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MARTYRDOM /RIZAL’S EDUCATION IN ATENEO & UST Francisco Serrano denounced the oppressive
government of Queen Isabella II.
THE ARREST AND DETENTION OF RIZAL’S MOTHER
They launched a revolution and much of the Spanish
• One of the turning points of Jose Rizal’s life, which army defected to the revolutionary generals’ side.
had a profound influence on his becoming a political
activist later on, was the unjust arrest of his mother. The queen made a brief show of force at the Battle
of Alcolea, where her loyal moderate generals
• His mother based on a malicious and concocted under Manuel Pavia were defeated by General
charge was accused to have conspired with her Serrano.
brother, Jose Alberto, in an attempt to kill the
latter’s wife by poisoning, despite the lack of Isabella, then, crossed into France and retired from
evidence against her. Spanish politics to Paris, where she would remain
until her death in 1904.
• But what made the arrest even worse was her
humiliating treatment at the hands of authorities Francisco Serrano became the Marshal Regent of
who made her walk all the way from Calamba to the Spain.
provincial jail in Santa Cruz, which was 50
Eventually, with the will of the people, Serrano
kilometers far.
created a republican form of government and
• (It was payback time for the arresting Spanish ended absolute monarchy in Spain.
officials who had some grudges with Don Kikoy
This move started to pave the way for liberal
(nickname of Don Francisco.) There she was
reforms to be introduced not only in Spain but also
imprisoned for two years before gaining her
in the colonies.
freedom.
A new Governor General was named for the
• All these she took with calm and quiet dignity,
Philippines, Carlos Ma. dela Torre. He was probably
which Rizal though only a child of eleven about to
the best administrator the Philippines had ever had.
embark on secondary school in Manila would
remember.
• The case could have ended before 1873 and DELA TORRE AND LIBERALISM.
Teodora should have been freed by then, but
because of the intervention of Mayor Antonio During dela Torre’s reign his liberal policies would
Vivencio del Rosario the case was reopened in the highly favor the people of Manila and the rest of the
Royal Audiencia. territory.
• Don Francisco had to hire two of some of the best Censorship was abolished and government
lawyers from Manila as defense lawyers for her criticisms were also accepted.
wife’s case.
Reforms recommended by various sectors were
welcomed.
The Secularization of the Parishes was pioneered by With a vow to erase from the minds of the Filipinos
Fr. Pedro Pelaez. It was a move to give the joys of the liberalism and a dream for a future
opportunities for the secular Filipino priests to independence, military action was executed by
occupy parishes, the occupation of which they were Governor-General Rafael de Izquierdo.
really trained to do.
He immediately reversed all the reforms of the
Since the beginning of the colonial period parishes former governor and used the Guardia Civil to
have been traditionally awarded to missionaries, protect the interests of the government from the
the regular Spanish priests. This was due to the civilian population.
Spanish distrust among natives.
As a consequence, he attracted enemies from
The only time natives experienced to take care of various sectors which were affected by his new
parishes was during the expulsion of the Jesuits policies.
from the Philippines.
The founding of the republic in Spain created issues The mutiny was unsuccessful, and the Spanish
that would take the Philippines back to the old executed many of the participants and began to
ways. One of these issues was that Spain cannot be crack down on a growing nationalist movement.
Fort San Felipe, Cavite City, Located at the aware of the evils of Spanish tyranny, and that even
compound of the Phil. Navy, this 16th century fort is priests get executed as long as they are not
dedicated to San Felipe Neri. The place where the Spaniards.
Cavite Mutiny 1872 occurred when Filipino workers Jose Rizal dedicated his second novel, El
were implicated in the armed uprising against the Filibusterismo to the executed priests.
Spaniards.
Because he was boarding outside Ateneo, he Unlike the previous semester, Jose studied
was referred to as an ‘externo’. Those who harder to regain his lost class leadership. Once
stayed-in were called ‘internos’. His course was more he became emperor. At the end of the
Bachelor of Arts and his first professor was year, he received a gold medal and excellent
Father Jose Bech. grades in all his subjects. He returned to
Calamba for his summer vacation.
At first, he was placed at the rear of the class
because he was a new comer. There were two Jose visited again his mother in jail. He told her
sections, the Romans and the Carthaginians. about his scholastic triumphs and funny tales
Rizal was assigned to the Carthaginian about his professors and fellow students. His
occupying the end of the line. mother was happy for his splendid progress in
Ateneo. While they were having a conversation,
After the first week, Jose progressed rapidly and his mother told him about a dream she had.
became an emperor at the end of the month. Rizal interpreted the dream, that his mother
He was the brightest pupil in the class and being would be released prison in three months’ time.
so he received prizes for his triumphs.
Jose’s prophecy was about to come true. After
Rizal also took private tutorial lessons at Santa Jose had left for Manila, a fiesta was held in
Isabel College during his vacant periods to Calamba.
improve his skill in the Spanish language. He
paid three pesos for each session. Incidentally, at that time, Gov. Izquierdo was on
a provincial visit to Laguna. Learning of the
In the second half of his first year, he resented occasion, he proceeded to Calamba.
some remarks of his professor which had
greatly affected his academic standing. At the A warm welcome was made by the townfolks.
end of the year, he was only in second place but One of the dances presented to him was that of
still maintained all his excellent grades or the little children.
‘sobresaliente’.
While watching, Izquierdo got fond of one of
Rizal returned to Calamba at the end of the the little girls. He called for her and asked her to
school year. He did not enjoy his vacation dance again.
because his mother was still in prison. To cheer
When she refused, Gov. Izquierdo, not wanting
him up, his sister Saturnina brought him to
Tanawan, Batangas. Then he still went to Santa to be turned down, offered the girl a deal. If she
would dance once more, then he would grant
Cruz to visit his mother.
her any wish.
The girl with a sad tone, wished to have her Rizal returned to Manila for his last year in the
mother come home for she had been in prison course. He continued his studies with fire in
for a long time. Izquierdo told her that she may order to maintain his standing. At the end of the
go home and her mother will be there soon. school year he still excelled in all subjects. He
Doña Teodora was released that day. The girl was at the blaze of glory as he was the most
was Soledad. brilliant Atenean of his time.
After his vacation, Jose returned to Ateneo for He finished his last year in Ateneo at the top of
his junior year. Shortly after the opening of the his class; he was truly the pride of the Jesuits.
classes, he was surprised by his mother’s visit. Although there were only few who graduated,
He was very happy for his mother. he had achieved more in terms of grades and
achievements than the rest of his class. He
At the end of the year, although all his grades graduated on March 23, 1877 at the age of 16
remained excellent, he was dissatisfied because and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts
he failed to earn the medal in Spanish. with highest honors. His family was very proud
The reason for this was because he was not able of him.
to speak Spanish in its accent fluently as ACADEMIC AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
compared with his Spanish classmates.
Rizal was very active in school. He was always
He only received one medal in Latin. curious of joining extra-curricular activities in
He returned to Calamba for his summer Ateneo. He became an active member, later a
vacation not impressed with his scholastic work. secretary, of Marian Congregation, a religious
society because of his devotion to Our Lady of
After Rizal’s summer vacation, he went back to the Immaculate Concepcion, the college
Ateneo to continue studies. One of his patroness. Later, he likewise joined the
professors was Father Francisco de Paula Academy of Natural Sciences.
Sanchez, a literature teacher. He inspired Rizal
to study harder and to write poetry. He was the Rizal devoted some of his spare time to fine
one who discovered Rizal’s God-given genius in arts. Part of it, he studied painting under
writing; he became Rizal’s most favorite and Agustin Saez, a famous Spanish painter and
beloved teacher. sculpture under Romualdo de Jesus, a Filipino
sculptor.
Another professor of Rizal who became very
influential to him and who have watched closely Many Jesuit professors were impressed by
his abilities was Padre Jose Vilaclara. He was Rizal’s artistic skills. One of his most loved works
Jose’s professor in Science and Philosophy. in Ateneo was an image of the Virgin Mary
Although Vilaclara invited him to major on the which he carved from a batikuling wood with a
more practical Science and Philosophy he still pocket-knife.
preferred Literature for it was under Fr. Father Leonart was amazed at the beauty and
Sanchez’ supervision. grace of the image that he requested Rizal to
Through the fatherly guidance of Padre carve him an image of the Sacred Heart of
Sanchez, Jose was inspired to resume his Jesus. Rizal made it and gave it to Fr. Leonart
studies with vigor and zest. He topped in all his who thanked him for the wonderful work.
subjects and won five medals. At the end of the The priest wanted to take the image to Spain
school term, Rizal returned to Calamba happily. but when he left he forgot to do so because of
his absent-mindedness.
The Atenians later decided to better display the “La Tragedia de San Eustaqio,” which recounted
image by the door of their dormitory where it the tragic story of St. Eustace, a Spanish martyr
stayed there for several years. of the church.
Some of the favorite readings of Rizal while in “Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo,” a description of his
Ateneo were Cesar Cantu's “Historia Universal”, town as he saw it in his childhood days
which was bought for him by his father, and
“The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexander “La Alianza Intima Entre la Religion y la Buena
Educacion,” on the importance of education
Dumas, which became his favorite novel.
Another one that interested him was “Travels in and religion to the salvation of man
the Philippines” by Dr. Feodor Jagor. “Por La Educacion Recibe Lustre La Patria,” on
By 1874, Rizal began to become an ardent lover the benefits that mankind derives from
education.
of poetry. By the time he graduated, he had
already written so many. Many of such works “El Cautiverio y El Triunto: Batalla de Lucena y
were made out of passion and inspiration, La Prison de Boabdil,” an account on a 16 th
although a few may have been required from century Spanish event
him since his major was literature.
Nevertheless, grace and refinement “La Entrada Triunfal de los Reyes Catolicos en
distinguished most of his works which was truly Granada,” which recounted a Spanish Triumph
amazing because even as a teenager he was over the Moors.
able to accomplish such a feat.
1877
Rizal’s first poem in Ateneo was entitled “Mi
“El Heroismo de Colon,” a tribute to Columbus
Primera Inspiracion” (My First Inspiration),
1874. It was solemnly dedicated to his mother “Colon y Juan II,” another Columbian tribute
on the occasion of her birthday.
“Gran Consuelo en La Mayor Desdicha,” on the
On the occasion of Christmas in that same year, discovery of America
he wrote “A la Virgen Maria” and “Al Niño
Jesus”. The others that he wrote in the “Un Dialogo Alusivo a La Despedida de los
following years were as follows: Colegiales,” a farewell poem for his Atenean
colleagues
1875
OTHER WORKS OF RIZAL
“Felicitacion”: dedicated to his brother-in-law
Antonio Lopez In Ateneo, he also produced A stage drama “Junto
al Pasig” on December 8, 1880 on the occasion of
“El Embarque: Himno a la Flota de Magallanes,” the annual celebration of the Feast day of Abd-el
a tribute to Magellan Azis Y Mahoma” for the same occasion. It was
presented as A stage play directed by his friend
“Y Es Español: Elcano, el Primero en dar la
Manuel Fernandez.
Vuelta el Mundo,” a tribute to the
He also wrote a sonnet entitled “To the Filipino
circumnavigator of the world.
Artist” which encouraged Filipino artists to glorify
“El Combate: Urbiztondo, Terror de Jolo,” a the Philippines in every work they do.
historical account
1876
UNIVERSITY LIFE AT UST
After graduation, Paciano and their father said that it would be safer since it would derail him
planned to send Jose to the university. His from politics and also was a lucrative career.
mother was not in favor of him studying any
Most importantly, it would benefit his family and
further. Francisco even had to persuade her.
However, if he were to study at all, she wanted would be helpful to other unfortunate people.
him to take agriculture. After all, the family’s As a Thomasian, he won more literary laurels, had
livelihood is in farming. more romances with girls, and fought against
Spanish students.
Rizal was uncertain on what course to take. He
had written to Padre Pablo Ramon, Rector of While a student at the UST, Rizal continued to take
Ateneo, asking for his advice on what choice of active part in many of the activities at the Ateneo.
career he must pursue. Unfortunately, the He kept on writing poems and plays for his friends
priest was in Mindanao and Jose’s letter took a because he was loyal to Ateneo.
long time to reach him. When he received P.
Ramon’s response he was already enrolled at He loved the Jesuit professors because they inspired
UST taking the course Philosophy and Letters as him to scale greater heights of learning.
suggested by his father. After finishing the first
year of the course in Philosophy and Letters
(1877-780), he transferred to a medical course. In 1879, Rizal wrote a poem entitled “A La Juventud
Filipina.” He submitted it to the Liceo Artistico
During the year of his studies in the university,
Literario de Manila, a society of literary men and
which was under the Dominicans, rival
artists which held a literary contest that was also
education of the Jesuits, he remained loyal to
open to natives or mestizos alike.
Ateneo, where he continued to participate in
extra-curricular activities and where he The judges, who were all pure-blooded Spaniards,
completed the education course in surveying. gave the poem First Prize. The prize included a
He studied Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy feather-shaped silver pen decorated with a gold
and History of Agrimensor (Land Surveyor) to ribbon.
please his mother. Here, he excelled in all his
subjects obtaining gold medals in agriculture The poem “A La Juventud Filipina” was addressed to
and topography. At the age of 17 he passed the the Filipino youth who should strive to contribute to
final examination but the title as surveyor was the arts of humanity, to use their God-given genius
issued to him only on November 25, 1881 when and talents --- become great singers, poets, and
he was already 20 years old. painters and most of all.
The reasons why he studied medicine were: More importantly, is to be grateful to God for the
precious gifts they possess. He quoted this most
1.) He wanted to be a physician so that he may memorable phrase, “Oh youth, fair hope of the
cure his mother’s failing eyesight. Fatherland…”
2.) The father rector of the university, whom he In 1880, the Artistic Literary Lyceum opened
consulted for a choice of career, finally another contest to celebrate the fifth centennial of
answered his letter, and recommended Cervantes’ death. Miguel Cervantes, who was the
medicine. author of Don Quixote de la Mancha, is regarded as
one of the greatest Spanish writers. The contest was
In Padre roman’s response, he advised Rizal to take
open to both Filipinos and Spaniards.
medicine. He believed that it would be best for him
since he was intelligent enough to take it. He also
The prize was a gold ring bearing the engraved bust because Segunda was already engage to be married to
of Cervantes. Rizal won the first prize with his her townmate, Manuel Luz. Segunda had manifested
allegory in prose “El Consejo de los Dioses” but his by insinuation and deeds, her affection for him, but
certificate showed he was a second prize winner. Rizal timidly failed to propose.
The one thing he would never forget was on how Shortly, after his last meeting with Segunda Katigbak,
the predominantly Spanish audience reacted during Rizal found a new interest. Her name was Ms. L. He
the awarding ceremony when they found out that described her as a very attractive girl with seductive
the winner of the Cervantes award was a native. eyes. She probably have melted him when they first met
The applause paused to a deep silence. Right there the Rizal was at their home on a daily basis for two
and then, Rizal decided never to join again in the consecutive weeks. He discontinued seeing the girl
society’s competition. because of the advice of his mother. Whatever L.
meant, be it Ligaya, Liwayway, Lakamabini or Lagunding
The allegory described the gathering of the gods or probably another.
and goddesses at Mt. Olympus. They discussed the
comparative merits of Homer, Virgil and Cervantes.
They have three prizes ready. They decided to give Leonor Valenzuela
the trumpet to Homer, the lyre to Virgil and the
When Rizal started to take up Medicine, he figured out
laurel to Cervantes.
that it would be better to move to somewhere near the
school. And so, he boarded in the house of Doña
Concha Leyva. Here, he met his neighbor Leonor
WOMANIZING AND FRATERNITIES Valenzuela, daughter of Juan and Capitana Sarday
Julia Valenzuela. He courted her and the two became steady.