THE EXECUTION OF DR.
JOSE RIZAL
ROLE PLAY CHARACTERS
Dr. Jose Rizal – PAOLO PASTRANA
Lt. Taviel de Andrade – ASTHER JOSHUA ASTRERA
Gov.-Gen. Camilo de Polavieja -
Captain Rafael Dominguez – JOEL JOVEN
Doña Teodora Alonso
Paciano
Andres Bonifacio
Josephine Bracken
Father March
Father Villaclara
Spanish Officer
Announcer
Josefa
Guardia Civil
Doctor
Katipuneros
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Spectators
Narrator: MA. EUNILA
SCENE 1: The Trial
Narrator:
– December 26, 1896, about 8 o'clock in the morning, the court
martial of Rizal commenced. (Polavieja and Dominguez are seated in front of the tribunal. Rizal is
seated at the center while Andrade is standing for his defense)
Taviel de Andrade:
– Strictly speaking. Rizal is not guilty because he never gave his consent and the rebels did not need
it. Thus, the sentence and penalties demanded by the prosecution cannot be imposed. The
only possible verdict we can plead, in strict pursuit for justice is: Not guilty. (Crowd starts to
murmur.)
– Banish from your minds images of beloved companions slain or maimed by wretched traitors; of
noble matrons and innocent maidens brutally violated; of mothers, wives, daughters and sisters who
worship the memory of their brave men, men who fight in courage, men who valiantly die, in order
to keep Immaculate the glory and honor of Spain. They pray to the God of Mercy that they be spared
by war and restored to the safety of His embrace. These images, in the heat of the moment would
only arouse sentiments of revenge. Leave that to those who march in battle. It therefore pray,
gentlemen of this court: let us judge Dr. Jose Rizal Mercado Y Alonso, not for the sake of vengeance
but solely for the sake of justice. (Pauses) The defense rests.
Cpt. Dominguez: Does the accuse wants to add anything in his defense?
Rizal: (Stands up.)
– Concerning the rebellion, since July 6, 1892, I have not engaged in politics until June 1 of this year,
when Dr. Valenzuela came to notify me about an uprising, thus proving that I had no contact with
them. For if I were in touch, I would have already known about such a grave matter about an
uprising. Another negative proof is that they do not hold any single letter from me. They exploited
my name most cruelly and at the very last moment schemed to take me by surprise. Why did they
not contact me earlier? Possibly because they knew that I, although less contented, was resigned
about my exile, and I refuse to consider many various schemes to escape from Dapitan. I was
resigned to being in exile, not for the alleged reasons, which are false, but rather because I had the
chance to write. Concerning my conduct during those four years, you may verify the military
governor of the district, the towns people and the missionary fathers, even one with whom I had
personal differences. Who came to see me in Dapitan? Persons totally unknown to me. Why not send
someone whom I may know, in whom I had trust and confidence? Because my friends know that I
abandoned politics. They are aware of my views of rebellion. I would rule out this futile
and discreditable mission. All I desire for my country is liberty. But the only way to realize it is not
through a revolution, but through education.
(A moment of silence.)
CHARACTERS INVOLVED:
PAOLO
JOEL
ASHTER
SCENE 2: The Final Verdict
Narrator:
– December 28, 1896. After Rizal’s trial before a Spanish Military Court Martial, Governor-General
Camilo de Polavieja and Captain Rafael Dominguez signed the document confirming the death
sentence of Dr. Jose Rizal scheduled on December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan Field
Captain Dominguez:
– Este tribunal condena, Don José Rizal Mercado Y. Alonso con la pena de muerte, así decretado y
ordenado por eltribunal ordinario marcial del cargo como testigo por el presidentey los miembros del
tribunal. (Crowd murmurs) (While the narrator reads the following lines, Dr. Jose Rizal looks at the
papers bearing the decision on his case while Lt. Andrade walks on his way to the prison cell of his
client)
Narrator:
– This tribunal condemns, Don Jose Rizal Mercado Y. Alonso with the penalty of death, so decreed an
dordered by the ordinary court martial of the post as witnessed by the president and members of the
tribunal. Narrator:
Narrator:
– Meanwhile, at Dr. Jose Rizal’s prison cell, Lt. Andrade tries to argue with him on the outcome of his
case and speaks…
Lieutenant Luis Taviel de Andrade:
– Assholes! (Drops the paper on the table Rizal is facing and continues…) culos!
Jose Rizal: (Replying calmly.)
– This is my first time to hear you utter such words Taviel, it appears you’re good at it.
Lieutenant Luis Taviel de Andrade:
– What happened was not fair; they didn’t give us enough chances to defend the case! They
manipulated the proceedings! They just used us.
Jose Rizal: How come you’re so angry when in fact it’s me who’s going to die?
Lieutenant Luis Taviel de Andrade: Good that you still have the guts to joke
Jose Rizal: Taviel…
Lieutenant Luis Taviel de Andrade:
– Enough! I shall resign from all my duties in the government. I will go back to Spain! I am ashamed
to you… I am ashamed to all of you…
Jose Rizal: Why?
Lieutenant Luis Taviel de Andrade: Because I have failed…
Narrator: A moment of silence comes across between the two and Rizal stands up to pat Lt. Andrade on his
right shoulder and spoke
Jose Rizal: You’re not a Spaniard Taviel, we’re just the same…
SCENE 3: Plea of Doña Teodora Alonso
Narrator: Eunila
– Meanwhile, at the house of Governor General Polavieja, Doña Teodora Alonso with teary eyes and
fear he approaches the guards and speaks…
Teodora Alonso: Hannah
– Excuse me Senior, May I talk to Gov. Polavieja, I want to ask for help from him
for my son Dr. Jose Rizal
Guardia Civil: Jessie
– The governor has no time for that, leave! Teodora Alonso: Please, have mercy; he’s the only chance
we got to save my son’s life…
Guard: Senyora, por favor!
Narrator:
– Madame, please … (After hearing the word favor, the Governor General comes down and walks his
way towards the door where Doña Alonso was trying to plead for help from him. As he approaches
half way to the door, the guards let her enter the place and quickly she approached the governor
begging…)
Teodora Alonso: Oh Governor! Governor! Governor.
Governor – General Camilo de Polavieja: Kaila
– Senyora, por favor! No tengo tiempo (I don’t have time.)
Teodora Alonso:
– Have pity Governor, please, I beg you… (Hands over an envelope to the governor while begging
and speaks…) for my son Jose Rizal.
Governor – General Camilo de Polavieja:
– (get the envelope and speaks…) Lo Siento (and the governor continues to walk his way through the
door of his house, leaving the mother of Dr. Rizal grieving for his expected death)
SCENE 4: The Gathering of the Katipunero’s
Meanwhile, at the gathering of the KKK, Andres Bonifacio exclaims…
Andres Bonifacio: Jessie
– We are going to invade the Spaniards in the soonest time possible, we shall save Dr. Jose Rizal! All
hail Dr. Jose Rizal!
Katipuneros: All hail Dr. Jose Rizal! All hail Dr. Jose Rizal! (Jaile, Micah, Trisha, Maria, Shaira, Miole,
Hannah, Charis, Lovely)
Paciano: Asther
– Wait! Please come down! Wait! Please come down! The security over my brother is
heavy; the Spaniards are prepared for any plans to save my brother…
Andres Bonifacio:
– And so are we, we are not scared of them, my fellow katipunero’s, till death for Dr. Jose Rizal!
Paciano:
– Wait! Please come down! Wait! Please come down! Even I, would want to save my
dearest brother Rizal, But Jose Rizal himself don’t want us to risk our lives defenseless from the
Spaniards… Pepe’s fate lies now in the hands of God…We can’t do anything else about
that… (Paciano looks at Andres Bonifacio and Bonifacio pats Paciano on his right shoulder…)
SCENE 5: Visits and Letters
Narrator:
– December 29, 1896, 12:00 AM. After the visits of the Jesuits, Rizal was left alone in his
cell. He was busy writing his last letter to Professor Blumentritt. (While Rizal on the stage acts as if
he’s writing, the narrator reads the letter of Rizal to Blumentritt…)
“When you receive this, I shall be dead. Tomorrow at seven I shall be shot, but I am not guilty of the
crime of rebellion. I shall die with a clean conscience. Goodbye, my best friend and dearest friend”
Narrator:
– December 29, 1896, 4:00 PM. Dr. Jose Rizal was then taken to the chapel where he was toawait thed
awn of the day that would bring his death. Since then, visitors came to see him before his destined
death… (Rizal then stands up and looks on to his window as her mother arriveand speaks…)
Dr. Jose Rizal: Inay… Mano po Inay… (Rizal kneels down and kisses the hand of his mother)
Guardia Civil: Micah
– No! (Doña Teodora stands grieving while Rizal continues as his mom looks at him… Both of them
start to shed tears in their eyes and the guard forces them to separate each other)
Teodora Alonso: Pepe…
Dr. Jose Rizal:
– Mother, when I die, please ask for my dead body right away because they might throw it anywhere…
bury me underground and place a rock and a cross on my burial ground with my name, the date of
my birth and my death… that would be all mother…no other else. If you want to put fence around
you may do so. No anniversaries.
Trinidad - Trisha
Narrator: Then Trinidad came in and Jose Rizal handed over to her a gift and said…
Dr. Jose Rizal: I received this from the Pardo de Taveras, there is something inside.
Narrator:
– Then Trinidad walked out with her mother. Later on, the family found what Rizal meant was on
the gift and read it. It was the hero’s farewell poem which was smuggled successfully out his prison
area and which soon became a priceless gem in the Philippine Literature.
Narrator:
– December 30, 1896, 5:30 AM. After Rizal heard mass, confessed his sins and took Holy
Communion. It was then on that he started to write letters, particularly to his family, to his dear
brother Paciano which reads… (While Rizal on the stage acts as if he’s writing the narrator reads
the letter of Rizal to Paciano…)
“My dear brother, for more than for years, we have neither seen nor written each other, not for lack of
love on your part nor mine, but because knowing each other as we do, we needed no words to understand
each other. Now that I am about to die, I dedicate these last lines to you to tell you how sorry I am to
leave you alone in the world, bearing the burden of the whole family and our old parents. I think of the
hardships you went through to help me in my career and I believe I tried my best to waste no time. My
brother, if the fruit is bitter, the fault is not mined, but fate’s…”
“To my family, I ask you forgiveness for the pain I cause you but someday I shall have to die and it is
better that I die now in the plenitude of my conscience. Dear parents, brother and sisters, give things to
God that I may preserve my tranquility before my death. I die resigned, hoping that with my death you
will be left in peace, Ah! It is better to die than to live suffering…” – Jose R.
SCENE 6: Rizal’s Final Destination
Narrator: Eunila
– Consequently, after Jose Rizal was visited by his mother, on the next day at 5:30 am then came
Josephine Bracken accompanied by Josefa…
Dr. Jose Rizal: PAOLO
– Josephine this is for you…
– (And they hug each other)
Narrator:
– Then Josephine and Josefa came out bringing with them the book entitle Imitation of Christ by
Thomas Kempis.
– (Dr. Jose Rizal wears his black suit and his black bowler hat. Lt. Andrade arrives and the guards
tied his arms behind his back…)
Dr. Jose Rizal:
– I am Ready. How about you? Don’t be afraid, I’m just here. (Gives a necklace to Andrade.) For you
so that you’ll not forget me.
Taviel De Andrade: JOEL
– Thank you. But just give it to your family. I have enough memories of you. Dr. Jose Rizal: (While
looking at Lt. Andrade…) They must have thought that I’ll escape… where? In Dapitan?
(Marching music plays…)
Narrator:
– Then the march towards his death place begins… eventually the group passes by the Postigo Gate
out to the Paseo de Maria Cristina. Rizal turned his head several times to take a last look at familiar
scenes he was leaving behind and exclaims…
Narrator: He remarked the priest.
Dr. Jose Rizal: Christ must have suffered more…
Dr. Jose Rizal: Is that the Ateneo?
Jesuits: Yes. (SHAIRA)
Dr. Jose Rizal:
– I spent the happiest years of my life there…
– (His remarked, his face, brightening at the recollection, within minutes they arrived at the place of
execution) (The shooting soldiers marches in and the narrator starts to say simultaneously…)
Narrator:
– To humiliate him further, a firing squad composed of Filipino soldiers had been
ordered to do the shooting. Behind the Indios stood a line of Spanish soldiers, ready to ensure with
their rifles that the Filipino soldiers do their job… A few seconds before the order to shoot was
given, the military surgeon felt Rizal’s pulse. It was astonishingly normal for a man who had only a
few minutes to live, and knew it. (Marching music stops and Rizal speaks.)
Dr. Jose Rizal:
– (Face the crowd and says…) I have not been a traitor to my country nor to the Spanish nation. (Then
turns his attention to the Spanish officer…) My last request. Let me face the firing squad.
Spanish Officer: Impossible’ (MIOLE)
Dr. Jose Rizal: …or at least spare my head.
– (The Spanish officer looks at Lt. Andrade and nods, affirming the hero’s request. Rizal lifts his right
hand to hand shake with LT. Andrade and Lt. Andrade holds his hand and his shoulder firmly as if it
was another form of saying thank you and good bye. The accompanying group of Rizal then
distances themselves towards the crowd and an announcer then speaks…)
Announcer: (KAILA)
– En el nombre del rey de España, cualquier persona que levanta la voz en favor de la penal…
También se ejecutará
Narrator:
– In the name of the King of Spain, anyone who raises his voice in favor of the criminal will also be
executed.
(Then Rizal turns around…)
Announcer:
– Listo (ready) (thrill drum sound plays)! Cargar! (Load) Establecer! (Aim)
– (as thrill drum sound plays… Rizal then utters his last words)
Dr. Jose Rizal: Consummatum est! (this is done)
Announcer:
– Fuego (fire) (Big bang sound effect plays and Rizal Dies. A Spanish officer approaches him, gives a
mercy shot – another shot sound plays - to assure his death, and draws a handkerchief from Rizal’s
pocket and gently spread it over his face…) Alas! The Indio Bravo was dead…
Announcer: muerte a los traidore! Viva España (death to traitors! Long live Spain)
People: Viva España! Viva España! (Then plays march of Cadiz) (ALL GIRLS, EXCEPT FOR KAILA)
KATIPUNERO
JESSIE
-End-
