Lesson No.

4 • First monument built by the Filipinos in

his honor in Daet, Camarines Norte. It
Rizal as Viewed by the Common People: Popular
was designed by Lt. Col. Antonio Sanz
Nationalism
with the help of Ildefonso Alegre in
Learning Objectives compliance with the directives from
Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo. It is the oldest
1. Discuss the various ways the people see Rizal
surviving Rizal Monument in the
2. Compare the official views and the popular country, construction of which started
perception of Rizal on December 30, 1898 using the funds
contributed by the people of Daet. Now,
Rizal as Viewed by the Common People it is a national monument and a
• One of his first biographers, Austin Craig, historical landmark.

called him ‘Philippine Patriot’. • The Philippine Commission chose him as

a national hero and built the monument
that houses his remains at Luneta Park
known today as Rizal Park. Some would
say that he is an American-made hero
but Filipinos did such act.

• He had the most memorabilia among

the Filipino heroes currently on display
in several museums and national shrines
in the country.
AUSTIN CRAIG (1872 – 1949)

He is the First Filipino; he was the first to

Rizal represented peaceful an evolutionary
reawaken the Filipinos about their past and their
change unlike Bonifacio who represented
identity as a nation. - Leon Maria Guerrero
revolution and radical change.
To many Filipinos....
In 1996, there was a move from the National
RIZAL was GREAT EXEMPLAR because admirable Historical Institute (now National Historical
stories and qualities about his life can be Commission of the Philippines) to contextualize
emulated by anyone who wishes to live a Rizal in the perspective of Philippine history.
productive and meaningful life. “There is no Bonifacio without Rizal and no
Aguinaldo without Bonifacio”.
• He died a MARTYR on December 30,
1896 at Bagumbayan (now Rizal Park). The Great Visionary – Dr. Jose Rizal
• First to be honored with a Presidential Man of Action – Andres Bonifacio
Decree by Pres. Emilio F. Aguinaldo – his
death anniversary should be a national The Great General – Emilio Aguinaldo
day of mourning.
There can be no Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose
Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora; even Rizal admitted
that in his writings.
Rizal as Viewed by His Critics Rizal Remained in the Minds of the Filipinos
Rizal as “The Last Spaniard”. He never • Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan
betrayed Spain nor he a traitor to Spain. (The youth are the hope of the
Throughout his lifetime, he advocated for motherland).
partnership with Spain, not independence, • Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika
although it is inevitable. He often refer Spain ay masahol pa sa hayop at malansang
as Madre España. Before his execution, he isda (One who does not love his
requested the officer of the firing squad that native tongue is worse than an
he should not be shot at the back because he animal or smelly, dead fish).
has not betrayed Spain. – Nick Joaquin
Rizal was Admired Abroad
During the Battle of Surabaya,
The friars see him as an ingrate because he Indonesian freedom fighters keep a copy
and his family were beneficiaries of their of Rizal’s Mi Ultimo Adios to inspire them
good graces yet he turned against them. He to sacrifice their lives for the country.
is also seen as a rabble-rouser and trouble
Rizal was Admired Abroad
instigator especially during the crisis in
Calamba Estate in 1887. - The Friars Malays including the Malayans consider
Rizal as the Great Malayan for inspiring
them to fight against the Dutch and
Modern writers see him as a tourist, an British colonizers.
illustrado behaving like a Spaniard, and a
In 1995 visit in Manila, a Malaysian
womanizer having multiple girlfriends in
Deputy Prime Minister called him
many parts of the world (save for Leonor
Renaissance Man for having reawakened
Rivera whom he left and Josephine Bracken
the Malay about their true past and their
whom he married before his death).
future destiny.
Many Malaysian and Indonesian parents
Rizal is an American-made hero and must be named their children after Rizal.
made obsolete – Renato Constantino (Writer)
The Fruits of National Struggle
The Nationalist Struggle – Goal for
Many historians as well as students of Philippine
Mainstream and Filipinos with
history pitted Rizal with other heroes and Andres
Education
Bonifacio should have been the national hero.

A 1997 film called him Bayaning Third World due

Mainstream and Filipinos with Education
to difficulty of defining him. • Representation in the Spanish
A Spanish writer call him a Filipino Hamlet Cortes
because of his contradictory views, shifting • Acquisition of the freedom of
between reforms and revolution. speech, press, and assembly
 • Removal of the friars from the The Nationalist Struggle – Sidelines and
political and economic influence Undersides
of the country
• Assimilation into Spain as a
Spanish Province
The Nationalist Struggle – Goal for the
Revolutionists
Revolutionists and Enlightened Filipinos

• An independent Philippines whose

government they can determine. Filipinos in the hinterlands rarely interacted
• Establishment of a monarchy in the with the mainstream Filipinos. Most of them
Philippines to Aguinaldo and are peace-loving people, some are from the
Bonifacio lowland pueblos who were tired by abuses,
• A republican type of democracy over who desires to be left alone.
monarchy as an ideal
Since many of these hinterland folks learned
• type of government among Filipinos
about the concept of salvation, they tend to
enlightened with ideals for sovereign
imitate Christ’s passion and suffering. From
people’s will to prevail.
ancient gods replaced by a Father God,
• A republic guided by a constitution
Bathala, Christ was the son and they readily
approved by the representatives of
accepted Christianity. The belief in Bathala
the people.
and admiration to Rizal fused and
intertwined together.

The Nationalist Struggle – Mainstream Some of these hinterland folks became

Filipinos remontados and started to substitute or add
a personality to the approximating labors of
Christ – one of such personality was Rizal.
The Rizalistas, particularly the Iglesia
Watawat ng Lahi, was the first and original
Rizalist group based in Lecheria Hill, Calamba
City. It was founded by Arsenio de Guzman,
originally from Masbate on December 25,
1936 with Fr. Luis Fabrigar and Jose
Baricanosa as the first Supreme Bishop and
president.
The cult believes that suffering is part of life
but they should remain faithful and virtuous
and eventually they can be rewarded with RIZAL SEEN FROM THE SIDELINES AND
salvation. BELOW
• The cult believes that suffering is part of • Rizal is more than a man.
life but they should remain faithful and
• He is a saint or a manifestation of God
virtuous and eventually they can be
himself.
rewarded with salvation.
• Rizalistas believe that he is a Tagalog Christ
• Like in the Revelation in the Bible, there
(Kristong Tagalog) because he advocated
will be a final battle between evil and good
change in the society, persecuted, and
where good will eventually triumphed.
unjustly tried for attempting to overthrow a
• For them, salvation will come through a colonial rule like Christ allegedly trying to
messiah-like personality. insinuate rebellion against Rome.
• There will be great transformation, the old • Rizalistas believe that Rizal will return
earth and old heaven will disappear, to be someday to liberate or redeem the
replaced by a new one. Philippines from its oppressors.
• For them, the Philippines is the new • Under his guidance, there will be an
Jerusalem descending from heaven as utopian society where everyone will live
described in the Book of Revelation. happily.
• The believers believe that the final battle • Another millenarian group, the Santa
draws to the end of the millennium or the Iglesia in Pampanga believes that Rizal is a
century – the millenarians. supernatural being. Founded by Felipe
Salvador (Apo Ipe), the group revolted
• Many millenarians – including the Dios-
against the Americans. Apo Ipe was captured
Dios and Pulajan groups in Visayas, Santa
and later executed at the Bilibid
Iglesia in Pampanga; Anting-Anting groups in
Tayabas, Batangas, and Laguna – were Another millenarian group, the Santa Iglesia
drawn to these beliefs. in Pampanga believes that Rizal is a
supernatural being. Founded by Felipe
Salvador (Apo Ipe), the group revolted
• Millenarian leaders stylized themselves in against the Americans. Apo Ipe was captured
the manner as ‘Pope” with supernatural and later executed at the Bilibid Prison in
power and ability to community with the 1907; his followers did not believe that he
spirit world. These popes preach obedience died because they professed seeing him
and observance of proper rituals and talking with Rizal.
warning that insincerity will contaminate the
There are other groups honoring Rizal as a
cause.
supernatural being like the Sambahang Rizal,
the Bathalismo, Adarnistas, Sagrada Familia,
and Watawat ng Lahi.
• Adarnista or Iglesiang Pilipina was founded Its headquarter is at Mt. Banahaw in
by Candida Balantac, a 93-year old widow Dolores, Quezon; also in Mt. Arayat,
called as Inang Adarna by her followers. The Pampanga, and Mt. San Diego as holy
Adarnistas believe that Rizal is the god of the mountains.
Filipino people, a true god and a true man,
RIZAL SEEN FROM THE SIDELINES AND
and that he was not executed as popularly
BELOW
claimed by historians.
In 1918, Sambahang Rizal was founded by
• To them, man has a soul and is capable of
Basilio Aromin in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija. His
good deeds; heaven and hell exists and it is
followers are taught to honor Rizal because
within us.
he was appointed by Bathala to redeem the
• God to them have four personalities – the Filipino race. Like Christ, Rizal offered his life
Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and the to save humankind.
Mother (the Virgin Mary).
In Candelaria, Quezon, Sagrada Familia Sect
• The dwelling place of Jehovah (God) is in a believes that Rizal is the Second Christ and
cave in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija where the that his everywhere is Christ. He will succeed
cult is located. Christ in the Second Coming. Most of its
beliefs are borrowed from the Catholic
Bathalismo, founded by Venancio Wagan,
Church.
believed that Rizal was not executed by firing
squad at Bagumbayan but managed to fled The Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi believes that
the Philippines to China as a Chinese. Man when World War III breaks, Rizal will lead the
has three spirits – caluluwa (intelligent soul), army of god.
diwa (sensitive soul), and laygo (vegetable
The sect believes that its founder, Arsenio de
soul). Good people reaps the virtue of
Guzman, is Rizal himself, and a mysterious
happiness in kalualhatian (heaven); evils are
voice called the founding members to form
condemned in casanaan (hell).
the association.
According to Bathalismo, Rizal was the
To them, Jesus Christ was embodied in Rizal,
incarnation of Christ and he came to this
and Rizal is at once a god and man. He did
world to reach reason.
not die in Bagumbayan; he was alive and is
Rizal is venerated in the altar and the table is physically and mentally present in the New
often draped with the Philippine flag. Jerusalem which is found in a site between
Mt. Makiling and Mt. Banahaw – two holy
The Philippines is only for the Filipinos; no
and sacred mountains to the sect.
rich or poor, all are equal.
Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Philippine
Mountains are dwelling place of good and
Independent Church) considers Rizal as one
benevolent spirits.
of its saints. Isabelo delos Reyes, its founder,
Philippines will become a kingdom and kings advocated Rizal’s canonization along with
(monarchs) will come from there.
the three martyred priests – GOMBURZA on Most of the adherents to these religious
September 24, 1903. cults are ordinary people and simple folks
without formal training in religious
According to Isabelo delos Reyes, Rizal’s
instructions and relied upon their prior
canonization is an expression of intensely
knowledge to devise ways of worship from
nationalistic phase of the development of
Christian rituals and doctrines.
the church. But it is a thing of the past and
for now – he is no longer considered as a In Mindanao, the Colorums of Surigao who
saint. fought the Americans in 1923-1924 believed
that Rizal will come in a big ship and carry the
• Jose Rizal is not the only Kristong Tagalog.
faithful to Cebu where they would celebrate
It is also attributed to Apolinario dela Cruz or
victory in the presence of the Holy Child
Hermano Pule from Tayabas (Quezon), the
Jesus.
founder of Cofradia de San Jose and the
leader of the Tagalogs’ quest for peace and Rizalists still exists until today and they can
equality with the Spaniards in 1841. His be seen taking care Rizal Shrine in Dapitan,
cofradia competed with the mainstream Zamboanga del Norte and pay homage to
Catholicism that irked the friars. Like Rizal, the national hero in Luneta during Rizal Day
he was also unjustly tried and executed; his celebrations.
body was quartered and hang in four places
REFERENCES
in Tayabas to serve as example to the
natives. De Viana, Agusto (2019). Laon- Laan, A guide
for study and understanding of the life and
The common denominator of the above
contributions of Jose Rizal to Philippine
discussed religious sects are the following:
nationhood and society. Books Atbp.
- Borrowed elements from the Catholic Publishing Corp., pp. 33 – 44.
Church
- Borrowed elements from the ancient belief
system and native religion with terms such
as Bathala and langit
- Central element is the concept of man-god
and man’s redemption who will come at the
end of time.
- Rizal would be a messiah and he will lead
mankind in his new heavenly above after
men enduring all sufferings and complying
with the demands of religion.
- Presence of patriotism or love of country as
guiding principle.
Lesson 3 Elements of Nationalism
Rizal and Nationalism: Creating an 1. A common geographical space, one that is
Imagined Community defined and occupied by that group of
people;
Prepared by: SAS Faculty Baby Grace R. Abad
J.D. 2. A common but unique culture which was
developed about by a prolonged period of
Learning Objectives
interaction;
1. Define Nationalism.
3. A common experience, which created a
2. Explain How Nationalism develop in bond within that people;
countries.
4. A common cause or aspiration that
3. Discuss what compromise a Nation. transcends personal and individual goals.

4. Explain how Rizal’s works contributed to Nation, An imagined Community

the formation of Filipino nationhood.
• According to Benedict Anderson; A nation
The definition of Nationalism and elements is an imagined community because it
that contribute to Nationalism created delineations and artificial
boundaries. Boundaries are those created by
• Definition of Nationalism
human action.
Is a statement in which a person manifests
• Nationalities are created because of
his pride in being part of a nation. A person
different cultural and social developments.
who exhibits nationalism shows his loyalty to
the nation for which he is willing to serve its • According to Anderson; People constitute
interest. a Nation and part as an imagined
community, and they have become separate
• Definition of Nation
communities it because of elements that
Refers to the people identified as create nationalism.
occupying a certain place of territory.
• Cultures also transcend boundaries.
These people developed an attachment to
• The effect of nationalism is very strong
the territory or the land that sustained them.
because of cultural and historical forces that
That land provided their livelihood and they people of a country are willing to defend and
have lived on that land for generations. die for the land to which they have sworn
allegiance.
Models for Nationalism • The 800 years of Islamic domination
contributed Islamic elements on the Spanish
The French, English, Russian and Spanish
influencing the language, architecture and
Models
other aspects of culture even the cuisine.
• The formation of the nations of Spain,
• The language was based on the one spoken
France and England took place in Middle
in that kingdom. To have a Spanish
Ages.
characteristics a Spaniard is expected to
• The three (3) countries were former part of speak Spanish, be a catholic and exhibit
old Roman Empire. some though subdued islamic influence.

• The mixtures in each country created a The American Model

character that is unique.
• During 17th century, various English
• There is a quality of being French among settlers came to North America. Primarily
the people of France and Englishness. the English came to colonize the newly
found continent and to expand the empire.
• The peoples of both countries (French and
English) rallied themselves around a • As the colonist settled down, they created
monarch to whom they pledged their their own cultures that was different and
loyalty. unique to their original English roots. Even
the language spoken by the colonists in
• The unique ethnicity created a cultural
America was different from the one spoken
equality for each people. This included the
in England.
evolution and development of language and
their way of life. • Though considering themselves as loyal
Englishmen the colonists developed an
• Ethnicity was a key to nationalism in both
attachment to the land that they have called
countries (French and English), including
their own, built their homes, and raised their
religion.
families.
• The English adopted Christianity.
• They had to rely on their own resources in
• The French and English models in the protecting themselves against their
formation of nationalism also apply to enemies. In spite of the distance, the
Russia, which developed an ethnicity quality colonists considered themselves as
of being Russian. They also develop common Englishmen and England as their mother
language like the Russ. By religion Russians country.
were followers of Greek Orthodox
• Later on, colonist realized that they
Christianity.
were no longer colonists or
• In case of Spain Models; the country was Englishmen but as Americans. They
inhabited by various Visigothic tribes until began to entertain ideas of
the Muslim invasions in the 8th century. becoming an independent nation of
their own that would become the
new country of the United States of
America. would lead to revolutions in South
• The American colonists united behind America eventually filtered into
a pro-independence movement South America. Despite new ideas
led by George Washington. entering South American society,
• A Continental Congress was formed the colonists especially from Criollo
and a declaration of class remained loyal to Spain.
Independence proclaiming the
aspirations of the American people to • In the late 18th century and the 19th
be free and independent was signed by century, ideas of the
representatives from the Enlightenment movement began to
colonies on July 4, 1776. filter into colonies. Learned
individuals from the criollo class began
The Latin America Models to question the authority of
the church and crown over their
political, economic and cultural life.
• Modern nationalism in Latin America
• The ideas of the French Revolution of
was started by descendants of freedom, equality and fraternity
Spanish immigrants to South America. would lead to revolutions in South
America eventually filtered into
• To keep the people obedient to South America. Despite new ideas
authority, the Spanish implemented a entering South American society,
the colonists especially from Criollo
union of Church and Crown
class remained loyal to Spain.
governance.

• In the Americas, criollos in Mexico who did

• Archbishop in the colony was the not wish to follow the Cortes
supreme authority in the Church declared their independence from Spain.
and wielded political influence. The war for independence lasted
until 1825.
• The case of Haiti was a very good example
• The Governor General was the of how nationalism brought
supreme secular authority and he about change. Haiti was colonized by the
French and their desire to have
represented the Spanish monarch.
cheap source of Sugar the French imported
• In the late 18th century and the 19th slaves from Africa. Years of
oppression and filtering in of ideas from the
century, ideas of the
French Revolution
Enlightenment movement began to emboldened the Hatians to revolt against
filter into colonies. Learned their French masters.
individuals from the criollo class began • In 1803 after suffering from a combination
to question the authority of of combat with rebels and
the church and crown over their bouts of yellow fever, the French withdrew
political, economic and cultural life. and Haiti became an
independent country.
• The ideas of the French Revolution of
freedom, equality and fraternity
The Italian Model community and to an extension it may
mean a country.
• Italy was the seat of the Roman Empire and • Bayanihan or Nationalism connotes a
the birthplace of the sense of community.
Renaissance.
Example: Damayan
• In 1800 it was divided into Papal States and
the states of Sicily and • Filipinos were always looking for
Sardinia and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. better and less oppressive conditions
Parts of it were under and in moving the house to new
foreign domination such as Venice being location, it was expected that the
occupied by Austria. house owner and family will live a
• Italian nationalist led by Giuseppe better, more comfortable and
Garibaldi, Giuseppe Mazzini and
contented lives. The state of
Camillo de Cavour drove out the Austrians
and pushed the Pope to contentment is called Kaginhawaan.
what is now Vatican City.
• The Italians set aside their regional ➢With this change, the following steps
differences and were united in the were taken by the Japanese
forming of a new nation. Emperor;
1.The government hired European
Nationalism as a Way of Change experts as consultations to modernize
Japanese industry.
• Nationalism it can be a caused or a
response to a need for change. 2.Japanese Scholars were sent to
• Nationalism changed regimes and toppled different western countries to study
dictatorship. western forms of government, military
• The Philippines in 1986 and the fall science and western education
communism from the old Iron system.
curtain in Europe in 1989 to the demise of the 3.Foreign educators were hired to
Soviet Union in 1991
teach Japanese students western
are the very good examples.
• For colonized people their awakening about technology, arts and sciences.
their oppressed state led 4.Industrial policies were adopted from
to nationalism. This nationalism led to western countries.
revolutionary movements, ➢There was then the restoration of the
which eventually overthrew foreign Meiji in Japanese political and
colonizers.
social life, and the acceptance of
western influences.
▪In 1880 –while Rizal was actively
Nationalism in the involved in the propaganda
Philippine movement, Japan proclaimed its
constitution with a Bicameral
Context Legislature.
• In the Philippines, nationalism is ▪It also declared the Emperor as the
associated with the word bayanihan. Supreme Commander of the
The etymological root term is the Japanese military force and held the
Bayan. Bayan in common usage sole authority to declare war and
means Bayan it also means a peace against other nations.
 power in all of Vietnam.
South East Asia 3.The French divided Vietnam into
▪South East Asia, during the time of three parts, namely: Tongking(North
Rizal, was in the same situation Vietnam), Anam(Central Vietnam) and
with China and India. They were Cochin China (South Vietnam).
constantly threatened and controlled
by imperialism of Europe particularly in Thailand
France and England. ➢Thailand is known as the “Land of the
Burma (Myanmar) Free”.
▪In Burma, the British colonizers ➢In 1851 –it was there when Rama IV
exerted their power by using superior (Mongkut), a Buddhist Monk,
weaponry in occupying portions of the ascended to the throne.
old Empire. ▪He encouraged the entrance of
▪They conquered Rangoon by 1886, western influences, signed treaties of
while Rizal was in Europe, the friendship and traded with western
British colonizers extinguished the powers to avoid conflict.
dynasty that was established by ➢The following moves of the king and
Alaungpayain 1753. his successor proved crucial for
the survival of the Kingdom;
French Indo- China 1.The king hired a British teacher to
▪In 1858-1863; France with the help of teach western education to his
Filipino troops under Spanish children and allowed British, French
officers conquered Vietnam, Cambodia and Germans to establish business
and Laos and named it, French in the country without harm and danger.
Indo China. 2.Rama IV in 1868, seven years after
▪Burma was struggling against the the birth of Rizal, employed
British in 1857, the execution of the foreign consultants and sent Thai
Spanish Dominican Bishop in students to western countries.
Tongkingpaved the way for an excuse
of Indonesia
the French to attack and occupy ➢The Dutch in 17th century colonized
Southern Vietnam. Indonesia which they then
▪In 1858, French troops aided by more integrated to the Netherlands East
than a thousand Filipino soldiers, Indies.
sent by the Spanish Government from
the Philippines attacked and
occupied Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos
that led to the following events;
1.In 1867 –six years after the birth of
Rizal, Saigon and the rest of South
Vietnam was occupied by the French.
2.In 1883, while Rizal was in Europe,
the entire Northern Vietnam was
captured and the king was forced to
sign a treaty that deprived him of
 particularly from the 19th to the early 20th
PRELIMS: LIFE, WORKS,
AND WRITINGS OF centuries brought relevance and impact to the
RIZAL MANUSCRIPT character of the person known in history as the
“First Malayan Hero”. How was Rizal declared
LESSON 1: RIZAL’S LIFE, WORKS
AND WRITING as a National Hero

WHO IS JOSE RIZAL? • Rizal declared as Philippine National Hero

• Rizal is a unique example of a many- under the Philippine Revolutionary

splendored genius who became the greatest Government headed by Emilio Aguinaldo in

Hero of a nation. Malolos, Bulacan was the first to celebrate the

• Endowed by God with versatile gifts, he truly death anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal on

ranked with the world’s geniuses. December 30, 1898.

• Rizal was a physician (ophthalmic surgeon). • December 30, 1898 this is the day was

• Rizal was a poet, dramatist, essayist, marked as the day for national mourning and

novelist, historian, architect, painter, solemn observance of the death anniversary of

sculptor, educator, linguist, musician, the Filipino National Hero.

naturalist, ethnologist, surveyor, engineer,

farmer businessman, economist, WHO SELECTED RIZAL?

geographer, cartographer, bibliophile, • Americans and Filipinos.

philologist, grammarian, folklorist, • Filipino Account. - An officer of the

philosopher, translator, inventor, magician, revolutionary government named Antonio

humourist, satirist, polemicist, sportsman, Guevarra, who was sent to Lucban, Quezon in

traveller, and a prophet. 1898, to accomplish a mission for the

government wrote the following observations.

• Above and beyond all these, he was a hero “The town was in mourning with a flag at half

and political martyr who consecrated his life mast at each house. I learned it was in

for the redemption of his oppressed people. commemoration of the anniversary of the

• No wonder, he is now acclaimed as the tragic killing of the eminent Doctor Jose Rizal

national hero of the Philippines. at the hands of the Spaniards in the execution

• Rizal was also a product of his time. Changes ground of Bagumbayan (now Luneta)..

and historical events all over the world, • American Account. - Mrs. Dauncey Compbell,
she was an American Author who visited the Rizal possesses all the criteria and then he
Philippines in December 31, 1904, she noted become our National Hero.
that her observations while she was in Iloilo;
she stated how the people in this place WHY RIZAL BECAME THE GREATEST
celebrated the death anniversary of Rizal. “I NATIONAL HERO?
think you may be amused to hear about a • Rizal became the greatest Filipino because he
Filipino Fiesta, which took place yesterday is a man of honored.
called Rizal Day- the anniversary of the death • Even after death he received public worship
of the national hero, a Filipino by the name of because of his exceptional service to mankind.
Doctor Jose Rizal”. Who choose Rizal to • We can say that before his execution, Rizal
become a National Hero was already acclaimed by both Filipinos and
• He was chosen by the Taft Commission. The Foreigners as the foremost leader of his
Taft Commission was given the responsibility people.
to do the Job. • Among the foreigners who recognized Rizal
• This Commission was headed by William as the leading Filipino of his time were
Howard Taft. Ferdinand Blumentrit, Dr, Reinhold Rost and
Vicente Barantes.
MEMBERS: • Prof. Blumentrit told Dr. Viola in May 1887

✓Americans: W. Morgan Shuster, Bernard that Rizal was the greatest product of the

Moses, dean Warcester and Henry Clay. Philippines and that his coming to the world
was like the appearance of a Rare Comet, who
✓Filipinos: Jose Luzuriaga, Gregorio Araneta
Rare Brilliance appears only other century.
and Trinidad Pardo de Tavera

THE BIRTH OF OUR NATIONAL HERO

Criteria: Of a National Hero
• Dr. Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861 in
• He must be a Filipino.
Calamba Laguna.
• He is already Dead.
• He was baptized in the catholic church in
• He has Immeasurable Love for the country.
Calamba Laguna on June 22, 1861, by the
• He has Low Temper (since the Filipinos are
parish priest Father Rufino Collantes.
emotional).
• Rizal God Father – was father Pedro Casanas,
• He died in Dramatic Manner.
a close friend of Rizal’s Family. 1898 at the aged of 79.
• His name “Jose” was chosen by his mother • Doña Teodora (Teodora Alonso Realonda)
who was a devotee of the Christian saint “San (1827-1911)– She was the mother of Rizal. o
Jose” or Saint Joseph. She was born on November 9, 1827 and was
• The Baptismal Certificate was signed and educated at the College of Santa Rosa, a well-
witness by Leoncio Lopez The Governor- known College for girls in the City.
General of the Philippines at that time Jose ✓She knows Literature and speaks Spanish
Rizal was born well and a Mathematician.
• Lieutenant- General Jose Lemery – He was
✓She died on August 16, 1911, at the aged of
the Governor- General of the Philippines at the
84. Children's
time Jose Rizal was born;
• God Blessed the marriage of Francisco
✓He was also the former Senator of Spain Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonso Realonda
(member of the upper chamber of the Spanish with Eleven (11) Children.
Cortes). • Two (2) Boys.
✓He governed the Philippines from February • Nine (9) Girls.
2, 1861- July 7, 1862.
These Children are as follows:
FAMILY BACKGROUND OF JOSE RIZAL 1. Saturnina Rizal – (1850- 1913); o Saturnina

❖ Jose Rizal Parents Rizal Hidalgo

• Jose Rizal was the 7th of the 11th children of ✓Oldest of the Rizal Children, nickname
Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonso Neneng.
Realonda. ✓She married to Manuel T. Hidalgo of
Tanawan, Batangas.
• Francisco Mercado Rizal (1818-1898) – He
was the father of Rizal. 2. Paciano Rizal – (1851- 1930);
✓He was born on May 11, 1818 in Biñan, ✓Older brother and confidant of Jose Rizal.
Laguna. His Father studied Latin and
✓After Jose Rizal execution, Paciano joined
Philosophy at the College of San Jose Manila.
the Philippine Revolution and became a
✓Jose Rizal father died in Manila on January 5, combat general, after the Revolution.
✓Then afterward, Paciano retired to his farm ✓ Maria Rizal Cruz
in Los Baños Laguna, where Paciano lived as a ✓ Biang was her nickname.
gentleman farmer. o Paciano died on April 13,
✓ She married to Daniel Faustino Cruz of
1930 at the aged of 79.
Biñan Laguna.
✓Paciano had two (2) children a boy and a girl,
with his mistress (Severina Decena). 7. Jose Rizal – (1861- 1896)

✓ The greatest Filipino Hero and peerless

3. Narcisa Rizal – (1852- 1939)
genius. o His nickname was “Pepe”.
✓Narcisa Rizal Lopez
✓ During his exile in Dapitan he lived with
✓Her nickname was Sisa and she married to Josephine Bracken, an Irish girl from Hong
Antonio Lopez (Nephew of Father Leoncio Kong. Rizal had a son by her, but his baby-boy
Lopez), a school teacher of Morong. died a few hours after his birth.

✓ But still Rizal named him “Francisco” after

4. Olimpia Rizal – (1855- 1887)
his father’s name and buried him in Dapitan.
✓Olimpia Rizal Ubaldo
✓Her nickname was Ypia. o she married 8. Conception Rizal (1862- 1865)
Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator from ✓ Her nickname was Concha o She died at the
Manila. aged of 3.

✓ Her death was Jose Rizal first sorrow in life

5. Lucia Rizal– (1857- 1919);

✓ Lucia Rizal Herbosa 9. Josefa Rizal (1865- 1945);

✓ She married to Mariano Herbosa of ✓ Her nickname was Panggoy.
Calamba, who was a Nephew of Father
✓She died at the aged of 80.
Casanas.

✓ Herbosa died of Cholera in 1889 and was 10. Trinidad Rizal (1868- 1951)
denied Christian burial and because he was a
✓Her nickname was Trining
brother- in- law of Dr. Jose Rizal.
✓She died at the aged 83.

6. Maria Rizal – (1859- 1945)

11. Soledad Rizal (1870-1929) was a family friend. Rizal House

✓Soledad Rizal Quintero • The house of the Rizal family was one of the
distinguished stone houses in Calamba during
✓The youngest.
Spanish times.
✓Her nickname was Choleng.
✓She married to Pantaleon Quintero of
• It was a two-storey building, rectangular in
Calamba
shape, built of adobe stones and hard-woods,
and roofed with red tiles.
• Rizal always called all her sisters as “Doña or
• Behind the house were the poultry yard full
Señora” if married and “Señorita” if Single or
of turkey’s and chickens and a big garden of
not yet married”.
tropical fruit trees- like, atis, balimbing, chico,
✓Example: Doña Ypia macopa, papaya, santol, tampoy, etc. A Good
✓Señora Saturnina and Middle- Class Family
• The Rizal family belonged to the
• Rizal wrote a letter to Blumentritt, on June “Principalia”, a town aristocracy in Spanish
23, 1888 while Rizal is in London. Rizal said Philippines. It was one of the distinguished
that “His Brother Paciano was the most Noble families in Calamba.
Filipinos and though an “Indio”. • They owned “carriage” which was a status

✓Rizal describe “Indio” as more generous and symbol of the “ilustrados” in Spanish

nobleman. The Surname of Rizal Philippines and a private library (the largest
library in Calamba) which consists of more

• The real surname of the Rizal family was than 1,000 volumes. Home Life of Rizal’s

Mercado which was used in the year 1731 by Family

Domingo Lamco (the paternal great- • The Rizal family had a simple, contented, and

greatgrandfather of Dr. Jose Rizal), who was a happy life.

full-blooded Chinese. • Don Francisco and Doña Teodora loved their

children very much, but they never spoiled

• Rizal’s family acquired a second surname them.

“Rizal” which was given by a Spanish Alcalde • They were strict parents and they trained

Mayor (Provincial Governor) of Laguna, who their children to love God, to behave well, to
be obedient, and to respect people, especially • Fishing
the old folks. • In the easy of the town is Laguna de Bay,
• Whenever their children, including Jose Rizal, with pristine waters and abode of fish of all
got mischief, they were given a sound sorts that captivated Jose Rizal as he cited
spanking. these in his reminiscences.
• The family believed in the maxim that “ • Undoubtedly, the atmosphere of a quite
Spare the rod and spoil the Child”. Rizal’s provincial town contributed significantly in his
Childhood Years “The Town of Calamba” intellectual formation.
• As a young boy, Rizal had a pleasant
memories of Calamba, the relief- giving WHY STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO
breeze, the trees bearing fruit, flowers and STUDY THE LIFE OF RIZAL AND HIS
birds of all sorts of nature allowed Rizal to WORKS
enjoy, just like other little boys he played with ✓The Rizal was created as an Act of Congress
in Calamba, Laguna. of the Republic of the Philippines through R.A.
• The Town’s name was derived from the local No. 1425 on June 12, 1956.
names of a big native jar called Calambanga.
✓It was approved at the time of President
• The place was known in those days for the
Ramon Magsaysay.
beauty of its nature, and its people who were
✓The title of the said law, “An Act to include in
hospitable, industrious, hardworking and
the curricula of all public and private schools,
delightful folks.
colleges and universities courses on the life,
• The town of Calamba was almost entirely
works, writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his
owned by the Dominican friars and majority of
novels, the Noli Me Tangere and El
the native folks were its tenants, just like Jose
Filibusterismo, Authorizing the printing and
Rizal’s father.
distribution thereof and for other purposes.
• This Scenic hometown represented an
✓In this Act, there is a need for a re-dedication
alluring view in the consciousness of the young
to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for
Jose Rizal that created a permanent reflection
which heroes lived and died.
in his memory. • Facing South of Calamba, is
the legendary Mount Makiling, with its ✓The novels of Jose Rizal, Noli Me Tangere

splendid view that did not escape Rizal’s eyes. and El Filibusterismo are a constant and
inspiring source of Patriotism. effect upon its approval.

✓R.A. No. 1425, Section 1; Courses on the life, ➢ Approved: June 12, 1956
works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly ➢House Bill No. 5561
his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
➢Senate Bill No. 438
Filibusterismo, shall be included in all curricula
➢Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 52,
of all Schools, Colleges and Universities, Public
No. 6, page 2971 in June 1956. R.A. No. 1425 •
or Private; Provided, that in the collegiate
The purpose of the law is enunciated in its
courses, the original or unexpurgated editions
preamble. The preamble consists in the
of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or
paragraph that begin with word “Whereas”.
their English translation shall be used as a basic
1. The preamble explains that there is a need
texts.
for a rededication to the ideals of freedom and
✓R.A. No. 1425, Section 2; It shall be
nationalism for which our heroes lived and died
obligatory in all schools, colleges and
for.
universities to keep in their libraries an
2. Preamble identifies Rizal as one of those
adequate number of copies of the original and
heroes who have devoted their lives and
unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere
shaped the national character.
and El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other
3. Preamble identifies Rizal’s novels the Noli
works and biography. Xxxx…
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo as an
✓R.A. No. 1425, Section 3; The board of inspiring source of patriotism, which should be
National Education shall cause the translation inculcated in the minds of young people
of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, especially in their formative years.
as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into 4. Preambles invokes the power of the state in
English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine supervising all educational institutions, which
dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, are required to teach its students moral
popular editions, and cause them to be character, personal discipline, civic conscience
distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring and the duties of citizenship.
to read them, through the Purok Organizations
and Barrio Councils throughout the country. The Story of Rizal Law
✓R.A. No. 1425, Section 6; This Act shall take • In 1956 legislators seeing the need to
promote nationalism and patriotism among failing to comply with, or circumventing the
the Filipinos, especially among the youth filled provisions of this Act shall be punished
a bill. accordingly.
• The original Rizal bill was filed by Senator Penalties
Claro M. Recto and it sponsored by Senator • The head of any public college or university
Jose P. Laurel who was a Chairman of the charged with implementing the provisions of
Committee. Since the purpose of the bill was this Act, who shall have been found guilty of
to promote patriotism and nationalism, the violating, failing to comply with, or
senators saw no problem in legislating it in circumventing the provisions thereof shall be
congress. It is supposed to be non- dismissed immediately from service and
controversial considering its intention. Senate disqualified from teaching in any public or
Bill 438 government recognized private school, college
• It is an Act to make Noli Me Tangere and El or university.
Filibusterismo compulsory reading in all public • Government recognition of any private or
and private colleges and universities and for university found violating or circumventing the
other purpose. provisions of this Act shall be immediately

✓ April 17, 1956, Senator Jose P. Laurel was withdrawn, and the responsible, head and

the chairman of the Committee. professor or professors concerned shall be

disqualified from teaching in any Government
✓Section 1 of Senate Bill 438; Jose Rizal’s Noli
recognized college or university.
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are hereby
declared compulsory reading matter in all
Oppositions of Rizal Bil
public and private schools, colleges and
1. The church had powerful allies on opposing
universities in the Philippines.
the Rizal Bill,
✓Section 3 of Senate Bill 438; The Department
2. Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo, he said
of Education shall take steps to promulgate
that he would not allow his 17 year old son to
rules and regulations for the immediate
read Rizal novels and he also denounced the
implementation of the provisions of this Act.
Rizal Bill.
✓Section 5 of Senate Bill 438; Any public or
3. Congressman Miguel Cuenco, his speech
private college or university found violating,
contained views, opinions and theories
attacking the dogmas, belief and practices of ✓ He said in his pastoral letter a warning about
the church. He said a passage in the Noli Me disaffection of the youth on the church if the
Tangere, Rizal wrote “God cannot pardon a Rizal Bill was approved. Priests encouraged
crime simply because we confess it to the their parishioners to write their congressmen
priest (Noli, Sayo Ed. 1950, page 191). He and senators to oppose the bill.
mentioned that the novels of Rizal disparage
devotion to the virgin Mary, the Saints, the use Supporter of Rizal Bill
of scapulars, saying of rosaries, novenas,
• Father Horacio de la Costa, S.J.; ✓ A Jesuit
ejaculations and indulgenced prayers.
scholar and historian.
4. The catholic organizations such as the
✓ He admitted that abuses did happen in the
Accion Catolico (Catholic Action), who were
Catholic Church and there were historical
composed of conservative Catholics, the
mistakes committed by the Catholic Church.
knights of Columbus, the congregation of the
✓As an organization composed of men,
mission and the catholic teachers' guild.
mistakes were bound to be committed.
5. Priests and Nuns, many of whom were
foreigners attended hearings in congress. ✓ He said that Riza’s works only exposed

Opponents of Rizal Bill abuses within the Church, however that abuses

• Father Jesus Cavanna; ✓He said that Rizal’s were committed by individual clergymen and
should not be treated as reflective of the entire
novels painted a false picture of the conditions
clergy.
of the country in the 19th century. He also
mentioned that if the Rizal Bill intended to
promote patriotism and nationalism, that
novels for required reading contained more
anti-Church statements than nationalistic
statements.

• Jesus Peredes; ✓He said that the novels

contained objectionable material and the
Catholics have a right not to read them in
order not to endanger their faith.
• Archbishop Rufino Santos
 LESSON 2: JOSE RIZAL FROM walking distance of the British Museum.
BOY TO ADULTHOOD. Gertrude, a blue-eyed and buxom girl was the
oldest of the three Beckett daughters.She fell
WOMEN IN RIZAL'S LIFE: RIZAL, THE in love with Rizal. Tottie helped him in his
ROMANTIC. painting and sculpture. But Rizal suddenly left
• There were at least nine women linkedwith London for Paris to avoid Gertrude, who was
Rizal; namely Segunda Katigbak,Leonor seriously in love with him. Before leaving
Valenzuela, Leonor Rivera,Consuelo Ortiga, O- London, he was able to finish the group
Sei San, Gertrude Beckett, Nelly Boustead, carving of the Beckett sisters. He gave the
Suzanne Jacoby and Josephine Leopoldine group carving to Gertrude as a sign of their
Bracken. brief relationship.
• Historians have linked Rizal with more than a • Rizal stayed in this house located in Chalcot
dozen women, although only nine have been Crescent, Primrose Hill in London. Here, he
identified: Segunda Katigbak, Leonor had a fling with Gertrude Becket, daughter of
Valenzuela, Leonor Rivera and Consuelo his landlady. He called her “Gettie”, while she
Ortiga, all Filipinas;O-Sei-San, Japanese; called him “Pettie”! In a nearby street lived Dr
Gertrude Beckett, English;Nellie Boustead, Reinhold Rost, who invited Rizal to have
French; Suzanna Jacoby, Belgian and; afternoon teas in his house. Dr Rost described
Josephine Bracken, the 18-year-old Irish girl Rizal as “a pearl of a man”. Rizal said Dr Rost’s
whom he married while on exile in Dapitan. house was “a real home for me”.
These women might have been beguiled by his
intelligence, charm and wit. JOSEPHINE LEOPOLDINE BRACKEN
• She loved Rizal and stood by him up to his
GERTRUDE BECKETT last hour.
• Daughter of a London organist. She fell in • In the last days of February 1895, while still in
love with Rizal. Dapitan, Rizal met an 18-year old petite Irish
• While Rizal was in London annotating the girl, with bold blue eyes, brown hair and a
Succesos de las IslasFilipinas, he boarded in happy disposition. She was Josephine Bracken,
the house of the Beckett family, within the adopted daughter of George Taufer from
Hong Kong, who came to Dapitan to seek
• Rizal for eye treatment. Rizal was physically ➢ The wood plank measures 8 inches in width,
attracted to her. His loneliness and boredom 13 inches in length, and 1-1.5 inches in
must have taken the measure of him and what thickness, and weighs about 1.2 kilograms.
could be a better diversion that to fall in love ➢ It is made of solid molave wood, without
again. But the Rizal sisters suspected any visible inscriptions on all sides.
Josephine as an agent of the friars and they ➢ The use of masilla (most likely bakhaw
considered her as a threat to Rizal’s security.
paste) is obvious.
➢ Looking at this sculpture, one can have a
• Rizal asked Josephine to marry him, but she
good idea of how Josephine Bracken really
was not yetready to make a decision due to her
looked like.
responsibility to theblind Taufer. Since
➢ She was beautiful!
Taufer’s blindness was untreatable, heleft for
Hong Kong on March 1895. Josephine stayed
LEONOR RIVERA-KIPPING
withRizal’s family in Manila. Upon her return to
• Sweetheart of Rizal
Dapitan, Rizal tried to arrange with Father
• Leonor Rivera, his sweetheart for 11 years
Antonio Obach for their marriage. However,
played the greatest influence in keeping him
the priest wanted a retraction as a
from falling in love with other women during
precondition before marrying them. Rizal upon
his travel. Unfortunately, Leonor’s mother
the advice of his family and friends and with
disapproved of her daughter’s relationship
Josephine’s consent took her as his wife even
with Rizal, who was then a known filibustero.
without the Church blessings. Josephine later
She hid from Leonor all letters sent to her
give birth prematurely to a still born baby, a
sweetheart. Leonor believing that Rizal had
result of some incidence, which might have
already forgotten her, sadly consented her to
shocked or frightened her.
marry the Englishman Henry Kipping, her
➢ Rizal relic — the famous wood sculpture
mother’s choice.
depicting the likeness of Josephine Leopoldine
Bracken masterfully made by Rizal in Dapitan
She was the childhood sweetheart, and “lover
in 1895.
by correspondence "of Jose Rizal. Rivera was
➢ Very few researchers had the chance to
the “greatest influence” in preventing Rizal
study this work of art up close and personal.
from falling in love with other women while
Rizal was traveling outside the Philippines. NELLY BOUSTEAD OF BIARRITZ
Rivera's romantic relationship with Rizal lasted whom Rizal almost married in 1891, after
for many years. She was immortalized by Rizal learning that Leonor Rivera got married.
as the character Maria Clara in the Spanish-
language novel Noli Me Tangere. Rizal having lost Leonor Rivera, entertained
the thought of courting other ladies. While a
Rivera died on 28 August 1893 shortly after guest of the Boustead family at their residence
giving birth to her second child with Kipping. in the resort city of Biarritz, he had befriended
Shortly before she died,her last wish was to the two pretty daughters of his host, Eduardo
have the silver box containing the ashes of Boustead. Rizal used to fence with the sisters
Rizal's burned letters be buried with her. at the studio of Juan Luna. Antonio Luna,
Juan’s brother and also a frequent visitor of the
LEONOR VALENZUELA Bousteads, courted Nellie but she was deeply
Friend of Rizal during his student days at infatuated with Rizal. In a party held by
University of Sto. Tomas Filipinos in Madrid, a drunken Antonio Luna
uttered unsavory remarks against Nellie
After his admiration for a short girl in the Boustead. This prompted Rizal to challenge
person of Segunda, then came Leonor Luna into a duel. Fortunately, Luna apologized
Valenzuela, a tall girl from Pagsanjan. Rizal to Rizal, thus averting tragedy for the
send her love notes written in invisible ink, that compatriots.
could only be deciphered over the warmth of
the lamp or candle. He visited her on the eve of Their love affair unfortunately did not end in
his departure to Spain and bade her a last marriage. It failed because Rizal refused to be
goodbye. converted to the Protestant faith, as Nellie
demanded and Nellie’s mother did not like a
SEGUNDA KATIGBAK physician without enough paying clientele to
Segunda Katigbak was her puppy love. be a son-in-law. The lovers, however, parted as
Unfortunately, his first love was engaged to be good friends when Rizal left Europe.
married to a town mate- Manuel Luz.
O-SEI KIYO SAN Defense Skill tuning it on one Martial Arts... He
also created a Movement Called "Kumpas"
whom Rizal met during his one and a half where in he create an illusion of Speed of
month sojourn in Japan in the spring of 1888. Attack to confuse his Opponent.
She taught him Japanese.
CONSUELO ORTIGA Y REY
O Sei San, a Japanese samurai’s daughter, Consuelo Ortiga y Rey, the prettier of Don
taught Rizal the Japanese art of painting Pablo Ortiga’s daughters, fell in love with him.
known as su-mie. She also helped Rizal He dedicated to her A la Senorita C.O. y R.,
improve his knowledge of Japanese language. which became one of his best poems. The
If Rizal was a man without a patriotic mission, Ortiga's residence in Madrid was frequented by
he would have married this lovely and Rizal and his compatriots. He probably fell in
intelligent woman and lived a stable and happy love with her and Consuelo apparently asked
life with her in Japan because Spanish legation him for romantic verses. He suddenly backed
there offered him a lucrative job. out before the relationship turned into a
serious romance, because he wanted to remain

➢ A Rizal monument in Japan that marks the loyal to Leonor Rivera and he did not want to

site of the former Tokyo Hotel where Rizal destroy hid friendship with Eduardo de Lete

stayed in 1888. who was madly in love with Consuelo.

➢ Stayed at Japan and Study Judo and was SUZANNA (SUSAN) JACOBY

amaze and Found on the Bushido Code of Rizal stayed in the house of the Jacoby's in

Conduct... His Japanese Journey Added on his Brussels, Belgium

Martial Arts Philosophy that he have applied to

Master the "De Cadena" Form... Continuous In 1890, Rizal moved to Brussels because of the

Barrage of Attack to overwhealm the Enemy high cost of living in Paris. In Brussels, he lived

after anticipating an Attack... in the boarding house of the two Jacoby

sisters. In time, they fell deeply in love with
each other. Suzanne cried when Rizal left
➢ Few to Many, Our National Hero is a Grand
Master with 25 years of Combined Self
Brussels and wrote him when he was in The box is still intact as on the day of your
Madrid. parting.”

❖In the book, Belgian Rizalist, Rizal’s address ➢ Teasingly referring to Rizal as le petit diable
in Brussels (Rue Philippe de Champagne, 38) as or “little bad boy,” the young Suzanna in her
mentioned in books was wrong and that Rizal’s second letter dated Oct. 1, 1890 wrote: “Don’t
girlfriend was the young Suzanne and NOT the delay too long writing us because I wear out
Aunt Suzanne. the soles of my shoes for running to the
mailbox to see if there is a letter from you.”
❖Three ladies were registered in this address: She also added, “There will never be any home

Catherine Jacoby (55), Suzanne Jacoby (45) in which you are so loved as in that in Brussels,

and Susanne Thill (“Petite Suzanne”) who was so, you little bad boy, hurry up and come

merely 18 years old that time when Rizal back…” But alas, Rizal never wrote or

arrived in Brussels. Rizal then was 29 years cameback. At that time, he learned that

old.. Catherine and Suzanne are sisters. hisgirlfriend of 11 years, Leonor Rivera

Suzanne T. is their niece. All love letters wasabout to marry an English

written and sent to Rizal bears inscription of engineer.Heartbroken, he instead wrote to

“Suzanne T.” hisfriend Ferdinand Blumentritt, saying thathe

almost lost his mind over the sad news.

➢ Memorable as it was however, Rizal’s stay in

Brussels was short-lived, as he had to move to
Madrid. On his departure, he left the young
Suzanna a box of chocolates.

➢ After Rizal wrote a letter to the Jacoby

family from Madrid, the young Suzanna,
signing as Petite Suzanne answered back in
French, saying: “After your departure, I did not
take the chocolate.
JOSE RIZAL EARLY DEMONSTRATION OF • Drama Writer- at the age of 8 he wrote his
INBORN TALENTS first dramatic work which was a Tagalog
• Jose Rizal at the age of 3 he was able to Comedy. The Gobernadorcillo from Paete,
master the alphabet. Laguna saw the play and was delighted so he
bought it for 2 pesos to be stayed in their town
• At the age of 8 he was able to write a poem fiesta.
entitled “Sa aking Kabata or To My Fellow
Children” • Boy Magician- with his hands he showed
different tricks such as making a coin appear or
• His second Poem was written at the age of 9. disappear in his fingers and making a
It is entitled “My first Inspiration”(Mi Primera handkerchief vanish in the air.
Inspiracion). This poem was dedicated to his
mother. MEMORIES OF MY TOWN
• In this poem, Rizal expressed his appreciation
• At the age of 5, Rizal revealed his God given and love for Calamba, his hometown and
talent for art. He made sketches with his pencil birthplace.
and to mold in clay and wax objects. His sisters
laughed at him in spending too much time in • He wrote this poem in 1876, when he was 15
making images. He told them: “All right laugh years old, while studying at the Ateneo de
at me now: Someday when I die, people will Manila.
make monuments and images of me!”.
• Rizal wrote the piece in Spanish which he
• At the age of 3, he began to take part in the titled “Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo”.
family prayers. His mother,taught him Catholic
prayers. He was 5 when was able to read the • He mentioned here the lagoons, flowers,
Bible.He took active part in the church, tools forests, rivers and freshness of the air in
part in novenas and religious processions. He Calamba.
was fondly called “Manong Jose”.
MY FIRST INSPIRATION Rizal’s message for the Filipino youth to love
• Dr. Leoncio Rizal, a nephew of Dr. Jose Rizal, and cherish the language they inherited from
claimed that this piece was not Rizal’s their ancestors.
composition but by his nephew Antonio.
RIZAL’S MEMORIES OF HOME
• Nonetheless, despite controversies on who • Surrounding the area of the Rizal family’s
wrote the piece, this poem carries Rizal’s lines ancestral house in Calamba, were a varieties of
and interests. fruit bearing trees, coffee and flowers.

• In Spanish poem is called “Mi Primera • Birds of many species visited the house,
Insperacion”. especially in the middle of the yard, where a
small nipa hut was built for him and his sisters
MARIA MAKILING to play.
• This work was published in La Solidaridad on
December 31, 1890. RIZAL’S DIARY
• There the delicious atis displayed its delicate
• In this essay, Rizal gave tribute to Maria fruit and lowered its branches as if to save me
Makiling and presented her mythical and thetrouble of reaching out for them.
helping presence in the mountain named after
her. • The sweet santol, the scented and yellow
tampuy, the pink makopa vied for my favor.
TO MY CHILDHOOD COMPANIONS Farther away, the palm tree, the harsh but
• This was written in Spanish as “A Mis flavorful casuy, the beautiful tamarind, pleased
ComaÑeros De Nunes”. the eye as much as they delighted the palate.

• Through the guidance of his mother Jose • Here the papaya stretched out its broad
Rizal, who was 8 years old, wrote the poem. leaves and tempted the birds with enormous
fruit; there the lanca, the coffee, and the
• The striking line of the piece was orange trees perfumed the air with aroma of
their flowers.
• On this side the iba, the balimbing, the orange trees perfumed the air with aroma of
pomegranate with its abundant foliage and its their flowers.
lovely flowers, bewitched the senses; while
here and there raised elegant and majestic • On this side the iba, the balimbing, the
tops and graceful branches, queens of the pomegranate with its abundant foliage and its
forest. I should never end were I write the lovely flowers, bewitched the senses; while
number all our tress and amuse myself here and there raised elegant and majestic
identifying them. tops and graceful branches, queens of the
forest. I should never end were I write the
• The yellow culiauan, the maya, of different number all our tress and amuse myself
varieties the culae, the maria capra, the identifying them.
martin, all the species of pipit, joined in a
pleasant concert and intoned in varied chorus a • The yellow culiauan, the maya, of different
hymn of farewell to the sun. varieties the culae, the maria capra, the
martin, all the species of pipit, joined in a
RIZAL’S DIARY pleasant concert and intoned in varied chorus a
• There the delicious atis displayed its delicate hymn of farewell to the sun.
fruit and lowered its branches as if to save me
the trouble of reaching out for them. RIZAL’S FIRST PRAYER
• Rizal came from a family of devoted
• The sweet santol, the scented and yellow Catholics, who regularly attended Mass and
tampuy, the pink makopa vied for my favor. prayed in the church.
Farther away, the palm tree, the harsh but
flavorful casuy, the beautiful tamarind, pleased • His mother surrounded him with prayers and
the eye as much as they delighted the palate. short teachings of what the Catholic religion
was all about.
• Here the papaya stretched out its broad
leaves and tempted the birds with enormous • Rizal grew up as a good and obedient
fruit; there the lanca, the coffee, and the Catholic.
• DoÑa Teodora taught Rizal many Catholic and son prayed at the shrine of the Virgin of
Prayers while he was three (3) years old, and Antipolo.
when Rizal turned five (5), he started reading
the Spanish family Bible through in a difficult • Later the two went to Manila to visit a family
way. member, Jose Rizal’s sister Saturnina who was
studying in La Concordia College.
• Also, Rizal stated in his diary, DoÑa
Teodora’s patience in teaching him how to • Rizal recalls in his dairy:
Pray:
I had never gone through the lake of laguna
After God the mother is everything to man, consciously and the first time I did. I spent the
She taught me how to stammer the humble whole night near the catig, admiring the
prayers That I addressed fervently to God, grandeur of the liquid element, the quietness of
and now that a young man, the night, while at the same time a superstitious
Ah, where is that simplicity, fear took hold Of me when I saw water snake
That innocence of my early days? twined itself on the bamboo Canes of the
outriggers. With what joy I saw the sunrise; for
JOSE RIZAL’S MEMORIES OF ANTIPOLO the first time I saw how the luminous rays
AND LAGUNA LAKE shown, producing a brilliant effect on the
• As part of the Rizal family’s devotion as Raffled surface of the wide lake.
Catholics, they often visit Antipolo for
pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary. THE DEATH OF JOSE RIZAL’S SISTER
• Rizal was four (4) years old when he
• On June 6, 1868, Don Francisco and the experienced his first sorrow in the family. His
young Rizal went on a pilgrimage to fulfil the young sister Conception or Concha, whom he
promise of DoÑa Teodora when Jose Rizal was used to play with most of the time, died in
born. 1865.

• Don Francisco and Jose Rizal departed on a • Rizal felt the utmost sadness, for the first
barge and disembarked in Antipolo. The father time in his life.
• Rizal expressed in his diary: mother was teaching me how to read the book
When I was four years old; El Amigo de Los NiÑos. That night my mother
grew impatient listening to me reading poorly.
I lost my little sister (Concha) and After scolding me for drawing funny pictures on
then for the first time I shed my tears caused by its page, she told me to listen and started to
love and grief, for until then I had shed them read aloud herself. I grew tired of listening to
only because of my stubbornness that my loving sounds that had no meaning for me. Instead I
and prudent mother so well knew how to watched the cheerful little flame. My mother
correct. noticing that I had lost, interest, stopped reading
and told me that she be reading a very pretty
THE STORY OF THE YOUNG MOTH AND story that I must listen to.
THE FLAME
• DoÑa Teodora told Jose Rizal stories bearing On hearing the story; I at once opened my eyes
many lessons in life. wide. It promised something new and
wonderful. My mother began to read me the
• Before young boy Rizal went to bed at night, fable of the old moth and a young moth,
she would say these words, “I’m going to read translating it to Tagalog as she went along. My
you a very pretty story; be attentive”. Among attention was caught from the very first
the stories told by his mother, Jose Rizal’s sentence: I started at the lamp and the moths
Favorite was the “Story of the Moth” that left a circling around it....
permanent mark in his life.
As she put me to bed, my mother said: “See that
• Rizal wrote in his Diary; you do not behave like the young moth. Don’t be
disobedient, or you may get burned as it did. “I
One night the whole family, except for my do not know whether I answered or not....
mother and myself, had gone to bead early; I do
not know why, but the two of us were left sitting The story revealed to me things until then
by ourselves. The candles had been put out unknown. Moths no longer were, for me,
inside the lamps with the curved tin blower. The insignificant insects. Moths talked, they knew
room was dimly lit by a coconut oil lamp. My how to warn. They advised just like my mother.
 The light seemed to me more beautiful. It had the people from harm. Rizal wondered why
grown more dazzling and more attractive. I such abuses happened especially to the poor.
knew why moths circled the flame.
RIZAL RELATED IN HIS DIARY
LESSONS; • Almost everyday, in our town, we saw the
• The story of the moth was reflective of Rizal’s Guardia Civil Lieutenant caning and injuring
Life, and that of his mother as the old moth unarmed and inoffensive villagers. The
and Rizal as the young moth. villager’s only fault was that while at a distance
he had not taken off his hat and made his bow.
• Rizal said in his diary: “I was listening: all my The alcalde treated the poor villagers in the
attention, all my mind, and all my thoughts same way whenever he visited us.
were concentrated on the fate of that moth,
young, dead, full of illusions”. • We saw no restraint put upon brutality, Acts
of violence and other excesses that lay
• The mother of Rizal said otherwise, she told committed daily.. I asked myself if, in the lands
the young boy after telling him a story “Don’t which lay across the lake, the people lived in
imitate the young moth and don’t be this same way. I wonder if there they tortured
disobedient: you’ll get burned by it. any countryman with hard and cruel whips
merely on suspicion. Did they there (Spain)
• Jose Rizal: Undoubtedly, was the young respect the Home? Or even yonder also, in
moth burned because of his passion for ideas order to live in peace, would one have to bribe
and love of country. tyrants.

THE CHILD RIZAL AND THE OPPRESSED

FILIPINO PEOPLE
• At a young age, Jose Rizal was already
exposed to the brutalities of Spanish
authorities in the Philippines, particularly the
Guardia Civil who were supposed to protect
 LESSON 3: RIZAL IN UST – SPAIN • Consequently, during his first-year term
AND FIRST TRAVEL ABROAD (1877-78) in UST, he also studied Cosmology,
MOTHER’S OPPOSITION TO HIGHER Metaphysics, Theodicy, and History of
EDUCATION Philosophy.
• After graduating from Ateneo, Rizal goes to
the University of Santo Tomas (UST) for higher • During the following term (1878-79) Rizal
studies. took up the medical course. Another reason
why he chose medicine for a career was to be
• Bachelor of Arts during the Spanish era was able to cure his mother’s growing blindness.
only equivalent to High school and Junior
college courses of today. Merely to qualify its FINISHES SURVEYING COURSE IN ATENEO
graduate to enter university. (1878)
• During his first term in UST (1877-78), Rizal
• Don Francisco and Paciano wanted Jose to also studied in Ateneo, taking up vocational
pursue higher learning in university. But Doña course which gave him the title of perito
Teodora opposed the idea. agrimensor (expert surveyor).

• Don Fracisco kept quiet at just instructed • Rizal excelled in all subjects in Ateneo,
Paciano to accompany Jose Rizal to Manila obtaining gold medals in agriculture and
despite their mother’s tears. topography.

RIZAL ENTERS UNIVERSITY • At the age of 17, he passed final examination

• In April 1877, Rizal nearly 16 years of age, in surveying course but because he is below of
enrolled in the UST taking course on age, the title couldn’t be granted at that time.
Philosophy and Letters with 2 reasons: The title was then issued to him on November
- His father liked it 25, 1881.
-He was ”still uncertain as to what career to
pursue”. • Though Thomasian, due to his loyalty, he
frequently visited Ateneo.
• Jesuit professors, unlike Dominicans, loved secret of reading any note written in invinsible
and inspired him to ascend greater knowledge. ink by heating over a candle or lamp.

ROMANCES WITH OTHER GIRLS -However, he stopped short of proposing

• Rizal had ample time for love. His sad marriage to Orang.
experience with his first love made him wise in
ways of romance.”Miss L” - Leonor Rivera was his cousin from Camiling.
In 1879, he lived in ”Casa Tomasina”, No. 6
- After losing Segunda Katigbak, he court a Calle Santo Tomas, Intramuros.
young woman in Calamba. He simply called
her ”Miss L”, describes her as ”fair with - His landlord-uncle, Antonio Rivera had a
seductive and attractive eyes”. However, the pretty daughter, Leonor, a student at La
romance died a natural death. Until today, Concordia College, where Soledad (Rizal’s
nobody knows who this woman was. Her youngest sister) was also studying.
identity is lost in history. There are 2 reasons
for his change of heart: - Leonor, born in Camiling, Tarlac on April 11,
1. Sweet memory of Segunda was still fresh. 1867 was a frail, pretty girl ”tender as a
2. His father didn’t like the family of ”Miss L” budding flower with kindly, wistful eyes”.

LEONOR VALENZUELA - Jose and Leonor sprang a beautiful romance

- Later, during his sophomore year at UST, he and became engaged.
boarded in the house of Doña Concha Leyva in
Intramuros. Their neighbors Capitan Juan and - In her letters to Rizal, Leonor signed her
Capitana Sanday Valenzuelahad a charming name as ”Taimis”.
daughter called Leonor.
VICTIM OF SPANISH BRUTALITY
- She was a tall girl with a regal bearing. He • When Rizal was a freshman medical at UST,
courted her and sent her love notes written in he experienced his first taste of Spanish
invinsible ink consisted of table salt and water. brutality.One dark night in 1878, he was
Rizal taught Orang (pet name of Leonor) the walking in the street and perceived some man
passing him, but due to darkness he didn’t 1. It was the first great poem in Spanish written
recognize the man and didn’t salute nor say by a Filipino and was recognized by Spanish
corteous ”Good Evening”. The man turned out authorities.
to be a lieutenant of Guardia Civil, he turned 2. For the first time, it expressed the
upon Rizal and whipped out his sword, brutally nationalistic concept that Filipinos, not
slashing his back.The wound was painful and foreigners, were the ”fair hope of the
lasted 2 weeks. Rizal reported the incident to Fatherland”.
General Primo de Rivera, the Spanish
Governor General of the Philippines but ”THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS”
nothing came out of his complaint because he • In 1880, Artistic-Literary Lyceum opened
was an Indio and the abusive lieutenant was a another literary contest to commemorate the
Spaniard. 4th centennial death of Cervantes, Spain’s
famous author of Don Quixote(kee hoh-tee).
”TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH” The contest was opened for both Filipinos and
• In year 1879, Liceo Artisitico-Literario Spaniards.
(Artistic-Literary Lyceum) of Manila, held a
literary contest. It offered prize for the best • Rizal submitted an allegorical drama entitled
poem by a native or mestizo. Rizal submitted El Consejo de los Dioses (The Council of the
his poem entitled A ’La Juventud Filipina (To Gods).
the Filipino Youth).
• The judges were all Spaniards and they
• The judges were composed of Spaniards, awarded the first prize to Rizal’s work because
totally impressed by Rizal’s poem,they granted of its literary superiority.
the first prize to him.
• The Spanish Community in Manila opposed
• In this poem, Rizal beseeched Filipino youth because the winning author is an Indio.
to rise from lethargy. However, despite all objections, the prize was
still awarded to Rizal.
• This winning poem is a classic in Philippine
literature for 2 reasons:
• Rizal’s winning allegory was based on Greek CHAMPION OF FILIPINO STUDENTS
classics.
• Rizal was the champion of the Filipino
OTHER LITERARY WORKS students in their frequent fights against
arrogant Spanish students, who insultingly call
Aside from the 2 prize-winning, Rizal their brown classmates, ”Indio, chongo!”. In
produced other poems and a zarzuela, entitled retaliation, Filipinos call them ”Kastila,
Junto al Pasig (Beside the Pasig), staged by bagus!”. Hostility often exploded in angry
Atenean on December 8, 1880 for the annual street rumbles.
celebration of the feast day of Immaculate
Concepcion, Patroness of Ateneo. The piece • Rizal participated in street brawls.
was mediocre(mee-dee-oh ker) but some
passages express subtle nationalist ideas. • In 1880, he founded a secret society of
Filipino students in UST called Compañerismo
In the same year (1880), he also wrote a (Comradeship), members were called
sonnet entitled A Filipinas for the Society of ”Companions of Jehu”.
Sculptors. In his piece, he urged Filipino artist
to glorify th Philippines. • Rizal was the chief of the secret society and
his cousin from Batangas, Galicano Apacible
In December 8,1879, he composed a poem was the secretary.
entitled Abd-el Azis y Mahoma.
• There was a time in their fights, when Rizal
Later, in 1881, he composed a poem entitled was wounded on the head, his friends brought
Al M.R.P. Pablo Ramon as an expression of him in his boarding house and Leonor Rivera
affection to Father Pablo Ramon, the kind and aided and washed his wound.
helpful Ateneo rector.
UNHAPPY DAYS AT THE UST
• Rizal found the atmosphere at UST
suffocating.
• He was unhappy at the Dominican institution • He also didn’t tell his beloved Leonor because
for 3 reasons: he knew she couldn’t keep a secret.
1. Dominican professors were hostile to him.
2. Filipinos were racially discriminated against • Rizal’s parents, Leonor, and the Spanish
by the Spaniards. authorities have no idea of his decision to go
3. The method of instruction were obsolete abroad to finish his medical studies in Spain.
and repressive.
• He believed that professors in Spain were
• In his novel, El Filibusterismo, he described more liberal than of those who’re in the UST.
how Filipino students were humiliated and
insulted by Dominican professors and how RIZAL’S SECRET MISSION
twisted the method of instruction was. In This mission was to observe keenly the life
Chapter XIII, ”The Class in Physics”, his science and culture, languages, customs, industries
subject was taught without laboratory and commerce, and governments and laws of
experiments. Laboratory aparatuses were kept the European nations in order to prepare
inside the showcases to be seen by visitors, in himself in the mighty task of liberating his
reality, students can’t even touch them. oppressed people from Spanish tyranny.

• Rizal failed to win high scholastic honors due This was evidenced in his farewell letter
to the unfriendly attitude of his professors. delivered to his parents after his departure.

DECISION TO STUDY ABROAD The Rizalian secret mission was likewise

•After finishing Rizal’s fourth year of medical disclosed by Paciano in his letter dated May 20,
course, he decided to go to Spain because he 1882 in Manila.
could no longer endure the discrimination and
hostility in the UST. SECRET DEPARTURE FOR SPAIN
Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept secret to
•Many approved of this. However, for the first avoid detection by Spanish authorities and
time, he did not seek his parent’ permission for friars.
he knew that they would disapprove it.
 His parents didn’t know because they • Captain Donato Lecha - A spaniard from
wouldn’t allow him to go. Only his older Asturias, Spain. Rizal described him as “Affable
brother(Paciano), uncle(Antonio Rivera), his refined than his own countrymen and
sisters(Neneng and Lucia), the Valenzuela colleagues
family, Pedro A. Paterno, and some intimate
friend including Chengoy(Jose M. Cecilio). In Singapore

He wrote a farewell letter for his parents and ➢To kill boredom, Rizal played chess against
also for his sweetheart, Leonor Rivera. Both his fellow passengers and he defeated them
were delivered after he sailed away. many times.

On May 3, 1882, Rizal departed on board the ➢On May 8, 1882, Rizal saw an island and he
Spanish steamer Salvadora bound for remembered ”Talim Island with the Susong
Singapore. Dalaga”

SINGAPORE
➢The following day (May 9), Salvadora
docked at Singapore. Rizal landed and spent 2
During the voyage to Singapore, he
days on sightseeing.Visits to Singapore
carefullyobserved the people and things on
board thesteamer. There were 16 passengers
➢ The first of Rizal’s many visits to foreign
includinghimself. He was the only Filipino, the
lands was a two-day stopover in Singapore in
restwere Spaniards, British, and Indian
1882.
Negroes.

➢ He toured the island by carriage, visiting

The ship captain, Donato Lecha
sites such as the Raffles statue, the Botanical
fromAustrias, Spain had befriended him.
Gardens, temples, markets, and a school.
Rizaldescribe him as ”much more refined than
hisother countrymen and collegues that I have
met.
➢ He was impressed by the city’s greenery and French which he learned at Ateneo couldn’t be

noted that its population seemed assured of understood.

their rights.
➢By conversing daily with French
VISITS TO SINGAPORE passengers,he was able to improve his
➢ The first of Rizal’s many visits to foreign knowledge of the French language.

lands was a two-day stopover in Singapore in

1882. • On May 17, Djemnah reached Point Galle,
seacoast in southern Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).

➢ He toured the island by carriage, visiting Rizal was unimpressed by this town.

sites such as the Raffles statue, the Botanical

Gardens, temples, markets, and a school. • The following day, Djemnah resumed voyage
towards Colombo, the capital of Ceylon. Rizal

➢ He was impressed by the city’s greenery and was fascinated by Colombo and wrote on his
diary: ”Colombo is more beautiful, smart, and
noted that its population seemed assured of
elegant than Singapore, Point Galle, and
their rights.
Manila.”

FROM SINGAPORE TO COLOMBO

• From Colombo, Djemnah continued voyage
Rizal transferred to another ship, Djemnah, a
crossing Indian Ocean to the Cape of
French steamer, left Singapore for Europe on
Guardafui, Africa. For the first time, Rizal saw
May 11. It was larger and cleaner vessel and
the barren coast of Africa
carried more passengers.

POINT GALLE
➢There were British, French, Dutch,
• Galle is a major city of Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
Spaniards,Malays, Siamese, and Filipinos.
• “The general appearance of Point Galle is
picturesque but lonely and quite and at the
➢French was mostly spoken on board. Rizal
same time, sad.”
attempted to converse in French but was
embarrased upon finding out that his book of
COLOMBO ➢ It took 5 days for Djemnah totraverse the
• “Colombo is more beautiful, smart, and Suez Canal. This canalwas built by Ferdinand
elegant than singapore, Point Galle and de Lesseps.(French diplomat-engineer) which
Manila.”

➢ was inaugurated on November 17,1869

CAPE OF GUARDAFUI
• Also known as Ras Asir and historically CITY OF SUEZ
known as Aromata Promontorium, is a • Suez is aseaport city i notheasthern egypt
headland in the northeasthern Bari Province of located on the north coast of the Gulf of Suez.”
Somalia.

• Suez has three harbors:

• “Inhospitable land but famous.” 1. Adabya
2. Ain Sokha
CITY OF ADEN 3. Port Tafwig
• Asen is a seaport in Yemen located by the
eastern approach to the Red sea some 110 • “Rizal was impressed on the beautiful
miles east of Bab-el-mandeb. moonlight that reminded him of Calamba.”

• Rizal discovered that Aden is hotter than SUEZ CANAL

manila , but was amazed by the existence of • Is an artificial sea-level water way in Egypt,
camels. connecting the mediterrenian sea and the read
sea.
FIRST TRIP THROUGH SUEZ CANAL
➢ From Aden, Djemnah proceeded to the city • Opened in November 17, 1869. After 10
of Suez, the Red Sea terminal of the Suez years of construction work, it allows
Canal. transportation by water between Europe and
Asia without navigation of Africa.
➢ Rizal disembarked and went sightseeing. He
was impressed by the moonlight because it • When first built, the canal was 164km long
reminded him of Calamba and his family. and 8m deep. After multiple enlargements,
the canal is 193.30 km long, 24 meter deep and From Port Said, they proceeded on way to
205m wide as of 2010. Europe.

• It took five days for djemnah to traverse On June 11, Rizal reached Naples, an Italian
canal. city that pleased Rizal due to its business
activities, lively people, and panoramic beauty.
FERDINAND DE LESSEPS. He was also fascinated by Mt. Vesuvius and the
• “Ferdinand Marie, Victome de Lesseps (19 Castle of St. Telmo.
November 1805 – 7 December 1894)
• Is the capital of Campania and the third-
• He was the french (diplomat/engineer) largest municipality in Italy, after Rome and
developer of the Suez Canal, which joined Milan.
the Mediterrenian and Red Seas in 1869, and
substantially reduced sailing distances and • As of 2012, Around 960,000 people live
within the city.
times between the West and the East.

PORT SAID MT. VESUVIUS

• A city that lies in north east egypt extending • Is a stratovolcano in the Gulf of Naples, Italy,

about 30 kilometers along the coast of the about 9 kilometers east of Naples and a short

Mediterranean Sea, north of the suez Canal, distance from the shore.

with an approximate population of 603,787.

CASTLE OF ST. TELMO

• Rizal was facinated to hear the multi-racial
inhabitants. • Is a historical edifice in Seville , southern
Spain , now the seat of presidency of the

•At Port Said, the Mediterranean terminal of Andalusian Autonomous Government.

Suez Canal, he was fascinated to hear multi- • Originally constructed as the seat of the
racial languages. Seminary School of the University of
Navigators.
NAPLES AND MARSEILLES
➢ On the night of June 12, the French steamer ➢After passport inspection at Port Bou, Rizal
docked at the harbor of Marseilles. Rizal continued his way and finally reaching his
disembarked. destination, Barcelona on June 16, 1882

➢ He visited the famous Chateau d’lf (sha-toe BARCELONA

deef), where Dantes, hero of The Count of ➢ At 12:00noon, Rizalarrived at

Monte Cristo, was imprisoned. Barcelonaandboarded in the FondaDeEspaña.

➢ He stayed two and half days in Marseilles,

➢ Rizal’s first impression of Barcelona,
enjoying every day of his sojourn.
greatest city of Cataluña and Spain’s second
largest city, was unfavorable. He thought it
ALEXANDER DUMAS was ugly, dirty,and residents were
inhospitable. Later, he came to like the city. He
• Born Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie (24 July
found it to be with an atmosphere of freedom
1802 – 5 December 1870)
and liberalism. People were open-hearted,
• Also known as Alexander Dumas, was a
hospitable, and courageous.
French Writer, best known for his historical
novels of high adventure. Translated into
➢ Filipinos in Barcelona welcomed Rizal. They
nearly 100 languages, these have made him
gave him a party at Plaza de Cataluña, in turn,
one of the most widely read french authors in
he gave them the latest news and gossips in
the world.
the Philippines.
• Many of his novels, including The Count of
Monte Crieto, and The Three Musketeers. ”AMOR PATRIO”

In Barcelona, Rizal wrote a nationalistic essay

➢On the afternoon of June 15, Rizal left
entitled ”Amor Patrio”(Love of Country), his
Marseilles by train for Spain. He stopped at the
first article written on Spain’s soil.He sent the
frontier town of Port Bou for inspection.He
article to Basilio Teodoro Moran, publisher of
noticed the indifference accorded by the
Diariong Tagalog, the first Manila bilingual
Spanish immigration to tourist contrasting to
newspaper.
the courtesy of the French immigration.
 The essay under pen-name Laong Laan Another sad news was the letter of Chengoy
appeared in print in Diariong Tagalog on talking about the unhappines of Leonor Rivera
August 20, 1882. Published in 2 texts, originally and that she was getting thinner because of
written by Rizal in Spanish and the Tagalog the absence of a loved one.
text was translated by M.H. del Pilar.
establishing himself in Madrid, the capital of
This essay urged his compatriots to love their Spain.
fatherland, the Philippines.
LIFE IN MADRID
Basilio Teodoro Moran was deeply impressed November 3, 1882 – Rizal enrolled in
by ”Amor Patrio” and requested for more Universidad Central de Madrid(Central
articles. University of Madrid) in 2 courses:
1. Medicine
Rizal wrote 2nd article entitled ”Los Viajes” 2. Philosophy and Letters
(Travels). His 3rd article entitled ”Revista de
Madrid” (Review of Madrid), written in Madrid He also studied painting and sculpture in the
on November 29, 1882, was returned because Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando.
the publication stopped due to lack of funds.
He also took lessons in French, German, and
MANILA MOVES TO MADRID English

While sojourning in Barcelona, Rizal received He also practiced fencing and shooting in the
sad news about cholera in Manila and Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell.
provinces. Many people died and more dying
everyday. According to Paciano’s letter, dated He visited art galleries, museums, and read
September 15, 1882, the Calamba folks prayed books.
to God to stop the epidemic, which even
Spanish authorities are impotent to check. He led Spartan life in Madrid to prepare
himself for service to his fatherland.
 He budgeted his money and time, never On August 22,1883, Rizal wrote a poem
wasting any amount for gambling, wine, and dedicated to her entitled A La Señorita C.O.y
women. P. (To Miss C.O.y P.), expressing his admiration
for her.
At times, in his leisure time, he invest few
pesetas for a lottery ticket, but most of the However, before his romance with Consuelo
time he spent it for reading, writing, and could blossom into serious affair, he backed
attending reunions of Filipino students. out for 2 reasons:
1. He was still engaged to Leonor Rivera
On Saturday evenings, he visited Don Pablo 2. His friend andco-worker in Propaganda
Ortiga y Rey, a former city mayor in Manila and Movement, Eduardo de Lete is inlove with
later promoted as Vice-President of the Consuelo. He had no wish to break their
Council of the Philippines in the Ministry of friendship just because for a girl.
Colonies. He lived along with his son, Rafael
and daughter, Consuelo. THEY ASK ME FOR VERSES
1882 – Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-
ROMANCE WITH CONSUELO ORTIGA Y Filipino (Hispano-Philippine Circle), a society of
PEREZ Spaniards and Filipinos.
Although Rizal was not a handsome man, he
possessed an aura of charisma due to his Rizal wrote ”Me Piden Versos” (They Ask Me
talents and noble character, makes him For Verses) and he personally declaimed it at
looking attractive to young women, and the New Year’s Eve reception of the Madrid
Consuelo, Don Pablo’s daughter also fell inlove Filipinos held in the evening of December 31,
with him. 1882.

Rizal, being lonely and away from his In this sad poem, he poured out the cry of his
homeland, became attracted to Consuelo’s agonizing heart
beauty and vivacity.
.
RIZAL AS LOVER OF BOOKS 4. Arch of Triumph
Reading- Rizal’s favorite pastime in Madrid. 5. Bois de Boulogne (bwah duh boo-lohn)
6. Madelaine Church (mad-l-in)
Instead of gambling and flirting with girls, he 7. Cathedral of Notre Dame (noh-truh deym,
stayed at home, reading books until midnight. dahm)
8. Column of Vendome (vahn- dohm)
Rizal budgeted his living expenses. With 9. Invalides -tomb of Napoleon the Great
some of the money he saved, he purchased 10. Versailles (ver-sahy)
books from second-hand book store owned by
Señor Roces. Rizal improved his mind by observing French
way of life and spending hours at the
Rizal was able to build a fair-sized private museums, notably the world famous Louvre
library. (loo-ver).

Some of his collections were: He also went to the botanical gardens,

a. The Bible especially the Luxembourg.
b. Hebrew Grammar
c. Complete Works of Voltaire (9 Volumes) He also went to the libraries, art galleries,
and even hospitals (Laennec Hospital and
RIZAL’S FIRST VISIT TO PARIS (1883) Lariboisiere Hospital) to observe.
Rizal’s first summer vacation in Madrid, he
went to Paris, sojourning from June 17 to Many Parisians thought Rizal was Japanese.
August 20, 1883.
The prices of virtually almost everything in
Rizal was particularly fascinated by these Paris was too high. He commented on his
places: letter to his family: ”Paris is the cosliest capital
1. Beautiful boulevards - Champ Elysees (ey- in Europe.”
lee-zey)
2. Opera House
3. Place de la Concorde (plas de la kon-kurd)
RIZAL AS A MASON Friars uses the Catholic religion as a shield to
While in Spain, Rizal came in close contact grab power, wealth, and to persecute Filipino
with prominent Spanish liberal and republican patriots. On the otherhand, Rizal wanted to
Spaniards, most of them are Masons. utilize Freemasonry as his shield to combat
them.
Those of the included were:
1. Miguel Morayta – statesman, professor, M.H. del Pilar, G. Lopez Jaena, and Mariano
historian, and writer. Ponce –are very active in Masonic affairs. Rizal
2. Francisco Pi y Margal – journalist, only played a lukewarm role in Freemasonry.
statesman, and former President of the First
Spanish Republic. ”Science, Virtue and Labor” – Rizal’s only
3. Manuel Becerra – Minister of Ultramar. Masonic writing delivered in 1889 at Lodge
4. Emilio Junoy – journalist and member of the Solidaridad, Madrid.
Spanish Cortes.
5. Juan Ruiz Zorilla – parliamentarian and head FINANCIAL WORRIES
of the Republic Progressive Party in Madrid. After Rizal left for Spain, things went bad to
worse in Calamba.
Rizal was impressed how they openly
criticized the government policies and Drought and locusts makes the harvest of
lambasted the friars, this could not be done in rice and sugarcane extremely tough.
the Philippines.
The lands cultivated by the Rizal family was a
March 1883 – Rizal joined Masonic lodge in Domincan-owned hacienda. The hacienda
Madrid called Acacia. manager frequently asked Don Francisco for a
turkey however, due to a dreadful pest that
His reason for becoming a Mason, is to killed most of the turkeys, Don Francisco had
secure Freemasonry’s aid in his fight against to deny him because he need the few surviving
the friars in the Philippines. for breeding purposes. The hacienda manager
enraged for
his failure to received a turkey, leads to He saluted Luna and Hidalgo as the 2 glories
increasing rentals of the leased lands by Don of Spain and Philippines.
Francisco and Paciano.
He stated that genius is universal, artistic
Due to this hard times, allowances became achievements transcended geographical
harsh for Rizal in Madrid and at times he frontiers and racial origins.
received nothing at all.
He alluded in refine sarcasm the bigotry and
June 24, 1884 – Rizal was broke and haven’t blindness of some unworthy Spaniards
had his breakfast, yet he attended his class and (pertaining to the bad friars in the Philippines)
then participated in the contest in Greek of not appreciating the universality of genius.
language and even won the gold medal. Later
that night, he was able have his meal for the Rizal’s magnificent speech was greeted with
day upon attending a banquet to honor Juan warm ovations because Spaniards seldom hear
Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo. such a beautiful oration from the lips of a
brown Filipino.
RIZAL’S SALUTE TO LUNA AND HIDALGO
June 25, 1884 – banquet for Luna and Hidalgo RIZAL INVOLVED IN STUDENT
was sponsored by Filipino community to DEMONSTRATIONS
celebrate the double victory of Filipino artists November 20, 21, and 22, 1884 – bloody riots
in the National Exposition of Fine Arts in by students of the Central University exploded
Madrid: in Madrid. Rizal and other Filipino students
1. Luna’s Spoliarium – winning 1st prize joined along with Cuban, Mexican, Peruvian,
2. Hidalgo’s Christian Virgins Exposed to the and Spanish students.
Populace – won 2nd prize.
The riot was ignited when Dr. Miguel
Rizal was a guest speaker and he held his Morayta (History Professor) and some who
audience spellbound. applauded his speech was excommunicated
because his speech was condemned by
Catholic bishops in Spain.
 The angered students even rose to violent de Madrid on June 19, 1884 with the rating
demonstrations due the bigotry of Catholic Excellent (Sobresaliente).
bishops.
By obtaining degree of Licentiate in
Many university professors openly supported Philosophy and Letters, Rizal is qualified to be
the rioters. The Rector taking the students’ a professor of Humanities in any Spanish
side was forced to resigned. Later, he was university.
replaced by Doctor Creus, a man disliked by
everyone. The appointment of new Rector only By receiving degree of Licentiate in Medicine,
intensified the fury of the student he also become a full-fledged physician and is
demonstrations. qualified to practice medicine.

STUDIES COMPLETED IN SPAIN Rizal didn’t bother to secure post-graduate

Rizal completed his medical course in Spain. degree of Doctor of Medicine because it was
He was conferred the degree of Licentiate in only good for teaching purposes. He doesn’t
Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid need it because he is already a professor and
on June 21, 1884. qualified to teach.

The next academic year (1884-85), he studied He also knew that with his brown color and
and passed all subjects leading to the degree Asian ancestry, no friar-owned university or
of Doctor of Medicine but he didn’t present his college would hire him even if he had
thesis required for graduation nor paid the graduated with flying honors, they still
corresponding fees. He was not awarded his wouldn’t recognize it.
Doctor’s diploma.

Rizal also finished his studies in Philosophy

and Letters with higher grades. He was
awarded the degree of Licentiate in
Philosophy and Letters by Universidad central
 LESSON 4: RIZAL'S LIFE, WORKS, directives from Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo. It is the
AND WRITINGS - POPULAR oldest surviving Rizal Monument in the
NATIONALISM
RIZAL AS VIEWED BY THE COMMON country, construction of which started on
PEOPLE December 30, 1898 using the funds
contributed by the people of Daet. Now, it is a
• One of his first biographers, Austin Craig, national monument and a historical landmark.
called him ‘Philippine Patriot’.
• The Philippine Commission chose him as a
He is the First Filipino; he was the first to national hero and built the monument that
reawaken the Filipinos about their past and their houses his remains at Luneta Park known
identity as a nation. -Leon Maria Guerrero today as Rizal Park. Some would say that he is
an American-made hero but Filipinos did such
• To many Filipinos….RIZAL was GREAT act.
EXEMPLAR because admirable stories and
qualities about his life can be emulated by • He had the most memorabilia among the
anyone who wishes to live a productive and Filipino heroes currently on display in several
meaningful life. museums and national shrines in the country.

• He died a MARTYR on December 30, 1896 at • Rizal represented peaceful and evolutionary
Bagumbayan (nowRizal Park). change unlike Bonifacio who represented
revolution and radical change.
• First to be honored with a Presidential
Decree byPres. Emilio F. Aguinaldo – his death • In 1996, there was a move from the National
anniversaryshould be a national day of Historical Institute (now National Historical
mourning. Commission of the Philippines) to
contextualize Rizal in the perspective of
• First monument built by the Filipinos in his Philippine history. “There is no Bonifacio
honor in Daet, Camarines Norte. It was without Rizal and no Aguinaldo without
designed by Lt. Col. Antonio Sanz with the Bonifacio”
help of Ildefonso Alegre in compliance with the
• There can be no Fathers Mariano Gomez, • A 1997 film called him Bayaning Third World
Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora; even Rizal due to difficulty of defining him.
admitted that in his writings.
• A Spanish writer call him a Filipino Hamlet
because of his contradictory views, shifting
RIZAL AS VIEWED BY HIS CRITICS
between reforms and revolution.
• Rizal as “The Last Spaniard”. He never
RIZAL REMAINED IN THE MINDS OF THE
betrayed Spain nor he a traitor to Spain.
FILIPINOS
Throughout his lifetime, he advocated for
partnership with Spain, not independence, • Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan (The
although it is inevitable. He often refer Spain youth are the hope of the motherland).
as Madre España. Before his execution, he
• Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika ay
requested the officer of the firing squad that
masahol pa sa hayop at malansang isda (One
he should not be shot at the back because he
who does not love his native tongue is worse
has not betrayed Spain.
than an animal or smelly, dead fish)

• Modern writers see him as a tourist, an

RIZAL WAS ADMIRED ABROAD
illustrado behaving like a Spaniard, and a
womanizer having multiple girlfriends in many • During the Battle of Surabaya, Indonesian

parts of the world (save for Leonor Rivera freedom fighters keep a copy of Rizal’s Mi

whom he left and Josephine Bracken whom he Ultimo Adios to inspire them to sacrifice

married before his death). their lives for the country.

• Malays including the Malayans consider Rizal
Rizal is an American-made hero and must be as the Great Malayan for inspiring them to
made obsolete. Renato Constantino Writer fight against the Dutch and British colonizers.
• In 1995 visit in Manila, a Malaysian Deputy
• Many historians as well as students of Prime Minister called him Renaissance Man
Philippine history pitted Rizal with other for having reawakened the Malay about their
heroes and Andres Bonifacio should have
true past and their future destiny.
been the national hero.
•Many Malaysian and Indonesian parents
named their children after Rizal.
THE NATIONALIST STRUGGLE – GOAL FOR
MAINSTREAM AND FILIPINOS WITH
EDUCATION

• Mainstream and Filipinos with Education

- Representation in the Spanish Cortes SIDELINES AND UNDERSIDES

- Acquisition of the freedom of speech, • Filipinos in the hinterlands rarely interacted

press, and assembly with the mainstream Filipinos. Most of them
- Removal of the friars from the political are peace-loving people, some are from the
and economic influence of the country lowland pueblos who were tired by abuses,
- Assimilation into Spain as a Spanish who desires to be left alone.
Province
• Since many of these hinterland folks learned
• Revolutionists and Enlightened Filipinos about the concept of salvation, they tend to

- An independent Philippines whose imitate Christ’s passion and suffering. From

government they can determine. ancient gods replaced by a Father God,

- Establishment of a monarchy in the Bathala, Christ was the son and they readily

Philippines to Aguinaldo and Bonifacio accepted Christianity. The belief in Bathala and

- A republican type of democracy over admiration to Rizal fused and intertwined

monarchy as an idealtype of together.

government among Filipinos • Some of these hinterlandfolks became

enlightened withideals for sovereign remontados and started to substitute or add a
people’s will to prevail. personality to the approximating labors of
- A republic guided by a constitution Christ – one of such personality was Rizal.
approved by the representatives of the.

• The Rizalistas, particularly the Iglesia

Watawat ng Lahi, was the first and original
Rizalist group based in Lecheria Hill, Calamba
City. It was founded by Arsenio de Guzman,
originally from Masbate on December 25, 1936
with Fr.Luis Fabrigar and Jose Baricanosa as • Millenarian leaders stylized themselves in the
the first Supreme Bishop and president. manner as as ‘Pope” with supernatural power
and ability to community with the spirit world.
• The cult believes that suffering is part of life These popes preach obedience and observance
but they should remain faithful and virtuous of proper rituals and warning that insincerity
and eventually they can be rewarded with will contaminate the cause
salvation.
RIZAL SEEN FROM THE SIDELINES AND
• For them, salvation will come through a BELOW
messiah-like personality. • Rizal is more than a man.
• He is a saint or a manifestation of God
• There will be great transformation, the old himself.
earth and old heaven will disappear, to be • Rizalistas believe that he is a Tagalog Christ
replaced by a new one. (Kristong Tagalog) because he advocated
change in the society, persecuted, and unjustly
• For them, the Philippines is the new tried for attempting to overthrow a colonial
Jerusalem descending from heaven as rule like Christ allegedly trying to insinuate
described in the Book of Revelation. rebellion against Rome.
• Rizalistas believe that Rizal will return
• The believers believe that the final battle someday to liberate or redeem the Philippines
draws to the end of the millennium or the from its oppressors.
century – the millenarians. • Under his guidance, there will be an utopian
society where everyone will live happily.
• Many millenarians – including the Dios-Dios • Another millenarian group, the Santa Iglesia
and Pulajan groups in Visayas, Santa Iglesia in in Pampanga believes that Rizal is a
Pampanga; Anting-Anting groups in Tayabas, supernatural being. Founded by Felipe
Batangas, and Laguna – were drawn to these Salvador (Apo Ipe), the group revolted against
beliefs. the Americans. Apo Ipe was captured and later
executed at the Bilibid.
There are other groups honoring Rizal as a Man has three spirits – caluluwa (intelligent
supernatural being like the Sambahang Rizal, soul), diwa (sensitive soul),and laygo
the Bathalismo, Adarnistas, Sagrada Familia, (vegetable soul). Good people reaps the virtue
and Watawat ng Lahi. of happiness in kalualhatian (heaven); evils are
condemned in casanaan (hell).
• Adarnista or Iglesiang Pilipina was founded
by Candida Balantac, a 93-year old widow • According to Bathalismo, Rizal was the
called as Inang Adarna by her followers. The incarnation of Christ and he came to this world
Adarnistas believe that Rizal is the god of the to reach reason.
Filipino people, a true god and a true man, and
that he was not executed as popularly claimed • Rizal is venerated in the altar and the table is
by historians. often draped with the Philippine flag.

• To them, man has a soul and is capable of • The Philippines is only for the Filipinos; no
good deeds; heaven and hell exists and it is rich or poor, all are equal.
within us.
• Mountains are dwelling place of good and
• God to them have four personalities – the benevolent spirits.
Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and the
Mother (the Virgin Mary). • Philippines will become a kingdom and kings
(monarchs) will come from there.
• The dwelling place of Jehovah (God) is in a
cave in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija where the cult • Its headquarter is at Mt. Banahaw in Dolores,
is located. Quezon; also in Mt. Arayat, Pampanga, and
Mt. San Diego as holy mountains.
Bathalismo, founded by Venancio Wagan,
believed that Rizal was not executed by firing • In 1918, Sambahang Rizal was founded by
squad at Bagumbayan but managed to fled the Basilio Aromin in Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija. His
Philippines to China as a Chinese. followers are taught to honor Rizal because he
was appointed by Bathala to redeem the
Filipino race. Like Christ, Rizal offered his life three martyred priests – GOMBURZA on
to save humankind. September 24, 1903

• In Candelaria, Quezon, Sagrada Familia Sect • According to Isabelo delos Reyes, Rizal’s
believes that Rizal is the Second Christ and canonization is an expression of intensely
that his everywhere is Christ. He will succeed nationalistic phase of the development of the
Christ in the Second Coming. Most of its church. But it is a thing of the past and for now
beliefs are borrowed from the Catholic Church. – he is no longer considered as a saint

• The Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi believes that • Jose Rizal is not the only Kristong Tagalog. It
when World War III breaks, Rizal will lead the is also attributed to Apolinario dela Cruz or
army of god. Hermano Pule from Tayabas (Quezon), the
founder of Cofradia de San Jose and the leader
• The sect believes that its founder,Arsenio de of the Tagalogs’ quest for peace and equality
Guzman, is Rizal himself, and a mysterious with the Spaniards in 1841. His cofradia
voice called the founding members to form the competed with the mainstream Catholicism
association. that irked the friars. Like Rizal, he was also
unjustly tried and executed; his body was
• To them, Jesus Christ was embodied in Rizal, quartered and hang in four places in Tayabas
and Rizal is at once a god and man. He did not to serve as example to the natives.
die in Bagumbayan; he was alive and is
physically and mentally present in the New • The common denominator of the above
Jerusalem which is found in a site between Mt. discussed religious sects are the following:
Makiling and Mt. Banahaw – two holy and - Borrowed elements from the Catholic Church
sacred mountains to the sect. - Borrowed elements from the ancient belief
system and native religion with terms such as
• Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Philippine Bathala and langit.
Independent Church) considers Rizal as one of - Central element is the concept of man-god
its saints. Isabelo delos Reyes, its founder, and man’s redemption who will come at the
advocated Rizal’s canonization along with the end of time.
- Rizal would be a messiah and he will lead GALINGAN MO SA EXAM! I LOVE YOU!
mankind in his new heavenly above aftermen - sinaingmobobo
enduring all sufferings and complying with the
demands of religion.
- Presence of patriotism or love of country as
guiding principle.

Most of the adherents to these religious cults

are ordinary people and simple folks without
formal training in religious instructions and
relied upon their prior knowledge to devise
ways of worship from Christian rituals and
doctrines.

In Mindanao, the Colorums of Surigao who

fought the Americans in 1923-1924 believed
that Rizal will come in a big ship and carry the
faithful to Cebu where they would celebrate
victory in the presence of the Holy Child Jesus.

Rizalists still exists until today and they can be

seen taking care Rizal Shrine in Dapitan,
Zamboanga del Norte and pay homage to the
national hero in Luneta during Rizal Day
celebrations.
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Life, Works and Writings

of
RIZAL
“National Hero and Pride
of the Malayan Race”
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TABLE OF PRESENTATION
A. Dr. Jose Rizal - Birth of a National hero
B. Family Background of Dr. Jose Rizal
i. Parents
ii. Children
C. Rizal’s Ancestry
D. Rizal Ancestors in the Father side (Don Francisco Mercado Rizal)
E. Jose Rizal Ancestor in the Mother Side (Doña Teodora Alonso Realonda)
F. The Surname Rizal
G. Rizal House
H. A Good and Middle- Class Family
I. Home Life of Rizal’s Family
J. Jose Rizal Early Influences and Demonstration of Inborn Talents
K. Rizal in Ateneo and UST
L. Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
M. Rizal's Mi Ultimo Adios and Execution at Bagumbayan

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Dr. Jose Rizal ✓ Patriot

✓ Physician
✓ Man of Letters who was
an inspiration to the
Philippine nationalist
movement (La
Solidaridad---Katipunan)

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The Birth of National Hero

• in a small town in the province of Laguna, Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal
Mercado y Alonzo Realonda was born on June 19, 1861 in
Calamba Laguna, a legitimate son, according to the birth
certificate of Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso.
• born beneath the skies of the country he poetically called “Pearl
of the Orient”.
• He was baptized in the catholic church in Calamba Laguna on
June 22, 1861, by the parish priest Father Rufino Collantes , a
Filipino priest from Batangas. His godfather was Pedro Casanas, a
native of Calamba and friend of Rizal’s family.
• Rizal God Father – was Father Pedro Casanas, a close friend of
Rizal’s Family.
• His name “Jose” was chosen by his mother who was a devotee of
the Christian saint “San Jose” or Saint Joseph.
• The Baptismal Certificate was signed and witness by Leoncio
Lopez.

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28 September 1862
The parochial church of Calamba and the canonical books,
including the book in which Rizal’s baptismal records were entered,
were burned.

* Calamba is a small town nestling at the foot of Mt. Makiling as it

slopes down to Laguna de Bay. Its scenic environment gave the
young Rizal the right impetus for his poetic and artistic creativity.
Its share of unhappiness also shaped noble and heroic spirit. The
surroundings of his home opened to him the many wonders of
nature.
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Family Background
of
Dr. Jose Rizal

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Jose Rizal Parents

• Francisco Mercado Rizal (1818-1898) – He was the father of Rizal.
o He was born on May 11, 1818 in Biñan, Laguna. His Father studied
Latin and Philosophy at the College of San Jose Manila.
o an industrious farmer whom Rizal called "a model of fathers,"
came from Biñan.
o - he inherited . . . Profound sense of dignity
o self-respect, seriousness and self-possession
o a successful farmer
o he loved books
o an excellent model for Rizal that molded him up into a man of honor
o understood the world of humanity which furnished him with greater
respect for other people, and a greater respect to the dignity of labor.
o Jose Rizal father died in Manila on January 5, 1898 at the aged of 79.

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Jose Rizal Parents

• Doña Teodora (Teodora Alonso Realonda) (1827-1911)– She was the mother
of Rizal.
o She was born was born in Meisic, Sta. Cruz, Manila on November 9,
1827 and was educated at the College of Santa Rosa, a well- known
College for girls in the City.
o a highly cultured and accomplished woman whom Rizal called
"loving and prudent mother,"
o She knows Literature and speaks Spanish well and a
Mathematician.
o talented and remarkable woman
o he inherited . . . temperament of the poet and dreamer and bravery for
sacrifice
o his first teacher
o inculcated the value of knowledge and education to the young Rizal
o a good Mathematician and Manager of business of the Rizal family
o She died on August 16, 1911, at the aged of 84.
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The Rizal Children

• God Blessed the marriage of Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora
Alonso Realonda with Eleven (11) Children.
• Two (2) Boys.
• Nine (9) Girls.
❑ These Children were as follows:
1. Saturnina Rizal – (1850- 1913);
o Saturnina Rizal Hidalgo
o Oldest of the Rizal Children, nickname Neneng.
o She married to Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanawan, Batangas.
2. Paciano Rizal – (1851- 1930);
o Older brother and confidant of Jose Rizal.

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o After Jose Rizal execution, Paciano joined the Philippine Revolution and
became a combat general, after the Revolution.
o Then afterward, Paciano retired to his farm in Los Baños Laguna, where
Paciano lived as a gentleman farmer.
o Paciano died on April 13, 1930 at the aged of 79.
o Paciano had two (2) children a boy and a girl, with his mistress
(Severina Decena).

3. Narcisa Rizal – (1852- 1939)

o Narcisa Rizal Lopez
o Her nickname was Sisa and she married to Antonio Lopez (Nephew of
Father Leoncio Lopez), a school teacher of Morong.

4. Olimpia Rizal – (1855- 1887)

o Olimpia Rizal Ubaldo
o Her nickname was Ypia.
o she married Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator from Manila.

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5. Lucia Rizal– (1857- 1919)

o Lucia Rizal Herbosa
o She married to Mariano Herbosa of Calamba, who was a Nephew of
Father Casanas.
o Herbosa died of Cholera in 1889 and was denied Christian burial and
because he was a brother- in- law of Dr. Jose Rizal.

6. Maria Rizal – (1859- 1945)

o Maria Rizal Cruz
o Biang was her nickname.
o She married to Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan Laguna.

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7. Jose Rizal – (1861- 1896)

o The greatest Filipino Hero and peerless genius.
o His nickname was “Pepe”.
o During his exile in Dapitan he lived with Josephine Bracken, an Irish girl
from Hong Kong. Rizal had a son by her, but his baby-boy died a few
hours after his birth.
o But still Rizal named him “Francisco” after his father’s name and buried
him in Dapitan.

8. Conception Rizal (1862- 1865)

o Her nickname was Concha
o She died at the aged of 3.
o Her death was Jose Rizal’s first sorrow in life.

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• Rizal always called all her sisters as “Doña or Señora” if

married and “Señorita” if Single or not yet married”.
o Example: Doña Ypia
o Señora Saturnina
• Rizal wrote a letter to Blumentritt, on June 23, 1888 while
Rizal is in London. Rizal said that “His Brother Paciano was
the most Noble Filipino and though an “Indio”.
o Rizal describe “Indio” as more generous and nobleman.

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Rizal’s
Ancestry
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• Rizal was a product of the mixture of races.

• In Rizal’s veins flowed the blood of both East and West. These are the
following;
o Negrito
o Indonesian
o Malay
o Chinese
o Japanese
o Spanish

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Rizal Ancestors in the Father side

(Don Francisco Mercado Rizal)

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• Domingo Lamco
o a Chinese immigrant from the Fukien City of Changchow, who arrived in Manila
about the late 1600s.
o At the age of 35, Lam-co was baptized on Sunday (Domingo), June 9, 1697, in the
Parian Church of San Gabriel. In his baptismal records, his parents were simply
listed as Siong-co and Jun-nio. It is believed that his parents belonged to the upper
bracket socially as indicated by the particled -co and -nio at the end of their names.
These two particles correspond to the Spanish Don and Dona which is indicative of
social position.
o He was the Great- great grandfather of Jose Rizal on his father’s side.
o He became a Christian and married to a well- known Chinese Christian girl of Manila
named Ines de la Rosa. Domingo Lamco married Ines de la Rosa who was half his
age.
o He used the surname Mercado in the year 1731.
o The Spanish term “Mercado” means “Market” in English.

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• Domingo Lam-co settled in Binan, Laguna on the Dominican estate called San Isidro
Labrador. He became a leader among the Chinese community and was a frequent
godfather in baptisms and weddings. He helped in the founding of Tubigan Barrio, the
richest part of the estate.
• Domingo married Inez de la Rosa, the daughter of his friend, and was much younger
than he. They married in the Parian Church where he was baptized. Their union was
blessed with two children Francisco and Josefa, who died five days after her birth.
Francisco was only two when he lost his sibling.
• Domingo Mercado and Ines de la Rosa had a son named, Francisco Mercado.
Sources:
• Cua Clan Genealogy. Siongque, Fookien, China.
• Panlasigui, Isidro. "Dr. Jose Rizal's Chinese Ancestry". Fookien Times Yearbook, September 1953.

• Francisco Mercado
o Who resided in Biñan.
o Married to a Chinese- Filipino Mestiza, Cirila Bernacha.
o He was elected as Gobernadorcillo (Municipal Mayor) of the town.
o One of their sons named Juan Mercado (was Jose Rizal’s Grandfather).

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• Juan Mercado
o Married Cirila Alejandra, a Chinese- Filipino mestiza.
o Like his father, he was elected Governadorcillo of Biñan.
o Capitan Juan and Capitana Cirila had thirteen children, the youngest was
Francisco Mercado who was the father of Dr. Jose Rizal.

• Francisco Mercado
o At the age of 8 his father died (Juan Mercado).
o He studied Latin and Philosophy in the College of San Jose in Manila.
o He meet and fall in love Alonso Realonda, a student in the College of Santa Rosa.
o Francisco Mercado and Alonso Realonda were married on June 28, 1848 and settled
down in Calamba.

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Jose Rizal Ancestor in

the Mother Side
(Doña Teodora
Alonso Realonda)

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• Doña Teodora’s family was the descendant of Lakan Dula, who is

the last native King of Tondo.
• Teodora Alonso Realonda
o Her Great-grandfather (Jose Rizal’s maternal great-great-grandfather)
was Eugenio Ursua (of Japanese Ancestry).
• Eugenio Ursua
o Married to a Filipina named Binigna (Surname Unknown).
o Their daughter, Regina.

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• Regina Ursua
o Married to Manuel de Quintos which is a Filipino- Chinese lawyer from
Pangasinan.
• Manuel de Quintos
o One of the daughter of Attorney de Quintos and Regina was “Brigida”.
• Brigida de Quintos
o Married to Lorenzo Alberto Alonso which is the prominent Spanish- Filipino
mestizo of Biñan.
o Their children were Narcisa, Teodora, Gregorio, Manuel and Jose
o Teodora was (Dr. Jose Rizal’s mother).

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• Materially, socially, and professionally, the family of Teodora Alonso

was better off than the family of her husband.

• In those days when professionals were few, the Alonso clan could
boast of a number of lawyers, priests, engineers and government
officials.

• Teodora, Rizal’s mother whose parents were Lorenzo Alberto Alonso

and Brigida Ochoa belonged to professionally famous family from
Baliuag, Bulacan.

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The
Surname
Rizal
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• The real surname of the Rizal family was Mercado which was used in
the year 1731 by Domingo Lamco (the paternal great-great-
grandfather of Dr. Jose Rizal), who was a full-blooded Chinese.
• Rizal’s family acquired a second surname “Rizal” which was given by a
Spanish Alcalde Mayor (Provincial Governor) of Laguna, who was a
family friend.
• The Mercados of Calamba chose the unlisted name Rizal, although
they continued to use the name Mercado. Their original application
was for the name Ricial (meaning “the green of young growth” or
“green fields”), which was connected to their livelihood, but this was
denied for no apparent reason.
• Rizal means "Rizal is a Spanish-derived name for Ricial, meaning Rice
Field/Green Field or pasture.

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Rizal House
• The house of the Rizal family was one of the distinguished stone
houses in Calamba during Spanish times.
• It was a two-storey building, rectangular in shape, built of adobe
stones and hard-woods, and roofed with red tiles.
• Behind the house were the poultry yard full of turkey’s and chickens
and a big garden of tropical fruit trees- like, atis, balimbing, chico,
macopa, papaya, santol, tampoy, etc.

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A Good and Middle- Class Family

• The Rizal family belonged to the “Principalia”, a town aristocracy in
Spanish Philippines. It was one of the distinguished families in
Calamba.
• They owned “carriage” (Carrimata) which was a status symbol of the
ilustrados in Spanish Philippines and a private library (the largest
library in Calamba) which consists of more than 1,000 volumes.

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Home Life of Rizal’s Family

• The Rizal family had a simple, contented, and happy life.
• Don Francisco and Doña Teodora loved their children very much,
but they never spoiled them.
• They were strict parents and they trained their children to love
God, to behave well, to be obedient, and to respect people,
especially the old folks.
• Whenever their children, including Jose Rizal, got mischief, they
were given a sound spanking.
• The family believed in the maxim that “ Spare the rod and spoil
the Child”.

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Jose Rizal
Early Influences and
Demonstration of Inborn Talents

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Early Influences
• His mother- encouraged him to express his ideas and
sentiments in verse
• “The Story of the Moth” about the mother moth warning its
offspring of the danger of fluttering to close to flame. The little
moth did not heed the advice, thus it was burned by the flame.
gave him the moral lesson that if one must succeed, he
must take risks and prepare for the worst consequences.
Without courage, there will be no glory.

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• Jose Rizal at the age of 3 he was able to master the

alphabet. He learned the alphabet from his mother;
• At the age of 3, he began to take part in the family prayers.
His mother, taught him Catholic prayers.
• at 5, while learning to read and write, he already showed
inclinations to be an artist.
• He astounded his family and relatives by his pencil drawings
and sketches and by his moldings of clay.
• He made sketches with his pencil and to mold in clay and
wax objects. His sisters laughed at him in spending too much
time in making images. He told them: “All right laugh at me
now: Someday when I die, people will make monuments
and images of me!”.
• He was 5 when was able to read the Bible. He took active
part in the church, tools part in novenas and religious
processions. He was fondly called “Manong Jose”.

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• Drama Writer- at the age of 8 he wrote his first

dramatic work which was a Tagalog Comedy. The
Gobernadorcillo from Paete, Laguna saw the play
and was delighted so he bought it for 2 pesos to be
staged in their town fiesta.
• Iun 1869 , at the age of 8 he was able to write a
poem entitled “Sa aking Kabata or To My Fellow
Children”, the theme of which revolves on the love of
one’s language.

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• His second Poem was written at the age of 9. It is entitled “My first
Inspiration”(Mi Primera Inspiracion). This poem was dedicated to his
mother.

• Boy Magician- with his hands he showed different tricks such as

making a coin appear or disappear in his fingers and making a
handkerchief vanish in the air.

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• 1865 – 1867
- During this time his mother taught him how to read and write. His father
hired a classmate by the name of Leon Monroy who, for five months
until his (Monroy) death, taught Rizal the rudiments of Latin.

- At about this time two of his mother’s cousin frequented Calamba. Uncle
Manuel Alberto, seeing Rizal frail in body, concerned himself with the
physical development of his young nephew and taught the latter love for
the open air and developed in him a great admiration for the beauty of
nature, while Uncle Gregorio, a scholar, instilled into the mind of the boy
love for education. He advised Rizal: "Work hard and perform every task
very carefully; learn to be swift as well as thorough; be independent in
thinking and make visual pictures of everything."

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• 6 June 1868
- With his father, Rizal made a pilgrimage to Antipolo to fulfill the vow
made by his mother to take the child to the Shrine of the Virgin of
Antipolo should she and her child survive the ordeal of delivery which
nearly caused his mother’s life.

- From there they proceeded to Manila and visited his sister Saturnina
who was at the time studying in the La Concordia College in Sta. Ana.

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• 1870
- His brother Paciano brought Rizal to Biñan, Laguna. He was placed under the
tutelage of Justiniano Aquino Cruz, studying Latin and Spanish. In this town
he also learned the art of painting under the tutorship of an old painter by
the name of Juancho Carrera.
• 17 December 1870
- Having finished his studies in Biñan, Rizal returned to Calamba on board the
motorboat Talim. His parents planned to transfer him to Manila where he
could continue his studies.
• 1871
- His mother was imprisoned in Sta. Cruz, Laguna for allegedly poisoning the
wife of her cousin Jose Alberto, a rich property owner of Biñan and brother
of Manuel and Gregorio.
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• 1872
- For the first time, Rizal heard of the word
“filibustero” which his father forbids the members
of his family to utter, including such names as
Cavite and Burgos. (It must be remembered that
because of the Cavite Mutiny on January 20, 1872,
Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto
Zamora were garroted at Bagumbayan Field on
February 17, 1872.)
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RIZAL IN ATENEO AND UST

• In 1877, at the age of 16,
- he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree with an average of "excellent" from
the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. In the same year, he enrolled in Philosophy
and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas, while at the same time took
courses leading to the degree of surveyor and expert assessor at the Ateneo.

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• He finished the latter course on March 21, 1877 and

passed the Surveyor’s examination on May 21, 1878; but
because of his age, 17, he was not granted license to
practice the profession until December 30, 1881.
• In 1878, he enrolled in medicine at the University of
Santo Tomas but had to stop in his studies when he felt
that the Filipino students were being discriminated upon
by their Dominican tutors.
• On May 3, 1882, he sailed for Spain where he continued
his studies at the Universidad Central de Madrid.
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• On June 21, 1884, at the age of 23, he was conferred the

degree of Licentiate in Medicine and on June 19, 1885, at
the age of 24, he finished his course in Philosophy and
Letters with a grade of “excellent.”
• Having travelled extensively in Europe, America and Asia,
he mastered 22 languages. These include Arabic, Catalan,
Chinese, English, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian,
Japanese, Latin, Malayan, Portuguese, Russian, Sanskrit,
Spanish, Tagalog, and other native dialects.

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• He was an expert swordsman and a good shot. In the hope of

securing political and social reforms for his country and at the
same time educate his countrymen, Rizal, the greatest apostle
of Filipino nationalism, published, while in Europe, several works
with highly nationalistic and revolutionary tendencies.

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• In March 1887,
- his daring book, NOLI ME TANGERE, a
satirical novel exposing the arrogance and
despotism of the Spanish clergy, was
published in Berlin; in 1890 he reprinted in
Paris, Morga’s SUCCESSOS DE LAS ISLAS
FILIPINAS with his annotations to prove that
the Filipinos had a civilization worthy to be
proud of even long before the Spaniards set
foot on Philippine soil.

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• on September 18, 1891,

- EL FILIBUSTERISMO, his second novel
and a sequel to the NOLI and more
revolutionary and tragic than the
latter, was printed in Ghent. Because
of his fearless exposures of the
injustices committed by the civil and
clerical officials, Rizal provoked the
animosity of those in power.

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• This led himself, his relatives and countrymen into trouble

with the Spanish officials of the country.
• As a consequence, he and those who had contacts with
him were shadowed; the authorities were not only
finding faults but even fabricating charges to pin him
down.
• Thus, he was imprisoned in Fort Santiago from July 6,
1892 to July 15, 1892 on a charge that anti-friar
pamphlets were found in the luggage of his sister Lucia
who arrives with him from Hong Kong.
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• When the Philippine Revolution started on August 26, 1896, his

enemies lost no time in pressing him down.
• They were able to enlist witnesses that linked him with the
revolt and these were never allowed to be confronted by him.
• Thus, from November 3, 1886, to the date of his execution, he
was again committed to Fort Santiago. In his prison cell, he
wrote an untitled poem, now known as "Ultimo Adios" which is
considered a masterpiece and a living document expressing not
only the hero’s great love of country but also that of all
Filipinos.
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• After a mock trial, he was convicted of rebellion, sedition and of forming

illegal association.
• In the cold morning of December 30, 1896, Rizal, a man whose 35 years of
life had been packed with varied activities which proved that the Filipino has
capacity to equal if not excel even those who treat him as a slave, was shot at
Bagumbayan Field.

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Thank You for Listening……..

• Books Sources
• Gregorio Zaide & Sonia Zaide (2011). Rizal Life, Works and Writings of
a Genius, Writer, Scientist and National Hero. 2nd Edition. All Nations
Publishing Co., Inc. Cubao Quezon City, Philippines.
• J.A Lopez & A.E Paras.,(2010). Rizal: Life Works and Writings of the
Greatest Malayan 3rd Edition. HisGoPhil Publishing House, Inc.

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Medical Studies at the University
of Santo Tomas (UST)
1877-1882

In Sunny Spain
1882-1885
 INTRODUCTION

 Rizal’s tragic first romance didn’t affect his studies in

the University of Santo Tomas.
 After finishing his first year of Philosophy and Letters
(1877-1878), he then transferred to the medical course.
 Though Thomasian, he was loyal to Ateneo continuing
extra-curricular activities there.
 He also won many literary laurels, had other romances
with pretty girls and fought against Spanish students
who insulted brown Filipino students.
 Medical Studies at the University of Santo Tomas (UST)
1877-1882
1. Mother’s Opposition to Higher Education
2. Rizal Enters University
3. Finishes Surveying Course in Ateneo (1878)
4. Romances with Other Girls
5. Victim of Spanish Brutality
6. ”To the Filipino Youth”
7. ”The Council of the Gods”
8. Other Literary Works
9. Rizal’s Visit to Pakil and Pagsanjan
10. Champion of Filipino Students
11. Unhappy Days at the UST
12. Decision to Study Abroad
MOTHER’S OPPOSITION TO HIGHER EDUCATION
 After graduating from Ateneo, Rizal goes to the
University of Santo Tomas (UST) for higher studies.
 Bachelor of Arts during the Spanish era was only
equivalent to High school and Junior college courses
of today. Merely to qualify its graduate to enter
university.
 Don Francisco and Paciano wanted Jose to pursue
higher learning in university. But Doña Teodora
opposed the idea.
 Don Fracisco kept quiet at just instructed Paciano to
accompany Jose Rizal to Manila despite their
mother’s tears.
 RIZAL ENTERS UNIVERSITY
 In April 1877, Rizal nearly 16 years of age, enrolled in
the UST taking course on Philosophy and Letters with 2
reasons:
-His father liked it
-He was ”still uncertain as to what career to pursue”.
 Consequently, during his first-year term (1877-78) in
UST, he also studied Cosmology, Metaphysics,
Theodicy, and History of Philosophy.
 During the following term (1878-79) Rizal took up the
medical course. Another reason why he chose
medicine for a career was to be able to cure his
mother’s growing blindness.
 FINISHES SURVEYING COURSE IN ATENEO (1878)
 During his first term in UST (1877-78), Rizal also studied
in Ateneo, taking up vocational course which gave him
the title of perito agrimensor (expert surveyor).
 Rizal excelled in all subjects in Ateneo, obtaining gold
medals in agriculture and topography.
 At the age of 17, he passed final examination in
surveying course but because he is below of age, the
title couldn’t be granted at that time. The title was then
issued to him on November 25, 1881.
 Though Thomasian, due to his loyalty, he frequently
visited Ateneo.
 Jesuit professors, unlike Dominicans, loved and inspired
him to ascend greater knowledge.
 ROMANCES WITH OTHER GIRLS
 Rizal had ample time for love. His sad experience with
his first love made him wise in ways of romance.
”Miss L”
- After losing Segunda Katigbak, he court a young
woman in Calamba. He simply called her ”Miss L”,
describes her as ”fair with seductive and attractive
eyes”. However, the romance died a natural death. Until
today, nobody knows who this woman was. Her identity
is lost in history. There are 2 reasons for his change of
heart:
1. Sweet memory of Segunda was still fresh.
2. His father didn’t like the family of ”Miss L”.
Leonor Valenzuela
- Later, during his sophomore year at UST, he boarded in the
house of Doña Concha Leyva in Intramuros. Their
neighbors Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela
had a charming daughter called Leonor.
- She was a tall girl with a regal bearing. He courted her and
sent her love notes written in invinsible ink consisted of table
salt and water. Rizal taught Orang (pet name of Leonor) the
secret of reading any note written in invinsible ink by heating
over a candle or lamp.
-However, he stopped short of proposing marriage to Orang.
Leonor Rivera
- Leonor Rivera was his cousin from Camiling. In 1879, he
lived in ”Casa Tomasina”, No. 6 Calle Santo Tomas,
Intramuros.
- His landlord-uncle, Antonio Rivera had a pretty daughter,
Leonor, a student at La Concordia College, where Soledad
(Rizal’s youngest sister) was also studying.
- Leonor, born in Camiling, Tarlac on April 11, 1867 was a
frail, pretty girl ”tender as a budding flower with kindly,
wistful eyes”.
- Jose and Leonor sprang a beautiful romance and became
engaged.
- In her letters to Rizal, Leonor signed her name as ”Taimis”.
 VICTIM OF SPANISH BRUTALITY
 When Rizal was a freshman medical at UST, he
experienced his first taste of Spanish brutality.
One dark night in 1878, he was walking in the street and
perceived some man passing him, but due to darkness
he didn’t recognize the man and didn’t salute nor say
corteous ”Good Evening”. The man turned out to be a
lieutenant of Guardia Civil, he turned upon Rizal and
whipped out his sword, brutally slashing his back.
The wound was painful and lasted 2 weeks. Rizal reported
the incident to General Primo de Rivera, the Spanish
Governor General of the Philippines but nothing came
out of his complaint because he was an Indio and the
abusive lieutenant was a Spaniard.
 ”TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH”
 In year 1879, Liceo Artisitico-Literario (Artistic-Literary Lyceum) of
Manila, held a literary contest. It offered prize for the best poem
by a native or mestizo. Rizal submitted his poem entitled A ’La
Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth).
 The judges were composed of Spaniards, totally impressed by
Rizal’s poem,they granted the first prize to him.
 In this poem, Rizal beseeched Filipino youth to rise from lethargy.
 This winning poem is a classic in Philippine literature for 2
reasons:
1. It was the first great poem in Spanish written by a Filipino and
was recognized by Spanish authorities.
2. For the first time, it expressed the nationalistic concept that
Filipinos, not foreigners, were the ”fair hope of the Fatherland”.
 ”THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS”
 In 1880, Artistic-Literary Lyceum opened another literary
contest to commemorate the 4th centennial death of
Cervantes, Spain’s famous author of Don Quixote(kee-
hoh-tee). The contest was opened for both Filipinos and
Spaniards.
 Rizal submitted an allegorical drama entitled El Consejo
de los Dioses (The Council of the Gods).
 The judges were all Spaniards and they awarded the first
prize to Rizal’s work because of its literary superiority.
 The Spanish Community in Manila opposed because the
winning author is an Indio. However, despite all
objections, the prize was still awarded to Rizal.
 Rizal’s winning allegory was based on Greek classics.
 OTHER LITERARY WORKS
 Aside from the 2 prize-winning, Rizal produced other poems
and a zarzuela, entitled Junto al Pasig (Beside the Pasig),
staged by Atenean on December 8, 1880 for the annual
celebration of the feast day of Immaculate Concepcion,
Patroness of Ateneo. The piece was mediocre(mee-dee-oh-
ker) but some passages express subtle nationalist ideas.
 In the same year (1880), he also wrote a sonnet entitled A
Filipinas for the Society of Sculptors. In his piece, he urged
Filipino artist to glorify th Philippines.
 In December 8,1879, he composed a poem entitled Abd-el-
Azis y Mahoma.
 Later, in 1881, he composed a poem entitled Al M.R.P. Pablo
Ramon as an expression of affection to Father Pablo Ramon,
the kind and helpful Ateneo rector.
RIZAL’S VISIT TO PAKIL AND PAGSANJAN
 In summer of May 1881, Rizal went on a pilgrimage to the
town of Pakil, accompanied by his sisters, namely:
- Saturnina -Maria - Trinidad
 They took casco from Calamba to Pakil, Laguna. Stayed at
the home of Nicolas’ parents, Mr. and Mrs. Regalado.
Nicolas was Rizal’s friend in Manila.
 Rizal was fascinated by the famous turumba.
 While in Pakil, Rizal was infatuated by Vicenta Ybardoloza, a
pretty girl who skillfully played harp at Regalado’s home.
 Rizal made a side trip to the neighboring town of Pagsanjan
for 2 reasons:
1. It was the native town of Leonor Valenzuela
2. To see the world-famed Pagsanjan Falls.
 CHAMPION OF FILIPINO STUDENTS
 Rizal was the champion of the Filipino students in their
frequent fights against arrogant Spanish students, who
insultingly call their brown classmates, ”Indio, chongo!”. In
retaliation, Filipinos call them ”Kastila, bagus!”. Hostility
often exploded in angry street rumbles.
 Rizal participated in street brawls.
 In 1880, he founded a secret society of Filipino students in
UST called Compañerismo (Comradeship), members were
called ”Companions of Jehu”.
 Rizal was the chief of the secret society and his cousin from
Batangas, Galicano Apacible was the secretary.
 There was a time in their fights, when Rizal was wounded on
the head, his friends brought him in his boarding house and
Leonor Rivera aided and washed his wound.
 UNHAPPY DAYS AT THE UST
 Rizal found the atmosphere at UST suffocating.
 He was unhappy at the Dominican institution for 3 reasons:
1. Dominican professors were hostile to him.
2. Filipinos were racially discriminated against by the Spaniards.
3. The method of instruction were obsolete and repressive.
 In his novel, El Filibusterismo, he described how Filipino
students were humiliated and insulted by Dominican
professors and how twisted the method of instruction was. In
Chapter XIII, ”The Class in Physics”, his science subject was
taught without laboratory experiments. Laboratory aparatuses
were kept inside the showcases to be seen by visitors, in
reality, students can’t even touch them.
 Rizal failed to win high scholastic honors due to the unfriendly
attitude of his professors.
 DECISION TO STUDY ABROAD
 After finishing Rizal’s fourth year of medical course, he
decided to go to Spain because he could no longer endure
the discrimination and hostility in the UST.
 Many approved of this. However, for the first time, he did not
seek his parent’ permission for he knew that they would
disapprove it.
 He also didn’t tell his beloved Leonor because he knew she
couldn’t keep a secret.
 Rizal’s parents, Leonor, and the Spanish authorities have no
idea of his decision to go abroad to finish his medical studies
in Spain.
 He believed that professors in Spain were more liberal than
of those who’re in the UST.
 INTRODUCTION
 Jose Rizal is disgusted with the antiquated method of
instruction in UST(Domincan-owned university) and
racial prejudice of Dominican professors against Filipino
students.
 He decided to complete his studies in Spain, because
the government of Spain at that time was constitutional
monarchy, which granted human rights to the people.
 Aside from this, his another reason, more importantly
than finishing his course was his ”secret mission”.
Rizal’s
fiRst
tRavel
abRoad
 IN SUNNY SPAIN ( 1882-1885 )
1. Rizal’s Secret Mission 12. They Ask Me For Verses
2. Secret Departure for Spain 13. Rizal as Lover of Books
3. Singapore 14. Rizal’s First Visit to Paris
4. From Singapore to Colombo 15. Rizal as a Mason
5. First Trip Through Suez Canal 16. Financial Worries
6. Naples and Marseilles 17. Rizal’s Salute to Luna and
7. Barcelona Hidalgo
8. ”Amor Patrio” 18. Rizal Involved in Student
9. Manila Moves to Madrid Demonstrations
10. Life in Madrid 19. Studies Completed in Spain
11. Romance with Consuelo
Ortiga y Perez
 RIZAL’S SECRET MISSION
 This mission was to observe keenly the life and
culture, languages, 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.
 This was evidenced in his farewell letter delivered
to his parents after his departure.
 The Rizalian secret mission was likewise disclosed
by Paciano in his letter dated May 20, 1882 in
Manila.
 SECRET DEPARTURE FOR SPAIN
 Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept secret to avoid
detection by Spanish authorities and friars.
 His parents didn’t know because they wouldn’t allow him
to go. Only his older brother(Paciano), uncle(Antonio
Rivera), his sisters(Neneng and Lucia), the Valenzuela
family, Pedro A. Paterno, and some intimate friend
including Chengoy(Jose M. Cecilio).
 He wrote a farewell letter for his parents and also for his
sweetheart, Leonor Rivera. Both were delivered after he
sailed away.
 On May 3, 1882, Rizal departed on board the Spanish
steamer Salvadora bound for Singapore.
 SINGAPORE
 During the voyage to Singapore, he carefully
observed the people and things on board the
steamer. There were 16 passengers including
himself. He was the only Filipino, the rest
were Spaniards, British, and Indian Negroes.
 The ship captain, Donato Lecha from
Austrias, Spain had befriended him. Rizal
describe him as ”much more refined than his
other countrymen and collegues that I have
met”.
➢ To kill boredom, Rizal
played chess against
his fellow passengers
and he defeated them
many times.
➢ On May 8, 1882, Rizal
saw an island and he
remembered ”Talim
Island with the Susong
Dalaga”
➢ The following day (May
9), Salvadora docked
at Singapore. Rizal
landed and spent 2
days on sightseeing.
 Visits to Singapore

➢ The first of Rizal’s many visits to foreign lands

was a two-day stopover in Singapore in 1882.
➢ He toured the island by carriage, visiting sites
such as the Raffles statue, the Botanical
Gardens, temples, markets, and a school.
➢ He was impressed by the city’s greenery and
noted that its population seemed assured of
their rights.
Singapore Botanical Garden, 1882
 FROM SINGAPORE TO COLOMBO

Rizal transferred to another ship, Djemnah, a French steamer, left Singapore for
Europe on May 11. It was larger and cleaner vessel and carried more
passengers.
➢There were British, French, Dutch, Spaniards,
Malays, Siamese, and Filipinos.
➢French was mostly spoken on board. Rizal
attempted to converse in French but was
embarrased upon finding out that his book of
French which he learned at Ateneo couldn’t
be understood.
➢By conversing daily with French passengers,
he was able to improve his knowledge of the
French language.
On May 17, Djemnah reached Point Galle, seacoast in southern Ceylon (now
Sri Lanka). Rizal was unimpressed by this town.
The following day, Djemnah resumed voyage towards Colombo, the capital of
Ceylon. Rizal was fascinated by Colombo and wrote on his diary: ”Colombo is
more beautiful, smart, and elegant than Singapore, Point Galle, and Manila.”
From Colombo, Djemnah continued voyage crossing Indian Ocean to the
Cape of Guardafui, Africa. For the first time, Rizal saw the barren coast of
Africa.
 FIRST TRIP THROUGH SUEZ CANAL
➢ From Aden, Djemnah proceeded to
the city of Suez, the Red Sea
terminal of the Suez Canal.
➢ Rizal disembarked and went
sightseeing. He was impressed by
the moonlight because it reminded
him of Calamba and his family.
➢ It took 5 days for Djemnah to
traverse the Suez Canal. This canal
was built by Ferdinand de Lesseps.
(French diplomat-engineer) which
➢ was inaugurated on November 17,
1869
At Port Said, the Mediterranean terminal of Suez Canal, he was
fascinated to hear multi-racial languages.
NAPLES AND MARSEILLES
 NAPLES AND MARSEILLES
 From Port Said, they proceeded on way to
Europe.
 On June 11, Rizal reached Naples, an
Italian city that pleased Rizal due to its
business activities, lively people, and
panoramic beauty. He was also fascinated
by Mt. Vesuvius and the Castle of St.
Telmo.
➢ On the night of June 12, the French steamer
docked at the harbor of Marseilles. Rizal
disembarked.
➢ He visited the famous Chateau d’lf (sha-toe
deef), where Dantes, hero of The Count of
Monte Cristo, was imprisoned.
➢ He stayed two and half days in Marseilles,
enjoying every day of his sojourn.
➢On the afternoon of June 15, Rizal left
Marseilles by train for Spain. He stopped at
the frontier town of Port Bou for inspection.
He noticed the indifference accorded by the
Spanish immigration to tourist contrasting to
the courtesy of the French immigration.
➢After passport inspection at Port Bou, Rizal
continued his way and finally reaching his
destination, Barcelona on June 16, 1882.
 BARCELONA
➢ At 12:00 noon, Rizalarrived at Barcelona and boarded in the
FondaDeEspaña.
➢ Rizal’s first impression of Barcelona, greatest city of
Cataluña and Spain’s second largest city, was
unfavorable. He thought it was ugly, dirty,and
residents were inhospitable. Later, he came to like the
city. He found it to be with an atmosphere of freedom
and liberalism. People were open-hearted, hospitable,
and courageous.
➢ Filipinos in Barcelona welcomed Rizal. They gave him
a party at Plaza de Cataluña, in turn, he gave them
the latest news and gossips in the Philippines.
 ”AMOR PATRIO”
 In Barcelona, Rizal wrote a nationalistic essay entitled ”Amor
Patrio”(Love of Country), his first article written on Spain’s soil.He
sent the article to Basilio Teodoro Moran, publisher of Diariong
Tagalog, the first Manila bilingual newspaper.
 The essay under pen-name Laong Laan appeared in print in Diariong
Tagalog on August 20, 1882. Published in 2 texts, originally written by
Rizal in Spanish and the Tagalog text was translated by M.H. del Pilar.
 This essay urged his compatriots to love their fatherland, the
Philippines.
 Basilio Teodoro Moran was deeply impressed by ”Amor Patrio” and
requested for more articles.
 Rizal wrote 2nd article entitled ”Los Viajes” (Travels). His 3rd article
entitled ”Revista de Madrid” (Review of Madrid), written in Madrid on
November 29, 1882, was returned because the publication stopped
due to lack of funds.
 MANILA MOVES TO MADRID
 While sojourning in Barcelona, Rizal received sad news
about cholera in Manila and provinces. Many people died
and more dying everyday. According to Paciano’s letter,
dated September 15, 1882, the Calamba folks prayed to
God to stop the epidemic, which even Spanish authorities
are impotent to check.
 Another sad news was the letter of Chengoy talking about
the unhappines of Leonor Rivera and that she was getting
thinner because of the absence of a loved one.
 establishing himself in Madrid, the capital of Spain.
 LIFE IN MADRID
 November 3, 1882 – Rizal enrolled in Universidad Central de Madrid(Central
University of Madrid) in 2 courses:
1. Medicine
2. Philosophy and Letters
 He also studied painting and sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts of San
Fernando.
 He also took lessons in French, German, and English
 He also practiced fencing and shooting in the Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell.
 He visited art galleries, museums, and read books.
 He led Spartan life in Madrid to prepare himself for service to his fatherland.
 He budgeted his money and time, never wasting any amount for gambling,
wine, and women.
 At times, in his leisure time, he invest few pesetas for a lottery ticket, but most
of the time he spent it for reading, writing, and attending reunions of Filipino
students.
 On Saturday evenings, he visited Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey, a former city mayor in
Manila and later promoted as Vice-President of the Council of the Philippines
in the Ministry of Colonies. He lived along with his son, Rafael and daughter,
Consuelo.
 LIFE IN MADRID
 November 3, 1882 – Rizal enrolled in Universidad Central de Madrid(Central
University of Madrid) in 2 courses:
1. Medicine
2. Philosophy and Letters
 He also studied painting and sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts of San
Fernando.
 He also took lessons in French, German, and English
 He also practiced fencing and shooting in the Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell.
 He visited art galleries, museums, and read books.
 He led Spartan life in Madrid to prepare himself for service to his fatherland.
 He budgeted his money and time, never wasting any amount for gambling,
wine, and women.
 At times, in his leisure time, he invest few pesetas for a lottery ticket, but most
of the time he spent it for reading, writing, and attending reunions of Filipino
students.
 On Saturday evenings, he visited Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey, a former city mayor in
Manila and later promoted as Vice-President of the Council of the Philippines
in the Ministry of Colonies. He lived along with his son, Rafael and daughter,
Consuelo.
 ROMANCE WITH CONSUELO ORTIGA Y PEREZ
 Although Rizal was not a handsome man, he possessed an aura of
charisma due to his talents and noble character, makes him looking
attractive to young women, and Consuelo, Don Pablo’s daughter also
fell inlove with him.
 Rizal, being lonely and away from his homeland, became attracted to
Consuelo’s beauty and vivacity.
 On August 22,1883, Rizal wrote a poem dedicated to her entitled A La
Señorita C.O.y P. (To Miss C.O.y P.), expressing his admiration for her.
 However, before his romance with Consuelo could blossom into serious
affair, he backed out for 2 reasons:
1. He was still engaged to Leonor Rivera
2. His friend andco-worker in Propaganda Movement, Eduardo de Lete is
inlove with Consuelo. He had no wish to break their friendship just
because for a girl.
 THEY ASK ME FOR VERSES
 1882 – Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino
(Hispano-Philippine Circle), a society of Spaniards
and Filipinos.
 Rizal wrote ”Me Piden Versos” (They Ask Me For
Verses) and he personally declaimed it at the New
Year’s Eve reception of the Madrid Filipinos held in
the evening of December 31, 1882.
 In this sad poem, he poured out the cry of his
agonizing heart.
CIRCULO-HISPANOFILIPINO
 RIZAL AS LOVER OF BOOKS
 Reading- Rizal’s favorite pastime in Madrid.
 Instead of gambling and flirting with girls, he
stayed at home, reading books until midnight.
 Rizal budgeted his living expenses. With some of
the money he saved, he purchased books from
second-hand book store owned by Señor Roces.
 Rizal was able to build a fair-sized private library.
 Some of his collections were:
a. The Bible
b. Hebrew Grammar
c. Complete Works of Voltaire (9 Volumes)
 RIZAL’S FIRST VISIT TO PARIS (1883)
 Rizal’s first summer vacation in Madrid, he went to Paris, sojourning from
June 17 to August 20, 1883.
 Rizal was particularly fascinated by these places:
1. Beautiful boulevards - Champ Elysees (ey-lee-zey)
2. Opera House
3. Place de la Concorde (plas de la kon-kurd)
4. Arch of Triumph
5. Bois de Boulogne (bwah duh boo-lohn)
6. Madelaine Church (mad-l-in)
7. Cathedral of Notre Dame (noh-truh deym, dahm)
8. Column of Vendome (vahn- dohm)
9. Invalides -tomb of Napoleon the Great
10. Versailles (ver-sahy)
 Rizal improved his mind by observing French way
of life and spending hours at the museums,
notably the world famous Louvre (loo-ver).
 He also went to the botanical gardens, especially
the Luxembourg.
 He also went to the libraries, art galleries, and
even hospitals (Laennec Hospital and Lariboisiere
Hospital) to observe.
 Many Parisians thought Rizal was Japanese.
 The prices of virtually almost everything in Paris
was too high. He commented on his letter to his
family: ”Paris is the cosliest capital in Europe.”
 RIZAL AS A MASON
 While in Spain, Rizal came in close contact with
prominent Spanish liberal and republican Spaniards,
most of them are Masons.
 Those of the included were:
1. Miguel Morayta – statesman, professor, historian, and
writer.
2. Francisco Pi y Margal – journalist, statesman, and
former President of the First Spanish Republic.
3. Manuel Becerra – Minister of Ultramar.
4. Emilio Junoy – journalist and member of the Spanish
Cortes.
5. Juan Ruiz Zorilla – parliamentarian and head of the
Republic Progressive Party in Madrid.
 Rizal was impressed how they openly criticized the
government policies and lambasted the friars, this could not
be done in the Philippines.
 March 1883 – Rizal joined Masonic lodge in Madrid called
Acacia.
 His reason for becoming a Mason, is to secure
Freemasonry’s aid in his fight against the friars in the
Philippines.
 Friars uses the Catholic religion as a shield to grab power,
wealth, and to persecute Filipino patriots. On the otherhand,
Rizal wanted to utilize Freemasonry as his shield to combat
them.
 M.H. del Pilar, G. Lopez Jaena, and Mariano Ponce –are very
active in Masonic affairs. Rizal only played a lukewarm role
in Freemasonry.
 ”Science, Virtue and Labor” – Rizal’s only Masonic writing
delivered in 1889 at Lodge Solidaridad, Madrid.
 FINANCIAL WORRIES
 After Rizal left for Spain, things went bad to worse in Calamba.
 Drought and locusts makes the harvest of rice and sugarcane
extremely tough.
 The lands cultivated by the Rizal family was a Domincan-owned
hacienda. The hacienda manager frequently asked Don Francisco for
a turkey however, due to a dreadful pest that killed most of the
turkeys, Don Francisco had to deny him because he need the few
surviving for breeding purposes. The hacienda manager enraged for
his failure to received a turkey, leads to increasing rentals of the
leased lands by Don Francisco and Paciano.
 Due to this hard times, allowances became harsh for Rizal in Madrid
and at times he received nothing at all.
 June 24, 1884 – Rizal was broke and haven’t had his breakfast, yet
he attended his class and then participated in the contest in Greek
language and even won the gold medal. Later that night, he was
able have his meal for the day upon attending a banquet to honor
Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo.
 RIZAL’S SALUTE TO LUNA AND HIDALGO
 June 25, 1884 – banquet for Luna and Hidalgo was sponsored by Filipino
community to celebrate the double victory of Filipino artists in the National
Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid:
1. Luna’s Spoliarium – winning 1st prize
2. Hidalgo’s Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace – won 2nd prize.
 Rizal was a guest speaker and he held his audience spellbound.
 He saluted Luna and Hidalgo as the 2 glories of Spain and Philippines.
 He stated that genius is universal, artistic achievements transcended
geographical frontiers and racial origins.
 He alluded in refine sarcasm the bigotry and blindness of some unworthy
Spaniards (pertaining to the bad friars in the Philippines) of not
appreciating the universality of genius.
 Rizal’s magnificent speech was greeted with warm ovations because
Spaniards seldom hear such a beautiful oration from the lips of a brown
Filipino.
RIZAL INVOLVED IN STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS

 November 20, 21, and 22, 1884 – bloody riots by students of the Central
University exploded in Madrid. Rizal and other Filipino students joined along
with Cuban, Mexican, Peruvian, and Spanish students.
 The riot was ignited when Dr. Miguel Morayta (History Professor) and some
who applauded his speech was excommunicated because his speech was
condemned by Catholic bishops in Spain.
 The angered students even rose to violent demonstrations due the bigotry
of Catholic bishops.
 Many university professors openly supported the rioters. The Rector taking
the students’ side was forced to resigned. Later, he was replaced by Doctor
Creus, a man disliked by everyone. The appointment of new Rector only
intensified the fury of the student demonstrations.
 STUDIES COMPLETED IN SPAIN
 Rizal completed his medical course in Spain. He was
conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine by the
Universidad Central de Madrid on June 21, 1884.
 The next academic year (1884-85), he studied and
passed all subjects leading to the degree of Doctor of
Medicine but he didn’t present his thesis required for
graduation nor paid the corresponding fees. He was not
awarded his Doctor’s diploma.
 Rizal also finished his studies in Philosophy and Letters
with higher grades. He was awarded the degree of
Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters by Universidad
central de Madrid on June 19, 1884 with the rating
Excellent (Sobresaliente).
 By obtaining degree of Licentiate in Philosophy
and Letters, Rizal is qualified to be a professor of
Humanities in any Spanish university.
 By receiving degree of Licentiate in Medicine, he
also become a full-fledged physician and is
qualified to practice medicine.
 Rizal didn’t bother to secure post-graduate degree
of Doctor of Medicine because it was only good for
teaching purposes. He doesn’t need it because he
is already a professor and qualified to teach.
 He also knew that with his brown color and Asian
ancestry, no friar-owned university or college would
hire him even if he had graduated with flying
honors, they still wouldn’t recognize it.
JOSE RIZAL
From Boyhood to Adulthood
Rizal at age 11
This is a photograph of a
young boy from Calamba
who would later be this
country’s contribution to
the world.
Source: (11) Rizal in Barong Tagalog - Posts | Facebook
Rizal at age 16
Rizal at 18 years old while a student of medicine at the U.S.T
Rizal in Madrid at the age of 25
Dr. José Rizal, Fundador de la Liga Filipina
Dr. Jose Rizal, Founder of the Philippine League
Rizal at age 35
 WOMEN IN RIZAL'S
LIFE
Heroes also to have a LOVE LIFE for inspiration ☺
 RIZAL, THE ROMANTIC

There were at least nine women linked

with Rizal; namely Segunda Katigbak,
Leonor Valenzuela, Leonor Rivera,
Consuelo Ortiga, O-Sei San, Gertrude
Beckett, Nelly Boustead, Suzanne Jacoby
and Josephine Leopoldine Bracken.
 RIZAL, THE ROMANTIC
Historians have linked Rizal with more than a
dozen women, although only nine have been
identified: Segunda Katigbak, Leonor Valenzuela,
Leonor Rivera and Consuelo Ortiga, all Filipinas;
O-Sei-San, Japanese; Gertrude Beckett, English;
Nellie Boustead, French; Suzanna Jacoby, Belgian
and; Josephine Bracken, the 18-year-old Irish girl
whom he married while on exile in Dapitan. These
women might have been beguiled by his
intelligence, charm and wit.
 Gertrude Beckett
Daughter of a London organist. She fell in love with Rizal.
 Gertrude Beckett

While Rizal was in London annotating the Succesos de las Islas

Filipinas, he boarded in the house of the Beckett family, within
walking distance of the British Museum. Gertrude, a blue-eyed
and buxom girl was the oldest of the three Beckett daughters.
She fell in love with Rizal. Tottie helped him in his painting and
sculpture. But Rizal suddenly left London for Paris to avoid
Gertrude, who was seriously in love with him. Before leaving
London, he was able to finish the group carving of the Beckett
sisters. He gave the group carving to Gertrude as a sign of their
brief relationship.
Rizal stayed in this house located in Chalcot Crescent,
Primrose Hill in London. Here, he had a fling with
Gertrude Becket, daughter of his landlady. He called her
“Gettie”, while she called him “Pettie”!
In a nearby street lived Dr Reinhold Rost, who invited Rizal to
have afternoon teas in his house. Dr Rost described Rizal as
“a pearl of a man”. Rizal said Dr Rost’s house was “a real
home for me”.
 Josephine Leopoldine Bracken
She loved Rizal and stood by him up to his last hour
 JOSEPHINE LEOPOLDINE
BRACKEN

In the last days of February 1895, while still in Dapitan, Rizal met an
18-year old petite Irish girl, with bold blue 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. But the Rizal
sisters suspected Josephine as an agent of the friars and they
considered her as a threat to Rizal’s security.
Rizal asked Josephine to marry him, but she was not yet
ready to make a decision due to her responsibility to the
blind Taufer. Since Taufer’s blindness was untreatable, he
left for Hong Kong on March 1895. Josephine stayed with
Rizal’s family in Manila. Upon her return to Dapitan, Rizal
tried to arrange with Father Antonio Obach for their
marriage. However, the priest wanted a retraction as a
precondition before marrying them. Rizal upon the advice
of his family and friends and with Josephine’s consent took
her as his wife even without the Church blessings.
Josephine later give birth prematurely to a stillborn baby, a
result of some incidence, which might have shocked or
frightened her.
➢ Rizal relic — the famous wood sculpture
depicting the likeness of Josephine Leopoldine
Bracken masterfully made by Rizal in Dapitan in
1895.
➢ Very few researchers had the chance to study this
work of art up close and personal.
➢ The wood plank measures 8 inches in width, 13
inches in length, and 1-1.5 inches in thickness,
and weighs about 1.2 kilograms.
➢ It is made of solid molave wood, without any
visible inscriptions on all sides.
➢ The use of masilla (most likely bakhaw paste) is
obvious.
➢ Looking at this sculpture, one can have a good
idea of how Josephine Bracken really looked like.
➢ She was beautiful!
Crayon sketch by Rizal

Leonor Rivera
Sweetheart of Rizal
 A full-length portrait of
Rivera, c. 1880s

Leonor Rivera-Kipping
Sweetheart of Rizal
 LEONOR RIVERA

Leonor Rivera, his sweetheart for 11 years played the

greatest influence in keeping him from falling in love with
other women during his travel. Unfortunately, Leonor’s
mother disapproved of her daughter’s relationship with
Rizal, who was then a known filibustero. She hid from
Leonor all letters sent to her sweetheart. Leonor believing
that Rizal had already forgotten her, sadly consented her to
marry the Englishman Henry Kipping, her mother’s choice.
She was the childhood sweetheart, and “lover
by correspondence "of Jose Rizal. Rivera was
the “greatest influence” in preventing Rizal
from falling in love with other women while
Rizal was traveling outside the Philippines.
Rivera's romantic relationship with Rizal
lasted for many years. She was immortalized
by Rizal as the character Maria Clara in the
Spanish-language novel Noli Me Tangere.
Rivera died on 28 August 1893 shortly
after giving birth to her second child
with Kipping. Shortly before she died,
her last wish was to have the silver box
containing the ashes of Rizal's burned
letters be buried with her.
 Leonor Valenzuela
Friend of Rizal during his student days at University of Sto. Tomas
 Leonor Valenzuela
After his admiration for a short girl in the person of Segunda, then
came Leonor Valenzuela, a tall girl from Pagsanjan. Rizal send her love
notes written in invisible ink, that could only be deciphered over the
warmth of the lamp or candle. He visited her on the eve of his
departure to Spain and bade her a last goodbye.
 Segunda Katigbak

Segunda Katigbak was her puppy love. Unfortunately, his first love was engaged
to be married to a town mate- Manuel Luz.
 Nelly Boustead of Biarritz
whom Rizal almost married in 1891, after learning that Leonor Rivera
got married
 NELLIE BOUSTEAD
Rizal having lost Leonor Rivera, entertained the thought of courting other ladies.
While a guest of the Boustead family at their residence in the resort city of Biarritz, he
had befriended the two pretty daughters of his host, Eduardo Boustead. Rizal used to
fence with the sisters at the studio of Juan Luna. Antonio Luna, Juan’s brother and
also a frequent visitor of the Bousteads, courted Nellie but she was deeply infatuated
with Rizal. In a party held by Filipinos in Madrid, a drunken Antonio Luna uttered
unsavory remarks against Nellie Boustead. This prompted Rizal to challenge Luna into
a duel. Fortunately, Luna apologized to Rizal, thus averting tragedy for the compatriots.

Their love affair unfortunately did not end in marriage. It failed because Rizal refused
to be converted to the Protestant faith, as Nellie demanded and Nellie’s mother did
not like a physician without enough paying clientele to be a son-in-law. The lovers,
however, parted as good friends when Rizal left Europe.
 O-Sei Kiyo San
whom Rizal met during his one and a half month sojourn in Japan in the
spring of 1888. She taught him Japanese.
 O SEI SAN

O Sei San, a Japanese samurai’s daughter, taught Rizal the Japanese art
of painting known as su-mie. She also helped Rizal improve his
knowledge of Japanese language. If Rizal was a man without a
patriotic mission, he would have married this lovely and intelligent
woman and lived a stable and happy life with her in Japan because
Spanish legation there offered him a lucrative job.
➢ A Rizal monument in Japan that marks
the site of the former Tokyo Hotel where
Rizal stayed in 1888.
➢ Stayed at Japan and Study Judo and
was amaze and Found on the Bushido
Code of Conduct... His Japanese Journey
Added on his Martial Arts Philosophy that
he have applied to Master the "De
Cadena" Form... Continuous Barrage of
Attack to overwhealm the Enemy after
anticipating an Attack...
➢ Few to Many, Our National Hero is a
Grand Master with 25 years of Combined
Self Defense Skill tuning it on one Martial
Arts... He also created a Movement Called
"Kumpas" where in he create an illusion of
Speed of Attack to confuse his Opponent...
Consuelo Ortiga y Rey
 CONSUELO ORTIGA
Consuelo Ortiga y Rey, the prettier of Don Pablo Ortiga’s
daughters, fell in love with him. He dedicated to her A la
Senorita C.O. y R., which became one of his best poems.
The Ortiga's residence in Madrid was frequented by Rizal
and his compatriots. He probably fell in love with her and
Consuelo apparently asked him for romantic verses. He
suddenly backed out before the relationship turned into a
serious romance, because he wanted to remain loyal to
Leonor Rivera and he did not want to destroy hid
friendship with Eduardo de Lete who was madly in love
with Consuelo.
 Suzanna (Susan) Jacoby
Rizal stayed in the house of the Jacoby's in Brussels, Belgium
 SUZANNE JACOBY

In 1890, Rizal moved to Brussels

because of the high cost of living in
Paris. In Brussels, he lived in the
boarding house of the two Jacoby sisters.
In time, they fell deeply in love with each
other. Suzanne cried when Rizal left
Brussels and wrote him when he was in
Madrid.
❖In the book, Belgian Rizalist, Rizal’s address in Brussels
(Rue Philippe de Champagne, 38) as mentioned in books
was wrong and that Rizal’s girlfriend was the young Suzanne
and NOT the Aunt Suzanne.

❖Three ladies were registered in this address: Catherine

Jacoby (55), Suzanne Jacoby (45) and Susanne Thill (“Petite
Suzanne”) who was merely 18 years old that time when
Rizal arrived in Brussels. Rizal then was 29 years old..
Catherine and Suzanne are sisters. Suzanne T. is their niece.
All love letters written and sent to Rizal bears inscription of
“Suzanne T.”
➢ Memorable as it was however, Rizal’s stay in Brussels was short-
lived, as he had to move to Madrid. On his departure, he left the
young Suzanna a box of chocolates.
➢ After Rizal wrote a letter to the Jacoby family from Madrid, the
young Suzanna, signing as Petite Suzanne answered back in
French, saying: “After your departure, I did not take the chocolate.
The box is still intact as on the day of your parting.”
➢ Teasingly referring to Rizal as le petit diable or “little bad boy,” the
young Suzanna in her second letter dated Oct. 1, 1890 wrote:
“Don’t delay too long writing us because I wear out the soles of
my shoes for running to the mailbox to see if there is a letter from
you.” She also added, “There will never be any home in which you
are so loved as in that in Brussels, so, you little bad boy, hurry up
and come back…”
But alas, Rizal never wrote or came
back. At that time, he learned that his
girlfriend of 11 years, Leonor Rivera was
about to marry an English engineer.
Heartbroken, he instead wrote to his
friend Ferdinand Blumentritt, saying that
he almost lost his mind over the sad
news.
 People

The Acquaintances of Rizal

 Jose Maria Basa, was one of those exiled as a result of the execution of
Fathers Burgos, Gomez, and Zamora. he became a resident of Hong Kong
and helped Rizal in propaganda work.
Filipino Illustrados in Spain
 Places

Universidad Central de Madrid - In this University, Rizal

finished Medicine and Philosophy and letters, 1882-1885
 Miscellaneous

Actual picture of Jose Rizal's execution

 R I Z A L FA M I LY P I C T U R E
TA K E N A F T E R J O S E ' S BU R I A L
JOSE'S TOMB
RIZAL SISTERS
J O S E ' S D E AT H C E L L I N F O R T
S A N T I AG O
J O S E ' S D E AT H C E L L I N F O R T
S A N T I AG O
H O U S E O F R I Z A L FA M I LY I N L AG U N A
 THE LAST
PHOTOGRAPH OF
DOÑA TEODORA
ALONSO Y
R E A L O N DA B E F O R E
SHE DIED IN HER
BINONDO HOME IN
AU G U S T 1 9 1 1 AT
T H E AG E O F 8 0
 P E R H A P S R I Z A L ' S B E S T P RO S E , B U T O N E C A N O N LY S AVO R I T
I N T H E O R I G I N A L S PA N I S H :
" ¿ D Ó N D E E S T Á L A J U V E N T U D QU E H A D E C O N S AG R A R S U S RO S A DA S
H O R A S , S U S I L U S I O N E S Y E N T U S I A S M O A L B I E N D E S U PAT R I A ? ¿ D Ó N D E
E S T Á L A Q U E H A D E V E R T E R G E N E R O S A S U S A N G R E P A R A L AV A R
TANTAS VERGÜENZAS, TANTOS CRÍMENES, TANTA ABOMINACION? ¡PURA
Y S I N M A N C H A H A D E S E R L A V Í C T I M A PA R A Q U E E L H O L O C AU S T O S E A
ACEPTABLE!… ¿DÓNDE ESTAIS, JÓVENES, QUE HABEIS DE ENCARNAR
E N VO S O T RO S E L V I G O R D E L A V I DA QU E H A H U I D O D E N U E S T R A S
VENAS, LA PUREZA DE LAS IDEAS QUE SE HA MANCHADO EN NUESTROS
C E R E B R O S Y E L F U E G O D E L E N T U S I A S M O Q U E S E H A A PAG A D O E N
NUESTROS CORAZONES?… ¡OS ESPERAMOS, O JÓVENES, VENID QUE OS
E S P E R A M O S ! " - PA D R E F L O R E N T I N O, E L F I L I B U S T E R I S M O

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:
′′ WHERE IS THE YOUTH THAT CONSECRATE THEIR PINK HOURS, THEIR
ILLUSIONS AND ENTHUSIASM FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR HOMELAND
W H E R E I S T H E O N E W H O H A S T O P O U R G E N E R O U S B L O O D T O WA S H S O
MANY SHAME, SO MANY CRIMES, SO MUCH ABOMINATION? PURE AND
SPOTLESS MUST BE THE VICTIM FOR THE HOLOCAUST TO BE
A C C E P T A B L E ! . . . W H E R E A R E Y O U, Y O U N G P E O P L E , W H O W I L L E M B O D Y
IN YOU THE VIGOR OF LIFE THAT HAS FLED OUR VEINS, THE PURITY
O F I D E A S T H A T H AV E B E E N S T A I N E D I N O U R B R A I N S A N D T H E F I R E O F
T H E E N T H U S I A S M T H A T H A S B E E N P U T O U T I N O U R H E A R T S ? . . . W E WA I T
F O R Y O U, O R Y O U N G P E O P L E , C O M E T H A T W E WA I T F O R Y O U ! " - FA T H E R
F L O R E N T I N O, T H E F I L I B U S T E R I S M
 THIS LITTLE GIRL IS
D O L O R E S B L U M E N T R I T T, T H E O N L Y
DAU G H T E R O F R I Z A L ' S B E S T
F R I E N D P R O F. F E R D I N A N D
B L U M E N T R I T T. L O L E N G, A S S H E WA S
A F F E C T I O N A T E L Y C A L L E D, WA S
B O R N O N 2 4 J U N E 1 8 8 0 . S H E WA S 6
Y E A R S O L D I N T H I S P H O T O. R I Z A L
MET 7-YEAR-OLD LOLENG WHEN HE
V I S I T E D T H E B L U M E N T R I T T FA M I L Y
I N L E I T M E R I T Z ( N OW U N D E R T H E
CZECH REPUBLIC) IN 1887. RIZAL
WA S F O N D O F T H E B L U M E N T R I T T
CHILDREN CALLING THEM "MY
LITTLE BLUMENTRITTS" WHILE
THEY ADDRESSED HIM AS "UNCLE
RIZAL'.
 IN JUNE 2016, RIZAL’S
S C U L P T U R E O F A W I L D B OA R ( JA BA L I )
WA S S O L D A T A U C T I O N F O R 1 7 . 5 M
PESOS (WITH STARTING BID AT 3.8M).
IN JUNE 2018, A THREE-FOOT WOODEN
T R AY D E P I C T I N G A M A N L I F T I N G
W E I G H T S A L S O M A D E B Y R I Z A L WA S
A L S O S O L D FO R 17. 5M PES O S. BO TH
ARTWORKS WERE MADE BY THE
N A T I O N A L H E R O W H I L E H E WA S I N
E X I L E I N DA P I TA N.
YO U W I L L B E S U R P R I S E D AT H OW
ENTHUSIASTIC, AND COMPETITIVE,
ART COLLECTORS ARE IN THE
PH IL IPPIN ES, ES PECIA L LY TH OS E W ITH
DEEP POCKETS!

RIZAL’S SCULPTURE OF A WILD BOAR ( JABALI) -

THIS IS A REPLICA DISPLAYED AT THE NATIONAL
MUSEUM.
THREE FEET ITONG TRAY NA ITO. ITO RAW AY
POSIBLENG LECHON TRAY!
THE END
CHAPTER 1 o Were the first to build a large stone
house in Calamba
- Jose Rizal o First to own a carruaje
o born July 19, 2861 in Calamba, Laguna o First to have a home library
o baptized by Rev. Rufino Collantes in the o First to educate their children in the
Catholic church of Calamba, June 22, colleges of Manila
1861
o named “Jose” in honor of St. Joseph - The Rizal Home
o Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso o One of the distinguished stone houses
Realonda in Calamba during the Spanish times.
o It was rectangular in shape, “of adobe
- Parents stone and hardwood with a red-tiled
o Francisco Mercado Rizal – born in roof”
Binan, Laguna on May 11, 1818 and
died in Manila on January 5, 1898 at the CHAPTER 2
age of 80
o Teodora Alonso Realonda – born in • Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo (In memory of my
Manila on November 8, 1826 and died town) – the poem Rizal wrote in 1876 when he
in Manila on August 16, 1911 at the age was a student in Ateneo when he remembered
of 85 his beloved town
• Jose was jokingly called Ute
- Children • The people in Calamba knew him as Pepe or
o Saturnina Pepito
o Paciano • Jose loved most the little Concha (Concepcion)
o Narcisa • Concha died of sickness in 1865
o Olympia
o Lucia • Rizal was a religious boy. A scion of Catholic
o Maria clan, born and bred in a wholesome
o Jose atmosphere of Catholicism, and possessed of an
o Concepcion inborn pious spirit, he grew up as a Catholic.
o Josefa
o Trinidad • On June 6, 1868, Jose and his father left
o Soledad Calamba to go on a pilgrimage to Antipolo, in
order to fulfill his mother’s vow which was
- Ancestry of Rizal made when Jose was born.
o Great-great-grandfather was a man
named Domingo Lam-co • Jose’s first teacher was his Mother
o Rizal’s ancestor was Lakan-Dula, the last • At the age of three, Jose learned the alphabet
Malayan king of Tondo and prayers
o Gregorio, Manuel and Jose are Rizal’s 3
uncles, brothers of Teodora
• The story of the Moth – One of the stories told
o Grandfathers – Lorenzo Alberto Alonso
by Dona Teodora to Jose that made the
and Cipriano Alonso
profoundest impression on him.
- The Name “Rizal”
Rizal’s three uncles
o The original name of the Rizal family
• They were Gregorio, Jose, and Manuel
was “Mercado”
Alberto Alonso. Brothers of Dona Teodora.
o The term “Rizal” came from the Spanish
• Uncle Gregorio was a lover of books,
word racial which means “green field”
instilled into Rizal’s mind a great love for
or “new pasture”.
books.
• Uncle Jose was the youngest brother of
- The Rizal Family
Dona Teodora, he encouraged Rizal to
paint, sketch and sculpture.
 • Uncle Manuel was a big, strong and husky the provincial jail in Santa Cruz, capital of
man, looked after the physical training of Laguna.
Rizal and encouraged him to learn sports. • On January 20, 1872 the Cavite mutiny flared
up, followed by the execution of Fathers
- The first known poem that he wrote was a Gomez, Burgos and Zamora on February 17th.
Tagalog poem entitled Sa Aking Mga Kabata. He
wrote it in appeal to our people to love our
national language.

Influences on Rizal’s Boyhood

- Hereditary influence CHAPTER 4
- Environmental influence
- Aid of Divine Providence • Escuela Pia – first name of Ateneo Municipal
that then became Ateneo de Manila
• June 10, 1872 – Jose went to Manila
accompanied by Paciano to take entrance
examinations at the San Juan de Letran
• His father changed his mind and decided to
send Rizal to Ateneo instead
• Father Magin Ferrando who was the school
registrar refused to admit Rizal for two reasons
o He was late for registration
o He was sickly and undersized for his age
• Through the intercession of Manuel Xerez
CHAPTER 3 Burgos, nephew of Father Burgos, he was
reluctantly admitted to Ateneo.
• He attended a private school under Maestro • Rizal was the first in the family to adopt the
Justiniano Aquino Cruz, who was reputed to be surname “Rizal” because the family name
a good teacher “Mercado” is already under suspicion of the
• He was given further instruction by private Spanish authorities.
tutors such as Maestro Celestino and later • Students in Ateneo were divided into two
Maestro Lucas Padua groups:
• Leon Monroy, hired by Rizal’s father, taught him o Roman Empire consisting of the
his first lessons in Latin internos (boarders)
• Rizal left Calamba for Binan on June 1870. He o Carthaginian Empire composed of
was accompanied by Paciano. the externos (non-boarders)
• Jose challenged a bully named Pedro for making • Emperor – best student in each empire
fun of him during class. He defeated the bigger • Tribune – second best student
boy and became popular in class. • Decurion – third best
• Andres Lakundanan challenged him to an arm- • Centurion- fourth best
wrestling and he lost nearly cracking his head • Standard-bearer – fifth best
on the sidewalk. • June 1872 – Rizal first heard Mass at the college
• He met an old painter named Juancho who gave chapel
him free lessons in drawing and painting. • Fr. Jose Bech – Rizal’s firs professor in Ateneo
• In December 1871 Jose received a letter from • Rizal was an externo, therefore assigned to the
his sister Saturnina informing him of the arrival Carthaginian Empire in which he became
of the steamer Talim which would take him emperor.
from Binan to Calamba. • Rizal took private lessons in Santa Isabel College
• Arturo Camps, a friend of his father took care of to improve his Spanish
him while on the steamer. • Rizal made a prophecy that his mother will be
• Dona Teodora was arrested on malicious charge released from prison after three months when
that she aided her brother, Jose Alberto, in he interpreted his mother’s dream
trying to poison Alberto’s wife. She was sent to
• The first favorite novel of Rizal was The Count o He wanted to be a physician so that he
of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas might cure his mother’s failing eyesight.
• On his third year at Ateneo, he only got one o The father rector of the Ateneo
medal – in Latin. recommended medicine.
• On June 14, 1875 he became an internee in the • Rizal also studied in Ateneo. He took the
Ateneo. vocational course in surveying leading to the
• Fr. Francisco Sanchez, a great educator and title of perito agrimensor.
scholar who inspired Rizal to study harder and • At the age of 17 he passed the final examination
write poetry. but was not given the title because he was
• Rizal graduated at the head of his class. under age
• March 23, 1877 – commencement day, on • The title as surveyor was given to him on
which Rizal received the degree of Bachelor of November 25, 1881.
Arts with highest honors. • He paid court to a young woman in Calamba.
• He was an active member, later secretary, of a Her name was Miss L, described as “fair with
religious society, the Marian Congregation. seductive and attractive eyes.”
• Rizal was also a member of the Academy of • He stopped wooing the young woman because
Spanish Literature and the Academy of Natural o The sweet memory of Segunda was still in
Sciences. his heart
• He studied painting under the famous Spanish o His father objected to the match
painter, Augustin Saez and sculpture under • He courted Leonor Valenzuela, who was a tall
Romualdo de Jesus, noted Filipino sculptor. girl and had a regal bearing. He sent her love
• Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration) – notes written in invisible ink made of table salt
the first poem Rizal made in Ateneo, dedicated and water. He stopped short of proposing
to his mother on her birthday, expressing his marriage to Leonor/Orang.
filial affection in sonorous verses. • Leonor Rivera – Rizal’s cousin, daughter of his
• The Intimate Alliance Between Religion and uncle Antonio Rivera.
Good Education – Rizal showed the importance • Between Jose and Leonor sprang a tenderly
of religion in education. To him, education beautiful romance. They became engaged.
without God is not true education. • Rizal was attacked by a lieutenant of the
• Al Nino Jesus (To the Child Jesus) – one of the Guardia Civil after passing by without a salute
poems Rizal wrote to express devotion to or a courteous “Good evening”. He was brutally
Catholic faith slashed on the back.
• A la Virgen Maria (To the Virgin Mary) – his ode • A La Juventud Filipina (To The Filipino Youth,
to the virgin mary 1879) – the poem Rizal submitted to the literary
• Segunda Katigbak – a pretty fourteen-year old contest held by Liceo Artistico-Literario. He won
Batanguena from Lipa. Rizal’s first love. first prize, a silver pen, feather-shaped and
• Segunda was already engaged to be married to decorated with a gold ribbon.
her townmate, Manuel Luz. • A La Juventud Filipina is an inspiring poem
beseeching the Filipino youth to “rise from
CHAPTER 5 lethargy, to let his genius fly swifter than the
wind and descend with art and science to break
• April 1877, Rizal matriculated in the University the chain that has long bound the poetic genius
of Sto. Tomas taking Philosophy and Letters. He of the country”
enrolled in this course for two reasons: • “The Council of the Gods” (1880) – a winning
o His father liked it allegory in prose submitted by Rizal to another
o He was still uncertain as to what career to literary contest opened by the Artistic-Literary
follow Lyceum.
• He studied cosmology, metaphysics, theodicy, • Junto al Pasig – a drama produced by Rizal that
and history of philosophy was staged by the Ateneans on December 8,
• During the following school term (1878-79) that 1880 on the occasion of the annual celebration
Rizal took up medicine. The reasons why he of the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the
took up medicine were Ateneo.
 • A Filipinas – a sonnet, urged all Filipino artists to • May 1, 1882 he left Calamba by carromata to
glorify the Philippines Manila after 10 hours of travel.
• Abd-el-Azis y Mahoma (1879) – a poem written • He had a tearful meeting with Leonor, this
by Rizal, declaimed by Manuel Fernandez on proved to be their last meeting.
the night of December 8, 1879 • May 3, 1882 – embarkation date – he heard
• Al M.R.P. Pablo Ramon, Rector del Ateneo, en mass at Santo Domingo Church.
Sus Dias (1881) – a poem he wrote to Father • He was the only Filipino on board.
Pablo Ramon, the Ateneo Rector to express his • After 5 days, Rizal arrived at Singapore.
affection for he had been so kind and helpful to • Rizal stayed at Hotel de Paz during two days of
him. his stop-over in Singapore.
• Rizal participated in school brawls. His three • In Singapore, Rizal boarded Djemnah, a French
close friends called themselves “The Three steame which was sailing to Europe.
Musketeers” and chose him as Treville, their • A week after leaving Singapore, the steamer
chief. reached Point de Galle “sad and sleepy”.
• He was also the chief of a secret student • May 18, 1882 voyage resumed and docked at
organization called Companerismo, organized in Colombo Ceylon.
1880. • From Colombo the steamer crossed the Indian
• Galicano Apacible was the secretary of Ocean to Guardafui in Africa.
Companerismo and the members called • May 28, 1882 he saw for the first time the coast
themselves “Companions of Jehu”. of Africa which he called “inhospitable but
• Rizal was unhappy at UST because famous land”
o The Dominican professors were hostile to • June 2, 1882 he arrived at the city of Suez, the
him Red Sea terminal of the Suez Canal.
o The Filipino students were racially • It took Djemnah five days to traverse the Suez
discriminated Canal.
o The method of instruction was obsolete and • On June 11, 1882 he arrived at Naples.
recessive • On the night of June 12, 1882, the steamer
• Because of the unfriendly attitude of his docked at the French harbor of Marseilles.
professors, Rizal failed to win high scholastic • At Marseilles, Rizal took the train for the last lap
honors. of his trip to Spain. He stopped at the frontier
• After finishing the fourth year of his medical town of Fort-Buo.
course, Rizal decided to study in Spain. • Rizal continued his trip to Barcelona after a
• His uncle Antonio Rivera, Paciano and Saturnina passport inspection at Port-Buo.
encouraged him to go abroad. • Rizal’s first impression of Barcelona was “ugly,
with dirty little inns and inhospitable residents”.
• The Filipinos in Barcelona, some of whom were
CHAPTER 6 his schoolmates in the Ateneo, welcomed Rizal
and gave him a party at their favorite café in
• Rizal’s departure to Spain was kept secret in Plaza de Cataluña.
order to avoid detection by the colonial officials • Amor Patrio – a nationalistic essay Rizal wrote,
and the friars. Even his own parents did not his first article written on Spain’s soil.
know he was leaving.
• He sent this article to Basilio Teodoro in Manila
• Paciano gave him 700 pesos and Saturnina gave who was a member of the editorial staff of the
him a diamond ring. Diariong Tagalog.
• To maintain his studies and sojourn abroad he • Amor Patrio under his pen name Laong Laan
needed a monthly allowance of 35 pesos. appeared in print in Diariong Tagalong on
• Rizal used a passport obtained by a cousin August 20, 1882.
named “Jose Mercado”. • This was translated to Tagalog by M. H. Del
• A cryptic telegram by Manuel T. Hidalgo from Pilar.
Manila arrived, announcing that the Spanish • Rizal left Barcelona in the Fall of 1882 and
steamer Salvadora was scheduled to sail to established himself in Madrid, the capital of
Singapore.
 Spain after his brother Paciano advised him to Central de Madrid on June 19, 1885 with the
finish the medical course there. rating of excellent.
• November 3, 1882 – Rizal enrolled in the
Universidad Central de Madrid (Central
University of Madrid) in two courses – Medicine
and Philosophy and Letters. CHAPTER 7
• On August 22, 1883 he wrote a lovely poem
titled “A la Señorita C.O. y R.” for Consuelo • Rizal decided to go to Paris after terminating his
Ortega y Rue, daughter of Don Pablo Ortega y studies at Universidad Central de Madrid in
Rue. Consuelo loved Rizal order to acquire more knowledge in
• Rizal did not allow the romance to go on for two ophthalmology.
reasons: • He stopped by Barcelona to visit Maximo Viola,
o He was still engaged to Leonor Rivera and a medical student and a member of a rich
he would not want to be unfaithful to her family of San Miguel, Bulacan.
o Eduardo de Lete, his friend, was deeply in • He befriended Señor Eusebio Corominas, editor
love with Consuelo, and he did not want to of the newspaper La Publicidad
break their friendship just for a wisp of a • He made a crayon sketch of Don Miguel
girl. Morayta, owner of La publicidad and a
• Shortly after he arrived in Madrid, Rizal joined statesman
Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-Philippine • In October 1885 Rizal was living in Paris where
Circle) a society of Spaniards and Filipinos. he sojourned for about four months.
• He wrote a poem Me Piden Versos (They Asked • He worked as an assistant to Dr. Louis de
Me For Verses) upon the request of the society. Weckert (1852-1906) leading French
In this sad poem he poured out the cry of his ophthalmologist.
agonizing heart. • In Juan Luna’s canvas “The Death of Cleopatra”
• Rizal was impressed by the way Spanish Masons Rizal posed as an Egyptian priest.
loudly and freely attacked the government and • In “The Blood Compact” he posed as Sikatuna
the Chrurch. with Dr. Trinidad Pardo de Tavera taking the
• In 1883 he joined the Masonic Lodge Acacia in role of Legazpi.
Madrid. His Masonic name was Dimasalang. • Rizal learned solfeggio, the piano, and voice
• 2 reasons why he became a mason: culture in one month and a half. However he
o The bad friars in the Philippines, by their confessed that he could not sing well.
abuses unworthy of their priestly habit or • He composed three musical pieces
calling, drove Rizal to desperation and to o The song entitled ‘Leonor’ which he
masonry. composed before his departure for Spain
o He needed the help of the masons to fight o “El Canto del Prisionero” a danza which he
the bad friars in the Philippines. composed during his exile in Dapitan
• June 25, 1884 – Rizal won a prize in Greek on an o “Alin Mang Lahi” a patriotic hymn
empty stomach because he had not eaten since • On February 8, 1886 he arrived in Heidelberg
the night before due to lack of funds. • For a short time he lived in a boarding house
• At the National Exposition of Fine Arts in with some German law students
Madrid in 1884, Juan Luna’s Spoliarium won • Later Rizal lived with a Lutheran minister, Pastor
first prize and Felix R. Hidalgo’s “Christian Karl Ullmer.
Virgins Exposed to the Populace” was awarded • Rizal worked in the clinic of Dr. Javier
second prize. Galezowsky, famous Polish ophthalmologist.
• Rizal was awarded the degree of Licentiate in • He also studied under Dr. Otto Becker, great
Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid German authority on ophthalmology.
on June 21, 1884. • “To The Flowers of Heidelberg” a poem he
• The next year he passed all subjects leading to wrote on April 22, 1866 for the blooming
the degree of Doctor of Medicine. flowers of Heidelberg that reminded him of
• He was awarded the degree of Licentiate in home.
Philosophy and Letters by the Universidad
 • On July 21, 1886 Rizal wrote his first letter to • January 2, 1884 he proposed the writing of a
Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt, Director of the novel about the Philippines by a group of
Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria. Filipinos
• He sent Blumentritt a book entitled Arithmetica • Toward the end of 1884, Rizal began writing the
(Arithmetic), published in two languages, novel in Madrid and finished about one-half of
Spanish and Tagalog, by UST press in 1868. The it
author was Rufino Baltazar Hernandez, a native • December 1886, he almost through the
of Santa Cruz, Laguna. manuscript into the fire because he lost hope of
• August 6, 1886 – fifth centenary of University of having it published because he was utterly
Heidelberg penniless.
• August 8, 1886 – Rizal left Heidelberg • Dr. Maximo Viola the man who saved Noli Me
• August 14, 1886 – he arrived in Leipzig where Tangere, he lent Rizal money to pay for the
he befriended Professor Friedrich Ratzel, a publication of the novel.
famous German historian • The first edition of the Noli was printed in Berlin
• In this German city he translated Schiller’s on 1887. The cost of printing was 300 pesos for
William Tell from German to Tagalog . Later he 2000 copies.
also translated Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales to • March 29, 1887 – is a significant date for it was
Tagalog. the date when the Noli Me Tangere came off
• On October 29, 1886 he left Leipzig for Dresden the press.
where he met Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, Director of • The title Noli Me Tangere is a latin phrase which
the Anthropological and Ethnological Museum means “Touch me not”. It was taken by the
• He worked for the clinic of Dr. R. Schulzer, gospel of St. John 20:13-17.
famous German ophthalmologist. • Rizal dedicated the novel to the Philippines. “To
• Rizal lived in in Germany for five reasons: my country”
o To gain further knowledge of • Noli Me Tangere contains 63 chapters and an
ophthalmology epilogue
o To further his studies of sciences and • Capitan Tiago (Santiago de los Santos)
languages • Crisostomo Ibarra – a young and rich Filipino,
o To observe the conditions of the German the only son of Don Rafael Ibarra, friend of
nation Capitan Tiago
o To associate with famous German scientists • Maria Clara – fiancé of Crisostomo Ibarra
and scholars • Padre Damaso – a Franciscan friar who had
o To finish his novel, Noli Me Tangere been parish priest of San Diego (Calamba)
o He took private lessons of Madame Lucie • Padre Sibyla – a young Dominican parish priest
Gerdolle to master French. of Binondo
• The German woman is serious, diligent, • Señor Guevara – an elderly and kind lieutenant
educated and friendly. She is not gossipy, of the Guardia Civil
frivolous, and quarrelsome like the Spanish • Don Tiburcio de Espadaña – bogus Spanish
women. Physician
• The winter of 1886 in Berlin was his darkest • Doña Victorina – wife of Don Tiburcio
winter. He lived in poverty because no money • Padre Salvi – Franciscan parish priest of San
arrived from Calamba and he was flat broke. Diego
• His health broke down due to lack of proper • Tasio the Sage – whose ideas were too
nourishment advanced for his times so that the people who
could not understand him called him “Tasio the
lunatic”
• Sisa – was formerly a rich girl but became poor
CHAPTER 8 because he married a gambler and a wastrel at
that.
• He finished Noli Me Tangere on February 21, • Basilio and Crispin – Sisa’s sons.
1887.
 • Crispin – the younger brother who died of • June 29, 1887 – Rizal wrote to his father
torture after being accused of stealing the announcing his homecoming
money of a priest • July 3, 1887 he boarded the steamer Djemnah,
• Elias – a boatman whom Ibarra saved from a the same steamer which brought him to Europe
crocodile. 5 years ago.
• Maria Clara was Leonor Rivera. • On July 30 he transferred to another steamer
• Ibarra and Elias represented Rizal Hayfong, which was Manila-bound
• Tasio the Sage was his elder brother Paciano • August 6 – he arrived in Manila
• Padre Salvi was Padre Antonio Piernavieja, the • Governor General Terrero read the Noli and
hated Augustinian friar in Cavite who was killed found nothing wrong with it
during the Revolution • Faculty members of UST stated that the Noli
• Capitan Tiago was Capitan Hilario Sunico of San was “heretical, impious, and scandalous in the
Nicolas religious order and anti-patriotic, subversive of
• Doña Victorina was Doña Agustina Medel public order, injurious to the government of
• Basilio and Crispin were the Crisostomo Spain and its function in the Philippine Islands in
brothers of Hagonoy the political order”
• Padre Damaso was typical of a domineering • The novel was sent to the Permanent
friar during the days of Rizal, who was arrogant, Commission of Censorship which was composed
superlicious and anti-Filipino of priests and laymen
• Fr. Salvador Font, drafted the report of this
CHAPTER 9 commission recommended “that the
importation, reproduction and circulation of the
• “Elias and Salome” – a missing chapter in Noli pernicious book in the islands be absolutely
me Tangere that Rizal removed from the prohibited” for they found the novel to contain
printed novel to shorten the manuscript subversive ideas against the Church and Spain.
because of lack of funds. • The banning of the Noli only served to make it
popular
• What the hated Spanish masters did not like,
CHAPTER 10 the oppressed masses like.
• Fr. Jose Rodriguez published a pamphlet
• May 11, 1887 – Rizal and Viola left Berlin by entitled Caiingat Cayo (Beware) which attacked
train the Noli and warned the readers that if they
• Rizal and Viola tarried for some time in Dresden read it “they commit mortal sins inasmuch as
where they visited Dr. Adolph Meyer. the said book is full of heresy”
• May 13, 1887 1:30pm – Rizal met Blumentritt • Marcelo H. del Pilar writing under the pen name
for the first time at the railroad station of Dolores Manapat published a pamphlet entitled
Leitmeritz, Bohemia Caiigat Cayo (Be as slippery as an eel) as an
answer to Fr. Rodriguez’ Caiingat Cayo.
• Rev. Vicente Garcia, writing under the pen
CHAPTER 11 name Justo Desiderio Magalang, wrote a
defense of the Noli which was published in
• Rizal was determined return to the Philippines Singapore
for the following reasons o Rizal cannot be an “ignorant man”, as Fr.
o To operate his mother’s eyes Rodriguez alleged, because he was a
o To serve his people who had long been graduate of Spanish universities and was a
oppressed by Spanish tyrants recipient of scholastic honors.
o To find out for himself how the Noli and his o Rizal does not attack the Church and Spain,
other writings were affecting Filipinos and as Fr. Rodriguez claimed, because what
Spaniards in the Philippines Rizal attacked in the Noli were bad Spanish
o To find out why Leonor Rivera had officials and not Spain, and the bad and
remained silent corrupt friars and not the Church.
o Father Rodriguez said that those who read
the Noli commit a mortal sin: since he
 (Rodriguez) had read the novel, therefore • He was visited at his hotel by Juan Perez
he also commits a mortal sin. Caballero, secretary of the Spanish Legation. He
• Governor-General Terrero assigned a was invited to live at the Spanish Legation.
bodyguard for Rizal, he was Lt. Jose Taviel de • He accepted the invitation for two reasons
Andrade o He could economize his living expenses by
• Friars exerted pressure on Malacanan Palace to staying at the legation
eliminate Rizal, one day, Gov. Terrero o He had nothing to hid from the prying eyes
summoned Rizal and advised him to leave the of the Spanish authorities
Philippines for his own good. • March 7, 1888 – Rizal checked out of Tokyo
• He was compelled to leave Calamba for two Hotel and lived at the Spanish Legation.
reasons: • He studied Japanese, the Japanese drama, arts,
o His presence in Calamba was jeopardizing music, and judo.
the safety and happiness of his family and • Rizal’s impressions of Japan
friends o The beauties of the country – its flowers,
o He could better fight his enemies and serve mountains, streams, and scenic panoramas
his country’s cause with greater efficacy by o The cleanliness, politeness and industry of
writing in foreign countries. the Japanese people
• Himno Al Trabajo (Hymn to Labor) – poem Rizal o The picturesque dress and simple charm of
wrote for his friend from Lipa in the Japanese women
commemoration of the town’s elevation to a o There were very few thieves in Japan so
villa. He wrote it as a dedication to the that the houses remained open day and
industrious folks of Lipa. night, and in the hotel room one can safely
leave money on the table.
o Beggars were rarely seen in the city streets,
CHAPTER 12 unlike in Manila and other cities
• O-sei-san / Seiko Usui – a pretty girl Rizal met at
• February 3, 1888 – Rizal left Manila for Hong a Japanese shop. Daughter of the store owner
Kong who learned English and French from her
• In Hong Kong, Rizal stayed at Victoria Hotel private tutors
• Jose Sainz de Varanda – shadowed Rizal’s • Her beauty and affection almost tempted Rizal
movement in Hong Kong to settle down in Japan.
• February 18, 1888 – Rizal, accompanied by Jose • April 13, 1888 – Rizal boarded the Belgic, an
Maria Basa, boarded the ferry steamer Kiu- English steamer at Yokohama bound for the
Kiang for Macao. United States.
• In Macao, Rizal stayed at the home of Don Juan • Tetcho Suehiro – a Japanese newspaperman
Francisco Lecaros, last Filipino delegate to the who had been jailed twice for writing articles
Spanish Cortes against the government.
• February 21, 1888 – Rizal and Basa returned to • On the Belgic he met Mrs. Emma Jackson, a
Hong Kong, on board the steamer Kiu-Kiang Filipno woman married to an Englishman.
• Rizal studied Chinese life, language, drama and
customs CHAPTER 14
• February 22, 1888 – Rizal left Hong Kong on
board the Oceanic, an American steamer. His • April 28, 1888 – Rizal first saw America
destination was Japan • The steamer docked at San Francisco
• The ship was placed under quarantine because
CHAPTER 13 the American authorities believed that it came
from the Far East where a cholera epidemic
• February 28, 1888 – Rizal arrived in Yokohama where raging
• He registered at Grand Hotel. • After a week of quarantine, the first-class
• The next day he proceeded to Tokyo and passengers including Rizal were permitted to
registered at Tokyo Hotel, where he stayed land
from March 2 to 7.
• Rizal registered at the Palace Hotel which was
then considered a first-class hotel in the city
• Leland Stanford – a millionaire US senator
representing California that was mentioned in
Rizal’s diary
• Rizal stayed in San Francisco from May 4 to 6
1888
• May 6, 1888 – Rizal left San Francisco for
Oakland
• May 13, Rizal reached New York, thus ending
his trip across the American continent
• May 16, 1888 – he left New York for Liverpool
on board The City of Rome, “the second largest
ship in the world” at that time
• Rizal’s impressions of America
o The material prograss of the country as
shown in the great cities, huge farms,
flourishing industries and busy factories
o The drive and energy of the American
people
o The natural beauties of the land
o The high standard of living
o The opportunities for better life offered to
poor immigrants
• One bad impression Rizal had of America was
the lack of racial equality
• “America is the land par excellence of freedom
but only for the whites”
1. It forced the natives from different barangays to settle in a permanent
pueblos or towns. - Reduccion
2. The natives were obliged to allot food, clothes and other needs of their
consquistador. -Repartimiento
3. It is a religious care for the natives inside the encomienda and made
sure that all were indoctrinated and baptized in the Catholic faith.
-Instruccion
4. He acted as the Spanish King’s, representative to the Philippines. -
Governor General
5. It was established as the highest court of justice in the Philippines.
-Royal Audencia
6. It is a special judicial court that scrutinizes the performance of a
governor general who will be replaced. -Residencia
7. Sent by the Council of the Indies in Mexico to observe conditions in
the colony.-Visitador General
8. It is headed by the Spanish Alcalde Mayor assigned in provinces which
were already pacified, and people were peacefully settled in designated
places.-Alcaldias
9. It is under the control of Corrigidores or army officers led by a
politico-general, these are the places where provincial territories that were
in the process of pacification. -Corregimientos
10. Every province was divided into several towns or pueblos headed by
_________.-Gobernadorcillo
11. Formed cities are called ________.-Ayuntamiento
12. Municipalities are also known as ___________.-Pueblos
13. In the Social Structure during the Spanish regime, they Spaniards who
were born in the Iberian Peninsula and were called full blooded Spaniards.
-Peninsulares
14. They are Spaniards born in America.-Criollos
15. They are full-blooded Spaniards born in the Philippines.-Insulares
16. They are result of inter-marriage of a native with a European or
Chinese.-Mestizos
17. They are native people in the country, according to the book of Fray
San Agustin. -Indios
18. They are the native-born intellectuals in the late 19th century.
-Ilustrados
19. They are the social and educated class in the towns.-Principalia
20. The decree that requires all natives to adopt Christian
surname.-Claveria Decree
21. It was a compulsory sale of products to the government. -Vandala
22. Draft labor was recruited through a system known as
___________.-Polo Y Servicio
23. It is a purchase exemption by buying a substitute for forced
labor.-Falla
24. It is a form of tax that aims to regulate the coming of foreigners in the
island.-Cedula
25. The Galleon trade lasted for how many years?-250
26. A Chinese pirate who invaded Manila of his war-junks with 2,000
soldiers and 2,000 seamen and women.-Limahong
27. It was a result of the war between England and France. -British
Invasion
28. Who is the Governor-General that did not fulfill Legazpi’s promise to
exempt Lakandula and Sulayman’s descendants of tribute payment.
-Guido de Lavezarez
29. The native Irraya of Cagayan were called _________. -Gaddang
30. This revolt took place in Iloilo, where a newly Christianized babaylan
proclaimed himself as God and had his own Virgin Mary.-Tapar’s
Uprising
31. It is considered to be the longest revolt in the Philippines.-Dagohoy’s
Uprising
32. This uprising was due to land grabbing and measurement cheating in
haciendas and agricultural lands inherited by Filipinos from their
ancestors. -Agrarian Uprisings
33. The wife of Diego Silang who continued his fight against the
Filipino-Spanish troops. -Maria Josefa Gabriela
34. __________ was the first country to construct a Suez Canal across its
land.-Egypt
35. The revolution which is known as the “Revolution of Disgust”.
-Spanish Revolution
36. The Governor General who ruled the Philippines with an iron
fist.-Rafael de Izquierdo
37. The governor general in the Philippines when the secularization
movement was implemented in the country. -Simon de Anda
38. The priest who was active in uniting the Filipino priests and
defending them from the regulars but was one of the casualties when a
strong earthquake hit Manila. -Pedro Pelaez
39. He became the radicalizing force among the Filipinos and the first
editor of the La Solidaridad. -Graciano Lopez Jaena
40. He was forced to bandon his legal studies at the UST due to a quarrel
over fees against a friar at a baptism in which he was one of the
godfathers.-Marcelo H. del Pilar
41. He was one of the founders of La Solidaridad and in 1896, he left
Spain for Hong Kong but still supported the reforms for the Philippines.
-Mariano Ponce
42. He was the savior of Noli Me Tangere. -Maximo Viola
43. He was a rich man and became a supporter of Rizal and funded the
book El Filibusterismo.-Valentin Ventura
44. The organization formed by Dr. Jose Rizal in Tondo, Manila. -La
Liga Filipina
45. He was known as D.A. Murgas in his letters and Panday Pira in some
of his articles in La Solidaridad. -Pedro Laktaw
46. The young Filipinos founded Circulo-Hispano Filipino under the
leadership of __________.-Juan Atayde
47. The biweekly newspaper organ of Circulo-Hispano Filipino. -Revista
del Circulo-Hispano Filipino
48. The honorary president of La Solidaridad. -Dr. Jose Rizal
49. The governor general who restored freedom of speech, expression
and assembly in the Philippines. -Carlos Maria dela Torre.
50. The revolt that started when the Spanish authorities in Vigan
controlled the production and sale of Basi. -Basi Revolt.
Republic Act No. 1425 or the Rizal Law
mandates all schools in the Philippines to
teach courses about the Life, Works, and
Writings of Jose Rizal.
Know the life, history, and works of Rizal
Welcome to Jose Rizal Online! This website provides an interactive view in the life,
history, and works of Jose Protacio Alonso Realonda Mercado Rizal.

In this website you will the biography, geneology, education, travels, paintings,
literatures, sculptures, sketches, and discoveries of Jose Rizal.

Rizal said
He who does not love his own language is worse than an animal and smelly fish.

Featured Work

Bust of Father Jose Guerrico

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Did you know?

At age two, Jose Rizal could already write and read. He wrote his first poem at the age
of 8 entitled ‘Sa Aking Mga Kababata’ (To My Fellow Youth).
About José Rizal
The National Hero of the Philippines and pride of the Malayan Race. He was born on
June 19, 1861 in the town of Calamba, Laguna.

He was the seventh child in a family of 11 children (2 boys, 9 girls) of Francisco

Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonzo y Quintos.

Baptized by Rev. Ruffino Collantes at the Catholic of Calamba with Rev. Pedro Casanas
as sponsor on June 22, 1861.

Childhood
1864-1865 Rizal learned the alphabet from his mother at the age of three. However, his
sister Conception, the eighth child in the family died at the age of three when Rizal was
four years old. He remembered himself having shed real tears for the first time.

1865 His mother taught him how to read and write, while his father hired Leon Monroy
to teach Rizal the rudiments of Latin.

1868 Rizal made a pilgrimage to Antipolo with his father to fulfill the vow of his mother
to take the child to the Shrine of the Virgin of Antipolo.

They proceeded to Manila and visited his sister Saturnina who was at the time studying
in the La Concordia College in Sta. Ana.

1869 At the age of eight, Rizal wrote his first poem entitled “Sa Aking Mga Kabata.” The
poem was written in tagalog and had for its theme “Love of One’s Language.”
Education
Rizal’s Educational Background
Rizal’s mother, Doña Teodora was his first teacher. Doña Teodora was patient,
conscientious, and understanding. She also discovered that Rizal had a talent for poetry,
and encouraged him to write poems.

Private Tutors
• Maestro Celestino
• Maestro Lucas
• Leon Monroy

Biñan
Rizal went to Biñan on June 1869. He was accompanied by his older brother Paciano,
and taught by Maestro Justiniano.

In academic studies, Rizal beat all Biñan boys. He surpassed them in Spanish, Latin, and
other subjects.

Ateneo
Rizal entered Ateneo in 1872. He belonged to the class composed of Spaniards,
mestizos, and Filipinos. However, he was considered as an inferior and was placed at the
bottom of the class.

By the end of the month, he became the emperor and received a prize: a religious
picture.

Rizal graduated on March 23, 1877, attaining sobresaliente or excellent with 5 medals.
He received the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

Extra Curriculars
• Classroom Emperor
• Campus Leader
• Secretary of Marian Congregation Religious Society
• Member of Academy of Spanish Literature and the Academy of Natural Sciences
• Studied painting under the famous Spanish Painter, Agustin Saez
• Improved his sculpture talents under the supervision of Romualdo de Jesus
• Engaged in gymnastics and fencing and continued the physical training under his sports-
minded Tio Manuel
Medical Studies in University of Sto. Thomas

1877 - 1882
He continued his education at UST and finished a year in Philosophy and Letters after
deciding to shift to a medical course. He made the decision for him to be a physician
and be able to treat his mother’s failing eyesight. Fr. Pablo Ramon, the Father Rector of
Ateneo whom he consulted recommended medicine.

He studied Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy, and History of Philosophy.

While UST was under Dominicans, the rival of Jesuits that established Ateneo, Rizal
remained loyal to Ateneo.

Pre-Med Course
Out of the 28 young men taking Ampliacion only four including Rizal were granted the
privilege of taking simultaneously the preparatory course and the first year of medicine.

Rizal also received his four year practical training in medicine at the Hospital de San
Juan de Dios in Intramuros

During his last year at the University, Rizal had obtained the global grade of Notable
(Very Good) in all of his subjects, and he was the second best student in a decimated
class of seven who passed the medicine course. After which, Rizal decided to study in
Spain.

Academic Journey To Spain

1882 - 1885
His departure for Spain was kept secret from Spanish Authorities, friars and even his
parents especially his mother because she would not allow him to go. To avoid
detection, he used the name Jose Mercado.

On May 3, 1882 he boarded on Salvadora bound for Singapore where he was the only
Filipino passenger.

On November 3, 1882, he enrolled in Universidad Central de Madrid taking up two

courses: Philosophy an Letters and Medicine.

On June 21, 1884, he conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine.

The following academic year, he studied and passed all subjects leading to the degree
of doctor of medicine. Unfortunately, he was not able to submit the thesis required for
graduation nor paid the corresponding fees. With that, he was not awarded his Doctor’s
Diploma.
Rizal also finished his studies in Philosophy and Letters with higher grades. He was
awarded the Degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters by the Universidad Central
de Madrid June 19, 1885 with the rating of excellent.

Opthalmology studies and travels in Europe

Jose Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to specialize in ophthalmology. Among all
branches, he chose this specialization because he wanted to cure his mother’s failing
eyesight.

In 1885, after studying at the Universidad Central de Madrid, Rizal, who was then 24
years old, went to Paris to acquire more knowledge in ophthalmology.

Rizal found friends in Europe:

• Maximo Viola
• Señor Eusebio Corominas
• Don Miguel Morayta
• Dr. Louis de Weckert
On February 3, 1886, after gathering some experience in ophthalmology, he left Paris
and went to Heidelberg, Germany.

He worked at the University Eye Hospital under the direction of Dr. Otto Becker, a
distinguished German ophthalmologist.

On April 22, 1886, Rizal wrote a poem entitled A Las Flores de Heidelberg (To the
Flowers of Heidelberg) because he was fascinated by the blooming flowers along the
Neckar River, which was the light blue flower called “forget-me-not”.

On August 14, 1886, Rizal arrived in Leipzig. There, he attended some lectures at the
University of Leipzig on history and psychology.

Rizal chose to reside in Germane longer for the following reasons:

• To gain further his studies in science and languages.

• To observe the economic and political conditions of the German nation.
• To associate with the famous scientists and scholars.
• Lastly to publish his novel Noli Me Tangere
Jose Rizal earned a Licentiate in Medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid, where
he also took courses in philosophy and literature. It was in Madrid that he began writing
Noli Me Tangere. He also attended classes in the University of Paris and, in 1887, he
completed his eye specialization course at the University of Heidelberg. It was also in
that year that Rizal’s first novel was published in Berlin.
Philosophies
Philosophies in Life
Philosophy may be defined as the study and pursuit of facts which deal with the ultimate reality
or causes of things as they affect life.

The philosophy of a country like the Philippines is made up of the intricate and composite
interrelationship of the life histories of its people; in other word, the philosophy of our nation
would be strange and undefinable if we do not delve into the past tied up with the notable life
experiences of the representative personalities of our nation.

Being one of the prominent representatives of Filipino personalities, Jose Rizal is a fit subject
whose life philosophy deserves to be recognized.

Having been a victim of Spanish brutality early in his life in Calamba, Rizal had thus already
formed the nucleus of an unfavorable opinion of Castillian imperialistic administration of his
country and people.

Pitiful social conditions existed in the Philippines as late as three centuries after his conquest in
Spain, with agriculture, commerce, communications and education languishing under its most
backward state. It was because of this social malady that social evils like inferiority complex,
cowardice, timidity and false pride pervaded nationally and contributed to the decay of social
life. This stimulated and shaped Rizal’s life phylosophy to be to contain if not eliminate these
social ills.

Educational Philosophy
Rizal’s concept of the importance of education is clearly enunciated in his work entitled
Instruction wherein he sought improvements in the schools and in the methods of teaching. He
maintained that the backwardness of his country during the Spanish ear was not due to the
Filipinos’ indifference, apathy or indolence as claimed by the rulers, but to the neglect of the
Spanish authorities in the islands. For Rizal, the mission of education is to elevate the country to
the highest seat of glory and to develop the people’s mentality. Since education is the foundation
of society and a prerequisite for social progress, Rizal claimed that only through education could
the country be saved from domination.

Rizal’s philosophy of education, therefore, centers on the provision of proper motivation in order
to bolster the great social forces that make education a success, to create in the youth an innate
desire to cultivate his intelligence and give him life eternal.

Religious Philosophy
Rizal grew up nurtured by a closely-knit Catholic family, was educated in the foremost Catholic
schools of the period in the elementary, secondary and college levels; logically, therefore, he
should have been a propagator of strictly Catholic traditions. However, in later life, he developed
a life philosophy of a different nature, a philosophy of a different Catholic practice intermingled
with the use of Truth and Reason.

Why the change?

It could have been the result of contemporary contact, companionship, observation, research and
the possession of an independent spirit. Being a critical observer, a profound thinker and a
zealous reformer, Rizal did not agree with the prevailing Christian propagation of the Faith by
fire and sword. This is shown in his Annotation of Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas.
Rizal did not believe in the Catholic dogma that salvation was only for Catholics and that outside
Christianity, salvation was not possible even if Catholics composed only a small minority of the
world’s religious groups. Nor did he believe in the Catholic observation of fasting as a sacrifice,
nor in the sale of such religious items as the cross, medals, rosaries and the like in order to
propagate the Faith and raise church funds. He also lambasted the superstitious beliefs
propagated by the priests in the church and in the schools. All of these and a lot more are
evidences of Rizal’s religious philosophy.

Political Philosophy
In Rizal’s political view, a conquered country like the Philippines should not be taken advantage
of but rather should be developed, civilized, educated and trained in the science of self-
government.

He bitterly assailed and criticized in publications the apparent backwardness of the Spanish
ruler’s method of governing the country which resulted in:

1. The bondage and slavery of the conquered.

2. The Spanish government’s requirement of forced labor and force military service upon the natives.
3. The abuse of power by means of exploitation.
4. The government ruling that any complaint against the authorities was criminal.
5. Making the people ignorant, destitute and fanatic, thus discouraging the formation of a national
sentiment.
Rizal’s guiding political philosophy proved to be the study and application of reforms, the
extension of human rights, the training for self government and the arousing of spirit of
discontent over oppression, brutality, inhumanity, sensitiveness and self love.

Ethical Philosophy
The study of human behavior as to whether it is good or bad or whether it is right or wrong is
that science upon which Rizal’s ethical philosophy was based. The fact that the Philippines was
under Spanish domination during Rizal’s time led him to subordinate his philosophy to moral
problems. This trend was much more needed at that time because the Spaniards and the Filipinos
had different and sometimes conflicting morals. The moral status of the Philippines during this
period was one with a lack of freedom, one with predominance of foreign masters, one with an
imposition of foreign religious worship, devotion, homage and racial habits. This led to moral
confusion among the people, what with justice being stifled, limited or curtailed and the people
not enjoying any individual rights.

To bolster his ethical philosophy, Dr. Rizal had recognized not only the forces of good and evil,
but also the tendencies towards good and evil. As a result, he made use of the practical method of
appealing to the better nature of the conquerors and of offering useful methods of solving the
moral problems of the conquered.

To support his ethical philosophy in life, Rizal:

1. Censured the friars for abusing the advantage of their position as spiritual leaders and the
ignorance and fanaticism of the natives.
2. Counseled the Filipinos not to resent a defect attributed to them but to accept same as reasonable
and just.
3. Advised the masses that the object of marriage was the happiness and love of the couple and not
financial gain.
4. Censured the priests who preached greed and wrong morality.
5. Advised every one that love and respect for parents must be strictly observed..
Social Philosophy
That body of knowledge relating to society including the wisdom which man's experience in
society has taught him is social philosophy. The facts dealt with are principles involved in nation
building and not individual social problems. The subject matter of this social philosophy covers
the problems of the whole race, with every problem having a distinct solution to bolster the
people’s social knowledge.

Rizal’s social philosophy dealt with:

1. Man in society
2. Influential factors in human life
3. Racial problems
4. Social constant
5. Social justice
6. Social ideal
7. Poverty and wealth
8. Reforms
9. Youth and greatness
10. History and progress
11. Future Philippines.
The above dealt with man’s evolution and his environment, explaining for the most part human
behavior and capacities like his will to live; his desire to possess happiness; the change of his
mentality; the role of virtuous women in the guidance of great men; the need for elevating and
inspiring mission; the duties and dictates of man’s conscience; man’s need of practicing
gratitude; the necessity for consulting reliable people; his need for experience; his ability to
deny; the importance of deliberation; the voluntary offer of man’s abilities and possibilities; the
ability to think, aspire and strive to rise; and the proper use of hearth, brain and spirit-all of these
combining to enhance the intricacies, beauty and values of human nature. All of the above served
as Rizal’s guide
Personalities
Filipinos and foreigners alike have paid tribute to Jose Rizal claiming that his place of honor in
history is secure. It was his Austrian bosom friend, Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt, rector of the
Imperial Atheneum of Leitmeritz, who said "Rizal was the greatest product of the Philippines
and his coming to the world was like the appearance of a rare comet, whose rare brilliance
appears only every other century." Another German friend, Dr. Adolf B. Meyer, director of the
Dresden Museum who admired his all around knowledge and ability, remarked "Rizal’s many-
sidedness was stupendous." Our own Dr. Camilo Osias pointed to him as the "versatile genius."

His precocity since early boyhood turned into versatility in later years. Being curious and
inquisitive, he developed a rare facility of mastering varied subjects and occupations.

Actor
Rizal acted as a character in one of Juan Luna’s paintings and acted in school dramas.

Agriculturist
Rizal had farms in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte (1892-1896) where he planted lanzones,
coconuts and other fruit-bearing trees.

Ambassador Of Good Will

His friendliness, goodwill and cultural associations with friends entitled him as one.

Animal Lover
As a small boy, Rizal loved animals including birds, fish, insects, and other specimens of animal
life. Fowls, rabbits, dogs, horses, and cats constituted his favorites. As much as possible, he did
not wish fowls to be killed even for food, and showed displeasure in being asked to eat the
cooked animal. The family garden in Calamba abounded with insects galore and birds native to
the Calamba environs. He wrote about and sketched animals of the places he had toured.

Anthropologist
He made researches on the physical and social make up of man.

Archeologist
Rizal studied monuments and antique currency everywhere he went. He drew most of the
monuments he saw.

Ascetic
Rizal always practiced self-discipline wherever he went.

Book lover
He had a big library and brought many books abroad.
Botanist
Rizal maintained a garden in Dapitan where he planted and experimented on plants of all kinds

Businessman
He had a partner in Dapitan in the Abaca business there (1892-1896).

Cartographer
He drew maps of Dapitan, The Philippines and other places he visited.

Chess Player
He played chess and bear several Germans and European friends and acquaintances.

Citizen of the world

His extensive travels and multitude of friends in Europe, Middle East and Asia made him one.

Commentator
Rizal always expresses and published his personal opinion.

Conchologist
He had a good shell collection in Dapitan. An American conchologist praised him.

Educator
Rizal taught in his special school in Dapitan.

Ethnologist
In his travels, Rizal was able to compare different races and he noted the differences.

Father of community school

He proposed college in Hong Kong and his special school in Dapitan made him a father of
community schools.

Fencer
He fenced with Europeans and Juan Luna and other friends in Europe.

Freemason abroad
He was member of La Solidaridad Lodge in Spain.
Horticulture and farmer
He experimented on and cultivated plants in Dapitan.

Historian
His annotation of Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas entitled him as one.

Humorist
There are many humorous incidents in the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

Ichthyologist
He collected 38 new varieties of fish in Dapitan.

Japanophile
His admiration of Japanese traits and his knowledge of her language proved he was one.

Journalist
He authored the published many articles in Spanish and English and London.

Laboratory worker
He was employed in the clinic of Dr. L. Wecker in Paris.

Linguist
He spoke over 20 foreign languages.

Lover of truth
He chided Spanish writers for not writing the truth about the Filipinos. He was always truthful
since boyhood.

Musicians
He played the flute and composed pieces of music and cultivated music appreciation.

Mythologist
Rizal used mythology in his Noli and Fili.

Nationalist
He gave full expression of the native spirit strengthened by world civilization and loved and
defended everything Filipino.
Newspaperman
He wrote and published articles in many publications and was one of the organizers of the La
Solidaridad.

Ophthalmologist
He graduated in an ophthalmologic college in Spain.

Orientalist
Rizal admired the special characteristic and beauties of Oriental countries peoples.

Pharmacologist
Rizal treasured and popularized the usefulness and preparation of cures for treatment of his
patients.

Philologist
Rizal loved of learning and literature is unequalled.

Philosopher
Rizal not only loved wisdom but also regulated his life and enjoyed calmness of the life at all
time

Physical culturist
Rizal maintained a good health by exercising all parts of his body and eating proper foods

Physicians
He treated several patients afflicted not only with eye diseases.

Plant lover
As a child, Rizal spend most of his time in the family garden which was planted with fruit trees,

Shrubs and decorative trees. His diaries contained detailed description and sketches of plants,
flowers and fruits he saw in the places he visited. He wrote poems on flower he like very much
as his poems To the Flowers of Heidelberg.

Poet
Rizal wrote over 35 poems including his famous Ultimo Adios.

Politician
Although Rizal did not engage in Politics, he exposed the evils of the political activities of the
Spaniards in the Philippines through his writing.
Polyglot
Rizal spoke and wrote in 20 languages.

Proofreader
In Germany, He worked as a part-time proofreader of his livelihood.

Propagandist
As a reformer, Rizal encourages the recommendation of improving the government entities and
discourage abuses publishing articles.

Public relation man

He worked for better cooperation of rulers and subjects in his country.

Reformer
He published the modern methods of government administration, so changes could be made.

Researcher
Being a wide reader, he compared the old and new practices in life.

Revolutionist
Rizal encouraged reforms, discouraged old, impractical usage, and desired new and useful laws
to benefit his countrymen. He desired changes for the better.

Rhetorician
Rizal has always practiced the art of persuasive and impressive speaking and writing.

Rural reconstruction worker

He practiced rural reconstruction work in Dapitan in 1894 and succeeded.

Sanitary engineer
His construction of a water system in Dapitan exemplified this practice by Rizal.

Scientist
Rizal’s practice of many sciences here and abroad made him noted scientist.

Sculptor
His works of his father and of Father Guerrico, S. J. typified his sculptural ability.
Sharp shooter
He could hit a target 20 meters away.

Sinologist
Rizal’s ancestry and his ability to speak Chinese made him one.

Sociologist
In Rizal’s study of Philippines social problems, he always encouraged and introduced solutions.

Sodalist
He always joined fraternities, associations and brotherhood, for self-improvement.

Sportsman
He engaged from a surveying class at the Ateneo after passing his A. B. there.

Tourist
He was considered the foremost tourist due to his extensive travels.

Traveler
He traveled around the world three times.

Tuberculosis expert
For having cured himself of this disease, he became and was recognized as an expert.

Youth leader
He considered the youth as "the hope of his Fatherland."

Zoologist
He was fond of pets. He researched later on their physiology, classification and habits.
Quotations
Rizal’s Famous Quotations
He who does not love his own language is worse than an animal and smelly fish.
It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a stone wasted on the field
without becoming a part of any edifice.
While a people preserves its language; it preserves the marks of liberty.
There can be no tyrants where there are no slaves.
Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinangalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan.
He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination.
The youth is the hope of our future.
1. This school whom Rizal first enrolled in Manila is formerly called Escuela Pia. - Ateneo Municipal
2. The book which Rizal read which appear to have influenced the fictional character of Simon. This book
became Rizal's favorite novel. -The Count of Monte Cristo
3. The priest who supported Rizal when he returned to Manila after the release of his mother from Jail. He
is well described as " a model of rectitude and love for students." He was Rizal's favorite professor in
Ateneo. -Fr. Francisco Sanchez
4. The course which the Jesuits suggested to Rizal to take when he was about to enroll for tertiary
education. -farming
5. While Rizal enrolled in Medicine at UST, he also studied this course at Ateneo Municipal. -surveying
6. The Governor General who did not give justice to Rizal when he was brutally treated by a civil guard.
-Primo de Rivera
7. The poem which Rizal submitted as his entry to the Liceo Artistico Literario de Manila -A La Juventud
Filipina
8. The first country which Rizal set foot on when he left Manila on May 1882-Singapore
9. This route was traversed by Rizal's ship which shortened travel to Europe from 3 months to 1 month.
-Suez Canal
10. The former classmate of Rizal from Ateneo who gave him a party when Rizal arrived at Barcelona
-Tomas Cabangis
11. The nationalistic essay which Rizal wrote which showed his love for his country-Amor Patrio
12. Rizal used this pen name when he wrote his nationalistic essay while in Barcelona-Laong Laan
13. He was an advocate of freedom and self-determination for all people. The traits of this person have
drawn Rizal to join the Liberals. -Dr. Miguel Morayta
14. Rizal joined this social conglomeration of Filipino scholars, students, and Spaniards interested in
Philippine concerns and issues.-Circulo Hispano Filipino
15. When Rizal moved up the ranks of free masonry, what lodge did he became a master
mason?-Solidaridad
16. One of the friends of Rizal who won a painting contest contest in Madrid Exposition. His entry was
"Christian Virgins exposed to the Populace."-Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo
17. When Rizal wrote to his mother after the stircreated by the Brindis speech, he described that he had
spent 3 years "in the dazzling cities of Elightenment". This pertain to what city?-Madrid
18. After graduation, Rizal proceeded to Paris, France and registered at the clinic of the recognized leading
Freanch Opthalmologist. Who is he?-Dr. Louis Wecker
19. Rizal became an expert in opthalmology under the tutelage of this doctor-Otto Becker
20. Rizal translated in Tagalog this book of Schiller which is about Swiss independence-William Tell
21. Among the reasons Rizal decided to return to the Philippines, choose the statement which is not
included -Sell Noli Me Tangere
22. Rizal opened a gymnasium in Calamba not for this reason-discourage gambling
23. The death of this sister of Rizal made his return to Calamba relatively a sad one-Olympia
24. The Governor General who provided a bodyguard for Rizal because he knew that Rizal made an enemy
out of Noli Me Tangere-Emilio Terrero
25. He was the seaman from Marinduque who helped smuggle the Noli Me tangere from Hongkong to
Manila-Perfecto Rufino Riego
26. It means a "toast".-Brindis
27. This friar published a pamphlet wherein he warned readers of Noli Me Tangere that they committed
mortal sin upon reading the book because it is heretical-Fr. Jose Rodriguez
28. The book read by Rizal while he was a student in Ateneo Municipal which was authored by Dr. Feodor
Jagor-Travels in the Philippines
29. He is the one who shouldered the expenses of the initial publication of Noli Me Tangere-Maximo Viola
30. Because Rizal was trained in Germany, he was called by this name by his patients-Doctor Uliman
31. The name of the bodyguard assigned by Gov. Gen. Terrero to look after Rizal-Lt. Jose Taviel de
Andrade
32. This pamphlet was written by Fr. Jose Rodriguez which warned readers to avoid reading Noli Me
Tangere-Caiingat Cayo
33. The Governor General who ordered the deportation of 25 individuals including Paciano and Silvestre
Ubaldo-Valeriano Weyler
34. When Rizal decided to leave the Philippines again due to threats to his life, he boarded this ship that
would take him on the first leg of his trip to Europe-Don Juan
35. The hymn Rizal wrote for the feast day of Lipa before he left the country for the second time.-Himno Al
Trabaho
36. The entry pf Rizal in commemorating the 400th death anniversary of Miguel Cervantes. -El Consejo
delos Dioses
37. Rizal left the Philippines at the age of ______. -20
38. The editor of El Diariong Tagalog who requested for more articles from Rizal. -Francisco Calvo
39. Rizal Jesuit Professor-Bech
40. The initial course of Rizal in UST.-Philosophy and Letters
41. The steamship Rizal boarded for his first travel in Europe. -Salvadora
42. The British colony which was the first stop-over of Rizal’s trip.-Singapore
43. It was Spain’s second largest city and was described by Rizal as dark, dirty and ugly.-Barcelona
44. What is Rizal’s masonic name?-Dimasalang
45. She was code named _________ in Rizal’s diary to camouflage their relationship from their parents
because they were in fact cousins.-Leonor Rivera
46. Rizal would sent her love notes written in invincible ink that could only be deciphered over the light of
the lamp or candle.-Leonor Valenzuela
47. Amor Patrio was published in what news paper?-El Diariong Tagalog
48. The poem written by Rizal dedicated to Consuelo Ortiga Y Rey.- A La Senorita C.O.y.R
49. The response of Marcelo H. Del Pilar to Fr. Rodriguez’ phamplet. - Caiigat Cayo
50. It is considered to be Rizal’s greatest contribution to the Philippines.-Noli Me Tangere
51. The name of the bodyguard assigned by Gov. Gen. Terrero to look after Rizal -Lt. Jose Taviel de
Andrade
52. Rizal moved in the house of __________, a protestant minister who became his good friend.-Karl
Ulmer
53. In what newspaper was the poem Amor Patrio published? -El Diariong Tagalog
 Travels of Rizal - SUMMARY

May 3, 1882
Rizal left Philippines to complete his studies in Spain. He boarded the Salvadora using a
passport of the name Jose Mercado.

Secret Mission
• Observe the life and culture, customs, governments and laws of European nations in
order to prepare himself in the task of liberating the Filipino people from Spanish
tyranny.
• Rizal’s departure was kept secret to avoid detection from Spanish authorities and
the friars.

Singapore
May 9, 1882
The Salvadora docked at Singapore

The first stop over of Rizal on his way to Spain is Singapore, which he spent for
sightseeing the city including its famed Botanical Garden, Buddhist temples, the
monument of Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles, the founder of Singapore.

Colombo, Sri Lanka

It was Rizal’s journey to Colombo, Sri Lanka that was important for him to improve his
knowledge of the French language while on board a French ship, Djemnah.

Egypt
In route through the Suez Canal, Rizal got off at Red Sea terminal and was amazed by
the impressive moonlight scenery in Suez and was engrossed with the multicultural
people and language of the place.

Naples, Italy
June 11, 1882
Rizal went around the city of Naples. This was the first European ground he set foot on.

Merseilles, France
June 13, 1882
Rizal arrived early in the morning and boarded at the Noalles Hotel.

June 15, 1882

He left for Barcelona in an express train.

Barcelona, Spain
He wrote his first article (“Amor Patrio”) abroad. It was published in Diaryong Tagalog.

Madrid, Spain
Rizal studied in University Central de Madrid. He then had a love affair with Consuelo
Ortiga y Perez, the daughter of Don Pablo.

Paris
He stayed at the Hotel de Paris, but them moved to a cheaper hotel. He was amazed by
the attractive scenery and he often visited museums. After departure for Spain, things
turned from bad to worse in Calamba.

Germany
• He visited Paris and Germany to specialize in ophthalmology.
• He stopped over at Barcelona, on his way to Paris, to visit his friend Maximo Viola.
• He met Dr. Feodor Jagor author of Travels in the Philippines, a book that Rizal
admired because of its keen observances in the Philippines setting.
• With the help of Maximo Viola, who gave him the necessary funds to publish the
novel, Noli Me Tangere was published.

Switzerland
 • Accompanied by his friend Maximo Viola.
• They visited Ferdinand Blumentritt.
• Rizal and Viola arted ways in Geneva.

Italy
• After a week of staying in Rome, he prepared to return to the Philippines.
• He had already written to his father that he was coming home.

United States
He left New York for Liverpool on board the City of Rome. He was onboard in a steamer
which was “the second largest ship in the world” – The Great Eastern.

London
• London was a safe place from the attacks of Spanish tyranny.
• He was a boarder of the Beckett family.
• Fell in love with Gertrude Beckett.
• Rizal also wrote his first article in La Solidaridad, a patriotic newspaper founded by
Graciano Lopez Jaena.
• Society founded by Rizal in Paris was the R.D.L.M. Society. The aim of the secret
society is the propagation of all useful knowledge in the Philippines. Another aims
is the redemption of the Malay race.

Belgium
• In Brussels Rizal was busy writing his second novel “El Filibusterismo”.
• The Calamba agrarian trouble was getting worse. The management of the
Dominican hacienda continually raised the land rents.

Madrid
• Rizal sought the help of the Filipino colony to protest the injustices of the
Dominicans.
• His life was full of misfortunes.
• He further learned from Saturnina’s letter that their parents had been forcibly
ejected from their home.
Biarritz
• Rizal took a vacation in the resort city of Biarritz on the fabulous French Riviera. He
was the guest of the Boustead family.
• He had finished the last chapter of his second novel, El Filibusterismo.
• Rizal was in-love with Nellie Boustead, a daughter of the Boustead family.

Ghent
• July 5, 1891 - Rizal left Brussels for Ghent a famous university city in Belguim.
• He stayed at Ghent because the cost of printing is cheaper.
• After the publication of El Filibusterismo, Rizal left Europe for Hong Kong.
Dr. Rizal’s Travels and Homecomings
After finishing the 4th year of the medical course in UST, Jose Rizal decided to
complete his studies in Spain. He decided to study in Spain for the following reasons:
a) He was disgusted with the method of instruction of the Dominican-owned University
and the racial prejudice of the Dominican Professors against Filipino students, and
b) Rizal’s secret mission was 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’s departure for Spain was kept secret to avoid detection by
the Spanish authorities and the friars.

He used the name Jose Mercado, a cousin from Binan.

May 3, 1882: Rizal departed on board the Spanish steamer Salvadora bound for
Singapore

SINGAPORE

During the voyage to Singapore, he carefully observed the people and things on
board the steamer. There were sixteen passengers including himself.

• May 9, 1882: The Salvador docked at Singapore. In Singapore, Rizal transferred

to another ship Djemnah.
• May 17, 1882: Djemnah reached Point Galle, and he found this place lonely and
Quiet.
The following day, the Djemnah reached Colombo, and he found this place
“Beautiful, Smart, and Elegant”

From Colombo, it continued the voyage crossing the Indian Ocean to the cape of
Guardafui, Africa. Rizal sighted the barren coast of Africa and called it “inhospitable land
but famous”.
Rizal had a stopover at Aden wherein he found the city hotter than Manila.
From Aden, the Djemnah proceeded to the city of Suez, the red sea terminal of the
Suez Canal.

NAPLES AND MARSEILLES

From the port, the Djemnah proceeded on its way to Europe.

• On June 11, 1882: Rizal reached Naples which really pleased him because of its
business activity, its lively people, and its panoramic beauty.
• June 12, 1882: The steamer docked at the French Harbor of Marseilles.

SPAIN

BARCELONA

• Rizal reached Barcelona on June 16, 1882.

• He thought of the city as ugly, with dirty little inns and inhospitable residents,
because he happened to stay upon his arrival at the “town’s most ugly side”.
• Later on, he changed his bad impression and found the city a great city, with an
atmosphere of freedom and liberalism, its people were open-hearted, hospitable,
and courageous.
• In here, Rizal wrote a nationalistic essay entitled “Amor Patrio” (Love of Country),
his first article written on Spain’s soil.
• He sent this article to his friend in Manila, BasilioTeodoro Moran, publisher of
Diariong Tagalog, the first Manila bilingual newspaper.
• Rizal’s “Amor Patrio” under his pen-name Laong Laan, appeared in print in
Diariong Tagalog.
• Aside from “Amor Patrio”, Rizal wrote his second article for Diariong Tagalog
entitled “Los Viajes” (Travels) and his third article was entitled “Revista de Madrid”
(Review of Madrid) which he wrote in Madrid on November 29, 1882.
 • While he was at Barcelona, Rizal received a sad news about the cholera that was
ravaging Manila and the provinces which caused a lot of people’s death. And so,
Paciano advised Rizal to finish his medical course in Madrid.
MADRID

• Rizal enrolled in the Universidad Central de Madrid in two courses- Medicine and
Philosophy and Letters.
• He also studied painting and sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts of San
Fernando and took lessons in French, German, and English under private
instructors.
• His thirst for knowledge of music, he visited the art galleries and museums and
read books on all subjects in order to broaden his cultural background.
• He spent his leisure time reading and writing at his boarding house, practicing
fencing, shooting at the gymnasium.
• Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-Philippine Circle) and wrote a
poem entitled “Me Piden Versos” (They ask me for Verses)

FRANCE

PARIS

• During Rizal’s first summer vacation in Madrid, he went to Paris from June 17 to
August 20, 1883.
• Like all tourists, he enjoyed the attractive sights, the historical places, etc. but
unlike ordinary tourists, Rizal spent many hours in Museums, Botanical gardens,
Libraries, Art galleries, and Hospitals.
• In Spain, Rizal came in close contact with Spanish liberal and republican
Spaniards who were mostly masons.
 • March 1883, Rizal joined the Masonic lodge called Acacia in Madrid. He became a
mason so that he could secure Freemasonry’s aid in his fight against the friars in
the Philippines.
• Later on, he transferred to Lodge Solidaridad where he became a Master Mason.
• He was awarded the diploma as a Master Mason by Le Grand Orient de France in
Paris.

GERMANY

POSTDAM

• Companion: Dr. Maximo Viola

• May 11, 1887: spring season
• Rizal’s luggage includes letters from his family and friends.
DRESDEN

• Regional Floral Exposition

• Visited Dr. Adolph B. Meyer (Museum of Art)
• Met Dr. Jagor who advised them to wire Blumentritt
LEIMERITZ, BOHEMIA

• Arrived on May 13, 1887 (1:30 p.m)

• Meeting with Blumentritt– kind-hearted, old Austrian professor who helped Rizal
&Viola during their stay in Leimeritz, greeted each other in fluent German. They
stayed from May 13 to May 16.
• Enjoyed the hospitality of Blumentritt’s family: Rosa (wife), Children (Dora, Conrad
and Fritz)
• He painted a portrait of Blumentritt and gave it to him.
 • Met a renowned scientist named Dr. Carlos Czelopak.
• May 16 (9:45 A.M) they left Leimeritz by train.
PRAGUE

• Carried letters of recommendation from Dr. Willkomm

• Visited the tomb of Copernicus, museum of Natural History and the famous cave
of San Juan Nepomuceno.
VIENNA

• Rizal was fascinated by its beautiful buildings, religious images, haunting waltzes
and majestic charm.
GENEVA

• June 19, 1887: Rizal treated Viola to a blowout on his 26th birthday
• June 23, Viola and Rizal parted ways
*Viola-Barcelona
*Rizal-Italy
ITALY

• he went to Turin, Milan, Venice and Florence

• June 27, 1887: Rome
• June 29- Feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul (visited the Vatican City)

HONGKONG

• February 3,1888 (left Manila for Hongkong)

• February 1888
*full-grown man of 27 years of age
*practicing physician
 *recognized man-of-letters
*embittered victim of human iniquities
*disillusioned dreamer
*frustrated reformer
• February 7(stopover at Amony)
He heard that the city was dirty.
• February 8, 1888 (arrival at Hongkong)
He was welcomed by Filipino residents, including Jose Basa, Balbino Mauricio
and Manuel Yriarte.
• Jose Sainz de Varanda – former secretary of Governor General Terrero; believed
to be a spy to Rizal

MACAO

• Rizal was accompanied by Basa

• Visited the theatre, casino, cathedral and churches, pagodas, botanical garden
and bazaars.
• Feb.19 – he witnesses a procession
• Feb.20 – returned to Hongkong
• Feb.22, 1888 – left for Japan

JAPAN
 • Feb.28-Apr.13: arrival in Japan
YOKOHAMA

• visited by Juan Perez Caballero

• invited Rizal to live at the Spanish Legation

Rizal accepted it for two reasons:

1. He could economize his living expenses by staying at the legation.
2. He had nothing to hide from the prying eyes of the Spanish authorities.
On March 7, he checked out of Tokyo Hotel and lived at the Spanish Legation.

Rizal’s observation in Japan:

→Beauty of the country-flowers, mountains, and scenic panoramas.

→The cleanliness, politeness and industry of the Japanese people.
→Few thieves in Japan.
→Beggars were rarely seen.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

 • April 28, 1888: Rizal’s first time in America
• First went to San Francisco riding the steamer “Blegic”
All passengers of this ship was under quarantine since there was a cholera
epidemic but
• Rizal knew that there was no cholera epidemic at the Far East during that time; he
then found out that the reason why the ship he rode was placed under quarantine
was because of political motivation.
• This is where he witnessed discrimination of Chinese and Japanese by the
Americans
• May 4, 1888: Rizal was allowed to go ashore
• Rizal’s Good impression:
*Material progress. All the cities he went to were flourishing.
*The drive and energy of the Americans
*The natural beauty of the land
*The high standard of living and the opportunities of a better life
• The only bad impression of Rizal was that there was no racial equality in America

ENGLAND/UNITED KINGDOM
LONDON

Reasons why he chose this English city:

*To improve his knowledge of English language
*To study Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas(only available at the British Museum)
–

• London was a safe place to continue his fight against Spanish tyranny
• Continued to write for La Solidaridad in defense of his people against spain

Good and Bad news reached Rizal from home:

→Persecution of Filipinos who signed the Anti-Friar petition
→Persecution of the Calamba tenants including Rizal’s family and relatives
→Furious attacks on Rizal by Spanish senators
→Rizal’s brother in law was exiled to Bohol

→A friend of Rizal was arrested and jailed in Bilibid prison for keeping a copy of Noli.

→The good news that reached Rizal was the defense of Noli by Rev. Vicente Garcia
against the friars.

• Annotating Morga’s book was considered his greatest achievement during his stay
in London
• Rizal was entertained by Juan Luna and his wife during his stay in London
• December 1888: Rizal visited Barcelona and Madrid
This was where Rizal first met Marcelo H Del Pilar and Mariano Ponce(two titans
of the propaganda movement)
 • December 31, 1888: Asociacion La Solidaridad was inaugurated. Rizal was
chosen honorary president
• February 15, 1889: La Solidaridad in Barcelona was founded by Graciano Lopez
Jaena
• March 25,1889: Rizal’s first article in the La Solidaridad was entitles Los
Agricultores Filipinos was published.
• Wrote the Tagalog version of The Women of Malolos on Feb 22 1889. This letter
was about the Filipino woman and their rights
• Before he left London Rizal finished four sculptural works:
*Prometheus bound
*The triumph of death over life
*The triumph of science over death
*A carving of the heads of the Beckett sisters
• March 19, 1889: left London for Paris

RIZAL’S SECOND SOJOURN IN PARIS

AND THE UNIVERSAL EXPOSITION OF
1889
For a short time Rizal lived in the house of his friend Valentin Ventura. This was where
he polished the annotated edition of Morga’s book. He was able to find a room and lived
with two other Filipinos, Captain Justo Trinidad and Jose Albert. In spite of a joyous
lifestyle in Paris, Rizal kept himself busy. Continue researching. Spent most of his time
at the National Library. May 6, 1889: Rizal was fascinated in opening of Exposition of
Paris. March 19, 1889: Kidlat club was formed by Rizal. The kidlat club was then
replaced by Indios Bravos. Another secret society the Rizal formed was the
R.D.L.M. Paris 1890: annotated edition of Morga’s Sucesos was published. Rizal wrote
the “Philippines within a colony” and the essay ”Indolence of the Filipinos”

On January 28, 1890, Rizal left Paris for Brussels, capital of Belgium.

Two reasons why Rizal left Paris:

→The cost of living in Paris was very high because of the Universal Exposition.
→The gay social life of the city hampered his literary works.

BELGIUM
BRUSSELS

• Rizal was accompanied by Jose Albert when he moved to Brussels. They lived in
a modest boarding house on 38 Rue Philippe Champagne. Later Albert left the
city, and was replaced by Jose Alejandro, an engineering student.
 • Rizal was busy writing his second novel, El Filibusterismo which is a continuation
of the Noli.
• Aside from writing its chapters, he wrote articles for La Solidaridad which were:
“A La Defensa” (To La Defensa), April 90, 1889
“La Verdad Para Todos” (The Truth For All), May 31, 1889
“Vicente Barrantes’ Teatro Tagalo” June 15 ,1889
“Una Profanacion” (A Profanation), July 31,1889
“Verdades Nuevas” (New Truths), July 31, 1889
“Crueldad” (Cruelty), August 15, 1889
“Diferencias” (Differences), September 15, 1889
“Inconsequencias” (Inconsequences), November 30, 1889
“Llanto y Risas” (Tears and laughter), November 30, 1889
“Ingratitudes” (Ingratitude), January 15, 1890
• In here, Rizal received news from Juan Luna and Valentin Ventura that the
Filipinos in Spain were destroying the good name of their nation by gambling too
much. This urged Rizal to do something about it. Rizal wrote to M.H. Del Pilar on
May 28, 1890 to remind the Filipinos in Madrid that they did not come to Europe to
gamble, but to work for their Fatherland’s freedom.

Bad news from home and preparation to go home:

Letters from home which Rizal received in Brussels worried him.

The Calamba agrarian trouble was getting worse. The management of Dominican
hacienda continually raised the land rents until such time that Rizal’s father refused to
pay his rent.

The Domincan Order filed a suit in court to dispossess the Rizal family of their
lands in Calamba.
In the face of sufferings which afflicted his family, Rizal planned to go home. He could
not stay in Brussels writing a book while his parents, relatives, and friends in the
Philippines were persecuted

July 18, 1890: Rizal wrote a letter to Ponce where he expressed his determination to go
home.

All his friends were horrified by Rizal’s plan to return to the Philippines. They warned
him of the danger that awaited him at home. But Rizal ignored the dire warning of his
friends. Something, however, happened that suddenly made him change his mind. It
was a letter from Paciano which related that they lost the case against the Dominicans
in Manila, but they appealed it to the Supreme Court in Spain, hence a lawyer was
needed to handle it in Madrid. Rizal wrote to M.H. del Pilar on June 20, 1890 retaining
the latter’s services as lawyer. He further informed M.H. del Pilar that he was going to
Madrid, in order to supervise the handling of the case. In another letter to Ponce, written
at Brussels, July 29, 1890, Rizal announced that he was leaving Brussels at the
beginning of the following month and would arrived in Madrid about the 3rd or 4th
August.
RIZAL ARRIVED IN MADRID

• On August, 1890, Rizal arrived in Madrid, Spain.

• Rizal failed to seek justice for his family and the Calamba tenants.
• Dissapointment piled on Rizal from the two fought duels with Antonio Luna and
Wencenslao Retana.
• Asociacion Hispano-Filipina, and the liberal Spanish newspapers help fight
securing justice for the Calamba tenants and Rizal’s family.
• Terrible news reached Rizal in Madrid as he was fighting for justice. Rizals brother
in law, Silvestre Ubaldo received a copy of ejecment order by the Dominicans
against Franciso Rizal and other Calamba tenants. In desperation, Rizal sought
the aid of the liberal Spanish statesmen, who were former members of the
ministry. Unfortunately they just gave honeyed words of sympathy, and nothing
else.
• August 19, 1890: death Jose Ma. Panganiban — a friend of Rizal who died
because of a lingering illness.
• After the death of Jose Ma. Panganiban, Rizal wrote a great Eulogy to
Panganiban
August, 1890, Rizal attended a social reunion of the Filipinos in Madrid and had
with a fight with Atonio Luna and also challenged Retana, a talented Spanish
scholar and Rizal’s bitter enemy of the pen,
to a duel.
• Late 1890 there arose an unfortunate rivalry between Rizal and M.H. del Pilar for
supremacy.
• An election took place Rizal won but declined the coveted position and left Madrid.

WITH THE BOUSTEADS IN BIARRITZ

• Rizal arrived in Biarritz at the beggining of February, 1891 and was welcomed by
the Bousteads family. -The one month vacation made Rizal forget the bitter
memories in Madrid and had an affection for Nelly Boustead
• March 29, 1891: his departure from Blumentritt he finished the manuscript of El
Filibusterismo
TO PARIS AND BACK TO BRUSSELS

On March 30, 1891 Rizal went back to Paris and stayed at the home of his friend,
Valentin Ventura. By mid of April, 1891 Rizal went back to Brussels and was
welcomed by the Jacoby sisters. From Brussels on May 1, 1891, he notified the
Propaganda authorities of his retirement. Rizal also immediately stopped writing for the
La Solidaridad after his retirement.

May 30, 1891: the revision of the El Fili was completed and was ready for Published.
EL FILIBUSTERISMO PUBLISHED IN GHENT

• October, 1887: Jose Rizal begun writing El Fili while practicing medicine in
Calamba
• 1888: in London he made changes in the plot and add more characters in Paris
and Madrid.
• March 19, 1891: He finished his manuscript in Biarriztz
• July 5, 1891: Rizal left Brussels for Ghent because, 1) The cost of printing there
was cheaper than Brussels, and 2) to escape from the enticing attraction of Petite
Suzanne.
• Jose Alejandro (form Pamp.) and Edilberto Evangelista (from Manila) – his
competitors
• On August 6 – he suspended the publish of the novel because of the lack of funds
• Ventura, savior of the Fili, same as the novel in Noli Rizal became broke and he
wants to burn his work but whenever he realize there still more people who love
their country
• Valentin Ventura in Paris gave Rizal funds to resume the novel.
• September 18, 1891: came off the press.

OPHTHALMIC SURGEON IN HONG KONG

• Rizal went to Hong Kong after the novel published from Europe.
• He left Europe because of the ff.: a) Life was unbearable in Europe because of his
political diff. with MH del and other Filipino in Spain and b) To be near his idolized
Philippines and family.
• November 20 1891: he arrived in Hongkong welcoming him with Filipino relatives.
• December 1, 1891: Rizal is asking a permission to go back to Philippines. 25
persons from Calamba with Neneng, Sisa, Lucia, Paciano, and his father were
caught.
• Ophthalmic Surgeon: he studied in Hongkong and had a friend Dr. named
Lorenzo P. Marques who helped him build a wide clientele and the Dr. always
turned over of eye cases.
• Finally the vision of the mother of Rizal was able to see because of him
Writing in Hongkong: Ang Karapatan ng Tao. La Nacion Espanola. Sa mga
Kababayan.

FIRST HOMECOMING OF RIZAL

May 1892: Rizal made up his mind to return in Manila. This decision surprised the ff.:

1. To confer with Governador Despujol regarding his borneo colonization project.

2. To establish Liga Filipina in manila
3. To prove that Eduardo de Lete was wrong in attacking him in Madrid
August 1887 was his first homecoming. He arrived in manila in June 26 1892 arrival in
manila with his sister, Lucia going to the Hotel de Oriente with a major

Visiting friends in Central Luzon- Malolos(Bulacan), San Fernando (Pampanga), Tarlac,

Bacolor (Pampanga). On the next day he returned to Manila, the houses he visited were
raid by the Guardia Civil who took some copies of Noli and El Fili and some subversive
pamphlets.

SECOND HOMECOMING AND THE LIGA

FILIPINA
Other interview with Desoujol – after the arrival Rizal has been interviewed by Governor
General Despujol. Founding of the Liga Filipina- a civic league of Filipinos, which he
desired to established and its role on the socio-economic life of the people. Liga Filipina
officers were Ambrosio Salvador(President); Deodato Arellano(Secretary); Bonifacio
Arevola Agustin de la Rosa(Treasurer)

Fiscal Conditions of Liga Filipina

1. To unite the archipelago into one compact and homogenous body

2. Mutual Protection in every want and Necessity
3. Defense against all violence and injustice.
4. Encourage of Education, agriculture and commerce.
5. Study of application and reforms.

Motto of Liga Filipina: ONE LIKE THEM (unus instar omnium)

Rizal Arrested and Jailed in fort Santiago – July 6 he resume his interview with the
governor general but suddenly showed him a printed leaflets were entitled Pobres
Frailes (Poor Friars) under the authorship of Fr. Jacinto from Paris

LAST TRIP ABROAD

• Rizal travelled from Dapitan to Manila-He missed the regular steamer to Spain
“Isla de Luzon”
• Stayed on board Spanish cruiser “Castilla”-August 26, 1896, Andres Bonifacio and
Katipunan start revolution in Balintawak
• Rizal leaves for Spain aboard “Isla de Panay”, upon leaving for Spain, Rizal
receives 2 letters of introduction for the Minister of War and the Minister of
Colonies
• Upon arriving in Singapore, Rizal was urged by fellow Filipinos to stay. He refused
as he had given his word to Gov. Gen. Blanco
• Upon arriving in Barcelona, Rizal was arrested and taken to the fortress Monjuich
• General Despujol sends Rizal back to Manila to be tried by court

LAST HOMECOMING AND TRIAL

• Rizal is kept under heavy guard while in transit from Barcelona to Manila
• October 8: a friendly soldier tells Rizal that newspapers are full of stories about
him being blamed for the revolution
• October 11: Rizal’s diary is confiscated by Spanish authorities
• Upon arriving in Singapore, friends attempt to rescue Rizal by means of inciting
Habeus Corpus
• Unfortunately, the request is denied as the ship bearing Rizal to Manila of
classified as a warship and as such is out of Singaporean jurisdiction
• November 3: the “Colon” arrives in Manila-Rizal transferred to Fort Santiago
• Rizal subjected to 5-day investigation by Judge Advocate Colonel Franciso Olive
• Rizal chooses Don Luis Taviel de Andrade to defend him in court
• Rizal pleads “not guilty” to inciting rebellion
• December 26, 1896: Rizal’s mock trial begins and he was sentenced to death by
the court
• December 28: Polavieja (new Gov. Gen.) approves Rizal’s execution by firing
squad
Introduction of Jose Rizal: Domino Lam-Co (a full-blooded Chinese from
Patriot Amoy, China) - - Ines de la Rosa (Chinese half-
Physician breed)
Man of Letters who was an inspiration to the Francisco Mercado - - Bernarda Monicha (21
Philippine nationalist movement (La children)
Solidaridad---Katipunan) Juan Mercado - - Cirila Alejandra (14 children)
National Hero and pride of the Malayan race Francisco Mercado Rizal
Mother side:
Regina Ursua/Ochoa– Manuel de Quintos (2
children)
Brigida de Quintos - - Lorenzo Alberto Alonzo
(7 children)
Teodora Alonzo
Multiracial Ancestry
Spanish
Chinese
Japanese
Malayo-Polynesian
Negrito
Immediate Family
Father
- Studied Latin & Philosophy at the College of
San Jose (Mla)
- described by Rizal as “model of fathers”
- he inherited . . . Profound sense of dignity
self-respect, seriousness and self-possession
-a successful farmer
-he loved books
-an excellent model for Rizal that molded him
up into a man of honor
- understood the world of humanity which
furnished him with greater respect for other
people, and a greater respect to the dignity of
labor.
Mother
- born in Meisik, Sta. Cruz Mla.
- talented and remarkable woman
- he inherited . . . temperament of the poet and
dreamer and bravery for sacrifice
- his first teacher
- inculcated the value of knowledge and
education to the young Rizal
- a good Mathematician and Manager of
business of the Rizal family
Mixed Racial Origin “My mother is not a woman of ordinary culture.
From his father side She knows literature and speaks Spanish better
than I do. She even corrected my poems and
gave me wise advice when I was studying
rhetoric. She is a mathematician and has read Mother – love for literature
many books.” “The Story of Moth” (about the mother moth
His mother- encouraged him to express his warning his offspring of the danger of fluttering
ideas and sentiments in verse to close to the flame. The little moth did not
“The Story of the Moth” about the mother heed the advice, thus, it was burned by the
moth warning its offspring of the danger of flame)
fluttering to close to flame. The little moth did -Gave him the moral lesson that if one
not heed the advice, thus it was burned by the must succeed, he must take risks and prepare
flame. for the worst consequences.
She gave him the moral lesson that if one must In Binan
succeed, he must take risks and prepare for the - he was 9 yrs old
worst consequences. Without courage, there - Justiniano Aquino Cruz
will be no glory. he studied Latin and Spanish
In Calamba, Laguna: - Andres Salandanan ( a local painter)
19 June 1861 – birth he developed his initial lessons in
22 June 1861 – baptized painting
1864 - learned the alphabet from his mother in UST:
1865 - his sister Conception (8th child)
died at the age of three got low grades
1865 – 1867 - his mother taught him how to studied Philosophy and Letters
read and write study medicine (ophthalmology) - did not
Leon Monroy - taught Rizal the rudiments of complete
Latin in Ateneo:
Uncle Manuel Alberto - taught the latter love
for the nature got excellent grades
Usman – Rizal’s dog studied bachelor of arts in 1877
Uncle Gregorio - instilled love for education graduated as one of sobresaliente
1869 - "Sa Aking Mga Kabata." first professor was Fr. Jose Bech
In Biñan, Laguna : José Protasio Rizal Mercado Y
Alonso Realonda
1870 - His brother Paciano brought Rizal to
Biñan, Laguna Born: June 19, 1861, Calamba.
Justiniano Aquino Cruz – taught Rizal Latin and Died: Dec. 30, 1896, Manila
Spanish The Rizals is considered one of the
Juancho Carrera – taught him the art of painting biggest families during their time. Domingo
17 December 1870 - Rizal returned to Lam-co, the family's paternal ascendant was a
Calamba after he finished his full-blooded Chinese who came to the
studies in Biñan Philippines from Amoy, China in the closing
Back in Calamba: years of the 17th century and married a Chinese
half-breed by the name of Ines de la Rosa.
1871 - His mother was imprisoned in Sta. Cruz, Researchers revealed that the Mercado-Rizal
Laguna for allegedly poisoning the wife family had also traces of Japanese, Spanish,
of Jose Alberto Malay and Even Negrito blood aside from
1872 - Cavite Mutiny on January 20, 1872; Chinese.
his father forbid the words:
Burgos Jose Rizal came from a 13-member
Filibustero family consisting of his parents, Francisco
Cavite Mercado II and Teodora Alonso Realonda, and
nine sisters and one brother. Olympia (1855-1887), fourth Rizal child, was
married to Silvestre Ubaldo. She died of
FRANCISCO MERCADO (1818-1898) childbirth in 1887.
FRANCISCO MERCADO (1818-1898) LUCIA RIZAL (1857-1919)
Father of Jose Rizal who was the youngest of 13
offsprings of Juan and Cirila Mercado. Born in Lucia (1857-1919), fifth Rizal child, was the wife
Biñan, Laguna on April 18, 1818; studied in San of Mariano Herbosa.
Jose College, Manila; and died in Manila. MARIA RIZAL (1859-1945)

Francisco, the father, was a serious looking man Maria (1859-1945), the sixth Rizal child, became
of sturdy build. the wife of Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan,
Laguna.
TEODORA ALONSO (1827-1913)
Mother of Jose Rizal who was the second child JOSE RIZAL (1861-1896)
of Lorenzo Alonso and Brijida de Quintos. She
studied at the Colegio de Santa Rosa. She was a Jose Rizal (1861-1896), the second son and the
business-minded woman, courteous, religious, seventh child. He was executed by the
hard-working and well-read. She was born in Spaniards on December 30,1896.
Santa Cruz, Manila on November 14, 1827 and He became the national hero of the Philippines.
died in 1913 in Manila.
CONCEPCION RIZAL (1862-1865)
Teodora, the mother, was a vigorious and
persevering woman with a benevolent heart
and a likable personality. The eight child. Died at the age of three.
SATURNINA RIZAL (1850-1913)
Eldest child of the Rizal-Alonzo marriage.
JOSEFA RIZAL (1865-1945)
Saturnina (1850-1913), eldest of the Rizal
children, became the wife of Manuel T. Hidalgo
of Tanauan, Batangas. The ninth child. An epileptic, died a spinster.

PACIANO RIZAL (1851-1930) TRINIDAD RIZAL (1868-1951)

Only brother of Jose Rizal and the second child. Trinidad (1868-1951), the tenth Rizal child. Died
Studied at San Jose College in Manila; became a a spinster and the last of the family to die.
farmer and later a general of the Philippine
Revolution. SOLEDAD RIZAL (1870-1929)

Paciano, the second child in the family and Soledad (1870-1929), the youngest Rizal child
Rizal's only brother. became the wife of Pantaleon Quintero.
NARCISA RIZAL (1852-1939)

Narcisa (1852-1939), the third child, married

Antonio Lopez at Morong, Rizal; a teacher and
musician.

OLYMPIA RIZAL (1855-1887)

 DR. JOSE PROTACIO MERCADO RIZAL ALONZO Y
REALONDA
MEANINGS OF NAME
• Doctor- completed his medical course in Spain and was conferred the degree of
Licentiate in Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid
• Jose- was chosen by his mother who was a devotee of the Christian saint San
Jose (St. Joseph)
• Protacio- from Gervacio P. which come from a Christian calendar
• Mercado- adopted in 1731 by Domigo Lamco (the paternal great-great-
grandfather of Jose Rizal) which the Spanish term mercado means ‘market’ in English
• Rizal- from the word ‘Ricial’ in Spanish means a field where wheat, cut while still
green, sprouts again
• Alonzo- old surname of his mother
• Y- and
• Realonda- it was used by Doña Teodora from the surname of her godmother
based on the culture by that time

• June 19, 1861- moonlit of Wednesday between eleven and midnight Jose Rizal was born in the lakeshore town of
Calamba, Laguna
• June 22, 1861- aged three days old, Rizal was baptized in the Catholic church
• Father Rufino Collantes- a Batangueño, the parish priest who baptized Rizal
• Father Pedro Casanas- Rizal’s godfather, native of Calamba and close friend of the Rizal family
• Lieutenant-General Jose Lemery- the governor general of the Philippines when Rizal was born

RIZAL’S PARENTS
 Don Francisco Mercado (1818-1898)
-born in Biñan, Laguna on May 11, 1818
-studied Latin and Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila
-became a tenant-farmer of the Dominican-owned hacienda
-a hardy and independent-minded man, who talked less and worked more, and was strong in body and valiant in spirit
-died in Manila on January 5, 1898 at the age of 80
-Rizal affectionately called him “a model of fathers”

 Doña Teodora Alonso Realonda (1826-1911)

-born in Manila on November 8, 1826
-educated at the College of Santa Rosa, a well-known college for girls in the city
-a remarkable woman, possessing refined culture, literary talent, business ability, and the fortitude of Spartan women
-is a woman of more than ordinary culture: she knows literature and speaks Spanish (according to Rizal)
-died in Manila on August 16, 1911 at the age of 85

THE RIZAL CHILDREN

-Eleven children—two boys and nine girls

1. Saturnina (1850-1913)
-oldest of the Rizal children
-nicknamed Neneng
-married Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanawan, Batangas
2. Paciano (1851-1930)
-older brother and confident of Jose Rizal
-was a second father to Rizal
-immortalized him in Rizal’s first novel Noli Me Tangere as the wise Pilosopo Tasio
-Rizal regarded him as the “most noble of Filipinos”
-became a combat general in the Philippine Revolution
-died on April 13, 1930, an old bachelor aged 79
-had two children by his mistress (Severina Decena)—a boy and a girl
3. Narcisa (1852-1939)
-her pet name was Sisa
-married to Antonio Lopez (nephew of Father Leoncio Lopez), a school teacher of Morong
4. Olimpia (1855-1887)
-Ypia was her pet name
-married Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator from Manila
5. Lucia (1857-1919)
-married to Mariano Herbosa of Calamba, who was a nephew of Father Casanas
-Herbosa died of cholera in 1889 and was denied Christian burial because he was a brother-in-law of Dr. Rizal
6. Maria (1859-1945)
1
 -Biang was her nickname
-married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna

7. Jose (1861-1896)
-the greatest Filipino hero and peerless genius
-nickname was Pepe
-lived with Josephine Bracken, Irish girl from Hong Kong
-had a son but this baby-boy died a few hours after birth; Rizal named him “Francisco” after his father and buried him
in Dapitan
8. Concepcion (1862-1865)
-her pet name was Concha
-died of sickness at the age of 3
-her death was Rizal’s first sorrow in life
9. Josefa (1865-1945)
-her pet name was Panggoy
-died an old maid at the age of 80
10. Trinidad (1868-1951)
-Trining was her pet name
-she died also an old maid in 1951 aged 83
11. Soledad (1870-1929)
-youngest of the Rizal children
-her pet name was Choleng
-married Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba

• Rizal always called her sisters Doña or Señora (if married) and Señorita (if single)
• Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda married on June 28, 1848, after which they settled down in
Calamba
• The real surname of the Rizal family was Mercado, which was adopted in 1731 by Domingo Lamco (the paternal
great-great grandfather of Jose Rizal), who was a full blooded Chinese)
• Rizal’s family acquired a second surname—Rizal—which was given by a Spanish alcalde mayor (provincial governor)
of Laguna, who was a family friend

RIZAL’S ANCESTRY

• FATHER’S SIDE
Domingo Lamco
Ines de la Rosa
(a Chinese immigrant from
(Well-to-do Chinese
the Fukien city arrived in
Christian girl of Changchow
Manila about 1690)

Francisco Mercado Cirila Bernacha

Juan Mercado
(Rizal’s grandfather) Cirila Alejandro

Had thirteen children, the youngest being Francisco

Mercado (Rizal’s father)

2
 • MOTHER’S SIDE

Lakandula
(The last native king of Tondo)

Eugenio Ursua
(Rizal’s maternal Benigma
Great-great Grandfather of (a Filipina)
Japanese Ancestry)

Manuel de Quintos
Regina (a Filipino from Pangasinan)

Lorenzo Alberto Alonso

Brigida (a prominent Spanish Filipino
mestizo of Biñan)

Narcisa, Teodora (Rizal’s mother), Gregorio, Manuel at Jose

THE RIZAL HOME

-was one of the distinguished stone houses in Calamba during the Spanish times
-it was a two-storey building, rectangular in shape, built of adobe stones and hard-woods and roofed with red tiles
-by day, it hummed with the noises of children at play and the songs of the birds in the garden; by night, it echoed with
the dulcet notes of family prayers

• The Rizal family belonged to the principalia, a town aristocracy in Spanish Philippines
• The Rizal family had a simple, contented and happy life

CHILDHOOD YEARS IN CALAMBA

-Calamba was named after a big native jar
-Calamba was a hacienda town which belonged to the Dominican Order, which also owned all the lands around it
• Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town)- a poem about Rizal’s beloved town written by
Rizal in 1876 when he was 15 years old and was student in the Ateneo de Manila
• The first memory of Rizal, in his infancy, was his happy days in the family garden when he was three
years old
• Another childhood memory was the daily Angelus prayer. By nightfall, Rizal related, his mother gathered
all the children at the house to pray the Angelus
• Another memory of Rizal’s infancy was the nocturnal walk in the town, especially when there was a moon
• The death of little Concha brought Rizal his first sorrow
• At the age of three, Rizal began to take a part in the family prayers
• When Rizal was five years old, he was able to read haltingly the Spanish family bible
• The Story of the Moth- made the profoundest impression on Rizal
-“died a martyr to its illusions”
• At the age of five, Rizal began to make sketches with his pencil and to mould in clay and wax objects
which attracted his fancy
• Sa Aking Mga Kabata (To My Fellow Children)- Rizal’s first poem in native language at the age of eight
-reveals Rizal’s earliest nationalist sentiment
• At the age of eight, Rizal wrote his first dramatic work which was a Tagalog comedy
INFLUENCES ON THE HERO’S BOYHOOD

3
 (1) hereditary influence
(2) environmental influence
(3) aid of Divine Providence

• Tio Jose Alberto- studied for eleven years in British school in Calcutta, India and had traveled in Europe
inspired Rizal to develop his artistic ability
• Tio Manuel- a husky and athletic man, encouraged Rizal to develop his frail body by means of physical
exercises
• Tio Gregorio- a book lover, intensified Rizal’s voracious reading of good book
• Father Leoncio Lopez- the old and learned parish priest of Calamba, fostered Rizal’s love for
scholarship and intellectual honesty

EARLY EDUCATION IN CALAMBA AND BIÑAN

• The first teacher of Rizal was his mother, who was remarkable woman of good character and fine culture
—her mother
• Maestro Celestino- Rizal’s first private tutor
• Maestro Lucas Padua- Rizal’s second tutor
• Leon Monroy- a former classmate of Rizal’s father became Rizal’s tutor that instructed Jose in Spanish
and Latin. He died five months later
• Sunday afternoon in June, 1869- Rizal left Calamba for Biñan accompanied by Paciano
• Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz- Rizal’s teacher in a private school in Biñan
-Rizal described his teacher as follows: He was thin, long-necked, with a sharp nose and a body slightly bent
forward
• Pedro- the teacher’s son which Rizal challenged to a fight
• Andres Salandanan- challenged Rizal to an arm-wrestling match
• Juancho-an old painter who was the father-in-law of the school teacher; freely give Rizal lessons in
drawing and painting
• Jose Guevara- Rizal’s classmate who also loved painting, became apprentices of the old painter
• “the favorite painters of the class”- because of his artistic talent
• Christmas in 1870-Rizal received a letter from his sister Saturnina, informing him of the arrival of the
steamer Talim which would take him from Biñan to Calamba
• Saturday afternoon, December 17, 1870- Rizal left Biñan after one year and a half of schooling
• Arturo Camps- a Frenchman friend of Rizal’s father who took care of him on board
DAILY LIFE IN BIÑAN
-Heard the four o’ clock mass then at ten o’ clock went home at once and went at school at two and came out at five
-The day was unusual when Rizal was not laid out on a bench and given five or six blows because of fighting

MARTYRDOM OF GOM-BUR-ZA
• Night of January 20, 1872- about 200 Filipino soldiers and workmen of the Cavite arsenal under the
leadership of Lamadrid, Filipino sergeant, rose in violent mutiny because of the abolition of their usual
privileges
• Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora- were executed at sunrise of February 17,
1872, by order of Governor General Izquierdo
• The martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za in 1872 truly inspired Rizal to fight the evils of Spanish tyranny and
redeem his oppressed people
• Rizal dedicated his second novel, El Filibusterismo, to Gom-Bur-Za
INJUSTICE TO HERO’S MOTHER
• Before June, 1872- Doña Teodora was suddenly arrested on a malicious charge that she and her
brother, Jose Alberto, tried to poison the latter’s perfidious wife
• Antonio Vivencio del Rosario- Calamba’s gobernadorcillo, help arrest Doña Teodora
• After arresting Doña Teodora, the sadistic Spanish lieutenant forced her to walk from Calamba to Santa
Cruz (capital of Laguna province), a distance of 50 kilometers
• Doña Teodora was incarcerated at the provincial prison, where she languished for two years and a half
• Messrs. Francisco de Marcaida and Manuel Marzan- the most famous lawyers of Manila that defend
Doña Teodora

SCHOLASTIC TRIUMPHS AT ATENEO DE MANILA (1872-1877)

• Ateneo Municipal- a college under the supervision of the Spanish Jesuits
• Escuela Pia (Charity School)- formerly name of Ateneo, a school for poor boys in Manila which was
established by the city government in 1817
• Escuela Pia---- Ateneo Municipal--- Ateneo de Manila
4
 • June 10, 1872- Rizal accompanied by Paciano went to Manila
• Father Magin Ferrando- was the college registrar, refused to admit Rizal in Ateneo for two reasons: (1)
he was late for registration (2) he was sickly and undersized for his age
• Manuel Xerez Burgos-because of his intercession, nephew of Father Burgos, Rizal was reluctantly
admitted at the Ateneo
• Jose was the first of his family to adopt the surname “Rizal”. He registered under this name at Ateneo
because their family name “Mercado” had come under the suspicion of the Spanish authorities
• Rizal was first boarded in a house outside Intramuros, on Caraballo Street. This was owned by a spinster
named Titay who owed the Rizal family the amount of 300 pesos

JESUIT SYSTEM OF EDUCATION

-it trained the character of the student by rigid discipline and religious instructions
-Students were divided into two groups:
• Roman Empire- consisting of internos (boarders); red banner
• Carthaginian Empire- composed of the externos (non-boarders); blue banner
• Emperor- the best student in each “empire”
• Tribune- the second best
• Decurion- the third best
• Centurion-the fourth best
• Stand-bearer- the fifth best
• The Ateneo students in Rizal’s time wore a uniform which consisted of “hemp-fabric trousers” and “striped
cotton coat” The coat material was called rayadillo

FIRST YEAR IN ATENEO (1872-1873)

• Father Jose Bech- Rizal’s first professor in Ateneo whom he described as a “tall thin man, with a body
slightly bent forward, a harried walk, an ascetic face, severe and inspired, small deep-sunken eyes, a
sharp nose that was almost Greek, and thin lips forming an arc whose ends fell toward the chin
• A Religious picture- Rizal’s first prize for being the brightest pupil in the whole class
• To improve his Spanish, Rizal took private lessons in Santa Isabel College during the noon recesses. He
paid three pesos for those extra Spanish lessons
• At the end of the school year in March, 1873, Rizal returned to Calamba for summer vacation
• When the summer vacation ended, Rizal returned to Manila for his second year term in Ateneo. This time
he boarded inside Intramuros at No. 6 Magallanes Street. His landlady was an old widow named Doña
Pepay

SECOND YEAR IN ATENEO (1873-1874)

-At the end of the school year, Rizal received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold medal
• The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas- the first favorite novel of Rizal which made a deep
impression on him
• Universal History by Cesar Cantu- Rizal persuaded his father to buy him this set of historical work that
was a great aid in his studies
• Dr. Feodor Jagor- a German scientist-traveler who visited the Philippines in 1859-1860 who wrote
Travels in the Philippines
-Rizal was impressed in this book because of (1) Jagor’s keen observations of the defects of Spanish colonization (2)
his prophecy that someday Spain would lose the Philippines and that America would come to succeed her as colonizer

THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1874-1875)

-Rizal grades remained excellent in all subjects but he won only one medal—in Latin
-At the end of the school year (March 1875), Rizal returned to Calamba for the summer vacation. He himself was not
impressed by his scholastic work

FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO

• June 16, 1875- Rizal became an interno in the Ateneo
• Padre Francisco de Paula Sanchez- a great educator and scholar, one of Rizal’s professors who
inspired him to study harder and to write poetry
-Rizal described this Jesuiot professor as “model of uprightness, earnestness, and love for the advancement
of his pupils”
• Rizal topped all his classmates in all subjects and won five medals at the end of the school term

LAST YEAR IN ATENEO (1876-1877)

-Rizal’s studies continued to fare well. As a matter-of-fact, he excelled in all subjects. The most brilliant Atenean of his
time, he was truly “the pride of the Jesuits”
• March 23, 1877- Commencement Day, Rizal, who was 16 years old, received from his Alma Mater,
Ateneo Municipal, the degree of Bachelor of Arts, with highest honors
• Marian Congregation- a religious society wherein Rizal was an active member and later became the
secretary

5
 • Rizal cultivated his literary talent under the guidance of Father Sanchez
• Father Jose Vilaclara- advised Rizal to stop communing with the Muse and pay more attention to more
practical studies
• Rizal studied painting under the famous Spanish painter, Agustin Saez, and sculpture under Romualdo
de Jesus, noted Filipino sculptor
• Rizal carved an image of the Virgin Mary on a piece of batikuling (Philippine hardwood) with his pocket-
knife
• Father Lleonart- impressed by Rizal’s sculptural talent, requested him to carve for him an image of
Sacred Heart of Jesus

ANECDOTES ON RIZAL, THE ATENEAN

• Felix M. Roxas- one of Rizal’s contemporaries in the Ateneo, related an incident of Rizal’s schooldays
in Ateneo which reveals hero’s resignation to pain and forgiveness. “Neither bitterness nor rancor
towards the guilty party”
• Manuel Xerez Burgos- This anecdotes illustrates Rizal’s predilection to help the helpless at the risk of
his own life

POEMS WRITTEN IN ATENEO

-It was Doña Teodora who was first discovered the poetic genius of her son, and it was also she who first encouraged him
to write poems. However it was Father Sanchez who inspired Rizal to make full use of his God-given gift in poetry
• Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration), 1874- the first poem Rizal probably wrote during his days
in Ateneo which was dedicated to his mother on her birthday; Rizal wrote it before he was 14 years old

-In 1875, inspired by Father Sanchez, Rizal wrote more poems, as such:
1. Felicitacion (Felicitationi)
2. El Embarque: Himno a la Flota de Magallanes (The Departure: Hymn to Magellan’s Fleet)
3. Y Es Espanol; Elcano, el Primero en dar la Vuelta al Mundo (And He is Spanish: Elcano, the First to
Circumnavigate the World)
4. El Combate: Urbiztondo, Terror de Jolo (The Battle: Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo)
-In 1876, Rizal wrote poems on various topics-religion, education, childhood memories and war. They were as follows:
1. Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town)- a tender poem in honor of Calamba, the hero’s natal town
2. Alianza Intima Entre la Religion y la Buena Educacion (Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education)-
Rizal showed the importance of religion in education
3. Por la Educacion Recibe Lustre la Patria (Through Education the Country Receives Light)- Rizal believed in the
significant role which education plays in the progress and welfare of a nation
4. El Cautiverio y el Triunfo: Batalla de Lucena y Prision de Boabdil (The Captivity and the Triumph: Battle of Lucena
and the Imprisonment of Boabdil)- this martial poem describes the defeat and capture of Boabdil, last Moorish sultan of
Granada
5. La Entrada Triunfal de los Reyes Catolices en Granada (The Triumphal Entry of the Catholic Monarchs into
Granada)- this poem relates the victorious entry of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel into Granada, last Moorish
stronghold in Spain

-A year later, in 1877, Rizal wrote more poems. It was his last years in Ateneo. Among the poems written that year were:
1. El Heroismo de Colon (The Heroism of Columbus)- this poem praises Columbus, the discoverer of America
2. Colon y Juan II (Columbus and John II)- this poem relates how King Kohn II of Portugal missed fame and riches
by his failure to finance the projected expedition of Columbus to the New World
3. Gran Consuelo en la Mayor Desdicha (Great Solace in Great Misfortune)- this is a legend in verse of the tragic life
of Columbus
4. Un Dialogo Aluviso a la Despedida de los Colegiales (A Farewell Dialogue of the Students)- this was the last
poem written by Rizal in Ateneo; it is a poignant poem of farewell to his classmate

• Al Niño Jesus (To the Child Jesus)- this poem was written in 1875 when Rizal was 14 years old; it was
a brief ode
• A La Virgen Maria (To the Virgin Mary)- another religious poem which doesn’t have exact date when it
was written
• San Eustacio, Martir (St. Eustace, the Martyr)- a drama based on the prose story of St. Eustace which
he wrote in poetic verses during the summer vacation of 1876 and finished it on June 2, 1876

MEDICAL STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS (1877-1882)

-After finishing the first year of a course in Philosophy and Letters (1877-1878), Rizal transferred to the medical course
-“Don’t send him to Manila again; he knows enough. If he gets to know more, the Spaniards will cut off his
head.”- Doña Teodora, vigorously opposed the idea that Rizal pursue higher learning in the university

6
 • April 1877- Rizal who was then nearly 16 years old, matriculated in the University of Santo Tomas, taking
the course on Philosophy and Letters because (1) his father like it (2) he was “still uncertain as to what
career to pursue”
• Father Pablo Ramon-Rector of Ateneo, who had been good to him during his student days in that
college, asking for advice on the choice of a career but unfortunately he was in Mindanao
• It was during the following term (1878-1879) that Rizal, having received the Ateneo Rector’s advice to
study medicine
• During Rizal’s first school term in the University of Santo Tomas (1877-1878), Rizal also studied in
Ateneo. He took the vocational course leading to the title of perito agrimensor (expert surveyor)
• Rizal excelled in all subjects in the surveying course in Ateneo, obtaining gold medals in agriculture and
topography
• November 25, 1881- the title was issued to Rizal for passing the final examination in the surveying
course
• Liceo Artistico-Literario (Artistic-Literary Lyceum) of Manila- a society of literary men and artists,
held a literary contest in the year 1879
• A La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth)- Rizal, who was then 18 years old, submitted this poem
-is an inspiring poem of flawless form. Rizal beseeched the Filipino youth to rise from lethargy, to let genius fly
swifter than the wind and descend with art and science to break the chains that have long bound the spirit of the people
-this winning poem of Rizal is a classic in Philippine literature for two reasons: (1) it was the great poem in
Spanish written by a Filipino, whose merit was recognized by Spanish literary authorities (2) it expressed for the first time
the nationalistic concept that the Filipinos, and not the foreigners, were the “fair hope of the Fatherland”
• The Board of Judges, composed of Spaniards, was impressed by Rizal’s poem and gave it the first prize
which consisted of a silver pen, feather-shaped and decorated with a gold ribbon
• El Consejo de los Dioses (The Councils of the Gods)- 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
-was a literary masterpiece based on the Greek classics
• The prize was awarded to Rizal, a gold ring on which was engraved the bust of Cervantes
• D.N. del Puzo- a Spanish writer, who won the second prize
• Junto al Pasig (Beside the Pasig)- a zarzuela which 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
- Rizal wrote it as President of the Academy of Spanish Literature in Ateneo
• A Filipinas- a sonnet written by Rizal for the album of the Society of Sculptors; in this sonnet, he urged all
Filipino artists to glorify the Philippines
• Abd-el-Azis y Mahoma- Rizal composed a poem in 1879 which was declaimed by an Atenean, Manuel
Fernandez, on the night of December 8, 1879, in honor of the Ateneo’s Patroness
• Al M.R.P. Pablo Ramon- Rizal composed a poem in 1881, as an expression of affection to Father Pablo
Ramon, the Ateneo rector, who had been so kind and helpful to him
• Vicenta Ybardolaza- a pretty girl colegiala who skillfully played the harp at the Regalado home, whom
Rizal was infatuated in Pakil
• Rizal mentioned Turumba (wherein the people dancing in the streets during the procession in honor of the
miraculous Birhen Maria de los Dolores) in Chapter VI of Noli Me Tangere and Pagsanjan Falls in his
travel diary (united States—Saturday, May 12, 1888), where he said that Niagara Falls was the “greatest
cascades I ever saw” but “not so beautiful nor fine as the falls at Los Baños, Pagsanjan”
• Compañerismo (Comradeship)- Rizal founded a secret society of Filipino students in University of
Santo Tomas in 1880
• Companions of Jehu- members of the society whose after the valiant Hebrew general
• Galicano Apacible-Rizal’s cousin from Batangas who is the secretary of the 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 against by the Spaniards (3) the method of instruction was obsolete and repressive
-In Rizal’s novel, El Filibusterismo, he described how the Filipino students were humiliated and insulted by their
Dominican professors and how backward the method of instruction was, especially in the teaching of the natural sciences.
He related in Chapter XIII, “The Class in Physics”

SHATTERING THE MYTH ABOUT RIZAL AND THE PONTIFICAL UST

This can be very exhaustive as I deal with historical facts apropos of the relationship of Jose Rizal with the University of
Santo Tomas. I am indebted to Fr. Fidel Villaroel, OP, the eminent historian and former archivist of the UST Archives for
giving me the distinct privilege (without going through the norms and policies) of touring the archives and letting me
examined some important documents pertaining but not principally to the history of the Philippines. As a pioneering
institution of learning – from the martyrdom of Gomez, Burgos and Zamora, to the propaganda movement, to the
revolution of 1896, to the birth of the Republic in 1898, to the commonwealth period and finally to the restoration of
7
independence in 1946 – it is therefore presumptuous to assume the UST has had a hand in the making of the history of
the Philippines.

Sadly, in spite of some efforts of few academicians and historians to present a more truthful history of the UST during the
Spanish era, many still were caught off guard and instead decided to rely on meager source materials. Worse, some
merely copied what pre-war and post-war authors written in the past 100 years. New generation writers, historians and
biographers of Jose Rizal are no exception to such historians like Retana, Craig, Russel, Laudback, Coates, Hernandez
and Zaide who had pictured a villain character of the university.

As what Fr. Villaroel said, none of the biographers and historians took the time of looking into the original academic
records of Rizal. Neither there were efforts on their part to make a study on UST based on the archival records of the
Pontifical University. “It has been treated inadequately, at times, with a good deal of misunderstanding, exaggeration or
prejudice.”

The second confusion was their failure to understand the underlying principles behind the anti-friars and anti-UST writings
of Rizal particularly the El Fili.

After seeing the documents at the UST Archives and reading Fr. Villaroel’s well-written study on Rizal and the University
of Santo Tomas, I can only scoff at those who bask at their ignorance and use many of the myths to advance their cause.
Such is the case of some pexers here who undoubtedly use these myths for their own good. In the words of Dr. Serafin
Quiason, former chairman of the National Historical Institue, “it is a great virtue of his (Fr. Villaroel) study that he sweeps
away many of the myths which have passed for facts for almost three quarters of a century. He has solved many difficult
questions and the readers can be grateful for a valuable and devoted piece of work.”

This thread intends to rectify some issues pertaining to the negative pictures projected about Rizal’s relationship with his
alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas based on the study by Fr. Villaroel who had diligently dug through the archival
materials of UST and Archivo de la Provincia del Sto. Rosario. Was Rizal discriminated and treated shabbily by the
Dominicans? Why did he leave UST? Why did he criticize the University years later? How are the stories of El
Filibusterismo to be understood?

Here are some excerpts from Fr. Fidel Villaroel’s study:

MYTH:
Rizal complained about his grades in UST and was discriminated and treated shabbily by the Dominicans.

FACTS:
(1) Rizal entered the UST in 1877, enrolling in the Pre-Law Course, which was made up of philosophical subjects. The
course was commonly called metaphysics. He passed the course brilliantly with the highest grades in spite of his initial
indifference to philosophy and his youthful distractions through the year. Then he opted for the career of medicine. And in
1878-1879 he took simultaneously the Pre-Medical Course and the First Year of Medicine; this was against the rules, but
Rizal was favored with a dispensation. The Pre-Medicine Course was also called Ampliacion, because the student, having
taken already Physics, Chemistry and Natural History in the high school, now took an advanced course on the same
subjects (Rizal did not take in Santo Tomas the “class of physics” described in El Fili but rather in Ateneo).

In his courses of medicine, Rizal was a good student, above-average, though not excellent; but none of his classmates
were excellent either. Summing up, in the 21 subjects taken in UST, Rizal obtained one aprobado (passing grade), eight
bueno (good), six notable (very good) and six sobresaliente (excellent). Majority of students in Rizal’s time, or in any time,
would have been satisfied with the above grades. It is possible that Rizal was not, but it is a fact that he never complained
about his grades, there is not a single word in his works showing displeasure at the unfairness of UST.

Yet many of his biographers are angry, unreasonably angry (including anti-ust pexers?) at the treatment given to the
national hero by his alma mater. How could Rizal, after a perfect record of “Excellent” in the high school (Ateneo) now
receive such “low” grades at UST? The critics had to look for an explanation, and since they did not find fault in Rizal, then
they had to blame the Dominicans and UST. And from Retana to Austin Craig, from Frank Lauback to Austin Coates and
to quite a long line of Filipino biographers (with some exceptions), we only hear the same repeated lamentation that every
school child must now learn in the textbooks: that Rizal was “below his usual standards”, and for the extremely serious
charge that the “Dominican professors were hostile to him” and “the Filipino students were racially discriminated” (Zaide),
and that there was “excessive harping on the alleged intellectual superiority of the Spanish (because he was white) to the
Filipino, a brown man, and Indio (JM Hernandez), and so on. An objective historian must squarely face and honestly
answer these grave statements, which sound like accusations.

Was Rizal “far below his usual standards”? What standards, in the first place? If by usual standards we mean the grades
of his Ateneo high school studies, the comparison is unfair. Nobody places elementary or high school standards against
college or University standards. They belong to different levels. At Ateneo municipal, Rizal was excellent, though not the
only excellent student. At the UST, none of his classmates ever got near to keeping a straight record of Excellent. And this
was because Medicine was a different kind of stuff altogether.

Therefore, if we are to arrive at a just appreciation of Rizal’s performance at the UST, we should compare, not his grades
in the high school with those in the university, but Rizal’s grades in Medicine against those of his classmates. In the first
year of medicine, Rizal’s class was made up of 24 students, but due to academic failures, seventeen of them were left by
the roadside before they reached the fourth year, when only seven took the final examinations. And in this fourth (and for
Rizal last) year, he landed in second place behind Cornelio Mapa. A persecuted Rizal would have probably ended by the
8
same roadside as the seventeen “debarred” classmates, or would have never boasted of being second when he left for
Spain in 1882.

(2) It can hardy be said that Rizal was discriminated and treated shabbily by the Dominicans since he was granted the
rare privilege of studying simultaneously in the Preparatory Course of Medicine and the First Year of Medicine.

Records likewise show that six Spaniards were enrolled with Rizal in the first year of Medicine, of whom three were
Peninsular and three Philippine-born. If the criticism of some biographers were true, these six students would have been
favored by the friars. Yet at the end of the fourth year there remained only one Philippine-born Spaniard, Jose
Resurreccion y Padilla, who managed to get only a poor passing grade (aprobado), last among successful students, and
who in the following year received a crushing suspenso. It would be unkind to rejoice over failures, whether of Spanish or
of Filipinos, but the biographers of Rizal will not be convincing unless they prove with valid documents the existence of
“racial discrimination” in UST in the 19th century when it came to academic grades.

(3) Rizal’s inclinations and abilities must be taken into account. While he was undoubtedly inclined to, and remarkably
fitted for, the arts and letters, he was not much attracted to Medicine. “Perhaps – says Leon Ma. Guerrero – Medicine was
not his real vocation”. Medicine was a convenient career taken up in consideration of the poor health of Rizal’s mother,
whom he wanted to help, and eventually helped as a physician.

(4) When Rizal transferred to Spain and continued his studies at the University of Madrid, he showed there similar
characteristics. He was sobresaliente in the humanistic studies (literature, languages, history), while in Medicine he fared
worse than at the University of Santo Tomas. Ye no historian or biographer has ever complained about his poor
performance in Madrid or hinted that Rizal was discriminated against in that Central University.

(5) Rizal had Dominican friends in the persons of Fr. Evaristo Arias and Fr. Joaquin Fonseca. It was while studying at
UST that Rizal obtained public recognition as a poet. It was the Dominican; Fr. Arias who helped him cultivate his craft in
poetry. During his Thomasian years, Rizal composed the best poems of his pre-European period, one of them being A la
Juventud Filipina, winner of the first prize in the contest organized by the Liceo Artistico-Literario in 1879.

MYTH:
Rizal is said to have left UST for the following reasons:
a. because a certain professor of UST caused him displeasure (P. Pastells, SJ, 1897)
b. because the atmosphere in UST (meaning Thomistic atmosphere) suffocated him, and “it is presumed that
because of it he left” (E. Retana, 1907)
c. because in his class of medicine the lay professor made a statement contrary to the textbook and then he refused
to permit discussion or to give explanations; “so Rizal decided he was wasting his time to remain in the University”
(Craig, 1909)
d. because he found unfriendliness in the University, (Lauback, 1936)
e. because UST could not give “fuller learning” to the youth, and its “usefulness was almost, if not altogether nil.” (D.
Abella, 1965)

FACT:
Twenty authors quoting from the same erroneous source commit the same error twenty times over. Therefore, what the
quoted authors have said must be submitted to scrutiny. More significantly, all the authors quoted above have one thing in
common: none of them quote any historical source, like words from Rizal’s correspondence, his articles, etc. If any source
is ever mentioned it is infallibly the novel El Fili.

But is there not, we ask, a better source to support historical facts than a novel? In the present case, there seems to be no
other, and for one fundamental reason: because Rizal never revealed in clear terms why he left the Philippines in 1882.
Neither he nor his brother Paciano, nor his uncle Antonio Rivera, nor his most intimate friends. Not a clear word from
them, who were the only persons who could have known. This fact leads us to conclude that the writers who put the
blame for Rizal’s departure on the University of Santo Tomas are only guessing, honestly guessing of course, but
mistakenly.
It is almost needless to enter into discussion with those writers who lay the responsibility for Rizal’s departure at the door
of UST. But let us face the question squarely.

(1) It has been stated that a certain professor, more concretely a lay professor of medicine, disagreed with the textbook
and refused to entertain discussion on the topics of his subject (so Pastells and Craig). This professor is identified by
Craig as one who, some years later, was classmate of Rizal at the University of Madrid. He was Dr. Jose Franco who, as
professor of Rizal in Santo Tomas, had threatened to fail the whole medical class (P. Pastells). But granting that Professor
Franco was speaking seriously, it is quite improbable that Rizal decided to leave the Philippines for an incident with one
professor, who besides did not fail him in the final examinations. Rizal’s companions and friends did not seem to have
noticed any misunderstanding between Rizal and any professor, as shown in a letter of Jose M. Cecilio: “Your departure
without notice has caused surprise among many friends to the point of stirring their curiosity. They ask whether there were
serious matters going on which prompted you to leave.”

(2) To attribute Rizal’s departure to what oneauthor calls “rampant bigotry, discrimination and persecution” existing in
UST, whether said in general or whether specifically referring to Rizal, is a gratuitous accusation expressed in ready-
made phrases loaded with feeling. I presume that an educational policy like the one implied in such words has never
existed in any school or university anywhere in any period. As for Rizal, we have already explained with academic records
on hand, that there was in fact a discrimination in his favor when he was allowed to take simultaneously the Preparatory
course of Medicine and the First Course of Medicine Proper. And finally, he was one of the seven, out of 26, who reached
9
the beginning of the fifth year course, which he started in Madrid. All this has been shown here without rhetoric, without
feeling and only with the aid of laconic, diplomatic record as basis.

(3) That the UST did not provide “fuller learning” to its students, and that this prompted some of them like Rizal to go
abroad, as suggested by some authors, might be as true then as it can be true at any other period of her history. This can
also be said of any Philippine university today. The temptation to try better institutions abroad is always better, and those
who can afford it, occasionally fall for it. There is no denying that, in the last quarter of the 19th century, Europe offered to
the students of science, philosophy, literature and every aspect of material progress, horizons of learning that no colonial
land in other continents could possibly give in such measure. But if many student like Rizal went abroad is search of “fuller
learning” and profited from that experience, it would be wrong to conclude that a university like UST was therefore
worthless. Whether by choice or by the force of circumstances many more students stayed behind than left for Europe,
and those who remained received a tertiary education of such quality that enabled them to become builders of the
Philippine Republic. Thomasians trained here and only here were Pedro Pelaez and Jose Burgos, Apolinario Mabini and
Cayetano Arellano, Manuel Araullo and the Mapa brothers, Sergio Osmena and Manuel L. Quezon, Leon Maria Guererro
and Anacleto del Rosario, Felipe Calderon and Epifanio de los Santos, etc. and most of the men of the Malolos Congress,
all belonging to the generation of Rizal.

Until further historical research can project more light on the life of Rizal, little more remains to be said on this point. This
little more is reduced to the following: If neither the UST records nor the correspondence of Rizal with Paciano and his
family nor his letters to or from his intimate friends can support the alleged misunderstanding between Rizal and the
University; if those documents do not explain the reasons for Rizal’s departure for Spain, then i believe that the only valid
recourse left to the historian is the recourse to the oral tradition. And two traditions come handily on our way, one
preserved in Rizal’s own family and another in the University of Santo Tomas.

MYTH:
The “Class of Physics” (Chapter 13) in El Filibusterismo is autobiographical of Rizal’s stay in UST and that Rizal’s anti-
friars and anti-UST writings are reflective of how the national hero loathed the University.

FACT:
(1) While in Europe (1882-1892), Rizal changed considerably in at least one aspect, in his attitude towards religion. He
gave up some basic and essential tenets of his faith and ceased to be a practicing Catholic. This was due mainly to his
continuous association with many rationalist thinkers and liberal politicians of Spain and other countries of Europe. A new
rationalistic approach to life and his affiliation to freemasonry accentuated his anti-clerical sentiments and his antipathy for
the Catholic Church, for her belief and external manifestations (dogmas, rites and rituals and devotional life). These
changes in Rizal must be taken into account when assessing his ironic criticism of the Church, the religious Orders and
the University of Santo Tomas. History showed that the attacks thrown by propagandists at Santo Tomas, particularly the
Church, were just part and parcel of the clash between liberalism and Thomism. And that the attack thrown at Santo
Tomas , which was under the Royal patronage of Spain, was not unique since every university in Europe like Oxford
received the same fate for upholding Thomism. The Vatican in an encyclical endorsed Thomism as an instrument to
counteract rationalism, which at that time began to penetrate all spheres of society.

(2) Crucially affecting this new attitude of criticism were the events that occurred in Calamba from 1887 onwards as a
result of the famous agrarian litigation between his family and the Dominican Hacienda. Whatever reasons for dissension
might have existed in previous years due to worsening economic conditions affecting the country at large, Rizal’s personal
intervention in the affair in 1887 precipitated the legal suit. The case ended in the courts with an adverse sentence against
the family and other tenants and the tragic deportation of some of Rizal’s immediate relatives. That social question and
lawsuit had nothing to do with the UST, but it surely soured Rizal’s pen when writing about an educational institution that
was run by the owners of Calamba Hacienda. We have here another factor for his critical attitude; again he had not in
mind any past academic experience.

(3) The novel El Fili was written precisely during the years of the Calamba agrarian crisis (any student of literature or a
practicing writer would agree that if there are things that affect the consciousness of a writer, it would be the moment, the
milieu, and the race).

The “Class of Physics” is the subject of chapter 13 of the Fili, a subject that some historians and biographers have used
and abused lavishly. They have a reason, because the story comes in very handily to illustrate the student years of Rizal
at the UST, regardless of the novelistic character of the source.

The practical question here is whether the story of the “Class of Physics” really happened on even one day, whether it
reflects educational methods practiced in UST in the 19th century, or whether Rizal was just creating a scene suitable to
the aims of the novel, that is, to attack and discredit the religious institutes. Some biographers easily believe Retana’s
remark that “this chapter is an accurate picture of what happened in the Pontifical University of Manila when Rizal studied
there.” a remark written of course, when Retana had turned into a bitter enemy of the religious orders.

But even taking for granted that Rizal based his story on some incident that happened during his university years, this is
no reason to conclude that the general life of the University was similar. And as for the bleak picture of the physical
classroom itself, the UST still possess the schedules of classes in those years, and the Class of Physics is invariably
assigned to the Physics Laboratories, not to an ordinary classroom.

Finally, Austin Coates’ statement that this chapter of the Fili is “clearly autobiographical” is totally unacceptable, if by
autobiographical he meant that the experience of Placido was actually felt by Rizal personally or by some of his
classmates. And the reason is very simple: Rizal did not take Physics at the UST. He had taken that course at the Ateneo
10
Municipal in 1876-1877. Rafael Palma who took up Physics and Chemistry in 1890 at Ateneo Municipal, a little over ten
years after Rizal, recalled later that the laboratory materials in use at the Ateneo for teaching Natural History and Physics
were “very poor” (Rafael Palma, My Autobiography, Manila 1953).
The whole chapter is a caricature, very useful for the aims of the novel; it is not Rizal’s biography.

IN SUNNY 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
-Aside from completing his studies in Spain, Rizal has his “secret mission”—was to observe keenly the life and culture,
languages and customs, industries and commerce, and government and laws of the European nations in order to prepare
himself in the mighty task of liberating his oppressed people from Spanish tyranny
-This Rizalian secret mission was likewise disclosed by Paciano in his letter to his younger brother dated Manila, May 20,
1892
-Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept secret to avoid detection by the Spanish authorities and the friars
• Jose Mercado- Rizal used this name; a cousin from Biñan
• May 3, 1882- Rizal departed on board the Spanish streamer Salvadora bound for Singapore
SINGAPORE
• Donato Lecha- the ship captain from Asturias, Spain befriended Rizal
-Rizal described him as an affable man, “much more refined than his other countrymen and colleagues that I
have met.”
• Rizal played chess with his fellow passengers who were much older than he
• May 8, 1882- while the steamer was approaching Singapore, Rizal saw a beautiful island, fascinated by
its scenic beauty, he remembered “Talim Island with the Susong Dalaga”
• May 9, 1882- the Salvadora docked at Singapore
• Hotel de la Paz- Rizal registered here and spent two days on a sightseeing soiree of the city, which was
a colony of England

FROM SINGAPORE TO COLOMBO

• In Singapore, Rizal transferred to another ship Djemnah, a French steamer, which left Singapore for
Europe on May 11, 1882
• May 17, 1882- Djemnah reached Point Galle, a seacoast town in southern Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)
• Rizal wrote on his travel diary: “The general appearance of Point Galle is picturesque but lonely and
quiet and at the same time sad”
• Colombo- capital of Ceylon
-Rizal was enamoured by Colombo because of its scenic beauty and elegant buildings
-“Colombo is more beautiful, smart and elegant than Singapore, Point Galle and Manila”
• For the first time, Rizal sighted the barren coast of Africa, which he called an “inhospitable land but
famous”
• Aden- city hotter than Manila
-Rizal was amused to see the camels, for the first time
• City of Suez- the Red Sea terminal of the Suez Canal
-Rizal was impressed in the beautiful moonlight which reminded him of Calamba and his family
• Suez Canal- canal which built by Ferdinand de Lesseps (French diplomat-engineer) which was
inaugurated on November 17, 1869
• Port Said- the Mediterranean terminal of the Suez Canal
NAPLES AND MARSEILLES
• June 11, 1882- Rizal reached Naples
-Rizal was pleased on this Italian city because of its business activity, its lively people, and its panoramic beauty
• Night of June 12, 1882- the steamer docked at the French harbor of Marseilles
• Rizal visited the famous Chateau d’If, where Dantes, hero of the Count of Monte Cristo, was imprisoned
• Rizal stayed two and a half days in Marseilles
BARCELONA
• Afternoon of May 15, 1882- Rizal left Marseilles by train for the last lap of his trip to Spain
• Rizal crossed the Pyrenees and stopped for a day at the frontier town of Port Bou
• June 16, 1882- Rizal finally reached his destination—Barcelona
• Rizal’s first impression of Barcelona, the greatest city of Cataluña and Spain’s second largest city, was
unfavorable
• Las Ramblas- the most famous street in Barcelona
• Amor Patrio (Love of Country)- nationalistic essay, Rizal’s first article written on Spain’s soil
-under his pen-name Laong Laan, appeared in print in Diariong Tagalog on August 20, 1882

11
 -it was published in two texts—Spanish and Tagalog—the Spanish text was the one originally written by Rizal in
Barcelona, the tagalog text was a Tagalog translation made by M.H. del Pilar
• Basilio Teodoro Moran- a friend of Rizal in Manila and the publisher of Diariong Tagalog where Rizal
sent this article
• Diariong Tagalog- the first Manila bilingual newspaper (Spanish and Tagalog)
• Los Viajes (Travels)- Rizal’s second article for Diariong Tagalog
• Revista de Madrid (Review of Madrid)- Rizal’s third article written in Madrid on November 29, 1882 but
returned to him because the Diariong Tagalog had ceased publication for lack of funds
• Rizal received sad news about the cholera that was ravaging Manila and the provinces according to
Paciano’s letter, dated September 15, 1882
• Another sad news from the Philippines was the chatty letter of Chengoy recounting the unhappiness of
Leonor Rivera
• In one of his letters (dated May 26, 1882), Paciano advised his younger brother to finish the medical
course in Madrid
• Rizal left Barcelona in the fall of 1882 and established himself in Madrid, the capital of Spain
LIFE IN MADRID
• November 3, 1882- Rizal enrolled in the Universidad Central de Madrid (Central University of Madrid) in
two courses—Medicine and Philosophy and Letters
• Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando- Rizal studied painting and sculpture
• Rizal’s only extravagance was investing a few pesetas for a lottery ticket in every draw of the Madrid
Lottery
• Rizal spent his leisure time reading and writing at his boarding house, attending the reunions of Filipino
students at the house of the Paterno brothers (Antonio, Maximo and Pedro) and practicing fencing and
shooting at the gymnasium
• Antigua Café de Levante-during the summer twilights, this is where Rizal sipped coffee and fraternized
with the students from Cuba, Mexico, Argentina, etc
• On Saturday evenings, Rizal visited the home of Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey who lived with his son (Rafael)
and daughter (Consuelo)
• Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-Philippine Circle)- a society of Spaniards and Filipinos which Rizal
joined shortly after his arrival in Madrid in 1882
• Me Piden Versos (They Ask Me For Verses)- upon the request of the members of this society, Rizal’s
wrote this poem which he personally declaimed during the New Year’s Eve reception of the Madrid
Filipinos held in the evening of December 31, 1882
-in this sad poem, Rizal poured out the cry of his agonizing heart
• Rizal economized on his living expenses, and with the money he saved, he purchased books from a
second-hand book store owned by a certain Señor Roses
• Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Eugene Sue’s The Wandering Jew- these two books
aroused Rizal’s sympathy for the oppressed and unfortunate people

FIRST VISIT TO PARIS (1883)

-During his first summer vacation in Madrid, Rizal went to Paris, gay capital of France
-The prices of food, drinks, theatre, tickets, laundry, hotel accommodations, and transportation were too high for Rizal’s
slender purse so that he commented in a letter to his family: “Paris is the costliest capital in Europe.”
• June 17 to August 20, 1883- Rizal sojourn in Paris
• Hotel de Paris- located on 37 Rue de Maubange wherein Rizal billeted but later, he moved to a cheaper
hotel on 124 Rue de Rennes in the Latin Quarter
• Laennec Hospital- where Rizal observed Dr. Nicaise treating his patients
• Lariboisiere Hospital- where Rizal observed the examination of different diseases of women
• Rizal was impressed by the way the Spanish Mason openly and freely c riticized the government policies
and lambasted the friars, which could not be done in Philippines
• March 1883- Rizal joined the Masonic lodge called Acacia in Madrid
• Rizal’s reason for becoming a mason was to secure Freemansory’s aid in his fight against the friars in the
Philippines
• Lodge Solidaridad (Madrid) – Rizal transferred where he became a Master Mason on November 15,
1890
• February 15, 1892- Rizal was awarded the diploma as Master Mason by Le Grand Orient de France in
Paris
• Science, Virtue and Labor- Rizal’s only Masonic writing; a lecture which he delivered in 1889 at Lodge
Solidaridad, Madrid
• After Rizal’s departure for Spain, things turned from bad to worse in Calamba: (1) harvests of rice and
sugarcane failed on account of drought and locusts (2) the manager of the Dominican-owned hacienda
increased the rentals of the lands (3) a dreadful pest killed most of the turkeys. Due to hard times in

12
 Calamba, the monthly allowances of Rizal in Madrid were late in arrival and there were times when they
never arrived
• June 24, 1884- a touching incident in Rizal’s life in Madrid wherein he was broke and was unable to take
breakfast
-Rizal attended his class at the university, participated in the contest in Greek language and won the gold medal
• 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 (Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al
Populacho), second prize
• November 20, 21, and 22, 1884- the serene city of Madrid exploded in bloody riots by the students of the
Central University
• These student demonstrations were caused by the address of Dr. Miguel Morayta, professor of history,
at the opening ceremonies of the academic year on November 20, in which he proclaimed “the freedom
of science and the teacher”
• The Rector, who also took the side of the students, was forced to resign and was replaced by Doctor
Creus, “a very unpopular man, disliked by everybody”
• November 26, 1884- Rizal wrote the recounting tumultuous riots to his family
• June 21, 1884- Rizal completed his medical course in Spain; he was conferred the degree of Licentiate in
Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid
• The next academic year (1884-1885), Rizal studied and passed all subjects leading to the degree of
Doctor of Medicine but he did not present the thesis required for graduation nor paid the corresponding
fees, he was not awarded his Doctor’s diploma
• June 19, 1885- on his 24th birthday, Rizal was awarded the degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters
by the Universidad Central de Madrid with the rating of “Excellent”: (Sobresaliente)
• November 26, 1884- a letter to Rizal’s family written in Madrid wherein he said “My doctorate is not of
very much value to me… because although it is useful to a university professor, yet, I believe they
(Dominican friars—Z) will never appoint me as such in the College of Santo Tomas. I say the same thing
of philosophy and letters which may serve also for a professorship, but I doubt if the Dominican fathers
will grant it to me.”

PARIS TO BERLIN (1885-1887)

-Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to specialize in ophthalmology—Rizal chose this branch of medicine because
he wanted to cure his mother’s eye ailment

IN GAY PARIS (1885-1886)

• Maximo Viola- a medical student and a member of a rich family of San Miguel, Bulacan, Rizal’s friend
• Señor Eusebio Corominas- editor of the newspaper La Publicidad and made a crayon sketch of Don
Miguel Morayta, owner of La Publicidad and a stasman
• Rizal gave Editor Corominas an article on the Carolines Question, then a controversial issue, for
publication
• November 1885, Rizal was living in Paris where he sojourned for about four months
• Dr. Louis de Weckert (1852-1906)- leading French ophthalmologist wherein Rizal worked as an
assistant from November 1885 to February 1886
• Paz Pardo de Tavera- was a pretty girl, who was engaged to Juan Luna
• At the studio of Luna, Rizal spent many happy hours. Rizal helped Luna by posing as model in several
paintings
• In Luna’s canvas “The Death of Cleopatra,“ Rizal posed as an Egyptian priest. In another of Luna’s
great paintings, “The Blood Compact,” he posed as Sikatuna, with Trinidad Pardo de Tavera taking the
role of Legazpi
• November 27, 1878- Rizal told Enrique Lete that he “learned the solfeggio, the piano, the voice
culture in one month and a half”
• By sheer determination and constant practice, Rizal came to play the flute fairly well. He was a flutist in
various impromptu reunions of Filipinos in Paris
• Alin Mang Lahi (Any Race)-a patriotic song written by Rizal which asserts that any race aspires for
freedom
• La Deportacion (Deportation)- a sad danza which Rizal composed in Dapitan during his exile
IN HISTORIC HEIDELBERG
• February 1, 1886- Rizal reluctantly left gay Paris fro Germany
• February 3, 1886- Rizal arrived in Heidelberg, a historic city in Germany famous for its old university and
romantic surroundings
• Chess Player’s Club- a club wherein the students made Rizal as a member because of being a good
chess player
• Dr. Otto Becker- distinguished German ophthalmologist where Rizal worked—University Eye Hospital

13
 • April 22, 1886- Rizal wrote a fine poem “A Las Flores de Heidelberg” (To the Flowers of Heidelberg)
• In the spring of 1886, Rizal was fascinated by the blooming flowers along the cool banks of the Neckar
River. Among them was his favorite flower—the light blue “forget-me-not”
• Wilhelmsfeld- a mountainous village near Heidelberg where Rizal spent a three-month summer vacation
• Dr. Karl Ullmer- a kind Protestant pastor where Rizal stayed, who became his good friend and admirer
• June 25, 1886- Rizal ended his sojourn at Pastor Ullmer’s home
• May 29, 1887- Rizal wrote from Munich (Muchen) to Friedrich (Fritz), son of Pastor Ullmer
• July 31, 1886- Rizal wrote his first letter in German (which he had improved after his stay with the
Ullmers) to Professor Blumentritt, Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria
• Aritmetica (Arithmetic)-Rizal sent this book he mentioned and was published in two languages—
Spanish and Tagalog—by the University of Santo Tomas Press in 1868. the author was Rufino Baltazar
Hernandez, a native of Santa Cruz, Laguna
• August 6, 1886- the famous University of Heidelberg held its fifth centenary celebration

IN LEIPZIG AND DRESDEN

• August 9, 1886- Rizal left Heidelberg
• August 14, 1886- boarded by a train. Rizal arrived in Leipzig
• Professor Friedrich Ratzel- a famous German historian, Rizal befriend with him
• Dr. Hans Meyer- German anthropologist, a friend of Rizal
• In Leipzig, Rizal translated Schiller’s William Tell from German into Tagalog so that Filipino might know
the story of that champion of Swiss independence
• Rizal also translated into Tagalog for his nephews and niece Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales
• Rizal found out that the cost of living in Leipzig was cheapest in Europe so that he stayed two months and
a half
• Because of his knowledge of German, Spanish, and other European languages, Rizal worked as proof-
reader in a publisher’s firm
• October 29, 1886- Rizal left Leipzig for Dresden where he met Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, Director of the
Anthropological and Ethnological Museum
• Rizal heard Mass in a Catholic church; evidently, this Mass impressed him very much, for he wrote on his
diary: “Truly I have never in my life heard a Mass whose music had greater sublimity and
intonation.”
• Morning of November 1, 1886- Rizal left Dresden by train reaching Berlin in the evening
BERLIN
• Rizal was enchanted by Berlin because of its scientific atmosphere and the absence of race prejudice
• Rizal met for the first time Dr. Feodor Jagor, 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- introduced to Rizal by Dr. Jagor; famous German anthropologist
• Dr. Hans Virchow- son of Dr. Rudolf Virchow, professor of Descriptive Anatomy
• Dr. W. Joest- noted German geographer
• 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
• Rizal lived in Berlin, famous capital of unified Germany for five reasons: (1) to gain further knowledge of
ophthalmology (2) to further his studies of sciences and languages (3) to observe the economic and
political conditions of the German nation (4) to associate with famous German scientists and scholars (5)
to publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere
• Madame Lucie Cerdole-Rizal’s professor of French in order to master the idiomatic intricacies of the
French language
• Unter den Linden- the most popular boulevard of Berlin wherein Rizal enjoyed promenading, sipping
beer in the city’s inns and talking with the friendly Berliners
• March 11, 1886- one of Rizal’s important letters written while he was in Germany that addressed to his
sister, Trinidad
-in this letter, Rizal expressed his high regard and admiration for German womanhood
-The German woman, said Rizal to his sister, is serious, diligent, educated, and friendly. She is not gossipy,
frivolous and quarrelsome
• Aside from the German women, Rizal admired the German customs which he observed well

NOLI ME TANGERE PUBLISHED IN BERLIN (1887)

14
-The bleak winter of 1886 in Berlin was Rizal’s darkest winter because no money arrived from Calamba and he was flat
broke. The diamond ring which his sister, Saturnina, gave him was in the pawnshop. It was memorable in the life of Rizal
for two reasons (1) it was a painful episode for he was hungry, sick and despondent in a strange city (2) it brought him
great joy after enduring so much sufferings, because his first novel, Noli Me Tangere came off the press in March, 1887

• Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin- inspired Dr. Rizal to prepare a novel that would depict the
miseries of his people under the lash of Spanish tyrants
• January 2, 1884- in a reunion of Filipinos in the Paterno residence in Madrid, Rizal proposed the writings
of a novel about the Philippines by a group of Filipinos
• Toward the end of 1884, Rizal began writing the novel in Madrid and finished about one-half of it
• When Rizal went to Paris, in 1885, after completing his studies in the Central University of Madrid, he
continued writing the novel, finishing one half of the second half
• Rizal finished the last fourth of the novel in Germany. He wrote the last few chapters of the Noli in
Wilhelmsfeld in April-June, 1886
• In Berlin during the winter days of February, 1886, Rizal made the final revisions on the manuscript of the
Noli
• Maximo Viola- Rizal’s friend from Bulacan, arrived in Berlin at the height of Rizal despondency and
loaned him the needed funds to publish the novel; savior of Noli
• After the Christmas season, Rizal put the finishing touches on his novel. To save printing expenses, he
deleted certain passages in his manuscript, including a whole chapter—“Elias and Salome”
• February 21, 1887- the Noli was finally finished and ready for printing
• Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action-Gesselschaft- a printing shop which charged the lowest rate, that is,
300 pesos for 2,00 copies of the novel
• March 21, 1887- the Noli Me Tangere came off the press
• March 29, 1887- Rizal, in token of his appreciation and gratitude, gave Viola the galley proofs of the Noli
carefully rolled around the pen that he used in writing it and a complimentary copy, with the following
inscription: “To my dear friend, Maximo Viola, the first to read and appreciate my work—Jose Rizal”
• The title Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase which means
“Touch Me Not”. It is not originally conceived by Rizal, for he
admitted taking it from the Bible
• Rizal, writing to Felix Hidalgo in French on March 5, 1887, said:
“Noli Me Tangere, words taken from the Gospel of St. Luke,
signify “do not touch me” but Rizal made a mistake, it should be
the Gospel of St. John (Chapter 20 Verses 13 to 17)
• Rizal dedicated his Noli Me Tangere to the Philippines—“To
My Fatherland”
• The cover of Noli Me Tangere was designed by Rizal. It is a
ketch of explicit symbols. A woman’s head atop a Maria Clara
bodice represents the nation and the women, victims of the
social cancer. One of the causes of the cancer is symbolized in
the friar’s feet, outsized in relation to the woman’s head. The
other aggravating causes of oppression and discrimination are
shown in the guard’s helmet and the iron chains, the teacher’s
whip and the alferez’s scourge. A slight cluster of bamboo stands at
the backdrop; these are the people, forever in the background of
their own country’s history. There are a cross, a maze, flowers and thorny plants, a flame; these are
indicative of the religious policy, the misdirected ardor, the people strangled as a result of these all
• The novel Noli Me Tangere contains 63 chapters and an epilogue
• Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor- Filipino patriot and lawyer who had been exiled due to his complicity in the
Cavite Mutiny of 1872, read avidly the Noli and was very much impressed by its author

CHARACTERS OF NOLI
• The Noli Me Tangere was a true story of the Philippine conditions during the last decades of Spanish rule
• Maria Clara-was Leonor Rivera, although in real life she became unfaithful and married an Englishman
• Ibarra and Elias- represented Rizal himself
• Tasio-the philosopher was Rizal’s elder brother Paciano
• Padre Salvi-was identified by Rizalists as Padre Antonio Piernavieja, the hated Augustinian friar in Cavite
who was killed by the patriots during the Revolution
• Capitan Tiago-was Captain Hilario Sunico of San Nicolas
• Doña Victorina- was Doña Agustina Medel
• Basilio and Crispin- were the Crisostomo brothers of Hagonoy
• Padre Damaso- typical of a domineering friar during the days of Rizal, who was arrogant, immoral and
anti-Filipino

15
RIZAL’S GRAND TOUR OF EUROPE WITH VIOLA (1887)
• May 11, 1887- Rizal and Viola left Berlin by train
• Dresden- one of the best cities in Germany
• Prometheus Bound-painting wherein Rizal was deeply impressed
• Teschen (now Decin, Czechoslovakia)- next stopover after leaving Dresedn
LEITMERITZ
• At 1:30pm of May 13, 1887- the train, with Rizal and Viola on board, arrived at the railroad station of
Leitmeritz, Bohemia
-for the first time, the two great scholars—Rizal and Blumentritt—met in person
• Professor Blumentritt- a kind-hearted, old Austrian professor
• May 13 to May 16, 1887- Rizal and Viola stayed in Leitmeritz
• Burgomaster- town mayor
• Tourist’s Club of Leitmeritz-which Blumentritt was the secretary; Rizal spoke extemporaneously in
fluent Germany to the officers and members
• Dr. Carlos Czepelak- renowned scientist of Europe
• Professor Robert Klutschak- an eminent naturalist
• May 16, 1887 at 9:45 AM- Rizal and Viola left Leitmeritz by train
PRAGUE
• Dr. Willkomm- professor of natural history in the University of Prague
• According to Viola, “nothing of importance happened” in this city

VIENNA
• May 20, 1887- Rizal and Viola arrived in the beautiful city of Vienna, capital of Austria-Hungary
• Vienna was truly the “Queen of Danube” because of its beautiful buildings, religious images, haunting
waltzes and majestic charm
• Norfentals- one of the greatest Austrian novelists was favorably impressed by Rizal, and years later he
spoke highly of Rizal, “whose genius he so much admired.”
• Hotel Metropole- where Rizal and Viola stayed
• In Vienna, Rizal received his lost diamond stickpin

DANUBIAN VOYAGE TO LINTZ

• May 24, 1887- Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a river boat to see the beautiful sights of the Danube River
• Rizal particularly noticed that the passengers on the river boat were using paper napkins during the
meals, which was a novelty to him. Viola, commented that the paper napkins were “more hygienic and
economical than cloth napkins”

FROM LINTZ TO RHEINFALL

• Munich- where Rizal and Viola sojourned for a short time to savor the famous Munich beer, reputed to be
the best in Germany
• Nuremberg- one of the oldest cities of Germany
• The Cathedral of Ulm- the largest and tallest cathedral in all Germany
• From Ulm, they went to Stuttgart, Baden and then Rheinfall (Cascade of the Rhine). At Rheinfall, they
saw the waterfall, “the most beautiful waterfall of Europe”

CROSSING THE FRONTIER TO SWITZERLAND

• 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
• Exposition of the Philippines in Madrid, Spain- Rizal was outraged by this degradation of his fellow
countrymen the Igorots of Northern Luzon

RIZAL IN ITALY
• June 27, 1887- Rizal reached Rome, the “Eternal City” and also called the “City of the Caesars”
• Rizal was thrilled by the sights and memories of the Eternal City. Describing to Blumentritt, the “grandeur
that was Rome”, he wrote on June 27, 1887

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 • June 29, 1887- the Feast Day of St. Peter and St. Paul, Rizal visited for the first time the Vatican, the
“City of the Popes” and the capital of Christendom
• Every night, after sightseeing the whole day, Rizal returned to his hotel, very tired. “I am tired as a dog,”
he wrote to Blumentritt, “but I will sleep as a God”
• After a week of wonderful sojourn in Rome, Rizal prepared to return to the Philippines. He had already
written to his father that he was coming home

FIRST HOMECOMING (1887-1888)

-Because of the publication of the Noli Me Tangere and the uproar it caused among the friars, Rizal was warned by
Paciano (his brother), Silvestre Ubaldo (his brother-in-law), Chengoy (Jose M. Cecilio) and other friends not to return
home.
-Rizal was determined to return to the Philippines for the following reasons: (1) to operate on his mother’s eyes (2) to
serve his people who had long been oppressed by Spanish tyrants (3) to find out for himself how Noli and his other
writings were affecting Filipinos and Spaniards in the Philippines and (4) to inquire why Leonor Rivera remained silent
• July 29, 1887- Rizal wrote to his father, announcing his homecoming, “on the 15th of July, I shall
embark for our country, so that from the 15th to the 30th of August, we shall see each other”

DELIGHTFUL TRIP TO MANILA

-Rizal left Rome by train for Marseilles, a French port, which he reached without mishap.
• July 3, 1887-Rizal boarded the steamer Djemnah, the same streamer which brought him to Europe 5
years ago
• July 30, 1887-at Saigon, Rizal transferred to another steamer, Haiphong, which was Manila-bounded
• August 2, 1887- the steamer left Saigon for Manila
ARRIVAL IN MANILA
• August 3, 1887- the moon was full and Rizal slept soundly the whole night. The calm sea, illuminated by
the silvery moonlight, was a magnificent sight to him
• Near midnight of August 5, 1887, the Haiphong arrived in Manila
HAPPY HOMECOMING
• August 8, 1887- Rizal returned to Calamba
• In Calamba, Rizal established a medical clinic. His first patient was his mother, who was almost blind.
• Rizal, who came to be called “Doctor Uliman” because he came from Germany, treated their ailments
and soon he acquired a lucrative medical practice
• Rizal opened a gymnasium for young folks, where he introduced European sports
• Rizal suffered one failure during his six months of sojourn in Calamba—his failure to see Leonor Rivera
STORM OVER THE NOLI
• Governor General Emilio Terrero (1885-1888)-requesting Rizal to come to Malacańang Palace
• Don Jose Taviel de Andrade-a young Spanish lieutenant assigned by Governor General Terrero to
posed as bodyguard of Rizal
• Msgr. Pedro Payo (a Dominican)- sent a copy of Noli to Father Rector Gregorio Echavarria of the
University of Sto. Tomas for examination by a committee of the faculty
• The report of the faculty members of University of Santo Tomas stated that the Noli was “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”
• Permanent Commission of Censorship-a committee composed of priest and laymen
• Fr. Salvador Font- Augustinian cura of Tondo, head of the committee
-found the novel to contain subversive ideas against the Church and Spain, and recommended “that the
importation, reproduction, and circulation of this pernicious book in the islands be absolutely prohibited.”
• Fr. Jose Rodriguez- Augustinian priest, published a series of eight pamphlets under the general heading
Cuestiones de Sumo Interes (Questions of Supreme Interest) to blast the Noli and other anti-Spanish
writings
• Vicente Barrantes- Spanish academician of Madrid, who formerly criticized the Noli in an article
published in La Espańa Moderna (a newspaper of Madrid) in January, 1890
• What marred Rizal’s happy days in Calamba with Lt. Andrade were (1) the death of his older sister,
Olimpia, and (2) the 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.”
• Rev. Vicente Garcia-a Filipino Catholic priest-scholar, a theologian of the Manila Cathedral and a
Tagalog translator of the famous Imitation of Christ by Thomas A. Kempis
-writing under the penname Justo Desiderio Magalang, wrote a defense of the Noli which was published in
Singapore as an appendix to a pamphlet dated July 18, 1888, he blasted the arguments of Fr. Rodriguez
• Rizal, himself defended his novel against Barrantes’ attack, in a letter written in Brussels, Belgium in
February 1880.
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FAREWELL TO CALAMBA
• The friars asked Governor General Terrero to deport him, but latter refused because there was no valid
charge against Rizal in court.
• Rizal was compelled to leave Calamba for two reasons: (1) his presence in Calamba was jeopardizing
the safety and happiness of his family and friends (2) he could fight better his enemies and serve his
country’s cause with greater efficacy by writing in foreign countries
• Shortly before Rizal left Calamba in 1888, his friend from Lipa requested him to write a poem in
commemoration of the town’s elevation to a villa (city) by virtue of the Becerra Law of 1888
• Himno Al Trabajo (Hymn to Labor)- a poem written by Rizal dedicated to the industrious folks of Lipa
IN HONGKONG AND MACAO (1888)
-Hounded by powerful enemies, Rizal was forced to leave his country for a second time in February 1888. He was then a
full-grown man of 27 years of age, a practicing physician, and a recognized man-of-letters

THE TRIP TO HONGKONG

• February 3, 1888-Rizal left Manila for Hong Kong on board the Zafiro
• February 7, 1888- Zafiro made a brief stopover at Amoy
• Rizal did not get off his ship at Amoy for three reasons: (1) he was not feeling well (2) it was raining hard
(3) he heard that the city was dirty
• February 8, 1888- Rizal arrived in Hong Kong
• Victoria Hotel- Rizal stayed while in Hong Kong. He was welcomed by Filipino residents, including Jose
Maria Basa, Balbino Mauricio, and Manuel Yriarte (son of Francisco Yriarte (son of Francisco Yriarte,
alcalde mayor of Laguna)
• Jose Sainz de Varanda- a Spaniard, who was a former secretary of Governor General Terrero,
shadowed Rizal’s movement in Hong Kong
-it is believed that he was commissioned by the Spanish authorities to spy on Rizal
• “Hong Kong”, wrote Rizal to Blumentritt on February 16, 1888, “is a small, but very clean city.”
VISIT TO MACAO
-Macao is a Portuguese colony near Hong Kong.
-According to Rizal, the city of Macao is small, low, and gloomy. There are many junks, sampans, but few steamers. It
looks sad and is almost dead.
• February 18, 1888- Rizal, accompanied by Basa, boarded the ferry steamer, Kiu-Kiang for Macao
• Don Juan Francisco Lecaros- A filipino gentleman married to a Portuguese lady
-Rizal and Basa stayed at his home while in Macao
• February 18, 1888- Rizal witnessed a Catholic possession, in which the devotees were dressed in blue
and purple dresses and were carrying unlighted candles
• February 20, 1888- Rizal and Basa returned to Hong Kong, again on board the ferry steamer Kiu Kiang
DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG
• February 22, 1888- Rizal left Hong Kong on board the Oceanic, an American steamer, his destination was Japan
• Rizal’s cabin mate was a British Protestant missionary who called Rizal “a good man”
ROMANTIC INTERLUDE IN JAPAN (1888)
-One of the happiest interludes in the life of Rizal was his sojourn in the Land of the Cherry Blossoms for one month and a
half (February 28-April 13, 1888)

• February 28, 1888- early in the morning of Tuesday, Rizal arrived in Yokohama. He registered at the
Grand Hotel
• Tokyo Hotel- Rizal stayed here from March 2 to March 7
• Rizal wrote to Professor Blumentritt: “Tokyo is more expensive then Paris. The walls are built in
cyclopean manner. The streets are large and wide.”
• Juan Perez Caballero-secretary of the Spanish Legation, who visited Rizal at his hotel who latter invited
him to live at the Spanish Legation
• Rizal accepted the invitation for two reasons: (1) he could economize his living expenses by staying at
the legation (2) he had nothing to hide from the prying eyes of the Spanish authorities
• March 7, 1888- Rizal checked out of Tokyo Hotel and lived at the Spanish Legation
• Rizal was favorably impressed by Japan. The things which favorably impressed Rizal in Japan were: (1)
the beauty of the country—its flowers, mountains, streams and scenic panoramas, (2) the cleanliness,
politeness, and industry of the Japanese people (3)the picturesque dress and simple charm of the
Japanese women (4) there were very few thieves in Japan so that the houses remained open day and
night, and in hotel room one could safely leave money on the table (5) beggars were rarely seen in the
city, streets, unlike in Manila and other cities

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 • Rickshaws-popular mode of transportation drawn by men that Rizal did not like in Japan
• April 13, 1888-Rizal left Japan and boarded the Belgic, an English steamer, at Yokohama, bound for the
United States
• Tetcho Suehiro- a fighting Japanese journalist, novelist and champion of human rights, who was forced
by the Japanese government to leave the country
-passenger which Rizal befriended on board the Belgic
• April 13 to December 1, 1888- eight months of intimate acquaintanceship of Rizal and Tetcho
• December 1, 1888- after a last warm handshake and bidding each other “goodbye”, Rizal and Tetcho
parted ways—never to meet again

RIZAL’S VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES (1888)

• April 28, 1888- the steamer Belgic, with Rizal on board, docked at San Francisco on Saturday morning
• May 4, 1888- Friday afternoon, the day Rizal was permitted to go ashore
• Palace Hotel- Rizal registered here which was then considered a first-class hotel in the city
• Rizal stayed in San Francisco for two days—May 4 to 6, 1888
• May 6, 1888-Sunday, 4:30PM, Rizal left San Francisco for Oakland
• May 13, 1888-Sunday morning, Rizal reached New York, thus ending his trip across the American
continent
• Rizal stayed three days in this city, which he called the “big town.”
• May 16, 1888- Rizal left New York for Liverpool on board the City of Rome. According to Rizal, this
steamer was “the second largest ship in the world, the largest being the Great Eastern”
• Rizal had good and bad impressions of the United States. The good impressions were (1) the material
progress of the country as shown in the great cities, huge farms, flourishing industries and busy factories
(2) the drive and energy of the American people (3) the natural beauty of the land (4) the high standard of
living (5) the opportunities for better life offered to poor immigrants
• One bad impression Rizal had of America was the lack of racial equality: “America is the land par
excellence of freedom but only for the whites”

RIZAL IN LONDON (1888-1889)

-After visiting the United States, Rizal lived in London from May, 1888 to March, 1889 for three reasons: (1) to improve his
knowledge of the English language (2) to study and annotate Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, a rare copy of which
he heard to be available in the British Museum (3) London was a safe place for him to carry on his fight against Spanish
tyranny

TRIP ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

• The trans-Atlantic voyage of Rizal from New York to Liverpool was a pleasant one.
• Rizal entertained the American and European passengers with his marvelous skills with the yo-yo as an
offensive weapon.
• Yoyo-is a small wooden disc attached to a string from the finger.
• May 24, 1888-Rizal arrived at Liverpool, England
• Adelphi Hotel-Rizal spend the night here while staying for one day in this port city
• According to Rizal, “Liverpool is a big and beautiful city and its celebrated port is worthy of its
great fame. The entrance is magnificent and the customhouse is quite good.”

LIFE IN LONDON
• May 25, 1888- a day after docking at Liverpool, Rizal went to London
• Rizal stayed as guest at the home of Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, an exile of 1872 and a practicing lawyer
in London. By the end of May, Rizal found a modest boarding place at No. 37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose
Hill
• Dr. Reinhold Rozt- librarian of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an authority on Malayan languages and
customs
-He was impressed by Rizal’s learning and character and he gladly recommended him to the authorities of the
British Museum. He called Rizal “a pearl of a man” (una perla de hombre)
• Both good and bad news from home reached Rizal in London. Of the bad news, were the injustices
committed by the Spanish authorities on the Filipino people and the Rizal Family
• The greatest achievement of Rizal in London was the annotating of Morga’s book, Sucesos de las
Islas Filipinas (Historical Events of the Philippine Islands), which was published in Mexico, 1609.
• September 1888- Rizal visited Paris for a week in order to search for more historical materials in the
Bibliotheque Nationale
• Rizal was entertained in this gay French metropolis by Juan Luna and his wife (Pas Pardo de Tavera),
who proudly showed him their little son Andres (nickname Luling)
• December 11, 1888-Rizal went to Spain, visiting Madrid and Barcelona
• Rizal met, for the first time, Marcelo H. del Pilar and Mariano Ponce, two titans of the Propaganda
Movement
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 • December 24, 1888-Rizal returned to London and spent Christmas and New Year’s Day with the
Becketts
• Rizal sent as Christmas gift to Blumentritt a bust of Emperador Augustus and a bust of Julius Caesar to
another friend, Dr. Carlos Czepelak (Polish scholar)
• The Life and Adventures of Valentine Vox, the Ventriloquist-a Christmas gift from Rizal’s landlady,
Mrs Beckett

RIZAL BECOMES LEADER OF FILIPINOS IN EUROPE

• Asociacion La Solidaridad (Solidaridad Association)- a patriotic society, which cooperate in the
crusade fro reforms, was inaugurated on December 31, 1888, with the following officers: Galicano
Apacible (president); Graciano Lopez Jaena (vice-president); Manuel Santa Maria (secretary); Mariano
Ponce (treasurer) and Jose Ma. Panganiban (accountant)
• By unanimous vote of all members, Rizal was chosen honorary president
• January 28, 1889- Rizal wrote a letter addressed to the members of the Asociacion La Solidaridad
RIZAL AND THE LA SOLIDARIDAD NEWSPAPER
• February 15, 1889- Graciano Lopez Jaena founded the patriotic newspaper called La Solidaridad in
Barcelona
• La Solidadridad-fortnightly periodical which served as the organ of the Propaganda Movement
• Its aims were as follows: (1) to work peacefully for political and social reforms (2) to portray the
deplorable conditions of the Philippines so that Spain may remedy them (3) to oppose the evil forces of
reaction and medievalism (4) to advocate liberal ideas and progress (5) to champion the legitimate
aspirations of the Filipino people to life, democracy and happiness
• Los Agricultores Filipinos (The Filipino Farmers)- Rizal’s first article which appeared in La
Solidaridad which is published on March 25, 1889, six days after he left London for Paris

ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN LA SOLIDARIDAD

-Rizal wrote articles for La Solidaridad in defense of his oppressed people and to point out the evils of Spanish rule in the
Philippines

1. “A La Defensa” (To La Defensa), April 30, 1889- this was a reply to an anti-Filipino writing of a Spanish author
Patricio de la Escosura which was published by La Defensa on March 30, 1889
2. “La Verdad Para Todos” (The Truth For All), May 31, 1889- Rizal’s defense against the Spanish charges that the
native local officials were ignorant and depraved
3. “Vicente Barrantes’ Teatro Tagalo”, June 15, 1889- in this article, Rizal exposes Barrabtes’ ignorance on the
Tagalog theatrical art
4.“Una Profanacion” (A Profanation), July 31, 1889- a bitter attack against the friars for denying Christian burial to
Mariano Herbosa in Calamba because he was a brother-in-law of Rizal. Herbosa, husband of lucia died of cholera on
May 23, 1889
5. “Verdades Nuevas” (New Truths), July 31, 1889- a reply to Vicente Belloc Sanchez’ letter published in La Patria,
Madrid newspaper, on July 4, 1889, which asserted that the granting of reforms in the Philippines would ruin the
“peaceful and maternal rule” of the friars
6. “Crueldad” (Cruelty), August 15, 1889- a brilliant defense of Blumentritt from the scutrillous attack of his enemies
7. “Diferencias’ (Differences), September 15, 1889- a reply to a biased article entitled “Old Truths” published in La
Patria on August 14, 1889, which ridiculed those Filipinos who asked for reforms
8.“Inconsequencias” (Inconsequences), November 30, 1889- a defense of Antonio Luna against the attack of Pablo
Mir Deas in the Barcelona newspaper El Puieblo Soberano
9. “Llanto y Risas” (Tears and Laughter), November 30, 1889- a denunciation of Spanish racial prejudice against
brown Filipinos
10. “Ingratitudes” (Ingratitude), January 15, 1890- a reply to Governor General Valeriano Weyler who,
while visiting Calamba, told the people that they “should not allow themselves to be deceived by the vain promises of
their ungrateful sons.”

• Simultaneous with Rizal retirement from the Propaganda Movement, Rizal ceased writing articles for La
Solidaridad
• August 7, 1891- M.H. del Pilar wrote to Rizal begging forgiveness for any resentment and requesting
Rizal to resume writing for the La Solidaridad
• Rizal stopped writing for La Solidaridad, it was because of several reasons: (1) Rizal need to work on his
book (2) He wanted other Filipinos to work also (3) Rizal considered it very important to the party that
there be unity in the work (4) 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

WRITINGS IN LONDON
• While busy in research studies at the British Museum, Rizal received news on Fray Rodriguez’ unabated
attack on his Noli
• La Vision del Fray Rodriguez (The Vision of Fray Rodriguez)-pamphlet wrote by Rizal which
published in Barcelona under his nom-de-plume Dimas Alang in order to defense his novel

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 -In La Vision del Fray Rodriguez, Rizal demonstrated two things: (1) his profound knowledge of religion (2) his
biting satire
• Letter to the Young Women of Malolos- a famous letter wrote by Rizal on February 22, 1889 in
Tagalog
-this letter is to praise the young ladies of Malolos for their courage to establish a school where they could learn
Spanish, despite the opposition of Fr. Felipe Garcia, a Spanish parish priest of Malolos
• The main points of this letter were: (1) a Filipino mother should teach her children love of God, fatherland,
and mankind (2) the Filipino mother should be glad, like the Spartan mother, to offer her sons in the
defense of the fatherland (3) a Filipino woman should know how to preserve her dignity and honor (4) a
Filipino woman should educate herself, aside from retaining her good racial virtues (5) Faith is not merely
reciting long prayers and wearing religious pictures, but rather it is living the real Christian way, with good
morals and good manners
• Dr Reinhold Rost, editor of Trubner’s Record, a journal devoted to Asian studies, request Rizal to
contribute some articles. In response to his request, the latter prepared two articles—(1) Specimens of
Tagal Folklore, which published in the journal in May, 1889 (2) Two Eastern Fables, published in June,
1889
• March 19, 1889- Rizal bade goodbye to the kind Beckett Family and left London for Paris
RIZAL’S SECOND SOJOURN IN PARIS AND THE UNIVERSAL EXPOSITION IN 1889
-In March, 1889, it was extremely difficult for a visitor to find living quarters in Paris

• Valentin Ventura- a friend of Rizal where he lived—No. 45 Rue Maubeuge, where he polished his
annotated edition of Morga’s book
• Rizal used most of his time in the reading room of the Bibliotheque Nationale (National Library) checking
up his historical annotations on Morga’s book
• Rizal was a good friend of the three Pardo de Taveras—Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, a physician by
vocation and philologist by avocation, Dr. Felix Pardo de Tavera, also physician by vocation and an artist
and sculptor by avocation, and Paz Pardo de Tavera, wife of Juan Luna
• June 24, 1889- a baby girl was born to Juan Luna and Paz Pardo de Tavera, she was their second child
• Her baptismal godfather was Rizal, who chose her name “Maria de la Paz, Blanca, Laureana,
Hermenegilda Juana Luna y Pardo de Tavera”
• May 6, 1889- opening of Universal Exposition of Paris
• The greatest attraction of this exposition was the Eiffel Tower, 984 feet high, which was built by Alexander
Eiffel, celebrated French engineer

KIDLAT CLUB
• March 19, 1889-the same day when he arrived in Paris from London, Rizal organized his paisanos
(compatriots) into a society called Kidlat Club
• Kidlat Club-purely a social society of a temporary nature
-founded by Rizal simply to bring together young Filipinos in the French capital so that they could enjoy their
sojourn in the city during the duration of the Universal Exposition

INDIOS BRAVOS
• Rizal was enchanted by the dignified and proud bearing of the American Indians in a Buffalo Bull show
• Indios Bravos (Brave Indians)- replaced the ephemeral Kidlat Club
-its members pledged to excel in intellectual and physical prowess in order to win the admiration of the foreigners
-practised with great enthusiasm the use of the sword and pistol and Rizal taught them judo, an Asian art of self-
defense, that he learned in Japan

R.D.L.M SOCIETY
• Sociedad R.D.L.M. (R.D.L.M Society)- a mysterious society founded by Rizal in Paris during the
Universal Exposition of 1889
-its existence and role in the crusade reforms are really enigmatic
-Of numerous letters written by Rizal and his fellow propagandists, only two mentioned this secret society, as
follows (1) Rizal’s Letter to Jose Maria Basa, Paris, September 21, 1889 (2) Rizal’s Letter to Marcelo H. del Pilar, Paris,
November 4, 1889
• According to Dr. Leoncio Lopez-Rizal, grandnephew of the hero, the society has a symbol or countersign
represented by a circle divided into three parts by two semi-circles having in the center the intwerlocked
letters I and B meaning Indios Bravos and the letter R.D.L.M. placed outside an upper, lower, left and
right sides of the circle
• The letters R.D.L.M. are believed to be the initials of the society’s secret name Redencion de los Malayos
(Redemption of the Malays)—Redemption of the Malay Race
• It was patterned after Freemasonry. It had various degrees of membership, “with the members not
knowing each other.”

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 • The aim of the secret society, as stated by Rizal, was “the propagation of all useful knowledge—scientific,
artistic, and literary, etc.—in the Philippines. Evidently, there was another aim that is, the redemption of
the Malay race
• It must be noted that Rizal was inspired by a famous book entitled Max Havelaar (1860) written by
Multatuli (pseudonym of E.D. Dekker, Dutch author)

ANNOTATED EDITION OF MORGA PUBLISHED

• Rizal’s outstanding achievement in Paris was the publication in 1890 of his annotated edition of Morga’s
Sucesos, which he wrote in the British Museum. It was printed by Garnier Freres. The prologue was
written by Professor Blumentritt upon the request of Rizal
• Rizal dedicated his new edition of Morga to the Filipino people so that they would know of their glorious
past
• The title page of Rizal’s annotated edition of Morga reads: “Paris, Liberia de Garnier Hermanos, 1890”
• The Philippines Within a Century-article written by Rizal which he expressed his views on the Spanish
colonization in the Philippines and predicted with amazing accuracy the tragic end of Spain’s sovereignty
in Asia
• The Indolence of the Filipinos- other essay of Rizal is also a prestigious work of historical scholarship. It
is an able defense of the alleged indolence of the Filipinos
-Rizal made a critical study of the causes why his people did not work hard during the Spanish regime. His main
thesis was that the Filipinos are not by nature indolent
• International Association of Filipinologists-association proposed by Rizal to establish taking
advantage of world attention which was then focused at the Universal Exposition in 1889 in Paris and
have its inaugural convention in the French capital
• Project for Filipino College in Hong Kong- another magnificent project of Rizal in Paris which also
fizzled out was his plan to establish a modern college in Hong Kong
• Por Telefono-another satirical work as a reply to another slanderer, Fr. Salvador Font, who
masterminded the banning of his Noli, in the fall of 1889
-it was published in booklet form in Barcelona, 1889, this satirical pamphlet under the authorship of “Dimas
Alang” is a witty satire which ridicules Father Font
• Shortly after New Year, Rizal made a brief visit to London. It may be due to two reasons: (1) to check up
his annotated edition of Morga’s Sucesos with the original copy in the British Museum (2) to see Gertrude
Beckett for the last time

IN BELGIAN BRUSSELS (1890)

-January 28, 1890- Rizal left Paris for Brussels, capital of Belgium
-Two reasons impelled Rizal to leave Paris, namely (1) the cost of living in Paris was very high because of the Universal
Exposition (2) the gay social life of the city hampered his literary works, especially the writing of his second novel, El
Filibusterismo

LIFE IN BRUSSELS
• Rizal was accompanied by Jose Albert when he moved to Brussels. They lived in a modest boarding
house on 38 Rue Philippe Champagne, which was run by two Jacoby sisters (Suzanne and Marie). Later
Albert, left the city and was replaced by Jose Alejandro, an engineering student
• Rizal was the first to advocate the Filipinization of its orthography
• Sobre la Nueva Ortografia de la Lengua Tagala (The New Orthography of the Tagalog Language)-
was published in La Solidaridad on April 15, 1890
-in this article, he laid down the rules of the new Tagalog orthography and with modesty and sincerity, he gave
credit for the adoption of this new orthography to Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, author of the celebrated work El
Sanscrito en la Lengua Tagala (Sanskrit in the tagalog Language) which was published in Paris, 1884
** “I put this on record,” wrote Rizal, “so that when the history of this orthography is traced, which is already being adopted
by the enlightened Tagalists, that what is Caesar’s be given to Caesar. This innovation is due solely to Dr. Pardo de
Tavera’s studies on Tagalismo. I was one of its zealous propagandists.”**

• Letters from home which Rizal received in Brussels worried him. (1) the Calamba agrarian trouble was
getting worse (2) the Dominican Order filed a suit in court to dispossess the Rizal family of their lands in
Calamba
• In his moment of despair, Rizal had bad dreams during the nights in Brussels when he was restless
because he was always thinking of his unhappy family in Calamba
• Rizal feared that he would not live long. He was not afraid to die, but he wanted to finish his second novel
before he went to his grave.
• In the face of the sufferings which afflicted his family, Rizal planned to go home. He could not stay in
Brussels writing a book while his parents, relatives, and friends in the distant Philippines were persecuted
• July 29, 1890- another letter to Ponce written at Brussels by Rizal, he announced that he was leaving
Brussels at the beginning of the following month and would arrive in Madrid about the 3rd or 4th (August)
• “To my Muse’” (A Mi…)- 1890, Rizal wrote this pathetic poem, it was against a background of mental
anguish in Brussels, during those sad days when he was worried by family disasters

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MISFORTUNES IN MADRID (1890-91)
-Early in 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

• El Resumen- a Madrid newspaper which sympathized with the Filipino cause, said: “To cover the ear,
open the purse, and fold the arms—this is the Spanish colonial policy
• La Epoca- an anti-Filipino newspaper in Madrid

1. Jose Ma. Panganiban, his talented co-worker in the Propaganda Movement, died in Barcelona on August
19, 1890, after a lingering illness
2. Aborted Duel with Antonio Luna—Luna was bitter because of his frustrated romance with Nellie
Boustead. Deep in his heart, he was blaming Rizal for his failure to win her, although Rizal had previously explained to
him that he had nothing to do about it. Luna uttered certain unsavory remarks about Nellie, Rizal heard him and
angered by the slanderous remarks, he challenged Luna, his friend, to a duel. Fortunately, Luna realized that he had
made a fool of himself during his drunken state, he apologized for his bad remarks about the girl and Rizal accepted his
apology and they became good friends again
3. Rizal challenges Retana to Duel—Wenceslao E. Retana, his bitter enemy of the pen, a talented Spanish
scholar, was then a press agent of the friars in Spain. He used to attack the Filipinos in various newspapers in Madrid
and other cities in Spain. Retana wrote an article in La Epoca, asserting that the family and friends of Rizal had not paid
their rents so they were ejected from their lands in Calamba by the Dominicans. Such as insult stirred Rizal to action,
immediately he sent his seconds to Retana with his challenge to a duel
4. Infidelity of Leonor Rivera—Rizal received a letter from Leonor, announcing her coming marriage to an
Englishman (the choice of her mother) and asking his forgivefess
5. Rizal-Del Pilar Rivalry—toward the closing days of 1890 phere arose an unfortunate rivalry between Rizal
and M.H. del Pilar for supremacy. Because of this, the Filipinos were divided ibto two hostile camps—the Rizalistas
and the Pilaristas. The sitqation was becoming explosive and critical. Despite of winning the votes, Rizal graciously
declined the coveted position
• Rizal wrote a brief note thanking his compatriots for electing him as Responsible. It was the last
time he saw Madrid

BIARRITZ VACATION
-To seek solace for his disappointments in Madrid, 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

• February, 1891- Rizal arrived in Biarritz

• Frustrated in romance, Rizal found consolation in writing. Evidently, while wooing Nellie and enjoying so
“many magnificent moonlight nights” with her, he kept working on his second novel which he began to
write in Calamba 1887
• March 29, 1891- the eve of his departure from Biarritz to Paris, he finished the manuscript of El
Filibusterismo
• March 30, 1891-Rizal bade farewell to the hospitable and friendly Bousteads and proceeded to Paris by
train
• April 4, 1891-Rizal wrote to his friend, Jose Ma. Basa, in Hong Kong from Paris, expressing his desire to
go to that British colony and practice ophthalmology in order to earn his living
• Middle of April, 1891- Rizal was back in Brussels
• Since abdicating his leadership in Madrid in January, 1891, owing to the intrigues of his jealous
compatriots, Rizal retired from the Propaganda Movement or reform crusade
• May 1, 1891-Rizal notified the Propaganda authorities in Manila to cancel his monthly allowance and
devote the money to some better cause
• Rizal’s notification was contained in a letter addressed to Mr. A.L. Lorena (pseudonym of Deodato
Arellano)
• May 30, 1891-revision of the finished manuscript of El Filibusterismo was mostly completed
• June 13, 1891-Rizal informed Basa that he was negotiating with a printing firm

EL FILIBUSTERISMO PUBLISHED IN GHENT (1891)

-Rizal was busy revising and polishing the manuscript of El Filibusterismo so that it could be ready for the press
-Rizal had begun writing it in October, 1887, while practicing medicine in Calamba, the following year (1888), in London;
he made some changes in the plot and corrected some chapters already written. He wrote more chapters in Paris and
Madrid, and finished the manuscript in Biarritz on March 29, 1891. It took him, therefore, three years to write his second
novel

• July 5, 1891- Rizal left Brussels for Ghent, a famous university city in Belgium
• Rizal reasons for moving to Ghent were (1) the cost of printing in Ghent was cheaper than in Brussels (2)
to escape from the enticing attraction of Petite Suzanne

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 • Rizal met two compatriots while in Ghent, Jose Alejandro (from Pampanga) and Edilberto Evangelista
(from Manila), both studying engineering in the world-famed University of Ghent
• F. Meyer-Van Loo Press (No. 66 Viaanderen Street)-a printing shop that give Rizal the lowest quotation
for the publication of his novel, who was willing to print his book on installment basis
• 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 Ventura learned of Rizal’s predicament and immediately sent him the
necessary funds
• September 18, 1891- El Filibusterismo came off the press
-Rizal immediately sent on this date two printed copies to Hong Kong—one
for Basa and other for Sixto Lopez
• Rizal gratefully donated the original manuscript and an autographed
printed copy to Valentin Ventura
• La Publicidad- a Barcelona newspaper, wherein it published a
tribute eulogizing the novel’s original style which “is comparable
only to the sublime Alexander Dumas” and may well be offered as
“a model and a precious jewel in the now decadent literature of
Spain”
• El Nuevo Regimen- the liberal Madrid newspaper that serialized
the novel in its issues of October, 1891
• Rizal dedicated El Filibusterismo to Gom-Bur-Za (Don Mariano
Gomez, 73 years old; Don Jose Burgos, 35 years old; Jacinto
Zamora, 37 years old)
• The original manuscript of El Filibusterismo in Rizal’s own
handwriting in now preserved in the Filipiana Division of the Bureau of Public Libraries, Manila. It
consists of 270 pages of long sheets of paper
• Two features in the manuscript do not appear in the printed book, namely: the FOREWORD and the
WARNING. These were not put into print to save printing cost
• The title page of El Filibusterismo contains an inscription written by Ferdinand Blumentritt
• El Filibusterismo is a sequel to the Noli. It has little humor, less idealism and less romance than the Noli
Me Tangere. It is more revolutionary, more tragic than the first novel
• The characters in El Filibusterismo were drawn by Rizal from real life. Padre Florentino was Father
Leoncio Lopez, Rizal’s friend and priest of Calamba; Isagani, the poet was Vicente Ilustre, Batangueño
friend of Rizal in Madrid and Paulita Gomez, the girl who loved Isagani but married Juanito Pelaez, was
Leonor Rivera

COMPARISON BETWEEN NOLI and FILI

NOLI ME TANGERE EL FILIBUSTERISMO

>Noli is a romantic novel >Fili is a political novel

>it is a “work of the heart”—a book of feeling” >it is a “work of the head”—a book of the thought
>it has freshness, color, humor, lightness, and wit >it contains bitterness, hatred, pain, violence, and sorrow
>it contains 64 chapters >it contains 38 chapters

• The original intention of Rizal was to make the Fili longer than the Noli
• The friends of Rizal and our Rizalistas today differ in opinion as to which is the superior novel—the Noli or
the Fili. Rizal himself considered the Noli as superior to the Fili as a novel, thereby agreeing with M.H. del
Pilar who had the same opinion

• September 22, 1891-four days after the Fili came off the press, Rizal wrote to Blumentritt: “I am thinking
of writing a third novel, a novel in the modern sense of the word, but this time politics will not find much
space in it, but ethics will play the principal role.”
• October 18, 1891- Rizal boarded the steamer Melbourne in Marseilles bound for Hong Kong
-during the voyage, Rizal began writing the third novel in Tagalog, which he intended for Tagalog readers
• The unfinished novel has no title. It consists of 44 pages (33cm x 21 cm) in Rizal’s handwriting, still in
manuscript form, it is preserved in the National Library, Manila
-The story of this unfinished novel begins with the solemn burial of Prince Tagulima. The hero of the novel was
Kamandagan, a descendant of Lakan-Dula, last king of Tondo
-It is said that Rizal was fortunate not to have finsihed this novel, because it would have caused greater scandal
and more Spanish vengeance on him
• Makamisa- other unfinished novel of Rizal in Tagalog written in a light sarcastic style and is incomplete
for only two chapters are finished. The manuscript consists of 20 pages, 34.2cm x 22cm

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 • Dapitan-another novel which Rizal started to write but it is unfinished, written in ironic Spanish. He wrote
it during his exile in Dapitan to depict the town life and customs. The manuscript consists of 8 pages,
23cm x 16cm
• A novel in Spanish about the life in Pili, a town in Laguna, is also unfinished. The manuscript consists of
147 pages, 8” x 6.5”, without title
• Another unfinished novel of Rizal, also without title is about Cristobal, a youthful Filipino student who has
returned from Europe. The manuscript consist of 34 pages, 8 ½” x 6 ¼”
• The beginnings of another novel are contained in two notebooks—the first notebook contains 31 written
pages, 35.5 cm x 22 cm and second 12 written pages, 22cm x 17cm. this unfinished novel is written in
Spanish and style is ironic

OPHTHALMIC SURGEON IN HONG KONG (1891-1892)

-Rizal left Europe for Hong Kong, where he lived from November, 1891 to June, 1892. His reasons for leaving Europe
were (1) life was unbearable in Europe because of his political differences with M.H. del Pilar and other Filipinos in Spain
(2) to be near his idolized Philippines and family

• October 3, 1891-two weeks after the publication of Fili, Rizal left Ghent for Paris, where he stayed a few
days to say goodbye to the Lunas, the Pardo de Taveras, the Venturas and other friends; Rizal
proceeded by train to Marseilles
• October 18, 1891- Rizal boarded the steamer Melbourne bound for Hong Kong
• Father Fuchs- a Tyrolese, Rizal enjoyed playing chess. Rizal describe him to Blumentritt as “He is a fine
fellow, A Father Damaso without pride and malice”
• November 20, 1891-Rizal arrived in Hong Kong
• Rizal established his residence at No. 5 D’ Aguilar Street No. 2 Rednaxola Terrace, where he also
opened his medical clinic
• December 1, 1891- Rizal wrote his parents asking their permission to return home.
-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.”
• The Christmas of 1891 in Hong Kong was one of the happiest Yuletide celebrations in Rizal’s life: For he
had a happy family reunion
• January 31, 1892- Rizal wrote to Blumentritt, recounting pleasant life in Hong Kong
• To earn a living for himself and for his family, Rizal practiced medicine
• Dr. Lorenzo P. Marques- a Portuguese physician, who became Rizal’s friend and admirer, who helped
him to build up a wide clientele. In recognition of Rizal’s skill as an ophthalmic surgeon, he turned over to
him many of his eye cases
• Rizal successfully operated on his mother’s left eye so that she was able to read and write again.
BORNEO COLONIZATION PROJECT
• Rizal planned to move the landless Filipino families Filipino families to North Borneo (Sabah), rich British-
owned island and carve out of its virgin wildness a “New Calamba”
• March 7, 1892- Rizal went to Sandakan on board the ship Menon to negotiate with the British authorities
for the establishment of a Filipino colony
• Rizal looked over the land up the Bengkoka River in Maradu Bay which was offered by the British North
Borneo Company
• April 20, 1892- Rizal was back in Hong Kong
• Hidalgo- Rizal’s brother-in-law, objected to the colonization project
• Governor Valeriano Weyler- Cubans odiously called “The Butcher”
• Governor Eulogio Despujol- the Count of Caspe, a new governor general after Weyler
• December 23, 1891- first letter of Rizal to Governor Despujol
• March 21, 1892- Rizal’s second letter and gave it to a ship captain to be sure it would reach Governor
Despujol’s hand
-in this second letter, he requested the governor general to permit the landless Filipinos to establish themselves in
Borneo
• Despujol could not approve the Filipino immigration to Borneo, alleging that “the Philippines lacked
laborers” and “it was not very patriotic to go off and cultivate foreign soil.”

WRITINGS IN HONG KONG

• “Ang Mga Karapatan Nang Tao- which is a Tagalog translation of “The Rights of Man” proclaimed by
the French Revolution in 1789
• “A la Nacion Española” (To the Spanish Nation)- Rizal wrote in 1891, which is an appeal to Spain to
right the wrongs done to the Calamba tenants
• “Sa Mga Kababayan” (To my Countrymen)- another proclamation written in December, 1891
explaining the Calamba agrarian situation

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 • The Hong Kong Telegraph- a British daily newspaper whose editor is Mr. Frazier Smith, a friend of
Rizal
-Rizal contributed articles to this newspaper
• “Una Visita a la Victoria Gaol” (A Visit to Victoria Gaol)- Rizal wrote on March 2, 1892, an account of
his visit to the colonial prison of Hong Kong
-in this article, Rizal contrasted the cruel Spanish prison system with the modern and more humane British prison
system
• “Colonisation du British North Borneo, par de Familles de Iles Philippines” (Colonization of
British North Borneo by Families from the Philippine Islands)- an article in French which Rizal
elaborated on the same idea in aonther article in Spanish, “Proyecto de Colonizacion del British North
Borneo por los Filipinos” (Project of the Colonization of British North Borneo by the Filipinos)
• “La Mano Roja” (The Red Hand)- Rizal wrote in June, 1892, which was printed in sheet form in Hong
Kong
-it denounces the frequent outbreaks of intentional fires in Manila
• Constitution of La Liga Filipina- the most important writing made by Rizal during his Hong Kong
sojourn, which was printed in Hong Kong, 1892
-to deceive the Spanish authorities, the printed copies carried the false information that the printing was done by
the LONDON PRINTING PRESS
• Domingo Franco-a friend of Rizal in Manila whom the copies of the printed Liga constitution were sent
DECISION TO RETURN TO MANILA
• May, 1892- Rizal made up his mind to return to Manila.
• This decision was spurred by the following: (1) to confer with Governor Despujol regarding his Borneo
colonization project (2) to establish the La Liga Filipina in Manila (3) to prove that Eduardo de Lete was
wrong in attacking him in Madrid that he (Rizal), being comfortable and safe in Hong Kong, had
abandoned the country’s cause
• Lete’s attack, which was printed in La Solidaridad on April 15, 1892, portrayed Rizal as cowardly,
egoistic, opportunistic—a patriot in words only
• June 20, 1892- Rizal wrote two letters which he sealed, inscribed on each envelope “to be opened
after my death” and gave them to his friend Dr. Marques for safekeeping
• The first letter, addressed TO MY PARENTS, BRETHREN, AND FRIENDS. The second letter,
addressed TO THE FILIPINOS
• June 21, 1892- Rizal penned another letter in Hong Kong for Governor Despujol, incidentally his third
letter to that discourteous Spanish chief executive

• Immediately after Rizal’s departure from Hong Kong, the Spanish consul general who issued the
government guarantee of safety, sent a cablegram to Governor Despujol that the victim “is in the trap”.
On the same day (June 21, 1892), a secret case was filed in Manila against Rizal and his followers “for
anti-religious and anti-patriotic agitation”
• Luis de la Torre- secretary of Despujol, ordered to find out if Rizal was naturalized as a German citizen

SECOND HOMECOMING AND THE LIGA FILIPINA

-Rizal’s bold return to Manila in June, 1892 was his second homecoming
-Rizal firmly believed that the fight for Filipino liberties had assumed a new phase: it must be fought in the Philippines not
in Spain. “The battlefield is in the Philippines,” he told countrymen in Europe, “There is where we should meet…
There we will help one another, there together we will suffer or triumph perhaps.”

ARRIVAL IN MANILA WITH SISTER

• June 26, 1892- Sunday at 12:00 noon, Rizal and his widowed sister Lucia (wife of late Mariano Herbosa)
arrived in Manila
• In the afternoon, at 4:00 o’clock, he went to Malacañang Palace to seek audience with the Spanish
governor general, General Eulogio Despujol, Conde de Caspe
• June 27, 1892- at 6:00pm, Rizal boarded a train in Tutuban Station and visited his friends in Malolos
(Bulacan), San Fernando (Pampanga), Tarlac (Tarlac), and Bacolor (Pampanga)
• Rizal returned by train to Manila on the next day, June 28, at 5 o’clock in the afternoon
FOUNDLING OF THE LIGA FILIPINA
• July 3, 1892- on the evening of Sunday, following his morning interview with Governor General Despujol,
Rizal attended a meeting with patriots at the home of the Chinese-Filipino mestizo, Doroteo Ongjunco, on
Ylaya Street, Tondo, Manila
• Rizal explained the objectives of the Liga Filipina, a civic league of Filipinos, which he desired to establish
and its role in the socio-economic life of the people.
• The officers of the new league were elected, as follows: Ambrosio Salvador (President); Deodato Arellano
(Secretary); Bonifacio Arevalo (Treasurer); and Agustin de la Rosa (Fiscal)
• Unus Instar Omnium (One Like All)- the motto of the Liga Filipina

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 • The governing body of the league was the Supreme Council which had jurisdiction over the whole
country. It was composed of a president, a secretary, a treasurer, and a fiscal. There was a Provincial
Council in every province and a Popular Council in every town
• The duties of the Liga members are as follows (1) obey the orders of the Supreme Council (2) to help in
recruiting new members (3) to keep in strictest secrecy the decisions of the Liga authorities (4) to have
symbolic name which he cannot change until he becomes president of his council (5) to report to the
fiscal anything that he may hear which affect the Liga (6) to behave well as befits a good Filipino (7) to
help fellow members in all ways

RIZAL ARRESTED AND JAILED IN FORT SANTIAGO

• July 6, 1892- Wednesday, Rizal went to Malacañang Palace to resume his series of interviews with
governor general
• Pobres Frailles (Poor Friars)- incriminatory leaflets which allegedly found in Lucia’s pillow cases; it is
under the authorship of Fr. Jacinto and printed by the Imprenta de los Amigos del Pais, Manila
• Rizal was placed under arrest and escorted to Fort Santiago by Ramon Despujol, nephew and aide of
Governor General Despujol
• July 7, 1892- the Gaceta de Manila published the story of Rizal’s arrest which produced indignant
commotion among the Filipino people, particlarly the members of the newly organized Liga Filipina
• The same issue of the Gaceta (july 7, 1892) contained Governor General Despujol’s decree deporting
Rizal to “one of the islands in the South”
• July 14, 1892, shortly after midnight (that is 12:30 am of July 15, 1892) – Rizal was brought under
heavy guard to the steamer Cebu which was sailing for Dapitan. This steamer under Captain Delgras
departed at 1:00 AM, July 15, sailing south, passing Mindoro and Panay and reaching Dapitan on
Sunday, the 17th of July at 7:00 in the evening
• Captain Ricardo Carnicero- Spanish commandant of Dapitan whom Captain Delgras handed Rizal
• July 17, 1892- July 31, 2896- Rizal began his exile in lonely Dapitan, a period of four years
EXILE IN DAPITAN, 1892-1896
-Rizal lived in exile far-away Dapitan, a remote town in Mindanao which was under the missionary jurisdiction of the
Jesuits, from 1892 to 1896
-Rizal practiced medicine, pursued scientific studies, continued his artistic and literary works, widened his knowledge of
languages, established a school for boys, promoted developments projects, invented a wooden machine for making
bricks, and engaged in farming and commerce

BEGINNING OF EXILE IN DAPITAN

• The steamer Cebu which brought Rizal to Dapitan carried a letter from Father Pablo Pastells, Superior of
the Jesuit Society in the Philippine, to Father Antonio Obach, Jesuit parish priest of Dapitan
• Rizal lived in the house of the commandant, Captain Carnicero
• A Don Ricardo Carnicero- Rizal wrote a poem on August 26, 1892, on the occasion of the captain’s
birthday
• September 21, 18792- the mail boat Butuan was approaching the town, with colored pennants flying in
the sea breezes
• Butuan- the mail boat, brought the happy tidings that the Lottery Ticket no. 9736 jointly owned by Captain
Carcinero, Dr. Jose Rizal, and Francisco Equilior (Spanish resident of Dipolog, a neighboring town of
Dapitan) won the second prize of P20,000 in the government-owned Manila Lottery
• Rizal’s winning in the Manila Lottery reveals an aspect of his lighter side. He never drank hard liquor and
never smoked but he was a lottery addict—this was his only vice
• During his exile in Dapitan, Rizal had a long and scholarly debate with Father Pastells on religion.
• In all his letters to Father Pastells, Rizal revealed his anti-Catholic ideas which he had acquired in Europe
and embitterment at his persecution by the bad friars
• According to Rizal, individual judgment is a gift from God and everybody should use it like a lantern to
show the way and that self-esteem, if moderated by judgment, saves man from unworthy acts
• Imitacion de Cristo (Imitation of Christ)- a famous Catholic book by Father Thomas a Kempis which
Father Pastells gave to Rizal
• Mr. Juan Lardet- a businessman, a French acquaintance in Dapitan, Rizal challenge in a duel—this man
purchased many logs from the lands of Rizal
• Antonio Miranda- a Dapitan merchant and friend of Rizal
• Father Jose Vilaclara- cura of Dipolog

• Pablo Mercado-friar’s spy and posing as a relative, secretly visited Rizal at his house on the night of
November 3, 1891
-he introduced himself as a friend and relative, showing a photo of Rizal and a pair of buttons with the initials
“P.M.” (Pablo Mercado) as evidence of his kinship with the Rizal family
• Captain Juan Sitges- who succeeded Captain Carnicero on May 4, 1893 as commandant of Dapitan,
Rizal denounced to him the impostor

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 • Florencio Namanan- the real name of “Pablo Mercado”
-a native of Cagayan de Misamis, single and about 30 years old. He was hired by the Recollect friars to a secret
mission in Dapitan—to introduce himself to Rizal as a friend and relative, to spy on Rizal’s activities, and to filch certain
letters and writings of Rizal which might incriminate him in the revolutionary movement.
• As physician in Dapitan—Rizal practiced Medicine in Dapitan. He had many patients, but most of them
were poor so that he even gave them free medicine.
-As a physician, Rizal became interested in local medicine and in the use of medicinal plants. He studied the
medicinal plants of the Philippines and their curative values.
• August 1893- Rizal’s mother and sister, Maria, arrived in Dapitan and lived with him for one year and a
half. Rizal operated on his mother’s right eye
• Rizal held the title of expert surveyor (perito agrimensor), which obtained from the Ateneo
-In Dapitan, Rizal applied his knowledge of engineering by constructing a system of waterworks in order to furnish
clean water to the townspeople
• Mr. H.F. Cameron-an American engineer who praised Rizal’s engineering
COMMUNITY PROJECTS FOR DAPITAN
• When Rizal arrived in Dapitan, he decided to improve it, to the best of his God-given talents and to
awaken the civic consciousness of its people
(1) Constructing the town’s first water system
(2) Draining the marshes in order to get rid of malaria that infested Dapitan
(3) Equip the town with its lighting system—this lighting system consisted of coconut oil lamps placed in the dark
streets of Dapitan
(4) Beautification of Dapitan—remodeled the town plaza in order to enhance its beauty

• Rizal as Teacher—Rizal exile to Dapitan gives him the opportunity to put into practice his educational
ideas. In 1893 he established a school which existed until the end of his exile in July, 1896. Rizal taught
his boys reading, writing, languages (Spanish and English), geography, history, mathematics (arithmetic
and geometry), industrial work, nature study, morals and gymnastics. He trained them how to collect
specimens of plants and animals, to love work and to “behave like men”
• Hymn to Talisay (Himno A Talisay)- Rizal wrote this poem in honor of Talisay for his pupils to sing
• Contributions to Science—during his four-year exile in Dapitan, Rizal built up a rich collection of
concology which consisted of 346 shells representing 203 species. Rizal also conducted anthropological,
ethnographical, archaeological, geological, and geographical studies, as revealed by his voluminous
correspondence with his scientists friends in Europe.
• Linguistic Studies—In Dapitan, he learned the Bisayan, Subanum, and Malay languages. He wrote
Tagalog grammar, made a comparative study of the Bisayan and Malayan languages and studied
Bisayan (Cebuan), and Subanum languages
-By this time, Rizal could rank with the world’s great linguists. He knew 22 languages—Tagalog, Ilokano, Bisayan,
Subanun, Spanish, Latin, Greek, English, French, German, Arabic, Malay, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Dutch, Catalan, Italian,
Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Swedish, and Russian
• Artistic works in Dapitan—Rizal continued his artistic pursuits in Dapitan. Rizal made sketches of
persons and things that attracted him in Dapitan.
-The Mother’s Revenge- a statuette made by Rizal representing the mother-dog killing the crocodile, by way of
avenging her lost puppy
-Other sculptural works of Rizal in Dapitan were a bust of Father Guerrico (one of his Ateneo professors), a statue
of a girl called “the Dapitan Girl”, a woodcarving of Josephine Bracken (his wife) and a bust of St. Paul which he gave to
Father Pastells
• Rizal as Farmer—In Dapitan, Rizal devoted much of his time to agriculture. Rizal introduced modern
methods of agriculture which he had observed in Europe and America. He encouraged the Dapitan
farmers to discard their primitive system of tillage and adopt the modern agricultural methods
• Rizal as Businessman—Rizal engaged in business in partnership with Ramon Carreon, a Dapitan
merchant, he made profitable business ventures in fishing, copra, and hemp industries
-January 19, 1893-Rizal wrote a letter to Hidalgo expressing his plan to improve the fishing industry of Dapitan
-The most profitable business venture of Rizal in Dapitan was in the hemp industry. May 14, 1893-Rizal formed a
business partnership with Ramon Carreon in lime manufacturing
-January 1, 1895-Rizal organized the Cooperative Association of Dapitan Farmers to break the Chinese
monopoly on business in Dapitan
• Rizal’s Inventive Ability—Rizal invented a cigarette lighter which he sent as a gift to Blumentritt. He
called it “sulpukan”. This unique cigarette lighter was made of wood. “Its mechanism”, said Rizal “is based
on the principle of compressed air.”
-During his exile in Dapitan, he invited a wooden machine for making bricks
• My Retreat (Mi Retiro)- Rizal wrote this beautiful poem about his serene life as an exile in Dapitan and
sent it to her mother on October 22, 1895, which acclaimed by literary critics as one of the best ever
penned by Rizal.

RIZAL AND THE KATIPUNAN

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 • Andres Bonifacio- the “Great Plebeian”, sowing the seeds of an armed uprising—the secret
revolutionary society, called Katipunan, which he founded on July 7, 1892
• May 2, 1896- a secret meeting of the Katipunan at a little river called Bitukang Manok near the town of
Pasig, Dr. Pio Valenzuela was named emissary to Dapitan, in order to inform Rizal of the plan of the
Katipunan to launch a revolution for freedom’s sake
• June 15, 1896-Valenzuela left Manila on board the steamer Venus
• To camouflage Valenzuela’s real mission, he brought with him a blind man Raymundo Mata and a guide,
ostensibly going to Dapitan to solicit Rizal’s expert medical advice
• June 21, 1896-evening, Dr. Pio Valenzuela arrived in Dapitan
• Rizal objected to Bonifacio’s audacious project to plunge the country in bloody revolution because he was
of sincere belief that it was premature, for two reasons: (1) the people are not ready for a revolution (2)
arms and funds must first be collected before raising the cry of revolution

• Rizal had offered his services as military doctor in Cuba, which was then in the throes of a revolution and
a ranging yellow fever epidemic. There was a shortage of physicians to minister to the needs of the
Spanish troops and the Cubans people
• December 17, 1895- Rizal wrote to Governor General Ramon Blanco, Despujol’s successor, offering his
services as military doctor in Cuba
• July 30, 1896- Rizal received the letter from Governor General Blanco dated July 1, 1896 notifying him of
acceptance of his offer.
• “The Song of the Traveler” (El Canto del Viajero) -Rizal wrote this heart-warming poem because of his
joy in receiving the gladsome news from Malacañang
• July 31, 1896- Rizal’s four-year exile in Dapitan came to an end
-Midnight of that date, Rizal embarked on board the steamer España
• As farewell music, the town brass band strangely played the dolorous Funeral March of Chopin. Rizal
must have felt it deeply, for with his presentment of death, it seemed an obsequy or a regimen
• Rizal wrote in his diary, “I have been in that district four years, thirteen days and a few hours”
LAST TRIP ABROAD (1896)
-No longer an exile, Rizal had a pleasant trip from Dapitan to Manila, with delightful stopovers in Dumaguete, Cebu, Iloilo,
Capiz, and Romblon

• Isla de Luzon-a regular steamer that Rizal missed which sailed to Spain the day before he arrived in
Manila Bay
• Castilla- a Spanish cruiser wherein Rizal was kept as a “guest” on board
• August 26, 1896- Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan raised the cry of revolution in the hills of
Balintawak, a few miles north of Manila
• September 3, 1896- Rizal left for Spain on the steamer Isla de Panay
• July 31, 1896- Rizal left Dapitan at midnight on board the España sailed northward
• August 1, 1896- at dawn of Saturday, it anchored at Dumaguete, capitan of Negros Oriental
-“Dumaguete” wrote Rizal in his travel diary “spreads out on the beach. There are big houses, some with
galvanized iron roofing. Outstanding are the house of a lady, whose name I have forgotten, which is occupied by the
government and another one just begun with many ipil post
• Herrero Regidor- Rizal friend and former classmate, who was the judge of the province, Dumaguete
• The España left Dumaguete about 1:00pm and reached Cebu the following morning
“In Cebu, Rizal wrote in his diary “I did two operations of strabotomy, one operation on the ears and
another of tumor.”
• In the morning of Monday, August 3, 1896, Rizal left Cebu going to Iloilo. Rizal landed at Iloilo, went
shopping in the city and visited Molo. From Iloilo, Rizal’s ship sailed to Capiz. After a brief stopover, it
proceeded towards Manila via Romblon
• August 6, 1896- morning of Thursday, the España arrived in Manila Bay
• Rizal was not able to catch the mail ship Isla de Luzon for Spain because it had departed the previous
day at 5:00pm
• Near midnight of the same day, August 6, Rizal was transferred to the Spanish cruiser Castilla, by order
of Governor General Ramon Blanco. He was given good accommodation by the gallant captain, Enrique
Santalo
• August 6 to September 2, 1896, Rizal stayed on the cruiser pending the availability of Spain-bound
steamer

OUTBREAK OF PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION

• August 19, 1896- the Katipunan plot to overthrow Spanish rule by means of revolution was discovered
by Fray Mariano Gil, Augustinian cura of Tondo
• August 26, 1896- the “Cry of Balintawak” which raised by Bonifacio and his valiant Katipuneros

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 • August 30, 1896- sunrise, the revolutionists led by Bonifacio and Jacinto attacked San Juan, near the
city of Manila
-in the afternoon, after the Battle of San Juan, Governor General Blanco proclaimed a state of war in the first eight
provinces for rising in arms against Spain—Manila (as a province), Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga,
Nueva Ecija, and Tarlac
• Rizal learned of the eruption of the revolution and raging battles around Manila through the newspapers
he read on the Castilla. He was worried for two reasons: (1) the violent revolution which he sincerely
believed to be premature and would only cause much suffering and terrible loss of human lives and
property had started (2) it would arouse Spanish vengeance against all Filipino patriots
• August 30, 1896- Rizal received from Governor General Blanco two letters of introduction for the
Minister of War and Minister of Colonies, which a covering letter which absolved him from all blame for
the raging revolution
• September 2, 1896- the day before Rizal departure for Spain, Rizal, on board the Castilla, wrote to his
mother
-At 6:00pm, Rizal was transferred to the steamer Isla de Panay which was sailing for Barcelona, Spain
• The next morning, September 3, this steamer left Manila Bay
• The Isla de Panay arrived at Singapore in the evening of September 7
• Don Pedro Roxas- rich Manila creole industrialist and Rizal’s friend that advised him to stay on
Singapore and take advantage of the protection of the British law
• Don Manuel Camus- headed several Filipino residents in Singapore, boarded the steamer, urging Rizal
to stay in Singapore to save his life
• The Isla de Panay, with Rizal on board, left Singapore at 1:00pm, September 8
• September 25, 1896- Rizal saw the steamer Isal de Luzon, leaving the Suez Canal, crammed with
Spanish troops
• September 27, 1896- Rizal heard from the passengers that a telegram arrived from Manila reporting the
execution of Francisco Roxas, Genato and Osorio
• September 28, 1986- a day after the steamer had left Port Said (Mediterranean terminus of the Suez
Canal), a passenger told Rizal the bad news that he would be arrested by order of Governor General
Blanco and would be sent to prison in Ceuta (Spanish Morocco), opposite Gibraltar
• September 29, 1896- Rizal wrote in his travel diary: There are people on board who do nothing but
slander me and invent fanciful stories about me. I’m going to become a legendary personage
• September 30, 1896- at 4:00pm, Rizal was officially notofied by Captain Alemany that he should stay in
his cabin until further orders from Manila
-about 6:25pm, the steamer anchored at Malta. Being confined to his cabin, Rizal was not able to visit the famous
island-fortress of the Christian crusaders
• October 3, 1896- at 10:00am, the Isla de Panay arrived in Barcelona, with Rizal, a prisoner on board
• The trip from Manila to Barcelona lasted exactly 30 days. Rizal was kept under heavy guard in his cabin
for three days
• General Eulogio Despujol- military commander of Barcelona who ordered his banishment to Dapitan in
July 1892
• October 6, 1896- at 3:00am, Rizal was awakened by the guards and escorted to the grim and infamous
prison-fortress named Monjuich
• About 2:00 in the afternoon, Rizal was taken out of prison by the guards and brought to the headquarters
of General Despujol
• Colon- a transport ship back to Manila
• Rizal was taken aboard the Colon, which was “full of soldiers and officers and their families.”
• October 6, 1896- at 8:00pm, the ship left Barcelona with Rizal on board
LAST HOMECOMING AND TRIAL
-Rizal’s homecoming in 1896, the last in his life, was his saddest return to his beloved native land. He knew he was facing
the supreme test, which might mean the sacrifice of his life, but he was unafraid
-The trial that was held shortly after Rizal’s homecoming was one of history’s mockeries of justice

A MARTYR’S LAST HOMECOMING

• October 6, 1896- Tuesday, Rizal leaved Barcelona, Rizal conscientiously recorded the events on his
diary
• October 8, 1896- a friendly officer told Rizal that the Madrid newspaper were full of stories about the
bloody revolution in the Philippines and were blaming him for it
• October 11, 1896- before reaching Port Said, Rizal’s diary was taken away and was critically scrutinized
by the authorities
• November 2, 1896-the diary was returned to Rizal
• Attorney Hugh Fort-an English lawyer in Singapore
-his friends (Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor and Sixto Lopez) dispatched frantic telegrams to Fort to rescue Rizal from
the Spanish steamer when it reached Singapore by means of writ of habeas corpus

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 • Chief Justice Loinel Cox- denied the writ on the ground that the Colon was carrying Spanish troops to
the Philippines
• November 3, 1896- the Colon reached Manila, where it was greeted with wild rejoicings by the Spaniards
and friars because it brought more reinforcements and military supplies
• November 20, 1896- the preliminary investigation on Rizal began
• Colonel Francisco Olive-the judge advocate
• Two kinds of evidence were presented against Rizal, namely documentary and testimonial. The
documentary evidence consisted of fifteen exhibits, as follows:
(1) A letter of Antonio Luna to Mariano Ponce, dated Madrid, October 16, 1888, showing Rizal’s connection with the
Filipino reform campaign in Spain
(2) A letter of Rizal to his family, dated Madrid, August 20, 1890, stating that the deportations are good for they will
encourage the people to hate tyranny
(3) A letter from Marcelo H. del Pilar to Deodato Arellano, dated Madrid, January 7, 1889, implicating Rizal in the
Propaganda campaign in Spain
(4) A poem entitled Kundiman, allegedly written by Rizal in Manila on September 12, 1891
(5) A letter of Carlos Oliver to an unidentified person dated Barcelona, September 18, 1891, describing Rizal as the man
to free the Philippines from Spanish oppression
(6) A Masonic document, dated Manila, February 9, 1892, honoring Rizal for his patriotic services
(7) A letter signed Dimasalang (Rizal’s pseudonym) to Tenluz (Juan Zulueta’s pseudonym), dated Hong Kong, May 24,
1892, stating that he was preparing a safe refuge for Filipinos who may be persecuted by the Spanish authorities
(8) A letter of Dimasalang to an unidentified committee, dated Hong Kong, June 1, 1892, soliciting the aid of the
committee in the “patriotic work”
(9) An anonymous and undated letter to the Editor of the Hong Kong Telegraph, censuring the banishment of Rizal to
Dapitan
(10) A letter of Idefonso Laurel to Rizal, dated Manila, September 3, 1892, saying that the Filipino people look up to him
(Rizal) as their savior
(11) A letter of Idefonso Laurel to Rizal, dated Manila, September 17, 1893, informing an unidentified correspondent of
the arrest and banishment of Doroteo Cortes and Ambrosio Salvador
(12) A letter of Marcelo H. del Pilar to Don Juan A. Tenluz (Juan Zulueta), dated Madrid, June 1, 1893 recommending
the establishment of a special organization, independent of Masonry, to help the cause of the Filipino people
(13) Transcript of a speech of Pingkian (Emilio Jacinto), in reunion of the Katipunan on July 23, 1893, in which the
following cry was, uttered “Long Live the Philippines! Long live Doctor Rizal! Unity!”
(14) Transcript of a speech of Tik-Tik (Jose Turiano Santiago) in the same Katipunan reunion, where in the katipuneros
shouted: “Long live the eminent Doctor Rizal! Death to the oppressor nation!”
(15) A poem by Laong Laan (Rizal), entitled A Talisay in which the author makes the Dapitan schoolboys sing that they
know how to fight their rights

• The testimonial evidence consisted of the oral testimonies of Martin Constantino, Aguedo del Rosario,
Jose Reyes, Moises Salvador, Jose Dizon, Domingo Franco, Deodato Arellano, Ambrosio Salvador,
Pedro Serrano Laktaw, Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Antonio Salazar, Francisco Quison, and Timoteo Paez
• November 26, 1896- after the preliminary investigation, Colonel Olive transmitted the records of the case
to Governor Dominguez as special Judge Advocate to institute the corresponding action against Rizal
• After studying the papers, Judge advocate General, Don Nicolas de la Peña, submitted the following
recommendations: (1) the accused be immediately brought to trial (2) he should be kept in prison (3) an
order of attachment be issued against his property to the amount of one million pesos as indemnity (4) he
should be defended in court by an army officer, not by a civilian lawyer
• The only right given to Rizal by the Spanish authorities was to choose his defense counsel
• December 8, 1896- Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, a list of 100 first and second lieutenants in
the Spanish Army was presented to Rizal
• Don Luis Taviel de Andrade- 1st Lieutenant of the Artillery, chosen by Rizal to defend him
-brother of Lt. Jose Taviel de Andrade, Rizal’s “bodyguard” in Calamba in 1887
• December 11, 1896- the information of charges was formally read to Rizal in his prison cell, with his
counsel present
• Rizal was accused of being “the principal organizer and the living soul of the Filipino insurrection,
the founder of societies, periodicals, and books dedicated to fomenting and propagating ideas of
rebellion.”
• December 13, 1896- Dominguez forwarded the papers of the Rizal case to Malacañang Palace
• December 15, 1896- Rizal wrote the Manifesto to His People in his prison cell at Fort Santiago,
appealing to them to stop the necessary shedding of blood and to achieve their liberties by means of
education and industry
• December 25, 1896- a dark and cheerless Christmas for Rizal, his last on earth, was the saddest in
Rizal’s life
• December 26, 1896- at 8:00am, the court-martial of Rizal started in the military building called Cuartel de
España
• Lt. Col. Togores Arjona- considered the trial over and ordered the hall cleared. After a short deliberation,
the military court unanimously voted for the sentence of death

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 • December 28, 1896- Polavieja approved the decision of the court-martial and ordered Rizal to be shot at
7:00 in the morning of December 30 at Bagumbayan Field (Luneta)

MARTYRDOM AT BAGUMBAYAN
-After the court-martial, Rizal returned to his cell in Fort Santiago to prepare his rendezvous with destiny
-During his last 24 hours on earth—from 6:00am December 29 to 6:00am December 30, 1896—he was busy meeting
visitors
• Santiago Mataix- Spanish newspaper correspondent
• Pearl of the Orient Sea- Rizal called the Philippines
• Pearl of the Orient- Rizal’s last poem in an article entitled “Unfortunate Philippines” published in The
Hong Kong Telegraph on September 24, 1892

LAST HOURS OF RIZAL

DECEMBER 29, 1896

• 6:00am
=Captain Rafael Dominguez, who was designated by Governor General Camilo Polavieja to take charge of all
arrangements for the execution of the condemned prisoner, read the death sentence to Rizal—to be s December 15,
1896 shot at the back by a firing squad at 7:00am in Bagumbayan (Luneta)
• 7:00am
=Rizal was moved to the prison chapel, where he spent his last moments. His first visitors were Father Miguel
Saderra Mata (Rector of Ateneo Municipal), and Father Luis Viza, Jesuit teacher
• 7:15am
= Rizal, in a jovial mood, reminded Fr. Viza of the statuette of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which he had carved with his
pen knife as an Ateneo student. Fr. Viza, got the statuette from his pocket and gave it to Rizal. The hero happily
received it and placed it on his writing table
• 8:00am
= Fr. Antonio Rosell arrived to relieve Father Viza. Rizal invited him to join him at breakfats, which he did. After
breakfast, Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade (Rizal’s defense counsel) came, and Rizal thanked him for his gallant services
• 9:00am
= Fr. Federico Faura arrived. Rizal reminded him that he said that (Rizal) would someday lose his head for writing the
Noli. “Father”, Rizal remarked, “You are indeed a prophet.”
• 10:00am
= Father Jose Vilaclara (Rizal’s teachet at the Ateneo) and Vicente Balaguer (Jesuit missionary in Dapitan who had
befriended Rizal during the latter’s exile) visited the hero. After them came Spanish journalist, Santiago Mataix, who
interviewed Rizal for his newspaper El Heraldo de Madrid
• 12:00am (noon) to 3:30pm
= Rizal was left alone in his cell. He took lunch after which he was busy writing. It was probably during this time when
he finished his farewell poem and hid it inside his alcohol cooking stove which was given to him as a gift by Paz Pardo
de Tavera (wife of Juan Luna) during his visit to Paris in 1890. at the same time, he wrote his last letter to Professor
Blumentritt in German
• 3:30pm
= Father Balaguer returned to Fort Santiago and discussed with Rizal about his retraction of the anti-Catholic ideas in
his writings and membership in Masonry
• 4:00pm
= Rizal’s mother arrived. Rizal knelt down before her and kissed her hands, begging her to forgive him. Trinidad
entered the cell to fetch her mother. As they were leaving, Rizal gave to Trinidad the alcohol cooking stove,
whispering to her in English; “There is something inside” This “something” was Rizal’s farewell poem. After the
departure of Doña Teodora and Trinidad, Fathers Vilaclara and Estanislao March entered the cell, followed by Father
Rosell
• 6:00pm
= Rizal received a new visitor, Don Silvino Lopez Tuñon, the Dean of the Manila Cathedral. Fathers Balaguer and
March left, leaving Vilaclara with Rizal and Don SIlvino
• 8:00pm
= Rizal had his last supper. He informed Captain Dominguez who was with him that he forgave his enemies, including
the military judges who condemned him to death
• 9:30pm
= Rizal was visited by Don Gaspar Cestaño, the fiscal of the Royal Audiencia of Manila. As a gracious host, Rizal
offered him the best chair in the cell. After a pleasant conversation, the fiscal left with a good impression of Rizal’s
intelligence and noble character
• 10:00pm
=The draft of the retraction sent by the anti-Filipino Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda (1890-1903) was submitted by
Father Balaguer to Rizal for signature, but the hero rejected it because it was too long and he did not like it.

DECEMBER 30, 1896

• 3:00am
=Rizal heard Mass, confessed his sins, and took Holy Communion
• 5:30am

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 =Rizal took his last breakfast on earth. After this, he wrote two letters, the first addressed to his family and the second
to his older brother Paciano.
=Josephine Bracken, accompanied by a sister of Rizal (Josefa), arrived. Josephine, with tears in her eyes, bade him
farewell. Rizal embraced her for the last time and before she left, Rizal gave her a last gift—a religious book, Imitation
of Christ by Father Thomas a Kempis
• 6:00am
= As the soldiers were getting ready for the death march to Bagumbayan, Rizal wrote his last letter to his beloved
parents.
• About 6:30am
=a trumpet sounded at Fort Santiago, a signal to begin the death march to Bagumbayan, the designated place for the
execution
=Rizal was dressed elegantly in black suit, black derby hat, black shoes, white shirt and black tie. His arms were tied
behind from elbow to elbow. But the rope was quite loose to give his arms freedom of movement
• Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo- a Spanish military physician, asked Rizal permission to feel his pulse and was
amazed to find it normal showing that Rizal was not afraid to die
• 7:03am
=Rizal died in the bloom of manhood—aged 35 years, five months and 11 days

• Mi Ultimo Adios (Last Farewell)- farewell poem of Rizal that originally was without title and was
unsigned.
• Father Mariano Dacanay- a Filipino priest-patriot, who gave the title Ultimo Adios (Last Farewell) and
under such title the poem was published for the first time in La Independencia (General Antonio Luna’s
newspaper) on September 25, 1898
• Immediately after Rizal’s execution the Spanish spectators shouted “Viva España!” “Muerte a los
Traidores’ (“Long Live Spain! “Death to the Traitors!”) and the Spanish Military Band, joining the
jubilance over Rizal’s death, played the gay Marcha de Cadiz
• By Rizal’s writings, which awakened Filipino nationalism and paved the way for the Philippine Revolution,
he proved that “pen is mightier than the sword”

WHY IS RIZAL OUR GREATEST NATIONAL HERO

(1) Rizal is our greatest hero because, as a towering figure in the Propaganda Campaign, he took an “admirable part” in
that movement which roughly covered the period from 1882-1896
(2) Rizal’s writings contributed tremendously to the formation of Filipino nationality
(3) Rizal becomes the greatest Filipino hero because no Filipino has yet been born who could equal or surpass Rizal as
“a person of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering.”
(4) Rizal is the greatest Filipino hero that ever lived because he is “a man honored after death by public worship,
because of exceptional service to mankind”

WHO MADE RIZAL THE FOREMOST NATIONAL HERO OF THE PHILIPPINES

=No single person or groups of persons were responsible for making the Greatest Malayan the Number One Hero of his
people. Rizal himself, his own people, and the foreigners all together contributed to make him the greatest hero and
martyr of his people. No amount of adulation and canonization by both Filipinos and foreigners could convert Rizal into
a great hero if he did not possess in himself what Palma calls “excellent qualities and merits”

ROMANCES OF RIZAL
First romance—“that painful experience which comes to nearly all adolescents”

• Julia
-from Dampalit, Los Baños, Laguna
• Segunda Katigbak
-Rizal first romance that was then sixteen years old
-a pretty fourteen-year old Batangueña from Lipa
-In Rizal’s own words: “She was rather short, with eyes that were eloquent and ardentat times and languid at
others, rosy-cheeked, with an enchanting and provocative smile that revealed very beautiful teeth and the air
of a sylph; her entire self diffused a mysterious charm.”
-she was the sister of Rizal’s friend, Mariano Katigbak
-close friend of Rizal’s sister Olimpia, was a boarding student in La Concordia College
-engaged to be married to her town mate, Manuel Luz
*The love of Rizal and Segunda was indeed “a Love at first sight”
*The last time they talked to each other was one Thursday in December, 1877 when the Christmas vacation was
about to begin
*Rizal returned home, dazed and desolate, with his first romance “ruined by his own shyness and reserve.”
• Miss L (Jacinta Ibardo Laza)
-young woman in Calamba
-Rizal describe her as “fair with seductive and attractive eyes
*After visiting her in her house several times, Rizal suddenly stopped his wooing, and the romance died a natural
death

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*Rizal gave two reasons for his change of heart namely (1) the sweet memory of Segunda was still fresh in his heart
(2) his father did not like the family of “Miss L”
• Leonor Valenzuela
*During Rizal sophomore year at the University of Santo Tomas, he boarded in the house of Doña Concha Leyva in
Intramuros wherein the next-door neighbors of Doña Concha were Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela
-charming daughter of Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela from Pagsanjan, Laguna
-a tall girl with a regal bearing
-Rizal sent her love notes written in invisible ink—ink consisted of common table salt and water—the secret of reading
any note written in the invisible ink by heating it over a candle or lamp so that the words may appear
-Orang was her pet name
-Rizal stopped short of proposing marriage to Orang
• Leonor Rivera
-Rizal’s cousin from Camiling, Tarlac
*In 1879, at the start of his junior year at the university, Rizal lived in “Casa Tomasina” at No. 6 Calle Santo Tomas,
Intramuros owned by his uncle Antonio Rivera
-a student at La Concordia College, where Soledad, youngest sister, was then studying
-born in Camiling, Tarlac on April 11, 1867
-she was a frail, pretty girl “tender as a budding flower with kindly, wistful eyes
-in her letters to Rizal, she signed her name as “Taimis” in order to camouflage their intimate relationship from their
parents and friends
-died on August 28, 1893
• Consuelo Ortiga y Perez
- a young woman in Madrid
-prettier of Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey’s daughters
-Rizal was attracted by Consuelo’s beauty and vivacity
-Rizal composed a lovely poem on August 22, 1883 dedicated to her, entitled A La Señorita C.O.y.P (to Miss
C.O.y.P) expressing his admirations for her
*Before Rizal romance with Consuelo could blossom into a serious affair, he suddenly backed out for two reasons: (1)
he was still engaged to Leonor Rivera (2) his friends and co-worker in the Propaganda Movement, Eduardo de Lete,
was madly in love with Consuelo and he had no wish to break their friendship because of a pretty girl
• Seiko Usui
-Rizal affectionately called her O-Sei-San
-a pretty Japanese girl that Rizal saw walking past the legation gate
-Rizal was attracted by her regal loveliness and charm
-a lonely samurai’s daughter of 23 years old and had never yet experienced the ecstasy of true love
-Rizal saw in her the qualities of his ideal womanhood—beauty, charm, modesty and intelligence
*The beautiful romance between Rizal and O-Sei-San inevitably came to a dolorous ending. Sacrificing his personal
happiness, Rizal had to carry on his libertarian mission in Europe, leaving behind the lovely O-Sei-San
-married Mr. Alfred Charlton, a British teacher of chemistry, and was blessed by only one child—Yuriko
-died on May 1, 1947 at the age of 80
• Gertrude Beckett
-oldest of the three Beckett sisters
-called Gettie or Tottie by her friends
-a buxom English girl with brown hair, blue eyes, and rosy cheeks
-Rizal affectionately called her “Gettie”, in reciprocation; she fondly called him “Pettie”
*Rizal suddenly realized that he could not marry Gettie for he had a mission to fulfill in life
• Petite Suzanne Jacoby
-pretty niece of his landladies
*Rizal found certain bliss in the company of this pretty Belgian girl
*Rizal might flirted with Petite Suzanne, but he could not stoop low to a deceptive amorous relationship
-she fell in love with Rizal and cried when Rizal left toward the end of July, 1890 for Madrid, stopping for a few days in
Paris
• Nellie Boustead
-the prettier and younger daughter of Eduardo Boustead
-Rizal found her to be a real Filipina, highly intelligent, vivacious in temperament, and morally upright
-also called Nelly
*Rizal wrote to his intimate friends, except Professor Blumentritt, of his love for Nellie and his intention to propose
marriage to her
*Rizal’s marriage proposal failed for two reasons: (1) he refused to give up his Catholic faith and be converted to
Protestantism, as Nelly demanded (2) Nelly’s mother did not like Rizal as a son-in-law
• Josephine Bracken
-an Irish girl of sweet eighteen, “slender, a chestnut blond, with blue eyes, dressed with elegant simplicity, with an
atmosphere of light gayety.”
-born in Hong Kong on October 3, 1876 of Irish parents—James Bracken, a corporal in the British garrison and
Elizabeth Jane Macbride
-she was adopted by Mr. George Taufer, who later became blind
*Rizal and Josephine fell in love with each other at first sight
*After a whirlwind romance for one month, they agreed to marry but Father Obach, the priest of Dapitan, refused to
marry them without the permission of the Bishop of Cebu
*Since no priest would marry them, Rizal and Josephine held hands together and married themselves before the eyes
of God. They lived as man and wife in Dapitan
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 -Rizal wrote a poem for Josephine
*In the early part of 1896, Rizal was extremely happy because Josephine was expecting a baby
*Unfortunately, Rizal played a prank on her, frightening her so that she prematurely gave birth to an eight-month baby
boy who loved only for three hours
*The lost son of Rizal was named “Francisco” in honor of Don Francisco (hero’s father) and was buried in Dapitan

RIZAL AS BOY MAGICIAN

-Since early manhood Rizal had been interested in magic. With his dexterous hands, he learned vicarious tricks, such
as making a coin appear or disappear in his fingers and making handkerchief vanish in thin air. He entertained his town
folks with magic-lantern exhibitions. He also gained skill in manipulating marionettes (puppet shows)
-In later years when he attained manhood, he continued his keen predilection for magic. He read many books on magic
and attended the performances of the famous magicians in the world. In Chapter XVII and XVIII of his second novel, El
Filibusterismo (Treason), he revealed his wide knowledge of magic

RIZAL AS LOVER OF BOOKS

-A favorite pastime of Rizal in Madrid was reading. Instead of gambling and flirting with women, as many young Filipino
did in Spanish metropolis, he stayed at home and read voraciously until midnight. Since early childhood, he liked to read
-Rizal economized on his living expenses, and with the money he saved, he purchased books form a second-hand book
store owned by certain Señor Roses. He was able to build a fair-sized private library
-Rizal was deeply affected by Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Eugene Sue’s The Wandering Jew. These
books aroused his sympathy for the oppressed and unfortunate people

RIZAL AS A MASON
-In Spain, Rizal came in close contact with prominent Spanish liberal and republican Spaniards, who were mostly
Mason.
-Rizal was impressed by the way the Spanish Masons openly and freely criticized the government policies and
lambasted the friars, which could not be done in Philippines
-Rizal’s reason for becoming a mason was to secure Freemasonry’s aid in his fight against the friars in the Philippines.
Since the friars used the Catholic religion as a shield to entrench themselves in power and wealth and to persecute the
Filipino patriots, he intended to utilize Freemasonry as his shield to combat them
-As a mason, Rizal played a lukewarm role in Freemasonry

RIZAL AS MUSICIAN
-Rizal had no natural aptitude for music, and this he admitted. But he studied music because many of his schoolmates
at the Ateneo were taking music lessons.
-By sheer determination and constant practice, Rizal came to play flute fairly well. He was a flutist in various impromptu
reunions of Filipinos in Paris.

RIZAL AS HISTORIAN
-Rizal’s research studies in the British Museum (London) and in Bibliotheque Nationale (Paris) enriched his historical
knowledge. His splendid annotations to Morga’s book showed his familiarity with the basic principles of historiography.
-As Rizal once told Isabelo de los Reyes: “A historian ought to be rigorously imparted… I never assert anything on my
own authority. I cite texts and when I do, I have them before me.”
-His knowledge of foreign languages enabled Rizal to read historical documents and books in languages in which they
were originally written

35
 DR. JOSE PROTACIO MERCADO RIZAL ALONZO Y
REALONDA
MEANINGS OF NAME
• Doctor- completed his medical course in Spain and was conferred the degree of
Licentiate in Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid
• Jose- was chosen by his mother who was a devotee of the Christian saint San
Jose (St. Joseph)
• Protacio- from Gervacio P. which come from a Christian calendar
• Mercado- adopted in 1731 by Domigo Lamco (the paternal great-great-
grandfather of Jose Rizal) which the Spanish term mercado means ‘market’ in English
• Rizal- from the word ‘Ricial’ in Spanish means a field where wheat, cut while still
green, sprouts again
• Alonzo- old surname of his mother
• Y- and
• Realonda- it was used by Doña Teodora from the surname of her godmother
based on the culture by that time

• June 19, 1861- moonlit of Wednesday between eleven and midnight Jose Rizal was born in the lakeshore town of
Calamba, Laguna
• June 22, 1861- aged three days old, Rizal was baptized in the Catholic church
• Father Rufino Collantes- a Batangueño, the parish priest who baptized Rizal
• Father Pedro Casanas- Rizal’s godfather, native of Calamba and close friend of the Rizal family
• Lieutenant-General Jose Lemery- the governor general of the Philippines when Rizal was born

RIZAL’S PARENTS
 Don Francisco Mercado (1818-1898)
-born in Biñan, Laguna on May 11, 1818
-studied Latin and Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila
-became a tenant-farmer of the Dominican-owned hacienda
-a hardy and independent-minded man, who talked less and worked more, and was strong in body and valiant in spirit
-died in Manila on January 5, 1898 at the age of 80
-Rizal affectionately called him “a model of fathers”

 Doña Teodora Alonso Realonda (1826-1911)

-born in Manila on November 8, 1826
-educated at the College of Santa Rosa, a well-known college for girls in the city
-a remarkable woman, possessing refined culture, literary talent, business ability, and the fortitude of Spartan women
-is a woman of more than ordinary culture: she knows literature and speaks Spanish (according to Rizal)
-died in Manila on August 16, 1911 at the age of 85

THE RIZAL CHILDREN

-Eleven children—two boys and nine girls

1. Saturnina (1850-1913)
-oldest of the Rizal children
-nicknamed Neneng
-married Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanawan, Batangas
2. Paciano (1851-1930)
-older brother and confident of Jose Rizal
-was a second father to Rizal
-immortalized him in Rizal’s first novel Noli Me Tangere as the wise Pilosopo Tasio
-Rizal regarded him as the “most noble of Filipinos”
-became a combat general in the Philippine Revolution
-died on April 13, 1930, an old bachelor aged 79
-had two children by his mistress (Severina Decena)—a boy and a girl
3. Narcisa (1852-1939)
-her pet name was Sisa
-married to Antonio Lopez (nephew of Father Leoncio Lopez), a school teacher of Morong
4. Olimpia (1855-1887)
-Ypia was her pet name
-married Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator from Manila
5. Lucia (1857-1919)
-married to Mariano Herbosa of Calamba, who was a nephew of Father Casanas
-Herbosa died of cholera in 1889 and was denied Christian burial because he was a brother-in-law of Dr. Rizal
6. Maria (1859-1945)
1
 -Biang was her nickname
-married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna

7. Jose (1861-1896)
-the greatest Filipino hero and peerless genius
-nickname was Pepe
-lived with Josephine Bracken, Irish girl from Hong Kong
-had a son but this baby-boy died a few hours after birth; Rizal named him “Francisco” after his father and buried him
in Dapitan
8. Concepcion (1862-1865)
-her pet name was Concha
-died of sickness at the age of 3
-her death was Rizal’s first sorrow in life
9. Josefa (1865-1945)
-her pet name was Panggoy
-died an old maid at the age of 80
10. Trinidad (1868-1951)
-Trining was her pet name
-she died also an old maid in 1951 aged 83
11. Soledad (1870-1929)
-youngest of the Rizal children
-her pet name was Choleng
-married Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba

• Rizal always called her sisters Doña or Señora (if married) and Señorita (if single)
• Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda married on June 28, 1848, after which they settled down in
Calamba
• The real surname of the Rizal family was Mercado, which was adopted in 1731 by Domingo Lamco (the paternal
great-great grandfather of Jose Rizal), who was a full blooded Chinese)
• Rizal’s family acquired a second surname—Rizal—which was given by a Spanish alcalde mayor (provincial governor)
of Laguna, who was a family friend

RIZAL’S ANCESTRY

• FATHER’S SIDE
Domingo Lamco
Ines de la Rosa
(a Chinese immigrant from
(Well-to-do Chinese
the Fukien city arrived in
Christian girl of Changchow
Manila about 1690)

Francisco Mercado Cirila Bernacha

Juan Mercado
(Rizal’s grandfather) Cirila Alejandro

Had thirteen children, the youngest being Francisco

Mercado (Rizal’s father)

2
 • MOTHER’S SIDE

Lakandula
(The last native king of Tondo)

Eugenio Ursua
(Rizal’s maternal Benigma
Great-great Grandfather of (a Filipina)
Japanese Ancestry)

Manuel de Quintos
Regina (a Filipino from Pangasinan)

Lorenzo Alberto Alonso

Brigida (a prominent Spanish Filipino
mestizo of Biñan)

Narcisa, Teodora (Rizal’s mother), Gregorio, Manuel at Jose

THE RIZAL HOME

-was one of the distinguished stone houses in Calamba during the Spanish times
-it was a two-storey building, rectangular in shape, built of adobe stones and hard-woods and roofed with red tiles
-by day, it hummed with the noises of children at play and the songs of the birds in the garden; by night, it echoed with
the dulcet notes of family prayers

• The Rizal family belonged to the principalia, a town aristocracy in Spanish Philippines
• The Rizal family had a simple, contented and happy life

CHILDHOOD YEARS IN CALAMBA

-Calamba was named after a big native jar
-Calamba was a hacienda town which belonged to the Dominican Order, which also owned all the lands around it
• Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town)- a poem about Rizal’s beloved town written by
Rizal in 1876 when he was 15 years old and was student in the Ateneo de Manila
• The first memory of Rizal, in his infancy, was his happy days in the family garden when he was three
years old
• Another childhood memory was the daily Angelus prayer. By nightfall, Rizal related, his mother gathered
all the children at the house to pray the Angelus
• Another memory of Rizal’s infancy was the nocturnal walk in the town, especially when there was a moon
• The death of little Concha brought Rizal his first sorrow
• At the age of three, Rizal began to take a part in the family prayers
• When Rizal was five years old, he was able to read haltingly the Spanish family bible
• The Story of the Moth- made the profoundest impression on Rizal
-“died a martyr to its illusions”
• At the age of five, Rizal began to make sketches with his pencil and to mould in clay and wax objects
which attracted his fancy
• Sa Aking Mga Kabata (To My Fellow Children)- Rizal’s first poem in native language at the age of eight
-reveals Rizal’s earliest nationalist sentiment
• At the age of eight, Rizal wrote his first dramatic work which was a Tagalog comedy
INFLUENCES ON THE HERO’S BOYHOOD

3
 (1) hereditary influence
(2) environmental influence
(3) aid of Divine Providence

• Tio Jose Alberto- studied for eleven years in British school in Calcutta, India and had traveled in Europe
inspired Rizal to develop his artistic ability
• Tio Manuel- a husky and athletic man, encouraged Rizal to develop his frail body by means of physical
exercises
• Tio Gregorio- a book lover, intensified Rizal’s voracious reading of good book
• Father Leoncio Lopez- the old and learned parish priest of Calamba, fostered Rizal’s love for
scholarship and intellectual honesty

EARLY EDUCATION IN CALAMBA AND BIÑAN

• The first teacher of Rizal was his mother, who was remarkable woman of good character and fine culture
—her mother
• Maestro Celestino- Rizal’s first private tutor
• Maestro Lucas Padua- Rizal’s second tutor
• Leon Monroy- a former classmate of Rizal’s father became Rizal’s tutor that instructed Jose in Spanish
and Latin. He died five months later
• Sunday afternoon in June, 1869- Rizal left Calamba for Biñan accompanied by Paciano
• Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz- Rizal’s teacher in a private school in Biñan
-Rizal described his teacher as follows: He was thin, long-necked, with a sharp nose and a body slightly bent
forward
• Pedro- the teacher’s son which Rizal challenged to a fight
• Andres Salandanan- challenged Rizal to an arm-wrestling match
• Juancho-an old painter who was the father-in-law of the school teacher; freely give Rizal lessons in
drawing and painting
• Jose Guevara- Rizal’s classmate who also loved painting, became apprentices of the old painter
• “the favorite painters of the class”- because of his artistic talent
• Christmas in 1870-Rizal received a letter from his sister Saturnina, informing him of the arrival of the
steamer Talim which would take him from Biñan to Calamba
• Saturday afternoon, December 17, 1870- Rizal left Biñan after one year and a half of schooling
• Arturo Camps- a Frenchman friend of Rizal’s father who took care of him on board
DAILY LIFE IN BIÑAN
-Heard the four o’ clock mass then at ten o’ clock went home at once and went at school at two and came out at five
-The day was unusual when Rizal was not laid out on a bench and given five or six blows because of fighting

MARTYRDOM OF GOM-BUR-ZA
• Night of January 20, 1872- about 200 Filipino soldiers and workmen of the Cavite arsenal under the
leadership of Lamadrid, Filipino sergeant, rose in violent mutiny because of the abolition of their usual
privileges
• Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora- were executed at sunrise of February 17,
1872, by order of Governor General Izquierdo
• The martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za in 1872 truly inspired Rizal to fight the evils of Spanish tyranny and
redeem his oppressed people
• Rizal dedicated his second novel, El Filibusterismo, to Gom-Bur-Za
INJUSTICE TO HERO’S MOTHER
• Before June, 1872- Doña Teodora was suddenly arrested on a malicious charge that she and her
brother, Jose Alberto, tried to poison the latter’s perfidious wife
• Antonio Vivencio del Rosario- Calamba’s gobernadorcillo, help arrest Doña Teodora
• After arresting Doña Teodora, the sadistic Spanish lieutenant forced her to walk from Calamba to Santa
Cruz (capital of Laguna province), a distance of 50 kilometers
• Doña Teodora was incarcerated at the provincial prison, where she languished for two years and a half
• Messrs. Francisco de Marcaida and Manuel Marzan- the most famous lawyers of Manila that defend
Doña Teodora

SCHOLASTIC TRIUMPHS AT ATENEO DE MANILA (1872-1877)

• Ateneo Municipal- a college under the supervision of the Spanish Jesuits
• Escuela Pia (Charity School)- formerly name of Ateneo, a school for poor boys in Manila which was
established by the city government in 1817
• Escuela Pia---- Ateneo Municipal--- Ateneo de Manila
4
 • June 10, 1872- Rizal accompanied by Paciano went to Manila
• Father Magin Ferrando- was the college registrar, refused to admit Rizal in Ateneo for two reasons: (1)
he was late for registration (2) he was sickly and undersized for his age
• Manuel Xerez Burgos-because of his intercession, nephew of Father Burgos, Rizal was reluctantly
admitted at the Ateneo
• Jose was the first of his family to adopt the surname “Rizal”. He registered under this name at Ateneo
because their family name “Mercado” had come under the suspicion of the Spanish authorities
• Rizal was first boarded in a house outside Intramuros, on Caraballo Street. This was owned by a spinster
named Titay who owed the Rizal family the amount of 300 pesos

JESUIT SYSTEM OF EDUCATION

-it trained the character of the student by rigid discipline and religious instructions
-Students were divided into two groups:
• Roman Empire- consisting of internos (boarders); red banner
• Carthaginian Empire- composed of the externos (non-boarders); blue banner
• Emperor- the best student in each “empire”
• Tribune- the second best
• Decurion- the third best
• Centurion-the fourth best
• Stand-bearer- the fifth best
• The Ateneo students in Rizal’s time wore a uniform which consisted of “hemp-fabric trousers” and “striped
cotton coat” The coat material was called rayadillo

FIRST YEAR IN ATENEO (1872-1873)

• Father Jose Bech- Rizal’s first professor in Ateneo whom he described as a “tall thin man, with a body
slightly bent forward, a harried walk, an ascetic face, severe and inspired, small deep-sunken eyes, a
sharp nose that was almost Greek, and thin lips forming an arc whose ends fell toward the chin
• A Religious picture- Rizal’s first prize for being the brightest pupil in the whole class
• To improve his Spanish, Rizal took private lessons in Santa Isabel College during the noon recesses. He
paid three pesos for those extra Spanish lessons
• At the end of the school year in March, 1873, Rizal returned to Calamba for summer vacation
• When the summer vacation ended, Rizal returned to Manila for his second year term in Ateneo. This time
he boarded inside Intramuros at No. 6 Magallanes Street. His landlady was an old widow named Doña
Pepay

SECOND YEAR IN ATENEO (1873-1874)

-At the end of the school year, Rizal received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold medal
• The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas- the first favorite novel of Rizal which made a deep
impression on him
• Universal History by Cesar Cantu- Rizal persuaded his father to buy him this set of historical work that
was a great aid in his studies
• Dr. Feodor Jagor- a German scientist-traveler who visited the Philippines in 1859-1860 who wrote
Travels in the Philippines
-Rizal was impressed in this book because of (1) Jagor’s keen observations of the defects of Spanish colonization (2)
his prophecy that someday Spain would lose the Philippines and that America would come to succeed her as colonizer

THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1874-1875)

-Rizal grades remained excellent in all subjects but he won only one medal—in Latin
-At the end of the school year (March 1875), Rizal returned to Calamba for the summer vacation. He himself was not
impressed by his scholastic work

FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO

• June 16, 1875- Rizal became an interno in the Ateneo
• Padre Francisco de Paula Sanchez- a great educator and scholar, one of Rizal’s professors who
inspired him to study harder and to write poetry
-Rizal described this Jesuiot professor as “model of uprightness, earnestness, and love for the advancement
of his pupils”
• Rizal topped all his classmates in all subjects and won five medals at the end of the school term

LAST YEAR IN ATENEO (1876-1877)

-Rizal’s studies continued to fare well. As a matter-of-fact, he excelled in all subjects. The most brilliant Atenean of his
time, he was truly “the pride of the Jesuits”
• March 23, 1877- Commencement Day, Rizal, who was 16 years old, received from his Alma Mater,
Ateneo Municipal, the degree of Bachelor of Arts, with highest honors
• Marian Congregation- a religious society wherein Rizal was an active member and later became the
secretary

5
 • Rizal cultivated his literary talent under the guidance of Father Sanchez
• Father Jose Vilaclara- advised Rizal to stop communing with the Muse and pay more attention to more
practical studies
• Rizal studied painting under the famous Spanish painter, Agustin Saez, and sculpture under Romualdo
de Jesus, noted Filipino sculptor
• Rizal carved an image of the Virgin Mary on a piece of batikuling (Philippine hardwood) with his pocket-
knife
• Father Lleonart- impressed by Rizal’s sculptural talent, requested him to carve for him an image of
Sacred Heart of Jesus

ANECDOTES ON RIZAL, THE ATENEAN

• Felix M. Roxas- one of Rizal’s contemporaries in the Ateneo, related an incident of Rizal’s schooldays
in Ateneo which reveals hero’s resignation to pain and forgiveness. “Neither bitterness nor rancor
towards the guilty party”
• Manuel Xerez Burgos- This anecdotes illustrates Rizal’s predilection to help the helpless at the risk of
his own life

POEMS WRITTEN IN ATENEO

-It was Doña Teodora who was first discovered the poetic genius of her son, and it was also she who first encouraged him
to write poems. However it was Father Sanchez who inspired Rizal to make full use of his God-given gift in poetry
• Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration), 1874- the first poem Rizal probably wrote during his days
in Ateneo which was dedicated to his mother on her birthday; Rizal wrote it before he was 14 years old

-In 1875, inspired by Father Sanchez, Rizal wrote more poems, as such:
1. Felicitacion (Felicitationi)
2. El Embarque: Himno a la Flota de Magallanes (The Departure: Hymn to Magellan’s Fleet)
3. Y Es Espanol; Elcano, el Primero en dar la Vuelta al Mundo (And He is Spanish: Elcano, the First to
Circumnavigate the World)
4. El Combate: Urbiztondo, Terror de Jolo (The Battle: Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo)
-In 1876, Rizal wrote poems on various topics-religion, education, childhood memories and war. They were as follows:
1. Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town)- a tender poem in honor of Calamba, the hero’s natal town
2. Alianza Intima Entre la Religion y la Buena Educacion (Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education)-
Rizal showed the importance of religion in education
3. Por la Educacion Recibe Lustre la Patria (Through Education the Country Receives Light)- Rizal believed in the
significant role which education plays in the progress and welfare of a nation
4. El Cautiverio y el Triunfo: Batalla de Lucena y Prision de Boabdil (The Captivity and the Triumph: Battle of Lucena
and the Imprisonment of Boabdil)- this martial poem describes the defeat and capture of Boabdil, last Moorish sultan of
Granada
5. La Entrada Triunfal de los Reyes Catolices en Granada (The Triumphal Entry of the Catholic Monarchs into
Granada)- this poem relates the victorious entry of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel into Granada, last Moorish
stronghold in Spain

-A year later, in 1877, Rizal wrote more poems. It was his last years in Ateneo. Among the poems written that year were:
1. El Heroismo de Colon (The Heroism of Columbus)- this poem praises Columbus, the discoverer of America
2. Colon y Juan II (Columbus and John II)- this poem relates how King Kohn II of Portugal missed fame and riches
by his failure to finance the projected expedition of Columbus to the New World
3. Gran Consuelo en la Mayor Desdicha (Great Solace in Great Misfortune)- this is a legend in verse of the tragic life
of Columbus
4. Un Dialogo Aluviso a la Despedida de los Colegiales (A Farewell Dialogue of the Students)- this was the last
poem written by Rizal in Ateneo; it is a poignant poem of farewell to his classmate

• Al Niño Jesus (To the Child Jesus)- this poem was written in 1875 when Rizal was 14 years old; it was
a brief ode
• A La Virgen Maria (To the Virgin Mary)- another religious poem which doesn’t have exact date when it
was written
• San Eustacio, Martir (St. Eustace, the Martyr)- a drama based on the prose story of St. Eustace which
he wrote in poetic verses during the summer vacation of 1876 and finished it on June 2, 1876

MEDICAL STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS (1877-1882)

-After finishing the first year of a course in Philosophy and Letters (1877-1878), Rizal transferred to the medical course
-“Don’t send him to Manila again; he knows enough. If he gets to know more, the Spaniards will cut off his
head.”- Doña Teodora, vigorously opposed the idea that Rizal pursue higher learning in the university

6
 • April 1877- Rizal who was then nearly 16 years old, matriculated in the University of Santo Tomas, taking
the course on Philosophy and Letters because (1) his father like it (2) he was “still uncertain as to what
career to pursue”
• Father Pablo Ramon-Rector of Ateneo, who had been good to him during his student days in that
college, asking for advice on the choice of a career but unfortunately he was in Mindanao
• It was during the following term (1878-1879) that Rizal, having received the Ateneo Rector’s advice to
study medicine
• During Rizal’s first school term in the University of Santo Tomas (1877-1878), Rizal also studied in
Ateneo. He took the vocational course leading to the title of perito agrimensor (expert surveyor)
• Rizal excelled in all subjects in the surveying course in Ateneo, obtaining gold medals in agriculture and
topography
• November 25, 1881- the title was issued to Rizal for passing the final examination in the surveying
course
• Liceo Artistico-Literario (Artistic-Literary Lyceum) of Manila- a society of literary men and artists,
held a literary contest in the year 1879
• A La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth)- Rizal, who was then 18 years old, submitted this poem
-is an inspiring poem of flawless form. Rizal beseeched the Filipino youth to rise from lethargy, to let genius fly
swifter than the wind and descend with art and science to break the chains that have long bound the spirit of the people
-this winning poem of Rizal is a classic in Philippine literature for two reasons: (1) it was the great poem in
Spanish written by a Filipino, whose merit was recognized by Spanish literary authorities (2) it expressed for the first time
the nationalistic concept that the Filipinos, and not the foreigners, were the “fair hope of the Fatherland”
• The Board of Judges, composed of Spaniards, was impressed by Rizal’s poem and gave it the first prize
which consisted of a silver pen, feather-shaped and decorated with a gold ribbon
• El Consejo de los Dioses (The Councils of the Gods)- 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
-was a literary masterpiece based on the Greek classics
• The prize was awarded to Rizal, a gold ring on which was engraved the bust of Cervantes
• D.N. del Puzo- a Spanish writer, who won the second prize
• Junto al Pasig (Beside the Pasig)- a zarzuela which 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
- Rizal wrote it as President of the Academy of Spanish Literature in Ateneo
• A Filipinas- a sonnet written by Rizal for the album of the Society of Sculptors; in this sonnet, he urged all
Filipino artists to glorify the Philippines
• Abd-el-Azis y Mahoma- Rizal composed a poem in 1879 which was declaimed by an Atenean, Manuel
Fernandez, on the night of December 8, 1879, in honor of the Ateneo’s Patroness
• Al M.R.P. Pablo Ramon- Rizal composed a poem in 1881, as an expression of affection to Father Pablo
Ramon, the Ateneo rector, who had been so kind and helpful to him
• Vicenta Ybardolaza- a pretty girl colegiala who skillfully played the harp at the Regalado home, whom
Rizal was infatuated in Pakil
• Rizal mentioned Turumba (wherein the people dancing in the streets during the procession in honor of the
miraculous Birhen Maria de los Dolores) in Chapter VI of Noli Me Tangere and Pagsanjan Falls in his
travel diary (united States—Saturday, May 12, 1888), where he said that Niagara Falls was the “greatest
cascades I ever saw” but “not so beautiful nor fine as the falls at Los Baños, Pagsanjan”
• Compañerismo (Comradeship)- Rizal founded a secret society of Filipino students in University of
Santo Tomas in 1880
• Companions of Jehu- members of the society whose after the valiant Hebrew general
• Galicano Apacible-Rizal’s cousin from Batangas who is the secretary of the 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 against by the Spaniards (3) the method of instruction was obsolete and repressive
-In Rizal’s novel, El Filibusterismo, he described how the Filipino students were humiliated and insulted by their
Dominican professors and how backward the method of instruction was, especially in the teaching of the natural sciences.
He related in Chapter XIII, “The Class in Physics”

SHATTERING THE MYTH ABOUT RIZAL AND THE PONTIFICAL UST

This can be very exhaustive as I deal with historical facts apropos of the relationship of Jose Rizal with the University of
Santo Tomas. I am indebted to Fr. Fidel Villaroel, OP, the eminent historian and former archivist of the UST Archives for
giving me the distinct privilege (without going through the norms and policies) of touring the archives and letting me
examined some important documents pertaining but not principally to the history of the Philippines. As a pioneering
institution of learning – from the martyrdom of Gomez, Burgos and Zamora, to the propaganda movement, to the
revolution of 1896, to the birth of the Republic in 1898, to the commonwealth period and finally to the restoration of
7
independence in 1946 – it is therefore presumptuous to assume the UST has had a hand in the making of the history of
the Philippines.

Sadly, in spite of some efforts of few academicians and historians to present a more truthful history of the UST during the
Spanish era, many still were caught off guard and instead decided to rely on meager source materials. Worse, some
merely copied what pre-war and post-war authors written in the past 100 years. New generation writers, historians and
biographers of Jose Rizal are no exception to such historians like Retana, Craig, Russel, Laudback, Coates, Hernandez
and Zaide who had pictured a villain character of the university.

As what Fr. Villaroel said, none of the biographers and historians took the time of looking into the original academic
records of Rizal. Neither there were efforts on their part to make a study on UST based on the archival records of the
Pontifical University. “It has been treated inadequately, at times, with a good deal of misunderstanding, exaggeration or
prejudice.”

The second confusion was their failure to understand the underlying principles behind the anti-friars and anti-UST writings
of Rizal particularly the El Fili.

After seeing the documents at the UST Archives and reading Fr. Villaroel’s well-written study on Rizal and the University
of Santo Tomas, I can only scoff at those who bask at their ignorance and use many of the myths to advance their cause.
Such is the case of some pexers here who undoubtedly use these myths for their own good. In the words of Dr. Serafin
Quiason, former chairman of the National Historical Institue, “it is a great virtue of his (Fr. Villaroel) study that he sweeps
away many of the myths which have passed for facts for almost three quarters of a century. He has solved many difficult
questions and the readers can be grateful for a valuable and devoted piece of work.”

This thread intends to rectify some issues pertaining to the negative pictures projected about Rizal’s relationship with his
alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas based on the study by Fr. Villaroel who had diligently dug through the archival
materials of UST and Archivo de la Provincia del Sto. Rosario. Was Rizal discriminated and treated shabbily by the
Dominicans? Why did he leave UST? Why did he criticize the University years later? How are the stories of El
Filibusterismo to be understood?

Here are some excerpts from Fr. Fidel Villaroel’s study:

MYTH:
Rizal complained about his grades in UST and was discriminated and treated shabbily by the Dominicans.

FACTS:
(1) Rizal entered the UST in 1877, enrolling in the Pre-Law Course, which was made up of philosophical subjects. The
course was commonly called metaphysics. He passed the course brilliantly with the highest grades in spite of his initial
indifference to philosophy and his youthful distractions through the year. Then he opted for the career of medicine. And in
1878-1879 he took simultaneously the Pre-Medical Course and the First Year of Medicine; this was against the rules, but
Rizal was favored with a dispensation. The Pre-Medicine Course was also called Ampliacion, because the student, having
taken already Physics, Chemistry and Natural History in the high school, now took an advanced course on the same
subjects (Rizal did not take in Santo Tomas the “class of physics” described in El Fili but rather in Ateneo).

In his courses of medicine, Rizal was a good student, above-average, though not excellent; but none of his classmates
were excellent either. Summing up, in the 21 subjects taken in UST, Rizal obtained one aprobado (passing grade), eight
bueno (good), six notable (very good) and six sobresaliente (excellent). Majority of students in Rizal’s time, or in any time,
would have been satisfied with the above grades. It is possible that Rizal was not, but it is a fact that he never complained
about his grades, there is not a single word in his works showing displeasure at the unfairness of UST.

Yet many of his biographers are angry, unreasonably angry (including anti-ust pexers?) at the treatment given to the
national hero by his alma mater. How could Rizal, after a perfect record of “Excellent” in the high school (Ateneo) now
receive such “low” grades at UST? The critics had to look for an explanation, and since they did not find fault in Rizal, then
they had to blame the Dominicans and UST. And from Retana to Austin Craig, from Frank Lauback to Austin Coates and
to quite a long line of Filipino biographers (with some exceptions), we only hear the same repeated lamentation that every
school child must now learn in the textbooks: that Rizal was “below his usual standards”, and for the extremely serious
charge that the “Dominican professors were hostile to him” and “the Filipino students were racially discriminated” (Zaide),
and that there was “excessive harping on the alleged intellectual superiority of the Spanish (because he was white) to the
Filipino, a brown man, and Indio (JM Hernandez), and so on. An objective historian must squarely face and honestly
answer these grave statements, which sound like accusations.

Was Rizal “far below his usual standards”? What standards, in the first place? If by usual standards we mean the grades
of his Ateneo high school studies, the comparison is unfair. Nobody places elementary or high school standards against
college or University standards. They belong to different levels. At Ateneo municipal, Rizal was excellent, though not the
only excellent student. At the UST, none of his classmates ever got near to keeping a straight record of Excellent. And this
was because Medicine was a different kind of stuff altogether.

Therefore, if we are to arrive at a just appreciation of Rizal’s performance at the UST, we should compare, not his grades
in the high school with those in the university, but Rizal’s grades in Medicine against those of his classmates. In the first
year of medicine, Rizal’s class was made up of 24 students, but due to academic failures, seventeen of them were left by
the roadside before they reached the fourth year, when only seven took the final examinations. And in this fourth (and for
Rizal last) year, he landed in second place behind Cornelio Mapa. A persecuted Rizal would have probably ended by the
8
same roadside as the seventeen “debarred” classmates, or would have never boasted of being second when he left for
Spain in 1882.

(2) It can hardy be said that Rizal was discriminated and treated shabbily by the Dominicans since he was granted the
rare privilege of studying simultaneously in the Preparatory Course of Medicine and the First Year of Medicine.

Records likewise show that six Spaniards were enrolled with Rizal in the first year of Medicine, of whom three were
Peninsular and three Philippine-born. If the criticism of some biographers were true, these six students would have been
favored by the friars. Yet at the end of the fourth year there remained only one Philippine-born Spaniard, Jose
Resurreccion y Padilla, who managed to get only a poor passing grade (aprobado), last among successful students, and
who in the following year received a crushing suspenso. It would be unkind to rejoice over failures, whether of Spanish or
of Filipinos, but the biographers of Rizal will not be convincing unless they prove with valid documents the existence of
“racial discrimination” in UST in the 19th century when it came to academic grades.

(3) Rizal’s inclinations and abilities must be taken into account. While he was undoubtedly inclined to, and remarkably
fitted for, the arts and letters, he was not much attracted to Medicine. “Perhaps – says Leon Ma. Guerrero – Medicine was
not his real vocation”. Medicine was a convenient career taken up in consideration of the poor health of Rizal’s mother,
whom he wanted to help, and eventually helped as a physician.

(4) When Rizal transferred to Spain and continued his studies at the University of Madrid, he showed there similar
characteristics. He was sobresaliente in the humanistic studies (literature, languages, history), while in Medicine he fared
worse than at the University of Santo Tomas. Ye no historian or biographer has ever complained about his poor
performance in Madrid or hinted that Rizal was discriminated against in that Central University.

(5) Rizal had Dominican friends in the persons of Fr. Evaristo Arias and Fr. Joaquin Fonseca. It was while studying at
UST that Rizal obtained public recognition as a poet. It was the Dominican; Fr. Arias who helped him cultivate his craft in
poetry. During his Thomasian years, Rizal composed the best poems of his pre-European period, one of them being A la
Juventud Filipina, winner of the first prize in the contest organized by the Liceo Artistico-Literario in 1879.

MYTH:
Rizal is said to have left UST for the following reasons:
a. because a certain professor of UST caused him displeasure (P. Pastells, SJ, 1897)
b. because the atmosphere in UST (meaning Thomistic atmosphere) suffocated him, and “it is presumed that
because of it he left” (E. Retana, 1907)
c. because in his class of medicine the lay professor made a statement contrary to the textbook and then he refused
to permit discussion or to give explanations; “so Rizal decided he was wasting his time to remain in the University”
(Craig, 1909)
d. because he found unfriendliness in the University, (Lauback, 1936)
e. because UST could not give “fuller learning” to the youth, and its “usefulness was almost, if not altogether nil.” (D.
Abella, 1965)

FACT:
Twenty authors quoting from the same erroneous source commit the same error twenty times over. Therefore, what the
quoted authors have said must be submitted to scrutiny. More significantly, all the authors quoted above have one thing in
common: none of them quote any historical source, like words from Rizal’s correspondence, his articles, etc. If any source
is ever mentioned it is infallibly the novel El Fili.

But is there not, we ask, a better source to support historical facts than a novel? In the present case, there seems to be no
other, and for one fundamental reason: because Rizal never revealed in clear terms why he left the Philippines in 1882.
Neither he nor his brother Paciano, nor his uncle Antonio Rivera, nor his most intimate friends. Not a clear word from
them, who were the only persons who could have known. This fact leads us to conclude that the writers who put the
blame for Rizal’s departure on the University of Santo Tomas are only guessing, honestly guessing of course, but
mistakenly.
It is almost needless to enter into discussion with those writers who lay the responsibility for Rizal’s departure at the door
of UST. But let us face the question squarely.

(1) It has been stated that a certain professor, more concretely a lay professor of medicine, disagreed with the textbook
and refused to entertain discussion on the topics of his subject (so Pastells and Craig). This professor is identified by
Craig as one who, some years later, was classmate of Rizal at the University of Madrid. He was Dr. Jose Franco who, as
professor of Rizal in Santo Tomas, had threatened to fail the whole medical class (P. Pastells). But granting that Professor
Franco was speaking seriously, it is quite improbable that Rizal decided to leave the Philippines for an incident with one
professor, who besides did not fail him in the final examinations. Rizal’s companions and friends did not seem to have
noticed any misunderstanding between Rizal and any professor, as shown in a letter of Jose M. Cecilio: “Your departure
without notice has caused surprise among many friends to the point of stirring their curiosity. They ask whether there were
serious matters going on which prompted you to leave.”

(2) To attribute Rizal’s departure to what oneauthor calls “rampant bigotry, discrimination and persecution” existing in
UST, whether said in general or whether specifically referring to Rizal, is a gratuitous accusation expressed in ready-
made phrases loaded with feeling. I presume that an educational policy like the one implied in such words has never
existed in any school or university anywhere in any period. As for Rizal, we have already explained with academic records
on hand, that there was in fact a discrimination in his favor when he was allowed to take simultaneously the Preparatory
course of Medicine and the First Course of Medicine Proper. And finally, he was one of the seven, out of 26, who reached
9
the beginning of the fifth year course, which he started in Madrid. All this has been shown here without rhetoric, without
feeling and only with the aid of laconic, diplomatic record as basis.

(3) That the UST did not provide “fuller learning” to its students, and that this prompted some of them like Rizal to go
abroad, as suggested by some authors, might be as true then as it can be true at any other period of her history. This can
also be said of any Philippine university today. The temptation to try better institutions abroad is always better, and those
who can afford it, occasionally fall for it. There is no denying that, in the last quarter of the 19th century, Europe offered to
the students of science, philosophy, literature and every aspect of material progress, horizons of learning that no colonial
land in other continents could possibly give in such measure. But if many student like Rizal went abroad is search of “fuller
learning” and profited from that experience, it would be wrong to conclude that a university like UST was therefore
worthless. Whether by choice or by the force of circumstances many more students stayed behind than left for Europe,
and those who remained received a tertiary education of such quality that enabled them to become builders of the
Philippine Republic. Thomasians trained here and only here were Pedro Pelaez and Jose Burgos, Apolinario Mabini and
Cayetano Arellano, Manuel Araullo and the Mapa brothers, Sergio Osmena and Manuel L. Quezon, Leon Maria Guererro
and Anacleto del Rosario, Felipe Calderon and Epifanio de los Santos, etc. and most of the men of the Malolos Congress,
all belonging to the generation of Rizal.

Until further historical research can project more light on the life of Rizal, little more remains to be said on this point. This
little more is reduced to the following: If neither the UST records nor the correspondence of Rizal with Paciano and his
family nor his letters to or from his intimate friends can support the alleged misunderstanding between Rizal and the
University; if those documents do not explain the reasons for Rizal’s departure for Spain, then i believe that the only valid
recourse left to the historian is the recourse to the oral tradition. And two traditions come handily on our way, one
preserved in Rizal’s own family and another in the University of Santo Tomas.

MYTH:
The “Class of Physics” (Chapter 13) in El Filibusterismo is autobiographical of Rizal’s stay in UST and that Rizal’s anti-
friars and anti-UST writings are reflective of how the national hero loathed the University.

FACT:
(1) While in Europe (1882-1892), Rizal changed considerably in at least one aspect, in his attitude towards religion. He
gave up some basic and essential tenets of his faith and ceased to be a practicing Catholic. This was due mainly to his
continuous association with many rationalist thinkers and liberal politicians of Spain and other countries of Europe. A new
rationalistic approach to life and his affiliation to freemasonry accentuated his anti-clerical sentiments and his antipathy for
the Catholic Church, for her belief and external manifestations (dogmas, rites and rituals and devotional life). These
changes in Rizal must be taken into account when assessing his ironic criticism of the Church, the religious Orders and
the University of Santo Tomas. History showed that the attacks thrown by propagandists at Santo Tomas, particularly the
Church, were just part and parcel of the clash between liberalism and Thomism. And that the attack thrown at Santo
Tomas , which was under the Royal patronage of Spain, was not unique since every university in Europe like Oxford
received the same fate for upholding Thomism. The Vatican in an encyclical endorsed Thomism as an instrument to
counteract rationalism, which at that time began to penetrate all spheres of society.

(2) Crucially affecting this new attitude of criticism were the events that occurred in Calamba from 1887 onwards as a
result of the famous agrarian litigation between his family and the Dominican Hacienda. Whatever reasons for dissension
might have existed in previous years due to worsening economic conditions affecting the country at large, Rizal’s personal
intervention in the affair in 1887 precipitated the legal suit. The case ended in the courts with an adverse sentence against
the family and other tenants and the tragic deportation of some of Rizal’s immediate relatives. That social question and
lawsuit had nothing to do with the UST, but it surely soured Rizal’s pen when writing about an educational institution that
was run by the owners of Calamba Hacienda. We have here another factor for his critical attitude; again he had not in
mind any past academic experience.

(3) The novel El Fili was written precisely during the years of the Calamba agrarian crisis (any student of literature or a
practicing writer would agree that if there are things that affect the consciousness of a writer, it would be the moment, the
milieu, and the race).

The “Class of Physics” is the subject of chapter 13 of the Fili, a subject that some historians and biographers have used
and abused lavishly. They have a reason, because the story comes in very handily to illustrate the student years of Rizal
at the UST, regardless of the novelistic character of the source.

The practical question here is whether the story of the “Class of Physics” really happened on even one day, whether it
reflects educational methods practiced in UST in the 19th century, or whether Rizal was just creating a scene suitable to
the aims of the novel, that is, to attack and discredit the religious institutes. Some biographers easily believe Retana’s
remark that “this chapter is an accurate picture of what happened in the Pontifical University of Manila when Rizal studied
there.” a remark written of course, when Retana had turned into a bitter enemy of the religious orders.

But even taking for granted that Rizal based his story on some incident that happened during his university years, this is
no reason to conclude that the general life of the University was similar. And as for the bleak picture of the physical
classroom itself, the UST still possess the schedules of classes in those years, and the Class of Physics is invariably
assigned to the Physics Laboratories, not to an ordinary classroom.

Finally, Austin Coates’ statement that this chapter of the Fili is “clearly autobiographical” is totally unacceptable, if by
autobiographical he meant that the experience of Placido was actually felt by Rizal personally or by some of his
classmates. And the reason is very simple: Rizal did not take Physics at the UST. He had taken that course at the Ateneo
10
Municipal in 1876-1877. Rafael Palma who took up Physics and Chemistry in 1890 at Ateneo Municipal, a little over ten
years after Rizal, recalled later that the laboratory materials in use at the Ateneo for teaching Natural History and Physics
were “very poor” (Rafael Palma, My Autobiography, Manila 1953).
The whole chapter is a caricature, very useful for the aims of the novel; it is not Rizal’s biography.

IN SUNNY 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
-Aside from completing his studies in Spain, Rizal has his “secret mission”—was to observe keenly the life and culture,
languages and customs, industries and commerce, and government and laws of the European nations in order to prepare
himself in the mighty task of liberating his oppressed people from Spanish tyranny
-This Rizalian secret mission was likewise disclosed by Paciano in his letter to his younger brother dated Manila, May 20,
1892
-Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept secret to avoid detection by the Spanish authorities and the friars
• Jose Mercado- Rizal used this name; a cousin from Biñan
• May 3, 1882- Rizal departed on board the Spanish streamer Salvadora bound for Singapore
SINGAPORE
• Donato Lecha- the ship captain from Asturias, Spain befriended Rizal
-Rizal described him as an affable man, “much more refined than his other countrymen and colleagues that I
have met.”
• Rizal played chess with his fellow passengers who were much older than he
• May 8, 1882- while the steamer was approaching Singapore, Rizal saw a beautiful island, fascinated by
its scenic beauty, he remembered “Talim Island with the Susong Dalaga”
• May 9, 1882- the Salvadora docked at Singapore
• Hotel de la Paz- Rizal registered here and spent two days on a sightseeing soiree of the city, which was
a colony of England

FROM SINGAPORE TO COLOMBO

• In Singapore, Rizal transferred to another ship Djemnah, a French steamer, which left Singapore for
Europe on May 11, 1882
• May 17, 1882- Djemnah reached Point Galle, a seacoast town in southern Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)
• Rizal wrote on his travel diary: “The general appearance of Point Galle is picturesque but lonely and
quiet and at the same time sad”
• Colombo- capital of Ceylon
-Rizal was enamoured by Colombo because of its scenic beauty and elegant buildings
-“Colombo is more beautiful, smart and elegant than Singapore, Point Galle and Manila”
• For the first time, Rizal sighted the barren coast of Africa, which he called an “inhospitable land but
famous”
• Aden- city hotter than Manila
-Rizal was amused to see the camels, for the first time
• City of Suez- the Red Sea terminal of the Suez Canal
-Rizal was impressed in the beautiful moonlight which reminded him of Calamba and his family
• Suez Canal- canal which built by Ferdinand de Lesseps (French diplomat-engineer) which was
inaugurated on November 17, 1869
• Port Said- the Mediterranean terminal of the Suez Canal
NAPLES AND MARSEILLES
• June 11, 1882- Rizal reached Naples
-Rizal was pleased on this Italian city because of its business activity, its lively people, and its panoramic beauty
• Night of June 12, 1882- the steamer docked at the French harbor of Marseilles
• Rizal visited the famous Chateau d’If, where Dantes, hero of the Count of Monte Cristo, was imprisoned
• Rizal stayed two and a half days in Marseilles
BARCELONA
• Afternoon of May 15, 1882- Rizal left Marseilles by train for the last lap of his trip to Spain
• Rizal crossed the Pyrenees and stopped for a day at the frontier town of Port Bou
• June 16, 1882- Rizal finally reached his destination—Barcelona
• Rizal’s first impression of Barcelona, the greatest city of Cataluña and Spain’s second largest city, was
unfavorable
• Las Ramblas- the most famous street in Barcelona
• Amor Patrio (Love of Country)- nationalistic essay, Rizal’s first article written on Spain’s soil
-under his pen-name Laong Laan, appeared in print in Diariong Tagalog on August 20, 1882

11
 -it was published in two texts—Spanish and Tagalog—the Spanish text was the one originally written by Rizal in
Barcelona, the tagalog text was a Tagalog translation made by M.H. del Pilar
• Basilio Teodoro Moran- a friend of Rizal in Manila and the publisher of Diariong Tagalog where Rizal
sent this article
• Diariong Tagalog- the first Manila bilingual newspaper (Spanish and Tagalog)
• Los Viajes (Travels)- Rizal’s second article for Diariong Tagalog
• Revista de Madrid (Review of Madrid)- Rizal’s third article written in Madrid on November 29, 1882 but
returned to him because the Diariong Tagalog had ceased publication for lack of funds
• Rizal received sad news about the cholera that was ravaging Manila and the provinces according to
Paciano’s letter, dated September 15, 1882
• Another sad news from the Philippines was the chatty letter of Chengoy recounting the unhappiness of
Leonor Rivera
• In one of his letters (dated May 26, 1882), Paciano advised his younger brother to finish the medical
course in Madrid
• Rizal left Barcelona in the fall of 1882 and established himself in Madrid, the capital of Spain
LIFE IN MADRID
• November 3, 1882- Rizal enrolled in the Universidad Central de Madrid (Central University of Madrid) in
two courses—Medicine and Philosophy and Letters
• Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando- Rizal studied painting and sculpture
• Rizal’s only extravagance was investing a few pesetas for a lottery ticket in every draw of the Madrid
Lottery
• Rizal spent his leisure time reading and writing at his boarding house, attending the reunions of Filipino
students at the house of the Paterno brothers (Antonio, Maximo and Pedro) and practicing fencing and
shooting at the gymnasium
• Antigua Café de Levante-during the summer twilights, this is where Rizal sipped coffee and fraternized
with the students from Cuba, Mexico, Argentina, etc
• On Saturday evenings, Rizal visited the home of Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey who lived with his son (Rafael)
and daughter (Consuelo)
• Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-Philippine Circle)- a society of Spaniards and Filipinos which Rizal
joined shortly after his arrival in Madrid in 1882
• Me Piden Versos (They Ask Me For Verses)- upon the request of the members of this society, Rizal’s
wrote this poem which he personally declaimed during the New Year’s Eve reception of the Madrid
Filipinos held in the evening of December 31, 1882
-in this sad poem, Rizal poured out the cry of his agonizing heart
• Rizal economized on his living expenses, and with the money he saved, he purchased books from a
second-hand book store owned by a certain Señor Roses
• Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Eugene Sue’s The Wandering Jew- these two books
aroused Rizal’s sympathy for the oppressed and unfortunate people

FIRST VISIT TO PARIS (1883)

-During his first summer vacation in Madrid, Rizal went to Paris, gay capital of France
-The prices of food, drinks, theatre, tickets, laundry, hotel accommodations, and transportation were too high for Rizal’s
slender purse so that he commented in a letter to his family: “Paris is the costliest capital in Europe.”
• June 17 to August 20, 1883- Rizal sojourn in Paris
• Hotel de Paris- located on 37 Rue de Maubange wherein Rizal billeted but later, he moved to a cheaper
hotel on 124 Rue de Rennes in the Latin Quarter
• Laennec Hospital- where Rizal observed Dr. Nicaise treating his patients
• Lariboisiere Hospital- where Rizal observed the examination of different diseases of women
• Rizal was impressed by the way the Spanish Mason openly and freely c riticized the government policies
and lambasted the friars, which could not be done in Philippines
• March 1883- Rizal joined the Masonic lodge called Acacia in Madrid
• Rizal’s reason for becoming a mason was to secure Freemansory’s aid in his fight against the friars in the
Philippines
• Lodge Solidaridad (Madrid) – Rizal transferred where he became a Master Mason on November 15,
1890
• February 15, 1892- Rizal was awarded the diploma as Master Mason by Le Grand Orient de France in
Paris
• Science, Virtue and Labor- Rizal’s only Masonic writing; a lecture which he delivered in 1889 at Lodge
Solidaridad, Madrid
• After Rizal’s departure for Spain, things turned from bad to worse in Calamba: (1) harvests of rice and
sugarcane failed on account of drought and locusts (2) the manager of the Dominican-owned hacienda
increased the rentals of the lands (3) a dreadful pest killed most of the turkeys. Due to hard times in

12
 Calamba, the monthly allowances of Rizal in Madrid were late in arrival and there were times when they
never arrived
• June 24, 1884- a touching incident in Rizal’s life in Madrid wherein he was broke and was unable to take
breakfast
-Rizal attended his class at the university, participated in the contest in Greek language and won the gold medal
• 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 (Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al
Populacho), second prize
• November 20, 21, and 22, 1884- the serene city of Madrid exploded in bloody riots by the students of the
Central University
• These student demonstrations were caused by the address of Dr. Miguel Morayta, professor of history,
at the opening ceremonies of the academic year on November 20, in which he proclaimed “the freedom
of science and the teacher”
• The Rector, who also took the side of the students, was forced to resign and was replaced by Doctor
Creus, “a very unpopular man, disliked by everybody”
• November 26, 1884- Rizal wrote the recounting tumultuous riots to his family
• June 21, 1884- Rizal completed his medical course in Spain; he was conferred the degree of Licentiate in
Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid
• The next academic year (1884-1885), Rizal studied and passed all subjects leading to the degree of
Doctor of Medicine but he did not present the thesis required for graduation nor paid the corresponding
fees, he was not awarded his Doctor’s diploma
• June 19, 1885- on his 24th birthday, Rizal was awarded the degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters
by the Universidad Central de Madrid with the rating of “Excellent”: (Sobresaliente)
• November 26, 1884- a letter to Rizal’s family written in Madrid wherein he said “My doctorate is not of
very much value to me… because although it is useful to a university professor, yet, I believe they
(Dominican friars—Z) will never appoint me as such in the College of Santo Tomas. I say the same thing
of philosophy and letters which may serve also for a professorship, but I doubt if the Dominican fathers
will grant it to me.”

PARIS TO BERLIN (1885-1887)

-Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to specialize in ophthalmology—Rizal chose this branch of medicine because
he wanted to cure his mother’s eye ailment

IN GAY PARIS (1885-1886)

• Maximo Viola- a medical student and a member of a rich family of San Miguel, Bulacan, Rizal’s friend
• Señor Eusebio Corominas- editor of the newspaper La Publicidad and made a crayon sketch of Don
Miguel Morayta, owner of La Publicidad and a stasman
• Rizal gave Editor Corominas an article on the Carolines Question, then a controversial issue, for
publication
• November 1885, Rizal was living in Paris where he sojourned for about four months
• Dr. Louis de Weckert (1852-1906)- leading French ophthalmologist wherein Rizal worked as an
assistant from November 1885 to February 1886
• Paz Pardo de Tavera- was a pretty girl, who was engaged to Juan Luna
• At the studio of Luna, Rizal spent many happy hours. Rizal helped Luna by posing as model in several
paintings
• In Luna’s canvas “The Death of Cleopatra,“ Rizal posed as an Egyptian priest. In another of Luna’s
great paintings, “The Blood Compact,” he posed as Sikatuna, with Trinidad Pardo de Tavera taking the
role of Legazpi
• November 27, 1878- Rizal told Enrique Lete that he “learned the solfeggio, the piano, the voice
culture in one month and a half”
• By sheer determination and constant practice, Rizal came to play the flute fairly well. He was a flutist in
various impromptu reunions of Filipinos in Paris
• Alin Mang Lahi (Any Race)-a patriotic song written by Rizal which asserts that any race aspires for
freedom
• La Deportacion (Deportation)- a sad danza which Rizal composed in Dapitan during his exile
IN HISTORIC HEIDELBERG
• February 1, 1886- Rizal reluctantly left gay Paris fro Germany
• February 3, 1886- Rizal arrived in Heidelberg, a historic city in Germany famous for its old university and
romantic surroundings
• Chess Player’s Club- a club wherein the students made Rizal as a member because of being a good
chess player
• Dr. Otto Becker- distinguished German ophthalmologist where Rizal worked—University Eye Hospital

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 • April 22, 1886- Rizal wrote a fine poem “A Las Flores de Heidelberg” (To the Flowers of Heidelberg)
• In the spring of 1886, Rizal was fascinated by the blooming flowers along the cool banks of the Neckar
River. Among them was his favorite flower—the light blue “forget-me-not”
• Wilhelmsfeld- a mountainous village near Heidelberg where Rizal spent a three-month summer vacation
• Dr. Karl Ullmer- a kind Protestant pastor where Rizal stayed, who became his good friend and admirer
• June 25, 1886- Rizal ended his sojourn at Pastor Ullmer’s home
• May 29, 1887- Rizal wrote from Munich (Muchen) to Friedrich (Fritz), son of Pastor Ullmer
• July 31, 1886- Rizal wrote his first letter in German (which he had improved after his stay with the
Ullmers) to Professor Blumentritt, Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria
• Aritmetica (Arithmetic)-Rizal sent this book he mentioned and was published in two languages—
Spanish and Tagalog—by the University of Santo Tomas Press in 1868. the author was Rufino Baltazar
Hernandez, a native of Santa Cruz, Laguna
• August 6, 1886- the famous University of Heidelberg held its fifth centenary celebration

IN LEIPZIG AND DRESDEN

• August 9, 1886- Rizal left Heidelberg
• August 14, 1886- boarded by a train. Rizal arrived in Leipzig
• Professor Friedrich Ratzel- a famous German historian, Rizal befriend with him
• Dr. Hans Meyer- German anthropologist, a friend of Rizal
• In Leipzig, Rizal translated Schiller’s William Tell from German into Tagalog so that Filipino might know
the story of that champion of Swiss independence
• Rizal also translated into Tagalog for his nephews and niece Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales
• Rizal found out that the cost of living in Leipzig was cheapest in Europe so that he stayed two months and
a half
• Because of his knowledge of German, Spanish, and other European languages, Rizal worked as proof-
reader in a publisher’s firm
• October 29, 1886- Rizal left Leipzig for Dresden where he met Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, Director of the
Anthropological and Ethnological Museum
• Rizal heard Mass in a Catholic church; evidently, this Mass impressed him very much, for he wrote on his
diary: “Truly I have never in my life heard a Mass whose music had greater sublimity and
intonation.”
• Morning of November 1, 1886- Rizal left Dresden by train reaching Berlin in the evening
BERLIN
• Rizal was enchanted by Berlin because of its scientific atmosphere and the absence of race prejudice
• Rizal met for the first time Dr. Feodor Jagor, 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- introduced to Rizal by Dr. Jagor; famous German anthropologist
• Dr. Hans Virchow- son of Dr. Rudolf Virchow, professor of Descriptive Anatomy
• Dr. W. Joest- noted German geographer
• 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
• Rizal lived in Berlin, famous capital of unified Germany for five reasons: (1) to gain further knowledge of
ophthalmology (2) to further his studies of sciences and languages (3) to observe the economic and
political conditions of the German nation (4) to associate with famous German scientists and scholars (5)
to publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere
• Madame Lucie Cerdole-Rizal’s professor of French in order to master the idiomatic intricacies of the
French language
• Unter den Linden- the most popular boulevard of Berlin wherein Rizal enjoyed promenading, sipping
beer in the city’s inns and talking with the friendly Berliners
• March 11, 1886- one of Rizal’s important letters written while he was in Germany that addressed to his
sister, Trinidad
-in this letter, Rizal expressed his high regard and admiration for German womanhood
-The German woman, said Rizal to his sister, is serious, diligent, educated, and friendly. She is not gossipy,
frivolous and quarrelsome
• Aside from the German women, Rizal admired the German customs which he observed well

NOLI ME TANGERE PUBLISHED IN BERLIN (1887)

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-The bleak winter of 1886 in Berlin was Rizal’s darkest winter because no money arrived from Calamba and he was flat
broke. The diamond ring which his sister, Saturnina, gave him was in the pawnshop. It was memorable in the life of Rizal
for two reasons (1) it was a painful episode for he was hungry, sick and despondent in a strange city (2) it brought him
great joy after enduring so much sufferings, because his first novel, Noli Me Tangere came off the press in March, 1887

• Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin- inspired Dr. Rizal to prepare a novel that would depict the
miseries of his people under the lash of Spanish tyrants
• January 2, 1884- in a reunion of Filipinos in the Paterno residence in Madrid, Rizal proposed the writings
of a novel about the Philippines by a group of Filipinos
• Toward the end of 1884, Rizal began writing the novel in Madrid and finished about one-half of it
• When Rizal went to Paris, in 1885, after completing his studies in the Central University of Madrid, he
continued writing the novel, finishing one half of the second half
• Rizal finished the last fourth of the novel in Germany. He wrote the last few chapters of the Noli in
Wilhelmsfeld in April-June, 1886
• In Berlin during the winter days of February, 1886, Rizal made the final revisions on the manuscript of the
Noli
• Maximo Viola- Rizal’s friend from Bulacan, arrived in Berlin at the height of Rizal despondency and
loaned him the needed funds to publish the novel; savior of Noli
• After the Christmas season, Rizal put the finishing touches on his novel. To save printing expenses, he
deleted certain passages in his manuscript, including a whole chapter—“Elias and Salome”
• February 21, 1887- the Noli was finally finished and ready for printing
• Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action-Gesselschaft- a printing shop which charged the lowest rate, that is,
300 pesos for 2,00 copies of the novel
• March 21, 1887- the Noli Me Tangere came off the press
• March 29, 1887- Rizal, in token of his appreciation and gratitude, gave Viola the galley proofs of the Noli
carefully rolled around the pen that he used in writing it and a complimentary copy, with the following
inscription: “To my dear friend, Maximo Viola, the first to read and appreciate my work—Jose Rizal”
• The title Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase which means
“Touch Me Not”. It is not originally conceived by Rizal, for he
admitted taking it from the Bible
• Rizal, writing to Felix Hidalgo in French on March 5, 1887, said:
“Noli Me Tangere, words taken from the Gospel of St. Luke,
signify “do not touch me” but Rizal made a mistake, it should be
the Gospel of St. John (Chapter 20 Verses 13 to 17)
• Rizal dedicated his Noli Me Tangere to the Philippines—“To
My Fatherland”
• The cover of Noli Me Tangere was designed by Rizal. It is a
ketch of explicit symbols. A woman’s head atop a Maria Clara
bodice represents the nation and the women, victims of the
social cancer. One of the causes of the cancer is symbolized in
the friar’s feet, outsized in relation to the woman’s head. The
other aggravating causes of oppression and discrimination are
shown in the guard’s helmet and the iron chains, the teacher’s
whip and the alferez’s scourge. A slight cluster of bamboo stands at
the backdrop; these are the people, forever in the background of
their own country’s history. There are a cross, a maze, flowers and thorny plants, a flame; these are
indicative of the religious policy, the misdirected ardor, the people strangled as a result of these all
• The novel Noli Me Tangere contains 63 chapters and an epilogue
• Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor- Filipino patriot and lawyer who had been exiled due to his complicity in the
Cavite Mutiny of 1872, read avidly the Noli and was very much impressed by its author

CHARACTERS OF NOLI
• The Noli Me Tangere was a true story of the Philippine conditions during the last decades of Spanish rule
• Maria Clara-was Leonor Rivera, although in real life she became unfaithful and married an Englishman
• Ibarra and Elias- represented Rizal himself
• Tasio-the philosopher was Rizal’s elder brother Paciano
• Padre Salvi-was identified by Rizalists as Padre Antonio Piernavieja, the hated Augustinian friar in Cavite
who was killed by the patriots during the Revolution
• Capitan Tiago-was Captain Hilario Sunico of San Nicolas
• Doña Victorina- was Doña Agustina Medel
• Basilio and Crispin- were the Crisostomo brothers of Hagonoy
• Padre Damaso- typical of a domineering friar during the days of Rizal, who was arrogant, immoral and
anti-Filipino

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RIZAL’S GRAND TOUR OF EUROPE WITH VIOLA (1887)
• May 11, 1887- Rizal and Viola left Berlin by train
• Dresden- one of the best cities in Germany
• Prometheus Bound-painting wherein Rizal was deeply impressed
• Teschen (now Decin, Czechoslovakia)- next stopover after leaving Dresedn
LEITMERITZ
• At 1:30pm of May 13, 1887- the train, with Rizal and Viola on board, arrived at the railroad station of
Leitmeritz, Bohemia
-for the first time, the two great scholars—Rizal and Blumentritt—met in person
• Professor Blumentritt- a kind-hearted, old Austrian professor
• May 13 to May 16, 1887- Rizal and Viola stayed in Leitmeritz
• Burgomaster- town mayor
• Tourist’s Club of Leitmeritz-which Blumentritt was the secretary; Rizal spoke extemporaneously in
fluent Germany to the officers and members
• Dr. Carlos Czepelak- renowned scientist of Europe
• Professor Robert Klutschak- an eminent naturalist
• May 16, 1887 at 9:45 AM- Rizal and Viola left Leitmeritz by train
PRAGUE
• Dr. Willkomm- professor of natural history in the University of Prague
• According to Viola, “nothing of importance happened” in this city

VIENNA
• May 20, 1887- Rizal and Viola arrived in the beautiful city of Vienna, capital of Austria-Hungary
• Vienna was truly the “Queen of Danube” because of its beautiful buildings, religious images, haunting
waltzes and majestic charm
• Norfentals- one of the greatest Austrian novelists was favorably impressed by Rizal, and years later he
spoke highly of Rizal, “whose genius he so much admired.”
• Hotel Metropole- where Rizal and Viola stayed
• In Vienna, Rizal received his lost diamond stickpin

DANUBIAN VOYAGE TO LINTZ

• May 24, 1887- Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a river boat to see the beautiful sights of the Danube River
• Rizal particularly noticed that the passengers on the river boat were using paper napkins during the
meals, which was a novelty to him. Viola, commented that the paper napkins were “more hygienic and
economical than cloth napkins”

FROM LINTZ TO RHEINFALL

• Munich- where Rizal and Viola sojourned for a short time to savor the famous Munich beer, reputed to be
the best in Germany
• Nuremberg- one of the oldest cities of Germany
• The Cathedral of Ulm- the largest and tallest cathedral in all Germany
• From Ulm, they went to Stuttgart, Baden and then Rheinfall (Cascade of the Rhine). At Rheinfall, they
saw the waterfall, “the most beautiful waterfall of Europe”

CROSSING THE FRONTIER TO SWITZERLAND

• 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
• Exposition of the Philippines in Madrid, Spain- Rizal was outraged by this degradation of his fellow
countrymen the Igorots of Northern Luzon

RIZAL IN ITALY
• June 27, 1887- Rizal reached Rome, the “Eternal City” and also called the “City of the Caesars”
• Rizal was thrilled by the sights and memories of the Eternal City. Describing to Blumentritt, the “grandeur
that was Rome”, he wrote on June 27, 1887

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 • June 29, 1887- the Feast Day of St. Peter and St. Paul, Rizal visited for the first time the Vatican, the
“City of the Popes” and the capital of Christendom
• Every night, after sightseeing the whole day, Rizal returned to his hotel, very tired. “I am tired as a dog,”
he wrote to Blumentritt, “but I will sleep as a God”
• After a week of wonderful sojourn in Rome, Rizal prepared to return to the Philippines. He had already
written to his father that he was coming home

FIRST HOMECOMING (1887-1888)

-Because of the publication of the Noli Me Tangere and the uproar it caused among the friars, Rizal was warned by
Paciano (his brother), Silvestre Ubaldo (his brother-in-law), Chengoy (Jose M. Cecilio) and other friends not to return
home.
-Rizal was determined to return to the Philippines for the following reasons: (1) to operate on his mother’s eyes (2) to
serve his people who had long been oppressed by Spanish tyrants (3) to find out for himself how Noli and his other
writings were affecting Filipinos and Spaniards in the Philippines and (4) to inquire why Leonor Rivera remained silent
• July 29, 1887- Rizal wrote to his father, announcing his homecoming, “on the 15th of July, I shall
embark for our country, so that from the 15th to the 30th of August, we shall see each other”

DELIGHTFUL TRIP TO MANILA

-Rizal left Rome by train for Marseilles, a French port, which he reached without mishap.
• July 3, 1887-Rizal boarded the steamer Djemnah, the same streamer which brought him to Europe 5
years ago
• July 30, 1887-at Saigon, Rizal transferred to another steamer, Haiphong, which was Manila-bounded
• August 2, 1887- the steamer left Saigon for Manila
ARRIVAL IN MANILA
• August 3, 1887- the moon was full and Rizal slept soundly the whole night. The calm sea, illuminated by
the silvery moonlight, was a magnificent sight to him
• Near midnight of August 5, 1887, the Haiphong arrived in Manila
HAPPY HOMECOMING
• August 8, 1887- Rizal returned to Calamba
• In Calamba, Rizal established a medical clinic. His first patient was his mother, who was almost blind.
• Rizal, who came to be called “Doctor Uliman” because he came from Germany, treated their ailments
and soon he acquired a lucrative medical practice
• Rizal opened a gymnasium for young folks, where he introduced European sports
• Rizal suffered one failure during his six months of sojourn in Calamba—his failure to see Leonor Rivera
STORM OVER THE NOLI
• Governor General Emilio Terrero (1885-1888)-requesting Rizal to come to Malacańang Palace
• Don Jose Taviel de Andrade-a young Spanish lieutenant assigned by Governor General Terrero to
posed as bodyguard of Rizal
• Msgr. Pedro Payo (a Dominican)- sent a copy of Noli to Father Rector Gregorio Echavarria of the
University of Sto. Tomas for examination by a committee of the faculty
• The report of the faculty members of University of Santo Tomas stated that the Noli was “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”
• Permanent Commission of Censorship-a committee composed of priest and laymen
• Fr. Salvador Font- Augustinian cura of Tondo, head of the committee
-found the novel to contain subversive ideas against the Church and Spain, and recommended “that the
importation, reproduction, and circulation of this pernicious book in the islands be absolutely prohibited.”
• Fr. Jose Rodriguez- Augustinian priest, published a series of eight pamphlets under the general heading
Cuestiones de Sumo Interes (Questions of Supreme Interest) to blast the Noli and other anti-Spanish
writings
• Vicente Barrantes- Spanish academician of Madrid, who formerly criticized the Noli in an article
published in La Espańa Moderna (a newspaper of Madrid) in January, 1890
• What marred Rizal’s happy days in Calamba with Lt. Andrade were (1) the death of his older sister,
Olimpia, and (2) the 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.”
• Rev. Vicente Garcia-a Filipino Catholic priest-scholar, a theologian of the Manila Cathedral and a
Tagalog translator of the famous Imitation of Christ by Thomas A. Kempis
-writing under the penname Justo Desiderio Magalang, wrote a defense of the Noli which was published in
Singapore as an appendix to a pamphlet dated July 18, 1888, he blasted the arguments of Fr. Rodriguez
• Rizal, himself defended his novel against Barrantes’ attack, in a letter written in Brussels, Belgium in
February 1880.
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FAREWELL TO CALAMBA
• The friars asked Governor General Terrero to deport him, but latter refused because there was no valid
charge against Rizal in court.
• Rizal was compelled to leave Calamba for two reasons: (1) his presence in Calamba was jeopardizing
the safety and happiness of his family and friends (2) he could fight better his enemies and serve his
country’s cause with greater efficacy by writing in foreign countries
• Shortly before Rizal left Calamba in 1888, his friend from Lipa requested him to write a poem in
commemoration of the town’s elevation to a villa (city) by virtue of the Becerra Law of 1888
• Himno Al Trabajo (Hymn to Labor)- a poem written by Rizal dedicated to the industrious folks of Lipa
IN HONGKONG AND MACAO (1888)
-Hounded by powerful enemies, Rizal was forced to leave his country for a second time in February 1888. He was then a
full-grown man of 27 years of age, a practicing physician, and a recognized man-of-letters

THE TRIP TO HONGKONG

• February 3, 1888-Rizal left Manila for Hong Kong on board the Zafiro
• February 7, 1888- Zafiro made a brief stopover at Amoy
• Rizal did not get off his ship at Amoy for three reasons: (1) he was not feeling well (2) it was raining hard
(3) he heard that the city was dirty
• February 8, 1888- Rizal arrived in Hong Kong
• Victoria Hotel- Rizal stayed while in Hong Kong. He was welcomed by Filipino residents, including Jose
Maria Basa, Balbino Mauricio, and Manuel Yriarte (son of Francisco Yriarte (son of Francisco Yriarte,
alcalde mayor of Laguna)
• Jose Sainz de Varanda- a Spaniard, who was a former secretary of Governor General Terrero,
shadowed Rizal’s movement in Hong Kong
-it is believed that he was commissioned by the Spanish authorities to spy on Rizal
• “Hong Kong”, wrote Rizal to Blumentritt on February 16, 1888, “is a small, but very clean city.”
VISIT TO MACAO
-Macao is a Portuguese colony near Hong Kong.
-According to Rizal, the city of Macao is small, low, and gloomy. There are many junks, sampans, but few steamers. It
looks sad and is almost dead.
• February 18, 1888- Rizal, accompanied by Basa, boarded the ferry steamer, Kiu-Kiang for Macao
• Don Juan Francisco Lecaros- A filipino gentleman married to a Portuguese lady
-Rizal and Basa stayed at his home while in Macao
• February 18, 1888- Rizal witnessed a Catholic possession, in which the devotees were dressed in blue
and purple dresses and were carrying unlighted candles
• February 20, 1888- Rizal and Basa returned to Hong Kong, again on board the ferry steamer Kiu Kiang
DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG
• February 22, 1888- Rizal left Hong Kong on board the Oceanic, an American steamer, his destination was Japan
• Rizal’s cabin mate was a British Protestant missionary who called Rizal “a good man”
ROMANTIC INTERLUDE IN JAPAN (1888)
-One of the happiest interludes in the life of Rizal was his sojourn in the Land of the Cherry Blossoms for one month and a
half (February 28-April 13, 1888)

• February 28, 1888- early in the morning of Tuesday, Rizal arrived in Yokohama. He registered at the
Grand Hotel
• Tokyo Hotel- Rizal stayed here from March 2 to March 7
• Rizal wrote to Professor Blumentritt: “Tokyo is more expensive then Paris. The walls are built in
cyclopean manner. The streets are large and wide.”
• Juan Perez Caballero-secretary of the Spanish Legation, who visited Rizal at his hotel who latter invited
him to live at the Spanish Legation
• Rizal accepted the invitation for two reasons: (1) he could economize his living expenses by staying at
the legation (2) he had nothing to hide from the prying eyes of the Spanish authorities
• March 7, 1888- Rizal checked out of Tokyo Hotel and lived at the Spanish Legation
• Rizal was favorably impressed by Japan. The things which favorably impressed Rizal in Japan were: (1)
the beauty of the country—its flowers, mountains, streams and scenic panoramas, (2) the cleanliness,
politeness, and industry of the Japanese people (3)the picturesque dress and simple charm of the
Japanese women (4) there were very few thieves in Japan so that the houses remained open day and
night, and in hotel room one could safely leave money on the table (5) beggars were rarely seen in the
city, streets, unlike in Manila and other cities

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 • Rickshaws-popular mode of transportation drawn by men that Rizal did not like in Japan
• April 13, 1888-Rizal left Japan and boarded the Belgic, an English steamer, at Yokohama, bound for the
United States
• Tetcho Suehiro- a fighting Japanese journalist, novelist and champion of human rights, who was forced
by the Japanese government to leave the country
-passenger which Rizal befriended on board the Belgic
• April 13 to December 1, 1888- eight months of intimate acquaintanceship of Rizal and Tetcho
• December 1, 1888- after a last warm handshake and bidding each other “goodbye”, Rizal and Tetcho
parted ways—never to meet again

RIZAL’S VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES (1888)

• April 28, 1888- the steamer Belgic, with Rizal on board, docked at San Francisco on Saturday morning
• May 4, 1888- Friday afternoon, the day Rizal was permitted to go ashore
• Palace Hotel- Rizal registered here which was then considered a first-class hotel in the city
• Rizal stayed in San Francisco for two days—May 4 to 6, 1888
• May 6, 1888-Sunday, 4:30PM, Rizal left San Francisco for Oakland
• May 13, 1888-Sunday morning, Rizal reached New York, thus ending his trip across the American
continent
• Rizal stayed three days in this city, which he called the “big town.”
• May 16, 1888- Rizal left New York for Liverpool on board the City of Rome. According to Rizal, this
steamer was “the second largest ship in the world, the largest being the Great Eastern”
• Rizal had good and bad impressions of the United States. The good impressions were (1) the material
progress of the country as shown in the great cities, huge farms, flourishing industries and busy factories
(2) the drive and energy of the American people (3) the natural beauty of the land (4) the high standard of
living (5) the opportunities for better life offered to poor immigrants
• One bad impression Rizal had of America was the lack of racial equality: “America is the land par
excellence of freedom but only for the whites”

RIZAL IN LONDON (1888-1889)

-After visiting the United States, Rizal lived in London from May, 1888 to March, 1889 for three reasons: (1) to improve his
knowledge of the English language (2) to study and annotate Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, a rare copy of which
he heard to be available in the British Museum (3) London was a safe place for him to carry on his fight against Spanish
tyranny

TRIP ACROSS THE ATLANTIC

• The trans-Atlantic voyage of Rizal from New York to Liverpool was a pleasant one.
• Rizal entertained the American and European passengers with his marvelous skills with the yo-yo as an
offensive weapon.
• Yoyo-is a small wooden disc attached to a string from the finger.
• May 24, 1888-Rizal arrived at Liverpool, England
• Adelphi Hotel-Rizal spend the night here while staying for one day in this port city
• According to Rizal, “Liverpool is a big and beautiful city and its celebrated port is worthy of its
great fame. The entrance is magnificent and the customhouse is quite good.”

LIFE IN LONDON
• May 25, 1888- a day after docking at Liverpool, Rizal went to London
• Rizal stayed as guest at the home of Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, an exile of 1872 and a practicing lawyer
in London. By the end of May, Rizal found a modest boarding place at No. 37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose
Hill
• Dr. Reinhold Rozt- librarian of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an authority on Malayan languages and
customs
-He was impressed by Rizal’s learning and character and he gladly recommended him to the authorities of the
British Museum. He called Rizal “a pearl of a man” (una perla de hombre)
• Both good and bad news from home reached Rizal in London. Of the bad news, were the injustices
committed by the Spanish authorities on the Filipino people and the Rizal Family
• The greatest achievement of Rizal in London was the annotating of Morga’s book, Sucesos de las
Islas Filipinas (Historical Events of the Philippine Islands), which was published in Mexico, 1609.
• September 1888- Rizal visited Paris for a week in order to search for more historical materials in the
Bibliotheque Nationale
• Rizal was entertained in this gay French metropolis by Juan Luna and his wife (Pas Pardo de Tavera),
who proudly showed him their little son Andres (nickname Luling)
• December 11, 1888-Rizal went to Spain, visiting Madrid and Barcelona
• Rizal met, for the first time, Marcelo H. del Pilar and Mariano Ponce, two titans of the Propaganda
Movement
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 • December 24, 1888-Rizal returned to London and spent Christmas and New Year’s Day with the
Becketts
• Rizal sent as Christmas gift to Blumentritt a bust of Emperador Augustus and a bust of Julius Caesar to
another friend, Dr. Carlos Czepelak (Polish scholar)
• The Life and Adventures of Valentine Vox, the Ventriloquist-a Christmas gift from Rizal’s landlady,
Mrs Beckett

RIZAL BECOMES LEADER OF FILIPINOS IN EUROPE

• Asociacion La Solidaridad (Solidaridad Association)- a patriotic society, which cooperate in the
crusade fro reforms, was inaugurated on December 31, 1888, with the following officers: Galicano
Apacible (president); Graciano Lopez Jaena (vice-president); Manuel Santa Maria (secretary); Mariano
Ponce (treasurer) and Jose Ma. Panganiban (accountant)
• By unanimous vote of all members, Rizal was chosen honorary president
• January 28, 1889- Rizal wrote a letter addressed to the members of the Asociacion La Solidaridad
RIZAL AND THE LA SOLIDARIDAD NEWSPAPER
• February 15, 1889- Graciano Lopez Jaena founded the patriotic newspaper called La Solidaridad in
Barcelona
• La Solidadridad-fortnightly periodical which served as the organ of the Propaganda Movement
• Its aims were as follows: (1) to work peacefully for political and social reforms (2) to portray the
deplorable conditions of the Philippines so that Spain may remedy them (3) to oppose the evil forces of
reaction and medievalism (4) to advocate liberal ideas and progress (5) to champion the legitimate
aspirations of the Filipino people to life, democracy and happiness
• Los Agricultores Filipinos (The Filipino Farmers)- Rizal’s first article which appeared in La
Solidaridad which is published on March 25, 1889, six days after he left London for Paris

ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN LA SOLIDARIDAD

-Rizal wrote articles for La Solidaridad in defense of his oppressed people and to point out the evils of Spanish rule in the
Philippines

1. “A La Defensa” (To La Defensa), April 30, 1889- this was a reply to an anti-Filipino writing of a Spanish author
Patricio de la Escosura which was published by La Defensa on March 30, 1889
2. “La Verdad Para Todos” (The Truth For All), May 31, 1889- Rizal’s defense against the Spanish charges that the
native local officials were ignorant and depraved
3. “Vicente Barrantes’ Teatro Tagalo”, June 15, 1889- in this article, Rizal exposes Barrabtes’ ignorance on the
Tagalog theatrical art
4.“Una Profanacion” (A Profanation), July 31, 1889- a bitter attack against the friars for denying Christian burial to
Mariano Herbosa in Calamba because he was a brother-in-law of Rizal. Herbosa, husband of lucia died of cholera on
May 23, 1889
5. “Verdades Nuevas” (New Truths), July 31, 1889- a reply to Vicente Belloc Sanchez’ letter published in La Patria,
Madrid newspaper, on July 4, 1889, which asserted that the granting of reforms in the Philippines would ruin the
“peaceful and maternal rule” of the friars
6. “Crueldad” (Cruelty), August 15, 1889- a brilliant defense of Blumentritt from the scutrillous attack of his enemies
7. “Diferencias’ (Differences), September 15, 1889- a reply to a biased article entitled “Old Truths” published in La
Patria on August 14, 1889, which ridiculed those Filipinos who asked for reforms
8.“Inconsequencias” (Inconsequences), November 30, 1889- a defense of Antonio Luna against the attack of Pablo
Mir Deas in the Barcelona newspaper El Puieblo Soberano
9. “Llanto y Risas” (Tears and Laughter), November 30, 1889- a denunciation of Spanish racial prejudice against
brown Filipinos
10. “Ingratitudes” (Ingratitude), January 15, 1890- a reply to Governor General Valeriano Weyler who,
while visiting Calamba, told the people that they “should not allow themselves to be deceived by the vain promises of
their ungrateful sons.”

• Simultaneous with Rizal retirement from the Propaganda Movement, Rizal ceased writing articles for La
Solidaridad
• August 7, 1891- M.H. del Pilar wrote to Rizal begging forgiveness for any resentment and requesting
Rizal to resume writing for the La Solidaridad
• Rizal stopped writing for La Solidaridad, it was because of several reasons: (1) Rizal need to work on his
book (2) He wanted other Filipinos to work also (3) Rizal considered it very important to the party that
there be unity in the work (4) 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

WRITINGS IN LONDON
• While busy in research studies at the British Museum, Rizal received news on Fray Rodriguez’ unabated
attack on his Noli
• La Vision del Fray Rodriguez (The Vision of Fray Rodriguez)-pamphlet wrote by Rizal which
published in Barcelona under his nom-de-plume Dimas Alang in order to defense his novel

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 -In La Vision del Fray Rodriguez, Rizal demonstrated two things: (1) his profound knowledge of religion (2) his
biting satire
• Letter to the Young Women of Malolos- a famous letter wrote by Rizal on February 22, 1889 in
Tagalog
-this letter is to praise the young ladies of Malolos for their courage to establish a school where they could learn
Spanish, despite the opposition of Fr. Felipe Garcia, a Spanish parish priest of Malolos
• The main points of this letter were: (1) a Filipino mother should teach her children love of God, fatherland,
and mankind (2) the Filipino mother should be glad, like the Spartan mother, to offer her sons in the
defense of the fatherland (3) a Filipino woman should know how to preserve her dignity and honor (4) a
Filipino woman should educate herself, aside from retaining her good racial virtues (5) Faith is not merely
reciting long prayers and wearing religious pictures, but rather it is living the real Christian way, with good
morals and good manners
• Dr Reinhold Rost, editor of Trubner’s Record, a journal devoted to Asian studies, request Rizal to
contribute some articles. In response to his request, the latter prepared two articles—(1) Specimens of
Tagal Folklore, which published in the journal in May, 1889 (2) Two Eastern Fables, published in June,
1889
• March 19, 1889- Rizal bade goodbye to the kind Beckett Family and left London for Paris
RIZAL’S SECOND SOJOURN IN PARIS AND THE UNIVERSAL EXPOSITION IN 1889
-In March, 1889, it was extremely difficult for a visitor to find living quarters in Paris

• Valentin Ventura- a friend of Rizal where he lived—No. 45 Rue Maubeuge, where he polished his
annotated edition of Morga’s book
• Rizal used most of his time in the reading room of the Bibliotheque Nationale (National Library) checking
up his historical annotations on Morga’s book
• Rizal was a good friend of the three Pardo de Taveras—Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, a physician by
vocation and philologist by avocation, Dr. Felix Pardo de Tavera, also physician by vocation and an artist
and sculptor by avocation, and Paz Pardo de Tavera, wife of Juan Luna
• June 24, 1889- a baby girl was born to Juan Luna and Paz Pardo de Tavera, she was their second child
• Her baptismal godfather was Rizal, who chose her name “Maria de la Paz, Blanca, Laureana,
Hermenegilda Juana Luna y Pardo de Tavera”
• May 6, 1889- opening of Universal Exposition of Paris
• The greatest attraction of this exposition was the Eiffel Tower, 984 feet high, which was built by Alexander
Eiffel, celebrated French engineer

KIDLAT CLUB
• March 19, 1889-the same day when he arrived in Paris from London, Rizal organized his paisanos
(compatriots) into a society called Kidlat Club
• Kidlat Club-purely a social society of a temporary nature
-founded by Rizal simply to bring together young Filipinos in the French capital so that they could enjoy their
sojourn in the city during the duration of the Universal Exposition

INDIOS BRAVOS
• Rizal was enchanted by the dignified and proud bearing of the American Indians in a Buffalo Bull show
• Indios Bravos (Brave Indians)- replaced the ephemeral Kidlat Club
-its members pledged to excel in intellectual and physical prowess in order to win the admiration of the foreigners
-practised with great enthusiasm the use of the sword and pistol and Rizal taught them judo, an Asian art of self-
defense, that he learned in Japan

R.D.L.M SOCIETY
• Sociedad R.D.L.M. (R.D.L.M Society)- a mysterious society founded by Rizal in Paris during the
Universal Exposition of 1889
-its existence and role in the crusade reforms are really enigmatic
-Of numerous letters written by Rizal and his fellow propagandists, only two mentioned this secret society, as
follows (1) Rizal’s Letter to Jose Maria Basa, Paris, September 21, 1889 (2) Rizal’s Letter to Marcelo H. del Pilar, Paris,
November 4, 1889
• According to Dr. Leoncio Lopez-Rizal, grandnephew of the hero, the society has a symbol or countersign
represented by a circle divided into three parts by two semi-circles having in the center the intwerlocked
letters I and B meaning Indios Bravos and the letter R.D.L.M. placed outside an upper, lower, left and
right sides of the circle
• The letters R.D.L.M. are believed to be the initials of the society’s secret name Redencion de los Malayos
(Redemption of the Malays)—Redemption of the Malay Race
• It was patterned after Freemasonry. It had various degrees of membership, “with the members not
knowing each other.”

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 • The aim of the secret society, as stated by Rizal, was “the propagation of all useful knowledge—scientific,
artistic, and literary, etc.—in the Philippines. Evidently, there was another aim that is, the redemption of
the Malay race
• It must be noted that Rizal was inspired by a famous book entitled Max Havelaar (1860) written by
Multatuli (pseudonym of E.D. Dekker, Dutch author)

ANNOTATED EDITION OF MORGA PUBLISHED

• Rizal’s outstanding achievement in Paris was the publication in 1890 of his annotated edition of Morga’s
Sucesos, which he wrote in the British Museum. It was printed by Garnier Freres. The prologue was
written by Professor Blumentritt upon the request of Rizal
• Rizal dedicated his new edition of Morga to the Filipino people so that they would know of their glorious
past
• The title page of Rizal’s annotated edition of Morga reads: “Paris, Liberia de Garnier Hermanos, 1890”
• The Philippines Within a Century-article written by Rizal which he expressed his views on the Spanish
colonization in the Philippines and predicted with amazing accuracy the tragic end of Spain’s sovereignty
in Asia
• The Indolence of the Filipinos- other essay of Rizal is also a prestigious work of historical scholarship. It
is an able defense of the alleged indolence of the Filipinos
-Rizal made a critical study of the causes why his people did not work hard during the Spanish regime. His main
thesis was that the Filipinos are not by nature indolent
• International Association of Filipinologists-association proposed by Rizal to establish taking
advantage of world attention which was then focused at the Universal Exposition in 1889 in Paris and
have its inaugural convention in the French capital
• Project for Filipino College in Hong Kong- another magnificent project of Rizal in Paris which also
fizzled out was his plan to establish a modern college in Hong Kong
• Por Telefono-another satirical work as a reply to another slanderer, Fr. Salvador Font, who
masterminded the banning of his Noli, in the fall of 1889
-it was published in booklet form in Barcelona, 1889, this satirical pamphlet under the authorship of “Dimas
Alang” is a witty satire which ridicules Father Font
• Shortly after New Year, Rizal made a brief visit to London. It may be due to two reasons: (1) to check up
his annotated edition of Morga’s Sucesos with the original copy in the British Museum (2) to see Gertrude
Beckett for the last time

IN BELGIAN BRUSSELS (1890)

-January 28, 1890- Rizal left Paris for Brussels, capital of Belgium
-Two reasons impelled Rizal to leave Paris, namely (1) the cost of living in Paris was very high because of the Universal
Exposition (2) the gay social life of the city hampered his literary works, especially the writing of his second novel, El
Filibusterismo

LIFE IN BRUSSELS
• Rizal was accompanied by Jose Albert when he moved to Brussels. They lived in a modest boarding
house on 38 Rue Philippe Champagne, which was run by two Jacoby sisters (Suzanne and Marie). Later
Albert, left the city and was replaced by Jose Alejandro, an engineering student
• Rizal was the first to advocate the Filipinization of its orthography
• Sobre la Nueva Ortografia de la Lengua Tagala (The New Orthography of the Tagalog Language)-
was published in La Solidaridad on April 15, 1890
-in this article, he laid down the rules of the new Tagalog orthography and with modesty and sincerity, he gave
credit for the adoption of this new orthography to Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, author of the celebrated work El
Sanscrito en la Lengua Tagala (Sanskrit in the tagalog Language) which was published in Paris, 1884
** “I put this on record,” wrote Rizal, “so that when the history of this orthography is traced, which is already being adopted
by the enlightened Tagalists, that what is Caesar’s be given to Caesar. This innovation is due solely to Dr. Pardo de
Tavera’s studies on Tagalismo. I was one of its zealous propagandists.”**

• Letters from home which Rizal received in Brussels worried him. (1) the Calamba agrarian trouble was
getting worse (2) the Dominican Order filed a suit in court to dispossess the Rizal family of their lands in
Calamba
• In his moment of despair, Rizal had bad dreams during the nights in Brussels when he was restless
because he was always thinking of his unhappy family in Calamba
• Rizal feared that he would not live long. He was not afraid to die, but he wanted to finish his second novel
before he went to his grave.
• In the face of the sufferings which afflicted his family, Rizal planned to go home. He could not stay in
Brussels writing a book while his parents, relatives, and friends in the distant Philippines were persecuted
• July 29, 1890- another letter to Ponce written at Brussels by Rizal, he announced that he was leaving
Brussels at the beginning of the following month and would arrive in Madrid about the 3rd or 4th (August)
• “To my Muse’” (A Mi…)- 1890, Rizal wrote this pathetic poem, it was against a background of mental
anguish in Brussels, during those sad days when he was worried by family disasters

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MISFORTUNES IN MADRID (1890-91)
-Early in 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

• El Resumen- a Madrid newspaper which sympathized with the Filipino cause, said: “To cover the ear,
open the purse, and fold the arms—this is the Spanish colonial policy
• La Epoca- an anti-Filipino newspaper in Madrid

1. Jose Ma. Panganiban, his talented co-worker in the Propaganda Movement, died in Barcelona on August
19, 1890, after a lingering illness
2. Aborted Duel with Antonio Luna—Luna was bitter because of his frustrated romance with Nellie
Boustead. Deep in his heart, he was blaming Rizal for his failure to win her, although Rizal had previously explained to
him that he had nothing to do about it. Luna uttered certain unsavory remarks about Nellie, Rizal heard him and
angered by the slanderous remarks, he challenged Luna, his friend, to a duel. Fortunately, Luna realized that he had
made a fool of himself during his drunken state, he apologized for his bad remarks about the girl and Rizal accepted his
apology and they became good friends again
3. Rizal challenges Retana to Duel—Wenceslao E. Retana, his bitter enemy of the pen, a talented Spanish
scholar, was then a press agent of the friars in Spain. He used to attack the Filipinos in various newspapers in Madrid
and other cities in Spain. Retana wrote an article in La Epoca, asserting that the family and friends of Rizal had not paid
their rents so they were ejected from their lands in Calamba by the Dominicans. Such as insult stirred Rizal to action,
immediately he sent his seconds to Retana with his challenge to a duel
4. Infidelity of Leonor Rivera—Rizal received a letter from Leonor, announcing her coming marriage to an
Englishman (the choice of her mother) and asking his forgivefess
5. Rizal-Del Pilar Rivalry—toward the closing days of 1890 phere arose an unfortunate rivalry between Rizal
and M.H. del Pilar for supremacy. Because of this, the Filipinos were divided ibto two hostile camps—the Rizalistas
and the Pilaristas. The sitqation was becoming explosive and critical. Despite of winning the votes, Rizal graciously
declined the coveted position
• Rizal wrote a brief note thanking his compatriots for electing him as Responsible. It was the last
time he saw Madrid

BIARRITZ VACATION
-To seek solace for his disappointments in Madrid, 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

• February, 1891- Rizal arrived in Biarritz

• Frustrated in romance, Rizal found consolation in writing. Evidently, while wooing Nellie and enjoying so
“many magnificent moonlight nights” with her, he kept working on his second novel which he began to
write in Calamba 1887
• March 29, 1891- the eve of his departure from Biarritz to Paris, he finished the manuscript of El
Filibusterismo
• March 30, 1891-Rizal bade farewell to the hospitable and friendly Bousteads and proceeded to Paris by
train
• April 4, 1891-Rizal wrote to his friend, Jose Ma. Basa, in Hong Kong from Paris, expressing his desire to
go to that British colony and practice ophthalmology in order to earn his living
• Middle of April, 1891- Rizal was back in Brussels
• Since abdicating his leadership in Madrid in January, 1891, owing to the intrigues of his jealous
compatriots, Rizal retired from the Propaganda Movement or reform crusade
• May 1, 1891-Rizal notified the Propaganda authorities in Manila to cancel his monthly allowance and
devote the money to some better cause
• Rizal’s notification was contained in a letter addressed to Mr. A.L. Lorena (pseudonym of Deodato
Arellano)
• May 30, 1891-revision of the finished manuscript of El Filibusterismo was mostly completed
• June 13, 1891-Rizal informed Basa that he was negotiating with a printing firm

EL FILIBUSTERISMO PUBLISHED IN GHENT (1891)

-Rizal was busy revising and polishing the manuscript of El Filibusterismo so that it could be ready for the press
-Rizal had begun writing it in October, 1887, while practicing medicine in Calamba, the following year (1888), in London;
he made some changes in the plot and corrected some chapters already written. He wrote more chapters in Paris and
Madrid, and finished the manuscript in Biarritz on March 29, 1891. It took him, therefore, three years to write his second
novel

• July 5, 1891- Rizal left Brussels for Ghent, a famous university city in Belgium
• Rizal reasons for moving to Ghent were (1) the cost of printing in Ghent was cheaper than in Brussels (2)
to escape from the enticing attraction of Petite Suzanne

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 • Rizal met two compatriots while in Ghent, Jose Alejandro (from Pampanga) and Edilberto Evangelista
(from Manila), both studying engineering in the world-famed University of Ghent
• F. Meyer-Van Loo Press (No. 66 Viaanderen Street)-a printing shop that give Rizal the lowest quotation
for the publication of his novel, who was willing to print his book on installment basis
• 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 Ventura learned of Rizal’s predicament and immediately sent him the
necessary funds
• September 18, 1891- El Filibusterismo came off the press
-Rizal immediately sent on this date two printed copies to Hong Kong—one
for Basa and other for Sixto Lopez
• Rizal gratefully donated the original manuscript and an autographed
printed copy to Valentin Ventura
• La Publicidad- a Barcelona newspaper, wherein it published a
tribute eulogizing the novel’s original style which “is comparable
only to the sublime Alexander Dumas” and may well be offered as
“a model and a precious jewel in the now decadent literature of
Spain”
• El Nuevo Regimen- the liberal Madrid newspaper that serialized
the novel in its issues of October, 1891
• Rizal dedicated El Filibusterismo to Gom-Bur-Za (Don Mariano
Gomez, 73 years old; Don Jose Burgos, 35 years old; Jacinto
Zamora, 37 years old)
• The original manuscript of El Filibusterismo in Rizal’s own
handwriting in now preserved in the Filipiana Division of the Bureau of Public Libraries, Manila. It
consists of 270 pages of long sheets of paper
• Two features in the manuscript do not appear in the printed book, namely: the FOREWORD and the
WARNING. These were not put into print to save printing cost
• The title page of El Filibusterismo contains an inscription written by Ferdinand Blumentritt
• El Filibusterismo is a sequel to the Noli. It has little humor, less idealism and less romance than the Noli
Me Tangere. It is more revolutionary, more tragic than the first novel
• The characters in El Filibusterismo were drawn by Rizal from real life. Padre Florentino was Father
Leoncio Lopez, Rizal’s friend and priest of Calamba; Isagani, the poet was Vicente Ilustre, Batangueño
friend of Rizal in Madrid and Paulita Gomez, the girl who loved Isagani but married Juanito Pelaez, was
Leonor Rivera

COMPARISON BETWEEN NOLI and FILI

NOLI ME TANGERE EL FILIBUSTERISMO

>Noli is a romantic novel >Fili is a political novel

>it is a “work of the heart”—a book of feeling” >it is a “work of the head”—a book of the thought
>it has freshness, color, humor, lightness, and wit >it contains bitterness, hatred, pain, violence, and sorrow
>it contains 64 chapters >it contains 38 chapters

• The original intention of Rizal was to make the Fili longer than the Noli
• The friends of Rizal and our Rizalistas today differ in opinion as to which is the superior novel—the Noli or
the Fili. Rizal himself considered the Noli as superior to the Fili as a novel, thereby agreeing with M.H. del
Pilar who had the same opinion

• September 22, 1891-four days after the Fili came off the press, Rizal wrote to Blumentritt: “I am thinking
of writing a third novel, a novel in the modern sense of the word, but this time politics will not find much
space in it, but ethics will play the principal role.”
• October 18, 1891- Rizal boarded the steamer Melbourne in Marseilles bound for Hong Kong
-during the voyage, Rizal began writing the third novel in Tagalog, which he intended for Tagalog readers
• The unfinished novel has no title. It consists of 44 pages (33cm x 21 cm) in Rizal’s handwriting, still in
manuscript form, it is preserved in the National Library, Manila
-The story of this unfinished novel begins with the solemn burial of Prince Tagulima. The hero of the novel was
Kamandagan, a descendant of Lakan-Dula, last king of Tondo
-It is said that Rizal was fortunate not to have finsihed this novel, because it would have caused greater scandal
and more Spanish vengeance on him
• Makamisa- other unfinished novel of Rizal in Tagalog written in a light sarcastic style and is incomplete
for only two chapters are finished. The manuscript consists of 20 pages, 34.2cm x 22cm

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 • Dapitan-another novel which Rizal started to write but it is unfinished, written in ironic Spanish. He wrote
it during his exile in Dapitan to depict the town life and customs. The manuscript consists of 8 pages,
23cm x 16cm
• A novel in Spanish about the life in Pili, a town in Laguna, is also unfinished. The manuscript consists of
147 pages, 8” x 6.5”, without title
• Another unfinished novel of Rizal, also without title is about Cristobal, a youthful Filipino student who has
returned from Europe. The manuscript consist of 34 pages, 8 ½” x 6 ¼”
• The beginnings of another novel are contained in two notebooks—the first notebook contains 31 written
pages, 35.5 cm x 22 cm and second 12 written pages, 22cm x 17cm. this unfinished novel is written in
Spanish and style is ironic

OPHTHALMIC SURGEON IN HONG KONG (1891-1892)

-Rizal left Europe for Hong Kong, where he lived from November, 1891 to June, 1892. His reasons for leaving Europe
were (1) life was unbearable in Europe because of his political differences with M.H. del Pilar and other Filipinos in Spain
(2) to be near his idolized Philippines and family

• October 3, 1891-two weeks after the publication of Fili, Rizal left Ghent for Paris, where he stayed a few
days to say goodbye to the Lunas, the Pardo de Taveras, the Venturas and other friends; Rizal
proceeded by train to Marseilles
• October 18, 1891- Rizal boarded the steamer Melbourne bound for Hong Kong
• Father Fuchs- a Tyrolese, Rizal enjoyed playing chess. Rizal describe him to Blumentritt as “He is a fine
fellow, A Father Damaso without pride and malice”
• November 20, 1891-Rizal arrived in Hong Kong
• Rizal established his residence at No. 5 D’ Aguilar Street No. 2 Rednaxola Terrace, where he also
opened his medical clinic
• December 1, 1891- Rizal wrote his parents asking their permission to return home.
-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.”
• The Christmas of 1891 in Hong Kong was one of the happiest Yuletide celebrations in Rizal’s life: For he
had a happy family reunion
• January 31, 1892- Rizal wrote to Blumentritt, recounting pleasant life in Hong Kong
• To earn a living for himself and for his family, Rizal practiced medicine
• Dr. Lorenzo P. Marques- a Portuguese physician, who became Rizal’s friend and admirer, who helped
him to build up a wide clientele. In recognition of Rizal’s skill as an ophthalmic surgeon, he turned over to
him many of his eye cases
• Rizal successfully operated on his mother’s left eye so that she was able to read and write again.
BORNEO COLONIZATION PROJECT
• Rizal planned to move the landless Filipino families Filipino families to North Borneo (Sabah), rich British-
owned island and carve out of its virgin wildness a “New Calamba”
• March 7, 1892- Rizal went to Sandakan on board the ship Menon to negotiate with the British authorities
for the establishment of a Filipino colony
• Rizal looked over the land up the Bengkoka River in Maradu Bay which was offered by the British North
Borneo Company
• April 20, 1892- Rizal was back in Hong Kong
• Hidalgo- Rizal’s brother-in-law, objected to the colonization project
• Governor Valeriano Weyler- Cubans odiously called “The Butcher”
• Governor Eulogio Despujol- the Count of Caspe, a new governor general after Weyler
• December 23, 1891- first letter of Rizal to Governor Despujol
• March 21, 1892- Rizal’s second letter and gave it to a ship captain to be sure it would reach Governor
Despujol’s hand
-in this second letter, he requested the governor general to permit the landless Filipinos to establish themselves in
Borneo
• Despujol could not approve the Filipino immigration to Borneo, alleging that “the Philippines lacked
laborers” and “it was not very patriotic to go off and cultivate foreign soil.”

WRITINGS IN HONG KONG

• “Ang Mga Karapatan Nang Tao- which is a Tagalog translation of “The Rights of Man” proclaimed by
the French Revolution in 1789
• “A la Nacion Española” (To the Spanish Nation)- Rizal wrote in 1891, which is an appeal to Spain to
right the wrongs done to the Calamba tenants
• “Sa Mga Kababayan” (To my Countrymen)- another proclamation written in December, 1891
explaining the Calamba agrarian situation

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 • The Hong Kong Telegraph- a British daily newspaper whose editor is Mr. Frazier Smith, a friend of
Rizal
-Rizal contributed articles to this newspaper
• “Una Visita a la Victoria Gaol” (A Visit to Victoria Gaol)- Rizal wrote on March 2, 1892, an account of
his visit to the colonial prison of Hong Kong
-in this article, Rizal contrasted the cruel Spanish prison system with the modern and more humane British prison
system
• “Colonisation du British North Borneo, par de Familles de Iles Philippines” (Colonization of
British North Borneo by Families from the Philippine Islands)- an article in French which Rizal
elaborated on the same idea in aonther article in Spanish, “Proyecto de Colonizacion del British North
Borneo por los Filipinos” (Project of the Colonization of British North Borneo by the Filipinos)
• “La Mano Roja” (The Red Hand)- Rizal wrote in June, 1892, which was printed in sheet form in Hong
Kong
-it denounces the frequent outbreaks of intentional fires in Manila
• Constitution of La Liga Filipina- the most important writing made by Rizal during his Hong Kong
sojourn, which was printed in Hong Kong, 1892
-to deceive the Spanish authorities, the printed copies carried the false information that the printing was done by
the LONDON PRINTING PRESS
• Domingo Franco-a friend of Rizal in Manila whom the copies of the printed Liga constitution were sent
DECISION TO RETURN TO MANILA
• May, 1892- Rizal made up his mind to return to Manila.
• This decision was spurred by the following: (1) to confer with Governor Despujol regarding his Borneo
colonization project (2) to establish the La Liga Filipina in Manila (3) to prove that Eduardo de Lete was
wrong in attacking him in Madrid that he (Rizal), being comfortable and safe in Hong Kong, had
abandoned the country’s cause
• Lete’s attack, which was printed in La Solidaridad on April 15, 1892, portrayed Rizal as cowardly,
egoistic, opportunistic—a patriot in words only
• June 20, 1892- Rizal wrote two letters which he sealed, inscribed on each envelope “to be opened
after my death” and gave them to his friend Dr. Marques for safekeeping
• The first letter, addressed TO MY PARENTS, BRETHREN, AND FRIENDS. The second letter,
addressed TO THE FILIPINOS
• June 21, 1892- Rizal penned another letter in Hong Kong for Governor Despujol, incidentally his third
letter to that discourteous Spanish chief executive

• Immediately after Rizal’s departure from Hong Kong, the Spanish consul general who issued the
government guarantee of safety, sent a cablegram to Governor Despujol that the victim “is in the trap”.
On the same day (June 21, 1892), a secret case was filed in Manila against Rizal and his followers “for
anti-religious and anti-patriotic agitation”
• Luis de la Torre- secretary of Despujol, ordered to find out if Rizal was naturalized as a German citizen

SECOND HOMECOMING AND THE LIGA FILIPINA

-Rizal’s bold return to Manila in June, 1892 was his second homecoming
-Rizal firmly believed that the fight for Filipino liberties had assumed a new phase: it must be fought in the Philippines not
in Spain. “The battlefield is in the Philippines,” he told countrymen in Europe, “There is where we should meet…
There we will help one another, there together we will suffer or triumph perhaps.”

ARRIVAL IN MANILA WITH SISTER

• June 26, 1892- Sunday at 12:00 noon, Rizal and his widowed sister Lucia (wife of late Mariano Herbosa)
arrived in Manila
• In the afternoon, at 4:00 o’clock, he went to Malacañang Palace to seek audience with the Spanish
governor general, General Eulogio Despujol, Conde de Caspe
• June 27, 1892- at 6:00pm, Rizal boarded a train in Tutuban Station and visited his friends in Malolos
(Bulacan), San Fernando (Pampanga), Tarlac (Tarlac), and Bacolor (Pampanga)
• Rizal returned by train to Manila on the next day, June 28, at 5 o’clock in the afternoon
FOUNDLING OF THE LIGA FILIPINA
• July 3, 1892- on the evening of Sunday, following his morning interview with Governor General Despujol,
Rizal attended a meeting with patriots at the home of the Chinese-Filipino mestizo, Doroteo Ongjunco, on
Ylaya Street, Tondo, Manila
• Rizal explained the objectives of the Liga Filipina, a civic league of Filipinos, which he desired to establish
and its role in the socio-economic life of the people.
• The officers of the new league were elected, as follows: Ambrosio Salvador (President); Deodato Arellano
(Secretary); Bonifacio Arevalo (Treasurer); and Agustin de la Rosa (Fiscal)
• Unus Instar Omnium (One Like All)- the motto of the Liga Filipina

26
 • The governing body of the league was the Supreme Council which had jurisdiction over the whole
country. It was composed of a president, a secretary, a treasurer, and a fiscal. There was a Provincial
Council in every province and a Popular Council in every town
• The duties of the Liga members are as follows (1) obey the orders of the Supreme Council (2) to help in
recruiting new members (3) to keep in strictest secrecy the decisions of the Liga authorities (4) to have
symbolic name which he cannot change until he becomes president of his council (5) to report to the
fiscal anything that he may hear which affect the Liga (6) to behave well as befits a good Filipino (7) to
help fellow members in all ways

RIZAL ARRESTED AND JAILED IN FORT SANTIAGO

• July 6, 1892- Wednesday, Rizal went to Malacañang Palace to resume his series of interviews with
governor general
• Pobres Frailles (Poor Friars)- incriminatory leaflets which allegedly found in Lucia’s pillow cases; it is
under the authorship of Fr. Jacinto and printed by the Imprenta de los Amigos del Pais, Manila
• Rizal was placed under arrest and escorted to Fort Santiago by Ramon Despujol, nephew and aide of
Governor General Despujol
• July 7, 1892- the Gaceta de Manila published the story of Rizal’s arrest which produced indignant
commotion among the Filipino people, particlarly the members of the newly organized Liga Filipina
• The same issue of the Gaceta (july 7, 1892) contained Governor General Despujol’s decree deporting
Rizal to “one of the islands in the South”
• July 14, 1892, shortly after midnight (that is 12:30 am of July 15, 1892) – Rizal was brought under
heavy guard to the steamer Cebu which was sailing for Dapitan. This steamer under Captain Delgras
departed at 1:00 AM, July 15, sailing south, passing Mindoro and Panay and reaching Dapitan on
Sunday, the 17th of July at 7:00 in the evening
• Captain Ricardo Carnicero- Spanish commandant of Dapitan whom Captain Delgras handed Rizal
• July 17, 1892- July 31, 2896- Rizal began his exile in lonely Dapitan, a period of four years
EXILE IN DAPITAN, 1892-1896
-Rizal lived in exile far-away Dapitan, a remote town in Mindanao which was under the missionary jurisdiction of the
Jesuits, from 1892 to 1896
-Rizal practiced medicine, pursued scientific studies, continued his artistic and literary works, widened his knowledge of
languages, established a school for boys, promoted developments projects, invented a wooden machine for making
bricks, and engaged in farming and commerce

BEGINNING OF EXILE IN DAPITAN

• The steamer Cebu which brought Rizal to Dapitan carried a letter from Father Pablo Pastells, Superior of
the Jesuit Society in the Philippine, to Father Antonio Obach, Jesuit parish priest of Dapitan
• Rizal lived in the house of the commandant, Captain Carnicero
• A Don Ricardo Carnicero- Rizal wrote a poem on August 26, 1892, on the occasion of the captain’s
birthday
• September 21, 18792- the mail boat Butuan was approaching the town, with colored pennants flying in
the sea breezes
• Butuan- the mail boat, brought the happy tidings that the Lottery Ticket no. 9736 jointly owned by Captain
Carcinero, Dr. Jose Rizal, and Francisco Equilior (Spanish resident of Dipolog, a neighboring town of
Dapitan) won the second prize of P20,000 in the government-owned Manila Lottery
• Rizal’s winning in the Manila Lottery reveals an aspect of his lighter side. He never drank hard liquor and
never smoked but he was a lottery addict—this was his only vice
• During his exile in Dapitan, Rizal had a long and scholarly debate with Father Pastells on religion.
• In all his letters to Father Pastells, Rizal revealed his anti-Catholic ideas which he had acquired in Europe
and embitterment at his persecution by the bad friars
• According to Rizal, individual judgment is a gift from God and everybody should use it like a lantern to
show the way and that self-esteem, if moderated by judgment, saves man from unworthy acts
• Imitacion de Cristo (Imitation of Christ)- a famous Catholic book by Father Thomas a Kempis which
Father Pastells gave to Rizal
• Mr. Juan Lardet- a businessman, a French acquaintance in Dapitan, Rizal challenge in a duel—this man
purchased many logs from the lands of Rizal
• Antonio Miranda- a Dapitan merchant and friend of Rizal
• Father Jose Vilaclara- cura of Dipolog

• Pablo Mercado-friar’s spy and posing as a relative, secretly visited Rizal at his house on the night of
November 3, 1891
-he introduced himself as a friend and relative, showing a photo of Rizal and a pair of buttons with the initials
“P.M.” (Pablo Mercado) as evidence of his kinship with the Rizal family
• Captain Juan Sitges- who succeeded Captain Carnicero on May 4, 1893 as commandant of Dapitan,
Rizal denounced to him the impostor

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 • Florencio Namanan- the real name of “Pablo Mercado”
-a native of Cagayan de Misamis, single and about 30 years old. He was hired by the Recollect friars to a secret
mission in Dapitan—to introduce himself to Rizal as a friend and relative, to spy on Rizal’s activities, and to filch certain
letters and writings of Rizal which might incriminate him in the revolutionary movement.
• As physician in Dapitan—Rizal practiced Medicine in Dapitan. He had many patients, but most of them
were poor so that he even gave them free medicine.
-As a physician, Rizal became interested in local medicine and in the use of medicinal plants. He studied the
medicinal plants of the Philippines and their curative values.
• August 1893- Rizal’s mother and sister, Maria, arrived in Dapitan and lived with him for one year and a
half. Rizal operated on his mother’s right eye
• Rizal held the title of expert surveyor (perito agrimensor), which obtained from the Ateneo
-In Dapitan, Rizal applied his knowledge of engineering by constructing a system of waterworks in order to furnish
clean water to the townspeople
• Mr. H.F. Cameron-an American engineer who praised Rizal’s engineering
COMMUNITY PROJECTS FOR DAPITAN
• When Rizal arrived in Dapitan, he decided to improve it, to the best of his God-given talents and to
awaken the civic consciousness of its people
(1) Constructing the town’s first water system
(2) Draining the marshes in order to get rid of malaria that infested Dapitan
(3) Equip the town with its lighting system—this lighting system consisted of coconut oil lamps placed in the dark
streets of Dapitan
(4) Beautification of Dapitan—remodeled the town plaza in order to enhance its beauty

• Rizal as Teacher—Rizal exile to Dapitan gives him the opportunity to put into practice his educational
ideas. In 1893 he established a school which existed until the end of his exile in July, 1896. Rizal taught
his boys reading, writing, languages (Spanish and English), geography, history, mathematics (arithmetic
and geometry), industrial work, nature study, morals and gymnastics. He trained them how to collect
specimens of plants and animals, to love work and to “behave like men”
• Hymn to Talisay (Himno A Talisay)- Rizal wrote this poem in honor of Talisay for his pupils to sing
• Contributions to Science—during his four-year exile in Dapitan, Rizal built up a rich collection of
concology which consisted of 346 shells representing 203 species. Rizal also conducted anthropological,
ethnographical, archaeological, geological, and geographical studies, as revealed by his voluminous
correspondence with his scientists friends in Europe.
• Linguistic Studies—In Dapitan, he learned the Bisayan, Subanum, and Malay languages. He wrote
Tagalog grammar, made a comparative study of the Bisayan and Malayan languages and studied
Bisayan (Cebuan), and Subanum languages
-By this time, Rizal could rank with the world’s great linguists. He knew 22 languages—Tagalog, Ilokano, Bisayan,
Subanun, Spanish, Latin, Greek, English, French, German, Arabic, Malay, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Dutch, Catalan, Italian,
Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Swedish, and Russian
• Artistic works in Dapitan—Rizal continued his artistic pursuits in Dapitan. Rizal made sketches of
persons and things that attracted him in Dapitan.
-The Mother’s Revenge- a statuette made by Rizal representing the mother-dog killing the crocodile, by way of
avenging her lost puppy
-Other sculptural works of Rizal in Dapitan were a bust of Father Guerrico (one of his Ateneo professors), a statue
of a girl called “the Dapitan Girl”, a woodcarving of Josephine Bracken (his wife) and a bust of St. Paul which he gave to
Father Pastells
• Rizal as Farmer—In Dapitan, Rizal devoted much of his time to agriculture. Rizal introduced modern
methods of agriculture which he had observed in Europe and America. He encouraged the Dapitan
farmers to discard their primitive system of tillage and adopt the modern agricultural methods
• Rizal as Businessman—Rizal engaged in business in partnership with Ramon Carreon, a Dapitan
merchant, he made profitable business ventures in fishing, copra, and hemp industries
-January 19, 1893-Rizal wrote a letter to Hidalgo expressing his plan to improve the fishing industry of Dapitan
-The most profitable business venture of Rizal in Dapitan was in the hemp industry. May 14, 1893-Rizal formed a
business partnership with Ramon Carreon in lime manufacturing
-January 1, 1895-Rizal organized the Cooperative Association of Dapitan Farmers to break the Chinese
monopoly on business in Dapitan
• Rizal’s Inventive Ability—Rizal invented a cigarette lighter which he sent as a gift to Blumentritt. He
called it “sulpukan”. This unique cigarette lighter was made of wood. “Its mechanism”, said Rizal “is based
on the principle of compressed air.”
-During his exile in Dapitan, he invited a wooden machine for making bricks
• My Retreat (Mi Retiro)- Rizal wrote this beautiful poem about his serene life as an exile in Dapitan and
sent it to her mother on October 22, 1895, which acclaimed by literary critics as one of the best ever
penned by Rizal.

RIZAL AND THE KATIPUNAN

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 • Andres Bonifacio- the “Great Plebeian”, sowing the seeds of an armed uprising—the secret
revolutionary society, called Katipunan, which he founded on July 7, 1892
• May 2, 1896- a secret meeting of the Katipunan at a little river called Bitukang Manok near the town of
Pasig, Dr. Pio Valenzuela was named emissary to Dapitan, in order to inform Rizal of the plan of the
Katipunan to launch a revolution for freedom’s sake
• June 15, 1896-Valenzuela left Manila on board the steamer Venus
• To camouflage Valenzuela’s real mission, he brought with him a blind man Raymundo Mata and a guide,
ostensibly going to Dapitan to solicit Rizal’s expert medical advice
• June 21, 1896-evening, Dr. Pio Valenzuela arrived in Dapitan
• Rizal objected to Bonifacio’s audacious project to plunge the country in bloody revolution because he was
of sincere belief that it was premature, for two reasons: (1) the people are not ready for a revolution (2)
arms and funds must first be collected before raising the cry of revolution

• Rizal had offered his services as military doctor in Cuba, which was then in the throes of a revolution and
a ranging yellow fever epidemic. There was a shortage of physicians to minister to the needs of the
Spanish troops and the Cubans people
• December 17, 1895- Rizal wrote to Governor General Ramon Blanco, Despujol’s successor, offering his
services as military doctor in Cuba
• July 30, 1896- Rizal received the letter from Governor General Blanco dated July 1, 1896 notifying him of
acceptance of his offer.
• “The Song of the Traveler” (El Canto del Viajero) -Rizal wrote this heart-warming poem because of his
joy in receiving the gladsome news from Malacañang
• July 31, 1896- Rizal’s four-year exile in Dapitan came to an end
-Midnight of that date, Rizal embarked on board the steamer España
• As farewell music, the town brass band strangely played the dolorous Funeral March of Chopin. Rizal
must have felt it deeply, for with his presentment of death, it seemed an obsequy or a regimen
• Rizal wrote in his diary, “I have been in that district four years, thirteen days and a few hours”
LAST TRIP ABROAD (1896)
-No longer an exile, Rizal had a pleasant trip from Dapitan to Manila, with delightful stopovers in Dumaguete, Cebu, Iloilo,
Capiz, and Romblon

• Isla de Luzon-a regular steamer that Rizal missed which sailed to Spain the day before he arrived in
Manila Bay
• Castilla- a Spanish cruiser wherein Rizal was kept as a “guest” on board
• August 26, 1896- Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan raised the cry of revolution in the hills of
Balintawak, a few miles north of Manila
• September 3, 1896- Rizal left for Spain on the steamer Isla de Panay
• July 31, 1896- Rizal left Dapitan at midnight on board the España sailed northward
• August 1, 1896- at dawn of Saturday, it anchored at Dumaguete, capitan of Negros Oriental
-“Dumaguete” wrote Rizal in his travel diary “spreads out on the beach. There are big houses, some with
galvanized iron roofing. Outstanding are the house of a lady, whose name I have forgotten, which is occupied by the
government and another one just begun with many ipil post
• Herrero Regidor- Rizal friend and former classmate, who was the judge of the province, Dumaguete
• The España left Dumaguete about 1:00pm and reached Cebu the following morning
“In Cebu, Rizal wrote in his diary “I did two operations of strabotomy, one operation on the ears and
another of tumor.”
• In the morning of Monday, August 3, 1896, Rizal left Cebu going to Iloilo. Rizal landed at Iloilo, went
shopping in the city and visited Molo. From Iloilo, Rizal’s ship sailed to Capiz. After a brief stopover, it
proceeded towards Manila via Romblon
• August 6, 1896- morning of Thursday, the España arrived in Manila Bay
• Rizal was not able to catch the mail ship Isla de Luzon for Spain because it had departed the previous
day at 5:00pm
• Near midnight of the same day, August 6, Rizal was transferred to the Spanish cruiser Castilla, by order
of Governor General Ramon Blanco. He was given good accommodation by the gallant captain, Enrique
Santalo
• August 6 to September 2, 1896, Rizal stayed on the cruiser pending the availability of Spain-bound
steamer

OUTBREAK OF PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION

• August 19, 1896- the Katipunan plot to overthrow Spanish rule by means of revolution was discovered
by Fray Mariano Gil, Augustinian cura of Tondo
• August 26, 1896- the “Cry of Balintawak” which raised by Bonifacio and his valiant Katipuneros

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 • August 30, 1896- sunrise, the revolutionists led by Bonifacio and Jacinto attacked San Juan, near the
city of Manila
-in the afternoon, after the Battle of San Juan, Governor General Blanco proclaimed a state of war in the first eight
provinces for rising in arms against Spain—Manila (as a province), Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga,
Nueva Ecija, and Tarlac
• Rizal learned of the eruption of the revolution and raging battles around Manila through the newspapers
he read on the Castilla. He was worried for two reasons: (1) the violent revolution which he sincerely
believed to be premature and would only cause much suffering and terrible loss of human lives and
property had started (2) it would arouse Spanish vengeance against all Filipino patriots
• August 30, 1896- Rizal received from Governor General Blanco two letters of introduction for the
Minister of War and Minister of Colonies, which a covering letter which absolved him from all blame for
the raging revolution
• September 2, 1896- the day before Rizal departure for Spain, Rizal, on board the Castilla, wrote to his
mother
-At 6:00pm, Rizal was transferred to the steamer Isla de Panay which was sailing for Barcelona, Spain
• The next morning, September 3, this steamer left Manila Bay
• The Isla de Panay arrived at Singapore in the evening of September 7
• Don Pedro Roxas- rich Manila creole industrialist and Rizal’s friend that advised him to stay on
Singapore and take advantage of the protection of the British law
• Don Manuel Camus- headed several Filipino residents in Singapore, boarded the steamer, urging Rizal
to stay in Singapore to save his life
• The Isla de Panay, with Rizal on board, left Singapore at 1:00pm, September 8
• September 25, 1896- Rizal saw the steamer Isal de Luzon, leaving the Suez Canal, crammed with
Spanish troops
• September 27, 1896- Rizal heard from the passengers that a telegram arrived from Manila reporting the
execution of Francisco Roxas, Genato and Osorio
• September 28, 1986- a day after the steamer had left Port Said (Mediterranean terminus of the Suez
Canal), a passenger told Rizal the bad news that he would be arrested by order of Governor General
Blanco and would be sent to prison in Ceuta (Spanish Morocco), opposite Gibraltar
• September 29, 1896- Rizal wrote in his travel diary: There are people on board who do nothing but
slander me and invent fanciful stories about me. I’m going to become a legendary personage
• September 30, 1896- at 4:00pm, Rizal was officially notofied by Captain Alemany that he should stay in
his cabin until further orders from Manila
-about 6:25pm, the steamer anchored at Malta. Being confined to his cabin, Rizal was not able to visit the famous
island-fortress of the Christian crusaders
• October 3, 1896- at 10:00am, the Isla de Panay arrived in Barcelona, with Rizal, a prisoner on board
• The trip from Manila to Barcelona lasted exactly 30 days. Rizal was kept under heavy guard in his cabin
for three days
• General Eulogio Despujol- military commander of Barcelona who ordered his banishment to Dapitan in
July 1892
• October 6, 1896- at 3:00am, Rizal was awakened by the guards and escorted to the grim and infamous
prison-fortress named Monjuich
• About 2:00 in the afternoon, Rizal was taken out of prison by the guards and brought to the headquarters
of General Despujol
• Colon- a transport ship back to Manila
• Rizal was taken aboard the Colon, which was “full of soldiers and officers and their families.”
• October 6, 1896- at 8:00pm, the ship left Barcelona with Rizal on board
LAST HOMECOMING AND TRIAL
-Rizal’s homecoming in 1896, the last in his life, was his saddest return to his beloved native land. He knew he was facing
the supreme test, which might mean the sacrifice of his life, but he was unafraid
-The trial that was held shortly after Rizal’s homecoming was one of history’s mockeries of justice

A MARTYR’S LAST HOMECOMING

• October 6, 1896- Tuesday, Rizal leaved Barcelona, Rizal conscientiously recorded the events on his
diary
• October 8, 1896- a friendly officer told Rizal that the Madrid newspaper were full of stories about the
bloody revolution in the Philippines and were blaming him for it
• October 11, 1896- before reaching Port Said, Rizal’s diary was taken away and was critically scrutinized
by the authorities
• November 2, 1896-the diary was returned to Rizal
• Attorney Hugh Fort-an English lawyer in Singapore
-his friends (Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor and Sixto Lopez) dispatched frantic telegrams to Fort to rescue Rizal from
the Spanish steamer when it reached Singapore by means of writ of habeas corpus

30
 • Chief Justice Loinel Cox- denied the writ on the ground that the Colon was carrying Spanish troops to
the Philippines
• November 3, 1896- the Colon reached Manila, where it was greeted with wild rejoicings by the Spaniards
and friars because it brought more reinforcements and military supplies
• November 20, 1896- the preliminary investigation on Rizal began
• Colonel Francisco Olive-the judge advocate
• Two kinds of evidence were presented against Rizal, namely documentary and testimonial. The
documentary evidence consisted of fifteen exhibits, as follows:
(1) A letter of Antonio Luna to Mariano Ponce, dated Madrid, October 16, 1888, showing Rizal’s connection with the
Filipino reform campaign in Spain
(2) A letter of Rizal to his family, dated Madrid, August 20, 1890, stating that the deportations are good for they will
encourage the people to hate tyranny
(3) A letter from Marcelo H. del Pilar to Deodato Arellano, dated Madrid, January 7, 1889, implicating Rizal in the
Propaganda campaign in Spain
(4) A poem entitled Kundiman, allegedly written by Rizal in Manila on September 12, 1891
(5) A letter of Carlos Oliver to an unidentified person dated Barcelona, September 18, 1891, describing Rizal as the man
to free the Philippines from Spanish oppression
(6) A Masonic document, dated Manila, February 9, 1892, honoring Rizal for his patriotic services
(7) A letter signed Dimasalang (Rizal’s pseudonym) to Tenluz (Juan Zulueta’s pseudonym), dated Hong Kong, May 24,
1892, stating that he was preparing a safe refuge for Filipinos who may be persecuted by the Spanish authorities
(8) A letter of Dimasalang to an unidentified committee, dated Hong Kong, June 1, 1892, soliciting the aid of the
committee in the “patriotic work”
(9) An anonymous and undated letter to the Editor of the Hong Kong Telegraph, censuring the banishment of Rizal to
Dapitan
(10) A letter of Idefonso Laurel to Rizal, dated Manila, September 3, 1892, saying that the Filipino people look up to him
(Rizal) as their savior
(11) A letter of Idefonso Laurel to Rizal, dated Manila, September 17, 1893, informing an unidentified correspondent of
the arrest and banishment of Doroteo Cortes and Ambrosio Salvador
(12) A letter of Marcelo H. del Pilar to Don Juan A. Tenluz (Juan Zulueta), dated Madrid, June 1, 1893 recommending
the establishment of a special organization, independent of Masonry, to help the cause of the Filipino people
(13) Transcript of a speech of Pingkian (Emilio Jacinto), in reunion of the Katipunan on July 23, 1893, in which the
following cry was, uttered “Long Live the Philippines! Long live Doctor Rizal! Unity!”
(14) Transcript of a speech of Tik-Tik (Jose Turiano Santiago) in the same Katipunan reunion, where in the katipuneros
shouted: “Long live the eminent Doctor Rizal! Death to the oppressor nation!”
(15) A poem by Laong Laan (Rizal), entitled A Talisay in which the author makes the Dapitan schoolboys sing that they
know how to fight their rights

• The testimonial evidence consisted of the oral testimonies of Martin Constantino, Aguedo del Rosario,
Jose Reyes, Moises Salvador, Jose Dizon, Domingo Franco, Deodato Arellano, Ambrosio Salvador,
Pedro Serrano Laktaw, Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Antonio Salazar, Francisco Quison, and Timoteo Paez
• November 26, 1896- after the preliminary investigation, Colonel Olive transmitted the records of the case
to Governor Dominguez as special Judge Advocate to institute the corresponding action against Rizal
• After studying the papers, Judge advocate General, Don Nicolas de la Peña, submitted the following
recommendations: (1) the accused be immediately brought to trial (2) he should be kept in prison (3) an
order of attachment be issued against his property to the amount of one million pesos as indemnity (4) he
should be defended in court by an army officer, not by a civilian lawyer
• The only right given to Rizal by the Spanish authorities was to choose his defense counsel
• December 8, 1896- Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, a list of 100 first and second lieutenants in
the Spanish Army was presented to Rizal
• Don Luis Taviel de Andrade- 1st Lieutenant of the Artillery, chosen by Rizal to defend him
-brother of Lt. Jose Taviel de Andrade, Rizal’s “bodyguard” in Calamba in 1887
• December 11, 1896- the information of charges was formally read to Rizal in his prison cell, with his
counsel present
• Rizal was accused of being “the principal organizer and the living soul of the Filipino insurrection,
the founder of societies, periodicals, and books dedicated to fomenting and propagating ideas of
rebellion.”
• December 13, 1896- Dominguez forwarded the papers of the Rizal case to Malacañang Palace
• December 15, 1896- Rizal wrote the Manifesto to His People in his prison cell at Fort Santiago,
appealing to them to stop the necessary shedding of blood and to achieve their liberties by means of
education and industry
• December 25, 1896- a dark and cheerless Christmas for Rizal, his last on earth, was the saddest in
Rizal’s life
• December 26, 1896- at 8:00am, the court-martial of Rizal started in the military building called Cuartel de
España
• Lt. Col. Togores Arjona- considered the trial over and ordered the hall cleared. After a short deliberation,
the military court unanimously voted for the sentence of death

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 • December 28, 1896- Polavieja approved the decision of the court-martial and ordered Rizal to be shot at
7:00 in the morning of December 30 at Bagumbayan Field (Luneta)

MARTYRDOM AT BAGUMBAYAN
-After the court-martial, Rizal returned to his cell in Fort Santiago to prepare his rendezvous with destiny
-During his last 24 hours on earth—from 6:00am December 29 to 6:00am December 30, 1896—he was busy meeting
visitors
• Santiago Mataix- Spanish newspaper correspondent
• Pearl of the Orient Sea- Rizal called the Philippines
• Pearl of the Orient- Rizal’s last poem in an article entitled “Unfortunate Philippines” published in The
Hong Kong Telegraph on September 24, 1892

LAST HOURS OF RIZAL

DECEMBER 29, 1896

• 6:00am
=Captain Rafael Dominguez, who was designated by Governor General Camilo Polavieja to take charge of all
arrangements for the execution of the condemned prisoner, read the death sentence to Rizal—to be s December 15,
1896 shot at the back by a firing squad at 7:00am in Bagumbayan (Luneta)
• 7:00am
=Rizal was moved to the prison chapel, where he spent his last moments. His first visitors were Father Miguel
Saderra Mata (Rector of Ateneo Municipal), and Father Luis Viza, Jesuit teacher
• 7:15am
= Rizal, in a jovial mood, reminded Fr. Viza of the statuette of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which he had carved with his
pen knife as an Ateneo student. Fr. Viza, got the statuette from his pocket and gave it to Rizal. The hero happily
received it and placed it on his writing table
• 8:00am
= Fr. Antonio Rosell arrived to relieve Father Viza. Rizal invited him to join him at breakfats, which he did. After
breakfast, Lt. Luis Taviel de Andrade (Rizal’s defense counsel) came, and Rizal thanked him for his gallant services
• 9:00am
= Fr. Federico Faura arrived. Rizal reminded him that he said that (Rizal) would someday lose his head for writing the
Noli. “Father”, Rizal remarked, “You are indeed a prophet.”
• 10:00am
= Father Jose Vilaclara (Rizal’s teachet at the Ateneo) and Vicente Balaguer (Jesuit missionary in Dapitan who had
befriended Rizal during the latter’s exile) visited the hero. After them came Spanish journalist, Santiago Mataix, who
interviewed Rizal for his newspaper El Heraldo de Madrid
• 12:00am (noon) to 3:30pm
= Rizal was left alone in his cell. He took lunch after which he was busy writing. It was probably during this time when
he finished his farewell poem and hid it inside his alcohol cooking stove which was given to him as a gift by Paz Pardo
de Tavera (wife of Juan Luna) during his visit to Paris in 1890. at the same time, he wrote his last letter to Professor
Blumentritt in German
• 3:30pm
= Father Balaguer returned to Fort Santiago and discussed with Rizal about his retraction of the anti-Catholic ideas in
his writings and membership in Masonry
• 4:00pm
= Rizal’s mother arrived. Rizal knelt down before her and kissed her hands, begging her to forgive him. Trinidad
entered the cell to fetch her mother. As they were leaving, Rizal gave to Trinidad the alcohol cooking stove,
whispering to her in English; “There is something inside” This “something” was Rizal’s farewell poem. After the
departure of Doña Teodora and Trinidad, Fathers Vilaclara and Estanislao March entered the cell, followed by Father
Rosell
• 6:00pm
= Rizal received a new visitor, Don Silvino Lopez Tuñon, the Dean of the Manila Cathedral. Fathers Balaguer and
March left, leaving Vilaclara with Rizal and Don SIlvino
• 8:00pm
= Rizal had his last supper. He informed Captain Dominguez who was with him that he forgave his enemies, including
the military judges who condemned him to death
• 9:30pm
= Rizal was visited by Don Gaspar Cestaño, the fiscal of the Royal Audiencia of Manila. As a gracious host, Rizal
offered him the best chair in the cell. After a pleasant conversation, the fiscal left with a good impression of Rizal’s
intelligence and noble character
• 10:00pm
=The draft of the retraction sent by the anti-Filipino Archbishop Bernardino Nozaleda (1890-1903) was submitted by
Father Balaguer to Rizal for signature, but the hero rejected it because it was too long and he did not like it.

DECEMBER 30, 1896

• 3:00am
=Rizal heard Mass, confessed his sins, and took Holy Communion
• 5:30am

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 =Rizal took his last breakfast on earth. After this, he wrote two letters, the first addressed to his family and the second
to his older brother Paciano.
=Josephine Bracken, accompanied by a sister of Rizal (Josefa), arrived. Josephine, with tears in her eyes, bade him
farewell. Rizal embraced her for the last time and before she left, Rizal gave her a last gift—a religious book, Imitation
of Christ by Father Thomas a Kempis
• 6:00am
= As the soldiers were getting ready for the death march to Bagumbayan, Rizal wrote his last letter to his beloved
parents.
• About 6:30am
=a trumpet sounded at Fort Santiago, a signal to begin the death march to Bagumbayan, the designated place for the
execution
=Rizal was dressed elegantly in black suit, black derby hat, black shoes, white shirt and black tie. His arms were tied
behind from elbow to elbow. But the rope was quite loose to give his arms freedom of movement
• Dr. Felipe Ruiz Castillo- a Spanish military physician, asked Rizal permission to feel his pulse and was
amazed to find it normal showing that Rizal was not afraid to die
• 7:03am
=Rizal died in the bloom of manhood—aged 35 years, five months and 11 days

• Mi Ultimo Adios (Last Farewell)- farewell poem of Rizal that originally was without title and was
unsigned.
• Father Mariano Dacanay- a Filipino priest-patriot, who gave the title Ultimo Adios (Last Farewell) and
under such title the poem was published for the first time in La Independencia (General Antonio Luna’s
newspaper) on September 25, 1898
• Immediately after Rizal’s execution the Spanish spectators shouted “Viva España!” “Muerte a los
Traidores’ (“Long Live Spain! “Death to the Traitors!”) and the Spanish Military Band, joining the
jubilance over Rizal’s death, played the gay Marcha de Cadiz
• By Rizal’s writings, which awakened Filipino nationalism and paved the way for the Philippine Revolution,
he proved that “pen is mightier than the sword”

WHY IS RIZAL OUR GREATEST NATIONAL HERO

(1) Rizal is our greatest hero because, as a towering figure in the Propaganda Campaign, he took an “admirable part” in
that movement which roughly covered the period from 1882-1896
(2) Rizal’s writings contributed tremendously to the formation of Filipino nationality
(3) Rizal becomes the greatest Filipino hero because no Filipino has yet been born who could equal or surpass Rizal as
“a person of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering.”
(4) Rizal is the greatest Filipino hero that ever lived because he is “a man honored after death by public worship,
because of exceptional service to mankind”

WHO MADE RIZAL THE FOREMOST NATIONAL HERO OF THE PHILIPPINES

=No single person or groups of persons were responsible for making the Greatest Malayan the Number One Hero of his
people. Rizal himself, his own people, and the foreigners all together contributed to make him the greatest hero and
martyr of his people. No amount of adulation and canonization by both Filipinos and foreigners could convert Rizal into
a great hero if he did not possess in himself what Palma calls “excellent qualities and merits”

ROMANCES OF RIZAL
First romance—“that painful experience which comes to nearly all adolescents”

• Julia
-from Dampalit, Los Baños, Laguna
• Segunda Katigbak
-Rizal first romance that was then sixteen years old
-a pretty fourteen-year old Batangueña from Lipa
-In Rizal’s own words: “She was rather short, with eyes that were eloquent and ardentat times and languid at
others, rosy-cheeked, with an enchanting and provocative smile that revealed very beautiful teeth and the air
of a sylph; her entire self diffused a mysterious charm.”
-she was the sister of Rizal’s friend, Mariano Katigbak
-close friend of Rizal’s sister Olimpia, was a boarding student in La Concordia College
-engaged to be married to her town mate, Manuel Luz
*The love of Rizal and Segunda was indeed “a Love at first sight”
*The last time they talked to each other was one Thursday in December, 1877 when the Christmas vacation was
about to begin
*Rizal returned home, dazed and desolate, with his first romance “ruined by his own shyness and reserve.”
• Miss L (Jacinta Ibardo Laza)
-young woman in Calamba
-Rizal describe her as “fair with seductive and attractive eyes
*After visiting her in her house several times, Rizal suddenly stopped his wooing, and the romance died a natural
death

33
*Rizal gave two reasons for his change of heart namely (1) the sweet memory of Segunda was still fresh in his heart
(2) his father did not like the family of “Miss L”
• Leonor Valenzuela
*During Rizal sophomore year at the University of Santo Tomas, he boarded in the house of Doña Concha Leyva in
Intramuros wherein the next-door neighbors of Doña Concha were Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela
-charming daughter of Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela from Pagsanjan, Laguna
-a tall girl with a regal bearing
-Rizal sent her love notes written in invisible ink—ink consisted of common table salt and water—the secret of reading
any note written in the invisible ink by heating it over a candle or lamp so that the words may appear
-Orang was her pet name
-Rizal stopped short of proposing marriage to Orang
• Leonor Rivera
-Rizal’s cousin from Camiling, Tarlac
*In 1879, at the start of his junior year at the university, Rizal lived in “Casa Tomasina” at No. 6 Calle Santo Tomas,
Intramuros owned by his uncle Antonio Rivera
-a student at La Concordia College, where Soledad, youngest sister, was then studying
-born in Camiling, Tarlac on April 11, 1867
-she was a frail, pretty girl “tender as a budding flower with kindly, wistful eyes
-in her letters to Rizal, she signed her name as “Taimis” in order to camouflage their intimate relationship from their
parents and friends
-died on August 28, 1893
• Consuelo Ortiga y Perez
- a young woman in Madrid
-prettier of Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey’s daughters
-Rizal was attracted by Consuelo’s beauty and vivacity
-Rizal composed a lovely poem on August 22, 1883 dedicated to her, entitled A La Señorita C.O.y.P (to Miss
C.O.y.P) expressing his admirations for her
*Before Rizal romance with Consuelo could blossom into a serious affair, he suddenly backed out for two reasons: (1)
he was still engaged to Leonor Rivera (2) his friends and co-worker in the Propaganda Movement, Eduardo de Lete,
was madly in love with Consuelo and he had no wish to break their friendship because of a pretty girl
• Seiko Usui
-Rizal affectionately called her O-Sei-San
-a pretty Japanese girl that Rizal saw walking past the legation gate
-Rizal was attracted by her regal loveliness and charm
-a lonely samurai’s daughter of 23 years old and had never yet experienced the ecstasy of true love
-Rizal saw in her the qualities of his ideal womanhood—beauty, charm, modesty and intelligence
*The beautiful romance between Rizal and O-Sei-San inevitably came to a dolorous ending. Sacrificing his personal
happiness, Rizal had to carry on his libertarian mission in Europe, leaving behind the lovely O-Sei-San
-married Mr. Alfred Charlton, a British teacher of chemistry, and was blessed by only one child—Yuriko
-died on May 1, 1947 at the age of 80
• Gertrude Beckett
-oldest of the three Beckett sisters
-called Gettie or Tottie by her friends
-a buxom English girl with brown hair, blue eyes, and rosy cheeks
-Rizal affectionately called her “Gettie”, in reciprocation; she fondly called him “Pettie”
*Rizal suddenly realized that he could not marry Gettie for he had a mission to fulfill in life
• Petite Suzanne Jacoby
-pretty niece of his landladies
*Rizal found certain bliss in the company of this pretty Belgian girl
*Rizal might flirted with Petite Suzanne, but he could not stoop low to a deceptive amorous relationship
-she fell in love with Rizal and cried when Rizal left toward the end of July, 1890 for Madrid, stopping for a few days in
Paris
• Nellie Boustead
-the prettier and younger daughter of Eduardo Boustead
-Rizal found her to be a real Filipina, highly intelligent, vivacious in temperament, and morally upright
-also called Nelly
*Rizal wrote to his intimate friends, except Professor Blumentritt, of his love for Nellie and his intention to propose
marriage to her
*Rizal’s marriage proposal failed for two reasons: (1) he refused to give up his Catholic faith and be converted to
Protestantism, as Nelly demanded (2) Nelly’s mother did not like Rizal as a son-in-law
• Josephine Bracken
-an Irish girl of sweet eighteen, “slender, a chestnut blond, with blue eyes, dressed with elegant simplicity, with an
atmosphere of light gayety.”
-born in Hong Kong on October 3, 1876 of Irish parents—James Bracken, a corporal in the British garrison and
Elizabeth Jane Macbride
-she was adopted by Mr. George Taufer, who later became blind
*Rizal and Josephine fell in love with each other at first sight
*After a whirlwind romance for one month, they agreed to marry but Father Obach, the priest of Dapitan, refused to
marry them without the permission of the Bishop of Cebu
*Since no priest would marry them, Rizal and Josephine held hands together and married themselves before the eyes
of God. They lived as man and wife in Dapitan
34
 -Rizal wrote a poem for Josephine
*In the early part of 1896, Rizal was extremely happy because Josephine was expecting a baby
*Unfortunately, Rizal played a prank on her, frightening her so that she prematurely gave birth to an eight-month baby
boy who loved only for three hours
*The lost son of Rizal was named “Francisco” in honor of Don Francisco (hero’s father) and was buried in Dapitan

RIZAL AS BOY MAGICIAN

-Since early manhood Rizal had been interested in magic. With his dexterous hands, he learned vicarious tricks, such
as making a coin appear or disappear in his fingers and making handkerchief vanish in thin air. He entertained his town
folks with magic-lantern exhibitions. He also gained skill in manipulating marionettes (puppet shows)
-In later years when he attained manhood, he continued his keen predilection for magic. He read many books on magic
and attended the performances of the famous magicians in the world. In Chapter XVII and XVIII of his second novel, El
Filibusterismo (Treason), he revealed his wide knowledge of magic

RIZAL AS LOVER OF BOOKS

-A favorite pastime of Rizal in Madrid was reading. Instead of gambling and flirting with women, as many young Filipino
did in Spanish metropolis, he stayed at home and read voraciously until midnight. Since early childhood, he liked to read
-Rizal economized on his living expenses, and with the money he saved, he purchased books form a second-hand book
store owned by certain Señor Roses. He was able to build a fair-sized private library
-Rizal was deeply affected by Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Eugene Sue’s The Wandering Jew. These
books aroused his sympathy for the oppressed and unfortunate people

RIZAL AS A MASON
-In Spain, Rizal came in close contact with prominent Spanish liberal and republican Spaniards, who were mostly
Mason.
-Rizal was impressed by the way the Spanish Masons openly and freely criticized the government policies and
lambasted the friars, which could not be done in Philippines
-Rizal’s reason for becoming a mason was to secure Freemasonry’s aid in his fight against the friars in the Philippines.
Since the friars used the Catholic religion as a shield to entrench themselves in power and wealth and to persecute the
Filipino patriots, he intended to utilize Freemasonry as his shield to combat them
-As a mason, Rizal played a lukewarm role in Freemasonry

RIZAL AS MUSICIAN
-Rizal had no natural aptitude for music, and this he admitted. But he studied music because many of his schoolmates
at the Ateneo were taking music lessons.
-By sheer determination and constant practice, Rizal came to play flute fairly well. He was a flutist in various impromptu
reunions of Filipinos in Paris.

RIZAL AS HISTORIAN
-Rizal’s research studies in the British Museum (London) and in Bibliotheque Nationale (Paris) enriched his historical
knowledge. His splendid annotations to Morga’s book showed his familiarity with the basic principles of historiography.
-As Rizal once told Isabelo de los Reyes: “A historian ought to be rigorously imparted… I never assert anything on my
own authority. I cite texts and when I do, I have them before me.”
-His knowledge of foreign languages enabled Rizal to read historical documents and books in languages in which they
were originally written

35
Lesson No. 2 • Oral traditions includes epic, genealogies,
parables, sayings and
Literature Its Uses and Affects
riddles are oral traditions passed down from
generations to
Learning Objectives generation by word of mouth. They were
1. Explain the relationship between written down to form the
literature and society. body of written literature.
2. Evaluate how one learns from • The words of heroes who helped in the
“patriotism” and “nationalism” from foundation of nationhood fall
literature. into literature.
Example: Rizal poem about “Love of
The Power of the “Written Word” Language”; Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng
• Definition of Writing – is the activity or skill Bayan.
of marking coherent • Nowadays, with the coming of the
words on paper and composing text. - computer and electronic age,
“Oxford Languages”. came a new type of literature called e-
• One of the most important developments literature. These is now include
in the history of civilization texts in the cell phones and blogs in the
is the invention of writing. computers.
• Writing allowed man to express his ideas
other than his speech or Purpose of Literature
body language. Writing froze the spoken 1. To inform – it coveys to another person
word into a medium such as knowledge about another
stone, clay tablet, parchment or paper. person, a place, or an event.
Example the Story of Iliad and Odyssey. 2. Expression – related to informing is to
(Epic Poem). express. Expression is one of
• The written word even has great religious the purpose of literature. Example: Convey
significance, as religious emotions or feelings.
texts such as the books of the Bible and the 3. As a guide – Literature guides people by
Qur’an were able to reach telling them what to do or
the generations of the present. expect. Literature that guides saves the
• The word of God is treated with great readers from inconvenience
reverence and respect. and helps him save time.
• Muslims re required to learn Arabic so they 4. To send a message – when writings was
can read the Qur’an in its invented it allowed man to
original form. send to people who were not presently with
Literature an its Purposes him.
• A body of writings is called literature. The written message transcends both
• Literature is intended for a certain group of distance and time as it became possible
people. It hinges on the to send letters to the other side of the globe
word “litera” or letra which means letter. or to have archival manuscripts
• There is oral literature which refers to researched and look into their meaning.
literature yet to be written. 5. Entertainment – literature can be used for
entertainment by serving as a
diversion from the common and routinely Nationalism
aspects of life. Creative minds may • The type of the written word can be used
relate fiction while others may draw directly to develop sense of
from past events or be influenced nationalism. Nationalism is a sentiment of a
by past events. Example: Poetry, short community of people
stories and novels. having a common identity, values and
6. To serve as record of the past – Literature aspirations. Some literature are
may contain stories about the past. based on myths and legends. Some
This type of literature falls into the realm of literature are drawn from actual
history. History defined as historical events. Literature helps generate
documented record of man and his society. nationalism among the
History contains descriptions of what was people when they remember the great
life in the past; how it affected the stories of their past.
present and it provides ideas on how to face • In the Philippines rediscovering the pre-
the future. Historical literature colonial past was the basis of
aside from telling us what was life in the past the nationalism of heroes like Rizal,
(Antiquarian History), it tells us Bonifacio and Aguinaldo. On one
how the lessons of the past can help shape of his writings, Rizal wrote, in order to know
the future called historicism. the destiny of a nation, it
7. To convince – Literature can tell us what is important to open the book of the past.
to do. In order for literature to
convince people, it must tell them how it can
• Rizal looked back into the Philippine
affect them personally. The art
and science of convincing people falls into history to correct the biases
the realm of propaganda. Political created by the Spaniards over the Filipinos.
literature is full of propaganda. Propaganda The Spaniards claimed
may include telling the truth; that they brought civilization to our
magnifying the truth, twisting the truth or ancestors whom they called
even not telling the truth or outright savages. Rizal and his fellow reformist
lies. countered that the Filipinos
8. To inspire – literature can help expand already had civilizations before the coming
one’s mind and fire up his imagination. of the west. They utilized
It encourage one to follow an example either the books written by early historians
to equal or exceed him in terms of “Antonio de Morga” who wrote
achievements. Literature that inspires the Sucesos de Las Islas Filipinas. They also
provides ideas that allow one to set his used the books of Dr.
goals. Literature may also create profound Feodor Jagor books Travels in the
change in a person by changing his Philippines and he described how
perception of the world, his surrounding and our ancestors lived.
society. Such type of change is • Rizal and his companions sought to
called a catharsis. Catharsis is caused by a restore the great past when
deep and emotional experience freedom reigned. He aspired this freedom
learned from external sources. not only for the Filipinos
The connection of Literature to
but for the entire Malay Race. Indios Rizal, His Companions and their use of
Bravos (I.B.) called Redencion de Literature to
los Malayos (RDLM) also known as the Foster Nationalism
Redemption of the Malay • Rizal and his companions used literature
Race, which aimed to redeem the dignity to foster a love for their
of the Malay Race. country.
Philippine Literature and the • Graciano Lopez Jaena and Marcelo H. Del
Development of Pilar used essays
Nationalism denouncing Spanish misgovernance and
• The introduction of printing during Spanish Malpractices. All of them
period helped in creating the attacked that Del Pilar called Frailocracy-
Filipino Identity. The first book was the the rule of the religious
Doctrina Christiana which was orders in the Philippines. Del Pilar who
published by the Dominicans in 1591. “Using
wrote under the pen name
woodblock letters”.
Plaridel was considered the most
• It contained catechisms written in tagalog,
Spanish and Chinese and printed dangerous of the laborantes- even
in baybayin or the native script, in latin letters more dangerous than Rizal.
and in Chinese.
• Religious literature became involved in the • Rizal used poems, essays and the novels
development of Nationalism.
to bring about a nationalist
• The Spanish also introduced secular
awakening among the people. The novels
literature which appealed to the
natives. Example the stories of “Bernardo were actually works of fiction
Carpio”. The Katipuneros but had allusions to real persons and
borrowed the story of Bernardo Carpio. The places. The fictional characters of
cave called Pamitan; the newly Noli Me Tangere and characters who were
initiated Katipuneros vowed to break the inspired from real people
chains placed on them by the drive home the state of the Philippines, as
Spanish colonizers. being oppressed by
• Also, the Comedia had a nationalist effect colonizers and ironically natives of the
on the indios was the Philippines were the ones
Florante at Laura by Francisco Balagtas. throwing away their identity and replacing
The Florante at Laura them with that of the
provided different messages depending on colonizers.
the audiences. • Rizal used existing literature in
• Literature produced during the 19th connection with his novel. Rizal was
century discussed the conditions exposing the ills of the Philippines so that
of the Philippines. the people will awaken from
The Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo were their slumber of colonial amnesia.
written to stimulate a social
awakening of the Filipinos on their colonial Exercise 2.1
condition. 1. Why is the written word more powerful
than the spoken word?
2. What is the power of literature and how
could it be used?
Demonstration
3. In what way literature can have different of Inborn Talents
effect on the readers? Cite • Jose Rizal at the age of 3 he was able to
and example and explain. master the alphabet.
4. Why the Katipuneros borrowed the • At the age of 8 he was able to write a poem
story of Bernardo Carpio? Why entitled “Sa aking Kabata or To
they identify themselves with Bernardo My Fellow Children”
Carpio. • His second Poem was written at the age of 9.
5. How was literature used to stir up the It is entitled “My first
Inspiration”(Mi Primera Inspiracion). This
people to fight for their
poem was dedicated to his
freedom?
mother.
Exercise 2.2 • At the age of 5, Rizal revealed his God given
• Case 1: Rizal wrote about his younger talent for art. He made sketches
with his pencil and to mold in clay and wax
days in his memoirs entitled
objects. His sisters laughed at
Memories de un Estudiante de Manila
him in spending too much time in making
while he was a student at the images. He told them: “All right
UST. He lived a comfortable life in his home laugh at me now: Someday when I die, people
in Calamba. That was will make monuments and
before municipal police led by the town images of me!”.
mayor barged into his house • At the age of 3, he began to take part in the
and arrested his mother for the attempted family prayers. His mother,
poisoning of the wife of taught him Catholic prayers. He was 5 when
Jose Alberto. The men who came to arrest was able to read the Bible.
his mother were the ones He took active part in the church, tools part
who were frequently in the house and in novenas and religious
were invited there for many processions. He was fondly called “Manong
social occasions. According to Rizal, he saw Jose”.
how people they called • Drama Writer- at the age of 8 he wrote his
friends treated his mother. He called the first dramatic work which was
mayor a fanatic follower of a Tagalog Comedy. The Gobernadorcillo
from Paete, Laguna saw the play
the friars. From then on Rizal developed a
and was delighted so he bought it for 2 pesos
character that was
to be stayed in their town
untrusting.
fiesta.
• Boy Magician- with his hands he showed
different tricks such as making a
Lesson 2 coin appear or disappear in his fingers and
II. making
in the air.
a handkerchief vanish

Jose Rizal Early

Poems that Rizal To my Childhood
Companions
dedicated to his • This was written in Spanish as “A
Mis ComaÑeros De Nunes”.
Childhood • Through the guidance of his
mother Jose Rizal, who was 8
Memories years old, wrote the poem.
• The striking line of the piece was
Memories of my Town Rizal’s message for the Filipino
• In this poem, Rizal expressed his youth to love and cherish the
appreciation and love for Calamba, his language they inherited from
hometown and birthplace. their ancestors.
• He wrote this poem in 1876, when he The following lines show the exact poem of Rizal which gives
was 15 years old, while studying at important message to his
childhood companions;
the Ateneo de Manila.
• Rizal wrote the piece in Spanish which
he titled “Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo”. Jose Rizal’s
• He mentioned here the lagoons,
flowers, forests, rivers and freshness
of the air in Calamba.
Childhood
Memories
My First Inspiration Rizal’s Memories of Home
• Dr. Leoncio Rizal, a nephew of Dr. • Surrounding the area of the Rizal
Jose Rizal, claimed that this piece family’s ancestral house in
was not Rizal’s composition but Calamba, were a varieties of
by his nephew Antonio. fruit bearing trees, coffee and
• Nonetheless, despite
flowers.
controversies on who wrote the
• Birds of many species visited the
piece, this poem carries Rizal’s
house, especially in the middle
lines and interests.
of the yard, where a small nipa
• In Spanish poem is called “Mi
Primera Insperacion”.
hut was built for him and his
sisters to play.
Maria Makiling Rizal’s Diary
• This work was published in La • There the delicious atis displayed its delicate fruit and
Solidaridad on December 31, lowered its branches as if to save me the
1890. trouble of reaching out for them.
• The sweet santol, the scented and yellow tampuy, the
• In this essay, Rizal gave tribute to pink makopa vied for my favor. Farther
Maria Makiling and presented away, the palm tree, the harsh but flavorful casuy, the
her mythical and helping beautiful tamarind, pleased the eye as
much as they delighted the palate.
presence in the mountain • Here the papaya stretched out its broad leaves and
named after her. tempted the birds with enormous fruit; there
the lanca, the coffee, and the orange trees perfumed the air
with aroma of their flowers.
• On this side the iba, the balimbing, the pomegranate with
Laguna
its abundant foliage and its lovely
flowers, bewitched the senses; while here and there raised
elegant and majestic tops and graceful
Lake
branches, queens of the forest. I should never end were I • As part of the Rizal family’s devotion as
write the number all our tress and Catholics, they often visit Antipolo for
amuse myself identifying them. pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary.
• The yellow culiauan, the maya, of different varieties the • On June 6, 1868, Don Francisco and the
culae, the maria capra, the martin, all the young Rizal went on a pilgrimage to fulfil the
species of pipit, joined in a pleasant concert and intoned in promise of DoÑa Teodora when Jose Rizal
varied chorus a hymn of farewell to was born.
the sun.
• Don Francisco and Jose Rizal departed on a
Rizal’s First Prayer barge and disembarked in
father and son prayed at the shrine of the
Antipolo. The

• Rizal came from a family of devoted Virgin of Antipolo.

Catholics, who regularly attended Mass • Later the two went to Manila to visit a family
and prayed in the church. member, Jose Rizal’s sister Saturnina who
• His mother surrounded him with prayers was studying in La Concordia College.
and short teachings of what the Catholic Rizal recalls in his dairy:
religion was all about. I had never gone through the lake of laguna
• Rizal grew up as a good and obedient consciously and the first time I did.
Catholic. I spent the whole night near the catig,
• DoÑa Teodora taught Rizal many Catholic admiring the grandeur of the liquid element, the
Prayers while he was three (3) years old, quietness of the night,
and when Rizal turned five (5), he started while at the same time a superstitious fear took hold
reading the Spanish family Bible through Of me when I saw water snake twined itself on the
in a difficult way. bamboo
Canes of the outriggers.
Also, Rizal stated in his diary, DoÑa With what joy I saw the sunrise; for the first time I saw
Teodora’s patience in teaching him how the luminous rays shown, producing a brilliant
how to Pray: effect on the
Raffled surface of the wide lake.
After God the mother is everything to man,
She taught me how to stammer the
humble prayers The Death of Jose Rizal’s
That I addressed fervently to God, and now
that a young man,
Sister
• Rizal was four (4) years old when he experienced his
Ah, where is that simplicity, first sorrow in the family. His young
That innocence of my early days? sister Conception or Concha, whom he used to play
with most of the time, died in 1865.
Jose Rizal’s • Rizal felt the utmost sadness, for the first time in his
life.

Memories •
When
I
Rizal

lost
I
my
expressed
was
little
four
in his
years
sister
diary:
old;
(Concha)
of Antipolo and and
then for the first time I shed my tears caused by love
and grief,
for until then I had shed them only because of my
stubbornness
that my loving and or you may get burned as
prudent mother so well knew how to correct.
it did. “I do not know whether I answered
or not....
• The story revealed to me things until
The story of the young then unknown. Moths no longer
moth and were, for me, insignificant insects. Moths
talked, they knew how to
the flame • DoÑa Teodora told Jose warn. They advised just like my mother.
Rizal The light seemed to me more
stories bearing many lessons in beautiful. It had grown more dazzling and
life. more attractive. I knew why
• Before young boy Rizal went to moths circled the flame.
bed at night, she would say these
words, “I’m going to read you a Lessons;
very pretty story; be attentive”. • The story of the moth was reflective of
Among the stories told by his Rizal’s Life, and that of his
mother, Jose Rizal’s Favorite was mother as the old moth and Rizal as the
the “Story of the Moth” that left a young moth.
permanent mark in his life. • Rizal said in his diary: “I was listening: all
• Rizal wrote in his Diary; my attention, all my mind,
One night the whole family,
except for my mother and myself, had gone to bead early; and all my thoughts were concentrated on
I do not know why,
but the two of us were left sitting by ourselves. the fate of that moth,
The candles had been put out inside the lamps with the curved tin blower.
The room was dimly lit by a coconut oil lamp. young, dead, full of illusions”.
My mother was teaching me how to read the book El Amigo de Los NiÑos.
That night my mother grew impatient listening to me reading poorly. • The mother of Rizal said otherwise, she
After scolding me for drawing funny pictures on its page,
she told me to listen and started to read aloud herself. told the young boy after
I grew tired of listening to sounds that had no meaning for me.
Instead I watched the cheerful little flame. telling him a story “Don’t imitate the young
My mother noticing that I had lost, interest, stopped reading
and told me that she be reading a very pretty story that I must listen to. moth and don’t be
On hearing the story; disobedient: you’ll get burned by it.
I at once opened my eyes wide. • Jose Rizal: Undoubtedly, was the young
It promised something new and moth burned because of his
wonderful. passion for ideas and love of country.
My mother began to read me the fable of The Child Rizal and the
the old moth
and a young moth, translating it to Tagalog Oppressed
as she went along. Filipino People • At a young age,
My attention was caught from the very Jose Rizal was
first sentence: I started at the already exposed to the
lamp and the moths circling around it.... brutalities of Spanish authorities
The story was; in the Philippines, particularly
• As she put me to bed, my mother said: the Guardia Civil who were
“See that you do not behave supposed to protect the people
like the young moth. Don’t be disobedient, from harm. Rizal wondered why
such abuses happened especially
to the poor.
Rizal related in his Diary
• Almost everyday, in our town, we saw the
Guardia Civil Lieutenant caning and injuring
unarmed and inoffensive villagers. The villager’s
only fault was that while at a distance he had not
taken off his hat and made his bow. The alcalde
treated the poor villagers in the same way
whenever he visited us.
• We saw no restraint put upon brutality, Acts of
violence and other excesses that lay committed
daily.. I asked myself if, in the lands which lay
across the lake, the people lived in this same
way. I wonder if there they tortured any
countryman with hard and cruel whips merely on
suspicion. Did they there (Spain) respect the
Home? Or even yonder also, in order to live in
peace, would one have to bribe tyrants
Ang buhay ng isang bayani

Libro - Memorias De Un Estudiante de Manila

Labing pitong taong gulang siya noong tipunin niya ang kanyang mga alaala sa librong ito.

T. Jacinto upang maging pribado ang kanyang buhay. Ngunit sa dulong bahagi ng kwento

matatagpuan ang kanyang pirma.

Ang batang si MOY MERCADO

● Si Jose Rizal ay ipinanganak noong Hulyo 19, 1861 sa pagitan ng alas onse at alas

dose ng gabi. Araw ng miyerkules mula noong siya ay isinilang at ito ay isa sa naging

dahilan upang muntik na masawi ang kanyang mahal na ina.

● Ang kanya ay si Donya Teodora Alonso ngunit ito ay mas kilala noon bilang lolay. Si

Donya Teodora ay hindi isang ordinaryong babae sapagkat mahilig ito sa literatura at

mas mahusay magsalita ng espanyol. Isa rin siyang matematika at ang kanyang ama

ay dating kinatawan sa cortes.

● Bukod sa pagiging ina at pag-aasikaso sa labing isang anak pinamahalaan niya ang

isang tindahan sa may silong ng kanilang bahay at ang kanila pang ibang negosyo.

Mula sa kanyang malakas na personalidad at pagsisikap malaki ang nagawa nito

upang mahubog ang pagkatao ng kanyang mga anak at ang pag ibig nito sa

karunungan. Ito ay kanyang tinuro na bumasa at sumulat sinanay sila sa pagdarasal

at pagtulong sa gawaing bahay at sa kanilang kabuhayan. Magmula rito naging

malapit si Rizal sa kanya at natuto ito sa maraming bagay. Ang kanyang ama naman

na si Don Francisco Mercado o mas kilala sa tawag na kikoy ay isang tahimik at

sensitibong ama sa kanyang mga anak . Siya ay mahigit apat na pung taon gulang

na mula noong isinilang si Rizal. Binigyan niya ng sapat na edukasyon ang kanyang

mga anak at mula sa kanyang pagsisikap nakapag patayo siya ng bahay na bato at

nakapag pundar ng isa pa.

● Ang magulang ni Rizal ay parehong taga Binan ngunit ang mga ito ay lumipat sa

Calamba at nangungupahan sa lupang pag aari ng mga prayleng dominiko.

● Ayon sa mga kapatid ni Rizal ito raw ay isang tahimik at mapaglarong bata. Mahilig

siyang magpinta ng mga hayop, ibon at mga bulaklak gamit lamang ang aswelte,
uling at iba pang katas ng halaman bilang pintura. Kanya ring nakahiligan ang

paghubog ng mga pigurin at busto ng mga tanyag na taong nababasa niya mula sa

kanilang mahigit isang libong mga aklat.

● Si Rizal ay siyam na taong gulang noong umalis patungong binan upang mag aral

kasama ng kanyang kuya na si Paciano.

● Ipinakilala siya ni Paciano sa kanyang guro na siya ring nagturo sa kanya noon. Sa

pamamagitan ni maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz namulat si Rizal sa istilo ng

pagtuturo noon.

● Sinubukang pagbatiin ni Donya Teodora ang kanyang kapatid na si Alberto at asawa

nito dahil bukod sa pakikiapid at nagawa pa nitong iwan ang kanyang mga anak.

Nagalit ang asawa ng kanyang kapatid at siya ay pinaratangan kasabwat nito sa

tangkang pagkalason sa kanya.

● Ang mga gwardyang sibil na nagmistulang kaibigan ng kanilang pamilya ang

dumakip kay Donya Teodora mula sa kanilang bahay. Naging malupit ang pagtrato

ng alkalde at pinilit nitong umamin si Donya Teodora kapalit ng pangakong agad

siyang papakawalan.

● Tumagal ng mahigit dalawang taon ang pagkabilanggo ni Donya Teodora.

● Magmula noong nawalan na ng tiwala si Rizal sa mga taong itinuturing nilang

kaibigan dahil sa sinapit ng kanyang ina.

Atenistang Probinsyano

● Labing isang taong gulang si Rizal noong siya ay mag enroll sa Ateneo Municipal na

nakatirik noon sa Intramuros at dito naranasan ni Rizal ang tagumpay, pait at pag

ibig ng isang estudyante sa pag aaral.

● Noong una ayaw tanggapin si Rizal dahil bukod siya ay huli na sa pagpapatala, isa

pa siyang maliit, payat at mukhang sakitin na bata.

● Naging mahirap para kay Rizal ang unang yugto ng kanyang pag aaral. Sapagkat

hirap siyang magsalita ng espanyol.

● Naging masugid itong magsimba at magbasa ng mga nobela at akdang

pangkasaysayan. Nagawa pa nitong linlangin ang kanyang ama na bumili ng aklat na

historia universal dahil kailangan ito sa klase.

● Napalaya si Donya Teodora noong nakapagtapos si Rizal sa kursong secondarya.

● Sa tulong at tiyaga ng pamatnubay ni Padre Francisco De Paula De Sanchez ang

guro ni Rizal sa Ateneo, nagawang ipatalas ni Rizal ang memorya nito sa wikang

espanyol.

● Naka Pagsulat ng mga tulang banyaga na itinanghal sa araw ng kanyang

pagtatapos.

● Nakatanggap si Rizal ng Diploma sa Bachelor En Artes at limang medalya sa edad

na labing lima.

● Nang makabalik ng Calamba inakala ng kanyang ina na tutulungan na lamang nito

ang kapatid na si Paciano sa bukid dahil sapat na para sa kanya ang mga nalalaman

ni Rizal at kapag ito ay madagdagan pa maaari itong pugutan ng ulo.

● Nanghinayang ang ama ni Rizal sa kanyang talino kaya ito ay pinag aral ng

pilosopiya sa Unibersidad ng Santo Tomas.

● Nagawa ring kumuha ni Rizal ng kursong land surveying sa Ateneo upang

mapagbigyan ang kanyang ina.

● Sa pagkaraan ng isang taon napagpasiyahan na lang ni Rizal na mag aral ng

medisina matapos mapag alamang nabubulag na ang kanyang ina.

● Natuklasan din ni Rizal ang una nitong pag ibig kay Segunda Katigbak.

● Naudlot ang suyuan mula ng pauwiin si Segunda ng kanyang ina upang alagaan ang

sanggol na kapatid.

● Marami pang mga dalagitang dumaan kay Rizal bago nito natuklasan ang pag ibig

mula sa kanyang pinsan na si Leonor Rivera.

● Isang gabi nakalimutan niyang saluduhan ang isang gwardya sibil at siya ay

nakatanggap ng mahigit na tatlong palo mula sa kanyang likuran.

● Inilapit niya ang kaso sa malacanang ngunit hindi siya pinansin.

● Nanalo ang inilahok niyang panitikan na El Concejo de los Dioses.

● Walang pumalakpak noong nalaman na isang filipino at indyo ang nanalo.

● Tinanggap ni Rizal ang hikayat ng kanyang mga kaibigan pati na rin ng kanyang tito
na Antonio Rivera na mag aral sa espanya.

● Inilihim ni Rizal at Paciano ang pag aaral nito sa Espanya.

Patungo sa liwanag ng Dunong at Daigdig

● Alas singko ng umaga naghanda si Rizal sa kanyang paglalakbay.

● Binigyan siya ni Paciano ng Tatlong daan at anim na pung piso.

● Walang kaalam alam ang kanyang mga magulang.

● Nagtungo si Rizal sa maynila, pagkatapos ay humingi ng sulat rekomendasyon kay

paterno at sa mga paring heswita.

● Naglayag siyang patungong europa noong May 2, at sa edad na dalawampu't taong

gulang.

● Noong siya ay dumako sa aden may mga nagtitinda ng malaking itlog at balat ng lion

at tigre.

● Nakita ni Rizal ang bantog na Suez Canal at ang villas ng sicily

● Dumaong ito sa Marseille at mula roon sumakay ng tren patungong Barcelona,

Spain. At namalagi ng mahigit isang buwan.

● Habang nagpapalipas oras sa pagbubukas ng mga unibersidad tinupad ni Rizal ang

pangakong magsusulat ng mga artikulo para sa Diariong Tagalog.

● Ito ang unang pahayagan na nakasulat sa tagalog at kastila na pinamamahalaan ni

Marcelo Del Pilar sa pilipinas.

● Mula sa barcelona lumipat si Rizal sa Madrid at magkasabay na nagpatala sa

kolehiyo ng medisina at pilosopiya at letras.

● Nakuha rin niya na ipagpatuloy ang hilig sa pagpipinta at pagsusulat at pag aaral ng

mga wikang europeyo.

● Nakasama ni Rizal ang mga pilipinong intelektwal na sila Graciano Lopez Jaena na

isang dating estudyante ng medisina na unti unting kinilala sa kanyang pagsusulat at

pagtatalumpati.

● Gregorio Sanciangco na may akdang “Filipinas”

● Sumapit siya sa Circulo Hispano Filipino. Ito ay isang samahan ng mga espanyol at

pilipino na nagtitipon sa isang bahay upang pag usapan ang mga bagay bagay na
may kaugnayan sa mga pilipinas.

● Si consuelo ortega ang dalagang anak ng may ari ng bahay ay niligawan ni Rizal

ngunit si eduardo poblete ang pinili nito isang kastila na ipinanganak sa pilipinas na

isang lihim na kaaway ni Rizal.

● Namatay ang circulo dahil sa kakulangan ng pondo at sa pagkalat ng politikal na

kulay ng mga matandang kastila.

● Naging daan ang circulo upang mabuksan ang liberal na kamalayan ng isip ng mga

pilipinong intelektwal sa pagkakaiba ng buhay sa konserbatibong pilipinas at

espanya kung saan napaka liberal ng pagpapalitan ng mga ideya.

● Naging napanatural ng pagpasok ng politika sa mga usapan.

● Sa isang talumpati na binigkas ni Rizal ang pagsibol ng kamalayang liberal bilang

parangal sa pagkapanalo ni Juan Luna at Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo sa isang

patimpalak sa pagpinta.

● Naging mahirap ang buhay sa calamba ng bumagsak ang presyo ng asukal sa

pamilihan kaya naging matagal ang pagpapadala ng pera kay Rizal at

napagpasyahan na lamang nitong umuwi dahil nakuha na nito ang lisensya sa

medisina.

● Ngunit napagkasunduan ng pamilya na wag pauwi si Rizal at sundin ang mungkahi

na magsanay muna sa optholmolohiya sa isang klinika sa Paris.

● Naging madalas siyang panauhin ng mga biyenan ni Juan Luna at nagpresenta itong

pautangin muna siya. At dahil sa isang pintor minsan ito ay pobre st kung minsan

naman ay parang milyonaryo.

● Naging modelo siya ni Luna sa iba nitong likha.

● Napagdesisyunan nitong magtungo sandali sa heidelberg, germany upang

magsanay pa lalo sa klinika ni auto beker at kanyang pinagbuti ang pagsasalita ng

iba pang wika.

● Sa panahong ito nagsimula sa pamamagitan ng isang sulat ang matalik na

pagkakaibigan ni Rizal at Ferdinand Blumentritt isang australian scholar.

● Ito ay kanyang pinadalhan ng isang aklat na isinulat ni Rizal.

● Ipinakilala ni blumentritt si rizal sa mga kapwa nitong ischolar mga higante ng

karunungan at siyensya.

● Si Blumentritt ay naging ama amahan, tagapayo at tagahanga ni Rizal.

● Sa panahong iyon tinatapos na ni Rizal ang Noli Me Tangere.

● Ngunit nahirapan siyang maghanap ng pondo upang maipalimbag ito sa mga

imprinta ng berlin.

● Nagpunta si Maximo Viola isang kaibigan na nakilala niya sa barcelona. Ito ay

humanga sa talino at sipag ni Rizal.

● Inabonohan ni viola ang paglilimbag sa akda ni Rizal na Noli Me Tangere.

● Nagpasya si Rizal na bumalik sa pilipinas sa kabila ng pagpigil ng lahat. Aniya “sino

ang maniniwala sa intensyon ng nobela kung hindi siya uuwi sa kanilang bayan”

Ang lakbayin patungo sa ligalig

● Noong bumalik si Rizal sa pilipinas hindi pa gaanong pinag uusapan ang Noli

Me Tangere.

● Bukod sa kaunti lamang ang nalimbag ito ay siyang sinusuri pa ng mga

paring prayle.

● Ngunit makaraan ang tatlong linggo nagkatotoo ang hinala ni Rizal.

● Ipinatawag siya ng Gobernador Heneral sa malacanang dahil sa reklamo ng

mga prayle sa kanyang nobela.

● Sinundan siya ni Tabliente Andrade at nagkasundo silang dalawa at

tinulungan siya nitong pabulaanan ang mga sinabi ng prayle.

● Hindi siya pinayagan ni Don. Francisco na pumunta sa dagupan upang

makita si leonor at ganun din naman ang ama ni leonor.

● Dahil sa mga balitang maari siyang ikulong hinikayat siya ng kanyang pamilya

na lisanin na lamang muna ang pilipinas.

● Tumigil siya sa Hongkong, Macau at Japan.

● Mahumaling si Rizal sa Japan at maging sa isang haponesa na

pinangalanang Hosesan.

● Pagkatapos sa japan siya naman ay nagtungo sa amerika mula california

hanggang new york.

● Sa inglaterra sunod na namalagi si Rizal sa tulong ng isang sulat mula kay

blumentritt nakilala niya doon si Doctor Rinofold Rox.

● Tinulungan si nitong makakuha ng permiso gumamit ng aklatan ng british

museum at doon natagpuan ni Rizal ang isang aklat tungkol sa kasaysayan

ng pilipinas na isinulat ni Antonio Morgan isang tagapayo ng gobernadora

heneral na namalagi ng isang taon sa pilipinas.

● Para kay Rizal, isang mainam na dokumento ang akda ni Morgan upang

mapabulaanan ang paratang ng mga espanyol na walang sibilisasyon sa

pilipinas bago pa man ito masakop ng mga espanyol.

● Napagpasyahan ni Rizal na muling ilimbag ang libro ni Morgan kasama ang

kanyang mga tala.

● Matiyaga niya itong sinulat ang mga dokumento at saka ipinagkumpara ito sa

iba pang dokumento tungkol sa pilipinas.

● Nang hindi tumapad si Antonio Maria Rehidor sa pangakong ipalilimbag ang

aklat nagtungo si Rizal sa Paris upang makamit ng mura sa palimbagan.

● Sa panahon ding ito naging aktibo si Rizal sa La Solidaridad.

● Ang pahayagang propagandista na inilalabas ng mga pilipino sa espanya.

● Anyaya ni Graciano Lopez Jaena ang kanyang unang editor

● Ang karaniwang tema ng mga artikulo ni Rizal ay ang pagtatanggol sa kultura

at pagkatao ng mga pilipino laban sa mga hamak na periodista ng espanyol.

● Siya ay nagsulat din sa mga karapatan na dapat tinatamasa ng mga pilipino

bilang lehitimong mamamayan sa espanya na nagbabayad ng buwis at

gumagawa ng serbisyo.

● Isa na rito ang sikat na liham sa mga babae ng malolos sa kanilang

pakikipaglaban upang bigyan ng pagkakataong makapag aral ng wikang

espanyol.

● Ipinatapon si Paciano sa Mindoro. At nang mamatay ang kanyang bayaw

pinagkaitan ng kristiyano na ito ay pinagkaitan ilibing maging ang kanyang

munting pamangkin na namatay sa sakit.

● Nagkaroon ng konting intriga si Del Pilar at Rizal tungkol sa organisasyon at

pamamalakad ng mga gawain ng mga pilipino sa madrid.

● Hinirang siyang pinunong pangdangal ng La Solidaridad.

● Noong siya ay bumalik sa espanya marami siyang ideya at pangarap para sa

mga pilipino noon na hindi niya inakalang madali niyang maipapatupad ang

mga ito.

● Sinamantala ng grupo ni Del Pilar pati ni Eduardo Poblete ang isang eleksyon

para sa pagka pinuno ng pilipino sa espanya upang hiyain siya.

● Sapagkat nanalo si Rizal ito ay kanyang namang dinamdam.

● Nabalitaan niyang magpapakasal na si Leonor Rivera sa isang inhinyerong

ingles.

● Mula sa Madrid nagtungo siya sa Biarrite. Ang isang malayang bayan sa

france.

● Pagkatapos magpunta ng France nagtungo naman ito ng Belgium upang

mailimbag ang kanyang pangalawang nobela.

● Ang kanyang kaibigan na si Ventura ang nagbigay sa kanya ng salapi upang

mailimbag ang kanyang akda.

● Ang isa niya pang kaibigan na si Jose Basa ang nagbigay sa kanya ng

pamasahe papuntang hongkong.

Dapit hapon at Dilim

● Nakapuslit sila Paciano kasama si Don. Francisco papuntang

Hongkong.

● Ngunit dinakip si Donya Teodora sa kadahilanang hindi tamang

paggamit ng kanyang apelyido.

● Mula maynila pinaglakad siya ng apat na araw papuntang Sta. Cruz,

Laguna

● Naawa ang gobernador silio at pinakawalan ang matanda at

pinahintulutan pumunta ng Hong Kong.

● Naging buong muli ang pamilya ni Rizal upang salubungin ang

bagong taon.

● Nagbukas si Rizal ng klinika at ang mga kapatid nitong babae ang

namamahala sa gawaing bahay.

● Isinulat, Inilimbag at ipinadala sa Maynila ang isang konstitusyon na

tinawag niyang “Liga Filipina”

● Na naghihikayat sa mga pilipinong tulong tulong sa mga pagbabagong

kailangan ng bayan.

● Pinahintulutan siyang bumalik ngunit walang garantiya sa kanyang

kalayaan.

● Nang siya ay ipatapon sa isang malayong bayan ng Dapitan na nasa

probinsya ngayon ng Zamboanga Del Norte.

● Tumira kasama ng isang kumendante at ang kanyang may bahay at

tumaya sila sa lutria para magkabahay at nang manalo pinaghatian

nila ang premyo. Dahil dito nakabili si Rizal ng isang lupa sa talisay

sa halagang labing walong piso.

● Isang kubo lamang ito noong una at nang tumagal nagtayo siya ng

isang klinika at nagtatag ng isang eskwelahan.

● Europeo ang istilo ng pag aaral

● Nagpalitan sila ng kuro-kuro ni Blumentritt sa wikang tagalog.

● Tumira ang kanyang ina sa kanya at ang ilang kapatid na babae.

● Dumating si Josephine Bracket sinamahan ang kanyang ama sa

klinika

● Nahulog ang loob ng dalawa sa isa’t isa at sa dalampasigan inihayag

ni Rizal ang pag ibig sa kanya.

● Sinunod niya ang payo ni Blumentritt na magvoluteer bilang

manggagamot sa cuba sa ngalan ng espanya upang mawakasan ang

kanyang pagkakatapon at makabalik sa kalayaan ng europa.

● Malayo na siya sa pilipinas ng pabalikin dahil sa pasya upang

humarap sa korte sa pagbuo ng rebelion.

● Ipiniit siya sa Fort Santiago, nung mga unang araw ng nobyembre.

● Nilitis siya noong ika dalawangput anim ng disyembre pagkaraan ng

tatlong araw ipinasa sa kanya ang hatol ng kamatayan.

● Unang dumalaw sa kanya ang kanyang ina sunod ang mga kapatid na

babae at inihabilin ang mga natitira niyang gamit.

● Ibinigay niya kay trining ang lampara at ibinulong dito na “there is

something inside” at doon nito isiniksik ang kanyang huling tula.

● Inilibing ito ng lihim sa sementeryo ng Paco. Walang kabaong, walang

pangalan.