Dr. José Rizal Life, Works and Writings.

Through Dr. José Rizal's literary works, he opened the minds of the Filipino people to stand up for their rights in their own country. His two most famous novels with highly nationalistic and revolutionary ideas are Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, two novel expose the arrogance and despotism of the Spanish clergy. These two novels provoked the animosity of those in power and these literary works led himself into trouble with the Spanish officials. He was imprisoned at Fort Santiago from July 6-15, 1892 then exiled to Dapitan until July 31, 1896.

During his exile, ominous clouds of revolution gradually darkened the skies above the Philippines. The secret revolutionary society, called Katipunan, which was founded by Andres Bonifacio on July 7, 1892 was gaining more and more adherents.

In a secret meeting of the Katipunan on May 2, 1896 Dr. Pio Valenzuela was sent to Dapitan to inform Dr. José Rizal of the plan of the Katipunan to launch a revolution for freedom's sake. On June 15 Dr. Valenzuela left Manila for Dapitan, to camouflage his mission he brought with him a blind man and a guide. Ostensibly going to Dapitan to solicit Dr. José Rizal's expert medical advice. Upon his arrival in Dapitan on the evening of June 21, 1896 Dr. Rizal welcomed him. After supper the two had a talk in the garden. Dr. Valenzuela informed Dr. Rizal about the Katipunan plans for a revolution. Dr. Rizal objected to plunge the country in a bloody revolution. He also opposed to the plan that the Katipunan would rescue him because he gave his word to the Spanish authorities and did not want to break it.

The Spanish authorities were able to enlist witnesses that linked him with these revolts and he was again locked up in Fort Santiago on November 3, 1896. He was convicted of rebellion, sedition and of forming illegal associations. In his prison cell he wrote a poem now known as Mi Ultimo Adios, a masterpiece, expressing not only his love for his country but also that of countrymen.