Life and works of Rizal

Pastorbluejeans

Rizal in Peninsular Spain

Topics:
A. Rizal’s Secret Departure
B. Itinerary to Spain
C. Rizal in Barcelona
D. El Amor Patrio
E. Rizal Moves to Madrid
F. Rizal and the Filipino Expatriates in Madrid
G. Rizal Joins the Masonry
H. Rizal’s Affair with Consuelo
I. Rizal’ Toast to Luna and Hidalgo
J. Doña Teodora’s Reactions on Rizal’s Speech

Introduction
Rizal decided to leave the country not just to complete his medical studies in
Europe. There are hidden purposes for his voyage: to make a name for himself in the
realm of journalism; to observe and study European society; and to prepare himself
for the task of liberating the Filipinos from Spanish tyranny. Impelled by these
purposes, Rizal left the country to pursue his mission.

A. Rizal’s Secret Departure

Rizal left Calamba on May 1, 1882 and was able to reach Manila after ten hours of
journey via a carromata. No one from among the family members of Rizal knew his
departure for Spain, except Paciano, Saturnina, his uncle Antonio Rivera and a few
friends. The trip was
kept secret to avoid detection by Spanish authorities, especially the friars. His brother
Paciano did everything to ensure that Rizal can leave the country secretly. He secured
Rizal’s passport with the name Jose Mercado.

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 Rizal stayed in Manila for two days before his trip to Spain. He was scheduled to
depart from Manila on the 3rd day of May. He then woke up early, heard the mass at
Santo Domingo Church in the Walled City and then proceeded to Pasig River to
board the steamer Salvadora, bound for Singapore.

B. Itinerary to Spain
From Manila, the Salvadora sailed for Singapore. At first he felt very sad leaving
his country and family. he tried to observe people and things around him and noted
many Spanish speaking travelers spoke ill of the country. To entertain himself, Rizal
made sketches of his fellow passengers and things he saw along the way.
After one week of sailing, the steamer docked at Singapore for two days. During
his stopover, he took time to visit its botanical garden, art galleries, parks, and some
historical spots. He recorded in his diary every detail of what he was able to observe.
From Singapore, Rizal boarded the ship Djemnah, which shall ferry him to
France. With him on the ship were French-speaking nationals. From his boarding
point, the ship had its stopover at Point Galle in Ceylon, Aden and Port Said at Suez
Canal. The steamer reached Naples on June 11, 1882. Rizal was impressed with
Naples, an Italian city, for its panoramic beauty and lively people.
From Naples, the steamer sailed to France. It docked at the harbor of Merseilles
on June 12, 1882. At Merseilles, Rizal was impressed by the courtesy of the customs
police. He was, likewise, enchanted by its graceful and impressive buildings and the
courtesy and refined manners of the Frenchmen.
From Merseilles, Rizal took the train for Barcelona. He reached the city, his entry
Point to Spain, on June 15, 1882. He reached Barcelona on the June 16, 1882. At first,
Rizal had a negative impression of the city and its people. Later, he came to like
Barcelona due to the prevalence of freedom and liberalism in the city and the good
qualities demonstrated by its residents - open-heartedness, hospitality; and courage.
Rizal’s trip from the Philippines to Barcelona had important consequences for him.
First, owing to his interaction with foreign national onboard the Salvadora and
Djemnah, there was a sudden change in his religious outlook. He started becoming
inattentive to saints and patron saints. Instead on calling on them for guidance and
protection while on the journey to Spain, Rizal prayed directly to God. In fact, he
became very curious of other religions, as evidenced by his attendance in a Protestant
worship service in Singapore. A second change in Rizal was the melting down of his
social complex. As a proof, he was able to get along well with Spaniards on board the
foreign vessel, as well as with other nationals who were with him in his trip to Spain.
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C. Rizal in Barcelona
Rizal was welcomed by the Filipinos in Barcelona, most of who were his former
schoolmates at Ateneo Municipal. The welcome party tendered to him was held at
favorite coffee house at Plaza de Cataluña. After the usual exchange of toasts and
news, Rizal joined his friends for a walk around the city. He was even able to see the
famous historical spots of Barcelona.
While in Barcelona, Rizal took time writing to his family, relatives and friends in
the Philippines. In fact, he did not forget one of his missions - that of making a name
for himself in the field of writing. Though writing, Paciano believed that Rizal would be
able to express his nationalistic and patriotic sentiment, which in effect can arouse the
hostility and suspicion of the Spanish Regime. For Rizal’s brother, when this happens,
Rizal, a poet will be transformed simultaneously into a patriot, a novelist, and a
nationalist.
D. Al Amor Patrio (on a separate sheet)
E. Rizal Moves to Madrid
Rizal decided to move to the capital city of Spain in September, 1882 to resume
his studies. He enrolled in philosophy and letters and licentiate in medicine at the
Universidad Central de Madrid. Despite his very busy and rigid schedule, he took
lessons in painting and sculpture at the Academia de San Fernando; lessons in fencing
at the schools of Sanz and Carbonell; and lessons in English, French and German in
Madrid Ateneo. He even contemplated taking the examination in Roman law for
possible enrollment in law.
He took the medical examination from June 5 to 26. Fortnately, he passed the
examination. At the same time, he passed the examination in Greek, Latin, and world
history. Rizal was awarded the degree of Licentiate in Medicine for passing the
medical examination for the course.
He continued his doctorate degree in medicine but was not conferred the
Doctor’s diploma due to his failure to pay the fee for the presentation and defense of
his thesis, which was the final requirement for the course. He also completed the
degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters. Despite his completion of his academic
studies in Madrid, Rizal as not happy with what he was able to accomplish. For him,
there was no basic difference between the educational system in Madrid and Manila.
Nevertheless, it was in this city where Rizal completed one half of the novel, Noli Me
Tangere.
F. Rizal and the Filipino Expatriates in Madrid
 Despite Rizal’s hectic schedule in his studies, he took time to associate with
the Filipino expatriates in Madrid. here, he met Pedro Paterno, Graciano Lopez
Jaena, Gregorio Sanciano, Juan Luna, Felix Hidalgo, Marcelo del Pilar, and a lot
more. he became closely associated with Jaena and del Pilar. the three of them later
on, came to be called the triumvirate of the Propaganda Movement.

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At the time that Rizal moved to Madrid, he learned that his fellow expatriates
had formed the Circulo Hispno-Filipino, whose moving spirit was Juan Atayde.
Knowing that Rizal was a prolific writer, he as asked to contribute a few verses to the
review published by the club. Rizal submitted his poem entitled Mi Piden Versos.
Meanwhile, Rizal wrote Don Francisco about his involvement in the Circulo
Hispano. Later on, he told his father that the society disintegrated owing to the
differences between the young student expatriates and the retired colonials, due to the
differences in age and youth. At this time, Rizal was already feeling the effect of
hardships in Calamba. The finances of Rizal’s family turned from bad to worse after
Rizal’s departure from the Philippines owing to crop failures, brought about by drought
and locusts.This was aggravated by the hike in rentals on the hacienda lands of the
Dominicans in his hometown. As a consequence of this, there was frequent delay in his
monthly stipend from the Philippines. Thus, there was many occasions when he
attended his classes on empty stomach.
G. Rizal Joins the Masonry
Living in Madrid exposed Rizal to liberal ideas, stressing the value of individual
freedom of action on matters of religion and expression. Imbued with the vitality of
youth and idealism, he became fascinated with the manner by which Spanish masons
in Madrid discussed political issues fearlessly. he was overwhelmed by their
progressive ideas on government, politics, and religion. Thus, he joined the Masonry
for the following probable reasons: the abuses committed by the friars against the
Filipinos; his association with many masons; and the possible assistance the masons
can extend in his struggle against Spanish tyranny and oppression. He became a
Master Mason in Lodge Solidaridad on November 15, 1890.
H. Rizal’s Affair with Consuelo
Filipino expatriates in Madrid then usually visited the house of Don Pablo Ortega
y Rey on Saturday evenings. Don Pablo was the former city mayor of Manila during the
time of Governor Carlos Ma. de la Torre. Being away from home, he joined his fellow
student expatriates to visit Don Pablo’s residence. He played with his colleagues and
laughed with them, together with Consuelo and Pilar, Don Pablo’s daughters. Rizal was
attracted with Consuelo due to her refined manners and enchanting smiles. He gave
her lowers occasionally, which Consuelo appreciated. Consuelo fell in love with him.
Rizal, however, suppressed his emotion since he was still engaged with Leonor Rivera,
way back home. Besides, he did not want to destroy his friendship with Eduardo de
Lete and Consuelo’s love affair with de Lete. Before leaving Madrid in 1883, Rizal
composed a poem for Consuelo, which was entitled A La Señorita C.O. y R. I. Rizal’s
Toast to Luna and Hidalgo (on a separate sheet)
J. Doña Teodora’s Reaction on Rizal’s Speech

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News of Rizal delivery of the Brindis reached the Philippines due to the full
coverage given by the Madrid Press to the occasion. Nonetheless, Rizal was not
cognizant of the consequence of his speech. Rizal’s mother became ill, as her son
became talk of the town and the friars in Calamba. Thus, in her letter to Rizal she
advised him to refrain from writing articles that might offend the friars and the Regime;
and that he should not fail in his duties s a Christian. Finally, she warned Rizal not to
continue pursuing further studies since she had that fear that it could cause him death.
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