The blind Mr.

Taufer who adopted Josephine Braken

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.

Rizal’s Father-in-law
Josephine was adopted by Mr and Mrs George Edward Taufer, her godparents.
Mr Taufer was a German-American boiler engineer. Mrs Taufer died of a heart
disease in 1882. After one year, Mr Taufer took his second wife who also died in
1890. After another year, Mr Taufer took his third wife, who, in Josephine's own
words, was a torment to her (Cabrera, 1999).

Leonora 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.

Letter to his nephew Mauricio Cruz written from Dapitan by Rizal

Part of the letter is in Spanish and the last words are in English in which he
wishes him a happy new year and asks him to be good.

Fort Santiago, Rizal’s Cell

Fort Santiago in Intramuros was built in 1571 to protect the mouth of the Pasig
River. It was a strategic Spanish military fortress that holds many Tales of Death
from its Dungeons and Jail Cells. One of the fort’s famous prisoner was Jose
Rizal. The Filipino national hero was incarcerated in the fort until he was
marched to The Killing Fields of Old Manila -Luneta.

Luis Taviel de Anfrade

He proved to be the brother of Rizal’s companion during his visit to the
Philippines in 1887-88. The young man did his best and risked unpopularity in
order to be loyal to his client. His defense reads pitiably weak in these days but it
was risky then to say even so much.

The Wife of Jose Rizal

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 in Paco Cemetery
Paco Park was originally planned as a municipal cemetery for the well-off and
established aristocratic Spanish families who resided in the old Manila, or the city
within the walls of Intramuros during the Spanish colonial era. Most of the
wealthy families interred the remains of their loved ones inside the municipal
cemetery in what was once the district of Dilao (former name for Paco). The
cemetery was built in the late 18th century but was completed several decades
later and in 1822, the cemetery was used to inter victims of a cholera epidemic
that swept across the city. On December 30, 1896, Philippine national hero Dr.
José P. Rizal was interred at Paco Park after his execution at Bagumbayan.

El Filibusterismo
This novel is a sequel to the Noli. It has a little humor, less idealism, and less
romance than the Noli Me Tangere. It is more revolutionary and more tragic than
the first novel.

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.
Don Eulogio Despujol
A different kind of governor-general had succeeded Weyler in the Philippines; the
new man was Despujol, a friend of the Jesuits and a man who at once gave the
Filipinos hope of better days, for his promises were quickly backed up by the
beginnings of their performance.

La Liga Filipna
When upon his return to the Philippines in July, 1892, Rizal organized the La
Liga Filipina, this constituted a forward step in the reformist ideas of the times in
the sense that the new group sought to involve the people directly in the reform
movement. Many elements of society who were anxious for change were
attracted to the Liga, among them, Andres Bonifacio who became one of the
founders of the organization.

3 new species found by Rizal

With his students, he collected specimens of plants, animals and ethnographic
materials from Mindanao and sent them to his colleagues in Europe Some of the
animal specimens were rare and named after him:

A new species of frog named Rhacophorus rizali

A new species of beetle named Apogonia rizali
And a new species of lizard named Draconi rizali

Father Sanchez S.J.

Rizal`s favorite professor, taught him Rhetoric, Geometry, French, Latin and
Greek.

Rizal's First Trip Abroad

3 May 1882
Rizal left Philippines for the first time Spain. He boarded the Salvadora using a
passport of Jose Mercado, which was procured for him by his uncle Antonio
Rivera, father of Leonor Rivera. He was accompanied to the quay where the
Salvadora was moored by his uncle Antonio, Vicente Gella, and Mateo
Evangelista.

4 May 1882
He got seasick on board the boat.

5 May1882
He conversed with the passengers of the ship; he was still feeling sea-sick.

6 May 1882
He played chess with the passengers on board.
8 May 1882
He saw mountains and Islands.

9 May 1882
Rizal arrived at Singapore.

10 May 1882
He went around the town of Singapore and maid some observations.

11 May 1882
In Singapore, at 2 p.m., Rizal boarded the boat Djemnah to continue his trip to
Spain. He found the boat clean and well kept.

12 May 1882
He had a conversation with the passengers of the boat.

13 May 1882
Rizal was seasick again.

14 May 1882
On his way to Marseilles, Rizal had a terrible dream. He dreamed he was
traveling with Neneng (Saturnina) and their path was blocked by snakes.

May 15 1882
Rizal had another disheartening dream. He dreamed he returned to Calamba
and after meeting his parents who did not talk to him because of not having
consulted them about his first trip abroad, he returned traveling abroad with one
hundred pesos he again borrowed. He was so sad and broken hearted. Soon he
woke up and found himself inside his cabin.

17 May 1882
Rizal arrived at Punta de Gales.

18 May 1882
At 7:30 a.m., he left Punta de Gales for Colombo. In the afternoon, Rizal arrived
at Colombo and in the evening the trip was resumed.

26 May 1882
Rizal was nearing the African coast

27 May 1882
He landed at Aden at about 8:30 a.m. He made observation at the time.

2 June 1882
He arrived at the Suez Canal en route to Marseilles.
3 June 1882
He was quarantined on board the Djemnah in the Suez Canal.

6 June 1882
It was the fourth day at Suez Canal and was still quarantined on board of the
boat.

7 June 1882
Rizal arrived at Port Said. In a letter to his parents, He described his trip en route
to Aden along the Suez Canal.

11 June 1882
Rizal disembarked and, accompanied by a guide, went around the City of Naples
for one hour. This was the first European ground he set foot on.

12 June 1882
At ten o’clock in the evening, the boat anchored at Marseilles. He sleptn board.

13 June 1882
Early on the morning he landed at Marseilles and boarded at the Noalles Hotel.
Later he around for observation.

14 June 1882
His second in Marseilles.

15 June 1882
He left Marseilles for Barcelona in an express train.

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 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.

MORE RIZAL INFOS:

http://www.joserizal.ph/ph01.html