Jose Rizal in Brussels and Madrid

Rizal moved to Brussels, Belgium in 1890, to save money and complete his novel "El Filibusterismo".

Rizal's second novel, written while in Brussels, following his first novel "Noli Me Tangere".

Rizal faced financial difficulties in Brussels, impacting his decision to return home.

Rizal carved statues and composed poems during his time in Brussels, expressing his emotions and artistic talent.

A publication where Rizal contributed articles while in Brussels.

Rizal's financial troubles and yearning to return to the Philippines, as expressed in a letter to Mariano Ponce in June 1890.

Poem written by Rizal expressing his sadness and longing.

The capital city of Belgium, where Rizal resided for a few months and wrote "El Filibusterismo" while contributing to "La Solidaridad".

Rizal's family faced eviction and hardship in Calamba, Philippines, due to the Calamba Hacienda case.

A legal dispute over the Calamba Hacienda, which favoured the Dominican Catholic Corporation, leading to the eviction of Rizal's family.

Retana, a writer who initially wrote critically about Rizal's tenants, later apologized and wrote a biography on Rizal.

Rizal was deeply affected by the struggles and hardships of his family, and expressed his sadness and loss of hope through correspondence.

Feliciano Gonzalez Timbang and Jose Maria Panganiban were Filipino compatriots of Rizal who died in Madrid; Rizal wrote an eulogy as a tribute to Panganiban.

Panganiban's last words expressed loving remembrance for his country and affection to the Philippines.

Rizal was concerned about his family's eviction in Calamba, expressed through correspondence.

The Real Audiencia sided with the Dominican Catholic Corporation in the Calamba Hacienda case, which meant more problems for Rizal's family.

Rizal's family faced hardship in Calamba. They were forced from their homes, denied shelter, and witnessed houses being destroyed by soldiers.

Rizal was deeply affected by the suffering of his family and lost hope in Spain's ability to help. He stopped writing for La Solidaridad, feeling his efforts were futile.

Rizal tried to use his connections and friends in Europe to help his family but failed. He sought help from Spanish politicians and even contemplated seeing the Queen Regent, but his efforts proved fruitless.

Rizal received news from Leonor Rivera that she was forced to marry an Englishman named Henry Keeping. This deeply saddened Rizal, who cried in despair.

Rizal's conflict with Del Pilar and other compatriots in Madrid led to a division in the Filipino colony. This division culminated in an election for leadership of the Propaganda Movement, with two factions forming: the Rizalista and the Pilarista.

Antonio Luna and other loyal compatriots supported Rizal's Rizalista faction in the election against Del Pilar. The election resulted in two inconclusive ballots, indicating the fierce division among the Filipinos.

The New Year’s reunion of Filipino compatriots in 1890 highlighted the deep division within the colony in Madrid. Rizal called for unity, but the existing division led to the formation of two factions and an intense election for leadership.

Unity was crucial for the Filipinos in Madrid to effectively advocate for reform in the Philippines. Division amongst them weakened their efforts and made it difficult to achieve their goals.

Simoun, the mysterious and powerful jeweler, is secretly Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, a man wrongfully accused of rebellion and condemned.

Simoun plots a coup d'etat against the Spanish government, using his wealth to foment unrest and encourage corruption, hoping to provoke a rebellion.

Simoun secretly fuels the abuses against Filipinos, believing it will ignite a revolution.

Simoun plans to take back Maria Clara, who believes Ibarra is dead and has entered the convent.

Basilio, a student about to become a doctor and in love with Juli, is one of the few who knows Simoun's true identity and is drawn into his plot.

Kabesang Tales, the father of Juli, is dispossessed of his land by the friars and becomes an outlaw, joining Simoun's plan to overthrow the government.

Isagani, a student who dreams of a progressive future for the Philippines, is in love with Paulita, who shares her aunt's prejudices against the natives, hindering their relationship.

Simoun's plot is thwarted when he learns of Maria Clara's death at the convent.

Masonry is built upon three fundamental principles: Science, Virtue, and Labor. Science represents knowledge and reason, Virtue embodies moral uprightness, and Labor emphasizes hard work and dedication.

Rizal completed his second novel, El Filibusterismo, in Brussels, Belgium, where he sought refuge and a cheaper printing environment.

Rizal faced significant financial hardship while writing El Filibusterismo in Brussels. He resorted to extreme frugality, even sacrificing breakfast to limit expenses, to publish his novel.

Rizal moved to Ghent, Belgium, with Jose Alejandrino and Edelberto Evangelista, to take advantage of lower printing costs for his novel, El Filibusterismo.

Alejandrino and Evangelista, who accompanied Rizal to Ghent, enrolled and studied at the University of Ghent, pursuing engineering degrees.

During his time in Europe, Rizal experienced a budding romance with Nelly Boustead, the daughter of his host family, while in Biarritz, France.

Rizal described El Filibusterismo as a deeper and more perfected work compared to his first novel, Noli Me Tangere, although he acknowledged it was less cheerful.

Rizal believed El Filibusterismo, his second novel, was a more profound and polished work than his first novel, Noli Me Tangere, although he admitted it lacked the cheerful tone of its predecessor.

Simoun, a wealthy and influential man, secretly plots to destroy the Spanish government through a revolution. He uses his wealth to incite chaos and corruption, believing this will force a rebellion.

Basilio is a young student who is studying to become a doctor. He secretly knows Simoun's true identity and is involved in his plans for revolution. He has a personal connection to Simoun and is driven by a desire for change.

Cabesang Tales, a former tenant who was stripped of his land, becomes an outlaw and seeks revenge against the corrupt system. He joins Simoun's revolution to fight for justice and reclaim what was taken from him.

Isagani, a young idealist and poet, loses his chance to escape with his beloved due to his romantic love. His actions disrupt Simoun's revolution, and he is left with nothing but his passionate ideals.

Through the characters and events in "El Filibusterismo", Rizal criticizes the injustices and corruption of Spanish rule in the Philippines. He exposes the hypocrisy of the colonial system and calls for a revolution to reclaim freedom and independence.

Father Florentino is a wise priest who represents a different kind of leadership and offers an alternative path to achieving change. He believes in educating and empowering Filipinos before they are ready to fight for their freedom.