HISTORY: Rizal- Oppressed 'til death

Before Rizal’s death, he wrote an undated letter to his family. The letter was written in Fort Santiago hours before his execution. He wrote: “Bury me in the ground, place a stone and a cross over it, my name, and the date of my birth and death. Nothing more. If you later wish to surround my grave with a fence, you may do so. No anniversaries, I prefer Paang Bundok.” Paang Bundok is the present day Manila North cemetery.

After Rizal’s death, Rizal’s mother Doña Teodora Alonzo exerted all efforts for her family to take charge of her son’s remains. After several objections from Spanish officials, Civil Governor Manuel Luengo agreed to Señora Teodora’s petition. However, when the funeral coach left, Spanish officials had already taken the body away.

Rizal’s sister Narcisa searched all Manila cemeteries for her brother’s remains but all were in vain, until she saw through an open gate of the unused Paco cemetery some civil guards. This gave her a clue. When the civil guards left, she dreadfully searched for a freshly dug grave. She found one newly covered with earth, and bribed the undertaker to place a marker with the letters “RPJ,” Rizal’s initials in Reverse.

No funeral ceremonies were made for Rizal. On the 11th day though, the family was informed that a mass shall be celebrated the following day for Rizal’s eternal repose. The family arrived at 6:00 a.m., but after two hours of waiting, they were informed that the mass had already been celebrated at 5:00 a.m.

When the Americans took over Manila, Narcisa, Rizal’s sister asked permission from the new American authorities to exhume the body of his brother. When the body was exhumed on August 17, 1898, it was discovered that the body was not even placed in a coffin. The body was identified through its shoes, but whatever notes hidden in them or in his pockets was no longer legible. The body was placed in an appropriate condition and was brought to the Rizal family house in Binondo until it was transferred to its final resting place at the base of the monument earlier erected at the Luneta in solemn ceremonies on December 30, 1912.

Doña Teodora, Rizal’s aged mother was still alive during Rizal’s final journey to attend the ceremonies. A few weeks later, she died, seemingly making an effort to survive her son- to live until Dr. Jose P. Rizal's memory is officially vindicated.