Rizal’s

Message of Farewell

Reported by:
Menchie Balahay, BEED 1
 After the declaration of Jose Rizal’s penalty was
announced, he spent his final moment of silence in
the chapel. Afterwards upon returning to his cell,
alone, he decided to write 2 letters. On December 29,
1896 he wrote to his brother, Paciano and to his best
friend, Dr. Ferdinand.
 On his letter for his best friend, Ferdinand
Blumentritt he stated that by the time his letter
reached Ferdinand he would be executed through a
firing squadron. Still on his letter he deliberately
stated that he was innocent of a crime that was
condoned to him and that he will die with a clear
conscience.
 He bid farewell to his dearest friend and ask
Ferdinand not to think ill of him, he also sent his best
regards to whole Blumentritt family. In his letter for
Ferdinand he also stated that he will be leaving a
book of poems as a last remembrance.
 On his letter for his brother, Paciano Rizal he stated
that although they have not been in contact for many
years, he believes that it was not because they were
estranged, but because of their strong bond they do
not need words to understand each other.
 He also apologized to Paciano for leaving him alone
in life to carry on the burden in their family and to
care for their old parents. He was grateful to Paciano
for the sacrifices that he did for him and that if not of
the unfortunate circumstances in life the outcome
would be much different from the present.
 He also consoled Paciano that despite of the accused
crime against him he is innocent of all allegations,
but he did not deny the fact that many of his previous
writings may have contributed to the rebellion
although it was supposed to be an eye opener and
educate more people about some circumstances.
 He also asked Paciano to convey a message for their
father that he will always remember their father’s
tenderness and love and that he hoped that he will be
forgiven for the grief and sorrow that he will leave
behind upon his passing.
 It is widely assumed that Jose Rizal wrote his final
poem which was 14 five-line stanzas long, the Mi
Ultimo Adios on December 29, 1896, written without
a tittle and unsigned. He hid it in an alcohol cooking
stove and left his sister Trinidad instructions on
where to find the document. The poem would later be
translated to as My Last Farewell by Charles E.
Derbyshire.
 On December 30, 1896 Jose Rizal wrote his final
letter for his family saying that he would like to see
them one last time though it may cause them pain
and sorrow but he has some things to say to them. He
begged for their forgiveness and that death is
inevitable for him but he is sure that his death will
not be in vain in the future.
THANK YOU
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