Rizal’s Life, Works and Writing

Week 2-3

What is Republic Act 1425 or Rizal Law?

 House Bill No. 5561 - Senate Bill No. 438.
 It is commonly known as the Rizal Act, established on 12 th of June 1956 by Senator Claro M.
Recto.
 It requires the curricula of private and public schools, colleges and universities courses to
include, works and writings of Jose
 Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
 It was made effective on August 16, 1956.
Rizal Law (Republic Act No. 1425)
As stated in the preamble of RA 1425/Rizal Law;

“Whereas, today more than other period f or history, there is a need for a re-dedication to the ideals of
freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died.”

“Whereas, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to regulation by the State,
and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience, and to teach
the duties of citizenship.”
 The law requires all schools, colleges, universities, private or public to include in their curricula
courses on the life and works of Rizal. It also states that all schools are required to have an adequate
number of copies of the copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of El Filibusterismo and Noli
Me Tangere, as well as other works and biographies of Rizal.
 The purpose of Batas Rizal is to rekindle the flame of nationalism in the hearts of the Filipino,
particularly the youth. We are forgetting what our patriots have done and given to fight for our
freedom.
Factors in Determining of a Person
Just Patient Courageous
Bearer of Wisdom Respectful Nationalist Source: National Historical Commission
Criteria in Choosing the Philippine National Hero
Filipino citizen Patriot/nationalist
Has already been dead Patient Source: National Historical Commission
Personalities Nominated to be our National Hero
Marcelo H. del Pilar Emilio Jacinto
Graciano Lopez-Jaena Antonio Luna
Issues about the Proclamation of Dr. Jose Rizal as National Hero
1. He was the illegitimate son of Adolf Hitler
2. He should not be proclaimed as the national hero because of his cowardice to fight the colonizers
through revolution.
3. He was regarded as an ―American-made hero‖.
First Philippine Commission was formed by the United States President headed by the
American Governor-General William Howard c. Taft.
Declaration of Dr. Jose Rizal as our national hero was only their strategy to hinder our
nationalistic feelings.
Philippines: Spanish Period
Emergence of political unrest in Spanish Politics
1.It started during the reign of King Ferdinand VII
2.Spanish political instability resulted to frequent shifts of colonial policies and unfixed
 terms of government officials in the Philippines.
Representation in the Spanish Cortes Deprivation of Human Rights to the Filipino
Corrupt Spanish Official Inequality
Racial Discrimination Land ownership and Feudalism

Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda

Doctor – complete his medical course in Spain and was conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine by
the Universidad Central de Madrid.
Jose – chosen by his mother who was a devotee of the Christian St. Joseph.
Protacio – form Gervacio P which come from a Christian calendar, in consideration of the day of his birth.
Rizal – from the word ―Ricial‖ in Spanish means a field where a wheat, cut while still green, sprouts again.
Mercado – adopted by Domingo Lamco which Spanish term means market.
Alonzo – old name surname of his mother.
Realonda – it was used by Doña Teodora from the surname of her godmother based on the culture by that time.
Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda
 He was born near midnight of Wednesday of June 19, 1861 to the Rizal family of Calamba, Laguna.
 He was baptized by Rev. Rufino Collantes in the Catholic church of Calamba on June 22, 1861,
three days after birth.
 His Godfather named Father Perdo Casanas, a close friend of Rizal family.
 Lieutenant-General Jose Lemery was the governorgeneral of the Philippines when Rizal was born.
Rizal’s Father (Don Francisco Mercado (1818-1898)
 Born in Biñan, Laguna on May 11, 1818.
 Studied Latin and Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila.
 Became a tenant-farmer of the Dominican-owned hacienda.
 A hardly an independent-minded man, who talked less and worked more, and was strong in body
and valiant in spirit.
 Died in Manila on January 5, 1898 at age of 80.
 Rizal affectionately called him ―a model father‖.
Rizal’s Mother
Doña Teodora Alonso Realonda (1826-1911)
 Born in Manila on November 8,1826.
 Educated at the College of Santa Rosa, a well-known college for girls in the city.
 A remarkable woman, possessing refined culture, literary talent, business ability, and the
fortitude of Spartan.
 Is a woman of more than ordinary culture; she known literature and speaks Spanish (according
to Rizal).
 Died in Manila on August 16, 1911 at age of 85.
Information about his parents
 Rizal always called her sisters Doña or Señora (married) and Señorita (single).
 Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda married on June 28, 1848, after which they settled
down in Calamba.
 The real surname of the Rizal was Mercado, which was adopted in 1713 by Domingo Lamco ( paternal
great-great grandfather of Jose Rizal), who was a full blooded Chinese.
 Rizal ‘s family acquired a second surname – Rizal – which was given by a Spanish Alcalde Mayor
(provincial governor) of Laguna, who was a family friend.
 Fig. 2. Mother Side
Ancestry

Fig. 1. Father Side

Ancestry
The Siblings of Jose Rizal
Saturnina (1850-1913)
- Oldest of the Rizal children
- Nicknamed Neneng
- Married to Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas.
Paciano
- Older brother and confident of Jose Rizal.
- He was the second father to Rizal.
- Immortalized him in Rizal ‘s first novel Noli Me Tangere as the wise Pilosopong Tasio.
- Rizal regarded him a s the ―most noble of Filipinos‖.
- He became a combat general in the Philippine Revolution.
- Died on April 13, 1930, an old bachelor at age of 79, he had two children by his mistress (Severina
Decena) – a boy and a girl.
Narcisa (1852-1939)
- Petname Sisa
- She was married to Antonio Lopez (nephew of Father Leoncio Lopez), a school teacher of Morong.
Olympia (1855-1887)
- Petname Ypia
- She was married to Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator in Manila.
Lucia (1857-1979)
- she was married to Mariano Herbosa of Calamba, who was a nephew of Father Casanas.
Maria (1859-1945)
- Biang was her petname
- She was married to Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna.
Concepcion (1862-1865)
- Concha was her pet-name
- She died at age of three because of sickness.
- Her death was Rizal ‘s first sorrow in life.
Josefa (1865-1945)
- Panggoy was her pet-name
- An old maid, died at age of 80.
Trinidad (1868-1951)
- Trining was her pet-name
- An old maid, died at age of 83.
Soledad (1870-1929)
- Choleng was her pet-name
She was married to Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba.
Rizal’s Home (Physical)
 It is one of the distinguished stone houses in Calamba during the Spanish times.
 It was a two-storey building, rectangular in shape, built of adobe stones and hard-woods and roofed with red
tiles.
 During the day, it hummed with the noises of children at play and the songs of the birds in the garden; by night,
it echoed with the dulcet notes of family prayers.
 The Rizal family belonged to the principalia, town aristocracy in Spanish Philippines.
 The Rizal family had a simple, contented and happy life.
Childhood Years in Calamba, Laguna
 Calamba was a hacienda town which belonged to Dominican Order, which also owned all the lands around.
 Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town) – a poem about Rizal ‘s beloved town written by Rizal in 1876
when he was 15 years old and was student in the Ateneo de Manila.
 The first memory of Rizal, in his infancy, was his happy days in the family garden when he was three.
 Another childhood memory was the daily Angelus prayer. By nightfall, Rizal related, his mother gathered all the
children at the house to pray the Angelus.
 Another memory of Rizal during infancy was the nocturnal walk in the town, especially when there was a moon.
 The death of Concha was his first sorrow.
 At age of three he began to take part in the family prayers.
 At 5, he was able to read haltingly the Spanish family bible, and make sketches with this pencil and to mould in
clay and wax on objects which attracted his fancy.
 The Story of the Moth‖ – made the profoundest impression of Rizal.
 Sa Aking Mga Kabata‖- the first poem written in the native language at age of 8, he also wrote his first dramatic
work (Tagalog comedy).
Influences on the Hero’s Boyhood
1. Hereditary influence
2. Environmental influence
3. Aid of the Divine Providence
 Tio Jose Alberto – he develops the artistic ability of Rizal.
 Tio Manuel – he guided Rizal on his physical exercises.
 Tio Gregorio – intensified Rizal ‘s voracious reading of good books.
 Father Leoncio Lopez – fostered Rizal ‘s love for scholarship and intellectual honesty.
Early Education in Calamba and Biñan
The first teacher of Rizal was his mother, who was remarkable woman of good character and fine culture.
 Maestro Celestino – first private tutor.
 Maestro Lucas Padua – science tutor.
 Leon Monroy – a former classmate of his father, that instructed in Spanish and Latin. He diedfive months later.
 June 1869 – Rizal left Calamba to study in Biñan, accompanied byPaciano.
 Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz – Rizal ‘s first teacher in Biñan.
 Pedro – his classmate that challenge him to fight.
 Andres Lakindanan – challenged Rizal to an wrestling match.
 Juancho – an old painter who was the father-in-law of the school teacher; freely give Rizal lesson in drawing and painting.
 December 17, 1870 – he left Biñan after one year and a half of schooling.
 Arturo Camos – a French friend of Rizal ‘s father who took care of him on board.
Martyrdom of GomBurZA
- January 20, 1872 – about 200 Filipino soldiers and workmen of the Cavite arsenal under the
leadership of Sgt. Lamadrid (he was Filipino, but rose in mutiny because of the abolition of their usual
privileges).
- Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, Jacinto Zamora – were executed at sunrise of February 17, 1872, by the
order of Governor-General Izquierdo.
- The martyrdom of the GomBurZa in 1872 truly Rizal to fight the evils of Spanish tyranny and
redeem his oppressed people.
 - Rizal dedicated his second novel El Filibusterismo to GomBurZa.
Injustice to Rizal’s Mother
 June 1872 – Doña Teodora was suddenly arrested on a malicious charge that she and her brother Jose Alberto,
tried to poison the latter ‘s perfidious wife.
 Antonio Vivencio del Rosario – Calamba‘s gobernadorcillo, who helped to arrest Doña Teodora.
 After arresting Doña Teodora, the sadistic Spanish lieutenant forced her to walk from Calamba to Santa Cruz,
Laguna (50km.).
 Doña Teodora was incarcerated at the provincial prison, where she languished for two years.
 Francisco de Marcaida and Manuel Marzan – the most famous lawyers of Manila that defend Doña Teodora.

Week 4 -Continuation
Scholastic Triumph at Ateneo de Manila
 Ateneo Municipal, a college under the supervision of the Spanish Jesuits.
 Escuela Pia (Charity School) – formerly name of Ateneo, a school for poor boys in Manila which was established by
the city government 1817.
 June 10, 1872 – Rizal was accompanied by Paciano on his way to Manila.
 Father Magin Ferrano – he was the college registrar, who refused to admit Rizal in Ateneo for two reason: a) he was
late or registration b) he was sickly and undersized for his age.
 Manuel Xerez Burgos – because of his intercession, nephew of Father Burgos, Rizal was reluctantly admitted Ateneo.
 He registered Rizal as his surname since Mercado was suspected by the Spanish authorities.
 Rizal was first board in a house outside in Caraballo Street. This was owned by a spinster named Titay who owed
the family the amount of 300 pesos.
Jesuits System of Education
 It trained the character of the students by rigid discipline and religious instructions.
 Students were divided into two groups:
 Roman Empire – consisting of internos (boarders); red banner.
 Carthaginian Empire – composed of the externos (non-boarders); blue banner.
 Intelligence distribution:
 Emperor – 1st
 Tribune – 2nd
 Decurion - 3rd
 Centurion – 4th
 Stand – 5th
The Ateneo students wore a uniform consisted of ―hemp-fabric trousers‖ and ―striped cotton coat‖. The coat
material was called ravadillo.

First Year in Ateneo (1872-1973)

Father Jose Bech – Rizal ‘s first professor in Ateneo who he described as ―tall thin man, with a body slightly bend
forward, a harried walk, an ascetic face, severe and inspired, smell deep-sunken eyes, a sharp nose that was almost
Greek, and thin lips forming an arc whose fell toward the chin‖.
 A Religious picture – a Rizal ‘s first prize for being brightest pupil in the whole class.
 To improve his Spanish, he took private lessons in Santa Isabel College during noon recesses. He paid three
pesos for those extra Spanish lessons.
 At the end of the school year in March, 1873, he returned to Calamba for summer vacation.
 When the summer vacation ended, Rizal returned to Manila for his second year term in Ateneo. This time he
boarded inside Intramuros at No. 6 Magallanes Street. His landlady was an old widow name Doña Pepay.

Second Year in Ateneo (1873-1874)

 At the end of the school year, Rizal received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold medal.
 The Count of Monte Cristo – (Alexander Dumas) – the first favorite novel of Rizal which made a deep impression on
him.
 Universal History (Cesar Cantu) – Rizal persuaded his father to buy him this set of historical work that was a great aid
in his studies.
 Dr. Feodor Jagor – a German scientist-traveler who visited the Philippines 1859-1860 who wrote Travels in the
Philippines. He was impressed in this book because; 1) Jagor’s keen observation of the defects of Spanish colonization, and,
2) his prophecy that someday Spain would lose the Philippines and that America would come to succeed her as colonizer.
Third and Fourth Year in Ateneo (18741876)
 Rizal's grades remained excellent in all subjects but e won only one medal – Latin.
 At the end of the school year, Rizal ‘s returned to Calamba for the vacation. He himself was not impressed by his
scholastic work.
 June 16, 1875 – Rizal became an interno of the Ateneo.
 Padre Francisco de Paula Sanchez – a great educator and scholar, one of Rizal ‘s professors who inspired him to
study harder and to write
poetry. Rizal described this Jesuit professor as ―model of uprightness, earnestness, and love for the advancement
of his pupils‖.
 Rizal ‘s topped all his classmates ain all subjects and on five medals at the end of the school term
Last Year in Ateneo (1876-1877)
 Rizal ‘s studies continued to fare well. As a matter-of-fact, the excelled in all subjects. The most brilliant
Atenean of his time, he was truly the pride of the Jesuits.
 March 23, 1877 – Commencement Day, Rizal who was 15 years old, received from his Alma Mater; the Degree
of Bachelor of Arts, with highest honour.
 Marian Congeragtion – a religious society wherein Rizal was an active member and later became the secretary.
 Rizal cultivated his literary talent under the guidance of Father Sanchez.
 Father Jose Vilaclara – advised Rizal to stop communing with the muse and pay more attention to more
practical studies.
 Rizal studies painting under the famous Spanish painter, Agusti Saez, and sculpture under omualdo de Jesus; a
noted Filipino sculptor.
 Rizal carved an image of the Virgin Mary on a piece of batikuling with his pocket-knife. –
 Father Lieonart – impressed by Rizal ‘s sculptural talent, requested him to
carve for him an image of Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Poems in Ateneo
 It was Doña Teodora who was first discovered the poetic genius of her son, and it also she who first encourage
him to write poems. However, it was Father Sanchez who inspired Rizal to take full of his God-given gift in poetry.
 Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration), 1874, the Rizal probably wrote during days in Ateneo which was
dedicated to his mother on her birthday; Rizal wrote he was 14 years old.
1875 (inspired by Father Sanchez)
1. Felicitacion
2. El Embarque: Himno a la Flota de Magallanes
3. Y Es Español:Elcano el Primero en dar la Vuelta al Mundo
4. El Combate: Urbiztondo, Terror de Jolo
5. Al Niño Jesus (To the Child Jesus) – brief ode.
1876 (religion, education, childhood and memories of war)
1. Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town) – honour for his hometown Calamba.
2. Alianza Intima Entre la Religion y la Buena Education (Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good
Education) – shows the importance of religion and education.
3. Por la Educacion Recibe Lustre la Patria (Through Education the Country Receives Light) – education plays
in the progress and welfare a nation.
4. El Cautiverio y el Triunfo: Batalla de Lucenas y Prison Boabdil (The Captivity and the Triumph: Battle of
Lucena and the Imprisonment of Bodabil) – the defeat and capture of Boabdil, the last Sultan of Granada.
5. La Entrada Triunfal de los Reyes Catolices en Granada (The Triumphal Entry of the Catholic Monarchs into
Granada) – victorious entry of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel of Spain to Granada.
6. San Eustacio, Martir (St. Eustace, The Martyr) – prose story of St. Eustace.
1877
1. El Heroismo de Colon (The Heroism of Columbus) – poem praises Columbus.
2. Colon y Juan II (Columbus and John II) – relates how King John II of Spain missed fame and riches by his
failure to finance the projected expedition of Columbus to the New World.
3. Gran Cunsuelo en la Mayor Desdicha (Great Solace in Great Misfortune) – a legend relates to the tragic life of
Columbus.
 4. Un Dialogo Aluviso a la Despedida de los Colegiales (A Farewell Dialogue of the Students) – farewell to his
classmates in Ateneo.
5. A la Virgen Maria (To the Virgin Mary) – another religious poem which doesn ‘t has exact date when it was
written.

Life in the University of Santo Tomas (1877-1882)

 After finishing the first year of a course in Philosophy and Letters (1877-1878). He transferred to the medical
course.
 April 1877 – he enrolled in the UST taking Philosophy and Letters because; 1) his father like it, 2) he was “still
uncertain as to what career to pursue”.
 Father Pablo Ramon – Rector of Ateneo, who had been good to him his student’s days in that college, asking for
advice on the choice of a career but unfortunately he was in Mindanao.
 During Rizal ‘s first school term in the UST, Rizal also studied in Ateneo. He took the vocational course leading to
the title of perito agrimensor (expect surveyor).
 Rizal excelled in all subjects in the surveying course in Ateneo, obtaining gold medals in agriculture and
topography. He passed all the subject but the title was no issued to him because he was only 17 yearsold, underage.
The title was issued to him on November 25, 1881- the title was issued to Rizal for passing the final examination in
the surveying course.
 Liceo Artistico-Literario (Artistic-Literay Lyceum of Manila) – society of literary men and artists held a literary contest
in the year 1879. He also served as the President of the Spanish Literature in Ateneo.
 While at UST, he fell in love with three women. During his first year, he fell in love with a woman simply called
“Miss L”, a woman with a fair, seductive and attractive eyes. The romance dead a natural death because of two
reasons: (1) the sweet memory of Segunda Katigbak was still fresh to in his memory a and, (2) Rizal ‘s father did not
like the family of Miss L.
 During his sophomore year, he courted Leonor Valenzuela, a tall girl with regal bearing. Rizal sent her love notes
in invisible ink. But just like Segunda he also stopped visiting her.
 During his junior year, Rizal had romance with Leonor Rivera, of Camiling, Tarlac. Leonor was a pretty girl and a
student of La Concordia Colllege. Both Rizal and Leonor were engaged, he used the sign name ―Taimis ‖ to cover
their relationship from their parents.
 Rizal studied in UST from 1878-1882. his grade in Medicine consists of 2 excellent, 3 very good, 8 good, and 2 fair
(physics and general pathology). His grades in UST College of Medicine were not as impressive as what he got at
Ateneo Philosophy and Letters due to the hostility of the Dominican professors. Accordingly, laboratory
equipment's are just for display and racial discrimination against the Filipino student.

Education in University of Santo Tomas (1877-1882)

 A La Juventud (To the Filipino Youth) – at 18, submitted tis poem, it is inspiring poem of flawless form. This poem
won as a classic Filipino literature for two reasons: a) it was a great poem in Spanish written by the Filipino, whose merit
was recognized by Spanish literary authorities, 2) expressed for the first time the nationalistic concept that the Filipino, and not
the foreigners, were the “fair hope of the Fatherland”. The Board of Judges, composed of Spaniards was impressed by
Rizal ‘s poem and gave it gave it the first prize which consisted of a silver pen, feather-shaped and decorated with a
gold ribbon.
 A Filipinas – a sonnet written by Rizal for the album of the Society of Sculptors; in this sonnet, he urged all Filipino
artists to glorify the Philippines.
- Abd-el-Azis y Mahoma – poem honouring the Ateneo Patroness.
- Al M.R.P Pablo Ramon – poem dedication to Father Pablo Ramon (Atenean Rector), who had been so kind
and helpful to him.
- Vicenta Ybardolaza – a pretty girl colegiala who skillfully played a harp at the Regalado home, whom Rizal
was infatuated.
- Compañerismo (Comradeship) – Rizal founded a secret society of Filipino students in UST 1880.
- Galicano Apacible – Rizal ‘s cousin from Batangas who is the secretary of the society.
Unhappy Days in UST
- Rizal found the atmosphere at the UST 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.
- In Rizal novel, El Filibusterismo, he described how the Filipino students were humiliated and insulted by their
Dominican professors and how backward the method of instruction was, especially in the teaching of the
natural sciences. He related in Chapter XIII (The Class in Physics).

Week 5- CONTINUATION
Rizal’s Departure for Spain (1882)
 After finishing his 4th year of medical course in UST, Rizal decided to complete his studies in Spain.
 Aside from his studies in Spain, Rizal has his ―secret mission‖ a). To observe keenly the life and culture, languages
and customs, industries and commerce, and the government laws of the European nations in order to prepare himself in
the mighty task of liberating his oppressed people from Spanish tyranny.
 Before the secret departure of Rizal, he wrote a farewell letter to his parents and sweetheart Leonor Rivera
which was delivered to them – after he sailed away.
 May 3, 1882 – the Spanish Steamer (Salvadora), Rizal departed for Spain using Jose Mercado, on his travel
documents. His main reason in leaving the Philippines was to transfer at the Universidad Central De Madrid
in Spain to finish his medicine course.
 May 8, 1882 – they have two-day stopover in Singapore. He reached the island considered by him as ―Talim
Island with the Susong Dalaga‖. The following day, May 9, Rizal registered at Hotel de la Paz and spent two-
day sightseeing sorties of the city. He saw the Botanical Garden, the Famous Buddhist Temple and the founder
of Singapore, Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles.
 May 11, 1882 – he was board on the steamer Djemnah, a French steamer, much larger and cleaner than the
Salvadora. On board the vessel was British, French, Dutch, Spaniards, Malays, Siamese and Filipinos. French
was mostly spoken on the board.
 May 17,1882 – he arrived at the Point Galle, a seacoast town in southern Ceylon. The town is lovely, quiet and
sad at the sometime according to him.
 May 18, 1882 – he had a stopover at Colombo. It is more beautiful, smart, elegant than Singapore, Point Galle
and Manila.
 May 28, 1882 – the Djemnah continued its voyage and crossed the Indian Ocean until he reached the Cape of
Guardafin, Africa. Rizal called it as inhospitable land but famous. Then, he reached Aden, according to him it
was a city hotter than in Manila –for the first time he saw camels.
 June 2, 1882 – he proceeded to Suez Canal. It took 5 days to travel Suez. He disembarked for sightseeing and
he was fascinated to hear the multiracial inhabitants speaking a babel of tongues – Arabic, Egyptians, Greek,
Italian and Spanish.
 June 11, 1882 – the steamer proceeded to Europe and reached Naple City, Italy. Rizal was fascinated by
Mount
of Vesuvius, the Castle of St. Telno, and the historic sights of the city. The city was busy because of its business
activity, lively people and panoramic beauty.
 June 12, 1882 – the steamer docked at the French harbour of Marseilles. Rizal disembarked to visit the famous
Chateau d‘ef where Dantes, the hero of The Count of Monte Cristo was jailed. He stayed at Maseilles for two
and a half days at Hotel Noailles for 3 days.
 June 15, 1882 – the steamer left Mersailles by on its last trip Spain. The steamer reached Pyrenees and stopped
for a day at Port Bou. In this place, Rizal saw the indifference accorded to tourists in comparison to the
courtesy accorded by the French immigration officers.
 June 16, 1883 - from Port Bou, Rizal continued his trip for the last lap by train for Spain and finally reaching
his destination – Barcelona, Spain. Rizal stayed in Hotel de España and in Sitges Street with Tomas Cabangis
and boarded a house in San Severo Street. He visited Ronda de la Universidad of Barcelona – ugly, dirty little
inns, inhospitable people – because he happened to stay upon his arrival in a stingy inn. Later, he changed his
mind and came to like the city – as a great city with an atmosphere of freedom and liberalism and the people
were openhearted, hospitable and courageous. He enjoyed promenading along Las Rambles, the famous
Barcelona Street.
Life in Barcelona, Spain (1882)
Rizal was welcome by the Filipinos by the in Barcelona, some of who were his classmates in Ateneo. They
gave him a party at their favourite café – Plaza de Catalina. They exchanged toast and they Rizal of the
attractions and customs of the people in Barcelona. Rizal, in turn, gave news and gossips in the Philippines.
While in Barcelona, Rizal received two bad news; 1. the cholera outbreak that ravaged Manila and the
provinces, and 2. the chatty letter of Chengoy recounting the unhappiness of Leonor Rivera, who was
getting thinner due to the absence of a loved one.
Life in Madrid, Spain (1882-1885)
On November 3, 1882 – upon the advice of Paciano to Rizal to finish the medical course in Madrid, Rizal left
Barcelona in the fall of 1882 and went to Madrid.
He enrolled in the Universidad Central de Madrid, in Medicine and Philosophy and Letters.
In Madrid, he lodged at Visitacion Street, No. 3, 3rd floor (Room 4) in 1883.
On October 1884, he transferred to Pizarro Street, No. 13 and later on at Ventura de la Vega Street.
He also studied painting and sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, took tutoring lessons in
French, German and English and practiced fencing and sharpshooting in the Hall of Arms of Sanz y
Carbonell.
Rizal lived frugally, rigidly budgeting his money wisely. Although he used to buy ticket in every draw of the
Madrid Lottery, he never wasted his money for gambling, wine and women. Rizal spent his leisure time by
reading books, fencing, and shooting.
He also visited his Filipino friends at the house of Paterno brothers. He also fraternized with other students
at the Antigua Café d Cevantes. Every Saturday evening, he visited the home of Don Pablo Ortega y Rey.
During his stay in Barcelona and Madrid, hard times occurred in Calamba such as harvest of rice and sugarcane
failed due to drought and locust, increasing of land leased to the hacienda cultivated by the Rizal, and, Paciano was
forced to sell Rizal’s pony to send him money.
June 21, 1884 – Rizal was conferred the Licentiate in Medicine with a rating of “Fair” by the Universidad
Central de Madrid after completing 5th and 6th year term.
 Legal Medicine (excellent)
 Obstetrical Clinic (fair)
 Other subjects (good and very good)
1884-1885, he passed all the subjects leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In his three subjects he got
―fair‖ in History of Medical Science, ―good‖ in Surgical Analysis and ―excellent‖ in Normal Histology. However,
he didn ‘t conferred Doctor of Medicine because of the failure to present a thesis required for graduation
and pay for the corresponding fee.
Obtaining the degree of Licentiate in Medicine, the became a full-fledged physician and qualified to practice
medicine. He was not interested in taking the post-degree of Degree of Medicine because such a degree is
good only for teaching purposes, and he knew that no friar-owned university in the Philippines would
accept him for a position because of his brown complexion.
June 24, 1884 – Rizal was breaking. With empty stomach, he attended his classes at the University,
participated in the contest in Greek language and won the gold medal.
November 20, 1884 – student demonstrations started to explode at the Universidad Central de Madrid due
to the expulsion of Dr. Miguel Morayta (history). Dr. Morayta was also excommunicated by the Catholic
church because of his liberal idealism. All the professor fought for his side was forced to resign from the
university.
June 19, 1885 – on his 24th birthday, Rizal received his degree on Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters
(sobresaliente). He was also qualified to be a professor of humanities in any Spanish University.
June 15, 1885 – Rizal was invited to speak in an banquet to celebrate the double victory of two artists; Juan
Luna (Spolarium) for winning the 1st prize, and Felix Hidalgo (Virgenes Christianas Expuestas el Populacio) for
2nd prize, in the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid. He saluted Luna and Hidalgo for their artistic
achievements.
October 1885 – Rizal decided to went to Paris. Rizal had stopover in Barcelona on his way to Paris. He
visited his friend MaximoViola, at lodge in Vergara No. 1, 3 rd floor Room 2. he also befriended Eusebio
Corominas, editor of the newspaper La Publisidad.
Life in Paris, France (1885-1886)
November 1885 – Rizal went to Paris and lived their there for 4 mos., where he worked as assistant to Dr.
Louis de Wecket (a leading French ophthalmologist). He rapidly improved his knowledge of ophthalmology.
Outside of his working hours, he relaxed by visiting his friends. He also went to Luna‘s studio. He helped
Luna by posing as a model in several artworks. Rizal posed as Egyptian priest in Luna‘s canvass ―The Death
of Cleopatra‖ and Sikatuna in ―The Blood Compact.
After 4 months of staying in Paris, he left Paris for Heidelberg, Germany.
Life in Heidelberg, Germany (1886)
He lived for a short time in with a German law student in a boarding house but later on, he transferred to a
boarding house near the University of Heidelberg. He became a member of the Chess Player ‘s Club. He
became a popular friend to the German so that the German students joined him in beer drinking, saber duel,
and chess games.
He worked at the University Eye Hospital under Dr. Otto Becker (ophthalmologist). He also attended the
lectures of Dr. Becker and Prof. Wilhelm Kuehne at the university. During weekends, he had sights seeing at
the scenic spots at Heidelberg (Heidelberg Castle, romantic Neckar River, and old church).
He also spent a 3-month summer vacation at Wilhelmsfeld. Here he became a good friend of Dr. Karl
Ullmer (Protestant pastor). On June 25, 1886, he left Wilhelmsfeld, and returned to Heidelberg carrying with
him the memories of the Ullmer friendship and hospitality.
July 3, 1886 – Rizal wrote his first letter in Germany to Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt (Austrian ethnologist)- he
became the best friend of Rizal.
August 6, 1886 – 5th centenary celebration of Heidelberg.
August 9, 1886 – Rizal left Heidelberg and boarded a train, visited other cities of Germany and arrived at

Leipzig.
Tour in Germany (1886)
August 14, 1886 – he arrived at Leipzig. He attended some lectures at the University of Leipzig in history
and psychology. He met Prof. Friedrich Ratzel (historian) and Dr. Hans Meyer anthropologist.
He translated Scheller’s “William Tell” and Hans Christian Anderson “Fairy Tale” in Tagalog. He found
Leipzig as the cheapest in Europe and so he stayed for two and half months.
October 29, 1886 – he arrived as Dresden, Germany and met Dr. Adolf B. Meyer, Director of the
Anthropological and Ethnological Museum. He stayed two days in this city.
Life in Berlin, Germany (1886)
November 1, 1886 – he left Dresden by train and reached Berlin in the evening. Rizal met for the first time
Dr. Feodor Jagor, a German scientist. He also met famous personalities Dr. Hans Virchow, Dr. Rudolf
Virchow, Dr. W. Joest, and Dr. Ernest Schweigger.
He also worked in the clinic of Dr. Schweigger and upon the recommendation of Dr. Jagor and Dr. Meyer he
became a member of the Anthropological Society, Ethnological Society and Geographical Society.
He was impressed with Berlin because of its scientific atmosphere and absence of racial race. He lived in
Berlin in a frugal life. At night he attended the lecture in the University of Berlin.
He took private lessons under French Professor Madame Lucie Cerdale. He observed keenly the customs,
dresses, homes and occupations of the peasants. He made sketches of the things he saw.
During the winter, he lived in poverty because he was flat breaking. Because was unable to pay his landlord

and because he didn ‘t had a money arrived from Calamba, he pawned the diamond ring that was given to
him by his sister Saturnina. He had to eat only one meal a day, and a daily meal consisted of bread and
water or cheap vegetable soup. He washed his clothes because he could not afford to pay the laundry.
Paciano was delayed in raising the necessary funds, Rizal ‘s health broke down. He began to cough and
feared that he was going to be sick with tuberculosis.
After several months, Rizal received Paciano‘s remittance of P1000, which was forwarded by Juan Luna
form Paris. Rizal paid the sum of P300 for the loan granted to Rizal for the printing of Noli Me Tangere.
He went to Berlin for the following reasons:
1.To increase his knowledge in ophthalmology
2.To broaden his studies of sciences and languages
3.To observe political and economic conditions of Germany
4.To associate with famous German scientist and scholars
5.To publish his novel
 Grand Tour in Europe
May 11, 1887 – Rizal and Viola left Berlin for Dresden. They visited Dr. Adolf B. Meyer. While strolling at
the scene of the Floral Exposition, they met Dr. Jagor, and suggested them to meet Blumentritt.
- May 13, 1887 –Rizal and Viola reached Leitmeritz, Bohemia. They met Ferdinand Blumentritt. The two
enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Blumentritt family.
- They also met famous scientist Dr. Carlos Czepelah and another eminent naturalist Robert Klutschak.
- May 17, 1887 – they left Leitmeritz by train on their way to the city of Prague. They carried
recommendation letters of Prof. Blumentritt Dr. Wilhomm, a professor of Natural History in the
University of Prague.
May 19, 1887 – they reached the city of Brunn.
- May 20, 1887 – they arrived at the city of Vienna, Austria. They visited famous interesting scenic places
like churches, museums, art galleries, theatres, public parks, beautiful buildings, and religious images.
They also met Mr. Norfenfoe (European novelist) and Masner and Nordmenn (Austrian scholars).
- May 24, 1887 – they left Vienna, via river boat to see the beautiful sights of the Danube river. The river
voyage ended in Lintz, afterwards they travelled on land to Salzburg and from there Munich. In Munich,
they had a short time savouring the famous Munich beer (best beer in Germany).

From Munich, they went to Nuremberg (oldest city in Germany), were their impressed by the
manufacturer of dolls which was the biggest industry in the city. Afterwards, they went to Ulm
particularly he city cathedral, they enjoyed they view upon reaching the top, even though Viola felt dizzy
and tried.
- All they visit Ulm, they went to Stuttgart, Baden and Rheinfall.
- June 2-3, 1887 – they continued their trip on a boat and reached Basel, Bern, Laussenne, and they cross to
the lake of Geneva.
- June 6, 1887- they reached Geneve, Switzerland. While in Geneva, Rizal received sad news from his
friends in Madrid about the conditions of Igorots, who were exhibited in the 1887 Madrid Exposition,
some of the natives died.
June 19, 1887 – it was 26th birthday, he treated Viola to a blow- out with a sumptuous meal. He also wrote a letter
to Blumentritt regarding Industrial exhibition.
- June 23, 1887 – Rizal and Viola parted ways. They both spent 15 days in Geneva. Viola returned to Barcelona and
Rizal continued his tour to Italy.
- June 24, 1887 – Rizal went to Italy, and visited Turin, Milan, Venice and Florence.
- June 27, 1887 – he reached Rome and visited famous architectural buildings.
- June 29, 1887 – he visited the Vatican City. He has sightseeing and was impressed by the magnificent edifice like
St. Peter‘s Church, the rare works of the art, the vast St. Peter‘s Square, and the colourful Papal Guard. After a week
travel in Rome, he decided to return to the Philippines Mylene Gado
Grand Tour in Europe
May 11, 1887 – Rizal and Viola left Berlin for Dresden. They visited Dr. Adolf B. Meyer. While strolling at
the scene of the Floral Exposition, they met Dr. Jagor, and suggested them to meet Blumentritt.
May 13, 1887 –Rizal and Viola reached Leitmeritz, Bohemia. They met Ferdinand Blumentritt. The two

enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Blumentritt family.

They also met famous scientist Dr. Carlos Czepelah and another eminent naturalist Robert Klutschak.
May 17, 1887 – they left Leitmeritz by train on their way to the city of Prague. They carried recommendation
letters of Prof. Blumentritt Dr. Wilhomm, a professor of Natural History in the University of Prague.
May 19, 1887 – they reached the city of Brunn.
May 20, 1887 – they arrived at the city of Vienna, Austria. They visited famous interesting scenic places like
churches, museums, art galleries, theatres, public parks, beautiful buildings, and religious images. They also
met Mr. Norfenfoe (European novelist) and Masner and Nordmenn (Austrian scholars).
May 24, 1887 – they left Vienna, via river boat to see the beautiful sights of the Danube river. The river
voyage ended in Lintz, afterwards they travelled on land to Salzburg and from there Munich. In Munich,
they had a short time savouring the famous Munich beer (best beer in Germany).
From Munich, they went to Nuremberg (oldest city in Germany), were their impressed by the manufacturer
of dolls which was the biggest industry in the city. Afterwards, they went to Ulm particularly he city
cathedral, they enjoyed they view upon reaching the top, even though Viola felt dizzy and tried.
All they visit Ulm, they went to Stuttgart, Baden and Rheinfall.
June 2-3, 1887 – they continued their trip on a boat and reached Basel, Bern, Laussenne, and they cross to the
lake of Geneva.
June 6, 1887- they reached Geneve, Switzerland. While in Geneva, Rizal received sad news from his friends
in Madrid about the conditions of Igorots, who were exhibited in the 1887 Madrid Exposition, some of the
natives died.
June 19, 1887 – it was 26th birthday, he treated Viola to a blowout with a sumptuous meal. He also wrote a
letter to Blumentritt regarding Industrial exhibition.
June 23, 1887 – Rizal and Viola parted ways. They both spent 15 days in Geneva. Viola returned to
Barcelona and Rizal continued his tour to Italy.
June 24, 1887 – Rizal went to Italy, and visited Turin, Milan, Venice and Florence.
June 27, 1887 – he reached Rome and visited famous architectural buildings.
June 29, 1887 – he visited the Vatican City. He has sightseeing and was impressed by the magnificent edifice
like St. Peter ‘s Church, the rare works of the art, the vast St. Peter‘s Square, and the colourful Papal Guard.
After a week travel in Rome, he decided to return to the Philippines.

Preliminary Examination