Rizal's Life in Brussels, Belgium

• Rizal lived in Brussels, Belgium.

Why Brussels?

• Rizal moved to Brussels because of the high cost of living and the distracting social life in Paris.

Companions

• Jose Albert accompanied Rizal to Brussels.
• Jose Alejandro replaced Jose Albert as a companion.

Accommodation

• Rizal and his companions stayed in a boarding house at 38 Rue Philippe Champagne.
• The boarding house was run by Suzanne and Marie Jacoby.
• Rizal lived in the house in 1890-1891.

Activities in Brussels

• Rizal spent his time writing his second novel, El Filibusterismo.
• He wrote articles for La Solidaridad.
• He wrote letters for his family and friends.
• He spent time doing gymnastics, target practice, and fencing.

Articles Published in La Solidaridad

• "A La Defensa" (To La Defensa), April 30, 1889.
• "La Verdad Para Todos" (The Truth For All), May 31, 1889.
• "Vicente Barrantes' (Teatro Tagalo) June 15, 18889.
• "Una Profanacion" (A Profanation), July 31, 1889.
• "Verdades Nuevas" (New Truths), July 31, 1889.
• "Crueldad" (Cruelty), August 15, 1889.
• "Differencias" (Differences), September 15, 1889.
• "Inconsequencias" (Inconsequences), November 30, 1889.
• "Llanto y Risas" (Tears and Laughters), November 30, 1889.
• "Ingratitudes" (Ingratitude), January 15, 1890.

New Tagalog Orthography

• Rizal published "Sobre la Nueva Ortografia de la Lengua Tagala" (The New Orthography of the Language).
• He adapted the Filipinized Tagalog in his translations of Schiller's Wilhelm Tell and Andresen's Fairy Tale.
• Rizal credited Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera's work El Sanscrito en Lengua Tagala for the orthography.
• Rizal considered himself one of the most zealous propagandists of Tagalismo.

Criticism of Madrid Filipinos

• Rizal criticized Filipinos in Madrid for gambling in a letter to Marcelo H. del Pilar on May 28, 1890.
• He reminded them that they went to Europe to work for their Fatherland's freedom, not to gamble.
• Rizal appealed to the patriotism of all Filipinos to prove their superiority to the Spanish.
• Gambling Filipinos in Madrid were angry at Rizal's moralizing and called him "Papa" instead of "Pepe."

Presintement of Death

• Rizal had bad dreams in Brussels.
• He wrote to Del Pilar about a childhood belief he would not reach 30 years of age.
• Rizal stated, "Laong Laan (Ever Ready) is my true name."
• He was preparing himself for death.
• One of his motivations was that he wanted to finish his second novel before his death.

Preparation to Go Home

• Rizal wanted to return to the Philippines because his parents, relatives, and friends were being prosecuted.
• Rizal's friends warned him of the danger that awaited him at home.

Decision to Go to Madrid

• Rizal changed his plans to return to the Philippines after receiving a letter from Paciano.
• Paciano told him they lost the case against the Dominicans in Manila but appealed it to the Supreme Court in Spain.
• On June 20, 1890, Rizal informed Del Pilar he was going to Madrid to supervise the case.
• On July 29, 1890, he wrote to Ponce, telling of his leaving Brussels and arrival in Madrid by August 3rd or 4th.

Time in Madrid

• August 1890: Rizal arrived in Madrid, burdened with sorrow due to terrible news about his family and worsening trouble in his hometown.
• He followed Spanish newspapers like El Resumen, El Dia, La Justicia, and El Globo.
• December 1890: Rizal received a letter from Leonor Rivera, who asked for his forgiveness and detailed her forthcoming marriage to an Englishman.

Romance with Petite Jacoby

• As Rizal prepared for his trip to Madrid, two things brought him cheer.
• A summertime festival of Belgium was celebrated in carnival style with colorful costumes, fantastic floats, and many days of merriment.
• He had a romance with Petite Suzanne Jacoby, the niece of his landladies.
• Before leaving Brussels, Rizal left Suzanne a box of chocolates.
• Later, Suzanne wrote him a letter.
• Rizal returned to Brussels by April 1891 and stayed again in the Jacoby's boarding house.
• However, Rizal's return was to revise and finalize the manuscript of El Filibusterismo for publication.
• On July 5, 1891, Rizal bade goodbye to Brussels and Suzanne.

El Filibusterismo

• El Filibusterismo's other name is "Reign of Greed".
• It was to address and reform the Spanish system.
• Writing started in Calamba 1887 then it was and revised in Paris, then Brussels, and completed on March 29, 1891, in Biarritz.
• It was published on September 1891 in Ghent.
• It was partially funded by his friend Valentin Ventura.
• Compared to Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo evokes bitterness, hatred, and antipathy.

Aims of Rizal's Works

• To work peacefully for political and social reforms.
• To portray the deplorable conditions of the Philippines.
• To oppose the evil forces of reaction and medievalism.
• To advocate liberal ideas and progress.
• To champion the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino people to life, democracy, and happiness.