The Storm Breaks 1887-1888

Jose Rizal’s First Homecoming

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5 August 1887› Jose Rizal landed in Manila riding

Haiphong (Eastern-run steamer) › After spending days in Manila, Rizal had

gone back to Calamba to meet with his family

› Rizal brought with himself his views about religion and politics reflected from his trips in Europe.

Viewing Rizal’s Religious and Political thoughts...

How would you describe Jose Rizal’s relationship with God?

The Storm Breaks

Jose Rizal’s views on Religion› Religion of Christ was found most perfect for

moral spirit and influence on discipline and moralization of humanity

› Due to modifications made by religious fanaticism it can be figuratively compared to a building with many wedges

› Christ was a religious genius according to Rizal(interpreted through Maximo Viola’s letter)

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Jose Rizal’s views on Religion› Religion and science each had their balanced

place in Rizal’s mind. His religion was no longer the religion of his childhood; it had been subjected over the years to much critical analysis

› He fully recognizes the importance of the Church’s place in the maintenance of the morality

› He still considers himself a Catholic

How would you describe Jose Rizal’s idea of a conducive society?

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Thoughts on Politics› His returning to Asia in 1887 was

enunciated by the brindis speech (1884)

› Rizal desired for the unity of Spain and Philippines, on the other hand an initiated bloody revolt evolves on other’s thoughts

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“Peaceful struggle must remain a dream until Spain learns the lessons of her former colonies in South America... we do not desire separation from Spain; all we ask is more attention, better education, better government officials... More safeguards for us in the future......Spain could still gain the Philippines... only that Spain would be rational. We are misunderstood by all of them. But quos vult perdere Jupiter, prius dementat!..”

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Essence of Noli Me Tangere› “Quos vult perdere Jupiter, prius

dementat!“(Whom Jupiter wishes to destroy, he first makes mad!)

› Served as a “casted dice”

› “To My Country”: Aims to bring enlightenment to his country

› The novel presented Spain with an opportunity – to introduce reform before it was too late

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Essence of Noli Me Tangere› Had achieved a distinction rare in the realm

of decent literature

› Through the novel, Filipinos were seeing themselves for the first time in fiction of realism

› Was compared with the novel “Don Quixote” of having similarities in terms of baring a nation’s soul

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In Calamba...› Wild rumors were spreading – that a Rizal

was a German spy, an agent of Bismarck, a mason, a heretic, a soul as good as damned

› Rizal became popular being branded as a “German Doctor”

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30 August 1887The Rector of the University of Santo Tomas

reported to the archbishop that they have found the Noli Me Tangere, “heretic, impious and scandalous with regards to religion and unpatriotic and subversive to public order”

ERGO: Would cause the Philippines great harm

The Storm Breaks 2 September 1887

Jose Rizal was summoned at the Malacanan Palace by Gov. Gen. Emilio Terrero y Perinat Move made by the Governor General

Firstly, he referred the question of Noli Me Tangere to the Permanent Commission on Censorship

Secondly, he arranged to have Rizal having a personal Civil Guard Escort by the name Jose Taviel de Andrade

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30 December 1887The Civil Governor of Laguna, acting on Instructions

from Malacanan palace inquired about the increase in agricultural output

Hacienda of Calamba – formerly owned by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in was closed in 1768. Was acquired by the Dominicans in 1833

This had led the Dominican friars charging of mass arbitrary fees for the locals accompanying with numerous forms of irregularities

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8 January 1888› Rizal presented in a public meeting in Calamba

a report discussing about the Dominican friars inconsistencies in managing the hacienda

› The meeting exposed Dominicans’ corrupt practices

› Eventually, this event turned out unfavorable to Calamba locals for they are summoned within a few days to leave the Dominican lands of Calamba

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29 December 1888Censorship Commission had reported to the

Governor-General, their report being written by Augustinian friar, Salvador Font

This alarmed the family and friends of Rizal to advise him for an immediate leave from the country

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Underpinnings of Noli Me Tangere› Rizal believed...

That the positive message of this will be grasped by many Spaniards

If revolution was really the solution it will take time to sink in

› Rizal have not foreseen a reaction quite so violent and instantaneous as that which Noli Me Tangere provoked

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After Noli Me Tangere› Jose Rizal has an immediate aim in going

abroad to write another book If Noli Me Tangere dwelled on the portrayal

of the present: Next must be a book revealing about its past

Lecture ends here...