Lesson 3.

1: Rizal's Life Abroad (Europe)  Ship: French liner SS Djemnah (Rizal

was satisfied with its excellent
Voyage to Madrid
service).
Rizal’s Decision to Study Abroad:
 Stopovers & Observations:
 Left without informing his parents and
o Point Galle (Sri Lanka): “The
Leonor Rivera.
general appearance of Point Galle
 Paciano felt sorrowful but still is picturesque but lonely and quiet
supported Rizal by giving him 356 and at the same time sad”
pesos.
o Colombo (Sri Lanka): “Colombo is
 Persuaded by his brother Paciano and beautiful, smart and elegant than
Uncle Antonio to study in Spain. Singapore, Point Galle and Manila”
 Reasons for studying in Spain: o Aden (Yemen):
o Continue medicine at a reputable  Hotter than Manila.
school.
 First time seeing camels.
o Freedom of expression without
o Suez Canal (Egypt):
colonial restrictions.
 Impressed by the beautiful
Rizal’s Departure from the
moonlight, showing his romantic
Philippines:
side.
 May 3, 1882: Rizal left the Philippines
o Port Said (Egypt): Another stop
aboard the SS Salvadora for
before entering Europe.
Singapore.
o Naples (Italy):
 May 9, 1882: Arrived in Singapore.
 Amazed by its lively people,
 Diary Entry:
business activity, and panoramic
o Noted Malay children shouting “a la beauty.
mer, a la mer” to ask for coins—
o Marseilles (France):
two cuatros.
 Visited Chateau d’If.
o Observed how agile they were in
retrieving coins from the sea.  Stayed for a few days
sightseeing.
o Compared them to the Badjaos in
the Philippines, known for their
swimming skills.

 Stayed at Hotel de la Paz for two

days.

 Spent time sightseeing and attending

social events (soirées).

Rizal’s Voyage from Singapore to

France Aboard SS Djemnah:
Rizal’s Arrival and Early Writings in o One of the oldest universities in the
Spain world.
 Arrival in Spain: o Located in Ciudad Universitaria,
Madrid.
o Reached Spain during summer,
when students were on vacation. o Founded: May 20, 1293, by King
Sancho IV of Castile as Studium
o Met former Ateneo classmates at
Generale
Plaza de Cataluña.
- Studium Generale – was a
 Early Writings & Publications:
term used in the Middle Ages for
o Wrote articles for Diariong Tagalog. a center of higher education that
was recognized for its broad
o Published Amor Patrio (Love of
curriculum and international
Country) with help from Basilio
appeal.
Teodoro.
o Upgraded in 1499 by Pope
o Earned praise from fellow Filipinos
Alexander VI, renamed Universitas
for his literary skills.
Complutensis after Alcala de
o His family became cautious and Henares (Complutum in Latin).
warned him due to the poem’s
 Academic Structure (1509-1510):
nationalistic tone.
o Five Major Schools:
o Also wrote Los Viajes (Travels).
 Arts and Philosophy
Rizal’s Journey from France to Spain
 Theology
 Train to Barcelona (Spain):
 Canon Law
o Date: June 15, 1882.
 Philology
o Arrival: June 16, 1882.
 Medicine
o Initial Impression: Did not like
Barcelona, but his feelings changed o Strongly influenced by Renaissance
over time. thought and Humanism.

 Final Destination – Madrid: o Focused on training lawyers and

theologians to serve the Spanish
o Season: Fall of 1882.
Monarchy.
o Left Barcelona and finally settled in
 Comparison to Modern Philippine
Madrid, the capital of Spain.
Education:
The Universidad Central de Madrid
o Unlike the past, where students
and Rizal’s Academic Performance
served the monarchy, modern
The Universidad Central de Madrid - The education gives Filipinos the
Complutense University of freedom to choose careers.
Madrid/Universidad Complutense de
o Many graduates today seek
Madrid
opportunities abroad for better
 Historical Background: financial prospects.
Rizal’s Enrollment at the Central o Took shooting and fencing lessons
University of Madrid at the Hall of Sanz and Carbonnel
with a private instructor.
 University Name: Central University of
Madrid (now Complutense University The Circulo Hispano-Filipino
of Madrid).
 Founded: September 1882 in Madrid.
 Transfer from Alcalá:
 Leader: Don Juan Atayde.
o Originally located in Alcalá de
 Members: Mostly peninsulares
Henares.
(Spaniards born in Spain), mestizos,
o Transferred to Madrid by Royal and a few indios (Filipinos), including
Decree on October 29, 1836. José Rizal and Tomás Arejola.

o Renamed Central University of  Activities:

Madrid in 1851.
o Intellectual discussions.
 Rizal’s Enrollment:
o Entertaining gatherings, especially
o Date: November 3, 1882 for younger members.
(Correction from November 31,
 Rizal’s Observations:
which does not exist).
o Recognized Filipinos excelling in
o Courses Taken: Medicine and
various fields:
Philosophy and Letters.
 Sancianco – Progreso de
o Subjects He Excelled In: Greek,
Filipinas (Progress of the
Latin, Spanish, and Hebrew
Philippines).
Literature.
 Graciano López Jaena – Political
 Historical Context:
and administrative writings.
o Rizal lived in a period of political
 Tomás de Rosario – Skilled
instability, war, and shifting
orator and writer.
government leadership.
 Eduardo de Lete & Laserna –
o These conditions influenced his
Poets.
intellectual and nationalist ideas,
shaping his advocacy for reform in o Appreciated their achievements
the Philippines. without envy.

Other Things Rizal Learned Abroad  Decline of the Group:

 Fine Arts Studies: o Lack of funds.

o Studied painting and sculpture at o Disunity in serious advocacy for the

the Academy of San Fernando. Philippines.

 Foreign Languages: o Members focused more on

gambling, women, and leisure
o Learned French, German, and
rather than reform efforts.
English.
Rizal’s Encounter with a Beautiful
 Sports and Combat Training:
Lady
During his stay in Madrid, José Rizal met solicitous and heedful of the welfare of
Consuelo Ortiga y Rey, the charming her provinces, implements the reforms
daughter of Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey. He she has contemplated for a long time.
expressed his admiration for her beauty The furrow is ready, and the ground is
by writing a poem entitled "A La Señorita not sterile! And I drink finally for the
C.O. y R." happiness of the parents who, deprived
of the tenderness of their children, from
Consuelo’s Feelings for Rizal:
those distant regions follow them with
 She was open about her attraction to moist eyes and palpitating hearts across
Rizal. seas and peace, sacrificing on the altar
of the common welfare the sweet
 In her diary, she recounted their
consolations that are so scarce in the
meetings and hinted at Rizal’s
twilight of life, precious and lonely winter
possible feelings for her.
f lowers that sprout along the snow-
Rizal’s Hesitation: white borders of the grave” (Jose Rizal:
Political and Historical Writings, 2011).
 On February 20, 1883, Consuelo
wrote in her diary that Rizal never Impact of Rizal’s Speech:
directly confessed his love but hinted
 Published in El Liberal and perceived
at it.
as a political attack that alarmed
“On February 20, 1883: he hasn’t said Spanish authorities.
so, but pretty so nearly. He told me last
 Rizal’s family in the Philippines grew
night, he had an illness which could be
anxious and warned him to be
cured only by travel… he said, he had an
cautious.
eye on somebody who was much too
high for him, and, despite trying to win Luna’s Spoliarium
her as a pastime, had failed”
 Won first-class medal at the 1884
Rizal’s Tribute to Luna and Hidalgo Madrid Exposition.
On June 25, 1884, José Rizal delivered a  Depicts fallen gladiators being
speech at a banquet in Madrid to honor dragged into the Roman Colosseum’s
Juan Luna and Félix Resurrección Spoliarium (a chamber for dead or
Hidalgo, who won in the Madrid dying warriors).
Exposition of Fine Arts—Luna securing
 Symbolizes the oppression and
first place and Hidalgo earning third
suffering of Filipinos under Spanish
place.
rule.
Excerpt from Rizal’s Speech:
 Largest painting in the Philippines
“I drink then to the health of our artists (4.22 x 7.675 meters).
Luna and Hidalgo, legitimate and pure
 Currently displayed at the National
glories of two people! I drink to the
Museum of Fine Arts in Manila.
health of the persons who have lent
them a helping hand on the dolorous Hidalgo’s Las Vírgenes Cristianas
path of art. I drink to the health of the Expuestas al Populacho
Filipino youth, sacred hope of my Native
 Won a silver medal at the 1884
Land, that they may imitate such
Madrid Exposition among 45 entries.
precious examples so that Mother Spain,
 Depicts Christian virgins being Rizal’s Masonic Speech: “Science,
exposed to the Roman mob, Virtue, Labor” (1890, Madrid, Spain)
symbolizing the abuse suffered by
“For humanity to be able to attain the
Filipinos under Spanish rule.
lofty destiny toward which God guides it,
 Proved that Filipino artists could rival it is necessary that within its fold there
Spanish masters, showcasing Filipino should be no dissension nor tyranny,
talent and intellect on the global that plagues do not decimate it and no
stage. groans and curses be heard in its march.
It is necessary that its triumphant career
Rizal and Masonry
march to the tune of the hymns of glory
Masonry played a crucial role in the and liberty with a bright face and serene
Reform Movement, particularly in its forehead” (Jose Rizal, Science, Virtue,
anti-friar stance, which led many Filipino and Labor, 1956)
Propagandists to join. Filipino Masons in
Titles Conferred to Rizal After Years
Spain helped establish Masonic lodges in
of Study in Madrid
the Philippines, fearlessly advocating for
reforms and demanding that the Medical Degree at Universidad Central
Philippines be recognized as a regular de Madrid
province of Spain.
 Rizal completed the Doctorate in
Rizal’s Involvement in Masonry Medicine but did not submit a thesis,
which is why he was not awarded a
 Joined the fraternity under the
Doctor of Medicine degree (Santiago,
Masonic name "Dimasalang"
1994).
(meaning ungraspable).
 On June 12, 1884, he received the
 Was drawn to Masonry’s rationalist
title Licenciado en Medicina (Bachelor
philosophy, which promoted
of Medicine).
knowledge through reason and
universal brotherhood.  However, he did not practice
medicine immediately.
 Masonry opposed the abuses of the
Church, criticizing it for using religion  Rizal could not afford to pay for his
to control and deceive people. diploma but later paid for his medical
license with money given by his
 The Catholic Church outlawed
brother Paciano, on his 24th birthday.
Freemasonry, condemning it as sinful
and warning that hell awaited its Degree in Philosophy and Letters
members.
 Rizal also earned the title Licenciado
Masonry’s Role in Reform en Filosofía y Letras, which qualified
him to teach in any Spanish
 Criticized tyranny and exploitation in
university.
both Church and government.
 However, he doubted his ability to
 Advocated for intellectual freedom
teach philosophy in the Philippines.
and social progress.
 Instead, he pursued ophthalmology in
 Became a platform for reformists
Paris and Germany to treat his
fighting for Filipino rights under
mother’s eye ailment.
Spanish rule.
Further Medical Training in Europe

 Rizal trained under renowned  Financial Struggles:

European oculists in Paris, Heidelberg,
o Rizal faced financial difficulties
Leipzig, and Berlin.
while in Paris.
 While studying, he continued his
o To earn some money, he posed for
travels, observing European life,
free in Luna’s famous paintings,
customs, government, and laws.
such as:
His academic achievements and
 The Death of Cleopatra (as an
specialization in ophthalmology reflected
Egyptian priest)
his dedication to both education and
service to his family and country.  The Blood Compact (as Sikatuna)
Rizal in Paris, France o He may have received free meals in
exchange for his modeling.
 Arrival in Paris (November 1885):
Rizal arrived in Paris and worked as Significant Things Rizal Did While in
an assistant to Dr. Louis de Weckert, a Germany
well-known ophthalmologist. He
 Arrival in Heidelberg (February 1886):
assessed his skills, stating:
o Rizal traveled to Heidelberg, a city
"With respect to the study of eye
known for its prestigious
ailments, I am doing well. I know now
university and beautiful flowers.
how to perform all the operations. I only
need to know what is going on inside the o He worked as an assistant to Dr.
eye, which requires much practice." Otto Becker, a leading
ophthalmologist.
 Social Life and Art:
o Attended lectures by Dr. Becker
o He often visited fellow Filipino
and Professor Wilhelm Kuehne.
reformists such as Juan Luna, Pardo
de Tavera, and Felix Hidalgo, who  Meeting Ferdinand Blumentritt:
helped him refine his painting skills.
o Rizal learned about Ferdinand
o He wrote letters to his family about Blumentritt, an Austrian scholar
his social activities, mentioning that who was studying Philippine
he and Luna dined together at history and the Tagalog language.
Luna’s studio and were frequently
o Impressed by Blumentritt’s
invited to social gatherings.
interest, Rizal initiated a lifelong
“Luna and I eat here at the studio and as friendship by sending him a letter
he has many friends at Paris, he is often and a Tagalog arithmetic book
invited by family who hold soirees at titled Aritmetica by Rufino
their homes…The Pardo family who live Baltazar Hernandez.
here also invite me to eat at their home
o In his letter, Rizal described the
from time to time. Then Luna,
Tagalog language and noted that
Resurreccion, and I go there…” At least
the Spanish translation in the
Rizal also had time to unwind and just
book was not as good as the
relax (Writings of Jose Rizal:
original.
Letters…,1962).
 Observations on German Women
(March 11, 1886):

o Rizal wrote to his sister Trinidad,

sharing his admiration for German
women:

"The German woman is serious,

studious, diligent. Their clothes do not
have plenty of color, generally only three
or four. They do not pay much attention
to their clothes nor to jewels. They dress
their hair simply, which is thin but
beautiful in their childhood."

 Financial Hardships in Germany:

o Rizal suffered from serious

financial problems while in
Germany.

o He lacked money for food and

rent, which made him physically
weak.

o At one point, he was so desperate

that he considered burning the
manuscript of his first novel, Noli
Me Tangere.

o His family’s financial troubles in

Calamba contributed to his
struggles, as their agricultural
business was in decline.