Professional Documents
Culture Documents
I.
LIFE IN BRUSSELS
a. Two reasons impelled Rizal to leave Paris:
i. The cost of living in Paris was very high because of the Universal Exposition
ii. The gay social life of the city hampered his literary works
b. Rizal was busy writing his second novel and writing articles for La Solidaridad
II.
NEW ORTOGRAPHY OF TAGALOG LANGUAGE
a. The tagalong letters k and w should be used instead of the Spanish c and o.
i. Salacot = salakot/ arao = araw
III.
RIZAL CRITICIZES MADRID FILIPINOS FOR GAMBLING
a. Rizals letter to del Pilar:
i. Luna in Paris complains of the gambling of the Filipinos in Madrid
ii. We are serving the friars scheme
iii. Filipinos do not come to Europe to gamble and to amuse himself but to work for his liberty and for
the dignity of his race
iv. We in whom the poor people place their modest hopes.
b. The gambling Filipinos in Madrid were angry when they learned of Rizals moralizing
i. They derisively called him Papa (Pope) instead of Pepe
IV.
BAD NEWS FROM HOME
a. The Calamba agrarian trouble was getting worse.
b. The management of the Dominican Hacienda continually raised the land rents until such time that Rizals
father refused to pay his rent.
i. The Dominican Order filed a suit in court to dispossess the Rizal family of their lands in Calamba.
ii. Tenants were persecuted
c. Joses letter to Soledad
i. I have caused much harm to our family, but at least there remains to us the consolation of knowing
that the motive is not disgraceful nor does it humiliate any body
ii. It raises us up and gives us more dignity in the eyes of our enemies themselves; to fall with the
head high and the brow serene is not to fall, it is to triumph
iii. The sad thing is to fall with the stain of dishonor
V.
PRESENTIMENT OF DEATH
a. He feared that we would not live long
b. He was not afraid to die, but he wanted to finish his second novel before he went to his grave
c. Letter to del Pilar:
i. In my childhood I had a strange belief that I would not reach 30 years of age.
ii. I am preparing myself for death and for any eventuality. Laong Laan (Ever Ready) is my true name.
VI.
PREPARATION TO GO HOME
a. In the face of the sufferings which afflicted his family, Rizal planned to go home.
b. He could not stay in Brussels writing a book while his family are persecuted
c. Letter to Ponce:
i. Graciano Lopez Jaena shold not got to Cuba but to our country to allow himself to be killed in
defense of his ideals
1. We have only once to die, and if we do not die well, we lose an opportunity which will not
again be presented to us.
ii. I want to go back to the Philippines
1. We are not making any progress by following prudence
VII.
DECISION TO GO TO MADRID
a. Rizal ignored the dire warning of his friends to return to the Philippines. No threat of danger could change
his plan
b. Something happened that suddenly made him change his plan.
i. It was a letter from Paciano which related that they lost the case against the Dominicans in Manila,
but they appealed it to the Supreme Court in Spain
ii. A lawyer was needed to handle it in Madrid
c. Rizal wrote to del Pilar retaining the latters services as lawyer.
i. Jose informed del Pilar that he was going to Madrid to supervise the handling of the case
VIII.
TO MY MUSE
a. A poem that represents Joses worries on the disasters experienced by his family
IX.
ROMANCE WITH PETITE JACOBY
a. Two things brought some measure of cheer to the despondent Rizal, as he was preparing for his trip to
Madrid
i. FIRST: summertime festival in Belgium, which was celebrated in carnival style
ii. SECOND: romance with Petite Jacoby, niece of his landladies
CHAPTER 17: MISFORTUNES IN MADRID
I.
FAILURE TO GET JUSTICE FOR FAMILY
a. Upon arrival in Madrid, Rizal sought the help of the Filipino colony, The Associacion Hispano-Filipina, and
Liberal Spanish Newspapers in securing justice for the oppressed Calamba tenants and his family
i. Together with del Pilar (his lawyer) and Dr. Dominador Gomez (secretary of the Asociacion HispanoFilipina):
1. Jose called on the Minister of Colonies (Seor Fabie) in order to protest the injustices
committed by Gov.- Gen. Valeriano Weyler and the Dominicans against the Calamba Folks.
2. Nothing came out of Rizals interview with Minister Fabie
ii. El Resumen (Spanish Newspaper)
1. Sympathized with the Filipino cause
2. Said: To cover the ears, open the purse, and fold the arms this is the Spanish colonial
policy.
b. More terrible news:
i. Ejectment order by the Dominicans against Francisco Rizal and other Calamba tenants
1. Their parents had been forcibly ejected from their home
ii. Deportation of some of his family members, including Paciano to Mindoro
c. Rizal sought the aid of the liberal Spanish statesmen
i. Jose was disappointed the statesmen merely gave him honeyed words of sympathy and nothing
else
d.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
i.
ii.
II.
III.
IV.
He refused to give up his catholic faith and be converted to Protestantism, as Nelly demanded
Nellys mother did not like Rizal as son-in-law
1. Nellys mother , like the mother of Leonor Rivera, had no wish to entrust her daughters
happiness to a man who was poor in material things,
2. a physician without a paying clientele,
3. a writer who earned nothing from his pen,
4. and a reformer who was persecuted by the friars and government officials in his own
country
EL FILIBUSTERISMO FINISHED IN BIARRITZ
a. Frustrated in romance, Rizal found consolation in writing
b. The eve of his departure from Biarritz to Paris, he finished the manuscript of El Filibusterismo
RETIREMENT FROM THE PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT
a. Owing to the intrigues of his jealous compatriots, Rizal retired from the Propaganda Movement, or reform
crusade
b. He notified the Propaganda authorities in Manila to cancel his monthly allowance and devote the money to
some better cause, such as the education of a young Filipino student in Europe
RIZAL STOPPED WRITING FOR LA SOLIDARIDAD
a. Simultaneous with his retirement from the Propaganda Movement, Rizal ceased writing articles for La
Solidaridad
b. Del Pilar himself realized the need for Rizals collaboration in both the Propaganda Movement and in the La
Solidaridad newspaper
i. because the enthusiasm for the reform crusade in Spain was declining
ii. he wrote to Rizal begging forgiveness for any resentment and requesting him to resume writing for
the La Solidaridad
c. Joses reply to del Pilar:
i. Rizal denied any resentment
ii. Reasons of Rizal:
1. More time to work on his novel
2. He wanted other Filipinos to work also
3. He considered it very important to the party that there be unity in the work
4. It is better for del Pilar to leave him alone to direct the policy such as he understands it and
Jose doesnt want to meddle with it (they have their own personal ideas)
e.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
i.
Isagani
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Medical student, whose medical education was financed by his patron, Capitan Tiago
i.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
He planned to move the landless Filipino families to that rich British-owned island and carve out its
virgin wildness a New Calamba.
ii. He went to Sandakan to negotiate with the British authorities for the establishment of a Filipino
colony.
iii. Bengkoka River in Maradu Bay
1. Was offered by the British Borneo Company
2. His mission was successful
iv. The British authorities of Borneo were willing to give the Filipino colonists 100, 000 acres of land, a
beautiful harbor, and a good government for 999 years, free of all charges.
b. Hidalgo (Rizals brother in law)
i. Objected to the colonization project
ii. Why should we go to a foreign land without first exhausting all means for the welfare of the country
which nurtured us from our cradles?
c. New trends of events in the Philippines gave Rizal a new hope for realizing his Borneo project.
i. Weyler was relieved of his gubernatorial office
ii. Eulogio Despujol, the new governor, announced to the Filipino people a fine program of government
1. In the belief that Governor Despujol was sincere in his beautiful promises of a better
government, Rizal sent him a letter of felicitation and offering his cooperation.
2. The governor-general, violating the simple rule of Spanish courtesy, did not even
acknowledge receipt of his letter.
3. In his second letter, he requested the governor-general to permit the landless Filipinos to
establish themselves in Borneo
a. Despujol did not give Rizal the courtesy of a reply
b. Despujol notified the Spanish consul general in Hong Kong to tell Rizal that he
could not approve the Filipino immigration to Borneo, alleging that the Philippines
lacked laborers and it was not very patriotic to go off and cultivate foreign soil
WRITINGS IN HONGKONG
a. Rizal wrote A Visit to Victoria Gaol
i. An account of his visit to the colonial prison in Hong Kong
ii. In this article he contrasted the cruel Spanish prison system with the moderm and more humane
British prison system
b. Constitution of the La Liga Filipina
i. Most important writing made in Hong Kong
DECISION TO RETURN TO MANILA
a. Reasons:
i. To confer with Governor Despujol regarding his Borneo colonization project
ii. To establish the Liga Filipina in Manila
iii. To prove that Eduardo de Lete was wrong in attacking him in Madrid
1. Letes attack, which was printed in La Solidaridad, portrayed Rizal as cowardly, egoistic,
opportunistic a patriot in words only
2. Protest of Rizal to del Pilar:
a. Why did del Pilar permit Lete to write in the article?
b. It could harm more the interests of the whole country
LAST HONG KONG LETTERS
a. FIRST LETTER: ADDRESSED TO HIS PARENTS AND FRIENDS
i. I realized how much suffering I have caused you yet I do not regret what I have done in pursuit of
my duty
ii. Lived the examples he preached
iii. A man ought to die for duty and his principles
iv. To advance the future of the country, and shall willingly die for it, and even more willingly sacrifice
all to secure justice and peace for you
v. I risk life to save so many innocent persons
vi. There are many persons, filled with hope and ambition, who perhaps might be happier if I were
dead
vii. Should fate go against me, you will all understand that I shall die happy in the thought that my
death will end all your troubles.
b. SECOND LETTER: ADDRESSED TO THE FILIPINOS
i. I cannot live on seeing so many suffer unjust persecution on my account
ii. I prefer death and cheerfully shall relinquish life to free so many innocent persons from such unjust
persecution
iii. I appreciate the fact that at present the future of our country gravitates in some degree around me,
that at my death many will feel triumphant; many are wishing for my fall
iv. I hold duties of conscience above all else
v. I am all my parents have, but our country has many more sons who can take my place and even do
my work better.
vi. Besides I wish to show those who deny us the boon of patriotism that we know how to die for duty
and principles
vii. What matters death, if one dies for what one loves, for native land and beings held dear?
RIZAL FALLS INTO SPANISH TRAP
a. After Rizals departure from Hong Kong, the Spanish-consul general, who issued the government guarantee
of safety, sent a cablegram to Governor Despujol that the victim is in trap.
i. A secret case was filed in Manila against Rizal and his followers for anti-religious and anti-patriotic
agitation.
b. The deceitful Despujol ordered his secretary, Luis de la Torre, to find out if Rizal was naturalized as a
German citizen, as was rumored, so that he might take proper action against one who had the protection of
a strong nation.
b.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Had an audience at Malacanang with Governor-General Despujol; Despujol agreed to pardon his father but
not the rest of his family.
FOUNDING OF THE LIGA FILIPINA
a. Rizal attended a meeting of the patriots at the home of the Chinese- Filipino, Doroteo Ongjunco
b. Rizal explained the objectives of the Liga Filipina, a civic league of Filipinos
c. The patriots were favorably impressed and gladly approved the establishment of the Liga
CONSTITUTION OF THE LIGA FILIPINA
a. To unite the whole archipelago into one compact and homogenous body
b. Mutual protection in every want and necessity
c. Defense against all violence and injustice
d. Encouragement of education, agriculture, and commerce
e. Study and application of reforms
f.
Motto: One like All
RIZAL ARRESTED AND JAILED IN FORT SANTIAGO
a. Rizal resumes his series of interviews with the governor-general
b. During this interview, governor-general Despujol suddenly showed him some printed leaflets which were
allegedly found in Lucias pillow cases.
i. These incriminatory leaflets were entitled Pobres Frailes
ii. They were a satire against the rich Dominican friars who amassed fabulous riches contrary to their
monastic vow of poverty.
c. Rizal denied having those leaflets in either his or Lucias baggage, which had been thoroughly searched
upon their arrival from Hong Kong by the custom authorities who found nothing.
i. Despite his denial and insistent demand for investigation in accordance with the due process of
law, he was placed under arrest and escorted to Fort Santiago
d. The following day, the Gaceta de Manila published the story of Rizals arrest which produced indignant
commotion among the Filipino people, particularly the members of the newly organized Liga Filipina
ARBITRARY DEPORTATION TO DAPITAN
a. The same issue of the Gaceta contained Governor General Despujols decree deporting Rizal to one of the
islands in the South
b. The gubernatorial decree gave the reasons for Rizals deportation, as follows:
i. Rizal had published books and articles abroad which showed disloyalty to Spain and which were
frankly anti-catholic and imprudently anti-friar
ii. A few hours after his arrival in Manila there was found in one of the packages a bundle of
handbills entitled Pobres Frailes
iii. His novel El Filibusterismo was dedicated to the memory of three traitors (Gom-Bur-Za), and on the
title page he wrote that in view of the vices and errors of the Spanish administration, the only
salvation for the Philippines was separation from the mother country.
iv. The end which he pursues in his efforts and writings is to tear from the loyal Filipino breasts the
treasures of our holy Catholic faith.
c. He was exiled in Dapitan for a period of 4 years.
a.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
XIII.
XIV.
XV.
XVI.
XVII.
i.
ii.
V.
VI.
VII.
ii.
VIII.
IX.
X.
He waived the right to amend or make further statements already made, except that he had taken
no part in politics since his exile to Dapitan.
c. The withdrawal of Blanco from the gubernatorial office sealed Rizals fate, for he was more humane in
character than the ruthless Polavieja
i. Blanco believed that Rizal was not a traitor to Spain
ii. Had he remained in longer in office, Rizal would not have been executed
RIZALS MANIFESTO TO HIS PEOPLE
a. Rizal wrote a manifesto to his people appealing to them to stop the necessary shedding of blood and to
achieve their liberties by means of education and liberty
b. Contents:
i. My name had been used as a war cry among some who were in arms
ii. When I had news of what was being planned, I opposed it and demonstrated its absolute
impossibility
iii. I was convinced that the idea was highly absurd and would bring great suffering
iv. In spite of my counsels, the movement broke out
v. 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
vi. Liberty is desired by placing education as a premise by means of education and of labor they
might have a personality of their own and make themselves worthy of liberties
vii. In my writings I have recommended redemption
viii. I have written that reforms, to be fruitful, have to come from above, that those that come from
below are irregular and unstable
ix. I condemn this absurd, savage uprising planned behind my back, which dishonors us
x. I abhor its criminal methods and disclaim all participation therein.
c. Rizals manifesto was not issued to the people
i. Rizal was saved from the shame of his manifestos being misinterpreted and disobeyed by the
Filipinos in arms
THE TRIAL OF RIZAL
a. His case was prejudged; he was considered guilty before the actual trial
b. Rizal was not given the right (which any accused is entitled to have in a real court of justice) to face the
witnesses against him in open court
c. The prosecuting attorney urged the court to give the verdict of death to the accused
d. Rizal proved his innocence by twelve points:
i. He could not be guilty of rebellion, for he advised Dr. Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan not to rise in
revolution
ii. He did not correspond with the radical, revolutionary elements
iii. The revolutionists used his name without his knowledge. If he were guilty he could have escaped
Singapore
iv. If he had a hand in revolution, he could have escaped in a Moro vinta and would not have built a
home, a hospital, and bought lands in Dapitan
v. If he were the chief of revolution, why was he not consulted by the revolutionists?
vi. It was true that he wrote the by-laws of the Liga Filipina, but this is only a civic association not a
revolutionary society.
vii. The Liga Filipina did not live long, for after the first meeting he was banished to Dapitan and it died
out.
viii. If the La Liga was organized 9 months later, he did not know about it.
ix. The La Liga did not serve the purpose of the revolutionists, otherwise they would not have
supplanted it with the Katipunan.
x. If it were true that there were some bitter comments in Rizals letters, it was because they were
written in 1890 when his family was being persecuted
xi. His life in Dapitan had been exemplary as the politico-military commanders and missionary priests
could attest
xii. It was not true that the revolution was inspired by one of his speech at the house of Doroteo
Ongjunco, as alleged by witnesses whom he would like to confront. His friends knew his opposition
to armed rebellion. Why did the Katipunan send an emissary to Dapitan who was unknown to him?
e. The military court unanimously voted for the sentence of death
POLAVIEJA SIGNS RIZALS EXECUTION
a. Polavieja approved the decision of the court-martial and ordered Rizal o be shot at 7am of December 30 at
Bagumbayan Field.
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