Symbolism in

Maria Clara and

Sisa
 Maria Clara and Sisa, represent the
enduring sacrifices of Filipino
womanhood and nation itself
Maria Clara
- main female character of the Noli Me
Tangere
- portrayed by Rizal as the fruit of an illicit
love affair between the Spanish Franciscan
friar, Father Damaso, and a native woman,
Pia Alba, for six years the childless wife of
Captain Tiago
- molded her into something like Leonor
Rivera
- she was the typical, although not the ideal,
Filipino woman
- Shown as a young convent bred woman,
shy and awkward in spite of her innate
charms
- At 22, she is immature and unable to form
her own convictions without the approval of
her confessor or her elders
Maria Clara
- is the image of the Philippines with her
virtues and inconsistencies, a symbol made
more human characteristics of the typical 19 th
century Filipino

- she symbolizes the purity and innocence of

a sheltered native woman during the time of
Spanish occupation. She does not value
material things that were abundantly bestowed
upon her by admirers and family alike but
holds in high esteem her parents honor and
the promise she had given to her sweetheart.
Sisa
- she is the Philippines
- a typical native wife, endures her
husband's beatings and irresponsibility
and despite the abuses, she consider his
husband as her God
- described as a mother who considers
her sons her only treasure
- her features are beautiful, but are
made uncomely by later sorrow and
suffering
- she represents the Motherland, as well
as Rizals own mother and all Filipino
woman
Response to the Novels

- message conveyed by the novels made

Rizal famous
- both favorable and unfavorable response to
his eye-openers
- Rizal began receiving tributes from his
friends because of his novels
- Spanish friars reacted to the novels with
maddening anger and alarm
- in the Philippines, the effect of the novels
on the masses was enthusiastic
 - few copies of the novels that cleared the customs
and reached the bookstores were sold out
- the ban against the books only served to arouse
curiosity rather than discourage their clandestine
circulation
- some readers paid the full price for taking risks;
others hesitated
- novels were widely circulated in his time
- novels were translated in different foreign languages
and native dialects to reach greater audience
- readership and acclaim of the novels is much more
extensive today and theyve perceived the novels as
renewal of mind and spirit
- Rizals message is headed by a grateful Filipino
people in a paramount concerted effort towards
progress and self-reliance
Oh, what a beautiful morning by Ambeth R.
Ocampo

the article written by todays most famous Filipino

historian Ambeth R. Ocampo on Jose Rizals death.
Simply entitled, The Death of Jose Rizal, this
historical piece by Ocampo could be deemed
refreshing and controversial, as it offers several
unpopular and unorthodox accounts of what
(presumably) transpired on the day of Rizals
execution. For one thing, it virtually proclaims that
Rizal refused to kiss the crucifix before he was
executed, thereby negating the claim of other
historians (like Zaide) that the national hero even
asked for this Catholic sacramental.
Photographer recorded Rizal martyrdom
by Jerome Aning, Philippine Daily Inquirer

- original photograph of the execution of Rizal at

Bagumbayan Park is the centerpiece of the Geronimo
Berenguer de los Reyes, Jr. (GBR) Museum in General
Trias, Cavite.
- the photograph became the center of controversy
among historians two years ago when historian Pio
Andrade questioned its authenticity.
- the GBR Foundation put an end to the controversy by
producing the original albumin print of the execution
shot taken by Manuel Arias Rodriguez, a photographer
who had a bookstore at Carrieto called Agencia
Editorial.
Manuel Arias Rodriguez,Fusilamiento de Jose Rizal,
1896
Authenticated

- the photograph was authenticated

by the foundation

- Luisa Vargas Arias, granddaughter of

Arias, personally verified and
confirmed the authenticity of the
photograph in the GBR Museum
Rare Images
- Underwood, a photographer of the American
news photo agency, captured a vivid and
touching scene of a young man saying
goodbye to his family before he marched off
to the war front with Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo
- other rare images come from various
private photographers and collectors as well
as institutions such as the Museo de Ejercito
and the Biblioteca Nacional in Spain, and the
ROYAL Photographic Society of England
Embedded Photographer

- Rodriguez is an embedded photographer. He embedded

himself among the Spanish forces and to cover events from
the Spanish offensive against Cavite, stronghold of the
revolution, in 1896 to the retreat of the Spanish forces to
Mindanao in 1898.

- He also took photos of the other troops landing in

Maragondon, Cavite, of ships shelling Filipino positions in the
provinces coast, Spanish artillery positions in Noveleta,
Kawit and Bacoor as well as the damaged Zapote Bridge,
scene of hotly contested battled that resulted in the Filipinos
defeat. Rodriguez avoided photographing blood and gore but
shot around the conflict areas enough to suggest the gravity
and ferocity of the revolution.
 - He took a lot of pictures and he had a souvenir shot of
himself with Polavieja and his family on the board the
Uranus, the steamer that bought Aguinaldo and other
leaders of the revolution to their exile in Hong Kong after the
Pact of Biak-na-Bato.

- The governor general was to gain infamy for approving

Rizals execution. Using his influence and connections,
Rodriguez found himself covering in late 1897 the
negotiations for a truce between the Spanish colonial
government and the revolutionary leadership in Biak-na-Bato,
San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan.

- He also took a rare picture of Emilio Aguinaldo, then only 27

years old, who posed in full military regalia in his Biak-na-
Bato headquarters.
 Isabelo Artacho, Baldemor Aguinlado, Severino
Delas Alas, Antonio Montenegro, Vito Belarminao
Sr. Don Pedro Paterno and Emilio Aguinlado
Generals and Colonels of the Philippine Insurrection. 1. Vito Belarmino,
Secretary of War, 2. Pantaleon Gracia - Lt.General, 3. Mariano Noriel -
Brigadier General, 4. Bautista Natividad - Brigadier General, 5. Primitivo
Artacho 6. Agapito Bonson - Colonel, 7. Salvador Estrella - Brigadier
General, 8. Captain Guillermo.
 WAR OF THE PHILIPPINES . BULACAN, LUZON - Small fort or
stronghold of San Ildefonso in the immediate town of the same
name and path to San Miguel de Mayumo.
WAR OF THE PHILIPPINES. (Biac-Na-Bato, San Miguel, Bulacan, Luzon) -
Rebel Field. House of Emilio Aguinaldo, known among the
revolutionaries by the name of "Casa Presidencia" (Presidential House),
which was proclaimed the Republic of the Philippines on November 1
and the final peace agreement on the night of December 23.
Ominous Sign

- There are no known pictures taken

Aguinaldos proclamation of Philippine
Independence in Kawit, Cavite, on June
12, 1898. But the unidentified
Underwood photographer, who
apparently remained in Manila,
documented an ominous sign that
would determine the destiny of the
First Philippine Republic.
De los Reyes
- The man behind the museum and the
foundation, is a great grandson of Crisanto de
los Reyes, who was implicated in the foiled
18972 mutiny of Filipino soldiers serving at
Fort San Felipe Neri in Cavite.
- for supporting the mutinees Crisanto and
our other colleagues were exiled to Cartagena
in southern Spain, where they served 10-year
prison terms
- three priests involved in the mutiny suffered
a worse fate; the GomBurZa were garrotted