Rizal's Education and Life Abroad

• Rizal's Higher Education and Life Abroad

Departure from the Philippines and Macao Visit

• Rizal departed the Philippines on February 3, 1888, due to increasing pressure from Spanish authorities following his novel, Noli Me Tangere.
• He visited Macao and resided at the home of Don Juan Francisco Lecaros.
• During his time in Macao, he explored casinos, theaters, churches, and cathedrals.
• He made observations on Chinese lifestyle and customs.

Arrival in Japan

• Rizal arrived in Yokohama, Japan on February 28, 1888 after leaving Hong Kong.
• He spent about 45 days in Japan, exploring the country, meeting important people, and experiencing romance.
• He initially stayed at the Grand Hotel in Yokohama.
• Rizal later moved to Tokyo.
• Settled in a Japanese inn (hotel) to immerse himself in the local culture.
• He met Don Juan Pérez Caballero, the Spanish Minister to Japan.
• Caballero offered him a job at the Spanish Legation in Tokyo, likely to monitor him.

Romance and Departure from Japan

• Rizal fell in love with a Japanese woman during his time in Japan.
• He departed Yokohama for the United States on April 13, 1888, aboard the ship Beljic.
• He met Tetcho Suehiro, a Japanese journalist, on the ship.

Arrival in United States

• Rizal arrived in San Francisco, California on April 28, 1888.
• He spent around 19 days in the U.S, traveling across the country and observing American society.
• He and other passengers were temporarily not allowed to disembark in San Francisco.
• He recorded events and impressions of the American continent on the train.
• Rizal reached Chicago and saw Niagara Falls in Canada.
• He also compared it to Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna, Philippines.
• His trip across the continent ended in New York.

Impressions of the United States

• He noted the economic progress and modernization in the U.S,
• He observed democracy and freedom.
• He recognized education and literacy.
• Rizal also saw racial discrimination and injustice.
• He noted the materialism and greed.
• He observed inequality despite democracy.

Life in London, England

• Arrived in Liverpool, England, on May 24, 1888.
• He moved to London.
• Stayed with Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor (Filipino exile).
• He research historical records at the British Museum.
• Copied and annotated Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas.

Bad News in London

• He received good news about Father Garcia's defense of Noli against Fr. Jose Rodriguez.
• Bad news outweighed good news.
• Filipino patriots who signed the "Anti-Friar Petition of 1888" were persecuted.
• The Calamba tenants, including Rizal's relatives, were persecuted for petitioning the government for Agrarian reforms.
• Furious attacks occurred against Rizal.
• Senators Salamanca and Vida in the Spanish Cortes, Desengaños and Quioquiap in Spanish newspapers expressed these attacks.
• Manuel T. Hidalgo was exiled to Bohol without due process.
• Laureano Vida arrested and jailed in Bilibid Prison after copies of Noli were found in his house.

Associations and love in Europe

• Stayed in London for 10 months.
• Offered opportunity to edit a newspaper by Mariano Ponce (Declined due to being busy).
• He left London for Paris then Spain in the second week of December 1888.
• Actively involved in reform movements.
• Initiated role in the Philippine Revolution.
• Voted unanimously as honorary president of Asociacion La Solidaridad.

Aims of Asociación La Solidaridad

• Unite Filipinos in Spain.
• Push for Reforms in the Philippines.
• Promote Education and Enlightenment.
• Expose Spanish Abuses and Fight for Justice.
• Advocate for Secularization of Parishes.
• Improve Economic and Social Conditions.

Goals of La Solidaridad

• To work peacefully for political and social reforms.
• To portray the deplorable conditions of the Philippines.
• To oppose evil forces of reaction and medievalism.
• To advocate liberal ideas and progress.
• To champion the aspirations of Filipinos to life, democracy, and happiness.
• Rizal had another love interest.
• He fell in love with his landlady’s daughter, Gertrude Beckett.
• He left London.
• He managed to complete four sculptural works.

Second Trip to Paris

• Life in Paris was transient, however, briefly lived with Valentin Ventura upon arrival.
• Spent time annotating Morga's book.
• He formed the Kidlat Club during the Exposition Universelle.
• Kidlat Club members were Filipino patriots gathered to form a comradeship.
• He formed the Indios Bravos society instead of the Kidlat Club.
• The reason was from of seeing American Indians.
• He also formed a society called Sociedad R.D.L.M (Redencion de los Malayos).
• The external principal aim was to propagate useful knowledge (scientific, artistic, literary).
• The internal aim was the redemption of the Malays.

Life in Brussels

• He desired a quiet atmosphere, therefore left Paris to write his second novel, El Filibusterismo.
• He backed the Filipinization of its Orthography.
• Reported by Juan Luna and Valentin Ventura that the Filipinos in Spain were Gambling.
• He wrote a letter to M.H. del Pilar, however, the letter produced adverse effects and angered the gambling Filipinos who renamed him “Papa” instead of “Pepe”.

Time in Madrid

• Rizal relocated to Madrid, Spain in August 1890.
• His plan was to address issues concerning family.
• Additionally, he wanted to continue his political efforts.
• Agrarian trouble had flared again.
• Rizal was worried for the safety of his family.
• Other Filipinos followed suit.
• The Dominican order filed a case in court to dispose the Rizal family of their lands in Calamba.
• He dreamt of his impending death, in anguish and despair
• He wrote to del Pilar and signed the letter with his pen name “Laong-Laan”.
• Due to the events happening in the Philippines coupled with the persecution of his family, he decided to go home.

Difficulties in Madrid

• His family was persecuted.
• His friend died.
• Rizal quarreled with Luna and Retana.
• His rivalry with del Pilar pertained to leadership control for La Solidaridad.
• Leonor Rivera married and English man.

Accomplishments in Madrid

• His mission seeking help/support was from his Filipino friends (Asociacion Hispano-Filipina).
• The help was requested for his family and the oppressed Calamba tenants.
• He received a letter describing his family had received a copy of ejectment by the Dominicans against his family and Calamba tenants.
• Dr. Blumentritt advised Rizal to meet the Queen Regent of Spain.
• It was impossible.
• He had no friends or money for a courtier.

Duel with Luna

• Luna harbored secret grudges against Rizal and blamed him for his failure to win Nellie Boustead’s heart.
• Rizal challenged Luna (who was drunk) to a sword duel.
• Luna apologized when sober, and they became good friends again.

Conflict with Retana

• Wenceslao Retana was his pen rival, a Spanish scholar and newspaperman who used the papers to attack Filipinos, including Rizal.
• Retana was warned of having no chance against Rizal.
• He chose to apologize and print it in the newspapers.
• He stopped attacking Filipinos and showed his admiration for Rizal by writing a book-length biography about the hero.

Leonor Rivera's Marriage

• Leonor Rivera wrote Rizal that she was going to marry an Englishman, Henry Charles Kipping, and asked for his forgiveness.
• Rizal presumed losing a watch chain given by Leonor with her picture while watching a play was a bad omen.

Rivalry with del Pilar

• His rivalry with M.H. del Pilar was the final reason for him to leave Madrid.
• Rizal a moralist saw an issue with the way other Filipinos showed their love (drinking, gambling, enjoyment).
• He lost some friends who shifted loyalty to del Pilar because of it.

Departure from Europe and Life in Hong Kong

• Departure happened after the success of El Filibusterismo.
• The widening political differences with del Pilar prompted this choice.
• Aim was to be near the Philippines and his family.
• He bade farewell to his friends, taking along a recommendation by Juan Luna for Manuel Camus and 600 copies of his novel.
• An incident involving gossiping German ladies amused him on board the ship.
• Rizal arrived in Hong Kong in November 1891.
• He stayed there for almost seven months before travelling again.
• He wrote to his family informing them of his plan to go home.

Family Reunion and Medical Practice

• Before Christmas of 1891, his father, brother, and Silvestre Ubaldo came to Hong Kong.
• Afterward, his mother and sisters Lucia, Josefa, and Trinidad arrived.
• They had a reunion in Hong Kong, but Rizal was saddened to see that his mother had contracted an eye ailment caused by the Spaniards.
• This was one of his fondest Christmas moments.
• Rizal successfully practiced medicine to support himself and his family.

The Borneo Project

• Rizal had the idea for the Borneo Colonization project.
• This took place during the administration of Gov. Gen. Valeriano Weyler.
• March 7, 1892, he went to Sandakan via the ship Menon to negotiate with the British authorities.
• They aimed to establish a Filipino colony.
• His mission was successful, and the British North Borneo Company established land for the project.

Support and Accomplishments

• Many friends approved of The Borneo Project, however, Manuel T. Hidalgo did not accept it.
• He wrote Eulogio Despoujol who offered support.
• In waiting, he created many accomplishments.
• He prepared the Consitution of La Liga Filipina (association of Filipino patriots in Hong Kong).

Decision to Return to Manila

• He wanted to confer in person with the Gov.Gen. on the British North Borneo Colonization project.
• He wanted to start La Liga Filipina in Manila.
• He sought to prove Lete wrong, who thought he abandoned the country’s cause for Hong Kong.
• In Hong Kong on the next day of his birthday, Rizal spent time writing letters.
• He sealed two letters given to Dr. Marquez.
• Marquez was instructed not to open them until after Rizal’s death.
• One letter was for his parents, brethren, and friends; and one letter for the Filipinos.
• Spanish authorities saw Rizal as a dangerous reformist.
• Rizal decided to return to the Philippines in 1892.
• Rizal wrote to Governor-General Eulogio Despujol to clarify his intentions and seek reassurance for his safety.
• He wanted to defend himself against Spanish accusations.
• Additionally, he wanted to mention The Borneo Colonization Project and request protection.