Rizal's Early Life and Education PDF

# Chapter 1 ## Rizal's Family, Childhood, and Early Education - Jose Rizal had a mixed ancestry. - His paternal great-great-grandfather, Domingo Lam-co, was a Chinese immigrant from Fukien City, China. - He married Ines dela Rosa. - Their son, Francisco Mercado, married Cirila Bernacho. - Their son...

# Chapter 1 ## Rizal's Family, Childhood, and Early Education - Jose Rizal had a mixed ancestry. - His paternal great-great-grandfather, Domingo Lam-co, was a Chinese immigrant from Fukien City, China. - He married Ines dela Rosa. - Their son, Francisco Mercado, married Cirila Bernacho. - Their son, Juan Mercado, married Cirila Alejandro. - Their son, Francisco Mercado, was Jose Rizal's father. - Jose Rizal's maternal great-great-grandfather was Eugenio Ursua of Japanese ancestry. - He married Benigna. - Their daughter, Regina, married Manuel de Quintos. - Their daughter, Brigida, married Lorenzo Alberto Alonso. - Their daughter, Teodora, was Jose Rizal's mother. ## Learning Outcomes At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to: - analyze Rizal's family, childhood, and early education - evaluate the people and events and their influence on Rizal's early life # Rizal's Birth - Jose Rizal was born in Calamba, Laguna on June 19, 1861. - He was baptized in Calamba Catholic Church on June 22, 1861. - He was named "Jose" in honor of San Jose. - Father Pedro Casañas served as Rizal's godfather. - He is known as Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda. # Rizal's Ancestors - Rizal had a mixed ancestry - Negrito, Indonesian, Malay, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish. ## Rizal's Paternal Ancestor 1. Domingo Lam-co - Rizal's great-great grandfather, a Chinese immigrant from Fukien City, Changelow, “China's City of Spring". He arrived in Manila in 1731. 2. Francisco Mercado, son of Domingi Lam-co and Ines dele Rosa. Francisco lived in Binang (Now Biñan), and married Cirila Bernacho, a municipal mayor (gobernadorcillo) of Biñan. 3. Juan Mercado (Rizal's grandfather) is married to Cirila Alejandro. A Chinese Filipino Mestiza. 4. Francisco Mercado (Rizal's father), the youngest of the thirteen (13) childred of Juan Mercado and Cirila Alejandro. ## Rizal's Maternal Ancestor 1. Eugenio Ursua, of Japanese ancestry, was Rizal's maternal great-great grandfather. 2. Regina, the daughter of Eugenio Ursua and Benigna. She married Manuel de Quintos, a Filipino Chinese lawyer of Pangasinan but became a prominent lawyer in Manila. 3. Brigida, one of the daughters of Eugenio Ursua and Benigna, married Engr. Lorenzo Alberto Alonso, a prominent Spanish-Filipino mestizo of Biñan. He was awarded by Spain the "Knight of Grand Order of Isabela the Church." They had five (5) children namely: Narcisa, Teodora (Rizal's mother), Gregorio, Manuel, and Jose. # Rizal's Family Tree and Ancestry | | | | | | :------------------------------------ | :------------------------------------ | :-------------------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------ | | **Domingo Lameo** | **Ines de la Rosa** | **Eugenio Ursua** | **Benigna** | | **Francisco Mercado** | **Cirila Bemacha** | **Manuel de Quintos** | **Regina Ursua** | | **Juan Mercado** | **Cirila Alejandro** | **Lorenzo Alberto** | **Brigida de Quintos** | | **Francisco Mercado** | | **Teodora Alonso Realonda** | | | **Saturnina Mercado** | **Paciano Mercado** | **Narcisa Mercado** | **Olimpia Mercado** | | **Manuel T. Hidalgo** | | **Antonia Lopez** | **Silvestre Ubaldo** | | **Lucia Mercado** | | **Jose Rizal** | **Maria Mercado** | | **Mariano Herbosa** | | **Josephine** | **Daniel Faustino** | | **Concepcion Mercado** | **Josefa Mercado** | **Trinidad Mercado** | **Soledad Mercado** | | | | | **Panteleon** | # Rizal's Family - Rizal's family belonged to the _principales_, a town consisting of Spanish Filipinos. - The family was considered rich and distinguished. - They owned a large stone house, four more different houses, a horse-drawn carriage, a big home library, a general goods store, a small flour-mill, and a home-made ham press. - They farmed rice, corn, and sugarcane, and raised pigs, chickens, and turkeys. - Their children were able to attend exclusive schools in Manila. # Rizal's Parents ## Francisco Mercado - Born on: April 18, 1818 in Binang (now Binan city), Laguna. - Youngest of 13 offspring of Juan and Cirila Alejandro Mercado. - Moved from Binan to Calamba and became a tenant of the Dominican-owned hacienda. - Hardworking and independent-minded. - Talked less but worked more. - Strong in body and valiant in spirit. - Died in Manila on: January 5, 1898 at the age of 80. ## Teodora Alonso Realonda - Born in Santa Cruz, Manila on: November 14, 1827. - Second child of Lorenzo Alonso and Brigida de Quintos. - Studied at the Colegio de Santa Rosa, a college exclusively for girls, in Manila. - A remarkable woman, possessing a refined culture; courteous, religious, and well-read. - Possessed literary talent and business ability. - Had a strong character like a Spartan woman. - Had a woman of more than ordinary culture because she knows literature and speaks Spanish well. - Good in rhetorics, a mathematician, and a wide reader. - Died in Manila on: August 16, 1913 at the age of 85. # The Rizal Children Don Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso were blessed with eleven (11) children: 1. Saturnina (1850-1913) - She was the eldest of the Rizal children. Her husband was Manuel Timoteo Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas. Her nickname is "Neneng". 2. Paciano (1851-1930) – He was the older brother of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. He studied at San Jose College in Manila. After the execution of Dr. Jose Rizal, he joined the Spanish-Philippine Revolution and became a general. After the Revolution, he retired to his farm and became a farmer in Los Banos. He died an old bachelor though he has a common-law wife, Severina Decena. They had two children, a boy and a girl. 3. Narcisa (1852-1939) – she was married to Antonio Lopez, (a nephew of Father Leoncio Lopez) a school teacher of Morong, Rizal. Her pet name is "Sisa". 4. Olympia (1855-1887) – She was married to Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator from Manila, her nickname is "Ypia". 5. Lucia (1857-1919) – She was married to Matriano Herbosa of Calamba. Herbosa died of cholera in 1889 and was denied Christian burial because he was a brother in-law of Dr. Jose Rizal. 6. Maria (1859-1945) – She was married to Daniel Faustino Cruz of Binan, Laguna. Her nickname is “Biang”. 7. Jose (1861-1896) – He was considered as the “lucky seven" in the family. He lived with Josephine Bracken, a pretty Irish girl from Hongkong. Rizal had a son by her by the name of "Francisco' who was named after his father, but died a few hours after birth and was buried in Dapitan. Rizal's nickname is "Pepe". 8. Concepcion (1862-1865) – Died at the age of three because of illness. Her death was the first sorrow of Rizal. Her pet name is "Concha". 9. Josefa (1865-1945) – She remained single, an epileptic, and old maid. Her pet name is "Panggoy". She died at the age of 80. 10. Trinidad (1868-1951) – like Josefa, she died an old maid at the age of 83. Her pet name is "Trining". 11. Soledad (1870-1929) She was the youngest of the Rizal children. She married Pantaleon Quintero of Calamba. He pet name is "Choleng". # Rizal's Early Childhood Years - Jose was a natural artist. - He began drawing with his pencil and sculpting with wax and clay at the age of five. - His mother, father, and uncles encouraged his unusual talent. - He was able to draw a bird flying nearby without lifting the pencil. - He also drew a running horse and a chasing dog. - Jose Rizal owned a pony and used it to go on long rides. - He went on walks with his big black dog, Usman. - He played with the doves in his neighborhood. - He learned about the myths and legends in Laguna after sleeping through the nut in a little straw hut used by Laguna farmers during the harvest season. - He also performed magic lantern exhibitions. - He spent a lot of time in the church. - He liked to watch the people. - He learned how to respect the rights of others. - He was a welcome companion for adults. - He was always respectful of people's moods. - He was a quick learner. - He had a strong will guided and taught by his mother. # Happiest Days of Rizal in Calamba 1. He loved to climb fruit trees in their backyard where he spent his leisure time. 2. From his nipa cottage built by his father, he loved to watch the fowls, birds, and the plants in the garden. 3. From his azotea, he watched the moon in the sky after the nightly rosary. 4. At nightfall, he joined his sisters and parents to pray the daily Angelus. 5. He used to take a walk during moonlight night in the town by the river and lakes accompanied by his aya (maid) Ina Munda. 6. He loved to listen to his aya telling stories about fairies, imaginary tales, legends, and folklores. 7. At the age of three, he goes with his mother to the church to take part in novena and join the religious procession. # Sorrows and Tragedies in Rizal's Life 1. The untimely death of his younger sister Concepcion (Concha) at the age of three. 2. The malicious charge that Doña Teodora was suddenly charged with poisoning her brother Jose Alberto's wife, which caused a tremendous impact in Rizal's life. 3. The Cavite uprising in 1872. 4. The harsh treatment that Rizal's townmates had to endure at the hands of Spanish guardia civil. 5. The rude treatment to children and women. # Early Education at Calamba - Rizal learned the alphabet and prayers from his mother. - He was taught how to read and write by Maestro Celetino, Maestro Lucas Padua, and Leon Monroy. - He visited Father Leoncio Lopez, the town parish priest, to listen to his stimulating opinions on current events and sound philosophy of life. # Rizal at Ateneo and UST (First Year Term (1872-1873)) - Rizal was sent by his parents to Manila for further schooling in 1872. - He passed the entrance examination at the College of San Juan de Letran, a Dominican-owned school. - Don Francisco wanted Rizal to study at Letran, but changed his mind and decided to send him to Ateneo instead. - Rizal was rejected by Father Magin Fernando because he was late for registration, sickly, and undersized for his age of 11 years. - His brother Paciano pleaded to Manuel Xerex Burgos to intercede. - Rizal was admitted to the school but was assigned to sit at the last row of the class. - At the time Rizal studied at Ateneo, the school was located in Intramuros. - Rizal boarded a house on Caraballo Street owned by a spinster, Titay. - Rizal boarded her house in order to collect a part of the P300 debt of Titay. - The Jesuit system of education at the Ateneo was more advanced than other colleges in that period. - It trained students in rigid and religious instruction and promoted physical culture, humanities, and scientific studies. - The Ateneo offered courses in Bachelor of Arts and vocational courses. - Students heard mass in the morning before beginning classes. - Students were divided into two groups, the Roman empire (internos) and the Carthaginians Empire (externos). - Students wore a school uniform consisting of hemp-fabric trouser and striped cotton coat. - Rizal's first professor at the Ateneo was Father Jose Bech. - Rizal was an externo (Carthiginian) but became the emperor after one month. - He won his first prize at the Ateneo. - During noon recesses, he took private lessons in Santa Isabel College to improve his Spanish. - Rizal placed second in rank during his second term because he resented some of his professor's remarks, but his grades were still marked "excellent". - Rizal returned to Calamba in March 1873 for summer vacation. - He was sad because his mother was in prison. - He visited his mother in jail and showed her his brilliant grades, which made her happy. - Rizal returned to Manila to enroll in second year term at the end of the summer vacation. - He boarded inside Intramuros at No.6., Magallanes Street at the house owned by Doña Pepang, an old widow. # Second Year Term (1873-1874) - Some of Rizal's classmates were new at Biñan under Maestro Cruz. - Rizal neglected his studies because he was offended by his remarks, but regained his class leadership and became an "emperor". - He received excellent grades in all subjects. - He won two gold medals, one in Topography and another in Agriculture. - He returned to Calamba in March 1874 for the summer vacation. # Summer Vacation - Rizal visited Santa Cruz to see his mother in the provincial jail. - His mother told him that she had a dream that she would be relieved from prison after three months. - Rizal's prophecy became true as his mother was released from prison and went home to Calamba. - Rizal began to take interest in reading romantic tales, love stories, romantic novels, fiction and non-fiction stories. - His favorite novel was "The Count of Monte Cristo." - He also read "Travels in the Philippines" written by Feodor Jagor. # Third Year Term (1874-1875) - Rizal's mother arrived at the opening of the school year in June 1874. - Rizal didn't make an excellent showing unlike in the previous year; he won only one medal in Latin, and was beaten by a Spanish student. - He returned to Calamba for summer vacation at the end of March 1875. # Fourth Year Term (1876-1877) - Rizal returned to Manila in June 1876. - He obtained the highest grades in all subjects - Philosophy, Biology, Chemistry, Languages, Mineralogy, Zoology, etc. - He graduated as a Valedictorian on March 23, 1877. - He was only nearly 16 years old. # Chapter 2 ## Rizal's Higher Education and Life Abroad - Rizal's higher education started in college, after completing his Bachelor of Arts. - Both Paciano and Don Francisco wanted Rizal to enter a university, but Doña Teodora opposed the idea. - Rizal enrolled at UST in April. - He was nearly 16 years old. - He took up Philosophy and Letters because his father liked it. - Rizal was attracted to a priesthood. - He was encouraged to take up farming. - He decided to study medicine. - He enrolled simultaneously in pre-medical course and regular medical course. - He studied at Ateneo taking up vocational courses. - He excelled in all subjects in surveying courses. - He obtained gold medals in Agriculture and Topography. - He passed the final examination in the surveying course and was granted the title as surveyor in November 25, 1881. - Rizal became active in extracurricular activities at Ateneo. - He was elected President of the Academy of Spanish Literature. - He was also a Secretary of the Marian Congregation. - Rizal fell in love with three women. - He fell in love with "Miss L", a woman with a fair, seductive and attractive eye. - The romance died because of the sweet memory of Segunda Katigbak and Rizal's father didn't like "Miss L"'s family. - He courted Leonor Valenzuela (Orang), a tall girl with regal bearing. - He sent her love notes in invisible ink. - He stopped visiting Orang because he was courting Segunda Katigbak. - Rizal had a romance with Leonor Rivera. - Rizal used the sign name "Taimis" to camouflage their relationship. - Rizal studied at UST from 1878 to 1882. - His grades were 2 Excellent, 3 Very Good, 8 Good, and 2 Fair. - Rizal was involved in brawls and Spanish brutality during his college days. - He was wounded by a lieutenant of the Guardia Civil who struck his back with a sword. - He was wounded in the head during another brawl. - Rizal decided to study in Spain after completing his fourth-year term in medicine. - He could no longer endure the discrimination and oppression at UST. # Rizal's Travel, Life and Education Abroad - Jose Rizal is considered the “Most Travelled Filipino Hero”. - He travelled to 20 countries and 40 island cities. - Rizal's travels and life abroad are arranged in their chronological order. ## Rizal’s First Trip Abroad - Rizal’s parents, Leonor, and the Spanish authorities knew nothing of his decision to go abroad. - Only Rizal's older brother Paciano, uncle Antonio Rivera, sisters Neneng and Lucia, the Valenzuela family and their daughter Orang, Pedro A. Paterno, Mateo Evangelista, the Ateneo Jesuit priest and some intimate friends knew of his secret departure. - Rizal left a farewell letter to his parents and Leonor Rivera before he sailed away. - On May 3, 1882, Rizal departed for Spain using Jose Mercado on his travel documents. - He was the only Filipino on the steamer. - He reached the island of Singapore on May 8, 1882. - He reached the island of Singapore on May 8, 1882. - He registered at Hotel de la Paz and spent two days sightseeing. - He boarded the steamer Djemnah on May 11, 1882. - He arrived at Point Galle, a seacoast town in southern Ceylon on May 17, 1882. - He had a stopover at Colombo, the capital of Ceylon on May 18, 1882. - He crossed the Indian Ocean until it reached Cape of Guardafin, Africa on May 28, 1882. - He reached Aden on May 28, 1882 and went ashore for sightseeing. - He proceeded to Suez Canal on June 2, 1882. - He disembarked and went sightseeing. - He proceeded to the Red Sea Terminal before reaching Post Said. - He went ashore for sightseeing. - The steamer proceeded to Europe and reached Naples City, Italy on June 11, 1882. - The steamer docked at the French harbor of Marseilles on June 12, 1882. - Rizal visited Chateau d'ef and stayed at Marseilles for two and a half days at Hotel Noailles. - The steamer left Marseilles by train on June 15, 1883. - It stopped at Port Bou. - Rizal continued his trip by train on June 16, 1882. - He finally reached Barcelona, Spain. - He stayed at Hotel de España and boarded a house in San Severo Street. - He visited Ronda de la Universidad de Barcelona and San Pablo Hospital. - He stayed in a stingy hotel and had a bad impression of Barcelona. - He changed his mind and came to like Barcelona. - Rizal was welcomed by Filipinos in Barcelona. - They gave him a party at Plaza de Catalina. - Rizal received bad news about the cholera outbreak and the unhappiness of Leonor Rivera. - Rizal left Barcelona on November 3, 1882. - He travelled to Madrid, the capital of Spain and enrolled in the Universidad Central de Madrid in Medicine and Philosophy and Letters. - He lodged at Visitacion Street, No. 3., 3rd floor (Room 4), in 1883. - He transferred to Pizarro Street, No. 13 and later on at Ventura de la Vega Street. - He also studied painting and sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando. - He took tutoring lessons in French and English, and practiced fencing and shooting in the Hall of Arms of Sanz Carbonell. - Rizal lived frugally in Madrid. - He spent his leisure time reading books and practicing shooting and fencing. - He visited his Filipino friends at the house of Paterno brothers. - He visited the home of Don Pablo Ortega y Rey. - He became attracted by Consuelo's beauty and charm. - Hard times occurred in Calamba during his stay in Barcelona and Madrid. - The harvest of rice and sugarcane failed due to drought and locusts. - The Dominican-owned hacienda increased the rentals of the lands leased and cultivated by the Rizal family. - Paciano was forced to sell Rizal's pony because of the failure of Don Francisco to give turkeys to the hacienda manager. - Rizal was conferred the Licentiate in Medicine with a rating of "Fair" on June 21, 1884. - He passed all the subjects leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the next academic year. - He was not conferred the degree of Doctor of Medicine because he failed to present a thesis and pay the corresponding fee. - He became a full-fledged physician, and was not interested in taking the post-degree of Doctor of Medicine. - He attended his classes at the University, participated in the contest in Greek language and won the gold medal. - He was a guest speaker in a banquet held in honor of San Juan and Felix Resurrecion Hidalgo at Restaurant Ingles. - Student demonstrations started to explode at the Universidad Central de Madrid on November 20, 1884. - Rizal together with other students fought the government forces during the demonstrations. - Rizal was awarded the degree of Licenciate in Philosophy and Letters, with a rating of "Excellent," on June 19, 1885. - He was invited to speak in a banquet to celebrate the double victory of Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo on June 25, 1885. - Rizal visited his friend, Maximo Viola, in Barcelona on his way to Paris. - He stayed there for a week and befriended Eusebio Corominas. - Rizal went to Paris in November 1885. - He worked as an assistant to Dr. Louis de Wecket. - He visited his friends and posed as a model in several paintings. - Rizal left Paris for Heidelberg, Germany on February 3, 1886. - He stayed with German law students in a boarding house but later transferred to another boarding house. - He became a member of the Chess Player’s Club. - Rizal worked at the University Eye Hospital under Dr. Otto Becker. - He attended lectures of Dr. Becker and Prof. Wilhelm Kuehne at the University. - He went sightseeing at the scenic spots at Heidelberg, the famous Heidelberg Castle, romantic Neckar River, old churches, etc. - Rizal spent a 3-month summer vacation at Wilhelmsfeld, Germany. - He became a good friend of Dr. Karl Ullmer. - Rizal left Wilhelmsfeld on June 25, 1886. - He returned to Heidelberg carrying beautiful memories of the Ullmer friendship and hospitality. - Rizal wrote his first letter in German to Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt on July 3, 1886. - He also sent Blumentritt the book "Aritmetica". - Blumentritt sent Rizal a gift of two books. - Heidelberg held its 5th centenary celebration on August 6, 1886. - Rizal left Heidelberg on August 9, 1886. - He boarded a train, visited other cities of Germany and arrived at Leipzig. - Rizal arrived at Leipzig on August 14, 1886. - He attended some lectures at the University of Leipzig in history and psychology. - He befriended Prof. Friedrich Ratzel and Dr. Hans Meyer. - Rizal translated Scheller's William Tell and Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales into Tagalog. - He corrected some chapters at the city's gymnasium. - Rizal stayed in Leipzig for two and a half months. - Rizal arrived at Dresden, Germany on October 29, 1886. - He met Dr. Adolf B. Meyer, Director of the Anthropological and Ethnological Museum. - Rizal left Dresden by train on November 1, 1886. - He reached Berlin and met Dr. Feodor Jagor. - He also met Dr. Rudolf Virchow, Dr, Hans Virchow, Dr. W. Joest, and Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger. - He worked in the clinic of Dr. Schweigger. - Rizal became a member of the Anthropological Society, Ethnological Society and Geographical Society of Berlin. - He was impressed in Berlin because of its scientific atmosphere and absence of racial race. - He worked as an assistant in Dr. Schweigger's clinic, attended lectures in the University of Berlin, took private lesson under French Professor Madame Lucie Cerdale, and performed daily exercises in a Berlin gymnasium. - He observed keenly the customs, dresses, homes, and occupations of the peasants. - He made sketches of the things he saw and promenaded along Unter den linden. - He was unable to pay his landlord because no money arrived from Calamba. - He pawned the diamond ring that was given to him by his sister Saturnina. - He ate only one meal a day, which consisted of bread and water or cheap vegetable soup. - He washed his clothes because he could not afford to pay the laundry. - Paciano was delayed in raising the necessary funds. - Rizal's health broke down and he feared that he was going to be sick with tuberculosis. - Rizal received Paciano's remittance of P1,000 which was forwarded by Juan Luna from Paris. - Rizal paid Viola the sum of P300 for the loan granted to Rizal for printing Noli Me Tangere. - He went to Berlin for five (5) reasons: - to increase his knowledge in ophthalmology - to broaden his studies of sciences and languages - to observe political and economic conditions of Germany - to associate with famous German scientist and scholars - to publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere. - Rizal and Viola left Berlin for Dresden on May 11, 1887. - They visited Dr. Adolph B. Meyer. - They met Dr. Jagor, who suggested that they send a wire to Blumentritt. - Rizal and Viola reached Leitmeritz, Bohemia on May 13, 1887. - They greeted each other in German and met with Professor Blumentritt, who helped them get a room at Hotel Krebs. - Blumentritt introduced Rizal and Viola to his wife and children. - He invited them to a beer garden where the best beer in Bohemia was served. - Rizal and Viola were also invited to a meeting at the Tourist Club at Leitmeritz. - Rizal met with Dr. Carlos Czepelan and Robert Klutschak. - Rizal and Viola left Leitmeritz by train on May 17, 1887. - They carried recommendation letters of Professor Blumentritt to Dr. Willhomm. - Rizal and Viola arrived in the city of Vienna on May 20, 1887. - They stayed at Hotel Metropole. - They visited churches, museums, art galleries, theaters, public parks, beautiful buildings, and religious images. - They met Mr. Norfenfoe, Masner and Nordmenn. - Rizal and Viola left Vienna on May 24, 1887. - They travelled on a river boat to see the beautiful sights of the Danube River. - They travelled on land to Salzburg and from there to Munich and Nuremberg. - They visited Ulm, particularly the city cathedral. - They went to Stuttgart, Baden and Rheinfall. - Rizal and Viola crossed the foggy lake of Geneva after sightseeing in Lausennne. - Rizal and Viola reached Geneva, Switzerland on June 6, 1887. - They lodged in bel Air, No. 2, Rue de Rhine. - They went boating on the lake. - Rizal showed his rowing prowess. - Rizal received sad news about the deplorable conditions of the Igorots of Northern Luzon. - Rizal treated Viola to a blow-out with a sumptuous meal on June 19, 1887. - He wrote to Blumentritt regarding an industrial exhibition. - Rizal decided to return home to the Philippines. - Rizal and Viola parted ways on June 23, 1887. - Rizal visited Turin, Milan, Venice, and Florence on June 24, 1887. - Rizal reached Rome, the "Eternal City" and the "City of the Caezars" on June 27, 1887. - He went sightseeing and visited the Amphitheater, the Roman Forum, museums, and churches. - Rizal visited the Vatican on June 29, 1887. - He was impressed by the magnificent edifice like St. Peter's Church, the rare works of art, the vast St. Peter's Square, and the colorful Papal Guard. - Rizal was prepared to return to the Philippines after a week of travel in Rome. - Rizal wrote to his father announcing that he's coming home on June 29, 1887. - Rizal and Basa went back to Hongkong on February 21, 1888. - Jose Sainz de Varonda, a Spaniard, was commissioned to spy on Rizal. - Rizal left Hongkong alone on board the Oceanic, an American steamer for Japan on February 22, 1888. - He liked the ship and the meals on board, but didn’t like the meals on board. - His cabin mate was a British Protestant missionary who lived in China for 27 years. - Rizal arrived in Yokohama, Japan on February 28, 1888. - He registered at the Grand Hotel. - He proceeded to Tokyo on February 29, 1888 and stayed for six (6) days. - He was visited by Juan Perez Caballero, secretary of the Spanish legation. - Tokyo was more expensive than Paris. - Rizal was embarrassed because he didn’t know the Japanese language and looked like a Japanese. - He studied the Japanese language. - He visited museums, libraries, art galleries, shrines, and Japanese villages. - He was impressed by the band playing Western music. - He wasn't impressed by the mode of transportation because the rickshaws were drawn by men, which made Rizal disgusted because according to him, human beings are working like horses. - Rizal met Seiko-San, the only daughter of a Japanese samurai. - The Imperial Art Gallery, the Imperial Library, the city parks, and picturesque shrines were their favorite places to visit together. - O-Sei-San served as Rizal's guide, interpreter, and tutor. - Rizal boarded the Belgic, an English steamer bound for the United States on April 13, 1888. - He left Japan very sad because he would never see again the beautiful land and his beloved O-Sei-San. - He met a passenger, Techo Suchero, who was a Japanese newspaperman who was jailed in his country for his articles and principles and was exiled. - Rizal talked in different languages. - Rizal and Techo arrived in San Francisco Port on Saturday morning of April 28, 1888. - All passengers were not allowed to land because the ship was placed on a quarantine. - They were not allowed to land because the ship was placed on a quarantine. - The ship was carrying many Chinese workers. - First class passengers, including Rizal were permitted to land after a week of quarantine. - Chinese and Japanese passengers of the second and third class accommodations were forced to remain on board. - Rizal registered at the Palace Hotel in the city of San Francisco on May 4, 1888. - He stayed in the city for two days. - Rizal left San Francisco to Oakland on May 6, 1888. - He boarded a train for a trip across the continent on May 7, 1888. - He reached New York on a Sunday morning on May 13, 1888. - He stayed three days in the city and visited the memorial of George Washington and other scenic and historic places. - Rizal left New York for Liverpool on board the City of Rome on May 18, 1888. - He visited the colossal Statue of Liberty on Bedloe Island. ## Rizal's Impression of America - Jose Alejandro asked Rizal about his sad and good impression of America. - Rizal said America is a progressive nation with great cities, huge farms, flourishing industries and busy factories. - He also said that the American people were energetic and hard-working. - He noted that the cities were beautiful, the standard of living was high, and there are better opportunities for a better life especially for the poor immigrants. - Racial prejudice existed, but America was the land of freedom. - Rizal stayed there for a short time as a guest at the home of Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor on May 25, 1888. - He lodged at 37 Chalcot, Crescent, Primrose Hill and boarded at Beckett family. - He spent Sundays in the house of Dr. Reinhold Rost. - Rizal played cricket and boxed with Dr. Rost's son. - He spent most of his time in the British Museums annotating Morga's book, Successos de los Islas Filipinas. - He received bad and good news in London. - The bad news were about the persecution of the Filipino patriots, the attacks on Rizal by Senators Salamanca and Vida, Pablo Feced or “Quiquiap" in the Spanish newspapers, persecution of Rizal's family and other Calamba farmers, exile of Manuel T. Hidalgo, and arrest and jailing of Rizal's friend Lauriano Viado in Bilibid Prison. - Rizal also visited Paris for a week to search for historical materials in the Biblioteque Nationale. - He was entertained by Juan Luna and his wife Paz Pardo de Tavera. - Rizal visited Madrid and Barcelona on December 11, 1888. - He exchanged ideas with Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Mariano Ponce, two great leaders of the Propaganda Movement. - Rizal returned to London and spent Christmas and New Year's with the Beckett family on December 24, 1888. - He sent Blumentritt a Christmas gift and Dr. Carlos Czepelak a book entitled "The Life and Adventures of Valentine Vox, the Ventriloquist". - A patriotic society was established on December 31, 1888. - The officers were: - Galicano Apacible, president - Graciano Lopez Jaena, vice-president - Manuel Santa Maria, secretary - Mariano Ponce, treasurer - Jose Ma. Panganiban, accountant. - Rizal wrote Blumentritt of his proposal to establish the "International Association of Filipinologists" on January 14, 1889. - He wrote a letter addressed to the members of the Association La Solidaridad on January 28, 1889. - Graciano Lopez Jaena founded the fortnightly patriotic newspaper, La