"To foretel} the destiny of a

nation, it is necessary to open the

book that tells of her past"
Jose Rizal

Rizal's life in Berlin in the bleak winter of 1886 was one ofthe most
difficult times of his life for he had no money, and his health was failing.
However, it brought him great joy, after enduring much suffering because
it was during this time that his first novel entitled "Noli Me Tangere" came
out of publication in March, 1887 through the helping hand of his friend
Maximo Viola who arrived in Berlin at the height of his hopelessness and who
loaned him the needed amount for the publication of the novel.
Rizal's writing of the novel Noli Me Tangere was inspired by his reading
of Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin." which was about the
brutalities of the Americans and the miserable lives of the slaves In
southern US. In order to bring about the miseries of the Filipino people
under the tyranny of the Spaniards, he proposed the writing of a novel
about the Philippines by a group of Filipinos. His proposal was agreed upon
by several Filipinos. Present among them were the Paternos (Pedro,
Maximo, and Antonio), Graciano Lopez Jaena, Evaristo Aguirre, Eduardo de
Lete, Julio Llorente, Melecio Figueroa, and Valentin Ventura. Unfortunately,
the project did not materialize because those who agreed to write the novel
did not do anything.
Not discouraged by his friends' indifferences, Rizal had a strong desire
and determination to finish the novel alone. After completing his studies in
the Central University of Madrid, he continued writing the second half of
the novel. He finished few chapters more in Germany and the remaining
chapters of the Noli in Wilhelmsfeld in April to June 1886.
 Rizal was in Berlin
when he made the final
revisions of the manuscripts
of Noli Me Tangere. Sick
and penniless, he
desperately hoped that the
novel would be published.
In fact, he was about to hurl
it into flame out of
desperation and
discouragement from
hunger and deprivation.
A shining light came his
way in the midst of his
despondency and misery.
Rizal received a telegram
from Dr. Maximo Viola
telling him that he was
coming to Berlin. Shortly
before Christmas of 1887, Dr.
Maximo Viola arrived and
was shocked to know that he
was living in poverty and was
sick due to lack of proper
nourishment.

Upon seeing Rizal and

knowing his predicament,
Viola readily agreed to
finance the printing of the
novel. He even loaned Rizal
some amount for his daily
expenses. Thus, the two
friends celebrated Christmas
of 1886 with sumptuous food
happily together.

After Christmas season, Rizal

made some finishing touches
on the novel
Deleting some passages in the
manuscript, including the whole
chapter about "Elias and
Salome" When the final edition
was over and the Noli was
ready for printing, shops in
Berlin to canvass the cost of
printing. Finally, they found the
printing shop - Berliner
 Buchcdrukrei Action
gesselchaft - which charged
them the lowest rate of 300 for
2,000 copies. The printing press
"Berliner Buchdruckerei
Aktiengesellschaft" publisher
was"Setzerinnenschule des
Lette-Vereins".

While the Noli was

being printed, the Chief of
Police in Berlin visited Rizal
in his boarding house and
requested him to present his
passport. Unfortunately, he
did not present it, because he
had none. Traveling without
passport was prohibited then,
so he was told to secure one
within four days or else he
would be deported. After the
expiration of the 4-day
period, he presented to the
German Police Authorities
and explained and apologized
for failure to obtain a
passport. At first, the police
chief informed that he was
suspected as a French spy
because of his frequent visit
to the village and towns in the
rural areas; but after
explanation, in fluent German
language,
that he
was not a French spy but a Filipino physician and scientist, particularly an
ethnologist who visited the rural areas to observe the customs and lifestyles
of the people, the police chief was satisfied with the explanation and
allowed him to stay freely in Germany.
After the aborted deportation, Rizal, together with Viola, supervised
the printing of the Noli.
Highlights: On January 2, 1884, Rizal proposed to the member of the
Circulo assembled in the house of the Pateros the publication of a book by
association. This idea became the embryo of this first novel Noli Me
Tangere. Because nobody took up seriously the writing of the novel, Rizal
did it himself. It is interesting to note that Dr. Jose Rizal used some of the

characters as his mouthpiece, otherwise called as persona through

which he conveys his ideas. It is evident in his novel that Rizal speaks
through both Ibarra and Elias, as well as through Pilosopong Tasio, and
even through the boy Basilio.
"People don't realize that victory is
the child of struggle, that joy
blossoms from suffering, and
redemption is a product of
sacrifice."
Jose Rizal
On March 21, 1887, the novel entitled
"Noli Me Tangere (touch me not), a phrase taken from the Holy Bible, came off
the press. Immediately after the book was released, he sent copies of the printed
novel to his intimate friends
 1.blumentritt,
2.Dr. Antonia Ma. Regidor,
3.Graciano Lopez Jaena,
4.Mariano Ponce and
5.F felix r. hidalgo
On March 29, Rizal, as token of appreciation and gratitude , gave dr.
maximo viola the galley proofs of the noli. He carefully rolled it around the pen
that he used in writing the novel and a complimentary copy of the book
following inscription.
“To my dear friend, maximo viola,the first to read and appreciate my work”
 The friends of Rizal who received and read the novel commended him
for coming out a marvelous novel as such. On the other hand, as expected,
Rizal's enemies condemned it. In London, dr. antonio Ma. Regidor, a
Filipino patriot and lawyer who was exiled of being an accomplice in the
cavite mutiny of 1872 was very much impressed of the novel and its author. On
May 3, 1887, Dr. Regidor wrote to Rizal saying:
"If the Quixote immortalizes its author because it exposes to the world
the ailments of Spain, NOLi Me Tangere will bring you an equal glory.
With your modesty and your voracious and able appraisal, you have dealt a
mortal blow to that old tree full of blemishes and decay. Every Filipino
patriot will read your book with amity and upon discovering in every line a
veracious idea and in every word a fitting advice, he will be inspired and
regard your book as the masterpiece of a Filipino and the proof that those
who ought us incapable of ptoducing great intellects are mistaken or lying.

Highlights: From Austin Craig's "Lineage: Life and Labors of Jose

Rizal," it was gathered that early in his stay in Madrid, Rizal had come
across a secondhand copy, in two volumes, of a French novel, which he
bought to improve his knowledge of that language. It was Eugene Sue's
"The Wandering Jew," which transformed the France of the nineteenth
century. However, one may agree or disagree with its teachings and concede
or dispute its literary merits. It cannot be denied that it was the most
powerful book in its effects on the century, surpassing even Mrs. Stowe's
"Uncle Tom's Cabin," which is usually credited with having hurried on the
American Civil War and brought about the termination of African slavery in
the United States. The book, he wrote in his diary, affected him powerfully,
not to tears, but with a tremendous sympathy for the unfortunates that made
him willing to risk everything in their behalf. It is worthwhile knowing that
this moved Rizal's inner feelings to write about the conditions of the
Philippines which would certainly arouse Spain. Gathering the recollections
of his youth and the stories he got from his companions, Rizal had prepared
half of what was finally the novel, "Noli Me Tangere. "
 "l go where there are no slaves,
hangmen or oppressors; where faith
does not kill; where the one who
reigns is God."
Jose Rizal

After the novel Noli Me Tangere came out of the press, Jose Rizal
planned to visit important places in Europe with Dr. Maximo Viola as his
traveling companion. When he received 1,000.00 from his brother
Paciano, he immediately paid Viola the amount he loaned from him for
the printing of the Noli. Having paid his debts, and with extra cash left in
his pocket, he decided to see other parts of Europe before returning to
his hometown Calamba.
At dawn of May 11, 1887, Rizal
and Viola left Berlin by train. Their
which was on best cities in German .
They visited Dr. adolph meyer who
was overjoyed to see them. They
visited the museum of arts and
strolled at the scene of floral
exposition where they met Dr. Jagor
who advised rizal to write blumentritt
before proceeding to him, for he has
nervous disposition that time and his
arrival might cause a shock during the
visit. Rizal and viola boarded a train
for leitmeritz,Bohemia: Dr.
Blumentritt was already there to and
Viola get a room at Hotel Krebs,
before he brought them to his home
and introduced to the whole family.
The two friends had many beautiful
and happy memories of his visit to
Leitmeritz. They enjoyed the warm
hospitality of the Blumentritt family.
 Dr. Blumentritt had been a great tourist guide and host to them. After a
short stay in Leitmeritz, Rizal and Viola proceeded their tour of Europe.
With tears in their eyes, they bade farewell to the Blumentritt for Prague.
They toured around the city and visited the tomb of the famous
astronomer, Copernicus. Their next destination was the beautiful city of
Vienna known as the "Queen of the Danube." The two friends visited the
city's interesting places su as churches, museums, art galleries, theaters,
and public parks.
On May 24, Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a boat to see the beautiful
sights of the Danube River. The river voyage ended in Lintz, then they
traveled over land to Salzburg, and from there to Munich. From Munich,
they went to Nuremberg, one of the oldest cities of Germany, then
proceeded to Ulm with a cathedral which was considered the largest and
tallest in all Germany. From I-Jfffi, s€fåikht to Stuttgart, Baden, and then
to Rheinfall Cascade of the Rhine). At Rheinfall, they saw the most
beautiful waterfall of Europe.
From Rheinfall, they crossed the frontier to Schafthausen,
Switzerland. They continued their tour to Basel, Bern, and Lausanne.
After a short sightseeing in Lausanne, Rizal and Viola left on a little
boat, crossing the foggy Leman Lake to Geneva. The people of Geneva
were linguists who talked with Rizal in three languages: French, German,
and Italian. They toured the place on boat on the lake.
On June 19, 1887, Rizal treated Viola to a sumptuous meal. It was his 26 th
birthday. Rizal and Viola spent fifteen delightful days in Geneva before they
parted ways. Viola returned to Barcelona, while Rizal continued his tour to
Italy.
From Geneva, Rizal proceeded to Italy where he visited Turin, Milan,
Venice, and Florence. On June 27, 1887, he Rome, the Eternal City . Then, on
the Feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul, Rizal visited for the first time the
Vatican, the City of Popes. He was deeply fascinated of the magnificent
edifices, particularly of St. Peter's square and twe colorful papal guards and the
religious atmosphere of the Vatican. After a long week of sightseeing in Rome,
he prepared for his trip home to the Philippines. Rizal took the ship Djemnah
again. The Vez ship which he took five years ago.
 Highlights: The Order of the Knights of Rizal (Chartered Under
Republic Act 684), a civic, patriotic, cultural, non-sectarian, non-partisan,
non-racial and non-profit organization under the Las Vegas Chapter wrote
the following political philosophy of Rizal which is very evident in his
novels:
"In Rizal's political view, a conquered country like the Philippines
should not be taken advantage of but rather should be developed, civilized,
educated and trained in the science of self-government.
He bitterly assailed and criticized in publications the apparent
backwardness of the Spanish ruler's method of governing the country which
resulted in:
1. the bondage and slavery of the conquered
2. the Spanish government's requirement of forced labor and forced
military service upon the natives;
3. the abuse of power by means of exploitation;
4. the government ruling that any complaint against the authorities
was criminal; and
5. making the people ignorant, destitute and fanatic, thus
discouraging the formation of a national sentiment.
 Rizal's guiding political philosophy proved to be the study and
application of reforms, the extension of human rights, the training for self-
government and the arousing of spirit of discontent over oppression,
brutality, inhumanity, sensitiveness and self-love.