LESSON 4: FIRST TRIP ABROAD AND LIFE ABROAD

Objectives:
1. Understand the main reasons why Rizal left the Philippines that time and continue his studies
abroad.
2. Explain the relevance of Rizal’s travel in relation to his nationalistic fervor.
3. Describe the travels of Rizal in Europe and how his travels honed his knowledge towards
nationalists.

In Sunny Spain (1882-1885)

 After finishing the 4th year of the medical course in University of Santo Tomas, Rizal decided to
complete his studies in Spain.
 Aside from completing his studies in Spain, Rizal has his “secret mission” – was to observe
keenly the life and culture, languages and customs, industries and commerce, and government
and laws of the European nations in order to prepare himself in the mighty task of liberating his
oppressed people from Spanish tyranny.
 This Rizalian secret mission was likewise disclosed by Paciano in his letter to his younger brother
dated Manila, May 20, 1882.

Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept secret to avoid detection by the Spanish Authorities and
friars.
Without the knowledge of his parents, Rizal traveled to Europe in May 3, 1882. According to his
biographer, Austin Craig, Rizal, “In order to obtain a better education, had to leave the country stealthily
like a fugitive from justice and his family, to save themselves from persecution, were compelled to
profess ignorance of his plans and movements. His name was entered in Santo Tomas at the opening of
the new term, with fees paid, and his brother Paciano had gone to Manila pretending to be looking for this
brother whom he had assisted out of the country.
Rizal continues his study abroad
The dis-satisfaction(s) and even disappointments of Jose Rizal in his education in the University
of Santo Tomas (though they were saying that his grades were over-all good), the persecutions and
discrimination were the major factors that pushed Rizal to study abroad. It was only a secret arrangement
with his brother, Paciano and brother-in-law, Manuel Hidalgo who arranged Rizal’s departure. Paciano
gave him an allowance worth P365.00 for his European studies (Lopez and Paras, 2010) and also an
allowance worth P50.00 during those times. Rizal wanted to continue his studies abroad in order to finish
his studies at the Universidad Central de Madrid.
Rizal boarded Salvadora, a steamship that sailed on May 3, 1882. After hearing a mass at 5:00am,
it was time for the journey that shaped Rizal’s thoughts and nationalism. He was determined to continue
the fight against the Spanish Authorities even if he was in foreign lands. His mighty weapon was his pen!
The first stopover was on May 9, 1882 in the small island of Singapore, a British colony at that
time. He visited botanical gardens, historical places (like the monument of Sir Stamford Raffles – the
founder of Singapore) and shopping areas. Thereafter, passengers were transferred to the larger steamer
named Djemnah. It was on May 17, 1882 when Djemnah arrived at Point Galle, an English colony. He
visited temples there and the Oriental Hotel. A day after, Djemnah docked at Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and
Rizal’s impression was, “Colombo is more beautiful, smarter and more elegant that Singapore.”
From the Sri Lankan capital, on May 26, Rizal landed in the African continent and he described
the place as, “Upon stepping on African soil for the first time, I felt a shuddering whose ***** I ignore.
The soil is hard and sandy, heated by that very brilliant and ardent sun, **** burning steam.”
(Epistolario cited by Lopez and Paras, 2010). The ship also traveled to the Suez Canal which was built by
Ferdinand de Lesseps where Rizal made the following accounts – “…the canal is about 40 yards wide so
that two ships abreast can go through it. At its maximum length it is 85 kilometers. In general, its low and
irregular banks are desert-sandy, yellowish, devoid of any vegetation.” (Epistolario cited by Lopez and
Paras, 2010). The Suez Canal shortened the time and the distance from Asia to Europe.
Arrival in European Soil
The ship Djemnah arrived in Naples, Italy on June 11, 1882 and the ship captain allowed the
passengers an hour for sight-seeing. With this opportunity, Rizal excitedly saw the first European soil. In
his diary he said that Italy was totally buildings and several prisons on the water. After that, the ship
proceeded to the harbor of Marseilles, the second European soil where Jose Rizal has landed. Rizal
visited the chateaus where Dante’s hero (Edmond Dantes) was imprisoned. He stayed in France for
almost 2 days and rides a train going to Barcelona, Spain.
Barcelona and Madrid
It was an afternoon of June 16, 1882 when Rizal arrived at Barcelona, Spain. His impression of
Barcelona was unfavorable just like other cities which was dirty, populated and inhospitable. Rizal wrote
also his first poem in a foreign soil entitled, Amor Patrio (Love of Country) which was published in
Diariong Tagalog. Rizal also felt sad when he learned the news in the Philippines about – a.) a cholera
outbreak where more Filipinos died daily, b.) Leonor was very lonely when she heard that Rizal was in
foreign soil. As advised by Paciano, Rizal left Barcelona and proceeded to Madrid, its capital for more
observations and other activities.
On November 3, 1882, Rizal went to Madrid as advised by his brother Paciano. Rizal took
courses at the Universidad Central de Madrid – Medicine and Philosophy and Letters. He also studied
painting and sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in San Fernando.
Rizal Wrote his First Novel
While Rizal was in Europe, he continued to read and observe a lot. He was also abreast with the
condition in the Philippines. On February 21, 1887, the Noli Me Tangere’s manuscript was finished. It
was based on the “epistolario”, but at some point, the author almost threw the manuscript on fire due to
his disappointments. The novel was the result of Rizal’s readings, observations, and analytical discussion
with his compatriots and even enemies.

 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 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 would visit the home of Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey (former city mayor
of Manila) who lived in Madrid with his son (Rafael) and daughter (Consuelo)
 Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-Filipino Circle) – a society of Spaniards and Filipinos which
Rizal joined shortly after his arrival in Madrid – 1882,
 Mi Piden Versos (They Ask Me For Verses) – upon the request of the members of this society,
Rizal wrote this poem which he personally declaimed during the New 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

Paris to Berlin (1885-1887)

Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to specialize in ophthalmology – Rizal chose this
branch of medicine because he wanted to cure his mother’s eye ailment.
In Gay, Paris (1885-1886

 Maximo Viola – a medical student and a member of a rich family of San Miguel, Bulacan,
Rizal’s friend.
 Señor Eusebio Corominas – editor of the newspaper La Publicidad and made a crayon sketch of
Don Miguel Morayta. Owner of La Publicidad and a statesman.
 Rizal gave Editor Corominas an article on the Carolines Question, then a controversial issue, for
publication.
 November 1885, Rizal was living in Paris where he sojourned for about four months.
 Dr. Louis de Werckert (1852-1906) – leading French ophthalmologist wherein Rizal worked as
an assistant from November 1885 to February 1886.
 Paz Pardo de Tavera – was a pretty girl who got engaged to Luna.
 At the studio of Luna, Rizal spent many happy hours. Rizal helped Luna by posing as a model for
several paintings.
 In Luna’s canvas, “The Death of Cleopatra,” Rizal posed as an Egyptian priest. In another of
Luna’s great paintings, “The Blood Compact,” he posed as Sikatuna, with Trinidad Pardo de
Tavera taking the role of Legazpi.
 November 27, 1878 – Rizal told Enrique Lete that he “learned the solfeggio, the piano, the voice
culture in one month and a half.”
 By sheer determination and constant practice, Rizal came plat the flute fairly well. He was a
flunist in various impromptu reunions of Filipinos in Paris.
 Alin Mang Lahi (Any Race) – a patriotic song written by Rizal which asserts that any race aspires
for freedom.
 Le Deportacion (Deportation) – a sad danza which Rizal composed in Dapitan during his Exile.
In Historic Heidelberg

 February 1, 1886 – Rizal reluctantly left Gay, Paris for Germany.

  February 3, 1886 – Rizal arrived in Heidelberg, a historic city in Germany famous for its old
universities and romantic surroundings.
 Chess Player’s Club – a club wherein the students made Rizal a member because of he was a good
chess player.
 Dr. Otto Beckler – distinguished German Ophthalmologist who Rizal worked for at the University
Eye Hospital.
 April 22, 1886 – Rizal wrote a fine poem “A Lass Flores de Heidelberg” To the Flowers of
Heidelberg.
 In the sunny spring of 1886, Rizal was fascinated by the blooming flowers along the cool banks of
the Neckar River in Germany. Among them was his favorite flower – the light blue “forget-me-
not”.
 Wilhelmfeld – a mountainous village near Heidelberg where Rizal spent a three-month summer
vacation.
 Pastor Karl Ullmer – a kind protestant pastor where Rizal stayed, who became Rizal’s friend and
admirer.
 June 25, 1886, Rizal ended his sojourn at Pastor Ullmer’s home.
 May 29, 1887 – Rizal wrote from Munich (Muchen) to Friedrich (Fritz), son of Pastor Ullmer.
 June 31, 1886 – Rizal wrote his first letter in German (which he had improved after his stay with
Ullmer’s) to Professor Blumentritt, Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria.
 Aritmetica (Arithmetic) – Rizal sent this book he mentioned and was published in two languages –
Spanish and Tagalog – the University of Santo Tomas Press in 1868. The Author was Rufino
Baltazar Hernandez, a native of Santa Cruz, Laguna.
 August 6, 1886 – the famous University of Heidelberg held its fifth centenary celebration.

In Leipzig and Dresden

 August 9, 1886 – Rizal left Heidelberg.

 August 14, 1886 – boarded by train, Rizal arrived in Leipzig.
 Professor Friedrich Ratzel – a famous German historian. Rizal befriended him.
 Dr. Hans Meyer – German Anthropologist, a friend of Rizal.
 In Leipzig, Rizal translated Schiller’s William Tell from German to Tagalog so that Filipinos might
know the story of the champion of Swiss independence.
 Rizal also translated Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales into Tagalog for his nephews and nieces.
 Rizal found out that the cost of living in Leipzig was the cheapest in Europe so he stayed there for
two and a half months.
 Because of his knowledge of German, Spanish, and other European languages, Rizal worked as a
proof-reader in a publisher firm.
 October 29, 1886 – Rizal left Leipzig for Dresden where he met Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, Director of
the Anthropological and Ethnological Museum.
 Rizal heard a Mass in a Catholic church; evidently, this Maass impressed him very much, for he
wrote on his diary: “Truly I have never in my life heard a mass whose music had greater sublimity
and intonation.”
 Morning of November 1, 1886 – Rizal left Dresden by train and reached Berlin in the evening.
Berlin
 Rizal met Dr. Feodor Jagor for the first time, a celebrated German scientist-traveler and author of
Travels in the Philippines, a book by which Rizal read and admired during his student days in
Manila.
 Dr. Rudolf Virchow – introduced to Rizal by Dr. Jagor; a famous German Anthroplogist.
 Dr. Hans Virchow – son of Dr. Rudolf Virchow, professor of Descriptive Anatomy.
 Dr. W. Joest – noted German geographer
 Dr. Ernest Schweigger (1830-1905) – a famous German ophthalmologist who Rizal worked for.
 Rizal became a member of the Anthropological Society, the Ethnological Society and Geographical
Society of Berlin. With the recommendation of Dr. Jagor and Dr. Meyer.
 Tagalische Verkunst (Tagalog Metrical Art) – Rizal wrote this scholarly paper in German which he
read before the society in April 1887.
 This paper was published by the society in the same year, and elicited favorable comments from all
scientific quarters.
 Rizal lived in Berlin, the famous capital of the unified Germany for five reasons
1. To gain further knowledge of ophthalmology,
2. To further his studies of science and languages,
3. To observe the economic and political conditions of the German Nation,
4. To associate with famous German scientists and scholars,
And 5. To publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere.
 Madame Lucie Cerdole – Rizal’s professor of French in order to master the idiomatic intricacies of
the French language.
 Unter den Linden – the most popular boulevard of Berlin wherein Rizal enjoyed promenading,
sipping beer in the city’s inns and talking with the friendly Berliners.
 March 11, 1886 – one of Rizal’s important letter written while he was in Germany that was
addressed to ghis sister, Trinidad/ In this Letter, expressed his:
- high regard and admiration for German womanhood.
- that German women is serious, diligent, educated and friendly. Not gossipy, frivolous and
quarrelsome.
 Aside from German women, Rizal admired German customs which he observed well.

His travels in Europe with Maximo Viola

After publishing Noli Me Tangere, with the aid of Maximo Viola, who saved
Rizal by funding the publication of Noli Me Tangere, the two planned to tour
Europe to celebrate their success.
May 11, a.) Germany – at the dawn of 1887, Rizal and Viola left Berlin for Dresden,
1887 cited as one of the best cities in Germany. They have attended the
“Regional Flower Exhibition”. They also visited Dr. Meyer and Dr. Jagor.

b.) Leitmetritz, Bohemia – Rizal and Viola planned to visit Ferdinand

1:30pm of Blumentritt. They travelled to Bohemia, the beer garden where they met the
May 13, 1887 burgomaster or the town mayor. They also met the great naturalist named,
Professor Robert Klutschak.

 Professor Blumentritt – a kind-hearted, old Austrian professor.

  May 13 -May 16,1887 – Rizal and Viola stayed in Leitmetritz
 Burgomaster – town mayor
 Tourist’s Club of Leitmetritz which Blumentritt was the secretary, Rizal spoke extemporaneously
in fluent German to the officers and members.
 Dr. Carlos Czepalak – renowned scientist of Europe
 Prof. Robert Klutschak – an eminent naturalist
 May 16, 1887 at 9:45am – Rizal and Viola left Leitmetritz by train.

1:30pm of c.) Prague – they visited the historic city as well as meet Dr. Willkomm, a
May 13, 1887 professor of natural history; aside from that they also visited: The Tomb of
Copernicus, Museum of Natural History, Bacteriological Laboratories and Cave
of San Juan Nepomuceno

d.) Vienna – known to the “Queen of Danube”. Both Rizal and Viola were
1:30pm of
amazed at the historical and magnificent structures in the city. They toured
May 13, 1887
churches, museums, art galleries, theatres and parks. The two stayed at the
Hotel Metropole.

 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.
Danubian Voyage to Lintz

 May 24, 1887 – Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a river boat to see the beautiful sights of the
Danube River.
 Rizal particularly noticed that the passengers on the river boat were using paper napkins during the
meals, which was a novelty to him. Viola commented that the paper napkins were “more hygienic
and economical than cloth napkins”.
e.) Lintz – Rizal and Viola went to Lintz. The two sailed from Vienna to Lintz.
They observed different sights as well as the culture like the use of table cloth
and napkins during meals.

From Lintz to Rheinfall

 Munich – where Rizal and Viola sojourned for a short time to savor the famous Munich beer,
reputed to be the best in beer in Germany.
 Nuremberg – One of the oldest cities in Germany.
 The Cathedral of Ulm – the largest and tallest cathedral in all of Germany.
 From Ulm, they went to Stuttgart, Baden and them Rheinfall (Cascade of the Rhine). At
Rheinfall, they saw the waterfall, “the most beautiful waterfall of Europe.”
 

June 2 to 3, f.) Rheinfall, Salzburg, Munich and Nuremberg - In Rheinfall, the two observed
1887 the most beautiful waterfall in Europe. From Salzburg, they crossed going to
Munich. In Munich they tasted the “Munich Beer” known as the best tasting
beer at the time. In Nuremberg, Rizal observed the different “torturing
machines” that were used in Inquisitions.

 g.) Switzerland – Geneva, Switzerland had wonderful surroundings which

attracted most of the tourists. Rizal observed that most of the people in
Geneva spoke many languages (polyglot).Rizal and Viola spent 2 weeks in
Geneva before they left for Italy – their next journey.

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 26 th 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.

h.) Italy – known to be the “boot shoe” peninsula located in the western part
of Europe. Rizal spent his travels there, visiting the Roman Colosseum,
aqueducts and the sovereign Rome – the center of the Catholic Christianity.
Viola continued his voyage while Rizal was left behind and was planning his
first home coming to the Philippines.

 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.

Worksheet

1. Would you consider that the “secret departure” of Rizal without the consent of his parents the
right thing to do in order to fulfill his nationalistic fervor?
Discuss.

2. What is the main reason of why Rizal left the Philippines and study abroad?
3. Explain why Rizal continued his medical studies despite his difficulties in the medical field.

4. Why did Rizal decide to stay in Berlin?

5. Make a timeline of Rizal’s life abroad using a flowchart.