First Travel Abroad (1882 – 1887)

 After finishing his medical course in University of Santo Tomas, Jose

Rizal then decided to go to Spain mainly for two reasons:
 1.) To finish his medical specialization.
 2.) To do his “secret mission” in preparation for his fight in the
Philippines.
 His travel was kept secret to avoid detection and suspicion from
Spanish government and friars.
 He then used the name Jose Mercado and was also assisted by his
uncle, Antonio Rivera.
Philippines to Singapore (May 3-11, 1882)

 He boarded the ship Salvadora bound for

Singapore.
 Donato Lecha, captain of the ship defined Jose
as a refined man.
 He arrived in Singapore on May 9, 1882. Salvadora

 He stayed in Hotel de la Paz.

 He then left Singapore on May 11, 1882
boarded the ship Djemnah.
Singapore to Ceylon(Sri Lanka) (May 11–17, 1882)

 Djemnah reached Point Galle, a seaport town in

southern Ceylon.
 He defined Point Galle as a picturesque but
lonely town.
 He then went to Colombo to get references in
learning the French language.
 He defined Colombo as an elegant town
compared to Manila
Ceylon to Italy ( May 17 – June 11, 1882)

 He was amused when the first time he saw camels

in Aden.
 They travelled in Suez Canal, a route from Asia to
Europe then docked in Port Said.
 Jose then arrived in Naples, Italy, which according
Suez Canal
to Jose as a panoramic beauty.
Italy to France ( June 11 – June 12, 1882)

 Djemnah then docked at the port in the

city of Marseilles.

Marseilles

 Jose visited Chateau D’if, a famous

landmark in Count of Monte Cristo.

Chateau D’if
France to Barcelona, Spain

 In the afternoon of May 5, 1882, Jose left Marseilles by train and travelled going to
Barcelona.
 He arrived in Barcelona on June 16, 1882.
 His first impression of the city was that it was unfavorable.
 He then created articles for the Diaryong Tagalog which were “Amor Patria”.
 During this time , Manila was ravaged by cholera according to his brother Paciano.
 Jose was disheartened also because of the letter sent by Leonor Rivera.
 Fall of 1882, Jose left Barcelona for Madrid.
Experiences in Madrid, Spain
 September 2, 1882- Rizal enrolled at the Universidad Central De Madrid
 Jose pursued his medical course and finished also the course which was
decided by his father.
 Jose spends his leisure time reading and attending reunion of
illustrados in Madrid.
 He also practiced shooting and fencing in a communal gymnasium.
 He was then acquainted in the fraternal group of illustrados in Madrid,
Circulo Hispano – Filipino.
 He then declaimed the poem, Mi Piden Versus in a gathering of the group
in New Year’s Eve of 1882.
 He then saved some of his money to purchase books like Uncle Tom’s
Cabin ( Beecher Stowe) and The Wandering Jew (EugeneSue).
 First Visit in Paris (1883)

 He visited Paris during their summer vacation in Madrid.

 According to Rizal, everything in Paris was so expensive that he called Paris as the
“costliest city in the world.”
 He then visited Laennec Hospital where he observed Dr. Nicaise treating patients.
 Jose was impressed and saddened on how the Masons were observed and
recognized by the government, which could not be done in the Philippines.
 He then joined a masonic lodge, Acacia in which he later became a master mason
in 1890.
 He joined the masonic lodge to secure their aid against his fight with the Spanish.
 During this time, Calamba was infested with pests, hacienderos increased their
taxes and parasites killed a lot of poultry in Calamba.
The Return of Rizal in Madrid

 June 24, 1884 – A saddening event happened to Rizal where he was broke that he
cannot afford to buy breakfast.
 Rizal then attended class and won a gold medal in a Greek language contest.
 June 25, 1884 – a banquet was called for the illustrados for the double victory
Filipinos achieved in Madrid: Luna’s Spoliarium (1st place) and Hidalgo’s Virgenes
Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho(2nd place)
 November 20 – 22, 1884 – A bloody riot in Madrid exploded by the students of
Universidad Central.
 November 26, 1884 – Jose send a letter about the riot that happened in Madrid
explaining it detail by detail.
 June 21, 1884 – He earned the Licentiate in Medicine.
 June 19, 1885 – He finished his Philosophy and Letters as a Sobresaliente.
 He was not happy earning his license as a Doctor because he knew he will not be
accepted in University of Santo Tomas.
 France to Germany (1885 -1887)
 After graduating in Madrid, he went to Paris to practice ophthalmology.
 He then met Maximo Viola, who would later be his best friend in Europe.
 Rizal stayed in Paris for four months, where he became an assistant ophthalmologist for
Dr. Louis de Weckert.
 He then met Juan Luna and his girlfriend, Paz Pardo de Tavera.
 In Luna’s painting The Death of Cleopatra, Jose posed as an Egyptian and posed a sandugo
depicting Sikatuna – Legazpi pact.
 During this time, he learned also to read the solfeggio and play the piano and flute.
 Alin mang Lahi – a patriotic song written by Rizal which asserts freedom.
 February 3, 1886 – Jose arrived in Heidelberg, where he was considered as an excellent
chess player.
 He also worked for Dr. Otto Becker, an ophthalmologist.
 He was also amazed with flowers growing in Heidelberg, where he dedicated his fine
poem , A Flores de Heidelberg.
Berlin, Germany
 Karl Ullmer – A Protestant Pastor who was the friend of Jose and let Jose stay in his home.
 July 31, 1886 – Jose wrote his first German letter to Professor Blumentritt, director of Ateneo of Leitmeritz in Austria.
 August 9, 1886 – Jose left Heidelberg and arrived in Leipzig on August 16, 1886.
 He then became friends with Friedrich Ratzel and Hans Meyer who were historians.
 He then translated different German and Swiss literary works and was send to the Philippines.
 He even translated fairy tales in Tagalog for the nephew of the historians.
 Knowing his translation skills, he then worked as a proofreader in a publishing firm in Germany.
 He then met one of the authors he admired, Dr. Feodor Jagor.
 Jose then became a recognized member of Anthropological Society, Ethnological Society and Geographical Society of
Berlin.
 He wrote Tagalische Verkunst, an article about the Tagalog language written in German (Icelandic) which was praised
and commended by the German community.
 Jose stayed in Berlin to enhance his knowledge about ophthalmology, to observe Germany and to publish his novel,
Noli me Tangere.
 Madame Lucie Cerdole – A professor in French language who enhanced the knowledge of Jose about French language
and culture.
 Unter den Linden – a famous street in Berlin where Jose like to hang out.
 In his letter to Trinidad, he discussed about the personality of German women: diligent, serious, educated, friendly, not
gossipy and not quarrelsome.
The Creation of Noli me Tangere
 Winter of 1886 – Jose was flat broke and he had to pawn the diamond ring her sister, Saturnina gave
to him.
 This was memorable for two reasons: the pain of hunger and sickness he experienced and the
creation of Noli me Tangere.
 Uncle Tom’s Cabin – A novel used by Jose as a reference for Noli me Tangere.
 Uncle Tom’s Cabin – A novel used by Jose as a reference for Noli me Tangere.
 January 1884 – Jose suggested that the novel should be done by a group of patriotic Filipinos, but at
the end he was the only one to finish it.
 Half of the novel was written in Paris, he continued a quarter of his novel in Madrid and the last part
in Germany.
 In Berlin, He finalized the revisions in February 1886.
 Because Jose was flat broke, his friend, Maximo Viola funded the publication of the novel where
2000 copies were printed for 300 pesos.
 As a sign of gratitude, Jose gave Maximo one of the original copies of the novel and a complimentary
copy.
 Jose admitted that the title, Noli me Tangere was not originally came from him but from a Bible
verse. ( John 20 : 13-17)
 He dedicated the novel to his fatherland- the Philippines.
The Travels of Rizal and Maximo Viola
 May 11, 1887 – The two left Berlin in an express train.
 They visited different places in Europe like:
 Dresden (Germany)
 Teschen ( Czechoslovakia)
 Leitmeritz ( Bohemia)
 Vienna (Austria)
 Munich (Germany)
 Nuremberg (Germany)
 Geneva (Switzerland)
 June 23, 1887 – Jose and Maximo parted ways, Jose went to Italy and
Maximo returned in Spain.
 June 27, 1887 – he arrived in Rome, where he called “The City of Caesar.”
 After a week, Jose prepared to return to the Philippines.
First Homecoming
 Because of the uproar created by the novel, Paciano advised Jose not to
return home yet.
 But Jose was determined to return home because he wanted to treat his
mother’s eyes.
 July 3, 1887 – He then boarded Djemnah again after several years.
 July 30, 1887 – He arrived in Saigon , Vietnam which he boarded his transfer
ship, Haiphong bound for Manila.
 August 2, 1887 – the steam ship lest for Manila.
 The calmness of the sea and the night sky, the illumination of the moonlight
prepared Jose for his battle against the Spanish.
 Aug 5, 1887 – At 9:00 o’clock in the evening, Jose arrived in the Manila.
 Upon arrival, he then treated young Filipinos and introduced European
culture.
 But one thing that Jose was not able to do, to meet Leonor Rivera.
Second Travel Abroad ( 1888 -1892)
 In September 1887, Jose suspended his trip to Europe because her sister,
Olympia, died of internal bleeding due to her giving birth.
 Even though his family was persecuted because of the uproar of Noli me
Tangere, his family decided Rizal will stay in the Philippines.
 December 29, 1887 – The Church ordered a prohibition in the publication
and circulation of the Noli me Tangere.
 February 3, 1888 – After staying in the Philippines for almost six months,
Jose left Manila for Hongkong bringing 5000 pesos, earning from his
medical practice.
Jose in Hongkong
( February 3, 1888 – February 22, 1888)

 With Jose Maria Basa, Jose Sainz de Veranda and some Portuguese, they
boarded the ship Kui Kiang.
 February 8, 1888- Rizal arrived at Hong Kong
 February 16, 1887- Rizal wrote to Blumentritt that Hong Kong “is a small
but very clean city”
 Jose stayed in the house of Juan Lecaroz, where he went to observed
botanical garden.
 After staying for almost two weeks, Jose left Hongkong for Japan onboard
of Oceanic.
Jose in Japan
(February 28, 1888 – April 13, 1888)

 February 28, 1888- Rizal arrived in Japan.

 Upon arrival, he stayed in Hotel Grande and visited places like
Yokohama and Tokyo.
 Then he met Juan Perez Caballero, a Spanish ambassador in Japan.
 Then he met, O Sei-san, Jose’s tour guide, translator and lover.
 He also learned judo and kabuki.
Rizal in United States of America (April 13, 1888 -May 13,
1888)
 Leaving on April 13, 1888, Jose was saddened knowing O Sei-san was left behind.
 He boarded the ship Belgic and arrived in United States on April 28, 1888.
 He saw America was marred with racial prejudice.
 He was quarantined in the ship because of the rumored cholera outbreak.
 They later realized that the reason of quarantine was a political motive.
 The day he was released, he stayed in Palace Hotel. (San Francisco)
 Then he travelled to Oakland via ferry ship.
 The next day he went to Reno, the biggest little city in the world.
 He wrote in his diary the beauty of Nevada while travelling to Albany.
 May 13, 1888 – He arrived in New York where he called it as the “BigTown.”
 Rizal in England
 May 1888 - Jose arrived in England
 He chose England as his new home to improve his English language, to study Antonio Morga’s
Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas and knowing England was the safest place against the Spanish.
 While aboard the ship City of Rome, he entertained passengers using yo-yo as a defensive
weapon.
 Upon arriving in Liverpool, he stayed in Adelphi Hotel.
 May 25, 1888, Jose traveled in London, where he became a boarder of the Becket where
Gertrude Beckett fell in love.
 Reinhold Frost, a librarian of Ministry of Affairs, was impressed on Rizal’s work, hailing him as
the “Pearl of Man.”
 While he was in England, different revolts started to rose in the different parts of the country.
 He was even condemned by the senators of Spanish Cortes, Salamanca, Vida, Retana and Feced
in Spanish newspaper.
 His friends and his family were even persecuted in the Philippines.
 But the good news was, different significant people were defending the Noli me Tangere like
Vicente Garcia.
Return in London
 Jose celebrated Christmas day alone in London.
 Blumentritt and Carlos Czepelak gave Jose a bust of Emperor Augustus and Julius Caesar.
 His landlady gave Jose a book about magic knowing he was fascinated with magic.
 Jose was born to be leader, by unanimous decision, he was chosen as the honorary
president of Asosacion La Solidaridad.
 This was the recognition given to Filipino patriots in Europe.
 La Solidaridad – a patriotic newspaper founded by Graciano Lopez Jaena on February 18,
1889 in Barcelona, Spain which aims to:
1. To work peacefully for political and social reforms.
2. To show the condition of Philippines so Spain may remedy them.
3. To oppose the evil forces in the Philippines.
4. To advocate liberal ideas and progress.
5. To prioritize Filipino life and happiness.
 In the first article of Jose in the newspaper, he discussed the situation of the Filipino
farmers.
Biaritz, France 1891
 March 21,1891- Rizal finished writing El Filibusterismo.
 Rizal was in-love with Nellie Boustead, a daughter of the Bousted Family.

Paris, France 1891

 He spend most of his time in Bibliotheque Nationale and continuing learning different
languages.
 He also continued his fencing lessons with Juan Luna.
 He wrote different writings during his stay in Paris.

Brussels, Belgium
 May 30, 1891- Rizal set ready for printing 20 chapters of manuscript at the El Filibusterismo.

Ghent, Belgium
 July 9, 1891- He was financially hard up. He did not receive for three months up to his date any
pension from home.
 September 1891- El Fili was published using the donations from Rizal’s friends.
Second Homecoming (1892)
Philippines (1892-1896)
 His objectives in returning in the Philippines were:
1. Borneo Colonization Project
2. Establish a Civic Organization
3. Stop the persecution of his family and his fellowmen

 June 26, 1892 – Rizal arrived in Manila together with Lucia using the boat Don
Juan.
 From his arrival, guardia civil were waiting for him.
 He then visited his sister, and he was shadowed by government spies.
 He then attended a meeting of Chinese Mestizos in Tondo, Manila which aimed
Rizal’s Last Travel
 July 31, 1896 – Rizal travelled in Manila together with Narcisa, Josephine and
some nephews’ accordance to the order of Governor-general Blanco.
 August 6, 1896 – Jose Rizal was bound to Spain, but the ship left.
 August 19, 1896 – Katipunan was discovered.
 August 23, 1896 – Rizal left Manila bound for Singapore aboard the ship Isla de
Panay.
 Pedro Roxas urged Rizal to stay in Singapore to plan for the revolution, but he
refused.
 September 30, 1896 – Rizal was imprisoned in the ship.
 October 6, 1896 – Rizal was imprisoned in Montjuic.
 November 3, 1896 – aboard the ship SS Colon, Rizal arrived in Manila and
imprisoned in Fort Santiago.
 December 30, 1896- Rizal was executed
Languages Learned by Jose Rizal
• Hebrew • Dutch
• Catalan • Latin
• Filipino • Nihonggo
• German • Spanish
• Ilokano • Portuguese
• Arabic • Greek
• Bisayan • Chavacano
• Malay • English
• Subanon • Swedish
• Sanskrit • French
• Chinese • Russian