PADRE FAURA WITNESSES THE EXECUTION OF RIZAL PADRE FAURA WITNESSES THE EXECUTION OF RIZAL

by Danton Remoto by Danton Remoto

I stand on the roof

I stand on the roof
Of the Ateneo Municipal,
Of the Ateneo Municipal,
Shivering
On this December morning. Shivering
On this December morning.
Months ago,
Pepe came to me Months ago,
In the Observatory Pepe came to me
I thought we would talk In the Observatory
I thought we would talk
About the stars
That do not collide
About the stars
In the sky:
Instead, he asked me about purgatory. That do not collide
In the sky:
(His cheeks still ruddy Instead, he asked me about purgatory.
From the sudden sun
After the bitter winters (His cheeks still ruddy
In Europe.) From the sudden sun
After the bitter winters
And on this day In Europe.)
With the year beginning to turn,
Salt stings my eyes. And on this day
I see Pepe, With the year beginning to turn,
Salt stings my eyes.
A blur I see Pepe,
Between the soldiers
With their Mausers raised A blur
And the early morning's Between the soldiers
With their Mausers raised
Star: And the early morning's
Still shimmering
Even if millions of miles away, Star:
The star itself Still shimmering
Even if millions of miles away,
Is already dead. The star itself

Is already dead.
1. Who is Pepe? Explain.

Pepe is the Philippine National Hero, Jose Protacio Mercado Rizal y Alonso Realonda or commonly known
as Jose Rizal. During the Spanish era in the Philippines, children named Jose is given a nickname Pepe.

2. Why does Pepe ask the persona about purgatory?

Rizal has been in battle against the Spaniards through his writings. Being consciously aware that his name
is under fire, there is an immense knowing that his execution might be coming.
When we speak about purgatory in Roman Catholic Doctrine, it is where the souls enter after death for
cleansing and purifying of sins before transcending to heaven.
Rizal might have been thinking about his forthcoming death and is mentally preparing himself if he is
about to go to purgatory. What is it like? or maybe, does it even exist.

3. The poem talks about the nature of the stars. Can you explain what he means, in terms of science.

There is the statement that says, "when we look at the stars, you're actually looking at the past." The light
that we see from the stars is actually a light that travelled years- thousand of light years before it reaches
Earth. So, the stars that we see today are actually dead in present, what we're seeing is how they shimmered
thousand years ago.

4. This discussion of a star is also a metaphor. What is the metaphor for?

The star is a metaphor of Jose Rizal. Like the star that's already died years ago, we can still see its light
shimmering before us. Like Jose Rizal, he might be dead, but his legacy will forever remain in the hearts of
the Filipinos.

5. What do you think the persona felt for Rizal? Give textual evidence.

Sadness-- regrets (panghihinayang)

"Salt stings my eyes.

I see Pepe,"
Seeing Rizal in the midst of execution, the persona can't help but held tears in his eyes. Also, knowing
that months ago, he knows that Rizal has been preparing for this.