=RIZAL IN HONGKONG=

I. Hongkong and Macau

The first time Rizal stepped into Hongkong was not a product of his own desire
rather it was a response towards the situation his at. During this time, 1888, Rizal was
harrased by his enemies causing him to leave his Motherland for two weeks. His chosen
destination then was Hongkong, a neighbor country of the Philippines. Via steamer
Zapiro bound Hongkong, Rizal was able to reach his destination. As described by Rizal
on his letter to Blumentritt, Hongkong, a british colony, was small yet a spotless city;
residing in it was a variety of races including Portugese, Hindus, English, Chinese and
Jews. As for Filipinos, some were exciled in Marianas Island since 1872. Rizal leaving
the country triggered Spaniard’s curiousity on what he’ll do next. Due to this, He was
followed by a spy in the name of Jose Sainz de Veranda to report his actions.
In Rizal’s two week stay in Hongkong, he focused on understanding China’s Culture.
In his diary, he pointed out significant events, observations and interpretations. He first
described the celebration of Chinese New Year (Feb 11- Feb 13) as a noisy event powered
by fireworks. Not only are fireworks used to show festiveness but also it signifies the
chinese family’s wealth. Secondly, Rizal’s artistic nature lead him to a theatre which he
described as a loud setting with a battle of noise from the audience and the main sound
effects. Based from the actions conducted in the play, he came up with interpretations.
For instance, a red dress signifies a wedding, a girl about to get married covers her face
with a fan even with his fiance on vicinity, and a man about to ride a horse often raise his
whip. From this, it can be inferred that Rizal is a keen observer, critical thinker, and an
artist by heart. He sees every small detail that some may look at as insignificant, but for
Rizal these small details are important in understanding the play as a whole. This
situation reflects on How rizal thinks and resolves a situation his at. He looks for small
details that he can resolve while simultaneously looking at the bigger picture.
He witnessed the longest meal in the world known as the Marathon Lauriat party. He
then discovered the richest religious order in Hongkong namely Dominican Order whom
strives in business owning houses for rents and banks. Lastly, Rizal described that each of
the cementery owned by the Protestants, Catholics and Muslims has its own
distinguishable identity. He characterized them as beautiful and clean, pompous and
expensive, and simple respectively. The theme of Rizal’s first visit in Hongkong revolved
on his escape that turned out to be a learning experience about the Chinese Culture.

II. Hongkong

On Rizal’s Second visit to Hongkong, He came from Europe via Melbourne steamer.
He left Europe due to his political conflicts with M.H. Del Pilar and fellow Filipinos.
Unlike the previous trip’s theme which revolves around his escape and Chinese Culture,
the second trip focuses on Rizal’s family reunion, Rizal as an opthalmogist surgeon and
Borneo Colonization Project. In this trip, he brought up with him, 600 copies of El
Filibusterismo and a letter of recommendation by Juan Luna addressed to Manual Camus
whom got some copies of El FIli and 25% commision of the books sold. In November 20,
1891, Rizal finally reached Hongkong. Jose Ma. Basa, an old friend of him, together with
his fellow Filipinos welcomed Rizal.
The first highlight of his visit to Hongkong is the reunion of his family. In December
1, 1891, he sent a letter adressed to his parents asking if he can go back home. On the
same exact day, His brother, Manuel T. Hidalgo sent Rizal a letter. The letter stated that
there occurred a deportation of twenty five people which included Rizal’s Family in
Calamba. Due to Calamba’s situation, Manuel told Rizal that he was preparing to address
a letter to the Queen of Spain and even to the Queen of England if necessary to ask for
protection and justice regarding their situation. Fortunately, Days before Chrismas of
1891, Rizal’s family escaped from the hands of the Spaniards. Rizal was delighted
reuniting with his family. He even wrote to Blumentritt to inform how happy he felt
unifying with his family once again and the peaceful surroundings in Hongkong as
compared to what they’re experiencing back in the Philippines.
The second highlight of Rizal’s trip to Hongkong is him being an opthalmologist
surgeon, how he gained his reputation as a doctor, and how he successfully applied his
skill. He pursued being an opthalmologist surgeon in Hongkong and even had a clinic on
his own. He was supported by his co- doctors, Mr. Boustead, Dr. Bautista Lin, and Don
Antonio Vergel De Dios in his medical practice. These notable doctors praised Rizal skill
as a doctor including Dr. Gemiano De Ocampo, a famous Filipino opthalmologist. He
stated that Rizal possessed all the necessary skills of a great doctor and was molded by
the best opthalmologists. The best thing happened in Hongkong for both his mother and
Rizal. Rizal molded skill in surgery has successfully treated his mother’s left eye making
her read and write again. At the same instant, Rizal justified his reputation as a doctor.
The third highlight of this trip is the Borneo Colonization Project. The aim of the
project is to build a Filipino Colony in North Borneo (Sabah). This was made as a
response to Calamba’s situation that time. as stated by Rizal’s Brother. Rizal’s plan was to
make a “New Calamba” by transferring the residents of Calamba to Borneo, a british
owned island, to escape from the abuses of the civil guards and friars. This plan of action
might be influenced by Rizal’s experience and comparison of the English and Spanish
Government treatments. In March 7,1892, He went to Sandakan to personally approach
the British autorities and persuade them to support his plan. The British government
agreed and they were willing to offer a hundred thousand acres of land, a stable and
peaceful government, and a beautiful harbor for this “New Calamba”. Regarding the plan,
Rizal has Jaena’s Support but his Brother, Manuel, opposed the idea by presenting a
nationalistic argument to Rizal. During this time, a new Governor General, Eulogio
Despujol, was assigned. To reach out to the new Govenror general about his plan, Rizal
sent a letter adressed to him twice but were both not entertained. Despujol then notified
the Spanish Consul General in Hongkong whom told Rizal that his plan was rejected due
to this reason: the Philippines lack laborers and it is not patriotic to cultivate foreign land
as Despujol stated.
Rizal continued his writings. He accomplished Ang mga Karapatan ng Tao, A la
Nacion Espanola, Sa mga Kababayan, the latter two works both appeal to spain regarding
Calamba’s situation. In March 2 1892, Rizal wrote Una Vista A la Victoria Gaol.
Rizal decided to return back to Manila due to the following reasons. First, to
personally coverse with Despujol regarding the Borneo Colonization Project. Second, to
build Liga Filipina in Manila. Third, to oppose Eduardo de Lete’s claim that he has
forsakened and left his motherland. Before he left Hongkong, He premonitioned his death
and wrote two letters safekeeped by Dr. Marques to be opened once his dead.

References:

[1] Guerrero L.M. (2007). The First Filipino: A Biography of Jose Rizal. Guerrero
Publishing.
[2] Zaide, G. F., & Zaide, S. M. (1999). Jose Rizal: life, works and writings of a genius,
writer, scientist and national hero. All-Nations Publishing Company.

Analysis:
Rizal is hygienic because for a person to identify cleanliness, it signifies that he cares
about his health and environment. This analysis is from his description of Hongkong, a
small yet clean city. He could have describe picturesque spots but cleanliness is what
matters to him on a place his not gone to. Rizal is a keen observer. He identifies even the
small details and interprets it. This was notable in his interpretation of the actions in the
theatre. He thinks deeply and is not contented on what is being laid in front of him.
Interpreting these smaller things is vital to fully understand the bigger picture. With this
ideology, Rizal assesses and resolves situation through the little things while
simultaneously dealing with the bigger picture. His observation and conversation skills,
him being multilinigual, make him flexible even in other countries. Rizal is known to be a
natioanalistic reformist but still balances to study and understand other cultures. Rizal is a
family-oriented man. This is supported by the letters he constantly sending to his family,
the happiness he felt on their reunion in Hongkong, and his aim to treat his mother’s
ailment. Rizal’s aim and care is always directed to his Motherland. This was verified by
his plan of making a “New Calamba” in Borneo because he wanted to aid his fellow
Filipinos escape their worse situation free from friars and civil guards abuse.