VOICE OVER, SOUND EFFECTS, POWERPOINT BACKGROUND, AND PROPS (VSPP)

*format: Place voice over, SFX, and ppt in comments except for props (highlighted yellow)

Belgium and Spain

FIRST SCENE

*Rizal walks with briefcase then shakes hands with Jacoby sistersJacoby: Welcome to our boarding house. Enjoy your stay.

Rizal: Thank you.*sits on the table, writing*

Narrator: While Rizal was in Belgium, he wrote his second novel, El Filibusterismo, which he began writing in Calamba, Laguna.

Rizal: *voice over*

SECOND SCENE

*entrance of a Jacoby with the letter*Rizal reads the letter*entrance of Rizal’s familyPonce: Are you trying to get yourself killed? Going home isn’t a good idea.

Basa: It won’t lessen the gravity of the situation, in fact, it’ll get worse.

Rizal: I understand. But I have to do something to help my family. I can’t leave them like that.

Ponce: Why don’t you try to appeal your case to the Spanish Supreme Court?

Basa: Maybe they’ll come up with something and help your family to get back what’s rightfully yours.

Rizal: That is a good plan. I will. Thank you.

THIRD SCENE

(Spain)Rizal: Me gusta apelar mi caso. Ayuden me, por favor (I would like to appeal my case. Help me, please.).

Court: Que caso astas hablando (What case are you talking about)? Elaborate your case and we’ll what we can do.

Rizal: Mi familia. They were evicted from our lands by the Dominican administrators. We have to get back what’s ours. Hacer algo, por favor, Senor (Do something please sir).

Court: I‘m not sure if we can do something about it. But our sympathy and support is with you. Lo siento (I’m sorry).

THIRD SCENE

*Rizal walks then pretends to imagine(entrance of Leonor Rivera and Henry Kipping)

FOURTH SCENE*Rizal reads something (newspaper/journal article) and while doing so, you can see the change of expression from his face then someone (another character – propagandist – enters the scene)*

Rizal: This is hilarious!! How can someone like him accuse us with something like this!? (Continue to read the article with angry face…)

*Propagandist enters*

Propagandist: Sir, have you read the article written by a certain Wenceslao Retana?! This is clearly an attack to us!

*Rizal throws the paper away*

Rizal: *silent for a while* This is too much. We have remained silent for quite some time now, what are they after?

Propagandist: what should we do sir?

Rizal: I will talk to WenceslaoRetana.

*Propagandist will try to stop Rizal*

Narrator: Carried away by his emotions, Rizal abruptly went to Wenceslao Retana and confronted him about what he wrote. He was so angry that he challenged him to a duel until Wenceslao apologized.

FIFTH SCENE

*Rizal enters/goes to Retana’s place and found him on his desk something (writing/editing)

Retana: *quite shocked and will slowly approach Rizal* Yes Sir, what can I do for you?

Rizal: Senor Retana, *high tone* what must have come into your mind that you wrote an article like this against the propagandists?! *throws the paper on the desk/floor* It is something that is not true Señor and you know it!

Retana: I am sorry Señor but what is written on that paper is what I know. That is the truth.

Rizal: This is unacceptable! *pause* I am challenging you into a duel Señor! If I win, you will take back whatever is written on that article and will apologize to us!

Retana: Señor! Don't you think you’re going too far? I will not sacrifice my dignity for such kind of issue! And I just wrote what I have to.

Rizal: No Señor! I will not stop until I get what I want or unless you apologize to me and to the propagandists!

Retana: Fine Señor. I am sorry for offending you and the rest of the propagandists but what I have written are the things that I know. I am sorry if you have taken this as an attack to you group.

Narrator: To avoid complicating the situation, Rizal accepted Retana’s apology and left Retana’s office.

SIXTH SCENE

(Rizal in his room)

Narrator: Rizal’s problems piled up as he remembered having a rift with his close friend Antonio Luna because of Nelly Bousted, the daughter of Eduardo Bousted, a Peninsular Spaniard who owned a business in Manila. Luna accused Rizal of having a hand why Nelly did not reciprocate his affections for her. He was said to have unflattery remarks about Nelly.

SEVENTH SCENE

*Rizal and Luna are talking face to face.

Luna: This is your fault Jose! You are the reason why Nelly never reciprocated her feelings for me!

Rizal: My friend! How dare you accuse me of such thing!? You know I will never do anything like that!

Luna: Liar! Of course you will! We both know that you also like Nelly! I know that you have said unflattery remarks about her under my name! How could you do that to me Jose?! I thought we were good friends.

Rizal: Antonio, you are my friend but this accusation from you is just too much. I challenge you into a duel. If I win, you will apologize to me and give up on Nelly and if you win, I shall let you have her but never will I apologize for something I did not do. And you should know that whatever happens after this, I can never treat you the same way my friend.

EIGHTH SCENE

*Long silence between them until Luna decided to compensate

Rizal: What are you waiting for Antonio? Let’s put this competition to an end.

Luna: Do you really want to end it this way Jose?

Rizal: You pushed me into this decision Antonio.

Luna: *silent for a while – bows his head and approaches Rizal* I am sorry Jose. I was carried away by my emotions. I never should have accused you with something like that. Maybe I just really can’t accept the fact that Nelly can never be mine. I am sorry my friend. *taps Rizal’s shoulders*

Narrator: Rizal accepted Luna’s apology. But neither Rizal nor Luna was able to get Nelly’s heart for she was later on engaged to Manuel Earnshaw, a member of one of the old families of Binondo.

Narrator: On the latter stay of Rizal in Europe marked the breakup of the Filipino reformists in Spain which was mainly because of his rivalry with Marcelo H. Del Pilar

Member 1: Good Morning my dear friends, as a part of this group the Asosacion Hispano-Filipina. Let me introduce to you our honorary leader; our fellow countrymen and great friend, Jose Rizal

Rizal: A pleasant morning to you my fellow countrymen, It’s really a great privileged to be part of this group that encompasses the brilliant minds of Filipino people here in Spain.

Member 1: But, as long as our great friend, Rizal wants to stay, it seems that time won’t allow us because he has an important affair to attend to.

Del Pilar: My friends, you don’t have to worry because we can do all the things that we are planning to even though Rizal is not around.

Member 2: My friend, it seems that you are the one in charge in this group. You are the one who runs this organization often, supervising all the activities that we’re having.

Member 3: Even given the fact that Rizal is our honorary leader

Rizal: My friends, I hope you understand my situation here

Del Pilar: Maybe, this group deserves better. We need a leader who’s devoted in developing this group.

Rizal: You need not to uplift yourself Del Pilar

*Rizal and Del Pilar will be heated in an argument and will face each other with a face of dismay and anger

Member 1: Friends let’s please calm down and let’s sort things out in a peaceful and respectful manner. This is a group that advocates our unity as Filipinos in Spain; let’s not forget that above our own desires and aspirations.

Member 2: Instead of wasting time, we should start our agenda for today. Besides, it is first day of the year 1891. This should be a way for us to reorganize our group and patch things up if we want this group to remain alive.

Rizal: If this is for formality reason, maybe we can still find another time for that my friend

Member 3: I think the best thing that we need to do is to have an election. In this way, we can assure that we have some people who are willing to sacrifice a little of their time for this group. It is vital for our reorganization as a group.

Member 1: Aye? All: SI. This is the best option we have

Member 2: I recommend Rizal to be our leader again, my friends.

Member 3: Maybe, it’s time for us to change leadership and have Del Pilar

Rizal: I don’t approve this election at all

Del Pilar: It is unnecessary for this to pursue

Member 1: We need to do this! This is for the good of the group

All: Aye! Continuar Eleccion

Member 1: Let’s start the votation! Who’s in favor of Rizal? Next, let’s have a hand for Del Pilar?

Member 2: We need to do this again. The two didn’t get 2/3 of the votes

Member 3: Again, for Rizal? Hand for Del Pilar?

Member 1: Now we have the number of votes needed. Del Pilar is our new leader having Rizal lose 19 of the votes of this group

Rizal: I think this is farewell my friends, I hope for the betterment of this group! Adios!

Member 2: We need Rizal for this group to succeed! He has the mind of a true visionary.

Member 3: We are willing to change our votes! Rizal Quadarse Rizal! Stay Rizal!

Rizal: Adios! This was a painful experience for me. I’ll just head back to Brussels to attend to my other duties

*Rizal will pack his bag then will be heading to France which will be marked by the sound of a steam ship. After that, Nelly Boustead will welcome Rizal*

Nelly: We are really thrilled in seeing you again Rizal! You can stay here for a little while. Biarritz here in a France is a perfect place for you to stay.

Rizal: Thank you my lady but maybe after a few weeks, I will be heading to Paris and visit my great friend, Valentin Ventura.

Nelly: Good for you Rizal, you can rest now in your room because I know you had a tiring day.(Rizal will seat down for a while and rest, he will go then to Nelly to bid goodbye for him to head to Paris)

Rizal: Thank you for your hospitality, regards to the Boustead family Nelly! Gracias!

Nelly: Have a safe travel, Rizal

*Rizal will go to Paris which will be marked by walking a few steps and the image projection of Paris then Valentin will welcome him*

Valentin: Welcome to Paris, my friend!

Rizal: I’m glad to be here, Valentin. I was really thinking to go to Hong Kong and continue practicing medicine but I had to make sure the printing of my new written piece, El Filibusterismo

Valentin: It must be a sacrifice for you Rizal. Do not worry; I will be helping you out looking around for a printing press that’s suitable for your needs.

Rizal: While a was walking around a while ago, I saw this press on Ghent; it was named F. Meyer-Van Loo Press

*the printing shop in Ghent will be projected in the screen

Valentin: That’s great! If there’s something you need in any form, just tell me Rizal. Don’t bother to ask.

*Valentin will leave the conversation and Rizal will walk to the F. Meyer-Van Loo Press and talk to someone. Rizal will talk to the manager*

Manager: I hear all your sentiments and needs for this book. I believe and understand what you’re saying. I can agree for you to pay in an installment basis, it must been really hard for you.

Rizal: I’m so elated with your response. Thank you very much; I’ll remember this act of your kindness.

*Rizal will be thinking out loud after walking out of the press with his things*

Rizal: But where will I get the money to pay for the press? (He will check his things and grab his pieces of jewelry) Maybe, it’s time for me to pawn this for a little while. It’s really hard for I know that Paciano cannot send me money, given their situation

*Rizal will sit down and look problematic by putting his hand on his head and thinking so hard while *Valentin was overhearing his sentiments without Rizal knowing*Rizal: It is this stupid book that made me cost all my money! I should’ve stopped this from coming! I should just burn this piece of problem!

*Valentin will be running towards Rizal and stop him while Rizal will be little shocked*

Valentin: My friend! Don’t do that, all these little sacrifices will be all worth it. I told you, you can tell me if there’s something you need. I’m more than willing to help, my friend.

Valentin: Here’s all the money you need for the printing of that great piece! Take this as my support for what you have done for the Philippines

*Rizal will be heading to the press and pay, get the printed copy as well. Afterwards, he will be heading to Valentin’s home and give him the book* Rizal: This, my friend is a gesture of my gratitude for what your kindness and generosity for me. I wrote my dedication for you on the very first page, I’m so thankful for making this possible Valentin

Valentin: It’s is my pleasure and honor to have been part of this Rizal. You are a great man who’s full of intellect and goodness.

Rizal: I will not forget this until I rest in my grave Valentin! You are the great man Valentin!

Valentin: Now, you can pursue practicing medicine again in Hong Kong. I bid you a safe trip, my friend!

Rizal: Things are now into their right places. I can now do other great things. Adios! Mi Gran Amigo! Gracias!

*Rizal will now be heading to Hong Kong will be marked by the sound of the steam ship and a projection of Hong Kong*

Hong Kong and Sandakan

Narrator 1: *Rizal packing his things in a suitcase* After his book, El Filibusterismo has went finished printing, Rizal decided to take up residence in Hong Kong. On the 19th October, 1891, Rizal left Europe on board the steamer, Melbourne. Relocating to Hong Kong gave Rizal two distinct advantages. First, it distanced him from his colleagues in Europe. Second, it placed him much closer to the Philippines, making it much easier for him to continue his campaign from a much closer base. However, before Rizal could forward his propaganda movement. He must first make sure that those closest to him were safe. That his family was safe.

(Lights off)

(Lights on)

Rizal: *While writing on a piece of parchment using a feather pen * Her Majesty, Queen Regent Maria Cristina. It is an honor to be addressing you this day, I, Jose Protacio Rizal, come before you, a humble servant to the Spanish Crown. The situation in Calamba has worsened through the years. Widespread gambling, illegal taxation, eviction, repossession, and poverty have greatly reduced our quality of life there. In this matter, our family has remained headstrong to the crown, and has avoided gambling, paid taxes, and remained faithful to the church. In this matter, may I humbly ask for your grace, to allow my family, my father, my mother, brothers, sisters, and close relatives, to join me in Hong Kong before the Christmas of 1891. That is all. Sincerely, your humble servant, Jose Protacio Rizal.

(Lights off)

(Lights on)

Narrator 2: While in Hong Kong, Rizal set up 2 clinics at Rednaxela Street and Remedios Terrace on Hong Kong Island.

Scene starts with a clinic at Rednaxela Street

*Tableau of Rizal, Marquez & Mr. King *****freeze

Narrator 2: A Portugese physician by the name of Lorenzo P. Marquez helps Rizal build his clientele in Hong Kong through his masonic contacts.

*****Unfreeze

Lorenzo: Rizal, this is Mr. King from Peking. He is one of the Masons I met while I was in Portugal. I was telling him your reputation as a doctor, and he may be willing to help us expand your clientele.

Mr. King: I am pleased to meet you Dr. Rizal, I am deeply impressed with your skill as a doctor, and I may just be willing to help you reach out to more patients.

Rizal: Thank you Mr. King, what would you suggest we do?

Mr. King: For starters, you may need one of these (*shows a business card*)

Rizal: A business card?

Mr. King: So people know where to go.

Lorenzo: True, I could help print out a few and give it to a few of my friends, then word would spread quite quickly.

Rizal: Thank you, Mr. King, Mr. Marquez.

(lights off)

(lights on)

*Rizal sitting by his table, writing on thick books and papers

Narrator 1: Aside from being successful in his medical profession, Rizal continued to practice his literary and philosophical skills, he started his third novel, and wrote a good number of articles that were published in the Hong Kong Telegraph.

Narrator 2: Rizal also made a translation of Rousseau’s Rights of Man. But the most important document was the constitution of the La Liga Filipina. And this La Liga Filipina has 5 objectives that would benefit the Filipinos.

(lights off)

*entrance of actors; formation of tableau by three groups who will convey the problems that might be sought with solutions by the objectives of La Liga*

(lights on)

Scene with three groups. Rizal walks towards the first group.

First group

Pro-Spanish (Native who became a Spaniard): *fanning herself*Soy Dona Santibanez. Me case el gobernador general. Sera mejor que me trata con respeto, que los compesinos.

Native: “Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa kaniyang pinanggalingan ay makararating sa kaniyang paroroonan.”

Pro-Spanish: Ingrata! Spain is the one responsible for what we are and who we are today.

Native: You gullible woman! How long will you let yourself be fooled by those greedy Spaniards?!

*****Freeze

Rizal: Aha! The La Liga Filipina’s first objective would be to unite the Filipinos into a homogenous body. *Rizal resumes his “thinking pose” and walks toward the second group*

Second group:

Sacristan-Mayor: You low-life indios. You dare lie to me. You can’t go home until you return what you’ve stolen.

Crispin: But sir, we promise we did not steal anything. Please let us go home.

Sacristan-mayor: Liars! You beggars steal anything that you get your hands on with.

Basilio: Sir, we did not really steal anything!

Sacristan-Mayor: (spanks Basilio) Indios cannot be trusted in anything!

*****Freeze

Rizal: Alas! The second objective would be about mutual protection in every want and necessity defense against violence and injustice. *Rizal resumes his “thinking pose” and walks toward the third group*

Third group (Spanish women):

Dona Espeleta: The indios should never have the privilege of learning the Spanish language.

Dona Tirana: Definitely. Letting them learn our language will give them a sense of pride thinking that they can be our equals.

Dona Espeleta: Right. Because Spaniards will always be superior to the indios.

*****Freeze

Rizal: And the last two objectives could be to encourage our fellowmen to take up a stand in reforming our lands and our system. And finally, education, education to apply these reforms, to turn word into action, action into deed, and deed into legacy, a legacy that would ignite the flame of patriotism in us Filipinos.

Narrator 1: Meanwhile, the situation in the Philippines continued to worsen. Landlords and friars continued to dispossess Filipinos of their lands, greed and corruption were as rampant as wildfire, and Rizal knew that to help his countrymen back in Calamba, he would need to find a new place for them to live. Away from the Philippines.

Narrator 2: That place was Borneo, New Calamba, so to speak, at that time Borneo was a colony of the British Empire, and under control of the British North Borneo Company, who, conveniently, were looking for colonists to populate the lands.

*Rizal enters the scene from a steamer (unnamed)

*There are natives already at the place

*Rizal disembarks and looks around, the place should look like an agricultural village, think of a fishing/farming village

*Rizal approaches a British guard

Rizal: Good day sir, may I ask where I may find the North Borneo Trading Company director?

Guard: The consul is at the British embassy by the town square, it’s about a few streets from here.

Rizal: Thank you *tips hat as a sign of courtesy

*Rizal walks to the British embassy

*Enter British embassy

Receptionist: Good day sir, how may I help?

Rizal: I seek an audience with the North Borneo Trading Company director.

*Gives business card

Receptionist: What business do you have with Sir Alcock, doctor?

Rizal: I’m on behalf of my countrymen who may be willing to migrate to this land.

Receptionist: Okay, please wait here for a bit

*Receptionist goes to office like place

*Comes back

Receptionist: Sir Alcock would see you now

*Rizal goes to office

Rizal: Good day, Sir. *takes off hat as a sign of respect

Rutherford: Dr. Jose Rizal, is it not? I read it from your business card

Rizal: Yes sir.

Rutherford: I am Sir Rutherford Alcock, director of the North Borneo Trading Company, I take it you’ve come as an emissary for your people?

Rizal: Yes, I came to survey the lands in hopes that I may send a few of my countrymen here to teach the natives to farm and fish, I take it that it is both our interests, yes?

Rutherford: It is true that Sadakan is a tad bit underpopulated, however, how sure are you that your countrymen would be of use to us?

Rizal: They are a hardworking bunch, however, the authorities of their current lands have them by their necks, it is in my best interest that I give them an option to leave and live a better life, here.

Rutherford: You have earned my trust, Doctor Rizal, I will send a party to help you survey the place, they will take you to the Bengkoka River in Maradu Bay, that place has fertile soil and good fish. I trust your countrymen would do their best to serve both our interests well.

Rizal: I promise.

*Rizal leaves

*lights off*

Narrator 1: After Rizal had toured the place, he was sure that this would be the “New Calamba” a green pasture for his countrymen, a chance to start a new, by the 20th of April, 1892, Rizal was back in Hong Kong; however, things were looking bleak.

*lights on*

*scene is in Rizal’s Clinic

*SFX: Knocking on a door

Rizal: It’s open

*Door opens

*Marquez enters, holding a newspaper (La Solidaridad)

Marquez: Doctor Rizal…

Rizal: Lorenzo Marquez, what can I do for you?

Marquez: Have you heard?

Rizal: Heard what?

Marquez: You’re being attacked, *drops newspaper in front of Rizal*

Rizal: *picks up newspaper* La Solidaridad, where did you get this?

Marquez: One of the Filipino masons was reading it, and this article caught our attention.

Rizal: Written by Eduardo de Lete…

Marquez: Do you know him?

Rizal: Yes, he and I fought for the hand of the same woman.

Marquez: That would explain it, look how he calls you a coward, and egotist, an opportunist!

Rizal: “Rizal lives in the lap of luxury in Hong Kong, what kind of a leader is he, he is nothing but a coward, an egotist, and an opportunist! How he would live away from the country and protest Patriotism, such hypocracy!”

Marquez: By your face, I can tell you are planning something…

Rizal: I will return to the Philippines.

Marquez: But doctor

Rizal: Leave me, I must make my preparations

Marquez: I suggest you do not, I think your family would say the same.

*lights off

*lights on

*Scene is in Rizal’s room

Rizal: *to himself, while writing* But before I return, I must tell Del Pilar that this would cause a divide amongst the reformists. Furthermore, I have written two letters, in case worse comes to worst, I have written two letters that may only be opened on my death. The first is that I am returning to save a great deal of people, the second, is my wish for redemption for the country.

*lights off

*lights on

Narrator 1: Meanwhile in Spain…

*scene is in a council room

Spanish 1 (Despujol): We have received a letter that Rizal has requested a passport to travel back to the Philippines.

Spanish 2: Give him a one-way passport, so he may not leave, so we would finally have him in our grasps.

Spanish 1: I agree, however, before we do anything, we must make sure that he is not a German citizen, lest we trouble the Spanish crown with the involvement of the German empire.

Spanish 3: True, we must make sure he has nowhere left to run, no one to turn to

Spanish 1: Then, we would finally have him…

*lights off

*lights on

Scene: Rizal on the steamer Don Juan

Rizal: *to himself, while holding 2 letters* Like a dastardly scorpion who stalks its prey, luring it into elaborate traps, and when the time is right, strikes it with poison so it would not escape. Though I may be playing right into the hands of my perpetrators, even if I may be digging my own grave, if it is for my country, for the future, I would gladly give my life, to know that one day, the Philippines would grow to be a great nation.

*END*