Rizal – College Essay Example

hadn't read it yet, he requested a copy out of curiosity and later admitted to enjoying reading it without any issue. However, as Rizal's life was in danger, Terrero assigned Jose Taviel de Andrade as his personal bodyguard for safety purposes. Supporters and critics of the novel emerged once again shortly after this happened. Realizing that his family and friends were also at risk and knowing that his fight against Spaniards would have better chances if he stayed abroad, Rizal decided to return to Europe after six months. Before leaving, a friend from Lipa City asked him to write a poem dedicated to hardworking laborers in their town called Himno Al Trabajo (Hymn to Labor). On February 3rd, 1888, Rizal left Manila for Hong Kong where he met Jose Ma.BasaStarting from Macao, Rizal traveled to Japan and then proceeded to the United States before finally arriving in England. While in Japan, he was offered a job as an interpreter by the Spanish government but opted for independence. He spent nearly two months immersing himself in Japanese arts, language, and culture before setting off on a voyage to America. On February 28, 1888, he departed from Japan on board the SS Belgic and arrived in San Francisco on April 18 of the same year. His stay in San Francisco included accommodation at the Palace Hotel before embarking on a transcontinental train journey to the US East Coast. This journey involved stops in Chicago and a visit to Niagara Falls situated in Lake Ontario.

Rizal resided at the Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York for a period before departing on the SS City of Rome bound for England.

He arrived in Liverpool on May 24, 1888. While traveling across different nations, Rizal engaged romantically with various women. One of his early connections was O-sei-san, an exquisite Japanese woman from a noble lineage who served as his loyal guide and interpreter. Rizal possessed linguistic prowess, conversing fluently in Spanish, French, German, English, Dutch, Greek, Latin, and Tagalog. Moreover, he had knowledge of Ilocano Visayan Russian Sanskrit Arabic Swedish Hebrew Malayan Chinese Japanese Portuguese and Italian languages. During his stay in London to enhance his English skills; he decided to annotate Antonio Morga's Sucesos de las Islas Filipina – originally published in 1609. This endeavor acquainted him with Dr. Reinhold Rost—a librarian and editor at Trubner's Record. Alongside this project, Rizal occupied himself with writing other pieces during his time in England including "Vision of Father Rodriguez" (1889) and "Letter to the Young Women of Malolos" (1889). In London, Rizal resided with an English family where he encountered Gertrude Beckett—another individual who developed affection towards him.

While in London, Rizal received a mix of good and bad news from his homeland. The positive development was that Rev. Vicente Garcia was bravely defending Rizal's Noli against the attacks of the friars. Unfortunately, there were also negative updates to report. The Filipino signatories of the "Petition of 1888" and the tenants involved in the Calamba agrarian issue were being persecuted. Furthermore, Rizal's brothers-in-law, Manuel T. Hidalgo and Mariano Herbosa, had been exiled to Bohol and denied Christian burial, respectively. Additionally, Laureano Viado, a medical student at UST and Rizal's friend, had been imprisoned for merely possessing a copy of the Noli.

During his time in this country, Rizal

used his time to write essays and articles for La Solidaridad. On June 12, 1889, he and his Filipino and Spanish friends founded the Asociacion Hispano-Filipino, which aimed for union and reforms. After ten months, Rizal left London and traveled to Paris. In Paris, he continued his study of different languages and improved his artistic skills, completing two statues - "The Beggar" and "The Maid with A Basket." He also established the Kidlat Club, a social club that brought together young Filipinos living in France.

Soon, a new Filipino society called the Indios Bravos was founded by the members of the club. This society aimed to have Spain recognize Filipinos for their excellence in various fields of knowledge. By January 1890, Rizal's annotation of the Sucesos de las Islas Filipina, which was originally published in 1609, was finally printed and published by the Garnier Freres in Paris, France – Belgium. On January 18, 1890, Rizal arrived in Belgium with his roommate, Jose Albert, and they celebrated Christmas in Paris on January 23, 1890.

Shortly after New Year, Rizal traveled to London before leaving Paris for Brussels on January 28, 1890. Accompanied by Albert, they departed from the extravagant and lively social scene in Paris and settled in a boarding house owned by the Jacoby sisters in Brussels. Despite living in poverty, Rizal continued to contribute to La Solidaridad under the pseudonyms Dimas Alang and Laong Laan. While in Belgium, he faced financial obstacles that halted the printing of his second novel, El Filibusterismo, a sequel to Noli Me Tangere. However, thanks to the assistance of Valentin Ventura, a wealthy compatriot, the publication was eventually completed.

Published on September

18, 1891, the book coincided with disheartening news for Rizal. His beloved Leonor Rivera had married Engineer Kipping, and letters from Calamba informed him about an escalating agrarian conflict in the province. These events led to his decision to return home. However, a letter from Paciano revealed that they had already lost their case against the Dominicans and urgently needed a lawyer in Madrid to defend their family and others in Calamba.

Rizal went to Madrid in search of justice but failed. He couldn't find the right person to address his concerns and learned that his family had been forced out of their property in Calamba. Additionally, some relatives were exiled to Mindoro and Manila. Rizal's time in Madrid was full of mishaps, including a duel with Antonio Luna and Wenceslao Retana. His disagreement with Luna stemmed from his dissatisfaction with an unsuccessful romantic relationship with Nellie Boustead, leading him to make disrespectful comments about her. However, Rizal refused to tolerate such remarks.

The second encounter was with Retana, who insulted Rizal and his family by writing in La Epoca, an anti-Filipino newspaper. He claimed that the Rizal family in Calamba was evicted from their lands due to unpaid rents. It was in this city that Rizal received the news of Leonor Rivera's marriage to Henry Kipping, a British engineer involved in building the Manila-Dagupan Railway system in 1890. This news greatly saddened him. Another significant event in Madrid was the rivalry between Marcelo H. del Pilar and Jose Rizal for leadership in the Asociacion Hispano Filipino.

The emergence of factions among Filipinos in Madrid resulted in the Rizalistas and Pilaristas, who were supporters of Rizal and del

Pilar, respectively, during the organization's election. Rizal, losing the election, made the decision to return home due to concerns that his presence could further fracture the Filipino community in Madrid. After the publication of his novel, the Fili, Rizal left Europe and boarded the S.S. Melbourne bound for Hongkong. He resided there for seven months, driven by several reasons: 1. to distance himself from his rivalry with del Pilar; 2. to further the Propaganda Movement in Hongkong; and 3. to be closer to his family in the Philippines. On November 20, 1891, Rizal arrived in Hongkong and received a warm welcome from the Filipino residents, particularly his friend Jose Ma. Basa. He set up residence at No. 5 D' Aguilar Street and later No. 2 Rednaxela Terrace, where he also established a medical clinic. During his time in Hongkong, Rizal maintained regular correspondence with his family in Calamba and stayed informed about the unsettled agrarian problem.

Manuel T. Hidalgo informed him about the deportation of twenty-five individuals, including the Rizal family, in Calamba through a letter. This news intensified Rizal's desire to return to Manila. However, his sadness was replaced with astonishment when his family paid him a visit in Hongkong and celebrated Christmas with him in 1891. While in Hongkong, Rizal practiced his medical profession and established a successful medical clinic as an accomplished eye surgeon, thanks to the assistance of his friend Dr. Lorenzo P. Marquez.

During his time in Hongkong, Rizal received equal support and assistance, both morally and financially, from his family and friends for his chosen career. Another significant event during this period was Rizal's proposal to relocate landless Filipinos to Borneo

and develop the undeveloped area into a "New Calamba" through the Borneo Colonization Project. In April 1892, Rizal traveled to Borneo and held negotiations with British authorities, who expressed willingness to provide 100,000 acres of land for the Filipinos. This project gained attention and support from many Filipino patriots.

Despite some objections, including Rizal's brother-in-law Hidalgo, Rizal twice wrote letters to Governor General Eulogio Despujol about his Borneo colonization project. Unfortunately, he received no response. Instead, Despujol instructed the Spanish consul-general in Hongkong to inform Rizal that the project was considered unpatriotic. Despujol believed that by sending Filipinos to Borneo, the Philippines would face a shortage of laborers and that it was impractical for Filipinos to develop foreign territories when they were needed for development in the Philippines itself.

Despite opposition from friends and relatives, he chose to go back to Manila for several reasons: 1. to have a discussion with Governor General Despujol about his Borneo colonization project; 2. to establish the La Liga Filipina in the Philippines; and 3. to refute Eduardo de Lete's accusations against him and his family in Calamba. Prior to leaving, he wrote three additional letters: one to his parents and friends, another to the Filipino people, and the last one to Governor General Eulogio Despujol.

Instead of obtaining the protection he had hoped for, Rizal and his sister, Lucia, were caught in a Spanish deception – a case was quietly filed against Rizal, and Despujol instructed his secretary, Luis de la Torre, to confirm whether the patriot had become a naturalized German citizen or not. Thus, the siblings embarked on a journey across the China Sea unaware of what awaited them

in the Philippines. (Returning from Hong Kong) They arrived in Manila aboard the SS Don Juan on June 26, 1892.

Shortly thereafter, on July 3rd, he established the La Liga Filipina at Doroteo Ongjunco's residence on Ilaya Street in Tondo, Manila. Its objective was to bring Filipinos together and promote mutual assistance in times of need, while also encouraging education and agricultural training. However, the association's existence was cut short when Rizal was unjustly detained just a few days after its establishment. The charges against him included possession of a leaflet entitled "Pobres Frailes," a sarcastic reference to the friars, which was discovered among his belongings upon his arrival from Hong Kong.

Governor General Despujol published the reasons for his arrest in the Gazette and sent copies to the Spanish Embassy in Hong Kong for circulation. The strange reasons for his arrest were commented on by the British Consul. The editor of the Hong Kong Telegraph dedicated an entire column in the newspaper to the unfortunate news of his detention. Rizal was deported to Dapitan on July 17, 1892, under the supervision of Ricardo Carnicero, the military commandant of Dapitan. Despite being detained, Rizal kept himself occupied with activities that were also beneficial to others.

The protagonist accomplished multiple tasks in Dapitan, including the establishment of a clinic, a school, and the construction of a water system. He utilized funds from his lottery winnings to purchase plots of land, which he then transformed into a farm. The overwhelming feeling of loneliness prompted him to write the composition "Mi Retiro," but he exhibited his resilient spirit by composing the hymn "Talisay." While staying in Dapitan, he received a visit

from Dr. Pio Valenzuela on behalf of Andres Bonifacio, who wanted him to lead the Revolution. However, Rizal declined the offer as he believed that the Filipinos were not yet prepared for such a revolt. This decision demonstrated his unwavering dedication to his principles and convictions.

He conveyed to Dr. Pio the belief that a nation should adequately prepare itself before aspiring for independence. In Rizal's perspective, "The heroes of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow". For a nation to be truly prepared for independence, education plays a crucial role. The leaders must possess a clear vision to ensure that in case one of them becomes corrupt, they would have the courage to oust that individual. Rizal exemplified this in his novel El Filibusterismo, where he portrayed Simon's failed revolution. However, he also presented the possibility of redemption if Filipinos could emulate characters like Padre Florentino.

He was a knowledgeable man, adept at utilizing wealth and expertise for his benefit. Rizal desired Filipinos to employ reason rather than emotion in their struggles. He maintained constant correspondence with Ferdinand Blumentritt and other scientists he encountered overseas. He amassed samples of plants and insects, which he dispatched to his scientist acquaintances abroad. His reputation as an ophthalmologist attracted patients to seek his services in Dapitan. Engineer George Tauffer, along with his foster daughter Josephine Bracken, was among the most prominent visitors.

Josephine soon became Rizal's wife. He had inspired the revolutionary spirit of the Filipinos and was visited by Pio Valenzuela, an aid of Bonifacio. They discussed the possibility of an armed uprising against the Spaniards. Valenzuela also offered to help Rizal escape, but he declined. On July 31,

1896, accompanied by Josephine, his sister Narcisa, and other relatives, Rizal sailed to Manila. This decision came after the Spanish government accepted his offer to serve as a doctor for the Spanish soldiers fighting against rebel forces led by Jose Marti in Cuba.

Upon arriving in Manila, Rizal was informed that his boat to Cuba had already departed. Consequently, he was transferred to the Castilla ship located in Cavite. Eventually, he managed to board the Isla de Panay, which transported him to Singapore. In Singapore, Pedro Roxas urged him to disembark and assured him safety within British Territory. However, Rizal declined this proposition. On September 30, 1896, while sailing through the Middle East on the Isla de Panay, the ship captain received orders for Rizal's arrest due to alleged involvement in the ongoing revolution in the Philippines.

Upon arriving in Barcelona, Rizal was imprisoned at the Montjuich Penitentiary before being transported back to the Philippines on the Colon. Rizal's friends attempted a court rescue, with Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor and British lawyers filing a writ of habeas corpus through Lord Hugh Fort in the Supreme Court of the Straits Settlements. Their argument was based on Rizal being unlawfully detained. However, Judge Lionel Cox deemed the Colon to be a troopship under the Spanish Flag and considered Rizal a Spanish subject.

Therefore, Rizal's case was not under British jurisdiction. Blumentritt notified Rizal, via letter, about an epidemic in Cuba in 1896. As a result, Rizal expressed his desire to go to Cuba and made a request to Governor General Ramon Blanco. Although it may appear that Rizal was assisting the Spanish government in their war against colonized nations, he

had a hidden agenda. Rizal aimed to become a volunteer doctor in Cuba to gain knowledge about revolutionary techniques and strategies for winning wars.

As he will be sent to the field, he will have the opportunity to learn about Spanish war tactics firsthand while still practicing his craft. His intention is to acquire this knowledge in order to aid the Philippine Revolution. He has a strong desire to gather every possible detail to ensure the readiness of the Philippines for war. However, Rizal was apprehended before he could go to Cuba due to his involvement in the Philippine Revolution led by Andres Bonifacio. Rizal was identified as the leader of the Revolution as his pictures were found present during meetings of the Katipuneros.

The Katipuneros employed various measures to protect their identities and ensure the safety of their members. A notable method was wearing bags over their heads to prevent recognition, thereby safeguarding themselves in the event of capture. Interestingly, even the leader, Andres Bonifacio, remained unidentified. The organization also utilized a triangular recruitment system, where each member could only recruit two others who were unknown to each other. This strategy further minimized the risk of exposure. Additionally, the Katipuneros employed passwords during their gatherings, adopting Jose Rizal’s pen names for secrecy. However, these precautions ultimately resulted in Rizal being falsely identified as the leader of the Revolution.

Rizal was wrongly identified as the leader by the masses who were captured by Spanish soldiers. This false identification was based on his picture being present in every meeting and the use of his pen names as passwords. As a result, Rizal was taken captive and imprisoned in Fort

Santiago. He arrived in Manila on November 3, 1896, and was immediately detained at Fort Santiago. A military court, presided over by Judge Advocate Enrique Alcocer, held a trial for Rizal on November 26. He faced charges of rebellion, sedition, and the illegal organization of societies at the Cuartel de Espana.

Lieutenant Luis Taviel de Andrade served as Rizal's defense counsel during his trial, but unfortunately, his efforts to save him were unsuccessful, and Rizal was sentenced to death. Despite facing his imminent execution, Rizal maintained his readiness to die and refused to admit any wrongdoing. In his "additions to my defense," he stated that he had no involvement with politics from July 6th, 1892, until July 1st of the current year. He further mentioned that when he was informed by Don Pio Valenzuela about a proposed uprising, he advised against it and attempted to convince Valenzuela using persuasive arguments.

On the night before his execution, Rizal wrote a poem titled "Mi Ultimo Adios," which he concealed in an alcohol burner. Just before his death, he gave the alcohol burner to his sister, Trinidad, and presented the book titled "Imitation of Christ" by Thomas Kempis to his wife. It is assumed that he renounced freemasonry and married Josephine Bracken before a priest, with guards as witnesses. Rizal also wrote letters to Professor Blumentritt, his brother Paciano, and his beloved parents.

On December 30, 1896, Dr. Jose Rizal was escorted from Fort Santiago to Bagumbayan Field, accompanied by Fathers March and Villaclara, as well as his lawyer, Luis Taviel de Andrade. Just before he faced the firing squad, he passed his belt to his nephew, Mauricio. After two years,

on August 17, 1898, his sisters disinterred his body from Paco Cemetery and temporarily housed it at their residence in Binondo, until it was finally laid to rest at the monument in his honor at Luneta, now known as Rizal Park.