BICOL UNIVERSITY

GUBAT CAMPUS
Gubat, Sorsogon

GEC 19
Life and Works of
ISO 9001:2015
TÜV Rheinland ID 910863351

Rizal
At the end of these week, the
students should be able to:
Rizal's Life: Higher
 Explain the principle
of assimilation
Education and Life
advocated by the
Propaganda
Abroad
Movement
 Appraise Rizal's
relationship with other
Propagandists An Overview
 Analyze Rizal's
growth as a
Jhis chapter deals with an analysis and
Propagandist and evaluation of Jose Rizal's life: his quest for higher
disavowal of education and struggles and challenges in his life
assimilation. abroad. He was not only busy academically but
he spent much of his time in self-improvement via
self-education. In his spare time, he also learned
sculpture, painting, languages and kept up with
the latest research in philosophy and science. It
will also examine the contributions of Rizal as the
leader of the propaganda movement that
awakened the Filipino people from the abuses of
the Spanish colonizers.an unwavering campaign
for political and social freedoms. In this module,
students are initiated to a reflective study about
the aspects of Rizal’s life, a genius with many
talents and most importantly his good traits and
virtues that are worthy to be emulated.
Life and Works of Rizal

14
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 Life and Works of Rizal
ATENEO (1872-
1873) • Rizal‘s
first professor in
Ateneo was Fr.

14
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
Life and Works of Rizal
Spanish
Literature and
the Academy of
Natural
Sciences. He

14
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 Life and Works of Rizal

UNIVERSITY OF
STO. TOMAS
(1877- 1882)

14
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 Life and Works of Rizal
studies in Spain.
SECRET
MISSION IN
SPAIN • to

14
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 Life and Works of Rizal
made some
observations:

Laennec

14
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 “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 Life and Works of Rizal
flowers blooling
along its banks
reminded him
of how dearly he

14
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 Life and Works of Rizal
Verkunst
(Tagalog
Metrical Art)-
Rizal wrote this

14
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
Life and Works of Rizal
eyes; b) To
defend his
oppressed
countrymen
more effectively

14
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
Life and Works of Rizal
back to Europe.
His plan was to
return to Europe
via Hong Kong,
Macao, Japan

14
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
Life and Works of Rizal
their ship come
from. Rizal and
other first class
passenger of the
ship were

14
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 Life and Works of Rizal
his novel. • In
London, Rizal
received both
good news and

14
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 his views
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.
Life and Works of Rizal
MISFORTUNES
IN MADRID
(1890-1891) •
August, 1890,
Rizal arrived in

14
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
Life and Works of Rizal
the Propaganda
Movement, Rizal
ceased writing
articles for La
Solidaridad.

14
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) b) c) d)

Rizal need to work on his book ; He wanted other Filipinos to work also; Rizal
considered it very important to the party that there be unity in the work ; 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 Life and Works of Rizal
practiced his
medical career.
With the help of
his friend, Dr

14
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.

TOPIC 9- RIZAL’S GREAT LOVES

1) Second Love: Leonor Valenzuela (1878) Leonor “Orang” Valenzuela, Rizal’s

second object of affection, is literally the girl-next-door. They met when Rizal was a
sophomore medical student at the University of Santo Tomas, during which time
he also lived at Doña Concha Leyva’s boarding house in Intramuros, Manila. Orang,
who was then 14 years old, was his neighbour. During the courtship, Rizal was said
to have sent Leonor private and secret love letters, which he wrote using invisible
ink made with water and salt—he was adept in chemistry, too. To read the letters,
Orang had to heat the letter over a candle or a lamp. Rizal also frequented the
Valenzuelas’ home, which was a hang out place of the students in the area. There
are, however, documents that may serve as proof that Rizal’s efforts were not
effective. Some accounts say he was courting Leonor Valenzuela and his second
cousin Leonor Rivera at the same time—thus the need for invisible letters. (Still, we
need to appreciate the effort that went with it.) Rivera apparently knew of this and
gave way to Rivera’s attraction for Rizal. When Rizal left for Spain in 1882, it was
said that he did say goodbye to Orang, but kept in touch with the help of Rizal’s
close friend,
Life and Works of Rizal
Jose
“Chenggoy”
Cecilio.

2) Third Love:

14
Leonor Rivera, Age 15, 1890)
(1878-Jose Rizal was never the preferred choice of Leonor Rivera’s mother, who
confiscated all the correspondences between Leonor and Rizal till it frittered down
to zero. Rizal was 18 going on 21 and was devoted to Leonor. But he was just then
opening his eyes to Europe’s Enlightenment, where the women were pleasing and
the men were gallant. Rizal really was in love with Leonor Rivera. He even invented
a coded alphabet so that they could write sweet nothings to each other. But soon,
Leonor faded in memory. Why? Because in Europe, Rizal conveniently romanced
other girls and forgot he was engaged to her. Eventually the Leonor Rivera-Rizal
engagement did not survive the long-distance romance. In the end, it turned into
an idealized one (reflected as Maria Clara in Rizal’s novel, Noli me Tangere), a
painful love match doomed to fail from the very start. Yes, count this one as real
love. As an engaged couple, they showed real affection for each other while it
lasted.

3) Fourth Love: Consuelo Ortiga Y Reyes, (1884)

In Madrid, Rizal courted Consuelo Ortiga, age 18, the daughter of Señor Pablo
Ortiga y Rey, who was once mayor of Manila and who owned the apartment where
the Circulo Hispano Filipino met regularly. Rizal, age 23, was then acquiring and
developing his charming ways with women. He treated them with special
consideration and with gallant courteousness. All the young Filipino expatriates
courted Consuelo, and she in turn encouraged every one including José Rizal,
Eduardo Lete, the Paterno brothers (Pedro, Antonino, Maximiano), Julio Llorente,
Evangelista, Evaristo Esguerra, Fernando Canon and others. Rizal gave Consuelo
gifts: sinamay cloth, embroidered piña handkerchiefs, chinelas (slippers) -- all
ordered through his sisters in Calamba (see his letters). Consuelo accepted all the
swains’ regalos but played Eduardo Lete against Rizal. She finally rejected Rizal’s
attention in favor of Eduardo’s, a Filipino Spanish mestizo from Leyte who, a year
later, dumped her. Two-timing Consuelo didn't really catch Rizal's true fancy
except that he impulsively joined the crowd.

4) Fifth Love: O Sei-San, Age 22, The Samurai’s Daughter (1888)

Rizal had fallen in love not only with the view of Japan but more to its women,
particularly with the 23year old Seiko Usui. Rizal affectionately called her OSei-San.
Rizal was attracted by her regal loveliness and charm. Rizal saw in her the qualities
of his ideal womanhood—beauty, charm, modesty and intelligence. Rizal was
almost tempted to settle in Japan with O-SeiSan. Although, she was very dear to
him, his love for his country and fellow Filipinos was greater. Sacrificing his
personal happiness, Rizal had to carry on his libertarian mission in Europe, leaving
behind the lovely O-Sei-San. “O Sei San, sayonara, sayonara! …. No woman like you
has ever loved me. … Like the flower of the chodji that falls from the stem whole
and fresh without stripping leaves or withering... you have not lost your purity nor
have the delicate petals of your innocence faded--sayonara, sayonara.” Rizal.

5) Sixth Love: Gertrude Beckett, Age 19, (1886) In May 1888 Rizal visited London for
a short time,
Life and Works of Rizal
boarding the
house of the
Beckett family:
Mr. & Mrs.
Beckett, their

14
two sons, and their four daughters. The eldest daughter was named Gertrude.She
was a buxom young lady with blue eyes and brown hair. She fell in love with Rizal
and gave him all of her attention during the family picnics and gatherings. When
Rizal stayed indoors during rainy days painting and sculpting, she helped him mix
his colors and prepare his clay. Rizal enjoyed her company. Eventually their
flirtatious friendship drifted towards a blossoming romance. He affectionately
called her "Gettie," and in return she called him "Pettie."Rizal withdrew before his
relationship with Gettie could become more serious, realizing that he had a
greater mission to fulfill and that in order to accomplish it he could not yield to the
option of marrying her. He suppressed the yearnings of his heart and decided to
leave so that the lady may forget him. Before he did, however, he finished a
number of sculptural works, one of which was a carving of the heads of the
Beckett sisters.

6) Seventh Love: Suzanne Jacoby (1890) On January 28, 1890, Rizal left for
Brussels, Belgium. He stayed for a considerable time, paying for room and board.
His landladies had a pretty niece named Petite Suzanne Jacoby. She was taken by
Rizal's charm and gallantry, and provided him good company. Rizal could have
flirted with the lady, considering that his beloved Leonor was far away and he was
a lonely man in a strange and foreign land, but he realized he could not deceive
her. Suzanne fell in love with Rizal, and wept when he left for Madrid in July 1890.
She wrote to him in French: "Where are you now? Do you think of me once in a
while? I am reminded of our tender conversations, reading your letter, although it
is cold and indifferent. Here in your letter I have something which makes up for
your absence. How pleased I would be to follow you, to travel with you who are
always in my thoughts. You wish me all kinds of luck, but forget that in the
absence of a beloved one a tender heart cannot feel happy. A thousand things
serve to distract your mind, my friend; but in my case, I am sad, lonely, always
alone with my thoughts -- nothing, absolutely nothing relieves my sorrow. Are you
coming back? That's what I want and desire most ardently -- you cannot refuse
me. I do not despair and I limit myself to murmuring against time which runs so
fast when it carries us toward a separation, but goes so slowly when it's bringing
us together again. I feel very unhappy thinking that perhaps I might never see you
again. Goodbye! You know with one word you can make me very happy. Aren't you
going to write to me?"

7) Eight Love: Nellie Boustead (1891) In 1891, Rizal took a vacation in Biarritz in
order to find reprieve from his troubles in Madrid. He was a guest of the Boustead
family in their winter residence, Villa Eliada. Mr. and Mrs. Boustead had two
beautiful daughters, Adelina and Nellie. After having lamented his frustrated
romance with Leonor Rivera on account of the lady's engagement to another
man, Rizal came to develop considerable affection for Nellie, the prettier and
younger daughter of Mr. Eduardo Boustead. He found her to be intelligent, morally
upright, and full of life. Rizal wrote to his closest friends about his intention to
marry her. Rizal's friends were delighted to hear that he had found a suitable girl
whom he at last wished to settle down with. Even Antonio Luna, who had
previously loved
Life and Works of Rizal
Nellie,
encouraged
Rizal to court
her and ask for
her hand in

14
marriage. With all the encouragement from the friends he held dear, Rizal wooed
Nellie (also called Nelly) who, in turn, returned his affections. Rizal's marriage
proposal failed for two reasons: first, Nellie demanded that he give up his Catholic
faith and convert to Protestantism, which was her religion. Rizal did not like this
idea. Second, Nelly's mother did not approve of Rizal, as she had no desire to
entrust her daughter to a man who was wanting in wealth and persecuted in his
own country. In spite of the circumstances, Rizal and Nellie parted as good friends.

Teaching and Learning Activities The students will answer the following study
guides for their Reflection Paper.

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

A. How was Jose Rizal able to enrol at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila?

B. Describe the physical characteristics of Rizal at that time?

C. What was the system of education given by the Jesuits?

D. Was Rizal already a perfect student when it comes to his studies? Explain your
answer.

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

A. Why did Rizal’s mother opposes his desire to study for a higher education?

B. What prompted Rizal to study medicine? Did he take it seriously?

C. How did Rizal show his talent in literary works?

D. Why was Rizal unhappy at UST? Explain your answer.

TOPIC 3- IN SPAIN 1882-1885

A. What is the secret mission of Rizal in going to Spain? Is this mission important?
Justify your answer.

B. What organizations did Rizal join in Spain?

C. Identify the accomplishments of Rizal in Spain. How was he able to accomplish

it? Explain your answer?

D. Did Rizal excelled and finished his studies? Justify your answer?

Life and Works of Rizal

TOPIC 4-
CONTINUED
STAY IN

14
EUROPE 1885-1887

A. What are the places that he visited in Europe? What were his impressions about
these cities and what did he learned about their culture? What did he
accomplished in visiting these cities?

B. How does Rizal spend his free time in Europe? Are these other activities
important? Justify your answer.

C. Make a comparison of the customs of Filipino women and German women

during the time of Rizal. What have you learned? Explain your answer.

TOPIC 5- FIRST RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES 1887-1888

A. What were the reasons of Rizal returning to the Philippines? Did he

accomplished his agenda? Explain your answer?

B. What are the controversies about his novel Noli Me Tangere? Did these affect
his stay in the Philippines? Justify your answer.

C. Why did he fail to see Leonor Rivera? Explain your answer.

TOPIC 6- TRAVELS IN ASIA ( HONG KONG, MACAU AND JAPAN) AND THE U.S.

A. What are the places that he visited in Asia? What were his impressions about
these cities and what did he learned about their culture?

B. What did he accomplished in visiting these cities?

TOPIC 7- REFORMIST WORKS IN EUROPE (1889-1891)

A. What are two the greatest achievement of Rizal when he went back to Europe?
Explain its importance to the lives of the Filipino people.

B. What are the goals of La Solidaridad? What are the contributions of Rizal to this
organization?

C. What are the misfortunes of Rizal when he was in Madrid? How these did
affected him?

D. What is the importance of the Propaganda Movement? What are the

accomplishments of this movement? Was it successful? Explain your answer.

E. Explain the Rizal- Del Pilar rivalry. Do you agree with the decision of Rizal not to
accept the appointment as president and retire from the propaganda movement?
Explain your answer.

F. Was Rizal able Life and Works of Rizal

to accomplish
his secret
mission in

14
Europe? Justify your answer.

TOPIC 8- BACK IN HONGKONG

A. Explain the reasons why Rizal leave Europe and went to Hong Kong?

B. What is the Borneo Colonization Project? What is the goal of this project?

C. Why did Rizal wanted to go back to the Philippines? Explain your answer.

TOPIC 9

A. Describe the personality of the women that Rizal had relations with?

B. Among the women that Rizal had relations with, who do you think deserves his
love? Why?

C. Explain the reasons why Rizal’s relationship with these women were not
successful?

__________________________________________________________________________________

Recommended learning materials and resources for supplementary reading

a) RIZAL AT ATENEO - https://www.ateneo.edu/grade-school/news/looking-back-

rizal%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 issues.html- http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/p/rare-

f) RIZAL AND THE PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT1)

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

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http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/2012/02/rizals-romances.html

8. Assessment Task

a) Written Document Analysis Worksheet

https://www.archives.gov/files/education/lessons/worksheets/written_document_a
nalysi s_worksheet_former.pdf

9. 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

References / Websites:
https://pdfcoffee.com/topic-4-rizals-life-higher-education-and-life-abroad-pdf-free.html

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