Rizal’s Life: Higher Academic Education and Life Abroad

Education at Binan,Laguna

In June of 1896 , Paciano Rizal’s brother accompanied him to Binan to continue his
studies. They proceeded to their aunt’s home where Jose will stay.

The next day( Monday) Paciano brought Rizal to the school of Maestro Justiniano
Aquino Cruz, his older brothers former teacher. The school, which was made of Nipa,
doubled as the house of the Maestro. At once, Jose Rizal was assigned a seat and was
asked and replied at once: “do you know Spanish?” A little Sir “ Do you know Latin/”
A little Sir “ The boys in the class , especially Pedro , the teacher’s son laughed at
Jose’s answers. The teacher sharply stopped all noises and began the lessons of the
day.

Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz was a disciplinarian. He was a tall man, lean ang
long-necked , with a sharp nose and a body slightly bent forward. He used to wear a
sinamay shirt woven by the deft hands of Batangas women.

In the afternnon of his day in school, when the teacher was having his siesta, Jose met
the bully, Pedro. He was angry for making fun of him during his conversation with
the teacher in the morning.

Jose challenged Pedro to a fight. The latter readily accepted, thinking that he could
easily beat the Calamba boy who was smaller and younger.

The two boys wrestled furiously in the classroom, much of the glee of their
classmates. Jose, having learned the art of wrestling from his athletic Tio Manuel,
defeated the bigger boy. Because of his , he became popular among his classmates.

After the class in the afternoon, a classmate named Andres Salandanan challenged
him to an arm-wrestling match. They went to a sidewalk of a house and wrestled with
their arms. Jose having the weaker arm , lost and nearly cracked his head on the
sidewalk.

In succeeding days, he had other fights with the boys of Binan. He was not
quarrelsome by nature, but he never ran away from a fight.

Jose spent his leisure hours with teacher Justiniano’s father-in-law, a master painter
named Juancho. He took the opportunity to become an apprentice together with his
classmate Jose Guevarra. Sooner they became the class’s best painters.

Jose Rizal led a frugal and methodical life in Binan. His time was well budgeted from
4 o’clock in the morning such as hearing mass, eating time, studies and leisure time at
times he played in the street with friends and other boys, when there was t he moon.
He concentrated on his studies diligently and he excelled in Spanish, Latin and all
subjects.

Having finished his studies in Binan , Rizal returned to Calamba on board the
motorboat “Talim”. His parents planned to transfer him to Manila to continue his
studies.
Education in Ataneo

On June 10, 1872, Paciano accompanied Rizal to take the entrance examination at
College of San Juan de Letran and passed it. They returned to Calamba to stay for few
days with the family and to attend the town fiesta. Don Francisco changed his mind
and decided to send Rizal to Ateneo Municipal (later on became the Ateneo de
Manila).

Paciano accompanied Rizal to Manila to enroll at the Ateneo Municipal. Father

Magin Fernando, the school registrar, refused to admit him for these reasons: he was
late for registration and he was sickly and small of his age. With the intercession of
Perez Burgos , a nephew of Father Burgos , he was admitted to the Ateneo that was
located in Intramuros within the walls of Manila. Rizal was just quiet and observant
of the different activities in class.

The Jesuits system of education was more advanced. Its discipline was rigid and the
methods are varied. It promoted physical culture , humanities and scientific studies. It
also establishes vocational courses in agriculture, commerce and mechanics as a
religious institute, its principal purpose was to mold the character and the will of the
boys , to comply more easily with the percepts of the church. The students hear mass
before the beginning of the class, which was opened and closed with prayers.

Rizal’s first professor in Ateneo was Fr. Jose Bech. Being a new comer and with little
knowledge of Spanish , and an externo (non-boarders) , he was placed in the
Carthaginian Empire. The other group was the “Roman Empire” consisting of the
internos(boarders). Each group had it ranks, the best in rank is the “emperor” , the 2 nd
best-tribune; the 3rd is the decurion , 4th centurion; the 5th is the standard-bearer.
Within the empire, the students aspired for the position by answering the questions for
the day’s lesson. If the student made three(3) mistakes he could lose his position.
Any student might be at the end of the line, but if he studied hard and was brilliant ,
he could become an “emperor”. The two groups “Roman Empire” and “Carthaginian
Empire” were in constant competition for supremacy in the class.

Jose Rizal progressed well in his studies that after a month he became the “emperor”
and was considered the brightest pupil of the class. He was awarded a prize namely , “
a religious picture” which he was so proud of because it was the 1 st prize he ever
received at Ateneo.

He spent his leisure hours by taking private lessons to improve his Spanish at Sta.
Isabel College. He paid three pesos for the Spanish lessons.

The Great Novel: Noli Me Tangere and the First Homecoming

The Novel: Noli Me Tangere

As a man obsessed with freedom and liberty for the Filipino people, Rizal proposed a
book writing project to the Filipino members of the Circulo Hispano Filipino. The
book would deal on the socio-cultural and political aspects of life in the Philippines.
When details were discussed during the meeting, most of the members wanted to
write about the characters and activities of the Filipino women. Most of them were
not interested in Riza’s proposed project. With this, Rizal decided to write the book
by himself. He did not lose hope , using his talent and writing skills he started to write
his masterpiece the , “Noli Me Tangere”. He joined the Brotherhood of Masons for
more mature contacts and enlightenment to complete the book.

He managed to finish the first half of the Noli Me Tangere in Madrid. He continued
writings in Paris where he was inspired through the immortal declaration of the rights
of man, that had been passed and being implemented. He finished it in Germany
where scientific research and philosophy were free from the church and state control.

The Noli Me Tangere was printed in Berlin because Rizal was short of funds. He was
charged P300.00 for 2,000 copies. His friend Maximo Viola offered to pay the
amount and the book was finally released in March 1887.

Rizal studied Hebrew to enable him to interpret the Bible in its original text and be
better prepared to defend any controversial religious issues that Noli Me Tangere
might arise. He had translated some passages from the Bible that he used in his book.

“Noli Me Tangere” is a Latin phrase that Rizal took from the Bible, meaning “Touch
me not”. In John 20:13-17 , the newlt-risen Christ says to Marry Magdalene. “Touch
Me Not”; I am not ascended to my Father, but go to my brethren , and say unto them I
ascend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God”.

Noli Me Tangere (The social Cancer as the alternative English title) is a Spanish-
language novel witten by Dr. Jose P. Rizal that is credited with the awakening of
nationalism among the Filipinos of Rizal’s time. It was published in 1887 in Berlin.
The novel is commonly referred by its shortened name Noli. The English translation
of Charles Derbyshire was titled The Social Cancer, although some other translation
retain the original Latin.

NOLI ME TANGERE

Ang nobelang ito na kilala sa Ingles na “Touch Me Not” ay isa sa dalawang

magkadugtong nobela na isinulat ng ating pambansang bayani na si Jose
Rizal (buong pangalan ay Jose Protacio Mercado Rizal y Alonzo Realonda).

Isinulat niya ang nobelang ito upang ipakita sa mga kapwa Pilipino ang
pang-aabusong ginagawa ng mga pari sa panahong Kastila.

Ang binatang si Juan Crisostomo Ibarra ay bumalik sa Pilipinas

pagkatapos ng pitong taong pag-aaral niya sa Europa. Naghandog ng
piging ( isang pagtitipon, salo salo o okasyon) si Kapitan Tiyago sa dahilang ito na
kung saan inanyayahan niya ang ilang sikat na tao sa kanilang lugar.
Nahamak si Ibarra ni Padre Damaso sa piging ngunit nagpaalam ng
magalang niya ang pari dahil may mahalaga siyang lakarin.

May magandang kasintahan si Ibarra na si Maria Clara na anak-anakan ni

Kapitan Tiyago at ang dahilan kung bakit dalawin niya pagkatapos ng
piging.

Muling binasa ni Maria ang mga lumang liham ni Ibarra bago siya mag-
aral sa Europa habang inalala nila ang kanilang pagmamahalan.

Bago umuwi si Ibarra ay nakita niya si Tinyente Guevarra na nagpahayag

na namatay na noong isang taon ang ama ni Ibarra na si Don Rafael Ibarra.

Sabi ng Tinyente na inakusahan ang don ni Padre Damaso na erehe (taong

hindi sumunod sa utos ng Simbahan) at pilibustero (taong sumasalungat
sa utos ng pamahalaan) dahil hindi umano nagsisimba at nangunumpisal.
Ngunit ayon sa Tinyente, nagsimula ito nang ipagtangoll ng don ang isang
bata sa kamay ng isang maniningil na hindi sinadyang nabagok ang ulo
kaya namatay.
Nakakulong umanoy si Don Rafael habang may imbestigasyon ukol sa
insidente ngunit ang mga kaaway niya ay gumawa nga mga kung anuano
para ipahiya ang Don.

Nagkasakit ang Don at namatay dahil sa naapektuhan siya sa mga

pangyayari.

Ang padre ay hindi nakuntento at ipinahukay ang labi ng don upang

ipalipat sa libingan ng mga Intsik ngutin nang dahil sa ulan ay itinapon ang
kanyang labi sa lawa.

Imbes na nagtangkang ipaghiganti ang yumaong ama, ipagpatuloy ni

Ibarra ang nasimulan ng Don kaya nagpatayo siya ng paaralan sa tulong ni
Nol Juan.

Muntik nang mapatay si Ibarra kung hindi iniligtas ni Elias noong

babasbasam na ang itinayong paaralan. Namatay ang taong binayaran ng
lihim na kaaway

Si Padre Damaso ay muling nag-aasar kay Ibarra. Nang saglit nang

inihamak ng padra ang ama niya ay nagalit at nagtangkang isaksak ang
pari pero pinigilan siya ni Maria.

Dahill doon ay natiwalag si Ibarra ng Arsobispo sa simbahan. Nasamantala

ni Padre Damaso nito upang iutos sa Kapitan na hindi na ipagpatuloy ang
kasal kay Maria Clara at ipakasal sa binatang Kastila na si Linares.
 Pero dahil sa tulong ng Kapitan Heneral ay nabalik si Ibarra sa simbangan.
Pero hindi inasaang hinuli si Ibarra nang dahil umonay nanguna siya sa
pagsalakay sa kuwartel.

Tumakas si Ibarra sa kulungan sa tulong ni Elias. Pumunta si Ibarra sa kay

Maria bago siya tumakas. Itinanggi ng dalaga ang liham na ginamit laban
sa kanya nang dahil sa inagaw ang liham kapalit sa liham ng ina niya na
nagsasabi na si Damaso ang tunay niyang ama.

Pagkatapos nito ay tumakas na si Ibarra sa tulong ni Elias. Sumakay sila sa

bangka patungo Ilog Pasig hanggang sa Lawa ng Bay at tinabunan si Ibarra
ng mga damo.

Naabutan sila ng mga tumutugis sa kanila. Para makaligtas si Ibarra,

naging pampalito si Elias at tumalon sa tubig. Akala ng mga tumutugis na
ang tumalon ay si Ibarra kaya nila binaril si Elias hanggang nagkulay ng
dugo. Naabutan ang balita kay Maria na namatay si Ibarra.

Natunton ni Elias ang gubat ng mga Ibarra at doon niya natuklasan si

Basillo at ang namatay niyang inang si Sisa.

Bago namatay si Elias ay sinugo niya ang bata na kung hindi man daw niya
makita ang bukang-liwayway sa sariling bayan, sa mga mapalad, huwag
lamang daw limutin nang ganap ang mga nasawi sa dilim ng gabi.

__________________________________________________________________________
__________

Noli Me Tangere was Rizal’s first Novel. He was 26 at its publication. This
book was historically significant and was instrumental in establishing the
Filipino’s sense of national identity. The book indirectly influenced a
revolution although the author, Jose Rizal, actually advocated for direct
representation to the Spanish government and larger role of the Philippines
inside the Spanish political affairs. The novel was written in Spanish , the
language of the educated at a time when Filipinos were markedly segregated
by diverse native languages and regional cultures.

The novel created so much controversy that only a few days after his arrival,
Governor-General Emilio Terrero summoned him to the Malacanang Palace
and told him of the charges saying that the Noli Me Tangere was full of
subversive ideas. After a discussion, the Liberal Governor General was
appeased; but he mentioned that he was unable to offer resistance against the
pressure of the church to take action against the book. The persecution can be
discerned from Rizal’s letter Ferdinand Blumentritt in Leitmeritz.

“My book made a lot of noise; everywhere, I am asked about it. They wanted
to excommunicate me because of it. . I am considered a German spy, an agent
of Bismarck, they say I am a Protestant, a freemason, a sorcerer, a damned
 soul and evil. It is whispered that I want to draw plans, that I have a foreign
passport and that I wander through the streets by night.”

The book was instrumental in creating a unified Filipino national identity and
consciousness, as many Filipinos previously identified with their respective
regions to the advantage of the Spanish authorities. It lampooned, caricatured
and exposed various elements in the colonial society.

Characters of Noli Me Tangere

Rizal included around 30 characters in the novel. Below are some of the major characters of
the story that represent conditions of the Philippines.

1. Crisosotomo Ibarra- also known in his full name as Juan Crisostomo Ibarra Y
Magsalin, a Filipino who studied in Europe for 7 years, the love intersert of Maria
Clara. Son of the deceased Don Rafael Ibarra; Crisostomo changed his surname from
Eibarramendia to Ibarra , from his ancestor’s surname. The main and the most
important character in the novel manifesting in him the Filipino who acquired
European idea through his education in Europe. In the novel, Ibarra’s personality will
result in the disagreements of liberal idealism in education and conservatism
represented by the Catholic church.

2. Elias- Ibarra’s mysterious friend , a master boater, also a fugitive. He was referred to
at one point as “the pilot”. He wants to revolutionize his country. In the past , Ibarra’s
grandfather condemned his grandfather of burning a warehouse, making Elias the
fugitive he is. The character that Rizal placed to represent the Filipino masses who
suffered from Spanish brutalities and abuse to their powerlessness in the novel and in
real Philippines social situation of the time.

3. Maria Clara- Maria Clara de los Santos, Ibarra’s sweetheart; the illegitimate
daughter of Father Damaso and Pia Alba. In her, Ibarra has fallen-in-love , she also
mirrored the Filipina woman of religious upbringing and orientation, and through her
love to Ibarra, and she represents true fidelity and religiosity of the woman in real
Filipino society.

4. Father Damaso- also known in his full name as Damaso Verdoglagas, Franciscan
friar and Maria Clara’s biological father. An antagonist in character and represents the
un-Christian works of the Catholic friars who are in the church.

5. Sisa – the mother of Basilio and Crispin, who became insane after losing her sons.
She represents in the novel a sad plight of the Filipina mothers losing her two sons,
Basilio and Crispin. In the novel, Sisa losses her sanity.
6. Captain Tiago- also known in his full name as Don Santiago de los Santos the
known father of Maria Clara but not the real one; lives in Binondo. An illegal opium
trader who subsequently was a landlord. He represented a different view in religion
and thus, more of a businessman who used his money to work for him even in
religious life and obligations.

7. Pilosopong Tasyo- also known as Don Anastacio, portrayed in the novel as

pessimistic, cynic, and mad by his neighbors. He portrays the role of a Philosopher
who was completely misunderstood in many aspects, he argues with the belief of the
Catholic Church and social changes and concerns in the novel.

8. Dona Victorina- Victorina de los Reyes de Espadana, a woman who passes herself
off as a Peninsulares. Wifr on Don Tiburcio de Espadana, known in the novel as a
trying hard rich woman who abhors anything that is Filipino and clings to Spanish
way of life. This kind of character was manifested on some Filipinos of that time.
9. Pedro – abusive husband of Sisa who loved cockfighting.

10. Don Rafael Ibarra- known in the plot as a concerned citizen and property owner
who was the father of Crisostomo Ibarra. Padre Damaso who played an antagonist
role called him a heretic and rebel due to his view on relating to liberalism in society.

11. The School Master- a teacher at San Diego who’s view in the novel represented the
weak and useless education in the Philippines. He attributes the problem from
facilities and methods of learning that the friars implemented in the country.
12. Tandang Pablo- the leader of the rebels, whose family was destroyed because of the
Spaniards.
13. Basilio- the elder son of Sisa.
14. Crispin- the younger son of Sisa who died from the punishment of the soldiers from
the false accusation of stealing an amount of money.
15. Padre Sibyla- Hernando de la Sibyla, a Filipino friar. He is described as short and
has fair skin.
16. Padre Salvi – also known in his full name as Bernardo Salvi, a secret admirer of
Maria Clara.
17. The Alferez- chief of the Guardia Civil; mortal enemy of the priests for power in San
Diego.
18. Don Tiburcio- Spanish husband of Donya Victorina who was limp and submissive to
his wife; he also pretended to be a doctor.
19. Dona Consolacion – wife of the alferez, another woman who passed herlsef as a
Peninsular; best remembered for her abusive treatment of Sisa.
20. Captain-General(no specific name) – the most powerful official in the Philippines, a
hater of secular priests and corrupt officials, and a friend of Ibarra.