1.

VILLANUEVA, AHRON A
TOPIC 1 – BIRTH OF RIZAL
On the moonlit night of June 19, 1861, in the lakeshore town of Calamba,
Laguna, Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso was born. In his autobiography,
which he wrote when he was 17 years old, Rizal recounted that his mother almost died
during the delivery because of his big head.” It would have cost my mother her life had
she not vowed to the virgin of Antipolo to take me her sanctuary by way of pilgrimage.”
Three days after his birth, Rizal was baptized in the Catholic church of Calamba
on June 22, 1861 by Fr. Rufino Collantes, a Filipino priest from Batangas. His godfather
was Pedro Casañas, a native of Calamba and friend of Rizal’ family. He was named
Jose in honor of St. Joseph, the patron saint of laborers and soldiers. He was given a
second first name, Protasio, after a 4th century saint who was a bishop of Milan.

THE RIZAL’S PARENTS

His father, Francisco Mercado Rizal (1818- 1898), an

industrious farmer whom Rizal called “a model of
fathers,” came from Biñan, Laguna. He studied Latin and
Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila. In early
manhood, following his parent’s death, he moved to
Calamba and became a tenant farmer of the Dominican-
owned hacienda. He was a hardy and independent-
minded man, who talked less and worked more, and was
strong in body and valiant in spirit.

Her mother, Teodora Alonzo Quintos y Realonda (1826-

1911), was born in Sta. Cruz, Manila. She was educated
at the College of Santa Rosa, a well-known college for
girls in the city. She was a remarkable woman,
possessing intelligence, refined culture, literary talent,
business ability and fortitude. Rizal loving said to her: “My
mother is a woman of more than ordinary culture; she
knows literature and speaks Spanish better than I. She
corrected my poems and gave me good advice when I
was studying rhetoric. She is a mathematician and has
read many books.
 2. DIASCAN, ROWENA
THE RIZAL CHILDREN
God blessed the marriage of Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda
with eleven children-two boys and nine girls. These children were as follows:

1. Saturnina Rizal, 63 (1850-1913) “The Second Mother”

Born as Saturnina Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda or simply
Saturnina Hidalgo. She was the eldest sister of Jose Rizal. She was
married to Manuel T. Hidalgo, a native and one of the richest persons
in Tanauan, Batangas. She was known as Neneng. She died in
September 14, 1913.

2. Paciano Rizal, 79 (1851-1930) “The Big Brother”

Only brother of Jose Rizal and the second child. Studied at
San Jose College in Manila; became a farmer and later a general of
the Philippine Revolution. He devotedly took care of Jose Rizal. As
Nick Joaquin said, “Without Paciano to back him up, it’s doubtful that
Rizal would have gotten as far as he reached.”

3. Narcisa Rizal, 87 (1852-1939) “The Hospital Sister”

The third child, her pet name was Sisa and she married Antonia
Lopez (nephew of Father Leoncio Lopez) at Morong, Rizal; a teacher
and musician. Like Saturnina, Narcisa helped in financing Rizal’s
studies in Europe, even pawning her jewelry and peddling her clothes
if needed. It is said that Doña Narcissa could recite from memory
almost all the poems of Rizal. Narcisa was perhaps the most
hospitable among the siblings.
3. PLATA, KEI-EM A.

4. Olimpia Rizal, 32 (1855-1887) “The Go-Between”

The fourth child. Married Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator
from Manila. Olimpia died in August 1887 at age 32 due to childbirth.
Jose loved to tease her, sometimes good-humoredly describing her as
his stout sister. Jose’s first love, Segunda Katigbak, was Olimpia’s
schoolmate at the La Concordia College. Rizal confided to Olimpia
about Segunda and the sister willingly served as the mediator
between the two teenage lovers.

5. Lucia Rizal, 62 (185-1919) “A Fellow-Sufferer”

The fifth child. Married Mariano Herbosa. Charged of
inciting the Calamba townsfolk not to pay land rent
and causing unrest, the couple was once ordered to
be deported along with some Rizal family members.
Mariano died during the cholera epidemic in May
1889. He was refused a Catholic burial for not going
to confession since his marriage to Lucia. In Jose’s article in La
Solidaridad entitled Una profanacion (‘A Profanation’), he scornfully
attacked the friars for declining to bury in ‘sacred ground’ a ‘good
Christian’ simply because he was the “brother-in-law of Rizal”.
6. Maria Rizal, 86 (1859-1945) “The Confidant”
The sixth child. Married Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan Laguna. Jose
confided to Maria about his plans of marrying Josephine Bracken
when most of the Rizal family was not open to the idea. He had also
brought up to Maria his plans of establishing a Filipino colony in North
British Borneo. Jose and Maria often wrote to each other particularly
when Jose was studying abroad.
4. BALA, IRISH CLAIRE M.

7. Jose Rizal, 35 (1861-1896)

The second son and the seventh child. The greatest Filipino hero
and peerless genius. He was born on June 19, 1861. His nickname
was Pepe. During his exile in Dapitan he lived with Josephine
Bracken, Irish girl from Hong Kong. He was executed by the
Spaniards on December 30, 1896.

8. Concepcion Rizal, 3 (1862-1865) “A Dear Loss”

The eighth child. Died at the age of three. She is fondly called
‘Concha’ by her siblings. Jose loved most ‘Concha’ who was a year
younger than him. Jose played games and shared children stories
with her. She was Jose’s first grief as he mournfully wept when she
died of sickness in 1865. In Rizal’s memoir he wrote, “When I was
four years old, I lost my little sister Concha, and then for the first time
I shed tears caused by love and grief.”
9. Josefa Rizal, 80 (1865-1945) “The Katipunera”
The ninth child. An epileptic, died a spinster. She is nicknamed as
“Panggoy”. After Jose was executed, Josefa joined the Katipunan.
She was one of the original 29 women admitted to the Katipunan
along with Gregoria de Jesus, wife of Andres Bonifacio. They secured
the secret papers and documents of the society. The danced and
sang during meetings to confuse civil guards that the meetings were
just harmless social gatherings.
5. ARUA, JULIUS G.

10. Trinidad Rizal, 83 (1868-1951) “The Steward”

The tenth child. Died a spinster and the last of the family to
die. “Trining” along with their mother, joined Jose in Dapitan and
resided with him in his square house during his exile. A day before
Jose’s execution, Trining and their mother visited him at Fort
Santiago prison cell. As they were leaving, Jose handed over to
Trining an alcohol cooking stove, a gift from Pardo de Taveras,
whispering to her in a language which the guards could not
understand, “There is something in it.” That ‘something’ was Rizal’s
elegy now known as “Mi Ultimo Adios.” Like Josefa and two nieces,
Trinidad joined the Katipunan after Rizal’s death.
11. Soledad Rizal, 59 (1870-1929) “The Teacher”
The youngest child; married Pantaleon Quintero. She was a
teacher and was probably the best educated among Jose’s sisters,
which made Jose very proud of her. However, Jose reprimanded
her for getting married to Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba without
their parent’s consent. Jose was very much against women who
allow themselves to be courted outside their homes. He said to
Choleng, “If you have a sweetheart, behave towards him nobly and
with dignity, instead of resorting to secret meetings and
conversations which do nothing but lower woman’s worth in the
eyes of man. You should value more, esteem more your honor and
you will be more esteemed and valued.”

FAMILY TREE OF JOSE RIZAL

 (Ancestry of José Rizal)

Note:
This does not include all of the ancestor's siblings, only the notable ones.
 6. CONCEPCION, JHON BENEDICT

THE RIZAL HOME

The house of the Rizal family,where he was born, was one of the distinguished
stone houses in Calamba during the Spanish times. It was a two-storey
building,rectangular in shape, built of adobe stones and hard-woods and roofed with red
tiles. Behind the house were the poultry yard full of turkeys and chickens and a big
garden of tropical fruit trees- atis, balimbing,chico, macopa, papaya, santol,etc.
It was a happy home where parental affection and children’s laughter reigned. By
day it hummed with the noises of children at play and the songs of the birds in the
garden. By night, it echoed with the soft notes of family prayers. Such a wholesome
home, naturally, reared a wholesome family, and such a family was the Rizal family.

TOPIC 2: CHILDHOOD YEARS IN CALAMBA

Calamba was named after a big native jar. A hacienda town which belonged to
the Dominican Order, which also owned all the lands around it. It is a beautiful town
covered with irrigated rice fields and sugar lands.
CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
The first memory of Rizal, was his happy days in the family garden when he was
three years old. Because he was a frail, sickly and undersized child, he was given the
most loving care by his parents. Another childhood memory was the daily Angelus
prayer, by nightfall, his mother gathered all the children at the house to pray the
Angelus. Rizal also remembered the night- time walk in the town, especially during
moonlit nights. The Rizal children were bound together by ties of love and
companionship. They were well-bred, for their parents taught them to love and help one
another. Of his sisters, Rizal loved most Concepcion (the little Concha). He was a year
older than her, he played with her and from her he learned sisterly love. Unfortunately,
Concha died of sickness in 1865. The death of little Concha brought Rizal his first
sorrow.
At the age of three, Rizal began to take part in the family prayers. When Rizal
was five years old, he was able to read haltingly the Spanish family bible. One of the
memorable anecdotes between the young Jose was when his mother was reading to
him a Spanish reader entitled El Amigo de los Niños (The Children’s Friend). She
noticed him not paying attention to her as she was reading the contents of the book in
Spanish. Jose instead was attracted to a pair of moths circling the flame of the oil lamp.
The smaller moth got so attracted to the flame that if flew too close, its wings got burned
and fell into the oil and died. The Story of the Moth- made the profoundest impression
on Rizal“died a martyr to its illusions”
At the age of five, Rizal began to make sketches with his pencil and to mould in
clay and wax objects which attracted his fancy. Sa Aking Mga Kabata (To My Fellow
Children) - Rizal’s first poem in native language at the age of eight. This poem reveals
Rizal’s earliest nationalist sentiment. At the age of eight, Rizal wrote his first dramatic
work which was a Tagalog comedy.

7. LONGGAT, JOHN CARLOS

INFLUENCES ON RIZAL’S BOYHOOD

In the lives of all men there are influences which cause some to be great and
others not. In the case of Rizal, he had all the favorable influences, few other children in
his time enjoyed. Aside from his immediate family, Rizal’s three uncles added to Rizal’s
inspiration. Tio Jose Alberto- studied for eleven years in British school in Calcutta, India
and had traveled in Europe. He inspired Rizal to develop his artistic ability. Tio Manuel-
a husky and athletic man, encouraged Rizal to develop his frail body by means of
physical exercises. Tio Gregorio- a book lover, intensified Rizal’s voracious reading of
good book. Father Leoncio Lopez- the old and learned parish priest of Calamba,
fostered Rizal’s love for scholarship and intellectual honesty.
 TOPIC 3: EARLY EDUCATION IN CALAMBA AND BIÑAN
At the age of three, Rizal was first taught by his mother, who was remarkable
woman of good character and fine culture. He learned from her the alphabet and the
prayers. At this stage he demonstrated superior intelligence which induced his parents
to hire tutors for him. Maestro Celestino- Rizal’s first private tutor and Maestro Lucas
Padua- Rizal’s second tutor. Later, Leon Monroy- a former classmate of Rizal’s father
became Rizal’s tutor that instructed Jose in Spanish and Latin. Unfortunately, he died
five months later.
On June, 1869- Rizal left Calamba for Binan accompanied by Paciano. Maestro
Justiniano Aquino Cruz was Rizal’s teacher in a private school in Binan. Jose was 9
years old at that time. The school was also the house of his teacher. Rizal described
him as a tall, thin, long-necked man with a body slightly bent forward. As a teacher he
was quick to discipline his students for any infractions with a short thin stick, especially if
the wrong answer is given. This was the old system of education at that time. The
infliction of pain was made to ensure that the student remembers the lesson. Jose
became an outstanding student surpassing his classmates in Spanish, Latin, and other
subjects. He was also very popular, that some of his classmates spread rumors to
discredit him. Many times he was punished for his alleged wrongdoings. The day was
unusual when Rizal was not laid out on a bench and given five or six blows because of
fighting. Rizal’s daily life in Biñan were as follows: Heard the four o’ clock mass then at
ten o’ clock went home at once and went at school at two and came out at five. At the
end of his schooling, Maestro Justiniano recommended that Jose should be sent to
Manila. In December 17, 1870, Rizal left Binan after one year and a half of schooling.
He bade farewell to this school and his teacher. He also collected pebbles from the river
as souvenirs, knowing that he will never return to Biñan. After the Christmas of that year
Don Francisco decided to send Jose to Manila to continue his studies.

8. DAQUIOG, JANINE A.

MARTYRDOM OF GOM-BUR-ZA
Night of January 20, 1872- about 200 Filipino soldiers and workmen of the Cavite
arsenal under the leadership of Lamadrid, Filipino sergeant, rose in violent mutiny
because of the abolition of their usual privileges, including exemption from tribute and
polo (forced labor) by the reactionary Governor Rafael de Izquierdo. The Spanish
authorities, in order to liquidate Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto
Zamora leaders of the secular movement to Filipinize the Philippine parishes, and their
supporters magnified the failed mutiny “into” a “revolt” for Philippine independence.
Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora were executed at sunrise
of February 17,1872, by order of Governor General Izquierdo. The martyrdom of Gom-
Bur-Za in 1872 truly inspired Rizal to fight the evils of Spanish tyranny and redeem his
oppressed people. Rizal dedicated his second novel, El Filibusterismo, to Gom-Bur-Za.

INJUSTICE TO RIZAL’S MOTHER

Before June of 1872, tragedy struck the Rizal family. Dona Teodora was
suddenly arrested on a malicious charge that she and her brother, Jose Alberto, tried to
poison the latter’s deceitful wife. She was forced to walk from Calamba to Santa Cruz
(capital of Laguna province), a distance of 50 kilometers. Dona Teodora was
incarcerated at the provincial prison, where she languished for two years and a half.
Recounting this incidence of his mother’s imprisonment, Rizal said in his student
memoirs: “Our mother was unjustly snatched away from us and by whom? By some
men who had been our friends and whom we treated as honored guests.”

9. DERUPE, JAN DAVE N.

TOPIC 4: AT THE ATENEO MUNICIPAL (1872-1877)
The Ateneo Municipal is a college under the supervision of the Spanish Jesuits. It
was formerly Escuela Pia (Charity School), a school for poor boys in Manila which was
established by the city government in 1817. On June 10, 1872, Rizal accompanied by
Paciano went to Manila. Father Magin Ferrando who was the college registrar, refused
to admit Rizal in Ateneo for two reasons: (1) he was late for registration (2) he was
sickly and undersized for his age. Through the intercession of Manuel Xerez Burgos,
Rizal was reluctantly admitted at the Ateneo. Jose was the first of his family to adopt the
surname “Rizal”. He registered under this name at Ateneo because their family name
“Mercado” had come under the suspicion of the Spanish authorities. At the time Jose
studied in the Ateneo, this college was located in Intramuros 25 minutes’ walk from the
college.

JESUIT SYSTEM OF EDUCATION

The system of education given by the Jesuits in the Ateneo was more advanced
than that of other colleges in that period. It trained the character of the student by rigid
discipline and religious instruction. It promoted physical culture, humanities, and
scientific studies. Aside from academic courses leading to the degree of Bachelor of
Arts, it offered vocational courses in agriculture, commerce, mechanics and surveying.
The students heard Mass in the morning before the beginning of the daily class.
Classes in every subject were opened and closed with prayers.
Students were divided into two groups: Roman Empire- consisting of internos
(boarders) and the Carthaginian Empire- composed of the externos (non-boarders). The
empires had ranks: Emperor- the best student in each “empire, Tribune- the second
best, Decurion- the third best, Centurion-the fourth best and the Stand-bearer- the fifth
best. Between empires they fought for intellectual supremacy. Within in the “empire” the
students fought for these positions by challenging the ones holding the ranks to answer
questions based on the day’s lesson.

10. TOLENTINO, JOHN NATANIEL

FIRST YEAR IN ATENEO (1872-1873)
Father Jose Bech was Rizal’s first professor in Ateneo. To improve his Spanish,
Rizal took private lessons in Santa Isabel College during the noon recesses when other
students were playing or gossiping. He paid three pesos for those extra Spanish
lessons. Being a newcomer and knowing little Spanish, Rizal was placed at the bottom
of the class. He was an externo, hence he was assigned to the Carthaginians,
occupying the end of the line. After the first week, the frail Calamba boy progressed
rapidly. At the end of the month, he became “emperor”. He was the brightest pupil in the
whole class, and he was awarded a prize, a religious picture. He was proud of it
because it was the first prize he ever won at the Ateneo.
In the second half of his year in the Ateneo, he did not try enough to retain his
academic supremacy which he held during the first half of the term because he
resented some remarks of his professor. He placed second at the end of the year,
although all his grades were still marked “Excellent”. At the end of the school year in
March, 1873, Rizal returned to Calamba for summer vacation. He did not enjoy his
vacation because his mother was in prison. Without telling his father, he went to Santa
Cruz and visited his mother in prison. He told her of his brilliant grades at the Ateneo.
She gladly embraced her favorite son. When the summer vacation ended, Rizal
returned to Manila for his second year term in Ateneo.

SECOND YEAR IN ATENEO (1872-1873)

Nothing unusual happened to Rizal during his second term in the Ateneo, except
that he repented having neglected his studies the previous year. To regain his lost class
leadership, he studied harder. Once more he became “emperor”. At the end of the
school year, Rizal received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold medal. With such
scholastic honors, he triumphantly returned to Calamba in March, 1874 for the summer
vacation.

11. PIRA, MARK ARVIN B.

PROPHECY OF MOTHER’S RELEASE
Rizal lost no time in going to Santa Cruz in order to visit his mother in the
provincial jail. He cheered up Doña Teodora’s lonely hearth with news of his scholastic
triumphs in Ateneo and with funny tales about his professors and fellow students. His
mother was very happy to know that her favorite child was making such splendid
progress in college. In the course of their conversation, Doña Teodora told her son of
her dream the previous night. Rizal, interpreting the dream told her that she would be
released from prison in three months’ time. Barely three months passed, and suddenly
Doña Teodora was set free. By that time, Rizal was already in Manila attending his
classes at the Ateneo.

TEENAGE INTEREST IN READING

It was during the summer vacation in 1874 in Calamba when Rizal began to take
interest in reading romantic novels. As a normal teenager, he became interested in love
stories and romantic tales. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas- the first
favorite novel of Rizal which made a deep impression on him. As a voracious reader, he
read not only fiction, but also non-fiction. The Universal History by Ce sar Cantu- Rizal
persuaded his father to buy him this costly set of historical work that was a great aid in
his studies and enabled him to win more prizes in Ateneo. Later Rizal read the book of
Dr. Feodor Jagor- He wrote Travels in the Philippines. Rizal was impressed in this book
because of (1) Jagor’s keen observations of the defects of Spanish colonization, (2) his
prophecy that someday Spain would lose the Philippines and that America would come
to succeed her as colonizer.

12. LANTANO, REYNA CORINE A.

THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1874-1875)
When Rizal returned for his third year, his mother was released from prison. He
was able to concentrate more on his studies. However, at the end of the year, he
remained dissatisfied even as his grades remained excellent. He won only a single
medal in Latin as his Spanish classmate beat him in speaking Spanish. At the end of
the school year (March 1875), Rizal returned to Calamba for the summer vacation.
 FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO (1875-1876)
After a refreshing and happy summer vacation, Rizal went back to Manila for his
fourth year course. On June 16, 1875, he became an interno in the Ateneo. One of his
professors this time was Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez- a great educator and scholar,
one of Rizal’s professors who inspired him to study harder and to write poetry. Rizal
was highest in all subjects and won five medals at the end of the school term. He was
the most brilliant Atenean, he was truly “the pride of the Jesuits”. On March 23, 1877-
Commencement Day, Rizal, who was 16 years old, received the degree of Bachelor of
Arts, with highest honors.

13. ORIPON, KEVIN REY

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Rizal, unsurpassed in academic triumphs, was not a mere bookworm. He was
active in extra-curricular activities. An “emperor” inside the classroom, he was a campus
leader outside. He was an active member later secretary, of a religious society, the
Marian Congregation. He was accepted as member of this solidarity not only because of
his academic brilliance but also because of his devotion to Our Lady of the Immaculate
Conception, the college patroness. Rizal was also a member of the Academy of
Spanish Literature and the Academy of Natural Sciences. These “academies” were
exclusive societies in the Ateneo, to which only Ateneans who were gifted in literature
and sciences could qualify for membership.
POEMS
It was Dona Teodora who was first discovered the poetic genius of her son, and
it was also she who first encouraged him to write poems. However it was Father
Sanchez who inspired Rizal to make full use of his God-given gift in poetry.
Some examples of his writings when he was at Ateneo:
1874- Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration), the first poem Rizal probably
wrote during his days in Ateneo which was dedicated to his mother on her birthday;
Rizal wrote it before he was 14 years old.
1876, Rizal wrote poems on various topics-religion, education, childhood
memories and war. Below are some of his outstanding poems:
 1. Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town)- a tender poem in honor of
Calamba, the hero’s natal town, Rizal was 15 yrs old when he wrote this poem;
2. Alianza Intima Entre la Religion y la Buena Educacion (Intimate Alliance
Between Religion and Good Education)- Rizal showed the importance of religion in
education;
3.San Eustacio, Martir (St. Eustace, the Martyr)- a drama based on the prose
story of St. Eustace which he wrote in poetic verses during the summer vacation of
1876 and finished it on June 2, 1876.

14. MARTINEZ, ANGELIPHEY

PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURAL WORKS
Aside from writing poetry, he devoted his spare time to fine arts. He studied
painting under the famous Spanish painter Agustin Saez, and sculpture under
Romualdo de Jesus, noted Filipino sculptor. Both art masters honored him with their
affection, for he was a talented pupil.
FIRST ROMANCE OF RIZAL
Rizal was linked to numerous women in his day, but the first love he ever had,
according to his diary Memorias de un
Estudiante de Manila, was Segunda Katigbak.
He details his feelings for her and documents
their correspondence, which is something many
of us can relate with. These were the three
words Rizal used to describe the 14-year-old
Katigbak in his diary. “She is not the most
beautiful woman I had ever seen,” writes Rizal
somewhat harshly, “but I blushed every time she
looked at me,” he concedes. “I have not met
anyone more alluring and
beguiling.”Coincidentally, Katigbak attended the
same school as Rizal’s sisters, Colegio de la
Concordia. Many times, Rizal visited Katigbak at La Concordia under the pretense of
visiting his sisters there.
 Despite the many times they rendezvoused, Rizal and Katigbak never became
official, writes Ocampo. Rizal suspected the latter was already engaged, which was a
mistake. He decided to stay away from Katigbak and made excuses for himself. In his
youth, Rizal was also naïve about the qualities of real love, equating it with physical
attractiveness and wealth. “I shut my heart out to love,” writes Rizal in his diary, “I am
not rich and I am not handsome; I am neither sophisticated nor attractive,” he continues.
“Until I see more proof that she loves me, I will not commit to her or tell her that I love
her.” Their relationship ended when Katigbak was instructed by her father to return to
their family’s province in Laguna.
The last time they ever met was at a fiesta in Laguna, when Rizal, astride his
horse, rode up to Katigbak. She'd expected him to get down, talk, and have a good
time. However, Rizal became immobile and speechless.“I said nothing. All I did was
take off my hat,” he confesses in his diary. “The same thing happens to me at the most
trying times of my life! I become too slick, speechless, and overcome with emotions.”
Rizal’s first romance was ruined by his own shyness and reserve.

15. NICOLAS, KENNETH CAINE

THE UNIVERSITY OF STO. TOMAS (1877- 1882)

RIZAL ENTERS THE UNIVERSITY

• Rizal took the course on Philosophy and Letters. Two
reasons why Rizal enrolled in these course: His father like
it; and He was still uncertain as to what career to pursue.
It was the following term (1878-1879)
RIZAL TOOK UP THE MEDICAL COURSE
• Two reasons: He received the advice of Father Pablo
Ramon, Ateneo’s Rector to study medicine and to be able
to cure his mother’s growing blindness.
• He excelled in all subjects in the surveying course in
Ateneo.
• He obtained gold medals in agriculture and topography
FINISHES SURVEYING COURSE IN ATENEO
• 1877-1878 Rizal took the vocational course leading to the title of ―perito
agrimensor” (expert surveyor). He passed the final examination in the surveying course
on November 25, 1881. He remained loyal to Ateneo.
LITERARY WORKS (1879)
• Liceo-Artistico-Literario (Artistic-Literary Lyceum) of Manila, a society of literary
men and artists, held a literary contest.
1. A La Juventud Filipino (to the Filipino youth)- a poem written by Rizal, it was the
first prize winner. Two reasons why Rizal‘s poem is a classic in the Philippine
literature: 1. It was the first great poem in Spanish written by the Filipino,
whose merit was recognized by Spanish literary authorities. 2. It expressed for
the first time the nationalistic concept that the Filipino, and not the foreigners,
was the ―fair hope of the fatherland.

16. ENCINA, ALBERT A.

THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS (1880)

An allegorical drama written by Rizal which he entered in the literary contest of Artistic-
Literary Lyceum in 1880 to commemorate the fourth centennial of the death of
Cervantes. It was a literary masterpiece based on the Greek classics. The prize was
awarded to Rizal, a gold ring on which was engraved the bust (figure) of Cervantes.
Junto al Pasig (Beside the Pasig)
a zarzuela, written by Rizal. It was staged by the Ateneans on December 8, 1880,on the
occasion of the annual celebration of the Feats Day of the Immaculate Conception,
Patroness of the Ateneo.
CHAMPION OF THE FILIPINO STUDENTS
• Rizal was the champion of the Filipino students. In 1880. Rizal founded a secret
society of Filipino students. He became the chief of the secrete students society.

UNHAPPY DAYS AT THE UST

• Rizal found the atmosphere at the University of Santo Tomas suffocating to his
sensitive spirit. He was unhappy at this Dominican institution of higher learning
because:
(1) the Dominican professors were hostile to him
(2) the Filipino students were racially discriminated by the Spaniards
(3) the method of instruction was obsolete and repressive
 17. MANGABAT, JOHN JOSEPH C.
TOPIC 3- IN SPAIN 1882-1885
After finishing the 4th year of the medical course in the University of Santo Tomas, Rizal
decided to complete his studies in Spain.
SECRET MISSION IN SPAIN
• to observe keenly the life and culture, languages and customs, industries and
commerce, and governments and laws of the European nations. In order to prepare
himself in the mighty task of liberating his oppressed people from Spanish tyranny.
RIZAL IN BARCELONA
• May 3, 1882- Rizal departed on board the Spanish Steamer Salvadora bound for
Singapore. Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept secret to avoid detection by the
Spanish authorities and the friars
• June 16, 1882- Rizal finally reached his destination—Barcelona.
ARTICLES WRITTEN BY RIZAL
• Amor Patrio (Love Of Country) - a nationalistic essay written by Rizal under his
pen name Laong Laan which urged his compatriots to love their fatherland, the
Philippines. Basilio Teodoro Moran- publisher of Diariong Tagalog. Other written articles
of Rizal: - Los Viajes (Travels)- second article - Revista de Madrid (Review of Madrid)-
returned to him because the Diariong Tagalog had ceased publication for lack of funds.

18. GAMIT, MARIANNE

RIZAL IN MADRID
• November 3, 1882- Rizal enrolled in Universidad Central de Madrid in two
courses- Medicine and Philosophy and Letters. Rizal led a Spartan life in Madrid.
• He also studied in Painting and Sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts and took
lessons in French, German and English.
CIRCULO HISPANO-FILIPINO (HISPANO-PHILIPPINE CIRCLE)
• Shortly after his arrival, Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-
Philippine Circle), a society of Spaniards and Filipinos.
• “They Ask Me For Verses” (Me Piden Versos) - a poem written by Rizal in
response to the request of the members of the society. It is a sad poem in which Rizal
poured out the cry of his agonizing heart.
RIZAL AS LOVER OF BOOKS
• Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Eugene Sue’s The Wandering Jew -
aroused the sympathy of Rizal to his oppressed and unfortunate people.
RIZAL AS A MASON
• March 1883- Rizal joined the Masonic Lodge Acacia in Madrid under his
Masonic name Dimasalang. Rizal‘s reasons of becoming a mason: 1. the bad
friars in the Philippines, by their abuses unworthy of their priestly habit or
calling, drove Rizal to desperation and Masonry; 2. he needed the help of the
Masons to fight the bad friars in the Philippines, for Masonry, to Rizal, was a
shield to use in his fight against the evil forces of tyranny

19. DOMINGO, AILENE M.

RIZAL IN PARIS, CAPITAL CITY OF FRANCE

• June 17 1883, Rizal sojourn in Paris. He stayed at a cheaper hotel on 124 Rue
de Rennes in the Latin Quarter.
• Like all tourist, Rizal was attracted by the beautiful sights of Paris. He visited
important landmarks like the Place de la Concorde, Arch of Triumph, the Cathedral of
Notre Dame and others. Rizal improved his mind by observing closely the French way
of life. He spent his hours in museums, botanical garden and art galleries. According to
Rizal “Paris is the costliest capital in Europe.” Prices of food, drinks, theatre, laundry,
hotels and transportation were too high.
• Two hospitals where Rizal made some observations:
Laennec Hospital- where Rizal observed Dr. Nicaise treating his patients
Lariboisiere Hospital- where Rizal observed the examination of different diseases of
women.
• August 20, 1883 he returned to Madrid and continues with his studies.
RIZAL’S SALUTE TO LUNA AND HIDALGO.
• In the evening of June 25, 1884, a banquet was sponsored by the Filipino
community to celebrate the double victory of the Filipino artist in the National Exposition
of Fine Arts in Madrid - Luna’s Spoliarium winning the first prize and Hidalgo’s Christian
Virgins Exposed to the Populace second prize. Rizal was the guest speaker. It was a
magnificent speech of Rizal, he saluted Luna and Hidalgo being the two glories of Spain
and the Philippines. He also assailed with refined sarcasm the bigotry and blindness of
certain unworthy Spaniards who could not comprehend the universality of Genius.
STUDIES COMPLETED IN SPAIN
• June 21, 1884- conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine. He was not
awarded his Doctor‘s diploma due to the fact that he did not present the thesis required
for graduation nor paid the corresponding fees.
June 19, 1885- Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters with the rating of
“Excellent”(Sobresaliente).

20. DE BELEN, REDEN G.

TOPIC 4- CONTINUED STAY IN EUROPE 1885-1887

• Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to specialize in Ophthalmology. He
travelled and observed European life and customs in Paris, Heidelberg, Leipzig, and
Berlin.

PARIS (1885-1886)
• He was 24 years old and already a physician, he went to Paris to obtain
knowledge in Ophthalmology. In November 1885, he worked for four months as an
assistant to Dr. Louis de Weckert, a leading French ophthalmologist.
• Outside of his working hours, he also found time to relax and be with his good
friends like the Pardo de Taveras, Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo. At the
studio of Juan Luna, he improved his painting technique. He became a model to Juan
Luna’s several paintings. In the home of the Pardo de Tavera, Rizal played the flute, he
admitted that he had no natural aptitude for music.
GERMANY
IN HEIDELBERG
• In February 1886, Rizal left Paris and went to Germany. He arrived in
Heidelberg, a historic city in Germany famous for its old university and romantic
surroundings.
• He lived near the University of Heidelberg and worked as an assistant to Dr. Otto
Becker at the University Eye Hospital. Outside his apprenticing hours, he also listened
to lectures delivered by Dr. Becker and Prof. Wilhelm Kuchne.
• Rizal devoted his free time visiting Heidelberg Castle, Neckar River, the theatre
and some old churches found in the city. The Neckar River and the beautiful spring
flowers blooling along its banks reminded him of how dearly he missed Calamba.
• April 22, 1886, Rizal wrote a touching poem entitled To the Flowers of
Heidelberg.
IN WILHELMSFELD
• A mountainous village near Heidelberg where Rizal spent his summer vacation.
• Rizal lived with the family of Pastor Karl Ullmer, a Protestant pastor who became
his good friend and admirer. The pleasant personality and talents in languages and
sketching endeared him to the Ullmer’s family.
• For three months he enjoyed the hospitality and kindness of the family.
• June 25, 1886, he returned to Heidelberg.

21. ESPONILLA, KURT RANIELLE

FIRST LETTER TO BLUMENTRITT

• July 31, 1886 Rizal wrote his first letter in German to Professor Ferdinand
Blumentritt, Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria. Rizal wrote to him after
learning that this ethnologist was interested in the Tagalog language. He sent him a
book entitled Arithmetica. Published in 2 languages- Spanish and Tagalog. By UST
Press of 1868. Author was Rufino Baltazar Hernandez a native of Santa Cruz, Laguna.
Ferdinand reciprocated the thoughtful gesture of Rizal by sending him two books. The
exchanged marked the beginning of their long and beautiful friendship.
IN LEIPZIG
• In August 1886, Rizal arrived in Leipzig. He stayed here for two months doing a
lot of writing and translating.
• He very much liked what he saw, the magnificent buildings, wide and clean
streets and amiable people.
• William Tell- written by Schiller, Rizal translated it from German into Tagalog so
that Filipino might know the story of the champion of Swiss independence.
• Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales - Rizal also translated this in Tagalog for his
nephews and nieces.
• Because of his knowledge of German, Spanish, and other European languages,
Rizal worked as proof-reader in a publishing firm.
• He attended some lectures on history and psychology at the University of Leipzig
and met Professor Friedrich Ratzel- a famous German historian and Dr. Hans Meyer-
German anthropologist. They had become his friends.
IN BERLIN
• In November 1886, Rizal arrived in Berlin. He was enchanted by this city
because of its scientific atmosphere and the absence of racial prejudice.
• Dr. Feodor Jagor - Rizal met for the first time this celebrated German scientist-
traveler and author of Travels in the Philippines, a book which Rizal read and admired
during his student days in Manila.
• Dr. Rudolf Virchow- a famous German anthropologist. (Dr. Jagor, introduced
Rizal to Dr. Virchow)
• Dr. Ernest Schweigger (1830-1905)- famous German ophthalmologist where
Rizal worked
• Rizal became a member of the Anthropological Society, the Ethnological Society,
and the Geographical Society of Berlin, upon the recommendation of Dr. Jagor and Dr.
Meyer
• Tagalische Verkunst (Tagalog Metrical Art)- Rizal wrote this scholarly paper in
German which he read before the society in April 1887. This paper was published by
the society in the same year, and elicited favorable comments from all scientific quarters

22. GAMIDO, BRYAN JAMES

GERMAN WOMEN AND THEIR CUSTOMS

• Rizal wrote a letters addressed to his sister, Trinidad. He said that German
woman is serious, diligent, educated, and friendly. She is not gossipy, frivolous and
quarrelsome.
• Aside from women, Rizal admired the German customs. The Christmas custom
of the German delighted him most of his yuletide custom he wrote on Christmas eve.
Another interesting German custom observed by Rizal is self-introduction to strangers in
a social gathering.

NOLI ME TANGERE PUBLISHED IN BERLIN (1887)

• 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”. “Noli Me Tangere, are
words taken from the Gospel of St. John
(Chapter 20 Verses 13 to 17).
Rizal dedicated his Noli Me Tangere to the
Philippines—“To My Fatherland”. It contains
63 chapters and an epilogue. Maximo Viola- The savior of Noli, he gave him the needed
funds to publish the novel.

GRAND TOUR FROM GERMANY TO ITALY

• May 11, 1887- Rizal and Viola left Berlin by train going to Dresden, one of the
best cities in Germany
• May 13- 16, 1887- Rizal and Viola went to Leitmeritz, Bohemia to visit Professor
Blumentritt. A kind-hearted, old Austrian professor who became a dear friend of Rizal.
• With Prof. Blumentritt as their guide, Rizal and Viola visited the churches, the
residence of the Bishop and other important buildings of the city.
• From May 20-30, 1887 -They visited other cities in Europe like, Prague, Vienna-
the "Queen of Danube", Lintz, Rheinfall, Munich and Nuremberg. They visited
museums, magnificent buildings, cathedrals and beautiful sights.

• June 2 to 3, 1887- stayed at

Schaffhausen, Switzerland. GENEVA- This
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.
• June 23, 1887- Viola and Rizal parted ways—Viola returned to Barcelona while
Rizal continued the tour to Italy
• June 27, 1887- Rizal reached Rome, the “Eternal City” and also called the “City
of the Caesars. After a week of wonderful sojourn in Rome, Rizal prepared to return to
the Philippines.

23. GALASINAO, LEA KRIS

TOPIC 5- FIRST RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES 1887-1888
TRAVEL TO THE PHILIPPINES
The stunning beauty of the European lands did not stop Rizal from continuously adoring
his native land. After the Noli Me Tangere was published, he decided to return to
Calamba despite the many warning he received from friends and relatives alike.
• He had four reasons for returning to the Philippines:
a) To perform an operation on Dona Teodora’s eyes;
b) To defend his oppressed countrymen more effectively than doing so in a foreign
land;
c) To find out how his Noli was received by the Filipinos and Spaniards; and
d) To know the reason for Leonor Rivera’s long silence.

• July 3, 1887, Rizal left Marseilles (France), it was his first return to the Philippines
after leaving it to study in Spain five years ago.
• August 6, 1887, he arrived in Manila and visited some friends.
AT HIS HOMETOWN
• August 8, 1887, he reached Calamba. He opened a medical clinic and restored
his mother’s vision. Such “miraculous” news spread throughout the community like wild
fire, thus, his clinic was flocked by people aspiring for a better eyesight. Newly arrived
from Germany, he began to be known as “ Doctor Uliman” (from the word Aleman) and
soon he acquired a lucrative medical practice. He earned $900 from his services as
physician.
• Rizal opened a gymnasium for young folks, where he introduced European
sports to discourage his town mates from idleness and gambling.
• He also took part in Calamba’s civic affairs and on his spare time made paintings
of the town’s landscapes and translated the German poems of Von Wildernath into
Tagalog.
• His happy days at Calamba was marred with the death of his older sister,
Olimpia, and to see Leonor Rivera. His family begged him not to see her at her
hometown in Camiling because of increasing concerns about his safety. Also Leonor’s
mother objected to their relationship.

24. FUGUIAO, PATRICK ANDREI

THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE NOLI
• Copies of the Noli Me Tangere had arrived at the Philippines weeks before
Rizal’s return to the Philippines. Some of copies of his book fell into the hands of the
Spaniards especially the friars. They found the novel “heretical, impious, and
scandalous in the religious order and anti-patriotic, subversive of public order, injurious
to the government of Spain and its function in the Philippine Islands in the political
order”.
• The controversy over the novel had reached the office of Governor General
Emilio Terrero. He requested Rizal to come to Malacańang Palace. Rizal met Governor
General Emilio Terrero who informed him of the charges against him. As a defense,
Rizal told Terrero that Noli only expose reality. Not having read the book yet and out of
curiosity, the governor general asked for a copy of the controversial novel, which he
later confessed that he enjoyed reading. He saw no problem on the book, yet to protect
Rizal’s life which was then in danger, he assigned Jose Taviel de Andrade, a young
Spanish lieutenant, as Rizal’s personal bodyguard. The friars asked Governor General
Terrero to deport him, but the latter refused because there was no valid charge against
Rizal in court.
• While still in Calamba, Rizal was seen as a troublemaker. There are groundless
tales circulated by his enemies that he was “a German spy, an agent of Bismarck, a
Protestant, a Mason, a witch, a soul beyond salvation, etc.” Realizing that his family’s
and friend’s safety were risked; and that his fight against the Spaniards have better
chance of winning if he’d stay abroad, Rizal, six months after, finally decided to sail
back to Europe. His plan was to return to Europe via Hong Kong, Macao, Japan and the
United States

25. FERNADEZ, NELA JOY R.

TOPIC 6- TRAVELS IN ASIA (HONG KONG, MACAU AND JAPAN) AND THE U.S.
FIRST TRIP TO HONG KONG AND MACAU
• On February 3, 1888, with a heavy heart, Rizal left Manila for Hong Kong. His
powerful enemies refused to give him peace and quiet. Anonymous letters with threats
on his life were sent to his parents’ house in Calamba.
• On February 8, 1888- Rizal arrived in Hong Kong and he was welcomed by
Filipino residents.
• Jose Sainz de Varranda, Terrero’s former secretary, followed Rizal in the said
British colony, and was believed to be commissioned by the Spanish authorities to spy
on the hero.
• While in Hong Kong, Rizal engaged in cultural activities. Among the experiences
while he observed were:
a) The Chinese way of celebrating their New Year, which included making noise
and exploding firecrackers to drive away evil spirits;
b) Chinese lauriat parties, where they served many different types of dishes;
 c) Chinese theatres which used symbolisms and noisy music to entertain an equally
noise audience;
d) He also managed to visit different churches and cemeteries that were owned by
Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims.
• On February 18-21, 1888, Rizal also visited Macau, a Portuguese colony near
Hong Kong. He was invited to stay at the residence of Don Juan Francisco Lecaros,
who was a former Filipino delegate to the Spanish Cortes. For two days, Rizal enjoyed
being a tourist and visited different cultural places which included churches, botanical
gardens, theaters and the Macao Casino.
• February 22, 1888- Rizal left Hong Kong, his destination was Japan.

26. PLATA, CARLOS JUSTINE

IN JAPAN
• February 28, 1888- Rizal arrived in Yokohama, the next day he went to Tokyo
and stayed at Tokyo Hotel for six days.
• Shortly after his arrival, Juan Perez Caballero-secretary of the Spanish Legation,
visited Rizal at his hotel who latter invited him to live at the Spanish Legation. Rizal
being an intelligent man, realized that the Spanish diplomatic authorities were instructed
from Manila to keep track of his activities. Since it was economical to stay at the
legation and he believed that he had nothing to hide, he accepted it.
• March 7, 1888- Rizal checked out of Tokyo Hotel and lived at the Spanish
Legation
• Rizal was impressed by the scenic Japan and had keenly observed the life,
customs, and culture of the people. The things which favourably impressed Rizal in
Japan were: the beauty of the country; the cleanliness, politeness, and industry of the
Japanese people; the picturesque dress and simple charm of the Japanese women;
there were very few thieves in Japan; beggars were rarely seen in the city, streets,
unlike in Manila and other cities.
• April 13, 1888, Rizal left Japan and boarded the Belgic, bound for the United
States.
RIZAL’S VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES (April- May 1888)
• April 28, 1888, Rizal arrived in San Francisco, California. The ship was held
under quarantine by the American health authorities, reasoning that there was a cholera
epidemic in the Far East where their ship come from. Rizal and other first class
passenger of the ship were released from quarantine and allowed to land after seven
days.
• On May 4, 1888, Rizal arrived in San Francisco and registered at the Palace
Hotel and stayed for two days. May 6, 1888, he was in Oakland, he boarded the train for
his grand transcontinental trip to the American continent. He was able to see places
such as Sacramento, Reno, (Nevada), Colorado, Nebraska, Chicago, Albany and on
May 13 he reached New York. He stayed in this city for three days, he visited the scenic
and historic places.
RIZAL’S IMPRESSIONS OF AMERICA
• Good impressions
a) the material progress of the country as shown in the great cities, huge farms,
flourishing industries and busy factories;
b) the drive and energy of the American People
c) the natural beauty of the land
d) the high standard of living;
e) the opportunities for better life offered to poor immigrants.
• Bad impression
a) the lack of racial equality: “America is the land par excellence of freedom but only
for the whites”
• May 16, 1888- Rizal left New York for Liverpool, England.

27. DOCTOR, CRYSTAL JOYCE A.

TOPIC 7- REFORMIST WORKS IN EUROPE (1889-1981)
IN LONDON
• May 25, 1888 to mid-March 1889- Rizal decided to stay in London because he
could improve his English, study and do an annotation of Antonio Morga’s Sucecos de
las Islas Filipinas and perceived it was a place for him to carry on the reforms he
wanted for the Philippines.
ANNOTATING MORGA’S BOOK
• May 1888-March 1889- He spent ten months (10) in the reading room of the
British Museum deeply immersed in his historical studies in London. This was the
greatest achievement of Rizal in London, the annotating of Morga’s book, Sucesos de
las Islas Filipinas (Historical Events of the Philippine Islands), which was published in
Mexico, 1609.

RIZAL AND THE LA SOLIDARIDAD

• December 31, 1888- inauguration of Asociacion La Solidaridad (Solidaridad
Association), a patriotic society. They crusade for reforms in the Philippine Government.
By unanimous vote of all members, Rizal was chosen honorary president. This was a
recognition of his leadership among all Filipino patriots in Europe.
• February 15, 1889- Graciano Lopez Jaena founded the patriotic newspaper
called La Solidaridad in Barcelona. A fortnightly periodical which served as the organ of
the Propaganda Movement.
• Its aims were as follows: to
work peacefully for political and
social reforms; to portray the
deplorable conditions of the
Philippines so that Spain may
remedy them; to oppose the
evil forces of reaction and
medievalism; to advocate
liberal ideas and progress; to
champion the legitimate
aspirations of the Filipino
people to life, democracy and
happiness. During his stay in
London, Rizal also made used
of his time in writing essays
and articles for La Solidaridad.
He also wrote La Vision del
Fray Rodriguez (The Vision of
Fray Rodriguez)-pamphlet which published in Barcelona under his nom-de-plume
Dimas Alang in order to defense his novel.
• In London, Rizal received both good news and bad news from news. The good
news that Rev. Vicente Garcia was defending his Noli from the attacks of the friars. On
the other hand, the bad news were that the Filipino signatories of the “Petition of 1888”
and the tenants of the Calamba agrarian trouble were facing persecution; that his
brothers-in-law Manuel T. HIdalgo and Mariano Herbosa, were exiled to Bohol and was
denied Christian burial, respectively; and his friend, Laureno Viadoa, a UST medical
student, was imprisoned for possessing some copies of his Noli.

28. ALTISING, ZYBEL

IN PARIS
• It was mid-March 1899, Rizal decided to move to Paris. He noticed that Parisian
life was different from the life he experienced in London. It was a city bursting with
merriment, exciting events, and unending social gathering. The cost of living was also
very high.
• Rizal never lost his focus although life in Paris was gay, he continued to spend
long hours at the National library in Paris. There, he went on reviewing and rewriting his
historical annotations on De Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas. It was published on
January 1890. He also wrote a satirical booklet entitled Por Telefono, in answer to Fr.
Salvation Fort, a Spanish friar who hurled attacks on the Noli Me Tangere and caused
its banning.
• He continued his study on various languages especially the French language,
which he was able to perfect during his 10 months stay at the French capital city.
• He organized a social club called Kidlat Club, a social club which brought
together young Filipinos residing in Paris. Soon, the members of the said club founded
a new Filipino society - the Indios Bravos, an organization which envisioned Filipinos
being recognized by Spain for being excellent in various fields of knowledge.
• In between his more serious activities, Rizal also had leisurely activities like
socializing with friends in their homes. Among those he frequently visited were the
homes of the Pardo de Taveras, the Venturas, the Lunas, the Bousteads and others.
• Although Rizal lived a frugal life, he prepared a sumptuous Christmas dinner for
some of his friends. Shortly after New Year, he visited London for the last time
In BRUSSELS
• January 28, 1890, left Paris for Brussels. He left the extravagant and gay social
life in Paris and stayed in a boarding house owned by the Jacoby sisters in Brussels.
• From 1889- 1890, Rizal continued contributing for La Solidaridad under the
pseudonyms Dimas Alang and Laong Laan. Among the 10 articles he had contributed
below were some of the most famous and important articles:
a) The Philippines Within a Century-article written by Rizal which he expressed his
views on the Spanish colonization in the Philippines.
b) The Indolence of the Filipinos- It is an able defence of the alleged indolence of
the Filipinos.
 c) the Sobre la Nueva Ortografia de la Lengua Tagala (The New Orthography of the
Tagalog Language) In this article, he laid down the rules of the new Tagalog
orthography
• From Calamba, Rizal received letters telling that the agrarian trouble in the
province was getting worse, and as such, he decided to go home. But instead of going
home, a letter from Paciano told him that they already lost the case against the
Dominicans and they were in need of a lawyer who would defend their family and the
families in Calamba from Madrid.
• Rizal wrote a letter to Ponce, he announced that he was leaving Brussels and
decided to go to Madrid because this case must be presented to the Supreme Court
and he needs to pay close attention to the developments of the case.

29. ALIPIO, WILPREX

MISFORTUNES IN MADRID (1890-1891)
• August, 1890, Rizal arrived in Madrid. Upon arrival in Madrid. Rizal immediately
sought help of the Filipino colony, The Asociacion Hispano-Filipina, and the liberal
Spanish newspaper in securing justice for the oppressed Calamba tenants. Nothing
came out of this, several newspapers were sympathetic to the plight of the Calamba
tenants but this did not translate to any form of action. By this time, Francisco Rizal and
other tenants were already forcibly evicted from Calamba by Governor General
Valeriano Weyler. Their houses were burned and more people were exiled regardless
of their gender.
• August 1890, Rizal attended a social reunion of the Filipinos in Madrid. After
drinking so many glasses the guests became more talkative. One of them, Antonio Luna
became drunk. Rizal challenged Antonio Luna, it was about the latter’s frustration with
his unsuccessful “love affair” with Nellie Boustead, and so gave negative remarks on the
lady which Rizal did not tolerated. The Filipinos tried to pacify them, pointing out that
such a duel would damage their cause in Spain. Fortunately, Luna, realized his
mistakes he apologized and Rizal immediately accepted his apology and became good
friends again.
• Rizal challenged Wenceslao Retana in a duel. Retana had insulted Rizal and his
family by writing in La Epoca, an anti-Filipino newspaper, that the Rizal family in
Calamba was ejected from their lands because they did not pay their rents. Rizal was,
by nature neither hot-tempered but when the honor of his people, family, women or
friends was besmirched, he never hesitated to fight even if he were risking his own life.
Retana at once published a retraction and an apology, he knew that Rizal was superior
in both pistol and sword.
• December 1890, Rizal received a letter from Leonor Rivera announcing her
coming marriage to Henry Kipping, an Englishman (the choice of her mother).This was
a big blow for him and his heart broke.
• Another marked event in Madrid was the Marcelo H. Del Pilar-Jose Rizal rivalry
for leadership in the Asociacion Hispano Filipino. A fraction emerged from the Filipinos
in Madrid, the Rizalistas and Pilaristas. The group decided that the leader must be
elected by two-thirds vote. Rizal won the election, he was offered the appointment but
he did not want to see the Filipinos in Madrid divided so he thought it best to leave the
city.
• Rizal took a vacation in the resort city of Biarritz on the fabulous French Riviera.
He was a guest of the rich Boustead family at its winter residence—Villa Eliada. The
one month vacation in this city worked wonders for Rizal. This is where he was able to
finish his second novel El Filibusterismo.
• March 30, 1891, Rizal bade farewell to the hospitable and friendly Bousteads and
proceeded to Paris by Train. He stayed at the home of his friend Valentin Ventura.

30. NOVELO, RENSIE JOY

RETIREMENT FROM THE PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT
• April 1891, Rizal was back to Brussels where he became busy revising and
polishing the manuscript of El Filibusterismo.
• Rizal retired from the Propaganda Movement. He notified the Propaganda
authorities in Manila to cancel his monthly allowance and devote the money to some
better cause, such as the education of a young Filipino student in Europe. He desired to
publish his second novel, to practice his medical profession, and later when he became
financially independent, he expected to make a more vigorous campaign for his
country’s redemption.
• Simultaneously with his retirement from the Propaganda Movement, Rizal
ceased writing articles for La Solidaridad. Many of his friends in Spain urged him to
continue writing because his articles always attracted considerable attention in
European countries.
• M.H. Del Pilar himself realized the need for Rizal’s collaboration in both the
Propaganda Movement and in the La Solidaridad newspaper because the enthusiasm
for the reform crusade was declining. He wrote to Rizal begging for forgiveness for any
resentment and requesting him to resume writing for the La Solidaridad.
• Rizal replied to Del Pilar’s letter, he wrote denying any resentment and explaining
why he stopped writing. Below are reasons why Rizal stopped writing for La Solidaridad:
a) Rizal need to work on his book ;
b) He wanted other Filipinos to work also;
c) Rizal considered it very important to the party that there be unity in the work ;
d) Marcelo H. Del Pilar is already at the top and Rizal also have his own ideas it is
better to leave Del Pilar alone to direct the policy.

THE PRINTING OF THE EL FILIBUSTERISMO

• July 5, 1891- Rizal left Brussels for Ghent, a famous university city in Belgium
because the cost of printing in Ghent was cheaper than in Brussels. F. Meyer-Van Loo
Press-a printing shop that give Rizal the lowest quotation for the publication of his novel.
• August 6, 1891-the printing of his book had to be suspended because Rizal could
no longer give the necessary funds to the printer. Valentin Ventura- the savior of the Fili,
when he learned of Rizal’s predicament he sent him the necessary funds.
• September 18, 1891- El Filibusterismo came off the press. Rizal gratefully
donated the original manuscript and an autographed printed copy to Valentin Ventura

31. ALICUMAN, LEA FLOR

TOPIC 8- BACK IN HONGKONG
• On October 18, 1891, after the Fili’ was published, Rizal left Europe. Aboard the
S.S Melbourne, he sailed to Hongkong where he lived for seven months. His reasons
for venturing to Hongkong were the following:
a) To leave his rivalry with del PIlar
b) To facilitate a Propaganda Movement in Hongkong; and
c) To be proximate to his family in the Philippines
• On November 20, 1891, Rizal arrived in Hongkong and was cordially welcomed
by the Filipino residents in the city, particularly, his friend Jose Ma. Basa.

• December 1, 1891- Rizal wrote his parents asking their permission to return
home. Rizal had a continued correspondence with his family in Calamba and had been
aware of the unsettled agrarian problem. On the same date, his brother-in-law, Manuel
T. Hidalgo, sent him a letter relating the sad news of the “deportation of twenty-five
persons from Calamba, including father, Neneng, Sisa, Lucia, Paciano and the rest of
us.”
FAMILY REUNION IN HONG KONG
• The Christmas of 1891 in Hong Kong was one of the happiest Yuletide
celebrations in Rizal’s life, he had a happy family reunion.
• While in Hongkong, Rizal practiced his medical career. With the help of his
friend, Dr Lorenzo P. Marquez, they built a large clientele and opened a medical clinic
where he was recognized as an excellent eye surgeon. He was equally supported and
aided both morally and financially by his family and friends with his chosen career.
• Another marked event during Rizal’s stay in Hongkong was his plan to move the
landless Filipino to Borneo and transform the said wilderness into a “New Calamba”
through the so-called Borneo Colonization Project.
• In April 1802, he visited Borneo and negotiated with the British authorities who
are willing to provide 100,000 acres of land for the Filipinos. Many Filipino patriots found
this project amusing, thus, promoted the said project. However, there were a number
who objected it, one of which was Rizal’s brother-in-law, Hidalgo.
• Twice did Rizal wrote a letter addressed to Governor General Eulogio Despujol
informing his Borneo colonization project, with whom he received no response. Instead,
Despujol commanded the Spanish consul-general in Hongkong to notify Rizal that such
project was very unpatriotic, and by immigrating Filipinos to Borneo, the Philippines will
surely be lacking of laborers.
• Despite the many oppositions from friends and relatives, he decided to return to
Manila on the following reasons:

a) To discuss with Governor General Despujol his Borneo colonization

project;
b) To form the La Liga Filipina in the Philippines; and
c) To prove that Eduardo de Lete’s allegations on him and his family in
Calamba were wrong.
• Before his departure, he wrote three more letters- the first addressed to his
parents and friends; the second one, to Filipinos; and the last Governor General Eulogio
Despujol.
• Instead of having the protection he desired, Rizal and his sister, Lucia fell into the
Spanish trap - a case was secretly filed against Rizal, and Despujol ordered his
secretary, Luis de la Torre, to verify whether the patriot had neutralized himself as
German citizen or not. And so, the siblings sailed across the China Sea without prior
knowledge of what awaits then in the Philippines.

32. BARTOLOME, JULIE ANN

TOPIC 9- RIZAL’S GREAT LOVES
1) Second Love: Leonor Valenzuela (1878)
Leonor “Orang” Valenzuela, Rizal’s second
object of affection, is literally the girl-next-door. They
met when Rizal was a sophomore medical student at
the University of Santo Tomas, during which time he
also lived at Doña Concha Leyva’s boarding house in
Intramuros, Manila. Orang, who was then 14 years
old, was his neighbour. During the courtship, Rizal
was said to have sent Leonor private and secret love
letters, which he wrote using invisible ink made with
water and salt—he was adept in chemistry, too. To
read the letters, Orang had to heat the letter over a
candle or a lamp. Rizal also frequented the
Valenzuelas’ home, which was a hang out place of
the students in the area. There are, however,
documents that may serve as proof that Rizal’s efforts
were not effective. Some accounts say he was
courting Leonor Valenzuela and his second cousin
Leonor Rivera at the same time—thus the need for invisible letters. (Still, we need to
appreciate the effort that went with it.) Rivera apparently knew of this and gave way to
Rivera’s attraction for Rizal. When Rizal left for Spain in 1882, it was said that he did
say goodbye to Orang, but kept in touch with the help of Rizal’s close friend, Jose
“Chenggoy” Cecilio.

2) Third Love: Leonor Rivera, Age 15, (1878-1890)

Jose Rizal was never the preferred choice of
Leonor Rivera’s mother, who confiscated all the
correspondences between Leonor and Rizal till it
frittered down to zero. Rizal was 18 going on 21 and
was devoted to Leonor. But he was just then opening
his eyes to Europe’s Enlightenment, where the
women were pleasing and the men were gallant.
Rizal really was in love with Leonor Rivera. He even
invented a coded alphabet so that they could write
sweet nothings to each other. But soon, Leonor faded
in memory. Why? Because in Europe, Rizal
conveniently romanced other girls and forgot he was engaged to her. Eventually the
Leonor Rivera-Rizal engagement did not survive the long-distance romance. In the end,
it turned into an idealized one (reflected as Maria Clara in Rizal’s novel, Noli me
Tangere), a painful love match doomed to fail from the very start. Yes, count this one as
real love. As an engaged couple, they showed real affection for each other while it
lasted.

33. ALAY-AY, ARVIE H.

3) Fourth Love: Consuelo Ortiga Y Reyes, (1884)

In Madrid, Rizal courted Consuelo Ortiga, age

18, the daughter of Señor Pablo Ortiga y Rey, who
was once mayor of Manila and who owned the
apartment where the Circulo Hispano Filipino met
regularly. Rizal, age 23, was then acquiring and
developing his charming ways with women. He
treated them with special consideration and with
gallant courteousness. All the young Filipino
expatriates courted Consuelo, and she in turn
encouraged every one including José Rizal, Eduardo
Lete, the Paterno brothers (Pedro, Antonino, and
Maximiano), Julio Llorente, Evangelista, Evaristo
Esguerra, Fernando Canon and others. Rizal gave
Consuelo gifts: sinamay cloth, embroidered piña handkerchiefs, chinelas (slippers) -- all
ordered through his sisters in Calamba (see his letters). Consuelo accepted all the
swains’ regalos but played Eduardo Lete against Rizal. She finally rejected Rizal’s
attention in favor of Eduardo’s, a Filipino Spanish mestizo from Leyte who, a year later,
dumped her. Two-timing Consuelo didn't really catch Rizal's true fancy except that he
impulsively joined the crowd.

4) Fifth Love: O Sei-San, Age 22, The Samurai’s Daughter (1888)

Rizal had fallen in love not only with the view of
Japan but more to its women, particularly with the 23-
year old Seiko Usui. Rizal affectionately called her O-
Sei-San. Rizal was attracted by her regal loveliness
and charm. Rizal saw in her the qualities of his ideal
womanhood—beauty, charm, modesty and intelligence.
Rizal was almost tempted to settle in Japan with O-Sei-
San. Although, she was very dear to him, his love for
his country and fellow Filipinos was greater. Sacrificing
his personal happiness, Rizal had to carry on his
libertarian mission in Europe, leaving behind the lovely
O-Sei-San.
“O Sei San, sayonara, sayonara! …. No woman
like you has ever loved me. … Like the flower of the
chodji that falls from the stem whole and fresh without
stripping leaves or withering... you have not lost your
purity nor have the delicate petals of your innocence faded--sayonara, sayonara.” Rizal.
 34. GALIZA, JOYCE ANGEL C.

5) Sixth Love: Gertrude Beckett, Age 19, (1886)

In May 1888 Rizal visited London for a short
time, boarding the house of the Beckett family: Mr. &
Mrs. Beckett, their two sons, and their four
daughters. The eldest daughter was named
Gertrude.She was a buxom young lady with blue
eyes and brown hair. She fell in love with Rizal and
gave him all of her attention during the family picnics
and gatherings. When Rizal stayed indoors during
rainy days painting and sculpting, she helped him
mix his colors and prepare his clay.
Rizal enjoyed her company. Eventually their
flirtatious friendship drifted towards a blossoming
romance. He affectionately called her "Gettie," and
in return she called him "Pettie."Rizal withdrew
before his relationship with Gettie could become
more serious, realizing that he had a greater mission
to fulfill and that in order to accomplish it he could not yield to the option of marrying her.
He suppressed the yearnings of his heart and decided to leave so that the lady may
forget him. Before he did, however, he finished a number of sculptural works, one of
which was a carving of the heads of the Beckett sisters.
 6) Seventh Love: Suzanne Jacoby (1890)
On January 28, 1890, Rizal left for Brussels,
Belgium. He stayed for a considerable time, paying for
room and board. His landladies had a pretty niece
named Petite Suzanne Jacoby. She was taken by
Rizal's charm and gallantry, and provided him good
company. Rizal could have flirted with the lady,
considering that his beloved Leonor was far away and
he was a lonely man in a strange and foreign land, but
he realized he could not deceive her. Suzanne fell in
love with Rizal, and wept when he left for Madrid in
July 1890.
She wrote to him in French:
"Where are you now? Do you think of me once
in a while? I am reminded of our tender conversations,
reading your letter, although it is cold and indifferent.
Here in your letter I have something which makes up
for your absence. How pleased I would be to follow you, to travel with you who are
always in my thoughts.
You wish me all kinds of luck, but forget that in the absence of a beloved one a
tender heart cannot feel happy.
A thousand things serve to distract your mind, my friend; but in my case, I am
sad, lonely, always alone with my thoughts -- nothing, absolutely nothing relieves my
sorrow. Are you coming back? That's what I want and desire most ardently -- you
cannot refuse me.
I do not despair and I limit myself to murmuring against time which runs so fast
when it carries us toward a separation, but goes so slowly when it's bringing us together
again.
I feel very unhappy thinking that perhaps I might never see you again.
 Goodbye! You know with one word you can make me very happy. Aren't you
going to write to me?"

7) Eight Love: Nellie Boustead (1891)

In 1891, Rizal took a vacation in Biarritz in
order to find reprieve from his troubles in Madrid. He
was a guest of the Boustead family in their winter
residence, Villa Eliada. Mr. and Mrs. Boustead had
two beautiful daughters, Adelina and Nellie. After
having lamented his frustrated romance with Leonor
Rivera on account of the lady's engagement to
another man, Rizal came to develop considerable
affection for Nellie, the prettier and younger daughter
of Mr. Eduardo Boustead. He found her to be
intelligent, morally upright, and full of life. Rizal wrote
to his closest friends about his intention to marry her.
Rizal's friends were delighted to hear that he had
found a suitable girl whom he at last wished to settle
down with. Even Antonio Luna, who had previously
loved Nellie, encouraged Rizal to court her and ask
for her hand in marriage. With all the
encouragement from the friends he held dear, Rizal wooed Nellie (also called Nelly)
who, in turn, returned his affections.
Rizal's marriage proposal failed for two reasons: first, Nellie demanded that he
give up his Catholic faith and convert to Protestantism, which was her religion. Rizal did
not like this idea. Second, Nelly's mother did not approve of Rizal, as she had no
desire to entrust her daughter to a man who was wanting in wealth and persecuted in
his own country. In spite of the circumstances, Rizal and Nellie parted as good friends.