Life and Death of Jose Rizal

Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861 in Kalamba Laguna. Kalamba is a small agricultural town that was reliant on sugar production. It was administered by the Dominicans.

He was baptized as Jose Rizal Mercado. Rizal describes Kalamba in one of his poems as “the seat of all my wish.” The scenic beauty was conducive for Rizal’s talent. In this idyllic scene Rizal learned the virtues

of love, affection and loyalty. Rizal was of mixed racial origin. On both sides of the family, there were a many qualities our

hero inherited. On his father’s side he inherited the intelligence and industry of Domingo Lamco. He inherited his keenness and wit from Francisco his great grandfather.

The family adopted the surname “Mercado” to free the younger generation from prejudices of those people bearing a Chinese name.

Francisco Mercado and his wife Bernarda Monicha had two children—Juan and Clemente. Juan married Cirila Alejandra and they had 14 children, among them was Francisco-Jose Rizal’s father

Rizal’s mother came from a family of professionals. They were able to produce lawyers, priests, engineers and government officials. Donya Teodora was born to Lorenzo, a lawyer and Brigida, a well-educated woman and a good mathematician.

Rizal’s parents were well to-do. Thus they belonged to the principalia. Rizal’s home was a large rectangular adobe and hardwood with red-tiled roof.

Rizal describes his father as someone who was “a model” of fathers. He was learned in Latin and Philosophy, studying the same in the College of San Jose in Manila.

He had (1) solid shoulders, (2) strong constitution, (3) rather tall than short, (4) serious and reflective mien and (5) prominent forehead and large dark eyes.

Donya Teodora on the other hand was described by Rizal as a woman not of ordinary culture. He spoke of her fondly and lovingly.

Don Franciso and Donya Teodora were blessed with 11 children.

1. Saturnina2. Paciano3. Narcisa4. Olimpia5. Lucia6. Maria7. Jose8. Concepcion9. Josefa10. Trinidad 11. Soledad

Of all his siblings Rizal was most influenced by his brother Paciano who became like second father to him. Though in the end Paciano suffered great physical pain he never turned on his brother.

RIZAL’S early innate talent

Learned to his alphabet at the age of three

Wrote his first poem entitled “Sa aking mga Kabata” at the age of 8

Was able to recognize worthwhile things one of his favorite memories is the story of the Moth.

His sister, Narcisa describes him as quiet and observant, who acted like a mature man than a boy and who liked to read than to play with toys.

His boyish observations influence his works.

Formal Search for Knowledge

Rizal was home schooled. But at the age of nine he entered the formal institution of Binan.

He concentrated on his studies and was excellent at all his subjects. He took lessons in Latin and Spanish and painting.

Jose Rizal passed the entrance exam of San Juan de Letran College. The test includes Christian Doctrine, Arithmetic and Reading. This entitled him to admission to Ateneo. He studied in Ateneo from 1872-1877 and obtained a degree of Bachelor of Arts.

It was easy for Rizal to adapt to the Ateneo way, the Jesuit teachers treated people equally and recognition was achieved through skill. At the age of 16 years old, Rizal graduated from college.

His formal lessons at the Ateneo refined his artistic sensibilities resulting further to his development as a writer and sculptor.

He expressed the ideals and values of education. While he was still a student in Ateneo he wrote “Through Education the Country Receives Light. This expressed the potential benefits that can be derived by the citizens from education. Another poem was the Intimate Alliance between Religion and Good Education, where Rizal posits that faith and belief in truth and love of God are discovered in dedicated study and the cultivation of the human mind.

Rizal was ar. member of various associations such as the Academy of Spanish Literature, Academy of Natural Sciences, the Marian Congregation and the Apostleship of Prayer.

Upon graduating Rizal enrolled in Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas. He took up surveying and agriculture and received the grade of “excellent”.

His decision to take up medicine was personal-he wanted to treat the failing eyesight of his mother.

Unlike the academic freedom that he enjoyed in the Ateneo, in the University of Santo Tomas there were prejudicial limitations. These limitations dampened the eagerness of Rizal.

While at the University of Santo Tomas, Rizal joined a literary contest among mestizos and Filipinos- the Liceo Artistico Leterario de Manila in1879. He submitted the poem A La Joventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth) and won. In the succeeding year he also entered the contest this time with this play El Consejo de los Dioses (The Council of the Gods).

The oppressive nature of the UST gave Rizal an idea to write the one act play, Junto al Pasig at age 19. Some friars took it lightly while others did not.

Paciano advised Rizal to go to Europe for a broader perspective.

Education in Europe

On May 3, 1882 Rizal left the Philippines aboard SS Salvadora and he arrived at Barcelona by the middle of June.

Upon his arrival he devised a very strict schedule because he wanted to learn so much in so little time.

He enrolled in the Central University of Madrid for licentiate in medicine. He also enrolled himself in Philosophy and letters and to enhance his artistic skill he took up painting and sculpture lessons in the Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando.

By June 21, 1884 he completed his course for the licentiate in medicine with satisfactory grades.

In 1885 he received his licentiate in letters entitling him to a University professorship.

He worked as an assistant in the clinic of Dr. Louis de Weker, after four months of study he learned the medical techniques of eye operation.

He moved to Germany because the cost of living there was cheaper. Rizal practiced in a hospital in Hiedelberg under the supervision of Dr. Otto Becker. Later he proceeded to Berlin to work in the clinics of Dr. Schultzer and Dr. Xavier Galezowki.

The Resolute Propagandist

Rizal proposed a book writing club to the Filipino members of the Circulo Hispano-Filipino. When the meetings to establish the same was called for the members were more interested in writing about women and were not interested in Rizal’s purpose so he ended up writing the books himself.

He wrote the Noli me Tangere, which led him to join the Brotherhood of Masons where he sought enlightenment. He continued writing his Noli in Madrid and Paris. He finished the novel in Germany.

He found the cheapest book printer to print 2000 copies of his book. The printing press charged him 300 pesos. His friend Maximo Viola became instrumental in this project because it was he who lent Rizal the amount needed.

Noli was released in 1887.

Rizal’s soujourn in Germany allowed him to meet his most cherished friend Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt. In the early 1887 Rizal met Dr. Feodor Jagor who invited him to attend a meeting in Berlin of the Geographic Society where he became acquainted with Dr, Rudolf Virchow. It was Dr. Virchow who sponsored his membership in the said society.

In Dresden he met Dr. A B Meyer, director of the Royal Saxony Ethnographical Institute. Meyer visited the Philippines and studied the Filipino People. He gave a copy of his work to Rizal

Rizal became a member of the Geographical and Ethnological Society of Berlin. One of the requirements was to pass an original work. Rizal submitted “The Tagalog Art of Versification”. He also wrote Ars Poetica Tagala.

He studied and translated the work of Dr. Blumentritt’s Ethnography of the Island of Mindanao and after reading Dr. Blumentritt’s work Rizal planned to study the Tirurays for a better understanding.

By studying the works of different foreign authors, Rizal was consoled with the fact that we were not a feebleminded as the Spaniards would assume. To complete his observation or racial differences he researched in psychology while he was still in Leipzig, concentrating on the comparison of race characteristics as influenced by the environment, history and language.

His researched convinced his that “we are all human and we can improve ourselves through education…”

He was also influence by Schiller’s Willam Tell which he translated in tagalong and later on expressed the same idea in his work El Amor Patrio.

Six Months Sojourn in the Philippines

Rizal arrived in Manila on August 5,1887.

His work, Noli, having reached the Philippines caused a great deal of pressure to Rizal as he received threats and became the object of suspicion of the Friars and officials alike.

Despite the liberal-minded Gov. Gen. Emilio Terrero, his movement became limited. A whispering smear was initiated against Rizal and in the midst of the threats and whisepers, Gov. Gen terror had assigned to Rizal Jose Taviel de Andrade as a personal escort.

The fate of Noli was decided by a special committee and it was for all intents and purposes absolutely banned and prohibited importation, reproduction and circulation of the book. It was found as heretical, impious and scandalous.

Rizal was involved in agrarian controversy and when the security of his family was jeopardized he was advised to secretly leave the Philippines on February 3, 1888.

Rizal becomes an Active Propagandist

Free from Spanish persecution Rizal made an annotation on the work of Antonio de Morga. By the time Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas was published in 1890 the Propaganda movement was in full swing.

With pen in hand Rizal wrote the “The Philippines within a century” and “The Indolence of the Filipino People” as a refutation against the criticisms of the Filipinos and their culture.

In July 1891 Rizal completed the manuscript for his El Fili. Short on funds, he sought the help of Valentin Ventura. The book finally came out in September 1891.

News and stories of oppression in the Philippines spread and Rizal avowed that this would only add to the already discontented feelings of the natives in his letter dated April 2, 1889.

On March 19, 1891, Rizal wrote to Blumentritt of the persecution his family is suffering because of him.

He planned to establish La Liga Filipina and a Filipino community in Borneo while he was still in Hongkong.

Rizal negotiated with the North Borneo Company to establish a Filipino community. This was granted to him and he was granted permission to establish a settlement on 190,000 acres. The plan was disapproved by Governor Eulogio Despujol because the Philippines was short on man power.

Rizal Comes Home

In his letter of June 20, 1892 Rizal wrote that his decision was risky but that he was ready to die for his conviction. This letter was opened posthumously as it was entrusted to Dr. Lorenzo Pereira Marques.

He arrived in the Philippines on Sunday, June 26, 1892 with his sister Lucia.

The next day he visited Malolos, San Fernando, Tarlac and Bacolor where he encouraged his countrymen to join La Liga, upon receiving favorable responses the La Liga Filipina was organized on July 3, 1892.

Rizal is Arrested and Deported to Dapitan

On July 6 Rizal was summoned to the Malacanang Palace. He was confronted for brinig with him the leaflets Pobres Frailes (Poor Friars). Despite his protestations he was arrested and detained in the Royal Fortress of Santiago for detention.

He was notified in July 16 that he was to be exiled to Dapitan in Mindanao on the evening of the same day.

He was accused of smuggling leaflets that mocked and maligned the friars, dedicating his El Filibusterismo t the memory of the GomBurZa who were proven to be traitors, he was accused of advocating separation from Spain as the only means of salvation of the Philippines.

Furthermore, he was accused of seeking to “de-catholicize, which is equivalent to denationalize this Philippine land which will always be Spanish and such always Catholic” and nothing else but to uproot from loyal Filipino breasts the treasure of our Holy Catholic Faith, the unbreakable keystone of national unity of this land.

Rizal was judged and condemned on these charges without trial. He was deported to Dapitan on board the steamship Cebu.

The Nationalist in Exile

July 17, 1892- Rizal arrives in Dapitan

Captain Ricardo Canicero- the politico military governor who gave Rizal free rein with his ingenuity

Jose Rizal’s Schedule of Activities in Dapitan

5:00 AM-7:00 am Wake up, visit plants, feed the chickens and have breakfastAttend to patients (both within his locality) then he would board hi baroto to visit and tend to his patients in town

Two hours Academic sessions with his pupilsBefore sunset Go farmingAfter sunset Study and readLate at night Sleep

Rizal while in Dapitan proved that people can contribute greatly to the development of their community. He used his various professions in order to better Dapitan.

As a doctor:

1. He would charge people proportionate to their capacity to pay hence those who were poor were not charged.

2. He used his knowledge in the medicinal values of plants to make drugs and concoctions.

As an educator:

1. He gave boys vocational training.2. He made learning functional, relating the learning of the pupils to real life situation.3. He taught the boys to value labor and skill as a means of earning.4. He created a schedule where he would teach the boys reading, writing, arithmetic,

geometry, languages, geography, history and good conduct.5. He introduces an “Atenean” way of teaching where the smartest boy was called as the

emperor.6. He also taught the boys boxing, swinging on parallel bars and rings, swimming, wrestling

and arnis.

As an expert land surveyor/architect/engineer:

1. He planned new street lay outs and constructed them with the help of the people.2. He conceived to introduce a water system to town. (This was complete in 1895)3. He provided the town with lighting system consisting of coconut oil lamps.

As a Social Worker:

1. He drained marshes to help prevent malaria.

As a Scientist:

1. He proposed to establish a manufacturing plant or brick factory that would produce bricks.

2. He introduced a hemp stripping machine to improve the abaca industry.

As a businessman:

1. He and a business partner ventured into a hemp and copra trade. 2. He prompted the establishment of a Dapitan Farmers cooperative association.

Rizal’s reaction to the Katipunan

June 21, 1896- Dr. Pio Valenzuela visited Rizal to inform him on the *establishment of the Katipunan

*July 7 1892-the Katipunan was established

Rizal vigorously objected on the KKK’s plan of revolution because of these grounds:

1. He wanted to prevent any unnecessary bloodshed or “premature flow of blood”.2. He was afraid that what happened in Cuba might happen to the Philippines.

He made suggestions on how to make the Katipunan “better”:

1. To get the support of rich and influential sectors of manila for stronger unity if they fail to do this they (KKK) should make sure that this group remained neutral.

2. To appoint Antonio Luna to direct military maneuvers

End of Rizal’s Exile

Rizal wrote twice to Governor General Ramon Blanco. One letter (1894) sought his pardon, the second (1895) asked for his release and a review of his case.

July 30, 1896- Rizal received approval for his request to go to Cuba to serve as a surgeon. He left for Manila on board España.

Castilla- the Spanish cruiser that Rizal boarded for Spain

His last trip home

September 3, 1896- Rizal left for Barcelona on board “Isla de Panay”.

October 6, 1896- Isla de Panay docks at Barcelona harbor. Rizal stayed at Montjuich Castle before being brought to the ss Colon

November 3, 1896- ss Colon reached Manila, Rizal was brought to Fort Santiago

TRIAL AND EXECUTION

December 29, 1896- Rizal was notified of the verdict DEATH, he was to be shot the next day

The military court that tried Rizal was composed of:

Colone Jose Tagores Arjona

Enrique de Alcocer (Auxiliary Advocate General) the prosecutor

Luis Taviel de Andrade- Brother of Jose Taviel de Andrade, Jose Rizal’s bodyguard in Calamba, Rizal’s counsel

Rizal was condemned for:

Founding illegal associations and of promoting and inducing rebellion Sedition Treason Inciting to rebellion

Preliminary Investigation

Captain Franciso de Olive-gathered “proofs” of Rizal’s guilt

Colonel Rafael Dominguez-conducted the preliminary investigation

*He was questioned on his correspondences, his organizations (La Liga Filipina), his membership in Masonic Lodges, on Dr. Valenzuela’s visit to Dapitan, from his poems, from the speeches of the Katipunan to their slogan.

The Trial

Judge Rafael Dominguez recommended speedy trial this was approved by Judge Advocate General Nicolas de la Peña.

Alcocer portrayed Rizal as the “Soul of the revolution”. He relied on his bombastic eloquence to stir hostility in the courtroom.

Andrade relied on law, on evidence and how such evidence proved nothing. He relied on logic and fact.

Within a one day trial Rizal was found guilty.

Governor General Camilo de Polevieja signed the confirmation of the decision in the eve of the very same day.

THE LONG LAST DAY

He wrote five letters. One for his brother, Paciano, another for his father Francisco, one for Josephine Bracken, one unfinished letter for his mother and one for his family.

His visitors included:

1. Members of his family2. A newspaperman3. His defense counsel4. Mostly Jesuits who were working for his retraction from Masonry5. Doña Teodora6. Maria 7. Trinindad-*alcohol burner8. Narcisa- wicker chair9. His niece, Angelica -handkerchief10. Mauricio, his favorite nephew- belt and watch with chain11. Josephine Bracken

*Trinidad could understand English and so when Rizal gave her the alcohol burner he said “there is something in it”.

This “something” was the last poem of Rizal- Mi Ultimo Adios.

Fr. Vicente Balaguer- he wrote a report to his superiors and later cabled to a Barcelona paper saying that he showed Rizal a retraction drafted by Archbishop Nozaleda.

Fr. Pio Pi- his draft of the retraction was preferred by Rizal.

Rizal made his own retraction.

December 30, 1986 (the first hour)-Rizal confessed to Fr. Balaguer again. Rizal requested that he hold mass so that he (Rizal) may take communion.

Fr. Jose Vilaclara- suggested Rizal read Acts of Faith, Hope and Charity. He turned to Thomas Kempis’ Imitation of Christ.

The ExecutionRizal’s Dress code:

Black suit, Black Hat, white shirtHe was flanked by Taviel de Andrade, Father Vilaclara and Estanislao March

Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo-checked Rizal’s pulse and found it normal and steady

Rizal’s final requests were:1. Not to be shot in the head2. Not to be shot at the back for he was not a traitor

The first request was granted and the second was not.

As the firing squad fired their gun, Rizal turned to the right to face his executioners and fell.

Rizal dies on December 30, 1896 at the age of 35.