Rizal's first love was Segunda Katigbak, a girl two years younger than him who he met when visiting his grandmother in Lipa, Batangas. Rizal was instantly drawn to Segunda and made a pencil sketch of her. Their affection and love grew with each meeting, having begun with love at first sight. Unfortunately, Segunda was already engaged to be married to someone else from her town. Though Rizal got hints of her affection for him, he decided not to propose and their love ended, leaving Rizal frustrated with nostalgic memories of his first romance.
Rizal's first love was Segunda Katigbak, a girl two years younger than him who he met when visiting his grandmother in Lipa, Batangas. Rizal was instantly drawn to Segunda and made a pencil sketch of her. Their affection and love grew with each meeting, having begun with love at first sight. Unfortunately, Segunda was already engaged to be married to someone else from her town. Though Rizal got hints of her affection for him, he decided not to propose and their love ended, leaving Rizal frustrated with nostalgic memories of his first romance.
Rizal's first love was Segunda Katigbak, a girl two years younger than him who he met when visiting his grandmother in Lipa, Batangas. Rizal was instantly drawn to Segunda and made a pencil sketch of her. Their affection and love grew with each meeting, having begun with love at first sight. Unfortunately, Segunda was already engaged to be married to someone else from her town. Though Rizal got hints of her affection for him, he decided not to propose and their love ended, leaving Rizal frustrated with nostalgic memories of his first romance.
Jose Rizal was only a young boy of sixteen (16) when he first fell in love, and it was with Segunda Katigbak, a girl from Lipa, Batangas and two years his junior. According to Rizal, “She was rather short, with eyes that were eloquent and ardent at times and languid at others, rosy-cheeked, with an enchanting and provocative smile that revealed very beautiful teeth, and the air of a sylph; her entire self diffused a mysterious charm.” Stolen Glances Rizal went to Trozo, Manila one day to visit his grandmother. His friend, Mariano Katigbak, accompanied him. Mariano’s family were close with Rizal’s grandmother, and upon arrival at Lipa, Mariano’s sister Segunda was there at the old woman’s house along with other guests. Rizal was drawn to hear instantly. Image Some of the other guests knew that Rizal was a skilled painter and asked him to draw a portrait of Segunda. He obliged, and reluctantly worked on a pencil sketch of the girl. “From time to time, she looked at me, and I blushed.” A Blossoming Love Rizal’s sister Olympia was a close friend of Segunda and a student at La Concordia College, and Rizal went to visit her every week, during which he came to know Segunda more intimately. Their affection for each other grew deeper with every meeting, one that began with “love at first sight.” Hopeless from the Beginning Unfortunately, Segunda was already engaged to be married to her townmate, Manuel Luz, and although Rizal had gotten hints of the lady’s affection for him, he timidly decided to back away and did not propose. Years later Segunda returned to Lipa and wed her betrothed, leaving a frustrated Rizal to the mercy of his nostalgic memories. Rizal said while recording his first romance three years later, “Ended, at an early hour, my first love! My virgin heart will always mourn the reckless step it took on the flower-decked abyss. My illusions will return, yes, but indifferent, uncertain, ready for the first betrayal on the path of love.”