Life, Works, and Writings of Rizal

Final Examination
By: Greg Martin S. Orbegoso
______________________________________________________________________________

1. What were the charges against Rizal at his trial and what were his arguments about his
innocence? Were the evidences sufficient for his execution?

On the 11th of December 1896, in the presence of his Spanish counsel, charges against Rizal were
read. When asked regarding his sentiments or reaction on the charges, Rizal replied that:

 He does not question the jurisdiction of the court

 He has nothing to amend except that during his exile in Dapitan in 1892, he had not dealt in
political matters;
 He has nothing to admit on the charges against him
 He had nothing to admit on the declarations of the witnesses, he had not met nor knew, against
him.
Testimonial evidences, on the other hand, were comprised of oral proofs provided by Martin
Constantino, Aguedo del Rosario, Jose Reyes, Moises Salvador, Jose Dizon, Domingo Franco,
Deodato Arellano, Pio Valenzuela, Antonio Salazar, Francisco Quison, and Timoteo Paez.
These evidences were endorsed by Colonel Olive to Governor Ramon Blanco who designated
Captain Rafael Dominguez as the Judge Advocate assigned with the task of deciding what
corresponding action should be done. Dominguez, after a brief review, transmitted the records to
Don Nicolas de la Peña, the Judge Advocate General, for an opinion. Peña's recommendations were
as follows:

1. Rizal must be immediately sent to trial

2. He must be held in prison under necessary security
3. His properties must be issued with order of attachment, and as indemnity, Rizal had to pay
one million pesos
4. Instead of a civilian lawyer, only an army officer is allowed to defend Rizal.

2. Compare the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo? How do these reflect situations in the
Philippines and Rizal’s personal experience.

Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo have similarities in terms of aim and purpose. Both aim to
enlighten the Filipinos on what is happening in the country. They want the people to fight for their
country and have the total freedom.
One of the great books written by our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, is Noli Me Tangere.
It is a Latin word meaning "Touch Me Not". This book is a societal novel. He started writing it in
Madrid, Spain on 1884, continued in Paris, France and was finished in Berlin, Germany on February
1887. Noli Me Tangere was dedicated to his Inang Bayan, the Philippines. The history stated in the
book "Uncle Tom's Cabin" of Hariet Beecher Stowe, that tells the suffering of Negro slaves under the
cruelty of the Americans, gave our hero the idea. in writing this book. He saw the similarity of this
to the cruelty experienced by the Filipinos under the Spanish rule. This was published at Imprenta
Lette in Berlin, Germany on March 1887 by the help of Dr. Maximo Viola. As a thanks, Dr. Rizal
gave the original manuscript and the PLUMA he used in writing the novel to Dr. Viola.
Another important writing of our hero is the El Filibusterismo. It comes from the word
"filibustero" which means a person who is against the Roman Catholic. This book is a political novel.
He started writing it on 1890 in London, England and was finished in Brussels, Belgium on 1891.
 Life, Works, and Writings of Rizal
Final Examination
By: Greg Martin S. Orbegoso
______________________________________________________________________________

This was dedicated to the "Three Martyrs", GomBurZa (Fr. Mariano Gomez, Fr. Jose Burgos, Fr.
Jacinto Zamora). Dr. Rizal believed that the three martyrs was only a victim of cruelty and loss of
justice. They was blamed, with a Sgt. Lamadrid, to be the leader of Cavite Mutiny on January 1872
and sentenced by garote on February that year. El Filibusterismo was first published in a
publication company in Ghent, Belgium. The publication of the book were stopped because of
financial problem. By the help of Dr. Valentin Ventura, the publication resumed and was finished on
September 1891. As a favor, Dr. Rizal gave the original manuscript of the novel with an autographed
copy of the book.

3. Identify the ills of society Rizal portrayed in his novels. What were Rizal’s messages in his
two works?

I think, those characters are just the people of today's leaders, including the people who are affected
to the doings of the leaders, people who are just thinking for themselves, people who never thought
of the good future of our society.

The ultimate message is not always clearly spelled out, but the abuses and defects of the colonial
regime are explicitly revealed. The discussions of Elias and Ibarra disclose possible solutions, and
though Rizal is careful not to go for revolution, the threat is unmistakable if radical reforms are not
forthcoming.

Rizal's book persistently unmasks contemporary Spaniards in the Philippines of every kind. The
corruption and brutality of the civil guard drive good men to outlawry rather than reduce banditry.
The administration crawls with self-seekers, out to make their fortune at the expense of the
Filipinos, so that the few officials who are honest and sincere are unable to overcome the treacherous
workings of the system, and their efforts to help the country often end up in frustration or in self-
ruin.

The message of the novel is clear: the present system of governing the Philippines through corrupt
and self-seeking officials, dominated by the friars and being submissive to their interests in one
fashion or another, can only lead to disaster for Spain. By its nature and operation the system
without doubt drives all intelligent, generous, hard-working, courageous, and loyal citizens, even
those most devoted to Spain, into opposition, crime, and subversion. The government is subjective,
cruel, completely lacking in a sense of justice or of responsibility, and without interest or trust in the
people it governs. The friars are painted in even harsher colors than in the Noli: they abuse their
power to satisfy vile lusts; to rob men of their lands; to preserve their monopoly of education; always
seeking their own interests rather than those of the country, or even of Spain

4. What was Rizal’s reaction upon being informed of being found guilty of all charges against
him?

Rizal read his own defense which he wrote in his cell in Fort Santiago. According to Rizal, there are
twelve points to prove his innocence:
 Life, Works, and Writings of Rizal
Final Examination
By: Greg Martin S. Orbegoso
______________________________________________________________________________

1. as testified by Pio Valenzuela, Rizal was against rebellion

2. he had not written a letter addressed to the Katipunan comprising revolutionary elements
3. without his knowledge, his name was used by the Katipunan; if he really was guilty, he could
have escaped while he was in Singapore
4. if he was guilty, he should have left the country while in exile; he shouldn't have built a
home, bought a parcel of land or established a hospital in Dapitan.
5. if he was really the leader of the revolution, the revolutionists should have consulted him.
6. he did not deny that he wrote the by-laws of the La Liga Filipina, but to make things clear,
the organization was a civic association, not a revolutionary society.
7. after the first meeting of La Liga, the association banished because of his exile in Dapitan,
thus, did not last long.
8. if the La Liga was reorganized nine months later, he had no idea about it
9. if the La Liga had a revolutionary purpose, then Katipunan should not have been organized.
10. if the Spanish authorities found his letters having bitter atmosphere, it was because in 1890
his family was being persecuted resulting to their dispossession of properties and
deportation of all his brothers-in-law.
11. he lived an exemplary life in Dapitan – the politico-military commanders and missionary
priests in the province could attest to that.
12. if according to witnesses the speech he delivered at Doroteo Ongjunco's house had inspired
the revolution, then he want to confront these persons. If he really was for the revolution,
then why did the Katipunan sent an unfamiliar emissary to him in Dapitan? It is so because
all his friends were aware that he never advocated violence.

5. What did Rizal do on the day before his execution?

In his last hours Rizal read the Bible and Thomas à Kempis’s Imitation of Christ, which he later
dedicated to Josephine Bracken. He also wrote the poem “Mi Ultimo Adiós,” which he concealed in an
alcohol burner. When his family came to see him, he asked pardon from his mother and talked to his
sisters as they entered his cell one by one. He also wrote letters. In his last letter, addressed to
Paciano Rizal, he asked his brother to ask their father for forgiveness for all the pain he had caused
him. To his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt, he wrote: “When you receive this letter, I shall be dead by
then…. Tomorrow at seven, I shall be shot; but I am innocent of the crime of rebellion…. I am going
to die with a tranquil conscience.”

6. Why do think the government had to confiscate Rizal’s properties? Do you think that it
would be fair for the government to confiscate even Rizal’s personal jewelry? Why?

The Government has to confiscate Rizal’s property so that there will be peace and there will
be no conflict in ownership. So that it will be fair for everyone. I think will will just be fair so
that everyone can just benefit because it’s the government who confiscated it.

7. If you were to make a continuation of El Filibusterismo who would be the surviving

characters and what would be their roles?
 Life, Works, and Writings of Rizal
Final Examination
By: Greg Martin S. Orbegoso
______________________________________________________________________________

Maria Clara and Crisostomo Ibarra will be married, then they will have their own family,
then Rizal’s sons and daughters will be highly intellectual as well in their chosen fields.

8. In the life of Rizal, what character or role do you like most? (Please consider your option or
assigned character during our last meeting). Why?

Rizal. Because I was amazed with his heroism. He just wrote novels and letters. And he has
good strategy on how he van defeat his opponents.

9. Choose one of Rizal’s contemporaries whom you consider as a hero as well.

Paciano. Because he was the one who helped Rizal. And the source of everything.

10. Write either a love letter or a farewell address.

Dear Liz:

I cannot express my immense desire of longing, I do not know where to start, but let’s just
say, and the time we spent together; as best friends were the happiest days of my life.

I could still recall the times we stayed up late together outside your front door; talking about
the things in life. The vast sky, lit with brightest lights, I saw the fire in your eyes, the fire of a
beautiful crimson rose, a I stepped back from the light that fire faded. The flame you solely burnt
into my heart. And now I’m helplessly falling, falling in love with the one who shines brighter than
the star. Do you remember the times I took you to the park? The way your hair flew into the summer
breeze. And the scent of the finest perfumes transcending into my lungs are like a thousand sharp
knives. At that moment, I knew in my heart that you were the one for me. With the character of an
angel, you lifted me up from the dark abyss. All the time I have been waiting, for the fire in me
cannot be quenched no longer. With this I confess my deepest desire; I love you, from the depths of
my heart.

With love:

Lloyd