Friday 31 January 2014

JOSE RIZAL
Born:
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
June 19, 1861[
Calamba, Laguna
Died:
December 30, 1896 (aged 35)
Bagumbayan, Manila
Cause of death:
Execution by firing squad
Monuments:
Rizal Park, Manila
Calamba, Laguna
Daet, Camarines Norte
Other names:
Pepe
Alma mater:
Ateneo Municipal de Manila, University of Santo Tomas, Universidad Central de Madrid
Organization:
La Solidaridad, La Liga Filipina
Spouse(s):
Josephine Bracken (1896)
Children:
Francísco Rizal y Bracken (who died after birth)
Parents:
Francisco Rizal Mercado (father)
Teodora Alonso (mother)


Jose Rizal: A Biographical Sketch

JOSE RIZAL, the national hero of the Philippines and pride of the Malayan race, was born on June 19, 1861, in the town of Calamba, Laguna. He was the seventh child in a family of 11 children (2 boys and 9 girls). Both his parents were educated and belonged to distinguished families.
His father, Francisco Mercado Rizal, an industrious farmer whom Rizal called "a model of fathers," came from Biñan, Laguna; while his mother, Teodora Alonzo y Quintos, a highly cultured and accomplished woman whom Rizal called "loving and prudent mother," was born in Meisic, Sta. Cruz, Manila. At the age of 3, he learned the alphabet from his mother; at 5, while learning to read and write, he already showed inclinations to be an artist. He astounded his family and relatives by his pencil drawings and sketches and by his moldings of clay. At the age 8, he wrote a Tagalog poem, "Sa Aking Mga Kabata," the theme of which revolves on the love of one’s language. In 1877, at the age of 16, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree with an average of "excellent" from the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. In the same year, he enrolled in Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas, while at the same time took courses leading to the degree of surveyor and expert assessor at the Ateneo. He finished the latter course on March 21, 1877 and passed the Surveyor’s examination on May 21, 1878; but because of his age, 17, he was not granted license to practice the profession until December 30, 1881. In 1878, he enrolled in medicine at the University of Santo Tomas but had to stop in his studies when he felt that the Filipino students were being discriminated upon by their Dominican tutors. On May 3, 1882, he sailed for Spain where he continued his studies at the Universidad Central de Madrid. On June 21, 1884, at the age of 23, he was conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine and on June 19,1885, at the age of 24, he finished his course in Philosophy and Letters with a grade of "excellent." 
Having traveled extensively in Europe, America and Asia, he mastered 22 languages. These include Arabic, Catalan, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Malayan, Portuguese, Russian, Sanskrit, Spanish, Tagalog, and other native dialects. A versatile genius, he was an architect, artists, businessman, cartoonist, educator, economist, ethnologist, scientific farmer, historian, inventor, journalist, linguist, musician, mythologist, nationalist, naturalist, novelist, opthalmic surgeon, poet, propagandist, psychologist, scientist, sculptor, sociologist, and theologian.
He was an expert swordsman and a good shot. In the hope of securing political and social reforms for his country and at the same time educate his countrymen, Rizal, the greatest apostle of Filipino nationalism, published, while in Europe, several works with highly nationalistic and revolutionary tendencies. In March 1887, his daring book, NOLI ME TANGERE, a satirical novel exposing the arrogance and despotism of the Spanish clergy, was published in Berlin; in 1890 he reprinted in Paris, Morga’s SUCCESSOS DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS with his annotations to prove that the Filipinos had a civilization worthy to be proud of even long before the Spaniards set foot on Philippine soil; on September 18, 1891, EL FILIBUSTERISMO, his second novel and a sequel to the NOLI and more revolutionary and tragic than the latter, was printed in Ghent. Because of his fearless exposures of the injustices committed by the civil and clerical officials, Rizal provoked the animosity of those in power. This led himself, his relatives and countrymen into trouble with the Spanish officials of the country. As a consequence, he and those who had contacts with him, were shadowed; the authorities were not only finding faults but even fabricating charges to pin him down. Thus, he was imprisoned in Fort Santiago from July 6, 1892 to July 15, 1892 on a charge that anti-friar pamphlets were found in the luggage of his sister Lucia who arrive with him from Hong Kong. While a political exile in Dapitan, he engaged in agriculture, fishing and business; he maintained and operated a hospital; he conducted classes- taught his pupils the English and Spanish languages, the arts.
The sciences, vocational courses including agriculture, surveying, sculpturing, and painting, as well as the art of self defense; he did some researches and collected specimens; he entered into correspondence with renowned men of letters and sciences abroad; and with the help of his pupils, he constructed water dam and a relief map of Mindanao - both considered remarkable engineering feats. His sincerity and friendliness won for him the trust and confidence of even those assigned to guard him; his good manners and warm personality were found irresistible by women of all races with whom he had personal contacts; his intelligence and humility gained for him the respect and admiration of prominent men of other nations; while his undaunted courage and determination to uplift the welfare of his people were feared by his enemies.
When the Philippine Revolution started on August 26, 1896, his enemies lost no time in pressing him down. They were able to enlist witnesses that linked him with the revolt and these were never allowed to be confronted by him. Thus, from November 3, 1986, to the date of his execution, he was again committed to Fort Santiago. In his prison cell, he wrote an untitled poem, now known as "Ultimo Adios" which is considered a masterpiece and a living document expressing not only the hero’s great love of country but also that of all Filipinos. After a mock trial, he was convicted of rebellion, sedition and of forming illegal association. In the cold morning of December 30, 1896, Rizal, a man whose 35 years of life had been packed with varied activities which proved that the Filipino has capacity to equal if not excel even those who treat him as a slave, was shot at Bagumbayan Field.

 The Mercado - Rizal Family

The Rizals is considered one of the biggest families during their time. Domingo Lam-co, the family's paternal ascendant was a full-blooded Chinese who came to the Philippines from Amoy, China in the closing years of the 17th century and married a Chinese half-breed by the name of Ines de la Rosa.

Researchers revealed that the Mercado-Rizal family had also traces of Japanese, Spanish, Malay and Even Negrito blood aside from Chinese.

Jose Rizal came from a 13-member family consisting of his parents, Francisco Mercado II and Teodora Alonso Realonda, and nine sisters and one brother.


FRANCISCO MERCADO (1818-1898)

Father of Jose Rizal who was the youngest of 13 offsprings of Juan and Cirila Mercado. Born in Biñan, Laguna on April 18, 1818; studied in San Jose College, Manila; and died in Manila.


TEODORA ALONSO (1827-1913)
Mother of Jose Rizal who was the second child of Lorenzo Alonso and Brijida de Quintos. She studied at the Colegio de Santa Rosa. She was a business-minded woman, courteous, religious, hard-working and well-read. She was born in Santa Cruz, Manila on November 14, 1827 and died in 1913 in Manila.


SATURNINA RIZAL (1850-1913)
Eldest child of the Rizal-Alonzo marriage. Married Manuel Timoteo Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas.
PACIANO RIZAL (1851-1930)
Only brother of Jose Rizal and the second child. Studied at San Jose College in Manila; became a farmer and later a general of the Philippine Revolution.
NARCISA RIZAL (1852-1939)
The third child. married Antonio Lopez at Morong, Rizal; a teacher and musician.
OLYMPIA RIZAL (1855-1887)
The fourth child. Married Silvestre Ubaldo; died in 1887 from childbirth.
LUCIA RIZAL (1857-1919)
The fifth child. Married Matriano Herbosa.
MARIA RIZAL (1859-1945)
The sixth child. Married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna.

JOSE RIZAL (1861-1896)
The second son and the seventh child. He was executed by the Spaniards on December 30,1896.

CONCEPCION RIZAL (1862-1865)
The eight child. Died at the age of three.
JOSEFA RIZAL (1865-1945)
The ninth child. An epileptic, died a spinster.

TRINIDAD RIZAL (1868-1951)
The tenth child. Died a spinster and the last of the family to die.

SOLEDAD RIZAL (1870-1929)
The youngest child married Pantaleon Quintero.
The Many-Sided Personality

The Many-Sided Personality

Filipinos and foreigners alike have paid tribute to Jose Rizal claiming that his place of honor in history is secure. It was his Austrian bosom friend, Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt, rector of the Imperial Atheneum of Leitmeritz, who said "Rizal was the greatest product of the Philippines and his coming to the world was like the appearance of a rare comet, whose rare brilliance appears only every other century." Another German friend, Dr. Adolf B. Meyer, director of the Dresden Museum who admired his all around knowledge and ability, remarked "Rizal’s many-sidedness was stupendous." Our own Dr. Camilo Osias pointed to him as the "versatile genius."

His precocity since early boyhood turned into versatility in later years. Being curious and inquisitive, he developed a rare facility of mastering varied subjects and occupations.

Actor
Rizal acted as a character in one of Juan Luna’s paintings and acted in school dramas.

Agriculturist
Rizal had farms in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte (1892-1896) where he planted lanzones, coconuts and other fruit-bearing trees.

Ambassador Of Good Will
His friendliness, goodwill and cultural associations with friends entitled him as one.

Animal Lover
As a small boy, Rizal loved animals including birds, fish, insects, and other specimens of animal life. Fowls, rabbits, dogs, horses, and cats constituted his favorites. As much as possible, he did not wish fowls to be killed even for food, and showed displeasure in being asked to eat the cooked animal. The family garden in Calamba abounded with insects galore and birds native to the Calamba environs. He wrote about and sketched animals of the places he had toured.

Anthropologist
He made researches on the physical and social make up of man.

Archeologist
Rizal studied monuments and antique currency everywhere he went. He drew most of the monuments he saw.

Ascetic
Rizal always practiced self-discipline wherever he went.

Book lover
He had a big library and brought many books abroad.

Botanist
Rizal maintained a garden in Dapitan where he planted and experimented on plants of all kinds

Businessman
He had a partner in Dapitan in the Abaca business there (1892-1896).

Cartographer
He drew maps of Dapitan, The Philippines and other places he visited.

Chess Player
He played chess and bear several Germans and European friends and acquaintances.

Citizen of the world
His extensive travels and multitude of friends in Europe, Middle East and Asia made him one.

Commentator
Rizal always expresses and published his personal opinion.

Conchologist
He had a good shell collection in Dapitan. An American conchologist praised him.

Educator
Rizal taught in his special school in Dapitan.

Ethnologist
In his travels, Rizal was able to compare different races and he noted the differences.

Father of community school
He proposed college in Hong Kong and his special school in Dapitan made him a father of community schools.

Fencer
He fenced with Europeans and Juan Luna and other friends in Europe.

Freemason abroad
He was member of La Solidaridad Lodge in Spain.

Horticulture and farmer
He experimented on and cultivated plants in Dapitan.

Historian
His annotation of Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas entitled him as one.

Humorist
There are many humorous incidents in the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

Ichthyologist
He collected 38 new varieties of fish in Dapitan.

Japanophile
His admiration of Japanese traits and his knowledge of her language proved he was one.

Journalist
He authored the published many articles in Spanish and English and London.

Laboratory worker
He was employed in the clinic of Dr. L. Wecker in Paris.

Linguist
He spoke over 20 foreign languages.

Lover of truth
He chided Spanish writers for not writing the truth about the Filipinos. He was always truthful since boyhood.

Musicians
He played the flute and composed pieces of music and cultivated music appreciation.

Mythologist
Rizal used mythology in his Noli and Fili.

Nationalist
He gave full expression of the native spirit strengthened by world civilization and loved and defended everything Filipino.

Newspaperman
He wrote and published articles in many publications and was one of the organizers of the La Solidaridad.

Ophthalmologist
He graduated in an ophthalmologic college in Spain.

Orientalist
Rizal admired the special characteristic and beauties of Oriental countries peoples.

Pharmacologist
Rizal treasured and popularized the usefulness and preparation of cures for treatment of his patients.

Philologist
Rizal loved of learning and literature is unequalled.

Philosopher
Rizal not only loved wisdom but also regulated his life and enjoyed calmness of the life at all time 

Physical culturist
Rizal maintained a good health by exercising all parts of his body and eating proper foods 

Physicians
He treated several patients afflicted not only with eye diseases.

Plant lover
As a child, Rizal spend most of his time in the family garden which was planted with fruit trees,

Shrubs and decorative trees. His diaries contained detailed description and sketches of plants, flowers and fruits he saw in the places he visited. He wrote poems on flower he like very much as his poems To the Flowers of Heidelberg.

Poet
Rizal wrote over 35 poems including his famous Ultimo Adios.

Politician
Although Rizal did not engage in Politics, he exposed the evils of the political activities of the Spaniards in the Philippines through his writing. 

Polyglot
Rizal spoke and wrote in 20 languages.

Proofreader
In Germany, He worked as a part-time proofreader of his livelihood.

Propagandist
As a reformer, Rizal encourages the recommendation of improving the government entities and discourage abuses publishing articles.

Public relation man
He worked for better cooperation of rulers and subjects in his country.

Reformer
He published the modern methods of government administration, so changes could be made.

Researcher
Being a wide reader, he compared the old and new practices in life.

Revolutionist
Rizal encouraged reforms, discouraged old, impractical usage, and desired new and useful laws to benefit his countrymen. He desired changes for the better.

Rhetorician
Rizal has always practiced the art of persuasive and impressive speaking and writing.

Rural reconstruction worker
He practiced rural reconstruction work in Dapitan in 1894 and succeeded.

Sanitary engineer
His construction of a water system in Dapitan exemplified this practice by Rizal.

Scientist
Rizal’s practice of many sciences here and abroad made him noted scientist.

Sculptor
His works of his father and of Father Guerrico, S. J. typified his sculptural ability.

Sharp shooter
He could hit a target 20 meters away.

Sinologist
Rizal’s ancestry and his ability to speak Chinese made him one.

Sociologist
In Rizal’s study of Philippines social problems, he always encouraged and introduced solutions.

Sodalist
He always joined fraternities, associations and brotherhood, for self-improvement.

Sportsman
He engaged from a surveying class at the Ateneo after passing his A. B. there.

Tourist
He was considered the foremost tourist due to his extensive travels.

Traveler
He traveled around the world three times.

Tuberculosis expert
For having cured himself of this disease, he became and was recognized as an expert.

Youth leader
He considered the youth as "the hope of his Fatherland."

Zoologist
He was fond of pets. He researched later on their physiology, classification and habits.


Rizal, the Romantic
There were at least nine women linked with Rizal; namely Segunda Katigbak, Leonor Valenzuela, Leonor Rivera, Consuelo Ortiga, O-Sei San, Gertrude Beckette, Nelly Boustead, Suzanne Jacoby and Josephine Bracken. These women might have been beguiled by his intelligence, charm and wit.
Segunda Katigbak and Leonor Valenzuela
Segunda Katigbak was her puppy love. Unfortunately, his first love was engaged to be married to a town mate- Manuel Luz. After his admiration for a short girl in the person of Segunda, then came Leonor Valenzuela, a tall girl from Pagsanjan. Rizal send her love notes written in invisible ink, that could only be deciphered over the warmth of the lamp or candle. He visited her on the eve of his departure to Spain and bade her a last goodbye.
Leonor Rivera
Leonor Rivera, his sweetheart for 11 years played the greatest influence in keeping him from falling in love with other women during his travel. Unfortunately, Leonor’s mother disapproved of her daughter’s relationship with Rizal, who was then a known filibustero. She hid from Leonor all letters sent to her sweetheart. Leonor believing that Rizal had already forgotten her, sadly consented her to marry the Englishman Henry Kipping, her mother’s choice.
Consuelo Ortiga
Consuelo Ortiga y Rey, the prettier of Don Pablo Ortiga’s daughters, fell in love with him. He dedicated to her A la Senorita C.O. y R., which became one of his best poems. The Ortiga's residence in Madrid was frequented by Rizal and his compatriots. He probably fell in love with her and Consuelo apparently asked him for romantic verses. He suddenly backed out before the relationship turned into a serious romance, because he wanted to remain loyal to Leonor Rivera and he did not want to destroy hid friendship with Eduardo de Lete who was madly in love with Consuelo.
O Sei San
O Sei San, a Japanese samurai’s daughter taught Rizal the Japanese art of painting known as su-mie. She also helped Rizal improve his knowledge of Japanese language. If Rizal was a man without a patriotic mission, he would have married this lovely and intelligent woman and lived a stable and happy life with her in Japan because Spanish legation there offered him a lucrative job.
Gertrude Beckett
While Rizal was in London annotating the Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, he boarded in the house of the Beckett family, within walking distance of the British Museum. Gertrude, a blue-eyed and buxom girl was the oldest of the three Beckett daughters. She fell in love with Rizal. Tottie helped him in his painting and sculpture. But Rizal suddenly left London for Paris to avoid Gertrude, who was seriously in love with him. Before leaving London, he was able to finish the group carving of the Beckett sisters. He gave the group carving to Gertrude as a sign of their brief relationship.
Nellie Boustead
Rizal having lost Leonor Rivera, entertained the thought of courting other ladies. While a guest of the Boustead family at their residence in the resort city of Biarritz, he had befriended the two pretty daughters of his host, Eduardo Boustead. Rizal used to fence with the sisters at the studio of Juan Luna. Antonio Luna, Juan’s brother and also a frequent visitor of the Bousteads, courted Nellie but she was deeply infatuated with Rizal. In a party held by Filipinos in Madrid, a drunken Antonio Luna uttered unsavory remarks against Nellie Boustead. This prompted Rizal to challenge Luna into a duel. Fortunately, Luna apologized to Rizal, thus averting tragedy for the compatriots.
Their love affair unfortunately did not end in marriage. It failed because Rizal refused to be converted to the Protestant faith, as Nellie demanded and Nellie’s mother did not like a physician without enough paying clientele to be a son-in-law. The lovers, however, parted as good friends when Rizal left Europe.
Suzanne Jacoby
In 1890, Rizal moved to Brussels because of the high cost of living in Paris. In Brussels, he lived in the boarding house of the two Jacoby sisters. In time, they fell deeply in love with each other. Suzanne cried when Rizal left Brussels and wrote him when he was in Madrid.
Josephine Bracken
In the last days of February 1895, while still in Dapitan, Rizal met an 18-year old petite Irish girl, with bold blue eyes, brown hair and a happy disposition. She was Josephine Bracken, the adopted daughter of George Taufer from Hong Kong, who came to Dapitan to seek Rizal for eye treatment. Rizal was physically attracted to her. His loneliness and boredom must have taken the measure of him and what could be a better diversion that to fall in love again. But the Rizal sisters suspected Josephine as an agent of the friars and they considered her as a threat to Rizal’s security.
Rizal asked Josephine to marry him, but she was not yet ready to make a decision due to her responsibility to the blind Taufer. Since Taufer’s blindness was untreatable, he left for Hon Kong on March 1895. Josephine stayed with Rizal’s family in Manila. Upon her return to Dapitan, Rizal tried to arrange with Father Antonio Obach for their marriage. However, the priest wanted a retraction as a precondition before marrying them. Rizal upon the advice of his family and friends and with Josephine’s consent took her as his wife even without the Church blessings. Josephine later give birth prematurely to a stillborn baby, a result of some incidence, which might have shocked or frightened her.
Rizal's Poems

Last Poem of Rizal (Mi Ultimo Adios)


To The Philippines


Our Mother Tongue

Memories of My town


Hymn to Labor


Kundiman


A Poem That Has No Title


Song of Maria Clara


To the Philippines Youth


To Josephine


Education Gives Luster to the Motherland


To the Virgin Mary


Sa Aking mga Kabata


Rizal 's Paintings
Title: Saturnina Rizal
Material: Oil
Remarks: Now in Rizal Shrine in Fort Santiago
Title: Dapita church curtains
Material: Oil
Remarks: Made in Dapitan, 1894 
Title: A painting on a pair of mother-of-pearl 
Material: Oil
Remarks: Shells painted by Rizal in Dapitan and given as a gift to Doña Leonor Valenzuela and later passed into the hands of Doña Margarita Valenzuela
Title: Spanish coat of arms
Material: Water color
Remarks: Done during a fiesta of San Rafael in Calamba in 1867 
Title: Allegory on a pair of porcelain bases of the new year celebration
Material: Oil
Remarks: Made in Berlin in 1886
Title: Christ crucified
Material: Crayon
Remarks: 1875
Title: Immaculate Conception
Material: Crayon
Remarks: Made in Manila, 1974
Title: Portrait of Morayta
Material: Crayon
Remarks: Made in Barcelona, 1885
Sculptures Made by Rizal
Title: Triumph of death over life
Material: Clay
Remarks: Given to Dr. Blumentritt in 1890 in Brussels
Title: Triumph of science over death
Material: Clay
Remarks: Given to Dr. Blumentritt in 1890 in Brussels 
Title: Bust of Father Jose Guerrico 
Material: Clay
Remarks: Made in Dapitan, 1894
Title: Oyang Dapitana
Material: Clay
Remarks: Made in Dapitan in 1893 - 1894
Title: Model head of a Dapitan girl
Material: Clay
Remarks: Made in Dapitan
Title: Sacred heart of Jesus
Material: Wood
Remarks: Made in Ateneo de Manila in 1875 - 1877
Title: Sacred heart of Jesus
Material: Terra Cotta
Remarks: Made in Dapitan, 1894
Title: Composite statuette (nude lady lying down)
Material: Terra Cotta
Remarks: Molded in Brussels in 1890
Title: Mother's revenge
Material: Clay
Remarks: Made in Dapitan in 1894
Title: Josephine Bracken (medallion)
Material: Wood
Remarks: Made in Dapitan in 1895 - 1896
Title: Dr. Francisco Mercado (bust)
Material: Wood
Remarks: Life-size. Made Calamaba in 1887 - 1888
Title: Prometheus bound
Material: Clay
Remarks: Given to Dr. Blumentritt in 18909 in Brussels
Title: Bust of Felix Pardo de Tavera
Material:  
Remarks: Made in Paris
Title: Image of Virgin Mary
Material: Wood
Remarks: Made in Ateneo de Manila
Title: Wild boar
Material: Clay
Remarks: Made in Dapitan
Title: Orate Frantes (let us pray brethren)
Material: Wax
Remarks: Illustrated in Alejandro's La Senda Del Sacrificio
Title: San Antonio de Padua
Material: Clay
Remarks: 
Title: Bust of Dr. Ricardo Carnicero
Material: Clay
Remarks: Made in Dapitan, 1892 - 1893
Title: St. Paul the Hermit
Material: Clay
Remarks: Given as a gift to Fr. Pablo Pastells by Rizal in Dapitan in 1893
Title: Bust of Gen. Blanco
Material: Ivory
Remarks: Made in Dapitan
Title: Heads of 3 Beckette Girls
Material: Bas Relief, Clay
Remarks: Made in London, 1888
Title: Josephine's Head
Material: Clay
Remarks: Made in Dapitan
Title: Two gate columns (depicting busts)
Material: Wood
Remarks: Made in Dapitan when the water service was completed in 1895
Title: Parting view of Manila
Material: Pencil
Remarks: Sketchbook of Rizal on his first trip on May 1882
Title: Bust of Augustus Ceasar
Material: Clay
Remarks: Sent from London to Dr. Blumentritt in 1888
Title: Bust of Julius Ceasar
Material: Clay
Remarks: Sent from London in December 1888
Title: A (Filipina) girl doll
Material: Wood
Remarks:  
Title: A marionette in a form of a clown
Material: Wood
Remarks: Made in Dapitan, 1894 - 1895
Title: A gay Franciscan Friar beside a wine barrel
Material: Wood
Remarks: Made in Dapitan in 1893
Title: Biscuit mold
Material: Wood
Remarks: Made in Dapitan in 1893
Title: Wooden platters
Material: Wood
Remarks: Dapitan, 1894 - 1896
Title: Three wooden tops of different sizes
Material: Wood
Remarks: Dapitan 1894
Title: Allegoric medal - The Centenary of the Real Society of the Friends of the Country 
Material: Wax
Remarks: Retana
Title: Bust of an intern at Hospital de Sta. Cruz
Material: Clay
Remarks: Barcelona, 1885
Title: Two statuettes. A maiden and a beggar
Material: Terra Cotta
Remarks: Sent to Blumentritt from Paris in September 1889
Title: Bust of Juan Sitges
Material: Clay
Remarks: Made in Dapitan
Title: Bust of "El Friale al Regreso"
Material: Wood
Remarks:  
Title: A bowl of a pipe representing a girl's head
Material: Wood
Remarks: Dapitan
Title: Josephine Sleeping
Material: Plaster
Remarks: Made in Dapitan, 1895 - 1896
Title: Bust of Gov. Carnicero and his wife
Material: Clay
Remarks: Made in Dapitan in 1895
Title: Public faucets representing a lion's head
Material: Terra Cotta
Remarks: Made in Dapitan, 1894 - 1895
Title: Bust of his father
Material: Clay
Remarks: Made in Calamba, 1881
Title: Head of Egyptian (candle holder)
Material: Plaster
Remarks: Made in Hong Kong in 1892
Title: Bust of Mirabeau
Material: Terra Cotta
Remarks: Made in Barcelona, intended for Valentin Ventura
Title: The wounded gladiator
Material: Clay
Remarks: Started in Madrid in 1884 at Academia de San Fernando
Title: Bust Presented in the Solon of Paris
Material: Clay
Remarks: Accepted by the Solon in 1889

Rizal's Famous Quotations
"Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika, daig pa ang hayop at malansang isda."

"He who does not love his own language is worse than an animal and smelly fish."

"It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a stone wasted on the field without becoming a part of any edifice."

"While a people preserves its language; it preserves the marks of liberty."

"There can be no tyrants where there are no slaves."

"Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinangalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan."

"He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination."

"The youth is the hope of our future."

Peaceful Life in Dapitan
During the early part of his exile in Dapitan, Rizal lived at the commandant’s residence. With his prize from the Manila Lottery and his earnings as a farmer and a merchant, he bought a piece of land near the shore of Talisay near Dapitan. On this land, he built three houses- all made of bamboo, wood, and nipa. The first house which was square in shape was his home. The second house was the living quarters of his pupils. And the third house was the barn where he kept his chickens. The second house had eight sides, while the third had six sides.

In a latter to his friend, Ferdinand Blumentritt, on December 19, 1893, Rizal described his peaceful life in Dapitan.

"I shall tell you how we lived here. I have three houses-one square, another hexagonal, and the third octagonal. All these houses are made of bamboo, wood, and nipa. I live in the square house, together with my mother, my sister, Trinidad, and my nephew. In the octagonal house live some young boys who are my pupils. The hexagonal house is my barn where I keep my chickens.

"From my house, I hear the murmur of a clear brook which comes from the high rocks. I see the seashore where I keep two boats, which are called barotos here.

"I have many fruit trees, such as mangoes, lanzones, guayabanos, baluno, nangka, etc. I have rabbits, dogs, cats, and other animals.

"I rise early in the morning-at five-visit my plants, feed the chickens, awaken my people, and prepare our breakfast. At half-past seven, we eat our breakfast, which consists of tea, bread, cheese, sweets, and other things.

"After breakfast, I treat the poor patients who come to my house. Then I dress and go to Dapitan in my baroto. I am busy the whole morning, attending to my patients in town.

"At noon, I return home to Talisay for lunch. Then, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., I am busy as a teacher. I teach the young boys.


"I spend the rest of the afternoon in farming. My pupils help me in watering the plants, pruning the fruits, and planting many kinds of trees. We stop at 6:00 p.m. for the Angelus

"I spend the night reading and writing."

Rizal in Manila Bay
6 August 1896
At dawn the España entered Manila Bay. He was not able to depart immediately for Spain, because the Isla de Luzon which Rizal was supposed to board left the day before they arrived at Manila.

6 August to 2 September 1896
For twenty-seven days, from Thursday, August 6, to Wednesday, September 2,1896, Rizal was kept under arrest aboard the cruiser, Castilla, anhored off Cañacao, Cavite.

12 August 1896
He sent a letter to his sister Narcisa , asking her to let Josephine Bracken send him pants, vests, collars, and cuffs, through a certain Prudencio Bulag.

19 August 1896
He advised his parents and sisters how they could visit him on board the Castilla, and likewise requested Narcisa to buy fruits for the officers of the cruiser, who treated him well.

25 August 1896
In a letter, he thanked his sister Narcisa for the hospitality she had shown by letting Josephine Bracken stay in her house.

30 August 1896
Governor Ramon Balnco sent Rizal a letter recommending him to the Minister of War, saying that Rizal’s conduct in Dapitan was exemplary and that he had no connection at all with the Philippine Revolution.

2 September 1896
Rizal was transferred to the boat Isla de Panay at 6:00 o’clock in the evening. He was met by the captain of the boat, Capt. Alemany, and was given the best cabin. Later, he wrote a letter to his mother informing her of his good health on board the ship.

He informed his mother of his departure for Cuba, comforting her that everybody is in the hands of the Divine Providence. To his sisters, he urged them to take good care and and love their aged parents the way they expect their children to love them.
Rizal's Last Hours
Dec. 29, 1896. 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. 
Sr. S. Mataix asks Rizal’s permission to interview him. Capt.

Dominguez reads death sentence to Rizal. Source of information: cablegram of Mataix to EL Heraldo

De Madrid, "Notes" of Capt. Dominguez and Testimony of Lt. Gallegos.

7:00 – 8:00 a.m. 
Rizal is transferred to his death cell. Fr. Saderra talks briefly with Rizal. Fr. Viza

presents statue of the Sacred hearth of Jesus and medal of Mary. Rizal rejects the letter, saying , "Im little of a Marian, Father." Source: Fr. Viza.

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. 
Rizal is shares his milk and coffee with Fr. Rosell. Lt. Andrade and chief of Artillery come to visit Rizal who thanks each of them. Rizal scribbles a note inviting his family it visit him. Sources: Fr. Rosell and letter of Invitation.

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Sr. Mataix, defying stringent regulation, enters death cell and interviews Rizal in the presence of Fr. Rosell. Later, Gov. Luengo drops in to join the conversation. Sources: Letter of Mataix ti Retana Testimony of Fr. Rosell.

10:00 – 11:00 a.m. 
Fr. Faura persuades Rizal to put down his rancours and order to marry josephine canonically. a heated discussion on religion occurs between them ion the hearing of Fr. Rosell. Sources: El Imparcial and Fr. Rosell .

11:00 – 12:00 noon.
Rizal talks on "various topics" in a long conversation with Fr. Vilaclara who will later conclude (with Fr. Balaguer, who is not allowed to enter the death cell) that Rizal is either to Prostestant or rationalist who speaks in "a very cold and calculated manner" with a mixture of a "strange piety." No debate or discussion on religion is recorded to have taken place between the Fathers mentioned and Rizal. Sources: El Imarcial and Rizal y su Obra.

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. 
Rizal reads Bible and Imitation of Christ by Kempis, then meditates. Fr. Balaguer reports to the Archbishop that only a little hope remains that Rizal is going to retract for Rizal was heard saying that he is going to appear tranquilly before God. Sources: Rizal’s habits and Rizal y su Obra.

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. 
Rizal denies (probably, he is allowed to attend to his personal necessities). Source: "Notes" of Capt. Dominguez.

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. 
Rizal confers with Fr. March and Fr. Vilaclara. Sources: "Notes" of Capt. Dominguez in conjunction with the testimonies of Fr. Pi and Fr. Balaguer.

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. 
Rizal reads verses which he had underlined in Eggers german Reader, a book which he is going to hand over to his sisters to be sent to Dr. Blumentritt through F. Stahl. He "writes several letters . . . ,with his last dedications," then he "rest for a short." Sources: F. Stahl and F. Blumentritt, Cavana (1956) – Appendix 13, and the "Notes" of Capt. Dominguez.

4:00 – 5:30 p.m. 
Capt. Dominguez is moved with compassion at the sight of Rizal’s kneeling before his mother and asking pardon. Fr. Rosell hears Rizal’s farewell to his sister and his address to those presents eulogizing the cleverness of his nephew. The other sisters come in one by one after the other and to each Rizal’s gives promises to give a book, an alcohol burner, his pair of shoes, an instruction, something to remember. Sources "notes" of Capt. Dominguez and Fr. Rosell, Diaro de Manila.

5:30 – 6:00 p.m.
The Dean of the Cathedral, admitted on account of his dignity, comes to exchange views with Rizal. Fr. Rosell hears an order given to certain "gentlemen" and "two friars" to leave the chapel at once. Fr. Balaguer leaves Fort Santiago. Sources: Rev. Silvino Lopez-Tuñon, Fr. Rosell, Fr. Serapio Tamayo, and Sworn Statement of Fr. Balaguer.

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Fr. Rosell leaves Fort Santiago and sees Josephine Bracken. Rizal calls for Josephine and then they speak to each for the last time. Sources: Fr. Rosell, El Imparcial, and Testimony of Josephine to R. Wildman in 1899.

7:00 – 8:00 p.m. 
Fr. Faura returns to console Rizal and persuades him once more to trust him and the other professors at the Ateneo. Rizal is emotion-filled and, after remaining some moments in silence, confesses to Fr. Faura. Sources: El Imparcial.

8:00 – 9:00 p.m. 
Rizal rakes supper (and, most probably, attends to his personal needs). Then, he receives Bro. Titllot with whom he had a very "tender" (Fr. Balaguer) or "useful" (Fr. Pi) interview. Sources: Separate testimonies of Fr. Balaguer and Fr. Pi on the report of Bro. Titllot; Fisal Castaño.

9:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Fiscal Castaño exchanges views with Rizal regarding their respective professors. Sources: Fiscal Castaño.

10:00 – 11:00 p.m. 
Rizal manifests strange reaction, asks guards for paper and pen. From rough drafts and copies of his poem recovered in his shoes, the Spaniards come to know that Rizal is writing a poem. Sources: El Imparcial and Ultimo Adios; probably, Fiscal Castaño.

11:00 – 12:00 midnight
Rizal takes time to his hide his poem inside the alcohol burner. It has to be done during night rather than during daytime because he is watched very carefully. He then writes his last letter to brother Paciano. Sources: Testimonies and circumstantial evidence.

12:00 – 4:00 a.m. 
Rizal sleeps restfully because his confidence in the goodness of God and the justness of his cause gives him astounding serenity and unusual calmness.

Dec. 30, 1986. 4:00 – 5:00 a.m. 
Rizal picks up Imitation of Christ, reads, meditates and then writes in Kempis’ book a dectation to his wife Josephine and by this very act in itself he gives to her their only certificate of marriage.

5:00 – 6:15 
Rizal washes up, takes breakfast, attends to his personal needs. Writes a letter to his parents. Reads Bible and meditates. Josephine is prohibited by the Spanish officers from seeing Rizal, according to Josephine’s testimony to R. Wildman in 1899.

6:15 – 7:00 
Rizal walks to the place of execution between Fr. March and Fr. Vilaclara with whom he converses. Keeps looking around as if seeking or expecting to see someone. His last word, said in a loud voice: "It is finished"

7:00 – 7:03 
Sounds of guns. Rizal vacillates, turns halfway around, falls down backwards and lies on the ground facing the sun. Silence. Shouts of vivas for Spain.
Frequently Asked Questions
TRIVIA
·
Animals named after Jose Rizal
Did you know that three of the animal species we know today were actually named after Rizal?
·
Rizal Monument
Did you know that the famous Rizal monument in Luneta was not the work of a Filipino but a Swiss sculptor named Richard Kissling?
PICTURES:
The Mercado - Rizal Family

Francisco, the father, was a serious looking man of sturdy build. He was born in Biñan, Laguna on April 18, 1818. 

Teodora, the mother, was a vigorious and persevering woman with a benevolent heart and a likable personality.

Saturnina (1850-1913), eldest of the Rizal children, became the wife of Manuel T. Hidalgo of tanauan, Batangas.

Paciano, the second child in the family and Rizal's only brother.

Narcisa (1852-1939), third Rizal, was married to Antonio Lopez of Morong, Rizal.

Olympia (1855-1887), fourth Rizal child, was married to Silvestre Ubaldo. She died of childbirth in 1887.

Lucia (1857-1919), fifth Rizal child, was the wife of Mariano Herbosa.

Maria (1859-1945), the sixth Rizal child, became the wife of Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna.

Jose Rizal (1861-1896), became the national hero of the Philippines.

Trinidad (1868-1951), the tenth Rizal child.

Soledad (1870-1929), the youngest Rizal child became the wife of Pantaleon Quintero.
Jose Rizal
Rizal at age 11


Rizal at age 16

Rizal at 18 years old while a student of medicine at the U.S.T



Rizal in Madrid at the age of 25

Rizal at age 35
Women in Rizal's Life


Gertrude Beckett
Daughter of a London organist. She fell in love with Rizal.
Josephine Bracken
Josephine Bracken
She loved Rizal and stood by him up to his last hour
Leonor Rivera
Crayon sketch by Rizal
Leonor Rivera
Sweetheart of Rizal
Leonor Valenzuela
Friend of Rizal during his student days at University of Sto. Tomas


Nelly Bousted of Biarritz whom Rizal almost married in 1891, after learning that Leonor Rivera got married
O-Sei Kiyo San whom Rizal met during his one and a half month sojourn in Japan in the spring of 1888. She taught him Japanese
Susan Jacoby
Rizal stayed in the house of the Jacoby's in Brussels, Belgium





REFERENCE:
http://www.joserizal.ph/bg01.html




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