Module 2: Life and works of rizal

Unit 17: MISFORTUNES IN MADRID (1890-

91)

Content

Eary in August, 1890 Rizal arrived in Madrid. He tried all legal means to seek
justice to his family and the Calamba tenants, but to no avail. Disappointment after
disappointment piled on him. On top of his misfortunes, Leonor Rivera married a British
engineer. It really broke his heart but with resilent strength of character.

Failure of Gt Justice for Family

Upon arrival in Madrid, Rizal immediately sought the help of the Filipino colony,
the Association Hispano-Filipina, and the liberal Spanish newspapers in securing justice
for the oppressed Calamba tenants, including his family. Together with M. H. del Pilar
and Dr. Dominador Gomez, he called on the Minister of Colonies (Señor Fabie) in order
to protest the injustices committed by Governor General Valeriano Weyler and the
Dominicans against Francisco, Rizal and other Calamba tenants.

Rizal’s Eulogy to Panganiban

Barely had Rizal settled down in Madrid, when he experienced another

disappointment. This was the doleful news that his friends, Jose Ma Panganiban, his
talented co-worker in the Ptopaganda Movement, died in Barcelona on August 19,
1890, after a lingering illness. He deeply mourned the passing of this Bicol hero.,

Infedility of Leonor Rivera

In the autumn of 1890, Rizal was feeling bitter at so many disappointments he

encountered in Madrid. One night, he and some friends attended a play at Teatro Apolo,
and there he lost his gold watch chain with a locket containing the picture of Leonor
Rivera, his beloved sweetheart.
 The loss of the locket proved to be a bad omen. Early in December 1890, with
the cold winds of winter sweeping across the shivering city, Rizal received a letter from
Leonor, announcing her coming mariage to an Englishman (the choice of his mother)
and asking his forgiveness. This letter was a great blow to him.

Adios, Madrid

Sadly, Rizal packed up his bags, paid his bills, and boarded a train leaving for
Biarritz. As his train pulled out of the railway, he gazed through its window at the city of
Madrid, where he was happy durng his first sojourn (1882-85) but unhappy on his
second visit (1890-91). It was the last time he saw Madrid.
 Module 2: Life and works of rizal

Unit 18: Biarritz Vacation and romance with nelly

bousted (1891)

Content

To seek solace for his disappointments in Madrid, Rizal took a vacation in the
resort city in Biarritz on the fabulous French Revierra. He was a guest of the rich
Boustead family at its winter residence- Villa Eliada. He had befriended the Boustead
and finished the last chapter of his second novel, “El Filibusterismo”.

Romance with Nelly Boustead

When Rizal arrived in Biarritz at the beginning of February, 1891, he was warmly
welcomed by the Bousteads.

Biarritz, with his romantic gardens, delightful villas, panoramic beauties, is an

ideal setting for romance. On an emotional rebounce, Rizal having lost his beloved
Leonor, came to entertain considerable affection for Nelly, the prettier and younger
daughter of his host. He wrote to his intimate friends, except Professor Blumentritt, of
his love for Nellie, also called “Nelly” and his intention to propose marriage to her.

Antonio Luna, who had previously loved and lost Nelly. Encouraged Rizal to woo
and merry her. With the encouragement of his close friends, Rizal courted Nelly who, in
turn, reciprocated his affection. Unfortunately, their romance did not have a happy
fairytale finale. Rizal’s marriage proposal failed for two reasons; (1) he refused to (2)
Nelly’s mother did not like Rizal as a son-in law. Although they could not get married,
Rizal and Nellie parted as good friends.

“El Filibusterismo” Finished in Biarritz

On March 29, 1891, the eve of Rizal’s departure from Biarritz to Paris, he
finished the manuscript of “El Filibusterismo”.

To Paris and Back to Brusselss

 Rizal bade farewell to the hospitable and friendly Bousteads (parents and
daughters) on May 30, 1891 and proceeded to Paris by train. He stayed at the home of
his friend, Valentin Ventura, on Rue de Chateaudum. From Paris, he wrote to his friend,
Jose Ma. Basa, in Hong Kong, on april 4 expressing his desire to go to that British
colony and practice ophthamlmology in order to earn his living.

Retirement from the Propaganda Movement

From Brussels, on May 1, 1891, he notified the Propaganda authorities in Manila

to cancel his monthly allowance and devote the money to some better cause. Rizal
retired from the Propaganda Movement, or reform crusade because he owed the
intrigues of his jealous compatriots.
 Module 2: Life and works of rizal
Unit 19: “El filibusterismo” Published in Ghent
(1891)

Content

Days flew swiftly for Rizal in Brussels like flying arrows. Day in and day out, he
was busy revising and polishing the manuscript of “El Filibusterismo” so that it could
be ready for the press. It took him, three years to write his second novel.

Privations in Ghent

On July 5, 1891, Rizal left Brussels for Ghent, a famous university city in
Belgium. His reasons for moving to Ghent were (1) the cost of printing in Ghent was
cheaper than in Brussels and (2) to escape from the enticing attraction of Petite
Suzanne. Owing to his limited funds, Rizal lived in a cheap boarding house.

The Printing of “El Filibusterismo”

Shortly, after his arrival in Ghent, Rizal searched for a printing shop that could
give him the lowest quotation for the publication of his novel. At last he did find a
publisher who was willing to print his book on installment basis.

On August 6, the printing had to be suspended, as Rizal feared, because he

could no longer give the necessary funds to the printer.

Ventura, Savior of the Fili

Rizal’s Calvary in connection with the printing of the “Noli” was repeated in the
“Fili’s” printing. When everything seemed lost, help came from an unexpected source.
Velentin Ventura in Paris learned of Rizal’s predicament and immediately sent the
necessary funds. With his financial aid, the printing of the “Fili” was resumed.

The Fili Come off the Press

 At last, on September 18, 1891, “El Filibusterismo” came off the press. Rizal,
now a very happy man, immediately sent on this date two printed copies to Hong Kong-
one for Basa and the other for Sixto Lopez. To his friend in Paris, Valentin Ventura, who
generously loaned him the funds needed to finish the printing of the novel, Rizal
gratefully donated the original manuscript and an authographed printed copy. He sent
other complimentary copies to Blumentritt, Mariano Ponce, G. Lopez Jaena, T. H. Pardo
de Tavera, Antonio and Juan Luna, and other friends.

“Noli” and “Fili” Compared

The novels of Rizal vary in many aspects, although they are written by the same
author. The “Noli” is a romantic novel; it is a “work of the heart”- a “a book of a political
feeling”, it has freshness, color, humor, lightness, and wit. On the other hand, the “Fili” is
a political novel; it is a “work of the head” – a “book of the thought”, it contains
bitterness, hatred, pain, violence, and sorrow.

Evaluation:

Direction: Prepare for a quiz next meeting.

Assignment:

Direction: Give the summary of El Filibusterismo.

References:

Wani-Obias R. 2018. The Life and works of Jose Rizal. C&E Publishing Inc. Quezon
City Philippines.