Chapter 4

Life and Works of Rizal

Midterm Group report
Article 1
12 Ludwigsplatz , 11 March 1886
Heidelberg

MY DEAR PARENTS AND BROTHERS,

As I announced to you in my precious letter, I’m now in this new house
in front of the University itself, and in which I intend to remain all the
time I have to be in this city, until I can go to Berlin, which will be
within a few months.
Article 1
During last week and half of this it had been very cold and snow fell during
that time in the mountain as well as in the city. The wind blows with great
force, beats the tree branches, and makes the snow whirl, lashing and
reddening the face. Despite the fact that I’m not sanguine, my cheeks are red
and at that I’m not very stout. Despite the cold, the wind, and the snow, I
continue going to the hospital and studying ophthalmology and German
every day. I’m progressing fairly in German, for now I can make myself
understood by every one only that I don’t understand everybody, for many
here speak very fast or speak a patois or dialect which is not the classic
German, or high German that I study.
Article 1
Although snow makes many suffer on account of the cold it causes, on
the other hand it entertains children and the youth. The children make
snowballs with which they attack one another. The young people ride in
sledges or they slide from a height on a mountain path down to the valley
below.
Article 1
It is worth describing to you the Fackelzug or the torch festival which I
mentioned to you in my previous letter. On the occasion of the elections
of the Rector, the students numbering from 650 to 700, hold this
celebration. All are dressed in the uniform of their corporations, usually
preceded by two bearing duel swords. Each corporation selects its finest
young men and these lead the march. Ahead go the Rector and the
highest official in a carriage and behind them march the students with
bands of music. All carry lighted torches and walk at a light gait.
Article 1
The effect is beautiful and wonderful. After going through the streets of
Heidelberg, they all gather at this square and form a square leaving a big
space in the middle. At a given signal all throw their torches up in the air
– seven hundred torches fluttering in space. Those that fall are picked up
and thrown up again, while all sing in chorus Gaudeamusigitar to the
beat of the music and the clashing of the swords. Here it is the standard
who prevails; without students Heidelberg is a dead city. On Saturday
there will be another Fackelzug as a farewell, for March and April are
vacation months.
Article 1
Carnival passed away with more gaiety, though with very much less
pomp and animation than in Madrid. Very few masks, 20 or 30 floats
only but as the German is serious during the whole year, in Shrove
Tuesday he makes up and enjoys himself. The street where they stroll is
moreover narrow, so that all the merry-making is concentrated and the
people enliven with their presence what luxury and movement do in
other places. In spite of the cold and the wind that makes ears crack,
there were some little jokes, throwing of peas from carriage to carriage
and ….
Article 1
The German language is becoming clearer to me. It no longer seems to
me so obscure and difficult as at the beginning. I hope that within five
months I’ll speak it like Spanish. I’m afraid that I may forget the latter
language, for until the present, since I arrived at Germany, I haven’t
found anyone who stayed a long time at Singapore and who spoke Malay.
Although we couldn’t understand each other very well, nevertheless I
encountered many words similar to Tagalog.
Article 1
Now I lead an entirely different life from what I had lately. I eat outside.
Thehouse with service cost me 28 marks – this is 7 pesos, each mark being
worth reales fuertes. Breakfast served at the house cost me 10 pfennigs; I
lunch at the restaurant; for 2 reales 18 cuartos they give me soup, three
dishes, dessert, and wine, besides potatoes, salad, cabbage and other
vegetables, for it must be noted that German cooking is all full of
vegetables, and may things mixed together.
Article 1
At night I buy two small rolls which cost three cuartos, cheese, fruits and
a piece of sausage or butter. All in all, the heating, light, laundry, room,
and food cost me some 30 pesos a month of a little less. Add to these
expenses the cleaning …. etc. so that for 40 pesos one can live well in
Germany, if one doesn’t have to buy clothes and to travel from time to
time.
Article 1
At the hospital I practice and examine patients who come every day, the
professor corrects our mistakes in diagnosis; I help the treatment and
although I don’t see so many operations as I did at Paris, here I study more
the practical side. If I receive sufficient money in April or May, I intend to
enroll in a regular course in ophthalmology either in Leipzig, Halle, or
Berlin. God willing, I don’t intend to remain in Germany longer that until
November at most in order to go afterward to England in December and
remains there during the spring of 1887 and go again to Paris to observe the
operations of Dr. de Wecker who, as a surgeon, it seems to me, is very
superior to anyone I have been until the present. From there I can return to
the Philippines and manage every suitably a clinic for eye diseases.
Article 1
Until now I haven’t received a letter from you since the last that I received
from my brother at the beginning of January. You may continue sending
me your letters to Paris and send them through the French mail boat which
departs from there every fortnight.

A German promised me one of these days…

Article 2
MY DEAR PARENTS AND BROTHERS,

Since the beginning of January until now, I haven’t received either a letter of
draft, through according to my calculation I ought to receive money a month
ago, for what I have would barely last until the beginning of May. The next mail
doesn’t arrive until after two weeks, and as I haven’t received your advice to give
up, I continue hoping…. In Germany have neither a countryman nor a true
friend to turn to, Luna has been lending me the whole past month, but my friend
is poor and besides has his brother at Paris anad has to support two. I expected to
receive through the letter, who arrived two weeks ago, the watch my brother
promised me, but undoubtedly you didn’t know he was leaving.
Article 2
I repeat once more, lest you may have forgotten it, the convenience and
necessity of writing me in advance when you cannot send me the promised
amount. Thus I shall be at ease knowing by what to abide and I don’t contract
obligations which later will cause me displeasures that are not easy to imagine.

If you don’t have much to tell me, a postal card with four of five words would
suffice, which is very convenient and cost one half . With an expenditure of four
cuartos, you save me many displeasures. This is always easy to do.
Article 2
It is my serious and ardent desire to go home, for it seems to me that I cause too much
expense and I wish to help the family in whatever way I can. I’m tired of Europe and I’m
afraid to ruin the family, for they say that business is very bad. I wish to go home as soon
as possible in order to be with you.

When you send me a draft, send me through the following mail the 2nd copy, and the
3rd copy through the one after that, in order that in case it is lost, the amount can be
collected. I fear that, that is what might have happened this time, for I can’t explain the
delay and lack of letters. In Europe postal employees are very honest and diligent, at least
in France, Germany and England. It is seldom that a letter gets lost.

YOURS,
RIZAL
Please answer this letter
 Ateneo de Municipal
Jose Rizal had his Bachiller en artes (Bachelor of Arts) at the school of the
Jesuits. This religion order loved Jose so much, in fact in 1892 when he was
exiled in Dapitan, the real sentence for him was execution but because of the
Jesuits he was just exiled. In Ateneo, he excelled in academics, in
extracurricular and vocational education.

Jose P. Rizal, at eleven years old, was again accompanied by his brother
Paciano to Ateneo Municipal. He was introduced to Father Minister Magin
Ferrando and at first, the Father Minister did not want to accept him because
of his weak constitution and short stature. However, with the help of Manuel
Jerez, the nephew of late Father Burgos, the eleven year old Jose Rizal was
accepted in Ateneo de Municipal. At first he was overwhelmed to see
students from different classes, he saw a great number of Spaniards,
mestizos and Filipinos.
 Ateneo de Municipal

In his stay in Ateneo, he needed to change his name to Rizal instead of

Mercado to avoid being associated with Father Burgos. He was included in
the class of a Jesuit priest, Father Jose Bech and according to Rizal, he was a
tall man, thin ,with body bent forward, with hasty pace, an ascetic, severe and
inspired physiognomy, sunken, small eyes and fine lips. He was able to meet
some of his classmates in Biñan.
 Ateneo de Municipal
The teachers in Ateneo encourage their students to study harder with the use
of competition. The class was divided into two groups, the Carthaginian (the
non-boarder of Ateneo) and the Roman (the boarder inside Ateneo). The two
groups competed in all class discussion and each member could challenge
the questions about the lesson would lose his position. The best student in
each group was called the Emperor, the second best was the Tribune, the
third best was the Decurion, the fourth best was the Centurion and the fifth
best was the Standard Bearer (Zaide, 1994). In the first quarter of his stay in
Ateneo, Rizal already achieved the title Emperor, The challenge of
competition had a positive effect to the academic status of Jose P. Rizal and
this was evident in his scholastic records
 Success in Ateneo de Municipal
1st year (1872-1873)
tin ………… ………… ………… …..E xc e lle n t
La
Span is h …… ………… ………… …….E xc e lle n t
Gr e ek ………… ………… ………… ….E x c e lle n t
2nd year (1873-1874)
Span ish ………………………………..E x ce lle n t
Greek…………………………………..Excellent llent
Wo rld G e o g r a p h y…………………….Ex ce
3rd year (1874-1875)
Latin…………………………………...Excelle
Spanish………………………………..Excell nt
5th year
World History………………………... ent
History of Spain and Excellent Philosophy 1 and 2………………….Excellent
Philippines….Excellent Mineralogy
Chemistry……………..Excellent
Physics………………………………..Excellent
4th year
Botany………………………………..Excellent
Rhetoric and Poetry……
French…………………………………Excelle……………Excellent Zoology………………………………..Excellent
Geometry……………………………..Exc nt
e
Trigonometry…………………………E llent
xcellent
 Ateneo de Municipal
Aside from the academics, Jose also engaged into various extra-curricular
activities like he was a part of the literary group under the guidance of Father
Sanchez, a member of a Marian Congregation who were devoted to Virgin Mary,
a member of the club of Natural Sciences. He also continued his painting
lessons under Agustin Saez, and he also studied sculpture under the guidance
of Romualdo de Jesus.

His literary skills were also sharpened because of this passion in reading. During
his Ateneo days, he was able to read and understand complicated novels like
The Count of Monte Cristo written by Alexander Dumas. He also read books in
different areas, he asked his father to buy the expensive historical book of
Cesar Cantu entitled, Universal History and he also became fascinated by the
work of Dr. Feodor Jagor, entitled, Travels in the Philippines.
 Ateneo de Municipal
Along his success in academics, he also had various achievements in writing
poems, essays and drama in Ateneo. The first poem that he wrote in Ateneo
was for his mother entitled “My first Inspiration”. In 1876, he wrote poems about
the importance of education for the development of a country entitled “Through
Education the Country Receives Light.” and connection between education and
Religion entitled “Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education”.
Aside from poems and essays, he also ventured in writing manuscripts for play.
In June 1876, he handed to Fr. Sanchez the manuscript entitled “St. Eustache,
the Martyr.”
 Ateneo de Municipal
Along his success in academics, he also had various achievements in writing
poems, essays and drama in Ateneo. The first poem that he wrote in Ateneo
was for his mother entitled “My first Inspiration”. In 1876, he wrote poems about
the importance of education for the development of a country entitled “Through
Education the Country Receives Light.” and connection between education and
Religion entitled “Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education”.
Aside from poems and essays, he also ventured in writing manuscripts for play.
In June 1876, he handed to Fr. Sanchez the manuscript entitled “St. Eustache,
the Martyr.”
 Poems of Rizal
1875 POEMS
1. Felicitation 1876 POEMS
1. In Memory of my T
2. The Departure: Hymn to own
2. Through Educatio
Magellan’s Fleet n the
Country Receives Lig
3. The Battle: Urbiztondo, ht
3. The Triumphal entr
Terror of Jolo y pf
the Catholic Monarc
hs
into Granada

1877 POEMS
1. The heroism of
Columbus
2. Columbus and John II
3. Great Solace in Great
Misfortune
 The Release of his Mother from Prison
Jose’s success in Ateneo was not complete because he was still longed for
justice for his mother who was imprisoned because of the wrong accusation of
her sister-in-law TeodoraHerbosa that Teodora Alonzo attempted to poison her.
During his summer break, Jose visited her mother and cheered her up by citing
his academic excellence in Ateneo. In his summer break, after his second year
in Ateneo, her mother told him about her dream and Jose interpreted it as a sign
that after three months, she would be released from prison and Rizal’s
prophecy came true. The reason why his mother was released from prison was
the request of his sister Soledad to the Governor General after the father
appreciated her talent in dancing.
Early Romance
At the age of thirteen, during his stay in the province, Jose
met a girl named Julia. Jose first noticed a sweet voice of a
girl who was taking a bath in the river. The sweet voice made
Jose stop and search for the owner of the voice and when he
found her he made a way to know the name of the young
lady. He described Julia as a girl with an oval face, had olive
skin and long beautiful hair. And in order to capture the
attention of Julia, he picked flowers and told Julia that in all
those beautiful flowers that he had seen, she was the only
one who caught his attention. He brought Julia and her
grandmother to their home but after that he did not make a
way to meet Julia.
Early Romance
At the age of 16, shortly after graduation, Rizal crossed
paths with Segunda Katigbak, a sister of his friend
(Mariano) who is just 14 years old when they met at Trozo,
Manila. He described her in his diary. “She is not the most
beautiful woman I have ever seen, but I blush every time
she looked at me. I have not met anyone more alluring and
beguiling”. In Rizal’s own words; “She was rather short, with
eyes that were eloquent and ardent at times and languid
at others, rosy-cheeked, with an enchanting and
provocative smile that revealed very beautiful teeth, and
the air of a sylph; her entire self diffused in a mysterious
charm”.
Early Romance
Rizal come to know Segunda more intimately during his
weekly visits to La Concordia College. It is apparent that
Rizal and Segunda loved each other. Their relationship is
indeed “a love at first sight”. Rizal started to fall in love
with her but unfortunately, she is already betrothed to
another man. Their relationship was only sympathetic
understanding and nothing serious and ended when
Katigbak was instructed to return to Laguna. Although in
one occasion they crossed paths in Laguna. Rizal chose
to end whatever what was between them.
Early Romance
Rizal regretted that his first romance is “ruined by his
own shyness and reserve” and was lost to him forever.
After three years, Rizal said: “Ended, at an early hour,
my first love! My virgin heart will always mourn the
reckless step it took on the flower-decked abyss. My
illusions will return, yes, but indifferent, uncertain, ready
for the first betrayal on the path of love.”
 University of Santo Tomas
At the end of education of Jose Rizal in Ateneo, he was able to gain the highest
award as the emperor of his class and the title of Bachiller en Artes. He wanted
to pursue his higher education in spite of the disapproval of his mother who
thought that the higher education would lead to Rizal’s disadvantage. He
entered the University as a student in Philosophy and Letter. He was not sure of
the course that he would pursue in college so he sought the advice of his
former teacher in Ateneo, Fr. Ramon but because the latter was in Mindanao his
teacher was not able to reply to his question immediately. Following the course
of his father, he took Philosophy and Letters from 1877-1878. He shifted to
Medicine course because he considered the situation of his mother who had
failing eyesight.
 University of Santo Tomas
Rizal during his first term in the University of Santo Tomas, also
studied in Ateneo taking vocational course (surveying course)
leading to the title of perito agrimensor (expert surveyor).

His brilliance in Philosophy was evident in his grades that he

attained in his Philosophy course in UST and during those time this
course was considered as the preparatory course of Theology
and Law.
 University of Santo Tomas
Rizal during his first term in the University of Santo Tomas, also studied in
Ateneo taking vocational course (surveying course) leading to the title of perito
agrimensor (expert surveyor).

His brilliance in Philosophy was evident in his grades that he attained in his
Philosophy course in UST and during those time this course was considered as
the preparatory course of Theology and Law.

In 1878, Rizal shifted from Philosophy to Medicine. During his time, he had 23
classmates in medicine consisted of three peninsulares, three insulares and the
others were natives. Among 24 students, 22 of them finished the course and
Rizal was part of the four students who gained the mark of aprovechado
 Jose Rizal’s Grade at UST

Preparatory Course of Theology and Law

1877-1878 Preparatory Course of Medicine
1877-1879
Cosmology………..Sobresaliente (Excellent)
Advanced Physics……..Aprovechado (Very Good)
Metaphysics………Sobresaliente (Excellent)
Advanced Chemistry……..Sobresaliente
Theodicy…………Sobresaliente (Excellent)
Advanced Natural History…….Aprovechado
History of Philosophy…..Sobresaliente (Excellent)
 Jose Rizal’s Grade at UST
2nd Year in Medicine
1st Year in Medicine
Histology 1 General Anatomy and Histology 2 –
General Anatom y and Bueno (Good)
– Bueno (Good)
o Descriptive anatomy 2 – Bueno (Good
tive anatomy 1 – Buen )
Descrip
(Good) Exercises of Dissection – Bueno (Good
)
Exe rc ise s of Os te olo gy an d Physiology, Private and Public Hygien
u en o (G oo d) e
Diss ec tio n – B – Bueno (Good)
 Jose Rizal’s Grade at UST
4th Year in Medicine
3rd Year in Medicine
Pa th o lo g y, its cli n ic a n d Medical Pathology – Notable (Very
General v ad o good)
Patholo g y H is tolo g y – A p ro
(Passed)
Surgical Pathology – Notable
tic s, M e d icin a l M att er an d
Therapeu re sa lien te
the Art o f P re sc rib in g – So b Obstetrics, Sicknesses of Women
(Excellent) and Children – Notable

ica l Ana to m y, O p e ra tio ns, Siphilography - Notable

Surg s a nd
External M e dica l A pp lic ato n
Ban da g es – B u en o (G o o d )
 University of Santo Tomas
Some of the historians who ventured in the life of Rizal commented
that Rizal had lower grades in UST than when he studied in Ateneo and
they attributed his low grades to the discrimination that he experience
in UST. However, according to Villaroel and De Vianna, Jose Rizal was
not discriminated in UST because first, among the other students he
was able to get higher grades. Second, the story of Placido Pinente in
Physics class did not happen in UST because personally Rizal took
Ampliacion (expansion or extension) so he did not take Physics in UST
. Third, the reason why Rizal got lower grades in UST was the different
distraction that he experienced while studying in UST like his love life
and group that he established, the Compadrenismo.
 University of Santo Tomas
In April 1880, Jose joined the competition which commemorated the 400th
death anniversary of Miguel de Cervantes. He wrote a play entitled, El Consejo
dd los Dioses, a play which recognized Cervantes as equal to Homer and Virgil
and even if the jury was composed of Spaniards, they awarded Rizal the highest
prize. Rizal’s triumph on the said literary award was contested by the Spaniards
who could not accept that the winner came from the natives but the judges
stood by their decisions and on the time of the awarding the crowd which was
composed of the Spaniards did not applaud Rizal.

Like in Ateneo, Jose Rizal also had various literary works in UST. In 1879, Rizal
joined the Liceo Artistico-Literato of Manila and won the competition. He wrote
the “La Juventud Filipina” (To the Filipino Youth). This poem encouraged and
inspired the Filipino youth to stand up and work harder to attain the highest
objectives.
College Romance

Shortly after losing Segunda Katigbak, he paid court to a

young woman in Calamba, In his student memoirs, he NO PICTURE
called her simply “Miss L,” describing her as “fair with
AVAILABLE
seductive and attractive eyes”. Their romance died a
natural death.
College Romance
During Rizal’s sophomore year at UST, he met Leonor
Valenzuela, who was a tall girl with regal bearing. He
sent her love notes written in invisible ink leaving no trace
on the paper and taught Valenzuela the secret of
reading any note written in invisible ink that is by heating
it over the candle or lamp. Just like with Segunda, he
stopped short of proposing marriage to Orang (pet name
of Valenzuela).
College Romance
Rizal pursue another Leonor, this time it is Leonor Rivera – the
cousin of his father, born on April 11, 1867 on Camiling, Tarlac. He
described her as “reserved and soft spoken” which fits Rizal’s ideal
characteristics of a woman. Rivera was a frail, pretty girl “tender as
a budding wistful eyes”. Rizal met Rivera when he was a student of
the University of Santo Tomas and was a boarder at her father’s
house. Rizal and Rivera sprang a beautiful romance in 1880 and got
engaged at the same year. Rizal was 19 and Rivera was 13.

In their letters, Leonor Rivera used pen names such as La Cuestion

del Oriente and Taimis or Tamis in order to camouflage their
relationship from their parents and friends. Their engagement
lasted 10 years and Rivera was dubbed “Rizal’s true love” and was
immortalized as the character Maria Clara in Noli Me Tangere
Europe Journey
The secret mission to Spain was the agreement between
Jose and his brother Panciano. After his four years of
Medicine course in UST, Jose decided to follow the advice
of his brother Paciano to leave the country and travel to
Spain. The first reason why he needed to leave was to
pursue his medical course and second was to observe the
political situation in Madrid. It was only Paciano, Antonio
Rivera, his friend Chenggoy and the family of Orang who
knew recommendation to the Jesuit House in Barcelona
in case he needed assistance. His parents did not know
that when he kissed their hands before he left Calamba
on May 1, 1880, that it would take many years before they The Salvadora Cruise
could see their son again. Before he left, his brother
handed him $56 that he would use for his travel, his
passport using the name Jose Mercado and a first class
ticket for the cruise Salvadora.
Europe Journey
On May 2, 1882 he visited the family of Orang. Orang’s
mother gave him a can of cookies called sopas and a
box of chocolate that he would consume on his travels.
The night before he left, he had the opportunity to talk
to Orang Valenzuela.

On May 3, 1882 at 5:00, he heard Mass at Santo

Domingo church and the Chenggoy, Antonio Rivera,
and his cousin Gella accompanied him to the dock near
Magellans monument. He rode the cruise Salvadora
and as the ship started to leave Manila, Jose became
The Salvadora Cruise
emotional because he was not able to say goodbye to his
parents and to Leonor Rivera.
Europe Journey
On May 8, 1882, their cruise reached Singapore. He
immediately traveled to different parts of the country
and visited the gardens, the Buddhist temple, the
monument of Stamford Raffles and the market where he
bought his personal things. He admired the Chinese
architecture and the freedom of religion in Singapore
which was evident in different churches in the country.

On May 11, 1882, he rode the cruise Djemnah going to

Ceylon (old name of Sri Lanka). His ticket was for first
class so he would enjoy first class cabin, with carpeted
floor, bed with springs, curtain and wash basin. Most of
the passengers of the cruise were French and because
Jose practiced the French language that he learned
during his Ateneo days but he knew that the needed to
study more to become fluent in the language.
Europe Journey
They reached Ceylon on May 17, 1882. Jose was enchanted
because of the beautiful islands that he had seen,
however, it was full of loneliness. From Ceylon they
travelled to North Africa and Rizal described Africa as a
country with hot climate. Then, they travelled to Suez
Canal for five days. Their next stop over was in Port Said
in Egypt, in this place Rizal observed the multicultural
city since he saw different people speaking in different
languages like Arabic, Greek, Italian, Spanish and
Egyptian.

On June 11, 1882, Djemnah reached Naples in Italy. Rizal

admired the panoramic beauty by the bay and then their
cruise reached Marseilles. He enjoyed his tour in this city
because he wanted to visit the place of his favorite writer
Alexander Dumas. After three days, he travelled to
Barcelona using train.
Europe Journey
On June 16, 1882, he reached Barcelona and he learned that he ran out of cash and
the money that left to him was only seven pesos which was not enough to rent a
dormitory. So he used a letter of recommendation that his teachers from Ateneo
handed to him and the Jesuit in Barcelona helped him and lent him money.
Because of insufficient money, he first rented a room in Barcelona which cost only
11 pesos. The room did not pass the taste of Rizal but he had no other choice. His
room had a brick floor, dirty, hard bed there was no mirror and the wash basin was
broken. His first impression of Barcelona was negative, he viewed it as an ugly and
dirty place. However, when his brother Paciano was able to send him money, he
transferred to a more expensive room that suited his taste.
Rizal in Spain
Since he arrived in Spain during the summer vacation, he had the opportunity to
travel to different parts of the city and meet the other Filipinos living in the city.
His former classmates in Ateneo who resided in Madrid prepared a party for Rizal
which was held at Plaza Cataluna. And while waiting for the start of the classes, he
wrote an essay which reflected how he loved and missed his country. He wrote his
first nationalistic essay in Barcelona entitled El Amor Patrio (Love of Country)
under the pen name Laong Laan. This essay was published in Diariong Tagalog on
August 20, 1882 and was translated in Tagalog by Marcelo H. Del Pilar.
 Rizal in Spain
When his brother Paciano learned that he was staying in
Barcelona, he wrote a letter to Jose and reminded him
about his secret mission in going to Spain. On November
3, 1882 Rizal was enrolled in Universidad Central de
Madrid under the course of Medicine and Philosophy and
Letters. However, while waiting for the start of classes in
Madrid, he also enrolled in Academy of Fine Arts of San
Fernando for painting and he also travelled to different
historical places and museums. Because of his
engagement in different lessons and the difficulty,
Paciano was having in sending him money for his
allowance, he had a hard time budgeting his money.
Sometimes according to his diary, he would only eat
biscuit for each meal or sometimes he would just go to
different restaurants in Madrid and let his eyes enjoy the
food because his money is not enough to buy one.
 Rizal in Spain
In his stay on Madrid, he also joined the Circulo
Hispano Filipino, an organization of the Filipino
and Spaniards who wanted to ask for reform from
the government. And under this organization, he
wrote Mi Piden Versos (They Ask Me for Verses), a
poem which showed the sadness of the son of art
who lived on a place away from his origin.
Romance in Madrid
Aside from his studies and other art lessons, he had the
opportunity to meet Consuelo Ortiga y Perez, the daughter of
Don Pablo, the former mayor of Manila during the time of
administration of Governor General Carlos Maria de la Torre.
He fell in love with the Consuelo but because Eduardo de Lete
was courting Consuelo, he did not pursue his feelings for
Consuelo and instead he wrote a poem which showed his
admiration to this lady. The poem is entitled “A la Senorita C.O
y R”.
 Rizal in Paris
On July 17, 1883, he travelled to Paris. He visited the different
tourist spots in the city, the museums, the Opera House,
Cathedral of Notre Dame, Bois de Boulogne, Madelaine
Church, the column of Vendome, the Invalides and the
libraries. But because he was mistaken as a Japanese, the
prices for his food accommodation and entrance fees were
more expensive than other people of other nationalities.
Aside from the different historical places, Rizal had the
opportunity to visit some restaurants in Paris and this was
described in the letter that he sent to his sister Maria.

Speaking… of the dining room in Europe, there is a general

feeling that it would be pleasing, graceful, agreeable. In the
houses of the very rich, you will see paintings of landscapes,
fruits and animals by the great masters. You will see the
paintings of oysters, prawns, lobster, fishes, etc. others who
cannot pay so much, content themselves with copies and the
poorest ones with chromolithographs.
 Rizal in Paris
In some houses in Germany, particularly in Holland,
what I see with regard to painting is that they hang
on the walls very old plates, with more or less colors,
with more or less designs. In some houses they would
show you grandfather’s and grandmother’s plates.
In the house of the Pardos in Paris, I saw a big plate,
50 years old, a century old perhaps, side by side with
some plates of Chinese porcelain nearly two centuries
old a big plate like many plates from China that we
have there for daily use, if my memory is not bad, and
which has this form.

Rizal could not afford the high cost of living in Paris

so he decided to go back to Madrid.
Rizal back to Madrid Spain
In Madrid, Rizal was able to meet different personalities with liberal ideas like Miguel
Morayta, Franscisco Po y Margal and other people who were brave to openly criticize
the government and friars during their time. And these people were part of the
Masonic Lodge so Rizal also joined the Masonry hoping that he could utilize the Free
Masonry as his shield against friars who according to him were the hindrance for the
development and reform of the society in the Philippines. On February 15, 1884, he
received his diploma as the master mason

On June 25, 1884, the Filipinos in Madrid had a gathering to celebrate Juan Luna’s
success because his painting Spolarium gained gold medal and Felix Resurrecion
Hidalgo’s Christian Virgins Exposed to Populance received a silver medal on a
prestigious painting competition in Madrid. And Jose Rizal, who was not able to take
his meal for the whole day was requested to deliver an impromptu speech that would
be salute for the two Filipino painters
 The concept of Brindis
1 The independence of the Philippines in the future because the
Filipino already had education from Spain and their achievements
were recognized abroad.

2 The genius could come from any nations so the people in a

particular race should not treat themselves as superior

3 The talents and intelligence of the Filipinos are innate and Spain
gave them education which polished their capabilities
 The concept of Brindis
4 The Filipinos are ready for the reforms that the Spanish
government will give

5 The Union of Spain and the Philippines is not only impossible and
he recognized the contributions of Spain for our country

6 The credit should be given to Juan Luna, Felix Hidalgo, to the

students who choose to be apart from their families to continue
their education and the parents who worked hard and bore the
longing for their children for the sake of their education.
 Unibersidad Central de Madrid
Despite of his financial difficulties, Jose Rizal was able to do his
responsibilities as a student in Madrid. During his vacant time, he did not
waste time but he consumed his free hours in going to the library, attended
different seminars and lectures and went to various feasts. On June 21,
1884, Rizal Completed his medical studies and attained the title of
Licentiate in Medicine.

In 1884, after earning his Licentiate in Medicine, Rizal continued his studies
for Doctorate in Medicine. However, because of financial difficulties, he
was not able to present his thesis and get the title as Doctor of Medicine
 Jose Rizal’s Academic records in
Universidad Central de Madrid
6th Year in Medicine
5th Year in Medicine
Medical Clinic II– Bueno
Medical Clinic I – Bueno
Surgical Clinic II – Notable
Surgical Clinic I – Bueno
al C lin ic – A p ro ba d o
Obstetric
icin e - So b re sa lien te
Legal Med
 Jose Rizal’s Academic records in
Universidad Central de Madrid
History of the Medical Science.................................................Aprobado

Surgical Analysis applied to the Medical Science..........................Bueno

Advanced Normal and Pathological Histology...................Sobresaliente

 Jose Rizal’s Academic records in
Universidad Central de Madrid
For his course in Philosophy and Letters
1883-1884
1882-1883
Universal History II…………………………......……….Sobresaliente
Universal History….…….…......….Saliente Greek and Latin Literature………………………...Sobresaliente
General Literature..........Sobresaliente Greek I ……………………….………………...........…….….Sobresaliente

1884-1885

Spanish Language…………………………………..…Sobresaliente
Arabic Language…..…..…………………………….…Sobresaliente
 Illustrado
The Filipino illustrado in Madrid between the year 1880 to 1885 had secret mission to
inform the Spanish government in Madrid about the true condition of the Philippines
under their colonial government. This is due of their assumption that the administration of
Spain is not aware about the abusive policies of the assigned Spanish officers in the
Philippines. Equipped with high education and literary talents, the Filipino illustrado
contributed articles to their newspaper, La Solidaridad to enlighten the minds of the
Spaniards and other Filipinos about the real condition of the country. The triumvirates of
the organization were Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena and Dr. Jose Rizal.
Among the contributors of the newspaper it was Jose Rizal who was the most diligent in
writing and brave to defend the Filipinos.

The first article of Rizal in La Solidaridad was entitled Los Agriculores Filipinos (The
Filipino Farmer) in which he depicted the deplorable conditions in the Philippines which
cause the backwardness of the country.
 Conflicts of Rizal
Antonio Luna and Jose Rizal were close friends but when Antonio knew
that Nelly Boustead, the lady whom he was courting had special feelings
for Jose Rizal, their friendship was shaken. In one incident, when Antonio
was drunk, he stated negative things about Nelly and Rizal did not like
the words that Antonio said so he challenged Luna into a duel. Being an
expert in guns and swords Rizal was confident that he would win the
duel but other Filipinos present prevented the duel to happen. After the
incident, Antonio realized his mistake and talked to Rizal. Upon realizing
that Nelly was in love with Rizal, Antonio just helped Rizal win the heart
of Nelly Boustead.
 Conflicts of Rizal
Wenceslao wrote an article which stated that the Dominican friars
evicted Rizal’s family from their land in Calamba which they rented from
the Dominican because Rizal’s family did not pay enough amount to the
corporation. And because of the negative comments of Retana about his
family, he challenged Retana to a duel but again having in mind that Rizal
was an expert in gun and sword, Retana did not agree to the challenge.
 Conflicts of Rizal
Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Rizal had a conflict because of Leadership. The members in
the association were divided as the Pilarist (for del Pilar) and Rizalist (for Rizal) and to
end the conflict they held an election. On the first election, Rizal won the presidency
but did not get the minimum vote needed. In the second election, Rizal again won the
presidency but again did not get the minimum vote needed. And in the third election,
finally, Rizal got the minimum vote needed. However, Rizal did not accept the
leadership because of lack of unity. The conflict between Rizal and Marcelo was
published in La Solidaridad which was opposed by Rizal.

The conflict between other reformist made him think that his real battle was in the
Philippines so in spite of the advice of his other friends and family for him not to go
back to the country, he decided to return to the Philippines.