On December 30, 2012, the nation will commemorate the centennial of the re-interment of Rizal’s remains in Rizal Park. A hundred years ago, on December 30, 1912, Jose Rizal’s remains were transferred from his family’s custody to the base of the monument during which, a ceremony was conducted. A year after the transfer, Rizal’s monument was unveiled. This was the 17th anniversary of his death.
The map above depicts the locations of the events starting from the verdict of Rizal’s trial to the exhumation of his remains. The numbers on the map indicate the places where the incidents happened. Below are narratives for the events indicated in the map. For the narratives, scroll down or click on these numbers to go directly to the entries:123456789101112131415Click here or scroll to the bottom of the page to read about the re-interment of Rizal remains in 1912.
1
December 26, 1896 – A Spanish court martial found Jose Rizal guilty for sedition and sentenced him to death. Back to top
2
December 28, 1896 – It was decided that Rizal will be executed by musketry, Governor-General Camillo Polavieja confirmed the sentence. Back to top
3
December 28, 1896 – Teodora Alonzo wrote the Governor-General asking for clemency for her son. Back to top
4
December 28, 1896 – At Malacañan Palace, Rizal’s sisters pleaded to Governor-General Polavieja: stay Rizal’s execution. Back to top
5
December 29, 1896 – Rizal was read his death sentence. Back to top
Rizal’s iconic photograph circa 1890 (Spain). The photo on the right is an early attempt by the PCDSPO to add color to black and white historic photographs.
6
December 29, 1896 – Rizal was visited by several priests including Fr. Faura, S.J. Back to top
7
Decemeber 29, 1896 – Rizal wrote his last letter to Ferdinand Blumentritt which read:
My dear Brother,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.Adieu, my best, my dearest friend, and never think ill of me!Fort Santiago, 29 December 1896José RizalRegards to the whole family, to Sra. Rosa, Loleng, Conradito, and Federico.I leave a book for you as my remembrance.
December 30, 1896, 6:30am – Rizal was brought to the execution site from Fort Santiago. Back to top
11
December 30, 1896, 7:03 a.m. – Rizal was executed by musketry. Back to top
12
December 30, 1896 – After the execution, Rizal’s body was brought to San Juan de Dios Hospital. Back to top
13
December 30, 1896 – Rizal’s remains were buried in the Paco Cemetery in an unmarked grave. Back to top
14
Rizal’s sister, Narcisa, searched suburban graveyards for where Jose Rizal was buried. She eventually discovered that he was buried in Paco Park. She marked the plot with the letters R.P.J. (Rizal’s initials in reverse) Back to top
15
August 17, 1898 – Rizal’s remains were exhumed and brought to the Rizal family house in Binondo. Back to top
Rizal’s Re-interment
The remains of Rizal, after exhumation on August 17, 1898, were kept in the Rizal family house in Binondo until they were brought to their final resting place in Luneta. On December 30, 1912, a solemn ceremony was held to finally bury the remains in the base of the monument dedicated in memory of Rizal. The following map shows the route of the funeral cortege from the Rizal family house in Binondo to the Ayuntamiento on December 29 and finally on December 30 to Luneta.
