SEGUNDA KATIGBAK

Jose Rizal's first love is Segunda Katigbak. Rizal was linked to numerous women in
his day, but the first love he ever had, according to his diary Memorias de un Estudiante
de Manila, was Segunda Katigbak. He details his feelings for her and documents their
correspondence, which is something many of us can relate with. Rizal met Segunda
Katigbak, a 14 years old charming girl from Lipa, Batangas and sister of his college
friend Mariano Katigbak. Rizal first saw her in his grandmother’s house during one of his
visits in Trozo. He had heard that she was already engaged, yet he found himself drawn
to her provocative smile and alluring presence.

During Thursdays and Sundays, Rizal would visit the Colegio de Concordia, where
Segunda and his sister Olympia boarded. He would ask to see his sister although he
really wanted to see Segunda. Little by little, Rizal began to drink “the sweetest poison
of love”. Her engagement to Manuel Luz, led Rizal to relinquish his feelings and felt
constraint to speak of love. Rizal sought the company of a local belle, the mysterious
“Bb L” in order to forget the “Rose of Lipa”.