5 significant fact or accounts regarding the friendly relationship between Rizal and Gen.

Antonio Luna.

1. Most historians agree that both Luna and Rizal, who were friends, were
captivated by Boustead’s grace, manner and pedigree. The rumored ‘love
triangle’ that involved two of the country’s heroes is one filled with tales of
romance and intrigue that has been a source of fascination and debate for many.
2. Both had a gregarious relationship. Jose Rizal and Antonio Luna developed their
said relationship when both studied in Europe. Surprisingly, both had almost
killed each other in a duel for aa Half-European Filipino women named Nelly
Boustead. Rizal came victorious through ended their relationship as Rizal
declined Nelly’s demand for him to become Protestant. Eventually, Antonio
apologized for the situation to Jose.
3. Both Rizal and Luna were Ilustrados, well-educated, talented, and passionate.
Luna who was older than Rizal by four years had similar interests with the
younger man. They became fast friends and their relationship became even tight-
knit when Luna married into the Pardo de Taveras.
4. Jose Rizal had an amazing circle of friends. His friends were also illustrados and
Mestizos who were from prominent families. They traveled together shared
different adventures together and got a lot of girls together. They call themselves
the “Los Indios Bravos” which means “The Brave Filipinos”. They had the word
“indio” in their group name because back then Filipinos were called indios by the
Spaniards. Because the Spaniards believed that the Filipinos were uncivilized
and stupid before they’ve conquerd the Philippines. The Los Indios Bravos were
consisted of some of the most prominent people from the Philippines during that
time they were: Juan Luna who painted the Spoliarium, Felix Hidalgo, and
Trinidad Pardo de Tavera. They were fond of taking pictures and taking a
photograph during that time was very expensive not all people could afford taking
pictures, Juan Luna’s masterpiece. The “Spoliarium”.
5. Luna and Rizal were expatriates in Europe from the farthest Spanish colony in
the East. They were joined by others who would come to be known as the
Ilustrados or Enlightened Ones; Indios and mestizos who had the benefit of
higher education.