Chapter 4

Rizal’s Life: Higher

Education And Life
Abroad
REPORTERS:
Ailyn Ajusan
Jim Vincent Latosa
Von Eusebio Hechanova
 RIZAL ENTERS ATENEO

 On June 10, 1872, Jose went to Manila to take the entrance

Examinations on Christian Doctrine, arithmetic, and reading at
the College of San Juan de Letran, and passed them.
 Don Francisco changed his mind and decided to send Rizal to
Ateneo Municipal.
 Jose Rizal studied in the Ateneo Municipal – a college under the
supervision of the Spanish Jesuits. Ateneo Municipal, a bitter rival of
the Dominican-owned College of San Juan de Letran. Ateneo
Municipal was formerly the Escuela Pia (Charity School) for poor
boys in Manila established in 1817. In, 1859, name was changed to
Ateneo Municipal by the Jesuits and later became the Ateneo de
Manila.
 Rizal almost did not enroll by the school
registrar Fr. Magin Fernando because of two
reasons:
1. He was late for registration
2. He was sickly and undersized for his age
(11 years old)
. Through the intercession of Manuel Burgos,
Jose was able to enter Ateneo.
Jose used the surname “RIZAL” for the first
time.
JESUITS SYSTEM OF EDUCATION:

 Jesuits trained the character of the student by

rigid discipline, humanities and religious
instruction.

 The class was divided into two Empires:

 Carthaginian or Externo (the non-boarder
of Ateneo)
 Roman Empire or Interno (the boarder
inside Ateneo)
Each empire has it’s ranks, namely:
 The best student : Emperor
 The second best student: Tribune
 The third best student: Decurion
 The fourth best student: Centurion
 The fifth best student: Standard Bearer

Within the empire, the student fought for this positions by challenging the
ones holding the ranks to answer questions based on the day’s lessons

 Jose was called an “externo” or living out student during his days in
Ateneo Municipal. He was placed at the bottom of the class and assigned
with the Carthaginians.
Rizal's first year in Ateneo (1872-1873)
 Rizal’s first professor in Ateneo was Fr. Jose Bech.
 Historia Universal by Cesar Cantu
 Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
 Travels to the Philippines by Dr. Feodor Jagor
 Rizal took private lesson in Santa Isabel College during noon
recesses to improve his Spanish language paying three pesos for
those extra lessons
 He was an externo (Carthaginians) occupying the end of the line.
But at the end of the month, he becomes Emperor of his Empire
 In his second year and third year in Ateneo,
nothing usual happened to Rizal.
4th Year in Ateneo (1875-1876)
 June 16, 1875 – Rizal become an interno in Ateneo
 In his fourth year in Ateneo, Rizal was inspired to study
hard and to write poetry by one of his best professors,
Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez- a great educator
and scholar.
 Rizal’s formal lesson at the Ateneo gradually gained him
proficiency both in art of rhetoric and in the art of
independent thinking.
 He expressed his ideas on the value of education in his
poem “Through Education the Motherland Receives
Light”.
 Poems written in Ateneo
 Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration)
 Al Nino Jesus ( To The Child Jesus)
 A La Virgin Maria (To The Virgin Mary)
 Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town)
 Alianza Intima Entre La Religion Y La Beuna
Education (Intimate Alliance Between Religion and
Good Education)
 El Heroism De Colon( The Heroism Of Columbus)
 Colon Y Juan II (Columbus and John II)
 Gran Consuelo En La Mayor Desdicha( Great Solace in
Great Misfortune)
 Un Dialogo Alusivu A Al Despidida De Los Colegiales (A
Farewell Dialogue of The Student)
 He excelled in all subjects and won five medals at
the end of he school term; and offered all his
excellent ratings and medals to his parents.
 Considered the most brilliant Atenean of his time –
the “Pride Of The Jesuits”.
 During his stay, his grades were all Sobresaliente
( Excellent).
 March 23, 1877 he received his degree of Bachelor
of Art with honors.
 Rizal’s Studies At The University of Santo
Tomas (UST)

 After Rizal completed his education at Ateneo, his mother

wanted him to return home and look after the family
business.
 April 1877 – Rizal was 16 years old, enrolled at the UST
taking Philosophy and Letters.
 Rizal was still unsure of what course to take.
 He tried to seek guidance from Fr. Pablo Ramon but since
he was in Mindanao.
 For his first term, Rizal studied at the Philosophy program.
 In the following term he decided to shift to medicine.
 His decision was prompted by his desire to:
 Cure his mother’ failing eyesight
 Fr. Ramon wrote back advising Jose to take up medicine.
 Highly in demand course
 Rizal entered a very different world in UST as a student.

 During his 1st year at UST, he studied simultaneously at

Ateneo taking vocational course leading to the title “perito
agrimensor” (expert surveyor) with the grades of “Excellent”
but was not given title because he was still 17 years old.
Experience of Spanish Brutality
• Rizal experienced his first taste of brutality during his first
year of medical studies at UST.

One night while he was walking alone a dark street, Rizal failed to
recognize the Spanish civil guard, passing by his side, thus, he did not
bow, salute or greet the man. At a striking distance, the civil guard
whipped Rizal mercilessly at the back with a stingray tail ( buntot pagi).
He suffered from the wounds inflicted on his back that lasted for two weeks
before it was completely healed.. He could not accept such brutal treatment.
When the incident was reported to the Captain General Primo de Rivera, he
was even reprimanded and even told Rizal that he should be thankful for
being still alive and spared by the civil guard.
Literary works of Rizal in University of Sto. Tomas
• In the 1879 - the Artistic - Literary Lyceum of Manila (Liceo Artistico-Literario) a
society whose members were artist in Literature held a contest in poetry writing and
composition.
• Rizal joined and submitted his poem “To the Filipino Youth (Sa Kabataang Pilipino/ A La
Juventud Filipina)” – a winning masterpiece which he submitted
“The youth is the fair hope of our Fatherland”
• Rizal won the first prize which is a feather shaped pen decorated with gold ribbon and
as well as gaining recognition for the win.
• The following year, the Liceo sponsored another competition celebrating the centenary of
the death of Miguel de Cervantes; the national poet of Spain; He joined and won first prize
for his play “The Council of the Gods” (El Consejo de los Dioses).
• The jury which was composed of Spaniards awarded Rizal the grand prize.
• The Spanish community especially the press was appalled upon learning that the author was an
Indio.
• Another piece: Zarzuela; Junto al Pasig (Beside the Pasig) which was staged by the
Ateneans, Dec. 8, 1880 to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion patroness of
the Ateneo.
 Literary Works of Rizal in UST
• A La Juventad Filipina (To the Filipino Youth)
- Winning masterpiece submitted to Liceo; feather shaped pen with golden ribbon
- Dedicated to FIlipino Youth and for them to give their best for the betterment of our Nation
• Abd-el-Azis Y Mahoma
- A poem composed for Manuel Fernandez and declaimed by the latter on the night.
• El Consejo De Los Dioses (The Council of Gods)
- Winning masterpice submitted to Liceo, 2nd time; Price: gold ring bearing the engraved bus of Cervantes
-An allegory that depicts the equality between Homer, Vigil, and Cervantes
• Junto Al Pasig (Beside the Pasig)
-Drama played by the Ateneans on the occasion Feast of Immaculate Concepcion on Dec. 18.
-It is a religious satire in which Leonido the main character together with the choir of angels driven out satan and his
devils.
• A Filipinas (To the Philippines)
- A sonnet written to praise the Philippines for its beauty and to encourage Filipino artist to glorify the country for their
art works
• AI M.R.P. Pablo Ramon, Recto del Ateneo, en Sus Dias
- A poem wrote to thank Father Pablo Ramon who had been kind and helpful to him.
 Rizal's stay at UST was not meaningful and fruitful for he found the atmosphere at UST
suffocating to his sensitive spirit.
 He was unhappy of the Dominican institution of higher learning
 The professor was hostile to him, the method of teaching was different from the brilliant
method at Ateneo
 Prejudice and racial discrimination was prevalent
 He failed to win high scholastic honors although his first year in Philosophy course were
excellent but was not impressive in the four years of his medical course.
 After completing his medical school, he decided to leave the country for Europe for he was
not happy and can no longer contain the hatred, discrimination and discontentment he had
towards the Spanish students and teachers.
 He went to Europe to finish his medical schooling - but the main purpose is for him in the
realm of journalism and to observe and study European way of life.
 Rizal’s decision to leave for Spain had the blessings of his brother Paciano and his uncle
Antonio Rivera.
 He decided not to seek his parents blessing knowing that they will never approve his
plan.
Travel
for
Abroad
 Travel For Spain

May 1, 1882 – Rizal began writing farewell letters to his

friends and family.
• Paciano gave him money for his allowance
• Saturnina gave him a diamond ring.

May 5, 1882 – Rizal left on board the Spain steamer

Salvadora bound to Singapore.
• After 5 days of sailing, the Salvadora reached Singapore.
• He registered at Hotel Dela Paz.
• His two-days stop over were spent in visiting historic
places.
 From Singapore to Colombo, Sri Lanka

 May 11, 1882 – from Singapore, he bounded to Djemnah, a

French steamer bound for Europe.
 May 17, 1882 –Djemnah made its stop over at the point Galle.
 Rizal noted, “Point Galle, a seacoast town which is picturesque
but lonely, quiet and sad.
 May 18, 1882 – Djemnah docked at Colombo
 Rizal said, “ Colombo is more beautiful, smart and elegant that
Singapore, Point Galle and Manila”
May 27, 1882 – He landed at Aden,
Yemen at about 8:30 am. He made an
observation at that time.
• Aden is a city hotter than
Manila, Rizal was amused to see
the camels for the first time.
June 2, 1882 – he arrived at the Suez
Canal en route to Marseilles. Rizal was
impressed by the beautiful moonlight
which reminded him of Calamba and
his family.
 June 11,1882 - Rizal disembarked and
accompanied by a guide went around the City of
Naples for one hour. This was the first European
ground he set on foot.

 Rizal was pleased with this Italian City because of

its business activity, its lively people and its
panoramic beauty.
 June 12, 1882 – at 10 pm, the boat anchored
at Marseilles. He slept on board.
 Rizal visited the famous Chateau d’If, where
Dantes, hero the Count of Monte Cristo, was
imprisoned, Rizal stayed two and a half days
in Marseilles.
 June 16, 1882 – at 12: 00 noon. Rizal
arrive in Barcelona and boarded the
Fonda De Espana. Rizal first
impression of Barcelona, the greatest city
of Cataluña and Spain second largest city
was unfavorable.
Life in Barcelona

 He wrote an essay entitled “Amor Patrio” (Love Of Country).

 His next article was entitled “Los Viajes” (Travels) and followed by “ Revista
De Madrid” (Review Of Madrid) but latter was returned because the
publication was ceased because of lack of funds.
 August 20, 1882 – his article “Amor Patrio” was published in Dariong
Tagalog, Manila newspaper edited by Basilio Teodoro. The first article he
wrote abroad.
 Amor Pacio (Love of Country) – nationalistic essay, Rizal first article written
on Spain's soil under his pen-name Laong Laan . It was published in two text
– Tagalog and Spanish. The Spanish text was one originally written by Rizal in
Barcelona. The Tagalog text was a Tagalog translation made by Marcelo H.
Del Pilar.
 September 2, 1882 – Rizal
moved to Madrid in order
to continue his medical
studies.

 November 3, 1882 –
Rizal enrolled at the
Universidad Central de
Madrid in two courses –
Medicine and
Philosophy and Letters.
Life in Madrid

 Academy of fine arts of san Francisco –

Rizal studied painting and sculpture. He
took lessons in French, Germany, and
English under private instructors, he
practiced fencing and shooting at the hall of
Arms in Sanz y Carbonell.
Rizal joined the Circulo- Hispano
Filipino. It is an association formed by
Filipino students in Spain composed of
both Filipino and Spaniards.

 Mi Piden Versos (They Ask Me for

Verses) – upon the request of the
members of this society, rizal wrote this
poem which he personally declaimed
during the New Years Eve reception
held in the evening of December 31,
1882.
In March 1883, he joined the
Masonic Lodge called Acacia. His
reason was to secure Freemasonry’s
aid in his fight or the Philippines.

In November 1883, he transferred to

Lodge Solidaridad, where he
became a Master Mason.
 June 1882 - Rizal finished his medical education.
He was conferred the degree of Licentiate in
Medicine. The next year, he passed all his subjects
leading to Doctors of Medicine but was only able
to get his Doctor’s Diploma in 1887 for he wasn’t
able to pay the corresponding fees.

 June 18885 – rizal was awarded the degree of

Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters by the
Universidad Central de Madrid with the rating
of Sobresaliente ( Excellent).
Paris To Berlin
Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order
to specialize in Ophthalmology – Rizal
chose a branch of medicine because he
wanted to cure his mother’s eye ailments.

 Dr. Louis De Wecker

 he is the leading French
Ophthalmologist during this period. He is the
leading authority among the oculist of
france, who found rizal such a competent
student and make him as his clinical
assistant.
During his free time, he visited his
fellow countrymen – Pardo de Traveras
(Trinidad, Felex and Paz) and Juan
Luna. Rizal posted in Luna’s canvas like
“ The Blood Compact” in which he
posed as Sikatuna and Trinidad as
Legaspi. He also posed for a group
picture called
“ The Death of Cleopatra” wherein he
dressed as an Egyptians.
February 1, 1886 – he left
Paris for Germany and arrivered
on February 3, 1886 in
Heidelberg – a historic city in DR. OTTO BECKER –
Germany, famous for its old distinguished German
university and romantic Ophthalmologist where
Rizal worked – University
surroundings.
Eye Hospital
November 1886- Rizal arrived in berlin.Rizal met Dr. Feogor
Hagor, a great scientist and author of Travels in the Philippines
one of the book Rizal admired during his student days
He also met Dr. Rudolf Virchow known to be the Father Of
Modern Pathology.

Rizal’s Reason in Staying in Berlin

• To gain further knowledge in Ophthalmology.
• To improve further studies in sciences and languages.
• To observed the economic and political conditions of
German nation.
• To associate with famous scientist and scholar
• To publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere
 November 1886 – 0ne of Rizal’s important letters written while he was in
Germany that addressed to his sister, Trinidad. In his letter, Rizal expressed his
high regard and admiration for German womanhood.

 The German woman, Rizal said to his sister, is serious, diligent, educated and
friendly. She is not gossipy, frivolous and quarrelsome.

Noli Me Tangere ( published in Berlin, 1887)

The bleak winter of 1886 in Berlin was Rizal darkest winter because no money
arrived fro Calamba and he was flat broke. The diamond ring which his sister,
Saturnina, gave him was in the pawnshop. It was memorable in the life of Rizal for
two reasons.
1. It was a painful episode for he was hungry, sick and despondent in a strange city.
2. It brought him great joy after enduring so much suffering because his first novel,
Noli Me Tangere came off the press in March 1887.
 Uncle Toms Cabin Harriet Beecher Stowe – it inspired Dr. Rizal to
prepare a novel that would depict the miseries of his people under the
lash o Spanish Tyrants.

 Maximo Viola – Rizal’s friend from Bulacan arrived in Berlin at the

height of Rizal despondency and loaned him the needed funds to
publish the novel; savior of Noli.
 February 21,1887 – the Noli was finally finished and ready for
printing. Berlin Buchdruckerie-Action-Gesellschaft – a printing
shop which charged the lowest rate that is 300 peso for 2000 copies of
the novel.
 March 21,1887 – the Noli Me Tangere came off the press. The title
Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase which means “Touch Me Not” . It
was not originally conceived by Rizal, for he admitted taking it from
the Bible.
 May 21, 1887 – Rizal and Viola left Berlin by train going to
Dresden, one of the best cities in Germany.
 Prometheus bound – a painting wherein Rizal was deeply
impressed.
 Treschen – (now Decin, Czechoslovakia) next stopover after
leaving Dresden.

Leitmeritz
 At 1:30pm of May 13, 1887 – the train with Rizal and Viola on
board, arrived at the railroad station of Leitmeritz, Bohemia for
the first time, the two great scholars – Rizal and Blumentritt
met in person.
 Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt- a kind hearted, old Austrian
professor.
Vienna
 May 20, 1887 – Rizal and
viola arrived in the
beautiful city of Vienna, a
capital of Austria-
Hungary.
 Vienna was truly the “
Queen Of Danube”
because of its beautiful
building, religious images,
haunting waltzes and
majestic charm.
Rheinfall
 The Cathedral of Um – the largest
and tallest Cathedral in Germany.
From Ulm, they went to Stuttgart
Baden and the Rheinfall.
 A Rheinfall, they saw the waterfall “
the most beautiful waterfall in
Europe”.
Crossing to frontier to Switzerland
June 2 to 3, 1887 – stayed at Schaffhausen, Switzerland.
Geneva

The Swiss City is one of the most beautiful cities in

Europe, visited by world tourists every year.
June 19, 1887 – Rizal treated Viola to a blow-out. It was
his 26th birthday. Rizal and Viola spent Fifteen delightful
days in Geneva.
Geneva
June 23, 1887 – Viola and Rizal parted ways , Viola
returned to Barcelona while Rizal continued that
tour in Italy.

Exposition of the Philippines in Madrid, Spain –

Rizal was outraged by this degradation of his fellow
countrymen, the Igorots of Northerm Luzon.
Rizal in Italy

June 27, 1887 - Rizal reached Rome, the “Eternal

City” and also called the “City of Caesars”. Rizal was
thrilled by the sights and memories of the Eternal City.

Describing Blumentritt, the “grandeur that was

Rome” he wrote on June 27, 1887.
June 29, 1887 – the Feast Day of St. Peter and St.
Paul. Rizal visited for the first time the Vatican,
the “City of the Popes” and the capital of
Christendom.
Every night after sightseeing the whole day, Rizal returned
to his hotel, very tired. “I am tired as a dog”, he wrote to
Blumentritt, “but I will sleep as God”.

After a week of wonderful sojourn in Rome, Rizal

prepared to return to the Philippines. He had already
written to his father that he was coming home.