CHAPTER 10
RIZAL GOES BACK TO HONGKONG
After the publication of El Filibusterismo, Rizal left
Europe for Hongkong,
November, 1891 to June, 1892
Rizal left Ghent for Marseilles and on
October 18, 1891 he boarded S.S
Melbourne.
The reasons are:
• Differences in political persuasion with M.H.
del Pilar
• His desire to lead the Propaganda movement
Before Sailing for Hongkong
• He told Del Pilar he could no longer write articles for
La Solidaridad and temporarily withdrawing
Philippine political concerns in Spain.
ARRIVED IN HONGKONG
• He arrived on November 20, 1891
• His old friend, Jose M. Basa and other Filipino residents gave
him a warm welcome.
Before Christmas of 1891,
A family reunion in Hongkong with his Father, Brother,
and Silvestre Ubaldo (his brother-in-law). Not long
afterwards his Mother, and sisters Lucia, Josefa, and
Trinidad also arrived.
OPHTHALMIC SURGEON IN
HONGKONG
• After a few days, he immediately went into
the practice of medicine to earn a living. Dr.
Lorenzo P. Marquez, a Portuguese
Ophthalmologist, help Rizal to have many
patients.
• In recognition of Rizal’s skill as an ophthalmic surgeon, he turned over to
him many of his eyes cases.
• He is became successful and well-known medical practitioner in British
colony.
LIFE IN HONGKONG
• On January 31, 1892, He wrote a letter to Blumentritt that he is not only
eye specialist but also a general practitioner.
“Here I practice as a doctor and I have … here many sick of influenza
because here is an epidemic. Through the newspapers I am informed that
this sickness is also causing ravages in Europe. I hope you and your
esteemed family will be spared. In our house, my mother, my brother-in-law,
and one of my sister are sick. Thank God, they are out of danger”.
• Mr. Edward Boustead-Adelina’s father sent
him a letter in March 21, 1892 praising his
medical profession.
• Dr. Ariston Bautista Lin, sent Rizal
congratulatory letter accompanied by a book
on Diagnostic Pathology and Traite
Diagnostique.
• Don Antonio Vergel de Dios, a kind hearted
man offered him service for purchased of
medical books, equipment.
• Dr. Germiniano de Ocampo, Filipino
Ophthalmologist who describe Rizal as a man of vision
who possess all the qualities of a great eye specialist
• His family joined him there. They rented a small house
at No.2 Rednaxela Terrace
PLANNED FILIPINO COLONIZATION
IN BORNEO
• In the face of the bleak outlook of the Calamba folks under Gov.
Gen. Valeriano Weyler’s terrorist regime, Rizal conceived the
establishment of a Filipino colony in North Borneo (Sabah)
• He planned to move the landless Filipino families and carved
out its virgin wildness a “NEW CALAMBA”
• On March 7, 1892, he went to Sandakan on board the ship
Menon to negotiate with the British authorities for the
establishment of a Filipino Colony.
• They are willing to give 100,000 acres of land, a beautiful harbor,
and a good government for 999 years, free of all charges.
• By April 20, Rizal was back in Hongkong.
• But Manuel Hidalgo, brother-in-law, the brave batangueno,
objected to the colonization project.
“This idea about Borneo,”
“is no good. Why should we leave the Philippines, this beautiful country of
ours? And besides what will people say? Why have we made these sacrifices?
Why should we go to a foreign land without first exhausting all means for the
welfare of the country which nurtured us from our cradles? Tell me that!”
• Governor Eulogio Despujol-
replaced Gov-Gen Weyler
• Rizal sent letter to Despujol to allow landless Filipino to
establish colony in Borneo.
• Despujol did not acknowledge Rizal but he notified Spanish Consul-
general in Hongkong not to tell Rizal he could not approved his request.
• Last letter he sent to Despujol was requesting permission to change his nationality
and emigrate with his family and friends in Borneo. Rizal receive no reply at all.
WORKS IN
HONGKONG
• Wroye Constitution and By Laws of La Liga Filipina
(Philippine League), association of Filipinos for civic
and social activities
• Jose Ma. Basa- idea of founding la Liga Filipina was
his brainchild, Filipino exile of 1872
• Most important objective of La Liga Filipina- union of
Archipelago in a compact, vigorous and homogenous body
• Other works are “The Rights of Men” (Ang Karapatan ng
mga Tao)“A la Nacion Espanola” (To the Spanish Nation)
that appeal to Spanish authorities to rectify injustice done
in Calamba
• “To My Country” ( Sa Mga Kababayan)- explained the
detailed of agrarian problem
• The Hongkong Telegraph- British daily newspaper
where some copies reach the Philippines, Rizal wrote
articles on Philippine History, government and culture
• Don Mariano Cunanan- from Pampanga offered to raise
initial amount of $40,000 to establish school
RIZAL DECIDED TO RETURN MANILA
• May 1892- Rizal return to Manila
• Reasons why he return to Manila
1. Desire to see Gov. Despujol regarding his Borneo project
2. Establish La Liga Filipina in Manila
3. Protested Eduardo de Lete in his article in La Solidaridad
• Dated April 15, 1892 portrying him as coward and
opportunistic for being safe and comfortable in
Hongkong while abandoning his country’s case
• Marcelo H. del Pilar-author of La Solidaridad
THE LAST TWO LETTERS IN
HONGKONG
• Trinidad- tearfully warned Rizal for they will kill him
• June 19,1892- 31st birthday of Rizal in Hongkong
• June 20,1892- he wrote two letters to Portuguese friend
Dr. Lorenzo Marquez
• On sealed envelope was written “ To open only after his
death”
• 1st and last paragraphs of letter to his family
• Last paragraph and final sentence of the first letter
• 1st paragraph of the second letter
• Last paragraph of the second letter
