LESSON 10 (PART 3)

I. Jose Rizal First Sojourn Going to Europe; (France and Germany);

(1882-1887);
II. Jose Rizal First Homecoming in the Philippines); (1887-1888);
(Lesson 7; Topic 2);
III. Jose Rizal Second Sojourn Going to Europe; (Brussels and
Madrid); (1888-1892);
IV. Jose Rizal Second Home-coming in the Philippines. (1892-1896).
• While in Madrid, Jose Rizal wanted to go home in the Philippines
as early as 1884, which Rizal stated in his letter to his family dated
November 26, 1884;
✓ Jose Rizal wrote, “I expressed to you my desire to return there
(Philippines) as soon as possible”.
✓However, on January 1, 1885, Paciano Rizal, his elder brother, in a letter
replied to Jose Rizal, “I think that you should continue your studies there
and end them when our resources are exhausted”. With this answer, Jose
Rizal felt that Paciano, was against his decision to go home.
• Following the advice of Paciano, Jose Rizal proceeded to Paris,
France, in the first week of October in 1885.
✓ In this city he learned more about Ophthalmology.
✓Jose Rizal registered in the clinic of Dr. Louis Wecker, who was recognized
as a leading French Ophthalmologist of that time in Paris.
✓Jose Rizal learned from Wecker by treating 50-100 patient’s everyday.
After clinic hours, Rizal devoted his time to learn and to master French,
German, Italian, English, Polish, and Greek Languages.
• In Paris, Jose Rizal compatriots were Juan Luna, Felix Hidalgo and the Tavera brothers
who were both physicians.
✓There Jose Rizal suffered financial difficulties, as stated in a letter from Paciano,
“you are very correct in saying that you are not being sent your allowance, not
due to lack of will but indeed economic crisis or lack of work”.
✓Jose Rizal only survived through the help of his filipino compatriots such as Juan
Luna who wholeheartedly lent or gave him money for his daily needs.
✓Knowing that he could not rely entirely to his friends for financial support, Jose
Rizal made an outright decision to move in Germany where the cost of living was
less expensive.
• The Monkey and the Turtle;
✓ Sketched by Jose Rizal for Paz Pardo de Tavera, the love then of Juan Luna.

• The Death of Cleopatra;

✓ Jose Rizal posed portrayed as an Egyptian priest.

• Blood Compact;
✓Jose Rizal posed and portrayed as a Chief Sikatuna of Bohol.
• While in Paris in 1885, Jose Rizal composed and wrote several prose in French
language that he mastered just like Spanish and German languages.
• Marie Colombier: The Pistol of the Little Baromess
✓ This is a book review done by Jose Rizal, he gave comments on the plot of the novel where he
was amazed of the author who was a woman writing in a manly way.
• The Kite and the Hen;
✓ In this prose Jose Rizal presented the happy start and sad end of Mrs. Hen’s story
when she lost the ring she borrowed from Mr. Kite (A cruel and Sanguinary bird).
• The Fisherwoman and the Fish- (The story was patterned
from his readings in French and German).
✓ Jose Rizal presented in the story, a conversation of fisherwoman
and a very small fish.
✓The fisherwoman invited the fish in her home, after a lengthy
discussion, the fish agreed on the condition that it would touch
the pink lips and little white teeth of the fisherwoman.
• Alphose Daudet: Tartarin Sur Les Alphes- This is a book review of Rizal, were
he expressed his comments on the characters of the play Tartarin and
Bompard.
• Jose Rizal at Heidelberg;
✓In the summer of April to June 1886, to relieve his sadness and homesickness, Rizal
spent the summer at Odenwald and Wilhemsfeld, a mountain resort about 30
kilometers northeast of Heidelberg.
✓Jose Rizal lived in the house of a new friend who was a Pastor Karl Ullmer.
✓The two concluded in their discussion on religion, One should not make enemies of
men but instead should be a means of bringing men closer together in the true spirit
of brother-hood”.
• By that time, Jose Rizal had finished his first masterpiece, that would strike
the Catholic Church in the Philippines, the Noli Me Tangere.
• Subsequently, he also decided to leave Heidelberg.
• Jose Rizal in Leipzig and Dresden;(Germany);
• Rizal had frequent correspondence with Professor Ferdinand
Blumentritt, his bosom friend.
• Rizal described Blumentritt through their exchange of letters, as
“a historian of the Philippine Islands, is one of the rare souls”.
• Before leaving Leipzig in late October, Rizal translated
two German works to the Tagalog language and sent
to Calamba, this were “Schiller’s William Tell” which is
about the Swiss Independence and “Hans Christian
Anderson’s Fairy Tales” for his young nephews and
nieces.
• October 29, 1886, Jose Rizal left Leipzig and travelled to Dresden where he
met Dr. Hanz Mayer, director of the Ethnographic Museum of Dresden, who
had written the largest encyclopedic dictionaries of Germany and had
already visited and toured the Philippines at the same time authored a book
on his account of the Igorots.
• In an informal meeting, Dr. Mayer gave Rizal a copy of the book. He also
visited the Grand Astronomical clock, ordered built by Elector Fredric the
Wise, he was truly impressed were he said, “Truly the crown of Saxony has
many jewels and precious things”.
• It was this this time when Jose Rizal decided to move to Berlin and published
there his novel Noli Me Tangere, in November 1, 1886, Rizal boarded a train
to Berlin.
• In Berlin Rizal mastered the German language and improved his English
grammar and by that time, Rizal also mastered major languages in Europe.
• This gave Rizal the capability to read books in different languages and have
access to different libraries like the Imperial Library in a Germany and later
the British Museum Library in England.
• According to the Memoir of Maximo Viola, while Rizal was in Berlin, he had
acquaintances with well respected German doctors and scientist.
• Jose Rizal met Dr. Feodor Jagor – a German scientist, who had visited the Philippines and
who was an author of the book “Travels in the Philippines”. This book was read by Jose
Rizal while he was a student in Ateneo Municipal.
✓ Through Dr. Jagor, Jose Rizal had conference with one of the famous German Anthropologists, Dr.
Rudolf Virchow, who was then the President of the Anthropological Society of Berlin, and his son who
was a professor of Descriptive Anatomy Dr. Hans Virchow.
• In the field of Ophthalmology, Jose Rizal also mastered and learned the German Medical
Technique.
• Jose Rizal assisted in the clinic of Dr. Karl Ernest Schweiger, one of the famous German
Ophthalmologists during that time.
• In Berlin, Jose Rizal became an active Filipino involved in German Scientific life, with
various activities.
• In January 26, 1887, Rizal became an official member of the Ethnographic Society, and on
February 7, 1887, Jose Rizal joined the Anthropological Society of Berlin.
• Later, Rizal was qualified as a member of the Geographical Society of Berlin after submitting a
study entitled (Tagalische Verskunst).

✓ Tagalische Verskunt (Tagalog Metrical Art);

This was the title of the project submitted by Jose Rizal

to the Geographic Society of Berlin,
which was in Tagalog metrical verse written in German language.
He delivered this study through a lecture,
before the members and officers of the German association.
The Geographical Society was proud of their Filipino member,
that they published the work of Rizal in April 1887.
✓ Etnografia y Antropologia de Los Pueblos Primitivos (Ethnography and
Anthropology of Primitive Towns);
This was a rare book on Ethnography and Anthropology
which Rizal translated and sent to the Philippines in Calamba.
✓ Ethnographe der Insel Mindanao (Ethnography of the Islands of Mindanao)

This was the work of Blumentritt about

Mindanao which was written in
German language, that Rizal translated
to the Tagalog language for his friend.
• The novel was considered as the masterpiece written by Jose Rizal, that
began in his first sojourn in Europe. While moving from one county and city
in Europe, Rizal wrote the novel that was considered his greatest contribution
to the Philippines and the world.
• In this work, Rizal was firm in his conviction that there was a distinction
between the Spanish government and Spanish religious order in the
Philippines, which led to the suffering of the Filipino to become an oppressed
people.
• Rizal completed the work in February 21, 1887, and through the aid of
Maximo Viola, who shouldered the expenses for the printing of 2,000 copies
of the novel worth 300 pesos, the book came out of press and published the
middle of March 1887.
• The term Noli me tangere came from a Latin word, which
means “Touch Me Not”, as inspired from the gospel of St.
John, Chapter 20 and verses 13-17. This was when the Lord
said: “Touch me not for I am not yet ascended to my father,
and to my God and your God”.
• It contains 64 chapters.
• The first two canonical 19th century novels, Noli Me Tangere revolves around Crisostomo Ibarra
who, after a seven(7)- year stay in Europe to study, comes home to his town of San Diego,
brimming with the desire to contribute to the development of the people.
• More specifically, his reformist tendencies would manifest themselves in his objective to make
education accessible to more people. His idealism, however, could not bear fruit due to the
presence of insidious forces bent on destroying him.
• Crisostomo Ibarra learns that his father, Don Rafael, had been embroiled in a conflict with Padre
Salvi who almost caused Ibarra’s death during the ground breaking ceremonies for the school.
Things come to a head when Ibarra is implicated in failed uprising instigated by Padre Salvi. The
young man is imprisoned but is eventually rescued by Elias whose life Ibarra has saved in the past.
As the novel ends, the thoroughly disillusioned Ibarra sees a bleak future.
• This novel has been a rich source of insights into the history
and culture not only of 19th century Philippines but as
importantly, of the 20th century.
• Its generally realistic perspective offers the reader a panoramic
view of a conflicted and deeply divided colonial society. The
characters in the novel stand out as recognizable types of
individuals, both from the ruling class and the oppressed, and
the struggles they undergo are induces to the turbulent
conflicts in the 19th century.
• Juan Crisostomo Ibarra – the most important character in the novel,
manifesting in him the Filipino who acquired European ideas through
his education in Europe. In the novel, Ibarra’s personality will result in
the disagreements of liberal idealism in education and conservatism
represented by the Catholic Church.
• Elias – the character that Rizal placed to represent the Filipino masses
who suffered from Spanish brutalities and abuse due to their
powerlessness in the novel and in real Philippines social situation of
that time.
• Maria Clara – In her, Ibarra has fallen in-love as she also mirrored the
Filipina woman of religious upbringing and orientation. Through her
love to Ibarra, she represented true fidelity and religiosity of the
woman in real Filipino society.
• Don Rafael Ibarra – known in the plot as a concerned citizen and
property owner who was the father of Crisostomo Ibarra, Padre
Damaso who plays an antagonist role calls him a heretic and rebel,
due to his views on liberalism in society.
• DoÑa Victorina – the wife of Don Tiburcio de EspanadaÑa, known in
the novel as a trying hard rich Filipina woman who abhors anything
that is Filipino and clings to Spanish way of life. This kind of character
was manifested in some Filipino of that time.
• Capitan Tiago or Don Anastaciao delos Santos – an illegal opium
trader who subsequently was a landlord. He represents a different
view in religion and thus, more of a businessman who uses his money
to work for him even in religious life and obligations.
• Sisa – she represented in the novel a sad plight of the Filipina mothers
losing her two sons, Basilio and Crispin. In the novel, Sisa looses her
sanity.
• Pilosopong Tasyo – he portrayed the role of a philosopher who was
completely misunderstood in many aspects, he argues with the belief
of the Catholic Church, social changes and concerns in the novel.
• The School Master – a teacher at San Diego, his views in the novel
represented the weak, obsolete and useless education in the
Philippines. He attributes the problem from facilitates and methods of
learning that the friars implemented in the country.
• Padre Damaso – An Antagonist in character and represented the un-
Christian works of the Catholic friars who are in the church.
• Through his novel, Rizal unveiled the real situation of the Philippines
as explained in the following lines patterned after Rizal’s original
explanation in his letter.
✓He described in the novel, the condition of the Philippine society, the Filipino
life, beliefs, hopes and desires.
✓He stated the laments and grievances of the filipino people and revealed the
hypocrisy of the friars, using religion to impoverish and brutalize the filipino
people.
• This was the first work of a Malay Filipino, through a novel;
it depicted the condition of his country.
• Upon the release of the novel, critiques from intellectuals
started to pour. It was the best seller of that time,
everybody wants to get a copy, especially in the Philippines.
The following were the reactions to Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere.
Jose Rizal’s Friends
• Antonio Regidor – from Europe “ Today I have finished reading your
most interesting book and I must tell you candidly that I have not read
a more truthful or more graphic description of our much slandered
and chastised society.
• Evaristo Aguirre – from Europe “ I have read it and I am enchanted by
it. I congratulate you then and I am one of those who think that it is
the first work of its kind.
• Jose M. Cecillio – from Manila “We hope you will send thousands of
copies through the way I mentioned to you in my previous letter”.
• Ferdinand Blumentritt – from Leitmeritz, “Your work as we Germans
say, has been written with the blood of the heart and for this reason
it speaks also to the heart”. A thousand thanks for your magnificent
book.
• When Rizal published the Noli, it created an uproar of debate,
condemnation, affirmation and accusations in both the Spaniards and
Filipinos in Spain and in the Philippines. When the Dominican
Congregation in the Philippines got a copy of the copy of the novel,
they immediately formed a committee composed of members from
the University of Santo Tomas, to give verdict on the Noli.
• The committee after reading the novel stated that, it was an attack
against the Catholic religion and state; they declared that the book
attacked the integrity of Spain in the Philippines.
• An Augustinian friar named Jose Rodriguez of Guadalupe, he wrote
the Caiingat Cayo and stated that those who would read the novel
will commit mortal sin, due to its heretic content.
• In the Spanish Cortes, Senator Fernando Vida, denounced the novel
as anti- Spanish and anti- Catholic propaganda in the Philippines.
• Even, Blumentritt, the bosom German friend of Rizal, was not spared
from the attacks of Vicente Barrantes, who for a long time had an
administrator position in the Philippines. Vicente Barrantes published
an article in La EspaÑia Moderna in Spain, accusing the friend of Rizal,
Professor Blumentritt of venturing into Philippine affairs through a
foreigner.
• Filipinos and concerned foreign intellectuals gave a strong defense and
actions for the first Filipino radical novel. Mariano Ponce, through a letter,
informed Rizal of the attacks on the Noli in the Philippines. While the friars
in the Philippines and Spanish politicians in Spain were attacking the Noli,
Jose Maria Basa, sworn enemy of the friars, who became aoÑa wealthy
businessman in Hong Kong, and Mariano Ponce were busy shipping and
selling the Noli Me Tangere in Manila. Marcelo H. Del Pilar, a brilliant lawyer
and writer stood in defense of Rizal’s Noli. He wrote the Caingat Cayo using
pen name Dolores Manapat. He adopted the exact physical format of
Father Rodriguez’s pamphlet, but different in content, highlighting Rizal’s
Noli.
• A Filipino priest who was a Catholic Theologian named Vicente Garcia, under
the pen name Desiderio Magalang, in July 1888, published in Singapore an
article countering the claims of Fr. Rodriguez. Vicente Garcia accused him of
“grossly misinformed” and he explained in his paper that Rizal was not
attacking Spain and the Catholic Church, but the corrupt government officials
and evils deeds of the friars in the Philippines. It was also clear, that Spanish
Liberals and Masons in the Philippines were silent and in favor of the Noli Me
Tangere at that time. This claim was proven, with the way Governor- General
Emilio Terrero y Perinat acted. After reading Rizal’s novel he pushed through
with his plan of investigating friar lands in the country. He did not arrest Rizal,
but rather gave him security when he went home to the Philippines in 1887.
• Jose Rizal Decides to Go Home to the Philippines;
✓ Before the Noli Me Tangere was published, Rizal wrote a letter
to his elder brother Paciano expressing his intention to go home
in the Philippines. In another letter addressed to Blumentritt in
April 1887;
❖ Jose Rizal wrote to his friend;
“Within a few days, I’ll leave Berlin with my country
en route to the Philippines”, I’ll return to my country
because my father has already forgiven me
and I have permission to return home.
This day (April 24, 1887 the letter arrived), is for me a day of glory!
• After Jose Rizal, grand tour with Maximo Viola visiting Dresden.
Tachen (Now Czechoslovakia); Lemerits and Bohemla, and had his
first meeting with Prefessor Blumentritt, then they travelled to
Praque, Vienna, Danube River, Switzerland, Geneva and lastly in
Italy.
• On July 3, 1887, Jose Rizal boarded the steamer Djemnah, which
was the same steamer he boarded in Singapore five years ago,
Jose Rizal was the only Filipino passenger in the ship. He was
determined to go home in the Philippines.
Sources
• De Viana, Agusto (2019). Laon- Laan, A guide for study and
understanding of the life and contributions of Jose Rizal to Philippine
nationhood and society. Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.
• Zaide & Zaide (2011). Rizal: Life, Works and Writings of a Genius,
Writer, Scientist and National Hero. 2nd Ed. All nations Publishing Co.,
Inc. Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines .
• J.A Lopez & A.E Paras.,(2010). Rizal Life Works and Writings of the
Greatest Malayan 3rd Edition. HisGoPhil Publishing House, Inc.