Rizal's University Education

• After his first year in Philosophy and Letters (1877-1878), Rizal shifted to medicine.
• Doña Teodora was against Rizal pursuing further studies in Manila, fearing the Spanish authorities would harm him if he gained more knowledge.

Rizal Enters the University

• In April 1877, at nearly 16, Rizal enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) to study Philosophy and Letters, influenced by his father's preference and his own uncertainty about his career path.
• Rizal sought career advice from Father Pablo Ramon, the Ateneo Rector, but he was in Mindanao at the time.
• In his first year (1877-79) at UST, Rizal studied Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy, and History of Philosophy.
• In 1878-1879, following the Ateneo Rector's advice, Rizal decided to study medicine.
• He chose medicine to address his mother's worsening blindness.

Finishes Surveying Course in Ateneo (1878)

• Concurrently with his first term at UST (1877-1878), Rizal also studied at Ateneo, taking a vocational course to become an expert surveyor.
• Rizal excelled, earning gold medals in agriculture and topography.
• Although he passed the final surveying exam, he was initially too young to receive the title.
• On November 25, 1881, Rizal was granted the title of surveyor.
• He remained active in Ateneo's extracurriculars, serving as president of the Academy of Spanish Literature, secretary of the Academy of Natural Sciences, and continuing his membership in the Marian Congregation as secretary.

Romances with Other Girls

• Rizal was a romantic.
• Rizal courted Miss L, describing her as "fair with seductive and attractive eyes," but ended the courtship due to his lingering feelings for Segunda and his father's disapproval of Miss L's family.
• He boarded with Doña Concha Leyva in Intramuros.
• Rizal courted Leonor Valenzuela (Orang), a tall and regal neighbor, sending her love letters in invisible ink, but did not propose marriage.
• Rizal also courted his cousin, Leonor Rivera from Camiling.
• In 1879, while living in "Casa Tomasina," Rizal became engaged to Leonor Rivera, who used the alias "Taimis" to conceal their relationship.

Victims of Spanish Officer’s Brutality

• During the summer of 1878, Rizal was slashed on the back by a Guardia Civil officer for not saluting him in the dark.
• Rizal reported the incident to General Primo de Rivera, but no action was taken because Rizal was an Indio and the officer was a Spaniard.

"A La Juventud Filipina"

• In 1879, Rizal submitted the poem "A La Juventud Filipina" (To the Filipino Youth) to Manila’s Artistic-Literary Lyceum literary contest.
• The poem urges Filipino youth to rise from lethargy and use art and science to break the chains that bind their spirits.
• The poem won first prize, a silver pen decorated with a gold ribbon.
• It is a classic in Philippine literature because it was a great poem in Spanish written by a Filipino, and it expressed the idea that Filipinos were the "fair hope of the Fatherland”.

"El Consejo de los Dioses"

• In 1880, Rizal wrote "El Consejo de los Dioses" (The Councils of the Gods), an allegorical drama, for the Artistic-Literary Lyceum literary contest commemorating Cervantes' death.
• The literary masterpiece was based on Greek classics.
• Rizal won a gold ring engraved with Cervantes' bust for this work.
• D.N. del Puzo, a Spanish writer, won second prize
• The allegory drew parallels between Homer, Virgil, and Cervantes.

Other Literary Works

• "Junto al Pasig" (Beside the Pasig) - a zarzuela written by Rizal as President of the Academy of Spanish Literature in Ateneo, was staged by Ateneans on December 8, 1880, during the annual celebration of the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception.
• "A Filipinas" - a sonnet written by Rizal for the album of the Society of Sculptors, urging Filipino artists to glorify the Philippines
• "Abd-el-Azis y Mahoma" - a poem composed by Rizal in 1879 was declaimed by Manuel Fernandez on December 8, 1879, in honor of Ateneo’s Patroness.
• "Al M.R.P. Pablo Ramon" - a poem composed by Rizal in 1881 as an expression of affection for Father Pablo Ramon.

Rizal’s Visit to Pakil and Pagsanjan

• During the summer of May 1881, Rizal visited Pakil with Saturnina, Maria, and Trinidad, staying with Mrs. Manuel Regalado and her son Nicolas.
• Rizal was infatuated with Vicenta Ybardolaza, a pretty harpist in Pakil.
• Rizal mentioned Turumba in Noli Me Tangere and Pagsanjan Falls in his travel diary, noting Niagara Falls was not as beautiful as Pagsanjan Falls.

Champion of Filipino Students

• Filipino students were called Indio, chongo or Kastila Bangus
• Rizal participated in student brawls, using skills incfencing, wrestling and courage.
• In 1880, Rizal founded Compañerismo (Comradeship), a secret society of Filipino students at UST.
• The members of the society were named Companions of Jehu.
• Galicano Apacible-Rizal’s cousin from Batangas who is the secretary of the society
• Rizal was wounded on the head.

Unhappy Days at the UST

• Rizal was unhappy at the University of Santo Tomas because of hostile Dominican professors, racial discrimination against Filipino students, and obsolete teaching methods.
• El Filibusterismo describes discrimination against Filipino students and backward teaching methods at UST.
• He failed to win high scholastic honors.

Decision to Study Abroad

• Rizal decided to study in Spain because he could no longer tolerate the bigotry, discrimination, and hostility at UST.
• Paciano, his sisters Saturnina and Lucia, Uncle Antonio Rivera, the Valenzuela family, and some friends approved of his decision.
• Rizal did not tell his parents, Leonor, or the Spanish authorities about his plans.