Objectives: At the end of this chapter, the students will be able to:

1. Identify the significant events and people that influence Rizal’s

nationalistic ideas as an adolescent and young adult.

2. Identify the significant actions of Jose Rizal which shows his love for
his motherland.

3. To relate to the experiences of Rizal as a student and draw a inspiration

from it.

HIGHER EDUCATION AND LIFE ABROAD

1. RIZAL’S FORMAL EDUCATION

A. Jose Rizal’s Formal Education at Ateneo

• Took an examination at San Juan de Letran College. Obtained Bachelor of Arts

Degree, with the highest honors. Rizal entered Ateneo Municipal de Manila,
a prestigious Jesuit institution, in 1872 at the age of 11.

• After a month of struggling, he became top his class. Rizal’s time at Ateneo
was marked by his outstanding academic performance, earning him the title
“model student.” (All subjects were excellent).

• Rizal honed his language skills, becoming proficient in Spanish. He pursued

history, philosophy, science and poetry. He’s became talented in writing and
sculpture (Our Lady carved in Batikun and image of sacred heart).

• Cultural Exposure: Rizal’s education at Ateneo exposed him to European

literature, philosophy, and liberal ideas, shaping his intellectual development.
➢ Por La Educacion Recibe Lustre La Patria (Through Education the Country
Receives Light)
➢ Alianza Intima Entire la Religion y la Buena Educacion ( Intimate Alliance
Between Religion and Good Education)

• Formation of Nationalist Sentiments: Rizal’s experiences at Ateneo played a

crucial role in fostering his nationalistic ideals and commitment to social
reform.
B. Jose Rizal’s Religion, Race, and Rhetoric
Religion:

• Catholic Upbringing: Rizal was born into a devoutly Catholic family, and his
early education was strongly influenced by the teachings and rituals of the
Catholic Church.

• Critical Reflection: Despite his Catholic upbringing, Rizal developed a critical

stance towards the Church and its practices, questioning certain aspects of
Catholicism and advocating for religious reforms.

• Spirituality and Enlightenment: Rizal’s religious beliefs evolved into a more

personal and spiritual form of faith, influenced by his exposure to other
religious traditions and his pursuit of enlightenment through reason and
knowledge.
Race:

• Mixed Ancestry: Rizal came from a mixed racial background, with both
Spanish and Chinese ancestry. This multicultural heritage played a significant
role in shaping his identity and worldview.

• Advocacy for Filipino Identity: Rizal championed the idea of a distinct Filipino
identity, emphasizing the importance of embracing indigenous heritage and
traditions alongside the influences of Spanish and Asian cultures.

• Critique of Racial Prejudice: Rizal strongly condemned racial discrimination

and inequality, promoting the idea of equality among all races and advocating
for social justice and fair treatment for Filipinos.
Rhetoric:

• Power of the Written Word: Rizal recognized the power of language and
rhetoric in effecting change. He effectively used his writings, such as novels,
essays, and letters, as a means of expressing his ideas, critiquing social issues,
and inspiring others to action.

• Nationalist Rhetoric: Rizal employed persuasive rhetoric to promote national

consciousness and ignite a sense of pride and unity among Filipinos. His
writings highlighted the importance of education, freedom, and social reform
in achieving a better future for the Filipino people.

• Call for Peaceful Reform: Rizal’s rhetoric was characterized by a call for
peaceful and non-violent means of achieving social and political change. He
advocated for reforms through education, dialogue, and the power of public
opinion, emphasizing the importance of reason and enlightenment.

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 C. University of Santo Tomas
Jose Rizal to Blumentritt, 8th November 1888 – I still remember and will never forget
that when I was sixteen my mother told my father: “Don’t send him to Manila any longer, he
knows enough; if he gets to know any more, they will cut off his head. “My father did not
reply, but my brother took me to Manila despite my mother’s tears.

• Rizal enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in 1877 to pursue

Medicine. Rizal would have been a Jesuit but his real choice was between
literature, law, and medicine.

• Liceo Artistico Literario de Manila (association of Art lovers in the city), held
a regular contest and in 1879 it opened one for works in verse and prose. Rizal
submitted a poem addressed “To the Youth of the Philippines”. – his first
open avowal of Rizal’s Nationalism.

• Encounter with Spanish Dominance: Rizal’s time at UST exposed him to the
prevailing Spanish dominance and discrimination against Filipino students,
fueling his nationalist sentiments and desire for social reform.

• Intellectual Pursuits: Rizal’s academic pursuits at UST were marked by his

exceptional performance, winning recognition and awards for his scholastic
achievements and literary works.

• Influence of Liberal Ideas: Rizal’s exposure to liberal ideas and philosophies

at UST, including Enlightenment thinkers and European literature, further
shaped his intellectual development and nationalist ideals.

• Awakening of National Consciousness: Rizal’s experiences at UST played a

significant role in awakening his national consciousness and strengthening
his commitment to championing the rights and welfare of his fellow Filipinos.

• Junto al Pasig – wrote it for the Academia de Literatura Castellana of the

Ateneo Municipal. He satirized the priest in the person of the devil who sought
adoration, and he described Spain as impious and pictured as the cause of
unhappiness of his once rich happy country.

2. LIFE ABROAD

A. Education in Europe: Professional Skills Developed

• Pursuit of Advanced Studies: Rizal traveled to Europe in 1882 to pursue

higher education, enrolling in Barcelona, then move to Madrid. Enrolled at
the Central University of Madrid for Licentiate in Medicine. Also in
Philosophy and Letters. Take up lessons in painting and sculpture at the

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 Academia de Bellas Arted de San Fernando, as well as lessons in French,
English, and German at Ateneo de Madrid.

• June 21, 1884 – completed the course for the Licentiate in Medicine with
satisfactory grades. Also in 1885 he received his licentiate in Philosophy and
Letters entitled him to a university professorship.

• Went to Paris for advanced studies in ophthalmology. Worked as an assistant

in the clinic of Dr. Louis de Weckert, a leading French opthamologist.

• Germany – practices in a hospital of Heisenberg under the supervision of the

hospital director himself – Dr. Otto Becker, a renowned German doctor.
Proceeded to Berlin where he worked as an assistant in Clinic of Dr. Schultzer
and Dr. Xavier Galezowsid, eminent German opthamologists.

• Exposure to Liberal Ideas and Intellectual Circles: Rizal’s time in Europe

exposed him to a rich intellectual environment, where he engaged with
prominent thinkers, writers, and activists, fostering his nationalist ideals and
commitment to social reform.

B. New Directions Towards Accomplishing His Mission.

• Rizal started writing one of his masterpiece, Noli Me Tangere. He sought to

finish the first half of the Noli in Madrid. Continue in Paris, and finished his
book in Germany.

• Berliner Buchdrukerel Actien-Gesselschaft, Setzerinnen-Schule de Lette Vereins

– cheapest book printer in Berlin. Charged him P300.00 for 2,000 copies.
Maximo Viola offered to lend him the amount and the book was finally
released in March 1887.

• For further mastery of the French language, he enrolled in a class of a well-

known teacher in Paris, Madame Lucille Cerdolle.
• Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt, became most cherished friend of Rizal during
his sojourn in Germany. They exchanged opinions in political, racial, and
social issues. He guided Rizal in his research on the Philippines at European
libraries. He wrote an article “Ars Poetica Tagala” published in the Zeitschrift
Ethnologie (Journal for Ethnology).

• In early 1887, Rizal meet Dr. Feodor Jagor and invited Rizal to attend a
meeting in Berlin of the Geographic Society, where he was introduced to Dr.
Rudolf Virchow. Dr. Virchow sponsored Rizal’s membership to Berlin
Anthropological Society as a member.
• Greek, Latin, Arabic, Dutch, Catalan, Portuguese, and Swedish.

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 • Rizal pursue his course in practical ethnology and race the study of race
differences. He studied German, Spanish and French peasant life while
working at the clinic of Dr. Becker.

C. Six-month Sojourn in the Philippines

• Purpose of the Sojourn: Rizal’s six-month sojourn in the Philippines in 1887

was primarily aimed at gathering information and conducting research on the
social, political, and economic conditions of his homeland.

• After publishing the Noli in March 1887, he decided to come home. He arrived
in Manila on 5 August 1887. In Kalamba, he opened a clinic successfully,
operated on his mother’s eyes and established a gymnasium.

• Governor Emilio Terrero – assign Jose Taviel de Andrade, a lieutenant of

the Guardia civil, as Rizal’s personal escort.
• The special committee that review the Noli recommended “the absolute
prohibition of the importation, reproduction, and circulation of this
pernicious book”.

• He departed on February 3, 1888. He travelled Hong Kong, Japan and the

United States, always studying and observing.

• Observations and Criticisms: During his time in the Philippines, Rizal keenly
observed the injustices and abuses perpetrated by the Spanish colonial
regime. He criticized the oppressive policies, discrimination against Filipinos,
and the exploitation of the native population.

• Contribution to Nationalist Ideals: Rizal’s observations and experiences

during his sojourn in the Philippines further strengthened his nationalist
ideals. Witnessing the sufferings of his fellow Filipinos, he became more
determined to fight for social justice, independence, and the development of
national consciousness.

• Writing of the Noli Me Tangere: Rizal’s sojourn in the Philippines served as a

catalyst for his writing of the novel Noli Me Tangere. Inspired by his
observations and the stories of the people he encountered, the novel became
a powerful tool in exposing the abuses of the Spanish colonial government
and awakening national consciousness.

D. Rizal Becomes An Active Propagandists

• Rizal used the Book written by Antonio de Morga entitled “Sucesos de las
Islas Filipinas”, which was an objective presentation of 15th century
Philippine culture and civilization.

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 • While annotating Sucesos, he was also writing El Filibusterismo. He wrote
“The Philippines Within a Century” and “The Indolence of the Filipino
People” to answer criticism against the Filipinos and their culture. In “Letter
to the Women of Malolos”, he emphasized the imperative need to enlighten
his people.

• In July 1891, he finally completed the Fili manuscript while he was in

Brussels. Valentin Ventura finance the publication. In September, Fili came
out.

• Rizal set sail to Hong Kong. Reunited with his father, brother, and brother-in-
law which arrived as fugitive from the Spaniards in the Philippines. Also his
mother, sisters (Lucia, Josefa, and Trinidad, had arrived.

• Antonio Luna’s letter of January 1892 and those of Edilberto Evangelista in

March and April 1892 encouraged him to fight actively for justice and
eventually, independence.

• He planned to organize La Liga Filipina and a Filipino community in

Borneo while still in Hong Kong. He wrote to Dr. Blumentritt that “If it is not
possible for me to give my country liberty, I should like to give it at least to
these noble countrymen of mine in other lands. That’s why I am thinking of
immigrating to Borneo”.

• It was granted by the British Governor to found a settlement on a 190,000

acre property in North Borneo. But it was disapprove by Governor Eulogio
Despujol.

References:
Guerrero, Leon Ma. JOSE RIZAL: The First Filipino. Manila: Guerrero Publishing, 1998.
Romero, et al. Rizal and the Development of National Consciousness. Quezon City: JMC
Press, 1984.

Further Reading:
Zaide, Gregorio and Sonia Zaide. Jose Rizal: Life, Works and Writings. Quezon City: All
Nations Publishing Co., 1994.