LIFE AND WORKS OF JOSE RIZAL

Jose Rizal’s La Liga Filipina and his

Exile in Dapitan

Welcome to the sixth of the course on the Life and Works of Jose
Rizal. This lesson is about Jose Rizal‟s La Liga Filipina and his exile
in Dapitan. It provides a discussion on the factors that led to the
establishment of the La Liga Filipina, its aims and implications. The
lesson also examines the reasons of Jose Rizal‟s arrest and deportation
and his life and experiences in Dapitan.

Objectives:
The following are the learning outcomes we are expected to achieve at
the end of the lesson:

Discuss the reasons of the founding of La Liga Filipina and its

disbandment
Examine the aims of the La Liga Filipina by reading its
constitution
Explain why Jose Rizal was arrested and exiled
Describe the life of Jose Rizal in Dapitan
Relate the founding of La Liga Filipina to the socio-political
conditions of the Philippines during the 19th century
Examine the implications of the founding and disbandment of
the La Liga Filipina to the Filipinos and the Spanish colonial
rule

Activities/Exercises

Accomplish the module execises. Watch a documentary or film about

Rizal‟s life and experiences in Dapitan. Read some of Jose Rizal‟s works.

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 Jose Rizal’s La LIga Filipina and Life in Dapitan

I. Establishment of the La Liga Filipina

On July 03, 1892, Jose Rizal and other nationalists and masons like
ApolinarioMabini, Deodato Arellano and Andres Bonifacio, gathered in the
house of DoroteoOngjunco, a Chinese mestizoin KalyeYlaya, Tondo, Manila
for the establishment of the La Liga Filipina.
Jose Rizal started writing the La Liga Filipina‟s constitution in Hong
Kong. The constitution embodies the organizational structure or blue print of
the society.

Aims of the La Liga Filipina

 To unite the whole archipelago into one compact, vigorous, and
homogenous body;
 Mutual protection in every want and necessity;
 Defense against all violence and injustice;
 Encouragement of instruction, agriculture, and commerce; and
 Study and application of reforms

Read the full text of the constitution of the La Liga Filipina on the
following websites:
o http://joserizal.nhcp.gov.ph/Writings/Other/la_liga.htm
o http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20855
o http://philhist.pbworks.com/w/page/16367051/Rizaliana

II. Disbandment of the La Liga Filipina

The Spanish authorities were so alarmed and considered the La Liga
dangerous so they secretly arrested Rizal on the night of July 6, 1892. After
the arrest of Jose Rizal, the La Liga became inactive. Through the efforts of
some of its members it was reorganized. However, the society was split into
two different paths – reform and revolution. As Constantino (1975) puts it:
“At first the Liga was quite active. Bonifacio in particular exerted great efforts
to organize chapters in various districts of Manila. A few months later, however, the Supreme
Council of the Liga dissolved the society. The reformist leaders found out that most of the
popular councils which Bonifacio had organized were no longer willing to send funds to the
Madrid propagandists because, like Bonifacio, they had become convinced that peaceful
agitation for reforms was futile. Afraid that the more radical rank and file members might
capture the organization and unwilling to involve themselves in an enterprise which would
surely invite reprisals from the authorities, the leaders of the Liga opted for dissolution. The
Liga membership split into two groups: the conservatives formed the Cuerpo de
Compromisarios which pledged to continue supporting the La Solidaridad while the radicals
led by Bonifacio devoted themselves to a new and secret society, the Katipunan, which
Bonifacio had organized on the very day Rizal was deported to Dapitan.”

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 LIFE AND WORKS OF JOSE RIZAL

IIII. Significance of the La Liga Filipina

According to Renato Constantino (1975)
The La Liga Filipina “constituted a forward step in the reformist ideas of
the times in the sense that the new group [La Liga] sought to involve the
people directly in the reform movement. Many elements of society who were
anxious for change were attracted to the Liga…”
According to TeodoroAgoncillo (1990)
The La LigaFilpina is “a civic society” which embodies Jose Rizal‟s
vision for the betterment of the Philippines.
According to Floro C.Quibuyen (1999)
The La Liga Filipina is a society that aims to establish an independent
and free nation. A nation whose membership is not through blood but through
cultural and moral sentiments that all members share and embody

III. The Life of Jose Rizal in Dapitan

Jose Rizal by the order of the governor-general, was exiled to Dapitan, a remote
place in Zamboanga del Norte. On July 17, 1892, Jose Rizal reached Dapitan boarding
the boat Cebu.He was loved by the people of Dapitan because of the way he treated and
cared for them.

Jose Rizal as a Teacher

Jose Rizal put up a school which accommodated seventeen boys who
were sons for the most part of leading citizens of Dapitan. Formal classes
were conducted between two and five o'clock, he sat in a hammock, while
the boys sat on a long bamboo bench. He taught his students arithmetic,
geometry, English and Spanish. In one day, he requires them to speak only
English; on the next day, only Spanish. If any boy forgot and spoke the
wrong language he had to wear rattan handcuffs. The best student was called
"emperor" and sat at the head of the bench. The poorest sat at the foot, and
had to jump, dance, and take exercises before the others. This system was
similar to the one he experienced in Ateneo Municipal.
Another subject in Rizal‟s school was the "Nature study"wherein his
students helped him collect specimens of flowers, shells, insects, and reptiles.
A large number of collection of shells, snakes and insects collected by Jose
Rizal and his students are housed in the Manila Jesuit Museum.

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 Jose Rizal’s La LIga Filipina and Life in Dapitan

Jose Rizal as a Doctor

Jose Rizal spent many months draining swamps to get rid of
the malaria which infested the region. He cared for the sick of Dapitan
without ever accepting a fee. News about him traveled fast and people
from distant areas came to him for consultation and treatment, and
these he charged according to their financial capacity.

Jose Rizal as a Scientist

Rizal found Mindanao a wonderful field for collecting
specimens. Using his canoe, he explored the coast, seeking specimens
of shells, bugs, and new varieties of plants. He also wrote to his friend
Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt articles about the ethnography of the
Philippines and a detailed map of Mindanao. He sent over four
hundred articles of scientific value and many specimens of animals,
insects, and plants for identification to the Anthropological and
Ethnographical Museum of Dresden. He did not receive any monetary
payment. He wanted in exchange were scientific books, magazines and
surgical instruments which he needed and used in Dapitan.
Rizal discovered some rare specimens which were named in
his honor by the scientists. Among these were Draco rizali
(a flying dragon), Apogoniarizali (a small beetle), and
Rhacophorusrizali (a rare frog)

Jose Rizal as a Community Organizer

Jose Rizal envisioned the establishment of the „New Calamba‟
in Dapitan. Jose Rizal with the help of Father Pastells „remade‟the
town plaza. He made a relief map of Mindanao outside the town‟s
church. He directed the construction of a water system for Dapitan.
He spent most of his winnings in the lottery (6,000 pesos) for the
improvement of Dapitan. He installedlamps for the Dapitan streets
from the money (500 pesos) he was paid for having successfully
removed an Englishman‟s cataracts. He put up a hospital which was
located opposite the house where he dwelt.

Jose Rizal as a Poet

Jose Rizal in his letter to Blumentritt, stated that he was
working on a grammar of the Tagalog language. His life experiences
in Dapitan had inspired him to write poems.

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 LIFE AND WORKS OF JOSE RIZAL

Read the poems written by Jose Rizal while he was in Dapitan

 A Don Ricardo Carcinero.He wrote this poem in honor of
Commandant Carcinero who became his good friend.
Hymn to the Talisay Tree. He wrote a poem in honor of his place
which was named after the tree. He also dedicated this poem to his
students in Dapitan and made them sing it. (Read the poem in
http://joserizal.nhcp.gov.ph/Biography/man_and_martyr/chapter14.
htm)
 MiRetiro. It is a poem wrote by Jose Rizal for his mother. It also
expressed Jose Rizal‟s serene life and his acceptance of his destiny and
whatever justice will be given him. (Read the poem in:
http://www.joserizal.com/mi-retiro/#sthash.MFtvUABF.dpuf ;
http://joserizal.nhcp.gov.ph/Writings/Poetry/poetry.lwp.htm)

III. Jose Rizal and Josephine Bracken

Jose Rizal and Josephine Leopoldine Bracken met again when an American
engineer named George Taufer who was based in Hong Kong came to Dapitan for
his cataracts to be treated by Jose Rizal. Josephine was his adopted daughter.
Accompanying them was Manuela Orlac, a Filipina who was on intimate terms with
a canon in the Manila Cathedral. Rizal found Josephine who was then 18 years old
extremely attractive. He described her as not highly educated, but was quick, witty,
and eager to hear all he had to say. Every time they met, Josephine seemed more in
love with Jose Rizal. Within a month they were engaged to be married, and asked
Father Obach, the Dapitan priest, to marry them. However, they were not married
because the priest needed the sanction of the bishop of Cebu before he could marry
them and Jose Rizal‟s family especially his mother was against it. Rizal‟s family
was suspicious of Josephine Bracken due to her „uncertain‟ origins and dubious
company. They were convinced that she was sent there to spy on him. However,
there is no written evidence that Josephine was being used by anyone to spy on Jose
Rizal. Jose Rizal also became suspicious at first of Josephine as a spy, but found no
reason to continue his suspicion. Rizal tried relentlessly to persuade his family to
accept Josephine Bracken. Despite not being married, they spent their days in
Dapitan in each other‟s arms. Their love affair has brought them a baby boy but
unfortunately died a few hours after his birth.

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 Jose Rizal’s La LIga Filipina and Life in Dapitan

IV. Jose Rizal and the Katipunan

In May 1896, Andres Bonifacio sent Dr. PioValezuela for an advice about
the revolution. Rizal refused to be rescued by the Katipunan and advised them to
prepare first by means of acquiring sufficient arms and ammunitions and securing
the loyalty and support of the principalias or middle classes.

V. Departure from Dapitan

In May 1896, Andres Bonifacio sent Dr. PioValezuela for an advice
about the revolution. Rizal refused to be rescued by the Katipunan and advised
them to prepare first by means of acquiring sufficient arms and ammunitions and
securing the loyalty and support of the principalias or middle classes.

On October 06, 1896, Jose Rizal was arrested for being implicated in the
revolution and was sent back to Manila and detained in Fort Santiago.

References
Agoncillo, Teodoro A. (1990). History of the Filipino People. Lungsod Quezon: Garotech
Publishing.
Craig, A. (1909). The Story of Jose Rizal. Manila, Philippine Education Publishing Co.
Craig, Austin. Lineage Life and Labors of Jose Rizal Philippine Patriot
Guerrero, Leon Ma. (1998). Jose Rizal: The First Filipino. Manila
Ocampo, Ambeth R. (2000). Rizal Without the Overcoat. Pasig City: Anvil Publising Inc.,
Ocampo, Nilo S. (1995). Rizal: Makabayan at Martir. Diliman, Q.C.: University of the Philippines
Press
Quibuyen, Floro C. (1999). A Nation Aborted: Rizal, American hegemony and Philippine
nationalism. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press

Internet Sources:
http://joserizal.nhcp.gov.ph/Biography/man_and_martyr/chapter14.htm
http://www.filipinaslibrary.org.ph/filipiniana-library/filipiniana/70-features/221-the-travels-of-
rizal
http://joserizal.ph/tr27.html
http://joserizal.info/
http://www.rizalinfo.net/
http://elearning.nhcp.gov.ph/rizal-shrine
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/search/?query=jose+rizal
http://philhist.pbworks.com/w/page/16367051/Rizaliana#OtherWritings
http://www.academia.edu/4022679/DAPITAN_SUMMARY
http://msc.edu.ph/centennial/liga.html
http://joserizal.nhcp.gov.ph/Writings/Other/la_liga.htm
http://xiaochua.net/2013/07/28/xiao-time-24-july-2013-ang-pagkakatatag-ng-la-liga-filipina/