NORTHERN LUZON ADVENTIST COLLEGE

Inter-Semester
SY 2023-2024

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A COMPILITION OF MODULES

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Presented to the Faculty of

Northern Luzon Adventist
College
School of Arts & Sciences

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In Partial Fulfillment for the

Requirement of the Course in
Rizal Life Works & Writing
of Jose Rizal

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by:
Salamanca. Arlene Joy P.
July 20, 2023
Table of Contents

MODULE 1:
LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE: REPUBLIC ACT
1425
(WEEK 1) THE BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
LESSON 2: THE 19TH CENTURY PHILIPINES AS RIZAL CONTEXT.
LESSON 3: THE SOCIAL BACKGROUND AND POLITICAL
LANDSCAPE 19TH CENTURY PHILIPINES AS RIZAL CONTEXT.

MODULE 2:
LESSON 1: HIGHER EDUCATION OF DR, JOSE RIZAL.
LESSON 2: HIGHER EDUCATION IN EUROPE.
LESSON 3: RIZAL FIRST HOMECOMING AND SECOND
TRAVEL ABROAD.
LESSON 4: SECOND HOME, EXILE TRAIL AND DEATH.

MODULE 3:
LESSON 1: ANNOTATION OF ANTONIO MORGA’S SUCESOS
DELAS ISLAS FILIPINAS.
LESSON 2: THE NOLI ME TANGERE: AN APPRECIATION.
LESSON 3: THE EL FILIBUSTERISMO: AN APPRECIATION.

MODULE 4:
LESSON 1: THE PHILIPPINES CENTURY HENCE.
LESSON 2: RIZAL’S POLITICAL AND HISTORICAL ESSAYS.
LESSON 3: JOSE RIZAL AND THE PHILIPPINES NATIONALISM.
 INTRODUCTION

"
I. The Rizal Law
a. The Rizal Bill
b. Opposing Arguments against the Rizal Bill
c. Supporting Arguments against the Rizal Bill
II. The Philippines In The 19th Century in Rizal’s Context
a. Social Situation
b. Political Situation
c. Economic Situation
d. Cultural Situation
III. Rizal’s Family, Childhood, And Early Education
a. Family Background
b. Childhood Years
c. Early Education
IV. Rizal’s Higher Education and Life Abroad
A. Ateneo Municipal Years
B. UST Years
C. Life Abroad
V. Rizal’s Life: Exile, Trial, And Death
a. Arrest
b. Trial
c. Execution
VI. Annotation of Antonio Morga’s Succesos De Las Islas Filipinas
a. Antonio Morga
b. Annotations
VII. Noli Me Tangere

MODULE 1
OVERVIEW TO RIZAL’S LIFE AND WORKS INTRODUCTION
This is a course that designed to familiarize you with the role of Rizal and
other National Heroes in the
development of nationalism and national independence movement. It
embraces the youth's role in nation building. It shall also include the
important episodes in Rizal's Life with emphasis on his literary
works: Novels, Poems, Essays and Letters. It presents a new perspect
ive on Rizal's true worth as a conscientious builder of the Filipino nation
with a clear view of its aspirations and as a champion of the rights of the
Filipinos. It presents a new dimension to Rizal's role as a citizen of the world
in espousing and defending human rights and fundamental freedom. This
course will help you to understand and appreciate the contributions of Dr.
Jose Protacio Rizal to our national heritage, the influences of their thoughts
on our basic life and destiny of the Philippine Republic, and the universality
of their principles.

MODULE 2
THE REPUBLIC ACT 1425 (RIZAL LAW) INTRODUCTION
The life and works of Dr. Rizal is a story of failure and success, despair and
hope, rise and fall, death and glory. His contribution to Philippine
nationalism and identity is beyond his person. Truly, Rizal is one of the
forerunners of the Philippines of today, and the freedom each one of us
enjoys. In this module, we will discover why even decades after his death,
Rizal’s life and works is still a lesson each of us has to learn.
Module 3
INTRODUCTION
Jose Rizal was born in a world far different from us. He belonged to a
society which had a direct effect on his growth and solidified his perception
of identity as a Filipino and his attitude towards other races. In this module,
we will try to understand why Rizal became the Rizal that we know him
today as we look into his world, his Philippines in the nineteenth century,
MODULE 4
RIZAL’S FAMILY, CHILDHOOD, AND EARLY EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION
At an early age, Pepe, as he was known in the family, was a child of great
promise and potential. In the early days of his life, he was seen above from
the rest of his peers. In this module, we look into Rizal’s early life, the
family in which he was brought up to, and milestones in his early education.

MODULE 5
RIZAL’S HIGHER EDUCATION AND LIFE ABROAD
INTRODUCTION
During Rizal’s time, traveling is very limited to the Filipinos, since it was
expensive. And also during that time, there were hardly modes of transport
that would hastily bring people to a certain place as we have today. The
major transportation means were streamers, horse-power, trains, and on
foot. Rizal was not merely a sightseer but a traveler who studies the culture
of the places he visits. He is also traveling to acquire more knowledge, most
of which are sciences and literature. In this module, we shall look into
Rizal’s educational journey and his eventual sojourn abroad, how the young
Rizal saw the world beyond his own.

MODULE 6
RIZAL’S LIFE: EXILE, TRIAL, AND DEATH
INTRODUCTION
By 1896, the rebellion fomented by the Katipunan, a militant secret
society, had become a full blown
revolution, proving to be a nationwide uprising.[56][self-
published source?] Rizal had earlier volunteered his services as a doctor
in Cuba and was given leave by Governor-General Ramón Blanco to serve
in Cuba to minister to victims of yellow fever. Rizal and Josephine left
Dapitan on August 1, 1896, with a letter of recommendation from
Blanco. In this module we will see as Rizal winds into a chain of ev
ents that eventually lead to his ultimate demise.
MODULE 7
INTRODUCTION

Rizal conceived the idea of writing a novel that would expose the ills of
Philippine society after reading Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's
Cabin. He preferred that the prospective novel express the way Filipino
culture was perceived to be backward, anti-progress, anti-intellectual, and
not conducive to the ideals of the Age of Enlightenment. In this module we
shall enter the world of his first novel and try to encounter the myriad
of characters contained therein.

MODULE 8
EL FILIBUSTERISMO
INTRODUCTION
In Rizal’s second masterpiece, Crisóstomo Ibarra, now returning for
vengeance as "Simoun". The novel's dark theme departs dramatically from
the previous novel's hopeful and romantic atmosphere, signifying
Ibarra's resort to solving his country's issues through violent means,
after his previous attempt in reforming the country's system made no
effect and seemed impossible with the corrupt attitude of the Spaniards
toward the Filipinos. In this module, we shall witness the turn of events,
and the twists of plot in Rizal’s second novel.

MODULE 9
JOSE RIZAL AND PHILIPPINE NATIONALISM
INTRODUCTION
Rizal is not only admired for possessing intellectual brilliance but also for
taking a stand and resisting the Spanish colonial government. While his
death sparked a revolution to overthrow the tyranny, Rizal will always be
remembered for his compassion towards the Filipino people and the
country. In this module, we shall analyse Rizal’s point of view on
Nationalism and his labours towards national identity.

José Rizal is best known for his novels Noli Me Tangere (“Touch Me Not”) and El
Filibusterismo (“The Subversive”), which depict the effects of government
corruption and abuse on individuals’ lives.
Rizal’s own experiences and 19th-century novel conventions, Noli Me Tangere,
published in 1887, depicted a protagonist, Crisostomo Ibarra, who is a young man
who has returned to the Philippines after studying in Europe. When he returns, he
is brimming with ideas for bettering the home of his fellow citizens. However,
corrupt church officials and cruel administrators thwart his idealistic plans.

El Filibusterismo is the sequel to Noli Me Tangere and Rizal’s second and final
novel. Ibarra is disguised as Simoun, an immensely wealthy and mysterious jeweler
who has gained the confidence of the colony’s governor-general (the main
antagonist). Both novels are taught in schools as part of the general Filipino
curriculum.

Because of his fearless exposures of the injustices committed by the civil and
clerical officials,Rizal provoked the animosity of those in power. This led himself,
his relatives and countrymen into trouble with the Spanish officials of the country.
As a consequence, he and those who had contacts with him, were shadowed; the
authorities were not only finding faults but even fabricating charges to pin him
down. Thus, he was imprisoned in Fort Santiago from July 6,1892 to July 15, 1892
on a charge that anti-friar pamphlets were found in the luggage of his sister Lucia
who arrive with him from Hong Kong.

While a political exile in Dapitan, he engaged in agriculture, fishing and business;

he maintained and operated a hospital; he conducted classes- taught his pupils the
English and Spanish languages, the arts. The sciences, vocational courses including
agriculture, surveying, sculpturing, and painting, as well as the art of self defense;
he did some researches and collected specimens; he entered into correspondence
with renowned men of letters and sciences abroad; and with the help of his pupils,
he contracted water dam and a relief map of Mindanao- both considered remarkable
engineering feats.

His sincerity and friendliness won for him the trust and confidence of even those
assigned to guard him; his good manners and warm personality were found
irresistible by women of all races with whom he had personal contacts; his
intelligence and humility gained for him the respect and admiration of prominent
men of other nations; while his undaunted courage and determination to uplift the
welfare of his people were feared by his enemies.

When the Philippine Revolution started on August 26, 1896, his enemies lost no
time in pressing him down. They were able to enlist witnesses that linked him with
the revolt and these were never allowed to be confronted by him. Thus, from
November 3, 1986, to the date of his execution, he was again committed to Fort
Santiago. In his prison cell, he wrote an untitled poem, now known as "Ultimo
Adios" which is considered a masterpiece and a living document expressing not
only the hero’s great love of country but also that of all Filipinos. After a mock
trial, he was convictedof rebellion, sedition and of forming illegal association. In
the cold morning of December 30,1896, Rizal, a man whose 35 years of life had
been packed with varied activities which proved that the Filipino has capacity to
equal if not excel even those who treat him as a slave, was shot at Bagum bayan
Field.
“Mi último adiós” (“My Last Farewell”) was Rizal’s final poem written for his
homeland and fellow citizens before his execution for sedition and rebellion. In this
poem, he emphasized that what matters is not where one dies but why and for what
reason. Furthermore, he underlined that all deaths are honorable if given for the
sake of home and country.

Although Rizal died at the age of 35, his literary works outnumber that of many
writers who lived a full life. He has published three novels (one of which is
unfinished), four plays, 17 poems, three musical compositions, four speeches and
petitions, nine historical commentaries, four letters and petitions, and 49 articles
and essays. Completing these many varied works proves that Rizal lived a
purposeful, full life.

In Rizal’s political view, a conquered country like the Philippines should not be
taken advantage of but rather should be developed, civilized, educated and trained
in the science of self-government.He bitterly assailed and criticized in publications
the apparent backwardness of the Spanish ruler’s method of governing the country
which resulted in:the bondage and slavery of the conquered ;the Spanish
government’s requirement of forced labor and force military service upon the
natives; the abuse of power by means of exploitation; the government ruling that
any complaint against the authorities was criminal; and Making the people ignorant,
destitute and fanatic, thus discouraging the formation of a national sentiment.
Rizal’s guiding political philosophy proved to be the study and application of
reforms, the extension of human rights, the training for self government and the
arousing of spirit of discontent over oppression, brutality, inhumanity, sensitiveness
and self love.loved Philippines.

Rizal has become a symbol of the Philippine struggle for independence, and he is
known there as the national hero. December 30, the date of Rizal's execution in
1896, is celebrated as a national holiday in the Philippines. The Jose Rizal College
was dedicated to his honor in Manila in 1919. There are commemorative
monuments to Rizal in Manila near the site of his execution in Luneta Park, in his
hometown and most Filipino towns, in Heidelberg, and Chicago. His portrait
appears on the Filipino 2-peso bill.

The region around Manila, including his hometown of Calamba, was designated a
province and named Rizal. His novels are required reading for Filipino high school
students. Jose Rizal can perhaps be best summarized using his own words from the
poem he wrote from his cell the night before execution. One of the last stanzas of
"Ultimo Adios" (Final Farewell) shows his selfless devotion to his country, his
loyalty to his family, his deep spirituality despite criticism of the church, and his
artistic grace.
 SUMMARY

On June 19, 1861, the Mercado Family from the town of Calamba in the
province of Laguna in the Philippines, happily greeted the birth of their newest
member a baby boy born as the seventh child to proud parents Francisco Rizal
Mercado y Alejandro and Teodora Alonza y Quintos. They named the bouncing
baby boy Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado. Being the seventh of a brood of eleven, Jose
Rizal Mercado demonstrated an astounding intelligence and aptitude for learning
at a very young age when he learned his letters from his mother and could read and
write at the age of five.
Education was a priority for the Mercado family and young Jose Protacio was
sent to learn from Justiniano Aquino Cruz, a tutor from nearby Binan, Laguna. But
the education of a small town and a tutor did not sufficiently quench the young
man’s thirst for knowledge and soon, the family began to make preparations for his
admission to the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, in the capital of the Philippines.
The school was run by the Jesuit Order and was one of the most prominent
and academic institutions in the country which catered to the rich, the powerful and
most intelligent students that country had, certainly a place for a young man like
Jose Protacio Mercado. Prior to his enrollment in this prominentlearning institution,
his older brother Paciano Rizal Mercado, insisted that Jose drop the surname
“Mercado”. Because during that time Mercado is under the suspicion of Spaniards.
Jose Rizal decided to study for a degree in Land Surveying and Assessment at
the Ateneo de Municipal de Manila where he graduated on March 14, 1877, with
honors or sobrasaliente. He took and passed the licensure exam for land surveying
and assessment in 1878 but was not given a license until 1881 when he turned 21.
After his completion of his degree from Ateneo Municipal de Manila, he pursued,
his passion for the arts as he enrolled at the Faculty of Arts and Letters for a degree
in Philosophy at the University of Santo Tomas.
Although he excelled at philosophy, the news of his mother’s impending
blindness convinced him to study Medicine and he enrolled in the Faculty of
Medical Sciences at University of Santo Tomas to specialize in ophthalmology.
Citing discrimination against Filipino students by the Dominican professors in
Medicine, Rizal left the medical program in 1882. Believing that education in the
country is limited boarded a ship to Spain with the support of his older brother
Paciano but without informing his arents. The 10 years he would spend on the
European continent would leave an indelible mark on his personality and open his
eyes to the world, develop his natural talents and strengthen his devotion to his
fatherland. In Spain, he continued the studies that were stalled in the Philippines
and enrolled at the Universidad Central de Madrid where he graduated in 1884 with
a degree in Medicine and a year later with a degree in Philosophy and letters from
the same institution.
Even after the completion of these two degrees, he still was not satisfied and
traveled to France and studied at the University of Paris. In his pursuit to further
increase his knowledge in his chosen field of specialization ophthalmology he
studied at the University of Heidelberg under the distinguished eye specialist,
Professor Otto Becker. Even closer to home, Rizal saw the treatment accorded to
his beloved mother by the Spanish authorities who accused her of attempting to
poison her cousin and sent her to jail in Santa Cruz, Laguna.
Teodora Mercado was made to walk sixteen kilometers from their home to the
prison and was incarcerated for 2 and a half years until a successful appeal at the
highest court of the Spanish government cleared her of the charges. During his stay
in first stay in Europe, Rizal wrote his novel Noli Me Tangere. The book was
written in Spanish and first published in Berlin, Germany in 1887. The Noli, as it
is more commonly known tells the story of a young Filipino man who travels to
Europe to study and returns home with new eyes to the injustices and corruption in
his native land.
Rizal used elaborate characters to symbolize the different personalities and
characteristics of both the oppressors and the oppressed, paying notable attention
to Filipinos who had adopted the customs of their colonizers, forgetting their own
nationality; the Spanish friars who were portrayed as lustful and greedy men in
robes who sought only to satisfy their own needs and the poor and ignorant
members of society who knew no other life but that of one of abject poverty and
cruelty under the yoke of the church and state.
Rizal’s first novel was a scalding criticism of the Spanish colonial system in
the country and Philippine society in general, was met with harsh reactions from
the elite, the church and the government. Upon his return to the country, he was
summoned by the Governor General of the Philippine Islands to explain himself in
light of accusations that he was a subversive and an inciter of rebellion. Rizal faced
the charges and defended himself admirably, and although he was exonerated, his
name would remain on the watch list of the colonial government.
Similarly, his work also produced a great uproar in the Catholic Church in the
country so much so that later he was excommunicated. Despite the reaction to his
first novel, Rizal wrote a second novel, El Filibusterismo, and published it in 1891.
Where the protagonist of Noli, Ibarra, was a pacifist and advocate of peaceful
means of reforms to enact the necessary change in the system, the lead character in
Fili, Simeon, was more militant and preferred to incite an armed uprising to achieve
the same end.
Hence the government could not help but notice that instead of being merely
a commentary on Philippine society, the second novel could become the catalyst
which would encourage Filipinos to revolt against the Spanish colonizers and
overthrow the colonial government. Upon his return to the Philippines in 1892, he
was arrested by the Spanish government for being a subversive and for his reported
involvement in the rebellion. He was then exiled to the island of the Dapitan in the
southernmost island group of the Philippines, Mindanao.
There he established a school that taught English to young boys, he worked on
agricultural projects on abaca, a plant used for rope, and he continued to practice
medicine, eventually meeting one of the most famous women in his life, Josephine
Bracken. Although Jose Rizal has repeatedly said that he advocated peaceful
reforms in the Philippines, the Spanish government were correct in assuming that
his novels would indeed stir up a hornet’s nest of unrest in the islands.
One of the leaders of the revolutionary group called Katipunan, Andres
Bonifacio, had read the Rizal’s novels and had used these as a basis for the
revolution. So influential was Rizal that even without his permission they named
him as a member and Katipuneros shouted his name as part of the their battle cry.
Rizal was then brought back to the Philippines to face charges of rebellion due to
his reported association with the revolutionary movement. The court found him
guilty and sentenced him to death.
Andres Bonifacio where trying to save Jose Rizal but Paciano stopped him
saying that Rizal don’t want others to be in dangered because of him. Rizal is able
to sneak out a final poem to his family entitled Mi Ultimo Adios. Rizal was
executed by a firing squad on December 30 1896, at 7:00am, in Bagumbayan (now
called Rizal Park). squad. His lasts words were the shout: "It is done! " Bonifacio
and his Katipuneros ambushed some Spanish soldiers and win against them. They
also kill a Spanish priest. The rebellion started to bear fruit and their hard works to
be payed.
 REACTION

Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda is among the most
significant figures in Philippine history. The first thing that comes to mind
when I hear his name is that he is a national hero. Because we have
discovered more significant insights and information about Rizal's life and
the significance of his works and writings to me and my classmates, my Rizal
subject is crucial to us. I learned more about his sacrifices, heroic actions,
and lofty views. It's beneficial to be aware of Rizal's travels, exile, and
execution, as well as his social, political, and economic theories and the
ways in which he is related to other Filipino heroes.
The first thing I noticed in Dr.Jose Rizal’s life was that he lived a simple one.
He did not choose to have a luxurious life like the most of us have wanted.
Even before he became under surveillance by the Spaniards he had lived his
life as simple as possible. I think it was the work of his parents that made
him lived like this. I strongly believe that one’s lifestyle Is influenced mostly
by their parents. I l earned from the life of Rizal the importance of taking
part of the parents to their children’s morals.

I learned a lot while studying this subject and on the movie we watched. I’ve
gained knowledge about Rizal’s life and his contributions to our country. I’ve
seen Rizal our hero in a different perspective. While some of us may just
know him as our national hero but for me I’ve realized that Rizal’s just like
some of us. He’s had his struggles and triumphs.

His life was a truly inspiring story. Not just as an ordinary story of a Filipino
but a story of a very intelligent and talented Filipino who is ready to sacrifice
his whole life just to give freedom and peace to his family and own country.

Dr. Jose Rizal led a straightforward life, which was the first aspect of his I
observed. He declined to live a life of luxury, which is what the majority of
us would have preferred. He had led a straightforward life even before the
Spaniards began to keep an eye on him. I believe his parents forced him to
live this way by their actions. I really believe that a person's parents have
the biggest impact on their lifestyle. I learned the value of parents
contributing to their children's values through Rizal's life.

While researching this topic and watching the movie we did, I learned a lot.
I now know more about Rizal's background and his achievements to our
nation. After seeing Rizal is our hero from a different angle. While some of
us may just remember Rizal as our national hero, I've come to the
conclusion that some of us are just like him. He has experienced hardships
and victories.

His life was a wonderfully motivational tale. A extremely clever and brilliant
Filipino who is willing to spend his entire life to give freedom and peace to
his family and country, rather than just an ordinary Filipino, is the subject of
this story.
Although I may not have studied all about Rizal during this intersemester,
what I did study about him was sufficient for me to convince both other
Filipinos and myself that he was deserving of his current notoriety. And it is
the Filipino people's national hero. His life was genuinely extraordinary and
colorful because the events that shaped the hero's life caused God to
intentionally change him.

For my personal understanding, Jose Rizal explains the importance of a few

things that are crucial to his success in life. God, my family, my country, and
I are those things. Without God, he could not have advanced that far. The
Lords is the most crucial person who can impact our success similar to how
Rizal feared God, who blessed him abundantly with both material and
spiritual blessings in return. That comprises knowledge, abilities, affection,
and compassion. Furthermore, Rizal demonstrated that a pen is more
powerful than a destructive weapon.

Thank you to Rizal for inspiring me and to our professor for sharing and
clearly articulating all of this information with us. In contrast to other people
who used force to battle their foes, Rizal used what he was good at: writing.
His novels and the idea of nationalism captured my attention. People's
perceptions of Spanish oppression were changed by his novels. Revolutions
resulted from a greater awareness of what the people were going through.
Nationalism as an idea taught us to cherish our race. It provided us a sense
of identity and taught us to be proud of our heritage and who we are as
Filipinos. I'm really grateful to have a subject like this where we can learn
more about our national hero's life in general and gain a deeper
understanding of the sacrifices he made for us.

But as of yet, I'm still puzzled as to how Rizal was able to have several
different relationships with women while battling for our nation's
independence and academic excellence. The fact that Rizal is so clever and
received outstanding grades in all of his classes is another quality I
appreciate about him.

He graduated with an excellent performance and took up a course in

theology and law at the University of Santo Tomas. He earned two
doctorates and a degree in medicine. A polymath, he was gifted in Science,
Algebra, and a multitude of other fields including art and farming. He even
tried his hand at sculpting he has a lot of courses and fields.

Every time I think about Rizal and all his talents I felt proud inside of me,
well I guess because I am a Filipino. Every event of his life taught us lessons.
Every one of his doings were dedicated for his country for every Filipinos
and for our freedom. His love to his fellow Filipino has nothing to compared
with.

I can say that Rizal is a very humane and compassionate man. He has dealt
with social problems through his popular books Noli Me T’angere and El
Filibusterismo. He is an ambassador or social justice and equality, which is
a very good thing that we should follow. If there were only thousands of
persons like Rizal, I believe our country will be in good condition.

He received high marks for graduation and enrolled in theology and law
classes at the University of Santo Tomas. He obtained a medical degree as
well as two doctorates. He was a polymath who excelled in several subjects,
including farming and art, as well as science and algebra. He has many
courses and fields to choose from, and he even tried his hand at sculpture.

Because I am Filipino, I suppose, every time I think about Rizal and all his
accomplishments, I feel proud inside. His entire life was a lesson to us. His
actions were all devoted to his nation, the people of the Philippines, and
our independence. His devotion for his fellow Filipinos is unparalleled.
I believe Rizal to be a really kind and caring person. Through the publication
of the widely read works Noli Me T'angere and El Filibusterismo, he has
addressed societal issues. He represents social justice and equality, which is
something we should all strive to do. I think our nation would be in good
shape if there were just thousands of people like Rizal.

I always wish I could be more like him in some aspects of life, but I am aware
that this is unlikely to be the case; it makes me think of our subject's
professor. He frequently affirms that "You can be Rizal too; you just need to
study more, take it seriously, and read endlessly." Although I don't perform
as well as Rizal, I am still doing the best I can within the confines of my
course.And now, thanks to Rizal's work and love, our nation has finally
reclaimed its liberty and freedom. The Filipinos are strongly influenced by
his works and heroic deeds. It really is an excellent resource for teaching
patriotism in the country's schools. He owes the Filipinos a lot. I hope that
one day, the young Filipinos of the next generation would never forget his
sacrifices. Let's at least acknowledge all of his good deeds as a token of our
gratitude and show him the utmost respect.