Our Lady of the Pillar College-San Manuel, Inc.

District 3, San Manuel, Isabela

College Department
School Year 2020-2021

Module
The Life and Works of Jose Rizal

Prepared by:

DIVINE GRACE S. TIRIA, RL

Subject Instructor
divineclarence1322@gmail.com
09266016313

PRE-ASSESSMENT:_____________________________________________________________________________

Let’s find out how much you already know about this module. Encircle the letter that you think best answers the questions. Please
answer all the items.

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1. Rizal took his first formal education in the school managed by Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz. In what town of Laguna
was the school located?
a. Calamba
b. Sta. Rosa
c. Binan
d. San Pedro

2. She is an Irish girl of sweet eighteen, “slender, a chestnut blond, with blue eyes, dressed with elegant simplicity, with an
atmosphere of light gayety.”
a. Josephine Bracken
b. Nellie Boustead
c. Gertrude Becket
d. Petite Suzanne Jacoby

3. Rizal accompanied by Paciano went to Manila.

a. June 16, 1875
b. Juni 19, 1873
c. June 21, 1874
d. June 10, 1872

4. In 1884, Rizal delivered a speech in honor of two Filipinos who won the first and second prizes in the National
Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid, Spain. These artists were:
a. Juan Luna and Manuel Hidalgo
b. Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo
c. Antonio Luna and Manuel Hidalgo
d. Antonio Luna and Felix Hidalgo

5. Calamba’s gobernadorcillo, help arrest Doña Teodora.

a. Antonio Vivencio del Rosario
b. Primo De Vera
c. Antonio Morga
d. Ferdinand Blumentritt

6. A great educator and scholar, one of Rizal’s professors who inspired him to study harder and to write poetry.
a. Father Magin Ferrando
b. Padre Francisco de Paula Sanchez-
c. Father Jose Vilaclara
d. Father Lleonart

7. Rizal finally reached his destination—Barcelona.

a. June 16, 1882-
b. June 18, 1882
c. June 20, 1882
d. June 22, 1882
8. Rizal enrolled in the Universidad Central de Madrid (Central University of Madrid) in two courses . What are these two
courses.
a. Medicine and Law
b. Law and Foeign Langguage
c. Fine Arts and Foreign Langguage
d. Medicine and Philosophy and Letters

9. A young Spanish lieutenant assigned by Governor General Terrero to posed as bodyguard of Rizal.
a. Don Jose Rivero de Andrade
b. Don Juan Garcia de Andrade
c. Don Jose Santos de Andrade
d. Don Jose Taviel de Andrade

10. One of Rizal’s important letters written while he was in Germany that addressed to his sister.
a. Trinidad
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 b.Saturnina
c.Olimpia
c.Maria

Rizal’s Early Eucation in Calamba and Biñan

The Hero’s Fisrt Teacher

 Doña Teodora

Private Tutors of Rizal

 Maestro Celestino
 Maestro Lucas Padua
 Maestro Leon Monroy

Rizal’s Uncle

 Gregorio
 Manuel
 Jose
Rizal in Biñan

 June 1869- Jose goes to Biñan

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  Carromata-mode of transportation
 Don Leon Monroy- Rizal’s tutor. Instructed him in Spanish and Latin.
 Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz- Rizal’s teacher in a private school in Biñan.
(thin, long-necked, with a sharp nose and a body slightly bent forward)
 Pedro- the teacher’s son which Rizal challenged to a fight.
 Juancho-an old painter.
 Jose Guevara- Rizal’s classmate who also loved painting.

Daily Life in Biñan

 Studied his lesson

 Mass at 4 am
 Class ended at 10 am and went home at once
 Went to school at 2 pm and came out a 5 pm.
Rizal as the Best Student in School
 He beat all Biñan boys
 Some of his classmates were jealous to him

End of Rizal’s Biñan Schooling

 Christmas in 1870-Rizal received a letter from his sister Saturnina
 December 17, 1870- Rizal left Biñan
 Arturo Camps- a Frenchman friend of Rizal’s father

Activity No.1 # Throwback

Can you still recall your:

Sections in Name of your

Favorite teacher/s Best friend First ever award
elementary advisers

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________
Sections in elementary
_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

___________________________________________

____________________________________________

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Name of your advisers
 ____________________________________________

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

______________________________________________
Favorite teacher/s
______________________________________________

______________________________________________

_______________________________________________
Best friend

First ever award

_________________________________________________

The Impact of the Martyrdom of GOMBURZA in Rizal’s life

 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.
 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.
 Francisco de Marcaida and Manuel Marzan- the most famous lawyers of Manila that defend Doña Teodora.

Activity No.2
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  Paste a photo of your childhood and recall a memory that makes you look like Rizal.

 What are the impact/s of the Execution of GOMBURZA in Rizal’s Life?

1. _______________________________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________________________________

Rizal’s Higher Education

Higher Education: Ateneo de Manila (1872-1877)

 Ateneo de Manila- formerly known as Escuela Pia.

-a college under the supervision of the Spanish Jesuits.
 June 10, 1872- Rizal enrolled in Ateneo de Manila.
 Father Magin Ferrando- was the college registrar, refused to admit Rizal in Ateneo.
 Manuel Xerez Burgos-because of his intercession, nephew of Father Burgos, Rizal was reluctantly admitted at the
Ateneo.

JESUIT SYSTEM OF EDUCATION

-more advance than other colleges during that period.
-students were divided into two groups:
 Roman Empire
 Carthaginian Empire

FIRST YEAR IN ATENEO (1872-1873)

 Father Jose Bech- Rizal’s first professor in Ateneo

 A Religious picture- Rizal’s first prize for being the brightest pupil in the whole class.
 Rizal took private lessons in Santa Isabel College.
 He placed second at the end of the year.
 In his summer vacation, he visited his mother at Santa Cruz.

SECOND YEAR IN ATENEO (1873-1874)

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He developed an interest in reading over the summer vacation.

 The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas

 Universal History by Cesar Cantu
 Travel in the Philippines by Dr. Feodor Jagor
At the end of the school year, Rizal received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold medal

THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1874-1875)

-Rizal grades remained excellent in all subjects but he won only one medal—in Latin
- Rizal returned to Calamba for the summer vacation.
FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO (1875-1876)

 June 16, 1875- Rizal became an interno in the Ateneo

 Padre Francisco de Paula Sanchez- Rizal’s favorite teacher.
 He won five medals

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
 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 anecdote 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)

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-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
2. Alianza Intima Entre la Religion y la Buena Educacion (Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good
Education)
3. Por la Educacion Recibe Lustre la Patria (Through Education the Country Receives Light)
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)
5. La Entrada Triunfal de los Reyes Catolices en Granada (The Triumphal Entry of the Catholic Monarchs into
Granada

-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)
2.Colon y Juan II (Columbus and John II
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)

 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

 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”

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 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 Feast 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 who’s 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

 the Dominican professors were hostile to him

 the Filipino students were racially discriminated against by the Spaniards
 the method of instruction was obsolete and repressive
Activity No. 3
Make two columns. In the first column, create a timeline from Rizal’s Childhood to Higher Education and in
the second column is your timeline. Below is an example.

RIZAL’S TIMELINE MY TIMELINE

Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Y Alonso Realonda Juan Dela Cruz

1861 1994
- Rizal is born in the town of Calamba, Laguna, the - I was born in our humble town District 3, San
seventh child of Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Manuel, Isabela.
Alonso y Quintos.

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1882.... 2022....

Lesson 2: Rizal’s Life in Europe

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

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 • 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

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-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
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• 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 proofreader 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
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• 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)

-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

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• 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

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

15
• 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 16
• 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
16
• 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.

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)

17
 -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 18
• 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
18
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 19
• 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)
19
• 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

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• 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 20 -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

Lesson 3: Rizal’ Personal Struggle on Marriage and Relationship

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

• 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.”

• 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
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-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

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*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

Activity No.5 “Jumbled Letters”. Fixed the following rumbled letters to identify Rizal’s Women.

1. NEOJHIPES- _____________________________________
2. LLNEIE- ______________________________________
3. TETIPE-___________________________________________
4. LIAUJ-________________________________________
5. IKOES-________________________________________
6. DETRUREG-____________________________________
7. SUNOCELO-____________________________________
8. NICJATA_______________________________________
9. ZUENORVALEOLENLA-___________________________
10. VENORRIRALEO-________________________________

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POST-ASSESSMENT____________________________________________________________________________
It is now time to evaluate your learning. Encircle the letter that you think best answers the questions.
1. Secretary of the Spanish Legation, who visited Rizal at his hotel who latter invited him to live at the Spanish
Legation.
a. Basilio Teodoro Mora
b. Juan Perez Caballero
c. Maximo Vio;a
d. Arturo Camps

2. Rizal’s classmate who also loved painting, became apprentices of the old painter.
a. Jose Guevara
b. Arturo Camps
c. Andres Salandan
d. Pedro
3. A poem written by Rizal dedicated to the industrious folks of Lipa.
a. Himno Al Trabajo (Hymn to Labor)
b. A La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth)
c. Mi Ultimo Adios
d. None of the above

4. Graciano Lopez Jaena founded the patriotic newspaper called La Solidaridad in Barcelona.
a. February 11, 1885
b. February 13, 1887
c. February 15, 1889
d. February 21, 1889

5. Noli was finally finished and ready for printing.

a. February 2, 1887
b. February 11, 1887
c. February 17, 1887
d. February 21, 1887
6. M.H. del Pilar wrote to Rizal begging forgiveness for any resentment and requesting Rizal to resume writing
for the La Solidaridad.
a. August 7, 1891
b. August 8, 1891
c. August 15, 1892
d. August 18,1892
7. Rizal found her to be a real Filipina, highly intelligent, vivacious in temperament, and morally upright
a. Nellie
b. Josephine
c. Leonor
d. Consuelo

8. Editor of Trubner’s Record, a journal devoted to Asian studies, request Rizal to contribute some articles.
a. Dr Reinhold Rost
b. Tetcho Suehiro
c. Basilio Teodoro Mora
d. Maximo Viola
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 9. 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.”
a. “Ingratitudes”
b. “Una Profanacion”
c. “Crueldad”
d. “Diferencias’’

10. A college under the supervision of the Spanish Jesuits.

a. Ateneo Municipal
b. Unibersidad de Santo Tomas
c. De Lasalle
d. None of the above

References:
De Viana, Augusto V. et al., Jose Rizal: Social reformer and patriot, Manila: Rex Book Store, 2018

Zaide, Gregorio F and Zaide, Sonia M., Jose Rizal: Buhay, mga ginawa at mga sinulat ng isang henyo, manunulat,
siyentipiko, at pambansang bayani, Quezon City: SMZ Publishing, 2017

Zaide, Gregorio F and Zaide, Sonia M., Jose Rizal: life, works and writings of a genius, writer, scientist and national
hero, Quezon City: All Nations Publishing Co., Inc., 2008
https://www.academia.edu/26954145/DR_JOSE_PROTACIO_MERCADO_RIZAL_ALONZO_Y_REALONDA_M
EANINGS_OF_NAME

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