Rizal's Life: Exile, Trial, and Death - University of Cabuyao PDF

RIZAL’S LIFE: EXILE, TRIAL AND DEATH At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to: 1. analyze the factors that led to Rizal’s execution 2. Analyze the effects of Rizal’s execution on Spanish colonial rule and the Philippine revolution SECOND HOME COMING June 26, 1892 at noon, M...

RIZAL’S LIFE: EXILE, TRIAL AND DEATH At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to: 1. analyze the factors that led to Rizal’s execution 2. Analyze the effects of Rizal’s execution on Spanish colonial rule and the Philippine revolution SECOND HOME COMING June 26, 1892 at noon, Manila - with Lucia (M. Herbosa) checked in to room no. 22 Hotel de Oriente - seek an audience with Gen. Eulogio Despujol, Conde de Caspe visited: Narcisa and Neneng June 27, 1892 Visited friends from Malolos, San Fernando, Tarlac, and Bacolor June 28, 1892 Went back to Manila 5 pm. Interviews with Despujol June 29, 1892 Failed to have his exile lifted June 30, 1892 Discussed about the question of Borneo – opposed. July 3, 1892 Exile of his sisters lifted Interviews with Despujol June 29, 1892 Failed to have his exile lifted June 30, 1892 Discussed about the question of Borneo – opposed. July 3, 1892 Exile of his sisters lifted  La Liga Filipina July 3, 1892 Sunday, Ylaya St. Tondo, Doroteo Ongjunco residences Participants Pedro Serrano Laktaw Luis Villareal Juan Zulueta Moises Salvador Domingo Franco Mariano Crisostomo Jose A. Ramos Faustino Villaruel Bonifacio Arevalo Nemeriano Adriano Deodato Arellano Estanislao Legaspi Ambrosio Flores Teodoro Plata Agustin de la Rosa Andres Bonifacio Apolinario Mabini Constitution of La Liga Filipina Motto: Unus Instar Omnium (One Like All) 1. To unite the whole archipelago into one compact and homogenous body. 2. Mutual protection in every want and necessity. 3. Defense against all violence and injustice. Constitution of La Liga Filipina Motto: Unus Instar Omnium (One Like All) 4. Encouragement of education, agriculture, and commerce. 5. Study and application of reforms Duties of Members (1) obey the orders of the Supreme Council (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 his council Duties of Members (5) to report to the fiscal anything that he may hear which affects the Liga (6) to behave well as befits a good Filipino (7) to help fellow members in all ways.  ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT July 6, 1892 Interview with Gov. Gen. Despujol showed him incriminatory leaflets of Pobres Frailes (Fr. Jacinto) Pobres Frailes (Poor Friars) - Satire against the rich Dominicans who originally should have a vow of poverty - he denied to have those leaflets and his sister’s possession - because of this he was placed under arrest and detained at Fort Santiago - Kept incommunicado July 7, 1892 Gaceta de Manila - published his arrest which stirred commotion from the Liga DEPORTATION Deportation Steamer: SS Cebu, July 15, 1892, 12:30 am Destination: Dapitan Handed: Capt. Ricardo Carnicero (Spanish Commandant of Dapitan) Lasted: a period of 4 years Decreed by Gov. Gen. Eulogio Despujol: 1. Rizal had published books and articles abroad which showed disloyalty to Spain which were “frankly anti- Catholic” and “imprudently anti-friar”. Decreed by Gov. Gen. Eulogio Despujol: 2. A few hours after his arrival in Manila “there was found in one of the packages... a bundle of handbills entitled Pobres Frailes in which the patient and humble generosity of Filipinos is satirized, and which accusation is published against the customs of the religious orders”. Decreed by Gov. Gen. Eulogio Despujol: 3. His novel El Filibusterismo was dedicated to the memory of three “traitors” (Burgos, Gomez, and Zamora), and on the title page he wrote that in view of the vices and errors of the Spanish administration, “the only salvation for the Philippines was separation from the mother country”. Decreed by Gov. Gen. Eulogio Despujol: 4. “The end which he pursues in his efforts and writings is to tear from the loyal Filipino breasts the treasure of our holy Catholic faith”. EXILE  Exile 1892-96 Rizal Could Stay in the Convent by fulfilling 3 Conditions 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  Exile 1892-96 Rizal Could Stay in the Convent by fulfilling 3 Conditions 3. “That henceforth he conduct himself in an exemplary manner as a Spanish subject and a man of religion” Rizal decline and stay with Capt. Carnicero instead. September 21, 1892 - he won the lottery together with Capitran Carnicero, & Francisco Equilior (Spanish resident of Dipolog for ₱ 20,000 Rizal’s Winning (P 6,200) 2000 pesos - given to his father 200 pesos – given to Jose Basa Rest – invested in purchasing agricultural lands of Talisay Debate on Religion - Rizal and Fr. Pastells had a long religious debate for the latter to totally win back to Rizal to Catholic fold. - The debate ended inconclusively they remain friends. - Fr. Pastells giving Rizal Imitacion de Cristo while the Rizal a bust of St. Paul which he made. Debate on Religion - Fr. Sanchez, his teacher in Ateneo, tried to win him as well back to Catholic fold - though he failed, he remained and accompanied Rizal in beautifying the town Duel with a Frenchman Rizal and a Duel with a Frenchman Mr. Juan Lardet – a businessman who indirectly malign Rizal’s reputation. - this is about the bad quality of logs delivered - Rizal being sensitive,challenged Lardet to a duel - Capt. Carcinero advised Lardet to apologize for he doesn’t have a chance of winning which he eventually did August, 1893 - Rizal was visited by his family: Donya Lolay, Trinidad, Maria, Narcisa, and nephews: Teodosio, Estanislao, Mauricio, & Prudencio. - he built a house by the seashore and for the schools boys he’s teaching. November 3, 1893 - a certain Pablo Mercado (Florencio Namanan) posed as a relative and secretly visited Rizal. - Pablo offered his services as a confidential courier of Rizal’s letter and writing for the patriots of Manila. - He reported Pablo to the Commandancia and denounced the impostor. November 3, 1893 - an investigation was conducted and learned that he’s a Recollects Friars spy to Dapitan. - the investigation was quashed and transcript was forwarded to the Gov. Gen. Blanco. Professions Practiced  Physician - Practiced medicine and treated the poor and he even gave them free medicine - he treated his mother’s illness and even though the process encountered some issues he did solve it - his fame spread throughout the archipelago and even abroad - he became interested and studied with local medicine and medicinal plants Engineer - he constructed a system of waterworks to furnish clean water for the people - this waterworks manifested with governmental aid - he conducted a lighting system powered by coconut oil lamps for the streets of Dapitan - remodeled the town plaza and made a huge relief map of Mindanao Teacher (1893-July, 1896) - his students started from 16 then progress to 21, they don’t pay tuition instead they work for Rizal in the garden, fields and construction projects in the community - Subjects: reading, writing, Languages (Spanish & English), geography, history, math(arithmetic & geometry), industrial work , nature study, morals, and gymnastics Teacher (1893-July, 1896) - Outside the class hours, Rizal encouraged them to play games in order to strengthen their bodies. They had gymnastics, boxing, wrestling, stone-throwing, swimming, arnis (native fencing), and boating. Scientist - he sent specimens to museum of Europe (Dresden Museum), as payment European Scientists sent him books and surgical instruments - in conchology he built a collection of 346 shells representing 203 species Scientist Specimens named after him Draco rizali (a flying dragon) Apogonia rizali (a small beetle) Rhacophorus rizali ( a rare frog). Other fields of studies exercised anthropological, etnographical archeological, geological geographical studies Linguist Languages learned: Bisayan, Subanum Malay languages Wrote Tagalog Grammar made of comparative study of the Bisayan and Malay Language Linguist At the end he learned 22 languages: Tagalog, Ilokano, Bisayan, Subanum, Spanish, Latin, Greek , English, French, German, Arabic, Malay, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Dutch, Catalan, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Swedish and Russian Artist - created the statuette, “The Mother Revenge”, - the Dapitan Girl, -woodcarving of Josephine Bracken, and - bust of St. Paul given to Fr. Pastells Farmer - he hold a total of 70 hectares, containing 6,000 hemp plants, 1,000 coconut trees, and numerous fruit trees, sugarcane, corn, coffee and cacao Farmer - he’s using modern methods of agriculture observed in Europe and America and encourage the people of Dapitan to discard their primitive system of agricultural methods. - he imported agricultural machinery from the United States Businessman - partnered with Ramon Carreon and venture in fishing, copra and hemp industries. - introduced trawl fishing (pukutan), and sent Calamba Fishermen to teach folks better methods of fishing Inventor Sulpukan – unique cigarette lighter made of wood and uses the compressed air principle Machine in making bricks (Belgium) – this could manufacture 6,000 bricks daily Businessman - partnered with Ramon Carreon and venture in fishing, copra and hemp industries. - introduced trawl fishing (pukutan), and sent Calamba Fishermen to teach folks better methods of fishing Inventor Sulpukan – unique cigarette lighter made of wood and uses the compressed air principle Machine in making bricks (Belgium) – this could manufacture 6,000 bricks daily Josephine Bracken After the death of Leonor Rivera (August 28, 1893) - an Irish girl of sweet eighteen, “slender, a chestnut blond, with blue eyes, dressed with elegant simplicity, with an atmosphere of light gaiety” Josephine Bracken - accompanied George Taufer for eye treatment introduced by Manuela Orlac (has a card of introduction from Julio Llorente) - she and Rizal fell in love with each other then after a month agreed to marry Rizal & Katipunan June 21, 1892 Dr. Pio Valenzuela hid his intention by visiting with a patient named Raymundo Mata to reach out to Rizal about Bonifacio plan of revolution and solicited his support. Rizal & Katipunan Rizal objection saying it’s Premature for 2 reasons 1. the people are not ready for a revolution 2. arms and funds must first be collected before raising the cry of revolution. Rizal & Katipunan He also disapproved of the other plan of the Katipunan to rescue him because he had given his word of honor to the Spanish authorities and he did not want to break it. War in Cuba December 17, 1895 - Rizal volunteered as medical doctor for Cuba and requested to Gov. Gen. Ramon Blanco and was approved July 1, 1896 LAST TRIP ABROAD July 31, 1896 - Accompanied: Josephine, Narcisa, Angelica (Narcisa daughter) and 3 nephews, his exile in Dapitan came to an end - he embarked aboard España España Journey and stopovers Dumaguete Capiz Cebu Romblon Iloilo August 6 1896 Rizal Missing the Steamer Isla de Luzon he transferred the Spanish cruiser Castilla Evening of August 19, 1896 Katipunan was discovered by Fr. Mariano Gil (Augustinian Cura of Tondo) August 26, 1896 Katipuneros attacked San Juan but was repulsed by Spanish forces. A state of war was proclaimed by Gov. Gen Blanco 8 Provinces: Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Tarlac. 2 Reasons of Rizal’s Worry about the Revolution (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, had started and (2) it would arouse Spanish vengeance against all Filipino patriots. 2 Reasons of Rizal’s Worry about the Revolution (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, had started and (2) it would arouse Spanish vengeance against all Filipino patriots.  Correspondences were Made absolving Rizal of the Revolution between Rizal and Gov. Gen Blanco Singapore - Isla de Panay arrived at Singapore, Don Pedro advised Rizal to take advantage of the protection of the British Law – he declined Gov. Gen. Blanco and Ministers of War and the Colonies - conspiring for Rizal’s demise by exchanging coded telegrams and confidential messages - Rizal isn’t aware that a plot against him is being cooked since his departure from Manila on his way to Spain - Rizal was secretly under surveillance Arrest in Barcelona Boarding Isla de Panay Rizal voyage to Barcelona September 25, 1896 - Isla de Luzon leave Suez Canal filled with Spanish troops September 27, 1896 - A telegram from Manila came informing of the execution of Francisco Roxas, Genato and Osorio September 28, 1896 - Isla de Panay left Port Said and a passenger informed Rizal that he will be arrested by the order of Gov. Gen. Blanco September 30, 1896, 4:00 PM - Rizal was officially informed by Capt. Alemany that he may stay in cabin until further notice September 30, 1896, 6:25 PM - Rizal arrived in Malta October 3, 1896, 10:00 AM - Rizal was kept in the cabin for 3 days and his jailor – Military Commander of Barcelona Gen. Eulogio Despujol October 4, 1896 - Rizal held incommunicado October 6, 1896, 3:00 AM - Rizal was escorted in Monjuich, interviewed by Gen. Despujol by 2:00 pm informing him he will be delivered to Manila by the ship Colon October 6, 1896, 3:00 AM - Rizal on board Colon together with soldiers and their families left Barcelona LAST HOMECOMING October 8, 1896 - A friendly officer informed him that the Madrid newspaper were full of stories about the revolution in the Philippines he was being blamed for it. October 11, 1896 - His Diary was confiscated to check for seditious content – nothing dangerous found November 2, 1896 - His Diary was returned Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor and Sixto Lopez - telegrammed Atty. Hugh Fort to rescue Jose Rizal by means of habeas corpus - Chief Justice Loinel Cox denied the writ for Colon is a military vessel and under international law beyond the jurisdiction of Singapore authorities November 2, 1896 - His Diary was returned Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor and Sixto Lopez - telegrammed Atty. Hugh Fort to rescue Jose Rizal by means of habeas corpus - Chief Justice Loinel Cox denied the writ for Colon is a military vessel and under international law beyond the jurisdiction of Singapore authorities People Brutally Tortured to Incriminate Rizal - Paciano, Deodato Arellano, Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Moises Salvador, Jose Dizon, Domingo Franco, Temoteo Paez, and Pedro Serrano Laktaw November 20, 1896 - Rizal was subjected to a five-day investigation under Judge Advocate Colonel Francisco Olive - he was not permitted to confront those who testified against him Two kinds of evidence were presented against Rizal 1. documentary 2. testimonial The documentary evidence consisted of fifteen exhibits 1. A letter from Antonio Luna to Mariano Ponce 2. A letter of Rizal to his family 3. A letter from Marcelo H. del Pilar to Deodato Arellano 4. A poem entitled Kundiman 5. A letter of Carlos Oliver to an unidentified person- Rizal as liberator of Philippines 6. A Masonic document 7. A letter signed Dimasalang to Tenluz (Juan Zulueta’s pseudonym) 8. A letter of Dimasalang to an unidentified committee 9. An anonymous and undated letter to the Editor of the Hong Kong Telegraph 10. A letter of Ildenfonso Laurel to Rizal 11. A letter of Ildefonso Laurel to Rizal about banishment of Doroteo Cortes and Anbrosio Salvador. 12. A letter of Marcelo H. del Pilar to Don Juan A. Tenluz 13. Transcript of a speech of Pingkian (Emilio Jacinto), in a reunion of the Katipunan 14. Transcript of a speech of Tik-Tik (Jose Turiano Santiago) in the same Katipunan reunion 15. A poem by Laong Laan (Rizal) entitled A Talisay November 26, 1896 - after the preliminary investigation Col. Olive transmitted the records of the case to Gov. Gen. Blanco and the latter appointed Capt. Rafael Dominguez as Special Judge Advocate to institute action against Rizal - the letter was returned to Gov. Gen. Blanco and sent to Judge Advocate Gen. Nicolas de la Pena, for an opinion Recommendations (1) the accused be immediately brought to trial; (2) he should be kept in prison; (3) an order to attachment be issued against 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 - Rizal choose from the long list of officers Don Luis Taviel de Andrade (he gladly accepted the task) December 11, 1896 - Charges against Rizal was formally read in his prison cell, but pleaded not guilty of the crime of rebellion charge IDENTIFIED AS “the principal organizer and the living soul of the Filipino insurrection, the founder of societies, periodicals and books dedicated to fomenting and propagating ideas rebellion.” Gov. Gen. Camilo G. de Polavieja succeeding Gov. Gen. Blanco - sealed Rizal’s fate considering that Polaviejo is more ruthless than his predecessor December 15, 1896 - Rizal wrote a manifesto to his people appealing 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 Pena recommended to Governor General Polavieja that the manifesto be suppressed. The latter heeded the recommendation so that Rizal’s manifesto was not issued to the people. thus Rizal was “saved from the shame of his manifesto’s being misinterpreted and disobeyed by the Filipinos in arms.” Fortunately for Rizal, Judge Advocate General Nicolas de la Pena recommended to Governor General Polavieja that the manifesto be suppressed. The latter heeded the recommendation so that Rizal’s manifesto was not issued to the people. thus Rizal was “saved from the shame of his manifesto’s being misinterpreted and disobeyed by the Filipinos in arms.” TRIAL OF RIZAL Characteristics of the Trial  composed of alien military officers he was considered guilty before the actual trial court met not to give him justice, but to accuse and condemn him accepted all charges and testimonies against him, and ignored all arguments and proofs in his favor Rizal was not given the right to face the witnesses against him in open court December 26, 1896, 8:00 AM - Court martial started at Cuartel de España - Rizal sat on a bench between two soldiers. His arms were tied behind, elbow to elbow - He was dressed in a black woolen suit with a white vest and black tie The Military Court composed of the ff: Lt. Col. Jose Togores Arjona (president), Capt. Ricardo Munoz, Capt. Manuel Reguera, Capt. Santiago Izquierdo Osorio, Capt. Braulio Rodriguez Nunez, Capt. Manuel Diaz Escribano, and Capt. Fermin Perez Rodriguez. Judge Advocate Dominguez who explained the case against Rizal. Prosecuting Attorney Alcocer arose and delivered a long speech summarizing the charges against Rizal and urged the court to give the verdict of death to the accused Defense Counsel Taviel de Andrade took the floor and read his eloquent defense to Rizal. He ended his defense with a noble, but futile, admonition to the members of the military: ‘The judges cannot be vindictive; the judges can only be just”. Rizal read a suppelemnt ot his defense proving his innocence 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 revolutionist used his name without his knowledge. If he were guilty he could have escaped in Singapore. 4. If he had a hand in the revolution, he could have built 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 revolutionist? 6. It was true he wrote the by-laws of the Liga Filipina, but this is only 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 reorganized nine months later, he did not know about it. 9. The Liga did not serve the purpose of the revolutionist, 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 deported. 11. His life in Dapitan had been exemplary as the politico-military commanders and missionary priest 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 confront. His friends knew his opposition to armed rebellion. Why did the Katipunan send an emissary to Dapitan who was unknown to him? Because those who knew him were aware that he would vever sanction any violent movement. The military court, prejudiced as it was, remained indifferent to Rizal’s pleading. The president, Lt. Col. Togores Arjona, considered the trial over and ordered the hall cleared. After a short deliberation, the military court unanimously voted for the sentence of death. December 26, 1896 - Court decision was submitted immediately to Gov. Gen. Polavieja and he ask the opinion Judge Advocate General Nicolas de la Pena 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) DEATH During his last 24 hours on earth –from 6:00 A.M. December 29 to 6:00 A.M., December 30, 1896 –he was busy meeting visitors, including Jesuits priests, Josephine Bracken and members of his family, a Spanish newspaper correspondent (Santiago Mataix), some friends, and secretly finishing his farewell poem. September 24, 1892 - Rizal story “Unfortunate Philippines” was published in The Hongkong Telegraph December 29, 1896, 6:00 A.M - Captain Rafael Dominguez, who was designated by Governor General Camilo Polavieja to take charge of all arrangements for the execution of the condemned prisoner, read the death sentence to Rizal –to be shot at the back by a firing squad at 7:00 A.M. in Bagumbayan 7:00 A.M - Rizal was moved to prison chapel where he spent his last moments. His first visitors were Father Miguel Saderra Mata (Rector of Ateneo Municipal), and Father Luis Viza, Jesuit teacher. 7:15 A.M. - Rector Saderra left. Rizal, in a jovial mood, reminded Fr. Viza of the statuette of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which he had carved with his pen knife as an Ateneo student. Fr. Viza, anticipating such reminiscence, got the statuette from his pocket and gave it to Rizal. The hero happily received it and placed it on his writing table. 8:00 A.M. - Fr. Antonio Rosell arrived to relieve Father Viza. Rizal invited him to join him at breakfast, which he did. After breakfast, Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade (Rizal’s defense counsel) came, and Rizal thanked him for his gallant services. 9:00 A.M. - Fr. Federico Faura arrived. Rizal reminded him that he said that (Rizal) would someday lose his head for writing the Noli. “Father,” Rizal remarked, “You are indeed a prophet”. 10:00 A.M. - Father Jose Vilaclara (Rizal’s teacher at the Ateneo) and Vicente Balaguer (Jesuit missionary in Dapitan who had befriended Rizal during his latter’s exile) visited the hero. After them came the Spanish journalist, Santiago Mataix, who interviewed Rizal for his newspaper El Heraldo de Madrid. From 12:00 A.M. (noon) to 3:30 P.M. - Rizal was left alone in his cell. He took his lunch, after he was busy writing. It was probably during this time when he finished his farewell poem and hid it inside his alcohol cooking stove (not lamp as some biographers erroneously assert) From 12:00 A.M. (noon) to 3:30 P.M. - which was given to him as a gift by Paz Pardo de Tavera (wife of Juan Luna) during his visit to Paris in 1890. From 12:00 A.M. (noon) to 3:30 P.M. - At the same time he wrote his last letter to Professor Blumentritt (his best friend) in German Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt: My dear Brother: When you received this letter, I shall be dead. Tomorrow at seven, I shall be shot; but I am innocent of the crime of rebellion. I am going to die with a tranquil conscience. Goodbye, my best, my dearest friend, and never think ill of me. Fort Santiago, December 29, 1896. (Signed) Jose Rizal Regards to the entire family, to Sta. Rosa, Loleng, Conradito, and Federico. I am leaving a book for you as a last remembrance of mine. 3:30 P.M. - Father Balaguer returned to Fort Santiago and discussed with Rizal about his retraction of the anti-Catholic ideas in his writings and membership in Masonry. 4:00 P.M. - Rizal’s mother arrived. Rizal knelt down before her and kissed her hands, begging her to forgive him. Both mother and son were crying as the guards separate them. - Shortly afterwards Trinidad entered the cell to fetch her mother. As they were leaving, Rizal gave to Trinidad the alcohol cooking stove, whispering to her in English: “There is something inside”. Trinidad understood.  After the departure of Dona Teodora and Trinidad, Fathers Vilaclara and Estanislao March entered the cell, followed by Father Rosell. 6:00 P.M. - Rizal received a new visitor, Don Silvino Lopez Tunon, the Dean of the Manila Cathedral. Fathers Balaguer and March left, leaving Vilaclara with Rizal and Don Silvino. 8:00 P.M. - Rizal had his last supper. He informed Captain Dominguez who was with him that he forgave his enemies, including the military judges who condemned him to death.  9:00 P.M. - Rizal was visited by Don Gaspar Cestano, the fiscal of the Royal Audiencia of Manila. As a gracious host, Rizal offered him the best chair in the cell. After a pleasant conversation, the fiscal left with a good impression of Rizal’s intelligence and noble character. 10:00 P.M. - the draft of the retraction sent by the anti-Filipino Arcbishop Bernardino Nozaleda (1890-1903) was submitted by Father Balaguer to Rizal for signature, but the hero rejected it because it was too long and he did not like it. DECEMBER 30, 1896 3:00 o’clock in the morning of December 30, 1896, - Rizal heard Mass, confessed his sins, and took Holy Communion. 5:30 A.M. - he took his last breakfast on earth. After this, he wrote two letters, the first addressed to his family and the second to his older brother Paciano. The letter to his sisters follows:  To My Family, I ask you for forgiveness for the pain I cause you, but some day I shall have to die and it is better that I die now in the plenitude of my conscience. Dear Parents, brother and sisters, Give thanks to God that I may preserve my tranquility before my death. I die resigned, hoping that with my death you will be left in peace, Ah! it is better to die than to live suffering. Console yourselves. I enjoin you to forgive one another the little meannesses of life and try to live united in peace and good harmony. Treat your old parents as you would like to be treated by your children later. Love them very much in my memory. Bury me in the ground. Place a stone and a cross over it. My name, the date of my birth, and of my death. Nothing more. If later you wish to surround my grave with a fence, you can do so. No anniversaries. I prefer Paang Bundok. Have pity on poor Josephine.  To My Family, I ask you for forgiveness for the pain I cause you, but some day I shall have to die and it is better that I die now in the plenitude of my conscience. Dear Parents, brother and sisters, Give thanks to God that I may preserve my tranquility before my death. I die resigned, hoping that with my death you will be left in peace, Ah! it is better to die than to live suffering. Console yourselves. I enjoin you to forgive one another the little meannesses of life and try to live united in peace and good harmony. Treat your old parents as you would like to be treated by your children later. Love them very much in my memory. Bury me in the ground. Place a stone and a cross over it. My name, the date of my birth, and of my death. Nothing more. If later you wish to surround my grave with a fence, you can do so. No anniversaries. I prefer Paang Bundok. Have pity on poor Josephine. Rizal’s last letter to Paciano is as follows: My dear Brother: It has been four years and a half that we have not seen each other nor have we communicated with each other. I do not think it is due to lack of affection on my part nor on yours, but because, knowing each other so well, we do not need to talk to understand each other. Now I am about to die, and it is to you that I dedicate my last lines, to tell you how sad I am to leave you alone in life, burdened with the weight of the family and our old parents. I am thinking now how hard you have worked to give me a career; I believe I have tried not to waste my time. Brother of mine: if the fruit has been bitter, it is not my fault, but the fault of circumstances. I know that you have suffered much on my account, and I am sorry. I assure you, brother, that I die innocent of this crime of rebellion. If my former writings have contributed, I do not deny it absolutely; but then, I thought I have expiated for the past with my deportation. Tell our father I remember him, and how! I remember my whole childhood, of his affection and his love. Ask him to forgive me for the pain that I have unwillingly caused him. Your brother, (Signed) Jose Rizal Rizal’s last letter to Paciano is as follows: My dear Brother: It has been four years and a half that we have not seen each other nor have we communicated with each other. I do not think it is due to lack of affection on my part nor on yours, but because, knowing each other so well, we do not need to talk to understand each other. Now I am about to die, and it is to you that I dedicate my last lines, to tell you how sad I am to leave you alone in life, burdened with the weight of the family and our old parents. I am thinking now how hard you have worked to give me a career; I believe I have tried not to waste my time. Brother of mine: if the fruit has been bitter, it is not my fault, but the fault of circumstances. I know that you have suffered much on my account, and I am sorry. I assure you, brother, that I die innocent of this crime of rebellion. If my former writings have contributed, I do not deny it absolutely; but then, I thought I have expiated for the past with my deportation. Tell our father I remember him, and how! I remember my whole childhood, of his affection and his love. Ask him to forgive me for the pain that I have unwillingly caused him. Your brother, (Signed) Jose Rizal 5:30 A.M. - Josephine Bracken, accompanied by a sister of Rizal (Josefa), arrived. Josephine, with tears in her eyes, bade him farewell. Rizal embraced her for the last time, and before she left, Rizal gave her a last gift –a religious book , Imitation of Christ by Father Thomas a Kempis, which he authographed: To my dear unhappy wife, Josephine December 30th, 1896 Jose Rizal. 6:00 A.M. - as the soldiers were getting ready for the death march to Bagumbayan, Rizal wrote his last letter to his beloved parents, as follows: My beloved Father, Pardon me for the pain with which I repay you for sorrow and sacrifices for my education. I did not want nor did I prefer it. Goodbye, Father, goodbye.... Jose Rizal To my very dear Mother, Sra. Dna. Teodora Alonzo 6 o’clock in the morning, December 30, 1896. Jose Rizal Death March to Bagumbayan 6:30 A.M. - a trumpet sounded at Fort Santiago, a signal to begin the death march to Bagumbayan. - comprised of 4 soldiers with bayoneted rifles walking few meters behin - Rizal walked calmly, with Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade, and two Jesuits priests (Fr. March and Vilaclara) - behind the procession more soldiers walk with him Rizal’s attire - was dressed elegantly in a black suit, black derby hat, black shoes, white shirt, and black tie. - arms were tied behind from elbow to elbow, but the rope was quite loose to give his arms freedom of movement The places he passed in the procession from Fort Santiago - Plaza del Palacio - Malecon (Bonifacio Drive) - Ateneo At Bagumbayan - he was told to stand in a grassy lawn by the shore of Manila de Bay between two lamps Martyrdom of a Hero - he bade farewell to Lt. Andrade, Fr.March, and Fr. Vilaclara - Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo check his pulse and find it normal - the firing squad is composed of Filipino soldiers in front who will be shooting Rizal behind them Spanish troops better armed  Rizal’s request 1. to face the firing squad - denied Exactly 7:03 in the morning - Rizal, with supreme effort, turned his bullet-riddled body to the right, and fell on the ground dead –with face upward facing the morning sun. He died in the bloom of manhood –aged 35 years, five months, and 11 days. - he received a a tiro de gracia (shot of grace) Aftermath of a Hero-Martyr’s Death Exultation of Sadistic Joy came from: - Spanish residents - friars (Jesuits not included) - corrupt officials (including Gov. Polavieja) Spectators shouted: Viva España! Muerte a los Traidores! The marching band played Marcha de Cadiz