RIZAL’S HIGHER EDUCATION AND LIFE ABROAD

Rizal’s Higher Education at UST

Rizal's higher education started in college, after completing his Bachelor of Arts (a high school
diploma equivalent). His higher education was spent most in UST.

 Both Paciano and Don Francisco wanted Rizal to enter a university but Doña Teodora opposed
the idea because the Spaniards might “cut-off his head”.
 The Bachelor of arts course during the Spanish time is only equivalent to high school diploma or
junior college today.
 In April, when Rizal was nearly 16 years old, he enrolled at UST. He took up Philosophy and
Letters because his father liked it and he was uncertain as to what course he would pursue.
 At first, he was attracted to a priesthood (he would have been a Jesuit priest). The Jesuit fathers
wanted him to take up farming but Rizal’s choice was between Literature and Law and
Medicine. Having a talent for self-expression and a keen sense of justice he would have been a
brilliant lawyer.
 Having received Father Pablo Ramon’s (Rector of Ateneo) advice to study medicine, he took up
medical course enrolling simultaneously in pre-medical course and regular medical course.
 While at UST, he also studied at Ateneo taking up vocational course leading to the title perito
agrimensor (expert surveyor). He excelled in all subjects in surveying course and obtained gold
medals in Agriculture and Topography.
 He passed the final examination in the surveying course and granted the title as surveyor in
November 25, 1881.
 While at Ateneo pursuing the surveying course, he became active in extracurricular activities. He
was elected President of the Academy of Spanish Literature and Secretary of the Academy of
Spanish Literature. He was also a Secretary of the Marian Congregation.
 While at UST, he fell in love with three (3) women. During his first year, he fell in love with a
woman simply called “Miss L”, a woman with a fair, seductive and attractive eye. The romance
died like a natural death because of two reasons: (1) the sweet memory of Segunda Katigbak
(the first sweetheart of Rizal) was still fresh in his memory and (2) Rizal’s father did not like the
family of “Miss L”. The identity of “Miss L” is lost in history.
 During his sophomore year, he courted Leonor Valenzuela (Orang). A tall girl with regal bearing.
He sent her love notes-in invisible ink (combination of table salt and water). Nevertheless, he
taught Orang to heat it over a candle or lamp so that the words may appear. But as with
Segunda Katigbak, he stopped visiting the woman “Miss L”.
 During his junior year, Rizal had a romance with Leonor Rivera, of Camiling, Tarlac. Leonor was a
frail, pretty girl and a student of La Concordia College. Both Rizal and Leonor were engaged.
Rizal used a sign name “Taimis” to camouflage their relationship from their parents.
 Rizal studied at UST from 1878 to 1882. His grade in the Medicine subjects consisted of 2
Excellent, 3 Very Good, 8 Good, and 2 Fair (Physics, General Pathology). The subjects of which
he got excellent grades were Cosmology and Metaphysics, Theodicy, History and Philosophy
(Philosophy and Letters all in Ateneo) and Chemistry and Therapeutics in Medicine (UST). His
grades at UST College of Medicine was not as impressive as what he got in Ateneo Philosophy
and Letters due to hostility of the Dominican professors to him, backward method of instruction
 (subjects were taught without laboratory experiments — laboratory apparatuses were just kept
inside showcases for display purposes), and racial discrimination against Filipino students.
 During his college days at UST and Ateneo, Rizal was involved in brawls and Spanish brutality.
During the summer vacation in 1878, while walking on a dimly street not knowing the figure
close to him, he did not greet and say “good Evening”. The vague figure (turned out to be a
lieutenant of the Guardia Civil) struck Rizal’s back with his sword. The wound though not
serious, lasted for two weeks. He reported the incident to Pardo de Tavera, Spanish Governor
General, but nothing came out of his complaint.
In another student brawls near Escolta in Manila, Rizal was wounded on the head. His
Filipino friends brought him bleeding and covered with dust to his boarding house, “Casa
Tomasina”. Leonor Rivera, one of his sweethearts, washed and dressed his wounds.
 Unlike in Ateneo, Rizal was unhappy at UST because the Dominican university professors were
hostile to him; the Filipinos who were called indios were discriminated by the Spaniards, and the
method of instruction was obsolete and repressive.
 After completing the fourth-year term in medicine, Rizal decided to study in Spain because he
could no longer endure the discrimination and oppression at UST and because in Spain, the
professors were more liberal than those in UST.

Rizal’s Travel, Life and Education Abroad

Dr. Jose Rizal was considered as the “Most Travelled Filipino Hero”. He travelled to almost 20
countries and about 40 island cities.

The following events took place during Rizal’s travels and life abroad are arranged in their
chronological order.

Rizal’s First Trip Abroad

 Rizal’s parents, Leonor, and the Spanish authorities knew nothing of his decision to go abroad.
Only his older brother Paciano, uncle Antonio Rivera (father of Leonor Rivera), sisters Neneng
and Lucia, the Valenzuela family and their daughter Orang, Pedro A. Paterno, his compadre
Mateo Evangelista, the Ateneo Jesuit priest and some intimate friends knew of his secret
departure.
Before Rizal’s secret departure, he wrote a farewell letter to his parents and his
sweetheart Leonor Rivera which was delivered to them — after he sailed away.
 May 3, 1882 – On board the Spanish steamer, Salvadora Rizal departed for Spain using Jose
Mercado, on his travel documents. His main reason in leaving the Philippines was to transfer at
the Universidad Central de Madrid in Spain and to finish his medicine course. On board the
steamer were 16 passengers, including Rizal. He was the only Filipino, the rest were Spaniards,
British, and Indian Negroes.
 May 8, 1882 – On his way to Spain, he had a two-day stopover in Singapore, and English colony.
He reached the island considered by him as “Talim Island with the Susong Dalaga” on May 8,
1882. The following day, May 9, Rizal registered at Hotel de la Paz and spent two-day
sightseeing sorties of the city. He saw the Botanical gaden, the famous Buddhist Temple and the
founder of Singapore, Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles.
 May 11, 1882 – He was on board the steamer Djemnah, a French steamer, much larger and
cleaner than Salvadora. On board the vessel were British, French, Dutch, Spaniards, Malays,
Siamese, and Filipinos like Mr. and Mrs. Salazar, Vicente Pardo, and Rizal himself. French was
mostly spoken on board because it was a French vessel.
 May 17, 1882 — He arrived at Point Galle (Punta De Gallo), a seacoast town in southern Ceylon
(now Sri Lanka). The town is picturesque, lovely, quiet, and sad at the same time according to
Rizal.
 May 18, 1882 — he had a stopover at Colombo, the capital of Ceylon. According to Rizal,
Colombo is more beautiful, smart, elegant than Singapore, Point Galle and Manila.
 May 28, 1882 — From Colombo, Ceylon, the Djemnah continued voyage and crossed the Indian
Ocean until it reached Cape of Guardafin, Africa. Rizal called Africa as famous but inhospitable
land.
Then he reached Aden. Here he went ashore for sightseeing. He found the city hotter
than Manila. He saw camels for the first time.
 June 2, 1882 — From Aden, he proceeded to Suez Canal. It took 5 days to travel the Suez Canal.
Upon arrival, Rizal disembarked and went sightseeing. It was his first trip in this canal. He was
impressed of the moonlight which reminded him of Calamba. Then, he proceeded to the Red
Sea Terminal before reaching Post Said (Mediterranean terminal of Suez Canal), Rizal went
ashore for sightseeing. He was fascinated to hear multiracial inhabitants speaking a babel of
tongues – Arabic, Egyptians, Greek, French, Italian, Spanish.
 June 11, 1882 — From Port Said, the steamer proceeded to Europe and reached Naples City,
Italy. Rizal was fascinated by Mount Vesuvius, the Castle of St. Telno, and the historic sights of
the city. The city is busy because of its business activity, lively people and panoramic beauty.
 June 12, 1882 — The steamer docked at the French harbor of Marseilles. Rizal disembarked to
visit Chateau d’ef where Dantes, the hero in The Count of Monte Cristo was jailed. He stayed at
Marseilles for two and a half days at Hotel Noailles for three (3) days.
 June 15, 1883 — The steamer left Marseilles by train on its last trip to Spain. The steamer
reached Pyrenees and stopped for a day at Port Bou. In this place, Rizal saw the indifference
accorded to tourists in comparison to the courtesy accorded by the French immigration officers.
 June 16, 1882 — From port Bou, Rizal continued his trip for the last lap by train from Spain and
finally reached his destination — Barcelona, Spain. Rizal stayed in Hotel de España and in Sitges
Street with Tomas Cabangis and boarded a house in San Severo Street. He visited Ronda de la
Universidad de Barcelona and San Pablo Hospital in the City of Barcelona. At first, Rizal had a
bad impression of Barcelona - ugly, dirty little inns, inhospitable people — because he happened
to stay upon his arrival in a stingy hotel. Later, he changed his mind and came to like the city —
as a great city with and atmosphere of freedom and liberalism and the people were open-
hearted, hospitable, and courageous. he enjoyed promenading along Las Rambles. the famous
Barcelona Street.
Life in Barcelona. Rizal was welcomed by the Filipinos in Barcelona, some of whom were
his classmates in Ateneo. They gave him a party at their favorite café — Plaza de Catalina. They
exchanged toast and they told Rizal of the attractions and customs of the people in Barcelona.
Rizal, in turn, gave news and gossips in the Philippines. While in Barcelona, Rizal received two
bad news. The first bad news was about the cholera outbreak that ravaged Manila and the
 provinces. The second bad news was the chatty letter of Chenggoy recounting the unhappiness
of Leonor Rivera, who was getting thinner due to the absence of a loved one.
 November 3, 1882 — On the advice of Paciano to Rizal, to finish medical course in Madrid, Rizal
left Barcelona in the fall of 1882 and went to Madrid, the capital of Spain. On November 3, 1882,
he enrolled in the Universidad Central de Madrid (Central University of Madrid) in Medicine and
Philosophy and Letters. In Madrid, he lodged at Visitacion Street, No. 3., 3rd floor (Room 4), in
1883. In October 1884, he transferred to Pizarro Street, No. 13 and later on at Ventura de la
Vega Street.
He also studied painting and sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando,
took tutoring lessons in French and English and practiced fencing and shooting in the Hall of
Arms of Sanz Carbonell.
 Life in Madrid - Rizal lived frugally, rigidly budgeting his money wisely. Although he used to buy
tickets in every draw of the Madrid Lottery, he never wasted his money for gambling, wine and
women. Rizal spent his leisure time by reading books, such as on military engineering to
broaden his cultural background. As a lover of books, he purchased books from a second-hand
bookstore owned by a certain Roses. In fact, he was able to build a fair-sized private library in his
boarding house. In the gymnasium, he practiced shooting and fencing. At other times, he visited
his Filipino friends at the house of Paterno brothers. He also fraternized with other students at
the Antigua Café d Levantes. On Saturday evenings, he visited the home of Don Pablo Ortega y
Rey (father of Consuelo), who has been the city mayor of Manila during the administration of
Governor Carlos de la Torre (1869-1871). During one of his visits to the Ortega’s house, he
became attracted by Consuelo’s beauty and charm.
During his stay in Barcelona and Madrid, hard times occurred in Calamba, harvest of rice
and sugarcane failed due to drought and locusts. The Dominican-owned hacienda increased the
rentals of the lands leased and cultivated by the Rizal family — the rental increase was a
consequence of the failure of Don Francisco to give turkeys to the hacienda manager.
Likewise, to send money to Rizal in Madrid, Paciano was forced to sell Rizal’s pony.
 June 21, 1884 — Rizal was conferred the Licentiate in Medicine with a rating of “Fair” by the
Universidad Central de Madrid after completing 5" year (1882-83) and 6" year term (1883-84).
In his six (6) subjects, he got “Excellent” in Legal Medicine and “Fair” in Obstetrician Clinic. He
got “Good” and “Very Good” in the other subjects.
In the next academic year (1884-85), he passed all the subjects leading to the degree of
Doctor of Medicine. In his three (3) subjects, he got “Fair” in History of Medical Science, “Good”
in Surgical Analysis and an “Excellent” in Normal Histology. He, however, was not conferred the
degree of Doctor of Medicine for failure to present a thesis required for graduation and pay for
the corresponding fee.
Nevertheless, by obtaining a degree of Licentiate in Medicine, he became a full-fledged
physician and qualified to practice medicine. He was not interested in taking the post-degree of
Doctor of Medicine because such a degree is good only for teaching purposes, and he knew that
no friar-owned university in the Philippines would accept him for a teaching position because of
his brown color.
 June 24, 1884 – Rizal was broke. With empty stomach, he attended his classes at the University,
participated in the contest in Greek language and won the gold medal. On the evening of June
 24 however, he was able to take his dinner because he was a guest speaker in a banquet held in
honor of San Juan and Felix Resurrecion Hidalgo at Restaurant Ingles in Madrid.
 November 20, 1884 — Student demonstrations started to explode at the Universidad Central de
Madrid due to the expulsion of Dr. Miguel Morayta, professor of history in the University. The
Catholic Bishops of Spain excommunicated Dr. Morayta because of his liberal view in which he
proclaimed the “freedom of science and teacher” during the opening ceremonies of the
academic year in November 20. Angered by the bigotry of the Catholic bishops.
Rizal together with other students armed with clubs, stones, fists fought the
government forces during the demonstrations. Many University professors, including the
University Rector who took the side of the students, were forced to resign. During the
demonstrations, the students protesters shouted “Viva Morayta! Down with Bishops”.
 June 19, 1885 — On his 24" birthday anniversary, Rizal was awarded the degree of Licenciate in
Philosophy and Letters by the Universidad Central de Madrid with a rating of “Excellent”
(Sobresaliente). By obtaining this degree, he became qualified to be a professor of humanities in
any Spanish University.
 June 25, 1885 — Rizal was invited to speak in a banquet to celebrate the double victory of two
(2) Filipino artists, Juan Luna’s “Spoliarium” winning first prize and Felix Hidalgo’s “Christian
Virgins Exposed to the Populace” winning second prize, in the National Exposition of Fine Arts in
Madrid. He saluted Luna and Hidalgo for their artistic achievements.
 October, 1885 — Rizal had a stopover in Barcelona on his way to Paris. He visited his friend
Maximo Viola, member of a rich family from San Miguel, Bulacan. He stayed for a week with
Maximo Viola at a lodge in Vergara No.1, 3rd floor Room 2. He also befriended Eusebio
Corominas, editor of the newspaper La Publisidad.
 November, 1885 — Rizal went to Paris and lived there for four (4) months where he worked as
an assistant to Dr. Louis de Wecket, a leading French ophthalmologist. He rapidly improved his
knowledge in ophthalmology. Outside of his working hours, he relaxed by visiting his friends. He
also went to Luna’s studio. He helped by posing as a model in several paintings. Rizal posed as
Egyptian priest in Luna’s canvass “The Death of Cleopatra” and Sikatuna in Luna’s great painting
“The Blood Compact”.
 February 3, 1886 — After four (4) months of stay in Paris, he left Paris for Heidelberg, Germany.
He lived for a short time, with German law students in a boarding house but later on transferred
to a boarding house near the University of Heidelberg. Since Rizal was a good chess player, he
was made a member of the Chess Player’s Club. He became a popular friend to the German so
that the German students joined him in beer drinking, saber duel, and chess games.
Rizal worked at the University Eye Hospital under Dr. Otto Becker, a distinguished
German ophthalmologist and attended lectures of Dr. Becker and Prof. Wilhelm Kuehne at the
University. During weekends, he had sightseeing at the scenic spots at Heidelberg, the famous
Heidelberg Castle, romantic Neckar River, old churches, etc.
He also spent a 3-month summer vacation at Wilhelmsfeld. a mountainous village near
Heidelberg. Here, he became a good friend of Dr. Karl Ullmer, a Protestant pastor.
 June 25, 1886 — Rizal left Wilhelmsfeld. He returned to Heidelberg carrying with him beautiful
memories of the Ullmer friendship and hospitality.
 July 3, 1886 — Rizal wrote his first letter in German to Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt, an Austrian
ethnologist interested in Philippine languages, who was at that time the Director of Ateneo of
 Lemeritz, Austria. He also sent Blumentritt the book “Aritmetica” written in two languages,
Spanish and Tagalog. authored by Rufino Baltazar Hernandez of Santa Cruz and to reciprocate
him, Blumentritt also sent Rizal a gift of two books. This marked the beginning of long and
frequent correspondence between Rizal and Blumentritt. Their friendship lasted all their lives.
Blumentritt, an Austrian became the best friend of Rizal.
 August 6, 1886 — Heidelberg held its 5th centenary celebration. The celebration was held in
three days. Rizal was sad to leave Heidelberg because he had come to love the beautiful city and
its hospitable people.
 August 9, 1886 — Rizal left Heidelberg and boarded a train, visited other cities of Germany and
arrived at Leipzig.
 August 14 1886 — He arrived at Leipzig. He attended some lectures at the University of Leipzig
in history and psychology. Prof. Friedrich Ratzel, a famous German historian and Dr. Hans
Meyer, German anthropologist became Rizal's friends.
Rizal translated Scheller’s William Tell and Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales into
Tagalog. He also corrected some chapters at the city’s gymnasium. Rizal found Leipzig as the
cheapest in Europe and so he stayed for two and a half months.
 October 29, 1886 - He arrived at Dresden, Germany and met Dr. Adolf B. Meyer, Director of the
Anthropological and Ethnological Museum. Here, he heard mass in the morning. He stayed two
days in the city.
 November 1, 1886 — Rizal left Dresden by train and reached Berlin in the evening. Rizal met for
the first time Dr. Feodor Jagor, famous German scientist-traveler and author of Travels in the
Philippines. Dr. Jagor visited the Philippines in 1859 when Rizal was still a boy. Rizal met the
following famous personalities: Dr, Rudolf Virchow, famous German anthropologist, Dr. Hans
Virchow, professor of Descriptive Anatomy and son of Dr. Rudolf Virchow; Dr. W. Joest, a
German geographer, and Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger, famous German ophthalmologist. For a
while, Rizal worked in the clinic of Dr. Schweigger. Upon the recommendation of Dr. Jagor and
Meyer, he became member of the Anthropological Society, Ethnological Society and
Geographical Society of Berlin.
Life in Berlin. Rizal became impressed in Berlin because of its scientific atmosphere and
absence of racial race. He lived in Berlin in a frugal life. He worked as an assistant in Dr.
Schweigger’s clinic. At night, he attended lectures in the University of Berlin. He took private
lesson under French Professor Madame Lucie Cerdale. He performed daily exercises in a Berlin
gymnasium. He observed keenly the customs, dresses, homes, and occcupations of the
peasants. He made sketches of the things he saw. He promenaded along Unter den linden, the
most popular boulevard of Berlin.
During the winter of 1886 in Berlin, he lived in poverty because he was flat broke. He
was unable to pay his landlord because no money arrived from Calamba, he pawned the
diamond ring that was given to him by his sister Saturnina. He had to eat only one meal a day,
and the daily meal consisted of bread and water or cheap vegetable soup. He washed his clothes
because he cannot afford to pay the laundry. Paciano was delayed in raising the necessary
funds, Rizal’s health broke down. he began and feared that he was going to be sick with
tuberculosis.
 After several months, Rizal received Paciano’s remittance of P1,000 which was
forwarded by Juan Luna from Paris. Rizal paid Viola the sum of P300 for the loan granted to Rizal
for printing Noli Me Tangere.
Rizal went to Berlin for five (5) reasons: (1) to increase his knowledge in ophthalmology;
(2) to broaden his studies of sciences and languages; (3) to observe political and economic
conditions of Germany; (4) to associate with famous German scientist and scholars, and (5) to
publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere.
 May 11, 1887 — Rizal and Viola left Berlin for Dresden (one of the best cities in Germany). They
visited Dr. Adolph B. Meyer. In the Museum of Arts, Rizal was deeply impressed by a painting of
“Prometheus Bound”. While strolling at the scene of the Floral Exposition, they met Dr. Jagor.
Dr. Jagor suggested that they must send a wire to Blumentritt.
 May 13, 1887 - Rizal and Viola on borad a train reached Leitmeritz, Bohemia (now
Czechoslovakia). Professor Blumentritt received their wire and met Rizal and Viola warmly. They
greeted each other in German. Professor Blumentritt helped Rizal and Viola get a room at Hotel
Krebs, after which brought them to his house and introduced them to his wife and children. The
two enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Blumentritt family. One afternoon, he invited them to a
beer garden where the best beer in Bohemia was served. Rizal and Viola were also invited to a
meeting at the Tourist Club at Leitmeritz of which Blumentritt was the secretary.
At Leitmeritz, Rizal met another famous scientist of Europe, Dr. Carlos Czepelan and
another eminent naturalist Robert Klutschak. On their last night at Leitmeritz, Rizal and Viola
tendered a banquet in honor of Professor Blumentritt at the hotel.
 May 17, 1887 - Rizal and Viola left Leitmeritz by train on their way to the city of Prague. They
carried recommendation letters of Professor Blumentritt to Dr. Willhomm, professor of natural
history in the University of Prague. The two were welcomed by the family of Dr. Willhomm and
showed the city’s historic spots.
 May 19, 1887 — Rizal and Viola went to Brunn City but nothing of importance happened during
their visit.
 May 20, 1887 — Rizal and Viola arrived in the city of Vienna, capital of Austria — Hungary. They
stayed at Hotel Metropole. they visited famous interesting scenic places like churches,
museums, art galleries, theaters, public parks, beautiful buildings, religious images. Because of
this, Vienna was called the “Queen of the Danube”. They also met Mr. Norfenfoe, one of the
greatest novelists in Europe. They also met Masner and Nordmenn, Austrian scholars.
 May 24, 1887 — Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a river boat to see the beautiful sights of the
Danube river. The river voyage ended in Lintz, afterwards, they travelled on land to Salzburg and
from there to Munich. In Munich, they had a short time savoring the famous Munich beer,
reputed to be the best beer in Germany. From Munich, they went to Nuremberg, one of the
oldest cities of Germany. Rizal and Viola were very much impressed by the manufacturer of dolls
which was the biggest industry of the city. After Munich, they visited Ulm, particularly the city
cathedral, the “largest and tallest in all Germany”. Viola climbed its many hundred steps, he was
tired and felt dizzy. Rizal, on the other hand, climbed the stairs without resting to reach the top.
From Ulm, they went to Stuttgart, Baden and Rheinfall (cascade of the Rhine). The
waterfall of Rheinfall was considered as the “most beautiful waterfall of Europe”.
 June 2-3, 1887 — Rizal and Viola continued their trip on a boat and reached Basel (Bale), Bern,
Lausenne. After sightseeing in Lausenne, they crossed the foggy lake of Geneva.
 June 6, 1887 — Rizal and Viola reached Geneva, Switzerland and lodged in bel Air, No. 2, Rue de
Rhine. Geneva is one of the most beautiful cities of Europe. The Geneva people spoke in three
languages: French, German, and Italian. Rizal was able to converse in these languages. Rizal and
Viola went boating on the lake. They also had a beach excursion wherein Rizal showed his
rowing prowess which he acquired during his boyhood in Calamba.
While in Geneva, Rizal received the sad news from his friends in Amdrid of the
deplorable conditions of the Igorots of Northern Luzon who were exhibited in the 1887 Madrid
Exposition, some of whom died. Their scanty clothing and crude weapons were objects of
laughter and mockery by the Spaniards.
 June 19, 1887 — It was Rizal’s 26" birthday, he treated Viola to a blow-out with a sumptuous
meal. On this day, Rizal wrote to Blumentritt regarding an industrial exhibition.
After five years of stay in Europe and other places, Rizal decided to return home to the
Philippines.
 June 23, 1887 — Rizal and Viola parted ways. They both spent 15 delightful days in Geneva.
Viola returned to Barcelona while Rizal continued his tour to Italy.
 June 24, 1887 — From Geneva, Rizal went to Italy and visited Turin, Milan, Venice, and Florence.
 June 27, 1887 — Rizal reached Rome, the “Eternal City” and the “City of the Caezars”. He wrote
to Blumentritt that Rome is a sanctuary of heroes. He had sightseeing on his favorite places like
the Amphitheater, the Roman Forum, museums, and churches like the church of Santa Maria
Maggiore. He had seen also the Capitolium, Tarpein Rock, Platinum and the Roman Romanium
which are glorious. He did not like café singers or to enter cafes because he disliked French
songs or see modern industries.
 June 29, 1887 - Rizal visited for the first time the Vatican, the “City of the Popes” and the capital
of the Christiandom. It was the feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul. He had sightseeing and was
impressed by the magnificent edifice like St. Peter’s Church, the rare works of art, the vast St.
Peter's Square, and the colorful Papal Guard. Rizal got tired of sightseeing the whole day.
After a week of travel in Rome, Rizal was prepared to return to the Philippines.
 June 29, 1887 — Rizal wrote to his father announcing that he is coming home.
Paciano, Silvestre Ubaldo (his brother in-law), Chengoy (Jose M. Cecilio) and other
friends warned him not to return home because of the publication of his “NOLI ME TANGERE”
which caused uproar and anger among the friars in the Philippines. Rizal did not heed their
warning. He was determined to return home for the following reasons: (1) to operate on his
mother’s eyes; (2) to serve the Filipino people who were oppressed by the Spanish tyrants; (3)
to determine how his “NOLI” and other writings affected the Filipinos and Spaniards; and (4) to
inquire on the conditions of Leonor Rivera.
 July 3, 1887 - Rizal left Rome by train for Marseilles, a French port and boarded the Djemnah a
Manila-bound steamer. On this steamer were 50 passengers (4 Englishmen, 2 German, 3
Chinese, 2 Japanese, 1 Filipino (Rizal)) and many Frenchmen. Rizal was the only passenger who
could speak many languages. On board, he played chess while others on the piano and
accordion.
 July 30, 1887 - In Saigon, he transferred to another steamer Haiphong which was bound for
Manila.
 August 2, 1887 — Steamer Haiphong left Saigon for Manila. From Saigon to Manila, the voyage
was pleasant and enjoyable. Rizal slept soundly while the steamer was on its voyage.
  August 5, 1887 — The steamer Haiphong arrived in Manila. He found Manila the same as when
he left it five years ago. He stayed in the city for a short time to visit his friends.
 August 8, 1887 — Rizal returned home to Calamba. He was met affectionately and with plentiful
tears of joy. However, his family became worried for his safety so Paciano did not leave him
during his first days after arrival. His father did not let him go out alone.

Rizal’s Brief Stay in Calamba after Returning Home from His First Trip Abroad

Upon his return from abroad, Rizal established a medical clinic in Calamba. His first patient was
his mother who was almost blind. This was the primary reason he took up medicine and decided to
finish it abroad. Rizal treated his mother’s eye but cannot yet perform surgical operation because her
cataract was not yet ripe. Some patients from Manila and nearby provinces flocked to Calamba for
treatment. Soon Rizal acquired a lucrative medical practice earning P900 a month and after a year, he
earned a total of P5,000. His professional fees were reasonable. Those who were poor were treated free
of charge.

During this six (6) months stay in Calamba, he failed to see Leonor Rivera. He attempted to go to
Dagupan, Pangasinan (now Dagupan City) but his parents prevented him because Leonor’s mother did
not like Rizal for a son-in-law.

A few weeks after Rizal’s arrival in Calamba, there were threats over Rizal's life due to the
publication of his book “Noli”. The friars and other Spanish authorities considered it as “heretical,
impious, scandalous in the religious order, anti-patriotic, subversive of public order and injurious to the
government of Spain and its functions in the Philippine islands”. Despite the government prohibition in
the circulation of the book, many Filipinos got hold of copies which they read at night behind closed
doors. Governor General Emilio Terrero (1885-88), being liberal minded general refused to be
intimidated by the friars. In fact, he assigned a young Spanish Lieutenant, Don Jose Taviel de Andrade as
bodyguard to prevent Rizal from being harassed, Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, Jose Bech and Father
Federico Faura, Rizal's Jesuit professors believed that everything in “Noli” was the truth but they were
afraid that Rizal might be arrested and persecuted.

In addition to his controversial book “Noli” the Dominican friars got more furious because of
Rizal’s exposure of the deplorable conditions of tenancy in Calamba which infuriated further his
enemies. This alarmed his parents, relatives, and friends and even Lt. Andrade. Thus, the governor-
general advised Rizal to escape and leave the Philippines for his own good.

Rizal’s Second Trip Abroad

 February 3, 1888 — After a short stay of six months in Calamba, Rizal was forced to leave his
country for the second time. Rizal left Manila for Hong Kong on board the Zafiro. He was sick
and sad to leave Calamba.
 February 7, 1888 — The steamer made a brief stopover at Amoy. But he got off the ship
because he was not feeling well and that the city was dirty.
 February 8, 1888 — He arrived in Hong Kong, a British colony. He stayed at the Victoria Hotel,
Hong Kong. According to Rizal, it was a small but very clean city. He was welcomed by Filipino
residents like Jose Maria Basa, Balbino Mauricio, and Manuel Yriarte. There were other Filipinos
in Hong Kong but they were generally poor, gentle, and timid. While in Hong Kong, he observed
 the noisy celebration of the Chinese New Year due to continuous explosions of firecrackers, the
noisy audience and music in a Chinese theatre, the marathon lauriat party where guests were
served numerous dishes. He also visited Hong Kong cemeteries. The Dominican Order was the
richest religious order in Hong Kong.
 February 18, 1888 — Rizal and Basa visited Macao, a Portuguese colony. They boarded the ferry
steamer, Ku-Kiang. The city is small, low and gloomy. There are many junks, sampans, but few
steamers. The city looks sad and almost dead. In this place, they stayed at the home of Don Juan
Francisco Lecaros, a Filipino married to a Portuguese lady. Lecaros was rich and had a wide
garden planted with trees and flowering plants.
In Macao, Rizal and Basa visited the theatre, casino, cathedral, churches, pagodas,
botanical gardens, and bazaars. They saw the famous Grotto of Camoens, Portugals’ national
poet.
 February 20, 1888 - After their two-day sojourn in Macao, Rizal and Basa returned to Hongkong
on board again on the steamer Ku-Kiang.
 February 21, 1888 — Rizal and Basa went back to Hongkong. Rizal stayed in Hongkong for
almost two weeks. While in Hongkong, Jose Sainz de Varonda, a Spaniard, was commissioned by
the Spanish authorities to spy on Rizal.
 February 22, 1888 - Rizal left Hongkong alone. on board the Oceanic, an American steamer for
Japan, his next destination. Rizal liked the ship because it was clean and efficiently managed but
did not like the meals on board. Other passengers of the ship were two Portuguese, two
Chinese, several British and an American woman Protestant missionary. His cabin mate was a
British Protestant missionary who lived in China for 27 years.
 February 28, 1888 - Rizal arrived in Yokohama, Japan and registered at the Grand Hotel.
 February 29, 1888 — He proceeded to Tokyo and took a room at Tokyo Hotel where he stayed
for six (6) days. Japan was to him the “Land of the Cherry Blossoms” because of its natural
beauty and the charming manners of the Japanese people.
When he was in Tokyo, he was visited by Juan Perez Caballero, secretary of the Spanish
legation. Tokyo is more expensive than Paris. The streets are large and wide, according to Rizal's
letter to Blumentritt.
During his first day in Tokyo, Rizal was embarrassed because he did not know the
Japanese language although he looked like a Japanese. he had a hard time shopping for he could
not be understood. To avoid further embarrassment, he decided to study the Japanese
language. In a few days, he was able to speak the language. He also studied the Japanese drama
(kabuki), and visited the museums, libraries, art galleries, shrines, and Japanese villages. While
he was promenading the Tokyo Park, Rizal heard the band playing Western music. He was
impressed by the superb performance of the band. However, he was not impressed of the mode
of transportation because the rickshaws were drawn by men, which made Rizal disgusted
because according to him, human beings are working like horses.
Rizal met Seiko-San, a pretty Japanese girl and the only daughter of a Japanese samurai.
Her real name was Seiko Usui but Rizal called her O-Sei-San. They almost met daily as they
visited interesting spots of the city, like the Imperial Art Gallery, the Imperial Library, the city
parks and picturesque shrines. O-Sei-San served as Rizal’s guide, interpreter, and tutor.
 April 13, 1888 — Rizal boarded the Belgic, an English steamer bound for the United States. he
left Japan very sad because he would never see again the beautiful land and his beloved O-Sei-
 San. O-Sei-San mourned for a long time for the loss of her lover — Jose Rizal. Nevertheless, the
sojourn in Japan for 45 days was one of the happiest interlude in Rizal's life.
On board the Belgic, he met a passenger, Techo Suchero. which Rizal befriended. They
exchanged pleasantries. Techo was a Japanese newspaperman who was jailed in his country for
his articles and principles and was exiled. Rizal talked in different languages. The ship carried
643 Chinese people and other nationalities.
 April 28, 1888 — Rizal and Techo arrived in San Francisco Port on Saturday morning of April 28.
All passengers were not allowed to land because the ship was placed on a quarantine on the
ground that it came from the Far East where cholera epidemic was alleged to be raging. Rizal
soon discovered that placing the ship under quarantine was prompted by politics. The American
authorities were against cheap labor from China that displaced American laborers in railroads
construction. The ship was carrying many Chinese workers.
After a week of quarantine, all first class passengers, including Rizal were permitted to
land but the Chinese and Japanese passengers of the second and third class accommodations
were forced to remain on board.
 May 4, 1888 - It was the day when Rizal and the other passengers were permitted to land. Rizal
registered at the Palace Hotel, a first-class hotel of the city of San Francisco, he stayed in this city
for two days. the President of the United States at this time was George Cleveland.
 May 6, 1888 — Rizal left San Francisco to Oakland (a distance of nine miles) on a Sunday at 4:30
p.m. by ferry boat. In Oakland, he took his supper at Sacramento for 75 cents and slept in his
coach.
 May 7, 1888 — Rizal boarded a train for trip across the continent (May 7 at Reno, Nevada; May
8, Utah, Ogden, Denver; May 9, Colorado; May 10, Nebraska; May 11, Chicago; May 12, Canada
(an English Territory); May 13, Albany). His transcontinental trip ended on Sunday, May 13 at
11:10 a.m.
 May 13, 1888 — Rizal reached New York on a Sunday morning. He stayed three days in the city
which Rizal called “The Big Town”. He visited the memorial of George Washington, and other
scenic and historic places.
 May 18, 1888 — He left New York for Liverpool on board ate City of Rome, the second largest
ship in the world during his time. Rizal visited the colossal Statue of Liberty on Bedloe Island.

Rizal’s Impression of America

Two years after Rizal’s visit to America, Jose Alejandro, his roommate in Brussels asked Rizal on his
sad and good impression of America. The good impression of Rizal was that America is a progressive
nation with great cities, huge farms, flourishing industries and busy factories; the American people were
energetic and hard-working; the cities were beautiful; standard of living is high; and there are better
opportunities for a better life especially the poor immigrants.

However, the bad impressions of Rizal were: racial prejudice existed, democracy and freedom were
only in words, not practiced; and have no true civil liberty. As a whole, Rizal said that America is the land
par excellence of freedom but only for the whites.

 May 25, 1888 — he went to London and stayed there for a short time as guest at the home of
Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, a practicing lawyer in London and exile of 1872. Later he lodged at 37
Chalcot, Crescent, Primrose Hill. He boarded at Beckett family. Mr. Beckett was the organist of
 St. Paul’s church. Gertrude called “Gettie” or “Tottie” was the oldest of the Beckett sisters. He
spent Sundays in the house of Dr. Reinhold Rost, the librarian of the ministry of Foreign Affairs
and the Authority of Malayan languages. Rizal played cricket (English game) and boxed with Dr.
Rost son. Rizal also spent most of his time in the British Museums annotating Morga’s book,
Successos de los Islas Filipinas (Historical Events of the Philippine Islands), which was published
in Mexico in 1609. For about ten (10) months, Rizal was deeply immersed in his historical studies
in London.
While in London, Rizal received bad and good news, the bad news were: (1) persecution
of the Filipino patriots who signed the petition addressed to the Queen Regent of Spain
requesting the expulsion of the friars in the Philippines. The petition was signed by MH. Del Pilar
and 800 Patriots; (2) attacks on Rizal by Senators Salamanca and Vida in the Spanish Cortes and
Wenceslao E. Retana or “Desenganos” and Pablo Feced or “Quiquiap” in the Spanish
newspapers; (3) persecution of Rizal’s family and other Calamba farmers for their courage to
petition the government for agrarian reforms, (4) exile of Manuel T. Hidalgo, (husband of Rizal’s
oldest sister, Saturnina), by Governor-General Weyler to Bohol without due process; (5) arrest
and jailing of Rizal’s friend Lauriano Viado in Bilibid Prison because of the copies of “Noli” found
in his house.
 September, 1888 — Rizal visited Paris for a week to search for more historical materials in the
Biblioteque Nationale. In this place, he was entertained by Juan Luna and wife Paz Pardo de
Tavera and showed their son Andres (Luling).
 December 11,1888 — He went again to Spain and visited Madrid and Barcelona. He went to visit
his compatriots Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Mariano Ponce, two great leaders of the Propaganda
Movement. he exchanged ideas with them and promised to cooperate in the fight for reforms.
 December 24, 1888 — He returned to London and spent Christmas and New Year's with the
Beckett family. During the Christmas eve (Noche Buena), Rizal wrote and sent Blumentritt a
Christmas gift - a bust of Emperor Augustus which he made. He also sent to another friend Dr.
Carlos Czepelak (a Polish scholar) a bust of Julius Ceasar as a Christmas gift. Knowing that Rizal
had a great admiration in magic, Mrs. Beckett gave him a Christmas gift, a book entitled “The
Life and Adventures of Valentine Vox, the Ventriloquist”.
 December 31, 1888 – A patriotic society was established and inaugurated called Association La
Solidaridad with Rizal chosen as honorary president. The officers were Galicano Apacible,
president; Graciano Lopez Jaena, vice president; Manuel Santa Maria, secretary: Mariano Ponce,
treasurer, Jose Ma. Panganiban, accountant.
 January 14, 1889 — Rizal wrote Blumentritt of his proposal to establish the “International
Association of Filipinologists” and have its inaugural in the French capital. Blumentritt gladly
supported him.
 January 28, 1889 - Rizal wrote a letter addressed to the members of the Association La
Solidaridad. He expressed his thanks of making him honorary president. In his letter, he
stressed, among others, that the individual should give way to the welfare of society and he
should not expect rewards or honors for what he does.
 February 15, 1889 — Graciano Lopez Jaena founded the fortnightly patriotic newspaper, La
Solidaridad in Barcelona - the organ of the Propaganda Movement. The aims of La Solidaridad
were (1) to work for a peaceful political and social reforms in the Philippines; (2) to portray the
deplorable conditions of the Philippines so that Spain may remedy them; (3) to oppose the evil
 forces of reaction; (4) to advocate liberal ideas and progress; (5) to champion the legitimate
aspirations of the Filipino people to life, democracy and happiness.
On the founding of La Solidaridad, Rizal congratulated Lopes and his associates in
founding La Solidaridad. However, he advised Lopez Jaena that great care should be taken in
publishing only the truth.
 March 19, 1889 — From London, Rizal went to Paris. He organized his compatriots into a society
called Kidlat Club which would bring together the young Filipinos in the French capital so that
they could enjoy their sojourn in the city during the duration of the Paris Universal Exposition.
 May 6, 1889 — Rizal and his friends attended the opening ceremonies of the Universal
Exposition of Paris. Rizal saw the cutting of the ribbon of Pres. Sodi Carnot of the French
Republic. The exposition drew a vast crowd of tourists and persons of more than 200,000. The
greatest attraction of the exposition was the Eiffel Tower which was built by Alexander Eiffel, a
famous French engineer. An International Art Competition was held in which Felix R. Hidalgo’s
painting won second prize, Felix Pardo de Tavera, and Juan Luna’s paintings obtained third prize
while Rizal’s entry (a bust) did not qualify for the exhibition.
 June 24, 1889 — Rizal stood as baptismal godfather (ninong) to a baby girl born to Juan Luna
and Paz Pardo de Tavera. She was their second child, Rizal chose the name of the baby girl a
“Marie de la Paz, Blanca, Laureana, Hermenegilda Juana y Pardo de Tavera”.
 August 1889.- Rizal scheduled the holding of the inaugural convention of the “International
Association of Filipinologists” in Paris. The aim of the association is to study the Philippines from
scientific and historical point of view. The officers were Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt (Austrian) as
President; Mr. Edmund Plauchat (French) as Vice President; Dr. Reinhold Rost (Anglo-German),
as counselor; Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor (Filipino-Spanish) as another counselor; and Dr. Jose Rizal
(Filipino) as the secretary himself. The inaugural convention did not materialize because the
French government discouraged the holding of the conference by private organizations during
the period of the international exposition.
 September 21, 1889 — Rizal founded another society during the Universal Exposition in Paris.
The society is called Redencion de los Malayos (Redemption of the Malays) or with initials
R.D.L.M. Society. Rizal rigidly guarded its secret existence. Some of its members were Gregorio
Aguilera, Jose Ma. Basa, Julio Dorente, Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Mariano Ponce, Baldomero Roxas
and Father Jose Maria Chongco (Filipino priest)
 December 25, 1889 — Rizal and Jose Albert planned to have a sumptuous dinner by preparing a
Christmas dinner consisting of fried chicken, rice, and vegetable. This dinner was the last dinner
of Rizal in Paris.
 January 15, 1890 — Rizal returned to Paris. Rizal complained of a terrible headache but he was
not-stricken with flu which was an epidemic raging in Europe at that time. He left Paris for two
(2) reasons: (1) the cost of living in Paris is very high and his money is dwindling; (2) the gay
social life of the city that hampered his literary works, especially the writing of his second novel
El Filibusterismo.
 June 20, 1890 — Rizal wrote M.H. Del Pilar to serve as a lawyer in a land case that was appealed
by the Rizal family to the Supreme Court in Spain. The Rizal family lost the case against the
Dominican in Manila.
 July 9,1890 — Rizal wrote Mariano Ponce of Graciano Lopez Jaena’s plan of going to Cuba. He
said that Graciano should not go to Cuba to die of yellow fever instead he should go to the
Philippines to allow himself to be killed in defense of his ideals.
 July 18, 1890 — Rizal also wrote Ponce of his determination to go home because of the suffering
that affected his family. His parents, relatives, and friends in the Philippines were persecuted.
 July 29, 1890 - Rizal again wrote to Ponce on his desire to leave Brussels to go to Madrid. While
Rizal was in Brussels, he has an amorous relationship with Suzanne Jacoby, a petite Belgian girl
who fell in love with Rizal. She cried when Rizal left toward the end of July, 1890 for Madrid,
stopping for a few days in Paris.
 Early in August, 1890 — Rizal arrived in Madrid. upon arrival in Madrid, he immediately sought
the help of the Filipino colony, the Association-Hispano Filipina and the liberal Spanish
newspapers in order to protest the injustices committed by Governor General Valeriano Weyler
and the Dominican friars against the Calamba people. Nothing came out in securing justice for
the oppressed Calamba tenants, his family and relatives.
 August 19, 1890 — Rizal received a sad news on the untimely death of his friend, Jose Ma.
Panganiban, a talented Bicolano and co-workers in the Propaganda Movement. Panganiban died
in Barcelona on this date after a lingering illness.
 August 30, 1890 - Rizal attended a social reunion of the Filipinos in Madrid. Juan Luna, who was
no longer sober and was jealous of Rizal because he was frustrated with his romance with Nellie
Boustead, made unsavory remarks against Nellie. Rizal who have a high sense of chivalry heard
the unsavory remarks of Luna. He then challenged the latter to a duel. The Filipinos who were
present during the occasion pacified the two pointing out to both that such duel would
jeopardize their cause in Spain. Fortunately, when Luna became sober, he realized his bad
remarks against Nellie and thereafter apologized to Rizal. Rizal accepted his apology and the two
became friend again.
On another occasion, Rizal challenged Wenceslao E. Retana, his bitter enemy. Retana
used to attack the Filipinos including Rizal in various newspapers in Madrid and other cities in
Spain. Also, Retana published in the newspapers that Rizal’s family had not paid their rents to
the Dominican Orders so they were ejected from their lands in Calamba. Angered by the insult
of Retana, Rizal challenged him to a duel. To save his own skin, Retana at once published
retraction and an apology in the newspaper.
 September 6, 1890 — Paciano (Rizal), Antonino (Lopez), Silvestre (Ubaldo) Teong (Mateo
Elejorde), and Dandoy (Dr. Rizal’s relative) were arrested, shipped out of Calamba and exiled in
Mindoro. Rizal learned this incident from his sister Saturnina. Rizal also received from Silvestre
Ubaldo (Rizal’s brother-in-law) an ejectment copy by the Dominican against Rizal’s family and
Calamba tenants. Since then, Rizal’s family was living in the house of Narcisa (Antonino Lopez’s)
 December 1890 — Rizal received a letter from Leonor Rivera announcing he coming marriage to
an Englishman (the choice of her mother) and asking his forgiveness. Rizal was stunned of this
sad news from Leonor. Rizal, who was engaged with Leonor Rivera, was left broken-hearted.
 Later Part of December 1890 — Rizal and M.H. Del Pilar (Rizal’s fearless lawyer-journalist) were
rivals for leadership supremacy. Unfortunately, some of his former admirers supported del
Pilar’s supremacy. The Filipinos resented Rizal's interference of their private lives who loved
women, wine, and cards.
 January 1, 1891 — About 90 Filipinos met on New Year's Day to patch up Rizal and Del Pilar’s
differences and to intensify the campaign for reform.
Owing to the intrigues of his jealous compatriots, Rizal retired from the Propaganda
Movement and instead focused himself in the publication of his second novel. practice his
medical profession and to make a more vigorous campaign for his country.
 February 1, 1891 - Rizal left Madrid for Biarritz where he had a brief vacation, He stayed as a
guest at the Boustead family. On his stay at Boustead home for one-month vacation, he fell in
love with Nellie of Nelly. Antonio Luna who previously loved and lost Nelly, encouraged Rizal to
love and marry her. With the encouragement of Luna, Rizal courted Nellie. The romance,
however, did not have a happy ending for two (2) reasons: (1) Rizal refused to give up his
Catholic faith and be converted to Protestantism and (2) Nelly’s mother did not like Rizal as a
son-in-law. Nelly Boustead being a good Protestant wanted Rizal to espouse Protestantism but
Rizal, though a Mason, remained loyal to Catholic religion.
 February 4, 1891 — M.H. Del Pilar teased Rizal to change the “O” in Noli to an e which means
Noli to Nelly or Nellie.
 February 7, 1891 - The Filipinos put up Responsable, a leader to direct the affairs of the Filipino
community and to determine the editorial policy of the La Solidarida. Del Pilar objected to the
placing of the newspaper under the Responsable but was willing to publish articles that would
express the aspirations and demands of the Filipino people. Riza was elected as Responsible but
he graciously declined the coveted position. he believed that some of his compatriots who
supported Rizal disliked him.
 March 29, 1891 — This was the eve of his departure from Biarritz to Paris. He finished writing
the manuscript for El Filibusterismo.
 April 4, 1891 — From Paris, Rizal wrote his friend Jose Ma. Basa who was in Hongkong of his
desire to go to the British colony a first steamer ticket from Europe to Hongkong.
 April 15, 1891 — Rizal went back to Brussels where he was happily received by the Jacoby
landladies and by petite Suzanne (the Belgian girl who loved him).
 May 1, 1891 — Rizal notified the Propaganda authorities in Manila to cancel his monthly
allowance and devote money to the education of young Filipino students in Europe.
Simultaneous with his retirement from the Propaganda Movement, he also ceased writing
articles for La Solidaridad.
 May 30, 1891 - Rizal almost completed the revision of El Filibusterismo and readied it for
printing.
 June 13, 1891 — Rizal informed Basa that he was negotiating with a printing firm for the
printing of his Fili. Only three chapters left to be corrected. It is longer than Noli.
 July 5, 1891 – Rizal left Brussels for Ghent—a famous university city in Belgium. Owing to his
limited funds, he lived in a cheap boarding house with Jose Alejandro, a roommate who years
later became general during the Filipino-American War of 1899-1900. He was also an engineer.
Rizal moved to Ghent because the cost of printing in ghent was cheaper than in Brussels
and he escaped the attraction of Petite Suzanne.
 August 7, 1891 — Rizal received a letter from M.H. del Pilar requesting him to resume writing
for the La Solidaridad. In reply, Rizal wrote denying any resentment and explained why he
stopped writing for La Solidaridad. In his letter to del Pilar, he said he wanted other Filipinos to
 work for La Solidaridad and to leave del Pilar alone to direct the policy in the newspaper and
Rizal don’t want to meddle in it.
 October 3, 1891 — Rizal left Ghent for Paris, two weeks after the publication of the Fili. He
stayed a few days in Paris to bid goodbye to his friends.
 October 14, 1891 — From Paris he went to Marseilles.
 October 18, 1891 — Rizal boarded steamer Melbourne bound for Hongkong. He brought with
him 600 copies of the Fili and a recommendation letter by Juan Luna for Manuel Camus, a
compatriot living in Singapore. There were 80 first class passengers mostly Europeans and Rizal
was the only Asian among the other passengers.
 November 20, 1891 — He arrived in Hongkong, met his friends like Jose Ma. Basa. he resided at
No.5 D’ Aguilar Street, No. 2 Rednayola Terrace. Here he opened his medical clinic where he
treated many patients - Americans, British, Chinese, and Portuguese.
 December 21, 1891 — Rizal wrote his parents asking permission to return home. Manuel L.
Hidalgo sent Rizal a letter revealing the despair and sorrow of the Rizal family. Rizal who was in
Hongkong, was desperately sad for he could not help his persecuted family and relatives.
 December 24, 1891 — Rizal was gladdened by the arrival of his father, brother, and Silvestre
Ubaldo in Hongkong. Not long afterwards, his mother and sisters Lucia, Josefina, and Trinidad
also arrived. His mother, who was almost blind, was already 65 years old.
 December 25, 1891 — It was one of the happiest yuletide celebration in Rizal’s life. They had a
happy family reunion.
 January 31, 1892 — Rizal wrote Blumentritt, recounting their pleasant life in Hongkong. His
family was very much pleased with the English government.
 March 7, 1892 — Rizal went to Sandakan on board the ship Menon to negotiate with the British
authorities for the establishment of a Filipino colony. His mission to Borneo was successful
because the Borneo Authorities were willing to give the Filipino colonists 100,000 acres of land,
a beautiful harbor, and a good government.
 April 20, 1892 — Rizal was back to Hongkong. Rizal's friend in Europe including Lopez Jaena
expressed his desire to join the colony. Hidalgo, brother-in-law of Rizal, however, objected to
the colonization project for it was anti-nationalistic or disloyal to have a colony.
 May 8, 1892 — Rizal wanted to return to Manila to confer with Governor Despujol regarding the
Borneo colonization project and to establish the La Liga Filipina in Manila and to prove that
Eduardo de Lete was wrong in attacking him in Madrid that he (Rizal) being comfortable and
safe in Hongkong had abandoned the country’s cause.
 June 1892 - He wrote “La Mano Roja” (The Red Hand) in sheet form denouncing the frequent
outbreak of international fires in Manila.
 June 21, 1892 - Rizal and sister Lucia left Hongkong for Manila. On the same date, the Spanish
consul-general who issued him a government guarantee of safety informed Manila that the
victim is on trap, hence, a secret case was filed in Manila against (Rizal).
 June 26, 1892 — Rizal and his sister Lucia arrived in Manila.

The Propaganda Movement

Propaganda means a “campaign of information as well as a bid for sympathy.” The Propaganda
Movement was a campaign by the native Filipinos calling for reforms in the Philippines. The movement
started in 1880 up to 1886 but the most critical period of activity is between 1880 and 1895, a year
before Rizal’s execution.

According to Dr. Domingo Abella, former director of the National Archives, the word Propaganda
Movement was misnamed. It should have been called Counter Propaganda Movement, because their
essential task was to counteract the campaign of misinformation that certain Spanish groups were
disseminating in Spain, and later in Rome.

Prominent members of the Propaganda Movement were:

(1) Jose Rizal —author of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo

(2) Graciano Lopez Jaena — publisher of La Solidaridad, the movement's principal organ

(3) Mariano Ponce — the movement secretary

(4) Marcelo H. del Pilar

The aims of the Propaganda Movement were:

 Representation of the Philippines in the Cortes Generales, the Spanish parliament

 Secularization of the clergy
 Legalization of Spanish and Filipino equality
 Creation of a public school system independent of Catholic friars
 Abolition of polo y servicios (labor service) and the bandala (forced sale of local products to the
government)
 Guarantee of basic freedoms
 Equal opportunity for Filipinos and Spanish to enter government service

(Source: Teodoro Agoncillo, History of the Filipino People, Quezon City. Garotech Publishing, 1990)

Rizal’s Relationship with Other Propagandists

(a) Rizal’s Relationship with Antonio Luna —

In 1889, a Spanish writer, Pablo Mir Deas, attacked Antonio Luna in the Barcelona newspaper “El Pueblo
Soberano”. As Rizal’s defense of his friend Luna, he wrote the article “Inconsequencias”
(Inconsequences) which was published on November 30, 1889. A year after however, Rizal challenged
Antonio to a duel. In a party held by Filipinos in Madrid, the intoxicated Antonio Luna made negative
comments against Nellie Boustead—the woman he was courting but was said to have been infatuated
with Rizal. Jose Rizal, who at the time was not in a good mood for bearing various problems, was
prompted to challenge Luna into a duel. But since Luna apologized to Rizal, the duel was nonetheless
aborted and their friendship was restored. When Rizal later decided to formally court Nelly, Antonio
gentlemanly conceded to Rizal and even congratulated him through a letter.

Antonio returned to the Philippines in 1894. By winning in the competition for chief chemist of the
Manila Municipal Laboratory, he attained the prestigious position. He and his older brother Juan also
opened a fencing club in Manila, the ‘Sala de Armas’.
In 1896, Andres Bonifacio sent Pio Valenzuela to Dapitan to get Rizal's approval of the Katipunan’s
planned revolution. Rizal however politely refused to approve the uprising, believing that a revolution
would be unsuccessful without arms and monetary support from wealthy Filipinos. He thus
recommended that if the Katipunan were to start a revolution, it had to ask for the support of rich and
educated Filipinos, specifically Antonio Luna who was also an expert in military tactics (Bantug &
Ventura, 1997, p. 133).

(b) Rizal’s Relationship with Graciano Lopez Jaena -

Rizal once reproved Graciano for not finishing his medical studies. Jaena figuratively explained, “On the
shoulders of slaves should not rest a doctor's cape.” Rizal however retorted, “The shoulders do not
honor the doctor's cape, but the doctor's cape honors the shoulders.” (“Graciano Lopez Jaena,” n.d.).

In Spain, Jaena became known as a great orator in socio-political clubs and thus became a member of
the Progressive Republican Party. Deputized by the party to go on speaking engagements, Jaena became
popular for his fiery and eloquent speeches espousing liberal ideas.

(c) Rizal’s Relationship with Mariano Ponce —

Ponce was the one who introduced Del Pilar to Rizal. Jose Rizal one day received a letter from Ponce
with enclosed articles written by a certain ‘Plaridel.’ Impressed by the articles, Rizal wrote to Ponce, “I
am very grateful to you for this ... Who is Plaridel?” (“The Love-and-Hate Relationship,” 2013) Upon
knowing Plaridel’s identity through Ponce, Rizal had then befriended Del Pilar (Plaridel) through
correspondence. However, it was only in December 1888 when Rizal first met Ponce and Del Pilar when
he (Rizal) visited his compatriots in Madrid and Barcelona.

Ponce willingly helped Rizal in the distribution of the Noli Me Tangere. In his letter dated August 18,
1888, Rizal asked Ponce, “Please send me two or three copies of the Noli... for 1am going to begin the
continuation. Try to send to Manila as many copies as you can. They sell well there...you will get one-
half of the sale there.” Ponce’s August 25, 1888 reply read, “I continue sending copies of the Noli to the
Philippines through every possible means. By so doing, | am only filling the orders that I receive. (“Rizal
and Other Reformers [1888],” n.d.)

Ponce must have been so proud to become Rizal's friend, especially that the author of Noli had become
so popular among Filipinos after the novel’s publication. In his August 25, 1888 letter, he said to Rizal,
“Many friends ask me to send you their greetings. My family, who also send your greetings, wished to
have a picture of you, and so I wish to request you to comply with this desire when you have your
picture taken” (“Rizal and Other Reformers [1888],” n.d.).

During the election for ‘Responsable’ among Filipinos in Madrid in February 1891, Rizal got the majority
of votes but the count fell short of the required two-thirds vote to be declared the winner. Rizal won
again on the second day, but his votes did not reach again the needed fraction. On the third day, the
very sensible Mariano Ponce appealed to some Pilaristas to surrender their will to what the majority
wanted. Ponce’s influence and wise move resulted in Rizal’s becoming the ‘legal’ Responsible, though he
(Rizal) eventually decided to politely abdicate his leadership and leave Madrid.

(d) Rizal’s Relationship with Jose Alejandrino -

In Europe, Alejandrino joined the Propaganda Movement and served as an editorial staff of La
Solidaridad. In the Pilaristas-Rizalistas rivalry, Alejandrino supported Rizal (“Filipino Martyr,” 2013).

Being Rizal’s roommate in Belgium, Alejandrino was the one who canvassed printing press for El Fili. He
delivered proofs and revisions to the publisher F. Meyer van Loo in Ghent. For his assistance, Rizal gave
him the El Fili’s corrected proofs and the pen used in doing the corrections. Unluckily, these historical
souvenirs were either lost or destroyed during the revolution (Ocampo, 2012, p. 111). Having helped
Rizal in correcting errors in the El Fili, Alejandrino might have been the first person to read the novel
aside from the author.

(e) Rizal’s Relationship with Edilberto Evangelista —

Edilberto Evangelista who came from a poor family in Sta. Cruz Manila was 8-month younger than Jose
Rizal.

Reaching Madrid in 1890, he befriended and collaborated with Filipino expatriates in Europe like Jose
Rizal. Perhaps sensing his potential, Rizal counseled him to take engineering in Belgium. Upon Rizal’s
advice, Evangelista thus matriculated at the University of Ghent, one of the world’s leading engineering
schools then. Rizal's suggestion proved fruitful as Evangelista finished civil engineering and architecture
with highest honors. Some European companies offered him rewarding positions but he turned them
down for wanting to serve his country instead (“Edilberto Evangelista,” 2013).

During the 1896 Philippine revolution, the Spanish authorities suspected and arrested many Filipinos for
supposed involvement in the uprising. Evangelista, who had in his possession Jose RizaI’s ‘Noli Me
Tangere’ and ‘El Filibusterismo, ‘was one of those arrested and imprisoned.

Rizal’s Disapproval of Assimilation

Two (2) myths have been perpetuated in the history of the late 19" century Philippine Nationalist
Movement. The first myth is that Rizal was a bourgeoisie reformist who 1) opposed the 1896 Revolution,
and 2) advocated the assimilation of the Philippines to Spain. According to this myth, Rizal's primary goal
was the Hispanization of the Filipino, and not the creation of an independent Filipino nation. The second
myth. pits Rizal and his La Liga Filipina against Bonifacio and his Katipunan. This myth asserts that 1)
Bonifacio was a poor and unlettered laborer, and 2) that the Katipunan was an organization of the "poor
and ignorant" masses. These two myths, which constitute a distortion of the past, have prevented the
post-colonial generation of Filipinos from gaining a better understanding of their nation's history. As we
Filipinos celebrate the centennial of the Bonifacio-led Revolution and Rizal's martyrdom, these myths
should be exposed and relegated to the dustbin of history. It is easy enough to expose these myths by
checking the historiographic evidence. With regard to the first myth, a good way to begin is by a critical
examination of Rizal's correspondence, cat 1887-1892. It should be emphasized that as early as 1887,
Rizal had expressed the view that independence through peaceful struggle is nothing but a dream and
that seeking assimilation to Spain was a mistake, in two letters to his friend and mentor, the German
scholar Ferdinand Blumentritt—

(Source: Floro Quibuyan, “Rizal and the Revolution”)

Jose Rizal Brindis Speech — “The Toast in a Restaurant Brindis” is a Spanish term which means “toast”.
This speech of Rizal was a toast honoring Juan Luna and Felix Ressurection Hidalgo, winners of
international painitng competition at the “Exposicion Nacional de Bellas Artes de Madrid”.

Juan Luna was the winner of a gold medal for his painting “El Spoliarium” and Felix Resurrection Hidalgo,
winner of a silver medal for his painting “Las Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho”.

Rizal’s speech was delivered in the Restaurant Ingles, Madrid on the evening of June 25, 1884. The full
text of Rizal’s speech is attached in the Appendix. There were two English translation; one from Admin
posted on August 13, 2017 and the other from Elizabeth Medina.