Reviewer in Rizal (Midterms)

THE 1st HOMECOMING

 August 1886, Rizal decided to return to the Philippines. He left Rome by train for Marseilles, boarded the Djemnah
bound to Saigon.
 On July 30, 1886, Rizal arrived in Saigon, where he transferred to the steamer Haifong.
 Rizal’s reasons for his first homecoming are:
1. To see Leonor Rivera Unfortunately, Rizal failed to see Leonor in his six months’ vacation due to the conflicts of his
parents and Leonor’s.
2. To operate his mother’s eye so, Rizal turned the ground floor of their house into a medical clinic. The people
called him Dr. Uleman having arrived from Germany.
3. To see for himself the impact of the Noli to the Filipino people
 Rizal put up a gymnasium for the youth.
 The kind Governor assigned a bodyguard for Rizal, to protect him from danger. His bodyguard was a young Spanish
Lieutenant, Don Jose Taviel de Andrade
 The friars put the novel under strict scrutiny headed by Manila Archbishop Msgr. Pedro Payo. He sent a copy to the
UST Fr. Rector Gregorio Echevarria for examination. The latter found the novel heretical, impious, and scandalous.
 The Governor sent the novel for further assessment to the Permanent Commission on Censorship composed
of priests and laymen headed by Fr. Salvador Font, Tondo parish priest. The body found the novel with subversive
ideas against the Church and the Spanish government. The Commission recommended that the book be banned
and have its circulation in the islands be totally stopped. No arrests were made, thanks to the liberal-minded
governor.
RIZAL’S 2ND TRAVEL ABROAD
 Hounded by powerful enemies, Rizal was forced to leave his country for the second time in 1888 as advised by
Gov. Gen Emilio Tererro to for a while leave the country because the safety of his family was at risk and
the kind governor general cannot defend him and his family anymore.
Rizal in Hong Kong and Macau
 November 20, 1891 Rizal was bounded to Amoy, in Hong Kong was the first stop over of the ship. After six
months of staying in the Philippines Rizal left via the steamer Zafiro bound for Hong Kong.
 Rizal did not get off the ship for the following reasons: (a) He was not feeling well. (b) It was raining hard. (c)
He heard that the city is dirty.
 During Rizal’s two-week vacation in Hong Kong, he found out the following which he wrote in his diary:
 The celebration of the Chinese New Year was quite very noisy due to the continuous explosion of firecrackers
on the streets.
 The Dominican Order, the richest religious order in Hong Kong, had millions of dollars deposited in various
banks earning very high interests.
 Maria Basa accompanied Rizal and brought him to Macau.
RIZAL in JAPAN
 Rizal left Hong Kong on board of the Oceanic, an American steamer on his way to Japan. He arrived in Yokohama,
Japan and stayed for one day in the Grand Hotel.
 After spending a day in Yokohama, Rizal went to Tokyo and stayed in Tokyo Hotel for five days. Juan Perez Caballero
– secretary of the Spanish legation visited him in the hotel inviting him to stay in the Spanish legation Rizal
accepted the offer to save for the cost of hotel accommodation .
Rizal’s Impression of Japan
 The cleanliness, politeness and industry of the Japanese people.
 Beggars are rarely seen in the city streets.
 Rizal fell in love with the scenic beauty of the country except for their mode of transportation, Rickshaw.
Rizal and O-Sei-San
 Rizal fell greatly in-love with O-Sei-San/ Seiko Usui that he was tempted to leave the Philippines and settle
down in Japan. He was offered a job in the Spanish Legation but his brother Paciano wrote to him reminding
him of his duty and why he left the Philippines in the first place.
 Rizal left Japan via the ship Belgic, an English steamer in Yokohama bound for United States.
RIZAL in the UNITED STATES
 Rizal in steamer Belgic, Rizal arrived in San Francisco, USA on April 28, 1888. They are advised not to
disembark because according to the Americans, Cholera was an epidemic raging in the Far East. Thus, the
real reason why the passengers was not allowed to disembark since of some Chinese passengers who are
illegal immigrants.
 Rizal was quarantined on this country.
RIZAL’S IMPRESSIONS OF AMERICA
 The drive and energy of the Americans
 The natural beauty of the land
 The high standard of living
 The valuing of money over human life.
STUDIES IN LONDON
 After visiting the United States, Rizal boarded the S.S. City Of Rome en route to London. While on board, he
entertained the American and European passengers with his skill of the yoyo.
 He was to stay in London from May 1888 to March 1889 he choose to stay in London to study and annotate
Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de Las Islas Filipinas
 Rizal met Gertrude Beckett and stayed on the home of Beckett Family.
 Rizal conducted research at the British Museum.
Bad News from Home
 After Rizal left the country, the persecution of the Filipino patriots who signed the Anti-Friar Petition 1888
escalated. The Calamba Agrarian Conflict of 1888 in which the tenants, including Rizal’s family, were being
persecuted by the Dominicans.
 Manuel T. Hidalgo (husband of Saturnina) was exiled to Bohol. And, Paciano and his other brother-in-law
were deported to Mindoro
 He heard from his friends from his motherland that there was Cholera outbreak-infectious disease that
became epidemic in the Philippines.

Magp.
 Reviewer in Rizal (Midterms)
La Solidaridad was a newspaper founded by Graciano Lopez Jaena which urged reforms both religion
and government.
Aims of La Solidaridad and the Propaganda Movement
1. To promote equal opportunities for Filipinos
2. To have secularization of Philippines parishes
3. To create creation of a public-school system
Articles Published in La Solidaridad:
1. La Defensa
2. Crueldad
3. Diferencias
4. Ingratitudes
 Rizal published his work Los Agricultores Filipinos (The Filipino Farmers) on March 25, 1889, 6
days after he left London for Paris. This was his first article in La Solidaridad. Laong Laan was the
pseudonym used by Dr. Jose Rizal in La Solidaridad.
Letter to the Young Women of Malolos
In this article, Rizal addressed Filipino women to work for their education and not to merely be influenced by the
friars.
THE PARIS UNIVERSAL EXPOSITION (1889)
 The Exposition Universale Held in Paris, France from May 6 to October 31, 1889. In the exposition, there was
this International Art Competition where Felix Hidalgo won the 3rd prize, Pardo de Tavera and Juan Luna won
the 2nd prize, and, unfortunately, Rizal got nothing.
 The Kidlat Club was founded on March 19, 1889. This was organized by Rizal to bring together all the Filipinos
who were in Paris for the Universal Exposition of 1889. Later, the group’s name was changed to Indios Bravos
which purpose was to stand and not be ashamed of being called Indios.
 Another group known only as R.D.L.M. was founded by Rizal which stands for Redencion de Los Malayos was
also formed. Its purposes was to propagate useful knowledge, in any forms, in the Philippines.
LIFE IN BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
 On January 28, 1890, Rizal left Paris for Brussels, Belgium. Three reasons why Rizal left Paris:
 The lifestyle was cheap
 beautiful place
 impressive architecture
 The gay social life of the city hampered his literary works, especially the writing of his second novel El
Filibusterismo.
 While in Brussels, he lived in Rue Philippe run by Suzanne Jacoby (A lady from this country by whom Rizal
developed affectionate sentiments) and Marie Jacoby. He was busy writing El Fili and articles for the La
Solidaridad.
 In his moment of despair Rizal had bad dreams. And although he was not superstitious, he feared that he would
not live long. But he wanted to finish his 2nd novel El Fili before he went to his grave.
Misfortunes in Madrid
 August, 1890, Rizal arrived in Madrid. He immediately secured the help of the Filipino colony and the
association of the Hispano-Filipino and the liberal Spanish newspaper. Together with MH Del Pilar (acted as
his lawyer) and Dr. Dominador Gomez (secretary of the association) called on the Minister of Colonies to
protest the injustices committed against the Calamba tenants. The meeting was fruitless but no compromise
was reached.
 Responsible is another term for a leader who would be the official representative of all Filipinos abroad.
 Another disappointment happened when his friend Jose Ma. Panganiban died in Barcelona after
lingering illness. He wrote articles for the La Solidaridad under the pen names Jomapa and J.M.P
 Towards the end of August, Rizal attended a social reunion. At that time Antonio Luna was bitter because of his
frustrated romance with Nellie Boustead. He was blaming Rizal for his failure to win her. In a fit of jealousy,
caused by his alcohol be-fogged mind, he uttered unsavoury remarks about Nellie.
 On another occasion, he challenged another man to a duel -Wenceslao Retaña, his bitter enemy of the pen. He
wrote in his article that the friends of Rizal had not paid their rents so that they were ejected from their lands
in Calamba. Such insult stirred Rizal to action, he challenged Retaña to a duel and he said that Retaña's blood
or his apology could vindicate the good blame of Rizal's family and friends.
 Retaña to save his own skin, he published a retraction and an apology in the newspaper after being warned of
Rizal's superior skills in both pistol and sword.
 Amidst Rizal’s frustrations in Madrid, he learned the infidelity of Leonor Rivera because he received a letter from
Leonor Rivera, his girlfriend for 11 years informing him that she was getting married.
A Biarritz Interlude
 Rizal went to see Nelly in Biarritz. He finally decided to marry Nelly Boustead. Conditions made by Nelly’s father:
1. Abort all travels abroad and stay with Nelly
2. Practice medicine and stay away from politics
3. Become a Protestant before marriage
 Rizal, however, decided to back down from his proposal thinking he wasn’t ready yet to answer the given
conditions set by Nelly’s father.
Rizal Resigns
Before leaving for Manila, He sent a letter of resignation as a contributor of the La Solidaridad. He also sent a message
to his compatriots his decision to give up his political leadership and fight in his own.

DR. JOSE RIZAL MEDICAL PRACTICE IN HONG KONG

Arrival in Hong Kong
 On Nov. 20, 1891, Dr. Jose Rizal was welcomed by old friends, especially Jose Ma. Basa. He established his
residence in No.5 D’ Aguilar St., No.2 Rednaxela Terrace where he also opened his medical clinic.
 On Dec. 1, 1891, Rizal wrote to his parents to ask their permission for him to come home.
Family Reunion in Hong Kong
 Before Christmas of 1891, Rizal’s father, brother and Silvestre Ubaldo (brother-in-law) arrived in Hong Kong.
The Christmas of 1891 in Hong Kong was one of the happiest Yuletide celebrations in Rizal’s life. He even
wrote to Blumentritt on Jan. 31, 1892 about the pleasant life they’re living in Hong Kong.

Magp.
 Reviewer in Rizal (Midterms)
BORNEO COLONIZATION PROJECT
 This project was conceived by Rizal in Hong Kong which aims to establish a Filipino community in Sabah. He
planned to move the landless Filipino families to that rich British-owned island. He also planned to carve out
of its virgin wildness a “New Calamba”• March 7, 1892. He went to Sandakan on board the ship Menon to
negotiate with the British authorities for the establishment of a Filipino colony
Borneo Colonization Project
 Instead of performing the simple “courtesy of a reply”, Despujol notified the Spanish consul general in Hong
Kong. He did not approve the Filipino immigration to Borneo, alleging that: “the Philippines lacked laborers”
and “it was not very patriotic to go off and cultivate foreign soil.”
THE 2ND HOMECOMING
In May 1892, Rizal made up his mind to return to Manila. This decision was spurred by the following:
1. To confer with Governor Despujol regarding his Borneo colonization project
2. To establish the Liga Filipina in Manila (which he planned in Hong Kong)
3. To prove that Eduardo de Lete was wrong in attacking him in Madrid
FOUNDING OF THE LIGA FILIPINA
 Rizal explained the objectives of the Liga Filipina, a civic league of Filipinos, which he desired to establish and
its role in the socio-economic life of the people.
 The officers of the new league were elected, as follows:
 Ambrosio Salvador (President)
 Deodato Arellano (Secretary)
 Bonifacio Arevalo (Treasurer)
 Agustin de la Rosa (Fiscal)
 The motto of the Liga Filipina: Onus Instar Omnium (One Like All)
 The duties of the Liga members are as follows (1) obey the orders of the Supreme Council (2) to help in
recruiting new members (3)) all members must contribute 10 centavos monthly.
Rizal Arrested and Jailed in Fort Santiago
 On July 6, 1892, Wednesday, Rizal went to Malacañang Palace to resume his series of interviews with the
governor-general. He was asked about the Pobres Frailes (Poor Friars) incriminatory leaflets which
allegedly found in Lucia’s pillow cases.
 Rizal was placed under arrest and escorted to Fort Santiago by Ramon Despujol, nephew and aide of Governor
General Despujol
 July 17, 1892, Rizal began his exile in lonely Dapitan, a distant military district in Mindanao where Rizal was
banished to, until July 31, 2896, for a period of four years.
 Capt. Ricardo Carnicero was a Spanish commandant and warden of Dapitan. He let Rizal be at his home. He
was kind, and generous Spanish Captain. They even shared in buying a Lottery Ticket No. 9736 that won
second prize worth P20,000, which was divided between the 3 of them: Capt. Carnicero, Jose Rizal and
Francisco Equilor, each of them got Php. 6, 200 share.
JOSE RIZAL’S PERSECUTION AND EXILE IN DAPITAN
 In Dapitan, Rizal had a scholarly debate with Father Pablo Pastells regarding religion. This exchange of
heated arguments revealed the anti-Christian Rizal – his bitterness on the abuses performed by friars, doing
such under the name of the sacred religion.
 Rizal also partakes in civic works in Dapitan. Upon arriving in the province, he noticed its poor condition. He
drained the marshes of Dapitan to get rid of malaria-carrying mosquitoes. He also provided lighting
system – coconut oil lamps posted in dark streets – in the province out of what he earned from being a
physician.
 Rizal offered his services as a military doctor to end his exile in Dapitan and tocompromise with the
shortage of physicians in the Cuba. It was only on July 30, 1896 when Rizal received a letter from Governor
Blanco, dated July 2, 1896, accepting his offer..
 At midnight of July 31, 1896, Jose Rizal left Dapitan on board the steamer España, together with Narcisa,
Josephine, Angelica (Narcisa's daughter), three nephews and six of his students. Many were saddened as the
adopted son of Dapitan left.
 Documents from the KKK declaring Jose Rizal as honorary president were discovered by the Spaniards. These
documents led to the conclusion by the Spanish authorities that Rizal was part of the KKK.
DR. JOSE RIZAL ORDERED TO BE ARRESTED
 As per instruction of Gov. Blanco and the prodding of Manila Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda, Rizal was ordered
to be arrested and detained inside the ship
 These evidences were endorsed by Colonel Olive to Governor Ramon Blanco. Blanco designated Capt. Rafael
Dominguez as the Judge Advocate assigned with the task of deciding what corresponding action should be done.
Dominguez, after a brief review, transmitted the records to Don Nicolas de la Peña, the Judge Advocate General.
Judge Advocate General Peña's recommendations were as follows:
 Rizal must be immediately sent to trial
 He must be held in prison under necessary security
 His properties must be issued with order of attachment, and as indemnity, Rizal had to pay one million pesos.
 On the 11th of December 1896, in the presence of his Spanish counsel, charges against Rizal were read:
1. Rebellion – punishable by death
2. Sedition – also punishable with death
3. Illegal Association – punishable with reclusion perpetua or lower
 On December 15, inside his cell at Fort Santiago, Rizal wrote a controversial letter, The Manifesto addressed to
his countrymen. The Manifesto was a letter denouncing the revolution made by the Katipuneros
 Judge Advocate General Nicolas de la Peña requested to Gov. Polavieja that the publication of the manifesto be
prohibited.

Magp.
 Reviewer in Rizal (Midterms)
THE EXECUTION OF DR. JOSE RIZAL
 Despite all valid pleadings, the military court, vindictive as it was, unanimously voted for the sentence of
death. Governor Polavieja affirmed the decision of the court martial and ordered Rizal to be shot at 7:00 in the
morning of December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan field.
 A Jesuit priest now came running and asked Rizal to kiss the crucifix that he held. Rizal turned his back on the
crucifix and thus, against the firing squad. He was ready for the execution.
Dr. Jose Rizal’s Last Hours
 Rizal spent his 24 hours in his death cell where he received members of his family and writes his letter, the first
one to his “second brother” Ferdinand Blumentritt. He gave his sister Trinidad and old petroleum lamp and
whispered to her in English that there is something inside the lamp. Thus is Rizal’s famous Farewell poem, “Mi
Ultimo Adios”, (“My Last Farewell”) was found.
 On December 29, 1896, 6 AM: Capt. Rafael Rodriguez was assigned by Gov. Gen. Camilo Polavieja to read
Rizal’s death sentence, - to be shot at Bagumbayan by a firing squad at 7am the next day.
 At 7AM: Rizal moved to the prison chapel, where he spent his last moments
 At 10AM: Fr. Jose Villaclara and Fr. Vicente Balaguer visited Rizal then discussed with him his retraction letter.
Santiago Mataix, a Spanish journalist, followed for the newspaper, El Heraldo de Madrid.
 From 11AM- 3PM: Rizal stayed in his cell. He was busy writing poems and letters. He hid his farewell poem in
an alcohol cooking stove. He also wrote his last letter to Professor Blumentritt.
 At 4PM: Teodora Alonzo visited him. They had a very emotional encounter. Rizal gave the alcohol cooking stove
to Trinidad which contains his farewell poem. Several priests have visited him afterwards.
 At 10PM: The draft of the retraction letter sent by the anti- Filipino Archbishop Bernardo Nozaleda was given
by Fr. Balaguer to Rizal for his signature. He had rejected It.
 Upon Rizal’s death, his supposedly Retraction Letter became of one of the most controversial documents in our
history. This Retraction Letter allegedly contains his renunciation of his Catholic ideas and the
Masonry Depending on whose side you are on, some Rizalists claim that it is forged while some believe it to
be genuine. There had been some evidences but so far these had only heated up the debate between two
factions.
 On December 30, 1896, 3AM: Rizal heard Mass, confessed his sins and took Holy Communion.
 By 5:30AM: He took his last breakfast. After which he wrote his last letters for his family and his brother,
Paciano.
 Rizal said, “Now I am about to die, and it is to you I dedicate my last lines, to tell you how sad I am to leave
you alone in life, burdened with the weight of the family and our old parents.”
 At 5:30AM: Josephine Bracken arrived together with Rizal’s sisters, Josefa, with tears in her eyes, bade him
farewell. Rizal embraced her for the last time, and before she left, Rizal gave her a last gift, a religious book,
“Imitation of Christ” by Father Thomas Kempis.
 By 6AM: As the soldiers were getting ready for the death march to Bagumbayan, Rizal wrote his last letter to
his beloved parents.
 Rizal bade farewell to his Fathers March and Villaclara and to his defender, Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade. Although
his arms were tied, he had firmly clasped their hands in parting.
 One of the priests blessed him and offered him a crucifix to kiss.
 He requested the commander of firing squad that he be shot facing them. His request was denied for the
captain had implicit orders to shoot him at his back.
 A Spanish military physician, Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo, asked his permission to feel his pulse. He was amazed to
find it normal, showing that Jose Rizal was not afraid to die.
 The death ruffles of the drums filled the air. Above the drum beats, the sharp command “fire” was heard, and
the guns of the firing squad barked. Rizal, with supreme effort, turned his bullet- riddled body to the right,
and fell on the ground dead, with face upward facing the morning sun. At exactly 7:03 am, Rizal shouted
“consummatum es” before the shot rang out. The hero’s life ended. In the background could be heard, “Viva
Espaňa!”; “Morir es traidores!” On that fateful day, Rizal was 35 years, 5 months and 11 days old.

Magp.
Reviewer in Rizal (Midterms)