LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

Learning Module (5) in GE Rizal 1- Life and Works of Rizal

I. Title: RIZAL’S LIFE IN THE ASIAN COUNTRIES

II. Topics:

1. Rizal Leaves the Philippines for the Second Time

2. Rizal in Hong Kong
3. The Borneo Plan
4. Rizal Attempts to Change His Nationality
5. Rizal in Japan
6. Romance with O-Sei-San

III. Time Frame: 6 hours

IV. Introduction:

Rizal was obliged to leave Calamba for the second time because his stay in his
hometown might exposehis family and friends to worry and anxiety. Harassed and persecuted
by the friars, he did not have any option but to leave the country in February 1888. By this
time he was already 27 years old, a medical practitioner and a recognized man of letters.
Thus, in this chapter, the learners are able to describe reason behind of Rizal’s
departurefor the second time. Learners are also able to discover the plan of Rizal in Borneo,
his attempts in changing his nationality and his love affair withO-Sei-San.

V. Objectives:

At the end of this module, the students should be able to:

1. Identify the purposes of the hero in going back to European countries;

2. Cite the positive impact on the hero’s exposure abroad; and
3. Cite the observations of the Hero on the celebration of New Year among the
Chinese People

VI. Pre-Test: Answer the following questions below

1. Why did Rizal leave his family and friends for the second time?

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2. What impressions did Rizal have of Japan?

VII. Learning Activities:

1. Rizal Leaves the Philippines for

the Second Time- Rizal had to leave
the Philippines because he had
already been a marked man for the
friars. With a heavy heart, he left the
country for his own good and the
safety of his family, and friends. On
February 3, 1888, he left the
Philippines for the second time to
give peace to his family and friends
to continue the second phase of his
leadership and work for his country.
Passing through Hong Kong and
Japan for few weeks he made useful
observation on the life and culture if
the peoples. On his way to the
United Stated, he met and befriended
a Japanese, Tetcho Suehiro, who had to leave Japan for attacking Japanese law restricting
freedom of the press. Two easily became friends; they travelled together on the way to
London.

In his travel memoirs, Tetcho wrote:

I had met him on board the Belgic bound for San Francisco. From that
time we were together through America and London. We came and went with
each other very often. He was frank and daring fellow, food of various arts,
especially good at drawing and also exquisite at soldering works. I heard
from him that the Spanish government announced to regard him as a political
defender and that whoever gained Rizal’s work was to be taken for as his
sympathizer, and to be imprisoned.

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2. Rizal in Hong Kong- Rizal met Jose

Ma. Basa, Balbino Mauricio, and other
exiles in Hong Kong. He was depressed by
the colony of Filipinos on the island
because they do not want to return to
Manila. He became acquainted with
important Spaniards based in HongKong.
One of them was Barranda Terreros’s
secretary. Barranda and other Spaniard
accompanied Rizal in his visit to Macao.
While in Hong Kong, Rizal stayed at the
Spanish legation for almost a month.

Some of his observations about Hong Kong written in his diary are as follows:

1. The celebration of the Chinese New Year was quite very noisy due to the
continues explosion of firecrackers on the streets;
2. Chinese theaters are usually animated due to the different percussion
instruments used by the participants, in addition to the noise created by the
audience;
3. The Lauriat party, wherein the guests were served as variety of dishes,
shows lavishness and hospitality among Chinese;
4. The Dominican order, the richest religious order in HongKong had millions
of dollars deposited in various banks earning very high interests;
5. The graveyards for Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims were well
maintained.

3. The Borneo Plan- Rizal was making a fine progress with a new plan. This was to take his
relatives and the three hundred families, who had been dispossessed in Calamba, to Borneo
and to establish a Filipino community under the free British flag. In this, Rizal sent letters to
the Queen appealing to send official letters and decrees ordering the deportation of twenty-
five persons from Calamba, so they may realize the critical plight of their own town.

4. Rizal Attempts to Change His Nationality- Rizal’s Borneo project still remained. It alone
promised to give his relatives and neighbors relief. Besides, Borneo would be an admirable
location from which to pursue the progress of education which believed the Philippines
needed most.

During that time the life of Rizal was extremely low because of persecution to
members of his family. In many instances history witnessed extreme poverty and poor living
condition of Rizal in his life in different parts of Europe, yet he never gave up. But when the
lives of the members of his family were at stake, there was nothing he would do for their sakes.
Yet in his heart and mind he remained loyal and true to the cause of reforms. Indeed there is
time for everything.

Justify on the hero’s plan to change his nationality

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Activity 1. Could Rizal become a hero if he changed his nationality? Why or Why not?
(Provide your answer on the box below)

Governor Despujol. Governor General Despujol a replacement to Gov. Gen. Weyler

arrived in Manila, a fine-sounding program for reforms. Despujols’ first few months in the office
gave Filipinos ground for hope. He was the second to Dela Torre, the most liberal executive
that the Philippines ever had in the 19th century. Rizal again sent letter of request regarding
the Borneo project however, there was no reply from governor general, and on the contrary
the persecution in Calamba continued.

5. Rizal in Japan- Rizal arrived in Japan on February 28, 1888. He entered the country
through Yokohama and stayed at Tokyo Hotel for a few days. Later on his stayed the Spanish
legation for almost a month. It was during this period that he visited Japanese provinces,
learned Nippongo of the Japanese language, and dedicated himself to the study of Japanese
art and culture. As a keen observer, he was impressed with the city of Tokyo and its people.
Some of Rizal’s favorable impression of Japan based on Lanuza and Zaide’s account was the
following:

The scenic beauty of the country;

The cleanliness, politeness, and industry of
the people;
The picturesque dress and simple charm of
the Japanese women;
The existence of few thieves in Japan; and
The beggars rarely had seen the streets of
the city.

Nonetheless, Rizal was disgusted seeing

Japanese men pulling the kuruma or
rickshaw like horse (Guerrero, 1998). The
kuruma was popular mode of transportation
on Japan during that time.

Romance with Usui-Seiko- Rizal’s romance with O-Sei-San began early in the early spring
of March. After moving to the Spanish legation, Rizal saw her walking near the gate of
legation. Charmed by her beauty, he tried to find a way by which to meet and know her.

The friendship established between Rizal and Seiko developed into a love affair.
While Rizal had a good impression of Seiko, the latter also had a good perception of Rizal. To
Seiko Rizal was a man of versatile talents, a man of gallantry, a man of dignity, and a man of
courtesy. Owing to the irresistible beauty, affection and warmth of O-Sei-San, Rizal became
tempted to stay for good in Japan. Nevertheless, Rizal felt that he had other duties to fulfill for
his country, so he left Japan. His love for –Sei-San can be gleaned from the diary he wrote on
the eve of his departure from Japan, which runs as follows (Lanuza et al., 1961).

“Japan has pleased me. The beautiful scenery, the flowers, the trees,

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and the inhabitants-so peaceful, so courteous, so pleasant, O-Sei-San-

Sayonara, Sayonara! I have spent a lovely golden month; I do not know if I can
have another one like that in all my life. Love, money, friendship, appreciation,
honors-these have not been wanting.

To think that I am leaving this life for the uncertain, the unknown.There
I was offered an easy way to live, beloved and esteemed.

To you I dedicate the final chapter of these memoirs of my youth. No

woman like you, have ever loved me. No woman, like you has sacrificed for
me. Like the flowers of the Chodji that falls from the stem, fresh and whole
without falling leaves or without withering-with poetry still despite its fall-thus
you feel. Neither have you lost your purity nor have you lost your purity nor
have the delicate petals of your innocence faded-Sayonara!

You shall never return to know that I have once more thought of you
and that your image lives in my memory; and undoubtedly, I am always
thinking of you. Your name lives in the sight of my lips; your image
accompanies and animates all my thoughts. When shall I pass another divined
afternoon like that in the temple of Meguro? When shall the sweet hours, I
spent with you return?

When shall I find them sweeter, more tranquil, and more pleasing? You the
color of the camellia, its freshness, its elegance….

Rizal left Japan by the middle of April 1888. He arrived in the United States on April
28, 1888 on board the English steamer Belgic. Rizal and the other passengers, however,
were not allowed to disembark until May 4, 1888. Later, Rizal discovered the reason for the
quarantining of their ship. As marked by Rizal in his diary:

The women of Rizal

1. Segunda Katigbak 6.Gertrudes Beckett

2. Leonor Valenzuela 7. Nelly Boustead
3. Leonor Rivera 8.Suzette Jacoby
4. Consuelo Ortega 9. Josephine Bracken
5.O Sei-San (U Sui-Seiko)

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“They put us in quarantine because our ship carried 600 Chinese; elections were then
being held in San Francisco and the government seeking votes, was making a great show of
adopting rigorous measures against the Chinese to capture the sympathies of the people.
They notified us of the quarantine verbally, without telling us how long it was going to last, yet
on the same day they unloaded 700 bolts of silk without fumigating them.”

After a few days of quarantine, all first class passengers, including Rizal were
permitted to land. Nonetheless, Japanese and Chinese passengers remained on board for a
longer period of quarantine. Rizal’s entry point in the United States was San Francisco.
Hence he stayed at Palace Hotel. After his two day stay at San Francisco, he left Oakland
and passed through Sacramento, Reno, Ogden bound to New York City. His arrival in New
York ended his trip across the American continent.

Rubric

Poor:0-2pts: does not have introduction, body, and conclusion. There is no thesis statement,
body statements are not clear.

Fair 3-4pts: Essay has an introduction, and a conclusion. Includes body paragraphs. The
thesis statement is stated, but not clear.

Good 5 pts: Essay has a clear introduction, conclusion and at least three body parts. The
introduction has thesis statement. Paragraph have topic sentences..

VIII. Self-Evaluation: Provide your answer on the table below

1. Give the real reason/purpose why Jose Rizal wanted to settle in Borneo.

2. Tell if changing one’s citizenship can be considered a betrayal to one’s nationalism. Justify
your answer.

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3. Tell if Governor General Despujol was a friend or a traitor to Jose Rizal.

IX. Review of Concept

Nationality is a group of people who share the same

history, traditions, and language, who usually live together
in a particular country. The fact or status or being a
member or citizen of a particular nation

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X. Post-Test: With your knowledge in this chapter, answer the following questions
below.

1. Create an essay based on this situation. “If you were in the shoes of Rizal which would you
prefer your happiness to your intimate love to sweetheart or to your countrymen sufferings
from the maltreatment of the colonizers?”

2.

Who was O-
Sei-San?
What made
attracted to
her? How did
Rizal come to
know her?
What made O-
Sei- San fall in love with Rizal?

XI. References:

Zaide, Gregorio et. al (2002). Philippine History & Gov’t5th ed. Quezon City: All Nations
Publishing Co., Inc.

Abeleda, A.S Jr (2003). Philippine History. Manila: Saint Bernadette Pub. Inc.

Borinaga, Rolando O. et al. (2013). The Journal of History. Manila: Philippine National
Historical Society. Vol. LIX,

Santos, delos Santos et.al.(2013). A Review on the Life & Works of the First
Filipino.Malabon City: Jimczcyville Publications;.

Schreurs, P. (2012). Angry Days in Mindanao 4th ed. Manila:National Historical Commission
of the Philippines,

Lubang, J. A. et.al. (). Iba’tIbang Rizal: Halagat at SaysayngDakilang Pilipino. Quezon City:
CJS PUBLISHING 2

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