SS 122 MIDTERM COVERAGE
novels of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
1 INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425
OR THE RIZAL LAW
• The Rizal Law or RA 1425
- Its mandate is to study Rizal’s life and works.
- Section 1 states that Congress passed the Rizal law
to increase nationalism among Filipinos significantly
during a diminishing Filipino identity.
- President Ramon Magsaysay signed RA 1425 on June
12, 1956.
- The law was effective thirty days after its
implementation.
Essential points that the author cited in the noteworthy
republic act:
1. It is essential for the re-dedication to the ideals of
nationalism and freedom for which our heroes
suffered to death for this country as provided in
the written document in the year 1956 during the
regime of late President Magsaysay, when the
country was still recovering from the Japanese
occupation and still very dependent on US
governance.
2. Every educational institution is subject to
regulation and supervision of the State, and all
schools are advised to develop moral character,
civic consciousness, personal discipline, and
learn the duties of citizenship.” It is imperative to
use our educational institutions to instill these
values in their children who are in their first years
of learning and growing. It is their primary duty to
serve and protect their fatherland. Likewise,
embedding an authentic moral character and a
profound, strong sense of personal discipline in
the youth would yield this country's genuine,
proficient, and selfless citizens.
3. The Board of National Education shall cause the
translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo. Other writings of Jose Rizal should
be translated into English, Tagalog, and the
principal Philippine dialects; they should be
printed in reasonable, popular editions and
distributed to persons free of charge. Providing a
specific way to carry out this act is very helpful.
Instead of the refined version of Rizal’s novels as
mandatory readings, Claro M. Recto explained his firm
support for the uncensored version, exclaiming: “The
people who would eliminate the books of Rizal from
the schools would absorb out from our minds the
memory of the national hero. It is not a fight against
Recto but a fight against Rizal” (Ocampo, 2012) The bill
eventually passed, but with an article allowing
exemptions for learners who think reading the Noli and
Fili would destroy their belief.
• Historical Context
- Senate Bill 438 or Rizal Bill was first authored and
sponsored by Senator Claro M. Recto
- The bill requires the inclusion in the curricula of
Rizal’s life, works, and writings in all public and private
schools, colleges, and universities and the significant
- Before the bill was approved and signed into law, the
bill was brought to the Senate and House of
Representatives for discussion, wherein it was
vehemently opposed by some legislators specially the
Roman Catholic Church due to the inclusion of
mandatory reading in Rizal’s novels in which, Catholic
dogmas were mortified.
- Senator Recto brought the bill to the Senate and
Senator Jose P. Laurel Sr., the Committee on
Education Chairman, sponsored the bill.
o Oppositions to the Bill
- Three Senators: Senator Mariano
Cuenco, Senator Francisco Rodrigo and
former Catholic Action President,
Senator Decoroso Rosales (brother of
Julio Rosales, an archbishop).
- Lower House: Congressmen Ramon
Durano, Marciano Lim, Manuel Soza,
Godofredo Ramos, Miguel Cuenco, Jose
Nuguid, Lucas Paredes, Tecia San
Andres Ziga, and Congressmen Carmen
Consing.
- The Church: Legion of Mary, Holy Name
Society of the Philippines, Catholic
Action of the Philippines, Daughters of
Isabela and Knights of Columbus.
- Oppositions assert that the bill would go against freedom of
religion and conscience, where a pastoral letter from the
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to which
accordingly, such bill violates 1939 Canon Law which prohibits
books that attack Catholic doctrine and practices.
- However, Recto and Laurel defended the bill. They argued that
the only objective of the law is to keep the memory of the
national hero alive in every Filipino’s mind, to emanate Rizal as
he peacefully fought for freedom, and not to go against religion.
Senator Quintin Paredes, Lorenzo Tanada, and Domocao Alonto
of Mindanao also defended Rizal Bill favored by House
Representatives, namely Congressmen Jacobo Gonzales,
Lancap Lagumbay, and Pedro Lopez.
- The debate between Cebu Representative Ramon Durano and
Pampanga Representative Emilo Cortes, which concluded in a
fistfight in Congress.
- Catholic Schools Representatives were forcing the
government to close their schools if the Rizal Bill passed.
Senator Recto told them that if they did, the State could
nationalize the Catholic schools in the country.
- Approved amendments were formulated through the proposal
of three legislators from the upper house. Senator Laurel
proposed an amendment to the original bill in which, aside from
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, other written works of
Rizal must include and be read out the unexpurgated revision of
the two novels would no longer be compulsory to elementary
and secondary levels but would strictly be included in college
level.
- Senator Lim recommends relief to those students who feel that
reading Rizal’s novels would negatively affect their faith.
- Senator Primicias proposed an additional amendment that
promulgates the rules and regulations for getting an exemption
only from reading two novels through a written statement or
affidavit and not from taking the Rizal Course.
- After the final amendments, the bill was finally passed on May
17, 1956, and was signed into law as Republic Act 1425 by
President Ramon Magsaysay on June 12 of the same year.
• Republic Act 1425 and Other Rizal Laws
- "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 Nowels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo,
Authorizing the Printing and Distribution Thereof, and
for Other Purposes."
- Section 1 of Republic Act 1425 allowed the students
to read Rizal's novels. The last two parts involve
making Rizal's writings accessible to the general
public-they require the schools to have a sufficient
number of copies in their libraries and mandate the
publication of the works in major Philippine languages.
- Senator Jose P. Laurel, who co-wrote the law,
explained that since Jose Rizal was the founder of the
country's nationalism and had significantly
contributed to the current condition of the nation, it is
only right that Filipinos, especially the youth, know
about and learn to imbibe the high ideals for which the
hero died.
o Rizal Law aims to realize the following
objectives:
1. To rededicate the lives of the youth to
the ideals of Independence and
nationalism, for which our heroes lived
and died.
2. To dignify our national hero for devoting
his life and works to shaping the Filipino
character.
3. To stimulate patriotism through the
study of Rizal's life, works, and writings.
o However, there were still students who did
not take the subject and applied for
exclusion from reading Rizal’s novels. To
enforce the Republic Act 1425, former
President Fidel V. Ramos in 1994, through
Memorandum Order No. 247, directed the
Secretary of Education, Culture, and Sports
and the Chairman of the Commission on
Higher Education to fully implement the RA
1425 as there had been reports that the law
had still not been carried out. 1995 CHED
Memorandum No. 3 was issued, enforcing
strict compliance with Memorandum Order
No. 247.
• Essentials of Studying Rizal
1. It provides insights into how to deal with current
problems.
2. It helps people understand us Filipinos better.
3. It teaches nationalism and patriotism.
4. It provides several valuable life lessons.
5. It helps in developing logical and critical thinking.
6. Rizal can serve as a valuable model and
inspiration to every Filipino.
7. People love fiction and are even willing to spend
on availing books or movie tickets just to be
entertained by made-up tales.
• Rizal as an American Sponsored Hero?
- Jose Rizal's becoming a national hero resulted from
American sponsorship. It was in 1901 when William
Howard Taft proposed Rizal as our National hero
because:
1. Rizal was already dead when the Americans
colonized the Philippines.
2. He did not make any negative or embarrassing
remarks of anti-American quotations.
3. Martyrdom of Dr Jose Rizal was a symbol of
Spanish oppression.
4. He urged reform from within by publicity, by
public education, and appeal to the public
conscience.
- To Guererro (1998), Rizal was the First Filipino. It
was Rizal who first called the Philippines his
fatherland. He taught his countrymen that they
could be something else, Filipinos who were
members of the Filipino nation. He was the first to
work towards unifying the Philippine archipelago
into a compact and homogenous body based on
shared interests and mutual protection.
2 THE PHILIPPINE CONDITION IN THE 19TH CENTURY AS
RIZAL’S CONTEXT
- Jose P. Rizal is an existing epitome that sets forth a human
pronouncement that all individuals without distinction of any
kind are born to be free and equal in dignity and rights. During
this period, such concepts as liberalism, industrialism,
democracy, social realization, and nationalism gained control
and sparked radical changes in science, technology,
economics, socio-cultural, and political conditions.
• Spain and the Philippines in Rizal’s Time
- By conquest, Spanish Rule was imposed in the
Philippines.
- Miguel Lopez de Legazpi established the first Spanish
settlement in 1565 in Cebu.
- Before the conquest, the Filipinos had their own
indigenous culture and their own government, the
barangay, headed by a native chieftain called "datu,"
was independent of each other, and each had its own
laws.
- The Spanish conquerors forced them (filipinos) to
adopt foreign ways and Spanish Catholicism that they
never understood. They lost their ancestral lands to
the "conquistadores" by the encomienda system.
Changes in the form of government and laws took
place.
- The Philippines became a colony of Spain and she
belonged to the king of Spain.
- From the beginning of Spanish rule up to 1821 the
Philippines was administered by the Mexican Viceroy,
in the name of the Spanish King.
 - After Mexico gained her independence from Spain in Indias. This law guided the administration of the
1821, the Philippines was directly ruled from Madrid. colonies of the Spanish empire.

• Political Condition During the 19th Century: Political - The Consejo de Indias appoints the Gobernador
System General in the Colonies. The Governor General is the
highest Spanish leader in the colonies.
- The King and the other officials issued royal decrees
governing the Philippines through the Ministry of - Indulto de Comercio, the right to engage into
Colonies (Ministro de Ultra Mar) based in Madrid. This trading. Power possessed by the Gobernadorcillo.
body helped the Spanish monarch manage the affairs
of the colonies and govern the Philippines through the - The Indios or the natives had no right to occupy the
centralized government in Manila, exercising higher position in the government. They are only
executive, legislative, and religious power. allowed to run for gobernadorcillo and Cabeza de
Barangay.
- The Governor General heads the central
administration. He was the King’s representative in - The power and responsibilities of the Governor
governmental matters and was the Vice-Royal Patron General in the country are checked by the Residencia
over religious matters. or the official who checks the abuse of power of the
royal officials who live in the country, and the Visitador
- He issued executive orders and or the official who will just visit the country to check
proclamations. the royal officials.
- He was the commander-in-chief of the
military.
- He also exercised legislative powers
• The Supremacy of the Friars Over the Colonial
with his "cumplase" by which he could
Government
decide which law or royal decree to
implement or disregard.
- The different religious orders made a great
- Enjoyed judicial powers as an ex-officio
contribution to the establishment of the Spanish
president of the Royal Audencia.
Colonial government in the country. For this reason,
- Nominate priests to ecclesiastical
the monastic supremacy or frailocracia exist in the
positions and to control the finances of
country during the Spanish Colonization. They could
the missions.
influence the Governor General.
- The Governor General was assisted by the
- The regular priests (Spanish priest) were able to
Lieutenant General (General Segundo Cabo) and
dominate the control in different parishes and had the
advisory bodies such as the Board of Authorities,
power to get the parishes from the secular (Filipino
Council of Administration and Secretariat of the
priest). The enemy of the church will be considered
Central Government.
as the enemy of the government, and this matter is
proven in the case of the Gomburza and Jose P. Rizal.
- Next to the Central government was the provincial
government or alcaldias, run by civil governors, and
• Abuses of the Spanish Government Officials
the city government, called "cabildo or
ayuntamiento," administered by a mayor and a vice
- The excessive powers and privileges of the governor-
mayor who were both chief executives and chief
general made him weak and undisciplined.
judicial magistrate.
- He oftentimes lacked the moral strength to resist
- The local government unit is composed of
corruption for material advancement.
barangays headed by the "gobernadorcillo" (later
called Capitan). This is the highest position in the
- His prerogatives often gave him the opportunity to
government to which a native Filipino could be
reward his favorites and relatives and to penalize those
appointed. He was elected at the beginning of every
who had displeased him.
year by the "principalia" made up of the incumbent
ex-cabeza de barangay, the smallest unit of
- Many officials exploited their offices to recover their
government.
expenses and to enrich themselves.
- The barangay or barrio was headed by the "Cabeza
- The provincial government, where the alcalde mayor
de barangay," whose main responsibility was to
was the administrator, judge, and military commander,
collect taxes and tributes from the families. For his
was the most corrupt branch of the government. He
services, he received two percent (2%) of the tax
controlled the provincial trade. He bought the people's
proceeds and four percent (4%) of the "sanctorum" or
rice and other products at low prices and sold them
the tax paid to the Church each year to cover the costs
back to the natives at high prices. Moreover, he
of three fiestas, namely, All Saints day, Holy Thursday
collected all the products to complete his needed
and Corpus Christi.
quota even in times of poor harvest or crop failure,
thus leaving the farmers with no seeds for the next
- The Spaniards rule the Philippines indirectly thru the
planting. More taxes were collected than required by
Viceroy of Mexico. The capital of the colonial
law and pocketed the excess collections.
administration of Spain was Mexico. They also have
the Consejo de Indias or the legislative body for the
• Instability of Colonial Administration
colonies, and in 1681, the Consejo was able to release
the Recopilacion de leyes de los Reynoso de las
 - The political instability in Spain adversely affected
Philippine affairs because it brought about frequent
periodic shifts in colonial policies and a periodic
rigodon of colonial officials.
- The frequent change of colonial officials hampered
the political and economic development of the
Philippines. Hardly had one governor-general begun
his administration when he was soon replaced by his
successor. Naturally, no chief executive, no matter
how able and energetic he was, could accomplish
much for the colony.
• Corrupt Spanish Officials
- The colonial officials (governor-general, judges,
provincial executives, etc.) sent by Spain to the
Philippines in the 19th century were a far cry from their
able and dedicated predecessors of the 16th, 17th,
and 18th centuries. They were highly corrupt,
incompetent, and cruel.
• Philippine Representation in the Spanish Cortes
- The first period of Philippine representation in the
Spanish Cortes (1810-1813) was fruitful with the
beneficent results for the welfare of the colony.
However, the second period of representation (1820-
23) and the third period (1834-37) were less fruitful in
parliamentary work.
• Human Rights Denied to Filipinos
- Since the adoption of the Spanish Constitution of
1812 and other constitutions, the people of Spain
enjoyed freedom of speech, freedom of the press,
freedom of association, and other human rights. The
Spanish authorities who cherished these human rights
or constitutional liberties in Spain denied them to the
Filipinos in Asia.
• No Equality Before the Law
- The Spanish colonial authorities, who were
Christians, did not implement Christ's precepts of the
brotherhood of all men, especially during the last
decades of Hispanic rule. They arrogantly regarded the
brownskinned Filipinos as inferior beings, not their
Christian brothers to be protected but rather as their
subjects to be exploited. The Filipinos were abused,
brutalized, persecuted, and slandered by their
Spanish masters. They could not appeal Ito the law for
justice because the law, being dispensed by the
Spaniards, was only for the white Spaniards.
• Maladministration of Justice
- The courts of justice in the Philippines during Rizal's
time were notoriously corrupt. They were courts of
"injustice", as far as the brown Filipinos were
concerned. The Spanish judges, fiscals (prosecuting
attorneys), and other court officials were inept, venial,
and oftentimes ignorant of the law.
- Justice was costly, partial, and slow. Poor Filipinos
had no access to the courts because they could not
afford the heavy expenses of litigation. To the Filipino
masses, litigation in court was a calamity.
- Dr. Rizal and his family were victims of Spanish
injustice. Twice, first in 1871 and second in 1891, Doña
Teodora (Rizal's mother) was unjustly arrested and
jailed on flimsy grounds. Rizal himself was deported in
July 1892 to Dapitan without benefit of a trial. His
brother Paciano and his brothers-in-law were exiled to
various parts of the archipelago without due process
of law. Like Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and
Jacinto Zamora, Rizal was executed -- a noble victim of
Spanish miscarriage of justice.
• Socio-Cultural Condition During the 19th Century:
The Social Stratification/Social Structure
- The Spaniards imposed new social stratification
which discriminated against the natives in their own
land.
First Class: Peninsulares – born in Spain and live
in the Philippines.
Second Class: Insulares - born in Philippines.
Third Class: Creoles - mix blood or the
combination of Spanish and Filipino.
Last Class: Indios – the natives.
- The privileges in laws and in society are enjoyedby the highest
class. The Peninsulares and Insulares established their
community in Intramuros and enclosed it in a wall to segregate
their populations from the other class. The Intramuros became
the site of power, center of education and spirituality.
- The creoles as the mix blood are the first one who thought of
fighting the Spaniards however, they only seek for reform and
not for independence.
- The Indios are the unfortunate class and discriminated against
in society and subjected to numerous taxation.
• Transformation of the Society and Culture
- The Hispanization of the Filipinos is very evident in
the different aspects of the society and Catholicism
has an important role in the transformation of the
culture of the Filipinos. The literature became
Theocentric, from epics, it turns to be awit, corrido,
moromoro, komedya and pasyon. All of the form of
literature discussed the importance and triumph of
Catholicism.
- The alibata was replaced by the Abecedario of the
Spaniards. The first book printed in the country was
the Doctrina Christiana en lengua Española y Tagala
also centered in the spread of Catholicism in the
country.
 - In terms of dwellings the simple bahay Kubo became
stone house with different divisions and parts. The
Sala for the receiving of visitors, azotea, banguerahan
for washroom, komedor or the room for dining and the
separate rooms for the members of the family.
• Racial Discrimination
- Spaniard or a mestizo, no matter how stupid or
Mongol born, he always enjoyed political and social
prestige in the community.
- Racial prejudice was prevalent everywhere in
government offices, in the courts of justice, in the
armed forces, in social circles, and even in the
educational institutions and in the ecclesiastical
hierarchy.
- Father Jose Burgos (1837-1872) complained of the
lack of opportunities for educated young Filipinos to
rise in the service of God and country. He lamented
"shall a young man strive to rise in the profession of law
or of theology, when he can vision no future to himself.
• Frailocracy/Secularization of Filipino Priests
- The Spanish political philosophy of union of Church
and State arose a unique form of government in
Hispanic Philippines called "frailocracy" (frailocracia),
because it was a government by friars. The friars
(Augustinians, Dominicans, and Franciscans)
controlled the religious and educational life of the
Philippines, and later in the 19th century, they came to
acquire tremendous political power, influences and
riches.
- The friars practically ruled the Philippines through a
façade of civil government. The colonial authorities,
from the governor general down to the alcaldes
mayores, were under the control of the friars.
- Could send a patriotic Filipino to jail or denounce him
as a filibustero (traitor) to be exiled to a distant place
or to be executed as an enemy of God. Jose P. Rizal,
Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, and other
Filipino reformists denounced the friars as the
enemies of liberal reforms and modern progress in the
Philippines.
• Educational System During the Spanish Regime
- Religion is still the center of the educational system
imposed by the Spaniards. The primary education is
usually catered by the friars so that the young Filipinos
will learn the Christian doctrine, alphabet, language,
customs, and policies.
- For males in secondary education is the Colegio
Maximo de San Ignacio founded in 1589, the College
of San Idelfonso in 1599, Ateneo de Municipal in 1817.
The curriculum for male includes Spanish History,
Latin, Philosophy, Canon, Civil law and Rhetoric.
- For females is the Colegios of Santa Potenciana in
1591, Sta Isabel in 1632, Santa Catalina de Sena in
1696, Sta. Rita College in 1719 and in 1868 is the
establishment of Colegio de la Inmaculada
Concepcion Concordia. The curriculum for females
includes rules of courtesy, vocal music, language and
sewing.
- The educational system is also used to pacify the
Filipinos and train them in Catholicism and to follow
laws imposed by the Spaniards.
- The parochial schools were established with Spanish
missionaries as the teachers. The friars occupied the
dominant positions. They decided what to be taught to
the children.
- The students were taught in the native dialects
although there was a law requiring the children to be
taught in Spanish. The Spaniards believed that
learning Spanish would make the Filipino people to
oppose Spanish rule. Religion was the most important
subject. The natives were reminded that they had
inferior intelligence and they were fit only for manual
labor.
- The University of Santo Tomas (UST) was the only
institution of university level in Manila. It was
established in 1611 solely for the Spaniards and
mestizos.
- Although the Spanish colonial administration issued
the Educational Decree of 20 December 1863
(Educational Decree of 1863) stating, "that each major
town in the Philippines should establish at least one
primary school for boys and another for girls, that the
medium of instruction is Spanish", the friars did not
implement this decree because they believed that if
the Filipinos will be educated, it might be inspired by
new ideas of freedom and independence as well as
justice.
• Economic Condition During the 19th Century: The
Enconmienda System
- The challenge that Legazpi faced was how he could
control the different parts of the country with his
limited armies. To solve the issue of governance, he
converted the land of the indios into the enconmienda.
- Another colonial system intimately connected with
the tribute is the encomienda system. The word
encomienda comes from the Spanish encomendar
which means "to entrust". The encomienda is a grant
of inhabitants living in a particular conquered territory,
which Spain gave to the Spanish colonizers as a
reward for his services.
- There are three types of enconmienda, Royal – the
taxes will go to the King of Spain, Ecclesiastical – the
taxes will go to the Church and Privado – the
enconmienda given to the friend of the king who had
contribution for the colonization.
- The enconmiendero had the right to collect taxes,
monitor the peace and order and govern the parcel of
land given to him. However, he is not allowed to live
inside his enconmienda to avoid direct
communication with the natives living in the
enconmienda.
• Haciendas Owned by the Friars and Spanish
Officials
- The Spanish friars belonging to different religious
orders were the richest landlords, for they owned the
best haciendas (agricultural lands) in the Philippines.
The rural folks, who had been living in these haciendas
 and cultivating them generation after generation
became tenants.
• The Abuses of Guardia Civil, Church Officials and
Political Leaders
- The last hated symbol of Spanish tyranny was the
Guardia Civil (Constabulary) which was created by the
Royal Decree of February 12, 1852, as amended by
another Royal Decree on March 24, 1888, for the
purpose of maintaining internal peace and order in the
Philippines.
- Became infamous for their rampant abuses, such as
maltreating innocent people, looting their carabaos,
chickens and valuable belongings and raping helpless
women. Rizal exposed the Guardia Civil as a bunch of
ruthless ruffians good only "for disturbing peace and
persecuting honest men.”
• The Different Socio-Economic Policies Imposed by
Spaniards
1. Reduccion - The natives were forced to live in the
place near the center, and they could hear the
sound of the bell. This policy was implemented so
that the government and parish priest could easily
monitor them and for the easy conversion to
Catholicism.
2. Bandala - The natives are obliged to sell their
products to the Spaniards even in the lowest price
and sometimes the Spaniards will just issue some
promissory notes.
3.1 RIZAL’S ANCESTRY, EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
3. Forced Labor or Polo y Servicios - The Polo or
forced labor is another Spanish that had created
discontent among the indios during the Spanish
times. All able-body males, from 16-60 years of
old, except chieftains and their elder sons, were
required to render labor for these various projects
in the colony.
The Effects of Polo y Servicios :
a. The decrease in the production in agriculture
because the time for polo y servicios coincides with
the planting and harvesting period.
b. The decrease in population because there were a lot
of polistas who died because of the manual work in
Polo.
c. The rebellion of the natives.
4. Taxation
The natives are paying different types of taxes
such as follows:
a. Cedula – male and female 18 years old and
above will pay 8 reales every year for the cedula.
b. Sanctorum – tax for the church amounting to 3
reales.
c. Donativo de Zamboanga – one-half real to
finance the war in Mindanao against the Muslims.
d. Tribute may be paid in cash or in kind.
5. The Tribute (Buwis) or Tributo - The Filipino paid
tribute to the colonial government in the island.
On July 26, 1523, King Charles. V decreed that
Indians who had been pacified should contribute
a "moderate amount" in recognition of their
vassalage. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was first to
order the payment of tribute, both in the Visayas
and Luzon.
6. Galleon Trade - The trading system existed from
1565 until 1815, and the trading routes from
Canton in China, Acapulco in Mexico, and Manila.
This trading policy changed the system of free
trading in the Philippines, where other
nationalities, like the Chinese, were free to
exchange their goods with the Filipinos who had
extra goods. In the policy of the Galleon trade, a
merchant could only participate in the trading if
he can afford to pay for the boletas or the ticket
for the Galleon trade.
The other effects of the Galleon Trade are the
following:
a. The decrease in the productivity of the native
industry because the Alcalde Mayors, who were
part of the trading, imposed the planting of
coconut and abaca fibers. The farmers who could
not meet the imposed quota will need to pay a
heavy fine.
b. The loss of profit of the local industry
c. The intercultural exchanges between the
Philippines and Mexico. The products of Mexico
like cocoa, sayote, tames, etc entered the country
while the mango of the Philippines, rice and
textiles were able to reach Mexico.
• Birth of the First Filipino
- José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda,
born on June 19, 1861 in the Mercado household,
Calamba, Laguna.
- Jose Rizal is branded as the apostle of Philippine
Freedom and the “First Filipino” by the late Hon.
Leon Ma. Guerrero.
- Guerrero (2003) argued that Rizal was the first
among the Indios to refer to himself as "Filipino" as
found in his works and writings. History has it that the
people referred to as Filipinos at the time were, in fact,
the insulares or those Spaniards who were born in the
Philippine archipelago.
- José was christened in the town's church by Father
Rufino Collantes.
- Witnesses included family, close relatives, and
friends of the Mercados.
- His mother, Doña Teodora Alonso y Realonda, chose
the name "José" because she was devoted to San Jose,
the patron saint of workers.
- His father, Don Francisco Mercado y Alejandro, gave
the second name "Protacio" as a variation of
"protesto".
- Despite this naming choice, Rizal was raised as a
devout Catholic.
- Rizal's devotion included regular pilgrimages to
Antipolo in the nearby province of Morong.

• Of Noble Ancestry
- The family name "Mercado" originated from Jose's
great-grandfather, Domingo Lam-co, a Chinese
migrant in 1731.
- In 1850, Spanish Governor General Narciso Claveria
decreed "Mercado" as the official family name for
various families in Spanish-occupied areas.
- Jose's father, Don Francisco, opted to change the
family name to "Rizal" from "Mercado" due to the
latter's association with market, which he found
unsuitable for a tenant farmer.
- Despite the change, Rizal himself stated that his
family preferred the old name, "Mercado".
- Jose Rizal inherited his free spirit from his father and
his genius mainly from his mother, Doña Teodora (Aling
Lolay).
- Doña Teodora came from a family with distinguished
ancestors and relatives who were leaders and
thinkers, including engineers, attorneys, and military
captains.
• The Illustrado Family
- José's parents, Don Francisco and Doña Teodora,
were educated in well-established schools in Manila.
- Don Francisco studied at Colegio de San Jose and
Doña Teodora at Colegio de Santa Rosa.
- José described Mang Kikoy and Aling Lolay, his
parents, emphasizing their positive attributes and
roles.
- The Mercados and the Alonsos belonged to the
principalia, being affluent and influential in Calamba.
- José had several siblings, including Saturnina,
Paciano, Narcisa, Olympia, Lucia, Maria, Josefa,
Trinidad, and Soledad.
- José had another sibling named Concepcion, who
died at the age of three.
- José was affectionately called "Ute" by his family and
"Pepe" by friends.
- The Mercado family was deeply religious, with a
strong Catholic upbringing.
- José learned to read Spanish at the age of five,
primarily from the family bible.
- José's family supported his vision for social reforms,
and each member played a crucial role in shaping his
beliefs and actions.
- José Rizal was surrounded and influenced by heroic
figures within his family.
• Rizal’s Early Informal Education
- Rizal's first teacher was his mother, who taught him
at the age of three.
- His mother discovered his talent for poetry and
encouraged him to write.
- Private tutors were employed as he grew older:
Maestro Celestino, Maestro Lucas Padua, and Leon
Monroy.
- After Monroy's death, Rizal's parents decided to send
him to a private school in Biñan.
- The Mercado family were landowners who valued
education highly.
- Rizal was eventually sent to Ateneo Municipal de
Manila, administered by the Jesuit Order, a prestigious
institution catering to the elite and intelligent students.
• First Day in Biñan (1869-1871)
- Paciano brought Jose Rizal to Maestro Justiniano
Aquino Cruz in Biñan on Monday.
- The school was close to the teacher's ancestral
home, around 30 meters from Jose's aunt's house.
- Paciano knew the teacher was competent because
he had been a student under him before.
- After introducing Jose to the teacher, Paciano left to
return to Calamba.
- Jose described his teacher as tall, thin, long-necked,
with a sharp nose and a slightly bent forward body.
- The teacher wore a sinamay shirt woven by the skilled
women of Batangas.
- Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz was familiar with
grammars by Nebrija and Gainza.
• First School Brawl
- Setting: Afternoon at school, teacher having siesta
- Characters: Jose, the protagonist; Pedro, the bully;
Tio Manuel, Jose's athletic uncle
- Conflict: Jose challenges Pedro to a fight due to being
mocked earlier, Pedro agrees
- Action: Fight between Jose and Pedro in classroom,
Jose wins due to skills learned from Tio Manuel
- Result: Jose gains popularity among classmates
- Additional challenge: After school, Jose loses an arm
wrestling match to Andes Saladanan, nearly injuring
himself
- Jose's disposition: Quarrelsome but brave, not
backing down from fights with boys from Binan
• Painting Lesson in Biñan
- Juancho was the father-in-law of the school teacher
Jose.
- Jose, fascinated by painting, spent a lot of time in
Juancho's studio.
- Juancho generously taught Jose drawing and
painting.
- Jose's artistic talent impressed Juancho.
• Best Student in School
- In academic studies, Jose beat all Biñan boys. He
transcends them all in Spanish, Latin, and other
subjects.
• End of Schooling in Biñan
- Jose received a letter from his sister Saturnina before
Christmas in 1870.
- The letter informed him about the arrival of the
streamer Talim, which would take him from Biñan to
Calamba.
- After reading the letter, Jose had an intuition that he
wouldn't return to Biñan, making him feel sad.
- He prayed in the town church and collected pebbles
in the river as souvenirs.
- He regretfully bid farewell to his teacher and
classmates.
- Jose left Biñan on Saturday afternoon, December 17,
1870, after one and a half years of schooling there.
- He was excited to take passage on the streamer
Talim, as it was his first time riding on one.
- On board, there was a Frenchman named Arturo
Camps, a friend of his father, who took care of him.
• Life and Studies at Ateneo (1872-1877)
- Jose Rizal went to Manila with Paciano in June 1872
to take examinations at the college of San Juan de
Letran.
- His father decided to send him to Ateneo instead of
Letran.
- Rizal faced initial refusal for admission to Ateneo due
to lateness and health concerns, but was eventually
admitted.
- Ateneo was located in Intramuros during Rizal's
college days.
- Rizal boarded at a house owned by Titay to collect a
debt owed to his family.
- In his first year at Ateneo, Rizal prayed for guidance,
excelled academically, and took private Spanish
lessons.
- During his second year, he regained focus on studies
and regained leadership in class.
- In his third year, despite family happiness, his
academic performance slightly declined, failing to win
a Spanish medal.
- In his fourth year, Rizal became an interno at Ateneo
and admired Fr. Sanchez, one of his professors.
- His last year at Ateneo saw Rizal excelling in all
subjects, becoming the pride of the Jesuits.
• Graduated with Highest Honors
- Jose Rizal's older brother, Paciano Rizal Mercado,
advised him to drop the surname "Mercado" to avoid
association with his agitational reputation.
- Jose enrolled at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila,
where he studied Land Surveying and Assessment,
graduating with honors in 1877.
- He passed the licensure exam for land surveying and
assessment in 1878 but received the license in 1881
when he turned 21.
- In 1878, after completing his degree, he pursued a
degree in Philosophy at the University of Santo Tomas.
- Due to his mother's impending blindness, he
switched to studying Medicine at the University of
Santo Tomas, specializing in ophthalmology.
• Education at the UST
- In 1877, Rizal enrolled at the University of Santo
Tomas for Philosophy and Letters and also took a land-
surveyor and assessor's degree at the Ateneo.
- He finished his surveyor's training in 1877 and passed
the licensing exam in May 1878, but the license was
granted in 1881 when he reached majority age.
- He boarded at Concha Leyva's house in Intramuros,
later moving to Casa Tomasina where he met Leonor,
who became his sweetheart.
- Following Fr. Pablo Ramon's advice, he switched to
Medicine at Ateneo to help cure his mother's eyesight.
- Rizal faced Spanish brutality in Calamba during a
summer vacation, where a civil guard whipped him
with a stingray tail.
- His UST experience was unsatisfactory due to hostile
professors, teaching methods, and racial
discrimination.
- Rizal completed 19 subjects at UST with varying
grades, excelling in Philosophy.
- After four years in medical school, Rizal left for
Europe, unhappy with the discrimination and
discontentment at UST.
- His family thought he went to Europe to continue
medical studies, but his real purpose was to establish
himself in journalism and study European life, as
revealed in a letter from his brother Paciano.
3.2 RIZAL’S LIFE ABROAD
• Education in Europe
- May 3, 1882: Rizal leaves for Spain and enrolls at the
Universidad Central de Madrid.
- November 3, 1882: Rizal enrolls in Medicine and
Philosophy and Letters at the university.
- November 1884: Rizal participates in student
demonstrations at the university.
- June 1884: Rizal receives Licentiate in Medicine
degree, though with a "fair" rating.
- Next school year (1884-1885): Rizal completes
additional subjects for Doctor of Medicine degree.

- 24th birthday: Rizal awarded Licentiate in Philosophy
and Letters with an excellent grade.
- November 1885 to February 1886: Rizal attends
medical lectures in Paris and works as an assistant to
Dr. Louis de Weckert.
- February 3, 1886: Rizal arrives in Heidelberg,
Germany, attends lectures, and completes eye
specialization.
- August 1886: Rizal attends lectures at the University
of Leipzig.
- November 1886: Rizal reaches Berlin, works as an
assistant in Dr. Schweigger's clinic, and attends
lectures at the University of Berlin.
- April 1887: Rizal delivers a speech in German before
the "Ethnographic Society" of Berlin on Tagalog
language.
- In Germany, Rizal befriends various renowned
academicians and scholars.
- These individuals, including Prof. Friedrich Ratzel, Dr.
Hanz Meyer, Dr. Feodor Jagor, Dr. Rudolf Virchow, and
Dr. Hans Virchow, express pride in knowing Rizal,
especially after his martyrdom.
• Life in Europe
- Rizal stopped attending classes at UST in 1882 due to
sickness and dissatisfaction with discriminatory
Dominican professors.
- He left for Spain on May 3 of the same year to
continue his studies and expand his political
understanding through exposure to European
governments.
- Despite being known as a "secret departure," at least
ten people, including his three siblings and an uncle,
were involved in arranging his departure.
- Additionally, unnamed Jesuit priests and close
friends collaborated in the plan.
- Rizal's departure for Spain was motivated by
educational and political reasons.
• In Europe
- Rizal's journey to Madrid:
_Stopovers: Singapore, Punta de Gales, Colombo,
Aden, Naples
_Enrolled at Universidad Central de Madrid on
November 3, 1882
- Friendship with Consuelo Ortiga y Rey:
_Met on September 16, 1882
_Consuelo mentioned their conversation in her diary
- Financial struggles:
_Became penniless in 1884 due to family economic
regression
_Won a gold medal in a contest despite not eating
breakfast
- Activities in Paris and Heidelberg:
_Worked as an assistant to Dr. Louis de Weckert
_Completed eye specialization in Heidelberg
_Stayed in Wilhemsfeld at Dr. Karl Ullmer's pastoral
house
- Correspondence with Ferdinand Blumentritt:
_Began during his stay in Wilhemsfeld
_Sent a letter in German and a bilingual book to
Blumentritt
- Meetings in Leipzig and Dresden:
_Attended lectures at Leipzig University
_Met Dr. Adolph B. Meyer in Dresden, discussed
Filipino artifacts
- Further studies in Berlin:
_Enhanced skills in ophthalmology
_Learned languages and joined scientific
communities
- Completion of "Noli Me Tangere":
_Finished on February 21, 1887
_Published a month later
• Grand Europe Tour
- Jose Rizal traveled in Europe with Maximo Viola's
financial help for printing the Noli.
- They visited Potsdam, Dresden, Leitmeritz, Prague,
Vienna, Brunn, Lintz, Salzburg, Munich, Nuremberg,
Ulm, Stuttgart, Baden, Rheinfall, Schaffhausen, Basel,
Bern, Lausanne, and Geneva.
- Rizal learned about the exhibition of Igorots in Madrid
during his stay in Geneva.
- Rizal treated Viola on his 26th birthday on June 19,
1887.
- Rizal continued his journey alone, visiting Turin,
Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome.
- In Rome, he visited historical sites like the
Amphitheatre and the Roman Forum and saw St.
Peter's Church in the Vatican City on June 29, 1887.
- Overall, Rizal's European tour was extensive and
eventful.
• First Homecoming
- Jose insisted on returning to his native land despite
warnings from friends and loved ones.
- He boarded the steamer "Djemnah" in Marseilles on
July 3, 1887, sailed through the Suez Canal, and
reached Saigon on July 30.
- From Saigon, he took the steamer "Haiphong" and
arrived in Manila on August 5.
- He went back to Calamba on August 8 and restored
his mother's eyesight, gaining the nickname "German
doctor" and earning money.
- Due to allegations that his book "Noli" contained
subversive ideas, Rizal was summoned by Governor-
General Emilio Terrero, who assigned him a
bodyguard.
 - In December 1887, the people of Calamba asked for
Rizal's help in investigating Dominican hacienda
management, which led to reports of mismanagement
and abuse by the friars.
- The friars pressured the governor-general to advise
Rizal to leave the country.
- Despite the upheaval, Rizal's second travel abroad
provided him with new adventures.
• Second Travel Abroad
- What Jose Rizal failed to accomplish in his six-month
stay in the country during his first homecoming was to
visit his girlfriend Leonor Rivera in Pangasinan. His
father strongly opposed the idea, sensing that the visit
would put Leonor's family in jeopardy.
• In Hong Kong and Japan
- February 3, 1888: Rizal sailed to Hong Kong on the
ship Zafiro
- Stayed onboard during short stop at Amoy
- Stayed at Victoria Hotel in Hong Kong
- Visited Macao for two days with friend Jose Maria
Basa
- Experienced Chinese New Year with noisy
firecrackers
- Attended marathon lauriat party with numerous
dishes
- Reached Yokohama, Japan on February 28
- Proceeded to Tokyo the next day
- Lived in Spanish legation in Tokyo, invited by Juan
Perez Caballero
- Heard Tokyo band playing European music,
discovered some members were Filipinos
- Was entertained by a Japanese girl named Seiko
Usul, whom he called 'O-Sei-San'
• Sail to the West
- Rizal prioritized his mission over his love for O-Sei-
San, boarding the "Belgic" on April 13, 1888.
- During the voyage, he befriended Tetcho Suehiro, a
Japanese novelist and human rights fighter.
- The ship arrived in San Francisco on April 28, but
passengers were quarantined for a week due to alleged
cholera outbreak in the Far East.
- Politicians were actually questioning the arrival of
Chinese coolies on the ship, fearing displacement of
white laborers in railroad projects.
- On May 6, Rizal went to Oakland, then traveled by
train through Sacramento, Reno, Utah, Colorado,
Nebraska, and Illinois, reaching New York on May 13.
- He visited Bedloe Island and saw the Statue of Liberty
symbolizing freedom and democracy.
- Rizal observed racial inequality in the US and
concluded that real freedom was only for whites.
• In Great Britain, Paris, and Spain
- - Rizal sailed to Liverpool on May 16, 1888, aboard the
ship 'City of Rome'.
- He arrived in Liverpool on May 24 and then moved to
London.
- Rizal stayed briefly at Dr. Antonia Ma. Regidor's house
before moving to the Beckett residence.
- In London, he befriended Dr. Reinhold Rost, who had
a Filipiniana library and described Rizal as "una perla
de hombre".
- Rizal manually copied and annotated Morga's
Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas in the British Museum.
- He became the honorary president of the patriotic
society Asociacion La Solidaridad and wrote articles
for it.
- During his 10-month stay in London, he visited Paris,
Madrid, and Barcelona.
- In Spain, he met Marcelo H. del Pilar and other
members of the Propaganda Movement.
- The Propaganda Movement aimed to address the
needs of the Philippines, advocating for various
reforms including representation in the Spanish
parliament, secularization of parishes, equality
between Spanish and Filipino, establishment of
government-funded schools, abolition of forced labor
and forced sale of local products, and recognition of
human rights and freedoms.
- The Propaganda Movement is branded as
assimilationist, advocating for the Philippines to be
treated as one of Spain's provinces, aiming for racial or
cultural integration with the dominant culture.
• In France
- Rizal left London for Paris in March 1889.
- Initially stayed at a friend's house, Valentin Ventura's.
- Later moved to a small room shared with two
Filipinos, one being Jose Albert.
- Frequented the Bibliotheque Nationale to work on
annotating the Sucesos.
- Spent spare time at friends' houses, including Juan
Luna and Paz Pardo de Tavera.
- Witnessed the Universal Exposition of Paris, notably
the Eiffel Tower.
- Established the Kidlat Club, a social club for Filipinos
during the exposition.
- Organized the Indios Bravos association to showcase
Filipino skills.
- Formed the Redencion de los Malayos for
propagating useful knowledge.
- Completed and published his annotation of the
Sucesos while in Paris.
• In Belgium
- Rizal celebrated the Yuletide season in Paris in 1889
and then visited London briefly.
- He left Paris for Brussels on January 28, 1890, with
Jose Albert.
- In Brussels, they stayed in a boarding house run by
the Jacoby sisters.
- Rizal had a brief affair with Suzanne (also known as
Petite), the niece of the landladies.
- In Belgium, Rizal focused on writing the "Fili" and
contributed to La Solidaridad under pen names Dimas
Alang and Laong Laan.
- He learned about worsening agrarian trouble in
Calamba, prompting him to consider returning home.
- However, he received a letter from Paciano stating
they lost the court case against the Dominicans and
planned to take it to Madrid.
 - Consequently, Rizal decided to go to Madrid to find a
lawyer and influential people to defend the Calamba
tenants.
• In Biarritz, Paris, and Brussels
- - Rizal took a vacation in Biarritz, France in February
1891.
- He stayed with the Bousted family, particularly close
to Nellie Boustead.
- He continued working on his novel "El Fili" and
completed the manuscript on March 29.
- He then moved to Paris, hosted by Valentin Ventura.
- In April 1891, he arrived in Brussels, welcomed by the
Jacobles.
- In Brussels, he revised and prepared for printing his
second novel until the end of May.
- By June 1891, he was searching for a printing firm to
print "El Filibusterismo."
• In Ghent
- Rizal went to Ghent in July 1891 due to cheaper
printing costs.
- He lived in a low-cost boarding house with a
roommate named Jose Alejandro.
- They rented a room without breakfast and calculated
their daily ration from a box of biscuits.
- Alejandro consumed all his shares, while Rizal
strictly adhered to his daily allocation.
- The publisher F. Meyer Van Loo Press agreed to print
"El Filibusterismo" on an installment basis.
- Despite Rizal's frugal lifestyle and pawning his jewels,
funds ran out, and printing was suspended on August
6.
- With the help of Valentin Venturas, "El Filibusterismo"
was finally printed on September 18, 1891.
- Two weeks after this, Rizal visited Paris for the last
time to bid farewell to friends and compatriots.
• In Hong Kong and Sandakan
- October 1891: Rizal departs Europe for Hong Kong on
the ship Melbourne.
- November 20, 1891: Rizal arrives in Hong Kong,
resides at No. 5 D' Aguilar Street, No. 2 Rednaxela
Terrace.
- Family members Don Francisco, Paciano, and
Silvestre Ubaldo also escape friars persecution and
join Rizal in Hong Kong.
- Later, Doña Teodora and children Lucia Josefa and
Trinidad also arrive, leading to a family reunion in
1891's Yuletide season.
- José opens a medical clinic in Hong Kong, with help
from Dr. Lorenzo i Marques, attracting patrons of
various nationalities.
- José successfully operates on his mother's left eye,
enabling her to read again.
- March 1892: Rizal travels to Sandakan aboard
"Menon" to negotiate with British authorities about
founding a Filipino colony in North Borneo (Sabah).
- March 21, 1892: Rizal writes to Governor-General
Eulogio Despujol requesting permission for landless
Filipinos, especially deported Calamba tenants, to
settle in North Borneo.
- Rizal returns to Hong Kong in April 1892.
• Second Homecoming
- Wanting to confer with Despujol concerning his North
Borneo colonization project. Rizal left Hong Kong on
June 21, 1892 along with his sister Lucia. Without his
knowledge the Spanish consul in Hong Kong sent a
cablegram to Despujol stating figuratively that "the rat
is in the trap" ("The Tale of Jose Rizal. 2013, para 13) A
secret case against Rizal was thus filed in Manila for an
anti-religious and anti-patriotic public campaign. Rizal
and his sister arrived in Manila at noon on June 26,
1892. At 7 p.m., he was able to confer in Malacañan
with Despujol who agreed to pardon his father and told
him to return on June 29. He then visited his sisters and
friends in Manila. On June 27, he took a train and
visited his friends in Central Luzon. He had a stopover
at the Bautista mansion in Malolos, Bulacan and spent
the night in the house of Evaristo Puno in Tarlac, Tarlac,
about 30 kilometers away from the residence of
Leonor Rivera-Kipping in Camiling. He also went to San
Fernando and Bacolor, Pampanga and returned to
Manila on June 28, at 5 pm. On June 29, 30, and July 3,
he had other interviews with Despujol. Rizal's
colonization project was rejected, but his request to
lift the exile of his sisters was granted.
• In Madrid
- Rizal traveled to Madrid in August 1890 with his
lawyer, Marcelo H. del Pilar.
- He advised Filipino student Edilberto Evangelista to
study engineering in Belgium, which proved
successful as Evangelista excelled in his studies.
- Rizal faced adversities in Madrid, including
challenges to his family's land rights, duels with
acquaintances, and news of his former love's
marriage.
- There was a rivalry between Rizal and Del Pilar for
leadership in the "Asociacion Hispano Filipino" in
Madrid.
- Rizal established the civic association La Liga Filipina
in Manila on July 3, 1892, but was arrested shortly
after.
- He was imprisoned for almost ten days before being
deported to Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte, where
he began his life as a political exile under the
supervision of Spanish commandant Ricardo
Carnicero.
3.3 RIZAL’S EXILE, TRIAL AND EXECUTION
• Bitter-Sweet Life in Dapitan
- Jose Rizal was given the option to stay in the Dapitan
parish convent if he retracted his anti-Catholic
statements and confessed his past life.
- Instead, he chose to live at the commandant's
residence called "Casa Real."
- Rizal and the commandant, Captain Ricardo
Carnicero, developed a strong friendship.
- Rizal wrote a poem called "A Don Ricardo Carnicero"
honoring the commandant.
- In September 1892, Rizal and Carnicero won a lottery,
sharing the second prize of Php 20,000 with another
Spanish resident.
- Rizal used part of his winnings to buy land near
Talisay, where he built houses and established a
school.
- The school taught practical subjects such as reading,
writing, arithmetic, geography, and languages.
• Daily Life as an Exile
- During his exile, Rizal was engaged in various
activities including medicine, teaching, and farming.
 - He cultivated a variety of fruit trees such as coconut,
mango, lanzones, makopa, santol, mangosteen,
jackfruit, guayabanos, balang, and nanka.
- Rizal also domesticated animals including rabbits,
dogs, cats, and chickens.
- The school he established in 1893 began with three
pupils and grew to over 20 by the end of his exile.
- Rizal's daily routine involved tending to his plants and
animals in the morning, treating patients, and paddling
to Dapitan town to attend to more patients.
- He returned home for lunch, taught his pupils in the
afternoon, and spent the remainder of the day farming
with their assistance.
- Evenings were dedicated to reading and writing.
• Rizal and the Jesuits
- Jesuit friars attempted to bring Rizal back to
Catholicism after his deportation.
- Offered him to live in the Dapitan convent under
certain conditions, which Rizal refused.
- Rizal did not stay with parish priest Antonio Obach.
- The Jesuit Order assigned priest Francisco de Paula
Sanchez to Dapitan.
- Rizal and Sanchez engaged in religious discussions
but Rizal remained firm in his beliefs.
- Despite their religious differences, Rizal and Sanchez
maintained a good friendship.
- Priest Pablo Pastells also tried to convert Rizal
through correspondence.
- They exchanged letters four times between
September 1892 and April 1893.
- The debate was scholarly and showcased Rizal's
knowledge of the Scriptures.
- Rizal attended mass in Dapitan but did not adopt
conventional Catholicism.
• Achievements in Dapitan
- Rizal provided significant community services in
Dapitan:
_Improved drainage and constructed a better water
system using empty bottles and bamboo joints.
_Taught health and sanitation practices to prevent
disease spread.
_Collaborated with Jesuit priest friend Sanchez to
create a relief map of Mindanao.
_Enhanced the local forest with trails, stairs, and
benches.
_Invented a wooden machine for mass-producing
bricks and built a water dam with his students.
- As the town's doctor:
_Treated all patients regardless of economic or social
status.
_Accepted fees like poultry and crops, and
sometimes offered services for free.
_Specialized in ophthalmology but treated various
diseases including fever, sprains, broken bones,
typhoid, tuberculosis, and leprosy.
- Assisted abaca farmers:
_Traded their crops in Manila.
_Provided lessons in abaca weaving to produce
hammocks.
- Improved fishing methods:
_Taught locals more efficient techniques and the use
of better fishing nets.
• As a Scientist and Philologist
- Rizal conducted archaeological excavations in
Dapitan.
- He studied the flora and fauna of Dapitan, providing
taxonomy for various creatures.
- Rizal sent biological specimens from his laboratory
and herbarium to European scientists, notably Dr.
Adolph B. Meyer in Dresden.
- European scholars reciprocated by sending him
books and academic materials.
- Three species were named after Rizal based on
collections he sent: a Dapitan frog (Rhacophorus
rizali), a type of beetle (Apogonia rizali), and a flying
dragon (Draco rizali).
- Rizal learned the Visayan language and studied local
culture, literature, and language, including folklores,
customs, Tagalog grammar, and Malay language.
- He shared his intellectual work on these subjects
with European academicians, particularly Dr.
Reinhold Rost in London.
• The Spies and Secret Emissary
- - Rizal faced multiple encounters with spies sent by
his enemies, aiming to incriminate him as a separatist
and insurgent.
- Matias Arrieta, a physician, confessed his covert
mission and sought forgiveness after being cured by
Rizal.
- In March 1895, a man named Pablo Mercado claimed
to be Rizal's relative and offered to deliver letters to
certain individuals in Manila. However, he was
revealed to be Florencio Nanaman, a secret agent paid
by the Recollect friars.
- Despite suspicions, Rizal allowed Nanaman to stay in
his house during a rainy night.
- In June the following year, Doctor Pio Valenzuela, sent
by Andres Bonifacio, discreetly delivered a message
from the Katipunan to Rizal, seeking his approval for a
revolt. Rizal declined, advocating peaceful means and
suggesting the need for arms and monetary support
from wealthy Filipinos, such as Antonio Luna, for a
successful revolution.
• Visited by Loved Ones
- Rizal was in Dapitan when he learned about the death
of his true love, Leonor Rivera.
- His desolation was somewhat consoled by visits
from his mother and some sisters.
- In August 1893, Rizal's mother, Doña Teodora, and his
sister Trinidad joined him in Dapitan, residing in his
casa cuadrada.
- Rizal successfully operated on his mother's cataract.
- At different times, Rizal's sisters Maria and Narcisa
visited him in Dapitan.
- Three of Rizal's nephews received their early
education under him: Maria's son Mauricio, and
Lucia's sons Teodosio and Estanislao.
- Rizal's niece Angelica, Narcisa's daughter, also lived
with him for some time in Mindanao.
- In 1895, Doña Teodora left Dapitan for Manila to be
with Rizal's father, Don Francisco, who was in poor
health.
- After his mother's departure, Josephine Bracken
entered Rizal's life. She was an orphan of Irish descent
and the stepdaughter of one of Rizal's patients from
Hong Kong.
- Rizal and Bracken couldn't obtain a church wedding
due to Rizal's anti-Catholic views, but they lived
together as common-law husband and wife.
- They had a premature child named Francisco in 1895,
who died a few hours after birth.
• Goodbye Dapitan
- In 1895, Blumentritt informed Rizal about a yellow-
fever epidemic in revolution-ridden Cuba, a Spanish
colony.
- Rizal wrote to Governor-General Ramon Blanco in
December 1895, offering medical services in Cuba
due to a shortage of physicians.
- Rizal did not receive a reply from Blanco and lost
interest in his request.
- On July 30, 1896, Rizal received a letter from Blanco
sanctioning his petition to serve as a volunteer
physician in Cuba.
- Rizal made immediate preparations to leave, selling
and giving away his properties as souvenirs.
- On July 31, 1896, Rizal boarded the "España" with
Josephine, Narcisa, a niece, three nephews, and three
students.
- Many Dapitan folks, especially his students, bid him
farewell, some crying.
- Rizal departed for Manila at midnight of July 31, 1896.
- Rizal later wrote in his diary onboard the ship about
his time in Dapitan, totaling four years, thirteen days,
and a few hours.
• From Dapitan to Trial in Fort Santiago
- Rizal's trip from Dapitan to Manila occurred on July
31, 1896, aboard the steamer España.
- Stopovers were made at various areas along the way.
- In Dumaguete, Rizal visited friends, including a
former classmate from Madrid, and treated a sick
Guardia Civil captain.
- In Cebu, Rizal performed four operations and
provided prescriptions for other patients.
- While in Iloilo, he visited Mactan Island and was
impressed by the Molo church.
- The ship then sailed to Capiz, Romblon, before finally
arriving in Manila.
• In Manila
- Emilio Jacinto and Guillermo Masankay of the
Katipunan attempted to help Rizal escape as the
steamer approached Luzon.
- Rizal refused the rescue attempt by the Katipunan.
- Rizal arrived in Manila on August 6, 1896, and
requested isolation from everyone except his family
due to fear of troubles during his one-month stay
onboard.
- Rizal was transferred to the cruiser Castilla docked at
Cavite on the same day.
- On August 19, the Katipunan plot to revolt was
discovered, leading to the arrest of many members.
- The Katipunan decided to begin the armed revolt
immediately after the discovery.
- Katipunan's first major assaults occurred on August
29 and 30, resulting in significant casualties among
Katipuneros.
- Spanish reinforcements led to the capture of many
Katipuneros and the proclamation of a state of war in
Manila and nearby provinces.
- On August 30, Governor-General Blanco cleared
Rizal of any connection to the revolution and
transported him to the ship Isla de Panay on
September 2.
• Going to Spain
- - The steamer Isla de Panay departed from Manila for
Barcelona.
- In Singapore, Rizal was advised to stay, but he trusted
Governor Blanco's assurances and refused.
- Unbeknownst to Rizal, plans were made for his arrest
upon arrival in Barcelona.
- At Port Said, Egypt, Rizal learned about the worsening
situation in the Philippines.
- Rizal felt alienated by his co-passengers, suspecting
they associated him with the Filipino revolution.
- He wrote to Blumentritt about Blanco's alleged order
to arrest him.
- Upon reaching Malta, Rizal was ordered to stay in his
cabin until further notice.
- Upon arriving in Barcelona on October 3, 1899, Rizal
was immediately placed under heavy guard by General
Eulogio Despujol.
- On October 6, he was transferred to Monjuich prison-
fortress.
- Later that day, he was informed of an order to be
shipped back to Manila.
- He boarded the ship "Colon" full of Spanish soldiers,
where he was isolated and handcuffed for the journey.
• Last Homecoming
- José Rizal arrived in Manila as a prisoner on
November 3, 1896, and was detained in Fort Santiago.
- Friends, acquaintances, La Liga members, and his
brother Paciano were tortured and questioned to
gather evidence against Rizal.
- Colonel Francisco Olive, who previously led troops
against Rizal's family, conducted preliminary
interrogations.
- Witnesses coerced to testify against Rizal weren't
allowed to be cross-examined.
- Rizal admitted knowing most questioned individuals
but denied knowing Andres Bonifacio or Apolinario
Mabini.
- Fifteen pieces of documentary evidence were
presented, including letters, poems, and transcripts of
speeches.
- Captain Rafael Dominguez summarized the case and
recommended Rizal's immediate trial and detention.
- Rizal was given the option to choose his lawyer from
a list of 100 Spanish army officers and chose Lt. Luis
Taviel de Andrade.
- Rizal was formally charged with being the main
organizer of the revolution and pleaded not guilty.
- On December 13, Camilo G. de Polavieja replaced
Blanco as governor-general.
- Rizal wrote a manifesto on December 15, urging
revolutionaries to pursue liberty through education
and labor, but it was disallowed by Polavieja.
• The Rat in the Kangaroo Court
- - Date: December 26, 1896
- Location: Cuartel de España
- Participants: Lt. Col. Jose Togores Arjona (president),
Judge Advocate Dominguez, Prosecuting Attorney
Enrique de Alcocer, Defense Counsel Lt. Andrade,
Jose Rizal
- Proceedings:
- Rizal appeared in a military court.
- Prosecution presented Rizal's criminal case.
- Alcocer emotionally portrayed Rizal as a traitor.
- Alcocer requested a death sentence and indemnity.
- Lt. Andrade defended Rizal's actions, emphasizing
the pursuit of liberty.
- Rizal presented a complementary defense denying
involvement in the revolution.
- Trial declared over by Lt. Col. Arjona.
- Rizal unanimously found guilty and sentenced to
death.
 - Outcome:
- Governor-General Polavieja signed the verdict on
December 28.
- Execution by firing squad scheduled for December
30 at Bagumbayan (Luneta).
- Rizal signed his own death sentence stoically.
• Rizal’s Last 25 Hours
- Accounts on Jose Rizal's last hours vary and largely
depend on the historian one is reading. What
happened in Rizal's life from 6 a.m. of December 29,
1896 until his execution was perhaps the most
controversial in his biography, for the divisive claims-
like his supposed retraction and Catholic marriage
with Bracken-allegedly occurred within this time
frame.
• From 6am to 7pm
- 6 am to 12 Noon:
- Rizal was read his death sentence by Judge
Advocate Dominguez at 6 am.
- He was transferred to either his "death cell" or
"prison chapel" around 7 am.
- Visited by Jesuit priests Miguel Saderra Mata and
Luis Viza, who brought religious items.
- Ate breakfast with priest Antonio Rosell at 8 am.
- Interviewed by Santiago Mataix at 9 am.
- Advised by priest Federico Faura to marry Josephine
canonically at 10 am.
- Two other priests, Jose Vilaclara and Vicente
Balaguer, visited at 11 am, urging him to retract.
- Noon to 7 pm:
- Rizal was left alone in his cell at noon.
- Refused visitors, possibly wrote his last poem, and
wrote a letter to Blumentritt.
- Had a talk with priests Estanislao March and Jose
Vilaclara at 2 pm.
- Balaguer returned at 3:30 pm, discussing retraction
again.
- Received a visit from his mother and sisters at 4 pm.
- Gave a gift to his sister Trinidad, containing his final
poem, "Mi Ultimo Adios."
- Dean of the Manila Cathedral visited at 5:30 pm for
discussion.
- Josephine Bracken arrived around 6 pm, and Rizal
emotionally spoke with her.
• The Night of December 29
- At 7 p.m., Faura convinced Rizal to trust him and
other Ateneo professors.
- Rizal confessed to Faura after some quiet moments.
- Rizal had his last supper around 8 p.m. and attended
to personal needs.
- Rizal forgave his enemies and military judges around
9-9:30 p.m.
- Don Gaspar Cestaño had an amiable talk with Rizal
around 9-9:30 p.m.
- Historians Gregorio and Sonia Zaide claimed that at
10 p.m., Rizal and some Catholic priests worked on his
retraction.
- Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda's retraction draft
was rejected by Rizal for being long.
- Jesuit Pio Pi offered a shorter retraction, which Rizal
allegedly accepted.
- Rizal wrote a retraction renouncing freemasonry and
his anti-Catholic ideas.
- Rizal spent the night resting until dawn, likely praying
and meditating intermittently.
• The Early Morning of December 30
- Rizal's morning activities before his execution:
- 3 a.m.: Heard Mass, confessed sins, and took
Communion
- 4 a.m.: Read and meditated on the book "Imitation
of Christ" by Thomas a Kempis
- 5 a.m.: Washed up, attended to personal needs,
read the Bible, and contemplated
- Received three boiled eggs for breakfast, but
accounts differ on whether he ate them or not
- Wrote letters to his family and Paciano:
- Apologized to his family for the pain he caused and
asked for forgiveness
- Encouraged his sisters to forgive each other and take
care of their parents
- Thanked Paciano for his support and acknowledged
the sacrifices made for his career
- Embraced his wife, Josephine, and gave her the book
"Imitation of Christ" with a dedication
- Wrote last letters to his parents, asking for
forgiveness and saying goodbye
- Managed to write only a brief note to his mother
before his death march began
• Slow Walk to Death
- Event: Execution of Jose Rizal
- Time: 6:30 a.m. on December 30, 1896
- Attire: Rizal wore a black suit and a black bowler hat
- Accompanied by: Defense lawyer Andrade, Jesuit
priests March and Vilaciara
- March to Execution: Surrounded by armed soldiers,
with a trumpet signaling the start and the sound of
drums accompanying
- Witnesses: Sympathetic and unsympathetic
spectators lined the streets
- Conversations: Rizal conversed with priests,
reminiscing about his past, notably his time at Ateneo
- Venue: Arrived at Bagumbayan, where Filipino
soldiers comprised the firing squad
- Procedural Glitch: Rizal refused to kneel or wear a
blindfold, requested to face the firing squad, and
agreed to be shot in the small of his back
- Last Moments: Rizal's pulse was normal, he refused
the crucifix offered by priests, and he yelled Christ's
last words before falling dead at 7:03 a.m.
4.1 NOLI ME TANGERE
• Title: Noli Me Tangere
• Author: Jose Rizal
• Publication: Published in early 1887 in Europe
• Chapters: Comprising 63 chapters and an epilogue
• Content: Exposes abuses and inequities of Spanish
Catholic friars and government officials
• Author's Age: Rizal was 26 years old at the time of
publication
• Dedication: Dedicated to the country of his people
• Language: Originally written in Spanish
• English Translation: Titled "Touch Me Not" and "The
Social Cancer"
• Latin Title: "Noli Me Tangere" means "Touch Me Not"
• Biblical Reference: Mistakenly attributed the
quotation to the Gospel of Luke (actually from John
20:17)
• The Writing of the Novel
 - Jose Rizal, influenced by Harriet Beecher Stowe's
Uncle Tom's Cabin, planned to publish a book
exposing the ills of Spanish-colonized Philippine
society.
- In January 1884, at a meeting in Madrid, Rizal
proposed the creation of the book to Filipinos,
including Pedro, Maximina, and Antonio Paterno,
Graciano Lopez Jaena, Valentin Ventura, Eduardo de
Lete, Evaristo Aguirre, and Julio Llorente.
- The proposal to contribute papers on various facets
of life in the Philippines was unanimously approved.
- However, the plan faced difficulties and objections,
with some members more interested in writing about
women or indulging in gambling and flirting.
- Sensing lack of support, Rizal began writing the
novel alone in Madrid in late 1884, completing half of
it there.
- He wrote the third quarter in Paris in 1885 and the
last chapters in Wilhelmsfeld from April to June 1886.
- The novel, titled Noli Me Tangere, was completed in
Berlin at the end of 1886, with the final draft ready for
publication in early 1887.
• The Printing of Noli
- Transition between 1886 and 1887 was stressful for
Rizal.
- Fear that Noli may not be published due to financial
constraints.
- Rizal hesitant to ask Filipino supporters for money.
- Dr. Maximo Viola, a friend from San Miguel, Bulacan,
arrived in Berlin.
- Viola offered financial assistance after learning of
Rizal's situation.
- Viola delayed Europe tour to lend money for
publishing the Noli.
- Rizal made adjustments in the novel to economize
printing.
- Chapter "Elias and Salome" deleted to save costs.
- Viola lent P300 for printing the first 2,000 copies of
Noli.
- Noli Me Tangere officially came off the press on
March 29, 1887.
- Rizal sent a copy to Blumentritt by March 21.
- Maximo Viola hailed as "the savior of the Noli" in
Philippine history.
- Rizal expressed gratitude by giving Viola galley proofs
and the first copy of Noli with a dedication inscription.
• The Synopsis
• Main Character: Crisostomo Ibarra, a
wealthy Filipino who returns to the
Philippines after studying in Europe.
• Setting: The story unfolds in Manila and San
Diego.
• Characters:
-Capitan Tiago: Hosts a party in honor of
Ibarra, has a supposed daughter named
Maria Clara.
-Padre Damaso: Fat Franciscan priest who
belittles Ibarra.
-Fray Sybila: Young Dominican curate.
-Lieutenant Guevara: Relates the fate of
Ibarra's deceased father.
-Doña Victorina: Wife of a fake Spanish
physician.
-Maria Clara: Ibarra's fiancée.
-Elias: Boatman saved by Ibarra, helps him
escape from prison.
-Basilio: Altar boy found by Elias, whose
brother was tortured and killed.
• Plot Points:
• Ibarra's father, Don Rafael, was falsely
accused by the San Diego curate,
imprisoned, and died miserably.
• Ibarra discovers his father's fate and
confronts Padre Salvi and Padre Damaso.
• Ibarra and Maria Clara's engagement is
broken, and Ibarra is excommunicated.
• Ibarra is framed for an attack on the Guardia
Civil station and is arrested.
• Elias helps Ibarra escape, but Elias is fatally
injured in the process.
• Elias instructs Basilio to burn his and his
mother's bodies.
• The epilogue details the fate of various
characters, including Capitan Tiago, Padre
Damaso, Maria Clara, and Padre Salvi.
• Themes: Betrayal, injustice, love, sacrifice,
patriotism, corruption, redemption, and
tragedy.
• The Spirit of the Noli
- Purpose: Depicts real conditions of Filipino society
under Spanish regime
- Main Characters:
_Crisostomo Ibarra: Represents educated Filipinos
aspiring for progress
_Damaso: Reflects corrupt and immoral priests, father
of Maria Clara's fiancé
_Maria Clara: Symbolizes loyal and virtuous Filipina
_Capitan Tiago: Represents wealthy Filipinos allied
with Spanish authorities
_Pilosopo Tasio: Symbolizes advanced ideas and
reform-seeking intellects
_Elias: Represents Filipinos aiming for revolution
against Spanish tyranny
_Sisa, Crispin, and Basilio: Epitomize oppressed
Filipino families
_Doña Victorina: Ambitious Filipina aspiring for
Spanish classification
_Don Tiburcio: Represents incompetent Spaniards
practicing illegally
_Padre Salvi: Represents deceitful and lustful Spanish
friars
_Don Rafael Ibarra: Exemplifies virtuous and generous
wealthy Filipinos
• Reactions to Noli
- Spanish officials and friars were infuriated by the
contents of Rizal's novel "Noli Me Tangere."
- Rizal's friends and non-Filipino defenders praised
and defended the novel.
- Notable defenders included Ferdinand Blumentritt,
Dr. Miguel Morayta, and Federico Faura.
- Rizal's family faced backlash even before his return
home after the publication.
- Governor-General Emilio Terrero summoned Rizal
and found nothing "criminal" in the book.
- An ad hoc committee of the University of Santo
Tomas denounced the novel as heretical and
subversive.
- Spanish media and some members of the Cortes
attacked the novel.
 - An Augustinian priest, Jose Rodriguez, wrote anti-Noli
pamphlets, countered by Filipino theologian Vicente
Garcia.
- Rizal described the effects of the novel, including
accusations of being a spy and a sorcerer.
- Rizal received a death threat from an anonymous
sender identified as "A Friar."
4.2 ANNOTATION OF ANTONIO DE MORGA’S SUCESOS DE
LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS
• Jose Rizal learned about it either from his uncle or from
his "best friend." Some references state that Rizal as a
child heard from his uncle, José Alberto, about this
ancient history of the Philippines written by a Spaniard
named Antonio de Morga. Some other sources claim
that Morga's Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (Events in
the Philippine Islands) was suggested by Austrian
scholar Ferdinand Blumentritt (1853- 1913) for Rizal's
research on pre-Spanish Philippines.
• Dr. Morga and his 'Sucesos'
- Antonio de Morga (1559-1636):
- Spanish historian, lawyer, and colonial
official.
- Served for 43 years in the Philippines, New
Spain, and Peru.
- Stayed in the Philippines from 1594 to 1604.
- Contributions in the Philippines:
- Re-established the audencia and served as
Deputy Governor.
- Took over the function of judge ("oidor").
- Publication:
- Published "Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas" in
1609 after being reassigned to Mexico.
- Covers the years 1493 to 1603.
- Discusses political, social, and economic
aspects of life for natives and colonizers.
- Sources:
- Utilized government documents due to his
official position.
- Based on documentary research, personal
observations, knowledge, and experiences.
- Publication Details:
- Published in two volumes in 1609 in Mexico
City.
- First English translation in 1868 in London.
- Morga's Perspective:
- Described the book as a faithful narrative
without embellishment.
- Focuses on the discovery, conquest, and
conversion of the Philippine Islands.
- Emphasizes the original condition of the
islands.
• Rizal's Annotation of the Book
- Jose Rizal, a patriotic figure, sought to understand the
true state of the Philippines during Spanish
colonization.
- He believed the native populations were initially
economically self-sufficient and culturally vibrant.
- Rizal disputed the claim that Spanish colonization
improved the Philippines, suggesting it led to a decline
in culture and tradition.
- He turned to Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt for guidance,
who recommended Dr. Antonio Morga's "Sucesos de
las Islas Filipinas."
- Rizal spent months in London at the British Museum,
hand-copying and annotating Morga's book.
- He continued his work in Paris, completing and
publishing his annotations in 1890.
- Rizal meticulously critiqued Morga's descriptions,
correcting errors and providing insights into cultural
practices.
- He challenged Morga's portrayal of Filipino culinary
traditions, particularly regarding the preservation
method of bagoong.
• The Preface
- Statement by José Rizal in 1889, prefacing his work,
"Noli Me Tangere" ("The Social Cancer")
- Rizal emphasizes the need to understand the past to
judge the present and future accurately
- Acknowledges lack of knowledge among Filipinos
about their own history
- Quotes an illustrious Spaniard who witnessed the
decline of the Philippines' ancient nationality
- Aims to shed light on Filipino civilization and correct
misconceptions
- Hopes to awaken consciousness of the past and
facilitate the study of the future
• Some Important Annotations
- Austin Craig translated Rizal's annotations from the
Sucesos into English.
- Rizal commented on various historical accounts and
events related to the Philippines.
- Morga was praised for writing the first Philippine
history but criticized for intolerance.
- Morga's work influenced subsequent historical
accounts but was also questioned.
- Conversion efforts by Spaniards were not as
successful as claimed, with various tribes remaining
non-Christian.
- Pre-Spanish Filipino civilization, military
advancements, and warfare techniques were noted.
- Historical events such as Magellan's expedition,
Spanish conquests, and missionary activities were
discussed.
- There were criticisms of Spanish governance,
exploitation of resources, and suppression of native
culture.
- Japanese suspicions of political motives behind
religious missions were highlighted.
- Filipinos' contributions, sufferings, and resistance
against colonization were emphasized.
- Spanish colonization's economic and social impacts
were discussed, including the slave trade.
- The narrative pointed out discrepancies and biases in
Spanish historical records regarding Filipino
resistance and contributions.
- Various historical figures, events, and regions in the
Philippines were mentioned, providing insights into
colonial-era dynamics.
• The Value of Rizal's Annotation
- Rizal's annotation of Sucesos is highly valuable.
- It provides Filipino readers with rich footnotes about
Philippine culture and society.
- The annotations include scholarly references and full
citations.
- Rizal's work demonstrates that the Philippines had an
advanced civilization before Spanish conquest.
 - Rizal's purpose in working on Morga's book is
encapsulated in his Preface.
- His goal is to awaken consciousness about the
Philippine past, correct falsifications and slanders,
and pave the way for future study and progress.
4.3 EL FILIBUSTERISMO
• El Filibusterismo is Jose Rizal's second novel, written
as the sequel to his Noli Me Tangere. Commonly
nicknamed El Fili or simply Fili, the novel was also
written in Spanish. Its commonly known English
alternative title is The Reign of Greed.
• The Writing and Printing of El Fili
- Background of El Filibusterismo:
- Rizal began writing in October 1887 in
Calamba.
- Written amidst threats and oppressions due
to Noli and Calamba agrarian trouble.
- Writing Locations:
- Continued in London in 1888.
- Continued in Paris and then in Brussels for
better focus and cheaper living.
- Completed on March 29, 1891, in Biarritz.
- Printing and Publication:
- Jose Alejandrino helped find a printing press
in Ghent.
- Alejandrino possibly first person aside from
Rizal to read it.
- Valentin Ventura financed publication,
earning the title "savior of the Fili."
- Financial Struggles:
- Rizal initially financed printing by pawning his
properties.
- Printing had to be suspended due to lack of
funds until Ventura's assistance.
- Shortening of the Novel:
- Rizal had to shorten the novel by 47 pages to
save expenses.
- Originally planned for a longer sequel.
- Recognition for Ventura:
- Rizal gave Ventura the original manuscript, a
pen, and an autographed copy.
- In 1925, the Philippine government bought
the manuscript from Ventura for 10,000
pesos, now in the National Library.
• Noli vs. El Fili
• Filibustero and Gomburza
- The novel's title "Filibusterismo" is derived from the
term "filibustero."
- Rizal defined "filibustero" as subversive, dissident,
revolutionary, seditious, insurrectionary, and
treasonous.
- The word gained significance during the tragic
executions of the Gomburza in 1872.
- Rizal dedicated the book to the memory of the
Gomburza, three Filipino patriotic priests executed on
February 17, 1872.
- Rizal mistakenly stated the ages of the priests and the
date of their execution in the dedication.
- The foreword of the novel was addressed "To The
Filipino People and Their Government."
- The original manuscript included a warning and an
inscription on the title page written by Ferdinand
Blumentritt.
• Themes of El Fili
- Summary:
- "El Filibusterismo" is a continuation of "Noli
Me Tangere" and exposes the realities of
Filipino society under Spanish rule.
- It addresses socio-political issues including
abuse by Spanish Catholic clergy,
educational reform, government corruption,
and social pretenses.
- Unlike its prequel, "El Filibusterismo" offers
different paths to social reform and hints at
the author's beliefs about ideal solutions.
- While the main character's rebellion
suggests independence through revolution,
the ending implies the need for non-violent
means for attaining freedom.
- Scholars interpret the ending as Rizal's
caution against unprepared and
disorganized rebellion rather than a
categorical stand against revolution.
- Rizal admired the character of Elias and
believed in the potential of an armed
revolution under certain conditions, but
opposed unnecessary bloodshed.
- Key Points:
- "El Filibusterismo" reveals the harsh realities
of Filipino society under Spanish rule.
- Socio-political issues from "Noli Me Tangere"
are continued, including abuse by Spanish
clergy, educational reform, government
corruption, and social pretenses.
- The novel suggests different paths to social
reform and hints at the author's ideal
solutions.
- While there's a portrayal of revolution as a
means to attain independence, the ending
emphasizes the importance of non-violent
methods for achieving freedom.
- Scholars argue that Rizal's stance wasn't
against revolution per se, but against
unprepared and disorganized rebellion.
- Rizal admired the character of Elias and
believed in armed revolution under certain
conditions, but opposed unnecessary
bloodshed.
- Rizal wrote "El Filibusterismo" four years after "Noli
Me Tangere".
- Both novels use satire and caricature to depict social
conditions.
- "El Filibusterismo" is more serious and bitter
compared to "Noli Me Tangere".
- "Noli Me Tangere" reveals cruelty and exploitation by
colonizers, while "El Filibusterismo" depicts a society
on the brink of rebellion.
- "El Filibusterismo" presents a gloomier picture of the
country under Spanish rule, with less idealism and
romance than "Noli Me Tangere".
- Rizal's experiences with Spanish oppression
influenced the darker tone of "El Filibusterismo".
- Rizal claims "El Filibusterismo" isn't about revenge
but aims for the betterment of the oppressed.
- Some of Rizal's friends believed "El Filibusterismo"
was superior to "Noli Me Tangere".
 - Rizal himself initially believed "El Filibusterismo" was
more important than "Noli Me Tangere" but later
changed his opinion.
- Rizal acknowledged his friends' opinions about "El
Filibusterismo" being better but attributed it to their
benevolence rather than genuine superiority.
• Synopsis
- Main Character: Simoun, originally
Crisostomo Ibarra from Noli Me Tangere
- Background: Simoun escaped after being
thought dead, became wealthy in Cuba,
returned to the Philippines with a plan for
revenge.
- Revenge Plan: Simoun plans to stage a
revolution to take revenge against Spanish
officials and rescue Maria Clara.
- Recruits: Basilio, son of Sisa, and Kabesang
Tales, a mistreated former head of a village,
join Simoun's cause.
- Revolutionary Plot: Simoun plans to stage a
revolt during a wedding reception using
explosives, but cancels it upon hearing Maria
Clara's death.
- Failed Plot: Isagani prevents the explosion
by throwing the lamp into the river.
- Capture and Death: Simoun is hunted,
wounded, and takes poison to avoid capture.
He confesses his plan to Padre Florentino
before dying.
- Conclusion: Padre Florentino absolves
Simoun and throws his treasures into the sea
to prevent misuse, hoping they will be used
for good in the future.
• Characters
- Simoun:
- Formerly Crisostomo Ibarra, chased to death
by the Guardia Civil in "Noli Me Tangere"
- Returns as a wealthy jeweler seeking revenge
- Disguised in European clothes with a distinct
beard and tinted eyeglasses
- Motivated by sufferings, becomes a rebel
encouraging revolt
- Sought reform initially but resorts to
subterfuge and violence
- Basilio:
- Takes Elias' advice to heart after his mother's
death
- Lives with Kapitan Tiago, studies at San Juan
de Letran and later Ateneo de Municipal
- Impresses with fencing, accused of
disseminating pamphlets, imprisoned
- Pursues medicine, joins a students'
organization to teach Spanish to natives
- Isagani:
- Best friend of Basilio, a poor law student and
poet
- Leads a group to set up a school teaching
Spanish to natives
- Idealistic, clashes with cynical Simoun, in
love with Paulita Gomez against advice
- Makaraig:
- Rich student who offers his house as a
dormitory for Ateneo Municipal students
- Leads students in setting up Spanish school,
movement later defeated
- Kabesang Tales:
- Aspires to own a farm despite significant
losses and suffering
- Elected as head of barangay, often appeases
higher officials
- Joins tulisanes, murders a friar-administrator
and tenants of his land
- Family suffers tragic losses, Kabesang Tales
dies in encounter with Guardia Civil
- Padre Florentino:
- Secular priest, pressured into priesthood
despite former love
- Devotes to priestly duties and natural
sciences, lives alone to avoid temptations
- Changes Simoun's vengeful heart, advocates
for peaceful reforms
- Don Custodio:
- High official in government, holds multiple
unqualified posts
- Uses wife's wealth for political gain, has a
mistress named Pepay
- Paulita Gomez:
- Admired by students, chooses to marry
Juanito Pelaez over Isagani
- Padre Irene:
- Promises support for establishing Academia
de Lengua Española for money
- Padre Camorra:
- Attempts to rape Juli in exchange for Basilio's
freedom
- Quiroga:
- Chinese merchant secretly keeping
armaments for Filipino rebels in preparation
for revolution plotted by Simoun
• Noli and El Fili Stolen
- In Rizal's time, the Permanent Commission of
Censorship recommended absolute prohibition on
importing, reproducing, and circulating the Noli and
destroyed copies of the Fili.
- Surviving copies of the novels were secretly
purchased and had to be read in private, even in the
toilet.
- Original manuscripts of the Noli, Fili, and "Mi Ultimo
Adios" were stolen from the National Library on
December 8, 1961.
- Thieves demanded a ransom of 1.4 million pesos and
threatened to burn the manuscripts.
- Education Secretary Alejandro "Anding" Roces
negotiated with the burglars and retrieved the
manuscripts without paying any ransom.
- Manuscripts were returned in installments: "Mi
Ultimo Adios" first, then the Fili, and finally the Noli.
- Demanded ransom reduced to 100,000 pesos and
then to 10,000 pesos, but the robbers ultimately
returned the manuscripts for free.
- During negotiations, one burglar described feeling
the manuscripts as "holy or haunted" and another
claimed to have read them despite not understanding
Spanish.
 - Roces promised not to identify the robbers or be a
witness against them, so they remained unknown.

• The Novels’ Legacy

- The novels depict corruptions and abuses by Spanish
clergy and colonial government in the Philippines
during the Spanish regime.
- They provide a social sketch of Filipino society during
that era.
- The books offer insights into the culture of 19th and
20th-century Philippines.
- Realistic depictions expose a conflicted colonial
society split between oppressors and suffering locals.
- Characters mirror various elements and types of
individuals in society.
- The novels highlight positive traits of natives, such as
gratitude, fidelity, and yearning for freedom.
- They played a crucial role in forming Filipino national
identity.
- Inspired revolutionaries like Andres Bonifacio in the
Philippine revolution.
- Jose Rizal, the author, was arrested, exiled, and
executed partly due to his writings.
- Republic Act 1425 mandates teaching the novels in
Philippine schools.
- The novels were originally written in Spanish but
translated into multiple languages.
- English versions, including one published by Penguin
Books Classics, are available.