RIZAL REVIEWER

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Course (RA 1425)

Rizal Law
- also known as RA 1425. Its mandate to study Rizal’s life and works.
- the President signed RA 1425 on June 12, 1956.
- states that every educational institution are subject to regulation and supervision of the State.
- accordingly, the Rizal Law aims to realize the following objectives:

1. To rededicate the lives of the youth to the ideals of independence and nationalism, for which our heroes
lived and died
2. To dignify our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the Filipino character
3. To stimulate patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works, and writings

SMART – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound

Senate Bill 483

- also known as Rizal Bill
- was authored and sponsored by Senator Claro M. Recto
- was passed on May 17, 1956
- was signed into law as Republic Act 1425 by President Ramon Magsaysay on June 12, 1956
note: a bill will only become a law if signed by the president.

Senator Claro M. Recto – proposed the bill to the Senate

Senator Jose B. Laurel

- the bill that consequently led to an exchange of views of both houses
- who co-wrote the law

Opposition of the Bill

- opposed by three senators namely Senator Mariano Cuenco, Senator Francisco Rodrigo (former Catholic Action
President), Senator Decoroso Rosales (brother of Julio Rosares, an archbishop)
- opposed by Lower House namely Congressmen Ramon Durano, Marciano Lim, Manuel Soza, Godofredo Ramos,
Miguel Cuenco, Jose Nuguid, Lucas Paredes, Tecia San Andres Ziga, and Cogressmen Carmen Consing
- the Catholic Church was indirectly included in the debates. The church battle against Rizal Bill was Legion of Mary,
the Holy Name Society of the Philippines, Catholic Action of the Philippines, Daughters of Isabela, and Knights of
Columbus.
- a pastoral letter from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) states that such bill is a violation of
1939 Canon which prohibits books that attack the Catholic doctrine and practices

Rizalian Anthology – a collection of Rizal’s written works that contain the patriotic reasoning prohibiting the two
novels.

Defended the Rizal Bill

- Senators Quintin Paredes, Lorenzo Tanada, and Domocao Alonto of Mindanao
- favoured by Representatives from the House namely Congressmen Jacobo Gonzales, Emilio Cortez, Mario
Bengson, Joaquin Rosas, Lancap Lagumbay, and Pedro Lopez

The debate between Cebu Representative Ramon Durano and Pampanga Representative Emilio Cortes concluded
in a fistfight in Congress.

Republic Act No. 229

- an act prohibiting cockfighting, horse, horse racing, and jai-alai on the thirtieth day of December of each year and to
create a committee to take charge of the proper celebration of Rizal day in every municipality and chartered city, and
for other purposes.

Essentials of Studying Rizal

1. One benefit provides insights on how to deal with current problem. “He who controls the past controls
the future.
2. It helps people understand better us Filipinos
3. It teaches nationalism and patriotism. Nationalism requires the desire to acquire freedom and political
independence, especially by a country under a foreign power, while patriotism denotes proud devotion
and loyalty to one’s nation.
4. It provides several valuable life lessons
5. It helps in developing logical and critical thinking. Critical thinking refers to discerning, evaluative, and
analytical reasoning.
6. Rizal can serve as a valuable model and inspiration to every Filipino.
7. Rizal’s life is full of fascinating non-fictional accounts:
a) was involved in a love triangle with Antonio Luna
b) was a model in some of Juan Luna’s painting
c) Rizal’s common-law wife Josephine Bracken was ‘remarried’ to a man from Cebu and tutored
former President Sergio Osemeñia
d) Leonor Rivera ‘Maria Clara’, Rizal’s ‘true love’, had a son who married the sister of the former
President of the United Nations General Assembly Carlos P. Romulo
e) The Filipina beauty queen Gemma Cruz Araneta is a descendant of Rizal’s, Maria
f) The sportscaster Chino Trinidad is a descendant of Rizal’s ‘first love’ Segunda Katigbak
g) The original manuscripts of Rizal’s novel Noli and Fili were once stolen for ransom but Alejandro
Roces had retrieved them without paying even a single centavo.

Rizal as an American Sponsored Hero?

- Rizal was already dead by the time the Americans colonized the Philippines
- He did not make any negative or embarrassing remarks of anti-American quotations
- Martyrdom of Dr Jose Rizal was a symbol of Spanish oppression
- He urged reform from within publicity, by republic education, and appeal to the public conscience

Rizal, Piooner Asian Nationalist Leader

- Rizal was the first Filipino
- The worth and dignity of the individual
- the innate impartiality of all men and races
- the necessity of all men and races
- due process
- popular sovereignty as the basis of all political jurisdiction
- faith in human reason and wisdom
- the rights of the masses to public education
- belief in social progress through freedom

Four Major Phase in the Life of our Hero

1. First Phase (1861-1872) – Rizal in his younger generation

2. Second Phase (1872-1882) – the first turning point in the life of Rizal. The execution Gomez, Burgos,
Zamora
3. Third Phase (1882-1892) – the decisive moment in the life of Rizal. Rizal left Philippines to escape
persecution
4. Fourth and Final Phase (1892-1896) – final turning point of Rizal. Exiled in Dapitan and suffered and died
on December 30, 1896

Chapter 2: The Philippines in the 19th Century as Rizal’s Context

Industrial Revolution (1760 - 1840)
- an economic revolution which started with the invention of the steam engine. It has changed the entire economy of
Europe
- merchants of Europe became wealthy through trade
- farmers from rural areas and remote provinces became industrial workers
- wives remained as housekeepers which Karl Marx’s characterized as the first occurrence of domestication of
women
- the new economic system created opportunities by Industrial Revolution had encourage Spain in 1834 to open the
Philippine economy to world commence
- merchant banks and financial system were also established
- the British and Americans improved machinery for agricultural products and introduced new ways of farming (sugar
milling and rice hulling)
- the new breed of influential and wealthy Filipino middle class (composed of Spanish and Chinese mestizos) also
composed of the ilustrados who belonged to the landed upper class and were highly respected though they are
regarded as filibusteros or rebels of the friars. Most of them became members of Freemasonry and active in the
Propaganda Movement
- construction of steel bridges and opening of the Suez Canal which resulted in closer interaction between Spain and
Philippines

The French Revolution (1789 - 1799)

- changed the political tone of the period
-period of political upheaval and radical change in the history France
- from absolute monarchy to a more democratic government form
- democratic principles of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity (battle cry of the French Revolution)
- Spain experienced a turbulent century of political disturbances during this era (Penisular War, the loss
Spanish America)
- All these political changes in Spain had their repurcussions in the Philipines, cracking the fabric of the
old colonial system
- Siglo de Oro of Spain in the sixteenth century as the mistress of the world
- Cuba, a colony of Spain, was waging a revolution against Spain when Rizal volunteered to discontinue
his exile in Dapitan to work as volunteer doctor there for him to observe the revolution

The American Revolution (April 19, 1775)

- 13 colonies of North America overthrew the rule of the British Empire and rejected British monarchy to
make the United States of America a sovereign nation
- The Americans were able to overthrow their British colonial masters to gain independence
- American Revolution inspired Filipino reformists like Rizal to aspire for freedom and independence
- Liberal ideas from America contained in books and newspapers, ideologies of the American and French
Revolutions, thoughts of Monstequieu, Rousseau, Volatire, Locke, Jefferson

The Church in the 19th Century

- weakening of the grip of the Catholic Church
- The French saw the Church as a threat to the newly formed Republican state and Bismarck of Germany
also saw it as a threat to the unified German Empire
- movement against the Catholic Church called anti-clericalism had gained strength
- Spanish public officials in the colony became more corrupt and immoral
- The union of the Church and State and the so-called “rule of the friars” or “frailocracy” continued
during this period
- The friar is real ruler, not the gobernadorcillo
- Exposing the abuses and immoralities of the friars is one way to downplay their power and influence

Chapter 3: Rizal’s Life

Don Francisco Mercado

 FULL NAME: Francisco Engrasio Rizal Mercado “Tiniente Kiko”

 BIRTH: May 11, 1818 Biñan Laguna
 EDUCATION: San Jose Manila, Latin and Philosophy
 PARENTS: Juan Mercado and Cirila Alejandra
 Married June 28, 1848
 Determined
 “Model of fathers”

Doña Teodora Alonso

 FULL NAME: Teodora Alonso Quintos Realonda “lolay”

 BIRTH: November 8 1826 Santa Cruz Manila
 EDUCATION: College of Santa Rosa (esteemed school for girls)
 PARENTS: Lorenzo Alberto Alonso and Brigida Quintos
 Well-mannered and Educated woman
 First teacher of Rizal
 Diligent business minded woman

Saturnina Rizal Mercado Y Alonso Realonda

 Born on June 4, 1850 in Calamba, Laguna

 Jose’s Eldest Sister
 She was known as “Neneng”
 She was married to Manuel T. Hidalgo a native and one of the richest person in Tanauan,
Batangas.

Paciano Rizal Mercado Y Alonso Realonda

 He was a Filipino General and Revolutionary

 Born on March 7, 1851 in Calamba, Laguna
 Jose’s only brother
 Studied at San Jose College in Manila

Trinidad Rizal Mercado Y Alonso Realonda

 Born on June 6, 1868 in Calamba, Laguna

 She was the younger sister of Jose Rizal
 She was a Filipina Feminist Leader and Co-Founder of the Philippines First Feminist Organization

José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda

 Jose’s father, Francisco, adopted the surname Rizal suggested by provincial governor ( originally
“Ricial”, which means “the green of young growth” or “green fields”)
 Jose Rizal was born in Calamba. In 1948
 The name Calamba was derived from kalan-banga, which means “clay stone” (kalan) and “water
jar” (banga)
 Rizal was nothing less than a phenom(Someone who is incredibly skilled or admired, especially
someone who is on the rise, is referred to as a phenom), particularly when he was a youngster
 Even though Rizal was a phenom when he was a youngster, the drawback always comes with it.
Jose Rizal's body is fragile, ill, and underdeveloped
 Jose Rizal can recall things well. In all of his writings and books, it constantly brings back
memories from his youth.
 At the age of three, Jose Rizal started to take part in family prayers
 At the age of four, Jose Rizal lost his little sister Concha
 At the age of five, Jose Rizal learned to read Spanish Bible. Which then take parts on his later
writings
 Even Jose Rizal has someone who idolized. This was the scholarly Catholic Priest Leoncio Lopez.
 At the age of five, Jose Rizal started to make sketches and mold clay waxes
 At the age of six, Jose Rizal spoke a bold line and that is, “All right laugh at me now! Someday
when I die, people will make monuments and images of me.”
 At the age of seven, Jose Rizal experience riding a casco
 At the age of eight, Jose Rizal’s mother induced him to love arts, literature, and the classics
 Also, Jose Rizal written a drama which rewarded him for 2 pesos

Education in Calamba

 The well-known remark that Doña Teodora was Rizal's first teacher is more than just a way
of "venerating" his mother, who made significant sacrifices for our hero.
 In Rizal's time, it was unusual to come across a highly educated woman of good culture like
Doña Teodora, who was capable of teaching Spanish, reading, poetry, and values through
rare story books
 Lolay was the hero's first teacher, teaching him Spanish, editing his written poems, and
tutoring him in rhetoric. Jose learned the alphabet and Catholic prayers on her lap when he
was three, and he started to read and write when he was five
 Jose’s sister Saturnina and three maternal uncles also mentored him
 His uncle Jose Alberto taught him painting, sketching, and sculpture. His Gregorio uncle also
influenced him on his love of reading. His uncle Manuel developed Rizal’s physical skills in
martial arts, such as wrestling
 Rizal was afterwards sent to a private school in Biñan, and in June 1869, his brother Paciano
brought him to Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz's school
 The school was located in the teacher's house, a modest nipa hut close the Jose aunt's home

Chapter 4: Rizal’s Life (Higher Education and Life Abroad)

Chapter 5
An Exile in Dapitan

 Rizal arrived in Dapitan on July 17, 1892

 Dapitan was under the missionary jurisdiction of the Jesuits
 it is interesting to note that the relations between the warden Capt. Carnicero and the prisoner
Rizal were warm and friendly
 He gave Rizal complete freedom to roam anywhere in Dapitan and permission to ride on his
favorite horse
 "A Don Ricardo Carnicero” on August 26, 1892, as a gift to the captain's birthday.

All About Faith

 In Dapitan, Rizal had a scholarly debate with Fr. Pastells regarding religion.
 Fr. Pastells tried his best to win Rizal back to the faith but apparently, it was in vain.
 Though Rizal and Fr. Pastells had religious differences, they remained good friends. Fr. Pastells
gave Rizal a copy of a famous Catholic book by Father Thomas á Kempis entitled "Imitacion de
Cristo" (Imitation of Christ). Rizal reciprocated by giving the Jesuit priest a bust of St. Paul which
he had made.
 Although Rizal did not subscribe to Pastells' interpretations of the church doctrines, he
continued to be a Catholic.

The Awakening of Dapitan

 By investing a lot of time in developing his creative and literary abilities, working on civic and
agricultural projects, engaging in business endeavors, and maintaining correspondence with his
friends in Europe, particularly Ferdinand Blumentritt and Reinhold Rost, Rizal made the most of
his time in the town

El Ultimo Viaje

 On the very day of August 30, 1896, the eight provinces of Luzon were put under martial law
 Rizal received from Governor-General Blanco two letters of introduction for the Minister of War
and the Minister of Colonies.
 Rizal was transferred to the boat Isla de Panay at 6:00 p.m. and met the captain of the boat,
Capt. Alemany and was given the best cabin.
 Rizal was given a new cabin, No. 22, with a couch the following day. The boat anchored near
Manila to load passengers, among whom were Pedro Roxas, Maria Tuason, and Pedro Paterno.
He then left Manila for Spain -destined to be his last trip abroad.

A "Dangerous Filipino"

 The truth of the matter is that Rizal was unaware that since his departure from Manila Bay,
Governor-General Blanco and the Ministers of War and the Colonies conspired for his
destruction as a "Dangerous Filipino.“
 October 3, 1896, the Isla de Panay arrived in Barcelona with Rizal as prisoner on baord. His
warden was changed to General Eulogio Despujol, the Military Commander of Barcelona.
 Rizal was imprisoned in Montjuich Castle in Barcelona after three days.
 He was prohibited from disembarking at any port and he was put behind bards before reaching
the port.
 Twice, he was handcuffed. Sixteen hours before docking at Singapore the last fuel stop before
Manila, Rizal was again put behind bars.

Last Attempt to Save the Hero

 News of Rizal's dilemma reached his friends in Europe especially, Antonio Maria Regidor who
was in London at that time. Regidor dispatched two telegrams to familiar friends in Singapore
requesting them to petition the Singapore court to issue a writ of habeas corpus, thus allowing
Rizal to step foot and walk to liberty
 Rizal was unaware of the attempt of heroism his friends made to rescue him in Singapore. Three
times, England tried to aid him.
 Nevertheless, Rizal was shipped home to face, which, to Ambeth Ocampo's words, "a kangaroo
court that sentenced him to death."
“Fishing Evidences”

 On December 11, 1896, the information of charges formally read to Rizal in his prison cell in Fort
Santiago. He was accused of being “the principal organizer of the Philippine Revolution; and
founder of societies, periodicals, and books dedicated to propagating ideas of rebellion.“
 On December 15, 1896, Rizal wrote a manifesto to his people appealing to them to stop the
necessary shedding of blood and to achieve their liberties using education and industry.

The "Kangaroo Trial"

 December 26, 1896, Rizal was fetched to a building called Cuartel de España and to trial before a
military court composed of seven military officers headed by Lt. Col. Jose Togores Arjona
 Rizal was accused with 3 crimes, rebellion, sedition, and illegal association“.
 Present at the courtroom the six other officers in uniform. Capt. Ricardo Muñoz Arias, Capt.
Manuel Reguera, Capt. Santiago Izquierdo Osorio, Capt. Braulio Rodriguez Nuñez, Capt. Manuel
Diaz Escribano, and Capt. Fernando Perez Rodriguez -Judge Advocate Capt. Rafael Dominguez,
Lt. Enrique de Alcocer, (prosecuting attorney) and several spectators, including were Josephine
Bracken.
 The Governor-General of the Philippines sought the opinion of Judge Advocate Gen. Nicolas de
la Peña - the latter found the verdict just and final.
 On December 28, Governor-General Polavieja, without any remorse, therefore signed, ordered,
and sealed the execution of Jose Rizal through firing squad at 7 o'clock in the morning of
December 30, 1896, at Bagumbayan.

Alone in the Cell

 Spain lost no time, neither in convicting him nor in confirming the military court's decision but
he was sentenced to be shot on December 30, 1896.
 Inside the chapel, Rizal made himself busy by writing correspondences to friends and family,
bidding everyone farewell; and conversing and reminiscing with his Jesuit friends. He had many
visitors, arriving one or two after the other.

Last Masterpiece

 Rizal written his last masterpiece as a poem which is also known as “Mi Ultimo Adios”. Rizal
wrote it during his imprisonment in Fort Santiago.
 When Mariano Ponce received one, he gave it the title "Ultimo Pensamiento" and financed the
first printing of the poem and distributed it for free.

Of Letters and Tears

 He signed some memorabilia including religious pictures and books which would be passed on
to his mother, and his sister, Trinidad. To Josephine, Rizal gave the Imitacion de Cristo as a gift.
For the last time, he wrote a letter to his family, sisters, and brother.
 At 6:00 a.m., as the soldiers were getting ready for the death march Bagumbayan, Rizal wrote
his last letter to his beloved parents

"To Die is to Rest"

 Rizal was described by the spectator as calm. Some people even noticed that he smiled from
time to time.
 From Fort Santiago Rizal took a right turn and walked along the Paseo Maria which gave him a
panoramic view of the rising sun on Manila Bay to his right; and a glimpse of Intramuros to his
left.
 It was three minutes past seven. But it was not yet over. The shot which the crowd had just
heard was the shot which would make the Spanish empire in the Philippines collapse.
 CONSUMMATUM EST! (it is finished)