Session 5: RIZAL’S ADVANCE EDUCATION IN ATENEO DE MANILA, UNIVERSITY OF STO

TOMAS AND UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MADRID

Questions:

1. What were the scholastic and extra-curricular triumphs of Rizal in Ateneo de Manila?

Rizal’s First Year at Ateneo

 He belonged to the externo and become the emperor at the end of the month. He
received his first award a religious picture.
 He achieved second place for having excellent in all of his subjects came from the
remarks of his professors.

Second Year at Ateneo

 For the 2nd time, he became the emperor and received a gold medal for having an
excellent rating for all of his subjects.

Third Year at Ateneo

 Won a medal in Latin

Fourth Year at Ateneo

 He became the top student in his class in all of his subjects and won five medals.

Last Year at Ateneo

 He declared as the most brilliant Atenean excelled in all subjects and got a highest
grade in philosophy, physics, biology, chemistry, languages, mineralogy, etc.
 He graduated with highest honor.

Extra-curricular Activities in Ateneo

 He was a campus leader, an active member, later secretary of a religious society –

The Marian Congregation.
 A member of the Academy of Spanish Literature and the Academy of Natural
Sciences.
 Studied painting under a famous Spanish painter Agustin Saez and sculpture under
Romualdo de Jesus, a Filipino sculptor.

2. a.) What were the difficulties / problems encountered by Rizal at UST?

 During his freshmen year at UST, Rizal experienced his first state of Spanish
brutality. It was at night and he saw a man but he didn’t know who it is so he did not
salute nor give a courtesy, but it turns out that it was the Lieutenant of the Guardia
Civil and whipped his sword and slashed Rizal at the back. As reflected on his
grades, Rizal wasn’t happy at UST because of three main reasons: (1) The
Dominican professors were hostile to him, (2) Filipino students suffered
discrimination and (3) The method of instruction at UST was obsolete and repressive.
Rizal wasn’t also satisfied with the system of education at the University.

b.) Were there triumphs that he achieved? If yes, cite them and how he was able to overcome the
trials and difficulties?

 Yes, he participated in a literary contest in Artistic Literary Lyceum in Manila. He

submitted the poem “A La Juventud Filipina” (To the Filipino Youth) and won the first
prize. The following year, Rizal claimed again the first place with his piece entitled “El
Consejo de los Dioses” (The Council of the Gods) in the same contest. Rizal also
produced sonnet and zarzuela. Studying in UST wasn’t easy for him because of the
unfriendly attitude of the professors. He also failed to achieved the high scholastic
honors. After his fourth year at the University, he decided to go abroad to continue
his education because he can no longer withstand the rampant bigotry, discrimination
and hostility at the University.

3. What were the academic achievements of Rizal at UCM?

  Rizal completed his medical courses in Spain. He received his degree of Licentiate in
Medicine by the Unibersidad Central De Madrid (University of Central Madrid) on
June 21, 1884 and became full-fledged physician, qualified to practice medicine. He
also finished his studies with excellent grades and highest honors in Philosophy and
Letters and became qualified to be a professor of humanities in any Spanish
University.

4. What other experiences were measures of his character, philosophy, principles and traits to be a
supporter of national ideals and patriotism while in Spain and in other parts of Europe?

 While staying in Spain, Rizal came in close contact with prominent Spanish liberal
and republican Spaniards who were mostly Masons. In Madrid, he joined the
Masonic Lodge called Acacia. He decided to become a mason for securing
Freemasonry’s aid in his battle against the friars in the Philippines. Since the friars
used the Catholic religion as a shield to establish themselves in power and wealth
and to oppress the Filipino patriots, he planned to utilize the freemasonry as his
shield to combat them.