SS-105.-LIFE-AND-WORKS-OF-RIZAL-converted.pdf

West Visayas State University JANIUAY CAMPUS (Formerly Janiuay Polytechnic College, Don Tiburcio A. Lutero National Comp. High School, Janiuay Nat’l Comp. High School, Janiuay National Vocationa...

West Visayas State University JANIUAY CAMPUS (Formerly Janiuay Polytechnic College, Don Tiburcio A. Lutero National Comp. High School, Janiuay Nat’l Comp. High School, Janiuay National Vocational High School, Janiuay High School) Janiuay, Iloilo, Philippines *Trunkline: (063) (033) 317-1894 * Website: www.wvsu.edu.ph *Email Address: www.wvsu.edu.ph SS 105 LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL "It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a stone wasted on the field without becoming a part of any edifice." Prepared by: KRISTALYN VELONERO, M.A.T. Soc. Sci. POSTRADO, MCA, M.A.Soc. Sci. Life and Works of Rizal Page 1  Welcome learners to your SS 105, Life and Works of Rizal! I. Course No. and Title: SS 105, Life and Works of Rizal II. Course Description: As mandated by Republic Act 1425, this works covers the life and works of the country’s national hero, Jose Rizal. Among the topics covered are Rizal’s biography and his writings, particularly the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, some of his essays, and various correspondences. TABLE OF CONTENTS TOPICS PAGES WEEKS Unit 1 RIZAL LAW 3-10 2 WEEKS Unit 2 DR. JOSE RIZAL’S LIFE 11-15 1 WEEK Unit 3 RIZAL’S HIGHER EDUCATION AND 16-44 3 WEEKS LIFE ABROAD Unit 4 THE NINETEENTH CENTURY PHILIPPINE ECONOMY, SOCIETY, AND THE CHINESE MESTIZOS 45-67 3 WEEKS END OF MIDTERM Unit 5 NOLI ME TANGERE CONTEXT AND 68-80 2 WEEKS CONTENT Unit 6 EL FILIBUSTERISMO: CONTEXT AND 81-91 2 WEEKS CONTENT Unit 7 RIZAL’S ARREST, EXILE, IMPRISONMENT 92-112 3 WEEKS TRIAL AND EXECUTION Unit 8 JOSE RIZAL AND PHILIPPINE 113-118 2 WEEKS NATIONALISM END OF FINAL TERM Life and Works of Rizal Page 2  UNIT 1 RIZAL LAW The mandatory teaching of Jose Rizal’s life with the emphasis on his landmark novels is inscribed in legislation. Republic Act No. 1425, more popularly known as the Rizal Law, was passed in 1956 leaving a colorful narrative of debate and contestation. As an introduction to the life and works of Jose Rizal, this textbook will study RA 1425 within its context, look into the major issues and debates surrounding the bill and its passage into law, and reflect on the impact and relevance of this legislation across history and the present time. In the course of the discussion, the process of how a bill becomes a law in the Philippines will be tackled so you will have an idea regarding with the country’s legislative process. The life of one of the major champions of the Rizal Law, Senator Claro M. Recto, will also be discussed. LEARNING OBJECTIVES At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to: *locate the passage of the Rizal Law within its historical context; *determine the issues and the interests at stake in the debate over the Rizal Bill; and *relate the issues to the present-day Philippines. VOCABULARY Bill- a measure which, if passed through the legislative process, becomes a law Unexpurgated- basically untouched, In the case of the novels of Rizal, unexpurgated version were those that were not changed or censored to remove parts that might offend people. Bicameral- involving the two chambers of congress: the Senate and the House of representatives The Context of the Rizal Bill The postwar period saw a Philippines rife with challenges and problems. With a country torn and tired from the stresses of World War II, getting up on their feet was a paramount concern of a people and the government. Life and Works of Rizal Page 3 How a Bill Becomes a Law: The Legislative Process The Senate and the House of Representatives follow the same legislative procedure. Legislative proposals emanate from a number of sources. They may be authored by the members of The Senate or House as part of their advocacies and agenda; produced through the lobbying from various sectors; or initiated by the executive branch of the government with the President’s legislative agenda. Once a legislative proposal, like a bill, is ready, it will go through the steps illustrated in the right. Step 1 Bill is filed in the Senate Office of the Secretary. It is given a number and calendared for firs reading. Step 2 First Reading The bill’s title, number, and author(s) are read on the floor. Afterwards, it is referred to the appropriate committee. Step 3 Committee Hearings The bill is discussed within the committee and a period of consultations is held. The committee can approve (approve without revisions, approve with amendments, or recommend substitution or consolidation with similar bills) or reject. After the committee submits the committee report, the bill is calendared for second reading. Step 4 Second Reading The bills read and discussed on the floor. The author delivers a sponsorship speech. The other members of the Senate may engage in discussions regarding the bill and a period of debates will pursue. Amendments may be suggested to the bill. Step 5 Voting on Second Reading The senators vote on whether to approve or reject the bill. If approved, the bill is calendared for third reading Step 6 Life and Works of Rizal Page 4 Voting on Third Reading Copies of the final versions of the bill are distributed to the members of the Senate who will vote for its, approval and rejection. Step 7 Consolidation of Version from the House The similar steps above are followed by the House of Representatives in coming up with the approved bill. If there are differences between the Senate and the House versions, a bicameral conference committee is called to reconcile the two. After this, both chambers approve the consolidated version. Step 8 Transmittal of the Final Version to Malacañang The bill is then submitted to the President for signing. The President can either sign the bill into law or veto or return it to the congress. As the Philippines grappled with various challenges, particularly the call for nation- building, prominent individuals who championed nationalism came to action. They pursued government measures to instill patriotism and love for country in the hearts and minds of the Filipinos. These people drew inspiration from the Philippine experience of the revolution for independence against Spain and from the heroes of that important period in the country’s history. One measure sought was the passage of the Republic Act No.1425 or the Rizal Law, which was primarily set to address “a need for a re-dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died.” The passage of the law was met with fierce opposition in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. From the Rizal Bill to the Rizal Law On April 3, 1956, Senate Bill No. 438 was filed by the Senate Committee on Education. On April 17, 1956, then Senate Committee on Education Chair Jose P. Laurel sponsored the bill and began delivering speeches for the proposed legislation. Soon after, the bill became controversial as the powerful Catholic Church began to express opposition against its passage. As the influence of the Church was felt with members of the Senate voicing their opposition to the bill, its main author, Claro M. Recto, and his allies in the Senate entered into a fierce battle arguing for the passage of SB 438. Debates started on April 23, 1956. Life and Works of Rizal Page 5  The debates on the Rizal Bill also ensued in the House of Representatives. House Bill No. 5561, an identical version of SB 438, was filed by Representative Jacobo Z. Gonzales on April 19, 1956. The House Committee on Education approved the bill without amendments on May 2, 1956 and the debates commenced on May 9, 1956. A major point of the debates was whether the compulsory reading of the texts Claro M. Recto (February 8, 1890-October 2, 1960) The main sponsor and defender of the Rizal Bill was Claro Mayo Recto. He was born in Tiaong, Tayabas (Quezon) on February 8, 1890 to Claro Recto, Sr. and Micaela Mayo. He completed his primary education in his hometown and his secondary education in Batangas. For his college education, he moved to Manila and completed his AB degree at the Ateneo and was awarded maxima cum laude in 1909. In 1914, he finished his law degree from the University of Santo Tomas. He was admitted to the bar that same year. His political career started in the House of Representatives in 1919 when he was elected as representative of the third district of Batangas. He later became House Minority Floor Leader, Majority Floor Leader, and Senate President Pro-tempore. Recto’s career in the Philippine government was not confined to the legislature. In 1935, he became Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Recto was also instrumental in the drafting of the constitution of the Philippines in 1934-1935 as he was selected President of the assembly. After the Philippines transitioned to the commonwealth Period and survived the Pacific War, Recto again served as senator for several terms. He also served as diplomat and was an important figure in international relations. Known as an ardent nationalist, Recto was also a man of letters. He penned beautiful poetry and prose. On October 2, 1960, he died of a heart attack in Italy. He was survived by his wife Aurora Reyes and their five children. Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo appropriated in the bill was constitutional. The call to read the unexpurgated versions was also challenged. As the country was soon engaged in the debate, it seemed that an impasse was reached. To move the procedure to the next step, Senator Jose P. Laurel proposed amendments to the bill on May 9, 1956. In particular, he removed the compulsory reading of Rizal’s Novels and added that Rizal’s other works must also be included in the subject. He, Life and Works of Rizal Page 6 however, remained adamant in his stand that the unexpurgated versions of the novels be read. On May 14, 1956, similar amendments adopted to the House version. The amended version of the bills was also subjected to scrutiny but seemed more palatable to the members of Congress. The passage, however, was almost hijacked by the technicality since the House of Representatives was about to adjourn in a few days and President Ramon Magsaysay did not certify the bills as priority. The allies in the House skillfully avoided the insertion of any other amendment to prevent the need to reprint new copies (which would take time). They also asked the bureau of printing to use the same templates for the Senate version in printing the House version. Thus, on May 17, 1956, the Senate and house versions were approved. The approved versions were then transmitted to Malacañang and on June 12, 1956, President Magsaysay signed the bill into law which became Republic Act No. 1425. Activity 1 The Debates about the Rizal Bill Read the following excerpts from the statements of the legislators who supported and opposed the passage of the Rizal Law in 1956. Then, answer the questions that follow. FOR: “Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo must be read by all Filipinos. They must be taken to heart, for in their pages we see ourselves as in mirror, our defects as well as our vices. Only they would become conscious as a people and so learn to prepare ourselves for painful sacrifices that ultimately lead to self-reliance, self-respect, and freedom.” -Senator Jose P. Laurel “Rizal did not pretend to teach religion when he wrote those books. He aimed at inculcating civic consciousness in the Filipinos, national dignity, personal pride, and patriotism and if references were made by him in the course of his narration to certain religious practices in the Philippines in those days, and to the conduct and behavior of erring ministers of the church, it was because he portrayed faithfully the general situation in the Philippines as it then existed.” -Senator Claro M. Recto Life and Works of Rizal Page 7 AGAINST: "A vast majority of our people are at the same time, Catholic and Filipino citizens. As such they have too great loves: They are harmonious affections, like the love for his father and for his mother. This is the basis of my stand. Let us not create a conflict between nationalism and religion, between the government and the church.” -Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo Questions 1. What was the major argument raised by Senator Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo against the passage of the Rizal Bill? 2. What was the major argument raised by Senator Jose P. Laurel and Claro M. Recto in support the passage of the Rizal bill? 3. Are there points of convergence between the supporters and opposers of the Rizal Bill based on these statements? 4. Do you think the debates on the Rizal Law have some resonance up to the present? If yes, in what way, If no, why? (Base on the further readings below) The Rizal Law and the Present Context The Rizal Law Republic Act No. 1425 AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died; Life and Works of Rizal Page 8  WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national character; WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth, especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused; WHEREAS, all educational institution is under supervision of, and subject to regulation by the state, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience and to teach the duties of citizenship; Now, therefore, SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or private: provided, that in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation shall be used as basic texts. The Board of National Educations hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to implement and carry out the provisions of this section, including the writing and printing of appropriate primers, readers and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of Act, promulgate rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act. The Board shall promulgate rules regulations providing for the exemption of students for reason of religious belief stated in a sworn written statement, from the requirement of the provision contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this section; but not from taking the course provided for in the first part of said paragraph. Said rules and regulation shall take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the official Gazette. SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries and adequate number of copies El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El filibusterismo or their translation in English as well as other writings of Rizal shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading in all public or private school, colleges and universities. Life and Works of Rizal Page 9  The Board of National education determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon the enrollment of the school college or university. SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio councils throughout the country. SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or repealing section nine hundred twenty-seven of the Administration Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public school teacher and other persons engaged in any public school. SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act. SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 2971 in June 1956. SUMMARY The Rizal Law could be considered a landmark legislation in the postwar Philippines. During this period, the Philippines was trying to get up on its feet from a devastating war and aiming towards nation-building. As government sought ways to unite the people, legislation like Claro M. Recto drew inspiration from the lives of the heroes of the revolution against Spain. In this frame, the teaching of the life and works of Jose Rizal, particularly the reading of his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, was proposed to be mandated to all private and public educational institution. The proposed legislation, however, met opposition particularly from the Catholic Church. After much debate, the proposed bill was eventually signed into law and became Republic Act No. 1425 Life and Works of Rizal Page 10  UNIT II Dr. Jose Rizal’s Life A biography narrates how a person has lived during a certain period of time. It presents not only the life of an individual and how he/she has influenced the society but also how an individual and his/her ideas have been shaped by historical event. Jose Rizal lived in the nineteenth century, a period in Philippines history when changes in public consciousness were already being felt and progressive ideas were being realized. Studying Rizal’s biography, therefore, will lead for a better understanding of how Rizal devoted his life in shaping the Filipino character. This chapter will cover Rizal’s life and how he became an important hero of the Philippines. LEARNING OBJECTIVES At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to: ❖ Discuss about Rizal’s family, childhood, and early education: ❖ Describe people and events that influence Rizal’s early life; ❖ Explain Rizal’s growth as a propagandist; and ❖ Identify the factors that led to Rizal’s execution. VOCABULARY Chinese mestizo – a person of mixed Chinese and Filipino ancestry Principalia – the ruling and usually educated upper class in Spanish colonial Philippines Bachiller en Artes – Bachelor of Arts degree bestowed by colleges or universities Spanish Cortes – Spain’s lawmaking or legislative body Ilustrado – a term which literally means “enlightened ones” or the Filipino educated in Europe Masonry – fraternal organization which strives for moral betterment RIZAL’S FAMILY Jose Rizal was born on June 19, 1861 in the town Calamba, province of laguna. Calamba, then a town with around three to four thousand inhabitants, is located 54 kilometers south of Manila. It is found in the heart of a region knowns for its agricultural prosperity and is among the major producer of sugar and rice, with an abundant variety of Life and Works of Rizal Page 11 tropical fruits. On the southern part of the town lies the majestic mount Maikling, and on the other side is the lake called Laguna de Bay. The wonder of creations that surrounded Rizal made him love nature from an early age. His student memoirs show how his love of nature influence his appreciation of the arts and sciences (Coates, 1992). Rizal’s father, Francisco Mercado, was a wealthy farmer who leased lands from the Dominican friars. Francisci’s earliest ancestors were Siang-co and Zun- nio, who later gave birth to Lam-co. Lam-co is said to have come from the district of Fujian in southern China and migrated to the Philippines in the late 1600s. In 1697, he was baptized in Binondo, adopting “Domingo” as his first name. He married Ines de la rosa of a known entrepreneurial family in Binondo. Domingo and Ines later settled in the estate of San Isidro Labrador, owned by the Dominicans. In 1731, they had a son whom they named Francisco Mercado. The surname “Mercardo,” which means “market,” was a common surname adopted by many Chinese merchant at that time (Reyno, 2012). Francisco Mercado became one of the richest in Binan and owned the largest herd of carabaos. He was also active in local politics and was elected as captain del pueblo in 1783. He had a son named Juan Mercado who was elected a captain del pueblo 1808,1813 and 1823 (Reyno, 2012). Juan Mercado married Cirila Alijandra, a native of Binan. They had 13 children, including Francisco Engracio, the father of Jose Rizal. Following governor Narciso Claveria’s decree in 1849 which ordered the Filipinos to adopt Spanish surnames, Francisco Engracio Mercado added the surname “Rizal,” from the word “racial” meaning “green field” as he later settled in the town of Calamba as a farmer growing sugar cane, rice, and indigo. Being in a privileged family, Francisco Engracio (1818 – 1898) had a good education that started in a Latin school in Binan. Afterwards, he attended the college of San Jose in Manila. In 1848, Francisco married Teodora Alonso (1826 – 1911) who belonged to one of the wealthiest families in Manila. Teodora, whose father was was a member of Spanish cortes, was educated at the Sta. Rosa. Rizal describe her as “a woman of more than ordinary culture” and that she is “ a mathematician and has read many books” (Letter to blumentritt, November 8, 1888). Because of Francisco and Teodora’s industry and hardwork , their family became a prominent member of the principalia class in the town of Calamba. Their house was among the first concrete houses to be built in the town. Rafael Palma (1949, p. 1), one of the first biographers of Jose Rizal, describe the family house: The house was high and even sumptuous, a solid and massive earthquake-proof structure with sliding shell windows. Thick walls of lime and stone bounded the first floor; the second floor was made entirely of wood except for the roof,which was of red tile, in the style of the buildings Life and Works of Rizal Page 12 in Manila at that time. Francisco himself selected the hardest wood from the forest and had them sawed; it took him more than two years to construct the house. At the back there was an azotea and a wide, deep cistern to hold rain water from home use. Jose Rizal (1861 – 1896) is the seventh among the eleven children of Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonso. The other children were: Saturnina (1850 – 1913); Paciano (1851 – 1930); Narcisa (1852 – 1939); Olimpia (1855 – 1887); Concepcion (1862 – 1865); Josefa (1865 – 1945); Trinidad (1868 – 1951); and Soledad (1870 – 1929). Rizal was affectionate to all his siblings. However, his relation with his only brother, Paciano, was more than that of an older brother. Paciano became Rizal’s second father. Rizal highly respected him and valued all his advice. It was Paciano who accompanied Rizal when he first went to school in Binan. It was also him who convinced Rizal to pursue his studies in Europe. Like Rizal, Paciano had his college education in Manila but later decided to join the Katipunan and fight for independence. After the revolution, Paciano retired to his home in Los Banos and led a quiet life until his death in 1930. CHILDHOOD AND EARLY EDUCATION Rizal had good memories of childhood in Calamba. As a family, they prayed together during the Angelus. There were times when they would stay in the garden exchanging stories. It was in this garden where he learned to appreciate nature. Rizal’s childhood was full of love and care shown to him by his parents and siblings. Due to his poor health, Rizal had a personal servant who, after the daily Angelus, would tell him legends and fairy tales. These stories made him become interested in myths and folklores. As a young boy, Rizal demonstrated intelligence and learned easily. His first teacher was Dona Teodora who taught him how to pray. He was only three years old when he learned alphabets. At very young age, he already showed a great interest in reading books. He enjoyed staying in their library at home with his mother. Eventually, Dona Teodora would notice Rizal’s skills in poetry. She would ask him to write verses. Later, she felt the need for a private torture for the young Rizal. Just like other children from the principalia class, Rizal experienced education under private tutors. His first private tutor was Maestro Celestino followed by Lucas Pauda. But it was Leon Monroy, his third tutor, who honed his skills in basic Latin, reading, and writing. This home education from private tutor prepared Rizal to formal schooling which he first experienced in Binan. Life and Works of Rizal Page 13  At the age of nine, Rizal left Calamba with his brother to study in Binan. After one- and-a-half hour of travel, they reach the town on board a carromata. They went to the house of their aunt where Rizal stayed for more than a year. Before leaving his brother, Paciano introduced Rizal to the teacher, Justiniano Aquino Cruz, who was also Paciano’s former teacher. The class, as describe by Rizal (P. Jacinto, 1879), was in a nipa house, about thirty meters away from his aunt’s house. Every day, Rizal would wake up early and either hear mass at four o’ clock in the morning or study his lesson first and go to mass after. After returning home, he would take breakfast and go to class from which he would come out at ten o’ clock and come out at five. He would pray with his cousins at six and then study for a while before going to sleep. In Binan, he excelled in Latin and Spanish. He also had painting lessons under Maestro Cruz’ father-in-law, Juancho, an old painter. Rizal’s leisure hours were mostly spent in Juancho’s studio where he was given free lessons in painting and drawing. After receiving a letter from his sister, Saturnina, Rizal returned to Calamba on December 17, 1870 after one-and-a-half year of schooling on Binan. He went home on board the steamship talim and was accompanied by Arturo Camps, a French man and friend of his father (P. Jacinto, 1879). Student of Manila Rizal was sent by his father to Ateneo Municipal, formerly known as Escuela Pia, for a six-year program, Bachiller en Artes. He took the entrance exam on June 10, 1872, four months after the execution of Gomburza. He followed the advice of his brother, Paciano, to use the name José Rizal instead of Jose Mercado. He feared that Rizal might run into trouble if it was known openly that they were brothers since Paciano was known to have links to Jose Burgos, one of the leaders of the secularization movement and one of three priests executed. During this time, Ateneo Municipal was known to offer the best education for boys. Like all colleges in Manila, Ateneo was managed by priests, but with an important difference in the sense that these religious were not friars but Jesuit Fathers. Students in Ateneo were required to attend masses in the morning before the start of classes. Ateneo was also known for its rigid discipline and religious instruction that trained students character. Students in Ateneo were divided into two groups, the Romans and the Carthaginians. The Roman Empire was composed of students boarding at Ateneo while the Life and Works of Rizal Page 14 Carthaginian Empire was composed of non-boarding students. This grouping was done to stimulate the spirit of competition among the students. At the start, Rizal lagged behind his classmates but because of his perseverance and seriousness in studies, he became the "emperor" a title given to the most outstanding student in class, in just a month's time (Zaide & Zaide, 1999). Rizal studied at Ateneo from 1872-1877. In those years, he consistently showed excellence in his academic performance. He passed the oral examination on March 14, 1877 and graduated with a degree Bachiller en Artes, with the highest honors. After finishing Bachiller en Artes, Rizal was sent by Don Francisco to the University of Santo Tomas. Initially, Doña Teodora opposed the idea for fear of what had happened to Gomburza. Despite this, Rizal still pursued university education and enrolled in UST. During his freshman year (1877-1878), he attended the course Philosophy and Letters. Also in the same year, he took up a vocational course in Ateneo that gave him the title perit agrimensor (expert surveyor) issued on November 25, 1881. In his second year at UST, Rizal shifted his course to Medicine. He felt the need to fake up this course after learning about his mother's failing eyesight. Rizal's academic performance in UST was not as impressive as that in Ateneo. He was a good student in Medicine but not as gifted as he was in Arts and Letters. Despite this, he was still one of the seven students who remained in the course in his last year at UST out of the original batch of twenty-four (Jose, 2011). In 1882, Rizal and Paciano made a secret pact-Rizal would go to Europe to complete his medical studies there and prepare himself for the great task of liberating the country from Spanish tyranny. Life and Works of Rizal Page 15  UNIT III RIZAL’S HIGHER EDUCATION AND LIFE ABROAD LEARNING OBJECTIVES At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to: ❖ Explained the principle of assimilation advocated by the Propaganda movement; ❖ Appraised Rizal’s relationship with other propagandists; ❖ Analyzed Rizal’s growth as a propagandist and disapproval of assimilation Rizal's Higher Education at UST Rizal's higher education started in college, after completing his Bachelor of Arts (a high school diploma equivalent). His higher education was spent most in UST. Both and Don Francisco wanted Rizal to enter a university but Doña Teordora opposed the idea because the Spaniards might "cut-off his head". The Bachelor of arts course during the Spanish time is only equivalent to high school diploma or junior college today. In April, when Rizal was nearly 16 years old, he enrolled at UST. He took up Philosophy and Letters because his father liked it and he was uncertain as to what course he would pursue. At first, he was attracted to a priesthood (he would have been a Jesuit priest). The Jesuit fathers wanted him to take up farming but Rizal's choice was between Literature and Law and Medicine. Having a talent for self-expression and a keen sense of justice he would have been a brilliant lawyer. Having received Father Pablo Ramon's (Rector of Ateneo) advice to study medicine, he took up medical course enrolling simultaneously in pre-medical course and regular medical course. While at UST, he also studied at Ateneo taking up vocational course leading to the title perito agrimensor (expert surveyor). He excelled in all subjects in surveying course and obtained gold medals in Agriculture and Topography. He passed the final examination in the surveying course and granted the title as surveyor in November 25, 1881. While at Ateneo pursuing the surveying course, he became active in extracurricular activities. He was elected President of the Academy of Spanish Literature and Secretary of the Academy of Spanish Literature. He was also a Secretary of the Marian Congregation. While at UST, he fell in love with three (3) women. During his first year, he fell in love with a woman simply called "Miss L", a woman with a fair, seductive and attractive eye. Life and Works of Rizal Page 16 The romance died like a natural death because of two reasons: (1) the sweet menmory of Segunda Katigbak (the first sweetheart of Rizal) was still fresh in his memory and (2) Rizal's father did not like the family of "Miss L". The identity of "Miss L" is lost in history. During his sophomore year, he courted Leonor Valenzuela (Orang). a tall girl with regal bearing. He sent her love notes in invisible ink (combination of table salt and water). Nevertheless, he taught Orang to heat it over a candle or lamp so that the words may appear. But as with Segunda Katigbak, he stopped visiting the woman "Miss L". During his junior year, Rizal had a romance with Leonor Rivera, of Camiling, Tarlac. Leonor was a frail, pretty girl and a student of La Concordia College. Both Rizal and Leonor were engaged. Rizal used a sign name "Taimis' to camouflage their relationship from their parents. Rizal studied at UST from 1878 to 1882. His grade in the Medicine subjects consisted of 2 Excellent, 3 Very Good, 8 Good, and 2 Fair (Physics, General Pathology). The subjects of which he got excellent grades were Cosmology and Metaphysics, Theodicy, History and Philosophy (Philosophy and Letters all in Ateneo) and Chemistry and Therapeutics in Medicine (UST). His grades at UST College of Medicine was not as impressive as what he got in Ateneo Philosophy and Letters due to hostility of the Dominican professors to him, backward method of instruction (subjects were taught without laboratory experiments - laboratory apparatuses were just kept inside showcases for display purposes), and racial discrimination against Filipino students. During his college days at UST and Ateneo, Rizal was involved in brawls and Spanish brutality. During the summer vacation in 1878, while walking on a dimly street not knowing the figure close to him, he did not greet and say "good evening The vague figure (turned out to be a lieutenant of the Guardia Civil) struck Rizal's back with his sword. The wound though not serious, lasted for two weeks. He reported the incident to Pardo de Tavera, Spanish Governor General, but nothing came out of his complaint. In another student brawls near Escolta in Manila, Rizal was wounded on the head. His Filipino friends brought him bleeding and covered with dust to his boarding house, "Casa Tomasina". Leonor Rivera, one of his sweethearts, washed and dressed his wounds. Unlike in Ateneo, Rizal was unhappy at UST because the Dominican university professors were hostile to him; the Filipinos who were called indios were discriminated by the Spaniards, and the method of instruction was obsolete and repressive. After completing the fourth-year term in medicine, Rizal decided to study in Spain because he could no longer endure the discrimination and oppression at UST and because in Spain, the professors were more liberal than those in UST. Life and Works of Rizal Page 17 Rizal's Travel, Life and Education Abroad Dr. Jose Rizal was considered as the "Most Travelled Filipino Hero". He travelled to almost 20 countries and about 40 island cities. The following events took place during 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 his older brother Paciano, uncle Antonio Rivera (father of Leonor Rivera), sisters Neneng and Lucia, the Valenzuela family and their daughter Orang, Pedro A. Paterno, his compadre Mateo Evangelista, the Ateneo Jesuit priest and some intimate friends knew of his secret departure. Before Rizal's secret departure, he wrote a farewell letter to his parents and his sweetheart Leonor Rivera which was delivered to them - atter he sailed away. May 3, 1882 - On board the Spanish steamer, Salvadora Rizal departed for Spain using Jose Mercado, on his travel documents. His main reason in leaving the Philippines was to transfer at the Universidad Central de Madrid in Spain and to finish his medicine course. On board the steamer were 16 passengers, including Rizal. He was the only Filipino, the rest were Spaniards, British, and Indian Negroes. May 8, 1882 - On his way to Spain, he had a two-day stopover in Singapore, and English colony. He reached the island considered by him as "Talim Island with the Susong Dalaga" on May 8, 1882. The following day, May 9, Rizal registered at Hotel de la Paz and spent two-day sightseeing sorties of the city. He saw the Botanical garden, the famous Buddhist Temple and the founder of Singapore, Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles. May 11, 1882 - He was on board the steamer Djemnah, a French. steamer, much larger and cleaner than Salvadora. On board the vessel were British, French, Dutch, Spaniards, Malays, Siamese, and Filipinos like Mr. and Mrs. Salazar, Vicente Pardo, and Rizal himself. French was mostly spoken on board because it was a French vessel. May 17, 1882 - He arrived at Point Galle (Punta De Gallo), a seacoast town in southern Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). The town is picturesque, lovely, quiet, and sad at the same time Life and Works of Rizal Page 18 according to Rizal. May 18, 1882 - he had a stopover at Colombo, the capital of Ceylon. According to Rizal, Colombo is more beautiful, smart, elegant than Singapore, Point Galle and Manila. May 28, 1882 - From Colombo, Ceylon, the Djemnah continued voyage and crossed the Indian Ocean until it reached Cape of Guardafin, Africa. Rizal called Africa as famous but inhospitable land. Then he reached Aden. Here he went ashore for sightseeing. He found the city hotter than Manila. He saw camels for the first time. June 2, 1882 - From Aden, he proceeded to Suez Canal. It took 5 days to travel the Suez Canal. Upon arrival, Rizal disembarked and went sightseeing. It was his first trip in this canal. He was impressed of the moonlight which reminded him of Calamba. Then, he proceeded to the Red Sea Terminal before reaching Post Said (Mediterranean terminal of Suez Canal), Rizal went ashore for sightseeing. He was fascinated to hear multiracial inhabitants speaking a babel of tongues- Arabic, Egyptians, Greek, French, Italian, Spanish. June 11, 1882 - From Port Said, the steamer proceeded to Europe and reached Naples City, Italy. Rizal was fascinated by Mount Vesuvius, the Castle of St. Telno, and the historic sights of the city. The city is busy because of its business activity, lively people and panoramic beauty. June 12, 1882 - The steamer docked at the French harbor of Marseilles. Rizal disembarked to visit Chateau d'ef where Dantes, the hero in The Count of Monte Cristo was jailed. He stayed at Marseilles tor two and a half days at Hotel Noailles tor three (3) days. June 15, 1883 - The steamer left Marseilles by train on its last trip to Spain. The steamer reached Pyrenees and stopped for a day at Port Bou. In this place, Rizal saw the indifference accorded to tourists in comparison to the courtesy accorded by the French immigration officers. June 16, 1882 - From port Bou, Rizal continued his trip for the last lap by train from Spain and finally reached his destination - Barcelona, Spain. Rizal stayed in Hotel de España and in Sitges Street with Tomas Cabangis and boarded a house in San Severo Street. He visited Ronda de la Universidad de Barcelona and San Pablo Hospital in the City of Barcelona. At Life and Works of Rizal Page 19 first, Rizal had a bad impression of Barcelona-ugly, dirty little inns, inhospitable people – because he happened to stay upon his arrival in a stingy hotel. Later, he changed his mind and came to like the city -as a great city with and atmosphere of freedom and liberalism and the people were open-hearted, hospitable, and courageous. He enjoyed promenading along Las Rambles. the famous Barcelona Street. Life in Barcelona. Rizal was welcomed by the Filipinos in Barcelona, some of whom were his classmates in Ateneo. They gave him a party at their favorite café Plaza de Catalina. They exchanged toast and they told Rizal of the attractions and customs of the people in Barcelona. Rizal, in turn, gave news and gossips in the Philippines. While in Barcelona, Rizal received two bad news. The first bad news was about the cholera outbreak that ravaged Manila and the provinces. The second bad news was the chatty letter of Chenggoy recounting the unhappiness of Leonor Rivera, who was getting thinner due to the absence of a loved one. November 3, 1882 - On the advice of Paciano to Rizal, to finish medical course in Madrid, Rizal left Barcelona in the fall of 1882 and went to Madrid, the capital of Spain. On November 3, 1882, he enrolled in the Universidad Central de Madrid (Central University of Madrid) in Medicine and Philosophy and Letters. In Madrid, he lodged at Visitacion Street, No. 3., 3rd floor (Room 4) in 1883. In October 1884, 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, took tutoring lessons in French and English and practiced fencing and shooting in the Hall of Arms of Sanz Carbonell. Life in Madrid - Rizal lived frugally, rigidly budgeting his money wisely. Although he used to buy tickets in every draw of the Madrid Lottery, he never wasted his money for gambling, wine and women. Rizal spent his leisure time by reading books, such as on military engineering to broaden his cultural background. As a lover of books, he purchased books from a second-hand bookstore owned by a certain Roses. In fact, he was able to build a fair-sized private library in his boarding house. In the gymnasium, he practiced shooting and fencing. At other times, he visited his Filipino friends at the house of Paterno brothers. He also fraternized with other students at the Antigua Café d Levantes. On Saturday evenings, he visited the home of Don Pablo Ortega y Rey (father of Consuelo), who has been the city mayor of Manila during the administration of Governor Carlos de la Life and Works of Rizal Page 20 Torre (1869-1871). During one of his visits to the Ortega's house, he became attracted by Consuelo's beauty and charm. During his stay in Barcelona and Madrid, hard times occurred in Calamba, 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 -the rental increase was a consequence of the failure of Don Francisco to give turkeys to the hacienda manager. Likewise, to send money to Rizal in Madrid, Paciano was forced to sell Rizal's pony. June 21, 1884 - Rizal was conferred the Licentiate in Medicine with a rating of "Fair" by the Universidad Central de Madrid after completing 5th year (1882-83) and 6" year term (1883-84). In his six (6) subjects, he got "Excellent" in Legal Medicine and "Fair" in Obstetrician Clinic. He got "Good" and "Very Good" in the other subjects. In the next academic year (1884-85), he passed all the subjects leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In his three (3) subjects, he got "Fair in History of Medical Science, "Good" in Surgical Analysis and an "Excellent" in Normal Histology. He, however, was not conferred the degree of Doctor of Medicine for failure to present a thesis required for graduation and pay for the corresponding fee. Nevertheless, by obtaining a degree of Licentiate in Medicine, he became a full-pledged physician and qualified to practice medicine. He was not interested in taking the post-degree of Doctor of Medicine because such a degree is good only for teaching purposes, and he knew that no friar-owned university in the Philippines would accept him for a teaching position because of his brown color. June 24, 1884 - Rizal was broke. With empty stomach, he attended his classes at the University, participated in the contest in Greek language and won the gold medal. On the evening of June 24 however, he was able to take his dinner because he was a guest honor of San Juan and Felix Resurrecion Hidalgo at Restaurant Ingles in Madrid. November 20, 1884 - Student demonstrations started to explode at the Universidad Central de Madrid due to the expulsion of Dr. Miguel Morayta, professor of history in the University. The Catholic Bishops of Spain excommunicated Dr. Morayta because of his liberal view in which he proclaimed the "freedom of science and teacher during the opening ceremonies of the academic year in November 20. Angered by the bigotry of the Catholic bishops. Life and Works of Rizal Page 21  Rizal together with other students armed with clubs, stones, fists fought the government forces during the demonstrations. Many University professors, including the University Rector who took the side of the students, were forced to resign. During the demonstrations, the student’s protesters shouted "Viva Morayta! Down with Bishops." June 19, 1885-On his 24h birthday anniversary, Rizal was awarded the degree of Licenciate in Philosophy and Letters by the Universidad Central de Madrid with a rating of "Excellent" (Sobresaliente). By obtaining this degree, he became qualified to be a protessor of humanities in any Spanish University June 25, 1885- Rizal was invited to speak in a banquet to celebrate the double victory of two (2) Filipino artists, Juan Luna's "Spoliarium" winning first prize and Felix Hidalgo's "Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace" winning second prize, in the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid. He saluted Luna and Hidalgo tor their artistic achievements. October, 1885-Rizal had a stopover in Barcelona on his way to Paris. He visited his friend Maximo Viola, member of a rich family from San Miguel, Bulacan. He stayed for a week with Maximo Viola at a lodge in Vergara No.1, 3 floor Room 2. He also befriended Eusebio Corominas, editor of the newspaper La Publisidad. November, 1885 - Rizal went to Paris and lived there for four (4) months where he worked as an assistant to Dr. Louis de Wecker, a leading French ophthalmologist. He rapidly improved his knowledge in ophthalmology. Outside of his working hours, he relaxed by visiting his friends. He also went to Luna's studio. He helped by posing as a model in several paintings. Rizal posed as Egyptian priest in Luna's canvass "The Death of Cleopatra" and Sikatuna in Luna's great painting "The Blood Compact”. February 3, 1886 - After four (4) months of stay in Paris, he left Paris for Heidelberg, Germany. He lived for a short time, with German law students in a boarding house but later on transferred to a boarding house near the University of Heidelberg. Since Rizal was a good chess player, he was made a member of the Chess Players Club. He became a popular friend to the German so that the German students joined him in beer drinking, saber duel, and chess games. Rizal worked at the University Eye Hospital under Dr. Otto Becker, a distinguished German ophthalmologist and attended lectures of Dr. Becker and Prof. Wilhelm Kuehne at Life and Works of Rizal Page 22 the University. During weekends, he had sightseeing at the scenic spots at Heidelberg, the famous Heidelberg Castle, romantic Neckar River, old churches, etc. He also spent a 3-month summer vacation at Wilhelmsteld, a mountainous village near Heidelberg. Here, he became a good friend of Dr. Karl Ullmer, a Protestant pastor. June 25, 1886- Rizal left Wilhelmsfeld. He returned to Heidelberg carrying with him beautiful memories of the Ulmer friendship and hospitality. July3,1886-Rizal wrote his first letter in German to Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt, an Austrian ethnologist interested in Philippine languages, who was at that time the Director of Ateneo of Lemeritz, Austria. He also sent Blumentritt the book "Aritmetica" written in two languages, Spanish and Tagalog. authored by Rufino Baltazar Hernandez of Santa Cruz and to reciprocate him, Blumentritt also sent Rizal a gift of two books. This marked the beginning of long and lasted all their lives. Blumentritt, an Austrian became the best friend of Rizal. August 6, 1886 - Heidelberg held its 5 centenary celebration. The celebration was held in three days. Rizal was sad to leave Heidelberg because he had come to love the beautiful city and its hospitable people. August 9, 1886- Rizal left Heidelberg and boarded a train, visited other cities of Germany and arrived at Leipzig. August 14, 1886 - He arrived at Leipzig. He attended some lectures at the University of Leipzig in history and psychology. Prof. Friedrich Ratzel, a famous German historian and Dr. Hans Meyer, German anthropologist became Rizal's friends. Rizal translated Schellers William Tell and Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales into Tagalog. He also corrected some chapters at the city’s gymnasium. Rizal found Leipzig as the cheapest in Europe and so he stayed for two and a halt months. October 29, 1886 - He arrived at Dresden, Germany and met Dr. Adolf B. Meyer, Director of the Anthropological and Ethnological Museum. Here, he heard mass in the morning. He stayed two days in the city. November 1, 1886 - Rizal left Dresden by train and reached Berlin in the evening. Rizal Life and Works of Rizal Page 23 met for the first time Dr. Feodor Jagor, famous German Scientist- traveler and author of Travels in the Philippines. Dr. Jagor visited the Philippines in 1859 when Rizal was still a boy. Rizal met the following famous personalities: Dr, Rudolf Virchow, famous German anthropologist, Dr. Hans Virchow, professor of Descriptive Anatomy and son of Dr. Rudolf Virchow; Dr. W. Joest, a German geographer, and Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger, famous German ophthalmologist. For a while, Rizal worked in the clinic of Dr. Schweigger. Upon the recommendation of Dr. Jagor and Meyer, he became member of the Anthropological Society, Ethnological Society and Geographical Society of Berlin. Life in Berlin. Rizal became impressed in Berlin because of its scientific atmosphere and absence of racial race. He lived in Berlin in a frugal life. He worked as an assistant in Dr. Schweigger's clinic. At night, he attended lectures in the University of Berlin. He took private lesson under French Professor Madame Lucie Cerdale. He 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. He promenaded along Unter den linden, the most popular boulevard of Berlin. During the winter of 1886 in Berlin, he lived in poverty because he was flat broke. 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 had to eat only one meal a day, and the daily meal consisted of bread and water or cheap vegetable soup. He washed his clothes because he cannot afford to pay the laundry. Paciano was delayed in raising the necessary funds, Rizal's health broke down. he began and feared that he was going to be sick with tuberculosis. After several months, 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. Rizal went to Berlin for five (5) reasons: (1) to increase his knowledge in ophthalmology; (2) to broaden his studies of sciences and languages; (3) to observe political and economic conditions of Germany; (4) to associate with famous German scientist and scholars, and (5) to publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere. May 11, 1887 - Rizal and Viola left Berlin for Dresden (one of the best cities in Germany). They visited Dr. Adolph B. Meyer. In the Museum of Arts, Rizal was deeply impressed by a painting of "Prometheus Bound". While strolling at the scene of the Floral Exposition, they met Dr. Jagor. Dr. Jagor suggested that they must send a wire to Blumentritt. Life and Works of Rizal Page 24 May 13, 1887- Rizal and Viola on board a train reached Leitmeritz, Bohemia (now Czechoslovakia). Professor Blumentritt received their wire and met Wizal and Viola warmly. They greeted each other in German. Professor Blumentritt helped Rizal and Viola get a room at Hotel Krebs, after which brought them to his house and introduced them to his wife and children. The two enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Blumentritt family. One afternoon, 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 of which Blumentritt was the secretary. At Leitmeritz, Rizal met another famous scientist of Europe, Dr. Carlos Czepelan and another eminent naturalist Robert Klutschak. On their last night at Leitmeritz, Rizal and Viola tendered a banquet in honor of Professor Blumentritt at the hotel. May 17, 1887- Rizal and Viola left Leitmeritz by train on their way to the city of Prague. They carried recommendation letters of Professor Blumentritt to Dr. Willhomm, professor of natural history in the University of Prague. The two were welcomed by the family of Dr. Willhomm and showed the city's historic spots. May 19, 1887-Rizal and Viola went to Brunn City but nothing of importance happened during their visit. May 20, 1887-Rizal and Viola arrived in the city of Vienna, capital of Austria-Hungary. They stayed at Hotel Metropole. they visited famous interesting scenic places like churches, museums, art galleries, theaters, public parks, beautiful buildings, religious images. Because of this, Vienna was called the "Queen of the Danube. They also met Mr. Norfentoe, one of the greatest novelists in Europe. They also met Masner and Nordmenn, Austrian scholars. May 24, 1887- Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a river boat to see the beautiful sights of the Danube river. The river voyage ended in Lintz, afterwards, they travelled on land to Salzburg and from there to Munich. In Munich, they had a short time savoring the famous Munich beer, reputed to be the best beer in Germany. From Munich, they went to Nuremberg one of the oldest cities of Germany. Rizal and Viola were very much impressed by the manufacturer of dolls which was the biggest industry of the city. After Munich, they visited Ulm, particularly the city cathedral, the "largest and tallest in all Germany”. Viola climbed its many hundred steps, he was tired and felt dizzy. Rizal, on the other hand, climbed the stairs without resting to reach the top. Life and Works of Rizal Page 25  From Ulm, they went to Stuttgart, Baden and Rheinfall (cascade of the Rhine). The waterfall of Rheintall was considered as the "most beautiful waterfall of Europe". June 2-3, 1887- Rizal and Viola continued their trip on a boat and reached Basel (Bale), Bern, Lausenne. After sightseeing in Lausenne, they crossed the foggy lake of Geneva. June 6, 1887 - Rizal and Viola reached Geneva, Switzerland and lodged in bel Air, No. 2, Rue de Rhine. Geneva is one of the most beautiful cities of Europe. The Geneva people spoke in three languages: French, German, and Italian. Rizal was able to converse in theses languages. Rizal and Viola went boating on the lake. They also had a beach excursion wherein Rizal showed his rowing prowess which he acquired during his boyhood in Calamba. While in Geneva, Rizal received the sad news from his friends in Madrid of the deplorable conditions of the Igorots of Northern Luzon who were exhibited in the 1887 Madrid Exposition, some of whom died. Their scanty clothing and crude weapons were objects of laughter and mockery by the Spániards. June 19, 1887 - It was Rizal's 26th birthday, he treated Viola to a blow-out with a sumptuous meal, On this day, Rizal wrote to Blumentritt regarding an industrial exhibition. After five years of stay in Europe and other places, Rizal decided to return home to the Philippines. June 23, 1887 - Rizal and Viola parted ways. They both spent 15 delightful days in Geneva. Viola returned to Barcelona while Rizal continued his tour to Italy. June 24, 1887 - From Geneva, Rizal went to Italy and visited Turin, Milan, Venice, and Florence. June 27, 1887 - Rizal reached Rome, the "Eternal City" and the "City of the Caezars". He wrote to Blumentritt that Rome is a sanctuary of heroes. He had sightseeing on his favorite places like the Amphitheater, the Roman Forum, museums, and churches like the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. He had seen also the Capitolium, Tarpein Rock, Platinum and the Roman Romanium which are glorious. He did not like café singers or to enter cafes because he disliked French songs or see modern industries. June 29, 1887 - Rizal visited for the first time the Vatican, the "City of the Popes" and the Life and Works of Rizal Page 26 capital of the Christiandom. It was the feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul. He had sightseeing and 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 got tired of sightseeing the whole day. After a week of travel in Rome, Rizal was prepared to return to the Philippines. June 29, 1887- Rizal wrote to his father announcing that he is coming home. Paciano, Silvestre Ubaldo (his brother in-law), Chengoy (Jose M. Cecilio) and other friends warned him not to return home because of the publication of his "NOLI ME TANGERE" which caused uproar and anger among the friars in the Philippines. Rizal did not heed their warning. He was determined to return home for the following reasons: (1) to operate on his mother' s eyes; (2) to serve the Filipino people who were oppressed by the Spanish tyrants; (3) to determine how his "NOLI" and other writings affected the Filipinos and Spaniards; and (4) to inquire on the conditions of Leonor Rivera. July 3, 1887- Rizal left Rome by train for Marseilles, a French port and boarded the Djemnah a Manila-bound steamer. On this steamer were 50 passengers (4 Englishmen, 2 German, 3 Chinese, 2 Japanese, Filipino Rizal)) and many Frenchmen. Rizal was the only passenger who could speak many languages. On board, he played chess while others on the piano and accordion. July 30, 1887 - In Saigon, he transferred to another steamer Haiphong which was bound for Manila. August 2, 1887 - Steamer Haiphong left Saigon for Manila. From Saigon to Manila, the voyage was pleasant and enjoyable. Rizal slept soundly while the steamer was on its voyage. August 5, 1887 - The steamer Haiphong arrived in Manila. He found Manila the same as when he left it five years ago. He stayed in the city for a short time to visit his friends. August 8, 1887 - Rizal returned home to Calamba. He was met affectionately and with plentiful tears of joy. However, his family became worried for his safety so Paciano did not leave him during his first days after arrival. His father did not let him go out alone. Life and Works of Rizal Page 27 Rizal's Brief Stay in Calamba after Returning Home from His First Trip Abroad Upon his return from abroad, Rizal established a medical clinic in Calamba. His first patient was his mother who was almost blind. This was the primary reason he took up medicine and decided to finish it abroad. Rizal treated his mother's eye but cannot yet perform surgical operation because her cataract was not yet ripe. Some patients from Manila and nearby provinces flocked to Calamba for treatment. Soon Rizal acquired a lucrative medical practice earning P900 a month and after a year, he earned a total of P5,000. His professional fees were reasonable. Those who were poor were treated free of charge. During this six (6) months stay in Calamba, he failed to see Leonor Rivera. He attempted to go to Dagupan, Pangasinan (now Dagupan City) but his parents prevented him because Leonor's mother did not like Rizal for a son-in-law. A few weeks after Rizal's arrival in Calamba, there were threats over Rizal's life due to the publication of his book "Noli". The friars and other Spanish authorities considered it as "heretical, impious, scandalous in the religious order, anti-patriotic, subversive of public order and injurious to the government of Spain and its functions in the Philippine islands". Despite the government prohibition in the circulation of the book, many Filipinos got hold of copies which they read at night behind closed doors. Governor General Emilio Terrero (1885-88), being liberal minded general refused to be intimidated by the friars. In fact, he assigned a young Spanish Lieutenant, Don Jose Taviel de Andrade as bodyguard to prevent Rizal from being harassed. Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, Jose Bech and Father Federico Faura, Rizal's Jesuit professors believed that everything in "Noli" was the truth but they were afraid that Rizal might be arrested and persecuted. In addition to his controversial book "Noli" the Dominican friars got more furious because of Rizal's exposure of the deplorable conditions of tenancy in Calamba which infuriated further his enemies. This alarmed his parents, relatives, and friends and even Lt. Andrade. Thus, the governor-general advised Rizal to escape and leave the Philippines for his own good. Rizal's Second Trip Abroad February 3, 1888 - After a short stay of six months in Calamba, Rizal was forced to leave his country for the second time. Rizal left Manila for Hongkong on board the Zafiro. He was sick and sad to leave Calamba. February 7, 1888 - The steamer made a brief stopover at Amoy. But he got off the ship Life and Works of Rizal Page 28 because he was not feeling well and that the city was dirty. February 8, 1888- He arrived in Hongkong, a British colony. He stayed at the Victoria Hotel, Hongkong. According to Rizal, it was a small but very clean city. He was welcomed by Filipino residents like Jose Maria Basa, Balbino Mauricio, and Manuel Yriarte. There were other Filipinos in Hongkong but they were generally poor, gentle, and timid. While in Hongkong, he observed the noisy celebration of the Chinese New Year due to continuous explosions of firecrackers, the noisy audience and music in a Chinese theatre, the marathon lauriat party where guests were served numerous dishes. He also visited Hongkong cemeteries. The Dominican Order was the richest religious order in Hongkong. February 18, 1888- Rizal and Basa visited Macao, a Portuguese colony. They boarded the ferry steamer, Ku-Kiang. The city is small, low and gloomy. There are many junks, sampans, but few steamers. The city looks sad and almost dead. In this place, they stayed at the home of Don Juan Francisco Lecaros, a Filipino married to a Portuguese lady. Lecaros was rich and had a wide garden planted with trees and flowering plants. In Macao, Rizal and Basa visited the theatre, casino, cathedral, churches, pagodas, botanical gardens, and bazaars. They saw the famous Grotto of Camoens, Portugal’s' national poet. February 20, 1888 - After their two-day sojourn in Macao, Rizal and Basa returned to Hongkong on board again on the steamer Ku-Kiang. February 21, 1888 - Rizal and Basa went back to Hongkong. Rizal stayed in Hongkong for almost two weeks. While in Hongkong, Jose Sainz de Varonda, a Spaniard, was commissioned by the Spanish authorities to spy on Rizal. February 22, 1888 - Rizal left Hongkong alone. on board the Oceanic, an American steamer for Japan, his next destination. Rizal liked the ship because it was clean and efficiently managed but did not like the meals on board. Other passengers of the ship were two Portuguese, two Chinese, several British, and an American woman Protestant missionary. His cabin mate was a British Protestant missionary who lived in China for 27 years. February 28, 1888 - Rizal arrived in Yokohama, Japan and registered at the Grand Hotel. Life and Works of Rizal Page 29 February 29, 1888 - He proceeded to Tokyo and took a room at Tokyo Hotel where he stayed for six (6) days. Japan was to him the "Land of the Cherry Blossoms" because of its natural beauty and the charming manners of the Japanese people. When he was in Tokyo, he was visited by Juan Perez Caballero, secretary of the Spanish legation. Tokyo is more expensive than Paris. The streets are large and wide, according to Rizal's letter to Blumentritt. During his first day in Tokyo, Rizal was embarrassed because he did not know the Japanese language although he looked like a Japanese. he had a hard time shopping for he could not be understood. To avoid further embarrassment, he decided to study the Japanese language. In a few days, he was able to speak the language. He also studied the Japanese drama (kabuki), and visited the museums, libraries, art galleries, shrines, and Japanese villages. While he was promenading the Tokyo Park, Rizal heard the band playing Western music. He was impressed by the superb performance of the band. However, he was not impressed of 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, a pretty Japanese girl and the only daughter of a Japanese samurai. Her real name was Seiko Usui but Rizal called her O-Sei-San. They almost met daily as they visited interesting spots of the city, like the Imperial Art Gallery, the lmperial Library, the city parks and picturesque shrines. O-Sei-San served as Rizal's guide, interpreter, and tutor. April 13, 1888 - Rizal boarded the Belgic, an English steamer bound for the United States. he left Japan very sad because he would never see again the beautiful land and his beloved O-Sei-San. O-Sei-San mourned for a long time for the loss of her lover - Jose Rizal. Nevertheless, the sojourn in Japan for 45 days was one of the happiest interlude in Rizal's life. On board the Belgic, he met a passenger, Techo Suchero which Rizal befriended. They exchanged pleasantries. Techo was a Japanese newspaperman who was jailed in his country for his articles and principles and was exiled. Rizal talked in different languages. The ship carried 643 Chinese people and other nationalities. April 28, 1888 - Rizal and Techo arrived in San Francisco Port on Saturday morning of April Life and Works of Rizal Page 30 28. All passengers were not allowed to land because the ship was placed on a quarantine on the ground that it came from the Far East where cholera was alleged to be raging. Rizal soon discovered that placing the ship under quarantine was prompted by politics. The American authorities were against cheap labor from China that displaced American laborers in railroads construction. The ship was carrying many Chinese workers. Atter a week of quarantine, all first class passengers, including Rizal were permitted to land but the Chinese and Japanese passengers of the second and third class accommodations were forced to remain on board. May 4, 1888- It was the day when Rizal and the other passengers were permitted to land. Rizal registered at the Palace Hotel, a first-class hotel of the city of San Francisco. he stayed in this city for two days. the President of the United States at this time was George Cleveland. May 6, 1888-Rizal left San Francisco to Oakland (a distance of nine miles) on a Sunday at 4:30 p.m. by ferry boat. In Oakland, he took his supper at Sacramento for 75 cents and slept in his coach. May 7, 1888- Rizal boarded a train for trip across the continent (May 7 at Reno, Nevada; May 8, Utah, Ogden, Denver; May 9, Colorado; May 10, Nebraska; May 11, Chicago; May 12, Canada (an English Territory); May 13, Albany). His transcontinental trip ended on Sunday, May 13 at 11:10 a.m. May 13, 1888- Rizal reached New York on a Sunday morning. He stayed three days in the city which Rizal called "The Big Town". He visited the memorial of George Washington, and other scenic and historic places. May 18, 1888 - He left New York for Liverpool on board the City of Rome, the second largest ship in the world during his time. Rizal visited the colossal Statue of Liberty on Bedloe Island. Rizal's Impression of America Two years after Rizal's visit to America, Jose Alejandro, his roommate in Brussels asked Rizal on his sad and good impression of America. The good impression of Rizal was that America is a progressive nation with great cities, huge farms, flourishing industries and Life and Works of Rizal Page 31 busy factories, the American people were energetic and hard-working; the cities were beautiful; standard of living is high: and there are better opportunities for a better life especially the poor immigrants. However, the bad impressions of Rizal were: racial prejudice existed, democracy and freedom were only in words, not practiced; and have no true civil liberty. As a whole, Rizal said that America is the land par excellence of freedom but only for the whites. May 25, 1888- he went to London and stayed there for a short time as guest at the home of Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, a practicing lawyer in London and exile of 1872. Later he lodged at 37 Chalcot, Crescent, Primrose Hill. He boarded at Beckett family. Mr. Beckett was the organist of St. Paul's church. Gertrude called "Gettie" or "Tottie" was the oldest of the Beckett sisters. He spent Sundays in the house of Dr. Reinhold Rost, the librarian of the ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Authority of Malayan languages. Rizal played cricket (English game) and boxed with Dr. Rost son. Rizal also spent most of his time in the British Museums annotating Morga's book, Successos de los Islas Filipinas (Historical Events of the Philippine Islands), which was published in Mexico in 1609. For about ten (10) months, Rizal was deeply immersed in his historical studies in London. While in London, Rizal received bad and good news, the bad news were: (1) persecution of the Filipino patriots who signed the petition addressed to the Queen Regent of Spain requesting the expulsion of the friars in the Philippines. The petition was signed by M.H. Del Pilar and 800 patriots; (2) attacks on Rizal by Senators Salamanca and Vida in the Spanish Cortes and Wenceslao E. Retana or "Desenganos" and Pablo Feced or "Quiquiap" in the Spanish newspapers; (3) persecution of Rizal's family and other Calamba farmers for their courage to petition the government for agrarian reforms, (4) exile of Manuel T. Hidalgo, (husband of Rizalľ's oldest sister, Saturnina), by Governor-General Weyler to Bohol without due process; (5) arrest and jailing of Rizal's friend Lauriano Viado in Bilibid Prison because of the copies of "Noli" found in his house. September, 1888 - Rizal visited Paris for a week to search for more historical materials in the Biblioteque Nationale. In this place, he was entertained by Juan Luna and wife Paz Pardo de Tavera and showed their son Andres (Luling). December 11,1888-He went again to Spain and visited Madrid and Barcelona. He went to visit his compatriots Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Mariano Ponce, two great leaders of the Propaganda Movement. he exchanged ideas with them and promised to cooperate in the Life and Works of Rizal Page 32 fight for reforms. December 24, 1888 - He returned to London and spent Christmas and New Year's with the Beckett family. During the Christmaş eve (Noche Buena), Rizal wrote and sent Blumentritt a Christmas gift - a bust of Emperor Augustus which he made. He also sent to another friend Dr. Carlos Czepelak (a Polish scholar) a bust of Julius Ceasar as a Christmas gift. Knowing that Rizal had a great admiration in magic, Mrs. Beckett gave him a Christmas gift, a book entitled "The Life and Adventures of Valentine Vox, the Ventriloquist". December 31, 1888- A patriotic society was established and inaugurate called Association La Solidaridad with Rizal chosen as honorary president. The officers were Galicano Apacible, president; Graciano Lopez Jaena, vice president Manuel Santa Maria, secretary: Mariano Ponce, treasurer, Jose Ma. Panganiban, accountant. January 14, 1889-Rizal wrote Blumentritt of his proposal to establish the “International Association of Filipinologists" and have its inaugural in the French capital. Blumentritt gladly supported him. January 28, 1889 - Rizal wrote a letter addressed to the members of the Association La Solidaridad. He expressed his thanks of making him honorary president. In his letter, he stressed, among others, that the individual should give way to the welfare of society and he should not expect rewards or honors for what he does. February 15, 1889 - Graciano Lopez Jaena founded the fortnightly patriotic newspaper, La Solidaridad in Barcelona the organ of the Propaganda movement. The aims of La Solidaridad were (1) to work for a peaceful political and social reforms in the Philippines; (2) to portray the deplorable conditions of the Philippines so that Spain may remedy them; (3) to oppose the evil forces of reaction; (4) to advocate liberal ideas and progress; (5) to champion the legitimate aspirations of the Filipino people to life, democracy and happiness. On the founding of La Solidaridad, Rizal congratulated Lopes and his associates in founding La Solidaridad. However, he advised Lopez Jaena that great care should be taken in publishing only the truth. March 19, 1889 - From London, Rizal went to Paris. He organized his compatriots into a Life and Works of Rizal Page 33 society called Kidlat Club which would bring together the young Filipinos in the French capital so that they could enjoy their sojourn in the city during the duration of the Paris Universal Exposition. May 6, 1889 - Rizal and his friends attended the opening ceremonies of the Universal Exposition of Paris, Rizal saw the cutting of the ribbon of Pres. Sodi Carnot of the French Republic. The exposition drew a vast crowd of tourists and persons of more than 200,000. The greatest attraction of the exposition was the Eiffel Tower which was built by Alexander Eiffel, a famous French engineer. An international Art Competition was held in which Felix R. Hidalgo's painting won second prize, Felix Pardo de Tavera, and Juan Luna's paintings obtained third prize while Rizal's entry (a bust) did not qualify for the exhibition. June 24, 1889- Rizal stood as baptismal godfather (ninong) to a baby girl born to Juan Luna and Paz Pardo de Tavera. She was their second child, Rizal chose the name of the baby girl a "Marie de la Paz, Blanca, Laureana, Hermenegilda Juana y Pardo de Tavera". August 1889 -Rizal scheduled the holding of the inaugural convention of the "International Association of Filpinologists in Paris. The aim of the association is to study the Philippines from scientific and historical point of view. The officers were Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt (Austrian) as President; Mr. Edmund Plauchat (French) as Vice President; Dr. Reinhold Rost (Anglo-German), as counselor; Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor (Filipino-Spanish) as another counselor; and Dr. Jose Rizal (Filipino) as the secretary himself. The inaugural convention did not materialize because the French government discouraged the holding of the conference by private organizations during the period of the international exposition. September 21, 1889 - Rizal founded another society during the Universal Exposition in Paris. 1The society is called Redencion de los Malayos (Redemption of the Malays) or with initials R.D.L.M. Society. Rizal rigidly guarded its secret existence. Some of 1ts members were Gregorio Aguilera, Jose Ma. Basa, Julio Dorente, Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Mariano Ponce, Baldomero Roxas and Father Jose Maria Chongco (Filipino priest) December 25, 1889 - Rizal and Jose Albert planned to have a sumptuous dinner by preparing a Christmas dinner consisting of fried chicken, rice, and vegetable. This dinner was the last dinner of Rizal in Paris. Life and Works of Rizal Page 34 January 15, 1890 - Rizal returned to Paris. Rizal complained of a terrible headache but he was not stricken with flu which was an epidemic raging in Europe at that time,. He left Paris for two (2) reasons: (1) the cost of living in Paris is very high and his money is dwindling: (2) the gay social life of the city that hampered his literary works, especially the writing of his second novel El Filibusterismo. June 20, 1890 - Rizal wrote M.H. Del Pilar to serve as a lawyer in a land case that was appealed by the Rizal family to the Supreme Court in Spain. The Rizal family lost the case against the Dominican in Manila. July 9,1890 - Rizal wrote Mariano Ponce of Graciano Lopez Jaena's plan of going to Cuba. He said that Graciano should not go to Cuba to die of yellow fever instead he should go to the Philippines to allow himself to be killed in defense of his ideals. July 18, 1890 - Rizal also wrote Ponce of his determination to go home because of the suffering that affected his family. His parents, relatives, and friends in the Philippines were persecuted. July 29, 1890 - Rizal again wrote to Ponce on his desire to leave Brussels to go to Madrid. While Rizal was in Brussels, he has an amorous relationship with Suzanne Jacoby, a petite Belgian girl who fell in love with Rizal. She cried when Rizal left toward the end of July, 1890 tor Madrid, stopping for a few days in Paris. Early in August, 1890 0 - Rizal arrived in Madrid. upon arrival in Madrid, he immediately sought the help of the Filipino colony, the Association-Hispano Filipina and the liberal Spanish newspapers in order to protest the injustices committed by Governor General Valeriano Weyler and the Dominican friars against the Calamba people. Nothing came out in securing justice for the oppressed Calamba tenants, his family and relatives. August 19, 1890 - Rizal received a sad news on the untimely death of his friend, Jose Ma. Panganiban, a talented Bicolano and co-workers in the Propaganda Movement. Panganiban died in Barcelona on this date after a lingering illness. August 30, 1890 - Rizal attended a social reunion of the Filipinos in Madrid. Juan Luna, who was no longer sober and was jealous of Rizal because he was frustrated with his Life and Works of Rizal Page 35 romance with Nellie Boustead, made unsavory remarks against Nellie. Rizal who have a high sense of chivalry heard the unsavory remarks or Luna. He then challenged the latter to a duel. The Filipinos who were present during the occasion pacified the two pointing out to both that such duel would jeopardize their cause in Spain. Fortunately, when Luna became sober, he realized his bad remarks against Nellie and thereafter apologized to Rizal. Rizal accepted his apology and the two became friend again. On another occasion, Rizal challenged Wenceslao E. Retana, his bitter enemy. Retana used to attack the Filipinos including Rizal in various newspapers in Madrid and other cities in Spain. Also, Retana published in the newspapers that Rizal's family had not paid their rents to the Dominican Orders so they were ejected from their lands in Calamba. Angered by the insult of Retana, Rizal challenged him to a duel. To save his own skin, Retana at once published retraction and an apology in the newspaper. September 6, 1890 - Paciano (Rizal), Antonino (Lopez), Silvestre (Ubaldo)Teong (Mateo Elejorde), and Dandoy (Dr. Kizal's relative) were arrested, shipped out of Calamba and exiled in Mindoro. Rizal learned this incident from his sister Saturnina. Rizal also received from Silvestre Ubaldo (Rizal's brother-in-law) an ejectment copy by the Dominican against Rizal's family and Calamba tenants. Since then, Rizal's family was living in the house of Narcisa (Antonino Lopez' s) December 1890 - Rizal received a letter from Leonor Rivera announcing he coming marriage to an Englishman (the choice of her mother) and asking his forgiveness. Rizal was stunned of this sad news from Leonor. Rizal, who was engaged with Leonor Rivera, was left broken-hearted. Later Part of December 1890 - Rizal and M.H. Del Pilar (Rizal's fearless lawyer-journalist) were rivals tor leadership supremacy. Unfortunately, some of his former admirers supported del Pilar' s supremacy. The Filipinos resented Rizal's interference of their private lives who loved women, wine, and cards. January 1, 1891 - About 90 Filipinos met on New Year's Day to patch up Rizal and Del Pilar's differences and to intensify the campaign for reform. Owing to the intrigues of his jealous compatriots, Rizal retired from the Propaganda Movement and instead focused himself in the publication of his second novel. practice his medical profession and to make a more vigorous campaign for his country. Life and Works of Rizal Page 36 February 1, 1891 - Rizal left Madrid for Biarritz where he had a brief vacation. He stayed as a guest at the Boustead family. On his stay at Boustead home for one-month vacation, he fell in love with Nellie of Nelly. Antonio Luna who previously loved and lost Nelly, encouraged Rizal to love and marry her. With the encouragement of Luna, Rizal courted Nellie. The romance, however, did not have a happy ending for two (2) reasons: (1) Rizal refused to give up his Catholic faith and be converted to Protestantism and (2) Nelly's mother did not like Rizal as a son-in-law. Nelly Boustead being a good Protestant wanted Rizal to espouse Protestantism but Rizal, though a Mason, remained loyal to Catholic religion. February 4, 1891 - M.H. Del Pilar teased Rizal to change the "O" in Noli to an e which means Noli to Nelly or Nellie. February 7, 1891 - The Filipinos put up Responsable, a leader to direct the affairs of the Filipino community and to determine the editorial policy of the La Solidarida. Del Pilar objected to the placing of the newspaper under the Responsable but was willing to publish articles that would express the aspirations and demands of the Filipino people. Riza was elected as Responsible but he graciously declined the coveted position. he believed that some of his compatriots who supported Rizal disliked him. March 29, 1891 - This was the eve of his departure from Biarritz to Paris. He finished writing the manuscript for El Filibusterismo. April 4, 1891 - From Paris, Rizal wrote his friend Jose Ma. Basa who was in Hongkong of his desire to go to the British colony a first steamer ticket from Europe to Hongkong. April 15, 1891 - Rizal went back to Brussels where he was happily received by the Jacoby landladies and by petite Suzanne (the Belgian girl who loved him). May 1, 1891 - Rizal notified the Propaganda authorities in Manila to cancel his monthly allowance and devote money to the education of young Filipino students in Europe. Simultaneous with his' retirement from the Propaganda Movement, he also ceased writing articles for La Solidaridad. Life and Works of Rizal Page 37 May 30, 1891 - Rizal almost completed the revision of El Filibusterismo and readied it for printing. June 13, 1891 - Rizal informed Basa that he was negotiating with a printing firm for the printing of his Fili. Only three chapters left to be corrected. It is longer than Noli. July 5,1891 - Rizal left Brussels for Ghent-a famous university city in Belgium. Owing to his limited funds, he lived in a cheap boarding house with Jose Alejandro, a roommate who years later became general during the Filipino-American War of 1899-1900. He was also an engineer. Rizal moved to Ghent because the cost of printing in Ghent was cheaper than in Brussels and he escaped the attraction of Petite Suzanne. August 7, 1891 - Rizal received a letter from M.H. del Pilar requesting him to resume writing for the La Solidaridad. In reply, Rizal wrote denying any resentment and explained why he stopped writing for La Solidaridad. In his letter to del Pilar, he said he wanted other Filipinos to work for La Solidaridad and to leave del Pilar alone to direct the policy in the newspaper and Rizal don't want to meddle in it. October 3, 1891- Rizal left Ghent for Paris, two weeks after the publication the Fili. He stayed a few days in Paris to bid goodbye to his friends. October 14, 1891 -From Paris he went to Marseilles. October 18, 1891 - Rizal boarded steamer Melbourne bound for Hongkong. He brought with him 600 copies of the Fili and a recommendation letter by Juan Luna for Manuel Camus, a compatriot living in Singapore. There were 80 first class passengers mostly Europeans and Rizal was the only Asian among the other passengers. November 20, 1891 - He arrived in Hongkong, met his friends like Jose Ma. Basa. He resided at No.5 D' Aguilar Street, No. 2 Rednayola Terrace. Here he opened his medical clinic where he treated many patients - Americans, British, Chinese, and Portuguese. December 21, 1891- Rizal wrote his parents asking permission to return home. Manuel L. Hidalgo sent Rizal a letter revealing the despair and sorrow of the Rizal family. Rizal who Life and Works of Rizal Page 38 was in Hongkong, was desperately sad for he could not help his persecuted family and relatives. December 24, 1891 - Rizal was gladdened by the arrival of his father, brother and Silvestre Ubaldo in Hongkong. Not long afterwards, his mother and sisters Lucia, Josefina, and Trinidad also arrived. His mother, who was almost blind, was already 65 years old. December 25, 1891 - It was one of the happiest yuletide celebration in Rizal's life. They had a happy family reunion. January 31, 1892 - Rizal wrote Blumentritt, recounting their pleasant life in Hongkong. His family was very much pleased with the English government. March 7, 1892 - Rizal went to Sandakan on board the ship Menon to negotiate with the British authorities for the establishment of a Filipino colony. His mission to Borneo was successful because the Borneo Authorities were willing to give the Filipino colonists 100,000 acres of land, a beautiful harbor, and a good government. April 20, 1892 - Rizal was back to Hongkong. Rizal's friend in Europe including Lopez Jaena expressed his desire to join the colony. Hidalgo, brother-in-law of Rizal, however, objected to the colonization project for it was anti-nationalistic or disloyal to have a colony. May 8, 1892 - Rizal wanted to return to Manila to confer with Governor Despujol regarding the Borneo colonization project and to establish the La Liga Filipina in Manila and to prove that Eduardo de Lete was wrong in attacking him in Madrid that he (Rizal) being comfortable and safe in Hongkong had abandoned the country's cause. June 1892 - He wrote "La Mano Roja" (The Red Hand) in sheet form denouncing the frequent outbreak of international fires in Manila. June 21, 1892 - Rizal and sister Lucia left Hongkong for Manila. On the same date, the Spanish consul-general who issued him a government guarantee of safety informed Manila that the victim is on trap, hence, a secret case was filed in Manila against (Rizal). June 26, 1892 - Rizal and his sister Lucia arrived in Manila. Life and Works of Rizal Page 39 The Propaganda Movement Propaganda means a "campaign of information as well as a bid for sympathy." The Propaganda Movement was a campaign by the native Filipinos calling for reforms in the Philippines. The movement started in 1880 up to 1886 but the most critical period of activity is between 1880 and 1895, a year before Rizal's execution. According to Dr. Domingo Abella, former director of the National Archives, the word Propaganda Movement was misnamed. It should have been called Counter Propaganda Movement, because their essential task was to counteract the campaign of misinformation that certain Spanish groups were disseminating in Spain, and later in Rome. Prominent members of the Propaganda Movement were (1) Jose Rizal - author of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo (2) Graciano Lopez Jaena - publisher of La Solidaridad, the movement's principal organ (3) Mariano Ponce - the movement secretary (4) Marcelo H. del Pilar The aims of the Propaganda Movement were: - Representation of the Philippines in the Cortes Generales, the Spanish parliament - Secularization of the clergy - Legalization of Spanish and Filipino equality - Creation of a public school system independent of Catholic friars - Abolition of polo y servicios (labor service) and the bandala (forced sale of local products to the government) - Guarantee of basic freedoms - Equal opportunity for Filipinos and Spanish to enter government service (Source: Teodoro Agoncillo, History of the Filipino People, Quezon City. Garotech Publishing, 1990) Life and Works of Rizal Page 40 Rizal's Relationship with Other Propagandists (a) Rizal's Relationship with Antoonio Luna - In 1889, a Spanish writer, Pablo Mir Deas, attacked Antonio Luna in the Barcelona newspaper "El Pueblo Soberano. As Rizal's defense of his friend Luna, he wrote the article "Inconsequencias (lnconsequences) which was published on November 30, 1889. A year after however, Rizal challenged Antonio to a duel. In a party held by Filipinos in Madrid, the intoxicated Antonio Luna made negative comments against Nellie Boustead-the woman he was courting but was said to have been infatuated with Rizal. Jose Rizal, who at the time was not in a good mood for bearing various problems, was prompted to challenge Luna into a duel. But since Luna apologized to Rizal, the duel was nonetheless aborted and their friendship was restored. when Rizal later decided to formally court Nelly, Antonio gentlemanly conceded to Rizal and even congratulated him through a letter. Antonio returned to the Philippines in 1894. By winning in the competition for chief chemist of the Manila Municipal Laboratory, he attained the prestigious position. He and his older brother Juan also opened a fencing club in Manila, the Sala de Armas. In 1896, Andres Bonifacio sent Pio Valenzuela to Dapitan to get Rizal's approval of the Katipunan's planned revolution. Rizal however politely refused to approve the uprising believing that a revolution would be unsuccessful without arms and monetary support from wealthy Filipinos. He thus recommended that if the Katipunan were to start a revolution, it had to ask for the support of rich and educated Filipinos, specifically Antonio Luna who was also an expert in military tactics (Bantug & Ventura, 1997, p. 133). (b) Rizal's Relationship with Graciano Lopez Jaena - Rizal once reproved Graciano for not finishing his medical studies. Jaena figuratively explained, "On the shoulders of slaves should not rest a doctor's cape." Rizal however retorted, "The shoulders do not honor the doctor's cape, but the doctor's cape honors the shoulders." ("Graciano Lopez Jaena, n.d.). In Spain, Jaena became known as a great orator in socio-political clubs and thus became a member of the Progressive Republican Party. Deputized by the party to go on speaking engagements, Jaena became popular tor his fiery and eloquent speeches espousing liberal ideas. (c) Rizal's Relationship with Mariano Ponce - Ponce was the one who introduced Del Pilar to Rizal. Jose Rizal one day received a letter from Ponce with enclosed articles written Life and Works of Rizal Page 41 by a certain Plaridel. Impressed by the articles, Rizal wrote to Ponce, "1 am very grateful to you for this.. Who is Plaridel?" ("The Love-and-Hate Relationship," 2013) Upon knowing Plaridel's identity through Ponce, Rizal had then befriended Del Pilar (Plaridel) through correspondence. However, it was only in December 1888 when Rizal first met Ponce and Del Pilar when he (Rizal) visited his compatriots in Madrid and Barcelona. Ponce willingly helped Rizal in the distribution of the Noli Me Tangere. In his letter dated August 18, 1888, Rizal asked Ponce, "Please send me two or three copies of the Noli.. for I am going to begin the continuation. Try to send to Manila as many copies as you can. They sell well there...you will get one-half of the sale there." Ponce's August 25, 1888 reply read, "I continue sending copies of the Noli to the Philippines through every possible means. By so doing, I am only filling the orders that I receive. ("Rizal and Other Reformers [1888), n.d.) Ponce must have been so proud to become Rizal's friend, especially that the author of Noli had become so popular among Filipinos after the novel's publication. In his August 25, 1888 letter, he said to Rizal, "Many friends ask me to send you their greetings. My family, who also sends your greetings, wished to have a picture of you, and so I wish to request you to comply with this desire when you have your picture taken" ("Rizal and Other Reformers (1888). n.d.) During the election for 'Responsable' among Filipinos in Madrid in February 1891, Rizal got the majority of the votes but the count fell short of the required two-thirds vote to be declared the winner. Rizal won again on the second day, but his votes did not reach again the needed fraction. On the third day, the very sensible Mariano Ponce appealed to some Pilaristas to surrender their will to what the majority wanted. Ponce's influence and wise move resulted in Rizal's becoming the legal Responsible, though he (Rizal) eventually decided to politely abdicate his leadership and leave Madrid. (d) Rizal's Relationship with Jose Alejandrino- In Europe, Alejandrino joined the Propaganda Movement and served as an editorial staff of La Solidaridad. In the Pilaristas- Rizalistas rivalry, Alejandrino supported Rizal ("Filipino Martyr, 2013). Being Rizal's roommate in Belgium, Alejandrino was the one who canvassed printing press for EI Fili. He delivered proofs and revisions to the publisher F. Meyer van Loo in Ghent. For his assistance, Rizal gave him the El Fili’s corrected proofs and the pen used in doing the corrections. Unluckily, these historical souvenirs were either lost or destroyed during the revolution (Ocampo, 2012, P. 111). Having helped Rizal in correcting errors in the El Fili, Alejandrino might have been the first person to read the novel aside from the author. Life and Works of Rizal Page 42 (e) Rizal's Relationship with Edilberto Evangelista -Edilberto Evangelista who came from a poor family in Sta. Cruz Manila was 8-month younger than Jose Rizal. Reaching Madrid in 1890, he befriended and collaborated with Filipino expatriates in Europe like Jose Rizal. Perhaps sensing his potential, Rizal counseled him to take engineering in Belgium. Upon Rizal's advice, Evangelista thus matriculated at the University of Ghent, one of the world's leading engineering schools then. Rizal's suggestion proved fruitful as Evangelista finished civil engineering and architecture with highest honors. Some European companies offered him rewarding positions but he turned them down for wanting to serve his country instead ("