Rizal’s Life: Family, Childhood, and Early Education

I. Introduction to Rizal’s Family

a. Family Background
The Rizal family is considered as one of the biggest family during their time
Domingo Lam-co, the family's paternal ascendant was Chinese who came to the
Philippines from Amoy, China in the closing years of the 17th century and married a half-
Chinese by the name of Ines de la Rosa. They lived a life of comfort and prosperity, then
considered that his family belonged to the principalia classor the ruling elite of their town.

b. Influential Figures in Rizal’s Family

Father: Don Francisco Rizal Mercado
- Born on May 11, 1818 and was the youngest of his 13 siblings.
- He was a well-respected man in their home town of Calamba in which citizens made
him their “cabeza de barangay”
- Studied Latin and Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila.
- His father, Juan Mercado was Biñan’s gobernadorcillo in 1808, 1813, 1823
- He was a prosperous landowner, sugar and rice planter, and a trader.
- He died in Binondo, Manila on January 5, 1898 in the home of Narcisa.
Mother: Doña Teodora Alonso Realonda y Quintos
- Born on November 14, 1827 in Santa Cruz Manila
- She came from a long line of principalia (the ruling and educated upper class in the
towns during the Spanish occupation), which explains why her family was wealthy.
- Her grandfather, Cipriano Alonso, served as Biñan’s gobernadorcillo in 1970 and
1802. Her father, Lorenzo Alberto Alonso also held the position in 1844.
- She studied at the prestigious Colegio del Santa Rosa, where she displayed a special
inclination toward literature and music.
- a business-minded woman, courteous, religious, hard-working and well-read
- A fine mathematician, gourmet cook, interior decorator, collector of fine books
- Rizal’s first teacher
Uncle: Jose Florentino
- Uncle of Rizal
- Elected to the Spanish Cortes
- Distinguished government servant
- Inspiration of Rizal to be a government servant too
c. Cultural Influences
II. Rizal’s Childhood Experiences
a. Birth and Early Years
 José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
 Was born on June 19, 1861, in the lakeshore town of Calamba, Laguna. The birth
occurred between eleven and twelve o’clock at night, just a few days before the full
moon. The birthing process was not easy, as Rizal’s mother struggled due to the size
of his head. Fortunately, birth the baby and his mother survived the difficult birth.
 Three days later, Jose Protacio was baptized in a Catholic Church by the parish priest,
Fr. Rufino Collantes.
 Jose Protacio was baptized in honor of two saints:
Jose: His mother was a devout follower of St. Joseph or San Jose
Protacio: inspired by St. Gervacio Protacio, whose feast is celebrated every June
19th.
 During the baptism ceremony, Fr. Collantes noticed that Jose’s head was unusually
large for a baby. The priest was astonished and advised Jose’s family to take good
care of him, as he likely associated the large head with intelligence and believed that
someday the child would become a great man.
 Jose Protacio: in honor of 2 saints
 Rizal means “green fields” also used because of Claveria Decree
 Mercado (means market, from Domingo Lam-co) y ( conjunction “and”) Alonso (Old
Family name)
  Realonda (Claveria Decree)
 Claveria Decree: during the 1840’s, Governor-General Narciso Claveria mandated
that Filipinos adopt surnames to facilitate census work and tax collection.
b. Rizal’s Exposure to Diverse Cultures
c. Impactful Events and Losses
d. Development of Rizal’s Values and Principles
III. Rizal’s Early Education
During 1865-1867, his mother taught him how to read and write. At the age of three, Rizal
mastered and learned the alphabet taught by his mother. At a very young age, he has shown
great interest in reading. He enjoyed reading books in their library at home, with his mother
who acts as his reading teacher and a critic. At this time, he also learned how to pray and even
read the bible.
When Jose Rizal grew older, his parents acquired private tutors to give him
lessons at home in preparation for his formal education. One of them was Leon Monroy, a
classmate of his father who taught him the rudiments of Latin. At about this time, his mother’s
cousin, Uncle Manuel Alberto, who frequently visited the family in Calamba, was worried
about his nephew’s physical development. He then taught Rizal to develop the skills in
swimming, fencing, wrestling and other sports, while Uncle Jose taught him to love and admire
the beauty of nature. On the other hand, Uncle Gregorio, a scholar, has instilled in Rizal’s mind
the love for education and its importance, the value of hard work, to think for himself, and to
observe his surroundings carefully.
When he was four years old, his sister Concepcion, the eighth child in the Rizal family,
died at the age of three. This was the first time he cried as a young boy. As sad as he was,
the parish priest of Calamba, Father Leoncio Lopez helped Rizal understand the
philosophy of life and learned the value of scholarship and intellectual honesty.
Rizal, in his childhood, used to take long rides through all the surrounding
country by riding his pony that his father gave him. Among his pets were doves and a dog.
Owing to the continuous teaching of Doña Teodora, Rizal was persuaded to
express his feelings through verses. He was able to write his first poem when he was eight
years old. The poem was entitled “Sa Aking Mga Kababata” (To My Fellow
Children), which showed that Rizal, even at a young age, already had love for his
country. Here, he similarly incorporates the love for the native language with God’s gift of
freedom. He compared his native language or Tagalog to Latin, English and Spanish. Tagalog,
like any other languages, had its own alphabet and system writing, which according to
Rizal, disappeared because they were neglected or ignored. With this, he encourages his fellow
children to love their native tongue.
Then, after Rizal’s tutor Leon Monroy died, his parents decided to transfer Rizal to a
private school in Biñan, Laguna. He was accompanied by his older brother Paciano,
who acted as his second father during his school days in Biñan. The school was then supervised
by Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz.
Rizal’s first day of class in the school was not easy. The maestro asked him if he knows
how to speak Latin or Spanish, but in response, he only knew a little of the languages. As a
result, one of his classmates named Pedro, the son of the maestro, laughed at him. Pedro was
always bullying him that eventually resulted to a brawl. But knowing Rizal’s acquired
knowledge and skill in the art of wrestling from his Tio Manuel, he defeated Pedro. After the
said incident, Rizal became popular in his class. Here, Rizal was able to show his intellectual
superiority.
He excelled in his class in Latin, Spanish and other subjects in the curriculum for
elementary pupils. Because of this, many of the students became jealous to him and do
everything to destroy Rizal’s name to Maestro Cruz. While Rizal’s interest in painting was
nurtured early on by an old painter named Juancho of Biñan. During this time, knowledge was
taught in the minds of the students by doing tedious memorization method. Despite some
lack of the elementary education in Spanish system, Rizal was able to have the needed
instruction preparatory for college work in Manila.
Rizal;s Life in Ateneo
 At the age of 11 he studies at Ateneo. He was refused to admit because he was sickly
and undersized for his age. But with the help of Fr. Manuel Xeres Burgos, he was
admitted at the Ateneo.
 In Ateneo, students were divided into two groups, the Roman empire, consisting of the
internos (boarders) and the Carthaginians Empire composed of externos (non-
boarders). For the Romans, they have red banners and for the Carthaginians, they have
a blue banner. They were in constant competition for supremacy in the class. The
students wore a school uniform consisted of hemp-fabric trouser and stripped cotton
coat.
 1872-1873: his first year in Ateneo, he was an externos but after a week, he became
emperor
 1873-1973: second year of Rizal, he studies harder to regain his lost class leadership
and became an “emperor” again
 1874-1875: 3rd year in Ateneo, Rizal did not make an excellent showing in his study as
in the previous year despite of his family’s happiness. His grade remained excellent in
all subjects but he received only one medal.
 1875-1876: 4th year, he became an interno in Ateneo. Rizal was inspired by Fr.
Francisco de Paula Sanchez to study harder and to write poetry. He topped all his
classmates in all subjects and won five medals at the end of the school year.
 The Jesuits thought him about the educational system like discipline, character building
and religious instruction.
 Rizal eventually earned a land surveyor’s and assessor’s degree from the Ateneo
Municipal
 In Ateneo, he impresses Jesuits professors by carving image of Blessed Virgin Mary
on a piece of Batikuling. Fr. Lleonart asked to carve the Sacred Heart of Jesus which
he did in a few days.
 Rizal’s Life: Higher Education and Life Abroad
I. UST
 Year 1877, he was 16 years old when he enter the University of Santo Tomas, he took
up Philosophy and Letters. Taking the course primarily because of his father’s choice.
Rizal was inclined towards the art He seek guidance from Ateneo of Father Pablo
Ramon.
 1879-1879: 2nd term, he decided to shift to medicine due to Fr. Pablo Ramon’s
advise. His decision was prompted by his desire to cure his mother’s failing eyesight.
 While studying in Santo Tomas, Rizal also studied in Ateneo and tool a vocational
course leading to the title of perito agrimensor.
 One night, Rizal experienced brutality of Spanish officer. He was slashed at his back.
 In 1880, Rizal submitted a poem entitle A La Juventud Filipina and won the 1st prize
and receive a silver pen, feather-shape and decorated with a gold ribbon.
 Another literary contest to commemorate Cervantes’ centennial death anniversary,
was held in the same year, Rizal submitted an allegorical poem entitle El Consejo de
los Dioses.
 His Romance in UST was Miss L, her name was Leonor Rivera, a frail, beautiful girl,
tender as a budding flower with kind wistful eyes from Camiling, Tarlac. And
according to other people, the fictional character of Maria Clara was inspired from
her.
 In 1882, after he finished his study in the University of Santo Tomas, Rizal decided
to study in Spain without seeking his parent’s permission.
II. Secret Mission in Spain (1882-1885)
 To observe keenly the life and culture, language and customs, industries and
commerce, and governments and laws of the European nations. In order to prepare
himself in the mighty task of liberating his oppresses people from Spanish tyranny.
 Rizal’s departure in Spain was kept secret to avoid detection by the Spain Authorities
and the friars. Even his own parents were unaware of his secret mission in Spain, as
he know they would not allow him to go.
 He wrote a farewell letter to his beloved parents and another one for his sweetheart
Leonor Rivera, it was both delivered shortly after he sailed awaya.
 On May 3, 1882, Rizal boarded the Spanish streamer Salvadora bound for Singapore.
A. He arrived in Spain
1. He first stopped in Barcelona, the capital of the Spanish province, Cataluna. According to
him, the people were indifferent and he arrived during the summer vacation of the students.
a. In this city, he found out that the people of the city enjoyed freedom and liberalism.
b. He wrote essays for Diariong Tagalog.
b.1 “Amor Patrio” (Love of Country)
b.2 “Los Viajes” (Travels)
b.3 “Revista de Madrid” (Review of Madrid)
c. He met his classmates from Ateneo at the Plaza de Cataluna.

2. Madrid
a. He enrolled at the Universidad Central de Madrid on November 3, 1882. He enrolled in
the following courses:
a.1 Medicine
a.2 Philosophy and Letters
b. He took courses at the Academy of San Carlos
b.1 Painting and Sculpture
b.2 Languages: French, German, and English
c. He took private lessons at the Hall of Sanz and Carbonell
c.1 Shooting
 c.2 Fencing
d. Important people he met:
d.1 Dr. Miguel Morayta, an advocate of freedom and self-determination. Students from
South America hailed him as their champion. He joined his students and other supporters to
this end.
d.2 Don Pablo Ortega y Rey, a Spanish liberal who used to live in the Philippines.
e. Jose Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano Filipino
e.1 It was a social organization where the members talked on the reforms needed in the
Philippines.
e.2 This group was mostly made up of elder Filipinos who were the exiles of 1872.
e.3 It held informal programs which included poetry reading and debates.

3. Germany (1885-1887)
a. Continued studies in Heidelberg and Leipzig.
b. Specialized in ophthalmology.
c. Completed his novel "Noli Me Tangere" during this period.

4. France (1887)
 Studied at the University of Paris (Sorbonne) to further his knowledge.
 prepared by:
Jovera Gieya Rivera
Alyssa Joyce Sevilla
Kim Lourdes Bernadette

Rizal's First
Yu Bokmee

Travel Abroad

Rizal's Voyage
May 3, 1882: Rizal started his voyage towards Spain. He departed
on board the Spanish steamer Salvadora bound for Singapore.
May 11, 1882: In Singapore, Rizal transferred to another ship
Djemnah, a French steamer, which left Singapore for Europe.
June 12, 1882: Rizal arrived in Marseilles and rode the train in
route to Barcelona on June 15, 1882.

BArcelona (1882) madrid(1882)

November 3, 1882: Rizal moved to
June 16, 1882: Rizal arrived in Madrid, Spain because of the sad news
Barcelona and there, he wrote a that he received from Paciano with
nationalistic essay entitled regards to the cholera epidemic that was
"Amor Patrio". this essay was ravaging Manila and the provinces. With
published back in the Philippines that in hand, Paciano advised Rizal to
in Diarion Tagalog on August 20, finish his medical course in the
1882) Universidad Central de Madrid, to which
Rizal had headed on by enrolling two
courses- Medicine and Philosophy and
Letters.

Completion of studies masonry And first travel

to paris (1883)
(1885)
June 21, 1885: Rizal completed a
March 1883: Rizal joined the masonic lodge
called Acacia in Madrid. His reason for
double major and obtained a
becoming a mason was to secure a
licentiate degree in medicine and
Freemasonry's aid in his fight against the
philosophy.
friars in the Philippines. On November 15,
Moving To Paris (1885) 1890, he became a master mason.
November 1885: Rizal pursued in June 17 to August 20, 1883: During his first
ophthalmology as a specialty in summer vacation in Madrid, Rizal went to
Paris. He trained as an assistant to Paris. His main interest was not to see its
Dr. Louis de Weckert from beautiful sights, but to observe closely the
November 1885 to February 1886. French way of life.

Germany (1886-1887)
February 3, 1886: Rizal went to Heidelberg to pursue further specialty in ophthalmology
under Dr. Otto Becker, a distinguished German ophthalmologist. From Heidelberg, Rizal
moved to Berlin. durin that time he was already writing and finally revising his first
novel Noli Me Tangere, and publishing it was his goal. Rizal lived a frugal life in Berlin
and even faced a flat broke situation as no money had arrived from Calamba.
February 21, 1887: The Noli was finally finished for printing. With the
help of Dr. Viola, a friend of Rizal who witnessed his poor life in
Berlin, they strived to find a printing shop which would charge them
the lowest rate, that is, 300 pesos for 2000 copies.

Europe Tour anD The

Decision to Go Home (1887)
May 13, 1887: Rizal met Blumentritt for the first time. He
visited Leitmeriz, where Blumentritt resides, and enjoyed the
scenic and historical spots of the place. From there, Viola
\
and Rizal toured the other parts of europe including Prague,
Vienna, Lintz, Rheinfall, and finished their tour in Italy. After
the tour, Rizal finally decided to go back to the Philippines. On
July 3, 1887 he finally boarded the ship going home and on
August 5, 1887, he finally arrived at his native land.
 Rizal's
H mecoming
(1887-1888)
Rizal returned to his motherland

Delightful Trip To Manila(1887)

July 3, 1887: Rizal boarded the steamer Djemnah enroute to
the Orient via the Suez Canal. When he arrived at Saigon, he
transferred to another ship that was Manila bound
August 5, 1887: Rizal finally arrived in Manila.

uproar over noli Calamba Homecoming

Rizal, although trying to live a peaceful (1887)
life, unsettle the friars because of the August 8, 1887: Rizal returned to
content of the Noli. They plotted his doom Calamba, where he had established
up until the uproar had eventually reached his own medical clinic. He became a
Governor General Terrero. he invited Rizal popular medical practitioner that even
at the Malacanang. Fortunately, Terrero people from Manila flocked to
found nothing wron on Rizal's writing. he Calamba just to get treated.
had tried to protect Rizal from the friars February 1888: He earned a total of
by giving him a Spanish bodyguard, Lt. P5,000 out of his medical practice.
Jose Taviel de Andrade

Calamba's Agrarian Terrero advised Rizal to

Trouble (1887) leave the country (1888)
December 30, 1887: Influenced by the
Rizal's participation in the case of the
facts presented in Noli, Terrero
Calamba farmers infuriated further his
ordered an investigations over the friar
friar enemies. Terrero advised Rizal to
estates to know the anomalies in land
leave the country for him to escape
taxes and tenant relations. One of the
the friars' wrath.
estaes affected was the Calamba
Hacienda owned by the Dominicans
since 1883.
January 8, 1888: Rizal helped the
Calamba farmers in gathering facts for
the investigation.

reason of rizal for

his departure
His presence in Calmba would jeopardize the safety
of his loved ones
He could fight for the country with greater efficacy
by writing in foreign countries
 Rizal's
Back abroad
(1887-1888)
Hongkong (February,1888)
Rizal was forced to leave Calamba and board the Zafiro on February 3, 1888. He was
hounded by powerful enemies because of the stand that he took in helping the tenant
farmers of Calamba in their agrarian dispute. He wrote a letter to Bluementritt about the
bitterness that he feels upon fleeing his hometown. He visited to Macao for a while and
was then on board to a steamer that was headed towards Japan.

yokohama san francisco (may,

(February,1888) 1888)
On February 28, 1888, Rizal Rizal arrived at the docket of
stayed in Yokohama, Japan. San Francisco, USA on April 28,
He lived in the Spanish 1888. He first-hand saw racial
Legation. He was also able to prejudices that the Whites had
study Niponggo and the against the Black and Asian
Japanese culture. On April 13, community. He travelled across
1888 Rizal boarded an English the American continent until he
steamer to travel across the reached New York.
Pacific.

paris (may, 1889) London (May, 1888)

Rizal arrived in Paris during the spring of
1889. He organized his compatriots under Rizal lived in London from May 1888 to
the Kidlat Club. He continued his studies March 1889. He lived there to continue
and kept on writing publications. He his Filipiniana studies that was
gathered quite an audience and instrumental to the Filipino fight against
recognition from this one. He also Spanish tyranny. He traveled here and
developed a project to establish a there across Europe and so, he became
modern college in Hong Kong. This was one of the Filipino leaders in Europe. The
not materialized but Rizal was able to Asociacion La Solidaridad was born and
pursue this by founding a school of boys they were also able to publish La
when he was exiled in Dapitan. Solidaridad newspapers.

Brussels (January madrid (august, 1890)

Rizal went to Madirid on August, 1890 to try in
1890) seekign legal justice for the exploited Filipino
tenant workers in Calamba.
Rizal moved to Brussels on January 28, He never got the justice
1890 to continue his second novel, El that he seek as he was
Filibusterismo. At the same time, he given honeyed words of
sympathy and nothing else.
continued writing for La Solidaridad.
His overall trip to Madrid
was disappointing.

ghent (july, 1891) Biarritz

Rizal moved to
Ghent, Belgium (February, 1891)
to publish and
To cope with the disappointments, Rizal took
began the
a vacation at Biarritz with the Bousteads.
printing for El
There, he finished writing El Filibusterismo.
Filibusterismo. Rizal also stopped writing for La Solidaridad
and gave up his reformist endeavours.

hongkong (October, 1891)

Rizal arrived in Hong Kong and was welcomed by Filipino residents. He wrote a letter to
his family in Calamba in allowing him to go home in the Philippines. Before the Christmas
of 1891, his family arrived in Hong Kong to spend the holidays together. in Hong Kong, he
practiced medicine as an ophthalmic surgeon.
Rizal was also keen on establishing a Filipino colony in New Borneo with the perspective
of moving the Calamba tenant farmers and landless Filipino families there. Governor
Despujol would not allow the travels of Filipino to New Borneo. Rizal was determined to
talk to him in order to make some arrangements. This pushed him to go back to Manila.
 Rizal’s Life: Exile, Trial, and Death
Rizal’s arrest, exile, imprisonment trial and execution
Rizal arrived in Manila on June 3, 1892. His every move was watched by the Spaniards because his
homecoming became very sensational among Filipinos.
Timeline:

 July 3, 1892- Rizal put up the La Liga Filipina. The organization of this secret society was held
in the house of Doroteo Ongjungco in Tondo, Manila. La Liga Filipina is an organization that sought
to involve the people directly in the reform movement. Its primary aim was “to unite the whole
archipelago into one compact, vigorous, and homogenous body”.
 June 27, 1892- Rizal boarded a train in Tutuban Station in Tondo to visit his friends.
 June 28, 1892- Rizal returned by train to Manila. The homes he visited were also visited by the
Guardia Civil which seized some copies of the Noli and El Fili and some subversive pamphlets.
 June 29, 1892- Rizal had his interview with Governor General Despujol
 June 30, 1892- Rizal came back to see again Governor General Despujol and talked about the
question of Borneo. The general told Rizal to come back on Sunday.
 July 3, 1892- Rizal and Governor General Despujol discussed many things and Rizal thanked the
general for lifting the exile of his sisters.
- on the evening, Rizal attended a meeting with the patriots on Ylaya Street. Tondo, Manila, at the home
of Doroteo Ongjungco.
 July 6, 1892- Rizal went to the Malacanang Palace to talk again with Governor General Despujol.
Rizal was interrogated by the general about a certain leaflet entitled Pobres Frailes (Poor Friars) which
were found in Lucia’s pillowcase. The incriminatory leaflets were under the authorship of P. Jacinto (Rizal’s
Pen Name). The said leaflets were found to be satire against the rich Dominican friars who enriched
themselves contrary to their vow of poverty.
Rizal denied this accusations and demanded for further investigation, however he was still arrested and
escorted to Fort Santiago by Ramon Despujol, nephew and aide of the Governor General.
 July 7, 1892- The Graceta de Manila published the story of Rizal’s arrest. The arrest caused a
commotion among the Filipinos especially among the members of the newly organized La Liga Filipina.
On the same day Governor Despujol issued a decree deporting Rizal to Dapitan.
The reason for deportation are as follows:
1. The books and articles to Spain, ant-Catholic and anti-friars
2. A bundle of handbills found in one of his packages after his arrival in Manila entitled Pobres
Frailes satirized the Filipinos and anti-religious order
3. El Filibusterismo was dedicated to the GOMBURZA which the Spanish authorities considered as
traitors
4. Rizal was pursuing the salvation of the Filipinos through their separation from the Mother country
(Spain)
 July 5-July 15, 1892- Rizal was imprisoned in Fort Santiago- prior to his exile in
Dapitan
 July 15, 1892- Rizal was brought under heavy guard to the steamer Cebu which was
sailing for Dapitan under Captain Delgras
 July 17,1892- upon arriving in Dapitan, Captain Delgras handed Rizal to Captain
Ricardo Carcinero, the Spanish commandant of Dapitan. That same night Rizal was
exiled in Dapitan for a period of four (4) years from July 17,1892 to July 31, 1896.
Beginning of exile in Dapitan
Father Pablo Pastells, a Jesuit priest, wrote a letter to Rizal which stated that Rizal could live at the
parish convent on the conditions that Rizal should publicly retract his errors concerning religion, perform
church rights, become pro-Spanish, and become a man of religion. However, Rizal did not agree to these
conditions. He consequently live in the house of Captain Carcinero, who became his good friend later on.
Captain Carcinero believed that Rizal had fine qualities and personality and was not a Filibuster. As a result,
the Captain gave Rizal complete freedom to go anywhere reporting only once a week to him.
Rizal won a sufficient amount in a lottery and invested it in purchasing agricultural lands along the coast of
Talisay, one kilometer away from Dapitan.
  Rizal debated with Pastells on religion
 Rizal challenged a Frenchman to a duel
 Rizal could not be convinced by Father Sanchez

 August 1893- His mother and Sister Maria arrived in Dapitan and lived with him for 1 ½ year. He
likewise operated the right eye of his mother.

 November 3, 1893- Rizal had lived peacefully in Talisay, a place one kilometer away from Dapitan.
His mother, sister, Narcisa and Trinidad and some nephews came to live with him. But on this date,
a certain “Pablo Mercado” (real name Florencio Namaan) , single, 30 years old from Cagayan de
Misamis, pretended as a relative of Rizal. Only to find out later on that Pablo was hired by the
Recollect friars to spy on Rizal’s activities, and was asked to steal letters and writings which will
incriminate him in the revolutionary movement.
Careers and achievements while in exile in Dapitan

 As a physician, Rizal provided free medical services to his patients, most of them were
underprivileged. His skill was put into test in August 1893 when his mother, Dona Teodora Alonzo
was placed under ophthalmic surgery for the third time. The operation was a success, however
Alonzo ignored her son’s instructions and removed the bandages in her eyes which lead to irritatiob
and infection.
 As an engineer, Rizal applied his knowledge through the waterworks system that he constructed in
Dapitan.
 As an educator, Rizal as established a school in Dapitan which was attended by 16 young boys
from prominent families. Instead of charging them for matriculation, he made the students do
community projects for him like maintaining his garden ad field.
 As an agriculturist, Rizal devoted his time in planting crops and fruit bearing trees in his 16-
hectare land. From the United States, he imported agricultural machinery and introduced to the
farmers of Dapitan modern agricultural methods.
 As a businessman, he partnered with Ramon Carreon and tried his luck in fishing, hemp and copra
industries.
 As an inventor, he invented a special type of lighter called sulpukan- the wooden lighter’s
mechanism was based on the principles of compressed air. Another of his inventions was the
wooden brick-maker can manufacture about 6,000 bricks a day.
 As a linguist, Rizal was interested in languages used in Dapitan, thus, studied and made
comparisons of the bisayan and Malayan languages existing in the region.
 As a scientist, Rizal’s most significant contribution in the scientific world was his discovery of
three species: draco rizali (flying dragon), Apogonia rizali (small beetle), and Rhacophorus rizali
(rare frog).
Romantic affair with Josephine Bracken
Rizal had always his family and their happy moments together in Calamba and his despair double
upon the announcement of Leonor Rivera’s death. Not soon, An 18 year old Irish girl, named Josephine
Bracken arrived in Dapitan, together with her blind foster father, George Taufer. Her father seek the
medical assistance of Rizal, and immediately after that, Rizal and Bracken fell in love with each other
at first sight. In just one month, they agreed to marry however it was refused by the then parish priest
of Dapitan, Father Pedro Obach.
Because no pries was willing to marry the two, the couple exchanged their own vows before God
in their own way. In 1896, they had bear a child but unfortunately, Bracken gave birth to a one-month
premature baby boy who lived only for three hours. The child was buried in Dapitan, bearing the name
Francisco, after Rizal’s father.
Katipunan seeks Rizal’s advice
Prior to the outbreak of the Revolution, the Katipunan leader, Andres Bonifacio, sought the advise
of Jose Rizal. However, Rizal outspokenly objected Bonifacio’s premature idea for two reasons:
1. The Filipinos were still unready for such bloody revolution
2. The Katipunan lacked machinery- before plotting a revolution, there should be sufficient arms and
funds collected.
On July 30, 1896, just soon after the Katipunan’s visit, Rizal went to Cuba as a military doctor as there
was an outbreak of a yellow fever epidemic. He went there as a prisoner after being given a go signal
by Governor General Blanco.
On August 19, 1896 the Katipunan’s plot to overthrow the Spanish rule means of revolution was
discovered by the Fray Mariano Gil, an Augustinian cura of Tondo.
August 26, 1896- The cry of Balintawak
Rizal learned of the eruption and the raging battles in Manila through the newspapers he read onboard
the steamer Castilla. On this day also, Rizal received a letter absolving him all blame for raging
revolution.
In the year 1896

 6 October 1896, 3:00 AM: On his 4th day of being held in his cabin at the MV Isla de Panay docked at
Barcelona, Spain on his way to Cuba, Rizal was awakened to be brought to Montjuich Prison in
Barcelona, Spain.
 6 October, 2:00 PM: Interview with General Eulogio Despujol
 6 October, 8:00 PM: Aboard the Colon, Rizal left Barcelona for Manila.
 3 November: Rizal was brought to Fort Santiago, where other patriots, including his brother Paciano,
were being tortured to implicate him. Paciano refused to sign anything despite being his body broken
and his left hand crushed.
 20 November: Preliminary investigation began with Rizal appearing before Judge Advocate Colonel
Francisco Olive. The investigation lasted five days.
 26 November: The records of the case were handed over to Governor General Ramon Blanco who then
appointed Captain Rafael Dominguez as special Judge Advocate.
 8 December: From a list submitted to him by the authorities, he chose the brother of his friend, Lt. Luis
Taviel de Andrade to become his trial lawyer. He was only made to choose among army officers and
not a civilian lawyer.
 11 December: In his prison cell, Rizal was read the charges against him: “principal organizer and the
living soul of the Filipino insurrection, the founder of societies, periodicals and books dedicated to
fomenting and propagating the ideas of rebellion.”
 13 December: Ramon Blanco was replaced by Camilo de Polavieja, a more ruthless character, as
Governor General of the Philippines. Dominguez submitted the papers of the Rizal case to Malacañan
Palace.
 15 December: Rizal issued his manifesto to certain Filipinos calling to end the “absurd” rebellion and
to fight for liberties with education as a prerequisite. The authorities supressed the manifesto.
 25 December: Rizal’s saddest Christmas, away from family and friends.
 26 December, 8:00 AM: Trial of Rizal began at the Cuartel de España. On the same day, the court-
martial secretly and unanimously voted for a guilty verdict with the penalty of death before a firing
squad.
 28 December: Polavieja signs the death verdict.
 29 December, 6:00 AM: Rizal was read his verdict by Captain Rafael Dominguez: To be shot the next
day at 7:00 AM at the Luneta de Bagumbayan (Rizal Park).
 29 December, 7:00 AM: Rizal was transferred to the chapel cell adorned by religious images to
convince him to go back to the Catholic fold. His first visitors were Jesuit priests Fathers Miguel Saderra
Mata and Luis Viza.
 29 December, 7:15 AM: After Fr. Saderra left, Rizal asked Fr. Viza for the Sacred Heart statuette which
he carved when he was an Ateneo student. From his pocket the statuette appears.
 29 December, 8:00 AM: Fr. Viza was relieved by Fr. Antonio Rosell who joined Rizal for breakfast.
Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade joins them.
 29 December, 9:00 AM: Fr. Federico Faura, who once said that Rizal would lose his head for writing
the Noli Me Tangere, arrived. Rizal told him, “Father you are indeed a prophet.”
 29 December, 10:00 AM: Fathers José Vilaclara and Estanislao March visited Rizal, followed by a
Spanish journalist, Santiago Mataix of El Heraldo de Madrid, for an interview.
 29 December, 12:00-3:30 PM: Rizal’s time alone in his cell. He had lunch, wrote letters and probably
wrote his last poem of 14 stanzas which he wrote in his flowing handwriting in a very small piece of
paper. He hid it inside his alcohol stove. The untitled poem was later known as Mi Ultimo Adios (My
Last Farewell). In its second stanza, he already praised the revolutionaries in the battlefield for giving
their lives “without doubt, without gloom.”
 29 December, 3:00 PM: According to an account of the agent of the Cuerpo de Vigilancia guarding
Rizal’s cell, Rizal signed what seems to be the document retracting his anti-Catholic writings and his
membership in masonry. This event is a contentious issue among Rizal experts.
 29 December, 4:00 PM: Visit of Rizal’s mother, Teodora Alonso. Then Rizal’s sister Trinidad entered
to get her mother and Rizal whispered to her in English referring to the alcohol stove, “There is
something inside.” They were also accompanied by Narcisa, Lucia, Josefa, Maria and son Mauricio
Cruz. Leoncio Lopez Rizal, Narcisa’s eleven-year-old son, was not allowed to enter the cell. While
leaving for their carriages, an official handed over the alcohol stove to Narcisa. After their visit, Fathers
Vilaclara and Estanislao March returned to the cell followed by Father Rosell.
 29 December, 6:00 PM: Rizal was visited by the Dean of the Manila Cathedral, Don Silvino Lopez
Tuñon. Father March left Father Vilaclara to be with the two.
 29 December, 8:00 PM: Rizal’s last supper where he informed Captain Dominguez that he already
forgave those who condemned him.
 29 December, 9:30 PM: Rizal was visited by the fiscal of the Royal Audiencia of Manila, Don Gaspar
Cestaño with whom Rizal offered the best chair of the cell. According to accounts, the fiscal left with
“a good impression of Rizal’s intelligence and noble character.”
 30 December, 5:30 AM: Rizal took his last meal. According to stories told to Narcisa by Lt. Luis
Taviel de Andrade, Rizal threw some eggs in the corner of a cell for the “poor rats,” “Let them have
their fiesta too.” Rizal also wrote to his family and to his brother.
 30 December, 5:00 AM: Teary-eyed Josephine Bracken and Josefa Rizal came. According to the
testimony of the agent of the Cuerpo de Vigilancia, Josephine and Rizal were married. Josephine was
gifted by Rizal with the classic Thomas á Kempis book Imitations of Christ in which he inscribed, “To
my dear and unhappy wife, Josephine, December 30th, 1896, Jose Rizal.” They embraced for the last
time.
 30 December, 6:00 AM: Rizal wrote his father, Francisco Mercado “My beloved Father, Pardon me for
the pain with which I repay you for sorrows and sacrifices for my education. I did not want nor did I
prefer it. Goodbye, Father, goodbye… Jose Rizal.” To his mother, he had only these words, “To my
very dear Mother, Sra. Dña Teodora Alonso 6 o’clock in the morning, December 30, 1896. Jose Rizal.”
 30 December, 6:30 AM: Death march from Fort Santiago to Bagumbayan begins. 4 soldiers with
bayoneted rifles lead the procession followed by Rizal, Taviel de Andrade, Fathers Vilaclara and March
and other soldiers. They passed by the Intramuros plaza, then turned right to the Postigo gate then left
at Malecon, the bayside road now known as Bonifacio Drive.
 30 December, 7:00 AM: Rizal, after arriving on the execution site at the Luneta de Bagumbayan, was
checked with his pulse by Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo. It was perfectly normal. Rizal once wrote, “I wish
to show those who deny us patriotism that we know how to die for our duty and our convictions.”

“Preparen.” “Apunten.” Rizal shouted, “Consummatum est.” It is done

 30 December, 7:03 AM: With the captain shouting “Fuego!” Shouts rang out from the guns of eight
indio soldiers. Rizal, being a convicted criminal was not facing the firing squad. As he was hit, he
resists and turns himself to face his executors. He falls down, and dies facing the sky.
 30 December 2012: The transfer of the remains of Rizal from Binondo to the site of the Rizal Monument
was recreated one hundred years later by the Order of the Knights of Rizal and the National Historical
Commission of the Philippines in commemoration of Rizal’s 116th Martyrdom Anniversary.