Rizal's Ateneo Experience

Jose Rizal received the highest academic honors and was recognized as the top student at Ateneo.

Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, a Spanish Jesuit priest, was Rizal's favorite teacher.

Rizal excelled despite struggling with Spanish, earning good grades and multiple medals in subjects like Latin, rhetoric, poetry, French, and drawing.

Rizal initially studied philosophy and letters at UST but later switched to medicine following the advice of Ateneo's rector.

Rizal's unpleasant experiences at UST were attributed to hostile Dominican professors, discrimination against Filipino students, and outdated and repressive teaching methods.

Rizal's secret departure from the Philippines aboard the S.S. Salvadora was kept from his parents due to their concerns for his safety.

Rizal's academic performance at Ateneo was highly commendable, showcasing his exceptional abilities and securing him a position as the top student.

Rizal's pursuit of a Bachelor of Arts degree led to his graduation from Ateneo with excellent grades.

Rizal suggested creating a Filipino colony in North Borneo to offer a new home for the evicted Calamba tenants, aiming to provide them with a better life and escape the troubles they faced in the Philippines.

The Spanish Governor-General, Eulogio Despujol, was suspicious of Rizal's intentions, believing the Filipino colony might be used as a base for a revolution against Spain.

Rizal was willing to meet Despujol in Manila despite the risk of a trap, showing his determination and commitment to helping the Calamba tenants.

Segunda Katigbak, Jose Rizal's first love, was a friend to his sister, Olympia. Their relationship was destined to be short-lived as Segunda was already set to marry another man.

Leonor Valenzuela, nicknamed "Orang", was Rizal's second love interest. They met when he was a medical student at the University of Santo Tomas. She was the 'girl-next-door' kind of love.

Rizal's secret mission was to observe the cultures, laws, and governments of Europe to prepare for the Philippines' liberation from Spanish rule.

Filipino intellectuals studying abroad who embraced liberal and nationalistic ideas, forming the Propaganda Movement.

The Propaganda Movement aimed for the Philippines' full integration as a Spanish province instead of just a colony. This meant granting Filipinos equal rights.

La Solidaridad was published every two weeks and served as a platform for the Propaganda Movement's ideas.

The Propaganda Movement sought the removal of Spanish friars from the Philippines and the empowerment of native Filipino priests.

The Propaganda Movement wanted to showcase Filipino writers and artists to demonstrate their intellectual abilities.

Jose Rizal returned to the Philippines after five years abroad in August 1887.

The novel "Noli Me Tangere" by Jose Rizal caused controversy and criticism from the friars, who saw it as a threat.

The friars spread rumors about Rizal, accusing him of being a German spy, a mason, and other dangerous things.

Rizal's family worried about his safety and took precautions, such as feeding him with silver utensils to prevent poisoning.

Rizal established a medical clinic in Calamba and became known for his skills, particularly as an eye specialist, earning him the nickname "Doctor Uliman."

Governor General Terrero, initially impressed by "Noli Me Tangere", faced pressure from the Archbishop Nozaleda to ban the novel.

Rizal refused to leave the Philippines despite concerns for his safety and the friars' demands. His family and relatives also advised him to leave.

After six months in the Philippines, Rizal left for Hong Kong due to pressure from the friars and concerns for his safety.

Terrero, despite refusing to ban the novel, advised Rizal to leave for his own safety, highlighting the growing threat Rizal faced.

Leonor Rivera was Rizal's long-time sweetheart for 11 years. She played a significant role in keeping him from falling in love with other women during his travels. Leonor's mother disapproved of their relationship, hiding Rizal's letters and leading Leonor to believe he had forgotten her. She ultimately married Henry Kipping, her mother's choice.

Consuelo Ortiga y Rey, the prettier of Don Pablo Ortiga's daughters, fell in love with Rizal. He dedicated the poem "A la Senorita C.O. y R." to her, a testament to their romance. While it was likely that both fell in love, Rizal ultimately backed out to remain loyal to Leonor and to avoid disrupting his friendship with Eduardo de Lete, who was also in love with Consuelo.

A Japanese samurai's daughter, Sei-San taught Rizal the Japanese art of painting, su-mie, and helped improve his Japanese language skills. If Rizal had not been dedicated to his patriotic mission, he might have chosen to live a stable and happy life with her in Japan, where a Spanish legation offered him a lucrative job.

Gertrude Beckett, the eldest of the Beckett daughters, fell in love with Rizal while he was boarding in their house in London. Rizal, to avoid further complications in his life, suddenly left for Paris. He was able to finish a group carving of the Beckett sisters before departing London.

Rizal wrote his love letters using invisible ink made from water and salt, a display of his chemistry skills. To read the letters, Leonor had to heat them over a candle or a lamp.

Leonor Rivera was deeply affected by the belief that Rizal had forgotten her. This contributed to her eventual acceptance of the marriage arranged by her mother. Later, she passed away in 1893.

Rizal's decision to remain loyal to Leonor Rivera prevents him from pursuing a serious relationship with Consuelo Ortiga. To protect his friendship with Eduardo de Lete, who was also interested in Consuelo, he chooses to stay loyal to his past love.

Rizal's patriotic mission prevented him from pursuing a stable and happy life with Sei-San in Japan. While she offered him a comfortable and fulfilling life, he prioritizes his mission to fight for the Philippines.

A young Irish girl who met Rizal in Dapitan, Josephine Bracken was attracted by Rizal and her arrival brought excitement to his life in exile.

Rizal met Josephine Bracken in Dapitan, attracted to her beauty and seeking companionship. Rizal, despite his loneliness, saw Josephine's arrival as a potential new beginning, but the Rizal sisters suspected her of being a friar's agent and a threat to his safety.

Rizal's sisters saw Josephine as a threat to Rizal's security, suspecting her of being a friar's agent. This suspicion cast a shadow on their relationship and made it difficult for Rizal to fully embrace Josephine due to concerns about her intentions and possible espionage.

Despite the suspicion surrounding Josephine, Rizal proposed to her, but Josephine hesitated due to her responsibility to her blind guardian, George Taufer. Her commitment to caring for him slowed down their relationship and the possibility of marriage.

Rizal's relationship with Nellie Boustead ended when he refused to convert to Protestantism as she demanded. Nellie's mother's disapproval of Rizal's profession as a physician without established clientele also contributed to the separation.

Rizal met Suzanne Jacoby in Brussels, falling in love with her. Suzanne's love for Rizal was evident in her tears when he left Brussels and her letters sent to him while he was in Madrid.

Rizal moved to Brussels in 1890 due to the high cost of living in Paris. He found himself drawn to Suzanne Jacoby, forming a bond that resulted in mutual love. Their relationship, however, remained unfulfilled due to Rizal's commitments elsewhere.

Antonio Luna, a Filipino artist and brother of Juan Luna, was deeply infatuated with Nellie Boustead. However, he made inappropriate remarks against Nellie, prompting Rizal to challenge Luna to a duel. Luna later apologized to Rizal, thus averting a tragedy for the two compatriots.