Rizal's Exile, Trial, and Execution

• The chapter focuses on Rizal's exile in Dapitan, his trial, and execution.
• Students should be able to explain Rizal's contributions in Dapitan, analyze the charges leading to his execution, examine the effects of his execution, reconstruct his final hours, and analyze his letters and poems.

Activities

• Create a simple action plan based on the objectives of La Liga Filipina, detailing strategies to achieve them.
• Compare expectations versus reality by analyzing Rizal's last letter regarding his desired burial, drawing the Rizal Monument, and critiquing his dying wish.
• Imagine writing a similar letter to Governor-General Polavieja as Teodora Alonzo, requesting a pardon for Rizal due to the petitions for him.

Analysis Questions

• Analyze what the debate between Rizal and Fr. Pastells revealed about their different views.
• Determine the reasons Rizal accepted the offer to work as a doctor under the Spanish military in Cuba.
• Consider if the charges against Rizal were strong enough to convict him.
• Determine if Rizal retracted his beliefs during his final hours.
• Reflect on the implications of Rizal's death on Philippine history.

Exile in Dapitan

• Rizal arrived in Dapitan on the evening of July 17, 1892, after sailing from Manila on the steamer Cebu.
• Dapitan, a remote town in Mindanao, was under Jesuit missionary jurisdiction at the time.
• Rizal's exile in Dapitan lasted until July 31, 1896.
• This period was fruitful for Rizal, dedicating himself to serving the people through civic works, medical practice, land development, and promoting education.
• During his exile, Rizal initially lived at the residence of Captain Carnicero, due to disagreements with the conditions set by Fr. Pablo Pastells:
  • Rizal was to publicly retract his errors concerning religion and make pro-Spanish statements against revolution.
  • He was to perform church rites and make a general confession of his past life.
  • He was to conduct himself as a model Spanish subject and a man of religion.
• Captain Carnicero and Rizal maintained a warm, friendly relationship as the Captain realized that Rizal was not a common culprit.
• Carnicero reported positively on Rizal to Governor-General Despujol, granting Rizal freedom to roam Dapitan and ride his horse.
• Rizal, in return, respected Carnicero's generosity and gifted him a poem, "A Don Ricardo Carnicero," on his birthday, August 26, 1892.

Faith

• Rizal had scholarly debates with Fr. Pastells in Dapitan regarding religion.
• The debates revealed Rizal's anti-clerical views, stemming from his bitterness towards the abuses of friars.
• Fr. Pastells' attempts to revert Rizal back to Catholicism were unsuccessful, resulting in inconclusive debates.
• Despite religious differences, Rizal and Fr. Pastells remained friends.
• Fr. Pastells gifted Rizal "Imitation of Christ" by Thomas á Kempis, and Rizal reciprocated with a bust of St. Paul.
• Rizal, while not fully subscribing to Pastells' interpretations, continued to attend mass and celebrate Catholic festivities, maintaining an inquisitive approach to Catholicism.

Awakening of Dapitan

• In July 1892, Rizal found Dapitan to be a sleepy town, but his presence revitalized it.
• Rizal maximized his time improving his artistic, literary, agricultural, and civic skills; engaging in business; and corresponding with European friends like Ferdinand Blumentritt and Reinhold Rost.
• Rizal's careers and achievements were in:
  • Architecture and Engineering: Rizal used his surveyor expertise to construct a sound water system in Dapitan, bringing water from kilometers away using bamboo tubes and tiles.
  • Medicine: Rizal provided free medicine to underprivileged patients and charged wealthy patients for his surgical skills. He drained swamps to combat malaria, and performed ophthalmic surgery on his mother, though her non-compliance with post-operative instructions led to complications.
  • Rizal helped Fr. Francisco Sanchez remake the plaza, constructing a relief map of Mindanao and installing a lighting system.
  • Rizal devoted time to planting crops and fruit trees on his land which grew to 70 hectares thanks to a lottery win of ₱6,200. He introduced modern agricultural methods and visualized establishing an agricultural colony.
  • He engaged in fishing, hemp, and copra industries partnering with Ramon Carreon, and sought to improve fishing methods by requesting Calamba fishermen to teach new techniques.
  • Poetry: He penned "Mi Retiro" for his mother on October 22, 1895, in response to her request.
  • Rizal had an interest in languages and studied the Bisayan and Malayan languages of Dapitan. Overall he knew 22 languages including Tagalog, Ilocano, Bisayan, Subanon, and many European and Middle Eastern languages.
  • Rizal invented a lighter called sulpukan and a wooden brick-maker.
  • He shared his passion for nature with students, sending specimens to European museums, conducting research in ethnography, archaeology, geology, anthropology, and geography, and discovering three new species: Draco rizali (flying dragon), Apogonia rizali (beetle), and Rhacophorus rizali (frog).
  • Tree of Knowledge: Rizal established a school in Talisay, near Dapitan, teaching sixteen boys from prominent families. He taught reading, writing, and other subjects, while also having his students maintain his garden and field. Classes were held outdoors.
  • Rizal fell in love with Josephine Bracken, an 18-year-old Irish woman with blue eyes. Rizal's family did not approve of their relationship and the Dapitan parish priest refused to marry them unless Rizal retracted his religious errors. They had a “live-in” relationship and Josephine gave birth to a premature baby named "Francisco.”

Talk in the Garden

• Before the revolution, Andres Bonifacio sought Rizal's advice, sending Pio Valenzuela to Dapitan to inform him of their plans.
• Pio Valenzuela, along with Josephine Bracken, Rizal's sister Narcissa, and niece Angelica Lopez, arrived in Dapitan on June 21, 1896.
• During a meeting, Rizal disapproved of Bonifacio's idea due to the Filipinos' lack of preparedness and insufficient arms and funds.
• Rizal advised attracting wealthy individuals and suggested seeking Antonio Luna's help.
• He disagreed to be rescued, having no plan to break his word to the Spanish authorities.
• Valenzuela returned to Manila without convincing Rizal.

Nails in the Coffin

• Before being contacted by the Katipunan, Rizal volunteered as a military doctor in Cuba in 1896 due to the yellow fever. Ferdinand Blumentritt suggested this initiative.
• On December 17, 1895, Rizal informed Governor-General Ramon Blanco, who succeeded Despujol, about his services in Cuba.
• It was only on July 30, 1896, that Rizal received a letter of acceptance.
• The letter promised a pass to Manila, and then Spain where the Minister of War would assign him to the Army of Operations in Cuba.

Trap Laid

• On July 31, 1896, Rizal's exile ended as he boarded the steamer España with Josephine, Narcissa, Angelica, his nephews, and students.
• In Cebu, Rizal performed an ophthalmic operation, earning ₱50.
• The España arrived in Manila on August 6, 1896.
• Initially intended to board the Isla de Luzon for Spain, Rizal was transferred to the Spanish cruiser Castilla as the ship had left already.

El Último Viaje

• On August 30, 1896, Luzon was put under martial law.
• Rizal received two letters of introduction from Governor-General Blanco for the Ministers of War and Colonies, attesting to his good conduct in Dapitan and lack of connection to the revolution.
• Three days later, Rizal was transferred to the boat Isla de Panay and given the best cabin.
• He wrote to his mother and sisters expressing his trust in Divine Providence and urging them to love their parents.

Dangerous Filipino

• Rizal was unaware that Governor-General Blanco and the Ministers conspired to destroy him, exchanging telegrams for his arrest in Barcelona and surveillance as an exile.
• En route to Spain, Rizal learned about the revolution and his implication in it.
• On September 28, 1896, he wrote to Blumentritt expressing disbelief and disgust.
• Rizal was ordered to stay in his cabin until further orders.
• On October 3, 1896, the Isla de Panay arrived in Barcelona, where Military Commander Eulogio Despujol, the same man who deported him, arrested Rizal.
• Rizal was imprisoned in Montjuich Castle, then taken aboard the Colon to Manila via Singapore.
• Although free to roam the vessel, Rizal was prohibited from disembarking and was put behind bars near ports.

Save The Hero

• News of Rizal's situation reached Antonio Maria Regidor in London, who dispatched telegrams to friends in Singapore to petition the court for a writ of habeas corpus.
• Filipinos in Singapore hired English lawyers, including Mr. Fort.
• The chief justice rejected the application, as Rizal was a Spanish prisoner on a Spanish war vessel.
• Despite potential grounds for a writ, the Spanish consul could protest, justifying Rizal as a dangerous prisoner due to his anti-religious and anti-patriotic activities.
• Rizal was unaware of the rescue attempts and was shipped home to face trial.

Thrilla in Manila

• On November 3, 1896, the Colon reached Manila.
• The Spaniards and friars celebrated the arrival of military reinforcements while Filipino patriots mourned the end of their quest for independence.

Fishing Evidence

• Rizal was transferred to Fort Santiago while Manila was frightened by the insurrection.
• Spanish authorities searched for evidence, torturing Filipinos to implicate Rizal.
• Paciano was also arrested.
• A preliminary investigation began on November 20, 1896.
• Rizal was interrogated without knowing who testified against him.
• The prosecution presented fifteen documents against Rizal:
• Antonio Luna's letter to Mariano Ponce proving Rizal helped organize La Solidaridad.
• Rizal's letter to his sister from Madrid.
• Kundiman, calling for liberty.
• Two witnesses claimed Rizal was Honorary President of the Katipunan and that the Liga Filipina planned separation from the Islands.
• On December 11, 1896, Rizal was formally informed of the charges, accused of leading the Philippine Revolution and propagating rebellious ideas.
• On December 15, 1896, Rizal appealed to his people to stop the bloodshed and achieve liberties through education and industry.

Kangaroo Trial

• On December 26, 1896, Rizal was brought to trial before a military court led by Lt. Col. Jose Togores Arjona.
• Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade defended Rizal.
• The prosecution reiterated charges of rebellion, sedition, and illegal association, urging the court for a death sentence.
• Lt. Taviel de Andrade defended Rizal courageously.
• Rizal read his defense, stating points to prove his innocence:
  • Pio Valenzuela testified Rizal opposed rebellion.
  • He did not write a letter to the Katipunan with revolutionary content.
  • His name was used without his consent.
  • If guilty, he should have left the country.
  • Revolutionists should have consulted him.
  • The Liga Filipina was a civic association.
  • He had no idea about the Liga's reorganization.
  • The Katipunan needn't have been organized if the Liga had a revolutionary purpose.
  • Persecution and dispossession of his family’s properties motivated his letters' bitterness.
  • He lived an exemplary life in Dapitan.
  • He wanted to confront those who claimed his speech inspired the revolution.
• The military court voted for death.
• Governor-General Polavieja signed and sealed Rizal's execution.

Alone in the Cell

• Spain confirmed the military court's decision and sentenced Rizal to be shot on December 30, 1896.
• Rizal accepted his fate and was transferred to the prison chapel.
• He wrote letters to friends and family, reminisced with Jesuit friends, and wrote his last letter to Blumentritt.
• Rizal's family said he stamped his foot in anger and said, "Cowards! Soon Spain will be out of the Philippines.”
• He gave remembrance tokens to family members, including the unsigned poem "Mi Ultimo Adios.”

Letters and Tears

• Rizal had his last supper, forgave his enemies, and informed Capt. Dominguez.
• He wrote a retraction letter.
• Rizal rose, prayed, and confessed, reading Imitacíon de Cristo by Tomas á Kempis.
• He ate hard-boiled eggs for breakfast.
• He signed memorabilia and gave Imitacion de Cristo to Josephine.
• He wrote letters to his family saying that it was better that he die now in the plentitude of his conscience.

To Die Is The Rest

• Rizal wrote to his parents, begging to be pardoned for the pain with which he would repay them as he did not prefer it.

• The streets were thronged with crowds to witness the public execution.

• Soldiers were preparing for the death match.

• Rizal was dressed in black with a white shirt, tied elbow to elbow.

• Rizal took a right turn from Fort Santiago, faced the rising sun, and walked with two Jesuits and his defense counsel.

• He acknowledged familiar faces with a nod and smile acknowledging that it was a beautiful morning.

• He took one look at Intramuros and asked if that was the Ateneo.

• Troops were waiting and a band was ready to play. There were many Spaniards and government officials shouting with pleasure as the noblest, most learned, and most gifted men in the Spanish realms had performed the job given to them.

• There were eight Filipino soldiers who were the firing squad. There were eight Spanish soldiers behind them to shoot them if they refused to pull the trigger.

• A slight delay occurred because Rizal requested to face his executioners.

• He insisted that they be shot at his back, which he eventually agreed to, as he was a traitor to Spain.

• He remarked that he had never been a traitor to anyone, and that the captain must insist that he be shot in the back.

• Rizal turned his back but refused the blindfold and kneeling.

• He asked the firing squad to spare his head and shoot him in the heart.

• He clasped the hand of Lt. Taviel de Andrade and bade farewell to the priests. The priests blessed him and offered him a cross to kiss, but he turned his head away and silently prepared for death.

• The captain raised his saber, ordering, “Preparen! Apunten!"

• People held their breath.

• Before the order to fire, Rizal shouted the last words of Christ: “CONSUMMATUM EST!”

• Bullets riddled Rizal.

• With great effort, Rizal turned his body to the right and fell backward facing the morning sun.

• One of the men gave Rizal tira de gracia (mercy shot) in the head.

• The Spaniards yelled, "Viva España! Muerte a los Traidores!"

• The military band played "Marcha de Cadiz.”

• It was three minutes past seven.

• It was also the shot to make the Spanish empire in the Philippines collapse.