Department of Social Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences

CENTRAL PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITY
GE Soc Sci 3
Life and Works of Jose Rizal

I. Course Description :
This course is a review of Dr. Jose Rizal’s biography, his works and contribution to the over-all
development of the nation, and his writings, which outline his philosophy and beliefs, his view of life and
society, and the impact of his teachings on the Filipinos then and now.

II. Objectives : This course aims to:

• present facts on the life, works and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal, and his ideals and philosophies;
• lead students to an understanding of Dr. Rizal’s contribution to the life of the Filipino nation;
• lead the students to an appreciation of Dr. Rizal’s contribution to the nation’s attainment of
freedom and its development;
• lead the students to an understanding of Dr. Rizal’s ideals and principles, their significance to
Filipino life; and
• lead to a realization of how these ideals and principles can be used as guidelines to everyday
living, so as to help in the creation of a mature, self-reliant, and principled citizenry.

Course Content:

Dr. Jose Rizal’s Life Story

Rizal’s Ancestry and childhood (1861-1869)

A. Geography of Calamba

• Small agricultural town at the foot of Mt. Makiling

sloping down to Laguna de Bay
• Sugar was the major product
• Calamba named after a big native jar
• Estates were owned by the Dominican friars
• The scenic beauty helped develop Rizal’s poetic and
artistic creativity
• Their hardships as tenants developed his noble and heroic
spirit
 • Home: a 2 storey, rectangular house made of adobe
stones and hardwood; roofed with red tiles; had a cistern
(reservoir), for water; had an orchard and poultry of
turkeys and chicken

B. Rizal’s Family Ancestry

He is a mixture of East and West races: Negrito, Indonesian,

predominantly Malayan, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish.

• Paternal - Domingo Lamco from Fukien City who

arrived in Manila in 1690, married a Chinese
Christian: Ines de la Rosa. He assumed the name
MERCADO (he was a merchant), which meant
“market”, in English, in order to free the family from
prejudice of Chinese name.
RIZAL, a second surname given by the Spanish
alcalde mayor (provincial governor) of Laguna
RIZAL means a field where wheat, cut while still
green sprouts again.

• Maternal - Manuel de Quintos, a Chinese mestizo from

Lingayen, Pangasinan, married to Regina Ursua (of
Japanese ancestry) was a lawyer; Their daughter
Brigida married Lorenzo Alberto Alomso, an engineer.
They had 5 children, including Teodora, Rizal’s
mother; The Alonso family produced lawyers, priests,
engineers, and government officials.

• The family belonged to then privileged class, the

 principalia; they owned carriages and horses which
were symbols of wealth and respectability

C. Rizal’s family
• Father: Francisco Mercado Rizal (born in Binan); “a
model of fathers”
• Mother: Teodora Alonzo y Realonda
• Brother and sisters
a. Saturnina;
b. Paciano ( 10 years older than Jose; Pilosopo Tasio
in “Noli”; “most noble of Filipinos; was a Maj.
Gen. under Emilio Aguinaldo; tortured by
Spaniards); he later retired to his farm in Los
Ban os and led a quiet life until his death in 1930;
c. Narcisa, musician and became a teacher in Morong;
d. Olimpia, became a telegraph operator in Manila;
e. Lucia, married to Mariano Herbosa who was denied
a Christian burial;
f. Maria, nicknamed “Biang”;

Jose
▪ Was born June 19, 1861, on a Wed. between 11
PM-Midnight
▪ He Died on December 30, 1896
▪ He was the 7 of 11 children
th

▪ His Mother made a vow to the Virgin of

Antipolo to take the baby to the sanctuary by
pilgrimage; mother named him “Jose”, who
was a devotee of St. Joseph
▪ he was Baptized after 3 days by Fr. Rufino
Collantes (he commented that he will be a
great man with the big head of the baby)
▪ his Godfather was Fr. Pedro Casanas
▪ Rizal called his sisters Don a” od Sen ora ( if
married) or Sen orita ( if single)

g. Concepcion, died at 3 yrs.; Rizal’s first sorrow;

h. Josefa, an epileptic, died an old maid at 80 years
old;
i. Trinidad, the last of the family to die; died an old
maid at 83;
j. Soledad “Choleng”
Hometown
• His mother was his first teacher
• Private tutors: Maestro Celestino, Maestro Lucas Padua, Leon
Monroy
• At 9 years old, he was sent to Biñan to study under Maestro
Justiniano Aquino Cruz
• Formal lessons in Latin & Spanish
• Developed his painting skills
• Referred to himself as a “fashionable” painter

Formal Search for Knowledge

Ateneo Education: Refinement of Rizal’s Skills (1872-1877)

• Managed by the Jesuit priests
• Passed the admission to Ateneo
• Obtained his Bachelor of Arts with Highest honors
• Had good scholastic records
• His favorite novel: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander
Dumas
• Mother was imprisoned while he was in Ateneo
• Extracurricular activities:
Bookworm; Campus leader; “Emperor” in the class room;
Member: Marian Congregation; Poetry lessons; Fine arts -
sculpture
• Wrote poems in Ateneo
• There were only 12 students who graduated, 9 of them
(including Rizal) got grades with “excellent” marks
• Fr. Fransisco de Paula Sanchez: Rizal’s best professor in
Ateneo
• Segunda Katigbak: First Romance of Rizal

University of Santo Tomas (1877-1882)

• Managed by the Dominican priests (Dominicans and Jesuits
were rival educators)
• April 1877, enrolled in Philosophy and Letters for 2 reasons:
 His father liked it and he was not certain as to the career he
would pursue
• Mother opposed son’s pursuit for higher learning that if he gets
to know more, they will cut off his head
• 1877-1878: finished surveying at Ateneo
• It was during this period that he experienced the Spanish
brutality when he failed to salute a Guardia Civil
• Spanish students on campus called the Filipino students
“chongos” (monkeys); in return the Filipinos called them
“Bangus” (Milkfish)
• 1880: Founded the secret society in UST called Companerism
(comradeship); this led Filipino students into combats against
Spanish students in street fights; members were called
Companerismo of Jehu

Disadvantage at UST:

➢ Dominican professors were hostile

➢ There was racial discrimination
➢ The method of teaching was obsolete.

• He took up Medicine to help the failing eyesight of his mother.

• Paciano advised him to go to Europe

➢ To seek more knowledge on Western medicine

➢ Help the Filipino cause
➢ Observe the life and culture, language, commerce,
government, laws in Europe to liberate the people

❖ He left for Europe on May 3, 1882 (SS Salvador)

Education in Europe

• On November 3, 1882, he enrolled in the Universidad

Central de Madrid;
• On June 21, 1884, he was given the license in medicine by
the Universidad Central de Madrid;
• He studied and passed all subjects leading to the degree of
Doctor of Medicine
Reasons why he was not awarded his Doctor’s Diploma:

a.) He did not present the thesis required for graduation

b.) He did not pay the corresponding fees.

• M.D. was conferred to him posthumously – in 1961 –

100 years after his birth!
• June 19, 1885(Rizal’s 24 birthday). th

• He was awarded the degree of licentiate in Philosophy

& letters by the Universidad Central de Madrid with
the rating of “EXCELLENT” (Sobresaliente)
• He also became qualified to be a professor in
humanities in any Spanish Universities
• He became a full-pledged physician & qualified to
practice medicine
The Travels of Dr. Rizal

Rizal’s Secret Mission

To observe keenly the life and culture, languages and customs, industries and commerce, and governments
and laws of the European nations in order to prepare himself in the mighty task of liberating his oppressed people
from Spanish tyranny.

Secret Departure for Spain

Purpose: to avoid detection by the Spanish authorities and
friars. Paciano, his only brother, knew about his secret departure
for Spain.

To Singapore:
Departure: May 3, 1882 on board Spanish Steamer
Salvadora and arrived in Singapore on May 9, 1882
Registered at: Hotel de La Paz (and stayed for 2 days there)

From Singapore to Colombo:

He boarded the ship Djemnah (French Steamer) on May 11,
1882. On May 18, 1882, he reached Colombo, capital of
Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). He had a brief stop-over at Aden,
proceeded to city of Suez, the Red sea terminal of the Suez
Canal and passed by Port Said, to see the interesting sights.

To Europe:
He reached Naples on June 11, 1882. On June 12, 1882, his
ship docked at French harbor, Marseilles where he spent 2 1/2

days; he visited the famous Chateau d’ If, the prison house of

Dantes in “The Count of Monte Cristo. On June 15, 1882, left
Marseilles by train and reached Barcelona by June 16.
He wrote his first article “Amor Patrio” at Plaza de
Cataluña where his friends gave him a welcome party;

Two Sad news he received:

• cholera was ravaging Manila according to Paciano’s
letter date September 15.
• Chengoy related the unhappiness of Leonor Rivera

Life in Madrid:
• On November 3, 1882, he enrolled in the Universidad
Central de Madrid.
• He enrolled in Medicine, Philosophy & letters all at the
same time.
• He wrote La Señorita, a poem dedicated to C.O. y P.;
written on August 22, 1883. He led a SPARTAN
(disciplined life): tight budget, spent most of his time
reading; his only extravagance was on lottery tickets.

First visit to Paris

• In March 1883 – joined Masonic Lodge
Reason why he became a Mason: To secure aid in his fight
against the friars in the Philippines:
• June 17- August 20 – journeying to Paris
• Financial worries: failure of farm produce due to drought
and locusts

• Rizal’s Salute to Luna & Hidalgo

Spolarium – Juan Luna won first prize
Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace – by Felix
Resurreccion Hidalgo
• Dr. Miguel Morayta – professor of history; his address
resulted to student demonstrations

Paris to Berlin (1885-1887)

• November, 1885 – left Paris
• Rizal went to Paris & Germany to specialize in
 ophthalmology
• Reason: he wanted to cure his mother’s eye ailment
• German scientists he met: Dr. Feodor Jagor, Dr. Hans
Meyer, Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, and Dr. Rudolph Virchow
• Maximo Viola was his friend in Barcelona
- a medical student & a member of a rich family
of San Miguel, Bulacan.
• Rizal served as an assistant to Dr. Louis de Wecker, French
ophthalmologist (1852-1906)

Outside of his working hours at Dr. Weckert’s clinic, Rizal

relaxed by visiting his friends:
• Family of Pardo de Taveras (Trinidad, Felix and Paz)
• Juan Luna – engaged to Paz Pardo de Tavera – a pretty girl
• Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo

Historic Heidelberg:
• February 1, 1886 – left gay Paris for Germany
• Worked at the University Eye Hospital under Dr. Otto
Becker – distinguished German Ophthalmologist
• July 31, 1886 – Rizal wrote his first letter in German to
Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt, director of the Ateneo of
Leitmeritz, Austria
• Leipzig- was cheapest in Europe; so he stayed two months
& a half (2 )
1/2

• Worked as proof-reader in a publishers firm (bec. of his

knowledge of German, Spanish & other European
languages)
• October 29, 1886 – left Leipzig for Dresden where he met
Dr. Adolph B. Meyer – director of the Anthropological &
Ethnological Museum.
• November 1, 1886 – left Dresden by train reaching Berlin in
the evening

Rizal Welcomed in Berlin’s Scientific Circles

• He met for the 1 time Dr. Feodor Jagor; a German scientist-
st

traveler & author of Travels in the Philippines

• Dr. Jagor introduced Rizal to Dr. Rudolph Virchow, a
famous German anthropologist; son of Dr. Hans
Virchow
 • He worked in a clinic of Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger; a
famous German opthalmologist.

Rizal’s lived in this famous Capital of Unified Germany for 5

reasons:
• to gain further knowledge of ophthalmology
• to pursue his studies of sciences & languages
• to observe that the economy had political conditions of the
German nation
• to associate with famous German scientists & scholars
• to publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere

By day, he worked as an assistant in the clinic of Dr.

Schweigger, a German ophthalmologist; at night – he attended
lectures in the University of Berlin

Rizal’s darkest winter: On the bleak winter of 1886, he

experienced the following:
• He lived in poverty at Berlin; the diamond ring w/c his
sister, Saturnina gave was pawned; He could not pay his
landlord. He ate only once a day (bread & water or some
cheap vegetable soup). His clothes were old and threadbare.
He washed his own clothes because he could not afford to
pay laundry. Paciano was delayed in raising necessary
funds. Rizal starved in Berlin and shivered w/ wintry cold;
began to cough & feared that he was going to be sick with
tuberculosis.
• Brought him great joy after enduring so much suffering
because his 1 novel Noli Me Tangere came off the press in
st

March, 1887
• Noli Me Tangere published in Berlin (1887), dedicated to
the Philippines, “To my Fatherland ” The idea of writing a
Novel on the Philippines was inspired by Harriet Beecher
Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin
• On January 2, 1884, at a reunion of Filipinos at the Paterno
residence in Madrid. Rizal proposed the writing of a novel
about the Philippines by a group of Filipinos.
Unfortunately, Rizal’s project did not materialize because
almost everybody wanted to write on women and his
companions wasted their time gambling or flirting with
 Spanish señoritas. So, Rizal wrote the novel alone.
• February 21, 1887 – Noli is finally finished and ready for
printing

Rizal suspected as French spy:

• Chief of police in Berlin visited Rizal’s boarding house
asking for passport. Rizal had none. Chief told him to
secure a passport within four days.
• Rizal, accompanied by Viola, went to the Spanish
ambassador, the Count of Benomar. But the ambassador
failed to keep his promise because he had no power to issue
the required passport.
• Rizal presented himself at the office of the German police
chief at the expiration of the four-day ultimatum.
• Police chief received intelligence reports that Rizal has
frequent visits to villages & little towns in the rural areas.
Resided there where he was apparently a lover of France.
(France & Germany relationship was strained on account of
Alsace-Lorraine)
• Rizal, fluent in German told the police chief that he was not
a French spy but a Filipino physician, an ethnologist.
Rizal’s Grand Tour in Europe with Maximo Viola (1887)

• Dr. Maximo Viola was his companion during his tour in

Europe
• In Teschen ( now Decin, Czechoslovakia) the first meeting
with Prof. Blumentritt
• It was during their tour in Europe, an Exposition of the
Philippines was also held in Madrid, Spain. The primitive
Igorots were exhibited in this exhibition.

His First Homecoming (August 5, 1887-1888)

• In his trip back to Manila: rode Djemnah, same boat he
rode on 5 years earlier

Reasons why he returned to the Philippines:

• To operate on his mother’s eyes
• To serve his people who had long been oppressed by
Spanish tyrants
• To find out for himself how the Noli and his other writings
 were affecting Filipinos and Spaniards in the Philippines.
• To inquire why Leonor Rivera (his girlfriend) remained
silent

Governor General Emilio Terrero sent him a letter, requesting

him to come to Malacañang Palace.
• Eight Pamphlets (Questions of Supreme Interest) to blast the
Noli and other anti-Spanish writings written by Fr.
Rodriguez were sold daily in the churches after Mass.
• Lt. Jose Taviel de Andrade, assigned body guard for Rizal
by the generosity of Gov. Gen. Terrero
• Opened a gymnasium to introduce European sports,
gymnastics, fencing, and shooting to discourage
cockfighting and gambling
• One failure in his trip: He was not able to see Leonor
Rivera
• Upon advice of Terrero, Rizal had to leave the Phils to avoid
danger

Second Trip outside the Country

Rizal’s Stay in Hong Kong and Macao

• He left Calamba on February 3, 1888, at 27 years old; only
stayed in the Philippines for 6 months
• He was 27 years old when he left. He stayed at Victoria
Hotel.
• Jose Ma. Basa, welcomed Rizal in his house
• Jose Sainz de Varanda – shadowed Rizal’s movement in
Hong Kong.
Romantic Interlude In Japan (1888)
• His stay in Japan lasted 45 days (1 month)
1/2

• Juan Perez Caballero, secretary of Spanish Legation, invited

him to live at the Spanish Legation
• He agreed for 2 reasons: to economize and bec. he had
nothing to hide from the Spanish authorities
• Met Seiko Usui (O Sei-San) – an ideal girl for Rizal
• Negative impression: Rickshaws (carts pulled by men)

Visit to United States

• He arrived on April 28,1888
Positive Impressions of America:
• Material progress of the country as shown in the great cities,
huge farms, flourishing industries and busy factories;
• Drive and energy of the American people;
• Natural beauty of the land;
• High standard of living;
• Opportunities for better life offered to poor immigrants

Negative Impression of America:

• lack of racial equality
“America is the land par excellence of freedom but only for
the whites”

London (1888-1889)
• On May 16, 1888, he left New York for Liverpool
• On May 24, 1888 he arrived at Liverpool, England
• On May 25, 1888 he went to London

Three Reasons why he chose to live in London:

• To improve his knowledge of the English language
• To study and annotate Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas
Filipinas, a rare copy of which he heard to be available in
the British Museum.
• Safe place for him to carry on his fight against Spanish
tyranny.

Other activities in London:

• completed annotating Morga’s book
• wrote many articles of la Solidaridad
• penned a famous letter to the young women of Malolos
• carried on his voluminous correspondence with Blumentritt
and relatives.
• romance with Gertrude Beckett
• He came to know Dr. Reinhold Rost, librarian of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs; he called Rizal, “a pearl of a
man”

Bad news from home:

 • Persecution of the Filipino patriots who signed the “Anti-
Friar Petition of 1888”
• Persecution of the Calamba Tenants
• Furious attacks on Rizal in Spanish newspapers
• Manuel T. Hidalgo was exciled by Gov. Gen. Weyler to
Bohol w/out due process of law.
• Laureano Viado was arrested and jailed in Bilibid Prison.

Good news:
• Rev. Vicente Garcia’s defense of the Noli against the
attacks of the friars.

• On December 11, 1888, he went to Spain visiting Madrid &

Barcelona and met Marcelo H. del Pilar & Mariano Ponce
for the first time
• On February 15, 1888, Graciano Lopez Jaena founded La
Solidaridad in Barcelona
• On December 31, 1888, inauguration of Asociacion La
Solidaridad; chosen as honorary president
• he wrote La Vision del Fray Rodriguez (The vision of Fray
Rodriguez), a pamphlet in defense against the attack on his
Noli and used the pen name “Dimas Alang” in Barcelona

• March 19, 1889, he bade goodbye to London

Paris
• On March 19, 1889, he arrived in Paris;
• He organized a society called Kidlat Club; its members
pledged to excel in the intellectual & physical prowess in
order to win the admiration of the foreigners, particularly
the Spaniards;
• He published his annotated editions of Morga’s Sucesos;
• Founded 3 Filipino societies, the Kidlat club, Indios Bravos,
RDLM (RDLM Society – founded by Rizal in Paris during
the Universal Exposition. Dr. Leoncio Lopez-Rizal – the
grand nephew of the hero, the society has a symbol or
countersign represented by the circle divided into 3 parts by
2 semi-circles placed outside an upper, lower, left, & right
sides of the circle. RDLM is believed to be stand for
Redecion de los Malayos (Redemption of the Malays);
 • He wrote for Telefono, a satire against Fr. Salvador Font, a
reply to another slander;

Belgium
• On January 28, 1890- left Paris for Brussels, capital of
Belgium;
• Wrote his 2 novel which was a continuation of his Noli;
nd

• Wrote articles for la Solidaridad and letters for his family &
friends.

Bad news from home:

• The Calamba agrarian trouble was getting worse;
• Dominican order filed a suit in court to dispose the
Rizal family of their lands in Calamba;
• Paciano, Antonio Lopez & Silvestre Ubaldo were
deported to Mindoro.

• He planned to go home but something happened that made

him change his mind (They lost the case against the
Dominicans in Manila, but they appealed it to the Supreme
Court in Spain.);
• Romance with petite Susanne Jacoby, pretty niece of his
land lady.;
• Left toward the end of July, 1890 for Madrid.

Madrid (1890-1891)
• Leonor Rivera (his long time girlfriend) married a British
engineer;
• Failure to get justice for family;
• Unfortunate deportees were arrested in Calamba and
shipped out in manila in September 6, 1890;
• Towards the end of August 1890, Rizal attended a social
reunion of the Filipinos in Madrid;
After drinking so many glasses of wine, the guests
became more loquacious and the conversations flow
freely. One of them, Antonio Luna, became drunk. At
that time, Luna was bitter because of his frustrated
romance with Nellie Boustead. Rizal heard him and they
had a duel. And then Luna realized that he made a fool
of himself and apologized for his bad remark which was
 accepted by Rizal and they became good friends again;
• Del Pilar, the fearless lawyer and journalist, was gaining
prestige in Madrid for his vigorous editorials in La
Solidaridad, which he came to own.

• Aims of La Solidaridad:
o Portray vividly the deplorable conditions of the
Philippines;
o Work peacefully for political and social reforms;
o Combat the evil forces of medievalism and
reaction;
o Advocate liberal ideas and progress;
o Champion the legitimate aspirations of then
Filipino people for democracy and happiness.

• Contributors and their pen names:

Rizal: Dimas Alang
Del Pilar: Plaridel
Lopez Jaena: Diego Laura (Del Pilar’s editor)
Jose Ma. Panganiban: Jomapa
Antonio Luna: Taga Ilog
Mariano Ponce: Naning Tigbalang, Kalipulako

• The editorial policy of la Solidaridad under Del Pilar’s

management enhanced the cleavage between Rizal and
Del Pilar.
• January 1, 1891, New Years day- It was decided a
meeting for a leader to be called RESPONSIBLE – be
chosen to direct the affairs of the Filipino community
and to determine the editorial policy of La Solidaridad;
• It was agreed that responsible should be elected by a 2/3
vote of the Filipino community. Rizal was elected to
become the Responsible. Rizal wrote a brief note
thanking his compatriots for electing him as Responsible.
But sadly, he was leaving for Biarritz .

Biarritz Vacation and Romance with Nelly Boustead (1891)

• It was in Biarritz where he had a romance with Nellie and
finished the last chapter of his second novel, El
 Filibusterismo.
• As a family guest, he was treated with friendliness and
hospitability
• February 4, 1891 – Del Pilar learned him about changing
the “o” in Noli to “e”, which turns Noli to Nelly!
• Antonio Luna – who had previously loved and lost Nelly,
encouraged Rizal to woo and marry her.
• Rizal’s marriage proposal failed for two reasons:

1. He refused to give up his catholic faith and be

converted to protestant, as Nelly demanded. Nelly
Boustead, being a good protestant, wanted Rizal to
espouse Protestantism before their marriage
2. Nelly’s mother did not like Rizal as a son-in-law.

• On March 29, 1891, the eve of his departure from Biarritz to

Paris, he finished the manuscript of El Filibusterismo.
• By the middle of April, 1891, Rizal was back in Brussels,
where he was happily received by Marie and Suzanne
Jacoby (his landladies) and above all by Petite Suzanne
(the Belgian girl who loved him)
• Rizal retired from the Propaganda Movement or reform
crusades.
• Rizal ceased writing articles for La Solidaridad; M.H. Del
Pilar himself realized the need for Rizal’s collaboration in
both propaganda movement and in the La Solidaridad
newspaper because the enthusiasm for the reform crusades
in Spain was declining.
• August 7, 1891, he wrote to Rizal begging forgiveness for
any resentment and requesting him (Rizal) to resume
writing for the La Solidaridad.
• In Brussels, Rizal worked day after day revising the finished
manuscript of El Filibusterismo and readied it for printing;
the revision was completed on May 30, 1891.

Two Reasons why he left Europe

• Political differences with Del Pilar and other Filipinos;
• To be nearer the Philippines and his family

Hong Kong (1891-1892)

 • He worked as an ophthalmic surgeon in Hong Kong
• On October 3, 1891, Rizal left Europe for Hong Kong
• On November 20, 1891, Rizal arrived in Hong Kong
• Family Reunion in Hong Kong; before Christmas in 1891
• Dr. Lorenzo P. Marquez, a Portuguese physician, helped
in build a wide clientele for Rizal

• Borneo Colonization; Borneo was willing to give 100

acres of land, a beautiful harbor, and a government for
999 years, free of charge. He visited the place and by
April 20 he was back in Hong Kong
• May, 1892 – made up his mind to return to Manila for the
following purposes: confer with Gov. Despujol about
the Borneo colonization; establish La Liga Filipina; to
disprove Eduardo de Lete’s accusation that he was
comfortable in Hong Kong and abandoned the country’s
cause.
• Last Hong Kong Letters: 1. Addressed: To my Parents,
Brethren and Friends; 2. To The Filipinos. They were
kept by a friend for safekeeping “to be opened after his
death”.
• Arrival with in Manila (with sister Lucia): June 26,
1892; Gov. Eulogio Despujol set a trap for him and
ordered his exile to Dapitan
• On July 3, 1892 he formed La Liga Filipina
• On July 6, 1892, he went to Malacañang and was
arrested. He was charged for the following:
o Bringing anti friar pamphlets;
o For dedicating his 2 novel to the 3 priests who had
nd

been proven traitors but were extolled as martyrs

• On July 14, 1892, he sailed into exile in Dapitan
• On July 17, 1892, Sunday, he reached Dapitan

Women in Rizal’s Life

• Segunda Katigbak: First crush; referred to as “K”
• Leonor Rivera: immortalized as Maria Clara; code name:
“Taimis”, “The Little Landlady”; she could have been Mrs.
Rizal
• Leonor Valenzuela: “The winsome Orang”
 • Consuelo Ortigas y Perez: wrote her a poem entitled “A La
Señorita C.O.y P.”; Rival: Eduardo de Lete
• Suzanne Jacoby: the girl from Brussels, Belgium; “Petite
Suzanne”
• Seiko Usui/O Sei San: the girl from the “Land of Cherry
blossoms”
• Nelly Bousted: the girl from London; He had a rival,
Antonio Luna; he found her to be “A real Filipina”
• Gertrude Beckett: affectionately called “Gettie”; he did not
pursue this relationship since he had to finish his 2 novel
nd

• Josephine Bracken: Rizal’s mistress

The Propaganda Movement Objectives:

• Equality of Filipinos and Spaniards before the laws
• Assimilation of the Philippines as a regular province of
Spain
• Restoration of Philippine representation in the Spanish
Cortes
• Filipinization of the Philippine parishes and expulsion of the
friars
• Human rights for Filipinos such as freedom of speech,
freedom of the press, freedom to meet and petition for
grievances. The propaganda movement itself was a
peaceful campaign that promoted reforms. The movement
itself began in 1872 when Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose
Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora were executed. The
movement ended on December 30, 1896, the day Jose Rizal
was executed.

The La Liga Filipina Objectives:

• Unite the whole archipelago
• Have mutual protection in every want and necessity
• Have defense against all violence and injustice
• Encourage infrastructure, agriculture, and commerce
• To study and appreciate reforms

Rizal’s Reaction to the Revolution

• The Filipinos are not yet ready
 • It would be a veritable suicide due to the lack of arms
• He suggested that if the revolution ever breaks out they
should make Antonio Luna the military leader
• Ask the support of the rich in Manila

Trial and Execution

• Testimonial and documentary evidences were presented
against him
• Gov. Gen. Blanco approved his request to serve as a
military doctor in Cuba
• Gov. Gen. Polavieja signed his execution
• Rizal was charged with sedition, rebellion, and insurrection
Readings:
pp. 17-28, Seeds of Revolution
pp. 40-62, Rizal and the Development of national Consciousness, Romero

Activity: A film-showing on the life of Dr. Jose Rizal

Points to ponder:

1. What conditions and events influenced Dr. Rizal’s life?

2. Defend or refute: “Leaders are not born, they are made.”

“ Heroes make history or history creates heroes.”

3. Are the present conditions in our country conducive to the making of modern-day heroes?

1. What are these conditions and how could these conditions contribute to the making of a hero?
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo

The Theme and the Purpose of the Novels

The two novels are portraying a people faced with social problems and political enigmas. Many
of the predicaments presented have contemporary relevance and the novels provide an inexhaustible
source of inspiration for solutions to current conditions and problems.
Noli Me Tangere literally means, “touch me not.” It sketches a wound painful even to the healer’s
touch causing more agony than relief. The concerned healer reveals the actions that a frustrated society
resorts to in the moment of despair. Such despair could force the oppressed to insurgence, as El
Filibusterismo suggests.
Rizal did not advocate revolution. He warned however that a revolution would become inevitable
if a government would continue to ignore the people’s cries for justice and fairness.

Noli Me Tangere: The Plot

Noli Me Tangere is the story of Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, scion of a wealthy family, who returns
home to San Diego from his seven-year education in the German section of sophisticated Switzerland.
During his absence, his father Don Rafael Ibarra was imprisoned for the accidental death of a Spanish tax-
collector. Don Rafael died in prison and he was denied a Christian burial by Father Damaso, San Diego’s
parish priest because he had stopped going to confession long before his death, and was a subscriber to
liberal publications.
The young Ibarra finds the deplorable conditions of his country virtually unchanged since he had
left for Europe. Inflamed with a desire to educate his people and bring progress to his hometown, he
establishes a school patterned after the progressive schools he had known in Europe. His project, though
enthusiastically endorsed by the townspeople, is met with skepticism by the old scholar Tasio who years
before had attempted to do the same thing but failed. The new parish priest, Father Salvi, also looks at the
school disapprovingly for he sees it as a dangerous threat to his authority over the natives.
During the laying of the school’s cornerstone, an attempt is made on Ibarra’s life but he was saved
by Elias, the mysterious boatman whom he had earlier rescued from death during the picnic at the lake.
The friars constantly harass and persecute Ibarra at San Diego. At one gathering, the vilification hurled
against his dead father almost provoke Ibarra to kill Father Damaso, but his hand was stayed by his
fiancée Ma. Clara. He is excommunicated by the friar and later absolved by the Archbishop.
Finally, a false rebellion is plotted and through forged documents, Ibarra is implicated as its
leader. Unwittingly, his fiancee had lent support to the plotters by providing them with a specimen of his
signature when she was forced to exchange his love letter for some letters which contained the hidden
secret of her paternity.
Ibarra is imprisoned and later rescued once again by Elias who hides him in a banca covered with
grass and rows him under a barrage of gunfire. Elias is wounded and sacrifices his life for his beloved
friend. Elias died and Ibarra fled the country, leaving the impression that he had died from the guards’
bullets.
The distraught Ma. Clara is urged by Father Damaso to marry the Spaniard Alfonso Linares. She
refuses and enters the nunnery of the Sta. Clara. When she joined the cloister, she was warned by Father
Damaso of mysteries in the convent. When Father Salvi later assumed the post of spiritual director of the
nunnery, a lady in white was seen about to jump from the roof of the convent. A guard who witnessed the
event deridingly conclud3ed that indeed, the monastery is an asylum for the insane.

El Filibusterismo:
 The Dedication of the El Filibusterismo

“To the memory of the priests Don Mariano Gomez (85 years old), Don Jose Burgos (30 years
old), and Don Jacinto Zamora (35 years old). Executed in Bagumbayan filed on the 28 of February,
1871.” “Let it be understood that everyone who without clear proofs attacks your memory, stains his
hands in your blood.”

The Plot

The main character of El Filibusterismo is Simoun, a rich jeweler from Cuba. He was Crisostomo
Ibarra of Noli Me Tangere who, with Elias' help, escaped from the pursuing soldiers at Laguna Lake, dug
up his buried treasure, and sailed to Cuba where he became rich and made friends with many Spanish
officials. After many years, he returns to the Philippines in disguise. He has become so powerful because
he became an adviser of the governor-general. On the outside, Simoun is a friend of Spain. But deep in
his heart, he is secretly planning a bitter revenge against the Spanish authorities. His obsessions are to
incite a revolution against the Spanish authorities, and to rescue Maria Clara from the Sta.Clara convent.
On board the dingy steamer, Tabo, en-route to San Diego on the Pasig River, he is the subject of
conversations on the lower deck, as well as the center of attention of the upper deck. The thirteen years
away from his country has transformed him into an exotic looking, mysterious personality. He radiates
great influence and he becomes the indispensable consultant and closest friend of the governor-general.
No one suspects that Simoun, the affluent jeweler, is the fugitive Ibarra. Only Basilio, son of Sisa
knows the secret. But even Basilio finds it difficult to reconcile the dreamer and the idealist that was once
Ibarra to the shrewd sly schemer that is now Simoun.
Now a young man pursuing a medical career, Basilio stumbles on Simoun’s secret on a Christman
day visit to his mother’s grave in the woods of the Ibarra’s. Simoun tries to win Basilio to his side as he
explains his plans. He has returned to overthrow the government and avenge the injustices he suffered. He
would use his wealth and his influence to encourage corruption in the high circles of government; as a
result, he would drive the people to despair and incite them to revolution. His obsession, the revolution,
would primarily become a fulfillment of his vow of vengeance. The people’s freedom in the process came
only as a secondary purpose.
Twice, Simoun attempts to ignite the fires of rebellion but fails. On the first occasion, the news of
Ma. Clara’s death reaches him just as he is about to give the signal of the coordinated attack of the city.
He had planned this revolution so that in the ensuing confusion he would be able to rescue Ma. Clara
from the nunnery. But now she is dead. In his numbness, he forgets that his followers await his signal.
Panic ensues and they break out in disorganized rampage.
His second attempt is thwarted by Isagani, the young poet, who snatches the lamp Simoun sends
as a wedding gift to Isagani’s former sweetheart who marries another suitor. The lamp contained a
homemade bomb which was timed to blow up when all the invited officials and friars were seated in the
wedding feast. Having been warned by his good friend Basilio of the impending explosion, Isagani risks
his life to save his faithless Paulita. Meanwhile, a parchment prophesying doom is passed around among
the wedding guests and Simoun is pinpointed as the instigator of the scheme. The signature identifies
Simoun as Ibarra.
Simoun flees with his box of jewels. Hunted by the law and wounded, he seeks sanctuary in the
house of a native priest, Father Florentino. To escape his pursuers, he takes poison and dies in despair.

Readings
Daquila.pp. 52-53, 93
Romero, pp. 66-68

The Characters and What They Symbolize

Noli Me Tangere Characters:

CHARACTERS IN NOLI ON THE STORY BASED ON TRUTH THEIR PERSONIFICATION TODAY

AND YESTERDAY

A rich young man who studied in

Europe, only son of Don Rafael
Ibarra Intellectuals and patriots
Ibarra.

He believes that justice can be Jose Rizal

obtained only through revolution
—he symbolizes the very root of
Elias the Filipino culture before the
coming of the Spaniards, which
remained strong and unbroken by
the Spaniards.

Intellectuals and patriots. Tasio however has

grown bitter and has ceased to believe that
Pilosopo Tasio Wise old man whose ideas were Paciano
change would be possible in an utterly
( Tasio, The Lunatic ) too advanced for his times so that
corrupt society. He has lost the fervor of his
people don’t understand him idealism when dreams collapsed one by one.

Innocence, submissiveness and passivity of

a Philippine society that has allowed itself to
Maria Clara Beautiful lover of Ibarra, Leonor Rivera
be abused
daughter of Pia Alba and Father
Damaso
Franciscan friar who had been
parish priest of San Diego.
Biological father of Maria Clara Arrogant, Immoral And Hypocrisy, cruelty, self-centeredness and
Anti Filipino Friars promiscuity
Father Damaso Verdolagas
Parish priest who replaced Father Deceit, covetousness, hypocrisy and
Damaso. He had hidden desires promiscuity
for Maria Clara. Padre Antonio Piernavieja
Father Bernardo Salvi
His conversation with an old
priest reveals that monetary
gains and not the salvation of a Trader’s mentality; arrogance of religious
orders or institutions
Fr. Hernando Sybila people were their main concern
Friend of Don Rafael Ibarra who Captain Hilario Sunico Social climber Filipino, who would go to a
acted as the father of Maria of San Nicolas great extent to attain power and social status
Capitan Tiago Clara. like bribery and giving lavish parties and
gifts
Flamboyantly dressed wife of
henpecked Spanish quack doctor;
Donya Victorina* uses the title Don a Victorina de Donya Agustina Medel Alienated Filipina woman bent on marrying
one with prestige and high station in life; a
de Espadan a, doubling the “de”
to stress her imagined social rank social climber, her fanatical adulation of
the Spaniards leads her to imitate the very
actions and attitude of the Spanish women.
She symbolizes the Filipino in our society
who are ashamed of their own race and
nationality.

Vulgar mistress of Alferez; Pretended as Spanish who did not know how
inspiration of the Alferezes and to speak Tagalog and holds Filipinos in
Donya Consolacion
civil guards contempt; social climber
Sons of Sisa, they are sacristans Crisostomo Brothers Children abuse and broken dreams
in the church of San Diego of Hagonoy
Basilio And Crispin
Formerly, a responsible rich girl, Externalize vicious cycle of poverty. Her
who became poor because of shortsightedness made her give up freedom
Sisa marrying a gambler and in pursuit of temporary desires.
irresponsible man

Other Characters:

• Doña Pia is the wife of Capitan Tiago and Ma. Clara’s

mother. She is a symbol of unquestioning blind obedience
to authority. She died upon giving birth to Ma. Clara, her
child by padre Damaso.
• The contrast between right and might is seen on Don Rafael
Ibarra and Capitan Tiago. The former, rich and possessed
of a liberal mind was a victim of persecution while the
latter, shrewd and opportunistic, was an influence-peddler.
El Filibusterismo Characters:

• Simoun was Ibarra in the first novel. After barely escaping

with his life, he returns as a totally different man, both in
 appearance and character. He is often referred to as the
black cardinal because of his close relations as adviser to
the governor-general. Outwardly, he is a friend of Spain,
but deep in his heart, he is bitter and ruthless, secretly
planning a revolution against he Spanish authorities. He
encourages corruption to be done so as to arouse the
people’s anger against the government. If Ibarra advocated
change through peaceful means, Simoun advocated
revolution.
• Padre Florentino, a retired scholarly and patriotic Filipino
priest;
• Padre Irene, a kind frier who was a friend of the Filipino
students; Supports the students who appeal to the
government for an academy of Spanish language. He
embodies the few Spaniards who are sympathetic to the
Filipinos.
• Macaraig signifies the exception among tyrannical
Spaniards.
• Kabesang Tales, Juli’s father, personifies a typical Filipino
who is content with living a simple life. He later becomes
the dreaded outlaw Matanglawin after he loses his farm to
the friars and civil authorities, an explanation why Filipinos
turned into rebels.
• Juli, Basilio’s sweetheart. Chose death over the loss of
honor and dignity. She represents the Philippines, which
would rather suffer with pride and honor.
• Isagani, Basilio, Placido and Juanito were students who
openly criticize the educational system. The friars brand the
students as subversives or filibusteros. Isagani, lover of
Paulita; he is a poet and a nephew of Padre Florentino and
the lover of Paulita Gomez. He was disheartened when
Paulita left him for a wealthy man. He forgot ideals in favor
of personal gains. He symbolizes the youth who, despite
their being very aggressive and idealistic, cannot be relied
on in times of adversity.
• Basilio, the elder of the two sons of the late Sisa, he is a
promising medical student whose medical education is
financed by his patron, Capitan Tiago.. At first he refuses to
join Simoun’s plan of overthrowing the Spanish
government; He is a young man with a simple dream that
his education will improve his social and economic status
 in the future. He is indifferent and selfish, thus his character
represents the young educated Filipinos who are apathetic
to the needs of the society.
• Doña Victorina the ridiculously pro-Spanish native woman
who is going to Laguna in search of her henpecked
husband, Tiburcio de Espadaña, who left her. She remains a
hypocrite and a symbol of colonial mentality.
• Paulita Gomez The beautiful niece of Doña Victorina. She
rejected Isagani because of his liberal ideas. She represents
the women who have no sense of nationalism and
sympathy towards others. She stands for vanity.
• Ben Zayb a Spanish journalist who ridicules Filipinos. He
personifies a corrupt media.
• Padre Sybila, Vice Rector of the Univeristy of Santo Tomas;
• Padre Camorra, the parish priest of Tiani town;
• Fr. Fernandez exemplifies the pedantic professor.
• Padre Salvi, a thin Franciscan priest and a former cura of San Diego
• Don Custodio, a pro-Spanish Filipino holding a high government position;
• Senor Pasta, is an old Filipino lawyer who refuses to help
the Filipino students in their clamor for educational reform.
He represents the part of the society that is only generous
and sympathetic to the rich and powerful.
Readings:
Romero, pp. 68-73, pp. 64- 94
Daquila, pp. 50-52, Seeds

Points to ponder:
1. Identify the characters of the novels and what they represent in society.
2. What are the philosophies reflected by the characters and events in the novels?
3. Can you identify what each character symbolizes in our society today?

References

Capino, Gonzales, et al. Rizal’s Life Works and Writings.

Constantino, Renato. (1969). Veneration Without
Understanding. Manila: Third National
Rizal Lecture.
Daquila, Sonia. (1997). Seeds of Revolution. Bacolod City:
Master Printing Press.
Ocampo, Ambeth. (1997). Rizal Without The Overcoat. Pasig
City: Anvil Publishing.
Ocampo, Ambeth. (2001). Meaning and History. Pasig City:
Anvil Publishing.
Rafael, Vicente. (2000). White Love and Other Events in
Filipino History. Quezon City:
Ateneo de Manila University Press.
Romero, Ma. Corona, et al. (1979). Rizal and the Development of
National Consciousness.
Quezon City: JMC Press, INC.
The American Political Dictionary. 9 Edition. Jack C. Plano &
th

Milton Greenberg, Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace, 1993.

Safire’s New Political Dictionary. William Safire. New York:
Random House, 1993
57