Chapter - 5 Rizal’s Education in

UST:

The Dominican’s Influence

Topics:
❖ The Double Degree: Philosophy and Medicine
❖ Rizal’s Writings as a Thomasian
❖ Rizal’s Academic Performance at UST

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the chapter, the learners are expected to:
✓ Identify the factors that prompted Rizal to pursue Philosophy and Medicine
at UST;
✓ Compose their own version of the poem “To the Filipino Youth” by using
the inferred concepts of nationalism from the said poem; and
✓ Based on the Academic Performance, Argue Whether Rizal was
discriminated at UST or not

Required Reading:
1. To the Filipino Youth

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THE DOUBLE DEGREE: PHILOSOPHY AND MEDICINE

My mother said that I knew enough as of now, and that I ought not return to
Manila. Did my mother maybe have a premonition of what was to transpire?
Does a mother's heart truly have a subsequent sight? (Rizal's Journal)

After Ateneo, Rizal matriculated at the University of Santo Tomas (UST, a

Dominican school and the only university in the Philippines during the nineteenth
century. It was at UST that Rizal kept on making his vision of Philippine patriotism.

Rizal felt that Teodora’s premonition concerned nothing more—in spite of the
fact that it was difficult to him at the time than an appalling fascination, however,
Teodora’s "second sight" was clearer and more infiltrating than he could have
envisioned at that point. What she predicted when her Jose was as yet a student
with no thought of the deadly strategic mission for his people, was nothing less
than beheading him? (Guerrero, p. 47)

I despite everything recall and will always remember that when I was sixteen
my father was told by my mother: "Don't send him to Manila any more. He knows
enough; in the event that he becomes more knowledgeable, they will behead
him." No reply from my father! It was my brother who took me to Manila despite
of my mother’s forewarning and tears. (Rizal's Journal)

Rizal, after obtaining the degree Bachelor of Arts which is equal to

secondary school during the Spanish time in Ateneo, Jose Rizal chose to proceed
with his scholar journey in Manila despite of the fact that her mother was against
it. Don Francisco and Paciano wanted Jose to continue his studies.

In April 1877, Don Francisco advised Paciano to go with Jose in Manila.

Jose Rizal, who was just sixteen years of age that time, matriculated at the
University of Santo Tomas and took up Philosophy and Letters. He enrolled in in
the Philosophy and letters while he was yet unsure as to what career to pursue,
not to mention the fact that Francisco himself took the same course in his
younger years. While studying at UST, Rizal also simultaneously enrolled a course
in surveying (Geodetic) at Ateneo. The year after, Rizal was advised to pursue a
career in medicine by Fr. Pablo Ramon (Rector of Ateneo at that time). He needed
to take medicine because he wanted to cure Teodora’s developing visual
impairment due to cataract. In this manner, he chose to take up clinical course in
the University of Santo Tomas.

Rizal was occupied with some extra-curricular exercises in Ateneo while

he was studying at UST. He continued his surveying course in Ateneo obtaining
excellent grades in all his subjects. At seventeen, he successfully passed the board
examination for surveyors, however was not conceded the title since he was only
17 years at that time. The title was given to Rizal on November 25, 1881.
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 Notwithstanding Rizal's studies at UST coupled with various
extracurricular exercises in Ateneo, he despite everything discovered time for
adoration. He was appreciated by numerous young ladies and could even go with
companions of his age. Young ladies from the university, just as in Calamba, began
to be starry eyed at Jose, and perhaps fell in love with him?

In 1879, toward the beginning of his third year in UST, he lived in a

boarding house in Intramuros where he met a slight, truly, youthful looking,
pretty woman named Leonor Rivera, daughter his landlord uncle Antonio Rivera.
She was conceived in Camiling, Tarlac and Leonor was studying at La Concordia
College where Rizal’s younger sister was also studying. A beautiful and sweet
romance sprang between Jose and Leonor which they kept clandestine from their
parents and friends. To keep the relationship remained undisclosed, Leonor used
“Taimis” as her nom de plume.

RIZAL’S WRITINGS AS A THOMASIAN

Rizal wrote “A La Juventud Filipina,” (To the Filipino Youth) a prizewinning poem
with flawless form and exquisite verses, while he was studying at UST. Rizal,
though the poem enticed the Filipino youth from being passive and to break the
chain of ignorance that have tied the spirit of the people. A La Juventud
eventually became an exemplary Philippine Literature for two reasons: 1) it was
the first Spanish poem written by a Filipino, whose greatness was recognized by
Spanish literary authorities, and 2) for the first time the nationalistic concept that
the “fair hope of the Fatherland” are the Filipinos and not the foreigners was
astutely expressed in the poem.

A La Juventud Filipina won the first prize in the poetry competition

organized by the Manila Lyceum of Art and Literature.

Accordingly, Rizal perhaps drew his inspiration in writing the poem from a
society called "El Juventud Escolar" (The Youthful Scholar) which was suppressed
in 1872. While the Spanish Governor General who gave youthful José, the prize
had never known about "El Juventud Escolar", however the Filipinos got a lot of
joy out of rehashing that Rizal's poem had been committed to that smothered
association.

Rizal joined other literary competitions which were held in the in the
succeeding years, specifically the one sponsored by Artistic-Literary Lyceum to
celebration of the fourth centennial death of Cervantes. The competition was
open to both Spaniards and Filipinos. Accordingly, the jurors were all Spaniards.
The Council of the Gods written by Rizal, was adjudicated as the winner. Later on,
the judges reversed their decision upon knowing that the author was a Filipino.
A Spaniard was instead proclaimed as the winner. Rizal had a taste of

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discrimination. This also prompted other Filipinos to develop a deep sense of
resentment that gave another reason to hate Jose Rizal.

Other than those supreme and award-winning poets, Rizal also was able to
write a Zarzuela, entitled “Junta al Pasig” (Beside the Pasig). This was staged by
the Ateneans on December 8, 1880 in honor Immaculate Conception. One of the
characters in the “Junta al Pasig” was the devil, who denounced Spain for her
policies. The Philippines -- so the devil declares – "Presently without comfort,
sadly moans in the intensity of foreign people, and gradually bites the dust in the
offensive grasp of Spain." Rizal also wrote for the album of the Society of
Sculptors, a sonnet entitled “A Filipina” urging all Filipino artists to glorify the
Philippines.

RIZAL’S ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AT UST

For what reason was the University of Santo Tomas so powerful upon Rizal's
scholarly advancement? The appropriate response is a mind boggling one. Some
portion of the impact can be followed to the historical backdrop of the University
of Santo Tomas. It was established in 1611 and immediately settled itself as Asia's
focal point of European education. Unobtrusively all alone, Rizal kept on dealing
with his political thoughts. He got passing marks however found that the
substantial accentuation on science was not just as he would prefer. Rizal
remained a poet as the core of his educational purposes was inclined to liberal
arts.

This was unusual in light of the fact that Rizal didn't care for technical studies,
yet in spite of his hesitance about science, Rizal chose medicine as his
specialization. It was on his second year at the UST when he decided to pursue
medical course. He settled on this decision to defuse and limit his developing
political interests. He realized that a career in medicine is dreary however
contemplated out that it would give a decent living and a degree of esteem. (De
Witt, p.85)

The University of Santo Tomas strengthened Rizal's enthusiasm for writing,

science, and philosophy. In his diaries, Rizal waxed on idyllically recommending
that his mind opened to new thoughts. With trademark quietude, Rizal asserted
that the University of Santo Tomas helped him to develop his patriotism and
nationalism. (Diaries and Memories).

The Controversial “POOR” Grades in UST

In his introduction, Regalado Trota José, UST Chronicler, in his opening

lecture on June 6, 2011 at UST, paid tribute to his ancestor in the UST Archives,
the Spanish Dominican history specialist Fr. Fidel Villarroel, who worked in the
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documents and systematized its assortment for a long time and composed a
huge multi-volume history of UST which was distributed that year to stamp the
quadricentenary of oldest university in Asia.

Regalado Trota José also presented records from the archives set straight
some misconceptions about the University, such as the alleged mistreatment,
racial discrimination experienced by Jose Rizal from the Dominicans; and also, to
shed light on the unending issue on the “poor grades” of Jose Rizal while at UST.

The Archives of UST is one of the least known, least visited, and calmest
places in the University. It is one of the least known, yet it contains the very soul
of UST: the records collected through more than 400 years that demonstrate the
veracity of UST's history.

It is one of the least visited on the grounds that, by one way or another,
few individuals are keen on investigating on the past, the individuals who come
at the archives are mostly foreigners.

Undoubtedly, the files, with its abundance of material recording social

networks and its aggregation of yearbooks and memorabilia, is yesterday's
proportionate to the present Facebook.

The files keep on amassing records, yearbooks and reports, so like FB it is

persistently refreshed. Simultaneously, it permits the researcher to acquire into
the past, regardless of whether it be the ongoing quadricentennial occasions or
the acquisition of land for the initial site of the university more than 400 years
back

Tabulation of Grades

From the packed recording boxes and shelves of the chronicles, Fr. Fidel
has produced an extensive history made up of eight books partitioned into four
volumes and two appendices.

Most biographers of Rizal illustrate his stay at UST as seemingly distorted

manner. A careful investigation of the records at the chronicles, in any case,
presents an objective view. The entirety of this has been introduced by Fr. Fidel
Villarroel, OP, in his book "Jose Rizal and the University of Santo Tomas" (1984),
with quite a lot more advancing point of interest and setting. Given below is the
tabulation of Rizal's Grades in U.S.T.

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 Grades of Rizal in UST

1877-1878

Preparatory Course of Theology and Law

1877-1878

Cosmology- Sobresaliente Excellent: equivalent:

1.0

Metaphysics- Sobresaliente Excellent: equivalent:

1.0

Theodicy- Sobresaliente Excellent: equivalent:

1.0

History of Philosophy- Sobresaliente Excellent: equivalent:

1.0

Preparatory Course of Medicine

1878-1879

Advanced Physics- Aprovechado Very Good: 1.5

Advanced Chemistry- Sobresaliente Excellent: 1.0

Advanced Natural History- Aprovechado Very Good: 1.5

1st Year of Medicine

General Anatomy and Histology- Bueno Good: 2.0

Descriptive Anatomy- Bueno Good: 2.0

Exercises of Osteology and Dissection Good: 2.0

2nd Year of Medicine (1879-1880)

Good: 2.0
General Anatomy and Histology II- Bueno

Descriptive Anatomy II- Bueno Good: 2.0

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Exercises of Dissection II- Bueno Good: 2.0

Physiology, Private and Public Hygiene- Good: 2.0

Bueno

3rd Year of Medicine (1880-1881)

General Pathology, It’s Clinic, and Pathologic Passed: 3.0

Histology- Aprobado

Therapeutics, Medical Matter and Art of Excellent: 1.0

Prescribing- Sobresaliente
Good: 2.0

Surgical Anatomy, Operations, External

Medical Applications and Bandages- Bueno

4th Year of Medicine (1881-1882)

Medical Pathology- Notable Very Good: 1.5

Surgical Pathology- Notable Very Good: 1.5

Obstetrics, Sickness of Women and Very Good: 1.5

Children- Notable
Summarizing the 20 subjects taken at UST, Rizal obtained:

Grades obtained Number of

Subjects

aprobado or passing Grade 1

bueno or good 8

notable or aprovechado 5

Sobresaliente or excellent 6

Total 20

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 On the basis of these records, Fr. Fidel poses the following seven
considerations:

1. Rizal was a good student, better than expected, however

not excellent; yet none of his classmates were excellent
either. Rizal was not as skilled for Medicine as he was for
Philosophy and letters.

2. In Madrid, his clinical grades almost the same with those

of UST were the equivalent or a little lower.

3. There was no record that Rizal ever complained about his

grades in Santo Tomas, while he did complain about those
he received in Madrid.

4. He was never discriminated in Santo Tomas; despite what

might be expected, he was favored with a regulation which
barely any student is afforded. Rizal was one of those 4
students allowed to take two courses (Medicine and
Philosophy) simultaneously. He was also allowed to take
medicine without the pre-requisite pre-medicine course.
This was highly irregular, but it reveals the Dominicans’
recognition of their students’ intellectual preparation.

5. Racial segregation didn't exist in Rizal’s class, as evinced by

the fact that all his Spanish classmates fell by the side of
the road individually throughout four years.

6. In the fourth and last year in UST, just seven students

remained [out of the original 24], and Rizal was one of
them

7. Rizal ended that year in second place.

Let us then examine the real intention of Rizal’s biographers why they
claimed that Rizal was discriminated and got poor grades at the University of
Santo Tomas.

Breaking the Myths About Rizal and the Pontifical University

This can be thorough as perfect with verifiable realities regarding the

relationship of Jose Rizal with the University of Santo Tomas. As a spearheading
educational institution of higher learning – from the martyrdom of GOMBURZA,
to the propaganda movement, to the 1896 revolution, to the 1898 birth of the

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Republic, and lastly to the rebuilding of independence in 1946 – it is in this
manner presumptuous to claim that the UST has contributed to the creation of
the historical backdrop of the Philippines.

Tragically, disregarding a few endeavors of barely any academicians and

students of history to introduce an increasingly honest history of the UST during
the Spanish period, many despite everything were found napping and rather
chose to depend on small source materials. More awful, some just duplicated
what pre-war and post-war writers written in the previous 100 years. New age
authors, students of history and biographers of Jose Rizal are no special case to
such historians like Retana, Craig, Russel, Lauback, Coates, Hernandez and Zaide
who had imagined a lowlife character of the college.

As Fr. Villaroel stated, none of the biographers and students of history took
the hour of investigating the first scholarly records of Rizal. There was likewise no
exertion on their part to make an investigation on UST dependent on the
authentic records of the Pontifical University. Many Rizal’s Biographers dealt with
these issues based on their personal biases and judgments.

Another confusion was their inability to comprehend the hidden

standards behind the anti-friars and hostile to UST works of Rizal especially the El
Filibusterismo.

Subsequent to seeing the reports at the UST Archives and understanding

Fr. Villaroel's elegantly composed investigation on Rizal and the University of
Santo Tomas, Regalado said: “I can just sneer in the individuals who relax at their
numbness and utilize a considerable lot of the fantasies to propel their cause.
Such is the situation of some pexers here who without a doubt utilize these
legends to their benefit.”

In the expressions of Dr. Serafin Quiason, previous director of the National

Historical Institue, "it is an extraordinary ideals of Fr. Villaroel’s study that he
clears away a significant number of the legends which have gone for realities for
right around three quarter of a century. He has unraveled numerous troublesome
inquiries and the perusers can be appreciative for a very significant work such as
that of Fr. Villaroel."

This string expects to redress a few issues relating to the negative pictures
about Rizal's relationship with the University of Santo Tomas based on the study
by Fr. Villaroel who had constantly burrowed through the documented materials
of UST and Archivo de la Provincia del Sto. Rosario. Was Rizal victimized and
treated pitifully by the Dominicans? For what reason did he leave UST? For what
reason did he reprimand the University years later? How are the narratives of El
Filibusterismo to be comprehended?

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