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| Sta. Cruz, Marinduque in those days. Curtis Shepard collection |
While Rizal was on board the ship Don Juan bound for Hongkong in 1888, he recruited a young cabin boy by the name of Perfecto Rufino Riego. Riego was a native of Santa Cruz, Marinduque. "I am looking for a Tagalog," Rizal said, "and from your looks, I know that you are one."
Rizal talked to Riego at length about the plight of the Filipinos. He left instructions which Riego was able to follow faithfully.
Riego met with Dr. Jose Ma. Basa in Hongkong. Basa supplied Riego with sacks of books which Riego smuggled to Manila on board the Don Juan hidden among his soiled shirts. Upon arriving in Manila, Riego would hire a caretella to Calle Calamba.
Halfway to his destination, Riego would tell the cochero that he forgot something in the ship leaving the sack of books behind. Riego would not return and the bored cochero would open the buri sack out of curiosity and find the books. The cochero's friends (and maybe family) learned of the books and asked for copies.
Several sacks of books were distributed this way in Sampaloc and Sta. Ana while some others were given to five Filipino priests listed by Rizal, Filipino students, and Spanish mestizos. Riego's "caretella method" showed that Rizal intended for his books to be read by ordinary Filipinos and not just by Spaniards.
In 1928, already in his 80's, Riego was asked if it would have been better for Rizal to have lived. Riego replied that it was better that Rizal died a hero's death. "Otherwise he would have been another forgotten old man like me."
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| Sunrise in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque. Photo: Manila Times
Also read:
Lihim na pagkikita ni Gat Jose Rizal at ng isang Marindukenyong cabin boy |
