Outline of Rizal's Life 2
Outline of Rizal's Life 2
Outline of Rizal's Life 2
Opposition to the bill Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo said in his speech said: “A vast
majority of our people are at the same time catholic and Filipino citizens. As such, they have two
great loved: their country and their faith. These two loves are no conflicting love. They are
harmonious affections, like the love of a child for his father and for his mother. This is the basis of
my stand. Let us not create a conflict between nationalism and religion, the government and the
church”.
Vehemently refuting the arguments of the opposition, Senator Claro M. Recto explained that
the novel have no intentions of discrediting the church. More so, he said that the bill only aims to
contextualize Rizal’s heroism in the face of Spanish tyranny. Accordingly, he uttered that: “ Rizal
did not pretend to teach religion or theology when he wrote those books. He aimed at inculcating
civic consciousness in the Filipinos, national dignity, personal pride, and patriotism… but while he
criticized and ridiculed the unworthy behaviour of certain minsters of the church, he made
exceptions in favour of those worthy ones”.
It was this context that Senator Laurel proposed a substitute bill. The inclusion
of all works and writings of Jose Rizal, not just the two novels, was the main feature of this bill. He
then stressed the removal of the term “COMPULSION” to appease the opposition. Nonetheless,
Senator Laurel asserted the importance of reading the unexpurgated edition of Rizal’s novels
because the true purpose of studying these will be defeated if not followed. To add a more
conciliating clause, the last amendment was proposed- the provisions regarding the “EXEMPTION”
of students from reading the two novels on certain conditions. With this, on May 12, 1956, Senate
Bill No. 438 was unanimously approved on second reading, likewise in the Lower House. Hence,
the birth of Rizal Law.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425 otherwise known as RIZAL LAW. Its complete title, “AN ACT
TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS,
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF
RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FELIBUSTERISMO,
AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES”.
The Filipino concept of hero, on the other hand, is much broader in concept,
albeit stripped of grandeur. Known as Bayani, Bagani, Magani, or Wani in various Filipino Ethno-
Linguistic groups, a hero in early Philippine societies was just a normal warrior of the community.
His simple task was based on daily needs of the village. Pangangayaw or raiding into unallied
territory is an example of this. It is important to point out that a Bayani does not work alone; he or
she always exerts effort together with his/her comrades in the community. In fact, the root word of
Bayani is Bayan (community, town or nation).
1. The extent of a person’s sacrifice for the welfare of the country (Teodoro A. Agoncillo 1965);
2. The motive and methods employed in the attainment of the ideal (welfare of the country)
(Teodoro A. Agoncillo 1965);
3. The moral character of the person concerned (Teodoro A. Agoncillo);
4. The influence of the person concern on his/her and or the succeeding age (Teodoro A. Agoncilli
1965);
5. Those who have a cocept of nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for the nation’s freedom
(Onofre D. Corpuz 1993);
6. Those who define and contribute to a system of life of freedom and order for a nation (Onofre D.
Corpuz 1993);
7. Those who contribute to the quality of life and destiny of a nation (Onofre D. Corpuz 1993);
8. A part of the people’s expression (Alfredo Lagmay 1995);
9. Person who thinks of the future, especially the future generations (Alfredo Lagmay 1995); and
10. The choice of a hero involves not only the recounting of an episode or events in history, but of
the entire process that made this particular person a hero (Alfredo Lagmay 1995).
However, noteworthy to mention that, there was no actual Law during the
American Regime that explicitly declared Rizal the official hero of the country. Three steps, instead,
were made by the American colonial government to promote his heroism, namely: 1) the creation
of Rizal Province; 2) the erection of Rizal Monument; and 3) the declaration of Rizal Day on
December 30 as a public holiday. Since then, Rizal’s image as a hero of the Philippines has
become a viable enterprise for stamp, chart, post-card makers, and other printed materials. This
was high lightened when in 1956, the Rizal Law was conceived, since books, textbooks, and
modules were necessary for educational purposes.
June 19, 1861- moonlit of Wednesday between eleven and midnight Jose Rizal was born in the lakeshore town of
Calamba, Laguna
June 22, 1861- aged three days old, Rizal was baptized in the Catholic church
Father Rufino Collantes- a Batangueño, the parish priest who baptized Rizal
Father Pedro Casanas- Rizal’s godfather, native of Calamba and close friend of the Rizal family
Lieutenant-General Jose Lemery- the governor general of the Philippines when Rizal was born
RIZAL’S PARENTS
Don Francisco Mercado (1818-1898)
-born in Biñan, Laguna on May 11, 1818
-studied Latin and Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila
-became a tenant-farmer of the Dominican-owned hacienda
-a hardy and independent-minded man, who talked less and worked more, and was strong in body and valiant in spirit
-died in Manila on January 5, 1898 at the age of 80
-Rizal affectionately called him “a model of fathers”
7. Jose (1861-1896)
-the greatest Filipino hero and peerless genius
-nickname was Pepe
-lived with Josephine Bracken, Irish girl from Hong Kong
-had a son but this baby-boy died a few hours after birth; Rizal named him “Francisco” after his father and buried
him in Dapitan
8. Concepcion (1862-1865)
-her pet name was Concha
-died of sickness at the age of 3
-her death was Rizal’s first sorrow in life
9. Josefa (1865-1945)
-her pet name was Panggoy
-died an old maid at the age of 80
10. Trinidad (1868-1951)
-Trining was her pet name
-she died also an old maid in 1951 aged 83
11. Soledad (1870-1929)
-youngest of the Rizal children
-her pet name was Choleng
-married Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba
Rizal always called her sisters Doña or Señora (if married) and Señorita (if singFrancisco Mercado and
Teodora Alonso Realonda married on June 28, 1848, after which they settled down in
Calamba
The real surname of the Rizal family was Mercado, which was adopted in 1731 by Domingo Lamco (the
paternal great-great grandfather of Jose Rizal), who was a full blooded Chinese)
Rizal’s family acquired a second surname—Rizal—which was given by a Spanish alcalde mayor (provincial
governor) of Laguna, who was a family friend
7
-
RIZAL’S ANCESTRY
FATHER’S SIDE
Domingo Lamco
(a Chinese immigrant from Ines de la Rosa (Well-to-
the Fukien city arrived in do Chinese Christian girl of
Manila about 1690) Changchow
Juan Mercado
(Rizal’s grandfather) Cirila Alejandro
Lakandula
(The last native king of Tondo)
Eugenio Ursua
(Rizal’s maternal
Benigma
Great-great Grandfather of (a Filipina)
Japanese Ancestry)
Manuel de Quintos
Regina (a Filipino from Pangasinan)
The Rizal family belonged to the principalia, a town aristocracy in Spanish Philippines
The Rizal family had a simple, contented and happy life
Tio Jose Alberto- studied for eleven years in British school in Calcutta, India and had travelled
in Europe 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.
NOTE: Rizal described his teacher as follows: He was thin, long-necked, with a sharp nose and a body
slightly bent forward.
teacher’s son which Rizal challenged to a fight.
P Andres Salandanan- challenged Rizal to an arm-wrestling match.
e Juancho-an old painter who was the father-in-law of the school teacher; freely give Rizal
d lessons in drawing and painting.
r
o Jose Guevara- Rizal’s classmate who also loved painting, became apprentices of the old painter
- “the favorite painters of the class”- because of his artistic talent.
Christmas in 1870-Rizal received a letter from his sister Saturnina, informing him of the
t arrival of the steamer Talim which would take him from Biñan to Calamba.
h
Saturday afternoon, December 17, 1870- Rizal left Biñan after one year and a half of schooling.
e
Arturo Camps- a Frenchman friend of Rizal’s father who took care of him on board.
DAILY LIFE IN BIÑAN
-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.
-The day was unusual when Rizal was not laid out on a bench and given five or six blows because of fighting.
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
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. In fact, Rizal dedicated his second novel, El
Filibusterismo to GomBurZA.
In fact, the ruling of the Court is believed to be part of the conspiracy to stifle the growing popularity
of the Filipino secular priests and the threat they posed to the Spanish clergy.
Father Magin Ferrando- 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
Manuel Xerez Burgos-because of his intercession, nephew of Father 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. Rizal was first boarded in a house outside Intramuros, on Caraballo Street. This was
owned by a spinster named Titay who owed the Rizal family the amount of 300 pesos
-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
NOTE: Rizal described this Jesuiot professor as “model of uprightness, earnestness, and love for the
advancement of his pupils”
Rizal topped all his classmates in all subjects and won five medals at the end of the school term.
Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration), 1874- 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.
-In 1875, inspired by Father Sanchez, Rizal wrote more poems, as such:
1. Felicitacion (Felicitationi)
2. El Embarque: Himno a la Flota de Magallanes (The Departure: Hymn to Magellan’s Fleet)
3. Y Es Espanol; Elcano, el Primero en dar la Vuelta al Mundo (And He is Spanish: Elcano, the First to
Circumnavigate the World)
4. El Combate: Urbiztondo, Terror de Jolo (The Battle: Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo)
-In 1876, Rizal wrote poems on various topics-religion, education, childhood memories and war. They were as follows:
1. Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town)- a tender poem in honor of Calamba, the hero’s natal town
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. Por la Educacion Recibe Lustre la Patria (Through Education the Country Receives Light)- Rizal believed in
the significant role which education plays in the progress and welfare of a nation
4. El Cautiverio y el Triunfo: Batalla de Lucena y Prision de Boabdil (The Captivity and the Triumph: Battle of Lucena
and the Imprisonment of Boabdil)- this martial poem describes the defeat and capture of Boabdil, last Moorish sultan
of
Granada
5. La Entrada Triunfal de los Reyes Catolices en Granada (The Triumphal Entry of the Catholic Monarchs into
Granada)- this poem relates the victorious entry of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel into Granada, last
Moorish stronghold in Spain
-A year later, in 1877, Rizal wrote more poems. It was his last years in Ateneo. Among the poems written that year were:
1. El Heroismo de Colon (The Heroism of Columbus)- this poem praises Columbus, the discoverer of America
2. Colon y Juan II (Columbus and John II)- this poem relates how King Kohn II of Portugal missed fame and
riches by his failure to finance the projected expedition of Columbus to the New World
3. Gran Consuelo en la Mayor Desdicha (Great Solace in Great Misfortune)- this is a legend in verse of the tragic
life of Columbus
4. Un Dialogo Aluviso a la Despedida de los Colegiales (A Farewell Dialogue of the Students)- this was the
last poem written by Rizal in Ateneo; it is a poignant poem of farewell to his classmate
Al Niño Jesus (To the Child Jesus)- this poem was written in 1875 when Rizal was 14 years
old; it was a brief ode.
A La Virgen Maria (To the Virgin Mary)- another religious poem which doesn’t have exact date
when it was written.
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
April 1877- Rizal who was then nearly 16 years old, matriculated in the University of Santo
Tomas, taking the course on Philosophy and Letters because (1) his father like it (2) he was “still
uncertain as to what career to pursue”.
Father Pablo Ramon-Rector of Ateneo, who had been good to him during his student
days in that college, asking for advice on the choice of a career but unfortunately he was in
Mindanao.
It was during the following term (1878-1879) that Rizal, having received the Ateneo Rector’s
advice to study medicine. During Rizal’s first school term in the University of Santo Tomas
(1877-1878), Rizal also studied in Ateneo. He took the vocational course leading to the title of
perito agrimensor (expert surveyor). Rizal excelled in all subjects in the surveying course in
Ateneo, obtaining gold medals in agriculture and topography.
November 25, 1881- the title was issued to Rizal for passing the final examination in the
surveying course.
Liceo Artistico-Literario (Artistic-Literary Lyceum) of Manila- a society of literary men
and artists, held a literary contest in the year 1879.
A La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth)- Rizal, who was then 18 years old, submitted
this poem. This poem is an inspiring poem of flawless form. Rizal beseeched the Filipino youth to
rise from lethargy, to let genius fly swifter than the wind and descend with art and science to
break the chains that have long bound the spirit of the people. This winning poem of Rizal is a
classic in Philippine literature for two reasons: (1) it was the great poem in Spanish written
by a Filipino, whose merit was recognized by Spanish literary authorities (2) it expressed for the
first time the nationalistic concept that the Filipinos, and not the foreigners, were the “fair hope
of the Fatherland”
The Board of Judges, composed of Spaniards, was impressed by Rizal’s poem and gave it the
first prize which consisted of a silver pen, feather-shaped and decorated with a gold ribbon.
El Consejo de los Dioses (The Councils of the Gods)- 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.
NOTE: the above-said poem is a literary masterpiece based on the Greek classics. The prize was awarded to
Rizal, a gold ring on which was engraved the bust of Cervantes.
D.N. del Puzo- a Spanish writer, who won the
second prize.
Junto al Pasig (Beside the Pasig)- a zarzuela
which 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.
This can be very exhaustive as I deal with historical facts apropos of the relationship of Jose Rizal with the University of
Santo Tomas. I am indebted to Fr. Fidel Villaroel, OP, the eminent historian and former archivist of the UST Archives for
giving me the distinct privilege (without going through the norms and policies) of touring the archives and letting me
examined some important documents pertaining but not principally to the history of the Philippines. As a pioneering
institution of learning – from the martyrdom of Gomez, Burgos and Zamora, to the propaganda movement, to
the revolution of 1896, to the birth of the Republic in 1898, to the commonwealth period and finally to the
restoration o independence in 1946 – it is therefore presumptuous to assume the UST has had a hand in the making of
the history of the Philippines.
Sadly, in spite of some efforts of few academicians and historians to present a more truthful history of the UST during the
Spanish era, many still were caught off guard and instead decided to rely on meager source materials. Worse, some
merely copied what pre-war and post-war authors written in the past 100 years. New generation writers, historians and
biographers of Jose Rizal are no exception to such historians like Retana, Craig, Russel, Laudback, Coates, Hernandez
and Zaide who had pictured a villain character of the university.
As what Fr. Villaroel said, none of the biographers and historians took the time of looking into the original academic
records of Rizal. Neither there were efforts on their part to make a study on UST based on the archival records of the
Pontifical University. “It has been treated inadequately, at times, with a good deal of misunderstanding, exaggeration or
prejudice.”
The second confusion was their failure to understand the underlying principles behind the anti-friars and anti-UST writings
of Rizal particularly the El Fili.
After seeing the documents at the UST Archives and reading Fr. Villaroel’s well-written study on Rizal and the University
of Santo Tomas, I can only scoff at those who bask at their ignorance and use many of the myths to advance their cause.
Such is the case of some pexers here who undoubtedly use these myths for their own good. In the words of Dr. Serafin
Quiason, former chairman of the National Historical Institue, “it is a great virtue of his (Fr. Villaroel) study that he sweeps
away many of the myths which have passed for facts for almost three quarters of a century. He has solved many difficult
questions and the readers can be grateful for a valuable and devoted piece of work.”
This thread intends to rectify some issues pertaining to the negative pictures projected about Rizal’s relationship with his
alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas based on the study by Fr. Villaroel who had diligently dug through the archival
materials of UST and Archivo de la Provincia del Sto. Rosario. Was Rizal discriminated and treated shabbily by the
Dominicans? Why did he leave UST? Why did he criticize the University years later? How are the stories of El
Filibusterismo to be understood?
MYTH:
Rizal complained about his grades in UST and was discriminated and treated shabbily by the
Dominicans.
FACTS:
(1) Rizal entered the UST in 1877, enrolling in the Pre-Law Course, which was made up of philosophical subjects. The
course was commonly called metaphysics. He passed the course brilliantly with the highest grades in spite of his initial
indifference to philosophy and his youthful distractions through the year. Then he opted for the career of medicine. And
in
1878-1879 he took simultaneously the Pre-Medical Course and the First Year of Medicine; this was against the rules, but
Rizal was favored with a dispensation. The Pre-Medicine Course was also called Ampliacion, because the student, having
taken already Physics, Chemistry and Natural History in the high school, now took an advanced course on the same
subjects (Rizal did not take in Santo Tomas the “class of physics” described in El Fili but rather in Ateneo).
In his courses of medicine, Rizal was a good student, above-average, though not excellent; but none of his classmates
were excellent either. Summing up, in the 21 subjects taken in UST, Rizal obtained one aprobado (passing grade), eight
bueno (good), six notable (very good) and six sobresaliente (excellent). Majority of students in Rizal’s time, or in any time,
would have been satisfied with the above grades. It is possible that Rizal was not, but it is a fact that he never complained
about his grades, there is not a single word in his works showing displeasure at the unfairness of UST.
Yet many of his biographers are angry, unreasonably angry (including anti-ust pexers?) at the treatment given to the
national hero by his alma mater. How could Rizal, after a perfect record of “Excellent” in the high school (Ateneo) now
receive such “low” grades at UST? The critics had to look for an explanation, and since they did not find fault in Rizal,
then they had to blame the Dominicans and UST. And from Retana to Austin Craig, from Frank Lauback to Austin
Coates and to quite a long line of Filipino biographers (with some exceptions), we only hear the same repeated
lamentation that every school child must now learn in the textbooks: that Rizal was “below his usual standards”, and for
the extremely serious charge that the “Dominican professors were hostile to him” and “the Filipino students were racially
discriminated” (Zaide), and that there was “excessive harping on the alleged intellectual superiority of the Spanish
(because he was white) to the Filipino, a brown man, and Indio (JM Hernandez), and so on. An objective historian must
squarely face and honestly answer these grave statements, which sound like accusations.
Was Rizal “far below his usual standards”? What standards, in the first place? If by usual standards we mean the
grades of his Ateneo high school studies, the comparison is unfair. Nobody places elementary or high school standards
against college or University standards. They belong to different levels. At Ateneo municipal, Rizal was excellent, though
not the only excellent student. At the UST, none of his classmates ever got near to keeping a straight record of Excellent.
And this was because Medicine was a different kind of stuff altogether.
Therefore, if we are to arrive at a just appreciation of Rizal’s performance at the UST, we should compare, not his grades
in the high school with those in the university, but Rizal’s grades in Medicine against those of his classmates. In the first
year of medicine, Rizal’s class was made up of 24 students, but due to academic failures, seventeen of them were left by
the roadside before they reached the fourth year, when only seven took the final examinations. And in this fourth (and for
Rizal last) year, he landed in second place behind Cornelio Mapa. A persecuted Rizal would have probably ended by
the same roadside as the seventeen “debarred” classmates, or would have never boasted of being second when he
left for
Spain in 1882.
(2) It can hardly be said that Rizal was discriminated and treated shabbily by the Dominicans since he was granted
the rare privilege of studying simultaneously in the Preparatory Course of Medicine and the First Year of Medicine.
Records likewise show that six Spaniards were enrolled with Rizal in the first year of Medicine, of whom three were
Peninsular and three Philippine-born. If the criticism of some biographers were true, these six students would have been
favored by the friars. Yet at the end of the fourth year there remained only one Philippine-born Spaniard, Jose
Resurreccion y Padilla, who managed to get only a poor passing grade (aprobado), last among successful students, and
who in the following year received a crushing suspenso. It would be unkind to rejoice over failures, whether of Spanish or
of Filipinos, but the biographers of Rizal will not be convincing unless they prove with valid documents the existence of
“racial discrimination” in UST in the 19th century when it came to academic grades.
(3) Rizal’s inclinations and abilities must be taken into account. While he was undoubtedly inclined to, and remarkably
fitted for, the arts and letters, he was not much attracted to Medicine. “Perhaps – says Leon Ma. Guerrero – Medicine was
not his real vocation”. Medicine was a convenient career taken up in consideration of the poor health of Rizal’s mother,
whom he wanted to help, and eventually helped as a physician.
(4) When Rizal transferred to Spain and continued his studies at the University of Madrid, he showed there similar
characteristics. He was sobresaliente in the humanistic studies (literature, languages, history), while in Medicine he fared
worse than at the University of Santo Tomas. Ye no historian or biographer has ever complained about his
poor performance in Madrid or hinted that Rizal was discriminated against in that Central University.
(5) Rizal had Dominican friends in the persons of Fr. Evaristo Arias and Fr. Joaquin Fonseca. It was while studying
at UST that Rizal obtained public recognition as a poet. It was the Dominican; Fr. Arias who helped him cultivate his craft
in poetry. During his Thomasian years, Rizal composed the best poems of his pre-European period, one of them being A
la Juventud Filipina, winner of the first prize in the contest organized by the Liceo Artistico-Literario in 1879.
MYTH:
Rizal is said to have left UST for the following reasons:
a. because a certain professor of UST caused him displeasure (P. Pastells, SJ,
1897)
b. because the atmosphere in UST (meaning Thomistic atmosphere) suffocated him, and “it is presumed
that because of it he left” (E. Retana, 1907)
c. because in his class of medicine the lay professor made a statement contrary to the textbook and then he
refused to permit discussion or to give explanations; “so Rizal decided he was wasting his time to remain in the
University” (Craig, 1909)
d. because he found unfriendliness in the University, (Lauback, 1936)
e. because UST could not give “fuller learning” to the youth, and its “usefulness was almost, if not altogether nil.” (D.
Abella, 1965)
FACT:
Twenty authors quoting from the same erroneous source commit the same error twenty times over. Therefore, what the
quoted authors have said must be submitted to scrutiny. More significantly, all the authors quoted above have one thing in
common: none of them quote any historical source, like words from Rizal’s correspondence, his articles, etc. If any source
is ever mentioned it is infallibly the novel El Fili.
But is there not, we ask, a better source to support historical facts than a novel? In the present case, there seems to be
no other, and for one fundamental reason: because Rizal never revealed in clear terms why he left the Philippines in
1882. Neither he nor his brother Paciano, nor his uncle Antonio Rivera, nor his most intimate friends. Not a clear
word from them, who were the only persons who could have known. This fact leads us to conclude that the writers
who put the blame for Rizal’s departure on the University of Santo Tomas are only guessing, honestly guessing of
course, but mistakenly.
It is almost needless to enter into discussion with those writers who lay the responsibility for Rizal’s departure at the
door of UST. But let us face the question squarely.
(1) It has been stated that a certain professor, more concretely a lay professor of medicine, disagreed with the
textbook and refused to entertain discussion on the topics of his subject (so Pastells and Craig). This professor is
identified by Craig as one who, some years later, was classmate of Rizal at the University of Madrid. He was Dr. Jose
Franco who, as professor of Rizal in Santo Tomas, had threatened to fail the whole medical class (P. Pastells). But
granting that Professor Franco was speaking seriously, it is quite improbable that Rizal decided to leave the Philippines
for an incident with one professor, who besides did not fail him in the final examinations. Rizal’s companions and friends
did not seem to have noticed any misunderstanding between Rizal and any professor, as shown in a letter of Jose M.
Cecilio: “Your departure without notice has caused surprise among many friends to the point of stirring their curiosity.
They ask whether there were serious matters going on which prompted you to leave.”
(2) To attribute Rizal’s departure to what one author calls “rampant bigotry, discrimination and persecution” existing
in UST, whether said in general or whether specifically referring to Rizal, is a gratuitous accusation expressed in
ready- made phrases loaded with feeling. I presume that an educational policy like the one implied in such words has
never existed in any school or university anywhere in any period. As for Rizal, we have already explained with academic
records on hand, that there was in fact a discrimination in his favor when he was allowed to take simultaneously the
Preparatory course of Medicine and the First Course of Medicine Proper. And finally, he was one of the seven, out of 26,
who reached the beginning of the fifth year course, which he started in Madrid. All this has been shown here without
rhetoric, without feeling and only with the aid of laconic, diplomatic record as basis.
(3) That the UST did not provide “fuller learning” to its students, and that this prompted some of them like Rizal to go
abroad, as suggested by some authors, might be as true then as it can be true at any other period of her history. This can
also be said of any Philippine university today. The temptation to try better institutions abroad is always better, and those
who can afford it, occasionally fall for it. There is no denying that, in the last quarter of the 19th century, Europe offered to
the students of science, philosophy, literature and every aspect of material progress, horizons of learning that no colonial
land in other continents could possibly give in such measure. But if many student like Rizal went abroad is search of
“fuller learning” and profited from that experience, it would be wrong to conclude that a university like UST was therefore
worthless. Whether by choice or by the force of circumstances many more students stayed behind than left for Europe,
and those who remained received a tertiary education of such quality that enabled them to become builders of the
Philippine Republic. Thomasians trained here and only here were Pedro Pelaez and Jose Burgos, Apolinario Mabini and
Cayetano Arellano, Manuel Araullo and the Mapa brothers, Sergio Osmena and Manuel L. Quezon, Leon Maria Guererro
and Anacleto del Rosario, Felipe Calderon and Epifanio de los Santos, etc. and most of the men of the Malolos Congress,
all belonging to the generation of Rizal.
Until further historical research can project more light on the life of Rizal, little more remains to be said on this point. This
little more is reduced to the following: If neither the UST records nor the correspondence of Rizal with Paciano and his
family nor his letters to or from his intimate friends can support the alleged misunderstanding between Rizal and the
University; if those documents do not explain the reasons for Rizal’s departure for Spain, then i believe that the only valid
recourse left to the historian is the recourse to the oral tradition. And two traditions come handily on our way, one
preserved in Rizal’s own family and another in the University of Santo Tomas.
MYTH:
The “Class of Physics” (Chapter 13) in El Filibusterismo is autobiographical of Rizal’s stay in UST and that Rizal’s anti-
friars and anti-UST writings are reflective of how the national hero loathed the University.
FACT:
(1) While in Europe (1882-1892), Rizal changed considerably in at least one aspect, in his attitude towards religion. He
gave up some basic and essential tenets of his faith and ceased to be a practicing Catholic. This was due mainly to his
continuous association with many rationalist thinkers and liberal politicians of Spain and other countries of Europe. A new
rationalistic approach to life and his affiliation to freemasonry accentuated his anti-clerical sentiments and his antipathy for
the Catholic Church, for her belief and external manifestations (dogmas, rites and rituals and devotional life). These
changes in Rizal must be taken into account when assessing his ironic criticism of the Church, the religious Orders
and the University of Santo Tomas. History showed that the attacks thrown by propagandists at Santo Tomas, particularly
the Church, were just part and parcel of the clash between liberalism and Thomism. And that the attack thrown at Santo
Tomas , which was under the Royal patronage of Spain, was not unique since every university in Europe like Oxford
received the same fate for upholding Thomism. The Vatican in an encyclical endorsed Thomism as an instrument to
counteract rationalism, which at that time began to penetrate all spheres of society.
(2) Crucially affecting this new attitude of criticism were the events that occurred in Calamba from 1887 onwards as
a result of the famous agrarian litigation between his family and the Dominican Hacienda. Whatever reasons for
dissension might have existed in previous years due to worsening economic conditions affecting the country at large,
Rizal’s personal intervention in the affair in 1887 precipitated the legal suit. The case ended in the courts with an adverse
sentence against the family and other tenants and the tragic deportation of some of Rizal’s immediate relatives. That
social question and lawsuit had nothing to do with the UST, but it surely soured Rizal’s pen when writing about an
educational institution that was run by the owners of Calamba Hacienda. We have here another factor for his critical
attitude; again he had not in mind any past academic experience.
(3) The novel El Fili was written precisely during the years of the Calamba agrarian crisis (any student of literature or a
practicing writer would agree that if there are things that affect the consciousness of a writer, it would be the moment, the
milieu, and the race).
The “Class of Physics” is the subject of chapter 13 of the Fili, a subject that some historians and biographers have used
and abused lavishly. They have a reason, because the story comes in very handily to illustrate the student years of Rizal
at the UST, regardless of the novelistic character of the source.
The practical question here is whether the story of the “Class of Physics” really happened on even one day, whether it
reflects educational methods practiced in UST in the 19th century, or whether Rizal was just creating a scene suitable to
the aims of the novel, that is, to attack and discredit the religious institutes. Some biographers easily believe Retana’s
remark that “this chapter is an accurate picture of what happened in the Pontifical University of Manila when Rizal studied
there.” a remark written of course, when Retana had turned into a bitter enemy of the religious orders.
But even taking for granted that Rizal based his story on some incident that happened during his university years, this
is no reason to conclude that the general life of the University was similar. And as for the bleak picture of the physical
classroom itself, the UST still possess the schedules of classes in those years, and the Class of Physics is invariably
assigned to the Physics Laboratories, not to an ordinary classroom.
Finally, Austin Coates’ statement that this chapter of the Fili is “clearly autobiographical” is totally unacceptable, if by
autobiographical he meant that the experience of Placido was actually felt by Rizal personally or by some of his
classmates. And the reason is very simple: Rizal did not take Physics at the UST. He had taken that course at the Ateneo.
years after Rizal, recalled later that the laboratory materials in use at the Ateneo for teaching Natural History and Physics
were “very poor” (Rafael Palma, My Autobiography, Manila 1953).
The whole chapter is a caricature, very useful for the aims of the novel; it is not Rizal’s
biography.
BARCELONA
Afternoon of May 15, 1882- Rizal left Marseilles by train for the last lap of his trip to Spain
Rizal crossed the Pyrenees and stopped for a day at the frontier town of Port Bou
June 16, 1882- Rizal finally reached his destination—Barcelona
-Rizal’s first impression of Barcelona, the greatest city of Cataluña and Spain’s second largest city,
was unfavorable
Las Ramblas- the most famous street in Barcelona.
Amor Patrio (Love of Country)- nationalistic essay, Rizal’s first article written on Spain’s soil
-under his pen-name Laong Laan, appeared in print in Diariong Tagalog on August 20, 1882
NOTE: It was published in two texts—Spanish and Tagalog—the Spanish text was the one originally written by Rizal in
Barcelona, the tagalog text was a Tagalog translation made by M.H. del Pilar.
Basilio Teodoro Moran- a friend of Rizal in Manila and the publisher of Diariong Tagalog
where Rizal sent this article.
Diariong Tagalog- the first Manila bilingual newspaper (Spanish and Tagalog).
Los Viajes (Travels)- Rizal’s second article for Diariong Tagalog.
Revista de Madrid (Review of Madrid)- Rizal’s third article written in Madrid on November 29,
1882 but returned to him because the Diariong Tagalog had ceased publication for lack of funds..
Rizal received sad news about the cholera that was ravaging Manila and the provinces
according to Paciano’s letter, dated September 15, 1882.
Another sad news from the Philippines was the chatty letter of Chengoy recounting the
unhappiness of Leonor Rivera.
In one of his letters (dated May 26, 1882), Paciano advised his younger brother to finish the
medical course in Madrid.
Rizal left Barcelona in the fall of 1882 and established himself in Madrid, the capital
of Spain
LIFE IN MADRID
November 3, 1882- Rizal enrolled in the Universidad Central de Madrid (Central University of
Madrid) in two courses—Medicine and Philosophy and Letters.
Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando- Rizal studied painting and
sculpture.
Rizal’s only extravagance was investing a few pesetas for a lottery ticket in every draw of
the Madrid Lottery.
Rizal spent his leisure time reading and writing at his boarding house, attending the reunions of
Filipino students at the house of the Paterno brothers (Antonio, Maximo and Pedro) and
practicing fencing and shooting at the gymnasium
Antigua Café de Levante-during the summer twilights, this is where Rizal sipped coffee and
fraternized with the students from Cuba, Mexico, Argentina, etc.On Saturday evenings, Rizal
visited the home of Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey who lived with his son (Rafael) and daughter
(Consuelo)
Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-Philippine Circle)- a society of Spaniards and Filipinos
which Rizal joined shortly after his arrival in Madrid in 1882.
Me Piden Versos (They Ask Me For Verses)- upon the request of the members of this society,
Rizal’s wrote this poem which he personally declaimed during the New Year’s Eve reception of
the Madrid Filipinos held in the evening of December 31, 1882. in this sad poem, Rizal poured
out the cry of his agonizing heart.
Rizal economized on his living expenses, and with the money he saved, he purchased
books from a second-hand book store owned by a certain Señor Roses.
Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Eugene Sue’s The Wandering Jew- these
two books aroused Rizal’s sympathy for the oppressed and unfortunate people.
-Rizal attended his class at the university, participated in the contest in Greek language and won the gold medal
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 (Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al
Populacho), second prize
November 20, 21, and 22, 1884- the serene city of Madrid exploded in bloody riots by the students of
the
Central University
These student demonstrations were caused by the address of Dr. Miguel Morayta, professor of history,
at the opening ceremonies of the academic year on November 20, in which he proclaimed “the freedom
of science and the teacher”
The Rector, who also took the side of the students, was forced to resign and was replaced by
Doctor
Creus, “a very unpopular man, disliked by everybody”
November 26, 1884- Rizal wrote the recounting tumultuous riots to his family
June 21, 1884- Rizal completed his medical course in Spain; he was conferred the degree of Licentiate
in
Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid
The next academic year (1884-1885), Rizal studied and passed all subjects leading to the degree of
Doctor of Medicine but he did not present the thesis required for graduation nor paid the corresponding
fees, he was not awarded his Doctor’s diploma
June 19, 1885- on his 24th birthday, Rizal was awarded the degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and
Letters by the Universidad Central de Madrid with the rating of “Excellent”: (Sobresaliente)
November 26, 1884- a letter to Rizal’s family written in Madrid wherein he said “My doctorate is not
of very much value to me… because although it is useful to a university professor, yet, I believe they
(Dominican friars—Z) will never appoint me as such in the College of Santo Tomas. I say the same
thing of philosophy and letters which may serve also for a professorship, but I doubt if the Dominican
fathers will grant it to me.”
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin- inspired Dr. Rizal to prepare a novel that would depict the
miseries of his people under the lash of Spanish tyrants
January 2, 1884- in a reunion of Filipinos in the Paterno residence in Madrid, Rizal proposed the
writings of a novel about the Philippines by a group of Filipinos
Toward the end of 1884, Rizal began writing the novel in Madrid and finished about one-half of
it
When Rizal went to Paris, in 1885, after completing his studies in the Central University of Madrid,
he continued writing the novel, finishing one half of the second half
Rizal finished the last fourth of the novel in Germany. He wrote the last few chapters of the Noli in
Wilhelmsfeld in April-June, 1886
In Berlin during the winter days of February, 1886, Rizal made the final revisions on the manuscript of the
Noli
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
After the Christmas season, Rizal put the finishing touches on his novel. To save printing expenses,
he deleted certain passages in his manuscript, including a whole chapter—“Elias and Salome”
February 21, 1887- the Noli was finally finished and ready for
printing
Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action-Gesselschaft- a printing shop which charged the lowest rate, that
is,
300 pesos for 2,00 copies of the novel
March 21, 1887- the Noli Me Tangere came off the press
March 29, 1887- Rizal, in token of his appreciation and gratitude, gave Viola the galley proofs of the Noli
carefully rolled around the pen that he used in writing it and a complimentary copy, with the following
inscription: “To my dear friend, Maximo Viola, the first to read and appreciate my work—Jose Rizal”
The title Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase which means
“Touch Me Not”. It is not originally conceived by Rizal, for he
admitted taking it from the Bible
Rizal, writing to Felix Hidalgo in French on March 5, 1887, said:
“Noli Me Tangere, words taken from the Gospel of St. Luke,
signify “do not touch me” but Rizal made a mistake, it should be
the Gospel of St. John (Chapter 20 Verses 13 to 17)
Rizal dedicated his Noli Me Tangere to the Philippines—“To
My Fatherland”
The cover of Noli Me Tangere was designed by Rizal. It is a
ketch of explicit symbols. A woman’s head atop a Maria Clara
bodice represents the nation and the women, victims of the
social cancer. One of the causes of the cancer is symbolized in
the friar’s feet, outsized in relation to the woman’s head. The
other aggravating causes of oppression and discrimination are
shown in the guard’s helmet and the iron chains, the teacher’s
whip and the alferez’s scourge. A slight cluster of bamboo stands at
the backdrop; these are the people, forever in the background of
their own country’s history. There are a cross, a maze, flowers and thorny plants, a flame; these are
indicative of the religious policy, the misdirected ardor, the people strangled as a result of these all
The novel Noli Me Tangere contains 63 chapters and an epilogue
Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor- Filipino patriot and lawyer who had been exiled due to his complicity in the
Cavite Mutiny of 1872, read avidly the Noli and was very much impressed by its
author
CHARACTERS OF NOLI
The Noli Me Tangere was a true story of the Philippine conditions during the last decades of Spanish
rule Maria Clara-was Leonor Rivera, although in real life she became unfaithful and married an
Englishman Ibarra and Elias- represented Rizal himself
Tasio-the philosopher was Rizal’s elder brother Paciano
Padre Salvi-was identified by Rizalists as Padre Antonio Piernavieja, the hated Augustinian friar in
Cavite who was killed by the patriots during the Revolution
Capitan Tiago-was Captain Hilario Sunico of San Nicolas
Doña Victorina- was Doña Agustina Medel
Basilio and Crispin- were the Crisostomo brothers of Hagonoy
Padre Damaso- typical of a domineering friar during the days of Rizal, who was arrogant, immoral
and anti-Filipino
RIZAL’S GRAND TOUR OF EUROPE WITH VIOLA (1887)
May 11, 1887- Rizal and Viola left Berlin by train
Dresden- one of the best cities in Germany
Prometheus Bound-painting wherein Rizal was deeply impressed
Teschen (now Decin, Czechoslovakia)- next stopover after leaving Dresedn
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 Blumentritt- a kind-hearted, old Austrian professor
May 13 to May 16, 1887- Rizal and Viola stayed in Leitmeritz
Burgomaster- town mayor
Tourist’s Club of Leitmeritz-which Blumentritt was the secretary; Rizal spoke extemporaneously in
fluent Germany to the officers and members
Dr. Carlos Czepelak- renowned scientist of Europe
Professor Robert Klutschak- an eminent naturalist
May 16, 1887 at 9:45 AM- Rizal and Viola left Leitmeritz by train
PRAGUE
Dr. Willkomm- professor of natural history in the University of Prague
According to Viola, “nothing of importance happened” in this city
VIENNA
May 20, 1887- Rizal and Viola arrived in the beautiful city of Vienna, capital of Austria-Hungary
Vienna was truly the “Queen of Danube” because of its beautiful buildings, religious images,
haunting waltzes and majestic charm
Norfentals- one of the greatest Austrian novelists was favorably impressed by Rizal, and years later
he spoke highly of Rizal, “whose genius he so much admired.”
Hotel Metropole- where Rizal and Viola stayed
In Vienna, Rizal received his lost diamond stickpin
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
Exposition of the Philippines in Madrid, Spain- Rizal was outraged by this degradation of his
fellow countrymen the Igorots of Northern Luzon
RIZAL IN ITALY
June 27, 1887- Rizal reached Rome, the “Eternal City” and also called the “City of the Caesars”
Rizal was thrilled by the sights and memories of the Eternal City. Describing to 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 a 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
ARRIVAL IN MANILA
August 3, 1887- the moon was full and Rizal slept soundly the whole night. The calm sea, illuminated
by the silvery moonlight, was a magnificent sight to him
Near midnight of August 5, 1887, the Haiphong arrived in Manila
HAPPY HOMECOMING
August 8, 1887- Rizal returned to Calamba
In Calamba, Rizal established a medical clinic. His first patient was his mother, who was almost blind.
Rizal, who came to be called “Doctor Uliman” because he came from Germany, treated their ailments
and soon he acquired a lucrative medical practice
Rizal opened a gymnasium for young folks, where he introduced European sports
Rizal suffered one failure during his six months of sojourn in Calamba—his failure to see Leonor Rivera
VISIT TO MACAO
-Macao is a Portuguese colony near Hong Kong.
-According to Rizal, the city of Macao is small, low, and gloomy. There are many junks, sampans, but few steamers.
It looks sad and is almost dead.
February 18, 1888- Rizal, accompanied by Basa, boarded the ferry steamer, Kiu-Kiang for
Macao
Don Juan Francisco Lecaros- A filipino gentleman married to a Portuguese lady
-Rizal and Basa stayed at his home while in Macao
February 18, 1888- Rizal witnessed a Catholic possession, in which the devotees were dressed in
blue and purple dresses and were carrying unlighted candles
February 20, 1888- Rizal and Basa returned to Hong Kong, again on board the ferry steamer Kiu
Kiang
February 28, 1888- early in the morning of Tuesday, Rizal arrived in Yokohama. He registered at the
Grand Hotel
Tokyo Hotel- Rizal stayed here from March 2 to March 7
Rizal wrote to Professor Blumentritt: “Tokyo is more expensive then Paris. The walls are built in
cyclopean manner. The streets are large and wide.”
Juan Perez Caballero-secretary of the Spanish Legation, who visited Rizal at his hotel who latter invited
him to live at the Spanish Legation
Rizal accepted the invitation for two reasons: (1) he could economize his living expenses by staying
at the legation (2) he had nothing to hide from the prying eyes of the Spanish authorities
March 7, 1888- Rizal checked out of Tokyo Hotel and lived at the Spanish Legation
Rizal was favorably impressed by Japan. The things which favorably impressed Rizal in Japan were: (1)
the beauty of the country—its flowers, mountains, streams and scenic panoramas, (2) the cleanliness,
politeness, and industry of the Japanese people (3)the picturesque dress and simple charm of the
Japanese women (4) there were very few thieves in Japan so that the houses remained open day and
night, and in hotel room one could safely leave money on the table (5) beggars were rarely seen in the
city, streets, unlike in Manila and other cities
Rickshaws-popular mode of transportation drawn by men that Rizal did not like in
Japan
April 13, 1888-Rizal left Japan and boarded the Belgic, an English steamer, at Yokohama, bound for
the
United States
Tetcho Suehiro- a fighting Japanese journalist, novelist and champion of human rights, who was
forced by the Japanese government to leave the country
-passenger which Rizal befriended on board the Belgic
April 13 to December 1, 1888- eight months of intimate acquaintanceship of Rizal and
Tetcho
December 1, 1888- after a last warm handshake and bidding each other “goodbye”, Rizal and
Tetcho parted ways—never to meet again
LIFE IN LONDON
May 25, 1888- a day after docking at Liverpool, Rizal went to London
Rizal stayed as guest at the home of Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, an exile of 1872 and a practicing lawyer
in London. By the end of May, Rizal found a modest boarding place at No. 37 Chalcot Crescent, Primrose
Hill
Dr. Reinhold Rozt- librarian of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an authority on Malayan languages and
customs
-He was impressed by Rizal’s learning and character and he gladly recommended him to the authorities of the
British Museum. He called Rizal “a pearl of a man” (una perla de hombre)
Both good and bad news from home reached Rizal in London. Of the bad news, were the
injustices committed by the Spanish authorities on the Filipino people and the Rizal Family
The greatest achievement of Rizal in London was the annotating of Morga’s book, Sucesos de las
Islas Filipinas (Historical Events of the Philippine Islands), which was published in Mexico, 1609.
September 1888- Rizal visited Paris for a week in order to search for more historical materials in
the
Bibliotheque Nationale
Rizal was entertained in this gay French metropolis by Juan Luna and his wife (Pas Pardo de
Tavera), who proudly showed him their little son Andres (nickname Luling)
December 11, 1888-Rizal went to Spain, visiting Madrid and Barcelona
Rizal met, for the first time, Marcelo H. del Pilar and Mariano Ponce, two titans of the
Propaganda
Movement
December 24, 1888-Rizal returned to London and spent Christmas and New Year’s Day with the
Becketts
Rizal sent as Christmas gift to Blumentritt a bust of Emperador Augustus and a bust of Julius Caesar
to another friend, Dr. Carlos Czepelak (Polish scholar)
The Life and Adventures of Valentine Vox, the Ventriloquist-a Christmas gift from Rizal’s landlady,
Mrs Beckett
1. “A La Defensa” (To La Defensa), April 30, 1889- this was a reply to an anti-Filipino writing of a Spanish author
Patricio de la Escosura which was published by La Defensa on March 30, 1889
2. “La Verdad Para Todos” (The Truth For All), May 31, 1889- Rizal’s defense against the Spanish charges that the
native local officials were ignorant and depraved
3. “Vicente Barrantes’ Teatro Tagalo”, June 15, 1889- in this article, Rizal exposes Barrabtes’ ignorance on the
Tagalog theatrical art
4.“Una Profanacion” (A Profanation), July 31, 1889- a bitter attack against the friars for denying Christian burial to
Mariano Herbosa in Calamba because he was a brother-in-law of Rizal. Herbosa, husband of lucia died of cholera on
May 23, 1889
5. “Verdades Nuevas” (New Truths), July 31, 1889- a reply to Vicente Belloc Sanchez’ letter published in La Patria,
Madrid newspaper, on July 4, 1889, which asserted that the granting of reforms in the Philippines would ruin the
“peaceful and maternal rule” of the friars
6. “Crueldad” (Cruelty), August 15, 1889- a brilliant defense of Blumentritt from the scutrillous attack of his enemies
7. “Diferencias’ (Differences), September 15, 1889- a reply to a biased article entitled “Old Truths” published in La
Patria on August 14, 1889, which ridiculed those Filipinos who asked for reforms
8.“Inconsequencias” (Inconsequences), November 30, 1889- a defense of Antonio Luna against the attack of Pablo
Mir Deas in the Barcelona newspaper El Puieblo Soberano
9. “Llanto y Risas” (Tears and Laughter), November 30, 1889- a denunciation of Spanish racial prejudice against
brown Filipinos
10. “Ingratitudes” (Ingratitude), January 15, 1890- a reply to Governor General Valeriano Weyler
who, while visiting Calamba, told the people that they “should not allow themselves to be deceived by the vain promises
of their ungrateful sons.”
Simultaneous with Rizal retirement from the Propaganda Movement, Rizal ceased writing articles for
La
Solidaridad
August 7, 1891- M.H. del Pilar wrote to Rizal begging forgiveness for any resentment and
requesting
Rizal to resume writing for the La Solidaridad
Rizal stopped writing for La Solidaridad, it was because of several reasons: (1) Rizal need to work on his
book (2) He wanted other Filipinos to work also (3) Rizal considered it very important to the party
that there be unity in the work (4) 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
WRITINGS IN LONDON
While busy in research studies at the British Museum, Rizal received news on Fray Rodriguez’ unabated
attack on his Noli
La Vision del Fray Rodriguez (The Vision of Fray Rodriguez)-pamphlet wrote by Rizal which
published in Barcelona under his nom-de-plume Dimas Alang in order to defense his novel
-In La Vision del Fray Rodriguez, Rizal demonstrated two things: (1) his profound knowledge of religion (2)
his biting satire
Letter to the Young Women of Malolos- a famous letter wrote by Rizal on February 22, 1889 in
Tagalog
-this letter is to praise the young ladies of Malolos for their courage to establish a school where they could learn
Spanish, despite the opposition of Fr. Felipe Garcia, a Spanish parish priest of Malolos
The main points of this letter were: (1) a Filipino mother should teach her children love of God,
fatherland, and mankind (2) the Filipino mother should be glad, like the Spartan mother, to offer her sons
in the defense of the fatherland (3) a Filipino woman should know how to preserve her dignity and honor
(4) a Filipino woman should educate herself, aside from retaining her good racial virtues (5) Faith is not
merely reciting long prayers and wearing religious pictures, but rather it is living the real Christian way,
with good morals and good manners
Dr Reinhold Rost, editor of Trubner’s Record, a journal devoted to Asian studies, request Rizal to
contribute some articles. In response to his request, the latter prepared two articles—(1) Specimens of
Tagal Folklore, which published in the journal in May, 1889 (2) Two Eastern Fables, published in June,
1889
March 19, 1889- Rizal bade goodbye to the kind Beckett Family and left London for
Paris
Valentin Ventura- a friend of Rizal where he lived—No. 45 Rue Maubeuge, where he polished his
annotated edition of Morga’s book
Rizal used most of his time in the reading room of the Bibliotheque Nationale (National Library) checking
up his historical annotations on Morga’s book
Rizal was a good friend of the three Pardo de Taveras—Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, a physician by
vocation and philologist by avocation, Dr. Felix Pardo de Tavera, also physician by vocation and an artist
and sculptor by avocation, and Paz Pardo de Tavera, wife of Juan Luna
June 24, 1889- a baby girl was born to Juan Luna and Paz Pardo de Tavera, she was their second
child
Her baptismal godfather was Rizal, who chose her name “Maria de la Paz, Blanca, Laureana,
Hermenegilda Juana Luna y Pardo de Tavera”
May 6, 1889- opening of Universal Exposition of Paris
The greatest attraction of this exposition was the Eiffel Tower, 984 feet high, which was built by
Alexander
Eiffel, celebrated French engineer
KIDLAT CLUB
March 19, 1889-the same day when he arrived in Paris from London, Rizal organized his paisanos
(compatriots) into a society called Kidlat Club
Kidlat Club-purely a social society of a temporary nature
-founded by Rizal simply to bring together young Filipinos in the French capital so that they could enjoy their
sojourn in the city during the duration of the Universal Exposition
INDIOS BRAVOS
Rizal was enchanted by the dignified and proud bearing of the American Indians in a Buffalo Bull
show
Indios Bravos (Brave Indians)- replaced the ephemeral Kidlat Club
-its members pledged to excel in intellectual and physical prowess in order to win the admiration of the foreigners
-practised with great enthusiasm the use of the sword and pistol and Rizal taught them judo, an Asian art of self-
defense, that he learned in Japan
R.D.L.M SOCIETY
Sociedad R.D.L.M. (R.D.L.M Society)- a mysterious society founded by Rizal in Paris during
the
Universal Exposition of 1889
-its existence and role in the crusade reforms are really enigmatic
-Of numerous letters written by Rizal and his fellow propagandists, only two mentioned this secret society, as
follows (1) Rizal’s Letter to Jose Maria Basa, Paris, September 21, 1889 (2) Rizal’s Letter to Marcelo H. del Pilar, Paris,
November 4, 1889
According to Dr. Leoncio Lopez-Rizal, grandnephew of the hero, the society has a symbol or countersign
represented by a circle divided into three parts by two semi-circles having in the center the intwerlocked
letters I and B meaning Indios Bravos and the letter R.D.L.M. placed outside an upper, lower, left
and right sides of the circle
The letters R.D.L.M. are believed to be the initials of the society’s secret name Redencion de los
Malayos
(Redemption of the Malays)—Redemption of the Malay Race
It was patterned after Freemasonry. It had various degrees of membership, “with the members
not knowing each other.”
The aim of the secret society, as stated by Rizal, was “the propagation of all useful knowledge—scientific,
artistic, and literary, etc.—in the Philippines. Evidently, there was another aim that is, the redemption of
the Malay race
It must be noted that Rizal was inspired by a famous book entitled Max Havelaar (1860) written by
Multatuli (pseudonym of E.D. Dekker, Dutch author)
LIFE IN BRUSSELS
Rizal was accompanied by Jose Albert when he moved to Brussels. They lived in a modest boarding
house on 38 Rue Philippe Champagne, which was run by two Jacoby sisters (Suzanne and Marie). Later
Albert, left the city and was replaced by Jose Alejandro, an engineering student
Rizal was the first to advocate the Filipinization of its
orthography
Sobre la Nueva Ortografia de la Lengua Tagala (The New Orthography of the Tagalog Language)-
was published in La Solidaridad on April 15, 1890
-in this article, he laid down the rules of the new Tagalog orthography and with modesty and sincerity, he gave
credit for the adoption of this new orthography to Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, author of the celebrated work
El
Sanscrito en la Lengua Tagala (Sanskrit in the tagalog Language) which was published in Paris,
1884
** “I put this on record,” wrote Rizal, “so that when the history of this orthography is traced, which is already being adopted
by the enlightened Tagalists, that what is Caesar’s be given to Caesar. This innovation is due solely to Dr. Pardo de
Tavera’s studies on Tagalismo. I was one of its zealous propagandists.”**
Letters from home which Rizal received in Brussels worried him. (1) the Calamba agrarian trouble was
getting worse (2) the Dominican Order filed a suit in court to dispossess the Rizal family of their lands in
Calamba
In his moment of despair, Rizal had bad dreams during the nights in Brussels when he was restless
because he was always thinking of his unhappy family in Calamba
Rizal feared that he would not live long. He was not afraid to die, but he wanted to finish his second novel
before he went to his grave.
In the face of the sufferings which afflicted his family, Rizal planned to go home. He could not stay in
Brussels writing a book while his parents, relatives, and friends in the distant Philippines were
persecuted
July 29, 1890- another letter to Ponce written at Brussels by Rizal, he announced that he was
leaving
Brussels at the beginning of the following month and would arrive in Madrid about the 3rd or 4th
(August)
“To my Muse’” (A Mi…)- 1890, Rizal wrote this pathetic poem, it was against a background of mental
anguish in Brussels, during those sad days when he was worried by family disasters
MISFORTUNES IN MADRID (1890-91)
-Early in 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
El Resumen- a Madrid newspaper which sympathized with the Filipino cause, said: “To cover the ear,
open the purse, and fold the arms—this is the Spanish colonial policy
La Epoca- an anti-Filipino newspaper in Madrid
1. Jose Ma. Panganiban, his talented co-worker in the Propaganda Movement, died in Barcelona on
August
19, 1890, after a lingering illness
2. Aborted Duel with Antonio Luna—Luna was bitter because of his frustrated romance with
Nellie
Boustead. Deep in his heart, he was blaming Rizal for his failure to win her, although Rizal had previously explained to
him that he had nothing to do about it. Luna uttered certain unsavory remarks about Nellie, Rizal heard him
and angered by the slanderous remarks, he challenged Luna, his friend, to a duel. Fortunately, Luna realized that he
had made a fool of himself during his drunken state, he apologized for his bad remarks about the girl and Rizal
accepted his apology and they became good friends again
3. Rizal challenges Retana to Duel—Wenceslao E. Retana, his bitter enemy of the pen, a talented
Spanish scholar, was then a press agent of the friars in Spain. He used to attack the Filipinos in various newspapers
in Madrid
and other cities in Spain. Retana wrote an article in La Epoca, asserting that the family and friends of Rizal had not
paid
their rents so they were ejected from their lands in Calamba by the Dominicans. Such as insult stirred Rizal to action,
immediately he sent his seconds to Retana with his challenge to a duel
4. Infidelity of Leonor Rivera—Rizal received a letter from Leonor, announcing her coming marriage to
an
Englishman (the choice of her mother) and asking his forgivefess
5. Rizal-Del Pilar Rivalry—toward the closing days of 1890 phere arose an unfortunate rivalry between
Rizal and M.H. del Pilar for supremacy. Because of this, the Filipinos were divided ibto two hostile camps—the
Rizalistas
and the Pilaristas. The sitqation was becoming explosive and critical. Despite of winning the votes, Rizal
graciously
declined the coveted position
Rizal wrote a brief note thanking his compatriots for electing him as Responsible. It was the
last time he saw Madrid
BIARRITZ VACATION
-To seek solace for his disappointments in Madrid, 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
July 5, 1891- Rizal left Brussels for Ghent, a famous university city in Belgium
Rizal reasons for moving to Ghent were (1) the cost of printing in Ghent was cheaper than in Brussels (2)
to escape from the enticing attraction of Petite Suzanne
Rizal met two compatriots while in Ghent, Jose Alejandro (from Pampanga) and Edilberto Evangelista
(from Manila), both studying engineering in the world-famed University of Ghent
F. Meyer-Van Loo Press (No. 66 Viaanderen Street)-a printing shop that give Rizal the lowest quotation
for the publication of his novel, who was willing to print his book on installment basis
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 Ventura learned of Rizal’s predicament and immediately sent him the
necessary funds
September 18, 1891- El Filibusterismo came off the press
-Rizal immediately sent on this date two printed copies to Hong Kong—one
for Basa and other for Sixto Lopez
Rizal gratefully donated the original manuscript and an autographed
printed copy to Valentin Ventura
La Publicidad- a Barcelona newspaper, wherein it published a
tribute eulogizing the novel’s original style which “is comparable
only to the sublime Alexander Dumas” and may well be offered as
“a model and a precious jewel in the now decadent literature of
Spain”
El Nuevo Regimen- the liberal Madrid newspaper that serialized
the novel in its issues of October, 1891
Rizal dedicated El Filibusterismo to Gom-Bur-Za (Don Mariano
Gomez, 73 years old; Don Jose Burgos, 35 years old; Jacinto
Zamora, 37 years old)
The original manuscript of El Filibusterismo in Rizal’s own
handwriting in now preserved in the Filipiana Division of the Bureau of Public Libraries, Manila.
It consists of 270 pages of long sheets of paper
Two features in the manuscript do not appear in the printed book, namely: the FOREWORD and
the
WARNING. These were not put into print to save printing cost
The title page of El Filibusterismo contains an inscription written by Ferdinand
Blumentritt
El Filibusterismo is a sequel to the Noli. It has little humor, less idealism and less romance than the
Noli
Me Tangere. It is more revolutionary, more tragic than the first novel
The characters in El Filibusterismo were drawn by Rizal from real life. Padre Florentino was Father
Leoncio Lopez, Rizal’s friend and priest of Calamba; Isagani, the poet was Vicente Ilustre, Batangueño
friend of Rizal in Madrid and Paulita Gomez, the girl who loved Isagani but married Juanito Pelaez, was
Leonor Rivera
The original intention of Rizal was to make the Fili longer than the Noli
The friends of Rizal and our Rizalistas today differ in opinion as to which is the superior novel—the Noli or
the Fili. Rizal himself considered the Noli as superior to the Fili as a novel, thereby agreeing with M.H. del
Pilar who had the same opinion
September 22, 1891-four days after the Fili came off the press, Rizal wrote to Blumentritt: “I am
thinking of writing a third novel, a novel in the modern sense of the word, but this time politics will not find
much space in it, but ethics will play the principal role.”
October 18, 1891- Rizal boarded the steamer Melbourne in Marseilles bound for Hong
Kong
-during the voyage, Rizal began writing the third novel in Tagalog, which he intended for Tagalog readers
The unfinished novel has no title. It consists of 44 pages (33cm x 21 cm) in Rizal’s handwriting, still in
manuscript form, it is preserved in the National Library, Manila
-The story of this unfinished novel begins with the solemn burial of Prince Tagulima. The hero of the novel was
Kamandagan, a descendant of Lakan-Dula, last king of Tondo
-It is said that Rizal was fortunate not to have finsihed this novel, because it would have caused greater
scandal and more Spanish vengeance on him
Makamisa- other unfinished novel of Rizal in Tagalog written in a light sarcastic style and is
incomplete for only two chapters are finished. The manuscript consists of 20 pages, 34.2cm x 22cm
Dapitan-another novel which Rizal started to write but it is unfinished, written in ironic Spanish. He
wrote it during his exile in Dapitan to depict the town life and customs. The manuscript consists of 8
pages,
23cm x 16cm
A novel in Spanish about the life in Pili, a town in Laguna, is also unfinished. The manuscript consists
of
147 pages, 8” x 6.5”, without title
Another unfinished novel of Rizal, also without title is about Cristobal, a youthful Filipino student who has
returned from Europe. The manuscript consist of 34 pages, 8 ½” x 6 ¼”
The beginnings of another novel are contained in two notebooks—the first notebook contains 31 written
pages, 35.5 cm x 22 cm and second 12 written pages, 22cm x 17cm. this unfinished novel is written in
Spanish and style is ironic
October 3, 1891-two weeks after the publication of Fili, Rizal left Ghent for Paris, where he stayed a few
days to say goodbye to the Lunas, the Pardo de Taveras, the Venturas and other friends; Rizal
proceeded by train to Marseilles
October 18, 1891- Rizal boarded the steamer Melbourne bound for Hong Kong
Father Fuchs- a Tyrolese, Rizal enjoyed playing chess. Rizal describe him to Blumentritt as “He is a fine
fellow, A Father Damaso without pride and malice”
November 20, 1891-Rizal arrived in Hong Kong
Rizal established his residence at No. 5 D’ Aguilar Street No. 2 Rednaxola Terrace, where he also
opened his medical clinic
December 1, 1891- Rizal wrote his parents asking their permission to return
home.
-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.”
The Christmas of 1891 in Hong Kong was one of the happiest Yuletide celebrations in Rizal’s life: For he
had a happy family reunion
January 31, 1892- Rizal wrote to Blumentritt, recounting pleasant life in Hong
Kong
To earn a living for himself and for his family, Rizal practiced medicine
Dr. Lorenzo P. Marques- a Portuguese physician, who became Rizal’s friend and admirer, who helped
him to build up a wide clientele. In recognition of Rizal’s skill as an ophthalmic surgeon, he turned over to
him many of his eye cases
Rizal successfully operated on his mother’s left eye so that she was able to read and write
again.
Immediately after Rizal’s departure from Hong Kong, the Spanish consul general who issued the
government guarantee of safety, sent a cablegram to Governor Despujol that the victim “is in the trap”.
On the same day (June 21, 1892), a secret case was filed in Manila against Rizal and his followers “for
anti-religious and anti-patriotic agitation”
Luis de la Torre- secretary of Despujol, ordered to find out if Rizal was naturalized as a German citizen
Pablo Mercado-friar’s spy and posing as a relative, secretly visited Rizal at his house on the night
of
November 3, 1891
-he introduced himself as a friend and relative, showing a photo of Rizal and a pair of buttons with the initials
“P.M.” (Pablo Mercado) as evidence of his kinship with the Rizal family
Captain Juan Sitges- who succeeded Captain Carnicero on May 4, 1893 as commandant of
Dapitan, Rizal denounced to him the impostor
Florencio Namanan- the real name of “Pablo Mercado”
-a native of Cagayan de Misamis, single and about 30 years old. He was hired by the Recollect friars to a secret
mission in Dapitan—to introduce himself to Rizal as a friend and relative, to spy on Rizal’s activities, and to filch certain
letters and writings of Rizal which might incriminate him in the revolutionary movement.
As physician in Dapitan—Rizal practiced Medicine in Dapitan. He had many patients, but most of them
were poor so that he even gave them free medicine.
-As a physician, Rizal became interested in local medicine and in the use of medicinal plants. He studied the
medicinal plants of the Philippines and their curative values.
August 1893- Rizal’s mother and sister, Maria, arrived in Dapitan and lived with him for one year and a
half. Rizal operated on his mother’s right eye
Rizal held the title of expert surveyor (perito agrimensor), which obtained from the Ateneo
-In Dapitan, Rizal applied his knowledge of engineering by constructing a system of waterworks in order to furnish
clean water to the townspeople
Mr. H.F. Cameron-an American engineer who praised Rizal’s engineering
Rizal as Teacher—Rizal exile to Dapitan gives him the opportunity to put into practice his educational
ideas. In 1893 he established a school which existed until the end of his exile in July, 1896. Rizal taught
his boys reading, writing, languages (Spanish and English), geography, history, mathematics (arithmetic
and geometry), industrial work, nature study, morals and gymnastics. He trained them how to collect
specimens of plants and animals, to love work and to “behave like men”
Hymn to Talisay (Himno A Talisay)- Rizal wrote this poem in honor of Talisay for his pupils to sing
Contributions to Science—during his four-year exile in Dapitan, Rizal built up a rich collection of
concology which consisted of 346 shells representing 203 species. Rizal also conducted anthropological,
ethnographical, archaeological, geological, and geographical studies, as revealed by his voluminous
correspondence with his scientists friends in Europe.
Linguistic Studies—In Dapitan, he learned the Bisayan, Subanum, and Malay languages. He wrote
Tagalog grammar, made a comparative study of the Bisayan and Malayan languages and studied
Bisayan (Cebuan), and Subanum languages
-By this time, Rizal could rank with the world’s great linguists. He knew 22 languages—Tagalog, Ilokano,
Bisayan, Subanun, Spanish, Latin, Greek, English, French, German, Arabic, Malay, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Dutch, Catalan,
Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Swedish, and Russian
Artistic works in Dapitan—Rizal continued his artistic pursuits in Dapitan. Rizal made sketches of
persons and things that attracted him in Dapitan.
-The Mother’s Revenge- a statuette made by Rizal representing the mother-dog killing the crocodile, by way of
avenging her lost puppy
-Other sculptural works of Rizal in Dapitan were a bust of Father Guerrico (one of his Ateneo professors), a
statue of a girl called “the Dapitan Girl”, a woodcarving of Josephine Bracken (his wife) and a bust of St. Paul which he
gave to Father Pastells
Rizal as Farmer—In Dapitan, Rizal devoted much of his time to agriculture. Rizal introduced modern
methods of agriculture which he had observed in Europe and America. He encouraged the Dapitan
farmers to discard their primitive system of tillage and adopt the modern agricultural methods
Rizal as Businessman—Rizal engaged in business in partnership with Ramon Carreon, a Dapitan
merchant, he made profitable business ventures in fishing, copra, and hemp industries
-January 19, 1893-Rizal wrote a letter to Hidalgo expressing his plan to improve the fishing industry of Dapitan
-The most profitable business venture of Rizal in Dapitan was in the hemp industry. May 14, 1893-Rizal formed
a business partnership with Ramon Carreon in lime manufacturing
-January 1, 1895-Rizal organized the Cooperative Association of Dapitan Farmers to break the
Chinese monopoly on business in Dapitan
Rizal’s Inventive Ability—Rizal invented a cigarette lighter which he sent as a gift to Blumentritt. He
called it “sulpukan”. This unique cigarette lighter was made of wood. “Its mechanism”, said Rizal “is based
on the principle of compressed air.”
-During his exile in Dapitan, he invited a wooden machine for making bricks
My Retreat (Mi Retiro)- Rizal wrote this beautiful poem about his serene life as an exile in Dapitan and
sent it to her mother on October 22, 1895, which acclaimed by literary critics as one of the best ever
penned by Rizal.
Rizal had offered his services as military doctor in Cuba, which was then in the throes of a revolution
and a ranging yellow fever epidemic. There was a shortage of physicians to minister to the needs of the
Spanish troops and the Cubans people
December 17, 1895- Rizal wrote to Governor General Ramon Blanco, Despujol’s successor, offering his
services as military doctor in Cuba
July 30, 1896- Rizal received the letter from Governor General Blanco dated July 1, 1896 notifying him of
acceptance of his offer.
“The Song of the Traveler” (El Canto del Viajero) -Rizal wrote this heart-warming poem because of his
joy in receiving the gladsome news from Malacañang
July 31, 1896- Rizal’s four-year exile in Dapitan came to an end
-Midnight of that date, Rizal embarked on board the steamer España
As farewell music, the town brass band strangely played the dolorous Funeral March of Chopin. Rizal
must have felt it deeply, for with his presentment of death, it seemed an obsequy or a regimen
Rizal wrote in his diary, “I have been in that district four years, thirteen days and a few hours”
Isla de Luzon-a regular steamer that Rizal missed which sailed to Spain the day before he arrived in
Manila Bay
Castilla- a Spanish cruiser wherein Rizal was kept as a “guest” on board
August 26, 1896- Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan raised the cry of revolution in the hills
of
Balintawak, a few miles north of Manila
September 3, 1896- Rizal left for Spain on the steamer Isla de Panay
July 31, 1896- Rizal left Dapitan at midnight on board the España sailed
northward
August 1, 1896- at dawn of Saturday, it anchored at Dumaguete, capitan of Negros Oriental
-“Dumaguete” wrote Rizal in his travel diary “spreads out on the beach. There are big houses, some with
galvanized iron roofing. Outstanding are the house of a lady, whose name I have forgotten, which is occupied by the
government and another one just begun with many ipil post
Herrero Regidor- Rizal friend and former classmate, who was the judge of the province, Dumaguete
The España left Dumaguete about 1:00pm and reached Cebu the following
morning
“In Cebu, Rizal wrote in his diary “I did two operations of strabotomy, one operation on the ears and
another of tumor.”
In the morning of Monday, August 3, 1896, Rizal left Cebu going to Iloilo. Rizal landed at Iloilo, went
shopping in the city and visited Molo. From Iloilo, Rizal’s ship sailed to Capiz. After a brief stopover, it
proceeded towards Manila via Romblon
August 6, 1896- morning of Thursday, the España arrived in Manila Bay
Rizal was not able to catch the mail ship Isla de Luzon for Spain because it had departed the
previous day at 5:00pm
Near midnight of the same day, August 6, Rizal was transferred to the Spanish cruiser Castilla, by order
of Governor General Ramon Blanco. He was given good accommodation by the gallant captain, Enrique
Santalo
August 6 to September 2, 1896, Rizal stayed on the cruiser pending the availability of Spain-bound
steamer
The testimonial evidence consisted of the oral testimonies of Martin Constantino, Aguedo del Rosario,
Jose Reyes, Moises Salvador, Jose Dizon, Domingo Franco, Deodato Arellano, Ambrosio
Salvador, Pedro Serrano Laktaw, Dr. Pio Valenzuela, Antonio Salazar, Francisco Quison, and Timoteo
Paez
November 26, 1896- after the preliminary investigation, Colonel Olive transmitted the records of the case
to Governor Dominguez as special Judge Advocate to institute the corresponding action against Rizal
After studying the papers, Judge advocate General, Don Nicolas de la Peña, submitted the following
recommendations: (1) the accused be immediately brought to trial (2) he should be kept in prison (3) an
order of attachment be issued against his property to the amount of one million pesos as indemnity (4) he
should be defended in court by an army officer, not by a civilian lawyer
The only right given to Rizal by the Spanish authorities was to choose his defense
counsel
December 8, 1896- Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, a list of 100 first and second lieutenants in
the Spanish Army was presented to Rizal
Don Luis Taviel de Andrade- 1st Lieutenant of the Artillery, chosen by Rizal to defend him
-brother of Lt. Jose Taviel de Andrade, Rizal’s “bodyguard” in Calamba in 1887
December 11, 1896- the information of charges was formally read to Rizal in his prison cell, with his
counsel present
Rizal was accused of being “the principal organizer and the living soul of the Filipino insurrection,
the founder of societies, periodicals, and books dedicated to fomenting and propagating ideas of
rebellion.”
December 13, 1896- Dominguez forwarded the papers of the Rizal case to Malacañang
Palace
December 15, 1896- Rizal wrote the Manifesto to His People in his prison cell at Fort Santiago,
appealing to them to stop the necessary shedding of blood and to achieve their liberties by means of
education and industry
December 25, 1896- a dark and cheerless Christmas for Rizal, his last on earth, was the saddest
in
Rizal’s life
December 26, 1896- at 8:00am, the court-martial of Rizal started in the military building called Cuartel
de
España
Lt. Col. Togores Arjona- considered the trial over and ordered the hall cleared. After a short deliberation,
the military court unanimously voted for the sentence of death
December 28, 1896- Polavieja approved the decision of the court-martial and ordered Rizal to be shot at
7:00 in the morning of December 30 at Bagumbayan Field (Luneta)
MARTYRDOM AT BAGUMBAYAN
-After the court-martial, Rizal returned to his cell in Fort Santiago to prepare his rendezvous with destiny
-During his last 24 hours on earth—from 6:00am December 29 to 6:00am December 30, 1896—he was busy
meeting visitors
Santiago Mataix- Spanish newspaper correspondent
Pearl of the Orient Sea- Rizal called the Philippines
Pearl of the Orient- Rizal’s last poem in an article entitled “Unfortunate Philippines” published in The
Hong Kong Telegraph on September 24, 1892
Mi Ultimo Adios (Last Farewell)- farewell poem of Rizal that originally was without title and was
unsigned.
Father Mariano Dacanay- a Filipino priest-patriot, who gave the title Ultimo Adios (Last Farewell) and
under such title the poem was published for the first time in La Independencia (General Antonio Luna’s
newspaper) on September 25, 1898
Immediately after Rizal’s execution the Spanish spectators shouted “Viva España!” “Muerte a los
Traidores’ (“Long Live Spain! “Death to the Traitors!”) and the Spanish Military Band, joining the
jubilance over Rizal’s death, played the gay Marcha de Cadiz
By Rizal’s writings, which awakened Filipino nationalism and paved the way for the Philippine Revolution,
he proved that “pen is mightier than the sword”
ROMANCES OF RIZAL
First romance—“that painful experience which comes to nearly all adolescents”
Julia
-from Dampalit, Los Baños, Laguna
Segunda Katigbak
-Rizal first romance that was then sixteen years old
-a pretty fourteen-year old Batangueña from Lipa
-In Rizal’s own words: “She was rather short, with eyes that were eloquent and ardentat times and languid at
others, rosy-cheeked, with an enchanting and provocative smile that revealed very beautiful teeth and the air
of a sylph; her entire self diffused a mysterious charm.”
-she was the sister of Rizal’s friend, Mariano Katigbak
-close friend of Rizal’s sister Olimpia, was a boarding student in La Concordia
College
-engaged to be married to her town mate, Manuel Luz
*The love of Rizal and Segunda was indeed “a Love at first sight”
*The last time they talked to each other was one Thursday in December, 1877 when the Christmas vacation
was about to begin
*Rizal returned home, dazed and desolate, with his first romance “ruined by his own shyness and
reserve.”
Miss L (Jacinta Ibardo Laza)
-young woman in Calamba
-Rizal describe her as “fair with seductive and attractive eyes
*After visiting her in her house several times, Rizal suddenly stopped his wooing, and the romance died a
natural death
*Rizal gave two reasons for his change of heart namely (1) the sweet memory of Segunda was still fresh in his
heart
(2) his father did not like the family of “Miss
L”
Leonor Valenzuela
*During Rizal sophomore year at the University of Santo Tomas, he boarded in the house of Doña Concha Leyva
in
Intramuros wherein the next-door neighbors of Doña Concha were Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday
Valenzuela
-charming daughter of Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela from Pagsanjan, Laguna
-a tall girl with a regal bearing
-Rizal sent her love notes written in invisible ink—ink consisted of common table salt and water—the secret of
reading any note written in the invisible ink by heating it over a candle or lamp so that the words may appear
-Orang was her pet name
-Rizal stopped short of proposing marriage to Orang
Leonor Rivera
-Rizal’s cousin from Camiling, Tarlac
*In 1879, at the start of his junior year at the university, Rizal lived in “Casa Tomasina” at No. 6 Calle Santo Tomas,
Intramuros owned by his uncle Antonio Rivera
-a student at La Concordia College, where Soledad, youngest sister, was then
studying
-born in Camiling, Tarlac on April 11, 1867
-she was a frail, pretty girl “tender as a budding flower with kindly, wistful eyes
-in her letters to Rizal, she signed her name as “Taimis” in order to camouflage their intimate relationship from
their parents and friends
-died on August 28, 1893
Consuelo Ortiga y Perez
- a young woman in Madrid
-prettier of Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey’s daughters
-Rizal was attracted by Consuelo’s beauty and vivacity
-Rizal composed a lovely poem on August 22, 1883 dedicated to her, entitled A La Señorita C.O.y.P (to
Miss
C.O.y.P) expressing his admirations for her
*Before Rizal romance with Consuelo could blossom into a serious affair, he suddenly backed out for two reasons: (1)
he was still engaged to Leonor Rivera (2) his friends and co-worker in the Propaganda Movement, Eduardo de Lete,
was madly in love with Consuelo and he had no wish to break their friendship because of a pretty girl
Seiko Usui
-Rizal affectionately called her O-Sei-San
-a pretty Japanese girl that Rizal saw walking past the legation
gate
-Rizal was attracted by her regal loveliness and charm
-a lonely samurai’s daughter of 23 years old and had never yet experienced the ecstasy of true
love
-Rizal saw in her the qualities of his ideal womanhood—beauty, charm, modesty and intelligence
*The beautiful romance between Rizal and O-Sei-San inevitably came to a dolorous ending. Sacrificing his
personal happiness, Rizal had to carry on his libertarian mission in Europe, leaving behind the lovely O-Sei-San
-married Mr. Alfred Charlton, a British teacher of chemistry, and was blessed by only one child—Yuriko
-died on May 1, 1947 at the age of 80
Gertrude Beckett
-oldest of the three Beckett sisters
-called Gettie or Tottie by her friends
-a buxom English girl with brown hair, blue eyes, and rosy cheeks
-Rizal affectionately called her “Gettie”, in reciprocation; she fondly called him
“Pettie”
*Rizal suddenly realized that he could not marry Gettie for he had a mission to fulfill in life
Petite Suzanne Jacoby
-pretty niece of his landladies
*Rizal found certain bliss in the company of this pretty Belgian girl
*Rizal might flirted with Petite Suzanne, but he could not stoop low to a deceptive amorous
relationship
-she fell in love with Rizal and cried when Rizal left toward the end of July, 1890 for Madrid, stopping for a few days in
Paris
Nellie Boustead
-the prettier and younger daughter of Eduardo Boustead
-Rizal found her to be a real Filipina, highly intelligent, vivacious in temperament, and morally upright
-also called Nelly
*Rizal wrote to his intimate friends, except Professor Blumentritt, of his love for Nellie and his intention to
propose marriage to her
*Rizal’s marriage proposal failed for two reasons: (1) he refused to give up his Catholic faith and be converted to
Protestantism, as Nelly demanded (2) Nelly’s mother did not like Rizal as a son-in-law
Josephine Bracken
-an Irish girl of sweet eighteen, “slender, a chestnut blond, with blue eyes, dressed with elegant simplicity, with
an atmosphere of light gayety.”
-born in Hong Kong on October 3, 1876 of Irish parents—James Bracken, a corporal in the British garrison and
Elizabeth Jane Macbride
-she was adopted by Mr. George Taufer, who later became blind
*Rizal and Josephine fell in love with each other at first sight
*After a whirlwind romance for one month, they agreed to marry but Father Obach, the priest of Dapitan, refused
to marry them without the permission of the Bishop of Cebu
*Since no priest would marry them, Rizal and Josephine held hands together and married themselves before the
eyes of God. They lived as man and wife in Dapitan
-Rizal wrote a poem for Josephine
*In the early part of 1896, Rizal was extremely happy because Josephine was expecting a baby
*Unfortunately, Rizal played a prank on her, frightening her so that she prematurely gave birth to an eight-month baby
boy who loved only for three hours
*The lost son of Rizal was named “Francisco” in honor of Don Francisco (hero’s father) and was buried in Dapitan
RIZAL AS A MASON
-In Spain, Rizal came in close contact with prominent Spanish liberal and republican Spaniards, who were
mostly
Mason.
-Rizal was impressed by the way the Spanish Masons openly and freely criticized the government policies
and lambasted the friars, which could not be done in Philippines
-Rizal’s reason for becoming a mason was to secure Freemasonry’s aid in his fight against the friars in the Philippines.
Since the friars used the Catholic religion as a shield to entrench themselves in power and wealth and to persecute the
Filipino patriots, he intended to utilize Freemasonry as his shield to combat them
-As a mason, Rizal played a lukewarm role in Freemasonry
RIZAL AS MUSICIAN
-Rizal had no natural aptitude for music, and this he admitted. But he studied music because many of his
schoolmates at the Ateneo were taking music lessons.
-By sheer determination and constant practice, Rizal came to play flute fairly well. He was a flutist in various impromptu
reunions of Filipinos in Paris.
RIZAL AS HISTORIAN
-Rizal’s research studies in the British Museum (London) and in Bibliotheque Nationale (Paris) enriched his historical
knowledge. His splendid annotations to Morga’s book showed his familiarity with the basic principles of historiography.
-As Rizal once told Isabelo de los Reyes: “A historian ought to be rigorously imparted… I never assert anything on my
own authority. I cite texts and when I do, I have them before me.”
-His knowledge of foreign languages enabled Rizal to read historical documents and books in languages in which they
were originally written.