School Life at Ateneo and the University of Sto.

Tomas
Jose accompanied by his brother, Paciano, the eleven-year old boy from Calamba went to Manila
on June 10, 1872 to take the entrance examination and enrolled in the Ateneo Municipal, a
college under supervision of Spanish Jesuits.
The college was rival of the Dominican-owned College of San Juan de Letran, formerly the
Escuela Pia (Charity School), an educational institution established by the City government. In
1768 it become Ateneo Municipal and later on become the Ateneo de Manila.
Jose took the entrance examinations on Christian Doctrine, arithmetic, and reading at the College
of San Juan de Letran and passed them all.
The Jesuits opened the Ateneo to everyone without any racial or financial discrimination.
However, screening applicants was strictly observed. Rizal was almost denied admission because
of poor health and stature.
Reasons why he can’t be admitted at first:
-Late for registration
-He was sickly and undersized for his age
House outside Intramuros, on Caraballo Street, 25 minute walk-the place where Rizal boarded
before.
Father Magin Ferrando- college registrar who refuse to admit him.
Rizal’s First day in Ateneo
When the school year opened in June 1871-1872, Rizal like other neophytes in a new school
environment was fill of excitement and joy. He was dressed like others with coat and tie.
Father Jose Bech is his first professor
In Jesuits college, two empires were established to stimulate the students, a Roman Empire and
Greek Empire, constantly at war for supremacy in the class.
Jesuit System of Education
-Mass before the beginning of the daily class
-Students were divided into two groups:
Roman Empire-internos(boarders)
-red banner
Carthaginian Empire-externos(non-boarders)
-blue banner
-Ranking:
Emperor-the best student
Tribune-the second best
Decurion-the third best
Centurion-the fourth best
Standard Bearer-the fifth best
-WAYS TO GET A POSITION ON THE RANKING:
a)Any student can challenge any officer in his ‘’ empire’’ to answer questions on the day’s
lesson.
b)His opponent could lose his position if he committed three mistakes.
c)Any student might be at the end of the line, but if he studied hard and was brilliant, he could
depose the officers one after another and become an emperor.

Rizal’s 1st year in Ateneo(1872-1873)

¬His 1st professor was Fr. Jose Bech.
¬Rizal is placed at the bottom of the class-he was an externo and joined the Carthaginians
occupying the end of the line
¬At the end of the month he became an emperor(was given a prize of a religious picture)
¬He was placed second but his grades are still ‘’excellent’’

Summer Vacation(1873)
¬His sister Neneng (Saturnina) brought him in Tanauan to cheer him up.
¬He also visited his mother in prison
¬He returned to Manila at the end of the vacation to attend on his 2nd year in Ateneo.

2nd year in Ateneo(1873-1874)

¬He regained his lost class leadership and became an emperor.
¬He received excellent grades and a gold medal
¬He again went to Calamba for his vacation

Prophecy of Mother’s release

¬He always visits his mother in the jail wherein he cheers up her by his stories about his
triumphs in Ateneo.
-Dona Teodora has a dream, Jose interpreted it that after 3 months her mother would be released
in prison. Barely after 3 months her mother was set free.

3rd year in Ateneo(1874-1875)

¬Rizal got only one medal which is in his Latin subject not in his Spanish because he was beaten
by a fluent speaker of Spanish.
¬He returned to Calamba for his vacation but unlike the last summer he is frustrated because of
his scholastic work.

4th year in Ateneo(1875-1876)

¬June 16, 1875-Rizal become an interno in Ateneo
¬Fr.Francisco de Paula Sanchez-a great educator and scholar-he inspired Jose to study harder
and write poetry.
¬He was awarded 5 medals
Last year in Ateneo(1876-1877)
¬He obtained high grades in philosophy, physics, biology, chemistry, languages, mineralogy, etc.
-He was recognized as a truly “the pride of the Jesuits”.

Some Extra-Curricular Activities in Ateneo

-became the secretary of the Marian Congregation and member of the Academy of Spanish
Literature.
-he carved an image of The Virgin Mary on a piece of battikuling(Philippine hardwood) with his
pocket-knife.
The first poem as an Atenean was the Mi Primera Inspiracion(My First Inspiration) dedicated on
his mother on her birthday
Finished the manuscript entitled San Eustacio, Martir(St. Eustace, the Martry)

First Romance of Rizal

-at the age of 16, he fell in love with Segunda Katigbak, a pretty 14 years old Batanguena from
Lipa
-Sadly, segunda was already engaged to Manuel Luz
Rizal’s poem in education
Rizal wrote “Through Education Our Motherland Receives Light” when he was only 15 years
old
He was already aware of the value of education and its significant role in the intellectual,
physical and moral development of an individual in particular and the progress and the welfare
of a nation in general.
At the age of 18, he wrote the poem “to the Filipino youth” at the University of Sto Tomas which
sponsored by Liceo Artistico-Literanio, a society of men interested in Literature and Arts.
“where education reigns on lofty seat
Youth blossoms forth with vigor and agility
His error subjugates with solid feet
And is exalted by conceptions of nobility
She breaks the neck of vice and its deceit
Black crime turns pale at her hostility
The barbarous nations she knows how to tame
From savages create heroic fame.”

Artistic Skill in Sculpture

Sculpture is the art of Curving; molding, welding or producing works of art in three dimensions.
Jose curved the image of Virgin Mary on a piece of Philippine hardwood-batikuling with pocket-
knife.
Father Leonard requested Rizal to curve for him the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
This image was placed on the door of the dormitory of the Ateneo and remained there for almost
20 years.

Education Under the Jesuits

The students were trained by rigid discipline and character development
Religious instructions was given emphasis to acquire the manners and morals of Christian
gentlemen.
The students heard mass every morning before classes begun and classes in all subjects were
opened and closed with prayers.
Students who belonged to wealthy group will paid a monthly fee of 2 pesos and those who are
classified poor, paid nothing.
The curriculum includes Christian Doctrine, Spanish, Latin, Greek and French, World
Geography and History, the History of Spain and History of the Philippines; Arithmetic, Algebra
and Geometry, Mineralogy, Chemistry, Physics, Botany, and Zoology, Poetry and Rhetoric and
Philosophy.

Rizal started medical studies at Sto. Tomas

Taking the first course in philosophy in 1877 at the University of Sto. Tomas
At Pontifical University, year 1878-1879 he begun his medical studies. He studied medicine
because he want to be a physician so he could look after her mother’s failing eyesight. Father
Pablo Ramon, Rector of Ateneo, whom he consulted for advice on the choice of career,
recommended medical course.
Even if he was now at Sto. Tomas, he still frequented the Ateneo because there, he was the
president of the Literary Academy, Secretary of Natural Sciences, Secretary of the Marian
Congregation, and Celandor of the Apostolado dela Oracion.

Rizal’s Day at Sto. Tomas

The academic climate at the University of Sto. Tomas was quite different from the Ateneo.
Rizal’s impression was not like that of Ateneo because most Dominican professors seemed
hostile to him. The methods of instruction were traditional and in some cases repressive.
In his novel, El Filibusterismo, Rizal described how some Dominican professors insulted
Filipino students and mockingly called them “indio.”
After 5 years, Rizal decided to quit and continued his medical education abroad.

Rizal’s first love

He experienced the pleasure and pains of first love.
Segundiwa Katigbak, 14 years old, boarder at La Concordia College
1880, while boarding in the home of his uncle Antonio Rivera, he fell in love with his daughter
Leonor.
Rafael Palma says: Leonor was a beauty: light skin almost white; wavy hair, almost blond; small
and gracious mouth; large, dark, eyes shaded by long eyelashes; nose of correct profile, neither
too sharp nor too flat; a smile tinged with two glad dimples in the cheeks; agreeable
conversation; sweet voice and harmonious laughter.

The council of the Gods

His prize-winning poem, A La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth) whom Rizal emplored
urgently the Filipino youth to “rise from lethargy, to let his genius fly swifter than the wind and
descend with the art and science to break the chain that has long bound the poetic genius of the
country,” inspired him to submit an allegory in prose entitled EL CONSEJO DELOS DIOSES
(The Council of Gods) in another literary contest sponsored by the Liceo Artistico-Literario
(Artistic-Literacy Lyceum). This was in connection with the fourth centennial commemoration
of the death of Miguel De Cervantes, a noted Spanish novelist and famous author of DON
QUIXOTE (a person who is inspired by lofty and chivalrous but impractical ideals).
The idea and the plot of the work are of great originality to should be added the circumstances
that throughout the same strive to the utmost style, an admirable richness of details, delicacy of
taught, and figures, and lastly, some delicious passage of Homer which with such frequency the
Olympic seasons describes to us in their works.
That was the first time in history that an Indio excelled in a national literacy contest and
participated in by the best writers at that time and defeated the best Spanish writers.
The winning-allegory –literary masterpiece of Rizal based on classic which has a figurative
treatment of one subject under the guise of another was a result of the kind assistance of Father
Nector of Ateneo who provided the needed reference for the material. The allegory established a
parallel among Homer (Greek epic poet and author of Iliad and Odyssey), Virgil (the most
famous poet of ancient Rome), and Cervantes, a noted Spanish novelist. The gods discuss the
comparative merits of these different bards and finally decide to give trumpet to Homer, the lyre
to Virgil, and the laurel to Cervantes. The allegory fittingly and gloriously closes with the naids,
nymphs, satyra and other mythological characters dancing and gathering myrrh and laurel to
Cervantes.
 Week 5: Rizal left for Spain

Implied by his desire to learn to perfect himself and become more useful to his people,
Rizal left home and country and went to Europe in order to educate himself. “He was not moved
by the wish to have a good time and enjoy life’, wrote Dr. Trinidad H. Padro de Tavera

Secret Departure
Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept in utmost secrecy; even his parents and sisters were
not informed about it until his ship has lifted its anchor. He left Calamba by carromata in the
early morning of May 1, 1882 and reach manila after ten hours of travel. His travel passport,
issued in the name of “Jose Mercado” was ready. On May third he woke up early, heard mass at
Sto. Domingo Church in Intramuros and the proceeded to Pasig River to board his boat. Those
who him off were his brother Paciano who gave him some money, Saturnina a diamond ring,
uncle Atonio, and a few close friends. He carried with him good recommendations from the
Ateneo Authorities to the Jesuit fathers in Barcelona.
Rizal was almost 21 years old on the day he left. At the tender age, he was deeply
touched at the moment of his parting from his family, friends, and loved ones. Tears welled from
his eyes as the 5.5 Salvador sailed further away from manila. He wrote in his diary: “my country,
my love, my people, I leave you now, you disappear. I lose sight of you.

To Singapore
As the ship sailed to Singapore, Rizal could not help comparing the persons and the
things around him, so that he would no longer feel the pain of being separated from his beloved
parents and country, he took paper and pencil and made some sketches. His fellow-passengers
were foreign travelers and a few Spanish traders, students and laborers returning to spain. He
wrote in his diary: Almost of those men, speaking Spanish passengers, spoke till of the country
to which they gone for pecuniary reasons.
At the end of 1 week sailing, the Salvador reached Singapore. In his two days stop-over
in Singapore, he visited some historic places, the botanical garden, art galleries and parks and
write on his diary.
From Singapore, Rizal boarder the Djemnah, a French ship, which was bigger and better
the Salvador, which was sailing to Europe. The streamer made stop at Point de Galle, Colombo,
Suez, Naples and Marseilles. On June 12, the ship docked in the French harbor of Marseilles.
His brief so journ in Marseilles was part of his exciting experiences. He look the train for
Barcelona, arriving there on June 16, 1882.

In Barcelona
Barcelona is the city of Catalina, Spain’s second largest city. His impression of the city
was quite a place where freedom and liberalism were enjoyed by his people. While in Barcelona
he met some of his schoolmates at the Ateneo who gave him a warm welcome. The even invited
him to take a walk on the park and visited historical spots. He was amused at the famous street,
Las Ramblas, in Barcelona.
Rizal spent his time writing letters to his family, relatives and friends. He also wrote a
nationalistic articles “love of country” (Amor Patria) and “Travels” (Los Viajes) were especially
written in Diaryong tagalog of Manila. Love of country was well-liked by his countrymen for in
it, Rizal hold fast to his idea that the Philippines (Not Spain) was the Filipinos own country.

Rizal in Madrid: September, 1882

Transferred to the Spanish capital in order to continue his medical studies (Central
University of Madrid)
-Enrolled 2 courses: Medicine and in Philosophy and letters
-He took lessons in paintings and sculpture at the academy of San Fernando
-Attending classes in French and in German
-Practicing Fencing and shooting at the Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell
-He attended operas and concerts
From Madrid he wrote his father on Oct. 28, 1883, in which Rizal stated: “I remember
having told you in my former letter that from eight 0’clock in the morning until eight fifteen at
night, I have classes except for half an hour which I use for lunch, that is, from two thirty to three
in the afternoon; the gymnasium is doing me good.
In the Spanish capital, Rizal met and associated with other Filipino students who formed
the Spanish-Filipino Circle. He also wrote articles for its magazine. He wrote a poem entitled
Me Piden Versos (They ask me for Verses).
These young Filipinos used to meet and gather at the home of Don Pablo Ortega y Rey,
Former mayor of Manila, during Gov. Carlos dela Torre’s regime. Rizal visited him on Saturday
evenings with other Filipino students, played games with his two daughters Consuelo and Pilar.
The spark of love smile in Rizal’s heart by Consuelo’s refined manners ad lovely smile. He gave
flowers to Consuelo occasionally but due to endearing attachment to Leonor Rivera, he
suppressed his emotion and did not allow the feelings he had for Consuelo. Before he left the city
on 1883, he wrote poem dedicated to Consuelo Ortega.

Rizal Joined Masonry

Rizal joined masonry for 2 inferential reasons:
1. the abuse committed by friars against the Filipino people
2. the possible help the masons could extend as a protective shield to use in his fight against evil
forces of the tyranny and exploitation.
He became master mason in Lodge Solidaridad on November 15, 1890, and from then on
he ceased going to church regularly.

Rizal’s Admiration for Luna and Hidalgo

1884 was particularly important in Philippine history in the field of painting because that
was the year when two indios won the attention of the Spanish art establishment for their two
entries in the Madrigal Exposition of Fine Arts where both Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion
Hidalgo outstanding honors for their country. Luna’s painting the Spoliarium, was awarded first
prize and a gold medal, while Hidalgo’s Christian Virgin Exposed to the Populace earned a silver
medal. June 25, 1884 (Rizal was the main speaker of the occasion) at the Café Ingles honored
and welcomed the two artist.

Rizal Depends thesis for a philosophy and letters degree

When graduated from the Central University of Madrid with the degree of philosophy
and letters on June 19, 1885, prof Miguel de Unamuno, the Spaniards political writer and scholar
who was Rizal’s sponsor when he wore the gown. When the time came for Rizal to read his
thesis, the examiners composed of learned men were surprised to hear that his subject was the
error in the translation of the angels’ song over Bethlehem on the nativity. He finish his study in
philosophy and letters on June 19, 1885, during his 24th birthday, his scholastic grade was
excellent (sobresalente).
Rizal to Paris to Germany

Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to specialize in ophthalmology. He chose this branch
because he wanted to cure his mother’s eye ailment. Rizal traveled to Leipzig and attended some
lectures at its local university. After which he went to Berlin to further study ophthalmology and
other languages, to get familiar with the scenic Germany, to be part of the scientific community,
and to finish his novel, Noli Me Tangere. Rizal visited European countries to study the people’s
way of life and adopt ideas and programs that would benefit his countrymen.

Maximo Viola- was a physician, municipal councilor, and a supporter of the Propaganda
Movement.- known as the man who saved for posterity and financed the printing of Jose Rizal's
novel Noli Me Tangere.- accompanied Rizal to visit the cities of Europe
While not working at Dr. Weckert’s clinic in France, Rizal visited his friends, such as the family
of Pardo de Taveras, Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion, Hidalgo. Noli Me Tangere published in
1887 in Berlin Rizal began work on the Noli while still in Madrid, Spain. Of the remainder, most
was written in Paris. He finished the book in Berlin, Germany. Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, a well-
known writer and political activist, volunteered to be the proofreader and consultant.
In Paris A Las Flores de Heidelberg (To the Flowers of Heidelberg
As Jose Rizal longed for his parents and his country, he wrote the poem “A Las Flores De
Heidelberg” on April 22, Back then, he was studying at Universitätsplatz 12 (former
Ludwigsplatz 12), Germany. He wrote this poem because of his yearning for Calamba, inspired
by his afternoon’s musings in Neckar River
31 March 1889 His "Me Piden Versos…!" Signed Laong-Laan was published in the La
Solidaridad.23 April 1889He sent a manuscript of the "Ethnography of Mindanao" to Barcelona
for publication. Likewise, he sent to Dr. Joist the letter of Manuel Hidalgo in which the abuses of
the friars in the Philippines were mentioned and from which Rizal hoped Dr. Joist could gather
facts for publication in the Kolmer Zeitung.
30 April 1889His article "a La Defensa" was published in the La Solidaridad.15 May 1889 He
sent the manuscript of his Article "por telepono" to publication in pamhlet form.His article "Los
Viajes" signed Laong Laan was published in the La Solidaridad.
31 May 1889 Rizal published his "La Verdad para Todos" in the La Solidaridad.
4 June 1889 He translated more than 30 pages of Blumentritt’s Memorias on the tribes of
Mindanao. He expressed the illusion than when liberty brightens in the Philippines, he and
Blumentritt would come and live together.Dr. A. B. Meyer visited him in Paris.15 June 1889
Rizal’s letter "Al Sr. D. Vicente Barrantes" was published in the La Solidaridad (first
installment).23 June 1889 He continued with enthusiasm the translation of Blumentritt’s
Memorias on the tribes of Mindanao. He was already on page 36.Two copies of his picture (age
28) were sent to Blumentritt and Dr. Czepelack.
23 July 1889 He sent to the printing press his annotations to Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas
Filipinas and requested Prof. Blumentritt in a letter to keep secret the publication of the book
because with it he wanted to surprise his compatriots.31 July 1889 his article "Verdades Neuvas"
was published in the La Solidaridad.15 September 1889 His article "Differencias" was Published
in the La Solidaridad.22 September 1889 In a package, he sent to Blumentritt two statues: a
beggar with a hat and a maid with bilao on her hands. He sent, too, a wallet made of nito vines.
All these things came from one of Blumentritt’s admirers in the Philippines.30 September 1889
his essay "Filipinas Dentro de Cien Años" was published in the La Solidaridad (first
installment).31 October 1889 His essay "Filipinas Dentro de Cien Años" was published in the La
Solidaridad (second installment).
15 November 1889 His article "a La Patria" was published in the La Solidaridad.
30 November 1889 His article "Inconsecuencias" was published in the La Solidaridad.23
December 1889 Copies of the Morga started coming out from the printing press. He sent one
copy to Mariano Ponce in Barcelona. In a letter, Ponce told Rizal that the book would rectify the
wrong notion, which the enemies had against the Philippines. A big blow against the enemies, he
said further.
owards the end of March, 1889, Rizal organized his paisanos into a society called Kidlat
Club.
Members were Antonio and Juan Luna, Lauro Dimayuga, Baldomero Roxas, Gregorio Aguilera,
Fernando Canon, Gregorio Pautu, and Julio Llorente.
Reason of Forming Kidlat Club:
It was founded by Rizal simply to bring together the young Filipinos in the French capital so that
they could enjoy their sojourn in the city during the international exposition.Rizal and the
members of the Kidlat Club went sightseeing in the exposition grounds. They saw the Buffalo
Bill’s troupe and were impressed by the American Indians, wearing war paints and feathers,
proudly riding their horses like centaurs.He told his friends: “ Why should we resent being called
Indios by the Spaniards. Look at the American Indians. They were not ashamed of their race. Let
us be like them. Let us be proud of the name Indio and make the Spaniards revise their
conception of the term. We shall become Indios Bravos!”
Members of indios Bravos were Aguilera, Dimayuga, Pautu, Canon, Antonio and Juan Luna,
Llorente, and Roxas.He organizes a society called the "Association Internationale des
Philippinistas", with Dr. Blumentritt of Austria as president, Dr. Rost of England as Vice-
President, and Dr. Planchet of Paris as a director. They plan to summon an international congress
to face the Philippine question. The association also sets out to study the Philippines historically
and scientifically, to publish books on all Philippine topics, to create a Philippine Library and
Museum, etc (8)
In Germany24 December 1886He finished translating one third of the book Waitz.January 1887
He became a member of the Ethnographic Society of Berlin in whose meeting he had the rare
opportunity of hearing the interesting lecture of Dr. Donitz on pre-historic Japanese tombs which
contained sets of dishes and other decorations.February 1887 He became a member of the
Anthropological Society and the Geographic Society of Berlin.5 March 1887 Rizal translated
into French the "History of a Mother" by Andersen written in German.Transiton:11 May 1887
Accompanied by Maximo Viola, Rizal left Berlin to visit the cities of Eurupe, including
Dresden, Leitmeritz, Prague, Vienna, Munich, Nuremberg, Ulm, Lausanne, and Geneva.

When did he go to Paris? To Germany? How long did he stay in Paris? In Germany? On his 1st
travel in Paris at 1883, he stayed there for two months On the 2nd travel at November 1885, he
left Paris the next year and went to Germany in February 1886 and stayed there until May 1887
where he left Berlin to visit other cities of Europe1 November 1886, At 1:25 P.M., Rizal arrived
at Berlin and boarded at the Central Hotel but then reside at Jaeger Straesse 71,111.On his 3rd
travel, he arrived in Paris on 19 March 1889 and on 28 January 1890, Rizal left Paris for
Brussels, capital of Belgium.
For a short time, Rizal lived in the house of his friend Valentin Ventura, at no.45 Rue Maubeuge,
where he polished his annotated edition of Morga’s book. He lived finally in a little room,
together with two Filipinos- Capitan Justo Trinidad and Jose Albert. He settled in the house of
a Lutheran, Karl Ulmer and worked in the clinics of famous Polish and German
ophthalmologists, Dr. Javier Galezowsky and Dr. Otto Becker, respectively
Rizal adjusted to his new environment by being friendly and enjoying the beautiful scenes of the
place. His relationship with them was good, seeing as how he even formed the Kidlat club with
some of them
He studied French language. He attended Fencing lessons Advance studies in ophthalmology
Further techniques in eye surgery under eminent German Physicians.
Touring Europe with Dr. Viola
PARIS TO BERLIN
In Gay Paris
Went to Paris to acquire further knowledge in ophthalmology
On his way to Paris, he stopped at Barcelona to visit his friend Maximo Viola, a medical student
from San Miguel, Bulacan
He befriended the editor of La Publicidad, Eusebio Carominas
La Publicidad was owned by Miguel Morayta
November 1885, Rizal was living in Paris, where he sojourned for about four months
He was an assistant to Dr. Louise de Weckert, leading French ophthalmologist
Visited his friends, Pardo de Taveras, Juan Luna and Felix Ressureccion Hidalgo
Rizal discussed with Juan Luna, the great master of the brush, various problems on art and
improved his own painting technique
In Luna’s canvas “The Death of Cleopatra,” Rizal posted an Egyptian priest
In Luna’s “The Blood Compact,” Rizal posted as Sikatuna
Rizal as Musician
Rizal played the flute fairly well
He composed songs entitled:
“Alin Mang Lahi” (Any Race), a patriotic song which asserts that any race aspires for freedom
“La Deportacion” (Deportation), which he composed in Dapitan during his exile
In Historic Heidelberg
After acquiring enough experience as an ophthalmologist in Dr. Weckert’s clinic, Rizal left
Paris for Germany
He arrived in Heidelberg, a historic city in Germany famous for its old
university and romantic surroundings
Worked at the University Eye Hospital under Dr. Otto Becker
Visited Heidelberg Castle, Neckar River, theater, and the old churches
He noticed that the German Catholics and Protestants practiced ecumenism, for they live
together in harmony and cordiality
To the Flowers of Heidelberg
Rizal’s favorite flower is the light blue “forget-me-not”
The beautiful spring flowers reminded him of the blooming flowers at the garden
of his home in Calamba
He wrote a poem entitled “A Las Flores de Heidelberg” (To the Flowers of Heidelberg)
With Pastor Ulmer at Wilhelmsfeld
Rizal spent a 3-month summer vacation at Wilhelmsfeld, a mountainous village near Heidelberg
He stayed at the house of a kind Protestant Pastor, Dr. Karl Ulmer, who became his good friend
and admirer
First Letter to Blumentritt
On July 32, 1886, Rizal wrote his first letter in German to Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt,
Director of the Ateneo de Leitmeritz, Austria
Rizal heard that Blumentritt was interested in Philippine languages

“Now that you are still young you should strive to read, read and learn. You must not allow
yourself to be conquered by indolence because it costs so little to cast it off” – Rizal to
Trinidad
German Customs
 Rizal admired German customs which he observed well like Christmas custom and
self-introduction to strangers in social gathering

Rizal’s Darkest Winter

 The winter of 1886 in Berlin was his darkest winter
 He lived in poverty because no money arrived from Calamba
 The diamond ring given to him by Saturnina was in pawnshop
 He could not pay his landlord
 He could not afford to pay his laundry
 He eats one meal a day, consisting of bread and water or cheap vegetable soup
 His health broke down due to lack of proper nourishment
 He began to cough and thought that he was going to have tuberculosis
Rizal sent him a book entitled “Aritmetica” (Arithmetic), which was published in two
languages –Spanish and Tagalog – by the University of Santo Tomas Press; the author of the
book was Rufino
Baltazar, a native of Laguna

In Leipzig and Dresden

On August 9, 1886 Rizal left Heidelberg for Leipzig
In Leipzig, Rizal attended lectures on history and psychology
He translated Schiller’s William Tell from German into Tagalog so that Filipinos might know
the story of the Swiss Independence
He also translated Han’s Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales for his nieces and nephews
Rizal found out that the cost of living in Leipzig was cheapest in Europe so that he stayed two
months and a half
He worked as proof-reader in publishing firm since he has knowledge of German, Spanish and
other European languages, thereby earning some money
On October 29, he left Leipzig for Dresden, where he met Dr. Adolph Meyer, Director of
Anthropological and Ethnological Museum
On November 1, Rizal left Dresden for Berlin

Rizal Welcomed in Berlin’s Scientific Circle

Rizal was enchanted by Berlin because of its scientific atmosphere and the absence of race
prejudice
Here he met Dr. Feodor Jagor, author of Travels in the Philippines
Rizal became a member of the Anthropological Society, the Ethnological Society and the
Geographical Society of Berlin, upon recommendation of Dr. Jagor and Dr. Meyer

Rizal’s Life in Berlin

Rizal lived in Berlin for 5 reasons:
1. To gain further knowledge of ophthalmology
2. To further his studies of sciences and languages
3. To observe the economic and political conditions of the German nation
4. To associate with famous German scientists and scholars
5. To publish his novel Noli Me Tangere
Rizal led a methodical and frugal life in Berlin
He worked as an assistant in the clinic of Dr. Schweigger, eminent German ophthalmologist
At night, he attended lectures in the University of Berlin
At his boarding house, he kept himself in physical trim by daily exercises and practiced
speaking German, French and Italian
He spent his leisure moments touring the countryside, observing customs, dresses,
homes and occupations of the peasants
He enjoyed promenading Unter den Linden, the most popular boulevard of Berlin

Rizal on German Women

Rizal expressed his high regard and admiration for German women as stated in his letter to his
sister Trinidad
German woman is serious, diligent, educated and friendly. She is not gossipy,
frivolous and quarrelsome like the Spanish woman. She is not particular about beautiful
dresses and expensive jewelry, though she could dress nicely like any other woman in the world.
Rizal regretted that in the Philippines, women are more interested in how they dress than in how
much they know
He praised, however, the delicacy of feeling, the fine manners, devotion and hospitality of the
Filipino women, especially those on the provinces who are not yet sophisticated
“If only they can cultivate their intellect by education and by taking more interest in worldly
affairs, they can command the respect of all men” – Rizal on Filipino women
“Now that you are still young you should strive to read, read and learn. You must not allow
yourself to be conquered by indolence because it costs so little to cast it off” – Rizal to Trinidad

Idea of Writing a Novel on the Philippines

His reading of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which portrays the brutalities of
American
slave owners and the pathetic conditions of the unfortunate Negro slaves, inspired him to prepare
a novel
The Writing of the Noli
Rizal began writing his novel in Madrid and finished about one-half of it
He finished the novel in Germany
Final revisions were made in Berlin
“I did not believe that the Noli Me Tangere would ever be published when I was in Berlin,
broken-hearted, weakened, and discouraged from hunger and deprivation. I was on the point of
throwing my work into the fire as a thing accursed and fit only to die.” – Rizal to Fernando
Canon

Viola, Savior of the Noli

Dr. Maximo Viola was shocked to find Rizal living in poverty and deplorably sickly due to lack
of proper nourishment
Viola agreed to finance the printing cost of the Noli and he loaned Rizal some cash money for
living expenses
After the Christmas season, Rizal put the finishing touches on his novel
To save printing expenses, he deleted certain passages, including a whole chapter, “Elias and
Salome”
Printing shop: Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action-Gesselschaft
Printing cost: 300 pesos for 2,000 copies of the novel

Rizal Suspected as French Spy

The chief of police of Berlin received intelligence report that Rizal made frequent visits to the
villages and little towns in the rural areas, thereby arousing the German government’s suspicion
that he was a French spy, in a such as he entered Germany from Paris
Rizal, in fluent German language, explained to the police chief that he was not a French spy, but
was a Filipino physician and ethnologist
Favorably impressed with Rizal’s explanation, the police chief was satisfied and allowed him to
stay freely in Germany

Printing of the Noli Finished

 March 21, 1887, the Noli Me Tangere came off the press
 Rizal sent copies to intimate friends including Blumentritt, Jaena, Ponce, Hidalgo
 In token of his appreciation and gratitude, gave Viola the galley proofs of the Noli
carefully rolled around
the pen that he used in writing it and a complimentary copy with the inscription: “To my dear
friend,
Maximo Viola, the first to read and appreciate my work.” – Rizal

Printing of the Noli Finished

March 21, 1887, the Noli Me Tangere came off the press
Rizal sent copies to intimate friends including Blumentritt, Jaena, Ponce, Hidalgo
In token of his appreciation and gratitude, gave Viola the galley proofs of the Noli carefully
rolled around the pen that he used in writing it and a complimentary copy with the inscription:
“To my dear friend, Maximo Viola, the first to read and appreciate my work.” – Rizal

The Title of the Noli

Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase which means “Touch Me Not”
From the Gospel of St. John (Chapter 20, verses 13-17)
“Touch me not; I am not yet ascended to my Father, but go to my brethren, and say unto them. I
ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God and your God

Author’s Dedication
Rizal dedicated his Noli Me Tangere to the Philippines
The Noli Based on Truth
Noli Me Tangere was a true story of Philippine conditions during the last decades of Spanish
rule
Maria Clara – Leonor Rivera
Ibarra and Elias – Rizal
Pilosopo Tasyo – Paciano
Crispin and Basilio – Crisostomo brothers of Hagonoy
Padre Damaso – typical of domineering friar during the days of Rizal
Missing Chapter of the Noli
Elias and Salome – was deleted so the cost of printing would correspondingly reduced
Rizal’s Friends Praise the Noli
“Your work has been written with the blood of the heart, and so the heart also speaks.” –
Ferdinand Blumentritt
“If the Quixote immortalizes its author because it exposes to the world the ailments of Spain,
your Noli Me Tangere will bring you an equal glory.” – Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor
The winter of 1886 was memorable in the life of Rizal for:
1. It was a painful episode for he was hungry, sick and despondent in a strange city
2. His first novel Noli Me Tangere came off the press

After the publication of the Noli, Rizal decided to visit important places in Europe with Viola
He had received Paciano’s remittance of 1,000 pesos which was forwarded by Juan Luna from
Paris
The Tour Begins
1. Dresden
One of the best cities in Germany
Their visit coincide with the flower exposition
Rizal visited Dr. Adolph B. Meyer
Rizal visited Museum of Art and was impressed by Prometheus Bound
Rizal and Viola met Dr. Feodor Jagor and advised them to inform Blumentritt before their
coming

2. Leitmeritz
At 1:30 pm of May 1887, the train with Rizal and Viola on board, arrived at the railroad station
of Leitmeritz; Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt was waiting for them
Blumentritt helped the two find a room at Hotel Krebs
Rizal stayed in Leitmeritz from May 13 to 16, 1887

Beautiful Memories of Leitmeritz

He enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Blumentritt family
One afternoon, Blumentritt invited them to a beer garden
Rizal met some Germans including the Burgomaster
They were impressed with Rizal’s ability to speak in German
When asked how long it took him to master the language, he said, 11 months
To commemorate his happy hours at the Blumentritt home, Rizal gave Blumentritt a portrait
Before they left, they gave Blumentritt a farewell dinner at Hotel Krebs

3. Prague
They were welcomed by Dr. Wilkomm, professor of natural sciences at the University of
Prague
They visited the tomb of Copernicus (the great astronomer), museum of natural history,
bacteriological laboratory, the famous cave where San Juan Nepomuceno, the Catholic saint, was
imprisoned

4. Vienna
Queen of Danube
Rizal was fascinated with the beautiful buildings, religious images, haunting waltzes, and
majestic charm
They met Norfenfals, one of the greatest novelists in Europe
He received his lost diamond stickpin

5. Lintz
May 24, they left Vienna on a river boat to see the beautiful sights of the Danube River
Rizal observed keenly the river sights, the barges loaded with products, the flowers and plants
growing along the river banks, boats with families living on them, and settlements on the
riverbanks
Rizal noticed the use of paper napkins instead of cloth

6. Rheinfall
 They went to Munich then proceeded to Nuremburg, one of the oldest cities in
Germany
 They saw torture machines
 Manufacture of dolls was the biggest industry of the city
 Savored the famous Munich beer
 They visited Ulm where they saw the “largest and tallest cathedral in Germany”
 At Rheinfall, they saw the “most beautiful waterfall of Europe”

7. Switzerland
 Schaffhausen – Basel – Bern – Lausanne

8. Geneva
 One of the most beautiful cities in Europe
 The people in Geneva were polyglots, speaking French, German, and Italian
8. Geneva
One of the most beautiful cities in Europe
The people in Geneva were polyglots, speaking French, German, and Italian
June 19, Rizal treated Viola because it was his birthday
They stayed for 15 days in Geneva
June 23, they parted ways
Viola returned to Barcelona while Rizal continued his tour to Italy

9. Italy
Turin – Milan – Venice – Florence
June 27, 1887, he reached Rome, the Eternal City and also the City of the Caesars
June 29, the feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul, Rizal visited for the first time the Vatican, the
City of the Popes, and the capital of Christendome
He was fascinated by the magnificent edifices, particularly of St. Peter’s Church, the St. Peter’s
Square, the papal guards and the atmosphere of religious devotion
Every night, after sightseeing the whole day, Rizal returned to his hotel very tired. “I am tired as
a dog, but I will sleep as a god.”
Rizal in Hongkong, Japan and in America

IN HONG KONG AND MACAO, 1888

Hounded by powerful enemies, Rizal was forced to leave his country for the second time in
1888
He was 27 years old and a practicing physician

Trip to Hong Kong

It was then a British colony
“It is a small, but very clean city.” – Rizal
Rizal stayed at Victoria Hotel
He was welcomed by the Filipino residents, including Jose Maria Basa, Balbino Mauricio, and
Manuel Yriarte
A Spaniard, Jose Sainz de Veranda, who was a former secretary of the Governor General
Terrero
shadowed Rizal in Hong Kong
There are some Filipinos, the majority of whom being those who had been exiled to the
Marianas Islands in 1872. They are poor, gentle, and timid. Formerly, they were rich mechanics,
industrialists and financiers

Visit to Macao
February 18 accompanied by Jose Maria Basa, boarded the ferry steamer Kiu-Kiang for Macao
He saw Sainz de Veranda
Macao was a Portuguese colony
According to Rizal, it was small, low, and gloomy

Experiences in Hong Kong

Rizal studied the Chinese life, language, drama, and customs
Rizal’s observation of Hong Kong
1. Noisy Chinese New Year Celebration from February 11 to 13
2. Boisterous Chinese theater, with noisy audience and noisier music
3. The marathon lauriat party wherein the guests were served numerous dishes
4. The Dominican Order was the richest religious order in Hong Kong
5. Of the Hong Kong cemeteries belonging to the Protestants, Catholics, and Muslims, that of the
Protestants was the most beautiful because it was well-groomed plants and clean pathways
Rizal left Hong Kong for Japan on February 22, 1888 on board the Oceanic

Romantic Interlude In Japan

One of the happiest interludes in the life of Rizal was his sojourn in the Land of the
Cherry Blossoms for one month and a half

Rizal Arrives in Yokohama

 February 28, 1888 he arrived in Yokohama
 He was impressed by the city in Tokyo
 “Tokyo is more expensive than Paris. The walls are built in cyclopean manner. The
streets are large and wide.” – Rizal to Blumentritt
 He was visited at his hotel by Juan Perez Caballero, secretary of the Spanish Legation
 He invited Rizal to live at the Spanish Legation
 Rizal realized he was being monitored but he accepted the invitation because
1. He could economize his living expenses
2. He has nothing to hide
 Rizal had difficulty conversing with the Japanese so he studied the language
 He also studied the Japanese drama (kabuki) and the Japanese art of self-defense (judo)

Things that favorably impressed Rizal in Japan

1. The beauty of the country
2. The cleanliness, politeness, and the industry of the Japanese people
3. The picturesque dress and simple charm of the Japanese women
 June 19, Rizal treated Viola because it was his birthday
 They stayed for 15 days in Geneva
 June 23, they parted ways
 Viola returned to Barcelona while Rizal continued his tour to Italy

One of the happiest interludes in the life of Rizal was his sojourn in the Land of the Cherry
Blossoms for one month and a half
Things that favorably impressed Rizal in Japan
1. The beauty of the country
2. The cleanliness, politeness, and the industry of the Japanese people
3. The picturesque dress and simple charm of the Japanese women
4. There were very few thieves in Japan so that the houses remained open day and night, and in
the hotel room, one could safely leave money on the table
There is one thing he did not like in Japan, and that was the popular mode of transportation by
means of rickshaws drawn by men. His sensitive soul recoiled at seeing human beings working
like horses

Romance with O-Sei-San (Seiko Usui)

O-Sei-San helped Rizal in many ways
She was a guide, interpreter, and tutor
Rizal was almost tempted to settle down in Japan
He was offered a good job at the Spanish legation but he decided to leave Japan to continue his
struggle
April 13, 1888, Rizal boarded the Belgic bound for the United States

Voyage across the Pacific

On board the ship, he met a semi-Filipino family - Mr. Reinaldo Turner, his wife Emma
Jackson, their children and a servant from Pangasinan
One day, one of the children asked, “Do you know sir, a famous man named Richal? He wrote a
novel Noli Me Tangere.”
“Yes hijo, I am Richal.” Rizal replied
Rizal and Tetcho
He befriended on board Tetcho Suehiro, a fighting Japanese journalist, novelist, and champion
of
human rights, was forced to leave Japan
He acted as Tetcho’s interpreter
Both were men of peace using their pens as formidable weapons
He told Tetcho his mission of emancipating his oppressed people from Spanish
tyranny and of persecution
During their intimate acquaintanceship for almost eight months (April 13 to December 1, 1888),
Tetcho came to admire Rizal
Rizal stayed in London while Tetcho returned to Japan
He published a political novel titled Nankai-no-Daiharan (Storm Over the South Sea) and O-
unabara (The Big Ocean).

Rizal’s Visit To The United States

He saw America on April 28, 1888
Noticed racial discrimination
Quarantine issue at San Francisco, passengers of Belgic (steamer) were not allowed to land
American health authorities placed the ship under quarantine although clearance were given by
the
American consul in Japan and Hong Kong

Rizal’s Impression of America

Material progress of the country
The drive and energy of the American people
The natural beauty of the land
High standard of living
Opportunities for better life
Lack of racial equality
They do not have true civil liberty
“America is land par excellence in freedom but only for the Whites.” – Rizal

Rizal in London, in Paris, in Brunssels and in Madrid

Rizal In London
Reasons for Staying in London
1. To improve his knowledge of the English language
2. To study and annotate Morga’s book, Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas
3. London was a safe place for him

Trip across the Atlantic

Showcase his skill in yoyo
Discussed current news with the American newspaper men
Stayed at the home of Antonio Ma. Regidor
Later on he transferred to a boarding house owned by the Beckett family
Met Dr, Reinhold Rost, the librarian of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr. frost called Rizal “a
pearl of man”
Recommended Rizal to the authorities of the British Museum

Bad News from Home

1. The persecution of the Filipino patriots who signed the Anti-Friar Petition of 1888
2. Persecution of the Calamba tenants
3. Furious attacks on Rizal
4. Relatives of Rizal were persecuted
5. A friend, Laureano Viado, was arrested on mere possession of Noli Annotation of Morga’s
Book
Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (Historical Events in the Philippine Islands) – Rizal considered it
the
best among the other books on Philippine History written by others
Rizal said Morga is a modern scholarly explorer. He does not have the exaggeration and
superficiality of the Spanish writers
For 10 months, he was deeply immersed with his historical studies
Rizal went for a short visit in Paris to search for more historical materials in the Bibliotheque
Nationale
Christmas of 1888
Spent it with the Becketts
Gave Bust of Emperor Augustus to Blumentritt as a gift
Bust of Julius Caesar to Dr. Carlos Czepelak as Christmas gift
Mrs. Beckett gave Rizal a book entitled The Life and Adventures of Valentine Vox, the
Ventriloquist

Leader of Filipinos in Europe

Solidaridad Association – patriotic society which would cooperate in the crusade for reforms
Rizal became the honorary president by the unanimous vote of all members

La Solidaridad
A patriotic newspaper founded by Graciano Lopez Jaena in Barcelona
Aims:
1. To work peacefully for political and social reforms
2. Portray the deplorable conditions of the Filipinos
3. Oppose the evil forces
4. Advocate liberal ideas and progress
5. To champion the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino people to life, democracy, and
happiness
He advised Jaena that great care should be taken in publishing only the truth,
not to publish exaggerations or lies
To show their enemies that there are more worthy than them
Rizal’s first article entitled The Filipino Farmers
The article depicted the deplorable conditions in the Philippines which cause the backwardness
of the country

Writings in London
1. The Vision of Fray Rodriguez
2. Letter to the Young Women of Malolos
3. Specimens of Tagal Folklore
4. Two Eastern Fables

Romance with Gertrude Beckett

Rizal had a romantic interlude with the oldest of the three Beckett sisters – Gertrude (Gettie)
He could not marry Gettie for he had a mission to fulfill in life
Before leaving London, he made 4 sculptural works: (1) Prometheus Bound (2) The Triumph
of
Death (3) The Triumph of Science Over Death (4) Carving of the Heads of the Beckett Sisters

Rizal in Paris
Problems Encountered by Rizal
1. Difficulty in finding living quarters
2. Cost of living spiraled high because the French landlords raised the rents of their rooms
He stayed at the house of Valentin Ventura and move from one hotel to another
He finally lived with Capitan Justo, a former gobernadorcillo and Jose Albert, a student from
Manila
Spent most of his time at the Bibliotheque Nationale
Annotation of Morga’s book (polishing)
He met his friends Pardo de Tavera, Ventura, Bousted, Luna, etc.
Met Juan Luna, his wife and children Andres and Maria de la Paz, Blanca, Laureana,
Hermenegilda,
Juana Luna y Pardo de Tavera

Spent most of his time at the Bibliotheque Nationale

Annotation of Morga’s book (polishing)
He met his friends Pardo de Tavera, Ventura, Bousted, Luna, etc.
Met Juan Luna, his wife and children Andres and Maria de la Paz, Blanca, Laureana,
Hermenegilda, Juana Luna y Pardo de Tavera

Paris Exposition of 1889

Opened May 6, 1889
The greatest attraction was the Eiffel Tower, 984 feet high built by Alexander Eiffel
The exposition attracted a daily crowd of 200 thousand or more
Another feature is the International Art Competition
Felix Hidalgo won the 2nd prize, Luna and De Tavera the 3rd prize
Rizal’s entry got no prize

Organizations Founded by Rizal

1. Kidlat Club
Members were Antonio and Juan Luna, Gregorio Aguilera, Fernando Canon, Lauro Dimayuga,
Julio
Llorente, Guillermo Puatu, and Baldomero Roxas
Bring together the young Filipinos I Paris so they could enjoy their sojourn in the city
The club lasted only during the exposition
2. Indios Bravos
Rizal was amazed to see the Buffalo bull show which featured the American Indians proudly
riding their sturdy ponies, elegantly dressed in their native attire and wearing their war feathers
and paints
Rizal said, why “should we resent being called Indios? Look at those Indios from North
America. They are not ashamed of their names.”
The society pledged to excel in intellectual and physical prowess in order to win the admiration
of the foreigners
3. Redencion de los Malayos (R.D.L.M Society)
Redemption of the Malays
The aim of the secret society was the propagation of all useful knowledge –scientific, artistic,
literary
He was inspired by a book, Max Havelaar by E.D. Dekker tackling about the miserable
condition of the oppressed Annotated Edition of Morga’s Book
This was Rizal’s outstanding achievement in Paris
Dedicated it to the Filipino people
He annotated the book because it was the best of the many histories of the Philippines written
by the early Spanish writers
In this historical work, Rizal proved that Filipinos were already civilized before
the advent of the Spaniards. They had clothes, government, laws, writing, literature,
religion, arts, sciences and commerce
Spaniards claimed that the early Filipinos were savages and were of low mentality

Articles Written by Rizal

1. The Philippines within a Century
He predicted the tragic end of Spain’s sovereignty in Asia
2. Indolence of the Filipino People
Rizal made a critical study of the causes why Filipino people did not work hard during the
Spanish
Regime International Association of Filipinologist
Aim of the association: Study the Philippines from the scientific and historical point of view
Meeting was set but did not materialize because the French government discouraged the holding
of
conferences by private organizations during period of the international exposition

Project of Filipino College in Hong Kong

Rizal planned to establish a modern college in Hong Kong “to train and educate men of good
family and financial means in accordance with the demands of the modern times and
circumstances”
Mariano Cunanan of Mexico, Pampanga promised to help him raise 40,000 as initial capital for
the college

Por Telefono
Satirical work written by Rizal in response to Fr. Salvador Fond who masterminded the banning
of the Noli
Rizal used the pen-name Dimas Alang
It describes a comical telephone conversation between Fr. Font who was in Madrid and the
father
provincial of the San Agustin Convent in Manila

Rizal’s Accomplishments
Published his annotated edition of Morga’s book
Founded three Filipino societies
Wrote Por Telefono
January 28, 1890- Rizal left Paris for Brussels, capital of Belgium
-Two reasons impelled Rizal to leave Paris, namely (1) the cost of living in Paris was very high
because of the Universal Exposition (2) the gay social life of the city hampered his literary
works, especially the writing of his second novel, El Filibusterismo

LIFE IN BRUSSELS
· Rizal was accompanied by Jose Albert when he moved to Brussels. They lived in a modest
boarding house on 38 Rue Philippe Champagne, which was run by two Jacoby sisters (Suzanne
and Marie). Later Albert, left the city and was replaced by Jose Alejandro, an engineering
student
· Rizal was the first to advocate the Filipinization of its orthography
· Sobre la Nueva Ortografia de la Lengua Tagala (The New Orthography of the Tagalog
Language)-
was published in La Solidaridad on April 15, 1890
-in this article, he laid down the rules of the new Tagalog orthography and with modesty and
sincerity, he gave credit for the adoption of this new orthography to Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de
Tavera, author of the celebrated work El Sanscrito en la Lengua Tagala (Sanskrit in the tagalog
Language) which was published in Paris, 1884
“I put this on record,” wrote Rizal, “so that when the history of this orthography is traced, which
is already being adopted by the enlightened Tagalists, that what is Caesar’s be given to Caesar.
This innovation is due solely to Dr. Pardo de Tavera’s studies on Tagalismo. I was one of its
zealous propagandists.”
· Letters from home which Rizal received in Brussels worried him. (1) the Calamba agrarian
trouble was getting worse (2) the Dominican Order filed a suit in court to dispossess the Rizal
family of their lands in Calamba
· In his moment of despair, Rizal had bad dreams during the nights in Brussels when he was
restless because he was always thinking of his unhappy family in Calamba
· Rizal feared that he would not live long. He was not afraid to die, but he wanted to finish his
second novel before he went to his grave.
· In the face of the sufferings which afflicted his family, Rizal planned to go home. He could not
stay in Brussels writing a book while his parents, relatives, and friends in the distant Philippines
were persecuted
· July 29, 1890- another letter to Ponce written at Brussels by Rizal, he announced that he was
leaving Brussels at the beginning of the following month and would arrive in Madrid about the
3rd or 4th (August)
· “To my Muse’” (A Mi…)- 1890, Rizal wrote this pathetic poem, it was against a background of
mental anguish in Brussels, during those sad days when he was worried by family disasters
Rizal Back in Madrid
20 August 1883
Rizal was back in Madrid from his summer vacation in Paris.
6 September 1883
He changed his residence from Barquillo St. N0. 34, 4 to San Miguel no. 7, 1 Centro.
28 September 1883
He enrolled at the central Universidad de Madrid for the second course in medicine.
October 1883
He came to know of the imprisonment, by order of Sr. Vicente Barrantes, of the 14 rich innocent
persons in Manila. The Prisoners who knew nothing is the cause of their detention and who
became sick later, were kept in a humid prison cell. Rizal was indignant of his inhuman act.
16 October 1883
He learned from Mariano Katigbak about the 400 cholera victims in Lipa and 3 of beri-beri.
28 October 1883
He had a new address. He live with Eduardo Lete and the two Llorente brothers, Julio and
Abdon, in Bano 15 Pral.
21 November 1883
Rizal informed his family of his plan to graduate in medicine at the end of the course in June.
27 November 1883
His sister Maria that Soledad was married on November 4, 1883 informed Rizal in a letter.
Narcisa also informed him that the causes of the delay of sending him a letters were the cholera,
the typhoon, and the death of the parish priest, events, which occurred in succession.
31 December 1883
In the evening Rizal delivered a speech in a banquet held at the Café de Madrid. Many Filipinos
were gathered in the restaurant to bid goodbye to the year 1884.
2 January 1884
Rizal proposed to the member of the Circulo assembled in the house of the Pateros, the
publication of a book by association. This idea became the embryo of this first novel Noli Me
Tangere .
3 January 1884
Early in the morning, Rizal went to the University of San Carlos only to find out that there was
no class. He immediately went to the Café de Madrid to meet members of the Circulo who were
gathered again to discuss the proposed book.
4 January 1884
Rizal received letter from his Uncle Antonio Rivera. They were, according to him, full of good
and interesting news.
5 January 1884
Rizal and the Filipino student were reunited again in the house of Pateros to reorganized the
association. Since no action was taken on that day, it was agreed to gather again the next Sunday.
6 January 1884
Rizal meet Valentine Ventura. They took their supper in the English restaurant in Madrid.
7 January 1884
Rizal’s professor in Greek slashed at the students accusing them insubordination. The students of
the San Carlos University were on strike, thus preventing him to attend the strike.
8 January 1884
Rizal finished two drawings. He met Ruiz who proposed him that if there be someone who
would pay the expenses of the Circulo, Rizal would be made president.
9 January 1884
He did a single centavo on He attended.
Week 10: Rizal goes back to Hongkong
19 November 1891
In the evening Rizal arrived at Hong Kong.

26 November 1891
From Hong Kong Rizal sent to Manuel Camus in Singapore 20 copies of the Fili, 6 of the Morga
and 4 of the Noli. He gave Camus 25 percent commission for the books sold.
1 December 1891
He asked permission from his parents to join them in Manila in their sacrifices and at the same
time, encouraged them to have a little endurance. He said: " I have learned of the exile of four
townmates to Jolo and of the return of my brother to Manila. I have also learned that mother,
Pangoy and Trining, have been summoned again by the civil government. I am burning with
desire to embrace you. Patience, a little patience! Courage!"

6 December 1891
Francisco Mercado, Paciano and his brother-in-law, Silvestre Ubaldo, escaped from the
Philippines to avoid persecution, and arrived at Hong Kong to join him.

12 December 1891
In a letter sent to Maria, one of his sisters in the Philippines, Rizal broached his plan of
establishing a Filipino colony in North British Borneo.

17 December 1891
On this day Governor General Despujol, offering his services and cooperation for the common
good. He wanted to point to the latter the ills of country in order to help cure the wounds of mal-
administration.

27 December 1891
An article was published in the La Epoca carrying false news about Rizal’s stay in the
Philippines and his influence among the natives. This article carries no author’s name and was
believed to have been inspired by a Dominican friar.

December 1891
Rizal was visited by an Augustinian friar in his house. The friar pulled his ears and wanted to
attack him. But Rizal stopped the intruder by twisting the latter’s hand.

25 January 1892
The duplicate of his diploma in Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery was issued by the Ministry of
Development in Madrid.

30 January 1892
In a letter, Juan Luna favorably endorsed Rizal’s plan of establishing a Filipino colony in North
Borneo. He wished Rizal luck and success in this project.

January 1892
Everyday, after his medical practices in his clinic, he continued writing his third novel. It treated
exclusively about the Tagalog customs, usages, virtues and defects. Meanwhile, his brother
Paciano translated the Noli into Tagalog.

1 February 1892
Rizal paid thirty-five pesos (P35.00) to D. Mallunko for the rent on the premises of A-2
Rednaxela from January 1st to 31st.
6 February 1892
Rizal wrote a letter addressed to "My beloved friend" and signed it with the name Cabisa.

15 February 1892
The Hong Kong Telegraph published the letter of Rizal signed Philippines in which he
denounced the vandalistic actions of the friar manager of the Dominicans in destroying the
houses of those who refused to pay the exorbitant rentals demanded of them in Calamba.

23 February 1892
Rizal wrote a letter to Blumentritt in which he informed the latter of his plan of emigrating to
Borneo where he could establish another Calamba free from the abuses of the friars and the civil
guards.

2 March 1892
He visited Victoria Gaol in Hong Kong. Dr. Lorenzo Pereira Marquez who was the physician of
the state prison accompanied him.