..last lullaby from Luneta

last hours...

dec 29,1896

8:00-9:00 am rizal shares his milk and coffee with Fr. Rosell, Lt.Andrade who came to visit him,he gave thanks to both of them for visiting him.Rizal scribbles a note inviting his family to visit him.

11:00-12:00 noon rizal talks on various topics in a long conversation with Fr. Vilaclara who will later conclude that rizal is either Protestant or rationalist who speaks in a very cold and calculated manner with a mixture of a strange piety.

12:00-1:00 noon rizal reads Bible and imitation of Christ by Kempis,then meditates.Fr. Balaguer reprts to the archbishop that only a little hope remains that rizal is going to retract for rizal was heard saying that he is going to appear tranquilly before God.

4:00-5:00 pm Capt.Dominguez is moved with compassion at the sight of Rizal's kneeling before his mother and asking pardon.Fr. Rosell hears rizal's farewell to his sister and his adress to those presents.

11:00-12:00 midnight rizal takes time to hide his poem inside the alcohol burner.

12:00-4:00am rizal sleeps restfully because his confidence in the goodness of God and the justness of his cause gives him astounding serenity and unusual calmness.

DEC 30,1896
5:00-6:15am rizal washes up,takes his last breakfast,attends to his personal needs.Reads the Bible and meditates.

6:15-7:00am rizal walks to the place of execution,keeps looking around as if seeking or expecting to see someone.His last word,said in a loud voice "It is finished"

7:00-7:03am Sounds of guns.JOSE RIZAL vacillates,turns halfway around, falls down backwards and lies on the ground of bagumbayan facing the sun.silence.shouts of vivas for spain.


.....i dedicate this painting to all the men and women who fought and gave their lives in exchange for our freedom that we have today-back2basic