Ardena - Rizal101 Final Module PDF

ST. VINCENT COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Cagamutan Norte, Leganes, Iloilo - 5003 Tel. # (033) 396-2291 ; Fax : (033) 5248081...

ST. VINCENT COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Cagamutan Norte, Leganes, Iloilo - 5003 Tel. # (033) 396-2291 ; Fax : (033) 5248081 Email Address : [email protected] COO – FORM 12 SUBJECT TITLE: LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL INSTRUCTOR: HAROLD ARDEÑA, LPT SUBJECT CODE: RIZAL 101 FINALS MODULE Topic 1: Rizal’s Exile and Death LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of this topic, the students are expected to: 1. Discuss how the Katipunan was established. 2. Discuss the reasons why Rizal choose to go to Cuba despite of the on-going revolution that happened in Cuba. 3. Discuss how the Katipunan grow their number rapidly. 4. Discuss how Rizal was sentence to death. 5. Discuss the effects of Rizal’s death. 6. Discuss Rizal’s wish when he will die. NOTES: 1.1. The Making of Katipunan The Founding of the Katipunan For Your Information (FYI): Filipinos celebrate every November 30th of the year which is the birthday of Andres Bonifacio. For Your Information (FYI): Andres Bonifacio Andres Bonifacio was born on November 30, 1863 in a house in Azcarraga Street, Tondo, Manila. His parents were Santiago Bonifacio and Catalina de Castro. His family belonged to the lower middle class. He was the oldest sibling. His brothers and sisters are Ciriaco, Procopio, Troadio, Esperidiona, and Maxima. Orphaned at an early age, he sold canes and paper fans and draw posters for a commercial firm to support his brothers and sisters. Later he became a clerk/messenger in Flemming and Company where he learned to speak English. He was doing self-study by reading where he learned about democratic ideas. His wife was Gregoria de Jesus. 1|Page  He believed that only through revolution (himagsikan) would the Filipinos be totally free from the Spanish occupation. He was one of the founders of the KKK. He was termed as Supremo. The Establishment of the Katipunan KKK (Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan) was a secret society founded on July 7, 1892 in Azcarraga Street, Tondo, Manila. Its founders are: 1. Andres Bonifacio 2. Ladislao Diwa - He also joined Jose Rizal’s La Liga Filipina and became its secretary. 3. Teodoro Plata - He was a member of Jose Rizal’s La Liga Filipina but joined with Andres Bonifacio and Ladislao Diwa to stage a revolution against the Spaniards. 4. Deodato Arellano – He became active in providing financial support for Filipino expatriates in Spain. He was also a member of La Liga Filipina. 5. Valentin Diaz - He was a gobernadorcillo of Tayug, Pangasinan and was a member of La Liga Fillipina. 6. Jose Dizon - He worked as an engraver and was also a member of La Liga Filipina. The founders performed a blood compact to express their patriotism. The establishment of the Katipunan marked the beginning of a revolution against Spanish oppression. The other things/events that triggered the establishment of the Katipunan. 1. Corruption became rampant and Filipinos who was aiming for reforms were arrested. 2. The Filipino people remained poor and Spain did nothing. 3. When Rizal returned to the Philippines in 1892, Filipino reformists became inactive and divided. 4. La Liga Filipina failed to accomplish its objective/mission due to Rizal’s imprisonment. The Katipunan was headed by three governing bodies: 1. Kataas-taasaang Sanggunian (Supreme Council) In 1896, the Supreme Council was composed of: Andres Bonifacio (President and Supremo) Emilio Jacinto (Secretary of State) Teodoro Plata (Secretary of War) Briccio Pantas (Secretary of Justice) Enrique Pacheco (Secretary of Finance) Aguedo del Rosario (Secretary of Interior) 2. Sangguniang Bayan (Provincial Council) 3. Sangguniang Barangay (Barangay Council) The Sangguniang Hukuman or the Judicial Council - resolve/judge the cases of those who commit offenses subject to be penalized under the laws of the Katipunan. The Katipunan Assembly consisted of: a. the Supreme Council members b. the presidents of the Provincial and Barangay councils. The Secret Chamber was composed of: a. Andres Bonifacio b. Emilio Jacinto c. Pio Valenzuela They were the one who were in-charge to those that were accused of betraying their oath of secrecy. 2|Page  Expulsion - was the punishment for members who could not keep secrets. KKK’s Ways of Recruitment The Triangle Method A Katipunero would recruit two new members. These new members are not related to each other. The member’s knowledge about the society will be limited and controlled. Each new member would recruit two new members to form a new “triangle.” Each recruit had to pass the initiation rites in order to prove his sincerity to the organization. How Initiation was Done? While wearing a black robe, the new recruit was blindfolded into a dark room. Then he was asked with the following questions: 1. In what condition did the Spaniards find the Filipino people when they came? 2. In what condition do the Filipino people find themselves now? 3. What hope do the Filipinos have for the future? The Final Test - The new member would write his name on the Katipunan oath using his own blood instead of pen. He would also choose a symbolic name for himself. 1.2. The Brewing of the Revolution Rizal and the Katipunan Dr. Pio Valenzuela, an emissary of Andres Bonifacio, was sent to Dapitan to inform Rizal about the incoming launch of revolution. Rizal disagreed to Andres Bonifacio’s plan. For Rizal, it was the major responsibility of the Katipunan leaders to prevent bloodshed and loss of valuable lives. Pio Valenzuela stated that the outbreak of revolution is inevitable due to the Spanish authorities already discovered their existence. Rizal proposed that the revolution may have an advantage if they will seek the support of some wealthy and influential people in Manila. He also proposed that Antonio Luna should be requested to join the Katipunan. Luna had exceptional skill in military tactics and effective combating strategies. During the Philippine Revolution Upon discovering that the Spanish authorities knew the existence of the revolutionary movement (Katipunan), Andres Bonifacio immediately called for a general assembly to plan for a revolution. General Assembly Date: August 21, 1896 (Friday) Time: 10 p.m. Location: Vidal Acab’s residence in Caloocan, Rizal The meeting was facilitated by Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and Pio Valenzuela. Other revolutionary members who attended the meeting were: Silverio Baltazar Aguedo del Rosario Romualdo Vicencio Pantaleon Torres Ariston de Jesus Teodoro Plata Jose Dizon Ramon Bernardo 3|Page  To avoid detection, the assembly place was relocated to Barrio Kangkong, Caloocan. It was already midnight (2 a.m.) when the katipuneros transferred to the residence of Apolonio Samson. Samson slaughtered a carabao and offered his abundant supply of palay to feed the revolutionaries. Bonifacio decided to reconvene the meeting at Bahay Toro. It was already Sunday (morning) when they arrived in Bahay Toro. Bahay Toro was the place of Cabesang Melchora Aquino who was known as Tandang Sora. She also fed more than five hundred katipuneros. In August 24, 1896, the number of attendees reached more than a thousand. Decisions of the revolutionary movement: The revolution will commence in the midnight of August 29, 1896 (Saturday). Gregorio Coronel, Vicente Fernandez, Aguedo Del Rosario and Ramon Bernardo were assigned as brigadier generals. Their tasked was to conquer Manila. Designations of the three commanders: 1. Ramon Bernardo - San Marcelino 2. Aguedo Del Rosario - Tondo 3. Vicente Fernandez - Rotonda The revolutionaries tore their cedulas into pieces as a sign that they were against the Spanish occupation in the Philippines. The meeting finally ended at 12 noon. They shouted “Long live the sons of the people!”. The Beginning of the Revolutionary Activities In accordance with the decisions agreed by the revolutionary members during their general assembly, they will be divided under their respective council heads. The signal of balloons and canon shots was an indication that a revolution was started. They would attack the places handled and administered by the Spanish government. Andres Bonifacio (known as the Supremo) commanded “Advance!” as an official signal to attack the town of Mandaluyong. They also planned that the revolutionary forces led by Andres Bonifacio, Ramon Bernardo and Valentin Cruz should meet in Santa Mesa, Manila before twelve o’clock midnight. But it did not materialize because Andres Bonifacio’s force was delayed four hours after the scheduled time. Ramon Bernardo’s revolutionary force was attacked by a large number of Spanish army troops in Sta. Mesa, Manila. The revolutionaries were defeated by the Spanish military force. Because of this, some historians believe that the plan to attack Manila was not successful. They emphasized that one of the main causes of this failure was the poor strategy of Bonifacio. Others state that the plan to attack Manila was successful. Even though the original plans were not followed, Bonifacio and other leaders of the movement seized Manila. For Walker, a British consul, the attempt to seize Manila on the August 29, 1896 did happened. In his statement from the Spaniards in Manila (Lord Salisbury dated on November 14, 1896): “Late in October was appointed for the slaughter of the Spaniards in the Tagalog district.”. Another foreign consul, Enrique Spitz (German) supported the idea of Walker. He stated “…to murder the highest officials, provoke panic and fear among the population and in the confusion, take the fort of Manila.” The French consul, G. de Bernard also testified on the success of seizing Manila. Bernard was a close friend and job associate of Governor Blanco. According to Governor-General Blanco, he stated that the captured revolutionaries joined some revolutionaries in the battle field shouting “Long live San Mateo! Long live Liberty.”. The following are the effects of the 1896 Philippine Revolution: 1. Due to the successive revolutions in Manila and in other provinces, Spanish authorities realize that they should make plans to stop the increasing force of national revolution. 2. The Spanish government organized undesirable activities and this brought terror to common Filipinos. Its main purpose was to surpass the rising clamor of the Filipino people toward independence. 4|Page  3. Spanish military officials make arbitrary searches to Filipino homes, offices and other places. They conducted it to gather subversive materials and information that could lead to the Katipunan. 4. The day after the “materialization” of the attack and seize of Manila, Governor General Ramon Blanco placed Batangas, Pampanga, Laguna, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, and Manila under martial law. 5. Captured revolutionaries were tried by the military court. 6. Governor-General Ramon Blanco gave forty-eight hours for the revolutionary members to surrender with a promise of amnesty. But the Governor-General lied. The revolutionary members who surrendered were tortured and imprisoned. 7. Captured revolutionary members were exiled to Africa and Caroline Islands. According to Rizal, the Philippine Revolution: 1. would only increase the infliction of the Spanish friars towards the Filipinos; and 2. was premature and would only result to bloodshed. 1.3. Going to Cuba On July 30, 1896 Governor-General Ramon Blanco gave permission to Jose Rizal to travel to Cuba as a doctor in the Spanish army; an opportunity he never did get to experience. Rizal’s request, along with the approval, has been erroneously used for decades to promote the vulgar Marxist interpretation of Rizal as pro-Spanish. Vulgar, perverse, erroneous, whatever you want to call it…that interpretation is just wrong. Part of the heroic myth of Rizal is that he was perfectly at peace in Dapitan; communing with nature and enjoying his quiet pastoral life. A version of Rizal that seems at odds with the perpetually planning, thinking, globetrotting, and almost hyperactive person who existed prior. It is easy to imagine that he was not quite at peace as we are led to believe. Some of his letters bear this out. Cuba, as we should know, was in the midst of revolt; successfully at that. The Spanish forces under Governor-General Weyler (a man who detested Rizal, with the feeling reciprocated) were losing the battle for Cuba. The success of the Cuban revolutionaries offers insight into what Rizal was truly seeking. The correct, albeit lost, reading of Rizal has to be as a revolutionary. Years prior he already held aspirations for a Philippine independence nation; but what he sought was the opportunity to build the necessary pre-requisites for a successful revolt and subsequent establishment of a sovereign nation. One of Rizal’s fears was that the Philippines would revolt, only to be snapped up by another marauding imperial nation. An eventuality that came to pass. Rizal’s request to leave Dapitan and travel to Cuba as a doctor in the Spanish military derived from a number of desires. Rizal needed to leave Dapitan, he had to begin to the process of building the foundation for a Philippine nation. He petitioned the Spanish government repeatedly to allow him to leave exile; finally coming up on the idea of traveling to Cuba in the Spanish army. A request, he believed, would be accepted. While there he could study the successes and failures of Cuba revolution; drawing inspiration for the Philippine revolution in the process. Rizal’s request to travel to Cuba was far from a profession of pro-Spanish sentiments. Instead, it was a calculated attempt to return from exile to continue his revolutionary life’s work. 1.4. The Arrest and Trial Rizal in Manila Rizal was accompanied by his sister, Lucia, when he finally arrived in Manila. While Rizal was on board (SS Melbourne) for Manila, the Spanish authorities were planning to arrest him. In Rizal’s departure in Hong Kong, the Spanish consul-general immediately sent a cablegram 5|Page to Spanish Governor-General Despujol. His cablegram only contained this statement: “the rat is in the trap.” It was five days before his arrival in Manila, when the Spanish authorities filed a case against him and his followers. They are accusing Rizal of organizing anti-religious and subversive activities. The Spanish Governor General also made sure that Jose Rizal had not acquired German citizenship. It is to assured that Rizal had no “who had the protection of a strong nation.”. Rizal decided to personally visit Governor-General Despujol in Malacañan Palace. The purpose of his meeting with Despujol was to persuade the Governor-General to grant the release of Don Francisco Rizal. The request was granted but the rest of the family must remain in the hands of the Spanish government authorities. Rizal on Trial Preliminary Trial with Col. Francisco Olivé Rizal’s preliminary trial began exactly seventeen days (November 20) after his arrival in Manila from Singapore which was facilitated by Colonel Francisco Olivé, a military judge advocate. The purpose of this trial was to inform Rizal of his case, possible legal punishment/s and charges. The investigation provided him the opportunity to meet the persons who testified against him. He was prohibited to confront these witnesses. The following were some of the questions asked to Rizal during the preliminary trial: 1. Rizal was asked if he attended a meeting held at residence of Estanislao Legaspi at Encarnacion Street, Tondo, Manila. 2. If he knew Juan Zulueta Timoteo Paez. 3. If he was the one who established the La Liga Filipina. 4. If he knew Andres Bonifacio, Aguedo Del Rosario, Reyes Tolentino, Antonio Salazar, Jose Dizon, Moises Salvador, Pio Valenzuela, Martin Constantino Lozano, Domingo Franco, Deodato Arellano, Lt. Ambrosio Flores, Teodoro Plata, Ambrosio Salvador, Francisco Cordero, Pedro Serrano, Bonifacio Arevalo, among others. 5. If there was an established Filipino society in Madrid. 6. If he had something to do with the Filipino movement in Madrid as well as in La Solidaridad. 7. He was also asked about the main purpose of the existence of La Liga Filipina. The “prosecuting team” presented two kinds of evidences: (1) testimonial and (2) documentary. The following were the documentary evidences provided by the prosecution: 1. A letter written by Rizal to his family when he was in Madrid. This letter contained his views about the deportation and alleged encouragement to the people to hate the tyranny. 2. Speech of Tiktik (pen name of Jose Turiano Santiago) which contained: “Long live the eminent Doctor Rizal! Death to the oppressor nation!”. 3. A letter addressed to Deodato Arellano implicating Rizal to the Propaganda Movement. The letter was written by Marcelo H. Del Pilar. 4. A letter addressed to Mariano Ponce in which he implicated Rizal’s name to the Filipino reform campaign in Spain. It was written by Antonio Luna. 5. The recovery of Kundiman, a poem written by Rizal. 6. A letter written by Carlos Oliver stating that Rizal was capable of releasing his country from the Spanish oppression. 7. A letter addressed to the Editor of the Hong Kong Telegraph which condemned the exile of Jose Rizal to Dapitan. 8. Two letters written by a certain Dimasalang (which turned out to be the pen name of Jose Rizal). 9. Speech of Pingkian (pen name of Emilio Jacinto) which contained: “Long live the Philippines! Long live Liberty! Long live Doctor Rizal! Unity! 10. A letter written by Marcelo H. Del Pilar (addressed to Don Juan A. Tenluz) which suggested for the establishment of a distinctive social organization that will concentrate on the plight of the Filipino people. 11. Poem written by Laong Laan (pen name of Jose Rizal) which contained provocative lines consisted of swords, knives and guns. 6|Page The testimonial evidences were delivered by: 1. Timoteo Pelaez 2. Moises Salvador 3. Francisco Quizon 4. Aguedo Del Rosario 5. Pedro Serrano Laktaw 6. Dr. Pio Valenzuela 7. Antonio Salazar 8. Jose Dizon 9. Domingo Franco 10. Deodato Arellano 11. Ambrosio Salvador 12. Jose Reyes The preliminary investigation lasted for six days. The documentary and testimonial evidences produced were submitted to Governor-General Ramon Blanco. A letter was also drafted by the trial facilitator appointing Captain Rafael Dominguez (Judge Advocate) to implement the appropriate legal action against the accused. Captain Rafael Dominguez immediately prescribed for the continuance of the trial. The papers were brought back to Governor General Ramon Blanco. Blanco consulted Judge Advocate General Don Nicolas dela Peña if the case was to be resumed or not. Recommendations of Don Nicolas dela Peña: 1. The accused should be in the custody of the Spanish government; 2. The presented case should be elevated to a formal trial; 3. Imposition of a financial indemnity (one million peso); and 4. His counsel must be an army officer. Rizal’s Defense Counsel Rizal was given the opportunity to choose his counsel from a list provided by the military court. The court released the complete list of available counsels which contained 100 first and second lieutenants in the Spanish Army. Rizal chose Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade, the brother of Jose Taviel de Andrade as his defense counsel. The Trial’s Arraignment The trial’s arraignment marked the beginning of the military investigation base on the complaints charged against Dr. Jose Rizal. The arraignment of the case was facilitated by Captain Rafael Dominguez: “… 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...” (Zaide 1994: 256) This was the summary of Jose Rizal’s case of rebellion and sedition. Rizal never questioned the jurisdiction of the court (Jose Rizal was not a military official to be tried on the military court). Rizal pleaded “not guilty” on the political charges pressed against him (crime of rebellion). The documents during the arraignment were forwarded to Malacañan Palace on the December 13, 1896 which was the date when Camilo G. de Polavieja succeeded Ramon Blanco as the newly appointed governor general of the Philippines. Governor General de Polavieja was more notorious than his predecessor. The Trial of Jose Rizal Rizal trial happened at Cuartel de España, a military building. The trial started at exactly eight o’clock in the morning of December 26, 1896. The trial was attended by the seven members of the court martial: 1. President - Lieutenant Colonel Jose Togores Arjona 2. Captain Ricardo Muñoz Arias 7|Page  3. Captain Manuel Reguera 4. Captain Santiago Izquierdo Osorio 5. Captain Braulio Rodriguez Nunez 6. Captain Manuel Diaz Escribano 7. Captain Fermin Perez Rodriguez Like all other civilian and military proceedings, the accused was accompanied by the two soldiers. His arms were tied with a rope. Josephine Bracken also attended the trial. Rizal was given the opportunity to defend himself by stating his twelve-point defense: 1. he should not be linked with the Philippine rebellion because he was the one who advised Pio Valenzuela not to plot the revolution; 2. his political ideology did not correspond with the main goals of the revolutionary movement; 3. he did not communicate, in any means with the subversive elements; 4. his name was used by the revolutionary members without his knowledge; 5. if he had a control to the revolutionary movement, he could have escaped while in Dapitan through a boat; 6. if he was the revolutionary organization’s leader, why was he not consulted by those involved in the revolution; 7. he admitted that he wrote the constitution and bylaws of the La Liga Filipina but insisted that the movement was a civic organization; 8. the La Liga Filipina has nothing to do any incriminatory effects against the Spanish colonial government because it only lasted for a short period of time; 9. he didn’t not aware that the La Liga Filipina was reorganized nine months after its disintegration; 10. the detrimental comments in his letter were written out of anger because during that time, his family was maltreated and abused by the Spanish authorities in Calamba; 11. his exile in Dapitan was very fruitful, productive and extra ordinary; and 12. why would he deliver a speech inciting the people to revolt when the Filipinos knew that he was very much against the revolution. Despite of his enumerated twelve-point defense, the judges of the court martial decided to execute Dr. Jose Rizal on December 30, 1896 (7 a.m.) at the Bagumbayan Field (currently the Luneta Park). The decision was later affixed by Governor General Camilo G. de Polavieja. 1.5. The Verdict The Execution Chronology of Events During the Last Hours of Rizal December 29, 1896 At six o’clock in the morning, Captain Rafael Dominguez took charge of the execution of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Captain Dominguez was also tasked to read his death sentence. After an hour, Jose Rizal was transferred to the prison chapel. He was then visited by his friends from the Jesuit Congregation, Fathers Miguel Saderra and Luis Viza (rector of Ateneo de Manila and Jesuit teacher). Fifteen minutes after they arrived, Father Miguel Saderra left Father Viza and Rizal in the prison. Rizal asked Viza if he can still remember the statuette of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which he carved using his pen knife. He made the statuette when he was still studying at the Ateneo de Manila. The Jesuit priest remembered it. He then handed the statuette to Rizal. He was very happy when he saw the statuette after some years. Father Antonio Rosell visited Rizal in his prison (chapel). After a few minutes, Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade (his counsel) also visit him. At nine o’clock in the morning, he was again visited by a friar, Father Federico Faura. Faura predicted that Rizal would be sentenced to death because of his Noli Me Tangere. 8|Page  At ten o’clock, Rizal was visited by Frs. Vicente Balaguer (Jesuit missionary) and Jose Vilaclara (his teacher at the Ateneo). Afterwards, Santiago Mataix (Spanish journalist) also arrived to interview Rizal for his newspaper El Heraldo de Madrid. Rizal was alone between 12 o’clock in the afternoon up to 3:30 p.m. Rizal managed to write his last letter to Ferdinand Blumentritt: “My dear Brother: When you receive 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 Sra. Rosa, Loleng, Conradito and Federico. I am leaving a book for you as a last remembrance of mine.” (Zaide 1994: 264) Afterwards, Father Balaguer (Jesuit missionary) came back to the prison and discussed the retraction of Rizal to Masonry, anti-Catholic ideas and previous writings. At four o’clock in the afternoon, Doña Teodora Alonso visited son in him. Trinidad (sister of Rizal) also arrived. She was there to fetch her mother. Rizal gave the alcohol cooking stove to Trinidad. Afterwards, he was visited by Frs. Estanislao March, Vilaclara and Rosell. The Dean of the Manila Cathedral (Don Silvino Lopez Tuñon) also visited Rizal. At eight o’clock in the evening, Rizal had his last supper. He told Captain Dominguez that he already forgave his enemies (judge and military judges). Don Gaspar Cestaño arrived at nine thirty in the evening. Don Gaspar Cestaño was the fiscal of the Royal Audencia in Manila. After a few hours (roughly ten o’clock in the evening), a document of retraction was sent to his prison by anti-Filipino Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda. It was sent through Father Balaguer. Rizal was instructed to sign the draft stating his retraction of all his previous writings, publications and conducted contrary to the true character as a son of the Catholic Church. But Rizal refused to sign the document. December 30, 1896 Rizal went up early (three o’clock in the morning) to hear his last mass. He was also instructed to confess his sins. He also took the Holy Communion. He ate his last breakfast at five thirty in the morning. He also composed two letters which he addressed to his family and to Paciano. “To My Family, I ask you for forgiveness for the pain I cause you, but someday I shall have to die and it is better that I die now in the plentitude of my conscience Dear Parents, brother and Sisters, Give thanks to God that I 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 meanness 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. 9|Page  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.” (Zaide 1994: 266-267) “For more than four years, we have neither seen nor written each other, not for lack of love on your part nor on mine, but because knowing each other as we do, we needed no words to understand each other. Now that I am about to die, I dedicate these last lines to you to tell you how sorry I am to leave you alone in the world, bearing the burden of the whole family and our old parents. I think of the hardships you went through to help me in my career and I believe I tried my best to waste no time. My brother, if the fruit is bitter, the fault is not mine, but fate’s…” (Lopez-Rizal Bantug and Ventura 1997: 150) Josefa and Josephine arrived at the prison chapel after writing his farewell letters to his family and Paciano. He embraced his wife for the last time. Rizal handed her a small religious book, as his remembrance. The book was entitled Imitation of Christ, which was written by Father Thomas a Kempis. He wrote another letter which was exclusively addressed to his parents. “My beloved Father, Pardon me for the pain with which I repay you for sorrows 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. Dña. Teodora Alonso 6 o’clock in the morning, December 30, 1896. Jose Rizal (Zaide 1994: 268) 1.6. The Death of Rizal After he completed his farewell letter to his parents, a trumpet echoed in Fort Santiago which means the commencement of death march to Bagumbayan will start. There were four guards (armed with bayoneted rifles) ahead of him. Rizal was located a few meters after the four marching guards. He was also accompanied by his defense counsel, Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade, Frs. March and Vilaclara. He was dress with a formal black suit, black hat, white shirt and black tie. He was also tied elbow to elbow (exactly the same gesture when he was tried in the military court). A few Filipinos and Spanish priests went to Bagumbayan to witness the execution of Rizal. His march stopped when they reached the Bagumbayan field. Jose Rizal somehow enjoyed this march because for the last time, he was given the chance to have a short glimpse on the Ateneo de Manila, Corregidor and Mountains of Cavite and the Manila Bay. Afterwards, he thanked his friends, Frs. March and Vilaclara and Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrada who never left him from his trial until execution. One of the priests gave him his last 10 | P a g e blessing and asked him to kiss a crucifix. Rizal requested the firing squad commander that he will be shot facing the firing squad. But his last request was denied. After hearing the signal (fuego or “fire”), Jose Rizal exerted his full force to face the firing squad. It was exactly 7:03 in the morning when Rizal was declared dead. His body fell on the ground. 1.7. Aftermath of Rizal’s Death Effects of Our Hero’s Death For the Spaniards, the execution and death of Dr. Jose Rizal was an achievement that contributed to their nationalistic pride as a colonizing state. It was also a manifestation of their superiority over the Filipinos. They shouted with joy (Viva España! and “Muerte A los Traidores”). The Spanish military band also played the gay Marcha de Cadiz. For the Filipino revolutionaries, the death of Dr. Jose Rizal contributed to the patriotic flame to achieve independence through a bloody revolution. The following are the poetic lines composed by Cecilio Apostol (greatest Filipino epic poet). These lines are dedicated to the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal: “Rest in peace in the shadows of oblivion, Redeemer of a country in bondage! In the mystery of the grave, do not cry, Heed not the momentary triumph of the Spaniard Because if a bullet destroyed your cranium, Likewise, your idea destroyed an empire!” 1.8. Wish After Rizal’s Death Jose Rizal had wanted to be simply buried with a stone or a cross to mark the grave. The hero did not ask for a tall memorial to honor his death. Here is an undated letter Rizal sent to his family before his execution, containing his burial wishes. It reads: “Dear parents, brothers, sisters: Give thanks to God who has kept me tranquil, before my death … Bury me in the earth, put a stone on top, and a cross. My name, the date of my birth, and that of my death. Nothing more. If later you should wish to surround my grave with a fence, you can do it. No anniversary celebrations! I prefer ‘Paang Bundok.’” Paang Bundok was the cemetery north of Manila, now known as North Cemetery. “Rizal’s remains,” writes Leon Ma. Guerrero, “were not buried according to his wish at Paang Bundok, but first at Paco Cemetery, and then transferred to the Luneta on Dec. 30, 1912. “There is no stone with his name, date of birth and death but a stone monument. And every year we celebrate his death anniversary contrary to his wish ‘no anniversaries.’” 11 | P a g e Exercises: Answer the questions briefly and direct to the point. Answer within 1 - 2 sentences. 1. Rizal was against the revolution. Why? 2. Do you think what will happen to the Philippines if there is no Philippines Revolution? 3. Do you think there is fairness in Rizal’s trial? 4. What do you think will be the effect of Rizal’s execution? 5. What do you think will be the effect in our history if Rizal was not executed? 6. Do you think Rizal was worthy to be our national hero? Why? END OF TOPIC 1 12 | P a g e  COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Cagamutan Norte, Leganes, Iloilo - 5003 Tel. # (033) 396-2291 ; Fax : (033) 5248081 Email Address : [email protected] COO – FORM 12 SUBJECT TITLE: LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL INSTRUCTOR: HAROLD ARDEÑA, LPT SUBJECT CODE: RIZAL 101 Topic 2: The Women in the Life of Rizal LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of this topic, the students are expected to: 1. Discuss Rizal’s love affairs to different women. 2. Analyzed why Rizal’s love affair always failed. NOTES: 2.1. Segunda Katigbak and Miss L Rizal’s First Love Affair Rizal was sixteen years old when he met and fell in love with Segunda Katigbak. In his exact words, he described Segunda as a petite Filipina woman with affectionate but sometimes dull eyes, rosy cheeks and has a beautiful smile ornamented with her beautiful white teeth. Segunda was from Lipa, Batangas. Rizal met Segunda when he went to his grandmother (Doña Teodora’s mother), accompanied by his friend, Mariano Katigbak. Fortunately, his friend Mariano was Segunda’s brother. Segunda was also a friend of Olimpia (Rizal’s sister). Rizal’s grandmother challenged the guests (including Rizal) to paint a portrait of Segunda. As a skillful painter, Rizal quickly agreed to the challenge. For him it is his opportunity to look at the girl. Segunda and Jose were mutually in love with each other but the girl was already engaged (fixed marriage) to Manuel Luz. Rizal’s Love Affairs in UST 1. Miss L Rizal described Miss L as having a fair complexion, seductive and have gorgeous eyes. But his affair to Miss L did not last long due to two reasons: a. he was still in-love with Segunda b. Rizal’s father doesn’t like the family of Miss L Rizal did not reveal the true identity of Ms. L. 2.2. Leonor “Orang” Valenzuela 13 | P a g e  Rizal was on his second year in UST when he rented a boarding house owned by Doña Concha Leyva in Intramuros. Rizal spot a woman named Leonor Valenzuela, the daughter of Capitana Sanday and Capitan Juan Valenzuela. Rizal usually called her as ‘Orang.’ He described her as a tall woman with a regal bearing. Rizal’s love letters to Orang were written on an invisible ink. This invisible ink was made of table salt and water. Rizal thought ‘Orang’ on how to read the invisible letter. As usual, his relationship with her did not flourish. 2.3. Leonor Rivera Leonor Rivera was a cousin of Rizal. When Rizal was at his third year in UST, he transferred to ‘Casa Tomasina,’ which was owned by his uncle, Antonio Rivera. At that time, Leonor Rivera was studying at La Concordia College. As Rizal described her as having a pretty face with a fragile body. They hided their relationship from their parents and friends. 2.4. Vicenta Y Bardolaza Rizal spent his summer vacation in Pakil and Pagsanjan, Laguna together with his sisters (Saturnina, Maria and Trinidad). He was still a medical student at UST at that time. He was fascinated to the natural beauty of Pakil and also to the pretty women of the town like Vicenta Ybardolaza. The girl was a harp player. They also went to Pagsanjan, Laguna due to two reasons: 1. Rizal wanted to see the hometown of Leonor Valenzuela 2. He wanted to see the Pagsanjan falls. The Pagsanjan falls was mentioned by Rizal in his travel diary in the United States wherein he mentioned that, “Niagara Falls was the greatest cascades I ever saw but not so beautiful nor fine as the falls of Pagsanjan.” 2.5. Consuelo Ortiga Y Perez Love Affair with Consuelo Ortiga y Perez Rizal was physically unattractive but because of his natural charisma and appeal (as well as his talents, intellect and skills) that enabled him to attract ladies of different nationalities. One example of this is when Consuelo Ortiga Y Perez fell in love with him. There’s a mutual understanding existed between Jose and Consuelo. His poem entitled “A La Señorita C.O. y P.” was his manifestation of his great love for Consuelo. Rizal was deeply in love with Consuelo but decided to cut their relationship due to the following reasons: 1. He was still in-love with Leonor Rivera. 2. Eduardo de Lete (his friend and co-worker in the Propaganda Movement) was madly in love with Consuelo. 2.6. Seiko-O-Sui “O-Sei-San” Romantic Affair with O-Sei-San Rizal was captivated by the sweet eyes of Seiko Usui (real name of O-Sei-San). Rizal’s first encounter with O-Sei-San: It was when he saw Seiko-san passed through the gates of Spanish Legation. He wanted to meet her. He strived to gather some information about the lady through a Japanese gardener. One afternoon, Rizal introduced himself to O-Sei-San in a respectful way (by bowing and taking his hat). The Japanese lady was impressed of the courteousness of Rizal and his ability to speak Japanese and English languages. O-Sei-San 14 | P a g e (Seiko Usui) can also speak Japanese and English languages. Rizal and Seiko-san spent their time together in beautiful and interesting spots in Japan. These spots include: Imperial Library Imperial Art Gallery Japanese Universities Shokubutsu-en (Botanical Garden) Japanese City Parks Japanese Shrines O-Sei-San helped Rizal in various ways: as Rizal’s Japanese interpreter, tutor and tour guide. Rizal was deeply and madly in-love with O-Sei-San. According to him: “To you I dedicate the final chapter of these memoirs of my youth. No woman, like you, has ever loved me. No woman, like you have ever sacrificed for me. Like the flower of chodji that falls from the stem fresh and whole without falling leaves or without withering – with poetry still despite its fall – thus you fell.” Rizal decided to end his love affair with O-Sei-San; he had to fulfill his responsibilities to the Filipino people. 2.7. Gertrude Beckett and Suzane Jacoby The Beckett Family He transferred to Primrose Hill (No. 37 Chalcot Crescent). He rented a room in the home of the Beckett family and chose to live with them because of the following reasons: (1) the place was near to the public places like parks and market and (2) the place was very accessible to the British Museum where he could find Morga’s literary work. Mr. Charles Beckett was an organist of the St. Paul’s Cathedral. His wife was Mrs. Georgina Beckett. The Beckett family had two sons and four daughters. Mr. Beckett was two years older than Mrs. Beckett. Their first daughter (and eldest) was Gertrude Beckett. Her friends sometimes called her as ‘Gettie’ or ‘Tottie.’ Gettie went along with Jose Rizal. She also brought Rizal breakfast every morning. She also volunteered herself to be a model for the clay statuettes of Rizal. Gettie was only 18 years old when she fell in love with Rizal. Rizal did his research works every evening. Romantic Affair with Gertrude Beckett Gertrude’s physical features: 1. Rosy cheeks 2. Brown hair 3. Blue eyes Gertrude served Rizal without any condition. She was so in love with Rizal. She was always with him whenever he had to do his daily routines. Rizal called her as ‘Gettie’ and Gertrude called him as ‘Pettie.’ Unfortunately, their relationship did not flourish. Love Affair with Suzanne Jacoby It was Rizal’s “aura” which made Suzanne Jacoby fell in love with him. Rizal was still in love with Leonor Rivera but he admitted that the was attracted to Suzanne Jacoby. Like all his previous love affairs, he left Jacoby and transfer to Madrid, Spain. 2.8. Adelina and Nellie/Nelly Boustead Rizal and the Boustead Family Rizal first met Eduardo Boustead in Paris during the centennial celebration of French Revolution in 1889.Eduardo Boustead was an Anglo-Filipino mestizo whose father (Edward Boustead) established an industrial firm named Boustead and Company in 1826 which was 15 | P a g e situated in Singapore and Manila. Edward Boustead married a Filipina, however, he did not stay long in the Philippines. The old Boustead entrusted his business to his son, Eduardo. Eduardo Boustead went to Asia (Philippines and Singapore) to manage his father’s business. In 1888, Eduardo Boustead immediately returned to England due to the news he received regarding his father’s death. Another reason of going to England was to claim his inheritance. He settled in Paris after claiming his inheritance. After Rizal’s bad experiences in Madrid (failure to get justice for his family, death of Jose Ma. Panganiban, duel with Luna and Retina, among others), he decided to visit the Bousteads in France for a short vacation. When Rizal arrived in Biarritz (France) he was welcomed by Eduardo Boustead, Aunt Isabel (Mrs. Boustead’s sister) and the Boustead sisters. He spent most of his time on the beaches of Biarritz. He also went to the festive streets of Paris. This momentarily relieved the misfortunes and bitter experiences that he experienced in Madrid. Letter to Mariano Ponce dated February 11, 1891: “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.” Zaide: 184 Love Affair with Nellie Boustead While in Biarritz, Rizal fell in love with Nellie Boustead, the daughter of Eduardo Boustead. According to Rizal, Nellie had similar characteristics of a typical Filipina, intelligent, had an established moral foundation and lively temperament. Due to his “long distance” relationship with Leonor Rivera, Rizal decided to marry Nellie Boustead. It should be recalled that Antonio Luna wooed Nellie Boustead. It was one of the main reasons of their aborted duel in Madrid. Knowing that Rizal had the intention to marry Mademoiselle Boustead, Antonio Luna even encouraged him to pursue Nellie. But unfortunately, Rizal’s marriage proposal did not work out because: 1. He still refused to give up his faith as Catholic. 2. Nellie Boustead’s mother did not like him as a son-in-law. Adelina Boustead She was Nellie Boustead’s younger sister, daughter of Mr. Eduardo Boustead in Biarritz. 2.9. Josephine Bracken Rizal met Josephine Bracken while he was in Dapitan. He described Josephine as “slender, a chestnut blond, with blue eyes, dressed with elegant simplicity, with an atmosphere of light gayety” (Zaide 1994: 238). Bracken was born in Victoria City, Hong Kong on August 9, 1876. Her mother was Elizabeth Jane McBride. Elizabeth Jane McBride died upon giving birth to her. Her father was James Bracken, an Irish officer in British garrison. Josephine Bracken was adopted by Mr. George Taufer (American widower and a machinist from New York City). Josephine accompanied her stepfather to consult his eye cataract to Jose Rizal. His eye cataract was incurable. Rizal fall in love with Josephine and finally decided to settle with Josephine. He proposed a marriage to Josephine Bracken. Mr. Taufer did not permit Josephine to marry Rizal. Rizal’s sisters had a suspicion that Bracken was a Spanish spy. Father Obach refused to facilitate their marriage until the Bishop of Cebu permitted them to do so. Despite all the hardships, Rizal and Bracken lived happily in Dapitan. Rizal composed a poem entitled “Josephine, Josephine” as a manifestation of his deep affection and love for her. Josephine became pregnant. But the baby died at the eight months of her pregnancy. Their son only lived for two hours. Jose Rizal wanted to name his son “Francisco” to honor his father. Josephine Bracken preferred to name their son “Peter.” Their son was buried somewhere in the Gazebo, Rizal’s favorite working place. 16 | P a g e Exercises: Answer the questions briefly and direct to the point. Answer within 1 - 2 sentences. 1. In your own idea, why Rizal’s love affairs always have an issue? 2. Why Rizal decided to end his affair with O-Sei-San? 3. Why Rizal’s love affair often failed? 4. Why Rizal always attract women where ever he goes? END OF TOPIC 2 17 | P a g e  ST. VINCENT COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Cagamutan Norte, Leganes, Iloilo - 5003 Tel. # (033) 396-2291 ; Fax : (033) 5248081 Email Address : [email protected] COO – FORM 12 SUBJECT TITLE: LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL INSTRUCTOR: HAROLD ARDEÑA, LPT SUBJECT CODE: RIZAL 101 Topic 3: Writings of Rizal LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of this topic, the students are expected to: 1. Discuss Rizal’s poems that he had written in 1876 and 1877. 2. Discuss Rizal’s literary works that he had written while he was in UST and Paris. 3. Enumerate Rizal’s articles that he contributed to the La Solidaridad newspaper. 4. Enumerate Rizal’s articles that was published in Hong Kong Telegraph 5. Enumerate Rizal’s undated literary works. NOTES: 3.1. Poems Written Rizal as a talented poet wrote many poems. Here are some of the poems he wrote in year 1876 and 1877: 1. The Tragedy of St. Eustace (La Tragedia De San Eustaquio, June 1876) This poem recounts the tragic story of St. Eustace. The original manuscript of this poem no longer exists however as it may have been destroyed during the WWII bombings. Nonetheless, the poem had been published in installments in a magazine, “Cultura Social” of the Ateneo. 2. In Memory of My Town (Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo, 1876) Rizal loved his hometown Calamba in Laguna. He fondly remembered his memories of the said town. In 1876, Rizal as a 15-year-old student in the Ateneo Municipal de Manila wrote the poem “In Memory of My Town”. It was written to express his love and appreciation for the place where he grew up. 3. Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education (Alianza Intima Entre La Religion Y La Buena Educacion, 1876) Jose Rizal believed that religion and good education go together. Believing that there is a strong relationship between academics and faith, he wrote the poem “Intimate Alliance between religion and good education” at the age of fifteen while he was in Ateneo. 4. Education Gives Luster to The Motherland (Por La Educacion Recibe Lustre La Patria, 1876) Our national hero, despite his young age, had expressed high regards for education. He believed in the significant role education plays in the progress and welfare of a nation as evident in his poem “Education Gives Luster to the Motherland”. 18 | P a g e  Rizal believed that education gives knowledge, knowledge gives wisdom, and that great wisdom benefits everyone. Considering that education is a vehicle for a country’s prosperity and success, he encouraged the Filipinos through the poem to acquire education for them to be able to fulfill their dreams and to improve their motherland. His high regards for education were manifested in his determination to seek the best education possible even across the shores of his country. 5. The Captivity and the Triumph: Battle of Lucena and the Imprisonment of Boabdil (El Cautiverio y el Triunfo: Batalla de Lucena y Prision de Boabdil, December 1876) At 12 years of age, Rizal was believed to have read “El Ultimo Abencerraje,” a Spanish translation of Chateaubriand's novel, “Le Dernier des Abencérages.” This is the story of the last member of a famous family in the Muslim Kingdom of Granada in the 15th century, which later inspired Rizal to compose “The Captivity and the Triumph: Battle of Lucena and the Imprisonment of Boabdil” while studying in Ateneo. In this poem, he described the defeat and capture of Boabdil, last Moorish sultan of Granada. 6. Triumphant Entry of The Catholic Monarchs into Granada (Entrada Triunfal De Los Reyes Católicos En Granada, December 1876) This poem of Jose Rizal relates the triumphant entry of Ferdinand and Isabella, Spain’s “Most Catholic Kings,” into the city of Granada in 1492. This entry is one of the most powerful symbolic moments in Spanish history. 7. The Heroism of Columbus (El Heroismo De Colon, 1877) Jose Rizal wrote this epic poem in December 1877 during his academic years in Ateneo Municipal de Manila. This poem praises Columbus, the discoverer of America. 3.2. Literary Works while in UST For Dr. José Rizal, the well-respected national hero of the Philippines, “the pen is mightier than the sword.” Through his literary masterpieces, he voiced strong opposition to the abuse of Spaniards and conveyed messages that he hoped would inspire his fellow countrymen. We round up his best works and uncover the underlying meaning behind them. Below are the literary works of Rizal while he was studying in UST (University of Santo Tomas). 1. To the Filipino Youth Rizal wrote this literary poem when he was still studying at the University of Sto. Tomas (UST). Originally written in Spanish (A la juventud Filipina), Rizal submitted this piece for a poem contest organized for Filipinos by the Manila Lyceum of Art and Literature. At the age of 18, this work is beaming with strong messages to convince readers, the youth in particular, that they are the hope of the nation. He also stresses the importance of education to one’s future. Rizal won the first prize and was rewarded with a feather-shaped silver pen and a diploma. 2. Goodbye to Leonor This literary piece gives an insight into the romantic relationship of Rizal and his beloved, Leonor Rivera. The two met when in the province of Dagupan when Rivera was only 13-years-old. Rivera’s parents were not in favor of their relationship and though distance separated them, the two kept in touch by sending letters and photographs to each other. Rizal later found out that her lady love would soon tie the knot with Henry Kipping, and the news definitely disheartened him. The lonely, heartbreaking feelings he felt, resulted in this melancholic poem. 3. To the Young Women of Malolos Addressed to the Filipino women, Rizal’s letter entitled To the Young Women of Malolos reflects his inheritance and issues reminders to Filipino women. In his letter, he addresses all kinds of Filipino women – mothers, wives, and even the single women. Throughout 19 | P a g e this literary piece, he highlights the qualities that Filipino mothers should possess, the duties of wives to their husbands and children, and a counsel on how young women should choose their lifetime partners. The idea behind this letter sparked after he was impressed by the women of Malolos who won the battle they fought. Rizal advises women to educate themselves, protect their dignity and honor, and live with good manners – setting up as a role model. 4. Kundiman A kundiman traditionally refers to a love song where a man serenades the woman he loves. For scholars, this word was derived from the Tagalog phrase “Kung Hindi man” (if it should not be so) which suggests that people put their faith in a Higher Being who decides whether or not something is meant for them. But in Rizal’s literary work, he wrote a kundiman to profess his intense love for his motherland. This piece reflects his high hopes that one day, the Philippines would be free from treachery and injustice. At the time, the country faced great threats while he was in Europe. And, through this work, he voices his hopeful thoughts despite being far away from the country. 5. Junto Al Pasig When translated into English, the title of this work means Beside Pasig River. In response to the Jesuits’ request, Rizal wrote this one-act play in the Spanish language for the velada – a gala variety program during the principal feast days. The play centers around Leonido (a young Filipino who has a strong faith in the Virgin) and the Diwata/Satan, which symbolizes the Spanish oppression towards Filipinos. Its theme highlights Christianity, good vs. evil, and paganism. The Philippines’ national hero wrote it in honor of the Our Lady of Peace and Voyage of the UST, and the play was staged on December 8, 1880. 3.3. Prolific Works While in Paris Rizal’s Parisian Life The Universal Exposition of 1889 in Paris was considered as one of the prestigious art exhibits in the world. Many painters from different countries went to Paris just to witness this event. Rizal temporarily stayed at the house of Valentin Ventura (No. 45 Rue Maubege). For Your Information (FYI): Rue is a French word which means road. After several days of staying from one hotel/boardinghouse to another, Rizal finally found a small room. His board mates were Jose Albert (a young student from Manila) and Capitan Justo Trinidad (a former gobernadorcillo of Sta. Ana, Manila who unfortunately sought his refuge in Paris). While in Paris, Rizal continued to write the annotation of Antonio de Morga’s book which is about the Philippine history. He also wrote letters for his family and friends. The followings were his activities in Paris: 1. Weekdays: 1 - 2 hours exercised in gymnasium/fencing 3-4 hours research work in Bibliothique Nationale 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. - playing chess in a café 2. Weekends: Saturdays - dine at Luna’s house Sundays - dine at Mrs. Juliana’s house He also met the Pardo de Taveras, siblings of Don Joaquin Pardo de Tavera. 1. Paz Pardo de Tavera - spouse of Juan Luna (Filipino painter) 2. Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera –a physician and a linguist 20 | P a g e 3. Dr. Felix Pardo de Tavera - a physician and a sculptor Universal Exposition of 1889 One of the major exhibits in the Universal Exposition of 1889 was the popular Eiffel tower which was designed by Alexander Eiffel, French engineer. Eiffel was the one who designed the “Quezon Bridge.” The Paris Exposition was formally opened by the Third French Republic President named Sadi Carmot. The exposition was attended by more than 200,000 visitors every day. Kidlat Club Kidlat Club was organized by Dr. Jose Rizal. The following were the members of the Kidlat Club: 1. Lauro Dimayuga 2. Guillermo Puatu 3. Fernando Canon 4. Antonio Luna 5. Baldomero Roxas 6. Julio Llorente 7. Gregorio Aguilera 8. Juan Luna Kidlat Club was intended to gather Filipinos in France during the Universal Exposition of 1889. Indios Bravos The idea of establishment of this organization was originated from an American Buffalo Bull Show where the players were dressed with their traditional Indian attire. Rizal saw that the Indian players were so proud of their identity as Indians. He formed another group which served to develop the Filipino nationalistic confidence. He called this organization as ‘Indios Bravos.’ R.D.L.M. Society It was a secret society which was established by Rizal during the Universal Exposition of 1889. Its acronym, the ‘R.D.L.M.’ stands for Redencion de los Malayos (Redemption of the Malays). The R.D.L.M. had two aims: (1) to gather all possible and useful (artistic, scientific and artillery) knowledge in the Philippines and (2) to redeem the Malay race. Por Telefono A satirical literary work aiming to attack Spanish friars who attacked the Noli Me Tangere. This was intended to attack Father Salvador Font. Por Telefono gave an idea to the Filipino telecommunication engineers to make a telephone connection possible in the Philippines. Quoted from Zaide’s book: Opening Paragraph of Por Telefono: “In the year 1900 the Philippines for the first time was connected to the Metropolis by means of the telephone laid out by an Anglo-Catalan company called The Trans-Oceanic Telephone Company, so well-known in its time for its truly bold ideas.” Zaide: 165 3.4. Contributions to the La Solidaridad Rizal’s Articles in La Solidaridad 21 | P a g e  The following articles were written and printed in La Solidaridad newspaper for the purpose of defending the Filipino against the abuses of Spanish authorities. Majority of Rizal’s articles were political in nature (except “The New Orthography of the Tagalog Language”). 1. “Crueldad” (Cruelty) Its first publication was on August 15, 1889. It contained a defense of Ferdinand Blumentritt from the Spanish enemies of Jose Rizal. 2. “La Verdad Para Todos” (The Truth for All) It was published on May 31, 1889. It defended native local officials from the libelous statements done by the Spanish government officials. 3. “Una Profanacion “(A Profanation) It was about the attack of Jose Rizal to the Spanish church officials. The Spanish church officials denied a Christian burial to Mariano Herbosa, who was the spouse of Lucia (Rizal’s fifth sister) who died of cholera. 4. “Vicente Barrantes’ Teatro Tagalo” It was published on the June 15, 1889. Rizal attacked Vicente Barrantes’ idea about the Tagalog theatrical art. 5. “Verdades Nuevas” (New Truths) It was published on July 31, 1889. It contained Rizal’s defense about the letter of Vicente Belloc Sanchez. Vicente Belloc Sanchez argued that the Philippines should not begiven any kind of social and political reforms because these can only destroy the “peaceful and maternal rule” of the Spanish friars. 6. Llanto y Risas (Tears and Laughter) It was published on November 30, 1889. It condemned the racial discrimination of the Spaniards to the Filipinos. 7. Diferencias (Differences) It was published on September 15, 1889. It condemned the Spaniards who made fun of some Filipinos who want political reforms. 8. Inconsequencias (Inconsequences) It defended the arguments of Antonio Luna against the article of Pablo Mir Deasthrough El Pueble Soberano (a Barcelona-based newspaper). 9. Ingratitudes (Ingratitude) It was a defense of the Filipinos who initiated sociopolitical reforms. It exposed the Filipinos to the abuses and inequality committed by the Spanish authorities. This article was also written by Jose Rizal in Belgium. 3.5. Articles in the Hong Kong Telegraph The followings are Rizal’s articles that was published in Hong Kong: 1. “Ang Mga Karapatan Nang Tao - which is a Tagalog translation of “The Rights of Man” proclaimed by the French Revolution in 1789. 2. “A la Nacion Española” (To the Spanish Nation) - Rizal wrote in 1891, which is an appeal to Spain to right the wrongs done to the Calamba tenants. 3. “Sa Mga Kababayan” (To my Countrymen) - another proclamation written in December, 1891 explaining the Calamba agrarian situation. 4. The Hong Kong Telegraph - a British daily newspaper whose editor is Mr. Frazier Smith, a friend of Rizal. The followings are Rizal’s contributed articles to this newspaper, Hong Kong Telegraph: 22 | P a g e 1. “Una Visita a la Victoria Gaol” (A Visit to Victoria Gaol) - Rizal wrote on March 2, 1892, an account of his visit to the colonial prison of Hong Kong. In this article, Rizal contrasted the cruel Spanish prison system with the modern and more humane British prison system. 2. “Colonisation du British North Borneo, par de Familles de Iles Philippines” (Colonization of British North Borneo by Families from the Philippine Islands) - an article in French which Rizal elaborated on the same idea in another article in Spanish, “Proyecto de Colonizacion del British North Borneo por los Filipinos” (Project of the Colonization of British North Borneo by the Filipinos) 3. “La Mano Roja” (The Red Hand) - Rizal wrote in June, 1892, which was printed in sheet form in Hong Kong. It denounces the frequent outbreaks of intentional fires in Manila. 4. Constitution of La Liga Filipina - the most important writing made by Rizal during his Hong Kong sojourn, which was printed in Hong Kong, 1892. It is to deceive the Spanish authorities, the printed copies carried the false information that the printing was done by the LONDON PRINTING PRESS. Domingo Franco, a friend of Rizal in Manila whom the copies of the printed Liga constitution were sent. 3.6. Undated Literary Works The followings are Rizal’s undated literary works: 1. A Farewell Dialogue of the Students (Un Dialogo Alusive A La Despedida De Los Colegiales) This was the last poem written by Rizal in Ateneo which again amazed his teachers. It was a poignant poem of farewell to his classmates, written just before he graduated from the Ateneo. 2. To the Virgin Mary (A La Virgen Maria, To Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage) This undated poem was another religious writing Jose Rizal wrote in praise of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. 3. A Fragment (A poem that has no title) This short poem of Rizal has no title. It bespeaks of his thanksgiving to God for soothing him during his troubles and dark moments. In the poem, he also expressed his gratitude to God for allowing him to be born to a respectable and honorable family and to belong to a rich country. The difficulties and struggles of Rizal which he suffered and his sadness were evident in the verses of this poem. 4. To My Fellow Children: The Controversial Poem The famous poem was a nationalistic artwork promoting the use of Tagalog (Filipino) language by the Filipino people. The poem “To My Fellow Children” (Sa Aking Mga Kababata/Kabata) was traditionally believed to be the national hero’s first written Tagalog poem at the age of eight and was said to have been published posthumously many years after Rizal’s death. However, recent investigations cast serious doubts concerning the assumed authorship of the poem. Many scholars today believe that the very young Rizal could have not written the nationalistic poem. For one thing, it is doubted that an eight-year-old child, who normally just begins to read, could write a five-stanza poem with profound terms. Furthermore, Jose Rizal had preserved correspondence with Paciano, his brother, expressing that he had difficulties in using the Tagalog language particularly in translation. More significantly, Jose admitted that he had only encountered the word “kalayaan” when he was already 21 years old. The term (‘kalayaan’) was used not just once in the poem. 23 | P a g e Exercises: Answer the questions briefly and direct to the point. Answer within 1 - 2 sentences. 1. Why did Rizal’s poem “To My Fellow Children” became controversial? 2. What encouraged Rizal to establish the organization called Indios Bravos? 3. Describe Rizal’s life in Paris. 4. What’s the reason why Rizal wrote a poem entitled “Goodbye to Leonor”? 5. What do you think was the reason why Rizal wrote the poem “Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education”? END OF TOPIC 3 24 | P a g e  COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Cagamutan Norte, Leganes, Iloilo - 5003 Tel. # (033) 396-2291 ; Fax : (033) 5248081 Email Address : [email protected] COO – FORM 12 SUBJECT TITLE: LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL INSTRUCTOR: HAROLD ARDEÑA, LPT SUBJECT CODE: RIZAL 101 Topic 4: Rizal as a Novelist LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of this topic, the students are expected to: 1. Enumerate and describe Rizal’s unfinished novels. 2. Discuss how Rizal made his first novel, the Noli Me Tangere. 3. Analyze the different reactions regarding the Noli Me Tangere. 4. Discuss the challenges encountered by Rizal in writing the novel, Noli Me Tangere. NOTES: 4.1. Rizal’s Unfinished Novels Ang Dalawang Magkakapatid Ang Dalawang Magkakapatid, also known as Cuento Tendencisio or Cuento tendencioso escrito en tagalo, concerns two brothers living together with their wicked aunt. Contained within one folio, it is a short work, to the point that Ocampo noted it is ambiguous if it is a short story, an essay or a novel. According to Ocampo, some scholars believe that the two brothers represent the Philippines and other colonies while the aunt represents Spain. Dapitan Dapitan is a work written by Rizal during his exile in Dapitan. It describes the beauty of the town and its inhabitants from the point of view of an anonymous exile, also giving the origin of the town's name; during Magellan's stop there, he bought goods from the indios and paid them promissory notes. As his ship was leaving, the indios shouted "Dad, dad que pitan!" meaning "Give them what they want"; years later, the inhabitants replied "Dadquepitan" to Legaspi after failing to understand Legaspi's question. Costumbres Filipinas Costumbres Filipinas, originally titled Un recuerdo, is an autobiographical work. In the draft, an unnamed narrator meets the young woman Minang on a riverbank in Los Baños, Laguna; having scared away the butterflies she was catching, the narrator catches two more and their friendship begins there. The narrator then accompanies Minang home in his carromata, where he discovers that she is of high social standing; the story ends with the narrator declining an invitation to dine at the house, although promising to return. 25 | P a g e Los animales de Suan Los animales de Suan is a work concerning the animals on a farm and their caretaker Suan. The unnamed narrator, having been born with the miraculous ability to understand animal language, eavesdrops on a meeting among the animals. There, the large castrated pig Botiok, head of the animals' society, insists that pigs are the superior race due to having been touched by Suan. Ocampo notes that the work bears a similarity to George Orwell's Animal Farm, although written long before. In another version, the caretaker is named Siloy. Makamisa Makamisa is the name given to the novel draft thought to be the sequel to El Filibusterismo. It concerns the people in the town of Pili and their reactions to their parish priest's uncharacteristic bad mood. Memorias de un Gallo Memorias de un Gallo narrates the thoughts of a newly-hatched chick trying to understand the mysteries of the world. It is thought by Ocampo to possibly be part of Los animales de Suan. The Ancient Tagalog Nobility An untitled manuscript, set in Malate in 1635, four years after the Spaniards' arrival in the Philippines. It deals with the early Filipinos and the customs. The Lord Gazes at the Philippine Islands An untitled draft concerning Jesus Christ and St. Peter who are sent down to Earth by God the Father to make a report about the Philippines due to having heard complaints. As Jesus and St. Peter arrive in Hong Kong and make their way to the Philippines, the immigration authority discovers Jesus' notes and put him and St. Peter in detention; the two complain and are then labeled subversives. St. Peter escapes and heads to Manila Cathedral to get help before the story abruptly ends. Un Rumboso Gobernadorcillo Un Rumboso Gobernadorcillo is a manuscript describing the character Capitan Pepe, the gobernadorcillo of Binondo, a wealthy but gullible man who makes donations to the Church. Ocampo notes that he is similar to Capitan Tiago of Noli Me Tangere; because of this, the manuscript is thought to be an early draft of the Noli. 4.2. The Noli Me Tangere Background: Rizal organized a literary project that would depict the social condition of the Philippines during the Spanish occupation in the Philippines. The novel was planned to be written by a group of Filipinos (Valentin Ventura, Melecio Figueroa, Julio Llorente, Evaristo Aguirre, Antonio Paterno, Pedro, Maximo, and Graciano Lopez Jaena) in Madrid. Unfortunately, the project did not become successful due to diverse interests of the writers. But because of Rizal’s passion in writing, he decided to write the novel alone. The title of this novel is Noli Me Tangere. The following are the factors that influenced Rizal to write the Noli Me Tangere: 1. Rizal was inspired by Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel entitled “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” – this novel was about the American slave system during the 19th century. 2. Rizal wanted to expose the abuses and brutalities committed by the Spanish authorities in the Philippines especially the Spanish friars. Rizal was a student of the Central University of Madrid when he started to write Noli Me Tangere. Noli Me Tangere exposed brutal acts and unfair practices of Spaniards against 26 | P a g e the Filipino people. It provided a clear picture on what the Philippine society looks like during the Spanish era. In 1885, Rizal was writing the half of the second half of the novel. He then completed his course (medicine) at the Central University of Madrid. In 1886, he finally completed the novel in Wilhelmsfeld, Germany. Unfortunately, he did not have a sufficient amount of money to print the novel because of his family’s financial hardships. There came a point when he attempted to throw his literary work to the fire. The title of the novel came from a bible phrase, found in the Gospel of St. John Chapter 20 Verse 17. The following presents the Latin translation of the aforementioned biblical verse: “dicit ei Iesus noli me tangere nondum enim ascendi ad Patrem meum vade autem ad fratres meos et diceis ascendo ad Patrem meum et Patrem vestrum et Deum meum et Deum vestrum” The phrase was originally stated by Jesus Christ to Mary Magdalene when He rose from the dead. Jose Rizal admitted to Felix R. Hidalgo that he adopted the title of the novel to the Gospel of St. Luke. The phrase was taken from the Gospel of St. John. Maximo Viola Maximo Viola shouldered the printing cost of the novel. Biography: Birth date: October 7, 1857 Birthplace: San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan. He also studied medicine at the University of Santo Tomas. He was twenty-five years old when he went to Spain to continue his studies at the University of Barcelona. He was the publisher of Rizal’s first novel, Noli Me Tangere. Then he went back to the Philippines to spearhead a revolution against the Spaniards. Because he was engaged in various revolutionary activities during the Spanish and American occupation, he was kept captive until he was freed by Dr. Preshell. He continued to practice his profession as a doctor of medicine. When he retired, he spent his retirement age in creating furniture made from Kamagong. He died on September 3, 1933 in San Miguel, Bulacan. Viola arrived in Berlin, Germany in 1887. He was welcomed by a sickly, thin and penniless Rizal. Because of this situation, he volunteers to finance the printing cost of the Noli and he also loaned Rizal some cash money for his daily expenses. Author’s Dedication The novel was dedicated to his beloved country, the Philippines. Below is the English translation of his dedication written on the first part the novel. The story of human sufferings records a cancer of such malignant character that the slightest contact irritates and stirs up therein the most acute pains. Now the; whenever in the midst of modern civilizations I wished to evoke thee; either to cherish the remembrances or to compare thee with other countries, thy beloved image appeared before me with a similar social cancer. Wishing thy health which is ours, and in search of the best treatment, I shall do for thee which the ancients did for their sick: they exposed them on the steps of the temple, in order to that every person who had just invoked the Divinity might propose a remedy for them. 27 | P a g e  And for this purpose, I shall try faithfully to reproduce thy condition without fear or favor; I shall raise a part of the veil that covers the malady, sacrificing all for the sake of truth, even for personal pride, for being the son, I also suffer from thy defects and weaknesses. Reactions to Noli Me Tangere It is in March 21, 1887 where the printed copies of Noli Me Tangere were released. The name of the printing shop was Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action-Gesselschaft. It cost only 300 pesos for two thousand copies of printing. Proud of his masterpiece, Rizal immediately distributed the copies of Noli. Rizal gave the first printed copies to the following people: Ferdinand Blumentritt Upon receiving the printed copy of Rizal’s novel, Blumentritt wrote him a letter complementing his novel and his exceptional linguistic skill (ability to speak German). According to Blumentritt, “The Noli was written with the blood of your heart.” The novel attacked Spanish friars and government authorities during that time. Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor According to Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere can be equally compared to Don Quixote, a popular Spanish novel written by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. He stated that if the novel will be read by Filipino nationalists and great men, it will enable them to develop their nationalistic and patriotic values. Marcelo H. Del Pilar He defended the novel (under the pen name Dolores Manapat) from the attacks written in the pamphlet produced by the Spanish friars in the Philippines. His piece was entitled Caiigat Cayo (Be Slippery as an Eel) which he used to oppose Fray Rodriguez’s Caiingat Cayo. Father Vicente Garcia defended the Noli under the pen name Justo Desiderio Magalang. Father Garcia wrote a very courageous defense of the Noli, claiming that Rizal cannot be an ignorant man but was being the product of Spanish officials and corrupt friars; according to him, if Fray Rodriguez warned the people of committing mortal sin if they read the novel, Fray Rodriguez therefore committed also such sin for he has read the novel. When the novel was read by the Spanish friars (and realizing that the masterpiece was exposing their abuses and brutalities), they immediately regarded Noli as heretical, subversive and immoral. The Spanish friars immediately organized plans to counter-attack the novel. Father Salvador Font, an Augustian priest and curator of Tondo and Chairman of the Permanent Commission of Censorship ordered to prohibit the distribution, reading and discussion of the “subversive” novel. Father Rodriguez released a pamphlet entitled “Caiingat Cayo” (beware) reminding to avoid reading the novel because it was tantamount to committing a “mortal sin.” January, 1890 - the novel was criticized in Madrid. The review was written by Vicente Barrantes. One of the members of the Senate raised the “heretic and subversive” effects of the novel to the Spanish Cortes. In short, the novel became a national concern. 4.3. Allusion of the Noli Me Tangere Noli Me Tangere is Latin for "touch me not", an allusion to the Gospel of St. John where Jesus says to Mary Magdelene: "Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father". In this modern classic of Filipino literature, Jose P. Rizal exposes "matters...so delicate that they cannot be touched by anybody", unfolding an epic history of the Philippines that has made it the most influential political novel in that country in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The popularity of this novel is grounded in its reflection of the turbulent times in which it was written. Its influence on Filipino political thinking, as well as on contemporary fiction, drama, 28 | P a g e opera, dance, and film, has been and continues to be enormous. The vivid characters and the harsh situations depicted still ring true today. 4.4. El Filibusterismo El Filibusterismo Rizal devoted much of his time finishing the last chapter of his El Filibusterismo. He completed the book on May 30, 1891. It was Jose Ma. Basa who first received the news that he had already completed the El Filibusterismo. The publication of El Filibusterismo in Ghent was on July 5, 1891 when Jose Rizal went to Ghent to: 1. find a cheap printing press for his El Filibusterismo 2. avoid from falling in love (again) with Petite Jacoby. While Rizal was in Ghent, Belgium, he met Edilberto Evangelista of Manila and Jose Alejandro of Pampanga. While in Ghent, he stayed in a cheap lodging house with Alejandro. Alejandro later became one of the Filipino generals in Filipino-American War (1899-1902). Printing of El Filibusterismo One of Rizal’s reasons why he went to Ghent was to search for a cheap printing press. He discovered F. Meyer-Van Loo Press (a printing house) which was located at No. 66 Vikander Street. Rizal was supported by Jose Ma. Basa and Rodriguez Arias but still, the solicited amount was not enough to fund the printing of El Filibusterismo. Rizal pawned his jewels and stayed in a cheap and indecent boarding house. The printing of El Filibusterismo temporarily stopped due to insufficiency of funds. Valentin Ventura (The Savior of Fili) shouldered the remaining printing cost of Fili. 4.5. Allusion of El Filibusterismo to Real Life These are the characters of El Filibusterismo and what they symbolize in the society in real life. Character Definition Symbolism Simoun Crisóstomo Ibarra reincarnated as a Simoun represents the wealthy jeweler, bent on starting a revolutionaries during that time who revolution. supported the idea of holding bloody revolt against the Spanish government. His death in El Filibusterismo tells readers that Rizal does not support the armed revolution. Basilio Has risen from poverty to become He represents the youth with a Captain Tiago’s charge. Close to simple dream that his education will acquiring his medical degree, he is improve his social and economic pledged to Julí, the beautiful daughter status in the future and is indifferent of Cabesang Tales. and selfish to the needs of society. Isagani poet and Basilio's best friend; Isagani is the symbol of the youth portrayed as emotional and reactive; whose love for the country is great Paulita Gómez' boyfriend before to the point of being branded as being dumped for fellow student idealistic. Juanito Peláez. 29 | P a g e Kabesang Telesforo Juan de Dios, a former He personified a typical Filipino who Tales cabeza de barangay who resurfaced is content with living a simple life. He as the feared Luzón bandit also symbolizes the natives and Matanglawin (Tagalog for Hawkeye). farmers whose lands were seized by the friars, an explanation as to why Filipinos became rebels. Makaraig Makaraig shared the same Makaraig represented the well-to- nationalistic ideals with that of do Filipino youth during the Spanish Isagani. The both of them led their era who had good dreams for the fellow students in the movement for country. His character also provided the establishment of the Spanish readers a glimpse of how different academy for Filipinos. The only the rich and the poor were treated difference between the two is their during that time in society. social status. Paulita Gómez The girlfriend of Isagani and the niece Paulita Gomez is a caricature of a of Doña Victorina. In the end, she and woman who chooses the best option Juanito Peláez are wed, and she for a more stable future. She knows dumps Isagani, believing that she will what is best for her and would take have no future if she marries him. advantage of her admirers to get what she wants. Father Isagani's godfather, and a secular Father Florentino represented the Florentino priest; was engaged to be married, secular Filipino priests in Rizal’s but chose the priesthood instead. The time. It was also through his story hinting at the ambivalence of character that the author stressed his decision as he chooses an his disapproval of a bloody revolt. assignment to a remote place, living in solitude near the sea. Juli Juliana de Dios, the girlfriend of Juli, like Maria Clara, symbolizes the Basilio, and the youngest daughter of purity and innocence of the lower Kabesang Tales. class women during Rizal's time. She would rather sacrifice rather than give up her ideals. Ben Zayb Abraham Ibañez is his real name. He Personifies a corrupted media. is a journalist who thinks he is the only one thinking in the Philippines. Placido A student of the University of Santo Placido means – silent and Penitente Penitente Tomas who is always miserable, and means – suffering. Combining those therefore controls his temper. words, “silent suffering” or in Tagalog “tahimik na pagluluksa”. Señor Pasta He is an old Filipino lawyer who He represents the part of the society refuses to help the Filipino students in that is only generous and their clamor for educational reforms. sympathetic to the rich and powerful. Father Irene He is a kind friar who is a friend of the He embodies the few Spaniards who Filipino students. He supports the are sympathetic to the Filipinos. students who appeal to the government for an academy of Spanish language. 4.6. The Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo Compared Differences Between Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo The Noli contains less passionate emotions and narration of events while El Fili consists of angry passions, ideology and dialogue. El Fili is more serious than the Noli. 30 | P a g e  El Fili was written after Rizal returned to Europe, while the Noli was written while he was still a student of the Central University in Madrid. Noli was dedicated to the Philippines while El Fili was dedicated to GOMBURZA. Comparison of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are the two marked novels of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal which are similar and different in some ways. The two novels are similar primarily in their author, Rizal. Another, in a way that they both talk about how Spaniards abused the Filipinos, the abuse of the church of their power and the discrimination on Filipinos. Both Noli and El Fili shows strong anti-Clerical and even anti-Catholic color. They convey one story because the latter is published in sequel or continuation. However, they are different in many cases. Firstly, Noli Me Tangere, Latin title meaning “touch me not” refers to the letter of John 20:17 in King James version of the Bible as Mary Magdalene tried to touch the newly risen Jesus, He said “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father”. Meanwhile, El Filibusterismo is Spanish title which is known in English as The Reign of Greed. Noli is a love story or a romantic novel, dedicated to our motherland while El Fili is a political novel associated with revenge and anger and is dedicated to GOMBURZA. The first is more on action and motion, the latter is thoughtful, discursive and dialectal. Noli showed a soft spoken, patient, compassionate and idealistic Crisostomo Ibarra while El Fili featured a different Ibarra who portrayed the angry and vengeful side of him and disguised himself as the wealthy jeweler named Simoun. Noli is written in the idea that would expose the ills of Philippine society after Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin. In general, Noli is more on the reformist side of Rizal while El Fili is on his revolutionist. Personal Opinions Noli Me Tangere is actually a tale of romance between Crisostomo Ibarra and Maria Clara. Between the side lines of Ibarra and Maria Clara’s love story is the historical narrative of the era of Dr. Jose Rizal. Ibarra’s journey in the world of Noli is the life of our National hero: from Ibarra’s philosophies, disputes, and mysteries. Many may conclude Rizal is Ibarra. Another character that could be Rizal’s reflection is the farmer that became Ibarra’s mysterious friend. Elias, contrary to Ibarra in this context, believes in revolution for the country to be freed from the Spanish oppression. Much can be said about the controversial Noli, but as much as the students nowadays stray away from the subject Rizal, we cannot deny the influence of the Noli Me Tangere, and its role in igniting the Filipino sense of national identity. El Filibusterismo which literally means The Reign of Greed in English is the sequel to the first novel written by Dr. Jose Rizal, Noli Me Tangere. El Fili narrates the return of a Noli character Crisostomo Ibarra as the wealthy jeweler, bent on starting a revolution. This novel, together with the Noli Me Tangere, is said to have sparked the revolution against Spain in 1896. In it, Rizal presented the dilemma faced by the country as the people groaned under the foreign oppressor: to revolt would only lead to a change of masters, while to do nothing would keep the nation enslaved for generations. Rizal proposes a better way, through Father Florentino as he speaks to the dying Simoun: educate the natives, and when they shall have reached that stage where they would be willing to die for their principles, God Himself will supply the weapon, and “liberty will shine, like the first dawn.” As gospels of Philippine nationalism, Rizal’s novels convey the essence of his nationalism that was to reverberate in the hearts of the people. He identified this essence in his letters as his aspiration to alleviate the sufferings of the masses, to make men worthy, to avenge one day the many victims of cruelty and injustice, to erect a monument to the native tongue and to educate his people. In the two novels, the essence of Rizal’s nationalism is best understood through the keen study of the characters. Through their dialogue and actions, in their ideas and ideals, or in the lack of these are seen Rizal’s range of vision, his concept of love of country, his appeal for reforms, his attitude towards the friars, and his views on the weaknesses of the Filipinos. 31 | P a g e Exercises: Answer the questions briefly and direct to the point. Answer within 1 - 2 sentences. 1. What will be the effects of Noli to the Filipinos and Spanish in the Philippines? 2. What are the propagandas made by the Spaniards against Noli Me Tangere? 3. Do you think the ruling in examining the Noli Me Tangere that was made by the friars was fair? Why? 4. What are the differences between Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo? 5. Like Noli Me Tangere, El Filibsterismo was based also on truth. Explain. END OF FINALS MODULE References: Zaide, Gregorio and Zaide Sonia. (2007). Jose Rizal: Life, Works and Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist and National Hero. Second Edition. Quezon City: All-Nations Publishing Co., Inc. Read more: https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/248795/rizal-not-get-dying-wish-simple-burial- paang-bundok/#ixzz77utB2I4K https://ourhappyschool.com/history/jose-rizal%E2%80%99s-poems https://noli-me-tangere.fandom.com/wiki/Unfinished_Novels https://toaz.info/doc-viewer Zaide, Gregorio and Zaide Sonia. (2007). Jose Rizal: Life, Works and Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist and National Hero. Second Edition. Quezon City: All-Nations Publishing Co., Inc. Read more: https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/248795/rizal-not-get-dying-wish-simple-burial- paang-bundok/#ixzz77utB2I4K 32 | P a g e