RIZAL

LIFE, WORKS , AND IDEALS

FRANCISCO M. ZULUETA

CHAPTER 1

Rizal A Biographical Sketch

The life, works and ideals of DR. JOSE RIZAL had served as an inspiration not

only to Filipinos, nut also to all freedom-loving peoples throughout the world.
Endowed with superior intelligence, indeed, he can be considered a rare
universal genius. As versatile man, he was a physician (ophthalmic surgeon),
mathematician engineer, surveyor, poet, musician, sculptor, painter, cartoonist,
cartographer, novelist, dramatist, inventor, philosopher, linguist, businessman,
economist and farmer. He epitomized the ideal Renaissance man- a person of
broad intellectual and cultural interest encompassing the full spectrum of
available knowledge.
Rizals Birth. Jose Rizal was born on Wednesday, June 19, 1861 between
eleven and twelve oclock at midnight, a few days before the full moon at
Calamba, laguna. His birth would have cost his mothers life had she not vowed
to Virgin of Antipolo that would take him on pilgrimage of her shrine.
He was baptized at a Catholic Church of Calamba, on June 22, when he was
only three days old, b priest, Rev. Rufino Collantes, a close friend of his family
who also

Stood as his godfather. The name Jose was chosen by his mother who was a
devotee of the Christian Saint San Jose ( ST. Joseph)
Calamba: THE Cradle of a Genius. Scenic Calamba is the picturesque town
the give birth to our hero. Rafael Palma said: Hemmed in a verdant plain by
Mount Makiling on the one side and by the Laguna de Bay on the other,
Calamba offers a veritable scenery of sunny contours and romantic sports.
Calamba is a town named after a big native jar surrounnded by a big hacienda
which belonged to Dominican Order, Which also owned almost all the lands
around it.
The Rizal Family, Francisco Mercado Rizal (1818-1898), the heros father was
born in Binan, Laguna. His great, great grandfather was a Christian Chinese
named Domingo Lamco. He studied Latin and Philosophy at the College of San
Jose, Manila. He was a hard working and progressive farmer who became wellto-do through industry and with the assistance of his cultured and talented wife.
He was a man of solid shoulders, strong constitution, tall, with prominent
forehead and dark eyes. A pure Filipino, Dr Rizal called him a model of
fathers. He died at the age of eighty, a year after the heros execution.
Don Franciscos original family name was Mercado. Rizal wrote to his friend,
Prof. Ferdinand blumentritt of Austria in 1889, that our family name was really
mercado, but in the philippines there were many Mercados who were not
related to us. My father chose Rizal as our surname because Mercado sounded
common. It is

 in the respect, it seems as though I am an illegitimate Child. He married Teodora

Alonzo Realonda on June 28, 1848, a woman of fortitude which exemplified the
filipino character at its highest and loftiest measure.
Doa Teodora Alonzo(1826-1911), Rizals mother was born in manila on November
8,1826, a woman of remarkable talent in mathematics, business and literature. She
possessed finesse. She belonged to a distinguished family, her father having been
once a delegate to the Spanish Cortes, while his brother was educated in Europe and
spoke different languages..
Doa Teodora was imprisoned by the Spanish authorities for flimsy reasons, but she
bravely endured the persecutions heaped upon her and her family. Some years
before she died at the age of eighty-five she politely refuse a life pension offered her
by our government saying: My family has never been patriotic for money. If the
government has plenty of funds and it does not know what to do with them, it had
better reduce taxes. Such statement, indeed are explicit manifestation of a woman
worthy to be the mother of a national hero.
According to Rafael Palma, Rizal inherited from his father a profound sense of
dignity and self-respect, seriousness and self-possession; and from his mother the
temperament of the poet and dreamer and bravery for sacrifice.
The Rizal family was a respected and considered one of the riches families on
Calamba during that time. Because his parents were industrious, they were able to
build a big house. They were one of the few families to own a carruaje-ahorse-drawn
carriage, the first to have a home library with almost 1,000 volumes, and probable, the
first to send their children to manila to study in college.

They raised rice, corn, sugar and other agricultural crops on the large tracts of land
rented from Dominican estate of Calamba. They also raised chickens and turkeys in
their backyards. Doa Teodora also managed a general merchandise store which
sold various economic goods and operated a small flour-mill and a home-made ham
press.
Rizal family was highly esteemed and respected in the community because of
wealth, culture, hospitality, sincerity and warmth. Hey always participated in almost
all social and religious activities in Calamba for a noble cause.
Rizal family was truly a happy social institution were parental respect and affection
reigned supreme. Both parents and children lived harmoniously united by strong ties
of affection, understanding and respect. Don Francisco and Doa Teodora loved
their children, but they never spoiled anyone of them. They trained and imbibed to
their children to respect the law, give everybody is due, behave well, be obedient and
to respect peoples right, especially the old folks. They were strict but fair and firm.
They believed in the old adage: spare the rod and spoil the child.
During Sunday and Christian holidays, the Rizal family heard mass in the town
parish. During angelus at sunset and before retiring to bed at night, they recited the
Holy sary as a thanksgiving for all the blessings they had received for the day.
The Children of Rizal. The marriage of Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora
Alonzo Realonda were blessed with eleven children two boys and nine girls.

Paciano (1851-1930), the heros only brother, became an agriculture though, like his
father, he had a college education in manila. He was a second father to his younger
brother Jose and gave him wise counsel. People who knew him opined that he was
the filosopo Tasio in Noli Me Tangere. Immediately after the heros execution,
Paciano joined General Aguinaldos revolutionary army, where he rose to the rank of
Major General. He returned to Los Baos after the restoration of peace and order
and led the life of a simple farmer and exemplary citizens, In 1930 he died almost
unwept, unhonored, and unsung and was buried in manila.
Rizal sisters. Rizal had nine sisters, Saturnina (1850-1913), Narcisa (1859-1945),
Olimpia (1855-1887), Lucia (1857-1919), Maria (1859-1945), Conception (18621865), Josefa (1865-1919), Trinidad (1868-1951), and soledad (1870-1929). All of
them got married except Josefa and trinidad, who were spinsters, and conception
who died at the age of three. All the Rizal children were born in Calamba. Their
parents had to move to manila in the early nineties because of notorious land
troubles and other agrarian problems.
Rizals Ancestry. Rizalm like a typical Filipino was a product of mixed ancestry. It
can be inferred that in his veins flowed the blood of both east and west-chinese,
Japanese, Malay and Spanish. Rizals father was a great grandson of Lam-co, a
chines immigrant from fukien city.

In some historical pieces of documents, Rizals maternal ancestor was Lakan-dula, the
last king of Tondo, His maternal great-great-grandfather was Eugenio Ursua, of
Japanese blood and ancestry.
The Name Rizal. The original surname of rizal family was Mercado:. This surname
was adopted by domingo lam-co, the paternal Chinese ancestor in 1731. In spanish
Mercado means Market which Lam-co chose because of his business acumen and
venture.
In 1849, Governor Claveria issued a decree directing all Filipino families to choose and
adopt new surnames from a list of Spanish family names. It should be noted that the
purpose of this decree was to Hispanize the Filipino surnames.
Rizals father scrutinized carefully the list of surnames sent to Calamba surch as cruz,
Diaz Guzman, Luna, Ramos, Reyes, Rivera, Santos, and Trinidad. He did not
have any interest in these surnames, so be chose his own surname Rizal, which
apparently was not in the list recommended by the Spanish authorities. He preferred
this new family name Rizal to be more fitting and appropriate for his farming clan to
Mercado which means market in spanish.
It is interesting to note that the term Rizal originated from the word racial which
signifies Green Field.
The Rizal House. The house in which Rizal was born was high and made of solid and
massive earthquake proof structure with sliding wife window shutters with capiz shells.
Thick walls of lime an store bounded the first floor; the second floor was made entirely

of hard wood except for the roof which was of red tile, in the style of the
imposing buildings in Manila and other Big and progressive towns at that time.
Rizals father selected the hardest and seasoned woof from the forest and had them
sowed. It took him more than two years to construct the house. At the back there
was an azotea overlooking the garden and orchard and a wide, deep cistern a tank
for storing water or hold rain water during the rainy season for house use. Behind the
house, stood various tropical fruit-bearing trees, e.g., santol, chico, macopa, atis,
balimbing, duhat.

Chapter 2

Childhood Memories in Calamba

The life of Jose Rizal, like other young filipino boys, had a lot of pleasant and beautiful

memories to reckon during his childhood days in Calamba. With parents full of affection
to their children and an abundant blessing from Lord Almighty, he grew up in a home
environment characterized by joy and contentment. His birth place was an ideal place for
artist, poets, budding writers and lovers of art who traveled from manila and other places
to gain inspiration of its healthful waters and climate and scenic panorama that surrounds
the legendary Mount Makiling. Flowers of various colors and scents bloom all year round
especially during the month of May. Calamba with its fertile fields and green cascading
brooks and lakes with crystal waters abound with wish. Its tall ancient and resilient trees
with symmetrical arrangement grew along the streets expressive of the lofty aspirations
and ideals of a people that seemed too long for freedom.
This is Calamba, a perfect place to nurture a growing child that holds promise that
eventually became the Cradle of a Genius.
When Rizal was 15 years old and was a student at Ateneo de Manila, He reminisced his
beloved town and wrote a poem Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo ( In Memory of My Town).
Calamba you will remain an important and cherished part of my life, Jose murmured
with deep sigh of Happines.

Memory of My Town
When early childhoods happy days
In memory I see once more
Along the lovely verdant shore
That meets a gently murmuring sea,
When I recall the whisper soft
Of zephyrs dancing on my brow
With cooling sweetness, even now
New luscious life is born.
When I behold the lily white
That sways to do winds command,
While Gently sleeping on the sand
The stormy water rests awhile;
When from the flowers there softly breathes
A bouquet ravishingly sweet,
Out-poured the newborn dawn to meet,
As on us she Begins to smile.

With sadness I recall. Recall

Thy face, in precious infancy,
Oh mother, friend most dear to me,
Who gave to life a wondrous charm.
I yet recall a village plain
My joy, my family, my boon
Besides the freshly cool lagoon,The spot for which my hears beats warm.
Ah yes! My footsteps insecure
In your dark forest deeply sank;
and there by every rivers bank
I found refreshment and delight;
Within that rustic temple played
With childhoods simple faith unfeigned
While cooling breezes, pure unstained,
Would send my heart on rapturous flight.

I saw the maker in the grandeur

Of your ancient hoary wood,
Ah, never in your refuge could
A mortal by regret by smitten;
And while upon your sky of blue
I gaze, no love nor tenderness
Could fail, for here on natures dress
My happiness itself was written.
Ah, tender childhood, lovely town,
Rich fount of my felicities,
Oh those harmonious melodies
Which put to flight all dismal hours,
Come back, gently hour, I yearn!
Come back as the birds return,
At the budding of the flowers!

Alas, farewell! Eternal vigil I keep

For thy peace, thy bliss, and tranquility
O Genius of good, so kind!
Give me these gifts, with charity.
To thee I cease not to sigh
These to learn, and I call to the sky
To have thy sincerity.

His boyhood memories are characterized by playing in the garden while he watched
and marveled to birds like the maya, the culiauan, plpit and maria-capra as they
chirped and flied from one branch to another listening with wonder and joy their
melodious songs. Jose and other Rizal children gathered together during nightfall
and pray the Angelus. He also remembered about stories, about fairy tales of buried
treasure and trees blooming with diamonds. When at times, when food served
during supper did not appeal his taste, the maid would threaten him about the
aswang and the tikbalang.
Rizals First bitter memory was when little coneha (Conception) whom he fondly
called died when she was only three years old. He cried bitterly and for the first time,
he wept tears of tears of love and intense grief.
Jose as a young boy was very pious and devoted son of the Catholic Church. At an
early age of three, he use to take part in the family prayers. He loved to go to church
for spiritual nourishment and to join religious activities.
Jose and his father, in one occasion went on pilgrimage to Antipolo to fulfill his
mothers vow which was promised when he was born. Doa Teodora could not
accompany them because she gave birth to her tenth child, Trinidad. They rode in a
casco (Barge) across Laguna de Bay. Since it was his first experience on a lake
voyage he was thrilled and overwhelmed with Joy. He marvelled and was awed by
the Splendor and magnificence of the watery expanse and the still of the night.

After praying at the shrine of Our Lady of buen Viaje of Antipolo, Pepe and Don
Francisco went to Sta. Ana, Manila and visited Saturnina, his oldest sister, who was
then studying in La Concordia College.
Early Schooling. At the tender age of three, Rizal learned the alphabet from his
mother. Her mother was a strict and a patient teacher. She taught me how to read and
to say haltingly the humble prayers which I raised fervently to God. Later his three
uncles, brothers of Doa Teodora, concerned themselves with the intellectual artistic
and physical raining of their nephew. Jose, the youngest brother of his mother who was
also a teacher looked after the regular lessons. Manuel, a man of athletic built,
developed the physique of young Jose, Until he had a supple body of silk and steel and
was no longer a sickly lad, though he said did not entirely lose his somewhat delicate
look.
I learned to write in my own town, Wrote the young hero. My father, who took charge
of my education, paid an old man, who had been his classmate, to give me my first
lessons in latin while living at our house for that purpose. He died after five months
At the age of nine Done Francisco sent his son to Bian to continue his studies of Latin
under Maestro Joaquin Alquino Cruz. Rizal described his teachers as tall, thin, longnecked man, with sharp nose and a body bent slightly forward. He usually wore a
sinamay shirt woven by the skillful hands of the Batangueas. He knew by heart the
grammars of Nebriji and Gainza. Add to this a severity which, to my mind, was
excessive, and you have the picture I have learned to him, vague perhaps, but all that I
remember.

The scholarly Gregorio saw that the boy earned his candy money trying to instill the
idea into his mind that It was not the worlds say that anything worth having should
come without effort; he taught him also the value of rapidity on work, to think for
himself, and to observe carefully and to picture what he saw.
Rizal left Bian on December 7, 1871, after staying there for one and half years. In
that town, left learned painting in the shop of an old painter named Juancho. Pepe,
with his intense interest and love for painting spent many leisure hours at the
painters studio. His tutor, Juancho gave him lessons in drawing and paintings. He
was so impressed and awed by the artistic creative talent of his young pupil.
Best Pupil in School in Bian. Rizals school day in Bian was remarkable. He
excelled in all subjects especially Latin and Spanish languages. Because of this, it
was not surprising that some of his older classmates were secretly jealouse of his
intellectual endowments. His schooling in Bian came when he learned almost all
that his teacher to his parents that it was time to sent Rizal to College in Manila.
He left Bian after staying there for one and half years homeward to Calamba where
he was warmly welcomed by his parents, brothers and sisters. At home, he shared
his memorable experiences with fascinating tales of his brawls with some
quarrelsome classmates and school triumphs with amusement and delight of
brothers and sisters.

Rizals Mother: A Victim of Injustice. While Rizals Childhood memories were

generally pleasant, not with standing his petty quarrels normal for a young growing
boy his age in school, the tragic incident happened in the rizal family when his
mother, Doa Teodora was arbitrarily arrested on a malicious charge that she
allegedly aided her brother, Jose Alberto, in trying to poison Albertos wife. Jose
Alberto was a prominent man in Bian who owned big tract of land. In one occasion,
he went to Europe on a business trip. During his absence his wife, abandoned their
conjugal home and lived with another man. When he returned to Bian, he was man
and enraged by her infidelity, so he planned to file an annulment of their marriage.
He believed that his wifes sexual infidelity scandals, and to protect the honor of the
family, Doa Teodora, persuaded his brother Jose Alberto to forgive his erring wife.
While the family problem was amicably settled, and Jose Alberto lived again with his
unfaithful wife, she connived with the lieutenant of the Guardia Civil to fabricate
unfounded piece of evidence that her husband attempted to poison her, with Doa
Teodoras participation as an accomplice.
This lieutenant who was bully and overbearing person who habitually badgered and
intimated weaker people had an ax to grind against the Rizal family because in one
occasion Don Francisco refused to give him fodder a kind of feed for his horse. He
was so unreasonable and Haughty and virtually took the opportunity to avenge
himself and got even against Dont Francisco and arrested Doa Teodora.

Under normal circumstances, Doa Teodora, the accused should have been confined in the
municipal jail of Calamba. However, for no apparent valid reason, the judge, who had been a
guest of the Rizal family in various social gatherings, was also like the arrogant lieutenant
who grudged ill feelings against the rizal family because the imagined that in one occasion
he was not accorded greater respect that other guest in the Rizal home. He ordered that
Doa Teodora be sent immediately to the provincial jail in Sta. Cruz, the capital of Laguna.
Doa Teodora was forced to walk on foot under the scorching heat of the sun, from Calamba
to Santa Cruz. Her traumatic experience affected young Pepe as her mother languished in
jail. The constitutional right of the accused in this particular case, to have a speedy; impartial,
and public trial was not observe because her mothers case dragged on until it reached the
Royal Audiencia (Supreme Court).
Inspite of the injustice Doa Teodora experience in the judicial system at the time, she
remained calm, resolute and courageous and accepted her fate with Christian resignation.
She believed that with Gods help, the court would finally recognized her innocence and the
truth would prevail.
GAM-BUR-ZAs Martyrdom. The painful expirience of the arbitrary imprisonment of Rizals
mother was still fresh and the wounds inflected had not yet totally healed. Another misfortune
happened in the Rizal Family. The unjust execution of Fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora,
accused of conspiracy of the Cavite Mutiny and Publicly garroted on February 17,1872,
opened the deep wounds. Paciano, Joses older brother and a student in the college of San
Jose, in manila was boarding with Father Burgos, his most esteemed professor and friend.
Because of fortitude and strength of character, he became a trusted assistant of Father
Burgos in the fight for the Filipinization of all parishes.

The execution of Father Gomez, Burgos and Zamora was one of the reasons why
Paciano quit college education. He Returned to Calamba and related to his younger
brother Jose, the story of Burgos martyrdom. A few years later, Jose Rizal wrote the
memory of Burgos: He awakened my intellect and made me understand goodness
and justice. His farewell words I shall remember- I have tried to pass on to you
what I Received from my teachers. Do the same for those who come after you .so
eloquent and precise and fill of meaning to emulate
Jose Rizal was almost eleven years old when the unfortunate and extremely
mournful execution of Gom-Bur-Za happened. Inspite of Rizals tender age, he
wasdeeply affected with the pathetic incident.This injustic, like that onedone to his
beloved mother, was another spanish misrule happening in our land. From these two
incidents that were clearly and flagrantly aviolation of human rights and dignity, Rizal
at an early age was awakened and to consecrate his life to combat evil force of his
time at any cost even at expense of his life
The Parable of the Motn. Doa Teodora used to tell stories to her children
beforegoing to bed. In one occasion, made an imprint and profound impression in his
mind at an early stage of his life

One evening, all members of Rizals family went to bed early exept his mother and
him.The room was dimly lighted by the flickering light from a coconut oil lamp on the
table.
Doa Teodora was teaching him to read a spanish reader, The Childrens Friend.
She became impatient and scolded hom for not reading properly. He paid little
attention and effort in reading because he was preoccupied and fascinatedwatching
the coconut oil lamp while the little moths encircle the flight. When her mother notice
that he was yawning and seemed not interested at all, shestopped reading and said,
I am going to read to you a very interesting story. I want you to listen.
Rizal was suddenly awakened because the story promise something novel and
interesting. His curiosity increased when his mother started to read slowly the fable
of the mother moth and its little one. As she continued reading the story, his attention
was focused on the light and moths which were circling the oil lamp. Doa Teodora
repeated the warning of the mother moth to the young one not to fly close to the
flame as if directing to him. He heard the message she would like to convey, but he
was so engrossed with the beautiful and attractive flame as the insects played
merrily in its fascinating brilliance that the moths that fell and drawned in the oil did
not give him any fear of apprehension. There was even a feeling of envy in himself
about the fortune of the insects.

While his mother continued reading, he listened breathlessly as he stretched his

imagination greatly about the fate of the little moth when the flame move along its
golden tongue to one side and a moth with this movement had signed fell into the
hot oil, flap its wings up and down for a time and then became quiet. For him, that
feeling fleeting moment, became an important event. He felt an unusual feeling and
change himself that the flame and the moth seemed to have some significance in his
while her mothers words appeared to his mind to have a mysterious and brightening
basis. He did not know how the insects and quietly, He murmured. I watched it with
my whole soul It had died a martyr to its illusions.
Before his mother put him to bed, she said, See if you do not behave like the young
moth, you might get burned.He did not know weather he answered his mother. One
thing he knew was the story revealed to him something until then unknown. For him,
moth are now significant. Moth talked and they knew hot to warn and advised like
her mother.
For him, the light seemed more beautiful and had grown more dazzling and
attractive. Now, he knew why the moths circled the flame.
The tragic fate of the young moth attracted to the splendor of the light that died a
martyr to its illusions left a profound impress on Rizals mind. For him, such noble
death was justified upholding that to sacrifice ones life for an ideals is meritorious
and exemplary.

Like the young moth, he was destined to die as a martyr for lofty ideals.
Literary talents. At the age of eight years. Rizal revealed his GOD given talents in
literary by writing poem. The poem he wrote in Tagalog was entitled Sa Aking
Kabata(To My Fellow Children). He wrote this poem asan appeal to his countrymen
to love their national language.

Sa Aking Mga Kabata

Kapagka ang bayay sadyang umiibig
Sa langit salitang kaloob ng langit
Sanlang kalayaan nasa ring masapi

Katulad ng ibong nasa himpapawid

Pagkat ang salitay isang kahatulan
Sa bayan, sa nayo't mga kaharian

At ang isang taoy katulad, kabagay

Ng alin mang likha noong kalayaan.
Ang hindi magmahal sa kanyang salita
Mahigit sa hayop at malansang isda
Kaya ang marapat pagyamanin kusa
Na tulad sa inang tunay na nagpala
Ang wikang Tagalog tulad din sa Latin,

Sa Ingles, Kastila, at salitang anghel,

Sapagkat ang Poong maalam tumingin
Ang siyang naggagawad, nagbibigay sa atin.
Ang salita natiy tulad din sa iba
Na may alfabeto at sariling letra,
Na kaya nawalay dinatnan ng sigwa
Ang lunday sa lawa noong dakong una.

To My Fellow Children
Whenever people of a country truly love
The language which by heav'n they were taught to use
That country also surely liberty pursue
As does the bird which soars to freer space above.
For language is the final judge and referee
Upon the people in the land where it holds sway;
In truth our human race resembles in this way
The other living beings born in liberty.
Whoever knows not how to love his native tongue
Is worse than any best or evil smelling fish.
To make our language richer ought to be our wish
The same as any mother loves to feed her young.

Tagalog and the Latin language are the same

And English and Castilian and the angels' tongue;
And God, whose watchful care o'er all is flung,
Has given us His blessing in the speech we calim,
Our mother tongue, like all the highest tht we know
Had alphabet and letters of its very own;
But these were lost -- by furious waves were overthrown
Like bancas in the stormy sea, long years ago.

The Poem reveals Rizals nationalistic sentiments and ideals even at an early age. In
poetic verses, he proclaimed with profound feeling that a people who truly love their
native language as a part of their culture, will undoubtedly strive for liberty like the
bird which soars to freer space above and that Tagalog is equal to English, Latin,
Hebrew, French, Spanish, and any other languages.

Chapter 3

School Life at Ateneo and the University of Sto. Tomas

Jose, Accompanied by his brother, Paciano the eleven year old boy from
Calamba went to Manila on une 10,1872 to take the entrance examinations
and enrolled in ateneoo Municipal, a college under the supervision of
Spanish Jesuits. This college was a rival of the Dominican-owned College of
San Juan de Letran, formerly the Escuela Pia (Charity School), and
Educatioal institution established by the City government in 1917 for poor
boys in Manila. When the Jesuits returned to the Philippines in 1768 after
almost a century of exile, the management of the Escuela Pia whose name
was changed to Ateneo Municipal, and later on became the Ateneo de
Manila.
The Jesuits opened the Ateneo to everyone without any racial or
Financial discrimination. However, screening of applicants was stricly
observed. Rizal reminisced in his Memorias de un estudiante de Manila
that he was almost denied admission because of poor health that short
stature.

Rizals First Day in Ateneo. When the school year 1871-1872, opened in
June, Rizal like any other neophytes in a new schoold environment was fill
of exitement and joy. He was dressed like the others with coat and tie. He
went to the school chapel to hear Mass and prayed fervently to GOD for
guidance. When the Mass was finished, he went to his class, where he saw
a great number of boys, Spaniards,mestizos, and Filipinos, and a Jesuit who
was the Professor.
His first professor in the Ateneo was Father Jose Bech. Rizal related
how he became emperor at the ateneo. IN Jesuit college, two
empires were established to stimulate the student, a Roman empire
and a Carthaginian or Greek empire constantly at war for
Supremancy in the class, whose leading post are won by means of
challenges which are successful if the opponent committed three
Mistakes. Rizal was placed at the tail-end of the line because he was a
newcomer and knew little Spanish, although he could already make
some sense of it.
After week, he improved his class standing. After a month, he was
already emperor, because he was the brightest in the class.
Because of his excellent performance, he was awarded a saints
picture as his prize.

To improve his Spanish at that time, he spent the noon recesses in Sta.
Isabel College where he spent three pesos for Spanish lessons.
My First Inspiration. This poem was written by Rizal in Ateneo as a
expression of good whishes which was full of endearing filial- affection on
his mothers birthday. The Translation from Spanish to English was by Leon
Ma. Guerrero, Jr.

My First Inspiration
Why falls so rich a spray
of fragrance from the bowers
of the balmy flowers
upon this festive day?
Why from woods and vales
do we hear sweet measures ringing
that seem to be the singing
of a choir of nightingales?
Why in the grass below
do birds start at the wind's noises,
unleashing their honeyed voices
as they hop from bough to bough?

Why should the spring that glows

its crystalline murmur be tuning
to the zephyr's mellow crooning
as among the flowers it flows?
Why seems to me more endearing,
more fair than on other days,
the dawn's enchanting face
among red clouds appearing?
The reason, dear mother, is
they feast your day of bloom:
the rose with its perfume,
the bird with its harmonies.
And the spring that rings with laughter
upon this joyful day
with its murmur seems to say:
"Live happily ever after!"
And from that spring in the grove
now turn to hear the first note
that from my lute I emote
to the impulse of my love.

Being a brilliant student, Rizal obtained excellent grades and received many
prizes offered bt the school. He was very active in co-curricular activities. He
participated in literary and religious affairs, took lessons in Solfegio and in
drawing and painting under Don Agustin Saez. He read many good books
like Alexandre Dumas and Cesar Cantus Universal History. The Count of
Monte Cristo Prize-winning pieces were To the Filipino Youth (poem) and
The Council of Gods (an allegory). He also wrote a melodrama entitled
Along the Pasig which was staged at the Ateneo auditorium on December
8, 1880.
Rizals Poem on Education. Rizal wrote this poem when he was only
fifteen years old. At an early age he was already aware of the value of
education and its significant role in the intellectual, physical and moral
development of an individual in particular and the progress and welfare f a
nation in general.
He believed that the ultimate goal of education is the effective participation
of the individual in the total process of social interaction in its society. This
interpersonal relation maybe the improvement of basic knowledge,
intellectual and manual skills, power of reasons and criticism, acquisition of
desirable values and attitudes, power of creativity and innovation, cultural
appreciation, sense of responsibility and understanding of the modern world.

THROUGH EDUCATION OUR MOTHERLAND RECEIVES LIGHT

The vital breath of prudent Education
Instills a virtue of enchanting power;
She lifts the motherland to highest station
And endless dazzling glories on her shower.
And as the zephyr's gentle exhalation
Revives the matrix of the fragrant flower,
So education multiplies her gifts of grace;
With prudent hand imparts them to the human race.
For her a mortal-man will gladly part
With all he has; will give his calm repose;
For her are born all science and all art,
That brows of men with laurel fair enclose.
As from the towering mountain's lofty heart
The purest current of the streamlet flows,
So education without stint or measure gives
Security and peace to lands in which she lives.
Where Education reigns on lofty seat
Youth blossoms forth with vigor and agility;
He error subjugates with solid feet,
And is exalted by conceptions of nobility.
She breaks the neck of vice and its deceit;
Black crime turns pale at Her hostility;
The barbarous nations She knows how to tame,
From savages creates heroic fame.

And as the spring doth sustenance bestow

On all the plants, on bushes in the mead,
Its placid plenty goes to overflow
And endlessly with lavish love to feed
The banks by which it wanders, gliding slow,
Supplying beauteous nature's every need;
So he who prudent Education doth procure
The towering heights of honor will secure.
From out his lips the water, crystal pure,
Of perfect virtue shall not cease to go.
With careful doctrines of his faith made sure,
The powers of evil he will overthrow,
Like foaming waves that never long endure,
But perish on the shore at every blow;
And from his good example other men shall learn
Their upward steps toward the heavenly paths to turn.
Within the breast of wretched humankind
She lights the living flame of goodness bright;
The hands of fiercest criminal doth bind;
And in those breasts will surely pour delight
Which seek her mystic benefits to find,
Those souls She sets aflame with love of right.
It is a noble fully-rounded Education
That gives to life its surest consolation.

And as the mighty rock aloft may tower

Above the center of the stormy deep
In scorn of storm, or fierce Soutwester's power,
Or fury of the waves that raging seep,
Until, their first mad hatred spent, they cower,
And, tired at last, subside and fall asleep, -So he that takes wise Education by the hand,
Invincible shall guide the reigns of motherland.
On sapphires shall his service be engraved,
A thousand honors to him by his land be granted:
For in their bosoms will his noble sons have saved
Luxuriant flowers his virtue had transplanted:
And by the love of goodness ever lived,
The lords and governors will see implanted
To endless days, the Christian Education,
Within their noble, faith-enrapture nation.

And as in early morning we behold

The ruby sun pour forth resplendent rays;
And lovely dawn her scarlet and her gold,
Her brilliant colors all about her sprays;
So skillful noble Teaching doth unfold
To living minds the joy of virtuous ways.
She offers our dear motherland the light
That leads us to immortal glory's height.

Rizal developed an insatiable appetite in reading books fiction and nonfiction. He read romantic novels and lives of great men who had left
remarkable achievements with interest and fervor.
One of his professors that inspired him to study with seal and enthusiasm
and write poetry was Father Francisco Sanchez which he described, A
great educator and scholar. Young Jose was deeply impressed with fine
qualities of this professor who possessed an acuteness of mental
discernment and soundness of mind. Rizal had the deepest affection and
esteem for this professor whom he considered a consummate teacher.
To the Filipino Youth was written by Rizal when he was eighteen years old
at the University of Santo Tomas in connection with literary contest
sponsored by Liceo Artistico-Literario contest was participated in by Filipinos
and Spanish-mestizor. The board of judges were composed of Spaniards
who were impressed by Rizals poem and awarded the first prize.
The prize-winning poem, A La Juventud Filipina( To the Filipino Youth) is an
open and explicit expression to love of country. Rizal appealed to the youth
to rise from apathy and enjoined them to create beautiful verses with art and
science to break the chain that has long bound the poetic genius of the
country.

The classic poem gives a nationalistic and eloquent manifestation that the
Philippines is the Fatherland of the Filipinos and not the Spaniards who
were born n our country.

To The Filipino Youth

Theme:Grow, O Tinnid Flower
Hold high the brow serene,
O youth, were now you stand.
Let the bright sheen
Of your grace be seen,
Fair hope of my fatherland!
Come now, thou genius grand,
And bring down inspiration;
With thy mighty hand,
Raise the eager mind to higher station.

Come down with pleasing light

Of art and science to the flight,
O youth, and there untie
The chains that heavy lie,
Your spirit free to blight.

See how in flaming zone

Amid the shadows thrown,
The Spaniard holy hand
A crowns resplendent band
Proffers to this Indian land.
Thou who know wouldst rise
On wings of rich emprise,
Seek from Olympian Skies
Songs of the sweetest strain,
Softer than ambrosial rain;
Thou whose voice divine
Rivals Philomels refrain,
And with varied line
Through the night benign
Tress mortality from pain;
Thou, who by sharp strife
Wakest thy mind to life;
And the memory bright
Of thy genius light
Makest immortal in its strength;

And thou in accent clear

Of Phoebus, to Apelles dear;
Or by the brushs magic art
Takest from natures store apart
To fix it own simple canvas length;
Go forth, and then the sacred fire
Of thy genius to the laurel may aspire;
To spread around the flame,
And in victory acclaim,
Through wider spheres the human name.

Day, O happy day,

Fair Filipinas, for thy land!
So bless the Power today
That places in thy way
This favor and this fortune Grand.

Artistic Skill in Sculpture. Sculpture is the art of curving; molding; welding

or producing works of art in three Dimensions. Young Rizal impressed his
professors and classmate when he curved the image of the Virgin Mary on a
piece of Philippine hardwood- Batikuling with a pocket-knife. The professors
were amazed at the proportion, the beauty and the finish of the image.
Because of his sculpture talent, Father Leonard requested Rizal to curve for
him the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The old Jesuit priest was very
much pleased and expressed his profound appreciation to the young
sculpture. His intention was to take with him the image when he went back
to Spain, but unfortunately he forgot. This imagw was placed on the door of
the dormitory of the Ateneo and remained there for almost twenty years.
Education Under the Jesuits. The system of education under the jesuits
in the Ateneo was probably more advance from that of other college in that
period. The students were trained by rigid discipline and character
development. Religious instruction was given emphasis to acquire the
manners and morals of Christian gentlemen. The students heard Mass in
the morning before classes begun and classes in all subjects were opened
and close with prayers. Prizes were giver for outstanding and impeccable
department. Penalties were meted out for disorderly conduct.

The government subsidized the school from the municipal treasury. Student
who belonged to the wealthy group paid a monthly fee of P2.00; and those
who are classified poor, paid nothing.

The curriculum includes Christian doctrine, Spanish, Latin, Greek and French;
world geography and history, the history of spain abd the philippines;
arithmetic, algebra and geometry, mineralogy, chemistry, physics,botany and
zoology; poetry and rhetoric and philosophy. Jose consistently received the
grade of exellent.

Rizal started Medical Studies at sto. Tomas. At the outset, Doa teodora
believed that her son had enough education after graduating with highest
honors from Ateneo and so she opposed Joses going back to Manila for
further studies. However, Don Francisco thought otherwise., so his son
enrolled in the University of Sto. Tomas, taking the first course of Philosophy in
June 1877. Simultaneously he studied at the Ateneo those subjects that would
entitles him to a diploma in surveying. Doa Teodora did not Approve his son
to aquire more knowledge because she had apprehension, that this might
endanger Joses life, like the fate of Filipino intellectuals, e.g. Father Burgos,
Dr. Antonio Regidor and other Filipino exiles and executed by the spanish
authorities. But inspite of her objection, Don Francisco and Paciano were able
to persuade Doa Teodora about Joses further studies.

Rizals First Day at the Pontificial University. Rizal Who was sixteen years old
enrol in the university taking Philosophy and Letters. The following school years,
1878-1879, he begun his medical studies . He studied medicine because he
wanted to be a physician so that he could look after her mothers failing eyesight.
Besides, Father Pablo Ramon, Rector of Ateneo, whom he consulted or advice on
the choice of career, recommended medical course.
Rizals Days at Sto. Tomas. The academic climate at the university of Sto.Tomas
was quite different from the Ateneo. Rizals impression was not like that of Ateneo
because most Dominican professors seemed hostile to him. The methods of
instruction were traditional and in some cases repressive.
In his novel, El Filibusterismo, Rizal described how some Dominican professors
insulted Filipino student and mockingly called them Indio. Because of unfriendly
attitude of his professors, this most brilliant graduate of Ateneo, virtually failed to
maintain high scholarship honors. While some of his scholastic grades in medical
education were not excellent, however, they were all passing.
Rizals First Love. Rizal like other teen-agers also experienced the pleasure and
pains of first love. The girl who captured his heart was the fourteen-year-old
Segundiwa Katigbak, who was a boarder at La Concordia College, where his elder
sister were studying. Unfortunately, she was already engaged to another young
man, thus ending, at an early stage of his life, his first love.

Rizal next feeling of passionate personal affection happened in 1880, while

boarding in the home of his uncle Antonio Rivera. He fell in love with his
beautiful daughter Leonor.
Rafael Palmas pen-portrait of this lovely young lass says: Leonor was a
beauty: light skin almost white; wavy hair, almost blond; small and gracious
mouth; large, dark eye shaded by long eyelashes; nose of correct profile,
neither too sharp nor to flat; a smile tinged with two glad dimples in the
cheeks; agreeable conversation; sweet voice and harmonious laughter.
Between the young lovers, Jose and Leonor grew a feeling of warm personal
attachment and a tenderly beautiful romance. They became sweethearts for
eleven years.
The Council of the Gods. His prize-winning poem, A La Juventud Filipina(TO
the Filipino Youth) whom Rizal emplored urgently the Filipino youth to rise
from lethargy, to let his genius fly swifter than the wind and descend with art
and science to break the chain hat has long bound the poetic genius of the
Country, inspired him to submit an allegory in prose entitled El Consejo delos
Dioses (The Council of Gods) in other literary contest sponsored by the Liceo
Artistico-Literario(Artistic-Literary-Lyceum).
This was in connection with the fourth centennial commemoration of the death
of Miguel de Cervantes, a noted Spanish novelist and famous author of Don
Quixote(A person who is inspired by lofty and chivalrous but impracticalideal.

The contest was opened to both Filipinos that is why many participated- priest,
newspapermen, scholars, and professors of the university of Sto. Tomas. The board of
judges of the contest were all Spaniards. After a long, deliberate and critical evaluation
of the entries based on the criteria, the first prize was awarded by Rizal. The prize was a
gold ring on which the bust of Cervantes was engraved. Inspite of the objections of the
Spaniards, because the winning author was an Indio, the board of judges was firm in
their decision and declared: The idea and plot of the work are of great originality to
which should added the circumstances that throughout the same strive to the utmost a
correct style, an admirable richness of detail, delicacy of thought, and figures, and lastly
a taste so Hellenic that the reader imagines himself relishing some delicious passage of
Homer which with such frequency the Olympic sessions describe to us in their works. It
may be interesting to know, that probably, that was the first time in history, that an Indioa young Filipino medical student excelled in a national literary contest and participated
in by the best writers at that time and defeated the best Spanish writers. Rizal was
indeed happy, because he prove, that, Filipinos given the fair chance and opportunity to
demonstrate their talents can be equal to all races of the world.
This winning allergory-literary masterpiece of Rizal based on classics which has a
figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another was a result of the kind
assistance of father Rector of Ateneo who provided the needed reference materials.
The allegory established a parallel among homer(Greek epic poet of Ancient Rome) and
Cervantes, a noted Spanish novelist. The gods discuss the comparative merits of these
different bards and finally decide to give the trumpet to Homer, the lyre to Virgil, and the
laurel to Cervantes. The allegory fittingly and gloriously closes with the Naids, nymphs,
satyra, and other mythological characters dancing and gathering myrrh and laurel for
Cervantes.

Chapter 4

Rizal Left for Spain

Secret Departure. Rizals departure for Spain was kept in utmost secrecy;
even his parents and sisters were not informed about it until his ship has lifted
its anchor. He left Calamba by carromata in the early morning of May 1, 1882
and reached Manila after ten hours of travel. His travel passport, issued in the
name of Jose Mercado was ready. On may third he woke up early mass at
Sto. Domingo Church in Intramuros and then proceeded to the Pasig River to
board his boat. Those who saw him off were his brother Paciano who gave him
some money, Saturnina a diamond ring, uncle Antonio, and few close friends.
He carried with him good recommendations from ateneo authorities to the
Jesuit Father in Barceloma
Rizal was almost twenty-one years old on the day he left. At his tender age, he
was deeply touched at the moment of his parting from his family,friends, and
loved ones. Tears welled from his eyes and as the 5.5. Salvadora Sailed
further away from Manila, he wrote in his diary: My country, my love, my
people, I leave you now, you disappear. I lose sight of you.

To Singapore. As the ship sailed for Singapore, Rizal could not help
comparing the persons and the thing around him, so that he would no longer
feel the pain of being separated from his beloved parents and country, he
took paper and pencil and made some sketches. His fellow-passengers
were foreign travelers and a few Spanish traders, students and laborers
returning to Spain. He wrote in his diary, Almost all of those men,
Speaking of Spanish passengers, spoke ill of the country to which they had
gone for pecuniary reasons
From Singapore , Rizal boarder the Djemnah, a French ship, which was
bigger and better than the Salvador, which was sailing to Europe. Most of
the passengers were French speaking nationals. He spoke French with
gesticulation to some passengers to he understood. The streamer made
stops at Point de Galle, Colombo, Suez Naples and Marseilles, Naple and
Italian city impressed him because of its business activity, its gay and lively
people indicative of life and energy and its lovely panoramic scenery.
On June 12, the ship docked at the French harbor of Marseilles. His brief so
journy in Marseilles was a part of his exciting experiences. He took the train
for Barcelona, arriving thereon June 16, 1882.

In Barcelona. Barcelona is a city of Catalina, Spains second largest city.

His impression of the city was quite a place where freedom and liberalism
were enjoyed by its people. While in Barcelona, he met some of his
schoolmates at the Ateneo who gave him a warm welcome. They even
invited him to take a walk on the park and visited historical spots. He was
amused at the famous street, Las Ramblas, in Barcelona.
Rizal in Madrid. In September, 1882, Rizal transferred to the Spanish
Capital in order to continue his medical studies in the famous Central
University of Madrid, he enrolled in two courses- in medical and in
Philosophy and Letters. Aside from his hectic academic schedule in the
university, his other activities included taking lessons in painting and
sculpture at the academy of San Fernando, hearing lectures sponsored by
the university, attending classes in French and German, practicing fencing
and shooting at the Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell. He attended operas
and concerts to enhance knowledge and taste of fine music, visited art
galleries and museums and read a variety of books to broaden his cultural
background ad perspective. From Madrid, he wrote his father on October
28,1883, in which Rizal stated: I remember having told you in my former
letter that from eight oclock in the morning until the eight fifteen at night, I
have classes except for half an hour which I use for lunch, that is, from two
thirty to three in the afternoon; the gymnasium is doing me good.

The member of the association requested Rizal to write a poem and this was entitled Me piden
Versos. The translation from Spanish to English was by Charles E. Derbyshire.

THEY ASK ME FOR VERSE

They bid me strike the lyre
so long now mute and broken,
but not a note can I waken
nor will my muse inspire!
She stammers coldly and babbles
when tortured by my mind;
she lies when she laughs and thrills
as she lies in her lamentation,
for in my sad isolation
my soul nor frolics nor feels.
There was a time, tis true,
but now that time has vanished
when indulgent love or friendship
called me a poet too.
Now of that time there lingers
hardly a memory,
as from a celebration
some mysterious refrain
that haunts the ears will remain
of the orchestras actuation.

A scarce-grown plant I seem,

uprooted from the Orient,
where perfume is the atmosphere
and where life is a dream.
O land that is never forgotten!
And these have taught me to sing:
the birds with their melody,
the cataracts with their force
and, on the swollen shores,
the murmuring of the sea.
While in my childhood days
I could smile upon her sunshine,
I felt in my bosom, seething,
a fierce volcano ablaze.
A poet was I, for I wanted
with my verses, with my breath,
to say to the swift wind: Fly
and propagate her renown!
Praise her from zone to zone,
from the earth up to the sky!

I left her! My native hearth,

a tree despoiled and shriveled,
no longer repeats the echo
of my old songs of mirth.
I sailed across the vast ocean,
craving to change my fate,
not noting, in my madness,
that, instead of the weal I sought,
the sea around me wrought
the spectre of death and sadness.

The dreams of younger hours,

love, enthusiasm, desire,
have been left there under the skies
of that fair land of flowers.
Oh, do not ask of my heart
that languishes, songs of love!
For, as without peace I tread
this desert of no surprises,
I feel that my soul agonizes
and that my spirit is dead.

These young Filipinos used to meet and gather at the home of Don Pablo
Ortega y Rey, former mayor of Manila, during Governor Carlos dela Torres
regime.
Rizal used to visit the home of Don Pablo Ortega y Rey on Saturday
evenings and with other Filipino students, played certain games for
amusement and Laughed and with his two daughters, Consuelo and Pilar.
The spark of love smile in Rizals heart by Consuelos refined manners and
lovely smile was awakened. Occasionally, Rizal gave her fresh flowers
which she affectionately cherished. Because of her endearing attachment to
Leonor Rivera, he suppressed his emotion and did not allow the feelings he
had for Consuelo. Before he left the city in the summer of 1883, he wrote a
poem dedicated to Consuelo Ortega.
Rizal Joined Masonry. In Spain, Rizal was exposed to liberal ideas and
culture influences postulating the maximum individual freedom of action,
especially on matters of personal belief and expression. Being young and
idealistic, he was really impressed by the way Spanish masons spoke on
progressive ideas and values befitting a freedom.
It is believed that he joined Masonry for two inferential reasons.: e.g. (1) the
abuse committed by friars against the Filipino people, and (2) the possible
help the Masons could extend as a protective shield to use in his fight
against evil forces of the tyranny and exploitation.

Rizals Admiration for Luna and Hidalgo. The year 1884 was particularly
important in Philippine history in the field of painting because that was the
year when two Indios won the attention of the Spanish art establishment for
their two entries in the Madrigal Exposition of Fine Arts, where both Juan
Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo won outstanding honors for their
country. Lunas painting the Spoliarium, was awarded first prize and a gold
medal, while Hidalgos Christian virgin Exposed to the Populace earned a
silver medal. To commemorate the triumphant event, the community in the
city tendered a fraternal banquet and rousing welcome to the two honored
artist at Caf Ingles on June 25,1884, Rizal, was was the main speaker of
the occasion, made a short allusion to the Spanish friars in the Philippines
as the enemies of progress. A part of his speech, he assailed with refined
sarcasm the bigotry and blindness of some unworthy Spaniards in the
Philippines. Rafael Palma observed that with his speech, Rizal launched a
first attack that naturally produced alarm in the Philippines. He had alluded
to the power religious corporation of his country, and they would not forgive
him for the insolent allusion. The speech was novel and daring. Spain had
been made to believe that the Philippines was a happy arcadia where the
Indios lived contented and submissive under the aegis of the missionary;
and now this young little student of medicine, this vulgar Mesticillo, revealed
that his country, humanity was subjected to brute force, that reason and
aspirations are in open fight with prejudice, fanaticism, and injustice.

Rizal finish the two course in Medicine and Philosophy and Letters. He now
thought of specializing in Opthalmology either in England or in Germany.
This plan was readily concurred in by his brother Paciano.
He finished his medical education in June, 1884, both was not given his
degree of Licentiate until 1887 because he did not have money to pay for
the diploma and the degree when the school year ended in 1884.
Rizal Defends Thesis for a Philosophy and Letters Degree. When he
graduated from the central University of Madrid with the degree of
Philosophy and Letter on June 19,1885, Prof. Miguel de Unamuno, the
Spanish political writer and scholar who was Rizals Sponsor when he wore
the gown. When the time came for Rizal to read his thesis, the examiners
composed of learned men of Spain were surprised to hear that his subject
was the error in the translation of the angels song over Bethlehem on the
Nativity
Rizal complete his studies in Philosophy and Letters and was awarded the
degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and letter by the Universidad Central de
Madrid on June 19,1885, during his 24th Birthday. His scholastic grade was
Excellent ( Sobresaliente ).

Chapter 5

Rizal to Paris and to Germany

Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to especialize in ophthalmology, a

branch of medical science dealing with the anatomy, functions, and
diseases of the eye. He has special interest in this branch of medicine so
that he could restore his mothers sight. In berline, he met with prominent
German scientists.
In Paris Rizal who was then 24 years old man and full pledged surgeon
decided to go to Paris in order to further his study and acquire adequate
knowledge in ophthalmology. On the way to Paris, he first stopped at
Barcelona to visit a friend, Maximo Viola, a medical student belonging to an
affluent family of San Miguel, Bulacan. They planned to tour Europe
together after Viola got through with his medical studies.
Rizal stayed in Paris for almost four months. While in Paris, he kept busy
writing his novel. He became a clinical assistant of Dr. Louis de Weckert, a
noted ophthalmologist. During his free time, he visited his fellowcountrymen- Pardo de Taveras (Trinidad, Felix and Paz) and Juan Luna.
The Ilocano artist later became the husband of Paz Pardo de Tavera.

Juan Luna painted a historical canvass, The Blood Compact in which Rizal
posed as Sikatuna and Trinidad as Legaspi. He also posed for a group
picture called The Death Of Cleopatra, wherein he dressed as an
Egyptian priest.

In Heidelberg. After working as an assistant in Dr. Weckerts clinic, Rizal

left Paris and moved to Heidelberg, a German City, where he arrived on
February 7, 1886. With some German law students, he lived in a boarding
house, who later found out that Rizal was a good chess player. His German
friends recommended him to be a member of the Chess Players Club
whose members were mostly law students. While some biographers say
that Rizal studied Law in the University of Heidelberg, others claim that he
only attended some lectures on various subjects about law to have a
working knowledge on this branch o learning.
While in Heidelberg, Rizal had the privilege to work in the clinic of a noted
Polish ophthalmologist, Dr. Javier Galezowsky.
On august 6, he attended the celebration of the fifth centenary of the
foundation of the University of Heidelberg. Before leaving the beautiful city,
He wrote an ode- A lyric poem expressive of exalted emotion entitled A las
flores del Heidelberg.

To the Flowers of Heidelberg

Go to my country, go, O foreign flowers,

sown by the traveler along the road,
and under that blue heaven
that watches over my loved ones,
recount the devotion
the pilgrim nurses for his native sod!
Go and say say that when dawn
opened your chalices for the first time
beside the icy Neckar,
you saw him silent beside you,
thinking of her constant vernal clime.
Say that when dawn
which steals your aroma
was whispering playful love songs to your young
sweet petals, he, too, murmured
canticles of love in his native tongue;
that in the morning when the sun first traces
the topmost peak of Koenigssthul in gold
and with a mild warmth raises
to life again the valley, the glade, the forest,
he hails that sun, still in its dawning,
that in his country in full zenith blazes.
And tell of that day

when he collected you along the way

among the ruins of a feudal castle,
on the banks of the Neckar, or in a forest nook.
Recount the words he said
as, with great care,
between the pages of a worn-out book
he pressed the flexible petals that he took.
Carry, carry, O flowers,
my love to my loved ones,
peace to my country and its fecund loam,
faith to its men and virtue to its women,
health to the gracious beings
that dwell within the sacred paternal home.
When you reach that shore,
deposit the kiss I gave you
on the wings of the wind above
that with the wind it may rove
and I may kiss all that I worship, honor and love!
But O you will arrive there, flowers,
and you will keep perhaps your vivid hues;
but far from your native heroic earth
to which you owe your life and worth,
your fragrances you will lose!
For fragrance is a spirit that never can forsake
and never forgets the sky that saw its birth.

To Frankurt and Leipzig. Frankurt and Leipzig are cities in East Germany
where Rizal visited by boarding a train. He also went to Manheim and
Cologne, where he had some sight-seeingat the Stadel Art Institute, the
zoological garden, and the synagogue at Jews alley. In Leipzig City, he
came to know Dr. Hans Meyer, eminent German scholar, who once visited
the Philippines in 1882. Rizal stayed in Leipgiz for quite sometime from
August 14 to October 29, 1886. It was about time that he wrote with Dr.
Ferdinand Blumentritt of Leitmeritz, Austria, the noted ethologist whom he
longed to meet.
Rizal wrote his first letter in German to Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt,
Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria on July 31, 1886. He had heard
of this Austrian ethnologist who had a keen interest on the branch of
anthropology that analyzes cultures, especially in regard to their historical
development and the similarities and dissimilarities between them. Rizal had
the perception that one of the Professors interest was on Culture and about
Philippine Languages. Rizal in his letter said: I have heard that you are
studying our language, and that you had already published some works
about it; permit me to send you a valuable book written by my country man
in our language. The Spanish Version in mediocre because the author is
only a modest writer but the Tagalog part is good, and its is precisely the
language spoken in our province

The book he sent with his letter was entitled Arithmetica (Arithmetic),
published in two languages- Spanish and Tagalog. This was published by
the University of Santo Tomas pres in 1868. To reciprocate, Blumentritt sent
Rizal two books. This was the beginning of their frequent correspondence
and eventually blossomed into a beautiful and lasting friendship.
Life in Berlin. Rizal liked Berlin, because of its healthy environment, the
warmth of the people and the absence of racial discrimination. In this
historic city and capital of unified Germany various accomplished
professionals, like Dr. Feodor Jagor, German scientist and author of the
boor entitled Travels in the Philippines, which Rizal read with interest
during his students days in Manila. Mentioned in this book was the downfall
of Spanish rule in the Philippines and the coming of America to her shores.
Rizal came to know Dr. Rudolf Virchow, a well-known anthropologist and his
son, Dr. Hans Virchow, a distinguished professor of Descriptive Geometry,
and Dr. Joest, a famous German geographer through Dr. Jagor. He also
worked in the medical clinic of Dr. Schulzer, a renowned German eye
specialist.
Rizal was also invited to give a lecture on the Tagalogs before the
Anthropological Society of Berlin. The paper which he presented in April,
1887, drew encouraging and favorable comment from various professional
scientific journals.

Some biographers deduced that the reasons why Rizal lived in Berlin was
because of the following reasons, e.g., to gain further knowledge in
ophthalmology, to gain more insight and understanding in various sciences and
languages, to observe the prevailing political, social and economic conditions, to
observe and to learn new knowledge from German Scientist and scholars, and
to finish writing novel, Noli Me Tangere.
On German women. Rizal was deeply impressed with the qualities of the
German women. He has a high regard and admiration for they were diligent,
hardworking, active, educated, kind-hearted and friendly. Their model of
dressing is modest; they do not give emphasis to expensive clothes and jewelry.
In contrast, Rizal regretted that in the Philippines some Filipino women are more
interested in beautiful clothes and fine jewelry that the value of education.
However, he praised the fine manners, hospitality, spirituality and devotion of
Filipino women to their families.
Other German Way of Living. Rizal noted that the German workers were
protected by insurance against the hardships of sickness, accident and old age.
The laws on labor hoped to increase the workers loyalty to the government.
Railroad were placed under national control. Schools made patriots of German
youth, and the Kaiser (a German emperor: the title used from 1871-1918) tried
to make Berlin the center of intellectual life of the nation by giving large funds to
its university and to organizations of writers and scientist.

The Noli is Published. Noli Me Tangere means do not touch me. The
book contains things of which no one among ourselves has spoken up to
the present; they are so delicate that can not be touched by anybody.. I have
endeavored to answer the calumnies which for centuries had been heaped
on us and our country: I have describe the social condition, the life, our
beliefs, our hopes, our desire, our grievances, our griefs.., the facts I
narrate are all true and they actually happened; I can prove them.
Rizal was desperately despondent because he had a slim hope of having
Noli published for he was penniless. Winter had set in and his sickness
would have been worse were it not for the timely arrival in December of his
wealthy friend, Dr. Maximo Viola. Upon the insistence of this magnanimous
man for San Miguel, Bulacan, who loaned P300 to Rizal, Noli was finally
printed in March, 1887. The author gave away complimentary copies to
Viola, Blumentritt,Resurreccion Hidalgo, Lopez Jaena, Juna Luna, Mercelo
de Pilar and Regidor. Blumentritt said: This is the first impartial and daring
book on the life of the Tagalogs.. The government and Spanish friars will
probably fight the books, that is, they will attack it, but I confide in GOD and
the truth in the people who have seen our sufferings at close range. Rizal
was right his novel raised a tempest and he made more enemies in his
Country.

Rizal received formal expression of high praise for his novel and these were sent
by Antonio Regidor and Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt. Regidor, a Filipino exile of
1872 in London, said that The book was superior: and that ;if Don Quijote has
made is author immortal because he exposed to the world the sufferings of
Spain, your Noli Me Tangere will bring you to equal glory. Blumentritt, after
reading Rizals Noli, wrote and congratulated its author, saying.. Young work as
we Germans say has been written with blood of the heart. Your work has
exceeded my hopes and considered myself happy to have been honored with
your friendship. Not only I, but also your country, may feel for having in you a
patriotic and loyal son. If you continue so, you will be to your people one of those
great men who will exercise a determinative influence over the progress of their
spiritual life.
Rizals Friend and admirers praised with pride the Noli and its author. On the
other hand, his enemies were bitter in attacking and condemning the same.
Probably no other work or writing of another Filipino author has aroused as much
acrimonious debate not only among the Filipinos but also among the reactionary
foreigners as the Noli of Rizal. In the Philippines this novel wa attacked and
condemned by a Faculty Committee in 1887. The committee said that it found
the book Heretical, impious, and scandalous to the religious order, and
unpatriotic and subversive to public order, libelous to the Government of Spain
and its Political Policies in these Islands, while the commission recommended
that the importation, reproduction, and circulation of this pernicious book in the
Islands be absolutely Probihited.

The attacks o Rizals first novel were not only confined in the Philippines but
were also stage in the Spanish capital Madrid. Senator Fernando Vida, Deputy
and Ex- Gerneral Luis M. de Pnado, and Pramides mate Sagasta were among
those who unjustly lambasted and criticized Rizal and his Noli in the two
chambers of the Spanish Cortes in 1888 and 1899. It is interesting and
comforting to learn, however, that about thriteen years lated, U.S.
Congressman Henry Allen Cooper or Wisconsin delivered on June 19,1902 an
eulogy of Rizal and he even recited the Filipino martyrs Ultimo Pensamiento
(Last thoughts) on the floor of the United States House of Representatives in
order to prove to his colleagues the capacity of the Filipinos for selfGovernment. The U.S. congressman said in part: It has been said that, if
American institutions had done nothing else that furnish to the world the
character of George Washington, that alone would entitle them to the respect
of mankind, so, I say categorically to all those who denounce the Filipinos
indiscriminately as barbarians and savages, without possibility of a civilized
future, that this despised raced proved itself entitled to their self respect and to
the respect of mankind when if furnished to the whole world the character of
Jose Rizal. Such Statements Reverberated in the halls of U.S. Congress. The
results of this speech and the appeal of Representative Cooper in effect, were
the resounding approval of what is popularly known as the Philippine bill of
1902, which granted the Filipinos a large measure of participation in running
the social, economic and political affairs of their government.

Chapter 6

Touring Europe with Dr. Viola

After the publication of Noli Me Tangere ini Berlin, Rizal and Dr. Viola left the City on
May 11, 1887.
May is an ideal month for travel since the season of Spring started to fill the air and
flowers of various sizes, shapes and colors pleasing scents start to bloom that exited
Admiration.
They first visited Potsdam. In this city, they saw the fantastic and imposing
Mausolium enclosing the marble statues of Frederick the Great and his consort and
the magnificent palaces and the historic windmills.

They next visited Dresden, one of the cities in Germany. The city has botanical
gardens were different plants are exibited for viewing and scientific study; monuments
and landmarks maintained with their aesthetic and historical significances, musiums
where beautiful work of art and other objects of paramount important and pemanent
values are displayed and kept; and magnificent building adorned with classical
splendor.

Rizal and Viola were impressed with the beautiful and educational things, objects and structures
who wee virtually overjoyed to see them.
In Teschen (now Decin) a place in central Europe, they wired professor Blumentritt to inform him
of their arrival at Leitmerits (Litsmerice), Bohemia.
Professor Blumentritt recieved their wire and was standing and waiting for Rizal and Dr. Viola at
the train station.
They stepped down from the train and received a very warm welcome from Professor Blumentritt.

Rizal was overwhelmed with joy, because finally e and Blumentritt who came to know each other
through correspondence, met in that person as he introduced Dr. Viola to the kind-Hearted
Austrian Professor. The professor was Delighted to see Rizal and sponteniusly embraced him like
a loving son.

After ab exchange of pleasantries, Blumentritt helped the two Filipino Doctors to get a room at
Hotel Krebs, after which he invited them to his house."And from that time on his home was also
ours," wrote viola in his diary. "His wife Rosa whose generosity equaled only that of her
husband's, gave us her complete attention during our stay in the city." In one of their
conversations, Blumentritt remarked to Viola, "that Rizal was the greatest productof the
Philippines and that his coming to the word was like the appearance of a rare comet, whose rare
brilliance appears only every other century." It was also Bluementritt who said; "Not only is Rizal
the most prominent man of his own people, but the greatest man the Malayan race has ever
pruduced. His memory will never perish in his fatheland, and future generations of Spanyards will
yet learned to utter his name with respect and reverence. AN ENEMY OF SPAIN HE HAS NEVER
BEEN ."During their week's stay at Leitmeritz Rizal tuitor his kind-hearted host in Tagalog. While in
Leitmeritz for a few days, Rizal met another well-known scientist of Europe, Dr. Czepelak and Dr.
Klutschack.
Both scientists were highly pleased to meet Filipinos scholars. They had some some pleasant
conversations about the Philippines at Leitmeritz.

Rizal and Viola were also invited to a meeting of the Tourist's Club of Leitmeritz, where
Blumentritt was the secretary. In this occasion, Rizal spoke extemporaneously in an
almost perfect German to the officers and members of the club, praising Austria's
idyllic scenes - favorite subjects of artists, writers and poets and its warm, hospitable ,
nature-loving, and noble people. The audience was extremely impressed by his fluency
and eloquence in German that they gave him a resounding applause. Rizal made in
pencil sketch of his host and give it to him. Blumetritt was pleased with the fine gift as
a gestures of their mutual friendship.

Blumentritt was a gentle great tourist guide. He visited and showed the picturesque
sceneries and historical spots of Leitmeritz to Rizal and Viola.

On their last night in Leitsmeritz, Rizal and Viola invited the Blumetritt family in their
hotel and tendered a farewell dinner. was memorable for it was an occasion for Rizal
and Viola to express their profound gratitude to their host.

The next day May 17 , at around 9:30 in the morning, Rizal and Viola left Leitmeritz
train. Viola observed "the whole Blumetritt family and their friends were at the railroad
station to see us, as the train moved on slowly. Tears were shed by everyone present
as we left for Prague."

In Prague. From Leitmeritz, Rizal and Viola went to Prague, a historic city and the
capital of Czechoslavakia on the western part of the Moldau River. Blumentritt gave
the two Filipino doctors letters of recommendation to Dr, Wellkomm, Professor of
History in the University of Prague. The Gennial Professor welcomed them and after a
while, he accompanied and showed the two, the city's historic places, important
landmarks and interesting spots. They visit the tomb of Nicolaus Compernicus, the
famous polish astronomer: the museum of natural history; the bacteriological
laboratories; the famous and widely celebrated cave where San Juan Nepomuceno,
the Catholic saint and martyr was incarcerated, and the bridge where the saint was
thrown into the river.

After Staying a few days at Prague the two tourists went to Vienna via Brunn. For
Viola,"nothing of importance happend" in Brunn.

In Vienna. Rizal abd Viola arrived in the City of Viebba, capital of Austria. This beautiful
city is famous in songs and beautiful stories that impressed the two doctors. They
spent four days visiting beautiful buildings and examining sacred images and statues.
In Vienna, they lodged at Hotel Metropole.
They also visited interesting places, e,g., art galleries and museums, churches, public
parjs abd recreation centers.

To change the panorama, in the course of their travels, they decided to take a small
boat that traveled along the famous and romantic Danube River to see the beautiful
sceneries. As the boat traversed along the river, Rizal was astounded to the river that
couldn't help composing beautiful melody. He was so charmed by the scenario and the
lovely waltzes. As they traveled, Rizal observed interesting spots-the various plants and
flowers growing along the river banks, boats loaded with passengers and products that
are being towed, archaic villages on the riversides that are serene and peaceful, a
favorite subject for photographers, writers, artists, and other lover of arts.

In Lintz(Linz) and Rheinfall. The end of Danube River voyage of Rizal and Viola ended
in Lintz. They left Austria from Salzburg, a city in West Austria and the birthplace of
Mozart and re-entered German soil upon arrival at the beautiful city of Munchen
(Munich) on May 27. Since the best beer in all Germany was brewed there; they drank
much of Munich beer in the famous beer gardens of that city. from Munich, they went to
nuremburg, a city in central Barabia in West Germanyand the site of trials (1945-46) of
Nazis accused of war crimes.Rizal and Viola had a close look on this dreadful
Machine.While in Nuremberg they visited a factory whose biggest industry is the
fabrication of beautiful dolls that invade all markets of the world.

From Munich, they went to Ulm, a city in East Baden-Wurttemberg in Germany. At this
city, they visited the biggest and tallest cathedral in Germany. They climbed its many
hundred steps. Viola related as they ascended they steps the steps, he rested twice on
the way to the tower to catch his breath, while Rizal climbed continuously without
having a stop until he finally reached the top. The last day of May found them at
Stuttgard, another city in Germany, then Baden and finally to Bin Waterfall, "the most
beautiful waterfall of Europe."

In the part of June, Rizal and Viola crossed the Swiss border, making brief stops
successively at chaffhausen,Vaske,Bern, and Lausanne. They Disembarked at
Geneva, seat if the league of Nations. The people of Geneva speak French, Italian and
German. In this beautiful and most visited city of switzerland, Rizal and Violaspent
some afternoons on exciting boat' trips. The genius from Calamba celebrate his 26th
birthday in this wonderful city. On the following day, the two bossom friends parted at
the Swiss border. Rizal went to Italy, while Viola returned to Barcelona.

Rizal in Rome. Rizal was enticed by Rome--capital of Italy, ancient capital of the
Roman Empire, site of the Vatican city, and seat of authority of te Roman Catholic
Church. In one Ocassion, he went to view St. Peter's Dome by Micheleangelo and
Giacomo dela Porta, and St. Peters Basilica, the first known Christian church
dedicated in 326 A.D. by Emperor Constantine, andthere he was verry much
impressed by the fine example of renaissance Architecture. The splendor and
grandeur of Rome did not escape Rizal's love for beauty and appreciation. In one of
his delightful days in this historic and beautiful city, he also witnessed the faithfull
Catholics
jam St. peter's square at the Vatican City to receive the blessings of the Supreme
Pontiff. He was deeply touched by the outpouring manifestation of fait by the Catholics
on the Supreme Being. While in Vatican. He took advantage of attending the fiesta of
St. Peter Paul.

On June 27, he wrote two letters from Rome: one to his parents, the other to his
Friend, Blumentritt. He said "I was in turn, in Milan, in Venice,in Florence, and for some
days i have been here, I had already visited San Juan de Letran, San Clemente,the
roman forum, the capitolieum, Amphitheatre and the other remarkable tourists spots
and memories of Rome."

Describing to Blumentritt, the"grandeur of Rome' part of his letter follows: " I cannot
describe the impression Rome has produced on me; " I can only say that my feet are
swollen and blistered, but tomorrow I shall go forth anew on foot to see the ruins. here
I breathed the same air which Roman heroes have breathed. I salute reverenly each
statue and to me, humble inhabitant of a small island, it seems that I am in a
sanctuary."

He was extremely delighted with the Coliseum and the Roman forum. there, he
ramined s eated for hours, contemplating everything and recreating life to the ruins. He
stayed in a forum until 8 O'clock in the evening. he was alone contemplating the spot,
until it had grown dark. He also visited the Capitoline Museum, the church of Santa
Maria Maggiore and other magnificent edifices. in Rome, the word glorious is
inadequate. he wanted to stay in this city until the last minute and forego visiting other
places. For him, the Popes who had always seemed to him small and quite ridiculous
now appear greater after seeing their beautiful churches.

Truly, Ancient Rome attracted and enticed Rizal tremendously and he regretted having
spent a long time in Geneva.

But in spite of his five years sojourn in Europe, Rizal still remained a true Filipino in
soul at heart. he said, Still i am not Europeanized like other Filipinos in Madrid say: I
always like to return to the country of my birth. indeed, Rizal was a true Filipino.

Back to Calamba. The fascinating and beautiful places Rizal had seen and the
pleasant memories of his sojourn in various foreign lands could not make him forget
the land of his birth and affection. indeed, there is no place home. After almost five
years of memorable temporary stay in Europe, he left Rome by train headed for
Marseilles on July 3, 1887. He boarded Djemnah, the same ship that brought him to
Europe five years ago. there were about fifty passengers- composed of English men,
Germans, Japanese, Chinese and Italian. After leaving men, a seaport in the People's
Republic of yemen, the sea became rough because of bad weather so he bacame
seasick and some of his books got wet. At Saigon on July 30, he transferred to the S.S
Hayfong (Haiphong) which reached Manila on August 6. He stayed in Manila for a few
days to take a rest and later went home to Calamba in the bosom of his beloved
family. he was welcomed affectionately by his family. in his letter to Blumentritt of his
homecoming, he said; 'I had a pleasant Voyage. I found my family enjoying the best of
health and our happiness was great in seeing each other again. they shed tears of joy
and I had to answer the thousand questions at the same time."

Rizal's family was apprehensive about his safety, so Paciano did not leave him after
his arrival to protect him from any untoward incident. Even his father did not allow him
to go out alone for something bad might happened.

Rizal kept busy during his entire stay in his hometown. He opened a medical clinic and
his first patient was his mother. with knowledge about the science of ophthamology
and his surgical skill acquired in the best eye clinics in Europe, he successfully
removed the cataract from his mother's eyes. He cured the sick, performed operations
and visited many patients in Calamba and neighboring towns. He become famous as
an eye specialist and Sergeon, and even called Doctor Uliman becauuse he was
mistaken by the ignorant folks for a German. his professional fees were reasonable,
sometime even gratis to the poor. within a short time he was able to earn $900, as a
physician.

Rizal kept himself busy and other times he painted beautiful landscapes in his
hometown and Even translated Von Wildernath's poems in Tagalog version.

Rizal was different from many successful medical practitioners, because he did not
selfishly devote all his time to enrich himself. he opened a gymnasium for the young
men in Calamba and introduced various European sports. he tried to induce his town
mates to indulge them from engaging in cockfighting and other types of gambling
because these activities have long been regarded by many Filipinos to be their favorite
pastimes.

Summoned to malacanan A month after his return to Calamba, Rizal recieved a letter
From Governor-general Emilio Terrero to come to Malacanan. Perhaps somebody
must have reached his ears tha the "Noli" contained subversive thoughts inciting the
Filipinos to go against the government. in the palace, the Governor-general Informed
Rizal that the Noli Me tangere caused much uproar among the Government authorities
and that he wanted to have a copy of the book and wanted to read the novel if he
could better expose the excesses of the government and the greedy and ruthless friars
though his pen foreign countries. He was also advised by Governor-General Errero to
leave the Philippines or his own good.

In September, 1887, he wrote his bosom to leave his country again and return to
Europe, simply because his powerful enemies made his stay not endurable, He
said;"They take me for a German spy, an agent of Bismarcic a Protestat, a mason, a
witch, and a condemned soul."

Chapter 7

Rizal in Hongkong, Japan and America

Rizal was forced to go abroad for the second time and to part from his family
and friend in February, 1888. He was still sick and weak so he did not get off
his ship when it made a short stopover at Amoy. He sailed for Hongkong
and sojourned there for two weeks. Writing to Blumentritt, he said: I am
returning to Europe by way of Japan and the United States. We should see
each other again. I have so much to tell you. At last I can write freely and
express my thoughts without fear of censorship.
In British colony he was met by Filipino residents, e.g., Jose Maria Basa,
Balbino Mauricio, and other exiles of 1872. Rizal spent much of his stay
there with Basa, who accompanied him on a visit to Macao. He wrote in his
diary, Macao is small and gloomy. There are many junks, sampans, and a
few steamers. It looks sad and is almost dead.

While in Macao, Rizal visited cathedral and churches, pagodas, temples,

shrines, theaters, botanical garden and bazaars. He studied Chinese way of
life- their customs and traditions, language and theatre arts. In his diary, his
experience were briefly written.

1. The celebration of the Chinese New Year was very noisy because of the
continuous explosions of firecrackers on the streets. Rich Chinese had more
firecrackers to explode.
2. Chinese theatres are usually boisterous because of the different
percussion instruments used by the participants in addition to the noise
created by the audience.
3. The Lauriat party, wherein the guest were served a variety of dishes, such
a century eggs, shark fins, white peking ducks, chicken fried and with
vinegar, roasted pigs, fish, shrimps, tea and dried fruits.
4. The Dominican Order was the richest religious order in hongkong, had
millions of dollars deposited in various banks earning fabulous interests.
5. Hongkong grave yards for the Catholics, Protestants and Muslims are
well-kept.

Rizal in Japan. Rizal arrived at Yokohama on February 28, 1888 and stayed
at Grand Hotel. The following day, he proceeded to Tokyo and stayed there
for a few days. Upon invitation, he lived in the Spanish legation- the official
headquarters of a minister in the diplomatic service for about a month,
during which period he visited the provinces, learned Japanese, and
dedicated himself to study of the Japanese theatre, art and language.
Rizal, a keen observer and the things which impressed his most about
Japan were:
1. The beauty of the country- its plants flowers along the streets, mountains
covered by snow during, the winter season, the Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)
on its peak blooming seasons, the streams flowing with crystal clear water,
the rivers and lakes that abound with various types of fish and other
beautiful sceneries.
2. The Japanese have a great fondness for gardens, stemming perhaps
from a sense of having lived in harmony with nature for so long. They tend
to fill any open spaces on their plots with trees and plants no matter how
small these spaces maybe.
3. The Japanese women in Kimono, simple but gracious

4. In Japan, seeing a guests needs in an important part of serving as host.

5. Even on simplest occasion, a gift is customarily taken along and
presented as an expression of the givers respect and good will. Seasonal
gift are important aspects o their culture.
6. The basic form of greeting as a sign of politeness is to bow.
7. There are few thieves in Japan. The houses remained open day and night
and other valuable articles on the table without being lost.
8. There were few beggars and are rarely in the city streets.
9. The houses were very clean, have plenty of fresh air and sunlight and
multi-functional.
10. The Japanese are happy; fights are not seen in the streets and the
people are very industrious.
Rizals Romantic Interlude with O-Sei-San. Rizals romance with the
Japanese lady named O-Sei-San started in early spring of March, 1888,
when he entered a department store in Yokohama to buy something. At the
counter, Rizal asked the lady whether she knew English. To his surprise, she
answered him in English language. This was the beginning of his frequent
visits to the department store.

Meanwhile, he came to know the name of the Japanese lady in the

succeeding days. Here name was Seiko Usui and her friends called her O-SeiSan, her pet name. Rizal was really attracted by her beauty, simplicity, charm
and intelligence. Aside from knowing English she was very fluent in French.
Their friendship develop into a beautiful relationship. The cherry blossoms, the
sweet breeze and the romantic climate in Springtime contributed immensely to
an emotional intimacy.
O-Sei-San loved Rizal and her love was reciprocated by Rizals sincere
affection. They spent memorable and happy days by visiting magnificent
temples, shrines, pagodas, castle, and pavilions, art galleries, museums,
Japanese garden and parks and other beautiful and historical spots.
The irresistible beauty, warmth and affection of O-Sei-San almost made Rizal
to stay in Japan for good, but fate Had its own way. His great love for O-SeiSan is reflected and attested in his diary on the day oh his departure to wit:
Japan has pleased me. The beautiful scenery, the flowers, the trees, and the
inhabitants- so peaceful, so courteous, and so pleasant. O-Sei-SanSayonara, Sayonara! I have spent a lovely golden month; I do not know if I can
have another one like that in all my life. Love, money, friendship, appreciation,
honors- these have not been wanting. To think that I am leaving this life for the
uncertain, the unknown. There I was offered an easy way to live, beloved and
esteemed.

Rizal in America. The ship with Rizal onboard docked at San Francisco port but
because of a strict quarantine, he and the other first class passengers were not
allowed to disembark until May 4, 1888. Later, he discovered that the ship was
placed under quarantine because of racial prejudice. The ship was carrying 643
Chinese coolies- unskilled laborers. At the time cheap coolie labor coming from
china and other countries were not allowed to enter the United State of America
because white laborers were being displaced in the constructions of railroad tracks
and other infrastructure facilities.
After a few days of quarantine, all first-class passengers, including Rizal, were
allowed to land, however, the Chinese and Japanese passengers remained on
board for a longed quarantine period.
In San Francisco. Rizal stayed at Palace Hotel, a first-class hotel in the city. He
paid $4 a day with bath and everything. In his diary, he wrote: I saw the Golden
Gate Bridge-a marvel of engineering and one of the most beautiful structures of its
kind. No stores are open on Sunday. The best Street in San Francisco is Market
Street.
Mentioned was also made in his diary, the name of Leland Stanford, millionaire
senator in California and the founder of Standford University in Palo Alto,
California. After staying in San Francisco for two days he left for Oakland. In
Oakland, he took an overland train- a railroad sleeping car (pullman) and passed
Sacramento, Reno, Ogden, Omaha, Chicago and albany bound to New York city.
Rizals Diary contained various interesting and exciting travel observations as be
crossed the American Continent to wit

Wide desert without plants nor trees. Far from this desert can be seen blue
mountains. In Ogden, the fields are seen with horses, oxen, and trees. The
mountains at a distance are covered with a snow. The bank at Salt Lake are
more beautiful than other things I saw. There are mountains in the middle of
the lake like islands of Talim in Laguna de Bay. Children greeted us at Salt
lake City. We passed through the mountains and rocks along a river; the river
in noisy and the noise gives life to the lifeless territory. We passed through
tunnels made of wood to protect to road against the snow. Icicles in these
tunnels are very bright which gives majestic effect. Colorado has more trees
than the three states we passed over. There are many horses. Ohama, a city
of Nebraska, on the Missouri River is twice as wide as the Pasig River. In the
Chicago, there is that every cigar store has an Indian Figure. We saw the
Niagra, the most splendid falls I have seen. Albany is a big city. The hudson
River which runs along carries many boats and very wide. My grand
Transcontinental trip ended on Sunday, May 13, at 11:30a.m
In New York. Rizal arrived at New York on Sunday morning and ended his
trip across the American continent full exciting experience. He stayed in New
York which he called the Big Town for a few days to visit some scenic and
historical places. In New York, it seemed that everything is new. He visited the
monument of George Washington, a magnificent memorial to a great
American. He wrote to Ponce: He is a great man, the likes of whom I feel this
century will have none.

The Impressions of Rizal vis-a-vis America. For Rizal, the good

impressions include the following:

The tremendous material progress of the country as evidenced in the big

cities with tall skyscrapers; flourishing manufacturing inqustries; scientific
methods of farming and other fields of agriculture; the producing Electric
power; good communication and transportation facilities; network of railroad
infrastructure; the drive and energy to increase production level; the high
standard of living; the natural beauties of the land and its mineral deposits;
better health and medicine care, advance methods of education and better
opportunities for better life extended to poor immigrants.
While America is undoubtedly a great country, but is still has many defects,
He wrote Mariano Ponce. There is no true civil liberty. In some states, the
Negro cannot marry a white woman, nor a white man a negress..
Nevertheless, as they truly say American offers a fatherland for the poor who
wish to work.
In one occasion, in his brief so Journ in Brussels, he met Jose Alejandro was
who was studying in Belgiums. One day, Alejandro asked Rizal: What
impressions do you have of America?
America, answered Rizal, is the land par excellence of freedom but only for
the whites.

Chapter 8

Rizal in London, Paris, Brussels and Madrid

Rizal in London. Rizal left for London and lived there for May 1888 to
March, 1889, to copy, study and made the annotation of Dr. Antonio de
Moras Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (Event in the Philippines Islands) a
rare copy of which he heard to be available and kept in the British Museum
in order to make his people know the past history of their country. He also
believe that London was a safe and better to fight the injustice committed by
the Spanish tyranny and misrule. While in London, he kept himself busy
exhausting all available means to conduct research on Filipiniana Studies.
He Complete annotating Morgas book, He wrote several articles for La
Solidaridad.
In this city, he stayed temporarily as a guest at the residence of DR. Antonio
Ma. Regidor, an exile of 1872 who was a law practitioner. Sometime in May,
he move to a boarding place No. 37 Chalcot Crescent, Primerose Hill. He
was a boarder in the house occupied by Mr. Beckett, organist of St. Pauls
Cathedral, paying two pounds sterling a week.

Good and Bad News. While in London, Rizal received some disturbing
news from his country. These were the exile of his brother-in-law, who was
denied a Christian burial; the arbitrary arrest and imprisonment of Laureano
Viado, a Sto. Tomas medical student, who was found in possession of a
copy of Noli Me Tangere; and the continued Calamba Agrarian problem
where the tenants including the Rizal Family were being persecuted by the
Spanish Authorities.
One news, however, cheered him-that Father Vincente Garcia, an old
Filipino theologian and Philosopher, wrote an able defense of his Noli
against the attacks of Fr. Rodriuez and other friars. The good news came
from Mariano Ponce.
From London, Rizal made brief visit to paris and Madrid. Early in
September, he was in the French capital in order to search thoroughly the
Bibliotheque Nacionale for any old book on the Philippines. Before going
back to London, Juan Luna and his wife tendered him with a party in which
all the Filipinos in Paris were present. Them on December 11, Rizal made a
flying trip of twelve days to Madrid and Barcelona to survey the conditions
among his countrymen in Spain. There, he met for the first time Mariano
Ponce and Marcelo H. Del Pilar, pillars of La Solaridad and the Propaganda
Movement. He exchanged ideals about the Philippines and these two
Filipinos promised to cooperate in the struggle for reform.

Christmas in London. Rizal spent his Christmas in London and New Years
Eve, for the first time in this city and was extremely delighted to experience
the holidays season. In his diary, he wrote; It is the holiday, I like best to
celebrate. It reminds me of many memorable days not only my early
childhood, but also of history. On this day, a great Genius and prophet was
born to preach truth, love, beauty and Good news. He suffered on His
messianic zeal to save the world. How it shocks me to see some people
misuse His name to commit many crimes.
Rizal Spent his Christmas with the Beckett girls, was getting infatuated with
him but the gentlemen from Calamba was still faithful to Leonor Rivera. To
make her forget him, he hurriedly left London for Paris in the Middle of
March, 1889.
Rizals Writing in London. In London be annotated Morgas work. He also
wrote articles for La Soladaridad. He wrote La Vision de Fray Rodriguez,
where he demonstrated his profound knowledge of religion and his style in
satire.
The Letter to the Young Women of Malolos was written in London. This
was written through the request of Marcelo H. del Pilar to praise the young
women of Malolos for their courage and determined effort to establish a
school where they could learn Spanish.

The important points of his letter were: 1) Filipino mothers should teach their
children love God, country, and fellowmen; 2) Filipino mothers should be
glad and honored, like Spartan mothers, to offer their sons in the defense of
their country; 3) Filipino women should know how to protect their dignity and
honor; 4) Filipino women should educate themselves, aside from retaining
their good racial virtues; and 5) Faith is not merely reciting prayers and
wearing religious pictures, but rather it is living the real Christian way with
good morals and good conduct.
Powerful Enemies. A copy of the much-talked about Noli was sent to
father Rector Gregorio Echavarria of the University of Santo Tomas by
Archbishop Pedro Payo for examination. A committee composed of
Dominican faculty was created to examine and evaluate the novel and
finally gave the results. The Committee found the book scandalous to the
religious order, impious, subversive to public order and libelous to the
Government of Spain and its political policies in the Philippines. The
enemies of Rizal were happy because the novel was absolutely prohibited.
But the Banning of Noli only served to make it more popular because
everybody would like to have a copy and read it. In spite of the Government
prohibition, many Filipinos got hold of the Noli which they read secretly.

Calambas Agrarian Problem. The Chief executive ordered a government

investigation of the friar estate to look into the sources of the agrarian problem
in Calamba. One of the friar estates affected was the Calamba Hacienda
owned by Dominician Order. The Governor-General ordered the Civil
Governor of Laguna Province directing the Municipal government of Calamba
to investigate the agrarian conditions in their jurisdiction.
The tenants of Calamba listed their legitimate grievances against the hacienda
managemant and sought the help of Rizal. The Findings which were formally
submitted to the government for appropriate action, were as follows:
1. The Hacienda of the Dominican Order comprised not only the lands around
Calamba, but the town of Calamba.
2. The profits of the Dominican Order continually increased because of the
arbitrary increase of the rentals paid by the tenants.
3. The hacienda owner never contributed a single centavo for the celebration
of the town fiesta, for the education of the children, and for the improvement of
agriculture.
4. Tenants who had spent much labor in clearing the lands were dispossessed
of said lands for flimsy reasons.
5. High rates of interest were arbitrary charged the tenants for delayed
payment of rentals, and when the rentals could not be paid, the hacienda
management confiscated their work animals, tools and farm implements.

It should be noted that there was no action taken by the government on the
legitimate grievances of the tenants in Calamba. What was even unfortunate,
the Dominican friars, iin retaliation, persecuted the helpless tenants.
Rizal leaves Calamba. Rizal was compelled to leave Calamba because his
stay might expose his family and friends to danger causing worry and anxiety
and perhaps he could Specimens of Tagal Folklore and Two Eastern Fables
and were both published. The Specimens of Tagal Folklore dealt with Filipino
proverbs and puzzle while the Two Eastern Fables dealt with a comparative
study of Philippines and Japanese Folklore.
On June 12, 1839, Rizal with some Filipinos and their Spanish friends in Madrid
organized a society, Asociacion Hispano-Filipina (Spanish-Filipino Association).
The primary objective was to work for the needed reforms which the
Propaganda Movement had initiated and continued to carry on. Elected
president and vice president respectively were Don Miguel Morayta, a Spanish
professor and General Felipe de Las Cone; while the secretary was Dr.
Domindor Gomez.
The need for an organ of the Propaganda to neutralize the false, malicious and
defamatory articles designed to injure the reputation of the Filipinos written by
Spanish detractors and mercenaries was evidently felt by Filipinos in Spain the
consequently led to the founding of La Soladaridad Graciano Lopez Jaena
became the editor of the periodecal of the Propaganda. To demonstrate his
unwavering support of the Organ, Rizal contributed articles regularly in the La
Solidaridad using his pen names- Dimasalang and Laong laan.

Rizal Left London. Some inferred that one of the reasons why Rizal left London
hastily and move to Paris, so that Gertrude Beckett may forget him.
In Paris. Rizal arrived in Paris about two months before the opening of the
international Exposition to commemorate French Independence. Wanting to seize
the occasion to place his country on the map, he proposed the formation of an
International Association of Filipinologists under the presidency of Blumentritt and
with himself as secretary. His plan called for the holding of a Congress of
Filipinologists as a feature of the Exposition, but the french government limited the
number of international conferences; hence Rizals Project was postponed.
However, he organiez two societies of Filipinos who were in Paris at that time; one
was the Kidlat Club, the other was the Indios Bravos. The Kidlat Club was founded
simply to bring together young Filipinos in the French capital in order that they
could enjoy their stay in the city during the international exposotion. On the other
hand Indios Bravos taught its members to be proud of being Filipinos and with
intense desire pledged to their best to excel in intellectual and physical capability
to catch the attention of the Spaniards and win their administration and respect.
Rizal spent most of his time in the reading room of the Biblo Nationale, checking
up with accuracy his historical annotation on Morgas book in order to make the
Filipino people know the past of their country. He spent his leisure hours visiting
his Filipino friends, engaged in sculpturing, sketching or painting beautiful objects
and views and attending scientific and cultural lectures, going to theatre, attended
a lecture on Oriental culture in the University of Paris with Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de
Tavera.

Rizals Annotated Morgas Book Published. As a matter of record, the

publication of Rizal annotated edition of Morgas Sucesos de Las Islas
Filipinas which he painstakingly wrote in the British Museum was his tangible
and outstanding achievement in Paris. He dedicated his valuable historical
work to his countrymen. Blumentritt wrote the Prologue commending Rizal for
his historical intellectual scholarship. However, he could not hide his
observation and constructive comment about some flaws that should be
pointed out as a matter of record. For Blumentritt, Rizal like some historical
commit the flaw in comparing and appraising the events of the pas against
the prevailing conditions which apparently are different; and the virtual attacks
on the churched were fundamentally unfair and do not conform to approved
standards of ethics because the abuses of friars should not be construed to
mean that Catholicism is bad.
Rizals annotated Morgas Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas was truly an
excellent and inspirational piece of historiography because it can be
considered the best of the many histories of the Philippines written bt the
early Spanish writers, being accurate in facts and events and unbiased
judgment.
Romance with Adelina . In Paris, Rizal became fond of Adelina, a young
talented quiet and unaffected lady with refined manners. The Boustead
couple has two daughters Nelly, the older and Adelina the Younger.

Rizal and Luna (Antonio) used to visit the Boustead family in Paris. In the
course of their frequent visits at the Boustead home, Nelly was infatuated
with Rizal because of his wit, talent and fine manners. But Because he love
Adelina, he did not even show any sign of affection for Nelly. On the other
hand, Luna has strong feelings for Nelly, but she (Nelly) did have any iota of
love for him.
Luna became jealous of Rizal because Nelly was obviously in love with the
talented gentleman from Calamba, because she showered his attention.
Luna thought all the while that Rizal was deliberately alienating Nellys
affection for him. To maintain and keep their friendship alive he told Lune
that he had no feelings for Nelly. Luna challenged him to duel but fortunately
the matter was settled amicable by their friends.
Rizal in Brussels. Rizal left Paris and went to Brussels, capital of Belgium
because of the high cost of living. Besides, the city life of merriment and fun,
Rizal could not resist the temptation of joining his friends that often times
interferes with his time devoted for writing his second novel, El
Filibusterismo. Jose Alberto was his companion when he moved to Brussels
and lived in a modest boarding house. Being Surgeon, he spent part of his
time in the medical clinic to attend and treat some patients. Because of the
clinical fees he received from the patients, there was no difficulty meeting
the basic essentials he needed in Brussels.

Chapter 9

Rizal Goes Back to HongKong.

Rizal left Ghent for Marseilles where he boarded S.S. Melbourne on October
1891. The primary reasons why he left Europe, were the differences in political
persuasion with Marcelo H. Del Pilar and other Filipinos in Spain and his desire
to lead the Propaganda Movement. But before going to Hongkong, he told del
Pilar that he regretted that he could no longer write articles for La Solidaridad,
and he was temporarily withdrawing from the Philippines's political concerns in
Spain to preserve and uphold the unity among the Filipinos in Europe. But
Inspite of his political orientation that may not be the same with theat of del pilar,
he had maintained his high regard and admiration for him.

Life in Hongkong. Upon his arrival in hongkong on November 20, 1891, the
Filipino residents especially his old friend, Jose M. Basa gave his a warm
welcome. They were glad to see him back in the British crown colony.

After a few days, he immediately went into the practice of medicine to earn a
living. Dr. Lorenzo P. Marquez, a Portuguese Ophthalmologist who had an
extensive training and experience in this field of medical science dealing with
diseases of the eyes, became his friend and eventually helped him have many
patients. In recognition of Rizal's extraordinary talent in his area of specialization
notwithstanding his skills and his tender touch as an ophthalmic surgeon he even
recomended some of his patients.

Rizal had all the qualities of an eye specialist, parexcellence and because of
many patients of different nationalities who had consulted him for treatment and
get well, his name as an eye surgeon landed in various newspaper, magazines,
and medical journals. Because of his good reputation as a physician and
ophthalmologist, people with the same professions recognized his remarkable
contributions in the practice of medical science involving eye diseases, Dr.
Ariston Bautista Lin, from Paris, sent him a congratulations note accompanied by
a book on Diagnostic Pathology. Don Antonio Vergel de dios, kind-hearted man
offered him his services for the purches of medical books, equipment and
instruments which he might need in the practice of his medical profession.

From Biarritz, the wealthy Mr. Edward Boustead Adelina's father sent him a letter
on March 21, 1892, praising him for practicing his medical profession.

In Europe. The Filipino friends of Rizal learned his medical practice in

hongkong and gave him their assurance of moral and financial support.

According to Dr. Germiniano De Ocampo, an accomplished Filipino

Ophthalmologist, Rizal, a man of vision who sees far ahead "possessed all
the qualities of a great eye specialist. He had a keen and analytical intellect,
lightbess of touch, deep knowledge of medicine and ophthalmology and had
been properly and adequately trained by master ophthalmic surgeons. If
only he had devoted his lifetime to the practice of medicine he would
become one of Asia's eminent Ophthalmologists.

Planned Filipino Colonization in Borneo. With the kind of socio-political

climate under the administration of Governor-general Valeriano Weyler, the
Calamba tenant farmers and other towns folk seemed hopeless to have a
better quality of life. So Rizal planned and conceived an idea of how the
management of these human resources could be utilized. He fully knew with
empathy the pain and suffering of these poor Filipinos that life in his country
was becoming unbearable, so he thought of founding a Filipino Colony in
Borneo.

When his friends in Euprope heard about this plan, Graciano Lopez Jaena,
Antonio and Juan Luna, Dr. Ariston Bautista Lin and Professor Blumentritt
were delighted and enthusiastically willing to endorse and support the
project, Graciano Lopez Jaena, in his letter to Rizal on May 26, 1892,
expressed his intention to join the colony and said: "I have great desire of
joining you. Reserve for me a piece of land there where I can Plant sugar
cane. Send me further information."

For rizal and his friends even if the project was Laudable his brother-in-law,
Manuel Hildalgo did not approve the Plan. "This idea about Borneo is not
good. Why should we leave the Philippines, this beautiful country of ours?"
He told Rizal.

On the other hand, Rizal made a side trip to Sandakan to see for himself the
conditions of the land and the general atmosphere of the place where he
intended to move his family.

Meantime, Governor Weyler was relieved of his administrative functions as

governor and was replace by Governor Eulogio Dispujol. Rizal armed with an
intense desire to help the landless people was determined to puss through the
project. With the new leadership of Governor Despujol, in his province, fresh
hopes hold promise, because upon assumption to office, he announced a new
program of government. Rizal full of optimism, he sent Governor Despujol a letter
of felicitation and offered his cooperation. To his surprise, Rizal did not even
receive and acknowledgment answer from the governor.

Rizal's sense of values and dedication to be of service to the Filipino people was
anchored on hard work, determination and perseverance, so for the secend time;
he sent the Governor-General another letter requesting him to allow the landless
Filipinos to establish a colony in Borneo. Rizal did not receive any reply, but
instead the Governor-General notified the Spanish Consul-General in Hongkong
to tell Rizal tht he could not approve his request allowing Filipino immigration to
Borneo, and stating among other things that; "it was not very patriotic to go off and
cultuvate a foreign soil."

The lastletter he sent to Governor-General Despujol was a letter requesting

permission to change his nationailt and emigrate with his family and other town
mates in Calamba who cared to join him in Borneo. Rizal received no reply at all.

Works in Hongkong. Inspite of the demands of his medical practice and his
project in the establishment of a colony in Borneo, it did not become a
hindrance for him to continue working. He wrote the Constitution and ByLaws of La Liga Filipina (Philippines League) an association of Filipinos for
civic and social activities until its printing in Hongkong in 1892. The Idea of
founding the La Liga Filipina was brainchild of Jose Ma. Basa, a Filipino
exile of 1872.

The most important objective of La Liga Filipina was the union of the
Archipelago into a compact, vigorous, and homogeneous body. The
Constitution and By-Laws inculcated that every Filipino who had at heart the
best interest and welfare of the fatherland, to promise its progress.

Rizal also wrote articles on Philippines history, government, and culture for
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, a british daily newspaper where some
copies reach the Philippines. The Filipinos read every article with
enthusiasm.

Rizal also drew up the plan of a modern school for the education of Filipinos
"young men of good family and means in accordance with the demands of
modern times and circumstances." Don Mariano Cunanan of Pampanga offered
to raise an initial amount of &40,000 to establish such school.

Rizal Decided to Return to Manila. In life, one has to make decision no matter
how difficult it may be and the corresponding rosks involved. After pondering
about the possible consequences of his action of returning to Manila on May,
1892, Rizal made up mind. His mind. His sudden decision to return was caused
by himself immediate desire to see Governor-General Despujol regarding his
project in Borneo, to establish the La Liga Filipina in Manila, and protested
Eduado de Lete of his article published in La Solaridad on April 15, 1892,
portraying him as a coward and opportunistic for being comfortable and safe in
hongkong, while he abandoned his country's cause. He approached del Pilar,
the editor of La Soladaridad, saying: "I am more convinced that lete, in writing
the articles, was too hasty, and you permitted yourself to be carried away. Friend
or enemy, if the article has harmed me more it would harm the interest of the
Philippines. I am going to activate the Propaganda again and fortify tha Liga."

The last two letters in Hongkong. Rizal's decision to return to Manila was
vehemently opposed by his parents, sister, relatives and friend. Trinidad, his
sister tear full warmed him to stop from coming home, "For they will kill you."

Rizal, a man of courage, fortitude and firmness would not change his
decision. He spent his 3 1st birthday with some friends in Hongkong on
June 19,1892. On june 20, before leaving Hongkong, he wrote two letters,
which he sealed and then entrusted to his Portuguese friend, Dr. Lorenzo
Marquez. On each sealed envelope was written " To be opened only after
his death." In this letter(One addressed to his family; the other to his
countrymen), Rizal spoke of the risk he was taking in returning to the
Philippines, but he added, " what matters death of one dies for what one
loves, for his motherland and the beings he adores?" Also,"a man ought to
die for his duty and convictions."

Perhaps, in the pages of history of mandkind all over the world, these two
sealed envelopes which contained the sacrifices of a man whose lofty ideals
and convictions in the pursuit of duty for love of countryand fellowmen was
truly second to none.

The first and last paragraphs of the letter addresses to his parents,
brenthren, and friends fellow:

The affection that I have ever professed for you suggest this step, and time
alone can tell whether or not it is sensible. The outcome judges things
according to the consequences; but whether the result be favorable or not, it
may always be said that my duty urged me, so if I die in goiing it, it will not
matter.

The last paragraphs and the final sentence of the first letter follow:

Should fate go against me, you will all understand that I shall die happy in
the thought that my death will end your troubles. Return to our country and
may you be happy in it.

Till the last moment of my life, I shall be thinking of you and wishing
you all good fortune and happiness.
The First paragraph of the second letter follows:

The step which I am taking, or rather am about to take, is undoubtedly risky

but it is unnecessary to say that I have considered it for some time. I
understand that almost everyone is opposed to it; but I know also that hardly
anybody else understands what is in my heart. I can not ear the sight of my
sister and their families treated like animals. I prefer death and cheerfully
shall relinquish life to free so many innocent persons from such unjust
persecution.

The last paragraph follows:

Always have I loved our unhappy land, and I am sure that I shall continue
loving it till my last moment, in case men prove unjust to me. My career, my
life, my happiness all I have sacrificed for love of it. Whatever my fate, I
shall die blessing it and longing for the dawn of its redemption.

The last few words he said in his letter to all those whom he loved most,
especially his fatherland wer full of emotions- Jou, sorrow and fear, attributer
to a
dying man whose death seems inevitable.

Chapter 10

Rizal Deported to Dapitan

On june 26, 1892, accompanied by his elder sister Lucia, Rizal arrived in Manila. After
lodging himself and his sister at the Oriente Hotel in Binondo, he went to Malacanang
to pay a courtesy call and to interview the Governor-General Despujol, who agreed to
pardon his father and sisters, but not of his brother-in-law. Despujol tried to dissuade
him from going to Borneo, and instead promised to give him lands in any island two
leagues from Calamba.

Filipino League Founded. Rizal was enthusiastically received by his friends and
admirers, e.g., Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Ambrosio Salvador, Timoteo Paez
and Deodato Arellano and told them the Objectives of the La Liga Filipina which
planned to establish. The day followig his arrival, he was taken by them on a visit to
malolos (Bulacan), San fernando (Pampanga), and Tarlac (Tarlac), in which places he
urged his countrymen to join the La Liga Filipina (Filipino League).

Encouraged by the favorable reception and reponse extended to him by his

friends and supporters, Rizal formally organized the League in Ilaya Street,
Tondo Manila on July 3, 1892. A big gathering of Filipino patriots attended
and witnessed this historic event.
The aims of the La Liga Filipina were:
1. Unification of the whole archipelago into one compact and homogeneous
body;
2. Mutual protection in every want and necessity;
3. Defense against all violence and injustice;
4. Encouragement of instruction, agriculture and commerce; and
5. Study and application of reforms.
The league's ultimate objective was to promote the progress of the
country.

The arrest and Deportation of Rizal. Four days after the founding of the La
Liga Filipina, Rizal was ordered arrested by Governor-General Despujol
allegedly for having found in his baggage, a few hours after his arrival from
Hongkong a bundle of leaflets entitled "Poor Friars" (Pobres Frailes). The
leaflets were against the rich Dominicians who amassed fabulous wealth
contrary to their "vow of poverty." He was incarcerated temporary in Fort
Santiago for about a week, after which, time he was deported toDapitan in
Nothern Mindanao.

Life in Dapitan. At first he lived in the residence of Don Ricardo Carnicero,

Captain of the Infantry and politicomilitary governor of Dapitan.

Carnicero was charmed by Rizal's refined manners. On several occasions,

they had friendly conversations and sometimes ate together on the same
table. Later, Carnicero learned that Rizal was not a person who had
committed a felony; so he gave good reports on Rizal (the deporter) to
Governor-General Despujol. Because of his good impression about the
exiled Rizal, he gave him considerable freedom to move around and report
only once a week.

Rizal was very much pleased and admired the Spanish Captain for his
generosity, as a sign of gratitude
and appreciation, he wrote a poem on the occasion of Don Ricardo
Carnicero's Birthday.

When captain Carnicero left Dapitan, he was succeeded by Captain Juan

Sitges, a more demanding officer, but weeks later, he changed his attitude
and gradually grew to like the deporter.

Rizal lived an exemplary life in exile. He built his own house, planted many
fruit-bearing trees and practice his medical profession. Many people in all
walks of life from far and near places came to his medical clinic for
treatment.

Some members of his family took turns in visiting him and staying with him
for sometimes so as to appease his feeling of loneliness. Among those who
visited him were Dona Teodora, his mother, sister trinidad, maria, and
Narcisa, and his nephews Teodosio, Estanislao and Prudencio.

In Dapitan, Rizal continued his interest in scientific; artistic, literacy, linguistic and other
intellectual pursuits. All his free time were devoted to agricultural, business and civic
development activities. He studied also the Bisayan and Malayan languages and he
even wrote an original Tagalog grammar. He maintained correspondence with his
European friends, notably Professor Blumentritt, Doctor Rast, Joesty and Meyer.

Rizal as a Physician. Dr. Rizal contaniued his medical practice in Dapitan. Many
patients from different parts of the Philippines from far away palces came for
consultation either for eye diseases or for any kind of clinical ailment. Sometimes in
August, 1893, Dona Teodora and sister Maria arrived in Dapitan and lived with him for a
year. For the third time, he operated on His mother's eyes successfully. In this particular
instance, Rizal realized that sometimes it was not advisable to be the doctor of the
member of the immediate family. Her mother, disregarded her son's clinical instruction,
by removing the bandages from her eyes, causing the wound to be infected.

Rizal could not help shared the incident to his brother-in-law, Manuel Hidalgo, his
sister's husband, Saturnina: 'Now I understand very well why physician should not treat
the members of his family'.

Rizal became interested in local medicines by way of applaying various medical plants
in the community. He studied local medicinal plants and their potential curative values.
For indigent patients, who could not afford to buy imported medicines for common
ailments, he prescribed the local medicinal plants.

Rizal as an Educator. In building the foundation of a nation, education is

very essential. It is the very foundation from which one can train and nurture
the vital instruments of progress- the citizen especially the youth. For him,
the youth is one of the most essential ingredients in any transformation
endeavor- the young people with commensurate skills and the necessary
values who are willing to subordinate their interest for the common vision
and who are inspired by a sense of mission. "Without education and liberty
the soil and the sun of mankind- no reform is possible.

It is in content, that Rizal established a modest school which was attended

by a group of selected students whose ages were thirteen and fourteen from
prominent families in Dapitan. These students did not pay their tuition fees,
but they were made to work in his garden, in the fields, and other civic
projects in the community.

Rizal taught these young boys the value of hard work, character
building, respect of human worth and dignity, the spirit of cooperation and
family solidarity.

He also taught them various cultural values of the Filipino's e.g.,

"Kaayusan," "Delicadez" and "Palabra de Honor" (Word of Honor)

On nationalism, he emphasized concern for national unity and the Filipino

tenacity in the pursuit and defense of national ideals.

Rizal taught these young boys reading, writing in Spanish and English,
History and geography, mathematics, industrial arts activities, the study of
nature, ethics and Gymnatics. He trained them to collect various specimens
of plants and animals for scientific study. He also emphasized the value of
good manners and good conduct.

Rizal as an Engineer. Rizal is a full-pledged surveyor which he obtained

from Ateneo and passed the prescribed examination. In his desire to know
more about Engineering as a field of learning, he read a lot of books about
the subject to have a better knowledge about construction works.

Rizal endowed with superior intelligence was able to apply his knowledge of
Engeneering by constructing a system of waterworks in order to provide the
people in Dapitan clean water.

It is interesting to note that engineers with adequate knowledge, traning and

experience in the field of civil and construction works, marveled how Rizal
could built such a system of water works, for he had inadequate equipment,
tools and the necessary materials and finances and even without hate help
of the government.

An American engineer, H.H. Cameron was all admiration and praised

Rizal's ingenuity, for he had no explosives with which to blast the hard rocks
and limited resources, except his determined effort and tenacity to construct
the aqueduct which had for its bottom the fluted tiles from the old house
roof, and was covered with concrete made from lime burned from the sea
coral. The length of the aqueduct is long, and it winds in and out among the
rocks and is carried across gutters in bamboo pipes upheld by rocks to the
distribution reservoir.

Rizal as Scientis. Rizal found Dapitan and other places in Zamboanga an

idea place for collection specimens for scientific study. Accompanied by
students they explored the forest and seacoast looking for specimen of
insects, plants seashells and other aquatic lives. He examined carefully
every specimen to find out its potential value.

He Discoveres Nami, a kind of root plant to be edible when cooked properly,

but it was poisonous because it contained hydrocyanic acid. In one incident,
his middle finger was bitten by a centipede and the pain was so intense so
he applied the natural fluid extracted from the said root pant and the pain
disappeared. In other occasion, he applied the "Hydro alcohilic sokution"
extracted from the Nami to a cat so that he could dissect its gonald. In a few
minutes, the cat fell asleep and he was able to perform his scientific
experiment. As result, he discovered that the fluid extracted from the Nami
was an effective medicine and capable of producing anesthetic results, He
sent differenttypes of specimen, e.g. insects birds, fish snakes and sheel to
dresden. Some of the specimens he sent were rare and had not been
known yet which were named in his honor by the European scientist. Among
these specimens were Draco Rizali( a flyin dragon), Apogonio rizali(a small
bettle), and Rhacaphorus rizali(A rare frog).

In payment of these valuable specimens and in recognition of his effor, the

European scientist sent him various scientific books, and journals and
surgical instruments.

Rizal's quest for knowledge was boundless. He also conducted researches

and studies in anthropological, ethnographical and geological field of
knowledge.

Rizal as a Farmer. In Dapitan, instead of wasting his time doing nothing and
thinking of this exile, he thought of how he could spent his time profitable.
He bought 16 hectares of agricultural land where he planted fruit-bearing
trees, e.g., mangoes, guavas, lansones, santol and durian, aside from
cacao, coffee, sugarcane, corn and coconutes. He also raised livestock,
e.g., horse, cattles, ducks and turkeys in his farm. Later, he acquired
adjacent land of his farm until his total land area expanded near a river
where it became a source of irrigation that consequesntly doubled his rice
production.

On this big tract of arable land suitable for agriculture he introduced modern
methods of farming and agricultural mean and techniques he had observed
in Europe and America. He encourages the farmers in Dapitan and adopt
the modern and scientific agriculture methods.

Rizal as an Entepreneur. Rizal was a person who organized, manage and

assumed responsibility in any kind of human endeavor. In Dapitan, aside
from farming, he engaged in business. His business partnership with a
Dapitan merchant, turned profitable. His business ventures included fishing,
copra and hemp industries.

Rizal introduced a modern method of hemp- stripping through a machine in

order to improve the quality and at the same time increased the production.
He also organized a cooperative in Dapitan, where the farmers jointly owned
means of production and distribution of goods and services operated by
themselves to get rid of pernicious business practice and to stabilize the
price of hemp in the market.

Rizal as an Inventor. Perhaps few Filipinos knew that Rizal was also an
inventor. Even when he was still in Calamba and actively engaged in the
practice of medicine he invented a cigarette lighter, he called Sulpukan. This
unique cigarette lighter was made of Philippines wood and "its mechanism"
said Rizal,"is based on the principle of compressed air". He sent this unique
invention to Blumentritt as a gift which he became very delighted.

Meantime, while in Dapitan as an exile he invented a machine for making

bricks- a rectangular block of clay hardened by drying in the sun or burning
in a kiln used for building and paving. The machine could manufacture 6,000
pieces of bricks every day. He wrote Blumentritt," I have made a wooded
machine for making bricks, and i believe it could make more or less 6,000
bricks a day."

Rizal as an Artist. Rizal as a young boy at the age of five revealed his
remakable talents for the arts. Before learninng how to read, he could
already sketch different pictures of animal, birds, flowers, mountains and
human figures. He had also developed an interest in creating different forms
and shapes with wax and clay. He curves figures of animals and human
figures in wood.

In one occasion, when Rizal was a young boy in Calamba, religious banner
which was always used during the town fiesta was damaged, thereby
diminishing to a certain extent its aesthatic value. To replace it, Rizal painted
in oil colors a new banner that delighted the town people because it was
more beautiful that the original one.

Rizal impressed his Jesuits professors in the Ateneo when he was studying
because of artistic skill when he curved an image of Our Virgin Mary on a
piece of batikuling( Philippine hardwood) with his pocket-knife.

In London, he curved"The Triumph of Death over Life" and "The Triumph of

Science over Death".

In Dapitan he curved " The Mother's Revenge". He modeled a statute

representing the mother- dog killing the crocodile by way of avenging her
lost puppy.

Other sculpture works of Rizal in Dapitan using wood as its medium were
the bust of Father Guerrico- An ateneo professor, "The Dapitan Girl" and
Josephine Bracken which appeared realistic because of their anatomical
shapes and proportion.

Rizal as a Linguist. Rizal could be ranked with the world's great linguistics
because of his remarkable skills in speaking several languages as fellows:
Spanish, Latin, English, Greek, French, German, Arabic, Hebrew, Dutch,
Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Swedish, Portuguese, Russian and Sanskrit;
Ilokano, Bisayan and Subanun.

Inspite of his other activities, he wrote a Tagalog grammar, made

comparative study of the Bisayan and Malayan languages, and conducted a
research on the Bisayan (Cebuana) and Subunan languages.
Rizal as a Writer. Rizal wrote quite a number of short stories, novels, poems
essays, play and fables, He translated his works in different languages, e.g.,
Spanish, English, Italian, French and German while in Dapitan.

Rizal as a Musician. Music had always been a part in every Filipino reunion
and social functions in Barcelona, Madrid, and other cities of Europe. At
times when feeling nostalgic of their loved ones back home, it provided
therapeutic effects to lessen their loneliness.

Rizal admitted that he had no natural aptitude for music. But his determined
effort and constant practice, he learned to play the flute fairly well.

In various occassions during social gathering of Filipinos in Barcelona and

Madrid, Rizal as flutist can produce melodies and expressive sounds to the
delight of his friends and other guests.

It is said that he composed the song entitled "Leonor", "El Canto del
Prisoner" and "Alin Mang Lahi" which were characterized by melodic rhythm
and tone and expressive of sentiments and emotions.

Josephine Bracken in Dapitan. One of the most significant events worth

remembering in connection with Rizal's life in Daptipan was the coming of
Miss Josephine Bracken.

In the still of the night, after a hard day's work, Rizal could not free himself
from the pangs of extreme melancholy. He thought of his family, relatives
and friends and his happy boyhood days in Calamba, the exhilarating
moments of his life in the historical and beautiful cities of Europe and other
places of interest he had gon, the bitter memories about Leonor Rivera's
Marriage to an Englishman, whom he loved so dearly for years and the
many disappointments and sad experiences caused his heart to bleed.

The misfortune and challenges which marred and befallen in his life could
wrecked a man of weaker stuff.

But God in his time and in his mysterious way writes straight in crooked
lines. The light of hope beckoned lovingly in the distance upon the arrival of
an eighteen year old lady, sweet, slender, almond blue eyes, brown hair, and
dressed with elegant simplicity- Miss Josephine Bracken.
Born on October 3, 1876 in hongkong of Irish parents. Her mother died from
childbirth and was adopted by an American engineer. George Taufer, who
after a few years with delightful memories with amiable and kind-hearted
Josephine.

Rizal and Josephine fell in love.., and each day that passed seemed to bring
them together. Towards the end of February, Rizal told George Taufer that he
was in love with Josephine and that he intended to marry her. Taufer objected
vehemently. Both Rizal and Josephine calmed him down- Josephine promising
to accompany him back to Manila and telling Rizal she would return. She did.
In April, into the arms of Rizal- to an ecstatic reunion of a man burdened by
exile because he gallantly fought for the emerging nation and a woman
saddened by a forlorn past, orphaned and dominated but adoptive father.

Josephine gave joy to Rizal, Rizal was fascinated by her lack of pretenses, so
their love blossomed.

Perhaps they were destined to be husband and wife because of their intense
mutual love for each other. Since there were no legal impediments, they
agreed to marry. Father Obach, the parish priest of Dapitan refused to marry
them in the absence of the ecclesiastical permission from the Bishop of Cebu.

Since the parish of Dapitan could not solemnize the marriage, one moonlight
night, they went to the beach, clasped each other's hand and united
themselves before Heaven. Better a union by the grace of God than marriage
darkened by sin.

Rizal and Josephine pledged to love each other and lived as husband and
wife, and therafter, lived happily.
So great was this Irish orphan's love for him.

The most important document is the letter to the Bishop of Cebu. It

bears a documentary stamp and the number 3.486.477.

Most Exellent and Illustrious Bishop of Cebu

Fray Martin Garcia Alcocer.

Most Illustious Sir:

Mr. Jose Rizal Mercado Y Alonzo, native of Calamba, Laguna, age 33

years, with due respect expounds to your lordship.

Desiring to marry in the church, Miss Josefina Leopoldina Taufer, age 18

years, orphan of mother, Registered in the American consulate in Manila
where she was residing and also professing the Roman Catholic and
Apostolic religion, and having been informed by the Vey Reverend Father
Antonio Obach, S.J., missionary of this district, that it was necessary to
apply to your Illustrious Lordship for the issue of the permit, in accordance
with customs, requests your Lordship to please issue the pertinent
authorization.

He has no doubt that he will be granted this permission considering the

recognized piety and righteousness of Your Lordship whose life may GOD
preserve for many years.

Dapitan, 6 March, 1895

Most Excellent and
Very Reverend Bishop of Cebu

How the late Mr. Famorca of Dapitan came to possess these document is a
mystery.

January of the following year Rizal wrote his mother to tell her that he was
sending her some salted fish" prepared by the person who lives at my
home". She is good, obiddient and meek. All that we lack is to be married;
but as you yourself say, "It is better to live in grace of God that to be Married
in mortal sin."

To his sister, trinidad, he wrote; Miss J. is better that her reputation... what
we only need is to pay a curate, that is to say, it is no necessary to us. Until
now we have not quaralled, we are always gay... The public can say that it is
a scandal; without doubt it is. It is very scandalous to live better than married
people."

After living in for almost eight months. Josephine was in the family way, but
unfortunately, she gave birth prematurely to an eight-month boy, that lived
for only a few hours. For couple, the loss of the baby was indeed
unbrearable.

Some reactionary Filipinos believed that Rizal led an immortal life with
Josephine in Dapitan. The letter to the Bishop threw a new light on the
relationship. Obviously, Rizal would have married her if circumstances had
permitted. On March, 14 1895 (The same month in which he wrote the
Bishop), he sent a letter to his mother in Manila through Josephine, whom
according to the letter, he"was on the point of marrying.. Our relations ship
were broken on her suggestion on account of the numerous difficulties in the
way.

Other interesting events and incidents in connection with Rizal's life in

Dapitan included: his long controversy on philosophy and religion with Rev.
Pablo Pastells, Superior of the Jesuits Order in the Philippines, by
correcpondence nad the visit of Dr. Pio Valenzuela, who was Andres
Bonifacio's emissary, to sound Rizal's views on the proposed uprising
against the Spanish Government.

Rizal to Cuba. Rizal's concern for the welfare of mankind in universal. At the
suggestiom of his friend Blumentritt, Dr. Rizal voluteered his services as a
physician attached to the Spanish medical corps in Cuba. After a little more
than six months, his application was accepted and so he had to leave
Dapitan for Manila, where he arrieved on board the Espana on August 6,
1896, Since the mail boat for spain had already left the day before his
arrival, Rizal had to wait for the next streamer. In the meantime, he
requested the authorities not o allow anybody except his family to
communicate with him. Accordingly, he was transferred to the Spanish
cruiser Castilla then anchored near Cavite to wait for the next streamer
which was scheduled to sail for Spain the Following month.

Chapter 11

THE ARREST AND TRIAL OF RIZAL

Sometime in August 1896, before the outbreak of Philippine

Revolution, Andres Bonifacio together with the other katipuneros
attempted to save Rizal from the cruiser, Castilla anchored at
Cavite. Through a motor boat, they were able to board
surreptitiously the cruiser to persuade Rizal to escape, but
hepolitely refused. Being a man of principle and conviction, he was
ready to face the consequences of his decision.

Rizal stayed on board Castilla for almost a month. By this time, Bonifacoi
and his katipunan followers had already proclaimed defiance of Spanish
goverment by tearing thier cedula certificates during the famous historical
"Cry of the Balintawak". On August 30, 1896, Governnor-General Ramon
Blanco gave Rizal a letter of recommendation to the Minister of War,
General Marcelode Azcarraga, which said among other things " Rizal's
conduct during the four years he remained in dapitan has been exemplary,
and he is on way involverd in chimerical (unreal or imaginary)attempt we are
now deplorng, neither in the conspiracy nor in any of the secret societies
that have been formed.

The next day his ship sailed for Spain on his way to Cuba. In his farewell
letters to his family, he said: "We are in the hands of Divine Providence. Not
all who go to Cuba die; and in the end if one has to die, let him die at least
doing something good.

FROM A VOLUNTEER PHYSICIAN TO A PRISONER. From Manila,

Governor-General Blanco wired back the most ominous warning for Rizal. "
After departure of Rizal very seriour charges filed against him for causing
insurrection and Prosecutor requests to be returned here as prisoner under
his diposal.."

The steamer reached Manila on November 3. Rizal under tight security was
brought and detained to Fort Santiago. while Rizal was held
incommunicado, in Fort Santiago, the Spanish authorities were busy looking
for evidence against him. Many Filipinos who sympathized with him were
arbitrily harassed. Some were even tortured. Documents and letters of
Rizal's friends in the Propaganda Movement were seized by the civil guards.

THE TRIAL. Rizal's trial began with the preliminary investigation on November 2o.
he appeared before the Judge Advocate, Colonet Francisco Oliver Garcia and
subjected to a very tiring and severe investigation for five days. He was accused of
the crimes of rebellion, seditin and forming illegal
associations.

The result of the preliminary investigation of the case conducted by Colonel Olive
Garcia were transmitted to Governor-General Ramon Blanco for appropriate
action, who in turn, appointed Captain Rafael Dominguez as the Judge Advocate
to evaluate the case and subsequently, made the corresponding decision against
Rizal.

RIZAL AND HIS DEFENDER. Denied the legal services or an experience civilian
lawyer, Rizal was given a list of names of first and second Lieutenants to choose
his counsel. He chose the name that seemed familiar to him, that Lieutenant luis
Traveil de Andrada who happened to be the brother of Lieutenant Josetraviel de
Andrada, the officer once assigned to him when he was under surveillance during
his brief sojourn in Calamba after his first return from Europe. Rizal and Andrada
became fast friends. When he was notified by authorities that he was chosen by
Rizal to be his defender, he accepted the responsibility.

The charges of the commision of offence committed by Rizal were read in

the presence o his defender and other persons in the court. Some of the
charges were refuted by Rizal to wit:

Meanwhile on December 13, 1896, the case against him was refferred to
Governor Gamilo de Polaveja who repalced Governor-General Blanco. By
virtue of the authority granted to him by the Spanish authorities, it was within
his power to order the creation of a court martial consisting of military
personnel who could try the accused.

On December 15, 1896, Rizal wrote a public declaration of his avowed

intentions. He appealed to Filipino people to stop shedding of blood and to
achieve their freedoms through education and hard work. What the country
needs today are individuals, not only with sense of vision and purpose, but
above all, MEN OF CONSCIENCE.

From the beggining, whom I had news of what was being planned, I
opposed it, fought for it, and demonstrated its absolute impossibility. This is
the truth, and witness to my words are still living. I was convince that the
idea was highly absurb and, what as worse, would bring great suffering. I did
more when later, inspite of my counsels, the movement broke out, I
spontaneously offered not only my services, but my life, and even my name
so that they might use them in the manner they saw fit to suppress the
rebellion, for, convinced of the evils that would befall them, I considered
myself fortunes. This is equally of record.

On Decenber 24, the Ordinary Court Martial of the Post was constituted,
with seven members: Colonl Jose Tagores Arojona (Cavalry), Ricardo
Muoz Arias (Captain, Artillery), Mnue; Reguera (Captain,Cavalry), Santiago
Osorio (Captain,Rangers),Manuel Escribano (Captain,Engineers), and
Fermin Rodrigez (Captain,General Ordinance). The assistant judge
advocate general, Enrique de Alcocer, was appointed prosecutor.

Judge Advocate Dominguez opened the trial by reading the charges against
Rizal, e.g., rebellion, sedition, and illegal association. After the presentation
of the charges against the accused, the prosecuting attorney Alcocer stood
up and delivered his remarks by giving the summary of the charges against
Rizal and urged the members of the military tribunal to decide by imposing
death penalty upon the accused.

When theProsecuting Attorney had finished his long and passionate speech,
Rizal's defender Traviel de Andrade took the floor and present his eloquent
defender characterized by forceful and appropriate expression.

After Lieutenant Traviel de Andrade's able defense on the accused he took

his seat. The military court aside Rizal whether he had something to say in
additional to the confidence, intelligence and skill of his counsel about this
case.

Rizal presented his own brief-memorandum of points

of facts as follows:

1. I could not be guilty of rebellion, for I even advised Dr.

Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan not to rise in revolution.
2. The revolutionists used my name without my knowledge.
If I had guilty, I could have escape from sinngapore.
3. If i had a hand in therevolution, I could have escaped
in a Moro vinta and wouldno build a house, and bought

lands in Dapitan.
4. If I were the chief of the revolution, why was I not

consulted by revolutionists.
5. The LA Liga Filipina did not live long, for after the first
meeting, I was deported to Dapitan and it died out.
6. If the La Liga Filipina was reorganized nine months later,

I did not know about it.

7. It was true I wrote the Constitution and By-Laws of the
La Liga Filipina, but this is only civic association and

not a revolutionary society.

8. While it was true that there were some bitter statements

In my letters, it was because they were written when my

Family was being persecuted, being dispossessed of their

Houses and lands; and my brother and brother-in

-law were deported without a due process.

9. It was not true that the revolution was inspired in one of

My speeches at the hous of Doroteo Ongjunco, as alleged

by witnesses whom I would like to confront. My friends

knew very well about my vehement opposition to an

armed rebellion. Why did the Katipunan send an

emissary to Dapitan who was a stranger to me? Because

those who knew me were aware that I would ever

sanction any violent movement.

10. My life in Dapitan had been exemplary as evidence by

my productive activities for the welfare of the people;

the politico-military commanders and missionary priests

could attest to these.

At the outset, the trial was patently a farce, and Evidently there would be a
miscarriage of justice. Rizal was a Civilian, but he was tried by the military
tribunal composed of
Military officials. The case was already prejudged in the Absence o a due
process. Rizal was not even given the right To face his accusers and the
witnesses against him in open Court. All the accusations against Rizal were
considered and All the arguments and evidence in his favor were virtually
Disregarded by the military judges. It seemed that the Members of the military
court met not to evaluate the evidence Presented before them, but to accuse
and condemn Rizal. The Military Court prejudiced even before the trial began,
Apparently, Rizal could not expect to have a fair, honest and Impartial justice.
The so-called trial was avirtual pantomime. No Prosecution witness was
allowed to testly so the defense could Not ask questions on crossexamination.

The procedure of trial was a prototype of simplicityif Not a mockery. (1) The
prosecutions brief (In law, a Memorandum of facts for use in conducting a
case) was read Before the court by the prosecutor; (2) Andrade presented the
Defence brief dated December 25, and (3) Rizal completed The process by
reading his Additions to My Defense, which He wrote dated December 26.

On the same day, December 26, Innocents Day the Military court submitted
its verdict on the charges against Rizal to Governor General Polavieja who
affirmed the death Sentence and decreed that the accused Jose Rizal
should be Executed before a firing squad at seven oclock in the morning
On December 30, 1896, on the field of Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park) with
all the formalities required by law.

Rizal was advised of the judgment on December 29, which he signed in

witness that it had been made known to him. Retana writes of Rizals
signature on the death sentence: It was written in a very steady, clear and
beautiful hand, every stroke denoting the most complete self-possession;
the most beautiful signature of Rizal I have come cross.
The trial was a sham. It was ridiculous and an utter Display of Power,
arrogance and deceit and total mockery of The law.

But Rizal personified a lesson in history that cannot Be reversed by time or

circumstances and be remained Steadfast and firm in his faith and
convictions.

What is the most admirable in Rizal, wrote Palma, is His complete selfdenial, his complete abandonment of his Personal interests in order to think
only of those of his Country.

Chapter 12

THE EXECUTION OF A NATIONAL HERO

After the infamous decision of the military court, Rizal Knew that his life was sealedhe was destined to die. He Was formally notified of his death sentence twenty-four
hours Before the exact time of the execution. During his remaining Hours, he received
a number of visitors from his prison cell in Fort Santiago. They were the Jesuit fathers
who were his former professors at Ateneo and who offered him spiritual consolation
and prayers. They were fathers Miguel Saderra Mata-Recto of Ateneo, Antonio Rosell,
Luis Viza, Jose Vilaclara, Federico Vauraand and Vincente Balaguer.

Don Santiago Mataix, correspondent of the Heraldo de Madrid and lieutenant Taviel de
Andrada, his able and gallant Defender during the trial also came to see him.

In he afternoon of the same day, the immediate Members of his family- his
aged mother, Doa Teodora, Sisters and Josephine Bracken came. To his
sister Trinidad, He gave his alcohol cooking lamp, inside which he had
written His Ultimo Adios.

Before they left the prison cell, Rizal kissed his mothers Hand and told her
with a soft and emotionals. voice: I knew I Had cause you pain and
moments of unhappiness, please Forgive me; then he gave Josephine a
tender kiss as if to say, goodbye my dear and unhappy wife. They left the
prison cell with tears in their eyes.

THE RETRACTION. Rizals life as a national hero of the Philippines was the
most documented both in primary and Secondary sources. However, the
issue in retraction was Still a case where the abundance of material
seemed he actually Led to confusion. A number of biographers and
hinstorians Had to follow a paper trail down to the primary source to
establish the validity of this piece of information. As a national hero of the
Philippines, Rizals life has become public he has little or no private life
left. Some textbook and other printed, literature give the impression that
Rizal a multi talented, liberal-minded, self-denying and reformist
intellectual with emotional sensitivity, a man of strong character and
conviction did not embrace back the Catholic faith until his last breath. His
retraction continues to intrigue historians and academicians.

But even if he became a Master Manson, since at the early childhood the
catholic doctrine and teachings were deeply implanted in his mind, he
continued to have faith in God. It is interesting to note that when a person is
at the point of death, he returns back to his Creator. Imbued with courage
and moral convictions are facets of Jose Rizal that continued to fascinate
peoples imagination.

At around ten oclock in the evening a draft of the retraction from Archbishop
Bernardo Nozaleda was shown to him, but he did not like it because it was
too wordy and too long. Another draft was shown again by Father Balaguer
which was prepared by Father Pio Pi, the superior of the Jesuit Mission in
the Philippines. Rizal like it, however, he wanted some portions be changed.

During his last hours at the prison cell at Fort Santiago, he agonized on the
question of whether to heed the advice of the priests attending to his
spiritual needs to reconcile with the Catholic Church which he finally
abandoned in favor of Free Masonry.

Rizal finally relented and wrote a letter of retraction which was published in
the Spanish newspapers during that time.

Records showed that Rizal wrote the retraction and finally signed in which
he renounced Masonry. A portion of it read:

I declare that I am a Catholic, and in this religion, in which Iwas born and
educated, I wish to live and die.

Rizals retraction was premised on the attacks he made against various

practices of the church and certain errors in religion and not his personal
political philosophy and conviction.

His retraction and his renunciation of Masonry and returning to the fold of
Catholicism made Rizal even a greater man because it takes moral courage
for any man to recognize his error and misconceptions and to rectify what
was conceived bad and immoral.

In the morning of December 30,1896, Rizal woke up early and recited the
morning prayer his mother taught him when he was a young boy.

He heard mass said by Father Balaguer. Before the mass began, he

confessed before Father Balaguer and received Holy communion during the
mass. He also readthe acts of Faith,Hope and Charity from the Spanish
prayer book entitled Aceptation dela muerte, (Acceptance of death) and
Imitation de Cristo, (The Imitation of Christ) by Thomas a Kempis.

At around five oclock in the morning, he had his last breakfast. A little later,
Josephine, accompanied by his sister Trinidad came. Rizal requested
Father Balaguer to solemnize a canonical marriage with Josephine an hour
before his death.

Rizals Last Letters. Rizal wrote farewell letters to his father, to his mother, to
his brother paciano, and to his intimate friend, Blumentritt.

The words he said were products of his thoughts and feelings reflective of
his mental and emotional conditions, character, temperament and
conviction.

His last letter to his father:

Dear Papa,

Forgive me for all the pains and sorrows that I had caused to repay you for yours
sacrificesfor my education.

Goodbye, Father.

His last letter to his bosom friend,Professor Bluementritt a part of which read:

My dear friend,

I shall be dead by the time you receive this letter. Tommorow, I shall be shot by a
firing squad at seven oclock in the morning at Bagungbayan Field.

I am innocent of the charges against me and I die with a clear conscience.

Goodbye.

Jose Rizal

His request to be sinot facing the firing squad was denied for the Spanish
officer had specific from higher authorities to have him shot at the back

As The people crowded the scene the guns of the firing squadrang out
successively and suddenly an immense sigh arose from the multitude
indicating that all was over.

Rizal's body riddled by bullets fell lifeless on the ground with his face upward
facing the sky. He died exactly at 7:30 in the morning. Shouts of "Viva
Espana!"(Long Live Spain! Death to the traitor,') felled the air.

What an outrage! It was indeed a great day for Spain Little did she realize
that the shots that snuffled the life of Rizal shattered to pieces her empire.

An eye witness of the execution, Howard Q. Bray wrote: "Never while life
lasts , shall i forget that awful morning nor the thrilling , sensation. I felt when
the rifles cracked and his mangled body fell on the public promenade amid
the jeers of Spaniards and monks, thus consummating one of the most coldblooded crimes registered in history since the tragedy og Golgota." While
the Military Band played, people began to dispere and to leave the place.

The remains of the great martyr were buried in Paco Cementary but on
December 30, 1912, they were transfered to the base of the presedent Rizal
monument at the Luneta.

Today, a very famous landmark, right on the heart of Manila, stands a statue
of a man silhouetted againts the blue sky. perhaps the greatest educated
,Filipino - a man with a purpose and a man of conscience, martyr and
national hero - DR. JOSE RIZAL.

Rizal's "ULTIMON ADIOS". The famous, longest and untitled poem the hero
wrote on December 29,1896 the eye of his execution in his prison cell at
Fort Santiago was full of beautyful and sublime thoughts characterized with
a sense of lofty ideals, love of country and his countrymen. It is full of
emotions filled with sadness and nostalgic memories because he was
leaving his loved ones and his beloved country.

The original in Spanish of this Ultimo Adios was translated in different

languages, e.g English, French, German, Italian, Japenese and Malayan.

The translation from Spanish to English was by Charles E.Derbyshire, while

the Tagalog translation was by Jose Gatmaitan.

ULTIMO ADIOS
Adios, Patria adorada, region del sol querida,
Perla del mar de Oriente, nuestro perdido Eden!
si fuera mas bri.lante, mas fresca, mas florida,
A darte voy alegre, la triste, mustia vida
Tambien por ti la diera, la diera por tu bien.
En campos de batalla,luchando con delirio,
Ostros te dan sus vidas, sin dudas,in pesar.
El sitio nada importa: cipres, laurel o lirio,
Cedalso o campo abierto combate o cruel martirio,
Lo mismo es, si lo piden la partria y el hogar.
Yo muero cuando veo que el cielo se colora,
Y al firi anuncia el dia tras lobrego capuz:
Si grana necesitas nasa tenir la aurora,
Vierta la sangre mia derramala en buen hora.
Y dorela un reflejo de su nacienete luz!

Miss suenos cuando apenas nino o adolescente,

Mis suenos cunado joven, ya lleno de vigor,
Fueron el verte un dia, joya del mar de Oriente!
Socos nos negros ojos, alta la tersa frente,
Sin ceno, sin arrugas, sin manchas de rubor.
Ensueno ne vida, mi ardiente vivo anhelo.
Salud! te grita el alma que pronto va partir.
Salud! oh! que es hermoso caer por darte vuelo.
Morir por darte vida, morir bajo tu cielo,
Y en tu encantada tierra la eternidad dormir.
Si sobrae mi sepulco vierres brotar un dia,
Entre la espesa yerba, sencilla humiddle flor.
Acercala a tus labios y besa el alma mia.
Y siente yo en mi frente, bajo la tumba fria,
De tu ternura el soplo, de tu halito el calor.

Deja a la luna verme con luz tranquila y suave,

Deja que el alba envie su resplandor fugaz,
Deja gemir al viento con su murmullo grave;
Y si gemir y pos sobre mi cruz un ave,
Deja que el ave entone su cantico de paz
Deja que el sol ardiendo las lluvias evapore.
Y al cielo tornen puras con mi clamor en pos;
Deja que en ser amigo mi fin temprano llore.
Y en las serenas tardes cuando por mi alguien ora.
Ora tambien, oh Patria! por mi descanse a dios.
Ora por todos cuantos murieron sin ventura,
Por cuantos pedecieron tormentos sin igual,
Por nuestras pobles madres que gimen su amargura,
Por huerfanos y viudas, por presos en tortura,
Y ora por ti, que veas turedencion final.

Y cuando, en noche oscurra envuelva el cementrio

Y solo, con los muertos q eden vilndo alli,
No turbes su reposo, no turbes el misterio;
tal vez acorde origas de citera o salterio;
Soy yo. querida Patria, yo que te canto a ti.
Y cuando ya mi tumba, de todos olvidada.
No tenga cruz ni peidra que marquen su lugar,
Deja que la are hombre, la espanza con la azada.
Y mis ceniza, antes que vuelvan a la nada.
Y miss ceniza, antes que vuelva a la nada,
El polvo de tu afomba que vayan a farmar.
Entonces nada importa me pongas enolvido.
Tu atosfera, tu expacio, tus valles cruzare
Vibrnate y limpia nota sere para tu oido;
Aroma, luz, colores, rumor, canto, gemido,
Constante repitiendo la esencia de mi fe.

Mi Patria idolatrada, dolor de mis dolores,

Querida Filipinas, oye el postrer adios!
Ahi te dejo todo:mis padres, mis amores:
Voy a donde no hay esclavos, verdugos ni opresores;
Donde la fe no mata, donde el que reina es Dios!
Adios, padres, hermanos, trozos de alma mia,
Amigos de la infacia en el perdido hogar!
Dad gracias, que descanso del fatigo dia!
Adios, dulce extrangera, mi amiga mi alegra!
Adios,queridos seres! Morir es descansar!

LAST FAREWELL

farewell, dear fatherland, climeof the sun caress'd

Pearl of the orient seas, our eden lost!
Gladly now I go to give thee this faded life's best,
And were it brighter, fresher, or more blest,
Still would I give it thee, nor count the cost.
On the field of battle,'mid the frenzy of light,
Others have given their lives, without doubt or heed;
The place matter not-cypress or laurel or lily white,
Scaffold or open plain, combat or martyrdom's plight,
Tis ever the same, to serve our home and country's need.
I die just when I see the dawn break,
Through the gloom of night, to herald the day;
And if color is lacking my blood thou shalt take,
Pour'd out at need for the thy dear sake,
To dye with its crimson the waking ray

My dreams, when life first opened to me,

My dreams, when the hopesof youth beat high,
Were to see thy lov'dface, O gem of the orient sea.
From gloom and grief, from care and sorrow free;
No blush on thy brown, no tcar in thine eye.
Dream of my life, my living and burning desire,
All hair! cries the sould that is now to take flight;
All hair! and sweet it is for thee to expire,
To die for thy sake, that thou mayst aspire,
And sleep in thy bosom eternity's long night.
If over my grave some day thou seest grow.
In the grassy sod, a humble flower,
Drawit to thy lips and kiss my soul so,
while I may feel on my brow in the cold tomb below
The touch of thytenderness, thy breath's warm power.

Let the moon beam over me soft and serene,

Let the dawn shed overme its radiant flashes,
Let the wind with the sand lament over me keen;
And if on my cross a bird should be seen,
Let it trill there its hymn of peace of my ashes.
Let the sun draw the vapors up to the sky,
And heavenward in purity bear my tardy protest;
Let some kind sould o'er my untimely fate sigh,
And in the still evening a prayerbe lifted on high
From thee, O my country, that in Godd I may rest.
Prayer for all those that hapless have died,
For all who have suffered the unmeasur'd pain;
For our mothers that bitterly their voes have cried,
For windows and orphans, for captives by torture tried;
And then for thyself that redemption thou mayst gain.

And when the dark night wraps the graveyard around,

With only the dead in their vigil to see;
break not my repose or the mystery profound,
And perchance thou myst hear sad hymn resound,
Tis I, O my country, raising a song unto thee
When even my grave is remembered no more,
Umark'd by never a cross or a stone;
Let the plow sweep through it, the spade turn it o'er
That my ashe may carpet thy earthy floor,
before into nothingness at last hey are blown.
Then will oblivion bring to me no care;
As over thy vales and plains I sweep;
Throbbing and cleansed in thy space and air,
with color and light, with song and lament I fare,
Ever repeating the faith that I keep.

My Father ador'd that sadness to my sorrow lends,

Beloved Filipinas, hear now mylast good-bye!
I give the all; parents and kindred and friends;
For I go no slave before the oppressore bends,
Where faith never kill, and God reigns e'er on high!
Farewell to all, from my soul torn away,
Friends of my childhood in the home dispossessed!
Give thanks that I rest from wearisome day!
Farewell to thee, too, sweet friend, that lightened my way;
Beloved creatures all, farewell! In death there is rest!

HULING PAALAM

Paalam na, sintang lupang tinubuan,

bayang mayaman sa init ng araw,
Edeng maligayang sa ami'y pumanawa
at perlas ng dagat sa dakong Silangan
Inihahamdog ko ng ganap na tuwa
sa iyo yaring buhay na lanta na't aba;
naging dakila ma'y iaalay rin nga
kung dahil sa iyong ikatitimawa.
Ang nanga sa digmaang dumog sa paglaban
handog din sa iyo ang kanilang buhay,
hirap ay di pansin at di gunamgunam
and pagkaparool o pagtatagumpay.

Bibitaya't madlang mabangis na sakit

o pakikibakang lubhangmapanganib,
pawang titiisin kung ito and nais
ng baya't tahanang pinakaiibig
Ako'y mamamatay ngayong minamalas
ang kulay ng langit na nanganganinag
ibinababalang araw ay sisikat
sa kabila niyang mapanglaw na ulap
Kung dugo ang iyong kinakailangan
sa ikadidilag ng iyong pag silang
dugo ko'y ibubo't sa isa man lamang
nang gumigiti mong sinag ay kuminang.
Ang mga nasa ko, mulabg magkaiisip,
magpahanggang ngayong maganap ang bait,
ang ika'w makitang hiyas na marikit
ng dagat Silangan na nakaliligid.

Noo mo'y maningning at sa mga mata

mapait na luha bakas ma'y wala na,
wala ka ng poot, wala ng balisa
walang kadugungua't munti mang pangamba,
Sa sandaling buhay maalab kong nais
ang kagalingan mo't ang paiwang mong sulit
ng kaluluwa kong gayak ng aalis:
ginhawa'y kamtan mo! Anong pagkarikit!
Nang maaba't ikaw'y mapataas lamang,
mamatay at upang mabigyan kang buhay
malibing sa lupang puspos ng karikta't,
sa silong ng iyong langit ay mahimlay.
Kung sa ibang araw ikaw'y may mapansin
nipot na bulaklak sa aba kong libing
sa gitna ng mga damong masisinsin
hagka't ang halik mo'y itaos sa akin

Sa samyo ng iyong pagsuyong matamis,

mataos na taghoy ng may sintang dibdib,
bayaang tumangap noo ko ng init,
na natatabunan ng lupang malamig.
Bayaan mong ako'y malasin ng buwan
sa liwang niyang hinaho't malamlam;
bayaan hihatid sa aking liwayway
ang banaag niyang dagling napaparam.
Bayaang humibik angsimoy ng hangin;
bayaang sa huning masay'y awitin
ng darapong ibon sa kurus ng libing
ang buhay payapang kinaaaliw.

Bayaang ang araw na lubhang maningas

pawiin angulan, gawing pawang ulap,
maging panganuring sa langit umakyat,
at ang aking daing ay mapakilangkap.
Bayang ang aking maagang pagpanaw
itangis ng isang lubos na nagmahal;
kung may umalala sa akin ng dasal,
ako'y iyo sanang idalangin naman.
Idalangin mo rin ang di nagkapalad,
nanangamatay na't yaong nangaghirap
sa daming pasakit, at ang lumalangap
naming mga ina ng luhang masaklap.
Kung nababalot na ang mga libingan
ng sapot na itim ng gabing mapanglaw,
at wala ng tanod kundi pawang patay,
huwag gambalain ang katahimikan.
Pagpitaganan mo ang hiwagang lihim,
at mapapakinggan ang tinig marahil,
ng isang salterio: Ito nga'y ako ring
inaawitan ka ng aking paggiliw.

Kung ang libingan kong limot na ang madla

ay wala nang kurus at bato mang tanda
sa nangangbubukit ay ipaubayang
bungkali't isabog ang natipong lupa.
Ang mga abo ko'y bago pailanglang
mauwi sa wala na pinanggalingan;
ay makalat munang parang kapupunan
ng iyong alabok sa lupang tuntungan.
Sa gayo'y wala ng anoman sa akin
na limutin mo ma't akin lilibutin
ang himpapawid mo kaparanga't hangin
at ako sa iyo'y magiging taginting
Bango, tinig, higing, awit na masaya
liwanag at kulay na lugod ng mata't
uulit-ulitin sa tuwi-tuwina.

Ako'y yayao na sa bayang payapa,

na walang alipi't punong mapang-aba,
doo'y i nanatay ang paniniwala
at ang naghahari Diyos na dakila.
Paalam na liyag, tanging kaulayaw,
taga ibang lupang aking katuwaan,
paalam sa inyo, mga minamahal;
mamatay ay ganap na katahimikan

LAST HOURS TO MARTYRDOM. Biographer Wenceslao Retana, Rafael

Palma and Leon Ma. Guerrero recounted Rizal's gift of genius, methodical
lifestyle anthe d productive hours, all of which would negate the logic Rizal
haw waited until December 29 to fill his remaining few hours with the most
important decisions and testam

Lieutenant Andrade, not being a lawyer, must have

learned that the maximum penalty of death could not be
evaded because the goverment has arranged even the most
inclusive and flimsy evidence gainst the accused. Was
pardon or communication on the mind of his defence counsel,
Andrade?

How could pardon or communication be extended by a

goverment so totally bent on destroying the man who inspired
the rebellion? Doa Teodora even went to Malacaang with a petition for
a pardon, but she was not admitted to the palace.

When Rizal learned on Christmas Day that an ordinary

court martial of the Post was constituted to try him for the
complex and capital crime of rebellion through illegal
association he must have known that the countdown to
martyrdom would be quick and ha started clicking even
before the trial.

Most histoiansand biographers feel justified in their

comments and observations that Rizal's final fate and
confrontation with the Manila goverment had been sealed
by the publication of the Noli in March, 1887 and the fili in September, 1891.

these two novels had transformed Rizal from a social

to a political crusader for his people.

RIZAL'S REMAINS. An article from historical references

by Luis R sioson, a member of the historicalcommission,
shows that the ;ast request Rizal shortly before his execution
was denide by the Spanish authorities.

The article said Rizal had one final wish before he faced
his executon-to allow his mother Teodora Alonso to take
possession of the corpse.

Rizal's plea was turned down by the Spaniards.

Shortly after, then Mnila Mayor Manuel Luengo

allowed Rizal's mother to take her son's body.

After the execution, Rizal's family went to Bagumbayan

to claim the body but found none.

Rizal's sister, Narcisa, searched the whole day bringing

a small marble slab which the family wanted to place on Rozal's
grave. Shewent frome one cementary to another in thecity and
beyond the city liits to seach for her brother's body,but failed.

At the end of the day, she almost gave up, as she

was passing by pacocementary, Narcisa saw several "guardia
civiles," something unusual in those days.

Rizal's sister struggled to sneak in and saw a pot of

freshly dug earth which turned out ti be her brother's
unmarked grave.

Narcisa place the small marble slab she had carried

and which inscribed "R.P.J."

The increibed "R.P.J." was actually Jose Protacio

Rizal's initials, but only in verse.

This was intentionally done by the family so the

authorities would not notice that the marble slb designed
by Doroteo Ongjungco, a family friend, belonged to Rizal.

The famliy feared that any untoward attraction would

cause the transfer of Rizal's body.

When the americans had taken over Manila on August

17, 1898, the family led by Narcisa, her douther, Angelica,
and several sculptop-friends had Rizal's body exhumed, almost
two years after his death.

Rizal's body was buried without a coffin, and his cloches

and shoes could still be identified by the family.

However, whatever was hidden in Rizals shoes as he

mentioned to his sisters in the final hour before his execution
crumbled to the touch.

Rizal's vertebra showed a bullet bored through, leaving

a scar. Narcisa later kept that bullet=scarred bone in a glass and
silver cup in her house.

The rest ofRizal's bones were taken home by Narcisa

where they were washed with reverence by family friends
Higinio Francisco and Romunaldo Teodoro de Jesus.

De Jesus later crafted and ivory urn to serve as a

receptacle for rizal's remains, which, by the turn of the
century, became the center of frequent public display of
respect as the Filipinosbegan to take notice of Rizal's heroism.

Sixteen years after Rizals bones were retrieved by his

sister,on December 29, 1912, the ivory urn with Rizal
remains was carried in a procession to the Ayuntamiento in
Intramuros, a symbol of the mighty spanish rule.

Mounted on a splendid catafalque adorned with floral blooms, the urn

became the object of patriotic and civic group' vigil the whole day.

Sixteen years to the day Rizal was felled by Spanish firing squad, the ivory
urn was transferred to the Luneta on "an artillery caisson drawn by six
horses"

Scores of Filipinos joined the procession, and thousands more watched the
event as Rizal's remains were placed in the midst of a a foundation over
which the Rizal monument was to rise almost 90 years later in very ground
he had fallen a century ago.

Rizal's parents, Teodora Alonzo and Francisco Mercado, according to

historians did not live long enough to see the monument offered by a
grateful nation to their martyred son who led the rise against the tyranny of
Spain more than 100 years ago.

On Dr.Rizal's Alleged Retraction

The alleged retraction of Dr. Jose Rizal on his masonic affilition before he
was executed continued to exile and intrigue the imagination of historians,
biographers, scholars, academicians and students.

In the October 12, 1960 issue of the Collegian, the official publication of the
University of the Philippines, an article on the alleged retraction presented
some distrubing confusion with regard to the issue, to wit:

1. Alleged Retraction Document- A "Pious Fraud".

It is stated that, any intellectual honest person will not conclude that Dr. Jose
Rizal retracted because a piece of paper purporting that such a retraction
occurred says so, regardless of the dubious circumstances under which
such a document- if it can be considered as such- came into light Among
other things, this alleged retraction document has been called by
responsible people a "Pious Fraud" and is in itself and insult not only to the
venerable memory of the dead hero but more particularly so to the
intelligence of the greatest Filipino to have graced the pages of our history.

In his Commonwealth biographical contest-winning book, "The pride of

malay race" (translated from the spanish original by ex-justice roman
ozaeta) Dr. Rafael palma, one-time president of the University, presented
the soundest arguments- which any sound-thingking individual would readily
conclude as most logical indeed- why Dr. Rizal would never retract and
could not have retracted his Masonic Affiliation.

Dr. Palma's book should surpass all other biographies of the national hero for the
reason that if it takes a Roman Catholic to understand another of the same sect,
then it may be equally stated that it takes a Mason to understand fully another
Mason. As both Dr. Rizal and Dr. Palma belonged to the same society =, more or
less their minds were oriented to the same manner of thinking.

2.Freemasonry Not Anti-Catholic.

It is indeed very unfortunate that in this country and in so many other countries
were Roman Catholic fanatics abound, so much publicity as been circulated that
Freemasonry is Anti-Catholic and therefore, Mansons are enemies of the AntiCatholic church. There is nothing farther from the truth. Such an attitute towards
an age-old international fraternity whose main object is to foster "Brotherhood
among men under the fatherhood of God", smacks of sheer ignorance, bias and
intolerance. In consequence of such erroneous thinking, it follows that if Dr. RIzal
died as a Mason(and this is something cannot be doubted). Then he died as an
enemy of the Catholic Church. Yet Dr. Rizal never showed any hatred at any
moment during his lifetime and this includes the period when he became a
manson. But then it is inconceivable to a lot of fanatically-minded Catholics that
Dr. Rizal, the Philippines national hero, died as a Mason. Hence the necessity of
creating an alleged retraction document event if it had to be worded in a most
"puerile" and illogical manner.

3. Father Burgos- Not an Enemy of the state either.

Contrary to wahat a lot of misinformed individuals claim there is no

conclusive proof as yet(and probably there never will be!) that father burgos
was really guilty of the trumped-up charges him by jealous and antinationalistic persons. The case of Father Burgos that were so common
during that infamous era brought up against him, Although in some respect
similar to that of Cardinal Midzenty, was worse because the Roman Catholic
church at that time being very powerful, but Spanish controlled neverthless,
could have easily saved him but no, it did not because he was a native
priest who was so nationalistic to the pint of working for the secularization of
Philippines parishes? what a paradox, indeed!

4. The Case of the NBI Handwriting Expert.

The alleged retraction paper examined was not the original but only a
photostatic copy of same.(For unknown reasons the original is inaccesible to
the general publich for closer scrutiny.) There is still nothing definite
regarding the authenticity of the alleged retraction document that has benn
arrived at yet.

Chapter 13

NOLI AND FILI: Rizal's Immortal Novels

Rizal consecrated his God-given talents, and even sacrificed his own life for
the redemption of his countrymen. His entire political life, both in though and
action, applied morality to politics, the fundamental belief that "violence
breeds violence" and that no good could come of it. He was determined to
aid a young people to find its own personality as a nation of the future. The
long period of colonial domination and the constant humiliations and
discrimination experienced by the Filipinos from their colonial master, the
Spaniards developed in them a feeling of inferiority and a lack of racial pride
and dignity.

Rizal believed that his life and death were for a purpose and God desire him
to act as he did. His efforts to fight to free his countrymen from ignorance
and exploitation was vividly and dramatically manifested in his two immortal
novels Noli Me Tangere (Social Center) and El Filibusterismo. (The Reign of
Greed)

Noli Me Tangere.

Noli is a classic novel, definitive, adhering to an established set of

artistic standard, punctuated with humor and wit and of sustained interest,
quality and style, vigorous and elegant, full of profound ideas and sublime
thoughts, something worthy of its kind and worth remembering.

Noli Me Tangere came into being because Rizal was deeply touched while
reading Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin", which portrayed the
brutalities of American slave-owners and the pathetic conditions of the
unfortunate Negro slaves. His emphathy as he sympathized with this
oppressed people became the starting point to write these twin novels.
These two novels were aimed towards reform but they were treated with
defferent style characterized by a particular and distinctive mode of
presenting and treating the content.

While "Noli Me Tangere" was pacifist, choosing peaceful reforms through

education of the youth, in "El Filibusterismo",
Rizal sought to revenge the sufferings of his family and countrymen
resulting from bitter and traumatic experiences. This differrence was
accounted for by Rizal's political ideal that the right thing would happen at
the right time. He knew that his duty was to continue relentlessly to bring
englightenment of his country in general and to its educated youth
inparticular, making them see for themselves as they really were- a people
under tyranny and misrule of the colonial masters. He also wished that the
Spaniards can see for themselves as they were- the oppressors; thereafter
leaving it to event to take their course.

"Noli Me Tangere" did not advocate for full independece, but Rizal pstulated
it as the only alternative if the Filipino cries were heard. "Noli" was dedicated
"To My Country", for the Filipino people-his countrymen. He hoped to bring,
about an improvement in the relation between the rulers and the ruled. The
novel presented Spain an opportunity to introduce fundamental reforms
before it was too late. The book also exposed some Filipino weaknesses as
well as friar wickedness.

Rizal was aware of the shortcomings of his own people when it came to
misplaced individualism. He emphatically advocated that "there would no
tyrants if there were no slaves";
and the tyranny of some was possible only through cowardice and
negligence of other. He believed that the youth was the hope of the
fatherland, and that they needed education in order to attain reforms
through peacful methods.
Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase, translated in English which means
"Touch me Not". The book contained things nobody in the philippines had
dared to speak about because they were delicate matters and could not be
touched by anyone.

El Filibusterismo

Fili as a political novel, dramatized bitterness, hatred, pain, violence, sorrow,

greed and vengeance. It was dedicated in memory of the martyrdom of the
Filipino priests-Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora. who
were executed in Bagongbayan Field on Ferbruary 28, 1872. Fili was a
novel that bore an irresistible urge to revolution, while promising nothing
from it. The novel, however, achieveda dual purpose: both an incitement to
revolution and a dreadful warning against it, which appeared very realistic.

Rizal saw no alternative to revolution, since every plea fell on deaf ears. But
he could not envision how a revolution could succeed. "El Filibusterismo"
was not an appeal. "It was a profound description of revolt, with all the
urgency of its demands, and with all the shortcomings in their fulfillment." To
Spain it was a last warning.

Symposis of the Noli Me Tangere

The Noli Me Tangere is a classical novel that described the true Philippine
socio-political conditions during the last decades of the Spanish rule. The
places, the characters and the the incidents were real "The fatcs I narrate are
true and they actually happened; Rizal said, I can prove them."

The novel begins with a dinner given by Capitan Tiago in honor of Crisostomo
Ibarra, a young and wealthy Filipino who had just returned after several years
successful study in Europe.

Ibarra was the only son of Don Rafael Ibarra and the fiance of beautiful and
demure Maria Clara, whose supposed father was Capitan Tiago, a friend of
Don Rafael.

The guest that graced the occasion were Padre Damaso, Franciscan Parish
priest of San Diego, Padre Sibilya, a Dominican priest. Senor Guevara, a
lieutenant of the Guardia Civil, Don Tiburcio de Espadana, a pseudo Spanish
physician, lame and with physical deformity, hempecked and husband of Dona
Victoria, vain and full hallucinatios and pretending to be a pure-bloodied
Castillian, and quite a number of ladies.

Ibarra was introduced before the guest and they were all impressed by his
gentle manners and winsome personality. His successful Study and various
travel abroad was the centerpiece of the conversatio among the guest
especially the young ladies except Padre Damaso who seemed not
interseted at all and was sulking like a child because he was displeased with
the bony nect of the chicken tinola he got that was served during the dinner.

When the dinner was over, Ibarra politely left the house accompanied by
Lieutenant Guevara who narrated to him the sad and tragic story of the
death of his father while defending a boy who was pushed by an abusie
Spanish tax collector; and accidentally killing him. He was thrown in jail
without due process where he died later.

He became sad and upset because of the anguish and pain about the story
he learned from the lieutenant Guevara. Determined to find out the truth
about the death of his father, he went to San diego to look for his father's
grave.

At the cementery, the sepulterero (grave-digger) told Ibarra that the corpes
of Don Rafael was removed upon the order, of the parish priest to be buried
in the chinese cemetery. Because of the heavy rains and gusty winds with
lightning and thunder and the heavy corpes, he dragged it and threw the
dead body into the lake.

On a fine Sunday morning an interesting incident was the picnic in the lake
wherein Ibarra and his family and a few close friends. When everybody was
enjoying the serenity of the lake, an almost tragic incident happened when
the big Lanca they were riding almost capsized because of the huge wave
created by a big crocodile. The dreadful episode that almost spoiled the
pinic was the saving of the life of Elias, the boatman when he bravely
grappled with the ferocious crocodile in the lake. Ibarra sensing that the life
of Elias was in virtual danger, he immediatel jumped into the water and
defied the menancing harm in his life. With a dagger, he gave a hard thrash
on the crocodile's belly killing the reptile.

Meanwile the people of San Diego were all busy preparing for the
celebration of the annual fiesta. One of the highlights of the said occasion
was the laying of the cornerstone of the construction of the schoold building.
During the ceremony, in the presence of a huge crowd when everybody's
attention was focused on the laying of the marker Ibarra went down into the
trench when all sudden, a mysterious man attacked and attempted to kill
him. Fortunately, Elias the man he saved at the brink of death during the
picnic in the lake saved his life.

In the evenning of the same day, a sumptuous dinner for all was attended by
the townspeople at the plaza. Padre Damaso kept on insulting the memory
of Ibarra's father in the presence of guest. Beclouded with passion and
obfuscation, Ibarra almost killed the ill-mannered friar. The timely
intervention of Maria Clara prevented the tragic incident.

With this unfortunate episode, he was excommunicated and as a

consequence his engagement with Maria Clara was broken. Later, he was
pardoned.

Maria Clara could not bear the pain and the anguish surrounding the
incident. She could not get over it so she became ill.

When the fiesta was over, a young , boastful, self-conceited and jobless
Spaniards, Don Alfonso Linares de Espandana, Cousin of Don Tiburcio de
Espadana came to visit the Philippines to look for a woman who can be his
wife.

Done Victorina and Padre Damaso intruduced Linares to Maria Clara. The
introduction was deliberately planned and they thought would have some
positive result, but Maria Clara did not respond because Ibarra left a niche in
her heart.

The terriflying impossobility to see her two sons triggered he mental

condition to break down and consequently she became insane.

The story of Elias was full of challenges, unpleasant memories evoking

feeling of pity and compassion. He related to Ibarra the details of his life.

His grandfather who was employed in a commercial establishment in Manila

was accused of setting fire on the firm's warehouse. His punishment was a
severe beating that he almost died. His wife was pregnant and after giving
birth became a prostitute in order to survive and to support her sick husband
and their young sons.

Several years later the older son became a dreaded tulisan roaming around
and sowing terror and apprehension among the people of the town. His
terroristic unlawful activities finally ended when he was caught by the
authorities. His head was cut off and was hanged on a branch of tree near
the river, while his headless body was buried.

When her mother saw the horrible object which was her son's head, she
fainted and eventually died.

The younger brother left the place and became a helper of a wealthy man.
He fell in love with the daughter of the rich man, his master. When the gild's
father knew about their relationship, he became furious and investigated his
past. The unfortunate lover who impregnated his daughter was Elias father.

Because his master was well-to-do, he was able to force him to leave the place
leaving her daughter behind and gave birth to twins- a boy(elias) and a girl.

The wealthy grandfather who had illicit relations with their mother took good care
and reared them as rich children while keeping with outmost secrecy about their
incestuous and scandalous origin.

Since no one can deny the existence of the truth, their biological relationship was
finally discovered and they were disgraced and mortified. They came to know
later, that the poor ignored abused old servant of the family was their real father.

Elias and his sister with remorse feeling about their grandfather who was also
their father left the place to go to another town where nobody knew them to
conceal their shame-full past.

One day, his sister disappeared and was no where to be found. There was even
no cue about her whereabouts. Elias worried about her sister's sudden
disappearance roamed around the place looking for her. In the late afternoon, the
people of Sa Diego found a dead gild in the beach and was later confirmed that
she was Elias sister.

Since then, Elias, alone, forlorn, helpless, hopeless, and desperate lived a
vagabond life wandering from one place to another without any direction
and purpose until he met Ibarra.

The enemies of Ibarra were determined to destroy his life. When Elias
learned about the impending arrest of Ibarra, he burned all the papers and
the other pieces of evidence that would incriminate his friend. He went to the
prison where Ibarra was incarcerated and helped him to escape by way of
riding a banca full of zacate (Grass for Horses).

Hurriedly, Ibarra stopped in the house of Capitan Tiago to see Maria Clara
and bid goodbye, Maria Clara could not help control her emotions so her
eyes welling with tears, she told Ibarra that she gave his letters to the
Spanish authorities in exchange of the letter of her late mother; Pia Alba
which Padre Salvi Kept. From the letter Padre Salvi gave her she found out
that the real father was Padre Damaso.

Hastily, after clasping the hands of Maria Clara, he returned to the banca where
Elias was waiting. Elias told Ibarra to lie down in the banca and covered him grass
while he paddled the banca along Pasig River headed toward the Manila Bay.

A police boat loaded with Guardia Civil pursued them until they reached the bay.
When the police boat was about to overtake their banca, Elias jumped into the
water and swam toward the shore diverting the attention of Guardia Civil and
giving Ibarra a chance to escape.

With the rapid and successive fir by the Guardi Civil aimed at the swimming Elias,
he was hit and he sank, The water turned into red because of the blood-an
indication he was wounded.

Thinking that Ibarra was killed, the soldiers stopped firing. The news spread that
Ibarra is dead.

In the meantime, Elias who was seriously wounded was able to reach the shore,
crawled slowly and hid to the forest. Feeling week and dizzy because of loss of
blood, he met Basilio, son of Sisa who was weeping over her mother's dead body.

Elias catching his breath, he told Basilio to set fire on his mothers's dead
body and his (Elias body) were to be burned to ashes. Basilia prepared the
pyre-a pile of dried wood and leaves for her mother's corpse and that elias.

During the dark night, Elias gasping for breath slowly said, "I die without
seeing the dawn".

Little did he know that Maria Clara entered the monastery to seek solitude
and peace of mind-secluded, unhappy, desolate and lost to the world the
rest of her life.

While Ibarra went to another place which nobody knew because everybody
thought that he was dead.

Synopsis of "El Filibusterismo"

Fili is a political novel full of bitterness, sorrow, pain, violence and

vengeance to awaken the Filipino people against the absive masters. It bore
an irresistible urge to revolution among the Filipino to go against the
government and the practice of the church which appeared realistic.

The novel begins on board a steamer Tabo sailing upstream the Pasig River
towards Laguna de Bay. Among the passengers were Simoun, a rich
jeweler(the principal character) who was also Crisostomo Ibarra in the Noli,
Dona Victorina, Don Tiburcio, de Espadana, Paulita Gomez, the beautiful
but haunghty, niece of Dont Tiburcio, Isagani, ardent lover of paulita, Padre
Florentino, humane, Basilio, son os SIsa and other passengers.

Ibarra with the help of Elias was able to elude the Guardia Civic. He dug the
buried treasure and went toCuba. In Cuba, because of his immense wealth,
he befriended high ranking officials of the goverment and became powerful.
He returned to the Philippines after thirteen years as Simoun-a man wealth,
strong, mysterious and powerful and became a close friend and advider of
the Spanish Governor-General.

Nobody knew that Simoun, the wealthy and powerful was Ibarra who
decided to come back to the Philippines to carry on his plan to overthrow the
government through a revolution and save Maria Clara in the Monastery.

But accidentally, Basilio discovered the true identity of Simoun when they
met at the grave of Elias and Sisa.

Simoun planned to kill basilio for fear that his identity might be disclosed,
howerver, he realized that he (Basilio) has also to avenge the brutal death of
his brother that caused the insanity of his mother. He told Basilio his reason
why he came back to the philippines and the designs how he would carry
his objectives.

Simoun virtually used his wealth and political influence to encourage

corruption and other illegal activities government. He promote oppression
and total disregard to human dignity of the people especially the poor so
that they will hate the government and become desperate and fight to
hasten its early downfall. He even supported Chinese tradrs to smuggle
arms into the country.

Simoun attempted twice to launch an armed attack to overthrow the

government but he was not successful.

The first attempt failed because of the sad news that Maria Clara died in the
monastery which he planned to save while the hostilities was going on. In
his agonizing moment over the death of the person he loved, he was not
able to give the signal of the start of the hostilities to his followers who wer
eagerly waiting to begin the revolution.

The second attempt to overthrow the government was likewise a dismal

failure. This happened on the occasion of the wedding of Juanito Pelaez
and Paulita Gomez where he gave as a wedding gift to the bride and the
groom a beautiful lighted lamp. The said lamp has a hidden bomb placed in
a small compartment that will explode in the house where the wedding was
being held killing all the guests including the Governor-General, the friars,
and other high ranking officials of the government. The explotion will serve
as a signal to blow all government buildings and important installations in
Manila by Simoun's followers.

When Basilio saw Isagani, the nephew of Padre Florentino and jilted lover of
paulita, he warned him to leave the place because in a few minutes the
lighted lamp will explode.

Upon hearing the horrible secret device in the lamp, Isagani who was still in
love with paulita, realized the danger of her life, so he hurriedly rushed in the
house, grabbed the lighted lamp and throw into the river where it suddenly
explode.

The revolutionary plot was finally discovered by the Spanish authorities that
simoun was the brains and he was also Ibarra. With a cordon of soldiers
surrounding the place, Simoun managed to escape but the soldiers
relentlessly subdued him. He was mortally wounded. Carrying his treasure
chest full of money, jewels and valuable things which he greatly valued
sought refuge in the house of Padre Florentino near the sea.

He confessed to Father Florentino about his true identity, his mean and
cowardly plan to use his wealth to avenge himswlf of the pain inflicted to him
and his despicable plan to destroy his friends and enemies for his
contemptible and personal selfish ambition.

The Spanish authorities learned that he was in the house of Padre

Florentino, so lieutenant Perez of the Guardia Civil informed the priest that
they would come to his house and arrest Simoun. But before they could
arrest him, he died by talking poison.

Padre Florentino made a sign of cross on the forehead of Simoun and said,
"God with his infinite mercy will forgive you, He knows that we are all
mortals."

Padre Florentino looked at the lifeless body of Simoun and took the
treasure-chest and throw it into the sea. As the chest sank into the sea, he
quietly invoked God's Mercy.

"Many natures guard you in her deep abysses among the pearls and corals
of her eternal seas. When for some holy and sublime purpose man may
need you, God will in His wisdom draw you from the bosom of the waves.
Meanwhile, there you will not work woe, you will not distort justice, you will
not femonet avarice!"

Other Characters of El Filibusterismo

Cabesang Tales, evicted arbitrarily from his piece of land by the

Spanish friars, became desperate and turned himself into banditry. Jule,
innocent-looking and unaffected, daughter of Cabesang Tales and
sweetheart of Basilio(Sisa'sons) took her own life because she valued
chastity and honored rather than to succumb to the amorous mundane
desire of Padre Camorra. Makaraig, a student leader with a vision; Padre
Milliom, Domican friar, dogmatic and arrogant and complete intolerant of any
creed, belief on opinion that differs from his own, teaches at the University
of Sto Tomas; Placido penitente, a student of the U.S.T. who became
disgusted and disillusioned on the methods of teaching in the University.
Seniora Pasta, a Filipino lawyer, insensitive to the needs of the Filipino
students who were seeking his legal advice to petition the government for
educational reforms.

Tandang Delo, Father of Cabesang Tales and grandfather of jule; Sandoval,

a Spanish student and supportive to the cause of Filipino student for
meaningful educational reforms; Pecson a Filipino student who agitates for
the teaching of Spanish; Cabesana Andana haggard-lok, the mother of
Placido Penitente; Pepay, the pretty dancer with expressive eyes and
mistress of Don Custodio, Padre Fernandez, a humane Dominican Friar and
friend of Isagani; Don Timoteo, gray haired and frank, the father of juanito
Pelaez, Tano jolly and care-free, son of Cabesang Tales and brother of Jule;
and Chichoy, the creative and skillful silversmith who fashioned the bridal
earings for paulita.

The Character in El Filibusterismo are not derived from fictional literature but
were drawn from real life and factual situations.

Chapter 14

The Ideals of Rizal

The ideals of Rizal

can be considered a unique aspect of our history that gave inspiration to
the Filipinos a greater sense of dignity and human values and a faith in their
own provide enlightenment and awakening of a blind people towards
national progress.

To carry out these noble ideals, Rizal used his pen to arouse his people and
advocated peaceful reforms from the Spanish government. He portrayed his
ideals in his writings and works.

As an idealist, Rizal knew very well the circumstances and the political
climate around him during his time. During the nineteenth century such
concepts and democracy and nationalism gained much momentum and
triggered revolutionary changes in science, technology, justice, human
rights, equality, economics and politics. The conditions that existed in the
Philippines around the world gently influenced the ideals of Rizal.

The ideals of Rizal are eloquently demonstrated from his devotion to

educate the people on the fundamentals of democracy and the uoliftment of
their economics standards. He believed that the Filipinos were not inferior
as the Spaniards called "Indio" and only an awakening of their aspirations
and spirit were needed to bring forth development.
Rizalwwas inspired by U.S president Abraham Lincoln's Political- dictum
"Government of the people, by the people, and for the people, and with the
watchwords of the french revolution "liberty, equality and fraternity." He also
emphasized Confucius Philisophy - "Search into the nature of things, extend
the boundaries of knowledge, make the purpose sincere, regulate the mind,
cultivate personal virtue promote the harmony of the family, govern the state
and keep the world in peace."

For Rizal, the moral and ethical principles regulate a wide range of human
conduct nit inly to promote peace and order but also to preserve human
dignity.
Rizal, cognizant about the prevailing conditions was influenced by various
motive- his moral and rational persuasions as well as his tendency to
idealize- insisted non-violence means were more acceptable, more
reasonable, and efficacious based on reunion and justice.
On Nationalism. This relatively modern tem permeated the writings of Rizal.
He tried to put emphasis on the need of recovering this great ideal to awake
the nationalistic spirit amon the Filipinos who were quite passive.
Nationalism- the Devotion to the interest of one's country is a means of
existence. The Filipinos should never take for granted nationalism. This in
turn help the Filipinos survive through the ages no matter what political and
economic oppressions they have to face.

In the Fili. His character were much more eager to press for a Filipino
nation. Simoun said. :If they refuse to teach you their language, then
cultivate your own, make it more widely known keep alive our native culture
for our people, and instead of aspiring to be a mere province, aspire to be a
nation develop an independent mentality so that neither rights or customs,
nor language the Spaniards may ever feel at home here, or even be looked
upon by our people as fellow-citizen or later you shall be free." For Simoun,
such a world can only be made after the elimination of "Tyrants and slaves
among nations."

Some Rizal's writing sounded ominous and subversive to some of his

contemporaries. The Fili, he seemed to have advocated national
independence for the Filipino. But how it is to be gained? Rizal hesitated
and it seemed that he was aware of the many bloody incidents that would
come with the revolution. Rizal's hesitations were clearly reflected in the
words of Father Florentino: "I do not mean to say that our freedom must be
won at the point of the sword. The sword now counts for very little in the
destinies of our times. But I do say that we must win our freedom by
deserving it, by improving the mind and enchancing the dignity of the
individual, loving what is just and what is good, what is great to the point of
dying for it."

Nationalism in Education. Education can be a powerful weapon in

propagating nationalism. A nationalist education would place great
importance on the teaching of Philippines history from the point of view of
the Filipinos people. This will develop an anti-colonial, anti-imperialist,
orientation based on our historical experience as a people. Such a history
should clarify how why and for whose benefit our people have been
exploited and oppressed. A nationalist education would also emphasize a
critical study of the Philippine economy so that, as a people, we will learn to
be wary of economic progress proposed by foreign governments and
institutions. Moreover, we should know how the world capitalism system
operates so that we can understand in what way economics development
will affect our people. In history, as in economics, we must use only one
basic yardstick. We must judge past events and present developments in
terms of whether or not they serve or will serve the best interests of the
Filipino people.

Educating for nationalism means educating for a national and a social

purpose. It means going beyond ( but not neglecting) the conventional tasks
of training a person to earn a living and developing his intellect, skills and
character.

Educating for nationalism means consciously educating Filipinos to be

Filipinos- Filipinos who will work for the Philippines and for the Filipino
People. To be pro- Philippines and pro-Filipinos, one must have national
identity. Our present educational system promotes pride in our beautiful
land, our sampaguita, our Mayon and Banawe, Our smiling people. It
promotes national identity or nationhood but nationalism is more that
nationhood.

The Filipino people have the right to decide what kind of society they want,
what is best for them. They should strive to have the fullest political and
economic independence to chat their own future. This is the essence of
nationalism.

On Moral Values. Moral values can exist only in a free being and his
voluntary human acts. By willingness to be morally good, a man becomes
good.

Moral values is universal in the sense that what holds for an individual,
holds for all in the same conditions and circumstances. Moral values implies
obligation.

Rizal, a man of powerful energy and intellectual endowments valued loyalty,

filial devotion, benevolence, love, faithfulness, justice, harmony and peace.

Rizal had a penchant for describing the power structure which seemed to
him unjust and thus induced people to criminality and discontent." The
discontented, the criminal and the desperate will follow you myself; I would
never resort to these extreme measures while I could see some hope in
men." He made his major character in Fili point out the needed reforms:
radical reforms in the military, in the clergy, in the administration of justice...
more respect for human dignity, greater security for the individual, and less
privileges for an organization which so easily abuses them."

On Cooperation. Rizal at an early age, was awakened to the necessity of

cooperation among men and, thus was a forerunner to the United Nations
and the other Worlds efforts at peace keeping. Other tried to influence him
to indidualistic ideals but their effort never matched the solid cooperative
contivtion of Rizal. He said: "He who wants to help himself should help
others, because if he neglects other; he too will be neglected by them. One
midrib is easy to break, but not a bundle of many midribs tied together."
Rizal wanted so much to unite the FIlipino people.

He believed that class struggle is not a requirement to human progress.

Man has been guided by the principle of cooperation and not conflict. "Class
war is not the cause of social progress. The cause of this disease is the
inability to subsits, and the result of the disease is war. What Karl Marx
gained though his studies of social problems was the knowledge of disease
in the social progres.

On Nation-building. Nation-building was one of the magnificent obsessions

of Rizal. After reading an article of Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Rizal immediately
wrote Mariano Ponce. "On the day when all Filipinos like him (Del Pilar)
working for unity and like us, on the day we shall have fulfilled our arduous
mission which is the formation of the Filipinp Nation."

Rizal consistently fought for human dignity. "Deprive a man then of his
dignity," he warned, "and you not only deprive him of his moral stamina but
also you render him useless even to those who want to make use of him.
Every being in creation has spur, his mainspring; man's is his self-respect;
take it away from him and he becomes a corpes; and he who demands
activity from a corpse will find worms." In a letter Father Pablo Pastells,
Rizal rhapsodized: "To mme man is the masterpiece of creation, perfect
within his condition, who cannot be deprive of any of his component parts,
moral as well as physician, without disfiguring and making him miserable."
Man is not a brute, he is not a machine. His aim mis not merely to produce..
His purpose is not to satisfy the passion of another man. His object is to
seek happiness for himself and his fellow men by following the road towards
progress and perfection."

For Rizal. "All reforms of a palliative character are not only useless but even
injurious when the govenment is confronted with evils that need a radical
remedy. In order for the Filipino to progress it was essential for him to have
a revolutionary spirit boiling in his veins because "progress necessarily
requires change. It implies the overthorm of the pas... and the triumph of
new ideal overn the old and accepted ones."

The blue print of Rizal of nation-building included the importance of instilling

racial pride and dignity among his peopl, the promotion of naitonal
consciousness, the reorientaion of values and attitudes, and the willingness to
sacrifice for the country through education.

Rizal insisted on educating his people so that they could eradicate the vices of
their society successfully and develop a national awareness of their rights and
pride in their country's heritage and culture. He emphasized on the importance
of the livelihood of the people- its social welfare and economics justice- as the
foremost task in nation-building.

On Democracy. The twin ideals of democracy and liberty, were emphasized by

Rizal, carried reverberations throughout the world especially Asia.

Rizal wrote in deeo reassuring style on democracy and liberty because he

foresaw various problems not only for himself but also his countrymen. His
commitment to liberty was as overpowering that he made sure that he people
understood what he was saying. For this purpose, he did not hesitate to use
the ordinary way of life to make his ideas clear. "Liberty is not obtained without
pain or merit, not is it granted gratis at amore."

In democracy, the supreme power is vested in the people. The political

leader's ultimate concern should be the welfare of majority, he willingly binds
himself with the ideals of the constitution and the laws of the land and to
observe righteousness and justice for the common good. Peoples and
governments are complementary, that government having been established
for the welfare of the people should know their need.

For the political health of a country, a free and reponsible free press is very
important

Rizal used all persuasions to have Spain grant Philippines representation in

the Spanish Cortes and freedom of the Press. He cited history to prove that"
uprising and revolutions have always occurred in countries where human
thought and the huamn heart have been forced to remain silent."

Citing the examples of Napoleon, He said, "If the Napoleon had not
tyrannized over the press, perhaps the press itself would have warned him of
the peril into which he was hurled and would have made him understand that
the people were weary and the world wanted peace... Spain herself records in
her history more revolution during the period when the press is gagged.

The press freedom Rizal advocated, would today cover all reforms of mediapress, TV and radio. He advocated his freedom for the good of every one, not
only for the populace but especially for the rulers so that in understanding the
temper of their people, they may forestall commission of errors. It was also to
serve a check on the abuse of authority and a reminder that rulers are
accountable to the people who can replace them if they no longer serve the
welfare of their constituency.

Rizal was undoubtedly very idealistic, but his ideals were attainable. He
proved this in his exile in Daritan where he played very successfully the roles
of educator, physician, scientist, businessman, artist, and civic-spirited citizen.

On education. Rizal's love for education since childhood was one of his lofty
ideals. For him, "Without education and liberty- the soil and the sun of
mankind, no measure can give the desired result. What we want is that no
measure can give the desired result. What we want is that no obstacles be
placed on (A Filipino's) way not to increase the many that the climate and the
situation of the islands already create for him, not to begrudge his educational
opportunities for fear that when he becomes intelligent he will separate from
the colonizing nation or demand rights to which he is.

To his friend Blumentritt, he wrote: "We shall devote our strenght to the
education of the Filipino people, which is necessary condition in the quest
for national identity and progress." I put as a premise the education of the
people so that through education and work they might have a personality of
their own and make themselves worthy of them."

Rizal emphasized the need of the people for education before they could
aspire for freedom and all the blessings it would bring. Without education,
no reforms is possible, that is no tranquility and happiness are possible.
"Our life is useless life which is not consecrated to a great idea. It is a stone
wasted in the fields without becoming a part of any edifice." The "great idea"
or the "edifice" is the building of the Filipino nation, the establishment of a
Philippine Republic.

The education and enlightnment of the people would accelerate the

acquisition of liberty and the process of national unification. A people"
showing itself worthy, noble and honest" as a result of being enlightened,
will not forever be an easy prey to exploitation ad injustice.

As Rizal put it, with the hour's loss in their lives also went the " loss of part of
their dignity and their self-respect and increase of despair, resentment and
aversion to studies."

From all these, Rizal was obsessed with the idea of education. Education for
the masses, education for the elite and also education for the women, as
evidenced in his letter of praise to the young women of Malolos whom they
asked to be allowed to open a night school for the girls. Of speech concern
to Rizal was the education of Filipino women because they are the one who
"awaken and prepare the mind of the child for every good and desirable
idea- love for honor, love for one's fellowmen and repect for God. Rizal
"fortity their children's character against any difficulty and to strengthen their
hearts against any danger because life is full of sorrows and perils.

As pointers in correct behavior, Rizal while in Dapitan taught his pupils the
value of honesty, truthfulness and good manners. He told the pupils to be
gppd students in academic matters and also trained them to be "Getlemen"
in interpersonal relations. He stressed the importance of good manners
which was not a difficult task.

On Governance. Since power is the very heart of politics, the ruler who
exercises the authority to govern should promote the interest and general
welfare of the people. Government exists for the benefits of the governed. It
is very important for the protection of the inhabitants, the administration of
justice, and the advancement of the physical, economic, social and cultural
well-being of the people. The preservation of the state from internal and
external danger is one of the primary functions of the government.

The citizens should be encouraged to participate to government

undertakings and productive activities by way of consultation through
peaceful and lawful means.

The people managing the affairs of government shall have brains and ability,
political maturity and experience.

On the Family. The family, as the basic and oldest social institution, is very
important in shaping the character of the child. It is the first means where
socializing influence is encountered by most children and this, in effect,
influences them for the rest of their lives. The family determines the child's
social class, religious orientation and the language used and each of these
factors have a profound influence on the upbringing of the children. The
family teaches children values they hold dead throughout their lives.

The familycts as a social laboratory which prepares the child forlife in the
bigger society and that it is the family which is the first, the closest, and the
most influential social group in the child's life. The children are expected to
be loyal, and obedient to the family.

The greatest legacy that the parents can bequeath their children is rectitude
in judgment, generosity in rights, and steadfastness in adversity; the
greatest honor that a son can pay his parents is integrity and a good name,
that the acts of the sons may never make his parents live with shame, and
the rest God will provide.

On livehood. Rizal objected vehemently Marx's Communist ideology. He

believed that human progress was guided by cooperation, not conflicts. The
people's livehood determined the economic status of the family. He was
convinced that an enlightened and constructive economic program was
necessary. He regarded livehood asone of the focal points of the
government to alleviate poverty. He advocated that the two major means of
having a viable livehood program is through equalization of land ownership
and regulation of capital. The government has t purchase land from the
landlords and place it in the hands of those who actually worked on it.
"Regulation of Capital" was essential the combat the ill effects of capitalism,
to guard against the control of industries by private individuals, thus giving
rise to class distinction and unequal distribution of wealth.

On justice. For Rizal, Justice is the constant and perpetual will to allot to
every man his due. In the judicial system, it should undergo differebt court
processes and the best credibility should be exercised.

The ideal of justice, indeed, illustrates that the lady of justice truly
blindfolded and ready to smite with her sword those whose inequity weigh
down her scales can be presented to the world. He attested that the twin
ideals of the system of justice are swiftness and fairness. This in effect, is
consistent with legal maxim, "that justice delayed is justice denied."

Under a democracy society, no person shall be deprived of life, liberty and

property without due process of law." A fair, speedy and impartail
investigation should be administered before a final judgment is made.

Postscript

Rizal's writings postulated his three-fold program of reforms: the political,

educational, and socio-economic. In the political dimension, he aimed at a
self-reliant, self respecting government, and a people's government, "made
for the people, by the people and answerable to the people."

Foremost among the political reforms were the restoration of Filipino

representation to the Spanish Cortes and the freedom of the pree. He
demanded the removal of the friars from the administration of provinces,
town and parishes.

In his Educational reforms, he gave top priority, he of the importance of

education in the pursuit of liberty and freedom. For him, independence was
a farce if the people were not ready for self-government . To raise the level
of education, he constantly advised his countrymen to acquire more
knowledge. He was aware that quality education was possible only with
substantion financial support from the government. He stressed the need of
hard work.

On the socio-economic aspect, Rizal stressed that economic development

would depend largely on the concentration on agricultural improvement
since that Philippines is basically an agricultural country. He considered the
three basic factors of production- Land, labor and capital.

Land was the prime, labor was necessary for the effective use of the rich
natural resources, and capital for the successful operation of any business
venture. Land would remain idle without labor, but land and labor must be
aided by capital to insure profitable production. Labor and capital should be
given their reightful share in the profits of production.

Rizal believed that with sufficient encouragement, the Filipinos would work
efficiently to uolift their standard of living.

Rizal's profound wisdom and philosophical insights became the rallying

point and inspiration to write the two immortal novel- Noli and Fili and other
literary pieces.

Noli and Fili dramatized the real condition of the Philippines and the
Filipinos during the decadent days of the Spanish rule. Both rekindled and
awakend the Filipino nationalism and paved the way for the Philippines
Revolution, and he proved that "the pen is mightier that the sword," to
reddem the people from their political slavery.

The premature death robbed Rizal of the reward and consolation of seeing
his nationalistic vision realized. But henceforth, no enlightened Filipino
would forget that difficult journey toward Philippine nationhood would
probably not have been started at all had it not been for D.r Jose Rizal.

People and what they said about Rizal.

"Glory to Rizal In him are typified the best qualities of our race. He elevated
the concept of our before the world because all his life hedemonstrated a
sincere desire to work for the good of others; he had no ambition for glory or
famr, nor did he expect rewards and recompense from anybody. From the
same spiritual relationship between him and ourselves, we have the right to
believe that in each of us there is a possible Rizal and that what he has
done is within our reach and without our power if we exert the same effort,
the same means of action, and the same devotion to duty that he displayed
in the most heroic acts of his life."

-From Rafael Palma, The Pride of the Malay Race

His consuming life purpose was the secret of his moral courage. Physical courage,
it is true, was one of his inherited traits. But that high courage to die loving his
murderers, which he at last achieved,- that cannot be inherited. It must be forged
out in the fires of sufering and temtation. As we read through his life, we can see
how the moral sinew and to make fearful decisions. It required courage to write his
two great novels, telling nothing that no other man had ventured to say before,
standing almost alone against the powerful interest in his country and in Spain, and
knowing full well that despotism would strike back. He had reached another loftier
plateau of heroism when he wrote those letter in hongkong. "To be opened after my
death," and sailed into the "trap" in Manila without any illusions. The Dapitan exile,
when he was tempted to escape, and said "no, not once but hundreds of times for
four long years, and when, on the way to Cuba, Pedro Roxas pleaded with him to
step off the boat of Singapore upon British territory and save his life, what inner
struggle it must have caused him to answer over and over again, "No, no, no!"
When the sentence of death and the fateful morning of his execution brought the
final test, December 30, 1896, he walked with perfect calm to the firing line as
though by his own choice, the only heroic figure in that sordid scene.

"Rizal was the greatest product of the philippines and that his coming to the world
was like the apperance of a rate comet, whose brilliance appears only every other
century.

Not only is Rizal THE MOST PROMINENT MAN OF HIS OWN PEOPLE but
THE GREATEST MAN THE MALYAN RACE HAS PRODUCED. His memory
will never perish in his fatherland, and future generations of Spaniards will
yet learn to utter his name with repect and reverence.
-From Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt.
It is eminently proper that Rizal should have become the acknowledged
national hero of the Philippines people. The american administration has len
every assistance to this recognition, setting aside the anniversary of his
death to be a day of observance, placing his picture on the postage stamp
most commonly used in the Islands, and on the currency, cooperating with
the Filipinos in making the site of his school in Dapitan a national of a
monument in his honor on the Luneta in Manila near the place where he met
his death. One of the logest and most important streets in Manila has been
named in his memory -Rizal Avenue. The Filipinos in many cities and towns
have erected monuments to his name, and throughout the Island the public
schools teach the young Filipinos to revere his memory as the greatest of
Filipino patriot.

-From William Cameron Forbes,

American Governor-General of the Philippines.
"No has muerto, no. La Gloria es tu destino;
tu corona, los fuegos de la aurora,
y tu inviolable altar nuestra consciencia."
You do not die, no. The glory is your destiny;
Your crown, the fires of the dawn,
And your inviolable altar your conscience."
-From Fernando Ma. Guerrero
"Rest in peace in the shadows of oblivion,
Redeemer of a country in bondage1grave, do not cry,
Heed not the momentary triumph of the Spaniards
Because if a bullet destroyed your cranium,
Likewise your idea destroyed an empire!"
-From Cecilio Apostol, Filipino epic poet.

The proceeding statements are eloquent manifestations

that Jose Rizal is unquestionably our national hero and martyr of our
country. The new Webster's International Dictionary of the English language,
defined a hero as "a prominent or central pesonage taking an admirable part
in any remarkable action or event."

"A hero is a person of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude

in suffering." He is also"a man honored after death by public outpouring
respect to glorify his exceptional service mankind."

Rizal is our national hero because he was towering figure in the Propaganda
Campaign from 1882 to 1896. His writings, works and ideals contributed
tremendously to the formation of Filipino national Identity.
"The doctrines of Rizal are not for one epoch but for all epochs. They are as
valid today as they were yesterday."

Perhaps it is high time to stop maligning his memory into the state of
confusion that he was an American-anointed national hero.

Indeed, JOSE RIZAL is our national hero because "of his complete selfdenial, his complete abandonment of his personal interest in order to think
only of his country and people."

Chapter 15

The EDUCATIONAL Philosophy of Dr. Jose Rizal

"My countrymen, I have given proofs, more than anybody else of desiring
liberties for our country and still desire them. But I place as a premise the
education of the people so that by means of education and of labor they
might have a personality of their own and make themselves worthy of
liberties."

-Jose Rizal

What is education? Education is "the culture which each generation

purposely gives to whose who are to be its successors, in order to qualify
them for at least keeping up, and, if possible, for raising the level of
improvement which has been attained." According to Pestalozzi, education
is the unfolding of the natural, hidden faculties of the child. Froebel, after
him, thought that it is the perrfecting, advancing, and progressing of man
from one stage of development to another. Following this definition of
education, we shall later find that Dr. Rizal was a real Educator.
THE MISSION OF EDUCATION
There is a beautiful poem entitled "Instruction." It was Dr. Rizal who
wrote it almost immediatly after his arrival in Madrid in 1882. Among other
things, he said the education elevates the counry to the highest benefactor
of human beings; through it the arts and science, which crown men with
honors, are born; it domesticates barbarous nations and make champions of
salvages; it is the fountain of crystalline virtue which elevates mortal beings
to the height of the gods; through education the human breat is inflamed
with the love of the good and the noble which are the balsam of life;
education offers the country immortal splendor and lustre.

The aim of education is the development of the people's mentality. Very

much depends upon the mentality of the people in the way of improving the
condition of the country. Many, howerver have a mistaken concept education
aims at the making of every citizen a professional man. Many have mistaken
view that education is simply the reception of fashionable diplomas. Some
fear that in the near future the country will be flooded with great number of
lawyers, doctor, and other professionals. Many look at educational
institutions as diplomas mills. But the real aim of education is not in quantity
but in ,quality. Dr. Rizal took the view that quantity is immaterial but quality is
the first consideration. Isagani said:

Well, what they abound in quantity,

perhaps we lack in quality. Although the youth
cannot be prevented from studying, and here
no other careers are presented to us, for what,
shall we let their time and courage be wasted?
And if the defect of learning does not prevent
have to have them in the end, why can we not
have the good ones? And after all though you
make this country an agricultural country, a
country of laborers, and condemn in it all
intellectual work, I do not see any wrong in
educating these agriculturists and laborers,in
giving them at least an education which will
enable them later to perfect themselves and their
work, putting them in a condition of
understanding many things that at present they
do not know.

Lawyers may be plenty. Doctors may abound in number. And all of them
make trouble with each other by casting invectives and insults on one
another. It is only because they are not the best in their professions.
Because human beings are born in ignorance, in knowing nothing, it is
necessary that they be given instruction in order to elevate them from the
unhappy condition. The first mission of education is to open the possibility of
the future to those creature. Education is the one that is needed to open
their vision to things ahead of them. It is education which will elevate their
aspirations, guide their actions, and enrich their lives.

The most commendable effect of education is to enable the individual to see

many things in a wider perspective. Education is a success if the individual
would acquire new ideals in order to change his point of biew for the better.
When an individual could see error where formerly he saw only narrow truth
and, truth in many things which sseemed to him to be all erroneous, when
he becomes a broad-minded thinker in place of a narrow- minded fanatic,
superstitious ignoramus, then indeed, is education a success.

The far-reaching significance of education is not only but opening of the

possibilities of the future to the individual but also his becoming aware of his
rights. Education aims at the development of the self- consciousness of the
individual as well as the consciousness that he is part of a greater whole.
Self-consciousness includes the consciousness of his individual rights
granted under the laws of civilized life. He becomes aware that he has
alright to his own happiness, life, and liberty. The consciousness that he is a
part of a bigger group makes him aware of his obligation to that organic
whole. His education will teach him, as an individual, his studies, his duties
to the society. In this case, he will develop the sentiment of patriorism and
altruistic regard for his fellowmen. Education is, therefore, the foundation of
the best interest of the society.

In reality, the consiousness that education is the foundation of society is

very well said. Dr. Jose Rizal through the mouth of the mayor who laid down
the cornerstone of the Ibarra edifice:

"The school is the foundation of society,

the school is book in which is read the future
of the people. Show as the school of the people
and we will tell you what kind of people they are."

John Dewey has conceived of a similar idea when he considered the school
as the connecting agency between the society and the child. It may be said
that since the school as the educational institution, molds the mentality of
the children and these children are the future members of the society then,
indeed, is the school the foundation of a social structure. Parenthetically, the
school must not be confused with education, though, in modern times
education is safe to say without in any way confusing the two that the school
is the best educational agency. At any rate, with or agencies, such as the
home, council, the church, and any other social agency. The most
convenient one, however is the school.
Education is but a means to an end. Speaking of the social development,
Dr. Rizal considered education as the prerequisite of any social pregress.
He said:

"Without education and liberty, the soil

and the sun of mankind, no reform is possible,
no measure can give the desired result. This does
not mean that we should ask first for the natives
the instructions of a sage and all imaginable
liberties, in order then to put a hoe in his hand
or place him in a workshop; such a pretension
would be an absurdity and vain folly. What we
wish is that the many obstacles be not put in
his way, that the climate and the situation of
the islands be not augmented, that instruction
be bot begrudged him for fear that when he
becomes intelligent he may separate from the
colonization or ask for the rights of which he
makes himself worthy."

The obstacle to reform lies in the ignorance of the people. Ignorant following is but
a product of fanaticism and fanaticism, though intense, is unsteady. At the change
of sentiment, fanaticism is bound to fail. Therefore, englightenment must be the
basis of any attempt to social progress. Reform is the enlightened way to progress.

The relationship betweel education and libery cannot be over-emphasized. Liberty

is the very goal of human progress. But Liberty is a very dangerous thing in the
hands of ignorant people. Why give libery to those who do not deserve it? On this
point Dr. Rizal issued a minifesto when he was already imprisoned in Fort Santiago.
He said among other things:
"I have been proofs as one who most
wants the liberty of our country and I still want
it. But I out as a prerequisite, the education of
the people, that by means of instruction and
work we will have our own personality and be
worthy of liberty. I recommended in my writings
the study, civic virtues, without which there
is no redemption. I have also written that in orde
to make reforms fruitful they must come from
above."

A revolution may be a momentary triumph but it will have no lasting effect if the revolting
people are not ready for it. The basis, the social foundation, of any lasting revolutionary
social change must be the education of the masses. Progress begins with education and
it ends in more education.
EDUCATING THE EDUCATORS.
Education is a complex affair. There are many factors that have to be taken into account
by any philosophy of education. The most idealistic, the best philosophy of education
would only be fruitless if it fails to consider the various factors that affect educational
system. The circumstances surrounding the children who are to be developed by
education cannot be ignored. Failure or success of any educational system can
ultimately be traced to the neglect in considering these factors. The lack of financial aid is
a very great obstacle to the realizatio of any educational program. Coupled with this, the
lack if inducenment or stimulus to make the children study makes the second great
obstacle. If education does not profit the sons of poor villagers but instead waste their
time in reading, writing, and memorizing pieces of work without understanding them,
there is really no inducement for education. Right here, Dr. Jose Rizal was thinking of the
role of motivation in education. The subject matter will only be boredom to the children if
their interest is not capitalized in the process of studying. Study for study's sake is ideal.
But the children are more practical that idealistic. Therefore, mere idealism will fail. better
expose the excesses of the government and the greedy and ruthless friars through his
pen in foreign countries. He was also advised by Governor-General Terrero to leave the
Philippines for his own good.

In September, 1887, he wrote his bosom friend, blumentritt and told him that
he was decided to leave his country again and return to Europe, simply
because his powerful enemies made his stay not endurable, He said; "They
take me for a German spy, an agent of Bismarcic a Protestant, a mason, a
witch, and a condemned soul."