Answer the following questions:

1. Why was Rizal's departure for Spain kept with utmost secrecy?
Rizal's departure for Spain was kept avoid detection by the spanish authorities and friars.
Even his own parents did not know because he knew they, especially his mother, would not
allow him to go. Only his older brother (Paciano), his uncle (Antonio Rivera, father of Leonor
Rivera), his sisters (Neneng and Lucia), the Valenzuela family (Captain Juan and Capitana
Sanday and their daughter Orang), Pedro A. Paterno, his compadre Mateo Evangelista, the
Ateneo Jesuit fathers, and some intimate friends, including Chengoy (Jose M. Cecilio). The
kind Jesuit priests gave him letters of recommendation to the members of the society in
Barcelona. He used the name Jose Mercado, a cousin from Biñan. *May 3, 1882. Rizal
departed on board the Spanish steamer Salvadora bound Singapore.

2. Discuss the "secret mission" of Rizal on his departure for Spain

This mission which Rizal conceived with the approval of his older brother Paciano was 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 opressed people from Spanish tyranny. This was evidenced in his farewell letter
which was delivered to his parents shortly after his departure for Spain. • Secret Departure for
Spain . 

3. Describe Rizal's voyage for Spain.

He felt very sad leaving his country and family. To entertain himself ,Rizal made sketches of his
fellow passengers and things he saw along the way. Rizal boarded the ship Djemnah, which
shall ferry him to France. June 12,1882-from Naples, the steamer sailed to France.  It dock at
the Harbor of Marseilles. Rizal was impressed by the courtesy of the customs police. He was
likewise, enchanted by its graceful and impressive buildings and the courtesy and refined
manners of the French men.
Rizal took the train going to Barcelona.  At first Rizal has a negative impression of the city and
its people .Later, he came to like Barcelona, Rizal was welcome by the Filipinos in Barcelona,
most of who were his former classmates at Ateneo Municipal. They had a welcome party at
favorite coffee house at Plaza De Cataluña.  While in Barcelona, Rizal took time writing to his
family, relatives and friends in the Philippines. He did not forget one of his missions that
of making a name for himself in the field of writing  Paciano believed that Rizal would be able
to express his nationalistic and patriotic sentiment which in effect can arouse the hostility and
suspicion of the Spanish Regime. Rizal will be transformed into a patriot, a novelist and a
nationalist. A nationalistic essay entitled meaning “Love of Country”, his first article written in
Spain  Rizal wrote this essay when he was still 21yearsold, under the pseudonym Laonglaan.
September 1882 - Rizal decided to move to the capital city of Spain to continue his studies .
June 5 to 26. He took the medical examination. Fortunately, he passed the examination. At the
same time , he passed the examination in Greek, Latin, and World history. Rizal was awarded
the degree of licentiate in medicine for passing the medical examination for the course.

4. Tell something about Rizal's achievement on his education in Spain.

Rizal completed his studies 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, he studied and
passed all subjects leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine. However, he did not submit the
thesis required for graduation nor paid the corresponding fees. He was not awarded his
Doctor’s Diploma.
Jose Rizal also finished his studies in Philosophy and Letters with  higher grades. He was
awarded the Degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters by the Universidad Central de
Madrid on June 19, 1885 (his 24th birthday) with the rating of excellent.