A Biography of Jos Rizal

Written by Dr. Rafael Palma

Rafael Palma
born in Tondo, Manila on
October 24, 1874.
took his BA degree in
Ateneo de Manila (1885)
and finished law at UST
(1892)
Rafael Palma
reporter in La Independencia
but after General Lunas
death, he assumed the
editorship
Passed the bar examinations
and founded the newspaper
El Renacimiento (1901)
Rafael Palma
elected as Senator and Governor-
General
inaugurated as the fourth
president of the University of the
Philippines (1925-1933)
was married to Carolina Ocampo.
His Works
The Woman and the Right
to Vote
The Pride of the Malay
Race
 The Pride of the Malay Race
First time in the United States, this biography by Rafael Palma was awarded
first prize in a nationwide contest sponsored by the Philippine government in
1936.
According to John Nery, However, Rizals influence went beyond the
Philippine Archipelago. It radiated to other parts of Southeast Asia, inspiring
their people on the possibilities of hoping and struggling for freedom and
independence. Thus, he has also been called the pride of the Malay race.
 Synopsis
The name of Jose Rizal is enshrined in the hearts of Filipinos to an extent
comparable only to those of Washington and Lincoln in Americas own
national tradition. Here, patriot, and eventual martyr, Rizal epitomized during
his brief life (1861-1896) the finest characteristics of the resolute and valiant
Malay race.
Rizals short but tempestuous life was dedicated to rebellion against the
Spanish overlords who held his homeland in thrall. His barbed pen, writing
fiery and defiant articles in the cause of freedom, early inspired his fellow
Filipinos to make his crusade their own.
Critical
 Critic on The Pride of the Malay Race
The first to interpret correctly the feelings and aspirations of
Rizal, but whose Masonic convictions prevented him from
rendering an impartial judgement on the religious aspects of
heros life (Ma. Guerrero 1987)
 Rizals Alleged Retraction
I declare myself a Catholic and in this religion, in which I was born and educated, I wish to
live and die. I retract with all my heart anything in my words, writings, publication, and conduct that
has been contrary to my character as a son of Church. I believe and profess what it teaches, and I
submit to what it demands. I abominate Masonry as the enemy that it is of the Church and as a
society prohibited by the same.
The Diocesan Prelate, as the superior ecclesiastical authority, may make this spontaneous
manifestation of mine public in order to repair the scandal that my acts may have caused and in order
that God and men may forgive me.
Manila, December 29, 1897. Jos Rizal
 Critical Examination of Rizals Alleged Retraction
Based on Rafael Palma

1. The documents of retraction was kept secret so that no one except the authorities
was able to see it that time.
2. When the family of Rizal asked for the original of the said document or a copy of
it as well as the copy of the certificate of canonical marriage with Josephine
Bracken, both petitions were denied.
3. Rizals burial was kept secret, the cadaver having been delivered to the Catholic
association instead of the family, who had claimed it.
4. In spite of what Rizal meant to the Filipinos and of what his conversion meant,
no masses were said for his soul or funeral held by the Catholics.
 Critical Examination of Rizals Alleged Retraction
Based on Rafael Palma

4. Notwithstanding [the claim] that Rizal was reconciled with the Church, he
was not buried in the Catholic cemetery of Paco but in the ground, without
any cross or stone to mark his grave.
5. The entry in the book of burials of the interment of Rizals body is not
made on the page those buried on December 30, 1896 instead he was
considered among persons died impenitent with no spiritual aid.
6. And the last, there was no moral motive for the conversion.
Critic Regarding Rizals Alleged Retraction
A similar type of argument could be found in Rafael Palmas The Pride of
the Malay Race. Rizal was a man of character, wrote Palma in his book, and
he had demonstrated it in many circumstances of his life. He was not likely to yield his
ideas because his former preceptors and teachers talked to him. They did it in Dapitan and
did not obtain any result. Why would he renounce his religious ideas for a few hours more
of life?
 Joint Statement of the Catholic Hierarchy of the
Philippines on the Book "The Pride of the Malay Race"

We cannot but denounce Dr. Palma's book as a piece of anti-Catholic

propaganda, and this is confirmed by the fact that the greatest interest in
making this book a required reading by high school students at the expense
of the taxpayers has been shown by masonic and anti-Catholic elements.
The effect of the book is not to enhance the glory of our national hero, nor
to enlighten the mind of our young students, but to discredit the Catholic
Church.
 View of Palma on Rizal versus Bonifacio

Whereas generally the heroes of occidental nations are warriors

& generals who serve their cause w/ the sword, distilling blood &
tears, the hero of the Filipinos served his cause w/ the pen,
demonstrating that the pen is as mighty as the sword to redeem a
people from their political slavery.
 View of Palma on Rizal versus Bonifacio

It is true that in our case the sword of Bonifacio was after all
needed to shake off the yoke of a foreign power; but the
revolution prepared by Bonifacio was only the effect, the
consequence of the spiritual redemption wrought by the pen of
Rizal.
 View of Palma on Rizal versus Bonifacio

Hence not only in the chronological order but also in the point
of importance the previous works of Rizal seems to us superior
to that of Bonifacio, because although that of Bonifacio was of
immediate results, that of Rizal will have more durable &
permanent effects.
 Comparison of Palmas Work to other
Biographies
The substantial biographies of Rizal--from Austin Craig to Rafael Palma,
Leon Maria Guerrero to Austin Coates--all attempted to triangulate the ideas
of the hero with his varying positions in his family, in the circle of his friends
and colleagues in Europe, and in relation to the colonial Establishment.
Their main concern is to find out the origin of the heros thoughts and their
impact on the local environment. But the twin errors of contemplative
objectivism and individualist bias persisted in vitiating their accounts. (E.San
Juan, Jr.)
 References

Palma, R (1966). The Pride of the Malay Race. Prentice Hall Inc.: Philippines.

https://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/former_senators/rafael_palma.htm. Retrieved last 14

August, 2016.

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