UNIT 8 Rizal's Experiences in Europe PDF

**UNIT 8** **SAD EXPERIENCES IN EUROPE** **RIZAL'S 2^ND^ HOMECOMING** **HONGKONG MEDICAL PRACTICE** **BORNEO COLONIZATION PROJECT** **LESSON OUTCOMES: The learners are expected to:** - Describe the various misfortunes and pains Rizal suffered in Europe prior to his return to the country...

**UNIT 8** **SAD EXPERIENCES IN EUROPE** **RIZAL'S 2^ND^ HOMECOMING** **HONGKONG MEDICAL PRACTICE** **BORNEO COLONIZATION PROJECT** **LESSON OUTCOMES: The learners are expected to:** - Describe the various misfortunes and pains Rizal suffered in Europe prior to his return to the country - Analyze the moving forces that left with no option but to return to the country for the 2nd time - Figure out what Rizal tried to do in order to help his family and townmates. **LESSON CONTENT:** A. **SAD EXPERIENCES IN EUROPE** 1. **Misfortunes in Madrid** August, 1890, Rizal arrived in Madrid. He immediately secured the help of the Filipino colony and the association of the Hispano-Filipino and the liberal Spanish newspaper. In securing justice for the oppressed Calamba tenants including his family. Together with MH Del Pilar (acted as his lawyer) and Dr. Dominador Gomez (secretary of the association) called on the Minister of Colonies to protest the injustices committed against the Calamba tenants. Nothing came out of Rizal\'s interview. More terrible news reached Rizal as he was waging a futile war for justice. He learned that there was already an ejectment order against Rizal\'s family and the other Calamba tenants. He further learned that their parents were forcibly ejected from their homes and were then living in the house of Narcisa. He even sought the help of liberal Spanish statesmen but he was again disappointed. They just gave him honeyed words of sympathy and nothing else. Blumentritt urged him to talk with Queen Regent Maria Cristina (the ruler of Spain). But he could not because he had neither powerful friends to bring him to the queen nor gold to grease the palms of influential courtiers. Another disappointment happened when his friend Jose Ma. Panganiban died in Barcelona after lingering illness. Towards the end of August, Rizal attended a social reunion. At that time Antonio Luna was bitter because of his frustrated romance with Nellie Boustead. He was blaming Rizal for his failure to win her. In a fit of jealousy, caused by his alcohol be-fogged mind, he uttered unsavoury remarks about Nellie. Rizal overheard him and due to his high regards to women. Angrily he challenged Luna to a duel. The Filipinos was shocked and tried to pacify Rizal and Luna pointing that it could damage their cause in Spain. Luna when he became sober realized that he made afoul of himself and apologized to Rizal. On another occasion, he challenged another man to a duel -Wenceslao Retaña, his bitter enemy of the pen. He wrote in his article that the friends of Rizal had not paid their rents so that they were ejected from their lands in Calamba. Such insult stirred Rizal to action, he challenged Retaña to a duel and he said that Retaña\'s blood or his apology could vindicate the good blame of Rizal\'s family and friends. Retaña to save his own skin, he published a retraction and an apology in the newspaper after being warned of Rizal\'s superior skills in both pistol and sword. **End of 11-Year Engagement** Amidst Rizal's frustrations in Madrid, he received a letter from Leonor Rivera, his girlfriend for 11 years informing him that she was getting married. It pained his heart greatly. He still loved Leonor despite having courted girls before. He grew pale and sickly having been jilted by Leonor. In his letter to Blumentritt, he accused Leonor of infidelity. His love turned to hatred. Galicano Apacible, a UST friend, consoled him by saying there are many girls in the world. He informed Rizal that the daughter of Pi y Margall, was deeply in love with him, ready to marry him. On Leonor's side, she was mad at Rizal having been very quiet. She said that she still loved Rizal, that her decision to marry was not because she no longer loved him. She did it because she thought Rizal no longer loved her. 11 years of waiting was too long. Leonor wasn't getting younger and lamented the fact that Rizal didn't bother to see her. Rizal could have misunderstood her. Leonor married Henry Kipping, an Englishman in Manila. **The Leader of All Filipinos (Responsible)** In a banquet at Calle de Atocha some Filipinos proposed for the creation of a movement to bind the colony together. A leader called "Responsible" would be the official representative of all Filipinos abroad. Rizal felt he would be the rightful person. Others thought otherwise. They endorsed MH del Pilar's candidacy. In the 1st meeting, Eduardo de Lete presided. Rizal was in favor of the creation of a new movement. Del Pilar objected because to him they already have the La Solidaridad and the AHP to take care of the said objectives. His argument lost was overruled. A committee was formed to draw the statutes. Rizal and Del Pilar became the two candidates. They both wanted to withdraw. The rule of the election: the winner must garner 2/3 majority vote. 1st Balloting- Rizal was ahead but not enough. 2nd and 3rd Balloting gave the same results. The meeting adjourned The next day, del Pilar was absent. The results didn't change. Rizal grew impatient. He announced his withdrawal from the race. He bade farewell. But Ponce quickly asked Lete, Sandiko, Luna and others to shift their votes to Rizal. Dominador Gomez spoke in behalf of the Pilaristas saying they changed their votes for the sake of unity. Thus, Rizal was voted unanimously. Rizal gave his admonitions to the group in his acceptance speech. Rizal blamed Eduardo de Lete for the election fiasco. Expressed disappointment with del Pilar He said it would have been a disappointing news to the nationalist movement in Manila to know that Rizal was defeated because he was the acknowledged leader back home. **A Biarritz Interlude** Rizal went to see Nelly in Biarritz. He finally decided to marry Nelly Boustead. Conditions made by Nelly's father: 1. Abort all travels abroad and stay with Nelly 2. Practice medicine and stay away from politics 3. Become a Protestant before marriage Rizal, however, decided to back down from his proposal thinking he wasn't ready yet to answer the given conditions set by Nelly's father. **Printing of the El Filibusterismo** In February 1891, Rizal went back to Brussels to edit and revise the novel. By end of May 1891, the novel was ready for printing. He brought the novel to Ghent because printing was cheaper there. There was no financial aid sent by the Centro de Propaganda. He had spent all his money for the printing cost. He only received P100 from his countrymen as part of his allowance. He was abandoned by the society after just a month. He was consoled by the financial help given by Valentin Ventura. The novel was printed at F. Meyer van Loo Press. Rizal gave the original manuscripts to Ventura. **Rizal Resigns** Before leaving for Manila, He sent a letter of resignation as a contributor of the La Solidaridad. He also sent a message to his compatriots his decision to give up his political leadership and fight in his own. This news saddened many Propaganda members. He quickly visited Nelly to bid goodbye. He will go back to the Philippines to take care of his family's problems. He boarded the SS Melbourne, a ship from Marseilles bound to Hong Kong. He was with the company of many friars including Fr. Volunteri, less like Fr. Damaso. B. **DR. JOSE RIZALMEDICAL PRACTICE IN HONG KONG** **Rizal and the German Ladies** Rizal was alone, having dinner; he overheard the German ladies which were gossiping loudly about him, being lonely. The door in the dining room was blown open when the steamer encountered a heavy squall (a gust of wind). One of the ladies said "if this man in front of us were a gentleman, he would close the door". Rizal heard this, and, without saying a word, closed the door. This incident made the ladies embarrassed and treated Rizal with respect and admiration. **Arrival in Hong Kong** On Nov. 20, 1891, Dr. Jose Rizal was welcomed by old friends, especially Jose Ma. Basa. He established his residence in No.5 D' Aguilar St., No.2 Rednaxela Terrace where he also opened his medical clinic. On Dec. 1, 1891, Rizal wrote to his parents to ask their permission for him to come home. His brother-in-law (Manuel T. Hidalgo) wrote him a letter regarding: "deportation of 25 persons from Calamba including his father, Neneng, Sisa, Lucia, Paciano and the rest of us." He also stated in his letter that he's preparing a letter to the Queen Regent of Spain explaining the Calamba situation in order to secure justice. "If the Queen will not listen, we will write to Queen Victoria of England to appeal for protection in the name of humanity." **Family Reunion in Hong Kong** Before Christmas of 1891, Rizal's father, brother and Silvestre Ubaldo (brother-in-law) arrived in Hong Kong. Not long afterwards his mother (who was then 65 years old and almost blind) and sisters, Lucia, Josefa and Trinidad arrived. The Christmas of 1891 in Hong Kong was one of the happiest Yuletide celebrations in Rizal's life. He even wrote to Blumentritt on Jan. 31, 1892 about the pleasant life they're living in Hong Kong. **Ophthalmic Surgeon in Hong Kong** Rizal practiced medicine in order to earn a living for his family. Dr. Lorenzo P. Marques, his friend and admirer, turned over to him many of his patients with eye diseases; truly, he helped Rizal to build a wide clientele (customers/clients). Rizal successfully operated on his mother's left eye so that she was able to read and write again. Some of his friends gave him moral and substantial aid in his medical practice, from Biarritz, Mr. Boustead, Nellie's father, wrote to him in March 21, 1892, praising him for practising his medical profession. Dr. Ariston Baustista Lin, from Paris, sent him a congratulatory letter and a book, on Diagnostic Pathology by Dr. H. Virchow and another book, Traite Diagnostique by Mesnichock. Don Antonio Vergel de Dios, also from Paris, offered his services for the purchase of medical books and instruments which he might need in his profession. C. **BORNEO COLONIZATION PROJECT** Rizal conceived the establishment of a Filipino colony in North Borneo (Sabah. He planned to move the landless Filipino families to that rich British-owned island. He also planned to carve out of its virgin wildness a "New Calamba" March 7, 1892. He went to Sandakan on board the ship Menon to negotiate with the British authorities for the establishment of a Filipino colony On May 26, 1892, Lopez-Jaena wrote to Rizal expressing his support and great desire in the project along with their other friends: Juan and Antonio Luna, Blumentritt, Dr. Bautista Lin, etc. Manuel Hidalgo, the brave Batangueño, one of Rizal's brothers-in-law, objected to his project **Letter to Governor Eulogio Despujol** In hope of the Governor-General's sincerity in his promises of a better government, Rizal wrote to him offering him his cooperation. But governor-general did not acknowledge Rizal's letter, violating the simple rule of Spanish courtesy. On March 21, 1892 , after waiting for 3 months for a reply for his first letter, Rizal wrote another letter which asked for permission for the landless Filipinos to establish themselves in Borneo. **Borneo Colonization Project** Instead of performing the simple "courtesy of a reply", Despujol notified the Spanish consul general in Hong Kong. He did not approve the Filipino immigration to Borneo, alleging that: "the Philippines lacked laborers" and "it was not very patriotic to go off and cultivate foreign soil." **Writings in Hong Kong** - Ang Mga Karapatan Nang Tao. The translation of "The Rights of Man" which was proclaimed in the French Revolution 1789. - *A la Nacion Española* (To the Spanish Nation) An appeal to Spain to right the wrongs done to the Calamba tenants. - Sa Mga Kababayan was written on December 1891, explaining the Calamba agrarian situation. In The Hong Kong Telegraph Rizal contributed articles to this British daily newspaper. The editor was Mr. Frazier Smith, who was his friend. On March 2, 1892 Rizal wrote "*Una Visita a la Victoria Gaol*" A Visit to Victoria Gaol, an account of his visit to the colonial prison of Hong Kong. To elucidate his pet Borneo colonization project he wrote: - "Colonisation du British North Borneo, par de Familles de Iles Philippines" - "Proyecto de Colonization del Vritish North Borneo por los Filipinos - June 1892, He wrote "La Mano Roja" (The Red Hand) D. **DECISION TO RETURN TO MANILA** In May 1892, Rizal made up his mind to return to Manila. This decision was spurred by the following: 1. To confer with Governor Despujol regarding his Borneo colonization project 2. To establish the Liga Filipina in Manila 3. To prove that Eduardo de Lete was wrong in attacking him in Madrid **Last Hong Kong Letters** Relatives and friends of Rizal opposed his decision to return home because it was like bearding the lions in their den. On June 19, 1892, he spent his birthday in Hong Kong. Evidently, he had a premonition of his death, for the following day, June 20, he wrote two letters which he sealed, inscribed on each envelop "to be opened after my death" and gave them to his friend Dr. Marquez for safekeeping. His first letter addressed To My Parents, Brethren and Friends. The second letter addressed to The Filipinos. On June 21, 1892, Rizal penned another letter in Hong Kong for General Despujol. He informed the governor-general of his coming to Manila and placed himself under the protection of the Spanish government. On June 21, 1892, Rizal and his sister Lucia, widow of Herbosa, left Hong Kong for Manila. They carried a special passport or "safe-conduct" issued by the Spanish consul-general in Hong Kong. **Rizal Fell into Spanish Trap** Immediately after Rizal's departure from Hong Kong: the Spanish consul-general, who issued the government guarantee of safety, sent a cablegram to Gov. Despujol that the victim "is in the trap" On the same day, a secret case was filed in Manila against Rizal and his followers "for anti-religious and anti-patriotic agitation" **Arrival in Manila with Sister** On June 26, 1892, Sunday at 12:00 noon, Rizal and his widowed sister Lucia arrived in Manila. At 4:00PM, he went to Malacañang Palace to seek audience with the Spanish governor-general. On June 27, 1892, at 6:00pm, Rizal boarded a train in Tutuban Station and visited his friends in Malolos, San Fernando, Tarlac, and Bacolor.