Divine Word College of San Jose

San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

College Department

Module 5
 Lesson 8

1. Title: The Life and Works of Jose Rizal

2. Scope: Writings of Dr. Jose P. Rizal

3. Overview:
 This modules learned the Rizal’s writings such as novels, poems, drama, manifesto,
satires, etc.

4. Objectives:
 Enumerate the significance of each of his works in their own context and relate the
significance of Rizals works to one’s life.
 Appraise important characters in the novel and what they represent
o Examine the present Philippine situation through the examples mentioned
in the Noli
 Compare and contrast the characters, plot and theme of the Noli and the El Fili
 Value the role of the youth in the development and future of society

5. Discussion of the Topics

Introduction
hen Dr. Jose Rizal was 26, he published his first novel “Noli Me Tangere” in
W Belgium in the year 1887. It was the Book that gave a spark in the Philippine
Revolutions. It talked about the Spaniard’s arrogance and despicable use of religion to achieve
their own desires and rise to power. It mostly talked about the life of Crisostomo Ibarra, a member
of the Insulares (Creoles) social class, and a series of unfortunate events that he encountered
through the works of a Franciscan friar, namely Padre Damaso Verdolagas, and by the Spanish
conquistadors.
Noli Me Tangere, a Latin phrase used by Jose Rizal as a title for his first novel, was actually
the words used by Jesus Christ to Mary Magdalene when she saw him resurrected from the dead.
It roughly translated as “Touch Me Not” in English.
These words were said because Jesus, although risen in body and in spirit, was not the same
for as he was before. Being glorified, waiting for the right time to ascend to Heaven and such, he
did not allow himself yet to be known until the Great Commission.

A. Finish Novels: Noli Me Tangere and El Filibuterismo

 ◦ The Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a book written Beecher Stowe, which portrays the brutalities of
American slave-owners and the pathetic conditions of the unfortunate Negro slaves
inspired Rizal to prepare a novel that would depict the miseries of the Filipino people under
the lash of Spanish tyrants.
◦ Rizal was then a medical student at the Universidad Cental de Madrid.

Noli Me Tangere

◦ End of 1884 – Rizal started to write NOLI ME TANGERE in Madrid and finished about
one-half of it.
◦ 1885 – While studying at the Universidad Central de Madrid, he finished one-half of the
second half. He finished the last fourth of Noli in Germany.
◦ The last few chapters were written at Wilhernfeld in April- June 1886.
◦ Viola Financed the Printing – Viola agreed to finance the printing cost of the Noli.
◦ He also loaned Rizal some cash money for living expenses
◦ To save printing expenses, Rizal deleted certain passages in his manuscript
including the whole chapter, Elias and Salome.
◦ Printing of the Noli – Rizal with the help of Viola, supervised the printing of the Noli. Day
by day, they were at the printing shop proof-reading the printed pages.
◦ Noli came off the press on March 21, 1887.
◦ First copies of the printed novel were sent to Rizal’s intimate friends like Blumentritt, Dr.
Antonio Ma. Regidor, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Mariano Ponce and Felix R. Hidalgo.
◦ March 29, 1887 – Rizal gave the galley proofs of the Noli in token of his appreciation and
gratitude.
◦ The Title of the Noli. Noli Me tangere, which names “ Touch Me Not”, was taken from the
bible, particularly the Gospel of St. John (Chapter 20, Verses 13 to 28)
◦ According to St. John, on the First Easter Sunday, St. Mary Magdalene visited the Holy
Sepaulcher, and to her Our Lord Jesus, just risen from the dead said:
◦ ‘Touch me not”, I am not yet ascended to my Father, but go to my brethren, and say unto
them. I ascend unto my Father and Your Father; and to my God and your God”.

Attackers and Defender of the Noli

Attackers:
1. Fr. Jose Rodriguez, an Augustine priest who published a series of eight(8) pamplets to
discredit the controversial novel.
2. Father Font – printed and distributed copies to discredit the controversial novel.
3. General Jose de Salamanca
4. General Luis M. de Pedro
5. Sr. Fernando Vida
6. Vicente Barrantes, the Spanish academician of Madrid who bitterly criticized the Noli in an
Article published in La Espana Moderna (Madrid newspaper) in January, 1890.

Defenders:
1. Marcelo H. del Pilar
2. Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor
 3. Graciano Lopez Jaena
4. Mariano Ponce
5. Father Sanchez, Rizal’s favorite teacher at the Ateneo
6. Don Segismundo Moret, former Minister of the Crow
7. Dr. Miguel Morayta, historian and statesmen
8. Professor Blumentritt, scholar and educator
9. Other Filipino reformists in foreign lands
10. Rev Vicente Garcia, a Filipino priest-scholar and a Tagalog translator
11. Desiderio Magalong

Notable Purposes
1. To picture the past and the realities in the Philippines
2. To reply to insults heaped on the Filipinos and their country
3. To unmask the hypocrisy that have impoverished and brutalized the Filipino people
4. To stir the patriotism of the Filipino people

EL FILIBUTERISMO

◦ After arrived in Ghent, Belgium, he search for a printing press with the lowest cost for the
publication of his Fili.
◦ F. Meyer Van Loo Press –charged the lowest fee and was willing to print the book on
installment basis
◦ To pay the down payment, Rizal pawned his jewels.
◦ While the printing was going on, Rizal was desperate because his funds were running low
◦ The money he received from Basa and 200.00 from Rodriguez arias were also used up and
much more needed to pay the printing press.
◦ The printing has to be suspended because he could no longer give the needed amount, in a
moment of despair, he almost hurled the manuscript into flames, just as he almost did to
Noli in Berlin.
◦ When everything seemed lost, an unexpected help from Valentin Ventura in Paris who
learned of Rizal’s predicament. When Ventura sent him the necessary funds, the printing
of the book was resumed
◦ Printing of the Fili was Completed. On September 18, 1891, El Filibuterismo came off
the press. Now, Rizal was a happy man.
◦ Immediately, he sent two(2) copies to Basa and Sixto Lopez who were in Hongkog
◦ He also complimentary copies to Blumentritt, Mariano Ponce, graciano Lopez Jaena, Pardo
de Tavra, Antonio and Juan Luna and other friends.
◦ He gratefully donated the original manuscript and an autographed printed copy
◦ El Nueva Regiman, a liberal Madrid newspaper, serialized the novel in the issues of
October 1891
◦ Rizal dedicated the novel to Gom-Burza because of their martyrdom.
◦ Manuscript and the Book – the original copies was preserved in the National Library
◦ It was acquired from Valentin by the Philippine Government consists of 279 pages of long
sheets of paper.
EL FILIBUSTERISMO COVER
◦ Tagalog Translation: Madaling ipagpalagay na ang isang rebelde (pilibustero) ay lihim na
umaakit sa liga ng mga panatiko ng mga prayle at mga paurong nang sa gayon, wala man
sa loob na sumunod sa mga panunulsol, ay dapat nilang panigan at paigtingin ang
patakarang sumusunod lamang sa iisang layunun; ang maipalaganap ang mga kaisipan ng
rebelyon sa kabuuang haba at lawak ng lupain, at mahikayat ang bawat Pilipino sa
paniniwalang walang katubusan liban sa seperasyon mula sa inang bayan.

Comparison of Noli and Fili

1. The Noli is a romantic novel. It has freshness, color, humor, lightness and wit. The Fili is
a political novel. It contains bitterness, hatred, pain, violence and sorrow.
In short, Noli is a “book of the heart” while Fili is a book of the “head”.

2. Originally, Rizal intended to make the Fili longer than the Noli but it became shorter than
the Noli because there were parts that were drastically cut due to lack of printing funds.
Fili consists only of 38 chapters as against the Noli’s 64 chapters.
3. Marcelo H. del Pilar and Rizal himself considered the Noli as superior to the Fili as a novel.
4. Retana, Rizal’s first Spanish biographer believed that the Noli is superior to Fili whereas
Blumentritt, Graciano Lopez Jaena and Dr. Rafael Palma claimed that Fili is superior to
the Noli.

B. Poems

1. Sa Aking mga Kabata – written by Rizal in Tagalog when he was eight(8) years old in
1869. It was written before he went to Biñan to begin his formal education. This poem
depicts the nationalistic significance of the Filipino language in the life of our people.
2. Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration) – This was the first poem written in 1874
by Rizal in Ateneo before he reached 14 years old. It is a poem dedicated to his mother
Doña Teodora on her birthday.
3. Felicitation (Felicitation)
4. El Embarque Himno a la Flota de Magallanes(The Deportation Hymn to Magella’s
Fleet)
5. Y Es Español: Elcano, El Primera en dar La Vuelta el Mundo (And He is Spanish:
Elcano, The First to Circumnavigate the World).
6. El Combater:Urbiztondo, Terror de Jollo (The Battle: Urbizto, The Terror of Jolo)
7. A La Virgin Maria(To the Virgin Mary) – It is a religious poem that expresses his faith
to the Virgin Mary
8. Al Niño Jesus (To the Child Jesus) – It express his devotion to his Catholic faith.

Number 3 to 8 poems above were written by Rizal in 1875, when he was 15 years old.

9. La Tragedia de San Eustaquio (The Tragedy of St. Eustacee) – This poem recounts the
tragic story of St. Eustacee.
10. Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town) – It is a poem in honor of
Calamba, the hero’s beloved town and birthplace.
 11. Alianza Intima Entre la Religion y la Buen Educacion (Intimate Alliance Between
Religion and Good Education)
12. Por La Education Recibe Lustre La Patria (Trough Education, the Country Receives
Light).
13. El Centevero y el Triumfo: Batalla de Lucena y Prision de Boaddil (The Captivity and
the Triumph: The Battle of Lucena and the Improvement of Boabdil) – This poem
describes the defeat and capture of Boabdil, last Moorish stronghold in Spain.

14. La Entrada Triumfal de los Reyes Catolicos en Granada ( The Triumphal Entry of the
Catholic Monarchs into Granada) – It relates the victorious entry of King Ferdinand
and Queen Isabela into Granada, last Moorish stronghold in Spain.
15. El Heroismo de Colon (The Heroism of Columbus) – It praises Columbus, the discover
of America.
16. Colon y Juan (Columbus and John II) – It relates how John II of Portugal missed fame
and riches by his failure to finance the projected expedition of Columbus to the New
World.
17. Gran Consuelo en la Mayor Desdicha de los Colegiales (Great Comfort in Great
Misfortune) – This is a legend in verse of the voyage of Columbus.
18. Un Dialogo Alusivo a la Despedida de los Colegiales ( A Farewell Dialogue of the
Students) – This poem is a farewell poem written by Rizal in Ateneo.
19. A La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth) – This was his literary piece in a poetry
contest at the Liceo Artistico -Literario in Manila. Rizal’s prize was a silver pen,
feather-shaped and decorated with a gold ribbon. It was the first poem of Rizal written
in Spanish that beseeched the youth to rise from lethargy.
20. Abd-el azis y Mahoma(Abd-el Azis and Mahoma) – It was recited by Manuel
Fernandez on the night of December 8, 1979 in honor of Ateneo patroness.
21. El Consejo de los Dioses ( The Council of the Gods) – Rizal won first prize with a gold
ring as his prize – the only “Indio” among the Spanish contestants and Spanish judges.
Number 19 to 21 poems were written by Rizal when he was 8 years old in 1879.

22. A Filipinos (The Philippines) – Rizal urged all Filipinos to glorify the Philippines.
23. Al M R.P. Pablo Ramon, Rector del Ateneo en Sus Dias ( To MRP Pablo Ramon,
Rector of Ateneo in our Days) – It was a poem written to express his affection to the
Father Rector for his kindness and help to Rizal.

Number 22 to 23 were written by Rizal in 1880 when he was a medical student at the University
of Santo Tomas.

24. Mi Piden Versos (They asked me for Verses). This was written 18 1882 shortly after
his arrival in Madrid and joined the Circulo Hispano –(Hispano-Philippine Circle), a
society of Spaniards and Filipino. In this sad poem, Rizal pointed out the cry of his
agonizing heart.
25. A La Señorita C.O. y R. ( To Señorita CO. y. R) – It was written in Madrid on August
22, 1883.
 26. A Las Flores de Heidelberg ( to the Flowers of Heidelberg) – It was written in 1886
when Rizal was in Heidelberg. It was a poem dedicated to the blooming flowers of
Heidelberg. Rizal’s favorite flower was the light blue “ Forget-Me-Not”.
27. The Song of Maria Clara – written in Berlin, March 29, 1887 ( in Noli Me Tanere)
28. Himno al Trabajo (Hymn to Labor) – This was poem written by Rizal in 1888 in
commemoration of Lipa’s alleviation to a villa (city). In this poem, Rizal extolled
man’s labor and industry, singing praise to labor, of the country, wealth and vigor. Rizal
likewise awakened the youth to be worthy of their elders by the following their
footsteps.
29. A Mi..(To My Muse) – a poem of Rizal with passionate feeing that depicts sadness and
wariness about by family disasters. This poem was written in 1890 while Rizal was in
Binondo.
30. Kundiman Apoem wriiten in 1891 when Rizal was in Manila.
31. A Don Ricardo Cornicero – A poem was written in Dapitan on August 26, 1892.
32. Himno A. Talisay (A Hymn to Talisay) – Rizal wrote this poem in 1892 when he was
in exile in Dapitan. This poem was written in honor of the tree for his pupils to sing.
33. MI Retiro (My Retreat) – It is one of the best literary writing of Rizal in 1895. Rizal
wrote this poem during his exile in Dapitan at the request of his mother who was eager
to know he lived there. This poem is a sentimental poem describing his home and serene
life in Lonely Dapitan.
34. A Poem for Josephine – Rizal wrote this poem in 1895 in Dapitan while Rizal and
Josephine lived together as common law husband and wife. Rizal praised Josephine
and revealed to her his new happiness.
35. El Canto del Viajero (The Song of the Traveler) – This was a heart-moving poem
written in 1896 that tells about Rizal being free-again-and once more, he was to travel
to Europe.
36. Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell) – Originally, this poem is untitled and unsigned.
It was Mariano Ponce who gave the title when he read a copy of the poem. This poem
was given by Rizal to Trinidad (Rizal’s sister) who came with Doña Teodora (Rizal;s
mother) and her daughters on the eve of execution, December 29, 1896. This poem was
placed by Rizal in a little alcohol lamp. Before his death, Rizal whispered to Trinidad
in English: “There is Something in it.”

In this poem, Rizal bade farewell to his country, his family and his friends inlines of
dignity and grace devoid of bitterness. He was willing to die for his dearly beloved
country he called “Pearl of the Orient Sea.”

C. Drama

1. Junto al Pasig (Beside the Pasig) – This drama was staged during the celebration of
Immaculate Conception, Patroness of Ateneo in 1880. He wrote this drama when he
was a member of the Academy of Spanish Literature in the Ateneo.

D. Manifesto
 A. Manifesto – In December 15, 1896, Rizal wrote this manifesto while in his prison
cell at Fort Santiago. It is a manifesto to his people appealing to them to stop the
unnecessary shedding of blood and to achieve their liberties by means of education
and industry.
E. Satires (written in 1889 while Rizal was in Hongkong. He used the pen name Dimas
Salang.
1. La Vision del Fray Rodriguez – a satire that defended Noli from the attacks of Fray Jose
Rodriguez.
2. Por Telefono – another satire as a reply to another slanderer Fr. Salvador Font, who
masterminded the banning of Noli.

F. Eulogy

1. A Eulogy to Pnnganiban – Rizal deeply mourned the passing of a Bohol martyr, Jose
Ma. Panganiban, when the latter died in August 19, 1890 after a lingering illness.

G. Essays
1. Amor Patria – This essay was sent to Basilio Teodoro, a member of the editorial staff
for publication in Diariong Tagalo. He wrote this essay under a pen name Laong Laan.
2. Memories de Un Estudiante de Manila – Using his pen name P. Jacinto, he wrote this
42-page account of his student days in Manila. It was translated in English by Leon
Ma. Guerrero in 1950 and published by Bardavon Book Company in Manila in 1951.

H. Articles
(a) Rizal’s splendid articles which appeared in La Solidaridad from 1889 to 1890. Rizal used
his pen name Dimas Alang and Laong Laan.
1. Los Agricultural Filipinos (The Filipino Farmers), March 25, 1889 – Rizal’s first article
that appeared in La Solidaridad
2. La Verdad Para Todos (The Truth For All) – second article of Rizal written for La
Solidaridad, written in May 31, 1889
3. A La Defense(To La Defense) – April 30, 1889
4. Teatro Tagalo – June 15, 1889
5. Verdades Nuevas(New Truth)-July 31, 1898
6. Crueldad (Cruelty) – August 15, 1889
7. Una Profanacion (A Profanation) – July 31, 1889
8. Diferencias (Differences) – September 15, 1889
9. Inconsequencias(Inconsequences) – November 30, 1889
10. Llanto y Risas(Tears and Laughter) – November 30, 1889
11. Ingratitudes (Ingratitudes) – January 15, 1890
12. Sin Nombre( Without Name) – February 28, 1890
13. Sobre la Nueva Ortografia de la Lengua Tagala (on the New Ortography of the tagalog
Language), April 15, 1890.
14. Cosas de Filipinas( Thinfs About the Philippines) – April 30, 1890

(b) Articles Published in Diariong Tagalog, a Filipino-owned newspaper edited by Calvo-

1. Love of Country
 2. Travels
3. Review of Madrid
(c) Articles published in the Hongkong Telegraph, a British daily newspaper edited by Mr.
Frazier Smith
1. Ang mga Karapatan Nang Tao
2. A La NAcion Española
3. Sa Mga Kababayan
4. Una Vista a la Victoria Gaol ( A Visit to Victoria Gaol)
5. Colonizacion du British North Borneo, po de Families de Iles Philippines( Colonization of
British North Borneo by Families from the Philippine Islands)
6. Proyekto de Colonization del British North Borneo por los Filipinos (Project of the Colonization
of British North Borneo by the Filipinos)

I. Letters – about 77 letters

J. Unfinished and Untitled Novels
1. Untitled and unsigned novel consisting of 44 pages in Rizal’s handwriting. The
manuscript form is preserved in the National Library. Some of the characters included
Prince Tagulima and Siltan Zaide. The hero of the Novel is Kamandagan.
2. Makamisa - a novel in Tagalog. Only two chapters were finished. The Manuscript
consists of 20 pages
3. Dapitan – written in ironic Spanish. It consists of eaight (8) pages. It was written during
Rizal’s exile in Dapitan
4. Life in Pili, Laguna – an unfinished Spanish novel. The manuscript consists of 147
pages. Some of the characters of this novel are Pedro Agaton, a Spanish friar, Capitan
Panchoy and Capitana Barang, Cecilia their pretty girl and Isagani, the lover of Cecilia.
5. Cristobal – a novel without a title is about Cristobal, a youthful Filipino student who
returned from Europe.
6. A novel that was contained/written in two notebooks – The first note contains 31
written pages and the second 12 written pages.

6. Self- Assessment and Evaluation of the Activities

Answer these questions in two to three sentences.

1. What was the first poem written by Rizal in Tagalog? Why did he write this poem?
2. When Rizal was already 18 years old, he submitted a poem in a literary contest sponsored
by the Liceo Artistico-Literario in Manila. What prize did he receive? What was the title
of this poem? To whom was this poem dedicated?
3. In 1879, Rizal composed a poem of affection which was declaimed on the right of
December 8, in the year 1881. What are these? What were the aims/purpose of these
writings?
4. What was the main idea of the poem “ A Los Flores de Heidelberg” ( To the Flowers of
Heidelberg).
5. Compare Noli and Fili in three ways
 6. When Rizal was about to be freed from his exile in dapitan, he wrote a poem entitled “El
Canto de Viajero” (The Song of the Traveler). What motivated Rizal to write this poem?

Grading System

Output =50%
Mid-Term/Final Examination =25%
Quizzes =15%
Attendance =10%
100%

*Final Rating = Midterm (50%) + Final Term (50%)

7. References
Ariola, M. M. (2013). Life, Works and Writings of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Manila: Purely
Books Trading and Publishing Corp
Crudo, E. R. P, et (2019). The Life, Works, and Writings of Jose Rizal. Manila: Rex
Book store

L. P. FLORITA
College Instructor

Noted:

MRS. ELVIE D. ARAGONES, PhD (cand.)

Program Chairperson

Approved by:

LUIS I. GANTE JR., PhD

Dean of College