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Chapter 16-20

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JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

CHAPTER 16
In Belgian Brussels (1890)
January 28, 1980 – Rizal left Paris for Brussels, capital of Belgium. 2 reasons that
impelled Rizal to leave Paris
 * The cost of living in Paris was very high because of the Universal Exposition *
The gay social life of the city hampered his literary works, especially the writings of
his second novel El Filibusterismo. M.H. del Pilar and Valentin Ventura

 * Were of the belief that he left because he was running away from a girl just as
he left London. * When Rizal told them the real reason, Ventura generously invited
him to live with him in Paris without paying rent. * Rizal could not accept Ventura’s
invitation, for he had a high sense of dignity and would not accept charity from any
man. Life in Brussels

 * Rizal was accompanied by Jose Albert when he moved to Brussels. * They lived
in 38 Rue Philippe Champagne which was run by 2 Jaceby sisters (Suzanne and
Marie). * When Albert left the city, he was replaced by Jose Alejandro, an
engineering student. * In Brussels, Rizal was busy writing his second novel which
was continuation of the Noli. * Aside from writing its chapters, he wrote articles for
La Solidaridad and letters to his family and friends. * Being a physician, he spent
his part time in medical clinic. * Recreational Activities:

* Gymnastics at the gymnasium


* Target practice
* Fencing at the armory
Articles Published in La Solidaridad
* “ A La Defensa” (To la Defensa)
* “La Verdad Para Todos” (The Truth For All)
* “Vicente Barrantes’ Teatro Tagalo,”
* “Una Profanacion” ( A Profanation)
* “Verdades Nuevas” (New Truths)
* “Crueldad”(Cruelty)
* “Diferencias” (Differences)
* “Inconsequencias” (Inconsequences)
* “Llanto y Risas” (Tears and Laughter)
* “Ingratitudes” (Ingratitude)
New Orthography of Tagalog Language
Rizal was first to advocate the Filipinization of the orthography
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

SALAKOT (Head Gear)


* It was published in La Solidaridad
He gave the credit to Dr. Trinidad H. Prado de Tavera, author of Sanskrit in
Tagalog Language.

Rizal Criticizes Madrid Filipino for Gambling


 * Rizal received news from Juan Luna and Valentin Ventura that the Filipino in
Spain were destroying the good name of their nation by gambling too much, they
urged him to do something about it. * On May 28, 1890, Rizal wrote to M.H. del
Pilar to remind the Filipinos in Madrid that they did not come to Europe to gamble,
but to work for their Fatherland’s Freedom. * The gambling Filipinos were angry
when they learned of Rizal’s moralizing. * They called him “Papa” (Pope) instead
of “Pepe” Bad New from Home

* The Calamba agrarian trouble was getting worse.


 * The Dominican hacienda continually raised the land rents until Rizal’s father
refused to pay his rent. * The Dominican Order filed a suit in court to dispossess
the Rizal family of their lands in Calamba. * The tenants and the Rizal family were
persecuted.

* Paciano, Antonio Lopez, and Silvestre Ubaldo were deported to Mindoro. *


Manuel T. Hidalgo was banished for a second time to Bohol. * This bad news
made Jose depressed.
Presentiment of Death
* Rizal had bad dreams during the nights in Brussels because he was always
thinking of his unhappy family in Calamba. * He feared that he would not live long.
* He was not afraid to die, but he wanted to finish his second novel before he went
to his grave. Preparation to Go Home
 * Rizal planned to go home; he could not stay in Brussels writing a book while his
parents, relatives and friends are persecuted in the Philippines. * All his friends
including Blumentritt, Jose Ma. Basa and Ponce were horrified by Rizal’s plan to
return to the Philippines. They warned him of danger awaited that him at home.
Decision to Go to Madrid

 * A letter from Paciano which related that they lost the case against the
Dominicans in Manila, but they appealed it to the Supreme Court in Spain, hence
a lawyer was needed to handle it in Madrid. * Rizal wrote a letter to M.H. del Pilar
for his services as lawyer and informed him that he was going to Madrid, in order
to supervise the handling of the case. “To My Muse”
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

* During those sad days in Brussels he wrote his pathetic poem. * To My Muse “A
Mi….”
* This poem is lacks the exquisiteness
Romance with Petite Jacoby
 * Two things that cheered Rizal in preparation in Madrid: * The summertime
festival of Belgium which was celebrated in carnival style. * His romance with
Petite Jacoby, the pretty niece of his landladies. * Rizal was charming and
dignified a gentleman that Petite was attracted to him. * He was lonely in strange
country and Leonor Rivera was so far away. Being a normal young man, he found
certain bliss in the company of a pretty Belgian girl. * Petite cried when he left for
Madrid, stopping for a few days in Paris.
On January 28, 1890, Rizal left Paris for Brussels, capital of Belgium. Two
reasons why Rizal left Paris.
The cost of living in Paris was very high because of the Universal Exposition. The
gay social life of the city hampered his literary works. 3.Life in Brussels
Rizal was accompanied by Jose Albert when he moved to Brussels. They lived in
a modest boarding house on 38 Rue Philippe Champagne. Later Albert left the
city, and was replaced by Jose Alejandro, an engineering student. In Brussels,
Rizal was busy writing his second novel, El Filibusterismo which is a continuation
of the Noli. Aside from writing its chapters, he wrote articles for La Solidaridad.
4.Articles Published in La Solidaridad
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

Chapter 17
Rizal Arrived in Madrid
On August, 1890, Rizal arrived in Madrid, Spain.
Rizal failed to seek justice for his family and the Calamba tenants.
Dissapointment piled on Rizal from the two fought duels with Antonio Luna and
Wencenslao Retana. His fiance also left him and married a british engineer. Jose
Rizal displayed resilient strength of character and survived. 3.Failure to get
justice for family

Rizal immediately asked for help of the filipino colony to seek justice for his family
and for the oppressed Calamba tenants. Asociacion Hispano-Filipina, and the
liberal Spanish newspapers help fight securing justice for the Calamba tenants
and Rizal’s family. Terrible news reached Rizal in Madrid as he was fighting for
justice. Rizals brother in law, Silvestre Ubaldo received a copy of ejecment order
by the dominicans against Franciso Rizal and other Calamba tenants. In
desperation, Rizal sought the aid of the liberal Spanish statesmen, who were
former members of the ministry. Unfortunately they just gave honeyed words of
sympathy, and nothing else. Rizal was urged to see Queen Regent Maria
Cristina, but with the lack of gold and connections, Rizal was unable to do so.
4.Rizal’s Eulogy to Panganiban and his duels

Rizal was devastated by the death of his friend, Jose Ma. Panganiban. He died
on August 19, 1890, after a lingering illness After the death of Jose Ma.
Panganiban Rizal wrote a great eulogy to Panganiban August, 1890, Rizal
attended a social reunion of the Filipinos in Madrid and had with a fight with
Atonio Luna. Rizal challenged Retana to a duel. Retana is a talented Spanish
scholar and Rizal’s bitter enemy of the pen Late 1890 there arose an unfortunate
rivalry between Rizal and M.H. del Pilar for supremacy. An election took place
Rizal won but declined the coveted position and left Madrid.

"MISFORTUNES IN MADRID"
He tried all legal means to seek justice for his family and the Calamba tenants,
but to no avail. He almost fought two duels

And top of his misfortunes, was about Leonor Rivera.


JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

ABORTED DUEL WITH


ANTONIO LUNA
Antonio Luna
Nellie Boustead
February 1891 – (1st week) election starts
Filipinos were divided into two rival camps:
Rizalistas or Rizal’s friends
Pilaristas or del Pilar’s friends
M. Ponce, A. Luna, T. Sandiko (Pilaristas) – changed their votes in favor of Rizal.
* First day of voting: Rizal was winning
Second day: Rizal won but the votes cast did not reach two-thirds.
Mariano Ponce- appealed to his countrymen to vote for Rizal.
Third day- Rizal’s victory
But Rizal graciosly declined the coveted position.
FAILURE TO GET JUSTICE FOR FAMILY
End of August, 1890 – Rizal attended a social reunion of the Filipinos in Madrid.
Wine was served.
*Luna was bitter because of his frustrated romance with Nellie Boustead.
*Rizal challenged Luna , his friend, to a duel.
Rizal was a better pistol shot than Luna. But the latter was his superior as a
swordsman. Luna had the choice of weapons. Others tried to pacify them,
pointing out to both that such a duel would damage their cause in Spain.
But fortunately, Luna when he became sober, realized that he had made a fool of
himself during his drunken state and he apologized for his bad remarks about the
girl.
INFIDELITY OF LEONOR RIVERA

Rizal sought the help of the following:


Filipino Colony
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

Asociacion Hispano – Filipina


Liberal Spanish newspapers (La Justicia, El Globo, El Dia, La Republica, El
resumen, etc).
M. H. Del Pilar – acted as his lawyer.
Dr. Dominador Gomez – secretary of Asociacion Hispano – Filipina.
Minister of Colonies (Señor Fabie)
Gen. Valeriano Weyler – committed injustices against the Calamba folks.
El Resumen – a Madrid Newspaper
“To cover the ears, open the purse, and fold the arms.”
- SPANISH COLONIAL POLICY
Rizal Family
INFIDELITY OF LEONOR RIVERA
Teatro Apolo – Rizal attended a play together with his friends then he lost his
gold watch chain which proved to be a bad omen.
December, 1890 – Rizal received a letter from Leonor, announcing her coming
married with an Englishman (Henry Kipping)
February 15, 1891 – Blumentritt replied to the letter of Rizal and comforted him
when he confide to him about his agony and broken heart.
Three months later, Blumentritt sent another comforting letter saying:
“Leonor Rivera, is not the woman for Rizal”
RIZAL CHALLENGES RETANA TO DUEL
MORE TERRIBLE NEWS REACHED RIZAL IN MADRID
MORE TERRIBLE NEWS REACHED RIZAL IN MADRID
*From Silvestre Ubaldo, he received a copy of the ejectment order by the
Dominicans against Francisco Rizal and other Calamba tenants.
*From Saturnina, he learned of the deportation of Paciano, Antonio Lopez,
Silvestre Ubaldo, Teong, and Dandoy to Mindoro
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

*His parents were forcibly ejected from their home and were then living in the
house of Narcisa.
Becerra and Maura – former members of the ministry who gave Rizal honeyed
words of sympathy and nothing else.
Queen Regent Maria Cristina – urged to see by Blumentritt.
RIZAL CHALLENGES RETANA TO DUEL
Wenceslao E. Retana- bitter enemy of Rizal in pen.Press agent of the friars in
Spain.He attacked Filipinos including Rizal, in various newspaper in Madrid.
La Epoca - an anti-Filipino newspaper in Madrid.He insulted Rizal’s family.
Because he believed that discretion is the better part of valor, and more to save
his own skin. Retana at once published a retraction and an apology in the
newspapers,
The incident silenced retana's pen and he developed a great admiration for Rizal.
RIZAL – DEL PILAR RIVALRY

Adios, Madrid
RIZAL’S EULOGY TO PANGANIBAN
Jose Ma. Panganiban – his friend and his talented co-worker in the propaganda
who died.
August 19, 1890 – date of the death of Jose Ma. Panganiban because of a
lingering illness.
Rizal wrote a great eulogy to Panganiban
with a sorrowing heart.
1890 - there arose an unfortunate rivalry between Rizal and del Pilar for
supremacy.
Rizal tried to imbue his compatriots with his own idealism. unfortunately his
idealism was not shared. some of his supporters turned to the leadership of del
Pilar.
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

January 1, 1891 (New Year’s Day) – the Filipinos of Madrid met to reorganize the
Asociacion Hispano – Filipina .
Owing to del Pilar's opposition the meeting proceed to the business of electing
the
Responsable - a new leader who would act as a spokesman of the Filipino cause
in Europe.2/3 votes needed to be declared as Responsable.
Rizal wrote a brief note thanking his compatriots for electing him as
Responsable. Sadly he packed up his bags, paid his bills, and boarded a train
leaving for Biarritz.
First soujourn- he was happy
Second Visit- he was unhappy.
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

Chapter 18
Conservation of Biodiversity
Modern Conservation Legacies
* The world is in a sixth mass extinction (the biodiversity is declining at a rapid
rate) * Causes are mostly by human activities
* Habitat destruction
* Overharvesting plant and animal populations
* Results in growing interest in conserving biodiversity by setting aside areas that
are protected from any human activities * Establishing national parks, national
monuments, national forests, wilderness areas * Does not protect against gas
and oil drilling

We are in the midst of a sixth mass extinction


* The biodiversity of the world provides instrumental and intrinsic values to
humans * Instrumental: provisions (food, medicine, building materials), regulating
services (the ability of plants to remove human-added carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere), support services (pollination of crops) * Intrinsic: no direct benefit
but the belief that individuals, species, and ecosystems are inherently valuable in
themselves and we have an obligation to preserve them * The world has
experienced 5 major extinctions during the past 500 million years and we are
currently in another * Extinction – when the last member of a species dies

* The world is experiencing approx. 50,000 species extinctions per year * 0.5% of
the world’s species each year
* This extinction is unique for:
* It is happening over a relatively short period of time * The rate of decline has
been 100x to 1,000x faster during the past 50 years * Is the first to occur since
humans have been present on earth * Has a human cause

Global Declines in the Genetic Diversity of Wild Organisms


* Populations with low genetic diversity are not well suited to surviving
environmental change * Are also prone to in breeding depression
* Inbreeding depression – when individuals with similar genotypes-typically
relatives-breed with each other and produce offspring that have an impaired
ability to survive and reproduce * Occurs when each parent carries one copy of a
harmful mutation in its genome * When parents breed, some of their offspring
receive two copies of the harmful mutation, resulting in having poor chances of
survival and later reproduction * High genetic diversity ensures that a wider range
of genotypes are present, which reduces the probability that an offspring will
receive a harmful mutation * Also improves the probability of surviving a future
change in environment * Occurs because it produces a wide range of
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

phenotypes that survive and reproduce under different environmental conditions


* Some declines in genetic diversity have natural causes

* i.e. a population bottleneck


* Others are caused by humans
* Efforts to eradicate harmful species become intense when a human populations
grow * Habitats disappear as humans settle on the land and increase agriculture
* Hunting and habitat destruction

* Inbreeding causes a number of harmful effects


* Like hear defects and abnormal sperm
* Lack of genetic diversity can cause a population to decline even further Global
Declines in the Genetic Diversity of Crops and Livestock * There are major
concerns about declining genetic variation in the species of crops and livestock
that humans depend on * The UN notes that majority of livestock species comes
from seven species of mammals * Donkeys, buffalo, cattle, goats, horses, pigs,
sheep * And four species of birds

* Chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys


* In other parts of the world, these species have been bred for a variety of
characteristics like adaptations to survive local climates * The wide variety of
characteristics could be used for adapting to changing environmental conditions
in the future or resisting new diseases * Livestock producers have concentrated
their efforts.

Biarritz Vacation and Romance with Nelly Boustead (1891) With the Bousteads
in Biarritz. Rizal arrived in Biarritz at February 1891. He was warmly welcome by
Mr. Boustead because of his talents and was treated with friendliness and
hospitality. Writing from Biarritz to Mariano Ponce on February 11, 1891 he said:
³I have put on much weight since I arrived here; my cheeks are no longer
shrunken as before for  the reason that I go to bed early and I have no cares´.
Romance with Nellie Boustead. Rizal having lost Leonor, came to entertain
considerable affection to Nellie, prettier and younger daughter of the Mr.
Boustead. He found Nellie to be a real Filipina, highly intelligent, vivacious in
temperament and morally upright. He told his friends about his love for Nelly
except for Blumentritt, and his intention to propose to her. Antonio Luna, who had
previously loved and lost Nelly, encouraged Rizal to woo and marry her. He
wrote a letter to Rizal, saying good things about Nellie and congratulates him for
being one of a kind to Nelly. With encourage, Rizal courted Nelly. Unfortunately
his marriage proposal failed for two reasons:
(1) he refused to give up his Catholic faith and be a protestant and
(2) Nellys mother did not like Rizal as a son-in-law. Although they did not get
married, they parted as good friends. When Rizal left Europe, Nelly sent him
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

farewell letters, saying her wishes and prayers for Rizal. El Filibusterismo
Finished in Biarritz. On March 29, 1891, the eve of his departure from Biarritz to
Paris he finished the manuscript of  El Filibust Filibusterismo , and wrote a letter
to Blumentritt. Retirement from the Propaganda Movement. Rizal retired from the
Propaganda Movement. He decided to publish his second novel, to practice his
medical profession and when he became financially independent, he expected to
make more vigorous campaign for his countrys redemption. On May 1, 1891, he
notified the Propaganda authorities in Manila to cancel his monthly allowance
and devote the money to some better cause, such as education of a young
Filipino student in Europe. Romance with Nellie Boustead. Rizal having lost
Leonor, came to entertain considerable affection to Nellie, prettier and younger
daughter of the Mr. Boustead. He found Nellie to be a real Filipina, highly
intelligent, vivacious in temperament and morally upright. He told his friends
about his love for Nelly except for Blumentritt, and his intention to propose to her.
Antonio Luna, who had previously loved and lost Nelly, encouraged Rizal to woo
and marry her. He wrote a letter to Rizal, saying good things about Nellie and
congratulates him for being one of a kind to Nelly. With encourage, Rizal courted
Nelly.
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

Chapter 19

El Filibusterismo

El Filibusterismo Published in Ghent (1891) Days flew swiftly for Rizal in


Brusseld like flying arrows. Day in and day out, he was busy revising and
polishing the manuscript of El Filibusterismo so that it could be ready for the
press. He had begun writing it in October; 1887, while practising medicine in
Calamba. The following year (1888), in London, he made some changes in the
plot and corrected some chapters already written. He wrote more chapters in
Paris and Madrid, and finished the manuscript in Biarritz on March 29, 1891. It
took him, therefore, three years to write his second novel. Privations in Ghent.
On July 5, 1891, Rizal left Brussels for Ghent, a famous university city in
Belgium. His reasons for moving to Ghent were (1) the cost of printing in Ghent
was cheaper than in Brussels and (2) to escape from the enticing attraction of
Petite Suzzane. In Ghent, he met two compatriots, Jose Alejandro (from
Pampanga) and Edilberto Evangelista (from Manila), both studying engineerimg
in the world-famed University of Ghent. Owing to his limited funds, Rizal lived in a
cheap boarding house, with Jose Alejandro as room-mate. Theirs was a very
frugal life, subsisting on the barest necessities.To economize further, they
prepared thier own daily breakfast in their room. Years later Alejandro, who
became a general during Filipino-American War of 1899-1902 and an engineer,
recounted in his memoirs their hard life in Ghent, as follows: In Ghent we lived in
a room paying so much for our lodging and breakfast rizal asked me: "How much
would the room cost us without the breakfast?" I talked to the landlady and she
told me that she would reduce the rent so much if without breakfast. Rizal made
his calculations and concluded that if we made our own breakfast we could save
something. He bought tea, sugar, alcohol, and a box of biscuits. Upon arriving at
the house he opened the biscuits and counted and divided them equally between
us. He told me that we owned so many biscuits each and that, by dividing the
number of biscuits by 30 days, we would have so many biscuits for each
breakfast. The first day, because of my personal pride, I contented myself with
my ration. And so with the following day. But on the third day, I told him that my
ration was not enough for me. Then he answered: "You may borrow from your
ration for tomorrow". Thru frequent borrowing I ate up all my shares in 15 days,
while he rigorously limited himself to his daily ration.

The Printing of El Filibusterismo. Shortly after his arrival in Ghent, Rizal searched
for a printing shop that could give him the lowest quotation for the publication of
his novel. At last, he did find a publisher - F. MEYER-VAN LOO PRESS, No. 66
Viaanderen Street - who was willing to print his book on installment basis. He
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

pawned his jewels in order to pay the downpayment and the early partial
payments during the printing of the novel. Meanwhile, as the printing is going on,
Rizal became desperate because his fumds were running low and the money he
expected from his friends did not arrive. He had received some money from Basa
and P200 from Rodriguez Arias for the copies of Morga's Sucesos sold in Manila.
But these funds were also

used up, and much more were needed to pay the printer. Writing to Basa from
Ghent on July 1891, Rizal said: "I have already pawned all my jewels, I live in a
small room, I eat in the cheapest restaurant in order economize and be able to
publish my book; soon I will have to stop its publication if no money comes... On
August 6, the printing had to be suspended, as Rizal feared, because hecould no
longer give the necessary funds to thw printer. On this datw, he wrote to Basa in
Hongkong: "As you will see in the enclosed clipping, the printing on the second
part (sequel to the Noli - Z.) is advanced, and I am now on page 112. Because
no money is forthcoming and I owe everybody and I am broke. I will have to
suspend the publication and leave the work half-finished". Ventura, Savior of the
Fili. Rizal's Calvary in connection with printing of the Noli was repeated in the
Fili's printing. His funds run out from Ghent, a similar calamity that he
experienced in Berlin in the winter in 1886. Once more he felt the dolorous grip of
despair. In a moment of bitter disillusionment, he almst hurled the manuscript of
the Fili into the flames, just as he almost did in Noli in Berlin. “I don’t know,” Rizal
told Basa in woeful mood, “if the money I expect does not arrive in the next mail,
I will give up the book and all, and I will embark to live and work for myself… At
times I feel like burninf my manuscript. But then I think of you, and I know that
there are many good men like you, good men who truly love their country” When
everything seemed lost, help came from an unexpected source. Valentin Ventura
in Paris learned of Rizal’s predicament and immediately sent him the necessary
funds. With his financial aid, the printing of the Fili waa resumed. The Fili Comes
Off the Press. At last, on September 18, 1891, el Filibusterismo came off the
press. Rizal, now a very happy man, immediately sent on this date two printed
copies to Hongkong – one for BAsa and the other for Sixto Lopez. To his friend in
Paris, Valentin Ventura, who generously loaned him the funds needed to finish
the printing of the novel, Rizal gratefully donated the original manuscript and an
autographed printed copy. He sent other complimentary copies to Blumentrit,
Mariano Ponce, G. Lopez Jaena, T.H. Pardo de Tavera, Antonio and Juan Luna,
and other friends. Filipino patriots in foreign lands and in the Philippines praised
the novel to the skies. The members of the Filipino colony of Barcelona published
a tribute in La Publicidad, a Barcelona newspaper, eulogizing the novel’s original
style which “is comparable only to the sublime Alexander dumas” and may well
be offered as “as model and a precious jewel in the now decadent literature of
Spain” The liberal Madrid newspaper, El Nuevo Regimen, serialized the nove in
its issues of October, 1891. Practically, all copies of the first edition (Ghent
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

edition) of el Filibusterismo were placed in wooden boxes and shipped to


Hongkong, but almost all the boxes were confiscated and the books were lost.
So it came to pass that the book immediately became rare, anfd the few
available Ghent copies were sold at

very high prices, reaching as high as 400 persetas per copy. Dedicated to Gom-
Bur-Za. Evidently, Rizal in all the years of his studies, travels, and labors in
foreign lands, had not forgotten the martyrdom of Fathers Gomez, Burgos,
Zamora, which Paciano related to him when he was a mere lad in Calamba. He
dedicated El Filibusterismo to them. His dedication reads as follows: To the
memory of the priests, Don Mariano Gomez (85 years old), Don Jose Burgos (30
years old), and Don Jacinto Zamora (35 years old). Executed in Bagumbayan
Field on the 28th of february, 1872. The Church, by refusing to degrade you, has
placed in doubt the crime that has been imputed to you; the Government, by
surrounding your trials with mystery and shadows, causes the belief that there
was some error, committed in fatal moments; and all the Philippines, by
worshipping your memory and calling you martyrs, in no sense recognizes your
culpability. In so far, therefore, as your complicity in the Cavite mutiny is not
clearly proved, as you may or may not have cherished sentiments for justice and
for liberty, I have the right to dedicate my work to you as victims of the evil which
I undertake to combat. And while we wait expectantly upon Spain some day to
restore your good name and cease to be answerable for your death, let these
pages serve as a tardy wreath of dried leaves over your unknown tombs, and let
it be understood that every onw who without clear proofs attacks your memory
stains his hands in your blood!

Never in the annals of mankind has a hero written such a sublime and touching
tribute to other heroes as Rizal. To straighten historical records, however, we
must rectify Rizal’s historical inaccuracies in his dedicatory note. First of all, the
martyrdom of Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora occurred on February 17, 1872 – not
on the 28th . Secondly, Father Gomez was 73 years old – not 85, Father Burgos
was 35 years old – not 30, and Father Zamora wa 37 years old – not 35. The
Manuscript and the Book. The original manuscript of El Filibusterismo in Rizal’s
own handwriting is now preserved in the Filipiana Division of the Bureau of Public
Libraries, Manila. It had been acquired by the Philippine Government from
Valentin Ventura for P10,000. It consists of 279 pages of long sheets of paper.
The author’s corrections are seen throuhjout the manuscript. Only a few pages
have not been revised by Rizal. Two features in the manuscript do not appear in
the printed book, namely: the FOREWORD and the WARNING. These were not
put into print, evidently, to save printing cost. The FOREWORD appears just
before the dedicatory page in the manuscript. It turns as follows: We have so
often been frightened by the phantom of filibusterism that from only a nurse’s
narration it has become a positive and real being whose name alone (in depriving
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

us of our serenity) makes us commit the greatest myths in order not to meet the
feared reality. Instead of fleeing, we shall look at its face, and with determined, if
inexpert, hand we shall raise the veil to uncover before the multitude the
mechanism of its skeleton. If, upon seeing it, our coountry and its government
reflect, we shall consider ourselves happy no

matter whether they censure us for the audacity, no matter whether we pay for it
like the young student of Sais who wished to penetrate the secret of the priestly
imposure. (On the other hand, if in the face of reality, instead of being soothed,
one’s fear is increased and the trepidation of another is aggravated, then they will
have to be left in the hands of time which educates the living, in the hands of
fatality which weaves the destinies of peoples and their governments which the
faults and errors that they are committing everyday.)

The WARNING is found on the other side of the dedication. It is as follows: They
are going to waste their time who woould sttack this book by holding on to trifles,
or whom from other motives, would try yo discover in it more or less known
physiognomies. True to his purpose of exposing the disease, of the patient, and,
in order not to divert himself nor divert the reader, whilst he narrates only real
facts which happened recently and are absolutely authntic in substance, he has
disfigured his characters so that they may not turn to be the typical pictures some
readers found in his first book. Man passes; his vices remain, and to accentuate
or shohw their effects, the pen of the writer aspires.

Inscription on Title Page. The title page of El Filibusterismo contains an


inscription written by Ferdinand Blumentritt. This inscription, which is not found in
many published English translations, is as follows: It can easily be supposed that
a rebel (filibustero) has secretly bewitshed the league of friar-zealots and
retrogades so that, unwittingly following his incitements, they should favor and
forment that policy which pursues one sole end; to spread ideas of rebellion
throughout the length and breadth of the land, and to convince every Filipino that
there is no salvation except through separation form the Mother Country. -

Ferdinand Blumentritt

Synopsis of El Filibusterismo. This novel is a sequel to the Noli. It has little


humor, less idealism, and less romance than the Noli Me tangere. It is more
revolutionary, more tragic than the first novel. The hero of El Filibusterismo is a
rich jeweler named Simoun. He was Crisostomo Ibarra of the Noli, who, with
Elias’ help, escaped from the pursuing soldiers at Laguna de Bay, dug up his
buried treasure, and fled to Cuba where he became rich and befriended many
Spanish officials. After many years, he returns to the Philippines, where he freely
moved around. He is a powerful figure not only because he is rich jeweler, but
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

also because he is a good friend and adviser of the governor general. Outwardly,
Somoun is a friend of Spain. However, deep in his heart, he is secretly cherishing
a terrible against the Spanish authorities. His two magnificent obsessions are (1)
to rescue Maria Clara from the nunnery Santa Clara and (2) to foment a
revolution against the hated Spanish masters. The story El Filibusterismo begins
on board the clumsy, roundish shaped steamer Tabo, so appropriately named.
This steamer is sailing upstream the Pasig form Manila to Laguna de Bay.
Among the passengers are Simoun, the rich jeweler; Dona Victorina, the
ridiculously pro-Spanish native woman who is going to Laguna in search of her
henpecked husband, tiburcio de Espadana, who has deserted her; Paulita
Gomez, her beautiful niece; Ben-Zayb (anagram of ibanez), a Spanish journalist
who writes silly articles about Filipinos; Padre Sibyla, Vice-Rector of the
University of Sto. Tomas; Padre Camorra, the parish priest

of the town of Tiani; Don Custodio, a pro-Spanish Filipino holding a high position
in the hovernment; Padre Salvi, thin Franciscan friar and former cura of San
diego; Padre Irene, a kinf friar who was a friend of the Filipino students; Padre
Florentino, a retired scholarly and patriotic Filipno priest; Isagani, a poet-nephew
of Padre Florentino and a lover of paulita; and basilio, son of Sisa and promising
medical student, whose medical education is financed by his patron, Capitan
tiago. Simoun, a man of wealth and mystery, is a very close friend and confidante
of the Spanish governor general. Because of his great influence in Malacanang,
he was called the “Brown Cardinal” or the “Black Eminence”. By using his wealth
and his political influence, he encourages corruption in the government,
promotes the oppression of the masses, and hastens the moral degradation of
the country so that the people may become desperate and fight. He smuggles
arms into the country with the help of a rich Chinese merchant, Quiroga, who
wants very much to be Chinese consul of Manila. His first attempt to begin the
armed uprising did not materialize because at the last hour he hears the sad
news that Maria Clara died in the nunnery. In his agonizing moment of
bereavement, he did not give the signal for the outbreak of hostilities. After a long
of illness brought about by the bitter loss of Maria Clara, Simoun perfects his plan
to overthrow the government. On the occasion of the wedding of Paulita Gomez
and Juanito Pelaez, he gives as wedding gift to them a beautiful lamp. Only he
and his confidential associate; Basilio (Sisa’s son who joined his revolutionary
cause), know that when the wick of his lamp burns lower the nitroglyverine,
hidden in its secret compartment, will explode, destroying the house where the
wedding feast is going to be held and killing all the guests, including the governor
general, the friars, and the government officials. Simultaneously, all the
government buildings in Manila will be blown by Simoun’s followers. As the
wedding feast begins, the poet Isagani, who has been rejected by Paulita
because of his liberal ideas, is standing outside the house, watching sorrowfully
the merriment inside. Basilio, his friend, warns him to go away because the
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

lighted lamp will soon explode. Upon hearing the horrible secret of the lamp,
Isagani realizes that his beloved Paulita was in grave danger. To save her life, he
rushes into the house, seizes the lighted lamp, and hurls it into river, where it
explodes. The revolutionary plot was thus discovered. Simoun was cornered by
the soldiers, but he escaped. Mortally wounded, and carrying his treasure chest,
he sought refuge in the home of Padre Florentino by the sea. The Spanish
authorities, however, learns of his presence in the house of Padre Florentino,
revealing his true identity, his dastardly plan to use his wealth to avenge himself,
and his sinister aim to destroy his friends and enemies. The confession of the
dying Simoun is long and painful. It is already night when Padre Florentino,
wiping the sweat from his wrinkled brow, rises and begins to meditate. He
consoles the dying man, saying: “God will forgive you, Senor Simoun. He knows
that we are fallible. He has seen that you have suffered, and in ordaining that the
chastisement for your faults should come as death from the very ones you have

instigated to crime, we can see His infinite mervy. He has frustrated your plans
one by one, the best conceived, first by the death of Maria Clara, then by a lack
of preparation, then in some mysterious way. Let us bow to His will and render
him thanks!” Watching Simoun die peacefully with a clear conscience and at
peace with God, Padre Florentino murmurs: “Where are the youth who will
consecrate their golden hours, their illusions, and their enthusiasm to the welfare
of their native land? Where are the youth who will generously pour out their blood
to wash away so much shame, so much crime, so much abomination? Pure and
spotless must the victim be that the sacrifice may be acceptable! Where are you,
youth, who will embody in yourselves the vigor of life that has left our veins, the
purity of ideas that has been contaminated in our brains, the fire of enthusiasm
that has been quenched in our hearts! We await you, O youth! Come, for we
await you!”

Padre Florentino falls upon his knees and prays for the dead jeweler. He takes
the treasure chest and throws it into the sea. As the waves close over the sinking
chest, he invokes: “May nature guard you in her deep abysses among the pearls
and corals of her eternal seas. When for some holy and sublime purposes man
may need you, God will in His wisdom draw you from the bosom of the waves.
Meanwhile, there you will not work woe, you will not distort justice, you will not
foment avarice!”

There are other characters in el Filibusterismo. There is Cabesang Tales, who is


dispossessed of his land in Tiani by the friars like that of rizal’s father. In
desperation, he becomes a bandit chieftain named Matanglawin. His daughter
Juli, sweetheart of basilio (Sisa’s son), kills herself rather that be dishonored by
Padre camorra. There is macaraig, a rich student and leader of the Filipino
students in their movement to have an academy where they could learn Spanish.
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

There is the bigoted dominican friar-professor, Padre Millon, who teaches


physics in the University of Snato Tomas without scientific experiments. One of
his students, Placido Penitente from batangas, becomes discontented with the
poor method of instruction in the university. And there is Senor pasta, the old
Filipino lawyer, who refuses to help the Filipino students in their petition to the
government for educational reforms. Other characters in el Filibusterismo are
Tandang Selo, grandfather of Juli and cabesang tales’ father; Mr. American
impressario who owned the sideshow at the feria (fair) of quiapo exhibiting and
Egyptian mummy; Sandoval, a Spaninsh student who supports the cause of the
Filipino students to propagate the teaching of spanish; Pecson, one of the
Filipino students who agitates for the teaching of spanish; Cabesana Andang, the
mother of Placido Penitente; Pepay; the pretty dancer and mistress of Don
Custodio; Padre Fernandez, a good Dominican friar and friend of Isagani; Don
Timoteo, the father of Juanito Pelaez; Tano, the son of cabesang tales and
brother of Juli; And chichay, the silversmith who made the bridal earrings for
Paulita Gomez. As in the Noli the characters in El Filibusterismo were drawn by
Rizal from real life. For instance, Padre Florentino was father Leoncio Lopez,
rizal’s friend and priest of calamba; isagani, the poet was Vicente Ilustre,
batagueno friend of rizal in Madrid and Paulita Gomez, thegirl who loved Isagani
but

married Juanito Pelaez, was Leonor Rivera.

“Noli” and “Fili” Compared. The two novels of Rizal vary in many respects,
although they are written by the same author and are supposed to be dealing
with the same story and have the same characters. The Noli is a romantic novel;
it is a “work of the heart” – a “book of feeling”; it has freshness, color, humor,
lightness and wit. On the other hand, the Fili is a political novel; it is a “work of
the head”; a “book of the thought”; it contains bitterness, hatred, pain, violence
and sorrow. The original intention of Rizal was to make the Fili longer than the
Noli. As printed, however, it is shorter than the Noli. It contains 38 chapters as
against the Noli’s 64. Rizal had to cut the Fili drastically owing to lack of funds.
The friends of Rizal and our Rizalists today differ in opinion as to which is the
superior novel – the Noli or the Fili. Rizal himself considered the Noli as superior
to the Fili as a novel thereby agreeing with M.H. del Pilar who had the same
opinion. Retana, Rizal’s first Spanish biographer, also believes that the Noli is
superior than the Fili. However, others – including Blumentritt, Graciano Lopez
Jaena, and Dr. Rafael Palma, - are of the opinion that the Fili is superior to the
Noli. Lopez Jaena in a letter to Rizal dated October 2, 1891, said: “El
Filibusterismo is a novel superior to your Noli Me Tangere, as much for its
exquisite delicate, literary style, its easy and correct dialogue, its clear
phraseology, vigorous and elegant, as for its profound ideas and sublime
thoughts”. However, he was not satisfied fully with the Fili as political novel
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

because its “end is not a worthy climax to a work so beautiful”. Accordingly, he


advised Rizal to write another novel which would give a definite solution to mthe
country’s problem so that “the coming of the beautiful day of our redemption”
may be hastened. The issue of which is the superior novel – the Noli or the Fili –
is purely academic. Both are good novels from the point of view of history. Both
depict with realistic colors the actual conditions of the Philippines and the
Filipinos during the decadent days of Spanish rule; both are instrumental in
awakening the spirit of Filipino nationalism; and both are responsible in paving
the ground for the Philippine Revolution that brought about the downfall of Spain.
Neither the Noli or the Fili are superior to one another. As Mariano Ponce aptly
told Rizal, after reading the Fili: “ It is, indeed, excellent, I can say nothing of your
book, but this: It is really marvelous like all the brilliant productions of your pen. It
is the true twin of the Noli”. Rizal’s Unfinished Third Novel. Even before Lopez
Jaena suggested the writing of another novel, Rizal had already in mind to pen a
third novel. On September 22, 1891, four days after the Fili came of the press, he
wrote to Blumentritt: “I am thinking of writing a third novel, a novel in the modern
sense of the word, but this time politics will not find much space in it, but ethics
will play the principal role. I shall deal mainly with the habits and customs of the
Filipinos, and only two spaniards, the friar curate and lieutenant of the Guardia
Civil will be there. I wish to be there. I wish to be humorous, satirical and witty, to
weep and to laugh, to laugh amidst tears, that is, to cry bitterly. On October 18,
1891, Rizal boarded the steamer Melbourne in Merseilles bound for Hongkong.
During the voyage he began writing the third novle in tagalog which he intended
for Tagalog readers. In Hongkong he continued it, but for some reason or
another he did not finish it. The unfinished third novel has no title. It consists of
44 pages (33 cm. x 21 cm.) in Rizal’s

handwriting, still in manuscript form, it is preserved in the National Library,


Manila. The story of this unfinished novel begins with the solemn burial of Prince
Tagulima, son of Sultan Zaide of Ternate on Malapad-na-Bato, abig rock on the
bank of the Pasig River. Sultan Zaide with his family and retainers, was taken
prisoner by the spaniards during the wars in the Mollucas and brought to Manila.
The old sultan, his children, and followers were promised good treatment, but the
spaniards forgot their promise and let them die one by one in misery. The hero of
the novel was Kamandagan, a descendant of Lakan-Dula, last king of Tondo. He
plotted to regain the lost freedom of his fathers. One day he saved his two
beautiful granddaughters. Maligaya and Sinagtala, from the lustful Spaniards –
the cura and encomendero of Bay, Laguna. Rizal’s Other Unfinished Novel. Rizal
had other unfinished novels. One of the is entitled Makamisa, a novel in Tagalog.
It is written in a light sarcastic style and is incomplete for only two chapters are
finished. The manuscript consist of 20 pages, 23 cm x 16 cm. A novel in Spanish
about the life in Pili, a town in Laguna, is also unfinished. The manuscript
consists of 147 pages, 8” x 6.5”, without title. Among the characters are the
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

following: Padre Agaton, a Spanish friar; Capitan Panchong and Capitana


Barang; Cecilia, their pretty daughter; Isagani, lover of Cecilia; Capitan Cripin,
political rival of Panchong; and Dr. Lopez, a free thinker. Another unfinished
novel of Rizal, also without title, is about Cristobal, a youthful Filipino student who
has returned from Europe. The manuscript consists of 34 pages, 8 ½ “ x 6 ¼ “.
Among the characters are Cristobal, who had studied for 12 years in Europe;
Amelia, his sweetheart; Capitan Ramon, the father of Cristobal; a Dominican
friar; a Franciscan friar; and a Spanish lieutant of the Guardia Civil. The
beginnings of another novel are contained in two notebooks – the first notebook
contains 31 written pages, 35.5 cm x 22 cm, and the second 12 written pages, 22
cm x 17 cm. Through the mouth of the celestial characters, the author describes
the deploravle condition sof the Phillipines. This unfinished nivel is written in
Spanish and the style is ironic.
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

CHAPTER 20
OPHTHALMIC SURGEON IN HONGKONG (1891-92)

Opthalmic Surgeon in Hong Kong(1891-92)Rizal lived in Hong Kong from


November, 1891to June, 1892Reasons for leaving Europe: Life wasunbearable
in Europe because of his politicaldifferenceswithM.H.delPilarand other Filipinos in
Spain2. To benear his idolized Philippines and familyBefore sailing for Hong
Kong, henotified Del Pilar that he was retiring from thepolitical arena in Spain in
orderto preserve unity among the compatriots and that despite theirparting of
ways,he had the highest regard forhim.FAREWELL TO EUROPEOctober 3.
1891 (two weeks after the publication of the Fili)Rizal left Ghent for Paris, said
goodbye to the Lunas,the Pardo deTaveras,theVenturas,andotherfriends.October
18, 1891Boarded the steamer Melbourne bound for Hong Kong. He brought with
him a letter ofrecommendation by Juan Luna for Manuel Camus, a compatriot
living inSingapore.October 22, 1891Wrote to Blumenttrit wherein he said:Since
we left Marseilles, we have had . . . Magnificent weather. Thesea is calm, placid
like glass, the sky blue, theair fresh and invigorating.Truly it isa HEAVENLY
trip.There were over 80 first-classpassengersmostly Europeans. Rizal was the
onlyAsian among themHe amazed hisfellow-passengers because ofhis
knowledge of many languages and his skill sketching.He befriended many
missionaries (Italian Franciscans, French Jesuits, Msgr. Velenteri, Father Fuchs,
a Tyrolese, in which Rizal described as. . .fine fellow, a Father Damaso without
pride and malice. RIZAL AND THE GERMAN LADIESSuddenly, the door of the
dining room was blown open, due to a heavy squall encountered by the running
steamer. Nobody stood up toclose the door.Alady saidto her companions in
German: If thisman in front ofus were a gentleman he would close the door.
Upon hearing, Rizal, Rizal without saying a word rose and closed the door, after
which he resumed his seat. He then conversed with the German ladies in fluent
German. Of course, the ladies were very much embarrassed, and thereafter they
treated Rizal with admiration and ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG - November 20,
1891- Rizal arrived in Hong Kong. He was welcomed by the Filipino residents
especially hisoldfriend,JoseMa.Basa- He resided atNo. 5DAguilar Street No.2
Rednaxela Terracewherehealso opened his medical clinic.December 1, 1891-
Rizal wrote to his parents asking permission to return home. On the same date,
Hidalgo, his brother in law sent him a letterrelatingthe sad news of the
deportation of twenty-fivepersons from Calamba including father, Neneng, Sisa,
Lucia,Paciano and the rest of us.FAMILY REUNION IN HONG KONG- Before
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

Christmas of 1891. Rizal was gladdened by the arrival of his father, brother and
Silvestre Ubaldo (brother-in-law) in Hong Kong. Not long afterwards his mother
and sisters Lucia, Josefaand Trinidad also arrived.- Rizals Motherwas then 65
years old and was almost blind, suffered Spanish brutality and injustice(1890)
wasarrested on the flimsy charge that she was not usinghersurname
Realondaand,despiteheradvancedage and blindness she was forced to walk
from Calamba to SantaCruz(capitalofLaguna) Fortunately, the Spanish governor
ofLaguna pitied her and kindly set her free.The Christmas of 1891 In Hong Kong
was one of the happiest yuletide celebrations in Rizal s life, for he had a happy
family reunion.January 31, 1891Rizal wrote toBlumentritt, as follows:Here we are
allliving together, my parents, sisters, andbrother, in peace and far fromthe
persecutions they suffered in the Philippines. They are very much pleased witthe
English government.OPTHALMIC SURGEON IN HONG KONGRizal practiced
medicine in order to earn a living Dr. Lorenzo P.Marques,aPortuguese physician,
became Rizals friend and admirer and helped Rizal build a wide clienteleDr.
Rizal became a successful and well-known medical practitioner in the British
colony and had many patients (British, Chinese, Portuguese,and Americans).
Writing to Blumentritt on January 31, 1892,he said:Here I practiced as a doctor
and I have . . .heremany sick ofinfluenza because there is anepidemic. Through
the newspapers I aminformed that this sickness is also causing ravages in
Europe. I hopeyou and your esteemed family will be spared. In our house,
mymother, my brother-in-law, and one of mysistersare sick. Thank God, they
areout of danger. - Friends of Rizal from Europe gave him moral and substantial
aid - From Biarritz, Mr. Boustead, Nellies father, wrote to him on March 21,1892,
praising him for practicing his medical profession. - Dr. Ariston Bautista Lin, from
Paris, sent hima congratulatory letter and a book on Diagnostic Pathology (Dr.
H.Virchow) and another entitled Traite Diagnostique by (Mesnichock) - Don
Antonio Vergel de Dios, also from Paris offered him his services for the purchase
of medical books and instruments. - Had Rizal devoted his lifetime to the practice
of medicine he would have become one ofAsias eminent ophthalmologist. In the
words of Dr. Geminiano de Ocampo, (distinguished
Filipinoophthalmologist)He(Rizal) had all the qualities that would make an
idealophthalmicsurgeon a keen and analytical intellect, lightnessof touchand
artistry of a painter, courageand imperturbability, a broad anddeep knowledge of
medicineand ophthalmology, andlast but not least, he had been properly
andadequately trained bymaster ophthalmic surgeons.BORNEO
COLONIZATION PROJECTIn the face of the bleak outlook of the Calamba folks
under Governor Valeriano Weylers terroristic regime, Rizal conceived the
establishment of a Filipino colony in North Borneo (Sabah)Proposed settlement
in Borneo.Rizal therefore made up his mind to visit his home once more. He still
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

cherished the plan of transferring those of his relatives and friends who were
homeless through the land troubles, or discontented with their future in the
Philippines, to the district offered to him by the British North Borneo CompanyHe
planned to move the landless Filipino families to that rich British-owned island
and carve out of its virgin wildness a New Calamba.March 7, 1892: Rizal went to
Sandakan on board ship Menon to negotiate with the British Colonies. He looked
over the landup to the Bengkoka rive in Maradu Bay.The British authorities were
willing to give the Filipino colonists 100,00 acres of land, abeautiful harbor, and a
good government for 999 years, free of all chargesRizals friends in Europe: Juan
and Antonio Luna, Lopez Jaena, Blumentritt, Dr. Bautista Lin, etc.
enthusiastically endorsed hisproject.One of Rizals brothers-in-law, Hidalgo, the
brave Batangueno, objected to the colonization project.GovernorWyler was
relieved of his gubernatorial officeA new governor general Eulogio Despujol. In
the belief thatGovernor Despujol was sincere in his beautiful promises, Rizal sent
him a letterof felicitation and offering his cooperation.The governor general didnot
even acknowledge receipt ofhis letterRizal wrote a second letter dated March
21,1892 and gave it to aship captain to be sure it would reach Governor
Despujols hands.Once more Despujol did not give Rizal the courtesy of
reply.Instead, he notified the Spanish consul general in Hongkong totell Rizal
thathe could not approve the Filipino immigration to Borneo, alleging that the
Philippines lacked laborers and it was not very patriotic to go off and cultivate
foreign soil.WRITINGS IN HONG KONGAng Mga Karapatan Nang Tao, whichis
a Tagalog translation of the Rights of Mans proclaimed by the French Revolution
in 1789 Ala Nacion Espanola (Tothe Spanish Nation), which is an appeal to
Spain to right the wrongs done to the Calamba tenants (1891)Sa Mga
Kababayan (To My Fellowmen) December 1891 Rizal contributed articles to the
Britishdaily newspaper, The Hong Kong Telegraph. Whose editor, Mr. Frazier
Smith, was his friend. Copies of thisnewspaper entered the Philippines so that
Filipino people were able to read Rizals articles. The vigilantSpanish censors
soon discovered the spread ofRizal side and immediately banned the Hong Kong
newspaper.Constitution of the Liga FilipinaRizal during his Hong Kong sojourn
which was printed in Hong Kong, 1892. To deceive the Spanish authorities, the
printed copies carried the false information that the printing was done by the
London Printing Press, No. 25, Khulug Street London. The ideaof establishing
theLiga Filipina (Philippine League), an association ofpatriotic Filipinos for
civicpurposes, was originally oncieved by Jose Ma. Basa.May 1892Rizal made
up his mind to return to Manila. The reasons: To confer withGovernor Despujol
regarding his Borneocolonizationproject.2. To establish the LigaFilipina in
Manila.To prove to Eduardo de Lete was wrong in attacking him in Madrid that
Rizal,. being comfortable and safe in Hong Kong, had abandoned the countrys
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

cause Letes attack, which was printed in La Solidaridad onApril 15,1892,


portrayed Rizal as cowardly,egoistic. Opportunistic, patriot inwordsonly.Rizal
vehemently protested to Del Pilar, the editor of La Solidaridad, saying:I am more
convinced that Lete,in writing his article,was too hasty, and you permitted
yourself to be carried away. Friend or enemy, if the article has harmed me, it
would harmmore the interests of the Philippines. Who knows, however, ifafter a
long silence I enter the field anew . .. I am going toactivate the Propaganda again
and fortify the Liga.Relatives and friends of Rizalopposed his decision to return
home because it was like bearding the lions in their den.His sisterTrinidad
tearfully warned him to desist, forhere they will kill you June 19, 1892, he spent
his 31st birthday in HK.June 20 he wrote two letters which he sealed inscribed on
each envelope to be opened after my death,and give it to Dr. Lorenzo P.
Marquez.The first letter, addressed TO MY PARENTS, BRETHREN
ANDFRIENDS, is as follows.The affection that I have ever professed for you
suggests .This step, and timealone can tell whether or notit is sensible .The
outcomejudges thingsaccording to the consequences but whether the result be
favorable orunfavorable, it may always be said thatduty urged me, so ifI die doing
it, itwill not matter. I realize how much suffering I have caused you yet Ido not
Regret what I have done. Rather, ifI had to beginover again I shoulddo justthe
same, for what I have done hasbeen only in pursuitof my duty. Gladly doI go to
expose myself to peril, not as an expiation of misdeeds for thismatter I believe
myself guiltless of any, but to complete my work andso that,I,myself, may offer
theexamples of whichI have always preached. A man ought to die for duty and
his principles. I hold fast to every idea which I haveadvanced asto the condition
andfuture of our country, and shall willingly die of it, and even more willingly
sacrifice all to securejustice and peace for you.With pleasure, then, I risk life to
save so many innocent persons so many nieces and nephews, so many children
of friends, and children too ofothers whoare not evenfriends whoa are suffering
on myaccount.What am I? a bachelor, practically withouta family and
sufficientlyundeceived asto life. I have had many disappointments and the future
beforeme isgloomy, and will be gloomy if light does not illuminate it withthe dawn
of a better day for my native land. On the other hand, there are manypersons,
filled with hope and ambition, who perhaps might be happier if weredead, and
then Ihope my enemies would be satisfied and stoppersecutingso many entirely
innocent people. To a certain extenttheirhatred is justifiableas to myself, and my
parents and relatives.Should fate go against me, you will allunderstand that I
shalldie happy in the thought that my death will end all your troubles. Return to
our country andmay you be happy in it. Till the last moment of my life I shall be
thinking ofyou and wishing you all good fortune and happiness.The second letter,
addressed TO THE FILIPINOS, isas follows:The step which I am taking, orrather
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

am about to take, is undoubtedly risky,and it is unnecessaryto say that I have


considered it for some time. I understandthat almost every oneopposed to it;but I
know also that hardly anybody else understands what is in my heart. Icannot live
on seeingso many suffer unjust persecution on my account; I cannot bearthe
sight of my sisters and there numerous families treated like criminals. Iprefer
death and cheerfully shall relinquish life to free so many innocentpersons from
such unjust persecution. I appreciate the fact that at present the future of our
countrygravitate sin some degree around me, that at my death many will feel
triumphant, and thus, many are now wishing for my fall. But what of it? I hold
duties ofconscience above all else.I have obligations to the familieswho suffer, to
my aged parents whose sight strikes me to the heart; Iknow that I alone, only
with my death, can make them happy, returning them to theirnative land to a
peaceful life at home. I am all my parents have, but our country has many more
sons who can take my place and even do my work better.Besides I wish to show
those who deny us the boon of patriotism that we know howto die for duty and
principles.What matters death, if one diesfor what one loves, for native land and
beings held dear? If I thought that I were the only resource for the consummation
of a policy of progress in the Philippinesand were I convinced that my
countrymen were going to make use of my services, perhaps I should hesitate
about taking this step; but there are others who can take my place,who can do
my services that are not utilized,and I amreduced to in activity. Always have I
loved our unhappy land, and I am sure thatI shall continue loving it till my last
moment, in case menprove unjust to me. My career, my life, my happiness all I
have sacrificed for love of it. Whatever my fate I shall die blessing it and
longingfor the dawn of its redemption.LAST HONG KONG LETTERSJune 21
1892 Rizal wroteanother letterto Governor Despujol, in whichhe informed the
governor general of his coming to Manila and placed himself under the protection
of the Spanish government.June 21: On the same date Rizal and his sister Lucia,
widow of Herbosa, left Hong Kong for Manila. They carried a special passport or
safe-conduct issued by the Spanish consul general in HongKong.RIZAL FALLS
INTO SPANISH TRAPAfter Rizals departure, the Spanish consul-general, who
issued the government guarantee of safety, sent a cablegram to Governor
Despujol that the victim is in the trapFacsimile of a part of Despujol's private
inquiry of Executive Secretary de la TorreCase secretly filed against RizalJune
21, 1892 A secret case was filed in Manila against Rizal and his followers foranti-
religious and anti-patriotic agitation. The deceitful Despujol ordered his secretary,
Luis de la Torre, to findout ifRizal was naturalized as a German citizen, aswas
rumored, so that he mighttake proper action against one who had the protection
of a strong nationA Landmark of Dr. Jose Rizal stay in Hongkong*
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM
JOHNPAUL R MOLDES 3RDYEAR HRM

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