SUMMARY OF RIZAL’S LIFE

Paternal Ancestry

Domingo Lameo (Domingo Lamco)

 A Chinese immigrant from the Fukien City of

Chinchew (Changchow).
 He arrived from Amoy, China in 1697. and INES DELA ROSA
change his name to Mercado (meaning Market)
in 1731
 He used this surname from 1731 to November
Married to  A well to do
Chinese girl of
11, 1849 as soon as Governor-General Narciso
Manila
Claveria posed a regulation that requires them to

Francisco Mercado – became gobernadorcillo

*married to Bernarda Monica
(mayor of Biñan) – a Chinese-
Filipina Mestiza

Juan Mercado – (grandfather of Jose Rizal)

- Capitan del Pueblo of Biñan
-Married to Cirila Alejandro a
Chinese- Filipina Mestiza

Francisco Mercado – father of Jose Rizal) TEODORA ALONSO REALONDA

*Born on November 8,
*Youngest among the 13 siblings 1826 in Manila
of Juan and Cirila *Educated at the College
*His father died when he was 8 of Santa Rosa, a well-known
years old June 28, 1848 college for girls in the city.
*Born on May 11, 1818 in Biñan, * Died in Manila on August
Laguna Married to 16,
* He studied Latin and Philosophy 1911
at the College of San Jose in Manila.
*He died in Manila on January 5,
1898, at the age of 80

 They moved to Calamba, engaged farming and business.

 Sometime after 1849, in compliance with Governor Claveria’s decree ordering Filipinos to adopt Spanish
surnames (to facilitate documentation, for, many Filipino families shared the same family name such as “De La
Cruz”, etc.)– Francisco Engracio Mercado added added “Rizal” to the family surname, from the Spanish word
“ricial”, which connotes a green field or pasture.
Maternal Ancestry

*Descended from Lakandula (Last Native king of Tondo)

Eugenio Ursua
 Great-great grandfather
of Jose Rizal Benigna
 He was of Japanese  a Filipina
Married to
ancestry

Manuel de Quintos
Regina
 FIlipino -Chinese
the daughter of Eugenio
lawyer from
and Benigna
Pangasinan
Married to

Children
Lorenzo Alberto Alonso,
Brigida Married to a prominent Spanish-
Filipino mestizo of Biñan

Narcisa

Teodora Francisco
Married to Mercado
 Rizal’s Mother

Gregorio

Manuel

Jose
Jose Rizal’s Childhood

June 19, 1861 – when José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was born in the town of
Calamba, Laguna. His mother almost died during delivery because of his bighead.
- He was the seventh child in a family of 11 children (2 boys and 9 girls).
June 22, 1861 – when Jose Rizal baptized.
Rev. Rufino Collantes – a parish priest who baptized JOSE RIZAL MERCADO at the Catholic of
Calamba.
- A Batangueño.
Rev. Pedro Casañas - as the sponsor/godfather.

SIBLINGS
 SATURNINA RIZAL (1850-1913) Eldest child. Married Manuel Timoteo Hidalgo of
Tanauan, Batangas.
*nicknamed Neneng2
 PACIANO RIZAL (1851-1930) Only brother of Jose Rizal and the second child. Studied at
San Jose College in Manila; became a farmer and later a                              general of the Philippine
Revolution.
-confidant of Jose Rizal, he was immortalized by Jose Rizal in his first
novel Noli Me Tangere as Pilosopo Tasio
 NARCISA RIZAL (1852-1939) The third child. married Antonio Lopez at Morong, Rizal; a
teacher and musician.
 OLYMPIA RIZAL (1855-1887) The fourth child. Married Silvestre Ubaldo; died in 1887
from childbirth.
 LUCIA RIZAL (1857-1919) The fifth child. Married Mariano Herbosa.
* the nephew of Fr. Casanas; he was denied a Christian burial because
he was the brother-in-law of Jose Rizal
 MARIA RIZAL (1859-1945) The sixth child. Married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan,
Laguna.
 JOSE RIZAL (1861-1896) The second son and the seventh child. He was executed by the
Spaniards on December 30,1896.
 CONCEPCION RIZAL “Concha”- (1862-1865) The eight child. Died at the age of three
because of illness. Rizal’s first sorrow.
 JOSEFA RIZAL (1865-1945) The ninth child. An epileptic, died a spinster (Maiden/Laon).
 TRINIDAD RIZAL (1868-1951) The tenth child. Died a spinster and the last of the family
to die.
 SOLEDAD RIZAL (1870-1929) The youngest child married Pantaleon Quintero.

Jose Rizal learned his letters at the age of 3 after insisting that he be taught to read and share the lessons learned by
his elder sister. Jose Rizal’s first teacher was his mother, who had taught him how to read and pray and who
had encouraged him to write poetry. They were taught and trained:
 To love God
 To behave well
 To be obedient
 To respect people, especially the old folks
 They believed in the maxim: “Spare the rod and spoil the child”
 He also spent much of this time in a church nearby his house just watching or observing the people coming
in and out. Three uncles who were brothers of his mother also had much influence on the early childhood of
Jose Rizal.

 The youngest uncle named Jose, took care of teaching regular lessons to Rizal.
 His huge uncle Manuel developed his physique until he had a body of silk and steel and no longer a skinny
and sickly boy.
 The last uncle, Gregorio instilled in the mind of Rizal that it was not easy to obtain something until you put
effort into it.

Jose Rizal also owned a pony and used it to have long rides into the surrounding country which was rich in
scenery. He also took long walks together with his big black dog named Usman.

 Jose was called “Ute” by his brother and sisters. The townpeople of Calamba called him “Pepe” or
“Pepito”.

Before he sent to Biñan, the early teacher/tutors who gave him lessons in Spanish and Latin were: Maestro
Celestino, Maestro Lucas Padua and Leon Monroy (Classmate of his father) who gave introductory lessons in
Latin to Rizal. The death of Monroy paved the way to Jose’s schooling in Biñan.

 1865 – tragedy struck when his favorite sister Concha died because of illness.
 At the age of five years old, he was able to read, although not fluently, the Spanish bible which
commonly called historia sagrada.
 1868 – at the age of seven, Rizal wrote a comedy for the local fiesta. The municipal captain rewarded
him with two pesos.
 June 6, 1868 – Rizal in his father had a pilgrimage to Antipolo.
 1869 – at the age of eight, he wrote the poem “Sa Aking mga Kabata”.

June, 1869 – He was nine years old when he was sent to school in Biñan, Laguna, where his uncle Jose Alberto
lived. His teacher was Justiniano Aquino Cruz. He was accompanied by his older brother Paciano. 

December 17, 1871- Jose was instructed to go home for a Christmas vacation when he scolded by his father
and hustled back to school when he reported that his classmate named Pedro laughed at him during his
conversation with the teacher. Dr. Cruz told Francisco that his son indeed completed his academic studies and
beat all Binan boys.

As to his father's request, he took and passed the entrance examination in Colegio de San Juan de Letran and
studied there. The Dominican friars asked him to transfer to another school due to his radical and bold
questions.

June 10, 1872- Paciano accompanied Jose to matriculate at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. Fr. Magin
Ferrando the registrar of Ateneo at first refused to admit Jose for two reason: 1) he was late for registration
and 2) he appeared sickly and undersized for his age. Upon the intercession of Manuel Xerez-Burgos, nephew
of Fr. Burgos, Rizal was reluctantly admitted to Ateneo. He was 11 years old when he entered and became a
student of (established by the Jesuits). He earned excellent marks in subjects like philosophy, physics,
chemistry, and natural history. At this school, he read novels; wrote prize-winning poetry (and even a
melodrama—“Junto al Pasig”); and practiced drawing, painting, and clay modeling, all of which remained
lifelong interests for him. He belonged to the class of Spaniards-Mestizos and Filipino. Fr. Jose Bech was his
teacher. He considered as an inferior and placed at the buttom of the class. When he began school, he was
moderately successful in speaking and writing Spanish. Rizal worked hard and read constantly until finally Fr.
Francisco de Paula Sanchez remarked that he was becoming proficient in the language. By the end of the
month, he was declared the most outstanding. He also took private lessons in Santa Isabel College to improve
his Spanish. Rizal eventually earned a land surveyor’s and assessor’s degree from the Ateneo Municipal.

While Jose Rizal studying at Ateneo his mother Teodora was thrown into prison, allegedly accused and charge
with conspiracy by his brother, Alberto Realonda of killing and poisoning his wife, who had separated from
him. But then she was released into prison because of Soledad (sister of Rizal). It so happened that Governor
General Rafael Izquierdo visited Calamba. Some liitle girls danced for his entertainment and he was caught by
the charm of Soledad and asked her what did she want. Soledad asked to release and the case of her mother
was dismissed without a trial.

March 23, 1877 – at the age of 16 years old, he graduated and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, with
the highest Honors in Ateneo Municipal de Manila

April, 1877 - At the same while studying at Ateneo he took up preparatory course in law at University of Santo
Tomas (under Dominicans). In 1878 upon learning that his mother was going blind, Rizal opted to study
ophthalmology at the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. He, however, was not able to complete the course
because “he became politically isolated by adversaries among the faculty and clergy who demanded that he
assimilate to their system.” He was disgusted with the method of instruction of the Dominicans and racial
prejudice of Dominican professors against Filipino students. After finishing the 4th year of his medical course
in UST, he decided to study abroad. He predicted that his decision of studying abroad would not be favored by
his parents; he did not asked their blessing. And aside from studying in Spain he was on a secret mission. This
mission was to observe keenly the life and culture, languages and customs, industries and commerce, and
government and laws of the European nations in order to prepare himself in the great task of liberating his
oppressed people from the Spanish tyranny.

1879 – he submitted a poem for the poetry contest which had organized for Filipinos by the Manila Lyceum
Art and Literature, he won the first prize, a silver pen, for the poem “A la Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino
Youth)”.

May 1 1882-Rizal left Calamba and was able to reach Manila after ten hours of journey via a carromata. Rizal
stayed in Manila for 2 days before his trip to Spain. Before leaving, he heard the mass at  Santo Domingo
Church in the Walled City and then proceeded to Pasig to board the cruiser Salvadora, bound for Singapore.

May 3, 1882 - Without his parents' knowledge and consent, but secretly supported by his brother Paciano, he
traveled alone to Madrid, Spain. He boarded on steamer Salvadora bound for Singapore wherein he was the
only Filipino Passenger. Donato Lecha – the ship captain from Asturias, befriended Rizal. To avoid detection he
used the name “Jose Mercado” and Jesuits priests gave him letter of recommendation to their society in
Barcelona. To kill boredom of the voyage, Rizal played chess with his fellow passengers.

May 8, 1882 – while the streamer was approaching Singapore, Rizal was fascinated by a beautiful island and
its scenic beauty, he remember “Talim Island with the Susong Dalaga”

May 9, 1882 - the Salvadora docked at Singapore. He stayed at Hotel de la Paz where he spent two days on a
sightseeing soiree of the city, which was a colony of England.
May 11, 1882 - Rizal transferred to another ship Djemnah, a French streamer, which left Singapore for Europe.
By conversing daily with the French passenger, he was then able to improve his knowledge of the French
language.

May 17, 1882 – Djemnah reached Point Galle, a seacoast twon in southern Ceylon (now Sri Lanka. Rizal wrote
on his travel diary: “The general apperance of Point Galle is picturestic but lonely and quiet and at the same
time sad”)

The following day the voyage resumed towards Colombo – capital of Ceylon. Rizal was enamored by Colombo
because of its scenic beauty and elegant buildings as he said,“Colombo is more beautiful, smart and elegant
than Singapore, Point Galle and Manila”.

From Colombo, the Djemnah continued the voyage crossing the Indian Ocean to the Cape coast of Africa. Rizal
sighted the barren coast of Africa, for the first time, which he called an ‘inhospitable land but famous’. The
next stopover was in Aden. He found the city, hotter than Manila and was amused to see the camels for it was
also his first time seeing them. From Aden the ship proceeded to the city of Suez, the Red Sea terminal of Suez
Canal. Upon arrival, Rizal disembarked and went sightseeing. What impressed him most was the beautiful
moonlight which reminded him of Calamba and his family. The Djemnah took five days to traverse the Suez
Canal. Rizal was thrilled because it was his first trip through this canal which was built by Ferdinand de
Lasseps. At Port Said, Rizal landed in order to see the interesting sights. He was fascinated to hear multi-racial
inhabitants speaking a wide variety of language. From Port Said, the ship proceeded on its way to Europe.

June 11, 1882- Rizal reached Naples. This city pleased Rizal because of its business activity, its lively people
and its scenic beauty. He was fascinated by the Mouth Vesuvius, the Castle of ST. Telmo and other historic
sights of the city.

June 12, 1882 (night) the steamer docked at the French harbor of Marseilles. Rizal bid farewell to his fellow
passengers. He visited the famous Chateau d’lf where Dantes, was imprisoned. He stayed two and a half days
in Marseilles. 

June 15, 1882 (afternoon) Rizal left Marseilles to proceed to Spain via train. He crossed the Pyrenees and
stopped for a day at the frontier town of Port Bou. After the passport inspection at Port Bou, Rizal continued
his trip by rail.

June 16, 1882 when he finally reaching Barcelona. His first impression of Barcelona was unfavorable. He
thought of it as an ugly, dirty and its residents are inhospitable. Later, he changed his impression and liked the
city. He found it as a great city, with an atmosphere of freedom and liberalism. He also found its people were
open-hearted, hospitable, and courageous. He enjoyed promenading along Las Ramblas which was the famous
street in Barcelona. Filipinos in Barcelona were some of his classmates in Ateneo, welcomed him. HE came
into contact with Filipinos who were plotting revolution.

August 20, 1882 - In Barcelona, Rizal wrote a nationalistic essay entitled “Amor Patrio” (Love of Country)
which was his first written article on Spain’s soil. Under his pen-name Laong Laan(means ever prepared),
appeared in print in Diariong Tagalog (the first Manila bilingual newspaper (Spanish and Tagalog). He then
sent his article to Basilio Teodoro Moran, publisher of Diariong Tagalog. Basilio was deeply impressed by the
article congratulated Rizal and asked Rizal to publish more articles. The Spanish text was the one originally
written by Rizal in Barcelona, the tagalog text was a Tagalog translation made by M.H. del Pilar.
September 15, 1882 - While living in Barcelona, Rizal received bad news about the cholera outbreak ravaging
Manila and the provinces. Many people died and more were dying daily. Sad news was that his beloved
Leonor Rivera was getting thinner because of the absence of her loved one. Also, Paciano advised Rizal to
continue his medical course in Madrid. Heeding his advice, Rizal left Barcelona in the fall of 1882 and
proceeded to Madrid. Francisco Calvo, the editor in chief of the Diariong Tagalog.

October 31, 1882 – the paper ceased publication of Diariong Tagalog because of lack of funds.

Life in Madrid

In March 1882 - shortly after his arrival, Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-Philippine Circle) -
a society of Spaniards and Filipinos. It was led by Juan Atayde, a Spaniard born in Manila and a military officer.
The organization aimed to voice out the concerns of Filipinos. Notable members of the organization included:
Jose Rizal, M.H Del Pilar, Juan Luna and Graciano Lopez Jaena. The organization was able to publish the
Revista del Circulo Hispano-Filipino, a newpaper aimed at expressing thoughts about the abusive Spanish
government.

November 3, 1882- Rizal enrolled at Universidad Central de Madrid where he takes up two courses: Medicine
and Philosophy and Letters. He also studied painting and sculpture Academy of San Carlos and drawing at the
Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando.

Rizal’s only extravagance was investing a few pesetas for a lottery ticket in every draw of the Madrid Lottery.
Rizal also spent his reading and writing at his boarding house, attending reunions of Filipino students at the
house of Paterno brothers (Antonio, Maximo, and Pedro).

On Saturday evenings, Rizal visited the home of Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey the former city mayor of Manila
during the time of Governor Carlos de la Torre who lived with his son (Rafael) and daughter (Consuelo) –
Rizal’s another love affair. Rizal was attracted to Consuelo due to her refined manners and enchanting smile.
He gave flowers occasionally, which Consuelo appreciated. Consuelo fell in love with him. However, Rizal
suppressed his emotions since he was still engaged with Leonor Rivera. Besides, he did not want to destroy his
friendship with Eduardo de late, who was madly in love with Consuelo. Before leaving Madrid, he composed a
poem for Consuelo, w/c was entitled “A la Seniorita C .O. y R”.

December 31, 1882 upon the request of the members of this society, Rizal’s wrote this poem “Me Piden
Versos (They Ask Me For Verses)” - which he personally declaimed during the New Year’s Eve reception of
the Madrid Filipinos held in the evening. In this sad poem, Rizal poured out the cry of his agonizing heart.
• Rizal economized on his living expenses, and with the money he saved, he purchased books from a second-
hand book store owned by a certain Señor Roses
• Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Eugene Sue’s The Wandering Jew- these two books aroused Rizal’s
sympathy for the oppressed and unfortunate people

FIRST VISIT TO PARIS (1883)

June 17, 1883 During his first summer vacation in Madrid, Rizal went to Paris, gay capital of France. He stayed
at Hotel de Paris- located on 37 Rue de Maubange wherein Rizal billeted but later, he moved to a cheaper
hotel on 124 Rue de Rennes in the Latin Quarter. The prices of food, drinks, theatre, tickets, laundry, hotel
accommodations, and transportation were too high for Rizal’s slender purse so that he commented in a letter
to his family: “Paris is the costliest capital in Europe.”
Laennec Hospital- where Rizal observed Dr. Nicaise treating his patients. Lariboisiere Hospital- where Rizal
observed the examination of different diseases of women. Rizal was impressed by the way the Spanish Mason
openly and freely criticized the government policies and lambasted the friars, which could not be done in
Philippines.

March 1883- Rizal joined the Masonic lodge called Acacia in Madrid. Rizal’s reason for becoming a mason was
to secure Freemansory’s aid in his fight against the friars in the Philippines .

June 19, 1884- on his 24th birthday, Rizal was awarded the degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters by
the Universidad Central de Madrid with the rating of “Excellent”: (Sobresaliente)

June 21, 1884- Rizal completed his medical course in Spain; he was conferred the degree of Licentiate in
Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid. The next academic year (1884-1885), Rizal studied and passed
all subjects leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine but he did not present the thesis required for
graduation nor paid the corresponding fees, he was not awarded his Doctor’s diploma.

June 24, 1884- a touching incident in Rizal’s life in Madrid wherein he was broke and was unable to take
breakfast - Rizal attended his class at the university, participated in the contest in Greek language and won the
gold medal, he did not eat at all, because he lacked money.

June 25, 1884 – (Evening) a banquet was sponsored by the Filipino community to celebrate the double victory
of the Filipino artist in the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid—Luna’s Spoliarium winning the first prize
and Hidalgo’s Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace (Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho), second
prize. Rizal gave a toast at a victory banquet. He found out that his family was worried about the impact of his
“toast speech” and his joining the masonry.

November 20, 21, and 22, 1884- the serene city of Madrid exploded in bloody riots by the students of the
Central University. These student demonstrations were caused by the address of Dr. Miguel Morayta,
professor of history, at the opening ceremonies of the academic year on November 20, in which he
proclaimed “the freedom of science and the teacher”. The Rector, who also took the side of the students, was
forced to resign and was replaced by Doctor Creus, “a very unpopular man, disliked by everybody”

November 26, 1884- Rizal wrote the recounting tumultuous riots to his family. A letter to Rizal’s family written
in Madrid wherein he said “My doctorate is not of very much value to me… because although it is useful to a
university professor, yet, I believe they (Dominican friars) will never appoint me as such in the College of Santo
Tomas. I say the same thing of philosophy and letters which may serve also for a professorship, but I doubt if
the Dominican fathers will grant it to me.”

1885- he received his Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters and Licentiate in medicine.

After Rizal’s departure for Spain, things turned from bad to worse in Calamba: (1) harvests of rice and
sugarcane failed on account of drought and locusts (2) the manager of the Dominican-owned hacienda
increased the rentals of the lands (3) a dreadful pest killed most of the turkeys. Due to hard times in Calamba,
the monthly allowances of Rizal in Madrid were late in arrival and there were times when they never arrived.

November 1885, Rizal was living in Paris where he sojourned for about four months

Dr. Louis de Weckert (1852-1906)- leading French ophthalmologist wherein Rizal worked as an assistant from
November 1885 to February 1886
Paz Pardo de Tavera- was a pretty girl, who was engaged to Juan Luna. At the studio of Luna, Rizal spent many
happy hours. Rizal helped Luna by posing as model in several paintings. In Luna’s canvas “The Death of
Cleopatra,“ Rizal posed as an Egyptian priest. In another of Luna’s great paintings, “The Blood Compact,” he
posed as Sikatuna, with Trinidad Pardo de Tavera taking the role of Legazpi

(1885-1886) Maximo Viola- a medical student and a member of a rich family of San Miguel, Bulacan, Rizal’s
friend • Señor Eusebio Corominas- editor of the newspaper La Publicidad and made a crayon sketch of Don
Miguel Morayta, owner of La Publicidad and a stasman • Rizal gave Editor Corominas an article on the
Carolines Question, then a controversial issue, for publication

(1885-1887) Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to specialize in ophthalmology—Rizal chose this branch
of medicine because he wanted to cure his mother’s eye ailment

February 1, 1886- Rizal reluctantly left gay Paris from Germany

February 3, 1886- Rizal arrived in Heidelberg, a historic city in Germany famous for its old university and
romantic surroundings. Chess Player’s Club- a club wherein the students made Rizal as a member because of
being a good chess player
Dr. Otto Becker- distinguished German ophthalmologist where Rizal worked and had a special training—
University Eye Hospital. Rizal experienced actual patient operations in Paris helped him emerge as on best
students of Dr. Becker.

March 11, 1886 - one of Rizal’s important letters written while he was in Germany that addressed to his sister,
Trinidad - in this letter, Rizal expressed his high regard and admiration for German womanhood - The German
woman, said Rizal to his sister, is serious, diligent, educated, and friendly. She is not gossipy, frivolous and
quarrelsome. Aside from the German women, Rizal admired the German customs which he observed well

April 22, 1886- Rizal wrote a fine poem “A Las Flores de Heidelberg” (To the Flowers of Heidelberg). In the
spring of 1886, Rizal was fascinated by the blooming flowers along the cool banks of the Neckar River. Among
them was his favorite flower— the light blue “forget-me-not”. Wilhelmsfeld- a mountainous village near
Heidelberg where Rizal spent a three-month summer vacation

Rizal attended lecture courses in the famous old University of Heidelberg. He lived with Dr. Karl Ullmer- a
Lutheran minister and kind Protestant pastor, who became his good friend and admirer and learning much
about German religious ideas. Rizal also contemplated to enroll as a student of law but his brother Paciano
was not in favor of it.

June 25, 1886- Rizal ended his sojourn at Pastor Ullmer’s home

July 31, 1886- Rizal wrote his first letter in German (which he had improved after his stay with the Ullmers) to
Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt, Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria. Aritmetica (Arithmetic)-Rizal
sent this book he mentioned and was published in two languages— Spanish and Tagalog—by the University of
Santo Tomas Press in 1868. The author was Rufino Baltazar Hernandez, a native of Santa Cruz, Laguna. Rizal
found a friend and teacher.

August 6, 1886- the famous University of Heidelberg held its fifth centenary celebration

August 9, 1886- Rizal left Heidelberg

August 14, 1886- boarded by a train. Rizal arrived in Leipzig where he transferred to University of Leipzig to
study psychology and history. There he became friend with Professor Friedrich Ratzel- a famous German
historian, who helped Rizal change the methods of historical research.
Dr. Hans Meyer- German anthropologist, a friend of Rizal

In Leipzig, Rizal translated Schiller’s William Tell from German into Tagalog so that Filipino might know the
story of that champion of Swiss independence. Rizal also translated into Tagalog for his nephews and niece
Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales

Rizal found out that the cost of living in Leipzig was cheapest in Europe so that he stayed two months and a
half. Because of his knowledge of German, Spanish, and other European languages, Rizal worked as proof-
reader in a publisher’s firm.

October 29, 1886- Rizal left Leipzig for Dresden where he met Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, Director of the
Anthropological and Ethnological Museum. Rizal heard Mass in a Catholic church; evidently, this Mass
impressed him very much, for he wrote on his diary: “Truly I have never in my life heard a Mass whose music
had greater sublimity and intonation.”

IN BERLIN

November 1, 1886 (Morning) Rizal left Dresden by train reaching Berlin in the evening. At 1:25 P.M., Rizal
arrived at Berlin and boarded at the Central Hotel.

2 November 1886
Rizal wrote a letter to his friend Pastor Karl Ullmer informing the latter of his arrival at the big German capital
the day before. He wrote: "Remembrances to your loving wife, Eta and to Friedrich."

Rizal met for the first time Dr. Feodor Jagor, celebrated German scientist-traveler and author of Travels in the
Philippines, a book which Rizal read and admired during his student days in Manila and became Rizal’s warm
friend.

Dr. Rudolf Virchow- introduced to Rizal by Dr. Jagor; famous German anthropologist. Dr. Hans Virchow- son of
Dr. Rudolf Virchow, professor of Descriptive Anatomy and Dr. Wilhelm Joest- noted German geographer
Dr. Ernest Schweigger (1830-1905)- famous German ophthalmologist where Rizal worked. Rizal became a
member of the Anthropological Society, the Ethnological Society, and the Geographical Society of Berlin, upon
the recommendation of Dr. Jagor and Dr. Meyer
Tagalische Verkunst (Tagalog Metrical Art)- Rizal wrote this scholarly paper in German which he read before
the society in April 1887. This paper was published by the society in the same year, and elicited favorable
comments from all scientific quarters

Rizal lived in Berlin, famous capital of unified Germany for five reasons:
(1) to gain further knowledge of ophthalmology
(2) to further his studies of sciences and languages
(3) to observe the economic and political conditions of the German nation
(4) to associate with famous German scientists and scholars
(5) to publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere

Madame Lucie Cerdole-Rizal’s professor of French in order to master the idiomatic intricacies of the French
language
Unter den Linden- the most popular boulevard of Berlin wherein Rizal enjoyed promenading, sipping beer in
the city’s inns and talking with the friendly Berliners

The bleak winter of 1886 in Berlin was Rizal’s darkest winter because no money arrived from Calamba and he
was flat broke. The diamond ring which his sister, Saturnina, gave him was in the pawnshop. It was memorable
in the life of Rizal for two reasons (1) it was a painful episode for he was hungry, sick and despondent in a
strange city (2) it brought him great joy after enduring so much sufferings, because his first novel, Noli Me
Tangere came off the press in March, 1887. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin- inspired Dr. Rizal to
prepare a novel that would depict the miseries of his people under the lash of Spanish tyrants

January 2, 1884- in a reunion of Filipinos in the Paterno residence in Madrid, Rizal proposed the writings of a
novel about the Philippines by a group of Filipinos Toward the end of 1884, Rizal began writing the novel in
Madrid and finished about one-half of it. When Rizal went to Paris, in 1885, after completing his studies in the
Central University of Madrid, he continued writing the novel, finishing one half of the second half. Rizal
finished the last fourth of the novel in Germany. He wrote the last few chapters of the Noli in Wilhelmsfeld in
April-June, 1886. In Berlin during the winter days of February, 1886, Rizal made the final revisions on the
manuscript of the Noli

February 21, 1887- the Noli was finally finished and ready for printing

February 22, 1887 – Noli Me Tangere was finished in Berlin. Rizal was desperate then. He had no money to
publish the book. Vainly he was struggling to save money by eating one meal a day, largely bread and coffee,
which cost him but a few centavos. Rizal confided to old friend Fernando Canon about the dark period.

Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action-Gesselschaft- a printing shop which charged the lowest rate, that is, 300 pesos
for 200 copies of the novel

Maximo Viola- Rizal’s friend from Bulacan, arrived in Berlin at the height of Rizal despondency and loaned him
the needed funds to publish the novel; savior of Noli. After the Christmas season, Rizal put the finishing
touches on his novel. To save printing expenses, he deleted certain passages in his manuscript, including a
whole chapter— “Elias and Salome”

March 5, 1887- Rizal, wrote to Felix Hidalgo in French on, said: “Noli Me Tangere, words taken from the
Gospel of St. Luke, signify “do not touch me” but Rizal made a mistake, it should be the Gospel of St. John
(Chapter 20 Verses 13 to 17)
The title Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase which means “Touch Me Not”. It is not originally conceived by
Rizal, for he admitted taking it from the Bible.

Rizal dedicated his Noli Me Tangere to the Philippines—“To My Fatherland”

The cover of Noli Me Tangere was designed by Rizal. It is a ketch of explicit symbols. A woman’s head atop a
Maria Clara bodice represents the nation and the women, victims of the social cancer. One of the causes of
the cancer is symbolized in the friar’s feet, outsized in relation to the woman’s head. The other aggravating
causes of oppression and discrimination are shown in the guard’s helmet and the iron chains, the teacher’s
whip and the alferez’s scourge. A slight cluster of bamboo stands at the backdrop; these are the people,
forever in the background of their own country’s history. There are a cross, a maze, flowers and thorny plants,
a flame; these are indicative of the religious policy, the misdirected ardor, the people strangled as a result of
these all The novel Noli Me Tangere contains 63 chapters and an epilogue
11 May 1887- Accompanied by Maximo Viola, Rizal left Berlin to visit the cities of Eurupe, including
Dresden, Leitmeritz, Prague, Vienna, Munich, Nuremberg, Ulm, Lausanne, and Geneva.

March 21, 1887- the Noli Me Tangere came off the press.

March 29, 1887- Rizal, in token of his appreciation and gratitude, gave Viola the galley proofs of the Noli
carefully rolled around the pen that he used in writing it and a complimentary copy, with the following
inscription: “To my dear friend, Maximo Viola, the first to read and appreciate my work—Jose Rizal”

Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor- Filipino patriot and lawyer who had been exiled due to his complicity in the Cavite
Mutiny of 1872, read avidly the Noli and was very much impressed by its author

RIZAL’S GRAND TOUR OF EUROPE WITH VIOLA (1887)

May 11, 1887- Rizal and Viola left Berlin by train.

Dresden- one of the best cities in Germany • Prometheus Bound-painting wherein Rizal was deeply impressed
• Teschen (now Decin, Czechoslovakia)- next stopover after leaving Dresden.

May 13, 1887- At 1:30pm by train, Rizal and Viola on board, arrived at the railroad station of Leitmeritz,
Bohemia – for the first time, the two great scholars—Rizal and Ferdinand Blumentritt— met in person.
Professor Blumentritt- a kind-hearted, old Austrian professor.

May 13 to May 16, 1887- Rizal and Viola stayed in Leitmeritz • Burgomaster- town mayor • Tourist’s Club of
Leitmeritz-which Blumentritt was the secretary; Rizal spoke extemporaneously in fluent Germany to the
officers and members. Dr. Carlos Czepelak- renowned scientist of Europe • Professor Robert Klutschak- an
eminent naturalist

May 16, 1887 at 9:45 AM- Rizal and Viola left Leitmeritz by train

PRAGUE • Dr. Willkomm- professor of natural history in the University of Prague • According to Viola,
“nothing of importance happened” in this city

May 20, 1887- Rizal and Viola arrived in the beautiful city of Vienna, capital of Austria-Hungary • Vienna was
truly the “Queen of Danube” because of its beautiful buildings, religious images, haunting waltzes and
majestic charm • Norfentals- one of the greatest Austrian novelists was favorably impressed by Rizal, and
years later he spoke highly of Rizal, “whose genius he so much admired.” • Hotel Metropole- where Rizal and
Viola stayed In Vienna, Rizal received his lost diamond stickpin

May 24, 1887- Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a river boat to see the beautiful sights of the Danube River • Rizal
particularly noticed that the passengers on the river boat were using paper napkins during the meals, which
was a novelty to him. Viola, commented that the paper napkins were “more hygienic and economical than
cloth napkins”

Munich- where Rizal and Viola sojourned for a short time to savor the famous Munich beer, reputed to be the
best in Germany • Nuremberg- one of the oldest cities of Germany. The Cathedral of Ulm- the largest and
tallest cathedral in all Germany.

From Ulm, they went to Stuttgart, Baden and then Rheinfall (Cascade of the Rhine). At Rheinfall, they saw the
waterfall, “the most beautiful waterfall of Europe”
May 29, 1887- Rizal wrote from Munich (Muchen) to Friedrich (Fritz), son of Pastor Ullmer.

June 2 to 3, 1887- stayed at Schaffhausen, Switzerland

GENEVA • This Swiss city is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, visited by world tourists every year.
June 19, 1887- Rizal treated Viola to a blow-out. It was his 26th birthday. Rizal and Viola spent fifteen
delightful days in Geneva.
June 23, 1887- Viola and Rizal parted ways— Viola returned to Barcelona while Rizal continued the tour to
Italy. Exposition of the Philippines in Madrid, Spain- Rizal was outraged by this degradation of his fellow
countrymen the Igorots of Northern Luzon

June 27, 1887- Rizal reached Rome, the “Eternal City” and also called the “City of the Caesars”. Rizal was
thrilled by the sights and memories of the Eternal City. As he wrote describing to Blumentritt, the “grandeur
that was Rome”.

June 29, 1887- the Feast Day of St. Peter and St. Paul, Rizal visited for the first time the Vatican, the “City of
the Popes” and the capital of Christendom. Every night, after sightseeing the whole day, Rizal returned to his
hotel, very tired. “I am tired as a dog,” he wrote to Blumentritt, “but I will sleep as a God”. After a week of
wonderful sojourn in Rome, Rizal prepared to return to the Philippines. He had already written to his father
that he was coming home

FIRST HOMECOMING (1887- 1888)

Because of the publication of the Noli Me Tangere and the uproar it caused among the friars, Rizal was warned
by Paciano (his brother), Silvestre Ubaldo (his brother-in-law), Chengoy (Jose M. Cecilio) and other friends not
to return home. - Rizal was determined to return to the Philippines for the following reasons:
(1) to operate on his mother’s eyes
(2) to serve his people who had long been oppressed by Spanish tyrants
(3) to find out for himself how Noli and his other writings were affecting Filipinos and Spaniards in the
Philippines and
(4) to inquire why Leonor Rivera remained silent

July 3, 1887-Rizal boarded the steamer Djemnah, the same streamer which brought him to Europe 5 years ago

July 29, 1887- Rizal wrote to his father, announcing his homecoming, “on the 15th of July, I shall embark for
our country, so that from the 15th to the 30th of August, we shall see each other”

Rizal left Rome by train for Marseilles, a French port, which he reached without mishap.
July 30, 1887-at Saigon, Rizal transferred to another steamer, Haiphong, which was Manila-bounded
August 2, 1887- the steamer left Saigon for Manila
August 3, 1887- the moon was full and Rizal slept soundly the whole night. The calm sea, illuminated by the
silvery moonlight, was a magnificent sight to him.
August 5, 1887 near midnight the Haiphong arrived in Manila. When Rizal arrived in Calamba, rumors spread
that he was a: – German spy – An agent of Otto Von Bismarck – the liberator of Germany. – A Protestant – A
Mason – A soul halfway to damnation. Paciano – did not leave him during the first days after arrival to protect
him from any enemy assault. Don Francisco – did not permit him to go out alone
August 8, 1887- Rizal returned to Calamba. In Calamba, Rizal established a medical clinic. He earned P900 in a
few months and P5,000 before he left the Philippines. His first patient was his mother, who was almost blind.
Rizal, who came to be called “Doctor Uliman” because he came from Germany, treated their ailments and
soon he acquired a lucrative medical practice. Rizal opened a gymnasium for young folks, where he introduced
European sports like fencing and shooting to discourage them from cockfighting and gambling. Rizal suffered
one failure during his six months of sojourn in Calamba—his failure to see Leonor Rivera.

While Rizal was in Calamba, Rizal tried to visit Leonor Rivera in Tarlac but his parents forbade him to go
because Leonor’s mother did not like him for a son-in- law.
Olimpia Mercado-Ubaldo – died because of child birth. (Rizal sister)

As Rizal was peacefully living in Calamba, his enemies plotted his doom. Governor General Emilio Terrero –
wrote to Rizal requesting to come to Malacañang Palace. – Somebody had whispered to his ear that the Noli
contains subversive ideas. – Rizal explained to him that he merely exposed the truth, but did not advocate
subversive ideas. – He was pleased by Rizal’s explanation and curious about the book, he asked for a copy of
the novel. – Rizal had no copy that time but promised to send one for him.

Rizal visited the Jesuit fathers to ask for their feedback on the novel. He was gladly welcomed by the following
friars: – Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez – Fr. Jose Bech – Fr. Federico Faura – told Rizal that everything in the
novel was the truth and warned him that he may lose his head because of it.

Governor-General Emilio Terrero – a liberal minded Spaniard who knew that Rizal’s life was in jeopardy
because the friars were powerful. – Because of this he gave Rizal a bodyguard to protect him.
Jose Taviel de Andrade A young Spanish lieutenant who came from a noble family. He was cultured and knew
painting. He could speak French, English and Spanish. They became good friends.

Archbishop Pedro Payo – a Dominican, Archbishop of Manila. Sent a copy of the Noli to Fr. Gregorio
Echevarria, Rector of the University of Santo Tomas to examine the novel. The committee that examined the
Noli Me Tangere were composed of Dominican professors. The report of the faculty members from UST about
the Noli states that the novel was: – Heretical, impious and scandalous in the religious orders, and anti-
patriotic, subversive of public order, injurious to the government of Spain and its function in the Philippine
Islands in the political order. Governor-General Terrero – was not satisfied with the report so he sent the
novel to the Permanent Commission of Censorship which was composed of priests and lawyers.

Fr. Salvador Font – Augustinian friar curate of Tondo was the head of the commission. – The group found that
the novel contain subversive ideas against the Church and Spain and recommended that the importation,
reproduction and circulation of the pernicious book in the islands be absolutely prohibited. The newspaper
published Font’s written report .The banning of the Noli Me Tangere served to make it popular. The masses
supported the book.

Fr. Jose Rodriguez – Augustinian Prior of Guadalupe – Published a series of eight pamphlets under the heading
Questions of Supreme Interest to blast the Noli and other anti-Spanish writing. – Copies of anti-Rizal
pamphlets were sold after mass – Many Filipinos were forced to buy them in order not to displease the friars.
The novel was fiercely attacked in the session hall of the Senate of the Spanish Cortes. Senators: – General
Jose de Salamanca – General Luis de Pando – Sr. Fernando Vida.
Vicente Barantes – Spanish academician of Madrid who formerly occupied high government position in the
Philippines bitterly criticized the novel in an article published in the Madrid newspaper, La España Moderna.
Propagandists such as Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Antonio Ma. Regidor, Mariano Ponce
rushed to uphold the truths of the Noli.
Father Francisco de Paul Sanchez – Rizal’s favorite teacher in Ateneo defended and praised the novel in
public.
Don Segismundo Moret – former Minister of the Crown.
Prof. Miguel Morayta- historian and stateman
Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt – Rizal’s best friend

Rev. Fr. Vicente Garcia – a Filipino Catholic priest-scholar, a theologian of the Manila Cathedral and a Tagalog
translator of the famous Imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis. – Under the pen name Justo Desiderio
Magalang he wrote a defense of the novel published in Singapore.

Rizal cried because of his gratitude to his defenders especially to Fr. Garcia who defended him unexpectedly.
He attacked Barantes by exposing his ignorance of Philippine affairs and mental dishonesty which is unworthy
of an academician. Because of the interest of both enemies and protectors of the Noli the price of the book
increased from five pesetas per copy to 50 pesetas per copy.

Influenced by the novel, Governor-General Emilio Terrero ordered a government investigation of the friar
estates to remedy whatever inequities might have been present in connection with land taxes and with tenant
relations. One of the friar estates affected was the Calamba hacienda by the Dominican order since 1883.

Upon hearing about the investigation, the people of Calamba asked helped from Rizal to gather facts and list
the grievances so that the government might institute certain agrarian reforms. The hacienda of the
Dominican Order comprised not only the lands around Calamba, but the whole town of Calamba. The profits
of the Dominican Order continually increased because of the arbitrary increase of the rentals paid by the
tenants. The hacienda owner never contributed a single centavo for the celebration of the town fiesta, for the
education of the children, and for the improvement of agriculture. Tenants who spent much labor in clearing
the lands were dispossessed of the said lands for flimsy reasons. High rates of interest were arbitrarily charged
the tenants for delayed payment of rentals. When the rentals could not be paid, the hacienda management
confiscated the work animals, tools, and farm implements of the tenants.

Rizal’s exposure to the deplorable condition angered the friars. The friars exerted pressure to Malacañang to
eliminate Rizal. They asked Gov. Gen. Terrero to deport Rizal but the latter refused for there is lack of charges
against Rizal in court. Anonymous threats in Rizal’s life alarmed his parents, siblings, Andrade his bodyguard,
friends, and even Terrero, thus they all advised him to leave the country.

His presence in Calamba was jeopardizing the safety and happiness of his family and friends. He could not fight
better his enemies and serve his country’s cause with greater efficacy by writing in foreign countries. Shortly
before Rizal left in 1888, he was asked by a friend to write a poem in commemoration of the town’s cityhood.
Himno Al Trabajo (Hymn To Labor) – title of the poem dedicated to the industrious people of Lipa.

February 3, 1888 Rizal left his country with a heavy heart. But this is for his own good and the safety of his
family and friends. And went to Hongkong, with Zafiro. (27 years old)

February 7, 1888 – Zafiro made a brief stopover at Amoy. Rizal did not get off his ship at Amoy for three
reasons:
1) he was not feeling well
2) it was raining hard
3) he heard that the city was dirty
February 8, 1888- Rizal arrived in Hong Kong.
Victoria Hotel- Rizal stayed while in Hong Kong. He was welcomed by Filipino residents, including Jose Maria
Basa, Balbino Mauricio, and Manuel Yriarte (son of Francisco Yriarte (son of Francisco Yriarte, alcalde mayor of
Laguna)

Jose Sainz de Varanda- a Spaniard, who was a former secretary of Governor General Terrero,
shadowed Rizal’s movement in Hong Kong. It is believed that he was commissioned by the Spanish authorities
to spy on Rizal

February 16, 1888, “Hong Kong”, wrote Rizal to Blumentritt on “is a small, but very clean city.”

February 18, 1888- Rizal, accompanied by Basa, boarded the ferry steamer, Kiu-Kiang for Macao. Macao is a
Portuguese colony near Hong Kong. According to Rizal, the city of Macao is small, low, and gloomy. There are
many junks, sampans, but few steamers. It looks sad and is almost dead. Rizal witnessed a Catholic possession,
in which the devotees were dressed in blue and purple dresses and were carrying unlighted candles.

Don Juan Francisco Lecaros- A filipino gentleman married to a Portuguese lady where Rizal and Basa stayed at
his home while in Macao.

February 20, 1888- Rizal and Basa returned to Hong Kong, again on board the ferry steamer Kiu Kiang and on
that same ship, he was surprised to see among the passengers a familiar figure – Jose Sainz de Varanda.
February 22, 1888- Rizal left Hong Kong on board the Oceanic, an American steamer, his destination was
Japan. Rizal’s cabin mate was a British Protestant missionary who called Rizal “a good man”

Rizal in Japan

Among the happiest moments of Rizal in his life was his sojourn in the Land of the Cherry Blossoms. He stayed
in Japan for one month and a half from February 28 to April 13, 1888. He was charmed by the natural beauty
of Japan, the manners of the Japanese people and the picturesque of shrines. 

February 28, 1888 - Rizal, after days of travel, arrived at Yokohama. He registered at the Grand Hotel.
March 1, 1888 - He checked out of the Grand Hotel and entrained for Tokyo and there lodged at the Tokyo
Hotel. He was impressed by the city of Tokyo. After his arrival in Tokyo, Rizal was visited by Juan Perez
caballero, secretary of Spanish Legation. The latter invited him to live at the Spanish Legation. 

March 4, 1888 - He wrote to Blumentritt about the honesty, courtesy, cleanliness and industry of the Japanese

people. However, he also expressed his disgust on the use of the man drawn jinrikisha.

March 7, 1888 - Rizal knew that this was the Spanish government’s way of monitoring Rizal but he accepted
anyways. He moved out of Tokyo Hotel and lived at the Spanish Legation. He and Perez Caballero became
good friends and described him as a young, fine and an excellent writer. During his first day in Tokyo, Rizal
could not speak the Japanese language. He had a hard time for shopping for he could not be understood and
children laughed at him. With his situation, Rizal decided to study the Japanese language. He was able to
speak within a few days. At Japan he studied the Japanese drama, arts, music, and judo. He also visited
museums, libraries, art galleries, and shrines. 

March 15, 1888 Rizal met a pretty Japanese girl. Her name was Seiko Usui (Rizal affectionately called her O-
Sei-san). Rizal first saw O-Sei-san walking past the gate of the Spanish Legation. Rizal fell in love with
Seiko. Both found happiness in each other’s company. Affinity of interest in the arts paved the way for their
romance. Rizal saw in lovely O-Sei-San the qualities of his ideal womanhood—beauty, charm, modesty, and
intelligence. O-Sei-San’s beauty and affection almost tempted Rizal to settle down in Japan. At the same time,
he was offered a good job by the Spanish Legation. But then, his love for the fatherland and his mission to free
his oppressed people made him think again. Rizal’s great love for Seiko Usui and Japan will be memories that
he will always cherish, but it was his time to go.

April 7, 1888 Rizal wrote his family and envisioned that in the future the Philippines would have more contact
and relations with Japan.

April 13, 1888, Rizal boarded the Belgic, an English steamer, at Yokohama, bound for the United States. He left
Japan with a heavy heart for he knew that he will never see this beautiful land again, so as his beloved O-Sei-
San. His sojourn in Japan for 45 days was one of the happiest interludes of his life.

Despite his sorrowing heart, Rizal enjoyed the pleasant trans-Pacific voyage to the United States. On board the
ship, he met a semi-Filipino family – Mr. Reinaldo Turner, his wife Emma Jackson (daughter of an Englishman),
their children, and their maid servant from Pangasinan. One day one of the children, a bright young boy, asked
Rizal: “Do you know, sir, a famous man in Manila named Richal? He wrote a novel, Noli Me Tangere. “Yes, hijo,
I am Richal,” repied Rizal In great joy the boy rushed to his mother, informing her that the famous man is their
fellow passenger, she felicitated Rizal, feeling proud that they were travelling with a celebrity.

Another passenger which Rizal befriended on board the Belgic was Tetcho Suehiro, a fighting Japanese
journalist, novelist, and champion of human rights, who was forced by the Japanese government to leave the
country, just as Rizal was compelled to leave the Philippines by the Spanish authorities. Rizal and Tetcho were
kindred spirits. Both were variant patriots, implacable foes of injustice and tyranny. Both were men of peace
using their trenchant pens as formidable weapons to fight for their peoples’ welfare and happiness. Rizal told
Tetcho the story of his life’s mission to emancipate his oppressed people from Spanish tyranny and of the
persecutions which he and his family suffered from the vindictive Spanish officials and bad friars, causing him
to flee to foreign countries where he would freely carry on his libertarian activities. During their intimate
acquaintanceship of almost eight months (April 13-December 1, 1888) Tetcho came to admire Rizal, whose
patriotism and magnificent talents greatly fascinated him and influenced him to fortify his own crusade for
human rights in his own country. On

April 28, 1888- the steamer Belgic, with Rizal on board, docked at San Francisco on Saturday morning. Rizal
first saw America. His arrival in this great country was marred by racial prejudice. He kept notes of what he
observed during his trip from San Francisco to New York.

Rizal on board, docked at San Francisco. American authorities did not let the passengers to land for one week
because of the rumored cholera epidemic. Rizal knew there was no cholera epidemic that time and he protest
with other passengers the unjustifiable actions of American authorities He soon discovered that it was
motivated by politics. The ship was carrying 643 Chinese coolies. After a week of quarantine, all first-class
passengers, including Rizal, we're permitted to land.

May 4, 1888- Friday afternoon, the day Rizal was permitted to go ashore
Palace Hotel- Rizal registered here which was then considered a first-class hotel in the city. Rizal stayed in San
Francisco for two days—May 4 to 6, 1888
May 6, 1888-Sunday, 4:30PM, Rizal left San Francisco for Oakland nine miles across San Francisco Bay, by a
ferry boat.
May 7, 1888, it was morning Rizal awoke and had a good breakfast at Reno, Nevada, now glamourized by
American high-pressure propaganda as “The Biggest Little City in the World”.

From May 7 to May 13, 1888, Rizal wrote in his diary the beautiful memories from Nevada, Chicago, until he
reached Albany.
May 13, 1888-Sunday morning, Rizal reached New York, thus ending his trip across the American continent.
Rizal stayed three days in this city, which he called the “big town.”
May 16, 1888- Rizal left New York for Liverpool on board the City of Rome. According to Rizal, this steamer
was “the second largest ship in the world, the largest being the Great Eastern”.
Rizal saw the Statue of Liberty on Bedloe Island.

Rizal had good and bad impressions of the United States. The good impressions were
(1) the material progress of the country as shown in the great cities, huge farms, flourishing industries and
busy factories
(2) the drive and energy of the American people
(3) the natural beauty of the land
(4) the high standard of living
(5) the opportunities for better life offered to poor immigrants
One bad impression Rizal had of America was the lack of racial equality: “America is the land par excellence of
freedom but only for the whites”

Rizal mentioned him in his diary as a millionaire senator representing California in the U.S. Senate at that time.
He was the benefactor of Stanford University.

December 1, 1888, Rizal and Tetcho had their last warm handshake and bid each other “goodbye.”

RIZAL IN LONDON (1888-1889)

After visiting the United States, Rizal lived in London from May, 1888 to March, 1889 for three reasons:
(1) to improve his knowledge of the English language
(2) to study and annotate Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, a rare copy of which he heard to be available
in the British Museum
(3) London was a safe place for him to carry on his fight against Spanish tyranny

TRIP ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

The trans-Atlantic voyage of Rizal from New York to Liverpool was a pleasant one. Rizal entertained the
American and European passengers with his marvelous skills with the yo-yo as an offensive weapon. Yoyo-is a
small wooden disc attached to a string from the finger.

May 24, 1888-Rizal arrived at Liverpool, England. Rizal once secured a card permitting him to work in the
British Museum Library.
Adelphi Hotel-Rizal spend the night here while staying for one day in this port city. According to Rizal,
“Liverpool is a big and beautiful city and its celebrated port is worthy of its
great fame. The entrance is magnificent and the custom house is quite good.”
LIFE IN LONDON

May 25, 1888- a day after docking at Liverpool, Rizal went to London. Rizal stayed as guest at the home of Dr.
Antonio Ma. Regidor, an exile of 1872 and a practicing lawyer in London. By the end of May, Rizal found a
modest boarding place at No. 37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill. (Beckett Family)
Gertrude Beckett – the woman who had romance with Rizal.

Rizal had a romantic interlude with the oldest of the three Beckett sisters – Gertrude (Gettie). Gettie , as she
was affectionately called, was a buxom English girl with brown hair, blue eyes, and rosy cheeks. “I fell in love
with Rizal. On cold winter mornings I had a sunny smile for him, chattering gaily like a humming bird. During
the family picnics, I was particularly very happy because Rizal was with them and I gave him all my attention.
And in rainy days when Rizal stayed at home, I helped him by mixing his colors for painting or assisted in
preparing the clay for sculpturing”. Their friendship drifted towards romance. Rizal affectionately called her
“Gettie” and she fondly called him “Pettie”. As their flirtation was fast approaching the point of no return. Rizal
suddenly realized that he could not marry Gettie for he had a mission to fulfill in life. Rizal suppressed the
passionate yearning of his heart, and decided to go away so that Gettie may not forget him.

Dr. Reinhold Rozt- librarian of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an authority on Malayan languages and
customs. He was impressed by Rizal’s learning and character and he gladly recommended him to the
authorities of the British Museum. He called Rizal “a pearl of a man” (una perla de hombre). Both good and
bad news from home reached Rizal in London. Of the bad news, were the injustices committed by the Spanish
authorities on the Filipino people and the Rizal Family.
Bad news:
1) Persecution of the Filipino patriots who signed the Anti-friar petition of 1888 Calamba tenants.
2) Persecution of Calamba Tenants
3) Rizal’s brother-in-law, Manuel T. Hidalgo was exiled in Bohol without due process

The greatest achievement of Rizal in London was the annotating of Morga’s book, Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas
(Historical Events of the Philippine Islands), which was published in Mexico, 1609.
September 1888- Rizal visited Paris for a week in order to search for more historical materials in the
Bibliotheque Nationale. Rizal was entertained in this gay French metropolis by Juan Luna and his wife (Pas
Pardo de Tavera), who proudly showed him their little son Andres (nickname Luling)

December 11, 1888-Rizal went to Spain, visiting Madrid and Barcelona. Rizal met, for the first time, Marcelo H.
del Pilar and Mariano Ponce, two titans of the Propaganda Movement 19

December 24, 1888-Rizal returned to London and spent Christmas and New Year’s Day with the Becketts (Mr.
Beckett, organist of St. Paul’s church). Rizal sent as Christmas gift to Blumentritt a bust of Emperador Augustus
and a bust of Julius Caesar to another friend, Dr. Carlos Czepelak (Polish scholar). Rizal’s landlady, Mrs.
Beckett, knowing of his interest in magic, gave him as Christmas gift a book entitled The Life and Adventures of
Valentine Vox, the Ventriloquist.

February 15, 1889, Graciano Lopez Jaena founded the patriotic newspaper called La Solidaridad in Barcelona,
Spain.

By unanimous vote of all the members, Rizal was chosen honorary president of society called Asociacion La
Solidaridad (Solidaridad Association). This was recognition of his leadership among all Filipino patriots in
Europe.
La Solidaridad Aims:
1. To work peacefully for political and social reforms.
2. To portray the deplorable conditions of the Philippines so that the Spain may remedy them.
3. To oppose the evil forces of reaction and medievalism.
4. To advocate liberal ideas and progress.
5. To champion the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino people to life, democracy and happiness.

March 19, 1889 – he leaved London and travelled to Paris. He bade goodbye to the kind Beckett family and
left London for Paris. He was sad as he crossed the English channel, for he cherished so many beautiful
memories of London.

March 25, 1889 - Rizal’s first article in La Solidaridad was entitled Los Agricultores Filipinos (The Filipino
Farmers). It was published six days after he left London for Paris.

Rizal received news on Fray Rodriguez’ unabated attack on his Noli. In defense he wrote a pamphlet entitled
La Vision del Fray Rodriguez (The Vision of Fray Rodriguez) which was published in Barcelona under his pen
name Dimas Alang. In La Vision del Fray Rodriguez. I demonstrated two things: my profound knowledge of
religion and 2. my biting satire.

In London, Rizal wrote the famous “Letter to the Young Women of Malolos” in Tagalog. He penned it, upon
the request of Marcelo del Pilar to praise the young ladies of Malolos for their courage to establish a school
where they could learn Spanish, despite opposition of Father Felipe Garcia, Spanish parish priest of Malolos.

Dr. Frost, editor of Trubner’s Record, a journal devoted to Asian studies, requested Rizal to contribute some
articles. In response to his request, Rizal prepared two articles which were published in June 1889. 1.
Specimen of Tagal Folklore 2. Two Eastern Fables

Before leaving London, Rizal finished four sculptural works: 1. Prometheus Bond 2. The Triumph of Death over
Life 4. A composite carving of The heads of the Beckett sisters (gave as farewell gift to the Beckett sisters) 3.
The Triumph of Science over Death

May 23, 1889 – Lucia’s husband, Mariano Herbosa died because of cholera. The Spanish friar did not allow
him to be buried in the cemetery and he had to be buried on a little hill outside the town.

January 28, 1890 – when Rizal left Paris to Brussels for two reasons:
1. The costs of living in Paris is very high.
2. His social life hampered his writing of El fili.

Jose Albert accompanied Rizal to move to Brussels. Jose Alejandro an engineering student who replaced Jose
Albert.

They stayed in a boarding house at 38 Rue Philippe Champagne. Rizal lived in this house when he wrote his
novel ‘El Filibusterismo’ in 1890-1891 The boarding house is run by two Jacoby sisters named Suzanne and
Marie. (He stayed for a considerable time, paying for room and board.  His landladies had a pretty niece
named Petite Suzanne Jacoby.  She was taken by Rizal's charm and gallantry, and provided him good
company.  Rizal could have flirted with the lady, considering that his beloved Leonor was far away and he was
a lonely man in a strange and foreign land, but he realized he could not deceive her.) (SUzzane was already in
his 40’s and Rizal was still in 20’s)
Rizal spent his time writing his second novel, El Filibusterismo. He also wrote articles for La Solidaridad and
letter for his family and friends. He also spent his remaining time doing gymnastic in the gymnasium, target
practice and fencing at the armory. The articles he wrote for La Solidaridad during his stay in Brussel.
 “A La Defensa” (To La Defensa), April 30, 1889.
 “La verdad Para Todos” ( The Truth For All), May 31, 1889.
 “Vicente Barrantes’(Teatro Tagalo) June 15, 1889
 “Una Profanacion” (A Profanation), July 31, 1889
 “Verdades Nuevas” (New Truths), July 31, 1889
 “Crueldad” (Cruelty), August 15, 1889
 “Differencias” (Differences), September 15, 1889
 “Inconsequencias” (Inconsequences), November 30, 1889
 “Llanto y Risas” (Tears and Laughters), November 30, 1889
 “Ingratitudes” (Ingratitude), January 15, 1890

New tagalog orthography • Sobre la Nueva Ortografia de la Lengua Tagala The New Orthography of the
Language • Rizal adapted the Filipinized tagalog in his translations of Schiller’s Wilhelm Tell and Andresen’s
Fairy Tale • Rizal gave credit to Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera’s work El Sanscrito en Lengua Tagala

Rizal received a letter from Juan Luna that Filipinos where destroying the reputation of the Filipinos by
gambling.

MAY 28, 1890 - Rizal wrote to Marcelo H. del Pilar to remind the Filipinos in Madrid that they went to Europe
to work for their Fatherland’s freedom and not to gamble. Through gambling they are showing that the
Filipinos are not worthy of freedom but of slavery. They should spend their time doing something noble and
generous because the youth is noble and generous. The gambling Filipinos in Madrid became very angry when
they learned of Rizal’s moralizing that they called him “Papa” (pope) instead of “Pepe”.
While in Brussels, he received bads news from Saturnina : from Saturnina he learned the deportation of of
Paciano and other friends and relatives in Mindoro.

-Rizal had a bad dreams during the night in Brussels. LETTER TO DEL PILAR: In my childhood I had a strange
belief that I would not reach 30 years of age. I am preparing myself for death. Laong Laan (Ever Ready) is my
true name.

SUMMARY OF RIZAL’S LETTER TO DEL PILAR:

“Sad presentiments (intuitions) assault me though I do not give them entire credence (belief). In my childhood
I had a strange belief that I would not reach thirty years of age. I do not know why I thought, this. There were
two months during which almost every night I had no other dream than that my friends and relatives were
dead. Although I do not believe in these things and although my body is very strong and I have no illness and
have no fear. I‟am preparing myself for death and for any eventuality. Laong Laan is my name (Laging Handa)
is my true name. Rizal wanted to finish his second novel before went to his grave.

Rizal could not stay in Brussels writing a book while his parents, relatives and friends in the Philippines were
prosecuted. RIZAL’S LETTER TO PONCE: “I want to go back to the Philippines, and although I know it would be
daring and imprudent, what does that matter ? The only thing that can detain me is a doubt whether my
parents agree. Iam afraid to disturb their last years . In case they should object my homecoming, I would work
for a livelihood in some part of the world.” Rizal’s friends warned him of the danger that awaited him at home
Something happened that made Rizal change his plan in returning to the Philippines when he received a letter
from Paciano which related that they lost the case against the Dominicans in Manila but they appealed it to
the Supreme Court in Spain.

June 20, 1890 – Rizal wrote to M. H. Del Pilar retaining the latter’s service as a lawyer and informed Del Pilar
that he was going to Madrid, in order to supervise the handling of the case.

July 29, 1890 – he wrote a letter to Ponce announcing that he was leaving Brussels at the beginning of the
following month and would arrive Madrid about the 3rd and 4th of August. Decision to go to Madrid

August 1890 - He arrived in Madrid, burdened with sorrow brought about by terrible news about his family
and the worsening trouble in his hometown Spanish newspapers. - El Resumen, El Dia, La Justicia and El Globo
“to cover the ears, open the purse, and fold the arms” – El Resumen (liberal Spanish newspaper), in an article
they published which talks about the colonial policy of the Spaniards especially those in the Philippines and
other colonies. He tried all legal means to seek justice for his family and the Calamba tenants, but failed. Upon
arrival in Madrid Rizal sought the help of the Filipino colony, the Asociacion Hispano – Filipina and the liberal
Spanish newspapers.

M.H del Pilar acted as his lawyer together with Dr. Dominador Gomez (secretary of the Asociacion Hispano –
Filipina). He calleds on the minister of colonies (senior Fabie) to protest the injustices committed by the Gov.
Gen. Valeriano Weyler and the Dominicans. Nothing came out of the interview. More terrible news reached
Rizal: he received ejectment order from his brother-in-law Silvestre Hidalgo, against Francisco Rizal and other
Calamba tenants. He had the urge to see Queen Regent Maria Christina (ruler of Spain) but failed because of
no influence and power.

After a short time, Rizal learned that his Friend and co worker in the propaganda movement, Jose Maria
Panganiban, died in Barcelona due to illness. He mourned the passing of this Bicol hero and made a eulogy for
him.
At the month, his heart heavier than it had ever been in all hi sorrowful life. He received from Silvestre Ubaldo
the copy of the order of ejectment made by the hacienda of Calamba against Francisco Rizal and others. His
father appealed to the courts and finally lost houses, land and machinery – all for a turkey. Their parents were
forcibly ejected from their home and now living at Narcisa’s house.

End of August – Rizal attended reunion, where he met Antonio Luna. During the social reunion of the Filipinos
in Madrid Antonio Luna become drunk. Because of Luna’s alcohol-befogged mind he started uttering unsavory
remarks about Nelly Boustead, whom he had a frustrated romance with. Rizal heard him and became angry
because of his slanderous remarks and challenge Luna to a duel. Luna chose to have sword fight, something
that Rizal isn’t good with as he is a master of pistol shot. The Filipinos were shocked but fortunately Luna
realized that he made a fool out of himself and apologize to Rizal.

Wenceslao Retana, a talented Spanish scholar was then a press agent of the friars in Spain.He used to attack
the Filipinos including Rizal. He wrote an article in La Epoca. Asserting that the family and friends of Rizal have
not paid their rents so they were ejected from their lands. The insult stirred Rizal to action and challenged
Retana for a duel. Retana at once published a retraction and an apology in the newspapers. He had no chance
to what so ever to Rizal on the field of honor for Rizal is superior in both pistol in sword. The incident made
Retana developed a great admiration for Rizal. Years afterwards he wrote the first book length biography of
the greatest Filipino hero.

November 15, 1890 Lodge Solidaridad (Madrid) – Rizal transferred where he became a Master Mason.
One night in the autumn of 1890, Rizal and some friends attended the play at theater Apollo and lost his gold
watch chain with a locket containing the picture of Leonor Rivera. The lost of the locket proved to be a bad
omen.

Early in December 1890, Rizal received a letter from Leonor announcing her coming marriage to an
Englishman. He was stunned and his heart broke. Weeks passed before Rizal confided to his friend
Blumentritt. Blumentritt consoled him by sending comforting letters stating that Leonor is not a woman to
Rizal and that he is in loved with a nobler woman the motherland

Rizal was then the undisputed leader of the Filipino in Europe; on the other hand del Pilar the fearless lawyer
journalist was gaining prestige in Madrid for his La Solidaridad. He purchased the periodical from Pablo
Rianzales and replaced Graciano Lopez Jaena as its editor. Rizal tried to in abuse his compatriots and his own
idealism for he believed that to win the respect of the Spanish people, they must possess high standards of
morality, dignity and spirit of sacrifice.

His idealism was not shared by frivolous countrymen, who love wine, women and cards. Some of his former
admirers turned against him because they resented his inference in their private lives. They become
supporters of del Pilar.

January 1, 1891 the Filipinos in Madrid met on to patch up their differences avert the breakup between Rizal
and M.H del Pilar,

It was decided in this meeting that a leader called Responsible, be chosen to direct the affairs of the Filipino
community and to determine the editorial policy of La Solidaridad. Del Pilar opposed on the ground that it was
a private enterprise. However he was willing to publish articles that would express the aspirations of Filipino
people. The proposition to place La Solidaridad under the control of the responsible was abandoned. It was
agreed that the Responsible was elected by 2/3 notes of the Filipino community. During the elections the
Filipinos were divided into two camps, the Rizalistas and Pilaristas. Having obtained 2/3 of the votes Rizal
became the Responsible. Rizal graciously declined the position. He knew that some of his compatriots who
supported del Pilar despise or dislike him. He preferred to abdicate his leadership rather than be the cause of
disunity and bitterness among his countrymen. Rizal wrote a brief note thanking his compatriots for electing
him as Responsible. He packed up his bags, paid his bills and boarded a train leaving for Biarritz. It was the last
time he saw Madrid.

Rizal considered his first visit in Madrid a happy trip (1882-85) and his second visit a unhappy one (1890-1891).

February 1891 - Rizal arrived in Biarritz where he was warmly welcome by Mr. Boustead. As a family guest,
he was treated with friendliness and hospitality by Mr. Boustead, Adelina, Nellie, and Aunt Isabel (Mrs.
Boustead's sister).

Eduardo Boustead – born in the Phils.

French Riviera- The one month vacation in Biarritz worked wonders of Rizal.

The scenic beaches filled with tourists, the refreshing breezes of the Atlantic Ocean made him forget the bitter
memories in Madrid.

February 11, 1891- Writing from Biarritz to Mariano Ponce he said:

"I have put on much weight since I arrived here; my cheeks are no longer shrunken as before for the reason
that I go to bed early and I have no cares´. Rizal having lost Leonor, came to entertain considerable affection to
Nellie, prettier and younger daughter of the Mr. Boustead.  He found Nellie to be a real Filipina, highly
intelligent, vivacious in temperament and morally upright. He told his friends about his love for Nelly except
for Blumentritt, and his intention to propose to her. Antonio Luna who had previously loved and lost Nelly,
encouraged Rizal to woo and marry her. He wrote a letter to Rizal, saying good things about Nellie and
congratulates him for being one of a kind to Nelly, encourage Rizal to woo and marry her.

*Rizal's Tomas Arejola friend who told him, "See if Mademoiselle Boustead suits you, court her, and marry her,
and we are here to applaud such a good act".

With encourage of his friends Rizal courted Nelly who, in turn, reciprocated his affection. Unfortunately his
marriage proposal failed for two reasons:
1.) he refused to give up his Catholic faith and be a converted to protestant as Nelly demand
2.) Nelly's mother did not like Rizal as a son-in-law.

Although they did not get married, they parted as good friends. When Rizal left Europe, Nelly sent him
farewell letters, saying: "now that you are leaving I wish you a happy trip and marry you triumph in your
undertakings, and above all, may the Lord look you down on you with favor and guide your way giving you
much blessing, and may you learn to enjoy! My remembrance will accompany you also my prayers''

March 29, 1891, the eve of his departure from Biarritz to Paris he finished the manuscript of 
El Filibusterismo, and wrote a letter to Blumentritt.
.
March 30, 1891 -As he had written to Blumentritt, Rizal bade a farewell to his friendly Bousteads and his
family on and proceed to Paris by a train and stayed on his friend Valentine Ventura

April 4, 1891 - he wrote a letter to Jose Ma. Basa (he was Rizal's friend) about planning to stay in Hong Kong
and to practice his career; OPTHALMOLOGY and whom he asked to advance of the first class steamers ticket
from Europe to Hongkong.

At that month he also went back to Brussels and happily received by his land ladies and his Belgian admirer;
Petite Suzanne. To her surprise, Rizal returned to Brussels stayed again in the Jacoby’s boarding house. Rizal’s
return however was not specifically for Suzanne for the hero just busied himself revising and finalizing the
manuscript of El Fili for publication.

May 1, 1891, he notified the Propaganda authorities in Manila to cancel his monthly allowance and devote the
money to some better cause, such as education of a young Filipino student in Europe.

Rizal’s reasons why he wants to retire.

1. To be independent and earn money by practicing his profession.
2. To avoid increasing attention from the enemy.
3. Want to help other young Filipino students by defraying his allowance and utilize it to them

Marcelo H. del Pilar -He realized that Rizal's collaboration was essentials because the reform was declining
with that, his help was very much needed because Rizal is one of the main contributors in La Solidaridad. He
wrote Rizal a letter telling him to put aside any of his resentments and continue their reforms and mission.

Rizal wrote Back to M.H del Pilar and told him 3 reason:
1st He need time to work on his Book; 2nd He wanted others Filipino to work as well and 3rd He considered it
very important to the party that there be unity in the work.

May 30, 1891 Revising the Fili for Publication was complete on it was more ardor than the Noli.

July 5, 1891- Rizal bade goodbye to Brussels and Suzanne, never to come back again in Belgium and in her
arms. Rizal left Brussels for Ghent Reasons:

1. The cost of printing in Ghent was cheaper than Brussels and;

2. To escape from the enticing attraction of Petite Suzanne

*Jose Alejandro (from Pampanga) & Edilberto Evangelista (from Manila) - compatriots met in Ghent w/c
where both studying engineering in world famed university the University of Ghent

Owing to his limited funds Rizal lived in a cheap boarding house, with Jose Alejandro as roommate. They lived
frugally in Ghent for 3 months from July to September. To economize further on their living expenses, they
prepared their own breakfast.

F. Meyer-Van Loo Press, no. 66 Viaanderen Street - the publisher who was willing to print his book on
installment basis. He pawned his jewels in order to pay the down payment and early partial expenses during
the printing of the novel. Rizal became desperate because his funds were running low. He received some
money from Basa and 200 from Rodriguez Arias for the copies of Morga’s Sucesos sold in Manila but these
funds were also used up

July 1891 Rizal wrote a letter to Basa saying that if no money comes he will have to stop its publication.

August 6, 1891 - The printing had to be suspended, as Rizal feared, because he could no longer give the
necessary funds to the printer

Valentin Ventura (savior of El Fili) heard Rizal’s predicament he immediately sent the amount of money
needed to finish the publication of the novel.

September 18, 1891 El Fili came off to Press.

Rizal immediately sent 2 copies to Hongkong one for Basa and the other to Sixto Lopez.

He gratefully gave the original manuscript of El Fili and a printed copy with his autograph to Valentin Ventura.

Filipino patriots praised the novel. The members of the colony of Barcelona published a tribute in La
Publicidad, a Barcelona newspaper eulogizing the novel’s original style which “is comparable only to the
sublime Alexander Dumas” “a model and precious jewel in the now decadent literature of Spain

October, 1891.The liberal Madrid newspaper, El Nuevo Regimen, serialized the novel in its copy issues. All
copies of the first edition (Ghent Edition) of El Fili were placed in wooden boxes and shipped to Hong Kong,
but almost all the boxes were confiscated and all the books were lost. The book immediately became rare and
few available Ghent copies were sold at very high prices, reaching as high as 400 pesetas per copy.

The Novel was dedicated to the memory of the priests, Don Mariano Gomez (85 years old), Don Jose Burgos
(30 years old), and Don Jacinto Zamora (35 years old). Executed in Bagumabayan Field on the 28th of
February, 1872. To straighten historical records, however, we must rectify Rizal’s historical inaccuracies in his
dedicatory note. The martyrdom of Gomburza occurred on February 7, 1872. Father Gomez was 73 years old –
not 85, Father Burgos was 35 years – not 30, and Father Zamora was 37 years old – not 35.

January 20, 1872, two hundred Filipinos employed at the Cavite arsenal staged a revolt against the Spanish
government’s voiding of their exemption from the payment of tributes. The Cavite Mutiny led to the
persecution of prominent Filipinos; secular priests Mariano Gómez, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora—who
would then be collectively named GomBurZa—were tagged as the masterminds of the uprising. The priests
were charged with treason and sedition by the Spanish military tribunal—a ruling believed to be part of a
conspiracy to stifle the growing popularity of Filipino secular priests and the threat they posed to the Spanish
clergy. The GomBurZa were publicly executed, by garrote, on the early morning of February 17, 1872 at
Bagumbayan.

The original manuscript of El Filibusterismo in Rizal’s own handwriting is now preserved in the Filipiniana
Division of the Bureau of Public Libraries, Manila. It had been acquired by the Philippine Government from
Valentin Ventura for 10,000 pesos. It consists of 279 pages of long sheets of paper. The title page of El Fili
contains an inscription written by Ferdinand Blumentritt. Features that didn’t appear in the printed book: –
Foreword – Warning

Synopsis of the ElFilibusterismo:

Simoun – the main protagonist of the story a rich jeweler.
Dona Victorina – ridiculously a pro-spanish woman
Tiburcio de Espadana – husband of Dona Victorina
Paulita Gomez – beautiful niece of Don Tiburcio
Ben-Zayb – Spanish journalist who writes silly articles about Filipinos
Padre Sibyla – Vice-Rector of UST
Padre Camorra – spanish priest of Tiani
Don Custodio – pro-spanish Filipino holding a high position in the government
Padre Salvi – Franciscan friar a former cura of San Diego
Padre Irene – a kind friar who was a friend to Filipino students
Padre Florentino – a retired scholarly and patriotic Filipino priest
Isagani – nephew of Padre Florentino and lover of Paulita
Basilio – son of Sisa a promising medical student
Capitan Tiago – patron of Basilio
Quiroga – rich Chinese merchant
Cabesang Tales – father of Juli dispossessed of his land in Tiani by friars
Juli – the lover of Basilio
Makaraig – rich and leader of Filipino students in their movement to learn Spanish in the academy
Padre Millon – teaches Physics in UST w/o experiments
Placido Penitente – student of Padre Millon who bacame disoriented bcause of the poor methods of
instruction
Senor Pasta – old Filipino lawyer who refuses to help Filipino students in their advocacy
Tandang Selo – grandfather of Juli
Mr. American – owner of the sideshow at the fair of Quiapo exhibiting an Egyptian Mummy.
Sandoval – a Spanish student who supports the cause of the Filipino students to propagate the teaching of
Spanish
Cabesa Andang – mother of Placido Penitente
Pepay – pretty dancer and mistress of Don Custodio
Padre Fernandez – a good dominican friar and friend of Isagani
Don Timoteo – father of Juanito Pelaez
Tano – son Cabesang Tales and brother of Juli
Chichay – the silversmith who made the bridal earring for Paulita Gomez

Characters from El Filibusterismo were draw by Rizal from real life:

Padre Florentino was Father Leoncio Lopez
Isagani was Vicente Ilustre
Paulita Gomez was Leonor Rivera

Noli and Fili Compared Noli

FILI - Romantic Novel - political novel - Work of the heart - work of the head - A book of feeling - a book of
thought - It has freshness, color, - it contains bitterness, humor, lightness, and wit hatred, pain, violence, and
sorrow - 64 chapters - 38 chapters

The issue of which is the superior novel. Noli or the Fili is purely academic• Both are good novels from the
point of view of history• Both depict with realistic colors the actual conditions of the Philippines and the
Filipinos during the decadent days of Spanish rule• Both are instrumental in awakening the spirit of Filipino
nationalism• Bothe are responsible in paving the ground for Philippine Revolution that brought about the
downfall of Spain• El Fili is a true twin of Noli

September 22, 1891 Rizal wrote to Blumetritt saying that he’s thinking of writing a third novel where ethics
will play principal role

October 3, 1891 - Rizal left Ghent for Paris  He proceeded by train to Marseilles. His reasons for leaving
Europe were:
 life was unbearable in Europe because of his political differences with M.H. del Pilar and other Filipinos in
Spain.
 to be near his idolized Philippines and family.

October 18, 1891 boarded the steamer Melbourne in Marseilles bound for Hong Kong. During the voyage he
wrote the third novel in Tagalog in which he intended for Tagalog readers. In Hongkong he continued it, but
did not finish it because his Tagalog was inadequate for literary purposes. The unfinished 3rd novel has no
title. It consists of 44 pages in Rizal’s handwriting. The manuscript is still preserved in the Bureau of Public
Libraries. The hero of the novel was Kamandagan, a descendant of Lakan-Dula, last king of Tondo. He plotted
to regain the lost freedom of his father. It is said that Rizal was fortunate not to finish this novel, because it
would have caused greater scandal and more Spanish vengeance on him

Other Unfinished novels

Makamisa - a tagalog novel - written in light sarcastic style - incomplete with only 2 chapters - consists of only
of 20 pages
Dapitan - written in Ironic Spanish - he wrote it while in Dapitan to depict the town life and customs - Consists
of 8 pages
A novel in Spanish about the life in Pili, a town in Laguna - consist of 147 pages - without title
Another unfinished novel of Rizal, also without title, is about Cristobal, a youthful Filipino student who has
returned from Europe - consists of 34 pages
The beginning of another novel are contained in two notebooks. The first notebook contains 31 written pages
while the second contains 12 pages - written in Spanish and the style is ironic
He brought with him a letter of recommendation by Juan Luna for Manuel Camus, a compatriot living in
Singapore, and 600 copies of the Fili Juan Luna Manuel Camus. Manuel Camus -During that time, was a
student and was made as a mason on October 12, 1898 at Zetland in the East Lodge No 508in Singapore under
the jurisdiction of the M. W. Grand Lodge of England. He then became a Senator of the Philippines on his later
years.

There were over 80 first class passengers – mostly Europeans, including 2 Spaniards He befriended many
missionaries and one of them is Fr. Fuchs, a Tyrolese, which he enjoyed playing chess with. He even wrote to
Blumentritt saying:“..He is a fine fellow, a Father Damaso without pride and malice..”

“One evening at a dinner time the passengers were having their meal in the dining room. Rizal; being the only
Asian, was eating alone at one table. Near him was a bigger table occupied by some German ladies who were
gaily eating and gossiping about the lone Asian male who was quietly taking his meal. Rizal, who was fluent in
German, understood what the talkative German ladies were saying about him, but he simply kept silent,
letting the ladies enjoy their gossip. Suddenly 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, after
which he resumed his seat. He then conversed with German ladies in perfect German. Of course, the German
ladies were very much embarrassed, and, thereafter they treated Rizal with admiration and respect, despite
his brown skin, for he was a cultured gentleman.”

November 20, 1891 – Rizal arrived in Hong Kong He was welcomed by the Filipino residents, especially his
oldfriend, Jose Ma. Basa. He then established his residence at No. 5 D’ Aguilar Street, No. 2 Rednaxola
Terrace, where he also opened his medical clinic.

November 26, 1891 From Hong Kong Rizal sent to Manuel Camus in Singapore 20 copies of the Fili, 6 of the
Morga and 4 of the Noli. He gave Camus 25% commission for the books sold.

December 1, 1891 – he wrote his parents asking their permission to return home to join them in Manila in
their sacrifices and at the same time. He said: “I have learned of the exile of four town mates to Jolo and of the
return of my brother to Manila. I have also learned that mother, Pangoy and Trining, have been summoned
again by the civil government. I am burning with desire to embrace you. Patience, a little patience! Courage!"

Also, stated in his letter that he was preparing a letter to the Queen Regent of Spain explaining the Calamba
situation in order to secure justice. Even saying such as: “If the Queen will not listen, we will write to Queen
Victoria of England appealing for protection in the name of humanity…”.

 On the same date, his brother-in-law, Manuel T. Hidalgo, sent him a letter, relating the sad news of the
“deportation of twenty-five persons from Calamba, including father, Neneng, Sisa, Lucia, Paciano, and the rest
of us.”

Before Christmas of 1891, he was gladdened by the arrival of his father, brother and Silvestre Ubaldo (his
brother-in-law) in Hong Kong. Not long afterwards his mother and sisters Lucia, Josefa , and Trinidad also
arrived. Paciano, Don Francisco, Doña Teodora, Jose, Josefa, Lucia, Trinidad

December 6, 1891 Francisco Mercado, Paciano and Silvestre Ubaldo, escaped from the Philippines to avoid
persecution, and arrived at Hong Kong to join him.
December 12 1891 In a letter sent to Maria, one of his sisters in the Philippines, Rizal broached his plan of
establishing a Filipino colony in North British Borneo.

December 17 1891 On this day Governor General Despujol, offering his services and cooperation for the
common good. He wanted to point to the latter the ills of country in order to help cure the mal-
administration.

December 27, 1891 An article was published in the La Epoca carrying false news about Rizal’s stay in the
Philippines and his influence among the natives. This article carries no author’s name and was believed to
have been inspired by a Dominican friar.

December 1891 Rizal was visited by an Augustinian friar in his house. The friar pulled his ears
and wanted to attack him. But Rizal stopped the intruder by twisting the latter’s hand.

December 23, 1891 Rizal sent him a letter of felicitation (dated) and offering his cooperation, but instead the
governor did not even acknowledge receipt of his letter.

January 31, 1892 – he wrote to Blumentritt recounting their pleasant life in Hong Kong, as follows: “Here we
are all living together, my parents, sisters, and brother in peace and far from persecutions they suffered in the
Philippines. They are very much pleased with the English government.” he said : “Here I practise as a doctor
and I have . . . Here many sick of influenza because there is an epidemic. Through the newspaper I am
informed that this sickness is also causing ravages in Europe. I hope you and your esteemed family will be
spared. In our house, my mother, my brother-in-law, and one of my sister are sick. Thank God, they are out of
danger.”

Dr. Lorenzo P. Marques – a friend and admirer who helped him to build up a wide clientele. He successfully
operated on his mother’s left eye so that she was able to read and write again.

Rizal was given moral support and substantial aid in his medical practice in Hong Kong from some of his friends
in Europe.

Mr. Boustead (the father of Nelly Bousted) - wrote to him on March 21, 1892, praising him for his medical
profession

Dr. Ariston Bautista Lin - sent him a congratulatory letter and a book on Diagnostic Pathology by Dr. H.
Virchow and another medical book entitled Traite Diagnostique by Mesnichock.

Don Antonio Vergel de Dios - offered him his services for the purchase of medical books and instruments
which he might need in his profession.

Rizal possessed the qualities of a great ophthalmic surgeon. In the words of Dr. Geminiano de Ocampo, a
distinguished Filipino ophthalmologist: “He had all the qualities that would make an ideal ophthalmic surgeon
– a keen and analytical intellect, lightness of touch and artistry of a painter, courage and imperturbability, a
broad and deep knowledge of medicine and ophthalmology, and last but not the least, he had been properly
and adequately trained by master ophthalmic surgeons.”

Rizal conceived the establishment of a Filipino colony in North Borneo (Sabah) He planned to move those
Filipino families to that British-owned island and carve out of its virgin wilderness a “New Calamba”
February 15, 1892 The Hong Kong Telegraph published the letter of Rizal signed Philippines in which he
denounced the vandalistic actions of the friar manager of the Dominicans in destroying the houses of those
who refused to pay the exorbitant rentals demanded of them in Calamba. At the same date, Rizal was
awarded the diploma as Master Mason by Le Grand Orient de France in Paris. Science, Virtue and Labor-
Rizal’s only Masonic writing; a lecture which he delivered in 1889 at Lodge Solidaridad, Madrid

February 23, 1892 Rizal wrote a letter to Blumentritt in which he informed the latter of his plan of emigrating
to Borneo where he could establish another Calamba free from the abuses of the friars and the civil guards.

March 2, 1892 – Rizal wrote “Una Visita a la Victoria Gaol”(A Visit to Victoria Gaol), an account of his visit to
the colonial prison of Hong Kong. In this article he contrasted the cruel Spanish prison system with the modern
and more humane prison system. He wrote an article entitled “Colonisation du British North Borneo, par de
Familles de Iles Philippines”(Colonization of British north Borneo by families from the Philippine Islands) to
elucidate his Borneo colonization project He elaborated on the same idea in another article inSpanish,
“Proyecto de Colonizacion del British North Borneo por los Filipinos” (Project of the Colonization of British
North Borneo by the Filipinos)

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. 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.

Rizal wrote a second letter (dated March 21, 1892), in this 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”. Instead, he 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”

He wrote “Ang Mga Karapatan Nang Tao” (a tagalong translation of “The Rights of Man” proclaimed by the
French Revolution in 1789) About the same time (1891), he wrote “A la Nacion Española” (To the Spanish
Nation), which is an appeal to Spain to right the wrongs done to the Calamba tenants. Another proclamation,
entitled “Sa Mga Kababayan” (Tomy Countrymen) was written in December 1891 explaining theCalamba
agrarian situation.

Rizal contributed articles to the British daily newspaper, The Hong Kong Telegraph, whose editor, Mr. Frazier
Smith, was his friend.

April 15,1892 - Lete’s attack which was printed in La Solidaridad on portrayed. Rizal as cowardly, egoistic,
opportunistic – apatriot in words only. Rizal protested to Del Pilar saying: “I am more convinced that yourself
to be carried away. Friend or enemy, if the article has harmed me, it would harm more the interests of the
Philippines. Who knows, however, if after all it was for the best; it has shaken me awake, and long after a long
silence I enter the field anew. . . I am going to activate the Propaganda again and fortify the Liga.”

By April 20, 1892 he was back in Hong Kong.

Rizal friends in Europe enthusiastically endorsed his Borneo colonization project. Lopez Jaena express his
desire to join the project and wrote to Rizal saying: “I have a great desire of joining you. Reserve for me there
a piece of land where I can plant sugarcane. I shall go there. . . to dedicate myself to the cultivation of
sugarcane and the making of sugar. Send me further details.”

Hidalgo, on the other hand, objected to the colonization project saying: “This idea about Borneo, is no good.
Why should we leave the Philippines, this beautiful country of ours? And besides what will people say? Why
have we made all these sacrifices? 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? Tell me that!”

The infamous Weyler, whom the Cubans called “The Butcher” was relieved of his gubernatorial office.A new
governor general Eulogio Despujol, the Count of Caspe, announced to the Filipino people a fine program of
government

June 1892 – he wrote “La Mano Roja” (The Red Hand) which denounces the frequent outbreaks of intentional
fires in Manila. “Constitution of the Liga Filipina” - printed in 1892, was the most important writing made by
Rizal during his HongKong sojourn. To deceived the Spanish authorities, the printed copies carries the false
information that the printing was done by the LONDON PRINTING PRESS, No. 25, Khulug Street, London. The
idea of establishing the Liga Filipina was originally conceived by Jose Ma. Basa, but it was Rizal who wrote it
constitution and realized its establishment.

May 1892 –Rizal made up his mind to return to Manila The 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
3.) to prove that Eduardo de Lete was wrong in attacking him in Madrid that he being comfortable and safe in
HongKong, had abandoned the country’s cause.

To Ponce, Rizal confided on May 23, 1892: “I am very sorry that Del Pilar allowed the article to be published
because it will lead many to believe that there is really a schism among us. I believe that we can well have little
misunderstanding and personal differences among ourselves, without exhibiting them in public. . . As for
myself. . . I always welcome criticisms because they improve those who wish to be improved”

June 19, 1892 he spent his 31st birthday in Hong Kong. Evidently, he had premonition of his death, for the
following day.

June 20, 1892 he wrote two letters which he sealed, inscribed in each envelop “to be opened after my death,”
and gave them to his friend, Dr. Marques for safekeeping.

The first letter was addressed TO MYPARENTS, BRETHREN, AND FRIENDS, is as follows: “The affection that I
have ever professed for you suggests this step, and time alone can tell whether or not it is sensible. The
outcome judges things according to the consequences; but whether the result be favorable or unfavorable, it
may always be said that duty urged me, so if I die in doing it, it will not matter. I realize how much suffering I
have caused you yet I do not regret what I have done. Rather, if I had to begin over again I should do just the
same, for what I have done has been only in pursuit of my duty. Gladly do I go to expose myself to peril, not as
an expiration of misdeeds for in this matter I believe myself guiltless of any, but to complete my work and so
that I, myself, may offer the examples of which I have always preached.

A man ought to die for duty and his principles. I hold fast to every idea which I have advanced as to the
condition and future of our country, and shall willingly die for it, and even more willingly sacrifice all to secure
justice and peace for you. With pleasure, then, I risk life to save so many innocent persons – so many nieces
and nephews, so many children of friends, and children too of others who are not even friend – who are
suffering on my account. What am I? A bachelor, practically without a family and sufficiently undeceived as to
life. I have had many disappointments and the future before me is gloomy, and will be gloomy if light does not
illuminate it with dawn of a better day for my native land. On the other hand, there are many persons, filled
with hope and ambition, who perhaps might be happier if I were dead, and then I hope my enemies would be
satisfied and stop persecuting so many entirely innocent people. To a certain extent their hatred is justifiable
as to myself, and my parents and relatives.

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. Return to our country and may you be happy in it. Till the last moment of my life I shall be
thinking of you and wishing you all good fortune and happiness.”

The second letter was addressed TO THE FILIPINOS, and is as follows: “The step which I am taking, or rather
am about to take, is undoubtedly risky, and it is unnecessary to say that I have considered it for some time. I
understand that almost everyone is opposed to it; but I know also that hardly anybody else understands what
is in my heart. I cannot live on seeing so many suffer unjust persecution on my account; I cannot bear the sight
of my sisters and their numerous families treated like criminals. 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, and
thus, many are now wishing for my fall. But what of it? I hold duties of conscience above all else. I have
obligations to the families who suffer, to my aged parents whose sight strikes me to the heart; I know that I
alone, only my death can make them happy, returning them to their native land to a peaceful life at home. 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? If I
thought that I were the only resource for the consummation of a policy of progress in the Philippines and were
I convinced that my countrymen were going to make use of my services, perhaps, I should hesitate about
taking this step; but there are others who can take my place, who can do my services that are not utilize, and I
am reduced to inactivity. Always have I loved our unhappy land, and I am sure that I shall continue loving it till
my last moment, in case men prove unjust to me. My career, my life, my happiness – and all I have sacrificed
for love of it. Whatever my fate I shall die blessing it and longing for the dawn of its redemption.

June 21, 1892 – Rizal penned another letter in HK for Governor Despujol. In this letter, he informed the
governor general of his coming to Manila and placed himself under the protection of the Spanish
government.– (On the same date) Rizal and his sister Lucia left HK for Manila. They carried a special passport
or “safe-conduct” issued by the Spanish consul-general in Hong Kong.

The Spanish consul-general sent a cablegram to Governor Despujol that the victim “is in the trap”. On the
same day a secret case was filed in Manila against Rizal and his followers “for anti-religious and anti-patriotic
agitation” 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 on “who had the protection of a strong
nation” Meanwhile, Rizal and his sister were peacefully crossing the China Sea. They were fully unaware of the
Spanish duplicity.

June 26, 1892- At noon Rizal and his widowed sister Lucia(wife of the late Mariano Herbosa) arrived in Manila
ARRIVAL IN MANILA WITH SISTER. Rizal’s bold return to Manila, his second homecoming “ The Battlefield is in
the Philippines” - Dr. Jose P. Rizal. He reiterated this belief in a letter to Blumentritt. Two months later, on
December 31, 1891 “ I believe that La Solidaridad is no longer our battlefield; now is a new struggle. . . the
fight Is no longer in Madrid” .
RIZAL DESCRIBED HIS SECOND HOMECOMING AS FOLLOWS:

 I arrived at Manila on 26 June (1892), Sunday, at 12:00 noon. I was met by many carabineers headed by a
major. There were in addition one captain and one sergeant of the Veteran Civil Guard. I came down with my
luggage and they inspected me at the customhouse. From there I went The Hotel de Oriente where occupied
room No.22, facing the church of Binondo.

 In afternoon, at 4:00 o’clock, he went to Malacanan Palace to seek audience with the Spanish governor
general, General Eulogio Despujol, Conde de Caspe. He was told to come back at the night at 7:00 o’clock.
Promptly at 7:00 pm he returned to Malacanan and was able to confer with Governor General Despujol, who
agreed to pardon his father but not the rest of the family and told him to return on Wednesday (June 29)

 After his brief interview with the governor general, he visited his sisters in the city----- first Narcisa and later
Saturnina.

 6:00 P.M of June 27 Rizal boarded a train In Tutuban Station and visited his friends in the following places:
Malolos, Bulacan San Fernando, Pampanga Tarlac, Tarlac Bacoor, Pampanga

 5:00 P.M of June 28  Rizal returned by train to Manila whether he knew it or not, he shadowed by
government spies who was carefully his every movement.  The homes he had visited were raided by the
Guardia Civil which seized some copies of the Noli and Fili and some “subversive”pamphlets.

 Wednesday (June 29) at 7:30-9:15 I saw his Excellency. I did not succeed to have the penalty of exile lifted,
but he gave me hope with regard to my sisters. As it was the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul.

Thursday (June 30)  We talked about the question of Borneo. The general opposed to it, very much opposed.
He told me to come back Sunday.

 Sunday ( July 3-) We talked about sundry things and I thanked him for having lifted the exile of my sisters. I
told him that my father and brother would arrive on the first boat. He asked me if I would like to go abroad to
Hong Kong. I told him Yes. He told me to return on Wednesday.

July 3, 1892 -(Sunday evening)  Rizal attended a meeting of the patriots at the home of the Chinese- Filipino
mestizo on Ylaya Street, Tondo, Manila . Rizal explained the objectives of the Liga Filipina, a civic league of the
Filipinos. He presented the Constitution of the Liga which he had written in Hong Kong. The patriots were
impressed and approved the establishment of The Liga.

Objectives of the Liga Filipina- a civic league of Filipinos, which he desired to established and its role on the
socio- economic life of the people.

OFFICERS OF THE NEW LEAGUE:

The cover page of the constitution of La Liga Filipina Directors:
Jose Rizal, Founder
Ambrosio Salvador, President
Agustin dela Rosa, Fiscal
Bonifacio Arevalo, Treasurer
Deodato Arellano, Secretary and first Supreme leader of Katipunan
Exile of Rizal
 Domingo Franco, President and Supreme leader
 Deodato Arellano, Secretary/Treasurer
 Isidro Francisco, Fiscal
 Apolinario Mabini, Secretary

CONSTITUTION OF THE LIGA FILIPINA

Motto: Unus Instar Omnium (one like all)
1. To unite the archipelago into one compact and homogenous body
2. Mutual protection in every want and necessity
3. Defense against all violence and injustice.
4. Encourage of Education, agriculture and commerce.
5. Study of application and reforms.

Duties of the Liga Filipina Members

1. Obey the orders of the Supreme Court;
2. To help in recruiting new members;
3. To keep in strictest secrecy the decisions of the Liga authorities;
4. To have a symbolic name which he cannot change until he becomes president of the council;
5. To report to the fiscal anything that he may hear which affects the Liga;
6. To behave well ad benefits a good Filiino;
7. To help fellow members in all ways.

July 6, 1892 Rizal went to Malacanang to resume his series of interviews with governor general. The governor
general showed some printed leaflets were entitled Pobres Frailes(Poor Friars). Rizal denied having those
leaflets. Despite his denial and insistent demand for investigation. He was placed under arrest and escorted to
Fort Santiago by Ramon Despujol the nephew and aide of Governor General.

July 7, 1892 ( Thursday ) Gaceta de Manila published the story of Rizal's arrest the same issue the
gubernatorial decree gave him the reasons for Rizal's deportation as follows:
1. Rizal published books and articles abroad which showed disloyalty to Spain which were “frankly anti
Catholic and “prudently anti-friar.
2. A few hours after his arrival “there was found in his packages… a bundle of handbills entitled “Pobres
Frailes”.
3. His novel “El Filibusterismo” was dedicated to the memory of the three traitors.
4. The end to which he pursues in his efforts and writings is to tear from the loyal Filipino breats the treasures
of our “catholic faith”.

July 14, 1892 10:00 in the evening was Jose Rizal’s schedule to leave Fort Santiago.

July 15, 1892 (12:30 a.m.)Rizal was brought under heavy guard to the streamer Cebu which was sailing to
Dapitan (1:00 a.m.) the streamer under Captain Delgras departed sailing south, passing Mindoro and Panay.
The captain of the ship gave him prime cabin marked as “jefes” which means commanding officer.

July 17, 1892 Reached Dapitan at 7:00 in the evening. Captain Delgras handed Rizal over to Captain Ricardo
Carnicero, Spanish commandant of Dapitan the same night. Ricardo Carnicero who offered him to live either in
his house or at Jesuit Mission house.

Rizal carried a letter from the Superior of the Jesuit Society of the Philippines, Father Pablo Pastells. The said
letter is to be given to the Jesuit Parish Priest in Dapitan, Father Antonio Obach. In the letter, the superior said
that Rizal could stay and live in the parish, BUT there are conditions provided:
1. That Rizal publicly retract his errors concerning religion, and make statements that were clearly pro-Spanish
and against revolution.
2. That he perform the church rites and make a general confession of his past life.
3. That henceforth he conduct himself in an exemplary manner as a Spanish subject and a man of religion.

Rizal did not agree with these conditions. Therefore, Rizal decided to stay at the place of Captain Ricardo
Carnicero. Captain Carnicero who is the warden that assigned to look after Rizal became good friends.

Rizal-Pastells Debate on Religion.

The debate started when Pastells sent Rizal a book by Sarda along with an advice that Rizal should desist from
his majaderas (foolishness) in viewing religion from the perspective of individual judgement and self- esteem.
The debate can be read in four (4) letters. Rizal was bitter against the friars because they commit abuses under
the cloak of religion. Father Pastells tried to bring back to Catholicism Rizal by telling him that human
intelligence is limited, thus he needs the guidance of God.

Pastells gave Rizal a copy of Imitacion de Cristo by Fr. Thomas Kempis. Behind the debate, Pastells and Rizal
were friends as evidently pictured when:  Rizal gave Pastells a bust of St. Paul which he had made Rizal
continued to hear mass and celebrate religious events.

While Rizal was still debating with father Pastells by means of exchange of letters, he became involved in a
quarrel with a French acquaintance in Dapitan, Mr. Juan Lardet, a business man. This man purchased many
logs from the lands of Rizal. It so happened that some of the logs were of poor quality. Rizal Challenges a
Frenchman to a Duel Mr. Juan Lardet – a French businessman whom Rizal had a conflict.

1Rizal and Father Sanchez In his aspiration to reconcile Rizal with the Church, Father Pastells sent to Dapitan:
1. Father Obach, Cura of Dapitan 2. Fr. Jose Vilaclara, Cura of Dipolog 3. Fr. Francisco Paula de Sanchez, Rizal’s
favorite teacher at Ateneo de Manila Fr. Francisco Paula de Sanchez • Estudios sobre la lengua tagala –
manuscript which Rizal gave to Sanchez on his birthday (Study of the Tagalog language)

Jose Rizal decided to stay to stay at the house of Ricardo Carnicero where he was told to oversee his activities
daily. He ordered his people to closely observe Rizal. Rizal was given freedom to go anywhere and even
permitted to cultivate the land near the plaza. At least once a week, Rizal is reporting to the Captain. The
captain was delighted with Rizal’s fine personality and quality as a person. Rizal also admired the kind and
generous Spanish Captain.

July 25, 1892 Rizal wrote to his mother in Hong Kong about his Exile in Dapitan. “In these days of lack of
communication, travel, and deportion, I’m greatly worried thinking of you, and for this reason I hasten to write
to you to tell you that I am well here as if I were on a vacation in this politico military district. I don’t miss
anything except my family and freedom.”

August 26,1892 Rizal composed a poem for his commandant’s birthday.

August 30,1892 Ricardo Carnicero informed Governor General Eulogio Despujol that Jose Rizal wanted
reforms in the Philippines but does not want friars to be evicted.

September 21, 1892 Capt. Carcinero submitted another report to Gov. General Despujol informing him about
reforms, these were freedom of religion and of the press.
September 21,1892 Rizal won in Manila Lottery. Informant of the said event used the mail boat “Butuan” to
reach Dapitan. Lottery Ticket number 9736 won second prize amounting Twenty Thousand Pesos. The lottery
Ticket which was not owned by Rizal because it was jointly owned by him, Captain Carnicero and Franciso
Equilor a resident of Dipolog. "This was his only vice," commented Wenceslao E. Retana, his first Spanish
biographer and former enemy. Three (3) pesetas – amount Rizal allotted for lottery tickets every month

Php 20,000 was divided to the 3 of them, so Php 6,200 was the amount given to each of them in which Rizal
used to:
1. Gave the amount of Php 2,000 to his father who was still in Hong Kong.
2. Gave the amount of Php 200 to his friend Basa, who was based in Hong Kong.
3. The rest he invested thru purchasing a piece of land in Talisay to build his tree houses, one square type
made of bamboo, another hexagonal type made of wood and the last was octagonal shape made of nipa.

January 1893, Jose Rizal Told Ricardo Carnicero to stay in his own house. Rizal’s house was completed March
where was able to cultivate lanzones, mango, macopa, langka, santol, mangosteen and cocoa trees.

Rizal as a Teacher
 Rizal established in Dapitan a school. It began with 3 pupils who increased to 16 and eventually 21. 16 of his
pupils did not pay tuition. Instead of charging them fees, Rizal made them work in his gardens and
construction projects.
 Formal classes were between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. He also applied the “emperor” system like that of
Ateneo.
 During recess, pupils built fires to drive away insects, pruned fruit trees and manured the soil. Outside class
hours, students had gymnastics, boxing, wrestling, stone- throwing, swimming, arnis and boating.  Hymn to
Talisay - a poem Rizal wrote in honor of Talisay which he made his pupils sing.

In his letter to Blumentritt, he once said: “One can judge their enthusiasm for study when, even though they
have to work for me; they worked in order to study.”

Rizal as a Physician

He practiced medicine in Dapitan and gave the people free medicines.

He had many patients not only in Dapitan but from the neighboring towns as well. Don Ignacio Tumarong
Rizal’s patient who was able to see again after his operation;-he paid Rizal P3,000. Don Florencio Azcarraga,
rich haciendero of Aklan who was cured of eye ailment, in turn he gave Rizal a cargo of sugar.  Rizal
prescribed medicinal plants to his poor patients.

There was a time when a wealthy englishman went to his clinic and removed his cataract where he was paid
Php 500. The money he received was used to put up lamps in their streets. When his mother left with
Trinidad, his two sisters Maria and Narcisa together with his nephews arrived in Dapitan. Unfortunately, his
father could not travel to Dapitan because of his detoriating condition.

Rizal told Blumentritt in a letter that his father “was growing weaker and weaker by the day” To his sister
Josefa he said: “Tell our father that I should like to see him; I hope we shall see one another very soon. Kiss
him the hand for me.”

Rizal as a Scientist
Rizal found Mindanao as a rich virgin field for collecting Specimens. Together with his students they explored
on jungles and coasts to seek for some specimens which will be sent to Europe and in return the European
Scientist will send them Scientific equipment.  During his 4-year stay in Dapitan, he were able to built up a
rich collection of oncology which consists of 346 shells representing 203 species. 

He was able to discover rare species named after him. These were the: 1. flying dragon (DracoRizali) 2. Small
beetle (Apogonia Rizali) 3. toad (Rachophorous Rizali)

Contributions to Science Rizal sent specimens he found to the museum of Europe especially the Dresden
Museum. In turn, he received scientific books and surgical instruments.

Rizal as an Engineer

As a perito agrimensor (expert surveyor), Rizal applied his engineering knowledge by constructing a system of
waterworks to furnish clean water to the townspeople.

Mr. H.F. Cameron, an American engineer who praised Rizal for his engineering ingenuity. Rizal as an Engineer.
Rizal had drained the marshes to get rid of malaria that was infesting Dapitan; equipped the town with lighting
system using P500 one of his patients paid him. The lighting system consisted of Coconut oil lamps; beautified
the town of Dapitan by remodelling the town plaza and making a huge relief map of Mindanao out of earth,
stones and grass.

Rizal as a Linguist

Continuing his study of languages, Rizal learned in Dapitan: 1.Bisayan 2.Subanun 3.Malay languages Rizal as a
Linguist  He knew by that time 22 languages as follows Tagalog, Malay, Ilokano, Hebrew, Bisayan, Sanskrit,
Subanun, Dutch, Spanish, Catalan Latin, Italian, Greek, Chinese, English, Japanese, French , Portuguese,
German, Swedish, Arabic, Russian.

Rizal as an Artist

To pursue his artistic activities, Rizal:

1. Contributed paintings to the Sisters of Charity who were preparing the sanctuary of the Holy Virgin.
2. Made sketches of persons and things that attracted him in Dapitan.
3. Modeled a statuette called “The Mother’s Revenge” to stress the moral of the incident where a puppy of his
dog, Syria, was eaten by a crocodile.
4. Constructed a statue of a girl called “The Dapitan Girl”, a woodcarving of Josephine Bracken.
5. Made a bust of St. Paul for Father Pastells

Rizal as Farmer

 Rizal acquired total land holdings of 70 hectares where 6,000 hemp plants, 1,000 coconut trees and
numerous fruit trees, sugarcane, corn, coffee and cacao were planted.

 He planned to establish an agricultural colony in Sitio Ponot because it was ideal for raising cacao, coffee,
coconuts and cattle. However, this did not materialize due to lack of support from the government. Rizal as
Farmer
Rizal as Businessman
Ramon Carreon – Rizal’s business partner in Dapitan Rizal made profitable business ventures in fishing, copra
and hemp industries.
Hemp industry – Rizal’s most profitable business. Once he shipped 150 bales of hemp to Manila. He
purchased hemp in Dapitan at P7 and 4 reales per picul and he sold it to Manila at P10 and 4 reales. Rizal also
engaged in lime manufacturing. Their lime burner had a monthly capacity of more than 400 bags of lime.  He
organized the Cooperative Association of Dapitan Farmers to break Chinese monopoly. He mentioned it on his
letter to Blumentritt.

Rizal as Inventor

1. Cigarette lighter which he sent as a gift to Blumentritt called “sulpukan” Among Rizal’s inventions were: 2. A
wooden machine for making bricks.

“My Retreat” Upon restoring her eyesight, Dona Teodora returned to Manila. Seeing how busy Rizal is, she
regretted neglecting her muses. She requested Rizal to write poetry. As a response, Rizal wrote “Mi Retiro”
relating his serene life as an exile in Dapitan.

The death of Leonor Rivera left a poignant void in Rizal’s heart. In his loneliness, he met Josephine… Irish girl
born in Hong Kong. James Bracken and Elizabeth Jane MacBride – Josephine’s parents who are both Irish in
citizenship.

Josephine Bracken - An Irish girl of sweet eighteen, slender, a chestnut blond, with blue eyes. Her mother died
of childbirth and she was adopted by George Taufer who became blind.

Mr. George Taufer – man who adopted Josephine after her mother died of childbirth. Mr. George Taufer. Mr.
Taufer became blind so he sought for an ophthalmic specialist.

 Rizal and Josephine Bracken decided to get married but Father Obach refused to marry them without the
permission of Bishop of Cebu.

 Hearing of the planned marriage and unable to endure the thought of losing Josephine, Mr. Taufer tried to
commit suicide by cutting off his throat with a razor but Rizal was able to prevent this.

 Manuela Orlac – Filipina companion who accompanied Josephine Bracken to Dapitan.

The two were happy for they were expecting for a baby. However, Rizal played a prank on Josephine making
her give birth to an eight-month baby boy. The baby lived for only three hours. He was named “Francisco” in
honor of Rizal’s father. To avoid a tragedy, Josephine accompanied Mr. Taufer back to Manila. Mr. Taufer
returned to Hong Kong alone while Josephine stayed with the Rizals in Manila. Having no priests to marry
them, Rizal and Josephine married themselves before the eyes of God.

Pio Valenzuela – emissary to Dapitan in order to inform Rizal of the plan of Katipunan during the meeting at a
little river called Bitukang Manok.

Venus – steamer Valenzuela boarded to reach Dapitan.

 Raymundo Mata – blind man who came with Valenzuela to camouflage his mission. Rizal objected Bonifacio’s
project because: 1.The people are not ready for a revolution. 2. Arms and funds must first be collected before
raising the cry of revolution.

In Dapitan, Rizal had an exemplary life, idyllic in serenity. Since August, 1893, members of his family took turns
in visiting him in order to assuage his loneliness in the isolated outpost of Spanish power in the Moroland.
Among them were his mother; sisters Trinidad, Mauricio, and Prudencio. He built his house by the seashore of
Talisay, surrounded by fruit trees. He had also another house for his school boys and a hospital for his
patients.

August 28,1893 In the silent hours of the night after the day's hard work, Rizal was ofter sad. He missed his
family and relatives, his good friends in foreign lands, the exhilarating life in the cities of Europe, and is happy
days in Calamba. The death of Leonor Rivera on left a poignant void in his heart. He needed somebody to
cheer him up in his lonely exile.

During the early days of November 1893 Rizal was living peacefully and happily at his house in Talisay, a
kilometer away from Dapitan. His mother, sisters Narcisa and Trinidad, and some nephews were then living
with him. His blissful life was when suddenly jolted by a strange incident involving a spy of the friars.

The night of November 3, 1893- This spy with the assumed name of "Pablo Mercado" and posing as a relative,
secretly visited Rizal at his house. He introduced himself as afriend and relative, showing a photo of Rizal and a
pair of buttons with the initials "P.M." ( Pablo Mercado) as evidence of his kinship with the Rizal family.

Pablo Mercado – assumed name of the spy who visited Rizal at his house and pretended to be a relative by
showing a photo of Rizal and a pair of buttons with the initials P.M. as evidence of kinship. The spy offered to
be Rizal’s courier of letters for the patriots in Manila. Rizal became suspicious and wanted to throw the spy
outside but considering his values and late hour of the night, he offered the spy to spend the night at his
house. The next day, he sent the spy away. The spy stayed in Dapitan and spread talks among the people that
he was a relative to Rizal. Rizal went to the comandancia and reported the impostor to Captain Juan Sitges
(successor of Carnicero) Sitges ordered Pablo Mercado’s arrest and told Anastacio Adriatico to investigate him
immediately. Florencio Namanan a.k.a Pablo Mercado, single and about 30 years old who was hired by the
Recollect friars to spy on Rizal’s activities .The secret mission of Pablo Mercado was not an assassination
attempt but espionage only.

When Cuba was under revolution and raging yellow fever epidemic, Rizal wrote to Governor General Ramon
Blanco offering his services as military doctor. Governor Blanco later notified Rizal of the acceptance of the
offer. The notification came along with an instruction of acquiring first a pass for Manila from the politico-
military commander of Dapitan.

 Upon receiving the acceptance of his offer to go to Europe then to Cuba to help in the curing of patients
suffering yellow fever, he wrote a poem “El Canto del Viajero”. “The Song of the Traveler”

Rizal made the map of Mindanao

In February, 1895, Doña Teodora, with her eyesight fully restored, returned to Manila. During her long stay in
Dapitan, she saw how busy her talented son was regretted that he had neglected the Muses. She requested
him to write poetry again.
October 22,1895- In response to her request, Rizal wrote a beautiful poem about his serene life as an exile in
Dapitan and sent it to her on. This poem was "Mi Retiro" (My Retreat), which is acclaimed by literary critics as
one of the best ever penned by Rizal.

July 31, 1896 On the morning and 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.

At midnight, 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
filled with sorrow.

As the steamer pushed out into the sea, Rizal gazed for the last time on Dapitan waving in farewell salute to its
kind and hospitable folks and with a crying heart filled with tears of nostalgic memories. When he could no
longer see the dim shoreline, he sadly went to his cabin and wrote in his diary:
"I have been in that district four years, thirteen days, and a few hours". "I have always loved my poor country,
and I am sure that I shall love her until death, if by chance men are unjust to me; and I shall enjoy the happy
life, contented in the thought that all I have suffered, my past, my present and my future, my life, my loves,
my pleasures, I have sacrificed all of these for love of her. Happen what may, I shall die blessing her and
desiring the dawn of her redemption."

August 1, 1896 - He arrived in Dumaguete. He visited his friend and former classmate - Herrero Regidor. He
also visited his other friends, including the Periquet and Rufina families. In Cebu, Rizal was fascinated by the
entrance which he considered “beautiful”. He met an old couple whom he had known in Madrid at the house
of Attorney Mateos. He did two operations of strabotomy – one ears then the other one is tumor.  Rizal
landed in Iloilo and visited Molo.  From Iloilo, Rizal’s ship sailed Capiz. After a brief stopover, it proceeded
towards Manila via Romblon.

August 6, 1896 -The Espaňa arrived in Manila Bay early in the morning of Thursday. Unfortunately, Rizal was
not able to catch the mail ship Isla de Luzon for Spain. Rizal was transferred to the Spanish cruiser Castilla, by
order of Governor General Blanco. He was given good accommodation by the gallant captain, Enrique Santalo.

Rizal stayed in the cruiser for about a month, from August 6 to September 2, 1896.

August 26, 1896- the “Cry of Balintawak” was raised by Bonifacio and his valiant Katipuneros.
August 30, 1896 - revolutionist attacked San Juan. Governor General Blanco proclaimed a state of war in the
first eight provinces (Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac). Rizal
worried for two reasons: 1. the violent revolution which he sincerely believed to be premature and would only
cause much suffering and terrible loss of human lives and property. 2. It would arouse Spanish vengeance
against all Filipino patriots.

OUTBREAK OF THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION

August 30, 1896 - Rizal received two letters from Governor General Blanco The Ministers of Wars The
Ministers of Colonies

September 2, 1896 – Rizal was transferred to the steamer Isla de Panay which was sailing for Barcelona, Spain.

September 3, 1896 – the steamer left Manila Bay. Fellow passengers on board were Don Pedro Roxas (rich
Manila creole industrialist and is friend) and his son named Periquin.

September 7, 1896 - Isla de Panay arrived Singapore. He observed some changes like there are more Chinese
merchants and less Indian. Don Pedro and his son disembarked at Singapore in the evening. He advised Rizal
to stay behind too and take advantage of the protection of the British law but Rizal did not heed his advice. He
also ignored their appeal because he had given his word of honor to Governor General Blanco.

By refusing to break his word of honor in Singapore, Rizal sealed his own doom. For without knowledge,
Governor General Blanco was secretly conspiring with the Ministers of War and the Colonies (ultramar) for his
destruction. Rizal was unaware that since his departure from Manila Bay on his way to Spain. Blanco and the
Ministers of War and the Colonies were exchanging coded telegrams and confidential messages for his arrest
upon reaching Barcelona.

September 8, 1896 - The Isla de Panay left Singapore at 1 pm.

September 25, 1896 – He saw the steamer Isla de Luzon, leaving the Suez Canal, crammed with Spanish
troops.

September 27, 1896 – He heard that a telegram arrived from Manila reporting the execution of Francisco
Roxas, Genato, and Osorio.

September 28, 1896 – a passenger told Rizal the bad news that he would be arrested by order of Governor
General Blanco and would be sent in Cueta (Spanish Morocco), opposite Gibraltar.

September 30, 1896 – He was officially notified by Captain Alemany that he should stay in his cabin until
further orders from Manila. The steamer anchored in Malta.

October 3, 1896 – Isla de Panay arrived in Barcelona. The trip from Manila to Barcelona lasted exactly 30 days.
His jailor was the Military Commander of Barcelona, who happened to be General Eulogio Despujol. On his
second day in Barcelona, he noticed the city celebration of the feast of St. Francis of Asisi.

October 6, 1896 – Rizal was awakened by the guards and escorted to the grim and infamous prison-fortress
named Monjuich. At the same date Rizal was interviewed by General Despujol. In the interview, the brusque
general told Rizal that he would be shipped back to Manila on board the transport ship Colon which was
leaving that evening. Rizal would be shipped back to Manila on board the transport ship Colon
Day by day, since leaving Barcelona, Rizal conscientiously recorded his events in his diary. He was given a good
cabin in the second class and although strictly guarded, he was courteously treated by the army officers.

October 8, 1896 a friendly officer told Rizal that the Madrid newspaper were full of stories about the bloody
revolution in the Philippines and were blaming him for it.

October 11, 1896 before reaching Port Said, Rizal’s diary was taken away and was critically scrutinized by the
authorities, but then nothing dangerous was found in its content.

November 2, 1896 the diary was returned to him.

News of Rizal’s predicament reached his friends in Europe and Singapore. From London, Dr. Antonio Ma.
Regidor and Sixto Lopez 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 habeas corpus. When the Colon
arrived in Singapore, Atty. Fort instituted proceedings at the Singapore Court for the removal of Rizal from the
steamer. Chief Justice Loinel Cox denied the writ on the ground that the Colon was carrying Spanish troops to
the Philippines. Rizal was unaware of the attempt made by his friends because he was then kept behind bars
in the ship.

November 3, 1896 the Colon reached Manila. Rizal was quietly transferred under the heavy guards from the
ship to Fort Santiago. Spanish authorities fished evidence against Rizal. Many Filipino patriots, including
Deodato Arellano, Dr. Pia Valenzuela, Moises Salvador, Jose Dizon, Domingo Franco, Temoteo Paez, and Pedro
Serrano Laktaw, were brutally tortured to implicate Rizal. Rizal’s own bother (Paciano) was arrested and
cruelly tortured.

November 20, 1896 the preliminary investigation began. Rizal appeared before the Judge Advocate, Colonel
Francisco Olive. Two kinds of evidence were presented: documentary and testimonial. Documentary evidence,
as follows:
1. A letter of Antonio Luna to Mariano Ponce, showing Rizal’s connection with the Filipino reform campaign in
Spain.
2. A letter of Rizal to his family, stating that the deportations are good for they will encouraged the people to
hate tyranny.
3. A letter from Marcelo H. Del Pilar to Deodato Arellano, implicating Rizal in the Propaganda campaign in
Spain.
4. A poem entitled Kundiman.
5. A letter of Carlos Oliver to an unidentified person, describing Rizal as the man to free the Philippines from
Spanish oppression
6. A Masonic document, honoring Rizal for his patriotic services.
7. A letter signed Dimasalang (Rizal pseudonym) to Tenluz (Juan Zulueta’s pseudonym), stating that he was
preparing a safe refuge for Filipinos who may be presented by the Spanish authorities.
8. A letter of Dimasalang to an unidentified committee, soliciting the aid of the committee in the “patriotic
work”.
9. An anonymous and undated letter to the Editor of the Hong Kong Telegraph, censuring the banishment of
Rizal in Dapitan.
10. A letter of Ildefonso Laurel to Rizal, saying that the Filipino people look up to him (Rizal) as their savior.
11. A letter to Ildefonso Laurel to Rizal, informing an unidentified correspondent of the arrest and banishment
of Doroteo Cortes and Ambrosio Salvador.
12. A letter of Marcelo H. del Pilar to Don Juan A. Tenluz (Juan Zulueta), recommending the establishment of a
special organization, independent of Masonry, to help the cause of the Filipino people.
13. Transcript of a speech of Pingkian (Emilio Jacinto), reunion of the Katipunan in which the following cry was
uttered “Long Live the Philippines! Long live Liberty! Long live Doctor Rizal! Unity!”
14. Transcript of a speech of Tik-Tik (Jose Turiano Santiago) in the same Katipunan reunion, where in the
katipunerus shouted: Long live the eminent Doctor Rizal! Death of the oppressor nation!”
15. A poem by Laong Laan (Rizal), entitled A Talisay, in which the author makes the Dapitan schoolboys sing
that they know how to fight for their rights.

The testimonial evidence consisted of the oral testimonies of Martin Constantino, Aguedo del Rosario, Jose
Reyes, Moises Salvador, Jose Dizon, Domingo Franco, Deodato Arellano, Ambrosio Salvador, Pedro Serrano
Laktaw, Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Antonio Salazar, Francisco Quison and Timoteo Paez.

November 26, 1896 – Colonel Olive transmitted the records of the case to Governor General Blanco, and the
letter appointed Captain Rafael Dominguesz as special Judge Advocate. Immediately, Dominguez made a brief
resume and transmitted it to the Judge Advocate General, Don Nicolas de la Peňa.

After Peňa studied the papers, he submitted the following recommendations: 1. The accused be immediately
brought to trial 2. He should be kept in prison 3. An order of attachment be issued his property to the amount
of one million pesos as indemnity 4. He should be defended in court by an army officer, not by a civilian lawyer

December 8, 1896 Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, a list of 100 first and second lieutenants in the
Spanish Army was presented to Rizal. He choose Don Luis Taviel de Andrade, 1st Lt. of the Artillery because
the name was familiar to him and Rizal proved that Lt. Luis is the oldest brother of Jose Taviel de Andrade his
bodyguard in Calamba in 1887.

December 11, 1896 the information of charges was formally read. He 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”.

December 13, 1896 - Dominguez forwarded the papers of the Rizal case to Malacaňan Palace, same date
when General Camilio G. de Polavieja, with the help of powerful Dominican friars, became Governor General
of the Philippines.

December 15, 1896 – 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 industry. Fortunately for Rizal, Judge
Advocate General Nicolas de la Peňa recommended to the Governor General Polavieja that the manifesto be
suppressed. Thus Rizal was “saved from the shame of his manifesto’s being misinterpreted and disobeyed by
the Filipino in arms.”

December 25, 1896 – All Christendom joyously celebrated the birthday of Christ, but Rizal celebrated it with a
dark and cheerless Christmas. Truly, the Christmas of 1896, his last on earth, was the saddest in Rizal’s life.
Brooding over his hopeless case, he wrote a letter to Lt. Taviel de Andrade.

The trial of Rizal was an eloquent proof of Spanish injustice and misrule. His case was prejudged; he
considered guilty before the actual trial.

December 26, 1896 – the court-martial of Rizal started in the military building called Cuartel de Espaňa.
Seated in a long table were the seven members of the military court, dressed in their respective army
uniforms, as follows: Lt. Col. Jose Togores Arjona (president), Capt. Ricardo Muňoz Arias, Capt. Manuel
Reguera, Capt. Santiago Izquierdo Osorio , Capt. Braulio Rodriguez Nuňez, Capt. Manuel Diaz Escribano, and
the Fermin Perez Rodriguez. Also present at the courtroom were Rizal, Lt. Taviel, Capt. Rafael Dominguez
(Judge Advocate), Lt. Enrique de Alcocer (Prosecuting Attorney), and the spectators. Among the spectator
were Josephine Bracken, some newspapermen, and many Spaniards.

THE TRIAL OF RIZAL

The court asked Rizal whether he had anything to say. Rizal then read a supplement to his defense, by twelve
points:
1. He could not be guilty of rebellion, for he advised Dr. Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan not to rise in revolution.
2. He did not correspond with the radical, revolutionary elements.
3. The revolutionists used his name without his knowledge. If he were guilty he could have escaped in
Singapore.
4. If he had a hand in revolution, he could have escaped in a Moro vinta and would not have build a home, a
hospital, and bought lands in Dapitan.
5. If he were the chief of the revolution, why was he not consulted by the revolutionists?
6. It was true that he wrote the by-laws of the Liga Filipina, but this is a civic association – not a revolutionary
society.
7. The Liga Filipina did not live long, for after the first meeting he was banished to Dapitan and it died out.
8. If the Liga was recognized nine months later, he did not know about it.
9. The Liga did not serve the purpose of the revolutionists, otherwise they would not have supplanted it with
the Katipunan.
10. 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, being dispossessed of houses, warehouse, lands, etc. and his
brother and all his brothers-in-law were deported.
11. His life in Dapitan had been exemplary as the politico-military commanders and missionary priests could
attest.
12. It was not true that the revolution was inspired by his one speech at the house of Doroteo Ongjunco, as
alleged by witnesses whom he would like to comfort. The military court, prejudiced as it was, remained
indifferent to Rizal’s pleading. The president considered the trial over and ordered the hall cleared. The
military court unanimously voted for the sentence of death. On the same day, the court decision was
submitted to Gov. Gen. Polavieja, and he immediately sought the opinion of Judge Advocate General de la
Peňa on the court decision. The latter affirmed the death verdict.

December 28, 1896 – Polavieja approved the decision of the court-martial and ordered Rizal to be shot at 7:00
o’clock in the morning of December 30 at Bagumbayan Field (Luneta). For signing the fatal document ordering
the execution of Dr. Rizal, Polavieja won the eternal odium of the Filipino people. The death of Rizal will
evermore remain as obnoxious villains in Philippine history.

December 29, 1896 – Capt. Rafael Dominguez was designated by Polavieja to take charge of all arrangements
for the execution of Rizal – to be shot at the back by a firing squad at 7 AM in Bagumbayan (Luneta).
At 7:00 AM – an hour after reading the death squad, Rizal was moved to the prison chapel, where he spent his
last moments. First visitors were Fr. Miguel Saddera Mata (Rector of Ateneo Municipal) and Fr. Luis Viza, Jesuit
teacher.
At 7:15 AM – Rector Saderra left. Rizal, in a jovial mood reminded Fr. Viza of the statuette of the Sacred Heart
of Jesus.
At 8:00 AM – Fr. Antonio Rosell arrived to relieve Fr. Viza. Rizal invited him to join the breakfast, which he did.
After breakfast, Rizal thanked his defense counsel for his gallant services.
At 9:00 AM – Fr. Federico Faura arrived. He reminded him about his writing the Noli that (Rizal) would
someday lose his head.
At 10:00 AM – Fr. Jose Vilaclara and Fr. Vicente Balaguer visited the hero. After them came the Spanish
journalist, Santiago Mataix, interviewed Rizal for his newspaper El Heraldo de Madrid.
From 12:00 AM to 3:30 PM – Rizal was left alone in his cell. He took his lunch, after which he was busy writing.
It was probably during this time when he finished his farewell poem and hid it inside the alcohol cooking
stove. At the same time he wrote his last letter to Professor Blumentritt.
At 3:30 PM – Fr. Balaguer returned to Fort Santiago and discussed with Rizal about his retraction of the anti-
Catholic ideas.
At 4:00 PM – Rizal’s mother arrived. Both mother and son were crying as the guards separate them.
Afterwards Trinidad entered the cell to fetch her mother. Rizal gave to Trinidad the alcohol cooking,
whispering to her in English, “There is something inside.”
At 6:00 PM – Rizal received a new visitor, Don Silvino Lopez Tuňon, the Dean of the Manila Cathedral.
At 8:00 PM – Rizal had his last supper. He informed Capt. Dominguez who was with him that he forgave his
enemies.
At 9:30 PM – Rizal was visited by Don Gaspar Cestaňo, the fiscal of the Royal Audiencia of Manila.
At 10:00 PM – the draft of the retraction sent by the anti- Filipino Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda (1890-
1903) was submitted by Fr. Balaguer to Rizal for signature. This document is now a controversial for the
Rizalist scholars who are either Masons or anti-Catholic.

At 3:00 AM – Rizal heard mass, confessed his sins, and took Holy Communion.

At 5:30 AM – He took his breakfast on earth. After this, he wrote two letters, the first addressed to his family
and the second to Paciano. At the same time, Josephine Bracken, accompanied by a sister of Rizal (Josefa),
arrived. Rizal embraced her for the last time and before she left, Rizal gave her last gift – a religious book,
Imitation of Christ by Fr. Thomas a Kempis.

At 6:00 AM – as the soldiers were getting ready, Rizal wrote his last letter to his beloved parents.

DECEMBER 30, 1898

4:00 – 5:00 a.m. Rizal picks up Imitation of Christ, reads, meditates and then writes in Kempis’ book a
dectation to his wife Josephine and by this very act in itself he gives to her their only certificate of marriage.

5:00 – 6:15 Rizal washes up, takes breakfast, attends to his personal needs. Writes a letter to his parents.
Reads Bible and meditates. Josephine is prohibited by the Spanish officers from seeing Rizal, according to
Josephine’s testimony to R. Wildman in 1899.

At about 6:30 AM, a trumpet sounded at Fort Santiago, a signal to begin the death march to Bagumbayan.
Rizal walked calmly with his counsel defense on one side and two Jesuit priests (Fr. March and Fr. Vilaclara) on
the other. Rizal was dressed elegantly in a black suit, black derby hat, black shoes, white shirt and black tie. His
arms were tied behind elbow to elbow, but the rope is quiet lose. They reached the Bagumbayan Field. It was
a grassy lawn by the shore of Manila Bay, between two lamps.

Rizal knowing that his rendezvous with destiny was imminent, bade farewell to Fr. March and Fr. Vilaclara and
to his gallant defender. He requested to the commander that he will be shot facing the firing squad, but his
request denied. Dr. Felipe Ruiz Casitillo a Spanish military physician, asked the permission of Rizal to feel his
pulse and he is amazed to find it normal.

Rizal keeps looking around as if seeking or expecting to see someone. His last word, said in a loud voice:
"Rizal's Last Words "Consummatum est (It is finished!)". The death ruffles of the drums filled the air. Above the
drum beats, the sharp command “Fire” was heard. Rizal turned his bullet-riddled body to the right, and fell on
the ground dead – with face upward facing the morning sun. It was exactly 7:03 in the morning when he died
in the bloom of manhood – aged 35 years, five months, and 11 days. Silence. Shouts of vivas for Spain. Jose
Rizal "Not only is Rizal the most famous man of his own people, but the greatest man the Malayan race has
produced." Ferdinand Blumentrittt "Dr. Jose Rizal was an exceptional man, unsurpassed by other Filipino
heroes in talent, nobility of character and patriotism. His exile in Dapitan possesses a keen sense of history and
an aura of destiny. He himself kept and preserved his numerous poetical and prose writings personal and
travel diaries, scientific treatises and hundred of letters written to, and received from, his parents, brothers,
sisters, relatives, friends and enemies. Indeed, Rizal was a man of excellence, discipline and disposition

At the time when the Spain’s squad killed Rizal, the Spaniards – residents, friars (Jesuits not included), corrupt
officials exulted with the sadistic joy. The Spanish spectators shouted “Viva Espaňa!” “Muerte a los Traidores”,
(Long Live Spain! “Death to the Traitors!”) and the Spanish Military Band, played the gay Marcha de Cadiz. By
his writings, which awakened Filipino nationalism and paved the for the Philippine Revolution, he proved that
“pen is mightier than the sword”.