TOPIC 1- A STUDENT AT THE ATENEO (1872-1877)

Introduction:
Jose was sent to Manila four months after the
martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za and with Dona
Teodora still in prison. He studied in the Ateneo
Municipal - a college under the supervision of the
Spanish Jesuits. Ateneo Municipal, a bitter rival
of the Dominican-owned College of San Juan de
Letran formerly the Escuela Pia (Charity
School)- for poor boys in Manila established in
1817, In 1859- name was changed to Ateneo
Municipal by the Jesuits and later became the
Ateneo de Manila.
RIZAL ENTERS ATENEO
• June 10, 1872- Jose, accompanied by
Paciano, went to Manila to take the entrance
examinations on Christian Doctrine, arithmetic,
and reading at the College of San Juan de
Letran, and passed them. His father was the
first one who wished him to study at Letran but he changed his mind and decided to send
Jose at Ateneo instead. Father Margin Fernando, college registrar of Ateneo Municipal,
refused to admit Jose because: He was late for registration and; He was sickly and
undersized for his age (11 years old). Upon the intercession of Manuel Xeres Burgos,
nephew of Father Burgos, he was admitted at Ateneo. Jose adopted the surname Rizal
at the Ateneo because their family name Mercado had come under suspicion of the
Spanish authorities. Ateneo was located in Intramuros, within the walls of Manila. He
boarded in a house on Caraballo Street, 25 min walk from the college. The boarding
house was owned by Titay, who owed Rizal family P300. Jose boarded there to collect
part of the debt.
JESUITS SYSTEM OF EDUCATION
• Jesuits trained the character of the student by rigid discipline, humanities and religious
instruction. They heard Mass early in the morning before the beginning of daily class.
Classes were opened and closed with prayers. Students were divided into two groups:
Roman Empire- consisting of the internos (boarders) with red banners. Second group,
Carthaginian Empire- composed of the externos (non-boarders) with blue banners each
of these empires had its rank. Students fought for positions. With 3 mistakes, opponent‘s
position could lose his position. - 1st best: emperor - 2nd best: tribune - 3rd best: decurion
- 4th best: centurion - 5th best: standard-bearer. Ateneo students‘ uniform is consisted of
hemp-fabric trousers´ and striped cotton coat. The coat was called Rayadillo and was
adopted as the uniform for Filipino troops during the days of the First Philippine Republic.
RIZAL’S FIRST YEAR IN ATENEO (1872-1873)
• Rizal‘s first professor in Ateneo was Fr. Jose Bech. Rizal was placed at the bottom of
the class since he was a newcomer and knows little Spanish. He was an externo
(Carthaginians), occupying the end of the line. But at the end of the month, he becomes
emperor´ of his Empire. He was the brightest pupil in the whole class, and he was
awarded a prize, a religious prize. Rizal took private lessons in Santa Isabel College
during noon recesses to improve his Spanish language paying three pesos for those extra
lessons. He placed second at the end of the year, although all his grades were still
marked Excellent´
SUMMER VACATION (1873)
• Rizal didn‘t enjoy his summer because his mother was in prison so Neneng
(Saturnina) brought him to Tanawan. But without telling his father, he went to Santa Cruz
to visit her mother in prison. He told her of his brilliant grades. After summer, he returned
to Manila and now boarded inside Intramuros at No. 6 Magallanes Street. Dona Pepay,
who had a widowed daughter and 4 sons, was his landlady.
PROPHECY OF MOTHER’S RELEASE
• Dona Teodora told her son of her dream the previous night. Rizal, interpreting the
dream, told her that she would be released from prison in 3 months‘ time. It became true.
Dona Teodora likened his son to the youthful Joseph in the Bible in his ability to interpret
dreams.
• Teenage Interest in Reading. The first favorite novel of Rizal was The Count of
Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. His boyish imagination was stirred by the sufferings
of Edmond Dantes (the hero) in prison, his spectacular escape from the dungeon of
Chateau de If, his finding a buried treasure in the rocky island of Monte Cristo, and his
dramatic revenge on his enemies who had wronged him. Rizal also read non-fiction. He
persuaded his father to buy a costly set of Cesar Cantu‘s historical work entitled Universal
History. He also read Travels in the Philippines by Dr. Feodor Jagor, a German scientist-
traveler who visited Phil in 1859-60.He was impressed by: Jagor‘s keen observations of
the defects of Spanish colonization; and his prophecy that someday Spain would lose the
Philippines and that America would come to succeed her as colonizer.
THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1875-76)
• June 16, 1875- He became an interno in Ateneo. Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, one
of his professors, inspired him to study harder and write poetry. Rizal‘s best professor in
Ateneo. Rizal described him as model of uprightness, earnestness, and love for the
advancement of his pupils. He returned to Calamba with 5 medals and excellent ratings.

FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO

• March 23, 1877- Rizal, 16 years old, received from his Alma Mater, Ateneo
Municipal, the degree of Bachelor of Arts, with highest honors. Rizal was the highest in
all subjects and won five medals at the end of the school term. He excelled in all his
subjects and was the most brilliant Atenean, he was truly “the pride of the Jesuits”
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN ATENEO
• He was an active member, later secretary, of Marian Congregation - a religious
society. He was accepted because of his academic brilliance and devotion to Our Lady
of Immaculate Conception, the college patroness. He is also a member of the Academy
of Spanish Literature and the Academy of Natural Sciences. He studied painting under
Agustin Saez, a famous painter, and sculpture under Romualdo de Jesus. He continued
his physical training under hi sports-minded Tio Manuel.
SCULPTURAL WORKS IN ATENEO
• He carved an image of The Virgin Mary on a piece of batikuling (Philippine
hardwood) with his pocketknife. The Jesuits fathers were amazed. Father Lleonart
requested him to carve for him an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He intended to
take the image with him in Spain but forgot to do so. So the Ateneo boarders placed it on
the door of their dormitory. It plays a significant part in Rizal‘s last hours at Fort Santiago.
POEMS WRITTEN IN ATENEO
• Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration) - first written poem of Rizal, which was
dedicated to his mother on her birthday. He wrote it when he was 14 years old. El
Embarque: Himno a la Flota de Magallanes ( The Departure: Hymn to Magellan‘s
Fleet). Y Es Espanol: Elcano, el Primero en dar la Vuelta al Mundo (And He is Spanish:
Elcano, the Fist to Circumnavigate the World). El Combate: Urbiztondo, Terror de Jolo
(The Battle: Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo) In 1876, he wrote poems on religion, education
memories and war. (e.g. In Memory of my Town)

RIZAL’S POEM ON EDUCATION

•Through Education Our Motherland Receives Light- education plays in the progress and
welfare of a nation.
•The Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education- showed that Education
without God is not true education
RIZAL’S RELIGIOUS POEM
•Al Nino Jesus (To the Child Jesus)- written when he was 14 years old, expressing his
Catholic faith devotion.
•A La Virgen Maria (To the Virgin Mary)

MOTHER’S OPPOSITION TO HIGHER EDUCATION

• Both Don Francisco and Paciano wanted Jose to pursue higher learning in the
university. But Dona Teodora who is a woman of education and culture objects to Rizal
desire for University education. She knew what happened to the Gom-Bur-ZA, and told
her husband “ Don’t send him to Manila again, he knows enough. If he gets to know more
the Spaniards will cut off his head”.

TOPIC 2- THE UNIVERSITY OF STO. TOMAS (1877- 1882)

RIZAL ENTERS THE UNIVERSITY

• Rizal took the course on Philosophy and
Letters. Two reasons why Rizal enrolled in
these course: His father like it; and He was
still uncertain as to what career to pursue. It
was the following term (1878-1879)
RIZAL TOOK UP THE MEDICAL COURSE
• Two reasons: He received the advice of
Father Pablo Ramon, Ateneo’s Rector to
study medicine and to be able to cure his
mother’s growing blindness.
• He excelled in all subjects in the
surveying course in Ateneo.
• He obtained gold medals in agriculture
and topography
FINISHES SURVEYING COURSE IN ATENEO
• 1877-1878 Rizal took the vocational course leading to the title of ―perito
agrimensor” (expert surveyor). He passed the final examination in the surveying course
on November 25, 1881. He remained loyal to Ateneo.
LITERARY WORKS (1879)
• Liceo-Artistico-Literario (Artistic-Literary Lyceum) of Manila, a society of literary
men and artists, held a literary contest.
1. A La Juventud Filipino (to the Filipino youth)- a poem written by Rizal, it was the
first prize winner. Two reasons why Rizal‘s poem is a classic in the Philippine
literature: 1. It was the first great poem in Spanish written by the Filipino,
whose merit was recognized by Spanish literary authorities. 2. It expressed for the
first time the nationalistic concept that the Filipino, and not the foreigners, was the
―fair hope of the fatherland.

2. THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS (1880)

An allegorical drama written by Rizal which he entered in the literary contest of
ArtisticLiterary Lyceum in 1880 to commemorate the fourth centennial of the death of
Cervantes. It was a literary masterpiece based on the Greek classics. The prize was
awarded to Rizal, a gold ring on which was engraved the bust (figure) of Cervantes.
3. Junto al Pasig (Beside the Pasig) a zarzuela, written by Rizal. It was staged by the
Ateneans on December 8, 1880,on the occasion of the annual celebration of the
Feats Day of the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the Ateneo.
CHAMPION OF THE FILIPINO STUDENTS
• Rizal was the champion of the Filipino students. In 1880. Rizal founded a secret
society of Filipino students. He became the chief of the secrete students society.

UNHAPPY DAYS AT THE UST

• Rizal found the atmosphere at the University of Santo Tomas suffocating to his
sensitive spirit. He was unhappy at this Dominican institution of higher learning because:
(1) the Dominican professors were hostile to him
(2) the Filipino students were racially discriminated by the Spaniards
(3) the method of instruction was obsolete and repressive

TOPIC 3- IN SPAIN 1882-1885

After finishing the 4th year of the medical course in the University of Santo Tomas, Rizal
decided to complete his studies in Spain.
SECRET MISSION IN SPAIN
• 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.

RIZAL IN BARCELONA
• May 3, 1882- Rizal departed on
board the Spanish Steamer
Salvadora bound for Singapore.
Rizal’s departure for Spain was
kept secret to avoid detection by
the Spanish authorities and the
friars
• June 16, 1882- Rizal finally
reached his destination—
Barcelona.
ARTICLES WRITTEN BY RIZAL
• Amor Patrio (Love Of Country) a
nationalistic essay written by Rizal
under his pen name Laong Laan which urged his compatriots to love their
fatherland, the Philippines. Basilio
Teodoro Moran- publisher of Diariong Tagalog. Other written articles of Rizal: - Los Viajes
(Travels)- second article - Revista de Madrid (Review of Madrid)- returned to him because
the Diariong Tagalog had ceased publication for lack of funds.

RIZAL IN MADRID
• November 3, 1882- Rizal enrolled in Universidad Central de Madrid in two courses-
Medicine and Philosophy and Letters. Rizal led a Spartan life in Madrid.
• He also studied in Painting and Sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts and took
lessons in French, German and English.
CIRCULO HISPANO-FILIPINO (HISPANO-PHILIPPINE CIRCLE)
• Shortly after his arrival, Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino
(HispanoPhilippine Circle), a society of Spaniards and Filipinos.
• “They Ask Me For Verses” (Me Piden Versos) - a poem written by Rizal in response
to the request of the members of the society. It is a sad poem in which Rizal
poured out the cry of his agonizing heart.
RIZAL AS LOVER OF BOOKS
• Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Eugene Sue’s The Wandering Jew
aroused the sympathy of Rizal to his oppressed and unfortunate people.
RIZAL AS A MASON
• March 1883- Rizal joined the Masonic Lodge Acacia in Madrid under his Masonic
name Dimasalang. Rizal‘s reasons of becoming a mason: 1. the bad friars in the
Philippines, by their abuses unworthy of their priestly habit or calling, drove Rizal
to desperation and Masonry; 2. he needed the help of the Masons to fight the bad
friars in the Philippines, for Masonry, to Rizal, was a shield to use in his fight
against the evil forces of tyranny.
RIZAL IN PARIS, CAPITAL CITY OF FRANCE
• June 17 1883, Rizal sojourn in Paris. He stayed at a cheaper hotel on 124 Rue de
Rennes in the Latin Quarter.
• Like all tourist, Rizal was attracted by the beautiful sights of Paris. He visited
important landmarks like the Place de la Concorde, Arch of Triumph, the Cathedral
of Notre Dame and others. Rizal improved his mind by observing closely the
French way of life. He spent his hours in museums, botanical garden and art
galleries. According to Rizal “Paris is the costliest capital in Europe.” Prices of food,
drinks, theatre, laundry, hotels and transportation were too high.
• Two hospitals where Rizal made some observations:
Laennec Hospital- where Rizal observed Dr. Nicaise treating his patients
Lariboisiere Hospital- where Rizal observed the examination of different diseases of
women.
• August 20, 1883 he returned to Madrid and continues with his studies.
RIZAL’S SALUTE TO LUNA AND HIDALGO.
• In the evening of June 25, 1884, a banquet was sponsored by the Filipino
community to celebrate the double victory of the Filipino artist in the National
Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid - Luna’s Spoliarium winning the first prize and
Hidalgo’s Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace second prize. Rizal was the
guest speaker. It was a magnificent speech of Rizal, he saluted Luna and Hidalgo
 being the two glories of Spain and the Philippines. He also assailed with refined
sarcasm the bigotry and blindness of certain unworthy Spaniards who could not
comprehend the universality of Genius.
STUDIES COMPLETED IN SPAIN
• June 21, 1884- conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine. He was not
awarded his Doctor‘s diploma due to the fact that he did not present the thesis
required for graduation nor paid the corresponding fees.
June 19, 1885- Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters with the rating of
“Excellent”(Sobresaliente).

TOPIC 4- CONTINUED STAY IN EUROPE 1885-1887

• Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to specialize in Ophthalmology. He
travelled and observed European life and customs in Paris, Heidelberg, Leipzig,
and Berlin.

PARIS (1885-1886)
• He was 24 years old and already a physician, he went to Paris to obtain knowledge
in Ophthalmology. In November 1885, he worked for four months as an assistant
to Dr. Louis de Weckert, a leading French ophthalmologist.
• Outside of his working hours, he also found time to relax and be with his good
friends like the Pardo de Taveras, Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo. At
the studio of Juan Luna, he improved his painting technique. He became a model
to Juan Luna’s several paintings. In the home of the Pardo de Tavera, Rizal played
the flute, he admitted that he had no natural aptitude for music.
GERMANY
IN HEIDELBERG
• In February 1886, Rizal left Paris and went to Germany. He arrived in Heidelberg,
a historic city in Germany famous for its old university and romantic surroundings.
• He lived near the University of Heidelberg and worked as an assistant to Dr. Otto
Becker at the University Eye Hospital. Outside his apprenticing hours, he also
listened to lectures delivered by Dr. Becker and Prof. Wilhelm Kuchne.
• Rizal devoted his free time visiting Heidelberg Castle, Neckar River, the theatre
and some old churches found in the city. The Neckar River and the beautiful spring
flowers blooling along its banks reminded him of how dearly he missed Calamba.
• April 22, 1886, Rizal wrote a touching poem entitled To the Flowers of Heidelberg.
IN WILHELMSFELD
• A mountainous village near Heidelberg where Rizal spent his summer vacation.
• Rizal lived with the family of Pastor Karl Ullmer, a Protestant pastor who became
his good friend and admirer. The pleasant personality and talents in languages
and sketching endeared him to the Ullmer’s family.
• For three months he enjoyed the hospitality and kindness of the family.
• June 25, 1886, he returned to Heidelberg.
FIRST LETTER TO BLUMENTRITT
• July 31, 1886 Rizal wrote his first letter in German to Professor Ferdinand
Blumentritt, Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria. Rizal wrote to him after
learning that this ethnologist was interested in the Tagalog language. He sent him
a book entitled Arithmetica. Published in 2 languages- Spanish and Tagalog. By
UST Press of 1868. Author was Rufino Baltazar Hernandez a native of Santa Cruz,
Laguna. Ferdinand reciprocated the thoughtful gesture of Rizal by sending him two
books. The exchanged marked the beginning of their long and beautiful friendship.
IN LEIPZIG
• In August 1886, Rizal arrived in Leipzig. He stayed here for two months doing a
lot of writing and translating.
• He very much liked what he saw, the magnificent buildings, wide and clean streets
and amiable people.
• William Tell- written by Schiller, Rizal translated it from German into Tagalog so
that Filipino might know the story of the champion of Swiss independence.
• Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales - Rizal also translated this in Tagalog for his nephews
and nieces.
• Because of his knowledge of German, Spanish, and other European languages,
Rizal worked as proof-reader in a publishing firm.
• He attended some lectures on history and psychology at the University of Leipzig
and met Professor Friedrich Ratzel- a famous German historian and Dr. Hans
MeyerGerman anthropologist. They had become his friends.
IN BERLIN
• In November 1886, Rizal arrived in Berlin. He was enchanted by this city because
of its scientific atmosphere and the absence of racial prejudice.
• Dr. Feodor Jagor - Rizal met for the first time this celebrated German
scientisttraveler and author of Travels in the Philippines, a book which Rizal read
and admired during his student days in Manila.
• Dr. Rudolf Virchow- a famous German anthropologist. (Dr. Jagor, introduced Rizal
to Dr. Virchow)
• Dr. Ernest Schweigger (1830-1905)- famous German ophthalmologist where Rizal
worked
• Rizal became a member of the Anthropological Society, the Ethnological Society,
and the Geographical Society of Berlin, upon the recommendation of Dr. Jagor
and Dr. Meyer
• Tagalische Verkunst (Tagalog Metrical Art)- Rizal wrote this scholarly paper in
German which he read before the society in April 1887. This paper was published
by the society in the same year, and elicited favorable comments from all scientific
quarters
GERMAN WOMEN AND THEIR CUSTOMS
• Rizal wrote a letters addressed to his sister, Trinidad. He said that German woman
is serious, diligent, educated, and friendly. She is not gossipy, frivolous and
quarrelsome.
• Aside from women, Rizal admired the German customs. The Christmas custom of
the German delighted him most of his yuletide custom he wrote on Christmas eve.
Another interesting German custom observed by Rizal is self-introduction to
strangers in a social gathering.

NOLI ME TANGERE PUBLISHED IN BERLIN (1887)

 • March 21, 1887- the Noli Me Tangere
came off the press. The title Noli Me Tangere
is a Latin phrase which means “Touch Me
Not”. “Noli Me Tangere, are words taken
from the Gospel of St. John (Chapter 20
Verses 13 to 17).
Rizal dedicated his Noli Me Tangere to the
Philippines—“To My Fatherland”. It contains
63 chapters and an epilogue. Maximo
ViolaThe savior of Noli, he gave him the
needed funds to publish the novel.
GRAND TOUR FROM GERMANY TO
ITALY
• May 11, 1887- Rizal and Viola left Berlin by train going to Dresden, one of the best
cities in Germany
• May 13- 16, 1887- Rizal and Viola went to Leitmeritz, Bohemia to visit Professor
Blumentritt. A kind-hearted, old Austrian professor who became a dear friend of
Rizal.
• With Prof. Blumentritt as their guide, Rizal and Viola visited the churches, the
residence of the Bishop and other important buildings of the city.
• From May 20-30, 1887 -They visited other cities in Europe like, Prague, Viennathe
"Queen of Danube", Lintz, Rheinfall, Munich and Nuremberg. They visited
museums, magnificent buildings, cathedrals and beautiful sights.

• June 2 to 3, 1887- stayed at

Schaffhausen, Switzerland. GENEVA- This
Swiss city is one of the most beautiful cities
in Europe, visited by world tourists every
year.
• June 19, 1887- Rizal treated Viola to a
blow-out. It was his 26th birthday. Rizal and
Viola spent fifteen delightful days in
Geneva.
• June 23, 1887- Viola and Rizal parted
ways—Viola returned to Barcelona while Rizal continued the tour to Italy
• June 27, 1887- Rizal reached Rome, the “Eternal City” and also called the “City of
the Caesars. After a week of wonderful sojourn in Rome, Rizal prepared to return
to the Philippines.
TOPIC 5- FIRST RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES 1887-1888
TRAVEL TO THE PHILIPPINES
The stunning beauty of the European lands did not stop Rizal from continuously adoring
his native land. After the Noli Me Tangere was published, he decided to return to Calamba
despite the many warning he received from friends and relatives alike.
• He had four reasons for returning to the Philippines:
a) To perform an operation on Dona Teodora’s eyes;
b) To defend his oppressed countrymen more effectively than doing so in a foreign
land;
c) To find out how his Noli was received by the Filipinos and Spaniards; and
d) To know the reason for Leonor Rivera’s long silence.

• July 3, 1887, Rizal left Marseilles (France), it was his first return to the Philippines
after leaving it to study in Spain five years ago.
• August 6, 1887, he arrived in Manila and visited some friends.
AT HIS HOMETOWN
• August 8, 1887, he reached Calamba. He opened a medical clinic and restored
his mother’s vision. Such “miraculous” news spread throughout the community like
wild fire, thus, his clinic was flocked by people aspiring for a better eyesight. Newly
arrived from Germany, he began to be known as “ Doctor Uliman” (from the word
Aleman) and soon he acquired a lucrative medical practice. He earned $900 from
his services as physician.
• Rizal opened a gymnasium for young folks, where he introduced European sports
to discourage his town mates from idleness and gambling.
• He also took part in Calamba’s civic affairs and on his spare time made paintings
of the towns landscapes and translated the German poems of Von Wildernath into
Tagalog.
• His happy days at Calamba was marred with the death of his older sister, Olimpia,
and to see Leonor Rivera. His family begged him not to see her at her hometown
in Camiling because of increasing concerns about his safety. Also Leonor’s mother
objected to their relationship.
THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE NOLI
• Copies of the Noli Me Tangere had arrived at the Philippines weeks before Rizal’s
return to the Philippines. Some of copies of his book fell into the hands of the
Spaniards especially the friars. They found the novel “heretical, impious, and
scandalous in the religious order and anti-patriotic, subversive of public order,
injurious to the government of Spain and its function in the Philippine Islands in
the political order”.
• The controversy over the novel had reached the office of Governor General Emilio
Terrero. He requested Rizal to come to Malacańang Palace. Rizal met Governor
General Emilio Terrero who informed him of the charges against him. As a
defense, Rizal told Terrero that Noli only expose reality. Not having read the book
yet and out of curiosity, the governor general asked for a copy of the controversial
novel, which he later confessed that he enjoyed reading. He saw no problem on
the book, yet to protect Rizal’s life which was then in danger, he assigned Jose
Taviel de Andrade, a young
Spanish lieutenant, as Rizal’s personal bodyguard. The friars asked Governor General
Terrero to deport him, but the latter refused because there was no valid charge against
Rizal in court.
• While still in Calamba, Rizal was seen as a troublemaker. There are groundless
tales circulated by his enemies that he was “a German spy, an agent of Bismarck,
a Protestant, a Mason, a witch, a soul beyond salvation, etc.” Realizing that his
family’s and friend’s safety were risked; and that his fight against the Spaniards
have better chance of winning if he’d stay abroad, Rizal, six months after, finally
decided to sail back to Europe. His plan was to return to Europe via Hong Kong,
Macao, Japan and the United States
TOPIC 6- TRAVELS IN ASIA ( HONG KONG, MACAU AND JAPAN) AND THE U.S.
FIRST TRIP TO HONG KONG AND MACAU
• On February 3, 1888, with a heavy heart, Rizal left Manila for Hong Kong. His
powerful enemies refused to give him peace and quiet. Anonymous letters with
threats on his life were sent to his parents’ house in Calamba.
• On February 8, 1888- Rizal arrived in Hong Kong and he was welcomed by
Filipino residents.
• Jose Sainz de Varranda, Terrero’s former secretary, followed Rizal in the said
British colony, and was believed to be commissioned by the Spanish authorities to
spy on the hero.
• While in Hong Kong, Rizal engaged in cultural activities. Among the experiences
while he observed were:
 a) The Chinese way of celebrating their New Year, which included making noise and
exploding firecrackers to drive away evil spirits;
b) Chinese lauriat parties, where they served many different types of dishes;
c) Chinese theatres which used symbolisms and noisy music to entertain an equally
noise audience;
d) He also managed to visit different churches and cemeteries that were owned by
Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims.
• On February 18-21, 1888, Rizal also visited Macau, a Portuguese colony near
Hong Kong. He was invited to stay at the residence of Don Juan Francisco
Lecaros, who was a former Filipino delegate to the Spanish Cortes. For two days,
Rizal enjoyed being a tourist and visited different cultural places which included
churches, botanical gardens, theaters and the Macao Casino.
• February 22, 1888- Rizal left Hong Kong, his destination was Japan.
IN JAPAN
• February 28, 1888- Rizal arrived in Yokohama, the next day he went to Tokyo and
stayed at Tokyo Hotel for six days.
• Shortly after his arrival, Juan Perez Caballero-secretary of the Spanish Legation,
visited Rizal at his hotel who latter invited him to live at the Spanish Legation. Rizal
being an intelligent man, realized that the Spanish diplomatic authorities were
instructed from Manila to keep track of his activities. Since it was economical to
stay at the legation and he believed that he had nothing to hide, he accepted it.
• March 7, 1888- Rizal checked out of Tokyo Hotel and lived at the Spanish Legation
• Rizal was impressed by the scenic Japan and had keenly observed the life,
customs, and culture of the people. The things which favourably impressed Rizal
in Japan were: the beauty of the country; the cleanliness, politeness, and industry
of the Japanese people; the picturesque dress and simple charm of the Japanese
women; there were very few thieves in Japan; beggars were rarely seen in the city,
streets, unlike in Manila and other cities.
• April 13, 1888, Rizal left Japan and boarded the Belgic, bound for the United
States.

RIZAL’S VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES (April- May 1888)

• April 28, 1888, Rizal arrived in San Francisco, California. The ship was held under
quarantine by the American health authorities, reasoning that there was a cholera
epidemic in the Far East where their ship come from. Rizal and other first class
passenger of the ship were released from quarantine and allowed to land after
seven days.
• On May 4, 1888, Rizal arrived in San Francisco and registered at the Palace Hotel
and stayed for two days. May 6, 1888, he was in Oakland, he boarded the train for
his grand transcontinental trip to the American continent. He was able to see
places such as Sacramento, Reno, (Nevada), Colorado, Nebraska, Chicago,
Albany and on May 13 he reached New York. He stayed in this city for three days,
he visited the scenic and historic places.
RIZAL’S IMPRESSIONS OF AMERICA
• Good impressions
a) the material progress of the country as shown in the great cities, huge farms,
flourishing industries and busy factories;
b) the drive and energy of the American People
c) the natural beauty of the land
d) the high standard of living;
e) the opportunities for better life offered to poor immigrants.
• Bad impression
a) the lack of racial equality: “America is the land par excellence of freedom but only
for the whites”
• May 16, 1888- Rizal left New York for Liverpool, England.
TOPIC 7- REFORMIST WORKS IN EUROPE (1889-1981)
IN LONDON
• May 25, 1888 to mid-March 1889- Rizal decided to stay in London because he
could improve his English, study and do an annotation of Antonio Morga’s Sucecos de
las Islas Filipinas and perceived it was a place for him to carry on the reforms he wanted
for the Philippines.
ANNOTATING MORGA’S BOOK
• May 1888-March 1889- He spent ten months (10) in the reading room of the British
Museum deeply immersed in his historical studies in London. This was the greatest
achievement of Rizal in London, the annotating of Morga’s book, Sucesos de las Islas
Filipinas (Historical Events of the Philippine Islands), which was published in Mexico,
1609.

RIZAL AND THE LA SOLIDARIDAD

• December 31, 1888- inauguration of Asociacion La Solidaridad (Solidaridad
Association), a patriotic society. They crusade for reforms in the Philippine Government.
By unanimous vote of all members, Rizal was chosen honorary president. This was a
recognition of his leadership among all Filipino patriots in Europe.
• February 15, 1889Graciano Lopez Jaena founded the patriotic newspaper called
La
Solidaridad in Barcelona. A fortnightly periodical which served as the organ of the
Propaganda Movement.
• Its aims were as follows: to work peacefully for political and social reforms; to
portray the deplorable conditions of the Philippines so that Spain may remedy them; to
oppose the evil forces of reaction and medievalism; to advocate liberal ideas and
progress; to champion the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino people to life, democracy
and happiness. During his stay in
London, Rizal also made used of his time in writing essays and articles for La
Solidaridad. He also wrote La Vision del Fray Rodriguez (The Vision of Fray
Rodriguez)-pamphlet which published in Barcelona under his nom-de-plume Dimas
Alang in order to defense his novel.
• In London, Rizal received both good news and bad news from news. The good
news that Rev. Vicente Garcia
was defending his Noli from the
attacks of the friars. On the
other hand, the bad news were
that the Filipino signatories of
the “ Petition of 1888” and the
tenants of the Calamba
agrarian trouble were facing
persecution; that his brothers-
in-law Manuel T. HIdalgo and
Mariano Herbosa, were exiled
to Bohol and was denied
Christian burial, respectively;
and his friend, Laureno Viadoa, a UST medical student, was imprisoned for possessing
some copies of his Noli.
IN PARIS
• It was mid-March 1899, Rizal decided to move to Paris. He noticed that Parisian
life was different from the life he experienced in London. It was a city bursting with
merriment, exciting events, and unending social gathering. The cost of living was also
very high.
• Rizal never lost his focus although life in Paris was gay, he continued to spend
long hours at the National library in Paris. There, he went on reviewing and rewriting his
historical annotations on De Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas. It was published on
January 1890. He also wrote a satirical booklet entitled Por Telefono, in answer to Fr.
Salvation Fort, a Spanish friar who hurled attacks on the Noli Me Tangere and caused its
banning.
• He continued his study on various languages especially the French language,
which he was able to perfect during his 10 months stay at the French capital city.
• He organized a social club called Kidlat Club , a social club which brought together
young Filipinos residing in Paris. Soon, the members of the said club founded a new
Filipino society - the Indios Bravos, an organization which envisioned Filipinos being
recognized by Spain for being excellent in various fields of knowledge.
• In between his more serious activities, Rizal also had leisurely activities like
socializing with friends in their homes. Among those he frequently visited were the homes
of the Pardo de Taveras, the Venturas, the Lunas, the Bousteads and others.
• Although Rizal lived a frugal life, he prepared a sumptuous Christmas dinner for
some of his friends. Shortly after New Year, he visited London for the last time
In BRUSSELS
• January 28, 1890, left Paris for Brussels. He left the extravagant and gay social
life in Paris and stayed in a boarding house owned by the Jacoby sisters in Brussels.
• From 1889- 1890, Rizal continued contributing for La Solidaridad under the
pseudonyms Dimas Alang and Laong Laan. Among the 10 articles he had contributed
below were some of the most famous and important articles:
a) The Philippines Within a Century-article written by Rizal which he expressed
hisviews on the Spanish colonization in the Philippines.
b) The Indolence of the Filipinos- It is an able defence of the alleged indolence of the
Filipinos.
 c) the Sobre la Nueva Ortografia de la Lengua Tagala (The New Orthography of the
Tagalog Language) In this article, he laid down the rules of the new Tagalog
orthography
• From Calamba, Rizal received letters telling that the agrarian trouble in the
province was getting worse, and as such, he decided to go home. But instead of going
home, a letter from Paciano told him that they already lost the case against the
Dominicans and they were in need of a lawyer who would defend their family and the
families in Calamba from Madrid.
• Rizal wrote a letter to Ponce, he announced that he was leaving Brussels and
decided to go to Madrid because this case must be presented to the Supreme Court and
he needs to pay close attention to the developments of the case.

MISFORTUNES IN MADRID (1890-1891)

• August, 1890, Rizal arrived in Madrid. Upon arrival in Madrid. Rizal immediately
sought help of the Filipino colony, The Asociacion Hispano-Filipina, and the liberal
Spanish newspaper in securing justice for the oppressed Calamba tenants. Nothing came
out of this, several newspapers were sympathetic to the plight of the Calamba tenants
but this did not translate to any form of action. By this time, Francisco Rizal and other
tenants were already forcibly evicted from Calamba by Governor General Valeriano
Weyler. Their houses were burned and more people were exiled regardless of their
gender.
• August 1890, Rizal attended a social reunion of the Filipinos in Madrid. After
drinking so many glasses the guests became more talkative. One of them, Antonio Luna
became drunk. Rizal challenged Antonio Luna, it was about the latter’s frustration with
his unsuccessful “love affair” with Nellie Boustead, and so gave negative remarks on the
lady which Rizal did not tolerated. The Filipinos tried to pacify them, pointing out that such
a duel would damage their cause in Spain. Fortunately, Luna, realized his mistakes he
apologized and Rizal immediately accepted his apology and became good friends again.
• Rizal challenged Wenceslao Retana in a duel. Retana had insulted Rizal and his
family by writing in La Epoca, an anti-Filipino newspaper, that the Rizal family in Calamba
was ejected from their lands because they did not pay their rents. Rizal was, by nature
neither hot-tempered but when the honor of his people, family, women or friends was
besmirched, he never hesitated to fight even if he were risking his own life. Retana at
once published a retraction and an apology, he knew that Rizal was superior in both pistol
and sword.
• December 1890, Rizal received a letter from Leonor Rivera announcing her
coming marriage to Henry Kipping, an Englishman (the choice of her mother).This was a
big blow for him and his heart broke.
• Another marked event in Madrid was the Marcelo H. del Pilar-Jose Rizal rivalry for
leadership in the Asociacion Hispano Filipino. A fraction emerged from the Filipinos in
Madrid, the Rizalistas and Pilaristas. The group decided that the leader must be elected
by two-thirds vote. Rizal won the election, he was offered the appointment but he did not
want to see the Filipinos in Madrid divided so he thought it best to leave the city.
• Rizal took a vacation in the resort city of Biarritz on the fabulous French Riviera.
He was a guest of the rich Boustead family at its winter residence—Villa Eliada. The one
month vacation in this city worked wonders for Rizal. This is where he was able to finish
his second novel El Filibusterismo.
• March 30, 1891, Rizal bade farewell to the hospitable and friendly Bousteads and
proceeded to Paris by Train. He stayed at the home of his friend Valentin Ventura.

RETIREMENT FROM THE PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT

• April 1891, Rizal was back to Brussels where he became busy revising and
polishing the manuscript of El Filibusterismo.
• Rizal retired from the Propaganda Movement. He notified the Propaganda
authorities in Manila to cancel his monthly allowance and devote the money to some
better cause, such as the education of a young Filipino student in Europe. He desired to
publish his second novel, to practice his medical profession, and later when he became
financially independent, he expected to make a more vigorous campaign for his country’s
redemption.
• Simultaneously with his retirement from the Propaganda Movement, Rizal ceased
writing articles for La Solidaridad. Many of his friends in Spain urged him to continue
writing because his articles always attracted considerable attention in European
countries.
• M.H. Del Pilar himself realized the need for Rizal’s collaboration in both the
Propaganda Movement and in the La Solidaridad newspaper because the enthusiasm
for the reform crusade was declining. He wrote to Rizal begging for forgiveness for any
resentment and requesting him to resume writing for the La Solidaridad.
• Rizal replied to Del Pilar’s letter, he wrote denying any resentment and explaining
why he stopped writing. Below are reasons why Rizal stopped writing for La Solidaridad:
a) Rizal need to work on his book ;
b) He wanted other Filipinos to work also;
c) Rizal considered it very important to the party that there be unity in the work ;
d) Marcelo H. Del Pilar is already at the top and Rizal also have his own ideas it is
better to leave del Pilar alone to direct the policy.
THE PRINTING OF THE EL FILIBUSTERISMO
• July 5, 1891- Rizal left Brussels for Ghent, a famous university city in Belgium
because the cost of printing in Ghent was cheaper than in Brussels. F. Meyer-Van Loo
Press-a printing shop that give Rizal the lowest quotation for the publication of his novel.
• August 6, 1891-the printing of his book had to be suspended because Rizal could
no longer give the necessary funds to the printer. Valentin Ventura- the savior of the Fili,
when he learned of Rizal’s predicament he sent him the necessary funds.
• September 18, 1891- El Filibusterismo came off the press. Rizal gratefully donated
the original manuscript and an autographed printed copy to Valentin Ventura

TOPIC 8- BACK IN HONGKONG

• On October 18, 1891, after the Fili’ was published, Rizal left Europe. Aboard the
S.S Melbourne, he sailed to Hongkong where he lived for seven months. His reasons for
venturing to Hongkong were the following:
a) To leave his rivalry with del PIlar
b) To facilitate a Propaganda Movement in Hongkong; and
c) To be proximate to his family in the Philippines
• On November 20, 1891, Rizal arrived in Hongkong and was cordially welcomed
by the Filipino residents in the city, particularly, his friend Jose Ma. Basa.
• December 1, 1891- Rizal wrote his parents asking their permission to return home.
Rizal had a continued correspondence with his family in Calamba and had been aware
of the unsettled agrarian problem. On the same date, his brother-in-law, Manuel T.
Hidalgo, sent him a letter relating the sad news of the “deportation of twenty-five persons
from Calamba, including father, Neneng, Sisa, Lucia, Paciano and the rest of us.”
FAMILY REUNION IN HONG KONG
• The Christmas of 1891 in Hong Kong was one of the happiest Yuletide celebrations
in Rizal’s life, he had a happy family reunion.
• While in Hongkong, Rizal practiced his medical career. With the help of his friend,
Dr Lorenzo P. Marquez, they built a large clientele and opened a medical clinic where he
was recognized as an excellent eye surgeon. He was equally supported and aided both
morally and financially by his family and friends with his chosen career.
• Another marked event during Rizal’s stay in Hongkong was his plan to move the
landless Filipino to Borneo and transform the said wilderness into a “New Calamba”
through the so-called Borneo Colonization Project.
• In April 1802, he visited Borneo and negotiated with the British authorities who are
willing to provide 100,000 acres of land for the Filipinos. Many Filipino patriots found this
project amusing, thus, promoted the said project. However, there were a number who
objected it, one of which was Rizal’s brother-in-law, Hidalgo.
• Twice did Rizal wrote a letter addressed to Governor General Eulogio Despujol
informing his Borneo colonization project, with whom he received no response. Instead,
Despujol commanded the Spanish consul-general in Hongkong to notify Rizal that such
project was very unpatriotic, and by immigrating Filipinos to Borneo, the Philippines will
surely be lacking of laborers.
• Despite the many oppositions from friends and relatives, he decided to return to
Manila on the following reasons:

a) To discuss with Governor General Despujol his Borneo colonization project;

b) To form the La Liga Filipina in the Philippines; and
c) To prove that Eduardo de Lete’s allegations on him and his family in
Calamba were wrong.
• Before his departure, he wrote three more letters- the first addressed to his parents
and friends; the second one, to Filipinos; and the last Governor General Eulogio Despujol.
• Instead of having the protection he desired, Rizal and his sister, Lucia fell into the
Spanish trap - a case was secretly filed against Rizal, and Despujol ordered his secretary,
Luis de la Torre, to verify whether the patriot had neutralized himself as German citizen
or not. And so, the siblings sailed across the China Sea without prior knowledge of what
awaits then in the Philippines.
 a) RIZAL AT ATENEO - https://www.ateneo.edu/grade-school/news/looking-
backrizal%E2%80%99s-ateneo

b) RIZAL AT UST - http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/2016/06/rizal-

atuniversity-of-santo-tomas-1877.html

c) RIZAL’S TRAVEL -
http://www.joserizal.ph/tr01.html
https://travels-of-rizal.weebly.com/blog/life-and-travels-of-jose-rizal
https://thetravelingtitasofmanila.com/2017/11/17/chasing-rizal-in-madrid/

d) RIZAL’S WORK- http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/p/works.html

http://www.joserizal.ph/pm01.html https://allpoetry.com/Jose-Rizal

e) RIZAL AS A MASON -
http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/p/rareissues.html

f) RIZAL AND THE PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT-

1) http://msc.edu.ph/centennial/solidaridad.htm l
2) https://www.philippine-history.org/la-solidaridad.htm
3) https://www.oocities.org/mcc_joserizal/reform_lasolidaridad.html

References Books

Ocampo, A. R. (2000). Rizal: Without the Overcoat. Pasig City: Anvil Publishing, Inc.
Purino, A. P. (2008). Rizal, Thre Greatest Filipino Hero. Manila: Rex Book Store.
Viana, A. e. (2011). jose Rizal Social Reformer and Patriot. Manila: Rex Book Store.
Zaide, G. a. (2008). Jose Rizal: Life Works and Writings of a Genius, Writer, Scientist
and National Hero. Quezon City: All Nations Publishing Co. Inc.

Electronic Sources:
http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/p/rare-issues.html
http://msc.edu.ph/centennial/solidaridad.html https://www.philippine-history.org/la-
solidaridad.htm https://www.oocities.org/mcc_joserizal/reform_lasolidaridad.html
http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/2012/02/rizals-romances.html
http://www.joserizal.ph: http://www.joserizal.ph/in01.html