Rizal's University Studies

• Medical studies were undertaken at the University of Santo Tomas from 1877-1882
• Rizal graduated with the highest honors from Ateneo
• Doña Teodora did not want him to pursue higher learning at university
• He was 16 when he commenced studies in Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas

Reasons for Enrolling in Philosophy and Letters

• His father favored it
• He was undecided about his future career
• He studied Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy, and History of Philosophy
• Father Pablo Ramon (Rector of Ateneo) advised him to study medicine
• He chose medicine to cure his mother's growing blindness
• He obtained the title of Perito Agrimensor (expert surveyor) from vocational courses in Ateneo
• At 17, he passed the final examination, but the title was issued later on November 25, 1881, because he was underage

Romantic Interests

• Courted "Miss L," but the romance ended
  • The memory of Segunda was still fresh
  • His father disapproved of Miss L's family
• Later, he courted Leonor Valenzuela (Orang) but stopped short of proposing
• His next romance was with Leonor Rivera (Taimis), his cousin in Camiling
• He became a victim of a Spanish officer's brutality
• Rizal won a literary contest with "A La Juventud Filipina" (To the Filipino Youth)
  • Rizal's winning poem became a classic in Philippine literature
    • Recognized by Spanish Literary Authorities
    • Expressed the nationalistic concept that Filipinos were the "fair hope of the fatherland"

"The Council of the Gods"

• In 1880, the Artistic-Literary Lyceum opened a literary contest for Filipinos and Spaniards
• The contest involved priests, newspapermen, scholars, and professors
• The judges were all Spaniards
• Rizal's work won first prize, earning him a gold ring engraved with the bust of Cervantes
• It marked the first time an Indio, a nineteen-year-old Filipino medical student, achieved this honor
• The work was based on Greek Classics

Other Literary Works

• He produced poems and a zarzuela, "Junto al Pasig" (Beside the Pasig)
  • Staged by Ateneans on December 8, 1880
  • Celebrated the annual feast day of the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of Ateneo
  • "Junto al Pasig" is mediocre

Other Accomplishments

• Rizal wrote a sonnet entitled "A Filipinas" for the society of Sculptors
  • He urged all Filipino artists to glorify the Philippines
• In 1879, he composed "Abd-el-Azis Y Mahoma"
  • Declaimed by Manuel Fernandez on December 8, 1879, in honor of Ateneo's Patroness
• In 1881, he composed "Al M. R. P. Pablo Roman" for Father Pablo Roman, the Ateneo Rector
  • Expressed his affection and gratitude for his kindness and help

Rizal's Visit to Pakil and Pagsanjan

• Rizal went on a pilgrimage to Pakil to visit the shrine of the Birhen Maria de los Dolores
• He was accompanied by Saturnina, Maria, Trinidad, and their female friends
• They traveled by casco from Calamba to Pakil, Laguna
• They stayed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Regalado, whose son Nicolas was Rizal's friend in Manila
• Rizal was fascinated by the turumba, where people danced in the streets during the procession in honor of the Birhen Maria de los Dolores
• Reasons for Rizal's visit to Pagsanjan
  • The native town of Leonor Valenzuela, Rizal's girl friend in Manila
  • Visit world famed Pagsanjan Falls

Champion of Filipinos

• Rizal championed Filipino students in fights against Spanish students
• Spaniards insulted their brown classmates with terms like "Indio, chango"
• Filipinos called Spaniards "Kastila, bangus"
• Rizal founded a secret society in UST called "Companerismo" (Comradeship)
  • Members were called "Companions of Jehu."
• He served as chief, with Galicano Apacible as secretary
• Rizal led Filipino students in street fights and was wounded
• Unhappy Days at the UST
  • Rizal was not happy at this Dominican institution of higher learning because:
    • Dominican professors were hostile
    • Filipino students were racially discriminated against by the Spaniards
    • The method of instruction was obsolete and repressive

El Filibusterismo

• "El Filibusterismo" describes the humiliation and insult of Filipino students by their Dominican professors
• Despite being a brilliant graduate of Ateneo, Rizal failed to win high scholastic honors due to his professor's attitude

His Decision to Study Abroad

• Rizal decided to study in Spain
• He could no longer endure the rampant bigotry, discrimination, and hostility at UST
• Rizal did not seek permission to go abroad, because he knew his mother would disapprove
• Leonor and the Spanish authorities were unaware of his decision to study medicine in Spain