1887 – It was Jose Rizal’s First Homecoming after 5 years of his academic conquest in Europe.

He returns to the Philippines because of the following objectives

 to check and operate his mother’s eyes;

 see Leonora Valenzuela; and
 to find out how the noli me tangere were affecting the Flipinos and Spaniards in the Philippines.

He was warned by his family not to return home because of the publication of Noli me Tangere and the
uproar it causes to the friars ----- but he didn’t listen.

On, August 8, 1887 he returns to calamba and his family welcomed him with embraced and joy yet they
become worried for his safety.

In Calamba, he established a medical clinic and his first patient was his mother who suffers from
cataract. Yet, he was not able to operate his mother’s eyes because the cataract was not matured yet.
Furthermore, a lot of patients flocked to calamba. There were also rich and foreign patients who came
for his consultation and have paid well. He used the money to open a gymnasium for young folks and
introduced European sports.

He failed to see Leonor because Leonor’s mother doesn’t like him as a son in law.

His novel Noli Me Tangere was prohibited for importation, circulation and reproduction because of the
report that it contains subversive ideas against the church and Spainish government. Yet, this makes
Noli becomes more popular. Many are curious and wanted to read it. The news about Noli reached
spain.

Rizal was advised by his friends and family to leave the Philippines for his life was in danger because
there are anonymous threats against his life.

But rizal did not leave because he is coward and afraid. He leaves because his presence dangers the
safety of his family and he could freely write and fight better his enemies abroad. He left the Philippines
on February 3, 1888.

His second journey to Europe was both productive and challenging.

He accomplished his Annotation of De Morga’s Successos de las Islas Pilipinas in Paris in 1890.
Contributed articles in La Solidaridad which includes “A La Defensa” (Tovla Defensa), “La Verdad Pada
Todos” (Truth For all), and “Una Profanacion” (A profanation) in 1889.

Started his Novel El Filibusterismo in Paris and Continued it in Brussels and published it.

Gloomy moments, on the other hand, in Dec. 1890, he received a wedding invitation from Leonor for
her upcoming marriage and ask his forgiveness.

In 1890, Rizal attended a social reunion with the Filipinos. He heard Antonio Luna who is drunk, spitting
bitterness, frustration and blaming Rizal for his failure to win Nellie Bousted and uttered certain nasty
remarks to her. Rizal had a serious romance with Nellie Bousted. He then challenged Luna to a duel.
Fortunately, Luna become sober and apologizes for his bad remarks and Rizal accepted it.
Moreover, he also challenges Wenceslao Retana for a duel. He is an enemy of Rizal and press agent of
Friars. In various newspapers, he attacks Filipinos Incluidng Rizal. He who wrote an anti-Filipino article,
La Epoca, which attacks rizals family and friend and this result to rizal challenging him into a duel.
However, Retana published a retraction and apology in newspapers.

The death of Jose Ma. Panganiban, which is a friend and co-worker of Rizal in Propaganda Movement.
Rizal wrote an eulogy for him.

Nelly Boustead and Rizal have a love affair but parents turn down his marriage proposal because Rizal
refused to be converted to become Protestant and Nellie’s mother don’t like as a good son-in-law.

In closing days of 1890, there rose a leadership rivalry between Rizal and Marcelo H. Del Pilar. His
idealism was not supported and his supporters supported Del Pilar’s leadership.

He stopped writing fro La Solidaridad and he retired from the Propaganda Movement after abdicating
his leadership, owing intrigues from compatriots. he said he wanted to focus and needed time to work
on El Fili, give chance to other Filipinos to work; and he tinks he could not lead without solidarity.

With all these sad experiences, Rizal decided to leave Europe for Hong Kong in 1891.