MODULE 

5: RIZAL’S HIGHER EDUCATION AND

LIFE ABROAD

LIFE AND STUDY IN BARCELONA

On the afternoon of June 15, Rizal left Marseilles by train for Spain.
He crossed the Pyrenees and stopped for a day on this shore of Port Bou. He noticed
the indifference of the tourists of the Spanish immigration officials, which was the
opposite of the French officials' courtesy.
After the passport was revoked
in Port Bou, Rizal continued his rail
journey until he reached his
destination Barcelona on June 16,
1882. Rizal's first impression of
Barcelona, the largest city of
Cataluna and Spain's second-largest
city, was not beautiful. There are
dirty little rental houses and stuck
residents. This was his impression because when he arrived, he went to a messy
rental house on the narrow street of the "worst part of town," and the apartment staff
and guests ignored him. Later, Rizal's ugly impression of the city changed. He found
this place to be great, with an atmosphere of freedom, and liberalism and the people
here were open-hearted, persistent, and courageous. He enjoys walking on Las
Ramblas, Barcelona's most famous road. Rizal was welcomed by the Filipinos in
Barcelona, some of whom were his schoolmates at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila.
They gave a party for him at their favorite cafe in Plaza de Cataluna. Rizal narrated
the beautiful scenery of Barcelona, as well as the customs of the Spaniards. Rizal, on
the other hand, shared the latest news and rumors about the situation in the
Philippines.
THE DIARYONG TAGALOG
Diaryong Tagalog is a bold newspaper in Manila that publishes Rizal's articles
and is also the first bilingual newspaper in
Tagalog and Spanish. It describes the
excesses and abuses of the Spaniards
under their rule. The newspaper's content
expressed by the critics here is their
thoughts on the 93 treatment of the
Spaniards by every Filipino and how they
look at them.
Rizal's first work was "Amor Patrio" (Love of Country). He wrote in Barcelona, and
the 99% pen used was "Laong Laan." He sent the said poem to his friend in Manila,
Basilio Teodoro Moran, the said newspaper publisher. The publisher liked what Rizal
did, and Marcelo H. Del Pilar translated it into Tagalog. Because of this, they offered
Rizal to make some more articles. His second and final articles were "Los Vajes"
(Travel) and "Revista de Madrid" (Review the Madrid). He wrote his last piece in
Madrid on November 29, 1882, and it was not published but was returned to him
because the Diaryong Tagalog had run out of funds.
RIZAL'S LIFE IN MADRID
While Rizal was in Barcelona, he received the sad news that many were dying in
Manila and neighboring provinces due to cholera. From Paciano's letter on
September 15, 1882, every afternoon, the people of Calamba are praying to San
Roqué, in addition to nightly processions and prayers, so that God may stop the
terrible epidemic, which can not be suppressed by Spanish authority in health.
Another sad news from the Philippines comes from Chenoy, who recounts the
sadness of Leonor Rivera, who, while languishing are little by little losing her weight
due to the longing for her beloved. In a letter (May 26, 1882), Paciano advised his
younger brother to complete a Madrid medical course. Following his brother's advice,
Rizal left Barcelona in the autumn of 1882 to settle in Madrid, the Spanish capital.
On November 3, 1882, Rizal enrolled in two courses in Medicine and Philosophy
and Letters at the University of Central De Madrid. Besides studying at the university,
he also focused on painting and sculpture at the San Fernando Academy of the Arts;
he hired private teachers to give him lessons in French, German, and English;
diligently practicing fencing and shooting in the Arms Hall by Sanz and Carbonell.
THE LA SOLIDARIDAD NEWSPAPER
In Barcelona, the Filipinos founded a patriotic
organization called Asociacion La Solidaridad,
established on December 31, 1884. By unanimous
vote, Rizal was elected Honorary President of
Asociacion La Solidaridad to recognize his
leadership of all of patriotic Filipinos in Europe.
Upon realizing the news, Rizal sent an Inspiration
to Asociacion La Solidaridad thanking them for
their trust and advice on its success. On February
15, 1889, Graciano Lopez Jaena was founded in
Barcelona, the patriotic newspaper La Solidaridad,
which appeared on the second and last week of
the month and served as the Propaganda Movement newspaper.
The newspaper La Solidaridad aims to promote a peaceful political and social
change in the Philippines to show readers the Philippines' tragic situation so that the
Spanish government might do something to fix the problem. They want Spanish
priests that control the Philippine government at that time to advance the liberal
thought, development, and just rights of Filipinos for life, democracy, and happiness.
As the appointed leader, Rizal advised the newspaper La Solidaridad members to
be realistic and honest in their writings so that readers can respect their opinions. He
also said not to imitate journalists paid by the friars who use fraud and vulgar words.
On March 25, 1889, Rizal wrote his first article in this newspaper entitled "Los
Agricultores Filipino." He stated the reasons for backwardness growth of the Filipino
peasants, maybe because of the many obstacles to its progress such as useless
leaders, thieves, natural disasters, forced labor, and many other factors that will not
allow the development of the livelihood of the peasants and the arts of agriculture in
the country.
THE CIRCULO HISPANO-FILIPINO AND THE MEMBERSHIP OF RIZAL
The Circulo Hispano-Filipino was organized by Filipino students in Madrid and
some Spaniards who had previously lived in the Philippines, mostly Liberals, such as
Pedro Ortiga y Rey, mayor of Manila, and Consejero de Ultramar, Sinibaldo de Mas for
the Philippines. This organization aims to express difficulties freely experienced by
the Filipinos under the leadership of the Spaniards. Except for Jose Rizal, Marcelo H.
Del Pilar, Juan Luna, and Graciano Lopez Jaena are the organization members. They
published the newspaper "Revista del Circulo Hispano-Filipino," expressing thoughts
on the Spaniards' evils.
Rizal did not mention it in his diary, but he realized that behind it was more
affluent students' refusal to take the lead in money. But at those times, Paterno, a
close friend of Rizal who shared the same interests and attitudes, who would be
famous in the First Philippine Republic, was not diligent in accepting responsibility.
Well, n fact, Paterno's lack of leadership was the main obstacle that Rizal faced
during his first two years in Madrid. Paterno's lack of direction became the main
obstacle Rizal faced during his first two years in Madrid.
It is difficult for students to raise funds, so Circulo Hispano Filipino and its
magazine did not last long. The Circulo Hispano-Filipino also suffered due to the
emerging problem of individualism out of place; every member of the organization
secretly grumbling if he is not elected as a president. The specific characteristic
among our countrymen is the difficulty of merging forces for the same action; as a
result of excessive individualism, it becomes a problem that will overwhelm Rizal in
his political life. He always remembers it, and he also does not understand how to
deal with its members.
These students began to regret the Circulo Hispano Filipino's dissolution, also
due to their inattention and disunity. During this time, Rizal achieved his Spanish
professors and classmates' high esteem and was gradually listened to by his fellow
Filipinos. On January 2, 1884, a meeting was held at the home of the three brothers
Paterno, Pedro, Maximo, and Antonio, to discuss the revival of Circulo Hispano
Filipino.
THE PROPAGANDISTS (1872-1896)
HISTORICAL ENVIRONMENT
When Spain allowed the Philippines to engage in international trade, liberal
spirits could enter freely from other European countries. These spirits, the Spanish
uprising in 1868, the Suez Canal opening in 1869, and the assassination of Gomez,
Burgos, and Zamora, were among those that aroused the patriotic feelings of the
Filipinos.
Our archipelago's first Spanish conquest was also given and considered Miguel
Lopez de Legazpi's stay here in 1565, as the first Spanish Governor-General. This
opened up the ability to record people's literature. The spirit of this beginning
continued unchanged until the war in Cavite in 1872. This conquest by the Spaniards
also lasted for more than a century. The aim of the Propaganda Movement was the
following changes: Restoration of the Filipino representative in the Spanish court;
Equality of Filipinos and Spaniards under the law; Make the Philippines a province of
Spain; 'Secularization of parishes in the Islands; and freedom of press, speech,
assembly, and expressing their grievances.
Most "propagandists" are studying or graduating from university and children of
affluent or patriotic families. They possess lofty intellect, strong patriotic feelings,
and great courage and fortitude. The most influential of all the Propagandists is Dr.
Jose Rizal, extraordinary physician, poet, biographer; Marcelo H. Del Pilar, lawyer,
journalist; and Graciano Lopez Jaena.
THE PROPAGANDISTS (1872 - 1896)
JOSE PROTACIO RIZAL MERCADO ALONZO Y REALONDA
Birth: July 19, 1861 Calamba Laguna
Death: December 30, 1896 Luneta Other names:
Laong-laan, Dimasalang
Jose Rizal Protacio Rizal Mercado Alonso y Realonda
was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna. As a
child, he was endowed with extraordinary intelligence.
At the age of eight he wrote the poem "Sa Aking Mga
Kababata", at the age of 15 he started "A La Juventud
Filipina" which won a poetry writing competition that
Awake and dream of the youth to become the hope of the people.
He studied at the Ateneo de Manila and the University of Sto. Thomas. He emigrated
to complete the medical course and promote reform in the Philippines through his
writings.
He wrote the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo which are said to have
sparked the awakening of the patriotic feelings of the Filipinos and also caused him
to achieve the desired freedom. He used Laong ~ laan and Dimasalang as symbols
of his works. On his second return to the Philippines, he was sentenced to death for
alleged sedition and rebellion. He was shot in Bagumbayan (Luneta) on December
30, 1896. '
MARCELO H. DEL PILAR
Birth: August 30, 1861 Cupang, San Nicolas Bulacan
Death: July 4, 1896 Barcelona, Spain
Other names: Plaridel, Dolores Manapat, Piping Dilat
and Pudpuh
Marcelo H. del Pilar was born on August 30, 1850, in
Cupang, San Nicolas, Bulacan to his parents Julian
del Pilar and Biasa Gatmaytan. He graduated in law
from the University of Santo Tomas.
He founded Diarong Tagalog and also became the
editor of La Solidaridad. Apart from the symbol Plaridel, he also used the names
Dolores Manapat, Piping Dilat and Pudpuh in his pens. He died on July 4, 1896, in
Barcelona, Spain. Fr. Serrano Laktaw became his assistant in exacerbating the
different passions and catechism that were read by the hurtful jokes of the friars.
Mother Dona Blasa was Marcelo's first gum. He also studied under the guidance of
his father Alejo H. del Paar. In college, he was under the management of Mr. Jose
Flores, but he graduated 53 San Jose College where he completed the Bachelor of
Arts course. He graduated with a Bachelor of Philosophy and Philosophy from the
University of Santo Tomas in 1882. In addition to being a good lawyer, he inherited
his father's writing skills. He also played various musical instruments such as flute,
violin and piano. He also handles arnis well.
He married his cousin Marciana when he worked in his uncle's office as Oficial de
Mesa de Pampanga and Quiapo. He became a lawyer for the Real Audencia or
Supreme Court in Manila.

GRACIANO LOPEZ-JAENA (Prince of Tagalog Speakers)

Birth: December 18, 1856 Jaro, Iloilo
Death: January 20, 1896 Barcelona Spain
Graciano Lopez-Jaena was born on December 18,
1856 in Jaro, Iloilo.He went abroad to escape the
persecution of the friars because of the writings he
wrote against them. In Spain, he founded La
Solidaridad, the official newspaper of the
Propaganda Movement and was also the first to edit
it. He was known as the great orator of the
Propaganda Movement. He died of illness
tuberculosis in Barcelona, Spain on January 20, 1896. Called the “Prince of Tagalog
Speakers”. With Jose Rizal and
Marcelo H. del Pilar, they formed the triumvirate of the Propaganda Movement. In
1869, his mother enrolled him in the Seminario de San Vicente Ferrer. Sa
After high school, he was named the best in theology in their class. His mother was
disappointed when he chose to become a doctor rather than a priest.
Thanks to financial assistance from his wealthy relatives, especially to Claudio
Lopez, a vice-consul of Portugal, went to Manila to study medicine. But he was not
accepted by the University of Santo Tomas because he lacked the required degree
for a Bachelor of Arts.
Therefore, he entered the hospital of San Juan de Dios as an apprentice.
Unfortunately, they became short of money, so he returned to Iloilo and practised his
medicine with the little knowledge he learned.
ANTONIO LUNA
Antonio Luna, brother of the great painter Juan Luna, is best known for being general
of the revolutionary army against the Americans. He graduated pharmacist at the
University of Santo Tomas and finished his doctors' degree at the University Central
de Madrid and contributed he was in the Propaganda Movement.
He used the pen name "Taga ilog" in his writings mostly is in
Spanish language. In his writings, vaguely denounces
the mismanagement of the Spanish government in the
Philippines and its corrupt practices. Some of his works
are "La Tertulia Filipina", "Noche Buena", "Por Madrid"
and Impressiones ", and others.
Antonio Luna attended elementary school in Ilocos
Norte. This is also where he graduated from high
school. In college, he chose to attend the University of
Sto Tomas. He took a Pharmacy course in preparation
for a doctorate. He intends that when he completes this course, he will continue to
study Medicine because this is his ambition in life. He continued his studies in
Medicine at the University of Central de Madrid in Spain. He was also able to work
here as an assistant in the laboratory of Dr Lattaux. His strong feelings of love for the
country motivated him also to take a military course. He studied Science of War at
Germany.
PEDRO PATERNO
A scholar, researcher, playwright and novelist. He joined
the fraternity of mason to promote the existence of
reform in the system of governance of the Spanish
government in the Philippines. Some of the works he
wrote were "Ninay", "A Mi Madre", "Sampaguitas y
Poesias Varias", "Katipunan of his Spanish poems", and
others.
He was born on February 27, 1858. He was one of the 13
children of the wealthy couple Don Maximo Paterno and
Donya Carmen de Vera Ignacio. He graduated with a Bachiller en Artes from the
Ateneo Municipal de Manila and earned honours at his graduation. He continued his
studies at the Universidad de Salamanca. Here he took Philosophy and Theology
courses, then moved to the Central University of Madrid where he graduated with a
degree in law in 1880.
He was one of the Filipino propagandists in Spain. In 1882, it was conquered he can
abolish the tobacco monopoly in the Philippines. As a poet, he was the first Filipino to
write an opera in the Filipino language, the Sandugong Panaginip. He also created
the poetry books Sampaguitas y Poesias Varias and Poesias Lyricas y Dramaticas.
He became the President of the Congress in Malolos on September 15, 1898. He
presided at every meeting and always carried out peaceful diplomacy to have good
relations with various political parties. When Malolos fell into the hands of the
enemy, Paterno proposed agreement between Filipinos and Americans. He held a
two-day feast (July 28 and July 29) in which one of the main honours was General
Arthur MacArthur and several Taft Commission officials. But the Americans resented
the flagging of President Aguinatdo's image and confiscated the it.
PASCUAL POBLETE
He is known as a novelist, poet, playwright and
historian. He founded the newspapers "EL Resumen", "El
Grito del Pueblo", and "'Tinig ng Bayan" so he was
considered the "Father of the Newspaper." He was
deported to Africa for his writings on corruption, and
The Spaniards oppressed the Filipinos. He only returned
to the Philippines when the Americans arrived. He is
said to be the first Tagalog translator of Rizal's "Nole Me
Tangere". Some of his works are "The Marvelous Life of
Juan Soldado", the Tagalog translation of "The Conde of
Monte Cristo" by Alexander Dumas, and others.
Pascual took his art course from Liceo de Manila. After graduating, Pascual worked
and started as a journalist at La Oceania Espanola, a daily newspaper where Pascuat
wrote articles and essays for ten years. Together with Marcelo del Pilar, he and
Pascual founded the Tagalog Diary in 1882.
The latter managed Tagalog as part of the newspaper. Pascual later became the
publisher and editor of Revisita Popular de Filipinas. Revisita is a weekly newspaper
that discusses culture, religion, women, etc. Pascual also founded the first Tagalog
newspaper in April 1890, the Catolico Guide (The Revisita has been shaken). Through
the Guide, he tried to spread further the readers' knowledge of science, art and
natives.Americans resented the flagging of President Aguinaldo's image and
confiscated it.

JOSE MARIA PANGANIBAN y ENVERGA

Jose Maria Panganiban y Enverga, the proud son of Bicol, was born in
Mambulao, Camarines Norte on February 1, 1863. His parents were Vicente
Panganiban of Hagonoy, Bulacan and Juana Enverga from Mauban, Quezon.
Is Tayabas). He is the third of three children to be raised by the couple.

Although his parents were not from Bicol, it was there that Jose was born and
raised because their family also lived there since his father was employed as
Clerk of Court in Daet, Camarines Norte.

During the height of the Propaganda Movement in Barcelona, he appreciated

the fact that he joined the Asosacion Hispano-Filipina organization made up
of Filipinos and liberal Spaniards who were active in demanding reforms.

He wrote articles in the newspaper La Solidaridad and publisher of the

Propaganda Movement. He used the symbol in the pen JOMAPA and] .M.P.

His first article was titled El Pensamiento (Thought) in which he emphasized

the freedom of expression that without it, the government would not
understand the aspirations and aspirations of the people.
In his article La Universidad ah Manila: Su Plan de Estudio (the University of
Manila and its plan of Studies), he criticized the higher education system here
in the Philippines and called for academic freedom in universities.

PEDRO SERRANO LAKTAW

He was one of the main masons who accompanied Antonio Luna to the Philippines
intending to develop the Masonry. He founded the "Lohiyang Nilad" associated with
the Propaganda Movement with
aims to have the following:
 Filipino representative in Spanish Court
 Democratic leadership
 Freedom and rights of every person
 Have changes and reforms.
 The Philippines will become a province of Spain

JOURNEY TO PARIS AND GERMANY

After studying at the 90 Central University of Madrid, Rizal went to Paris to
specialize in ophthalmology as an eye surgeon. He wants to be an expert in eye
surgery to cure his mother, who is already had a blurred vision. Rizal arrived in Paris
in November 1885 and served as an assistant to Dr. Louis de Weckert, France's
leading ophthalmologist. He remained there from November 1885 to February 1886.
After his activities in Paris, he went to Germany to continue his studies in
ophthalmology.
On February 3, 1886, Rizal went to Heidelberg, Germany. He lived in an inn where
most of the students are study Law. Rizal became famous among the Germans
because they found out that Rizal was a good chess player. He also served as an
assistant to Dr. Otto Becker, also a well-known ophthalmologist in Germany. During
his stay here, he wrote the poem "A Las Flores de Heidelberg" because of
Heidelberg's beauty. He also experienced the celebration of the "Five Hundred Years
of the Establishment of Heidelberg." Rizal went to Wilhemsfeld, Germany, a vacation
town in Germany where he stayed for three months. While on vacation here, he
stopped at Karl Ullmer, a pastor.
He then traveled to Berlin, Germany. This place is a city that Rizal admired for its
scientific environment and freedom from racial discrimination. Rizal met many
scientists just like Dr. Feodor Jagor, the said traveler who wrote a book about the
Philippines, Dr. Rudolf Virchow, a prominent German anthropologist and the one who
invited Rizal to speak at a meeting of the Ethnographic Society of Berlin, Dr. W. Joest,
a well-known German geographer and Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger, a well-known eye
surgeon in Berlin where Rizal served in his clinic. He also took private lectures in
French under the tutelage of Madame Lucie Cerdole. He had various reasons for
coming to Berlin. The first is to expand his knowledge of ophthalmology, expand his
knowledge of science and language, observe Germany's political and economic
situation, participate in renowned German scientists, and publish Noli Me Tangere.
FRIEND FERDINAND BLUMENTRIT
Ferdinand Blumentritt is a professor at the Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria, interested in
learning Philippine dialects, especially in the Tagalog language. As a person
interested in learning about the Filipinos' culture and language, Jose Rizal wrote to
him. He first wrote to Blumentritt on July 31, 1886. His letter included an Arithmetic
book written in Spanish and Tagalog written by Rumo Baltazar Hernandez. He sent
this book to Blumentritt so that he could use it as a basis for learning Tagalog. In
May 1887, Rizal visited Leitmeritz with Maximo Viola, and they were taken care of by
Blumentritt's family. This is the first and last time they met in person. They continued
to exchange letters until Rizal died. Rizal's previous letter to Blumentritt was recorded
on December 29, 1896, the eve of his death, and he wrote it at Fort Santiago.
Blumentritt was deeply saddened when he received Rizal's letter and learned that his
friend had died.
NAPLES RIZAL'S VACATION IN BIARRITZ
When Rizal left Madrid, Jose Rizal went to Biarritz. Biarritz is a beautiful getaway,
and Rizal sees tourists from all over the world. The beauty of the place made Rizal
forget his misfortunes in Madrid. He visited the house of Senor Eduardo Bousted, an
Anglo-Filipino, in Vina Eliada and became close to Senor Bousted's daughters Adelina
and Nellie. There was a love affair between Rizal and Nellie Bousted. Rizal was
attracted to Nellie because of the maiden's intelligence, calmness, and high morals.
His character is said to be closest to Rizal's character. Nellie first became Antonio
Luna's lover, but he also became close to Rizal when he left. Antonio Luna persuaded
her to marry Nellie, but Nellie was a Protestant and opposed to Rizal's religious
views. This led to their separation. Nellie said he would agree to marry Rizal only if he
embraced his religion, but Rizal refused. Nellie's mother does not want Rizal to be her
son-in-law because Rizal is a poor and a "doctor without patients, a writer without
money" and a reformist who is being persecuted by the friars and government
officials in his homeland. Rizal finished the novel El Filibusterismo a few days before
he left Biarritz for Paris. Here in Paris, he wrote to Jose Basa and said he wanted to
live in Hong Kong and became a doctor there.

MODULE 6: RIZAL’S LIFE: EXILE, TRIAL, AND

DEATH

THE LAST JOURNEY ABROAD

From Dapitan to Manila, the Spanish ship passed through

Dumaguete, and Rizal visited one of his friends, Herrero Regidor, a
judge of the Province. He had eye surgery on one of the civil guards. He passed
through Cebu and operated on the couple Mateo whom he met in Madrid. It also
passed through Iloilo for shopping, and the ship passed through Capiz.

When Rizal arrived in Manila, the ship Isla de Luzon, which he was supposed to
take to Spain, had left. Rizal was forced to stay on the Castilla ship for almost a
month as a guest of Enrique Estalon, the ship's captain. While Rizal was on board the
vessel, the Philippine revolution against the Spaniards broke out. Rizal learned of the
outbreak of the rebellion by reading newspapers on the ship. On August 30, 1896,
Rizal received a letter from Blanco endorsing him to the Minister of War.

Rizal was transferred on September 2, 1896, on the Isla de Panay ship bound for
Barcelona. The ship Isla de Panay passed through Singapore. Rizal temporarily
disembarked in Singapore and Don Manuel Camus, a Filipino resident, advised him to
take advantage of the opportunity to escape. But Rizal did not comply. While Rizal
was traveling to Spain, Blanco secretly sent a telegram to the Ministry of War that
Rizal was the revolution's mastermind. On the Suez Canal, Rizal heard the news of
the Filipinos' execution suspected of being involved in the uprising.

On September 28, 1896, Rizal heard rumors that he would be arrested upon
arrival in Barcelona. On September 30, 1896, Captain Alemany informed Rizal of the
order that he be detained in his cabin until he could return to Manila. On October 3,
1896, the ship Isla de Panay arrived at Barcelona and sent Rizal to Munjuich Castle,
led by General Eulogio Despujol. And on October 6, 1896. Rizal was released from
prison to be returned to Manila aboard the ship Colon.

THE LIFE OF RIZAL IN DAPITAN

On July 15, 1892, Rizal arrived in Dapitan and was handed over to Don Ricardo
Carnicero y Sanchez, the Spanish army commander in the area. And along with that
was a letter, which, among other things, ordered the Governor to place Rizal in the
convent of the Jesuits, and in case this did not happen, he would stay at the
Governor's home. Rizal also brought a letter from Father Pablo Pastells, the Jesuits'
superior, to Father Antonio Obach, the Jesuit priest in Dapitan.

The letter contained the conditions for Rizal to live in the convent. These codes
are as follows: First, Rizal will openly renounce and regret what he said against the
Catholic religion, and he will reveal the testimonies he loves Spain, and he despises
the deeds against Spain; second, that before accepting him, he would first perform
"holy ejercicio" and then "confession general," of his past life; and third, that in the
future he will improve his behavior, what more and he will be an example of others in
his passion for the Catholic religion and Spain. Because he did not agree to the
conditions, he temporarily stayed in the barracks led by Captain Carcinero, who
became his friend.

On September 21, 1891, Rizal, Carcinero, and a Spaniard from Dipolog received
the prize for their ticket number 9736 and won the second prize of P20,000. Rizal's
share was P6200. He gave P2,000 to his father and P200 to Jose Ma. Wet in Hong
Kong and the rest he used to buy land in Talisay is one kilometer away in the Dapitan
town.

Rizal soon received

from Father Pastells a book
written by the presbyter Don
Felix Sara y Salvany. With
that offering, Rizal thanked
and promised to repay it,
something he fulfilled on
January 15, 1893. In turn, he
sent Father Pastells a
beautiful sculpture of St.
Paul, which he made. Rizal
and Pastells wrote a long
letter on religion containing
Rizal's religious beliefs: (1) The friars use religion for personal gain, and (2) self-
determination is God's blessing on all people. Pastells failed in bringing Rizal to
church. Father Pastells moved Father Francisco Sanchez to Dapitan to persuade
Rizal to return to church. But, like Father Pastells, it did not succeed.

Rizal also received guests in Dapitan, and he was with his family members and
built a house in Talisay. The friars sent a man alias Pablo Mercado (Florencio
Namanan) to involve Rizal in a more massive case.

Rizal worked in Dapitan as a physician. His patients were the poor who could not
pay, and the rich paid the price for his services. When his mother lived in Dapitan for
one and a half years, Rizal also treated her. Rizal's medical prowess was recognized
even though he was in Dapitan; patients from all over the world deliberately treated
him. Rizal also became interested in local medicinal plants.

Rizal built an irrigation system in Dapitan to have clean water in every house in
Dapitan. He started several community projects in Dapitan: (1) Cleaning swamps to
eradicate malaria; (2) Lighting on Dapitan streets, and; (3) Improvement of the plaza
and the display of the Mindanao map on the plaza.

Rizal also spent a lot of his time teaching youth in Dapitan. He taught them
lessons in language, geography, history, mathematics, industrial work, etc. The hours
are from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Some of Rizal's contributions to science in Dapitan are as
follows: (1) Rizal entered the forests and coastal areas of Dapitan in search of
specimens to send to European museums; (2) He collected 346 species of shells,
and; (3) He found the species Draco rizali, Apogonia rizali and Rhacophorus rizali.

Rizal continued to study languages in Dapitan. During this time, he learned the
Visayan, Subuanin, and Malayo languages. Excellence in the field of art can still be
seen in Rizal during his exile in Dapitan. He draws things that appeal to him, and he
sculpts (1) Mother's Revenge, (2) the head of Father Guericco, and (3) a statue of a
Dapitan woman.

Rizal also spent his time in Dapitan as a farmer. He owned 70 hectares of land
that he planted with hemp, coconut, trees, sugarcane, corn, coffee, and cocoa. Rizal
also used modern farming by importing modern machinery to the United States.
Doing business is one of Rizal's activities in Dapitan. He partnered with Ramon
Carreon, a Dapitan trader, in the fishing, coprahari, and hemp business. Rizal also set
up a farmers' cooperative in Dapitan to reduce the Chinese monopoly in the area.
Rizal became creative in Dapitan by creating the following: (1) Vulkan, a wooden
cigarette lighter, and; (2) machine for making bricks.

JOSEPHINE BRACKEN AND THE KATIPUNAN

When Rizal was in Dapitan, he always thinks of happy

memories with his family because of the intense longing. Her grief
increased when she learned that Leonor Rivera had died in
childbirth on August 28, 1893. After knowing about this news, she met Josephine
Bracken. Josephine Bracken (age 19) came to Dapitan to accompany her stepfather
George Tauffer to Rizal for treatment. He was carrying a card by Julio Llorente. Rizal
and Josephine fell in love and planned to get married, but Padre Obach refused, and
he first needed the permission of the archbishop of Cebu. Taufer left Manila and left
Josephine in Dapitan to be with Rizal. In early 1896, Josephine and Rizal's son died
because of miscarriage.

Dr. arrived in Dapitan in June 1896. Pio Valenzuela because Andres Bonifacio
ordered him to inform Rizal about the Katipunan. He said its purpose was to force the
independence of the Philippines by fighting the Spaniards. Rizal replied that he
should wait another year or two before the uprising could continue so that the people
could prepare better.

Rizal volunteered to serve in the Spanish army as a surgeon in Cuba. Governor-

General Ramon Blanco answered his request and responded to his letter in July
1896, stating that he agreed with his plan. Rizal left Dapitan on June 31, 1896, aboard
the Spanish ship with Josephine, Narcissa, and niece Angelica.

TRIAL AND DEATH

The trial of Rizal is clear proof of the injustice of the Spaniards. Rizal was not
given the right to face witnesses against him in court.

The sequence of proceedings of the trial

1. 8:00 a.m. on December 26, 1896, Rizal's military court was summoned to the
Cuartel de Espana.

Seven members of the military court:

Lieut. Col. Jose Togores Arjona (president)

Capt. Ricardo Munoz Arias

Capt. Manuel Reguera

Capt. Santiago Izqulerdo Osorlo

Capt. BrauliqRodriguez Nunez

Capt. Manue! Dlaz Escribano

Capt. Fermin Perez Rodriguez

* Dr. Jose Rizal (the accused)

* Lieut. Taviel de Andrade (his protector)

* Capt. Rafael Dominguez (Judge)

* Lieut. Enrique de Alcocer (Prosecutor)

* Josephine Bracken, some journalists, and many Spanish

2. Judge Dominguez opened the hearing explaining the case against Rizal. He was
followed by prosecutor Alcocer, who stood up, gave a long speech, summarized
the cases against Rizal, and urged the court to impose the accused's death.

3. Defender Taviel de Andrade stood up and read his thorough defense of Rizal. He
ended his defense but failed to remind members of the military: “Judges do not
have to retaliate; the judge must be fair.

4. When Lieut. Andrade sat down the court asked Rizal if he had anything he
wanted to say.

Rizal then read the additional defense report he had written in his cell. In this
report, he proved his innocence by 12 points.

12 POINTS

1. He had nothing to do with the rebellion because he advised Dr. Pio Valenzuela that
they should not start a rebellion in Dapitan.
2. He did not correspond to the radical and revolutionary elements.

3. Revolutions used his name without his knowledge. If he were guilty, he would have
fled to Singapore.

4. If he was involved in the revolution, he fled in a "Vintang Moro" and did not build a
home, hospital, and bought land in Dapitan.

5. If he was the leader of the revolution, why did the revolutionaries didn't consult
him?

6. He indeed wrote the Constitution of La Liga Filipina, but it is only a civic

association, not a revolutionary organization.

7. La Liga Filipina did not last long because after the first meeting, he was deported
to Dapitan.

8. If La Liga Filipina came to life again after nine months, he did not know.

9. La Liga did not uphold the principles of the revolutionaries. Otherwise, the
Katipunan would not have been established.

10. Suppose there really is a bitter commentary on Rizal's letters. In that case, it is
because it was published in 1890 when his family was persecuted, their house,
warehouse, land, etc., and his brother and brothers-in-law were deported.

11. His life in Dapitan was as commendable as the politico-military commanders, and
missionary priests would prove.

12. His speech (at Doroteo Ongjunco's house) did not provoke the revolution, as he
was accused. His friends knew his opposition to the armed revolution. Why did the
Katipunan send a messenger to Dapitan whom he did not know? Because those he
knew that he would not approve of any violent movement.

The sequence of Proceedings of the Trial

5. The military court remained deaf to Rizal's statements.

Lieutenant Togores Arjona assumed that the trial was over and that the people
had been taken to court. After a brief deliberation, the members of the military
tribunal agreed to impose the death penalty.

6. His decision of the court was submitted to Governor-General Polavieja.

Polavieja immediately sought the opinion of Judge Defendant General Nicolas de

la Pena regarding the court's decision. The latter affirmed the death sentence.

7. December 28

Polavieja approved the military court's decision and ordered Rizal to be fire
squad at 7:00 a.m. sharp on December 30 at Bagumbayan.

MARTYEDOM AT BAGUMBAYAN

Upon hearing the court's decision, Rizal already knew that there's no way that his
destiny would be changed – Rizal knew it was his end and had accepted his fate.
Captain Rafael Dominguez, at 6 o'clock in the morning of December 29, 1896, read
before him the official notice of his execution, scheduled the next day. Rizal was
immediately transferred to the prison chapel where he spent his last hours on earth.

Inside the chapel, Rizal busied himself by writing correspondences to friends and
family, bidding everyone farewell; and conversing with his Jesuit priest's friends. He
had a lot of visitors, arriving one or two after the other:

 Fr. Miguel Saderra Mata – the Rector of the Ateneo Municipal; arrived in the
prison early in the morning.

 Fr. Luis Viza – came with Fr. Mata; the priest to whom Rizal asked for the image
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which he made during his stay in Ateneo.

 Fr. Antonio Rosell – another friend of Rizal who gladly eaten a fine breakfast with
him; returned in the afternoon to resume his talk with Rizal.

 Lt. Taviel de Andrade – Rizal extended his appreciation for Andrade's services as
his defence counsel.

 Fr. Federico Faura – had prophesied earlier rather comically that Rizal would lose
his head for writing the Noli Me Tangere, and the latter "congratulated" the priest
for being right.

 Fr. Jose Villaclara – Rizal's former teacher in Ateneo; ate lunch with him.
 Fr. Vicente Balaguer – accompanied Fr. Villaclara; ate lunch with Rizal as well.

 Santiago Mataix – contributor in the El Heraldo de Madrid

 Teodora Alonzo – Rizal knelt before his beloved mother, begging for forgiveness
and understanding; the mother and son were separated by the firm grip of the
prison guard.

 Trinidad – arrived when Teodora left the chapel; to her, Rizal handed down an
alcohol cooking stove and whispered that something was inside it (turned out to
be his last piece, the Mi Ultimo Adios, written in a small piece of paper).

 Gaspar Castaño – fiscal of the Royal Audiencia; had a good conversation with
Rizal.

Late at night, around 10 o'clock, a retraction letter prepared by Archbishop

Bernardino Nozaleda was presented to Rizal. However, he rejected it for being too
long. Fr. Balaguer, on the other hand, showed another draft from Fr. Pio Pi, which
Rizal liked but wanted some parts of which to be changed. By 11:30 pm, Rizal wrote
and signed the retraction letter in which he renounced the mason movement –
witnesses to this event were Juan del Fresno (Chief of the Guard Detail) and Eloy
Moure (Assistant of the Plaza). Rizal then confessed to Fr. Villaclara, and after which,
slept. Two hours later, he rose and prayed and confessed again. Inside the chapel, he
knelt before the altar and prayed with the rosary. He, for the third time, confessed to
Fr. Villaclara and once finished, read Imitacíon de Cristo by Tomas á Kempis.

`At 3:30 in the morning of December 30, 1896, Fr. Balaguer lead a mass – Rizal, once
again, confessed and received Communion. At 5:00 am, he ate his last breakfast and
autographed some memorabilia including religious pictures and books which will be
passed on to his mother, and her sister, Trinidad. Accompanied by his sister Narcisa,
Josephine Bracken arrived, and as requested by Rizal, the couple was canonically
blessed as husband and wife by Fr. Balaguer. To Josephine, Rizal gave the
Imitacíon de Cristo as a wedding gift. For the last time, he wrote a letter to his
parents, Ferdinand Blumentritt and Paciano.

By 6:30 am, Rizal's march to Bagumbayan commenced. He – in his black suit,

black necktie, black hat, black shoes and white vest – calmly walked from his prison
cell in Fort Santiago to the execution site, with Lt. Taviel de Andrade on one side, and
Fathers Estanislao March and Jose Villaclara, on the other side. They walked behind
four advanced guards armed with bayonets.

Jose Rizal was tied behind from elbow to elbow, although, still had the freedom
to move his arms. In his right arm was a rosary which he kept on holding until his
final breath. Meters before the execution place, several spectators awaited Rizal.
During his long march, Rizal saw familiar faces and places; he spent his time
reminiscing his childhood, the fun he had with his family and friends.
In the Bagumbayan Field, Rizal shook the hands of the two priests and his
defender, bidding them farewell. A priest blessed and offered him a crucifix which he
gently kissed. Rizal had one request, that is, that he be shot facing the firing squad,
however, in vain since the captain of the team ordered a back shot. As such, Rizal
had no choice but to turn his back. A physician by the name of Dr Felipe Ruiz Castillo,
was amazed that Rizal's vital signs were typical, mainly his pulse rate – was Rizal
unafraid to die?

The firing squad was commanded in unison with drumbeats. Upon the brisk
command "Fire!", the guns of the squad flared. Rizal, by his sheer effort and
remaining energy, twisted his body around to face the firing squad, and so, fell on the
ground with his face toward the blue sky, his head slightly inclined toward the rising
sun in the east. What can be heard from the crowd of Spaniards was their loud,
audible voice, shouting "Long live Spain! Death to traitors!" Jose Rizal died at exactly
7:03 on the morning of December 30.

MODULE  7: ANNOTATION OF ANTONIO MORGA’S

SUCESOS DELAS ISLAS FILIPINAS

SUCESOS DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS

Las Islas Filipinas meant "The Philippine Islands" in English. They were
named in honor of King Philip II of Spain, and Sucesos means the work
of an honest observer, a versatile bureaucrat, who knew the administration's
workings from the inside.
One of the Philippines' most important works about Spain's colonization,
published by Antonio de Morga in Mexico 1609, explains the political, social, and
economic aspects of a colonizer and the colonized country. It contains eight
chapters, namely;
1. Of the first discoveries of the Eastern islands.
2. Of the government of Dr. Francisco de Sande.
3. Of the government of don Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peiialosa.
4. Of the government of Dr. Santiago de Vera.
5. Of the government of Gomes Perez Dasrnariiias.
6. Of the government of don Francisco Tello.
7. Of the government of don Pedro de Acuiia.
8. An account of the Philippine Islands.

The book is based on the experience and observation of Antonio De Morga, a

Spanish lawyer, and a government official during the 17 th century. Historical
anthropologist, the author of Sucesos De Las Islas Filipinas, is a doctorate in canon
and civil law and wrote the first lay formal history of Spain's Philippines conquest.
Morga (1609) wrote that the purpose of writing Sucesos was so he could
chronicle"the deeds achieved by our Spaniards. The discovery, conquest, and
conversion of the Filipinas Islands and various fortunes that they have from time to
time in the great kingdoms and among the pagan peoples surrounding the islands".

WHAT LEAD JOSE RIZAL TO MORGA’S WORK?

Rizal was an earnest seeker of truth, and this marked him as a historian. He had
a burning desire to precisely know the Philippines' condition when the Spaniards
came ashore. His theory was that the country was economically self-sufficient and
prosperous. It entertained the idea that it had a lively and vigorous community even
before the Spaniards came.
He believed the Spaniards' conquest contributed in part to the decline of the
Philippines ' rich traditions and culture and decided to undertake the annotation of
Antonio de Morga's Sucesos de Las Islas Filipinas.
His friendship with Ferdinand Blumentritt inspired doing a new edition of Morga's
Sucesos, devoting four months of research and writing and almost a year to get his
manuscript published in Paris in January 1890.

WHY JOSE RIZAL CHOSE MORGA’S WORK?

Rizal's first consideration for Morga's choice was because he felt it to be more
"objective" than the religious writers whose accounts included many miracle stories,
compared to ecclesiastical chroniclers, was more sympathetic to the indios and
finally. Morga was not only an eyewitness but a major actor in the events he narrates.

Rizal's second consideration for Morga's choice was that it was the only civil as
opposed to the Philippines' religious or ecclesiastical history written during the
colonial period.
Rizal’s third consideration for Morga's choice was Rizal's opinion that this
secular account was more objective, more trustworthy, than those written by the
religious missionaries, which were liberally sprinkled with tales of miracles and
apparitions.

Rizal’s fourth consideration in Rizal's choice of the Morga was that it appeared
more sympathetic at least in parts, to the indios, in contrast to the friar accounts,
many of which were biased or downright racist in tone and interpretation.

The fifth and last consideration was that Morga was an eyewitness, and
therefore a primary source on the Philippines and its people at the point of the first
contact with Spain.
HOW DID JOSE RIZAL KNOW ABOUT MORGA’S WORK

Rizal found the book while he was in London at the British Museum's reading
room. He hand-copied the whole 351 pages of the book and annotated every chapter.
It was the first historical work on the Philippines by a Filipino, and also, the early
history is written from the colonized perspective, not the colonizer.

RIZAL’S ANNOTATION

Rizal’s purpose in annotating Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas

was the following: to awaken the consciousness of the Filipinos regarding their
glorious ways of the past; to correct what has been distorted about the Philippines
due to Spanish conquistador; to prove that the Filipinos are civilized/advanced even
before the coming of the Spaniards.
The Philippines' people had culture on their own, before the coming of the
Spaniards, people of the prehispanic Philippines are advanced, have a high literacy
rate, self-sufficient, and have smooth foreign relations.
Filipinos were decimated, demoralized, exploited, and ruined by the Spanish
colonization, the present state of the Philippines was not necessarily superior to its
past.
In his annotation, he included the Philippines' colonial history as prolonged
periods of suffering that many people have been subjected to. "The Philippines was
depopulated, impoverished and retorted, astounded by metaphor, with no confidence
in their past, still without faith in their present and without faltering hope in the
future".

FERDINAND BLUEMENTRITT’S PROLOGUE TO SUCESOS DELAS ISLAS PILIPINAS

He wrote it in Spanish even though German is his native language, and he

encouraged Rizal to write about the Philippines' pre-colonial history. He praised
Rizal's works as "Scholarly and well-thought-out," Noted that the book is so rare that
very few libraries have it and guarded it like a treasure.
He noticed that Rizal had committed the mistakes of many modern historians
who judged events in the past. Rizal shouldn't condemn Catholicism even though
they didn't make any effort to suppress calls for reform. He should keep the critique
about religious orders in the Philippines.
MODULE 8: Noli Me Tangere

(Touch Me Not)

Discussion

At the end of October, presumably in 1881, the wealthy Capitan Tiago

hosts a dinner at his house. He then introduces Crisostomo Ibarra to
his guests, who had recently returned from his studies in Europe. As
Ibarra greets Padre Damaso, he is shocked when Damaso denies ever
having been friends with his late father, Don Rafael. During the dinner,
Damaso belittles Ibarra's studies abroad, embarrassing him and
causing him to leave the party.

Walking to Plaza Binondo, Ibarra is approached by Lieutenant Guevarra, who

informs him that his father was imprisoned for accidentally killing a Spanish tax
collector and died while incarcerated, having also been branded a filibuster for
subscribing to the newspaper El Correo de Ultramar. At his hotel, Ibarra is troubled
thinking about his father's death. Meanwhile, Maria Clara, Capitan Tiago's daughter
and Ibarra's fiancee, arrives at the party. The narration then explains the history of
Capitan Tiago, who had agreed with Don Rafael to marry their children.

Later on, Ibarra visits Maria Clara and speaks with her in private, and the two prove
their love for each other by showing that they have saved mementos from each
other. As Ibarra later rides through Manila in his carriage, he is bothered by the lack
of progress in the country. Padre Damaso then speaks to Capitan Tiago, angrily
objecting to Ibarra and Maria Clara's marriage; Capitan Tiago reluctantly agrees. It is
explained that the town of San Diego in Laguna produces various crops, situated
along Laguna Lake as well as beside a forest owned by Ibarra's grandfather Don
Saturnino. The narration then goes to the two prominent figures of San Diego, the
parish priest Padre Salvi and the alferez of the Guardia Civil.

Two gravediggers converse at San Diego's cemetery, one of them explaining that he
was ordered by Damaso to dig up Don Rafael's body and bury it in the Chinese
cemetery; because it was raining at the time, he instead dumped it in the river. On All
Saints' Day, Ibarra and a servant arrive at the cemetery, searching for Don Rafael's
body. Ibarra asks the gravedigger and, given the story, angrily leaves. At the
cemetery gate, Ibarra runs into Padre Salvi and, mistaking him for Damaso, attacks
him.

Meanwhile, the sage Pilosopo Tasio leaves the cemetery, having been unable to find
the skull of his dead wife. He sees the young sacristans, the brothers Basilio and
Crispin, and then discusses the concept of purgatory with Don Filipo.] Inside the
church, Basilio and Crispin are worried due to Crispin being accused of stealing two
gold pieces by the sacristan mayor and not being allowed to leave. At their home, the
boys' mother Sisa prepares their dinner and is shocked when only Basilio arrives
home later that night, the boy telling her that Crispin stayed behind at the church.
That night, Basilio dreams of his brother being beaten and killed by the sacristan
mayor and Padre Salvi.
The following day, Sisa travels to the church and tries to convince Padre Salvi to
release Crispin, only to find out from a sacristan that Crispin is not at the church and
that the Guardia Civil are searching for her two sons. Elsewhere, Ibarra, wanting to
start a school in the town, converses with the schoolmaster about their obstacles in
doing so. At a meeting at the town hall, Don Filipo's proposal regarding the fiesta is
ultimately rejected in favor of the curate's. Meanwhile, Sisa arrives home and is
arrested by the Guardia Civil to get her sons to surrender. Publicly humiliated, Sisa
begins going insane. Later on, Ibarra invites both Maria Clara and Padre Salvi to a
picnic in the woods; both accept, Salvi doing so to prove he has no ill feelings.

Ibarra, Maria Clara and their friends then go fishing on the lake. When the boat's
pilot, Elias, discovers a crocodile in the fishing nets, he jumps into the lake; Ibarra
follows him and ends up saving his life. On the way to the picnic, Padre Salvi
watches Maria Clara and her friends bathe. The guardia civil later arrives in search of
Elias, who is actually a fugitive being pursued for attacking both the alferez and
Padre Damaso.

At her house by the lake, Elias' sweetheart Salome waits for him to arrive; when he
does, she asks him to accompany her to Mindoro to live with her relatives. Elias
refuses, stating he doesn't want her caught up with his past and telling her she
should marry an honorable man. Before Elias leaves, Salome makes a final request
that he live in her house after she is gone.

Later on, Ibarra consults with Pilosopo Tacio, who advises him not to continue with
his plans to start a school in order not to anger the friars and government officials. On
the eve of the town's fiesta, numerous people volunteer resources for the school;
while on a walk with their friends, Ibarra and Maria Clara encounter a leper, whom
Maria Clara gives her locket to.[28] Three correspondences are then shown between
six individuals, including Ibarra and Maria Clara, the latter being worried of Ibarra's
being ill.

As a procession takes place on the last day of the fiesta, the people also go to
church to listen to Padre Damaso's sermon. In his sermon, the priest makes vague
swipes at Europe-educated natives like Ibarra; at the end of the sermon, Ibarra is
warned by Elias that his life is in danger.[32] During the ceremony of laying the
school's cornerstone, Ibarra is almost killed in an incident involving the derrick, with
the casualty instead being the man operating it.

Elias later visits Ibarra at his house and warns him that he has enemies, affirming
that he is acting to pay his debt to Ibarra for saving his life. At a dinner, Ibarra almost
kills Padre Damaso for insulting his father's memory before Maria Clara intervenes,
and is excommunicated by the priest as a result. As the townspeople discuss the
incident, Capitan Tiago informs Maria Clara and Tia Isabel that he has agreed to
break her engagement to Ibarra, and that she is to marry Alfonso Linares, a relative
of Padre Damaso. Ibarra then meets with the governor-general, who assures him
that he will speak with the archbishop to undo the excommunication. During another
procession, Tacio makes sarcastic remarks on the images of the saints; at the
alferez' house, his wife Doña Consolacion maltreats Sisa, who is then put under the
care of a doctor.

Later on, while Maria Clara, her friends, Don Filipo and Padre Salvi are watching a
play, Ibarra joins them; Padre Salvi has Don Filipo prohibit Ibarra from watching, but
is met with Filipo's refusal and walks out as a result. Later on at Ibarra's house,
Lucas asks for money from Ibarra, his brother having been the derrick operator who
was killed in the accident.

Don Tiburcio, his wife Doña Victorina and Linares arrive at Capitan Tiago's house;
Linares introduces himself to Padre Damaso, who also arrives; meanwhile, Lucas
approaches Padre Salvi for money. Maria Clara, still sick, takes confession with
Padre Salvi, who later leaves shaken.

In Tanuan, Batangas, Elias visits Capitan Pablo, the leader of some bandits, and
asks them to stop with their violent asks; he also informs them that they can enlist the
help of Ibarra in obtaining reforms for the country. In the cockpit, Lucas approaches
the brothers Bruno and Tarsilo, recruting them in an attack on the town's barracks;
the attack is supposedly organized by Ibarra.[ As a conflict arises between Doña
Victorina and Doña Consolacion, Ibarra attempts to see Maria Clara at her house
only to see her with Linares. Later on, Elias speaks to Ibarra on the lake, attempting
to convince him to work for reforms; Ibarra argues that certain institutions are
necessary evils for society. Elias then narrates the misfortune of his family, starting
with his grandfather who was falsely accused of burning a warehouse.

Later on, Padre Salvi informs Linares, Maria Clara, and Capitan Tiago that Ibarra’s
excommunication has been lifted, and that Ibarra only needs to ask Padre Damaso's
forgiveness. Ibarra insists on seeing Maria Clara. As Lucas discusses the planned
attack with three men at the cemetery, Elias learns that said attack will implicate
Ibarra. Don Filipo visits the ill Pilosopo Tacio and informs him of his resignation.

Padre Salvi warns the alferez of the attack; Elias similarly warns Ibarra that he will be
blamed and helps him dispose of letters that could implicate him. In the process,
Elias learns that the Spaniard that caused his family's misfortune is actually Ibarra's
great-grandfather.

When the attack breaks out, Ibarra is arrested by the Guardia Civil; Elias sets fire to
Ibarra's house to destroy any evidence that could implicate him. As rumors circulate
across the town, the Guardia Civil torture Tarsilo to make him confess the
mastermind behind the attack; Tarsilo dies refusing to confess.] Later on, Ibarra is led
out of his cell along with the other prisoners to be transferred to the provincial capital;
as he walks, he is cursed by the townspeople.

Various people discuss the failed rebellion; As Capitan Tiago entertains guests,
Maria Clara spots Ibarra, who has been freed by Elias from prison. Ibarra goes to her
and she apologizes to him for agreeing to marry Linares; it is also revealed that
Padre Damaso is Maria Clara's real father. As the Guardia Civil pursue Elias and
Ibarra, Elias jumps into the water for them to go after him, saving Ibarra.

Distraught after learning of Ibarra's apparent death, Maria Clara begs Padre Damaso
to let her enter the nunnery, to which he accepts.] On Christmas Eve, Basilio
eventually locates Sisa and runs after her into the forest, where she dies. Basilio
faints, and when he comes to, sees Elias and instructed by him to cremate him and
his mother, which he does. The narration then discusses the various characters'
fates in the aftermath of the events

Charachters
 Crisóstomo Ibarra
 Also known in his full name as Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin, a Filipino
who studied in Europe for 7 years, the love interest of Maria Clara. Son of the
deceased Don Rafael Ibarra; Crisostomo changed his surname from
Eibarramendia to Ibarra, from his ancestor's surname.
 Elías
 Ibarra's mysterious friend, a master boater, also a fugitive. He was referred
to at one point as the pilot. He wants to revolutionize his country. Ibarra's
grandfather condemned his grandfather of burning a warehouse, making
Elias the fugitive he is
 María Clara
 María Clara de los Santos, Ibarra's sweetheart; the illegitimate daughter of
Father Dámaso and Pía Alba.
 Father Dámaso
 Also known in his full name as Dámaso Verdolagas, Franciscan friar and
María Clara's biological father.
 Sisa
 The mother of Basilio and Crispín, who went insane after losing her sons.
 Basilio
 The elder son of Sisa.
 Crispín
 The younger son of Sisa who died from the punishment from the soldiers from
the false accusation of stealing an amount of money.
 Kaptain Tiago
 Also known in his fullname as Don Santiago de los Santos the known father
of María Clara but not the real one; lives in Binondo.
 Padri Salví
 Also known in his full name as Bernardo Salví, a secret admirer of María
Clara.
 Pilosopo Tasyo
 Also known as Don Anastasio, portrayed in the novel as a pessimist, cynic,
and mad by his neighbors.
Lesson of the Spanish Brutality
This preface to Noli Me Tangere that follow this short chapter often preoccupy
themselves with melodramatic love scenes and action plots, it’s clear from the very
first pages that Rizal is primarily interested in exploring what was then the taboo topic
of political corruption in the Philippines. Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me No)t ensures
that readers understand that the novel is intentionally political. Although the pages) is
not merely an attack on the Spanish colonial regime. It is a charter nationalism. It
calls on the Filipino to recover his self-confidence, to appreciate his own worth, to
return to the heritage of his ancestors, to assert himself as the equal of the Spaniard.