MODULE HIS EDUCATION, FIRST JOURNEY TO

EUROPE AND THE NOLI ME TANGERE

4
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Course Learning Outcomes Module Learning Outcomes Topic Learning Outcome

CLO 6: Evaluate the need for and MLO 1: Compare the countries Rizal visited in TLO 5: Analyze the works of
process the ability to engage in his first voyage; and Rizal in the overseas
life-long learning. particularly in Europe
MLO 2: Interpret the real story behind Rizal’s
famous novel, Noli Me Tangere.
CLO 7: Apply the techniques, MLO 3: Identify the characters of the novel TLO 6: Identify the travels of
analytical skills and critical based on the relevance of Rizal thoughts and Rizal in Europe as well as his
thinking skills in the scope of philosophy on social awareness impressions especially with
application of Rizal’s philosophy Maximo Viola
and his writings.

TLO 7: Discuss how Rizal

work the Noli Me Tangere as
his major masterpiece in
Europe

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Pages Recommended Time Allotment

Rizal’s Education 2 .30

Rizal’s Secret Mission 2 .30

Travel to Europe 3-6 1

Arts and Experiences 7-9 1

Noli Me Tangere 10-14 3

Summary

TOTAL HOURS 6

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A. INTRODUCTION

Jose Rizal is disgusted with the antiquated

method of instruction in UST (Domincan-owned
university) and racial prejudice of Dominican
professors against Filipino students. He decided
to complete his studies in Spain, because the
government of Spain at that time was
constitutional monarchy, which granted human
rights to the people. Aside from this, his another
reason, more importantly than finishing his
course was his ”secret mission.” (Image: The
Old University of Santo Tomas, Google Images).

Rizal’s Secret Mission

This mission was to observe keenly the life and culture, languages, customs, industries and
commerce, and governments and laws of the European nations in order to prepare himself in the mighty
task of liberating his oppressed people from Spanish tyranny. T his was evidenced in his farewell letter
delivered to his parents after his departure. The Rizalian secret mission was likewise disclosed by Paciano
in his letter dated May 20, 1982 in Manila.

Secret Departure to Spain

Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept secret to avoid detection by Spanish authorities and friars. His
parents didn’t know because they wouldn’t allow him to go. Only his older brother(Paciano), uncle(Antonio
Rivera), his sisters(Neneng and Lucia), the Valenzuela family, Pedro A. Paterno, and some intimate friend
including Chengoy(Jose M. Cecilio) He used the name Jose Mercado, a cousin from Biñan. He wrote a
farewell letter for his parents and also for his sweetheart, Leonor Rivera. Both were delivered after he sailed
away. On May 3, 1882, Rizal departed on board the Spanish steamer Salvadora bound for Singapore.

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Singapore

During the voyage to Singapore, he carefully observed the people and things on board the steamer.
There were 16 passengers including himself. He was the only Filipino, the rest were Spaniards, British, and
Indian Negroes. The ship captain, Donato Lecha from Austrias, Spain had befriended him. Rizal describe
him as ”much more refined than his other countrymen and collegues that I have met”.To kill boredom,
Rizal played chess against his fellow passengers and he defeated them many times. On May 8, 1882, Rizal
saw an island and he remembered ”Talim Island with the Susong Dalaga”. The following day (May 9),
Salvadora docked at Singapore. Rizal landed and spent 2 days on sightseeing

From Singapore to Colombo, Ceylon

Rizal transferred to another ship, Djemnah, a French steamer, left Singapore for Europe on May
11. It was larger and cleaner vessel and carried more passengers. There were British, French, Dutch,
Spaniards, Malays, Siamese, and Filipinos.French was mostly spoken on board. Rizal attempted to converse
in French but was embarrased upon finding out that his book of French which he learned at Ateneo couldn’t
be understood. By conversing daily with French passengers, he was able to improve his knowledge of the
French language. On May 17, Djemnah reached Point Galle, seacoast in southern Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
Rizal was unimpressed by this town. The following day, Djemnah resumed voyage towards Colombo, the
capital of Ceylon. Rizal was fascinated by Colombo and wrote on his diary:” Colombo is more beautiful,
smart, and elegant than Singapore, Point Galle, and Manila.”

First Trip to Suez Canal

From Colombo, Djemnah continued voyage

crossing Indian Ocean to the cape of Guardafui, Africa.
For the first time, Rizal saw the barren coast of
Africa.The next stopover is in Aden, the city was hotter
than Manila and yet he was amused to see the camels.
It was his first time seeing those animals. From Aden,
Djemnah proceeded to the city of Suez, the Red Sea
terminal of the Suez Canal. Rizal disembarked and
went sightseeing. He was impressed by the moonlight because (Image: Suez Canal 1800s, Google Images)
it reminded him of Calamba and his family. It took 5 days for Djemnah to tra verse the Suez Canal. This
canal was built by Ferdinand de Lesseps. At Port Said, the Mediterranean terminal of Suez Canal, he was
fascinated to hear multi-racial languages.
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Naples and Marsielle

From Port Said, they proceeded on way to Europe. On June 11, Rizal reached Naples, an Italian
city that pleased Rizal due to its business activities, lively people, and panoramic beauty. He was also
fascinated by Mt. Vesuvius and the Castle of St. Telmo. On the night of June 12, the French steamer docked
at the harbor of Marseilles. Rizal disembarked. He visited the famous Chateau d’lf (sha -toe deef), where
Dantes, hero of The Count of Monte Cristo, was imprisoned. He stayed two and half days in Marseilles,
enjoying every day of his sojourn.

Barcelona

On the afternoon of May 15, Rizal left Marseilles by train for Spain. He stopped at the frontier town
of Port Bou for inspection. He noticed the indifference accorded by the Spanish immigration to tourist
contrasting to the courtesy of the French immigration. After passport inspection at Port Bou, Rizal continued
his way and finally reaching his destination, Barcelona on June 16, 1882. Rizal’s first impression of
Barcelona, greatest city of Cataluña and Spain’s second largest city, was unfavorable. He thought it was
ugly, dirty,and residents were inhospitable. Later, he came to like the city. He found it to be with an
atmosphere of freedom and liberalism. People were open-hearted, hospitable, and courageous. Filipinos in
Barcelona welcomed Rizal. They gave him a party at Plaza de Cataluña, in turn, he gave them the latest
news and gossips in the Philippines.

Amor Patrio

In Barcelona, Rizal wrote a nationalistic essay entitled ”Amor Patrio”(Love of Country), his first
article written on Spain’s soil.He sent the article to Basilio Teodoro Moran, publisher of Diariong Tagalog,
the first Manila bilingual newspaper.The essay under pen-name Laong Laan appeared in print in Diariong
Tagalog on August 20, 1882. Published in 2 texts, originally written by Rizal in Spa nish and the Tagalog
text was translated by M.H. del Pilar.This essay urged his compatriots to love their fatherland, the
Philippines. Basilio Teodoro Moran was deeply impressed by ”Amor Patrio” and requested for more
articles.Rizal wrote 2nd article entitled ”Los Viajes” (Travels). His 3rd article entitled ”Revista de Madrid”
(Review of Madrid), written in Madrid on November 29, 1882, was returned because the publication stopped
due to lack of funds.

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Manila moves to Madrid

While sojourning in Barcelona, Rizal received sad news about cholera in Manila and provinces.
Many people died and more dying everyday. According to Paciano’s letter, dated September 15, 1882, the
Calamba folks prayed to God to stop the epidemic, which even Spanish authorities are im potent to check.
Another sad news was the letter of Chengoy talking about the unhappines of Leonor Rivera and that she
was getting thinner because of the absence of a loved one. On of his letters, dated May 26, 1882, Paciano
advised Jose to finish medical course in Madrid. Evidently Rizal followed his brother’s advice and left
Barcelona in the fall of 1882, establishing himself in Madrid, the capital of Spain.

B. LIFE IN MADRID

November 3, 1882 – Rizal enrolled in Universidad Central de Madrid(Central University of Madrid)

in 2 courses: Medicine and Philosophy and Letters. He also studied painting and sculpture in the Academy
of Fine Arts of San Fernando. He also took lessons in French, German, and English. He also practiced
fencing and shooting in the Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell. He visited art galleries, museums, and read
books. He led Spartan life in Madrid to prepare himself for service to his fatherland. He budgeted his money
and time, never wasting any amount for gambling, wine, and women. At tim es, in his leisure time, he
invests few pesetas for a lottery ticket, but most of the time he spent it for reading, writing, and attending
reunions of Filipino students. On Saturday evenings, he visited Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey, a former city mayor
in Manila and later promoted as Vice-President of the Council of the Philippines in the Ministry of Colonies.
He lived along with his son, Rafael and daughter, Consuelo.

Romance with Consuelo Ortiga Y Perez

Although Rizal was not a handsome man, he possessed an aura

of charisma due to his talents and noble character, makes him looking
attractive to young women, and Consuelo, Don Pablo’s daughter also fell
in love with him. Rizal, being lonely and away from his homeland, became
attracted to Consuelo’s beauty and vivacity. On August 22,1883, Rizal
wrote a poem dedicated to her entitled A La Señorita C.O.y P. (To Miss
C.O.y P.), expressing his admiration for her. However, before his romance
with Consuelo could blossom into serious affair, he backed out for 2
reasons: He was still engaged to Leonor Rivera, his friend and co-worker
in Propaganda Movement, Eduardo de Lete is in love with Consuelo. He
had no wish to break their friendship just because for a girl. (Image: Consuelo Ortiga, Google Images)
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They Ask Me For Verses

1882 – Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-Philippine Circle), a society of Spaniards
and Filipinos. Rizal wrote ”Me Piden Versos” (They Ask Me For Verses) and he personally declaimed it at
the New Year’s Eve reception of the Madrid Filipinos held in the evening of December 31, 1882. In this sad
poem, he poured out the cry of his agonizing heart.

C. RIZAL’S FIRST VISIT TO PARIS (1883)

Rizal’s first summer vacation in Madrid, he went to Paris, sojourning from June 17 to August 20,
1883. Rizal was particularly fascinated by these places: Beautiful boulevards - Champ Elysees (ey-lee-zey),
Opera House, Place de la Concorde (plas de la kon-kurd), Arc d’ Triompe or the Arch of Triumph, Bois de
Boulogne (bwah duh boo-lohn), Madelaine Church (mad-l-in), Cathedral of Notre Dame (noh-truh deym,
dahm), Column of Vendome (vahn- dohm), Invalides -tomb of Napoleon the Great, and Versailles (ver-
sahy). Rizal improved his mind by observing French way of life and spending hours at the museums, notably
the world famous Louvre (loo-ver). He also went to the botanical gardens, especially the Luxembourg. He
also went to the libraries, art galleries, and even hospitals (Laennec Hospital and Lariboisiere Hospital) to
observe. Many Parisians thought Rizal was Japanese, while the prices of virtually almost everything in Paris
was too high. He commented on his letter to his family: ”Paris is the costliest capital in Europe.”

Rizal as a Mason

While in Spain, Rizal came in close contact with prominent Spanish liberal and republican Spaniards,
most of them are Masons. Those of the included were: Miguel Morayta – statesman, professor, historian,
and writer, Francisco Pi y Margal – journalist, statesman, and former President of the First Spanish Republic,
Manuel Becerra – Minister of Ultramar, Emilio Junoy – journalist and member of the Spanish Cortes, and
Juan Ruiz Zorilla – parliamentarian and head of the Republic Progressive Party in Madrid.

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 Rizal was impressed how they openly criticized the
government policies and lambasted the friars, this could
not be done in the Philippines. March 1883 – Rizal joined
Masonic lodge in Madrid called Acacia. His reason for
becoming a Mason, is to secure Freemasonry’s aid in his
fight against the friars in the Philippines. Friars uses the
Catholic religion as a shield to grab power, wealth, and
to persecute Filipino patriots. On the otherhand, Rizal
wanted to utilize Freemasonry as his shield to combat
them. M.H. del Pilar, G. Lopez Jaena, and Mariano Ponce
–are very active in Masonic affairs. Rizal only played a lukewarm role in Freemasonry. ” Science, Virtue and
Labor” – Rizal’s only Masonic writing delivered in 1889 at Lodge Solidaridad, Madrid. (Image: ABS CBN
News, https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/12/30/19/how-rizals-life-in-europe-and-
friendship-with-a-czech-scholar-changed-a-nations-fate).

Conditions in Calamba Estate

After Rizal left for Spain, things went bad to worse in Calamba. Drought and locusts make the
harvest of rice and sugarcane extremely tough. The lands cultivated by the Rizal family was a Domincan-
owned hacienda. The hacienda manager frequently asked Don Francisco for a turkey however, due to a
dreadful pest that killed most of the turkeys, Don Francisco had to deny him because he needs the few
surviving for breeding purposes. The hacienda manager enraged for his failure to receive a turkey, leads
to increasing rentals of the leased lands by Don Francisco and Paciano.
Due to these hard times, allowances became harsh for Rizal in Madrid and at times he received
nothing at all. On June 24, 1884 – Rizal was broke and haven’t had his breakfast, yet he attended his class
and then participated in the contest in Greek language and even won the gold medal. Later that night, he
was able have his meal for the day upon attending a banquet to honor Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion
Hidalgo.

Rizal’s Salute to Luna and Hidalgo

June 25, 1884 – banquet for Luna and Hidalgo was sponsored by Filipino community to celebrate
the double victory of Filipino artists in the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid: Luna’s Spoliarium –
winning 1st prize Hidalgo’s Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace – won 2nd prize. Rizal was a guest

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speaker and he held his audience spellbound. He saluted Luna and Hidalgo as the 2 glories of Spain and
Philippines. He stated that genius is universal, artistic achievements transcended geographical frontiers and
racial origins. He alluded in refine sarcasm the bigotry and blindness of some unworthy Spaniards
(pertaining to the bad friars in the Philippines) of not appreciating the universality of genius.
Rizal’s magnificent speech was greeted with warm ovations because Spaniards seldom hear such a beautiful
oration from the lips of a brown Filipino.

Rizal Involved in Student Demonstrations

November 20, 21, and 22, 1884 – bloody riots by students of the Central University exploded in
Madrid. Rizal and other Filipino students joined along with Cuban, Mexican, Peruv ian, and Spanish students.
The riot was ignited when Dr. Miguel Morayta (History Professor) and some who applauded his speech
was excommunicated because his speech was condemned by Catholic bishops in Spain. The angered
students even rose to violent demonstrations due the bigotry of Catholic bishops. Many university
professors openly supported the rioters. The Rector taking the students’ side was forced to resigned. Later,
he was replaced by Doctor Creus, a man disliked by everyone. The appointment of new Rector only
intensified the fury of the student demonstrations.

Studies Completed in Spain

Rizal completed his medical course in Spain. He was conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine
by the Universidad Central de Madrid on June 21, 1884. The next academic year (1884-85), he studied and
passed all subjects leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine but he didn’t present his thesis required for
graduation nor paid the corresponding fees. He was not awarded his Doctor’s diploma. Rizal also finished
his studies in Philosophy and Letters with higher grades. He was awarded the degree of Licentiate in
Philosophy and Letters by Universidad central de Madrid on June 19, 1884 with the rating Excellent
(Sobresaliente).
By obtaining degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters, Rizal is qualified to be a professor of
Humanities in any Spanish university. By receiving degree of Licentiate in Medicine, he also become a full-
fledged physician and is qualified to practice medicine. Rizal didn’t bother to secure post-graduate degree
of Doctor of Medicine because it was only good for teaching purposes. He doesn’t need it because he is
already a professor and qualified to teach. He also knew that with his brown color and Asian ancestry, no
friar-owned university or college would hire him even if he had graduated with flying honors, they still
wouldn’t recognize it.

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D. NOLI ME TANGERE

1The title, in meaning Touch me not, refers to

John 20:17 in the as tried to touch the newly risen. He said
"Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father.
JOSE RIZAL preferred that the prospective novel expresses
the backward, anti-progress and anti-intellectual way
Filipino culture was. On JUNE 2, 1884, Rizal proposed the
writing of a novel about the Philippines written by a group
of Filipinos. His proposal was unanimously approved by
the Filipinos present at the party, among whom were
Pedro, Maximino and Antonio Paterno, Graciano López
Jaena, Evaristo Aguirre, Eduardo de Lete, Julio Llorente
and Valentin Ventura.
Rizal finished the novel in December 1886. Rizal
feared the novel might not be printed, and that it would
remain unread. A financial aid came from a friend named
Máximo Viola which helped him print his book at a fine
print media in Berlin named Berliner Buch druckerei-Akti
engesellschaft publication. (Image: Jose Rizal’s Travel in Germany, http://philippine -
embassy.de/2017/07/06/retracing-rizals-journey-through-germany/)

Summary of Noli Me Tangere

Ocana and Valenzuela (2020) summarized the Noli Me Tangere, its content in the following
enumerations below 2 along with the analysis of what Noli Me Tangere is as Rizal’s First Published Novel:

⮚ Son of a Filipino businessman, Don Rafael Ibarra, he studied in Europe for seven years. Ibarra is
also María Clara’s fiancé. Several sources claim that Ibarra is also Rizal’s reflection.

⮚ María Clara, Ibarra’s fiancée. She was raised by Capitán Tiago and is the most beautiful and widely
celebrated girl in San Diego. An illegitimate daughter of Father Dámaso.

1 [Image] from the Philippine Embassy in Berlin, http://philippine-embassy.de/2017/07/06/retracing-rizals-

journey-through-germany/
2 Ocana, Ma. Elena, LPT & Valenzuela, Edwin, LPT, Editors of Rizal Module 2020 Edition

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⮚ Santiago de los Santos, known by his nickname Tiago and political title Capitán Tiago is a Filipino
businessman and the cabeza de barangay or head of barangay of the town of San Diego. He is also the
known father of María Clara.

⮚ Dámaso Verdolagas, or Padre Dámaso is a Franciscan friar and the former parish curate of San
Diego. He is best known as a notorious character who speaks with harsh words and has been a cruel priest
during his stay in the town.

⮚ Elías is Ibarra’s mysterious friend and ally. He wants to revolutionize the country and to be freed
from Spanish oppression.

⮚ DON ANASTASIO: Seeking for reforms from the government, he expresses his ideals in paper
written in a cryptographic alphabet "that the future generations may be able to decipher it" and realized
the abuse and oppression done by the conquerors. Also known as Pilosopong Tacio

⮚ Doña Victorina de los Reyes de Espadaña, is an ambitious Filipina who classifies herself as a Spanish
and mimics Spanish ladies by putting on heavy make-up.

⮚ Narcisa or Sisa is the deranged mother of Basilio and Crispín. Described as beautiful and young,
although she loves her children very much, she cannot protect them from the beatings of her husband.

⮚ Crispín is Sisa’s 7-year-old son. An altar boy, he was unjustly accused of stealing money from the
church. After failing to force Crispín to return the money he allegedly stole, Father Salví and the head
sacristan killed him. It is not directly stated that he was killed, but the dream of Basilio suggests that Crispín
died during his encounter with Padre Salvi.

⮚ Basilio is Sisa’s 10-year-old son. An acolyte tasked to ring the church bells for the Angelus, he faced
the dread of losing his younger brother and the descent of his mother into insanity. At the end of the novel,
Elías wished Basilio to bury him by burning in exchange of chest of gold located on his death ground. He
will later play a major role in El Filibusterismo.

⮚ Ibarra completed his studies in Europe comes back to the Philippines after a 7-year absence.

⮚ In his honor a family friend, threw a get-together party, which was attended by friars and other
prominent figures.

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⮚ One of the guests, former San Diego curate belittled and slandered Ibarra.

⮚ The next day, Ibarra visits, his love, the beautiful daughter of Captain Tiago and affluent resident
of Binondo.

⮚ Their long-standing love was clearly manifested in this meeting, and María Clara cannot help but
reread the letters her sweetheart had written her before he went to Europe.

⮚ Before Ibarra left for San Diego, Lieutenant Guevara, a Civil Guard, reveals to him the incidents
preceding the death of his father, a rich hacendero of the town.

⮚ According to Guevara, Don Rafael was unjustly accused of being a heretic, in addition to being a
subversive — an allegation brought forth by Dámaso because of Don Rafael’s non-participation in the
Sacraments, such as Confession and Mass.

⮚ Dámaso’s animosity against Ibarra’s father is aggravated by another incident when Don Rafael
helped out on a fight between a tax collector and a child fighting, and the formers death was blamed on
him, although it was not on purpose.

⮚ Suddenly, all of those who thought ill of him surfaced with additional complaints. He was
imprisoned, and just when the matter was almost settled, he died of sickness in jail.

⮚ Revenge was not in Ibarra’s plans, instead he carried through his father’s plan of putting up a
school, since he believed that education would pave the way to his country’s progress (all over the novel
the author refers to both Spain and the Philippines as two different countries as part of a same nation or
family, with Spain seen as the mother and the Philippines as the daughter).

⮚ During the inauguration of the school, Ibarra would have been killed in a sabotage had— a
mysterious man who had warned Ibarra earlier of a plot to assassinate him — not saved him. Instead the
hired killer met an unfortunate incident and died.

⮚ After the inauguration, Ibarra hosted a luncheon during which Dámaso, gate-crashing the
luncheon, again insulted him. Ibarra ignored the priest’s insolence, but when the latter slandered the
memory of his dead father, he was no longer able to restrain himself and lunged at Dámaso, prepared to
stab him for his impudence.

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⮚ As a consequence, Dámaso excommunicated Ibarra, taking this opportunity to persuade the
already-hesitant Tiago to forbid his daughter from marrying Ibarra. The friar wished María Clara to marry
Linares, a Peninsular who had just arrived from Spain.

⮚ With the help of the Governor-General, Ibarra’s excommunication was nullified and the Archbishop
decided to accept him as a member of the Church once again.

⮚ Meanwhile, in Capitan Tiago’s residence, a party was being held to announce the upcoming
wedding of María Clara and Linares. Ibarra, with the help of Elías, took this opportunity to escape from
prison.

⮚ Before leaving, Ibarra spoke to María Clara and accused her of betraying him, thinking that she
gave the letter he wrote her to the jury. María Clara explained that she would never conspire against him
but that she was forced to surrender Ibarra’s letter to Father Salvi, in exchange for the letters written by
her mother even before she, María Clara, was born.

⮚ María Clara, thinking that Ibarra had been killed in the shooting incident, was greatly overcome
with grief. Robbed of hope and severely disillusioned, she asked Dámaso to confine her into a nunnery.

⮚ Dámaso reluctantly agreed when she threatened to take her own life, demanding, "the nunnery or
death! “Unknown to her, Ibarra was still alive and able to escape. It was Elías who had taken the shots.

⮚ It was Christmas Eve when Elías woke up in the forest fatally wounded, as it is here where he
instructed Ibarra to meet him. Instead, Elías found the altar boy Basilio cradling his already -dead mother,
Sisa.

⮚ The latter lost her mind when she learned that her two sons, Crispín and Basilio, were chased out
of the convent by the sacristan mayor on suspicions of stealing sacred objects.

⮚ Elías, convinced that he would die soon, instructs Basilio to build a funeral pyre and burn his and
Sisa’s bodies to ashes. He tells Basilio that, if nobody reaches the place, he come back later on and dig for
he will find gold.

⮚ He also tells him (Basilio) to take the gold he finds and go to school. In his dying breath, he
instructed Basilio to continue dreaming about freedom for his motherland with the words:

⮚ “I shall die without seeing the dawn break upon my homeland. Y ou, who shall see it, salute it! Do
not forget those who have fallen during the night”.
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⮚ Elías died thereafter. Tiago became addicted to opium and was seen to frequent the opium house
in Binondo to satiate his addiction.

Epilogue of the story

⮚ María Clara became a nun where Salví, who has lusted after her from the beginning of the novel,
regularly used her to fulfill his lust.

⮚ One stormy evening, a beautiful crazy woman was seen at the top of the convent crying and
cursing the heavens for the fate it has handed her.

⮚ While the woman was never identified, it is insinuated that the said woman was Maria Clara.

⮚ Thirteen years after leaving the Philippines, Crisostomo Ibarra returns as Simoun, a rich jeweler
sporting a beard and blue-tinted glasses, and a confidant of the Captain-General. Abandoning his idealism,
he becomes a cynical saboteur, seeking revenge against the Spanish Philippine system responsible for his
misfortunes by plotting a revolution.

⮚ Simoun insinuates himself into Manila high society and influences every decision of the Captain-
General to mismanage the country’s affairs so that a revolution will break out.

⮚ He cynically sides with the upper classes, encouraging them to commit abuses against the masses
to encourage the latter to revolt against the oppressive Spanish colonial regime.

⮚ This time, he does not attempt to fight the authorities through legal means, but through violent
revolution using the masses. Simoun has reasons for instigating a revolution. First is to rescue María Clara
from the convent and second, to get rid of ills and evils of Philippine society.

E. IN SUMMARY

Rizal’s studies continued in UST until he was unhappy at the Dominican institution. After finishing
the 4th year of his medical course in UST, Rizal, being disgusted with the method of instruction in the
Dominican-owned University and the racial prejudice of Dominican professors against Filipino student,
decided to study abroad. He predicted that his decision of studying abroad would not be favored by his
parents; he did not asked their blessing. And aside from studying in Spain he was on a secret mission. This

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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 great task of liberating his
oppressed people from the Spanish tyranny.

F. SUMAMRY OF NOLI ME TANGERE

Rizal prefaces Noli Me Tangere with a short dedication to the Philippines. He wrote that there are
certain kinds of cancer that are incredibly vulnerable and sensitive to touch, growths aggravated by even
the slightest contact. Rizal says he often thinks of his country in these terms, stating that he believes the
Philippines suffers from a “social cancer.” And because he wants “good health” for his nation, he resolves
to “reproduce current condition faithfully, without prejudice” so that he might “lift the veil hiding ills, and
sacrifice everything to the truth.”

G. ANALYZING NOLI ME TANGERE

This preface of Noli Me Tangere ensures that readers understand that the novel is intentionally
political. Although the pages that follow this short chapter often preoccupy themselves with melodramatic
love scenes and action plots, it is clear from the very first pages that Rizal is primarily interested in exploring
what was then the taboo topic of political corruption in the Philippines.

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Prepared by Ma. Elena Ocana, LPT (2019 – 2020)
Edited by Francisco L. Sanchez Jr., LPT (September, 2021)
I’M A PHILSCAN, PRO-ACADEMIC HONESTY!

Oppps! Before you challenge your wit, don’t forget to sign the honesty pledge below! Remember,
our course policy states that “students are expected to display the highest degree of honesty and
professionalism in their class work, requirements, and activities especially that the flexible modality offers
greater opportunity for cheating.”

I, a proud and honest PhilSCAn, do hereby promise to exercise highest degree of

honesty and professionalism as I accomplish the tasks laid before me. With this, I
abhor any forms of cheating, particularly any acts of plagiarism. If ever I committed
such act and got caught, I shall submit myself to due process as stipulated in the
Student Manual. So help me, God.

___________________________ _____________________________
Your Printed Name and Signature Your Parent or Guardian’s

______________________________
Your Instructor’s Printed Name and Signature

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Prepared by Ma. Elena Ocana, LPT (2019 – 2020)
Edited by Francisco L. Sanchez Jr., LPT (September, 2021)
MODULE ACTIVITY

TABLEAU: Reenact one of scenes happened in the Noli Me Tangere. Performance will be
done in class. Using the rubric below.

Criteria 2 3 4 5

Thinking: few elements of some elements elements of the elements of the

use of planning skills the tableau are of the tableau tableau are tableau are
purposefully are purposefully purposefully purposefully,
organized organized organized precisely
organized

Communication: lacks precision somewhat modifies body expertly

communication for different modifying body precise when position to suit modifies body
audiences and purposes position to suit modifying body audience and position to suit
audience and position to suit purpose of audience and
purpose of audience and tableau with purpose of
tableau purpose of precision tableau
tableau

effectively uses effectively uses effectively uses effectively uses

Communication;
one convention two or three four or five all six
conventions of tableau
of tableau conventions of conventions of conventions of
● frozen tableau tableau tableau
● open to audience
● facial expression
● contribute to focal
pointcontribute to
variety in levels
● space (foreground,
background)

Application; expresses the expresses the clearly insightfully

making connections within character's character's expresses the expresses the
and between contexts thought, thought, character's character's
emotion, or emotion, or thought, thought,
action with little action with emotion, or emotion, or
or no clarity some clarity action action

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Edited by Francisco L. Sanchez Jr., LPT (September, 2021)
WORKSHEET 7

NAME: DATE:
COURSE/YR/SEC: INSTRUCTOR/PROFESSOR:

Direction: Answer the following questions:

1. How did the travels of Rizal help him attain his dreams?

2. Explain the struggles of Rizal while he is studying abroad.

3. Describe the effects of the publishing of Noli Me Tangere in the social conditions of the Philippines.

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Prepared by Ma. Elena Ocana, LPT (2019 – 2020)
Edited by Francisco L. Sanchez Jr., LPT (September, 2021)
H. ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES
Rizal, Jose. Noli Me Tangere (Translation by rizals-lif e-in-europe-and-f riendship-with-a-czech-
Virgilio Almario) scholar-changed-a-nations-f ate

Constantino, Renato. “The Making of a Filipino: “Philippines, a century hence”, Gutenberg

A Story of Philippine Colonial Politics. Quezon Press,
City: R. Constantino, 1982. https://www.gutenberg.org/f iles/35899/3
5899-h/35899-h.htm
Joaquin, Nick. A Question of Heroes. Pasig:
Anvil, 2005. “From Cadiz to La Liga: The Spanish
Revel, Nicol, ed. Literature of Voice: Epics in the Context of Rizal’s Political Thought”,
Philippines. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila Aseniero, George,
University Press, 2005. https://asj.upd.edu.ph/mediabox/archive/
ASJ-49-1-
Interactive Map of Jose Rizal’s Travel to 2013/From%20Cadiz%20to%20La%20Lig
Germany, Philippine Embassy in Berlin, a%20-
http://philippine- %20Spanish%20Context%20of %20Rizals
embassy.de/2017/07/06/retracing-rizals-journey- %20Political%20Thought%20-
through-germany/
%20Aseniero.pdf
De Jesus, Joaquin Carlos, “How Rizal’s lif e in
Rizal Articles, National Historical
Europe and f riendship with a Czech scholar
Commission of the Philippines,
changed a nation’s f ate”, ABS-CBN News, 20
December, 2019, https://news.abs- https://nhcp.gov.ph/category/nhcp/resour
cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/12/30/19/how- ces/articles-resources/rizal-articles/

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Edited by Francisco L. Sanchez Jr., LPT (September, 2021)