Kate R. Quinco B.A.

Political Science IV LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL TTh 1:30-3:00pm| ASAB 345
September 28, 2017
Rizal’s Duel with Antonio Luna and Wenceslao Retana
This chapter consists of adversities encountered by Rizal when he was in Madrid.
August 1890 when he arrived in the place to seek justice for his family and Calamba
tenants. As he was there, he almost fought two duels – one with Antonio Luna and the
other was Wenceslao Retana. Not only that, but also the infidelity of Leonor Rivera broke
his heart.

ABORTED DUEL WITH ANTONIO LUNA

A social reunion was held and wines were usually served. When Antonio Luna
became drunk, he uttered unpalatable remarks against Nellie Boustead for he was bitter
that time. The reason was he failed in winning the heart of the latter and he blamed Rizal.
Rizal heard it and because Rizal does not want women to be disgraced, he challenged
Luna to a fight.

*Jose Rizal – better pistol shot

*Antonio Luna – superior as a swordsman

However, when Luna became sober, he realized how foolish he was. Immediately,
he apologized to Rizal and the latter forgave him making them good friends again. Rizal
was not hot-tempered nor he was quarrelsome in nature, but if his parents and family
were attacked, he never faltered nor stammered to fight just to save them.

RIZAL CHALLENGES RETANA TO DUEL

*Wenceslao Retana
- talented Spanish scholar
- press agent of the friars in Spain
- Rizal’s bitter enemy in pen

Wenceslao Retana wrote an article in La Epoca which was an anti-Filipino

newspaper in Madrid. The article declares that Rizal’s family and friends were ejected
from Calamba because they did not pay their rents. Rizal, after hearing the insult, was
enraged and challenged Retana to a duel for only Retana’s blood can be accepted as an
apology because of what he had done to Rizal’s family.

Retana, who knows that he had no chance of winning, published a retraction and
an apology in the same newspaper. From that incident, Retana’s pen became silent.
Eventually, he developed a great admiration for Rizal and made the first book-length
biography of the greatest Filipino hero.

INFIDELITY OF LEONOR RIVERA

Autumn of 1890: Rizal attended a play at Teatro Apolo in Madrid. It was there
where he lost his gold watch chain with a locket containing the picture of Leonor Rivera,
his beloved sweetheart.
December 1890: Rizal received a letter from Leonor, announcing her coming
marriage to an Englishman and asking his forgiveness. That letter was a great blow to
him. Infidelity of Leonor Rivera
1
Kate R. Quinco B.A. Political Science IV LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL TTh 1:30-3:00pm| ASAB 345
September 28, 2017

It took several weeks for Rizal to confide to his best friend, Blumentritt about the
letter. In his reply to Rizal, dated February 15, 1891, he consoled him. In a part of the
letter he stated: “…for I know your heart is pained; but you are one of the heroes who
conquer pain from a wound inflicted by a woman, because they follow higher ends. You
have a courageous heart, and you are in love with a nobler woman, the Motherland.”

Three months later, Blumentritt sent another comforting letter saying: “ …If she
was able to renounce a Rizal, she did not possess the nobility of your spirit.”

RELATIONSHIPS WITH NELLIE BOUSTEAD AND SUZANNE JACOBY

Suzanne Jacoby: An Unrequited Love

On January 28, 1890, Rizal left for Brussels, Belgium. He
stayed for a considerable time, paying for room and board. His
landladies had a pretty niece named Petite Suzanne Jacoby. She
was taken by Rizal's charm and gallantry, and provided him good
company. Rizal could have flirted with the lady, considering that his
beloved Leonor was far away and he was a lonely man in a strange
and foreign land, but he realized he could not deceive her.

Suzanne fell in love with Rizal, and wept when he left for Madrid in
July 1890.

Nellie Boustead: A Failed Proposal

In 1891, Rizal took a vacation in Biarritz in order to find reprieve from his troubles
in Madrid. He was a guest of the Boustead family in their winter residence, Villa Eliada.
Mr. and Mrs. Boustead had two beautiful daughters, Adelina and Nellie.

An Emotional Rebounce
After having lamented his frustrated romance with Leonor Rivera on account of the lady's
engagement to another man, Rizal came to develop considerable affection for Nellie, the
prettier and younger daughter of Mr. Eduardo Boustead. He found her to be intelligent,
morally upright, and full of life. Rizal wrote to his closest friends about his intention to
marry her.

Consent from the Lady's Past Love

Rizal's friends were delighted to hear that he had found a suitable girl whom he at last
wished to settle down with. Even Antonio Luna, who had previously loved Nellie,
encouraged Rizal to court her and ask for her hand in marriage. With all the
encouragement from the friends he held dear, Rizal wooed Nellie (also called Nelly) who,
in turn, returned his affections.

A Broken Engagement
Rizal's marriage proposal failed for two reasons: first, Nellie demanded that he give up
his Catholic faith and convert to Protestantism, which was her religion. Rizal did not like
2
Kate R. Quinco B.A. Political Science IV LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL TTh 1:30-3:00pm| ASAB 345
September 28, 2017
this idea. Second, Nelly's mother did not approve of Rizal, as she had no desire to
entrust her daughter to a man who was wanting in wealth and persecuted in his own
country. In spite of the circumstances, Rizal and Nellie parted as good friends.

RIZAL’S SECOND HOMECOMING

Rizal’s bold return to Manila in June, 1892 was his second homecoming. Rizal
firmly believed that the fight for Filipino liberties had assumed a new phase: it must be
fought in the Philippines not in Spain. “The battlefield is in the Philippines,” he told
countrymen in Europe, “There is where we should meet… There we will help one another,
there together we will suffer or triumph perhaps.”

ARRIVAL IN MANILA WITH SISTER

o June 26, 1892- Sunday at 12:00 noon, Rizal and his widowed sister Lucia (wife of
late Mariano Herbosa) arrived in Manila
o In the afternoon, at 4:00 o’clock, he went to Malacañang Palace to seek audience
with the Spanish governor general, General Eulogio Despujol, Conde de Caspe
o June 27, 1892- at 6:00pm, Rizal boarded a train in Tutuban Station and visited his
friends in Malolos (Bulacan), San Fernando (Pampanga), Tarlac (Tarlac), and
Bacolor (Pampanga)
o Rizal returned by train to Manila on the next day, June 28, at 5 o’clock in the
afternoon

FOUNDING OF THE LIGA FILIPINA

o July 3, 1892- on the evening of Sunday, following his morning interview with Governor
General Despujol,
o Rizal attended a meeting with patriots at the home of the Chinese-Filipino mestizo,
Doroteo Ongjunco, on Ylaya Street, Tondo, Manila
o Rizal explained the objectives of the Liga Filipina, a civic league of Filipinos, which
he desired to establish and its role in the socio-economic life of the people.
o The officers of the new league were elected, as follows: Ambrosio Salvador
(President); Deodato Arellano (Secretary); Bonifacio Arevalo (Treasurer); and
Agustin de la Rosa (Fiscal)
o Unus Instar Omnium (One Like All)- the motto of the Liga Filipina. The governing
body of the league was the Supreme Council which had jurisdiction over the whole
country. It was composed of a president, a secretary, a treasurer, and a fiscal. There
was a Provincial Council in every province and a Popular Council in every town
o The duties of the Liga members are as follows (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 symbolic name which he cannot change
until he becomes president of his council (5) to report to the fiscal anything that he
may hear which affect the Liga (6) to behave well as befits a good Filipino (7) to help
fellow members in all ways

RIZAL ARRESTED AND JAILED IN FORT SANTIAGO

o July 6, 1892- Wednesday, Rizal went to Malacañang Palace to resume his series of
interviews with governor general
3
Kate R. Quinco B.A. Political Science IV LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL TTh 1:30-3:00pm| ASAB 345
September 28, 2017
o Pobres Frailles (Poor Friars)- incriminatory leaflets which allegedly found in Lucia’s
pillow cases; it is under the authorship of Fr. Jacinto and printed by the Imprenta de
los Amigos del Pais, Manila
o Rizal was placed under arrest and escorted to Fort Santiago by Ramon Despujol,
nephew and aide of Governor General Despujol
o July 7, 1892- the Gaceta de Manila published the story of Rizal’s arrest which
produced indignant commotion among the Filipino people, particlarly the members of
the newly organized Liga Filipina
o The same issue of the Gaceta (july 7, 1892) contained Governor General Despujol’s
decree deporting Rizal to “one of the islands in the South”
o July 14, 1892, shortly after midnight (that is 12:30 am of July 15, 1892) – Rizal was
brought under heavy guard to the steamer Cebu which was sailing for Dapitan. This
steamer under Captain Delgras departed at 1:00 AM, July 15, sailing south, passing
Mindoro and Panay and reaching Dapitan on Sunday, the 17 th of July at 7:00 in the
evening
o Captain Ricardo Carnicero- Spanish commandant of Dapitan whom Captain Delgras
handed Rizal
o July 17, 1892- July 31, 2896- Rizal began his exile in lonely Dapitan, a period of four
years

LA LIGA FILIPINA CONSTITUTION

Article I: Name of Organization - Liga Filipina
The name Liga Filipina was adopted for the early attainment of its purposes
Article II: Purpose
A. To promote unity among Filipino students and those interested in Filipino culture.
B. To represent Filipino students in the school and the community through service.
C. To provide members various social activities pertaining to Filipino culture and/or other interests
of the members.
D. To promote and encourage interaction and mutual understanding amongst the club’s
members.
E. To provide forums for contemporary issues faced by Filipinos and Filipino Americans.
F. To educate and influence the outside community on Filipino culture.
Article III: Membership
A. Any student is eligible for membership including non-Filipinos. The majority of Liga Filipina
members will be State University at Albany undergraduate students.
B. Before the first meeting of the academic year, dues for Liga Filipina will be decided by the
Executive Board.
Article IV: Organization
A. General Assembly:
1. The General Assembly shall be made up of the members of Liga Filipina.
2. The General Assembly will meet at least twice a semester.
3. Quorum shall consist of four-sixths of the E-board and two-fifths of the General Assembly.
B. Executive Board:
1. The Executive Board consists of six offices: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer,
Personal Relations and Head Cultural (cultural chair).
4
Kate R. Quinco B.A. Political Science IV LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL TTh 1:30-3:00pm| ASAB 345
September 28, 2017
2. The Executive Board will meet at least twice a month.
3. Executive Officers are authorized to speak and act to further benefit the interests of Liga
Filipina.
4. Executive Officers are responsible for all communications and actions issued under their title
during their tenure.
5. Executive Officers are responsible for teaching younger members the internal structure of Liga
Filipina, significantly the Board of Directors.
C. Board of Directors:
1. The Board of Directors shall be revised every year to reflect the needs and wants of Liga
Filipina.
a. The revision shall be decided by the newly elected Executive Board to reflect the needs and
wants of the members of Liga Filipina.
2. Here are the possible board of directors positions: Community Service Director, FIND Director,
Sports Chair, Social Chair and Political Chair.
3. The Executive Board shall appoint the Board of Directors.
4. The Board of Directors should be present at each Executive Board meeting and General
Assembly . 5. The Board of directors is authorized to speak and act to further benefit the interests
of Liga Filipina and the members.
6. The Board of Directors is responsible for establishing committees.
Article V: Official Duties of Executive Board Members
A. The Duties and Powers of the President:
The Presidency is the office specifically catering to the organization’s external affairs.
1. The President is hereby empowered to carry out this Constitution.
a. The President will have the authority to take any action necessary in accordance with this
constitution to develop Liga Filipina further.
2. The President shall have the power to set all meetings and agenda for said meetings.
3. The President will be responsible for the operation of Liga Filipina as a whole.
4. The President will also be responsible to the Student Association, and thereby:
a. The President is required to take the annual Controller’s Treasurer’s Exam in the fall of their
term.
- Should the President fail to take or pass the Controller’s Exam, Liga Filipina’s allocated budget
shall be frozen.
- As a result of passing the controller’s Treasurer’s Exam, The President shall receive signatory
powers toward the Student Association Budget of Liga Filipina, Account No. 70,069.
b. Is required to represent Liga Filipina at any Multicultural Affairs Task Force meeting. - In the
event that the President cannot attend, will appoint a person to do so in their absence.
c. Is required to attend one Affirmative Action workshop each semester. - In the event that the
President cannot attend, will appoint a person to do so in their absence.
5. The President shall be the liaison to all external associations that can help further the goals of
Liga Filipina.
6. The President must attend meetings of the Asian Organization Council.
a. In the event that the President cannot attend, will appoint a person to do so in their absence.
7. The President must attend meetings of the Multicultural Student Advisory Council.
a. In the event that the President cannot attend, will appoint a person to do so in their absence.

5
Kate R. Quinco B.A. Political Science IV LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL TTh 1:30-3:00pm| ASAB 345
September 28, 2017
8. The President should remember that as the Chief Executive of the organization, he/she must
act in good faith and at all times, conduct him/herself accordingly.
9. The President shall have the power to act for Liga Filipina in an emergency with the approval
of the Vice President.
B. The Duties and Powers of the Vice President:
The Vice Presidency is the office specifically catered towards internal affairs. These powers shall
also entail the following.
1. The Vice President will assume the role of the President and receive all of his/her rights and
responsibilities in the President’s absence.
2. The Vice President will also be responsible for the running of elections under the rules provided
herein.
a. In the event of an absence of the Secretary at General Assembly or Executive Board meetings,
the Vice President is responsible for taking minutes.
3. In consultation with the President, shall act in emergency situations.
4. The Vice President shall be the liaison to all external associations that can help further the
goals of Liga Filipina.
5. The Vice President must attend meetings of the Asian Organization Council.
a. In the event that he/she cannot attend, he/she shall appoint an appropriate attendee.
6. The Vice President must attend meetings of the Multicultural Student Advisory Council.
a. In the event that he/she cannot attend, he/she shall appoint an appropriate attendee.
7. Is required to represent Liga Filipina at any Multicultural Affairs Task Force meeting.
a. In the event that he/she cannot attend, he/she shall appoint an appropriate attendee.
8. The Vice President is required to attend one Affirmative Action workshop each semester.
a. In the event that he/she cannot attend, he/she shall appoint an appropriate attendee. 9. The
Vice President shall receive signatory powers to Copies Plus.
C. The Duties and Powers of the Secretary:
The office of the Secretary specifically oversees all media production and official documentation.
1. The Secretary will be responsible for the taking of minutes on each meeting, the official
documentation of these minutes and the approval of these minutes at the beginning of each
meeting.
2. The Secretary shall also edit all documentation.
a. This includes the revision of the Liga Filipina Constitution, annually.
3. The Secretary will also be responsible for the counting of votes when elections are held.
4. The Secretary shall develop and create Liga Filipina’s Newsletter, La Solaridad.
5. Advertising and/or promotion of Liga Filipina’s events are directed toward the Secretary in
conjunction with the Public Relations Officer.
6. The Secretary shall receive signatory powers to Copies Plus.
D. The Duties and Powers of the Treasurer:
The office of the Treasurer controls all financial and budgetary aspects of the organization.
1. The Treasurer will be responsible for all funds of the organization.
2. The Treasurer is the chief director of all fundraising events.
a. They will develop and create ideas for fundraisers, as well as oversee them.
b. These events include, but are not limited to:
- Fiesta Filipiniana
- Simbang Gabi
6
Kate R. Quinco B.A. Political Science IV LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL TTh 1:30-3:00pm| ASAB 345
September 28, 2017
c. The collection of membership dues will also be the responsibility of the Treasurer.
d. The Treasurer is required to take the annual Controller’s Treasurer’s Exam in the fall of their
term.
- Should the Treasurer fail to either take or pass the Controller’s Exam, Liga Filipina’s allocated
budget shall be frozen
- As a result of passing the Controller’s Treasurer’s Exam, the Treasurer shall receive signatory
powers toward the Student Association Budget of Liga Filipina, Account No. 70,069.
E. The Duties and Powers of the Public Relations Officer:
The Public Relations Officer (PR) is responsible for the social and advertising aspect of Liga.
1. The PR is responsible for the social and advertising aspect of Liga Filipina.
a. This includes the designing of all flyers.
b. The PR. is responsible for posting flyers.
F. The Duties and Powers of the Cultural Chair:
The cultural chair is responsible for guiding all events including cultural shows, workshops,
seminars and programs.
1. The significant events that deal with the cultural officer include Asian Occasion in the fall and
Fiesta Filipiniana in the spring.
2. They should be educated about the every aspect of Filipino culture including the national
anthem, cultural dances, the language and its culture/history.
Article VI. Official Duties of the Board of Directors
A. The Duties and Powers of the Community Service Director:
- The Community Service Director is responsible for establishing a community service event.
- There should be at least one per semester.
B. The Duties and Powers of the FIND Director:
The FIND Director is responsible for establishing FIND in the school community if at all possible.
The FIND Director is responsible for all information concerning the FIND National.
- This includes attending district meetings and if at all possible, hosting district meetings in the
school community
- This also includes relaying information to the organization about FIND.
C. The Duties and Powers of the Sports Chair Director:
The Sports Chair Director is responsible for creating sporting activities that the organization
desires to participate in.
- This includes all the logistics that is involved in establishing a sports activity including providing
the facility, contacting necessary establishments, etc.)
D. Workshop Director:
The Workshop Director works in conjunction with the Cultural Officer in establishing workshops
that will educate the community on Filipino Culture.
- Two workshops should be conducted every semester.
E. The Duties and Powers of the Social Chair:
The Social Chair works in conjunction with the Personal Relations Officer in contacting and
informing the school community the organization’s upcoming events.
- This includes attending other organization’s upcoming events.
F. Political Chair:
The Political Chair is responsible for receiving information on the Student Association and other
organizations on campus.
7
Kate R. Quinco B.A. Political Science IV LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL TTh 1:30-3:00pm| ASAB 345
September 28, 2017
- This includes all Greek organizations and multicultural organizations.
Article VII. Vacancy of Office
A. If any vacancy in office occurs, the executive board will be responsible in appointing an
individual that is qualified for the position.
B. If a qualified individual cannot fill the position, the duties of that position would be divided
amongst the rest of the Executive Board.
Article VIII. Impeachment of Officers, Removal of Directors and rules of Succession
A. Impeachment applies to any member of the Executive Board. Removal is applied to
directorships. In order to impeach or remove these offices, the following steps must be taken:
1. A motion for impeachment must be made and seconded twice at a general assembly meeting.
2. A written grievance against the officer must be submitted to the Executive Board.
3. The Executive Board and the committee heads will form a Central Committee to review the
grievance excluding all officers being impeached.
4. A hearing will be chaired by the President in which the Central Committee will hear arguments
from both sides starting with the accuser. If the President is being impeached, then the Vice-
President will chair the hearing.
5. The Central Committee will have a closed session after all sides have been heard. They will
render their decision through discussion and a vote.
6. A simple majority of the Central Committee is necessary to ask the officer to step down or to
allow the officer to remain.
7. The Central Committee must issue a statement on their decision for the entire membership to
examine.
B. Vacancies produced by resignation or impeachment shall be filled through the appointment of
a member of Liga Filipina by the Executive Board on an interim basis.
Article VIII: General Elections
A. General Elections shall be held during the next general meeting of the spring term.
B. Any member of Liga Filipina is eligible to vote and to be nominated.
C. Candidates must be nominated by a card-carrying member and seconded by two others.
D. The Executive Board shall be elected by a majority of the voting members present.
E. The Vice President shall run the elections.
F. Nominations shall take place one general meeting before elections.
Article IX: Amendment of this Constitution
A. All prospective amendments must be written and submitted to an officer at a general meeting.
B. The Executive Board will be responsible for looking over and voting on the Constitution.
C. The Executive Board will be responsible for the rewording of the amendment for the
Constitution.
D. If the Executive Board fails the amendment, the membership then votes. Three quarters of the
quorum passes the amendment.
E. The Secretary will be in charge of the addition of the amendment to the Constitution and that
submission of the amended Constitution to the Student Association.