Module in Rizal

Prepared by: Reyca Joy P. Martesano

Instructor

TOPIC 1- Rizal in Europe, 1882-1885

1.The First Voyage to Spain: Views and Impressions
After finishing the 4th year of the medical course in the University of Santo Tomas, Rizal decided to complete his
studies in Spain.
SECRET MISSION IN SPAIN
•to observe keenly the life and culture, languages and customs, industries andcommerce, and governments and laws of
the European nations. In order to preparehimself in the mighty task of liberating his oppressed people from Spanish
tyranny.
RIZAL IN BARCELONA
•May 3, 1882- Rizal departed onboard the Spanish Steamer Salvadorabound for Singapore. Rizal’s departurefor
Spain was kept secret to avoiddetection by the Spanish authorities andthe friars•June 16, 1882- Rizal
finallyreached his destination—Barcelona.
ARTICLES WRITTEN BY RIZAL
•Amor Patrio (Love Of Country) -a nationalistic essay written by Riza lunder his pen name Laong Laan which
urged his compatriots to love their fatherland, the Philippines.
Basilio Teodoro Moran- publisher of Diariong Tagalog.
Other written articles of Rizal:
- LosViajes (Travels)
- second article - Revista de Madrid (Review of Madrid)- returned to him because the Diariong Tagalog had ceased
publication for lack of funds

RIZAL IN MADRID
•November 3, 1882- Rizal enrolled in Universidad Central de Madrid in twocourses- Medicine and
Philosophy and Letters.
-Rizal led a Spartan life in Madrid.
•He also studied in Painting and Sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts and took lessons in French, German and
English.

CIRCULO HISPANO-FILIPINO (HISPANO-PHILIPPINE CIRCLE)

•Shortly after his arrival, Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-Philippine Circle), a society
of Spaniards and Filipinos.
•“They Ask Me For Verses” (Me Piden Versos) - a poem written by Rizal inresponse to the request of the members
of the society. It is a sad poem in which Riza lpoured out the cry of his agonizing heart.

RIZAL AS LOVER OF BOOKS

•Beecher Stowe’s, Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Eugene Sue’s The Wandering Jew -aroused the sympathy of Rizal to his
oppressed and unfortunate people.

RIZAL AS A MASON
•March 1883- Rizal joined the Masonic Lodge Acacia in Madrid under his Masonic name Dimasalang.
Rizal‘s reasons of becoming a mason:
1. the bad friars in thePhilippines, by their abuses unworthy of their priestly habit or calling, drove Rizal todesperation
and Masonry;
2. he needed the help of the Masons to fight the bad friars inthe Philippines, for Masonry, to Rizal, was a shield to use
in his fight against the evill forces of tyranny.

RIZAL IN PARIS, CAPITAL CITY OF FRANCE

•June 17 1883, Rizal sojourn in Paris. He stayed at a cheaper hotel on 124 Ruede Rennes in the Latin Quarter.
•Like all tourist, Rizal was attracted by the beautiful sights of Paris. He visited important landmarks like the Place de
la Concorde, Arch of Triumph, the Cathedral of Notre Dame and others. Rizal improved his mind by observing
closely the French way of life. He spent his hours in museums, botanical garden and art galleries. According to Rizal
“Paris is the costliest capital in Europe.” Prices of food, drinks, theatre, laundry,hotels and transportation were too
high.
•Two hospitals where Rizal made some observations:
Laennec Hospital- where Rizal observed Dr. Nicaise treating his patients
Lariboisiere Hospital- where Rizal observed the examination of different diseases of women.
• August 20, 1883 he returned to Madrid and continues with his studies.

RIZAL’S SALUTE TO LUNA AND HIDALGO.

•In the evening of June 25, 1884, a banquet was sponsored by the Filipino community to celebrate the double victory
of the Filipino artist in the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid - Luna’s Spoliarium winning the first prize and
Hidalgo’s Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace second prize. Rizal was the guest speaker. It was a
magnificent speech of Rizal, he saluted Luna and Hidalgo being the two glories of Spain and the Philippines. He also
assailed with refined sarcasm the bigotry and blindness ofcertain unworthy Spaniards who could not comprehend the
universality of Genius.

STUDIES COMPLETED IN SPAIN

•June 21, 1884- conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine. He was not awarded his Doctor‘s diploma due to the
fact that he did not present the thesis required for graduation nor paid the corresponding fees.
June 19, 1885- Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters with the rating of“Excellent”(Sobresaliente).

CLASS ACTIVITIES
A. What is the secret mission of Rizal in going to Spain? Is this mission important?Justify your answer.
B. What organizations did Rizal join in Spain?
C. Identify the accomplishments of Rizal in Spain. How was he able to accomplish it? Explain your answer?
D. Did Rizal excelled and finished his studies? Justify your answer?

TOPIC 2- CONTINUED STAY IN EUROPE 1885-1887

•Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to specialize in Ophthalmology. He travelled and observed
European life and customs in Paris, Heidelberg, Leipzig, andBerlin.

PARIS (1885-1886)
•He was 24 years old and already a physician, he went to Paris to obtain knowledge in
Ophthalmology. In November 1885, he worked for four months as an assistant to Dr. Louis de Weckert, a
leading French ophthalmologist.
•Outside of his working hours, he also found time to relax and be with his goodfriends like the Pardo de
Taveras, Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo. At the studio of Juan Luna, he improved his painting
technique. He became a model to JuanLuna’s several paintings. In the home of the Pardo de Tavera, Rizal
played the flute, headmitted that he had no natural aptitude for music.

GERMANY IN HEIDELBERG
•In February 1886, Rizal left Paris and went to Germany. He arrived inHeidelberg, a
historic city in Germany famous for its old university and romanticsurroundings.
•He lived near the University of Heidelberg and worked as an assistant to Dr. OttoBecker at the University
Eye Hospital. Outside his apprenticing hours, he also listenedto lectures delivered by Dr. Becker and Prof.
Wilhelm Kuchne.
•Rizal devoted his free time visiting Heidelberg Castle, Neckar River, the theatre and some old churches
found in the city. The Neckar River and the beautiful spring flowers blooming along its banks reminded him
of how dearly he missed Calamba.
•April 22, 1886, Rizal wrote a touching poem entitled To the Flowers of Heidelberg.

IN WILHELMSFELD
•A mountainous village near Heidelberg where Rizal spent his summer vacation.
•Rizal lived with the family of Pastor Karl Ullmer, a Protestant pastor who became his good friend and
admirer. The pleasant personality and talents in languages and sketching endeared him to the Ullmer’s
family.
•For three months he enjoyed the hospitality and kindness of the family.
•June 25, 1886, he returned to Heidelberg.

FIRST LETTER TO BLUMENTRITT

•July 31, 1886 Rizal wrote his first letter in German to Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt, Director of the
Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria. Rizal wrote to him after learning that this ethnologist was interested
in the Tagalog language. He sent him a book entitled Arithmetica. Published in 2 languages- Spanish and
Tagalog. Author was Rufino Baltazar Hernandez a native of Santa Cruz, Laguna.
Ferdinand reciprocated the thoughtful gesture of Rizal by sending him two books. The exchanged marked
the beginning of their long and beautiful friendship.
IN LEIPZIG•In August 1886, Rizal arrived in Leipzig. He stayed here for two months doing alot of writing
and translating.
•He very much liked what he saw, the magnificent buildings, wide and clean streets and amiable people
•William Tell- written by Schiller, Rizal translated it from German into Tagalog so that Filipino might know
the story of the champion of Swiss independence.
•Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales - Rizal also translated this in Tagalog for hisnephews and nieces.
•Because of his knowledge of German, Spanish, and other European languages,Rizal worked as proof-reader
in a publishing firm.
•He attended some lectures on history and psychology at the University of Leipzig and met Professor
Friedrich Ratzel- a famous German historian and Dr. Hans Meyer-German anthropologist. They had
become his friends.
IN BERLIN •In November 1886, Rizal arrived in Berlin. He was enchanted by this city
because of its scientific atmosphere and the absence of racial prejudice.
•Dr. Feodor Jagor - Rizal met for the first time this celebrated German scientist-traveler and author of
Travels in the Philippines, a book which Rizal read and admiredduring his student days in Manila.
•Dr. Rudolf Virchow- a famous German anthropologist. (Dr. Jagor, introducedRizal to Dr. Virchow)
•Dr. Ernest Schweigger (1830-1905)- famous German ophthalmologist where Rizal worked
•Rizal became a member of the Anthropological Society, the Ethnological Society,and the Geographical
Society of Berlin, upon the recommendation of Dr. Jagor and Dr.Meyer
•Tagalische Verkunst (Tagalog Metrical Art)- Rizal wrote this scholarly paper inGerman which he read
before the society in April 1887. This paper was published by the society in the same year, and elicited
favorable comments from all scientific quarters
GERMAN WOMEN AND THEIR CUSTOMS
•Rizal wrote a letters addressed to his sister, Trinidad. He said that German woman is serious, diligent,
educated, and friendly. She is not gossipy, frivolous and quarrelsome.
•Aside from women, Rizal admired the German customs. The Christmas custom of the German delighted
him most of his yule tide custom he wrote on Christmas eve. Another interesting German custom observed
by Rizal is self-introduction to strangers in a social gathering.

NOLI ME TANGERE PUBLISHED IN BERLIN (1887)

GRAND TOUR FROM GERMANY TO ITALY

•May 11, 1887- Rizal and Viola left Berlin by train going to Dresden,one of the best cities in Germany
•May 13- 16, 1887- Rizal and Viola went to Leitmeritz, Bohemia to visit ProfessorBlumentritt. A kind-
hearted, old Austrian professor who became a dear friend of Rizal.
•With Prof. Blumentritt as their guide, Rizal and Viola visited the churches, the residence of the Bishop and
other important buildings of the city.
•From May 20-30, 1887 -They visited other cities in Europe like, Prague, Vienna-the "Queen of
Danube", Lintz, Rheinfall, Munich and Nuremberg. They visited museums, magnificent buildings,
cathedrals and beautiful sights.
•June 2 to 3, 1887- stayed at Schaffhausen, Switzerland.
GENEVA- This Swiss city is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, visited by world tourists every year
.•June 19, 1887- Rizal treated Viola to a blow-out. It was his 26th birthday.Rizal andViola spent fifteen
delightful days in Geneva.
•June 23, 1887- Viola and Rizal partedways—Viola returned to Barcelona while Rizal continued the tour to
Italy
•June 27, 1887- Rizal reached Rome, the “Eternal City” and also called the “Cityof the Caesars. After a
week of wonderful sojourn in Rome, Rizal prepared to return to the Philippines.

CLASS ACTIVITIES
A. What are the places that he visited in Europe? What were his impressions about these cities and what did
he learned about their culture? What did he accomplished in visiting these cities?
B. How does Rizal spend his free time in Europe? Are these other activities important?
Justify your answer.
C. Make a comparison of the customs of Filipino women and German women duringthe time of Rizal.
What have you learned? Explain your answer

TOPIC 3- FIRST RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES 1887-1888

TRAVEL TO THE PHILIPPINES
The stunning beauty of the European lands did not stop Rizal from continuously adoring his native land.
After the Noli Me Tangere was published, he decided to return to Calamba despite the many warning he
received from friends and relatives alike.
•He had four reasons for returning to the Philippines:
a) To perform an operation on Dona Teodora’s eyes;
b) To defend his oppressed countrymen more effectively than doing so in a foreignland;
Terrero to deport him, but the latter refused because there was no valid charge againstRizal in court.
•While still in Calamba, Rizal was seen as a troublemaker. There are groundless tales circulated by his
enemies that he was “a German spy, an agent of Bismarck, a Protestant, a Mason, a witch, a soul beyond
salvation, etc.” Realizing that his family’sand friend’s safety were risked; and that his fight against the
Spaniards have betterchance of winning if he’d stay abroad, Rizal, six months after, finally decided to sail
back to Europe. His plan was to return to Europe via Hong Kong, Macao, Japan and theUnited States

CLASS ACTIVITIES
A. What were the reasons of Rizal returning to the Philippines? Did he accomplished his agenda?
Explain your answer?
B. What are the controversies about his novel Noli Me Tangere? Did these affect his stay in the Philippines?
Justify your answer.
C.Why did he fail to see Leonor Rivera? Explain your answer.

TOPIC 4- TRAVELS IN ASIA ( HONG KONG, MACAU AND JAPAN) AND THE U.S.FIRST
TRIP TO HONG KONG AND MACAU
•On February 3, 1888, with a heavy heart, Rizal left Manila for Hong Kong. His powerful enemies refused
to give him peace and quiet. Anonymous letters with threat son his life were sent to his parents’ house in
Calamba.
•On February 8, 1888- Rizal arrived in Hong Kong and he was welcomed byFilipino residents.
•Jose Sainz de Varranda,Terrero’s former secretary, followed Rizal in the said British colony, and was
believed to be commissioned by the Spanish authorities to spy on the hero.
•While in Hong Kong, Rizal engaged in cultural activities. Among the experiences while he observed were:
a) The Chinese way of celebrating their New Year, which included making noise and exploding firecrackers
to drive away evil spirits
b) Chinese lauriat parties, where they served many different types of dishes;
c) Chinese theatres which used symbolisms and noisy music to entertain an equallynoise audience;
d) He also managed to visit different churches and cemeteries that were owned byCatholics, Protestants,
and Muslims.
•On February 18-21, 1888, Rizal also visited Macau, a Portuguese colony nearHong Kong. He was invited
to stay at the residence of Don Juan Francisco Lecaros,who was a former Filipino delegate to the Spanish
Cortes. For two days, Rizal enjoyed being a tourist and visited different cultural places which included
churches, botanical gardens, theaters and the Macao Casino.
•February 22, 1888- Rizal left Hong Kong, his destination was Japan.
IN JAPAN•February 28, 1888- Rizal arrived in Yokohama, the next day he went to Tokyo and stayed at
Tokyo Hotel for six days.
•Shortly after his arrival, Juan Perez Caballero-secretary of the Spanish Legation,visited Rizal at his hotel
who latter invited him to live at the Spanish Legation. Rizal being an intelligent man, realized that the
Spanish diplomatic authorities were instructed from Manila to keep track of his activities. Since it was
economical to stay at the legation and he believed that he had nothing to hide, he accepted it.
•March 7, 1888- Rizal checked out of Tokyo Hotel and lived at the Spanish Legation
•Rizal was impressed by the scenic Japan and had keenly observed the life,customs, and culture of the
people. The things which favourably impressed Rizal inJapan were: the beauty of the country; the
cleanliness, politeness, and industry of theJapanese people; the picturesque dress and simple charm of the
Japanese women;there were very few thieves in Japan; beggars were rarely seen in the city, streets,unlike in
Manila and other cities.
•April 13, 1888, Rizal left Japan and boarded the Belgic, bound for the United States.

RIZAL’S VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES (April- May 1888)

•April 28, 1888, Rizal arrived in San Francisco, California. The ship was held under quarantine by the
American health authorities, reasoning that there was a cholera epidemic in the Far East where their ship
come from. Rizal and other first class passenger of the ship were released from quarantine and allowed to
land after sevendays.
•On May 4, 1888, Rizal arrived in San Francisco and registered at the Palace Hotel and stayed for two days.
May 6, 1888, he was in Oakland, he boarded the train for his grand transcontinental trip to the American
continent. He was able to see places such as Sacramento, Reno, (Nevada), Colorado, Nebraska, Chicago,
Albany and on May 13 he reached New York. He stayed in this city for three days, he visited the scenicand
historic places.
RIZAL’S IMPRESSIONS OF AMERICA
•Good impressions
a) the material progress of the country as shown in the great cities, huge farms,flourishing industries and
busy factories;
b) the drive and energy of the American People
c) the natural beauty of the land
d) the high standard of living;
E) the opportunities for better life offered to poor immigrants.
•Bad impression
a) the lack of racial equality: “America is the land par excellence of freedom but only for the whites”
•May 16, 1888- Rizal left New York for Liverpool, England

CLASS ACTIVITIES
A. What are the places that he visited in Asia? What were his impressions about these cities and what did he
learned about their culture?
B. What did he accomplished in visiting these cities?

TOPIC 4- REFORMIST WORKS IN EUROPE (1889-1981)IN LONDON

•May 25, 1888 to mid-March 1889- Rizal decided to stay in London because hecould improve his English,
study and do an annotation of Antonio Morga’s Sucecos delas Islas Filipinas and perceived it was a place for
him to carry on the reforms hewanted for the Philippines.

ANNOTATING MORGA’S BOOK

•May 1888-March 1889- He spent ten months (10) in the reading room of the British Museum deeply
immersed in his historical studies in London. This was the greatest achievement of Rizal in London, the
annotating of Morga’s book, Sucesos delas Islas Filipinas (Historical Events of the Philippine Islands),
which was published in Mexico, 1609

RIZAL AND THE LA SOLIDARIDAD

•December 31, 1888- inauguration of Asociacion La Solidaridad (SolidaridadAssociation), a patriotic
society. They crusade for reforms in the Philippine Government.By unanimous vote of all members, Rizal
was chosen honorary president. This was a recognition of his leadership among all Filipino patriots in
Europe.
•February 15, 1889-Graciano Lopez Jaenafounded the patrioticnewspaper called
LaSolidaridad in Barcelona. A fortnightly periodical which served as the organ of the
Propaganda Movement.
•Its aims were as follows:
-To work peacefully for political and social reforms;
-To portray the deplorable conditions of the Philippines so that Spain may remedy them
-to oppose the evil forces of reaction and medievalism;
-to advocate liberal ideas and progress;
-to champion the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino people to life, democracy and happiness.
During his stay in London, Rizal also made used of his time in writing essays and articles for La
Solidaridad. He also wrote La Vision del Fray Rodriguez (The Vision of Fray Rodriguez)-pamphlet which
published in Barcelona under his nom-de-plume Dimas Alang in order to defense his novel.
•In London, Rizal received both good news and bad news from news. The good news that Rev. Vicente
Garcia was defending his Noli from the attacks of the friars. On the other hand, the bad news were that the
Filipino signatories of the “ Petition of 1888”and the tenants of the Calamba agrarian trouble were facing
persecution; that his brothers-in-law Manuel T. HIdalgo and Mariano Herbosa, were exiled to Bohol and
was denied Christian burial, respectively; and his friend, Laureno Viadoa, a UST medical student, was
imprisoned for possessing some copies of his Noli.

IN PARIS
•It was mid-March 1899, Rizal decided to move to Paris. He noticed that Parisian life was different from the
life he experienced in London. It was a city bursting with merriment, exciting events, and unending social
gathering. The cost of living was alsovery high.
•Rizal never lost his focus although life in Paris was gay, he continued to spend long hours at the National
library in Paris. There, he went on reviewing and rewriting hishistorical annotations on De Morga’s Sucesos
de las Islas Filipinas. It was published onJanuary 1890. He also wrote a satirical booklet entitled Por
Telefono, in answer to Fr.Salvation Fort, a Spanish friar who hurled attacks on the Noli Me Tangere and
causedits banning.
•He continued his study on various languages especially the French language,which he was able to perfect
during his 10 months stay at the French capital city.
•He organized a social club called Kidlat Club , a social club which broughttogether young Filipinos
residing in Paris. Soon, the members of the said club foundeda new Filipino society - the Indios Bravos, an
organization which envisioned Filipinosbeing recognized by Spain for being excellent in various fields of
knowledge.
•In between his more serious activities, Rizal also had leisurely activities likesocializing with friends in their
homes. Among those he frequently visited were thehomes of the Pardo de Taveras, the Venturas, the Lunas,
the Bousteads and others.
•Although Rizal lived a frugal life, he prepared a sumptuous Christmas dinner forsome of his friends.
Shortly after New Year, he visited London for the last timeIn BRUSSELS
•January 28, 1890, left Paris for Brussels. He left the extravagant and gay sociallife in Paris and stayed in a
boarding house owned by the Jacoby sisters in Brussels.
•From 1889- 1890, Rizal continued contributing for La Solidaridad under thepseudonyms Dimas Alang and
Laong Laan. Among the 10 articles he had contributed below were some of the most famous and important
articles
a) The Philippines Within a Century-article written by Rizal which he expressed his views on the Spanish
colonization in the Philippines.
b)The Indolence of the Filipinos- It is an able defence of the alleged indolence ofthe Filipinos.
c)the Sobre la Nueva Ortografia de la Lengua Tagala (The New Orthography of theTagalog Language)In
this article, he laid down the rules of the new Tagalog orthography
•From Calamba, Rizal received letters telling that the agrarian trouble in theprovince was getting worse, and
as such, he decided to go home. But instead of going home, a letter from Paciano told him that they
already lost the case against the Dominicans and they were in need of a lawyer who would defend their
family and the families in Calamba from Madrid.
•Rizal wrote a letter to Ponce, he announced that he was leaving Brussels anddecided to go to Madrid
because this case must be presented to the Supreme Courtand he needs to pay close attention to the
developments of the case.

MISFORTUNES IN MADRID (1890-1891)

•August, 1890, Rizal arrived in Madrid.Upon arrival in Madrid. Rizal immediatelysought help of the
Filipino colony, The Asociacion Hispano-Filipina, and the liberal Spanish newspaper in securing justice for
the oppressed Calamba tenants. Nothing came out of this, several newspapers were sympathetic to the plight
of the Calamba tenants but this did not translate to any form of action. By this time, Francisco Rizal and
other tenants were already forcibly evicted from Calamba by Governor General Valeriano
Weyler. Their houses were burned and more people were exiled regardless of their gender.
•August 1890, Rizal attended a social reunion of the Filipinos in Madrid. Afterdrinking so many glasses the
guests became more talkative. One of them, Antonio Luna became drunk. Rizal challenged Antonio Luna, it
was about the latter’s frustration withhis unsuccessful “love affair” with Nellie Boustead, and so gave
negative remarks on the lady which Rizal did not tolerated. The Filipinos tried to pacify them, pointing out
that such a duel would damage their cause in Spain. Fortunately, Luna, realized his mistakes
he apologized and Rizal immediately accepted his apology and became goodfriends again.
for the reform crusade was declining. He wrote to Rizal begging for forgiveness for any resentment and
requesting him to resume writing for the La Solidaridad.
•Rizal replied to Del Pilar’s letter, he wrote denying any resentment and explainingwhy he stopped writing.
Below are reasons why Rizal stopped writing for La Solidaridad:
a) Rizal need to work on his book ;
b) He wanted other Filipinos to work also;
c) Rizal considered it very important to the party that there be unity in the work ;
d) Marcelo H. Del Pilar is already at the top and Rizal also have his own ideas it is better to leave del Pilar
alone to direct the policy.

THE PRINTING OF THE EL FILIBUSTERISMO

•July 5, 1891- Rizal left Brussels for Ghent, a famous university city in Belgiumbecause the cost of printing
in Ghent was cheaper than in Brussels. F. Meyer-Van LooPress-a printing shop that give Rizal the lowest
quotation for the publication of his novel.
•August 6, 1891-the printing of his book had to be suspended because Rizal could no longer give the
necessary funds to the printer. Valentin Ventura- the savior of the Fili,when he learned of Rizal’s
predicament he sent him the necessary funds.
•September 18, 1891- El Filibusterismo came off the press. Rizal gratefully donated the original
manuscript and an autographed printed copy to Valentin Ventura

CLASS ACTIVITIES
A. What are two the greatest achievement of Rizal when he went back to Europe?Explain its importance to
the lives of the Filipino people.
B. What are the goals of La Solidaridad? What are the contributions of Rizal to thisorganization?
C. What are the misfortunes of Rizal when he was in Madrid? How these didaffected him?
D. What is the importance of the Propaganda Movement? What are theaccomplishments of this
movement? Was it successful? Explain your answer
E. Explain the Rizal- Del Pilar rivalry. Do you agree with the decision of Rizal not toaccept the
appointment as president and retire from the propaganda movement?Explain your answer
F. Was Rizal able to accomplish his secret mission in Europe? Justify your answer

TOPIC 5- BACK IN HONGKONG

•On October 18, 1891, after the Fili’ was published, Rizal left Europe. Aboard theS.S Melbourne, he sailed
to Hongkong where he lived for seven months. His reasonsfor venturing to Hongkong were the following:
a) To leave his rivalry with del PIlar
b) To facilitate a Propaganda Movement in Hongkong; and
c) To be proximate to his family in the Philippines
•On November 20, 1891, Rizal arrived in Hongkong and was cordially welcomedby the Filipino residents in
the city, particularly, his friend Jose Ma. Basa.
•December 1, 1891- Rizal wrote his parents asking their permission to returnhome. Rizal had a continued
correspondence with his family in Calamba and had beenaware of the unsettled agrarian problem. On the
same date, his brother-in-law, ManuelT. Hidalgo, sent him a letter relating the sad news of the “deportation
of twenty-fivepersons from Calamba, including father, Neneng, Sisa, Lucia, Paciano and the rest ofus.”

FAMILY REUNION IN HONG KONG

•The Christmas of 1891 in Hong Kong was one of the happiest Yuletide celebrations in
Rizal’s life, he had a happy family reunion.
•While in Hongkong, Rizal practiced his medical career. With the help of his friend, Dr Lorenzo P.
Marquez, they built a large clientele and opened a medical clinicwhere he was recognized as an excellent
eye surgeon. He was equally supported andaided both morally and financially by his family and friends with
his chosen career.
•Another marked event during Rizal’s stay in Hongkong was his plan to move thelandless Filipino to
Borneo and transform the said wilderness into a “New Calamba”through the so-called Borneo Colonization
Project. •In April 1802, he visited Borneo and negotiated with the British authorities whoare willing to
provide 100,000 acres of land for the Filipinos. Many Filipino patriots foundthis project amusing, thus,
promoted the said project. However, there were a numberwho objected it, one of which was Rizal’s brother-
in-law, Hidalgo.
•Twice did Rizal wrote a letter addressed to Governor General Eulogio Despujolinforming his Borneo
colonization project, with whom he received no response. Instead,Despujol commanded the Spanish consul-
general in Hongkong to notify Rizal that suchproject was very unpatriotic, and by immigrating Filipinos to
Borneo, the Philippines willsurely be lacking of laborers.
•Despite the many oppositions from friends and relatives, he decided to return toManila on the following
reasons:
a) To discuss with Governor General Despujol his Borneo colonizationproject;
b) To form the La Liga Filipina in the Philippines;
c) To prove that Eduardo de Lete’s allegations on him and his family in Calamba were wrong.
•Before his departure, he wrote three more letters- the first addressed to hisparents and friends; the second
one, to Filipinos; and the last Governor General EulogioDespujol.
•Instead of having the protection he desired, Rizal and his sister, Lucia fell into theSpanish trap - a case
was secretly filed against Rizal, and Despujol ordered his secretary, Luis de la Torre, to verify
whether the patriot had neutralized himself as German citizen or not. And so, the siblings sailed across the
China Sea without prior knowledge of what awaits then in the Philippines.

CLASS ACTIVITIES

A. Explain the reasons why Rizal leave Europe and went to Hong Kong?
B. What is the Borneo Colonization Project? What is the goal of this project?
C. Why did Rizal wanted to go back to the Philippines? Explain your answer.

TOPIC 6- RIZAL’S GREAT LOVES

1) Second Love: Leonor Valenzuela (1878)Leonor “Orang” Valenzuela, Rizal’s second object of
affection, is literally the girl-next-door. They met when Rizal was a sophomore medical student a tthe
University of Santo Tomas, during which time heal so lived at Doña Concha Leyva’s boarding house in
Intramuros, Manila. Orang, who was then 14 years old, was his neighbour. During the courtship, Rizal was
said to have sent Leonor private and secret lovel etters, which he wrote using invisible ink made withwater
and salt—he was adept in chemistry, too. To read the letters, Orang had to heat the letter over a candle or
a lamp. Rizal also frequented the Valenzuelas’ home, which was a hang out place of the students in
the area.There are, however,documents that may serve as proof that Rizal’s efforts were not effective.
Some accounts say he was courting Leonor Valenzuela and his second cousin Leonor Rivera at the
same time—thus the need for invisible letters. (Still, we need to appreciate the effort that went with it.)
Rivera apparently knew of this and gave way to Rivera’s attraction for Rizal. When Rizal left for Spain in
1882, it was said that he did say goodbye to Orang, but kept in touch with the help of Rizal’s close friend,
Jose“Chenggoy” Cecilio.

2) Third Love: Leonor Rivera, Age 15, (1878-1890) Jose Rizal was never the preferred choice of Leonor
Rivera’s mother, who confiscated all the correspondences between Leonor and Rizal till it
frittered down to zero. Rizal was 18 going on 21 and was devoted to Leonor. But he was just then opening
his eyes to Europe’s Enlightenment, where the women were pleasing and the men were gallant. Rizal really
was in love with Leonor Rivera. He even invented a coded alphabet so that they could write sweet nothings
to each other. But soon,Leonor faded in memory. Why? Because in Europe, Rizal conveniently romanced
other girls and forgot he was engaged to her. Eventually the Leonor Rivera-Rizal engagement did not
survive the long-distance romance. In the end, it turned into an idealized one(reflected as Maria Clara in
Rizal’s novel, Noli me Tangere), a painful love match doomed to fail from the very start. Yes, count this one
as real love. As an engaged couple, they showed real affection for each other while it lasted

3) Fourth Love: Consuelo Ortiga Y Reyes, (1884)In Madrid, Rizal courted Consuelo Ortiga, age18, the
daughter of Señor Pablo Ortiga y Rey, who was once mayor of Manila and who owned the
apartment where the Circulo Hispano Filipino met regularly. Rizal, age 23, was then
acquiring and developing his charming ways with women. He treated them with special
consideration and withgallant courteousness. All the young Filipinoexpatriates courted Consuelo,
and she in turnencouraged every one including José Rizal, Eduardo Lete, the Paterno brothers
(Pedro, Antonino,Maximiano), Julio Llorente, Evangelista, EvaristoEsguerra, Fernando Canon and
others. Rizal gave Consuelo gifts: sinamay cloth, embroidered piñahandkerchiefs, chinelas
(slippers) -- all ordered through his sisters in Calamba (see his letters).Consuelo accepted all the
swains’ regalos but played Eduardo Lete against Rizal. She finally rejected Rizal’s attention in favor
of Eduardo’s, a Filipino Spanish mestizo from Leyte who, a year later, dumped her. Two-timing Consuelo
didn't really catch Rizal's true fancy except that he impulsively joined the crowd.

4) Fifth Love: O Sei-San, Age 22, The Samurai’s Daughter (1888) Rizal had fallen in love not only with the
view of Japan but more to its women, particularly with the 23-year old Seiko Usui. Rizal affectionately
called her O-Sei-San. Rizal was attracted by her regal loveliness and charm. Rizal saw in her the qualities of
his ideal womanhood—beauty, charm, modesty and intelligence.Rizal was almost tempted to settle in Japan
with O-Sei-San. Although, she was very dear to him, his love forhis country and fellow Filipinos was
greater. Sacrificing his personal happiness, Rizal had to carry on his libertarian mission in Europe,
leaving behind the lovelyO-Sei-San.“O Sei San, sayonara, sayonara! .... No womanlike you has ever loved
me. ... Like the flower of the chodji that falls from the stem whole and fresh without stripping leaves or
withering... you have not lost your purity nor have the delicate petals of your innocence faded--sayonara,
sayonara.” Rizal

5) Sixth Love: Gertrude Beckett, Age 19, (1886)In May 1888 Rizal visited London for a short time,
boarding the house of the Beckett family: Mr. &Mrs. Beckett, their two sons, and their four
daughters. The eldest daughter was named Gertrude. She was a buxom young lady with blue eyes
and brown hair. She fell in love with Rizal and gave him all of her attention during the family picnics and
gatherings. When Rizal stayed indoors during rainy days painting and sculpting, she helped him mix his
colors and prepare his clay. Rizal enjoyed her company. Eventually theirr flirtatious friendship drifted
towards a blossoming romance. He affectionately called her "Gettie," andin return she called him
"Pettie."Rizal withdrew before his relationship with Gettie could become more serious, realizing
that he had a greater mission to fulfill and that in order to accomplish it he could not yield to the option of
marrying her. He suppressed the yearnings of his heart and decided to leave so that the lady may forget him.
Before he did, however, he finished a number of sculptural works, one of which was a carving of the heads
of the Beckett sisters.
6) Seventh Love:Suzanne Jacoby (1890)On January 28, 1890, Rizal left for Brussels,Belgium. He stayed
for a considerable time, paying for room and board. His landladies had a pretty niece named Petite Suzanne
Jacoby. She was taken by Rizal's charm and gallantry, and provided him good company. Rizal could
have flirted with the lady,considering that his beloved Leonor was far away and he was a lonely man in
a strange and foreign land, but he realized he could not deceive her. Suzanne fell inlove with Rizal, and wept
when he left for Madrid in July 1890. She wrote to him in French: "Where are you now? Do you think of
me once in a while? I am reminded of our tender conversations,reading your letter, although it is cold and
indifferent.Here in your letter I have something which makes up for your absence. How pleased I would be
to follow you, to travel with you who arealways in my thoughts.You wish me all kinds of luck, but forget
that in the absence of a beloved one atender heart cannot feel happy. A thousand things serve to distract your
mind, my friend; but in my case, I amsad, lonely, always alone with my thoughts -- nothing, absolutely
nothing relieves my sorrow. Are you coming back? That's what I want and desire most ardently -- you
cannot refuse me.I do not despair and I limit myself to murmuring against time which runs so fast when it
carries us toward a separation, but goes so slowly when it's bringing us together again.I feel very unhappy
thinking that perhaps I might never see you again. Goodbye! You know with one word you can make me
very happy. Aren't you going to write to me?"

7) Eight Love: Nellie Boustead (1891)In 1891, Rizal took a vacation in Biarritz inorder to find reprieve
from his troubles in Madrid. He was a guest of the Boustead family in their winter residence, Villa Eliada.
Mr. and Mrs. Boustead had two beautiful daughters, Adelina and Nellie. After having lamented his
frustrated romance with LeonorRivera on account of the lady's engagement toanother man, Rizal
came to develop considerable affection for Nellie, the prettier and younger daughter of Mr. Eduardo
Boustead. He found her to be intelligent, morally upright, and full of life. Rizal wrote to his closest
friends about his intention to marry her.Rizal's friends were delighted to hear that he hadfound a suitable girl
whom he at last wished to settledown with. Even Antonio Luna, who had previously loved Nellie,
encouraged Rizal to court her and ask for her hand in marriage. With all the encouragement
from the friends he held dear, Rizal wooed Nellie (also called Nelly)who, in turn, returned his affections.
Rizal's marriage proposal failed for two reasons: first, Nellie demanded that he give up his Catholic faith
and convert to Protestantism, which was her religion. Rizal did not like this idea. Second, Nelly's mother
did not approve of Rizal, as she had no desire to entrust her daughter to a man who was wanting in wealth
and persecuted in his own country. In spite of the circumstances, Rizal and Nellie parted as good friends.

CLASS ACTIVITIES

A. Describe the personality of the women that Rizal had relations with?
B. Among the women that Rizal had relations with, who do you think deserves his Love? Why?
C. Explain the reasons why Rizal’s relationship with these women were not successful?