I.

Introduction
José Rizal is a Filipino nationalist, polymath, writer, and revolutionary whose writings Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo inspired the fight against Spanish colonial rule in the
Philippines.
Jose Rizal’s arrival in Manila on June 26, 1892, had become very sensational among the
Filipinos. His popularity feared the Spaniards, and as such, paid careful attention to his
every moves – all houses where he had been staying was searched and the Filipinos seen in
his company were suspected. As he had planned, on July 3, 1892, he founded the La Liga
Filipina in the house of Doroteo Ongjunco in Tondo, Manila. Four days after the civic
organization's foundation, Jose Rizal was arrested by the Spanish authorities on four
grounds: (1) for publishing anti-Catholic and anti-friar books and articles; (2) for having in
possession a bundle of handbills, the Pobres Frailes, in which advocacies were in violation
of the Spanish orders; (3) for dedicating his novel, Filibusterismo to the three “traitors”
(Gomez, Burgos and Zamora) and for emphasizing on the novel's title page that “the
only salvation for the Philippines was separation from the mother country (referring to
Spain)”; and (4) for simply criticizing the religion and aiming for its exclusion from the
Filipino culture.
After being implicated in the anti-colonial activities of the La Liga Filipina and the
Katipunan, Rizal was exiled to Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte by Spanish authorities from
July 17, 1892, to July 31, 1896. Aboard the steamer Cebu and under heavy guard, Rizal left
Manila, sailing to Mindoro and Panay, until he reached Dapitan at seven o'clock in the
evening of July 17. From that day until July 31, 1896, Dapitan became the bear witness to
one of the most fruitful periods in Rizal's life. His stay in the province was more than “he”
living in exile – it was the period when Rizal had been more focused on serving the people
and the society through his civic works, medical practices, land development and
promotion of education. He spent four years in this small town on the northern shore of
Mindanao, turning what could have been an oppressive punishment into a productive
chapter of his life.
II. Key Personalities during Rizal's Exile
1. Captain Ricardo Carnicero (Spanish Commander of Dapitan)
Initially assigned to guard Rizal, Captain Carnicero developed a friendship with him.
He admired Rizal’s intellect and leniently allowed him to live freely within the town’s
boundaries.
Rizal’s relationship with Carnicero is highlighted in his poem “A Don Ricardo
Carnicero,” which he wrote in honor of the Captain’s birthday.
2. Josephine Bracken (Rizal’s Romantic Interest)
 An Irishwoman who came to Dapitan in early 1895 seeking medical treatment for
her stepfather from Rizal.
Rizal had always been missing his family and their happy moments together in
Calamba and his despair doubled upon the announcement of Leonor Rivera’s death.
Not soon, to his surprise, an Irish girl enlightened his rather gloomy heart. This girl
was the 18-year-old Josephine Bracken who, to Wenceslao Retana’s words, was
“slender, a chestnut blond, with blue eyes, dressed in elegant simplicity, with an
atmosphere of light (gaiety).”
From Hongkong, she arrived in Dapitan in February 1895 with his blind foster
father, George Taufer, and a Filipina named Manuela Orlac. Rizal's fame as
an ophthalmic surgeon reached overseas, and one of Rizal's friends, Julio
Llorente referred the group to Rizal. Rizal and Bracken instantly fell in love with
each and in just one month, they agreed to marry which appalled and disturbed
Taufer. However, the parish priest of Dapitan, Father Pedro Obach, refused to do so
unless they be permitted by the Bishop of Cebu. They were denied by the Church
because Rizal refused to retract his statements against Spanish clergy.
On the other hand, Taufer returned to Hongkong uncured. Because no priest was
willing to marry the two, the couple exchanged their vows before God in their own
way, which scandalized Fr. Obach. In 1896, their love bears its fruit – Josephine was
pregnant. Unfortunately, Bracken gave birth to a one-month premature baby boy
who lived only for three hours. The child was buried in Dapitan, bearing the name
Francisco, after Rizal's father
3. Father Pablo Pastells (Jesuit Priest and Debater)
A mentor-turned-adversary, Father Pastells had a cordial relationship with Rizal,
though they debated religion and faith intensely during Rizal’s exile.
They exchanged numerous letters, with Father Pastells attempting to bring Rizal
back to the Catholic faith, while Rizal remained a believer in God but rejected many
Church practices.
4. Dr. Pío Valenzuela (Katipunan Leader)
Valenzuela visited Rizal in Dapitan in 1895 to seek his advice regarding the growing
revolutionary movement.
Rizal rejected the idea of armed rebellion, insisting that Filipinos were not yet ready
for a violent struggle against Spain and stressing education as the key to true
independence.

III. Significant Events in Dapitan

1. Community Development
 a. Health Care (Rizal as a Doctor): Rizal treated hundreds of patients in Dapitan.
His reputation as a skilled ophthalmologist spread far beyond Dapitan, and even
foreign patients traveled to seek his treatment.
He treated locals, as well as foreign visitors like Josephine Bracken’s stepfather,
free of charge or at a nominal fee depending on their financial capability.
As a physician, Rizal provided free medicine to his patients, most of them were
underprivileged. However, he also had wealthy patients who paid him well
enough for his excellent surgical skill. Among them were Don Ignacio Tumarong
who gave Rizal3000 pesos for restoring his sight, an Englishman who
gave him 500 pesos, and Aklanon haciendero, Don Francisco Azcarraga, who
paid him a cargo of sugar.
His skill was put into test in August 1893 when his mother, Doña Teodora Alonzo,
was placed under ophthalmic surgery for the third time. The operation was a
success; however, Alonzo ignored her son's instructions and removed the
bandages in her eyes which lead to irritation and infection.
b. Educational Reforms (Rizal as a Teacher): Rizal opened a non-formal school
where he taught 16 young boys from the area. He provided free education and
taught them practical subjects, such as math, geography, Spanish, history, arts,
and moral education. Instead of charging them for the matriculation, he made
the students do community projects for him like maintaining his garden and
field.
His teaching also emphasized sports and physical education to encourage overall
well-being.
c. Civic Projects (Rizal as an Engineer): One of Rizal’s most important
contributions was designing and constructing a waterworks system to provide
Dapitan with fresh drinking water. This project greatly improved the health and
sanitation of the town.
Rizal also landscaped a public plaza with artistic precision and designed the
layout of several key structures in the town, including his house, hospital, and
school.
2. Scientific Studies
a. Rizal as a Naturalist: He conducted scientific research and engaged in
correspondence with European scientists. He discovered three species:
i. Draco rizali (a type of flying dragon)
ii. Rhacophorus rizali (a species of frog)
iii. Apogonia rizali (a type of beetle)
Rizal’s contributions to science were acknowledged by many experts, including
Dr. A.B. Meyer, a famous German anthropologist and friend.
 b. Map-Making and Engineering: He created an accurate map of Mindanao,
particularly Northern Mindanao and the surrounding waters of Dapitan. This
was highly regarded by Spanish officials and showed his remarkable
cartographic skills.
3. Rizal’s Involvement with the Revolution
a. Interaction with the Katipunan: Rizal’s principles of peaceful reform
contrasted with the Katipunan’s plans for armed rebellion. He advised against
the hasty launch of the revolution, believing Filipinos needed further education
and national unity before resorting to armed struggle.
b. Valenzuela’s Secret Mission: In June 1896, Dr. Pío Valenzuela visited Rizal with
a plan to gain his support for the upcoming revolution. While sympathetic, Rizal
expressed that the armed rebellion would be premature and disastrous for the
Filipinos at that time.
Prior to the outbreak of the revolution, the Katipunan leader, Andres Bonifacio,
seek the advice of Jose Rizal. In a secret meeting on May 2, 1896, at Bitukang
Manokriver in Pasig, the group agreed to send Dr. Pio Valenzuela as a
representative to Dapitan who will inform Rizal of their plan to launch a
revolution against the Spaniards. On board the steamer Venus, Valenzuala left
Manila on June 15, 1892, and in 6 days, arrived at Dapitan with a blind
companion, Raymundo Mata. At night, Rizal and Valenzuela had a talk in the
former's garden. There, Valenzuela told him of the Katipunan’s plan. Regarding
this, Rizal outspokenly objected Bonifacio's “premature” idea for two reasons:
(1) the Filipinos were still unready for such bloody revolution; and (2) the
Katipunan lacked machinery – before plotting a revolution, there must be
sufficient arms and funds collected.
Valenzuela also told Rizal of their plan to rescue him in Dapitan. Again, the exiled
hero disagreed because he had no plan of breaking his word of honor to the
Spanish authorities.
4. Rizal’s Departure from Dapitan
During the peak of the Cuban revolution, Rizal offered his services as a military
doctor to compromise with the shortage of physicians in the said country. It was his
friend, Ferdinand Blumentritt, who informed him of the situation in Cuba and
suggested that he volunteer himself as army doctor. On December 17, 1895, Rizal
sent a letter to Governor General, Ramon Blanco, rendering his service for Cuba. But
for months, Rizal awaited in vain for the governor's reply, and loss hope that his
request will be granted. It was only on July 30, 1896, when Rizal received a letter
from Governor Blanco, dated July 2, 1896, accepting his offer. The letter also stated
that Rizal will be given a pass so that he can go to Manila, then to Spain where its
Minister of War will assign shim to the Army of Operations in Cuba.
 On July 31, 1896, Rizal left Dapitan after receiving permission from the Spanish
government to serve as a doctor in Cuba during a yellow fever outbreak. His
departure was marked by great sadness in Dapitan, where he had built strong bonds
with the people.
At midnight of July 31, 1896, Jose Rizal left Dapitan on board the steamer Espana,
together with Narcisa, Josephine, Angelica (Narcisa's daughter), three nephews
and six of his students. Many were saddened as the adopted son of Dapitan left.
In Cebu, on their way to Manila, Rizal successfully performed an ophthalmic
operation to a merchant who paid him fifty silver pesos. After almost a week, on
August 6, 1896, España arrived in Manila. Rizal was supposedly to board the Isla de
Luzon for Spain, but unfortunately, left ahead of time. Instead, he was transferred to
the Spanish cruiser Castilla to stay and wait for the next mail boat that would sail for
Spain next month. He was prohibited from leaving the vicinity but was allowed to
accept visitors so long as they were his immediate family. Of course, all these delays
were part of the drama – Rizal has now fallen to the critical/deadly Spanish trap.
He was arrested en route to Spain, accused of inciting rebellion due to the activities
of the Katipunan, and was eventually returned to the Philippines for trial.

IV. Fun Facts About Rizal's Exile

1. Lottery Winnings
Rizal won a third prize of ₱6,200 in the Manila lottery. He shared his winnings with
his friend Captain Carnicero and a Spaniard from Manila. Rizal used his share to
purchase a 16-hectare farm in Talisay, Dapitan, where he grew crops like coconuts,
hemp, and corn, employing local farmers and laborers.
2. Rizal as an Inventor
Rizal was not just a doctor and scientist but also an inventor. He designed a wooden
machine for making bricks, which helped in the construction of many structures in
Dapitan. His creativity extended to practical solutions for local problems.
3. Rizal's Love for Games
Rizal enjoyed playing games of skill and intelligence, such as chess and dama
(checkers). He was known to engage with locals in friendly competitions and would
often win because of his strategic thinking.
4. Secret Marriage with Josephine Bracken?
While Rizal and Josephine Bracken were not formally married due to restrictions by
the Catholic Church, it is rumored that Father Antonio Obach performed a ceremony
for them without official Church approval, in the presence of Rizal’s students.
5. Rizal as a Sculptor
 During his exile, Rizal made sculptures and other artistic creations, including a
statue of St. Paul for the Jesuit College in Manila. He also created intricate wood
carvings and clay models, showcasing his artistic skills.

V. Conclusion
Rizal’s Resilience: His time in Dapitan showcased how Rizal could adapt to adversity.
Rather than see his exile as a punishment, he used it as an opportunity to continue his
advocacy through community service, education, and scientific research.
Legacy in Dapitan: His projects in medicine, agriculture, education, and civic
improvements left a lasting mark on Dapitan, where he is still remembered with great
reverence.
Final Reflection: Rizal’s exile in Dapitan provides insight into his character. Despite being
isolated, he never stopped working for the welfare of his people, showing that true
leadership extends beyond political struggle into the betterment of society.

References:
https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/29/rizal-s-life-in-exile
https://www.scribd.com/document/521971110/Chapter-22-Summary