Rizal Left for Spain

Chapter 4

Impelled by his desire to learn to perfect himself and to become more useful to
his people. Rizal left home and country and went to Europe in order to educate himself.
“He was not moved by the wish to have a good time and enjoy life; wrote Dr. Trinidad H.
Pardo de Tavera.

Secret Departure. Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept in utmost secrecy;
even his parents and sisters were not informed about it until his parents and sisters were
not informed about it until his ship has lifted its anchor. He left Calamba by carromata
in the early morning of May 1, 1882 and reached Manila after ten hours of travel. His
travel passport, issued in the name of “Jose Mercado” was ready. On May third he woke
yp early, heard mass at Sto. Domingo Church in Intramuros and then proceeded to the
Pasig River to board his boat. Those who saw him off were his brother Paciano who gave
some money, Saturnina a diamond ring, Uncle Antonio, and a few close friends. He
carried with him good recommendations from the Ateneo authorities to the Jesuits
father in Barcelona.

Rizal was almost twenty-one years old on the day he left. At his tender age, he
was deeply touched at the moment of his parting from his family, friends, and loved
ones. Tears welled from his eyes and as the S.S. “Salvadora” sailed further away from
Manila, he wrote in his diary: “ My Country, my love, my people, I leave you now, you
disappear. I lose sight of you.

To Singapore. As the ship sailed for Singapore, Rizal would not help
comparing the persons and the things around him, so that he would no longer feel the
pain of being separated from his beloved parents and country, he took paper and pencil
and made some sketches. His fellow-passengers were foreign travelers and a few
Spanish traders, students and laborers returning to Spain. He wrote in his diary. “
Almost all of those men, “ speaking of Spanish passengers, “ spoke ill of the country to
which they had gone for pecuniary reasons.”

At the end of one week sailing, the Salvadora reached Singapore. Rizal was so
impressed by its progress, its clean and beautiful scenery. In his two days stop-over in
Singapore, he visited some historic places, the botanical gardens, art galleries and parks
and write on his diary.

From Singapore, Rizal boarder the Djemnah, a French ship, which bigger and
better than the Salvadora, which was sailing to Europe. Most of the passenger was
French – speaking nationals. He spoke French with gesticulation in some passengers to
be understood. The streamer made stops at Point de Galle, Colombo, Suez, Naples and
Marseilles, Naplies an Italian City impressed him because of its business activity, its gay
and lively people indicative of life and energy and its lovely panoramic scenery.

On June 12, the ship docked at the French harbor of Marselles. His brief so journ
in Marseilles was a part of his exciting experiences. He took the train for Barcelona,
arriving there on June 16, 1882.

In Barcelona. Barcelona is a city of Catalina, Spain’s second largest city. His

impression of the city was quite a place where freedom and liberalism were enjoyed by
its people. While in Barcelona, he met some of his schoolmates at the Ateneo who gave a
warm welcome. They even invited him to take a walk on the park and visited historical
spots. He was amused at the famous street, Las Ramblas, in Barcelona.

Rizal spent his time writing letters to his family, relatives and friends. He also
wrote nationalistic articles “Love of Country” (Amor Patria0 and “Travels” (Los Viajes).
Were specially written for the Diarong Tagalog of Manila. “Love of Country” was well-
liked by his countrymen for in it. Rizal hold fast to his idea that the Philippines (not
Spain) was the Filipino’s own country.

Rizal in Madrid. In September, 1882, Rizal transferred to the Spanish

Capital in order ti continue his medical studies. In the famous Central University of
Madrid, he enrolled in two-courses – in Medicine and in Philosophy and Letters. Aside
from his hectic academic schedule in the university, his other activities included taking
lessons in painting and sculpture at the Academy of San Fernando, hearing lectures
sponsored by the university, attending classes bin French and German, practicing
fencing and shooting at the Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell. He attended operas and
concerts to enhance knowledge and taste of fine music, visited art galleries and
museums and read a variety of books to broaden his cultural background and
perspectives.

From Madrid, he wrote his father on October 28, 1883, in which Rizal stated: “I
remember having told you in my former letter that from eight o’clock in the morning
until eight fifteen at night, I have classes except for half an hour which I use for lunch,
that is, from two thirty to three in the afternoon, the gymnasium is doing me good.”

In the Spanish capital, Rizal met and associated with other Filipino students who
formed the Spanish-Filipino Circle. He also wrote articles for its magazine.

The members of the association requested Rizal to write a poem and this was
entitled Me Piden Versos. The translation from Spanish to English was by Charles E.
Derbyshire.
 These young Filipinos used to meet and gather at the home of Don Pablo Ortega y
Rey, former Mayor of Manila, during Governor Carlos dela Torre’s regime.

Rizal used to visit the home of Don Pablo Ortega y Rey on Saturday evening and
with other Filipino students, played certain games for amusement and laughed, and
with his two daughters, Consuelo and Pilar. The spark of love smile in Rizal’s heart by
Consuelo’s refined manners and lovely smile was awakened. Occasionally, Rizal gave her
fresh flowers attachment to Leonor Rivera, he suppressed his emotion and did not allow
the feelings he had for Consuelo. Before he left the city in the summer of 1883, he wrote
a poem dedicated to Consuelo Ortega.

Rizal Joined Masonry. In Spain, Rizal was exposed to liberal ideas and
cultural influences postulating the maximum individual freedom of action, especially on
matters of personal behalf and expression. Being young and idealistic, he was really
impressed by the way Spanish masons spoke on progressive ideas and values befitting a
freedom.

It is believe that he joined Masonry for two inferential reasons..e.g. (1) the abuse
committed by friars against the Filipino people, and (2) the possible help the Masons
could extend as a protective shield to use in his fight against evil forces of the tyranny
and exploitation.

He became a Master Mason in Lodge Solidaridad on November 15, 1890, and

from then on, he ceased going to church regularly. Since at early childhood the Catholic
doctrine and teaching were implemented deeply in his mind, he continued to have faith
in God.

Rizal’s Admiration for Luna and Hidalgo. The year 1884 was
particularly important in Philippine history in the field of painting because that was the
year when two Indios won the attention of the Spanish art establishment for their two
entries in the Madrigal Exposition of Fine Arts, where both Juan Luna and Felix
Resurrection Hidalgo won outstanding honors for their country. Luna’s painting the
Spoliarium, was awarded first prize and a gold medal, while Hidalgo’s Christian Virgin
Exposed to the populace earned a silver medal. To commemorate the triumphant event,
the community in that city tendered a fraternal banquet and rousing welcome to the two
honored artists at Café Ingles on June 25, 1884, Rizal who was the main speaker of the
occasion, made a short allusion to the Spanish friars in the Philippines as the enemies of
progress. A part of his speech, he assail with refined sarcasm the bigotry and blindness
of some unworthy Spaniards in the Philippines. Rafael Palma observed that “with his
speech, Rizal launched a first attract that naturally produced alarm in the Philippines.
He had alluded to the powerful religious corporation of his country, and they would not
forgive him for the insolent allusion. The speech was novel and daring. Spanish had
been made to believe that reason and aspirations are in open fight” with prejudice,
fanaticism, and injustice.”

Rizal finished the two courses in Medicine and in Philosophy and Letters. He
now through of specializing in ophthalmology either in England or in Germany. This
plan was readily concurred in by his brother Paciano.

He finished his medical education in June, 1884, both was not given his degree of
Licentiate until 1887 because he did not have money to pay for the diploma and the
degree when the school year ended in 1884.

Rizal Defends Thesis for a Philosophy and Letters Degree. When he

graduated from the Central University of Madrid with the degree of Philosophy and
Letters on June 19, 1885, Prof. Miguel de Unamuno, the Spanish political writer and
scholar who was Rizal’s sponsor when he wrote the gown. When the time came for Rizal
to read his thesis, the examiners composed of learned men of Spain were surprised to
hear that his subject was the error in the translation of angel’s song over Bethlehem on
the Nativity.

Rizal, in a voice that could have been distinguished in a crowd of any size, began
his discussion by pointing out the error in the translation of the angels’ message. He
said: in the translation of the church, the message is given as of good will. According to
the original Hebrew, the message should run “Glory to god in the highest, on earth
peace and to all men, good will.

Rizal discussed his subject and answered questions directed to him by the most
learned men with profound knowledge of Madrid and Barcelona for almost one hour.
After the oral examinations, he came out triumphant and was highly praised by the
professor-examiners and the savant-men of profound and extensive learning in the
university.

Rizal completed his studies in Philosophy and Letters and was awarded the
degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters by the Universidad Central de Madrid on
June 19, 1885, during his 24th birthday. His scholastic grade was “excellent”
(Sobresaliente).

DR. A. B. ADENA
Professor