“THE LIFE AND

WORK’S OF
RIZAL”

NAME: DEL CARMEN, CARLYN A.

On July 5, 1891, Jose Rizal left Brussels for Ghent a famous university city in Belgium.
He stayed at Ghent because the cost of printing is cheaper. Jose Rizal had limited
funds and lived in a cheap boarding house. After his arrival, Jose Rizal searched for
the printing shop that could give him the lowest quotation for the publication of his
novel.
He found out that F. Meyer-Van Loo Press was willing to print his book on
installment basis. He pawned all his jewels to pay the down payment and early
partial payments. He had received money from Basa and 200 pesos from Arias for
the copies of Morga's Sucesos which were sold in Manila. Ventura learned of Rizal's
predicament and immediately sent him the necessary funds. With his financial aid,
the printing of Fili was resumed. The El Filibusterismo was dedicated to the
martyrdom of the Gom-Bur-Za.
 Chapter 20
Ophthalmic Surgeon
in Hong Kong (1891-1892)
After the publication of El Filibusterismo, Jose Rizal left Europe for Hong Kong. He
lived there from November, 1891 to June 1892. On October 18, 1891, Rizal boarded
the steamer Melbourne in Marseilles bound for Hong Kong.
During the voyage he began writing his third novel in Tagalog. Makamisa, Dapitan,
and another untitled novel were some of the unfinished novels of Rizal. Jose Rizal
described his trip as "heavenly". In the ship were over 80 passengers-mostly
Europeans, and two Spaniards who were going to Amoy. Jose Rizal was the only
Asian among them, and amazed his fellow passengers with his knowledge of many
languages. Jose Rizal arrived in Hong Kong on November 20, 1891. He was welcomed
by Jose Basa and lived at Number 5 D' Aguilar Street where he also opened his
medical clinic.
Before the Christmas of 1891, he was gladdened by the arrival of his father, brother
and Silvestre Ubaldo in Hong Kong. Not long afterwards, his mother and sisters Lucia,
Josefa and Trinidad also arrived. This Christmas was one of the happiest moments in
Rizal's life for he had a happy family reunion. Jose Rizal also practiced his
ophthalmology in Hong Kong. There he became a well-.
 Chapter 21
Second Homecoming
and the Liga Filipina
In May, 1892, Rizal made up his mind to return to Manila. He gave two letters, which
were sealed and inscribed on it "to be opened after my death", to his friend Dr.
Marques for safekeeping.
At noon of June 26, 1892, Jose Rizal and his sister Lucia arrived in Manila. He stayed
in Hotel de Oriente which was facing the church of Binondo.
On June 27, Jose Rizal boarded a train in Tutuban Station and visited his friends. And
on Wednesday July 6, Rizal went to Malacañan Palace to resume his series of
interviews. The governor general then presented to him some printed leaflets
(Pobres Frailes) which were allegedly found in Lucia's pillow cases. Rizal denied
having those leaflets because they were thoroughly searched upon their arrival from
Hong Kong and was found clean.
Despite his denial and insistent demand for investigation he was placed under arrest
and escorted to Fort Santiago.
July 15, 1892, Rizal was brought to the steamer Cebu which was sailing for Dapitan.
On the 17th of July, Rizal was handed over to Captain Ricardo Carnicero, the
commandant of Dapitan. His exile in Dapitan lasted until July 31, 1896, a period of
four years.
 Chapter 22
Exile in Dapitan (1892-1896)
Jose Rizal stayed in Dapitan for a period of four years. He was supposed to live in the
Jesuit Church but insisted on living in the house of Captain Carnicero. The two
became close and befriended each other. Carnicero was impressed with the fine
qualities and personalities of Rizal.
On September 21, 1892, Jose Rizal won the Manila Lottery with a sum of 6,200
pesos. He shared his winnings to his father and to his friend Basa, and the rest he
invested by purchasing agricultural lands.
During his stay in Dapitan, he had debates with Father Pastells about religion. They
exchanged views and commented on each other. In spite of their religious
differences, Rizal and Pastells remained good friends. He was also able to meet again
his teacher from Ateneo-Father Sanchez.
Father Sanchez was assigned by Father Pastells to persuade Jose Rizal to discard his
"errors of religion". Jose Rizal and Father Sanchez had theological arguments but all
efforts of Sanchez were in vain. Rizal practiced medicine in Dapitan and had many
patients. He gave free medicine to the poor. He was also able to operate his
mother's right eye.
Jose Rizal was also interested in the use of medicinal plants which he used to some
of his poor patients. Jose Rizal also made a Water System for Dapitan which modern
engineers today found it very marvelous. He also became a teacher and taught to
the young boys of Dapitan. He even made a project to beautify the town plaza.
Jose Rizal was also a farmer. On his farms, he introduced modern methods of
agriculture which he observed in Europe and America. He encourages the Dapitan
farmers to discard their primitive system of tillage and adopt the modern methods.
He imported some agricultural machinery from the United States.
Jose Rizal had a relationship with Josephine Bracken. They first met when Josephine
accompanied his father to the clinic of Rizal. Their relationship lasted for one month
until they decided to marry.
The two lived happily in Dapitan. They had a son, but only lived for three hours. On
July 31, 1896, Rizal's exile in Dapitan came to an end. Jose Rizal, together, with
Josephine, Narcisa, Angelica and his three nephews and six pupils boarded the
steamer España. Almost all the Dapitan townies were at the shore and bid him
goodbye.
 Chapter 23
Last Trip Abroad (1896)
August 1, Rizal anchored at Dumaguete. He visited some friends and former
classmates. The España left Dumaguete at about 1:00 p.m. and reached Cebu the
following morning.
Jose Rizal was fascinated by the entrance of Cebu. On August 3, Jose Rizal left Cebu
and continued to Iloilo. Then sailed to Capiz and towards to Romblon until
proceeding to Manila.
He missed the ship going to Spain but on the midnight of the same day he was able
to right the Spanish cruiser Castilla. On September 2, Jose Rizal was transferred to
the steamer Isla de Panay which was sailing for Barcelona, Spain.
The next morning the steamer left Manila Bay. The steamer arrived at Singapore in
the evening of September 7. The passengers including Rizal went shopping and to
see some scenery.
Jose Rizal observed that there were more Chinese merchants and less Indians. He
bought a Chinese gown. Don Pedro and his son stayed at Singapore. He advised Rizal
to stay behind too and take advantage of the protection of the British law. But Jose
Rizal pursued to Spain. The steamer left Singapore on September 8.
On September 25, he saw the steamer Isla de Luzon, leaving the Suez Canal; it was
full of Spanish troops. On September 28, a day after the steamer Isla de Panay left
Port Said, a passenger told Jose Rizal that he would be arrested by order of Governor
General Blanco and would be sent to prison in Cueta.
Shocked by the news, Jose Rizal realized that he was being duped. Nothing was
official yet about his impending arrest. But on September 30, he was officially
notified by Captain Alemany that he should stay in his cabin until further orders from
Manila. He obeyed orders. At the same day, the steamer anchored at Malta but he
was not able to land. He saw through a small window.
October 3, the Isla de Panay arrived in Barcelona, with Rizal as prisoner on board.
Jose Rizal was kept under heavy guard in his cabin for 3 days. On October 4, Jose
Rizal noticed the city's celebration of the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi.
At 3:00 a.m. of October 6, Jose Rizal was escorted to the prison-fortress named
Monjuich. After his stay at Monjuich, he was transferred to a ship named Colon. Rizal
was aboard the Colon which was full of soldiers and officers. On October 6, 8:00
p.m., the ship left Barcelona.
 Chapter 24
Last Homecoming and Trial
On November 3, the Colon reached Manila, where it was greeted by the Spaniards
and the friars because it bought more soldiers and supplies. Jose Rizal then was
transferred from the ship to Fort Santiago.
On November 20, the preliminary investigation began. He was presented with 15
documentary evidences. On November 26, Colonel Olive transmitted the records to
institute the corresponding action against Rizal. Jose Rizal was given only the right to
choose his defense counsel. He was given a list of lieutenants in the Spanish Army
and one name struck his fancy. It was Don Luis Taviel de Andrade, which was the
brother of Lt. Jose Taviel de Andrade who became Rizal's bodyguard in Calamba.
December 13, General Camilo G. de Polavieja became the Governor General of the
Philippines. On December 15, Jose Rizal wrote a manifesto to his people to stop the
bloodshed and to achieve their liberties by means of education and industry.
On December 25, 1896, was Christmas. Jose Rizal was alone and depressed in his
prison cell. December 26, was the day of trial of Rizal. His trial is a proof of Spanish
injustice and misrule. His case was prejudged, he was considered guilty before the
actual trial. The court did not give him justice, but accused and condemn him. It
accepted all charges and testimonies against him and ignored all arguments and
proofs in his favor. After a short deliberation, the military court unanimously voted
for the sentence of death. Immediately, Polavieja sought the opinion of the Judge
Advocate. He latter affirmed the death verdict.
 Chapter 25
Martyrdom at Bagumbayan
On December 28, Polavieja approved the decision of the court-martial and ordered
Rizal to be shot at 7:00 o'clock in the morning of December 30 at Bagumbayan Field.
December 29, 1896 Jose Rizal was visited by some family members including his
beloved Josephine, some Jesuit priests, a Spanish newspaper correspondent, and
some of his friends.
He also finished his last poem and hid it in an alcohol cooking stove. At the same
time he wrote his farewell letter to his best friend. The following day, he heard the
mass and confessed his sins. Jose Rizal bade goodbye to Josephine and gave her a
last gift which was a religious book entitled Imitation of Christ in which he
autographed.
6:30 A.M., a trumpet sounded at Fort Santiago. The soldiers aligned formations and
moved to their designated place for the execution. Jose Rizal was dressed in black
suit, a black derby hat, black shoes, white shirt and a black tie.
One of the priests blessed him and offered him a crucifix to kiss. Jose Rizal reverently
bowed his head and kissed it. Then he requested the firing squad commander that
he'd be shot facing the firing squad but his request was denied.
Unwillingly, Jose Rizal turned his back to the firing squad and faced the sea. Rizal was
not afraid to die. The death ruffles of the drum filled the air. Above the drum-beats,
the sharp command "Fire" was heard, and the guns of the firing squad shoot Rizal. It
was exactly 7:03 in the morning. Rizal fell on the ground and dead with his face
upward facing the morning sun.