CHAPTER 9 Rizal in Peninsular Spain ‘As stressed in the previous chapter, Rizal decided to leave the country not just to complete his medical studies in Europe. There were hhidden purposes for his voyage: to make a name for himself in the realm of journalism; to observe and study Buropean society; and to prepare ‘himeeif for the task of liberating the Filipinos from Spanish tyranny. Impelled by these purposes, Rizal left the country to pursue his mission. ‘This chapter is focused on his first journey and subsequent entry into Spain and his gradual immersion into the Propaganda Movement in Madrid. Rizal’s Secret Departure Rizal left Calamba on May 1, 1882 and was able to reach Manila after ten hours of journey via a carromata. No one from among the family members of Rizal knew his departure for Spain, except Paciano, Saturnina, his Tio Antonio and a few friends. The trip was kept secret to avoid detection by Spanish authorities, especially the friars, His brother Paciano did everything to ensure that Rizal can leave the country secretly. He secured Rizal's passport with the name Jose Mercado.— SE Rizal nile’ his trip to Spain. He way i i days before : re stayed in M a Se te ‘3rd day ot aay (2 ei 20 4 then woke up tary, heard the mass at anto De ping Co hn te Walled City and then proceeded to Pasig River bound for Singapore. Itinerary To Spain From Manila, the Salvadora sailed for Sing: Te a Ga sad leaving his country and family. He tried to obser ROE On of ee around him and noted many Spanish-speaking Boy oe passengen country. To entertain himself, Rizal made sketches of 2 and things he saw along the way. After one week of sailing, the cruiser docked at Singapore, Rial stayed at Singapore for two days. During his two-day — Hide time to visit its botanical garden, art galleries, parks, and some hist spots. He recorded in his diary every detail of what he was observe, From Singapore, Rizal boarded the ship Djemnah, which shall ferry him to France. With him on this ship were French-speaking nationals. From his boarding point, the ship had its stopover at Point Galle in Ceylon, Aden and Port Said at Suez Canal. The steamer reached Naples on June 11, 1882. Rizal was impressed with Naples, an Italian city, for its panoramic beauty, lively people, and panoramic beauty (Zaide & Zaide, 1999). From ‘Naples, the steamer sailed to France. It docked at the harbor of Marseilles on June 12, 1882. At Marseilles, Rizal was impressed by the courtesy of the customs police. He was, likewise, enchanted by its graceful and impressive buildings and the courtesy and refined manners of the Frenchmen. From Marseilles, Rizal took the train for Barcelona. He reached the city, his entry point to Spain, on June 15, 1882. He reached Barcelona on the June 16, 1882). At first, Rizal had a negative impression of the city and its People. Later, he came to like Barcelona due to the prevalence of freedom and liberalism in the city and the good qualiti its residents—open-heartedness; hospitality, and corp erates OY ; and courage. 106 Chapter: Rizalin Peninsular Spain Pkthe journey to Spain, Rizal prayed directly to God. In fact, he became very curious of other religions, as evidenced by his attendance in @ Protestant worship service in Singapore. A second change in Rizal was the melting down of his social complex. As a proof, he was able to get along well with Spaniards on board the foreign vessel, as well as with other nationals who were with him in his trip to Spain. Rizal In Barcelona Rizal was welcomed by the 10s in Barcelona, most of who were his former schoolmates at Atenco Municipal. The welcome party tendered to him was held at favorite coffee house at Plaza de Catalufta. After the usual exchange of toasts and news, Rizal joined his friends for a walle around the city. He was even able to see the famous historical spots of Barcelona. While in Barcelona, Rizal took time writing to his family, relatives and friends in the Philippines. In fact, he did not forget one of his missions— that of making a name for himself in the field of writing. Through writing, Paciano believed that Rizal would be able to express his nationalistic and patriotic sentiment, which in effect can arouse the hostility and suspicion ff the Spanish Regime (Guerrero, 1998), For Rizal's brother, when this happens, Rizal, a poet will be transformed simultaneously into a patriot, a novelist, and a nationalist. El Amor Patrio Upon arriving at Barcelona, Rizal commenced his writing of nationslistic articles. The first of these articles was the essay entitled, EI Amor Patrio or Love of Country. Rizal wrote this essay when he was still 21 years old, under the pseudonym Laong Laan. It came out on August 20, 1882 in the Diariong Tagalog in Manila. For the first time, he used the term Tierra Extranjera (Foreign Land) in referring to Spain. Part of the cesay, published by the National Historical Institute in 2002, is reproduced below. (Chapter 9: Rizal in Peninsular Spain LOT ili ecLove of Country Ithas been said that love has always been the most powerful foreg behind the most sabre aeons, Well then, of all loves, that of country i, the greatest, the most heroic and the most disinterested. Read history, ip Rot, the annals, the traditions, Go to the homes, what sacrifices, sep denial, and ears are held on the sacred altar of the nation! From Brutys, who condemned his sons charged with treason, to Guzman the Good who allowed his son to die in order not to fail in his duty, what dramas, what tragedies, what martyrdom have not been enacted for the welfare of thay 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 sprinkle and made fruitful her sacred tree, and neither have they expected nor Teceived any reward, esses 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 fiee 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 condition 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, Seen your illusions disappear one you find yourselves without flowers ‘without leaves, and desirous of loving, , oe ‘you have the Motherland: Love her, £4 0 one worthy of you 108, Chaplain Peninsula Son meYou have lost a father, . a jr r, mother, brother, wife, child, in short, love, coop anak pou have founded your dreams, and you find in yourselves a rrible void. There you have the Motherland: Love her. _ Love her! Oh, yes! But not as they loved in other times by performing Hibpectes acts, denied and condemned by true morals and mother nature; "y 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. _ Itis 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 As already pointed out, the essay El Amor Patrio was Rizal’s first nationalistic essay where he urged the Filipinos to love their motherland. For Rizal, loving one’s country was the greatest, most heroic and sublime or disinterested sentiment a person could have. On account of the foregoing, he directly challenged the Filipinos to sacrifice for the welfare of the country. From this essay, Rizal made clear that for the love of one’s country, Filipinos have to sacrifice their youth, pleasures, splendor of genius and even their life, Filipinos, according to Rizal should not fear losing their lives, because they are going to live their country two immense fortunes, namely: LIBERTY; and GLORY. ‘After the El Amor Patrio, Rizal stopped producing nationalistic articles. His unproductiveness could be attributed to three factors, namely: the opposition of his mother; the difficulty of recognition in a foreign country; and his desire to finish his studies. Rizal Moves To Madrid Rizal decided to move to the capital city-of Spain in September, - 1882 to continue his studies. He enrolled in philosophy and letters and licentiate in medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid. Despite his very busy and rigid schedule, he took lessons in painting and sculpture at the Academia de San Fernando; lessons in fencing at the Schools of Sanz and Carbonell; and lessons in English, French and German in Madrid ‘Ateneo. He even contemplated taking the examination in Roman law for possible enrollment in law. Chapter 8: Rizal in Peninsular Spain LODi inati 26. Fortunatel He took the medical examination from June 5 to ately, he Passed the examination. At the same time, he passed the examination in Greek, Latin, and world history. Rizal was awarded the degree of Licentiate in Medicine for passing the medical examination for the course. He continued his doctorate degree in medicine but was not confe the Doctor's diploma due to his failure to pay the fee for the presentation and defense of his thesis, which was the final requirement for the course. He also completed the degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters, Despite his completion of his academic studies in Madrid, Rizal was not happy with what he was able to accomplish. For him, there was no basic difference between the educational system in Madrid and Manila, Nevertheless, it was in this city where Rizal completed one half of the novel, Noli Me Tangere. Es Rizal and the Filipino Expatriates in Madrid Despite Rizal’s hectic schedule in his studies, he took time to associate with the Filipino expatriates in Madrid. Here, he met Pedro Paterno, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Gregorio Sanciano, Juan Luna, Felix Hidalgo, Marcelo del Pilar, and a lot more. He became closely associated with Yaena and del Pilar. The three of them later on, came to be called the ‘Triumvirate of the Propaganda Movement. At the time that Rizal moved to Madrid, he learned that his fellow expatriates had formed the Circulo Hispano-Filipino, whose moving spirit was Juan Atayde (Guerrero, 1998). Knowing that Rizal was a prolific writer, he was asked to contribute a few verses to the review published by the club. Rizal submitted his poem entitled Mi Piden Versos. Below is the English translation of the said poem by Charles Derbyshire. THEY ASK ME FOR VERSES You bid me now to strike the lyre, That mute and torn so long has lain; And yet Icannot wake the strain, Nor will the Muse one note inspire! Coldly, it shakes in accents dire, As if my soul itself to wring, And when its sound seems to fling A jest as its own low lament; So in sad isolation pent, My soul can neither feel nor sing 4.10 Chapter 9: Rzalin Peninsular Span fi wis eeThere was a time — ah, ‘tis too true- But that time long ago has past - When upon me the Muse had cast Indulgent smile and friendship’s due; But of that age now all too few The thoughts that with me yet will stay; As from the hours of festive play ‘There linger on mysterious notes, And in our minds the memory floats Of minstrelsy and music gay. A plant Iam, that scarcely grown, Was torn from out its Eastern bed, Where all around perfume is shed And life but as a dream is known; The land that Ican call my own Be me forgotten ne’er to be, Where thrilling birds their song taught me, And cascades with their ceaseless roar, And all along the spreading shore The murmurs of the sounding sea. While yet in childhood’s happy day, Ilearn upon its sun to smile, ‘And in my breast there seems the while Seething volcanic fires to play, A bard Iwas, my wish always To call upon the fleeting wind, “Go forth, and spread around its flame, From zone to zone with glad acclaim ‘And earth to heaven together bind!” But it left, and now no more — Like a tree that is broken and sere - ‘My natal gods bring the echo clear” Of songs that in past times they bore; Wide seas I cross’d to foreign shore With hope of change and other fate ‘My folly was made clear too late, For in the place of good I sought The seas reveal’d unto naught, But made death’s spectre on me wait.i mine, All these fond fancies that were ‘ATyeeling, allemprise, Were et isseeath the Sunn shies Which oer that flowery region shine So press no more that plea af e _ For songs of love from out a hear That coldly lies a thing apart; Since now with tortur’d soul I have Unresting o'er the desert waste, And lifeless gone is all the art. Meanwhile, Rizal wrote Don Francisco about his involvement in the Circulo Hispano. Later on, he told his father that the society disintegrated owing to the differences between the young student expatriates and the retired colonials, due to differences in age and youth. At this time, Rizal was already feeling the effect of hardships in Calamba. The finances of Rizal’s family turned from bad to worse after Rizal’s departure from the Philippines owing to crop failures, brought about by drought and locusts, This was aggravated by the hike in rentals on the hacienda lands of the Dominicans in his hometown. As a consequence of this, there was frequent delay in his monthly stipend from the Philippines. Thus, there were many occasions when he attended his classes on empty stomach. Rizal Joins The Masonry __ Living in Madrid exposed Rizal to liberal ideas, stressing the value of individual freedom of action on matters of religion and expression (Zulueta, 2004). Imbued with the vitality of youth and idealism, he became fascinated with the manner by which Spanish masons in Madrid discussed political issues fearlessly. He was overwhelmed by their progressive ideas on government, politics, and religion. Thus, he joined the Mesorry fr too Probable reasons: the abuses committed by the friars against the rilipines, and the possible assistance the masons can eatend tar yee against Spanish tyranny and oppression, He became ores Struaee Lodge Solidaridad on November 15, 1890, Seems tie ae Sota Rizal’s Affair with Consuelo 112 Chapter 9: Rzain Peninsular Spain— raielie anne with Consuelo and Pilar, Don Pablo's daughters. Rizal smile. He gave her eene® due to her refined manners and enchanting Consuelo falda rowers occasionally, which Consuelo appreciated. since he was still wagnth, him: Rizal, however, suppressed his emotions is ded not engaged with Leonor Rivera, way back home. Besides, e did not want to destroy his friendship with Eduardo de Lete, who was madly in loved with Consuelo. Before leaving Madrid in 1883, Rizal composed a poem for Consuelo, which was entitled A La Senorita C. O. y R. Rizal’s Toast to Luna and Hidalgo - While Rizal was in Madrid a very heartening news made the Filipino expatriates rejoice. Juan Luna and Felix R. Hidalgo emerged winners in the 1884 Madrid Exposition. Luna was awarded a gold medal for his painting, the Spolarium; while Hidalgo, a silver medal for his entry, Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace. A banquet was tendered in honor of these two Filipino artists at The Café Ingles on June 25, 1884, with Rizal delivering the keynote speech. The speech of salute Rizal delivered during the occasion came to be called Brindis. Part of this speech as published by Rizal Centennial Com- mission in 1964 is reproduced below. BRINDIS In the history of nations there are names that by themselves signify and achievement, that recall passion and greatness, names that, like magic formulae, evoke pleasant and smiling thoughts...names that become a pact, ‘a. symbol of peace, a bond of love between the nations. The names of Luna and Hidalgo belong to these: their glories illumine the two extremes of the globe — the East and the West, Spain and the Philippines........Luna and Hidalgo are Spanish, as well as Philippine glories. They were born in the Philippines, but they could have been born in Spain, because genius Knows no country, genius sprouts everywhere, genius is like light, air, patrimony of everybody, cosmopolitan. like space, like life, like God. sausaThe patriarchal era in the Philippines is waning. The deeds of herillustrious sons are no longer wasted at home. The oriental chrysalis is leaving the cocoon... saul the Spolarium, through the canvas that is not mute, can be heard the tumult of the multitude, the shouting of the slaves, the metallic creaking of the armor of corpses, the sobs, the bereaved, the murmurs of Chapter 9: Rizal in Peninsular Spain 113,the din of thunder in ism as one hears a 7 he ot mm. oO re onthe impressive and dreadfiy the midst of the crasl tremor of the earthquake. ma ’s paint rest sentiment throbs, On the other hand, in Hidalee aa peeiateass victims of brute ideal expression of melancholy, beauty, and we he brilliant azure of the force; and itis because Hidalgo was bor. nese Se at Nae ‘serenity of the lakes, the poetry of its valleys, an of its mountains and ranges. -f the mother teaches her child her language” orde” that she may understand his joys, his necessities, or his sorrows, Dees teaches also her language to the Philippines, in spite of ee es. those myopic men and pygmies, who desiring to insure the py sent, do not see the future, do not weigh the consequences — corrupt ohne who tend to extinguish all legitimate feelings, who perverting the hearts of the people, sow in them the germs of discord in order to reap later the nuit, the aconite, the death of future generations. .--...Luna and Hidalgo belong as much to you as to us; you love them and we see in them generous hopes, precious examples. The Filipino youth in Europe...whose hearts always remain young for the disinterestedness and enthusiasm that characterize their actions, offer to Luna as a crown, a modest gift... but the most spontaneous and the most voluntary of all the gifts hitherto presented to him. In reflecting on their pallete the splendiferous rays of unfading glory with which they surround their native land, both express the spirit of our social, moral, and spiritual life: mankind subjected to harsh tests; unredeemed mankind; reason and aspiration in an open struggle with Preoccupations, fanaticism, and injustices. Idrink then to the health of our artists, Luna and Hidalgo, legitimate and pure glories of two peoples! I drink to the health df dis porno 1s who have lent them a helping hand on the dolorous path of art. drink to the health of the Filipino youth, sacred hope of my Native Land, that they may imitate such precious examples so that Mother Spain. i soon the reforms she has contemplated for a long time, The furrow is ready and the ground is not sterile And i drink finally for the happiness of those parents, who deprived of the tenderness of their child: capes those distant regions follow them with moist eyes and palpi aree, from across seas and space, sacrificing on the altar of the connor welfare, the sweet concolor that are s0 scarce in the twilight of life, precious See lonely winter flowers that sprout along the snowaohise tevters of 114 Chaper Rizal Poninsla SpainRizal was greatly applauded by both Filipinos and Spaniards who attended the tribute to Luna and Hidalgo. For the first ee ince heard a young Filipino delivering a speech fluently in the Castilian language. Obviously, Rizal stressed the idea that genius knows no race, Thus, he condemned the bigotry and blindness of the friars to understand the universality of a genius. The speech itself can be considered a direct attack and challenge to the Spanish Regime. From the Brindis can be noted Rizal stressing on the idea that the Luna and Hidalgo’s paintings were the reflections of the reality of politics, society, and moral life of the Filipinos under the Spanish conquerors. Thus, he said that the two paintings clearly showed humanity in severe ordeal, humanity unredeemed, and reason and idealism in an open struggle with fanaticism and injustice. It was a direct challenge to the Spanish Regime, as it indirectly called for the institution of the much- needed reforms in the Philippine society. Dofia Teodora’s Reactions on Rizal’s Speech News of Rizal delivery of the Brindis reached the Philippines due to the full coverage given by the Madrid Press to the occasion. Nonetheless, Rizal was not cognizant of the consequence of his speech. Rizal's mother became ill, as his son became the talk of the town and the friars in Calamba. ‘Thus, in her letter to Rizal she advised him to refrain from writing articles that might offend the friars and the Regime; and that he should not fail in his duties as a Christian, Finally, she warned Rizal not to continue pursuing further studies since she had that fear that it could cause him death later (Dofia Teodora’s Letter to Rizal, December 11, 1884), Rizal responded to her mother by stressing the following points (Guerrero, 1998): > He will still have enemies, even if he puts an end to writing articles considered anti-Spanish and anti-friars; > Life can’t be without any sorrow; > Misfortunes are welcomed when they can avert debasement and degradation; > Conscience has to decide whether to submit or perish in the society where a person is born. > People have to put their trust in God in the sincerity of their purpose; ‘Chapter 9: Rizal in Peninsular Spain 115is ir children are upright judgmen,, > ‘The best legacy parents can give their d eseunce id adversity generosity in the exercise of rights; and p 3 ; and good name. » Asson can pay honor to his parents thru honesty y f beli * Religion is the holiest of things but a person can only believe py Feasoning; and * Conscience can accept only what is compatible with reason, i jother, we can see a From the kind of response Rizal sent his me a Rizal had emerged — a student teaching Doria Teodora what should avy What should not be done, From simply being a poet, he had become « rationalist and a nationalist. CHAPTER REVIEW V what was the real purpose of Rizal’s voyage to Spain? Why was it made secret? 2. What were the Places where Rizal had a stop over prior to his entry into Spain? S. What were his impressions of the followin; ig places: Singapore; Naples; Marseilles; and Barcelona? AC How did Rizal's voyage to Spain transform Rizal into a new person? 5. Why was the essay El Amor Patrio considered a nationalistic essay? ©. Do you agree with Rizal on his idea that love i ‘al achievements at Madrid? Why was he dissatisfied with what he was able to accomplish? 9. What made Rizal joined the Masonry in Spain? 10. Why was Rizal attracted with Consuelo? Why did he hide his true feelings for her? 11, Why was Rizal made to deliver a speech of salute to Luna and Hidalgo? 116 Chepier 9: Rizalin Peninsula Spin