Life and Works of Jose Rizal – Study Notes

MODULE 1 – Republic Act No. $1425$ (Rizal Law)

• Definition
  • “An Act to Include in the Curricula of All Public and Private Schools, Colleges and Universities Courses on the Life, Works and Writings of Jose Rizal, particularly Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Authorizing the Printing and Distribution Thereof, and for Other Purposes.”
  • Authored by Sen. Claro M. Recto, co-written by Sen. José P. Laurel; signed $12$ June $1956$ by Pres. Ramon Magsaysay.

• Immediate Purposes
  • Rededicate the nation to freedom & nationalism.
  • Pay public tribute to Rizal’s efforts.
  • Provide an inspiring, constant source of patriotism.

• Key Provisions
  • Sec $1$ – mandatory Rizal courses; collegiate level must use unexpurgated editions (or Eng. translations).
  • Sec $2$ – school libraries to keep “adequate” unexpurgated copies.
  • Sec $3$ – Board of National Education to translate Noli/Fili into Eng./Tagalog/dialects & distribute free.
  • Sec $4$ – does not amend Admin. Code $927$ on prohibition of sectarian doctrine in public schools.
  • Sec $5$ – appropriation of $\text{P}\,300{,}000$.

• Opposition
  • Led by Abp. Rufino Santos; senators F. “Soc” Rodrigo, Mariano Cuenco, Decoroso Rosales.
  • Groups: Catholic Action, Congregation of the Mission, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Teachers Guild.
  • Demanded “expurgated” versions.
  • Threatened school boycotts ➔ Recto/Laurel: gov’t would nationalise schools if necessary.

• Supporters – Veteranos de la Revolución, Alagad ni Rizal, Freemasons, Knights of Rizal.

• Later Enforcement
  • Pres. Fidel V. Ramos ➔ CHED Memo $247$ ($1994$) & $3$ ($1995$) for strict implementation.

• Significance (5-point mnemonic “P.H.N.L.I.”)
  $P$ – Practical guidance for present problems.
  $H$ – Helps self-understanding as Filipinos.
  $N$ – Nurtures nationalism.
  $L$ – Life-lessons from Rizal’s character.
  $I$ – Inspiration & moral influence.

MODULE 2 – Early Life & Family ( $1861–1871$ )

• Birth
  • Wed. night, $19$ Jun $1861$, Calamba, Laguna; baptised $22$ Jun $1861$ by Fr. Rufino Collantes; god-father Fr. Pedro Casañas.
  • Baptismal certificate re-issued $28$ Sep $1862$ after fire.

• Parents
  • Don Francisco Mercado ($11$ May $1818$–$5$ Jan $1898$) – Biñan; studied Latin & Philosophy; tiniente-gobernadorcillo of Calamba.
  • Doña Teodora Alonso ($8$ Nov $1826$–$16$ Aug $1911$) – Colegio de Sta. Rosa graduate, first teacher; twice imprisoned.

• Siblings ( $11$ in all; mnemonic Sa-Pa-Na-O-Lu-Ma-Co-Jo-Tri-So)
  Saturnina, Paciano, Narcisa, Olympia, Lucia, Maria, Concepcion, Josefa, Trinidad, Soledad – note individual biographies (financing studies, Katipunan roles, etc.).

• Ancestry
  • Paternal – Chinese merchant Domingo Lam-co (Fukien $\to$ Manila $\approx$ $1690$) ➔ surname change to “Mercado” $1731$.
  • Maternal – Japanese Eugenio Ursua + Benigna (Filipina) ➔ Regina ➔ Manuel de Quintos ➔ Brigida de Quintos + Lorenzo Alberto Alonso.

• Home & Environment
  • Bahay na Bato; sliding capiz windows; backyard orchard (atis, balimbing, chico, etc.); described by Rafael Palma & Gregorio Zaide as “happy house”.
  • Early literacy: alphabet at $3$, Vulgate Bible at $5$.
  • Influences: Uncle Jose Alberto (art), Gregorio (reading), Manuel (martial arts); Paciano (freedom & justice); Fr. Leoncio Lopez (scholarship, honesty).

• Formative Memories
  • Devotion trip to Antipolo $6$ Jun $1868$.
  • Death of sister Concha ($1865$) – first sorrow.
  • Story of the moth from El Amigo de los Niños – martyrdom for ideals.

MODULE 3 – Early Education (Calamba & Biñan)

• Home-Schooling – Teodora taught reading, catechism; tutors Maestro Celestino, Maestro Lucas Padua, Leon Monroy.

• Biñan School (Jun $1869$–Dec $1870$)
  • Teacher: Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz.
  • First-day incidents: questions on Spanish & Latin; fights with Pedro Cruz (wrestling win), Andres Salandanan (arm-wrestling loss).
  • Daily routine: $4$ AM Mass/ study, $10$ AM recess, $2–5$ PM class; simple meals.
  • Excelled in Spanish & Latin; wrote & sold a Tagalog drama for $\text{P}\,2$.

• GOMBURZA ($17$ Feb $1872$)
  • Cavite Mutiny $20$ Jan $1872$ ➔ execution of Frs. Gómez, Burgos, Zamora.
  • Paciano’s grief transmitted to Jose – vow to “avenge” injustices; later dedicates El Fili.

• Teodora’s Imprisonment ( $1872–1875$ first, again $1880s$ )
  • False poisoning charge (dog “Ronquillo” episode); forced walks $\approx$ $50$–$85$ km Calamba–Sta. Cruz; shaped Rizal’s hatred of injustice.

MODULE 4 – Higher Education (Ateneo $1872–1877$, UST $1877–1891$)

Ateneo Municipal de Manila

• Admission – initially rejected; admitted via Fr. Manuel Xerez Burgos; used surname “Rizal”.

• Jesuit System – Romans (boarders) vs. Carthaginians (externs); uniforms of hemp trousers & rayadillo coat.

• Scholastic Record
  • $1^{st}$ Yr ($1872–73$): all $Sobresaliente$, $2^{nd}$ in class.
  • $2^{nd}$–$4^{th}$ Yr: regained “Emperor”, private Spanish lessons in Sta. Isabel ($\text{P}\,3$/mo).
  • $5^{th}$ Yr ($1876–77$): graduate Bachiller en Artes with highest honors + $5$ medals.

• Extracurriculars – Marian Congregation, Academies of Spanish Lit. & Nat. Science; sculpted Batikuling Virgin & Sacred Heart; wrote early poems (e.g., Mi Primera Inspiración, Un Recuardo a Mi Pueblo, El Heroísmo de Colón).

• First Love – Segunda Katigbak (Dec $1877$), unfulfilled.

University of Santo Tomas

• Courses
  • $1877–78$ Philosophy & Letters (father’s wish).
  • Simultaneous surveyor course in Ateneo – license granted $1881$ (age $\ge$ $21$).
  • Shifted to Medicine (ophthalmology interest).

• Student Life
  • Discrimination by Dominican professors (3 reasons for “unhappy days”).
  • Writes La Juventud Filipina (silver pen prize) & El Consejo de los Dioses (gold ring).
  • Founds Compañerismo $1880$ vs. Spanish students; street brawls (Leonor Rivera dresses his wound).

• Romances – “Miss L”, Leonor Valenzuela (invisible-ink letters), Leonor Rivera (“Taimis” – true love).

• Departure Motive – racial hostility; supported by Paciano ➔ leaves for Spain $3$ May $1882$.

MODULE 5 – First Sojourn Abroad ($1882–1887$)

Voyage & Early Stops

• Manila $\to$ Singapore (Salvadora), $3$–$8$ May $1882$ – chess w/ Capt. Donato Lecha; tours Botanic Gardens, Buddhist temples.

• Boards French Djemnah ➔ Point Galle, Colombo (Sri Lanka), Aden, Suez, Port Said, Naples (Mt. Vesuvius), Marseilles (visits Château d’If), Barcelona $16$ Jun.

Spain (Barcelona & Madrid)

• Barcelona – poem Amor Patria (Laong Laan) published $20$ Aug $1882$ in Diariong Tagalog; cholera news from Paciano.

• Madrid – enrols Universidad Central $3$ Nov $1882$ in Medicine & Philosophy; hobbies: art Acad. San Fernando, French & German, fencing Hall of Sanz; Masonry “Dimasalang” (Lodge Acacia $1883$, Master Mason $1890$).

• Speech “Brindis” $24$ Jun $1884$ honoring Luna (Spoliarium) & Hidalgo.

• Degrees – Licentiate in Medicine $21$ Jun $1884$; Philosophy & Letters $1885$ (thesis unpaid ⟹ no Dr. title).

• Financial Hardship – pawn possessions; still wins Greek contest on empty stomach.

Paris $1883$ (first visit) & $1885–86$ (eye specialization)

• Trainee under Dr. Louis de Weckert; models for Juan Luna paintings; learns flute at Pardo de Taveras.

Germany $1886$

• Heidelberg: lectures under Prof. Kuehme; poem A las Flores de Heidelberg.

• Wilhelmsfeld: completes half of Noli.

• Leipzig & Dresden: attends Univ. lectures; meets Dr. Jagor & Dr. Meyer.

• Berlin: winter poverty; assists Dr. Schweigger; society paper Tagalische Verkunst (Apr $1887$).

• Publishes Noli Me Tangere $21$ Mar $1887$ – $2{,}000$ copies, financed by Dr. Maximo Viola (P$\,300$).

Grand Tour with Viola (May–Jun $1887$)

• Dresden ➔ Leitmeritz (Blumentritt) ➔ Prague ➔ Vienna ➔ Linz ➔ Munich ➔ Nuremberg ➔ Ulm ➔ Rheinfall ➔ Switzerland (birthday $26$ Jun) ➔ Turin, Milan, Venice, Florence ➔ Rome ($27$ Jun).

• Returns via Marseilles ➔ Saigon ➔ Manila ($5$ Aug).

First Homecoming (Aug $1887$–Feb $1888$)

• Opens Calamba clinic (“Dr. Uliman”); operates mother’s eye.

• Summoned by Gov. Terrero; Noli declared “heretical” by UST censors.

• Investigates Calamba hacienda abuses; friar pressure ➔ Terrero advises departure.

MODULE 6 – Second Sojourn ($1888–1891$)

Hong Kong & Macau (Feb $1888$)

• Meets Jose Ma. Basa; observes Chinese New Year, cemeteries; side-trip to Macau via Kiu-Kiang.

Japan (Feb–Apr $1888$)

• Tokyo Grand Hotel; stays in Spanish Legation at invite of Juan Perez Caballero.

• Romance with Seiko Usui (“O-Sei-San”); notes Japanese cleanliness, industry.

United States (Apr–May $1888$)

• San Francisco quarantine; crosses by rail – Oakland, Reno, Omaha, Chicago, Niagara, New York – praises progress, decries racial prejudice.

London (May $1888$–Mar $1889$)

• Lodges at Beckett house (Primrose Hill); researches Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas at British Museum; friendship w/ Dr. Reinhold Rost (“Una Perla de Hombre”); romance with Gertrude Beckett; honorary president – Asociación La Solidaridad ($31$ Dec $1888$).

Paris Universal Exposition $1889$

• Kidlat Club ➔ Indios Bravos ➔ secret Redención de los Malayos (propagate knowledge).

• Proposes International Association of Filipinologists (unrealised).

• Meets Nellie Boustead; fencing duel avoided vs. Antonio Luna.

Belgium (Brussels & Ghent $1890–91$)

• Writes “Sobre la Nueva Ortografía” (use $k,w$).

• Calamba agrarian case – seeks Del Pilar’s legal help.

• Finishes El Filibusterismo $29$ Mar $1891$ at Biarritz; printing problems – rescued by Valentin Ventura; released $18$ Sep $1891$, $\text{P}\,300$ gift to printer.

Return via Hong Kong (Nov $1891$–Jun $1892$)

• Clinic at $2$ Rednaxela Terrace; family reunion Xmas $1891$.

• Borneo Colonisation plan (Sandakan $1892$) – rejected by Gov-Gen Despujol; responds with pamphlets “Ang Mga Karapatan ng Tao”, etc.

MODULE 7 – The Two Novels

Noli Me Tangere (“Touch Me Not”) – $63$ chapters + Epilogue

• Written $1884–86$ (Madrid ➔ Paris ➔ Berlin).

• Inspired by Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin & Sue’s Wandering Jew.

• Central themes: clerical abuses, social cancer, love of country.

• Plot summary: Return of Crisostomo Ibarra, love for María Clara, school project, clash with Padre Dámaso, uprising pinned on Ibarra, escape by Elias, María Clara enters nunnery.

El Filibusterismo (“The Reign of Greed”) – $38$ chapters + Epilogue

• Written $1887–1891$ (Calamba ➔ London ➔ Brussels ➔ Biarritz).

• Darker style; dedication to $GOMBURZA$.

• Simoun (Ibarra) plots revenge & revolution; lamp-bomb at wedding foiled by Isagani; Simoun dies poisoned at Padre Florentino’s house; treasure cast into sea.

MODULE 8 – Exile in Dapitan ($17$ Jul $1892$–$31$ Jul $1896$)

• Arrest Context – La Liga Filipina founded $3$ Jul $1892$ (motto Unus Instar Omnium); raid finds “$Pobres\, Frailes$” leaflets sewn in Lucia’s pillow.

• Voyage – Cebu steamer; arrival $14$ Jul; billeted with Capt. Ricardo Carnicero; wins lottery Ticket $9736$ ($P\,20{,}000$) on $21$ Sep $1892$.

• Talisay Estate – $16$ ha purchased with $P\,\,4{,}000$; builds square, hexagon, octagon houses; school w/ $21$ pupils; hymn Himno A Talisay.

• Science & Public Works – discovers $3$ species (Draco, Rhacophorus, Apogonia rizali); designs Dapitan water system; relief map of Mindanao with Fr. Sánchez.

• Profession & Business – free clinic; brick-making machine ($6{,}000$ bricks/day); partnership w/ Ramon Carreon (hemp, copra).

• Cultural & Artistic – paints chapel, sculpts “Mother’s Revenge”, Dapitan Girl.

• Religious Debate – letters w/ Fr. Pablo Pastells (Sept $1892$–Apr $1893$).

• Josephine Bracken – meets Feb $1895$; marriage refused (no bishop’s permit); son “Francisco” born & dies prematurely.

• Katipunan Contact – Dr. Pio Valenzuela mission ($21$ Jun $1896$); Rizal warns revolution premature.

• Cuba Volunteer – writes Gov-Gen Blanco $17$ Dec $1895$; accepted $30$ Jul $1896$; leaves Dapitan $31$ Jul.

MODULE 9 – Arrest, Trial & Execution ($Aug–Dec 1896$)

Chronology

• $6$ Aug $1896$ – held aboard Castilla in Cavite pending transport.

• $13$ Aug – Gov. Blanco issues clearance letter; Isla de Panay sails $3$ Sep.

• $3$ Oct – reaches Barcelona; arrested, Montjuich Castle.

• $6$ Oct – shipped back on Colón; rescue writ in Singapore denied by Chief Justice Lionel Cox.

• $3$ Nov – Fort Santiago; incommunicado.

• $20$ Nov – Preliminary investigation by Col. Francisco Olive; documentary & oral evidence (letters, poems, testimonies) compiled.

• $11$ Dec – formal charge: “principal organizer of rebellion”; Rizal pleads not guilty; counsel Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade.

• $13$ Dec – Polavieja replaces Blanco; trial fixed $26$ Dec $1896$ at Cuartel de España.

Trial $26$ Dec$</h5><ul><li><p>Prosecutor Capt. Enrique de Alcocer demands death.</p></li><li><p>Defense: Rizal’s oral argument – Liga civic, advised against revolt, could have fled.</p></li><li><p>Same day: Military Council votes$\text{death by fusillade}$.</p></li><li><p>Polavieja signs execution order$28$Dec; Jesuits visit for possible “retraction”.</p></li></ul><h5 id="5bbbef81-9cbd-4903-b436-77f205e21c9a" data-toc-id="5bbbef81-9cbd-4903-b436-77f205e21c9a" collapsed="false" seolevelmigrated="true">Last$24 Hours

• Visits by Frs. Saderra, Viza, Faura, Balaguer; mother, sisters, Josephine.

• Writes “Mi Último Adiós” & letters to family, Blumentritt (hid in alcohol stove), dedicates Kempis’ Imitation of Christ to Josephine.

• Controversial Retraction Document allegedly signed 29$Dec$10 PM (witnesses Del Prisno & Maure); authenticity disputed; spy notes of Federico Moreno later cited.

Execution 30$Dec$1896$</h5><ul><li><p>$6$:$30$AM death march from Fort Santiago to Bagumbayan; refuses blindfold; pulse normal.</p></li><li><p>Shouts “¡Consummatum est!”; falls facing rising sun after body twist; declared dead$7$:$03$AM.</p></li><li><p>Band plays <em>Marcha de Cádiz</em>; crowd cries “¡Viva España!”; secretly buried at Paco Cemetery$31 Dec.

Aftermath & Legacy

• Katipunan adopts “Mabuhay ang Kalayaan” & war cry “Ipakilala sa boong mundo na tayo’y may sariling Bayani!”

• Rizal’s martyrdom galvanises nationwide armed struggle leading to 1898 Declaration of Independence.

Key Abbreviations & Terms
AYA – nanny.
Bahay na Bato – stone-and-wood colonial house.
CHED – Commission on Higher Education.
GOMBURZA – Gómez, Burgos, Zamora.
La Liga Filipina – civic league founded 3$Jul$1892$. <br>La Solidaridad – reformist newspaper ($1889–1895$$).
“Kangaroo court” – prejudged military tribunal.
Sobresaliente – “outstanding” grade.