Transcript of Chapter 10: Rizal's First Homecoming, 1887-88
Transcript of Chapter 10: Rizal's First Homecoming, 1887-88
Introduction
All the alluring beauties of foreign countries and all the beautiful memories of his sojourn in alien lands
could neither make Rizal for his fatherland nor turn his back to his own nationality, he remained at heart
a true Filipino with an unquenchable love for the Philippines and an unshakable determination to die in
the land of his birth. The Old Rizal's House in Calamba Contd.
He was called “Doctor Ulliman ” because he came from Germany.
Within a few months he was able to earn P900 as a physician. By February, 1888, he earned a total of
P5000 as medical fees. Rizal did not selfishly devote all his time to enriching himself.
He opened a gymnasium for young folks and introduced European sports.
He failed to see Leonora Rivera. Leonora’s mother did not like him to be son in-law
Storm over Noli. Few weeks after his arrival, Rizal received a letter from
Governor General Emelio Terrero requesting him to come to Malacañang Palace. When Governor
General Terrero informed him of the charge, he denied it, explaining that he merely exposed the truth,
but they did not advocate subversive ideas. Gov. Gen. Terrero was pleased by Rizal’s explanation and
curious about his book and he asked the author to have a copy of the Noli so that he could read it.
June 29, 1887- In Rome, Rizal wrote to his father announcing his homecoming.
Chapter 10: Rizal's First Homecoming, 1887-88
Rizal had no copy then because the only copy that he brought home was given to a friend. But he
promised to secure one for the General. Fortunately, Rizal found a copy and gave it to General Terrero.
He knew that Rizal’s life was jeopardy because the friars were powerful. For security measures he
assigned a young Spanish lieutenant Don Jose Taviel de Andrade, as bodyguard of Rizal.
But Rizal’s enemies were powerful. The Archbishop of Manila, Msgr. Pedro Payo sent a copy of the Noli
to Father Rector Gregorio Echavarria of the University of Santo Tomas for examination by a committee
of the faculty. The report of the faculty members of UST stated that the Noli was “heretical, impious,
and scandalous in the religious order, and antipatriotic, subversive of public order, injurious to the
government of Spain and its f unction in the Philippine Island in the political order”.
Governor General Terrero was dissatisfied with the report of he Dominicans. He sent the novel to the
Permanent Commission of Censorship. The report of this commission was drafted by its head,
Fr. Salvador Font, Augustinian Cura of Tondo, & submitted to Governor General on Dec. 29. It found the
novel to contain Subversive ideas against the church and Spain and recommended “that the
importation, reproduction and circulation of this pernicious book in the island be absolutely prohibited”.
Fr. Salvador Font, Augustinian Cura of Tondo Permanent Commission of Censorship Archbishop of
Manila, Msgr. Pedro Payo and Father Rector Gregorio Echavarria Attackers of Noli Father Font printed
his report and distributed copies of it in order to discredit the controversial novel. Father Jose
Rodriguez, Prior of Guadalupe, published a series of eight pamphlets under the general heading
Cuestiones de Sumo Interes (Questions of Supreme Interest) to blast the Noli and other anti-Spanish
writings.
Eight Pamphlets
1. Porque no los he des leer? (Why should I not read them?).
2. Guardaos de ellos. Porque? (Beware of them. Why?).
3. Y-que me dice usted de la peste? (And what can you tell me of Plague?)
4. Por que triunfan los impios? (Why do the impious triumph?).
5. Cree usted que de versa no hay purgatorio? (Do you think there is really no purgatory?).
6. Hay o no hay infierno? (Is there or is there no hell?).
7. Que le parece austed de esos libelos? (What do you think of these libels?).
8. Confesion o condenacion?(Confession or Damnation?).
Defenders of Noli Defenders Contd. Father Sanchez Rizal’s favorite teacher in Ateneo, defended and
praised it in public.
Marcelo H. Del Pilar Antonio Ma. Regidor Graciano Lopez Jaena Mariano Ponce Rizal and Taviel Andrade
What marred Rizal’s happy days in Calamba with Andrade were:
The death of his older sister, Olimpia The groundless tales circulated by his enenmies that he was “a
German spy, a protestant, a mason and a witch, a soul beyond salvation, etc. Calamba Hacienda Findings
submitted by Rizal The hacienda of the Dominican Order comprised not only the lands around Calamba,
but the whole town of Calamba. The profits of the Dominican Order continually increased because of
the arbitrary increase of he rentals paid by the tenants. The hacienda owner never contributed a single
centavo for the celebration of the town fiesta, for the education of the children, and for the
improvement of agriculture. Tenants who spent much labor in clearing the lands were dispossessed of
the said lands for flimsy reasons High rates of interest were arbitrarily charged the tenants for delayed
payment of rentals When the rentals could not be paid , the hacienda management confiscated the
work animals, tools, and farm implements of the tenants.
Rizal’s reasons for leaving the Philippines His presence in Calamba was jeopardizing the safety and
happiness of his family and friends. He could not fight better his enemies and serve his country’s cause
with greater efficacy by writing in foreign countries.