LLENA, LADY YVONNE YVANNA A.

M23 JRIZAL SEPTEMBER 25,2019

SEGUNDA KATIGBAK: RIZAL’S FIRST LOVE

Jose Rizal was only a young boy of sixteen (16) when he first fell in love, and it was with
Segunda Katigbak, a girl from Lipa, Batangas and two years his junior. According to Rizal,
“She was rather short, with eyes that were eloquent and ardent at 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.”
Stolen Glances
Rizal went to Trozo, Manila one day to visit his grandmother. His friend, Mariano
Katigbak, accompanied him. Mariano’s family were close with Rizal’s grandmother, and
upon arrival at Lipa, Mariano’s sister Segunda was there at the old woman’s house along
with other guests. Rizal was drawn to hear instantly.
Image
Some of the other guests knew that Rizal was a skilled painter and asked him to draw a
portrait of Segunda. He obliged, and reluctantly worked on a pencil sketch of the girl.
“From time to time, she looked at me, and I blushed.”
A Blossoming Love
Rizal’s sister Olympia was a close friend of Segunda and a student at La Concordia College,
and Rizal went to visit her every week, during which he came to know Segunda more
intimately. Their affection for each other grew deeper with every meeting, one that began
with “love at first sight.”
Hopeless from the Beginning
Unfortunately, Segunda was already engaged to be married to her townmate, Manuel Luz,
and although Rizal had gotten hints of the lady’s affection for him, he timidly decided to
back away and did not propose. Years later Segunda returned to Lipa and wed her
betrothed, leaving a frustrated Rizal to the mercy of his nostalgic memories. Rizal said
while recording his first romance three years later, “Ended, at an early hour, my first love!
My virgin heart will always mourn the reckless step it took on the flower-decked abyss. My
illusions will return, yes, but indifferent, uncertain, ready for the first betrayal on the path
of love.”