Trip Back Home

CHAPTER 7
Back In Hongkong

• After El Filibusterismo was published, Rizal left Europe. Aboard the

S.S. Melbourne, he sailed to Hong Kong where he lived for seven
months. His reasons for venturing to Hong Kong were the ff:

• 1. To leave behind his rivalry with Marcelo H. Del Pilar

• 2. To facilitate a Propaganda Movement in Hong Kong; and
• 3. To be proximate to his family in the Philippines.
November 20, 1981

• Rizal arrived in Hong Kong and was cordially welcomed by the Filipino
residents in the city, particularly his friend Jose Ma. Basa. He resided
at No. 5 D Aguilar Street, No. 2 Rednaxela Terrace and open a medical
clinic there. Rizal had a continued correspondence with his family in
Calamba and had been aware of the unsettled agrarian problem.
Through a letter from his brother-in-law, Manuel T. Hidalgo, he had
been informed of the deportation of Twenty-five persons in Calamba,
Including the Rizal Family. This news made rizal even more desperate
to return to Manila, but his sorrow was replaced by surprise when his
family visited him in hongkong and celebrated 1891 christmas with
him.
• While in Hong Kong Rizal practiced his medical career. With the help
of his Friend Dr. Lorenzo P. Marquez, they built a large clientèle and
opened a medical clinic where he was recognized as an excellent eye
surgeon. He was equally supported and aided both morally and
financially by his family and friends with his chosen career.