Exile, Trial, and Death

Life as an Exile in Dapitan

• Rizal arrived in Manila on June 26, 1892, attracting attention from Filipinos and
Spaniards. On July 3, 1892, he founded La Liga Filipina in Doroteo Ongjunco’s
house in Tondo. Four days later, Rizal was arrested for:
1. Publishing anti-Catholic and anti-friar works.
2. Possession of the controversial pamphlet Pobres Frailes.
3. Dedicating El Filibusterismo to GomBurZa, calling for separation from Spain.
4. Criticizing religion and promoting its exclusion from Filipino culture.
• On July 17, 1892, Rizal, under Captain Ricardo Carnicero’s supervision, arrived in
Dapitan. He was offered the chance to stay with Fr. Antonio Obach under conditions
of retracting his Masonic beliefs, attending church, and living as a faithful Catholic, but
Rizal refused.
• In August 1892, Rizal wrote a poem, A Don Ricardo Carnicero, to honor the captain.

Rizal and the Jesuits

• Jesuit friars offered Rizal a place in the Dapitan convent, but he refused. His former
teacher, Francisco de Paula Sanchez, engaged him in friendly debates about
religion, though Rizal did not return to Catholicism. Rizal also corresponded with Jesuit
superior Pablo Pastells, scholarly debating religion and the Bible.
Achievements in Dapitan

Rizal as a Doctor
• Established a clinic and treated locals, often giving medicine for free due to
widespread poverty.
Rizal as a Teacher (1893-1896)
• Started with 3 students, growing to 16.
• Taught students without tuition; they worked on practical projects like farming and
gardening as part of their learning.
• Wrote Himno A Talisay and conducted lessons under a Talisay tree.
Community Projects
• Developed a water system to drain marshes, reducing malaria risk.
• Improved the town’s sanitation and beautification.
Scientific Discoveries
• Discovered rare species named after him: Draco rizali (flying dragon), Apogonia rizali
(beetle), and Rhacophorus rizali (frog).
• Explored the flora and fauna of Dapitan with his students.
Other Contributions
• Rizal engaged in farming, business, and community improvement projects. He also
invented useful tools and created artworks and sculptures. He had a romantic
relationship with Josephine Bracken during his time in exile.
Rizal as a Scientist and Philologist
Rizal as a Scientist
• In 1879, Rizal experimented with hashish for scientific purposes. He corresponded
with prominent scientists like Adolf Bernard Mayer.
• While in Dapitan, Rizal studied and collected over 340 shells from more than 200
species. His collection of Pinctada maxima pearls was one of the most extensive in
the Philippines.
Rizal as a Philologist
• Rizal had an in-depth understanding of languages and philology. He mastered 22
languages and had been to many countries in Europe, America, and Asia. These
include Tagalog, Ilokano, Bisayan, Subanon, Spanish, Latin, Greek, English, French,
German, Arabic, Malay, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Dutch, Catalan, Italian, Chinese, Japanese,
Portuguese, Swedish, and Russian.
• He made significant contributions to the study of Philippine languages, particularly in
the analysis of the Tagalog language, and was involved in debates about the proper
linguistic development of the country’s native languages.

The Spies and Secret Emissary

• Rizal discovered that spies were sent to observe him. Matias Arrieta, a physician,
confessed to being a spy after receiving treatment from Rizal.
• In March 1895, Florencio Nanaman, posing as Pablo Mercado, a secret agent hired
by the Recollect friars, offered to deliver Rizal's letters to Manila but was exposed by
Rizal.
• In June, Dr. Pio Valenzuela, an emissary sent by Katipunan leader Andres Bonifacio,
arrived disguised as the companion of a blind patient. He successfully conveyed
Bonifacio's message.
• Bonifacio sought Rizal’s endorsement of the planned revolution. However, Rizal
disapproved, favoring peaceful means over violent conflict and recommended
seeking the support of Antonio Luna instead.

Rizal’s farewell to Dapitan

Cuba Mission
• Rizal offered his services as a military doctor to Governor General Ramon Blanco to
assist in Cuba's yellow fever epidemic, approved on July 1, 1896. He left Dapitan
aboard the steamer España, with the townspeople in tears after his four-year stay.
Delay in Departure
• Rizal arrived in Manila Bay on August 6, 1896, but had to stay aboard the Spanish
cruiser Castilla for a month due to the discovery of the revolution led by the Katipunan.
Revolution Begins
• On August 26, 1896, the Katipunan, led by Bonifacio, launched the Cry of Pugadlawin,
starting the revolution. Blanco declared war in several provinces. Rizal, cleared of
involvement, was allowed to board the Isla de Panay for Spain.
 Arrest
• While sailing in the Mediterranean, Rizal was arrested after a telegraphic order was
received. He was detained in Montjuich Castle, Barcelona, and then sent back to
Manila on the ship Colon.
Trial
• After arriving in Manila on November 3, 1896, Rizal was tried by a military court for
rebellion, sedition, and illegal association. Despite his defense, he was found guilty
and sentenced to death.
Execution Order
• On December 28, 1896, Governor General Polavieja signed Rizal's death warrant
ordering him to be shot at 7:00 o'clock in the morning at Bagumbayan. Rizal accepted
the decision, maintaining his innocence.

Visited by Loved Ones

• Rizal was allowed a final visit with his family and was transferred to the prison chapel.
Priests' Visits
• Fr. Miguel Saderra Mata and Fr. Luis Viza visited, with Viza bringing an image of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus.
• Fr. Antonio Rosell had breakfast with Rizal, while Fr. Balaguer stayed with Rizal until
noon and returned later, attempting to persuade him to retract his Masonic beliefs.
Family Visit (Afternoon)
• Rizal’s mother and sister, Trinidad, visited. He gave Trinidad an alcohol stove with a
hidden note and instructed her to check his shoes after his execution.
Retracting Masonic Beliefs
• In the evening, Fr. Balaguer and Fr. Viza, joined by Fiscal Gaspar Castaño,
continued religious discussions with Rizal.
• At 10:00 PM, a retraction draft from Archbishop Nozaleda arrived, followed by
another draft from Fr. Pio Pi.
• At 11:30 PM, Rizal signed the retraction, witnessed by Juan de Fresno and Elroy
Mource.
Final Acts
• Rizal had his last breakfast and autographed his books as souvenirs.
• Fr. Balaguer officiated Rizal’s marriage to Josephine Bracken, and he gave her an
autographed copy of Imitacion de Cristo by Thomas Kempis.

Rizal’s farewell

• He wrote three farewell letters: to Parents, Dr. Blumentritt and Paciano.

• At around 6:30 AM, Rizal was escorted from his cell to Bagumbayan by a colonel.
• His request to spare his head was granted, but he was denied the request to be shot
facing forward.
 • Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo checked Rizal's pulse, which was normal. After a command,
the firing squad shot him, and Rizal made an effort to fall with his face toward the sun.
• Spanish spectators shouted "Viva España!" as the military band played Marcha de
Cadiz.
• Rizal was secretly buried at Paco Cemetery, but his sister later found his remains,
which were cleaned at Higino Mercado’s house and given to Doña Teodora. Rizal’s
remains now rest inside the Rizal Monument in Luneta.

References

Evasco, M. E. J. (2024). Rizal's life in Philippine history: Awakening Filipino nationalism for
the 21st century. ResearchGate. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.33077.28646

Jose Rizal Web Development Team. (2004). Rizal back at home. Jose Rizal University.
http://www.joserizal.ph/ad03.html

Jose Rizal Web Development Team. (2004). Rizal sailed for Cuba via Spain. Jose Rizal
University. http://www.joserizal.ph/ad02.html

Jose Rizal Web Development Team. (2004). Rizal in Manila Bay. Jose Rizal University.
http://www.joserizal.ph/ad01.html

Jose Rizal Web Development Team. (2004). Rizal's last hours. Jose Rizal University.
http://www.joserizal.ph/lh01.html

Jose Rizal Web Development Team. (2004). Rizal and the Katipunan. Jose Rizal University.
http://www.joserizal.ph/kt01.html

Jose Rizal Web Development Team. (2004). Rizal and the Propaganda Movement. Jose
Rizal University. http://www.joserizal.ph/pr01.html

Owlcation. (n.d.). Rizal and the Jesuits. Retrieved from

https://owlcation.com/humanities/Rizal-and-the-Jesuits