RIZAL (PRELIMS)

WESTERN IMPERIALISM
RIZAL AND HIS TIMES
ENGLAND
FEBRUARY 19, 1861  world’s leading imperialist power
 Liberal CZAR ALEXANDER II (1855-1881) issued  by QUEEN VICTORIA (1837-1901)
a proclamation emancipating 22, 500,000 serfs to  “BRITANNIA RULES THE WAVES”
appease the rising discontent of Russian masses  Won the FIRST OPIUM WAR (1840-1842) against
Chinese Empire under Manchu Dynasty
JUNE 1, 1861  Acquired the land of Hong Kong (Fragrant Harbor)
 Rage of the American Civil War (1861-65) in US  Won the SECOND OPIUM WAR (1856-1860)
over the issue of Negro Slavery  Forced Manchu dynasty to cede the KOWLOON
PENINSULA opposite Hong Kong
NEGRO SLAVERY  1859, after suppressing Indian Rebellion and
 Titanic conflict dismantling the Mogul Empire, she imposed her
 Erupted in April 12, 1861 RAJ (rule) over the SUBCONTINENT OF INDIA
 Compelled Pres. Lincoln to issue Emancipation (consists of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh)
Proclamation on September 22, 1863 freeing  By winning the THREE ANGLO-BURMESE WARS
Negro Slaves (1824-26, 1852, and 1885) she conquered BURMA

BENITO JUAREZ OTHER BRITISH COLONIES

 Full-blooded Zapotec Indian  CEYLON (Sri Lanka)
 President of Mexico in June 1, 1861  MALDIVES
 ADEN
APRIL 1862…  MALAYA
 SINGAPORE
NAPOLEON III of the Second French Empire  EGYPT
 Sent French troops to invade and conquer Mexico  AUSTRALIA
 Installed ARCHDUKE MAXIMILLIAN OF  NEW ZEALAND
AUSTRIA
-puppet emperor of Mexico (June 1858-1863…
12, 1864)
-executed on June 19, 1867 FRANCE
 Conquered Vietnam
BATTLE OF QUERETARO (May 15, 1867)
 Annexed Cambodia (1863) and Laos (1893)
 Juarez defeated Maximillian’s French forces
 Merged these countries into a federated colony
and called the FRENCH INDOCHINA
ITALY AND GERMANY
- The DUTCH named it the
 European nations who succeeded in unifying their NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES
own nations (INDONESIA)
ITALY
 Under the leadership of COUNT CAVOUR and of
GARIBALDI and his army of RED SHIRTS CZARIST RUSSIA
 Kingdom of Italy under KING VICTOR EMMANUEL  Conquered Siberia and occupied Kamchatka,
 ROME as capital city Kuriles and Alaska (sold to US for $7,200,000 in
1867)
GERMANY  Conquered Muslim Khanates of Bokhara
 Led by Otto von Bismarck (Iron Chancellor)  MANCHURIA (SPHERE OF INFLUENCE)
 Defeated France in Franco-Prussian war
 Established German Empire on January 18, 1871 COMMODORE MATTHEW C. PERRY
 KING WILHELM OF PRUSSIA as first KAISER of  Commanded American squadron to reopen Japan
the German Empire to the world(ended Japan’s 214-year isolation)
 EMPEROR MEIJI (MUTSUHITO) – modernized the
THIRD FRENCH REPUBLIC country by accepting western influences
 Led by President ADOLPH THIERS
GERMANY
 Became a sovereign state in January 1871
THE PHILIPPINES OF RIZAL’S TIMES

EVILS OF SPANISH RULE: 3. PHILIPPINE REPRESENTATION IN SPANISH

CORTES
1. INSTABILITY OF COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION  CORTES (Spanish Parliament)
 Philippines was ruled by 50 governors general  Philippine’s first period of representation in the
each serving an average term of only one year and Cortes from 1810-1813
three months  VENTURA DE LOS REYES – first Philippine
 1850, a Spanish Jurist, who was appointed OIDOR delegate
(MAGISTRATE) of the Royal Audiencia of Manila, - Took active part in framing the
and took the longer route via Cape of Good Hope Constitution of 1812 (Spanish’s first
 New Jurist traveled faster via ISTHMUS OF SUEZ democratic consititution)
- One of its 184 signers
2. CORRUPT COLONIAL OFFICIALS - Abolished the galleon trade
 GENERAL RAFAEL DE IZQUIERDO (1871-73) – a  The Second period(1820-23) and the Third period
boastful and ruthless governor general, executed (1834-37) of representatives were less fruitful
Gom-Bur-Za “the Martyrs of 1872”  The representation of the overseas colonies in the
 ADMIRAL JOSE MALCAMPO (1874-77) – a good Spanish Cortes was abolished in 1837
Moro fighter, but inept and weak administrator  Spain ignored the fervent plea of Lopez Jaena for
 GENERAL FERNANDO PRIMO DE RIVERA – the restoration of Philippine representation in the
governor general for two terms (1880-83 and Cortes
1897-98) and enriched himself by accepting  Jose Rizal, M.H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena and
bribes from gambling casinos in Manila other patriotrs launched the PROPAGANDA
 GENERAL VALERIANO WEYLER (1888-91) – a MOVEMENT, which paved way for the Philippine
cruel and corrupt governor general of Hispanic- Revolution of 1896
German ancestry
- Arrived in Manila a poor man and 4. HUMAN RIGHTS DENIED TO FILIPINOS
returned to Spain a millionaire  Filipinos were denied the rights the people of
- Received huge gifts from his wife Spain enjoyed such as:
from wealthy Chinese - Freedom of speech
- Filipinos called him TYRANT because - Freedom of the press
he brutally persecuted the tenants of - Freedom of association
Calamba including Rizal’s family  SINIBALDO DE MAS – Spanish diplomat who
- CUBANS called him “THE BUTCHER” lamented the inconsistency of human rights or
because of his ruthless constitutional liberties
reconcentration policy in 1896
causing the death of thousands of 5. NO EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW
Cubans  Spanish missionaries taught that all men are
 GENERAL CAMILO DE POLAVIEJA (1896-97) – children of God and as such they are brothers,
an able militarist but heartless governor general equal before God.
- Detested by Filipinos for executing  However, Spanish colonial authorities did not
Dr. Rizal implement Christ’s percept of the brotherhood of
all men under the fatherhood of God
 TOMAS DE COMYN – Spanish writer and  Brown-skinned Filipinos are regarded as inferior
government official, bewailed the obnoxious fact beings
that:  To them, brown Filipinos and white Spaniards
- Ignorant barbers and lackeys were may be equal before God but not before the law
appointed provincial governors  LEYES DE INDIAS (LAW OF THE INDIES) –
- Rough sailors and soldiers were promulgated by Christian monarchs to protect the
named district magistrates and rights of the natives in Spain’s overseas colonies
commanders  Spanish Penal Code – imposed heavier penalties
on native Filipinos

6. MALADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
 Courts of Justice were corrupt
 Filipinos called them the “court of injustice”
  Poor Filipinos had no access to the courts because  FATHER RUFINO COLLANTES (Batangueno)
they could not afford the heavy expenses of - Parish priest who baptized Rizal in
litigations the Catholic Church on June 22 (3
 To the Filipino masses, a litigation in court was a days old)
calamity
 FATHER PEDRO CASANAS
7. RACIAL DISCRIMINATION - Rizal’s godfather (ninong)
 Spaniards called the brown-skinned Filipinos - Native of Calamba
“INDIOS” (INDIANS)  LIEUTENANT-GENERAL JOSE LEMERY
 Filipinos dubbed their pale-complexioned - Former senator of Spain
detractors with the term “BANGUS” - Served the Philippines from February
2, 1861 to July 7, 1862
8. FRAILOCRACY (frailocracia) - Denounced Sultan Pulalun of Sulu
 A government by the friars and powerful Moro datus for
 FRIARS - controlled the religious and educational fraternizing with a British consul
life of the Philippines - His achievements:
- Have tremendous political power, o Fostering the cultivation of
influences, and riches cotton in provinces
- Supervisor of local elections o Establishing politico-military
- Inspector of schools and taxes governments in Visayas and
- Arbiter of morals Mindanao
 BAD FRIARS
- FRAY MIGUEL LUCIO BUSTAMANTE MEANING OF RIZAL’S NAMES
- FRAY JOSE RODRIGUEZ  JOSE
- FRAY ANTONIO PIERNAVIEJA - chosen by his mother who was a
Caricatured by Jaena as FRAY BOTOD devotee of the Christian saint San
Jose (St. Joseph)
9. FORCED LABOR (POLO)  PROTACIO
 Compulsory labor imposed by the Spanish colonial - From Gervacio P. which came from a
authorities Christian calendar
 Males from 16-60 years old are obliged to render  MERCADO
forced labor for 40 days - Adopted in 1731 by Domingo Lamco
 February 3, 1885 increased minimum age to 18 (the paternal grea-great grandfather
and days to 15 of Jose Riza)
 POLISTAS – who performed the forced labor - It is a Spanish term and means
 FALLA – money paid to the government to be “market” in English
exempted from the polo  RIZAL
- In Spanish means a field where
10. THE GURADIA CIVIL (CONSTRABULARY) wheat, cut while still green, sprouts
 The last hated symbol of Spanish Tyranny again
 Created by the royal decree of Feb. 12 1852  Y – and
 Maintain internal peace and order  ALONZO
 Patterned after the famous and well-disciplined - Old surname of his mother
Guardia Civil in Spain  REALONDA
- Used by Dona Teodora from the
surname of her godmother
CHAPTER 1: ADVENT OF A NATIONAL HERO

THE BIRTH OF A HERO RIZAL’S PARENTS

 JOSE PROTACIO RIZAL MERCADO Y ALONZO
REALONDA  FRANCISCO MERCADO RIZAL (1818-1898)
- Born on JUNE 19, 1861(moonlit night - Rizal’s father
of Wednesday) - Born on May 11, 1818 in Binan,
- Calamba, Laguna Province, Phil. Laguna
- His mother named him after Christian - Studied Latin and Philosophy at
saint SAN JOSE (St. Joseph) which she College of San Jose in Manila
was a devotee of - Independent-minded man who talked
less and worked more
- Died on January 5, 1898 in Manila at
the age of 80
 - Rizal called him “Model of Fathers” - Her death was Rizal’s first sorrow in
- June 28, 1848, he married Teodora life
- Youngest of the 13 children of Cilira  JOSEFA (1865-1945)
Alejandro and Juan Mercado - Pet name: PANGGOY
- Died an old maid at the age of 80
 DONA TEODORA (1826-1911)  TRINIDAD (1868-1951)
- Rizal’s mother - Pet name: TRINING
- Born on November 8, 1826 in Manila - Died an old maid at the age of 83
- Educated at the College of Santa Rosa  SOLEDAD (1870-1929)
(well-known college for girls) - Youngest
- Died in Manila on August 16, 1911 at - Pet name: CHOLENG
the age of 85 - Married Pantaleon Quintero

RIZAL’S ANCESTRY
THE RIZAL CHILDREN Rizal was a product of mixture of races: NEGRITO,
There were eleven Rizal children – two boys and nine girls: INDONESIAN, MALAY, CHINESE, JAPANESE, AND SPANISH
 SATURNINA (1850-1913)
- Oldest PATERNAL SIDE
- Nickname: NENENG
- Married Manuel T. Hidalgo of  DOMINGO LAMCO
Tanawan, Batangas - Great-great grandfather of Rizal
 PACIANO (1851-1930) - A Chinese immigrant from
- Older brother/confidant of Rizal Changchow
- After Rizal’s death, joined the - A merchant
Philippine Revolution and became a - Married to a Chinese Christian girl in
Combat General Manila named INES DE LA ROSA
- Died on April 13, 1930 aged 79 - In 1731, he adopted the name
- Had two children (a boy and a girl) by MERCADO (market)
his mistress SEVERINA DECENA  FRANCISCO MERCADO
- Immortalized by Rizal in his book - Domingo Lamco’s son
Noli Me Tangere as Pilosopo Tasio - Married Cirila Bernacha
 NARCISA (1852-1939)  JUAN MERCADO
- Pet name: SISA - Francisco’s son married to Cirila
- Married Antonio Lopez (nephew of Alejandro
Father Leoncio Lopez) - Had thirteen children
- School teacher of Morong  FRANCISCO MERCADO
 OLIMPIA (1855-1887) - Youngest son of Juan Mercado
- Pet name: YPIA - Rizal’s father
- Married Silvestre Ubaldo (a telegraph
operator from Manila) MATERNAL SIDE
 LUCIA (1857-1919)
- Married MARIANO HERBOSA  LAKAN DULA
o Nephew of Fr. Casanas - Where Teodora’s family descended
o Died of cholera in 1889 and from
was denied of Christian burial - Last native king of Tondo
because he was a brother-in-  EUGENIO URSUA
law of Rizal - Japanese
 MARIA (1859-1945) - Rizal’s maternal great-great
- Nickname: BIANG grandfather
- Married Daniel Faustino Cruz of - Married a Filipina named Benigna
Binan, Laguna  REGINA
 JOSE (1861-1896) - Daughter of Eugenio
- Nickname: PEPE - Married Manuel de Quintos (Filipino-
- During his exile in Dapitan, he lived Chinese Lawyer
from Hong Kong)  BRIGIDA
- Rizal named their stillborn baby - Daughter of Regina
“Francisco” - Married Lorenzo Alberto Alonso
 CONCEPCION (1862-1865) (Spanish-Filipino Mestizo)
- Pet name: CONCHA
- Died of sickness at the age of 3
THE RIZAL HOME
 The daily ANGELUS prayer
 A two-storey building; rectangular in shape; built  The happy moonlit nights at the AZOTEA after the
of adobe stones and hardwoods; and roofed with nightly rosary
red tiles  The imaginary tales told by the AYA aroused in
 Behind the house were poultry yard full of turkeys Rizal an enduring interest in legends and folklores
and chickens; and a big garden of tropical fruit  The aya would threaten him with the ASUANG, the
trees (atis, balimbing, chico, macopa, papaya, NUNO, the TIGBALANG, or a terrible bearded and
santol, tampoy) turbaned Bombay would take him away if he
would not eat supper.
 The nocturnal walk in the town with his AYA,
A GOOD AND MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILY especially when there was a moon

 PRINCIPALIA THE HERO’S FIRST SORROW

- A town of aristocracy in Spanish
Philippines  The death of little CONCHA
- One of the distinguished families in  Her death made Rizal cry bitterly and then he said,
Calamba “for the first time I shed tears caused by love and
 CARRIAGE grief
- A status symbol of the Ilustrados in
Spanish Philippines DEVOTED SON OF THE CHURCH
 PRIVATE LIBRARY
- Largest in Calamba  A scion of a Catholic clan, born and bred in an
- Consisted of more than 1,000 atmosphere of Catholicism, and possessed an
volumes inborn pious spirit, Rizal grew up a good
CATHOLIC
 Aged 3, he took part in the family prayers; his
CHAPTER 2: CHILDHOOD YEARS IN CALAMBA mother taught him catholic prayers
 At age 5, he was able to read the Spanish family
 CALAMBA bible
- Natal town of Rizal  he was seriously devout that he was called
- Named after a big native jar MANONG JOSE by the Hermanos and Hermanas
- The happiest period of Rizal’s life was Terceras
spent in this lakeshore town, a tragic  FATHER LEONCIO LOPEZ – one of the men he
manhood esteemed and respected and he used to visit
- a hacienda town which belonged to
the Dominican Order PILGRIMAGE TO ANTIPOLO
- A few kilometers to the south looms
of the legendary Mt. Makiling and  JUNE 6, 1868, Jose and his father go on a
beyond this mountain is the province pilgrimage to Antipolo to fulfill his mother’s vow
of Batangas. which was made when Jose was born
- East of the town is the Laguna de Bay  The first trip of Jose to Laguna de Bay and first
 UN RECUERDO A MI PUEBLO (IN MEMORY OF pilgrimage
MY TOWN)  They rode in a CASCO (barge)
- A poem he wrote at the age of 15  Prayed at the shrine of the Virgin of Antipolo
while a student in Ateneo de Manila and went to Manila afterwards where they visited
in 1876 Saturnina (student at La Concordia College)
EARLIEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES THE STORY OF THE MOTH
 The first memory of Rizal, in his infancy, was his  The story of the young moth made the most
happy days in the family garden when he was profoundest impression on Rizal
three years old.
 The story of the moth and the flame was told to
 His father built him a little nipa hut in the garden Rizal by his mother on a night when her mother
 A kind old woman was hired as his AYA (nurse was teaching him how to read a book entitled “The
maid) Children’s Friend” (El Amigos de los Niños).
 He watched from his garden cottage: the  His mother grew impatient of his poor reading
CULIAUAN, the MAYA, the MARIA CAPRA, the and lack of focus and always straying his eyes on
MARTIN, the PIPIT and other birds and listened the flame of the lamp and the cheerful moths
“with wonder and joy” to their twilight songs surrounding it. Knowing his interest to stories, his
 mother decided to stop teaching him and instead is seen in all my writings. Someday God will give me
read him an interesting story. the opportunity to fulfill my promise.”
 Upon hearing the story, it gave a deep impression
on Rizal. However, it’s not the story’s moral that INFLUENCES ON THE HREO’S BOYHOOD
truly struck him, he actually envied the moths and
their fate and considered that the light was so fine  HEREDITARY INFLUENCE - inherent qualities
a thing that it was worth dying for. which a person inherits from his ancestors and
parents.
-Malayan Ancestors: love for freedom, desire to
ARTISTIC TALENTS travel, and indomitable courage.
 At age 5, he began to make sketches with his -Chinese Ancestors: serious nature, frugality,
pencil and to mould in clay and wax objects which patience, and love for children.
attracted his fancy -Spanish Ancestors: elegance of bearing, sensitivity
 When a religious banner was spoiled, upon to insult, and gallantry to ladies.
request of the town mayor, he painted in oil colors - Father: sense of self-respect, love for work, and habit
a new banner which delighted the town folks of independent thinking.
because it was better than the original one - Mother: religious nature, spirit of self-sacrifice,
 USMAN – name of his black dog passion for arts and literature
 Age 6, his sisters laughed at him for spending so
much time making those images rather than  ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE - environment, as
participating in their games. He told them “All well as heredity, affect the nature of a person;
right laugh at me now! Someday when I die, people includes places, associates, & events.
will make monuments and images of me!” - Calamba and the garden of the Rizal family:
stimulated the inborn artistic and literary talents
FIRST POEM BY RIZAL of Jose Rizal.
 Age 8, Rizal wrote his first poem in the native - Religious atmosphere at his home: - fortified
language entitled “Sa Aking Mga Kabata” (To My his religious nature.
Fellow Children). He wrote it in an appeal to our - Paciano: love of freedom and justice.
people to love our national language. - Sisters: to be courteous and kind to women.
- Fairy tales told by his aya: interest in folklores
FIRST DRAMA BY RIZAL and legends.
 Age 8, Rizal wrote his first dramatic work which - 3 Uncles:
was a Tagalog Comedy. It was staged in a Calamba Tio Jose Alberto - artistic ability, who studied
festival. 11 years in a British school in Calcutta, India;
 A gobernadorcillo from Paete purchased the Tio Manuel - develop his frail body by means
manuscript for 2 pesos. of physical exercises including horse riding,
walking, and wrestling;
RIZAL AS BOY MAGICIAN Tio Gregorio - Rizal’s voracious reading of
good books.
 He learned various tricks such as making a coin appear - Father Leoncio Lopez: fostered Rizal’s love for
and disappear in his fingers and making a handkerchief scholarship and intellectual honesty.
vanish in thin air. - The sorrows in his family contributed for Rizal to
 Entertained his town folks with magic-lantern strengthen his character.
exhibitions. This consisted of an ordinary lamp casting - The Spanish abuses and cruelties he
its shadow on white screen. witnessed awakened Rizal’s spirit of patriotism
 Also gained skill in manipulating marionettes (puppet and inspired him to consecrate his life and talents
shows). to redeem his oppressed people.
 In Chapter XVII and XVIII of his second novel, El
Filibusterismo (Treason), he revealed his wide  AID OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE
knowledge of magic. - A person cannot attain greatness in the annals of
the nation despite having everything life (brains,
LAKESHORE REVERIES wealth, and power) without this.
- Rizal was providentially destined to be the pride
 Rizal used to meditate at the shore of Laguna de Bay, and glory of his nation; endowed by God with
accompanied by his pet dog, on the sad conditions of versatile gifts of a genius, vibrant spirit of a
his oppressed people. nationalist, and the valiant heart to sacrifice for a
 He wrote to his friend, Mariano Ponce: “In view of noble cause.
these injustices and cruelties, although yet a child, my
imagination was awakened and I made a vow
dedicating myself someday to avenge the many
victims. With this idea in my mind, I studied, and this
CHAPTER 3: EARLY EDUCATION IN CALAMBA AND  Studies lesson and draws a little.
BIÑAN  Supper: one or 2 rice with an ayungin.
 Prays again and if there’s a moon, plays with
 The schools were characterized by the four R’s: cousins.
READING, WRITING, ARITHMETIC, and RELIGION
BEST STUDENT IN SCHOOL
THE HERO’S FIRST TEACHER
 Jose surpassed his classmates in Spanish, Latin,
 DOÑA TEODORA – Rizal’s first teacher and other subjects.
 PRIVATE TUTORS (in order):  His older classmates were jealous and wickedly
-MAESTRO CELESTINO squealed to the teacher whenever he had fights.
 Jose usually received five or six blows while laid
-MAESTRO LUCAS PADUA
out on a bench from his teacher.
-LEON MONROY – former classmate of
Jose’s father; taught Jose in Spanish and END OF BIÑAN SCHOOLING
Latin
 He received a letter from Saturnina
JOSE GOES TO BIÑAN  December 17, 1870 – Jose left Biñan using the
steamer Talim for Calamba.
 After Monroy’s death, Rizal’s parents decided to  Arturo Camps – Frenchman and friend of his
send him to a private school in Biñan. father who took care of him during his trip.
 June 1869. Jose left Calamba for Biñan with
Paciano. MARTYRDOM OF GOM-BUR-ZA
 Carromata – their mode of transportation.
 Aunt’s House – where Jose lodge.  January 20, 1872 – Cavite Mutiny; 200 FILIPINO
soldiers and workmen of Cavite arsenal under the
FIRST DAY IN BIÑAN SCHOOL leadership of Sgt. LaMadrid
 February 17, 1872 – Fathers Mariano Gomez,
 Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz – owner and Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora were implicated
teacher of the school. and executed.
 Rizal described Maestro Justiniano as “tall, thin,  The GOMBURZA were leaders of the secularization
long-necked, and sharp-nosed with a body slightly movement.
bent forward.”  The martyrdom of the 3 priests inspired Rizal to
fight the evils of Spanish tyranny.
FIRST SCHOOL BRAWL
 Paciano quit his studies at the College of San Jose
 Jose challenged Pedro to a fight and he won having and returned to Calamba, where he told the heroic
learned the art of wrestling from his athletic Tio story of Burgos to Rizal.
Manuel.  In 1891, Rizal dedicated his second novel El
 Andres Salandaan challenged Rizal to an arm- Filibusterismo to GOMBURZA.
wrestling match. Jose, having the weaker arm, lost
INJUSTICE TO HERO’S MOTHER
and nearly cracked his head on sidewalk.
 In 1872, Doña Teodora was arrested on a
PAINTING LESSONS IN BIÑAN malicious charge that she aided his brother Jose
Alberto in trying to poison his wife.
 Old Juancho, father-in-law of the school teacher,  Jose Alberto planned to divorce his wife because
freely gave Jose painting lessons. of her infidelity. His wife connived with the
 Jose Rizal and his classmate Jose Guevarra became Spanish lieutenant of the Guardia Civil and filed a
apprentices of the old painter. case against Rizal’s mother.
 Antonio Vivencio del Rosario – gobernadorcillo
DAILY LIFE IN BIÑAN of Calamba, helped the lieutenant arrest Doña
Teodora.
 Hears mass at 4:00 AM or studies lesson at that  50 kilometers – Doña Teodora was made to walk
hour before going to mass. from Calamba to the provincial prison in Santa
 Goes to the orchard to look for a mabolo to eat. Cruz.
 Breakfast: rice and 2 dried small fish.  Don Francisco de Mercaida and Don Manuel
 Goes to class until 10:00 AM and goes home for Marzan – most famous lawyers of Manila,
lunch. defended Doña Teodora in court.
 Goes back to school at 2:00 PM and comes out at  After 2 ½ years the Royal Audencia acquitted
5:00 pm. Doña Teodora.
 Prays with cousins and returns home.
CHAPTER 4: SCHOLASTIC TRIUMPHS AT ATENEO DE  Ateneo students’ uniform is consisted of “hemp-fabric
MANILA (1872-1877) trousers” and “striped cotton coat”. The coat was
called RAYADILLO and was adopted as the uniform
Jose was sent to Manila four months after the Martyrdom for Filipino troops during the days of the First
of GomBurZa and with Doña Teodora still in prison. He Philippine Republic.
studied in the Ateneo Municipal, a college under the
supervision of the Spanish Jesuits. RIZAL’S FIRST YEAR IN ATENEO (1872-73)

ATENEO MUNICIPAL  June 1872 – first day of class in Ateneo.

 Fr. Jose Bech – first professor of Rizal.
 Bitter rival of the Dominican-owned College of San  Rizal was placed at the bottom of the class since he
Juan de Letran. was a newcomer and knows little Spanish. He was an
 Formerly the Escuela Pia (Charity School) – for poor externo and was assigned to Carthaginians. At the end
boys in Manila established in 1817. of the month, he became emperor of his Empire. He
 In 1859, name was changed to Ateneo Municipal by was the brightest pupil in the whole class.
the Jesuits and later became the Ateneo de Manila.  Took private lessons in Santa Isabel College and paid 3
pesos for extra Spanish lessons.
RIZAL ENTERS THE ATENEO
 Placed 2nd at the end of the year, although all his
grades were still marked Excellent.
 June 10, 1872 – Jose, accompanied by Paciano, went
to Manila to take the entrance examinations on SUMMER VACATION (1873)
Christian Doctrine, arithmetic, and reading at College
of San Juan de Letran, and passed them. His father was  March 1873 – Rizal returned to Calamba for summer
the first one who wished him to study at Letran but he vacation.
changed his mind and decided to send Jose at Ateneo  His sister Neneng (Saturnina) brought him to
instead. Tanawan to cheer him up.
 Father Magin Fernando – college registrar of Ateneo  Visited his mother in prison at Santa Cruz without
Municipal, refused to admit Jose because: (1) he was telling his father.
late for registration and (2) he was sickly and  After vacation, he returned to Manila for his 2 nd year
undersized for his age (11 years old). term in Ateneo.
 Manuel Xerez Burgos – nephew of Father Burgos;  Boarded inside Intramuros at No. 8 Magallanes Street.
upon his intercession, Jose Rizal was admitted at
 Doña Pepay – landlady and old widow with a
Ateneo.
widowed daughter and four sons
 Jose used Rizal instead of Mercado because the name
“Mercado” had come under suspicion of the Spanish SECOND YEAR IN ATENEO (1873-74)
authorities.
 Boarded in a house on Caraballo Street, owned by  Rizal lost the leadership but he repented and even
Titay who owed Rizal family 300 pesos. studied harder, once more he became emperor. He
received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold
JESUIT SYSTEM OF EDUCATION medal.
 He had 3 classmates from Biñan who had also been his
 Jesuit trained the character of the student by rigid classmates in the school of Maestro Justiniano.
discipline, humanities, and religious instruction.
 The students heard Mass in the morning before the PROPHECY OF MOTHER’S RELEASE
beginning of daily class.
 Classes were opened and closed with prayers.  Doña Teodora told her son of her dream the previous
 Students were divided into two groups: Roman night. Rizal, interpreting the dream, told her that she
Empire – consisting of the internos (boarders) with would be released from prison in 3 months time. It
red banners; and Carthaginian Empire – composed of became true.
the externos (non-boarders) with blue banners.  Doña Teodora likened his son to the youthful Joseph in
 Each of these empires had its rank. Students fought for the Bible in his ability to interpret dreams.
positions. Any student could challenge any officer in
his “empire” to answer questions on the day’s lesson. TEENAGE INTEREST IN READING
With 3 mistakes, opponents could lose his position.
1st best: EMPEROR  The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas –
2nd best: TRIBUNE Jose Rizal’s first favorite novel.
3rd best: DECURION  Also read non-fiction, Cesar Cantu’s historical work
4th best: CENTURION Universal History.
5th best: STANDARD-BEARER  He also read Travels in the Philippines by Dr. Feodor
Jagor, German who visited the Philippines in 1859-
1860. In this book, he foretold that someday Spain
 would lose the Philippines and that America would ANECDOTES ON RIZAL, THE ATENEAN
come to succeed here as colonizer.
 Felix M. Ramos – one of Rizal’s contemporaries in
THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1874-75) Ateneo.
 Manuel Xeres Burgos – whose house Rizal boarded
 Shortly after the opening of classes, his mother was shortly before he became an inferno.
released from prison.
 Rizal did not make an excellent showing in his studies. POEMS WRITTEN IN ATENEO
 He failed to win the medal in Spanish because his
spoken was not fluently sonorous.  Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration) –
first poem he wrote for his mother’s birthday.
FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO (1875-76)  In 1875, inspired by Father Sanchez, he wrote more
poems such as: Filicitacion (Felicitation), El
 June 16, 1875 – he became an inferno in Ateneo. Embarque: Himno a la Flota de Magallanes (The
 Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez – inspired him to Departure Hymn to Magellan’s fleet), Y Es Espanol:
study harder and write poetry. Rizal described him as Elcano, the first to circumnavigate the world), and
“model of uprightness, earnestness, and love for the El Combate: Urbiztondo Terror de Jolo (The Battle:
advancement of his pupils”. Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo).
 He returned to Calamba with 5 medals and excellent  In 1876, Rizal wrote poems on various topics: Un
ratings. Recuerdo a Mi Pueblu (In Memory of My Town),
Alianza Intima Entre la Region Y La Buena Educacion
LAST YEAR IN ATENEO (1876-77) (Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good
Education), Por la Educacion Recibe Lustre La Patria
 June 1876 – last year of Rizal in Ateneo. (Through Education the Country Receive Light), E
 The most brilliant Atenean of his time, “the pride of Cultivero Y El Triunfo (The Captivity and the Triumph:
the Jesuits”. Battle of Lucena and the Imprisonment of Boabdil),
 Obtained highest grades in all subjects. and La Entrada Triuntal de Los Reyes Catolices en
Granada (The Triumphal Entry of The Catholic
GRADUATION WITH HIGHEST HONORS Monarches into Granada).
 A year later, in 1877 he wrote more poems: El
 Excellent scholastic records from 1872-1877.
 March 23, 1877 – Commencement Day. 16 year old Heroismo de Colon (The Heroism of Colombus), Colon
Rizal received from his Alma Mater the degree of y Juan II (Colombus and John II ), Gran Consuelo en la
Bachelor of Arts with highest honors. Mayor Desdicha (Great Solace in Great Misfortune),
and Un Diarogo Alusivo a la Despedida de los
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Colegiales (A Farewell Dialogue of the Students.
 An emperor inside the classroom and campus leader
RIZAL’S RELIGIOUS POEMS
outside.
 Secretary of the Marian Congregation.
 Al Niño Jesus (To the Child Jesus) – a brief ode;
 Member of Academy of Spanish Literature and the
Academy of Natural Sciences. written in 1875 when he was 14 years old.
 Studied painting under the famous Spanish painter  A La Virgen Maria (To the Virgin Mary).
Agustin Saez.
 Studied sculpture under Romualdo de Jesus, noted DRAMATIC WORK IN ATENEO
Filipino sculptor.
 Engaged in gymnastics and fencing.  Father Sanchez, his favorite teacher, ask him to write a
 Fr. Jose Villaclara advised him to stop communing drama based on the prose story of St. Eustace the
with the muses and pay more attention to practical Martyr.
studies such as philosophy and natural science.  Summer 1876 in Calamba - he wrote the religious
drama in poetic verses.
SCULPTURAL WORKS IN ATENEO
 June 02, 1876 - finished the manuscript.
 Carved an image of The Virgin Mary on a piece of  He submitted the finished manuscript entitled “San
batikuling (Philippine hardwood). Eustacio, Martir” (St. Eustace, the Martyr) to Father
 Father Lleonart requested him to carve an image of Sanchez in his last academic year in Ateneo.
the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Ateneo students placed the
image on the door of the dormitory and remained
there for many years.
FIRST ROMANCE OF RIZAL  November 25, 1881 – he was granted the title as
surveyor.
 16 years old - Rizal experienced his first romance.  Because of his loyalty to Ateneo, he continued to
 Segunda Katigba - a pretty 14 years old Batangueña participate actively in the Ateneo’s extra-curricular
from Lipa; sister of his friend Mariano Katigbak. activities.
 His sister Olimpia was a close friend of Segunda in La  He was president of the Academy of Spanish
Concordia College. Literature and secretary of the Academy of Natural
 Segunda was already engaged to Manuel Luz. His first Sciences.
romance was ruined by his own shyness and reserve.
 Segunda returned to Lipa and later married Manuel ROMANCES WITH OTHER GIRLS
Luz. Rizal remained in Calamba, a frustrated lover,
cherishing nostalgic memories of lost love.  Miss L
- Fair with seductive and attractive eyes.
- Romance died a natural death.
- 2 Reasons for his change of heart: (1) the sweet
CHAPTER 5: MEDICAL STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY memory of Segunda was still fresh in his heart and
OF SANTO TOMAS (1877-1882) (2) his father did not like the family of “Miss L”.
MOTHER’S OPPOSITION TO HIGHER EDUCATION  LEONOR VALENZUELA
- Daughter of the next-door neighbors of Doña
 Doña Teodora opposed the idea of sending Rizal to Concha Leyva (her house is where Rizal boarded).
UST to pursue higher education because she knew - Tall girl with a regal bearing.
what happened to Gom-Bur-Za and the Spaniards - Pet name: Orang.
might cut off his head if he gets to know more. Rizal - Rizal sent her love notes written in invisible ink.
was surprised by his mother’s opposition, who was a This ink consisted of common table salt and water.
woman of education and culture. Despite his mother’s He taught Orang the secret of reading any note
tears, Don Francisco told Paciano to accompany Rizal written in the invisible ink by heating it over a
to Manila. candle or lamp so that the words may appear.
 LEONOR RIVERA
RIZAL ENTERS THE UNIVERSITY - Rizal’s cousin from Camiling.
- Born in Camiling, Tarlac on April 11, 1867.
 April 1877 – Rizal matriculated in the University of
Santo Tomas. - A student of La Concordia College where Rizal’s
youngest sister, Soledad was then studying.
 He enrolled in UST taking up Philosophy and
Letter for two reasons: (1) his father liked it and (2) he - Frail, pretty girl “tender as a budding flower with
was “still uncertain as to what career to pursue” kindly, wistful eyes”.
 He asked the advice of Father Pablo Ramon (Rector of - They became engaged.
the Ateneo) on what career to choose but Father Recto - In her letters to Rizal, Leonor signed her name as
was in Mindanao so he was unable to advice Rizal. “Taimis”, in order to camouflage their intimate
 First-year Term (1877-78) – Rizal studied Cosmology, relationship from their parents and friends.
Metaphysics, Theodicy, and History of Philosophy. - Rizal lived in: Casa Tomasina No. 6 Calle Santo
 Ateneo Rector’s advice – study medicine; reason: to Tomas, Intramuros Antonio Rivero – Rizal’s
be able to cure his mother’s growing blindness. landlord-uncle is the father of Leonor Rivera.

FINISHES SURVEYING COURSE IN ATENEO (1878) VICTIM OF SPANISH OFFICER’S BRUTALITY

 While Rizal was studying at UST, he also studied in  One dark night in Calamba, during the summer
Ateneo. He took the vocational course leading to the vacation in 1878, when Rizal was walking in the street
title of “perito agrimensor” (expert surveyor). and dimly perceived the figure of a man while passing
him. Not knowing the person was a lieutenant of the
 Colleges for boys in Manila offered vocational courses
Guardia Civil; he did not salute nor say greetings. With
in agriculture, commerce, mechanics, and surveying.
a snarl, he turned upon Rizal, whipped out his sword
 He excelled in all subjects in the surveying course
and brutally slashed his back.
obtaining gold medals in agriculture and topography.
 Rizal reported the incident to General Primo de Rivera,
 At the age of 17, he passed the final examination in the
the Spanish Governor General of the Philippines at
surveying course.
 that time, but nothing came out because he was an RIZAL’S VISIT TO PAKIL AND PAGSANJAN
Indio and the accused was a Spaniard. Later in a letter
to Blumentritt dated March 21, 1887, he related, “I  Summer of May 1881 - Rizal went to a pilgrimage to
went to the Captain-General but I could not obtain the town of pakil, famous shrine of the Birhen Maria
justice; my wound lasted two weeks.” de los Dolores.
 He was accompanied by his sisters—Saturnina , Maria,
“TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH” (1879) and Trinidad and their female friends.
 They took a casco (flat-bottom sailing vessel) from
 Liceo Artisco-Literano (Artistic-Literary Lyceum) Calamba to Pakil, Laguna, and stayed at the home of
of Manila – society of literary men and artists; held a Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Regalado, whose son Nicolas was
literary contest. Rizal’s friend in Manila.
 At the age of 18, Rizal submitted his poem entitled A  Rizal and his companions were fascinated by the
La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth). famous turumba (people dancing in the streets during
 The Board of Judges – composed of Spaniards; gave the procession in honor of the miraculous Birhen
the first prize to Rizal which consisted of a silver pen, Maria de los Dolores)
feather-shaped and decorated with a gold ribbon.  Rizal was infatuated by a pretty girl colegiala, Vicenta
 Rizal beseeched the Filipino youth to rise from Ybardolaza, who skillfully played the harp at the
lethargy, to let their genius fly swifter than the wind Regalado home.
and descend with art and science to break the chains  Reasons why Rizal and his company made side trip to
that have long bound the spirit of people. the neighboring town of Pagsanjan: (1) it was the
 Reasons why Rizal’s poem was a classic in Philippine native town of Leonor Valenzuela and (2) to see the
Literature: (1) it was the first great poem in Spanish world famed Pagsanjan Falls.
written by a Filipino, whose merit was recognized by
Spanish literary authorities and (2) it expressed for CHAMPION OF FILIPINO STUDENTS
the first time the nationalistic concept that the
Filipinos were the “fair hope of the Fatherland”.  Rizal was the champion of the Filipino students in
their fights against the arrogant Spanish students, who
“THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS” (1880) insultingly called their brown classmates “Indio,
chongo!” In retaliation, the Filipino students called
 Artistic-Literary Lyceum – opened another literary them “Kastila, bangus!”.
contest for both Filipino and Spaniards to  In 1880 - Rizal founded a secret society of Filipino
commemorate the fourth centennial of the death of students in the University of Santo Tomas called
Cervantes, Spain’s glorified man-of-letters and famous “Compaňerismo” (Comradeship), whose members
author of Don Quixote. were called “Companions of Jehu,” after the valiant
 Rizal submitted an allegorical drama entitled El Hebrew general who fought the Armaeans.
Consejo de los Dioses (The Council of the Gods) and  Galicano Apacible - Rizal’s cousin from Batangas;
he received the first prize, a gold ring on which was secretary of Compañerismo.
engraved the bust of Cervantes.
 Fierce encounter near the Escolta in Manila where
OTHER LITERARY WORKS Rizal was wounded on the head, and tenderly washed
and dressed by Leonor Rivera in his boarding house
 Junto al Pasic (Beside the Pasig) (1880) – a zarzuela “Casa Tomasina”.
which was staged by the Ateneans on December 08,
UNHAPPY DAYS AT THE UST
1880, on the annual celebration of the Feast Day of the
Immaculate Conception (Patrones of the Ateneo).
 He was unhappy at this Dominican institution of
 A Filipinas (1880) – a sonnet he wrote for the album higher learning because (1) the Dominican professors
of the Society of Sculptors. were hostile to him; (2) the Filipino students were
 Abd-el-Azis (1879) – a poem declaimed by Manuel racially discriminated against by the Spaniards, and
Fernandez on the night of December 08, 1879 in honor (3) the method of instruction was obsolete and
of the Ateneo’s Patroness. repressive.
 Al M.R.P. Pablo Ramon (1881) – a poem he wrote as  Rizal, the most brilliant graduate of Ateneo, failed to
an expression of affection to Father Pablo Ramon. win high scholastic honors.
DECISION TO STUDY ABROAD  Hotel de la Paz – Rizal registered here and spent two
days on sightseeing on a soiree of the city.
 After finishing the fourth year of his medical course,
Rizal decided to study in Spain. He could no longer FROM SINGAPORE TO COLOMBO
endure the rampant bigotry, discrimination, and
hostility in the University of Santo Tomas.  May 11 - Rizal transferred to another ship Djemnah, a
 He did not seek his parent’s permission and blessings French streamer.
to go abroad; and even his beloved Leonor.  Among these passengers were British, French, Dutch,
Spaniards, Malays, Siamese, and Filipinos (Mr. & Mrs.
Salazar, Mr. Vicente Pardo, and Jose Rizal).
CHAPTER 6: IN SUNNY SPAIN (1882-1885)  May 17- the Djemnah reached Point Galle, a seacoast
town in southern Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Rizal was
RIZAL’S SECRET MISSION unimpressed by this town; he said it is “picturesque
but lonely and quiet and at the same time sad”.
 To observe keenly the life and culture, languages and  Colombo - the capital of Ceylon; Rizal wrote on his
customs, industries, commerce and government and diary “Colombo is more beautiful, smart and elegant
laws of the Europian Nations in order to prepare than Singapore, Point Galle and Manila”.
himself in the mighty task of liberating of oppressed
people from Spanish tyranny. FIRST TRIP THROUGH SUEZ CANAL
 Approval of his older brother Paciano
 Rizal has no permission and blessings to his parents.  From Colombo, Djemnah continued the voyage
crossing the Indian Ocean to the Cape of Guardafui,
SECRET DEPARTURE FOR SPAIN Africa, and then a stopover on Aden. From Aden,
Djemnah proceeded to the city of Suez, the Red Sea
 The people who knows Rizal will go to Spain: terminal of the Suez Canal. It took five days to traverse
the Suez Canal. At Port Said, the Mediterranean
- Older brother (Paciano) terminal of the Suez Canal, Rizal landed and he was
- His uncle (Antonio Rivera, father of Leonor fascinated to hear the multi-racial inhabitants
Rivera) speaking a babel of tongues – Arabic, Egyptian, Greek,
- His sisters (Neneng and Lucia) French, Italian, Spanish, etc.
- Valenzuela family (Capitan Juan and Capitana  Rizal sighted the barren coast of Africa which he called
Sanday and their daughter Orang) an “inhospitable land but famous”.
- Pedro A. Paterno  Aden - hotter than manila; he was amused to see the
camels.
- Mateo Evangelista – his compadre
 Ferdinand de Lesseps (French diplomat-engineer)
- Ateneo Jesuit fathers
- built the Suez Canal, inaugurated on Nov. 17,
- Some intimate friends, including Chengoy (Jose M.
1869.
Cecilio).
 Jose Mercado - the name he used; a cousin from
NAPLES AND MARSEILLES
Biñan.
 May 3, 1882 - Rizal departed on board the Spanish  June 11 – Rizal reached Naples.
streamer Salvadora bound for Singapore.  June 12 – the steamer docked at the French harbor of
Marseilles. He visited the famous Chateau d’lf, where
SINGAPORE
Dantes, hero of The Count of Monte Cristo, was
imprisoned.
 The only Filipino to board the steamer with 16
 Stayed 2 ½ days at Marseilles.
passengers, the rest was Spaniards, British, and Indian
Negroes.
BARCELONA
 Captain Donato Lecha - ship captain from Asturias,
Spain, befriended him.  May 15 – Rizal left Marseilles.
 May 08, 1882 - he saw a beautiful island; he  June 16, 1882 – Rizal reached Barcelona, the greatest
remembered “Talim Island with the Susong Dalaga” city of Cataluña and Spain’s 2nd largest city.
 May 09 - the Salvadora docked at Singapore.
 Rizal’s first impression on Barcelona: ugly, with dirty ROMANCE WITH CONSUELO ORTIGA Y PEREZ
little inns and inhospitable residents.
 Second impression: a great city, with an atmosphere of  Consuelo – prettiest daughter of Don Pablo fell in love
freedom and liberalism, and its people were open- with Rizal.
hearted, hospitable, and courageous.  A La Señorita C. O. y P. (To Miss C. O. y P.) – a lovely
 Las Ramdas - most Famous street in Barcelona poem he composed on August 22, 1883 dedicated to
Consuelo.
“AMOR PATRIO”  He backed out into a serious affair because (1) he was
still engaged to Leonor Rivera and (2) his friend and co-
 “Amor Patrio” (Love of Country) – nationalistic worker in the Propaganda Movement, Eduardo de Lete,
essay; his first article written on Spain’s soil. was madly in love with Consuelo.
 Basilio Teodoro Moran – publisher of Diariong
Tagalog, first Manila bilingual newspaper (Spanish and “THEY ASK ME FOR VERSES”
Tagalog.
 It was under Rizal’s pen name: Laong Laan.  1882 – Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino
 Printed in Diariong Tagalog on August 20, 1882. (Hispano-Philippine Circle), a society of Spaniards
 Published in two texts – Spanish (originally written by and Filipinos.
Rizal in Barcelona) and Tagalog (made by M.H. del  “Me Piden Versos” (They Ask Me For Verses) –
Pilar). personally declaimed during New Year’s Eve reception
 “Los Viajes” (Travels) – second article for Diariong of the Madrid Filipinos held on December 31, 1882.
Tagalog
RIZAL AS LOVER OF BOOKS
 “Revista de Madrid” (Review of Madrid) – third
article; wrote in Madrid on November 29, 1882;  Señor Roces – owner of store where Rizal purchased
returned to him because the Diariong Tagalog had 2nd hand books.
ceased publication due to lack of funds.
 Rizal was deeply affected by Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle
Tom’s Cabin” and Eugene Sue’s “The Wandering Jew”.
MANILA MOVES TO MADRID
RIZAL’S FIRST VISIT TO PARIS
 September 15, 1882 - Rizal received a letter from
Paciano. According to the letter, cholera was ravaging  June 17 to August 20, 1883 – sojourning in gay capital
Manila and the provinces. of France.
 Sad news from Chengoy, Leonora Rivera was unhappy  Hotel de Paris – where he first billeted on 37 Rue de
and getting thinner because of the absence of a loved Maubange.
one.  Latin Quarter – where he moved; cheaper hotel on
 In one of his letters (dated May 26, 1882) Paciano 124 Rue de Rennes.
advised Rizal to finish his medical course in Madrid,
therefore, Rizal establish himself to Madrid. RIZAL AS A MASON

LIFE IN MADRID  March 1883 – joined the Masonic lodge called

“Acacia” in Madrid.
 November 3, 1882 – Rizal enrolled in the Universidad  Reason for becoming a mason: to secure
Central de Madrid (Central University of Madrid in Freemasonry’s aid in his fight against the friars in the
2 courses: Medicine and Philiosophy and Letters. Philippines.
 Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando – school  Lodge Solidaridad (Madrid) – where he became a
where he studied painting and sculpture. Master Mason on November 15, 1890.
 Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell – place where  February 15, 1892 – he was awarded the diploma as
practiced fencing and shooting. Master Mason by Le Grand Orient de France in Paris.
 Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey – former city mayor of  “Science, Virtue and Labor” – only Masonic writing.
Manila; promoted vice-president of the Council of the  Very active in Masonic affairs: M.H. del Pilar, G. Lopez
Philippines in the Ministry of Colonies (Ultramar). Jaena, and Mariano Ponce.
FINANCIAL WORRIES

After Rizal’s departure for Spain, things turned from RIZAL INVOLVED IN STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS
bad to worse in Calamba. Due to hard times in Calamba,
the monthly allowances of Rizal in Madrid were late in  November 20, 21, and 22, 1884 – Madrid exploded in
arrival and there were times they never arrived. On June bloody riots by the students of the Central University.
24, 1884, a touching incident in Rizal’s life occurred; with  Dr. Miguel Morayta – professor of history; these
an empty stomach, he attended his class at the university, student demonstrations were caused by his address
participated in the contest in Greek language and won the “the freedom of science and the teacher”.
gold medal. In the evening, he was able to eat dinner, for  The appointment of the new Rector intensified the
he was a guest speaker in a banquet held in honor of Juan fury of the student demonstrators.
Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo at Restaurant Ingles,
STUDIES COMPLETED IN SPAIN
Madrid.

RIZAL’S SALUTE TO LUNA AND HIDALGO  June 21, 1884 - degree of Licentiate in Medicine by the
Universidad Central de Madrid.
 June 25, 1884 – the banquet was sponsored by the  Did not present the thesis required for graduation nor
Filipino community. paid the corresponding fees, he was not awarded his
 Luna’s Spolarium won first prize and Hidalgo’s Doctor’s diploma.
Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace, second  June 19, 1885 (his 24th birthday) – degree of Licentiate
prize in the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid. in Philosophy and Letters by the Universidad Central
de Madrid.
CHAPTER 7: PARIS TO BERLIN RIZAL AS A MUSICIAN

After completing his studies in Madrid, Rizal went to Paris  November 27, 1878 – Rizal wrote a letter to Enrique Lete
and Germany in order to specialize in ophthalmology. He saying that “he learned the solfeggio”, the piano, and
particularly chose this branch of medicine because he voice culture in one month and a half.
wanted to cure his mother’s eye ailment.  Flute – the instrument that Jose played in every reunion
of Filipinos in Paris.
In Berlin, Jose met and befriended several top German
 “Alin Mang Lahi” (Any Race) – a patriotic song which
scientists, Dr. Feodor Jagor, Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, and Dr.
asserts that any race aspires for freedom.
Rudolf Virchow.
 La Deportacion (Deportation) – a sad danza, which he
IN GAY PARIS (1885-86) composed in Dapitan during his exile.

 Maximo Viola – friend of Jose; a medical student and a In Historic Heidelberg

member of a rich family of San Miguel, Bulacan.
 Feb. 1, 1886 – Jose left Gay, Paris for Germany.
 Señor Eusebio Corominas – editor of the newspaper La
 Feb. 3, 1886 – he arrived in Heidelberg, a historic city in
Publicidad and who made a crayon sketch of Don Miguel
Germany famous for its old university and romantic
Morayta.
surroundings.
 Don Miguel Morayta – owner of la Publicidad and a
 Chess player – Jose was a good chess player so that his
statesman.
German friend made him a member of the Chess
 November 1885 – Rizal was living in Paris, where he
Player’s Club.
sojourned for about four months.
 University of Heidelberg – where Jose transferred to a
 Dr. Louis de Weckert (1852-1906) – leading French
boarding house near the said university.
ophthalmologist were Jose worked as an assistant from
Nov. 1885 to Feb. 1886. To the Flowers of Heidelberg
 January 1, 1886 – Rizal wrote a letter for his mother to
reveal that he was rapidly improved his knowledge in  Spring of 1886 – Rizal was fascinated by the blooming
ophthalmology. flowers along the cool banks of the Neckar River.
 The light blue “forget-me-not” – his favorite flower
Rizal relaxed by visiting his friends, such as the family of the  April 22, 1886 – wrote a fine poem “To the Flower of
Pardo de Taveras (Trinidad, Felix, and Paz), Juan Luna and Heidelberg”.
Felix Resureccion Hidalgo.
With Pastor Ullmer at Wilhemsfeld
"His co-Filipino medical student, Trinidad H. Pardo de
Tavera offered hospitality and support for Rizal's  Wilhelmsfeld – where Rizal spent a three month
courageous ventures. Nellie Bousted (standing third from summer vacation.
right), who lived in Biarritz and Paris, fenced with Rizal  Protestant Pastor Dr. Karl Ullmer – where Rizal stay at
(second from left) and might have become Mrs. Rizal, had the vicarage of their house and who become his good
she not insisted on turning him Protestant. Also in photo are friend and admirer.
artist Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo (third from left) and Paz  June 25, 1886 – he ended his sojourn and felt the pays of
Pardo de Tavera Luna (second from right). Juan Luna's sadness.
mother-in-law, Juliana GorrichoPardo de Tavera is seated at  May 29, 1887 – Rizal wrote from Minich (Muchen) to
the center holding Luna's son Andres." Friedrich (Fritz).

 Paz Pardo de Taveras – a pretty girl who was engaged First Letter to Blumentritt
to Juan Luna. In her album, Jose sketches the story of
“The Monkey and the Turtle”.  July 31, 1886 – Rizal wrote his first letter in German to
 “The Death of Cleopatra” – where he posed as an Blumentritt.
Egyptian Priest.  Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt – Director of the
 “The Blood Compact” – where he posed as Sikatuna, Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria.
with Trinidad Pardo de Taveras taking the role of
Fifth Centenary of Heidelberg University
Legazpi.
 August 6, 1886 – fifth centenary of Heidelberg
"Rizal (seated) shared a deep friendship with painter Juan
University
Luna and often agreed to pose for Luna's paintings as in 'The
Death of Cleopatra.'" -- In Excelsis: The Mission of José Rizal, In Leipzig and Dresden
Humanist and Philippine National Hero by Felice Prudenta
Sta. Maria. In the foreground is Rizal as Egyptian scribe,  August 9, 1886 – Rizal left Heidelberg.
recording the event for posterity. Behind him are Trinidad  August 14, 1886 – when he arrived in Leipzig.
Pardo de Tavera as Octavius Caesar and Felix Pardo de  Rizal translated Schiller’s William Tell from German into
Tavera as Dolabella. Missing are Charmian and Iras. Tagalog. He also translated Fairy Tales of Hans Christian
Anderson. He stayed about two and half month in
Leipzig.
 October 29, 1886 – he left Leipzig for Dresden where he
met Dr. Meyer.
 Dr. Adolph B. Meyer – director of the Anthropological because his first novel, Noli Me Tangere came off the press in
and Ethnological Museum. March, 1887. Like to the legendary Santa Claus, Dr. Maximo
 Nov. 1 – he left Dresden by train, reaching Berlin in the Viola, his friend from BULACAN, arrived in BERLIN at the
evening. height if his despondency and loaned him the needed funds
to publish the novel.
Rizal Welcomed in Berlin’s Circles
Idea of Writing a Novel on the Philippines
 Berlin – where Rizal met Dr. Feodor Jagor
 Dr. Feodor Jagor – author of Travels in the Philippines.  His reading of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s
 Dr. Hans Virchow – professor of Descriptive Anatomy. Cabin - inspired Dr. Rizal to prepare a novel that would
 Dr. Rudolf Virchow – German Anthropologist. depict the miseries of his people (Filipinos) under the
 Dr. W. Joest – noted German geographer. lash of Spanish tyrants.
 Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger – famous German  January 2, 1884- in a reunion of Filipinos in the Paterno
ophthalmologist where Jose worked in his clinic. residence in Madrid, Rizal proposed the writings of a
 Rizal became a member of the Anthropological Society, novel about the Philippines by a group of Filipinos. His
Ethnological Society, and Geographical Society of Berlin. proposals were approved by PATERNOS (Pedro,
Maximo and Antonio), Graciano Lopez JAENA, Evaristo
Rizal’s Life in Berlin AGUIRRE, Eduardo DE LETE, Julio LLORENTE, Melecio
FIGUEROA and Valentin VENTURA.
 Five reasons why Rizal lived in Germany:
─ Gain further knowledge of ophthalmology The Writing of the Noli
─ Further his studies of sciences and languages
 Toward the end of 1884, Rizal began writing the novel
─ Observe the economic and political conditions of the
in Madrid and finished about one-half of it.
German nation
 When Rizal went to Paris, in 1885, after completing his
─ Associate with famous German scientists and
studies in the Central University of Madrid, he continued
scholars
writing the novel, finishing one half of the second half.
─ Publish his novel, Noli me Tangere
 Rizal finished the last fourth of the novel in Germany. He
 Madame Lucie Cerdole – French professor; she became
wrote the last few chapters of the Noli in Wilhelmsfeld
Jose’s professor in Berlin. He took private lessons in
in April-June, 1886.
French in order to master the idiomatic intricacies of the
 In Berlin during the winter days of February, 1886, Rizal
French language.
made the final revisions on the manuscript of the Noli
Rizal on German Women
Viola, Savior of the Noli
 March 11, 1886 – Rizal wrote a letter addressed to his
 Dr. Maximo Viola- Rizal’s rich friend from Bulacan,
sister, Trinidad, expressing his high regard and
arrived in Berlin at the height of Rizal despondency and
admiration for German womanhood.
loaned him the needed funds to publish the novel; Viola
 German woman – serious, diligent, educated and
was shocked to find RIZAL in a dirty place, just not to
friendly
waste money for the printing of NOLI ME TANGERE.
 Spanish woman – gossipy, frivolous and quarrelsome
 After the Christmas season, Rizal put the finishing
German Customs
touches on his novel. To save printing expenses, he
 Christmas custom of the Germans deleted certain passages in his manuscript, including a
 Self-introduce to stranger in social gathering whole chapter—“Elias and Salome”.

Rizal’s Darkest Winter  February 21, 1887- the Noli was finally finished and
ready for printing.
 Winter of 1886 – Rizal’s darkest winter in Berlin.
 He lived in poverty because no money arrived from  Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action-Gesselschaft- a printing
Calamba. Rizal starved in Berlin and shivered with shop which charged the lowest rate, that is, 300 pesos
wintry cold, his health down due to lack of proper for 2,00 copies of the novel
nourishment.
Rizal Suspected as French Spy.

During the printing of NOLI, the chief of police BERLIN

CHAPTER 8: NOLI ME TANGERE PUBLISHED IN visit RIZAL’s boarding house and requested to see his
BERLIN(1887) passport, unfortunately, that time to travel with or without
passports is possible. The police chief then told him to
The bleak winter of 1886 in Berlin was Rizal’s darkest produce a passport after 4 days.
winter because no money arrived from Calamba and he was
flat broke. The diamond ring which his sister, Saturnina, Immediately VIOLA accompanied RIZAL in the Spanish
gave him was in the pawnshop. It was memorable in the life Ambassador, the COURT of BENOMAR, who promised to
of Rizal for two reasons (1) it was a painful episode for he attend to the matter. But the ambassador failed to keep his
was hungry, sick and despondent in a strange city (2) it promise, but it turns out that he had no power to issue the
brought him great joy after enduring so much sufferings, required passport.
 The 4 day ultimatum expired. RIZAL himself apologize  Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor- Filipino patriot and lawyer,
to the chief police, while asking why has he to be deported, who had been exiled due to his complicity in the Cavite
the police chief answered that he was always seen visiting Mutiny of 1872, read avidly the Noli and was very much
many villages, thereby pronouncing him as a French SPY. impressed by its author.

RIZAL in fluent GERMAN explained to the police, that he Characters of Noli

was a Filipino ethnologist, who visits rural areas to observe
customs and lifestyles of their simple inhabitants. The chief  The Noli Me Tangere was a true story of the Philippine
impressed and fascinated on RIZAL’s explanation, allowed conditions during the last decades of Spanish rule.
him to stay freely in GERMANY.
 Maria Clara - was Leonor Rivera, although in real life
Printing of the Noli Finished she became unfaithful and married an Englishman.

Every day, Rizal and Viola were always at the printing  Ibarra and Elias - represented Rizal himself.
shop proof reading the printed pages.
 Tasio - the philosopher was Rizal’s elder brother
 March 21, 1887- the Noli Me Tangere came off the press, Paciano.
RIZAL immediately sent the first copies to
BLUMENTRITT, DR. ANTONIO REGIDOR, G. LOPEZ  Padre Salvi - was identified by Rizalists as Padre
JAENA, MARIANO PONCE, and FELIX R. HIDALGO. Antonio Piernavieja, the hated Augustinian friar in
Cavite who was killed by the patriots during the
“I am sending you a book, my first book… bold book on the Revolution.
life of tagalongs… Filipinos will find it the history of the
 Capitan Tiago - was Captain Hilario Sunico of San
last ten years…”
Nicolas.
 March 29, 1887- Rizal, in token of his appreciation and
 Doña Victorina - was Doña Agustina Medel.
gratitude, gave Viola the galley proofs of the Noli
carefully rolled around the pen that he used in writing it  Basilio and Crispin - were the Crisostomo brothers of
and a complimentary copy, with the following Hagonoy.
inscription: “To my dear friend, Maximo Viola, the first
to read and appreciate my work—Jose Rizal”  Padre Damaso - typical of a domineering friar during
the days of Rizal, who was arrogant, immoral and anti-
The Title of the Novel Filipino.

 The title Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase which means

“Touch Me Not”. It is not originally conceived by Rizal,
for he admitted taking it from the Bible. CHAPTER 9: RIZAL’S GRAND TOUR OF EUROPE WITH
VIOLA (1887)
 Rizal, writing to Felix Hidalgo in French on March 5,
1887, said: “Noli Me Tangere, words taken from the After the publication of Noli, Rizal planned to visit the
Gospel of St. Luke, signify “do not touch me” but Rizal important places in Europe. Dr. Maximo Viola agreed to be
made a mistake, it should be the Gospel of St. John his traveling companion. Rizal received Pacianos remittance
(Chapter 20 Verses 13 to 17). of P1000 which forward by Juan Luna from Paris and
immediately paid his debt to Viola which he loaned so that
“Touch me not; I am not yet ascended to my father...” the Noli could be printed. First, he and Viola visited
Potsdam, a city near Berlin.
 Rizal dedicated his Noli Me Tangere to the Philippines—
“To My Fatherland”. Tour Begins

 The cover of Noli Me Tangere was designed by Rizal. It At the dawn of May 11, 1887, Rizal and Viola, two browned-
is a ketch of explicit symbols. A woman’s head atop a skinned doctors on a roaming spree, left Berlin by train.
Maria Clara bodice represents the nation and the Spring was an ideal season for travel. Their destination was
women, victims of the social cancer. One of the causes in Dresden, one of the best cities in Germany´.
of the cancer is symbolized in the friar’s feet, outsized in
relation to the woman’s head. The other aggravating Dresden
causes of oppression and discrimination are shown in
Rizal and Viola tarried for sometimes in Dresden. They
the guard’s helmet and the iron chains, the teacher’s
visited Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, who was overjoyed to see them.
whip and the alferez’s scourge. A slight cluster of
In the Museum of Art, Rizal was deeply impressed by
bamboo stands at the backdrop; these are the people,
painting of Prometheus Bound´. They also meet Dr. Jagor
forever in the background of their own country’s
and heard there plan about Leitmeritz in order to see
history. There are a cross, a maze, flowers and thorny
Blumentritt. He advice to wire Blumentritt because the old
plants, a flame; these are indicative of the religious
professor might be shock of their visit.
policy, the misdirected ardor, the people strangled as a
result of these all.

 The novel Noli Me Tangere contains 63 chapters and an

epilogue.
First Meeting with Blumentritt Rizal in Italy

At 1:30 pm of May 15, 1887 the train arrived at the railroad He visited Turin, Milan, Venice and Florence. On June 27,
station of Leitmeritz. Professor Blumentritt was at the 1887, he reached Rome. He was thrilled by the sights and
station carrying a pencil sketch of Rizal which he sent to memories of the Eternal City Rome. On June 29th, Rizal
identify his friend. Blumentritt get a room at Hotel Krebs, visited or the first time the Vatican, the City of the Popes and
after which he bought them to his house and stayed the capital of Christendom. After a week of staying in Rome,
Leitmeritz May 13 to 14 1887. he prepared to return to the Philippines. He had already
written to his father that he was coming home.
Beautiful Memories at Leitmeritz

They enjoyed hospitality of Blumentritt family. The

professor¶s wife, Rosa, was a goodcook. She prepared CHAPTER 10: FIRST HOMECOMING 1887-88
Austrian dishes which Rizal¶s liked very much. Blumentritt
proved to be agreat tourist as well as hospitable host. He All the alluring beauties of foreign countries and all
the beautiful memories of his sojourn in alien lands could
showed the scenic and historical spots of Leitmeritz tohis
neither make Rizal for his fatherland nor turn his back to his
visitors. The Burgomaster (town mayor) was also amazed by own nationality. True that he studied abroad, acquired the
Rizals privileged talent. love and languages of foreign nations, and enjoyed the
friendship of many great men of the Western world; but he
Prague remained at heart a true Filipino with an unquenchable love
for the Philippines and an unshakable determination to die
Rizal and Viola visited the historic city of Prague. They in the land of his birth. Thus, after five years of memorable
carried letters of recommendation from Blumentritt to Dr. sojourn in Europe, he returned to the Philippines in August
Wilkom, professor in University of Prague. Rizal and Viola 1887 and practiced medicine in Calamba. He lived the quite
visited the ³Tomb of Copernicus. life of a country doctor. But his enemies, who resented his
Noli, persecuted him, even threatening to kill him.
Vienna
Decision to Return Home
May 20 they arrived at Vienna capital of Austria-Hungary.
They met Norfenfals, one of the greatest novelist iun that Because of the publication of the Noli Me Tangere and
the uproar it caused among the friars, Rizal was warned by
time. They stayed at Hotel Metropole. They also meet two
Paciano (his brother), Silvestre Ubaldo (his brother-in-law),
good friends of Blumentritt ± Masner and Nordman, Chengoy (Jose M. Cecilio), and other friends to return home.
Austrian scholars. But he did not heed their warnings. He was determined to
return to the Philippines for the following reasons: (1) to
Danubian Voyage to Lintz operates on his mother’s eye’s; (2) to serve his people who
had long been oppressed by the Spanish tyrants; (3) to find
May 24, Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a river boat too se out for himself how the Noli and his other writings were
beautiful sights of Danube River. As they travelled along affecting the Filipinos and Spaniards in the Philippines: and
the famous river, Rizal observed keenly river sights. (4) to inquire why Leonor Rivera remained silent.

Form Lintz to Rheinfall In a letter to Blumentritt, written in Geneva on June

19, 1887, Rizal said: “Your advice that I live in Madrid and
The river voyage ended in Lintz. They travelled overland to continue to write from there is very benevolent but I cannot
Salzburg, and from there to Munich where the sojourned for accept it . I cannote endure the life in Madrid where
a short time to savor the famous Munich Beer. everything is a voice in a wilderness. My parents wants to
see me, and I want to see them also. All my life I desire to
Crossing the Frontier to Switzerland live in my country by the side of my family. Until now I am
not Europeanized like the Filipinos of Madrid; I always like
to return to the country of my birth”.
They stayed from June 2 to 3 1887 and continued tour to
Basel (Bale), Bern, and Laussane. In Rome, on June 29, 1887, Rizal wrote to his father,
announcing his homecoming. “On the 15th of July, at the
Geneva latest”, he wrote, “I shall embark for our country, so that
from 15th to the 30th of August, we shall see each other”.
Rizal and Viola left Laussane in a little boat crossing the
foggy Leman Lake to Geneva. On June 19, 1887, his 26 th Delightful Trip to Manila
birthday; Rizal treated Viola to a blow-out. Rizal and Viola
spent fifteen days in Geneva. On June 23, they parted ways. Rizal left Rome by the train for Marseilles, a French port,
Viola decided to return to Barcelona while Rizal continued which he researched without mishap. On July 3, 1887, he
his tour to Italy. boarded the streamer Djemnah, the same streamer which
brought him to Europe five years ago. There were about 50
Rizal Resents Exhibition of Igorots in 1887 Madrid passengers, including 4 Englishmen, 2 Germans, 3 Chinese, 2
Japanese, many Frenchmen, and 1 Filipino (Rizal).
Exposition
Rizal was the only one among the passengers who could
Rizal received sad news from his friends in Madrid of the
speak many languages, so that he acted as interpreter for his
deplorable conditions of the primitive Igorots who were companions.
exhibited in this exposition. Some of these Igorots died. Rizal
was outraged by the degradation of his fellow countrymen. The Streamer was enroute to the Orient via the Suez
Canal. Rizal thus saw this historic canal for the second time,
the first time was when he sailed to Europe from Manila in Storm of the Noli
1882. On board, he played chess with fellow passengers and
engage in lively conversation in many languages. Some Meanwhile, as Rizal was peacefully living in Calamba,
passengers sang: others played on the piano and accordion. his enemies plotted his doom. Aside from practicing
After leaving Aden, the weather became rough and some of medicine, attending to his gymnasium, which he established,
Rizal’s books got wet. At Saigon, on July 30, he transferred to and taking part in the town’s civic affairs. He painted several
another streamer Haiphong which was Manila-bound. On beautiful landscapes and translated the German poems of
August 2, this streamer left Saigon to Manila. Von Wildernath into Tagalog.

Arrival in Manila A few weeks after his arrival, a storm broke over his
novel. One day Rizal received a letter from Governor General
Rizal”s voyage from Saigon to Manila wa pleasant. On Emilio Terrero (1885-88) requesting him to come in
August 3rd the moon was full, and he slept soundly the whole Malacañan Palace. Somebody had whispered to the
night. The calm see, illumined by the silvery moonlight, was governor’s ear that the Nolicontained subversive ideas.
a magnificent sight to him.
Rizal went to Manila and appeared at Malacañang. When
Near midnight of August 5, the Haiphong arrived in he was informed by Governor General Terrero of the charge,
Manila. Rizal went ashore with a happy heart for he once he denied it, explaining that he merely exposed the truth,
more trod his beloved native soil. He stayed in the city for a but he did not advocate subversive ideas. Pleased by his
short time to visit his friends. He found Manila the same as explanation and curious about the controversial book, the
when he left it five years ago. There were the same old governor general asked the author for a copy then because
churches and buildings, the same holes in the road, the same the only copy he brought home was given to a friend.
boats on the Pasig River, and the same heary walls However, he promised to secure one for the governor
surrounding the city. general.

Happy Homecoming Rizal Visited the Jesuit father to ask for the copy he sent
them, but they would not part with it. The Jesuits, especially
On August 8th, he returned to Calamba, His family his former professors – Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, Fr.
welcomed him affectionately, with plentiful tears of joy. Jose Bech, and Fr. Federico Faura, who ventured an opinion
Writing to Blumentritt of his homecoming, he said: “I had a that “everything in it was the truth”, but added: “You may
pleasant voyage. I found my family enjoying good health and lose your head for it”.
our happiness was great in seeing each other again. They
shed tears of joy and I had to answer ten thousand questions Fortunately, Rizal found a copy in the hands of a friend.
at the same time”. He was able to get it and gave it to Governor General
Terrero. The governor general, who was a liberal-minded
The rejoicings of Rizal’s return over, his family became Spaniard, knew that Rizal’s life in jeopardy because the
worried for his safety. Paciano did not leave him the first day friars were powerful. For security measure, he assigned a
of his arrival to protect him from any enemy assault. His young Spanish lieutenant, Don Jose Taviel de Andrade, as
own father would not let him go out alone, lest something bodyguard of Rizal. This lieutenant belonged to a noble
might happen to him. family. He was cultured and knew painting, and could speak
English, French, and Spanish.
In Calamba, Rizal established a medical clinic, his first
patient was his mother, who was almost blind, he treated Governor General Terrero rand the Noli and found
her eyes, but could not perform any surgical operations nothing wrong with in. But Rizal’s enemies were powerful.
because her eye cataracts were not yet ripe. News of arrival The Archbishop of Manila, Msgr. Pedro Payo (a Dominican)
of a great doctor from Germany spread far and wide. sent a copy of the Nolito Father Rector Gregorio Echavarria
Patients from Manila and the provinces flocked to Calamba. of the University of Santo Tomas for examination by a
Rizal, who came to be called “Doctor Uliman” because he committee of the faculty. The committee, which was
came from Germany, treated their ailments and soon he composed of Dominican professor’s, submitted its report to
acquired a lucrative medical practice. His Professional fees the Father Rector, who immediately transmitted it to
were reasonable, even gratis to the poor. Within a few Archbishop Payo. The archbishop in turn, lost no time in
months, he was able to earn P900 as a physician. By forwarding it to the governor general. This report of the
February, 1888, he earned a total of P5,000 as medical fees. faculty members of the University of Santo Tomas stated
that the Noli was “heretical, impious, and scandalous in the
Unlike many successful medical practitioners, Rizal did religion order, and anti-patriotic, subversive of public order,
not selfishly devoted all his time to enriching himself. He injurious to the government of Spain and its function in the
opened a gymnasium for young folks, where he introduced Philippine Islands in the political order”.
European sports. He tried to interest his townmates in
gymnastics, fencing and shooting so as to discourage the Governor General Terrero was dissatisfied with the
cockfights and gambling. report of the Dominicans, for he knew that the Dominicans
were prejudiced against Rizal. He send the novel to the
Rizal suffered one failure during his six months of Permanent Commission of Censorship which was composed
sojourn in Calamba – his failure to see Leonor Rivera. He of priest and laymen. The report of this commission was
tried to go to Dagupan, but his parents absolutely forbade drafted by its head, Fr. Salvador Font, Augustinian curaof
him to go because Leonor’s mother did not like him for a Tondo, and submitted to the governor general on December
son-in-law. With a heavy heart, Rizal bowed to his parent’s 29. It found the novel to contain subversive ideas against the
wish. He was caught within the iron grip of the custom of his Church and Spain, and recommended “that the importation,
time that marriages must be arranged by the parents of both reproduction and circulation of this pernicious book in the
groom and bride. islands be absolutely prohibited”.

When the newspapers published Font’s written report

of the censorship commission, Rizal and his friends became
apprehensive and uneasy. The enemies of Rizal exulted in
unholy glee. The banning of the Noli only served to make it of course, rushed to uphold the truths of the Noli. Father
popular. Everybody wanted to read it. News about the great Sanchez, Rizal’s favorite teacher at the Ateneo, defended and
book spread among the masses. What the hated Spanish praised it in public. Don SegismundoMoret, former Minister
masters did not like, the oppressed masses liked very much. of the Crown; Dr. Miguel Morayta, historian and statesman;
Despite the government prohibition and the vigilance of the and Professor Blumentritt, scholar and educator, read and
cruel Guardia Civil many Filipinos were able to get hold of liked the novel.
copies of the Noli which they read at night behind closed
doors. A brilliant defense of the Noli came from an unexpected
source. It was by Rev. Vicente Garcia, a Filipino Catholic
Thanks to Governor General Terrero, there were no priest-scholar, theologian of the Manila Cathedral, and a
mass imprisonment or mass execution of Filipinos. He Tagalog translator of the famous Imitation of Christ by
refused to be intimidated by the friars who clamored for Thomas a Kempis. Father Garcia, writing under the penname
harsh measures against people who caught reading the Justo DesiderioMagalang, wrote a defense of the Noli which
novel and its author. was published in Singapore as an appendix to a pamphlet
dated July 18, 1888. He blasted the arguments of Fr.
Attackers of the Noli Rodriguez as follows:

The battle over the Noli took the form of a virulent war 1. Rizal cannot be an “ignorant man”, as Fr.
of words. Father Font printed his report and distributed Rodriguez alleged, because he was a graduated
copies for it in order to discredit the controversial novel. of Spanish universities and was a recipient of
Another Augustinian, Fr. Jose Rodriguez, Prior of Guadalupe, scholastic honors.
published a series of eight pamphlets under the general
heading Cuestiones de Sumo Interes (Questions of Supreme 2. Rizal does not attack the Church and Spain, as
Interes) to blast the Noli and other anti-Spanish writings. Fr. Rodriguez claimed, because what Rizal
These eight pamphlets wer entitled as follows: attacked in the Noliwere the bad Spanish
officials and not Spain, and the bad and corrupt
1. Porque no los he de leer? (Why Should I not friars and not the Church.
Read Them?).
3. Father Rodriguez said that those who read the
2. Guardaos de ellos. Porque?(Beware of Them. Noli commit a mortal sin; since he (Rodriguez)
Why?). had read the novel, therefore he also commits a
mortal sin.
3. Y_que me dice usted de la peste? (And What
Can You Tell Me of Plague?). Later, when Rizal learned of the brilliant defense of
Father Garcia of his novel, he cried because his gratitude
4. Porquetriufan los impios? (Why Do the was over-whelming. Rizal, himself defended his novel
Impious Truimph?). against Barrantes attack, in a letter written in Brussels,
Belgium, in February, 1880. In this letter, he exposed
5. Cree ustedque de versa no hay purgatorio? (Do Barrantes’ ignorance of Philippine affairs and mental
You Think There Is Really No Purgatory?). dishonesty which is unworthy of an academician. Barrantes
met in Rizal his master in satire and polemics.
6. Hay o no hay infierno? (Is There o Is There No
Hell?). During the days when the Noli was the target of a heated
controversy between the friars (and their minions) and the
7. Que le pareceausted de esoslibelos? (What Do friends of Rizal, all copies of it were sold out and the price
You Think of These Libels?). per copy soared to unprecedented level. Both friends and
enemies of the Noli found it extremely difficult to secure a
8. Confession o condenacion? (Confession or copy. According to Rizal, in a letter to Fernando Canon from
Damnation?). Geneva, June 13, 1887, the price he set per copy was five
pesetas (equivalent to one pese), but the price later rose to
Copies of these anti-Rizal pamphlets written by Fray fifty pesos per copy.
Rodriguez were sold daily in the churches after Mass. Many
Filipinos were forced to buy them in order not to displease Rizal and Taviel de Andrade
the friars, but they did not believe what their author said
with hysterical fervor. While the storm over the Noliwas raging in fury, Rizal
was not molested in Calamba. This is due to Governor
Repercussions of the storm over the Noli reached Spain. General Terrero’s generosity in assigning a bodyguard to
It was fiercely attacked on the session hall of the Senate of him. Between this Spanish bodyguard, Lt. Jose Taviel de
the Spanish Cortes by various senators, particularly General Andrade, and Rizal, a beautiful friendship bloomed.
Jose deSalamanca on April 1, 1888, General Luis M. de Pando
on April 12, and Sr. Fernando Vida on June 11. The Spanish Together, Rizal and Andrade, young, educated and
academician of Madrid, Vicente Barrantes, who formerly cultured, made walking tours of the verdant countrysides,
occupied high government positions in the Philippines, discussed topics of common interest, and enjoyed fencing,
bitterly criticized the Noli in the article published in La shooting, hunting, and painting. Lt. Andrade became a great
EsapañaModerna (a newspaper of Madrid) in January, 1890. admirer of the man he was ordered to watch and protect.
Years later, he wrote for Rizal: “Rizal was refined, educated
Defenders of the Noli and gentlemanly. The hobbies that most interested him were
hunting, fencing, shooting, painting and hiking. . . I well
The much-maligned Nolihad its gallant defenders who remember our excursion to Mount Makiling, not so much for
fearlessly came out to prove the merits of the novel or to the beautiful view . . . as for the rumors and pernicious
refute the arguments of the unkind attackers. Marcelo H. effects that result from it. There has one who believed and
delPilar, Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, Graciano Lopez Jaena, reported to Manila that Rizal and I at the top of the
Mariano Ponce, and other Filipino reformist in foreign lands, mountain hoisted the German flag and proclaimed its
sovereignty over the Philippines. I imagined that such This time Rizal had to go. He could not very well disobey
nonsense emanated from the friars of Calamba, but did not the governor general’s veiled orders. But he was not running
take the trouble to make inquiries about the matter”. like a coward from a fight. He was courageous, a fact which
his worst enemies could not deny. A valiant hero that he
What marred Rizal’s happy days in Calamba with Lt. was, he was not afraid of any man and neither was he afraid
Andrade were (1) the death of his older sister, Olimpia, and to die. He was compelled to leave Calamba for two reason:
(2) the groundless tales circulated by his enemies that he (1) his presence in Calamba was jeopardizing the safety and
was “a German spy, an agent of Bismarck, a Protestant, a happiness of his family and friends and (2) he could not fight
Mason, a witch, a soul beyong salvation, etc” better his enemies and serve his country’s cause with
greater efficacy by writing in foreign countries.
Calamba’s Agrarian Trouble
A Poem for Lipa
Governor General Terrero, influenced by certain facts in
Noli Me Tangere, ordered a government investigation of the Shortly before Rizal left Calamba in 1888 his friend from
friar estates to remedy whatever iniquities might have been Lipa requested him to write a poem in commemoration of
present in connection with land taxes and with tenant the town’s elevation to a villa (city) by virtue of the Becerra
relations. One of the friars estates affected was the Calamba
Law of 1888. Gladly, he wrote a poem dedicated to the
Hacienda which the Dominican Order owned since 1883. In
compliance with the governor general’s orders, dated industrious folks of Lipa. This was the “Himno Al Trabajo”
December 30, 1887, the Civil Governor of Laguna Province (Hymn to Labor). He finished it and sent it to Lipa before his
directed the municipal authorities of Calamba to investigate departure from Calamba.
the agrarian conditions of their locality.

Upon hearing of the investigation, the Calamba folks

solicited Rizal’s help in gathering the facts and listing their
grievances against the hacienda management, so that the
central government might institute certain agrarian reforms.

After a thorough study of the conditions of Calamba,

Rizal wrote down his findings which tenants and three of the
officials of the hacienda signed on January 8, 1888. These
findings, which were formally submitted to the government
for action, were the following:

1. The hacienda of the Dominican Order

comprised not only the lands around Calamba, but
also the town of Calamba.

2. The profits of the Dominican Order

continually increased because of the arbitrary
increase of the rentals paid by the tenants.

3. The hacienda owner never contributed a

single centavo for the celebration of the town fiesta,
for the education of the children, and for the
improvement of agriculture.

4. Tenants who had spent much labor in

clearing the lands were dispossessed of said lands
for flimsy reason.
5. High rates of interest were charged the
tenants for delayed payment of rentals, and when
the rentals could not be paid, the hacienda
management confiscated their carabaos, tools and
homes.

Farewell to Calamba

Rizal’s exposure of the deplorable conditions of tenancy

in Calamba infuriated further his enemies. The friars exerted
pressure on Malacañan Palace to eliminate him. They asked
Governor General Terrero to deport him, but the latter
refused because there was no valid charge against Rizal in
court. Anonymous threats against Rizal’s life were received
by his parents. The alarmed parents, relatives and friends
(including Lt. Taviel de Andrade) advised him to go away,
for his life was in danger.

One day Governor General Terrero summoned Rizal and

“advise” him to leave the Philippines for his own good. He
was giving Rizal a chance to escape the fury of the friar’s
wrath.