Title: The Women in José

Rizal's Life
1. Segunda Katigbak
• Real Name: Segunda Solis Katigbak
• Nickname: Segunda
• How They Met: Through a mutual
friend, Mariano Katigbak, during
Rizal's student days.
• Where: Lipa, Batangas
• Love Story: Rizal’s first love; they
shared a brief but intense romantic
connection.
• End: Segunda was already engaged
to Manuel Luz, ending their
budding romance.
2. Leonor Valenzuela
• Real Name: Leonor Valenzuela
• Nickname: Orang
• How They Met: While Rizal was
studying in Manila.
• Where: Intramuros, Manila
• Love Story: They exchanged love
letters, and Rizal used invisible ink
made from water and salt.
• End: Their relationship faded as
Rizal focused on his studies and
other pursuits.
3. Leonor Rivera
• Real Name: Leonor Rivera y Bauzon
• Nickname: Leonor
• How They Met: Childhood
sweethearts and cousins, met while
Rizal was studying in Manila.
• Where: Camiling, Tarlac
• Love Story: Maintained a long-
distance relationship through letters
for over a decade; she inspired Maria
Clara in Rizal's novels.
• End: Family opposition and Leonor's
arranged marriage to Charles Henry
Kipping.
4. Consuelo Ortiga y Perez
• Real Name: Consuelo Ortiga y Perez
• Nickname: Consuelo
• How They Met: During Rizal's stay
in Madrid; she was the daughter of
Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey.
• Where: Madrid, Spain
• Love Story: Consuelo admired
Rizal’s intellect and charm; he wrote
her a poem, “A La Señorita C.O. y
R.”
• End: Rizal distanced himself due to
his friendship with Eduardo de Lete,
who also loved Consuelo.
5. O-Sei-San (Seiko Usui)
• Real Name: Seiko Usui
• Nickname: O-Sei-San
• How They Met: During Rizal's stay
in Japan; she was his interpreter
and guide.
• Where: Tokyo, Japan
• Love Story: They shared a deep
connection, exploring Japanese
culture together.
• End: Rizal left Japan to continue his
mission.
6. Gertrude Beckett
• Real Name: Gertrude Beckett
• Nickname: Gettie
• How They Met: While lodging with
the Beckett family during his stay in
London.
• Where: London, England
• Love Story: Gertrude admired
Rizal’s artistic talents; they
developed a close friendship.
• End: Rizal chose not to pursue a
deeper relationship due to his
political focus.
7. Suzanne Jacoby
• Real Name: Suzanne Jacoby
• Nickname: Suzanne
• How They Met: While staying at
the house of her aunt in Belgium.
• Where: Brussels, Belgium
• Love Story: They shared a brief,
passionate affair; Suzanne was
deeply enamored with Rizal.
• End: Rizal left Belgium, ending
their relationship.
8. Nelly Boustead
• Real Name: Nelly Boustead
• Nickname: Nelly
• How They Met: While Rizal was in
France; part of the expatriate
Filipino community.
• Where: Biarritz, France
• Love Story: They had a deep
connection; Nelly was open to
converting to Catholicism to marry
Rizal.
• End: Religious differences and
Rizal’s dedication to his cause.
9. Josephine Bracken
• Real Name: Marie Josephine
Leopoldine Bracken
• Nickname: Josephine
• How They Met: While Rizal was in
exile in Dapitan; she accompanied
her blind stepfather for treatment.
• Where: Dapitan, Philippines
• Love Story: They fell in love and
lived together as partners; she
bore him a stillborn son.
• End: Rizal's execution ended their
relationship; Josephine remained
devoted to his memory.
Conclusion
• These women played significant roles in José Rizal’s life, offering him
love and inspiration. Their stories highlight the personal sacrifices
Rizal made for his country's freedom.