Rizal’s Life at

University of Sto.
Thomas
Reporters:
Liza S. Gordon
Gecelle Grace C. Virginia
BSED 2-B
 Rizal returned to Calamba in March 1887 with a
Bachelor of Arts Degree. Two months later his
parents decided that Rizal should further his studies in
the University of UST under the supervision of the
Dominican Friars.
 But his mother Teodora Alonzo strongly
opposed to continue his studies because she
only wants to protect her child. Because during
that time if an Indios become well educated
they could be seen as a threat by the Friars and
they are regarded as enemies and are at risk of
getting executed in Bagumbayan field before a
firing squad (Coates, 1968).
 In the year 1611 UST was founded, it is one
of the primary schools of European learning in the
east and pride of the Dominican order.
 In his first year at UST, Rizal distinguished
the supervision of Spanish Jesuits and Spanish
Dominicans. The Jesuits treated the students
equally with care and respect regardless of racial
status, while the Dominican Friars respected only
Spanish Mestizos and belittle Indios.
 From Rizal’s experience in the hand of
the Dominican Friars enlightened him about
racial discrimination. It also deepened his
awareness about the abuses of the Filipinos in
the hands of the Spaniards. His patriotic
sentiments where manifested in journals,
poems, and literary works that he started in
September 1878 at UST.
 Furthermore, Rizal also noted that the
Ateneo Science classes where held right in the
laboratory and emphasized actual experiment,
learning by practice. However in UST the
equipment for the laboratory was enclosed in
glass and it cannot used by the student. The
Dominicans preferred textbook instruction to
practical training.
 In 1877, Jose Rizal entered UST
enrolling in the prelaw course called
Metaphysics. A year after he opted
for a career in Medicine and
Philosophy.
 Taking up Medicine is only a duty to
his mother while his interest is more on
Philosophy and the letters. In addition he
also took up surveying for 1 year in Ateneo
at the age of 17, and received an “excellent”
in all his subjects. He also obtained a medal
in Agriculture and Topography.
 However, he needed to pass the
board exam to practice his profession.
Consequently, in 1881, after passing the
board exams with the grade of “Excellent”
at the age of 21, he was granted the
certificate of surveyor and expert assessor
(Joaquin, 1996).
 Rizal took 3 courses simultaneously,
namely: Medicine, Philosophy, and
Literature. He had to budget his time in
order to focus in his studies. Each week he
allowed himself for creative work, poetry,
sculpting, sketching and the associations he
was affiliated.
 Because of his active participation in
many activities he became the president of
the Academia Literaria, through which he
developed his talents in sculpture, playing
the piano, painting, singing and writing
poetry.
 In 1879, Liceo Artistico de Manila
held two contest, one for the Penisulares and
another for the Indios. And, Rizal decided to
submit a poem entitled, “ A La Juventud
Filipina” (To the Filipino Youth). He won
1st prize and received a silver pen, but the
Spaniards refused to acknowledge his victory
because he was an Indio.
 The poem that Rizal wrote for the contest
inspired the youth to develop their talents,
forward looking and to brake the chain of the
slavery. He called the youth “bellaesperanzade
la patria mia” (Fair hope of my mother Land).
Rizal identified himself as a native which would
later become a national ideology. (Capino,1977).
 In 1880- 1881 Liceo Artistico de Manila, in
commemoration of the death anniversary of
Cervantes, held a contest without discrimination.
Rizal again joined the contest and submitted an
original poem entitled “ El Consejo de los Dioses”
(The Council of the Gods). There were 14
contestants and the board of judges was composed of
Peninsulares, among them Friars, Journalists, writers
and professors. Rizal again received 1st prize and a
gold ring with the bust of Cervantes carved at the top.
 In the last months of 1880, the Jesuits ask
Rizal to participate in the preparation for the
annual feast of Virgen de la Purisima. Within
a short time, He wrote the script for the
musical play “Junto al Pasig” (Beside the
Pasig). It was set to music by Maestro Blas
Echegoyon. This play, according to Guerrero,
can be interpreted in several ways.
 The play can be considered a
prophecy of 50 years revolution, invasion
after invasion, defeat and civil tumult. It
can also be read as Rizal’s reiterated appeal
to the Filipino Youth, chiding them for
allowing the colonizers to cause them
misery.
 After his 4 year in medical
th

school, Rizal decided to leave the

country to Europe to continue his
studies. He would end up conducting
“the research for the common good,”
while abroad.
 While in Europe he would be supported
by Paciano with a monthly stipend of P35.00,
while Tio Antonio Rivera committed himself
to a continuous fund- raising campaign for
Rizal’s incidental expenses. Rizal left for
Europe on May 5, 1882 under the name of Jose
Mercado. He was nearly 21 years old. His
brother Paciano gave him P700.00 for the
voyage.
Daghang Salamat sa
Pagpaminaw...
and
GOD BLESS US All!