CHAPTER 6

IN SUNNY SPAIN (1882-1885)

Reporter: Peralta, Jhana Alyssa D.

After Rizal finished his fourth year of medical course in university of Santo Tomas, being disgusted with the
outward method of instruction in this Dominican-owned university and the racial prejudice of the medical
professors against Filipino students, he decided to complete his studies in Spain.
At that time the government of Spain was a constitutional monarchy under a written constitution which
granted human rights to the people, particularly freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of
assembly.
Aside from this reason he had another reason, which was more important than merely completing his
studies in Spain this what his “secret mission”.

Rizal’s Secret Mission. To observe keenly the life and culture, languages and customs, industries and
commerce and governments and laws of the European nation in order to prepare himself in the mighty task
of liberating his oppressed people from Spanish tyranny.

SECRET DEPARTURE FOR SPAIN

Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept secret to avoid detection by the Spanish authorities and friars. Even
his own parents did not know because he knew they, especially his mother, would not allow him to go. Only
his older brother (Paciano), his uncle (Antonio Rivera, father of Leonor Rivera), his sisters (Neneng and
Lucia), the Valenzuela family (Capitana Juan and Capitana Sanday and their daughter Orang), Pedro A.
Paternoster, his compadre Mateo Evangelista, the Ateneo Jesuit fathers, and some intimate friends,
including Chengoy (Jose M. Cecilio).

Jose Rizal used the name Jose Mercado (a cousin from Biñaan) to wrote his farewell letter for his beloved
parents and another one for his sweetheart Leonor Rivera — both delivered shortly after he sailed away.

May 3, 1882 – Rizal departed on board the Spanish streamer Salvadora bound for Singapore.
During the voyage, he observed that they were only sixteen passengers. The ship captain, Donato Lecna,
befriended him. He described him as a man who is “much more refined than his other countrymen and
colleagues that I he met”.
Though he is angry with some Spaniards passengers who spoke ill of the Philippines, “to which they go for
pecuniary reasons”.
May 8, 1882 – While they were approaching Singapore, Rizal saw a beautiful island – “Talim Island with the
Susong Dalaga”
May 9, 1882 – the Salvadora docked at Singapore. Rizal landed and stayed at Hotel de la Paz, and spend
to two on sightseeing soiree of the city. He saw the famous Botanical Garden, the beautiful Buddhist
temples, the busy shopping district, and the statue of Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles (founder of Singapore).

FROM SINGAPORE TO COLOMBO.

May 11, 1882, Rizal transferred to another ship “Djemnah” which left Singapore for Europe.
Most of the passengers on board we’re French-speaking.
He found out that this book French, which he learned at the Ateneo could not be understood, so that he had
to speak in mixed Spanish-Latin supplemented by much gesticulation and sketching on paper.
May 17, 1882 – Djemnah reaches Point Galle, a seacoast town in Southern Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
Rizal was unimpressed by this town. He described it, “The general appearance of Point Galle is
picturesque but lonely and quite and at the same time sad.”
The following day, they resume the voyage towards Colombo, the Capital of Ceylon. After hours of sailing
they reach the city of Colombo.
Rizal was enamoured by Colombo because of its scenic beauty and elegant buildings. “Colombo is more
beautiful, smart and elegant than Singapore, Point Galle and Manila.”

FIRST TRIP THROUGH SUEZ CANAL

From Colombo, the Djemnah continued the voyage crossing the Indian Ocean to the Cape of Guardafui,
Africa. Rizal called it “inhospitable land but famous”.
At the next stopover—Aden— Rizal Was amused to see camels, for it was the first time he saw this animal.
From Aden they proceed to the city of Suez, the Red Sea terminal of Suez Canal.
It took five days to transverse the Suez Canal. Rizal was trilled because it was his first trip through this
canal, which was built by Ferdinand Lesseps (French diplomat-engineer).
At Port Said, the Mediterranean terminal of the Suez Canal, Rizal lande in order ro see the interesting sight.

NAPLES AND MARSEILLES

June 11, 1882 – Rizal reaches Naples. This Italian city pleased him because of its business activity, its
lively people, and its panoramic beauty. He was fascinated especially by Mount Vesuvius and the Castle of
St. Telmo.
June 12, 1882– at night, the steamer docked at the French harbor of Marseilles. He visited the famous
Chateau d’lf, where Dante, hero of The Count of Monte Cristo was imprisoned.

BARCELONA
March 15, 1882– on the afternoon, Rizal left Marseilles by train for the last lap of his trip to Spain. He
stopped for a day at Port Bou. Here he noticed the indifference accordance by the Spanish immigration
officers to tourists, in direct contrast with the courtesy of the French immigration officers.
After the inspection at Port-Bou, Rizal continued his trip by rail, finally reaching his destination —Barcelona
on June 16, 1882.
Upon his arrival at Barcelona, he stayed at an inn situated on an unimpressive narrow street in the towns
most ugly side and the staff and guests in this in were indifferent to him. Because of this his first impression
to Barcelona was unfavorable. He called it “ugly, with dirty little inns and inhospitable residents.”
However, later on, he changes his bad impression and came to like the city. He found it to be a really great
city with an atmosphere of freedom and liberalism, and its people were open-hearted hospitable and
courageous.
Filipinos in Barcelona also welcomed Rizal. They give him a party at their favorite cafe in Plaza de
Cataluña.
In Barcelona, Rizal wrote a nationalistic essay entitled “ Amor Patrio” (Love of Country). It was his first
article written on Spanish soil. He sent this article to his friend in Manila, Basilio Teodoro Moran, publisher
of Diaryong Tagalog, the first Manila bilingual newspaper (Spanish and Tagalog).
On August 20, 1882 Rizal’s “Amor Patrio”, under his pen name Laong Laan, appeared in print in Diaryong
Tagalog. It was published in to two text – Spanish and Tagalog. The Spanish text was the originally written
by Rizal in Barcelona and the Tagalog text was a Tagalog translation made by M.H.Del Pillar .
The article caused quite a sensation among the readers in the Philippines because of its nationalistic flavor.
As in his prize winning “Juventud Filipina” Rizal in his “Amor Patrio” his compatriots to love their fatherland
the Philippines.
Publisher Basilio Teodoro Moran, deeply impressed by “Amor Patrio” congratulated Rizal and requested for
more articles. In response to his request Rizal wrote the second article for Diaryong Tagalog entitled “Los
Viajes” (Travels). His third article entitled “ Revista de Madrid” (Review of Madrid), which he wrote in Madrid
on November 29, 1882 was returned to him because of Diaryong Tagalog had ceased publication for lack
of funds.

MOVE TO MADRID
While he is staying in Barcelona, Rizal receive sad news about the cholera that was spreading Manila and
the provinces. According to Paciano’s letter dated September 15, 1882, the Calamba folks are having
afternoon novena to San Roque and nocturnal processions and prayers so that God may stop the
epidemic.
Another sad news from the Philippines was the letter of Chengoy, recounting the unhappiness of Leonor
Rivera, who was getting thinner because of the absence of a loved one.
In one of his letters dated May 26, 1882 - Paciano advised his younger brother to finish the medical course
in Madrid. Evidently heeding his advice, Rizal left Barcelona in the fall of 1882 and establish himself in
Madrid, the capital of Spain.

LIFE OF RIZAL IN MADRID

Shortly after his arrival in Madrid, Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-Philippine Circle, a
society of Spaniards and Filipinos. Upon the request of members of the society, he wrote a poem entitled
“Me Piden Versos” (They Ask Me for Verses) which he personally declaimed during the New Year’s Eve
reception of the Madrid-Filipinos held in the evening of December 31, 1882.
November 3 1882– Rizal enrolled in Universidad Central de Madrid (Central University of Madrid) in two
courses — Medicine and Philosophy and letters.
He also studied painting and sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando; talk lessons in
French, German, and English under private instructors; in even practice fencing and shooting in the Hall of
Arms of Sanz y Carbonell.
His thirst for knowledge of music, he visited the art galleries and museums, and read books on all subjects
under the sun- including military engineering, in order to broaden in his cultural background.
He lives a Spartan life in Madrid. He knew that he came to Spain to study and prepare himself for service to
his fatherland. He live frugally, spending his money on food, clothing, lodging and books — never wasting
money for gambling, wine and women.
Rizal economized on his living expenses and with the money he saved, he purchases book from a second
hand book store owned by a certain Señor Roses. He was able to build fair-size private library. He has
many collections of books but he is deeply affected by Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Eugene
Sue’ The Wandering Jew. These two books aroused his sympathy for the oppressed and unfortunate
people.
He's only extravagance was investing a few money for a lottery ticket in every draw of the Madrid lottery.
He spends his leisure time reading and writing at his boarding house, attending the reunions of Filipino
students at the house of the Paterno brothers (Antonio, Maximino, and Pedro), and practicing fencing and
shooting at gymnasium.
On Saturday evening, he visited the home of Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey who had been city mayor of Manila
during the administration of the liberal governor-general Carlos Ma de la Torre (1869-1871) and was later
promoted vice president of the council of the Philippines in the Ministry of Colonies (Ultramar).
ROMANCE WITH CONSUELO ORTIGA Y PEREZ
Rizal was not a handsome man. In physique he was neither dashing nor imposing, for he was a shy small
man — a few inches above five feet in height. But he possess an aura of charisma due to his many talents
and noble character which made him attractive to romantic young women. No wonder the daughter of Don
Pablo fell in love with him.
August 22, 1883– Rizal compose a lovely poem for Consuelo entitled “A La Señorita C. O. y P.” (To Miss C.
O. Y P). Here he expresses his admiration for her.
However, before his romance with Consuelo could blossom into a serious affair, he suddenly backed out for
two reasons (1) he was still engaged to Leonor Rivera and (2) his friend 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.

RIZAL’S FIRST VISIT TO PARIS (1883)

During his first summer vacation in Madrid, Rizal went to Paris, France from June 17 to August 20, 1883.
Like other tourist, Rizal was charmed by the attractive sights of Paris. However, unlike ordinary tourist
whose main interest is visiting foreign countries to see beautiful sights, to enjoy themselves in night clubs
and theatres, and to shop for souvenir items. Rizal improve his mind by observing closely the French way
of life and spending many hours at the museum, notably the world-famous Louvre; the botanical gardens,
especially the Luxembourg; the libraries and art galleries, and the hospitals including the Leaennec
Hospital.

RIZAL AS A MASON
In Spain Rizal came in close contact with prominent Spanish liberal and republican Spaniards, who were
mostly Masons, including Miguel Morayta - statesman, professor, historian and writer; Francisco Pi y
Margal – journalist, statesman, and former president of the short-lived pre-Spanish republic; Manuel
Becerra – Minister of Ultramar (Colonies); Emilio Junoy – journalist and member of the Cortes; and Juan
Ruiz Zorilla – parliamentarian and Head of the Republican Progressive Party in Madrid.
Rizal was impressed by the way is Spanish Masons openly and freely criticized the government policies
and lambasted the friars which could not be done in Philippines.
March 1883 – he joined the Masonic Lodge can Acacia in Madrid
Later he transferred to Lodge Solidaridad (Madrid), where he become a Master Mason on November 15,
1890.
February 15, 1892 – he was awarded the diploma as Master Mason by Le Grand Orient de France in Paris
Unlike M. H. Del Pilar, G. Lopez Jaena, and Mariano Ponce who were active in masonic affairs, Rizal
played a lukewarm role in freemasonry. His only Masonic writing was a lecture titled “ Science, Virtue and
Labor,” which he delivered in 1889 at Lodge Solidaridad, Madrid.
FINANCIAL WORRIES
The harvest of rice and sugarcane of the family of Rizal in Calamba failed on account of droughts and
locusts.
A time came when a dreadful pest killed most of the turkey that Don Francisco (father of Rizal) is raising.
When the manager requested for a turkey Don Francisco had to deny him because he needed a few
surviving turkeys for breeding purposes. Enraged by his failure to receive a turkey, the manager of the
Dominican-owned hacienda increased the rentals of the lands cultivated by the Rizal family.
Due to hard times in Calamba the monthly allowance of Rizal in Madrid was late in arrival and there were
times when they never arrived.
June 24, 1884– because Rizal was broke, he was unable to take breakfast. With an empty stomach
attended his class at the University, participated in the contest in Greek language and won the gold medal.
In the evening of the same day, he was able to eat dinner for he was a guest speaker in the banquet held in
honor of Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo at Restaurant Ingles, Madrid.

RIZAL’S SALUTE TO LUNA AND HIGALDO

The banquet that Rizal attended as a guest speaker was to celebrate the double victory of Filipino artist in
National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid — Luna’s Spoliarium winning first place and Hidalgo’s Christian
Virgins Exposed to the Populace, second place.
Rizal saluted Luna and Hidalgo as the two glories of Spain and the Philippines, whose artistic achievement
transcended geographical frontiers and racial origins, for genius is universal — “genius knows no country,
genius sprouts everywhere, genius is like light, air, the patrimony of everybody, cosmopolitan like space,
like life like God.”

RIZAL INVOLVED IN STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS

November 20, 21, 22, 1884 the serenity city of Madrid exploded into bloody riots by the students of Central
University
November 20, 1884 Dr. Morayta proclaim the freedom of science and the teachers”
Doctor Creus was the new Rector
November 26, 1884 Rizal wrote a letter to his family recounting the tumultuous riot to his family

STUDIES COMPLETED IN SPAIN

June 21, 1884 he was conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid
The next year (1884-85) he studied and passed all subjects leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine
He was not awarded his Doctor’s diploma because he did not present the thesis required for graduation
June 19, 1884 he what's awarded the degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters by the Universidad
Central de Madrid
By receiving his degree of Licentiate in Medicine, he became a full-fledged physician qualified to practice
medicine
Being a man with high intelligent and foresight, he knew that with his brown color and Asian racial ancestry
no friar owned University or College in the Philippines would accept him in its faculty staff.