jose rizal’s life: exile, trial and death

Jose Rizal’s Exile (1892-96)

(4TH slide)

During his time in exile in Dapitan, Zamboanga Del Norte, from 1892 to 1896, Jose engaged in various
activities that were both unexciting and fruitful. He practiced medicine, studied science, continued his
artistic and literary pursuits, learned new languages, established a school, worked on community
development projects, invented a wooden brick-making machine, and engaged in farming and
commerce. He also interacted with fellow reformists and notable European scientists and scholars.

(5TH slide) Jose lived a content and fulfilling life in Dapitan, where he was highly respected for
his expertise in medicine. He dedicated himself to helping the less fortunate, offering free
or reduced-cost services and accepting non-monetary forms of payment. He treated patients from
all backgrounds without discrimination.

(6Th slide) With the help of Father Francisco Sanchez, his former Jesuit teacher, Jose worked hard
to improve the town plaza and added a large relief map of Mindanao. One of his notable achievements
was the construction of a water system to provide clean water to the people of Dapitan. Despite a lack
of funds, limited resources, and no government support, he was able to build it using his education from
Ateneo, engineering books, determination, and creativity. He also drained the marshes to reduce the
spread of malaria and used 500 pesos from an English patient to install coconut oil lamps in glass
protectors to light up dark areas in the town.

(7th slide) Jose, who valued education from a young age, fulfilled his dream of starting his own
school. The school began with three students and grew to 16 and then 21. Jose's curriculum included
subjects like reading, writing, languages, geography, history, math, industrial work, nature studies, and
morals. He also taught physical activities like gymnastics, boxing, and swimming to promote discipline
and physical development.

Instead of charging his students, Jose encouraged them to help him with his gardening, farming, and
community construction projects. Jose also conducted scientific studies in a fertile field and sent
specimens to a museum in Europe, receiving scientific books and surgical instruments in return. His
collection of shells included 346 from 203 different species, and some rare specimens were named after
him by European scientists.

(8th slide) During his time in Dapitan, Jose Rizal studied various languages and wrote a grammar
book. He also wrote poems and created drawings and sculptures. He acquired land and built various
structures, including a house, school, and hospital. He planted a variety of crops and introduced modern
farming techniques. However, he was unable to fulfill his goal of turning Dapitan into an agricultural
colony due to government restrictions.

(9TH SLIDE) Jose Rizal collaborated with Ramon Carreon to be successful in the fishing, copra, and hemp
industries in Dapitan. They formed a cooperative association to compete with Chinese businesses. Jose
also invented a wooden cigarette lighter and a machine for making bricks. Despite his achievements, he
felt lonely and found solace in Josephine Bracken.

(10TH SLIDE) At a particular time, a person arrived in Dapitan and brought joy to God. This person was
Josephine Bracken, an Irish girl who was young and attractive. She had a happy and light-hearted
demeanor. Josephine was born in Hong Kong to Irish parents. Jose and Josephine fell in love and decided
to get married, but they were unable to find a priest to marry them. Despite not having the church's
blessing, they happily lived together in Dapitan. Jose was overjoyed when he learned that Josephine was
pregnant, but sadly their baby only lived for a short time. They named the baby boy "Francisco" after
Jose's father.

(11TH SLIDE) In 1876, Andres Bonifacio led a rebellion with his group, the Katipunan. They asked Dr. Pio
Valenzuela to inform Jose Rizal about their plan, and to hide their true intentions, Dr. Pio was
accompanied by a blind man named Raymundo Mata. However, Jose disagreed with the Katipuneros'
bold uprising, as he believed they were not prepared for a revolution due to lack of resources. He also
refused their offer to rescue him. Before the Katipuneros contacted Jose, his friend Blumentritt informed
him about the dire health situation in Cuba and suggested he volunteer as an army doctor there to end
his exile. Acting on this advice, Jose wrote a letter to Governor General Ramon Blanco offering his
medical services in Cuba, but received no response for months, causing him to lose hope.

(12TH SLIDE) On July 30, 1896, Jose Rizal received a letter from the Spanish Governor unexpectedly,
informing him of his proposal. The letter also mentioned that he would be given a pass to travel in
Manila and then to Spain and Cuba. The next day, July 31, 1896, Rizal emotionally left the town of
Dapitan, with many tearful residents bidding him farewell. He had done everything he could for the
town and left with a heavy heart, filled with nostalgic memories.

Jose Rizal’s Trial

On August 26, 1896, Andres Bonifacio and his fearless Katipuneros initiated a rebellion in Balintawak.
They later attacked San Juan on August 30, but suffered heavy losses and were unable to succeed. As a
result of this battle, Governor General Blanco declared a state of war in eight provinces, including
Manila, due to their insurgency against Spain. Bonifacio was concerned about the potential
consequences of the uprising, including the immense suffering and destruction it could cause, as well as
the possibility of Spanish retaliation against all Filipino patriots.

During the uprising, Jose received two letters from Governor General Blanco that cleared him of any
involvement. Worried by the violence of the Katipuneros, Jose left for Spain on September 3, 1896,
hoping to go to Cuba and work as a military physician. However, he was unexpectedly arrested and held
prisoner on a Spanish steamer before reaching Barcelona. He was then told he would be sent back to
Manila on the ship Colon. When he arrived in Manila on November 3, 1896, he was taken to Fort
Santiago under heavy guard.

In 1896, a five-day investigation began against Jose Rizal. He appeared before Colonel Francisco Olive,
who presented charges against him. The evidence against Rizal included both documents and
testimonies. Palma's book, Pride of Malay Race, provides the translated documentary evidence,
consisting 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.

Several individuals, including 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, provided oral testimonies as evidence
against Jose.

On November 26, 1896, Colonel Francisco Olive, the Judge Advocate, sent the case records to Governor
General Ramon Blanco. Blanco then assigned Captain Rafael Dominguez as a special Judge Advocate to
initiate proceedings against Jose. Captain Dominguez submitted a summary of the action to Blanco, who
in turn forwarded it to Judge Advocate General Don Nicolas De la Pena.

Pena made several recommendations after studying the papers, including that the accused should be
brought to trial immediately, kept in prison, have his property attached as indemnity, and be defended
by an army officer in court. On December 1, 1896, Jose was charged in his prison cell with being the
main organizer of the Filipino insurrection. He acknowledged his involvement with the Liga Filipina but
claimed it was a civic alliance, not a revolutionary group. On December 13, 1896, Jose's case was
transferred to the new Governor General of the Philippines.

During the time Jose was in prison cell at Fort Santiago, he penned a manifesto seriously asking
the Filipino people to cease the needless anct 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, r kept silent over what r 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 spontai1eo11sly 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 Fiiipinos, 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. Also in the military court were Lt. Don LuisTaviel de Andrade (Jose's
defense counsel) Capt. Present in the trial were seven members of the military court: Lt. Col. Jose
Togores Arjona (President), Capt.
Captain Rafael Dominguez, a judge advocate, began the trial against Jose and explained the charges of
rebellion, sedition, and illegal association. Lieutenant Enrique de Alconcer, the prosecuting lawyer,
passionately detailed the accusations against Jose and urged the military court to sentence him to
death. Lieutenant Don Luis Taviel de Andrade, Jose's defense counsel, made a strong effort to provide a
convincing defense, reminding the judges to be fair and avoid vindictiveness in their judgment. After the
defense, the court allowed Jose to speak, and he confidently read a supplement to his defense. This
supplement is outlined by De Viana et al (2011).

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, on this a civic association --- not a
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, othenvise 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.

Jose's appeal was disregarded by the biased military court, and they quickly agreed to convict him and
sentence him to death. The decision was then given to Governor General Camilo G. de Polavieja, who
sought the confirmation of judge advocate General Nicolas de la Pena, who upheld the death sentence.
On December 28, 1896, Governor General Camilo G. de Polavieja signed the execution order for Jose
Rizal.

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 finding out about the unfair decision from the court martial, Jose spent the next 24 hours of his life
talking and spending time with his loved ones, including his wife Josephine Bracken whom he married
officially on December 30, 1896 with the help of Fr. Balaguer. After the death penalty was announced,
Jose chose to spend his remaining time in the prison chapel, where he turned to writing. He wrote
letters to his brother Paciano, his best friend Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt, and his parents. It is also
believed that he signed a document renouncing Masonry, although some scholars have questioned this.

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 down 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!

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 wellarmed 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.

Upon reaching the place of execution, Jose noticed the very large number of prying persons
and soldiers waiting for them. He fell to the ground three minutes past seven o'clock in the
morning and was declared dead. Jose's request that he be shot facing the firing squad was
denied because there was an order to shoot him in the back.