Cost of printing in Ghent was cheaper than in Brussels
To escape from the enticing attraction of Petite Suzanne
PRINTING OF EL FILIBUSTERISMO
He pawned his jewels in order to pay the down payment and the early partial payments during the printing of the novel
VENTURA, SAVIOR OF FILI
Valentine Ventura in Paris learned of Rizal’s predicament and immediately sent him the necessary funds
With his financial aid, the printing of the Fili was resumed
THE FILI COMES OFF THE PRESS
DEDICATED TO GOM-BUR-ZA
SYNOPSIS OF EL FILIBUSTERISMO
This novel is a sequel to the Noli
It has little humor, less idealism, and less romance than the Noli Me Tangere
It is more revolutionary, more tragic than the first novel
Simoun
The hero of the novel and is a rich jeweler
He was Ibarra of the Noli
He fled to Cuba where he became rich and befriended many Spanish officials
He returns to the Philippines where he freely moved around
He is a powerful figure not only because he is a rich jeweler, but also because he is a good friend and adviser of the governor-general.
He is secretly cherishing a terrible revenge against the Spanish authorities
2 magnificent obsessions are:
Rescue Maria Clara from the nunnery of Santa Clara
To foment a revolution against the hated Spanish Masters
A man of wealth and mystery, is a very close friend and confidante of the Spanish-Governor General.
Because of his great influence in Malacanang, he was called the “Brown Cardinal” or the “Black Eminence”
By using his wealth and his political influence, he encourages corruption in the government
Promotes the oppression of the masses
Hastens the moral degradation of the country so that the people may become desperate and fight
He smuggles arms into the country with the help of a rich Chinese merchant, Quiroga, who wants very much to be Chinese consul of Manila
His first attempt to begin the armed uprising did not materialize because at the last hour he hears the sad news that Maria Clara died in the nunnery
Simoun perfects his plan to overthrow the government
Beautiful lamp was given as wedding gift to Paulita Gomez and Julio Pelaez
Only he and his confidential associate, Basilio, know that when the wick of his lamp burns lower the nitroglycerine, will explode, destroying the house where the wedding feast is going to be held and killing all the guests, including the governor general, the friars, and the government officials.
Simultaneously, all the government buildings in Manila will be blown by Simoun’s followers.
The story of El Fili begins on board the steamer, Tabo
Basilio
Medical student, whose medical education was financed by his patron, Capitan Tiago
Isagani
Rejected by Paulita because of his liberal ideas
Was watching outside the house
Basilio, his friend, warns him to go away because the lighted lamp will soon explode
Realizes that Paulita was in grave danger
To save her life, he rushes into the house, seizes the lighted lamp, and hurls into the river, where it explodes
The Spanish authorities learns of his presence in the house
Lt. Perez of the Guardia Civil informs the priest by letter that he would come to arrest Simoun
Arrest was eluded by Simoun
Took a poison
As he is dying, he confessed to Padre Florentino, revealing his true identity, his dastardly plan to use his wealth to avenge himself, and his sinister aim to destroy his friends and enemies
Cabesang Tales
Dispossessed of his land by the friars like that of Rizal’s father.
In desperation, becomes a bandit chieftain named Matanglawin
NOLI AND FILI COMPARED
Noli
A romantic novel
Work of the heart, a book of feeling
Fili
A political novel
Work of the head, a book of the thought
Contains bitterness, hatred, pain, violence, and sorrow
The original intention of Rizal was to make the Fili longer than the Noli
Rizal had to cut the Fili drastically owing to lack of funds
Rizal himself considered the Noli as superior to the Fili
RIZAL’S UNFINISHED THIRD NOVEL
Letter to Blumentritt
A novel in which politics will not find much space in it
Ethics will play the principal role which deals mainly with the habits and customs of the Filipinos
Jose wishes to be there; he wishes to be humorous, satirical and witty, to laugh and cry
While he was bound for Hong Kong:
He continued writing it but did not finish it
To be written in Tagalog, intended for Tagalog readers
Story:
Sultan Zaide
with his royal family and retainers, was taken prisoner by the Spaniards during the wars in the Moluccas and brought to Manila
The old sultan, his children, and followers were promised good treatment, but the Spaniards forgot their promise and let them die one by one in misery
Kamandangan
The hero of the novel
Descendant of Lakandula, last king of Tondo
Plotted to regain the lost freedom of his fathers
It is said that Rizal was fortunate not to have finished this novel, because it would have caused greater scandal and more Spanish vengeance on him.
RIZAL’S OTHER UNFINISHED NOVEL
“Makamisa”
“Dapitan”
Wrote it during his exile in Dapitan to depict the town life and customs
A novel in Spanish about the life in Pili, a town in Laguna is also unfinished
Another unfinished novel of Rizal, also without a title, is about Cristobal, a youthful Filipino student who was returned from Europe
A novel that describes the deplorable conditions of the Philippines
Life was unbearable in Europe because of his political differences with M.H. del Pilar and other Filipinos in Spain
To be near his country
RIZAL AND THE GERMAN LADIES
The fast running steamer encountered a heavy squall and the door of the dining room was blown open
Nobody among the passengers who were busy eating stood up to close the door
A lady said to her companions in German: “If this man in front of us were a gentleman he would close the door
Upon hearing her remark, Rizal, without saying a word, rose and closed the door
He conversed with the German ladies in perfect German, and the ladies were very much embarrassed
FAMILY REUNION IN HONG KONG
The Christmas in Hong Kong was one of the happiest Yuletide Celebrations in Rizal’s life
He had a happy family reunion
OPHTHALMIC SURGEON IN HONG KONG
To earn a living for himself and for himself, Rizal practiced medicine
A Portuguese physician, Dr. Lorenzo Marques, became his friend and helped him to build a wide clientele
BORNEO COLONIZATION PROJECT
In the face of the bleak outlook of the Calamba folks under Governor Valeriano Weyler’s terroristic regime, Rizal conceived the establishment of a Filipino colony in North Borneo (Sabah)
He planned to move the landless Filipino families to that rich British-owned island and carve out its virgin wildness a “New Calamba.”
He went to Sandakan to negotiate with the British authorities for the establishment of a Filipino colony.
Bengkoka River in Maradu Bay
Was offered by the British Borneo Company
His mission was successful
The British authorities of Borneo were willing to give the Filipino colonists 100, 000 acres of land, a beautiful harbor, and a good government for 999 years, free of all charges.
Hidalgo (Rizal’s brother in law)
Objected to the colonization project
Why should we go to a foreign land without first exhausting all means for the welfare of the country which nurtured us from our cradles?
New trends of events in the Philippines gave Rizal a new hope for realizing his Borneo project.
Weyler was relieved of his gubernatorial office
Eulogio Despujol, the new governor, announced to the Filipino people a fine program of government
In the belief that Governor Despujol was sincere in his beautiful promises of a better government, Rizal sent him a letter of felicitation and offering his cooperation.
The governor-general, violating the simple rule of Spanish courtesy, did not even acknowledge receipt of his letter.
In his second letter, he requested the governor-general to permit the landless Filipinos to establish themselves in Borneo
Despujol did not give Rizal the courtesy of a reply
Despujol notified the Spanish consul general in Hong Kong to tell Rizal that he could 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
WRITINGS IN HONGKONG
Rizal wrote “A Visit to Victoria Gaol”
An account of his visit to the colonial prison in Hong Kong
In this article he contrasted the cruel Spanish prison system with the moderm and more humane British prison system
Constitution of the La Liga Filipina
Most important writing made in Hong Kong
DECISION TO RETURN TO MANILA
Reasons:
To confer with Governor Despujol regarding his Borneo colonization project
To establish the Liga Filipina in Manila
To prove that Eduardo de Lete was wrong in attacking him in Madrid
Lete’s attack, which was printed in La Solidaridad, portrayed Rizal as cowardly, egoistic, opportunistic – a patriot in words only
Protest of Rizal to del Pilar:
Why did del Pilar permit Lete to write in the article?
It could harm more the interests of the whole country
LAST HONG KONG LETTERS
FIRST LETTER: ADDRESSED TO HIS PARENTS AND FRIENDS
I realized how much suffering I have caused you yet I do not regret what I have done in pursuit of my duty
To advance the future of the country, and shall willingly die for it, and even more willingly sacrifice all to secure justice and peace for you
I risk life to save so many innocent persons
There are many persons, filled with hope and ambition, who perhaps might be happier if I were dead
Should fate go against me, you will all understand that I shall die happy in the thought that my death will end all your troubles.
SECOND LETTER: ADDRESSED TO THE FILIPINOS
I cannot live on seeing so many suffer unjust persecution on my account
I prefer death and cheerfully shall relinquish life to free so many innocent persons from such unjust persecution
I appreciate the fact that at present the future of our country gravitates in some degree around me, that at my death many will feel triumphant; many are wishing for my fall
I hold duties of conscience above all else
I am all my parents have, but our country has many more sons who can take my place and even do my work better.
Besides I wish to show those who deny us the boon of patriotism that we know how to die for duty and principles
What matters death, if one dies for what one loves, for native land and beings held dear?
RIZAL FALLS INTO SPANISH TRAP
After Rizal’s departure from Hong Kong, the Spanish-consul general, who issued the government guarantee of safety, sent a cablegram to Governor Despujol that the victim “is in trap.”
A secret case was filed in Manila against Rizal and his followers “for anti-religious and anti-patriotic agitation.”
The deceitful Despujol ordered his secretary, Luis de la Torre, to find out if Rizal was naturalized as a German citizen, as was rumored, so that he might take proper action against one “who had the protection of a strong nation.”
CHAPTER 21: SECOND HOMECOMING AND THE LIGA FILIPINA
ARRIVAL IN MANILA WITH SISTER
Rizal and his widowed sister Lucia arrived in Manila
Had an audience at Malacanang with Governor-General Despujol; Despujol agreed to pardon his father but not the rest of his family.
FOUNDING OF THE LIGA FILIPINA
Rizal attended a meeting of the patriots at the home of the Chinese- Filipino, Doroteo Ongjunco
Rizal explained the objectives of the Liga Filipina, a civic league of Filipinos
The patriots were favorably impressed and gladly approved the establishment of the Liga
CONSTITUTION OF THE LIGA FILIPINA
To unite the whole archipelago into one compact and homogenous body
Mutual protection in every want and necessity
Defense against all violence and injustice
Encouragement of education, agriculture, and commerce
Study and application of reforms
Motto: One like All
RIZAL ARRESTED AND JAILED IN FORT SANTIAGO
Rizal resumes his series of interviews with the governor-general
During this interview, governor-general Despujol suddenly showed him some printed leaflets which were allegedly found in Lucia’s pillow cases.
These incriminatory leaflets were entitled Pobres Frailes
They were a satire against the rich Dominican friars who amassed fabulous riches contrary to their monastic vow of poverty.
Rizal denied having those leaflets in either his or Lucia’s baggage, which had been thoroughly searched upon their arrival from Hong Kong by the custom authorities who found nothing.
Despite his denial and insistent demand for investigation in accordance with the due process of law, he was placed under arrest and escorted to Fort Santiago
The following day, the Gaceta de Manila published the story of Rizal’s arrest which produced indignant commotion among the Filipino people, particularly the members of the newly organized Liga Filipina
ARBITRARY DEPORTATION TO DAPITAN
The same issue of the Gaceta contained Governor General Despujol’s decree deporting Rizal to one of the islands in the South
The gubernatorial decree gave the reasons for Rizal’s deportation, as follows:
Rizal had published books and articles abroad which showed disloyalty to Spain and which were “frankly anti-catholic” and “imprudently anti-friar”
A few hours after his arrival in Manila “there was found in one of the packages… a bundle of handbills entitled Pobres Frailes”
His novel El Filibusterismo was dedicated to the memory of three traitors (Gom-Bur-Za), and on the title page he wrote that in view of the vices and errors of the Spanish administration, “the only salvation for the Philippines was separation from the mother country.”
The end which he pursues in his efforts and writings is to tear from the loyal Filipino breasts the treasures of our holy Catholic faith.
He was exiled in Dapitan for a period of 4 years.
CHAPTER 22: EXILE IN DAPITAN
BEGINNING OF EXILE IN DAPITAN
Dapitan, is a remote town in Mindanao which was under the missionary jurisdiction of the Jesuits
Rizal could live at the parish convent on the following conditions:
That Rizal publicly retract his errors concerning religion, and make statements that were clearly pro-Spanish and against revolution.
That he perform the church rites and make a general confession of his past life.
That he conduct himself in an exemplary manner as a Spanish subject and a man of religion
Rizal did not agree with these conditions
Consequently, he lived in the house of the commandant; Captain Carnicero (the warden) and Rizal (the prisoner) were warm and friendly.
WINS IN MANILA LOTTERY
The mail boat, Butuan, brought no Spanish official to Dapitan but the happy tidings that:
the Lottery Ticket No. 9736 jointly owned by Captain Carnicero, Rizal and Francisco Eqiulor (Spanish resident of Dipolog) won the second prize of P20,000
Rizal’s share of the winning lottery ticket was P6,200
He gave P2,000 to his father and P200 to his friend Basa in Hong Kong
The rest he invested well by purchasing agricultural lands along the coast of Talisay
Rizal never drank liquor and never smoked but he was a lottery ticket addict.
RIZAL-PASTELLS DEBATE ON RELIGION
Father Pastells sent Rizal a book by Sarda, with advice that Rizal should desist from his foolishness in viewing religion from the prism of individual judgment and self-esteem
Rizal revealed his anti-catholic ideas which he had acquired in Europe and embitterment at his persecution by the bad friars
It is understandable why he was bitter against the friars who committed certain abuses under the cloak of religion.
Rizal’s Catholicism requires enlightenment, like the Catholicism of Terilhard de Chardin
RIZAL CHALLENGES A FRENCHMAN TO A DUEL
Mr. Juan Lardet, a businessman, purchased many logs from the lands of Rizal.
It so happened that some of the logs were of poor quality
Lardet , in a letter written to Antonio Miranda, a Dapitan merchant and friend of Rizal,
expressed his disgust with the business deal
and stated that “if Rizal was a truthful man, he would have told me that the lumber not included in the account were bad.
Miranda indiscreetly forwarded Lardet’s letter to Rizal
Jose’s weakness: sensitivity
When he read Lardet’s letter, he flared up in anger, regarding the Frenchman’s unsavory comment as an affront to his integrity
Carnicero told the Frenchman to apologize rather than accept the challenge
Rizal accepted the Frenchman’s apology
RIZAL AND FATHER SANCHEZ
Father Pastells tried to persuade Rizal to discard his errors of religion
He assigned Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez, Rizal’s favorite teacher at Ateneo
Sanchez is the only Spanish priest to defend Rizal’s Noli in public
Failed to persuade Rizal to discard his unorthodox views on the Catholic Religion
RIZAL’S ENCOUNTER WITH THE FRIAR’S SPY
Pablo Mercado posed as a relative, secretly visited Rizal at his house
Strange visitor offered his services as a confidential courier of Rizal’s letter and writings for the patriots in Manila which might incriminate him in the revolutionary movement
Rizal, being a man of prudence and keen perception became suspicious
Rizal went to the comandancia and denounced the impostor to Captain Juan Sitges
As commandant of Dapitan, Sitges ordered the arrest of Pablo Mercado and instructed Anastacio Adriatico to investigate him immediately
The real name of Pablo Mercado was Florencio Namanan
AS PHYSICIAN IN DAPITAN
Patients are poor; he gave them free medicine
Studied the medicinal plants and their curative values
To poor patients, who could not afford to buy imported medicine, he prescribed the local medicinal plants.
WATER SYSTEM FOR DAPITAN
Rizal held the title of expert surveyor which he obtained from Ateneo
He applied his knowledge of engineering by constructing a system of waterworks in order to furnish clean water to the townpeople.
Engineers marveled how Rizal could have built such a system of waterworks, for he had inadequate tools and his finances are limited
Aside from constructing the town’s first water system, he spent many months draining the marshes in order to get rid of malaria that infested Dapitan
The P500 which an Englishman patient paid him was used by Jose to equip the town with its lighting system
This lighting system consisted of coconut oil lamps
Electric lighting was unknown then in the Philippines
It was not until 1894 when Manila saw the first electric lights
Another project was the beautification of Dapitan
He remodeled the town plaza to enhance its beauty
He wanted it to have the same standards as Europe
RIZAL AS TEACHER
His exile in Dapitan gave him the opportunity to put into practice his educational ideas
Established a school; he applied the same system of education that he learned in Ateneo in his school
Best is called the emperor and sat at the head of the bench
CONTRIBUTION TO SCIENCE
Was able to built a rich collection of concology
Among these:
Draco Rizali (a flying dragon)
Apogonia Rizali (a small beetle)
Rhacophorus Rizali (a rare frog)
ARTISTIC WORKS IN DAPITAN
Rizal made sketches of persons and things that attracted him in Dapitan
RIZAL AS FARMER
Rizal bought 16 hectares of land in Talisay, where he built his home, school, and hospital, and planted cacao, coffee, sugarcane, coconuts and fruit trees.
He acquired more lands until his total holdings reached 70 hectares, containing 6,000 hemp plants 1,000 coconut trees, and numerous fruit trees, sugarcane, corn, coffee and cacao.
Rizal introduced modern methods of agriculture which he had observed in Europe and America.
He imported agricultural machinery from the U. S.
He invited his friends and family to come to his projected agricultural colony
Rizal wanted to establish a new Calamba in Dapitan
This project did not materialize because he could not get the support of the government.
RIZAL AS BUSINESSMAN
In partnership with Ramon Carreon, a Dapitan Merchant, he made profitable business ventures in fishing, copra, and hemp industries, and lime manufacturing
The most profitable business of Rizal was in hemp industry
To break the Chinese monopoly on business in Dapitan, Rizal organized the Cooperative Association of Dapitan Farmers
Helped the producers and workers by establishing a store wherein they can buy prime commodities at moderate prices.
RIZAL’S INVENTIVE ABILITY
While practicing medicine in Calamba, he invented a cigarette lighter which he sent as a gift to Blumentritt
He called this sulpukan, which is made of wood
Its mechanism is based on the principle of compressed air
He invited a machine for making bricks
This machine could manufacture about 6,000 bricks daily
“MY RETREAT”
Serene life as an exile in Dapitan
RIZAL & JOSEPHINE BRACKEN
The death of Leonor Rivera left a poignant void in Jose’s heart
Josephine Bracken
Came to Dapitan, an Irish, 18 y.o.
Her mother died in childbirth and she was adopted by George Taufer, who later became blind
No ophthalmic surgeon in Hong Kong could cure that is why they need to go to Manila to seek the services of the famous ophthalmic surgeon
They heard in Hong Kong that Rizal was in Dapitan
Rizal and Josephine fell in love with each other at first sight
They agreed to marry after a month
But Fr. Obach, the priest of Dapitan, refused to marry them without the permission of the Bishop of Cebu
When Mr. Taufer heard of their projected marriage
He flared up in anger
Unable to endure the thought of losing Josephine, he tried to commit suicide by cutting of his throat with a razor
Rizal, however, grabbed his wrists and prevented him from killing himself
To avoid the tragedy, Josephine went with Taufer to Manila by the first available steamer
The blind man went away uncured because his ailment was venereal in nature, hence incurable
Mr. Taufer returned alone to Hong Kong, Josephine stayed in Manila with Rizal’s family.
Since no priest would marry them, Rizal and Josephine held hands together and married themselves before the eyes of God.
Fr. Obach was scandalized and gossips circulated around
Rizal was expecting a baby
Unfortunately, Jose played a prank on her, frightening her so that she prematurely gave birth to an 8th month baby boy, who only lived for three hours
This lost son of Rizal was named “Francisco” in honor of his father
RIZAL AND THE KATIPUNAN
Andres Bonifacio, the “Great Plebian,” was sowing the seeds of an unarmed uprising
Founded the Katipunan, the secret revolutionary society
Dr. Pio Valenzuela was named emissary to Dapitan
To inform Rizal of the plan of the Katipunan to launch a revolution for freedom’s sake
Dr. Valenzuela left Manila on board the steamer, Venus
To camouflage his real mission, he brought with him a blind man named Raymundo Mata
Rizal objected to Bonifacio’s audacious project to plunge the country in bloody revolution
He was of the sincere belief that it was premature, for two reasons:
The people are not ready for revolution
Arms and funds must first be collected before raising the cry for revolution
He also disapproved of the other plan of the Katipunan to rescue him
Because he had given his word of honor to the Spanish authorities
And he did not want to break it
VOLUNTEERS AS MILITARY DOCTOR IN CUBA
Months before the Katipunan contacted Jose, Rizal had offered his services as military doctor in Cuba, which was then in the throes of a revolution and a raging yellow fever epidemic.
There was a shortage of physicians to minister to the needs of the Spanish troops and the Cuban people.
It was Blumentritt who told him of the deplorable health situation in war-ridden Cuba and advised him to volunteer as army physician there
Rizal wrote to Gov.-Gen. Ramon Blanco, Despujol’s successor, offering his services as military doctor in Cuba
Blanco notified him of the acceptance of his offer
“THE SONG OF THE TRAVELER”
Great was Rizal’s joy in receiving the gladsome news
He knew that he was free and he can travel to Europe then Cuba
CHAPTER 23: LAST TRIP ABROAD (1896)
RIZAL MISSES SHIP GOING TO SPAIN
Letter to Blumentritt
I did not catch the mail ship for Spain
Fearing that my stay in Manila for a month might bring me troubles I made known to the governor general, while remaining on board, of my wish to be isolated from everybody, except my family.
Rizal was transferred to another cruiser by the order of Ramon Blanco
Was given good accommodation
He was treated not a prisoner, but a guest detained on board in order to avoid difficulties from friends and enemies
Rizal stayed on the cruiser for about a month, pending the availability of a Spain-bound steamer.
OUTBREAK OF THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION
The Katipunan plot to overthrow Spanish rule by means of revolution was discovered by Fray Mariano Gil
This incident struck terror into the hearts of the Spanish officials and residents, producing a hysteria of vindicative retaliation against the Filipino patriots.
The tumult produced by the discovery of the Katipunan plot was aggravated by the Cry of Balintawak which was raised by Bonifacio and his valiant Katipuneros
The revolutionists led by Bonifacio and Jacinto attacked San Juan, but they were repulsed with heavy losses
After the Battle of San Juan, Governor General Blanco proclaimed a state of war in the first eight provinces for rising in arms against Spain:
Manila, BUlacan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Tarlac
DEPARTURE FOR SPAIN
Rizal received from Governor General Blanco 2 letters of introduction for the Minister of War and the Minister of Colonies, with a covering letter which absolved him from all blame for the raging revolution
Letter by Blanco to the Minister of War:
His conduct during the 4 years that he was in exile in Dapitan has been exemplary
He is the more worthy of pardon and benevolence as he is in no way involved either in the criminal attempt that we are lamenting these days or in any conspiracy or secret society that they have been plotting.
Don Pedro Rozas and his son, Periquin
Fellow passenger of Rizal
RIZAL IN SINGAPORE
Don Pedro, with his son, disembarked at Singapore
He advised Rizal to stay too and take advantage of the protection of the British Law
Rizal did not heed his advice
Don Manuel Camus
Boarded the steamer, urging Jose to stay in Singapore to save his life
Jose ignored their appeal because he had given his word of honor to Governor General Blanco and he did not like to break it.
VICTIM OF SPANISH DUPLICITY
Without Jose’s knowledge, Gov. Gen. Blanco was secretly conspiring with the Ministers of War and the Colonies for his destruction
One of Jose’s mistakes was to believe that Gov. Gen. Blanco was a man of honor and a friend because:
He allowed him to go as a free man to Spain to become a physician-surgeon of the Spanish army in Cuba, where a bloody revolution was raging
Blanco gave him 2 letters of introduction addressed to the Spanish Ministers of War
Blanco and the Ministers of War and the Colonies were exchanging coded telegrams and confidential messages for his arrest upon reaching Barcelona
That Jose was a deportee and was being kept under surveillance
RIZAL ARRESTED BEFORE REACHING BARCELONA
A passenger told Rizal the bad news that he would be arrested by order of Gov. Gen. Blanco and would be sent to prison in Ceuta (Spanish Morocco)
Rizal belatedly realized that he was duped by the unscrupulous Spanish officials, particularly Blanco
Letter to Blumentritt:
I have offered to serve as a physician, risking life in the hazards of war and abandoning all my business
I am innocent and now in reward they are sending me to prison
I am communicating to you this news that you may appraise my situation.
ARRIVAL IN BARCELONA AS A PRISONER (8 days)
The trip from Manila to Barcelona lasted exactly 30 days
Jose was kept under heavy guard in his cabin for three days
Rizal was escorted to the grim and infamous prison-fortress named Monjuich
He spent the whole morning in a cell
Jose’s interview with Despujol
Told Rizal that he would be shipped back to Manila
Rizal was taken aboard on a ship full of soldiers and officers
CHAPTER 24: LAST HOMECOMING AND TRIAL
A MARTYR’S LAST HOMECOMING
Rizal knew he was facing the supreme test, which might mean the sacrifice of his life, but he was unafraid.
He thanked God for giving him the chance to return in order to confront his slanderers and to vindicate his name
Diary:
Either they do me justice and recognize my innocence and then I will be rehabilitated or they sentence me to death
Society will forgive me and later, without any doubt, justice will be done and I will one martyr
I believe that what is happening is the best that can happen to me – God’s will be done
CONFISCATION OF RIZAL’S DIARY
It was known to the Spanish authorities that Rizal was keeping track of the daily events in his diary
They were curious as to what were recorded in his diary
Their suspicion was aroused, for they feared that the diarist might be writing something seditious or treasonable
Rizal’s diary was taken away and was critically scrutinized by the authorities
Nothing dangerous was found in its contents
The diary was returned to him
UNSUCESSFUL RESCUE IN SINGAPORE
News of Rizal’s predicament reached his friends in Europe and Singapore
They dispatched frantic telegrams to an English lawyer in Singapore named Hugh Fort to rescue Rizal from the Spanish steamer when it reached Singapore by means of a writ of habeas corpus
When the steamer arrived in Singapore,
Atty. Fort instituted proceedings at the Singapore Court for the removal of Rizal from the steamer
The crux of Mr. Fort’s legal contention was that Rizal was illegally detained on the Spanish steamer
Chief Justice Loinel Cox denied the writ on the ground:
That the steamer (Colon) was carrying Spanish troops to the Philippines
Hence it is a warship of a foreign power, which under international law was beyond the jurisdiction of the Singapore authorities
ARRIVAL IN MANILA
Rizal was quietly transferred under heavy guard from the ship to Fort Santiago
Spanish authorities fished for evidence against Rizal
Many Filipino patriots were brutally tortured to implicate Rizal
Rizal’s brother, Paciano, was arrested and cruelly tortured
PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
2 kinds of evidence were presented against Rizal, namely documentary and testimonial
RIZAL CHOOSES HIS DEFENDER
The only right given to Rizal by the Spanish authorities was to choose his defense counsel
This was highly restricted, for he had to choose only from a list submitted to him
Don Luis Taviel de Andrade
He name was familiar to Jose so that he chose the lieutenant to be his defender in court
The brother of Luis Taviel de Andrade, Rizal’s bodyguard in Calamba
READING OF INFORMATION OF CHARGES TO THE ACCUSED
Jose was accused of being the principal organizer and the living soul of the Filipino insurrection, the founder of societies, periodicals and books dedicated to fomenting and propagating ideas of rebellion
As the accused, Rizal raised no objection on the jurisdiction of the court, but pleaded not guilty to the crime of rebellion.
He admitted that he wrote the Constitution of the Liga Filipina which was merely a civic association
He waived the right to amend or make further statements already made, except that he had taken no part in politics since his exile to Dapitan.
The withdrawal of Blanco from the gubernatorial office sealed Rizal’s fate, for he was more humane in character than the ruthless Polavieja
Blanco believed that Rizal was not a traitor to Spain
Had he remained in longer in office, Rizal would not have been executed
RIZAL’S MANIFESTO TO HIS PEOPLE
Rizal wrote a manifesto to his people appealing to them to stop the necessary shedding of blood and to achieve their liberties by means of education and liberty
Contents:
My name had been used as a war cry among some who were in arms
When I had news of what was being planned, I opposed it and demonstrated its absolute impossibility
I was convinced that the idea was highly absurd and would bring great suffering
In spite of my counsels, the movement broke out
I spontaneously offered not only my services, but my life, and even my name so that they might use them in the manner they saw fit to suppress the rebellion
Liberty is desired by placing education as a premise – by means of education and of labor they might have a personality of their own and make themselves worthy of liberties
I have written that reforms, to be fruitful, have to come from above, that those that come from below are irregular and unstable
I condemn this absurd, savage uprising planned behind my back, which dishonors us
I abhor its criminal methods and disclaim all participation therein.
Rizal’s manifesto was not issued to the people
Rizal was saved from the shame of his manifesto’s being misinterpreted and disobeyed by the Filipinos in arms
THE TRIAL OF RIZAL
His case was prejudged; he was considered guilty before the actual trial
Rizal was not given the right (which any accused is entitled to have in a real court of justice) to face the witnesses against him in open court
The prosecuting attorney urged the court to give the verdict of death to the accused
Rizal proved his innocence by twelve points:
He could not be guilty of rebellion, for he advised Dr. Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan not to rise in revolution
He did not correspond with the radical, revolutionary elements
The revolutionists used his name without his knowledge. If he were guilty he could have escaped Singapore
If he had a hand in revolution, he could have escaped in a Moro vinta and would not have built a home, a hospital, and bought lands in Dapitan
If he were the chief of revolution, why was he not consulted by the revolutionists?
It was true that he wrote the by-laws of the Liga Filipina, but this is only a civic association – not a revolutionary society.
The Liga Filipina did not live long, for after the first meeting he was banished to Dapitan and it died out.
If the La Liga was organized 9 months later, he did not know about it.
The La Liga did not serve the purpose of the revolutionists, otherwise they would not have supplanted it with the Katipunan.
If it were true that there were some bitter comments in Rizal’s letters, it was because they were written in 1890 when his family was being persecuted
His life in Dapitan had been exemplary as the politico-military commanders and missionary priests could attest
It was not true that the revolution was inspired by one of his speech at the house of Doroteo Ongjunco, as alleged by witnesses whom he would like to confront. His friends knew his opposition to armed rebellion. Why did the Katipunan send an emissary to Dapitan who was unknown to him?
The military court unanimously voted for the sentence of death
POLAVIEJA SIGNS RIZAL’S EXECUTION
Polavieja approved the decision of the court-martial and ordered Rizal o be shot at 7am of December 30 at Bagumbayan Field.
CHAPTER 25: MARTYRDOM IN BAGUMBAYAN
LAST HOURS OF RIZAL
Rizal gave to Trinidad the alcohol cooking stove instructing her that there is something inside
This “something” was Rizal’s farewell poem
10PM 29 December 1896
Rizal wrote his retraction, in which he abjured Masonry and his religious ideas which were anti-catholic
MARTYRDOM OF A HERO
He requested the commander of the firing squad, that he be shot facing the firing squad
His request was denied, for the captain had implicit orders to shot him in the back
Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo
A Spanish military physician asked his permission to feel his pulse
Castillo was amazed to find it normal, showing that Rizal was not afraid to die
It was exactly 7:03 in the morning when he died in the bloom of manhood – aged 35 y. o.
AFTERMATH OF A HERO-MARTYR’S DEATH
After the hero’s execution, the Spanish spectators shouted “Viva Espana!” “Muerte a los Traidores” (Long live Spain! Death to the Traitors!)
