INTRODUCTION

Why study Rizal?

It is of great importance that students understand the rationale behind having to take up a Rizal course in
college. For high school students, the Noli Me Tange and the El Filibusterismo are injected into the Filipino
subject as part of the overall curriculum, in any college or university in the Philippines.

Usually during the first day of the course, the professor asks the well-overused questions:

• Why study Rizal?

• What is the importance of studying Rizal?
• Why is Rizal one of the minor subjects taken up in college?
• Why is Rizal included in the course outline?
• What relevance does Rizal have in college education?

The answer to such questions can be summed up in two points:

1. First because it us mandated by law.
2. Second because of the lessons contained within the course itself.

Why study Rizal: Mandated by Law

The teaching of Jose Rizal’s life, works, and writings is mandated by Republic Act 1425, otherwise known as
the Rizal law. Senator Jose P. Laurel, the person who sponsored the said law said that since Rizal was the
founder of Philippine nationalism and has contributed much to the current standing of this nation, it is only
right the youth as well as all the people in the country know about and learn to imbibe the great ideals for
which he died. The Rizal Law, enacted in 1956, seeks to accomplish the following goals:

1. To rededicate the loves of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for which our heroes lived
and died.
2. To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the Filipino character
3. To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works, and writings.

Why Study Rizal: The lessons contained within the course

Aside from those mentioned above, there are other reasons for teaching the Rizal course in Philippine schools:
1. To recognize the importance of Rizal’s ideals and teachings in relation to present conditions and
situations in the society
2. To encourage the application of such ideals in current social and personal problems and issues
3. To develop an appreciation and deeper understanding of all that Rizal fought and died for 4. To
foster the development of the Filipino youth in all aspects of citizenship.

The Legal Basis of Rizal Course

What is Republic Act 1425 or Rizal Law?

House Bill No. 5561 – Senate Bill No. 438 – it is commonly known as the Rizal Act, established on 12th of
June 1956 by Senator Claro M. Recto.

It requires the curricula of private and public schools, colleges and universities courses to include works and
writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. It was made effective on
August 16, 1956.
Rizal Law (Republic Act No. 1425) as stated in the preamble of RA 1425/Rizal Law;
“Whereas, today more than other period of history, there is a need for a rededication to the ideals of
freedom and nationalism for whish our heroes lived and died.”
“Whereas, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to regulation by the
State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience,
and to teach the duties of citizenship.”

Rizal Law (Republic Act No. 1425)

The law requires all schools, colleges, universities, private or public to include in their curricula courses on the
life and works of Rizal. It also states that all schools are required to have an adequate number of copies of the
original and unexpurgated editions of El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere, as well as other works and
biographies of Rizal.

The purpose of Batas Rizal is to rekindle the flame of nationalism in the hearts of the Filipino particularly the
youth. We are forgetting what our patriots have done and given to fight for our freedom.

• Factors in determining of a person

o Just
o Patient
o Courageous
o Bearer of Wisdom
o Respectful
o Nationalist
▪ Source: National Historical Commission
• Criteria in Choosing the Philippine National Hero
o Filipino citizen
o Patriot/Nationalist
o Has already been dead
o Patient
▪ Source: National Historical Commission
• Personalities Nominated to be our National Hero
o Marcelo H. del Pilar
o Emilio Jacinto
o Graciano Lopez-Jaena
o Antonio Luna

Issues about the Proclamation of Dr. Jose Rizal as National Hero

1. He was the illegitimate son of Adolf Hitler.

2. He should not be proclaimed as the national hero because of his cowardice to fight colonizers through
revolution.
3. He was regarded as an – American-made hero. First Philippine Commission was formed by the United
States President headed by the American Governor-General William Howard C. Taft. Declaration of
Dr. Jose Rizal as our national hero was only their strategy to hinder our nationalistic feelings.

Philippines: Spanish Period Emergence of Political Unrest in Spanish Politics

1. It started during the reign of King Ferdinand VII.

2. Spanish political instability resulted to frequent shifts of colonial policies and unfixed terms of
government officials in the Philippines.
 Representation in the Spanish Cortes
o Deprivation of Human Rights to the Filipino
o Corrupt Spanish Official – Inequality
o Racial Discrimination – Land ownership and Feudalism
Explanation about Rizal’s Full Name

Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda

Doctor – complete his medical course in Spain and was conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine by the
Universidad Central de Madrid.

Jose – chosen by his mother who was a devotee of the Christian St. Joseph

Protacio – form Gervacio P. which come from a Christian calendar, in consideration of the day of his birth

Rizal – from the word Ricial – in Spanish means a field where a wheat, cut while still green, sprouts again

Mercado – adopted by Domingo Lamco which Spanish term means market

y – Spanish letter (y) read as “e” which means “and” in English

Alonzo – old name surname of his mother

Realonda – it was used by Dona Teodiora from the surname of her godmother based on the culture by that

time Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo Realonda

• He was born near midnight of Wednesday of June 19, 1861 to the Rizal family of Calamba, Laguna. • He
was baptized by Rev. Rufino Collantes in the Catholic church of Calamba on June 22, 1861, three years
after birth.
• His Godfather names Father Pedro Casanas, a close friend of Rizal family.
• Lieutenant-General Jose Lemery was the governor-general of the Philippines when Rizal was born. o
From February 2, 1861 to July 7, 1862
o Former senator of Spain (member of the upper chamber of the Spanish Cortes)
o His achievements as governor-general were fostering the cultivation of cotton in the province;
and establishing the politico-military governments in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Rizal’s Father Don Francisco Mercado (1818-1898)

• Born in Binan, Laguna on May 11, 1818
• Studied Latin and Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila
• Became a tenant-farmer of the Dominican-owned hacienda
• A hardly and independent-minded man who talked less and worked more, and was strong in body and
valiant in spirit
• Died in Manila on January 5, 1898 at the age of 80
• Rizal affectionately called him – a model father

Rizal’s Mother Dona Teodora Alonso Realonda (1826-1911)

• Born in Manila on November 8, 1826
• Educated at the College of Santa Rosa, a well-known college for girls in the city • A remarkable woman,
possessing refined culture, literary talent, business ability, and the fortitude of Spartan
• A woman of more than ordinary culture
• Known literature and speack Spanish (according to Rizal)
 • Died in Manila on August 16, 1911 at the age of 85

Information about Rizal’s parents

• Rizal always called her sisters Dona or Senora (married and Senorita (single)
• Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso Realonda married on June 28, 1848, after which they settled
down in Calamba
• The real surname of Rizal was Mercado, which was adopted in 1713 by Domingo Lamco (paternal
great-great grandfather of Jose Rizal) who was a full-blooded Chinese
• Rizal’s family acquired a second surname – Rizal – which was given by a Spanish Alcalde Mayor
(provincial governor) of Laguna who was a family friend

Ancestry of Jose Rizal

The Siblings of Jose Rizal

1. Saturnina (1850-1913)
o Oldest of the Rizal children
o Nicknamed Neneng
o Married to Manuel T. Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas

2. Paciano (1851-1930)
o Older brother and confidant of Jose Rizal
o He was the second father to Rizal
 o Immortalized him in Rizal’s first novel Noli Me Tangere as the wise Pilosopong Tasio
o Rizal regarded him as the most noble of Filipinos
o He became a combat general in the Philippine Revolution
o Died on April 13, 1930, an old bachelor at age of 79
o Had two children by his mistress (Severina Decena) – a boy and a girl

3. Narcisa (1852-1939)
o Pet name Sisa
o She was married to Antonio Lopez (nephew of Father Leoncio Lopez), a schoolteacher of
Morong

4. Olympia (1855-1887)
o Pet name Ypia
o She was married to Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator in Manila

5. Lucia (1857-1979)
o She was married to Mariano Herbosa of Calamba, who was a nephew of Father Casanas

6. Maria (1859-1945)
o Biang was her pet name
o She was married to Daniel Faustino Cruz of Binan, Laguna

7. Concepcion (1862-1865)
o Concha was her pet name
o She died at age of three because of sickness
o Her death was Rizal’s first sorrow

8. Josefa (1865-1945)
o Panggoy was her pet-name
o An old maid, died at age of 80

9. Trinidad (1868-1951)
o Trining was her pet-name
o An old maid, died at age of 83

10. Soledad (1870-1929)

o Choleng was her pet-name
o She was married to Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba

Rizal’s Home

• It is one of the distinguished stone houses in Calamba during the Spanish times. • It was a two-storey
building, rectangular in shape, built of adobe stones and hardwoods and roofed with red tiles.
• During the day, it hummed with the noises of children at play and the songs of the birds in the garden;
by night, it echoed with the dulcet notes of family prayers.
• The Rizal family belonged to the principalia, town aristocracy in Spanish Philippines. •
The Rizal family had a simple, contented and happy life.

Childhood Years in Calamba, Laguna

• Calamba was a hacienda town which belonged to Dominican Order which also owned all the lands
around.
 • Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town) – a poem about Rizal’s beloved town written in
1976 when he was 15 years old and was student in the Ateneo de Manila.
• The first memory of Rizal, in his infancy, was his happy days in the family garden when he was three.
• Another childhood memory was the daily Angelus prayer. By nightfall, Rizal related, his mother
gathered all the children at the house to pray the Angelus.
• Also, the nocturnal walk in the town, especially when there was a moon.
• The death of Concha was his first sorrow.
• At age of three, he began to take part in the family prayers.
• At five, he was able to read haltingly the Spanish family bible and make sketches with his pencil and
mould in clay and wax on objects which attracted his fancy.
• The Story of the Moth – made the profoundest impression of Rizal.
• Sa Aking Mga Kababata – his first poem written in native language at age of eight. •
He also wrote his first dramatic work (Tagalog comedy).

Influences on the Hero’s Boyhood

1. Hereditary influence
2. Environmental influence
3. Aid of the Divine Providence
o Tio Jose Alberto – developed the artistic ability of Rizal
o Tio Manuel – guided Rizal on his physical exercises
o Tio Gregorio – intensified Rizal’s voracious reading of good books
o Father Leoncio Lopez – fostered Rizal’s love for scholarship and intellectual honesty.

Early Education in Calamba and Binan

• The first teacher of Rizal was his mother who was a remarkable woman of good character and fine
culture.
• Maestro Celestino – his private tutor
• Maestro Lucas Padua – science tutor
• Leon Monroy – a former classmate of his father that instructed in Spanish and Latin and died five
months later.
• In June 1869, Rizal left Calamba to study in Binan, accompanied by Paciano.
• Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz – Rizal’s first teacher in Binan.
• Pedro – his classmate that challenge him to fight.
• Andres Lakindanan – challenged Rizal to a wrestling match.
• Juancho – an old painter who was the father-on-law of the schoolteacher, freely give Rizal lesson in
drawing and painting.
• He left Binan after one year and a half of schooling on December 17, 1870.
• Arturo Camos – a French friend of Rizal’s father who took care of him on board.

Martyrdom of GomBurZa

• On January 20, 1872, about 200 Filipino soldiers and workmen of the Cavite arsenal under the
leadership of Sgt. Lamadrid (he was Filipino but rose in mutiny because of the abolition of their usual
privileges).
• Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, Jacinto Zamora – were executed at sunrise of February 17, 1872 by the
order of Governor-General Izquierdo.
• The martyrdom of the GomBurZ in 1872 truly Rizal fight the evils of Spanish tyranny and redeem his
oppressed people.
• Rizal dedicated his second novel El Filibusterismo to GomBurZa.
Injustice to Rizal’s Mother

• In June 1872, Dona Teodora was suddenly arrested on a malicious charge that she and her brother Jose
Alberto tried to poison the latter’s perfidious wife.
• Antonio Vivencio del Rosario – Calamba’s gobernadorcillo who helped to arrest Dona Teodora. • After
arresting Dona Teodora, the sadistic Spanish lieutenant forced her to walk from Calamba to Santa Cruz,
Laguna (50km).
• Dona Teodora was incarcerated at the provincial prison where she languished for two years. • Francisco
de Marcaida and Manuel Marzan – the most famous lawyers of Manila defend Dona Teodora.

Scholastic Triumph at Ateneo de Manila

Ateneo Municipal, a college under the supervision of the Spanish Jesuits. Escuela Pia (Charity School) –
formerly name of Ateneo, a school for poor boys in Manila which was estanlished by the city government in
1817. On June 10, 1872, Rizal was accompanied by Paciano on his way to Manila. Father Magin Ferrano was
the college registrar who refused to admit Rizal in Ateneo for two reasons: a) he was late for registration and
b) he was sickly and undersized for his age. Rizal was reluctantly admitted Ateneo due to the intercession of
Manue Xerez Burgos, the nephew of Father Burgos. He registered Rizal as his surname since Mercado was
suspected by the Spanish authorities. Rizal was first board in a house outside Caraballo Street. This was
owned by a spinster named Titay who owed the family the amount of 300 pesos. Mylene Gado Almario
Jesuits System of Education where he was trained character by rigid discipline and religious instructions.
Students were divided into two groups – Roman Empire, consisting of internos (boarders) or red banner, and
Carthaginian Empire, composed of the externos (non-boarders) or blue banner. These were the Intelligence
distribution: Emperor first; Tribune-second; Decurion-third; Centurion-fourth, and Stand-fifth. The Ateneo
students wore a uniform consisted of – hemp-fabric trousers and striped cotton coat. The coat was called
ravadillo.

First Year in Ateneo (1872-1973)

Father Jose Bech was Rizal’s first professor in Ateneo who described as tall thin man, with a body slightly
bend forward, a harried walk, an ascetic face, severe and inspired, deep-sunken eyes, a sharp nose that was
almost Greek, and thin lips forming an arc whose fell forward the chin. A religious picture, a Rizal’s first prize
for being brightest pupil in the whole class. To improve his Spanish, he took private lesson in Santa Isabel
College during noon recesses. He paid three pesos for those extra Spanish lessons. At the end of the school
year in March 1873, he returned to Calamba for vacation. When the summer vacation ended, he returned to
Manila for his second
year term in Ateneo. This time he boarded inside Intramuros at No. 6 Magallanes Street. His landlady was an
old widow named Dona Pepay.

Second Year in Ateneo (1073-1874)

At the end of the school year, Rizal received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold medal. The Count of
Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas was his first favorite novel which made a deep impression on him.
Universal History (Cesar Cantu), Rizal persuaded his father to buy him this set of historical work that was a
great aid in his studies. Dr. Feodor Jagor, a German scientist-traveller who visited the Philippines in
1859-1860 wrote Travels in the Philippines. He was impressed in this book because: 1) Jagor’s keen
observation of the defects of Spanish colonization, and 2) his prophecy that someday Spain would lose the
Philippines, and that America would come to succeed her as colonizer.

Third and Fourth Years in Ateneo (1874-1876)

Rizal’s grades remained excellent in all subjects but won only one medal – Latin. At the end of the school year,
Rizal’s returned to Calamba for the vacation. He himself was not impressed by his scholastic work. On June
16, 1875, Rizal became an interno of the Ateneo. Padre Francisco de Paula Sanchez, a great educator and
scholar, one of Rizal’s professors who inspired him to study harder and to write poetry. Rizal described this
Jesuit professor as model of uprightness, earnestness, and love for the advancement of his pupils. Rizal’s
topped all his classmates in all subjects and on five medals at the end of the school term.
Last Year in Ateneo (1876-1877)

Rizal’s studies continued to farewell. As a matter of fact, the excellent in all subjects. The most brilliant
Atenean of his time, he was truly the pride of the Jesuits. Commencement Day, Rizal who was 15 years old
received from his Alma Mater, the degree of Bachelor of Arts, with highest honors on March 23, 1877. He
was an active member of Marian Congregation, a religious society and later became the secretary. Rizal
cultivated his literary talent under the guidance of Father Sanchez. Father Jose Villaclara advised Rizal to stop
communing with the muse and pay attention to more practical studies. Rizal studied painting under the famous
Spanish painter, Agusti Saez, and sculpture under Romualdo de Jesus, noted Filipino sculptor. Rizal craved an
image of the Virgin Mary on a piece of batikuling with his pocket-knife. Father Lieonorth impressed by
Rizal’s sculptural talent, requested him to carve for him to carve for him an image of Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Poems in Ateneo

It was Dona Teodora who was first discovered the poetic genius of her son, and it also who first encourage him
to write poems. However, it was Father Sanchez who inspired Rizal to take full of his God-given gift in poetry.
Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration), 1874, Rizal probably wrote during days in Ateneo which was
dedicated to his mother on her birthday when he was 14years old. 1875 (inspired by Father Sanchez) 1.
Felicitacion, 2. El Embarque: Himno a la Flota de Magallanes, 3. Y Es Espanol: Elcano el Primero en dar la
Vuelta al Mundo, 4. El Comabte: Urbiztondo, Terror de Jolo, 5. Al Nino Jesus (To the Child Jesus) – brief ode.

Poems in Ateneo 1876 (religion, education, childhood and memories of war)

1. Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo (In Memory of my Town) honour for his hometown Calamba 2. Alianza
Intima Entre la Religion y la Buena Education (Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education)
– shows the importance of religion and education
3. Por la Educacion Recibe Lustre la Patria (Through Education the Country Receives Light) – education
plays in the progress and welfare a nation
4. El Cautiverio y e; Triunfo: Batalla de Lucenas y Prison Boaddil (The Captivity and the Triumph): Battel
of Lucena and the Imprisonment of Boadbil) – the defeat and capture of Boadbil, the last Sultan of
Granada
5. La Entrata Triunfal de los Reyes Caolices en Granada (The Triumphal Entry of the Catholic Monarchs
into Granada) – victorious entry of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel of Spain to Granada 6. San Eustacio,
Martir (St. Eustace, The Martyr) – prose story of St. Euatace

Rizal’s Famous Poems

• Sa Aking mga Kababata – first poem written when he was eight years old, urging love of native language
• Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration) – written in Ateneo, dedicated to his mother • A LA
Juventu Filipina (To the Filipino Youth) – won first prize, written at the of 18 when he was in UST
• Ultimo Adios (Last Farewell) – written at his death cell in Fort Santiago on the eve of his execution

Poems in Ateneo (1877)

1. El Heroismo de Colon (The Heroism of Columbus) – poem praises Columbus

 2. Colon y Juan II (Columbus and John II) – relates how King John II of Spain missed fame and riches by
his failure to finance the projected expedition of Columbus to the New World
3. Gran Cunsuelo en la Mayor Desdicha (Great Solace in Great Misfortune) – a legend relates to the tragic
life of Columbus
4. Un Dialogo Aluviso a la Despedida de los Colegiales (A Farewell Dialogue of the Students) – farewell
to his classmates in Ateneo
5. A la Virgen Maria (To the Virgin Mary) – another religious poem which doesn’t have exact date when it
was written
Life in the University of Santo Timas (1877-1882)

After finishing the first year of a course in Philosophy and Letter (1877-1878), he transferred to the medical
course. In April 1877, he enrolled in the UST taking Philosophy and Letters because: 1) his father like it; 2) he
was “still uncertain as to what career to pursue.’’ Father Pablo Ramon, Rector of Ateneo who had been good to
him on his college days, asking for advice on the choice of career but unfortunately, he was in Mindanao.
During Rizal’s first school term in the UST, Rizal also studied in Ateneo. He took the vocational course
leading to the title of perito agrimensor (expect surveyor).

Rizal excelled in all subjects in the surveying course in Ateneo, obtaining gold medals in agriculture and
topography. He passed all the subject, but the title was no issued to him because he was only 17 years old,
underage. The title was issued to him on November 25, 1881, the title was issued to Rizal for passing the final
examination in the surveying course. Liceo Artistico-Literario (Artistic-Literary Lyceum of Manila) was the
society of literary men and artist held a literary contest in the year 1879. He also served as the President of the
Spanish Literature in Ateneo.

While at UST, he fell in love with three women. During his first year, he fell in love with a woman simply
called “Miss L,” a woman with a fair, seductive and attractive eyes. The romance dead a natural death because
of two reasons: 1) the sweet memory of Segunda Katigbak was still fresh in his memory and 2) Rizal’s father
did not like the family of Miss L. During his sophomore year, he courted Leonor Valenzuela, a tall girl with
regal bearing. Rizal sent her love notes in invisible ink. But just like Segunda, he also stopped visiting her.

During his junior year, Rizal had romance with Leonor Rivera, of Camiling, Tarlac. Leonor was a pretty girl
and a student at La Concordia College. Both Rizal and Leonor were engaged, he used the sign name – Taimis
to cover their relationship from their parents. Rizal studied in UST from 1878-1882. His grade in Medicine
consists of two excellent, three very good, eight good and two fairs (physics and general pathology). His
grades in UST College of Medicine were not as impressive as what he got at Ateneo Philosophy and Letters
due to the hostility of the Dominican professors. Accordingly, laboratory equipment is just for display and
racial discrimination against the Filipino students.

A La Juventud (To the Filipino Youth), at 18, he submitted his poem. It is inspiring poem of flawless form.
This poem won a classic Filipino literature for two reasons: a) it was a great poem in Spanish written by the
Filipino whose merit was recognized by Spanish literary authorities, b) expressed for the first time the
nationalistic concept that the Filipino, and not the foreigners, were the “fair hope of the Fatherland.” The
Board of Judges, composed of Spaniards was impressed by Rizal’s poem and gave it the first prize which
consisted of a silver pen, feather-shaped and decorated with a gold ribbon. A Filipinas, a sonnet written by
Rizal for the album of the Society of Sculptors; in this sonnet, he urged all Filipino artists to glorify the
Philippines.

Abd-el-Azis y Mahoma, a poem honoring the Ateneo Patroness. AI M.R.P. Pablo Ramon, a poem dedicated to
Father Pablo Ramon (Atenean Rector) who had been so kind and helpful to him. Vicenta Ybardolaza, a pretty
girl colegiala who skillfully played a harp at the Regalado home, whom Rizal was infatuated. Companerismo
(Comradeship), Rizal founded a secret society of Filipino students in UST 1880. Galicano Apacible, Rizal’s
cousin from Batangas who the secretary of the society is. Mylene Gado Almarino Unhappy Days in UST –
Rizal found the atmosphere at the UST suffocating to his sensitive spirit. He was unhappy at this Dominican
institution of higher learning because 1) the Dominican professors were hostile to him; 2) the Filipino students
were racially discriminated by the Spaniards; 3) the method of instruction was obsolete and repressive. In
Rizal novel, El Filibusterismo, he described how the Filipino students were humiliated and insulted by their
Dominican professors and how backward the method of instruction was, especially in the teaching of the
natural sciences. He related in Chapter XIII (The Class in Physics).

The Women od Jose Rizal

1. Julia Celeste Smith (1877)

o Girl in the Pagsanjan River, who use to catch butterfly.
o Rizal was checking their tree yard of atis, balimbing, macopa, santol, and tampoy this tree yard
end to the river side or river shore.
o Rizal was only 15 when he first saw Julia by accident in a river named Dampalit in Los Banos
a few days after Easter in 1877.
o She was wearing a red wrap around skirt. Julia could not catch the butterfly she was chasing.
Rizal ever gallant, caught two, Trillana wrote. Heart beating with strange fondness, Rizal
offered her the butterflies and she laughed with innocent pleasure. He was instantly attracted
to her. But for lack of subsequent contract, Rizal eventually forgot Julia.
2. Segunda Katigbak
o Teenage crush
o She was a comely 14-year-old Batanguena from Lipa City. She was also known as – Paisana
but Rizal referred to her in his diary as K. She was described by Rizal as gay, talkative, witty,
virginal, attractive, alluring, and beguiling.
o At 16, Rizal fell in love with his first romance. Segunda was boarding student at the Colegio
de la Concordia where his sister Olympia and Lenor Rivera also studied. He found out later
that Segunda was engaged to be married to her town-mate, Manuel Luz.
3. Margarita Almeda Gomez
o Miss L, a young lady from Pakil, Laguna.
o This young lady was believed to be Leonor Valenzuela, but she was not. She was described by
Rizal as with fair complexion, seductive and with attractive eyes.
o Their romance died a natural death for two reasons:
▪ Rizal’s memory of Segunda was still fresh in his heart
▪ Rizal’s father objected their love affair
4. Leonor Valenzuela – Orang
o Rizal’s love in his 2nd year at UST
o The daughter of Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela of Pansanjan, Laguna. She was
a tall girl with regal bearing. Rizal sends her love note written in invisible ink, that could only
be deciphered over the warmth of the lamp or candle. He visited her on the eve of his
departure to Spain and bade her last goodbye.
5. Leonor Rivera – Taimis
o Rizal’s love for 11 years
o A lady from Camiling, Tarla, a daughter of Antonio Rivera (Rizal’s uncle) and Silvestre
Bauson. Rizal courted her when she was 13-year-old and she got engaged to Rizal before the age
of 15. o Their relationship was actually a love affair by correspondence wherein Rizal wrote
several letters to Leonor while he was in abroad. However, their relationship ended when she
married her mother choice Charles Henry C. Kipping.
6. Vicenta Ybardaloza
o A pretty colegiala
o She was also from Pakil, Laguna who was a high school at that time.
 o Rizal got infatuated to her when she played a harp. However, nobody knew what happened
later between the two.
7. Consuelo Ortiga y Rey
o A pretty Manilena
o She was a daughter of Don Pablo Ortega y Rey (a former civil governor of Manila, under the
administration of Carlos Ma. De la Torre). He dedicated to her A la Senorita C.O. y R. which
became one of his best poems. He probably fell in love with her and Consuelo apparently
asked him for romantic verses. He suddenly backed out before the relationship turned into a
serious romance because he wanted to remain loyal to Leonor Rivera and he di d not want to
destroy his friendship with Eduardo de Lete who was madly in love with Consuelo.
8. Seiko Usui – O-Sei-San
o A Japanese samurai’s daughter taught Rizal the Japanese art of painting known as su-mie. Rizal
was 29 at that time while Seiko was 23. She helped Rizal improve his knowledge of Japanese
language.
o They spent a happy month together visiting old temples and art galleries.
o If Rizal was a man without a patriotic mission, he would have married this lovely and
intelligent woman and lived a stable and happy life with her Japan because Spanish legation
there offered him a lucrative job.
o One spring afternoon, a few days after he had moved to the Spanish Legation, Rizal saw a
pretty Japanese girl walking past the Legation gate.
o Rizal was attracted by her regal loveliness, charm, modesty and intelligence.
o She was also his guide tutor and interpreter.
9. Gertrude Beckett – Gettie
o An English girl with brown hair, blue eyes and pink cheeks. When Rizal was in London, he
boarded in the house of the Beckett family. During rainy days when Rizal stayed at home,
Gettie helped him mixed his colour for paintings or assisted in preparing the clay for
sculpturing. Then Rizal realized that their friendship was drifting to a serious affair. He drove
to Paris in 1889
leaving Gertrude behind. He could not return the English girl’s affection and marry her
because of loyalty to Leonor Rivera.
o Eldest daughter of Charles Beckett who owned Primrose Hill House
o While Rizal was in London annotating the Suceso de las Islas Filipinas, he boarded in the
house of the Beckett family, within walking distance of the British Museum.
o But Rizal suddenly left London for Paris to avoid Gertrude who was seriously in love with him.
o Before leaving London, he was able to finish the group carving of the Beckett sisters. He gave
the group carving to Gertrude as a sign of their brief relationship.
o He affectionately called her “Gettie” and in return she called him “Pettie”.
10. Suzanne Jacoby
o Pretty girl in Brussels, Belgium, niece of Rizal’s landlady.
o She was deeply fell in love with him, she cried when Rizal left for Madrid towards the ends of
July 1890.
11. Nellie Boustead
o Almost wife
o She was a daughter of Eduardo Boustead. They met when Rizal was a guest in the Boustead
family. She was described as gay0hearted, sports-minded, highly intelligent, vivacious in
temperament and morally upright.
o Nelly was infatuated with Rizal but Rizal, at first, loved Adelina.
o Antonio Luna who had previously loved and lost Nelly encouraged Ruzal court and marry her.
Rizal having lost his beloved Leonor Rivera came to entertain considerable affection for Nelly.
However, their love affair didn’t have a happy ending because of two reasons: a) he refused to
give up his Catholic faith, b) Nelly’s mother didn’t like Rizal as son-in-law.
 12. Pastora Necesario – Totak
o She was a weaver of cloth at Dapitan.
o As a sign of love, Rizal gave her a statue of a woman and also sent her letters of love and
concern. When Rizal was executed in Bagumbayan, she married Gonzalo Carreon of Dapitan.

First Travel of Jose Rizal (1882-1887)

Secret Mission of Jose Rizal

Rizal conceived the secret mission with the blessing of his brother Paciano doing the following: Observe
keenly the life and culture, languages, and customs, industries and commerce and government and laws of the
European nations in order to prepare himself for the task of liberating his people from Spanish Tyranny.

Rizal’s Departure for Spain

His parents, Leonor Rivera, and the Spanish authorities knew nothing about his secret departure except: 1)
Paciano; 2) Antonio Rivea; 3) Saturnina (Neneng); 4) Lucia; 5) Leonor Valenzuela and family; 6) Pedro
Paterno; and 7) Mateo Ebangelista.

Highlights
When Rizal becomes Jose Mercado, due to the popularity of the surname and perhaps the kind of Jesuit priest
who gave him letters of recommendation for their Society in Barcelona, he was claimed as a cousin.

On May 3, 1882, he left Manila through the steamer Salvadora, with 16 passengers including him. The
Salvadora reached Singapore (an English Colony) on May 8, 1882. He stayed there for two days spending his
time sightseeing the sorties of the city.

On May 11, 1882, he was board Djemnah. Accordingly, it is larger and cleaner than Salvadora. During the
travel, he was able to learn French language and observation because the steamer’s speaking language is
French. The steamer arrived at the Point Galle, Ceylon on May 17, 1882. The town was quiet, lovely and sad
at the same time.

On May 18, 1882, he had a stopover at Colombo, Ceylon which described by him as smart, elegant than
Singapore, Point Galle and Manila. From Colombo, Djemnah continued it voyage and crossed the Indian
Ocean until reached Cape of Guardafin, Africa to Aden, Africa where he was able to see camels for the first
time on May 28, 1882. He then proceeded to Suez Canal on June 2, 1882. It took five days to travel in the said
canal, then they reached the Port Said. On June 11, 1882, from Port Said, the steamer proceeded it travel to
Europe and reached the Naple City. The city was busy because of its business activity, lively people and
panoramic beauty.

On June 12, 1882, the steamer docked at the French harbor of Marseilles, France. Rizal embarked and visited
the Chateau d’ef where Dantes (The Count of Monte Cristo) was in jailed. He stayed in Marseilles for three
days.

On June 16, 1882, he continued to his trip to Barcelona, Spain by train. He stayed in Hotel de Espana. He
visited Ronda de la Universidad de Barcelona. At first, he had a bad impression to Barcelona – because he
happened to stay in a stingy people inn. But later on, he realized the atmosphere of freedom and liberalism
around the place, the people were open-hearted, hospitable and courageous.

Life in Barcelona

1. He was welcomed by his former classmates in Ateneo.

2. He was treated and guided by his friends in European way.
3. He received the bad news about the cholera outbreak in Manila.
 4. Leonor Rivera’s recounting happiness who was getting thinner and thinner due to the absence of her
loved one.
5. On November 3, 1882, he left Barcelona for Madrid through the advised of Paciano.

Life in Madrid

1. He enrolled in Universidad Central de Madrid (Philosophy and Letters and Medicine)

2. He lived frugally, budgeting his money wisely.
3. He used to buy lottery tickets in every draw in Madrid Lottery.
4. He spent his leisure time in reading books.
5. He met and attracted to Consuelo Ortega y Rey.
6. He graduated his degree in Philosophy and Letter and Medicine.

Life in Paris, France

On June 15, 1882, Rizal was invited to speak for the celebration for the double victory for the two artist
namely Juan Luna (Spoliarium) and Felix R. Hidalgo (Virgenes Christianas Expuestas El Populacio) for
winning the 1st and 2nd prizes in the Paris Exposition for the Arts.
He lived in Paris, France for four months and became an assistant to the clinic of Dr. Louis de Wecket. He also
became a model for the artworks of Juan Luna (The Death of Cleopatra and The Blood Compact). After his
stay in Paris, he left for Heidelberg, Germany.

Heidelberg Germany

1. He worked in the University Eye Hospital under the supervision of Dr. Otto Becker.
2. He also attended some lectures of Dr. Becker and Dr. Wilhelm Kuehne.
3. He visited some scenic places in Heidelberg such as castles, rivers and old churches. 4. He was also
befriended with Dr. Karl Ullmer during summer vacation where he stayed in Wilhelmsfeld. 5. He wrote
his first letter to Ferdinand Blumentritt.
6. During the 5th centenary celebration of Heidelberg, he left and went to Leipzig, Germany via train.

Leipzig, Germany: August 14, 1886

1. He attended the lectures at the University of Leipzig in history and psychology.

2. He met Dr. Hans Meyer and prof. Friedrich Ratzel.
3. He translated Scheller’s William Tell and Hans Christian Andersons’ Fairy Tale

Dresden, Germany: October 29, 1886

1. He met Dr. Adolf Meyer.

2. After two days of stay, he left Dresden and went to Berlin, Germany in the evening of November 1,
1886.

Berlin, Germany

1. Rizal was enchanted by Berlin because of its scientific atmosphere and the absence of race prejudice. 2.
Rizal met for the first time Dr. Feodor Jagor, celebrated German scientist-traveler and author of Travels in
the Philippines, a book which Rizal read and admired during his student days in Manila. 3. Dr. Rudolf
Virchow introduced to Rizal by Dr. Jagor, famous German anthropologist. 4. Dr. Hans Virchow, son of Dr.
Rudolf Virchow was a professor of Descriptive Anatomy 5. Dr. Ernest Schweiger (1830-1905) was a
famous German ophthalmologist where Rizal worked. 6. 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.

Grand Tour in Europe

• May 11, 1887 – Rizal and Viola left for Dresden. They visited Dr. Adolf B. Meyer. While strolling at the
scene of the Floral Exposition, they met Dr. Jagor and suggested them to meet Blumentritt. • May 13, 1887
– Rizal and Viola reached Leitmeritz, Bohemia. They met Ferdinand Blumentritt. The two enjoyed the
warm hospitality of the Blumentritt family.
• They also met famous scientist Dr. Carlos Czepelah and another eminent naturalist Robert Klutschak. •
May 17, 1887 – They left Leimeritz by train on their way to the city of Prague. They carried
recommendation letters of Prof. Blumentritt and Dr. Wilhomm, a professor of Natural History in the
University of Prague.
• May 19, 1887 – They reached the city of Brunn.
• May 20, 1887 – They arrived at the city of Vienna, Austria. They visited famous interesting places like
churches, museums, art galleries, theatres, public parks, beautiful buildings, and religious images.
They also met Mr. Norfenfoe (European novelist) and Masner and Nordmenn (Austrian scholars).
• May 24, 1887 – They left Vienna via river boat to see the beautiful sights of the Danube River. The river
voyage ended in Lintz, afterwards they travelled on land to Salzburg, then to Munich. In Munich, they
had a short time savouring the famous Munich beer (best beer in Germany).
• From Munich, they went to Nuremberg (oldest city in Germany) where they were impressed by the
manufacturer of dolls which was the biggest industry in the city. Afterwards, they went to Ulm
particularly the city cathedral. They enjoyed the view upon reaching the top eventhough Viola left felt
dizzy and tired. They also went to Stuttgart, Baden, and Rheinfall.
• June 2-3, 1887 – They continued their trip on a boat and reached Basel, Bern, and Laussenne and crossed
to the lake of Geneva.
• June 6, 1887 – They reached Geneva, Switzerland. While in Geneva, Rizal received sad news from his
friends in Madrid about the conditions of Igorots who were exhibited in the 1887 Madrid Exposition
and some of the natives died.
• June 19, 1887 – It was his 26th birthday. He treated Viola to a blow-out with a sumptuous meal. He also
wrote a letter of Blumentritt regarding industrial exhibition.
• June 23, 1887 – Rizal and Viola parted ways. They both spent 15 days in Geneva. Viola returned to
Barcelona and Rizal continued his tour in Italy.
• June 24, 1887 – Rizal went to Italy and visited Turin, Milan, Venice, and Florence. •
June 27, 1887 – He reached Rome and visited famous architectural buildings.
• June 29, 1887 – He visited the Vatican City – the city of the popes and capital of Christendom. It was the
feast day of Saints Peter and Paul when he had a sightseeing and was impressed by the magnificent
edifice like St. Peter’s Church, the rare works of the art, the vast St. Peter’s Square, and the colourful
Papal Guard. After a week travel in Rome, he decided to return to the Philippines.

Rizal’s First Homecoming (1887-1888)

As early as 1884, Rizal wanted to go back to the Philippines for the following reasons:
• Financial difficulties
• Dissatisfaction with his studied in Madrid
• Desire to prove that there is no reason to fear going home
• His belief that the Spanish regimes will not punish the innocent.

Decision to Return Home

• After five years of his memorable sojourn in Europe, Rizal returned to the Philippines. • However, Rizal
was warned by the following not to return to the Philippines because his Noli Me Tangere angered the
friars:
 o Paciano Mercado – Rizal’s adviser and only brother
o Silveste Ubaldo – Rizal’s brother-in-law; husband of Olimpia
o Jose Ma. Cecilio (Chenggoy) – one of Rizal’s closest friends
• Rizal was determined to come back to the Philippines for the ff. reasons:
o To operate his mother’s eyes
o To serve his people who had been oppressed by Spanish tyrants.
o To find out for himself how the Noli Me Tangere and his other writings affecting Filipinos and
Spaniards
o To inquire why Leonor Rivera remained silent

Rizal Arrives in Manila

• Rizal left Rome by train to Marseilles, a French port and boarded Djemnah, the same steamer that
brought him to Europe five years ago.
• There were 50 passengers: 4 Englishmen, 2 Germans, 3 Chinese 3 Japanese, 40 Frenchmen, and 1
Filipino
• When the ship reached Aden, the weather became rough and some of Rizal’s book got wet. • In Saigon
(Hi Chi Min) Vietman, he transferred to another steamer, Haiphong, that brought him to Manila.
Homecoming

When Rizal arrived in Calamba, rumors spread that he was a Germany spy, an agent of Otto Von Bismarck, the
liberator of Germany, a protestant, a mason, and a soul halfway to damnation. Paciano did not leave him during
the first days after arrival to protect him from any enemy assault. Don Francisco did not permit him to go out
alone in Calamba. Rizal established a medical clinic. Dona Teodora was Rizal’s first patient. Rizal treated her
eyes but could not perform any surgical operation because her cataracts were not yet ripe. He painted several
beautiful landscapes in Calamba. He translated German poems of Von Wildernath in Tagalog. Doctor Uliman
called Rizal this name because he came from Germany. He earned 900 in a few months and 5,000 before he
left the Philippines.

Gymnasium was opened by Rizal for the young people. He introduced European sports fencing and shooting
to discourage them from cockfighting and gambling. Mylene Gado Almario sad moments while Rizal was in
Calamba. Rizal tried to visit Leonor Rivera in Tarlac, but his parents forbade him to go because Leonor’s
mother did not like him for a son-in-law. Olimpia Mercado-Ubaldo died because of childbirth.

Storm Over the Noli Me Tangere

As Rizal was peacefully living in Calamba, his enemies plotted his doom. Governor General Emilio Terrero
wrote to Rizal requesting to come to Malacanang Palace. Somebody had whispered to his ear that the Noli
contains subversive ideas. Rizal explained to him that he merely exposed the truth, but did not advocate
subversive ideas. He was pleased by Rizal’s explanation and curious about the book, he asked for a copy of the
novel. Rizal had no copy that time but promised to send one for him.

Rizal visited the Jesuits

Rizal visited the Jesuit fathers to ask for their feedback on the novel. He was gladly welcomed by the
following friars:
• Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez
• Fr. Jose Bech
• Fr. Federico Faura – told Rizal that everything in the novel was the truth and warned him that he may
lode his head because of it.
Governor-General Emilio Terrero was a liberal minded Spaniard who knew that Rizal’s life was in jeopardy
because the friars were powerful. Because of this, he gave Rizal a bodyguard to protect him.

Jose Taviel de Andrade was a young Spanish lieutenant who came from a noble family. He was cultured and
knew painting. He could speak French, English and Spanish. They became good friends.

Attackers of the Noli

• Archbishop Pedro Payo – a Dominican archbishop of Manila who sent a copy of Noli to Fr. Gregorio
Echevarria, Rector of the University of Santo Tomas to examine the novel. The committee that
examined the novel were composed of Dominican professors. The report of the faculty members from
UST about the Noli states that the novel was heretical, impious and scandalous in the religious orders,
and anti-patriotic, subversive of public order, injurious to the government of Spain and its function in
the Philippine Islands in the political order.
• Gov-Gen Terrero was not satisfied with the report, so he sent the novel to the Permanent Commission of
Censorship which was composed of priests and lawyers.
• Fr. Salvador Font was an Augustinian friar curate of Tondo and was the head of the commission. The
group found that the novel contains subversive ideas against the church and Spain and recommended
that the importation, reproduction, and circulation of the pernicious book in the islands be absolutely
prohibited. The newspaper published Font’s written report. The banning of the Noli Me Tangere served
to make it popular. The masses supported the book.
• Father Jose Rodriguez was an Augustinian Prior of Guadalupe. He published a series of eight pamphlets
under the heading Questions of Supreme Interest to blast the Noli and other anti-Spanish writing.
Copies of anti-Rizal pamphlets were sold after mass. Many Filipinos were forced to buy them in order
not to displease the friars.

Noli Me Tangere

The novel was fiercely attacked in the session hall of the Senate of the Spanish Cortes. Senators: General Jose
de Salamanca, General Luis de Pando, Sr. Fernando Vida. Vicente Barantes was a Spanish academician of
Madrid who formerly occupied high government position in the Philippines bitterly criticized the novel in an
article published in the Madrid newspaper, La Espana Moderna.

Defenders of the Noli Me Tangere

• Propagandists such Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Antonio Ma. Regoidor, Mariano Ponce
rushed to uphold the truths of the Noli Me Tangere.
• Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez was Rizal’s favorite teacher in Ateneo defended and praised the
novel in public.
• Don Segismundo Moret was a former Minister of the Crown.
• Prof. Miguel Morayta was a historian and stateman.
• Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt was Rizal’s best friend.
• Rev. Fr. Vicente Garcia was a Filipino Catholic priest-scholar, a theologian of the Manila Cathedral and
a Tagalog translator of the famous Imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis. He was under the pen name
Justo Desiderio Magalang. He wrote a defense of the novel published in Singapore.
• Rizal cried because of his gratitude to his defenders especially to Fr. Garcia who defended him
unexpectedly.
• He attacked Barantes by exposing his ignorance of Philippine affairs and mental dishonesty which is
unworthy of an academician.
• Because of the interest of both enemies and protectors of the Noli, the price of the book increased from
five pesetas per copy to 50 pesetas per copy.
Rizal’s Reasons for leaving the Philippines Second Time (1888-1892)

• His presence in Calamba was jeopardizing the safety and happiness of his family and friends. • He could
not fight better his enemies and serve his country’s cause with greater efficacy by writing in foreign
countries.
• On February 3, 1888, Rizal left his country with a heavy heart. But this is for his own good and safety of
his family and friends.
• On February 3, 1888, after a short stay of six months, in Calamba, Rizal was forced to leave his country
for a second time. He left Manila for Hongkong on board the Zafiro. He was sick and sad to leave
Calamba.
• On February 7, 1888, the steamer made a brief stopover at Amoy. Nut he got off the ship. He was not
feeling well, and that the city was dirty. Accordingly, it was a small but very clean city. He was
welcomed by Filipino residents like Jose Maria Basa, Balbino Mauricio and Manuel Yriarte. There
were other Filipinos in Hongkong, but they were generally poor, gentle and timid. He observed the
noisy celebration of the Chinese New Year due to the continuous explosions of firecrackers, the noisy
audience and music in a Chinese theatre.
• On February 18, 1888, Rizal and Basa visited Macao. They boarded the ferry steamer, Ku-Kian. The
city was small, low and gloomy. There were many junks, sampans, but few steamers. The city looked
sad and dead. They stayed at the o=house of Don Juan Francisco Lecaros. They also visited the
theatre, casino, cathedral, churches, pagodas, botanical gardens and bazaars.
• On February 20, 1888, after their two-day sojourn in Macao, Rizal and Basa returned to Hongkong on
board again on the steamer Ku-Kiang.
• On February 21, 1888, Rizal and Basa went back to Hongkong. Rizal stayed there for almost two weeks.
While in Hongkong, Jose Sainz de Varonda was commissioned by the Spanish authorities to spy on
Rizal.

Rizal in Japan

• February 22, 1888 – Rizal left Hongkong alone on board the Oceanic, American steamer to Japan his
next destination. Rizal liked the ship because it was clean and efficiently managed but did not like the
meals on board. Other passengers of the ship were two Portuguese, two Chinese, several British and an
American woman Protestant missionary. His cabin mate was a British Protestant missionary who lived
in China for 27 years.
• February 28, 1888 – Rizal arrived in Yokohama, Japan and registered at the Grand Hotel. • February 29,
1888 – he proceeded to Tokyo and took a room at Tokyo Hotel where he stayed for six days. Japan was to
him the “Land of the Cherry Blossoms” because of its natural beauty and the charming manners of the
Japanese people.
• He visited by Juan Perez Caballero, secretary of the Spanish legation. He wrote a letter to Ferdinand
Blumentritt, sharing his observation in Japan.
• During his first day in Tokyo, Japan, Rizal was embarrassed because he didn’t know the Japanese
language. to avoid further embarrassment, he decided to study the Japanese language and a few days,
he was able to speak the language.
• He also studied Kabuki, visited museum, libraries, art galleries, and shrines and villages. He was
impressed by the beauty of Tokyo, but he was not impressed with the mode of transportation because
the rickshaws were drawn by men, which made Rizal disgusted because human wre working like
horses.
• He also met Seiko Usui but Rozal called her as O-Sei-San. They also met daily as they visited interesting
spots of the city like the Imperial Art Gallery, the Imperial Library, the city parks and picturesque
shrines. She served as his guide, interpreter and tutor.
• April 13, 1888 – Rizal boarded the Belgic, an English steamer bound for the United States. He left very
 sad because he would never see again the beautiful land and his beloved O-Sei-San. His sojourn in
Japan for 45 days was one of the happiest interludes in Rizal’s life.
• On board the Belgic, he met a passenger, Techo Suchero, a Japanese newspaperman who was jailed in
his country for his articles and principles and was exiled. The ship carried 643 Chinese people and
other nationalities.

Across the Atlantic - USA

• April 28, 1888 – Rizal and Techo arrived in San Francisco Port on Saturday morning of April 28. All
passengers were not allowed to land because the ship was placed on a quarantine on the ground that it
came form the Far East where cholera to be raging.
• He soon discovered that placing the ship under quarantine was prompted by politics. • After a week of
quarantine, all first-class passengers, including Rizal were permitted to land but the Chines and Japanese
passengers of the second- and third-class accommodations had remained on board. • May 4, 1888 – it was
the day when Rizal and other passengers were permitted to land. Rozal registered at the Palace Hotel.
• May 6, 1888 – Rizal left San Francisco to Oakland by ferry boat. In Oakland, he too his supper at
Sacramento for 75 cents and slept in his coach.
• May 7, 1888 – Rizal boarded a train for a trip across the continent.
• Reno, Nevada (May 7); Utah, Ogden, Denver (May 8); Colorado (May 9); Nebraska (May 10); Chicago
(May 11); Canada (May 12); Albany (May 13); and New York City
• May 13, 1888 – Rizal reached New York and stayed for three days. Rizal called it as “The Big Town”.
He visited the memorial George Washington, and other scenic and historic places.
• May 16, 1888 – he left NY for Liverpool and board the City of Rome. He also visited the Colossal
Statue of Liberty on Bedloe Island.
Rizal Impression of America
• Progressive nation
• People were energetic and hard-working
• Better opportunities for immigrants
• Racial prejudice
• Freedom and democracy were on in words, not practiced
• No true liberty

London, England
• May 25, 1888 – he went to London and stayed there for a short time as a guest at the home of Dr.
Antonio Ma. Regidor (lawyer).
• He boarded at Becket family and being close to Gertrude Becket.
• He spent Sundayas in the house of Dr. Reinhold Rost and played crickets with Dr. Rost son. • He also
spent much of his time in the British Museum annotating Morga’s book, Suceso de los Islas Filipinas
(Historical Events of the Philippine Islands).
• For ten months, he was deeply immersed in his historical studies in London, England. He received news:
the Queen Regent of Spain requesting the expulsion of the friars in the Philippines. • Attacks on Rizal by
Senator Salamanca and Vida in the Spanish Cortes and Wenceslao Retana. • Persecution of the Rizal’s
family and other Calamba farmers for their courage to petition the government for agrarian.
• Exile of Manuel Hidalgo without due process.
• Arrest and jailing of Rizal’s friend – Lauriano Viado, for the copies of Noli found in his house. •
September 1888 – Rizal visited Paris for a week and visited his Juan Luna and his wife Paz Pardo de
Tavera with their son Andres.
• December 11, 1888 – he went again to Spain and visited Madrid and Barcelona. He went to visit his
compatriots Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Marciano Ponce. They exchanged ideas and promised to
cooperate in the fight for reforms.
• December 24, 1888 – he returned to London and spent Christmas and New Year with the Becket family. •
December 31, 1888 – the Associacion de La Solidaridad was inaugurated. Rizal served as the Honorary
President; Galicano Apacible (President); Graciano Lopez-Jaena (VP); Manuel Santa Maria (Secretary);
Mariano Ponce (Treasurer); Jose Ma. Panganiban (Accountant).
• January 14, 1889 – Rizal wrote Blumentritt of his proposal to establish the “Inauguration Association of
the Filipinologist” and have its inauguration in the French capital. Blumentritt gladly supported him. •
January 28, 1889 – Rizal wrote a letter addressed to the members of the Associacion de La Solidaridad
recognizing his position as Honorary President. On his letter, he stressed that the invidual should give way
to the welfare of society and he should nor expect rewards/honors for what he does.