CHAPTER 10: FIRST HOMECOMING (1887-1888)

Decision to return home

Because of the publication of the Noli Me Tangere and the uproar it caused among the friars; Rizal was
warned not to return home. But he did not heed their warning. He was determined to return to the Philippines for
the following reasons:
- To operate his mother's eyes
- To serve his people who had long been oppressed by Spanish tyrants
- To find out for him how the Noli and his other writings were affecting Filipinos and Spaniards in the Philippines
- To inquire why Leonor Rivera remained silent.
Arrival in manila
August 5- the Haipong arrived in Manila. Rizal went ashore with a happy heart for he once more trod his beloved
native soil. He stayed in the city for a short time to visit his friends. He found Manila the same as when he left it
five years ago.
Happy homecoming
August 8- 1887 he returned to Calamba. His family welcomed him affectionately, with plentiful tears of joy.
In Calamba, Rizal established a medical clinic. His first patient was his mother, who was almost blind. He treated
her eyes, but not performed any surgical operation because her eyes cataracts were not yet ripe.
News of the arrival of a great doctor from Germany spread far and wide. Patients from Manila and the provinces
flocked to Calamba. Rizal, who came to be called “Doctor Uliman” because he came from Germany, treated their
ailments and soon he acquired a lucrative medical practice. His professional fees were reasonable, even gratis to
the poor.
Within a few months, he was able to earn P900 as a physician. By February 1888, he earned a total of P5 000 as
medical Fees.

Storm over the noli

-A few weeks after his arrival, a storm broke over his novel. One day Rizal received a letter from Governor
General Emilio Terrero requesting him to come to Malacañan Palace. Somebody has whispered to the Governor's
ear that the Noli contained subversive ideas.
-While the storm over the Noli was raging in Fury, Rizal was not molested in Calamba. This is due to Governor
General Terrero's generosity in assigning a bodyguard to him. Between this Spanish bodyguard, Lt. Jose Taviel
De Andrade, and Rizal, a beautiful friendship bloomed. What marred Rizal's happy days in Calamba with Lt.
Andrade were: The death of his older sister, Olimpia
-The groundless tales circulated by his enemies that he was "a German Spy, an agent of Bismarck, a
Protestant, a Mason, a witch, a soul beyond salvation, etc.”

Farewell to Calamba
- Rizal's exposure of the deplorable conditions of tenancy in Calamba infuriated further his enemies. The
friars exerted pressure on Malacañan Palace to eliminate him. They asked Governor General Terrero to
deport him, but the latter refused because there was no valid charge against Rizal in the court. Anonymous
threats against Rizal's life were received by his parents. The alarmed parents, relatives and friends (including
lt. Taviel de Andrade) advised him to go away, for his life was in danger.
-Hounded by powerful enemies, Rizal was forced to leave his country for a second time in February
1888. He was then a full-grown man of 27 years of age, a practicing physician, and a recognized man-of-letters.

CHAPTER 11: IN HONGKONG AND MACAU (1887-1888)

The trip to Hong Kong
February 3, 1888 -Rizal left Manila for Hong Kong on board the Zafiro
February 7, 1888 - Zafiro made a brief stopover at Amoy Rizal did not get off his ship at Amoy for three
reasons:
(1) he was not feeling well
(2) it was raining hard
(3) he heard that the city was dirty
February 8, 1888 - Rizal arrived in Hong Kong
Victoria Hotel- Rizal stayed while in Hong Kong. He was welcomed by Filipino residents, including Jose
Maria Basa, Balbino Mauricio, and Manuel Yriarte (son of Francisco Yriarte (son of Francisco Yriarte, alcalde
mayor of Laguna)
Jose Sainz de Varanda- a Spaniard, who was a former secretary of Governor General Terrero, shadowed Rizal’s
movement in Hong Kong
-it is believed that he was commissioned by the Spanish authorities to spy on Rizal “Hong Kong”, wrote Rizal to
Blumentritt on February 16, 1888, “is a small, but very clean city.”

Visit to Macao
Macao is a Portuguese colony near Hong Kong. According to Rizal, the city of Macao is small, low, and gloomy.
There are many junks, sampans, but few steamers. It looks sad and is almost dead.
February 18, 1888 - Rizal, accompanied by Basa, boarded the ferry steamer, Kiu-Kiang for Macao
Don Juan Francisco Lecaros- A filipino gentleman married to a Portuguese lady
-Rizal and Basa stayed at his home while in Macao
February 18, 1888 - Rizal witnessed a Catholic possession, in which the devotees were dressed in blue and
purple dresses and were carrying unlighted candles.
February 20, 1888 - Rizal and Basa returned to Hong Kong, again on board the ferry steamer Kiu Kiang.

CHAPTER 12: ROMANTIC INTERLUDE IN JAPAN (1888)

One of the happiest interludes in the life of Rizal was his sojourn in the Land of the Cherry Blossoms
for one month and a half (February 28 – April 13, 1888).
-He was enchanted by the natural beauty of Japan, the charming manners of the Japanese people, and the
picturesque shrines.
-Moreover, he fell in love with a Japanese girl, whose loveliness infused joy and romance in his sorrowing
heart. Her real name was Seiko Usui. Rizal affectionately called her 0-Sei-San. Fate, however, cut short his
happy days in Japan. He had to sacrifice his own happiness to carry on his work for the redemption of his
oppressed people

Rizal’s Impression of Japan. Rizal was favorably impressed by Japan. He was a keen observer, taking copious
notes on the life, customs, and culture of the people. He was no silly, light- headed tourist who merely enjoys
attractive sights that appealed only to the senses. The things which favorably impressed Rizal in Japan were:
1. The beauty of the country – its flowers, mountains, streams, and scenic panoramas.
2. The cleanliness, politeness, and industry of the Japanese people.
3. The picturesque dress and simple charm of the Japanese women.
4. There were very few thieves in Japan so that the houses remained open day and night, and in the hotel room
one could safely leave money on the table.
5. Beggars were rarely seen in the city streets, unlike in Manila and other cities
However, there is one thing which he did not like in Japan, and that was the popular mode of
transportation by means of rickshaws drawn by men. His sensitive soul recoiled at seeing human beings working
like horses, pulling the carts called rickshaws. He felt disgusted at the way a human being was employed like a
horse.

Rizal Deported to Dapitan

-Rizal arrived in Manila on June 26, 1892, accompanied by his sister Lucia.
-He went to Malacañang to pay a courtesy call and to interview the Governor-General Despujol
regarding the issue about of his family.
-The Governor dissuades him from going to Borneo and promised him instead a land in any island from Calamba.

Filipino League Founded

-Rizal meet with his friends and told them the objectives of La Liga Filipina which he plans to establish.
-The day after, they visit different places in which he urged his countrymen to join the La Liga Filipina.
-On July 3, 1892, at Ilaya Street, Tondo, Manila. Rizal formally organized the League. The gathering was attended
by many Filipino to witness this kind of historic event.
-The League’s ultimate objective was to promote the progress of the country.
The Arrest and Deportation of Rizal
-Rizal was ordered arrested by General-Governor Despujol for having found in his baggage a bundle of leaflets
entitled “Poor Friars”.
-Rizal was incarcerated in Fort Santiago for a week and then he was deported to Dapitan in Northern Mindanao.
Rizal’s Exile in Dapitan
June 17, 1892- Rizal together with his guard Captain Ricardo Carnicero, arrived in Dapitan.
-Rizal was given a chance to live in the house of the parish priest, Fr. Antonio Obach or at Carcinero’s house.
-He could live in the priest’s quarters only if:
 He publicly retracted his Masonic and antichurch beliefs.
 He regularly participates in church rites.
 He conducts himself as a good Spanish subject and a man of religion.
Life in Dapitan
-When he arrived in Dapitan, Rizal stayed in the residence of Don Ricardo Carnicero, a Captain of the Infantry
and politico military government of Dapitan.
-After those friendly conversations they had, Carnicero learned that Rizal was not a person who had committed a
felony that is why he gave good reports to Governor-General Despujol about Rizal.
-Rizal admired Captain Carnicero for his generosity and as a sign of gratitude and appreciation he
wrote a poem on Don Ricardo Carnicero’s birthday.
-Rizal lived a simple life in exile. He built his own house, planted many trees, improved his medical profession.
-His was also visited by his family and stayed there with him for some time to lessen his loneliness.
-During his stay in Dapitan he still continued his interest in scientific, artistic, literary, linguistic and other
intellectual pursuits.
-He won 20, 000 pesos on his betted on a lottery ticket number 9736.
-He used his money to build a house, school, and used the other parts for his medical clinic.
-He also built a house for the ladies in his family who were free to visit him in Dapitan.
-With the help of Captain Carnicero, Rizal’s family was allowed to join him in Dapitan.
Rizal as a Physician
-Rizal continued his medical practice in Dapitan, he receives many patients from different places and he became
widely known as a physician and surgeon.
-On August 1893, his mom and sister lived with him for a year in Dapitan.
-He also operated his mom’s eye for the third time but because his mom disregarded his clinical instruction, Doña
Teodora removed the bandages from her eyes causing the wounds to get infected.
-Rizal realized that sometimes it is not advisable to be the doctor of the member of the immediate family.
-He shared this incident to his brother-in-law, Manuel Hidlago and said, “Now I understand very well why a
physician should not treat the members of his family.”
Rizal as an Educator
-Rizal established a modest school attended by selected students ages thirteen and fourteen from prominent
families in Dapitan.
-It began with 3 pupils who increased to 16 and eventually 21.
-16 of his pupils did not pay tuition. Instead of charging them fees, Rizal made them work in his gardens and
construction projects.
-Formal classes were between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. He also applied the “emperor” system like that of Ateneo.
-Rizal taught these young boys the value of hard work, character building, respect of human worth, cultural values
of the Filipinos and many more.
Rizal as an Engineer
-As a perito agrimensor (expert surveyor), Rizal applied his engineering knowledge by constructing a system of
waterworks to furnish clean water to the townspeople.
Rizal as a Scientist
-Rizal found out that Dapitan and Zamboanga is an ideal place for collecting specimens in scientific study.
-With his students, they explored the forest and seacoast looking for specimen and examined every specimen
carefully to find out its potential value.
-Rizal discovered Nami, a kind of root plant to be edible but it was poisonous because it contained hydrocyanic
acid.
-He discovered that the fluid extracted from the Nami was an effective medicine and capable of producing
anesthetic results.
- He had built up a rich collection of conchology (consisting of 346 shells of 203 species) He had discovered rare
specimens like: Rhacophorus rizali (a rare frog) Draco rizali (a flying dragon) Apogonia rizali (a small beetle)
-He sent different kind of specimen in Dresden and in recognition of his effort, one European scientist sent him
various scientific books, and journals and surgical instruments
Rizal as a Farmer
-When Rizal is in Dapitan he thought of something how he could spend his time profitably. He bought 16 hectares
of agricultural land where he planted fruit bearing trees. He also raised livestock.
-His total land area expanded near a river where it became a source of irrigation that doubled his rice production.
-He also introduced modern methods of farming and agricultural means and techniques he had observed in
Europe and America.
Rizal as an Entrepreneur
-In Dapitan, he also engaged in business. His business ventures are fishing, copra, and hemp industries.
-He also introduced a modern method of hemp – stripping through a machine in order to improve the quality and
increased the production.
Rizal as an Inventor
-Rizal invented a cigarette lighter which he called Sulpukan when he was still in Calamba.
-While in Dapitan, he invented a machine for making bricks – A wooden machine for making bricks.
Rizal as an Artist
-At the age of five Rizal already revealed his talents for the arts.
-He know how to sketch, he also developed his skills in creating different forms and shapes with wax and clay, he
know how to sculpt and curves figures.
-Rizal impressed his professor in Ateneo when he was studying because of his artistic skill when he curved an
image of Our Virgin Mary.
-In London, he curved “The Triumph of Death over Life” and “The Triumph of Science over Death”.
-In Dapitan, he curved “The Mother’s Revenge”.
- Made sketches of persons and things that attracted him in Dapitan.
Rizal as a Linguist
-Rizal is one of the world’s great linguistics because of his remarkable skills in speaking several languages.
Continuing his study of languages, Rizal learned in Dapitan:
1.Bisayan
2.Subanun
3.Malay languages
Josephine Bracken in Dapitan
-One of the most significant events worth remembering during Rizal’s stay in Dapitan was the coming of Miss
Josephine Bracken.
-Josephine Bracken is an eighteen-year-old lady, sweet, slender, almond blue eyes, brown hair and dresses
elegantly.
-Miss Bracken was born on October 3, 1876. Her mother died from childbirth and was adopted by
American Engineer, George Taufer.
-Josephine and Mr. Taufer came in Dapitan in February 1895 to consult Dr. Rizal for surgical treatment of
Engineer Taufer’s blindness.
-Josephine and Rizal fell in love with each other and at the end of February, Rizal told Mr.Taufer that he was in
love with Josephine and that he intended to marry her.
-But Mr. Taufer objected. They both calm Mr. Taufer and Josephine bring him back to Manila and telling Rizal
that she would return. And she did.
-They agreed to marry each other but the parish priest of Dapitan refused to marry them in the absence of the
ecclesiastical permission from the Bishop of Cebu.
-Since the parish of Dapitan could not solemnize the marriage, one moonlight night, they went to the beach and
pledge to love each other and lived as husband and wife, and thereafter, lived happily.
-After living in for almost eight months, Josephine gave birth prematurely to an eight-month boy, that lived for
only a few hour. For the couple, the loss of the baby was indeed unbearable.
Visitors in Dapitan
Pablo Mercado- a spy of the friars who posed as Rizal’s relative (Florencio Namaan- his true name)
Pio Valenzuela- an emissary of Andres Bonifacio, he was asking advice on how to launch a revolution. He
offered to have the Katipunan assist him in escaping from Dapitan.
-Rizal objected to the projected revolution, the revolutionaries must have arms and weapons.

The End of the Dapitan Exile

-When Cuba was under revolution and raging yellow fever epidemic, Rizal went to Governor General Ramon
Blanco offering his service as a military doctor.
Governor General Ramon Blanco- he approved the request of Rizal on July 1, 1896.
-At the midnight of that day, he left aboard the steamer España
-The townspeople of Dapitan wept because they considered Rizal as a good son and neighbor.
-He stayed in Dapitan for four years, 13 days, and a few hours.
-------
August 6, 1896- upon arring in Manila Bay, Rizal was not able to leave immediately for Spain since the vessel
Isla de Luzon already left.
-he was transferred to Spanish cruiser Castilla and stayed for a month from August 6 to September 2, 1896.
August 19, 1896- the Katipunan plot to overthrow the Spanish rule by means of revolution, it was discovered by
Fr. Mariano Gil after Teodoro Patino’s disclosure of organization’s secrets.
-At that time, Katipunan was already discovered, and the Philippine Revolution was already raging.
August 26, 1896- Bonifacio and Katipunan raised the Cry of Revolution (Sigaw sa Pugadlawin) in the hills of
Balintawak, a few miles North of Manila.
-In the afternoon, Governor General Blanco proclaimed a state of war in the first eight provinces for rising arms
against Spain.
(Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac)
-Rizal received letters from Governor General Blanco which absolved him from all the blame for the raging
revolution.
-He transferred to Isla de Panay which was sailing for Barcelona, Spain.
-Don Pedro Roxas advised Rizal to stay and take advantage of the protection of British Law.

ARREST AND TRIAL

September 30, 1896- the Isla de Panay had already sailed past Port Said in Egypt and was now sailing in the
Mediterranean.
-A telegraphic message wa received ordering that Rizal be placed under arrest.
Bernadino Nozaleda- Archibishop of Manila who clamored for the arrest of Rizal who said to be the spirit of
Philippine Revolution.
October 3- the Isla de Panay arrived in Barcelona and Rizal was sent to a prison-fortress.
-Rizal’s interview with Despujol he would be shipped back to Manila.
-On the night of the same day, after the interview, Rizal was taken aboard the Colon which was loaded with
Spanish troops sailed for Manila.
Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade- the lawyer of Jose Rizal and brother of his former bodyguard Jose Taviel de
Andrade.
-Rizal’s actual trial began on December 26, 1896 and was held at the Hall of Banners of the Cuartel de España
in Fort Santiago.
- Rizal was charged with three crimes: rebellion, sedition and formation of illegal associations.
-in defending himself, Rizal presented twelve arguments
-The court judged Rizal guilty for the charges and voted for the death penalty.
-December 28, 1896, Governor General Polavieja signed Rizal’s death warrant ordering him to be shot ay 7:00
o’clock in the morning at Bagumbayan.
-Rizal signed it saying that he was innocent.
December 30, 1896- Rizal’s death.