SCHOLASTIC TRIUMPHS IN ATENEO DE MANILA (1872-1877)

ATENEO DE MANILA (1872-1877)

4 months after the martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za and Dona Teodora still in prison, Jose was
sent to manila.
He studied in Ateneo Municipal, a college under supervision of Jesuits.
Formerly known as Escuala Pia (school for poor boys).
A bitter rival of the dominican-owned College of San Juan de Letran.
Now known as Ateneo de Manila.

RIZAL ENTERS THE ATENEO

June 1872 Accompanied by Paciano, Rizal went to manila to study in ateneo.
First his father wished him to study in Letran, but changed his mind and decided to send him
to Ateneo Instead.
Father Magin Ferrando, who was the school registrar, refused to admit him for two reasons:
1. He was late for registration
2. He was sickly and undersized for his age
However, upon the intercession of Manuel Xerez Burgos, nephew of Father Burgos, he was
reluctantly admitted at the Ateneo which was located at Intramuros, outside the walls of
manila.
Rizal, 11 years old, a student at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila.
Jose was the first of his family to adopt the surname Rizal.
The family name Mercado had come under the suspicion of Spanish authorities.
First boarded at Caraballo Street:
25-minute walk from the college
Owned by a spinster named Titay who owed Rizal family ₱300

JESUIT SYSTEM OF EDUCATION

Jesuits system of education is more advanced than other colleges in that period
They give emphasis to:
Rigid discipline
Character building
Religious instructions
They established:
Physical culture
Humanities
Scientific studies
Romans vs Carthaginians
Romans consists of internos (boarders)
Carthaginians composed of the externos (non-boarders)
The empires had ranks:
Emperor- the best student in each “empire”
Tribune- the second best
Decurion- the third best
 Centurion-the fourth best
Stand Bearer- the fifth best

RIZAL’S FIRST YEAR IN ATENEO (1872-1873)

He had mass on the first day of classes for success and guidance.
Father Jose Bech was Rizal’s first professor in Ateneo.
He went in a class composed of peninsular Spaniards, Insulars, Mestizos and Natives.
He placed bottom of the class
He progressed rapidly and at the end of the month he became the emperor of Carthaginians.
To improve the knowledge in Spanish, he took private lessons in Sta Isabel College during
break time.
Paid for 3 pesos for those lessons
At the second half of his first year, rizal held back, yet he placed second at the end of the
year.
Grades remained excellent.
March, 1873- Rizal returned to Calamba for summer vacation

SECOND YEAR IN ATENEO (1873-1874)

Jose regretted having neglected his studies
He studied harder and once more became an emperor
There were new classmates among them are three boys from Binan who had been his
classmate in the school of Maestro Justiniano.
At the end of the school year, Rizal received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold medal.

PROPHECY OF MOTHER;S RELEASE

Summer vacation
He returned to Calamba in March 1874 with such scholastic honors
Rizal immediately go to Sta Cruz in order to visit her mother
The prophecy of Rizal to his mother
That in 3 months’ time Dona Teodora would be released from prison

TEENAGE INTEREST IN READING

During this year Rizal got interested in reading romantic novels
He convinced his father to buy a whole set of Historia Universal by Cesar Cantu saying it is
required book for class
His first favorite novel was The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
Jose read a book Travels in the Philippines by Dr. Feodor Jagor, a german scientist-traveler
Rizal was impressed in this book because of
1. Jagor’s keen observations of the defects of Spanish colonization
2. A prophecy that someday Spain would lose the Philippine and that America would
come to succeed her as colonizer

THIRD YEAR IN ATENEO (1874-1875)

June 1874, Rizal returned to Ateneo
 His mother is released in prison
His grades remained excellent but won only 1 medal in Latin
At the end of school year, he returned in Calamba unsatisfied with his scholastic work.

FOURTH YEAR IN ATENEO (1875-1876)

Rizal became an interno in Ateneo in June 16, 1876.
Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez a great educator and scholar inspired Rizal to study harder
and to write poetry.
He won 5 medals in the end of the school term
Returned to Calamba for his summer vacation in March 1876
He became successful in Ateneo and got a highest grade in all subjects: Philosophy, Physics,
Biology, Chemistry and Language
He was “the pride of the Jesuits”
He obtained the highest grades in all subjects
March 23, 1877- Commencement Day, Rizal, who was 16 years old, received the degree of
Bachelor of Arts, with highest honors.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN ATENEO

Marian Congregation-secretary: Devotion to Our Lady of Immaculate Conception
Spanish Literature
Academy of Natural Sciences- Societies in Ateneo
Father Sanchez- Literature
Father Jose Villaclara- Practical Studies
Agustin Saez- Painting
Romualdo de Jesus- Sculpting
Tio Manuel- Gymnastic and Fencing

SCULPTURAL WORKS IN ATENEO

Carved an image of The Virgin Mary on a piece of batikuling (Philippine Hardwood) with his
pocket knife
Requested by Father Lleonart, who was impressed with his sculptural talent, to carve him an
image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Placed at the door of the dormitory of the Ateneo boarding students
Reminded all the Ateneans the greatest alumnus of the Alma Mater, Dr. Jose Rizal
Played a significant part in Rizal’s last hours at Fort Santiago
He studied painting under the famous Spanish painter Agustin Saez, and sculpture under
Romualdo de Jesus

POEMS WRITTEN IN ATENEO

Mi Primera Inspiracion (1874): My first inspiration, dedicated to his mother
Felicitatacion
El Embarque: Himno a la Florta de Magallanes (The Departure: Hymn to Magellan’s Feet)
Y Es Espanol: Elcano, The First to circumnavigate the world
El Combate: Urbiztondo, Terror de Jolo (The battle: Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo)
 1876
El Heroismo de Colon (Heroism of Columbus)
Colon y Juan II (Columbus and John II)
Gran Consuelo en la Mayor Desdicha (Great Solace in Great Misfortune)
Un Dialogo Alusivo a la Despedida de los Colegiales (A farewell Dialogue of the
Students)
Education: Through education our mother receives light
The Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education
Religion: Al nino Jesus (To the child Jesus)
Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town)- a tender poem in honor of
Calamba, the hero’s natal town, Rizal was 15 yrs old when he wrote this poem
Alianza Intima Entre la Religion y la Buena Educacion (Intimate Alliance Between
Religion and Good Education)- Rizal showed the importance of religion in education
San Eustacio, Martir (St. Eustace, the Martyr)- a drama based on the prose story of
St. Eustace which he wrote in poetic verses during the summer vacation of 1876 and
finished it on June 2, 1876.

FIRST ROMANCE OF RIZAL

Segunda Katigbak: 14 years old Batanguena from Lipa
Visited his maternal grandmother in Trozo Manila with his friend Mario Katigbak
Segunda’s portrait
Came to know Segunda more intimately during his weekly visits to La Concordia College
Katigbak attended the same school as Rizal’s sisters, Colegio de la Concordia
“A love at first sight”
Hopeless Segunda is enganged to Manuel Luz.
December 1877: Visited her at La Concordia College to say goodbye
First romance “ruined by his own shyness and reserve”

RIZAL AT UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

PURSUING A HIGHER DEGREE OF EDUCATION

Upon the achievements of Rizal in Ateneo, he wanted to pursue another degree.
Thus this idea was highly opposed by his Mother Dona Teodora because:
1. She did not want Rizal to be more knowledgeable for the Spanish will cut-off his
head.
2. Another reason that because of the 1872 incident (GomBurZa Execution)
3. Wanted Rizal to go home and have a business
Teodora blamed the Filipino Intellectuals of their mental capacity as a way of challenging the
Spaniards.

ENTRANCE TO UST
The political and royal university of Sto. Tomas
 The Catholic University of the Philippines
Founded on April 28,1611 by Archbishop Miguel de Benavides
He took up Philosophy and Letters (1877-16 years old)
Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy, Hist. of Philo.
Taking the course primarily because of his Father’s choice. Jose was inclined towards the art.
He seek guidance from Ateneo of Father, Pablo Ramon
While Rizal was studying at UST, he also studied in Ateneo. He took the vocational course
leading to the title of “Perito Agrimensor” (Expert Surveyor)
He excelled in all subjects in the surveying course obtaining gold medals in Agriculture and
Topography.
Vocational Courses:
1. Agriculture
2. Commerce
3. Mechanics
4. Surveying
STUDY AT ATENEO
He was also enrolled in Ateneo taking a vocational course in Surveying (1877-1878)
Given the title as Perito Agrimensor (expert surveyor) on November 25, 1881.
He was the President of the Academy of Natural Science and Secretary of Marian
Congregation in Ateneo.
At that point, he paid court to a young woman in Calamba and hide her identity by
naming “Miss L” but it ended due for two main reasons:
1) The sweet memory of Segunda was still fresh
2) His father did not like the family of Miss L.

SECOND TERM AT UST (1878-1879)

Jose decided to shift to medicine due for Fr. Pablo Ramon’s advice.
His decision was prompted by his desire to cure his mother’s failing eyesight.
Rizal Biographers such W. Retana, Carlito Garcia etc. unitedly pronounced that:
Low grades are because of bigotry and racial discrimination
Dominican prof were hostile and that Rizal was not given a full education
Dr. Zaide puts an idea that Filipino students “racially discriminated”
Excessive harping of intellectual superiority
He made a comparison of grades at the Ateneo and UST

ROMANCES IN LIFE
Segunda Katigbak
Fair with seductive and attractive eyes
Leonor “Orang” Valenzuela
A medical student from Calamba, Laguna
The charming daughter of Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela
Tall girl with a regal bearing
Rizal sent Leonor a love notes written in invisible ink
Ended due for two main reasons:
 1) The sweet memory of Segunda was still fresh
2) His father did not like the family of Miss L.
Leonor Rivera
Rizal’s cousin from Camiling
Born in Camiling, Tarlac on April 11, 1867
A student of La Concordia College where Rizal’s sister, Soledad was then studying
Frail, pretty girl, and tender as a budding flower with kindly wistful eyes.
Leonor’s pseudonym in order to camouflage their intimate relationship from their
parents and friends
Rizal lived in Casa Tomasina No.6 Calle Santo Tomas, Intramuros
Antonio Rivera: Rizal’s landlord-uncle and a father of Leonor Rivera

TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH

Liceo Artisco-Literano (Artistic-Literary Lyceum)
A society of literary men and artists
Held a literary contest and offered a prize (Silver-pen, Feather-shaped decorated
with gold ribbon) for best poem.
A La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth)
Rizal’s prize-winning and inspiring poem of flawless for.
Rizal beseeched the Filipino youth to rise from the lethargy: to let their genius mind
fly swiftly the wind and descend with art and science to break the chains that have
long bound the spirit of the people.
Reasons why Rizal’s poem was a Classic in Philippine Literature:
1. It was the first great poem in Spanish written by a Filipino, whose merit was
recognized by Spanish Literary Authorities.
2. It expressed for the first time the nationalistic concept that the Filipinos were the
“fair hope of the Fatherland”

THE COUNCIL OF GODS

Rizal at 19 years old was awarded with a gold ring
Artistic-Literary Lyceum
Opened another literary contest (to both Filipinos and Spaniards) to commemorate
the 4th centennial of the death of Cenvantes
Cervantes was a Spain’s glorified man-of-letters and famous author of Don Quixote
Rizal submitted an allegorical drama entitled “El Consejo de los Dioses” (The Council
of the Gods)
The Council of the Gods
Was based on the Greek classics
Aided by Fr. Recto of Ateneo
Prize: Gold Ring engraved the bust of Cervantes
Winners:
1. Jose Rizal (19 years old)
2. D. N. Del Puzo (Spanish)
 Junto Al Pasig (Besides the Pasig)
(Zarzuela) staged by the Ateneans on December 8, 1880 of the Annual Celebration
of the Feast Day of Immaculate Concepcion (Patroness of Ateneo)
A Filipinas
(A sonnet, 1880) Rizal urged all Filipino artists to glorify the Philippines
Abd-el-Azis y Mahoma
(Poem, 1879) was declaimed by an Atenean, Manuel Fernandez on the night of
December 8, 1879 in honor of the Ateneo’s Patroness
Al M. R. P. Pablo Ramon
(A poem, 1881) Rizal wrote a poem as an expression of affection to Father Pablo
Ramon, the Ateneo Recto, who had been so kind and helpful to him.

A VISIT TO PAKIL AND PAGSANJAN

Summer of May 1881
Rizal went to pilgrimage to the town of Pakil, famous Shrine of the Birhen Maria de
los Dolores
He was accompanied by his sisters- Saturnina, Maria, and Trinidad and their female
friends
The took a casco (flat-bottom sailing vessel) from Calamba to Pakil, Laguna and
stayed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Regalado, whose son Nicolas was Rizal’s
friend in Manila.
Rizal and his companions were fascinated by the famous Turumba (People dancing in the
streets during the procession in honor of the miraculous Birhen Maria de los Dolores)
Rizal was infatuated by a pretty girl colegiala, Vicenta Ybardolaza, who skillfully
played the harp at the Regalado home.
Reasons why Rizal and his company made side trip to the neighboring town of
Pagsanjan:
1. It was the native town of Leonor Valenzuela
2. To see the world famed Pagsanjan Falls

RIZAL AS A CHAMPION OF FILIPINO STUDENTS

Rizal was the champion of the Filipino Students in their fights against the arrogant Spanish
students.
In 1880, Rizal founded a secret society of Filipino students in the University of Santo Tomas
called “Companerismo” (Comradeship), whose members were called “Companions of Jehu”,
after the valiant Hebrew general who fought the Armaeans.

DECISION TO ABROAD
Finishing the Fourth year of his medical course, Rizal decided to study in Spain. He could no
longer endure the rampant bigotry, discrimination, and hostility in the University of Santo
Tomas.
He did not seek his parent’s permission and blessings to go abroad; and even his beloved
Leonor.
 The best possible reason is to widen his knowledge and compare the greatness and
progress of the cultured nations of the world with the slow, monotonous and retrograde
march of colony.
Secondly, to avail of more conducive conditions in Europe, and medical school in UST is still
new only in 1871.
VACATION TIME (1882)
Jose through Paciano secured the indorsement of Pedro Paterno.
MAY 3, 1882- THE DEPARTURE
Left on vessel Salvadora on his first trip to Spain
As a result, this opens to the way to the importation phase of his nationalistic work exposing
and fighting not only the Spaniards tyranny but also the divisiveness of his fellow
countrymen.

RIZAL’S FIRST TRAVEL TO ABROAD

HIS FIRST TRIP ABROAD AND HIS SECRET MISSION

He must get the best education he could find and answer his life question: what could he do
to help his oppressed Motherland? He has to study in Madrid but this plan was kept secret.
To observe keenly the life and culture, languages and customs, industries and government
and laws of the European nations in order to prepare himself of the mighty task of liberating
his oppressed people from Spanish tyranny.

MAY 3, 1882
Rizal left for the Philppines for the first time to Spain.
Boarded on the SS Salvadora bound for using a passport of Jose Mercado.

MAY 9, 1882
SS Salvadora docked in Singapore
He stayed in Hotel dela Paz for 2 days
In Singapore, Rizal transferred to another ship Djemnah, a French streamer, which left
Singapore for Europe on May 11, 1882

MAY 17, 1882

Rizal arrived at Punta de Gales
Rizal wrote on his travel diary: “The general appearance of Point Galle is picturestic but
lonely and quiet and at the same time sad”.

MAY 18, 1882

At 7:30 a.m., he left Punta de Gales for Colombo. In the Afternoon, Rizal arrived at Colombo
and in the evening the trip was resumed.

MAY 27, 1882

He landed at Aden at about 8:30 a.m. He made observation at the time.
 Aden: City hotter than Manila; Rizal was amused to see the camels, for the first time

JUNE 2, 1882
He arrived at the Suez Canal en route to Marseilles
City of Suez: The Red sea terminal of the Suez Canal. Rizal was impressed in the beautiful
moonlight which reminded him of Calamba and his family.
Suez Canal: Canal which built by Ferdinand de Lesseps (French diplomat-engineer) which
was inaugurated on November 17, 1869.
Port Said: The Mediterranean terminal of the Suez Canal.

JUNE 11, 1882

Rizal disembarked and, accompanied by a guide, went around the City of Naples for one
hour. This was the first European ground he set foot on.
Rizal was pleased on his Italian City because of its business activity, its lively people and its
panoramic beauty.

JUNE 12, 1882

At 10 o’clock in the evening, the boat anchored at Marseilles. He slept in board.
Rizal visited the famous Chateau d’If, where Dantes, hero of the Conte of Monte Cristo was
imprisoned.
Rizal stayed two and a half days in Marseilles.

JUNE 15, 1882

He left Marseilles for Barcelona in an express train.
Rizal crossed the Pyreness and stopped for a day at the frontier town of Port Bou

JUNE 16, 1882

At 12:00 noon, Rizal arrived at Barcelona and boarded in the Fonda de Espana
Rizal’s first impression of Barcelona, the Greatest City of Cataluna and Spain’s second largest
City was unfavorable.

LIFE IN BARCELONA
He wrote an essay entitled “Amor Patrio” (Love of Country).
His next article was entitled “Los Viajes” (Travels) and followed by “Revista De Madrid”
(Review of Madrid) but the latter was returned because the publication was ceased because
of lack of funds.

AUGUST 20, 1882

His article “Amor Patrio” was published in the Diarong Tagalog, a Manila newspaper edited
by Basilio Teodoro. This was the First article he wrote abroad.
Amor Patrio (Love of Country)- nationalistic essay, Rizal’s first article written on Spain’s soil.
Under his pen-name Laong Laan. It was published in two texts- Spanish and Tagalog- the
Spanish text was the one originally written by Rizal in Barcelona, the tagalog text was a
Tagalog translation made by M.H. de Pilar.
SEPTEMBER 2, 1882
Rizal moved into abroad in order to continue his medical studies.

LIFE IN MADRID

NOVEMBER 3, 1882
Rizal enrolled at the Unibersidad Central de Madrid. In two courses – Medicine and
Philosophy and Letters
Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando- Rizal studied painting and sculpture
Took lesson in French, German and English under private instructors.
Practiced fencing and shooting at the Hall of Arms in Sanz y Carbonell

CIRCULO-HISPANO FILIPINO
Rizal joined the Circulo-Hispano Filipino. It is an association formed by Filipino students in
Spain composed both Filipinos and Spaniards.
Me Piden Versos (They Ask Me For Verses)- Upon the request of the members of this
society, Rizal wrote this poem which he personally declaimed during the New Year’s Eve
reception of the Madrid Filipinos held in the evening of December 31, 1882.

MARCH 1883
He joined the Marsonic Lodge called Acacia. His reason was to secure Freemasonry’s aid in
his fight in the Philippines

NOVEMBER 1883
He transferred to Lodge Solidaridad, where he becomes a Master Mason.

JUNE 1884
Rizal finished his medical education. He was conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine.
The next year, he passed all his subjects leading to Doctors of Medicine but was only able to
get his Doctor’s Diploma in 1887 for he wasn’t able to pay corresponding fees.

JUNE 1885
Rizal was awarded the degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters by the Universidad
Central de Madrid with the rating of “Excellent” (Sobresaliente)

RIZAL TRIP TO EUROPE

PARIS TO BERLIN
Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to specialize in ophthalmology – Rizal chose this
branch of medicine because he wanted to cure his mother’s eye ailment
Dr. Loius de Weckert- He is the leading French Ophthalmologist during the period. He is the
leading authority among the oculists of France, who found Rizal such a competent student
and make him as his clinical assistant.
 During his free time, he visited his fellow countrymen- Pardo de Taveras (Trinidad, Felix and
Paz) and Juan Luna. Rizal posed in Luna’s canvass like “The Blood Compact” in which he
posed as Sikatuna and Trinidad as Legaspi. He also posed for a group picture called “The
Death of Cleopatra” wherein he dressed as an Egyptian

FEBRUARY 1, 1886
He left Paris to Germany and arrived on February 3, 1886 in Heidelberg- a historic city in
Germany famous for its old university and romantic surroundings.
Dr. Otto Becker- Distinguished German Ophthalmologist where Rizal worked – University
Eye Hostipal

MARCH 11, 1886

One of Rizal’s important letters written while he was in Germany that addressed to his sister,
Trinidad
In his letter, Rizal expressed his high regard and admiration for German womanhood
The German woman, said Rizal to his sister, is serious, diligent, educated, and friendly. She is
not gossipy, frivolous and quarrelsome.

NOVEMBER 1886
Rizal arrived in Berlin. He was enchanted by the scientific atmosphere and the absence of
racial prejudice in Berlin.
Rizal met Dr. Feodor Jagor, great scientist and author of “Travels in the Philippines”, one of
the books Rizal admired during his student days. He also met Dr. Rudolf Virchow, a famous
German Anthropologist; his son Dr. Hans Virchow, a professor in anatomy; and Dr. W. Joest,
a German Geographer.
Rizal’s reasons in staying in Berlin:
1. To gain further knowledge in Ophthalmology
2. To further his studies of sciences and languages
3. To observe the economic and political conditions of the German nation
4. To associate with famous German scientists and scholars
5. To publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere

NOLI ME TANGERE PUBLISHED IN BERLIN (1887)

The bleak winter on 1886 in Berlin was Rizal’s darkest winter because no money arrived
from Calamba and he was flat broke. The diamond ring which his sister, Saturnina, gave him
was in the pawnshop. It was memorable in the life of Rizal for two reasons:
1. It was a painful episode for he was hungry, sick and despondent in a strange city
2. It brought him great joy after enduring so many sufferings, because his first novel,
Noli Me Tangere came off the press in March 1887.

HARRIET BEECHER STOWE’S UNCLE TOM’S CABIN

Inspired Rizal to prepare a novel that would depict the miseries of his people under the lash
of Spanish tyrants.
MAXIMO VIOLA
Rizal’s friend from Bulacan, arrived in Berlin at the height of Rizal despondency and loaned
him the needed funds to publish the novel; savior of Noli

FEBRUARY 21, 1887

The Noli was finally finished and reading for printing

BERLINER BUCHDRUCKREI-ACTION-GESSELSCHAFT
A printing shop which charged the lowest rate, that is, 300 pesos for 2,000 copies of the
novel

MARCH 21, 1887

The Noli came off the press
The title Noli Me Tangere is a Latin phrase which means “Touch Me Not”. It is not originally
conceived by Rizal, for he admitted taking it from the Bible.

RIZAL’S GRAND TOUR OF EUROPE WITH VIOLA (1887)

MAY 11, 1887

Rizal and Viola left Berlin by train
Dresden- One of the best cities in Germany
Prometheus Bound- Painting wherein Rizal was deeply impressed
Teschen (now Decin, Czechoslovakia)- Next stopover after leaving Dresedn

LEITMERITZ
At 1:30pm of May 13, 1887- The train, with Rizal and Viola on board, arrived at the railroad
station of Leitmeritz, Bohemia for the first time, the two great scholars- Rizal and
Blumentritt- met in person
Professor Blumentritt- A kind-hearted, old Austrian Professor
May 13 to May 16, 1887- Rizal and Viola stayed in Leitmeritz
Burgomaster- Town mayor
Tourist’s Club of Leitmeritz- Which Blumentritt was the secretary; Rizal spoke
extemporaneously in fluent Germany to the officers and members
Dr. Carlos Czepelak- Reowned scientist of Europe
Professor Robert Klutschak- An eminent naturalist
May 16, 1887 at 9:45 AM- Rizal and Viola left Leitmeritz by train

PRAGUE
Dr. Willkomm- Professor of natural history in the University of Prague
According to Viola, “Nothing of importance happened” in this city
VIENNA
May 20, 1887- Rizal and Viola arrived in the beautiful city of Vienna, capital of Autria-
Hungary
Vienna was truly the “Queen of Danube” because of its beautiful buildings, religious images,
haunting waltzes and majestic charm
Norfentals- One of the greatest Autrian Novelists was favorably impressed by Rizal, and
years later he spoke highly of Rizal, “whose genius he so much admired”
Hotel Metropole- Where Rizal and Viola stayed in Vienna, Rizal received his lost diamond
stickpin

DANUBIAN VOYAGE TO LINTZ

May 24, 1887- Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a river boat to see the beautiful sights of the
Danube River
Rizal particularly noticed that the passengers on the river boat were using paper napkins
during the meals, which was a novelty to him. Viola, commented that the paper napkins
were “more hygienic and economical than cloth napkins”

FROM LINTZ TO RHEINFALL

Munich- Where Rizal and Viola sojourned for a short time to savor the famous Munich beer,
reputed to be the best in Germany
Nuremberg- One of the oldest cities of Germany
The Cathedral of Ulm- The largest and tallest Cathedral in all Germany
From Ulm, they went to Stuttgart, Baden and then Rheinfall (Cascade of the Rhein). At
Rheinfall, they saw the waterfall, “The most beautiful waterfall in Europe”

CROSSING THE FRONTIER TO SWITZERLAND

June 2 to 3, 1887- Stayed at Schaffhausen, Switzerland

GENEVA
The Swiss city is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, visited by world tourists every
year
June 19, 1887- Rizal treated Viola to a blow-out. It was his 26th birthday
Rizal and Viola spent fifteen delightful days in Geneva
June 23, 1887- Viola and Rizal parted ways- Viola returned to Barcelona while Rizal
continued the tour to Italy
Exposition of the Philippines in Madrid, Spain- Rizal was outraged by this degradation of his
fellow countrymen the Igorots of Northern Luzon

RIZAL IN ITALY
June 27, 1887- Rizal reached Rome, the “Eternal City” and also called the “City of the
Caesars”
Rizal was thrilled by the sights and memories of the Eternal City. Describing to Blumentritt,
the “Grandeur that was Rome”, he wrote on June 27, 1887
 June 29,1887- The Feast Day of St. Peter and St. Paul, Rizal visited for the first time the
Vatican, the “City of the Popes” and the capital of Christendom
Every night, after sightseeing the whole day, Rizal returned to his hotel, very tired. “I am
tired as a dog”, he wrote to Blumentritt, “But I will sleep as a God”
After a week of wonderful sojourn in Rome, Rizal prepared to return to the Philippines. He
had already written to his Father that he was coming home

RIZAL’S FIRST COMING HOME

As early as 1884, Rizal wanted to go back to the Philippines for the following reasons:
1. Financial difficulties in Calamba
2. Dissatisfaction with his studies in Madrid
3. Desire to prove that there is no reason to fear going home
4. His belief that the Spanish Regime will not punish the innocent
After 5 years of his memorable sojourn in Europe, Rizal returned to the Philippines
However, Rizal was warned by the following not to return to the Philippines because his Noli
Me Tangere angered the friars:
Paciano Mercado- Rizal’s adviser and only brother
Silvestre Ubaldo- Rizal’s brother in law; Husband of Olimpia
Jose Ma. Cecilio (Chenggoy)- One of Rizal’s closest friend
Rizal was determined to come back to the Philippines for the following reasons:
1. To operate his mother’s eyes
2. To serve his people who had long been oppressed by Spanish tyrants
3. To find out for himself how the Noli Me Tangere and his other writings were
affecting Filipinos and Spaniards.
4. To inquire why Leonor Rivera remained silent

RIZAL ARRIVES IN MANILA

Rizal left Rome by train to Marseilles, a French port and boarded Djemnah, the same
steamer that brought him to Europe 5 years ago
There were 50 passengers: 4 Englishmen, 2 Germans, 3 Chinese, 2 Japanese, 40 Frenchmen
and 1 Filipino (Rizal)
When the ship reached Aden, the weather became rough and some of Rizal’s book got wet
In Saigon (Ho Chi Minh), Vietnam- He transferred to another steamer, Haiphong, that
brought him to Manila.

HAPPY HOME COMING

When Rizal arrived in Calamba, rumors spread that he was a:
German spy
An agent of Otto Von Bismarck- The liberator of Germany
A protestant
A mason
A soul halfway to damnation
 Paciano did not leave him during the first days after arrival to protect him from any enemy
assault.
Don Francisco did not permit him to go out alone

IN CALAMBA
Rizal established a medical clinic
Dona Teodora- Rizal’s first patient
Rizal treated her eyes but could not perform any surgical operation because her cataracts
were not yet ripe
He painted several beautiful landscapes in Calamba
He translated German poems of Von Wildernath in Tagalog
Doctor Uliman- Rizal was called this name because he came from Germany
He earned ₱900 in a few months and ₱5,000 before he left the Philippines
Gymnasium- was opened by Rizal for the young people
He introduced European sports fencing and shooting to discourage them from cockfighting
and gambling

SAD MOMENTS WHILE RIZAL WAS IN CALAMBA

Leonor Rivera- Rizal tried to visit her in Tarlac but his parents forbade him to go because
Leonor’s mother did not like him for a son-in-law
Olimpia Mercado-Ubaldo- Died because of child birth

RIZAL VISITED THE JESUITS

Rizal visited the Jesuit fathers to ask for their feedback on the novel
He was gladly welcomed by the following friars:
Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez
Fr. Jose Bech
Fr. Federico Faura- Told Rizal that everything in the novel was the truth and warned
him that he may lose his head because of it.
Governor-General Emilio Terrero- A liberal minded Spaniard who knew that Rizal’s life was
in jeopardy because the friars were powerful
Because of this he gave Rizal a bodyguard to protect him
Jose Taviel de Andrade
A young Spanish lieutenant who came to a noble family
He was cultured and knew painting
He could speak French, English and Spanish
The became good friends

ATTACKERS OF THE NOLI

Archbishop Pedro Payo
A Dominican
Archbishop of Manila
Sent a copy of the Noli to Fr. Gregorio Echevarria, Recto of the University of Santo
Tomas to examine the novel
UST AND RIZAL
The committee that examined the Noli Me Tangere were composed of Dominican Professors
The report of the faculty members from UST about the Noli states that the novel was:
Heretical, impious and scandalous in the religious orders, and anti-patriotic,
subversive of public order, injurious to the Government of Spain and its function in
the Philippine Islands in the political order.
Governor-General Terrero was not satisfied with the report so he sent the Novel to the
Permanent Commission of Censorship which was composed of priests and lawyers.
Fr. Salvador Font- Augustinian friar curate of Tondo was the head of the Commision.
The group found that the Novel contain subversive ideas against the Church and
Spain and recommended that the importation, reproduction and circulation of the
pernicious book in the islands be absolute prohibited.
The newspaper published Font’s written report
The banning of the Noli Me Tangere served to make it popular
The masses supported the book
Fr. Jose Rodriguez- Augustinian Prior of Guadalupe
Published a series of eight pamphlets under the heading Questions of Supreme
Interest to blast the Noli and other anti-Spanish writing
Copies of Anti-Rizal pamphlets were sold after mass
Many Filipinos were forced to buy them in order not to displease the friars

NOLI ME TANGERE IN SPAIN

The novel was fiercely attacked in the session hall of the Senate of the Spanish Cortes
Senators:
General Jose de Salamanca
General Luis de Pando
Sr. Fernando Vida
Vicente Barantes- Spanish academician of Madrid who formerly occupied high government
position in the Philippines bitterly criticized the Novel in an article published in the Madrid
newspaper, La Espana Moderna

DEFENDERS OF THE NOLI ME TANGERE

Propagandists such as Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Antonio Ma. Regidor,
Mariano Ponce rushed to uphold the truths of the Noli
Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez- Rizal’s favorite teacher in Ateneo defended and praised
the novel in public
Don Segismundo Moret- Former Minister of the Crown
Prof. Miguel Morayta- Historian and stateman
Prof. Ferdinand Blementritt- Rizal’s best friend
Rev. Fr. Vicente Garcia- A Filipino Catholic Priest-Scholar, a theologian of the Manila
Cathedral and a Tagalog translator of the famous Imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis
Under the pen name Justo Desiderio Magalang he wrote a defense of the novel
published in Singapore
 Rizal cried because of his gratitude to his defenders especially to Fr. Garcia who defended
him unexpectedly
He attacked Barantes by exposing his ignorance of Philippine affairs and mental dishonesty
which is unworthy of an academician
Because of the interest of both enemies and protectors of the Noli the price of the book
increased from five pesetas per copy to 50 pesetas per copy

AGRARIAN PROBLEM IN CALAMBA

Influenced by the novel, Governor-General Emilio Terrero ordered a government
investigation of the friar estates to remedy whatever inequities might have been present in
connection with land taxes and with tenant relations
One of the friar estates affected was the Calamba hacienda by the Dominican order since
1883
Upon hearing about the investigation, the people of Calamba asked helped from Rizal to
gather facts and list the grievances so that the government might institute certain agrarian
reforms

FINDINGS SUBMITTED BY RIZAL

The hacienda of the Dominican Order compromised not only the lands around Calamba , but
the whole town of Calamba
The profits of the Dominican Order continually increased because of the arbitrary increase of
the rentals paid by the tenants
The hacienda owner never contributed a single centavo for the celebration of the town
fiesta, for the education of the children, and for the improvement of agriculture
Tenants who spent much labor in clearing the lands were dispossessed of the said lands for
flimsy reasons
High rates of interest were arbitrarily charged the tenants for delayed payments of rentals
When the rentals could not be paid, the hacienda management confiscated the work
animals, tools, and farm implements of the tenants

FRIARS REACTION
Rizal’s exposure to the deplorable condition angered the friars
The friars exerted pressure to Malacanang to eliminate Rizal
They asked Gov. Gen. Terrero to deport Rizal but the latter refused for there is lack of
charges against Rizal in Court
Anonymous threats in Rizal’s life alarmed his parents, siblings, Andrade his bodyguard,
friends and even Terrero, thus they all advised him to leave the country

RIZAL’S REASONS FOR LEAVING THE PHILIPPINES

His presence in Calamba was jeopardizing the safety and happiness of his family and friends
He could not fight better his enemies and serve his country’s cause with greater efficacy by
writing in foreign countries
HIMNO AL TRABAJO
A poem for Lipa- Shortly before Rizal left in 1888, he was asked by a friend to write a poem
in commemoration of the town’s cityhood
Himno Al Trabajo (Hymn to Labor)- Title of the poem dedicated to the to the industrious
people of Lipa

FAREWELL PHILIPPINES
On February 3, 1888- Rizal left his country with a heavy heart
But this is for his own good and the safety of his family and friends