Chapter 6

In Sunny Spain (1882-1885)

Jose Rizal finished his medical course in the University of Santo Tomas. Then he decided to
complete his studies in Spain due to the radical prejudice of Dominican Professors against Filipino
Students. Aside from this ostensible reason, he had a “Secret Mission”, which was more important
than finishing his studies.

Rizal’s Secret Mission

 The secret mission of Rizal is to observe keenly the life and culture, languages and customs,
industries and commerce, and government laws of European nation in order to prepare
himself in the mighty task of liberating his fellow-men.
 His mission was approved by his older brother Paciano, Rizal leave without permission
and blessing from his parents.

Secret Departure for Spain

 The departure of Rizal was kept secret to avoid the detection by the Spanish authorities and
the friars, even his own parents. Only selected person knows the secret departure of Rizal,
including his brother Paciano and the Ateneo Jesuit fathers. The Jesuit priests gave him
letters of recommendation to the members of their Society in Barcelona. On May3, 1882,
Rizal departed on board the Spanish steamer Salvadora bound for Singapore.

Singapore

 During the voyage, Rizal observed the he is the only Filipino on the ship. The ship captain,
Donato Lecha, from Asturias, Spain, befriend him. On May 9, 1882, the Ship docked at
Singapore. Rizal landed, registered at the Hotel de la Paz, and spent two days for
sightseeing; there he saw the statue of Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles (founder of Singapore).

From Singapore to Colombo

 Rizal transferred to ship Djemnah, and he left to Europe on May 11. It was a French vessel
therefore French mostly spoken on board. On May 17, Djemnah reach Point Galle, a
seacoast town in southern Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
 The following day, Djemnah resume the voyage, after a few hours of sailing, they reach
Colombo, the capital of Ceylon on the same day.
First Trip through Suez Canal

 From Colombo, Djemnah continued the voyage crossing the Indian Ocean to the Cape of
Guardafui, Africa, and then a stopover on Aden. From Aden Djemnah proceeded to the
city of Suez, the Red Sea terminal of the Suez Canal. It took five days to traverse the Suez
Canal.
 At Port Said, the Mediterranean terminal of the Suez Canal, Rizal landed and he was
fascinated to hear the multi-racial inhabitants speaking a babel of tongues.

Naples and Marseilles

 From Port Said, the Djemnah proceeded on its way to Europe. On June 11, Rizal reached
Naples. On the night of June 12, the steamer docked at the French harbor of Marsielles. He
stayed two and a half day in Marsielles, he visited the famous Chateau d’lf, where Dantes,
hero of The Count of Monte Cristo.

Barcelona

 On the afternoon of May 15, Rizal left Marseilles by train; he crossed the Pyrences and
stopped for a day at Port Bou. After the passport inspection at Port Bou, he contribute his
journey, and he reached Barcelona on June 16, 1882.
 Rizal’s first impression of Barcelona was unfavorable; he found out that the people were
open-hearted, hospitable, and courageous. The Filipinos in Barcelona, some of whom even
his schoolmates on the Ateneo, welcome Rizal.

Amor Patria

 Rizal wrote a nationalistic essay entitled “Amor Patria” (Love of Country), his first article
written on Spanish’s soil. He sent the article to Basilio Teodoro Moran, publisher of
Diaryong Tagalog, under his pen-name Laong Laan. Amor Patria appeared on the
newspaper on August 20, 1882, with tagalong version translated by M.H.Del Pilar.
 Rizal wrote again for Diaryong Tagalog; Los Viajes (Travels), Revisita de Madrid (Review
of Madrid), unfortunately Diaryong Tagalog had ceased publication for lack of funds.

Manila Moves to Madrid

 Sad news, on September 15, 1882, Rizal received a letter from Paciano, according to the
letter, Philippines was ravaging by epidemic. Another sad news from Chengoy (Jose M.
Cecilio, intimate friend), Leonora Rivera was began to be unhappy because of the absence
of Rizal.
 In one of his letters (dated May 26, 1882) Paciano adviced Rizal to finish his medical
course in Madrid, therefore, Rizal establish himself to Madrid.

Life in Madrid

 On November 3, 1882, Rizal enrolled in Universidad Central de Madrid (Central

University of Madrid) in two courses – Medical and Philosophy and Letters. Rizal is thirst
for knowledge; he studied a lot in Madrid and on his leisure times are reading and writing,
sometimes he is attending the reunions of Filipino Students.

Romance with Consuela Ortiga y Perez

 Rizal, being a lonely young man in a foreign country, he was attracted by Consuelo’s
beauty. On August 22, 1883 he expresses his admiration; he made a poem entitled “A La
Señiorita C.O. y P.”. The Romance didn’t blossom because of two reasons

- Engage to Leonora Rivera

- Eduardo de Lete (his friend) is madly in love with Consuelo.

They Ask me For Verses

 Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino (Hispano-Philippine Circle). Upon the request
of the members, Rizal wrote a poem entitled, Mi Piden Versos, he declaimed it during New
Year’s Eve, December 31, 1882

Rizal as Lover of Books

 A favorite past time of Rizal in Madrid was reading. Rizal economized on his living
expenses, he purchase books from a second-hand book store. Rizal’s was deeply affected
by Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the Wandering Jew.