MEDICAL STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS (1877-1882)

Jose Rizal, having completed his Bachiller en Artes (Bachelor of Arts) at the Ateneo Municipal, was now
eligible for higher education at a university. His mother, Doña Teodora, had second thoughts about
sending her son to school because of the previous incident involving the execution of friars: Gomez,
Burgos and Zamora. However, it was Don Francisco who decided to send his son to the University of
Santo Tomas, a prestigious institution run by the Dominican order.

Rizal, upon entering the university, was not certain which course of study he wanted to pursue. The
Jesuit priests who had been his former mentors had advised him to take up farming, or to join the order
and be a man of the cloth. However, his tastes went towards law, literature, or medicine. In the end, he
decided to sign up for Philosophy and Letters during his freshman year because of the following reasons:

1. It was what his father would have wanted for him; and
2. He had failed to seek the advice of the rector of the Ateneo, Father Ramon Pablo.

As part of the course, he had to complete units in the subjects - Cosmology and Metaphysics, Theodicy,
and History of Philosophy. His report card showed excellent remarks on all the subjects taken which was
very impressive. He passed the course brilliantly with the highest grades in spite of his initial indifference
to philosophy and his youthful distractions through the year.

Although Doña Teodora vigorously opposed the idea of Rizal pursuing higher learning in a university and
who would prophetically say, “Don’t send him to Manila again; he knows enough. If he gets to know
more, the Spaniards will cut off his head.”, Rizal continued his journey after his one-year of learning
Philosophy and Letters (1877-1878) and then later transferred to the medical course.

During Rizal’s first school term in the University of Santo Tomas (1877-1878), he also took vocational
courses on surveying in Ateneo. Unsurprisingly, he excelled in all subjects and received gold medals in
agriculture and topography. On November 25, 1881, the title, perito agrimensor (expert surveyor), was
issued to Rizal after passing the final examination in the surveying course.

Rizal’s excellent performance in Ateneo was later compared with his performance in the UST. It has been
said by several biographers that Rizal was discriminated and was treated poorly by the Dominicans which
has led to a not so excellent performance and grades during the period of his study of Medicine in the
said university. According to Zaide (1999), Rizal found the atmosphere at the University of Santo Tomas
suffocating to his sensitive spirit. And that he was unhappy at this Dominican institution of higher
learning because (1) the Dominican professors were hostile to him; (2) the Filipino students were racially
discriminated against by the Spaniards; and (3) the method of instruction was obsolete and repressive
which he has related in his novel, El Filibusterismo where he described how the Filipino students were
humiliated and insulted by their Dominican professors and how backward the method of instruction was,
especially in the teaching of the natural sciences.

Some historians questioned, “How could Rizal, after a perfect record of “Excellent” in high school
(Ateneo) now receive such “low” grades at UST?” These critics had to look for an explanation, and since
they did not find fault in Rizal, then they had to blame the Dominicans and UST. Quite a long line of
Filipino biographers (with some exceptions) only portray the same repeated lamentation that every
school child must now learn in the textbooks: that Rizal was “below his usual standards”, and for the
extremely serious charge that the “Dominican professors were hostile to him” and “the Filipino students
were racially discriminated” (Zaide), and that there was “excessive harping on the alleged intellectual
superiority of the Spanish to the Filipino, a brown man, and Indio (JM Hernandez), and so on.
Upon further study of academicians, more particularly, Fr. Fidel Villaroel, it wasn’t all true that he was
discriminated and that these matters affected his grades while he was in the university, as how it was
falsely put into writing by several historians.

According to the study of Fr. Villaroel, a year after Rizal entered UST in 1877, he took simultaneously the
Pre-Medical Course and the First Year of Medicine; this was supposed to be against the rules, but Rizal
was favored with a dispensation. Had Rizal been discriminated or treated shabbily by the Dominicans he
would not have been granted the rare privilege of studying simultaneously the Preparatory Course while
taking up the First Year of Medicine.

In his courses of medicine, Rizal was a good student, above-average, though not excellent; but none of
his classmates were excellent either. Summing up, in the 21 subjects taken in UST, Rizal obtained one
aprobado (passing grade), eight bueno (good), six notable (very good) and six sobresaliente (excellent).
Majority of students in Rizal’s time, or in any time, would have been satisfied with the above grades. It is
possible that Rizal was not, but it is a fact that he never complained about his grades, there is not a
single word in his works showing displeasure at the unfairness of UST.

How could Rizal, after a perfect record of “Excellent” in high school (Ateneo) now receive such “low”
grades at UST? Was Rizal “far below his usual standards”? What standards, in the first place? If by usual
standards we mean the grades of his Ateneo high school studies, the comparison is unfair. Nobody places
elementary or high school standards against college or University standards. They belong to different
levels. At Ateneo municipal, Rizal was excellent, though not the only excellent student. At the UST, none
of his classmates ever got near to keeping a straight record of Excellent. And this was because Medicine
was a different kind of stuff altogether. Therefore, if we are to arrive at a just appreciation of Rizal’s
performance at the UST, we should compare, not his grades in the high school with those in the
university, but Rizal’s grades in Medicine against those of his classmates.

In the first year of medicine, Rizal’s class was made up of 24 students, but due to academic failures,
seventeen of them were left by the roadside before they reached the fourth year, when only seven took
the final examinations. And in his fourth and last year, he landed in second place behind Cornelio Mapa.
A persecuted Rizal would have probably ended by the same roadside as the seventeen “debarred”
classmates, or would have never boasted of being second when he left for Spain in 1882.

His performance in the university may also be linked with his inclinations and abilities. While he was
undoubtedly inclined to, and remarkably fitted for, the arts and letters, he was not much attracted to
Medicine. “Perhaps – says Leon Ma. Guerrero – Medicine was not his real vocation”. Medicine was a
convenient career taken up in consideration of the poor health of Rizal’s mother, whom he wanted to
help, and eventually helped as a physician.

The Literary Works of Rizal While in UST

In the year 1879, Liceo Artistico-Literario (Artistic-Literary Lyceum) of Manila, a society of literary men
and artists, held a literary contest. Rizal, who was then 18 years old, submitted “A La Juventud
Filipina (To the Filipino Youth)” , an inspiring poem of flawless form. In his poem, Rizal beseeched
the Filipino youth to rise from lethargy, to let genius fly swifter than the wind and descend with art and
science to break the chains that have long bound the spirit of the people. This winning piece of Rizal is a
classic in Philippine literature for two reasons: (1) it was a great poem in Spanish written by a Filipino,
whose merit was recognized by Spanish literary authorities; and (2) it expressed for the first time the
nationalistic concept that the Filipinos, and not the foreigners, were the “fair hope of the Fatherland”. The
Board of Judges, composed of Spaniards, was impressed by Rizal’s poem and awarded him the first prize
- a silver, feather-shaped pen, decorated with a gold ribbon.

In the same year, Rizal also composed a poem entitled, “Abd-el-Azis y Mahoma”. It was declaimed by
an Atenean, Manuel Fernandez, on the night of December 8, 1879, in honor of the Ateneo’s Patroness

In the year 1880, Rizal wrote an allegorical drama, “El Consejo de los Dioses (The Councils of the
Gods)”, which he entered in the literary contest of Artistic-Literary Lyceum to commemorate the fourth
centennial of the death of Cervantes.

Rizal also wrote a zarzuela, “Junto al Pasig (Beside the Pasig)” , which was staged by the Ateneans
on December 8, 1880, in honor of their patroness, Immaculate Conception, on the occasion of the annual
celebration of her Feast Day. Rizal wrote it when he has served as the President of the Academy of
Spanish Literature in Ateneo.

In the same year, 1880, Rizal founded a secret society of Filipino students in University of Santo Tomas.
Members of the society were called Companions of Jehu after the valiant Hebrew general. Rizal’s cousin,
Galicano Apacible, hailed from Batangas was the secretary of the society

A sonnet entitled “A Filipinas” was written by Rizal for the album of the Society of Sculptors; in this
sonnet, he urged all Filipino artists to glorify the Philippines. The poem “Al M.R.P. Pablo Ramon”
composed by Rizal in 1881 was written as an expression of affection to Father Pablo Ramon, the Ateneo
rector, who had been so kind and helpful to him.

The hero and his romances when he was still a student of Medicine in UST

1. Miss L – The romance with “Miss L” died a natural death because the sweet memory of Segunda
Katigbak was still fresh in his heart and his father didn’t like the woman’s family.

2. Leonor Valenzuela – Orang, her petname, was the daughter of

Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela, who were from
Pagsanjan, Laguna. Rizal sent notes to her made with invisible ink
(salt solution).

3. Leonor Rivera – Born in Camiling, Tarlac on April 11, 1867. She was
a student at La Concordia College, also the school of Soledad,
Jose’s youngest sister. She was the daughter of Rizal’s
landlord-uncle, Antonio Rivera, when he lodged at the house located
at No. 6 Calle Santo Tomas, Intramuros. She used the name
“Taimis” in her letters to Rizal.
Rizal’s visit to Pakil and Pagsanjan (1881)

On May 1881, Jose, along with his sisters Saturnina, Maria, and Trinidad and female friends went on a
pilgrimate to Pakil, the famous shrine of the Birhen Maria de los Dolores.

They boarded a casco (aflat-bottom sailing vessel) from Calamba to Pakil, Laguna. They stayed at the
home of Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Regalado, parents of Nicolas, Rizal’s friend in Manila. The company
witnessed the famous turumba, the people dancing in honor of the miraculous Birhen Maria de los
Dolores. Rizal was then infatuated by Vicenta Ybardolaza who was skillful in playing the harp at the
Regalado home. Rizal and his party went to Pagsanjan for two reasons: (1) It was the native town of
Leonor Valenzuela; and (2) To see the world famed Pagsanjan Falls.

LIFE ABROAD

Rizal’s Departure for Spain (1882)

After finishing his 4th year of medical course in UST, Rizal decided to complete his studies in Spain. Aside
from his studies, Rizal has his secret mission, to observe keenly the life and culture, languages and
customs, industries and commerce, and the government laws of the European nations 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 May 20, 1892.

Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept secret to avoid detection by the Spanish authorities and the friars.
But before his departure, he wrote a farewell letter to his parents and sweetheart, Leonor Rivera, which
was delivered to them after he sailed away.

There are only few people who knew of the departure of Rizal. Among those are Paciano; Antonio Rivera,
his uncle and the father of Leonor Rivera; Neneng and Lucia, his sisters; Valenzuela Family (Captain Juan
and Capitana Sunday and their daughter Orang); Pedro A. Paterno; Mateo Evangelista, his compadre;
The Ateneo Jesuit Priests; some intimate friends, including Chengoy, whose real name - Jose M. Cecilio.

May 3, 1882

Aboard the Spanish steamer, Salvadora, Rizal departed for Spain using the name Jose Mercado on his
travel documents. His main reason for leaving the Philippines was to transfer at the Universidad Central
De Madrid in Spain to finish his medicine course.

May 8, 1882

They had a two-day stopover in Singapore. He reached the island considered by him as Talim Island with
the Susong Dalaga. The following day, Rizal booked a hotel at Hotel de la Paz and spent two-day
sightseeing soiree of the city. He saw the Botanical Garden, the Famous Buddhist Temple and the statue
of the founder of Singapore, Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles.

May 11, 1882

When he left Singapore for Europe, Rizal was aboard the steamer Djemnah, a French steamer, much
larger and cleaner than Salvadora. Most people in the vessel were British, French, Dutch, Spaniards,
Malays, Siamese and Filipinos. French was mostly spoken on board.
May 17,1882

Rizal arrived at the Point Galle, a seacoast town in southern Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). According to him,
the town was lovely, quiet and sad at the same time.

May 18, 1882

He had a stopover at Colombo, the capital of Ceylom. A place more beautiful, smart, elegant than
Singapore, Point Galle and Manila.

May 28, 1882

Djemnah continued its voyage across the Indian Ocean until he reached the Cape of Guardafui, Africa.
Rizal described the land as inhospitable but famous. Then, he reached Aden, a city hotter than Manila
where he saw camels for the first time.

June 2, 1882

Aboard Djemnah, Rizal proceeded to Suez Canal. It took 5 days to travel Suez. He disembarked for
sightseeing and was then fascinated to hear the multiracial inhabitants speaking a babel of tongues –
Arabic, Egyptians, Greek, Italian and Spanish.

June 11, 1882

The steamer proceeded to Europe and reached Naple City, Italy. Rizal was captivated by Mount of
Vesuvius, the Castle of St. Telmo, and the historic sights of the city. The city was busy because of its
business activity, lively people and panoramic beauty.

June 12, 1882

The steamer docked at the French harbour of Marseilles. Rizal disembarked to visit the famous Chateau
d‘if where Dantes, the hero of The Count of Monte Cristo was jailed. He stayed at Marseilles for two and
a half days.

June 15, 1882

The steamer left Mersailles for its last trip, Spain. The steamer reached Pyrenees and stopped for a day
at Port Bou. In this place, Rizal saw the indifference accorded to tourists in comparison to the courtesy
accorded by the French immigration officers.

June 16, 1883

From Port Bou, Rizal continued his trip for the last lap by train and finally reached his destination,
Barcelona, Spain. Rizal stayed in Hotel de España then boarded a house in San Severo Street. Rizal’s first
impression of Barcelona, the greatest city of Cataluña and Spain’s second largest city, was unfavorable.
He visited Ronda de la Universidad of Barcelona – ugly, dirty little inns, inhospitable people – because he
happened to stay upon his arrival in a stingy inn. Later, he changed his mind and came to like the city. A
great city with an atmosphere of freedom and liberalism and the people were openhearted, hospitable
and courageous. He enjoyed promenading along Las Rambles, the famous Barcelona Street.

Life in Barcelona, Spain (1882)

Rizal promenading along Las Rambles, the famous Barcelona Street and was welcomed by the Filipinos in
Barcelona, some of them were his classmates in Ateneo. They gave him a party at their favourite café –
Plaza de Cataluña. They exchanged toast and they introduced to him the attractions and customs of the
people in Barcelona. Rizal, in turn, gave news and gossips in the Philippines. While in Barcelona, Rizal
received two bad news: (1) the cholera outbreak that ravaged Manila and the provinces; and (2) the
chatty letter of Chengoy recounting the unhappiness of Leonor Rivera, who was getting thinner due to
the absence of a loved one.

Literary works while in Barcelona

“Amor Patrio (Love of Country)” was Rizal’s first article written on Spain’s soil, under his pen-name
Laong Laan. It appeared in print in Diariong Tagalog on August 20, 1882.

The nationalistic essay was published in two texts—Spanish and Tagalog. The Spanish text was originally
written by Rizal in Barcelona and the other one was a Tagalog translation made by M.H. del Pilar.
Diariong Tagalog is the first Manila bilingual newspaper (written in Spanish and Tagalog) whose
publisher, Basilio Teodoro Moran, is a friend of Rizal in Manila. Rizal’s second article for Diariong Tagalog
was “Los Viajes (Travel)” with “Revista de Madrid (Review of Madrid)” as his third article whom
he had written in Madrid on November 29, 1882 but was later returned to him by the publishing company
which had ceased publication due to lack of funds.

Rizal left Barcelona in the fall of 1882 and established himself in Madrid, he took Paciano’s advice to finish
his schooling in the capital of Spain.

Life in Madrid (1882 – 1885)

On November 3, 1882, Rizal enrolled in the Universidad Central de Madrid (Central University of Madrid)
in two courses — Medicine and Philosophy and Letters. At the same time, he studied painting and
sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, took lessons in different languages, French,
German and English under private tutors. He also took time for sports and practiced rigidly fencing and
shooting in the Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell. Moreover, he followed his desire to learn more of music
and other subjects, and during vacant times, visited galleries and museums and read books of different
subjects including military engineering.

Rizal lived frugally, rigidly budgeting his money wisely. Although he used to buy ticket in every draw of
the Madrid Lottery, he never wasted his money for other types of gambling, wine and women. Rizal spent
his leisure time reading and writing at his boarding house, attending the reunions of Filipino students at
the house of the Paterno brothers (Antonio, Maximo and Pedro) and practicing fencing and shooting at
the gymnasium. He also reached out and fraternized with other students at the Antigua Café de Levante.
Other evenings, he visited the home of Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey who was once upon a time a city mayor
of Manila during the years 1869-1871, and who later became the Vice President of the Council of the
Philippines of the Ministry of Colonies.

Shortly after his arrival in Madrid in 1882, he joined Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-Philippine Circle), a
society of Spaniards and Filipinos. “Me Piden Versos (They Ask Me For Verses)” was written by Rizal
upon the request of the members of this society which he personally declaimed during the New Year’s
Eve reception of the Madrid Filipinos held in the evening of December 31, 1882. In that sad poem, Rizal
poured out the cry of his agonizing heart.

Instead of gallivanting as the other Filipinos were inclined to do, he spent his extra money on books and
was able to build a library of his own. Among all his collections, he gave special attention to Hariet
Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and Eugene Sue’s “Wandering Jew” which were stories of the
oppressed and suffering people. These two books aroused Rizal’s sympathy for the oppressed and
unfortunate people.

First Visit to Paris (1883)

During his first summer vacation in Madrid, Rizal went to Paris. Being mistaken for a Japanese, prices of
food, drinks, theatre, tickets, laundry, hotel accommodations, and transportation were jacked-up and
were too high for Rizal’s slender purse so that in a letter he wrote to his family, he described Paris as the
“costliest capital in Europe.” Rizal stayed for a period of more than 60 days in Paris. He initially stayed in
Hotel de Paris located on 37 Rue de Maubange but later moved to a cheaper hotel on 124 Rue de Rennes
in the Latin Quarter.
Like other tourists, he was impressed by the beautiful Paris, but what interested him most in the city was
the presence of liberal reforms. The Spanish Masons “criticized the government policies and lambasted
the friars, which evidently could not be done in the Philippines.” In March 1883, he joined the Masonic
lodge called Acacia in Madrid with the thought that the Freemasonry would aid him in his fight against
the friars in the Philippines. The friars used religion to do what they want such as enriching themselves in
power and prosecuting the Filipino patriots, he had in mind likewise to use the masonry “as his shield to
combat them.” He became a Master Mason on November 15, 1890 and three months later, he was
awarded the diploma of Master Mason by Le Grand Orient de France in Paris. However, he did not play
an active role as a Mason, unlike the other Filipino patriots such as M.H. del Pilar, G. Lopez Jaena and
Mariano Ponce. He wrote only on lecture for the association entitled “Science, Virtue, and Labor”.

Back in Madrid

Rizal had financial problems after his two years stay in Spain, for things had been bad in the Philippines.
There were droughts and locusts which destroyed the farm and the harvests of rice and sugar cane
failed. Conflict also arose between his father and the hacienda manager causing the raise of the rentals
of the land as Don Francisco refused to give his only enduring turkey as it was the only turkey left for
breeding. Consequently, Rizal’s monthly allowances were late and there even times that they did not
arrive at all, so that there were meals that he missed during the day.

Evening of June 25, 1884, a banquet was sponsored by the Filipino community to celebrate the double
victory of the Filipino artists in the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid—Luna’s Spoliarium winning
the first prize and Hidalgo’s Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace (Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al
Populacho) the second prize. This was also one occasion where the dinner he had there was the only
meal that he had eaten that day.

Rizal also participated in the student demonstrations, on November 20, 21, and 22, 1884, in Central
University. These student demonstrations were caused by the address of Dr. Miguel Morayta, professor of
history, at the opening ceremonies of the academic year on November 20, in which he proclaimed “the
freedom of science and the teacher”. His speech angered the university students that induced several
demonstrations that ended in a bloody riot where many civilians were hurt. Rizal wrote to his family and
told them of his escape with a friend, Ventura, from police arrest.

Despite all the problems he encountered, Rizal was able to complete his studies and on June 21, 1884,
he received the degree of Licentiate in Medicine and continued working for the degree of Doctor of
Medicine. He failed to get the degree as he wasn’t able to present a thesis and failed to pay the
corresponding fees. Nevertheless, he showed excellent grades in Legal Medicine and Normal Histology
and was rated “very good” in Surgical Clinic. Aside from these, he also finished his studies in Philosophy
and Letters, likewise with excellent ratings.

Finishing the degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters entitled him as a professor of humanities in
any Spanish University. The degree of Licentiate in Medicine qualified him to become a full-fledged
physician, licensed to practice medicine. At last he had completed his studies but he found no use to
obtain a Doctorate in Medicine, which would be useful for a university professor, because he was sure
that he would not be appointed in the College of Santo Tomas anyway.

TRAVELS IN EUROPE
After completing his studies at the Universidad Central de Madrid, he left for Paris and Germany to
specialize in ophthalmology; having in his mind his mother’s eye ailment and served as an assistant to a
famous European oculist. Later, he travelled to various places in Europe continuing his “secret mission.”

In Paris (1885 – 1886)

On his way to Paris, he stopped at Barcelona to meet old acquaintances, especially, Maximo Viola, his
friend hailed from Bulacan who helped him in the publication of the Noli, and likewise had the pleasure of
meeting Señor Eusebio Corominas- editor of the newspaper La Solidaridad. In his four months stay in
Paris, he worked from November 1885 to February 1886 as an assistant to Dr. Louis de Weckert, a
leading French ophthalmologist.

During his off hours, he socialized by visiting friends such as Pardo de Taveras, the artists Juan Luna
(Pardo de Taveras fiancé) and Felix Resureccion Hidalgo, and oftentimes stayed with Luna in his studio.
At the studio of Luna, Rizal spent many happy hours helping Luna by posing as model in several
paintings. In Luna’s canvas “The Death of Cleopatra’”, Rizal posed as an Egyptian priest. In another great
painting “The Blood Compact”, he posed as Sikatuna, with Trinidad Pardo de Tavera taking the role of
Legazpi.

In Heidelberg (1886)

Rizal arrived in Heidelberg, a historic city in Germany, on February 3, 1886. The land was famous for its
old university and romantic surroundings. While in Heidelberg, he worked at the University Eye Hospital
as an assistant to Dr. Otto Becker, a distinguished German ophthalmologist.

It was here in Heidelberg where he wrote his fine poem “A Las Flores de Heidelberg” (To the Flowers of
Heidelberg), inspired by the blooming flowers along the cool banks of the Neckar River, which reminded
him of the flowers at home in Calamba. Among them was his favorite flower —the light blue “forget-me-
not”. He also spent a three-month summer vacation at Wilhelmsfeld, a mountainous village near
Heidelberg and stayed with a protestant pastor, Dr. Karl Ullmer, who became his good friend.

On July 31, 1886, Rizal wrote his first letter in German (which he had improved after his stay with the
Ullmers) to Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt, Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria, who was to
become his best friend and who had the interest in Philippine Languages. He then sent Arithmetica
(Arithmetic), a book written by Rufino Hernandez, published in two languages— Spanish and Tagalog—by
the University of Santo Tomas Press in 1868.

On August 6, 1886, Rizal left for Leipzig at the eve of the fifth centenary celebration of the University of
Heidelberg.

In Leipzig and Dresden (1886)

Boarded by a train, Rizal arrived in Leipzig on August 14, 1886. There he met the famous German
anthropologist, Dr. Hans Beyer and including that of Professor Friedrich Ratzel, a German historian.

Here he did a lot of writing, translating Schiller’s William Tell from German into Tagalog so Filipino might
know the story of the Swiss independence. Rizal also translated into Tagalog Hans Andersen’s for his
nephews and nieces. Rizal found out that the cost of living in Leipzig was cheapest, that he stayed two
months and a half working as a proofreader in a publisher’s firm because of his knowledge of German,
Spanish, and other European languages.

Morning of November 1, 1886, Rizal left Dresden by train reaching Berlin in the evening.
In Berlin

Rizal was enchanted by Berlin because of its scientific atmosphere and the absence of racial prejudice.
Here he met for the first time Dr. Feodor Jagor, celebrated German scientist-traveler and author of
Travels in the Philippines, a book which Rizal read and admired during his student days in Manila.
Through Dr. Jagor, he met a few acquaintances including Dr. Ernest Schweigger, famous German
ophthalmologist, where he worked for a considerable period of time.

Rizal became a member of the Anthropological Society, the Ethnological Society, and the Geographical
Society of Berlin, upon the recommendation of his German friends. Rizal wrote a scholarly paper in
German entitled Tagalische Verkunst (Tagalog Metrical Art) 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, famous capital of unified Germany for five reasons:

 to gain further knowledge of ophthalmology;

 to further his studies of sciences and languages;
 to observe the economic and political conditions of the German nation;
 to associate with famous German scientists and scholars; and
 to publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere (to be discussed in Chapter 7)

Rizal’s stay in Berlin was one of the most difficult in his life: he had no money; he was flat broke; and his
health was failing. It was also one of the most memorable for it was during this time that his first novel,
the Noli Me Tangere, was published and came off press. After the printing of the novel, Rizal received
financial help from home. With the money in his pocket and after paying Php 300 to Dr. Maximo Viola
which he owed for loaning him the needed funds to publish the novel, he decided to see Europe more
before going home to the Philippines.

RIZAL’S GRAND TOUR OF EUROPE WITH VIOLA (1887)

On May 11, 1887, Rizal and Viola left Berlin by train. His first destination was Dresden, “one of the best
cities in Germany”, followed by Decin in Czechoslovakia, Vienna in Austria, and other places.

In Dresden, he visited Dr. Adolph B. Meyer and met Dr. Jagor and told the latter of his plans to visit
Blumentritt in Leitmeritz (now Litemerice), Czechoslovakia, and would be seeing him for the first time but
was prevailed upon by Dr. Jagor to inform Blumentritt of his coming.

First meeting with Blumetritt

At 1:30 pm of May 13, 1887, Rizal and Viola arrived at the railroad station of Leitmeritz, Bohemia and for
the first time, the two great scholars—Rizal and Blumentritt—met in person, since the professor was
there at the station to meet them. While in the Leitmeritz, Blumentritt brought them to various places,
historical spots, and to a conference at the Tourist Club of Leitmeritz, where Blumentritt was the
secretary; Rizal in response spoke extemporaneously in fluent Germany while he delivered a speech to
the officers and members. It was also during his travel that he met Dr. Carlos Czepelak, another
renowned scientist of Europe, and Professor Robert Klutschak, an eminent naturalist.

Rizal and Viola stayed there for four days and left Leitmeritz by train on May 16, 1887 at 9:45 AM. He
then proceeded to Prague where nothing of importance happened. After Prague, the continued their
journey to Vienna, the capital of Austria – Hungary at that time – and saw the “beautiful blue Danube”,
churches, museums, art galleries, theaters and public parks. From here, he and Dr. Viola proceeded to
Lintz and then to Rheinfall, to other beautiful cities in Germany such as Munich and Nuremberg. They
crossed the fronties and proceeded to Switzerland, visiting Bern, Lussane, and Geneva.
His happy tour of Europe was marred by news from his friends in Madrid that in an Exposition of the
Philippines held in Spain in the year 1887, there were Igorots exhibited, and because of the deplorable
conditions that they were in, some had died. With scanty clothings on, they were ridiculed, laughed at
and were the objects of mockery not only by the people but also by the press. This angered Rizal very
much, but with which he could not do anything about, but his indignation was revealed in the letter he
wrote to Blumentritt dated June 6, 1887, which reads thus:

“My poor compatriots (Igorots – Z) who are now being exhibited in Madrid are
mocked by Spanish newspapers, except El Liberal which says that it is not consistent
with human dignity to be exhibited side by side with animals and plants. I have done
everything possible to prevent display of this degradation of men of my race, but I have
not succeeded. Now one woman died of pneumonia. The Igorots were housed in a
barraca. And El Resumen still makes mean jokes about it.”

He ended his tour in Italy and visited the Vatican, called the “City of the Popes” and the capital of
Christendom, where he was deeply impressed by the majestic and magnificent buildings and its religious
atmosphere. After his long journey of five years in Europe and in a foreign land, he prepared for his trip
home to the Philippines.

FIRST HOMECOMING (1887 – 1888)

The publication of the Noli Me Tangere caused uproar among the friars, and for that reason Paciano (his
brother), Silvestre Ubaldo (his brother-in-law), Chengoy and other friends warned Rizal not to return
home but he was so determined to return to the Philippines for the following reasons:

(1) to operate on his mother’s eyes;

(2) to assuage his loneliness for his parents and brothers and sisters;
(3) to serve his people who had long been oppressed by Spanish tyrants;
(4) to find out for himself how Noli and his other writings were affecting Filipinos and Spaniards in
the Philippines; and
(5) to determine the source of Leonor Rivera’s silence.

Announcing his homecoming, Rizal wrote to his father on July 29, 1887 that “on the 15th of July, I shall
embark for our country, so that from the 15th to the 30th of August, we shall see each other”.

Arrival in Manila

Rizal boarded the steamer Djemnah when he left Europe but was later transferred to another steamer,
Haiphong. On August 3, 1887, the moon was full and Rizal slept soundly the whole night. The calm sea,
illuminated by the silvery moonlight, was a magnificent sight to him. At near midnight of August 5, 1887,
the Haiphong arrived in Manila.

It was on August 8, 1887 that he finally returned to Calamba. In there, he established a medical clinic.
His first patient was his mother, who was almost blind. Rizal, who came to be called “Doctor Uliman”
because he came from Germany, treated their ailments and soon he acquired a lucrative medical
practice. Rizal opened a gymnasium for young folks, where he introduced European sports. However,
Rizal suffered one failure during his six months of sojourn in Calamba—his failure to see Leonor Rivera.

But he saw the answer to the effects brought about by his novel on the Spanish government. A few
weeks after his arrival, Rizal was invited to Malacañang to answer questions regarding the “subversive
ideas” in his novel, an instigation coming from his enemies. He denied the charges and his only defense
was that he was telling the truth. The Governor-General requested a copy, and Rizal had procured one
after a long and difficult search.
Storm over Noli

 Governo-General Emilio Terrero (1885-1888) read the novel and found no subversive ideas in it.
 Msgr. Pedro Payo (a Dominican) sent a copy of Noli to Father Rector Gregorio Echavarria of the
University of Sto. Tomas for examination by a committee of the faculty. The report of the faculty
members of University of Santo Tomas stated that the Noli was “heretical, impious, and
scandalous in the religious order and anti-patriotic, subversive of public order, injurious to the
government of Spain and its function in the Philippine Islands in the political order.”
 Governor-General Terrero was not satisified with the assessment and for further verification sent
the novel to the committee head, Fr. Salvador Font, of Permanent Commission of Censorship
found the novel to contain subversive ideas against the Church and Spain, and recommended
“that the importation, reproduction, and circulation of this pernicious book in the islands be
absolutely prohibited.”
 Fr. Jose Rodriguez, an Augustinian priest, published a series of eight pamphlets under the
general heading Cuestiones de Sumo Interes (Questions of Supreme Interest) to blast the Noli
and other anti-Spanish writings.
 Vicente Barrantes, Spanish academician of Madrid, who criticized the Noli in an article published
in La Espańa Moderna (a newspaper of Madrid) in January, 1890

The action of the government, however, made the book more popular, and all copies were sold, reaching
a price of Php 50 per copy. But this made Rizal and his friends apprehensive and uneasy, although there
were no massive arrests. The novel was not only controversial but popular, that it reached Spain and was
the subject of debate in the Senate of the Spanish Cortes.

On the other hand, the Noli was gallantly defended by Filipino reformists including Marcelo H. del Pilar,
Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Mariano Ponce; and other Spaniards such as Fr.
Sanchez, his favorite teacher at Ateneo; Don Segismundo Moret; Dr. Miguel Morayta; and Professor
Blumentritt. The best defense of Noli came from Rev. Vicente Garcia, a Filipino Catholic priest - scholar, a
theologian of the Manila Cathedral and a Tagalog translator of the famous Imitation of Christ by Thomas
A. Kempis, writing under the penname Justo Desiderio Magalang, wrote a defense of the Noli which was
published in Singapore as an appendix to a pamphlet dated July 18, 1888, he blasted the arguments of
Fr. Rodriguez. Rizal, himself defended his novel against Barrantes’ attack, in a letter written in Brussels,
Belgium.

In spite of the storm brewing over the novel, Rizal was not arrested and for his safety, the Governor-
General assigned him a body guard, Lt. Jose Taviel Andrade, who will later play an important part of his
life during his trial for treason. What marred Rizal’s happy days in Calamba with Lt. Andrade were (1) the
death of his older sister, Olimpia; and (2) the groundless tales circulated by his enemies that he was “a
German spy, an agent of Bismarck, a Protestant, a Mason, a witch, a soul beyond salvation, etc.”

The friars asked Governor General Terrero to deport him, but the latter refused because there was no
valid charge against Rizal in court. Rizal was compelled to leave Calamba for two reasons: (1) his
presence in Calamba was jeopardizing the safety and happiness of his family and friends; and (2) he
could fight better his enemies and serve his country’s cause with greater efficacy by writing in foreign
countries.
Shortly before Rizal left Calamba in 1888, his friend from Lipa requested him to write a poem in
commemoration of the town’s elevation to a villa (city) by virtue of the Becerra Law of 1888. In response,
he wrote “Himno Al Trabajo” (Hymn to Labor), a poem dedicated to the industrious folks of Lipa.

SECOND TRIP AWAY FROM THE COUNTRY

Hounded by powerful enemies, Rizal was forced to leave his country for a second time in February 1888.
He was then a full-grown man, 27 years of age, a practicing physician, and a recognized man-of-letters.

Hongkong

It was on February 8, 1888 that he arrived in Hongkong on board the ship, Zafiro. He stayed at the
Victoria Hotel and was welcomed by Filipino residents, including Jose Maria Basa, Balbino Mauricio, and
Manuel Yriarte (son of Francisco Yriarte, alcalde mayor of Laguna). “Hong Kong”, wrote Rizal to
Blumentritt on February 16, 1888, “is a small, but very clean city.”

A Spaniard named, Jose Sainz de Varanda, who was a former secretary of Governor General Terrero,
shadowed Rizal’s movement in Hong Kong. It is believed that he was commissioned by the Spanish
authorities to spy on Rizal.

He also visited Macao on February 18, 1888, the city according to him was “… small, low, and gloomy. It
looks sad and its almost dead.” He stayed at the home of Don Juan Francisco Lecaros, a Filipino
gentleman who married a Portuguese lady. During his stay, he enjoyed visiting casinos, theaters,
cathedrals and church while studying the Chinese, their lifestyle and customs.

Japan

He left Hongkong for Japan. It is said that one of the happiest moments of Rizal was his visit in the Land
of the Cherry Blossoms, where he stayed for a month and a half and the place where he fell in love in
spite of Leonor Rivera.

He arrived in Yokohoma February 28, 1888 but left for Tokyo the next day and visited a friend, Juan
Perez Caballero, secretary of the Spanish Legation. And although wary, that his movements in Japan
were monitored by the Spanish authorities, he, nevertheless accepted the invitation to stay at the
Spanish Legation for economy and furthermore, to show proof of his innocence.

Rizal in his memoirs was impressed by Japan, by their customs and culture, as well as the attractive and
beautiful sights. In spite of the beauty of Japanese sceneries, customs and culture, there was one aspect
he did not like: he felt disgusted at the way a human being was employed like an animal.

One day, he saw a pretty Japanese woman passing through the Legation and fell in love with her. He
could have stayed in Japan, married the girl, and probably lived happily ever after, but he had a mission.

He left Yokohama on April 13, 1888, bound for the United States. On the ship, he met a Japanese
journalist, who was to become an important person in his life. Tetcho Suehiro was a fighting journalist,
novelist and champion of human rights. Both became very good friends, shared sentiments on injustice
and tyranny. They shared each other’s company in their travel through San Francisco, across the US and
New York, made the travel pleasant and short and then bade each other “goodbye” each to his own
destination in London.

The United States

On April 28, 1888, the steamer Belgic, with Rizal on board, docked at San Francisco on Saturday
morning. At that time, the country was in turmoil over the issues of racial prejudice and slavery. So the
ship carrying 643 passengers was prevented from deboarding. After a week, Friday afternoon of May 4,
1888, Rizal and the other first-class passengers were permitted to deboard and go ashore. He stayed in
the Palace Hotel while in San Francisco for two days. He then left San Francisco for Oakland by ferryboat
on May 6, 1888. On the Sunday morning of May 13, 1888, Rizal reached New York, thus ending his trip
across the American continent. Rizal stayed three days in this city, which he called the “big town” then
left New York for Liverpool on May 24, 1888.

Rizal had good and bad impressions of the United States. The good impressions were (1) the material
progress of the country as shown in the great cities, huge farms, flourishing industries and busy
factories; (2) the drive and energy of the American people; (3) the natural beauty of the land; (4) the
high standard of living; and (5) the opportunities for better life offered to poor immigrants. One bad
impression Rizal had of America was the lack of racial equality: “America is the land par excellence of
freedom but only for the whites”.

LIFE IN EUROPE

On board the City of Rome, the second largest ship in the world – the largest being the Great Eastern, he
arrived in Liverpool on May 24, 1888 after his sojourn across the American Continent. He stayed in the
city for only one day and then proceeded to London.

Rizal lived in London from May, 1888 to March, 1889 for three reasons: (1) to improve his knowledge of
the English language; (2) to study and annotate Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, a rare copy of
which he heard to be available in the British Museum; (3) London was a safe place for him to carry on his
fight against Spanish tyranny.

While in London, he stayed as a guest at the home of Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, an exile of 1872 and a
practicing lawyer in London. By the end of May, Rizal found a modest boarding place at No. 37 Chalcot
Crescent, Primrose Hill. The place was conveniently located near the public parks, and the British
museum where he did research work. He gained the acquaintance of Dr. Reinhold Rozt, librarian of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an authority on Malayan languages and customs. He was impressed by
Rizal’s learning and character and he gladly recommended him to the authorities of the British Museum.
It is here wehre he spent a lot of time reading the pages of Antonio Morga’s Sucesos and other historical
works concerning the Philippines. The greatest achievement of Rizal in London was the annotating of
Morga’s book, Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (Historical Events of the Philippine Islands) , which was
published in Mexico, 1609.

Both good and bad news from home reached Rizal in London. It was at this time that he heard of the
defense of Father Garcia of the Noli against the allegations and attacks of Fr. Rodriguez. He was
overwhelmed of his gratitude that tears fell from his eyes. But the bad news overweighed the good news
which were as follows:

1. Persecution of the Filipino patriots who signed the “Anti-Friar Petition of 1888” which was
presented by Doroteo Cortes, prominent Mason and lawyer, to Jose Centeno, civil governor of
the Province of Manila on March 1, 1888. This petition was signed by about 800 patriots and was
actually written by M.H. del Pilar. It was addressed to the Queen Regent of Spain requesting the
expulsion of the friars, including Archbishop Pedro Payo, a Dominican.
2. Persecution of the Calamba tenants, including Rizal’s family and relatives, for their courage to
petition the government for agrarian reforms.
3. Furious attacks on Rizal by Senators Salamanca and Vida in the Spanish Cortes and by
Desengaños (Wenceslao Retana) and Quioquiap (Pablo Feced) in Spanish newspapers
 4. Rizal’s brother-in-law, Manuel T. Hidalgo, husband of Saturnina, was exiled by Governor Weyler
to Bohol without due process of law.
5. Laureano Vida, Rizal’s friend and a medical student of the University of Sto. Tomas, was arrested
and jailed in Bilibid Prison because copies of the Noli was found in his house.

Rizal stayed in London for ten months and then visited Paris for a week in order to search for more
historical materials in the Bibliotheque Nationale. He was entertained in this gay French metropolis by
Juan Luna and his wife (Pas Pardo de Tavera), who proudly showed him their little son Andres (nickname
Luling). He thenceforth proceeded to Spain in the second week of December 1888 to determine the
country’s political situation relevant to the agitation of reforms for the Philippines. There he met Marcel H.
del Pilar and for the first time Mariano Ponce, and exchanged ideas and plans in their fight for reforms.

On December 24, 1888, he went back to London and spent Christmas and New Year’s day with the
Becketts, the owners of the house where he lodged. Rizal sent as Christmas gift to Blumentritt a bust of
Emperador Augustus and a bust of Julius Caesar to another friend, Dr. Carlos Czepelak (Polish scholar). It
was a joyous holiday where he was gifted a book entitled, “ The Life and Adventures of Valentine Vox, the
Ventriloquist” from his landlady, Mrs Beckett.

It was also at this time that he fell in love again, with his landlady’s daughter, Gertrude Beckett, but as
usual, he did not let his emotions overcome his “obsession” of fulfilling his “mission” to institute reforms
in his country, reasons that made him leave London for Paris on May 19, 1889. Before his departure, he
was able to finish four sculptural works namely, (1) Prometheus Bound, (2) The Triumph of Death Over
Life, (3) The Triumph of Science over Death, which he sent to Blumentritt, together with the second one,
and (4) a composite carving of the heads of the Beckett sisters - this one he gave to the Beckett family
as a farewell gift.

Rizal becomes Leader of Filipinos in Europe (while still in London, 1888)

While he was still in London, Asociacion La Solidaridad (Solidaridad Association), a patriotic society, which
cooperate in the crusade for reforms, was inaugurated on December 31, 1888, with the following
officers:
 President: Galicano Apacible
 Vice President: Graciano Lopez Jaena
 Secretary: Manuel Santa Maria
 Treasurer: Mariano Ponce
 Accountant: Jose Ma. Panganiban

And by unanimous vote of all members, Rizal was chosen as the honorary president.

Rizal’s adherence to the founding of the La Solidaridad Association jibed with Graciano Lopez-Jaena’s
founding of the patriotic newspaper called La Solidaridad Barcelona where he was residing. This served
as the organ of the propaganda movement. Its aims were as follows:

(1) to work peacefully for political and social reforms;

(2) to portray the deplorable conditions of the Philippines so that Spain may remedy them;
(3) to oppose the evil forces of reaction and medievalism;
(4) to advocate liberal ideas and progress; and
(5) to champion the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino people to life, democracy and happiness.

“Los Agricultores Filipinos (The Filipino Farmers)” was Rizal’s first article which appeared/published in La
Solidaridad on March 25, 1889, six days after he left London for Paris.

Articles Published in La Solidaridad

Rizal wrote articles for La Solidaridad in defense of his oppressed people and to point out the evils of
Spanish rule in the Philippines and those are the following:

1. “A La Defensa” (To La Defensa), April 30, 1889 - this was a reply to an anti-Filipino writing
of a Spanish author Patricio de la Escosura which was published by La Defensa on March 30,
1889
2. “La Verdad Para Todos” (The Truth For All), May 31, 1889- Rizal’s defense against the
Spanish charges that the native local officials were ignorant and depraved
3. “Vicente Barrantes’ Teatro Tagalo”, June 15, 1889 - in this article, Rizal exposes Barrabtes’
ignorance on the Tagalog theatrical art
4. “Una Profanacion” (A Profanation), July 31, 1889 - a bitter attack against the friars for
denying Christian burial to Mariano Herbosa in Calamba because he was a brother-in-law of Rizal.
Herbosa, husband of lucia died of cholera on May 23, 1889
5. “Verdades Nuevas” (New Truths), July 31, 1889 - a reply to Vicente Belloc Sanchez’ letter
published in La Patria, Madrid newspaper, on July 4, 1889, which asserted that the granting of
reforms in the Philippines would ruin the “peaceful and maternal rule” of the friars.
6. “Crueldad” (Cruelty), August 15, 1889 - a brilliant defense of Blumentritt from the scutrillous
attack of his enemies
7. “Diferencias’ (Differences), September 15, 1889 - a reply to a biased article entitled “Old
Truths” published in La Patria on August 14, 1889, which ridiculed those Filipinos who asked for
reforms.
8. “Inconsequencias” (Inconsequences), November 30, 1889 - a defense of Antonio Luna
against the attack of Pablo Mir Deas in the Barcelona newspaper El Puieblo Soberano
9. “Llanto y Risas” (Tears and Laughter) , November 30, 1889- a denunciation of Spanish racial
prejudice against brown Filipinos
10. “Ingratitudes” (Ingratitude), January 15, 1890 - a reply to Governor General Valeriano
Weyler who, while visiting Calamba, told the people that they “should not allow themselves to be
deceived by the vain promises of their ungrateful sons.”

Fast forward to almost a couple of year after its inauguration, Rizal retired from the Propaganda
Movement and ceased writing articles for La Solidaridad. On August 7, 1891- M.H. del Pilar wrote to Rizal
begging forgiveness for any resentment and requesting Rizal to resume writing for the La Solidaridad but
Rizal has firm reasons why he stopped writing for La Solidaridad:

(1) Rizal needed to work on his book;

(2) He wanted other Filipinos to work also;
(3) Rizal considered it very important to the party that there be unity in the work; and
(4) Marcelo H. del Pilar is already at the top and Rizal also have his own ideas, it is better to
leave del Pilar alone to direct the policy.

Second Trip to Paris

After his stay in London, he left for Paris. It was his second time to visit the place in March 1889. At this
time of the year, with the coming of the Universal Exposition; with thousands of tourists and visitors flood
the city, so that not only were accommodations completely taken but also were expensive especially so
that the landlords took advantage of the situation.

As consequence, his life in Paris was transient one, moving from one place to another, although upon his
arrival, he lived with his friend Valentin Ventura for a while. But Filipinos, Capitan Justo Trinidad, former
gobernadorcillo of Sta. Ana, Manila, and a refugee from Spanish atrocities and Jose Albert, as student
from Manila.
Life in Paris was full of excitement and merrymaking, but Rizal kept to himself and worked seriously on
annotating Morga’s book, polishing and perfecting his work. At free times, he wrote to his family and
visited his friends, such as the Pardo de Taveras, the Venturas, the Bousteds, the Lunas, and others. In a
letter dated May 16, 1889 he described his life in Paris as follows:

“My daily life in Paris is spent in the following manner: one or two hours in the
gymnasium and in fencing, three or four hours in the library, the rest are used up in
writing and visiting friends.

I am invited to eat at Luna’s house, on Sundays at Ms. Juliana’s and on Fridays I visit the
family of Bousted (also a Filipino) where sometimes I take a tea.”

In another letter, he revealed that sometimes, he and his Filipino friends gather four times a week and
sing the kundiman or Philippine songs, eat Philippine foods sotanghon, adobo, and others, to erase their
loneliness. There was one happy event that he wrote about and that was a birth of a baby girl born to
the Lunas. Juan Luna married the daughter of Don Joaquin Pardo de Tavera, Paz de Tavera was an exile
of 1872, who left the Philippines through the Marianas and lived in France.

The Exposition

He arrived in Paris from London on March 19, 1889, and upon his arrival formed a club called the Kidlat
Club, whose members were Filipino patriots namely, Antonio and Juan Luna, Gregorio Aguillera, Fernando
Canon, Laura Dimayuga, Julio Lorrente, Guillermo Pautu and Baldomero Roxas.It was temporary in
nature,and their major purpose was to form a comradeship,and to enjoy their stay in Paris especially
during the Universal Exposition. Kidlat means “lightning” and it is in the light of this meaning that the club
was formed and disbanded.

The Universal Exposition opened in Paris on May 6, 1889. Like any other tourist, he was fascinated with
the exhibitions. Most favored by him was the Eiffel Tower, which was 984 ft. high, built by Alexander
Eiffel, a celebrated Franch Engineer. He was able to attend the opening ceremonies of the cutting of the
ribbons by President Sadi Carnot of the third French Republic.
Filipinos participated in the art contest and among them were: Felix R. Hidalgo, Juan Luna, Felix Pardo de
Tavera, and Rizal. Hidalgo’s painting won second prize, the paintings of Juan Luna and F. Pardo de
Tavera, each obtained the third prize while Rizal’s entry a bust which he modelled got no prize. The bust
was “one to qualify for the exhibition, but not good enough to win an international prize.”

In one of their visits to the Exposition, he saw American Indians and from them he gained an idea that if
they were not ashamed of being called Indios from North America, there was no reason why the Filipinos
should not be proud being called Indios and from this, he initiated the idea of forming a brave new
society called “Indios Bravos” in place of the Kidlat Club. The members pledged to excel in intellectual
and physical strength to win the admiration and respect of foreigners including the Spaniards, especially
in the field of sports in judo which he learned from Japan, the sword and the pistol.

The Sociedad R.D.L.M.

He also formed another society, the Sociedad R.D.L.M. which on the outside had the principal aim of “the
propagation of all useful knowledge – scientific, artistic, and literary in the Philippines”; but its major and
secret aim was the “redemption of the Malays”. It is quite possible that this was inspired by the book
entitled Max Havelaar written by Multatuli (the pen name of E.D. Dekker, a Dutch author), which also
exposed the deplorable conditiond of the oppressed Malay inhabitant of the Netherlands East Indies
under Dutch rule.

The Publication of the Annotated Edition of Morga’s Sucesos

Rizal’s outstanding achievement in Paris was the publication of his annotated edition of Morga’s Sucesos
in the year 1890, which he wrote in the British Museum and was printed by Garner Feres. The prologue
was written by Professor Blumentritt upon the request of Rizal. He dedicated this new edition of Morga to
the Filipino people so that they would know of their glorious past. The title page of Rizal’s annotated
edition of Morga reads: “Paris, Liberia de Garnier Hermanos, 1890”.

Other Works of Rizal during His Stay in Paris

The Philippines Within a Century , was an article written by Rizal which he expressed his views on the
Spanish colonization in the Philippines and predicted with amazing accuracy the tragic end of Spain’s
sovereignty in Asia.

Another essay of Rizal, The Indolence of the Filipinos is a prestigious work of historical scholarship. It is
an able defense of the alleged indolence of the Filipinos Rizal made a critical study of the causes why his
people did not work hard during the Spanish regime. His main thesis was that the Filipinos are not by
nature indolent. According to him, the natives were very active in agriculture, commerce and industries
long before the coming of the Spaniards, but due to the Spanish form of government and system of
education, they lost interest in productive activity. Moreover, the natives did not have to work had
because nature provided them with abundant natural resources by which they could live on, without
working as much as those in the temperate countries.

Projects that Failed

During the Universal Exposition, Rizal proposed to form an International Association of Filipinologists,
with the major purpose of studying the Philippines from the scientific and historical point of view. They
had planned to hold the inauguration of their organization in Paris on August 1889 but were prevailed
upon bya government’s regulation discouraging holding of conferences of private organizations during the
duration of the exposition. Consequently, the project fizzled out.

Another project that did not materialize was the establishment of a Filipino College in Hong Kong which
aims to train and educate men of good family and financial means. It was during this time that he wrote
Por Telefono, another satirical work as a reply to another slanderer, Fr. Salvador Font, who
masterminded the banning of his Noli, in the fall of 1889. It was published in booklet form in Barcelona,
1889. This satirical pamphlet under the authorship of “Dimas Alang” is a witty satire which ridicules
Father Font.

Shortly after New Year, Rizal made a brief visit to London. It may be due to two reasons: (1) to check up
his annotated edition of Morga’s Sucesos with the original copy in the British Museum (2) to see Gertrude
Beckett for the last time.

In Belgian Brussels (1890)

On January 28, 1890, Rizal left Paris for Brussels, capital of Belgium. There were two reasons which
impelled Rizal to leave Paris, namely: (1) the cost of living in Paris was very high because of the Universal
Exposition; and (2) the gay social life of the city hampered his literary works. He wanted a quieter and
conducive atmosphere by which he could continue his work on the second novel El Filibusterismo which
he had started in Calamba prior to his departure for the United States.

Life in Brussels
Rizal was accompanied by Jose Albert when he moved to Brussels. They lived in a modest boarding
house on 38 Rue Philippe Champagne, which was run by two Jacoby sisters (Suzanne and Marie). Later
Albert, left the city and was replaced by Jose Alejandro, an engineering student.

Here in Brussels, he never had a free moment. Aside from concentrating on his second novel, which was
virtually a sequel of the Noli, he wrote articles for La Solidaridad, he wrote letters to his family, and
opened a medical clinic. It is worthwhile mentioning that in his love for the Filipino language, he
advocated for the Filipinization of its orthography and that Spanish c and o should be replaced by k and
w. For example, the word salacot may be changed to “salakot” and arao to “araw”.

In his article, Sobre la Nueva Ortografia de la Lengua Tagala (The New Orthography of the Tagalog
Language) was published in La Solidaridad on April 15, 1890. There he laid down the rules of the new
Tagalog orthography and with modesty and sincerity, he gave credit for the adoption of this new
orthography to Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, author of the celebrated work El Sanscrito en la Lengua
Tagala (Sanskrit in the tagalog Language) which was published in Paris, 1884.

“I put this on record,” wrote Rizal, “so that when the history of this orthography is traced, which is
already being adopted by the enlightened Tagalists, that what is Caesar’s be given to Caesar. This
innovation is due solely to Dr. Pardo de Tavera’s studies on Tagalismo. I was one of its zealous
propagandists.”

In Brussels, reports reached him through Juan Luna and Valentin Ventura that the Filipinos in Spain were
gambling and this did not portray a good image of his country. He wrote his disappointment to Marcelo
H. del Pilar in a letter which runs as follows:

“Luna complains of the gambling of the Filipinos in Madrid, so does Ventura. They say that according to
them, the parents are very much disgusted. If we who are called upon to do something, if we in whom
the poor people place their modest hopes, spend our time in these things precisely when the years of
youth should be employed in something more noble and lofty for the very reason that youth is noble and
lofty. I fear that we are fighting for a useless illusion and that instead of being worthy of liberty, we are
worthy of slavery.

I appeal to the patriotism of all Filipinos to give the Spanish people proof that we are superior to our
misfortune and that neither are we capable of being brutalized, nor can noble sentiments be deafened
with the corruption of customs.”

The letter produced adverse effects and angered the gambling Filipinos and called him “Papa” instead of
his real nickname “Pepe”.

Meanwhile, the agrarian trouble had flared once again and Rizal was worried about the safety of his
family. As usual the Dominican friars were making it difficult for the tenant people and continually raised
land rents to the point that Rizal’s father refused to pay. Others followed suit. This resulted in the filing of
a case in court by the Dominican Order to dispossess the Rizal family of their lands in Calamba. The
Dominicans won the case, but the Rizal family appealed to the Supreme Court in Spain. This prevented
the departure of Rizal to the Philippines, but in the meantime, Paciano and brothers-in-law Antonio Lopez
(husband of Narcissa) and Silvestre Ubaldo (husband of Olympia) were deported to Mindoro. Another
brother-in-law, Mariano T. Hidalgo (husband of Saturnina) was banished for the second time to Bohol.
Rizal received the news with anguish and deep sorrow, he was worried about the safety of his family.

It was also in these moments of anguish and despair, that Rizal had dreams of his impending death. This
premonition of death was made known to M.H. Del Pilar. He wrote:
“Sad presentiments assault me though I do not give them entire credence. In my childhood, I had a
strange belief that I would not reach thirty years of age. …There were two months during which every
night I had no other dream that that my friends and relatives were dead. …Although I do not believe in
these things and although my body is strong and I have no illness and have no fear, I am preparing
myself for death and for any eventuality.”

He signed the letter with his pen name Laong Laan, meaning “ever ready,” his rule in life. His being ready
for any eventuality could have been the reason why on the day of execution, he was calm and his pulse
beat was normal.

The dream inspired him to finish the novel for as he says: “For this reason, I want to finish at all costs
the second volume of the Noli and if it is possible, I do not want to leave, unfinished what nobody else
could continue.”

Because of the events happening in the Philippines and the persecution of his family and other patriots,
Rizal decided to go home. He divulged his plan to Ponce in a letter dated July 18, 1890. His friends,
especially Blumentritt, Basa, and Ponce were shocked at his decision and warned him of the dangers if he
did. His planned returned, however, was aborted, as this was the time that he received a letter from
Paciano informing him of losing their case to the Dominican but, nevertheless, they appealed to the
Supreme Court in Spain. This prompted Rizal to write to his friend, M.H. del Pilar and hired his services to
handle the case while on appeal. At the same time, he wrote to Ponce that he was leaving Brussels and
would be arriving in Madrid on the 3 rd or the 4th of August. And as he departed, he brought with him, the
memories of his days in Brussels, leaving it at the time of festivities to celebrate the summertime festival
and his short romance with Pettie Jacoby, the pretty niece of his landladies.

Life in Madrid (1890-1891)

Rizal’s important mission and motive in going to Madrid was to seek help and support of his Filipino
friends or the members of the so-called Asociacion Hispano – Filipina in his fight for justice for his family
and the oppressed Calamba tenants. Together with the secretary of the association, Dr. Dominador
Gomez and M.H. del Pilar who acted as his lawyer, he called on the Minister of Colonies Señor Fabie in
order to plead the case but nothing came out of it.

Rizal sought the help of liberal statesmen who were former members of the Ministry, particularly Becerra
and Maura, but they offered only sympathies and promises but actually did nothing. Blumentritt advised
him to see Queen Regent Maria Cristine, then ruler of Spain, but it was mission impossible for he had no
friends who could help him seek and audience with the queen nor the money “to grease the palms of
influential courtiers.”

To add to his family frustrations and grief, was the death of a dear friend, Jose Ma. Panganiban, his co-
worker and associate in the Propaganda Movement, who died in Barcelona after a lingering illness.

Duel with Luna

Luna was bitter because of his frustrated romance with Nellie Boustead. Deep in his heart, he was
blaming Rizal for his failure to win her, although Rizal had previously explained to him that he had
nothing to do about it. Luna uttered certain unsavory remarks about Nellie, Rizal heard him and angered
by the slanderous remarks, he challenged Luna, his friend, to a duel. Fortunately, Luna realized that he
had made a fool of himself during his drunken state, he apologized for his bad remarks about the girl and
Rizal accepted his apology and they became good friends again.

Duel with Retana

Wenceslao E. Retana, his bitter enemy of the pen, a talented Spanish scholar, was then a press agent of
the friars in Spain. He used to attack the Filipinos in various newspapers in Madrid and other cities in
Spain. Retana wrote an article in La Epoca, asserting that the family and friends of Rizal had not paid
their rents so they were ejected from their lands in Calamba by the Dominicans. Such as insult stirred
Rizal to action, immediately he sent his seconds to Retana with his challenge to a duel and that only
“Retana’s blood or apology could vindicate the good name of Rizal’s family and friends.”

Retana was warned by friends that he had no chance against Rizal, the latter being an expert in both
pistol and sword. Retana chose to apologize and printed his apology in newpapers. It was this incident
that stopped Retana from attacking the Filipinos again. Retana in the later years, showed his admiration
for Rizal by writing a book-length biography about the hero, describing his talents and glorifying his
martyrdom.

The Marriage of Leonor Rivera

Adding to his already confused life, was the letter of Leonor Rivera, his sweetheart for eleven years,
telling him of her forthcoming marriage to and Englishman, whom her mother favored, and asking his
forgiveness. It was the stroke that broke broke the camel’s back and Rizal broke down in tears. He
surmised that the loss of a gold watch chain given to him by Leonor containing her picture while
watching a play at Teatro Apolo was indeed a bad omen.

Del Pilar – Rizal Rivalry

His rivalry with Marcelo H. del Pilar was the final reason that made him decide to leave Madrid. He
decided to forego his personal interests for the welfare of the propaganda movement by abdicating his
leadership. Rizal, the most talented, was the undisputed leader among the Filipinos in Europe at this
time. Towards the end of 1890, M.H. del Pilar, a fearless lawyer-journalist, came into view and rose
towards the same light.

It was their friction over the management of the La Solidaridad that added more to the already
deteriorating relationship between the two leaders. The management favored an editorial policy in politics
contrary to that embraced by Rizal and his friends. Furthermore, there was also the issue of morality. In
this sense, Rizal was a moralist, a way of life contracted by other Filipinos who showed their love for life
by drinking, gambling, and enjoying women; that he lost some friends who shifter their loyalty to del
Pilar.

Because of this, the Filipinos were divided into two hostile camps—the Rizalistas and the Pilaristas. The
decision was to elect a leader called “Responsible” who would direct the affairs of La Solidaridad.
Although opposed by del Pilar, an election by two-thirds vote of the Filipino community was held . The
situation was becoming explosive and critical until after the election was over. Rizal won the position and
the votes of the two-thirds of the community.

It was, however, strange that despite winning the votes, Rizal graciously declined the coveted position.
Rizal wrote a brief note thanking his compatriots for electing him as Responsible. It could have been his
noble belief that he could not be a leader of a divided people, knowing fully well that he was disliked by
many Pilaristas. He then packed his things and boarded a train bound for Biarritz.

Rizal retired from the Propaganda Movement and ceased writing articles for La Solidaridad. On August 7,
1891. M.H. del Pilar wrote to Rizal begging forgiveness for any resentment and requesting Rizal to
resume writing for the La Solidaridad but Rizal refused to fulfil his request and denied that there ever was
resentment. He was firm with his decision to stop writing for La Solidaridad for the following reasons:

(1) He needed to work on his book, the El Filibusterismo (to be discussed in Chapter 8);
 (2) He wanted other Filipinos to work also;
(3) He considered it very important that there be unity in the work; and
(4) Marcelo H. del Pilar is already at the top and Rizal also have his own ideas, it is better to leave
del Pilar alone to direct the policy.

Biarritz Vacation

To seek solace for his disappointments in Madrid, Rizal took a vacation in the resort, City of Biarritz on
the fabulous French Riviera. He was a guest of the rich Boustead family at its winter residence—Villa
Eliada.
He arrived in Biarritz on February, 1891. Frustrated in romance, Rizal found consolation in writing.
Evidently, while wooing Nellie and enjoying so “many magnificent moonlight nights” with her, he kept
working on his second novel.

On March 29, 1891, the eve of his departure from Biarritz to Paris, he finished the manuscript of El
Filibusterismo and on the following day, Rizal bade farewell to the hospitable and friendly Bousteads and
proceeded to Paris by train.

It was on April 4, 1891 that Rizal wrote to his friend, Jose Ma. Basa, in Hong Kong from Paris, expressing
his desire to go to that British colony and practice ophthalmology in order to earn his living. In the middle
of April, 1891. Rizal was back in Brussels. Since abdicating his leadership in Madrid in January, 1891,
owing to the intrigues of his jealous compatriots, Rizal retired from the Propaganda Movement or reform
crusade and notified the Propaganda authorities in Manila to cancel his monthly allowance and devote the
money to some better cause. Rizal’s notification was contained in a letter addressed to Mr. A.L. Lorena
(pseudonym of Deodato Arellano).

The El Fili

It was in Paris, on the 30 th day of May, that the revision of the finished manuscript of El Filibusterismo
was mostly completed, and on June 13, 1891, Rizal informed Basa of his intent to negotiate with a
printing firm. This novel he had begun writing in October 1887 was completed in Biarritz, as mentioned
previously, on March 29, 1891. It took him, therefore, three years to write his second novel. The said
novel was published in Ghent, where he stayed for almost five months for that purpose, and came off the
press on September 18, 1891.

His Departure from Europe and Life in Hong Kong

Rizal left Europe for Hong Kong, where he lived from November, 1891 to June, 1892. His reasons for
leaving Europe were: (1) life was unbearable in Europe because of his political differences with M.H. del
Pilar and other Filipinos in Spain; (2) to be near his idolized Philippines and family.

On October 3, 1891, two weeks after the publication of El Fili, Rizal left Ghent for Paris, where he stayed
a few days to say goodbye to the Lunas, the Pardo de Taveras, the Venturas and other friends; Rizal
proceeded by train to Marseilles.

October 18, 1891, he boarded the steamer Melbourne bound for Hong Kong. While on his trip, he met
Father Fuchs, a Tyrolese, whom Rizal enjoyed playing chess with. Rizal describe him to Blumentritt as “…
a fine fellow, a Father Damaso without pride and malice.”

Rizal arrived in Hong Kong on November 20, 1891. He established his residence at No. 5 D’ Aguilar Street
No. 2 Rednaxola Terrace, where he also opened his medical clinic. On the 1 st day of December, 1891,
Rizal wrote to his parents asking their permission to return home. On the same date, his brother-in-law,
Manuel T. Hidalgo, sent him a letter relating the sad news of the deportation of twenty-five persons from
Calamba, including his father, Neneng, Sisa, Lucia, Paciano and the rest of the Rizal family.

Before Christmas in 1891, he was gladdened by the arrival of his father and his brothers – Paciano,
Silvestre Ubaldo (Olympia’s husband). Later his mother and sisters Lucia, Josefa , and Trinidad. Rizal
though happy felt sad, thath his mother, 65 years of age, showed manifestations of Spanish brutality and
was almost blind. But he operated her left eye so that she regained her sight and was able to read and
write again. The Christmas in Hong Kong was one of the happiest Yuletide celebrations in Rizal’s life. On
January 31, 1892, he wrote to Blumentritt, recounting pleasant life in Hong Kong.

To earn a living for himself and for his family, Rizal practiced medicine and became an ophthalmic
surgeon in Hong Kong. Dr. Lorenzo P. Marques, a Portuguese physician, who became Rizal’s friend and
admirer, helped him build up a wide clientele. In recognition of Rizal’s skill as an ophthalmic surgeon, he
turned over to him many of his eye cases.

Borneo Colonization Project

Rizal planned to move the landless Filipino families to North Borneo (Sabah), rich British-owned island
and carve out of its virgin wildness a “New Calamba”. On March 7, 1892, Rizal went to Sandakan on
board the ship Menon, to negotiate with the British authorities for the establishment of a Filipino colony.
His mission was successful, and the British North Borneo Company established the land up to the
Bengkoka River in Maradu Bay consisting of 100,000 acres of land area for such project. Aside from
these, they were offered a beautiful harbor and a good government free of all charges.

A month later, specifically April 20 of the same year, Rizal was back in Hong Kong, bringing the good
news. Hidalgo, Rizal’s brother-in-law, objected to the colonization project, because he cannot accept the
idea of leaving the Philippines and moreover was concerned with what people would say. But Rizal
thought the idea was good, and taking into consideration the political events in the Philippines, he
thought the change was better.

Governor Valeriano Weyler, Cubans odiously called “The Butcher”, was replaced by Governor Eulogio
Despujol, the Count of Caspe. Consequently, Rizal wrote the new governor-general, a letter
congratulating him of his new position and offering his cooperation but he received no response. On
March 21, 1892, Rizal wrote his second letter and gave it to a ship captain to be sure it would reach
Governor Despujol’s hand. In this second letter, he requested the governor general to permit the landless
Filipinos to establish themselves in Borneo.

Rizal waited three months for the reply and for the meantime occupied his time by writing on different
topics but mostly on nationalistic issues. However, during this lull, what he considered as an
accomplishment was the preparation of the constitution of La Liga Filipina, an association of Filipino
patriots in Hong Kong. This was born out of the idea conceived by Jose Ma. Basa, which was realized
after its establishment by Rizal.

It was on April 15, 1892, that La Solidaridad published an article written by Eduardo de Lete portraying
Rizal as “Cowardly, egoistic, opportunistic – a patriot in words only,” seeking the comforts and safety in
Hong Kong. Rizal, protested to del Pilar about the article and described it as “too hasty and you permitted
yourself to be carried away” and described the effects it would have on the reform movement. However,
he remarked that the article awakened in him the interest of the reform movement and that he was
going to activate the propaganda movement in Hong Kong by strengthening the newly founded
association – Liga Filipina.

He confided his bitterness to Mariano Ponce in a letter dated May 23, 1892 when he wrote: “I am very
sorry that del Pilar allowed the article to be published because it will lead many to believe that there is
really schism among us. I believe that we can well have little misunderstanding and personal differences
among ourselves, without exhibiting them in public.

As to his letter to Despujol, the governor-general frowned upon the idea, he could not approve the
Filipino immigration to Borneo, alleging that “the Philippines lacked laborers” and “it was not very
patriotic to go off and cultivate foreign soil.”

Despujol’s refusal forced him to make a decision to return to Manila and also for the following reasons:

1. To confer personally with the Governor about his request;

2. To establish La Liga Filipina in Manila; and
3. To prove that Lete was wrong that being safe and comfortable in Hong Kong, he had abandoned
the country’s cause.

He spent his birthday in Hong Kong and the next day, June 20, spent the day writing letters. Two letters
were sealed and given to Dr. Marquez, with instructions not to open them but only after his death. One
letter was for his “parents, brethren, and friends,” while the other was for the “Filipinos.” This showed
that Rizal knew what was going to happen to him.

On June 21, he wrote Governor Despujol another letter with the message that he was coming home and
places himself under the protection of the Spanish Government. On that very same day, Rizal, together
with Lucia, left for the Philippines unaware of the Governor’s duplicity; of the things that were planned
for him or of the sinister trap that was laid, with the filing secretly of “anti-religious and anti-patriotic
agitation” charges not only against Rizal but also of his followers.

Summary
Without the knowledge of his parents, Rizal traveled to Europe in May 1882. According to his biographer,
Austin Craig, Rizal, “in order to obtain a better education, had had to leave his 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 the fees paid, and Paciano had gone to Manila pretending to be looking for this brother whom
he had assisted out of the country.”

Rizal earned a Licentiate in Medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid, where he also took courses in
philosophy and literature. It was in Madrid that he conceived of writing Noli Me Tangere. He also
attended the University of Paris and, in 1887, completed his eye specialization course at the University of
Heidelberg. It was also in that year that Rizal’s first novel was published (in Berlin).

Rizal is said to have had the ability to master various skills, subjects, and languages. Our national hero
was also a doctor, farmer, naturalist (he discovered the Draco rizali, a small lizard; Apogania rizali, a
beetle; and the Rhacophorus rizali, a frog), writer, visual artist, athlete (martial arts, fencing, and pistol
shooting), musician, and social scientist.