First Homecoming

Rizal studied in Europe between 1882 and 1887. Throughout his journey he was allured,
fascinated and had all the wonderful memories. This, however, will not make Rizal forget his
homeland or nationality. He returned to the Philippines in August 1887 after a five-year
adventure in Europe, where he practiced medicine in Calamba (Bagolong 2014, p47). Despite the
fact that his life is in danger due to the uproar caused by his Noli Me Tangere, especially among
the friars, he insists on returning home. He has his reasons for returning home, one of which is
to operate on his mother's eyes, and another is to learn how his novel has affected the lives of
Filipinos. Rizal took the train from Rome to Marseilles and boarded the steamer Djemnah on
July 3, 1887, the same steamer he had boarded five years before. The steamer was passing
through the Suez Canal on its way to the Orient. For the second time, Rizal saw this canal. He
transferred to a different steamer in Saigon on July 30th, the steamer Haiphong, which was
bound for Manila. The steamer set sail from Saigon for Manila on August 2.

On August 5, 1887, the Haiphong arrived in Manila, and he stepped ashore with a smile
on his face, knowing that he was back on Philippine soil. He visited some friends in the city for a
short time and noticed that Manila had not changed in five years. He returned to Calamba on
August 8, 1887. His family greeted him with open arms. When his family became concerned
about his safety, the joy faded. Paciano stayed with him for the first few days because he
wanted to protect him from any enemy attacks. His own father would not allow him to go out by
himself.

He opened a medical clinic in Calamba, and his first patient was his mother, who was
nearly blind at the time. The news of a great German doctor travelled far and wide. Patients from
all over Manila and the provinces flocked to Calamba to see Rizal. His fees were reasonable,
and he was able to earn around 900 pesos in a month. He also opened a gym for young people
where he taught them European sports. He tried to get his townies interested in gymnastics,
fencing, and shooting while avoiding cockfights and gambling. Rizal was unable to see his
beloved Leonor Rivera.

He received a letter from Governor General Emilio Terrero requesting that he come to
Malacanang Palace a few weeks after his arrival. Rizal travelled to Manila and testified before
Governor General Terrero, denying the Governor General's accusations against his novel, the
Noli Me Tangere. He clarified that it was simply an exposition of truth, and that he did not
advocate for radical ideas. The governor was impressed with his explanation and requested a
copy of No to read. Rizal did not have a copy at the time, but promised it to the governor general
once he obtained one. Rizal found a copy in the possession of a friend He was able to hand it
over to Terrero, the governor general. Because the friars were powerful, the governor general
knew Rizal's life was in jeopardy. Rizal's bodyguard was then assigned to him by a young
Spanish lieutenant.
 The friars were enraged by Rizal's novel. Msgr. Pedro Payo, the Archbishop of Manila,
sent a copy of the novel to Father Rector Gregorio Echevarria of the University of Santo Tomas
for further examination by a faculty committee (Bagolong 2014, p 48). Because of its heretical,
impious, and scandalous content, the committee determined that the novel was indeed against
Catholic teachings. They also stated that it is anti-patriotic, seditious to public order, harmful to
the Spanish government, and detrimental to the political function of mother Spain in the
Philippines. As a result, the Governor General sent the novel to the Permanent Commission of
Censorship, which was made up of priests and lay people, for further investigation and
verification. The findings were consistent, and it was recommended that the novel be banned
from being imported, reproduced, or circulated in the Philippines. People became interested in
the novel after hearing this recommendation and reading it behind closed doors The friars, on
the other hand, urged authorities to punish those found with the novel as a show of support for
their call for harsh penalties against violators.

When the novel was banned in the Philippines, many of his comrades showed their
support by defending it against Jose Rizal's enemies. But it was Reverend Vicente Garcia,
among those who supported him and had the best defense. The priest refuted Fr Jose
Rodriguez's claim that Rizal was an "impious man, a heretic who hated religion and Spain' in his
defense letter. As a result, Fr. Garcia made the following statement:

1. Jose Rizal was a graduate of Spanish universities and a recipient of scholastic honors, so he
couldn't be an ignorant,

2. Jose Rizal does not criticize the Church or Spain because what he criticizes in the novel are
bad Spanish officials, not Spain, and bad corrupt friars, not the Church;

3. Finally, the friars believe that those who have read the novel have committed a mortal sin, so
Fr. Rodriguez has also committed a mortal sin,

Then, in the land disputes at Kalamba, Rizal advised the tenants to demand that the
landlords show their deeds in court. He knew they wouldn't do it because they were claiming
more land than their deeds allowed for. He also convinced the town to report the full amount of
rents paid, forcing landlords to pay taxes that they had previously avoided. The lawsuit arose
from the tenants' refusal to sign new, one-sided contracts, which were led by the Rizal family.

Although Jose Rizal lived in relative peace for a time, his happy days were marred by the
death of his older sister Olimpia and the unfounded rumor spread by his enemies that he was a
"German spy, an agent of Bismarck, a Protestant, a Mason, a Witch, a soul beyond salvation."
Rizal's parents received anonymous threats against his life. They advised him to leave because
his life was in danger, as they were uncomfortable with the situation. The governor general, who
had assigned Rizal a Civil Guard lieutenant as a body guard, found it difficult to protect him and
advised him to leave after six months (Craig 1909, p 26). Rizal was summoned by Governor
General Terrero, who advised him to leave the Philippines for his own good. He was providing
Rizal with an opportunity to flee the friar's wrath. Rizal must leave because he is unable to defy
the governor general's orders. In 1888, Rizal left Calamba.

Source: Craig, A. (1909). The Story of Jose Rizal. Manila, Philippine Education Publishing Co.