Ophthalmic Surgeon in

Hong Kong

Prepared by:

Marietta Agustin-Teaño
Rizal Professor
 Ophthalmic Surgeon in Hong Kong
 After the publication of El Fili, Rizal left Europe for
Hongkong, where he lived from November, 1891 to June,
1892
 He left Europe for 2 reasons:
1. political differences with M.H. del Pilar
2. to be near the Philippines and his family
 Rizal also opened a medical clinic
 Rizal received sad news from Manuel T. Hidalgo that 25
persons including some family members were deported to
Dapitan
 Family Reunion in Hong Kong
 Before Christmas of 1891, his father, brother
and Silvestre Ubaldo arrived in Hong Kong
 His mother, and sistersLucia, Josefa and
Trinidad also arrived
 The Christmas of 1891 in Hong Kong was the
happiest Yuletide celebrations in Rizal’s life
 Ophthalmic Surgeon in Hong Kong

 Rizal became a successful and well-known medical practitioner

in the British colony
 A Portuguese physician Dr. Lorenzo P. Marquez, became his
friend helped him build a wide clientele
 Rizal was also a general practitioner
 Some of his friends in Europe gave him moral and substantial
aid in his medical practice
 Had Rizal devoted his lifetime to the practice of medicine he
would have become one of Asia’s most eminent ophthalmologist
 Borneo colonization Project

 Rizal conceived the establishment of a Filipino colony in North Borneo

 He planned to move the landless Filipino families to the rich British-
owned island
 The British authorities of Borneo were willing to give the Filipinos
100,000 acres of land, free of charge
 Most of Rizal’s friends in Europe enthusiastically endorsed this project
 Manuel T. Hidalgo obejcted to this idea
 Despujol, the governor general did not approve this project
Rizal’s professional card when in Hongkong.
 Writings in Hong Kong
 Ang Mga Karapatan ng Tao – tagalog translation
of the Rights of Man proclaimed during the
French Revolution

 A La Nacion Española (1891) – an appeal to

Spain to correct the wrongs done to the Calamba
tenants

 Sa Mga Kababayan (1891) – explaining the

Calamba agrarian situation
 Writings in Hong Kong
 The Hong Kong Telegraph ( Mr. Frazier Smith) British daily newspaper
where Rizal contributed articles

 The newspaper was later on banned in the Philippines

 Constitution of La Liga Filipina was considered as the most important

writing of Rizal in Hong Kong

 It was printed in 1892, to deceive the Spanish authorities, the printed

copies carried the false information that the printing was done by the
London Printing Press
 La Liga Filipina

 Association of Patriotic Filipinos for civic purposes

 This was originally conceived by Jose Ma. Basa

 The copies of the La Liga Constitution was sent by

Rizal to Domingo Franco, his friend in Manila
 Decision to Return to Manila
 In May 1892, Rizal made up his mind to return to Manila
for the following reasons:

1. to confer with Gov. Gen. Despujol regarding his Borneo

colonization project

2. To establish the La Liga Filipina in Manila

3. To prove that Eduardo de Lete was wrong in attacking

him, that being comfortable in Hong Kong, had
abandoned the country’s cause
 Last Hong Kong Letters

 June 19, 1892 – he spent his 31st birthday in Hong

Kong, he had his premonition of death

 The following day, he wrote two letters which he

sealed, inscribed on each envelop “to be opened
after my death” and gave them to his friend Dr.
Lorenzo Marquez for safekeeping
 First Letter

 The first letter was addressed to his parents, brethren and friends….

………a man ought to die for duty and principles. I hold fast to every idea
which I have advanced as to the condition and future of our country,
and shall willingly die for it, and even more willingly sacrifice all to
secure justice and peace for you……

…….till the last moment of my life I shall be thingking of you and wishing
you all good fortunes and happiness
 Second Letter
 Addressed to the Filipinos

……….what matters death, if one dies for what one loves, for
native land and beings held dear…..

…......always have I loved our unhappy land, and I am sure that

I shall continue loving it till my last moment, in case men
prove unjust to me. My career, my life, m happiness – all I
have sacrifice for love of it. Whatever my fate, I shall die
blessing it and longing for the dawn of its redemption……….
 Rizal falls into Spanish Trap
 After Rizal’s departure from Hongkong, the Spanish-
consul general sent a cable telegram to Gov. Despujol,
that the victim is in the trap.

 On the same day, June 21, 1892, a case was filed in

Manila against Rizal and his followers “for anti-religious
and anti-patriotic agitation”
 Arrival in Manila
 June 26, 1892, Rizal with his sister Lucia arrived in Manila

 On that night, he had visited Gov. Despujol, after which,

he visited his sisters.

 The next day, he visited his friends in Central Luzon

 His movement was shadowed by government spies

 Founding of La Liga Filipina

 Doroteo Ongjunco – the home of this Chinese meztizo was

the venue of the meeting held for the purpose of
establishing La Liga

 Among those present was Andres Bonifacio

 Rizal explained to them the objectives of La Liga as

embodied in the constitution
The Calle Ilaya monument of Rizal and his associates of
La Liga Filipina.
 Aims of La Liga

1. To unite the whole archipelago into one compact and

homogenous body

2. Mutual protection in every want and necessity

3. Defense against all violence and injustice

4. Encouragement of education, agriculture and

commerce

5. Study and application of reforms

 Rizal arrested and Jailed in Fort Santiago

 Pobres Frailes (Poor Friars) – leaflets which were allegedly found in

Lucia’s pillowcases. It was a satire authored by FR. Jacinto against the
rich Dominicans

 Rizal denied having those leaflets in either his or Lucia’s baggage

 Despite his denial and demand for due process of law, he was arrested
and escorted to Fort Santiago by Ramon Despujol, the nephew of the
gov. general

 In Fort Santiago, he was kept incommunicado

 Arbitrary Deportation to Dapitan
 The Gaceta de Manila published the story of Rizal’s arrest. It also
published the decree of Gov. Despujol deporting Rizal to Dapitan. The
reasons were as follows:

1. Rizal published books and articles which showed disloyalty to Spain,

anti-Catholic and anti-friar
2. Leaflets entitled Pobres Frailes were found in one of their packages
3. his novel El Filibusterismo was dedicated to the three priests
4. The end which he pursues in his efforts and writings is to tear from the
Filipino the treasures of Catholic faith
The End