HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF RIZAL’S FAMILY

JOSE RIZAL FAMILY

The Jose Rizal family was a wealthy family in Calamba, Laguna and considered one of the largest families
in those times. The 13 member of Jose Rizal family consisted of his father Francisco Mercado II and his
mother Teodora Alonso Realonda. Jose Rizal had nine sisters and one brother. The Jose Rizal family’s
paternal ascendant was Domingo Lam-co, a full-blooded Chinese who lived in Amoy, China and arrived
in the Philippines in the closing years of the 17th century. Domingo Lam-co was married to a Chinese
half-breed named Ines de la Rosa. The Mercado-Rizal family had also Japanese, Spanish, Malay and
Negrito blood aside from their Chinese blood.

Jose Rizal’s father was the youngest of 13 children of Juan and Cirila Mercado. He was born in Binan,
Laguna, studied in San Jose College of Manila and died in Manila. The mother of Jose Rizal was a
business -minded, religious and hardworking individual who was born in Santa Cruz, Manila on
November 14, 1827 and died in Manila in 1913. She studied at the Colegio de Santa Rosa and was the
second child of Brijida de Quintos and Lorenzo Alonso.

Saturnina Rizal was the eldest of the off springs of Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda. She
married Manuel Hidalgo who hailed from Tanauan, Batangas. The only brother of Jose Rizal was Paciano
Rizal and was the second child. Paciano studied at the San Jose College in Manila and worked as a
farmer and later as a general of the Philippine Revolution. The other sisters of Jose Rizal were Narcisa,
Olympia, Lucia, Maria, Concepcion, Josefa, Trinidad and Soledad. Soledad was the youngest child and
later was married to Pantaleon Quintero.

The parents of Jose Rizal were both farmers who were granted by the Dominicans with the lease of a
hacienda together with a rice farm. The mother of Jose Rizal, Teodora, had Spanish and Japanese
ancestors while the father of Teodora was a half Spaniard engineer known as Lorenzo Alberto Alonzo.

The Rizal surname was obtained by Francisco Mercado as suggested to him by a provincial governor
after the Governor General of the Philippines, Narciso Claveria, issued a decree in 1849 by which native
Filipino and immigrant families were to adopt Spanish surnames from a list of Spanish family names.
Jose Rizal also obtained the surname Rizal after dropping three other names that made up his full name.
Jose Rizal also retained Protacio as his other family name. His family never actually recognized his Rizal
surname but Jose Rizal was forced to use it so that he can travel freely and disassociate him from his
brother who was known to be notorious due to Paciano’s links with native priests who were executed
after they were found to be subversives.

The Rizals is considered one of the biggest families during their time. Domingo Lam-co, the family's
paternal ascendant was a full-blooded Chinese who came to the Philippines from Amoy, China in the
closing years of the 17th century and married a Chinese half-breed by the name of Ines de la Rosa.
Researchers revealed that the Mercado-Rizal family had also traces of Japanese, Spanish, Malay and
Even Negrito blood aside from Chinese.

Jose Rizal came from a 13-member family consisting of his parents, Francisco Mercado II and Teodora
Alonso Realonda, and nine sisters and one brother.

The Mercado - Rizal Family

FRANCISCO MERCADO (1818-1898)

Father of Jose Rizal who was the youngest of 13 offsprings of Juan and Cirila Mercado. Born in Biñan,
Laguna on April 18, 1818; studied Latin and Philosophy in San Jose College, Manila; become Cabeza de
Barangay; and died in Manila.

“A model of fathers”

TEODORA ALONSO (1827-1913)

Mother of Jose Rizal who was the second child of Lorenzo Alonso and Brijida de Quintos. She studied at
the Colegio de Santa Rosa. She was a business-minded woman, courteous, religious, hard-working and
well-read. She was born in Santa Cruz, Manila on November 14, 1827 and died in 1913 in Manila.

“A loving and prudent mother”

Descendant of Lakandula

SATURNINA RIZAL (1850-1913)

Eldest child of the Rizal-Alonzo marriage. Married Manuel Timoteo Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas.

PACIANO RIZAL (1851-1930)

Only brother of Jose Rizal and the second child. Studied at San Jose College in Manila; became a farmer
and later a general of the Philippine Revolution.

NARCISA RIZAL (1852-1939) 

The third child. married Antonio Lopez at Morong, Rizal; a teacher and musician.

OLYMPIA RIZAL (1855-1887)

The fourth child. Married Silvestre Ubaldo; died in 1887 from childbirth.

LUCIA RIZAL (1857-1919)

The fifth child. Married Matriano Herbosa.

MARIA RIZAL (1859-1945)

The sixth child. Married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna.

JOSE RIZAL (1861-1896)

The second son and the seventh child. He was executed by the Spaniards on December 30,1896.
CONCEPCION RIZAL (1862-1865)
The eight child. Died at the age of three.

JOSEFA RIZAL (1865-1945)

The ninth child. An epileptic, died a spinster.

TRINIDAD RIZAL (1868-1951)

The tenth child. Died a spinster and the last of the family to die.

SOLEDAD RIZAL (1870-1929)

The youngest child married Pantaleon Quintero.

Paternal Ancestors

DOMINGO LAM-CO, the family root, arrived from Amoy, China in 1660s and changed his name to
Mercado in 1697.

INES DE LA ROSA half-Chinese lady married to Domingo Lamco.

FRANCISCO MERCADO Y CHINCO, the first son of Domingo Lam-co.

JUAN MERCADO Y MONICA, youngest son of Francisco Mercado y Chinco, a captain in the Spanish army

PETRONA, POTENCIANA AND FRANCISCO MERCADO, SR., children of Juan Mercado.

The youngest FRANCISCO MERCADO, SR. was the father of Jose Rizal, Francisco Mercado (Junior).

Influential Relatives

Jose’s relatives who influenced him greatly mostly consisted of his mother’s brothers: Tio Jose, Tio
Manuel, and Tio Gregorio.

TIO JOSE - He is the youngest among the siblings of Teodora, and was schooled in Calcutta, India. He was
Jose Rizal’s inspiration as he sketches and paints. Tio Jose encouraged him to engage in sculpturing.

TIO MANUEL - Known to be big and strong, he influenced Jose to visit the outdoors, do long walks with
his pet black dog, Usman, and even go horseback riding with his horse, castaño.

TIO GREGORIO - Through his Tio Gregorio, Jose learned the value of hard work, careful observation of
life, as well as independent thinking. Through him, Jose likewise became interested in the printed page.

JOSE RIZAL’S FAMILY

DR. JOSE RIZAL

José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda

• Birthdate: June 19, 1861

• Birth Place: Calamba, Laguna

• Baptismal date: June 22, 1861

• Death Anniversary: December 30, 1869

WHO IS DOMINGO LAM-CO?

• Rizal Family’s Paternal Ascendant

• A full-blood Chinese from Amoy, China

• Came to the Philippines and married a Half-Chinese lady named Ines de la Rosa in late 16th century

• He took the last name Mercado in early 17th century

THE RIZAL FAMILY: A GOOD MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY

• They belonged to the Principalia

• Had a large 2-storey Stone House, a Carjuahe and a vast private library home of 1,000 and more books

• Can afford to send their children to Manila for college

• They had a simple, happy and contented life

• They believe in a maxim: “Spare the rod and spoil the child”

• Every day, the family prays angelus and rosary

JOSE RIZAL’S FAMILY AND HIS CHILDHOOD YEARS

At the age of seventeen he wrote his autobiography entitled “Memorias de un Estudiante de

Manila,” Rizal used this pseudonym “P. Jacinto” to keep details of his private but he eventually revealed
himself by signing his name at the end of his work. Rizal wrote beautiful memories of His Birthplace as
the surroundings of his hometown of Calamba were beautiful, green, and verdant fields. To the east lies
the country’s largest lake, Laguna de Bay which was called by the locals as “Dagat Tabang” or the fresh
water sea. Talim Island can be seen at a distance in the middle of the lake where sailboats move across
the waters. To the south is Mt. Makiling, a mountain which resembles a sleeping woman. It was thought
to be enchanted and guarded by a spirit named Mariang Makiling.
 Rizal’s surrounding was conducive to the awakening of the artist in him which manifested in
later life. He would later immortalize the town of his birth in a poem entitled “Un Recuerdo A Mi
Pueblo” which he wrote when he was fifteen years old. Rizal’s big family was a happy one. It was full of
joy tempered with reverence. He describes his father, Francisco Mercado, as a man who was already in
his forties when he was born, “a model of fathers” who gave his children an education commensurate
with that family’s small fortune. Through his thrift and industry, he was able to build a stone house, buy
another and erect a small nipa hut in the middle of the orchard under the shade of banana trees and
others.

Rizal home had a large yard planted with various fruit trees and flowers. Birds of various kinds
visited the place and at night the moon shone. He also imagined that the stories his yaya (nanny) told
him were true such as those of duwendes (dwarves), ghosts, and aswangs (evil spirits)

Rizal’s were tightly bound by love and companionship. They were well trained by their loving
parents to love each other and behave properly in front of others. Jose was called several nicknames by
his brother and sisters like Ute or Moy. Outside of the house, he was called Pepe or Pepito. He was a
small and had a fragile physique. His head was rather large and it was a laughing matter that he would
fall after standing up. He developed a love for sculpture and when his sisters joked about the head of his
sculpture disproportionately large compared to the body. Jose retorted that “someday people will make
statues of me.” This playful reply is a prophecy that is fulfilled today. Jose developed a strong bond with
his elder brother Paciano whom he considered as a second father. Paciano, on the other hand,
respected the potentials of his younger brother and supported him in his endeavors in the coming years.

Rizal described his mother as a “cultured woman of Manila.” She knew literature and spoke
better Spanish than he did. She was also a mathematician and has read many books. His brother Paciano
studied at the Colegio de San José which was managed by the Society of Jesus. His sisters were educated
at the Colegio de la Immaculada Concepcion a fashionable boarding school in suburban Manila.

Rizal experienced the first sad episode of his life with the death of his younger sister Concha
Concepcion who died of disease. He was four years years old when she passed away. According to Rizal,
for the first time he wept tears of love and grief. The death of his sister brought him his first sorrow. At
an early age, Rizal was first taught by his mother. At this stage, he demonstrated superior intelligence
which induced his parents to hire tutors for him. Among them were Lucas Padua and Leon Monroy who
taught Rizal Latin. Seeing that the young Rizal had a passion for poetry, his mother encouraged him. He
also had a passion for anything new. His eyes lit up on every new discovery. He drew things that he saw,
including trees, flowers and birds that visited the yard. He would make his own ink using charcoal and
the juices of various leaves and flowers.

Rizal also had a taste of mischief. One afternoon, when most of the family were having their
siesta, Jose and Josefa were playing in the yard. Suddenly there was a loud explosion. Jose lit up a bottle
of gunpowder and the resulting explosion burned his sister’s face. Doña Teodora gave him a severe
spanking from her fearsome slipper. In latter life, Jose appreciated the stern discipline of his mother
saying that, “Surely a man owes everything to God.” One of the memorable anecdotes between the
young Rizal and his mother was the time his mother was reading to him a Spanish reader entitled “El
amigo de los Niños” (The Children’s Friend). She noticed him not paying attention to her as she was
reading the contents of the book in Spanish. Rizal instead was attracted to pair of moths circling the
flame of the oil lamp. Of the two moths, one was larger it was assumed that it was the mother of the
smaller one. The smaller moth got so attracted to the flame that it flew too close that it wings got
burned and fell into the oil and died.

The story of the moths had a change in the mind of the young boy as Doña Teodora put him into
bed she said, “Don’t be disobedient or you may get burned as it did.” Rizal, however, had a different
view. The story revealed to Rizal things then unknown. “Moths were no longer’ ‘significant insects’.
Moths talked; they know how to warn. They advised like my mother. The light seemed to be more
beautiful. It had grown more dazzling and more attractive. I knew why the moths circled the flame”. The
story left an imprint on Jose’s mind that to sacrifice one’s life for and ideal, is worthwhile. Aside from his
immediate family, Rizal’s three uncles added to Rizal’s inspiration. His uncle Gregorio, who was a book
lover influenced his interest to read good books. His uncle Jose Alberto who was educated in Calcutta,
India encouraged him to sketch, paint, and sculpt while his other uncle Manuel looked after his
nephew’s physical development. He taught him swimming, fencing, wrestling, and other sports.

His artistic side was manifested as he made various statuettes molded of clay and wax. He
restored a religious banner which was soiled and made it with a better color. A rather introverted boy,
he spent time riding on a pony his father bought, and his black dog named Usman was his companion.
He was fascinated with magic tricks and his nimble fingers dazzled many onlookers as he entertained
folks and friends in Calamba. In latter life his sister Trinidad recounted that his entertaining skills and
sense of humor attracted many women who loved his company. The foremost talent manifested best by
Rizal was poetry. The first poem he wrote when he was eight years old was entitled "Sa Aking Kabata"
(To my Fellow Children). It was a praise to the native language of the Tagalogs which became the basis
of the country's national language. In the same poem, he appealed to the readers to love their native
tongue. Through this poem, Rizal manifested a nationalistic inclination through the appreciation of the
country's culture and heritage.

In his eighth year, Rizal wrote a Tagalog drama which was staged in the fiesta Calamba. The
gobernadorcillo of Paete, one of the towns of Laguna happened to be present at the time and was very
much impressed. He bought the manuscript from Rizal for two pesos and staged it in the fiesta in Paete.
On several instances, José offered his talents even to the Dominican administrators of the Calamba
estate who called him Pepe Mercado. He must have been familiar with them.

FIRST TEACHERS

The first teacher of Rizal was his mother.

He learned the alphabet and prayers at the age of three.

As a tutor, Doña Teodora was patient, conscientious and understanding

Rizal’s parents employed private tutors to give him lessons at home.

Maestro Celestino – First tutor

Maestro Lucas Padua – Second tutor (Arithmetic)

Leon Monroy - former classmate of Rizal’s father. This old teacher lived at the Rizal home and instructed
Jose in Spanish and Latin. He did not lived long and died five months later.

FORMAL EDUCATION

Rizal continued his education under the guidance of private tutors. When his last tutor, Leon
Monroy died, Don Francisco decided that his son should have his first taste of formal education.

Sunday afternoon of June 1869, Rizal left Calamba to move in Biñan. Paciano accompanied Rizal
in his trip on board a carromata. Their travel lasted for one and a half hour. Then proceed to their Aunt’s
house, where Rizal was to lodge.

Paciano brought his younger brother to the school managed by Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz
Rizal was nine years old at that time. The school was the house of his teacher. Rizal described him as a
tall, thin, longnecked man with a body slightly bent forward. He used to be teacher of Paciano when he
was younger. He wore a shirt by the women of Batangas and as a teacher he was quick to reprimand his
students. He was quick to discipline them for any infraction with a short thin stick especially if the wrong
answer given. This was the old system of education at the time. The infliction of pain was made to
ensure that the student remembers the lesson. This was a severity to Josés young mind. According to
him, a day did not pass when he did not receive a few sharp strokes from his teacher's short stick.

Immediately after he was assigned a seat in the classroom, his teacher asked him if he knew
Spanish and Latin. His answer to both questions was "Un poco Señor" (a little, Sir,) which elicited
laughter from his fellow students. He got mocked for his small size because he only knew Un Poco.
Later, the young frail boy became the object of bullying from his classmates especially from Pedro the
son of the schoolmaster. It came to a point of a brawl. Later, with the wrestling skills he learned from his
uncles, José eventually defeated the class bully, José never backed down from a fight. At times, he was
defeated by stronger students and one time, he nearly cracked his skull after arm-wrestling with his
classmate named Pedro Lakundanan/Andres Salandanan

He also took painting and drawing lessons under Maestro Cruz’s father-in-law, the old Juancho,
and eventually became his apprentice.

José were an outstanding student surpassing his classmates in Spanish, Latin, and other
subjects. He was also very popular that some of his classmates spread rumors to discredit him. Many
times, he got punished for his alleged wrongdoings. At the end of his schooling, Maestro Justiniano
recommended that José should be sent to Manila. He then returned to Calamba after receiving a letter
from his sister Saturnina. In December 1871 / December 17, 1870 , he bade farewell to his school and
his teacher. He went home by boarding a steamship named Talim. He also collected pebbles from the
river as souvenirs knowing that he will never return to Biñan. After the Christmas of that year, Don
Francisco decided to send José to Manila to continue his studies.

A TASTE OF INJUSTICE

In June 1871, an incident in the family forever changed Rizal's view of Filipino society. Doña
Teodora was accused as an accomplice of José Alberto of trying to poison the latter's wife. José Alberto
was a rich landowner who went on a trip to Europe when he returned he found his household in
disarray and that his wife who was her namesake, Doña Teodora Formoso de Alberto, was committing
adultery as she was found to be living with man. Enraged, Don José tried to seek a divorce from his wife.
According to Rizal, his mother tried to mediate between the feuding spouses, Don José's wife connived
with the talferez or the police chief of Calamba to have Don José and Doña Teodora arrested for trying
to poison her. Rizal said that the alferez and his men were so brutal in placing her under arrest.
According to him, the official had a grudge against his family because he did not provide fodder for his
horse for a time. The man had forgotten at one time, the alferez was a guest in their house and was
treated as a friend of the family.

When brought before the gobernadorcillo or town mayor who was also the justice of the peace
of Calamba, José’s mother was also treated harshly. José attributed the cavalier treatment to the fact
that one time the gobernadorcillo was not given the place of honor in one of the banquets in their
house and that the family refused his requests for free chickens and turkeys. He also said that the
gobernadorcillo was a fanatical puppet of the friars. Instead of just confining Doña Teodora in the town
jail, he sent her on foot to the provincial jail of Santa Cruz more than 50 kilometers away . The
gobernadorcillo tried to make her admit the crime promising leniency. The Dominicans who managed
the Calamba estate provided help by engaging the services of Don Francisco de Marcaida and Don
Manuel P. Marzano, who were law professors at the University of Sto. Tomas. After two years Doña
Teodora was released

Rizal had witnessed official injustice before having seen as a young boy ordinary folk being
whipped just for not saluting the Civil Guard. He never thought that injustice could be so severe as
depriving his family of his mother during the early years of his life. He developed the perspective that
injustice exists in this world and this could be done by people who used to be one's friends. In his
writings about his life, Rizal wrote that he developed a distrust of people especially when it came to
power. Another incident which carved an indelible mark on Rizal's mind was the execution of the Filipino
secular priests Fathers Mariano Gomez, José Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora. The three priests were
implicated in the Cavite Mutiny of January 20, 1872. The mutiny began from the discontent of the
workers in the Cavite arsenal. The new government of Governor General Rafael de Izquierdo revoked
their exemption from compulsory community labor and increased the tax deduction from their monthly
pay.

The workers were joined by the soldiers of the arsenal led by a Sergeant Lamadrid. It was
thought that they would be joined by soldiers in Manila who would fire rockets to signal their joining the
insurrection. The Manila soldiers never joined the insurrection, but Lamadrid's men mistook the rockets
fired in the fiesta of Sampaloc, Manila as the signal. The ensuing mutiny was soon quelled by loyal
forces. It was thought that many more people were involved in the mutiny and the accusing fingers
pointed to the Filipino liberals who were championing the cause of equal rights with Spaniards and the
reduction of the influence of the Church in politics. Included among the suspects were the leaders of the
Filipino secular clergy who were fighting for secularization of the Philippine Catholic Church. During the
previous administration of the liberal Governor General Carlos Ma. De la Torre, Filipino liberals and
seculars were allowed to voice out their grievances. While displaying a sympathetic face to the Filipinos,
de la Torre discreetly ordered his officials that the leaders and followers of the reformist and pro-
secularists be identified as potential trouble-makers. He also blocked the entry of liberal materials to the
islands and ordered the scrutiny of their correspondences.

When Governor Izquierdo took over, he ruled with an iron fist and revoked many of his
predecessor's reforms. The Filipinos on the other hand, struggled to defend their gains under the
previous regime. By this time, they were already marked by the conservative Spaniards for elimination.
The Cavite Mutiny provided the pretext for the conservatives to eliminate the Filipino liberals. The
Spanish forces arrested several known liberals among them were José Ma. Basa, Antonio Ma. Regidor,
Balvino Mauricio, Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, and Filipino secular priests like Pedro Dandan and Toribio H.
Del Pilar, the brother of future propagandist Marcelo H. Del Pilar. Fathers Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora
were arrested because of a note from Fr. Zamora informing his fellows to mutiny at night and "bring
powder and shot." Actually, the three priests were to gamble that night and the powder and shot were
code names for betting money in the panguingue card game.

They were pinned down by a false witness named Francisco Zaldua who pointed out the three
priests were indeed out to lead a government that would overthrow the Spaniards and install Father
Burgos as the future leader of the Philippines. Despite their protests and insufficient evidence, the three
priests were garroted at Bagumbayan on February 17, 1872. The other accused were deported to Guam
in the Marianas and were not allowed to return as long as Spain ruled the Philippines.

At that time, Rizal was a young eleven-year old boy. When asked why the three secular priests
were executed, he was told to hush up as the Spaniards had become suspicious about anyone wishing to
know about what happened in 1872. The GOM-BUR-ZA execution awakened the nationalism of the
Filipinos and they became aware of the fact that anyone or anything threatening Spanish superiority in
the country would be severely dealt with. Filipinos with liberal tendencies would be threatened with
reprisals. The Mercado family had a special relationship with one of the priests as Father Burgos was a
professor and friend of Paciano.

Their link with the martyred priests would be treated with suspicion by authorities. Paciano quit
college after the execution and related the story of their martyrdom to his younger brother.

Several years later, José wrote about Burgos: "He awakened my intellect and made me
understand goodness and justice. His farewell words I will always remember-I have tried to pass on to
you what I received from my teachers. Do the same for those who come after you." Rizal dedicated his
second novel “El Filibusterismo" to the memory of the GOM-BUR-ZA priests offering it as "a tardy
wreath on your unknown tombs!”

STUDIES AT ATENEO AND UST

SCHOLASTIC TRIUMPHS AT ATENEO DE MANILA (1872-1877)

• 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

• 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 Municipaly the Jesuits and later became the Ateneo de Manila.

• 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 Magin Ferrando, 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 ³Mercado´ 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.

Students were divided into two groups:

Roman Empire (internos) – boarding inside

Carthaginian Empire (externos) – boarding outside

Each empire had its rank. Students fought for positions, with 3 mistakes, opponents position could lose
his position. 1st Best: Emperor 2nd Best: Tribune 3rd Best: Decurion 4th Best: Centurion 5th Best:
Standard – Bearer

RIZAL’S FIRTST 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.
Occupying the end of the line. But at the end of the month, he become emperor´ of his Empire.

• He was an externo (Carthaginians), because he was living outside Intramuros.

• 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.

SECOND YEAR IN ATENEO (1873- 1874)

• At the end of the school year, Rizal received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold medal

• The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumasthe first favorite novel of Rizal which made a deep
impression on him

• Universal History by Cesar Cantu- Rizal persuaded his father to buy him this set of historical work that
was a great aid in his studies

• Dr. Feodor Jagor- a German scientist-traveler who visited the Philippines in 1859-1860 who wrote
Travels in the Philippines

THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1874-1875)

• Rizal grades remained excellent in all subjects but he won only one medal—in Latin

• At the end of the school year (March 1875), Rizal returned to Calamba for the summer vacation. He
himself was not impressed by his scholastic work.

FOURTH YEAR ON ATENEO

• June 16, 1875- Rizal became an interno in the Ateneo

• Padre Francisco de Paula Sanchez- a great educator and scholar, one of Rizal’s professors who inspired
him to study harder and to write poetry

• Rizal described this Jesuit professor as “model of uprightness, earnestness, and love for the
advancement of his pupils”

• Rizal topped all his classmates in all subjects and won five medals at the end of the school term.

LAST YEAR IN ATENEO (1876- 1877)

• Rizal- The most brilliant Atenean of his time, and was truly ³the pride of the Jesuits

• Graduate with Highest Honor

• March 23, 1877- Rizal, 16 years old, received from his Alma Mater, Ateneo Municipal, the degree of
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Letters, with highest honors

• The night before graduation, he could not sleep. Early morning on the day of his graduation, he prayed
to the Virgin to³commend his life and protect him as he step into the world.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN ATENEO

• He was an active member, later secretary, of Marian Congregatiion 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.

• He continued his vocational course in surveying at Ateneo.

SCULPTURAL WORKS IN ATENEO

• He carved an image of The Virgin Mary on a piece of Batikuling (Philippine hardwood) with his pocket-
knife. 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.

ANECDOTES ON RIZAL, THE ATENEAN

• Felix M. Roxas- He related an incident of Rizal’s schooldays in the Ateneo which reveals the heros
resignation to pain and forgiveness.

• Manuel Xeres Burgos- his anecdote on Rizal illustrates his predilection to help the helpless at the risk
of his ownlife.

FIRST ROMANCE OF RIZAL

• He experienced his first romance with Segunda Katigbak, a pretty 14 year old Batanguena from Lipa.

• One Sunday Rizal visited his maternal grandmother in Trozo, Manila with his friend Mariano Katigbak.
One of whom was an attractive girl, who mysteriously caused his heart to palpitate with strange ecstasy
was Segunda. His grandmothers guest sureged him to draw Segundas portrait. From time to time,´ he
reminisced,´she looked at me and I blushed´

• Rizal came to know Segunda more intimately during weekly visits to La Concordia College, where his
sister was boarding student. Olimpia and Segunda was a close friend. Theirs was indeed ³a love at first
sight´. But Segunda was already yengaged to be married to Manuel Luz.

RIZAL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

• Fortunately, Rizal’s tragic first romance, with its bitter disillusionment, did not adversely affect his
studies in the University of Santo Tomas. His love for higher education proved to be greater than his love
for a pretty girl.

• In April, 1877, Rizal, who was then nearly 16 years old, matriculated in the University of Santo Tomas,
taking Philosophy and Letters

He enrolled in this course for Two reasons

1. His father liked it

2. He was still “Uncertain as to what career to follow.

Pablo Ramon - Rector of Ateneo, who had been good to him during his student days in that college,
asking for advice on the choice of career.

-Unfortunately, the Father Rector was in the Mindanao and during those days it took several months foe
a letter to travel between Manila and Mindanao.

• First year term (1877-79) in the UST, he studied Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy, and History of
Philosophy.

• (1878-1879) Rizal took up medicine, enrolling simultaneously in the preparatory medical course and
the regular first year medical course

He studied Medicine Because:

1. he wanted to be a physician so that he might cure his mother’s failing eyesight

2. the Father Pablo Ramon, Rector of Ateneo, whom he consulted for a choice of career, finally
answered his letter, recommending medicine.

DECISION TO STUDY ABROAD

• Rizal decided to study in Spain after finishing the fourth year of his medical course. The people who
approved: His older brother Paciano and his sisters Saturnina (Neneng) and Lucia/ Uncle Antonio Rivera/
The Valenzuela family/Some friends

The people who did not know his decision: -Rizal’s parents -Leonor Rivera -Spanish authorities
TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH (1879)

• Literary contest by Artistico-Literario (ArtisiticLiterary Lyceum)

• Rizal, 18 years old, submitted his poem entitled A La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth)

• The first prize, a feather shaped, gold ribbon decorated silver pen was given to Rizal.

• In the poem, Rizal beseeched the Filipino to rise from lethargy, to let their genius fly swifter than the
wind and descend with art science to break the chains that have long bound the spirit of the people.

The poem is a classic. Two reasons:

1. It was the first great poem in Spanish written by a Filipino whose merit was recognized by Spanish
literary authorities.

2. It expressed for the first time the nationalistic concept that the Filipinos and not the foreigners were
the “fair hope of the Fatherland.”

THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS (1880)

• Another literary contest by the Artistic-Literary Lyceum to commemorate the fourth centennial of the
death of Cervantes, Spanish and author of Don Quixote.

• Manuel De Cervantes – Spain’s glorified man of letter.

• Rizal submitted an allegorical drama, El Consejo de los Dioses (The Council of the Gods)

• The allegory was based on Greek classics

CHAMPION OF FILIPINO STUDENTS

• There were frequent student brawls between the Filipinos and the Spaniards

• 1880: Rizal founded Companerismo (Comradeship), a secret society of Filipino UST students. The
members were called “Companions of Jehu”.

• He was the chief of the society.

• His cousin, Galicano Apacible was the secretary.

• In one of the skirmishes, Rizal was wounded on the head. His friends brought him to Casa Tomasina
where Leonor Rivera took care of him.

RIZAL IN EUROPE

He chose the English City to be his new home for 3 reasons:

1. To improve his knowledge of the English Language.

 2. To study and annotate Morga’s Sucesos de Las Islas Filipinas.
3. London was safe place for him to carry on his fight against Spanish tyranny.

TRIP ACROSS ATLANTIC

Rizal was on board the “”SS City of Rome”

• While on the board, Rizal entertained the American and European passengers with his marvellous skill
of the yoyo as a defensive weapon.

• May 24, 1888, Rizal arrived at Liverpool in London where he stayed for only one day.

At his stay in the city, he described it as: “A big and beautiful city and its celebrated port as worthy of its
great fame. The entrance is magnificent and the customhouse is quite good. ”

RIZAL IN LONDON

On May 25,1888, Rizal went to London.

For a while, he stayed as a guest in the home of Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor.

At the end of May, he found a modest boarding place in the home of the Beckett family at No. 37
Chalcot, Crescent, Primrose Hill.

The Beckett Family:

•Mr. Charles Beckett, organist of St. Paul’s church

•Mrs. Beckett (his wife)

•2 sons & 4 daughters

British Museum

His research work in the British museum gained him the acquaintance of Dr. Reinhold Rost- the Librarian
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; an authority on Malayan languages and customs.

It is in the British museum where Rizal spent a lot of time reading the pages of Morga’s Sucesos and
other historical works concerning the Philippines.

SUCESOS DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS

While Rizal was in London, annotating Morga’s book, Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas was considered as his
greatest achievement. This was published in Mexico in 1869

Rizal described Morga’s book as: “excellent, written in a scholarly fashion and in a very simple manner
and did not have ‘the superficiality and the exaggeration,’ inherent in Spanish works.”
Morga’s Sucesos was viewed as being: “accurate in the narration of events, unbiased in judgment and
unmarred by childish fantasies.”

GOOD NEWS

 It was this time that Rizal heard of the defense of Father Garcia of the Noli against the allegations and
attacks of Fr. Rodriguez.

 Rizal was overwhelmed of his gratitude that tears fell from his eyes.

BAD NEWS

 Persecution of the Filipino patriots who signed the petition of the “AntiFriar Petition of 1888”

Anti-Friar Petition was presented by Doroteo Cortes to Jose Centeno, civil governor of the Province of
Manila, March 1, 1888. this petition was signed by about 800 patriots and was actually written by M.H.
del Pilar. It was addressed to the Queen Regent of Spain requesting the expulsion of the friars, including
Archbishop Pedro Payo (Dominican), Manila

 Persecution of the Calamba tenants, including Rizal’s family and relatives, for their courage to petition
the government for agrarian reforms.

 Furious attacks on Rizal by Senators Salamanca and Vida in the Spanish Cortes and by Desengaños
(Wenceslao Retana) and Quioquiap (Pablo Feced) in Spanish newspapers.

 Rizal’s brother-in-law, Manuel T. Hidalgo, husband of Saturnina, was exiled by Governor Weyler to
Bohol without due process of law

 A friend of Rizal, Laureano Vida, a medical student of the University of Santo Tomas, was arrested and
jailed in Bilibid Prison because copies of the Noli was found in his house.

After ten (10) months in London

 Rizal left London for Paris.

 Early in September 1888, Rizal visited Paris for a week in order to search for more historical materials
in Bibliotheque Nationale.

On December 11, 1888, Rizal went to Madrid and Barcelona, Spain in order to determine the political
situation relevant to the agitation of reforms in the Philippines.

 There, he met two leaders in the Propaganda Movement, Marcelo H. del Pilar and for the first time
Mariano Ponce, and exchanged ideas and plans in their fight for reforms

 Rizal sent a gift which he made for his best friend, Blumentritt, a bust of Emperor Augustus, while to
Dr. Carlos Czepelak, the Polish scholar, a bust of Julius Caesar
RIZAL BECOMES LEADER OF FILIPINOS IN EUROPE

Solidaridad Association (December 31, 1888)

Rizal was chosen Honorary President of Filipino Patriotic Society in Barcelona called Asociacion La
Solidaridad (Solidaridad Association) which would cooperate in the crusade for reforms

Rizal then wrote a letter of thanks addressed to the members of Asociacion La Solidaridad on Jan. 28,
1889 Letter content: When defeated never surrender & Great deal of integrity and much good will.

RIZAL AND THE LA SOLIDARIDAD

 On December 13, 1888, Graciano Lopez Jaena founded the patriotic newspaper called La Solidaridad
in Barcelona.

La Solidaridad was printed in Barcelona (Feb. 15 – Oct. 31, 1889) / Madrid (Nov. 15- Nov. 15, 1895)

Rizal became an active contributor to the newspaper (as “Laong Laan” and “Dimas Alang.”

AIMS OF LA SOLIDARIDAD

1. To work peacefully for political and social reforms;

2. To portray the deplorable conditions of the Philippines so that Spain may remedy them;
3. To oppose the evil forces of reaction and medievalism;
4. To advocate liberal ideas and progress; and
5. To champion the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino people to life, democracy, and happiness.

RIZAL’S FIRST ARTICLE IN LA SOLIDARIDAD

 Rizal’s first article in La Solidaridad was entitled Los Agricultores Filipinos (The Filipino Farmers).

 It was published on March 25, 1889, six days after he left London for Paris.

WRITINGS IN LONDON

 Rizal received news on Fray Rodriguez’ unabated attack on his Noli. In defense he wrote a pamphlet
entitled La Vision del Fray Rodriguez (The Vision of Fray Rodriguez) which was published in Barcelona.

 Under the pseudonym “Dimas Alang,” Rizal satirically attacked Fray Rodriquez through presenting a
spirited conversation between the friar and St. Augustine.

In London, Rizal wrote the famous “Letter to the Young Women of Malolos” in Tagalog.

He penned it, upon the request of Marcelo del Pilar to praise the young ladies of Malolos for their
courage to establish a school where they could learn Spanish, despite opposition of Father Felipe Garcia,
Spanish parish priest of Malolos

The letter’s main points:

 Filipino mother should teach her children love of God, fatherland and mankind;

 …should be glad, like Spartan mother to offer her sons in the defense of the fatherland;

 Filipino woman should know how to preserve her dignity and honor;

 …should know how she should educate herself, aside from retaining her good racial values;

 Faith is not merely reciting long prayers and wearing religious pictures, but rather, it is living the real
Christian way, with good morals and good manners.

ADIOS LONDON

Rizal was forced to leave London because Gertrude’s love for him has turned serious.

• He could not take advantage of her affection and she would not be happy because Rizal was in love
with Leonor Rivera.

• He decided to move to Paris so she may forget him

HIS FOUR SCULPTURAL WORKS

1. Prometheus Bound

2. The Triumph of Death Over Life

3. The Triumph of Science Over Death

4. A composite carving of the heads of the Beckett sisters

In the middle of March, 1889, Rizal departed for Paris. He was sad as he crossed the English Channel for
he had many beautiful memories of London

PARIS

 In March 1889, Rizal left for Paris, his second time to visit the place.

 Rizal used to dine at the homes of his friends. Pardo De Taveras/ The Venturas /The Bousteds /Luna
Family

Pardo de Tavera’s family

Children of Don Joaquin Pardo de Tavera - escaped from Marianas and lived in France.

Dr. Trinidad H. de taveras – Physician and Philologist

Dr. Felix Pardo de Tavera – Physician, Artist and Sculptor

Paz Pardo de Tavera – Wife of Juan Luna

THE EXPOSITION

KIDLAT CLUB

 On March 19, 1889, Rizal arrived in Paris from London and there he formed a club called the Kidlat
Club, whose members were Filipino patriots.

 It was temporary in nature, and their major purpose was to form a comradeship, and to enjoy their
stay in Paris especially during the Universal Exposition.

KIDLAT means “lightning” and it is in the light of this meaning that the club was formed and disbanded.

KIDLAT CLUB PATRIOTIC MEMBERS

 Antonio Luna
 Juan Luna
 Gregorio Aguilera
 Fernando Canon
 Laura Dimayuga
 Julio Lorrente
 Guillermo Pautu
 Baldomero Roxas

UNIVERSAL EXPOSITION

-It was a World’s Fair and a highly successful international exhibition held in Paris, France from May 6 to
October 31 1889.
-The fair attached exhibits from Europe, South America, the United States, and the French colonies.
-Its central attraction was the Eiffel Tower.
-The greatest attraction of the exposition was the Eiffel Tower.
-It was built by Alexander Eiffel.
-Rizal and his friends attended the opening ceremonies and saw the cutting of ribbon by President Said
Carnot of the Third French Republic.

 Filipinos participated in the art contest and among them were: Felix R. Hidalgo, Juan Luna, Felix Pardo
de Tavera, and Rizal.
 Hidalgo’s painting won second prize, the paintings of Juan Luna and F. Pardo de Tavera, each obtained
the third prize, while Rizal’s entry a bust which he modeled got no prize. The bust was “one to qualify for
the exhibition, but not good enough to win an international prize (29)
INDIOS BRAVOS
-Indios Bravos replaced Kidlat club.
-It’s members pledged to excel in intellectual and physical prowess in order to win the admiration of the
foreigners, particularly the Spaniards.
Redencion de los Malayos ( REDEMPTION OF THE MALAYS)
2 Letters of Rizal mentioned the secret society
Letter to Jose Maria Basa ( September 21, 1889)
Letter to Marcelo H. del Pilar ( Nov. 4, 1889)

Max Havelaar - written by Multatuli (pseudonym of Eduard Douwes Dekker)

Members of R.D.L.M
Gregorio Aguilera
Jose Maria Basa
Julio Llorente
Marcelo H. Del Pilar
Mariano Ponce
Baldomero Roxas
Fr. Jose Maria Changco

Rizal wrote to Blumentritt

Bornean Colonization includes the right of the colonists to:

Buy the Lands
The free use of the seashores
The unusual long term of the lease for 999 yrs.

THE PUBLICATION OF THE ANNOTATED EDITION OF MORGA’S SUCESOS

Finally in 1890, the annotated edition of Morga’s Sucesos was printed by Garnier Freres.

Rizal’s errors in prologue of Blumentritt

-Rizal commits the error of many historians
-Rizal’s attack on the church were unfair and unjustifiable

Rizal dedicated the new edition of Morga to the Filipinos

Rizal proved that Filipinos were already civilized before the advent of Spain

DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCES

October 12, 1889 – Blumentritt wrote to Rizal

Dec. 28, 1889 – in his letter to Dr. Baldomero Roxas
Dec. 13, 1889- Mariano Ponce wrote to Rizal receiving the book.

HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS AND BOOKS

English – Marsden, Raffles, Lord Stanley, and Wallace.
German – Blumentritt, Jagor, and Virchow
French – Book of M. Jacquet, J. Mallat and A. Marche.
Spanish – Work of TH Pardo de Tavera

RIZAL - A REAL HISTORIAN

2 Historical Commentaries in London
Ma- yi (Dec. 6, 1888)
Tawalisi of Ibn Batuta ( Jan. 7, 1889)

Published in La Solidaridad
The Philippines within a Century (Filipinas dentro de Cien Años)
The Indolence of the Filipinos ( Sobre la Indolencia de los Filipinos)

NOLI ME TANGERE
The title, in meaning Touch me not, refers to John 20:13-17 in the as tried to touch the newly risen , He
said "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father. "

*Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe – The book that inspired Rizal to write a novel about the
suffering of the Filipinos to the Spaniards.

*Central University in Madrid – where Rizal started writing the novel

JOSE RIZAL preferred that the prospective novel expresses the backward, anti-progress and anti-
intellectual way Filipino culture was.

On JUNE 2, 1884, Rizal proposed the writing of a novel about the Philippines written by a group of
Filipinos.

His proposal was unanimously approved by the Filipinos present at the party, among whom were Pedro,
Maximino and Antonio Paterno,Graciano López Jaena, Evaristo Aguirre, Eduardo de Lete, Julio Llorente
and Valentin Ventura.

WRITING OF NOLI
*Towards the end of 1884 – Rizal began writing the novel in Madrid and finished ½ of it.
1885 – he was in Paris, he continued writing the novel, finishing the ½ of the 2nd half.
Germany – he finished the ¼ of it.
Last 2 chapters – he finished it at Wilhelmsfeld in April - June 1886
December,1886 – he was in Berlin

Fernando Canon – where Rizal wrote his worries about the publishing of his novel
 PUBLICATION
Rizal finished the novel in December 1886.
Rizal feared the novel might not be printed, and that it would remain unread.
A financial aid came from a friend named Máximo Viola which helped him print his book at a fine print
media in Berlin named Berliner Buchdruckerei Aktien Gesellschaft.
Dr. Maximo Viola - a rich friend of Rizal from Bulacan who financed the publishing the Noli.
- Lives at San Miguel, Bulacan
Php 300.00 – the cost of printing for 2,000 copies
March 29, 1887 – Noli Me Tangere came off the press.

 “ To My Country”/ “To My Father Land” - Rizal dedicated the Noli Me Tangere to the Philippines

 NOLI ME TANGERE is consist of 64 chapters and epilogue.

CHARACTERS OF THE NOLI ME TANGERE

*Juan Crisóstomo Ibarramedia y Magsalin (RIZAL) - commonly referred to the novel as Ibarra or
Crisóstomo, is the protagonist in the story. Son of a Filipino businessman, Don Rafael Ibarra
-A young and rich Filipino who studied in Europe/
sweetheart of Maria Clara.
*María Clara de los Santos y Alba (LEONOR RIVERA)- commonly referred to as María Clara, is Ibarra's
fiancée. She was raised by Capitán Tiago.
-illegitimate daughter of Padre Damaso
*Capitan Tiago (HILARIO) - Santiago de los Santos, known by his nickname Tiago and political title
Capitán Tiago is a Filipino businessman and the cabeza de barangay or head of barangay of the town of
San Diego. He is also the known father of María Clara.
*Padre Damaso (ABUSIVE FRIARS) - Franciscan friar and the former parish curate of San Diego. He is best
known as a notorious character who speaks with harsh words and has been a cruel priest during his stay
in the town
*Elías (FILIPINO MASSES) - Ibarra's mysterious friend and ally. Elías made his first appearance as a pilot
during a picnic of Ibarra and María Clara and her friends. He wants to revolutionize the country and to
be freed from Spanish oppression.
*Pilosopo Tasyo (PACIANO) -His full name is only known as Don Anastasio. The educated inhabitants of
San Diego labeled him as Filosofo Tacio (Tacio the Sage) while others called him as Tacio el Loco (Tacio
the Insane) due to his exceptional talent for reasoning.
*Don Rafael Ibarra (AFFLUENT LANDLORD W/ SOCIAL CONSCIENCE) – Crisostomo’s father
*Padre Salvi (FR. ANTONIO PIERNAVIEJA) – young Dominican parish priest of Binondo
*Senor Guevarra – Elderly and Kind lieutenant of guardia civil
*Don Tiburcio – Bogus Spanish Physician
*Dona Victorina (DONA AGUSTINA MENDEL) – wife of Don Tiburcio
*Sisa (FILIPINO MOTHERS) - deranged mother of Basilio and Crispín. Formerly a rich girl but became
poor because she married a gambler.
*Basilio & Crispin – Sons of Sisa/ Sacristans
*Dona Patriciano (MENTALITY OF THE GUARDIA CIVIL)
*Nor Juan – Architect who constructed the schoolhouse
*Don Alfonso Linares – Cousin of Don Tiburcio
*Dona Consolation – bulgarmistress of Spanish Alferez
*Padre Hernando de la Sibyla – a Dominican friar.

NOLI IMPORTANT DETAILS:

*Capitan Tiago throw a party
*Fray Damaso belittled Ibarra
*Lieutenant Gevera reveals to Ibarra the incidents preceding the death of his father
*Don Rafael was unjustly accused of being heretic, in addition to being a subversive
*Don Rafael’s death was blamed on Damaso
*Ibarra does not revenge, instead he carried through his plan putting up a school
*During the inauguration, Elias saved Ibarra in a sabotage
*After the inauguration, Ibarra hosted a luncheon. Padre Damaso insulted Ibarra’s father memory in the
presence of many guest.
*Ibarra’s attacked Padre Damaso produced two results: 1. Engagement to Maria Clara was broken 2. He
was excommunicated
*With the help of the Governor-General, Ibarra's excommunication was nullified
*Capitan Tiago's residence, a party was being held to announce the upcoming wedding of María Clara
and Linares
*Ibarra, with the help of Elías, took this opportunity to escape from prison.
*Maria Clara was forced to surrender Ibarra's letter to Father Salvi, in exchange for the letters written by
her mother even before she, María Clara, was born
*Maria Clara entered the Santa Clara nunnery.
*He met Basilio while cradling his already-dead mother, Sisa, and told him to make a pyre on which their
bodies were to be burned to ashes
*Sisa lost her mind when she learned that her two sons, Crispín and Basilio, were chased out of the
convent by the sacristan mayor on suspicions of stealing sacred objects.
*María Clara became a nun where Salví, who has lusted after her.

*Rizal sent copies to:

1. Blumentritt
2. Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor
3. G. Lopez Jaena
4. Mariano Ponce
5. Feliz R. Hidalgo

More copies were crated and sent to Barcelona, Madrid and Hongkong to be smuggled into the
Philippines.
EL FILIBUSTERISMO
It is the second novel written by José Rizal as the sequel to Noli Me Tangere.
• Like Noli Me Tangere, it was written in Spanish.
• “The reign of Greed” / “The Subversion” in English
• It consist of 38 chapters
• Rizal dedicated El Filibusterismo to the three martyred priests of Cavite mutiny- GOMBURZA. The
execution of the three priests was significant to the title of the novel.

THE TITLE
Rizal had to define the word filibustero to his German friend Ferdinand Blumentritt, who did not
understand his use of the word in Noli MeTangere. In a letter, Rizal explained:

"The word filibustero is little known in the Philippines. The masses do not know it yet. I heard it for the
first time in 1872 when the tragic executions took place. I still remember the panic that this word
created. Our father forbade us to utter it, as well as the words Cavite, Burgos, etc. The Manila
newspapers and the Spaniards apply this word to one whom they want to make are volutionary
suspect.”

“The Filipinos belonging to the educated class fear the reach of the word. It does not have the meaning
of freebooters; it rather means a dangerous patriot who will soon be hanged or well, a presumptuous
man."

HISTORY OF NOVEL
Rizal took 3 years to write his second novel.
• Rizal began writing El Filibusterismo in October 1887 while he was in Calamba.
• In London (1888), he revised the plot and some chapters. Rizal continued to work on his manuscript in
Paris.
• He later moved to Brussels where the cost of living was cheaper and he would be less likely to be
distracted by social events so he could focus on finisihing the book.
• He finally completed the book on March 29, 1891 in Biarritz.
• September 18, 1891- the novel was published in Ghent, partially funded by Rizal’s friend Valentin
Ventura.
•Rizal immediately sent on this date two printed copies to Hong- Kong, one for Basa and other for Sixto
Lopez.
• Rizal gratefully donated the original manuscript and an autographed printed copy to Valentin Ventura.
• Rizal sent complimentary copies to Blumentritt, Mariano Ponce, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna,
T.H. Pardo de Tavera, Juan Luna and other friends.
• The El Nuevo Regimen-liberal Madrid newspaper serialized the novel in its issues of October 1891.
• Original manuscript of El filibusterismo in Rizal’s own handwriting is now preserved in the Filipiniana
Division of the Bureau of Public libraries in Manila.
• Acquired by Philippine government from Valentin Ventura for 10,000 pesos.
• Consists of 279 pages of long sheets paper

SYPNOSIS
The book narrates the return of the protagonist of Noli Me Tangere, Crisostomo Ibarra, under the
disguise of a wealthy jeweler named Simoun. Disillusioned by the abuses of the Spanish, Ibarra
abandons his pacifist beliefs in order to return to the Philippines and start a violent revolution.

Noli Me Tangere’s Basilio, now a young man and a skilled medical student, is recruited by Ibarra to aid
him in detoning a bomb at a social gathering, signaling the beginning of the revolution.

However, Basilio warns his friend Isagani. Realizing that the woman he loves is in the building, Isagani
throws the bomb into the river, averting the explosion and the revolution. Implicated in these matters,
Simoun commits suicide by taking poison and finds resting place at the home of a priest, Father
Florentino, who hears his last confession and assures him that not all hope is lost.

The priest (Father Florentino), upon Simoun’s death, commends the jewels into the sea, remarking that
the jewels once used to bribe and corrupt people, would one day be hopefully found to be used for a
meaningful purpose.
SPOLIARIUM by Juan Luna

The Spoliarium is the most valuable, iconic oil painting by Juan Luna which features a glimpse of Roman
history focused on the gory bloodshed brought by gladiatorial matches. It’s the largest painting in the
Philippines with its size of 4.22 meters x 7.675 meters.

Luna was an active member of that band of Filipino intellectuals in Europe dedicated to the principles of
nationalism in the 1880s and 90s. Among its leading lights was the Filipino nationalist hero Jose Rizal. To
the Filipinos, Luna’s and Hidalgo’s wins proved that the Filipino, or Indio, as his Spanish colonial masters
called him, was as intellectually capable as any Spaniard and could stand proudly as his equal.

Spoliarium was the kind of painting that lent itself to the patriotic needs of the Filipinos and on which
Rizal and others projected a nationalistic symbolism that helped rouse the Filipinos to rise up against the
political oppression of their Spanish colonizers. In Rizal’s words, Spoliarium was a symbol of “our social,
moral, and political life: humanity unredeemed, reason and aspiration in an open fight with prejudice,
fanaticism, and injustice.”

LAS VIRGENES CRISTIANAS EXPUESTAS AL POPULACHO (THE CHRISTIAN VIRGINS BEING EXPOSED TO
THE POPULACE) by Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo 1884

The painting was a silver medalist (ninth silver medal award among forty-five during the 1884 Exposicion
General de Bellas Artes in Madrid, Spain, also known as the Madrid Exposition. According to Raquel A.G.
Reyes, Hidalgo’s winning the silver medal for the painting was a landmark achievement that proved the
ability of Filipinos to match the work of Spaniards and laid claim to Filipino participation in European
Culture

Regarded as one of the national treasures of the Philippines, a copy of the painting is part of the art
collection of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The original was destroyed in a fire at the University of
Valladolid in Spain. Since 2015, the painting is currently on a five-year loan to National Gallery Singapore
as part of its Southeast Asian art galleries.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

After winning at the Exposition in Madrid, a small group of Filipino expatriates and members of the
Philippine reform movement held a victory celebration. As a tribute to the medalists, Pedro Paterno
hosted a banquet not only to honor Hidalgo and Luna but also with the purpose of making the
Philippines better known among the politicians and journalists of Madrid with the help of the El
Imparcial, a liberal Spanish newspaper. During the party, Jose Rizal gave a speech regarding the
achievement of Hidalgo and Luna as a proof that the talents of Filipino artists equaled those of the
Spaniards. In relation to such evidence, Rizal questioned the inequality in political rights and freedom
between Filipinos and Spaniards. Graciano Lopez-Jaena in turn orated that Hidalgo and Luna were
propaganda painters who exposed the "lamentable conditions" of the Philippines while under the
tutelage of the Spaniards.