an unfamiliar emissary to him in Dapitan. For
this, his friends knew that he never promoted violence.
Decision of the Court-Martial

Based on the article in the Studymoose (2016), on December 28, 1896, Governor-General
Camilo de Polavieja gave his approval to the court-martial and commanded that Rizal be executed
at 7:00 on December 30 at Bagumbayan Field.
Based on the article in the Studymoose (2016), on December 28, 1896, Governor-General
Camilo de Polavieja gave his approval to the court-martial and commanded that Rizal be executed
at 7:00 on December 30 at Bagumbayan Field.
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Conclusion
Based on an article in Preceden (n.d), Jose Rizal's trial was one of the most significant events
that changed the history of the Philippines. Not only because he is the alleged national hero of the
Philippines, but also due to the circumstances surrounding the nation's decision to honor him.
According to Bernad (1998), Rizal’s trial demonstrated how he handled the proceedings that resulted
in his execution. The discussion made it clear to us what challenges he faced and who played a role
in his trial and eventual death. Additionally, throughout the discussion, we may identify the factors
that let us recognize Rizal's bravery and could be beneficial to us in modern life.
Rizal's courage up until his death may have been visible during the trial. Even though the
court-martial rejected his 12-point defense of innocence (Karim, 2014), it has no bearing on his
determination to fight for Filipinos' identity and equitable treatment. Going back to his trial, when
he was denied the chance to hire a real lawyer to defend his innocence (Hipolito, 2021), we may see
how unfair the law was at the time. In addition, despite the fact that there were proofs against him,
he was not allowed to confront those people who testified against him.
The torture and unfair treatment that our forefathers had through at the hands of the Spaniards
were brought to light by Rizal, who also made it clear that, if he was still alive at the time, he would
not support the locals' violent uprising, for he is a supporter of non-violent diplomatic protest.
Additionally, through reflecting on him and the things he accomplished even if he is no longer
among us, we must learn plenty of things about him and exhibit respect for his legacy.
TRUE OR FALSE:
1. Rizal wrote a manifesto in which he denounced the revolution and condemned Katipunan for
using his name without his consent.
2. On December 13, 1896, Governor General Camilo Polavieja was replaced as governor general
of the Philippines by Governor General Blanco while Rizal's trial was ongoing.
3. One of Peña's recommendations is that Rizal must be immediately sent to trial.
4. The assigned judge to summon Rizal was Colonel Francisco Olive.
5. Rizal was accused of 3 crimes: rebellion, harassment, illegal associations.
MULTIPLE CHOICE:
6. What are the kinds of evidence presented to Rizal during the investigation?
a) direct and circumstantial
b) documentary and testimonial
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c) primary and secondary
d) none
7. Who is the lawyer that Rizal chose?

a) Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade
b) Governor-General Rafael Dominguez
c) Governor-General Camilo de Polavieja
d) Governor General Blanco
8. Who approved the decision of the court-martial and ordered Rizal to be shot at 7:00 o’clock in
the morning of December 30 at Bagumbayan Field?
a) Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade
c) Governor General Blanco
d) Governor-General Camilo de Polavieja
9. Who transmitted the records of the case to Governor-General Ramon Blanco?

a) Colonel Olive
c) Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade
d) Governor-General Camilo de Polavieja
10. The preliminary investigation of Rizal was held on ...

a) November 20, 1869
b) November 20, 1986
c) November 20, 1896
d) November 20, 1689
Reflection:
References:
Bernad, M. A. (1998). The Trial of Rizal. Philippine Studies, 46(1), 46–72. http://www.jstor.
org/stable/42633622
97
Documentary evidence which consisted of fifteen exhibits. (2021). Retrieved August
17, 2022 from https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/polytechnic-university -of-
the-philippines/the-contemporary-world/documentary-evidence-which-is-
consisted-of-fifteen-exhibits/12362008
Ganaden (2015). The Trial of Rizal. Retrieved August August 12, 2022 from
https://prezi.com/7pd9gfb1wgny/the- trial-of-rizal/
Hipolito Y. (2021). Rizal’s Trial and Execution [s. 11-20]. Slideshare.
https://www.slideshare.net/YosefEricHipolito/rizals-trial-and-execution
Jose Rizal Timeline. (n.d). Retrieved August 17, 2022 from
https://www.preceden.com/timelines/308654- jose-rizal-life-timeline
Karim B. (2014). The Trial of Rizal [s.1-15]. College of Computer Science and Information
Technology, Quezon City Polytechnic University. Retrieved August 9, 2022 from
https://www. slideshare.net/bensaralikarim5/rizal-trial-and-execution
Nery, I. and Sion, P. (2019). The Life and Works of Jose Rizal. Parañaque City: JTCA
Publishing
Palaroan S. [Sheena Palaroan]. (2020, September 21). Ang Buhay ng Isang
Bayani Documentary. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALb4ig-
8agc
The Kahimyang Project. (n.d). Trial of Rizal by Spanish military court began December 6,
1896. Retrieved August 9, 2022 from https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/
articles/796/today-in-philippine-history-december-6-1896-the-trial-of-dr-jose-rizal-by-a-
spanish-military-court-for-sedition-rebellion-and-conspiracy-began
Trials And Execution Of Great Leader Rizal. (2016, Sep 16). Retrieved August 12, 2022 from
https://studymoose.com/trials-and-execution-of-rizal-essay
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LESSON 10 – Rizal’s Execution
Overview:
This lesson explains the last days of Dr. Jose Rizal in detail, including the last letters Rizal
wrote for his loved ones and the individuals who visited him before and during the time of his
execution. It also discussed the happenings in Rizal's burial.
1. To discuss Rizal’s execution in more detail
2. To learn what happened in Rizal’s last hours
3. To understand how Rizal’s death affected the attainment of Philippine independence
Course Materials:
RIZAL’S FINAL DAYS

According to the book of Sauco, Pilapil and Dela Vega (2012), on December 29, 1896, Rizal
was sent back to Fort Santiago after the trial. Where he accepted the official statement that he was
sentenced to death at six in the morning. He signed the death sentence after it was read to him by
Captain Rafael Dominguez and he is emotional.
After he signed the judgment against him, he was transferred to the chapel of Fort Santiago.
He was not removed from it until the next day and hour of his death. His former teachers paid Rizal
a visit in his final hours. He first had a visit from Fathers Miguel Mata and Luiza Viza. Padre Rosell
also visited him and they had breakfast together. Rizal complimented Lieutenant Taviel de Andrade
for his outstanding defense as he joined them for breakfast.
On the afternoon, Pedro Federico Faura, Father Jose Villaclara, and Father Balaguer also
visited Rizal. Father Balaguer returned and he arrived at half past three. After an hour, Doña Teodora
arrived. Rizal knelt down and kissed his mother's hand. He asked her for forgiveness. Both of them
were in tears when the guard separated them.
Rizal's sister Trining also arrived and Rizal handed his brother a bottle of alcohol as the last
memory and whispered to his brother in English "There is something inside." so that the guard would
not understand it. What he said was inside was the poem "Mi Ultimo Adios" which according to
Austin Craig was written by Rizal on December 12, 1896. The following is its first translation into
Tagalog written by Andres Bonifacio.
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"Pahimakas ni Dr. José Rizal"
translation by Andrés Bonifacio
Pinipintuho kong Bayan ay paalam, Sa pakikidigma at pamimiyapis

lupang iniirog ñg sikat ñg araw, ang alay ñg iba'y ang buhay na kipkip,
mutiang mahalaga sa dagat Silañgan, walang agam-agam, maluag sa dibdib,
kalualhatiang sa ami'y pumanaw. matamis sa puso at di ikahapis.
Masayang sa iyo'y aking idudulot Saan man mautas ay di kailañgan,

ang lanta kong buhay na lubhang malungkot; cípres ó laurel, lirio ma'y patuñgan
maging mariñgal man at labis alindog pakikipaghamok, at ang bibitayan,
sa kagaliñgan mo ay akin ding handog. yaon ay gayon din kung hiling ñg Bayan.
Ako'y mamatay, ñgayong namamalas Ang aking adhika sapul magkaisip

na sa silañganan ay namamanaag ñg kasalukuyang bata pang maliit,
yaong maligayang araw na sisikat ay ang tanghaling ka at minsan masilip
sa likod ñg luksang nagtabing na ulap. sa dagat Silañgan hiyas na marikit.
Ang kulay na pula kung kinakailañgan Natuyo ang luhang sa mata'y nunukal,
na maitim sa iyong liway-way, taas na ang noo't walang kapootan,
dugo ko'y isabog at siyang ikinang walang bakás kunot ñg kapighatian
ñg kislap ñg iyong maningning na ilaw. gabahid man duñgis niyong kahihiyan.
Sa kabuhayang ko ang laging gunita Bayaang ang buwan sa aki'y ititig

maniñgas na aking ninanasa-nasa ang liwanag niyang lamlám at tahimik,
ay guminhawa ka ang hiyaw ñg diwa liwayway bayaang sa aki'y ihatid
pag hiñgang papanaw ñgayong biglang-bigla. magalaw na sinag at hañging hagibis.
Ikaw'y guminhawa laking kagandahang Kungsakasakaling bumabang humantong

ako'y malugmok, at ikaw ay matanghal, sa cruz ko'y dumapo kahi't isang ibon
hiniñga'y malagot, mabuhay ka lamang doon ay bayan humuning hinahon
bangkay ko'y masilong sa iyong Kalañgitan. at dalitin niya payapang panahon.
Kung sa libiñgang ko'y tumubong mamalas Bayaan ang niñgas ñg sikat ñg araw
sa malagong damo mahinhing bulaklak, ula'y pasiñgawin noong kainitan,
sa mañga labi mo'y mangyaring ílapat, magbalik sa lañgit ñg boong dalisay
sa kaluluwa ko halik ay igawad. kalakip ñg aking pagdaing na hiyaw.
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At sa aking noo nawa'y iparamdam, Bayaang sino man sa katotong giliw
sa lamig ñg lupa ñg aking libiñgan, tañgisang maagang sa buhay pagkitil:
ang init ñg iyong pag hiñgang dalisay kung tungkol sa akin ay may manalañgin
at simoy ñg iyong pag giliw na tunay. idalañgin Báyan yaring pagka himbing.
Idalañging lahat yaong nañgamatay, Kung magka gayon na'y aalintanahin

nañgagtiis hirap na walang kapantay; na ako sa limot iyong ihabilin
m̃ga iná naming walang kapalaran pagka't himpapawid at ang pañganorin
na inahihibik ay kapighatian. m̃ga lansañgan mo'y aking lilibutin.
Ang m̃ga bao't pinapañgulila, Matining na tunóg ako sa diñgig mo,

ang m̃ga bilangong nagsisipag dusa: ilaw, m̃ga kulay, masamyong pabañgó,
dalañginin namang kanilang mákita ang úgong at awit, pag hibik sa iyo,
ang kalayaan mong, ikagiginhawa. pag asang dalisay ñg pananalig ko.
At kung ang madilim na gabing mapanglaw Báyang iniirog, sákit niyaring hirap,
ay lumaganap na doon sa libiñgan't, Katagalugang kong pinakaliliyag,
tañging m̃ga patay ang nañgag lalamay, dingin mo ang aking pagpapahimakas:
huwag bagabagin ang katahimikan. diya'y iiwan ko sa iyo ang lahat.
Ang kanyang hiwaga'y huwag gambalain: Ako'y patutuñgo sa walang busabos,

kaipala'y mariñgig doon ang taginting, walang umiinis at verdugong hayop:
tunog ñg gitara't salterio'y mag saliw, pananalig doo'y di nakasasalot,
ako. Báyan, yao't, kita'y aawitin. si Bathala lamang doo'y haring lubos.
Kung ang libiñgan ko'y limót na ñg lahat Paalam, magulang at m̃ga kapatid
at wala ñg kruz at batóng mábakas, kapilas ñg aking kaluluwa't dibdib
bayang lina~gin ñg taong masipag, m̃ga kaibigan bata pang maliit
lupa'y asarolin at kanyang ikalat. sa aking tahanan di na masisilip.
At m̃ga buto ko ay bago matunaw Pag pasalamatan at napahiñga rin,

máowi sa wala at kusang maparam, paalam estrañgerang kasuyo ko't aliw.
alabók ñg iyong latag ay bayaang paalam sa inyo m̃ga ginigiliw:
siya ang babalang doo'y makipisan. ¡mamatay ay siyang pagkagupiling!
101
At 6:00 in the afternoon Father Silvino Lopez Tunon (Dean of Manila Cathedral) visited
Rizal. Padre March went to Rizal as well. He left with Father Balaguer. Rizal was left with Padre
Villaclara.
At 8:00 in the evening Father Balaguer arrived with Father Viza. They talked about religion.
Another guest of Rizal was Piskal Gaspar Castaño of the "Royal Audiencia".
Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda's draft retraction arrived around ten o'clock in the evening.
Due to rumors that it was too lengthy, Rizal refused to sign it. Father Balaguer gave Rizal a revised
version of the retraction that Father Pio Pi, the superior of the Jesuit Mission in the Philippines, had
written. With a few exceptions that, in Rizal's judgment, needed correction, he thought it was good.
Rizal's retraction becomes controversy. Writers have different insights about this. He signed
the retraction and have Juan del Fresno (Head of the Guards) and Eloy Moure (Adjutant) as
witnesses that happened said 11:30 in the evening. After signing, he confessed to Father Villaclara
then take a rest.
On December 30, 1896, Rizal’s day of execution, Rizal woke up at 1:30 in the morning. He
prayed and confessed again. He knelt at the altar, prayed the rosary, and put on the blue scapular of
the Immaculate Virgin. He confessed again to Father Villaclara. This is his third confession.
At 3:30 in the morning, Father Balaguer prayed. Rizal confessed again, this was his fourth
confession. He listened to the mass and prayed.
At 5:00 in the morning, he had his final breakfast. After breakfast, he signed the photos and
religious books as memories for his mother, for Josephine and his siblings Josefa and Trinidad. Soon
after, Josephine arrived with Rizal's sister, Narcisa. Rizal asked Padre Balaguer to marry Josephine.
Father Balaguer married them. A religious book titled "Imitacion de Cristo" that Rizal gave to
Josephine in memory of their marriage. He wrote "To my beloved and sorrowing wife, December
30, 1896.
At exactly 6:00 in the morning, Rizal was ready in Bagumbayan. As per GovernorGeneral
Polavieja’s order, Rizal will be shot in Bagumbayan at 7:00 in the morning, December 30, 1896.
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Before the execution, Rizal wrote these letters:
My dear Father:
Please accept my apology for holding grudges against you for your suffering and patience
so that I could study. I neither expected nor wanted things to happen.
My Father, I bid you farewell.

Jose Rizal
To my dearest mother:
Ms. Yes. Alonzo Teodora
6:00 a.m., December 30, 1896
Jose Rizal
Other letters that Rizal writes on December 29, 1896. One is for his best friend Dr. Ferdinand
Blumentritt and the other one is for his brother Paciano, this is what he said in the letter for Dr.
Blumentritt.
Propesor Ferdinand Blumentritt
My beloved brother:
As you receive this letter, it means I'm already dead. I will be shot tomorrow by 7:00 in the
morning but I am nothing to do with the revolution.
I will die with my conscience is clear. Farewell to my most loved best friend and I hope that
you would not think evil of me.
Fort Santiago, December 29, 1896

Jose Rizal
Postscript:
Say hello to the whole family, Mrs. Rosa, Loleng, Conradito, and Federico. I left you a book
as my last memory of you.
Rizal's letter to Paciano was written in Spanish. Here is what the letter states:
103
My dear Brother:
It's been four and a half years that we haven't seen each other or heard from each other.
This does not mean that we do not love each other but because we do not need to talk to understand
each other because we know each other very well.
Now that I am about to die soon, I dedicate my final verses to you in order to express how
painful it will be to leave you to manage our family and our aging parents' problems on your own.
I now consider the endurance and effort you invested to see me through the race; I tried to
avoid wasting time. My brother, if the result is terrible, it is not my fault; rather, it is due to the
circumstances. I'm sorry; I know you endured a lot for my sake. My brother, I can guarantee you
that my death will have nothing to do with the rebellion-related sin that has been brought up against
me. If what I previously written caused them, I do not dispute that, but in my opinion, I've endured
being discarded in the past.
Please let our father know that I still think of him and how I still remember him. I think back
to my early years and his love for me. Request my forgiveness for the pain I unintentionally caused
him.
Your brother, Jose Rizal
According to Gregorio F. Zaide, December 29, 1896 11:30 in the evening Rizal wrote a
retraction. This is what included in the text:
I am declaring of being a Catholic, I am born and studied in this religion. This is where I
want to live and die.
I withdraw whole-heartedly those what I've said, wrote, published, and my attitude that
resulted to contradicting my status as an apostle of church. I loathed Masonry as an enemy of the
church and an organization that they prohibited.
My statement can be shared to the people of Diocese of Prelate as the highest leader of the
church. I declared this willingly to pay all the consequences of my actions, so that Almighty God
can forgive me as long as the people.
Jose Rizal
Nevertheless, Zaide argues that it is important to recognize that Rizal's retraction was caused
by his mistakes in religion and his condemnation of the church, not by his political conviction. In
fact, the purpose of the church is the spiritual welfare of man. A catholic is able to choose his or her
political stance.
104
According to him, it is unbelievable that Rizal is a person with strong beliefs and his own
thinking; claims great love for the country and is ready to die for it as evidenced by his writings
"Noli Me Tangere", "El Filibusterismo" and "Letter to the Brave Women of Malolos" which also
introduce the courage of Rizal who reveal and expose the evils of the Spanish government, in the
twinkling of an eye he will be depressed and write his conversion for the unforeseeable reason which
is only hatred of Masonry and embracing again the Catholic Church for fear of ruining his soul if he
does not conversion will be done.
Additional evidence of Rizal's conversion can be found in the articles about his conversion
that were published in the Spanish-language newspapers Diario de Manila, Las Voz Espanola, El
Comercio, and La Oceana Española.
The reports were sent by Manila correspondents Manuel Alhama to the newspaper El
Imparcial in Madrid on December 30, 1896, and Santiago Mataix to the newspaper Heraldo in
Madrid on December 30, 1896.
Once the clock strikes at 6:30 in the morning December 30, 1896 the trumpets gave signals
the leave of Rizal. He wear black suit and tie, black shoes and cap, and white vest. He positioned
between Lieutenant Luis Taviel de Andrade and Father March and Father Villaclara on the other
side. There are 4 (four) bayoneted soldiers and followed by the others and leading them.
Rizal's elbow was loosened wrapped and tied so he can still move freely. According to some
historians, there is a black rosary on the right hand of Rizal.
Rizal walked slowly to the accompaniment of the sound of the drum at 7:00 in the morning.
The morning was beautiful but the atmosphere seemed gloomy. Rizal told the priest near him that
the morning was beautiful and peaceful. He also mentioned that Corregidor and the mountains in
Cavite can be clearly seen. It is said that he and his girlfriend have gone for a walk there several
times on mornings as beautiful as that morning.
When they were getting close to Bagumbayan, Rizal surveyed the surroundings. He inquired
with the priest standing next to him if that was the Ateneo after spotting it. The hero stated that he
had attended the school for seven years when the priest confirmed that it was.
The group reached the Bagumbayan. A lot of people wants to witness the last minute of
Rizal. His steps are firms while entering the wide square field that is surrounded by soldiers. The
hero does not suffer from stubbornness. He bid farewell to Fathers and to his savior. A priest blessed
him and bring him near a crucifix and kissed it. Afterwards, Rizal walked silently to the spot he was
told.
The Spanish Captain refused Rizal's request to shoot him in the face since the captain was
supposed to shoot Rizal with his back turned. Rizal said that he was never a traitor. As the captain
asked, he likewise bowed down and turned away. Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castro, a Spanish army doctor,
examined him. Rizal's pulse is normal, indicating that he is not scared of dying.
The redoubling of drums was heard and the order to fire followed. This was followed by six
shots. Dr. Rizal turned around and said "Consumatum Est" which means "It has already happened"
105
and he fell on his right side with his face looking up at the sky. His head is towards the sea. Rizal,
the National Hero of the Philippines died to remain alive in the hearts and minds of the Filipino
people.
RIZAL’S BURIAL
According to Arizala (2014). The old Paco Cemetery is where Rizal was buried. Sra. Rizal's
mother, Teodora, wished to carry out her son's dying request that his remains be cared well by his
family. Despite repeated protests from various Spanish government representatives, Civil Governor
Manuel Luengo granted her request. However, by the time the funeral coach left, they had already
covertly removed Rizal's body. Rizal's sister Narcisa searched in vain across all of Manila's
cemeteries for the body.
She noticed some guardia civiles on the way back through the Paco Cemetery's open gate.
She got a hint from this. After searching for a while, she finally spotted a recently excavated grave
that was covered in mud in the cemetery. She provided some cash to the grave digger and put a
plaque bearing the initials of her brother, R.P.J., which stand for Rizal, Protacio Jose.
Narcisa Rizal requested permission from the new government to dig up her brother's remains
a few days after the Americans took control of Manila in August 1898. The permission was granted.
It was found that Rizal's body had not even been placed in a coffin when the body was excavated.
The shoes were located, but whatever was concealed within had already torn apart.
Rizal's remains were moved from the Paco Cemetery to the foundation of the monument that
had previously been built at the Luneta in 1911. (Rizal Park). He was still able to go to the transfer
rituals with his beloved mother. A few weeks later, Sra. Teodora Alonso Quintos died. She seemed
to have made an effort to survive her son and continue alive till his memory would be officially
defended.
CONCLUSION:
No matter how well a person lived his life, he will still meet his ultimate end: death. And
there are people like Dr. Jose Rizal who suffered an unjust demise as they executed him for the
crimes he didn't commit. But even as he awaited his execution, he remained composed and unfazed.
Rizal was no traitor and the only thing he was guilty of was loving his country more than his life.
Rizal's death didn't go to waste as it sparked the revolution to overthrow the tyranny. Even
though his fate was to die, his impact on history will always be fully present. Indeed, the Spaniards
killed Rizal only for him to be immortal in the heart of Filipinos.
106
1. When did Dr. Jose Rizal died?

a) December 30, 1896
b) December 30, 1886
c) December 30, 1986
d) December 30, 1889
2. He reads Rizal's death sentence.

a) Captain Santiago
b) Trinidad
c) Fr. Balaguer
d) Captain Rafael Dominguez
3. Where was Rizal imprisoned?

a) Bagumbayan
b) Fort Santiago
c) Intramuros
d) Cavite
4. What was the one Rizal gave Trinidad as a farewell gift?

a) Religious books
b) Rosary
c) Alcohol lamp
d) Money
5. What is the title of the poem inside the alcohol lamp?

a) Noli Me Tangere
b) Last Farewell
c) El Filibusterismo
d) Mi Ultimo Adios
6. What was the last words of Rizal before he died?

a) Consumatum Est
b) Babye
c) Hanggang sa muli
d) I shall return
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7. Who would Rizal wish to marry before the execution?
a) Josephine Bracken
b) Maria Mercedes
c) Jacinta Ybardolaza
d) Angel Locsin
8. Rizal confessed to __________ for the 3rd time.

a) Fr. Balaguer
b) Fr. Villaclara
c) Fr. Damaso
d) Fr. Paterno
9. When did Rizal wrote the letter "Mi Ultimo Adios"?

a) December 12, 1896
b) December 29, 1896
c) December 30, 1896
d) December 13, 1896
10. Who returned to visit Rizal on the afternoon of December 29, 1896?
a) Fr. Balaguer
b) Fr. Villaclara
c) Captain Dominguez
d) Doña Teodora
Reflection:
References:
Arizala R. A. (2014). Some Not Very Well Known Facts About Rizal's Trial And Execution.
Retrieved from http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/some-not-verywell-known-
facts-about-rizals-trial-and-execution
Celestino, G. (2022, June 16). Trial, Execution & Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal. [Video].
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhRenbGUUVE
Del Rio, R. (2012). Execution of Rizal. Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/RizdelRio/execution-of-rizal
GMA Public Affairs. (2016, December 1). iJuander: Pagbabalik tanaw sa buhay ni Dr. Jose Rizal
[Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVKim4SqPV8&t=3s
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Kasaysayan Ngayon. (2021, January 17). Bakit may kakaiba sa litratong ito? | Dr. Jose Rizal
Execution [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k36cPw1TcKk
Liedo, J.D. (2022, January 22). Execution of Dr. Jose Rizal [Video]. Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/liedojayard/videos/467843681541880
Our Philippines. (2020, June 29). Dr. Jose Rizal| Life and Death | Our Philippines [Video].
YouTube. https://youtu.be/sgD31O5bXL8
Palaroan, S. (2020, September 21). Ang Buhay ng Isang Bayani [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALb4ig-8agc&t=1985s
PTV. (2014, June 18). State funeral para kay Dr. Jose Rizal [Video]. Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=search&v=504144043018460&external_log_i
d=41dc902b-85c9-4d08-b5e0-adc4924abf5e&q=jose%20rizal%20burial
Rasolofonirina, A. S. (2009, September 6). Mi Ultimo Adios [Video]. Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/drestanras/videos/1214527769414
Riel (2021, February 13). Exile, Trial and Death - The Life and Works of Jose Rizal. [Video].
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnr6iyAs6I0
Rizal’s last hours. (n.d.). Filipinas Heritage Library. Retrieved August 15, 2022, from
https://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/articles/rizals-last-hours
Rodriguez, Z. (2016). The Execution of Rizal. Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/luzille/the-execution-of-rizal
Sauco, C. P., Pilapil M. T and Dela Vega M. B. (2012). Rizal Ang Pambansang Bayani ng
Pilipinas. Booktime Publication.
Vital, C. J. (2018, December 17). Rizal: The Execution of a Hero [Video]. YouTube.
https://youtu.be/a-iwgIHpLTg
For more information and detailed discussion visit this link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/mobile/folders/1-
ascVz6npxUbMXMepNpQQWR3xtmPW7kV?usp=sharing
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Republic of the Philippines

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Checked and Approved by:

THE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

PUP: The National Polytechnic University

• provide democratized access to educational opportunities for the holistic development of

As a state university, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines believes that:

Pillar 1: Dynamic, Transformational, and Responsible Leadership

SHARED VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

• Integrity and Accountability

• Quality and excellent graduates

The College of Accountancy aims to:

1. Provide the highest quality of accountancy education that meets international

BUHAY AT MGA SINULAT NI RIZAL

COURSE TITLE : BUHAY AT MGA SINULAT NI RIZAL

COURSE CODE : GEED 10013

COURSE CREDIT : 3 UNITS

After completing this course, you must be able to:

Class Standing 70%

Midterm / Final Examinations 30%

Midterm Grade + Final Term Grade = FINAL GRADE

Regular Class: (18 weeks, 3 hrs/week, 54 hrs)

Week MIDTERM EXAMINATION

To analyze the Reaction Paper

To learn what Reaction Paper

Lesson 3 Rizal’s Family, Childhood, and Early Education …………………... 30

Lesson 5 Rizal as a Historian …………………………………………………. 49

Lesson 6 Rizal as a Protagonist and Rizal as a Traveler ………………………. 58

Lesson 7 Rizal as a Lover …………………………………………………… 68

Lesson 8 Rizal in Dapitan ……………………………………………………… 74

Lesson 9 Rizal’s Trial ……………………………………………………….. 91

Lesson 10 Rizal’s Execution ………………………………………………….. 99

1. Introduction of the enacted legislative bill

INTRODUCTION OF THE ENACTED LEGISLATIVE BILL

CLAUSES TO SUPPORT THE NEED OF ENACTMENT

II. Catholic Church staunchly opposed the Rizal Law

6. The two famous novels of Dr. Jose Rizal are:

Quiray, E. L. (2016). How Rizal's life should be taught. Inquirer.Net

B. Opening of Suez Canal and ports of the world trade

C. Rise of the Export crop economy and Monopolies

Reasons why monopoly is created

II. Social Context

B. Rise of Chinese Mestizo

III. Political Aspect

Summary and Conclusion:

Manila Galleon. (2004, March 25). In Wikipedia.

CALAMBA AT THE TIME OF RIZAL’S BIRTH

As described by Palma (1949), Calamba is an enchanting town. It is situated between Laguna

RIZAL’S IMMEDIATE FAMILY

CHILDHOOD DAYS AND MEMORIES

THE STORY OF THE MOTH AND THE FLAME

EARLY DEMONSTRATION OF INBORN TALENTS

THE FIRST TASTE OF INJUSTICE

RIZAL’S EARLY EDUCATION

FIRST FORMAL EDUCATION

SCHOOL BRAWL EXPERIENCE

PAINTING LESSONS IN BINAN

BEST STUDENT IN SCHOOL

END OF BINAN SCHOOLING