Chapter 1: Advent of a National

Hero

The Birth of a Hero - Died in Manila on August 16, 1911 at

the age of 85.
 June 19, 1861 – birth date of Jose Rizal.
 Born in Calamba, Laguna Province. The Rizal Children
 June 22, 1862 – he was baptized in the
Catholic church of his town at the age of 3. 1. Saturnina (1850-1913) – oldest of the
 Father Rufino Collantes – baptized Rizal. Rizal children; nicknamed Neneng.
 Father Pedro Casañas – Rizal’s godfather. 2. Paciano (1851-1930) – older brother and
 Mariano Herbosa – nephew of Casañas who confident of Jose Rizal; second father of
will marry Lucia (Rizal’s sister). Rizal; Pilosopo Tasio in Noli Me Tangere.
 Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonzo 3. Narcisa (1852-1939) – pet name: Sisa.
Realonda – full name of Jose Rizal. 4. Olimpia (185501887) – pet name: Ypia.
 Lieutenant-General Jose Lemary – 5. Lucia (1857-1919) – married Mariano
governor general of the Philippines when Herbosa, who died of cholera in 1889 and
Rizal was born. was denied Christian burial because he was
a brother-in-law of Dr. Rizal.
Meanings of Rizal’s Names 6. Maria (1859-1945) – nickname: Biang.
7. JOSE (1861-1896) – the greatest Filipino
 Jose – chosen by his mother who was a hero and peerless genius; nickname: Pepe.
devotee of the Christian saint San Jose (St. 8. Concepcion (1862-1865) – pet name:
Joseph). Concha; she died of sickness at the age of
 Protacio – from Gervacio P. which came 3; her death was Rizal’s first sorrow in life.
from a Christian calendar. 9. Josefa (1865-1945) – pet name: Panggoy;
 Mercado – adopted in 1731 by Domingo died an old maid at the age of 80.
Lamco (the paternal great-great 10. Trinidad (1868-1951) – pet name: Trining;
grandfather of Jose Rizal). The Spanish also died an old maid at the age of 83.
term “Mercado” means “market” in English. 11. Soledad (1870-1929) – youngest of the
 Rizal – in Spanish means a field where Rizal children; pet name: Choleng.
wheat, cut while still green, sprouts again.
 Y – and Rizal’s Ancestry
 Alonzo – old surname of his mother.
 Realonda – used by Doña Teodora from the  Paternal Side
surname of her godmother. - Domingo Lamco – great-great
grandfather of Rizal; a Chinese
Rizal’s Parents immigrant from Changchow; he was
married to a Chinese Christian girl of
 Francisco Mercado Rizal Manila named Ines de la Rosa
- Born on May 11, 1818. - 1731 – he adopt the name Mercado
- Born in Biñan, Laguna. meaning Market
- Studied Latin and Philosophy at the - Francisco Mercado – Domingo Lamco’s
College of San Jose in Manila. son; married Cirila Bernacha.
- June 28, 1848 – he married Teodora. - Juan Mercado – Francisco’s son
- The youngest of the 13 children of married to Cirila Alejandro.
Cirila Alejandro and Juan Mercado. - Francisco Mercado – youngest son of
 Teodora Alonzo Realonda Juan Mercado; Rizal’s father.
- Born on November 09, 1827.  Maternal Side
- Educated at the College of Santa Rosa, - Lakan Dula – descendant; last native
a well-known college for girls. king of Tondo.
 - Eugenio Ursua – great-great  Un Recuerdo A Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My
grandfather of Rizal; Japanese married Town)
to a Filipina named Benigna.  A poem written by Rizal in 1876 when
- Regina – daughter of Eugenio, married he was 15 years old and a student of
Manuel de Quintos (Filipino-Chinese Ateneo de Manila.
lawyer).
- Brigida – daughter of Regina who Earliest Childhood Memories
married Lorenzo Alberto Alonso
 The first memory of Rizal, in his infancy,
(Spanish-Filipino mestizo).
was his happy days in the family garden
when he was 3 years old. He was given the
The Rizal Home
tenderest care by his parents because he
was frail, sickly, and undersized.
 A 2-storey building, rectangular in shape,
 His father built a little nipa cottage in the
built of adobe stones and hardwoods, and garden for him to play in the daytime.
roofed with red tiles.  An aya (nurse maid), a kind old woman,
 Behind the house were poultry yard full of was employed to look after him.
turkeys and chickens, and a big garden of  He watched from the cottage, the culiauan,
tropical fruit trees (atis, balimbing, chico, maya, maria capra, & martin pitpit and
other birds and listened with “wonder and
macopa, papaya, santol, tampoy, etc.).
joy” to the twilight songs.
 The daily Angelus prayer.
A Good and Middle-Class Family
 The happy moonlit nights at the azotea
after the nightly Rosary.
 Principalia – a town aristocracy in Spanish
 The imaginary tales told by the aya
Philippines was one of the distinguished aroused Rizal’s interest in legends and
families in Calamba. folklore.
 Carriage – a status symbol of the  The aya would threaten Rizal with asuang,
ilustrados in Spanish Philippines. nuno, tigbalang, or a terrible bearded and
turbaned Bombay would come to take him
 Private Library – the largest in Calamba;
away if he would not eat his supper.
consisted of more than 1,000 volumes.  The nocturnal walk in the town esp. when
there was a moon with his aya by the
Chapter 2: Childhood Years in river.
Calamba
The Hero’s First Sorrow
Calamba, the Hero’s town
 Death of Little Concha (Concepcion)
- “When I was four years old,” he said,
 Calamba “I lost my little sister Concha, and then
 Natal town of Rizal. for the first time I shed tears caused
 Named after a big native jar. by love and grief…”
 Happiest period of Rizal’s life was spent
in this lakeshore town, a worthy Devoted Son of the Church
prelude to his Hamlet-like tragic
 Young Rizal is a religious boy. He grew up
manhood. a good Catholic.
 Hacienda town which belonged to the  At the age of 3, he began to take part in
Dominican Order. the family prayer. His mother taught him
 Picturesque town nestling on a verdant the Catholic Prayers.
plain covered with irrigated rice fields  5 years old, he was able to read the
Spanish family bible.
and sugar lands.
 He was so seriously devout that he was
 A few kilometers to the south looms of laughingly called Manong Jose by the
the legendary Mt. Makiling and beyond Hermanos & Hermanas Terceras.
this mountain is the province of  Father Leoncio Lopez, town priest, one of
Batangas. the men he esteemed & respected in
 East of the town is the Laguna de Bay. Calamba during his boyhood.
  Age 8, Rizal wrote his first poem in the
native language entitled “Sa Aking Mga
Pilgrimage to Antipolo Kabata” (To My Fellow Children). He wrote
it in an appeal to our people to love our
 June 06, 1868. Jose and his father left national language.
Calamba to go on a pilgrimage to Antipolo.
 First trip of Jose across Laguna de Bay and First Drama by Rizal
his first pilgrimage to Antipolo. They rode
in a Casco (barge).  Age 8, Rizal wrote his first dramatic work
 He was awed by “The magnificence of the which was a Tagalog Comedy. It was
water expanse and the silence of the staged in a Calamba festival.
night”.  A gobernadorcillo from Paete purchased
 After praying at the shrine of the Virgin of the manuscript for 2 pesos.
Antipolo, Jose and his father went to
Manila and visited Saturnina, who was then Rizal as Boy Magician
a boarding student at La Concordia College
in Santa Ana.  He learned various tricks such as making a
coin appear and disappear in his fingers
The Story of the Moth and making a handkerchief vanish in thin
air.
The story of the moth and the flame was  Entertained his town folks with magic-
told to Rizal by his mother on a night when her lantern exhibitions. This consisted of an
mother was teaching him how to read a book ordinary lamp casting its shadow on white
entitled “The Children’s Friend” (El Amigos de screen.
los Niños).  Also gained skill in manipulating
marionettes (puppet shows).
His mother grew impatient of his poor  In Chapter XVII and XVIII of his second
reading and lack of focus and always straying novel, El Filibusterismo (Treason), he
his eyes on the flame of the lamp and the revealed his wide knowledge of magic.
cheerful moths surrounding it. Knowing his
interest to stories, his mother decided to stop Lakeshore Reveries
teaching him and instead read him an
interesting story.  Rizal used to meditate at the shore of
Laguna de Bay, accompanied by his pet
Upon hearing the story, it gave a deep dog, on the sad conditions of his oppressed
impression on Rizal. However, it’s not the people.
story’s moral that truly struck him, he actually  He wrote to his friend, Mariano Ponce: “In
envied the moths and their fate and considered view of these injustices and cruelties,
that the light was so fine a thing that it was although yet a child, my imagination was
worth dying for. awakened and I made a vow dedicating
myself someday to avenge the many
Artistic Talents victims. With this idea in my mind, I
studied, and this is seen in all my writings.
 Age 5, started making sketches with his Someday God will give me the opportunity
pencil and to mould in clay and wax to fulfill my promise.”
objects which attracted his fancy.
 A religious banner was always used during Influences in the Hero’s Boyhood
fiesta and it was spoiled; Rizal painted in
oil colors a new banner that delighted the  Hereditary Influence - inherent qualities
townfolks. which a person inherits from his ancestors
 Jose had the soul of a genuine artist. and parents.
 Age 6, his sisters laughed at him for - Malayan Ancestors - love for freedom,
spending so much time making those desire to travel, and indomitable courage.
images rather than participating in their - Chinese Ancestors - serious nature,
games. He told them “All right laugh at me frugality, patience, and love for children.
now! Someday when I die, people will - Spanish Ancestors - elegance of bearing,
make monuments and images of me!” sensitivity to insult, and gallantry to ladies.
- Father - sense of self-respect, love for
First Poem by Rizal work, and habit of independent thinking.
 - Mother - religious nature, spirit of self-
sacrifice, passion for arts and literature.
Jose Goes to Biñan
 Environmental Influence - environment, as
well as heredity, affects the nature of a  After Monroy’s death, Rizal’s parents
person; includes places, associates, & decided to send him to a private school in
events. Biñan.
- Calamba and the garden of the Rizal  June 1869. Jose left Calamba for Biñan
family - stimulated the inborn artistic and with Paciano.
literary talents of Jose Rizal.  Carromata – their mode of transportation.
- Religious atmosphere at his home -  Aunt’s House – where Jose lodge.
fortified his religious nature.
- Paciano - love of freedom and justice. First Day in Biñan School
- Sisters – to be courteous and kind to
women.  Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz – owner
- Fairy tales told by his aya - interest in and teacher of the school.
folklores and legends.  Rizal described Maestro Justiniano as “tall,
- 3 Uncles: Tio Jose Alberto - artistic thin, long-necked, and sharp-nosed with a
ability, who studied 11 years in a British body slightly bent forward.”
school in Calcutta, India; Tio Manuel -
develop his frail body by means of physical First School Brawl
exercises including horse riding, walking,
 Jose challenged Pedro to a fight and he
and wrestling; Tio Gregorio - Rizal’s
won having learned the art of wrestling
voracious reading of good books.
from his athletic Tio Manuel.
- Father Leoncio Lopez - fostered Rizal’s
 Andres Salandaan challenged Rizal to an
love for scholarship and intellectual
arm-wrestling match. Jose, having the
honesty.
weaker arm, lost and nearly cracked his
- The sorrows in his family contributed for
head on sidewalk.
Rizal to strengthen his character.
- The Spanish abuses and cruelties he
Painting Lessons in Biñan
witnessed awakened Rizal’s spirit of
patriotism and inspired him to consecrate  Old Juancho, father-in-law of the school
his life and talents to redeem his teacher, freely gave Jose painting lessons.
oppressed people.  Jose Rizal and his classmate Jose Guevarra
became apprentices of the old painter.
 Aid of Divine Providence
- A person cannot attain greatness in the Daily Life in Biñan
annals of the nation despite having
everything life (brains, wealth, and power) 1. Hears mass at 4:00 AM or studies lesson at
without this. that hour before going to mass.
- Rizal was providentially destined to be 2. Goes to the orchard to look for a mabolo to
the pride and glory of his nation; endowed eat.
by God with versatile gifts of a genius, 3. Breakfast: rice and 2 dried small fish.
vibrant spirit of a nationalist, and the 4. Goes to class until 10:00 AM and goes
valiant heart to sacrifice for a noble cause. home for lunch.
5. Goes back to school at 2:00 PM and comes
Chapter 3: Early Education in out at 5:00 pm.
Calamba and Biñan 6. Prays with cousins and returns home.
7. Studies lesson and draws a little.
The Hero’s First Teacher 8. Supper: one or 2 rice with an ayungin.
9. Prays again and if there’s a moon, plays
 Doña Teodora, his mother, was his first with cousins.
teacher.
 Private tutors: Maestro Celestino (first Best Student in School
tutor) and Maestro Lucas Padua (second
tutor). Leon Monroy, a former classmate of  Jose surpassed his classmates in Spanish,
Rizal’s father, became the hero’s tutor in Latin, and other subjects.
Spanish and Latin.
 His older classmates were jealous and Teodora still in prison. He studied in the
wickedly squealed to the teacher whenever Ateneo Municipal, a college under the
he had fights. supervision of the Spanish Jesuits.
 Jose usually received five or six blows
while laid out on a bench from his teacher. Ateneo Municipal

End of Biñan Schooling  Bitter rival of the Dominican-owned College

of San Juan de Letran.
 December 17, 1870 – Jose left Biñan using  Formerly the Escuela Pia (Charity School) –
the steamer Talim for Calamba. for poor boys in Manila established in
 Arturo Camps – Frenchman and friend of 1817.
his father who took care of him during his  In 1859, name was changed to Ateneo
trip. Municipal by the Jesuits and later became
the Ateneo de Manila.
Martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za
Rizal Enters the Ateneo
 January 20, 1872 – Cavite Mutiny.
 February 17, 1872 – Fathers Mariano  June 10, 1872 – Jose, accompanied by
Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora Paciano, went to Manila to take the
were implicated and executed. entrance examinations on Christian
 The GOMBURZA were leaders of the Doctrine, arithmetic, and reading at
secularization movement. College of San Juan de Letran, and passed
 The martyrdom of the 3 priests inspired them. His father was the first one who
Rizal to fight the evils of Spanish tyranny. wished him to study at Letran but he
 Paciano quit his studies at the College of changed his mind and decided to send Jose
San Jose and returned to Calamba, where at Ateneo instead.
he told the heroic story of Burgos to Rizal.  Father Magin Fernando – college registrar
 In 1891, Rizal dedicated his second novel of Ateneo Municipal, refused to admit Jose
El Filibusterismo to GOMBURZA. because: (1) he was late for registration
and (2) he was sickly and undersized for
Injustice to the Hero’s Mother his age (11 years old).
 Manuel Xerez Burgos – nephew of Father
 In 1872, Doña Teodora was arrested on a Burgos; upon his intercession, Jose Rizal
malicious charge that she aided his brother was admitted at Ateneo.
Jose Alberto in trying to poison his wife.  Jose used Rizal instead of Mercado because
 Jose Alberto planned to divorce his wife the name “Mercado” had come under
because of her infidelity. His wife connived suspicion of the Spanish authorities.
with the Spanish lieutenant of the Guardia  Boarded in a house on Caraballo Street,
Civil and filed a case against Rizal’s owned by Titay who owed Rizal family 300
mother. pesos.
 Antonio Vivencio del Rosario –
gobernadorcillo of Calamba, helped the Jesuit System of Education
lieutenant arrest Doña Teodora.
 50 kilometers – Doña Teodora was made  Jesuit trained the character of the student
to walk from Calamba to the provincial by rigid discipline, humanities, and
prison in Santa Cruz. religious instruction.
 Don Francisco de Mercaida and Don Manuel  The students heard Mass in the morning
Marzan – most famous lawyers of Manila, before the beginning of daily class.
defended Doña Teodora in court.  Classes were opened and closed with
 After 2 ½ years the Royal Audencia prayers.
acquitted Doña Teodora.  Students were divided into two groups:
Roman Empire – consisting of the internos
(boarders) with red banners; and
Carthaginian Empire – composed of the
Chapter 4: Scholastic Triumphs at externos (non-boarders) with blue
Ateneo de Manila (1872-1877) banners.
 Each of these empires had its rank.
Jose was sent to Manila four months after the Students fought for positions. Any student
Martyrdom of GomBurZa and with Doña could challenge any officer in his “empire”
 to answer questions on the day’s lesson.  Doña Teodora told her son of her dream
With 3 mistakes, opponents could lose his the previous night. Rizal, interpreting the
position. dream, told her that she would be released
1st best: EMPEROR from prison in 3 months time. It became
2nd best: TRIBUNE true.
3rd best: DECURION  Doña Teodora likened his son to the
4th best: CENTURION youthful Joseph in the Bible in his ability to
5th best: STANDARD-BEARER interpret dreams.

 Ateneo students’ uniform is consisted of Teenage Interest in Reading

“hemp-fabric trousers” and “striped cotton
coat”. The coat was called rayadillo and  The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander
was adopted as the uniform for Filipino Dumas – Jose Rizal’s first favorite novel.
troops during the days of the First  Also read non-fiction, Cesar Cantu’s
Philippine Republic. historical work Universal History.
 He also read Travels in the Philippines by
Rizal’s First Year in Ateneo (1872-73) Dr. Feodor Jagor, German who visited the
Philippines in 1859-1860. In this book, he
 June 1872 – first day of class in Ateneo. foretold that someday Spain would lose the
 Fr. Jose Bech – first professor of Rizal. Philippines and that America would come
 Rizal was placed at the bottom of the class to succeed here as colonizer.
since he was a newcomer and knows little
Spanish. He was an externo and was Third Year in Ateneo (1874-75)
assigned to Carthaginians. At the end of
the month, he became emperor of his  Shortly after the opening of classes, his
Empire. He was the brightest pupil in the mother was released from prison.
whole class.  Rizal did not make an excellent showing in
 Took private lessons in Santa Isabel his studies.
College and paid 3 pesos for extra Spanish  He failed to win the medal in Spanish
lessons. because his spoken was not fluently
 Placed 2nd at the end of the year, although sonorous.
all his grades were still marked Excellent.
Fourth Year in Ateneo (1875-76)
Summer Vacation (1873)
 June 16, 1875 – he became an inferno in
 March 1873 – Rizal returned to Calamba Ateneo.
for summer vacation.  Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez – inspired
 His sister Neneng (Saturnina) brought him him to study harder and write poetry. Rizal
to Tanawan to cheer him up. described him as “model of uprightness,
 Visited his mother in prison at Santa Cruz earnestness, and love for the advancement
without telling his father. of his pupils”.
 After vacation, he returned to Manila for  He returned to Calamba with 5 medals and
his 2nd year term in Ateneo. excellent ratings.
 Boarded inside Intramuros at No. 8
Magallanes Street. Last Year in Ateneo (1876-77)
 Doña Pepay – landlady and old widow with
a widowed daughter and four sons  June 1876 – last year of Rizal in Ateneo.
 The most brilliant Atenean of his time, “the
Second Year in Ateneo (1873-74) pride of the Jesuits”.
 Obtained highest grades in all subjects.
 Rizal lost the leadership but he repented
and even studied harder, once more he Graduation with Highest Honors
became emperor. He received excellent
grades in all subjects and a gold medal.  Excellent scholastic records from 1872-
 He had 3 classmates from Biñan who had 1877.
also been his classmates in the school of  March 23, 1877 – Commencement Day. 16
Maestro Justiniano. year old Rizal received from his Alma Mater
the degree of Bachelor of Arts with highest
Prophecy of Mother’s Release honors.
 Receive Light), E Cultivero Y El Triunfo
(The Captivity and the Triumph: Battle of
Lucena and the Imprisonment of Boabdil),
and La Entrada Triuntal de Los Reyes
Extra-Curricular Activities Catolices en Granada (The Triumphal Entry
of The Catholic Monarches into Granada).
 An emperor inside the classroom and  A year later, in 1877 he wrote more
campus leader outside. poems: El Heroismo de Colon (The
 Secretary of the Marian Congregation.
Heroism of Colombus), Colon y Juan II
 Member of Academy of Spanish Literature
and the Academy of Natural Sciences. (Colombus and John II ), Gran Consuelo en
 Studied painting under the famous Spanish la Mayor Desdicha (Great Solace in Great
painter Agustin Saez. Misfortune), and Un Diarogo Alusivo a la
 Studied sculpture under Romualdo de Despedida de los Colegiales (A Farewell
Jesus, noted Filipino sculptor. Dialogue of the Students.
 Engaged in gymnastics and fencing.
 Fr. Jose Villaclara advised him to stop Rizal’s Religious Poems
communing with the muses and pay more
attention to practical studies such as  Al Niño Jesus (To the Child Jesus) – a brief
philosophy and natural science.
ode; written in 1875 when he was 14 years
Sculptural Works in Ateneo old.
 A La Virgen Maria (To the Virgin Mary).
 Carved an image of The Virgin Mary on a
piece of batikuling (Philippine hardwood). Dramatic Work in Ateneo
 Father Lleonart requested him to carve an
image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Ateneo  Father Sanchez, his favorite teacher, ask
students placed the image on the door of him to write a drama based on the prose
the dormitory and remained there for story of St. Eustace the Martyr.
many years.
 Summer 1876 in Calamba - he wrote the
Anecdotes on Rizal, The Atenean religious drama in poetic verses.
 June 02, 1876 - finished the manuscript.
 Felix M. Ramos – one of Rizal’s  He submitted the finished manuscript
contemporaries in Ateneo. entitled “San Eustacio, Martir” (St.
 Manuel Xeres Burgos – whose house Rizal
Eustace, the Martyr) to Father Sanchez in
boarded shortly before he became an
his last academic year in Ateneo.
inferno.

Poems Written in Ateneo First Romance of Rizal

 Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First  16 years old - Rizal experienced his first
Inspiration) – first poem he wrote for his romance.
mother’s birthday.  Segunda Katigba - a pretty 14 years old
 In 1875, inspired by Father Sanchez, he Batangueña from Lipa; sister of his friend
wrote more poems such as: Filicitacion
Mariano Katigbak.
(Felicitation), El Embarque: Himno a la
Flota de Magallanes (The Departure Hymn  His sister Olimpia was a close friend of
to Magellan’s fleet), Y Es Espanol: Elcano, Segunda in La Concordia College.
the first to circumnavigate the world), and  Segunda was already engaged to Manuel
El Combate: Urbiztondo Terror de Jolo (The Luz. His first romance was ruined by his
Battle: Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo). own shyness and reserve.
 In 1876, Rizal wrote poems on various  Segunda returned to Lipa and later married
topics: Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblu (In
Manuel Luz. Rizal remained in Calamba, a
Memory of My Town), Alianza Intima Entre
la Region Y La Buena Educacion (Intimate frustrated lover, cherishing nostalgic
Alliance Between Religion and Good memories of lost love.
Education), Por la Educacion Recibe Lustre
La Patria (Through Education the Country
Chapter 5: Medical Studies at the  At the age of 17, he passed the final
University of Santo Tomas (1877- examination in the surveying course.
1882)  November 25, 1881 – he was granted
the title as surveyor.
Mother’s Opposition to Higher Education  Because of his loyalty to Ateneo, he
continued to participate actively in the
 Doña Teodora opposed the idea of sending Ateneo’s extra-curricular activities.
Rizal to UST to pursue higher education  He was president of the Academy of
because she knew what happened to Gom- Spanish Literature and secretary of the
Bur-Za and the Spaniards might cut off his Academy of Natural Sciences.
head if he gets to know more. Rizal was
Romances with Other Girls
surprised by his mother’s opposition, who
was a woman of education and culture.  Miss L
Despite his mother’s tears, Don Francisco - Fair with seductive and attractive eyes.
told Paciano to accompany Rizal to Manila. - Romance died a natural death.
- 2 Reasons for his change of heart: (1)
Rizal Enters the University the sweet memory of Segunda was still
fresh in his heart and (2) his father did
 April 1877 – Rizal matriculated in the not like the family of “Miss L”.
University of Santo Tomas.  Leonor Valenzuela
 He enrolled in UST taking up Philosophy - Daughter of the next-door
and Letter for two reasons: (1) his father neighbors of Doña Concha Leyva
liked it and (2) he was “still uncertain as to
(her house is where Rizal
what career to pursue”
boarded).
 He asked the advice of Father Pablo Ramon
(Rector of the Ateneo) on what career to - Tall girl with a regal bearing.
choose but Father Recto was in Mindanao - Pet name: Orang.
so he was unable to advice Rizal. - Rizal sent her love notes written in
 First-year Term (1877-78) – Rizal studied invisible ink. This ink consisted of
Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy, and common table salt and water. He
History of Philosophy. taught Orang the secret of reading
 Ateneo Rector’s advice – study medicine; any note written in the invisible ink
reason: to be able to cure his mother’s
by heating it over a candle or lamp
growing blindness.
so that the words may appear.
Finishes Surveying Course in Ateneo  Leonor Rivera
(1878) - Rizal’s cousin from Camiling.
- Born in Camiling, Tarlac on April
 While Rizal was studying at UST, he 11, 1867.
also studied in Ateneo. He took the - A student of La Concordia College
vocational course leading to the title of where Rizal’s youngest sister, Soledad
“perito agrimensor” (expert surveyor). was then studying.
 Colleges for boys in Manila offered - Frail, pretty girl “tender as a
vocational courses in agriculture, budding flower with kindly, wistful
commerce, mechanics, and surveying. eyes”.
 He excelled in all subjects in the - They became engaged.
surveying course obtaining gold - In her letters to Rizal, Leonor
medals in agriculture and topography. signed her name as “Taimis”, in
order to camouflage their intimate
 relationship from their parents and nationalistic concept that the Filipinos were
friends. the “fair hope of the Fatherland”.
- Rizal lived in: Casa Tomasina No. 6
“The Council of the Gods” (1880)
Calle Santo Tomas, Intramuros Antonio
Rivero – Rizal’s landlord-uncle is the
 Artistic-Literary Lyceum – opened another
father of Leonor Rivera.
literary contest for both Filipino and
Spaniards to commemorate the fourth
Victim of Spanish Officer’s Brutality
centennial of the death of Cervantes,
 One dark night in Calamba, during the Spain’s glorified man-of-letters and famous
summer vacation in 1878, when Rizal was author of Don Quixote.
walking in the street and dimly perceived  Rizal submitted an allegorical drama
the figure of a man while passing him. Not entitled El Consejo de los Dioses (The
knowing the person was a lieutenant of the Council of the Gods) and he received the
Guardia Civil; he did not salute nor say first prize, a gold ring on which was
greetings. With a snarl, he turned upon engraved the bust of Cervantes.
Rizal, whipped out his sword and brutally
Other Literary Works
slashed his back.
 Rizal reported the incident to General  Junto al Pasic (Beside the Pasig) (1880) –
Primo de Rivera, the Spanish Governor a zarzuela which was staged by the
General of the Philippines at that time, but Ateneans on December 08, 1880, on the
nothing came out because he was an Indio annual celebration of the Feast Day of the
and the accused was a Spaniard. Later in a Immaculate Conception (Patrones of the
letter to Blumentritt dated March 21, 1887, Ateneo).
he related, “I went to the Captain-General  A Filipinas (1880) – a sonnet he wrote for
but I could not obtain justice; my wound the album of the Society of Sculptors.
lasted two weeks.”  Abd-el-Azis (1879) – a poem declaimed by
Manuel Fernandez on the night of
“To the Filipino Youth” (1879)
December 08, 1879 in honor of the
 Liceo Artisco-Literano (Artistic-Literary Ateneo’s Patroness.
Lyceum) of Manila – society of literary men  Al M.R.P. Pablo Ramon (1881) – a poem he
and artists; held a literary contest. wrote as an expression of affection to
 At the age of 18, Rizal submitted his poem Father Pablo Ramon.
entitled A La Juventud Filipina (To the
Rizal’s Visit to Pakil and Pagsanjan
Filipino Youth).
 The Board of Judges – composed of  Summer of May 1881 - Rizal went to a
Spaniards; gave the first prize to Rizal pilgrimage to the town of pakil, famous
which consisted of a silver pen, feather- shrine of the Birhen Maria de los Dolores.
shaped and decorated with a gold ribbon.  He was accompanied by his sisters—
 Rizal beseeched the Filipino youth to rise Saturnina , Maria, and Trinidad and their
from lethargy, to let their genius fly swifter female friends.
than the wind and descend with art and  They took a casco (flat-bottom sailing
science to break the chains that have long vessel) from Calamba to Pakil, Laguna, and
bound the spirit of people. stayed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Manuel
 Reasons why Rizal’s poem was a classic in Regalado, whose son Nicolas was Rizal’s
Philippine Literature: (1) it was the first friend in Manila.
great poem in Spanish written by a  Rizal and his companions were fascinated
Filipino, whose merit was recognized by by the famous turumba (people dancing in
Spanish literary authorities and (2) it the streets during the procession in honor
expressed for the first time the
 of the miraculous Birhen Maria de los rampant bigotry, discrimination, and
Dolores) hostility in the University of Santo Tomas.
 Rizal was infatuated by a pretty girl  He did not seek his parent’s permission
colegiala, Vicenta Ybardolaza, who skillfully and blessings to go abroad; and even his
played the harp at the Regalado home. beloved Leonor.
 Reasons why Rizal and his company made
side trip to the neighboring town of Chapter 6: In Sunny Spain (1882-
Pagsanjan: (1) it was the native town of 1885)
Leonor Valenzuela and (2) to see the world
famed Pagsanjan Falls. Rizal’s Secret Mission

Champion of Filipino Students To observe keenly the life and culture,

languages and customs, industries, commerce
 Rizal was the champion of the Filipino
and government and laws of the Europian
students in their fights against the
Nations in order to prepare himself in the
arrogant Spanish students, who insultingly
mighty task of liberating of oppressed people
called their brown classmates “Indio,
from Spanish tyranny.
chongo!” In retaliation, the Filipino
students called them “Kastila, bangus!”.
 Approval of his older brother Paciano
 In 1880 - Rizal founded a secret society of
 Rizal has no permission and blessings to
Filipino students in the University of Santo
his parents.
Tomas called “Compaňerismo”
(Comradeship), whose members were
Secret Departure for Spain
called “Companions of Jehu,” after the
valiant Hebrew general who fought the
 The people who knows Rizal will go to
Armaeans.
Spain:
 Galicano Apacible - Rizal’s cousin from
Batangas; secretary of Compañerismo.
- Older brother (Paciano)
 Fierce encounter near the Escolta in Manila
- His uncle (Antonio Rivera, father of
where Rizal was wounded on the head, and
Leonor Rivera)
tenderly washed and dressed by Leonor
- His sisters (Neneng and Lucia)
Rivera in his boarding house “Casa
- Valenzuela family (Capitan Juan and
Tomasina”.
Capitana Sanday and their daughter
Unhappy Days at the UST Orang)
- Pedro A. Paterno
 He was unhappy at this Dominican - Mateo Evangelista – his compadre
institution of higher learning because (1) - Ateneo Jesuit fathers
the Dominican professors were hostile to - Some intimate friends, including
him; (2) the Filipino students were racially Chengoy (Jose M. Cecilio).
discriminated against by the Spaniards,  Jose Mercado - the name he used; a cousin
and (3) the method of instruction was from Biñan.
obsolete and repressive.  May 3, 1882 - Rizal departed on board the
 Rizal, the most brilliant graduate of Spanish streamer Salvadora bound for
Ateneo, failed to win high scholastic Singapore.
honors.
Singapore
Decision to Study Abroad
 The only Filipino to board the steamer with
 After finishing the fourth year of his 16 passengers, the rest was Spaniards,
medical course, Rizal decided to study in British, and Indian Negroes.
Spain. He could no longer endure the
 Captain Donato Lecha - ship captain from  Ferdinand de Lesseps (French diplomat-
Asturias, Spain, befriended him. engineer) - built the Suez Canal,
 May 08, 1882 - he saw a beautiful island; inaugurated on Nov. 17, 1869.
he remembered “Talim Island with the
Susong Dalaga” Naples and Marseilles
 May 09 - the Salvadora docked at
Singapore.  June 11 – Rizal reached Naples.
 Hotel de la Paz – Rizal registered here and  June 12 – the steamer docked at the
spent two days on sightseeing on a soiree French harbor of Marseilles. He visited the
of the city. famous Chateau d’lf, where Dantes, hero of
The Count of Monte Cristo, was
From Singapore to Colombo imprisoned.
 Stayed 2 ½ days at Marseilles.
 May 11 - Rizal transferred to another ship
Djemnah, a French streamer. Barcelona
 Among these passengers were British,
French, Dutch, Spaniards, Malays,  May 15 – Rizal left Marseilles.
Siamese, and Filipinos (Mr. & Mrs. Salazar,  June 16, 1882 – Rizal reached Barcelona,
Mr. Vicente Pardo, and Jose Rizal). the greatest city of Cataluña and Spain’s
 May 17- the Djemnah reached Point Galle, 2nd largest city.
a seacoast town in southern Ceylon (now  Rizal’s first impression on Barcelona: ugly,
Sri Lanka). Rizal was unimpressed by this with dirty little inns and inhospitable
town; he said it is “picturesque but lonely residents.
and quiet and at the same time sad”.  Second impression: a great city, with an
 Colombo - the capital of Ceylon; Rizal atmosphere of freedom and liberalism, and
wrote on his diary “Colombo is more its people were open-hearted, hospitable,
beautiful, smart and elegant than and courageous.
Singapore, Point Galle and Manila”.  Las Ramdas - most Famous street in
Barcelona
First Trip Through Suez Canal
“Amor Patrio”
 From Colombo, Djemnah continued the
voyage crossing the Indian Ocean to the  “Amor Patrio” (Love of Country) –
Cape of Guardafui, Africa, and then a nationalistic essay; his first article written
stopover on Aden. From Aden, Djemnah on Spain’s soil.
proceeded to the city of Suez, the Red Sea  Basilio Teodoro Moran – publisher of
terminal of the Suez Canal. It took five Diariong Tagalog, first Manila bilingual
days to traverse the Suez Canal. At Port newspaper (Spanish and Tagalog.
Said, the Mediterranean terminal of the  It was under Rizal’s pen name: Laong
Suez Canal, Rizal landed and he was Laan.
fascinated to hear the multi-racial  Printed in Diariong Tagalog on August 20,
inhabitants speaking a babel of tongues – 1882.
Arabic, Egyptian, Greek, French, Italian,  Published in two texts – Spanish (originally
Spanish, etc. written by Rizal in Barcelona) and Tagalog
 Rizal sighted the barren coast of Africa (made by M.H. del Pilar).
which he called an “inhospitable land but  “Los Viajes” (Travels) – second article for
famous”. Diariong Tagalog
 Aden - hotter than manila; he was amused  “Revista de Madrid” (Review of Madrid) –
to see the camels. third article; wrote in Madrid on November
29, 1882; returned to him because the
 Diariong Tagalog had ceased publication  “Me Piden Versos” (They Ask Me For
due to lack of funds. Verses) – personally declaimed during New
Year’s Eve reception of the Madrid Filipinos
Manila Moves to Madrid held on December 31, 1882.

 September 15, 1882 - Rizal received a Rizal as Lover of Books

letter from Paciano. According to the letter,
cholera was ravaging Manila and the  Señor Roces – owner of store where Rizal
provinces. purchased 2nd hand books.
 Sad news from Chengoy, Leonora Rivera  Rizal was deeply affected by Beecher
was unhappy and getting thinner because Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and Eugene
of the absence of a loved one. Sue’s “The Wandering Jew”.
 In one of his letters (dated May 26, 1882)
Paciano advised Rizal to finish his medical Rizal’s First Visit to Paris
course in Madrid, therefore, Rizal establish
 June 17 to August 20, 1883 – sojourning in
himself to Madrid.
gay capital of France.
Life in Madrid  Hotel de Paris – where he first billeted on
37 Rue de Maubange.
 November 3, 1882 – Rizal enrolled in the  Latin Quarter – where he moved; cheaper
Universidad Central de Madrid (Central hotel on 124 Rue de Rennes.
University of Madrid in 2 courses: Medicine
and Philiosophy and Letters. Rizal as a Mason
 Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando –
 March 1883 – joined the Masonic lodge
school where he studied painting and
called “Acacia” in Madrid.
sculpture.
 Reason for becoming a mason: to secure
 Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell – place
Freemasonry’s aid in his fight against the
where practiced fencing and shooting.
friars in the Philippines.
 Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey – former city
 Lodge Solidaridad (Madrid) – where he
mayor of Manila; promoted vice-president
became a Master Mason on November 15,
of the Council of the Philippines in the
1890.
Ministry of Colonies (Ultramar).
 February 15, 1892 – he was awarded the
Romance with Consuelo Ortiga y Perez diploma as Master Mason by Le Grand
Orient de France in Paris.
 Consuelo – prettiest daughter of Don Pablo  “Science, Virtue and Labor” – only Masonic
fell in love with Rizal. writing.
 A La Señorita C. O. y P. (To Miss C. O. y  Very active in Masonic affairs: M.H. del
P.) – a lovely poem he composed on Pilar, G. Lopez Jaena, and Mariano Ponce.
August 22, 1883 dedicated to Consuelo.
Financial Worries
 He backed out into a serious affair because
(1) he was still engaged to Leonor Rivera After Rizal’s departure for Spain, things
and (2) his friend and co-worker in the turned from bad to worse in Calamba. Due to
Propaganda Movement, Eduardo de Lete, hard times in Calamba, the monthly allowances
was madly in love with Consuelo. of Rizal in Madrid were late in arrival and there
were times they never arrived. On June 24,
“They Ask Me For Verses.” 1884, a touching incident in Rizal’s life
occurred; with an empty stomach, he attended
 1882 – Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-
his class at the university, participated in the
Filipino (Hispano-Philippine Circle), a
contest in Greek language and won the gold
society of Spaniards and Filipinos.
medal. In the evening, he was able to eat
dinner, for he was a guest speaker in a
banquet held in honor of Juan Luna and Felix by his address “the freedom of science and
Resurreccion Hidalgo at Restaurant Ingles, the teacher”.
Madrid.  The appointment of the new Rector
intensified the fury of the student
Rizal’s Salute to Luna and Hidalgo demonstrators.

 June 25, 1884 – the banquet was Studies Completed in Spain

sponsored by the Filipino community.
 Luna’s Spolarium won first prize and  June 21, 1884 - degree of Licentiate in
Hidalgo’s Christian Virgins Exposed to the Medicine by the Universidad Central de
Populace, second prize in the National Madrid.
Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid.  Did not present the thesis required for
graduation nor paid the corresponding
Rizal Involved in Student Demonstrations fees, he was not awarded his Doctor’s
diploma.
 November 20, 21, and 22, 1884 – Madrid
 June 19, 1885 (his 24th birthday) – degree
exploded in bloody riots by the students of
of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters by
the Central University.
the Universidad Central de Madrid.
 Dr. Miguel Morayta – professor of history;
these student demonstrations were caused
Chapter 7: Paris to Berlin (1885-
87)

After completing his studies in Madrid, Rizal Rizal relaxed by visiting his friends, such as the
went to Paris and Germany in order to family of the Pardo de Taveras (Trinidad, Felix,
specialize in ophthalmology. He particularly and Paz), Juan Luna and Felix Resureccion
chose this branch of medicine because he Hidalgo.
wanted to cure his mother’s eye ailment.
"His co-Filipino medical student, Trinidad H.
In Berlin, Jose met and befriended several top Pardo de Tavera offered hospitality and
German scientists, Dr. Feodor Jagor, Dr. support for Rizal's courageous ventures.  Nellie
Adolph B. Meyer, and Dr. Rudolf Virchow. Bousted (standing third from right), who lived
in Biarritz and Paris, fenced with Rizal (second
In Gay Paris (1885-86) from left) and might have become Mrs. Rizal,
had she not insisted on turning him
 Maximo Viola – friend of Jose; a medical
Protestant.  Also in photo are artist Felix
student and a member of a rich family of
Resurreccion Hidalgo (third from left) and Paz
San Miguel, Bulacan.
Pardo de Tavera Luna (second from right). 
 Señor Eusebio Corominas – editor of the
Juan Luna's mother-in-law, Juliana
newspaper La Publicidad and who made a
GorrichoPardo de Tavera is seated at the
crayon sketch of Don Miguel Morayta.
center holding Luna's son Andres."
 Don Miguel Morayta – owner of la
Publicidad and a statesman.  Paz Pardo de Taveras – a pretty girl who
 November 1885 – Rizal was living in Paris, was engaged to Juan Luna. In her album,
where he sojourned for about four months. Jose sketches the story of “The Monkey
 Dr. Louis de Weckert (1852-1906) – and the Turtle”.
leading French ophthalmologist were Jose  “The Death of Cleopatra” – where he posed
worked as an assistant from Nov. 1885 to as an Egyptian Priest.
Feb. 1886.  “The Blood Compact” – where he posed as
 January 1, 1886 – Rizal wrote a letter for Sikatuna, with Trinidad Pardo de Taveras
his mother to reveal that he was rapidly taking the role of Legazpi.
improved his knowledge in ophthalmology.
"Rizal (seated) shared a deep friendship with  Wilhelmsfeld – where Rizal spent a three
painter Juan Luna and often agreed to pose for month summer vacation.
Luna's paintings as in 'The Death of  Protestant Pastor Dr. Karl Ullmer – where
Cleopatra.'" -- In Excelsis: The Mission of José Rizal stay at the vicarage of their house
Rizal, Humanist and Philippine National Hero and who become his good friend and
by Felice Prudenta Sta. Maria.  In the admirer.
foreground is Rizal as Egyptian scribe,  June 25, 1886 – he ended his sojourn and
recording the event for posterity.  Behind him felt the pays of sadness.
are Trinidad Pardo de Tavera as Octavius  May 29, 1887 – Rizal wrote from Minich
Caesar and Felix Pardo de Tavera as (Muchen) to Friedrich (Fritz).
Dolabella.  Missing are Charmian and Iras.
First Letter to Blumentritt
Rizal as a Musician
 July 31, 1886 – Rizal wrote his first letter
 November 27, 1878 – Rizal wrote a letter in German to Blumentritt.
to Enrique Lete saying that “he learned the  Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt – Director
solfeggio”, the piano, and voice culture in of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria.
one month and a half.
 Flute – the instrument that Jose played in Fifth Centenary of Heidelberg University
every reunion of Filipinos in Paris.
 August 6, 1886 – fifth centenary of
 “Alin Mang Lahi” (Any Race) – a patriotic
Heidelberg University
song which asserts that any race aspires
for freedom.
In Leipzig and Dresden
 La Deportacion (Deportation) – a sad
danza, which he composed in Dapitan  August 9, 1886 – Rizal left Heidelberg.
during his exile.  August 14, 1886 – when he arrived in
Leipzig.
In Historic Heidelberg
 Rizal translated Schiller’s William Tell from
 Feb. 1, 1886 – Jose left Gay, Paris for German into Tagalog. He also translated
Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Anderson. He
Germany.
stayed about two and half month in
 Feb. 3, 1886 – he arrived in Heidelberg, a
Leipzig.
historic city in Germany famous for its old
 October 29, 1886 – he left Leipzig for
university and romantic surroundings.
Dresden where he met Dr. Meyer.
 Chess player – Jose was a good chess
 Dr. Adolph B. Meyer – director of the
player so that his German friend made him
Anthropological and Ethnological Museum.
a member of the Chess Player’s Club.
 Nov. 1 – he left Dresden by train, reaching
 University of Heidelberg – where Jose
Berlin in the evening.
transferred to a boarding house near the
said university.
Rizal Welcomed in Berlin’s Circles
To the Flowers of Heidelberg
 Berlin – where Rizal met Dr. Feodor Jagor
 Spring of 1886 – Rizal was fascinated by  Dr. Feodor Jagor – author of Travels in the
the blooming flowers along the cool banks Philippines.
of the Neckar River.  Dr. Hans Virchow – professor of Descriptive
 The light blue “forget-me-not” – his Anatomy.
favorite flower  Dr. Rudolf Virchow – German
 April 22, 1886 – wrote a fine poem “To the Anthropologist.
Flower of Heidelberg”.  Dr. W. Joest – noted German geographer.
 Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger – famous
With Pastor Ullmer at Wilhemsfeld German ophthalmologist where Jose
worked in his clinic.
 Rizal became a member of the The bleak winter of 1886 in Berlin was
Anthropological Society, Ethnological Rizal’s darkest winter because no money
Society, and Geographical Society of arrived from Calamba and he was flat broke.
Berlin. The diamond ring which his sister, Saturnina,
gave him was in the pawnshop. It was
Rizal’s Life in Berlin memorable in the life of Rizal for two reasons
(1) it was a painful episode for he was hungry,
 Five reasons why Rizal lived in Germany:
sick and despondent in a strange city (2) it
─ Gain further knowledge of
brought him great joy after enduring so much
ophthalmology
sufferings, because his first novel, Noli Me
─ Further his studies of sciences and
Tangere came off the press in March, 1887.
languages
Like to the legendary Santa Claus, Dr. Maximo
─ Observe the economic and political
Viola, his friend from BULACAN, arrived in
conditions of the German nation
BERLIN at the height if his despondency and
─ Associate with famous German
loaned him the needed funds to publish the
scientists and scholars
novel.
─ Publish his novel, Noli me Tangere
 Madame Lucie Cerdole – French professor; Idea of Writing a Novel on the Philippines
she became Jose’s professor in Berlin. He
took private lessons in French in order to  His reading of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s
master the idiomatic intricacies of the Uncle Tom’s Cabin - inspired Dr. Rizal to
French language. prepare a novel that would depict the
miseries of his people (Filipinos) under the
Rizal on German Women lash of Spanish tyrants.
 January 2, 1884- in a reunion of Filipinos in
 March 11, 1886 – Rizal wrote a letter
the Paterno residence in Madrid, Rizal
addressed to his sister, Trinidad,
proposed the writings of a novel about the
expressing his high regard and admiration
Philippines by a group of Filipinos. His
for German womanhood.
proposals were approved by PATERNOS
 German woman – serious, diligent,
(Pedro, Maximo and Antonio), Graciano
educated and friendly
Lopez JAENA, Evaristo AGUIRRE, Eduardo
 Spanish woman – gossipy, frivolous and
DE LETE, Julio LLORENTE, Melecio
quarrelsome
FIGUEROA and Valentin VENTURA.
German Customs
The Writing of the Noli
 Christmas custom of the Germans
 Toward the end of 1884, Rizal began
 Self-introduce to stranger in social
writing the novel in Madrid and finished
gathering about one-half of it.
 When Rizal went to Paris, in 1885, after
Rizal’s Darkest Winter
completing his studies in the Central
 Winter of 1886 – Rizal’s darkest winter in University of Madrid, he continued writing
Berlin. the novel, finishing one half of the second
 He lived in poverty because no money half.
arrived from Calamba. Rizal starved in  Rizal finished the last fourth of
Berlin and shivered with wintry cold, his the novel in Germany. He wrote the last
health down due to lack of proper few chapters of the Noli in Wilhelmsfeld in
nourishment. April-June, 1886.
 In Berlin during the winter
Chapter 8: Noli me Tangere days of February, 1886, Rizal made the
final revisions on the manuscript of the Noli
Published in Berlin (1887)
 lifestyles of their simple inhabitants. The chief
impressed and fascinated on RIZAL’s
Viola, Savior of the Noli explanation, allowed him to stay freely in
GERMANY.
 Dr. Maximo Viola- Rizal’s rich
friend from Bulacan, arrived in Berlin at the Printing of the Noli Finished
height of Rizal despondency and loaned
him the needed funds to publish the novel; Every day, Rizal and Viola were always at
Viola was shocked to find RIZAL in a dirty the printing shop proof reading the printed
place, just not to waste money for the pages.
printing of NOLI ME TANGERE.
 March 21, 1887- the Noli Me Tangere came
 After the Christmas season, off the press, RIZAL immediately sent the
Rizal put the finishing touches on his novel. first copies to BLUMENTRITT, DR.
To save printing expenses, he deleted ANTONIO REGIDOR, G. LOPEZ JAENA,
certain passages in his manuscript, MARIANO PONCE, and FELIX R. HIDALGO.
including a whole chapter—“Elias and
Salome”. “I am sending you a book, my first book…
bold book on the life of tagalongs…
 February 21, 1887- the Noli Filipinos will find it the history of the last
was finally finished and ready for printing. ten years…”

 Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action-  March 29, 1887- Rizal, in

Gesselschaft- a printing shop which token of his appreciation and gratitude,
charged the lowest rate, that is, 300 pesos gave Viola the galley proofs of the Noli
for 2,00 copies of the novel carefully rolled around the pen that he
used in writing it and a complimentary
Rizal Suspected as French Spy.
copy, with the following inscription: “To my
dear friend, Maximo Viola, the first to read
During the printing of NOLI, the chief of
and appreciate my work—Jose Rizal”
police BERLIN visit RIZAL’s boarding house and
requested to see his passport, unfortunately,
The Title of the Novel
that time to travel with or without passports is
possible. The police chief then told him to  The title Noli Me Tangere is a
produce a passport after 4 days. Latin phrase which means “Touch Me Not”.
It is not originally conceived by Rizal, for
Immediately VIOLA accompanied RIZAL in
he admitted taking it from the Bible.
the Spanish Ambassador, the COURT of
BENOMAR, who promised to attend to the  Rizal, writing to Felix Hidalgo
matter. But the ambassador failed to keep his in French on March 5, 1887, said: “Noli Me
promise, but it turns out that he had no power Tangere, words taken from the Gospel of
to issue the required passport. St. Luke, signify “do not touch me” but
Rizal made a mistake, it should be the
The 4 day ultimatum expired. RIZAL
Gospel of St. John (Chapter 20 Verses 13
himself apologize to the chief police, while
to 17).
asking why has he to be deported, the police
chief answered that he was always seen “Touch me not; I am not yet ascended to
visiting many villages, thereby pronouncing my father...”
him as a French SPY.
 Rizal dedicated his Noli Me
RIZAL in fluent GERMAN explained to the Tangere to the Philippines—“To My
police, that he was a Filipino ethnologist, who Fatherland”.
visits rural areas to observe customs and
 The cover of Noli Me Tangere  Doña Victorina - was Doña
was designed by Rizal. It is a ketch of Agustina Medel.
explicit symbols. A woman’s head atop a
Maria Clara bodice represents the nation  Basilio and Crispin - were the
and the women, victims of the social Crisostomo brothers of Hagonoy.
cancer. One of the causes of the cancer is
 Padre Damaso - typical of a
symbolized in the friar’s feet, outsized in
domineering friar during the days of Rizal,
relation to the woman’s head. The other
who was arrogant, immoral and anti-
aggravating causes of oppression and
Filipino.
discrimination are shown in the guard’s
helmet and the iron chains, the teacher’s
whip and the alferez’s scourge. A slight
cluster of bamboo stands at the backdrop; Chapter 9: Rizal’s Grand Tour of
these are the people, forever in the
background of their own country’s history.
Europe with Viola (1887)
There are a cross, a maze, flowers and
After the publication of Noli, Rizal planned to
thorny plants, a flame; these are indicative
visit the important places in Europe. Dr.
of the religious policy, the misdirected
Maximo Viola agreed to be his traveling
ardor, the people strangled as a result of
companion. Rizal received Pacianos remittance
these all.
of P1000 which forward by Juan Luna from
 The novel Noli Me Tangere Paris and immediately paid his debt to Viola
which he loaned so that the Noli could be
contains 63 chapters and an epilogue.
printed. First, he and Viola visited Potsdam, a
 Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor- city near Berlin.
Filipino patriot and lawyer, who had been
Tour Begins
exiled due to his complicity in the Cavite
Mutiny of 1872, read avidly the Noli and
At the dawn of May 11, 1887, Rizal and Viola,
was very much impressed by its author.
two browned-skinned doctors on a roaming
spree, left Berlin by train. Spring was an ideal
Characters of Noli
season for travel. Their destination was in
 The Noli Me Tangere was a Dresden, one of the best cities in Germany´.
true story of the Philippine conditions
Dresden
during the last decades of Spanish rule.
Rizal and Viola tarried for sometimes in
 Maria Clara - was Leonor
Dresden. They visited Dr. Adolph B. Meyer,
Rivera, although in real life she became
who was overjoyed to see them. In the
unfaithful and married an Englishman.
Museum of Art, Rizal was deeply impressed by
 Ibarra and Elias - represented painting of Prometheus Bound´. They also
Rizal himself. meet Dr. Jagor and heard there plan about
Leitmeritz in order to see Blumentritt. He
 Tasio - the philosopher was advice to wire Blumentritt because the old
Rizal’s elder brother Paciano. professor might be shock of their visit.

 Padre Salvi - was identified by First Meeting with Blumentritt

Rizalists as Padre Antonio Piernavieja, the
hated Augustinian friar in Cavite who was At 1:30 pm of May 15, 1887 the train arrived
killed by the patriots during the Revolution. at the railroad station of Leitmeritz. Professor
Blumentritt was at the station carrying a pencil
 Capitan Tiago - was Captain sketch of Rizal which he sent to identify his
Hilario Sunico of San Nicolas. friend. Blumentritt get a room at Hotel Krebs,
after which he bought them to his house and Rizal and Viola left Laussane in a little boat
stayed Leitmeritz May 13 to 14 1887. crossing the foggy Leman Lake to Geneva. On
June 19, 1887, his 26th birthday; Rizal treated
Beautiful Memories at Leitmeritz Viola to a blow-out. Rizal and Viola spent
fifteen days in Geneva. On June 23, they
They enjoyed hospitality of Blumentritt family.
parted ways. Viola decided to return to
The professor¶s wife, Rosa, was a goodcook.
Barcelona while Rizal continued his tour
She prepared Austrian dishes which Rizal¶s
to Italy.
liked very much. Blumentritt proved to be
agreat tourist as well as hospitable host. He Rizal Resents Exhibition of Igorots in
showed the scenic and historical spots of 1887 Madrid Exposition
Leitmeritz tohis visitors. The Burgomaster
(town mayor) was also amazed by Rizal received sad news from his friends in
Rizals privileged talent. Madrid of the deplorable conditions of
the primitive Igorots who were exhibited in this
Prague exposition. Some of these Igorots died. Rizal
was outraged by the degradation of his fellow
Rizal and Viola visited the historic city of
countrymen.
Prague. They carried letters
of recommendation from Blumentritt to Dr. Rizal in Italy
Wilkom, professor in University of Prague. Rizal
and Viola visited the ³Tomb of Copernicus. He visited Turin, Milan, Venice and Florence.
On June 27, 1887, he reached Rome. He was
Vienna thrilled by the sights and memories of the
Eternal City Rome. On June 29th, Rizal visited
May 20 they arrived at Vienna capital of
or the first time the Vatican, the City of the
Austria-Hungary. They met Norfenfals, one
Popes and the capital of Christendom. After a
of the greatest novelist iun that time. They
week of staying in Rome, he prepared to
stayed at Hotel Metropole. They also meet two
return to the Philippines. He had already
good friends of Blumentritt ± Masner
written to his father that he was coming home.
and Nordman, Austrian scholars.

Danubian Voyage to Lintz

Chapter 10: First Homecoming,
1887-88
May 24, Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a river
boat too se beautiful sights of Danube River. All the alluring beauties of foreign countries
As they travelled along the famous river, Rizal and all the beautiful memories of his sojourn in
alien lands could neither make Rizal for his
observed keenly river sights.
fatherland nor turn his back to his own
nationality. True that he studied abroad,
Form Lintz to Rheinfall
acquired the love and languages of foreign
nations, and enjoyed the friendship of many
The river voyage ended in Lintz. They travelled
great men of the Western world; but he
overland to Salzburg, and from there to Munich remained at heart a true Filipino with an
where the sojourned for a short time to savor unquenchable love for the Philippines and an
the famous Munich Beer. unshakable determination to die in the land of
his birth. Thus, after five years of memorable
Crossing the Frontier to Switzerland sojourn in Europe, he returned to the
Philippines in August 1887 and practiced
They stayed from June 2 to 3 1887 and medicine in Calamba. He lived the quite life of
continued tour to Basel (Bale), Bern, and a country doctor. But his enemies, who
Laussane. resented his Noli, persecuted him, even
threatening to kill him.
Geneva
Decision to Return Home
 Because of the publication of the Noli Me others played on the piano and accordion.
Tangere and the uproar it caused among the After leaving Aden, the weather became rough
friars, Rizal was warned by Paciano (his and some of Rizal’s books got wet. At Saigon,
brother), Silvestre Ubaldo (his brother-in-law), on July 30, he transferred to another streamer
Chengoy (Jose M. Cecilio), and other friends to Haiphong which was Manila-bound. On August
return home. But he did not heed their 2, this streamer left Saigon to Manila.
warnings. He was determined to return to the
Philippines for the following reasons: (1) to Arrival in Manila
operates on his mother’s eye’s; (2) to serve his
people who had long been oppressed by the Rizal”s voyage from Saigon to Manila wa
Spanish tyrants; (3) to find out for himself how pleasant. On August 3 rd the moon was full, and
the Noli and his other writings were affecting he slept soundly the whole night. The calm
the Filipinos and Spaniards in the Philippines: see, illumined by the silvery moonlight, was a
and (4) to inquire why Leonor Rivera remained magnificent sight to him.
silent.
Near midnight of August 5, the Haiphong
In a letter to Blumentritt, written in arrived in Manila. Rizal went ashore with a
Geneva on June 19, 1887, Rizal said: “Your happy heart for he once more trod his beloved
advice that I live in Madrid and continue to native soil. He stayed in the city for a short
write from there is very benevolent but I time to visit his friends. He found Manila the
cannot accept it . I cannote endure the life in same as when he left it five years ago. There
Madrid where everything is a voice in a were the same old churches and buildings, the
wilderness. My parents wants to see me, and I same holes in the road, the same boats on the
want to see them also. All my life I desire to Pasig River, and the same heary walls
live in my country by the side of my family. surrounding the city.
Until now I am not Europeanized like the
Filipinos of Madrid; I always like to return to Happy Homecoming
the country of my birth”.
On August 8th, he returned to Calamba, His
In Rome, on June 29, 1887, Rizal wrote to family welcomed him affectionately, with
his father, announcing his homecoming. “On plentiful tears of joy. Writing to Blumentritt of
the 15th of July, at the latest”, he wrote, “I his homecoming, he said: “I had a pleasant
shall embark for our country, so that from 15 th voyage. I found my family enjoying good
to the 30th of August, we shall see each other”. health and our happiness was great in seeing
each other again. They shed tears of joy and I
Delightful Trip to Manila had to answer ten thousand questions at the
same time”.
Rizal left Rome by the train for Marseilles,
a French port, which he researched without The rejoicings of Rizal’s return over, his
mishap. On July 3, 1887, he boarded the family became worried for his safety. Paciano
streamer Djemnah, the same streamer which did not leave him the first day of his arrival to
brought him to Europe five years ago. There protect him from any enemy assault. His own
were about 50 passengers, including 4 father would not let him go out alone, lest
Englishmen, 2 Germans, 3 Chinese, 2 something might happen to him.
Japanese, many Frenchmen, and 1 Filipino
(Rizal). In Calamba, Rizal established a medical
clinic, his first patient was his mother, who was
Rizal was the only one among the almost blind, he treated her eyes, but could
passengers who could speak many languages, not perform any surgical operations because
so that he acted as interpreter for his her eye cataracts were not yet ripe. News of
companions. arrival of a great doctor from Germany spread
far and wide. Patients from Manila and the
The Streamer was enroute to the Orient provinces flocked to Calamba. Rizal, who came
via the Suez Canal. Rizal thus saw this historic to be called “Doctor Uliman” because he came
canal for the second time, the first time was from Germany, treated their ailments and soon
when he sailed to Europe from Manila in 1882. he acquired a lucrative medical practice. His
On board, he played chess with fellow Professional fees were reasonable, even gratis
passengers and engage in lively conversation to the poor. Within a few months, he was able
in many languages. Some passengers sang:
to earn P900 as a physician. By February, ventured an opinion that “everything in it was
1888, he earned a total of P5,000 as medical the truth”, but added: “You may lose your
fees. head for it”.

Unlike many successful medical Fortunately, Rizal found a copy in the

practitioners, Rizal did not selfishly devoted all hands of a friend. He was able to get it and
his time to enriching himself. He opened a gave it to Governor General Terrero. The
gymnasium for young folks, where he governor general, who was a liberal-minded
introduced European sports. He tried to Spaniard, knew that Rizal’s life in jeopardy
interest his townmates in gymnastics, fencing because the friars were powerful. For security
and shooting so as to discourage the cockfights measure, he assigned a young Spanish
and gambling. lieutenant, Don Jose Taviel de Andrade, as
bodyguard of Rizal. This lieutenant belonged to
Rizal suffered one failure during his six a noble family. He was cultured and knew
months of sojourn in Calamba – his failure to painting, and could speak English, French, and
see Leonor Rivera. He tried to go to Dagupan, Spanish.
but his parents absolutely forbade him to go
because Leonor’s mother did not like him for a Governor General Terrero rand the Noli
son-in-law. With a heavy heart, Rizal bowed to and found nothing wrong with in. But Rizal’s
his parent’s wish. He was caught within the enemies were powerful. The Archbishop of
iron grip of the custom of his time that Manila, Msgr. Pedro Payo (a Dominican) sent a
marriages must be arranged by the parents of copy of the Nolito Father Rector Gregorio
both groom and bride. Echavarria of the University of Santo Tomas for
examination by a committee of the faculty. The
Storm of the Noli committee, which was composed of Dominican
professor’s, submitted its report to the Father
Meanwhile, as Rizal was peacefully living in Rector, who immediately transmitted it to
Calamba, his enemies plotted his doom. Aside Archbishop Payo. The archbishop in turn, lost
from practicing medicine, attending to his no time in forwarding it to the governor
gymnasium, which he established, and taking general. This report of the faculty members of
part in the town’s civic affairs. He painted the University of Santo Tomas stated that the
several beautiful landscapes and translated the Noli was “heretical, impious, and scandalous in
German poems of Von Wildernath into Tagalog. the religion order, and anti-patriotic,
subversive of public order, injurious to the
A few weeks after his arrival, a storm government of Spain and its function in the
broke over his novel. One day Rizal received a Philippine Islands in the political order”.
letter from Governor General Emilio Terrero
(1885-88) requesting him to come in Governor General Terrero was dissatisfied
Malacañan Palace. Somebody had whispered to with the report of the Dominicans, for he knew
the governor’s ear that the Nolicontained that the Dominicans were prejudiced against
subversive ideas. Rizal. He send the novel to the Permanent
Commission of Censorship which was
Rizal went to Manila and appeared at composed of priest and laymen. The report of
Malacañang. When he was informed by this commission was drafted by its head, Fr.
Governor General Terrero of the charge, he Salvador Font, Augustinian curaof Tondo, and
denied it, explaining that he merely exposed submitted to the governor general on
the truth, but he did not advocate subversive December 29. It found the novel to contain
ideas. Pleased by his explanation and curious subversive ideas against the Church and Spain,
about the controversial book, the governor and recommended “that the importation,
general asked the author for a copy then reproduction and circulation of this pernicious
because the only copy he brought home was book in the islands be absolutely prohibited”.
given to a friend. However, he promised to
secure one for the governor general. When the newspapers published Font’s
written report of the censorship commission,
Rizal Visited the Jesuit father to ask for the Rizal and his friends became apprehensive and
copy he sent them, but they would not part uneasy. The enemies of Rizal exulted in unholy
with it. The Jesuits, especially his former glee. The banning of the Noli only served to
professors – Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, make it popular. Everybody wanted to read it.
Fr. Jose Bech, and Fr. Federico Faura, who News about the great book spread among the
masses. What the hated Spanish masters did forced to buy them in order not to displease
not like, the oppressed masses liked very the friars, but they did not believe what their
much. Despite the government prohibition and author said with hysterical fervor.
the vigilance of the cruel Guardia Civil many
Filipinos were able to get hold of copies of the Repercussions of the storm over the Noli
Noli which they read at night behind closed reached Spain. It was fiercely attacked on the
doors. session hall of the Senate of the Spanish
Cortes by various senators, particularly
Thanks to Governor General Terrero, there General Jose deSalamanca on April 1, 1888,
were no mass imprisonment or mass execution General Luis M. de Pando on April 12, and Sr.
of Filipinos. He refused to be intimidated by the Fernando Vida on June 11. The Spanish
friars who clamored for harsh measures academician of Madrid, Vicente Barrantes, who
against people who caught reading the novel formerly occupied high government positions in
and its author. the Philippines, bitterly criticized the Noli in the
article published in La EsapañaModerna (a
Attackers of the Noli newspaper of Madrid) in January, 1890.

The battle over the Noli took the form of a Defenders of the Noli
virulent war of words. Father Font printed his
report and distributed copies for it in order to The much-maligned Nolihad its gallant
discredit the controversial novel. Another defenders who fearlessly came out to prove
Augustinian, Fr. Jose Rodriguez, Prior of the merits of the novel or to refute the
Guadalupe, published a series of eight arguments of the unkind attackers. Marcelo H.
pamphlets under the general heading delPilar, Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, Graciano
Cuestiones de Sumo Interes (Questions of Lopez Jaena, Mariano Ponce, and other Filipino
Supreme Interes) to blast the Noli and other reformist in foreign lands, of course, rushed to
anti-Spanish writings. These eight pamphlets uphold the truths of the Noli. Father Sanchez,
wer entitled as follows: Rizal’s favorite teacher at the Ateneo,
defended and praised it in public. Don
1. Porque no los he de leer? (Why SegismundoMoret, former Minister of the
Should I not Read Them?). Crown; Dr. Miguel Morayta, historian and
statesman; and Professor Blumentritt, scholar
2. Guardaos de ellos. Porque? and educator, read and liked the novel.
(Beware of Them. Why?).
A brilliant defense of the Noli came from an
3. Y_que me dice usted de la unexpected source. It was by Rev. Vicente
peste? (And What Can You Tell Me of Garcia, a Filipino Catholic priest-scholar,
Plague?). theologian of the Manila Cathedral, and a
Tagalog translator of the famous Imitation of
4. Porquetriufan los impios? (Why Christ by Thomas a Kempis. Father Garcia,
Do the Impious Truimph?). writing under the penname Justo
DesiderioMagalang, wrote a defense of the Noli
5. Cree ustedque de versa no hay which was published in Singapore as an
purgatorio? (Do You Think There Is appendix to a pamphlet dated July 18, 1888.
Really No Purgatory?). He blasted the arguments of Fr. Rodriguez as
follows:
6. Hay o no hay infierno? (Is There
o Is There No Hell?). 1. Rizal cannot be an “ignorant man”,
as Fr. Rodriguez alleged, because
7. Que le pareceausted de he was a graduated of Spanish
esoslibelos? (What Do You Think of universities and was a recipient of
These Libels?). scholastic honors.

8. Confession o condenacion? 2. Rizal does not attack the Church

(Confession or Damnation?). and Spain, as Fr. Rodriguez
claimed, because what Rizal
Copies of these anti-Rizal pamphlets attacked in the Noliwere the bad
written by Fray Rodriguez were sold daily in Spanish officials and not Spain,
the churches after Mass. Many Filipinos were
 and the bad and corrupt friars and the German flag and proclaimed its
not the Church. sovereignty over the Philippines. I imagined
that such nonsense emanated from the friars
3. Father Rodriguez said that those of Calamba, but did not take the trouble to
who read the Noli commit a mortal make inquiries about the matter”.
sin; since he (Rodriguez) had read
the novel, therefore he also What marred Rizal’s happy days in
commits a mortal sin. Calamba with Lt. Andrade were (1) the death
of his older sister, Olimpia, and (2) the
Later, when Rizal learned of the brilliant groundless tales circulated by his enemies that
defense of Father Garcia of his novel, he cried he was “a German spy, an agent of Bismarck,
because his gratitude was over-whelming. a Protestant, a Mason, a witch, a soul beyong
Rizal, himself defended his novel against salvation, etc”
Barrantes attack, in a letter written in Brussels,
Belgium, in February, 1880. In this letter, he Calamba’s Agrarian Trouble
exposed Barrantes’ ignorance of Philippine
affairs and mental dishonesty which is Governor General Terrero, influenced by
unworthy of an academician. Barrantes met in certain facts in Noli Me Tangere, ordered a
Rizal his master in satire and polemics. government investigation of the friar estates to
remedy whatever iniquities might have been
During the days when the Noli was the present in connection with land taxes and with
target of a heated controversy between the tenant relations. One of the friars estates
friars (and their minions) and the friends of affected was the Calamba Hacienda which the
Rizal, all copies of it were sold out and the Dominican Order owned since 1883. In
price per copy soared to unprecedented level. compliance with the governor general’s orders,
Both friends and enemies of the Noli found it dated December 30, 1887, the Civil Governor
extremely difficult to secure a copy. According of Laguna Province directed the municipal
to Rizal, in a letter to Fernando Canon from authorities of Calamba to investigate the
Geneva, June 13, 1887, the price he set per agrarian conditions of their locality.
copy was five pesetas (equivalent to one
pese), but the price later rose to fifty pesos per Upon hearing of the investigation, the
copy. Calamba folks solicited Rizal’s help in gathering
the facts and listing their grievances against
Rizal and Taviel de Andrade the hacienda management, so that the central
government might institute certain agrarian
While the storm over the Noliwas raging in reforms.
fury, Rizal was not molested in Calamba. This
is due to Governor General Terrero’s After a thorough study of the conditions of
generosity in assigning a bodyguard to him. Calamba, Rizal wrote down his findings which
Between this Spanish bodyguard, Lt. Jose tenants and three of the officials of the
Taviel de Andrade, and Rizal, a beautiful hacienda signed on January 8, 1888. These
friendship bloomed. findings, which were formally submitted to the
government for action, were the following:
Together, Rizal and Andrade, young,
educated and cultured, made walking tours of 1. The hacienda of the Dominican
the verdant countrysides, discussed topics of Order comprised not only the lands
common interest, and enjoyed fencing, around Calamba, but also the town of
shooting, hunting, and painting. Lt. Andrade Calamba.
became a great admirer of the man he was
ordered to watch and protect. Years later, he 2. The profits of the Dominican
wrote for Rizal: “Rizal was refined, educated Order continually increased because of
and gentlemanly. The hobbies that most the arbitrary increase of the rentals
interested him were hunting, fencing, shooting, paid by the tenants.
painting and hiking. . . I well remember our
excursion to Mount Makiling, not so much for 3. The hacienda owner never
the beautiful view . . . as for the rumors and contributed a single centavo for the
pernicious effects that result from it. There has celebration of the town fiesta, for the
one who believed and reported to Manila that education of the children, and for the
Rizal and I at the top of the mountain hoisted improvement of agriculture.
 Chapter 11: In Hong Kong and
4. Tenants who had spent much
labor in clearing the lands were
Macao, 1888
dispossessed of said lands for flimsy
reason. Hounded by powerful enemies, Rizal was
5. High rates of interest were forced to leave his country for a second time in
charged the tenants for delayed February 1888. He was then a full-grown man
payment of rentals, and when the of 27 years of age, a practicing physician, and
rentals could not be paid, the hacienda a recognized man-of-letters
management confiscated their
carabaos, tools and homes.
The Trip to Hong Kong
Farewell to Calamba
 February 3, 1888-Rizal left Manila for Hong
Rizal’s exposure of the deplorable Kong on board the Zafiro
conditions of tenancy in Calamba infuriated  February 7, 1888- Zafiro made a brief
further his enemies. The friars exerted stopover at Amoy
pressure on Malacañan Palace to eliminate  Rizal did not get off his ship at Amoy for
him. They asked Governor General Terrero to three reasons: (1) he was not feeling well
deport him, but the latter refused because
(2) it was raining hard (3) he heard that
there was no valid charge against Rizal in
court. Anonymous threats against Rizal’s life the city was dirty
were received by his parents. The alarmed  February 8, 1888- Rizal arrived in Hong
parents, relatives and friends (including Lt. Kong
Taviel de Andrade) advised him to go away, for  Victoria Hotel- Rizal stayed while in Hong
his life was in danger. Kong. He was welcomed by Filipino
residents, including Jose Maria Basa,
One day Governor General Terrero
summoned Rizal and “advise” him to leave the Balbino Mauricio, and Manuel Yriarte (son
Philippines for his own good. He was giving of Francisco Yriarte (son of Francisco
Rizal a chance to escape the fury of the friar’s Yriarte, alcalde mayor of Laguna)
wrath.  Jose Sainz de Varanda - a Spaniard, who
was a former secretary of Governor
This time Rizal had to go. He could not General Terrero,
very well disobey the governor general’s veiled
shadowed Rizal’s movement in Hong Kong
orders. But he was not running like a coward
from a fight. He was courageous, a fact which it is believed that he was commissioned by
his worst enemies could not deny. A valiant the Spanish authorities to spy on Rizal
hero that he was, he was not afraid of any “Hong Kong”, wrote Rizal to Blumentritt on
man and neither was he afraid to die. He was February 16, 1888, “is a small, but very
compelled to leave Calamba for two reason: clean city.”
(1) his presence in Calamba was jeopardizing
the safety and happiness of his family and Visit to Macao
friends and (2) he could not fight better his
enemies and serve his country’s cause with  Macao is a Portuguese colony near Hong
greater efficacy by writing in foreign countries.
Kong.
A Poem for Lipa  According to Rizal, the city of Macao is
small, low, and gloomy. There are many
Shortly before Rizal left Calamba in 1888 junks, sampans, but few steamers. It looks
his friend from Lipa requested him to write a sad and is almost dead.
poem in commemoration of the town’s  February 18, 1888- Rizal, accompanied by
elevation to a villa (city) by virtue of the Basa, boarded the ferry steamer, Kiu-Kiang
Becerra Law of 1888. Gladly, he wrote a poem for Macao
dedicated to the industrious folks of Lipa. This  Don Juan Francisco Lecaros- A filipino
was the “Himno Al Trabajo” (Hymn to Labor). gentleman married to a Portuguese lady.
He finished it and sent it to Lipa before his  Rizal and Basa stayed at his home while in
departure from Calamba. Macao.
 February 18, 1888- Rizal witnessed a politeness, and industry of the Japanese
Catholic possession, in which the devotees people (3)the picturesque dress and simple
were dressed in blue and purple dresses charm of the Japanese women (4) there
and were carrying unlighted candles. were very few thieves in Japan so that the
 February 20, 1888- Rizal and Basa houses remained open day and night, and
returned to Hong Kong, again on board the in hotel room one could safely leave money
ferry steamer Kiu Kiang. on the table (5) beggars were rarely seen
in the city, streets, unlike in Manila and
Departure from Hong Kong other cities.
 Rickshaws-popular mode of transportation
 February 22, 1888- Rizal left Hong Kong on drawn by men that Rizal did not like in
board the Oceanic, an American steamer, Japan.
his destination was Japan.  April 13, 1888-Rizal left Japan and boarded
 Rizal’s cabin mate was a British Protestant the Belgic, an English steamer, at
missionary who called Rizal “a good man”. Yokohama, bound for the United States.
 Tetcho Suehiro- a fighting Japanese
journalist, novelist and champion of human
rights, who was forced by the Japanese
Chapter 12: Romantic Interlude in government to leave the country;
Japan (1888) passenger which Rizal befriended on board
the Belgic.
 One of the happiest interludes in the life of  April 13 to December 1, 1888- eight
Rizal was his sojourn in the Land of the months of intimate acquaintanceship of
Cherry Blossoms for one month and a half Rizal and Tetcho.
(February 28-April 13, 1888).  December 1, 1888- after a last warm
 February 28, 1888- early in the morning of handshake and bidding each other
Tuesday, Rizal arrived in Yokohama. He “goodbye”, Rizal and Tetcho, parted ways
registered at the Grand Hotel. —never to meet again.
 Tokyo Hotel- Rizal stayed here from March
2 to March 7. Chapter 13: Rizal’s Visit to the
 Rizal wrote to Professor Blumentritt: United States (1888)
“Tokyo is more expensive then Paris. The
walls are built in  April 28, 1888- the steamer Belgic, with
cyclopean manner. The streets are large Rizal on board, docked at San Francisco on
and wide.” Saturday morning.
 Juan Perez Caballero-secretary of the  May 4, 1888- Friday afternoon, the day
Spanish Legation, who visited Rizal at his Rizal was permitted to go ashore.
hotel who latter invited him to live at the  Palace Hotel- Rizal registered here which
Spanish Legation. was then considered a first-class hotel in
 Rizal accepted the invitation for two the city.
reasons: (1) he could economize his living  Rizal stayed in San Francisco for two days
expenses by staying at the legation (2) he —May 4 to 6, 1888.
had nothing to hide from the prying eyes  May 6, 1888-Sunday, 4:30PM, Rizal left
of the Spanish authorities. San Francisco for Oakland.
 March 7, 1888- Rizal checked out of Tokyo  May 13, 1888-Sunday morning, Rizal
Hotel and lived at the Spanish Legation. reached New York, thus ending his trip
 Rizal was favorably impressed by Japan. across the American continent.
The things which favorably impressed Rizal  Rizal stayed three days in this city, which
in Japan were: (1) the beauty of the he called the “big town.”
country—its flowers, mountains, streams  May 16, 1888- Rizal left New York for
and scenic panoramas, (2) the cleanliness, Liverpool on board the City of Rome.
 According to Rizal, this steamer was “the
second largest ship in the world, the
largest being the Great Eastern”.
 Rizal had good and bad impressions of the
United States. The good impressions were
(1) the material progress of the country as
shown in the great cities, huge farms,
flourishing industries and busy factories (2)
the drive and energy of the American
people (3) the natural beauty of the land
(4) the high standard of living (5) the
opportunities for better life offered to poor
immigrants.
 One bad impression Rizal had of America
was the lack of racial equality: “America is
the land par excellence of freedom but only
for the whites”