Chapter 6

In Sunny Spain (1882-1885)

(Summary)
Introduction
Jose Rizal finished his medical course in the University of
Santo Tomas. Then he decided to complete his studies in Spain due
to the radical prejudice of Dominican Professors against Filipino
Students. Aside from this ostensible reason, he had a Secret
Mission, which was more important than finishing his studies.
Rizals Secret Mission
The secret mission of Rizal is to observe keenly the life and
culture, languages and customs, industries and commerce, and
government laws of European nation in order to prepare himself in
the mighty task of liberating his fellow-men.
His mission was approved by his older brother Paciano, Rizal
leave without permission and blessing from his parents.
Secret Departure for Spain
The departure of Rizal was kept secret to avoid the
detection by the Spanish authorities and the friars, even his own
parents. Only selected person knows the secret departure of Rizal,
including his brother Paciano and the Ateneo Jesuit fathers. The
Jesuit priests gave him letters of recommendation to the members
of their Society in Barcelona. On May3, 1882, Rizal departed on
board the Spanish steamer Salvadora bound for Singapore.
Singapore
During the voyage, Rizal observed the he is the only Filipino
on the ship. The ship captain, Donato Lecha, from Asturias, Spain,
befriend him. On May 9, 1882, the Ship docked at Singapore. Rizal
landed, registered at the Hotel de la Paz, and spent two days for
sightseeing; there he saw the statue of Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles
(founder of Singapore).
From Singapore to Colombo
Rizal transferred to ship Djemnah, and he left to Europe on
May 11. It was a French vessel therefore French mostly spoken on
board. On May 17, Djemnah reach Point Galle, a seacoast town in
southern Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
The following day, Djemnah resume the voyage, after a few
hours of sailing, they reach Colombo, the capital of Ceylon on the
same day.
First Trip through Suez Canal

From Colombo, Djemnah continued the voyage crossing the

Indian Ocean to the Cape of Guardafui, Africa, and then a stopover
on Aden. From Aden Djemnah proceeded to the city of Suez, the
Red Sea terminal of the Suez Canal. It took five days to traverse the
Suez Canal.
At Port Said, the Mediterranean terminal of the Suez Canal,
Rizal landed and he was fascinated to hear the multi-racial
inhabitants speaking a babel of tongues.
Naples and Marseilles
From Port Said, the Djemnah proceeded on its way to
Europe. On June 11, Rizal reached Naples. On the night of June 12,
the steamer docked at the French harbor of Marsielles. He stayed
two and a half day in Marsielles, he visited the famous Chateau dlf,
where Dantes, hero of The Count of Monte Cristo.
Barcelona
On the afternoon of May 15, Rizal left Marseilles by train; he
crossed the Pyrences and stopped for a day at Port Bou. After the
passport inspection at Port Bou, he contribute his journey, and he
reached Barcelona on June 16, 1882.
Rizals first impression of Barcelona was unfavorable; he
found out that the people were open-hearted, hospitable, and
courageous. The Filipinos in Barcelona, some of whom even his
schoolmates on the Ateneo, welcome Rizal.
Amor Patria
Rizal wrote a nationalistic essay entitled Amor Patria (Love
of Country), his first article written on Spanishs soil. He sent the
article to Basilio Teodoro Moran, publisher of Diaryong Tagalog,
under his pen-name Laong Laan. Amor Patria appeared on the
newspaper on August 20, 1882, with tagalong version translated by
M.H.Del Pilar.
Rizal wrote again for Diaryong Tagalog; Los Viajes (Travels),
Revisita de Madrid (Review of Madrid), unfortunately Diaryong
Tagalog had ceased publication for lack of funds.
Manila Moves to Madrid
Sad news, on September 15, 1882, Rizal received a letter
from Paciano, according to the letter, Philippines was ravaging by
epidemic. Another sad news from Chengoy (Jose M. Cecilio,
intimate friend), Leonora Rivera was began to be unhappy because
of the absence of Rizal.
In one of his letters (dated May 26, 1882) Paciano adviced
Rizal to finish his medical course in Madrid, therefore, Rizal
establish himself to Madrid.

Life in Madrid
On November 3, 1882, Rizal enrolled in Universidad Central
de Madrid (Central University of Madrid) in two courses Medical
and Philosophy and Letters. Rizal is thirst for knowledge; he studied
a lot in Madrid and on his leisure times are reading and writing,
sometimes he is attending the reunions of Filipino Students.
Romance with Consuela Ortiga y Perez
Rizal, being a lonely young man in a foreign country, he was
attracted by Consuelos beauty. On August 22, 1883 he expresses
his admiration; he made a poem entitled A La Seiorita C.O. y P..
The Romance didnt blossom because of two reasons
- Engage to Leonora Rivera
- Eduardo de Lete (his friend) is madly in love with Consuelo.
They Ask me For Verses
Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-Philippine
Circle). Upon the request of the members, Rizal wrote a poem
entitled, Mi Piden Versos, he declaimed it during New Years Eve,
December 31, 1882
Rizal as Lover of Books
A favorite past time of Rizal in Madrid was reading. Rizal
economized on his living expenses, he purchase books from a
second-hand book store. Rizals was deeply affected by Uncle Toms
Cabin and the Wandering Jew.
Rizals First Visit to Paris (1883)
His first summer vacation to Paris, France, June 17 to August
20, 1883 and he live at cheap hotel on 124 Rue de Rennes in Latin
Quarter. Like all tourist, Rizal was amazed on the beautiful
sceneries of Paris. Rizal is an unordinary tourist because he was
observing the life and culture of French; he was spending time on
museums.
Rizal as a Mason
In Spain Rizal came close to with Masons including Miguel
Morayta, Francisco Pi y Margal, Manuel Bacerra, Emilio Junoy, and
Juan Ruiz Zorilla. Rizal was impressed by the Spanish Masons, and
he joined Masonic lodge called Acacia in Madrid. Later he
transferred to Lodge Solidaridad (Madrid), were he became a

Master Mason on November 15, 1890, he was awarded the diploma

of Master Mason on February 15, 1892.
Financial Worries
After Rizals departure to Spain, the things turned worse in
Calamba. Due to hard time in Calamba, the monthly allowances of
Rizal in Madrid were late in arrival and there were times they were
never arrived. On June 24, 1884 , a touching incident to Rizals life;
he was empty stomach that day but he still attended to his classes
and events.

Rizals Salute to Luna and Hidalgo

Banquet on June 25, 1884, Rizal salute to Luna and
Hidalgos victory on the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid
Lunas Spoliarium winning first prize and Hidalgos Christian Virgins
Exposed to the Populance, second price.
Rizal Involved in Student Demonstration
On November 20, 21, and 22, 1884, a riot was exploded on
the Central University due to excommunicated of Dr, Morayta, The
riot was participated by lots of students including Filipino students.
The appointment of the new Rector intensified the fury of
the student demonstrators. More student demonstrations
convulsed the city.
Studies Completed in Spain
Rizal completed his medical course in Spain in June 21,
1884. Due to not presenting the thesis required and corresponding
fees, he was not awarded his Doctors diploma. Rizal also finished
his studies in Philosophy and Letter. He was awarded the degree of
Licentiate in Philosophy and letters on June 19, 1885, with rating of
Excellent.