1.

Title of the Module

Chapter 4: Rizal’s life: Higher Education and Life Abroad
2. Introduction
This chapter deals with an analysis and evaluation of Jose Rizal's life: his quest for
higher education and struggles and challenges in his life abroad. He was not only busy
academically but he spent much of his time in self-improvement via self-education. In his spare
time he also learned sculpture, painting, languages and kept up with the latest research in
philosophy and science. It will also examine the contributions of Rizal as the leader of the
propaganda movement that awakened the Filipino people from the abuses of the Spanish
colonizers.an unwavering campaign for political and social freedoms. In this module, students are
initiated to a reflective study about the aspects of Rizal’s life, a genius with many talents and most
importantly his good traits and virtues that are worthy to be emulated.
3. Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module, the students should be able to:
a. Analyse and evaluate the important events in the life Rizal abroad;
b. Reflect on the importance of Higher Education to the life of Jose Rizal;
c. Explain the principles of assimilation advocated by the propaganda movement;
d. Appraise Rizal’s relationship with other propagandists;
e. Examine Rizal’s growth as a propagandist and disavowal of assimilation.
4. Learning Content
Now, let us discuss important ideas and information regarding Rizal’s life: Higher
Education and Life Abroad.

TOPIC 1- A STUDENT AT THE ATENEO (1872-1877)

Introduction:
Jose was sent to Manila four months after the martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za and with Dona Teodora
still in prison. He studied in the Ateneo Municipal - a college under the supervision of the Spanish
Jesuits. Ateneo Municipal, a bitter rival of the Dominican-owned College of San Juan de Letran
formerly the Escuela Pia (Charity School)- for poor boys in Manila established in 1817, In 1859-
name was changed to Ateneo Municipal by the Jesuits and later became the Ateneo de Manila.
RIZAL ENTERS ATENEO
• June 10, 1872- Jose, accompanied by Paciano, went to Manila to take the entrance
examinations on Christian Doctrine, arithmetic, and reading at the College of San Juan de Letran,
and passed them. His father was the first one who wished him to study at Letran but he changed
his mind and decided to send Jose at Ateneo instead. Father Margin Fernando, college registrar
of Ateneo Municipal, refused to admit Jose because: He was late for registration and; He was
sickly and undersized for his age (11 years old). Upon the intercession of Manuel Xeres Burgos,
nephew of Father Burgos, he was admitted at Ateneo. Jose adopted the surname Rizal at the
Ateneo because their family name Mercado had come under suspicion of the Spanish authorities.
Ateneo was located in Intramuros, within the walls of Manila. He boarded in a house on Caraballo
Street, 25 min walk from the college. The boarding house was owned by Titay, who owed Rizal
family P300. Jose boarded there to collect part of the debt.
JESUITS SYSTEM OF EDUCATION
• Jesuits trained the character of the student by rigid discipline, humanities and religious
instruction. They heard Mass early in the morning before the beginning of daily class. Classes
were opened and closed with prayers. Students were divided into two groups: Roman Empire-
consisting of the internos (boarders) with red banners. Second group, Carthaginian Empire-
composed of the externos (non-boarders) with blue banners each of these empires had its rank.
Students fought for positions. With 3 mistakes, opponent‘s position could lose his position. - 1st
best: emperor - 2nd best: tribune - 3rd best: decurion - 4th best: centurion - 5th best: standard-
bearer. Ateneo students‘ uniform is consisted of hemp-fabric trousers´ and striped cotton coat. The
coat was called Rayadillo and was adopted as the uniform for Filipino troops during the days of the
First Philippine Republic.
RIZAL’S FIRST YEAR IN ATENEO (1872-1873)
• Rizal‘s first professor in Ateneo was Fr. Jose Bech. Rizal was placed at the bottom of the
class since he was a newcomer and knows little Spanish. He was an externo (Carthaginians),
occupying the end of the line. But at the end of the month, he becomes emperor´ of his Empire.
He was the brightest pupil in the whole class, and he was awarded a prize, a religious prize. Rizal
took private lessons in Santa Isabel College during noon recesses to improve his Spanish
language paying three pesos for those extra lessons. He placed second at the end of the year,
although all his grades were still marked Excellent´
SUMMER VACATION (1873)
• Rizal didn‘t enjoy his summer because his mother was in prison so Neneng (Saturnina)
brought him to Tanawan. But without telling his father, he went to Santa Cruz to visit her mother in
prison. He told her of his brilliant grades. After summer, he returned to Manila and now boarded
inside Intramuros at No. 6 Magallanes Street. Dona Pepay, who had a widowed daughter and 4
sons, was his landlady.
PROPHECY OF MOTHER’S RELEASE
• Dona Teodora told her son of her dream the previous night. Rizal, interpreting the dream,
told her that she would be released from prison in 3 months‘ time. It became true. Dona Teodora
likened his son to the youthful Joseph in the Bible in his ability to interpret dreams.
• Teenage Interest in Reading. The first favorite novel of Rizal was The Count of Monte
Cristo by Alexander Dumas. His boyish imagination was stirred by the sufferings of Edmond
Dantes (the hero) in prison, his spectacular escape from the dungeon of Chateau de If, his finding
a buried treasure in the rocky island of Monte Cristo, and his dramatic revenge on his enemies
who had wronged him. Rizal also read non-fiction. He persuaded his father to buy a costly set of
Cesar Cantu‘s historical work entitled Universal History. He also read Travels in the Philippines
by Dr. Feodor Jagor, a German scientist-traveler who visited Phil in 1859-60.He was impressed
by: Jagor‘s keen observations of the defects of Spanish colonization; and his prophecy that
someday Spain would lose the Philippines and that America would come to succeed her as
colonizer.
THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1875-76)
• June 16, 1875- He became an interno in Ateneo. Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, one of
his professors, inspired him to study harder and write poetry. Rizal‘s best professor in Ateneo.
Rizal described him as model of uprightness, earnestness, and love for the advancement of his
pupils. He returned to Calamba with 5 medals and excellent ratings.

FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO

• March 23, 1877- Rizal, 16 years old, received from his Alma Mater, Ateneo Municipal, the
degree of Bachelor of Arts, with highest honors. Rizal was the highest in all subjects and won five
medals at the end of the school term. He excelled in all his subjects and was the most brilliant
Atenean, he was truly “the pride of the Jesuits”
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN ATENEO
• He was an active member, later secretary, of Marian Congregation - a religious society. He
was accepted because of his academic brilliance and devotion to Our Lady of Immaculate
Conception, the college patroness. He is also a member of the Academy of Spanish Literature and
the Academy of Natural Sciences. He studied painting under Agustin Saez, a famous painter,
and sculpture under Romualdo de Jesus. He continued his physical training under hi sports-
minded Tio Manuel.
SCULPTURAL WORKS IN ATENEO
• He carved an image of The Virgin Mary on a piece of batikuling (Philippine hardwood) with
his pocketknife. The Jesuits fathers were amazed. Father Lleonart requested him to carve for him
an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He intended to take the image with him in Spain but forgot
to do so. So the Ateneo boarders placed it on the door of their dormitory. It plays a significant part
in Rizal‘s last hours at Fort Santiago.
POEMS WRITTEN IN ATENEO
• Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration) - first written poem of Rizal, which was
dedicated to his mother on her birthday. He wrote it when he was 14 years old. El Embarque:
Himno a la Flota de Magallanes ( The Departure: Hymn to Magellan‘s Fleet). Y Es Espanol:
Elcano, el Primero en dar la Vuelta al Mundo (And He is Spanish: Elcano, the Fist to
Circumnavigate the World). El Combate: Urbiztondo, Terror de Jolo (The Battle: Urbiztondo,
Terror of Jolo) In 1876, he wrote poems on religion, education memories and war. (e.g. In Memory
of my Town)

RIZAL’S POEM ON EDUCATION

•Through Education Our Motherland Receives Light- education plays in the progress and welfare
of a nation.
•The Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education- showed that Education without God
is not true education
RIZAL’S RELIGIOUS POEM
•Al Nino Jesus (To the Child Jesus)- written when he was 14 years old, expressing his Catholic
faith devotion.
•A La Virgen Maria (To the Virgin Mary)

MOTHER’S OPPOSITION TO HIGHER EDUCATION

• Both Don Francisco and Paciano wanted Jose to pursue higher learning in the university.
But Dona Teodora who is a woman of education and culture objects to Rizal desire for University
education. She knew what happened to the Gom-Bur-ZA, and told her husband “ Don’t send him
to Manila again, he knows enough. If he gets to know more the Spaniards will cut off his head”.

TOPIC 2- THE UNIVERSITY OF STO. TOMAS (1877- 1882)

RIZAL ENTERS THE UNIVERSITY

• Rizal took the course on Philosophy and Letters.
Two reasons why Rizal enrolled in these course: His
father like it; and He was still uncertain as to what
career to pursue. It was the following term (1878-
1879)
RIZAL TOOK UP THE MEDICAL COURSE
• Two reasons: He received the advice of Father
Pablo Ramon, Ateneo’s Rector to study medicine
and to be able to cure his mother’s growing
blindness.
• He excelled in all subjects in the surveying course
in Ateneo.
• He obtained gold medals in agriculture and
topography
FINISHES SURVEYING COURSE IN ATENEO
• 1877-1878 Rizal took the vocational course leading to the title of ―perito agrimensor”
(expert surveyor). He passed the final examination in the surveying course on November 25,
1881. He remained loyal to Ateneo.
LITERARY WORKS (1879)
• Liceo-Artistico-Literario (Artistic-Literary Lyceum) of Manila, a society of literary men and
artists, held a literary contest.
 1. A La Juventud Filipino (to the Filipino youth)- a poem written by Rizal, it was the first prize
winner. Two reasons why Rizal‘s poem is a classic in the Philippine literature: 1. It was
the first great poem in Spanish written by the Filipino, whose merit was recognized by
Spanish literary authorities. 2. It expressed for the first time the nationalistic concept that
the Filipino, and not the foreigners, was the ―fair hope of the fatherland.

2. THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS (1880)

An allegorical drama written by Rizal which he entered in the literary contest of Artistic-Literary
Lyceum in 1880 to commemorate the fourth centennial of the death of Cervantes. It was a literary
masterpiece based on the Greek classics. The prize was awarded to Rizal, a gold ring on which
was engraved the bust (figure) of Cervantes.
3. Junto al Pasig (Beside the Pasig)
a zarzuela, written by Rizal. It was staged by the Ateneans on December 8, 1880,on the occasion
of the annual celebration of the Feats Day of the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the
Ateneo.
CHAMPION OF THE FILIPINO STUDENTS
• Rizal was the champion of the Filipino students. In 1880. Rizal founded a secret society of
Filipino students. He became the chief of the secrete students society.

UNHAPPY DAYS AT THE UST

• Rizal found the atmosphere at the University of Santo Tomas suffocating to his sensitive
spirit. He was unhappy at this Dominican institution of higher learning because:
(1) the Dominican professors were hostile to him
(2) the Filipino students were racially discriminated by the Spaniards
(3) the method of instruction was obsolete and repressive

TOPIC 3- IN SPAIN 1882-1885

After finishing the 4th year of the medical course in the University of Santo Tomas, Rizal decided
to complete his studies in Spain.
SECRET MISSION IN SPAIN
• to observe keenly the life and culture, languages and customs, industries and commerce,
and governments and laws of the European
nations. In order to prepare himself in the
mighty task of liberating his oppressed people
from Spanish tyranny.

RIZAL IN BARCELONA
• May 3, 1882- Rizal departed on board the Spanish Steamer Salvadora bound for
Singapore. Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept secret to avoid detection by the Spanish
authorities and the friars
• June 16, 1882- Rizal finally reached his destination—Barcelona.
ARTICLES WRITTEN BY RIZAL
• Amor Patrio (Love Of Country) - a nationalistic essay written by Rizal under his pen name
Laong Laan which urged his compatriots to love their fatherland, the Philippines. Basilio Teodoro
Moran- publisher of Diariong Tagalog. Other written articles of Rizal: - Los Viajes (Travels)-
second article - Revista de Madrid (Review of Madrid)- returned to him because the Diariong
Tagalog had ceased publication for lack of funds.

RIZAL IN MADRID
• November 3, 1882- Rizal enrolled in Universidad Central de Madrid in two courses-
Medicine and Philosophy and Letters. Rizal led a Spartan life in Madrid.
• He also studied in Painting and Sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts and took lessons in
French, German and English.
CIRCULO HISPANO-FILIPINO (HISPANO-PHILIPPINE CIRCLE)
• Shortly after his arrival, Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-Philippine Circle),
a society of Spaniards and Filipinos.
• “They Ask Me For Verses” (Me Piden Versos) - a poem written by Rizal in response to the
request of the members of the society. It is a sad poem in which Rizal poured out the cry of his
agonizing heart.
RIZAL AS LOVER OF BOOKS
• Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Eugene Sue’s The Wandering Jew - aroused the
sympathy of Rizal to his oppressed and unfortunate people.
RIZAL AS A MASON
• March 1883- Rizal joined the Masonic Lodge Acacia in Madrid under his Masonic name
Dimasalang. Rizal‘s reasons of becoming a mason: 1. the bad friars in the Philippines, by their
abuses unworthy of their priestly habit or calling, drove Rizal to desperation and Masonry; 2. he
needed the help of the Masons to fight the bad friars in the Philippines, for Masonry, to Rizal, was
a shield to use in his fight against the evil forces of tyranny.
RIZAL IN PARIS, CAPITAL CITY OF FRANCE
• June 17 1883, Rizal sojourn in Paris. He stayed at a cheaper hotel on 124 Rue de Rennes
in the Latin Quarter.
• Like all tourist, Rizal was attracted by the beautiful sights of Paris. He visited important
landmarks like the Place de la Concorde, Arch of Triumph, the Cathedral of Notre Dame and
others. Rizal improved his mind by observing closely the French way of life. He spent his hours in
museums, botanical garden and art galleries. According to Rizal “Paris is the costliest capital in
Europe.” Prices of food, drinks, theatre, laundry, hotels and transportation were too high.
• Two hospitals where Rizal made some observations:
Laennec Hospital- where Rizal observed Dr. Nicaise treating his patients
Lariboisiere Hospital- where Rizal observed the examination of different diseases of women.
• August 20, 1883 he returned to Madrid and continues with his studies.
RIZAL’S SALUTE TO LUNA AND HIDALGO.
• In the evening of June 25, 1884, a banquet was sponsored by the Filipino community to
celebrate the double victory of the Filipino artist in the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid -
Luna’s Spoliarium winning the first prize and Hidalgo’s Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace
second prize. Rizal was the guest speaker. It was a magnificent speech of Rizal, he saluted Luna
and Hidalgo being the two glories of Spain and the Philippines. He also assailed with refined
sarcasm the bigotry and blindness of certain unworthy Spaniards who could not comprehend the
universality of Genius.
STUDIES COMPLETED IN SPAIN
• June 21, 1884- conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine. He was not awarded his
Doctor‘s diploma due to the fact that he did not present the thesis required for graduation nor paid
the corresponding fees.
June 19, 1885- Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters with the rating of “Excellent”(Sobresaliente).

TOPIC 4- CONTINUED STAY IN EUROPE 1885-1887

• Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to specialize in Ophthalmology. He travelled and
observed European life and customs in Paris, Heidelberg, Leipzig, and Berlin.

PARIS (1885-1886)
• He was 24 years old and already a physician, he went to Paris to obtain knowledge in
Ophthalmology. In November 1885, he worked for four months as an assistant to Dr. Louis de
Weckert, a leading French ophthalmologist.
• Outside of his working hours, he also found time to relax and be with his good friends like
the Pardo de Taveras, Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo. At the studio of Juan Luna, he
improved his painting technique. He became a model to Juan Luna’s several paintings. In the
home of the Pardo de Tavera, Rizal played the flute, he admitted that he had no natural aptitude
for music.
GERMANY
IN HEIDELBERG
• In February 1886, Rizal left Paris and went to Germany. He arrived in Heidelberg, a historic
city in Germany famous for its old university and romantic surroundings.
• He lived near the University of Heidelberg and worked as an assistant to Dr. Otto Becker at
the University Eye Hospital. Outside his apprenticing hours, he also listened to lectures delivered
by Dr. Becker and Prof. Wilhelm Kuchne.
• Rizal devoted his free time visiting Heidelberg Castle, Neckar River, the theatre and some
old churches found in the city. The Neckar River and the beautiful spring flowers blooling along its
banks reminded him of how dearly he missed Calamba.
• April 22, 1886, Rizal wrote a touching poem entitled To the Flowers of Heidelberg.
IN WILHELMSFELD
• A mountainous village near Heidelberg where Rizal spent his summer vacation.
• Rizal lived with the family of Pastor Karl Ullmer, a Protestant pastor who became his good
friend and admirer. The pleasant personality and talents in languages and sketching endeared him
to the Ullmer’s family.
• For three months he enjoyed the hospitality and kindness of the family.
• June 25, 1886, he returned to Heidelberg.
FIRST LETTER TO BLUMENTRITT
• July 31, 1886 Rizal wrote his first letter in German to Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt,
Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria. Rizal wrote to him after learning that this ethnologist
was interested in the Tagalog language. He sent him a book entitled Arithmetica. Published in 2
languages- Spanish and Tagalog. By UST Press of 1868. Author was Rufino Baltazar Hernandez
a native of Santa Cruz, Laguna. Ferdinand reciprocated the thoughtful gesture of Rizal by sending
him two books. The exchanged marked the beginning of their long and beautiful friendship.
IN LEIPZIG
• In August 1886, Rizal arrived in Leipzig. He stayed here for two months doing a lot of
writing and translating.
• He very much liked what he saw, the magnificent buildings, wide and clean streets and
amiable people.
• William Tell- written by Schiller, Rizal translated it from German into Tagalog so that Filipino
might know the story of the champion of Swiss independence.
• Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales - Rizal also translated this in Tagalog for his nephews and
nieces.
• Because of his knowledge of German, Spanish, and other European languages, Rizal
worked as proof-reader in a publishing firm.
• He attended some lectures on history and psychology at the University of Leipzig and met
Professor Friedrich Ratzel- a famous German historian and Dr. Hans Meyer- German
anthropologist. They had become his friends.
IN BERLIN
• In November 1886, Rizal arrived in Berlin. He was enchanted by this city because of its
scientific atmosphere and the absence of racial prejudice.
• Dr. Feodor Jagor - Rizal met for the first time this celebrated German scientist-traveler and
author of Travels in the Philippines, a book which Rizal read and admired during his student days
in Manila.
• Dr. Rudolf Virchow- a famous German anthropologist. (Dr. Jagor, introduced Rizal to Dr.
Virchow)
• Dr. Ernest Schweigger (1830-1905)- famous German ophthalmologist where Rizal worked
• Rizal became a member of the Anthropological Society, the Ethnological Society, and the
Geographical Society of Berlin, upon the recommendation of Dr. Jagor and Dr. Meyer
• Tagalische Verkunst (Tagalog Metrical Art)- Rizal wrote this scholarly paper in German
which he read before the society in April 1887. This paper was published by the society in the
same year, and elicited favorable comments from all scientific quarters
GERMAN WOMEN AND THEIR CUSTOMS
• Rizal wrote a letters addressed to his sister, Trinidad. He said that German woman is
serious, diligent, educated, and friendly. She is not gossipy, frivolous and quarrelsome.
• Aside from women, Rizal admired the German customs. The Christmas custom of the
German delighted him most of his yuletide custom he wrote on Christmas eve. Another interesting
German custom observed by Rizal is self-introduction to strangers in a social gathering.

NOLI ME TANGERE PUBLISHED IN BERLIN (1887)

• March 21, 1887- the Noli Me Tangere came off the

press. The title Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase
which means “Touch Me Not”. “Noli Me Tangere, are
words taken from the Gospel of St. John (Chapter 20
Verses 13 to 17).
Rizal dedicated his Noli Me Tangere to the Philippines
—“To My Fatherland”. It contains 63 chapters and an
epilogue. Maximo Viola- The savior of Noli, he gave
him the needed funds to publish the novel.

GRAND TOUR FROM GERMANY TO ITALY

• May 11, 1887- Rizal and Viola left Berlin by train going to Dresden, one of the best cities in
Germany
• May 13- 16, 1887- Rizal and Viola went to Leitmeritz, Bohemia to visit Professor
Blumentritt. A kind-hearted, old Austrian professor who became a dear friend of Rizal.
• With Prof. Blumentritt as their guide, Rizal and Viola visited the churches, the residence of
the Bishop and other important buildings of the city.
• From May 20-30, 1887 -They visited other cities in Europe like, Prague, Vienna- the "Queen
of Danube", Lintz, Rheinfall, Munich and Nuremberg. They visited museums, magnificent
buildings, cathedrals and beautiful sights.

• June 2 to 3, 1887- stayed at Schaffhausen,

Switzerland. GENEVA- This Swiss city is one of the
most beautiful cities in Europe, visited by world
tourists every year.
• June 19, 1887- Rizal treated Viola to a blow-out. It
was his 26th birthday. Rizal and Viola spent fifteen
delightful days in Geneva.
• June 23, 1887- Viola and Rizal parted ways—Viola
returned to Barcelona while Rizal continued the tour
to Italy
• June 27, 1887- Rizal reached Rome, the “Eternal City” and also called the “City of the
Caesars. After a week of wonderful sojourn in Rome, Rizal prepared to return to the Philippines.
TOPIC 5- FIRST RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES 1887-1888
TRAVEL TO THE PHILIPPINES
The stunning beauty of the European lands did not stop Rizal from continuously adoring his native
land. After the Noli Me Tangere was published, he decided to return to Calamba despite the many
warning he received from friends and relatives alike.
• He had four reasons for returning to the Philippines:
a) To perform an operation on Dona Teodora’s eyes;
b) To defend his oppressed countrymen more effectively than doing so in a foreign land;
c) To find out how his Noli was received by the Filipinos and Spaniards; and
d) To know the reason for Leonor Rivera’s long silence.

• July 3, 1887, Rizal left Marseilles (France), it was his first return to the Philippines after
leaving it to study in Spain five years ago.
• August 6, 1887, he arrived in Manila and visited some friends.
AT HIS HOMETOWN
• August 8, 1887, he reached Calamba. He opened a medical clinic and restored his
mother’s vision. Such “miraculous” news spread throughout the community like wild fire, thus, his
clinic was flocked by people aspiring for a better eyesight. Newly arrived from Germany, he began
to be known as “ Doctor Uliman” (from the word Aleman) and soon he acquired a lucrative medical
practice. He earned $900 from his services as physician.
• Rizal opened a gymnasium for young folks, where he introduced European sports to
discourage his town mates from idleness and gambling.
• He also took part in Calamba’s civic affairs and on his spare time made paintings of the
towns landscapes and translated the German poems of Von Wildernath into Tagalog.
• His happy days at Calamba was marred with the death of his older sister, Olimpia, and to
see Leonor Rivera. His family begged him not to see her at her hometown in Camiling because of
increasing concerns about his safety. Also Leonor’s mother objected to their relationship.
THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE NOLI
• Copies of the Noli Me Tangere had arrived at the Philippines weeks before Rizal’s return to
the Philippines. Some of copies of his book fell into the hands of the Spaniards especially the
friars. They found the novel “heretical, impious, and scandalous in the religious order and anti-
patriotic, subversive of public order, injurious to the government of Spain and its function in the
Philippine Islands in the political order”.
• The controversy over the novel had reached the office of Governor General Emilio Terrero.
He requested Rizal to come to Malacańang Palace. Rizal met Governor General Emilio Terrero
who informed him of the charges against him. As a defense, Rizal told Terrero that Noli only
expose reality. Not having read the book yet and out of curiosity, the governor general asked for a
copy of the controversial novel, which he later confessed that he enjoyed reading. He saw no
problem on the book, yet to protect Rizal’s life which was then in danger, he assigned Jose Taviel
de Andrade, a young Spanish lieutenant, as Rizal’s personal bodyguard. The friars asked
Governor General Terrero to deport him, but the latter refused because there was no valid charge
against Rizal in court.
• While still in Calamba, Rizal was seen as a troublemaker. There are groundless tales
circulated by his enemies that he was “a German spy, an agent of Bismarck, a Protestant, a
Mason, a witch, a soul beyond salvation, etc.” Realizing that his family’s and friend’s safety were
risked; and that his fight against the Spaniards have better chance of winning if he’d stay abroad,
Rizal, six months after, finally decided to sail back to Europe. His plan was to return to Europe via
Hong Kong, Macao, Japan and the United States
TOPIC 6- TRAVELS IN ASIA ( HONG KONG, MACAU AND JAPAN) AND THE U.S.
FIRST TRIP TO HONG KONG AND MACAU
• On February 3, 1888, with a heavy heart, Rizal left Manila for Hong Kong. His powerful
enemies refused to give him peace and quiet. Anonymous letters with threats on his life were sent
to his parents’ house in Calamba.
• On February 8, 1888- Rizal arrived in Hong Kong and he was welcomed by Filipino
residents.
• Jose Sainz de Varranda, Terrero’s former secretary, followed Rizal in the said British
colony, and was believed to be commissioned by the Spanish authorities to spy on the hero.
• While in Hong Kong, Rizal engaged in cultural activities. Among the experiences while he
observed were:
a) The Chinese way of celebrating their New Year, which included making noise and
exploding firecrackers to drive away evil spirits;
b) Chinese lauriat parties, where they served many different types of dishes;
c) Chinese theatres which used symbolisms and noisy music to entertain an equally noise
audience;
d) He also managed to visit different churches and cemeteries that were owned by Catholics,
Protestants, and Muslims.
• On February 18-21, 1888, Rizal also visited Macau, a Portuguese colony near Hong Kong.
He was invited to stay at the residence of Don Juan Francisco Lecaros, who was a former Filipino
delegate to the Spanish Cortes. For two days, Rizal enjoyed being a tourist and visited different
cultural places which included churches, botanical gardens, theaters and the Macao Casino.
• February 22, 1888- Rizal left Hong Kong, his destination was Japan.
IN JAPAN
• February 28, 1888- Rizal arrived in Yokohama, the next day he went to Tokyo and stayed
at Tokyo Hotel for six days.
• Shortly after his arrival, Juan Perez Caballero-secretary of the Spanish Legation, visited
Rizal at his hotel who latter invited him to live at the Spanish Legation. Rizal being an intelligent
man, realized that the Spanish diplomatic authorities were instructed from Manila to keep track of
his activities. Since it was economical to stay at the legation and he believed that he had nothing
to hide, he accepted it.
• March 7, 1888- Rizal checked out of Tokyo Hotel and lived at the Spanish Legation
• Rizal was impressed by the scenic Japan and had keenly observed the life, customs, and
culture of the people. The things which favourably impressed Rizal in Japan were: the beauty of
the country; the cleanliness, politeness, and industry of the Japanese people; the picturesque
dress and simple charm of the Japanese women; there were very few thieves in Japan; beggars
were rarely seen in the city, streets, unlike in Manila and other cities.
• April 13, 1888, Rizal left Japan and boarded the Belgic, bound for the United States.

RIZAL’S VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES (April- May 1888)

• April 28, 1888, Rizal arrived in San Francisco, California. The ship was held under
quarantine by the American health authorities, reasoning that there was a cholera epidemic in the
Far East where their ship come from. Rizal and other first class passenger of the ship were
released from quarantine and allowed to land after seven days.
• On May 4, 1888, Rizal arrived in San Francisco and registered at the Palace Hotel and
stayed for two days. May 6, 1888, he was in Oakland, he boarded the train for his grand
transcontinental trip to the American continent. He was able to see places such as Sacramento,
Reno, (Nevada), Colorado, Nebraska, Chicago, Albany and on May 13 he reached New York. He
stayed in this city for three days, he visited the scenic and historic places.
RIZAL’S IMPRESSIONS OF AMERICA
• Good impressions
a) the material progress of the country as shown in the great cities, huge farms, flourishing
industries and busy factories;
b) the drive and energy of the American People
c) the natural beauty of the land
d) the high standard of living;
e) the opportunities for better life offered to poor immigrants.
• Bad impression
a) the lack of racial equality: “America is the land par excellence of freedom but only for the
whites”
• May 16, 1888- Rizal left New York for Liverpool, England.
TOPIC 7- REFORMIST WORKS IN EUROPE (1889-1981)
IN LONDON
• May 25, 1888 to mid-March 1889- Rizal decided to stay in London because he could
improve his English, study and do an annotation of Antonio Morga’s Sucecos de las Islas Filipinas
and perceived it was a place for him to carry on the reforms he wanted for the Philippines.
ANNOTATING MORGA’S BOOK
• May 1888-March 1889- He spent ten months (10) in the reading room of the British
Museum deeply immersed in his historical studies in London. This was the greatest achievement
of Rizal in London, the annotating of Morga’s book, Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (Historical
Events of the Philippine Islands), which was published in Mexico, 1609.
RIZAL AND THE LA SOLIDARIDAD
• December 31, 1888- inauguration of Asociacion La Solidaridad (Solidaridad Association), a
patriotic society. They crusade for reforms in the Philippine Government. By unanimous vote of all
members, Rizal was chosen honorary president. This was a recognition of his leadership among
all Filipino patriots in Europe.
• February 15, 1889- Graciano Lopez Jaena founded the patriotic newspaper called La
Solidaridad in Barcelona. A fortnightly periodical which served as the organ of the Propaganda
Movement.
• Its aims were as follows: to work
peacefully for political and social reforms;
to portray the deplorable conditions of the
Philippines so that Spain may remedy
them; to oppose the evil forces of
reaction and medievalism; to advocate
liberal ideas and progress; to champion
the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino
people to life, democracy and happiness.
During his stay in London, Rizal also
made used of his time in writing essays
and articles for La Solidaridad. He also
wrote La Vision del Fray Rodriguez (The
Vision of Fray Rodriguez)-pamphlet
which published in Barcelona under his
nom-de-plume Dimas Alang in order to
defense his novel.
• In London, Rizal received both good
news and bad news from news. The good news that Rev. Vicente Garcia was defending his Noli
from the attacks of the friars. On the other hand, the bad news were that the Filipino signatories of
the “ Petition of 1888” and the tenants of the Calamba agrarian trouble were facing persecution;
that his brothers-in-law Manuel T. HIdalgo and Mariano Herbosa, were exiled to Bohol and was
denied Christian burial, respectively; and his friend, Laureno Viadoa, a UST medical student, was
imprisoned for possessing some copies of his Noli.
IN PARIS
• It was mid-March 1899, Rizal decided to move to Paris. He noticed that Parisian life was
different from the life he experienced in London. It was a city bursting with merriment, exciting
events, and unending social gathering. The cost of living was also very high.
• Rizal never lost his focus although life in Paris was gay, he continued to spend long hours
at the National library in Paris. There, he went on reviewing and rewriting his historical annotations
on De Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas. It was published on January 1890. He also wrote a
satirical booklet entitled Por Telefono, in answer to Fr. Salvation Fort, a Spanish friar who hurled
attacks on the Noli Me Tangere and caused its banning.
• He continued his study on various languages especially the French language, which he was
able to perfect during his 10 months stay at the French capital city.
• He organized a social club called Kidlat Club , a social club which brought together young
Filipinos residing in Paris. Soon, the members of the said club founded a new Filipino society - the
Indios Bravos, an organization which envisioned Filipinos being recognized by Spain for being
excellent in various fields of knowledge.
• In between his more serious activities, Rizal also had leisurely activities like socializing with
friends in their homes. Among those he frequently visited were the homes of the Pardo de
Taveras, the Venturas, the Lunas, the Bousteads and others.
• Although Rizal lived a frugal life, he prepared a sumptuous Christmas dinner for some of his
friends. Shortly after New Year, he visited London for the last time
In BRUSSELS
• January 28, 1890, left Paris for Brussels. He left the extravagant and gay social life in Paris
and stayed in a boarding house owned by the Jacoby sisters in Brussels.
• From 1889- 1890, Rizal continued contributing for La Solidaridad under the pseudonyms
Dimas Alang and Laong Laan. Among the 10 articles he had contributed below were some of the
most famous and important articles:
a) The Philippines Within a Century-article written by Rizal which he expressed his views on
the Spanish colonization in the Philippines.
b) The Indolence of the Filipinos- It is an able defence of the alleged indolence of the Filipinos.
c) the Sobre la Nueva Ortografia de la Lengua Tagala (The New Orthography of the Tagalog
Language) In this article, he laid down the rules of the new Tagalog orthography
• From Calamba, Rizal received letters telling that the agrarian trouble in the province was
getting worse, and as such, he decided to go home. But instead of going home, a letter from
Paciano told him that they already lost the case against the Dominicans and they were in need of
a lawyer who would defend their family and the families in Calamba from Madrid.
• Rizal wrote a letter to Ponce, he announced that he was leaving Brussels and decided to go
to Madrid because this case must be presented to the Supreme Court and he needs to pay close
attention to the developments of the case.

MISFORTUNES IN MADRID (1890-1891)

• August, 1890, Rizal arrived in Madrid. Upon arrival in Madrid. Rizal immediately sought help
of the Filipino colony, The Asociacion Hispano-Filipina, and the liberal Spanish newspaper in
securing justice for the oppressed Calamba tenants. Nothing came out of this, several newspapers
were sympathetic to the plight of the Calamba tenants but this did not translate to any form of
action. By this time, Francisco Rizal and other tenants were already forcibly evicted from Calamba
by Governor General Valeriano Weyler. Their houses were burned and more people were exiled
regardless of their gender.
• August 1890, Rizal attended a social reunion of the Filipinos in Madrid. After drinking so
many glasses the guests became more talkative. One of them, Antonio Luna became drunk. Rizal
challenged Antonio Luna, it was about the latter’s frustration with his unsuccessful “love affair” with
Nellie Boustead, and so gave negative remarks on the lady which Rizal did not tolerated. The
Filipinos tried to pacify them, pointing out that such a duel would damage their cause in Spain.
Fortunately, Luna, realized his mistakes he apologized and Rizal immediately accepted his
apology and became good friends again.
• Rizal challenged Wenceslao Retana in a duel. Retana had insulted Rizal and his family by
writing in La Epoca, an anti-Filipino newspaper, that the Rizal family in Calamba was ejected from
their lands because they did not pay their rents. Rizal was, by nature neither hot-tempered but
when the honor of his people, family, women or friends was besmirched, he never hesitated to
fight even if he were risking his own life. Retana at once published a retraction and an apology, he
knew that Rizal was superior in both pistol and sword.
• December 1890, Rizal received a letter from Leonor Rivera announcing her coming
marriage to Henry Kipping, an Englishman (the choice of her mother).This was a big blow for him
and his heart broke.
• Another marked event in Madrid was the Marcelo H. del Pilar-Jose Rizal rivalry for
leadership in the Asociacion Hispano Filipino. A fraction emerged from the Filipinos in Madrid, the
Rizalistas and Pilaristas. The group decided that the leader must be elected by two-thirds vote.
Rizal won the election, he was offered the appointment but he did not want to see the Filipinos in
Madrid divided so he thought it best to leave the city.
• Rizal took a vacation in the resort city of Biarritz on the fabulous French Riviera. He was a
guest of the rich Boustead family at its winter residence—Villa Eliada. The one month vacation in
this city worked wonders for Rizal. This is where he was able to finish his second novel El
Filibusterismo.
• March 30, 1891, Rizal bade farewell to the hospitable and friendly Bousteads and
proceeded to Paris by Train. He stayed at the home of his friend Valentin Ventura.

RETIREMENT FROM THE PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT

• April 1891, Rizal was back to Brussels where he became busy revising and polishing the
manuscript of El Filibusterismo.
• Rizal retired from the Propaganda Movement. He notified the Propaganda authorities in
Manila to cancel his monthly allowance and devote the money to some better cause, such as the
education of a young Filipino student in Europe. He desired to publish his second novel, to
practice his medical profession, and later when he became financially independent, he expected to
make a more vigorous campaign for his country’s redemption.
• Simultaneously with his retirement from the Propaganda Movement, Rizal ceased writing
articles for La Solidaridad. Many of his friends in Spain urged him to continue writing because his
articles always attracted considerable attention in European countries.
• M.H. Del Pilar himself realized the need for Rizal’s collaboration in both the Propaganda
Movement and in the La Solidaridad newspaper because the enthusiasm for the reform crusade
was declining. He wrote to Rizal begging for forgiveness for any resentment and requesting him
to resume writing for the La Solidaridad.
• Rizal replied to Del Pilar’s letter, he wrote denying any resentment and explaining why he
stopped writing. Below are reasons why Rizal stopped writing for La Solidaridad:
a) Rizal need to work on his book ;
b) He wanted other Filipinos to work also;
c) Rizal considered it very important to the party that there be unity in the work ;
d) Marcelo H. Del Pilar is already at the top and Rizal also have his own ideas it is better to
leave del Pilar alone to direct the policy.

THE PRINTING OF THE EL FILIBUSTERISMO

• July 5, 1891- Rizal left Brussels for Ghent, a famous university city in Belgium because the
cost of printing in Ghent was cheaper than in Brussels. F. Meyer-Van Loo Press-a printing shop
that give Rizal the lowest quotation for the publication of his novel.
• August 6, 1891-the printing of his book had to be suspended because Rizal could no longer
give the necessary funds to the printer. Valentin Ventura- the savior of the Fili, when he learned of
Rizal’s predicament he sent him the necessary funds.
• September 18, 1891- El Filibusterismo came off the press. Rizal gratefully donated the
original manuscript and an autographed printed copy to Valentin Ventura

TOPIC 8- BACK IN HONGKONG

• On October 18, 1891, after the Fili’ was published, Rizal left Europe. Aboard the S.S
Melbourne, he sailed to Hongkong where he lived for seven months. His reasons for venturing to
Hongkong were the following:
a) To leave his rivalry with del PIlar
b) To facilitate a Propaganda Movement in Hongkong; and
c) To be proximate to his family in the Philippines
• On November 20, 1891, Rizal arrived in Hongkong and was cordially welcomed by the
Filipino residents in the city, particularly, his friend Jose Ma. Basa.

• December 1, 1891- Rizal wrote his parents asking their permission to return home. Rizal
had a continued correspondence with his family in Calamba and had been aware of the unsettled
agrarian problem. On the same date, his brother-in-law, Manuel T. Hidalgo, sent him a letter
relating the sad news of the “deportation of twenty-five persons from Calamba, including father,
Neneng, Sisa, Lucia, Paciano and the rest of us.”
FAMILY REUNION IN HONG KONG
• The Christmas of 1891 in Hong Kong was one of the happiest Yuletide celebrations in
Rizal’s life, he had a happy family reunion.
• While in Hongkong, Rizal practiced his medical career. With the help of his friend, Dr
Lorenzo P. Marquez, they built a large clientele and opened a medical clinic where he was
recognized as an excellent eye surgeon. He was equally supported and aided both morally and
financially by his family and friends with his chosen career.
• Another marked event during Rizal’s stay in Hongkong was his plan to move the landless
Filipino to Borneo and transform the said wilderness into a “New Calamba” through the so-called
Borneo Colonization Project.
• In April 1802, he visited Borneo and negotiated with the British authorities who are willing to
provide 100,000 acres of land for the Filipinos. Many Filipino patriots found this project amusing,
thus, promoted the said project. However, there were a number who objected it, one of which was
Rizal’s brother-in-law, Hidalgo.
• Twice did Rizal wrote a letter addressed to Governor General Eulogio Despujol informing
his Borneo colonization project, with whom he received no response. Instead, Despujol
commanded the Spanish consul-general in Hongkong to notify Rizal that such project was very
unpatriotic, and by immigrating Filipinos to Borneo, the Philippines will surely be lacking of
laborers.
• Despite the many oppositions from friends and relatives, he decided to return to Manila on
the following reasons:

a) To discuss with Governor General Despujol his Borneo colonization project;

b) To form the La Liga Filipina in the Philippines; and
c) To prove that Eduardo de Lete’s allegations on him and his family in Calamba were
wrong.
• Before his departure, he wrote three more letters- the first addressed to his parents and
friends; the second one, to Filipinos; and the last Governor General Eulogio Despujol.
• Instead of having the protection he desired, Rizal and his sister, Lucia fell into the Spanish
trap - a case was secretly filed against Rizal, and Despujol ordered his secretary, Luis de la Torre,
to verify whether the patriot had neutralized himself as German citizen or not. And so, the siblings
sailed across the China Sea without prior knowledge of what awaits then in the Philippines.

TOPIC 9- RIZAL’S GREAT LOVES

1) Second Love: Leonor Valenzuela (1878)
Leonor “Orang” Valenzuela, Rizal’s second object of
affection, is literally the girl-next-door. They met when Rizal was
a sophomore medical student at the University of Santo Tomas,
during which time he also lived at Doña Concha Leyva’s
boarding house in Intramuros, Manila. Orang, who was then 14
years old, was his neighbour. During the courtship, Rizal was
said to have sent Leonor private and secret love letters, which
he wrote using invisible ink made with water and salt—he was
adept in chemistry, too. To read the letters, Orang had to heat
the letter over a candle or a lamp. Rizal also frequented the
Valenzuelas’ home, which was a hang out place of the students
in the area. There are, however, documents that may serve as
proof that Rizal’s efforts were not effective. Some accounts say
he was courting Leonor Valenzuela and his second cousin
Leonor Rivera at the same time—thus the need for invisible
letters. (Still, we need to appreciate the effort that went with it.)
Rivera apparently knew of this and gave way to Rivera’s
attraction for Rizal. When Rizal left for Spain in 1882, it was said that he did say goodbye to
Orang, but kept in touch with the help of Rizal’s close friend, Jose “Chenggoy” Cecilio.

2) Third Love: Leonor Rivera, Age 15, (1878-1890)

 Jose Rizal was never the preferred choice of Leonor
Rivera’s mother, who confiscated all the correspondences
between Leonor and Rizal till it frittered down to zero. Rizal was
18 going on 21 and was devoted to Leonor. But he was just then
opening his eyes to Europe’s Enlightenment, where the women
were pleasing and the men were gallant. Rizal really was in love
with Leonor Rivera. He even invented a coded alphabet so that
they could write sweet nothings to each other. But soon, Leonor
faded in memory. Why? Because in Europe, Rizal conveniently
romanced other girls and forgot he was engaged to her.
Eventually the Leonor Rivera-Rizal engagement did not survive
the long-distance romance. In the end, it turned into an idealized
one (reflected as Maria Clara in Rizal’s novel, Noli me Tangere),
a painful love match doomed to fail from the very start. Yes,
count this one as real love. As an engaged couple, they showed
real affection for each other while it lasted.

3) Fourth Love: Consuelo Ortiga Y Reyes, (1884)

In Madrid, Rizal courted Consuelo Ortiga, age 18, the

daughter of Señor Pablo Ortiga y Rey, who was once mayor of
Manila and who owned the apartment where the Circulo Hispano
Filipino met regularly. Rizal, age 23, was then acquiring and
developing his charming ways with women. He treated them with
special consideration and with gallant courteousness. All the
young Filipino expatriates courted Consuelo, and she in turn
encouraged every one including José Rizal, Eduardo Lete, the
Paterno brothers (Pedro, Antonino, Maximiano), Julio Llorente,
Evangelista, Evaristo Esguerra, Fernando Canon and others.
Rizal gave Consuelo gifts: sinamay cloth, embroidered piña
handkerchiefs, chinelas (slippers) -- all ordered through his
sisters in Calamba (see his letters). Consuelo accepted all the
swains’ regalos but played Eduardo Lete against Rizal. She
finally rejected Rizal’s attention in favor of Eduardo’s, a Filipino
Spanish mestizo from Leyte who, a year later, dumped her. Two-
timing Consuelo didn't really catch Rizal's true fancy except that
he impulsively joined the crowd.

4) Fifth Love: O Sei-San, Age 22, The Samurai’s Daughter

(1888)
Rizal had fallen in love not only with the view of Japan but
more to its women, particularly with the 23-year old Seiko Usui.
Rizal affectionately called her O-Sei-San. Rizal was attracted by
her regal loveliness and charm. Rizal saw in her the qualities of
his ideal womanhood—beauty, charm, modesty and intelligence.
Rizal was almost tempted to settle in Japan with O-Sei-San.
Although, she was very dear to him, his love for his country and
fellow Filipinos was greater. Sacrificing his personal happiness, Rizal had to carry on his
libertarian mission in Europe, leaving behind the lovely O-Sei-San.
“O Sei San, sayonara, sayonara! …. No woman like you has ever loved me. … Like the
flower of the chodji that falls from the stem whole and fresh without stripping leaves or withering...
you have not lost your purity nor have the delicate petals of your innocence faded--sayonara,
sayonara.” Rizal.

5) Sixth Love: Gertrude Beckett, Age 19, (1886)

In May 1888 Rizal visited London for a short time,
boarding the house of the Beckett family: Mr. & Mrs. Beckett,
their two sons, and their four daughters. The eldest daughter
was named Gertrude.She was a buxom young lady with blue
eyes and brown hair. She fell in love with Rizal and gave him
all of her attention during the family picnics and gatherings.
When Rizal stayed indoors during rainy days painting and
sculpting, she helped him mix his colors and prepare his clay.
Rizal enjoyed her company. Eventually their flirtatious
friendship drifted towards a blossoming romance. He
affectionately called her "Gettie," and in return she called him
"Pettie."Rizal withdrew before his relationship with Gettie could
become more serious, realizing that he had a greater mission
to fulfill and that in order to accomplish it he could not yield to
the option of marrying her. He suppressed the yearnings of his
heart and decided to leave so that the lady may forget him.
Before he did, however, he finished a number of sculptural
works, one of which was a carving of the heads of the Beckett sisters.

6) Seventh Love: Suzanne Jacoby (1890)

On January 28, 1890, Rizal left for Brussels, Belgium. He
stayed for a considerable time, paying for room and board. His
landladies had a pretty niece named Petite Suzanne Jacoby.
She was taken by Rizal's charm and gallantry, and provided him
good company. Rizal could have flirted with the lady, considering
that his beloved Leonor was far away and he was a lonely man in
a strange and foreign land, but he realized he could not deceive
her. Suzanne fell in love with Rizal, and wept when he left for
Madrid in July 1890.
She wrote to him in French:
"Where are you now? Do you think of me once in a while?
I am reminded of our tender conversations, reading your letter,
although it is cold and indifferent. Here in your letter I have
something which makes up for your absence. How pleased I
would be to follow you, to travel with you who are always in my
thoughts.
 You wish me all kinds of luck, but forget that in the absence of a beloved one a tender heart
cannot feel happy.
A thousand things serve to distract your mind, my friend; but in my case, I am sad, lonely,
always alone with my thoughts -- nothing, absolutely nothing relieves my sorrow. Are you coming
back? That's what I want and desire most ardently -- you cannot refuse me.
I do not despair and I limit myself to murmuring against time which runs so fast when it
carries us toward a separation, but goes so slowly when it's bringing us together again.
I feel very unhappy thinking that perhaps I might never see you again.
Goodbye! You know with one word you can make me very happy. Aren't you going to write
to me?"

7) Eight Love: Nellie Boustead (1891)

In 1891, Rizal took a vacation in Biarritz in order to find
reprieve from his troubles in Madrid. He was a guest of the
Boustead family in their winter residence, Villa Eliada. Mr. and
Mrs. Boustead had two beautiful daughters, Adelina and Nellie.
After having lamented his frustrated romance with Leonor
Rivera on account of the lady's engagement to another man,
Rizal came to develop considerable affection for Nellie, the
prettier and younger daughter of Mr. Eduardo Boustead. He
found her to be intelligent, morally upright, and full of life. Rizal
wrote to his closest friends about his intention to marry her.
Rizal's friends were delighted to hear that he had found a
suitable girl whom he at last wished to settle down with. Even
Antonio Luna, who had previously loved Nellie, encouraged
Rizal to court her and ask for her hand in marriage. With all
the encouragement from the friends he held dear, Rizal wooed
Nellie (also called Nelly) who, in turn, returned his affections.
Rizal's marriage proposal failed for two reasons: first,
Nellie demanded that he give up his Catholic faith and convert to Protestantism, which was her
religion. Rizal did not like this idea. Second, Nelly's mother did not approve of Rizal, as she had
no desire to entrust her daughter to a man who was wanting in wealth and persecuted in his own
country. In spite of the circumstances, Rizal and Nellie parted as good friends.