CHAPTER 5

JOSE RIZAL’S LIFE: EXILE, TRIAL AND DEATH

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Analyze the factors that led to Jose Rizal’s execution; and
2. Analyze the effects of Jose Rizal’s execution on Spanish colonial rule and the
Philippine revolution.

Class Activity:
1. Read the constitution of La Liga Filipina and fill out a table (graphic organizer) with
the aims of La Liga Filipina in one column and examples of these aims could be
attained in another column.
2. Read Rizal’s last letters to family members and Blumentritt.
3. Read Teodora Alonzo’s letter to Governor General Polavieja and write a similar
letter persuading him to spare Rizal’s life.

Jose Rizal’s Exile (1892-96)

Jose dwelled as exile in Dapitan, Zamboanga Del Norte, and a far-remotest town in
Mindanao from 1892 to 1896. This four-year interregnum in Jose’s life was summed up by Zaide
and Zaide (2104) as:
Tediously unexciting, but was abundantly fruitful with varied achievements. He
practiced medicine, pursued scientific studies, continued his artistic and literary works,
widened his knowledge of languages, established a school for boys, promoted
community development projects, invented a wooden machine for making bricks, and
engaged in farming and commerce. Despite his multifarious activities, he kept an
extensive correspondence with his family, relatives, fellow reformists, and eminent
scientists and scholars of Europe.
 In Dapitan, Jose had a very peaceful, happy, and enjoyable life and the way he lived it
was extremely good and deserving to be admired and appreciated. He made sure his stay in
Dapitan would be fruitful, so he engaged in
manifold activities. His excellent skill in the
science of medicine spread like wild fire in
Dapitan. His medical practice attracted
many patients who were mostly poor. He
put to good use the curative values of the
Philippines medicinal plants which he
studied and doled them out to his poor
patients who could not afford to buy
imported medicine. He welcomed both
affluent and indigent patients. He normally
undercharged them if not for free and accepted any payments in kind from those who had little
or no money.

With the assistance of Father Francisco Sanchez, his former Jesuit teacher, Jose
buckled down to work. He enhanced the town plaza and accentuated it with a huge relief map of
Mindanao, which can still be viewed today. One of the impressive projects of Jose was the
water system he designed and constructed in order that people of
Dapitan can have access to clean water. In spite of lack of funds,
exiguous resources and no government assistance, he was able to
build it, armed only with his training in Ateneo, readings of
engineering books, sheer determination and ingenuity. To reduce the
occurrence of malaria, he drained the marshes where mosquitos
thrived. Utilizing the 500 pesos he received from an English patient,
he introduced a lighting system made up of coconut oil lamps in glass
protectors which lighted up dark areas in the town.

Imbued with the value of education since childhood, Jose

realized his dream to establish his own school in which he applied the
educational system he learned abroad. The school opened with three pupils which increased to
16 and later to 21. His lessons constituted of reading, writing languages (Spanish and English),
geography, history, mathematics (arithmetic and geometry), industrial work, study of nature, and
morals. He also trained and exposed them to gymnastics, boxing, wrestling, stone-throwing,
swimming, arnis (native frencing), and boating for physical development and discipline. He did
not charge his pupils for sharing his knowledge, instead, he encouraged them to help him in his
garden, farm, and construction projects in the community.
Jose conducted scientific
studies in the rich virgin field of
Dapitan and collected specimens of
animals and plants. He forwarded
these specimens to the Dresden
museum of Europe and he received
scientific books and surgical
instruments as payment. He has an
impressive assemblage of his study of
346 shells from 203 species. He
obtained knowledge on some rare
specimens which were named in his honor by European scientists such as Draco rizali (a flying
dragon), Apogonia rizali (a small beetle), and Rhacophorus rizali (a rare frog).
While in Dapitan, Jose studied the
Bisayan, Subanum, and Malayan languages
and wrote a Tagalog grammar. He wrote
poems entitled: A Don Ricardo Carnicero,
Himno A Talisay (Hymn to the Talisay Tree) Mi
Retiro (My Retreat), El Canto del Viajero (The
Song of the Traveler) and Josephine. He also
made some drawings and sculptures of people
and things that captivated him.
Jose acquired lands in Dapitan which
reached total holdings of 70 hectares, where
he constructed his house, school, hospital, and planted in his farm many fruit trees, corn, coffee,
cacao, sugarcane, and hemp. He also introduced and encouraged the use of modern European
and American methods of agriculture. He, however, did not realize his dream of transforming
Dapitan into an agricultural colony because he did not get the acceptance and permission of the
government.
In collaboration with Ramon Carreon, a Dapitan merchant, Jose was successful in his
business ventures in fishing, copra, and hemp industries. He established the Cooperative
Association of Dapitan Farmers to break the Chinese business monopoly in Dapitan. The
confederation, according to Jose Rizal’s Political and Historical Writings (1964) aimed “to
improve the farm products, obtain better outlets for them, collect funds for their purchases, and
help the producers and workers by establishing a store wherein they can buy prime
commodities at moderate prices.”
He devised an unusual “sulpukan”, a cigarette lighter made of wood which employed the
principle of compressed air. Subsequently, it was received by Blumentritt as a gift. He also
formed an idea of a machine for making bricks. Patterned after a Belgian example, Jose’s
version could produce about 6,000 bricks daily.
In spite of his achievements in Dapitan, Jose felt empty. He missed his family, relatives,
and friends. He felt he needed somebody to rejuvenate him. Expressed in Letters between
Rizal and Family Members (1964), Jose found his answer in Josephine Bracken:
In God’s own time, this “somebody” came to Dapitan, like a sunbeam to dispel
his melancholy mood. She was Josephine Bracken, an Irish girl of sweet eighteen,
“slender, a chestnut blond, with blue eyes, dressed with elegant simplicity, with an
atmosphere of light gayety”. She of Irish parents. She was born in Hong Kong on
October 3, 1876 of Irish parents – James Bracken, a corporal in the British garrison, and
Elizabeth Jane MacBride.
Jose and Josephine fell inlove with each other and decided to seal their relationship with
marriage but no priest would marry them. Even without the blessing of the church, Jose and
Josephine joyfully shared each other’s life in Dapitan. His happiness doubled when he learned
that Josephine was expecting a baby. By twist of fate, the baby, only lived for three hours. He
named his baby boy “Francisco” in honor to his father.
 In 1876, Andres Bonifacio and his Katipunan (revolutionary society founded on July 7,
1892) organized an armed rebellion. They assigned Dr. Pio Valenzuela to notify Jose Rizal
about their plan. To conceal his assignment, Dr. Pio was accompanied by Raymundo Mata, a
blind man to consult Jose’s medical advice. Jose opposed the Katipuneros very bold and
shocking uprising. He firmly believed that they are not ready for a revolution. He added that they
do not have adequate arms and funds. He also declined the offer of Katipuneros to rescue him.
Several months before the Katipuneros communicated with Jose, Blumentritt revealed to
him the pitiful health situation (yellow fever epidemic) in war-ridden Cuba and admonished him
to volunteer as an army doctor there to end his exile. On December 17, 1895, acting upon his
friend’s counsel, Jose sent Governor General Ramon Blanco a letter, offering his medical
services in Cuba. He almost gave up hope when he did not get a response after months had
passed.
However, on July 30, 1896, when he least expected it, a letter from the Spanish
Governor arrived informing him of his proposal. This letter also expressed that he would be
given a pass so that he could travel in Manila, where he would be given a safe-conduct to Spain
and subsequently to Cuba.
July 31, 1896 marked Jose Rizal’s emotionally charged departure from a town he
learned to love. Many teary-eyed Dapitan folks were at the shore to bid goodbye to a person
who unselfishly did all he can for their town. With weeping heart brimming with tears of nostalgic
memories, Jose gestured his farewell salute to the town’s devoted and friendly folks.

Jose Rizal’s Trial

Andres Binifacio and his dauntless Katipuneros, on August 26, 1896, raised the cry of
rebellion in the hills of Balintawak (popularly known as “Cry of Balintawak”), a few miles in north
of Manila. In August 30, they assaulted San Juan, near the city of Manila, but they were repelled
with massive losses. In the aftermath of the Battle of San Juan, Governor General Blanco
declared a state of war in the eight provinces for their insurgency against Spain-Manila (as a
provice), Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga, Nueva Vizcaya, and Tarlac. Jose
feared that the turbulent insurrection would only beget much suffering and horrifying decimation
of human lives and property. He was also frightened of the likelihood of Spanish reprisal against
all Filipino patriots.
Amidst the chaos created by the uprising, Jose received from Governor General Blanco
two letters which exculpated him from the raging insurrection. In his last trip abroad, Jose
troubled by the violent attempt of the Katipuneros to end the rule of the Spanish government,
left for Spain on September 3, 1896. He, however, was transferred to another steamer which he
thought would take him from Spain to Cuba to carry out his humanitarian offer which is to serve
as military physician. Unexpectedly, he was apprehended and unlawfully detained as a prisoner
in a Spanish steamer before reaching Barcelona. He was informed that he would be shipped
back to Manila on board the transport ship Colon. Upon arriving in Manila, on November 3,
1896, the heavily guarded Jose was transferred from the Colon to Fort Santiago.

A Severe five-day preliminary investigation began on November 20, 1896. Jose

appeared before the Judge Advocate, Colonel Francisco Olive who detailed the charges against
him. Two types of evidence, documentary and testimonial, were presented against Jose Rizal.
Palma (1949) in his translated work, Pride of Malay Race, made available the documentary
evidence which consisted of fifteen exhibits, as follows:

1. A letter of Antonio Luna to Mariano Ponce, dated Madrid, October 16, 1888,
showing Rizal's connection with the Filipino reform campaign in Spain.
2. A letter of Rizal to his family, dated Madrid, August 20, 1890, stating that the
deportations are good for they will encourage the people to hate tyranny.
3. A letter from Marcelo H. Del Pilar to Deodato Arellano, dated Madrid, January 7, I
889, implicating Rizal in the Propaganda campaign in Spain.
4. A poem entitled Kundiman, allegedly written by Rizal in Manila on September
12, 1891.

This poem is as follows:

KUNDIMAN
In the Orient beautiful
Where the sun is born
In a land of beauty
Full of enchantments
But bound in chains.
Where the despot reigns,
The land clearest to me.
Ah! That is my country,
She is slave oppressed
Groaning in the tyrant's grips;
Lucky shall he be
Who can give her liberty!

5. A letter of Carlos Oliver to an unidentified person, dated Barcelona, September

18, 1891, describe Rizal as the man to free the Philippines from Spanish
oppression.
6. A Masonic document, dated Manila, February, 9, 1892, honoring Rizal for his
patriotic services.
7. A letter signed Dimasalang (Rizal's pseudonym) to Ter:.luz (Juan Zulueta's
pseudonym), dated Hong Kong, May 24, 1892, stating that he was preparing a
safe refuge for Filipinos who may be persecuted by the Spanish authorities.
8. A letter to Dimasalang to an unidentified committee, dated Hong Kong, June 1,
1892, soliciting the aid of the committee in the, "patriotic work."
9. An anonymous and undated letter to the Editor of the Hong Kong Telegraph,
censuring the banishment of Rizal to Dapitan.
10. A letter of Ildefonso Laurel to Rizal, dated Manila, September 3, 1892, saying
that the Filipino people look up to him (Rizal) as their savior.
11. A letter of Ildefonso Laurel to Rizal, dated Manila 17, 1893, informing an
unidentified correspondent of the arrest and banishment of Doroteo Cortes and
Ambrasio Salvador.
12. A letter of Marcelo Del Pilar to Don Juan A Tenluz (Juan Zulueta), dated Madrid,
June l, 1893 recommending to establishment of a special organization,
independent of Masonry, to help the cause of the Filipino people.
 13. Transcript of a speech of Pingkian (Emilio Jacinto), in a reunion of the Katipunan
on July 23, 1893, in which the following cry was uttered "Long Live the
Philippines! Long Live Liberty! Long Live Doctor Rizal! Unity!"
14. Transcript of a speech of Tik-Tik (Jose Turiano Santiago) in the same Katipunan
reunion, where in the katipuneros shouted: "Long live the eminent Doctor Rizal!
Death to the oppressor nation!''
15. A poem by Laong Laan (Rizal), entitled A Talisay, in which the author makes the
Dapitan schoolboys sing that they know how to fight for their rights.

The oral testimonies of the following persons: Martin Constantino. Aguedo de! Rosario,
Jose Reyes, Moises Salvador, Jose Dizon, Domingo Franco, Deodato Arellano. Ambrosio
Salvador, Pedro Serrano Laktaw, Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Antonio Salazar, Francisco Quison, and
Timoteo Paez were forwarded as testimonial evidence against Jose.
On November 26, 1896, Judge Advocate, Colonel Francisco Olive forwarded the records
of the case to Governor General Ramon Blanco, who designated Captain Rafael Dominguez as
special Judge Advocate to initiate proceeding against Jose. Captain Dominguez submitted a
summary of the action to Governor General Ramon Blanco who thereupon, send it to the Judge
Advocate General, Don Nicolas De la Pena.
After studying the papers, Pena submitted the following recommendations: (1) the
accused be immediately brought to trial; (2) he should be kept in prison; (3) an order of
attachment be issued against his property to the amount of one million pesos as indemnity; and
(4) he should be defended in the court by an army officer, not by a civilian lawyer (Zaide and
Zaide, 2014).
With his counsel by his side, charges were read to Jose in his prison cell on December 1
L 1896. He was accused, Medina ( 1998) disclosed, of being "the principal organizer and the
living soul of the Filipino insurrection, the founder of societies, periodicals and books dedicated
to fomenting and propagating ideas of rebellion." Jose was not against the jurisdiction of the
court, but asserted that he was not guilty of revolution. He acknowledged that he authored the
Constitution of the Liga Filipina and emphasized that it was simply a civic alliance. He reiterated
that he had no political involvement since his exile to Dapitan. On December 13, 1896, Captain
Dominguez transmitted Jose's case to the new Governor General of the Philippines, General
Camilo G. de Polavieja who replaced General Ramon Blanco.
During the time Jose was in prison cell at Fort Santiago, he penned a manifesto
seriously asking the Filipino people to cease the needless and tumultuous war. He encouraged
them to attain freedom through education and habit of working hard and steadily, Palma (1964)
promulgated this manifesto as follows:

My Countrymen:

On my return from Spain, I learned that my name had been used as a war
cry among some who were in arms. The news painfully surprised me, but
believing it was all over, I kept silent over what I considered irremediable. Now I
hear rumors that the disturbances continue, and lest any person should still go
on using my name in bad or good faith, to remedy this abuse and to undeceive
the unwary, I hasten to address you these lines so that the truth may be known.

From the beginning, when I had news of what was being planned, I opposed it,
fought it, and demonstrated its absolute impossibility. This is the truth, and
witnesses to my word are still living. I was convinced that the idea was highly
absurd and, what was worse, would bring great suffering. I did more. When later,
 in spite of my counsels, the movement broke out, 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, for, convinced of the evils that
would befall them, I considered myself fortunate if, at any sacrifice, I could
prevent such useless misfortunes. This is equally of record.

My countrymen: I have given proofs, more than. Anybody else, of desiring

liberties for our country and I still desire them. But I place as a premise the
education of the people so that by means of education and of labor they might
have a personality of their own and make themselves worthy of liberties. In my
writings I have recommended redemption. I have also written (and my words
have been updated) that reforms, to be fruitful, have to come from above, that
those that come from below are irregular and unstable. Imbued with these ideals,
I cannot but condemn and I do condemn this absurd, savage uprising planned
behind my back, which dishonors us, the Filipinos, and discredits those who may
advocate our cause. I abhor its criminal methods and disclaim all participation
therein, pitying from the bottom of my heart the unwary who have allowed
themselves to be deceived. Return then to your homes, and may God forgive
those who have acted in bad faith.

The trial of Rizal was an eloquent proof of Spanish injustice and misrule.
More than a farce, it was patently a mistrial. Rizal, a civilian, was tried by a
military court composed of alien military officers. His case was prejudged; he was
considered guilty before the actual trial. The military court met not to give him
justice, but to accuse and condemn him. lt accepted all charges and testimonies
against him, and ignored all arguments and proofs in his favor. Moreover, Rizal
was not given the night (which any accused is entitled to have in a real court of
justice) to face the witnesses against him in open court.

The trial of Jose commenced in the Cuartel de Espana, a military building, on December
26, 1896, at eight o'clock in the morning. Present in the trial were seven members of the military
court: Lt. Col. Jose Togores Arjona (President), Capt. Ricardo Munoz Arias, Capt. Manuel
Reguerra, Capt. Santiago Izquierdo Osorio, Capt. Braulio Rodriguez Nunez, Capt. Manuel Diaz
Escribano, and Capt. Fermin Perez Rodriguez. Also in the military court were Lt. Don LuisTaviel
de Andrade (Jose's defense counsel) Capt. Rafael Dominguez (Judge Advocate) Lt. Enrique de
Alconcer (Prosecuting Attorney) and observers which included Josephine Bracken, a sister of
Jose, newspapermen, and other Spaniards.

Judge Advocate Capt. Rafael Dominguez began the trial and explained the case leveled
against Jose. Jose was charged of three crimes: rebellion, sedition, and illegal association. Lt.
Enrique de Alconcer, prosecuting lawyer, advanced a gingerly harangue, detailing accusations
against Jose. He mercilessly made an effort to persuade the members of the military court to
punish the accused with death sentence. Lt. Don Luis Taviel de Andrade, defense counsel of
Jose tried hard to come up with a convincing defense. He brought an end to his defense by
reminding the judges to be fair and avoid vindictiveness in their judgment. After Lt. Don Luis
Taviel de Andrade's defense, the court queried Jose if there is anything he wanted to say. Jose
confidently read a supplement to his defense. De Viana, Augusto V. et al (2011) put forward
Jose's supplementary defense as follows:

1. He could not be guilty of rebellion, for he advised Dr. Pio Valenzuela in Dapitan not to
rise in revolution.
 2. He did not correspond with the radical, revolutionary elements.
3. The revolutionists used his name without his knowledge. If he were guilty he could
have escaped in Singapore.
4. If he had a hand in the revolution, he could have escaped in a Moro Vinta and
would not have built a home, a hospital, and bought lands in Dapitan.
5. If he were the chief of the revolution. Why has not he consulted by the revolutionists?
6. It was true he wrote the by-laws of the Liga Filipina, but this a civic association ---
not an evolutionary society.
7. The Liga Filipina did not live long, for after the first meeting he was banished to
Dapitan and it died out.
8. If the Liga was reorganized nine months later, he did not know about it.
9. The Liga did not serve the purpose of the revolutionists, otherwise they would not
have supplanted it with the Katipunan.
10. If it were true that there were some bitter comments in Rizal's letters, it was
because they were written in 1890 when his family was being persecuted, being
dispossessed of houses, warehouses, lands, etc. and his brother and all his
brother-in-law were deported.
11. His life in Dapitan had been exemplary as the politico-military commanders and
missionary priests could arrest.
12. It was not true that the revolution was inspired by his one speech at the house
of Dorotea 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? Because those who knew him were aware that he
would never sanction any violent movement.

The biased military court was apathetic to Jose's appeal. After a brief deliberation, the members
of the military court agreed to convict Jose and sentenced him to death. On December 26,
1896, the unjust military court decision was given to Governor General Camilo G. de Polavieja
who asked the judgment of judge advocate General Nicolas de la Pena who confirmed the
death verdict. On December 28, 1896, Governor General Camilo G. de Polavieja signed the
court-martial's decision to execute Jose Rizal. Medina (1998) presented this decree as follows:

Manila, December 28, 1896:

Conformably to the foregoing opm10n. I approve the sentence dictated by

the Court Martial in the present case, by virtue of which the death penalty is
imposed on the accused Jose Rizal Mercado, which shall be executed by
shooting him at 7:00 o'clock in the morning of the 30th of this month in the field of
Bagumbayan.
For compliance and the rest may correspond, let this be returned to the
Judge Advocate, Captain Don Rafael Dominguez.
 Camilo G. de Polavieja

Jose Rizal's Death

After learning the unjust

decision of the court martial, Jose
spent the next twenty fours of his
remaining life seeing and speaking
to his friends, family and
Josephine Bracken whom he tied
the knot with canonically on
December 30, 1896 officiated by Fr. Balaguer. After the reading of the death penalty, Jose
opted to spent quiet moments in the prison chapel. He turned into writing when he was left
alone in his cell. He penned a letter to his brother Paciano, another one to his best friend Dr.
Ferdinand Blumentritt, and another letter addressed to his father and mother. It was also
assumed that he signed a document abjuring Masonry (which some scholars doubted).

It is commonly believed that on December 29, 1896, Jose composed his last poem, Mi
Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell). He was able to thrust it inside an alcoh0I cooking stove which
he gave to his sister Trinidad to whom, he divulged 'There is something in it.' Jose's last poem,
composed without a title and unsigned was translated in English by Charles E. Derbyshire,
which runs below:

My Last Farewell

Farewell, dear Fatherland, clime of the sun caress' d

Pearl of the Orient seas, our Eden lost!
Gladly now I go to give thee this faded life's best,
And were it brighter, fresher or more blest
Still would I give it thee, nor count the cost.

On the field of battle, mid the frenzy of light,

Others have given their lives, without doubt or heed;
The place matters not - cypress or laurel or lily white,
Scaffold or open plain, combat or martyrdom's plight,
'Tis ever the same to serve our home and country's need.

I die just when I see the dawn break,

Through the gloom of riight, to herald the day;
And if color is lacking my blood thou shalt take,
Pour'd out at need for thy dear sake,
To dye with its crimson the walking ray.

My dreams, when life first opened to me.

 My dreams, when the hopes of youth beat high,
Were to see thy lov'd face, O gem of the orient sea
From gloom and grief, from care and sorrow free;
No blush on thy brow, no tear in thine eye.

Dream of my life, my living and burning desire,

All hail! Cries the soul that is now to take flight;
All hail! And sweet it is for thee to expire,
To die for thy sake, that thou mayst aspire,
And sleep in thy bosom eternity's long night.

If over my grave someday thou seest grow,

In the grassy sod, a humble flower,
Draw it to thy lips and kiss my soul so,
While I may feel on my brow in the cold tomb below
The touch of thy tenderness, thy breath's warm power.

Let the moon beam over me soft and serene,

Let the dawn shed over me its radiant flashes
Let the wind with the sad lament over me keen;
And if on my cross a bird should be seen,
Let it trill its hymn of peace of my ashes.

Let the sun draw the vapors up to the sky,

And heavenward in purity bear my tardy protest;
Let some kind soul o'er my untimely fate sigh,
And in the still evening a prayer be lifted on high,
From thee O my country, that in God I may rest.

Pray for all those that hapless have died.

For all who have suffered the unmeasur'd pain;
For our mothers that bitterly their woes have cried,
For widow and orphans, for captives by torture tried;
And then for thyself that redemption thou mayst gain.

And when the dark night wraps the graveyard around,

With only the dead in their vigil to see;
Break not my repose or the mystery profound,
And perchance thou mayst bear a sad hymn resound,
'Tis I, O my country, raising a song unto thee.

When even my grave is remembered no more,

Unmark'd by never a cross or a stone;
Let the plow sweep through it, the spade‚’ tum it o'er
That my ashes may carpet thy earthly floor,
Before into nothingness at last they are blown.

Then, will oblivion bring to me no care;

As over thy vales and plains I sweep:
Throbbing and cleansed in thy space and air,
With color and light, with song and lament I fare,
 Ever repeating and faith that I keep.

My Fatherland ador'd that my sadness to my sorrow lends,

Beloved Filipinas, hear now my last good-bye!
I give thee all; parents and kindred and friends;
For I go where no slave before the oppressor bends,
Where faith can never kill, and God reigns e'er on high!

Farewell to you all, from my soul torn away,

Friends of my childhood in the home dispossessed!
Give thanks that I rest from the wearisome day!
Farewell to thee; too, sweet friend that
lightened my way;
Beloved creatures all, farewell! In death there is
rest!

On December 30, 1896, approximately at six

thirty in the morning. Jose's walk towards his
death commenced signaled by a trumpet sound
at Fort Santiago. The death march was delineated by Zaide and Zaide (2014) as follows:

The advance guard of four soldiers with bayoneted rifles moved. A few meters
behind, Rizal walked calmly, with his defense counsel (Lt Luis Taviel de Andrade) on
one side and two Jesuit priests (Fathers March and Vilaclara) on the other. More well-
armed soldiers marched behind him.

Rizal was dressed elegantly in a black suit, black derby hat, black shoes, white
shirt and a black tie. His arms were tied behind from elbow to elbow, but the rope was
quite loose to give his arms freedom of movement.

To the muffled sounds of the drums, the cavalcade somnolently marched slowly.
There was a handful of spectators lining the street from Fort Santiago to the Plaza de!
Palacio in front of the Manila Cathedral. Everybody seemed to be out at Bagumbayan
where a vast crowd gathered to see how a martyr dies.

As Jose calmly made his way to Bagumbayan, he remarked about the beauty and
serenity of the morning, uttered a few observations about Corregidor, the mountains or Cavite
and the Ateneo College. Upon reaching the place of execution, Jose noticed the very large
number of prying persons and soldiers waiting for them. After final blessings were bestowed on
him he said his adieu to Fr. March, Fr. Villaclara and Lt. Taviel de Andrade. Jose's request that
he be shot facing the firing squad was denied because there was an order to shoot him in the
back. The normal pulse of Jose, felt by Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo, a Spanish military doctor,
proved that he did not fear death. Above the beating of the drums that filled the air was the cold-
blooded command "Fuego" (Fire) which ended Jose's life. He fell to the ground three minutes
past seven o'clock in the morning and was declared dead.

Expectedly, the passing away of Jose Rizal's was greeted with joy by his enemies. On
the contrary, those who love, respected and supported him were brokenhearted and painfully
inflamed. For them, he died a hero and martyr to Philippine freedom.
 Summative Evaluation
Film Viewing
Option 1: Jose Rizal, GMA Films, directed by Marilou Diaz Abaya
Option 2: Rizal sa Dapitan by Tikoy Aguiluz
Reflection paper about the film. Guide questions:
a. Describe the life of Rizal as represented in the film.
b. Based on your reading and class discussion, what can you say
about the film's representation of Jose Rizal?
c. What is the main question that the film seeks to answer?
d. What is your own reflection based on the film and your own understanding?
3. Describe Rizal’s life in Fort Santiago upon arrival in Spain.
4. Discuss some proof implicating Rizal to the insurrection.
5. Discuss Jose Rizal’s retraction on his Catholic faith. Prove your answer.
 Exercise 1

Name: __________________________________ Date: ____________________

Course & Year: ____________________________ Score: ___________________

Modified true or false: Write true if the statement is correct. If false, encircle the word that
renders it wrong and supply the correct answer on the space provided.

1. ______________________Jose lived as exile in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte from

1892 to 1896.

2. _____________________Rhacophorusjoseli (a rare frog) was named in Jose Rizal's

honor by European scientists.

3. ____________________He established the Cooperative Association of Dapitan

Businessmen to break the Chinese business monopoly in Dapitan.

4. _____________________Jose firmly believed that the Katip11neros are not ready for a
revolution.

5. _____________________Jose named his baby boy 'Joselito" who sadly only lived for three
hours.

6._____________________Jose, in his prison cell penned a manifesto asking the Filipino

people to cease the needless and tumultuous war.

7. _____________________The trial of Rizal was an eloquent proof of Spanish injustice and

misrule.

8. _____________________Blumentritt admonished Jose to volunteer as an army doctor in

India to enable him to end his exile.

9. _____________________It was assumed that Jose signed a document abjuring Masonry

(which some scholars doubted).
10. ____________________The normal pulse of Jose, felt by Dr. Felipe Chavit Castillo, a
Spanish military doctor, proved that he did not fear death.

Exercise 2

Name: __________________________________ Date: ______________________

Course & Year: ___________________________ Score: _____________________

Matching Type Test

Directions: Match column A with the correct answer on column B, write only the letter of answer
on the space provided.

Column A Column B

1. ___________Jose's wife a. Capt. Rafael

Dominguez

2. ___________prosecuting lawyer in the trial b. Lt. Col. Jose Togores

Atjona

3. ___________Jose's defense counsel c. Fr. Francisco Sanchez

4. ___________He approved and signed Jose's d. Fr. Balaguer

death sentence

5. ___________one of the documentary evidences e. Mi Ultimo Adios

against Jose

6. ___________He officiated Jose and Josephine's f. Kundiman

wedding

7. ___________Judge advocate present in the trial g. Josephine Bracken

8. ___________President of the court trial h. Lt. Enrique de
Alconcer

9. ___________Jose's last poem i. Lt. Don Luis Taviel de

Andrad

10. __________assisted Jose in enhancing the town j. General Camilo G. de

plaza of Dapitan Polavieja