"Hi, I am Jose Rizal and I'm going to draw my life for you today.

And most
notably, how I ended back in our beautiful motherland, the Philippines."
"As you all know, I've practically been all over the place in this short life of
mine. Spain, France, the United States, Japan. At one point in time, I found
myself once again in the lovely trading hub that is Hongkong. Eventually,
all this 'walking the earth' so to speak, has left me a bit homesick."
"But going back home wasn't at all that easy. For one, some of my latest
works has left a rather foul taste in the mouth of the local clergy. They
would so love to have a word with me once I was in Manila wouldn't they?
My family was well aware of this fact as well.
How I wish for them to welcome me back with open arms, as if nothing was
wrong with the world... That would of course, be too easy wouldn't it?
Ah, yes! The letters! I almost forgot to mention that. Before embarking to
Manila, it was naturally polite to inform friends and family of my departure.
My brother-in-law Antonio, Antonio Lopez was writing for the whole family
when he sent me his response. To cut a long story short, he said I was free
to do whatever I wished while I was in Hongkong, free to aid my country in
however way from the safety of a few hundred miles of water.
Regidor, an old acquaintance of mine in London, had the same idea as well
in his letter. And this was despite our prior 'disagreements' during my last
visit. He stated I was obviously walking into the mouth of wolf. And that for
all his assurances, Despujol should not be trusted at all.
I think the committee is thrown into a veritable panic of terror whenever I so
far as hint that I'm coming. What would the reaction be when it finally
comes to pass I wonder?"
"Speaking of old friends, the La Solidaridad needed my aid from my
position at Hongkong. The newspaper had grown increasingly decrepit as a
political instrument since the time of it's founding. Aside from the now
familiar warning of 'Don't come home, lest you come to harm', The Manila
committee wanted me to establish a brand new paper there in Hongkong,
with an even more radical policy than last time.
A shame really, but I don't think shifting our battlefield to Hongkong is the
right thing to do. No, that won't do at all. Our focus must be more inward in
nature.
Alas, my family, my friends, I am sorry. The answer was as clear as day for
there was no real alternative. I absolutely had to depart for Manila."
"Preparations had to be made, visits had to be scheduled. And in the off
chance my visit to Manila had come to pass without complications, I might
have looked into pursuing the Borneo Project once more. Despite whatever
the consul says, I have not given up on it's idea. Maybe selling off a few of
the family properties would do some good for funding? But I doubt if they'd
be pleased with that prospect.
Who am I to fool myself into thinking that this would not end in death
though? Already from the safety of Hongkong had I caught an Augustinian
spy around my quarters. No doubt sent be the friars. Still, I liked to think
there was still a chance, albeit a small one."
"I am a man who considers to being meticulous in detail to be of utmost
priority. It is no different with as morbid and grim of a subject matter as my
death. If God willing, I will do my best to conduct myself to die with dignity.
I dream about it sometimes, the kind of death it would be. Even now it
chases me into the waking world. Like the story of Fr. Burgos. A young life,
filled with ideas in his head, only to be snuffed out in an act as repugnant
as hanging. Would I be fearful and broken in spirit as I suffer my final
moments I wonder?
I'd hate to brag, but my life had been an example to the Filipinos. And so
should my death be. Unforgettable.
They'd probably give me the death of a traitor to one's country. Back
against a firing squad and fired upon.
I'd wish to avoid that. Dying like a mindless animal, crumpled in a formless
heap. No, I must die with my face and chest to the sky.
I doubt they'd just let me face the firing squad if they'd entertain the request
at all. But if all my years of studying anatomy and swordsmanship are to
correct, there should be a way for me to stand in such a way that I should
land on my back.
Suffice to say, I am not ashamed to admit that I practiced this more than a
few times. In private of course."
"Another thing I did in private was prepare two letters that are to be opened
in the time of my death.
One for my parents, family and friends, while the other for the Filipino
people as a whole.
It is not often that an author gets the opportunity to explain his work. And
often times history has the habit of altering the meaning behind one's
actions as time goes by.
What do these letters contain you ask? Well, you'll just have to find out
wouldn't you? But it is nothing I have not yet said. For now, that secret is
between me and Dr. Marcques."
"It's strange to think that in some measure that the future of one's country
depends on oneself. The idea of me being the sole hinge in deciding
Philippine politics is an...intoxicating idea to say the least. If that where
indeed true, I would have hesitated in taking such drastic actions and
instead indulge myself with the idea of safety and survival.
But I know there are others yet to take my place, and take it to advantage."
"After the preparations had been made, it was about time to contact
Despujol about my plans to come to Manila. First to be at the governor-
generals disposal and secondly to take care of some personal matters.
I went to the Spanish consulate to collect my passport and with my sister
Lucia, departed on the next ship sailing to Manila.

The 'rat' is in the trap, as they say."

Rizal erases the whiteboard and packs it away.

(end)

II. HERO'S RETURN, ARREST, AND DEPORTATION.

(Interviews with Despujol-inaugurates the Liga Filipina-the Jesuit

intervention-security measures surrounding deportation-Bonifacio founds
the Katipunan)
Rizal dusts off and sets up the whiteboard once again after some time has
passed.
"After a few days of having traveled by sea, I had finally arrived in Manila
on June 26, 1892."
"The first thing I did was knock on the doors of Malacanang palace. But I
was told to head back again in a few hours.
I assumed I was to wander around in the mean time?"
"Anyway, my homecoming was so much different compared to the first
time. Last time, I came and went comparatively unnoticed. As soon as I left
the palace, there where droves of people waiting to hear my advice on
every little thing.
Do allow me to stroke my own ego, but I had returned as the country's
most famous man. A leader and director of Philippine political aspirations
and and as a legendary doctor as well. I was a miracle worker.
Oh, and I can't forget to mention the rumor going around that I had magical
powers. I sometimes wonder about that myself."
"With idle time on my hands, I decided to visit my sister Narcisa and my
dear nephew Leoncio.
With a hoard of admirers on my heel, I walked, albeit rather quickly, to their
home in Oroquieta. I admit it was rather funny to watch some of the crowd
half-running just to keep up with me.
"