Chapter 4: Rizal’s Life: Higher Education and Life Abroad

AT ATENEO DE MANILA
Ateneo was known to be the most prestigious college for boys because of its great teachings. From 1872 -1877,
under the supervision of the Jesuit priests Rizal studied in Ateneo de Manila. Rizal went to Ateneo Municipal, formerly
known as Escuela Pia. In search for Rizal’s formal knowledge as a high school student, his father wanted to send Rizal to
Letran but decided to have him enrolled at the latter instead.
Rizal took first the entrance examination at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran on June 10, 1872. His brother,
Paciano, accompanied him when he took the exam. The exams for incoming freshmen in the different colleges for boys
were administered or held at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran since the Dominicans exercised the power of inspection and
regulation over Ateneo that time. After passing the exam, Rizal was admitted at the Ateneo Municipal.
Although Rizal qualified in the entrance examination, Father Magin Ferrand, who was then the College Registrar,
refused Rizal’s admission in the institution for two reasons: first, Rizal was a late registrant and second, he was very pale,
thin and undersized for an 11-year old. But, with the help of Manuel Burgos he was accepted in the institution. Jose was not
able to use Mercado as his surname when he enrolled at Ateneo.
He was registered as Jose Rizal because his real surname had rung a bell to the ears of the authorities- this was
because of Paciano’s relation with one of the leaders of the secularization movement, Father Burgos. At that time, Ateneo
was offering a six- year program that gives students the academic title of Bachiller en Artes. This program exposed students
to five subjects: Christian doctrine; Languages of Spanish, Latin, Greek and French; History and Geography (World History
and Geography and History of Spain and the Philippines; Mathematics and Sciences (geometry, trigonometry, mineralogy,
chemistry, physics, botany and zoology); and the Classic disciplines (poetry, rhetoric, and philosophy).
Ateneo, as a prestigious school, offered the best secondary education for boys that enhances the character of their
students through strict religious instruction and discipline. Before the classes start, the students must first hear masses
and end with prayers.
To encourage the spirit of competition among students in academics, with the help of Atenean teachers, the school
proposed a program of dividing the class into two competing groups (empires): the Roman Empire composed of boarding
students at Ateneo and the Carthaginian Empire composed of non-boarding students. Both groups have ranks and
classifications and they competed through question and answers. When banners are raised, it means victory for the
group; there is defeat if banners are lowered.
Rizal’s first professor was Father Jose Bech. At first, Rizal was left behind among his classmates but he knew the
severity of his studies, so he organized and seriously observed himself a timetable to manage his studies. He excelled as the
emperor in his class, a title given to the most intelligent in the class. The method of instruction used at Ateneo was the ration
studiorum, a system of indoctrination under tight and constant discipline but with reward.
It applies memorization and understanding of the concepts taught in class. At that time, the Atenean education had
one goal: Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (or For the Greater Glory of God). A student’s life was centered on the chapel,
considered as the highest level of extra-curricular activity. Rizal was able to pass his oral examination on March 14,1877.
He finished with the degree, Bachiller en Artes, with the highest academic honors. Looking at
Rizal’s scholastic records, it is evident that he excelled in his academic studies during the entire time that he
was studying at Ateneo. Racial pride, monastic discipline and seclusion of boarding school life were the factors that gave
Rizal the motivation to outshine his classmates.
Note that in doing so, he wanted to prove to his Spanish classmates that a Filipino student can compete and beat
them academically. The competition inside the classroom was an opportunity to outdo his classmates in the daily activities
designed to test the student’s memory and understanding of their lessons in the different curriculum. For Rizal, being in a
boarding school was effective as it gave him more time to focus on his studies.
Aside from academics, Rizal was also active in extra-curricular activities. He became a member of Marian
Congregation and an officer in the religious confraternities at Ateneo. This position is only offered to students who
consistently possessed the highest degree of scholarship and leadership. There, he was mentored by Father Pablo Pastells,
S.J. He was also a member of two academic societies: Academy of Spanish
Literature and the Academy of Natural Sciences, both were considered elite organizations for students
who excelled in literature and the sciences.
Poems composed in Ateneo Municipal de Manila
1874
1. My first Inspiration – dedicate to his mother
1875
1. Felicitation
 2. The Departure/The Embarkation, A Hymn to Ferdinand Magellan’s Fleet (El Embarque: Himno A La Flota De
Magallanes, 1875): Hymn to Magellan’s Fleet.
3. And He is Spanish: El Cano, the first to Circumnavigate the World
4. ‘The Battle: Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo
These poems were written through the encouragement of Fr. Sanchez
1876
Poems Jose Rizal written this year was on different topics – religion, war, childhood memories and education.
1. In Memory of My Town – a poem in honor of Calamba, the hero’s birthplace
2. Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education
3. Through Education the Country Receives Light
4. The Captivity and the Triumph: Battle of Lucena and the Imprisonement of Boabdil – This martial poem conjured
up the defeat and capture of Boabdil, the last Moorish Sultan of Granda.
5. The Triumphal Entry of the Catholic Monarchs into Granda – a description of the victorious entry of King Ferdinand
and Queen Isabel into Granda
1877
Rizal’s Final Year in Ateneo, Poems written were the following:
1. The heroism of Columbus – A poem of praise to Columbus, the discover of America.
2. Columbus and John II – this poem relates how king John II of Portugal lost fame and riches by his failure to finance
the projected expedition of Columbus to the New World
3. Great Solace in Great Misfortune – a description of the tragic life of Columbus
4. A Farewell Dialogue of the Students – the last poem Jose Rizal wrote in Ateneo
Rizal and Francisco de Paula Sanchez
•Father Pastells, aside from his personal efforts to persuade Rizal to discard his “errors of religion”, instructed
two (2) Jesuits in Mindanao- Father Obach and Father Jose Viclara to try their best to bring back Rizal within
the Catholic fold.
•Rizal’s favorite teacher in Ateneo De Manila
•Furthermore, he assigned Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez.
•Father Sanchez was the only Spanish priest to defend Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere in public.
•They argued theologically in a friendly manner but all the efforts of Sanchez were in vain.
•Fr. Sanchez enjoyed the latter’s company and he even assisted Rizal in beautifying the town plaza
•On his birthday, Rizal gave him a precious birthday gift- a manuscript entitled Estudios sobre la lengua Tagala
(Studies on the Tagalog Language)
Idyllic Life in Dapitan
•in Dapitan, Rizal had an exemplary life, idyllic in serenity.
•August, 1893, members of his family took turns in visiting him in order to assuage his loneliness in the isolated
outpost of Spanish power in the Moro land.
•Among his family members who visited Rizal were:
-his mother
-his sisters Trinidad, Maria and Narcisa
-Nephews Teodosio, Estanislao, Mauricio and Prudencio
•Rizal built a house by the seashore of Talisay surrounded by fruit trees, a school for boys, and a hospital for his
patients.
•December 19, 1893 Rizal wrote to Blumentritt for describing his life in Dapitan

STA. ISABEL COLLEGE

Rizal took private lessons in Santa Isabel College to be proficient in Spanish and develop his skills in poetry writing
more. But before he took up lessons, he was guided by Father Francisco Paula de Sanchez in developing his skills in poetry.
Through his poetry he was able to finish poems about religion, education, and childhood experiences. It also
gave him the opportunity to develop more mature emotions, patriotic sentiments and exquisite sensitivity.
Rizal did not waste any time to learn new things during his time. On his vacant time, Rizal took painting lessons
from Agustin Saez and sculpture lessons from Teodoro Romualdo de Jesus to enhance his interest in arts. As a result, he
was able to sculpt the image of the Virgin Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Father Jose Villaclara, S.J.encouraged him
to pay attention also to the sciences and philosophy.
LITERATURE FOR RIZAL
 The first poem that Rizal wrote as a student was entitled Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration). This poem
was dedicated to his mother during her birthday, but according to some, this was a work of his cousin.
My First Inspiration
Why do the scented flowers in fragrant fray
Rival each other’s flower this festive day?

Why is the sweet melody bruited in the sylvan dale,

Harmony sweet and fluted like the nightingale?

Why do the birds sing so in the tender grass,

Flitting from bough to bough with winds that pass?

And why does the crystal spring run among the flowers
While lullaby zephyrs sing like its crystal showers?

I see the dawn in the East with the beauty endowed

Why goes she to a feast in a carmine cloud?

Sweet mother, they celebrate your natal day

The rose with her scent innate, the bird with his lay.

The murmurous spring this day without alloy.

Murmuring bids you always to live in joy.

While the crystalline murmurs glisten, hear you the accents strong
Struck from my lyre, listen! To my love’s first song.

When he was a student at Ateneo, he wrote another poem entitled Un Recuerdo de Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My
Town). Written in 1876, this poem was his way of giving tribute to his hometown, Calamba. The content of the poem
shows how Rizal appreciates the beauty of his place, which made him love nature and to strengthen his faith and beliefs in
God.

In Memory of My Town

When I recall the days, that my boyhood saw

By the green banks of a murmuring lagoon;
When I recall the murmur of the wind
That sweetly amused by brow with delicious freshness;

I recall, sadly recall your countenance, infancy precious

That a loving mother Oh! Succeeded in embellishing
I recall a simple town, my contentment, happiness and cradle, by the fresh lagoon, seat
my love.

The Creator I saw in the grandeur of your secular forests;

Sorrows on your bosom, never did I come to know;
While at your blue sky I gazed, neither love nor tenderness
Did I lack, for in Nature my pleasure depended.

Tender childhood, beautiful town, rich fountain of happiness

Of harmonious melodies that banish sorrows!
Return to my heart, return my gentle hours
Return as the birds return when flowers are in bloom!

But alas! Adieu! Eternally keep vigil over your peace, joy and
Repose, Genie of goodness who kindly his gifts presents with love;
 For you my fervent wishes, for you my constant yearning
To learn and to heaven I pray that you your candor keep!

The exposure of Rizal into the Atenean system of education became his way to write more poems on religion and
education. Among the notable poems were: Al Niño Jesus (To the Child Jesus) as Rizal’s expression of his devotion to
Catholicism; La Alianza Intima Entre Religion y La Buena Educacion (The Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good
Education); and Por La Educacion Recibe Lustre la Patria (Through Education The Country Receives Light) that shows
Rizal’s various ideas on education. From this, Rizal likened education to a lighthouse — that it can guide people in their
behaviors and actions. Rizal even quoted the good effects that a country and its people can learn from an excellent and wise
education. He believes that through education, the country could bear a group of educated youth who can guide them towards
progress.
AT UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS
After completion of Bachiller en Artes at Ateneo, Rizal was admitted to higher studies at a university. Doña Teodora
was against Rizal’s decision to pursue a higher education because of her fear of what might happen to her son due to the
martyrdom of Gomburza. However, Don Francisco sent Rizal to UST, the Dominican University of the Philippines.
At the beginning, Rizal was not sure of what course to take after graduation. His former mentors in Ateneo suggested
priesthood or farming, but Rizal considered taking up literature, law or medicine. Paciano, his brother discouraged him to
take law, saying that Rizal will not be able to practice it later on because of the political conditions in the country that time.
Rizal was 16 years old when he began his freshman year at UST. He enrolled under the Faculty of Philosophy and
Letters, Major in Philosophy. This was the course that his father wanted him to pursue, but then it turned out that he took
up courses in Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy and History of Philosophy.
He also took up surveying course at Ateneo. Once again, he excelled in the said course while underage. But
because of this, he could not practice the surveyor’s profession yet. Instead, Rizal was presented the title on
November 25, 1881 for his excellency. After his first year, Rizal changed his course from Philosophy and Letters to
Medicine. Rizal believed that he should finish medicine so that he could cure his sick mother who had an eyesight failure.
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AT UST
Rizal’s performance in UST was not as good as his accomplishment in Ateneo, where he excelled in all his subjects.
On the contrary, some of Rizal’s grades in UST were still excellent but he had lower grades in other subjects. This might
have been because Rizal was not actually happy while in UST . Three contributing factors explain this: The attitude of
Dominican professors towards Rizal; there was racial discrimination against Filipino students; and he was disgusted at the
primitive method used in UST.
It was manifested in Rizal’s scholastic records that he was not into a medical course. Most of his grades in his
medical subjects were generally average, his real vocation was really in the arts. Rizal’s not-so-good performance can also
be attributed to a number of distractions he experienced as a youth in Manila, specifically his interest in women when he
was a UST student.
The first woman he was into was Segundina Katigbak of Batangas, whom he frequently visited in her boarding
house. But when Rizal learned that she was getting married, he turned his eyes on other women. At that time, he was courting
both Leonor (Orang) Valenzuela and Leonor Rivera. Upon learning that Orang was already engaged with another man, Rizal
focused on courting Leonor Rivera, his first cousin.
From these, we could tell that Rizal became very busy with other things, a reason why he had less time for studies.
He also joined gang fights, attended parties and even did cutting classes.

LIBERALISM AND LITERARY WORKS AS A UNIVERSITY STUDENT

Liberal ideas were significantly introduced in Manila owing to the culmination of the Spanish Civil Wars, opening
of Suez Canal and the availability of the Philippines to world trade. Filipino students were heavily influenced by the entry
of these ideas and were exposed to the significant revolutions of 19th century in the country such as: revolution
against monasticism; human reason against the comforting certitudes of the catechism; and race and nation against
inequality and subjection.
To support the production of literary works in Manila, the Liceo Artistico Literario de Manila, an organization of
art lovers in the city, initiated regular competitions in literary writing. Rizal joined the contests to prove that the
Filipinos can be equal and even surpass the Spaniards in literary prowess. Sponsored by the association in 1879 and 1880,
his works, A La Juventud Filipina (To The Filipino Youth) and El Consejo delos Dioses (The Council of the Gods)
were recognized as the best entry in the competition.
A LA JUVENTUD FILIPINA
 This literary work is considered as one of the best work of Rizal. The English translation of this poem is seen on
the next page, which Rizal wrote when he was 18. Rizal expressed that he wanted to contribute to Spanish-Philippine society,
but instead of being famous to have the prize for excellence in the arts, it was rejected.
To The Filipino Youth
Theme: “Grow, O Timid Flower”

Lift up your radiant brow,

This day, Youth of my native strand!
Your abounding talents show
Resplendently and grand,
Fair hope of my motherland!

Soar high, oh genius great

And with noble thoughts fill their mind;
The honor’s glorious seat,
May their virgin mind fly and find
More rapidly than the wind

Descend with the pleasing light

Of the arts and sciences to the plain,
Oh Youth, and break forthright
The links of the heavy chain
That your poetic genius enchain.

See that in the ardent zone,

The Spaniard, where shadow stand,
Doth offer a shining crown,
With wise and merciful hand
To the son of this Indian land.

You who heavenward rise

On wings of your rich fantasy
Seek in the Olympian skies
The tenderest poesy,
More sweet than divine honey;

You of heavenly harmony,

On a calm unperturbed night,
Philomel’s match in melody,
That in varied symphony Dissipate man’s sorrow’s blight;

You, at the impulse of your mind

The hard rock animate
And your mind with the great pow’r consigned
Transforms into immortal state
The pure mem’ry of genius great;

And you, who with magic brush

On canvas plain capture
The varied charm of Phoebus,
Loved by the divine Apelles
And the mantle of Nature;

Run! For genius’ sacred flame

Awaits the artist’s crowning
Spreading far and wide the fame
 Throughout the sphere proclaiming
With trumpet the mortal’s name.

Oh, joyful, joyful day,

For you fair Philippines!
The Almighty blessed be
Who, with loving eagerness
Sends you luck and happiness

This poem won the grand prize in the contest wherein Rizal received a silver quill for sharing his talent in poetry.
A La Juventud Filipina was considered a great work in Philippine literature for the following reasons: one, the Spanish
authorities noticed that it was the first best poem in Spanish written by a Filipino; and two, it showed that the Filipinos were
the fair hope of the motherland — a nationalistic concept that portrayed Rizal’s love for the country. In his piece, he clearly
mentioned that Philippines is his motherland, Mi Patria.
However, the Spanish authorities did not see the political involvement of the poem. In the poem Spain was
considered to be the Patria but, contrary to what was written, Rizal used the term to mean the Philippines. Rizal, for that
reason was the first Filipino to call the country his motherland. He also pointed out in his poem the role of
the youth in nation-building.
In the poem, he stated that the youth is, “THE FAIR HOPE OF THE MOTHERLAND” (La Bella
Esperanza de la Patria Mia). He challenges the youth of his day to practice three things: to enhance their talents
in the arts; to develop their knowledge of the sciences; and to not be afraid of the future and remove the chain of
bondage.
EL CONSEJO DE LOS DIOS
This is one of Rizal’s entry in the literary contest of 1880. The poem was announced as the best entry in the
competition that year. However, the jury knew that its author was a Filipino so they decided to confer the grand prize to a
Spaniard. Even though Rizal did not receive the best award, he had proven that Filipinos can compete with other races in a
fair play irrespective of the superiority of the Spaniards.
JUNTO AL PASIG
At the request of the Jesuits, Rizal wrote a one-act play and was staged at Ateneo in celebration of the Feast
Day of Immaculate Conception on December 8. The play was essentially considered as continuation of Rizal’s appeal to
the Filipino youth to rebuke foreign individuals for causing them misery.
A FILIPINAS
In February 1880, Rizal wrote a sonnet dedicated to the Philippines that aimed at encouraging Filipino artists to
thank the country through their art works. This is the most passionate poem about the Philippines written by Rizal.
To the Philippines
Warm and beautiful like a houri from heaven,
Gracious and pure like the rising dawn
When it colors the sapphire clouds,
There sleeps a goddess of the Indian soil.
The light foam of the sonorous sea
Kisses her feet with a lover’s desire;
The civilized West adores her smile,
And the white Pole her flowered veil.
My muse, stuttering with tenderness,
Sings to her among the naiads and undines;
I offer her my happiness and fortune.
With green myrtle and purple roses
And Madonna lilies crown her pure brow,
O artists, and sing the praises of the Philippines!
It can be deducted from Rizal’s work that he is grateful to God for all his experiences of the
scenery of his country. His love for natural beauty had always been appreciated since he was a child, but the depiction of
the lake, sky, mountains and fields in “A Filipinas”, the country to which he was personally connected, was something new.
ACTIVISM AT UST
Rizal stood as a leader in student activism when he was studying philosophy and medicine in UST. The Spanish
and mestizo students called the Filipinos, Indio or Chongo. In return, Rizal and his peers retaliated by calling them Kastila
or Bangus. As a result, student fights in the university campus and even in the streets of Manila became common. Rizal,
being the front-runner, was recognized for winning the brawls because of his determination and skills in fencing and
wrestling. In fact, there was also a time that Rizal was wounded due to a fight with the Spanish students of Escolta, Manila.
Rizal then created a secret group of Filipino students called “Compañerismo.” The members were called
Companions of Jehu, the patriot general of the Jews. Rizal automatically became the president of this secret society and
Galiciano Apacible was the secretary. Rizal’s activism was also expressed in his disapproval of the faulty and outmoded
system of education in the university during his time.
He condemned the humiliation of brown Filipino students, who were most of the time insulted by their Dominican
mentors. He also criticized the archaic method of instruction at UST. He ridiculously described the teaching of Physics
devoid of laboratory experiments. Students were not allowed to touch the laboratory apparatus
and equipment that is why they were always kept inside the display cabinets. Besides, favoritism and skin color were bases
for getting the good grades and not the actual intellectual capacity of the students.
EXPERIENCING SPANISH BRUTALITY
Rizal first experienced Spanish brutality during his first summer vacation at Calamba after his freshman
year in UST. While walking past the streets, he did not notice the man passing by because of the darkness of the night. This
man happened to be a lieutenant of the Guardia Civil. But since Rizal did not pay respect to the lieutenant
by saluting or greeting him, the lieutenant whipped him with his sword and slashed it at Rizal’s back causing him to be
wounded. Of course, everybody was expected to bow down for the Guardia Civil during that time. Consequently, Rizal
wrote a complaint letter to Governor-General Primo de Rivera but the response, as foreseen, was nothing as good,
considering that he was an Indio. The incident left Rizal a bad impression of the unfair and unjust acts of the Spaniards
towards the Filipinos.
RIZAL’S LIFE ABROAD
Barcelona
Rizal did not continue his studies in the Philippines, instead, he went to Europe to widen his learning and to acquire
knowledge about a cure for his mother’s worsening eye condition. He left Calamba on May 1, 1882 and was able to reach
Manila in ten hours. He left Manila on May 3, 1882, with his brother Paciano and Uncle Antonio Rivera’s blessing.
He decided to go abroad after completing his fourth year in the medical course. But he did not seek his parents’
permission because clearly, they will not approve of Rizal’s plan. Bringing with him his disappointments during his days as
a student, he left the Philippines for Europe.
Initially, he was going to finish his medical course in Barcelona, Spain. Then again, he wanted to make a name
for himself in the field of journalism, to observe and study the European society and to prepare himself from being freed
from the tyrants of Spain. This was seen in Paciano’s letter to Rizal dated May 26,1882 and reads:
“When the telegram advising us of your departure was received in Kalamba, our parents were naturally grief-
stricken, especially the old man who would not speak a word and took to his bed, crying to himself at night, all advice from
the family, the parish priest and others not doing any good at all.
He made me go down to Manila to find out his satisfaction how you had managed to make a trip.
When I returned, I told them that some friends of yours in Manila had shouldered the expenses, hoping to reassure them.
For all that, I could see that he was still depressed and, seeing this and fearing, for another thing, that his continued
brooding might make him ill, I told him everything, but only to him, pleading with him to keep it to himself, which he
promised. Only since then have I seen him somewhat cheerful and back to his usual self.
This is what happened in the family. As far as our friends, our acquaintances, and strangers are concerned, you will
finish your medical course in Barcelona, not in Madrid; to my way of thinking, the main purpose of your going is not to
improve yourself in the profession but in other more useful things or what comes to the same thing, that to which you have
greater inclination. That is why I believe you should follow it in Madrid, the center of all the provinces, for, while it is true
that in Barcelona there is more activity and even less to do business and as afar as a good education is concern, if it should
not be available in Madrid, the application of the student can supply it. It should be more convenient for you to be there
together with our countrymen who can show you around until you can get the hang of things.
Paciano did everything to make sure that Rizal can leave the country secretly to avoid detection by Spanish
authorities, especially by the friars. He was the one who secured Rizal’s passport using the name Jose Mercado and through
the endorsements from Pedro Paterno. From Manila, he boarded the steamer Salvadora and sailed to Singapore. Rizal
stayed there for two days and visited the botanical garden, art galleries, parks and some historical places.
After Singapore, he boarded the ship Djemnah that passed through Colombo in Sr Lanka, Aden in Yemen, and the
entire Suez Canal until it landed at Port Said. The ship reached the Naples in Italy on June 11,1882.
From there, the steamer stopped at the harbor of Marseilles, and then he rode a train going to Barcelona, Spain.
He arrived at the city on June 16,1882. Upon his coming, Rizal noticed that the community practices freedom and
liberalism. But in the end, he adored the hospitality, open-heartedness and courage shown by the people.
 To welcome Rizal, his fellow Filipinos (most of them were his former schoolmates at Ateneo Municipal), gave him
a celebration at Plaza de Cataluna. He roamed around the city and visited the historical spots. Not forgetting his family, he
made sure that he wrote them, his relatives and friends a letter. This trip aimed to satisfy one of Rizal’s mission: to make a
name for himself by sharing his writings and to express his love for his country.
At the age of 21, the first piece he made was the essay entitled, El Amor Patrio or Love of Country. While
writing this, he used the screen name Laong Laan. It was published in the Diariong Tagalog in Manila on August
20, 1882.
Love of Country
It has been said that love has always been the most powerful force behind the most sublime actions. Well then, of
all loves, that of country is the greatest, the most heroic and the most disinterested. Read history, if not, the annals, the
traditions. Go to the homes, what sacrifices, self-denial, and ears are held on the sacred altar of the nation! From Brutus,
who condemned his sons charged with treason, to Guzman the Good who allowed his son to die in order not to
fail his duty, what dramas, what tragedies, what martyrdom have not been enacted for the welfare of that inexorable
divinity who has not nothing to give you in return for your children but gratitude and blessings! And notwithstanding,
with the pieces of their hearts they raise glorious monuments to their motherland; with the work of their hands,
with the sweat of their brow, they have sprinkled and made fruitful her sacred tree, and neither have they expected
nor received any reward……….
The motherland is in danger! Soldiers and leaders as if by charm, spring from the ground. The father leaves his
children, the sons leave their parents and all rush to defend their common mother. They bid farewell to the quiet pleasures
of the home and hide under the helmets the tears that tenderness draws. They all leave and die…….
Some have sacrificed for her their youth, their pleasures; others have dedicated to her the splendors of their genius;
others shed their blood; all have died, bequeathing to their motherland an immense fortune: LIBERTY and GLORY………
Fair and grand is the Motherland when her children at the cry of the battle, get ready to defend the ancient land of
their ancestors; cruel and arrogant when she sees from her throne the terrified foreigner flee before the invincible phalanx
of her sons. But when her sons, divided into rival factions, destroy one another; when anger and rancor devastate the fields,
towns, and cities; then ashamed, she tears away her robe and hurling her scepter, she puts on mourning clothes for her dead
sons. Whatever our conditions might be then, let us love her always and let us wish nothing but her welfare. Then we shall
labor in conformity with the purpose of humanity dictated by God, which is the harmony and universal peace of his creatures.
You have lost the ideal of your souls, you, who with wounded hearts have seen your illusions disappear one by one and like
the trees in autumn you find yourselves without flowers and without leaves, and desirous of loving, find no one worthy of
you, there you have the Motherland: Love her.
You have lost a father, mother, brother, wife, child, in short, love, upon which you have founded your dreams, and
you find in yourselves a deep and horrible void. There you have the Motherland: Love her.
Love her! Oh, yes! But not as they loved in other times by performing ferocious acts, denied and condemned by
true morals and mother nature; by making a display a fanaticism, destruction and cruelty, no. A more promising dawn
appears in the horizon – a soft and gentle light, the messenger of life and peace – the dawn, in short, of true Christianity, the
prelude to happy and peaceful days.
It is our duty to follow the arid but peaceful and productive paths of science, which lead to progress, and thence to
the unity desired and asked by Jesus Christ on the night of his sorrow.
Jose Rizal
Barcelona, June 1882
Love of Country was considered to portray the purest, most noble and courageous human sentiment.
It reminds us of the love, affection and gratitude to the Philippines. Other forms of sacrifices can be read in the article such
as the fathers who gave up their children for the sake of the country. After writing the El Amor Patrio, Rizal suspended
writing articles about the country because of his mother’s opposition. Apart from this, he also had a difficulty in putting his
name to fame and wanted to finish his studies first.
MADRID
On September 1882, Rizal moved to the capital city of Spain to continue his studies. Rizal enrolled at the
Universidad Central de Madrid on November 3, 1882 he took up Philosophy and Letters in Medicine. While studying in the
university, he also enrolled at the Academy of San Carlos taking up painting and sculpture, and languages in French, German
and English. He also took up shooting and fencing at the Hall of Sanz and Carbonell. He also showed great interest in taking
the examination in Roman law. Rizal passed the medical examination which he took from June 5 to 26. He was given the
degree of Licentiate in Medicine for this and continued his doctorate degree in medicine. However, he was not able to
accomplish the diploma because he failed to present the thesis required for graduation. He was allowed to practice medicine
but cannot teach medicine. Rizal was saddened by this decision and thought that the education system in Madrid had no
difference with that in Manila. He then finished his course in Philosophy and Letters and gained the degree Licenciado en
Filosofia y Letras. During this time, Rizal was halfway done with his novel, the Noli Me Tangere.
CIRCULO HISPANO FILIPINO
Circulo Hispano Filipino was a social organization meant to create reforms for the Philippines. The members were
mostly Filipino elderlies, who were exiles of 1872. It was led by Juan Atayde, a retired army officer and a Philippine-born
Spaniard. They conducted informal programs, which included poetry reading and debates. Even with a busy schedule, Rizal
took the time to join his fellow Filipinos in Madrid. The group knew that Rizal is a good writer — he was actually requested
to comment or write a few verses to the review published by the group. Rizal was able to do the poem entitled Mi Piden
Versos (They Ask Me for Verses).
Rizal, while in Madrid, sent a letter to Don Francisco about joining the Circulo Hispano. But later on, he told him
that the society was disbanded because of: 1) the differences among its members who were young student expatriates
and retired colonials, and 2) due to their age difference. It was difficult for Rizal during his stay in Madrid. There were
delays in his monthly allowance coming from the Philippines, considering the financial status of Rizal’s family
caused by crop failures brought by drought and locusts, and the increase in rentals of the Dominican hacienda lands in his
hometown. Truth be told, there were times when Rizal attended his classes on an empty stomach.
Influenced by Miguel Morayta, a history professor at the Universidad de Madrid, Rizal became a member of
freemasonry with “Dimasalang” as its masonic name. It is an organization outlawed by the Catholic Church because its
beliefs are contrary to the doctrines of the church. It is said that the mason’s view of life is that, knowledge should be
achieved by the light of reason and universal brotherhood of men. He became a Master Mason in Lodge Solidaridad
on November 15,1890. Hence, Rizal was immediately removed from the Catholic church.
Rizal’s love interest in Madrid was Consuelo, Don Pabolo’s daughter. Because of her good traits and beautiful
smile he got attracted and fell for her but he held back his feelings for Consuelo knowing that he was engaged
with Leonor Rivera in the Philippines. Aside from this, Rizal did not want to ruin his friendship with Eduardo de Lete,
who is the latter’s love interest. Before leaving Madrid in 1883, Rizal composed a poem that expressed his admiration to
Consuelo, entitled A La Senorita C.O. y R.
On June 25, 1884, in honor of Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo Rizal made a speech, the Brindis which
gave him praises from the public audience because for the first time, they heard a Filipino delivering a speech fluently in
the Castillan language. He stated that Luna and Hidalgo were the pride of Filipino people. Luna was awarded the top prize
for his painting Spolarium while Hidalgo got the second place for his painting Virgines Christianas Expuestas al
Populacho (Christian Virgins Exposed to the Population).
Both Filipino painters joined the National Exposition of Fine Arts. In his speech, Rizal said that intelligence knows
no race and the prizes they got were results of both Philippines and Spain. He also hoped that someday, Spain will accept
the changes that the Filipinos have to offer. The speech was published in the newspaper, El Liberal.
RIZAL’S LIFE IN OTHER COUNTRIES
Paris
Rizal arrived in Paris on November 1885. At that time, he was 24 years old and a full-pledged surgeon. He decided
to migrate to Paris to specialize in Ophthalmology, but prior to doing so, he went to visit Maximo Viola, a friend from San
Miguel, Bulacan. Rizal also worked as an assistant to Dr. Louis de Weckert’s eye clinic for four months. During his stay,
Rizal knew how to conduct the operation of the eye, its ailments, and the different techniques of eye operation. He spent his
past time with his fellow Filipinos in the city, something that contributed much to learning how to speak French fluently.
His friends were Felix Hidalgo, Juan Luna and Pardo de Tavera. For the duration of his stay with Juan Luna, Rizal became
a model and posed for two historical paintings of Luna: The Blood Compact (as Sikatuna) and Death of Cleopatra (as a
Priest). It was also in Paris that he finished some part of his Noli.
Germany
Due to high cost of living, Rizal left Paris for Germany on February 1886. He arrived at an old university town in
Heidelberg. He worked as an assistant of Dr. Otto Becker at the University Eye Hospital. It is where Rizal mastered the
techniques of diagnosing eye ailments, which he learned from Dr. Louis de Wecker. But before transferring
to the university, Rizal resided in a German boarding house where he became friends with a number of German
law students.
He became a member of the Chess Players’ Club of Heidelberg. He was known among the students not because he
was good at chess but because he also joined them in their drinking sessions. While in Heidelberg, he used to write
letters to his sisters Maria and Trinidad in the Philippines, telling them good things about Germany, the good traits of the
German students including the women. The letter was to show her sisters that they can imitate the virtues of German women.
There, he wrote a poem entitled, A Las Flores de Heidelberg (To the Flowers of Heidelberg) to express his
homesickness for his loved ones.
 During the summer, Rizal spent his three-month vacation at Wilhelmsfeld. He stayed with Dr. Karl Ulmer, a
pastor of the vicarage of Wilhelmsfeld, owing to his pleasant traits, his skills in sketching and his knowledge on
different languages. For these reasons, Pastor Ulmer’s wife genuinely admired Rizal. With the hospitality and friendship
that the Ulmer family showed him, Rizal enjoyed his vacation at Wilhelmsfeld. Rizal had the thought that, unlike the friars
in the Philippines, Pastor Ulmer can get along well with the Catholic priest in the area.
After his vacation at Wilhelmsfeld, on July 31,1886 Rizal started his correspondence with Professor
Ferdinand Blumentritt, the director of Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria then. Together with his letter, Rizal sent him a
book entitled Aritmetica by Rufino Baltazar Hernandez. Blumentritt was amazed by Rizal and their frequent
communication started through writing and sending letters to each other.
On August 14, 1886, after attending the fifth centenary foundation day celebration of the University of
Heidelberg, he arrived in Leipzig. There he met Prof. Friedrich Ratzel, a well-known German historian and Dr. Hans Meyer,
a famous German anthropologist who both wrote a book on the Philippines. In Leipzig, he was able to translate Schiller’s
William Tell into Tagalog. The book presented how the Swiss achieved their independence in a peaceful manner.
For his nephews and nieces in the Philippines, Rizal also translated the fairy tales that Hans Christian Andersen wrote.
During his two months stay in Leipzig, he worked in a publishing company as a proofreader to sustain his allowance.
Then on October 29, 1886, Rizal arrived at Dresden. There he met Dr. Adolph Meyer, the Director of
Anthropological and Ethnological Museum of the city, where he saw the collection about the Philippines. After three days
in Dresden, he left for Berlin and rode the train.
Rizal arrived at Berlin on November 1, 1886. He wanted to learn more about ophthalmology, languages and
sciences. He then became a member of the Anthropological Society, the Ethnographic Society and the Geographic
Society because of the recommendation from Dr. Jagor and Dr. Meyer. Rizal wanted to learn the economic
and political conditions of Germany so he also joined the circle of famous German scientists and scholars. There he aimed
to complete and publish the novel, Noli Me Tangere. In Berlin, he met Dr. Rudolf Virchow and his son Dr. Hans Virchow,
two known German anthropologists; Dr. W. Joest, a famous German geographer; and Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger, a well
known ophthalmologist. He also presented a paper entitled Tagalische Verkunst (Tagalog Metrical Art) to the
Ethnographic Society of Berlin.
Rizal’s life in Berlin was challenging — in the morning, he worked as an assistant in the clinic of Dr. Schweigger;
in the evening, he attended classes at the University of Berlin. He continued his physical training and practiced
his languages of German, French, and Italian at home. He also took the time to finish his novel. At times, Rizal cannot
sustain his daily needs in Berlin as his brother Paciano failed to send his monthly allowance because of the
crop failures in Calamba. Rizal had to pawn his diamond ring given to her by his sister Saturnina and sell his books
to bookstores to enable him to eat. Due to his poor nutrition, he got sick with tuberculosis. Without money during his
time in Berlin, he planned to burn the manuscript of his first novel.
In Prague, Viola and Rizal visited several historical places. They were accompanied by Dr. Welkomm, a history
professor at University of Prague through the recommendation of Blumentritt. They visited the tomb of Nicolaus
Copernicus, a famous Polish astronomer; the museum of natural history, the bacteriological laboratories; and the cave where
San Juan Nepomuceno was jailed.
Rizal and Voila arrived at Vienna, the capital city of Austria-Hungary, on May 20, 1887. They visited art galleries,
museums, public parks and recreation centers. The two doctors spent four days in the city and stayed at Hotel Metropole.
They decided to take a small boat that brought them to the famous Danube River, where they saw the archaic villages on
the riversides.
After passing by the Danube River, they ended their trip at Linz. Rizal and Viola left Austria, went back to
Germany and arrived at Munich on May 27,1887. They continued to Nuremberg, where they saw the
torture machines used during the Inquisition against the enemies of the Catholic Church. After Munich they proceeded
to Ulm, known to have the largest and tallest cathedral in Germany. Both Rizal and Viola tried to climb the cathedral. From
Ulm, they went to Stuttgart, Baden and Rheinfall. At Rheinfall, the most beautiful waterfall in the continent of Europe can
be seen, the Bin Waterfall.
From Rheinfall, Rizal and Viola crossed the Swiss border. They rode a small boat and arrived at Geneva, the most
beautiful city of Switzerland. In Geneva, Rizal received a bad news from his friends in Madrid about the bad conditions of
the primitive Igorots who were exhibited in the Exposition on the Philippines. Rizal learned that some of the Igorots died
and some of their possessions like their g-strings and crude weapons became the source of bullying and laughter by
the Spaniards and the Spanish press. On June 6,1887, he started communicating with Blumentritt about what had happened
to his fellowmen from Northern Luzon. Rizal, as an advocate of human dignity, was angered by the incident. After fifteen
days in the city, Rizal and Viola parted ways on June 23, 1887. Rizal continued his trip to Italy, while Viola returned to
Barcelona. After a week of travel in Rome, Rizal prepared for his return in the Philippines.
JOSE RIZAL RETURNED TO CALAMBA
 Rizal lived five years of his life abroad and away from his loved ones. He left Rome and rode the train going to
Marseilles, France on July 3,1887. He then boarded the Djemnah, the vessel that ferried him to Saigon, and from Saigon,
he transferred to the steamer Haiphong in Vietnam and reached Manila on August 5,1887. He stayed in Manila for three
days and tried to visit and call Isabelo de los Reyes twice but unfortunately, he was unable to reach him.
Later on, he visited Ateneo wherein the Jesuits attempted to get Rizal back to his old faith. Rizal was able to
talked to Padre Faura, the priest who showed him theSacred Heart of Jesus that he carved during his student days. Then,
Padre Faura told Rizal all the wrong points that he said in his novel, Noili Me Tangere. But for Rizal, everything he wrote
was the truth.
Upon Rizal’s arrival in Calamba on August 8, 1887, there were rumors spreading that Rizal was a German spy,
a mason and many more. Because of these, Rizal received death threats each day and his family was
worried about the possible consequences of such. So Paciano accompanied him whenever he goes out— even his father,
Don Francisco, had hesitations on allowing Rizal to go out of their house.
Nevertheless, Rizal kept himself busy while in Calamba. He established a medical clinic and his first
patient was his mother. He cured the sick and soon he was known to be an eye specialist and surgeon. Rizal successfully
removed the cataracts on his mother’s eyes. In the town, Rizal was called Doctor Uliman, because he was
mistaken for a German. On August 30, 1887, Rizal left Calamba and went to Manila for he was invited to see Governor-
General Emilio Terrero as regards his Noli.
The Governor-General asked for a copy of the novel and so Rizal gave him the copy that was worn out. The former
did not see anything wrong with the novel. On the same day, the Archbishop of Manila recommended that the importation,
reproduction, distribution and possession of the book should be stopped. The Governor-General, concerned about
the safety and security of Rizal, assigned Lieutenant Jose Taviel de Andrade to protect him. Terrero requested Jose Rizal to
leave the country, but Rizal refused and stayed at his hometown.
At about the same time, Terrero wanted to have an investigation to solve the Calamba agrarian problems. The
Dominican-owned hacienda in Calamba was one of the properties owned by the friars that were affected. Rizal led the group
of Calamba tenants to represent for the investigation. Rizal presented the following findings to
Terrero for actions (Zulueta 2004):
1.The hacienda of the Dominican Order comprised not only the lands around Calamba but the whole town of Calamba;
2. There was increased profits of the Dominican order because of the arbitrary increase of the rentals paid by the tenants;
3. The hacienda owner never contributed for the celebration of the town fiesta, for education of the children, and
for the improvement of agriculture;
4. Tenants who spent more labor in clearing the lands were dispossessed of the said lands for a weak reason;
5. For delayed payment of rentals, high rates of interest were charged to the tenants;
6. Work animals, tools and farm implements of the tenants were confiscated by the hacienda management if the rentals
were not paid by the tenants.
In effect, the friars were furious so they commanded the Malacañang to order the departure of Rizal to leave the
country. But Terrero did not mind the friars’ request. As a result, the friars demanded his deportation. Then again, Terrero
advised Rizal to leave the country for good. The same counsel was given to Rizal by his family and relatives
for his own safety.
After six months in the Philippines, he left the country and went to Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the friars forced all
the tenants to leave the Dominican Hacienda as a revenge. The Rizal family was the first among the tenants to be
evicted because they refused to pay the rent and interest. Terrero, on the other hand, was replaced by
Lieutenant General Valeriano Weyler, who was grateful of the role of the friars in the conquest of Luzon and Visayas. He
pointed out that religion should be a means of the government in the aforementioned islands in the Philippines.
The tenants protested in Manila headed by Doroteo Cortes. In the said demonstration, the tenants
presented a petition to Queen Regent requesting the departure of the friars from the Philippines. After the protest,
there were rallyists who got arrested.
On the other hand, Rizal’s brother-in-law, Mariano Herbosa was denied of having a Christian burial by the Roman
Catholic Church because he was married to Lucia, Rizal’s sister. Rizal wrote an essay to address this issue and it was
entitled, “A Profanation” (Una Profanacion). Note that when Rizal left, Don Francisco, Paciano, Saturnina, Narcisa
and Lucia were exiled to other parts of the country. Rizal felt sorry for what had happened to his family after supporting the
rights of the tenants. This caused him so much despair.
Before leaving Calamba on February 3,1888, a friend of Rizal from Lipa requested him to write a
poem to celebrate the conversion of Lipa from a pueblo (town) to a villa (city). The poem, Himno al Trabajo or Hymn to
Labor (Osias, 1948) depicts Rizal’s appreciation for men’s efforts and compliment the country’s wealth and energy. He
believed that hard work or labor is the country’s blood, health and life.
TRIP TO HONG KONG
 Rizal arrived in Hong Kong on February 8,1888. His fellow Filipinos namely Jose Maria Basa, Balbino Mauricio
and Manuel Yriarte, who were all exiled in 1872, met Rizal. In Hong Kong, he was able to study the Chinese language,
Chinese drama and theater, Chinese cultures and Chinese values. Rizal even became friends with some Spaniards that were
based in Hong Kong.
He met Barranda, Terrero’s secretary, together with other Spaniards and went to visit Macao, a Portuguese colony
near Hong Kong. Rizal and his friends visited the botanical garden, theatre, casino, cathedral and churches, pagodas and
bazaars. They lived in the house of Juan Lecaroz and on February 20, 1888, he went back to Hong Kong. Two days after,
he left for Japan on Board the SS Oceania on February 22, 1888.
TRIP TO JAPAN AND SHORT ROMANCE WITH O-SEI-SAN
Rizal arrived in Yokohama, Japan and stayed at Tokyo Hotel on February 28, 1888 for a few days. He was then
invited by Juan Perez Caballero to live at the Spanish Legation for a month. On March 7,1887, he left the hotel and
lived at the Spanish legation. During his stay in Japan, he studied the Japanese language or Nippongo, Japanese culture,
theatres, martial arts and visited Japanese provinces. Rizal appreciated the cleanliness, politeness, and industry of
the Japanese.
Rizal then met O-Sei-San and their romance began when he lived at the Spanish legation. They became friends and
later on developed to become lovers. O-Sei-San or Seiko Usui and Rizal fell in love for each other. Because of this, Rizal
thought of staying in Japan for good. Nonetheless, Rizal had duties to fulfill for his country. So he decided to leave Japan
and said his goodbyes to O-Sei-San.
TRIP TO UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Aboard a steamer on April 28,1888, the entire boat was quarantined when it stopped in San Francisco because
accordingly, the ship came from a country where cholera was epidemic. Rizal knew that this was not the fact — he found
out that the ship was halted for the Chinese and Japanese laborers who accepted cheap labor, replacing the American
laborers.
On May 4, 1888, after a week of the quarantine, some passengers were allowed to disembark, except for the
Japanese and Chinese passengers who were quarantined for a longer period. Rizal went to different cities in America like
Reno, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Chicago, Albany, and New York City. He was very much impressed with all the cities for
its natural beauty, the hardworking Americans, the material progress and the high standard of living, and the opportunities
offered for poor immigrants for a better life.
The negative impressions include the lack of racial equality and the presence of racial prejudice against other
nations. The Americans value valued money more than human life and fairness and justice were only offered to white
people.
TRIP IN LONDON
After Rizal’s trip to the United States of America, he left New York City on May 16, 1888 and arrived in Liverpool,
England on May 24 of the same year. He stayed for a day at Adelphi Hotel and left for London the following day. He was
welcomed by Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor on May 25, 1888 and stayed as a guest in their home. Dr. Regidor
was an exile of 1872 and a practicing lawyer in London.
Rizal had reasons why he chose to live in London. First, he wanted to enhance his knowledge on the English
language; he sought to have further study on Antonio Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas; to do research on the Philippine
history; and to continue to write for La Solidaridad in defense of his people against the Spanish
tyranny.
Jose Rizal then met Dr. Reinhold Rost, the librarian of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in England and also an
authority on Malay languages and customs. Dr. Rost was the one who allowed Rizal to undertake research at the British
Museum. Thankful to Dr. Rost, Rizal had the time to read Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas. The doctor was also the
one who inspired Rizal to contribute two articles in the Asian Studies Journal Trubner’s Record on May 1889. The first was
entitled, Specimens of Tagal Folklore (a collection of 14 proverbs, 8 puzzles and 2 verses) and the second was Two Eastern
Fables (a comparison of Japanese fables with the Filipino fables). At that time, he transferred and became a boarder
of the Beckett family. Unfortunately, he still received good and bad news from the Philippines while he was in London and
some of them are as follows:
1. Persecution of his fellow Filipinos who signed the Anti-Friar Petition of 1888 that was submitted to Queen Regen for
the expulsion of the friars in the Philippines;
2. Persecution of the tenants of Calamba, including the Rizal family and relatives because of their petition
for the reforms in the government;
3. The exile of Rizal’s brother-in-law, Manuel T. Hidalgo, in Bohol;
4. Furious attacks of the Spanish senators;
5. The arrest of Rizal’s friend, Laureano Vida, for keeping copies of Noli Me Tangere in his home;
6. The good news that Rev. Vicente Garcia defended the Noli against the attacks of the friars.
 Earlier in September 1888, Rizal went to Paris to continue his research on the Philippine history in the Biblio the
que Nationale or the National Library in Paris. There he polished the annotated version of Antonio Morga’s Sucesos de las
Islas Filipinas. Rizal stayed in the house of Valentin Ventura. Despite the good life that he had in Paris, Rizal kept himself
busy at the National Library. He also studied the French language and made plenty of lesson drills for the students.
On December 24,1888, Rizal spent his Christmas and New Year with the Beckett family. That time, Rizal was
attracted to another woman, Gertrude Beckett, known by her nicknames Tottie and Sissie. Like Segunda Katigbak,
Gertrude was small and chubby. This just goes to show that Rizal’s love for Leonor Rivera was not that deep. But unlike
Leonor, Gertrude was not as appealing. Rizal was interested with Gertrude because they had close relationship and
have a happy family. Rizal, however, prevented his feelings for Gertrude when he knew that she was falling in love
with him.
Rizal was also welcomed by Juan Luna and his wife in London. Rizal visited Madrid and Barcelona again on
December 1888 and there he first met Marcelo H. del Pilar and Mariano Ponce, the leaders of the Propaganda Movement.
Rizal became more active in the Propaganda Movement with his fellow ilustrados. In the face of
Rizal’s absence, he was still chosen to be the Honorary President during the inauguration of Asociacion La
Solidaridad on December 31,1888, which was founded by Graciano Lopez Jaena in Barcelona on February 15,1889.
The Propaganda Movement aimed for reforms such as: 1) for the Philippines to be made a province of Spain
so that the native Filipinos would have equal rights accorded to Spaniards; 2) to have a representation of the
Philippines in the Spanish Cortes; and (3) secularization of parishes. Rizal became busy in writing articles and essays that
were published in the Propaganda Movement’s newspaper, La Solidaridad. Rizal had translated into Tagalog the letter
to The Women of Malolos on February 22,1889 as requested by Marcelo H. del Pilar.

Said letter will be discussed in greater detail later on.

Rizal founded the Kidlat Club and the Indios Bravos on March 19,1889 to prove that the Filipinos are not only
capable of excellence but can also be the best in terms of intellectual and physical aspects. Another society that Rizal founded
in Paris in 1890 was the R.D.L.M. (Redencion de los Malayos), its acronym revived the Malay race, for the purpose of
increasing the knowledge of the people in the Philippines. To continue his writings for La Solidaridad, Rizal contributed
articles such as the “Filipinas Dentro de Cien Años (The Philippines a Century Hence) and the essay “Sobre la Indolencia
de los Filipinos” (On the Indolence of the Filipinos) in 1890. In Paris, Rizal published Por Telefono, using the screen
name Dimas Alang, to answer the attacks of the Spanish friar, Fr. Salvacion Font against the novel Noli Me Tangere.
IN BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
On January 28,1890, Rizal left Paris for Brussels, Belgium. He was accompanied by Jose Alberto when he moved
to Brussels. When Jose Alberto left the country, an engineering student, Jose Alejandro stayed with Rizal at the boarding
house owned by Suzanne and Marie Jacoby. Aside from the cost of living in Paris, which was too much, Rizal cannot focus
on writing his second novel El Filibusterismo because of the social life in Paris that interfered with his writings. While doing
the chapters of the novel, he continued to write articles for La Solidaridad and they were:
1. “ A La Defensa” (To la Defensa) on April 30, 1889 as his answer to an Anti-Filipino writing of Patricio de la Escorura;
2. “La Verdad Para Todos” (The Truth For All) on May 31, 1889 as his reply against the Spanish accusations that the
Filipino officials were ignorant and immoral;
3. “Vicente Barrantes’ Teatro Tagalo” on June 15, 1889;
4. Barrantes’ ignorance on the theatrical art of the Tagalog;
5. “Una Profanacion” (A Profanation) on July 31, 1889 as his attack against the friars for ignoring and not allowing
Christian burial for his brother-in-law, Mariano Herbosa;
6. “Crueldad” (Cruelty) on July 31, 1889 defending Blumentritt from mocking and insulting attacks of his rivals;
7. “Verdades Nuevas” (New Truths) on August 15, 1889, that because of the letter written by Vicente Belloc
Sanchez, saying that if reforms were granted, it will start in the destruction of the peaceful ruling of the friars in the
Philippines;
8. “Diferencias” (Differences) on September 15, 1889 in response of the attacks of the article, saying mean and bad
comments to the Filipinos who were then protesting for reforms from the Spanish government;
9. “Inconsequencias” (Inconsequences) on November 30, 1889 to defend Antonio Luna against the attacks of Pablo Mir
Deas’s article in El Pueblo Soberano, a newspaper in Barcelona;
10.“LLanto y Risas” (Tears and Laughters) on November 30, 1889 as Rizal’s way of saving the Filipinos from the
Spaniards racial prejudice;
11.“Ingratitudes” (Ingratitudes) on January 15, 1890 in response to GovernorGeneral Weyler’s words, that people of
Calamba should not be fooled by empty promises of their ungrateful sons.
To sustain his living condition in Brussels, Rizal practiced and treated patients as a surgeon. Unlike the Noli Me
Tangere, Rizal spent too much time in writing his second novel El Filibusterismo and articles for La Solidaridad. Rizal had
been hearing news from Juan Luna and Valentin Ventura that his fellow Filipinos in Spain were too much into gambling.
With this, Rizal sent a letter to Marcelo H. del Pilar on May 28,1890, asking him to remind the Filipinos in Madrid that they
are not to gamble in Europe but to work for the freedom of the Philippines.
On the other hand, Rizal received bad news coming from home that his family and relatives were forced to leave
and go to different places because the Calamba land problem had worsened, that the Dominican management raised the
rents for the land. This was the reason why the tenants, including Rizal’s father, refused to pay the rent, which resulted for
the filing of a case by the Dominicans to strip the ownership of Calamba land from the Rizal family.
The illegal eviction of his family angered him and made him depressed. Rizal planned to go home to the Philippines
because he could not bear the pain about what happened to his family. Rizal then wrote a poem entitled “A Mi Musa” (To
My Muse) to address his disappointments on the land problems of Calamba. This poem was
published in La Solidaridad with Laong Laan as Rizal’s pen name on December 15,1890.
Rizal failed to defend the case against the Dominicans and justice was not received for his family and
the tenants of Calamba. While in Madrid, Rizal attended a gathering of Filipinos where he had a fight with Antonio Luna
and dared Wenceslao Retana to a duel. Retana, was a Spanish scholar and Rizal’s rival in writing.
While in Madrid, Rizal asked for the help of the former members of the ministry who were liberal Spanish
statesmen, but they only gave him a pat on the shoulder and sympathized with him. The Asociacion Hispano Filipino was
formed, led by Dr. Miguel Morayta, a Spanish professor and a mason grandmaster. To decide what is the goal of the
propaganda, they initiated an election who the leader will be. There were ninety participants, all were Filipinos. The
competition was between Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. del Pilar and during the first two canvass, M.H. del Pilar was leading
the votes and it was Rizal who won in the end. But Rizal chose to leave rather than divide the Filipinos in Madrid.
On February 1891, Rizal arrived in Biarritz, France. He was entertained by the Boustead family. The one-month
trip to France made him forget all his bad experiences in Madrid and on his vacation, he once again had an affection to
Nelly Boustead. He finished his second novel El Fili on March 29,1891 and on March 30,1891, the revision of the novel
was completed, ready to be published anytime soon.
LIFE IN HONG KONG
Rizal left Madrid and went to Hong Kong after he published the El Fili in Europe. He did not like the political
situation between him and del Pilar, and the other Filipinos in Spain. It was during this time that Rizal heard that his friend,
Jose Ma. Panganiban (his pen name was Jomapa), bid his farewell to the world. As saddened as he was, he
recognized Jomapa’s talent, intelligence, and industry through a eulogy, considering him as a lost for the country.
Due to his unpleasant experiences in Madrid, Rizal planned on leaving the political life in Europe
to focus on his mission instead. On November 20,1891, he arrived in Hong Kong. He then decided to practice
medicine, through his association with Dr. Lorenzo P. Marquez, so he applied for a license and the license and was
eventually granted. His family went to Hong Kong and he supported them in the city.
While in Hong Kong, he translated The Rights of Man written in French into Tagalog, Ang Mga Karapatan
ng Tao. He also wrote articles entitled, A La Nacion Española (To The Spanish Nation), as a reconsideration for
Spain to correct the wrong things they have done to the tenants of Calamba; and Sa Mga Kababayan (To My Countrymen),
as Rizal’s interpretation of the Calamba agrarian problem. During his days in Hong Kong, he started to write the
constitution of La Liga Filipina, through the help of Jose Ma. Basa. La Liga Filipina aimed for: the unity of the whole
archipelago into one body; common protection in every want and necessity; protection against all forms of violence and
injustice; stimulation of instruction, agriculture and commerce; and the undertaking of study and application of reforms.
The motto of the league was Unus Instar Omnium Or One Like All. There were three organizational councils in La Liga:
popular, provincial and supreme. Qualification in the tests and a recommendation from
the town’s council was necessary to become a member of this organization. It also requires a monthly contribution for the
following projects:
1. Helping a member or his son who had problem in financing his studies but with excellent aptitude for study;
2. Helping member who are less fortunate;
3. Lending funds to am member who needs finances for his farm or industrial activities;
4. Aiming to help the member to defend his rights;
5. Putting up stores to help members in their needs at lesser price.