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.

Rizal’s 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 d’lf, 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.
Rizal’s 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 Spanish’s 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
Consuelo’s beauty. On August 22, 1883 he expresses his admiration; he made a
poem entitled “A La Señiorita C.O. y P.”. The Romance didn’t 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 Year’s 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. Rizal’s was
deeply affected by Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the Wandering Jew.

Rizal’s 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 Rizal’s 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 Rizal’s life; he was empty stomach that day but he still attended to his classes and
events.

Rizal’s Salute to Luna and Hidalgo

Banquet on June 25, 1884, Rizal salute to Luna and Hidalgo’s victory on the
National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid – Luna’s Spoliarium winning first prize and
Hidalgo’s 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
Doctor’s 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.