Week 7 and 8 Transcript

WEEK 7 AND 8 TRANSCRIPT
The module provides a detailed account of José Rizal's life and experiences, especially during
his time in Europe, highlighting his development as a reformist, writer, and nationalist. Below
is a more comprehensive summary:
1. Rizal’s Early Travels
José Rizal, known as the "Most Travelled Filipino Hero," embarked on a secret trip to Spain in
May 1882 at the age of 20, to pursue his medical studies at the Universidad Central de Madrid.
Only a few family members and close friends knew of his departure. He left under the
pseudonym José Mercado to avoid detection by Spanish authorities. His travels began on the
ship Salvadora, where he observed his fellow travelers and drew comparisons between the
Philippines and the places he visited. His first stop was Singapore, where he admired the
British colonial administration and the city’s development, in contrast to the Philippines’
oppressive Spanish rule.
From Singapore, Rizal transferred to the French ship Djemnah, which took him to several
ports, including Colombo in Sri Lanka, Aden in Yemen, and eventually Europe. He visited the
Suez Canal, Naples, and finally reached Barcelona, Spain. Initially, he found Barcelona to be
gloomy and unwelcoming, but later appreciated its liberal and progressive atmosphere.
2. Education and Life in Madrid
In November 1882, Rizal enrolled in both Medicine and Philosophy and Letters at the
Universidad Central de Madrid. His intellectual curiosity led him to take additional courses in
languages, painting, sculpture, and fencing. Despite limited finances, Rizal lived frugally,
prioritizing education over luxury, and spent much of his free time in libraries and attending
cultural events.
While in Madrid, Rizal became involved with Filipino expatriates and reformist groups, notably
the Circulo Hispano-Filipino, where he wrote the poem Me Piden Versos (You Ask Me for
Verses). His interactions with fellow Filipinos and liberal Spaniards shaped his political ideas,
which focused on peaceful reforms for the Philippines under Spanish rule.
3. Romantic Encounters
Rizal had a brief romantic involvement with Consuelo Ortiga y Rey, the daughter of a Spanish
liberal, Don Pablo Ortiga. Although he was attracted to her, he decided not to pursue the
relationship further out of loyalty to his fiancée, Leonor Rivera, and out of respect for his friend,
Eduardo de Lete, who was also in love with Consuelo.
4. Entry into Freemasonry
In Madrid, Rizal became involved in Freemasonry, an organization that promoted liberal and
rational ideals and opposed the influence of the Catholic Church in politics. Rizal joined the
Acacia Lodge in 1883, adopting the Masonic name Dimasalang. His involvement in
Freemasonry strengthened his advocacy for reform and rationality, though it distanced him
from religious practices. He later advanced to the rank of Master Mason at the Lodge
Solidaridad in 1890 and Le Grand Orient in France in 1892.
5. Rizal’s Influence Through Literature
Rizal’s time in Europe was marked by an insatiable hunger for knowledge. He collected books
and immersed himself in various disciplines, ranging from history and literature to medicine.
Works such as Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Eugene Sue’s The Wandering
Jew greatly influenced him and later shaped his own novels, Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo. These novels were scathing critiques of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines,
particularly the abuses of the friars, and were banned by the authorities upon entering the
Philippines.
6. Role in the Propaganda Movement
The module discusses Rizal’s significant role in the Propaganda Movement, a campaign by
Filipino expatriates to advocate for peaceful reforms in the Philippines. Rizal and other
prominent reformists like Marcelo H. del Pilar and Graciano López Jaena contributed to the
movement through writings published in La Solidaridad, a reformist newspaper. Rizal’s
essays, often written under the pen names Laong Laan and Dimasalang, critiqued the friars
and highlighted the injustices in the Philippines. The Propaganda Movement sought reforms
such as representation in the Spanish Cortes, secularization of the clergy, and equal rights for
Filipinos.
Despite the movement’s intellectual vigor, it failed to achieve its objectives due to internal
divisions, financial constraints, and Spain’s refusal to implement meaningful reforms.
However, it laid the groundwork for future revolutionary movements.
7. The Founding of La Liga Filipina
In 1892, Rizal returned to the Philippines and established La Liga Filipina, a progressive
organization aimed at fostering unity among Filipinos and supporting reforms through peaceful
means. The organization sought to promote mutual protection, economic development, and
social reforms, with a strong emphasis on education, agriculture, and commerce. However,
Rizal’s arrest and exile to Dapitan shortly after his return led to the Liga’s dissolution. Some of
its members, including Andrés Bonifacio, later formed the Katipunan, a revolutionary group
that sought independence from Spain.
8. Failure of the Propaganda Movement
The module highlights the eventual failure of the Propaganda Movement. Despite its
intellectual efforts, Spain was too preoccupied with internal issues, and the friars, who held
significant power, resisted any calls for reform. The movement was also plagued by internal
conflicts and financial difficulties, which weakened its impact. Additionally, the lack of unity
among its leaders and the absence of a strong, charismatic figure other than Rizal further
contributed to its downfall. Nevertheless, the movement played a crucial role in awakening
Filipino nationalism and sowing the seeds for the Philippine Revolution.
Conclusion
The module provides a comprehensive overview of how Rizal’s experiences in Europe shaped
his political ideals and reformist vision. His education, travels, and exposure to liberal ideas
led him to advocate for peaceful reforms in the Philippines. While the Propaganda Movement
ultimately failed to achieve its goals, it played a key role in raising awareness of Filipino
nationalism and set the stage for the more radical movements that would follow, such as the
Katipunan and the Philippine Revolution.

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WEEK 7 AND 8 TRANSCRIPT

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