LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

MIDTERM- SECOND SEM

CHAPTER 1: ADVENT OF A NATIONAL HERO ●​ He was an anthropologist, botanist, businessman,

cartographer, dramatist, economist, educator,
REPUBLIC ACT NO.1425 engineer, essayist, entomologist, ethnologist,
●​ act to include in the curricula of all public and farmer, folklorist, geographer, grammarian,
private schools, colleges and universities courses historian, horticulturist, humorist, lexicographer,
on the life, works and writings of jose rizal, linguist, musician, novelist, painter, physician, poet,
particularly his novels Noli me tangere and El philosoghist, philosopher, plemist, psychologist,
Filibusterismo, authorizing the printing and satirist, sculptor, sportsman, sociologist, surveyor,
distribution thereof, and for other purposes traveler, and zoologist. More all than these, he was
●​ SECTION 1: Courses on the life, works, and writings a patriot, hero, and martyr.
of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere ●​ He has a lot of background; wants to show that
and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the indios are not idiots.
curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, ●​ 5’1 tall
public or private: Provided, that in the collegiate ●​ Birthday: June 19,1861
courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of ●​ Una perla de hombre (one pearl man)
the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their ●​ Jack of all trades
English translation shall be used as basic texts. Nina– babae
●​ SECTION 2: It shall be obligatory on all schools, Nino– lalake
colleges and universities to keep in their libraries Hombre– man (in spanish)
an adequate number of copies of the original and THE BIRTH OF A HERO
unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere ●​ Near midnight of Wednesday, June 19, 1861, when
and El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other the Philippines was in deep slumber, a frail baby
works and biography. boy was born to the Rizal family in Calamba,
●​ SECTION 3: The Board of National Education shall Laguna
cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and ●​ His seemingly miraculous survival was attributed to
El Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Nuestra
Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje) or Lady of Antipolo.
Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in ○​ This is also the reason why his mother is
cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be devoted to christianity
distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to ●​ The baby boy was baptized by Rev. Rufino
read them, through the Purok organizations and Collantes in the Catholic Church of Calamba on
Barrio Councils throughout the country. June 22, 1861, three days after his birth.
●​ SECTION 4: Nothing in this Act shall be construed ●​ His godfather was Pedro Casanas. (he has only one
as an amendment or repealing section nine godfather)
hundred twenty-seven of the Administrative Code, ●​ He was named “Jose” by his pious mother, in
prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines honor of St. Joseph.
by public school teachers and other persons RIZAL’S PARENT
engaged in any public school. ●​ The full name of the baby boy, who was destined
●​ SECTION 5: The sum of three hundred thousand to become the greatest genius and hero of the
pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out Philippines was Jose Protasio(Protacio) Rizal
of any fund not otherwise appropriated in the Mercado y Alonso Realonda.
National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this ●​ Jose was the seventh of the eleven children of
Act. Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonzo
●​ SECTION 6: This Act shall take effect upon its Realonda.
approval. ●​ The hero’s father, Francisco (1818-1898), was born
DR. JOSE RIZAL in Binan, Laguna, on May 11, 1818 and died in
●​ The greatest hero of the Philippines, was a Manila in January 1898 at the age of 80.
“many-splendored” genius.

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 ●​ The hero’s mother, Teodora (1826-1911), was born ●​ Married Mariano Herbosa of Calamba
on November 8,1826 and died on August 16, 1911, ●​ Her husband Mariano died due to
at the age of 85. Polio/cholera and was buried in a Chinese
●​ She was born, raised and dies in Manila cemetery.
THE RIZAL CHILDREN’S 6.​ Maria (1859-1945)
●​ God blessed the marriage of Francisco Mercado ●​ Married to Daniel Faustino Cruz of Binan,
Rizal and Teodora Alonso Realonda with eleven Laguna
children — two boys and nine girls. These children ●​ Nanirahan at nakalibing sa San Pablo City,
were as follows: Laguna (Public cemetery)
1.​ Saturnina (1850-1913) 7.​ Jose (1861-1896)
●​ Oldest of the Rizal children. ●​ The “Lucky seven” in a family of eleven
●​ Married Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanauan, children.
Batangas. ●​ Married to Josephin Bracken, a pretty
●​ “Neneng” Irish from Hong Kong.
2.​ Paciano (1851-1930). 8.​ Concepcion (1862-1865)
●​ Older brother of Dr Jose Rizal ●​ She died at the age of 3
●​ After his brother's execution, he joined ●​ Died due to Congenital Heart Disease
the Revolution and became the General. ●​ Conception or Concha
●​ After the Revolution, he retired to his ●​ Her death caused so much pain on the
farm in Los Banos and led the life of a young Rizal
gentleman farmer. 9.​ Josefa (1865-1945)
●​ Died an old bachelor, though had a ●​ She did not marry; she dies an old maid
common-law wife(Severina Decena). ●​ May epilepsy.
●​ He didn’t marry Severina but they had 2 10.​ Trinidad (1868-1951)
childrens. (Emiliana(naging asawa anak ni ●​ Died an old maid like Josefa.
Narcisa; Jose Rizal Lopez) & Emilio) 11.​ Soledad (1870-1929)
●​ Ebeng(Severina) left him along with her ●​ The youngest of the Rizal children
children. Maybe she became tired of ●​ She married Pantaleon Quintero of
waiting. Later on, she came back but Calamba.
Paciano introduced her to their children RIZAL’S ANCESTRY
as an aunt. ●​ Rizal’s paternal great-great-grandfather was a
●​ On his deathbed, he confessed to his China-man named Domingo Lam-Co, a native of
children that Ebeng is his children's Chinchew, “China’s City of Spring”.
mother. ○​ Lam is the surname and Co is the name
●​ Paciano and Rizal have a kasunduan na or in English Lam, Esquire.
hindi muna sila mag aasawa. ○​ Lam-co was baptized at the San Gabriel
●​ Andres San Pedro– Architect of Paciano’s church in Binondo. He adopted
House (Son of Juan Luna & Paz Pardo de “Domingo” on his baptismal day, as his
Tavera) first name.
3.​ Narcisa (1852-1939) ○​ Two sons named Juan and Clemente
●​ Married Antonio Lopez, a school Teacher ○​ 1771, he married Bernarda Monica
of Morong, Rizal.
●​ Si Fray Leoncio Lopez ang tatay ni
Antonio Lopez.
●​ Family Code— bawal magkarelasyon
ang magkapamilya hanggang 4th
degree cousin.
4.​ Olympia (1855-1887)
●​ Marries Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph
operator from Manila.
●​ Died early due to childbirth
5.​ Lucia (1857-1919)
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 ●​ His father, Francisco, was a great grandson of people. She was a successful businesswoman, and
Lam-Co. Both his father’s and grandfather had the profits of this store augmented the family
been Capitaned (town mayors) of Binan. income.
●​ The original name of the Rizal family was ●​ The house of the Rizal family was one of the
“Mercado”. It was a surname adopted in 1731 by distinguished stone houses in Calamba during the
Domingo Lam-Co, the paternal Chinese ancestor. In Spanish times. It was rectangular in shape, “of
English, it means “market”. adobe stone and hardwood with a red-tiled roof.”
●​ The Rizal family was one of the richest families in ●​ Behind it were the poultry yard full of turkeys and
Calamba during the times prior to its persecution chickens and the garden of tropical fruit trees- atis,
by the friars. balimbing, macopa, papaya, santol, tsampoy, etc.
➔​ Benigna– walang apelyido ●​ Their house was erected on the centro. Naka
➔​ Last Lakandula of tondo is nasa Ancestor ni Rizal centro; kasi katabi ng simbahan & sa likod nito ay
➔​ Manuel de Quintos– Chinese Mestizo munisipyo
NOTE: I ADD ANG IBANG INFO
●​ Claveria Decree— decree that requires Filipinos to
adopt surnames
●​ Rizal family were middle class
○​ issued by Spanish Governor General
●​ Primary language used in the Rizal household
Narciso Claveria.
was Tagalog although they used Spanish
○​ to facilitate documentation, for, many
sometimes.
Filipino families shared the same family
●​ Rizal’s father occupation was a farmer
name such as “De La Cruz”, etc.
●​ Paternal grandfather of Rizal (Juan Mercado)
●​ Peninsulares— pure blood spanish born in Spain
was a Gobernadorcillo
●​ Insulares— puro blood Spanish born in the
●​ There was a rumor where Jose Maria Alonso
Philippines.
Albert (Tiyo ni Rizal) and Saturnina had a child
●​ Senator Claro M. Recto— He’s the reason why
which is Soledad
tinuturo ang Rizal
●​ Paula Florentina— real wife ni Lorenzo Alberto
○​ For him, nawawala na o umuunti na ang
may alam tungkol kay Rizal. So need ituro
para ma preserved. CHAPTER 2: CHILDHOOD YEARS IN CALAMBA
○​ RA. 1425 or the Rizal Law ●​ Jose Rizal had many beautiful memories of his
○​ Senate bill 438 known as Rizal Bill, first childhood in his native town in Calamba.
authored by Senator Claro M. Recto– ●​ His natal town of Calamba, so named after a big
requiring the inclusion of curricula of all native jar, was a fitting cradle for a hero.
private & public schools, colleges and ○​ Calamba named after big jar; a spanish
universities life, works and writings of asked an indio what is the name of the
Jose Rizal. place— Kalambanga (may mis
THE RIZAL FAMILY AND THEIR HOME communication so later on naging
●​ The color of their house now is green. Green Calamba)
stands for “re shall” ●​ The happiest period of Rizal’s life was spent in his
●​ First bahay na bato in Calamba (signifies lakeshore, town, a worthy prelude to his
wealthyness) Hamlet-like tragic manhood
●​ The Rizal Family was one of the richest families in THE HERO’S TOWN – CALAMBA
Calamba during the times prior to its persecution ●​ Calamba was a hacienda town which belonged to
by the friars. the Dominican Order, which also owned all the
●​ They were the first to build a large stone house in lands around it
Calamba, the first to own a carruaje (house-drawn ●​ Rizal loved Calamba with all his heart and soul
carriage), the first to have a home library ●​ In 1876, when he was 15 years old and was a
(estimated to consist of more than 1,00 volumes), student in Ateneo, he remembered his beloved
and the first to educate their children in the town. Accordingly he wrote a poem Un Recuerdo A
colleges of Manila. Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town)
●​ Teodora, the hero’s mother, owned a store in town
which sold many articles of trade needed by the EARLIEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
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 ●​ The first memory of Rizal, in his infancy, was his ○​ Tinawag rin siya na mamang Pepe dahil
happy days in the family garden when he was hindi siya parang bata kumilos at mag isip.
three years old ●​ When he was five years old, he was able to read
●​ His father built a little nipa cottage in the garden haltingly the Spanish family bible
for him to play in the daytime. ●​ He loved to go to church, to pray, to take part in
○​ Masasaktin kasi si pepe, that’s why his novenas, and to join the religious processions.
father built a bahay kubo for him. ●​ One of the men he esteemed and respected in
●​ A kind old woman was employed as a yaya (maid) Calamba during his boyhood was the scholarly
to look after his comfort Father Leoncio Lopez, the town priest.
○​ Ang yaya niya minsan tinatakot siya kapag PILGRIMAGE OF ANTIPOLO
hindi siya natutulog ng hapon or nakain. ●​ On June 6, 1868, Jose and his father left Calamba
Doon nagka idea si Rizal about sa mga to go on a pilgrimage to Antipolo, in order to fulfill
manananggal, aswang, etc. his mother’s vow which was made when Jose was
●​ Another childhood memory was the daily Angelus born
Prayer. By nightfall, Rizal related, his mother ●​ It was the first trip of Jose across Laguna de Bay
gathered all the children at the house to pray the and his first pilgrimage to Antipolo
Angelus ●​ He and his father rode in a casco (barge)
●​ 6am,12pm,6pm ang time ng pag pray ng Angelus ●​ He did not sleep the whole night as the casco
●​ With nostalgic feeling, he also remembered the sailed towards the Pasig River because he was
happy moonlit nights at the azotea after the night awed by “the magnificence of the watery expanse
rosary. and the silence of the night”
●​ Another memory of his infancy was the nocturnal ●​ After praying at the shrine of the Virgin of
walk in town, especially when there was a moon. Antipolo, Jose and his father went to Manila
●​ Recounting this childhood experience, Rizal wrote: ●​ They visited Saturnina, who was then a boarding
“Thus my heart fed on sombre and melancholic student at La Concordia College in Santa Ana
thoughts so that even while still a child, I already THE STORY OF THE MOTH
wandered on wings of fantasy in the high regions ●​ Of the stories told by Dona Teodora to her favorite
of the unknown.” son, Jose, that of the young moth made the
●​ Concha, 1 year older si Rizal. She’s Rizal’s favourite profoundest impression on him.
sister. ●​ His mother was teaching him to read in a Spanish
○​ Everytime na maaalala niya si Concha ay reader called ‘The Children’s Friend“ (El Amigo de
sumasakit ang kanyang dibdib. los Ninos)
THE HERO’S FIRST SORROW ●​ The tragic fate of the young moth in the story,
●​ Of his sisters, Jose loved most the little Concha which “died a martyr to its illusions,” left a deep
(Concepcion). He was one year older than Concha. impression on Rizal’s mind. He justified such noble
He played with her, and from her he learned the death, asserting that “to sacrifice one’s life for it,”
sweetness of sisterly love. meaning for an ideal, is “worthwhile.” And, like
●​ Unfortunately, Concha died of sickness in 1865 that young moth, he was fated to die as a martyr
when she was only three years old. for a noble ideal
●​ Jose, who was very fond of her, cried bitterly at ●​ For Rizal, namatay na martyr ‘yung moth
losing her. "When I was four years old," he said, "I ●​ Dapat sumunod sa magulang, kung nakinig ang
lost my little sister Concha, and then for the first batang gamo-gamo sa nanay ay hindi manyayari
time I shed tears of love and grief..." The death of iyon.
little Concha bought him his first sorrow. ●​ The fire— signifies education; if we know a lot our
DEVOTED SON OF THE CHURCH life become more endanger,
●​ A scion(descendant) of a Catholic clan, born, and ARTISTIC TALENTS
bred in a wholesome atmosphere of Catholicism, ●​ At the age of five, he began to make sketches with
and possessed of an inborn pious spirit, Rizal grew his pencil and to mould in clay and wax objects
up a good Catholic which attracted his fancy.
○​ Dahil masasaktin si Rizal, kasa-kasama ○​ Before inaasar siya ng ate niya na kaya
siya lagi ng nanay niya sa church niya idol si (Napoleon Bonaparte) dahil
pareho sila maliit
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 ●​ It is said that one day, when Jose was a mere boy meditate at the shore of Laguna de Bay on the sad
in Calamba, a religious banner which was always conditions of his oppressed people.
used during the fiesta was spoiled. ○​ Mahilig mag emote si Rizal kasama ang
●​ Upon the request of the town mayor, he painted in kanyang aso na si usman.
oil colours a new banner that delighted the town ●​ Young though he was, he grieved deeply over the
folks because it was better than the original one. unhappy situation of his beloved fatherland.
FIRST POEM OF RIZAL ●​ The Spanish misdeeds awakened his boyish heart
●​ Since early boyhood he had scribbled verses on with a great determination to fight tyranny.
loose sheets of paper and on the textbooks of his INFLUENCES ON THE HERO’S BOYHOOD
sisters. ●​ In the lives of all men there are influences which
●​ His mother, who was a lover of literature, noticed cause some to be great and others not. In the case
his poetic inclination and encouraged him to write of Rizal, he had all the favourable influences, few
poetry. other children in his time enjoyed. These influence
●​ At the age of eight, Rizal wrote his first poem in the were the following:
native language entitled Sa Aking Mga Kababata 1. HEREDITY INFLUENCE
(To My Fellow Children). ●​ From his Malayan ancestors, Rizal, evidently,
○​ Though, according to some historians, inherited his love for freedom, his innate desire to
hindi ito sinulat ni Rizal travel and his indomitable courage.
●​ This poem reveals Rizal's earliest nationalist ●​ From his Chinese ancestors, he derived his serious
sentiment. In poetic verses, he proudly proclaimed nature, frugality, patience, and love for children.
that a people who truly love their native language ●​ From his Spanish ancestors, he got his elegance of
will surely strive for liberty like "the birds which bearing, sensitivity to insult, and gallantry to
soars to freer space above" and that Tagalog is the ladies.
equal of Latin, English, Spanish, and any other ●​ From his father, he inherited a profound sense of
language. self-respect, the love for work, and the habit of
●​ May tula rin si Rizal; Ako’y isang Pinoy independent thinking.
FIRST DRAMA BY RIZAL ●​ From his mother, he inherited his religious nature,
●​ Rizal, who was then eight years old, wrote his first the spirit of self-sacrifice, and the passion for arts
dramatic work which was a Tagalog comedy. and literature.
○​ There's no written document we’re 2.ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE
present as proof that he wrote a drama. ●​ The scenic beauties of Calamba and the beautiful
●​ It is said that it was staged in Calamba festival and garden of the Rizal family stimulated the inborn
was delightfully applauded by the audience. artistic and literary talents of Jose Rizal.
●​ A gobernadorcillo from Paete, happened to ●​ The religious atmosphere at his home fortified his
witness the comedy and liked it so much that he religious nature.
purchased the manuscript for two pesos and ●​ His brother, Paciano, instilled in his mind the love
brought it to his hometown. It was staged in Paete for freedom and justice.
during its town fiesta. ●​ From his sisters, he learned to be courteous and
RIZAL AS A BOY MAGICIAN kind to women.
●​ Since early manhood Rizal had been interested in ○​ Called his sisters (senora(single),
magic. senorita(younger sister Dona (if married))
●​ He also gained skill in manipulating marionettes ●​ The fairy tales told by his aya during his early
(puppet shows). childhood awakened his interest in folklore and
●​ He read many books on magic and attended the legends.
performances of the famous magicians of the ●​ Tio Jose Alberto, who had studied for eleven years
world. in a British school in Calcutta Missioary School,
●​ In Chapter XVII and XVIII of his second novel, El India, and had travelled in Europe inspired him to
Filibusterismo (Treason), he revealed his wide develop his artistic ability.
knowledge of magic. ●​ Tio Manuel, a husky and athletic man, encouraged
LAKESHORE REVERIES him to develop his frail body by means of physical
●​ During the twilight hours of summertime Rizal, exercises, including horse riding, walking, and
accompanied by his pet dog (usman), used to wrestling.
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 ●​ Tio Gregorio, a book lover, intensified his voracious
reading of good books. CHAPTER 3: EARLY EDUCATION IN CALAMBA AND BINAN
●​ Father Leoncio Lopez, the old and learned parish ●​ Rizal had his early education in Calamba and Biñan.
priest of Calamba, fostered Rizal’s love for ●​ It was a typical schooling that a son of an ilustrado
scholarship and intellectual honesty. family received during his time, characterized by
●​ The sorrows in his family, such as the death of the four R’s – reading, writing, arithmetic, and
Concha in 1865 and the imprisonment of his religion.
mother in 1871-74, contributed to strengthen his ●​ Instruction was rigid and strict. Knowledge was
character, enabling him to resist blows of adversity forced into the minds of the pupils by means of the
in later years. tedious memory method aided by the teacher’s
●​ The Spanish abuses and cruelties which he whip.
witnessed in his boyhood, such as the brutal acts ●​ Despite the defects of the Spanish system of
of the lieutenant of the Guardia Civil and the elementary education, Rizal was able to acquire
alcalde, the unjust tortures inflicted on innocent the necessary instruction preparatory for college
Filipinos, and the execution of Fathers Gomez, work in Manila and abroad.
Burgos, and Zamora in 1872, awakened his spirit of ●​ It may be said that Rizal, who was born a physical
patriotism and inspired him to consecrate his life weakling, rose to become an intellectual giant not
and talents to redeem his oppressed people. because of, but rather in spite of, the outmoded
3. AID OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE’ and backward system of instruction obtaining in
●​ Greater than heredity and environment in the fate the Philippines during the last decades of Spanish
of man is the aid of Divine Providence. regime.
●​ Rizal was providentially destined to be the pride ●​ Rizal was 7 or 8 years old when he left calamba
and glory of his nation. ●​ Paciano was 19 when he accompanied Rizal
●​ God had endowed him with the versatile gifts of a ●​ Jose Alberto and Teodoro Alfonso have an affair
genius, the vibrant spirit of a nationalist, and the THE HERO’S FIRST TEACHER
valiant heart to sacrifice for a noble cause. ●​ The first teacher of Rizal was his mother, who was
○​ Lahat ng meron siya ngayon, talento ay a remarkable woman of good character and fine
bigay ng maykapal. culture.
●​ On her lap, he learned at the age of three the
Fave ni rizal ang etag/balol means tuhog sa timog
katagalugan - baboy damo alphabet and the prayers.
●​ Sa Balol, samut-saring pampalasa, sa paguusok ●​ It was she who first discovered that her son had a
pinapasukan ng dahon ng bayabas at lansones. talent for poetry.
(Mas matagal na pag papausok, mas matagal na ●​ To lighten the monotony of memorizing the ABC’s
mabubuhay ang karne.) and to stimulate her son’s imagination, she related
many stories.
Etag inaasinan
●​ As Jose grew older, his parents employed private
Balol iba iba ang pampalasa (dahon ng bayabas at
lanzones) tutors to give him lessons at home.
●​ The first was Maestro Celestino and the second,
Mga fave ni rizal Maestro Lucas Padua.
●​ sinigang na ayungin (niluluto ng tiya isabel) ○​ Si Maestro Celestino ay pinalitan ni Lucas
(pasig river kinukuha) Padua dahil kapag tinanong si Rizal ano
○​ Nasulat sa libro ni Rizal (Noli me
natutunan sa sabihin nito “wala” kaya
Tangere)
●​ Carneng asada (laguna-binondo para sa pinalitan.
sangkap)(lolay) ●​ Later, an old man named Leon Monroy, a former
○​ Sarsa na gawa sa giniling na bigas classmate of Rizal’s father, became the boy’s tutor.
○​ Kinukuha ni Teodora Alonza. Pupunta This old teacher lived at the Rizal home and
pa itong Binan to Binondo para bilihin instructed Jose in Spanish and Latin.
ang sangkap JOSE GOES TO BINAN
●​ lakambini ng katipunan
●​ One Sunday afternoon in June, 1869, Jose, after
○​ Pangalawang asawa ni Andres
○​ kebesa de habali— Ulo ng baboy. kissing the hands of his parents and a tearful
Pinapakuluan hanggang 2 to 4 na oras. parting from his sisters, left Calamba for Binan

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 ●​ He was accompanied by Paciano, who acted as his ●​ In succeeding days he had other fights with the
second father boys of Biñan. He was not quarrelsome by
●​ They proceeded to their aunt’s house, where Jose nature, but he never ran away from a fight.
was to lodge. PAINTING LESSONS IN BINAN
○​ the older sister of Don Francisco Mercado. ●​ Near​ the​ school​ was​ the​ house
(Tomasa Mercado) of​ an​ old​ painter,​ called Juancho,
●​ It was almost night when they arrived, and the who was the father-in-law of the school teacher.
moon was about to rise ●​ Jose, lured by his love for painting, spent many
●​ That same night, Jose, with his cousin named leisure hours at the painter’s studio.
Leandro, went sightseeing in the town. Instead of ●​ Jose​ and​ his​ classmate,​ Jose
enjoying the sights, Jose became depressed Guevarra,​ who​ also​ loved​
because of homesickness. painting, became apprentices of the old painter.
FIRST DAY IN BINAN ●​ They​ improved their​ art, so that in due time
●​ The next morning (Monday) Paciano brought his they became “the favourite painters of the class”.
younger brother to the school of Maestro DAILY LIFE IN BINAN
Justiniano Aquino Cruz ●​ “Here was my life. I heard the four o’clock Mass, if
○​ Jose was 9 years old when he studied in there was any, or I studied my lesson at that hour
Binan and I went to Mass afterwards. I returned home
●​ The school was in the house of the teacher, which and I went to the orchard to look for a mabolo to
was a small nipa hut about 30 meters from the eat. Then I took breakfast, which consisted
home of Jose’s aunt. generally of a dish of rice and two dried small fish,
○​ 12 lng silang magkakaklase and I went to class from which I came out at ten
●​ Jose described his teacher in Binan as follows: “He o’clock. I went home at once. If there was some
was tall, thin, long-necked, with a sharp nose and a special dish, Leandro and I took some of it to the
body slightly bent forward, and he used to wear a house of his children (which I never did at home
sinamay shirt, woven by the skilled hands of the nor would I ever do), and I returned without saying
women of Batangas. He knew by heart the a word. I ate with them and afterwards I studied. I
grammar of Nebrija and Gainza. Add to this went to school at two and came out at five. I
severity that in my judgement was exaggerated prayed for a short while with some nice cousins
and you have a picture, perhaps vague, that I have and I returned home. I studied my lesson. I drew a
made of him, but I remember only this” little, and afterward I took my supper consisting of
FIRST SCHOOL BRAWL one or two dishes of rice with an ayungin. We
●​ In the afternoon of his first day in school, when prayed and if there was a moon, my nieces invited
the teacher was having his siesta, Jose met the me to play in the street together with others.
bully, Pedro Thank God that I never got sick away from my
○​ Si pedro ay anak ni Jack parents.”
○​ Class start 7-10 (lunch) 5pm ang tapos ng BEST STUDENT IN SCHOOL
class. 10-3 Pm may siesta(nap hour) ●​ In academic studies, Jose beat all Biñan boys. He
●​ Jose challenged Pedro to a fight. The latter readily surpassed them all in Spanish, Latin, and other
accepted, thinking that he could easily beat the subjects.
Calamba boy who was smaller and younger. ●​ Some of his older classmates were jealous of
●​ The two boys wrestled furiously in the classroom, his intellectual ​ superiority. They wickedly
much to the glee of their classmates. Jose, having squealed to the teacher whenever Jose had a fight
learned the art of wrestling from his athletic Tio outside the school, and even told lies to discredit
Manuel, defeated the bigger boy. For this feat, he him before the teacher’s eyes. Consequently the
became popular among his classmates. teacher had to punish Jose.
●​ After the class in the afternoon, a classmate END OF BINAN SCHOOLING
named Andres Salandanan challenged him to an ●​ Before the Christmas season in 1870, Jose
arm-wrestling match. received a letter from his sister Saturnina,
●​ Jose, having the weaker arm, lost and nearly informing him of the arrival of the steamer Talim
cracked his head on the sidewalk. which would take him from Biñan to Calamba.

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 ●​ He left Biñan on Saturday afternoon, December ●​ Doña Teodora was suddenly arrested on a
17, 1870, after one a year and a half of schooling malicious charge that she and her brother, Jose
in that town. Alberto, tried to poison the latter’s perfidious
●​ On board was a Frenchman named Arturo Camps, wife. (Teodora Formoso)
a friend of his father, who took care of him. ●​ The evil wife, with the connivance of the
○​ Arturo de Camps is isang frances Spanish lieutenant of the Guardia Civil, filed a case
MARTYRDOM OF GOM-BUR-ZA in court accusing her husband and Doña
●​ On the night of January 20, 1872, about 200 Teodora of attempting to poison her.
Filipino soldiers and workmen of the Cavite ●​ After arresting Doña Teodora, the sadistic Spanish
arsenal under the leadership of Lamadrid, lieutenant forced her to walk from Calamba to
Filipino sergeant, rose in violent mutiny because of Santa Cruz (capital of Laguna Province), a distance
the abolition of their usual privileges, including of more than 50 kilometers.
exemption from tribute and polo (forced labor) by ●​ Upon arrival in Santa Cruz, she was
the reactionary Governor Rafael de Izquierdo. incarcerated at the provincial prison, where
●​ Unfortunately, this Cavite Mutiny was she languished for two years and a half until the
suppressed two days later by troop reinforcements (Supreme Court) acquitted her of the alleged
from Manila. crime.
●​ The Spanish authorities, in order to liquidate ●​ Hindi nila alam kung ano ang kaso ni Teodoro, ang
Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and nangyari ay kung ano ano na lang ang ipinatong na
Jacinto Zamora, leaders of the secular kaso sa kanya.
movement to Filipinize the Philippine Recounting this incidence of his mother’s imprisonment,
parishes, and their ​ supporters (Jose Ma. Rizal said in his student memoirs:
Basa, Attorneys Joaquin Pardo de Tavera and ●​ “Our mother was unjustly snatched away from us
Antonio Ma. Regidor, etc.) magnified the failed and by whom? By some men who had been our
mutiny into a “revolt” for Philippine friends and whom we treated as honoured guests.
independence. We learned later that our mother got sick, far
●​ Accordingly, Gom-Bur-Za (Gomez, Burgos, and from us and at an advanced age. My mother
Zamora), despite the archbishop’s plea for was defended by Messrs. Francisco de
clemency because of their innocence, were Marcaida and Manuel Marzan, the most
executed at sunrise, February 17, 1872, by famous lawyers of Manila. She finally
order of Governor General Izquierdo. succeeded in being acquitted and vindicated in
●​ Their martyrdom was deeply mourned by the the eyes of her judges, accusers, and even her
Rizal family and many other patriotic families in enemies, but after how long? After two and a half
the Philippines. years.”
●​ Paciano, enraged by the execution of Burgos,
his beloved friend, teacher, and housemate, quit CHAPTER 4: SCHOLASTIC TRIUMPHS AT ATENEO DE
his studies at the College of San Jose and returned MANILA (1872-1877)
to Calamba, where he told the heroic story of
Burgos to his younger brother Jose, who was then ATENEO MUNICIPAL
nearly eleven years old. ●​ It was a college under the supervision of the
●​ The martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za in 1872 truly Spanish Jesuits.
inspired Rizal to fight the evil Spanish tyranny and ●​ It was the bitter rival of the Dominican owned
redeem his oppressed people. College of San Juan de Letran.
●​ And later, in 1891, he dedicated his second ●​ It was​ formerly the Escuela Pia (Charity School) a
novel, El Filibusterismo, to Gom-Bur-Za. school for poor boys in Manila which was
●​ THE 3 MARTYR PRIESTS established by the city government in 1817.
○​ Mariano Gomez ●​ Jesuits were given the management of the Escuela
○​ José Burgos Pia, whose name was changed to Ateneo
○​ Jacinto Zamora Municipal, and later became the Ateneo de
INJUSTICE TO HERO’S MOTHER Manila.
●​ Before June of 1872, tragedy struck the Rizal ●​ Ateneo motto “Mens Sana en Corpore Sano”
family. means "A healthy mind in a South body.”
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RIZAL ENTERS THE ATENEO ●​ The best student in each “empire” was the
●​ On June 10, 1872, Rizal took the entrance emperor; the second best, the tribune; the third
examinations on Christian doctrine, arithmetic, best, the Decurion; the fourth best, the centurion;
and reading at the College of San Juan de and the fifth best, the standard-bearer.
Letran, and passed them all. ●​ Within the empire, the students fought for
●​ Don Kikoy, who first wished him to study at positions.
Letran, changed his mind and decided to send ●​ They had their distinctive banners, red for the
him to Ateneo instead. Romans and blue for the Carthaginians.
●​ Father Maggin Ferrando, who was the college ●​ The Ateneo students of Rizal's time wore a
registrar refused uniform which consisted of “hemp-fabric trousers”
●​ to ​ admit him for two reasons: (1) he was late and “striped cotton coat.”
registration (2) he was sickly and undersized for his ●​ The coat material was called rayadillo, which
age. later became famous because it was adopted
●​ Manuel Xerez Burgos, nephew of Father Burgos, as the uniform for the Filipino troops during the
he was reluctantly admitted at the Ateneo. days of the First Philippine Republic.
●​ Jose was the first of his family to adopt the ●​ Matrikula ni Rizal sa ateneo ay 2 piso, ang bayad
surname “Rizal.” naman niya sa kanyang tutor sa Spanish ay 3 piso
●​ He registered under this name at the Ateneo RIZAL’S FIRST YEAR IN ATENEO (1872 - 1873)
because their family named “Mercado” had ●​ On his first day of class in the Ateneo, in June,
come under the suspicion of the Spanish 1872, Rizal first heard Mass at the college chapel
authorities. and prayed fervently to God for guidance and
●​ Paciano had used “Mercado” as his surname at the success.
College of San Jose and he was known to the ●​ Rizal’s first professor in Ateneo was Fr. Jose Bech.
authorities as Father Burgos favorite student and ●​ Rizal was placed at the bottom of the class. He was
confident. an externo, hence he was assigned to the
●​ Ateneo was located in Intramuros, within the walls Carthaginians, occupying the end of the line.
of Manila. ●​ After the first week, the frail Calamba boy
●​ Rizal first boarded in a house outside Intramuros, progressed rapidly. At the end of the month, he
on Caraballo Street, 25 minutes’ walk from became “emperor”. He was the brightest pupil in
college. This boarding house was owned by a the whole class, and he was awarded a prize. “How
spinster named Titay who owed the Rizal family pleased I was,” he ​ said, “when I won my
the amount of P300. first prize, a religious picture!” He was proud of it
JESUIT SYSTEM OF EDUCATION because it was the first prize he ever won at the
●​ The system of education given by the Jesuits in the Ateneo.
Ateneo was more ​ advanced than that of ●​ Rizal took private lessons in Santa Isabel
other colleges in that period. College during the noon recesses, when other
●​ It trained the character of the student by rigid Ateneo Students were playing or gossiping.
discipline and religious ​ instruction. It also ●​ He paid three pesos for those extra Spanish
promoted physical culture, humanities, and lessons, but it was money well spent.
scientific studies. ●​ He placed second at the end of the year, although
●​ Aside from academic courses leading to the degree all the grades were still marked “Excellent”.
of Bachelor of Arts, it offered vocational courses in SUMMER VACATION (1873)
agriculture, commerce, mechanics, and surveying. ●​ At the end of the school year in March, 1873,his
●​ The students heard Mass in the morning before sister Neneng (Saturnina) brought him to Tanauan
the beginning of the ​ daily class. Classes in with her.
every subject were opened and closed with ●​ Without​telling his father,​ he went to Santa​Cruz,
prayers. visited his mother in prison and told her of his
●​ Students were divided into two groups, namely: brilliant grades at the Ateneo.
the “Roman Empire” ​ consisting of the SECOND YEAR IN ATENEO (1873 - 1874)
Internos (boarders) and the “Carthaginian ●​ Rizal returned to Manila for his second year term
Empire” composed of the Externos in the Ateneo. This time he boarded inside
(non-boarders). Intramuros at No. 6 Magallanes Street.
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 ●​ His landlady was an old widow​ named​ Doña ●​ Later, Rizal read Travels in the Philippines by Dr.
Pepay,​ who had a widowed daughter and four Feodor Jagor, a German scientist-traveler who
sons. visited the Philippines in 1859-1860.
●​ He repented having neglected his studies the ●​ What impressed him in this book were
previous year simply because he was offended by ○​ Jagor’s keen observation of the defects of
the teacher’s remarks. Spanish colonization; and
●​ So, to regain his lost class leadership, he studied ○​ his prophecy that someday Spain
harder. Once more he became “emperor”. would ​ lose the Philippines and that
●​ Rizal received excellent grades in all subjects and a America ​would come to succeed her as
gold medal. colonizer.
●​ With such scholastic honors, he triumphantly THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1874 - 1875)
returned to Calamba in March, 1874 for the ●​ In June 1874, Rizal returned to Ateneo for his
summer vacation. junior year. Shortly after the opening of classes,
PROPHECY OF MOTHER’S RELEASE his mother arrived and joyously told him that she
●​ Rizal cheered up Dona Teodora’s lonely heart was released from prison, just as he had predicted
with news of his ​ scholastic triumphs in during his last visit to her prison cell in Santa Cruz,
Ateneo and funny tales about his professors and Laguna. He was happy, of course, to see his mother
fellow students. once more as a free woman.
●​ Dona Teodora told her son of her dream the ●​ However, despite the family happiness, Rizal
previous night. Rizal, interpreting the dream, did not make an excellent showing in his studies
told her that she would be released from as in the previous year. His grades remained
prison in three months’ time. Dona Teodora excellent in all subjects, but he won only one
smiled, thinking that her ​ The son's prophecy was medal – in Latin. He failed to win the medal in
a mere boyish attempt to console her. Spanish because his spoken Spanish was not
●​ But Rizal’s prophecy became true. Barely three fluently sonorous.
months passed and suddenly Dona Teodora was FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO (1875 - 1876)
set free. By that time, Rizal was already in Manila ●​ On June 16, 1875. He became an interno in
attending his classes at the Ateneo. Ateneo.
●​ Dona Teodora, happily back in Calamba, was even ●​ One of his professors this time was Fr.
more proud of her son Jose whom she likened to Francisco de Paula Sanchez a great educator and
the youthful Joseph in the Bible in his ability to scholar.
interpret dreams. ○​ Awaken the artistic and poem talent ni
TEENAGE INTEREST IN READING Rizal
●​ Rizal began to take interest in reading romantic ●​ He inspired the young Rizal to study harder and to
novels. The first favourite novel of Rizal was The write poetry.
Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. ●​ He became an admirer and friend of the
○​ His favourite novel in his father library slender Calamba lad, whose God-given genius
●​ His boyish imagination was stirred by the he saw and recognized since their first meeting.
sufferings of Edmond Dantes (the hero) in ●​ Rizal had the highest affection and respect for
prison, his spectacular escape from the dungeon of Father Sanchez, whom he considered his most
Chateau d'if, his finding of the buried treasure on beloved professor in Ateneo.
the rocky island of Monte Cristo, and his ●​ Rizal described this Jesuit professor as “model of
dramatic revenge on his enemies who wronged uprightness, earnestness, and love for the
him. advancement of his pupil”.
●​ As a voracious reader, he read not only fiction, ●​ Inspired by Father Sanchez, Rizal resumed his
​ but also non-fiction. He persuaded his studies with vigor and zest.
father to buy him a costly set of Cesar Cantu’s LAST YEAR IN ATENEO (1876 - 1877)
historical work entitled Universal History. ●​ After the summer vacation, Rizal returned to
●​ According to Rizal, this valuable work was of Manila in June 1876 for his last year in the Ateneo.
great aid in his studies and enabled him to win ●​ The most brilliant Atenean of his time, he was truly
more prizes in Ateneo. “the pride of the Jesuits.”

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 ●​ Rizal finished his last year at the Ateneo in a blaze Mater, Ateneo Municipal, the degree of Bachelor
of glory. of Arts, with highest honors.
●​ He obtained the highest grades in all subjects — ●​ It was a proud day for his family. But to Rizal, like
philosophy, physics, biology, chemistry, languages, all graduates, Commencement Day was a time of
mineralogy, etc. bitter sweetness, a joy mellowed with poignancy.
●​ Rizal was 14 years old when father Patels arrived in ●​ The night before graduation, his last night at the
Ateneo college dormitory, he could not sleep.
●​ Rizal says that there’s a classmate of his na mas EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN ATENEO
magaling sa kanya he was Gleserio Amson ●​ An “emperor” inside the classroom, he was a
●​ Rizal finish with the degree of Bachiler y artes campus leader outside.
GRADUATION WITH HIGHEST HONORS ●​ He was an active member, later secretary, of a
●​ Rizal graduated as the head of his class. His religious society, the Marian Congregation.
scholastic records at the Ateneo from 1872 to 1877 ●​ He was accepted as a member of this sodality not
are as follows: only because of his academic brilliance but also
○​ 1872 – 1873 because of his devotion to Our lady of Immaculate
■​ Arithmetic ---------Excellent Conception, the college patroness.
■​ Latin 1 ----------- Excellent ●​ Rizal was also a member of the Academy of
■​ Spanish 1 ----------- Excellent Spanish Literature and the Academy of Natural
■​ Greek 1 ------------ Excellent Science.
○​ 1873 – 1874 ●​ Rizal cultivated his literary talents​ under the
■​ Latin 2 ------------- Excellent guidance of Father Sanchez.
■​ Spanish 2 -------- Excellent ●​ Father Jose Villaclara, advised him to stop
■​ Greek 2 ------------- Excellent communing with the Muses and pay more
■​ Universal Geography ---- attention to more practical studies, such as
Excellent philosophy and natural sciences.
○​ 1874 – 1875 ●​ He studied painting under the famous Spanish
■​ Latin 3 ------------- Excellent painter, Agustin Saez, and sculpture under
■​ Spanish 3 ---------- Excellent Romualdo de Jesus, noted Filipino sculptor.
■​ Greek 3 ----------- Excellent ●​ Furthermore, Rizal, to develop his weak body,
■​ Universal History ---- Excellent engaged in gymnastics, ​ fencing. He thereby
■​ History of Spain and the continued the physical training he began under his
Philippines --------- Excellent sports-minded Tio Manuel.
■​ Arithmetic and Algebra SCRIPTURAL WORK IN ATENEO
------------- Excellent ●​ Rizal carved an image of The Virgin Mary on a
○​ 1875 - 1876 piece of batikuling (Philippine hardwood) with his
■​ Rhetoric and Poetry ------------ pocket-knife.
Excellent ●​ Father Lleonart, impressed by Rizal’s
■​ French 1 ---------- Excellent sculptural talent, requested him to carve for him
■​ Geometry and Trigonometry an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Young Rizal
---------- Excellent complied and within a few days he presented it to
○​ 1876 – 1877 Father Lleonart.
■​ Philosophy 1 --- Excellent ○​ However, Fr. Lleonart forgot that he made
■​ Mineralogy and Chemistry a request to Rizal to create the statue.
--------- Excellent ●​ The Ateneo boarding students placed it on the
■​ Philosophy 2 ----- Excellent door of their dormitory, and there it remained for
■​ Physics ------ Excellent nearly 20 years, reminding all Ateneans of Dr. Rizal,
■​ Botany and Zoology ------ the greatest alumnus of their Alma Mater. This
Excellent image played a significant part in Rizal’s last hours
GRADUATION WITH HIGHEST HONORS at Fort Santiago.
●​ On Commencement Day, March 23, 1877, Rizal, ANECDOTES OF RIZAL, THE ATENEAN
who was 16 years old, received from his Alma ●​ One of Rizal’s contemporaries in Ateneo was Felix
M. Roxas.
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 ●​ One day many Ateneans, including Rizal, were ○​ Y Es Español: Elcano, el primero en dar la
studying their lessons at the study-hall. Two Vuelta al Mundo (And He is Spanish:
Ateneans, Manzano and Lesaca, quarrelled and Elcano, the First to Circumnavigate the
violently hurled books at each other. Rizal, who World).
was busy at his desk poring over his lessons, was ○​ El Combate:​ Urbiztondo, Terror de
hit in the face by one of the thrown books. He did Jolo (The​ Battle:​ Urbiztondo,
not raise a cry of protest, although his wounded Terror of Jolo).
face was bleeding. His classmates brought him ●​ In 1876,​Rizal​ wrote​ poems​ on various
to the infirmary where he had to undergo medical topics​ – religion, education, childhood memories
treatment for several days. After the incident, he and war. They were as follows:
continued to attend his classes feeling neither ○​ La Tagedia de San Eustaquio (The Tragedy
bitterness nor rancor towards the guilty party. of St. Eustace) This poem recounts the
●​ Another anecdote on Rizal the Atenean was tragic story of St. Eustace
related by Manuel Xerez Burgos, in whose house ○​ Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo (In Memory of
Rizal boarded shortly before he became an My Town). A tender poem in honor of
interno in Ateneo. Calamba, the hero’s natal town.
●​ One Thursday afternoon, being vacation day, the ○​ Alianza​ Intima Entre la Religion​ y la
boys flew their kites from the azotea. Young Rizal Buena Educacion (Intimate Alliance
then was busy reading a Spanish book of fables at Between Religion and Good Education).
the window. After a while he heard Julio Meliza ○​ Por la Educación recibe Lustre la Patria
from Iloilo, one of the smallest borders, crying – (Through Education the Country
because his kite was caught by the vines growing Receives Light).
on the belfry of the Manila Cathedral which was ○​ El Cautiverio y el Triunfo: Batalla de
near the boarding-house. The bigger boys were Lucena y Prisión de Boabdil (The
laughing, making fun of Julio’s misfortune. Rizal Captivity and the Triumph: Battle of
closed the book he was reading and told Julio not Lucena and the ​Imprisonment of
to cry, for he would try to retrieve the kite. Boabdil). This martial poem describes
True to his promise he courageously climbed the defeat and capture of Boabdil, last
the high cathedral tower and successfully Moorish sultan of Granada.
recovered the kite ○​ La Entrada Triunfal de los Reyes
POEMS WRITTEN IN ATENEO Católicos en Granada (The Triumphal
●​ It was Doña Teodora who first discovered the Entry of the Catholic Monarchs into
poetical genius of her son, and it was also she who Granada). This poem relates the
encouraged him to write poems. victorious entry of King Ferdinand and
●​ However, it was Father Sanchez who inspired Rizal Queen Isabella ​ into Granada, last
to make full use ​ of his God-given gift in poetry Moorish stronghold in Spain.
and improved the latter’s poetical art by opening ●​ A year later, in 1877, he wrote more poems. It was
his mind to the enriching influence of the his last year in Ateneo. Among the poems written
world’s ​ literature. that year were:
●​ The first poem Rizal probably wrote during his days ○​ El Heroísmo de Colon (The Heroism of
in the Ateneo was Mi Primera Inspiracion (My Columbus). This poem praises
First Inspiration) which was dedicated to his Columbus, the discoverer of America.
mother on her birthday. It is said that he wrote it ○​ Colon y Juan II (Columbus and John
before he was 14 years old, that is, in the year II). This poem relates how King John II
1874. of Portugal missed fame and riches by his
●​ In 1875, inspired by Father Sanchez, he wrote failure to finance the projected expedition
more poems, such as: of Columbus to the New World.
○​ Felicitacion (Felicitation). ○​ Gran Consuelo en la Mayor Desdicha
○​ El Embarque:​ Himno​ a la​ Flota (Great Solace in Great Misfortune). This
de Magallanes.​ (The​ Departure: is a legend in verse of the tragic life of
Hymn to Magellan’s Fleet). Columbus.

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 ○​ Un Diálogo Alusivo a la Despedida de los ●​ Shortly after his graduation from Ateneo, Rizal
Colegiales (A Farewell Dialogue of the who was then sixteen years old, experienced
Students). This was the last poem written his first romance — “that painful experience
by Rizal in Ateneo; it is a poignant poem which comes to nearly all adolescents.”
of farewell to his classmates. ●​ The girl was Segunda Katigbak, a pretty
MY FIRST INSPIRATION fourteen-years old Batangueña from Lipa
●​ It was most fitting that the first poem written by ●​ In Rizal’s own words, “She was rather short,
Rizal as an Atenean should be about his with eyes that were eloquent and ardent at
beloved mother. In his poem, Mi Primera times and languid at others, rosy-cheeked, with
Inspiración, he felicitates his mother on her an enchanting and provocative smile that revealed
birthday, expressing his filial affection in very beautiful teeth and the air of a sylph; her
sonorous verses. entire self diffused a mysterious ​charm.
RIZAL’S POEMS ON EDUCATION ●​ Rizal was accompanied by his friend, Mariano
●​ Although Rizal was merely a teenager, he had a Katigbak.
very high regard for education. He believed in the ●​ There was an attractive girl, who mysteriously
significant role which education plays in the caused his heart to palpitate with strange
progress and welfare of a nation. ecstasy. She was the sister of his friend
○​ Por la Educación recibe Lustre la Patria Mariano, and her name was Segunda.
(Through Education the Country Receives ●​ His grandmother’s guests urged him to draw
Light). Segunda’s portrait. He complied reluctantly and
●​ In another poem, Alianza Íntima Entre la made a pencil sketch of her. “From time to time,”
Religión y la Buena Educacion (Intimate Alliance he reminisced later, “she looked at me, and I
Between Religion and Good Education), Rizal blushed.”
showed the importance of religion in ●​ Rizal came to know Segunda more intimately
education. To him, Education without God is not during his weekly visits to La Concordia College,
true education. where his sister Olimpia was a boarding
RIZAL’S RELIGIOUS POEMS student. Olimpia was a close friend of Segunda. It
●​ During his student days Rizal expressed his was apparent that Rizal and Segunda loved each
devotion to his Catholic faith in melodious poetry. other. Theirs was indeed “ a love at first sight.”
One of the religious poems he wrote was a ​ brief ●​ But it was hopeless since the very beginning
ode entitled Al Nino Jesus (To the Child Jesus). Segunda was already engaged to be married to
This poem was written in 1875 when he was 14 her townmate, Manuel Luz.
years old. ●​ The last time they talked to each other was
●​ Another religious poem which he wrote was one Thursday in December, 1877 when the
entitled A La Virgen Maria (To the Virgin Mary). Christmas vacation was about to begin. He ​ visited
This poem is undated, so that we do not know Segunda at La Concordia College to say goodbye
exactly when it was written. Probably, Rizal wrote because he was going home to Calamba the
it after his ode to the Child Jesus. following day.
DRAMATIC WORK IN ATENEO ●​ But Rizal failed to come up to her expectations. He
●​ Father Sanchez requested him to write a drama could only mumble: “Well, good-bye. Anyway – I’ll
based on the prose story of St. Eustace the Martyr. see you when you pass Calamba on your ​ way to
●​ During the summer vacation of 1876, he wrote Lipa.”
the requested religious drama in poetic verses at ●​ His mother did not recognize him at first, due to
his home in Calamba and finished it on June 2, her failing eyesight. He was saddened to find out
1876. about his mother’s growing blindness. His ​ sister
●​ Rizal submitted to Father Sanchez the finished gaily welcomed him, teasing him about Segunda,
manuscript of the drama entitled San Eustacio, for they knew of his romance through Olimpia.
Martir (St. Eustace, the ​ Martyr). The good ●​ That night he demonstrated his skill in fencing to
priest-teacher read it and felicitated the young his family. He had friendly fencing with the best
Atenean for work well done. fencer in Calamba and bested him.
FIRST ROMANCE OF RIZAL ●​ Rizal learned that the streamer carrying Segunda
and her family would not anchor at Calamba
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Dela Cruz, A
 because of the strong winds; it would stop in gets to know any more, they will cut off his head."
Binan. My father did not reply, but mother's tears. My
●​ A cavalcade of carromatas from Binan passed brother took me to Manila despite my mother’s
by. In one of them was Segunda smiling and tears.
waving her handkerchief at him. He doffed his hat RIZAL ENTERS THE UNIVERSITY
and was tongue-tied to say anything. Rizal ●​ In April 1877, Rizal, nearly 16 years old,
returned home, dazed and desolate, with his first matriculated in the University of Santo Tomas,
romance “ruined by his own shyness and reserve”. taking the course of Philosophy and Letters.
●​ The first girl, whom he loved with ardent fervor, ○​ Course that he took in UST
was lost to him forever. ●​ He enrolled in this course for two reasons:
●​ Three years later, Rizal recording his first and tragic ○​ his father liked it
romance, said: ○​ he was "still uncertain as to what career
○​ “Ended, at an early hour, my first love! My to pursue".
virgin heart will always mourn the ●​ He had written to Father Pablo Ramon, Rector of
reckless step it look on the flower-decked the Atene, who had been good to him during his
abyss. My illusions will return, yes but student days in that college, asking for advice on
indifferent, uncertain, ready for the the choice of a career.
first betrayal on the path of love. ●​ Consequently, during his first-year term (1877-78)
in the University of Santo Tomas, Rizal studied
CHAPTER 5: MEDICAL STUDIES AT THE UST (1877-1882) Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy, and History of
●​ Fortunately, with its bitter disillusionment, Rizal's Philosophy.
tragic first romance did not adversely affect his ●​ It was during the following term (1878-79) that
studies at the University of Santo Tomas. Rizal, having received the Ateneo Rector's advice
●​ After finishing the first year of a course in to study medicine, took up the medical course,
Philosophy and Letters (1788-78), he transferred to enrolling simultaneously in the preparatory
the medical course. medical course and the regular first year medical
●​ As a Thomasian, he won more literary laurels, had course.
other romances with pretty girls, and fought ●​ Another reason why he chose medicine for a
against Spanish students who insulted the brown career was to be able to cure his mother's growing
Filipino students. blindness.
MOTHER’S OPPOSITION TO HIGHER EDUCATION
●​ After graduating with the highest honors from the
●​ His 1st year in UST, he took Philosophy
Ateneo, Rizal had to go to the University of Santo ●​ He enrolled in Ateneo in a Vocational course
Tomas for higher studies. ○​ Hindi binigay sa kanya ang lisensya niya
●​ Both Don Francisco and Paciano wanted Jose to because of him being underaged (18 or
pursue higher learning in the university. 17)
●​ But Doña Teodora, who knew what happened to
Gom-Bur-Za, vigorously opposed the idea and told FINISHES SURVEYING COURSE IN ATENEO (1878)
her husband: "Don't send him to Manila again; he ●​ During his first school term in the University of
knows enough. If he gets to know more, the Santo Tomas (1877-78), Rizal also studied in
Spaniards will cut off his head." Ateneo. He took the vocational course leading to
●​ Don Francisco kept quiet and told Paciano to the title of perito agrimensor (expert surveyor).
accompany his younger brother to Manila, despite ●​ At the age of 17, he passed the final examination in
their mother's tears. the surveying course, but he could not be granted
●​ Jose Rizal himself was surprised why his mother, the title as surveyor because he was below age.
who was a woman of education and culture, The title was issued to him on November 25, 1881.
should object to his desire for a university ●​ He continued to participate actively in Ateneo's
education. extra-curricular activities. He was president of the
JOSE RIZAL TO BLUMENTRITT, 8TH NOVEMBER 1888 Academy of Spanish Literature and secretary of the
●​ I still remember and will never forget that when I Academy of Natural Sciences.
was sixteen my mother told my father: "Don't send
him to Manila any longer; he knows enough; if he
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Dela Cruz, A
 ●​ He also continued his membership in the Marian ○​ The sweet memory of Segunda was still
Congregation, of which he was the secretary. fresh in his heart and
UST’s ACADEMIC CLIMATE IN THE 1870s ○​ His father did not like the family of “Miss
●​ Dominican Control — The university was under L”
strict control by the Dominican friars. ●​ Several months later, during his sophomore year at
●​ Traditional Methods — Teaching methods were the UST, he boarded in the house of Dona Concha
largely traditional and rigid Leyva in Intramuros
●​ Limited Resources — There were limited resources ●​ The next-door neighbors of Dona Concha were
and focus on practical training Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela
●​ He had written to Father Pablo Ramon, Rector of from Pagsanjan, Laguna, who had a charming
the Ateneo, who had been good to him during his daughter named Leonor
student days in that college, asking for advice on ●​ He courted Leonor Valenzuela, who was a tall girl
the choice of a career with a regal bearing
●​ Consequently, during his first-year term (1877-78) ●​ He sent her love notes written in invisible ink. This
in the University of Santo Tomas, Rizal studied ink consisted of common table salt and water. It
Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy, and History of left no trace on the paper.
Philosophy ●​ But, as with Segunda, he stopped short of
●​ It was during the following term (1878-79) that proposing marriage to Orang.
Rizal, having received the Ateneo Rector’s advice ●​ Rizal’s next romance was with another Leonor —
to study medicine, took up the medical course, Leonor Rivera — his cousin from Camiling
enrolling simultaneously in the preparatory ○​ She’s Chinese and 6 years younger than
medical course and the regular first year medical Rizal.
course ●​ In 1879, at the start of his junior year at the
●​ At the age of 17, he passed the final examination in university, he lived in “Casa Tomasina,” at No. 6
the surveying course, but he could not be granted Calle Santo Tomas, Intramuros
the title as surveyor because he was below age. ●​ His landlord-uncle Antonio Rivera had a pretty
The title was issued to him on November 25, 1881 daughter, Leonor, a student at La Concordia
●​ He continued to participate actively in Ateneo's College, where Soledad (Rizal’s youngest sister)
extra-curricular activities. He was the president of was then studying.
the Academy of Spanish Literature and secretary of ●​ Leonor, born in Camiling, Tarlac, on April 11, 1867,
the Academy of Natural Sciences. was a frail, pretty girl “tender as a budding flower
with kindly wistful eyes”.
●​ Between Jose and Leonor sprang a beautiful
ROMANCES WITH OTHER GIRLS romance, and they became engaged.
●​ Notwithstanding his academic studies at the ●​ In her letters to Rizal, Leonor signed her name as
University of Santo Tomas and extra-curricular “Taimis”, to camouflage their intimate relationship
activities in the Ateneo, Rizal had ample time for from their parents and friends.
love
●​ He was a romantic dreamer who liked to sip the
●​ Kompanyarismo— Kasama ni Heyu (Hebrew
“nectar of love”. His sad experience with his first name of Jesus)
love had made him wiser in the ways of romance ●​ Galicano Apacible— First PNP in America
●​ Shortly after losing Segunda Katigbak, he paid
court to a young woman in Calamba. In his student
VICTIM OF SPANISH OFFICER’S BRUTALITY
memoirs, he called her simply “Miss L”, describing
●​ When Rizal was a freshmen medical student at the
her as “fair with seductive and attractive eyes”
UST, he experienced his first taste of Spanish
●​ After visiting her in her house several times, he
brutality
suddenly stopped his wooing and the romance
●​ One dark night in Calamba, during the summer
died a natural death.
vacation in 1878, he was walking in the street. He
●​ Nobody today knows who this woman was, Rizal
dimly perceived the figure of a man while passing
himself did not give her name. Hence, her identity
him. Not knowing the person due to darkness, he
is lost to history. However, he gave two reasons for
did not salute nor say a courteous “Good evening”.
his change of heart, namely:
15
Dela Cruz, A
 The vague figure turned out to be a lieutenant of of its literary superiority over the others. Despite
the Guardia Civil. With a snarl, he turned upon all objections, the prize was awarded to Rizal, a
Rizal, whipped out his sword and brutally slashed gold ring on which was engraved the bust of
the latter on the back. Cervantes.
●​ The wound was not serious, but it was painful ●​ A Spanish writer, D.N. del Puzo, won the second
●​ When he recovered, Rizal reported the incident to prize.
General Primo de Rivera, the Spanish governor OTHER LITERARY WORKS
general of the Philippines at that time. But nothing ●​ Rizal, although studying medicine, produced other
came out of his complaint, because he was an poems and a zarzuela, this zarzuela was Junto al
Indio and the abusive lieutenant was a Spaniard. Pasig (Beside the Pasig), which was staged by the
●​ Later, in a letter to Blumentritt, dated March 21, Ateneans on December 8, 1880, on the occasion of
1887, he related: "I went to the Captain-General the annual celebration of the Feast Day of the
but I could not obtain justice; my wound lasted Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the Ateneo.
two weeks." He wrote it as President of the Academy of Spanish
"TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH" (1879) Literature in Ateneo.
●​ In the year 1879 the Liceo Artistico-Literario ●​ The year before, in 1879, he composed a poem
(Artistic-Literary Lyceum) of Manila, a society of Abd-el-Azis y Mahoma, which was declared by the
literary men and artists, held a literary contest. It Atenean, Manuel Fernandez, on the night of
offered a prize for the best poem by a native or a December 8, 1879 in honor of the Ateneo's
mestizo. Patroness.
●​ Rizal, who was then eighteen years old, submitted ●​ Later, in 1881, he composed a poem entitled Al
his poem entitled A La Juventud Filipina (To the M.R.P. Pablo Ramon. He wrote this poem as an
Filipino Youth). expression of affection to Father Pablo Ramon, the
●​ The Board of Judges, composed of Spaniards was Ateneo rector, who had been so kind and helpful
impressed by Rizal's poem and gave it the first to him.
prize which consisted of a silver pen, RIZAL'S VISIT TO PAKIL AND PAGSANJAN
feather-shaped and decorated with a gold ribbon. ●​ In the summer month of May, 1881, when he was
●​ In exquisite verses, Rizal beseeched the Filipino still a medical student at the University of Santo
youth to rise from lethargy, to let their genius fly Tomas, Rizal went on a pilgrimage to the town of
swifter than the wind and descend with art and Pakil, famous shrine of the Birhen Maria de los
science to break the chains that have long bound Dolores.
the spirit of the people. ●​ He was accompanied by his sisters - Saturnina,
●​ This winning poem of Rizal is a classic in Philippine Maria and Trinidad and their female friends.
literature for two reasons: ●​ They took a casco (flat-bottom sailing vessel) from
○​ First, it was the first great poem in Calamba to Pakil, Laguna, and stayed at the home
Spanish written by a Filipino, whose merit of Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Regalado, whose son
was recognized by Spanish literary Nicolas was Rizal's friend in Manila.
authorities. Secondly, it expressed for the ●​ Rizal and his companions were fascinated by the
first time the nationalistic concept that famous turumba, the people dancing in the streets
the Filipinos, and not the foreigners, were during the procession in honor of the miraculous
the "fair hope of the Fatherland". Birhen Maria de los Dolores.
"THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS" (1880) ●​ In Pakil, Rizal was infatuated by a pretty girl
●​ The following year (1880) the Artistic-Literary colegiala, Vicenta Ybardolaza, who skillfully played
Lyceum opened another literary contest to the harp at the Regalado home.
commemorate the fourth centennial of the death ●​ From Pakil, Rizal and his party made a side trip to
of Cervantes, Spain's glorified man-of-letters and the neighboring town of Pagsanjan for two reasons
famous author of Don Quixote. This time the - it was the native town of Leonor Valenzuela, one
contest was opened to both Filipinos and of Rizal's girl friends in Manila, and to see the
Spaniards. world famed Pagsanjan Falls.
●​ The judges of the contest were all Spaniar CHAMPION OF FILIPINO STUDENTS
●​ After a long and critical appraisal of the entries, ●​ Rizal was the champion of the Filipino students in
they awarded the first prize to Rizal's work because their frequent fights against the arrogant Spanish
16
Dela Cruz, A
 students, who were often surpassed by the
Filipinos in class work and who insultingly called CHAPTER 6: RIZAL IN EUROPE
their brown classmates – “Indio, chongo!”. In ●​ After finishing the 4th Year of the medical course
retaliation, the Filipino students called the “Kastila, in the University of Santo Tomas, Jose Rizal, being
bangus!” Hostility between these two groups of disgusted with the antiquated method of
students often exploded in angry street rumbles. instruction in this Dominican-owned university and
UNHAPPY DAYS AT THE UST the racial prejudice of Dominican professors
●​ Rizal, Ateneo’s boy wonder, found the atmosphere against Filipino students, decided to complete his
at the University of Santo Tomas suffocating to his studies in Spain.
sensitive spirit. He was unhappy at this Dominican ●​ Aside from this ostensible reason, he had another
institution of higher learning because reason, which was more important than merely
○​ The Dominican professors were hostile to completing his studies in Spain. This was his
him “secret mission,” which many Rizalist biographers
○​ The Filipino students were racially (including Austin Craig and Wenceslao E. Retana)
discriminated against by never mentioned in their writing.
○​ The — was obsolete and repressive RIZAL’S SECRET MISSION
●​ In his novel, El Filibusterismo, he described how ●​ This mission which Rizal conceived with the
the Filipino students were humiliated and insulted approval of his older brother Paciano was to
by their Dominican professors and how backward observe keenly the life and culture, languages and
the method of instruction was, especially in the customs, industries and commerce, and
teaching of the natural sciences. governments and laws of the European nations in
●​ He related in Chapter XIII, “The Class in Physics,” order to prepare himself for the mighty task in
that his science subject was taught without liberating his oppressed people from Spanish
laboratory experiments. tyranny. This was evidenced in his farewell letter
○​ 1877 - 1878 (Philosophy & Letters) which was delivered to his parents shortly after his
■​ Cosmology & Metaphysics — departure for Spain.
Excellent SECRET DEPARTURE FOR SPAIN
■​ Theodicy — Excellent ●​ Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept secret to avoid
■​ History of Philosophy — detection by the Spanish authorities and the friars.
Excellent ●​ Only his older brother (Paciano), his uncle (Antonio
○​ 1878 - 1879 (Medicine) – 1st year Rivera, father of Leonor Rivera), his sisters (Neneng
■​ Physics — Fair and Lucia), the Valenzuela family (Capitan Juan and
■​ Chemistry — Excellent Capitana Sanday and their daughter Orang), Pedro
■​ Natural History — Good A. Paterno, his compadre Mateo Evangelista, the
■​ Anatomy 1 — Good Ateneo Jesuit fathers, and some intimate friends,
■​ Dissection 1 — Good including Chengoy (Jose M. Cecilio).
-​ Kaya hindi niya sinabi kay Leonor Rivera kasi
magtatagpo yung dalawang Leonor.
DECISION TO STUDY ABROAD ●​ The kind Jesuit priests gave him letters of
●​ After finishing the fourth year of his medical recommendation to the members of their society
course, Rizal decided to study in Spain in Barcelona. He used the name Jose Mercado, a
●​ His older brother readily approved his going to cousin from Biñan.
Spain and so did his two sisters Saturnina (Neneng) ●​ Before his secret departure, he wrote a farewell
and Lucia, Uncle Antonio Rivera, the Valenzuela letter for his beloved parents and another one for
family, and some friends. his sweetheart Leonor Rivera – both delivered
●​ He did not bring his beloved Leonor into his shortly after he sailed away.
confidence either. He had enough common sense ●​ On May 3, 1882, Rizal departed on board the
to know that Leonor, being a woman, young, and Spanish steamer Salvadora bound for Singapore.
romantic at that, could not keep a secret. ●​ On the day of departure he rises at five in the
morning to hear Mass at the Dominican church of
Santa Domingo.

17
Dela Cruz, A
 ○​ Perhaps he exclaims, “it will be the last I smart and elegant than Singapore, Point Galle, and
hear in my own country! Ah, what Manila.”
memories of my childhood and FIRST TRIP THROUGH SUEZ CANAL
adolescence!” ●​ From Colombo, the Djemnah continued the voyage
SINGAPORE crossing the Indian Ocean to the Cape of
●​ During the voyage to Singapore he Guardafui, Africa.
carefully observed the people and things ●​ For the first time, Rizal sighted the barren coast of
on board the steamer. There were sixteen Africa, which he called an “inhospitable land but
passengers, including himself – five or six famous.”
ladies, many children, and the rest ●​ At the next stopover – in Aden – Rizal went ashore
gentlemen. to see the sights.
●​ He was the only Filipino, the rest were ●​ From Aden, the Djemnah proceeded to the city of
Spaniards, British, and Indian Negroes. Suez, the Red Sea terminal of the Suez Canal.
●​ The ship captain, Donato Lecha, from ●​ It took the Djemnah five days to traverse the Suez
Asturias, Spain, befriended him. Rizal Canal. Rizal was thrilled because it was his first trip
described him in his travel diary as an through this canal which was built by Ferdinand de
affable man, “much more refined than his Lesseps (French diplomat-engineer). It was
other countrymen and colleagues that I inaugurated on November 17, 1869.
have met”. ●​ At Port Said, the Mediterranean terminal of the
●​ On May 8, 1882, while the steamer was Suez Canal, Rizal landed in order to see the
approaching Singapore, Rizal saw a interesting sights. He was fascinated to hear the
beautiful island. Fascinated by its scenic multi-racial inhabitants speaking a babel of
beauty, he remembered “Talim Island tongues – Arabic, Egyptian, Greek, French, Italian,
with the Susong Dalaga”. Spanish, etc.
●​ The following day (May 9) the Salvadora ●​ On board the ship his thoughts turned homeward
docked at Singapore. Rizal landed, and later he wrote out a prayer in his journal:
registered at Hotel de la Paz, and spent ○​ “O Creative Spirit, Being without
two days on a sightseeing soiree of the beginning, who see and sustain all things
city which was a colony of England. in Your powerful hand, I salute and bless
●​ He saw the famous botanical Garden, the You! On the other side of the sea, give life
beautiful Buddhist temples, the busy and peace to my family. Reserve for me all
shopping district, and the statue of Sir suffering!”
Thomas Stanford Raffles (founder of NAPLES AND MARSEILLES
Singapore). ●​ From Port Said, the Djemnah proceeded on its way
FROM SINGAPORE TO COLOMBO to Europe.
●​ In Singapore Rizal transferred to another ship ●​ On June 11, Rizal reached Naples. This Italian city
Djemnah, a French steamer, which left Singapore pleased him because of its business activity, its
for Europe on May 11. lively people, and its panoramic beauty.
●​ Among these passengers were British, French, ●​ He was fascinated by Mount Vesuvius, the Castle
Dutch, Spaniards, Malays, Siamese, and Filipinos of St. Telmo, and other historic sights of the city.
(Mr. and Mrs. Salazar, Mr. Vicente Pardo, and Jose ●​ On the night of June 12, the steamer docked at the
Rizal). French harbour of Marseilles.
●​ On May 17, the Djemnah reached Point Galle, a ●​ Rizal, after bidding farewell to his fellow
seacoast town in southern Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). passengers, disembarked. He visited the famous
●​ The following day the Djemnah weighed anchor Chateau d'if, where Dantes, hero of The Count of
and resumed the voyage towards Colombo, the Monte Cristo, was imprisoned. He had enjoyed
Capital of Ceylon. After a few hours of sailing, he reading this novel of Alexander Dumas when he
reached this city on the same day. was a student at Ateneo. He stayed two and a half
●​ Rizal was enamoured by Colombo because of its days in Marseilles, enjoying every day of his
scenic beauty and elegant buildings. He delightfully sojourn.
scribbled in his diary: “Colombo is more beautiful, BARCELONA

18
Dela Cruz, A
 ●​ On the afternoon of June 15, Rizal left Marseilles his compatriots to love their fatherland, the
by train for the last lap of his trip to Spain. Philippines.
●​ He crossed the Pyrenees and stopped for a day at ●​ Publisher Basilio Teodoro Moran, deeply impressed
the frontier town of Port Bou. by “Amor Patrio,” congratulated Rizal, and
●​ Here he noticed the indifference accorded by requested for more articles.
Spanish immigration officers to tourists, in direct ●​ In response to his request, Rizal wrote the second
contrast with the courtesy of the French article for Diariong Tagalog entitled “Los Viajes”
immigration officers. (Travels).
●​ After the passport inspection at Port-Bou, Rizal ●​ His third article, entitled “Revista de Madrid”
continued his trip by rail, finally reaching his (Review of Madrid), which he wrote in Madrid on
destination – Barcelona on June 16, 1882. November 29, 1882, was returned to him because
●​ Rizal’s first impression of Barcelona, the greatest the Diariong Tagalog had ceased publication for
city of Cataluña and Spain’s second largest city, was lack of funds.
unfavorable. BARCELONA MOVES TO MADRID
●​ He thought that it was ugly, with dirty little inns ●​ While sojourning in Barcelona, Rizal received sad
and inhospitable residents, because he happened news about the cholera that was ravaging Manila
to stay upon his arrival at a dingy inn situated on and the provinces.
an unimpressive narrow street in the “town’s most ●​ According to Paciano’s letter, dated September 15,
ugly side” and the staff and guests in this inn were 1882, the Clamba folks were having afternoon
indifferent to him. novenas to San Roque and nocturnal processions
●​ Later, he changed his bad impression and came to and prayers so that God may stop the dreadful
like the city. epidemic, which the Spanish health authorities
●​ He found it to be really a great city, with an were impotent to check.
atmosphere of freedom and liberalism, and its ●​ Another sad news from the Philippines was the
people were open-hearted, hospitable, and chatty letter of Chengoy recounting the
courageous. unhappiness of Leonor Rivera, who was getting
●​ He enjoyed promenading along Las Ramblas, the thinner because of the absence of a loved one.
most famous street in Barcelona. ●​ In one of his letters (dated May 26, 1882), Paciano
●​ The Filipinos in Barcelona, some of whom were his advised his younger brother to finish the medical
schoolmates in Ateneo, welcomed Rizal, gave him course in Madrid.
a party at their favorite café in Plaza de Cataluña. ●​ Evidently, heeding his advice, Rizal left Barcelona in
“AMOR PATRIO“ the fall of 1882 and established himself in Madrid,
●​ In progressive Barcelona, Rizal wrote a nationalistic the capital of Spain.
essay entitled “Amor Patrio” (Love of Country), his PACIANO RIZAL TO JOSE RIZAL, 16TH SEPTEMBER 1882
first article written on Spain’s soil. ●​ ... Poor girl, what years has she not shed from the
●​ He sent this article to his friend in Manila, Basilio first days when she arrived from her hometown
Teodoro Moran, publisher of Diariong Tagalog, the and did not find you in the house but instead five
first Manila bilingual newspaper (Spanish and thousand leagues from Manila! Your sister Maria
Tagalog). can tell you about it, because she was in tears
●​ Rizal’s “Amor Patrio”, under his pen-name Laong before her. One day she told me that she was not in
Laan, appeared in print in Diariong Tagalog on the mood for anything, not even for her intimate
August 20, 1882. friends, and that she wanted to dye all her clothes.
●​ It was published in two texts – Spanish and I replied that she should not despair because the
Tagalog. years pass by quickly . . . and that one of your
●​ The Spanish text was the one originally written by greatest sorrows, if not the only one, when you left
Rizal in Barcelona. was that you had to be separated from her. We
●​ The Tagalog text was a Tagalog translation made by have to console her in some way!”
M.H. del Pilar PACIANO RIZAL TO JOSE RIZAL 26TH MAY 1882
●​ The article caused quite a sensation among the ●​ When the telegram advising us of your departure
readers in the Philippines because of its was received in Kalamba, our parents were
nationalistic flavour. As in his prize-winning naturally grief-stricken, especially the old man who
“Juventud Filipina.” Rizal in his “Amor Patrio” urged would not speak a word and took to his bed, crying
19
Dela Cruz, A
 to himself at night, all advice from the family, the ●​ He assiduously practiced fencing and shooting in
parish priest and others not doing any good at all. the Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell.
He made me go down to Manila to find out to his ●​ His thirst for knowledge of music, he visited the art
satisfaction how you had managed to make the galleries and museums and read books on all
trip. When I returned I told them that some friends subjects under the sun, including military
of yours in Manila had shouldered the expenses, engineering, in order to broaden his cultural
hoping to reassure them. For all that, I could see background.
that he was still depressed and, seeing this and ●​ Rizal led a Spartan life in Madrid. He knew that he
fearing, for another thing, that his continued came to Spain to study and prepare himself for
brooding might make him ill, I told him everything, service to his fatherland.
but only to him, pleading with him to keep it to ●​ Accordingly, he rigidly budgeted his money and
himself, which he promised. time.
●​ Only since then have I seen him somewhat cheerful ●​ He lived frugally, spending his money on food,
and back to his usual self. That is what happened in clothing, lodging, and books – never wasting a
the family. As far as our friends, our acquaintances, peseta for gambling, wine, and women.
and strangers are concerned, both in our town and ●​ His only extravagance was investing a few pesetas
in the neighboring ones, [your departure] was the for a lottery ticket in every draw of the Madrid
topic of conversation for many days; there were Lottery.
conjectures and guesses, but nobody has hit on the ●​ He spent his leisure time reading and writing at his
truth. Yesterday, I was among those who wear boarding house, attending the reunions of Filipino
skirts [the friars]; some approved of your going, students at the house of the Paterno brothers
others did not. But since we have taken this (Antonio, Maximo, and Pedro), and participating in
approach (because it is the better one, in my fencing and shooting at the gymnasium.
opinion) we should keep to it. . . . Here it is said ●​ Antigua Café de Levante - At other times, during
that you will finish your medical course in the summer twilight, he sipped coffee and
Barcelona, not in Madrid; fraternized with the students from Cuba, Mexico,
●​ To my way of thinking, the main purpose of your Argentina, etc.
going is not to improve yourself in that profession ●​ On Saturday evenings, he visited the home of Don
but in other more useful things or, what comes to Pablo Ortiga y Rey who lived with his son (Rafael)
the same thing, that to which you have the greater and daughter (Consuelo).
inclination. That is why I believe you should follow ●​ Don Pablo had been city mayor of Manila during
it in Madrid, the center of all the provinces, for, the administration of the liberal governor general
while it is true that in Barcelona there is more Carlos Ma. De la Torre (1869-1871) and was later
activity, more business and more careful attention promoted vice-president of the Council of the
to education, you have not gone there to take part Philippines in the Ministry of Colonies (Ultramar).
in that activity and even less to do business and, as ROMANCE WITH CONSUELO ORTIGA Y PEREZ
far as a good education is concerned, if it should ●​ Rizal was not a handsome man. In physique he was
not be available in Madrid, the application of the neither dashing nor imposing, for he was a shy
student can supply it. It should be more convenient small man – a few inches above five feet in height.
for you to be there together with our countrymen ●​ But he possessed an aura of charisma due to his
who can show you around until you can get the many-splendored talents and noble character
hang of things. . . which made him attractive to romantic young
LIFE IN MADRID women. No wonder the prettier of Don Pablo’s
●​ On November 3, 1882, Rizal enrolled in University daughter (Consuelo) fell in love with him.
Central de Madrid (Central University of Madrid) in ●​ He even composed a lovely poem on August 22,
two courses – Medicine and Philosophy and 1883 dedicated to her. In this poem entitled A La
Letters. Señorita C. O. y P. (To Miss C. O. y P.), he expressed
●​ Aside from his heavy studies in the university, he his admiration for her. He found solace and joy in
studied painting and sculpture in the Academy of her company.
Fine Arts of San Fernando; ●​ However, before his romance with Consuelo could
●​ He also took lessons in French, German, and blossom into a serious affair, he suddenly backed
English under private instructors; out for two reasons:
20
Dela Cruz, A
 ○​ he was still engaged to Leonor Rivera sympathy for the oppressed and unfortunate
○​ his friend and co-worker in the people.
Propaganda Movement, Eduardo de Lete ○​ Story about a black american slavery
was madly in love with Consuelo and he RIZAL FIRST VISIT TO PARIS (1883)
had no wish to break their friendship ●​ During his summer first vacation in Madrid Rizal
because of a pretty girl. went to Paris, sojourning in this gay capital of
“THEY ASK ME FOR VERSES” France from June 17 to August 20, 1883.
●​ Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-Philippine ●​ Hotel de Paris- located on 37 Rue de Maubeuge
Circle)- a society of Spaniards and Filipinos which wherein Rizal billeted but later, he moved to a
Rizal joined shortly after his arrival in Madrid in cheaper hotel on 124 Rue de Rennes in the Latin
1882 Quarter
●​ Me Piden Versos (They Ask Me For Verses)- upon ●​ Like all tourists, Rizal was charmingly titillated by
the request of the members of this society, Rizal’s the attractive sights of Paris, such as the:
wrote this poem which he personally declaimed ○​ Opera House Place de la Concorde
during the New Year’s Eve reception of the Madrid ○​ Arch of Triumph Boisé de Boulogne
Filipinos held in the evening of December 31, 1882 (magnificent park)
-in this sad poem, Rizal poured out the cry of his ○​ Madeleine Church Cathedral of Notre
agonizing heart. Dame
RIZAL LOVER OF BOOKS ○​ Column of Vendome Versailles
●​ A favourite pastime of Rizal in Madrid was reading. ○​ Invalides (containing the tomb of
●​ Instead of gambling and flirting with women, as Napoleon the Great)
many young Filipinos did in the Spanish ○​ beautiful boulevards (particularly the
metropolis, he stayed at home and read Champs Elysses)
voraciously until midnight. Since early childhood, ●​ Rizal improved his mind by observing closely the
he liked to read. French way of life and spending many hours at the
●​ Rizal economized on his living expenses, and with museums, notably the world-famous Louvre; the
the money he saved, he purchased books from a botanical gardens, especially the Luxembourg; the
second-hand bookstore owned by a certain Señor libraries and art galleries;
Roses. ●​ Laennec Hospital- where Rizal observed Dr. Nicaise
●​ He was able to build a fair-sized private library. treating his patients.
●​ His collection of books included: ●​ Lariboisiere Hospital- where Rizal observed the
○​ The Bible examination of different diseases of women.
○​ Complete Works of Voltaire (9 volumes) ●​ On the lighter side of his visit in Paris, Rizal was
○​ Hebrew Grammar mistaken by the Parisians as a Japanese.
○​ Complete Works of Horace (3 volumes) ●​ The prices of food, drinks, theatre tickets, laundry,
○​ The Wandering Jew History of the French hotel accommodations, and transportations were
Revolution too high for his slender purse so he commented in
○​ Ancient Poetry The Byzantine Empire a letter to his family: “Paris is the costliest capital
○​ Works of Thucydides The Characters by La in Europe.”
Bruyere RIZAL AS A MASON
○​ The Renaissance Works of Alexander ●​ In Spain, Rizal came in close contact with
Dumas prominent Spanish liberal and republican
○​ Louis XIV and His Court Complete Works ●​ Spaniards, who were mostly Masons, including:
of C. Bernard (16 volumes) ○​ Miguel Morayta, statesman, professor,
○​ Lives of the Presidents of the United historian, and writer
States from Washington to Johnson ○​ Francisco Pi y Margal, journalist,
●​ …….and numerous books on medicine, statesman, and former President of the
philosophy, languages, history, geography, arts, short-lived First Spanish Republic
and sciences. ○​ Manuel Becerra, Minister of the Ultramar
●​ Rizal was deeply affected by Beecher Stowe’s (Colonies)
Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Eugene Sue’s The ○​ Emilio Junoy, journalist and member of
Wandering Jew. These two books aroused his the Spanish Cortes
21
Dela Cruz, A
 ○​ Juan Ruiz Zorilla, parliamentarian and ●​ After Rizal’s departure for Spain, things turned
head of the Republican Progressive Party from bad to worse in Calamba:
in Madrid. ○​ harvests of rice and sugarcane failed on
●​ Rizal was impressed by the way the Spanish account of drought and locusts
Masons openly and freely criticized the ○​ the manager of the Dominican-owned
government policies and lambasted the friars, hacienda increased the rentals of the
which could not be done in the Philippines. lands cultivated by the Rizal family.
●​ In due time, in March 1883, he joined the Masonic ○​ This hacienda manager, a frequent guest
lodge called Acacia in Madrid. at the Rizal home, used to ask for a turkey
●​ His reason for becoming a mason was to secure from Don Francisco (the hero’s father),
Freemasonry’s aid in his fight against the friars in who was a good raiser of turkeys.
the Philippines. ○​ a dreadful pest killed most of the turkeys.
●​ Since the friars used the Catholic religion as a Due to hard times in Calamba, the
shield to entrench themselves in power and wealth monthly allowances of Rizal in Madrid
and to persecute the Filipino patriots, he intended were late in arrival and there were times
to utilize Freemasonry as his shield to combat when they never arrived
them. ●​ This hacienda manager, a frequent guest at the
●​ Lodge Solidaridad (Madrid) – Rizal transferred Rizal home, used to ask for a turkey from Don
where he became a Master Mason on November Francisco (the hero’s father), who was a good
15, 1890 raiser of turkeys.
●​ February 15, 1892- Rizal was awarded the diploma ●​ Due to hard times in Calamba, the monthly
as Master Mason by Le Grand Orient de France in allowances of Rizal in Madrid were late in arrival
Paris and there were times when they never arrived,
●​ As a Mason, Rizal played a lukewarm role in causing much suffering to him.
Freemasonry, unlike M.H. del Pilar, G. Lopez Jaena, ●​ At one time Paciano was forced to sell his younger
and Mariano Ponce who were very active in brother’s pony in order to send money to Madrid.
Masonic affairs. ●​ June 24, 1884- a touching incident in Rizal’s life in
●​ Science, Virtue and Labor- Rizal’s only Masonic Madrid wherein he was broke and was unable to
writing; a lecture which he delivered in 1889 at take breakfast -Rizal attended his class at the
Lodge Solidaridad, Madrid university, participated in the contest in Greek
language and won the gold medal,
●​ With an empty stomach, he attended his class at
●​ March 1884 in Akasya, Rizal became a Mason
the university, participated in the contest in Greek
●​ 2 reasons why Rizal join Masonry
language and won the gold medal.
○​ Secure Masonry’s aid
●​ In the evening of the same day he was able to eat
○​ For shield & connection
dinner, for he was a guest speaker in a banquet
●​ Puro Lalaki lng ang mga Mason
held in honor of Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion
●​ 3 presidents that became part of Masonry
Hidalgo at Restaurant Ingles, Madrid.
○​ Manuel Quezon
RIZAL’S SALUTE TO LUNA AND HIDALGO
■​ Became a grandmaster
●​ The banquet on the evening of June 25, 1884 was
○​ Manuel Roxas
sponsored by the Filipino community to celebrate
○​ Jose P Laurel
the double victory of the Filipino artist in the
●​ Dimasalak– Masonry name ni Rizal
National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid – Luna’s
●​ If hindi ka naniniwala sa diyos, hindi ka
Spoliarium winning first prize and Hidalgo’s
tatanggapin ss Masonry
Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace, second
●​ Hindi naging Ex communicated si Rizal
prize.
○​ Ex communicated— Hindi na pwede
●​ It was attended by prominent Spanish artists,
sumimba sa church
newspapermen, and men-of-letters, statesmen,
●​ 1998 itinayo ang memorial check sa Luneta
and Filipinos.
●​ Speaking in sonorous Castilian, Rizal held his
audience spellbound. He saluted Luna and Hidalgo
FINANCIAL WORRIES as the two glories of Spain and the Philippines,
22
Dela Cruz, A
 whose artistic achievements transcended RIZAL INVOLVED IN STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS
geographical frontiers and racial origins, for genius ●​ November 20, 21, and 22, 1884 - the serene city of
is universal – “genius knows no country, genius Madrid exploded in bloody riots by the students of
sprouts everywhere, genius is like light, air, the the Central University.
patrimony of everybody, cosmopolitan like space, ●​ Rizal and other Filipino students participated,
like life, like God.” together with Cuban, Mexico, Peruvian, and
●​ He also assailed with refined sarcasm the bigotry Spanish students, in the tumult.
and blindness of certain unworthy Spaniards ●​ These student demonstrations were caused by the
(referring to the bad friars in the Philippines) who address of Dr. Miguel Morayta, professor of
could not comprehend the universality of genius. history, at the opening ceremonies of the academic
PACIANO RIZAL TO J RIZAL, 5TH NOVEMBER 1884 year on November 20, in which he proclaimed “the
●​ At first, I thought it was only indigestion, and I freedom of science and the teacher”.
gave her a laxative hoping it would cure her; that ●​ Such a liberal view was condemned by the Catholic
did not happen, however, and she always stayed in bishops of Spain, who promptly excommunicated
bed, weak, unable to eat or sleep, so that she had Dr. Morayta and those who applauded his speech.
lost a lot of weight after a week. I was growing ●​ Many university professors openly supported the
very anxious about her health when I observed her student rioters. The Rector, who also took the side
sighing now and again, and then I gathered that it of the students, was forced to resign and was
was a spiritual rather than a physical trouble that replaced by Doctor Creus, “a very unpopular man,
failed her; disliked by everybody”.
●​ I asked [ Saturnina] to take her to her own house to ●​ November 26, 1884- Rizal wrote the recounting
amuse her with gaming and this having been done, tumultuous riots to his family.
she recovered. You were the cause of this sickness STUDIES COMPLETED IN SPAIN
and I shall tell you why. At that time there was a ●​ June 21, 1884- Rizal completed his medical course
great deal of talk and comment about the speech in Spain; he was conferred the degree of Licentiate
you gave at the banquet for the Filipino painters; in Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid
some said you could never return, others said that ●​ The next academic year (1884-1885) he studied
it would be better for you to stay there, still others and passed all subjects leading to the degree of
said that you had made enemies, and there were Doctor of Medicine.
those who said that you had also lost friends but, ●​ Due to the fact, however, that he did not present
in brief, all were agreed that it. would not be good the thesis required for graduation nor paid the
for you to come back. These gratuitous corresponding fees, he was not awarded his
suppositions caused our mother great sorrow and Doctor’s diploma.
made her ill. ●​ His scholastic records in medicine at the
TEODORA ALONZO TO J. RIZAL, 11TH DECEMBER 1884. Universidad Central de Madrid were as follows:
There is a touching letter from Doña Teodora herself, ○​ Fifth Year (1882-1883): Continuation of
writing in Tagalog from Manila a month later. Her eyesight Medical Course in the University of Santo
was by now so bad that Leonor Rivera, in whose house she Tomas
was staying, made a fair copy for Rizal to read. ■​ Medical Clinic 1 — Good
●​ ... You really do not know how sad it makes me feel ■​ Surgical Clinic 1 — Good
whenever I hear about you from others in ■​ Obstetrical Clinic — Fair
conversation; that is why I ask you again and again ■​ Legal Medicine — Excellent
not to meddle in things that bring grief to my ■​ Hindi kagandahan ang kanyang
heart. . .Now, what I truly want from you, my son, mga grade compare sa medical
is first of all, not to fail in your duties as a real fields
Christian for this is sweeter to me than your ○​ Sixth Year (1883-1884)
acquiring great knowledge; sometimes knowledge ■​ Medical Clinic 2 — Good
is what leads us to ruin. Perhaps this will be my last ■​ Surgical Clinic — Very Good
letter to you, so remember it well for that is what I ○​ Licentiate in Medicine awarded on June
desire most. Your mother who wants to take you in 21, 188 With the rating “Fair” Doctorate
her arms soon, and wants you to be a good (1884-1885)
Christian. — Teodora Alonzo de R. ■​ History of Medical Science — Fair
23
Dela Cruz, A
 ■​ Surgical Analysis — Good of Don Miguel Morayta, owner of La Publicidad
■​ Normal Histology — Excellent and a statesman.
○​ Doctor of Medicine (Not Awarded) — ●​ Rizal gave Editor Corominas an article on the
Rizal also finished his studies in Carolines Question, then a controversial issue, for
Philosophy and Letters, with higher publication
grades. He was awarded the degree of ●​ November 1885 - Rizal was living in Paris where he
Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters by the sojourned for about four months
Universidad Central de Madrid on June ●​ Dr. Louis de Weckert (1852-1906)- leading French
19, 1885 (his 24th birthday), with the ophthalmologist wherein Rizal worked as an
rating of “Excellent” (Sobresaliente). His assistant from November 1885 to February 1886
scholastic records in this course follow: ●​ Paz Pardo de Tavera- was a pretty girl, who was
○​ 1882-1883 engaged to Juan Luna. At the studio of Luna, Rizal
■​ Universal History 1 — Very Good spent many happy hours. Rizal helped Luna by
■​ General Literature — Excellent posing as model in several paintings.
○​ 1883-1884 ●​ In Luna’s canvas “The Death of Cleopatra,“ Rizal
■​ Universal History 1 — Very Good posed as an Egyptian priest.
■​ General Literature — Excellent ●​ In another of Luna’s great paintings, “The Blood
○​ 1884-1885 Compact,” he posed as Sikatuna, with Trinidad
■​ Universal History — Excellent Pardo de Tavera taking the role of Legazpi
■​ Greek and Latin Literature – ●​ November 27, 1878- Rizal told Enrique Lete that
Excellent (with prize) he “learned the solfeggio, the piano, the voice
■​ Greek 1 — Excellent (with prize) culture in one month and a half”
○​ 1882-1883 ●​ By sheer determination and constant practice,
■​ Spanish Language — Excellent w/ Rizal came to play the flute fairly well. He was a
a scholarship flutist in various impromptu reunions of Filipinos in
■​ Arabic Language — Excellent w/ Paris
a scholarship ●​ Alin Mang Lahi (Any Race)-a patriotic song written
●​ At long last, Rizal completed his studies in Spain. by Rizal which asserts that any race aspires for
●​ By obtaining the degree of Licentiate in Philosophy freedom
and Letters, he became qualified to be a professor ●​ La Deportacion (Deportation)- a sad danza which
of humanities in any Spanish university. Rizal composed in Dapitan during his exile
●​ And by receiving his degree in Licentiate in IN HISTORIC HEIDELBERG
Medicine, he became a full-fledged physician, ●​ February 1, 1886 - Rizal reluctantly left gay Paris
qualified to practice medicine. fro Germany
●​ November 26, 1884- a letter to Rizal’s family ●​ February 3, 1886 - Rizal arrived in Heidelberg, a
written in Madrid wherein he said “My doctorate is historic city in Germany famous for its old
not of very much value to me… because although university and romantic surroundings
it is useful to a university professor, yet, I believe ●​ Chess Player’s Club- a club wherein the students
they (Dominican friars—Z) will never appoint me as made Rizal as a member because of being a good
such in the College of Santo Tomas. I say the same chess player
thing of philosophy and letters which may also ●​ Dr. Otto Becker - distinguished German
serve for a professorship, but I doubt if the ophthalmologist where Rizal worked—University
Dominican fathers will grant it to me.” Eye Hospital
PARIS TO BERLIN (1885-1887) ●​ April 22, 1886 - Rizal wrote a fine poem “A Las
●​ Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to Flores de Heidelberg” (To the Flowers of
specialize in ophthalmology—Rizal chose this Heidelberg)
branch of medicine because he wanted to cure his ●​ Spring of 1886 - Rizal was fascinated by the
mother’s eye ailment IN GAY PARIS (1885-1886) blooming flowers along the cool banks of the
●​ Maximo Viola- a medical student and a member of Neckar River. Among them was his favorite
a rich family of San Miguel, Bulacan, Rizal’s friend flower—the light blue “forget-me-not”
●​ Señor Eusebio Corominas- editor of the
newspaper La Publicidad and made a crayon sketch
24
Dela Cruz, A
 ●​ Wilhelmsfeld - a mountainous village near
Heidelberg where Rizal spent a three-month
summer vacation
●​ Dr. Karl Ullmer - a kind Protestant pastor where BERLIN
Rizal stayed, who became his good friend and ●​ Rizal was enchanted by Berlin because of its
admirer scientific atmosphere and the absence of race
●​ June 25, 1886 - Rizal ended his sojourn at Pastor prejudice
Ullmer’s home ●​ Rizal met for the first time Dr. Feodor Jagor,
●​ May 29, 1887 - Rizal wrote from Munich (Muchen) celebrated German scientist-traveler and author of
to Friedrich (Fritz), son of Pastor Ullmer Travels in the Philippines, a book which Rizal read
●​ July 31, 1886 - Rizal wrote his first letter in German and admired during his student days in Manila
(which he had improved after his stay with the ●​ Dr. Rudolf Virchow - introduced to Rizal by Dr.
Ullmers) to Professor Blumentritt, Director of the Jagor; famous German anthropologist
Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria ●​ Dr. Hans Virchow - son of Dr. Rudolf Virchow,
●​ Aritmetica (Arithmetic) - Rizal sent this book he professor of Descriptive Anatomy
mentioned and it was published in two ●​ Dr. W. Joest - noted German geographer
languages— Spanish and Tagalog—by the ●​ Dr. Ernest Schweigger (1830-1905) - famous
University of Santo Tomas Press in 1868. the German ophthalmologist where Rizal worked
author was Rufino Baltazar Hernandez, a native of ●​ Rizal became a member of the Anthropological
Santa Cruz, Laguna Society, the Ethnological Society, and the
●​ August 6, 1886 - the famous University of Geographical Society of Berlin, upon the
Heidelberg held its fifth centenary celebration recommendation of Dr. Jagor and Dr. Meyer
IN LEIPZIG AND DRESDEN ●​ Tagalische Verkunst (Tagalog Metrical Art) - Rizal
●​ August 9, 1886 - Rizal left Heidelberg wrote this scholarly paper in German which he
●​ August 14, 1886 - boarded by a train. Rizal arrived read before the society in April 1887 -this paper
in Leipzig was published by the society in the same year, and
●​ Professor Friedrich Ratzel - a famous German elicited favorable comments from all scientific
historian, Rizal befriend with him quarters
●​ Dr. Hans Meyer - German anthropologist, a friend ●​ Rizal lived in Berlin, famous capital of unified
of Rizal Germany for five reasons:
●​ In Leipzig, Rizal translated Schiller’s William Tell ○​ to gain further knowledge of
from German into Tagalog so that Filipino might ophthalmology
know the story of that champion of Swiss ○​ to further his studies of sciences and
independence languages
●​ Rizal also translated into Tagalog for his nephews ○​ to observe the economic and political
and niece Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales conditions of the German nation
●​ Rizal found out that the cost of living in Leipzig was ○​ to associate with famous German
cheapest in Europe so that he stayed two months scientists and scholars
and a half ○​ to publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere
●​ Because of his knowledge of German, Spanish, and ●​ Madame Lucie Cerdole - Rizal’s professor of
other European languages, Rizal worked as French in order to master the idiomatic intricacies
proofreader in a publisher’s firm of the French language
●​ October 29, 1886 - Rizal left Leipzig for Dresden ●​ Unter den Linden - the most popular boulevard of
where he met Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, Director of the Berlin wherein Rizal enjoyed promenading, sipping
Anthropological and Ethnological Museum beer in the city’s inns and talking with the friendly
●​ Rizal heard Mass in a Catholic church; evidently, Berliners
this Mass impressed him very much, for he wrote ●​ March 11, 1886 - one of Rizal’s important letters
in his diary: “Truly I have never in my life heard a written while he was in Germany that addressed to
Mass whose music had greater sublimity and his sister, Trinidad -in this letter, Rizal expressed his
intonation.” high regard and admiration for German
●​ Morning of November 1, 1886- Rizal left Dresden womanhood. The German woman, said Rizal to his
by train reaching Berlin in the evening.
25
Dela Cruz, A
 sister, is serious, diligent, educated, and friendly. ●​ March 21, 1887- the Noli Me Tangere came off the
She is not gossipy, frivolous and quarrelsome press
●​ Aside from the German women, Rizal admired the ●​ March 29, 1887- Rizal, in token of his appreciation
German customs which he observed well. and gratitude, gave Viola the galley proofs of the
NOLI ME TANGERE PUBLISHED IN BERLIN (1887) Noli carefully rolled around the pen that he used in
●​ The bleak winter of 1886 in Berlin was Rizal’s writing it and a complimentary copy, with the
darkest winter because no money arrived from following inscription: “To my dear friend, Maximo
Calamba and he was flat broke. The diamond ring Viola, the first to read and appreciate my
which his sister, Saturnina, gave him was in the work—Jose Rizal”
pawnshop. It was memorable in the life of Rizal for ●​ The title Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase which
two reasons means “Touch Me Not”. It is not originally
○​ it was a painful episode for he was conceived by Rizal, for he admitted taking it from
hungry, sick and despondent in a strange the Bible
city ●​ Rizal, writing to Felix Hidalgo in French on March 5,
○​ it brought him great joy after enduring so 1887, said: “Noli Me Tangere, words taken from
much sufferings, because his first novel, the Gospel of St. Luke, signifies “do not touch me”
Noli Me Tangere came off the press in but Rizal made a mistake, it should be the Gospel
March, 1887 of St. John (Chapter 20 Verses 13 to 17)
●​ Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin - ●​ Rizal dedicated his Noli Me Tangere to the
inspired Dr. Rizal to prepare a novel that would Philippines—“To My Fatherland”
depict the miseries of his people under the lash of ●​ The cover of Noli Me Tangere was designed by
Spanish tyrants Rizal. It is a sketch of explicit symbols. A woman’s
●​ January 2, 1884- in a reunion of Filipinos in the head atop a Maria Clara bodice represents the
Paterno residence in Madrid, Rizal proposed the nation and the women, victims of social cancer.
writings of a novel about the Philippines by a One of the causes of the cancer is symbolized in
group of Filipinos the friar’s feet, outsized in relation to the woman’s
●​ Toward the end of 1884, Rizal began writing the head. The other aggravating causes of oppression
novel in Madrid and finished about one-half of it and discrimination are shown in the guard’s
●​ When Rizal went to Paris, in 1885, after completing helmet and the iron chains, the teacher’s whip and
his studies in the Central University of Madrid, he the alferez’s scourge. A slight cluster of bamboo
continued writing the novel, finishing one half of stands at the backdrop; these are the people,
the second half forever in the background of their own country’s
●​ Rizal finished the last fourth of the novel in history. There is a cross, a maze, flowers and
Germany. He wrote the last few chapters of the thorny plants, a flame; these are indicative of the
Noli in Wilhelmsfeld in April-June, 1886 religious policy, the misdirected ardor, the people
●​ In Berlin during the winter days of February 1886, strangled as a result of these all
Rizal made the final revisions on the manuscript of ●​ The novel Noli Me Tangere contains 63 chapters
the Noli and an epilogue
●​ Maximo Viola - Rizal’s friend from Bulacan, arrived ●​ Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor- Filipino patriot and
in Berlin at the height of Rizal despondency and lawyer who had been exiled due to his complicity
loaned him the needed funds to publish the novel; in the Cavite Mutiny of 1872, read avidly the Noli
savior of Noli and was very much impressed by its author
●​ After the Christmas season, Rizal put the finishing CHARACTERS OF NOLI
touches on his novel. To save printing expenses, he ●​ The Noli Me Tangere was a true story of the
deleted certain passages in his manuscript, Philippine conditions during the last decades of
including a whole chapter—“Elias and Salome” Spanish rule
●​ February 21, 1887- the Noli was finally finished ●​ Maria Clara - was Leonor Rivera, although in real
and ready for printing life she became unfaithful and married an
●​ Berliner Buchdruckerei-Action-Gesellschaft Englishman
(Berlin Printing Company)- a printing shop which ●​ Ibarra and Elias - represented Rizal himself
charged the lowest rate, that is, 300 pesos for 2,00 ●​ Tasio - the philosopher was Rizal’s elder brother
copies of the novel Paciano
26
Dela Cruz, A
 ●​ Padre Salvi - was identified by Rizalists as Padre
Antonio Piernavieja, the hated Augustinian friar in DANUBIAN VOYAGE TO LINTZ
Cavite who was killed by the patriots during the ●​ May 24, 1887 - Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a
Revolution river boat to see the beautiful sights of the Danube
●​ Capitan Tiago - was Captain Hilario Sunico of San River
Nicolas ●​ Rizal particularly noticed that the passengers on
●​ Doña Victorina - was Doña Agustina Medel the river boat were using paper napkins during the
●​ Basilio and Crispin - were the Crisostomo brothers meals, which was a novelty to him. Viola,
of Hagonoy commented that the paper napkins were “more
●​ Padre Damaso- typical of a domineering friar hygienic and economical than cloth napkins”
during the days of Rizal, who was arrogant, FROM LINTZ TO RHEINFALL
immoral and anti-Filipino ●​ Munich - where Rizal and Viola sojourned for a
RIZAL’S GRAND TOUR OF EUROPE WITH VIOLA (1887) short time to savor the famous Munich beer,
●​ May 11, 1887 - Rizal and Viola left Berlin by train reputed to be the best in Germany (alak)
●​ Dresden - one of the best cities in Germany ●​ Nuremberg - one of the oldest cities of Germany
●​ Prometheus Bound - painting wherein Rizal was ●​ The Cathedral of Ulm - the largest and tallest
deeply impressed cathedral in all Germany
●​ Teschen (now Decin, Czechoslovakia)- next ●​ From Ulm, they went to Stuttgart, Baden and then
stopover after leaving Dresden Rheinfall (Cascade of the Rhine). At Rheinfall, they
LEITMERITZ saw the waterfall, “the most beautiful waterfall of
●​ At 1:30pm of May 13, 1887- the train, with Rizal Europe”
and Viola on board, arrived at the railroad station CROSSING THE FRONTIER TO SWITZERLAND
of Leitmeritz, Bohemia -for the first time, the two ●​ June 2 to 3, 1887 - stayed at Schaffhausen,
great scholars—Rizal and Blumentritt—met in Switzerland GENEVA
person ●​ This Swiss city is one of the most beautiful cities in
●​ Professor Blumentritt - a kind-hearted, old Europe, visited by world tourists every year
Austrian professor ●​ June 19, 1887 - Rizal treated Viola to a blow-out. It
●​ May 13 to May 16, 1887 - Rizal and Viola stayed in was his 26 th birthday
Leitmeritz ●​ Rizal and Viola spent fifteen delightful days in
●​ Burgomaster - town mayor Geneva
●​ Tourist’s Club of Leitmeritz - which Blumentritt ●​ June 23, 1887 - Viola and Rizal parted ways —Viola
was the secretary; Rizal spoke extemporaneously returned to Barcelona while Rizal continued the
in fluent Germany to the officers and members tour to Italy
●​ Dr. Carlos Czepelak - renowned scientist of Europe ●​ Exposition of the Philippines in Madrid, Spain -
●​ Professor Robert Klutschak - an eminent naturalist Rizal was outraged by this degradation of his fellow
●​ May 16, 1887 at 9:45 AM - Rizal and Viola left countrymen the Igorots of Northern Luzon
Leitmeritz by train PRAGUE RIZAL IN ITALY
●​ Dr. Willkomm - professor of natural history in the ●​ June 27, 1887 - Rizal reached Rome, the “Eternal
University of Prague City” and also called the “City of the Caesars”
●​ According to Viola, “nothing of importance ●​ Rizal was thrilled by the sights and memories of
happened” in this city VIENNA the Eternal City. Describing to Blumentritt, the
●​ May 20, 1887 - Rizal and Viola arrived in the “grandeur that was Rome”, he wrote on June 27,
beautiful city of Vienna, capital of Austria-Hungary 1887
●​ Vienna was truly the “Queen of Danube” because ●​ June 29, 1887 - the Feast Day of St. Peter and St.
of its beautiful buildings, religious images, Paul, Rizal visited for the first time the Vatican, the
haunting waltzes and majestic charm “City of the Popes” and the capital of Christendom
●​ Norfentals - one of the greatest Austrian novelists ●​ Every night, after sightseeing the whole day, Rizal
was favorably impressed by Rizal, and years later returned to his hotel, very tired. “I am tired as a
he spoke highly of Rizal, “whose genius he so much dog,” he wrote to Blumentritt, “but I will sleep as a
admired.” God”
●​ Hotel Metropole - where Rizal and Viola stayed ●​ After a week of wonderful sojourn in Rome, Rizal
●​ In Vienna, Rizal received his lost diamond stickpin prepared to return to the Philippines. He had
27
Dela Cruz, A
 already written to his father that he was coming
home

●​ At the age of 21, sir Rizal ay nanatili sa Spain

noong 1882
○​ College of Medical in Madrid siya
pumasok
●​ The university formerly known as "Universal
Central de Madrid" is now called the
Complutense University of Madrid
●​ At first, law ang gusto kunin ni Rizal na kurso but
pinilit siya ni Paciano na medisina o fine arts ang
kuhanin.
●​ Calle Amor de Dios — Kalye kung saan tumira si
Rizal
●​ Eduardo de Lete– Karibal ni Rizal kay Consuelo
●​ Bario de las letras— Plaza satata Anna
○​ Napapalibutan ito ng (?), kadalasan
nanonood dito si Rizal ng obra ni
shakesphere
●​ 1887
○​ Explocision de Filipinos
■​ Shows the culture of Filipino’s,
tribo, kalabaw, etc in Spain.
●​ La Solidaredad
○​ 500 copies lng ang inilabas
○​ Si Graciano Lopez Hayna ang
nagpatakbo nito.
○​ Dito rin inilimbag ni Rizal ang kanyang
Artikulo.
●​ Nelly Boustead– Naging bunga ng pagiging
magkaribal ni Rizal at Antonio Luna sa pag ibig.
○​ Naging resulta pa ito ng kanilang
sparring

28
Dela Cruz, A