Rizal's Life: Higher Education

The Gom-Bur-Za

Before discussing Rizal as a student at Ateneo, let us first address the Gom-Bur-Za, three
Filipino priests executed by the Spanish colonial government in 1872.¹ Their deaths held immense
significance in Philippine history, profoundly influencing the independence movement and Rizal's
personal life. Historian Teodoro Agoncillo noted, “There (was) no Philippine history before 1872.”

Back on January 20, 1872, things took a serious turn among Filipino workers at the Fort
San Felipe arsenal in Cavite when their already modest wages were reduced due to the removal of
some privileges. These perks, such as exemption from taxes and forced labor, had been part of
their deal since as far back as 1740. However, the new Governor-General, Rafael de Izquierdo,
decided to do away with them.

Naturally, the Filipino workers did not take kindly to this. They were really angered by the
governor-general's decision and decided to take action. On the very same evening, they launched
a revolt against the Spanish authorities. This historical event is now known as the Cavite Mutiny.
However, despite their determination, the Spanish authorities held a significant advantage. As a
result, the revolt was brought to an end relatively quickly, lasting only about two days.

As per historian O.D. Corpuz, what came after the Cavite Mutiny can best be described as
the “Terror of 1872.” Filipinos who were involved in the uprising faced significant consequences,
including imprisonment, execution, or expulsion from the country. However, the most chilling part
was the fate of the three priests. Despite the lack of evidence linking them to the revolt, they were
still executed by garrote.

Instead of suppressing the people, this execution had the opposite effect. It sparked anger
and resentment among Filipinos. This incident emphasized that the Spanish authorities were
willing to go to extreme lengths, even killing innocent individuals, to maintain their power.
Furthermore, it was clear that they had no concern for the dignity and rights of the Filipino people.
Paciano Rizal, the brother of José Rizal, was a friend, student, and housemate of Fr. José Burgos.
When Burgos was killed, José Rizal was only a 10-year-old kid. Paciano shared with him the gut-
wrenching story of how his close friend was executed. That tale stuck with young Rizal, leaving
an unforgettable mark on him.

“Without 1872, there would be now neither Plaridel nor Jaena nor Sancianco, nor the valiant and
generous Filipino expatriates in Europe. Without 1872, Rizal would have been a Jesuit, and instead
of writing the Noli Me Tangere, he would have written something entirely different. At the sight
of those injustices and cruelties, though still a child, my imagination awoke, and I swore to dedicate
myself to avenge one day so many victims, and with this idea in mind I have been studying, and
this can be read in all my works and writings. God will someday give me an opportunity to carry
out my promise.”

In tribute to the martyrs, Rizal dedicated his second novel, El Filibusterismo, to their memory.
Ateneo Days

In June 1872, it had been four months since the three priests were brutally killed. Jose
Rizal's mother, Donya Teodora, was still in prison on unproven charges of poisoning. Even with
all the chaos happening, Rizal had to think about his own future. He needed to prepare for high
school.

On June 10th, he and his brother went to Manila. There, Rizal took a test at the College of
San Juan de Letran and passed it. Upon returning to Calamba, Don Kiko, Rizal's father, changed
his mind and decided that Rizal should study at the prestigious Ateneo instead. This was a good
decision because, during the 19th century, Ateneo was known as one of the best universities in the
Philippines for high school education.

Ateneo was managed by the Jesuits, who had strict academic standards and offered courses that
were almost like college-level classes. Ateneo also focused on teaching religion, providing
advanced education, enforcing discipline, promoting physical activities, and encouraging artistic
pursuits such as music, drawing, and painting.

Rizal returned to Manila with his brother Paciano, but he faced obstacles before he could enroll.
Father Magin Ferrando, who was then the College Registrar, initially refused Rizal's admission for
two reasons. First, Rizal was a late registrant, and second, he was very pale, thin, and undersized
for an 11-year-old. However, with the help of Manuel Burgos, nephew of Padre Burgos, he was
accepted into the institution.

Rizal was not able to use Mercado as his surname and was instead registered as Jose Rizal. This is
because his real surname had ring a bell with the authorities due to Paciano Mercado's relation
with Father Burgos.

Why Teaching at Ateneo was Unique

Rizal enrolled in the six-year Bachiller en Artes program at Ateneo, which exposed students to five
subjects:
▪ Christian doctrine;
▪ Languages of Spanish, Latin, Greek and French;
▪ History and Geography (world history and geography, history of Spain and the Philippines;
▪ Mathematics and Sciences (geometry, trigonometry, mineralogy, chemistry, physics,
botany and zoology); and the
▪ Classic disciplines (poetry, rhetoric, and philosophy).

Teaching at Ateneo was unique because classes were divided into two groups that constantly
competed against each other to foster healthy competition. One group, called the Roman Empire,
was comprised of the interns (boarders), while the other, the Carthaginian Empire, consisted of the
externs (non-boarders).

Within each empire, members were also in continuous competition as they vied for the top ranks,
called dignitaries, with Emperor being the highest position, followed by Tribune, Decurion,
Centurion, and Standard-Bearer, respectively.
Reflections
One of the most profound lessons Rizal learned during his time at Ateneo was the immense value
of education. In a poignant poem composed during his studies, he likened education to a guiding
lighthouse, illuminating the path of individuals' behavior and actions.

Rizal firmly believed that education was not merely a personal endeavor but a catalyst for societal
progress. He envisioned a generation of educated youth who could lead their country into a brighter
future, recognizing education as an essential component in nation-building.

Rizal's experience at Ateneo was transformative, leaving an indelible mark on his life and work.
Beyond acquiring scientific skills, he honed his ability to critically express himself in the Spanish
language. Rizal's brilliance as a student, coupled with his athletic prowess and gift for writing,
shaped him into a remarkable individual.

As a fiction writer, nationalist, and medical doctor, Rizal's accomplishments were undeniably
influenced by his solid foundation at Ateneo. The breadth of his achievements would have been
unattainable without the knowledge and skills cultivated during his formative years.

UST Years
After studying at the Ateneo, Jose Rizal enrolled in the University of Santo Tomas (UST),
a Dominican school that was established in 1611.

Donya Teodora, a known advocate for education, surprised her son, Jose Rizal, when she
forbade him from studying at the University of Santo Tomas (UST). In his student memoirs, Rizal
wrote: "I still remember and will never forget that when I was sixteen, my mother told my father,
'Don't send him to Manila any longer. He knows enough; if he gets to know more, they will cut off
his head.' My father did not reply, but my brother took me to Manila despite my mother's tears."⁴¹
In April 1877, nearly sixteen-year-old Jose Rizal took a course of Philosophy and Letters in the
Dominican school. The reason behind this is his father, who wants him to study metaphysics. This
will give him a solid foundation in the liberal arts, which could prepare him for a career in law. At
the same time, he took a course of surveying in Ateneo.

After one year of studying Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas (UST),
Jose Rizal shifted to Medicine. The reason behind this is Rizal's mother, Teodora Alonso, was
going blind from cataracts. Rizal hoped that by studying medicine, he would be able to cure her.
He also wanted to defuse and minimize his growing political interests. He reasoned that being a
doctor was a tedious but respectable profession that would provide him with a good living.
Rizal finished his surveying training in Ateneo in 1877 and passed his licensing examination in
*1878. However, he was underage, so he had to wait 3 years before he could receive his
license/title.

Academic Performance at UST

Rizal's academic performance at UST was not as stellar as it was at Ateneo.⁴⁷ He still earned
mostly high marks, but his grades varied from excellent to fair. One possible reason for this is that
he was not happy during his time at UST. According to historian Gregorio Zaide, there were three
reasons why Jose Rizal was not happy during his time at the University of Santo Tomas (UST):⁴⁸
 1. The Dominican professors were hostile to him.
2. Filipino students suffered discrimination.
3. The method of instruction at UST were obsolete and repressive.

Likewise, historian Leon Ma. Guerrero identified three main reasons for Jose Rizal's struggling
academic performance at the University of Santo Tomas (UST):
1. Rizal was not satisfied with the system of education at the university.
2. There were plenty of things to distract a young man in the peak of his youth.
3. Medicine was not Rizal's true vocation.

Activities at UST
While José Rizal may not have excelled in his studies like in Ateneo, he made a name for
himself in other activities. He was a prolific writer and poet, and he often used his work to express
his patriotism and his belief in the Filipino people.

In one literary contest, he won first prize for his poem "A la Juventud Filipina" (To the
Filipino Youth). In this poem, he boldly declared that the Philippines was the motherland of the
Filipinos, not Spain. He was also sincerely convinced that the Filipinos, despite their misfortunes,
handicaps, and vicissitudes, were capable of greatness.

In another literary contest conducted by the same society, which was open to students and
professionals alike, Rizal won first prize again. The competitors entered the contest using assumed
names. The contest was dedicated to the commemoration of the anniversary of the death of Miguel
de Cervantes, Spain's greatest poet and writer of Don Quixote.

The first prize was awarded to a beautiful allegory called “The Council of the Other Gods.”
But when the Spanish judges learned that its author was a Filipino, they reversed their decision. A
Spaniard was awarded the prize instead.

Activism at UST
Jose Rizal was also active in activism during his time at the University of Santo Tomas
(UST). One of the most common forms of discrimination that Rizal and his fellow Filipino students
faced was being called derogatory names, such as "indio" or "chongo." In retaliation, Rizal and his
friends would sometimes call their Spanish and mestizo classmates "Kastila" or "bangus."

This led to frequent student fights on campus and in the streets of Manila. Rizal was known
for his skill in fencing and wrestling, and he was often victorious in these brawls. On one occasion,
he was even wounded in a fight with Spanish students in Escolta, Manila.

In response to the discrimination and mistreatment that he and his fellow Filipino students
faced, Rizal founded a secret society of Filipino students called "Compañerismo." Rizal was the
president of this society, and his cousin, Galicano Apacible, was the secretary.

Rizal's activism was also expressed in his criticism of the faulty and outmoded system of
education at UST. He condemned the humiliation of Filipino students, who were often insulted by
their Dominican mentors.
 He also criticized the archaic method of instruction at UST. For example, he ridiculed the
teaching of physics, which was taught without any laboratory experiments. Students were not
allowed to touch the laboratory equipment, which was kept in display cabinets. Rizal also believed
that grades were often given based on favoritism and skin color, rather than on academic merit.

Bibliography:
▪ Baylon, Jose Bayani. “Gomburza and History.” Malaya, 2022.
https://malaya.com.ph/news_opinion/gomburza-and-history/.
▪ Capino, Diosdado. “Jose Rizal and His Meaning for Germany.” Internationales Jahrbuch
Für Geschichtsunterricht 8 (1962): 184. https://www.jstor.org/stable/43054787.
▪ Chua, Xiao. “Ang Papel Ni Paciano Rizal Mercado Sa Kasaysayan Ng Pilipinas.” IT’S
XIAOTIME! (blog), 2013. https://xiaochua.net/2013/03/07/xiaotime-7-march-2013-ang-
papel-ni-paciano-rizal-mercado-sa-kasaysayan-ng-pilipinas/.
▪ Cruz, Elfren S. “Rizal +.” Philstar.Com, December 30, 2020.
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2020/12/31/2067234/rizal-.
▪ Cruz-Araneta, Gemma. “Rizal, the Fifth Generation.” Manila Bulletin, 2023.
https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/28/article-680.
▪ Cullum, Leo. “Francisco de Paula Sanchez, 1849-1928.” Philippine Studies 8, no. 2 (1960).
https://www.jstor.org/stable/42720467.
▪ Francia, Luis H. “Let Us Now Praise a Not-so-Famous Man.” Inquirer, 2012.
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/23991/let-us-now-praise-a-not-so-famous-man.
▪ Guerrero, Leon Ma. The First Filipino: A Biography of José Rizal. 5th ed. National
Historical Commission, 1974.
▪ Jose, Regalado Trota. “The Truth about Rizal’s ‘Poor’ Grades in UST.” Inquirer, 2011.
https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/3292/the-truth-about-rizal’s-’poor’-grades-in-ust/.
▪ Jose Rizal University, “Life and Studies at Ateneo,” joserizal.ph, n.d.,
http://www.joserizal.ph/ed02.html.
▪ Mañebog, Jensen. “Jose Rizal: The First Filipino Phenom.” Smashwords, 2013.
▪ Nery, Imelda, and Paul John Sion. The Life and Works of Jose Rizal. 1st ed. JTCA
Publishing, 2019.
▪ Ocampo, Ambeth. “Gomburza: Continuing Inspiration.” Inquirer, 2022.
https://opinion.inquirer.net/150206/gomburza-continuing-inspiration.
▪ Pasigui, Ronnie Espergal, and Danilo Hipolito Cabalu. Jose Rizal: The Man and the Hero:
Chronicles, Legacies, and Controversies. 2nd ed. C&E Publishing, 2014.
▪ Rizal, José and Project Gutenberg. Rizal’s Own Story of His Life, 1918.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/48438/48438-h/48438-h.htm.
▪ The Nostalgic Thomasian. “DID UST HATE RIZAL?” Facebook. Accessed June 19, 2021.
https://www.facebook.com/Nostalgic.UST/photos/pb.100064316966486.-
2207520000/4011144068969396/?type=3.
▪ Zaide, Gregorio, and Sonia Zaide. Jose Rizal : Life, Works, and Writings of a Genius,
Writer, Scientist, and National Hero. 2nd ed. All-Nations, 1999.
Rizal's Life: Life Abroad
Rizal's Departure from the Philippines

On May 3, 1882, Jose Rizal secretly left the Philippines aboard the S.S. Salvadora. Only
his brother Paciano, two sisters, and a few close friends knew about his departure. Rizal knew that
his parents would not approve of his decision to leave, as they feared for his safety.

When Rizal's parents learned of his departure, they were heartbroken. His father, especially,
was devastated. In a letter to Rizal, his brother Paciano wrote:

“When the telegram was received in Calamba, telling us of your departure, our parents
were distracted, but especially our old father, who became silent, stayed in his room and wept, and
refused to be consoled by his family, the priest, or anybody else. I had to go down to Manila, to
find out what means you had succeeded in making the journey to satisfy him, and on my return, I
assured him that your way was paid by some of your friends in Manila, expecting that this would
make him more content; but in spite of everything, I saw that he remained disconsolate.

Seeing this and fearing that his silence might develop into an illness, I told him the whole story,
but to him alone, asking him to keep the secret, which he promised to do; then he seemed to become
a little content and returned to his usual activities… As for your other friends, acquaintances, and
strangers in the community, for many days you were the theme of their conversation; they
conjectured and prophesied, but nobody guessed the truth.”

Paciano did everything he could to ensure that his brother, José, could leave the country
secretly in order to avoid detection by Spanish authorities, especially the friars.

Jose's primary goal in leaving for Europe in 1882 was to complete his education. However,
he also had a secret mission. His secret mission was to observe the lives, cultures, laws, and
governments of the countries in Europe, in preparation for liberating the Philippines from Spain's
tyrannical rule.

Rizal's journey took him through several countries, including Singapore, Sri Lanka, Italy,
and France. He arrived in Barcelona on June 16, 1882, after a month and a half of travel.

What is Propaganda Movement?

The Propaganda movement emerged as a reform and national consciousness movement
among young Filipino expatriates in the late 19th century. The group primarily consisted of
Ilustrados—Filipino intellectuals studying abroad—who had awakened to liberal and nationalistic
ideas.

The early students who participated in the Propaganda Movement came from well-to-do
families, as the expenses of travel and studying abroad were considerable. Upon arriving in Spain
in the 1880s and 1890s, the Filipino students were struck by the newfound liberties they
encountered. They experienced a society where ideas were freely discussed, institutions of church
and state were openly critiqued or attacked, and dogmas of liberty and progress were proclaimed.
 The Propaganda Movement published its own newspaper, La Solidaridad, which saw print
every two weeks. Graciano Lopez Jaena was the first editor, and Marcelo H. del Pilar took over in
late 1889. Del Pilar managed the publication until the newspaper folded due to lack of funds.

The Propaganda Movement was assimilationist, meaning that the propagandists believed
that the Philippines should be fully incorporated into Spain as a Spanish province and not merely
as a colony. They also sought the expulsion of the Spanish friars from the Philippines and the
empowerment of a native Filipino clergy. They also wanted to showcase the writing and artistic
production of the young Filipino elite as a means of demonstrating their intellectual sophistication.

Rizal's Return to the Philippines

Jose Rizal returned to the Philippines in August 1887 after five years of living abroad. He
was greeted by controversy, as the Jesuits at the Ateneo attempted to get him to return to his old
faith. Padre Faura, the priest who had taught Rizal to carve the Sacred Heart of Jesus, told him that
he had made some mistakes in his novel, Noli Me Tangere. However, Rizal stood by his work,
believing that he had told the truth.

The novel had already caused a stir in the Philippines, and the friars were determined to
silence Rizal. They preached sermons against him in church, and wrote pamphlets denouncing him
and his work. Rumors spread that Rizal was a German spy, a mason, and other dangerous things.
As a result, Rizal received death threats on a daily basis.

His family was so worried about him that they made him eat with silver utensils, as it was
believed that poison would react with silver. Rizal's brother, Paciano, accompanied him
everywhere he went, and even their father, Don Francisco, was hesitant to let him leave the house.
A positive result of those attacks, many more Filipinos got to know about Jose.

Nevertheless, Rizal kept himself busy while in Calamba. He established a medical clinic,
and his first patient was his mother (note: it is possible that what he did here is just iridectomy - a
preliminary to cataract extraction). He cured the sick, and soon he was known as an eye specialist
and surgeon. In the town, Rizal was called Doctor Uliman, because he was mistaken for a German.
(Uliman = Aleman = German)

Rizal's Departure from the Philippines (Again)

On August 30, 1887, Rizal left Calamba for Manila to meet with Governor-General Emilio
Terrero, a liberal-minded Spanish official. When Terrero read the novel, he found nothing wrong
with it. However, the Archbishop of Manila, Bernardo Nozaleda, was not so impressed. He
recommended that the importation, reproduction, distribution, and possession of the novel be
stopped.

Terrero, concerned for Rizal's safety, assigned Lieutenant Jose Taviel de Andrade to protect
him. The governor-general also requested that Rizal leave the country, but Rizal refused. He
returned to Calamba, where he continued to write and work for the betterment of his country.
 At about the same time, Governor-General Terrero ordered an investigation into the
Calamba agrarian problems. Governor-General Terrero was concerned about the growing tensions
between the Calamba tenants and the Dominican friars who owned the hacienda in Calamba. The
friars had been increasing the rents on the land, and the tenants were struggling to make ends meet.
Terrero wanted to investigate the situation and see if there was a way to resolve the conflict
peacefully.

Rizal was asked to lead the group of Calamba tenants in the investigation. He presented
this finding to Terrero, which showed that the friars were exploiting the tenants and taking
advantage of their poverty.

▪ The hacienda of the Dominican Order comprised not only the lands around Calamba but
the whole town of Calamba.
▪ There was increased profit for the Dominican order because of the arbitrary increase of the
rentals paid by the tenants.
▪ The hacienda owner never contributed for the celebration of the town fiesta, for education
of the children, and for the improvement of agriculture.
▪ Tenants who spent more labor in clearing the lands were dispossessed of the said lands for
a weak reason.
▪ For delayed payment of rentals, high rates of interest were charged to the tenants.
▪ Work animals, tools, and farm implements of the tenants were confiscated by the hacienda
management if the rentals were not paid by the tenants.

The friars were furious with Rizal's findings. They demanded that Terrero order Rizal to
leave the country. Terrero refused, but he did advise Rizal to leave for his own safety. Rizal's family
and relatives also advised him to leave. After six months in the Philippines, Rizal left for Hong
Kong.

Rizal's Return to the Philippines (Again)

Rizal couldn't stop thinking about the struggles of the tenant farmers in Calamba. During
his time in Hong Kong, Rizal translated The Rights of Man from French to Tagalog, titling it Ang
Mga Karapatan ng Tao.

He also penned two articles: A La Nacion Española (To the Spanish Nation), urging Spain
to address the injustices suffered by the Calamba tenants, and Sa Mga Kababayan (To My
Countrymen), where he expressed his own analysis of the agrarian issue in Calamba.

During his journey to Hongkong from Marseilles, Rizal met William Pryer, who managed
the British North Borneo Company. This company had a lease to oversee North Borneo. When
Rizal heard about Pryer's plans for the British colony, he suggested creating a Filipino colony in
North Borneo for the evicted Calamba tenants. Pryer liked the idea and welcomed Rizal's proposal.

Together with Pryer, Rizal met with the governor of North Borneo to talk about leasing at
least 5,000 acres of land, with an option to buy even more for 950 years.
 But there was a problem – the Calamba tenants couldn't leave the Philippines without
permission from the Spanish Governor-General, Eulogio Despujol. To address this, Rizal wrote to
Despujol asking for permission to change their nationality, sell their property in the Philippines,
and let those facing trouble leave the country.

Despujol got incensed/angry and thought Rizal might use the Filipino colony in North
Borneo to start a revolution against Spain. Instead of replying directly, he asked the Spanish Consul
in Hongkong to invite Rizal back to Manila to discuss the matter.

Rizal's family and friends advised him to decline Despujol's invitation, considering it a
trap. However, Rizal was resolute in his determination to improve the lives of the evicted Calamba
tenants. If meeting Despujol in Manila was necessary to achieve this goal, he was willing to do so.

On June 20, 1892, Rizal wrote a letter to his countrymen explaining his decision to return
to Manila:

“The step which I have taken or which I am about to take is very hazardous, no doubt, and
I need not say that I have thought much about it. I know that almost everybody is against it; but I
know also that almost nobody knows what is going on in my heart. I cannot live knowing that
many are suffering unjust persecutions on my account; I cannot live seeing my brother, sisters, and
their numerous families pursued like criminals; I prefer to face death, and I gladly give my life to
free so many innocents from such unjust persecution.”

Once more, Rizal shall set foot upon the cherished land of the Philippines, where destiny
beckons him to weave his final chapter, immersing himself in its embrace until the final whispers
of mortality claim him.

Bibliography:
▪ Encyclopedia Britannica. “Propaganda Movement,” 2020.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Propaganda-Movement.
▪ “Episode 4: Rizal Abroad” (PODKAS, 2022), https://www.podkas.org/rizal-on-air/rizal-
abroad.
▪ Ladrido, Portia. “This Book Reveals 5 Things You Never Knew about José Rizal.” CNN
Philippines, 2018. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/literature/2018/10/5/jose-
rizal-andersen-tales.html.
▪ Mantle Magazine, https://www.mantlemagazine.com/.
▪ Nery, Imelda, and Paul John Sion. The Life and Works of Jose Rizal. 1st ed. JTCA
Publishing, 2019.
▪ Ocampo, Ambeth. “Rizal and His ‘Bff’: My Finds in Czechoslovakia.” Inquirer, 2017.
https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/261765/rizal-bff-finds-czechoslovakia/.
▪ Pasigui, Ronnie Espergal, and Danilo Hipolito Cabalu. Jose Rizal: The Man and the Hero:
Chronicles, Legacies, and Controversies. 2nd ed. C&E Publishing, 2014.
▪ Philippine-History.org. “La Solidaridad & La Liga Filipina,” n.d. https://www.philippine-
history.org/la-solidaridad.htm.
▪ Ramos, John Ray. Bayani Biographies: Jose Rizal. St. Matthew’s Publishing Corporation,
2018.
▪ Religion and Public Life at Harvard Divinity School. “Propaganda Movement, The,” n.d.
https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/faq/propaganda-movement.
▪ Roces, Alejandro R. “The Art of Rizal.” Philstar, 2010.
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2010/06/26/587431/art-rizal.
▪ Rodis, Rodel. “Why Did Dr. Jose Rizal Return to the Philippines?” Inquirer, 2014.
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/114720/why-did-dr-jose-rizal-to-return-to-manila.
▪ “Seiko Usui: Jose Rizal’s Japanese Girlfriend | OurHappySchool,” n.d.
https://ourhappyschool.com/history/seiko-usui-jose-rizals-japanese-girlfriend-0.
▪ “The ‘Love-and-Hate’ Relationship of Jose Rizal And Marcelo Del Pilar |
OurHappySchool,” n.d. https://ourhappyschool.com/history/love-and-hate-relationship-
jose-rizal-and-marcelo-del-pilar.
▪ Zaide, Gregorio, and Sonia Zaide. Jose Rizal : Life, Works, and Writings of a Genius,
Writer, Scientist, and National Hero. 2nd ed. All-Nations, 1999.