#TodayinHistory in 1892, José #Rizal, after writing articles, the novels Noli Me Tangere, & El filibusterismo—all criticizing gov, arrives in #Manila, #PH from Hong Kong. He is met w/ the full force of the Spanish colonial government at the port. #history #kasaysayan (THREAD)
Context: Aside from defending the cause of Filipinos via his articles in La Solidaridad, he sought equal representation for Filipinos in the Spanish cortes (legislature) for their concerns amidst abuses to be heard.
Rizal published his novels written in Spanish—Noli Me Tangere (1887), & El filibusterismo (1891). It depicted the corruption of Spanish friars & gov officials in control of a town, and a protagonist who sought vengeance against them.
Upon arriving today in 1892 in #Manila at 12pm, Rizal writes in his diary:
"I was met by many guards, including a commandant. There was in addition a captain and a sergeant of the G[uardia] C[ivil] V[eterana] in disguise."
After hotel check in, Rizal immediately went to Malacañan Palace at 4pm to see Gov-Gen Eulogio Despujol, to offer reassurance that he was not a rebel, & to seek his father & brother Paciano's freedom. Only his father's was granted. It took 4 days before Despujol met w/ Rizal.
On 30 June (Thurs), Despujol and Rizal were able to talk, discussing Rizal's initial negotiations w/ the British gov on his proposed Sandakan colony in Borneo for the displaced Calamba residents. "...the General showed himself opposed to it, indeed very opposed."
Once again on 3 July, Despujol meets Rizal, informing the latter that the exile sentence for his father & brother had been lifted. At night, Rizal would meet Filipino leaders from all walks of life, to have his dream of reform come to fruition.
After meeting w/ Despujol once again on 6 July, "...he told me that I had brought manifestos in my luggage; I told him that I had not." Rizal would be incarcerated in Fort Santiago, and exiled in Dapitan the next day.
For more on #Rizal, see this thread:
Photo credits:
- Presidential Museum and Library (2010-2016)
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