Rizal's Life: Higher

Education and Life Abroad

Reporters: Ronalie M. Ilin, Rendell Arada, Patrick Salvador

 HIGHER EDUCATION AT UNIVERSITY OF SANTO
 In April, when Rizal was nearly 16 yearsTOMAS (UST)
old, he enrolled at UST. He took Philosophy and Letters
because his father liked it, and he was uncertain as to what course he would pursue. At first, he was
attracted to priesthood. The Jesuits fathers want him to take up farming but Rizal’s choice was between
Literature, Law and Medicine.

 While at UST, he also studied at Ateneo taking up vocational course leading to the title perito
agrimensor (expert surveyor). Having received Father Pablo Ramon’s advice to study medicine, he took
up medical course as well enrolling simultaneously in pre-medical course and regular medical course.

 He excelled in all subjects in surveying course and obtained gold medals in Agriculture and
Topography. He passed the final examination in the surveying course and granted the title as Surveyor
in November 25, 1885.

 While at Ateneo pursuing the surveying course, he became active in extracurricular activities. He was
elected President of the Academy of Spanish Literature and he was also the secretary of the Marian
Congregation.
 While at UST, Rizal fell in love with three women. During his first year, he fell in love with
a woman simply called “Miss L”, a woman with a fair, seductive and attractive eye. The
romance died like a natural death because of two reasons: the sweet memory of Segunda
Katigbak (Rizal’s first sweetheart) was still fresh in his memory, and Rizal’s father did not
like the family of “Miss L”.

 During his sophomore year, he courted Leonor Valenzuela (Orang), a tall girl with regal
bearing. He sent her love notes in invisible ink (combination of salt and water). During his
junior year, Rizal had a romance with Leonor Rivera of Camiling, Tarlac, a frail pretty girl
and a student of La Concordia College. Both Rizal and Leonor were engaged. Rizal used a
sign name “Taimis” to camouflage their relationship from their parents.

 Rizal studied at UST from 1878 to 1882 and after completing the fourth-year term in
medicine, Rizal decided to study in Spain.
 TRAVEL, LIFE, AND EDUCATION ABROAD
 Dr. Jose Rizal was considered as the “Most Travelled Filipino Hero”. He travelled to
almost 20 countries and about 40 island cities. Rizal’s parents, Leonor, and the Spanish
authorities knew nothing of his decision to go abroad, only his brother Paciano, uncle
Antonio Rivera, sisters Neneng and Lucia, the Valenzuela family, Pedro Paterno,
compadre Mateo Evangelista, Ateneo Jesuits priest, and some intimate friends.

 Before Rizal’s secret departure, he wrote a farewell letter to his parents and his
sweetheart Leonor Rivera which was delivered to them after he sailed away. His main
reason in leaving the Philippines was to transfer at the Universidad Central de Madrid in
Spain and to finish his medicine course.
 LIFE IN BARCELONA SPAIN

 May 3, 1882 – Rizal boarded to the Spanish steamer Salvadora, and he departed for Spain using
Jose Mercado on his travel documents. On June 16, 1882 from Port Bou, Rizal continued his trip
and finally reached his destination, Barcelona Spain.

 At first, Rizal had a bad impression of Barcelona-ugly, dirty little inns, inhospitable people
because he happened to stay upon his arrival in a stingy hotel. Later, he changed his mind and
came to like the city as a great city with an atmosphere of freedom and liberalism and the people
were open-hearted, hospitable, and courageous.

 While in Barcelona, Rizal received two bad news, first was the cholera outbreak that ravaged
Manila and the provinces, the second was the chatty letter of Chenggoy recounting the
unhappiness of Leonor Rivera, who was getting thinner due to the absence of a loved one.
 LIFE IN MADRID
 November 3, 1882 – Rizal enrolled in the Universidad Central de Madrid in Medicine and
Philosophy and Letters. He also studied painting and sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts of San
Fernando, took tutoring lessons in French and English and practiced fencing and shooting in the
Hall of Arms of Sanz Carbonell.

 Rizal lived frugally, rigidly budgeting his money wisely. Although he used to buy tickets in every
draw of the Madrid lottery, he never wasted his money for gambling, wine, and women.

 He spent his leisure time reading books, purchased second-hand books, practiced shooting and
fencing. At other times, he visited his Filipino friends, fraternized with other students, and visited
the home of Don Pablo Ortega y Rey, where he became attracted to Consuelo’s beauty and charm.
 June 21, 1884 – Rizal as conferred the Licentiate in Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid. In
the next academic year (1884-1885), he passed all the subjects leading to the degree of Doctor of
Medicine. By obtaining the degree of Licentiate in Medicine, he became a full-pledge physician and
qualified to practice Medicine.

 June 19, 1885 – on his 24th birthday, Rizal was awarded the degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and
Letters by the Universidad Central de Madrid, by obtaining this degree, he became qualified to be a
professor of humanities in any Spanish University.

 November, 1885 – Rizal went to Paris and lived there for four months where he worked as an assistant
to Dr. Louis de Wecket, a leading French ophthalmologist. Outside working hours, he visited his friends
and even went to Juan Luna’s studio to help by posing as a model in several paintings.

 February 3, 1886 – he left Paris for Heidelberg, Germany. Since he was a good chess player, he was
made a member of the Chess Player’s Club. Rizal worked at the University Eye Hospital under Dr. Otto
Becker, a distinguished German ophthalmologist and attended lectures of Dr. Becker and Prof. Wilhelm
Kuehne at the University.
 LIFE IN BERLIN
 November 1, 1886 – Rizal left Dresden by train and reached Berlin where Rizal met for the first
time Dr. Feodor Jagor, a famous German scientist-traveler and author of Travels in the Philippines.
Rizal became impressed in Berlin because of its scientific atmosphere and absence of racial race.

 He lived in Berlin in a frugal life. He worked as an assistant in Dr. Schweigger’s clinic, attended
lectures in the University of Berlin, took private lessons under French Prof. Madame Lucie
Cerdale, performed daily exercises in a Berlin gymnasium, observe keenly the customs, dresses,
homes and occupations of the peasants and made sketches of the things he saw.

 Rizal went to Berlin for five reasons: to increase his knowledge in ophthalmology, to broaden his
studies of sciences and languages, to observe political and economic conditions of Germany, to
associate with famous German scientist and scholars, and to publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere.
 May 13, 1887 – Rizal and Maximo Viola travelled on board a train reached Letmeritz, Bohemia
(now Czechoslovakia), where he met another famous scientist of Europe, Dr. Carlos Czepelan,
and another eminent naturalist Robert Klutschak.

 June 6, 1887 – Rizal and Viola reached Geneva, Switzerland, where he received the sad news
about the deplorable conditions of the Igorots of Northern Luzon who were exhibited in the 1887
Madrid Exhibition and their scanty clothing and crude weapons were objects of mockery and
laughter by the Spaniards.

 June 29, 1887 – Rizal wrote to his father announcing that he is coming home. Paciano, his family
and friends warned him not to return home because the publication of Noli Me Tangere caused an
uproar and anger among the friars in the Philippines.
 But, Rizal did not heed their warning and was determined to return home for the following
reasons: to operate on his mother’s eyes, to serve the Filipino people who were oppressed by the
Spanish tyrants, to determine how his NOLI and other writings affected the Filipinos and
Spaniards, and to inquire the conditions of Leonor Rivera.

 July 3, 1887 – Rizal left Rome by train for Marseilles, and boarded the Djemnah, a Manila-
bound steamer.

 August 8, 1887 – Rizal returned home to Calamba, where he was met affectionately and with
plentiful tears of joy, however his family became worried for his safety so Paciano did not leave
him during his first days after arrival and his father did not let him go out alone.
 BRIEF STAY IN CALAMBA
 Upon his return from abroad, Rizal established a medical clinic in Calamba, where his first
patient is his mother who is almost blind, thus treating his mother’s eye. Patients from Manila and
nearby provinces flocked to Calamba for treatment. His professional fee were reasonable and
those who were poor were treated free of charge.

 During his six months stay in Calamba he failed to see Leonor Rivera. Few weeks after Rizal’s
arrival in Calamba, there were threats over Rizal’s life due to the publication of his book “Noli”.
Governor General Emilio Terrero (1885-1888) assigned a young Spanish Lieutenant, Don Jose
Taviel de Andrade as bodyguard to prevent Rizal from being harassed.

 In addition to his controversial book “Noli”, the Dominican friars got more furious because of
Rizal’s exposure of the deplorable conditions of tenancy in Calamba which infuriated further his
enemies. This alarmed his parenst, relatives, and friends, and even Lt. Andrade, thus, the
Governor-General advised Rizal to escape and leave the Philippines for his own good.
 SECOND TRIP ABROAD
 February 3, 1888 – Rizal left Manila for Hong Kong on board the Zafiro and on February 8,
1888 he arrived in Hong Kong. A Spaniard, Jose Sainz de Varonda, was then commissioned by the
Spanish authorities to spy on Rizal.

 February 22, 1888 – on board the American steamer Oceanic, Rizal left Hong Kong for Japan.
While in Japan, Rizal met Seiko-San. She had an intimate relationship with Jose Rizal
during Rizal's vacation on Yokohama.

 April 13, 1888 – Rizal boarded the English steamer Belgic bound for United States and on April
28, 1888 Rizal arrived at San Francisco Port however all the passengers were not allowed to land
because the ship was placed under quarantine for it came from Far East where the cholera
epidemic was alleged to be raging.

 May 4, 1888 – Rizal and the other passengers were permitted to land and by May 7, 1888 Rizal
boarded a train for trip across the American continent.
 RIZAL’S IMPRESSION OF
 AMERICA
Good Impressions: America is a progressive nation with great cities, huge farms, flourishing
industries and busy factories; American people were energetic and hard-working; the cities
were beautiful; standard of living is high; better opportunities for a better life especially the
poor immigrants.

 Bad Impressions: racial prejudice existed, democracy and freedom were only in words, not
practiced; no true civil liberty.

 May 25, 1888 – he went to London and stay there for a short time as a guest at the home of
Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, a practicing lawyer in London. While in London, he received bad
news: persecution of the Filipino patriots who signed the petition for the expulsion of the
friars in the Philippines; attacks on Rizal by Senators Salamanca and Vida; persecution of
Rizal family and other Calamba farmers for their courage to petition the government for
agrarian reforms; exile of Manuel T. Hidalgo; and arrest and jailing of Rizal’s friend
Lauriano Viado because of the copies of Noli.
 February 15, 1889 – Graciano Lopez Jaena founded the fortnightly patriotic newspaper, La Solidaridad
– in Barcelona, Spain. Its aims were: to work for a peaceful political and social reforms in the
Philippines; to portray the deplorable conditions of the Philippines; to oppose the evil forces of reaction;
to advocate liberal ideas and progress; and to champion the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino people
to life, democracy, and happiness.

 September 21, 1889 – Rizal founded the society called Redencion de los Malayos (Redemption of the
Malays) during the Universal Exposition in Paris.

 December 11, 1888 – he went to visit his compatriots Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Mariano Ponce in Spain
and on December 31, 1888 A patriotic society was established and inaugurated called Association La
Solidaridad with Rizal chosen as honorary president.

 July 18, 1890 – Rizal wrote Mariano Ponce of his determination to go home because of the suffering that
affected his family and onJune 20, 1890 Rizal wrote to M.H. Del Pilar to serve as the lawyer in the land
case that was appealed by the Rizal family to the Supreme Court in Spain.
 August, 1890 – upon his arrival in Madrid, he immediately sought the help of the Filipino colony in order to
protest the injustices committed by the governor general and Dominican friars against the Calamba people.

 December 1890 – Rizal received a letter from Leonor Rivera announcing her coming marriage to Englishman
and asking his forgiveness.

 December 24, 1891 – Rizal was gladdened by the arrival of his father, brother, and Silvestre Ubaldo, not long
afterwards, his mother and sisters Lucia, Josefina, and Trinidad also arrived. It was one of the happiest
yuletide celebration in Rizal’s life as they had a happy family reunion.

 March 7, 1892 – on board the ship Menon, Rizal went to Sandakan to negotiate with the British authorities
for the establishment of a Filipino colony which is a success because the Borneo Authorities were willing to
give Filipino colonist 100, 000 acres of land, a beautiful harbor, and a government.

 May 8, 1892 – Rizal wanted to return to Manila to confer with Governor Despujol regarding the Borneo
Colonization project and to established the La Liga Filipina in Manila and to prove that Eduardo de Lete was
wrong in attacking him in Madrid that he is being comfortable and safe in Hong Kong had abandoned the
country’s cause.
 He evidently had a premonition of death because the day after his birthday, he wrote
two letters, sealed and inscribed in each envelope ‘TO BE OPENED AFTER MY
DEATH’ He gave it to Dr. Marques for safekeeping. The first letter is addressed to
Rizal’s parents, siblings and friends.The second letter is addressed to the Filipinos.

 June 21, 1892 – another letter was made by Rizal addressed to Gov. Gen. Despujol.
In this letter he informed the Governor of his homecoming and placed himself under
the protection of the Spanish government.

 At the same date, the Spanish consul-general who issued him a government
guarantee of safety, informed Manila that the victim is on trap, hence, a secret case
was filed in Manila against Rizal. June 26, 1892 Rizal and his sister Lucia arrived in
Manila.
• July 6, 1892 – when Rizal came to visit the Gov. Gen. Despujol, suddenly, he was showed some
printed leaflets which were allegedly found in Lucia’s pillow cases. Rizal was arrested and
jailed.

• Pobres Frailes (Poor Friars) – incriminatory leaflets under the authorship of Fr. Jacinto and
printed by the Imprenta de los Amigos del Pais, Manila. A satire against the rich Dominican
friars who amassed fabulous riches contrary to their monastic vow of poverty.

• Governor General Despujol ordered the deportation of Rizal in one of the islands in the South.
Rizal’s Charges are: Publication and introduction of various anti- monastic books and
handbills ,Travelling through different provinces without permit from the Governor General
,Finding in his luggage the pamphlet Pobres Frailes which mocked the religious orders.

 Rizal stayed in Fort Santiago for nine days before his deportation in Dapitan and on July 15,
1892 – Rizal boarded the steamer Cebu, sailing to Dapitan.
That’s all 
Thank you!