Relationship of Rizal with Other Compatriots

As Europe was liberal, Filipinos who settled in Europe back in 1872 to 1892
were starting to become more nationally conscious, and the ilustrados who were
studying in Europe established the Propaganda Movement (Life and Works of Rizal,
n.d.). The following are some of the notable relationships of Rizal with other
Propagandistas.

1. Antonio Luna (Taga-Ilog)

 Wrote “Impressions,” which was published at La Solidaridad and

discussed Spanish unique traditions and customs.
 Managed the paper La Independencia
 In 1889, Antonio Luna was attacked by a Spanish writer, Pablo Mir
Deas, in the newspaper named “El Pueblo Soberano.” To defend
his friend, Jose Rizal wrote “Inconsequencias” (Inconsequences),
which was published on November 30, 1889 (Jose Rizal's
Relations, 2014).
 A year later, however, at a party organized by Filipinos in Madrid,
Antonio Luna, intoxicated during the party, made negative
comments about Nellie Boustead, the woman he was courting.
However, it was rumored that she was infatuated with Rizal. Jose
Rizal, who was not in a good mood at that time, challenged Antonio
Luna to a duel (Jose Rizal's Relations, 2014).

2. Mariano Ponce (Naning, Kalipulako, Tikbalang)

 With the feeling of patriotism, Ponce quit studying and joined the
Filipino movement in Spain. Along with Lopez-Jaena, he founded
the "La Solidaridad," where he was the secretary and became head
of the Literary Section of the Asociacion Hispano-Filipina (Jose
Rizal’s Relations, 2014).
 Ponce willingly helped Rizal in the distribution of Noli Me Tangere.
 Ponce's influence and wise move resulted in Rizal becoming the
"legal" Responsible. However, Rizal eventually decided to
surrender his leadership politely and leave Madrid.
 “Mariano Ponce was the one who gave the title ‘Mi Ultimo
Pensamiento’ (My Last Thought) to the last and most celebrated,
but originally untitled, poem of his dear friend Jose Rizal.” (Jose
Rizal’s Relations, 2014, para. 30). However, at present, the poem is
conventionally referred to as “Mi Ultimo Adios.”

3. Graciano Lopez-Jaena

 He founded the fortnightly patriotic newspaper named La

Solidaridad, of which he became the first editor.
  An American ambassador in Madrid offered him to be the editor of
a Spanish paper based in New York in 1888. However, Jaena
declined the offer and said, "My brain and my pen belong to the
Philippines and not to any foreign country" (Jose Rizal's Relations,
2014).

4. Jose Alejandrino

 As a member of the Propaganda Movement in Europe, Alejandrino

became an editorial staff of the La Solidaridad and supported Rizal
during the Pilaristas-Rizalistas rivalry (Jose Rizal’s Relations,
2014).
 Since Alejandrino and Rizal were roommates in Belgium, he
canvassed the printing presses for El Filibusterismo. He went to
Ghent to deliver the revisions to F. Meyer van Loo, the publisher
(Jose Rizal's Relations, 2014).
 For his help, Jose Rizal gave Alejandrino the corrected proofs of
the El Filibusterismo and the pen he used for the corrections which
were unfortunately destroyed or lost during the revolution.
Alejandrino likely is one of the first people to read the novel as he
helped Rizal in correcting the novel (Jose Rizal's Relations, 2014).

Selected Works of Rizal as a Propagandista

1. To the Young Women of Malolos – This work was addressed

to Filipino women. This letter reflects his inheritance and issues reminders to
Filipino women. In his letter, he addressed all kinds of Filipino women, including
mothers, wives, and even single women. Throughout this literary piece, he
highlighted the qualities Filipino mothers should possess, the duties of wives to
their husbands and children, and a counsel on how young women should choose
their life partners. The idea behind this letter was sparked after he was
impressed by the women of Malolos who won the battle they fought. Rizal
advised women to educate themselves, protect their dignity and honor, and live
with good manners, thereby setting themselves up as role models.

2. Kundiman – He wrote a kundiman to profess his intense love for his motherland.
This piece reflected his high hopes that the Philippines would someday be free
from treachery and injustice. At the time, the country faced considerable threats
while he was in Europe. Through this work, he voiced his hopeful thoughts
despite being far away from the country.

3. Junto al Pasig – In response to the Jesuits' request, Rizal wrote this one-act
play in Spanish for the velada, a gala variety program during the principal feast
days. The play centered around Leonido, a young Filipino with a strong faith in
the Virgin, and the Diwata/Satan, symbolizing Spanish oppression towards
 Filipinos.

4. Noli Me Tangere – One of the most sought-after books in Philippine

literature until today is Rizal's famous novel, Noli Me Tángere (Touch Me Not).
To expose the issues that occurred in Philippine society during the Spanish
colonial era, Jose Rizal wrote Noli Me Tangere due to his love for his country
(The 8 Most Important, 2018).

5. El Filibusterismo – As a sequel to Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo (The

Reign of Greed), which had a darker theme contrary to Rizal's first novel,
depicted the issues of the country and the protagonist's attempt for reform (The 8
Most Important, 2018).

6. Mi Ultimo Adios – During his final days in Fort Santiago of Manila, Rizal bid
farewell to his motherland and fellow citizens through letters. Mi Ultimo Adiós, or
My Last Farewell, is one of Rizal's few last works.

Notable Quotes from Rizal

 “One only dies once, and if one does not die well, a good
opportunity is lost and will not present itself again.” (Jose Rizal: No
One Blames, n.d.)
 “I wish to show those who deny us patriotism that we know how to
die for our country and convictions.” (I Wish to Show Those, n.d.)
 "He who does not know how to look back at where he came from
will never reach his destination."
 “The youth is the hope of our future.” (Jose Rizal: No One Blames,
n.d.)
 “Filipinos don't realize that victory is the child of struggle, that joy
blossoms from suffering, and redemption is a product of
sacrifice.” (Jose Rizal, n.d.)
 “To live is to be among men, and to be among men is to struggle, a
struggle not only with them but with oneself; with their passions, but
also with one's own.” (I Wish to Show Those, n.d.)
 “No good water comes from a muddy spring. No sweet fruit comes
from a bitter seed.” (Dr. Jose P. Rizal, n.d.)
 “On this battlefield, man has no better weapon than his intelligence,
no other force but his heart.” (Jose Rizal: No One Blames, n.d.)
 “He who would love much also has much to suffer.” (Jose Rizal: No
One Blames, n.d.)
 “That when we know how to sacrifice ourselves for our duties and
convictions, death does not matter if one dies for those one loves –
for his country and for others dear to him.” (Jose Rizal: No One
Blames, n.d.)
 “No one blames a pilot who takes refuge in port when the storm
begins to blow. It is not cowardice to duck under a bullet; what is
 wrong is to defy it only to fall and never rise again.” (Jose Rizal: No
One Blames, n.d.)
 “The tyranny of some is possible only through the cowardice of
others.” (Jose Rizal: No One Blames, n.d.)

Why Rizal Left the La Solidaridad

When 1890 was about to end, an unwanted rivalry between Rizal and Del Pilar
arose. When Del Pilar became the owner and editor of La Solidaridad, replacing
Graciano Lopez-Jaena, policies and management were often different from what Rizal
envisioned. In addition, Rizal and his colleagues expressed disagreement with the
periodical’s policy as it often contrasted with Rizal’s political views (Cabalen & Autor,
2018).

On New Year's Day in 1891, around 90 Filipinos in Madrid gathered to

strengthen their unity (Calcaben & Autor, 2018). In the gathering, the group agreed that
a leader called “Responsable" should be elected to administer the campaigns for the
reform of the Filipinos.

Rizal won the election; however, his votes needed to meet the required two-
thirds for him to be declared Responsable. On the second day, he won again; however,
he did not reach the two-thirds for a second time. Mariano Ponce, on the third day,
urged some Pilaristas to surrender their vote to the majority, which resulted in Rizal
winning the election (Our Happy School, 2013). However, Rizal courteously declined
the position. He knew several "Pilaristas" did not like his views or personality. Thus,
Jose Rizal, a man of delicadeza, decided to surrender his leadership and leave Madrid,
lest his presence results in a serious faction among Filipinos in Madrid.

When Rizal was inactive in the Propaganda Movement, he also ceased

contributing to La Solidaridad. Del Pilar realized the importance of Rizal's involvement in
the campaigns. Therefore, on August 7, 1891, Del Pilar wrote a letter to Rizal stating, "If
you have any resentment, I beg you to put it aside; if you consider me at fault, and this
fault is pardonable, forgive me… We would much like you to resume writing for it; not
only would we strengthen La Solidaridad, but we would defeat the friar intrigue in the
Philippines” (Our Happy School, 2013, para. 19).

Rizal replied by denying any resentment and listing his reasons for ceasing his
contribution to La Solidaridad. He mentioned, "If I stopped writing for La Solidaridad, it
was because of several reasons: 1st, I needed time to work on my book; 2nd, I wanted
other Filipinos to work also; 3rd, I considered it very important to the party that there be
unity in work; and you are already at the top, and I also have my own ideas, it is better
to leave you alone to direct the policy such as you understand it and I do not meddle in
it. This has two advantages: It leaves us free and increases our prestige, which is
necessary since men of prestige are needed in our country. This does not mean to say
that I need not work and follow the course of your work. I am like an army corps who, at
a needed moment, you will see arrive to descend upon the flanks of the enemy before
you. Only I ask God to give me the means to do it… I fight for the nation, the
Philippines." (Our Happy School, 2013, para. 22)