Rizal's Journey to Spain and Studies

Journey to Spain

• Rizal decided to complete his studies in Spain after his 4th year at the University of Santo Tomas.
• Spain was under a constitutional monarchy that granted its people rights like freedom of speech and assembly.
• Rizal's "secret mission," with Paciano's approval, involved observing European life and culture to prepare for liberating the Philippines from Spanish oppression.
• Rizal's departure was kept secret from the Spanish and even his parents, and he used the name "Jose Mercado."
• Rizal left on the Spanish streamer Salvadora, bound for Singapore on May 3, 1882, and penned a farewell letter for his parents and Leonor.

Singapore

• Rizal was the only Filipino among 16 passengers.
• He befriended Donato Lecha, the ship captain from Asturias, Spain.
• Rizal played chess with older passengers.
• Rizal was approaching Singapore, when he saw a beautiful island which reminded him of "Talim Island with the Susong Dalaga."
• Rizal arrived in Singapore on May 9, 1882, checked into Hotel de la Paz, and spent two days sightseeing.
• He visited the Botanical Garden, Buddhist temples, the shopping district, and the statue of Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles.

To Colombo

• Rizal transferred to the French steamer Djemnah, sailing for Europe on May 11, 1882 which carried more passengers (including 4 Filipinos).
• The ship reached Point Galle, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) on May 17, 1882, but Rizal was unimpressed with the town's appearance.
• Colombo, the capital of Ceylon, captivated Rizal with its beauty and buildings.

Suez Canal

• Rizal crossed the Indian Ocean and passed the coast of Africa, an "inhospitable land but famous."
• Aden was hotter than Manila
• Rizal was amused to see the camels
• Five days later, he reached the city of Suez, the Red Sea terminal of the Suez Canal
• The moonlight reminded Rizal of Calamba and his family.
• The Suez Canal, built by Ferdinand de Lesseps, had been inaugurated in 1869.
• Port Said was the Mediterranean terminal of the Suez Canal

Italy and France

• Rizal arrived in Naples, Italy, on June 11, 1882, and admired the city.
• On the night of June 12, 1882, the steamer docked in Marseilles, France.
• Rizal visited Chateau d’If, where Dantes from "The Count of Monte Cristo" was imprisoned.
• Rizal stayed in Marseilles for two and a half days

Barcelona

• Rizal traveled by train from Marseilles to Spain on May 15, 1882.
• He crossed the Pyrenees and stopped in Port Bou.
• On June 16, 1882, Rizal arrived in Barcelona, initially unimpressed with his lodging
• His impression changed, he grew to appreciate the city’s freedom, liberalism, open-heartedness, and courageous people.
• Rizal frequented a café in Plaza Cataluña.
• Las Ramblas was the most famous street in Barcelona

Writings

• Rizal's first article on Spanish soil was the nationalistic essay "Amor Patrio," written under the pen name Laong Laan and published in Diariong Tagalog on August 20, 1882.
• The Tagalog translation was made by M.H. del Pilar
• The article caused a sensation due to its nationalistic flavor.
• Basilio Teodoro Moran, publisher of Diariong Tagalog, was a friend of Rizal.
• "Los Viajes" was Rizal’s second article for Diariong Tagalog
• "Revista de Madrid" was Rizal’s third article, written in Madrid, but was not published because Diariong Tagalog had ceased publication.

Move to Madrid

• Rizal learned about a cholera outbreak in Manila from Paciano’s letter on September 15, 1882.
• He also received news of Leonor Rivera's unhappiness
• Paciano advised Rizal to study medicine in Madrid.
• Rizal left Barcelona in the fall of 1882 and moved to Madrid.

Life in Madrid

• On November 3, 1882, Rizal enrolled at the Universidad Central de Madrid for Medicine and Philosophy and Letters
• He also studied painting and sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando.
• Rizal invested in lottery tickets.
• He spent his leisure time reading, writing, attending Filipino student reunions at the Paterno brothers' house, and practicing fencing and shooting.
• Rizal socialized with students from Cuba, Mexico, and Argentina at Antigua Café de Levante.
• He visited Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey and his daughter Consuelo on Saturday evenings.

Romance and Poetry

• Consuelo Ortiga y Perez fell in love with Rizal.
• On August 22, 1882, he wrote "A La Señorita C.O.y P." for her.
• Rizal backed out of the romance because he was engaged to Leonor Rivera and his friend Eduardo de Lete was also in love with Consuelo.

Hispano-Philippine Circle

• Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino, a society of Spaniards and Filipinos, shortly after arriving in Madrid in 1882.
• Rizal wrote "Me Piden Versos" upon the society's request and recited it at the New Year’s Eve reception on December 31, 1882.

Books

• Rizal bought used books, including "Uncle Tom’s Cabin" and "The Wandering Jew," which increased his sympathy for the oppressed.

Paris Visit

• Rizal visited Paris during his first summer vacation from June 17 to August 20, 1883, and stayed at the Hotel de Paris before moving to a cheaper hotel.
• He observed Dr. Nicaise at Laennec Hospital and studied women's diseases at Lariboisiere Hospital.
• Rizal found Paris to be very expensive.

Masons

• Rizal was impressed by the Spanish Masons' criticism of the government and friars.
• In March 1883, Rizal joined the Masonic lodge Acacia in Madrid to fight the friars in the Philippines
• He later transferred to Lodge Solidaridad and became a Master Mason on November 15, 1890.
• On February 15, 1892, Rizal received a diploma as Master Mason from Le Grand Orient de France in Paris.
• Rizal’s only masonic writing was "Science, Virtue and Labor", delivered in 1889 at Lodge Solidaridad, Madrid.

Financial Issues

• Rizal faced financial problems due to failed harvests, increased land rentals, and a turkey pest in Calamba
• His monthly allowances were often late or never arrived.
• On June 24, 1884, Rizal couldn't afford breakfast.
• He still attended class, participated in a Greek language contest, and won a gold medal.

Recognition of Artists

• On June 25, 1884, the Filipino community held a banquet to celebrate Luna's first prize for the Spoliarium and Hidalgo's second prize for Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace at the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid.
• Rizal praised Luna and Hidalgo's universal genius.

Student Demonstrations

• Madrid experienced student riots on November 20-22, 1884, caused by Dr. Miguel Morayta's advocacy for the freedom of science and the teacher.
• Students protested against Catholic bishops
• The Rector resigned and was replaced by Doctor Creus.
• On November 26, 1884, Rizal wrote about the riots to his family.

Academic Achievements

• On June 21, 1884, Rizal completed his medical course and received a degree of Licentiate in Medicine from the Universidad Central de Madrid.
• He studied for a doctorate but did not get the diploma
• He became qualified to be a professor and physician
• On June 19, 1885, Rizal received a degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters with the rating of "Excellent" from the Universidad Central de Madrid.
• Rizal said that he believed that the Dominicans would never hire him as a professor in the College of Santo Tomas.