Life and Works of Rizal |1
LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL
What or Who is a BAYANI?
o a prominent and central personage taking an
admirable part in any remarkable action or event
(Webster’s New International Dictionary).
o a person of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger,
or fortitude in suffering.
o a man honored after death by public worship, because
of exceptional service to mankind.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425
AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS, AND WRITINGS OF JOSE
RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS NOLI ME TANGERE
AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING
AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES. (Approved on June 12, 1956)
Section 1: Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal,
particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo,
shall include in the curricula of all schools, colleges, and
universities, public or private: Provided, that in the collegiate
courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation shall
be used as basic texts.
Section 2: It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges, and
universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number of
copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works
and bibliography.
THE STORY OF THE RIZAL LAW (RA 1425)
To understand why it was passed, we must take into
account the conditions of the country prevailing at that time.
o The 1950’s was a time of uncertainty in the country,
ravaged by the HUKBALAHAP insurgency.
o American influence was strong in the country’s
economy and political policies.
o The communist insurgency was fought through the
guidance and material aid of the US.
o Bell Trade Act of 1947: parity rights granted in the
Philippine Constitution allowed Americans to exploit
the country’s natural resources.
o In 1956, the Laurel-Langley Agreement ensured the
free entry of American products thus ensuing the
preference of the Filipinos for American goods.
o Period when Claro M. Recto submitted his bill
calling for a return of patriotic values enunciated
by Filipino heroes like Jose Rizal.
o Recto’s bill was not welcomed by all sectors, especially
the Catholic Church – anti-church because it forced
students to read Rizal’s works like the Noli and El Fili.
o The Church continued its opposition to the Rizal bill by
calling all Catholic votes to reject lawmakers who
supported Rector’s Rizal Bill.
A compromised bill was filed authored by Senator Jose
P. Laurel, based on the proposal of Senator Roseller
Lim and Emmanuel Pelaez.
o The law took effect on June 12, 1956
o The law accommodated the objections of the Catholic
Church (allowing student seek exemption from the
reading Rizal’s works for religious reasons.
o The law still requires the reading of the unexpurgated
versions of Rizal’s novels.
o Provides fundings for publication and distribution of
Rizal’s works.
PURPOSE/SIGNIFICANCE OF RA 1425
WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history,
there is a need for a re-dedication to the ideals of freedom and
nationalism for which our heroes lived and died.
WHEREAS it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the
national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we remember with special
fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped
the national character;

WHEREAS, the life, works, and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly
his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, are a constant
and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the
youth, especially during their formative and decisive years in
school, should be suffused;
WHEREAS all educational institutions are under the supervision
of, and subject to regulation by the State, and all schools are
enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic
conscience and to teach the duties of citizenship.
WHY DID RIZAL BECOME THE GREATEST FILIPINO
HERO?
o No Filipino has yet been born who could equal or
surpass Rizal as “a person of distinguished valor or
enterprise in danger, or fortitude to mankind.
o “A man honored after death by public worship, because
of exceptional services to mankind”
o Napoleon, I said. “There are only two powers in the
world, the sword and the pen; and in the end the
former is always conquered by the latter”
IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING RIZAL
AS A COURSE
1. To recognize the importance of Rizal’s ideals and
teachings in relation to present conditions and
situations in the society.
2. To encourage the application of such ideals in current
social and personal problems and issues.
3. To develop an appreciation and deeper understanding
of all that Rizal fought and died for.
4. To foster the development of the youth in all aspects of
citizenship.
RIZAL’S CENTURY: THE 19TH CENTURY
The Conditions of Europe, America, and Asia:
o To appease the rising
discontent of the Russian
Masses, Czar Alexander II
issued a proclamation
EMANCIPATING 22.5M
Serfs.
Life and Works of Rizal |2
o The American Civil Was (1861-65) was raging furiously
in the US over the issue of NEGRO SLAVERY.
o President Lincoln issued his
famous EMANCIPATION
PROCLAMATION on
September 22, 1863, freeing
the negro slaves.
o Benito Juarez, a full-blooded
Zapotec Indian, was elected
President of Mexico.
o Italians and German succeeded in UNIFYING their
own countries.
o The times of Rizal saw the flowering of WESTERN
IMPERIALISM. England emerged as the World’s
Leading Imperialist Power.
o In 1858-1863, France, with the help of Filipino troops
under Spanish officers, conquered Vietnam; Annexed
Cambodia (1863) and Laos (1893), merged these
countries into a federated colony under the name
French Indochina.
o The Dutch, after driving away the Spaniards and
Portuguese from the east indies in the 17th Century,
colonized this vast and rich archipelago and named it
Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia)
o July 8, 1853, an American Squadron under the
command of Commodore Matthew Perry re-opened
Japan to the world which ended Japan’s 214 -year
isolation.
o Emperor Meiji (Mutsuhito) modernized the country by
freely accepting western influences, including
imperialism.
o Japan fought China (Sino-Japanese War, 1894-1895),
grabbed Taiwan (Formosa) and Pescadores, and later
Korea in 1910.
 Life and Works of Rizal |3

o First Opium War (1840-1842), Britain against the

Chinese Empire under the Manchu Dynasty acquired
the island of Hong Kong.

o Second Opium War (1856-1860), Britain won again

and forced the helpless Manchu Dynasty to cede the
Kowloon Peninsula.

o While Imperialist powers were enjoying the fruits of

their colonial ventures and achieving global prestige,
Spain, once upon a time the “Mistress of the World” (General Rafael de Izquierdo)
was STAGNATING as a world power.
o General Primo de Rivera (1880-83, 1897-1898),
o Spain lost its rich colonies in Latin America, Paraguay enriched himself by accepting bribes from gambling
(1811), Argentina (1816), Chile (1817), Colombia and casinos in Manila.
Ecuador (1819), Central American Countries in 1821
Venezuela (1822), Peru (1824), and Bolivia and
Uruguay in 1825.

THE PHILIPPINES OF RIZAL’S TIME

The Filipino people agonized beneath the yoke of Spanish

MISRULE, for they were unfortunate victims of the evils of
unjust, bigoted, and deteriorating colonial power.
1. Instability of Colonial Administration
2. Corrupt Officialdom
3. No Philippine Representation in the Spanish Cortes (General Primo de Rivera)
4. Human Rights Denied to Filipinos
5. No equality Before the Law o General Valeriano Weyler (1888- 1891), a corrupt
6. Maladministration of Justice governor general, arrived in Manila a poor man and
7. Racial Discrimination returned to Spain a millionaire. He brutally persecuted
8. Frailocracy Calamba tenants, including the family of Rizal.
9. Forced Labor
10. Haciendas Owned by the Friars
11. The Guardia Civil

INSTABILITY OF COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION

‘
o Political Instability in Spain adversely affected
Philippine affairs because it brought about frequent
periodic shifts in colonial policies and a periodic
Rigodon of Colonial Officials.
o The frequent change of colonial officials hampered the
political and economic development of the Philippines.
(General Valeriano Weyler)
CORRUPT COLONIAL OFFICIALS

o Highly corrupt, incompetent, and cruel.

o General Rafael de Izquierdo (1871-1873), a boastful
and ruthless governor general, aroused the anger of
the Filipinos by executing GOMBURZA in 1872.

PHILIPPINE REPRESENTATION IN THE SPANISH CORTES
o There was Philippine representation in the Spanish
Cortes in 1810-1813, 1820-1823 and 1834-1837.
o Representation of overseas colonies was abolished in
1837.
o Since the Philippine conditions worsened because
there was no means which Filipino people could
expose the anomalies perpetrated colonial officials
HUMAN RIGHTS DENIED TO FILIPINOS
o Since the adoption of the Spanish Constitution of 1812
and other constitutions in succeeding years, the people
of Spain enjoyed freedom of speech, freedom of press,
freedom of association, and other human rights (except
freedom of religion). The Spaniards ardently guarded
these rights that no Spanish monarchs dared abolished
them.
o Strangely enough, the Spanish authorities who
cherished these human rights or constitutional liberties
in Spain denied them to the Filipinos in Asia.
NO EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW
o Spanish missionaries, taught that all men, irrespective
of color and race, are children of God and as such they
are brothers, equal before God.
o Spaniards did not implement Christ’s percept of the
brotherhood of all men under the fatherhood of God.
o Spaniards arrogantly regarded the brown-skinned
Filipinos as Inferior beings.
o To their imperialist way of thinking, brown Filipinos and
white Spaniards may be equal to God, but not before
the law and certainly not in practice.
o LEYES DE INDIAS (Laws of the Indies) was
promulgated to protect the rights of the natives in
Spain’s overseas colonies and to promote their
welfare.
o However, Filipinos were abused, brutalized,
persecuted, and slandered by their Spanish masters.
o Spanish Penal Code imposed heavier penalties on
native Filipinos or mestizos and lighter penalties on
white Spaniards.
Life and Works of Rizal |4
MALADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
o The courts of justice in the Philippines during Rizal’s
time were notoriously corrupt. Verily, they were courts
of injustice, as far as the brown Filipinos were
concerned.
o Justice was costly, partial, and slow.
o Poor Filipinos had no access to the courts because
they could not afford the heavy expenses of litigation.
o Wealth, social prestige, and color of skin were
preponderant factors in winning a case in court.
o Dr. Rizal and his family were victims of Spanish
injustice in 1871 and 1891.
RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
o Spaniards regarded the converted Filipinos not as
brother Christians but as inferior beings who were
infinitely undeserving of the rights and privileges that
the white Spanish enjoyed.
o Racial prejudice was prevalent everywhere – in
government offices, in the courts of justice, in the
armed forces, in the social circles, and even in the
educational institutions and in the ecclesiastical
hierarchy.
o Father Jose Burgos (1837-1872), complained of the
lack of opportunities for educated young Filipinos to
rise in the service of God and country.
FRAILOCRACY
o Union of Church and State.
o FRAILOCRACIA – a government by friars.
o The friars practically ruled the Philippines through a
façade of civil government.
o Rizal denounced the friars as enemies if liberal reforms
and modern progress in the Philippines.
FORCED LABOR
o Known as the POLO – compulsory labor imposed by
the Spanish colonial authorities on adult Filipino males.
o 16-60 years old – for 40 days forced labor.

o May be exempted from polo by payment of FALLA.
o Daily stipend of 2 pesetas (50 centavos), but actually
received only a part of this amount and worse, they got
nothing.
HACIENDAS OWNED BY FRIARS
o Richest landlords for they owned the best haciendas in
the Philippines.
o Rizal Family and relatives were tenants of the
Dominican Estate of Calamba.
o According to Rizal, the friar ownership of the productive
lands, contributed to the economic stagnation of the
Philippines during the Spanish period.
THE GUARDIA CIVIL
o established for the purpose of maintaining internal
peace and order in the Philippines.
o They later became infamous for their rampant abuses,
such as maltreating innocent people, looting their
carabaos, chickens, and valuable belongings and
raping helpless women.
THE CHANGING RELIGIOUS FRONT IN THE PHILIPPINES:
SECULARIZATION
o The opening of the Suez Canal, trading in the
Philippines became increasingly profitable. More and
more foreign merchants and businesses men came to
the colony, bringing with them a lot of progressive
ideas.
o The Filipinos not only gained more knowledge and
information about the world at large; they also gained
the desire for freedom and improvement in their lives.
Two Kind of Priests served the Catholic Church in the
Philippines.
1. REGULARS – belonged to religious orders’ main task
was to spread Christianity.
2. SECULARS – did not belong to any religious order;
were trained specifically to run the parishes and were
under the supervision of the bishops.
There was an issue on visitation.
Life and Works of Rizal |5
o A royal decree was also issued on November 9, 1774,
which provided for the secularization of all parishes or
the transfer of parochial administration from the regular
friars to the secular priests.
o The regular resented the move because they
considered the Filipinos unfit for the priesthood. Among
other reasons they cited the Filipino’s brown skin, lack
of education, and inadequate experience.
1872 CAVITE MUTINY
o January 26, 1872 – about 200 Filipino soldiers and
workmen of the Cavite arsenal under the leadership of
Lamadrid, Filipino sergeant, rose in violent mutiny
because of the abolition of their usual privileges,
including exemption from tribute and polo.
o Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto
Zamora leaders of the secular movement to Filipinize
the Philippine parishes magnified the failed mutiny into
“revolt” for Philippine Independence.
o GomBurZa, despite the archbishop’s plea for clemency
because of their innocence, were executed at sunrise
through guillotine in Luneta, February 17, 1872.
o It was witnessed by Paciano Rizal.
RIZAL’S ANCESTRY AND BIRTH
(RIZAL’S PARENT)
FRANCISCO MERCADO (1818-1898)
o Father of Jose Rizal who was the youngest of 13 off
springs of Juan and Cirila Mercado.
o He was born in Binan, Laguna on April 18, 1818.
o He studied Latin and Philosophy in College of San Jose
in manila.
o He was an independent-minded man, who talked us and
worked more, and was strong in body and valiant in spirit.
o He died in Manila on January 5, 1898, at the age of 80.
o His remain are buried at the Paciano residence in Los
Banos, Laguna.
o Rizal described his father as “A Model of Fathers”

TEODORA ALONZO (1827-1913)
o Mother of Jose Rizal, who was the second child of
Lorenzo Alonso and Brigida de Quintos.
o She was educated at the College of Santa Rosa in
Manila. She was a remarkable woman, possessing
refined culture, literary talent, business ability, and the
fortitude of Spartan women.
o She died in manila on August 16, 1911, at the age of 85.
o Her remains are buried at the residence of Paciamo, Los
Banos, Laguna.
o Rizal described her mother as a “Loving And Prudent
Mother”.
( RIZAL’S SIBLINGS )
1. SATURNINA RIZAL IDALGO (1850-1913)
o Oldest of the Rizal children, nicknamed Neneng.
o Married Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanawan, Batangas.
2. PACIANO RIZAL (1851-1930)
o Only brother of Jose Rizal and his confidant after his
brother execution.
o Joined the Philippine Revolution and became combat
general; after the Revolution, he retired to his farm in
Los Banos where he lived as a gentleman farmer.
o Had two children by his mistress (Severina Decena)
o Died on April 13,1930 an old bachelor aged 79.
3. NARCISA RIZAL LOPEZ (1852-1939)
o Her pet name was Sisa.
o Married Antonio Lopez, (nephew of Father Leoncio
Lopez) a schoolteacher of Morong
4. OLIMPIA RIZAL UBALDO (1855-1887)
o Ypia was her nickname.
o Married Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator from
Manila.
o She is the prettiest among her sisters.
o Died in 1887 from childbirth.
5. LUCIA RIZAL HERBOSA (1857-1919)
o Maried Mariano Herbosa of Calamba, who was a
nephew of Father Casanas.
o Herbosa died of cholera in 1889 and was denied
Christian burial because he was the brother in-law of
Rizal.
Life and Works of Rizal |6
6. MARIA RIZAL CRUZ (1859-1945)
o Biang was her nickname.
o Married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Binan, Laguna.
o The grand-mother of Gemma-Cruz Araneta, former
Miss International.
7. JOSE RIZAL (1861-1896)
o The greatest Filipino hero and peerless genius.
o His nickname was Pepe.
o During his exile in Dapitan he lived with Josephine
Bracken, Irish girl from Hong Kong.
o He had a son but died a few hours after birth, Rizal
named him "Francisco" after his father and buried him
in Dapitan.
8. CONCEPCION RIZAL (1862-1865)
o Her pet name was Concha.
o Died of sickness at the age of 3.
o Her death was Rizal's first sorrow in life.
9. JOSEFA RIZAL (1865-1945)
o Her pet name was Panggoy.
o Died an old maid at the age of 80.
o Her remains was buried at Paciano farm in Los
Banos, Laguna.
10. TRINIDAD RIZAL (1868-1951)
o Trining was her pet name.
o Died and old maid at the age of 83.
o Her remains were buried also at the Paciano farm in
Los Banos, Laguna.
o The last in the to family die.
11. SOLEDAD RIZAL QUINTERO (1870-1929)
o The youngest of the Rizal children
o Her pet name was Choleng.
o Married Pantaloon Quintero of Calamba, Laguna.
( RIZAL ANCESTRY )
DOMINGO LAM-CO
o Among the earliest known ancestors of Jose Rizal
were Siang-co and Zun-nio of Fujian, China.
o The Rizal 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.

FRANCISCO MERCADO
o Lam-co and Ines de la Rosa had a son born in 1731.
o He attended the Colegio de San Jose in Manila where
he studied Latin and Philosophy.
o They named him Francisco Mercado, believed as a
gesture of gratitude to another friar of the same name,
and also after a Spanish mestizo friar renowned for his
botanical studies.
JUAN MERCADO
o Juan Mercado was known as "Capitan Juan".
o Like his father, Juan served as the town's Capitan del
Pueblo.
o On many occasions, “Capitan Juan”, as his town mates
referred to him, was the Hermano Mayor in religious
and social affairs.
JOSE RIZAL’S CHILDHOOD MEMORIES IN CALAMBA
AND EARLY EDUCATION IN CALAMBA AND BINAN
CHILDHOOD MEMORIES IN CALAMBA
FIRST SORROW
o The life of Jose Rizal, like other young Filipino boys.
Had a lot of pleasant and beautiful memories to reckon
with during his childhood days in Calamba.
o With parents full of affection for their children and an
abundant blessing from the Lord Almighty, he grew up
in a home environment characterized by joy and
contentment.
o His birthplace was an ideal place for artists, poets,
budding writers, and lovers of art who traveled from
Manila and other places to gain inspiration from its
healthful waters and climate, and scenic panorama that
surrounds the legendary Mount Makiling.
o Flowers of various colors and scents bloom all year
round, especially during the month of May. Calamba
with its fertile fields and green cascading brooks and
lakes with crystal waters abound with fish.
o Its tall ancient and resilient trees with symmetrical
arrangements grew along the streets expressive of the
lofty aspirations and ideals of a people that seemed too
long for freedom.
This is Calamba, a perfect palace to nurture a growing child that
holds the promise that eventually becoming the “cradle of a
genius”.
Life and Works of Rizal |7
o When Rizal was 15 years old and was a student at
Ateneo de Manila, he reminisced about his beloved
town and wrote a poem Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo
(In Memory of Town). “Calamba you will remain an
important and cherished part of my life” Jose
murmured with a deep sigh of happiness.
o His boyhood memories are characterized by playing in
the garden while he watched and marveled at birds like
the Maya, the Julian, pipit, and maria carpa as they
chirped and flew from one branch to another listening
with wonder and joy to their melodious songs.
o Jose and other Rizal children gathered during nightfall
and pray the Angelus. They also remembered stories,
about fairy tales of buried treasure and trees blooming
with diamonds.
o When at times, when food served during supper did not
appeal to his taste, the maid would threaten him about
the aswang and the tikbalang.
o Rizal’s first bitter memory was when little Concha
(Conception) whom he fondly called died when she
was only three years old.
o He cried bitterly and for the first time, he wept tears of
love and intense grief.
o Jose as a young boy was the very pious and devoted
son of the Catholic Church. At the early age of three,
he used to take part in the family prayers. He loved to
go to church for spiritual nourishment and to join
religious activities.
o Jose and his father, on one occasion, went on a
pilgrimage to Antipolo to fulfill his mother’s vow which
was promised when he was born. Dona Teodora could
not accompany them because she gave birth to her
tenth child, Trinidad. They rode in a casco (barge)
across Laguna de Bay. Since it was his first
experience on a lake voyage, he was thrilled and
overwhelmed with joy. He marveled and was awed by
the “splendor and magnificence of the watery expanse
and the still of the night”.
o After praying at the shrine of our Lady of Buen Viaje of
Antipolo, Pepe and Don Francisco went to Sta. Ana,
Manila, visited Saturnina, his oldest sister, who was
then studying at La Concordia College.

EARLY EDUCATION IN CALAMBA AND BIÑAN
o Rizal had his early education in Calamba and Biñan.
o It was a typical schooling that a son of an ilustrado
family received during his time, characterized by the
four R’s- reading, writing, arithmetic, and religion.
o Instruction was rigid and strict. Knowledge was forced
into the minds of the pupils using the tedious memory
method aided by the teacher’s whip. Despite the
defects of the Spanish system of elementary
education, Rizal was able to acquire the necessary
instruction preparatory for college work in Manila.
o It may be said that Rizal, who was born a physical
weakling, rose to become an intellectual giant not
because of, but rather in spite of, the outmoded and
backward system of instruction obtained in the
Philippines during the last decades of the Spanish
regime.
THE HERO’S FIRST TEACHER
o The first teacher of Rizal was his mother, who was a
remarkable woman of good character and fine culture.
o On her lap, he learned at the age of three the alphabet
and the prayers. "My mother," wrote Rizal in his
student memoirs, "taught me how to read and to say
haltingly the humble prayers which I raised fervently to
God."
o As a tutor, Doña Teodora was patient, conscientious,
and understanding. It was she who first discovered that
her son had a talent for poetry.
o Accordingly, she encouraged him to write poems. To
lighten the monotony of memorizing the ABCs and to
stimulate her son’s imagination, she related many
stories.
o As Jose grew older, his parents employed private
tutors to give him lessons at home.
o The first was Maestro Celestino and the second was
Maestro Lucas Padua.
o Later, an old man named Leon Monroy, a former
classmate of Rizal’s father, became the boy’s tutor.
o This old teacher lived at the Rizal home and instructed
Jose in Spanish and Latin. Unfortunately, he did not
live long. He died five months later.
Life and Works of Rizal |8
o After Monroy’s death, the hero’s parents decided to
send their gifted son to a private school in Biñan.
JOSE GOES TO BIÑAN
o One Sunday afternoon in June 1869, Jose, after
kissing the hands of his parents and a tearful parting
from his sister, left Calamba for Biñan.
o He was accompanied by Paciano, who acted as his
second father.
o The two brothers rode in a carromata, reaching their
destination after one and one-half hours drive. They
proceeded to their aunt’s house, where Jose was to
lodge.
o It was almost night when they arrived, and the moon
was about to rise
o That same night, Jose, with his cousin named Leandro,
went sightseeing in the town. Instead of enjoying the
sights, Jose became depressed because of
homesickness. "In the moonlight," he recounted, "I
remembered my hometown, my idolized mother, and
my solicitous sisters. Ah, how sweet to me was
Calamba, my town, even though was not as wealthy as
Biñan."
FIRST DAY IN BIÑAN SCHOOL
o The next morning (Monday) Paciano brought his
younger brother to the school of Maestro Justiniano
Aquino Cruz.
o The school was in the house of the teacher, which was
a small nipa hut about 30 meters from the home of
Jose’s aunt.
o Paciano knew the teacher quite well because he had
been a pupil under him before. He introduced Jose to
the teacher, after which he departed to return to
Calamba.
o Immediately, Jose was assigned his seat in the class.
The teacher asked him if he know Spanish, Jose
answered “a little sir”. The teacher asked again, “Do
you know Latin?”, Jose answered “a little sir”. The boys
in the class, especially Pedro, the teacher’s son
laughed at Jose’s answers. The teacher sharply
stopped all noises and began the lessons of the day.
o Jose described his teacher in Biñan as follows: "He was
tall, thin, long-necked, with a sharp nose and a body

slightly bent forward, and he used to wear a sinamay
shirt, woven by the skilled hands of the women of
Batangas. He knew by the heart the grammars by
Nebrija and Gainza. Add to this severity that in my
judgement was exaggerated and you have a picture,
perhaps vague, that I have made of him, but I
remember only this."
o First School Brawl in the afternoon of his first day in
school, when the teacher was having his siesta, Jose
met the bully, Pedro.
EARLY SCHOOLING
o He was angry at this bully for making fun of him during
his conversation with the teacher in the morning. Jose
challenged Pedro to a fight.
The latter readily accepted, thinking that he could
easily beat the Calamba boy who was smaller and
younger
o The two boys wrestled furiously in the classroom, much
to the glee of their classmates. Jose, having learned
the art of wrestling from his athletic Tio Manuel,
defeated the bigger boy.
o For this feat, he became popular among his
classmates. After the class in the afternoon, a
classmate named Andres Salandanan challenged him
to an arm- wrestling match.
o They went to a sidewalk of a house and wrestled with
their arms. Jose, having the weaker arm, lost and
nearly cracked his head on the sidewalk.
o In succeeding days he had other fights with the boys of
Biñan. He was not quarrelsome by nature, but he never
ran away from a fight.
BEST PUPIL IN SCHOOL IN BINAN.
o Rizal’s school day in Binan was remarkable. He
excelled in all subjects especially Latin and Spanish
languages.
o Because of this, it was not surprising that some of his
older classmates were secretly jealous of his
intellectual endowments. They wickedly squealed to the
teacher whenever Jose had a fight outside the school,
and even told lies to discredit him before the teacher’s
eyes.
o His schooling in Binan came when he learned almost
all that his teacher, Justiniano could teach him; so, his
Life and Works of Rizal |9
teacher wrote a letter to his parents that it was time to
send Rizal to College in Manila.
o He left Binan after staying there for one and half years
homeward to Calamba where he was warmly
welcomed by his parents, brothers, and sisters.
o At home, he shared his memorable experiences with
fascinating tales of his brawls with some quarrelsome
classmates and school triumphs with the amusement
and delight of brothers and sisters.
o At the tender age of three, Rizal learned the alphabet
from his mother.
o Her mother was a strict and patient teacher. “She
taught me how to read and to say haltingly the humble
prayers which I raised fervently to God”.
o Later, his three uncles, brother of Dona Teodora
concerned themselves with the intellectual’s artistic and
physical training of their nephew.
o Jose, the youngest brother of his mother who was also
a teacher looked after the regular lessons, Manuel, a
man of athletic build, developed the physique of young
Jose, until he had a supple body of silk and steel and
was no longer a sickly lad, though he said did not
entirely lose his somewhat delicate look.
o The scholarly Gregorio saw that the boy earned his
candy money trying to install the idea into his mind that”
it was not the world’s say that anything worth having
should come without effort; he taught him also the value
of rapidly on work, to think for himself. and then to
observe and picture what he saw.
o “I learned to write in my own town,” wrote the young
hero”. “My father, who took charge of my education,
paid an old man, who had been his classmate, to give
that purpose. He died after five months.”
o At the age of nine Don Francisco sent his son to Binan
to continue his studies of Latin under Maestro Joaquin
Aguino Cruz.
o Rizal left Binan on December 7, 1871, after staying
there for one and a half years, in the town, he learned
to paint in the shop of an old painter named Juancho,
Pepe, with his intense interest and love for painting
spent many leisure hours at the painter’s studio.

o His tutor, Juancho gave him lessons in drawing and
painting. He was so impressed and awed by the artistic
creative talents of his young pupil.
RIZAL’S MOTHER: A VICTIM OF INJUSTICE
o While Rizal’s Childhood memories were generally
pleasant, notwithstanding his petty quarrels normal for
a young growing boy his age in school, the tragic
incident happened in the Rizal family when his mother,
Dona Teodora was arbitrarily arrested on a malicious
charge that she allegedly aided her brother, Jose
Alberto, in trying to poison Alberto’s wife.
o Jose Alberto was a prominent man in Binan who
owned a big track of land.
o On one occasion, he went to Europe on a business trip.
During his absence, his wife abandoned their conjugal
home and lived with another man. When he returned to
Binan, he was mad and enraged by her infidelity, so he
planned to file an annulment of their marriage.
THE PARABLE OF THE MOTH
o He believed that his wife’s sexual infidelity scandal, and
to protect the honor of the family. Dona Teodora
persuaded his brother Jose Alberto to forgive his erring
wife. While the family problem was amicably settled and
Jose Alberto lived again with his unfaithful wife, she
connived with the lieutenant of the Guardia Civil to
fabricate unfounded pieces of evidence that her
husband attempted to poison her, with Dona Teodora’s
participation as an accomplice.
o This lieutenant who was a bully and overbearing
person who habitually badgered and intimated weaker
people had an ax to grind against the Rizal family
because on one occasion Don Francisco refused to
give him fodder-a kind of feed for his horse.
o He was so unreasonable and haughty and virtually
took the opportunity to average himself and got even
against Don Francisco and arrested Dona Teodora.
o Under normal circumstances, Dona Teodora, the
accused should have been confined in the municipal
jail of Calamba. However, for no apparent valid reason,
the judge, who had been a guest of the Rizal family in
various social gatherings, was also like the arrogant
lieutenant who grudged ill feelings against the Rizal
family because he imagined that on one occasion, he
was not accorded greater respect than other guests in
the Rizal home.
L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 10
o He ordered that Dona Teodora be sent immediately to
the provincial jail in Sta. Cruz, the capital of Laguna.
o Dona Teodora was forced to walk on foot under the
scorching heat of the sun. From Calamba to Santa Cruz.
o Her traumatic experience affected young Pepe as her
mother languished in jail.
o The constitutional right of the accused in this case to
have a speedy; impartial, and a public trial was not
observed because her mother’s case dragged on until
it reached the Royal Audiencia (Supreme Court).
o Despite the injustice Dona Teodora experienced in the
judicial system at the time, she remained calm,
resolute, and courageous and accepted her fate with
Christian’s resignation.
o She believed that with God’s help, the court would
finally recognize her innocence and the truth would
prevail.
o Dona Teodora used to tell stories to her children before
going to bed.
o On one occasion, she narrated to Jose the story of the
young moth which had made an imprint and profound
impression in his mind at an early stage of his life.
o One evening, all members of Rizal’s family went to bed
early except his mother and him.
o The room was dimly lighted by the flickering light from
a coconut oil lamp on the table.
o Dona Teodora was teaching him to read a Spanish
reader, “The Children’s Friend”.
o She became impatient and scolded him for not reading
properly. He paid little attention and effort to read
because he was preoccupied and fascinated watching
the coconut oil lamp while the little moth encircled the
flights.
o When her mother noticed that he was yawning and
seemed not interested at all, she stopped reading and
said. “I’m going to read to you a very interesting story.
I want you to listen.”
o Rizal was suddenly awakened because the story
promised something novel and interesting. His curiosity

increased when his mother started to read slowly the
fable of the mother moth and its little one.
o As she continued reading the story, his attention was
focused on the light and the moths which were circling
the oil lamp. Dona Teodora repeated the warning of the
mother moth to the young one not to fly close to the
flame as if directing to him.
FIRST POEM BY RIZAL
o He heard the message she would like to convey, but
he was so engrossed with the beautiful and attractive
flame as the insects played merrily in its fascinating
brilliance that the moths that fell and drowned in the oil
did not give him any fear of apprehension. There was
even a feeling of envy in himself about the fortune of
the insects.
o While his mother continued readings, he listened
breathlessly as he stretched his imagination greatly
about the fate of the little moth when the flame moved
along its golden tongue to one side and a moth with this
movement had signed fell into the hot oil, flap its wings
up and down for a time and they became quiet.
o For him, that fleeting moment became an important
event. He felt an unusual feeling and changed in
himself that the flame and the moth seemed to have
some significance in his life while her mother’s words
appeared to his mind to have a mysterious and
brightening basis.
o He did not know how the fable ended. His attention was
fixed on the fate of the insects and quietly, he
murmured. “I watched it with my whole soul… it had
died a martyr to its illusions.”
o Before his mother put him to bed, she said. “See if you
do not behave like the young moth, you might get
burned.” He did not know whether he answered his
mother. One thing he knew was the story revealed to
him something until then unknown.
RIZAL ENTERS ATENEO
o For him, moths are now significant.
o Moths talked and they knew to be warm and advised
like her mother.
o For him, the light seemed more beautiful and had
grown more dazzling and attractive, now, he knew why
the moths circled the flame.
o The tragic fate of the young moth attracted to the
splendor of the light that died a martyr to its illusions.
L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 11
“This left a performed impression on Rizal’s mind. For
him, such noble death was justified, upholding that “to
sacrifice one’s life for an ideal” is meritorious and
exemplary.
o Like the young moth, he was destined to die as a
martyr for the lofty ideal.
o Literary Talents, at the age of eight years, Rizal
revealed his God-given talents in literature by writing
poems.
o The poem he wrote in Tagalog was entitled Sa Aking
mga Kabata (To My Fellow Children).
o He wrote this poem as an appeal to his countrymen to
love their national language.
o The poem reveals Rizal’s nationalistic sentiments and
ideals even at an early age. In poetic verses, he
proclaimed with a profound feeling that a people who
trulylove their native language as a part of their culture,
will undoubtedly strive for liberty like “the bird which
soars to freer space above” and that Tagalog is equal
to English, Latin, Hebrew, French, Spanish, and any
other languages.
RIZAL’S EDUCATION IN ATENEO AND UST
STUDIES IN ATENEO (1872-1887)
o Rizal studied in Ateneo Municipal, a college under the
supervision of the Spanish Jesuits.
o The Jesuits returned to Manila in 1859. They were
considered the best educators of Spain and perhaps of
Europe.
o It was in the year 1865 when they were given the
management of the Escuela Pia or what we now know
as Ateneo de Manila.
o On June 10, 1872, Jose together with his brother
Paciano went to Manila to grant his wish of enrolling
Jose in San Juan de Letran.
o Jose Rizal took the entrance examination and passed
them with flying colors, then he went back to Calamba
on June 24th to stay for a while with his family and to
celebrate their town’s fiesta patron St. John the Baptist.

o It was then that Rizal’s father, Don Francisco, changed
his mind and decided to send him to Ateneo instead.
o Following the instruction of their father, Rizal and his
brother Paciano returned to Manila and proceeded to
Ateneo Municipal.
o As Ordered by their father, Paciano enrolled Jose in
Ateneo using the surname Rizal instead of Mercado to
avoid suspicion by the authorities since Mercado was
the surname Paciano had been using and marked by
the friars as liberals having been a disciple of Padre
Burgos. That was when Jose adopted the second
surname, Rizal. He was the first of his family to adopt
this surname.
o Initially, Rizal’s registration in Ateneo was denied by
Father Magin Ferrando, the college registrar that time,
due to two reasons: first he was late for registration and
second he was sickly and undersized for his age. He
was then eleven years old. Fortunately, they sought the
intercession of Manuel Xerez Burgos, nephew of Padre
Burgos, Rizal was finally admitted to Ateneo.
JESUITS SYSTEM OF EDUCATION
o In the first two terms the classes were divided into
groups of interns and externs: the first constituted the
Roman Empire and the second, the Carthaginian
Empire.
o In each empire there were five dignitaries: Emperor,
Tribune, Decurion, Centurion, and Standard-Bearer.
SECOND YEAR IN ATENEO (1873-74)
o These dignities were won by means of individual
competitions in which it was necessary to catch one’s
adversary in error three times.
o The empires considered themselves in perpetual
warfare, and when an individual of one empire was
caught in error by one belonging to the enemy empire,
a point was counted in favor of the latter.
o At the end of each week or two, the points in favor of
each were added and the empire, which obtained more
points, was declared winner.
FIRST YEAR IN ATENEO (1872-73)
o Rizal belonged to the class composed of Spaniards,
mestizos and Filipinos. Among Jose’s classmates
were Peninsulares and sons of Peninsulares;
L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 12
Francisco G. Oliva, very talented but not very studious;
Joaquin Garrido, endowed with a poor memory but with
much talent and industry; and Gonzalo Marzano, who
occupied the throne of Emperor.
o His first teacher was Fr. Jose Bech, whom he
describes as a man of high stature.
o As a newcomer with a little knowledge in Spanish, Jose
was at first put at the tail of the class. He was an
externo hence he was assigned to the Carthaginians.
o Despite being considered as an inferior, he progressed
rapidly and became emperor at the end of the month
and received a prize of a holy picture.
o At the end of the term he obtained a mark of
“SOBRESALIENTE” or excellent, in all the subjects
and in the examinations.
o To improve more in his Spanish, Rizal took a private
lesson in Sta. Isabel College during noon recess.
o In the second half of the first year, his performance
declined and was not able to maintain his academic
supremacy that he held during his first half of the term
for the reason that he was affected so much by the
remarks of some professors.
o Fr. Bech gave him a remark of ACCESSIT meaning,
he is among the leaders but not top of his class. He
placed second at the end of the year although his
grades were marked excellent.
o In his second year in Ateneo, Jose had the same
professor as in the previous year. Jose repented
having neglected his studies the previous year.
o He studied harder this year and regained his
leadership composure and became an emperor again.
He was then moved inside Intramuros and boarded at
Dona Pepay de Ampuero’s boarding house at No. 6
Calle Magallanes.
o He received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold
medal.
o Rizal went to Sta. Cruz visited his mother and predicted
her release after 3 months which became true.
o Between these years he devoted himself to reading
several books to remedy his defect in Spanish.

o He read Alexander Dumas’ “The Count of Monte
Cristo”. The book is about Edmon Dantes’ clever
escape from the dungeon of Chateau d’If, found a
buried treasure on the rocky island of Monte Cristo,
returned in disguise to retaliate on his enemies who
wronged him.
o He also asked his father to buy him an expensive set
of copies of Cesar Cantu’s historical work entitled
“Universal History”. That book had been a great aid in
his studies and enabled him to win more prizes.
o Lastly he read the book “Travels in the Philippines” by
Dr. Feodor Jagor. a German scientist-traveler who
visited the Philippines in 1859-1860.
o What struck him most in this book were Jagor’s keen
observations of the defects of Spanish colonization and
his prophecy that someday Spain would lose the
Philippines and that America would come to succeed
her as colonizer.
THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1874-75)
o Jose Rizal returned to Ateneo shortly before the
classes began to start his junior year.
o He met his mother and informed her that she was
finally released from prison, just as he predicted when
he visited her in her prison cell in Santa Cruz, Laguna.
o His grades remained excellent in all subjects and won
a medal in Latin- his only medal that year.
o He failed to win a medal in Spanish because his
spoken Spanish was not that fluent. A Spaniard who
delivered Spanish with fluency and right accentuation
defeated him.
FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO (1875-76)
o On June 16th, 1875, he became an interno in Ateneo.
In that year, he met Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez
as his professor, whom he regarded as a great
educator and scholar.
o He had inspired Rizal to write poetry. Fr. Sanchez
recognized his God-given talents and because of the
inspiration and recognition given, he considered the
Jesuit professor as “model of uprightness,
earnestness, and love” for the advancement of his
students.
L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 13
o Rizal had progressed much, for at the end of the year
he obtained five medals and topped all his classmates
in all subjects.
LAST YEAR IN ATENEO (1876-77)
o In this last year in ateneo, Jose had then written a short
story (leyenda), which was enacted at the end of the
course, alluding to the collegians’ farewell.
o Rizal was recognized by the school as “The Pride of
the Jesuit”. He obtained the highest grades in all
subjects. On March 23, 1877, the 16 year old Jose
Rizal graduated and received the degree of Bachelor
of Arts, with highest honors.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
o Marian Congregation – secretary : devotion to Our
Lady of Immaculate Conception
o Spanish Literature
o Academy of Natural Sciences
o Father Sanchez – literature
o Father Jose Villaclara – practical studies
o Agustin Saez – painting
o Romualdo de Jesus – sculpting
o Tio Manuel – gymnastics and fencing
SCULPTURAL WORKS IN ATENEO
o Image of the Virgin Mary – batikuling (Philippine
hardwood using a pocketknife)
o Father Lleonart – requested him to carve the image of
Sacred Heart of Jesus
ANECDOTES ON RIZAL, THE ATHENEAN
o Felix M. Roxas – resignation to pain and forgiveness
o Mansano and Lesaca – quarreled and violently hurled
books at each other
o Manuel Xeres Burgos – boarded shortly
o Julio Meliza from Iloilo – crying because of the kite
POEMS WRITTEN IN ATENEO
o Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration) –
dedicated to his mother
o 1875: • Felicitacion (Felicitation)
o El Embarque: Himno a la Flota de Magallanes (The
Departure: Hymn to Magellan’s Fleet)
o Y Es Espanol: Elcano, el Primero en dar la Vuelta al
Mundo (And He is Spanish: Elcano, the First to
Circumnavigate the world.

o El Combate: Urbiztondo, Terror de Jolo (The Battle:
Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo)
o 1876: religion, education, childhood memories, and
war
o Education: “Through Education Our Motherland
Receives Light”
o “The Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good
Education”
o Religion: “Al Nino Jesus” (To the Child Jesus)
o 1877: last year in Ateneo
DRAMATIC WORK IN ATENEO
o Father Sanchez – requested Rizal to write a drama
based on the prose story of St. Eustace the Martyr
o San Eustacio, Martir
STUDIES IN UST (1877-1882)
RIZAL’S ARRIVAL IN UST
o With Rizal's graduation from Ateneo de Manila, his
father Don Francisco, aware of his son's extraordinary
intelligence, chose to send him to Manila for higher
studies.
o Dona Teodora hesitated because she had witnessed
the destiny of young intellectual Filipinos who
questioned the Spanish authority in the Philippines.
She was vocal in her opposition to Don Francisco's
choice.
o However, Rizal's father was confident in the bright
future that promised his son, whose intelligence at the
time was among the highest. Paciano and Don
Francisco wanted Rizal to Pursue College Education
o It is said that in the Spanish times, the Bachelor of Arts
degree is equivalent to a high school diploma today.
RIZAL’S ENROLLMENT IN UST
o Rizal, who was barely 16 years old when he entered
the University of Santo Tomas in April 1877, majored
in Philosophy and Letters.
o He enrolled in this course for two reasons: (1) his father
recommended it, and (2) he lacked career direction.
o He had written to Father Pablo Ramon, Rector of the
Ateneo, who had been kind to him throughout his time
at the university, seeking career guidance.
L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 14
o Unfortunately, Father Recto was in Mindanao, and it
took several months for a letter to travel from Manila to
Mindanao in those days.
o Therefore, he studied Cosmology, Metaphysics,
Theodicy, and History of Philosophy during his first
term at the University of Santo Tomas.
o After his first year, Rizal chose to pursue a career in
medicine.
o He switched to the Medicine course for two reasons.
First, Father Ramon, the Rector of Ateneo, suggested
that he seek a career in medicine. Second, he desired
a remedy for his mother's growing blindness.
ATENEO SURVEYING COURSE COMPLETION (1878).
o During his time in the University of Santo Tomas from
1877 to 1878, Rizal also attended Ateneo, where he
completed a vocational degree leading to the title of
perito agrimensor (expert surveyor).
o At 17, he passed the final examination in surveying
course and was granted the title as surveyor on
November 25, 1881.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN ATENEO WHILE
STUDYING IN UST
o President of the Academy of Spanish Literature
o Secretary of the Academy of Natural Sciences
o Secretary of the Marian Congregation
OTHER EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
o Literary contests:
o Liceo Artistico Literario de Manila
o A La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth)
o El consejo de los Dioses (The council of the Gods)
o Wrote one-act play:
o Junto al Pasig
o Poems:
o Abd el-Aziz y Mohama
o Al M.R.P. Pablo Ramon
 L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 15

RIZAL’S UNHAPPY DAYS IN UST o Instead of listening to Rizal's complaint, the Captain
General scolded him and told him he should be glad to
o For Rizal, the atmosphere at the UST was oppressive
be alive. The Guardia Civil then let Rizal go.
to his delicate spirit.
FINISHED MEDICINE IN UST
o His displeasure with this Dominican institution of higher
learning was caused by the following: o Rizal finished studying medicine at UST. He was
notable in all of his subjects and he was the 2nd best
o Hostility of Dominican Professors to him
student in a class of seven who passed the course.
o Racial discrimination against Filipino students
IMPORTANT LITERARY WORKS IN UST
o Dissatisfaction with the method of instruction.
o El Consejo de los Dioses
o As Rizal is learning Medicine, he performed poorly at o Junto al Pasig
UST. The reasons why is: o A Filipinas
o To the Filipino Youth (A La Juventud Filipina)
o Medicine is not in his vocation

o Discontentment with the system of Education RIZAL’S TRAVELS:

o Distractions of Youth SPAIN (1882 - 1885) & PARIS TO BERLIN (1885 - 1887)
SPAIN 1882-1885
STUDENT ACTIVISM IN UST
o After finishing the 4th year of the medical course in the
o Rizal displayed his leadership in student activism when
UST, Jose Rizal was tired of the antiquated method of
he was pursuing Philosophy and Medicine at UST.
instructions in the Dominican-owned university and the
COMPAÑERISMO prejudice of these Dominican professors against
Filipino Students, like him.
o In 1880, during his college years in the Philippines,
Jose Rizal founded a clandestine society known as o That is why he decided to study in Spain. But aside
Compañerismo or Compañerismo de Jehu, which from educational purpose, he has a deeper purpose.
Galicano Apacible characterized as a group that
RIZAL’S SECRET MISSION
promoted civic and patriotic education and mutual
protection and solidarity among its members. o Rizal decided to leave the country not just to complete
his medical studies in Europe.
SPANISH BRUTALITY
o Initially, Rizal’s mission was to observe the lives,
o Rizal was used to going home to Calamba during the
cultures, laws, language and customs, industries and
holidays to spend time with his family and relax after a
commerce, and governments of the countries in
long, hard semester as a medical student at UST.
Europe, in preparation for liberating the Philippines and
o In 1878, Rizal was walking alone down a dark street the oppressed people from Spain's tyrannical rule.
when he didn't see the Spanish Civil Guard passing by.
o But the hidden purpose for this voyage is to make a
He didn't know who the soldier was, so he didn't bow,
name for himself in the realm of journalism and study
salute, or say hello to him.
other things of greater usefulness or to which you are
o At close range, the Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) whipped more inclined.
Rizal's back with a dry stingray tail (buntot pagi). He
SECRET DEPARTURE FROM SPAIN
got hurt on his back, and it took two weeks for the
wounds to completely heal. o The departure of Jose Rizal for Spain was kept secret
from Spanish authorities, friars and even to his parents
o Rizal could not stand how badly the Civil Guard treated
especially to his mother because she would not allow
him, so he went to Captain General Primo de Rivera to
him to go.
complain about the Spanish soldier.

o Only handful of family members and trusted family
friends were informed.
o Only his older brother Paciano, Uncle Antonio Rivera
(father of Leonor Rivera), Neneng and Lucia (his
sisters), and some compadres and intimate friends
knew.
o The kind Jesuit priests gave him recommendation
letters to the members of their society in Barcelona, in
which he uses the name of his cousin, Jose Mercado.
SINGAPORE
o He departed on board the Spanish Steamer named
Salvadora bound to Singapore where he was only the
Filipino passengers.
o Others were Spanish, British, and Indians, he
overheard some Spaniards speaking ill of the
Philippines where they said that they only go in the
country for the sake of money.
o But the ship captain from Spain befriended him. During
his stopover on Singapore,
o He toured the island by carriage, visiting sites such as
the Raffles statue, the Botanical Gardens, temples,
markets, and a famous local school.
o He is known to have visited the Singapore Botanic
Gardens, not once but three times, as well as the
erstwhile palaces of the Maharajah of Johor and the
Rajah of Siam.
o Rizal made four visits to Singapore during his lifetime
and passed through again shortly before his execution.
FROM SINGAPORE TO COLOMBO
o From Singapore, Rizal transferred to a new ship called
Djemnah, a French steamer. Bigger than the
Salvadora it accommodates more passengers.
o He had fellow Filipinos passengers, together with other
citizens but it was mostly French people.
o He was able to improve his knowledge in French
Language while conversing with the French
passengers each day.
o While passing through cities, he was amazed by the
beaty of Colombo because of its scenic beauty and
elegant buildings.
L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 16
FIRST TRIP TO THE SUEZ CANAL
o After he crossed the Indian Ocean and Cape of
Guardafui, Africa, he stopped over at Aden, and he
said that the city is hotter than Manila where he even
sees camels there.
o From Aden, he proceeded to the city of Suez, the red
sea terminal of Suez Canal.
o It took them 5 days to arrive to the destination which he
was amazed by the impressive moonlight scenery in
Suez and was engrossed with the multicultural people
and language of the place.
o It is interesting to note that he made that trip westward,
crossing the Suez Canal, which had just opened a few
years back, and navigating the Mediterranean from
Egypt to Barcelona.
o The opening of the Suez Canal brought the Philippines
closer to Spain and Rizal's generation made the most
out of it.
NAPLES AND MARSEILLES
o The steamer then sailed to Europe; and in June 11,
1882, he reached Naples.
o Rizal went around the city of Naples, and this was the
first European ground he set foot on where he was
amused by the business activities lively people and
ceramic beaty.
o Early on the morning he landed at Marseilles on 13
June 1882 and boarded at the Noalles Hotel.
o Rizal arrived in Marseilles for a two-and-a-half-day
visit. He described it as "the most ancient commercial
city that perhaps exists."
o Notably, he visited the Chateau d'If, where Dantes
(hero of the Count of Monte Cristo) was imprisoned.
BARCELONA
o After he left Marseille, he went to Barcelona by a train
for his last trip to Spain on June 16, 1882.
o Rizal arrived and boarded in the Fonda De España.
o In a letter, Rizal related to his parents his experiences
during his trip from Port Said to Barcelona.

o Rizal’s first impression of Barcelona was unfavorable
as he thought that it was ugly and dirty, and people
were unhospitable because he happened to stay in an
unimpressive narrow street where staffs of his in were
indifferent to him,
o However, this impression lasted as he found out that it
is a great city with an atmosphere of freedom and
liberalism, with openhearted and courageous citizens.
o He even had a party with his former Filipino classmates
in High school he met in Barcelona.
o In progressive Barcelona, He wrote his first article,
“Amor Patrio” which means Love of Country, abroad.
This was his first nationalistic essay he wrote in Spain,
o It was published in Diaryong Tagalog under his pen
name Laong Laan on August 20, 1882 with the help of
his friend in Manila, Basilio Teodoro Moran, the
publisher of the said newspaper. He wrote this to urge
his compatriots to love their fatherland, Philippines.
MANILA MOVES TO MADRID
o On September 15, 1882, Rizal received a news that
there was an on-going epidemic (cholera) in Manila
and other provinces where a lot people die daily.
o Also, he found out that Leonor Rivera was really upset
and getting thinner because of his absence.
o On the other hand, His brother Paciano advised him to
just finish his medical course in Madrid, the capital of
Spain.
LIFE IN MADRID
o Rizal followed the advice of his brother and enroll in the
Universidad Central de Madrid on November 1882 to
take 2 courses, Medicine and Philosophy and letters.
o But aside from this, he also attended classes on
painting and sculpture on the Academy of Fine Arts of
San Fernando and practiced fencing and shooting in
the Hall of Arms of Sans y Carbonell.
o He has passionate in music too, in art galleries and
museums, and every books of different subjects.
o And at some point, he visited the house of the former
Manila Mayor Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey, the father of
Rafael and Consuelo.
L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 17
ROMANCE WITH CONSUELO ORTIGA Y PEREZ
o Speaking of Consuelo, he had a romance with
Consuelo Ortiga y Prerez, the prettiest daughter of Don
Pablo. He fell in love with Rizal because of his talents
and charisma.
o While Rizal, being the lonely man in Spain, fell in love
with the beauty of Consuelo as well, and he even write
a poem named after her initials, A La Senorita C. O. y
P (To Miss C. O. y P.), dedicated for her as he found
solace and joy in Consuelo’s presence.
o However, he backed out into a serious affair because
(1) he was still engaged to Leonor Rivera and (2) his
friend and co-worker in the Propaganda Movement,
Eduardo de Letre, was madly in love with Consuelo.
RIZAL AS LOVER OF BOOKS
o Rizal grew up in a home with a large library—a rarity in
the nineteenth century Philippines. Thus, he developed
a liking for books and learning.
o In Europe, though he was on a shoestring budget, with
his allowance sometimes arriving late, he would still
scrimp and save to buy books.
o Reading books was his favorite pastime in Madrid
instead of gambling and flirting with other women.
o He purchased secondhand books on a bookstore
owned by Senor Roces and built a small private library.
o Among all of his collections, he was deeply affected by
Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and Eugene
Sue’s “The Wandering Jew” because this two books
aroused his sympathy for the oppressed and
unfortunate people.
RIZAL’S FIRST VISIT TO PARIS
o During 1883, Rizal chose Paris, the capital of France,
to spend his first summer vacation.
o He was amazed by the attractive scenery, beautiful
boulevards, churches, parks, and gardens.
o Instead of visiting theater and clubs, he often visited
historical places, spend his entire time museums, and
observe the French way of life.

o However, visiting Paris was too expensive according to
him. The prices of food, drinks, theatre, tickets,
laundry, hotel accommodations, and transportation
were too high for Rizal's slender purse so that he
commented in a letter to his family: “Paris is the cosliest
city in Europe”
RIZAL AS A MASON
o Rizal was impressed by the way the Spanish Masons
openly criticized the government policies and
lambasted the friars because this cannot be done in the
Philippines.
o Therefore, in 1883, Rizal joined the Masonic lodge in
Madrid which was called Acacia.
o On November 15, 1890, Rizal became a Master Mason
in Lodge Solidaridad in Madrid.
o His reason was to secure Freemasonry’s aid when he
needs to fight against the friars in the Philippines.
o Two years later he was awarded Master Mason in
Paris by Le Grand Orient de France.
o Rizal was a freemason who condemned the corrupt
ways of the Church and upheld individual and national
liberty.
o When Rizal arrived in Spain in 1882, he found a
country that was strongly influenced by Masonic
thought.
FINANCIAL WORRIES
o When Rizal went to Spain, his family in the Calamba,
Laguna, Philippines experienced financial difficulties,
as they’ve experienced different economic disasters. It
continued for quite longer.
o The family agricultural enterprise was tied up with the
fortunes of the sugar export industry, and sugar prices
had collapsed in the world market.
o The Dominican manager increased their rentals on the
hacienda cultivated by Rizal’s family.
o That is why the monthly allowances of Rizal in Madrid
were almost always late or sometimes when they never
arrived.
L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 18
RIZAL’S SALUTE TO LUNA AND HIDALGO
o Luna and Hidalgo are both pride of Spain and the
Philippines.
o They have these artistic achievements that
transcended geographical frontiers and racial origins
o He also assailed with refined sarcasm the bigotry and
blindness of certain unworthy Spaniards, in which he
was referring to the bad friars in the Philippines, who
could not comprehend the universality of genius.
o According to Rizal: Luna and Hidalgo's achievement
illuminated the two ends of España and Filipinas. He
claims change is coming. They are a symbol of peace
and a bond of love between nations.
RIZAL INVOLVED IN STUDENT DEMONSTRATION
o During his student days in the country, Jose Rizal
found a clandestine organization known as
Compañerismo or Compañerismo de Jehu in 1880,
which Galicano Apacible described as an organization
promoting civic and patriotic education among its
members, and mutual protection and support.
o On November 20, 21, and 22, 1884, the serene city of
Madrid exploded in bloody riots by the students of
Central University.
o Rizal and other Filipino student participated together
with Cuban, Mexican, Peruvian, and Spanish student
in the tumult.
STUDIES COMPLETED IN SPAIN
o Rizal completed his medical course in Spain. He was
conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine by the
Universidad Central de Madrid on June 21, 1884.
o In the next academic year 1884-85, he studied and
passed all subjects leading to the degree of Doctor of
Medicine.
o But Rizal did not comply and finish his thesis
requirement for him to graduate. He had not paid also
other fees in school that is why he was not given a
Doctor’s Diploma.
 L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 19

On the other hand, he also had a degree of Licentiate in o On January 1, 1886, Rizal wrote a letter to his mother
Philosophy and Letters awarded by the Universidad Central de to reveal that he rapidly improved his knowledge of
Madrid on his birthday, June 19, 1885, with high grades in most ophthalmology.
of his subjects. It made him qualified to be a professor of
o Outside of his working hours at Dr. Weckert’s clinic,
Humanities.
Rizal relaxed by visiting his friends, such as the family
o He also obtained the degree of Licentiate in Medicine of the Pardo de Taveras (Trinidad, Felix, and Paz),
that is why he became a full-fledged physician qualified Juan Luna, and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo.
to practice medicine.
o He also spent leisure hours at the studio of Luna. He
o He did not bother to get a post-graduate degree discussed with Luna, the great master of the brush,
because this is only good for being in the field of various problems in art and improved his painting
teaching and he know that he will only be discriminated technique.
by the Dominican friars in the Philippines.
o He also helped Luna by posing as a model in several
PARIS TO BERLIN 1885-1887 paintings. In Luna’s canvas “The Death of Cleopatra,”
Rizal posed as an Egyptian priest. In another of Luna’s
o After finishing his education in Madrid, Rizal traveled to
great pictures, “The Blood Compact,” he posed as
Paris and Germany to pursue a career in
Sikatuna, with Trinidad Pardo de Tavera taking the role
ophthalmology.
of Legazpi.
o He picked this profession of medicine in particular
RIZAL AS MUSICIAN
because he wanted to treat the condition of his
mother's eyes. o Music played an important part in all Filipino reunions
in Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, and other cities in Europe.
o He served as assistant to the famous oculists of
Especially, in the home of the Pardo de Taveras and in
Europe.
the Luna studio where they play or sing kundimans and
o In Berlin, capital of then unified Germany, he met and other Philippine melodies.
befriended several top German scientists, Dr. Feodor
o However, Rizal admitted that he had no natural
Jagor, Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, Dr. Hans Meyer, and Dr.
aptitude for music.
Rudolf Virchow.
o He only studied music because many of his
IN GAY PARIS (1885-86)
schoolmates at the Ateneo were taking music lessons.
o Immediately following the completion of his studies at
o In a letter dated November 27, 1878, he told Enrique
the Central University of Madrid, Rizal, who was
Lete that he “learned the solfeggio, the piano, and
already a physician, traveled to Paris to further his
voice culture in one month and a half”. But he
education in ophthalmology.
confessed that he could not sing well.
o He stopped in Barcelona on the way to Paris to see his
o Rizal came to play the flute fairly well in various
friend – Maximo Viola, a medical student from San
impromptu reunions of Filipinos in Paris.
Miguel, Bulacan, who comes from a wealthy family.
o It is said that he even composed some songs,
o From there, he was also acquainted with Seńor
particularly Alin Mang Lahi (Any Race), a patriotic song
Eusebio Corominas, editor of the newspaper La
that asserts that any race aspires for freedom, and La
Publicidad.
Deportacion (Deportation), a sad danza, which he
o In November 1885, Rizal sojourned for about four composed in Dapitan during his exile.
months in Paris.

o He was an assistant to Dr. Louis de Weckert (1852-

1906), a leading French ophthalmologist, from
November 1885 to February 1886.

IN HISTORIC HEIDELBERG
o With enough experience as an ophthalmologist, Rizal
reluctantly left gay Paris on February 1, 1886, for
Germany.
o After two days, he arrived in Heidelberg, a historic city
in Germany famous for its old university and romantic
surroundings.
o When the German law students he lived with for a short
time discovered that Rizal was a good chess player,
they made him a member of the Chess Player’s Club.
o Eventually, he became popular among them because
he joined in their chess games and beer drinking and
watched their friendly saber duels.
o Afterward, Rizal was transferred to a boarding house
near the University of Heidelberg.
o He worked at the University Eye Hospital under the
direction of Dr. Otto Becker, a German opthalmologist.
o And in the spring of 1886, while visiting some scenic
spots around Heidelberg, he was fascinated by the
beautiful spring flowers along the cool banks of the
Neckar River - the light blue “forget-me-not”.
o This reminded him of the blooming flowers in the
garden of his home back in Calamba.
o In his mood of homesickness, he wrote on April 12,
1886, a fine poem “ A Las Flores de Heidelberg ” (To
the Flowers of Heidelberg).
WITH PASTOR ULMER AT WILHELMSFELD
o After writing “To the Flowers of Heidelberg,” Rizal
spent his three-month summer at Wilhelmsfeld.
o He stayed at the vicarage of a kind Protestant pastor,
Dr. Karl Ulmer, who became his good friend and
admirer.
o He endeared the pastor’s wife, who had two children,
with his skills and talents.
o After his delightful stay at Pastor’s home, he wrote a
letter on June 25, 1886, to the Ulmer’s family about the
good memories of the theirfriendship and hospitality
despite him being a stranger and his brown skin.
L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 20
FIRST LETTER TO BLUMENTRITT
o On July 31, 1886, Rizal wrote his first letter in German
to Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt (Director of the
Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria) who was an Austrian
ethnologist and had an interest in Philippine
languages.
o In his letter, Rizal acknowledge Blumentritt’s published
work about their language.
o He then mentioned sending a book entitled Aritmetica
(Arithmetic) that was published in two languages -
Spanish and Tagalog - by the University of Santo
Tomas Press in 1868.
o The author was Rufino Baltazar Hernandez, a native of
Santa Cruz, Laguna.
o Blumentritt was impressed by Rizal’s letter and sent
him also a gift of two books. This gesture marked the
beginning of their long and frequent correspondence
and their friendship that lasted all their lives.
IN LEIPZIG AND DRESDEN
o After witnessing the fifth centenary celebration of the
University of Heidelberg, Rizal left the city and boarded
a train to visit various cities in Germany.
o He arrived in Leipzig on August 14, 1886. Soon after,
he attended some lectures at the University of Leipzig
on history and psychology where he befriended
Professor Friedrich Ratzel, a famous German
historian, and Dr. Hans Meyer, a German
anthropologist.
o Rizal also translated some of the literature into Tagalog
for the Filipinos.
o First is Shiller’s William Tell in German and second was
Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales for his nephews
and nieces.
o Later on, Rizal stayed in Leipzig for two months and a
half when he found out that it had the cheapest cost of
living in Europe.
o While sojourning here, he corrected some chapters of
his second novel and worked as a proofreader in a
publisher’s firm because of his knowledge of German,
Spanish, and other European languages.

o On October 29, he left Leipzig for Dresden and stayed
for two days, where he met Dr. Adolph B. Meyer,
Director of the Anthropological and Ethnological
Museum.
RIZAL WELCOMED IN BERLIN’S SCIENTIFIC CIRCLES
o On the morning of November 1, Rizal left Dresden by
train reaching Berlin in the evening.
o He was enchanted by the city’s scientific atmosphere
and the absence of racial prejudice.
o Here, he met the author of the book he read and
admired during his student days in Manila - Dr. Feodor
Jagor, celebrated German scientist-traveler and author
of Travels in the Philippines.
o Dr. Jagor visited the Philippines in 1859-60 before
Rizal was born.
o In this book (published in Berlin in 1873), he foretold
the downfall of Spanish rule in the Philippines and the
coming of America to Philippine shores.
o Rizal had a letter of introduction by Blumentritt for him.
o In exchange, Dr. Jagor introduced Rizal to Dr. Rudolf
Virchow, a well-known German anthropologist, and to
Dr. Hans Virchow, a professor of descriptive anatomy.
o He also got to know renowned German geographer Dr.
W. Joest.
o He was employed by renowned German
ophthalmologist Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger in his
practice.
o Rizal was accredited by Europe’s scientists for his
scientific knowledge by becoming a member of the
Anthropological Society, the Ethnological Society, and
the Geographical Society of Berlin upon the
recommendation of Dr. Jagor and Dr. Meyer.
o He was the first Asian to grant such honors. Not only
that, he was invited to give a lecture before the
Ethnographic Society of Berlin by Dr. Virchow.
o In response to the invitation, Rizal wrote a scholarly
paper in German, entitled Tagalische Verkunst
(Tagalog Metrical Art) which he read before the society
in April 1887.
L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 21
o This paper was published by the society in the same
year, and it obtained favorable comments from all
scientific quarters.
RIZAL’S LIFE IN BERLIN
o Rizal lived in the famous capital of unified Germany,
Berlin, not as a mere student or a curious tourist.
o He had five reasons: (1) to gain further knowledge of
ophthalmology, (2) to further his studies of sciences
and languages, (3) to observe the economic had
political conditions of the German nation, (4) to
associate with famous German scientists and scholars,
and (5) to publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere.
o Rizal led a methodical and frugal life in Berlin. He
worked as an assistant in an eye clinic in the daytime
and attended lectures at the University of Berlin at
night.
o He took private lessons under a professor of French,
Madame Lucie Cerdole to master the idiomatic
intricacies of the French language. This was Jose’s
way of perfecting his academic studies.
RIZAL ON GERMAN WOMEN AND GERMAN CUSTOMS
o On March 11, 1886, Rizal wrote a letter addressed to
his sister, Trinidad, expressing his high regard and
admiration for German womanhood.
o In the letter, he described the German woman as
serious, diligent, educated, and friendly. Unlike the
Spanish woman who is gossipy, frivolous, and
quarrelsome.
o Jose then compared the German woman to the Filipino
woman as someone who is not particular in beautiful
dresses and expensive jewelry far from the latter.
o However, he praised the Filipinas for their delicacy of
feeling, fine manners, devotion, and hospitality.
o Aside from German women, as a keen observer of the
customs of the people in all the countries he visited,
Jose admired German customs.
o First was the Germans’ Yuletide custom, in which
people take pine trees from the bushes and adorned
them with lanterns, paper, lights, dolls, candies, and
fruits. And second, was the self-introduction to
strangers in a social gathering.

o According to the German code of etiquette, it is bad
manners for a guest to remain aloof and wait for his
host or hostess to make the proper introduction.
RIZAL’S DARKEST WINTER
o Despite the beautiful happenings he had in Germany,
he also experienced awful memories during the winter
in Berlin.
o In the year 1886, during this bleak winter, he lived in
poverty because he didn’t receive any amount of
money from Calamba.
o Consequently, he cut short all his expenditures and
even pawned his sister, Saturnina, a diamond ring.
o Jose only ate one meal a day, and that daily meal
consisted of bread and water or some cheap vegetable
soup.
o His older brother Paciano tried to raise money but
failed due to the ravages of the locust in crops.
o Meanwhile, Rizal back in Berlin starved and his health
broke down due to lack of proper nourishment.
o He never experienced such extreme poverty in his life
that his soul cried out in despair.
RIZAL’S GRAND TOUR IN EUROPE WITH VIOLA
CHAPTER IX 1887
WHO IS JOSÉ PROTACIO RIZAL MERCADO Y ALONSO
REALONDA?
o José Rizal (1861-1896) is one of the most revered
figures in Philippine history.
o He was a multifaceted intellectual and a political
activist, best known for his political writings that
inspired the Philippine revolution and ultimately led to
his execution by the Spanish colonizers.
WHO IS MÁXIMO VIOLA Y SISON?
o Was a physician, municipal councilor, and supporter of
the Propaganda Movement.
o Maximo Viola was known as the man who saved for
posterity and financed the printing of Jose Rizal's novel
Noli Me Tangere.
L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 22
(1887)
o After the publication of Noli, Rizal planned to visit
important places in Europe. Dr. Maximo Viola agreed
to be his traveling companion.
o Rizal received Paciano's remittance of P1000 which
was forwarded by Juan Luna from Paris and
immediately paid his debt to Viola which he loaned so
that the Noli could be printed. First, he and Viola visited
Potsdam, a city near Berlin.
TOUR BEGINS
o At the dawn of May 11, 1887, Rizal and Viola, two
brown-skinned doctors on a roaming spree, left Berlin
by train.
o Spring was an ideal season for traveling. Their
destination was in Dresden, “one of the best cities in
Germany”.
DRESDEN
o Rizal and Viola tarried for some time in Dresden. They
visited Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, who was overjoyed to see
them. In the Museum of Art, Rizal was deeply
impressed by the painting “Prometheus Bound”.
o They also met Dr. Jagor and heard about their plan to
visit Leitmeritz to see Blumentritt.
o He advised Blumentritt to wire because the old
professor might be shocked by their visit.
FIRST MEETING WITH BLUMENTRITT
o At 1:30 pm on May 15, 1887, the train arrived at the
railroad station of Leitmeritz. Professor Blumentritt was
at the station carrying a pencil sketch of Rizal which he
sent to identify his friend.
o Blumentritt get a room at Hotel Krebs, after which he
brought them to his house and stayed in Leitmeritz
from May 13 to 14 1887.
BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES AT LEITMERITZ
o They enjoyed the hospitality of the Blumentritt family.
The professor’s wife, Rosa, was a good cook. She
prepared Austrian dishes which Rizal liked very much.
o Blumentritt proved to be a great tourist as well as a
hospitable host. He showed the scenic and historical
spots of Leitmeritz to his visitors.

o The Burgomaster (town mayor) was also amazed by
Rizal’s “privileged talent”.
PRAGUE
o Rizal and Viola visited the historic city of Prague. They
carried letters of recommendation from Blumentritt to
Dr. Wilkom, a professor at the University of Prague.
Rizal and Viola visited the “Tomb of Copernicus”.
VIENNA
o On May 20 they arrived at Vienna, the capital of
Austria-Hungary.
o They met Norfenfals, one of the greatest novelists of
that time. They stayed at Hotel Metropole.
o They also met two good friends of Blumentritt – Masner
and Nordman, Austrian scholars.Danubian Voyage to
Lintz.
o On May 24, Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a riverboat
to see the beautiful sights of the Danube River.
o As they traveled along the famous river, Rizal keenly
observed river sights.
FORM LINTZ TO RHEINFALL
o The river voyage ended in Lintz. They traveled
overland to Salzburg, and from there to Munich where
they sojourned for a short time to savor the famous
Munich Beer.
CROSSING THE FRONTIER TO SWITZERLAND
o They stayed from June 2 to 3 1887 and continued to
tour Basel (Bale), Bern, and Laussane.
GENEVA
o Rizal and Viola left Laussane in a little boat crossing
the foggy Leman Lake to Geneva. On June 19, 1887,
his 26th birthday, Rizal treated Viola to a blowout. Rizal
and Viola spent fifteen days in Geneva.
o On June 23, they parted ways. Viola decided to return
to Barcelona while Rizal continued his tour to Italy.
RIZAL RESENTS EXHIBITION OF IGOROTS IN 1887
MADRID EXPOSITION
o Rizal received sad news from his friends in Madrid of
the deplorable conditions of the primitive Igorots who
were exhibited in this exposition. Some of these Igorots
L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 23
died. Rizal was outraged by the degradation of his
fellow countrymen.
RIZAL’S FIRST HOMECOMING
RIZAL’S PLANS OF COMING BACK HOME
o As early as 1884, Rizal wanted to go back to the
Philippines for the following reasons:
o Financial difficulties in Calamba
o Dissatisfaction with his studies in Madrid
o Desire to prove that there is no reason to fear
going home
o His belief is that the Spanish regime will not
punish the innocent.
THE DECISION TO RETURN HOME
o Because of the publication of the Noli Me Tangere and
the uproar, it caused among the friars, Rizal was
warned by;
o Paciano (his brother)
o Silvestre Ubaldo (his brother-in-law
o Chengoy (Jose M. Cecilio) one of Rizal’s
closest friend, and other friends return home.
o He was determined to return to the Philippines for the
following reasons:
o to operate on his mother’s eyes
o to serve his people who had long been
oppressed by the Spanish tyrants.
o to find out for himself how Noli and his other
writings were affecting the Filipinos and
Spaniards in the Philippines.
o to inquire why Leonor Rivera remained silent.
o In a letter to Blumentritt, written in Geneva on June 19,
1887, Rizal said: "Your advice that I live in Madrid
and continue to write from there is very benevolent,
but I cannot accept it. I cannot endure life in Madrid
where everything is a voice in a wilderness. My
parents want to see me, and I want to see them
also. All my life I desire to live in my country by the
side of my family. Until now I am not Europeanized
like the Filipinos of Madrid; I always like to return
to the country of my birth". (June 29, 1887 - In Rome,
Rizal wrote to his father announcing his homecoming.)

DELIGHTFUL TRIP TO MANILA
o Rizal left Rome by train for Marseilles, a French port,
which he reached without mishap.
o July 3, 1887 - He boarded the streamer Djemnah, the
same steamer who brought him to Europe five years
ago.
o There were about 50 passengers including 4
Englishmen, 2 Germans, 3 Chinese, 2 Japanese, many
Frenchmen and 1 Filipino (Rizal).
o Rizal was the only one among the passengers who
could speak many languages, so he acted as an
interpreter for his companions.
o July 30, 1887-at Saigon, Rizal transferred to another
steamer, Haiphong, which was Manila-bounded
o August 2, 1887- the steamer left Saigon for Manila
ARRIVAL IN MANILA
o On August 5, the Haiphong arrived in Manila. He
stayed in the city for a short time.
o He found Manila the same as when he left it 5 years
ago. There were the same old churches and buildings,
the same holes in the roads, the same boats on the
Pasig River, and the same heary walls surrounding the
city.
HAPPY HOMECOMING
o On August 8, 1887, Rizal returned to Calamba. His
family welcomed him affectionately, with plentiful tears
of joy.
o Then, there was a writing to Blumentritt of his
homecoming, he said: "I had a pleasant voyage. I found
my family enjoying good health and our happiness was
great in seeing each other again.
o They shed tears of joy and I had to answer ten
thousand questions at the same time"
o The rejoicings of Rizal's return over, his family became
worried for his safety
L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 24
o Paciano - did not leave him during the first days after
arrival to protect him from any enemy assault.
o Don Francisco (Rizal’s father) - did not permit him to go
out alone.
o In Calamba, Rizal established a medical clinic. Rizal’s
first patient was his mother, Dona Teodora. Rizal
treated her eyes but could not perform any surgical
operation because her cataracts were not yet ripe.
o Afterwards, Rizal was called “Doctor Uliman” because
he came from Germany to treat their ailments. He
earned Php 900 in a few months and Php 5,000 before
he left the Philippines.
o Unlike many successful medical practitioners, Rizal did
not selfishly devote all his time to enriching himself.
o He opened a gymnasium for young folks, where he
introduced European sports. Then, he tried to interest
his townmates in gymnastics, fencing and shooting, to
discourage the cockfights and gambling.
o Rizal suffered one failure during his six months of
vacation in Calamba;
o His inability to see Leonor Rivera.
o Rizal tried to go to Dagupan, but his parents forbade
him to go because Leonor’s mother did not like Rizal to
be a son-in-law.
o Even though Rizal takes it with a heavy heart, he still
chooses to follow his parents.
o Later, he was caught within the iron grip of the custom
of his time that marriages must he arranged by the
parents of both groom and bride.
STORM OVER THE NOLI
o As Rizal was peacefully living in Calamba, his enemies
plotted his doom.
o Aside from practicing medicine, attending his
gymnasium, which he established, and taking part in
the town's civic affairs, he painted several beautiful
landscapes, and he translated the German poems of
Von Wildernath in Tagalog.

o A few weeks after his arrival, Rizal received a letter
from Governor General Emilio Terrero, he wrote to
Rizal for requesting to come to Malacañang Palace.
o It is because, somebody had whispered to his ear that
the Noli contains subversive ideas.
o Rizal went to Manila and appeared at Malacañang.
o When Governor General Terrero informed him of the
charge, he denied it, explaining that he merely exposed
the truth but did not advocate subversive ideas.
o Then, he was pleased by Rizal’s explanation and
curious about the book. He asked for a copy of the
novel, but Rizal had no copy at that time, but he
promised to send one to Governor Terrero.
o Rizal visited the Jesuit fathers to ask for their feedback
on the novel.
o He was gladly welcomed by his former professors:
o Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez
o Fr. Jose Bech.
o Fr. Federico Faura - told Rizal that everything
in the novel was the truth and warned him that
he may lose his head because of it.
o Move forward, Rizal found a copy in the hands of a
friend, and he was able to get it and gave it immediately
to Governor General Terrero.
o Governor General Emilio Terrero - a liberal-minded
Spaniard who knew that Rizal’s life was in jeopardy
because the friars were powerful, because of this, he
gave Rizal a bodyguard to protect him.
o Don Jose Taviel de Andrade was the bodyguard of
Rizal.
o A young Spanish lieutenant who came from a
noble family.
o He was cultured and knew painting
o He could speak French, English and Spanish.
o They became good friends.
o Governor General Emilio Terrero read the Noli and
found nothing wrong with it. But Rizal's enemies were
powerful.
L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 25
o The Archbishop of Manila, Msgr. Pedro Payo (a
Dominican) sent copy of the Noli to Father Rector
Gregorio Echavarria of the University of Santo Tomas
for examination by a committee of the faculty.
o The committee, which was composed of Dominican
professors, submitted its report to the Father Rector,
who immediately transmitted it to Archbishop Payo.
o The archbishop, in turn, lost no time in forwarding it to
the governor general.
o The novel was heretical, impious and scandalous in the
religious orders, and anti-patriotic, subversive of public
order, injurious to the government of Spain and its
function in the Philippine Islands in the political order.
o Governor General Terrero was dissatisfied with the
report of his Dominicans. He sent the novel to the
Permanent Commission of Censorship.
o The report of this commission was drafted by its head,
Fr. Salvador Font, Augustinian Cura of Tondo, &
submitted to the Governor General on December 29.
o It found the novel to contain Subversive ideas against
the church and Spain and recommended: "that the
importation, reproduction and circulation of this
pernicious book in the island be absolutely prohibited".
o When the newspapers published Font's written report
of the censorship commission, Rizal and his friends
became apprehensive and uneasy.
o The enemies of Rizal celebrate in joy. The banning of
the Noli only served to make it popular. The good part
is, what the hated Spanish masters did not like, the
oppressed masses liked very much.
o Regardless of the government prohibition and the
vigilance of the cruel Guardia Civil, many Filipinos were
able to get hold of copies of the Noli, which they read
at night behind closed doors.

ATTACKERS OF THE NOLI
o Father Font printed his report and distributed copies of
it in order to discredit the controversial novel.
o Father Jose Rodriguez, Prior of Guadalupe, published
a series of eight pamphlets under the general heading
Cuestiones de Sumo Interes (Questions of Supreme
Interest) to blast the Noli and other anti-Spanish
writings.
o These are the eight pamphlets
1. Porque no los he des leer? (Why should
I not read them?).
2. Guardaos de ellos. Porque? (Beware of
them. Why?).
3. Y-que me dice usted de la peste? (And
what can you tell me of Plague?)
4. Por que triunfan los impios? (Why do the
impious triumph?).
5. Cree usted que de versa no hay
purgatorio? (Do you think there is really
no purgatory?).
6. Hay o no hay infierno? (Is there or is
there no hell?).
7. Que le parece austed de esos libelos?
(What do you think of these libels?).
8. Confesion o condenacion? (Confession
or Damnation?).
o These anti-Rizal pamphlets written by Fray Rodriguez
were sold daily in the churches. For the reason that
many Filipinos were forced to buy to insult the friars.
o However, they did not believe what the author said in
the pamphlets.
o Subsequently, the result of the storm over the Noli
reached Spain.
o The novel was fiercely attacked in the session hall of
the Senate of the Spanish Cortes Senators: General
Jose de Salamanca on April 1, 1888, General Luis de
Pando on April 12, Sr. Fernando Vida on June 11.
Vicente Barrantes - Spanish academician of Madrid
who formerly occupied high government positions in
the Philippines.
L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 26
DEFENDERS OF THE NOLI
o Propagandists such as Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Antonio
Ma. Regidor, Graciano Lopez Jaena,Mariano Ponce,
and other Filipino reformists in foreign lands.
o Father Sanchez, Rizal's favorite teacher at Ateneo,
who defended and praised it in public.Professor
Blumentritt whose scholar and educator. He read and
really liked the novel of Rizal.
o A brilliant defense of the Noli came from an unexpected
source.
o It was by Rev. Vicente Garcia, a Filipino Catholic priest-
scholar, a theologian of the Manila Cathedral, and a
Talon translator of the famous Imitation of Christ by
Thomas a Kempis.
o Father Garcia, writing under the penname Justo
Desiderio Magalang, wrote a defense of the Noli which
was published in Singapore as an appendix to a
pamphlet dated July 18, 1888.
o He accused the arguments of Fr. Rodriguez as follows:
1. Rizal cannot be an "ignorant man" 18s tr.
Rodriguez alleged, because he was a
graduate of Spanish universities and was
a recipient of scholastic honors
2. Rizal does not attack the Church and
Spain, as Fi. Rodriguez claimed,
because what Rizal attacked in the Nol
were the bad Spanish officials and not
Spain, and the bad and corrupt friars and
not the Church.
3. Father Rodriguez said that those who
read the Noli commit a mortal sin; since
Rodriguez had read the novel, therefore
he also commits a mortal sin.
o Rizal defended his novel against Barrantes attack in a
letter written in Brussels, Belgium, in February 1880. In
this letter, he exposed Barrantes’ ignorance of
Philippine affairs and mental dishonesty, which is
unworthy of an academician.
o Barrantes met Rizal, his master in satire and polemics.

RIZAL AND TAVIEL DE ANDRADE
o While the storm over the Noli was ranting in temper,
Rizal was not molested in Calamba.
o This is due to Governor General Terrero's generosity
in assigning a bodyguard to him.Together, Rizal and
Andrade, are both young, educated, and cultured.
o They made walking tours of the verdant countrysides,
they have discussed the topics of their common
interest, and they enjoyed fencing, shooting, hunting,
and painting.
What Marred Rizal's Happy Days In Calamba With Andrade?
1. The death of his older sister, Olimpia
2. The groundless tales circulated by his enemies that
he was "a German spy, an agent of Bismarck, a
Protestant, a Mason, a witch, and a soul beyond
salvation.
CALAMBA’S AGRARIAN TROUBLE
o One of the friar estates affected was the Calamba
Hacienda which the Dominican Order owned since
1883.
o December 30, 1887 - the Civil Governor of Laguna
Province directed the Municipal authorities of Calamba
to investigate the agrarian conditions of their locality.
o January 8, 1888 - Rizal wrote down his findings which
the tenants and three of the officials of the Hacienda
who signed.
o The Government for action are the following:
1. The Hacienda of the Dominican Order
comprised not only the lands around the
Calamba, but also the town of Calamba.
2. The profits of the Dominican Order
continually increased because of the
arbitrary of the rentals paid by the tenants.
3. The Hacienda owner never contributed a
single centavo for the celebration of thetown
fiesta, for the education of the children, and
for the improvement of agriculture.
L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 27
4. Tenants who had spent much labor in
clearing the lands were dispossessed of said
lands for flimsy reasons.
5. High rates of interest were charged the
tenants for delayed payment of rentals, and
when the rentals could not be paid, the
Hacienda management confiscated their
carabaos, tools, and homes.
FAREWELL TO CALAMBA
o Rizal's exposure of the disgraceful conditions of
tenancy in Calamba provoke further his enemies.
o The friars exerted pressure on Malacañang Palace to
eliminate him. So, they asked Governor General
Terrero to deport him, but later, he refused because
there was no valid charge against Rizal in court.
o On February 3, 1888, Rizal left his country with a heavy
heart. But this is for his own good and the safety of his
family and friends. This time Rizal had to go.
o He could not very well disobey the Governor General's
veiled orders.
o However, he was not running like a coward from a fight.
A brave hero, he was not afraid of any man, nor was
he afraid to die.
RIZAL’S REASONS WHY HE WANTS TO LEAVE CALAMBA:
1. His presence in Calamba was jeopardizing the
safety and happiness of his family and friends.
2. He could fight better his enemies and serve his
country's cause with greater efficacy by writing in
foreign countries.
A POEM FOR LIPA
o Concisely before Rizal left in 1888, he was asked by a
friend to write a poem in commemoration of the town's
cityhood. Himno Al Trabajo (Hymn to Labor) was the
poem's title dedicated to Lipa's industrious people.

HYMN TO LABOR
CHORUS:
For our country in war.
For our country in peace
The Filipino will be ready,
While he lives and when he dies.
MEN:
As soon as the East is tinted with light
Forth to the fields to plow the loam!
Since it is work that sustains the man,
The motherland, family and the home.
Hard though the soil may prove to be,
Implacable the sun above,
For motherland, our wives and babes.
'Twill be easy with our love.
WIVES:
Courageously set out to work.
Your home is safe with a faithful wife
Implanting in her children, love
For wisdom, land, and virtuous life.
When nightfall brings us to our rest,
May smiling fortune guard our door;
But if cruel fate should harm her man,
The wife would toil on as before.
GIRLS:
Hail! Hail! Give praise to work!
The country's vigour and her wealth;
For work lift up your brow serene
It is your blood, your life, your health.
If any youth protests his love
His work shall prove if he be good.
That man alone who strives and toils
Can find the way to feed his brood.
BOYS:
Teach us then the hardest tasks
For down thy trails we turn our feet
That when our country calls tomorrow
Thy purposes we may complete.
And may our elders say, who see us.
See! How worthy of their sires!
No incense can exalt our dead ones
Like a brave son who aspires!
L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 28
RIZAL’S TRAVEL TO HONGKONG AND MACAU
RIZAL’S TRAVEL TO HONG KONG
o After spending another six (6) months of his life in the
Philippines, Dr. Jose Rizal’s eventful homecoming
came to an end.
o He had his reasons not to leave the country but the
powerful intimidation from the Spaniards mainly due to
his rebellious novel, Noli Me Tangere, and with his
friends and family worrying about his safety, left him
with no choice but to continue living overseas.
o Sick and sad, Rizal left Manila on February 3, 1888 and
boarded the Zafiro ship on his way to Hong Kong.
o A day after, February 8, 1888, Rizal arrived in Hong
Kong. To prolong his temporary stay in the region, he
checked in at Victoria Hotel.
o He was welcomed by a few Filipino residents,
including some of his friends who were Jose Maria
Basa, Balbino Mauricio, both were Philippine
merchants, and Manuel Yriarte, son of Laguna’s
alcalde mayor Francisco Yriarte.
o However, a person named Jose Sainz de Varanda, the
former secretary of Governor General Terrero, was
believed sent by the Spanish authorities to spy on Rizal
while in Hong Kong.
o On February 16, 1888, Rizal expressed his resentment
against the Spaniards mainly for forcing him to leave
the Philippines by writing a letter to Blumentritt, one of
his closest confidants who translated Noli Me Tangere
in German and wrote the preface to its sequel.
o He also included in the letter a short description of
Hong Kong where he specified it being a small, but very
clean city.
o Rizal’s travel to Hong Kong led him to various
experiences as he strived to study what it’s like to live
in China, including the language, customs and
traditions.
o Rizal made it to experience the celebration of Chinese
New Year, which lasted from February 11 to February
13, 1888.

o The surroundings were filled with loud firecrackers. The
more firecrackers exploded, the richer the Chinese.
o Rizal happily participated in the celebration and fired a
lot of firecrackers at the window of his hotel room.
o Furthermore, Rizal also entered a Chinese theater
where he witnessed a remarkable act along with
boisterous audience.
o During the play, he made some observations about the
meanings of the actors and actresses’ actions.
o First, a man whose legs are on each side of a stick
means he is horseback riding.
RIZAL IN MACAU AND HONG KONG
o The second one is when an actor raises his leg, it
means he is entering a house.
o The third one is that the red dress is an indication that
someone is getting married.
o Fourth, a girl to undergo a wedding traditionally covers
her face with a fan, depicting a shy attitude towards
everyone in the venue, including her fiance.
o Lastly, a man raising a whip means he is about to ride
a horse.
o The marathon lauriat party also became part of Rizal’s
experiences in Hong Kong, where different dishes were
served such as dried fruits, century eggs, shrimps,
white ducks, geese, shark fins, bird nests, fish heads,
roasted pigs, chicken with vinegar, tea, and many
more.
o It is considered as the longest meal in the world.
o Aside from that, Rizal also learned about the
Dominican Order, which was the richest religious order
in the region.
o Besides it once became actively engaged in business,
it also owned more than 700 rental houses and had
contributed a lot in foreign banks.
o The last notable experience of Rizal in Hong Kong was
when he paid a visit to the cemeteries belonging to
different religions: Protestant, Catholic, and Muslim.
L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 29
o He made a brief comparison of the three where he
stated that the Protestant cemetery is the most
beautiful due to its well-groomed plants and
commendable cleanliness, Muslim cemetery being the
simplest as it comprised only a little mosque, a place of
prayer for Muslims, and tombstones with Arabic
epitaphs, while the Catholic cemetery being the most
pompous for its ornate and costly mausoleums, a large
building housing one or more tombs, and elegantly
carved sepulchers, a small monument which serves as
a tomb.
o Rizal visited Hong Kong for around two weeks before
leaving on February 18, 1888 for Macau.
o Starting in 1557 Macau was a Portuguese colony until
1999 when the colonial rule ended and the sovereignty
has been transferred to the People’s Republic of China.
o The travels of Rizal further continued in Macau.
o Leaving Hong Kong for a while, Rizal and Jose Maria
Basa boarded the Kiu-Kiang ferry steamer bound for
Macao.
o While on board, Rizal was surprised to see a familiar
face, Sains de Varanda.
o In Rizal’s diary, he described the city of Macau as “a
small, low, and gloomy”, “there are junks, sampans, but
few steamers, it looks sad and almost dead.”
o When the two arrived in Macau, they were welcomed
by a Filipino business man named Don Juan Francisco
Lecaros who was currently married to a Portuguese
lady.
o He allowed the two to stay in his home while they were
in Macau.
o In a span of 2 days of travel in Macau, like typical
tourists, the two visited several places such as
theatres, casinos, cathedrals, pagodas, botanical
gardens, and bazaars. Rizal also visited the famous
Grotto of Portugal’s National Poet: Luis de Camoes.
o On the evening of February 19,1888, Rizal witnessed
a catholic procession. He saw that the devotees were
 L i f e a n d W o r k s o f R i z a l | 30

dressed in blue and purple and were carrying unlighted

candles.

o On February 20, the two returned left for Hong Kong on

board the Kiu-Kiang ferry steamer.

o Rizal stayed in Hong Kong for 2 days before leaving for

Japan.

o There he wrote in his diary some things he noticed and

experienced: noisy celebration of Chinese New Year
which lasted from February 11th to 13th, Chinese
theater, the longest meal in the world: the marathon
Lauriat party, the richest religious order in Hong Kong:
the Dominican order, Hong Kong cemeteries which
belong to protestants, Catholics, and Muslims.

o Rizal then boarded the Oceanic, an American steamer

bound for Japan on February 22, 1888.

o He did not like the food on board but he liked the ship
as it was clean and efficiently managed.

o His cabin mate was a British protestant who knew the

Chinese language. He described his cabin mate as a
“good man”.