Rizal in Macau and Hong Kong
Rizal in Macau and Hong Kong
Rizal in Macau and Hong Kong
19 November 1891
In the evening Rizal arrived at Hong Kong.
26 November 1891
From Hong Kong Rizal sent to Manuel Camus in Singapore 20 copies of the Fili, 6
of the Morga and 4 of the Noli. He gave Camus 25 percent commission for the
books sold.
1 December 1891
He asked permission from his parents to join them in Manila in their sacrifices and
at the same time, encouraged them to have a little endurance. He said: " I have
learned of the exile of four townmates to Jolo and of the return of my brother to
Manila. I have also learned that mother, Pangoy and Trining, have been
summoned again by the civil government. I am burning with desire to embrace
you. Patience, a little patience! Courage!"
6 December 1891
Francisco Mercado, Paciano and his brother-in-law, Silvestre Ubaldo, escaped
from the Philippines to avoid persecution, and arrived at Hong Kong to join him.
12 December 1891
In a letter sent to Maria, one of his sisters in the Philippines, Rizal broached his
plan of establishing a Filipino colony in North British Borneo.
17 December 1891
On this day Governor General Despujol, offering his services and cooperation for
the common good. He wanted to point to the latter the ills of country in order to
help cure the wounds of mal-administration.
27 December 1891
An article was published in the La Epoca carrying false news about Rizal’s stay in
the Philippines and his influence among the natives. This article carries no
author’s name and was believed to have been inspired by a Dominican friar.
December 1891
Rizal was visited by an Augustinian friar in his house. The friar pulled his ears and
wanted to attack him. But Rizal stopped the intruder by twisting the latter’s hand.
25 January 1892
The duplicate of his diploma in Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery was issued by
the Ministry of Development in Madrid.
30 January 1892
In a letter, Juan Luna favorably endorsed Rizal’s plan of establishing a Filipino
colony in North Borneo. He wished Rizal luck and success in this project.
January 1892
Everyday, after his medical practices in his clinic, he continued writing his third
novel. It treated exclusively about the Tagalog customs, usages, virtues and
defects. Meanwhile, his brother Paciano translated the Noli into Tagalog.
1 February 1892
Rizal paid thirty-five pesos (P35.00) to D. Mallunko for the rent on the premises
of A-2 Rednaxela from January 1st to 31st.
6 February 1892
Rizal wrote a letter addressed to "My beloved friend" and signed it with the name
Cabisa.
15 February 1892
The Hong Kong Telegraph published the letter of Rizal signed Philippines in which
he denounced the vandalistic actions of the friar manager of the Dominicans in
destroying the houses of those who refused to pay the exorbitant rentals
demanded of them in Calamba.
23 February 1892
Rizal wrote a letter to Blumentritt in which he informed the latter of his plan of
emigrating to Borneo where he could establish another Calamba free from the
abuses of the friars and the civil guards.
2 March 1892
He visited Victoria Gaol in Hong Kong. Dr. Lorenzo Pereira Marquez who was the
physician of the state prison accompanied him.
People met:
jose maria basa, balbino mauricio
Impression:
Hong Kong is a small but very clean commercial city. Many Portuguese, Hindus,
English, Chinese, and Jews live in it. There are also some Filipinos, the majority of
whom being those who had been exiled to the Mariana Islands in 1872. They are
poor, gentle, and timid. Formerly they were rich merchants, industrialists, and
financiers. Only one is a republican and progressive; very suspicious. They will
not return to Manila; they fear the phantoms. One is very sick and will die soon.
He was a rich financier, not very well educated, but very rich, who married a
dissolute woman. It was his fault. Now he is poor, very poor.
He left the country passing Hong Kong and was welcomed by Filipino residents,
among them, Jose Maria Basa, Balbino Mauricio, and Manuel Yriarte, the son of
the mayor of Laguna.
Macao
19 February 1888
With Jose Maria Basa, Jose Sainz de Veranda and some Portuguese, Rizal left Hongkong for Macao
on board the Kui Kiang. In Macao, they lived in the house of Juan Lecaroz. Rizal went around for
observation, especially the botanical garden.
He visited Macao and stayed at the home of Don Juan Francisco Lecaros, a
Filipino gentleman married to a Portuguese lady, During his stay he visited
casinos, theaters, cathedrals, and churches and saw the famous grotto of
Camoens. He also studied the Chinese, their lifestyle and customs, and made an
interesting observation. He said that: The Dominican order was the riches
religious order in Hong Kong. It engaged actively in business. It owned more than
700 houses for rent and many shares in foreign banks which earned fabulous
interests.