Rizal's Life, Works, and Writings: A Comprehensive Summary
Rizal’s Life: Exile and Execution
Exile in Dapitan occurred on July 15, 1892, when Rizal was brought under maximum security to the streamer named Cebu.
Three conditions from Father Pablo Pastells for residing at the parish convent:
Rizal publicly retract his errors concerning religion and make statements that were pro-Spanish and against revolution.
He performs the church rites and make a general confession of his past life.
He conducts himself in an exemplary manner as a Spanish subject and a man of religion.
During Rizal’s exile, he unexpectedly won in a Manila lottery on September 21, 1892.
Rizal also challenged a French man to a duel-fencing. His name was Mr. Juan Lardet.
Rizal had a debate with Father Pastells on religion as well.
During the Exile, Rizal also practiced his professions such as being a Physician when he treated his mother’s eyes; Engineer when he constructed the water system of the town; Educator when he established a school in Dapitan; Scientist when he built up a rich collection of conchology and other specimens; Linguist when he continued to study other languages and dialects; Artist when he made paintings, drawings and statues for charity; Farmer when he continued to acquire lands and establish an agricultural colony; Businessman when he made profitable business ventures in Dapitan; and Inventor when he invented a cigarette lighter and a wooden machine.
Rizal after restoring his mother’s eyes wrote his last poem in Dapitan entitled “Mi Retiro” or “My Retreat” where he relates his life as an exile in Dapitan.
Afterwards, he met Josephine Bracken and planned to marry her, but there were no priests who would marry them.
On November 20, 1896, Rizal was subjected to a five-day investigation.
Two kinds of evidence were presented: Documentary and Testimonial.
On December 11, 1896, Rizal was charged with the crime of rebellion and the formation of illegal associations.
On December 26, 1896, Rizal was accused of 3 crimes: rebellion, sedition, and illegal association.
On December 30, Rizal was executed, and his last words were, ''consummatum est,” meaning “it is finished”
The Philippines Within a Century Hence
In an essay, Rizal forecasted the future of the country within a century and reminded Spain about the circumstances that steered in the French revolution.
Published in La Solidaridad, discussed the glorious past and examined the causes of miseries when the Spaniards colonized the country.
Reasons for Misery During Spanish Colonization
Spain’s imposition of military policies.
Deterioration and disappearance of Filipino identity.
Passivity and submissiveness of the Filipinos to the Spanish colonizers.
Consequences of Spanish Policies
Military policies: Reduction of the country’s population during those times; farmlands were taken, and poverty became more rampant; family as a unit of society was neglected.
Erosion of Identity: Culture was eroded, and Filipinos lost confidence in their past and heritage; became doubtful of their present lifestyle, eventually losing hope in the future.
Culture of Silence: Spanish friars promoted the culture of silence among the Filipinos, supported by force or violence.
Rising Nationalism and Rizal’s Vision
Rizal saw the rising nationalism required Spain to reexamine its colonial policies to stop the progress of the country.
Rizal envisioned that in 1898, the Americans wrestled with Spain to win the Philippines and eventually took over the country.
To the Young Women of Malolos
Dr. Rizal extended his views on Filipino women which is reflected/embodied in his work/letter wherein he wishes them to keep in mind.
Dr. Rizal wrote it to respond to the request of M.H Del Pilar while he was residing in Paris and was about the courageous actions of the young women of Malolos.
Rizal tackled the evils of the friars & he said that these people introduced us to Christianity, but they also break/destroy its sanctity.
Qualities that a Filipino mother should impart to her children are love for God, love for country, and love for fellowmen.
Filipino mothers should be glad to offer their sons in defense of their country, like Spartan mothers.
Filipino women should know how to protect their dignity and honor and should educate themselves.
Faith is not merely reciting prayers and wearing religious pictures; it is living the real Christian way with good morals and manners.
Dr. Rizal was concerned about the welfare of the Filipinos by emphasizing the qualities that Filipino mothers should possess.
With the advent of globalization, societal issues and challenges are experienced by Filipino women. May these teachings remind women to wear dignity and honor, be educated, and observe the necessary qualities.
The Indolence of the Filipinos
Dr. Jose P. Rizal ably defended the alleged indolence of the Filipinos, arguing that the Filipinos are not by nature indolent.
Rizal made a critical study of the causes why the Filipino people did not work hard during the Spanish regime.
Long before the coming of the Spaniards, Rizal pointed out that the Filipinos were industrious and hardworking and active in agriculture, industries, and commerce.
Causes of Decline in Economic Activities
Native revolts and other internal disorders followed the establishment of Spanish rule.
The wars which the Filipinos fought for Spain against the Dutch, Portuguese, English, and other enemies.
The frightful raids on the coastal towns and villages of Christians by the Muslim pirates.
Forced labor compelled thousands of Filipino laborers to work in shipyards, roads, and bridges, and other public works.
Lack of stimulus to work harder because people could not enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Government neglect and indifference to agriculture, industry, and commerce.
Spaniards gave a bad example by despising manual labor.
The teaching of Spanish missionaries stated that it is easier for a poor man to enter heaven than for a rich man.
Encouragement and propagation of gambling by the Spanish authorities.
The Spanish education system did not promote economic enterprise and activity.
Rizal admitted that the Filipinos are easy-going and do not work hard because they are wise enough to adjust themselves to their warm, tropical climate.
El Filibusterismo
El Filibusterismo (The Subversive) is the second novel by Jose Rizal (1861- 1896).
The Fili was written in Castilian while Rizal was traveling and studying in Europe, and it was published in Ghent in 1891
Copies of the Fili were smuggled into the Philippines after it was condemned as subversive by the Spanish Authorities
Simoun: The Main Character in El Filibusterismo
The hero of El Filibusterismo is Simoun, a rich jeweler, who was Crisostomo Ibarra of the Noli.
Simoun is outwardly a friend of Spain but cherishes a terrible revenge against the Spanish authorities.
His obsessions are rescuing Maria Clara and fomenting a revolution against the Spanish masters.
Simoun's first attempt to begin the armed uprising did not materialize because at the last hour he hears the sad news that Maria Clara died in the nunnery.
Synopsis of the Middle Chapters of El Filibusterismo
After a long illness, Simoun perfects his plan to overthrow the government.
On the occasion of the wedding of Paulita Gomez and Juanito Pelaez, he gifts a beautiful lamp that will explode, destroying the house where the wedding feast occurs with all the guests (including the governor general, the friars, and the government officials).
Paulita Gomez was saved when Isagani seizes lighted lamp, and hurls it into the river, where it explodes.
Padre Florentino falls upon his knees and prays for the dead jeweler, and He takes the treasure chest and throws it into the sea.
Noli Me Tangere
Dedicated to the Philippines in Gospel of St. John, Chapter 20, verses 13 to 17
Begin with a reception given by Capitan Tiago. in honor of Crisostmo Ibarra, a young and rich Filipino who had returned from seven years of study in Europe.
During the dinner, Padre Damaso he tried to discredit Ibarra’s remarks.
Padre Salvi demanded redress for desecrating his father’s mortal remains.
Basilio and Crispin, the joys of her wretched life of Sisa
Ibarra also met Tasio the Philosopher or the Lunatic
Celebrating Dr. Jose P. Rizal as a Bayani
Filipinos commonly look for someone to idolize: saints, politicians, artists, models, etc.
Every individual who becomes so popular or the main character in any particular event is given the title “hero."
The word “hero” means a prominent or central personage taking an admirable part in any remarkable action or event; a person of distinguished valor.
The notion of celebrating heroes was introduced to the Philippines in 1900 when the Philippine Commission approved Act No. 137.
On March 28, 1993, the National Heroes Committee was created to study, evaluate, and recommend historical figures to be declared as national heroes.
Criteria for Defining a National Hero
The extent of a person’s sacrifices for the welfare of the country.
The motive and methods employed in the attainment of the ideal.
The moral character of the person concerned
The influence of the person concerned on his age and or the succeeding age.
The heroes are those who have a concept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for the nation’s freedom
Heroes are those who define and contribute to a system of life of freedom and order for a nation
Heroes are those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation.
A hero is part of the people’s expression.
A hero thinks of the future, especially the future generations.
The choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events in history but of the entire process that made this person a hero.
Celebrating Dr. Jose P. Rizal as a National Symbol
Using these standards, Dr. Jose P. Rizal became our national hero, furthered by the enactment of the Republic Act 1425 or “Rizal Law.”
This commemorates the martyrdom and nationalism of Dr. Rizal is highlighted by the raising of the Philippine flag and wreath-laying ceremonies at the Luneta Park, Rizal Shrine in Calamba and Zamboanga and Rizal Monument in Baguio City.
Act. No. 243 that granted the right to public land upon the Luneta in the City of Manila for construction of a statue of Jose Rizal from a fund to be raised by public subscription.