CHAPTER 6

In Sunny Spain (1882-1885)

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 press, and freedom of
assembly.
Rizals Secret Mission. This mission which Rizal conceived with the approval of his older brother Paciano
was to observe keenly the life and culture, languages and customs, industries and commerce, and
governments and laws of the European nations in order to prepare himself in the mighty task of
liberating his oppressed people from Spanish tyranny.
Secret Departure for Spain. Rizals departure for Spain was kept secret to avoid detection by the Spanish
authorities and the 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 (Anotnio, Rivera, father of
Leonor Rivera), his sisters (Neneng and Lucia, the Valenzuela family (Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday
and their daughter Orang), Pedro A. Paterno, his compadre Mateo Evangelista, the Ateno Jeuit fathers,
and some intimate friends, including Chengoy (Jose M. Cecilio).
Before his secret departure, he wrote a farewell letter for his beloved parents and another one for his
sweetheart Leonor Rivera --- both delivered shortly after he sailed away.
Singapore. During the voyage to Singapore he carefully observed the people and things on board the
streamer. There were sixteen passengers, including himself.
This ship captain, Donato Lecha, from Asturias, Spain, befriended him. Rizal described him in his travel
diary as an affable man, much more refined than his other countrymen and colleagues that I have
met.
From Singapore to Colombo. In Singapore Rizal transferred to another ship Djemnah, a French steamer,
which left Singapore for Europe on May 11. It was a larger and cleaner vessel which carried more
passengers.
First Trip through Suez Canal. From Colombo ,the Djemnah continued the voyage crossing the India
Ocean to the Cape of Guardafui,Africa.For the first time, Rizal sighted the barren coast of Africa, which
he called an Inhospitable land but famous.
Naples and Marseilles. From Port Said, the Djemnah proceeded on its to Europe. On June 11,Rizal
reached Naples.
Barcelona.On the afternoon of May 15.Rizal left Marseilles by train for the last lap of his trip to spain.
After the passport inspection at Port-Bou, Rizal continued his trip by rail, finally reaching his destination
Barcelona on June 16,1882.
Amor Patrio. In progressive Barcelona, Rizal wrote a nationalistic essay entitled Amor Patrio (Love
of Country), his first article written on Spains soil.
Manila Moves to Madrid. While sojourning in Barcelona, Rizal received sad news about the cholera that
was ravaging Manila and the provinces. Many people had died and more were dying daily.
Another sad news from the Philippines was the chatty letter of Chengoy recounting the unhappiness of
Leonor Rivera, who was getting thinner because of the absence of a loved one.
Life in Madrid. On November 3, 1882, Rizal enrolled in the Universidad Central de Madrid (Central
University of Madrid) in two courses Medicine and Philosophy and Letter. Aside from his heavy studies
in the university , he studied painting and sculpture in the Academy of Fine arts of San Fernando; took
lessons in French, German, and English under private instructors; and assuously practiced fensing and
shooting in the Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell.