SOCSC 143 TTH 7:30-9:00
THE WORLD OF RIZAL’S TIMES
February 19, 1861
- Czar Alexander II issued a proclamation
emancipating 22,500,00 serfs to appease the uprising
discontent of the Russian masses.
June 19, 1861
- Birth day of Rizal
- American Civil War was raging raging furiously in
the US over the issue of Negro slavery.
April 12, 1861
- American Civil War erupted
September 22, 1863
- issued his Emancipation Proclamation due to the
American Civil War.
June 1, 1861
- Benito Juarez, a full blooded Zapotec Indian was
elected as the President of Mexico
April 1862
- Emperor Napoleon III of the Second French
Empire sent his frech troops which invaded and
conquered Mexico.
Archduke Maximilian of Austria
- became puppet Emperor of Mexico at Mexico
City on June 12, 1864
May 15, 1867
- the french troops of Emperor Maximilian was
defeated at the Battle of Queretaro
June 19, 1867
- Emperor Maximilian was executed.
Italy and Germany
- two European nations succeeded in unifying their
own countries.
Italians under the leadership of Count Cavour and of
Garibaldi and his Army of “Red Shirts”
- drove out the Austrians and French armies from
Italy and proclaimed the Kingdom of Italy under King
Victor Emmanuel, with Rome as the Capital CIty
Otto von Bismarck
- the “Iron Chancellor”
- led the Prussians and defeated France in the
Franco-Prussian war and established the German
Empire on January 18, 1871.
King Wilhelm of Prussia
- first Kaiser of the German Empire.
Reign of Queen Victoria (1837- 1901)
- Proudly asserted “Britannia rules the waves” by
winning the first opium war against the Chinese Empire
under the Manchu dynasty.
-she acquired the island of Hong Kong in the
Second Opium War (1856-1860)
1858-1863
- with the help of the Filipino troops under the
Spanish officers, conquered Vietnamn, annexed
Cambodia and Laos and merged all these countries int
oa federated colony under the name of French
Indochina.
July 8, 1853
- an American squadron under the command of
Commodore Matthew C. Perry re-opened Japan (214
years of isolation) to the World.
Emperor Meiji (Mutsuhito)
- modernized Japan by freely accepting Western
influences, including imperialism
January 1871
- Germany became a sovereign state and was late
in the scramble for colonies in Asia and Africa.
Island of Yap
- discovered by Manila galleon pilot, Francisco
Lezcano who named it “Carolina” in honor of King
Charles II of Spain.
Pope Leo XIII
- spain and germany submitted the Carolina
question to him
-issued his decision on October 22, 1885 favoring
Spain.
La Publicidad
- where the Carolina Question was published
- a newspaper owned by Don Miguel Morayta
THE PHILIPPINES OF RIZAL’S TIMES
Instability of Colonial Administration
- the instability of the spanish politics marked the
beginning of political chaos in Spain.
1834-1862
-Spain had adopted four constitutions, elected 28
parliaments and installed no less than 529 ministers
with portfolios.
1835-1897
 - the Philippines was ruled by 50 governors general
(1yr and 3 months each)
Corrupt Colonial Officials
General Rafael de Izquierdo
- a boastful and ruthless governor general
-aroused the angerof the Filipinos by executing the
GomBurZa (Martyrs of 1872)
Admiral Jose Malcampo
-succesor of General Izquierdo
- was a good moro fighter but was an ineot and
weak administrator
General Fernando Primo de River
- governor general for 2 terms
-enriching himself by accepting bribes from
gambling casinos in Manila which he scandalously
permitted to operate.
General Valeriano Weyler
- a cruel and corrupt governor general of
Hispanic-German ancestry
-arrived in Manila a poor man and returned to
spain a millionaire
-filipinos called him “tyrant” because of his brutal
persecution of the Calamba tenants, particularly the
family of Dr. Rizal.
General Camilo de Polavieja
- an able militarist but heartless governor general
- detested by the filipinos for executing Dr. Rizal.
Philippine Representation in Spanish Cortes
Ventura de los Reyes
- the first Philippine delegate
- took active part in the framing of the Constitution
of 1812
-helped abolished the galleon trade
Human Rights Denied to Filipinos
- the Spanish authorities who cherished these
human rights or constitutional liberties in Spain denied
them to the FIlipinos in Asia.
No Equality before the Law
- the spanish authorities who were Christians did
not implement Christ’s precept of the brotherhood of
all men under the fatherhood of God.
- they regarded the Filipinos as brown skinned
inferior beings.
- Leyes de Indias (Laws of the Indians) were
promulgated by the christian monarchs of spain to
protect the rights of the natives in spain’s overseas
colonies and to promote their welfare.
Spanish Penal Code
- imposed heavier penalties on native filipinos or
mestizos and lighter penalties on white complexioned
Spaniards.
Maladministration of Justice
- the courts of justice in the Philippines during
Rizal’s time were notoriously corrupt.
- a specific instance of this was the case of Juan de
la Cruz.
July, 1892
-Rizal was deported to Dapitan without a benefit of
the Trial.
Racial Discrimination
- racial prejudice was prevalent everywhere.
Forced Labor
- known as the polo
- a compulsory labor imposed by the spanish
colonial authorities,
- 16 to 60 yrs old were obliged to render forced
labor for 40 days a year.
July 12,1883
- implemented by the new regulations
promulgated by the council of state of Feb 3, 1885
increased the minimum age of the polistas from 18 to
18 and reduced the days from 40 to 15.
Falla
- payment to escape this manual labor
- a sum of money paid to the government to be
exempted from the polo.
Haciendas owned by the Friars
- friars belonging to different religious orders were
the richest landlords.
- friars owned the biggest haciendas in the
Philippines.
CHAPTER 1
ADVENT OF A NATIONAL HERE
Dr. Jose Rizal
- a unique example of a many splendored genius
who became the greatest national hero.
- was a physician (ophthalmic surgeon), poet,
dramatist, essayist, novelist, naturalist, ethnologist,
surveyor, engineer and etc.
 BIRTH OF A HERO
Jose Rizal
- was born on Wednesday, June 19, 1861 in
the lakeshore town of Calamba,Laguna Province,
Philippines.
- was baptized on June 22, aged 3 years old
- his name Jose was chosen by his mother who
was a devotee of the Christian saint San Jose (St.
Joseph)
- was the seventh of the eleven children.
Father Rufino Collantes
- baptized Rizal
- was a Batangueno
- impressed by the big head of Rizal.
Father Pedro Casanas
- his godfather (ninong)
- native of Calamba and close friend of the Rizal
Family.
Lieutenant-General Jose Lemery
- the governor general at that time
- former senator of spain
-governed the Philippines from February 2, 1861 to
July 7, 1862
- sent an official dispatch to the Ministry of war
and the Ministry of Ultramar in Madrird denouncing
Sultan Pulalun of Sulu on Rizal’s birth.
Rizal’s Parents
Francisco Mercado
- was born in Binan, Laguna on May 11, 1818
- studied Latin and Philisophy at the College of San
Jose in Manila.
- became a tenant farmer of the Dominican owned
hacienda.
- a hardy and independent-minded man who
talked less and worked more.
- died on January 5, 1898 at the age of 80.
- was called by Rizal as “a model of fathers”
Dona Teodora
- born in Manila on Nov 8 ,1826
- was educated at the College of Santa Rosa
- died in Manila on August 16, 1911 at the age of
85.
- shortly before her death, the Philippine
government offered her a life pension but she
courteously rejected it.
- was said that her family descended from Lakan
Dula, the last king of tondo.
The Rizal Children
Saturnina (1850-1913)
- oldest of the Rizal children
- nicknamed Neneng
- married Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanawan, Batangas
Paciano (1851-1930)
- older brother and confidant of Rizal
- joined the Philippine Revolution and became a
combat general after the execution of his brother.
- retired to his farm in Los Banos
- lived as a gentleman farmer
- died on April 13,1930 (79)
- had two children (boy and girl) by his mistress
Severina Decena
- second Father to Rizal
- was immortalized by Rizal in his first novel Noli
Me Tangere as the wise Pilosopo Tasio
- “most noble of Filipinos” regarded by Rizal,
Narcisa (1852-1939)
- Sisa was her pet name
-married Antonio Lopez (nephew of Father Leoncio
Lopez), a school teahcer of Morong.
Olimpia (1855-1939)
- ypia was her pet name
- married Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator
from Manila
Lucia (1857-1919)
- married Mariano Herbosa of Calamba who was a
nephew of Father Casanas
- Herbosa died of Cholera in 1889 and was denied
Christian burial because he was a brother in law of Dr.
Rizal.
Maria(1859-1945)
- Biang was her nickname
-married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Binan, Laguna
Jose (1861-1896)
- the greatest Filipino hero and peerless genius
- his nickname was pepe
- lived with Josephin Bracken, Irish girl from Hong
Kong, he had a son by her but this baby boy died a few
hours after birth. Rizal named him “Francisco” after his
father and buried him in Dapitan.
Conception (1862-1865)
-her pet name was Concha
- died of sickness at the age of 3
- her death was Rizal’s first sorrow in life.
Josefa (1865-1945)
-Panggoy was her pet name
- died an old maid at the age of 80.
Trinidad (1868-1951)
- Trining was her pet name
- also died an old maid at the age of 83
Soledad (1870-1929)
- youngest of the Rizal children
-Choleng was her pet name
- married Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba
Rizal’s Ancestry
Rizal
- was a product of the mixture of races.
- in his veins flowed the blood of east and west -
Negrito, Indonesian, Malay, Chinese, Japanese, and
Spanish.
Domino Lamco
- chinese immigrant from the Fukien City of
Changchow
- arrived in Manila on 1690
- became a Christian and married a well-to-do
Chinese christian girl of Manila named Ines de la Rosa
- assumed the surname Mercado (means market)
in 1773 which was appropriate for him because he was
a merchant.
Francisco Mercado
- son of Domingo Mercado and Ines de la Rosa
- resided in Binan, Laguna
- married a Chinese-filipino mestiza name Cirila
Bernacha
- elected as gobernadorcillo of the town
Juan Mercado
- also a son Francisco Mercado
- Rizal’s grandfather
- married Cirila Alejandro, a chinese-filipino
mestiza.
- also elected as gobernadorcillo of Binan
- they had 13 children and the youngest being
Francisco Mercado, Rizal’s father.
Francisco Mercado (Father of Rizal)
- lost his father at the age of 8.
- studied Latin and Philosophy
- married Teodora Alonso y Realonda
- married on June 28, 1848
Eugenio Ursua
- Rizal’s maternal great-great grandfather
- japanese ancestry
- married a filipina named Benigna (unknown
surname)
Regina Ursua
-daughter of Eugenio and Benigna
- married Manuel de Quintos, a Filipino-Chinese
lawyer from Pangasinan.
Brigida de Quintos
- one of the daughters of Atty. Quintos and Regina
-married Lorenzo Alberto Alonso, a prominent
Spanish-Filipino mestizo of Binan.
- Narcisa, Teodora (Rizal’s mother), Gregorio,
Manual and Jose were their children
The Surname Rizal
Mercado
- real surname of the Rizal family.
-was adopted in 1731 by Domingo Lamco
Rizal
- was given by a Spanish alcalde mayor (provincila
mayor) of Laguna, who wasa family friend.
- means a field where wheat, cut while still green,
sprouts agian.
The Rizal Home
-was one of the distinguished stone houses in
Calamba during Spanish times.
- was a two-storey building, rectangular in shape
-built of adobe stones and hard-woods and roofed
with red tiles.
- behind the house were the poultry yard full of
turkeys and chickens and a big garden of tropical frui
trees.
Dr. Rafael Palma
- one of Rizal’s prestigious biographers.
A good and Middle-class Family
Rizal family
- belonged to the principalia, a town aristocracy in
Spanish Philippines
- one of the distinguished families in Calamba
- they owned a carriage ( a status symbol of the
ilustrados) and a private library (largest in Calamba)
ehich consisted more than 1000 volumes.
Home Life of Rizal
-the Rizal had a simple, contented and happy life.
-they attended Sunday Masses and Christian
Holidays
CHAPTER 2
CHILDHOOD YEARS IN CALAMBA
Calamba, the Hero’s town
 - was a hacienda town which belonged to the
Dominican order, which also owned all the lands
around it.
- Rizal loved Calamba with all his heart and soul, in
1876 when he was 15 years old and was a student in
Ateneo de Manila and wrote a poem Un Recuerdo A Mi
Pueblo (In Memory of My Town)
Earliest Childhood Memories
- he was given the tenderest care because he was
frail, sickly and undersized.
- his father built a little nipa cottage in the garden
for him to play in the day time.
Aya
- nurse maid
- a kind old woman was employed to look after his
comfort.
- related many stories to the Rizal children
- took Rizal for a walk in the moonlight by the
River.
First Poem of Rizal
- at the age of 8, Rizal wrote his first poem in his
native languages entitled Sa Aking Mga Kababata (To
My Fellow Children
First Drama by Rizal
- wrote his first drama at the age of 8, which was a
tagalog comedy.
- staged in Calamba festival and was delightfully
applauded by the audience.
A Gobernadorcillo from Paete
- a town in Laguna famouts for Lanzones and wood
carvings happened to witness the comedy and liked it
so much that he purchased the manuscript for two
pesos and was staged in Paete during its town fiesta.
Rizal as Boy Magician
- he revealeld his wide knowledge of magic in
Chapter XVII and XVIII of his second nove El
Filibusterismo (treason)

The Hero’s first Sorrow Lakeshore Reveries

- Jose loved Concha the most. He was a year older - during twilight hours of summertime Rizal,
than Concha accompanied by his pet dog, used to medidate at the
- he cried bitterly at losing her. shore of Laguna de Bay.

Devoted Son of the Church Mariano Ponce

-friend of Rizal
Rizal
- grew up a good catholic Influences on the Hero’s Boyhood
-began to take his part in family prayers at the age
of three. 1. Hereditary Influence
-began to read haltingly the Spanish family bible at
the age of five. Malayan ancestors
- loved to go to church to take part in nivenas and - he inherited his love for freedom, his innate
join religious processions. desire to travel, and his indomitable courage.
-called Manong Jose by the Hermanos and
Hermanas Terceras Chinese ancestors
- Father Leoncio Lopez, the town priest. - he derived his serious nature, frugality,
patience and love for children
The Pilgrimage in Antipolo
Spanish ancestors
June 6, 1868 - he got his elegance for bearing, sensitivity to
- Jose and his father left Calamba to go on a insult and gallantry to ladies
pilgrimage to Antipolo
- first trip of Jose across Laguna de Bay Father
- he had his father rode in casco (barge). - he inherited a profound sense of sel-respect, the
love for work and habit of independent thinking
The Story of the Moth
- one of the stories told by Dona Teodora to her Mother
favorite son. - hei nherited his religious nature, the spirit of
self-sacrifice and the passion for arts and literature.
Artistic Talents
- at the age of 5, he began to make sketches with 2. Environmental Influence
his pencil and to mould in clay and wax objects which
attracted his fancy.
 - the scenic beauty of Calamba and the beautiful Instruction
garden of the Rizal family stimulated the inborn artistic - was rigid and strict.
and literary talents of Jose Rizal. - knowledge was forced into the minds of the
pupils by the means of the tedius memory method
Paciano aided by the teacher’s whip.
- instilled in his mind the love for freedom and
justice The Hero’s First Teacher

Sisters His mother

- he learned to be courteous and kind to women. - the first teacher of Rizal
- on her lap, he learned at he age of 3 the alphabet
Aya and prayers.
- the fairytales awakened his interest in folklores -was patient conscientious and understanding.
and legends. - was the first one to discover the talent of her son
in poetry
His three uncles
Private Tutors
Tio Jose Alberto
- studied for eleven years in a british school in Maestro Celestino
Calcutta and had travelled in Europe Maestro Lucas Padua
-inspired Rizla to develop his artistic ability Leon Monroy
- former classmate of Rizal’s father
Tio Manuel - lived at the Rizal home and instructed Jose in
- a husky athletic man encouraged him to develop Spanish and Latin.
his frai; body by means of physical exercises, including -died five months later.
horse riding, walking and wrestling.
Jose goes to Binan
Tio Gregorio
- a book lover June 1869
- intensified his voracious reading of good books - Jose left Calamba for Binan
- he was accompanied by Paciano and rode in a
Father Leoncio Lopez carromata, reaching their destination after 1 1/2 hours’
- the old and learned priest of Calamba drive.
- fostered Rizal’s love for scholarship and
intellectual honesty Leandro
- Jose’s cousing
Death of Concha and her Mother’s imprisonment
- strengthen his character, enabling him to resist First day in Binan Schooling
blows of adversity in later years - Paciano brought his brother to the school of
Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz
The Spanish cruelty -the school was in the house of the teacher, which
- awakened his spirit of patriotism was a small nipa hut 30 meters from the home of Jose’s
-inspired him to consecrate his life and talents to aunt.
redeem his opressed people.
Pedro
3. Aid of Divine Providence - the teacher’s son, laughed at Jose’s answers
- greater thn heredity and environment in the fate
of man. First school Brawl
- without this he cannot attain greatness in the - Jose challenged Pedro into a fight
annals of the nation. -defeated Pedro

CHAPTER 3 Andres Salandanan

EARLY EDUCATION IN CALAMBA AND BINAN - challenged Rizal to an arm-wrestling match
-Jose lost and nearly cracked his head on the
Four R’s sidewalk.
- reading, writing, arithmeti and religion.
Painting Lessons in Binan - Dona Teodora was arrested with the help of the
- near the school was the house of an old painter, gobernadorcillo, Antonio Vivenvio del Rosario.
called Juancho, who was the father in law of the school Teodora Formoso
teacher. - wife of Jose Alberto

Jose Guevarra Dona Teodora

- also loved painting
- together with Rizal, they became apprentices of
Juancho
Daily Life in Binan
- Jose led a methodical life in Binan, almost
Spartan simplicity
Best student in school
- in academic studies, Jose beat alll Binan boys
- some of Jose’s older classmates were jealous
of his intellectual superiority
End of Binan Schooling
- before the Christmas season in 1870, Jose
received a letter from his sister Saturnina, informing
him the arrival of the steamer Talim which would take
him form Binan to Calamba
December 17, 1870
- Rizal left Binan after one year and a half of
schooling in that town
Martyrdom of GomBurZa
- mourned by the Rizal family and many patriotic
families in the Philippines
- inspired Rizal to fight the evils of Spanish Tyranny
and redeemed his oppressed people.
January 20,1872
- 200 filipino soldiers and workmen in Cavute
arsenal under the leadership of Lamadrip
- Cavite Mutiny
Father Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora
- leaders of the secular movement
February 17,1872
-execution of the GomBurZa by the order of
Governor General Izquierdo
Jose Burgos
- friend, teacher and housemate of Paciano
Injustice to Hero’s Mother
June 1872
- Dona Teodora was arrested on a malicious charge
that she and her brother, Jose Alberto tried to poison
the latter’s perfidious wife
-was forced to walk from Calamba to Santa Cruz
(capital of Laguna province, a distance of 50 km
-imprisoned for 2 years and a half until the Manila
Royal Audiencia (Supreme Court) acquitted her for her
alleged crime.
Francisco de Marcaida and Manuel Marzan
- most famous lawyers of Manila.
CHAPTER 4: SCHOLASTIC TRIUMPHS AT ATENEO DE
MANILA (1872-1877)
- Four months after martyrdom of GOMBURZA
and with Dona Teodora still in prison, Jose who
had not yet celebrated his 11th bday, was send
to Manila.
- He studies at Ateneo Municipal, college
supervised by Spanish Jesuit.
- Formerly known Escuela Pia (Charity School) –
school for poor boys in Manila (1817) later
became Ateneo de Manila.
June 10, 1872 (Rizal Enters the Ateneo) (11 yrs old)
- Accompanied by Paciano, went to Manila.
- Took entrance exams on Christian doctrine,
arithmetic, and reading at the College of San
Juan de Letran and passed them.
- His father who wished him to study at Letran,
changed his mind and decided to send him to
Ateneo instead.
 Father Magin Ferrando – college registrar, refused
to admit him for 2 reasons:
(1) Late for registration
(2) He was sickly and undersized for his age.
 Manuel Xerxes Burgos – nephew of Father Burgos
who admitted him at the Ateneo.
- He changed his surname to “Rizal” because
their family name “Mercado” had come under
the suspicion of the Spanish authorities..
- Paciano used “Mercado” at College of San Jose
and he was known to the authorities as Father
Burgos’ fave student and confidant.
- First boarding house: House outside Intramuros,
on Carabello st., 25 mins walk from school.
Owned by Titay who owed Rizal’s family Php
300, thus Rizal boarded there to collect part of
the debt.
Jesuit System of Education
- More advanced education.
- Students were divided into 2 groups:
(1) Roman Empire – consists of internos
(boarders)
 (2) Carthaginian Empire - consists of
externos (non-boarders)
- Best student in each empire : emperor
- The 2nd best: the Tribune
- The 3rd best: the Decurion
- The 4th best: the Centurion
- The 5th best: the Standard-bearer
- Students’ uniform: hemp-fabric trousers and
striped cotton coat.
- Coat material: Rayadillo
Rizal’s First Year in Ateneo (1872-73) (June)
- He went to chapel and ask for guidance and
success, went to class where he saw number of
boys, Spaniards, mestizos, and Filipinos.
Rizal’s first professor: Fr. Jose Bech
- He was placed at the bottom of class.
- He was an externo (Carthaginians)
- At the end of the month he became “emperor”.
- He was the brightest pupil in whole class and he
was awarded a prize (religious picture), in
which he was very proud because it was his first
prize from Ateneo.
Santa Isabel College – Rizal took private lessons to
improve his Spanish skills during noon recess and pays 3
pesos for extra Spanish lessons.
Second half of 1st year: He placed 2nd at the end of the
year, although all his grades are “excellent”.
Summer Vacation (1873)
March 1873 – Rizal returned to Calamba for
summer vacation. He did not enjoy it because his
mother was in prison and to cheer him up, Neneng
(Saturnina) brought him to Tanawan but did not cure
his melancholy.
- After summer he returned to Manila and he
boarded inside Intramuros at No. 6 Magallanes
st.
- Landlady: Dona Pepay
Second Year in Ateneo (1873-74)
- Received excellent grades and a gold metal.
Prophecy of Mother’s Release
- He cheered up Dona Teodora’s lonely heart
with his scholastic triumphs with funny tales
about his professor and classmates.
- Prison cell of Dona Teodora: Santa Cruz, Laguna
Teenage Interest in Reading
- Summer vacation in 1874 in Calamba, he
started reading romantic novels.
First favorite novel of Rizal: The Count of Monte
Cristo by Alexander Dumas
- He persuaded his father to buy him a costly set
of Cesar Cantu’s historical work entitled
“Universal History”. Acc. To Rizal, it was a great
aid in his studies and enabled him to win more
prizes in Ateneo.
Third Year in Ateneo (1874-75)
- June 1874, Rizal returned to Ateneo.
- His grades remained excellent, but he won only
one medal which is Latin.
- Failed to win medal in Spanish because his
spoken Spanish was not fluently sonorous.
Fourth Year in Ateneo (1875-76)
June 16, 1875 – he became an interno in Ateneo.
Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez
– one of his professor whom inspired him to
study harder and to write poetry.
- Considered his best professor in Ateneo.
- Described him in his student memoirs as
“model of uprightness, earnessness, and love
for the advancement of his pupils”.
- Inspired by Fr. Sanchez, he resumed his studies
with vigor and zest.
- Topped all his classmates and won 5 medals at
the end of s.y.
Last Year in Ateneo (1876-77)
- June 1876, returned to Manila.
- Excelled in all subjects.
- Most brilliant Atenean of his time, he was truly
“the pride of the Jesuits”.
- Obtained the highest grades in all subject –
philosophy, physics, biology, chemistry,
languages, mincraloy, etc’
Graduation with Highest Honors
March 23, 1877
- Rizal who was 16 yrs. Old, received from his
Alma Mater, Ateneo Municipal, the degree of
Bachelor of Arts, with highest honors.
Extra-Curricular Activities in Ateneo
- He was active in extra-curricular activities. An
“emperor” inside the classroom, he was a
campus leader outside.
- He was active member, later secretary, of a
religious society, the Marian Congregation.
- Rizal was also a member of the Academy of
Spanish Literature and the Academy of Natural
Sciences.
- In his leisure hours, Rizal cultivated his literary
talent under the guidance of Fr. Sanchez.
Fr. Jose Villaclara
- advised him to stop communing with the
Muses and pay more attention to more practical
studies, such as philosophy and natural sciences.
- He continued to solicit Fr. Sanchez;s help in
improving his poetry.
- Aside from writing poetry, he devoted his spare
time to fine arts. He studied painting under the
famous Spanish painter, Agustin Saez, and
sculpture under Romualdo de Jesus, noted
Filipino sculptor.
- Furthermore, Rizal, to develop his weak body,
engaged in gymnastics and fencing. He thereby
continued the physical training he began inder
his sports-minded Tio Manuel.
Sculpture Works in Ateneo
- Carved an image of The Virgin Mary on a piece
of batikuling (Philippine hardwood) with his
pocket-knife.
Fr. Lleonart
- Impressed by Rizal’s sculptural talent,
requested him to carve for him an image of the
Sacred Heart of jesus.
Anecdotes on Rizal, the Atenean
- One of the Rizal’s contemporaries in Ateneo
was Felix M. Roxas.
Poems Written in Ateneo
- It was Dona Teodora who first encouraged him
to write poems.
First poem of Rizal during his days in Ateneo: Mi
Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration) which was
dedicated to his mother on her bday.
- It is said he wrote it when he was 14 yrs. old
(1874)
Rizal’s Religious Poems
- Al Nino Jesus (to the Child Jesus)
Dramatic Work in Ateneo
- Fr, Sanchez requested him to write a drama
based on prose story of St. Eustace the Martyr.
- Summer 1876, he wrote the requested religious
drama in poetic verses at his home in Calamba
and finished it on June 2, 1876.
- Drama: San Eustacio, Martir (St. Eustace, the
Martyr)
First Romance of Rizal
- 16 yrs. old, experienced his first painful
experience in love in which the girl was
Segunda Katigbak, 14 yrs. old from Lipa.
- Their love became hopeless since the very
beginning because Segunda was already
engaged to be married to her townmate,
Manuel Luz.
- December 1877 (Thursday): last time they
talked to each other. He visited Segunda at la
Concordia College to say goodbye.
CHAPTER 5: MEDICAL STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF
SANTO TOMAS (1877-1882)
- After finishing his first year of a course in
Philosophy and Letters (1877-78), he
transferred to medical course.
- Ateneo: completed vocation course in
surveying.
Mother’s Opposition to Higher Education
- After graduating with highest honors from the
Ateneo, Rizal had to go to University of Santo
Tomas for higher studies..
- Don Francisco and Paciano wanted Jose to
pursue higher learning but Dona Teodora, who
knew about GOMBURZA opposed the idea
because she’s afraid that if he gets to know
more, the Spaniards will cut off his head.
Rizal Enters the University
- April 1877, nearly 16 yrs. old, matriculated in
the University of Santo Tomas, taking the
course on Philosophy and Letters.
- He enrolled for 2 reasons:
(1) His father liked it
(2) H was still uncertain as to what career to
pursue
Fr. Pablo Ramon – Rector of Ateneo in which he
asked for advice on the choice of a career but
he was in Mindanao so that he was unable to
advise Rizal.
- During his 1st year term he studied Cosmology,
Metaphysics, Theodicy, and History of
Philosophy.
- (1878-79), received the Ateneo Rector’s advice
to study medicine, took up medical course and
another reason why he chose to study medicine
was to be able to cure his mother’s growing
blindless.
Finishes Surveying Course in Ateneo (1878)
- He took voacational course leading to the title
perito agrimensor (expert surveyer).
- Obtained gold medals in agriculture and
topography.
- At 17 yrs old, he passed the final exam in the
surveying course, but he could not be granted
the title as surveyor because hwas below age.
The title was handed to him on November 15,
1881.
- He was the president of the Academy of
Spanish Literature and secretary of the
Academy of Natural Sciences.
Romances with Other Girls
- He courted a young woman in Calamba in
which he named in his student memoir as
“Miss L”.
- Nobody knows her identity hence, it is lost to
history.
- He gave 2 reasons for his change of heart:
(1) The sweet memory of Segunda was still
fresh in his heart
(2) His father did not like the family of Miss L.
- Several months after, he boarded at the house
of Dona Concha Leyva in Intramuros. The
next-door neighbors were Capitan Juan and
Capitana Sanday Valenzuela from Pagsanjan,
Laguna, who had a daughter named Leonor.
- He courted Leonor Valenzuela and sent her
love notes in invisible ink which consists of
common salt and water. He taught Orang (pet
name of Leonor) to heat it over the candle in
order to read the note. But as with Segunda, he
 stopped courting, he stopped short of
proposing marriage to Orang.
- Rizal’s next romance was with Leonor Rivera,
his cousin from Camiling and a student from
La Concordia College, where Soledad was
studying.
- Leonor born in on Camiling, Tarlac on April
11, 1867.
- They became engaged
- In her letters to Rizal, Leonor signed her name
as “Taimis”, in order to camouflage their
intimate relationship from their parents and
friends.
Victim of Spanish Officer’s Brutality
- Summer 1878, in Calamba walking in the street,
he perceived the figure of a man while passing
him. Not knowing the person due to darkness,
he did not salute nor say a courteous “good
evening” which turned to be a lieutenant of the
Guardia Civil. He whipped out Rizal with a
sword on the back.
- He reported it to General Primo de Rivera, but
nothing came out his complaint because he was
an Indio and the lieutenant is a Spaniard.
To the Filipino Youth (1879)
- 1879, Liceo Artistico-Literario (Artistic-Literary
Lyceum) of Manila, a society of literary men
and artists, held a literary contest.
- It offered a prize for the best poem by a native
or a mestizo.
- Rizal (18 yrs. old) submitted his poem “A La
Javentud Filipina” (To the Filipino Youth).
- The Board of Judges, composed of Spaniards,
was impressed by Rizal’s poem and gave it the
first prize which consisted of a silver pen,
feather-shaped and decorated with a gold
ribbon.
The Council of the Gods (1880)
- 1880, the Artistic Literary Lyceum opened
another literary contest to commemorate the
4th centennial of the death of Cervantes.
- He submitted an allegorical drama “El Consejo
de los Dioses (The Council of the Gods).
- The Judges were all Spaniards in which they
awarded him the first prize because of its
literary superiority over the others.
- The prize was a gold ring with an engraved
bust of Cervantes.
Other Literary Works
- Aside from 2 prize-winning works, he produced
poems such as zarzuela “Junio al Pasig”
(Bedside the Pasig).
- 1880, he wrote a sonnet A Filipinas for the
album of the Society of Sculptors.
- Abd-el-Azis y Mahoma
- Al M.R.P. Pablo Ramon
Rizal’s Visit to Pakil and Pagsanjan
- May 1881, went to the pilgrimage to the town
of pakil, famous shrine of the Birhen Maria de
los Dolores.
- In Pakil, he was infatuated by Vicenta
Ybardolaza, who plays harp.
Champion of Filipino Students
- 1880, he founded a secret society of Filipino
students in the University of Santo Tomas
called Compañerismo (Comradeship), whose
members were called Companions of Jehu.
Unhappy Days at the UST
- He was unhappy at this Dominican because the
Dominican professors were hostile to him and
the Filipino students were racially discriminated
against by the Spaniards and the method of
instruction was obsolete and repressive.
- In El Filibusterismo, he described how Filipino
students were humiliated and insulted by
Diminician prof.
- Because of unfriendly attitude of his profs, Rizal,
the most brilliant graduate of Ateneo failed to
win high scholastic honors.
Decision to Study Abroad
- After finishing 4th year of medical course, Rizal
decided to study in Spain. He could no longer
endure the rampant bigotry, discrimination,
and hostility in UST.
- Rizal’s parents, Leonor, and Spanish authorities
did not knos his decision to go to abroad.
CHAPTER 6: IN SUNNY SPAIN (1882-1885)
- Aside from his ostensible reason, he had
another reason which was more important than
completing his studies in Spain.
Rizal’s Secret Mission
- This mission of Rizal with the approval of
Paciano was to observe keenly the life and
culture, languages and customs, industries and
commerce, and governments and laws of
Europeans to prepare himself in the mighty task
of liberating his oppressed people from Spanish
tyranny.
Secret Departure for Spain
- Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept sectret to
avoid detection by Spanish authorities and
friars.
- Only Paciano, Antonio Rivera, Neneng and Lucia,
the Valenzuela family, Pedro Paterno, Mateo
Evangelista, Chengoy knew about his
departure.
- He used the name Jose Mercado, a cousin from
Binan.
Singapore
 - He played chess with other passengers
- May 9, he landed in Singapore and registered at
Hotel de la Paz and spent 2 days.
- He saw famous Botanical Garden, beautiful
Buddisttemples, and such.
From Singapore to Colombo
- In Singapore, he transferred to another ship
Djemnah, a French steamer, which left
Singapore for Europe on May 11.
- May 17, they reached Point Galle, a seacoast
toen in southern Ceylon ( now Sri Lanka). Rizal
was unimpressed.
- Resumed to Colombo, the capital of Ceylon and
it was more beautiful than Singapore, Point
Galle, and Manila for Rizal.
First Trip Through Suez Canal
- Took 5 days to traverse the Suez Canal.
Naples and Marselles
- June 11, he reached Naples.
- This Italian city pleased him because of business
activity.
- After of June 16, 1882, reached Barcelona.
- He thought that it was ugly, with dirty little inns
and inhospitable residents.
Amor Patrio
- In Barcelona, he wrote a nationalistic essay
“Amor Patrio” (Love of Country.
- He sent this article to his friend in Mania,
Basilio Teodor Mor, publisher of Diariong
tagalog, the first Manila bilingual newspaper
(Spanish and Tagalog).
- His friend was impressed and requested to
write more in which he wrote Los Vajes
(Travels)
Manila Moves to Madrid
- Rizal received sad news about the cholera that
was ravaging Manila and the provinces.
- Acc. To Paciano’s letter, dated Sept. 15, 1882,
that Calamba folks were having novenas and
nocturnal processions to pray that the dreadful
epidemic will stop.
- Another sad news from Chengoy which
recounts the unhappiness of Leonor Rivera,
who was getting thinner because of the
absence of the loved one.
- He left Barcelona in 1882.
Life in Madrid
- Nov. 3, 1882, Rizal enrolled in the Universidad
Central de Madrid (Central University of
Madrid) in 2 courses: Medicine & Philosophy
and Letters.
- He also studied painting and sculpture in
Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando.
- Took lessons in French, German, and English
under private instructors.
Romance with Consuelo Ortiga y Perez
- Composed a poem on Aug. 22, 1883 dedicated
to her entitled A La Senorita C.O.y P. he
expressed his admiration for her.
- However, before his romance with Consuel
could blossom, he suddenly backed out for 2
reasons:
(1) He was still engaged to Leonor Rivera
(2) His friend and co-worker in the Propaganda
Movement, Eduardo de Lete, was madly in
love with Consuelo and had no wish to
break their friendship because of a gir.
They Ask Me For Verses
- 1882, after arrival in Madrid, he joined Circulo
Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-Philippine Circle), a
society of Spaniards and Filipinos.
Rizal as Lover of Books
- Favorite pastme of Rizal was reading.
- He was able to build a fair-sized private library.
Rizal’s First Visit to Paris
- “Paris is the costliest capital in Europe”, his
comment in a letter to his family.
Rizal as a Mason
- In Spain, Rizal came in close contact with
prominent Spanish liberal and republican
Spaniards, who were mostly Mason.
- March 1882, he joined the Masonic lodge called
Acacia in Madrid.
his reason for being a Mason was to secure
Freemasonsry’s aid in his fight against the friars
in the PH.
- Since friars used catholic religion as a shield to
entrench themselves in power and wealth and
to persecute Filipino patriots, he intended to
utilize Freemansonry as his shield to combat
them.
- Later he transferred to Lodge Solidaridad,
where he became a Master Mason on Nov. 15,
1890.
- Feb. 15, 1892, he was awarded the diploma as
Master Mason by Le Grand Orient de France in
Paris.
Financial Worries
- The harvests of rice and sugarcane failed on
account of drought and locusts.
- Dreadful pest killed most of the turkeys.
- June 24, 1884, since he was broke, he did not
eat breakfast. With an empty stomach, he
attended his class at the university, participated
in Greek language and won the gold medal.
- He was able to eat dinner for he was the guest
speaker in a banquet.
Rizal Salutes to Luna and Hidalgo
- The banquet on June 25, 1884, was sponsored
by Filipino community to celebrate double
victory of Filipino Artist in National Exposition
of Fine Arts in Madrid: Luna’s Spoliarium (1st
 prize) and Hidalgo’s Christian Virgins Exposed to
the Populace (2nd prize)
- He spoke in sonorous Castilian in which he was
greeted with wild ovation for seldom did the
Spaniards hear such an oration from the lips of
a Filipino.

Rizal Involves in Student Discrimination

- On Nov. 20, 21, and 22, 1884, the serene city of
Madrid exploded in bloody riots by the students
of Central University.
- Angered by bigotry of Catholic bishops, the
university students rose in violent
demonstrations.
- Bloody fights raged in university buildings and
in the city streets.
Studies Completed in Spain
- Rizal completed his medical course in Spain.
- He was conferred the degree of Licentiate in
Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid
on June 21, 1884.
- The next academic year (1884-85) he studied
and passed all subjects leading to the degree of
Doctor of Medcine.
- Due to the fact, however, that he did not
present the thesis required for graduation nor
paid the fees, he was not awarded his Doctor’s
diploma.
- He also finished his studies in Philosophy and
Letters, with higher grades.
- He was awarded the degree of Licentiate in
Philosophy and Letters by Unibersidad central
de Madrid on June 19, 1885 (24th bday), with
the rating of “Excellent” (Sobrasiliente),
- Rizal completed his studies in Spain by
obtaining the degree of Licentiate in Philosophy
and Letters and became qualifies to be a
professor of humanities in any Spanish
university.
- Became a full-fledged physician, qualified to
practice medicine.
- November 26, 1884, wrote in his letter to his
family, “My doctorate is not of very much value
to me..because although it is useful to a
university professor, yet I believe they
(Dominician friars) will never appoint me as
such in UST.”