Chapter 6

In Sunny Spain (1882-1885)

(Summary)

Introduction
Jose Rizal finished his medical course in the University of Santo Tomas.Then he decided
to complete his studies in Spain due to the radical prejudice of Dominican Professors
against Filipino Students. Aside from this ostensible reason,
he had a “
Secret Mission”
, which was more important than finishing his studies.
Rizal’s Secret Mission

The secret mission of Rizal is to observe keenly the life and culture,languages and
customs, industries and commerce, and government laws of European nation in order to
prepare himself in the mighty task of liberating hisfellow-men.His mission was approved by
his older brother Paciano, Rizal leave withoutpermission and blessing from his parents.
Secret Departure for Spain
The departure of Rizal was kept secret to avoid the detection by theSpanish authorities
and the friars, even his own parents. Only selected personknows the secret departure of
Rizal, including his brother Paciano and the AteneoJesuit fathers. The Jesuit priests gave
him letters of recommendation to themembers of their Society in Barcelona. On May3,
1882, Rizal departed on board theSpanish steamer
Salvadora
bound for Singapore.
Singapore
During the voyage, Rizal observed the he is the only Filipino on the ship.The ship captain,
Donato Lecha, from Asturias, Spain, befriend him. On May 9,1882, the Ship docked at
Singapore. Rizal landed, registered at the Hotel de la Paz,and spent two days for
sightseeing; there he saw the statue of Sir Thomas StanfordRaffles (founder of
Singapore).
From Singapore to Colombo
Rizal transferred to ship
Djemnah
, and he left to Europe on May 11. It wasa French vessel therefore French mostly spoken
on board. On May 17, Djemnahreach Point Galle, a seacoast town in southern Ceylon (now
Sri Lanka).The following day, Djemnah resume the voyage, after a few hours of sailing,
they reach Colombo, the capital of Ceylon on the same day.
First Trip through Suez Canal
From Colombo, Djemnah continued the voyage crossing the Indian Oceanto the Cape of
Guardafui, Africa, and then a stopover on Aden. From Aden Djemnahproceeded to the city
of Suez, the Red Sea terminal of the Suez Canal. It took fivedays to traverse the Suez
Canal.At Port Said, the Mediterranean terminal of the Suez Canal, Rizal landedand he was
fascinated to hear the multi-racial inhabitants speaking a babel of tongues.
Naples and Marseilles
From Port Said, the Djemnah proceeded on its way to Europe. On June 11,Rizal reached
Naples. On the night of June 12, the steamer docked at the Frenchharbor of Marsielles.
He stayed two and a half day in Marsielles, he visited the
famous Chateau d’lf, wh
ere Dantes, hero of The Count of Monte Cristo.
Barcelona
On the afternoon of May 15, Rizal left Marseilles by train; he crossed thePyrences and
stopped for a day at Port Bou. After the passport inspection at PortBou, he contribute his
journey, and he reached Barcelona on June 16, 1882.
Rizal’s first impression of Barcelona was unfavorable; he found out that the
people were open-hearted, hospitable, and courageous. The Filipinos in Barcelona,some of
whom even his schoolmates on the Ateneo, welcome Rizal.
Amor Patria
Rizal wrote a nationalistic essay entitled “Amor
Patria
” (Love of Country),
his first article written on Spanish’s soil. He sent the article to Basilio Teodoro
Moran, publisher of Diaryong Tagalog, under his pen-name Laong Laan. Amor
Patriaappeared on the newspaper on August 20, 1882, with tagalong version translatedby
M.H.Del Pilar.Rizal wrote again for Diaryong Tagalog; Los Viajes (Travels), Revisita
deMadrid (Review of Madrid), unfortunately Diaryong Tagalog had ceased publicationfor
lack of funds.

Manila Moves to Madrid

Sad news, on September 15, 1882, Rizal received a letter from Paciano,according to the
letter, Philippines was ravaging by epidemic. Another sad newsfrom Chengoy (Jose M.
Cecilio, intimate friend), Leonora Rivera was began to beunhappy because of the absence
of Rizal.In one of his letters (dated May 26, 1882) Paciano adviced Rizal to
finish hismedical course in Madrid, therefore, Rizal establish himself to Madrid.

Life in Madrid
On November 3, 1882, Rizal enrolled in Universidad Central de Madrid(Central University
of Madrid) in two courses
–
Medical and Philosophy and Letters.Rizal is thirst for knowledge; he studied a lot in Madrid
and on his leisure times arereading and writing, sometimes he is attending the reunions of
Filipino Students.

Romance with Consuela Ortiga y Perez

Rizal, being a lonely young man in a foreign country, he was attracted by
Consuelo’s beauty. On August 22, 1883 he expresses his admiration; he made apoem
entitled “A La Señiorita C.O. y P.”. The Romance didn’t blossom because of
two reasons- Engage to Leonora Rivera- Eduardo de Lete (his friend) is madly in love with
Consuelo.

They Ask me For Verses

Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-Philippine Circle). Uponthe request of the
members, Rizal wrote a poem entitled, Mi Piden Versos, he
declaimed it during New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1882

Rizal as Lover of Books

A favorite past time of Rizal in Madrid was reading. Rizal economized onhis living expenses,
he purchase books from a second-
hand book store. Rizal’s wasdeeply affected by Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the Wandering Jew.

Rizal’s First Visit to Paris (1883)

His first summer vacation to Paris, France, June 17 to August 20, 1883 andhe live at cheap
hotel on 124 Rue de Rennes in Latin Quarter. Like all tourist, Rizalwas amazed on the
beautiful sceneries of Paris. Rizal is an unordinary touristbecause he was observing the life
and culture of French; he was spending time onmuseums.
Rizal as a Mason
In Spain Rizal came close to with Masons including Miguel Morayta,Francisco Pi y Margal,
Manuel Bacerra, Emilio Junoy, and Juan Ruiz Zorilla. Rizal wasimpressed by the Spanish
Masons, and he joined Masonic lodge called Acacia inMadrid. Later he transferred to
Lodge Solidaridad (Madrid), were he became aMaster Mason on November 15, 1890, he was
awarded the diploma of MasterMason on February 15, 1892.
Financial Worries
After Rizal’s departure to Spain, the things turned worse in Calamba
. Dueto hard time in Calamba, the monthly allowances of Rizal in Madrid were late inarrival
and there were times they were never arrived. On June 24, 1884 , a touchingincident
to Rizal’s life; he was empty stomach that day but he still attended to his
classes and events.
Rizal’s Salute to Luna and Hidalgo

Banquet on June 25, 1884, Rizal salute to Luna and Hidalgo’s victory on the
National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid
–

Luna’s Spoliarium winning first prizeand Hidalgo’s Christian Virgins Exposed to the
Populance, second price
.
Rizal Involved in Student Demonstration
On November 20, 21, and 22, 1884, a riot was exploded on the CentralUniversity due to
excommunicated of Dr, Morayta, The riot was participated by lotsof students including
Filipino students.The appointment of the new Rector intensified the fury of the
studentdemonstrators. More student demonstrations convulsed the city.
Studies Completed in Spain
Rizal completed his medical course in Spain in June 21, 1884. Due to notpresenting the
thesis required and corresponding fees, he was not awarded his
Doctor’s diploma. Rizal also finished his studies in Philosophy and Letter. He was
awarded the degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and letters on June 19, 1885, withrating of
Excellent.