CHAPTER 13 From Calamba To Europe For The Second Time As pointed out in the previous chapter, Rizal had to leave the Philippines because he had already been a marked man for the friars. With a heavy heart, he left the country for his own good and the safety of family, and friends on February 3, 1888. This chapter centers on Rizal’s travel to Hongkong, Japan, U.S.A en route to Europe for the second time. Rizal in Hongkong On board the streamer Zafiro, Rizal left Manila for Hong Kong. He arrived in the British colony on February 8, 1888 (Zaide & Zaide, 1999). While in Hong Kong, Rizal took time to inform Blumentritt of what had happened to him during his six-month stay in ‘his hometown, in his letter dated February 16, 1888 (National Centennial Commission, 1961). Part of this letter is reproduced below: At last Ican write freely. At last Ican express my thoughts without {fear of censorship from the chief] They forced me to leave my country. Half sick I left the house.Rizal was met by Jose Maria Basa, Balbino Mauricio, and other exiles in Hong Kong. He was depressed by the colony of Filipinos in the islang because they do not want to return to Manila. He became acquainted with important Spaniards based in Hong Kong. One of them was Barranda, Terrero’s secretary. Barranda and other Spaniards accompanied Rizal in his visit to Macao (Guerrero, 1998). While in Hong Kong, Rizal stayed at the Spanish legation for almost a month. Some of his observations about Hong Kong as written in his diary are as follows (Zulueta, 2004): 1. The celebration of the Chinese New Year was quite very noisy due to the continuous explosion of firecrackers on the streets. 2. Chinese theaters are usually animated due to the different percussion instruments used by the participants, in addition to the noise created by the audience. 3. The lauriat party, wherein the guests were served as variety of dishes, shows lavishness and hospitality among the Chinese. 4, The Dominican Order, the richest religious order in Hong Kong, had millions of dollars deposited in various banks earning very high interests. 5. The graveyards for Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims were well maintained. On February 22, 1888, Rizal left Hong Kong on board the vessel SS Oceania. Rizal in Japan Rizal arrived in Japan on February 28, 1888. He entered the country through Yokohama and stayed at Tokyo Hotel for a few days. Later on he stayed at the Spanish Legation for almost a month. It was during this period that he visited Japanese provinces, learned Nippongo or the Japanese language, and dedicated himself to the study of Japanese art and culture.As a keen observer, he was impressed with the city of Tokyo and its people. Some of Rizal’s favorable impressions of Japan, based on Lanuza and Zaide’s account were the following: 7 > the scenic beauty of the country; > the cleanliness, politeness, and industry of the people; > the picturesque dress and simple charm of the Japanese women; the existence of few thieves in Japan; and the beggars rarely seen the streets of the city. Nonetheless, Rizal was disgusted seeing Japanese men pulling the kuruma or rickshaw like horses (Guerrero, 1998). The kuruma was the popular mode of transportation in Japan during that time. Romance with O-Sei-San Rizal’s romance with O-Sei-San began in the early spring of March. After moving to the Spanish Legation, Rizal saw her walking near the gate of the legation. Charmed by her beauty, he tried to find a way by which to meet and know her. Through the serious inquiry that Rizal undertook, he learned from the gardener of the legation that the beautiful lady was Seiko Usui, called fondly by her friends as O-Sei-San. Rizal also learned from the gardener that Seiko lives with her parents and usually passes the legation every afternoon. Rizal and the gardener waited for Seiko to pass the legation gate, one afternoon. Through the intercession of the gardener, he came to know the Japanese lady. In Seiko, Rizal saw the ideals of womanhood, namely: beauty; charm; intelligence; and modesty. The aforementioned ideals made Rizal too much attracted with Seiko. The friendship established between Rizal and Seiko developed into a love affair. While Rizal had a good impression of Seiko, the latter also had a good perception of Rizal. To Seiko, Rizal was a man of versatile talents, 2 man of gallantry, a man of dignity, and a man of courtesy.O-Sei-San loved Rizal sincerely and Rizal responded by his sincere affection. They spent joyful and unforgettable days visiting temples, shrines, — and castles and even watched Kabuki plays. There. was even a time when O-Sei-San invited Rizal to a cha-no-yu (Tea Ceremony), a social tradition of the Japanese people, signifying harmony, purity, tranquility and reverence, Owing to the irresistible beauty, affection’and warmth of O-Sei-San, Rizal became tempted to stay for good in Japan. Nevertheless, Rizal felt that he had other duties to fulfill for his country. So he left Japan. His love for O-Sei-San can be gleaned from the diary he wrote on the eve of his departure from Japan, which runs as follows (Lanuza & Zaide, 1961). “Japan has pleased me. The beautiful scenery, the flowers, the trees, and the inhabitants — so peaceful, so courteous, so pleasant. O-Sei-San — Sayonara, Sayonara! I have spent.a lovely golden month; I do not know if I can have another one like that in all my life. Love, money, friendship, appreciation, honors — these have not been wanting. To think that I am leaving this life for the uncertain, the unknown, There I was offered an easy way to live, beloved, and esteemed... To you I dedicate the final chapter of these memoirs of my youth. No woman like you, have ever loved me. No woman, like you has sacrificed for me. Like the flolwers of the Chodji that falls from the stem fresh and whole without falling leaves or without withering — with poetry still despite its fall — thus you feel. Neither have you lost your purity nor have you lost your purity nor have the delicate petals of your innocence faded — Sayonara! Sayonara! You shall never return to know that Ihave once more thought of you and that your image lives in my memory; and undoubtedly, Iam always thinking of you. Your name lives in the sight of my lips, your image accompanies and animates all my thoughts, When shall I pass another divine afternoon like that in the temple of Meguro? When shall the sweet hours, I spent with you return? When shall I find them sweeter, more tranquil, more pleasing? You the color of the camellia, its freshness, its elegance... With these words, Rizal bade O-Sei-San and Japan sayonara.Rizal in the United States of America Rizal left Japan by the middle of April 1888. He arrived in the Unites States on April 28, 1888 on board the English steamer Belgic. Rizal and the other passengers, ‘however, were not allowed to disembark until May 4, 1888. Later, Rizal discovered the reason for the quarantining of their ship. As narrated by Rizal in his diary; “They put us in quarantine because our ship carried 600 Chinese; elections were then being held in San Francisco and the government seeking votes, was making a great show of adopting rigorous measures against the Chinese to capture the sympathies of the people. They notified us of the quarantine verbally, without telling us how long it was going to * last, yet on the same day they unloaded 700 bolts of silk without fumigating them.” Epistolario Rizaliano, Vol.2 After a few days of quarantine, all first class passengers, including Rizal were permitted to land. Nonetheless, Japanese and Chinese passengers remained on board for a longer period of quarantine. Rizal’s entry point in the U.S. was San Francisco. Here he stayed at Palace Hotel. After his two-day stay at San Francisco, he left for Oakland. and passed through Sacramento, Reno, Ogden, Omaha, Chicago, Albany bound to New York City. His arrival in New York ended his trip across the American continent. Some of the good impressions, Rizal had of the United States of America are the following: (Zaide & Zaide, 1999) > the material progress of the country; * » the drive and the energy of the American people; > the natural beauty of the land; > the high standard of living; and > the opportunities for better life offered to poor immigrants.Rizal also had negative impressions of the US (Zulueta, 2004). In his letter to Mariano Ponce, he said that US is undoubtedly a good country but still not devoid of defects. His negative impressions of the US are as follows: > Non-existence of true civil liberty, as a Negro cannot marry an American and vice-versa; > The existence of racial prejudice, as shown in their hatred of the Chinese, Japanese, and Negroes; and > The valuing of money over human life. On May 16, 1888, Rizal left New York for Liverpool, England on board the vessel City of Rome. Rizal in London Rizal arrived at Liverpool on May 24,1888. After staying for one night at Adelphi Hotel, he moved to London. Rizal resided in London from May 1888 to March 1889. He opted to stay in the city and make it his second home for three reasons (Zaide & Zaide, 1999): © (1) to improve his knowledge of the English language; (2) to study and annotate Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas; and (3) to carry on his fight against Spanish tyranny safely. Upon arriving in London on May 25, 1888, he stayed as a guest at the residence of Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, a practicing lawyer in London and an exile of 1872, Later, he lived as a boarder of the Beckett Family at No. 37 Chalcot Crescent Primrose Hill (Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission, 1961). Rizal eventually became acquainted with Dr. Reinhold Rost, the librarian of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was Dr, Rost who recommended that Rizal be allowed to undertake research at the British Museum. As a result of the favorable recommendation given by Rost for Rizal, he was able to spend time reading Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas.Good and Bad News From Home. While he was in London, Rizal received good and bad news from the Philippines. Notable among the bad and good news that he was able to know were the following (Zaide & Zaide, 1999): » Persecution of the Filipino patriots who signed the Anti-Friar Petition of 1888 addressed to the Queen Regent requesting the expulsion of the friars, including Archbishop Pedro Payo; > Persecution of Calamba tenants, including Rizal’s family and relatives for their courage to petition the government for reforms; v Exile of Manuel T. Hidalgo to Bohol, the husband of his sister Saturnina, on the order of Governor Valeriano Weyler without due process; > Furious Attacks on Rizal by Senators Salamanca and Vida in the Spanish Cortes; » Arrest and Incarceration of Laureano Vida, a medical student of UST for finding copies of the Noli in his residence; and Rev. Vicente Garcia’s defense of the Noli against the attacks of the friars. v Romance with Gertrude Beckett. Rizal became attracted to Gertrude, who was known by her nicknames Tottie and Sissie. She was smaller than Rizal and chubby just like Segundina Katigbak or Orang (Guerrero, 1998). Rizal falling in love with Seiko, then with Gertrude seems to imply that he was not desperately in love with Leonor Rivera. Compared with Leonor, Gertrude was not that beautiful. Nonethe- less, there were two things that attracted her to Rizal: propinquity; and happy family. Rizal, however, suppressed his emotions for Gertrude when he learned that she was falling in love with him. Rizal’s Annotation of Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas. Morga’s Sucesos of Historical Events of the Philippine Islands was published in Mexico in 1605 to provide European readers information about the Philippines. (Chanter 1% Fem Calamba To Eurooe For The Second Time 185There were basically three purposes for Rizal’s annotation of the Sucesos (Guerrero, 1998): 1. To awaken the consciousness of the Filipinos of their glorious or dignified ways of the past; 2. To correct what has been distorted and falsified about the Philippines prior to Spanish conquest; and 3. To prove that the Filipinos were civilized, even before the coming of the Spaniards. Prior to his annotation of the Sucesos, Rizal painstakingly read historical accounts about the Philippines as written by Pigafetta, Chirino and other Spanish chroniclers and historians. He even went to the extent of searching for historical materials at the Bibliotheque National in Paris, Nonetheless, it was Morga’s Sucesos that appealed to Rizal since according to him, it was the best account of the conquest of the Philippines. Moreover, it was an unbiased account of the 16th century culture of the Filipinos. Rizal spent four months for research and writing and and one year to . have his manuscript printed. Ferdinand Blumentritt wrote the preface of the annotation. The salient points emphasized by Blumentritt were the following: > That the Spaniards have to correct their erroneous conception of the Filipinos as children of limited intelligence: > That Rizal’s comments on Spanish government were unique as they were given from the point of view of the victims of colonialism; > That there existed three kinds of Spanish delusions about the Philippines: (1) that the Filipinos were an inferior race; (2) that the Filipinos were not ready for parliamentary representation and other reforms; and (3) that denial of equal rights can be compensated by strict dispensation of justice. 186 Chapter 13: From Calamba To Europe For The Second Time“a > That Spain had to learn Philippine realities from Rizal’s new edition of Morga’s Sucesos; and » That if Spanish authorities will not listen to the Filipinos, the the Philippines will be lost through their own fault. Rizal’s annotation consisted of 8 chapters (Guerrero, 1998). The first 7 chapters delved on the events during the time of the first 11 governor- ~ generals in the Philippines, particularly from Legazpi to Acufia. The last chapter was focused on customs and usages of the Filipinos. His notes were of three categories, namely: anti-clerical; sociological; and historical. Through his annotation, Rizal hoped that he could equal Blumentritt. There were three main propositions in Rizal’s new edition of Morga’s Sucesos, namely (Guerrero, 1998): 1. That the people of the Philippines had a culture of their Won be- fore the coming of the Spaniards; 2. That the Filipinos were decimated, demoralized, exploited and ruined by Spanish colonization; 3. The present state of the Philippines was not necessarily superior to its past. With the new edition of Morga’s Sucesos, Rizal was able to produce the first history book of the Philippines, written for the Filipinos. Founding of Asociacion La Solidaridad While Rizal was very much preoccupied with his annotation of Morga’s Sucesos, he learned of the plan of the Filipino expatriates in Barcelona to establish a patriotic society that shall work for reforms from the Spanish government. This organization, which came to be called Asociacion La Solidaridad, was formally established on December 31, 1888 (Zaide & Zaide, 1999). The officers of this patriotic society were the following: President Galiciano Apacible Vice President Graciano Lopez-Jaena Secretary Manuel Sta. Maria Treasurer Mariano Ponce Accountant Jose Ma, Panganiban Chanter 1% Frm Calamha To Eurooe For The Second Time 18'7Although Rizal was not present during the organization of the society, he was unanimously chosen as the honorary president of the Asociacion La Solidaridad, This implies that Rizal, at this point in time, was already recognized as a leader by the Filipino colony in Barcelona. Rizal was therefore happy for this recognition and responded through a letter, dated January 28, 1889, with the following advice (National Heroes Commission, 1963). 1, Inyoung associations the spirit of tolerance ought to prevail when it concerns trifles that do not affect the essential part of a thing; in the discussion, the conciliatory tendency ought to dominate before the tendency to oppose. When any opinion is rejected, its author, instead of despairing and withdrawing, should on the contrary wait for another occasion in which justice maybe done him. The individual should give way to the welfare of the society. 2. A great deal of integrity and much good will. No member should expect rewards or honors for what he does. He who does his duty in expectation of rewards, is usually disappointed, because no one believes himself sufficiently rewarded. And so that there may not be discontented or ill-rewarded members, it is advisable for each one to do his duty just for its own sake and at best expect to later treated unjustly, because in anomalous countries, injustice is the prize for those who fulfill their duties. Thrift, thrift, thrift. Seriousness and equal justice for all. On February 15, 1889, Rizal was also informed about the founding of the organ of the Propaganda Movement by Graciano Lopez-Jaena. This came to be called La Solidaridad (Schumacher, 1997). The aims of this fortnightly organ of Philippine opinion were the following: * To work peacefully for political and social reforms; * To portray the deplorable conditions of the Philippines for Spain to remedy them; + To oppose the evil forces of reaction and medievalism; * To advocate liberal ideas and progress; and * To champion the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino people to life, democracy, and happiness. 188 Choplor 13: From Colombo To Europo For Tho Socond TimoWith the La Solidaridad founded, Rizal was assured of an outlet where he could express his innermost thoughts and feelings fearlessly. This being so, Rizal started coming out with articles for publication in the La Solidaridad. His first article published in the La Solidaridad was Los Agricultores Filipinos, where he described. the deplorable conditions in the country, which had brought about its backwardness (Zaide & Zaide, 1999). Short Visit to Paris and Madrid Rizal went to Paris early in September 1888 in search for historical materials in the Bibliotheque Natioanale. Juan Luna and Paz Pardo de Tavera — Luna acted as his host in the gay city. After his intensive search for manuscripts and old books, he returned to London. Meanwhile, he went to Madrid and Barcelona on December 11, 1888. In his short visit to these two cities, Rizal took time to contact his fellow expatriates and assessed the extent of their agitation for reforms. It was in this short visit to Madrid and Barcelona that he got acquainted with Marcelo H. del Pilar and Mariano Ponce, with whom he vowed cooperation for the struggle for reforms. After his short visit to Madrid and Barcelona, Rizal returned to London on December 24, 1888 where he spent Christmas and New Year with the * Beckett family. He sent Blumentritt a bust of Emperor Augustus as a gift for the holiday season. To Dr. Czepelak, he sent the bust of Julius Caesar. Other Writings in London Aside from annotating Morga’s Sucesos, Riza] wrote the essay entitled La Vision del Fray Rodriguez, in reply to the attacks made by Fr. Rodriguez on the Noli Me Tangere. According to Zaide and Zaide (1999), in the aforementioned essay, Rizal was able to demcnstrate his profound knowledge of religion and his biting satire. It was also in London where he wrote the famous “Letter to the Young Women. in Malolos.” This letter was written by Rizal upon the request of Marcelo H. del Pilar to commend the young women of Malolos for their courage to establish a school, where they could learn Spanish, despite the vehement opposition of the parish priest of Malolos, Fr. Felipe Garcia. Dr. Rost inspired Rizal to contribute two articles in the Trubner’s Record, a journal devoted to the literature of the East. The first one was entitled “Specimens of Tagal Folklore” which is but a collection of 14 Chapter 13: From Calamba To Europe For The Second Time 189proverbs, 8 puzzles, and 2 verses. The second one was “Two Eastern Fables,” which compared a Japanese with that of a Filipino fable. Goodbye London. Rizal left London for Paris on March 19, 1889, Some opined that he left London for Gertrude to forget him. Before leaving the city, he curved fine and realistic sculptural works, namely: Prometheus Bound; Triumph of Death over Life; Triumph of Science over Death; and the composite carving of the heads of the Beckett sisters (Zaide & Zaide, 1999). As he departed from London, Rizal could not help but reminisce the beautiful and memorable experiences he had as he crossed the English Channel on his way to the gay city of Paris. Goodbye London! Goodbye Gertrude! CHAPTER REVIEW 1. Why did Rizal leave the Philippines and his family and friends for the second time? 2. What were the observations he had of Hong Kong as written in his diary? 3. What impressions did Rizal have of Japan? 4. Who was O-Sei-San? What made Rizal attracted to her? How did Rizal come to know her? What made O-Sei-San fall in love with Rizal? 5. What were the positive and negative impressions Rizal had of the United States? 6. Why did he choose London to be his second home during his second journey to Europe? 7. Why did Rizal become attracted to Gertrude Beckett? 8, How was he able to have access to the historical materials and documents at the British Museum? 9. Why did he annotate Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas? What preparations did he undertake for this? 10. What insights about Spain and the Philippines were drawn by Ferdinand Blumentritt from Rizal’s new edition of Sucesos? Cam Palamha Th Furope For The Second Time11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Describe briefly Rizal’s new edition of Morga’s Sucesos in terms of the following: 11.1 contents; 11.2 categories of notes included; and 11,3 main propositions, Why did Rizal visit Paris and Madrid while he was in London? Why was Asociacion La Solidaridad established in Barcelona by the Filipino expatriates? Who were its officers? What were the other literary works written by Rizal, while he was in London? Describe each briefly. Why did Rizal leave London for Paris? REFERENCES Guerrero, L..M. (1998). The First Filipino. Pasig City: Anvil Publishing Inc. Lanuza, C. Z. & Zaide, G. F. (1961). Rizal in Japan. Manila: Manor Press. National Centennial Commission (1961). Rizal-Blumentritt Correspondence. Manila: NCC. Schumacher, J. N, (1997). The Propaganda Movement 1880-1885. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press. Zaide, G. F. & Zaide, S. M. (1999). Jose Rizal: Life, works and Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist, and National Hero. Quezon City: All Nations Publishing. Zulueta, F. M. (2004). RIZAL Life, Works and Ideals. Mandaluyong City: National Book Store, Inc. . Epistolario Rizalino, Volume 2. Manila: Bureau of Printing. (1961), Reminiscences and Travels. Manila: Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission. Chapter 13: From Calamba To Europe For The Second Time 191.1 1 1 ' ' ' 1 1 ' 1 1 ' ' ' ' ' 1 1 ' ' 1 1 1 ' 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ' 1 1 ' ' t ' ' ' ' ' 1 1 ' ' 1 ' ' ' ' 1 ' 1 ' ' Name EXERCISE 13 Score Rating Course and Curriculum Year___________ Date A. TRUE-FALSE. Write TRUE, if the statement is true; FALSE, if it is false. RIGHT MINUS WRONG. us 10. Rizal left the Philippines for the second time for the safety and welfare of his family, friends and himself. . Rizal was in favor of the decision of the Filipino colony in Hong Kong not to return to Manila. . Rizal became attracted to Gertrude owing to her similarity with Leonor Rivera. . For O-Sei-San, Rizal was a man of versatile talents, dignity, and courtesy. . Rizal’s short visit to Madrid and Barcelona was prompted by his desire to survey the extent of political agitation for reforms among his fellow expatriates. . Rizal’s annotation of the Sucesos was primarily anti- clerical. . It was Dr. Czepelak who facilitated Rizal’s access to various historical materials and documents found in the British Museum. . Blumentritt’s preface to the new edition of Sucesos cautioned Spain to listen to the Filipinos for Spain to keep the Philippines under her control. . The Philippines was uncivilized before the arrival of the Spaniards into the archipelago. Morga published the Sucesos in 1605 to provide readers information about the Philippines and the Filipinos. Chapter 13: From Calamba To Europe For The Second Time 1934 B, To what does each of the following refer? 11, The steamer which ferried Rizal from Manila to | Hong Kong 12, An exile of 1872 and a practicing lawyer in | London, with whom Rizal temporarily lived upon arrival in the City 13. The real name of Rizal’s Madam Butterfly in Japan 14. The typical mode of transportation in Japan which Rizal considered inhuman for the Japanese at that time. 15. A journal dedicated to the Literature of the East which published Rizal’s Specimens of Tagal Folklore 16. Rizal’s entry point into the US, where he witnessed racial discrimination in the New World 17. A correspondence to young women written by Rizal praising them for their courage in establishing a school for the teaching of the Spanish language 18. A library in Paris which Rizal visited in his search for historical documents about the Philippines 19. A medical student from UST who was jailed for being caught having copies of the Noli 20, Rizal's brother-in-law who was deported to Bohol while he was in London1 ' ' ' 1 1 ' 1 1 1 1 1 ' ' ' ' 1 ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' 1 1 ' ‘ ' ' ' 1 ' ' ' ' 1 1 ' ' ' , 1 1 C. Outlining. Provide the necessary details to complete each of the following topics below. Rizal’s Purposes in Annotating Morga’s Sucesos 21 22 23 Spanish Delusions About the Philippines According to Blumentritt 24 25 26 Main Propositions of Rizal’s New Edition of the Sucesos 27 28 29 Rizal’s Negative Impressions of the United States of America 30 31 32 What Impressed Rizal of Japan 33 34 | 35 Chapter 12: From Calamba To Europe For The Second Time 195.Aims of La Solidaridad 36 37 38 39 40 = D. Answer the following question briefly but concisely. 41-45 If you were Rizal, would you do what he did when confronted with a threat to your own security and to your family, as well? Why, or why not? 46-50 The designation of Rizal as the honorary president of the Asociacion La Solidaridad is a clear recognition of his leadership among Filipino expatriates in Europe. Prove or disprove this statement. 196 Chapter 13: From Calamba To Europe For The Second TimeCHAPTER 14 Rizal’s Legacy to Young Filipino Women In all his writings, Rizal alluded to women as wives and mothers, the fountainhead of values, to insure the stability of the nation through the youth that they nurture and educate into useful and civic-spirited citizens — the hope of the fatherland (De Guzman, 1975). His legacy to young Filipino women can be gleaned from his famous Letter to the Young Women of Malolos. This chapter is focused on Rizal’s legacy to Filipino women. Rizal’s Letter to’ the Young Women of Malolos This letter was written in Tagalog, while Rizal was in London, upon the request of Marcelo H. del Pilar (Zaide & Zaide, 1999). On December 12, 1888, a group of twenty women of Malolos peti- tioned Governor-General Weyler for permission to open a night school so that they may study Spanish under Teodoro Sandiko. Father Felipe Garcia, objected resulting into the turning down of the petition by the governor-general, In defiance of the ire of the friars, these young women courageously sustained their agitation for the establishment of the school.On December 12. 1888, Alberta Ui Tangcoy, Teresa and Natia Tontoco, Merced, Agapita, Basilia, Paz and Feliciana Tiongson, Eugenia and ‘Aurea Tangchangeo, Leoncia and Olympia Reyes and Maria de los Reyes presented a petition to Governor Weyler asking that they should be allowed to open the night school (Capino et al, 1977). They triumphed in the end and were granted permission to their project on the condition that Sefiorita Guadalupe Reyes should be their teacher. Praising these young women for their bravery, Marcelo del Pilar requested Rizal to write a letter commending them for their extraordinary courage. So on February 22, 1889, Rizal sent del Pilar the letter for transmittal to the young women of Malolos. The letter Rizal transmitted to the young women of Malolos focused on the following salient points: the rejection of the spiritual authority of the friars; the defense of private judgment; qualities Filipino mothers need to possess; duties and responsibilities of Filipino mothers to their children; duties and responsibilities of a wife to her husband; and counsel to young women on their choice of a lifetime partner. Rizal’s Message to Filipino Women Rizal expressed satisfaction for what the young women of Malolos fought for. His frustration over the Filipino women’s gave way to bright hopes for the future, as gleaned from the following portions of his letter to the young women of Malolos: Now that you have responded to our vehement clamor for public welfare; now that you have shown a good example to fellow young women, who, like you, desire to have their eyes opened and to be lifted from their prostration, our hope is roused, now we are confident of victory. The Filipino woman no longer bows her head and bends her knees; her hope in the future is revived; gone is the mother who helps to keep her daughter in the dark, who educates her in self-contempt and moral annihilation. It is no longer the highest wisdom to bow the head to every unjust order, the highest goodness to smile at an insult, to seek solace in humble tears, etc...etc. God gave each one his own mind and his own conscience so that he can distinguish between right and wrong. All men are born without chains, free and no one can subject the will and spirit of another. Why would you submit to another your noble and free thought? It is cowardice and an error to believe that blind obedience is piety and it is arrogance to think and to reflect, Ignorance is ignorance and not goodness and honor. WS or aia a ds iat iGod, Fountain of Wisdom, does not expect man, created in His image, to allow himself to be fooled and blinded. The gift of reason with which we are endowed must be brightened and utilized. We shall not falter if you help us. God will help us to dispel the mist for He is the God of truth; and the former brilliance of the Filipino woman will be restored undiminished. She lacks nothing but a free mind for she has an excess of goodness. Based from the foregoing part of Rizal's letter, it appears that Rizal’s ultimate desire was to afford Filipino women with the same opportunities enjoyed by men in education — an education that will liberate women. Thus, he emphasized the need for maintaining the independence of mind and reason with the attendant strengthening the will. Moreover, he urged women to be vigilant over their rights and not be docile and passive in their attitude towards the many injustices forced upon them. Responsibilities of Filipino Mothers to their Children. According to Rizal, youth is a flower-bed that is to bear rich fruit and must accumulate wealth for its descendants. What offspring will be that of a woman whose kindness of character is expressed by mumbled prayers; who knows nothing by heart but awits, novenas, and alleged miracles; whose amusement consists in playing panguingue or in the frequent confession of the same sin? What sons will she have but acolytes, priest servants or cockfighters? It is the mothers who are responsible for the present servitude of our compatriots, owing to the unlimited trustfulness of their loving hearts, to their ardent desire to elevate their sons. Maturity is the fruit of infancy. and the infant is formed on the lap of its mother. What then was Rizal trying to put across here? Obviously, he was trying to tell the women that whatever the mother is, so would her son become. Mothers who can teach nothing else but kneeling and kissing the hand of the friars should expect children who are not only stupid but also exploited slaves. What then, are the duties of the Filipino mothers to their children? In his letter to the young women, Rizal says (Kalaw, 1932) — Let us be reasonable and open our eyes, especially you young women. Remember that a good mother does not resemble the mother that the friar has-created. She must bring up her child to be the image of the true God. Awaken and prepare the will of our children towards all that is honorable, to all that is sincere and firm of purpose, clear judgment and procedure, honesty in act and deed, love for fellowman, and respect for God; and this is what you must teach your children. The people cannot Chanter 44: Rizal's | anary tn Youn Eilininn Wamen 10Q.expect honor nor prosperity as long as they will educate children in the wrong way, so long as the woman who guides the child in his steps ig lavish and ignorant. Open your children’s eyes so that they may jealously guard their honor, love their fellowmen and their native land, and do their duty. Always impress upon them that they must prefer dying with honor to living in dishonor. Based from the foregoing, Rizal was very certain as to the duties mothers should fulfill to their children. These duties are: to raise children close to the image of God; to awaken and prepare the mind of the child for every good and desirable idea; and to teach children to prefer death with honor to life with dishonor. In fact, Rizal stressed the need for mothers to educate their children on the following values: love for honor; sincere and firm character; clear mind; clear conduct; noble action; love for one’s fellowmen; and respect for God. Apparently, Rizal was stressing the need for mothers to educate their children on what is good, what is true, and what is noble. Qualities Mothers Have To Possess. The Filipino mother has to be a noble wife. She has to rear her children in the service of the state. The women of Sparta should serve as a model for rearing children for the service of the state, according to Rizal. Thus, in his letter to the women of Malolos, he stated (Kalaw, 1932): The women of Sparta should serve you an example in raising children for the service of the State. When a mother handed the shield to her son . as he was marching to battle, she said nothing to him but this: ‘Retumn with it or on it,” which means, come back victorious or dead, because it was customary with the routed warrior to throw away his shield, while the dead warrior was carried home on his, shield. A mother received word that her son had been killed in the battle and the army routed. She did not say a word, but expressed her thankfulness that her son had been saved from disgrace, However, when her son returned alive, the mother put on mourning. One of the mothers who went out to meet the warriors returning from battle was told by one that her three sons had fallen. Ido not ask you that, said the mother, but whether we have been victorious or not, We have been victorious—answered the warrior. If that is so, then let us thank God, and she went to the temple. Aside from the two qualities already pointed out, for Rizal, a wife has to set the standards of behavior for men around her, In fact, there are three basic things a wife must instill in the mind of her husband, namely: activity and industry; noble behavior; and worthy sentiments. Inasmuch as the wife is the partner of her husband’s heart and misfortune, Rizal gave the following advices to a married woman: aid her husband; share his Ee dle ilperils; refrain from causing him worry; and sweeten his moments of affliction. Rizal’s Advice to Unmarried Men and Women. The Letter to the Young Women of Malolos did not only center on Rizal’s counsels to Filipino wives. He even gave unmarried men and women the following advices (Kalaw, 1932); Such is the longing that is constantly in our thoughts that ive dream of—the honor of the woman is the partner of our heart, who shares our happiness and our misfortune. If she is a young woman, let the young man love her not only for her beauty or the sweetness of her disposition but also for the firmness of character, her lofty ideas that invigorate and encourage the weak and timorous man or arouse brilliant ideas. That she may be a young woman of whom the country can be proud of, a young woman who inspires respect. A people that respect woman, like Filipino people, must know the truth of the situation in order to be to do what is expected of it. It seems an established fact that when a young student falls in love, he throws everything to the dogs — knowledge, honor, and money, as if a girl could not do anything but sow misfortune. The bravest youth becomes a coward when he married and the born coward becomes shameless, as if he had been waiting to get married in order to show his cowardice... Why does the girl not require of her lover a noble and honored name, a manly heart offering her protection to her weakness, and a high spirit incapable of being satisfied with engendering slaves? From the foregoing lines from Rizal’s letter, he was directly telling young men that in choosing their lifetime partner, they should not consider physical beauty nor the sweetness of disposition of a woman, but rather give priority to firmness of character and lofty ideas. On the other hand, Rizal counseled young women not to surrender their womanhood to a weak and timid heart. According to him, there are three things that a young woman must look for a man she is going to marry: a noble and honored name; a manly heart; and a high spirit incapable of being satisfied with engendering slaves. Rizal’s Reminders on Equality, Self-Respect and True Spirit of Religion. The last part of his letter focused on his reminders on equality, self-respect, and true spirit of religion (Kalaw, 1932). 1, The tyranny of some is possible only through cowardice and negligence on the part of others. 2, What makes one contemptible is lack of dignity and abject fear of one who holds one in contempt. Chapter 14: Rizal's Legacy to Young Filipino Women 201.3, Ignorance is servitude, because as a man thinks, so he is; a man who does not think for himself and allows himself to be guided by the thought of another is like a beast led by. a halter, 4, He who loves his independence must first aid his fellowman, because he who refuses protection to others will find himself without it. 5. If the Filipina will not change her mode of being, let her rear no more children, let her merely give birth to them, She must cease to be the mistress of the home, otherwise she will unconsciously betray husband, child, native land and all. 6. All men are born equal, naked, without bonds. God did not create man to be a slave; nor did he endow him with intelligence to have him hoodwinked or adom him with reason to have him deceived by others. 7. Consider well what kind of religion they are teaching you. See whether it is the will of God or according to the teachings of Christ that the poor be succored and those who suffer alleviated. In summary, Rizal’s Letter To the Young Women of Malolos focused on five major points (Zaide & Zaide, 1999): 1. Filipino mothers should teach their children love of God,’ country and fellowmen. 2. Filipino mothers should be glad and honored, like Spartan mothers to offer their sons in defense of their country. 3. Filipino women should know how to protect their dignity and honor. 4. Filipino women should educate themselves aside from retaining their good racial values. 5. Faith is not merely reciting prayers and wearing religious pictures. It is living the real Christian way with good morals and manners. CHAPTER REVIEW 1. Why did Marcelo del Pilar request Rizal to write a congratulatory letter to the young women of Malolos? 2, Why did the young women clamor for the establishment of a night school in Malolos? 202 Choplr 14: Riza’sLegecy/0 Young Filipino Women- How were the young women able to secure permission for the establishment of this night school? 4. What was Rizal’s reaction to the success of the young women in having established a night school for teaching the Spanish language? 5. What were the major points stressed by Rizal in his letter? 6. Based on Rizal’s Letter to the Young Women of Malolos, list down the following: 6.1 Duties of a mother to her children; 6.2 Qualities mothers must -possess; 6.3 Responsibilities of a wife to her husband; 6.4 Qualities a man must consider in choosing his wife; 6.5 Qualities a woman must look for in her choice of a lifetime partner. 7. Which among the 7 points stressed by Rizal in the last portion of his letter do you agree with? Why? 8. What do you think is Rizal’s legacy to women based on his Letter to the Young Women of Malolos? REFERENCES Capino, D. G. et al (1977). Rizal’s Life, Works and Writngs: Their Impact on our National Identity. Quezon City: JMC Press. De Guzman, L. P. (1975). Reflections on Rizal’s Message to Filipino Women. Lecture Delivered on the 9th Annual Rizal Lecture at Rizal Shrine Calamba in commemoration of the 79th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Rizal. Kalaw, T. M. (1932). A Letter to the Young Women of Malolos by Jose Rizal. Manila: National Library. Romero, M. C. S. et al (1979). Rizal and the Development of National Consciousness. Zaide, G. F, & Zaide, S, M. (1999). Jose Rizal: Life, works and Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist, and National Hero. Quezon City: All Nations Publishing. Chapter 14: Rizal's Legacy fo Young Filipino Women 203,EXERCISE 14 Name Score Rating Course and Curriculum Year ____________ Date A. Outlining. Provide the necessary details to complete each of the topics below. Salient Points Stressed in Rizal ‘s Letter to the Young Women of Malolos uF 2 Duties of a Mother to Her Children ' ' ' ' 6 7 8 Values and Virtues Children Must Learn From Their Mother 1 1 ' 1 ' 1 1 ' ' ' " 1 1 ' ' ' ' 1 ' ' ' ' ' ' 1 1 1 1 ' ' 1 1 1 ' 1 1 ' 1 , ' 1 1 1 ' ' ' « 9 10 13 11 14 12 45 | ; Chapter 14: Rizal's Legacy fo Young Filipino Women 205, ; ; a ilQualities A Woman Has To Consider in the Choice of a Husband 16 17 18 Qualities A Young Man Has To Consider in Selecting His Wife 19 20 What a Wife is supposed to teach Her Husband 21 22 23 Duties and Responsibilities of a Wife to Her Husband 24 25 B. Prove or contradict the following statements (5 points each). 26-27 What a mother is, so should her son become. 28-30 Ignorance is bondage because like mind, like man. 206 Chapter 14: Rizal's Legacy to Youna Filipino Women : |31-35 Men were created by God not be enslaved, neither were they endowed with intelligence to be misled. 36-40 The country cannot expect honor and prosperity as long as the education of the child is defective. Chapter 14: Rizal's Legacy to Young Filipino Women 2O'T