LIFE, WORKS,

WRITINGS OF RIZAL
Prepared by Ms. Cee Jaye L. Gumangan
CES Instructor
CHAPTER I: RIZAL LAWS
 Republic Act No. 1425

• Title: An Act to Include in the Curricula of all

Public and Private Schools, Colleges and
Universities Courses on the Life, Works and
Writings of Jose Rizal, Particularly His Novels Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Authorizing the
Printing and Distribution Thereof, and for Other
Purposes
 Republic Act No. 1425

• Most important Rizal Law because it is the law

that mandates students to take Rizal subject in
College.
• The author of this law is Senator Claro M. Recto.
• The law was passed on June 12, 1956.
• Jose P. Laurel co-wrote the law.
 Republic Act No. 229

• Title: An Act to Prohibit Cockfighting, Horse

Racing and Jai-Alai on the Thirtieth Day of
December of Each Year and to Create a
Committee to Take Charge of the Proper
Celebration of Rizal Day in Every Municipality and
Chartered City and for Other Purposes
 Republic Act No. 229

• The law stated that no one should gamble on the

thirtieth of December yearly.
• Only the mayor can implement or have the
authority to exercise the proper celebration of
Rizal Day.
 Philippine Commission Act No. 345 of
1902

• Sec. 1 of the law states that December 30 is

considered a public holiday.
 Executive Order No. 429
• Title: Creating a Decoration to be Known as the Rizal Pro
Patria Award
• Pro Patria means for the fatherland
• A law made by Pres. Carlos P. Garcia.

Decree of December 20, 1898

• A decree made by President Emilio Aguinaldo wherein he
stated that December 30 is a national day of mourning and
all Philippine flags shall be hoisted at half-mast.
 CHAPTER II: IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING THE
LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF DR. JOSE RIZAL
1. It provides insights into how to deal with current
problems.
2. To understand better ourselves as Filipinos.
3. It makes us understand nationalism and patriotism.
4. It provides various essential life lessons.
5. It helps on developing logical and critical thinking.
6. Dr. Jose Rizal can serve as a worthwhile model and
inspiration to every Filipino.
7. The subject is a rich source of entertaining narratives.
CHAPTER III: SITUATION OF THE
19TH CENTURY
• The 19th Century is also called as the Age Of
Enlightenment
• Significant inventions during this time were Mathematics,
Dictionary, Encyclopedias, etc.

WORLD
USA
The President of the United States before was Abraham
Lincoln where he signed the Emancipation Participation to
give the 50,000 African-American slaves their freedom.
 LATIN AMERICA
Mexico just elected their President but, during the French
Revolution the Emperor of France before instructed his
army to colonize Mexico. The President got removed from
the position and the Emperor installed a puppet Emperor
for Mexico.

ASIA
All countries in Asia were colonized except for Japan.
Japan was not colonized because of the fact that Japan
also were colonizing other countries.
 EUROPE
No significant events in Europe during that time.
The current monarch in United Kingdom was Queen
Victoria (Queen Elizabeth II’s grandmother).
 SPAIN AND THE PHILIPPINES
There were 11 manifestations during the 19th century on
the cruelty of the Spaniards to the Filipinos:
1. Instability of Colonial Administration
From 1835 to 1897, the Philippines was ruled by 50
governor generals.
At one time, in a period of less than a year, there were four
governor generals.
2. Corrupt Officials
3. Philippine Representation in Spanish Cortes
There was no actual representation of Philippines in the
Spanish Cortes before until they realized that there is a
need to have a representative from the Philippines.
Ventura De los Reyes was the first representative of the
Philippines in the Spanish Cortes.
4. Human Rights Denied to Filipinos
The Spanish Constitution stated that there should be a
freedom of speech for everyone.
The Philippines as a colonized country under Spain should
enjoy that freedom, however, the Spaniards denied that
right to the Filipinos
5. No Equality Before the Law
Every man should be equal in the eyes of the law, except
God. However, for the Spaniards, Filipinos before were not
as equal as them.
6. Maladministration of Justice
During the 19th century, those who practices the justice
system were not knowledgeable to perform as judges,
fiscals, etc.
Those who practice the justice system before got their
position because of money or wealth.
7. Racial Discrimination
Filipinos before were called Indios
Spaniards before were called Mestizos
Filipinos also called the Spaniards Bangus (milkfish)
because of the complexion of their skin.
8. Frailocracy
There was no separation of Church and State before.
Friars were known to advise people through confession but
they also advise people in terms of their political beliefs.
9. Forced Labor
The compulsory labor imposed by the Spaniards was called
polo
Male Filipinos aged 16 to 60 years old during that time were
required to render polo y servicios to the government.
Polo y servicios is a service given by the Filipinos to the
government through building churches, schools, hospitals,
buildings and repair of roads and bridges. The service is
for 40 days a year without proper compensation.
Through a Decree, they reduce the number of days of
service from 40 days to 15 days..
10. Haciendas Owned by the Friars
During the 19th Century, friars belonged to the elite group for they were
considered as the richest landlord through ownership of the best lands
in the Philippines.
11. Guardia Civil
It was the hated symbol of tyranny created by a Royal Decree
Their duty is to maintain internal peace and order in the Philippines.
They possessed superiority complex because of the fact that they use
their power / authority to capture persons without due process
CHAPTER IV: ADVENT OF OUR
NATIONAL HERO
 LINEAGE
PATERNAL SIDE
GREAT-GREAT GRANDFATHER GREAT-GREAT GRANDMOTHER
Domingo Lam-co (Cua Gi Lam) Ines de la Rosa
Chinese Chinese
GREAT GRANDFATHER GREAT GRANDMOTHER
Francisco Mercado Bernarda Monicha
Chinese Chinese-Filipino
GRANDFATHER GRANDMOTHER
Juan Mercado Cirila Alejandra
Chinese-Filipino Chinese-Filipino
 LINEAGE
MATERNAL SIDE
GREAT-GREAT GRANDFATHER GREAT-GREAT GRANDMOTHER
Eugenio Ursua Benigna (No Surname)
Japanese Filipino
GREAT GRANDFATHER GREAT GRANDMOTHER
Manuel Facundo de Quintos Regina Ursua
Filipino-Chinese Filipino-Japanese
GRANDFATHER GRANDMOTHER
Lorenzo Alberto Alonzo Brigida de Quintos
Spanish-Filipino Filipino-Chinese-Japanese
 FAMILY TREE
Father: Francisco “Kikoy” Engracio Mercado Rizal y Alejandro
Mother: Teodora “Lolay” Morales Alonso Realonda y Quintos

CHILDREN
1. Saturnina (1850-1913) “Neneng”
• Eldest
• Married to Manuel Hidalgo (Tanauan, Batangas)
• She was Jose’s correspondence during his stay in Europe.
2. Paciano (1851-1930) “Ciano”
• Only brother of Jose
• A farmer and became general of the Philippine Revolution
• Had a common-law wife named Severina Decena (Los Baños,
Laguna
• Served as a second father to Jose
3. Narcisa (1852-1930) “Sisa”
• Teacher and musician
• Married to Antonio Lopez, a teacher from Morong, Rizal
• She was the witness to the secret pact between Jose and Paciano
4. Olimpia (1855-1887) “Ypia”
• Married to Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator from Manila
5. Lucia (1857-1919) “Lucing”
• Married to Mariano Herbosa (Calamba, Laguna)
• Her two sons Teodosio and Estonislao became pupils of Jose in
Dapitan
6. Maria (1859-1945) “Biang”
• Married to Daniel Faustino Cruz (Biñan, Laguna)
• One of their sons, Mauricio, was a pupil of Jose in Dapitan
7. Jose (1861-1896) “Pepe” or “Moy”
• Jose Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
8. Conception (1862-1865) “Concha”
• Died at the age of three that caused Jose’s first sorrow as he mentioned in
his diary: “…the first I shed tears caused by love and grief.”
9. Josefa (1865-1945) “Panggoy”
• An epileptic who died a spinster
10. Trinidad (1868-1951) “Trining”
• Died a spinster
• Jose gave her the alcohol lamp where he did his untitled poem now known
as the Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell)
11. Soledad (1870-1929) “Choleng”
• youngest
• Married to Pantaleon Quintero (Calamba, Laguna)
 CONCEPTION OF RIZAL
• Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861 (Wednesday) in Calamba,
Laguna between eleven in the evening and midnight
• His mother named him Jose in honor of Saint Joseph, to whom his
mother was a devotee;
• His second name Protasio was taken from Saint Protasius, the saint
during the day of his birth
• His mother experienced difficulty in Jose’s delivery that almost took her
life but was saved when she made a pledge to the Virgin of Antipolo.
“…my coming out in this vale of tears would have cost my mother her
life had she not vowed to the Virgin of Antipolo to take me to her
sanctuary by way of pilgrimage.” –Jose Rizal
 Jose Rizal has his own
infirmities:
He was sickly, his
• Three (3) days after his birth, he shoulders are not
proportionate, and he had
was baptized as a Roman an oversized head. Father
Catholic by Father Rufino Collantes noticed Jose’s
Collantes and Don Pedro big head during baptism
Casañas served as his godfather. and said: “Take good care
of this child for someday
he will become a great
man.”
• Jose’s family came from the affluent principalia (native
nobilities)
• Francisco, the father of Jose, was a farmer and rented
farmlands from the Dominican Orders.
• Teodora, the mother of Jose, managed a general good
store
• They operated a flour mill, sugar mill, ham press, and
were involved in trading
• They owned a stone house, a carriage, a library, and were
able to send children to school which were symbols of a
well-to-do family at that time.
JOSE RIZAL’S ANCESTRY
CHINESE JAPANESE
• Frugality • Open-competition
• Industriousness • Decision-making

MALAY SPANISH
• Self-determination • Sensitivity
• Courage • Self-esteem
 CHILDHOOD YEARS IN
•
CALAMBA
Rizal spent a happy childhood in
the town of Calamba
• As early as when he was three AYA: a
years old, he played every day at the contraction of
family garden with his aya (Ina the word yaya,
Munda) and siblings. which means
•They watched the birds (i.e. maya, nurse-maid.
pipit, culiawan)
•He was frail, sickly, and undersized
• Jose’s father built a little nipa cottage in their garden where they could
play in the day
• Every day, the Rizal family prayed the Angelus at sunset and the
rosary before going to bed at night.
• Jose also has a memory at their azotea to watch the beautiful moon
and to feel the cool breezes coming from Laguna de Bay.
• Here, he listened to tales related to him by his aya which
sparked his interest in legends and folklore.
• If Jose refuses to eat his dinner, his aya would threaten him that
aswang, nuno, or tikbalang will come to take him away.
 JOSE’S FIRST SORROW
• Jose Rizal’s first sorrow was caused by the death of his
sister Concepcion in 1865.
•She was only three years old, and Jose was four years
old.
•“For the first time, I wept tears of love and grief.” –Jose
Rizal
 DEVOTED SON OF THE
CHURCH
• Jose grew up as a good Catholic.
•He often went to church to hear and Mass and pray the novenas.
•He participated in religious processions.
• One of his boyhood friends, Leoncio Lopez, later became a wise
parish priest.
• At the age of three, he began to take part in the family praters.
• At the age of five, he was able to read the Spanish family bible.
 PILGRIMAGE TO ANTIPOLO
• On June 6, 1868, Jose accompanied by his father, left Calamba for
Antipolo.
• It was his first pilgrimage to the famous shrine of the Virgin of
Antipolo.
• The casco (flat-bottomed boat used for carrying cargo and
passengers) on which they rode from Calamba to Pasig was slow but
he was thrilled by the lake voyage
• After praying at the shrine of the Virgin of Antipolo, Jose And his
father went to Manila.
•It was Jose’s first visit to the city.
•He visited his eldest sister, Saturnina, who was a student at La
Concordia College.
 THE STORY OF THE MOTH
• One night, Teodora, Jose’s mother, was reading the story of “The
Moth and the Flame” in a book El Amigo de los Niños (The Friend of
the Children)
• Jose was not listening to his mother for he was attracted by two
moths flying around the flame of the coconut oil lamp. The young
moth, disobeying its mother’s advice, flew too near the flame and got
killed.
• Jose did not notice when his mother ended the reading
• The light that caused the little moth’s death appeared to him “more
beautiful” than ever.
•“It is worthy for a man to sacrifice his life for a noble cause.”
 ARTISTIC TALENTS
• At the age of five, he began to make sketched with his pencil and to
mold in clay and wax
• Upon request of the town mayor, he painted in oil colors a new
banner
• He loved to ride on a spirited pony which his father bought him, and
also to take long walks in meadows and lakeshore with his black dog
named Usman.
• When he was about six years old, his sister laughed at him for
spending too much time making those images rather than
participating in games.
• When his sisters depart to play, he told them: “Someday when I
die, people will make monuments and images of me.”
 FIRST POEM
• At the age of eight, Jose wrote his first poem Sa
Aking Mga Kababata (To My Fellow Children)
• A gobernadorcillo from Paete, Laguna
happened to like the manuscript for two pesos
and brought to his hometown and was staged in
Paete during its town fiesta.
 RIZAL AS A BOY MAGICIAN
• He learned various tricks such as making a coin appear
or disappear in his fingers and making his handkerchief
vanish in the air.
• He entertained his town-folks with magic lantern
exhibitions
• He gained his skill in manipulating marionettes (puppet
shows)
• As he attained manhood, he continued his love for
magic by reading books about magic and attended
performances of famous magician of the world.
 INFLUENCES ON JOSE’S
BOYHOOD
HEREDITARY INFLUENCE

Father: self-respect, love for work, independent thinking

Mother: religious nature, self-sacrifice, passion for arts and literature

ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE
Paciano: love for freedom and justice
Sisters: courteousness and kindness to women
Ina Munda: interest in folklore and legends
Spanish cruelty: spirit of patriotism
Father Leoncio Lopez: scholarship and intellectual honesty
 INFLUENCES ON JOSE’S
BOYHOOD
AID OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE

• A person without the aid of Divine Providence cannot

attain greatness in the history of nation.
• Jose was providentially destined to be the pride and
glory of his nation.
CHAPTER V: RIZAL AS A
STUDENT
 EARLY EDUCATION IN
CALAMBA
• The three brothers of Teodora played great influence in
Jose’s early life.
• Gregorio – encouraged Jose to read good books
• Manuel – aroused Jose’s interest in sports. Jose
learned swimming, rowing, fencing, and wrestling.
• Jose – inspired Jose Rizal to paint, sketch, and make
statues of clay
 EARLY EDUCATION IN
CALAMBA
• Jose’s father paid tutors for him to learn Latin
and Spanish
• Maestro Celestino, Maestro Lucas Padua,
Maestro Leon Monroy – tutors
• After the death of Leon Monroy, his father
decided to send him to a private school in Biñan,
under the tutelage of Maestro Justiniano
Aquino Cruz
 SCHOOL DAYS IN BIÑAN
• Jose’s father paid tutors for him to learn Latin and
Spanish
• Maestro Celestino, Maestro Lucas Padua, Maestro
Leon Monroy – tutors
• After the death of Leon Monroy, his father decided to
send him to a private school in Biñan, under the tutelage
of Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz
• Jose was only nine years old
 SCHOOL DAYS IN BIÑAN
•Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz furthered Jose’s
knowledge on reading, writing, arithmetic, religion
• Old Juancho taught Jose Rizal and Jose Guevarra to
paint.
• The two students became apprentices of Old Juancho
and became the favorite painters of the class.
• After one year and a half in the private school, Jose
Rizal was advised by his maestro to pursue advanced
studies in Manila.
 EDUCATION IN ATENEO
• Rizal took the entrance JESUIT PEDAGOGIES
examination in Colegio de San Pauca praecepta,
Juan de Letran, a Dominican- multa exempla,
owned school, but his father plurima exercitation
(Few rules, many
decided to send him to Ateneo
examples, numberless
Municipal de Manila (1872-1877) exercise)
• The discipline was rigid and the
methods were less mechanical in Cura Personalis
Ateneo under the administration of (Individualized
attention)
the Jesuits.
 EDUCATION IN ATENEO
• Bachiller en Artes (Bachelor of Arts) – program that Ateneo offers
• Ateneo also offered vocational courses in agriculture, commerce,
mechanics, and surveying

• Jose Rizal was a brilliant, diligent, and competent student

• He followed a timetable as a daily program which he never
abandoned
• He became the “emperor” of the class despite the fact that he was a
newcomer, and was grouped in the Carthaginians Empire – the
group of externos or non-boarders
 EDUCATION IN ATENEO
• He was accepted in the Academy of Spanish Literature and Academy of
Natural Sciences which were exclusive societies for exceptional people in
terms of literature and sciences.
• Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez – developed the poetry skills of Rizal
• Peninsular Don Augustin Saez – developed Rizal’s knowledge in drawing
and painting
• Romualdo de Jesus – enhanced Rizal’s sculptural talent

• Rizal joined the Marian Congreagtion

• Guided and directed by Father Pablo Pastells, Rizal became the prefect of
the congregation.
• Pastells called Rizal as querido hijo de mi alma (my own spiritual son)
 EDUCATION IN ATENEO

• Rizal also engaged in gymnastics and fencing.

• He finished his degree in Bachelor of Arts on
March 23, 1877 with highest honors
(sobresaliente)
 EDUCATION IN UST
• Doña Teodora (mother) insisted that Jose Rizal already
knew a lot and objected to his return to Manila but Don
Francisco (father) secretly asked Paciano to accompany
Jose to Manila.
• He entered the Royal and Pontifical Universidad de
Santo Tomas, a school supervised by the Dominicans.
• He enrolled in the Preparatory Course of Theology and
Law – took the course Philisophia y Letras (Philosophy
and Letters)
 EDUCATION IN UST
• Rizal also took vocational courses in Ateneo while being
enrolled in UST, taking up surveying, agriculture, and
topography.
• He was able to finish the course in surveying in Ateneo at
the age of seventeen, but the license was only granted to
him after three years because of his age.
• After one term in the program in UST, he shifted to the
Preparatory Course of Medicine as advised by Father
Pablo Ramon
 EDUCATION IN UST
• He was granted by UST the rare privilege to study
simultaneously the Preparatory Course of Medicine and
the First Year of Medicine.
• In medicine, Rizal did not shine as he did in Ateneo:
21 SUBJECTS Out of the 24 students enrolled in
6 sobresaliente Medicine, Rizal was one of the 7
6 aprovechado
8 bueno
students who reached the beginning
1 aprobado of the fifth year course.
 EDUCATION IN UST
• Rizal was somewhat disappointed in his performance in
medicine; nonetheless, he excelled in literature and
developed hi nationalist sentiments.
• Father Evaristo Arias helped him cultivate his craft in
poetry.
• In 1879, he joined a poetry contest and won a prize, a
silver pen, in his entry A la Juventud Filipina (To the
Filipino Youth) expressing that Filipinos are not inferior to
any race.
 EDUCATION IN UST

• In 1882, Rizal decided to finish his studies abroad.

• He stayed for four years in UST

•His travel abroad was only known to few: Paciano, his

uncle Antonio, and his brother-in-law Manuel Hidalgo.
 EDUCATION IN MADRID

• After 44 days of voyage, Rizal reached Barcelona, Spain.

•He stayed in Barcelona, Spain for three months to
observe the customs of the people. He spends his time in
the library, corresponded with friends, and wrote articles
published in the Diariong Tagalog, a bilingual newspaper in
the Philippines
 EDUCATION IN MADRID

• In 1882, Jose Rizal moved to Madrid, Spain and enrolled

in the Faculty of Medicine and in the Faculty of Philosophy
and Letters.
• He also took lessons in languages in Ateneo de Madrid
• He studied painting and sculpture in the Academy of Fine
Arts of San Fernando
 EDUCATION IN MADRID

• He took full advantage of his time, he visited museums

and galleries and visited Paris to observe their way of life.
• He wrote articles and poems on patriotism and
nationalism
•He delivered speeches requested by his association and
also during the triumph of his compatriots, Luna and
Hidalgo in the National Exposition of the Arts in Madrid.
 EDUCATION IN MADRID

• His love for physical activities made him constantly

practice in fencing and even enrolled in shooting in the Hall
of Arms Sanz y Carbonell; became a respectable
marksman and a swordsman.

• The degree Licentiate in Medicine was conferred to him

on June 21, 1884, which qualified him to practice the
course.
 EDUCATION IN MADRID
• He took and finished the degree Doctor of Medicine in
1885 which qualifies him to teach in the Faculty of
Medicine.
• The diploma, however, was not awarded due to financial
reasons.
• June 19, 1885 – degree Licentiate of Philosophy and
Letters was awarded to him.
• He was qualified to be a professor of humanities in any
Spanish university, but chose to practice his medical
profession and specialized in ophthalmology.
 EDUCATION IN MADRID

• For two more years, he went to France and Germany to

further specialize in ophthalmology, observe their way of
life, slowly finishing his first novel, and studied other things
that he was inclined of doing.
 EDUCATION IN MADRID

• For two more years, he went to France and Germany to

further specialize in ophthalmology, observe their way of
life, slowly finishing his first novel, and studied other things
that he was inclined of doing.
CHAPTER VI: RIZAL AS A FRIEND
 IN THE ACADEME
• Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez – helped Rizal develop his literary
skills
• Fr. Pablo Pastells – developed Rizal’s spirituality

BARCELONA
• Basilio Teodoro Moran – a publisher of the first bilingual newsletter
in Manila, encouraged Rizal to write articles for the paper.
• Dr. Miguel Morayta – liberal-minded Spaniard who further
developed Rizal’s radical mind.
 IN THE ACADEME
PARIS
• Dr. Louis de Weckert – French ophthalmologist whose clinic
became instrumental for Rizal in acquiring more knowledge in
ophthalmology.
• After four months in Dr. Louis’ clinic, Rizal transferred to Heidelberg
in the University of Heidelbegr’s University Eye Hospital under the
directorship of Dr. Otto Becker, a German ophthalmologist.
• Dr. Karl Ullmer – Protestant pastor who taught the rudiments of the
German language
• Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt – Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz and
an ethnologist became an expert in the Philippine customs.
 IN THE ACADEME
PARIS
• Dr. Louis de Weckert – French ophthalmologist whose clinic
became instrumental for Rizal in acquiring more knowledge in
ophthalmology.
HEIDELBERG
• After four months in Dr. Louis’ clinic, Rizal transferred to Heidelberg
in the University of Heidelbegr’s University Eye Hospital under the
directorship of Dr. Otto Becker, a German ophthalmologist.
• Dr. Karl Ullmer – Protestant pastor who taught the rudiments of the
German language
• Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt – Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz and
an ethnologist became an expert in the Philippine customs.
 IN THE ACADEME
LEIPZIG
• Prof. Friedrich Ratzel –
German historian
Recommended Rizal to
• Dr. Hans Meyer – German
become member of the
anthropologist
different scientific
• Dr. Adolf Mayer – Director of
associations in Europe.
Anthropological and
Ethnological museum in
Dresden
 IN THE ACADEME
BERLIN
• While finishing his novel, Noli Me Tangere, Maximo Viola came to his aid
and helped him financially; Rizal was able to finish and revise some chapters
of his manuscript and finally on March 21, 1887, the novel came off the press.
• The novel was dedicated to Rizal’s Motherland.

LONDON
• Dr. Reinhold Rost – Librarian of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who
recommended Rizal to the British Museum for the annotation of de Morga’s
Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (Historical events of the Philippine Island.
• Rizal annotated it so that the indios would know their glorious past and
dedicated his book to his fellow Filipinos
 IN THE ACADEME
HONG KONG
• Jose Maria Basa – a Filipino exiled in Hong Kong helped marketing his Sucesos and
sent money to Rizal for printing his second novel El Filibusterismo. However, the printing
was suspended because of insufficient funds.
• Valentin Ventura – Upon learning the situation, Valentin immediately sent the needed
funds to resume the printing of his novel.

• September 18, 1891 – El Filibusterismo came off the press.

• This novel was dedicated to the three Filipino martyrs

• Jose Maria Basa was instrumental to Rizal’s stay in Hong Kong. He provided lodging
and prepared his medical clinic.

• Dr. Lorenzo Marques – Portuguese physician who helped Rizal build a wide clientele
 IN THE SOCIO-POLITICAL MOVEMENTS
• Compañerismo (Comradeship) – political student fraternity
– secret society for mutual protection
against Spanish students who were
persecuting the rest.
– members: fellow boarders at Casa
Tomasina
– they swore an oath, practiced blind
obedience, and used symbolic names to
hide their identity.

• Kidlat (Lightning) – society for paisanos (compatriots)

– the club lasted only during the Universal
Exposition of Paris (March 19, 1899)
 IN THE SOCIO-POLITICAL MOVEMENTS
• Indios Bravos – association that reminded his paisanos (compatriots) not to
resent being called indios (native) by Spaniards but rather be proud of their
race for it represents courage and bravery.

• Sociedad Rd.L.M. (Rd.L.M. Society) – its secrecy did not totally reveal the
meaning of its name.
– some biographers believe that the
initials meant Redencion de los Malayos
(Redemption of the Malays)
– membership is based on intelligence,
prudence, and loyalty to the cause
 IN THE SOCIO-POLITICAL MOVEMENTS

• Asociacion Internacional de Filipinistas (International Association of

Filipinologists) – an association Rizal created while in Paris
– aim: study the Philippines from a scientific and historical point
of view
– the inauguration of this association did not happen because
the French government did not permit them to hold private
meetings during the Exposition
 IN THE SOCIO-POLITICAL MOVEMENTS

• Rizal went home to the Philippines and established La Liga Filipina (The
Filipino League)
• The league aimed to establish the socio-economic life of the Filipino
with its motto Una Instrar Omnimum (One Like All)

• Aside from the associations he founded, Rizal was also a member of different
movements in Europe:
• In his arrival in Madrid, he joined Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano
Philippine Circle) which encouraged the performance of literacy skills of
the members.
 IN THE SOCIO-POLITICAL MOVEMENTS
• Enchanted by the mason’s ideologies, serving as critique of the church and
the state at that time, he joined Freemasonry, with the masonic name Dimas
Alang.
• He joined the group because of the oppressive practices of the many friars in
the Philippines and the possible support that the masons could offer.

•The Filipinos in Barcelona formed an association, Asociacion La

Solidaridad (Solidaridad Association) for possible reforms in the
Philippines.
• Since Rizal was in London, the group chose him as the honorary
president of the association.
• They also established the newspaper La Solidaridad serving as an organ
of the propaganda movement.
CHAPTER VII: RIZAL AS A LOVER
 SEGUNDA KATIGBAK Y SOLIS
• “Miss K” – linked to Rizal in 1877
• After Rizal’s graduation in Ateneo Municipal de Manila, he went to a party in his
grandmother’s house in Trozo, Manila where he first met Segunda Katigbak.
• She was vividly portrayed as short, with expressive eyes, ardent at times, pinkish, a
smile so bewitching and provocative that revealed some very beautiful teeth; with an air
of sylph…
• To become more acquainted with her, Rizal frequently visited Colegio de la
Immaculada Concepcion de la Concordia in Paco, Manila where Ypia and Segunda were
studying.
• He used his sister Ypia as an excuse to visit her.
• Their brief encounters tell that there was already an understanding between them.
• But the unspoken love between them ended when Segunda was already engaged to
Don Manuel Luz y Metra.
 MISS “L”
• Biographers say that Miss L might be the daughter of his landlady
Doña Concepcion Leyva, when he boarded as a sophomore student in
UST.
• Some say Miss L might also be Vicenta Ybardo Laza, a college girl
from Pakil, Laguna whom he met when he went for a pilgrimage four
years after his separation from Segunda Katigbak.

• “She was a bachelor girl older than we were. She was fair, with
seductive and attractive eyes. She, or we, talked about love but my
heart and my thought followed K. through the night to her town.”
 LEONOR VALENZUELA
• “Winsome Orang” – linked to Rizal in 1878
• In the house of Doña Concepcion Leyva, where he boarded as a
sophomore student in UST, he met Leonor Valenzuela, his next door
neighbor.
• Rizal courted Leonor and described her as a “tall girl with a regal
bearing”
• He sent her love letters written in invisible ink
• He taught her how to decipher the letters through the heat emitted by
the lamp
• When Rizal decided to continue his studies in Spain, Orang bade him
goodbye but the continuity of their love was possible through Jose
Cecilio, a friend of Rizal.
 LEONOR RIVERA
• Rizal seemed not to have loved Orang so much because he found
another Leonor in his life.

• “Taimis” – linked to Rizal in 1878 to 1890

• Rizal boarded in Casa Tomasina in Intramuros during his junior year
as a medical student in UST.
• Antonio Rivera, his uncle, managed the Casa.
• This is where he met his cousin, Leonor Rivera, a 13 year old
studying at Colegio de la Immaculada Concepcion de la Concordia.
• “frail, beautiful girl, tender as a budding flower with kindly beautiful
eyes”
 LEONOR RIVERA
• When Rizal decided to study in Spain, he wrote a farewell poem to Leonor.
• Their separation caused Leonor great sadness, which made her sickly.

• When Rizal arrived in Spain, he wrote a love letter to Taimis; however, her
mother Doña Silvestra bribed the postman to give her all the letters Leonor
mailed to Rizal. Likewise, Rizal’s letters were intercepted in the post office.
• Despite the situation, Leonor’s fidelity could be figured out through the letters
she received from Rizal which were kept in box with the letters “J” and “L” were
embroidered.
• The time when mere possession of letters from Rizal was a ground for
persecution came, so she burned all the letters and kept still the ashes in the
box.
 LEONOR RIVERA
• Leonor thought that Rizal had forgotten her for someone else in Europe, so
she agreed to marry an Englishman, Charles Henry Kipping, a railway
engineer working on the Manila-Dagupan line.
• She vowed to never play the piano nor sing and that her mother
would stand by them during the wedding ceremony.

• In autumn of 1890, Rizal received a letter regarding Leonor’s marriage which

made him desolate and caused him to almost lose his mind.
• During her wedding, Taimis even sewed some of the ashes of Rizal’s letters
into the hem of the wedding dress.
• She later bore a son, Carlos, and died giving birth to a daughter.
• Her last request, she wanted to be buried in her sya she wore when she and
Rizal came to an “understanding” and that the silver box be interred with her.
 CONSUELO ORTIGA Y REY
• “Senorita C.O. y R. – Linked to Rizal in 1884
• Rizal was a regular visitor of the Ortiga family.
• Don Pablo, a Spanish liberal who was once a Manila City mayor, has a
daughter named Consuelo Ortiga y Rey.
• Rizal’s poetic nature allowed him to make a lovely poem for Consuelo.
• He also gave her flowers and gifts

• However, Rizal was not able to declare his love because Consuelo was being
courted by Rizal’s friend: Eduardo Lete, and was regularly visited by Maximo
and Antonio. He did not want to compete with them, and he was already
engaged with Taimis.
 USUI SEIKO
• “O-sei-san” – linked to Rizal in 1888
• When he stayed in the Spanish Legation in Japan, he met O-sei-san who
was a woman of beauty, charm, modesty, and intelligence.
• She served as Rizal’s interpreter and accompanied him on sightseeing trips
around Japan.
• She helped Rizal understand the Japanese language and culture.
• Their relationship did not continue because he had to go back to Europe to
continue what he started.
 GERTRUDE BECKETT
• “Tottie” or “Gettie” – linked to Rizal in 1888
• When he went to London to annotate the Sucesos, he boarded the house of
the Beckett family.
• “Buxom girl with blue eyes, rosy cheeks, and brown hair.”
• Her smile and inclination to art made Rizal like her more.
• She served as Rizal’s accomplice in his sculptures and paintings, and
accompanied him sometimes in the museum.
• After Rizal’s mission, he had to go to London.
• He handed a carving of the Beckett sisters to Gettie.
•Rizal wrote in admission to Antonio Ma. Regidor: “I cannot marry her
because I have other ties which remind me of our country and do not permit
me to marry her. I am not going to commit the indignity of placing passion over
a pure and virginal love such as she might offer me.”
 SUZANNE JACOBY THILL

• “Petite” – linked with Rizal in 1889 : in Brussels

• Rizal stayed in the boarding house of Jacoby sisters – Catherina and
Suzanna who had a niece also named Suzanne (Little Suzanne) who became
Rizal’s love interest
• Rizal went back to Madrid, and upon his arrival, he received the letter from
Taimis that she was about to marry and Englishman.
 NELLY BOUSTEAD
• Linked to Rizal in 1891
• Rizal took a vacation, left Madrid for Biarritz and went to Villa Eliada, a winter
residence of the Eduardo Boustead, Nelly’s father.
• Rizal met the daughters of Eduardo: Nelly and Adelina through Antonio
Luna, who was courting Nelly.
• Antonio Luna had to leave to fight a duel in Barcelona, so Rizal served as the
bridge between Antonio and Nelly.
• Complications happened since Nelly was already falling for Rizal
• Luna broke the silence and told Rizal in his letter that they never ceased to
be friends.
• Despite the clarifications, Luna’s heartache remained and he uttered
unsavory remarks against Nelly.
• This prompted Rizal to challenge Luna in a duel.
 NELLY BOUSTEAD

• When everything turned well, Rizal began courting Nelly

and asked her hand in marriage but it was not easy to
marry her as they have diverse religious convictions.
• Nelly was a Protestant; Rizal was a Catholic.
• Nelly’s mother also did not approve of Rizal as he did not
have a stable job to secure a family.
 MARIE JOSEPHINE BRACKEN Y LEOPOLDINE
• “Miss B” – Linked to Rizal in 1895
• Irish girl
• All the way from Hong Kong, she accompanied her foster father, George
Taufer, seeking a cure for his blindness from Rizal (while living in Dapitan in
exile).
• Their being together broke off when she had to go back to Manila and
accompany her father on his way back to Hong Kong.
• Six months later, she went back to Dapitan and marked the beginning of their
happy days as a couple.
• Rizal’s family could not accept her because of some reasons unacceptable to
their social status:
• When they went to Dapitan for her foster father’s treatment, the one
who accompanied them had a friar for a lover; so, Josephine was
thought to be a Church spy.
 MARIE JOSEPHINE BRACKEN Y LEOPOLDINE

• They married themselves in their own ceremony.

• They had a son, Francisco, named after Rizal’s father;
however, Josephine had a miscarriage that ended the life
of their premature child who died few hours after delivery.