"The Journey Into Light": "From Rizal's First Journey To Europe Up To His First Homecoming" 1882 - 1887
"The Journey Into Light": "From Rizal's First Journey To Europe Up To His First Homecoming" 1882 - 1887
"The Journey Into Light": "From Rizal's First Journey To Europe Up To His First Homecoming" 1882 - 1887
• November 20, 21, and 22, 1884- the serene city of Madrid
exploded in bloody riots by the students of theCentral
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”