MODULE 5
RIZAL’S HIGHER EDUCATION AND LIFE ABROAD
ACTIVITY
Part 1. Create a table to compare and contrast the experiences of Rizal as a student in Ateneo
Municipal, UST, and in Madrid.
Ateneo Municipal
Rizal enrolled in the
Ateneo Municipal de Manila
when he was 11 years old. He
excelled in disciplines such as
philosophy, physics,
chemistry, and natural history.
At this school, he read novels,
authored prize-winning
poetry (and even a Second, he was still unsure of
melodrama called "Junto al
Pasig"), and studied drawing,
painting, and clay modeling,
all of which he pursued
throughout his life. Ateneo
was his first university, where
he obtained a Bachelor of
Arts degree to express his
love for the arts and language.
He was originally behind his
friends in class, but because
of his devotion to his studies,
he was called the Emperor for
being the most exceptional
individual in just a month and
graduated with the highest
honor. Rizal subsequently
received a degree in land
surveying and assessment
from the Ateneo Municipal
while studying Philosophy
University of Sto. Tomas
Rizal enrolled in the
University of Santo Tomas in
April 1877, when he was
almost 16 years old, to study
Philosophy and Letters. He
chose this course for two
reasons. First and foremost,
his father approved of it.
what career path to take.
Pablo Ramon - Rector of
Ateneo, who had been helpful
to him when he was a student
there, seeking guidance on
career choices. Unfortunately,
the Father Rector was in
Mindanao, and it took many
months for a letter to reach
between Manila and
Mindanao back then. During
his first year at the UST
(1877-79), he studied
Cosmology, Metaphysics,
Theodicy, and History of
Philosophy. During the years
1878-1879, Rizal studied
medicine, enrolling in both
the preparatory medical
course and the standard first
year medical course. He
Madrid
Rizal departed the
Philippines on May 3, 1882,
after his medical studies at
the University of Santo
Tomas, and landed in Madrid
in September 1882. He
studied medicine at the
Universidad Central de
Madrid and art at the Real
Academia de Bellas Artes de
San Fernando in Calle Alcala.
Rizal stated that he entered at
Facultad de Derecho but
transferred to Filosofia y
Letras, which he completed
with honors on June 19, 1885.
Rizal studied medicine at the
Universidad Central de
Madrid, where he also studied
philosophy and literature. It
was in Madrid that he had the
idea for Noli Me Tangere. He
also studied at the University
of Paris and finished his eye
speciality course at the
University of Heidelberg in
1887. Rizal's first novel was
also released in same year (in
Berlin).
 and Letters at the University aspired to be a doctor so that
of Santo Tomas.
Part 2. In another table, discuss the issues on La Solidaridad and analyze the aims stated therein.
Issue 1
Filipinos finally saw the
light. As a result of the
assassination of the Spanish
administration, the Spanish
government revolted as well.
he could help his mother's
declining vision. Father Pablo
Ramon, Rector of Ateneo,
whom he had contacted about
a career option, eventually
responded to his letter,
advising medicine. He was
unable to complete the
course, however, since he
became politically isolated by
opponents among the
academics and clergy who
insisted that he conform to
their system.
La Solidaridad
Issue 2 Issue 3
Following many years of In Madrid, Retana
publishing from 1889 to published an anti-Filipino
1895, support for La newspaper article. Rizal's
Solidaridad became difficult family and friends were
to achieve. Del Pilar evicted from Calamba for
sponsored the publication failing to pay their rentals,
nearly completely on his own according to the story. Rizal
when the Comite de was outraged and challenged
Propaganda quit subscribing Retana to a duel.
to it. Del Pilar, who was
penniless in Spain at the time,
ceased publishing La
Solidaridad fully on
November 15, 1895, after
seven volumes and 160
issues. The propaganda
 movement failed owing to a
lack of funds. The campaign
was discontinued and failed
as a result of the publishing
suspension.

REFLECTION
Read and answer the questions below. Answer them in no less than three (3) sentences.

1. Why was Rizal sent abroad? What are the reasons?

Rizal's desire to pursue higher education overseas was driven by both personal and
philanthropic factors. He desired to be an ophthalmologist so that he could treat his
mother's declining vision. He also wanted to learn about European traditions, rules, and
government in order to help his fellow citizens.

2. What were the challenges Rizal faced in his life and studies abroad?

Dr. Jose Rizal's challenges included the high cost of living and even his relatives, who
were in turmoil due to land disputes, made it difficult for him to provide finances. Rizal
traveled to other nations not merely to write notes to foreign acquaintances and party all
the time, but also to study and, eventually, to demand change. When he was short on
funds while traveling, he could live off a few biscuits for days. Exams should be taken on
an empty stomach, or go for hours without eating. Keep himself from making the mistake
of gambling and drinking, which had distracted many of his fellow citizens from their
objective, and maintain his empathy for the underprivileged.

3. Describe the places Rizal visited and briefly discuss what happened there. What is the impact
of these places to him?

He departed the Philippines in 1882 to explore medical treatment in France. In 1887, he

went to Spain and pondered writing a book about Spain's imperial relationship with the
Philippines. He also visited Hong Kong after spending five years in Europe, and he
visited Macau and Japan before heading to America. Rizal travelled back and forth
between London and Paris, where he published anthropological and historical studies as
well as political viewpoints. He also went to Belgium, where he finished his second
novel, El Filibusterismo, in France and planned to publish it there, but he didn't have
enough funds.

4. Describe Rizal’s lovers and how did his love life evolve? How did it affect his young adult
life?
There are least nine women linked with Rizal, which includes Segunda Katigbak, Leonor
Valenzuela, Leonor Rivera, Consuelo Ortigia, O-Sei San, Gertrude Beckette, Nelly
Boustead, Suzanne Jacoby, and Josephine Bracken. His education, charm, and sense of
humor may have piqued the interest of these women. These nine ladies met Rizal and are
now involved in his works, sculptures, writings, and international trips.