1.

Title of the Module

Chapter 4: Rizal’s life: Higher Education and Life Abroad
2. Introduction
This chapter deals with an analysis and evaluation of Jose Rizal's life:
his quest for higher education and struggles and challenges in his life abroad.
He was not only busy academically but he spent much of his time in self-
improvement via self-education. In his spare time he also learned sculpture,
painting, languages and kept up with the latest research in philosophy and
science. It will also examine the contributions of Rizal as the leader of the
propaganda movement that awakened the Filipino people from the abuses of
the Spanish colonizers.an unwavering campaign for political and social
freedoms. In this module, students are initiated to a reflective study about the
aspects of Rizal’s life, a genius with many talents and most importantly his
good traits and virtues that are worthy to be emulated.
3. Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, the students should be able to:
a. Analyse and evaluate the important events in the life Rizal abroad;
b. Reflect on the importance of Higher Education to the life of Jose Rizal;
c. Explain the principles of assimilation advocated by the propaganda movemen t;
d. Appraise Rizal’s relationship with other propagandists;
e. Examine Rizal’s growth as a propagandist and disavowal of assimilation.
4. Learning Content
Now, let us discuss important ideas and information regarding Rizal’s
life: Higher
Education and Life Abroad.
TOPIC 1- A STUDENT AT THE ATENEO (1872-1877)

Introduction:
Jose was sent to Manila four
months after the martyrdom of
Gom-Bur-Za and with Dona Teodora
still in prison. He studied in the
Ateneo Municipal - a college under
the supervision of the Spanish
Jesuits. Ateneo Municipal, a bitter
rival of the Dominican-owned College
of San Juan de Letran formerly the
Escuela Pia (Charity School)- for poor
boys in Manila established in 1817, In
1859- name was changed to Ateneo
Municipal by the Jesuits and later
became the Ateneo de Manila.
RIZAL ENTERS ATENEO
• June 10, 1872- Jose,
accompanied by Paciano, went to
Manila to take the entrance examinations on Christian Doctrine, arithmetic,
and reading at the College of San Juan de Letran, and passed them. His
father was the first one who wished him to study at Letran but he changed his
mind and decided to send Jose at Ateneo instead. Father Margin Fernando,
college registrar of Ateneo Municipal, refused to admit Jose because: He was
late for registration and; He was sickly and undersized for his age (11 years
old). Upon the intercession of Manuel Xeres Burgos, nephew of Father
Burgos, he was admitted at Ateneo. Jose adopted the surname Rizal at the
Ateneo because their family name Mercado had come under suspicion of the
Spanish authorities. Ateneo was located in Intramuros, within the walls of
Manila. He boarded in a house on Caraballo Street, 25 min walk from the
college. The boarding house was owned by Titay, who owed Rizal family
P300. Jose boarded there to collect part of the debt.
JESUITS SYSTEM OF EDUCATION
• Jesuits trained the character of the student by rigid discipline, humanities
and religious instruction. They heard Mass early in the morning before the
beginning of daily class. Classes were opened and closed with prayers.
Students were divided into two groups: Roman Empire- consisting of the
internos (boarders) with red banners. Second group, Carthaginian Empire-
composed of the externos (non-boarders) with blue banners each of these
empires had its rank. Students fought for positions. With 3 mistakes,
opponent‘s position could lose his position. - 1st best: emperor - 2nd best:
tribune - 3rd best: decurion - 4th best: centurion - 5th best: standard-bearer.
Ateneo students‘ uniform is consisted of hemp-fabric trousers´ and striped
cotton coat. The coat was called Rayadillo and was adopted as the uniform
for Filipino troops during the days of the First Philippine Republic.
RIZAL’S FIRST YEAR IN ATENEO (1872-1873)
• Rizal‘s first professor in Ateneo was Fr. Jose Bech. Rizal was placed at
the bottom of the class since he was a newcomer and knows little Spanish.
He was an externo (Carthaginians), occupying the end of the line. But at the
end of the month, he becomes emperor´ of his Empire. He was the brightest
pupil in the whole class, and he was awarded a prize, a religious prize. Rizal
took private lessons in Santa Isabel College during noon recesses to improve
his Spanish language paying three pesos for those extra lessons. He placed
second at the end of the year, although all his grades were still marked
Excellent´
SUMMER VACATION (1873)
• Rizal didn‘t enjoy his summer because his mother was in prison so
Neneng (Saturnina) brought him to Tanawan. But without telling his father, he
went to Santa Cruz to visit her mother in prison. He told her of his brilliant
grades. After summer, he returned to Manila and now boarded inside
Intramuros at No. 6 Magallanes Street. Dona Pepay, who had a widowed
daughter and 4 sons, was his landlady.
PROPHECY OF MOTHER’S RELEASE
• Dona Teodora told her son of her dream the previous night. Rizal,
interpreting the dream, told her that she would be released from prison in 3
months‘ time. It became true. Dona Teodora likened his son to the youthful
Joseph in the Bible in his ability to interpret dreams.
• Teenage Interest in Reading. The first favorite novel of Rizal was The
Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. His boyish imagination was
stirred by the sufferings of Edmond Dantes (the hero) in prison, his
spectacular escape from the dungeon of Chateau de If, his finding a buried
treasure in the rocky island of Monte Cristo, and his dramatic revenge on his
enemies who had wronged him. Rizal also read non-fiction. He persuaded
his father to buy a costly set of Cesar Cantu‘s historical work entitled
Universal History. He also read Travels in the Philippines by Dr. Feodor
Jagor, a German scientist-traveler who visited Phil in 1859-60.He was
impressed by: Jagor‘s keen observations of the defects of Spanish
colonization; and his prophecy that someday Spain would lose the Philippines
and that America would come to succeed her as colonizer.
THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1875-76)
• June 16, 1875- He became an interno in Ateneo. Fr. Francisco de Paula
Sanchez, one of his professors, inspired him to study harder and write poetry.
Rizal‘s best professor in Ateneo. Rizal described him as model of uprightness,
earnestness, and love for the advancement of his pupils. He returned to
Calamba with 5 medals and excellent ratings.
FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO
• March 23, 1877- Rizal, 16 years old, received from his Alma Mater,
Ateneo Municipal, the degree of Bachelor of Arts, with highest honors. Rizal
was the highest in all subjects and won five medals at the end of the school
term. He excelled in all his subjects and was the most brilliant Atenean, he
was truly “the pride of the Jesuits”
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN ATENEO
• He was an active member, later secretary, of Marian Congregation - a
religious society. He was accepted because of his academic brilliance and
devotion to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, the college patroness. He is
also a member of the Academy of Spanish Literature and the Academy of
Natural Sciences. He studied painting under Agustin Saez, a famous painter,
and sculpture under Romualdo de Jesus. He continued his physical training
under hi sports-minded Tio Manuel.
SCULPTURAL WORKS IN ATENEO
• He carved an image of The Virgin Mary on a piece of batikuling (Philippine
hardwood) with his pocketknife. The Jesuits fathers were amazed. Father
Lleonart requested him to carve for him an image of the Sacred Heart of
Jesus. He intended to take the image with him in Spain but forgot to do so. So
the Ateneo boarders placed it on the door of their dormitory. It plays a
significant part in Rizal‘s last hours at Fort Santiago.
POEMS WRITTEN IN ATENEO
• Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration) - first written poem of
Rizal, which was dedicated to his mother on her birthday. He wrote it
when he was 14 years old. El Embarque: Himno a la Flota de Magallanes
( The Departure: Hymn to Magellan‘s Fleet). Y Es Espanol: Elcano, el
Primero en dar la Vuelta al Mundo (And He is Spanish: Elcano, the Fist to
Circumnavigate the World). El Combate: Urbiztondo, Terror de Jolo (The
Battle: Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo) In 1876, he wrote poems on religion,
education memories and war. (e.g. In Memory of my Town)
RIZAL’S POEM ON EDUCATION
•Through Education Our Motherland Receives Light- education plays in the
progress and welfare of a nation.
•The Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education- showed that
Education without God is not true education
RIZAL’S RELIGIOUS POEM
•Al Nino Jesus (To the Child Jesus)- written when he was 14 years old,
expressing his Catholic faith devotion.
•A La Virgen Maria (To the Virgin Mary)
MOTHER’S OPPOSITION TO HIGHER EDUCATION
• Both Don Francisco and Paciano wanted Jose to pursue higher learning
in the university. But Dona Teodora who is a woman of education and culture
objects to Rizal desire for University education. She knew what happened to
the Gom-Bur-ZA, and told her husband “ Don’t send him to Manila again, he
knows enough. If he gets to know more the Spaniards will cut off his head”.

TOPIC 2- THE UNIVERSITY OF STO. TOMAS (1877- 1882)

RIZAL ENTERS THE

UNIVERSITY
• Rizal took the course on
Philosophy and Letters. Two
reasons why Rizal enrolled in
these course: His father like it;
and He was still uncertain as to
what career to pursue. It was the
following term (1878-1879)
RIZAL TOOK UP THE
MEDICAL COURSE
• Two reasons: He received the
advice of Father Pablo Ramon,
Ateneo’s Rector to study
medicine and to be able to cure
his mother’s growing blindness.
• He excelled in all subjects in the surveying course in Ateneo.
• He obtained gold medals in agriculture and topography
FINISHES SURVEYING COURSE IN ATENEO
• 1877-1878 Rizal took the vocational course leading to the title of
―perito agrimensor” (expert surveyor). He passed the final examination
in the surveying course on November 25, 1881. He remained loyal to
Ateneo.

LITERARY WORKS (1879)

• Liceo-Artistico-Literario (Artistic-Literary Lyceum) of Manila, a society of
literary men and artists, held a literary contest.
1. A La Juventud Filipino (to the Filipino youth)- a poem written by
Rizal, it was the first prize winner. Two reasons why Rizal‘s poem is a
classic in the Philippine literature: 1. It was the first great poem in
Spanish written by the Filipino, whose merit was recognized by Spanish
literary authorities. 2. It expressed for the first time the nationalistic
concept that the Filipino, and not the foreigners, was the ―fair hope of
the fatherland.

2. THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS (1880)

An allegorical drama written by Rizal which he entered in the literary contest
of Artistic-Literary Lyceum in 1880 to commemorate the fourth centennial of
the death of Cervantes. It was a literary masterpiece based on the Greek
classics. The prize was awarded to Rizal, a gold ring on which was engraved
the bust (figure) of Cervantes.
3. Junto al Pasig (Beside the Pasig)
a zarzuela, written by Rizal. It was staged by the Ateneans on December 8,
1880,on the occasion of the annual celebration of the Feats Day of the
Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the Ateneo.
CHAMPION OF THE FILIPINO STUDENTS
• Rizal was the champion of the Filipino students. In 1880. Rizal founded a
secret society of Filipino students. He became the chief of the secrete
students society.
UNHAPPY DAYS AT THE UST
• Rizal found the atmosphere at the University of Santo Tomas suffocating
to his sensitive spirit. He was unhappy at this Dominican institution of higher
learning because:
(1) the Dominican professors were hostile to him
(2) the Filipino students were racially discriminated by the Spaniards
(3) the method of instruction was obsolete and repressive

TOPIC 3- IN SPAIN 1882-1885

After finishing the 4th year of the medical course in the University of Santo
Tomas, Rizal decided to complete his studies in Spain.
SECRET MISSION IN SPAIN
• to observe keenly the life and culture, languages and customs, industries
and commerce, and governments and laws of the European nations. In order
to prepare himself in the mighty task of liberating his oppressed people from
Spanish tyranny.

RIZAL IN BARCELONA
• May 3, 1882- Rizal departed on
board the Spanish Steamer
Salvadora bound for Singapore.
Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept
secret to avoid detection by the
Spanish authorities and the friars
• June 16, 1882- Rizal finally
reached his destination—Barcelona.
ARTICLES WRITTEN BY RIZAL
• Amor Patrio (Love Of Country) -
a nationalistic essay written by Rizal
under his pen name Laong Laan
which urged his compatriots to love
their fatherland, the Philippines.
Basilio Teodoro Moran- publisher of Diariong Tagalog. Other written
articles of Rizal: -
Los Viajes (Travels)- second article -
Revista de Madrid (Review of Madrid)- returned to him because the Diariong
Tagalog had ceased publication for lack of funds.

RIZAL IN MADRID
• November 3, 1882- Rizal enrolled in Universidad Central de Madrid in
two courses- Medicine and Philosophy and Letters. Rizal led a Spartan life
in Madrid.
• He also studied in Painting and Sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts
and took lessons in French, German and English.
CIRCULO HISPANO-FILIPINO (HISPANO-PHILIPPINE CIRCLE)
• Shortly after his arrival, Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-
Philippine Circle), a society of Spaniards and Filipinos.
• “They Ask Me For Verses” (Me Piden Versos) - a poem written by
Rizal in response to the request of the members of the society. It is a sad
poem in which Rizal poured out the cry of his agonizing heart.
RIZAL AS LOVER OF BOOKS
• Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Eugene Sue’s The
Wandering Jew - aroused the sympathy of Rizal to his oppressed and
unfortunate people.
RIZAL AS A MASON
• March 1883- Rizal joined the Masonic Lodge Acacia in Madrid under his
Masonic name Dimasalang. Rizal‘s reasons of becoming a mason: 1. the bad
friars in the Philippines, by their abuses unworthy of their priestly habit or
calling, drove Rizal to desperation and Masonry; 2. he needed the help of the
Masons to fight the bad friars in the Philippines, for Masonry, to Rizal, was a
shield to use in his fight against the evil forces of tyranny.
RIZAL IN PARIS, CAPITAL CITY OF FRANCE
• June 17 1883, Rizal sojourn in Paris. He stayed at a cheaper hotel on
124 Rue de Rennes in the Latin Quarter.
• Like all tourist, Rizal was attracted by the beautiful sights of Paris. He
visited important landmarks like the Place de la Concorde, Arch of
Triumph, the Cathedral of Notre Dame and others. Rizal improved his
mind by observing closely the French way of life. He spent his hours in
museums, botanical garden and art galleries. According to Rizal “Paris
is the costliest capital in Europe.” Prices of food, drinks, theatre, laundry,
hotels and transportation were too high.
• Two hospitals where Rizal made some observations:
Laennec Hospital- where Rizal observed Dr. Nicaise treating his patients
Lariboisiere Hospital- where Rizal observed the examination of different
diseases of women.
• August 20, 1883 he returned to Madrid and continues with his studies.
RIZAL’S SALUTE TO LUNA AND HIDALGO.
• In the evening of June 25, 1884, a banquet was sponsored by the
Filipino community to celebrate the double victory of the Filipino artist in
the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid - Luna’s Spoliarium
winning the first prize and Hidalgo’s Christian Virgins Exposed to the
Populace second prize. Rizal was the guest speaker. It was a magnificent
speech of Rizal, he saluted Luna and Hidalgo being the two glories of Spain
and the Philippines. He also assailed with refined sarcasm the bigotry and
blindness of certain unworthy Spaniards who could not comprehend the
universality of Genius.
STUDIES COMPLETED IN SPAIN
• June 21, 1884- conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine. He was
not awarded his Doctor‘s diploma due to the fact that he did not present the
thesis required for graduation nor paid the corresponding fees.
June 19, 1885- Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters with the rating of
“Excellent”(Sobresaliente).

TOPIC 4- CONTINUED STAY IN EUROPE 1885-1887

• Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to specialize in
Ophthalmology. He travelled and observed European life and customs in
Paris, Heidelberg, Leipzig, and Berlin.
PARIS (1885-1886)
• He was 24 years old and already a physician, he went to Paris to obtain
knowledge in Ophthalmology. In November 1885, he worked for four
months as an assistant to Dr. Louis de Weckert, a leading French
ophthalmologist.
• Outside of his working hours, he also found time to relax and be with his
good friends like the Pardo de Taveras, Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion
Hidalgo. At the studio of Juan Luna, he improved his painting technique. He
became a model to Juan Luna’s several paintings. In the home of the Pardo
de Tavera, Rizal played the flute, he admitted that he had no natural aptitude
for music.
GERMANY
IN HEIDELBERG
• In February 1886, Rizal left Paris and went to Germany. He arrived in
Heidelberg, a historic city in Germany famous for its old university and
romantic surroundings.
• He lived near the University of Heidelberg and worked as an assistant to
Dr. Otto Becker at the University Eye Hospital. Outside his apprenticing
hours, he also listened to lectures delivered by Dr. Becker and Prof.
Wilhelm Kuchne.
• Rizal devoted his free time visiting Heidelberg Castle, Neckar River, the
theatre and some old churches found in the city. The Neckar River and the
beautiful spring flowers blobbing along its banks reminded him of how dearly
he missed Calamba.
• April 22, 1886, Rizal wrote a touching poem entitled To the Flowers of
Heidelberg.
IN WILHELMSFELD
• A mountainous village near Heidelberg where Rizal spent his summer
vacation.
• Rizal lived with the family of Pastor Karl Ullmer, a Protestant pastor
who became his good friend and admirer. The pleasant personality and
talents in languages and sketching endeared him to the Ullmer’s family.
• For three months he enjoyed the hospitality and kindness of the family.
• June 25, 1886, he returned to Heidelberg.
FIRST LETTER TO BLUMENTRITT
• July 31, 1886 Rizal wrote his first letter in German to Professor
Ferdinand Blumentritt, Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria. Rizal
wrote to him after learning that this ethnologist was interested in the Tagalog
language. He sent him a book entitled Arithmetica. Published in 2
languages- Spanish and Tagalog. By UST Press of 1868. Author was
Rufino Baltazar Hernandez a native of Santa Cruz, Laguna. Ferdinand
reciprocated the thoughtful gesture of Rizal by sending him two books. The
exchanged marked the beginning of their long and beautiful friendship.
IN LEIPZIG
• In August 1886, Rizal arrived in Leipzig. He stayed here for two months
doing a lot of writing and translating.
• He very much liked what he saw, the magnificent buildings, wide and
clean streets and amiable people.
• William Tell- written by Schiller, Rizal translated it from German into
Tagalog so that Filipino might know the story of the champion of Swiss
independence.
• Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales - Rizal also translated this in Tagalog for
his nephews and nieces.
• Because of his knowledge of German, Spanish, and other European
languages, Rizal worked as proof-reader in a publishing firm.
• He attended some lectures on history and psychology at the University of
Leipzig and met Professor Friedrich Ratzel- a famous German historian
and Dr. Hans Meyer- German anthropologist. They had become his
friends.

IN BERLIN
• In November 1886, Rizal arrived in Berlin. He was enchanted by this city
because of its scientific atmosphere and the absence of racial prejudice.
• Dr. Feodor Jagor - Rizal met for the first time this celebrated German
scientist-traveler and author of Travels in the Philippines, a book which
Rizal read and admired during his student days in Manila.
• Dr. Rudolf Virchow- a famous German anthropologist. (Dr. Jagor,
introduced Rizal to Dr. Virchow)
• Dr. Ernest Schweigger (1830-1905)- famous German ophthalmologist
where Rizal worked
• Rizal became a member of the Anthropological Society, the Ethnological
Society, and the Geographical Society of Berlin, upon the recommendation of
Dr. Jagor and Dr. Meyer
• Tagalische Verkunst (Tagalog Metrical Art)- Rizal wrote this
scholarly paper in German which he read before the society in April
1887. This paper was published by the society in the same year, and elicited
favorable comments from all scientific quarters
GERMAN WOMEN AND THEIR CUSTOMS
• Rizal wrote a letters addressed to his sister, Trinidad. He said that
German woman is serious, diligent, educated, and friendly. She is not
gossipy, frivolous and quarrelsome.
• Aside from women, Rizal admired the German customs. The Christmas
custom of the German delighted him most of his yuletide custom he wrote on
Christmas eve. Another interesting German custom observed by Rizal is self-
introduction to strangers in a social gathering.
NOLI ME TANGERE
PUBLISHED IN BERLIN (1887)
• March 21, 1887- the Noli Me
Tangere came off the press.
The title Noli Me Tangere is a
Latin phrase which means
“Touch Me Not”. “Noli Me
Tangere, are words taken from the Gospel of St. John (Chapter 20
Verses 13 to 17).
Rizal dedicated his Noli Me Tangere to the Philippines—“To My Fatherland”.
It contains 63 chapters and an epilogue. Maximo Viola- The savior of
Noli, he gave him the needed funds to publish the novel.
GRAND TOUR FROM GERMANY TO ITALY
• May 11, 1887- Rizal and Viola left Berlin by train going to Dresden, one of
the best cities in Germany
• May 13- 16, 1887- Rizal and Viola went to Leitmeritz, Bohemia to visit
Professor Blumentritt. A kind-hearted, old Austrian professor who became a
dear friend of Rizal.
• With Prof. Blumentritt as their guide, Rizal and Viola visited the churches,
the residence of the Bishop and other important buildings of the city.
• From May 20-30, 1887 -They visited other cities in Europe like, Prague,
Vienna- the "Queen of Danube", Lintz, Rheinfall, Munich and Nuremberg.
They visited museums, magnificent buildings, cathedrals and beautiful sights.

• June 2 to 3, 1887- stayed at

Schaffhausen, Switzerland.
GENEVA- This Swiss city is one
of the most beautiful cities in
Europe, visited by world tourists
every year.
• June 19, 1887- Rizal treated
Viola to a blow-out. It was his
26th birthday. Rizal and Viola
spent fifteen delightful days in
Geneva.
• June 23, 1887- Viola and Rizal parted ways—Viola returned to Barcelona
while Rizal continued the tour to Italy
• June 27, 1887- Rizal reached Rome, the “Eternal City” and also called the
“City of the Caesars. After a week of wonderful sojourn in Rome, Rizal
prepared to return to the Philippines.
TOPIC 5- FIRST RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES 1887-1888
TRAVEL TO THE PHILIPPINES
The stunning beauty of the European lands did not stop Rizal from
continuously adoring his native land. After the Noli Me Tangere was
published, he decided to return to Calamba despite the many warning he
received from friends and relatives alike.
• He had four reasons for returning to the Philippines:
a) To perform an operation on Dona Teodora’s eyes;
b) To defend his oppressed countrymen more effectively than doing so in
a foreign land;
c) To find out how his Noli was received by the Filipinos and Spaniards;
and
d) To know the reason for Leonor Rivera’s long silence.

• July 3, 1887, Rizal left Marseilles (France), it was his first return to the
Philippines after leaving it to study in Spain five years ago.
• August 6, 1887, he arrived in Manila and visited some friends.
AT HIS HOMETOWN
• August 8, 1887, he reached Calamba. He opened a medical clinic and
restored his mother’s vision. Such “miraculous” news spread throughout the
community like wild fire, thus, his clinic was flocked by people aspiring for a
better eyesight. Newly arrived from Germany, he began to be known as “
Doctor Uliman” (from the word Aleman) and soon he acquired a lucrative
medical practice. He earned $900 from his services as physician.
• Rizal opened a gymnasium for young folks, where he introduced
European sports to discourage his town mates from idleness and gambling.
• He also took part in Calamba’s civic affairs and on his spare time made
paintings of the towns landscapes and translated the German poems of Von
Wildernath into Tagalog.
• His happy days at Calamba was marred with the death of his older sister,
Olimpia, and to see Leonor Rivera. His family begged him not to see her at
her hometown in Camiling because of increasing concerns about his safety.
Also Leonor’s mother objected to their relationship.
THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE NOLI
• Copies of the Noli Me Tangere had arrived at the Philippines weeks
before Rizal’s return to the Philippines. Some of copies of his book fell into the
hands of the Spaniards especially the friars. They found the novel “heretical,
impious, and scandalous in the religious order and anti-patriotic, subversive of
public order, injurious to the government of Spain and its function in the
Philippine Islands in the political order”.
• The controversy over the novel had reached the office of Governor
General Emilio Terrero. He requested Rizal to come to Malacańang Palace.
Rizal met Governor General Emilio Terrero who informed him of the charges
against him. As a defense, Rizal told Terrero that Noli only expose reality. Not
having read the book yet and out of curiosity, the governor general asked for
a copy of the controversial novel, which he later confessed that he enjoyed
reading. He saw no problem on the book, yet to protect Rizal’s life which was
then in danger, he assigned Jose Taviel de Andrade, a young Spanish
lieutenant, as Rizal’s personal bodyguard. The friars asked Governor General
Terrero to deport him, but the latter refused because there was no valid
charge against Rizal in court.
• While still in Calamba, Rizal was seen as a troublemaker. There are
groundless tales circulated by his enemies that he was “a German spy, an
agent of Bismarck, a Protestant, a Mason, a witch, a soul beyond salvation,
etc.” Realizing that his family’s and friend’s safety were risked; and that his
fight against the Spaniards have better chance of winning if he’d stay abroad,
Rizal, six months after, finally decided to sail back to Europe. His plan was to
return to Europe via Hong Kong, Macao, Japan and the United States
TOPIC 6- TRAVELS IN ASIA ( HONG KONG, MACAU AND JAPAN) AND
THE U.S.
FIRST TRIP TO HONG KONG AND MACAU
• On February 3, 1888, with a heavy heart, Rizal left Manila for Hong Kong.
His powerful enemies refused to give him peace and quiet. Anonymous letters
with threats on his life were sent to his parents’ house in Calamba.
• On February 8, 1888- Rizal arrived in Hong Kong and he was welcomed
by Filipino residents.
• Jose Sainz de Varranda, Terrero’s former secretary, followed Rizal in the
said British colony, and was believed to be commissioned by the Spanish
authorities to spy on the hero.
• While in Hong Kong, Rizal engaged in cultural activities. Among the
experiences while he observed were:
a) The Chinese way of celebrating their New Year, which included making
noise and exploding firecrackers to drive away evil spirits;
b) Chinese lauriat parties, where they served many different types of
dishes;
c) Chinese theatres which used symbolisms and noisy music to entertain
an equally noise audience;
d) He also managed to visit different churches and cemeteries that were
owned by Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims.
• On February 18-21, 1888, Rizal also visited Macau, a Portuguese colony
near Hong Kong. He was invited to stay at the residence of Don Juan
Francisco Lecaros, who was a former Filipino delegate to the Spanish Cortes.
For two days, Rizal enjoyed being a tourist and visited different cultural places
which included churches, botanical gardens, theaters and the Macao Casino.
• February 22, 1888- Rizal left Hong Kong, his destination was Japan.
IN JAPAN
• February 28, 1888- Rizal arrived in Yokohama, the next day he went to
Tokyo and stayed at Tokyo Hotel for six days.
• Shortly after his arrival, Juan Perez Caballero-secretary of the Spanish
Legation, visited Rizal at his hotel who latter invited him to live at the Spanish
Legation. Rizal being an intelligent man, realized that the Spanish diplomatic
authorities were instructed from Manila to keep track of his activities. Since it
was economical to stay at the legation and he believed that he had nothing to
hide, he accepted it.
• March 7, 1888- Rizal checked out of Tokyo Hotel and lived at the Spanish
Legation
• Rizal was impressed by the scenic Japan and had keenly observed the
life, customs, and culture of the people. The things which favourably
impressed Rizal in Japan were: the beauty of the country; the cleanliness,
politeness, and industry of the Japanese people; the picturesque dress and
simple charm of the Japanese women; there were very few thieves in Japan;
beggars were rarely seen in the city, streets, unlike in Manila and other cities.
• April 13, 1888, Rizal left Japan and boarded the Belgic, bound for the
United States.
RIZAL’S VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES (April- May 1888)
• April 28, 1888, Rizal arrived in San Francisco, California. The ship was
held under quarantine by the American health authorities, reasoning that there
was a cholera epidemic in the Far East where their ship come from. Rizal and
other first class passenger of the ship were released from quarantine and
allowed to land after seven days.
• On May 4, 1888, Rizal arrived in San Francisco and registered at the
Palace Hotel and stayed for two days. May 6, 1888, he was in Oakland, he
boarded the train for his grand transcontinental trip to the American continent.
He was able to see places such as Sacramento, Reno, (Nevada), Colorado,
Nebraska, Chicago, Albany and on May 13 he reached New York. He stayed
in this city for three days, he visited the scenic and historic places.
RIZAL’S IMPRESSIONS OF AMERICA
• Good impressions
a) the material progress of the country as shown in the great cities, huge
farms, flourishing industries and busy factories;
b) the drive and energy of the American People
c) the natural beauty of the land
d) the high standard of living;
e) the opportunities for better life offered to poor immigrants.
• Bad impression
 a) the lack of racial equality: “America is the land par excellence of
freedom but only for the whites”
• May 16, 1888- Rizal left New York for Liverpool, England.

TOPIC 7- REFORMIST WORKS IN EUROPE (1889-1981)

IN LONDON
• May 25, 1888 to mid-March 1889- Rizal decided to stay in London
because he could improve his English, study and do an annotation of Antonio
Morga’s Sucecos de las Islas Filipinas and perceived it was a place for him to
carry on the reforms he wanted for the Philippines.
ANNOTATING MORGA’S BOOK
• May 1888-March 1889- He spent ten months (10) in the reading room of
the British Museum deeply immersed in his historical studies in London. This
was the greatest achievement of Rizal in London, the annotating of Morga’s
book, Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (Historical Events of the Philippine
Islands), which was published in Mexico, 1609.

RIZAL AND THE LA SOLIDARIDAD

• December 31, 1888- inauguration of Asociacion La Solidaridad
(Solidaridad Association), a patriotic society. They crusade for reforms in the
Philippine Government. By unanimous vote of all members, Rizal was chosen
honorary president. This was a recognition of his leadership among all Filipino
patriots in Europe.
• February 15, 1889- Graciano Lopez Jaena founded the patriotic
newspaper called La Solidaridad in Barcelona. A fortnightly periodical which
served as the organ of the Propaganda Movement.
• Its aims were as
follows: to work
peacefully for
political and social
reforms; to portray
the deplorable
conditions of the
Philippines so that
Spain may remedy
them; to oppose the
evil forces of reaction
and medievalism; to
advocate liberal ideas and progress; to champion the legitimate aspirations of
the Filipino people to life, democracy and happiness. During his stay in
London, Rizal also made used of his time in writing essays and articles for La
Solidaridad. He also wrote La Vision del Fray Rodriguez (The Vision of Fray
Rodriguez)-pamphlet which published in Barcelona under his nom-de-plume
Dimas Alang in order to defense his novel.
• In London, Rizal received both good news and bad news from news. The
good news that Rev. Vicente Garcia was defending his Noli from the attacks
of the friars. On the other hand, the bad news were that the Filipino
signatories of the “ Petition of 1888” and the tenants of the Calamba agrarian
trouble were facing persecution; that his brothers-in-law Manuel T. HIdalgo
and Mariano Herbosa, were exiled to Bohol and was denied Christian burial,
respectively; and his friend, Laureno Viadoa, a UST medical student, was
imprisoned for possessing some copies of his Noli.
IN PARIS
• It was mid-March 1899, Rizal decided to move to Paris. He noticed that
Parisian life was different from the life he experienced in London. It was a city
bursting with merriment, exciting events, and unending social gathering. The
cost of living was also very high.
• Rizal never lost his focus although life in Paris was gay, he continued to
spend long hours at the National library in Paris. There, he went on reviewing
and rewriting his historical annotations on De Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas
Filipinas. It was published on January 1890. He also wrote a satirical booklet
entitled Por Telefono, in answer to Fr. Salvation Fort, a Spanish friar who
hurled attacks on the Noli Me Tangere and caused its banning.
• He continued his study on various languages especially the French
language, which he was able to perfect during his 10 months stay at the
French capital city.
• He organized a social club called Kidlat Club , a social club which brought
together young Filipinos residing in Paris. Soon, the members of the said club
founded a new Filipino society - the Indios Bravos, an organization which
envisioned Filipinos being recognized by Spain for being excellent in various
fields of knowledge.
• In between his more serious activities, Rizal also had leisurely activities
like socializing with friends in their homes. Among those he frequently visited
were the homes of the Pardo de Taveras, the Venturas, the Lunas, the
Bousteads and others.
• Although Rizal lived a frugal life, he prepared a sumptuous Christmas
dinner for some of his friends. Shortly after New Year, he visited London for
the last time
In BRUSSELS
• January 28, 1890, left Paris for Brussels. He left the extravagant and gay
social life in Paris and stayed in a boarding house owned by the Jacoby
sisters in Brussels.
• From 1889- 1890, Rizal continued contributing for La Solidaridad under
the pseudonyms Dimas Alang and Laong Laan. Among the 10 articles he had
contributed below were some of the most famous and important articles:
a) The Philippines Within a Century-article written by Rizal which he
expressed his views on the Spanish colonization in the Philippines.
b) The Indolence of the Filipinos- It is an able defence of the alleged
indolence of the Filipinos.
c) the Sobre la Nueva Ortografia de la Lengua Tagala (The New
Orthography of the Tagalog Language) In this article, he laid down the
rules of the new Tagalog orthography
• From Calamba, Rizal received letters telling that the agrarian trouble in
the province was getting worse, and as such, he decided to go home. But
instead of going home, a letter from Paciano told him that they already lost the
case against the Dominicans and they were in need of a lawyer who would
defend their family and the families in Calamba from Madrid.
• Rizal wrote a letter to Ponce, he announced that he was leaving Brussels
and decided to go to Madrid because this case must be presented to the
Supreme Court and he needs to pay close attention to the developments of
the case.

MISFORTUNES IN MADRID (1890-1891)

• August, 1890, Rizal arrived in Madrid. Upon arrival in Madrid. Rizal
immediately sought help of the Filipino colony, The Asociacion Hispano-
Filipina, and the liberal Spanish newspaper in securing justice for the
oppressed Calamba tenants. Nothing came out of this, several newspapers
were sympathetic to the plight of the Calamba tenants but this did not
translate to any form of action. By this time, Francisco Rizal and other tenants
were already forcibly evicted from Calamba by Governor General Valeriano
Weyler. Their houses were burned and more people were exiled regardless
of their gender.
• August 1890, Rizal attended a social reunion of the Filipinos in Madrid.
After drinking so many glasses the guests became more talkative. One of
them, Antonio Luna became drunk. Rizal challenged Antonio Luna, it was
about the latter’s frustration with his unsuccessful “love affair” with Nellie
Boustead, and so gave negative remarks on the lady which Rizal did not
tolerated. The Filipinos tried to pacify them, pointing out that such a duel
would damage their cause in Spain. Fortunately, Luna, realized his mistakes
he apologized and Rizal immediately accepted his apology and became good
friends again.
• Rizal challenged Wenceslao Retana in a duel. Retana had insulted Rizal
and his family by writing in La Epoca, an anti-Filipino newspaper, that the
Rizal family in Calamba was ejected from their lands because they did not pay
their rents. Rizal was, by nature neither hot-tempered but when the honor of
his people, family, women or friends was besmirched, he never hesitated to
fight even if he were risking his own life. Retana at once published a retraction
and an apology, he knew that Rizal was superior in both pistol and sword.
• December 1890, Rizal received a letter from Leonor Rivera announcing
her coming marriage to Henry Kipping, an Englishman (the choice of her
mother).This was a big blow for him and his heart broke.
• Another marked event in Madrid was the Marcelo H. del Pilar-Jose Rizal
rivalry for leadership in the Asociacion Hispano Filipino. A fraction emerged
from the Filipinos in Madrid, the Rizalistas and Pilaristas. The group decided
that the leader must be elected by two-thirds vote. Rizal won the election, he
was offered the appointment but he did not want to see the Filipinos in Madrid
divided so he thought it best to leave the city.
• Rizal took a vacation in the resort city of Biarritz on the fabulous French
Riviera. He was a guest of the rich Boustead family at its winter residence—
Villa Eliada. The one month vacation in this city worked wonders for Rizal.
This is where he was able to finish his second novel El Filibusterismo.
• March 30, 1891, Rizal bade farewell to the hospitable and friendly
Bousteads and proceeded to Paris by Train. He stayed at the home of his
friend Valentin Ventura.

RETIREMENT FROM THE PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT

• April 1891, Rizal was back to Brussels where he became busy revising
and polishing the manuscript of El Filibusterismo.
• Rizal retired from the Propaganda Movement. He notified the Propaganda
authorities in Manila to cancel his monthly allowance and devote the money to
some better cause, such as the education of a young Filipino student in
Europe. He desired to publish his second novel, to practice his medical
profession, and later when he became financially independent, he expected to
make a more vigorous campaign for his country’s redemption.
• Simultaneously with his retirement from the Propaganda Movement, Rizal
ceased writing articles for La Solidaridad. Many of his friends in Spain urged
him to continue writing because his articles always attracted considerable
attention in European countries.
• M.H. Del Pilar himself realized the need for Rizal’s collaboration in both
the Propaganda Movement and in the La Solidaridad newspaper because the
enthusiasm for the reform crusade was declining. He wrote to Rizal begging
for forgiveness for any resentment and requesting him to resume writing for
the La Solidaridad.
• Rizal replied to Del Pilar’s letter, he wrote denying any resentment and
explaining why he stopped writing. Below are reasons why Rizal stopped
writing for La Solidaridad:
a) Rizal need to work on his book ;
b) He wanted other Filipinos to work also;
c) Rizal considered it very important to the party that there be unity in the
work ;
d) Marcelo H. Del Pilar is already at the top and Rizal also have his own
ideas it is better to leave del Pilar alone to direct the policy.

THE PRINTING OF THE EL FILIBUSTERISMO

• July 5, 1891- Rizal left Brussels for Ghent, a famous university city in
Belgium because the cost of printing in Ghent was cheaper than in Brussels.
F. Meyer-Van Loo Press-a printing shop that give Rizal the lowest quotation
for the publication of his novel.
• August 6, 1891-the printing of his book had to be suspended because
Rizal could no longer give the necessary funds to the printer. Valentin
Ventura- the savior of the Fili, when he learned of Rizal’s predicament he sent
him the necessary funds.
• September 18, 1891- El Filibusterismo came off the press. Rizal gratefully
donated the original manuscript and an autographed printed copy to Valentin
Ventura

TOPIC 8- BACK IN HONGKONG

• On October 18, 1891, after the Fili’ was published, Rizal left Europe.
Aboard the S.S Melbourne, he sailed to Hongkong where he lived for seven
months. His reasons for venturing to Hongkong were the following:
a) To leave his rivalry with del PIlar
b) To facilitate a Propaganda Movement in Hongkong; and
c) To be proximate to his family in the Philippines
• On November 20, 1891, Rizal arrived in Hongkong and was cordially
welcomed by the Filipino residents in the city, particularly, his friend Jose Ma.
Basa.
• December 1, 1891- Rizal wrote his parents asking their permission to
return home. Rizal had a continued correspondence with his family in
Calamba and had been aware of the unsettled agrarian problem. On the
same date, his brother-in-law, Manuel T. Hidalgo, sent him a letter relating the
sad news of the “deportation of twenty-five persons from Calamba, including
father, Neneng, Sisa, Lucia, Paciano and the rest of us.”
FAMILY REUNION IN HONG KONG
• The Christmas of 1891 in Hong Kong was one of the happiest Yuletide
celebrations in Rizal’s life, he had a happy family reunion.
• While in Hongkong, Rizal practiced his medical career. With the help of
his friend, Dr Lorenzo P. Marquez, they built a large clientele and opened a
medical clinic where he was recognized as an excellent eye surgeon. He was
equally supported and aided both morally and financially by his family and
friends with his chosen career.
• Another marked event during Rizal’s stay in Hongkong was his plan to
move the landless Filipino to Borneo and transform the said wilderness into a
“New Calamba” through the so-called Borneo Colonization Project.
• In April 1802, he visited Borneo and negotiated with the British authorities
who are willing to provide 100,000 acres of land for the Filipinos. Many
Filipino patriots found this project amusing, thus, promoted the said project.
However, there were a number who objected it, one of which was Rizal’s
brother-in-law, Hidalgo.
• Twice did Rizal wrote a letter addressed to Governor General Eulogio
Despujol informing his Borneo colonization project, with whom he received no
response. Instead, Despujol commanded the Spanish consul-general in
Hongkong to notify Rizal that such project was very unpatriotic, and by
immigrating Filipinos to Borneo, the Philippines will surely be lacking of
laborers.
• Despite the many oppositions from friends and relatives, he decided to
return to Manila on the following reasons:

a) To discuss with Governor General Despujol his Borneo

colonization project;
b) To form the La Liga Filipina in the Philippines; and
c) To prove that Eduardo de Lete’s allegations on him and his
family in Calamba were wrong.
• Before his departure, he wrote three more letters- the first addressed to
his parents and friends; the second one, to Filipinos; and the last Governor
General Eulogio Despujol.
• Instead of having the protection he desired, Rizal and his sister, Lucia fell
into the Spanish trap - a case was secretly filed against Rizal, and Despujol
ordered his secretary, Luis de la Torre, to verify whether the patriot had
neutralized himself as German citizen or not. And so, the siblings sailed
across the China Sea without prior knowledge of what awaits then in the
Philippines.

TOPIC 9- RIZAL’S GREAT LOVES

1) Second Love: Leonor Valenzuela (1878)
Leonor “Orang” Valenzuela, Rizal’s
second object of affection, is literally the
girl-next-door. They met when Rizal was a
sophomore medical student at the
University of Santo Tomas, during which
time he also lived at Doña Concha Leyva’s
boarding house in Intramuros, Manila.
Orang, who was then 14 years old, was his
neighbour. During the courtship, Rizal was
said to have sent Leonor private and secret
love letters, which he wrote using invisible
ink made with water and salt—he was
adept in chemistry, too. To read the letters,
Orang had to heat the letter over a candle
or a lamp. Rizal also frequented the
Valenzuelas’ home, which was a hang out
place of the students in the area. There are,
however, documents that may serve as proof that Rizal’s efforts were not
effective. Some accounts say he was courting Leonor Valenzuela and his
second cousin Leonor Rivera at the same time—thus the need for invisible
letters. (Still, we need to appreciate the effort that went with it.) Rivera
apparently knew of this and gave way to Rivera’s attraction for Rizal. When
Rizal left for Spain in 1882, it was said that he did say goodbye to Orang, but
kept in touch with the help of Rizal’s close friend, Jose “Chenggoy” Cecilio.

2) Third Love: Leonor Rivera, Age 15,

(1878-1890)
Jose Rizal was never the preferred
choice of Leonor Rivera’s mother, who
confiscated all the correspondences
between Leonor and Rizal till it frittered
down to zero. Rizal was 18 going on 21 and
was devoted to Leonor. But he was just
then opening his eyes to Europe’s Enlightenment, where the women were
pleasing and the men were gallant. Rizal really was in love with Leonor
Rivera. He even invented a coded alphabet so that they could write sweet
nothings to each other. But soon, Leonor faded in memory. Why? Because in
Europe, Rizal conveniently romanced other girls and forgot he was engaged
to her. Eventually the Leonor Rivera-Rizal engagement did not survive the
long-distance romance. In the end, it turned into an idealized one (reflected as
Maria Clara in Rizal’s novel, Noli me Tangere), a painful love match doomed
to fail from the very start. Yes, count this one as real love. As an engaged
couple, they showed real affection for each other while it lasted.

3) Fourth Love: Consuelo Ortiga Y Reyes, (1884)

In Madrid, Rizal courted Consuelo

Ortiga, age 18, the daughter of Señor Pablo
Ortiga y Rey, who was once mayor of
Manila and who owned the apartment where
the Circulo Hispano Filipino met regularly.
Rizal, age 23, was then acquiring and
developing his charming ways with women.
He treated them with special consideration
and with gallant courteousness. All the
young Filipino expatriates courted
Consuelo, and she in turn encouraged every
one including José Rizal, Eduardo Lete, the
Paterno brothers (Pedro, Antonino,
Maximiano), Julio Llorente, Evangelista,
Evaristo Esguerra, Fernando Canon and
others. Rizal gave Consuelo gifts: sinamay
cloth, embroidered piña handkerchiefs,
chinelas (slippers) -- all ordered through his
sisters in Calamba (see his letters). Consuelo accepted all the swains’ regalos
but played Eduardo Lete against Rizal. She finally rejected Rizal’s attention in
favor of Eduardo’s, a Filipino Spanish mestizo
from Leyte who, a year later, dumped her.
Two-timing Consuelo didn't really catch
Rizal's true fancy except that he impulsively
joined the crowd.

4) Fifth Love: O Sei-San, Age 22, The

Samurai’s Daughter (1888)
Rizal had fallen in love not only with
the view of Japan but more to its women,
particularly with the 23-year old Seiko Usui. Rizal affectionately called her O-
Sei-San. Rizal was attracted by her regal loveliness and charm. Rizal saw in
her the qualities of his ideal womanhood—beauty, charm, modesty and
intelligence. Rizal was almost tempted to settle in Japan with O-Sei-San.
Although, she was very dear to him, his love for his country and fellow
Filipinos was greater. Sacrificing his personal happiness, Rizal had to carry on
his libertarian mission in Europe, leaving behind the lovely O-Sei-San.
“O Sei San, sayonara, sayonara! …. No woman like you has ever loved
me. … Like the flower of the chodji that falls from the stem whole and fresh
without stripping leaves or withering... you have not lost your purity nor have
the delicate petals of your innocence faded--sayonara, sayonara.” Rizal.

5) Sixth Love: Gertrude Beckett, Age 19, (1886)

In May 1888 Rizal visited London
for a short time, boarding the house of the
Beckett family: Mr. & Mrs. Beckett, their
two sons, and their four daughters. The
eldest daughter was named Gertrude.She
was a buxom young lady with blue eyes
and brown hair. She fell in love with Rizal
and gave him all of her attention during
the family picnics and gatherings. When
Rizal stayed indoors during rainy days
painting and sculpting, she helped him mix
his colors and prepare his clay.
Rizal enjoyed her company.
Eventually their flirtatious friendship drifted
towards a blossoming romance. He
affectionately called her "Gettie," and in
return she called him "Pettie."Rizal
withdrew before his relationship with Gettie could become more serious,
realizing that he had a greater mission to fulfill and that in order to accomplish
it he could not yield to the option of marrying her. He suppressed the
yearnings of his heart and decided to leave so that the lady may forget him.
Before he did, however, he finished a number of sculptural works, one of
which was a carving of the heads of the Beckett sisters.

6) Seventh Love: Suzanne Jacoby (1890)

 On January 28, 1890, Rizal left for
Brussels, Belgium. He stayed for a
considerable time, paying for room and
board. His landladies had a pretty niece
named Petite Suzanne Jacoby. She was
taken by Rizal's charm and gallantry, and
provided him good company. Rizal could
have flirted with the lady, considering that his
beloved Leonor was far away and he was a
lonely man in a strange and foreign land, but
he realized he could not deceive her.
Suzanne fell in love with Rizal, and wept
when he left for Madrid in July 1890.
She wrote to him in French:
"Where are you now? Do you think of
me once in a while? I am reminded of our
tender conversations, reading your letter, although it is cold and indifferent.
Here in your letter I have something which makes up for your absence. How
pleased I would be to follow you, to travel with you who are always in my
thoughts.
You wish me all kinds of luck, but forget that in the absence of a
beloved one a tender heart cannot feel happy.
A thousand things serve to distract your mind, my friend; but in my
case, I am sad, lonely, always alone with my thoughts -- nothing, absolutely
nothing relieves my sorrow. Are you coming back? That's what I want and
desire most ardently -- you cannot refuse me.
I do not despair and I limit myself to murmuring against time which runs
so fast when it carries us toward a separation, but goes so slowly when it's
bringing us together again.
I feel very unhappy thinking that perhaps I might never see you again.
Goodbye! You know with one word you can make me very happy.
Aren't you going to write to me?"

7) Eight Love: Nellie Boustead (1891)

In 1891, Rizal took a vacation in
Biarritz in order to find reprieve from his
troubles in Madrid. He was a guest of the
Boustead family in their winter residence,
Villa Eliada. Mr. and Mrs. Boustead had
two beautiful daughters, Adelina and Nellie.
After having lamented his frustrated romance with Leonor Rivera on account
of the lady's engagement to another man, Rizal came to develop considerable
affection for Nellie, the prettier and younger daughter of Mr. Eduardo
Boustead. He found her to be intelligent, morally upright, and full of life.
Rizal wrote to his closest friends about his intention to marry her. Rizal's
friends were delighted to hear that he had found a suitable girl whom he at
last wished to settle down with. Even Antonio Luna, who had previously loved
Nellie, encouraged Rizal to court her and ask for her hand in marriage. With
all the encouragement from the friends he held dear, Rizal wooed Nellie (also
called Nelly) who, in turn, returned his affections.
Rizal's marriage proposal failed for two reasons: first, Nellie demanded
that he give up his Catholic faith and convert to Protestantism, which was her
religion. Rizal did not like this idea. Second, Nelly's mother did not approve
of Rizal, as she had no desire to entrust her daughter to a man who was
wanting in wealth and persecuted in his own country. In spite of the
circumstances, Rizal and Nellie parted as good friends.

5. Teaching and Learning Activities

The students will answer the following study guides for their Reflection Paper.
TOPIC 1- A STUDENT AT THE ATENEO (1872-1877)
A. How was Jose Rizal able to enrol at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila?
B. Describe the physical characteristics of Rizal at that time?
C. What was the system of education given by the Jesuits?
D. Was Rizal already a perfect student when it comes to his studies?
Explain your answer.

TOPIC 2- THE UNIVERSITY OF STO. TOMAS (1877- 1882)

A. Why did Rizal’s mother opposes his desire to study for a higher
education?
B. What prompted Rizal to study medicine? Did he take it seriously?
C. How did Rizal show his talent in literary works?
D. Why was Rizal unhappy at UST? Explain your answer.

TOPIC 3- IN SPAIN 1882-1885

A. What is the secret mission of Rizal in going to Spain? Is this mission
important? Justify your answer.
B. What organizations did Rizal join in Spain?
C. Identify the accomplishments of Rizal in Spain. How was he able to
accomplish it? Explain your answer?
D. Did Rizal excelled and finished his studies? Justify your answer?

TOPIC 4- CONTINUED STAY IN EUROPE 1885-1887

A. What are the places that he visited in Europe? What were his impressions
about these cities and what did he learned about their culture? What did he
accomplished in visiting these cities?
B. How does Rizal spend his free time in Europe? Are these other activities
important? Justify your answer.
C. Make a comparison of the customs of Filipino women and German
women during the time of Rizal. What have you learned? Explain your
answer.

TOPIC 5- FIRST RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES 1887-1888

A. What were the reasons of Rizal returning to the Philippines? Did he
accomplished his agenda? Explain your answer?
B. What are the controversies about his novel Noli Me Tangere? Did these
affect his stay in the Philippines? Justify your answer.
C. Why did he fail to see Leonor Rivera? Explain your answer.
TOPIC 6- TRAVELS IN ASIA ( HONG KONG, MACAU AND JAPAN) AND
THE U.S.
A. What are the places that he visited in Asia? What were his impressions
about these cities and what did he learned about their culture?
B. What did he accomplished in visiting these cities?

TOPIC 7- REFORMIST WORKS IN EUROPE (1889-1891)

A. What are two the greatest achievement of Rizal when he went back to
Europe? Explain its importance to the lives of the Filipino people.
B. What are the goals of La Solidaridad? What are the contributions of Rizal
to this organization?
C. What are the misfortunes of Rizal when he was in Madrid? How these did
affected him?
D. What is the importance of the Propaganda Movement? What are the
accomplishments of this movement? Was it successful? Explain your answer.
E. Explain the Rizal- Del Pilar rivalry. Do you agree with the decision of Rizal
not to accept the appointment as president and retire from the propaganda
movement? Explain your answer.
F. Was Rizal able to accomplish his secret mission in Europe? Justify your
answer.

TOPIC 8- BACK IN HONGKONG

A. Explain the reasons why Rizal leave Europe and went to Hong Kong?
B. What is the Borneo Colonization Project? What is the goal of this project?
C. Why did Rizal wanted to go back to the Philippines? Explain your answer.
TOPIC 9 -
A. Describe the personality of the women that Rizal had relations with?
B. Among the women that Rizal had relations with, who do you think
deserves his
love? Why?
C. Explain the reasons why Rizal’s relationship with these women were
not
successful?
6. Recommended learning materials and resources for supplementary
reading

a) RIZAL AT ATENEO - https://www.ateneo.edu/grade-

school/news/looking-back-rizal%E2%80%99s-ateneo

b) RIZAL AT UST -
http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/2016/06/rizal-at-university-of-
santo-tomas-1877.html

c) RIZAL’S TRAVEL -
http://www.joserizal.ph/tr01.html
https://travels-of-rizal.weebly.com/blog/life-and-travels-of-jose-rizal
https://thetravelingtitasofmanila.com/2017/11/17/chasing-rizal-in-madrid/
 d) RIZAL’S WORK-
http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/p/works.html
http://www.joserizal.ph/pm01.html
https://allpoetry.com/Jose-Rizal

e) RIZAL AS A MASON -
http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/p/rare-issues.html

f) RIZAL AND THE PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT-

1) http://msc.edu.ph/centennial/solidaridad.html
2) https://www.philippine-history.org/la-solidaridad.htm
3) https://www.oocities.org/mcc_joserizal/reform_lasolidaridad.html

g) RIZAL'SROMANCES-
http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/2012/02/rizals-
romances.html

7. Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM) adopted

A. Online (synchronous) - Video call via Messenger and Zoom meetings
Actual online classes thru live chats, meetings, consultation via the following:
Video call in messenger, Zoom meetings, Google Meet and other online
platforms.
B. Remote (asynchronous) - Independent study and work on: self-guided
modules, supplemental videos, readings, lesson plans, research, and check-
ins and exchanges using any of the following: Google Classroom, Messenger,
text and call.

8. Assessment Task- Answer the following tasks:

a. Quiz b. Written Document Analysis
To have a full understanding of this module, let us check your understanding
of this module by answering the following questions:
a.) Quiz
MULTIPLE CHOICE. Write the letter of your correct answer on the space
provided before the number.
_____ 1. The reasons for Rizal’s venturing to Hong Kong were the following:
I. To leave behind his rivalry with del Pilar.
II. To facilitate a Propaganda Movement in Hongkong
III. To be proximate to his family in the Philippines
a) I & II b) I,II III c) I & III d) I only
_____ 2. Despite the many oppositions from friends and relatives, he decided
to return to Manila on the following reasons:
I. To discuss with Governor General Despujol his Borneo colonization project.
II. To form the La Liga Filipina in the Philippines
III. To prove that Eduardo de Lete’s allegations on him and his family in
Calamba were wrong.
a) I & II b) I,II III c) I & III d) I only
_____ 3. Jose adopted the surname ________ at the Ateneo because their
family name had come under suspicion of the Spanish authorities.
a. Rizal b. Mercado c. Alonzo d. Protacio
_____ 4. Ateneo students‘ uniform is consisted of hemp-fabric trousers´ and
striped cotton coat. The coat was called ________ and was adopted as the
uniform for Filipino troops during the days of the First Philippine Republic.
a. Trousers b. Stripe coat c. Rayadillo d. Barong tagalog
_____ 5. What do you call a group of students as part of the Jesuits system of
education wherein it consist of the internos (boarders) with red banners.
a. Jesuits Empire b. Augustinian Empire c. Carthaginian Empire d.
Roman Empire
_____6. What was the first written poem of Rizal, which was dedicated to his
mother on her birthday.
a. Mi Primera Inspiracion c. They Asked Me for Verses
b. To the Filipino Youth d. A La Juventud Filipina
_____ 7. What is the mission of Jose Rizal why he decided to pursue his
studies in Spain?
I. To observe keenly the life and culture, languages and customs, industries
and commerce, and governments and laws of the European nations.
II. In order to prepare himself in the mighty task of liberating his oppressed
people from Spanish tyranny.
III. To be accepted by the Spaniards and free from oppression.
a. I & III b. II only c. I & II d. II & III
_____ 8. Who is the first editor and publisher of La Solidaridad?
a. Graciano Lopez Jaena c. Marcelo H. Del Pilar
b. Jose Maria Panganiban d. Dominador Gomez
_____ 9. Which of the following choices is the cultural organization formed in
1872 by Filipino expatriates in Europe?
a. KKK c. Circulo Hispano
b. Propaganda movement d. La Solidaridad
_____10. Which of the following choices is an organization created in Spain
which aims to increase Spanish awareness of the needs of its colony and
propagate a closer relationship between the colony and Spain?
a. KKK c. Circulo Hispano
b. Propaganda movement d. La Solidaridad
b.) Written Document Analysys
Direction: Read the following supplementary readings. Answer the written
document analysis worksheet.
a) Class Activity 1: Read Jose Rizal’s Brindis Speech
file:///C:/Users/home/Documents/GEC%209%20-%20PREPARATION
%20FOR%20SYLLABUS%20etc/MODULE%20FOR%20CHAPTER
%204/Jose%20Rizal's%20BRINDIS%20SPEECH.pdf

b) Class Activity 2 : Read first the issue of La Solidaridad

http://www.bne.es/es/Micrositios/Exposiciones/Rizal/resources/documentos/ri
zal_estudio_07.pdf

c) Written Document Analysis Worksheet

https://www.archives.gov/files/education/lessons/worksheets/written_docume
nt_analysis_worksheet_former.pdf

9. References
Books

Ocampo, A. R. (2000). Rizal: Without the Overcoat. Pasig City: Anvil

Publishing, Inc.
Purino, A. P. (2008). Rizal, Thre Greatest Filipino Hero. Manila: Rex Book
Store.
Viana, A. e. (2011). jose Rizal Social Reformer and Patriot. Manila: Rex Book
Store.
Zaide, G. a. (2008). Jose Rizal: Life Works and Writings of a Genius, Writer,
Scientist and National Hero. Quezon City: All Nations Publishing Co. Inc.
Electronic Sources:
http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/p/rare-issues.html
http://msc.edu.ph/centennial/solidaridad.html
https://www.philippine-history.org/la-solidaridad.htm
https://www.oocities.org/mcc_joserizal/reform_lasolidaridad.html
http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/2012/02/rizals-romances.html
http://www.joserizal.ph: http://www.joserizal.ph/in01.html