JOSEPHINE BRACKEN: TRUE LOVE IN EXILE

Josephine Bracken

In the last days of February while still in Dapitan , Rizal met an 18 year old petite Irish girl, with bold blue eyes, brown eyes, brown hair and a happy disposition. She was Josephine Bracken, the adopted daughter of George Taufer from Hong Kong who came to Dapitan to seek Rizal for eye treatment. 
Rizal was physically attracted to her. His loneliness and boredom must have taken the measure of him and what could be a better diversion that to fall in love again. Rizal's exile in Dapitan was one of the most lonesome and sorrowful periods of his life.  He missed the company of his friends and family.
Josephine Bracken arrived at the shores of Dapitan accompanying her blind adoptive father, Mr. George Taufer.  No ophthalmologist in Hong Kong, their home country, could cure the man's blindness and so they sought the services of the famous Dr. Jose Rizal.


Rizal and Josephine fell in love at first sight.  Their romantic interlude went on for about a month, after which they decided to marry. Since no priest would marry them, Rizal and Josephine held hands, exchanged vows, and married themselves before God.  
Rizal and Josephine lived together in Dapitan as husband and wife, and in early 1896 they were expecting a baby.  Unfortunately, Josephine had to go into premature labor after Rizal played a prank and frightened her.  A little boy of eight months was born, who lived for only three hours.  Rizal named him Francisco in honor of his father, and buried the child in Dapitan.