Lesson 12:  

                                       Chapter 9

Jose Rizal and the Revolution (week 13)

Overview

Every age is an age of revolution. Some revolution are bloody such as the French revolution and Some
revolution are peaceful such as reforms in effecting change in the government, there were Silent but
powerful revolutions which permanently changed and shaped the minds of human race.

Rizal and the Katipunan

On June 21, 1896. Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Bonifacio’s emissary, visited Rizal in Dapitan and informed him of
the plan of the Katipunan to launch a revolution. Rizal objected to Bonifacio’s bold project stating that
such would be a veritable suicide. Rizal stressed that the Katipunan leaders should do everything
possible to prevent premature flow of native blood. Valenzuela, however, warned Rizal that the
Revolution will inevitably break out if the Katipunan would be discovered.

Sensing that the revolutionary leaders were dead set on launching their audacious project, Rizal
instructed Valenzuela that it would be for the best interests of the Katipunan to get first the support of
the rich and influential people of Manila to strengthen their cause. He further suggested that Antonio
Luna with his knowledge of military science and tactics, be made to direct the military operations of the
Revolution.

Rizal and the Propaganda Movement

To prove his point and refute the accusations of prejudiced Spanish writers against his race, Rizal
annotated the book, Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, written by the Spaniard Antonio Morga. The book
was an unbiased presentation of 16th century Filipino culture. Rizal through his annotation showed that
Filipinos had developed culture even before the coming of the Spaniards.

While annotating Morga’s book, he began writing the sequel to the Noli, the El Filibusterismo. He
completed the Fili in July 1891 while he was in Brussels, Belgium. As in the printing of the Noli, Rizal
could not published the sequel for the lack of finances. Fortunately, Valentin Ventura gave him financial
assistance and the Fili came out of the printing press on September 1891.

The El Filibusterismo indicated Spanish colonial policies and attacked the Filipino collaborators of such
system. The novel pictured a society on the brink of a revolution.

To buttress his defense of the native’s pride and dignity as people, Rizal wrote three significant essays
while abroad: The Philippines a Century hence, the Indolence of the Filipinos and the Letter to the
Women of Malolos. These writings were his brilliant responses to the vicious attacks against the Indio
and his culture.

While in Hong Kong, Rizal planned the founding of the Liga Filipina, a civil organization and the
establishment of a Filipino colony in Borneo. The colony was to be under the protectorate of the North
Borneo Company, he was granted permission by the British Governor to establish a settlement on a
190,000 acre property in North Borneo. The colony was to be under the protectorate of the North
Borneo Company, with the "same privileges and conditions at those given in the treaty with local
Bornean rulers".

Governor Eulogio Despujol disapproved the project for obvious and self-serving reasons. He considered
the plan impractical and improper that Filipinos would settle and develop foreign territories while the
colony itself badly needed such developments.

Review question

1.        What is a revolution?

2.        What are the reasons why revolution exist?

3.        How do revolution break out?

4.        Is revolution justified? Why or why not?

Chapter 10

Jose Rizal in Dapitan

Overview

The name dapitan originated from the Visayan term “dapit” which means to invite. A small town
Situated in western Mindanao of Sulu Sea. Dapitan is also known as the shrine city famous for its
Rustic beauty and serenity. Likewise known as haven by the sea.

You cannot stop a determined man from success, put stumbling block along his way and on them he
will climb to greatness, from his failures he learns valuable lessons, from his frustrations, he makes a
strong resolve to rise up again, from his deprivation he becomes resourceful & from humiliations, he
shall have a meaningful climb to greatness.

Peaceful Life in Dapitan

During the early part of his exile in Dapitan, Rizal lived at the commandant’s residence. With his prize
from the Manila Lottery and his earnings as a farmer and a merchant, he bought a piece of land near the
shore of Talisay near Dapitan. On this land, he built three houses- all made of bamboo, wood, and nipa.
The first house which was square in shape was his home. The second house was the living quarters of his
pupils. And the third house was the barn where he kept his chickens. The second house had eight sides,
while the third had six sides.

In a letter to his friend, Ferdinand Blumentritt, on December 19, 1893, Rizal described his peaceful life in
Dapitan.

"I shall tell you how we lived here. I have three houses-one square, another hexagonal, and the third
octagonal. All these houses are made of bamboo, wood, and nipa. I live in the square house, together
with my mother, my sister, Trinidad, and my nephew. In the octagonal house live some young boys who
are my pupils. The hexagonal house is my barn where I keep my chickens.
"From my house, I hear the murmur of a clear brook which comes from the high rocks. I see the
seashore where I keep two boats, which are called barotos here.
"I have many fruit trees, such as mangoes, lanzones, guayabanos, baluno, nangka, etc. I have rabbits,
dogs, cats, and other animals.
"I rise early in the morning-at five-visit my plants, feed the chickens, awaken my people, and prepare our
breakfast. At half-past seven, we eat our breakfast, which consists of tea, bread, cheese, sweets, and
other things.

"After breakfast, I treat the poor patients who come to my house. Then I dress and go to Dapitan in my
baroto.
I am busy the whole morning, attending to my patients in town.

"At noon, I return home to Talisay for lunch. Then, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., I am busy as a teacher. I teach
the
young boys.
"I spend the rest of the afternoon in farming. My pupils help me in watering the plants, pruning the
fruits, and
planting many kinds of trees. We stop at 6:00 p.m. for the Angelus
"I spend the night reading and writing."

Rizal's First Christmas in Dapitan 

After a short time, Jose Rizal began to enjoy the simple life of Dapitan.

Rizal became prosperous. Aside from his lottery prize, Rizal earned more money by practicing medicine.
Some rich patients paid him well for curing their eye ailments. He began to buy agricultural lands in
Talisay, a barrio near Dapitan. He planned to build his house in this scenic barrio by the seashore.

As Christmas came nearer, Rizal became more cheerful. His savings increased, for the cost of living in
Dapitan was cheaper than in Calamba. His health improved. Many Dapitan folks, who were formerly
indifferent to him, became his friends.

No wonder, Rizal enjoyed his first Christmas in Dapitan. He was one of the guests of Captain
Carnicero at a Christmas Eve dinner in the comandancia (house of the commandant). The other guests
were three Spaniards from the neighboring town of Dipolog and a Frenchman named Jean Lardet. It was
a merry feast. The guests enjoyed the delicious dishes prepared by the commandant’s native cook. With
the exception of Rizal, they drank beer, for he disliked hard liquor. At midnight, Captain Carnicero, Rizal,
and other guests went to church to hear the Mass of the Noche Buena.

In a letter to his mother, dated January 5, 1893, Rizal described how he enjoyed his first Christmas in
Dapitan.
He said:
"I spent a merry Christmas here. It could not have been merrier. I had a happy dinner on Christmas Eve,
together with my host (the commandant), three Spaniards from a neighboring town, and a Frenchman.
We heard Mass at 12:00 midnight, for you know I go to Mass here every Sunday."

Rizal as a Farmer in Dapitan

To prove to his people that farming is a good profession as medicine, Rizal became a farmer in Dapitan.
In a letter to his sister, Lucia, on February 12, 1896, he said: "We cannot all be doctors; it is necessary
that there would be some to cultivate the soil."

During the first year of his exile (1893), Rizal bought an abandoned farm in Talisay, a barrio near
Dapitan. This farm had an area of sixteen hectares and was rather rocky. It lay beside a river that
resembled the Calamba River-clear fresh water, wide and swift current. In his letter to his sister Trinidad
on January 15, 1896, Rizal said: "My land is half an hour’s walk from the sea. The whole place is poetic
and very picturesque, better than Ilaya River, without comparison. At some points, it is wide like the
Pasig River and clear like the Pansol, and has some crocodiles in some parts. There are dalag (fish) and
pako (edible fern). If you and our parents come, I am going to build a large house where we can all live
together."

On this land in Talisay, Rizal actually built a permanent home. With the help of his pupils and some
laborers, he cleared it and planted cacao, coffee, coconuts, and fruit trees. Later, he bought more lands
in other barrios of Dapitan. In due time, his total land holdings reached 70 hectares. They contained
6,000 abaca plants, 1,000 coconut palms, many coffee and cacao plants and numerous kinds of fruit
trees.

On his lands, Rizal introduced modern methods of agriculture which he had observed during his travels
in Europe and America. He encouraged the Dapitan farmers to replace their primitive system of
cultivation with these modern methods. These modern methods of farming consisted of the use of
fertilizers, the rotation of crops, and the use of farm machines. Rizal actually imported some farm
machines from the United States.

Rizal dreamed of establishing an agricultural colony in the sitio of Ponot near Sindangan Bay. This region
contained plenty of water and good port facilities. He believed that it could accommodate about 5,000
heads of cattle and 40,000 coconut palms. It was also ideal for the cultivation of coffee, cacao, and sugar
cane because of its fertile soil and favorable climate.

He invited his relatives and friends in Luzon, especially those in Calamba, to colonize the Sindangan Bay
area. Unfortunately, his plan of founding an agricultural colony in Sindangan Bay did not materialize, like
that of his former project to colonize North Borneo. He did not get the support of the Spanish
government.

Before Rizal was exiled in Dapitan, he already knew many languages. These languages were: Tagalog,
Ilokano, Spanish, Latin, Greek, English, French, German, Arabic, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Catalan, Dutch,
Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Swedish, and Russian-19 in all.

His knowledge of many languages was one aspect of Rizal’s amazing genius. Few men in history were
gifted by God with such ability to learn any language easily. And one of these rare men was Rizal. To
learn a new language, Rizal memorized five root words every night before going to bed. At the end of
the year, he learned 1,825 new words. He never forget these foreign words because of his retentive
memory. 

Rizal made a good use of his knowledge of many languages in his travels in Europe and America, in
communicating with foreign scholars and scientists, and in his writings. Many times during his travels
abroad, he acted as interpreter for his fellow travelers who belonged to various nationalities-Americans,
British, French, German, Italians, Spaniards, Japanese and others.
During his exile in Dapitan, Rizal increased his knowledge of languages. He studied three more
languages- Malay, Bisayan and Subanun. On April 5, 1896, he wrote to his Austrian friend, Professor
Blumentritt: "I know Bisayan already, and I speak it quite well. It is necessary, however, to know other
dialects."

By the end of his exile in Dapitan on July 31, 1896, Rizal had become one of the world’s great linguists.
He knew 22 languages, namely, Tagalog, Ilokano, Spanish, Portuguese, Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, English,
French, German, Arabic, Hebrew, Catalan, Dutch, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Swedish, Russian, Malay,
Bisayan, and Subanun.

Rizal as a Painter in Dapitan

In Dapitan, Rizal demonstrated his talent for painting. Before the Holy Week of 1894, Father Vicente
Balaguer, a young Jesuit parish priest, was worried. He needed a good backdrop (canvas oil painting
behind the main altar) for the annual Lenten celebration. In his native city of Barcelona, Spain, a church
had one that showed a colonnaded court, viewed from a wide open gate- a scene depicting the court of
Pontius Pilate.

Upon hearing of Rizal’s painting ability, Father Balaguer went to Talisay to talk with the exiled doctor. He
was accompanied by a convent helper named Leoncio Sagario.

"Doctor," he told Rizal, "I need your help. I would like to have a beautiful backdrop behind the church
altar that shows the spirit of the Holy Week. I’ve in mind something similar to one in a church in
Barcelona."

Father Balaguer made some rough sketches as he described the backdrop in the Barcelona church. "Can
you paint in oil such a picture on a huge canvas, Doctor?" he asked.
"I’ll try, Father. You see, I haven’t done any painting for many years, but I’ll do my best."

The following day, Rizal went to the Jesuit priest, bringing his own sketch based on the latter’s ideas.
Father Balaguer was satisfied and urged Rizal to begin the painting job at once.

The actual painting of the backdrop was a difficult task. Rizal obtained the help of two assistants-Sister
Agustina Montoya, a Filipina nun from Cavite who could paint, and Francisco Almirol, a native painter of
Dapitan.

The trio-Rizal, Sister Montoya, and Almirol- made the sacristy of the church as their workshop. Rizal
sketched in soft pencil the general outline of the picture, after which his two assistants applied the oil
colors.

Daily, Rizal supervised the work of his assistants. He himself put the finishing touches. He was glad to
note that he still had the skill in painting. Father Balaguer was very much satisfied with the finished oil
painting of the backdrop. “Beautiful, very beautiful," he said. He warmly thanked Rizal and his two
assistants for the work well done.
The gorgeous backdrop became a precious possession of the Dapitan church- Santiago Church. It was
truly a masterpiece.

Senate President Manuel L. Quezon saw Rizal’s painting masterpiece during his visit to Dapitan. He was
deeply impressed by its majestic beauty. At one time General Leonard Wood, governor-general of the
Philippines, saw it and said that it was truly "a Rizalian legacy".

After the establishment of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, the beautiful backdrop was sent to the
Museum of the Ateneo de Manila for safekeeping.

Unfortunately, it was destroyed during the Second World War when fires and bombs razed the city of
Manila.

Rizal's Son Dies

By the beginning of 1896, Rizal was very happy. His beloved Josephine was heavy with child. Within a
few months, she would give birth to a child. As an expectant father, Rizal had every reason to be
cheerful and gay.

"I wish it would be a boy," he told Josephine.

"I also have the same wish," she replied.

"Let us hope and pray," said Rizal, "that it will be a boy. I will name him after my father."

"Suppose," asked Josephine in joking manner, "that it will be a girl?"

"Then, I will name her after my mother."

Unfortunately, Rizal and Josephine were not destined to have a child. One day in early March 1896, Rizal
played a practical joke on Josephine, which frightened her terribly. As a result of her great fright, she
gave birth prematurely to an eight-month baby boy.

The baby was very weak and was gasping for breath. Seeing the baby’s condition, Rizal immediately
baptized him Francisco in honor of his father. He did everything he could to save the life of his infant
son, but in vain. All his knowledge and skill as a physician could not save little Francisco. Sorrowfully,
Rizal saw his child die three hours after birth.

With a heavy heart, he drew a sketch of his dead son. Then he buried him under a shady tree near his
home. He prayed": "Oh, God, I give you another tiny angel. Please bless his soul.

 
Rizal's Last Christmas in Dapitan

The Christmas of 1895 was one of the happiest events in Rizal’s life. It was because of the presence of
Josephine, who proved to be a loving wife and a good housekeeper.

She was now used to living a simple rural life in the Philippines. She was industrious and learned to cook
all sorts of native dishes. In his letter to his sister, Trinidad, on September 25, 1895, Rizal praised
Josephine, thus: "She cooks, washes, and takes care of the chickens and the house. In the absence of
miki for making pancit, she made some long macaroni noodles out of flour and eggs, which serves the
purpose. If you could send me a little angkak, I should be grateful to you, for she makes bagoong. She
makes also chili miso, but it seems to me that what we
have will last for 10 years."

On December 25, 1895, Rizal and Josephine gave a Christmas party at their home in Talisay. By a strange
twist of fate, it proved to be Rizal’s last Christmas in Dapitan.

Rizal roasted a small pig to golden brown over a slow fire. He also made chicken broth out of a fat hen.
He invited all his neighbors. They all danced and made merry until dawn.

Writing to his sister, Trinidad, on January 15, 1896, Rizal described his last Christmas party in Dapitan.
"We celebrated merrily, as almost always. We roasted a small pig and hen. We invited our neighbors.
There was dancing, and we laughed a great deal until dawn."

Adios Dapitan

On the morning of July 31, 1896, his last day in Dapitan, Rizal busily packed his things. He was scheduled
to leave the town on board the España, which was sailing back to Manila. He had sold his lands and
other things he owned to his friend, mostly natives of Dapitan.

At 5:30 in the afternoon, he and eight other companions embarked on the steamer. His eight
companions were Josephine; Narcisa (his sister); Angelica (daughter of Narcisa); his three nephews,
Mauricio (son of Maria Rizal), Estanislao (son of Lucia Rizal), and Teodosio (another son of Lucia Rizal);
and Mr. And Mrs. Sunico.

Almost all Dapitan folks, young and old, were at the shore to see the departure of their beloved doctor.
The pupils of Rizal cried, for they could not accompany their dear teacher. Captain Carnicero, in full
regalia of a commandant’s uniform, was on hand to say goodbye to his prisoner, whom he had come to
admire and respect. The town brass band played the music of the farewell ceremony.

At midnight, Friday, July 31, 1896, the steamer departed for Manila. The Dapitan folks shouted "Adios,
Dr. Rizal!" and threw their hats and handkerchiefs in the air. Captain Carnicero saluted his departing
friend. As the steamer left the town, the brass band played the sad music of Chopin’s Farewell March.

Rizal was in the upper deck, with tears in his eyes. He raised his hand in farewell to the kind and
hospitable people of Dapitan, saying: "Adios, Dapitan!" He gazed at the crowded shore for the last time.
His heart was fille sorrow.

When he could no longer see the dim shoreline, he turned sadly into his cabin. He wrote in his diary: "I
have been in that district four years, thirteen days, and a few hours." 

Review question

1.        Describe how Jose Rizal lived his life in dapitan?

2.        Describe Jose Rizal situation in dapitan that made him fall in love with the young Josephine?

3.        Who decide the deportation of Jose Rizal in dapitan?

4.        How long did it take for Jose Rizal to court and propose marriage to Josephine?

 
Lesson 14: Chapter 11

Katipunan before the Revolution

Overview

Revolution is the culmination of politics which cannot be carried out in diplomatic ways. Some
revolution Are violent while others are peaceful. Revolutions all the same, grow slowly and
imperceptibly.

Establishment of the Katipunan

On July 7, 1892, the same date Rizal was exiled to Dapitan, Andres Bonifacio, Valentin Diaz, Teodoro
Plata, Ladislao Diwa, Deodato Arellano, and a few others, met secretly at a house on Azcarraga (Claro M.
Recto ave.)

Establishment of the Katipunan

They founded an association called Kataastaasan Kagalang-galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan
(KKK), or Katipunan for short.

Aims of Katipunan

To unite the Filipinos into a solid nation

To win Philippine independence by means of revolution

Recruitment of the katipunan

They first used the triangle method on recruiting members

Later on, since the triangle method was slow, Bonifacio allowed them to recruit as many members as
possible. The First Edition of Kalayaan (the Katipunan newspaper) also helped a lot in recruiting more
members.

Membership of katipunan

There were 3 grades of members:

Katipon – lowest class password; ANAK NG BAYAN

Recruitment of more members will turn him into a Kawal

Kawal – middle class password; GOMBURZA

If elected as an officer, he becomes a Bayani

Bayani – highest class password; RIZAL

The 2 factions of the Katipunan are Magdalo and Magdiwang.

When the war broke out they made flags different from each other. They also had an argument that led
to the Tejeros Convention.

Women’s Chapter of the Katipunan

They were limited to only the wives, daughters, or relatives of the members of the Katipunan. They
served as the watch during meetings of the Katipunan.

Prominent women were Josefa Rizal: President, Gregoria de Jesus: Vice President, Marina Dizon:
Secretary, Angelica Rizal Lopez: Fiscal.

Josefa Rizal and Gregoria de Jesus Secrecy In order to remain secret, they made different codes and
countersigns

Codes of katipunan

Countersigns: When two members meet on the road, one member will put his right palm on his chest
and the other member will close his hand such that the index finger and thumb touch each other.

Review question

1. Explain the roles played by heroes in the breaking out of revolution?

2. Who betrayed the katipunan to the authorities?

3. What roles played by women in the katipunan?

4. What is the recruitment process in the membership of the katipunan?

Question 1

Jose Rizal is in favor of a revolution initiated by the katipunan?

Response: False

Correct answer: False

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

the person recommended by Jose Rizal to lead the revolution in case it will break out due to his
knowledge in military science and tactics?

Response: Antonio Luna

Correct answer: Antonio Luna

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 3

the philanthropist who extended financial assistance to Rizal for the publication of El Filibusterismo?

Response: Valentin Ventura

Correct answer: Valentin Ventura

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 4

the former President of the Philippines who mention that the painting of Rizal in dapitan is truly a
Rizalian legacy?

Response: Manuel Quezon

Correct answer: Manuel Quezon

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

the katipunan is a solid organization and there is no way to divide its membership?

Response: False

Correct answer: False

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 6

the women's chapter of the katipunan is non necessary and indispensable to the aims and objectives of
the katipunan?

Response: True

Correct answer: False

Score: 0 out of 1 No

Question 7

Jose Rizal finished writing the novel El Filibusterismo in madrid, Spain?

Response: False

Correct answer: False

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

the person who extended financial assistance to Jose Rizal for the publication and printing of El
filibusterismo as a novel?

Response: Valentin Ventura

Correct answer: Valentin Ventura

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 9

The place where Jose Rizal bought an agricultural land and practice his personality as a farmer?

Response: dapitan

Correct answer: talisay

Score: 0 out of 1 No

Question 10

triangle method is use in recruiting members of the katipunan?

Response: True

Correct answer: True

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 11
the first organizational meeting of the katipunan was held along Azcarraga street?

Response: True

Correct answer: True

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 12

one of the writings of Jose Rizal in abroad is the letter to the women of Malolos?

Response: True

Correct answer: True

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 13

the kind of house that Jose Rizal constructed in dapitan?

Response: All of the above

Correct answer: All of the above

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 14

Jose Rizal instructed Pio Valenzuela that knowledge of military science and tactics is important for a
revolution to be successful?
Response: True

Correct answer: True

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 15

a small town situated in western Mindanao of sulu sea, known as shrine city famous for its rustic beauty
and serenity?

Response: dapitan

Correct answer: dapitan

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 16

Jose Rizal knowledge of many languages is one aspect of his amazing genius?

Response: True

Correct answer: True

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 17

revolution is the culmination of conflict which cannot be carried out in diplomatic ways?
Response: False

Correct answer: True

Score: 0 out of 1 No

Question 18

the password of kawal, one of the grades of membership of the katipunan is?

Response: GOMBURZA

Correct answer: GOMBURZA

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 19

The emissary of Bonifacio in Dapitan informing Rizal that revolution is about to start?

Response: Pio Valenzuela

Correct answer: Pio Valenzuela

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 20

the lowest grade of membership of the katipunan?

Response: katipon
Correct answer: bayani

Score: 0 out of 1 No

Question 21

the word dapit originates from the Visayan word which means?

Response: to invite

Correct answer: to invite

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 22

revolution all the same, grow slowly and imperceptibly and that no revolution arise instantly?

Response: True

Correct answer: True

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 23

the founder and organizer of the katipunan as an organization?

Response: Andres Bonifacio

Correct answer: Andres Bonifacio

Question 24

the objective of the la liga filipina is to win the Philippine independence by means of a revolution?

Response: False

Correct answer: False

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 25

it is known as haven by the sea?

Response: Dapitan

Correct answer: Dapitan

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 26

the official newspaper publication of the katipunan whose purpose is to spread information regarding
the objective of the organization?

Response: kalayaan

Correct answer: kalayaan

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

the El Filibusterismo is a novel pictured a society on the brink of a revolution?

Response: True

Correct answer: True

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 28

The civic club organize by Jose Rizal while he was in the Philippines?

Response: la liga filipina

Correct answer: la liga filipina

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 29

Jose Rizal had no intention to get married to Josephine in dapitan?

Response: False

Correct answer: False

Score: 1 out of 1 Yes

Question 30
Jose Rizal believe that you cannot stop a determine man from success?

Response: True

Correct answer: True

Score: 1 out of 1