(1888-1889)

Rizal in London (1888-1889)

 After visiting the United States, Rizal lived in London
from May, 1888 to March, 1889.
His reasons why he chose this English city:
(1) to improve his English language;
(2) to study and annotate Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas
Filipinas;
(3) London was safe for him to carry on his fight against
Spanish tyranny.
Trip Across the Atlantic
 The trans-Atlantic voyage of Rizal from New York to
Liverpool was pleasant one.
 He entertained the American and European
passengers with his yo-yo but he manipulated it as a
weapon of offense, to the great amazement of the
foreigners.
 Rizal arrived at Liverpool, England, on May 24, 1888.
He spent his night at Adelphi Hotel.
Life in London
 On May 25, 1888, Rizal went to London
 He stayed as guest at the home of Dr. Antonio Ma.
Regidor
 By the end of May, he found a modest boarding place
at No.37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill.
 He was a boarder of the Beckett Family.
No. 37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose Hill
 The Becketts were
Mr. Charles
Beckett, organist
of St. Paul’s
Church, Mrs.
Beckett (his wife),
two sons and four
daughters.
 The oldest of the
Beckett sisters was
Gertude, called
“Gertie” or
“Tottie” by her
friends.
Dr. Reinhold Rost
 Rizal came to know Dr.
Rost.
 Dr. Rost was impressed
by Rizal’s learning and
character.
 He called Rizal “a pearl of
a man” (una perla de  The librarian of the
Ministry of Foreign
hombre). Affairs and an
authority on
Malayan languages
and customs.
Good and Bad
Bad News
1) Persecution of the Filipino patriots who signed the “Anti-
Friar Petition of 1888”.
2) Persecution of the Calamba tenants.
3) Furious attacks on Rizal by Senators Salamanca and Vida
in the Spanish Cortes and by Desengaños and Quioquiap
in Spanish newspapers.
4) Rizal’s brother-in-law, Manuel T. Hidalgo, husband of
Saturnina, was exiled by Governor General Weyler to
Bohol without due process of law.
5) Laureano Viado, medical student at the University of
Santo Tomas, was arrested and jailed in Bilibid Prison
because copies of Noli were found in his house.
Good News
1) One good news cheered Rizal, and that was Rev.
Vicente Garcia’s defense of the Noli against the
attacks of the friars.
2) Rizal heard this good news from Mariano Ponce
3) Later, on January 7, 1891, he wrote to Father Garcia,
expressing his thanks.
Annotating Morga’s Book
 The greatest achievement of Rizal in London was the
annotating of Morga’s book, Sucesos de las Islas
Filipinas (Historical Events of the Philippine Islands).
 Rizal spent many days in the reading room of the
British Museum poring over the pages of this book and
laboriously reading the old histories of the Philippines.
Short Visit to Paris and Spain
 Early in September, 1888, Rizal visited Paris for a week,
in order to search for more historical materials in the
Bibliotheque Nationale.
 On December 11, 1888, Rizal went to Spain, visiting
Madrid and Barcelona.
 For the first time he met M.H. del Pilar and Mariano
Ponce, two titans of the Propaganda Movement.
Jose Rizal, M.H. del Pilar and
Mariano Ponce
Christmas in London (1888)
 Rizal returned to London on December 24 and spent
Christmas and New Year’s Day with the Becketts.
 To his friend, Bluementritt, Rizal sent a Christmas gift
a bust of Emperor Augustus which he had made.
 To another friend, Dr Carlos Czepela (Polish scholar),
he gave as Christmas gift a bust of Julius Caesar.
 Rizal’s landlady, Mrs. Beckett, knowing of his interest
in magic, gave him as Christmas gift a book entitled
“The Life and Adventures of Valentine Vox, the
Ventriloquist”.
Rizal becomes leader of Filipinos
in Europe
 By unanimous vote of all the members, Rizal was
chosen honorary president of society called Asociacion
La Solidaridad (Solidaridad Association).
 This was a recognition of his leadership among all
Filipino patriots in Europe.
  February 15, 1889, Graciano
Lopez Jaena founded the
patriotic newspaper called La
Solidaridad in Barcelona.

Graciano Lopez Jaena

Ambition of La Solidaridad
1) To work peacefully for political and social reforms;
2) To portray the deplorable conditions of the
Philippines so that the Spain may remedy them;
3) To oppose the evil forces of reaction and
medievalism;
4) To advocate liberal ideas and progress;
5) And to champion the legitimate aspirations of the
Filipino people to life, democracy, and happiness.
First Article in La Solidaridad
 His first article which appeared in La Solidaridad was
entitled Los Agricultores Filipinos (The Filipino
Farmers).
 Published on March 25, 1889, six days after he left
London for Paris
Writings in London
 Rizal received news on Fray Rodriguez’ unabated
attack on his Noli. In defense, he wrote a pamphlet
entitled La Vision del Fray Rodriguez (The Vision of
Fray Rodriguez), published in Barcelona under his
nom-de-plume Dimas Alang.
 La Vision del Fray Rodriguez demonstrated two things:
(1) his profound knowledge of religion and (2) his
biting satire.
Writings in London
 In London, Rizal wrote the famous “Letter to the
Young Women of Malolos” (February 22, 1889) in
Tagalog.
 He penned it, upon the request of M.H. del Pilar to
praise the young ladies of Malolos for their courage to
establish a school where they could learn Spanish,
despite the opposition of Fr. Felipe Garcia, Spanish
parish priest of Malolos.
Dr. Reinhold Rost
 Editor of Trubner’s Record, a journal devoted to Asian
studies, requested Rizal to contribute some articles.
 In response to his request, the latter prepared two
articles: (1) “Specimens of Tagal Folklore” published in
May, 1889; (2) “Two Eastern Fables”, published in June,
1889.
Romance with Gertrude Beckett
 Rizal had a romantic interlude with the oldest of the
three Beckett sisters – Gertrude, Gettie, as she was
affectionately called, was a buxom English girl with
brown hair, blue eyes, and rosy cheeks.
 She fell in loved with Rizal. On cold winter mornings
she had a sunny smile for him, chattering gaily like a
humming bird. During the family picnics, she was gave
him all her attention. And in rainy days when Rizal
stayed at home, she helped him by mixing his colors
for painting or assisted in preparing the clay for
scuplturing.
Romance with Gertrude Beckett
 Their friendship drifted towards romance. Rizal
affectionately called her “Gettie,” in reciprocation, she
fondly called him “Pettie.”
 As their flirtation was fast approaching the point of
not return, Rizal suddenly realized that he could not
marry Gettie for he had a mission to fulfill in life.
Romance with Gertrude Beckett
 Rizal suppressed the passionate yearning of his heart,
and decided to go away so that “Gettie” may forget
him.
 Before leaving London, he finished four sculptural
works – (1) Prometheus Bound, (2) “ The Triumph of
Death over Life,” (3) “The Triumph of Science over
Death,” and (4) a composite carving of the heads of the
Beckett sisters.
Prometheus Bound The Triumph of Death The Triumph of Science
over Life over Death
Adios, London
 On March 29, 1889, Rizal bade goodbye to the kind
Beckett family (particularly Gertrude) and left London
for Paris. He was sad as he crossed the English
Channel, for he cherished so many beautiful memories
of London.
the Universal Exposition of 1889
Difficulty in Finding Quarters
 The approaching Universal Exposition of 1889 which
was scheduled on May 6, 1889.
 Capitan Justo Trinidad (former gobernadorcillo of
Santa Ana, Manila, and a refugee from Spanish
tyranny)
 Jose Albert (a young student from Manila)
Life in Paris
 Rizal used most of his time in the reading room of the
Bibliotheque National.
 In his living quarters writing letters to his family and
friends
 In the gymnasium for his daily physical exercise and
visiting his friends.
Life in Paris
 He was a good friend of the three Pardo de Taveras: 1)
Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, physician by vocation
and philologist by avocation; 2) Dr. Felix Pardo de
Tavera, physician by vocation and an artist and
sculptor by avocation; 3) Paz Pardo de Tavera, wife of
Juan Luna.
 June 24, 1889, a baby girl was born to Juan Luna and
Paz Pardo de Tavera. Her baptismal godfather was
Rizal, who chose her name “Maria de la Paz, Blanca,
Laureana, Hermenegilda Juana Luna y Pardo de
Tavera.”
Rizal and Paris Exposition
 The greatest attraction of this exposition was the Eiffel
Tower, 984 feet high, which was built by Alexander
Eiffel, French engineer.
 The international art competition, Felix Hidalgo, Juan
Luna, Felix Pardo de Tavera and Rizal participated.
 Hidalgo’s painting awarded 2nd prize
 Luna and de Tavera, obtained 3rd prize
 Rizal’s painting was not good enough to win an
international prize.
Kidlat Club
 On March 19, 1889, Rizal organized his paisanos into a
society called Kidlat Club; Antonio and Juan Luna,
Gregorio Aguilera, Fernando Canon, Lauro Dimayuga,
Julio Llorente, Guillermo Puatu, and Baldomero Roxas.
 Kidlat Club was purely a social society of a temporary
nature.
 To bring together the young Filipinos in the French
capital so that they could enjoy their sojourn.
Indios Bravos
 “Why should we resent being called Indios by the
Spaniards? Look at those Indios from North America –
they are not ashamed of their name. Let us be like
them. Let us be proud of the name Indio and make our
Spanish enemies revise their conception of the term.
We shall be Indios Bravos!!”
 Sword
 Pistol
 Judo
R.D.L.M. Society
 Redención de los Malayos (Redemption of the Malays)
 Dr. Leoncio Lopez-Rizal, grandnephew of Jose Rizal.

2 letters of Rizal mentioned the secret society:

• Letter to Jose Maria Basa (Paris, September 21, 1889)
• Letter to Marcelo H. del Pilar (Paris, Nov. 4, 1889)
Members of R.D.L.M.
 Gregorio Aguilera, Jose Ma. Basa, Julio Llorente,
Marcelo H. del Pilar, Mariano Ponce, Baldomero
Roxas, and Father Jose Maria Changco.
 “the propagation of all useful knowledge –
scientifically, artistic, literary, etc. – in the Philippines.”
– aim of the secret society, as stated by Rizal.
 Max Havelaar (1860), written by Multatuli
(pseudonym of E.D. Dekker, Dutch author).
R.D.L.M.
 On February 23, 1892, Rizal wrote to Blumentritt form
Hong Kong.
 Bornean Colonization includes the right of the
colonists to: buy the lands, free use of the seashores,
and the unusual long term of lease for 999 years.
Annotated Edition of Morga
Published
 Outstanding achievement in Paris (1890)
 Wrote in British Museum
 Printed by Garnier Freres

Two things which revealed Rizal’s error:

 Rizal commits the error of many historians
 Rizal’s attack on the Church were unfair and
unjustified
Comment on Morga’s Publication
Date
 “Paris, Lebreria de Garnier Hermanos, 1890” – title page of
Rizal’s annotated edition of Morga.
 Documentary evidence to show that Rizal’s edition of
Morga must have come off the press in 1889 – not 1890.
3 Letters:
I. October 12, 1889 – Blumentritt received the edition
(Leitmeritz).
II. December 28, 1889 – Rizal sent 2 copies to Dr. Baldomero
Roxas from Paris to Lipa.
III. December 31, 1889 – Mariano Ponce received the book.
Rizal as Historian
 British Museum (London) and Bibliotheque Nationale
(Paris)
 His knowledge of foreign languages enabled Rizal to
read historical documents:
i. Pigafetta’s famous “First Voyage Around the World”
(Italian).
ii. Works of Marsden, Raffles, Lord Stanley, and Wallace
(English).
iii. Writings of Blumentritt, Jagor, and Virchow
(German).
Rizal as Historian
 Historical Commentaries which qualify Rizal to be a
real historian:
i. Ma-yi (December 6, 1888) and Tawalisi of Ibn Batuta
(January 7, 1889).
The Philippines Within a Century
 Rizal expressed his views on the Spanish colonization in
the Philippines.
 He predicted with amazing accuracy the tragic end of
Spain’s sovereignty in Asia.
Parts:
i. Beginning – glorious past of the Filipino people
ii. Middle – economic stagnation and happiness under the
harsh of Spanish Rule
iii. Last – peered into the future and warned Spain of what
would happen to her colonial empire in Asia if she would
not adopt a more liberal and enlightened policy toward the
Philippines
The Indolence of the Filipinos
 Defense of the alleged indolence of the Filipinos
 Critical study of the causes why the Filipinos did not
work hard during the Spanish regime
 Certain cause: the Filipinos are not by nature indolent
10 causes of decline in economic life:
i. Native revolts and other internal disorders
ii. Wars which the Filipinos fought for Spain (Dutch,
Portuguese, English, etc.)
iii. Raids on the coastal towns and village by the Muslim
pirates of Mindanao and Sulu
iv. Forced labor
v. Lack of stimulus to work kinder (people could not enjoy
the fruits of their labor)
vi. Government neglect and indifference (agriculture,
industry, and commerce)
vii. Bad examples shown by Spaniards – despising manual
labor
viii. Teaching of Spanish missionaries
ix. Gambling
x. System of Spanish education
International Association of
Filipinologists
 Universal Exposition of 1889 (Paris)
 Letter to Blumentritt – January 14, 1889
 Prospectus: aim of the association – “to study the
Philippines from the scientific and historical point of
view”
International Association of
Filipinologists
 Officers:
I. President: Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt (Austrian)
II. Vice-President: Mr. Edmund Plauchut (French)
III. Counsellors:
Dr. Reinhold Rost (Anglo-Germaan)
Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor (Filipino-Spanish)
IV. Secretary: Dr. Jose Rizal (Filipino)
International Association of
Filipinologists
 August 1889 (Paris) – scheduled holding of the
inaugural convention
 Renowned scholars in Europe:
i. Dr. Reinhold Rost
ii. Sir Henry Yule
iii. Dr. Feodor Jagor
iv. Dr. A.B. Meyer
v. Dr. H. Kern
vi. Dr. Czepelak
Project for Filipino College in
Hong Kong
 Planned by Rizal while still in Paris
 To establish a modern college in Hong Kong
 Aim: “to train and educate men of good family and
financial means in accordance with the demands of
modern times and circumstances”
 Mr. Mariano Cunanan (Mexico, Pampanga)
- 40, 000 pesos (initial capital)
Project for Filipino College in
Hong Kong
 Curriculum (Subjects):
Ethics Logic, Rhetoric, and Poetics
Religion Spanish
Natural Law English
Civil Law French
Deportment German
Hygiene Chinese
Mathematics Tagalog
Physics and Chemistry Gymnastics
Natural History Equitation
Geography Fencing
Political Economy Music
Universal History Drawing
Philippine History Dancing
“Por Telefono”
 La Vision del Fray Rodriguez
- Fray Jose Rodriguez
 Por Telefono (Barcelona, 1889)
- Fr. Salvador Font (banning of Noli)
 “Dimas Alang”
 Telephone conversation between Fr. Font (Madrid)
and the father provincial (San Agustin Convent-
Manila)
Christmas in Paris
Jose Albert
Capitan Justo Trinidad
Christmas dinner: fried chicken, rice, and vegetables
Rizal’s last Christmas dinner in Paris
After New Year – brief visit to London
Two theoretical reasons:
1) To check up his annotated edition of Morga’s Sucesos
with the original copy in the British Museum, and;
2) To see Gertrude Beckett for the last time
 Middle of January 1890 – back in Paris