Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Chapter 123 of Jose Rizals Life Works and Writings Compress
Chapter 123 of Jose Rizals Life Works and Writings Compress
Chapter 123 of Jose Rizals Life Works and Writings Compress
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2. Freedom for Filipinos was denied
v. NO EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW
1. Teachings of the Spanish Missionaries: “All men, irrespective of color and race,
are equal before God.”
2. Spanish colonial authorities, who were Christians, did not implement Christ’s
precept of brotherhood of all men.
3. Brown-skinned Filipinos are inferior beings: subjects to be exploited
4. Brown Filipinos and white Spaniards may be equal before God, but not before
the law and certainly not in practice.
vi. MALADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
1. Justice was costly, partial, and slow. Poor Filipinos had no access to the courts
because they could not afford the heavy expenses of litigation.
2. Wealth, social, prestige, and color of skin were preponderant factors in winning
a case in court.
3. Justice delayed is justice denied: Juan de la Cruz (1886-1898) – 12 yrs
a. Suspect for murder without preliminary investigation and proper trial
b. Jailed in Cavite for 12 years. In 1898, the Americans came and found
him in jail still awaiting trial.
vii. RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
1. Spaniards called the brown-skinned and flat-nosed Filipinos “INDIOS” (Indians)
2. Filipinos dubbed the Spaniards as “BANGUS” (Milkfish)
3. A Spaniard, no matter how stupid he was, always enjoyed political and social
prestige and superiority.
4. Fr. Jose Burgos:
a. complained the Spanish misconception that a man’s merit depended
on the pigment of his skin
b. complained of the lack of opportunities for educated young Filipinos to
rise in the service of God and country
viii. FRAILOCRACY
1. Spanish political philosophy: union of Church and State
2. “government of friars”
3. Augustinians, Dominicans, Franciscans controlled the religious and educational
life of the Philippines: they acquire tremendous political power, influence, and
riches.
4. A friar’s recommendation is heard by the governor general and provincial
officials. He could send a patriotic Filipino to jailor denounce him as a filibustero
(traitor)
5. These friars were portrayed by Rizal in his novels as Padre Damaso and Padre
Salvi
ix. FORCED LABOR
1. “POLO:” forced labor imposed on Filipinos in the construction of infrastructures
and public works
2. “Falla:” sum of money paid to government to be exempted from the polo.
3. ABUSES:
a. FIRST: Spanish residents, contrary to law, were not recruited for “polo”
b. SECOND: Laborers received only a part of their supposed original
stipend. Worse, they got nothing.
i. People who pay taxes are compelled to work gratis.
c. THIRD: this caused inconvenience and suffering because common
laborers are disturbed from their work in farms, shops, and labors are
far from homes and towns.
x. HACIENDAS OWNED BY THE FRIARS
1. Spanish friars were the richest landlords for they owned the best haciendas
(agricultural lands) in the Philippines.
2. The rural folks became tenants.
a. They resented the loss of their lands which belonged to their ancestors
since pre-Spanish times
b. The friars were recognized as legal owners of said lands because they
obtained royal titles of ownership from the Spanish Crown.
c. Rizal, whose family and relatives were tenants of a land, tried to
initiate agrarian reform.
d. Rizal’s advocacy ignited the wrath of the friars, who retaliated by
raising rentals of the lands.
3. Friar ownership of the productive lands contributed to the economic stagnation
of the Philippines.
a. Essay of Rizal: “INDOLENCE (lack of concern) OF FILIPINOS”:
Deceptions made by friars making the local folks believe that
plantations are prospering because they were under their care.
xi. GUARDIA CIVIL (Constabulary)
1. Supposed to maintain peace and order in the society
a. Service: to suppress bandits in the provinces
b. They don’t observe their duty: maltreating innocent people, looting
their livelihoods, raping women
2. Rizal directed his stinging satire against the hatred Guardia Civil, through Elias
in Noli Me Tangere.
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a. Exposed Guardia Civil as ruthless: disturbing peace & persecuting
honest men
b. He proposed to improve the military organization by having it
composed of good men who have good education and principles; men
who are conscious of the limitations of authority and power.
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iii. North: Antipolo
b. Calamba was owned by the Dominican Order
c. Poem: “In memory of my Town”
II. EARLIEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
a. Happy days in the family garden
i. He was frail and undersized child: was given the tenderest care by his parents
ii. A kind old woman was employed as an aya (nurse maid) to look after his comfort
iii. He was left alone to muse on the beauties of nature or to play by himself
b. Daily Angelus Prayer
c. Nights at the azotea after the nightly Rosary
i. Imaginary tales told by the aya aroused in Rizal an enduring interest in legends and
folklore
ii. Aya: threat of terrible tales if supper is not eaten
d. Nocturnal walk in the town
III. THE HERO’S FIRST SORROW
a. Jose was closely attached to Concha (Concepcion)
b. Jose was a year older than Concha. He learned the sweetness of sisterly love from her.
c. Unfortunately, Concha died of sickness when he was only 3 years old. He cried for the first time:
caused by love and grief.
d. This was Jose’s first sorrow.
IV. DEVOTED SON OF THE CHURCH
a. 5 y.o.: was able to read the family’s Spanish Bible
b. Fr. Leoncio Lopez: a Filipino priest. Jose listens to his stimulating opinions on current events and
sound philosophy of life.
V. PILGRAMAGE TO ANTIPOLO: 7 y.o.
a. To fulfill his mother’s vow when Jose was born
b. Crossed Laguna de Bay: first lake voyage
c. Did not sleep the whole night: awed by the Pasig River and the silence of the night. Experienced
his first sunrise
d. Went to Manila afterwards to visit: Saturnina, eldest sister. Jose’ first glimpse of Manila.
VI. THE STORY OF THE MOTH: fable of the young moth and the old one
a. Story told by her Mother: Made the profoundest impression on him
b. She was teaching Jose to read in Spanish: El Amigo de los Ninos (The Children’s Friend) when
everyone was asleep.
c. She was her ultimate critique in his poetical compositions.
d. Jose marveled how her mother sounded good in reading her Spanish phrases.
e. Jose watched a cheerful flame and moths encircling it when he paid little attention to reading.
f. Mother told Jose a story when she noticed that he was not interested anymore in reading.
g. The word ‘story’ promised something new and wonderful on Jose. Jose was full of curiosity and
wonder.
h. Warning of the old moth. Jose did not notice how her mother’s story ended he was fixated on how
the moth died because of its attraction to the flame. For Jose, it died a martyr to its illusions.
i. Mother’s advice: don’t behave like the young moth. Don’t be disobedient, or you may get burnt
as it did.
j. For Jose: Moths know how to warn younger moths. They advised like her mother. The light for
Rizal seemed to be more beautiful.
k. Noble death: sacrificing one’s life for the light. It is something worthwhile.
VII. ARTISTIC TALENTS
a. 5 y.o. : sketches with his pencil/ molding of clay and wax objects that attracted his fancy
b. Painted in oil colors a new banner for the town fiesta: better than the original
c. Spending so much time making images in clay and wax rather than participating in games: “laugh
at me now, someday when I die, people will make monuments and images of me.”
VIII. FIRST POEM: “to my fellow children”
a. Gift for literature
b. Poem is about loving the mother tongue : age of Jose was 8
c. Earliest nationalist sentiment
d. People who truly love their native language will surely strive for liberty like the bird which soars to
freer space above.
e. Tagalog is equal to Latin, English, Spanish, and any other Language.
IX. FIRST DRAMA
a. A Tagalog Comedy, written after his first poem was done: bought by a gobernadorcillo from Paete
and staged it in his town fiesta.
X. AS BOY MAGICIAN/ PERFORMER
a. Making a coin appear or disappear in his fingers and making a handkerchief vanish in thin air
b. Magic lantern exhibitions: lamp casting its shadow on a white screen. He twisted his fingers into
fantastic shapes, making their enlarged shadows on the screen resemble certain animals and
persons.
c. Puppet shows: manipulating marionettes
XI. LAKESHORE REVERIES
a. “meditations” at the shore of Laguna with his dog (Usman) on the sad conditions of his oppressed
people
b. Guardia Civil: everyday in his town, unarmed villagers are always injured. Villager’s only fault: not
taking his hat off and not bowing.
c. There was no restraint put upon brutality
d. He always asks himself: if people live the same way across the lake
e. Jose grieved deeply over the unhappy situation of his beloved fatherland.
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f. The Spanish misdeeds awakened in his boyish heart a great determination to fight tyranny.
g. With these injustices, Jose made a vow dedicating himself in studies to avenge the many victims
of his hometown. (same idea was written to his friend, Mariano Ponce)
XII. INFLUENCES ON THE HERO’S BOYHOOD
a. HEREDITARY
i. Malayan Ancestors: love for freedom, desire to travel, and courage.
ii. Chinese Ancestors: serious nature, frugality, patience, and love for children.
iii. Spanish Ancestors: elegance of bearing, sensitivity to insult, and gallantry to ladies.
iv. Father: profound sense of self-respect, love for work, habit of independent thinking.
v. Mother: religious nature, spirit of self-sacrifice, and passion for arts and literature.
b. ENVIRONMENTAL
i. Scenic beauties of Calamba and the beautiful garden of the Rizal family stimulated the
inborn artistic and literary talents of Jose.
ii. The religious atmosphere at his home fortified his religious nature.
iii. Paciano: love for freedom and justice
iv. Sisters: courteous and kind to women
v. Fairy tales told by his aya: awakened his interest in folklore and legends.
vi. Tio Jose Alberto: who had studied for 11 years in a British School in Calcutta, India, and
had travelled in Europe inspired him to develop his artistic ability.
vii. Tio Manuel: a husky and atheletic man, encouraged him to develop his frail body by
means of physical exercises, including horse riding, walking, and wrestling.
viii. Tio Gregorio: a book lover, intensified his voracious reading of good books.
ix. Fr. Leoncio Lopez, fostered Rizal’s love for scholarship and intellectual honesty.
x. Sorrows:
1. Death of Concha and the imprisonment of his mother, contributed to strengthen
his character, enabling him to resist blows of adversity in later years.
2. Spanish abuses and cruelties, the brutal acts of the Guardia Civil and the
alcalde, the unjust tortures inflicted on innocent Filipinos, and the Execution of
the Gom-Bur-Za, awakened his spirit of patriotism and inspired him to
consecrate his life and talents to redeem his oppressed people.
c. DIVINE PROVIDENCE
i. A person may have everything in life – brains, wealth, and power – but, without the aid of
Divine Providence, he cannot attain greatness in the annals of the nation.
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a. Jose beat all the Binan boys in academic studies.
b. Older classmates were jealous of his intellectual superiority.
i. They wickedly squealed to the teacher whenever Jose had a fight outside the school, and
told lies to discredit him before the teacher’s eyes.
ii. Consequently: teacher had to punish Jose --- five or six blows.
VIII. END OF BINAN SCHOOLING
a. Letter from sister, Saturnina: arrival of the steamer Talim which would take him from Binan to
Calamba. This was Jose’s first time to ride in a steamer.
b. Rizal’s premonition: not returning to Binan
IX. MARTYRDOM OF GOM-BUR-ZA (1872)
a. About 200 Filipino Soldiers and workmen of the Cavite arsenal under the leadership of Lamadrid,
Filipino Sergeant, rose in violent mutiny because their usual privileges were abolished, including
exemption from tribute and polo (forced labor) by: Gov. Rafael de Izquierdo.
b. The mutiny was suppressed.
c. The Spanish authorities, in order to liquidate Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto
Zamora, leaders of the secular movement to Filipinize the Philippine Parishes, magnified the failed
mutiny into a “revolt” for Philippine Independence.
d. Despite the archbishop’s plea for clemency because of their innocence, they were still executed.
e. Paciano, enraged by the execution of Burgos, his beloved friend and teacher, quit his studies and
returned to Calamba, where he told the heroic story of Burgos to Jose, who was 11 years old.
f. The martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za inspired Rizal to fight the evils of Spanish tyranny and redeem his
oppressed people. This motivated him to develop his studies.
g. He dedicated his 2nd novel, El Filibusterismo, to Gom-Bur-Za.
X. INJUSTICE TO HERO’S MOTHER
a. Dona Teodora was arrested on a malicious charge that she and her brother, Jose Alberto, tried to
poision the latter’s perfidious wife.
b. Jose Alberto, a rich Binan ilustrado, had just returned from a business trip in Europe.
i. During his absence his wife abandoned their home and children.
ii. When he arrived in Binan, he found her living with another man.
iii. Infuriated by her infidelity, he planned to divorce her.
iv. Dona Teodora, to avert family scandal, persuaded him to forgive his wife.
v. The family trouble was amicably settled, and Jose Alberto lived again with his wife.
c. However, the wife of Jose Alberto, with the connivance of the Spanish lieutenant (had been friends
of the Rizals and was treated as their honored guest in their home) of the Guardia Civil, filed a
case in court accusing her husband and Dona Teodora of attempting to poison her.
d. This lieutenant happened to have an ax to grind against the Rizal family, because at one time Don
Francisco (Rizal’s father) refused to give him fodder for his horse. Taking the opportunity to
avenge himself, he arrested Dona Teodora.
e. After arresting Dona Teodora, the Spanish Lieutenant forced her to walk from Calamba to Santa
Cruz, a distance of 50 kilometers.
f. After arrival to Santa Cruz, Dona Teodora was incarcerated at the provincial prison, where she
languished for 2 and ½ years and was later on acquitted.
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a. Being a new comer and knowing little Spanish, Rizal was placed at the bottom of the class. He
was an externo, hence he was assigned to the Carthaginians, occupying the end of the line.
b. After the first week, the frail Calamba boy progressed rapidly.
c. At the end of the month, he became emperor.
d. He was the brightest pupil in the whole class, and he was awarded a prize.
e. To improve his Spanish, Rizal took private lessons in Santa Isabel College during the noon
recesses, when other Ateneo students were playing or gossiping.
i. He paid 3 pesos for those extra Spanish lessons, but it was money well spent.
IV. SUMMER VACATION
a. He did not enjoy his vacation because his mother was in prison.
b. He visited his mother and told her his grades.
V. SECOND YEAR IN ATENEO
a. Neglected his studies the previous year because he was offended by the teacher’s remarks.
b. To regain his lost class leadership, he studied harder and eventually became an emperor again.
VI. PROPHECY OF MOTHER’S RELEASE
a. Rizal, interpreting the dream of her mother, told her that she would be released from prison in
three month’s time.
b. Dona Teodora smiled, thinking that her son’s prophecy was a mere boyish attempt to console her.
c. Teodora was released after 3 months. She was proud of her son whom she likened to Joseph the
Dreamer (interpreter of dreams)
VII. TEENAGE INTEREST IN READING
a. Summer after his 2nd year: interest in reading romantic novels
b. First favorite novel: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
i. His boyish imagination was stirred by the sufferings of Edmond Dantes (the hero) in
prison, his spectacular escape from the dungeon, his finding a buried treasure on the
rocky island of Monte Cristo.
ii. His dramatic revenge on his enemies who had wronged him.
c. Later Rizal read ‘Travels in the Philippines’ by Dr. Feodor Jagor, a german scientist-traveler who
visited the Philippines. Rizal was impressed on this book because of:
i. Jagor’s keen observations of the defects of Spanish colonization
ii. His prophecy that someday Spain would lose the Philippines
iii. America would come to succeed her as colonizer.
VIII. THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO
a. Won only one medal --- in Latin.
b. He failed to win the medal in Spanish because his spoken Spanish was not fluently sonorous.
IX. FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO
a. Became an interno
b. Rizal had the highest affection and respect for Father Sanchez, whom he considered his best
professor
c. He topped all his classmates in all subjects and won 5 medals at the end of the school term
d. He was able to repay his father for his sacrifices
X. LAST YEAR IN ATENEO
a. Most brilliant Atenean of his time, he was truly “the pride of the Jesuits.”
XI. GRADUATION IN HIGHEST HONORS
a. At 16: received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, with highest honors.
b. Commencement Day was a time of bitter sweetness.
c. Prayed to the Virgin: “when I should step into that world, which inspired me with so much terror,
she would protect me.”
XII. EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN ATENEO
a. Was a campus leader outside the classroom
b. Became a secretary of a Marian Congregation because of his devotion to Our Lady Immaculate
Conception --- College Patroness.
c. Member of the Academy of Spanish Literature and the Academy of Natural Sciences.
d. Aside from writing poetry, he devoted his spare time to fine arts. He studied painting and
sculpture.
e. To develop his weak body, he engaged in gymnastics and fencing.
XIII. SCULPTURAL WORKS IN ATENEO
a. Carved the image of the Virgin Mary on a piece of Batikuling (Philippine Hardwood) with his pocket
knife.
b. Fr. Lleonart, impressed by Rizal’s sculptural talent, requested him to carve for him an image of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus.
XIV. ANECDOTES ON RIZAL, THE ATENEAN
a. Felix Roxas (contemporary of Rizal)
i. Related Jose’s resignation to pain and forgiveness
ii. Jose was hit in the face by one of the thrown books from two quarreling students.
iii. He did not raise a cry of protest, although his wounded face was bleeding.
b. Manuel Xeres Burgos:
i. Rizal’s predilection to help the helpless at the risk of his own life.
ii. Jose courageously climbed the high cathedral tower and retrieved the kite of his board
mate.
XV. POEMS WRITTEN IN ATENEO
a. 1st poem written by Rizal: “My first Inspiration”
i. Dedicated to her mother on her birthday
ii. Jose was 14
XVI. RIZAL’S POEMS ON EDUCATION
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a. Believed in the significant role which education plays in the progress and welfare of a nation:
“Through Education, Our Motherland receives Light”
i. Education instills power
ii. Education may lift the country to its highest station
iii. It gives security and peace to lands
iv. Education breaks the neck of vice and its deceit
v. Education knows how to tame barbarous nations --- from savages create heroic fame
b. Education without God is not true Education: “The Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good
Education.”
XVII. RIZAL’S RELIGIOUS POEMS
a. “To the Child Jesus” --- Jose was 14
i. A Celestial King would rather choose to be a shepherd for his sheep than to be sovereign
b. “To the Virgin Mary”
i. Jose was close to her mother
ii. Mary was her spiritual fortitude/ sustenance
iii. His anguish from death is set free because of his faith with her
XVIII. DRAMATIC WORK IN ATENEO
a. His favorite teacher, Fr. Sanchez, requested him to write a drama based on the prose story of St.
Eustace the Martyr.
XIX. FIRST ROMANCE OF RIZAL
a. After his graduation, Jose experience his first romance --- “that painful experience which comes to
nearly all adolescents”
b. The girl was Segunda Katigbak, a pretty 14 y.o. Batanguena from Lipa.
c. When he reached his grandmother’s house, he saw other guests. One of whom was an attractive
girl, who mysteriously caused his heart to palpitate with strange ecstasy. She was the sister of his
friend Mariano.
d. His grandmother’s guests urged him to draw Segunda’s portrait. Jose was blushing every time
that she was looking at him.
e. Rizal came to know Segunda more intimately during his weekly visits to La Concordia College,
where his sister Olimpia was a boarding student. Olimpia was a close friend of Segunda.
f. Their love was hopeless because Segunda was already engaged to be married to her townmate,
Manuel Luz.
g. Rizal, for allhis artistic and intellectual prowess, was a shy and timid lover. Segunda had
manifested, by insinuation and deeds, her affection for him, but timidly failed to propose.
h. Her mother is developing eye blindness and barely recognized him when he returned home.
i. His first romance was ruined by his own shyness and reserve: he was tongue-tied twice when he
met Segunda
i. He visited La Concordia to say goodbye
ii. She waved and smiled at him while her carriage passed by him when her steamer
docked in Binan.
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ii. Daughter of Capitan Juan and Capitan Sanday: next-door neighbors of Dona Concha
Leyva (where Jose boarded)
iii. He was a welcome visitor at their house and he was the life of social parties because of
his clever sleight-of-hand tricks.
iv. Jose courted Leonor and sent her love notes written in invisible ink.
v. Jose taught Orang the secret of reading any note written in the invisible ink by heating it
over a candle or lamp so that the words may appear.
vi. He stopped short of proposing marriage to Orang because of Segunda.
d. Leonor Rivera
i. His cousin from Tarlac. Their romance begins at the start of his junior year.
ii. Lived in his landlord uncle where he saw Leonor, a student at La Concordia College
(where Soledad, Jose’s younger sister, was studying)
iii. They became engaged.
iv. In order to camouflage their intimate relationship from their parents and friends, Jose
knew Leonor under the name of “Taimis”
V. VICTIM OF SPANISH OFFICER’S BRUTALITY
a. Happened when Jose was a freshman medical student
b. One dark night in Calamba, during the summer vacation in 1878, he was walking in the street.
i. He dimly perceived the figure of a man while passing him.
ii. Not knowing the person due to darkness, he did not salute nor say a courteous “”Good
Evening.”
iii. The vague figure turned out to be a lieutenant of the Guardia Civil.
iv. With a snarl, he turned upon Rizal, whipped out his sword and brutally slashed the latter
on the back.
c. Rizal reported the incident to General Primo de Rivera, the Spanish Governor General of the
Philippines
i. But nothing came out of his complaint, because he was an Indio
ii. And the abusive lieutenant was a Spaniard.
VI. TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH
a. 1879: the Artistic-Literary Lyceum of Manila, a society of literary men and artists, held a literary
contest.
i. It offered a prize for the best poem by a native or a mestizo
ii. Rizal submitted his poem: “To the Filipino Youth”
iii. The Board of Judges, composed of Spaniards, was impressed by Rizal’s poem and gave it
the first prize which consisted of a silver pen, feather-shaped and decorated with a gold
ribbon.
iv. Rizal beseeched the Filipino youth to rise from lethargy
1. To let their genius fly swifter than the wind and descend with art and science to
break the chains that has long bound the spirit of the people.
b. Stanza 1: youth as the fair hope of our country
c. This is a classic Philippine Literature for two reasons:
i. Great poem in Spanish written by a Filipino, whose merit was recognized by Spanish
authorities
ii. It expressed for the first time the nationalistic concept that the Filipinos, and not the
foreigners, were the fair hope of the fatherland.
VII. THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS
a. The following year, the Artistic-Literary Lyceum opened another literary contest to commemorate
the 4th centennial death of Cervantes, Spain’s glorified man-of-letters and famous author of Don
Quixote.
i. The contest was opened to both Filipinos and Spaniards.
ii. Rizal, inspired by his poetical triumph the previous year, submitted an allegorical drama
entitled “The Council of the Gods”
iii. Many professional writers and scholars joined the contest.
b. The Spanish community in Manila, spear-headed by the Spanish press, howled in great indignation
against the decision because the winning author was an Indio.
i. The prize was awarded to Rizal, a gold ring on which was engraved the bust of
Cervantes.
ii. For the first time in history, an Indio --- a 19 y.o. Filipino medical student at that ---
excelled in a national literary contest defeating several Spanish writers.
iii. Rizal was particularly happy, for he proved the fallacy of the alleged Spanish superiority
over the Filipinos and revealed that the Filipino could hold his own in fair competition
against all races.
c. The allegory established a parallel among Homer, Virgil, and Cervantes.
i. The gods discuss the comparative merits of these great writers
ii. They decide to give the trumpet to Homer, lyre to Virgil, and the laurel to Cervantes.
iii. The allegory gloriously closes with the naiads, nymphs, satyrs, and other mythological
characters dancing and gathering laurels for Cervantes.
VIII. RIZAL’S VISIT TO PAKIL AND PAGSANJAN
a. Rizal went on a pilgrimage to the town of Pakil, famous shrine of the Birhen Maria de los Dolores.
b. In Pakil, Rizal was infatuated by a pretty girl colegiala: Vicenta Ybardolaza, who skillfully played
the harp.
c. From Pakil, Rizal and his party made a side trip to the neighboring town of Pagsanjan for 2
reasons:
i. It was the native town of Leonor Valenzuela
ii. To see the Pagsanjan Falls
IX. CHAMPION OF FILIPINO STUDENTS
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a. In their frequent fights against the arrogant Spanish students, who were often surpassed by the
Filipinos in class work and who insultingly called their brown classmates: “Indio, chongo!”
b. Filipino students called them “Kastila, bangus!”
c. Hostility between these 2 groups of students often exploded in angry street rumbles.
i. Rizal participated in these brawls
ii. Owing to his skills in fencing, his prowess in wrestling, and his indomitable courage
d. Jose founded a secret society of Filipino Students: Companerismo (Comradeship)
i. Members were called “Companions of Jehu” --- after the valiant Hebrew general who
fought the Armaeans and ruled the Kingdom of Israel for 28 years.
ii. Led the members in street fights.
X. UNHAPPY DAYS AT THE UST
a. Jose was unhappy at this Dominican institution because:
i. The Dominican professors were hostile to him
ii. The Filipino students were racially discriminated against by the Spaniards
iii. Method of instruction was obsolete and repressive
b. The class in Physics was taught without laboratory experiments.
i. Laboratory apparatuses were kept inside the showcases to be seen by visitors and the
students could not touch them.
XI. DECISION TO STUDY ABROAD
a. After finishing the 4th year of his medical course, Rizal decided to study in Spain:
i. He could no longer endure the rampant bigotry, discrimination, and hostility in UST.
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VIII. LIFE IN MADRID
a. Rizal enrolled in the Central University of Madrid in 2 courses --- Medicine & Philosophy and
Letters
b. He also studied painting and sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando
c. He took lesson in French, German, and English under private instructors
d. Practices fencing and shooting in the Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell
e. His thirst for knowledge of music, he visited the art galleries and museums and read all subjects
under the sun including military engineering
f. He lived frugally. His only extravagance was investing on a lottery ticket
IX. ROMANCE WITH CONSUELO ORTIGA Y PEREZ
a. Rizal was not a handsome man. He’s only 5’3”
i. But he possessed an aura of charisma due to his many talents and noble character which
made him more attractive to romantic women.
ii. Consuelo fell in love with him
b. But he backed out for two reasons:
i. He was engaged to Leonor Rivera
ii. His friend and co-worker in the Propaganda movement, Eduardo de Lete, was madly in
love with Consuelo and he had no wish to break their friendship because of a pretty girl.
X. THEY ASK ME FOR VERSES
a. Rizal joined the Hispano-Philippine Circle, a society of Spaniards and Filipinos
b. He wrote a poem entitled “They ask me for Verses”
c. He poured out the cry of his agonizing heart
d. Sad isolation: memories of happy friendship
XI. RIZAL AS LOVER OF BOOKS
a. He stayed at home and read voraciously until midnight
b. He purchased books from a second-hand book store and was able to build a fair-sized private
library.
c. Rizal was deeply affected by Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Eugene Sue’s The
Wandering Jew.
i. These 2 books aroused his sympathy for the oppressed and unfortunate people.
XII. RIZAL’S FIRST VISIT TO PARIS
a. During his first summer vacation in Madrid, Rizal went to Paris, capital of France
b. Rizal improved his mind by observing closely the French way of life and spending many hours at
the museums, the world famous Louvre
c. The botanical gardens, Luxembourg
d. Libraries and art galleries
e. Laennec Hospital, where he observed Dr. Nicaise treating his patients
f. Lariboisiere Hospital, where he observed the examination of different diseases of women
g. Rizal was mistaken by the Parisians as a Japanese
h. For Jose, Paris was the costliest capital in Europe
XIII. RIZAL AS A MASON
a. Rizal was impressed by the way the Spanish Masons openly and freely criticized the government
policies and lambasted the friars, which could not be done in the Philippines.
b. He joined the Masonic Lodge called the Acacia in Madrid. His reason for becoming a Mason was to
secure Freemasonry’s aid in his fight against the friars in the Philippines.
c. Since the friars used the Catholic religion as a shield to entrench themselves in power and wealth
and to persecute the Filipino patriots, he intended to utilize Freemasonry as his shield to combat
them.
d. He became a Master Mason
e. His only Masonic writing was a lecture titled: “Science, Virtue and Labor.”
i. The duty of modern man is to work for the redemption of humanity, because once man is
dignified there would be less unfortunate and more happy men that is possible in this
life.
ii. Humanity cannot be redeemed so long as there are oppressed people.
iii. Humanity cannot be redeemed while reason is not free, while faith would want to impose
on facts, while whims are laws, and while there are nations who subjugate others.
iv. For humanity to be able to attain the lofty destiny toward which God guides it, it is
necessary that within its fold there should be no dissensions nor tyranny
XIV. FINANCIAL WORRIES
a. After Jose’s departure for Spain, things turned from bad to worse in Calamba.
i. The harvests of rice and sugarcane failed on account of drought and locusts.
b. The Manager of the Dominican-owned hacienda increased the rentals of lands cultivated by the
Rizal family.
i. The hacienda manager, a frequent guest at the Rizal home, used to ask for a turkey from
Don Francisco (Jose’s father), who was a good raiser of turkeys.
ii. Dreadful pest killed most of the turkeys.
iii. When the manager requested for a turkey, Don Francisco had to deny him because he
needed the few surviving turkeys for breeding purposes.
iv. Enraged by his failure to receive a turkey, the vindictive manager arbitrarily increased
the rentals of the lands leased by Don Francisco and Paciano.
c. Due to hard times in Calamba, the monthly allowances of Rizal in Madrid were late in arrival and
there were times when they never arrived. Causing much suffering to him.
d. June 24, 1884:
i. Because he was broke, he was unable to take breakfast that day.
ii. With an empty stomach, he attended his class at the university, participated in the
contest in Greek language and won the gold medal.
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iii. In the evening of the same day, he was able to eat dinner, for he was a guest speaker in
a banquet held in honor of Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo
XV. RIZAL’S SALUTE TO LUNA AND HIDALGO
a. To celebrate the double victory of the Filipino artist in the National Exposition of Fine Arts in
Madrid
i. First prize: Luna’s Spolarium
ii. Second Prize: Hidalgo’s Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace
b. Artistic achievements transcended geographical frontiers and racial origins, for genius is universal
--- “genius knows no country, genius sprouts everywhere
c. Jose also assailed with refined sarcasm the bigotry and blindness of certain unworthy Spaniards
(bad friars in the Philippines) who could not comprehend the universality of genius.
d. Text:
i. In the history of nations there are names that by themselves signify an achievement,
that recall passion and greatness.
ii. That race, fallen into lethargy during the historic night while the sun illumines other
continents, again awakens, moved by the electric impact that contact the western
peoples produces, and she demands light… confirming the eternal laws of constant
evolution, of change, of periodicy, of progress.
iii. In Spolarium:
1. The canvas is not mute, can be heard the tumult of the multitude, the shouting
of the slaves
2. With such vigor and realism
3. Shadow and mystery
iv. Hidalgo:
1. Light, colorful, harmony
v. Both coincide at bottom in spite of notable differences
vi. Both express our social, moral, and political life; mankind subjected to harsh test
vii. Reason and aspiration in an open struggle with preoccupations, fanaticism, and
injustices, because sentiments and opinions cut passage through the thickest walls,
because to them all bodies have pores, all are transparent, and if they lack pen, if the
press does not help them, the palette and brushes will not only delight the eye but will
also be eloquent tributes.
viii. Spain, as mother, teaches also her language to the Philippines in spite of the opposition
of those myopic men and pigmies, who, desiring to insure the present, do not see the
future, do not weigh the consequences.
ix. This banquet: to give form to the mutual embrace of two races that love one another, so
that they may form in the future one single nation in spirit, in their duties, in their views,
in their privileges.
x. I drink to the health of the Filipino youth, sacred hope of my native land.
xi. The furrow is ready and the ground is not sterile.
XVI. RIZAL INVOLVED IN STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS
a. Caused by the address of Dr. Miguel Morayta, professor of history, at the opening ceremonies of
the academic year, in which he proclaimed the freedom of science and teacher --- such a liberal
view was condemned by the Catholic Bishops of Spain, who promptly excommunicated Dr.
Morayta and those who applauded his speech.
b. Angered by the bigotry of the Catholic Bishops, the university students rose in violent
demonstrations.
c. They rioted in the city streets, shouting: “Viva Morayta, Down with Bishops!”
d. The Rector, who also took the side of the students , was forced to resign and was replaced by
Doctor Creus, a very unpopular man, disliked by everybody
e. A police lieutenant and a secret service man wanted to seize Ventura and Jose, but they managed
to escape. Two Filipinos were taken prisoners. This is why Jose needs to disguise himself three
times
f. New Rector: treated persons without dignity. Students want to reinstate the old Rector
XVII. STUDIES COMPLETED IN SPAIN
a. He was conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madrid
b. He did not present the thesis required for graduation nor paid the corresponding fees, he was not
awarded his Doctor’s diploma
c. He was awarded the degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters on his 24 th birthday with the
rating of excellent (sobresaliente)
d. He became qualified to be a professor of humanities in any Spanish university
e. By receiving his degree of Licentiate in Medicine, he became a full-pledge physician, qualified to
practice medicine
f. He did not bother to secure the post-graduate degree of Doctor in Medicine because it was,
together with the licentiate in philosophy and letters, good only for teching purposes.
g. He knew that with his brown color and asian racial ancestry no friar-owned university or college in
the Philippines would accept him in its faculty staff.
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