Rizal’s Last Hour and

the Retraction
controversy
When did Rizal know of his sentence and death?

December 26, 1896

- the military court tried Jose Rizal; found guilty of rebellion,
sedition, and conspiracy. Reason: according to Spanish
authorities, Rizal’s writings “fatally and necessarily”
incited the rebellion

- 6 a.m- Capt. Rafael Dominguez read before Rizal his death

sentence.

- Where did Rizal spend his last hours.

- Around 7 a.m.of December 26, Rizal was transferred to his

death cell in Fort Santiago.
Who visited Rizal at his death cell?
Rizal’s visitors:
 his counsel
 Spanish officials
 Priests
 former professors

-Archbishop of Manila, Rev. Bernardino

Nozaleda, who claimed that Rizal recanted
his statements against the Church and
returned to the Catholic faith.
• The controversy over Rizal’s retraction has not been settled.
The “original” document of Rizal’s “retraction” was found in
the archdiocesan archives in 1935, 39 years after having
disappeared the day Rizal was shot. There was no record of
anybody seeing this “original” document in 1896, except the
publishers of La Voz Española, which published its contents on
the day of Rizal’s execution: “We have seen and read his
(Rizal’s) own handwritten retraction which he sent to our dear
and venerable Archbishop….” Most experts think that the
handwriting on the document is authentic. However, scholars
are baffled as to why Rizal, who courageously faced
persecution for most of his life, and who was finally sentenced
to death for his beliefs, would suddenly balk at the last, futile
moment. (For more discussion on Rizal’s retraction, see
Garcia, 1964; Guerrero, 1998; and Vaño, 1985).
• What else did Rizal do during the last hours?
-Read the Bible
-Read Thomas à Kempis’s Imitation of Christ
-wrote the poem we know now as “Mi Ultimo Adiós”
-wrote letters to Paciano Rizal, his friend Ferdinand
Blumentritt

When was Rizal executed?-

On December 30, 1896, around 7 a.m. at Luneta,

Manila, Rizal was executed by firing squad
• What was the content of his letter to his
brother Paciano?
-He asked his brother to ask their father for
forgiveness for all the pain he had caused
him

• What was the content of his letter to his

friend Blumentritt?
-”When you receive this letter, I shall be dead
by then…. Tomorrow at seven, I shall be shot;
but I am innocent of the crime of rebellion….
I am going to die with a tranquil conscience.”
• What is a retraction?
It is an act of a person to renounce his own statements
thereby reversing what has been established as fact
with the said statement.

In the case of Rizal, the Archbishop of Manila at the

time of his death said “ “During that day, although Rizal
did not reject [the Jesuits], he persisted in his errors
contrary to the Catholic faith.… However, at the last
hour, Rizal abjured, in writing, his religious errors.” In
other words, Rizal, a Mason, was said to have recanted
his statements against the Church and to have returned
• The Retraction Controversy:

• The Retraction controversy centers on a document allegedly

signed by Rizal on December 29, 1896, the day before his
execution. This document states that Rizal retracted his previous
criticisms of the Catholic Church and his involvement with the
Philippine independence movement, asking forgiveness and
reaffirming his Catholic faith.
• The authenticity of this document has been questioned due to
several factors:
1.Conflicting Testimonies and Lack of Witnesses: Only a few
people claimed to have seen Rizal sign the Retraction, and most
were associated with the church, casting doubt on the objectivity
of the testimonies. Witnesses from Rizal’s inner circle, like his
family and close friends, were not present at this alleged signing.
2. Different Versions of the Document: Over time,
several versions of the Retraction document surfaced,
some containing significant differences. A copy was
discovered in the 1930s in the archives of the Catholic
church, but its authenticity remains debated due to
inconsistencies with Rizal’s handwriting and phrasing
style.

3. Rizal’s Firm Ideals and Resistance: Those who

argue against the retraction believe that Rizal’s
principled resistance to colonialism and religious
corruption was deeply ingrained. They argue that
Rizal’s principles and resolve remained unchanged,
4. Motivations of the Catholic Church and
Spanish Authorities:
For the Spanish clergy, having Rizal retract his
statements would provide a significant
propaganda victory, suggesting that the man
seen as a national hero and martyr had, in the
end, acknowledged the errors of his ways. This
added to suspicions that the document may
have been fabricated to weaken the
revolutionary momentum that Rizal’s death
would inevitably inspire
THE LAST WORKS
OF RIZAL
Introduction

Rizal was convinced that he had done his share

of patriotism. He was an example of a man of
courage and conviction willing to sacrifice for his
people’s cause. When Rizal knew of his fate, he
did not whine but made himself useful and took
every moment to be still of service to his land.
Pag pasasalamat at napahinga
rin,
paalam estranherang kasuyo ko't
aliw,
paalam sa inyo, mga ginigiliw;
mamatay ay siyang
Aside from Bonifacio, many other scholars, writers,
and poets have translated Mi Último Adiós into
Tagalog, including Jose Gatmaytan and Virgilio
Almario. The different versions of the translation
showcase the depth and emotions of the poem
from various perspectives, preserving the essence
of Rizal’s original work while adapting it to the
language and culture of the Philippines.
Here’s a closer look at these emotions based on the
poem’s message:

1. Patriotism and Love for Country: Rizal’s poem

resonates with his deep love for the Philippines. He
expresses a willingness to give his life freely for his
homeland, describing his death as a noble offering for the
nation’s liberation. This sacrifice demonstrates his
devotion, with lines like “I die just when I see the dawn
2. Sorrow and Longing: There is a sadness
woven through the poem, especially when he
addresses his loved ones. Rizal speaks to his
family, friends, and fellow Filipinos with an
affectionate tone, acknowledging the pain his
death will bring them. He also conveys a longing
for a Philippines free from oppression, where future
generations can live peacefully.
3. Hope and Vision for the Future: Despite
his sorrow, Rizal’s words radiate hope. He
envisions a brighter future for the Philippines
and a time when freedom will finally be
attained. He speaks of his dream that his blood
will nourish the “sacred fields” and inspire
others to continue the fight for justice and
4. Acceptance and Peace: Rizal faces death
with courage and a sense of serenity. He shows
acceptance of his fate, even welcoming it as a
necessary step for the freedom he has fought
for. This acceptance reflects his inner peace, as
he has reconciled himself to the reality that his
life is a small price to pay for the future he
dreams of for his country
5. Spiritual Reflection: The closing lines of the
poem reflect Rizal’s spiritual side. He expresses a
wish that his ashes be scattered over his native
land and that his soul may rest peacefully. This
spiritual reflection illustrates his trust in a higher
purpose and his hope to be remembered, not as a
victim of oppression, but as someone who
contributed meaningfully to his country’s freedom.
Huling Paalam captures Rizal’s calm,
dignified acceptance of death, his
passionate patriotism, his empathy for his
loved ones, and his unshakeable hope for a
liberated Philippines. These layered
emotions underline the quiet heroism with
which he faced his final moments.
MI ÚLTIMO ADIÓS
"MI ÚLTIMO ADIÓS" (TRANSLATED AS "MY LAST
FAREWELL") IS AN EMOTIONAL AND SYMBOLIC
FAREWELL POEM WRITTEN BY JOSÉ RIZAL ON THE
NIGHT BEFORE HIS EXECUTION ON DECEMBER 30,
1896. THIS POWERFUL WORK IS BOTH RIZAL'S
PERSONAL GOODBYE AND HIS PATRIOTIC
TESTAMENT, EXPRESSING HIS UNWAVERING LOVE
FOR HIS COUNTRY, HIS DESIRE FOR FREEDOM, AND
HIS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE PHILIPPINES.
Historical and Biographical Context

José Rizal, a Filipino nationalist, physician, and revolutionary

writer, is widely regarded as a national hero of the
Philippines. His advocacy for Filipino rights, equality, and
freedom from Spanish rule inspired the Philippine revolution.
Through his novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo,
he exposed the injustices of colonial rule and awakened a
sense of nationalism among Filipinos. Charged with rebellion,
sedition, and conspiracy by the Spanish authorities, he was
sentenced to death. Just hours before his execution, Rizal
penned Mi Último Adiós, which remains a cornerstone of
Philippine literature and a symbol of patriotic sacrifice.
Analysis of the Poem

1. Patriotism and Sacrifice

Rizal opens the poem with a loving and sorrowful farewell

to his homeland, referring to it as "Beloved Fatherland." He
expresses his willingness to give his life joyfully for the
freedom and happiness of his country, saying, “I go where
there are no slaves, tyrants or hangmen; where faith does
not kill, and where God reigns on high.” This statement
reveals his desire to transcend the earthly pains of
oppression, as well as his readiness to die if it means
Filipinos might live freely.
2. Nature as a Witness to His Sacrifice

Rizal personifies the elements of nature as silent

witnesses to his sacrifice and as symbols of renewal
for his homeland. In one line, he writes, “Let the
moon keep watch, tranquil and silvery,” and “Let the
dawn shed its fleeting radiance.” These images of
the moon, dawn, wind, and soil reflect his vision of a
peaceful, everlasting connection with his homeland.
Rizal’s hope is that his death will bring peace to the
Philippines, and he offers himself up like a seed that
will nurture a new era for his people.
3. Hope for Future Generations

Even as Rizal faces death, his words reveal an

enduring hope for a free and prosperous
Philippines. He reflects on his dreams as a
young boy and as a young man, dreams
which he held for his homeland’s freedom. In
the line, “My dreams, when scarcely a lad
adolescent, my dreams when already a
youth, full of vigor,” he recalls his lifelong
wish to see Filipinos live with dignity and
4. Immortality and Legacy

Rizal contemplates his own death and imagines how he

might live on in spirit. He writes, “And when the dark
night wraps the cemetery and only the dead keep vigil
there, disturb not their repose, disturb not the mystery:
if you hear the sounds of cithern or psaltery, it is I,
dear Country, who, a song to you intones.” Here, Rizal
suggests that his memory and his ideals will continue
to live in the hearts of future Filipinos. He imagines
that his spirit will remain in nature, with the breeze,
the scent of flowers, and even in the silence of the
graveyard.
5. Universal Love and Faith

The poem ends with a vision of universal love

and the power of faith. Rizal does not ask for
personal recognition; instead, he hopes that
his sacrifice will inspire a broader cause for
freedom and justice. His final lines, “Farewell,
beloved country: to die is to rest,” express
that he has found peace in giving his life for a
cause greater than himself.
• Conclusion:

• "Mi Último Adiós" stands as one of the most

powerful expressions of love for one’s
homeland, sacrifice, and hope for freedom. It
resonates deeply with Filipinos and serves as a
testament to the resilience of the Filipino spirit.
Rizal’s work transcends time, embodying the
strength and dedication required to pursue
freedom, justice, and national pride. Through
his words, Rizal continues to inspire