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;

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 institutions are under the 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 novel 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 Education is 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 this 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 and regulations
providing for the exemption of students for reasons 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 regulations 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
an adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and
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 translations 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 schools, colleges and universities.

The Board of National Education shall 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 of 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 Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines
by public school teachers and other person engaged in any public school.

SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is 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.

Approved: June 12, 1956

Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 2971 in June 1956.

THE RIZAL LAW, LITERATURE AND SOCIETY

RA 1425: The Rizal Law
The Rizal course is mandated by law.
Republic Act 1425 mandated to include in the Curricula of All Public and Private Schools, Colleges,
and Universities courses on the Life, Works, and Writings of Jose Rizal.
It was enacted on June 12, 1956.
Mandate of the Rizal Law
In the collegiate courses, the original and unexpurgated (uncensored) editions of the Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo shall be used as basic texts.
Schools keeps copies of Rizal’s works in their libraries.
Rizal’s works be made accessible to the public.
Claro M. Recto – Rizal Bill’s principal’s author.
Jose P. Laurel – co-author
The Rizal Bill 1956
The bill became very controversial and Recto was met with stiff opposition from the Catholic
Church.
Recto: “The people who would eliminate the books of Rizal from the schools would blot out from our
minds the memory of the national hero.”
The church charged Recto with being a communist and an anti-Catholic.
The Catholic Church urged its adherents to write to their congressmen and senators showing their
opposition to the bill; later, it organized symposia.
Fr. Jesus Cavanna argued that the novels belonged to the past and that teaching them would
misrepresent current conditions.
The Acb. Rufino Santos, protested in a pastoral letter that Catholic students would be affected if
compulsory reading of the unexpurgated version were pushed through.
Mayor Arsenio Lacson who supported the bill walked out of Mass when the priest read a circular
from the archbishop denouncing the bill.
Catholic schools threatened to close down if the bill was passed;
CBCC said: “Hence we cannot but approve and applaud in principle the desire of many that the
writings of Rizal be more widely circulated and read, and even introduced as reading matter in the
public and private schools of he nation.”
170 passages in Noli Me Tangere and 50 in El Filibusterismo offensive to the Catholic faith.
“We can think of no more effective means, after the formal teaching of religion, to develop in our
youth a sane and constructive nationalism, the moral qualities of justice, responsibility and
integrity, and the civic virtue, so necessary in our times, of the subordination of individual
ambitions to the common good.
There were scandals in the church in Rizal’s time. “Why should we deny it? There were unfaithful
priests.”
We foresee in the indiscriminate and undirected reading of the novels a danger, since the young are
“too apt to take as literally true whatever they see in print.”
Catholic supporters of the bill
Bishop Cesar Ma. Guerrero said that all Filipinos should read the novels. He refused to sign the
pastoral letter. His signature was forged. He remained resigned and retired by Hospicio De San
Jose.
Fr. John Schumacher – a mistake of the church to ban the reading of the novels.
The Board of National Education translated the novels in English, Filipino, and other dialects.
The bill was passed with a clause that would give exemptions to those who feel that reading Rizal’s
novels would damage his or her faith.
So far, no student has yet officially enrolled applied for exemption from reading Rizal’s novels.
In 1994 Memorandum Order No. 247, directed the Secretary of DECS and the Chairman of the
CHED to fully implement the RA 1425 – as there had been reports that the law had still not been
totally carried out.
In 1995, CHED Memorandum No. 3 was issued enforcing strict compliance to Memorandum Order
No. 247.
Background
The country was experiencing social turmoil.
The country was being ravaged by the Hukbalahap insurgency.
American influence was strong in the country’s economy and political policies.
Importance of Studying Rizal
1. The subject provides insights on how to deal with current problems.
2. It helps us understand better ourselves as Filipinos.
3. It teaches nationalism and patriotism.
4. It provides various essential life lessons.
5. It helps in developing logical and critical thinking.
6. Rizal can serve as a worthwhile model and inspiration to every Filipino.
 7. The subject is a rich source of entertaining narratives.
Aims of the Law
1. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for which our
heroes lived and die;
2. To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the Filipino
character; and
3. To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works and writings.
Nations need Heroes
Each of us needs a hero.
Hero – is a person who has the courage to put the welfare of others above his/her own even at the
risk and at the cost of his/her own life.
Heroes
People who placed the welfare of their own countrymen above their own.
People who have inspired their countrymen to fight for their freedom and self-identity or have
actually involve in the struggle.
Heroes are Human Beings
Heroes are not gods or saints.
Heroes are ordinary human beings who faced challenges with an extraordinary response.
Their response had a decisive effect on the lives of their countrymen.
Heroes in different countries
1. Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam)
2. Voltaire (France)
3. Mahatma Gandhi (India)
4. Nelson Mandela (South Africa)
5. Che Guevarra (Puerto Rico)
6. Abraham Lincoln (US)
7. Jose Rizal (Philippines)
Making of a National Hero
Heroes are not declared by way of legislation or canonization
Heroes are part if the people’s expression.
Criteria for a National Hero
1. Popular recognition and acclaim.
2. A long process of people’s internalization.
Definition of a National Hero
“Heroes are those who have a concept of a nation and thereafter aspire and struggle for the nation’s
freedom.” – Dr. Onofre Corpuz, Filipino historian.
A national hero must have a sense of nationalism-patriotism.
Nationalism – a state of mind and a habit of identifying oneself with a nation and a recognition of
one’s duty of pride, loyalty, and a protection and advancement of its interest and welfare.
A national hero must have a concept of a nation/national identity.
Nation – a group of people united by common history, culture, and desire for independence and
self-determination.
A national hero of the Philippines is a Filipino who has been recognized as selfless for his or her
role in the history of the Philippines.
In 1995 the National Heroes Committee officially recommended several people for the designation,
but this was not acted upon.
As of today, no had ever been officially recognized as a Philippine national hero.
1. Jose Rizal
2. Andres Bonifacio
3. Emilio Aguinaldo
4. Apolinario Mabini
5. Marcelo H. del Pilar
6. Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat
7. Juan Luna
8. Melchora Aquino
9. Gabriela Silang
Characteristics of a National Hero
1. The extent of the person’s sacrifices for the welfare of the country.
2. Motive and methods employed in the attainment of the ideal.
3. The moral character of the person.
4. Influence of the hero to his age and succeeding ages.
Rizal’s Letter to Bluemnetritt:
“I have always loved my poor country, and I am sure that I shall lover her until death. I shall dies
blessing her and desiring the dawn of her redemption.”
Austin Coates: Rizal was responsible for awakening Asia to the concept of nationalism.
Leon Ma, Guerrero: the first Filipino
Austin Craig: a Philippine patriot.
Rafael Palma: the pride of the Malay race.

RIZAL AND THEORY OF NATIONALISM

Nationalism during Rizal’s Time
The World During the 19th Century (Historical Background)
The Liberalism and Nationalism
The American Revolution (1775-1789).
The French Revolution (1789-1799)
Both Revolutions gave birth to the idea that:
Individual loyalty has to be to one’s own nation not to her colonizers;
Sovereignty resides in the people, not in the king.

Emancipation of Slaves
Ideology of the French Revolution: Liberty, Fraternity, and Equality.
In 1861 (Rizal’s Year of Birth) the Russian Tsar Alexander II proclaimed the freedom of millions of
Russian serfs/slaves.
In 1861, the American civil war started and ended in 1865 even if President Abraham Lincoln
proclaimed the freedom of Negro slaves in 1862.
Formation of Independent of Nation-States
In 1871, Italy has feed almost all of her states from Austrian invaders and established a unified
Italy with Rome as its capital through King Victor Emmanuel II.
Also in 1871, the German states, led by Prussia through Otto van Bismarck had defeated the
French invaders and set up the German empire.
Industrialization
Industrialization gained its momentum in the 2 nd half of the 19th century and further accelerated by
the discovery of oil (1859) and electricity (1887) as sources of power.
Faster means of communication and transportation were invented which facilitated contacts
with other countries for business and trade.
The Birth of Capitalism created new classes: the capitalists, the owners of the means of
production and the laborer, those who sell their labor also as capital for production.
Expansion of Colonization: competition between countries became stiffer and more difficult thus,
industrialized countries resorted to greater colonization so that they could get hold of more raw
materials.
Countries that colonized other countries during the 19th Century.
1. Britain
2. France
3. Spain
4. Russia
5. Germany
Colonial Expansion in Asia led by Great Britain
In 1842, Hong Kong was ceded by the Manchuria dynasty of China to Great Britain during Queen
Victoria’s reign after the dynasty was defeated during the first Opium Wars (1840-1842). (Second
Opium War, 1856-1860).
In 1886, India, Burma, and Malaya were consolidated to the British empire.
France, too, with the help of Filipino troops under Spanish officers, captured Vietnam and
Cambodia (1887) and Laos (1893).
Scientific Developments
John Dalton formulated the concept of atomic energy (1808).
In medicine, Louis Pasteur, a Frenchman discovered that germs cause diseases in man and animals
(1870).
Charles Darwin published his book (On the Origin of Species) explaining his (1859)
Scientific Developments: Significant Consequences
Many scientists impressed the importance of science on the mind of ordinary citizens.
People developed optimistic faith in man’s capacity to achieve progress.
Many people began to think and believe that the only way to truth and objectivity is the method of
science.
Political Changes: Socialism and Communism
Capitalism magnified the ancient labor problem: the inequality and conflict between the masters
and slaves, feudal lords and serfs, monarchs and subjects.
Socialists assert that government should own and control the means of production for the benefit of
all and not only a few like the capitalists. And they believe that this can be achieved through
gradual and peaceful political and economic reforms.
But in 1848, Karl Marx reiterated in his work The Communist Manifesto that only a violent
revolution could improve the life of the workers.
Private ownership of land and means of production should be abolished and that the government
shall have the central control of all.
In theory, communism would create a classless society of abundance and freedom, in which all
people enjoy equal social and economic status.
Political Changes: Democratic Movements
These began as a political program of the liberal middle class, but later on included members from
the lower classes. The aim of these movements is to fight for the welfare of average individuals
(common people).
The democratic movements in Europe and Americans forced government to be more concerned with
the welfare of the masses, most especially the lower classes.
Spain in the 19th Century
Political Instability
Spain was occupied by Napoleon Bonaparte from 1808 to 1814 which led to a massively destructive
“war of independence” driven by an emergent Spanish nationalism.
During the war, Spanish resistance leaders attempted to establish a liberal government and
proclaimed a Spanish constitution in 1812 which limited the power of the monarchy and
established a Spanish Cortes (on-chamber parliament).
When monarchy was restored, the liberal reforms were opposed by the new King Ferdinand VII.
 The Cadiz Constitution of 1812
 Cortes (Spanish Parliament)
This created two factions that generated long years of chaos due to internal divisions and conflicts.
 The Liberals who advanced democratic ideas
 The Conservatives who wanted to preserve the monarchy
The political instability adversely affected the Philippines creating frequent changes and brief tenure
in its top colonial administration leading to inefficiency and corruption.
In 1876, a Canovite System or Rotativism or Turno Pacifico (Peaceful Turnover) was agreed upon to
save Spain from political disunity.
The Canovite System however was very successful in maintain peace in Spain until the end of the
19th century.
The Weakening of a Colonial Power
The 19th century was the twilight for Spain’s Colonial Power. While rising imperial powers gain more
territories, Spain lost many of its colonies.
Paraguay (1811), Argentina (1816), Chile (1817), Colombia and Ecuador (1819), Venezuela (1822),
Peru (1824), Bolivia (1825), Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Mexico
got independence all in 1821.
The Abandonment of Mercantilism
In 1834, Spain was also finally convinced to abandon mercantilism – an economic system after
feudalism aimed at increasing the wealth and power of a country by strict governmental regulation
of the entire national economy and establishment of foreign trade monopolies.
Spain embraced laisses faire capitalism – the principle that the economy works best if the
government does not interfere with private industries and business and markets are free and
deregulated.
This forced Spain to end the Galleon Trade Monopoly, allow private businesses and industries, and
open the Philippines to the whole world for trade and commerce.
The Philippines in the 19th Century
The Social System
The society is still feudalistic in nature brought about by the Spanish encomienda system which
has made many Filipinos landless.
The Spaniards brought with them their doctrine of “limpieza de sangre” (purity of blood) which
created social rankings among many groups and later became the source of social tensions which
victimized the lower classes: discrimination, arrogance, and injustice.
The Social Classes
1. Peninsulares – full-blooded Spaniards born in Spain occupying the highest positions.
Some historians say they came here only to amass wealth and have power.
2. Insulares – full-blooded Spaniards born in the Philippines. They were given lower
positions and they are also discriminated by the peninsulares.
3. Spanish Mestizos – Spanish and Native parents. They were also discriminated y the
full-blooded Spaniards. But for the Indios, they are still considered as Kastila.
4. Illustrados – native educated under Spanish Schools.
5. Principalias – they are the town’s ruling classes and native elites composed of the
gobernadorcillos and cabezas de barangay.
6. Encomienderos – rich landowners.
7. Inquilinos – rich merchants and successful tenants.
8. Chinese Mestizos – children of Chinese and Indio parents who control the economy.
 9. Indios – they are the masses, the common people, the lower classes composed of
landless peasants and poor tenants. They are the grossly abused, mistreated and
called various derogatory names: barbarous, bastos, sin verguenza, and ifnorante.
The Political System
From Spanish rule to 1821, the Philippines is under the Vice Roy (King) of Mexico but when Mexico
gained its independence in 1821, the Philippines was under the control of Spain’s Ministry of
Colonies (Ministro de Ultramar) based in Madrid.
The Ministry of Colonies administers the Philippines through a central government in Manila
headed by the governor-general.
Political Hierarchy
1. The Governor-General – the chief executive of the colonial government and ex-officio
president of the royal Audiencia. He also legislates laws for the colony.

a. actos acordados – laws enacted by the governor-general.

b. cumplase power – the power to decide which law or royal decree should be
implemented or disregarded in the colony.

2. The Alcalde Mayor – the provincial governor who exercise executive and judicial
functions. The most corrupt position because of the indulto de commercio – the privilege
to engage and monopolize trade.

3. Gobernadorcillo – the town mayor and principally responsible for tax collection.

4. Cabeza de Barangay – the barangay captain in-charge of peace and order and tribute
collection.

5. Royal Audiencia – it was the Supreme Court of the colony; auditor of the government
finances and the high council where governmental affairs are referred.

6. The Guardia Civil – organized in 1867 which composed of Filipino police but led by
Spanish officers to deal with brigands and outlaws. But in 1880, it was used to arrest
everyone denounced by friars as Filibusteros (enemies of state) and Erehes (enemies of
the church).

Frailocracia
The friar was the supervising representative of the Spanish government in all local affairs.
Friar-curates became so influential and powerful that Spanish authorities including the governor-
general feared them.
An invisible government was born called by Graciano Lopez-Jaena as frailocracia (rule of the friars).
What made the friars so powerful and influential?
From 1849-1898, forty-five governor-generals had been assigned to the country and each of them
sought the counsel of the friars.
The governor-generals who were mostly military officers were no longer perceived as representatives
of the stable monarchy but of partisan politicians in Spain.
Since friars were found in each town, they gradually became its ruler.
Friar Powers
1. Local elections supervisor
2. School administrators
3. Chairman of the board of taxation, health and charity
4. Account inspector of the gobernadorcillos and cabezas de barangay
5. Local civil registrar
6. Prison inspector
Sources of Government Weaknesses and Abuses
The vast powers of the governor-general and his lack of moral strength to resist corruption for
material advancement.
The lower positions were appointed by the governor-general or sold to the highest bidder.
Those who bought their positions have to make sure that they get more than they have paid so they
were led to collect more taxes.
The Educational System
The Friars occupied a dominant position since the schools are parochial schools.
Fear of God is emphasized and obedience to the Friars as servants of God were instilled in the
minds of the people.
Indios were constantly reminded that they are inferior.
Thus, resulted in the lack of self-confidence among Filipinos and even inferiority complex.
The Friars decide what to teach to the children.
Learning is memorizing (banking method)
They were taught in the vernacular even if there was a law requiring that they should be taught in
Spanish.
Pupils attended classes on the ground floor of the convent, or in barns of masonry or corner of the
town’s hall.
Most Serious Criticisms Against the Educational System
1. Overemphasis on religion
2. Limited and irrelevant curriculum
3. Obsolete classroom facilities
4. Inadequate teaching materials
5. Absence of academic freedom
6. Racial prejudice against Indios in the schools
The Spanish government actually had ordered the teaching of the Spanish language through the
Educational Decree of 1863.
This was opposed by the Friars because they believed that knowledge of the language would develop
social and political awareness among the natives and they might be inspired by liberal ideas about
freedom and independence.
The Friars thwarted whatever noble purposes the mother country had for improving colonial
education to protect and perpetuate their vested interests.
The Moret Decree of 1870, for example, which was intended to secularize higher education in the
Philippines, was vigorously opposed by the friars.
Hence, some middle-class natives, like Jose Rizal, continued their studies abroad.
RIZAL’S BIRTH, ANCESTRY, CHILDHOOD AND EARLY INFLUENCES
Rizal’s Birth
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda was born on a moonlit night a few days before full
moon of June 19, 1861, Wednesday, between 11 and 12 midnight in Calamba, Laguna.
Rizal’s mother almost died giving birth to him because he had a literally unusually big head.
Rizal in his autobiography wrote that he was born “into the valley of tears.”
“my arrival in this valley of tears would have cost my mother her life had she not vowed to the
Virgin of Antipolo that she would take me on a pilgrimage to that shrine.”
Calamba, a lakeshore town was a prosperous agricultural community devoted to the production of
sugar.
The Dominican friars practically owned the whole town, so most of its people were their tenants.
The name Calamba (originally Kalamba) was derived from kalan and banga as the place was known
Rizal was sooner baptized by Fr. Rufino Collantes on June 22, 1861 at the Calamba church.
Fr. Pedro Casañas, native of Calamba and close friend of the family, stood as his godfather.
The baptismal certificate was signed by Fr. Leoncio Lopez, successor of Fr. Collantes.
Lieutenant-general José Lemery was the governor-general when Rizal was baptized.
Doña Teodora named her son ‘José’ in honor of St. Joseph the Worker, the town’s patron, to whom
she was a firm devotee.
José was named after one of his ancestors, most likely his granduncle in the mother side, José
Florentino, who was elected to the Spanish Cortes.
Don Francisco gave him a second name ‘Protacio’ taken from a calendar of names of saints – Sts.
Gervasius and Protasius, twin Christian martyrs, patrons of Milan and of haymakers.
Don Francisco chose St. Protasius because it is closer to ‘protesto’, which means “I protest”.
Heredity: Rizal’s Ancestry
Rizal was of mixed racial origin: Tagalog, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese ancestry.
His father Francisco Mercado Rizal descended from a hardworking and intelligent Chinese
merchant Lam Co who was a native of the Chinchew district in China.

Lam Co migrated to the Philippines in1690 perhaps because of famine or political troubles in his
own district in China.

At the age of 35, Lam Co was baptized into the Catholic faith in Binondo at a parish managed by
the Dominicans in June of 1697 and took the name Domingo after the founder of the Dominican
order. “Lam Co” was then changed to Mercado.

Jose Rizal’s mother, Teodora Alonso Realonda Mercado Rizal, descended from Eugenio Ursua,
who is believed to be a descendant of Japanese settlers.

Benigna Ochoa, wife of Eugenio Ursua, was a descendant of mixed Spanish, Chinese, and Tagalog
ancestry.
Regina Ochoa, daughter of Eugenio and Benigna, married Manuel de Quintos, Jr., also a Chinese
mestizo from an affluent family in Pangasinan.

Rizal’s family belongs to the Illustrado class

His father, Francisco Mercado Rizal, was a well-educated farmer with studies in Latin and
Philosophy at Colegio de San Jose in Manila.
His mother, Teodora Alonso, was educated at Colegio de Santa Rosa which developed in her fine
knowledge in business, art, literature, music, and other forms of Filipino culture.
Captain Lorenzo Alberto Alonso, the father of Teodora, was an engineer and surveyor and had
even published engineering books.
Brigida de Quintos, Teodora’s mother, was well-educated and helped Captain Lorenzo with his
mathematics.
Manuel de Quintos, Jr., father for Brigida, Teodora’s great grandfather, was an attorney of Manila,
who graduated from Santo Tomás University, whose family were Chinese mestizos of Pangasinan.
Rizal’s family belongs to the Principalia class.
Francisco Mercado (died 1801), his great grandfather, son of Domingo Lamco, was appointed
municipal captain of Biñan in 1783.
Francisco’s son, Juan Mercado, called “Captain Juan”, Rizal’s grandfather, was a gobernadorcillo
of Biñan for three times – 1808, 1813, 1823.
Craig (1913) wrote: “He [Captain Juan] has a notable record for his generosity, the absence of
oppression and for the official honesty which distinguished his public service from that of many
who held his same office.
In terms of tax collections, Craig (1913) wrote: “Most gobernadorcillos found ways to reimburse
themselves, but not Mercado [Captain Juan] (p.43).”
Lorenzo Alberto Alonso, father of Teodora, mother of Rizal, was also a municipal captain of Biñan
in 1824 and also served as deputy for the Philippines to the Spanish Cortes.
Also Lorenzo’s father, Cipriano Alonso (died 1805) served as municipal captain of Biñan in 1797.
Manuel de Quintos, Sr., Doña Teodora’s great great grandfather, was a municipal captain of
Lingayen, Pangasinan.
Rizal’s ancestry had history of heroic tendencies and liberal-mindedness.
Craig (1913) wrote: “Manuel de Quintos Sr.’s brother, Joaquin de Quintos, was leader of the
Chinese mestizos in a protest they had made against the arbitrariness of their provincial governor.
… evidence of a culture and a courage that were equally uncommon in those days. Complaints
under Spanish rule, no matter how well founded, meant trouble for the complainants; we must not
forget that it was a vastly different thing from signing petitions or adhering to resolutions nowadays.
Then the signers risked certainly great annoyance, sometimes imprisonment, and not infrequently
death. (p.4647)
Craig (1913) wrote: “One member of this family [family of Teodora Alonso Realonda’s father, Lorenzo
Alberto] was akin in spirit to José Rizal, for he was fined twenty-five thousand pesos by the
Supreme Court of the Philippine Islands for “contempt of religion.” It appears that he put some
original comparisons into a petition which sought to obtain justice from an inferior tribunal where,
by the omission of the word “not” in copying, the clerk had reversed the court’s decision but the
judge refused to change the record (p.44-45).”
Rizal’s father, Francisco was also of independent mind and spirit. He thoughtthat Mercado as a
surname does not suit well with his status as inquilino or tenant farmer. He decided to adopt and
add the word “ricial” which means “greenfields” to their family name. He just Hispanicized the
spelling to “Rizal” and gave the children that name for the sake of appropriateness and independent
spirit.
Rizal’s Family Tree: Father’s Lineage
Domingo Lamco + Ines de la Rosa = Francisco Mercado
Francisco Mercado + Bernarda Monicha = Juan Mercado
Juan Mercado + Cirila Alejandro = Francisco Rizal Mercado
Don Francisco Rizal Mercado y Alejandro
He was born on May 11, 1818 in Biñan, Laguna.

José regarded him as a “model of fathers”.

He was a tenant and also a landowner of the Dominican estate (hacienda) in Calamba, Laguna.

He died on January 5, 1898 at the house of his daughter Narcisa.

Rizal’s Family Tree: Mother’s Lineage

Cipriano Alonso + Maria Florentino = Lorenzo Alberto Alonso
Manuel de Quintos + Regina Ochoa = Brigida de Quintos
Lorenzo Alberto Alonso + Brigida de Quintos = Teodora Alonso Realonda
Doña Teodora Alonso Realonda y Quintos
She was born on November 9, 1827 in Meisik, Tondo, Manila.
José considered her a remarkable woman.
She possessed business ability, refined culture, literary giant, and the courage of a frugal woman.
She died on August 16, 1911 in her home at Binondo, Manila.
Rizal’s Immediate Family
Don Francisco (30 years old) and Doña Teodora (20 years old) got married on June 28, 1848. They
had 11 children, 2 boys and 9 girls.

Saturnina (1850-1913)

Studied at La Concordia College

Married to Manuel Hidalgo of Tanauan, Batangas and had five children
Published Pascual Poblete’s Tagalog translation of Noli Me Tangere.

Paciano (1851-1930)

Studied at Colegio de San José

Became a farmer and a Major General of the army during the Philippine revolution.
Had two children with his mistress Severina Decena, of Los Baños
Died of tuberculosis

Narcisa (1852-1939)
Also studied at La Concordia College
A teacher and a musician.
Married to Antonio Lopez of Morong (now Rizal) province and had nine children.
Believed to be the only sibling who can recite from memory all of José’s poems.
Olympia (1855-1887)
Studied at La Concordia College and close friend of Segunda Katigbak, Rizal’s first love.
Married to Silvestre Ubaldo, a telegraph operator from Manila
Died from childbirth during José’s first homecoming from his travel to Europe.
Lucia (1857-1887)
Married to Mariano Herbosa of Calamba, a farmer and a nephew of Fr. Pedro Casañas, José’s
baptismal godfather.
Mariano Herbosa was denied of a Christian burial because he was a brother-in-law of José Rizal.
Maria (1859-1945)
Married to Daniel Faustino Cruz of Biñan, Laguna.
José (1861-1896)
“Under Investigation”
Concepcion (1862-1865)
Fondly called as Concha
Died of sickness at the age of three
Her death was José’s first sorrow
Josefa (1865-1945)
An epileptic
Died a spinster
Trinidad (1868-1951)
Died a spinster
The last to die in the family
Keeper of José’s poem Mi Ultimo Adios

Soledad (1870-1929)

Studied at La Concordia College where she and Leonor Rivera, José’s true love, became classmates
Became a teacher
Married to Pantaleon Quintero
Rizal’s Environment: Early Influences
Childhood Days and Memories
Rizal was fondly called by his brothers and sisters as ‘Ute’ and ‘Pepe’ or ‘Pepito’ by neighbors,
friends, and townsfolks.

The first memory of Rizal in his infancy was his happy days in the family garden exchanging stories
when he was three years old.

His father built a little nipa hut for him to play at daytime.

He had a usual walk in town on moonlit nights with his pet dog with Usman.

He always treasured the special care shown by his parents due to his poor health and frail body.

He experienced his first sorrow at the age of four when his younger sister Concha (Concepcion) died
of an illness.

On June 6, 1868, José and his father left Calamba and went on a pilgrimage to Antipolo (Our Lady
of Peace and Good Voyage) to fulfill his mother’s vow when he was born.
Personal Childhood Influences
Uncle Manuel – a husky and athletic man who encouraged Rizal to develop his frail body by means
of physical exercises like fencing and wrestling.
Uncle Jose Alberto – studied in eleven years in British school in Calcutta, India and had traveled
in Europe who inspired Rizal to develop his artistic ability through sketching, painting, and
sculpture.
Uncle Gregorio – a book lover who intensified Rizal’s voracious reading of good books.
Fr. Leoncio Lopez – the old and learned parish priest of Calamba fostered Rizal’s love for study,
scholarship and intellectual honesty. The picturesque Calamba was a favorable environments which
honed Rizal’s artistic inclinations. Two magnificent sceneries caught his attention: the scenic
Laguna Lake and the majestic Mt. Makiling.
He wrote in his diary: “I spent many, many hours of my childhood down on the shore of
the lake…I was thinking of what was beyond. I was dreaming of what might be over
the other side of the wave.”
The frequent sight of abuses by the Civil Guards developed Rizal’s heroic imaginations.
He wrote in his diary: “[…] Almost everyday in our town, we saw the Guardia Civil
lieutenant coming and injuring some unarmed and inagressive villagers whose only fault
was they failed to take off their hats and made their bows. The Alcalde treated the poor
villagers the same way whenever he visited us.”
The Imprisonment of Rizal’s mother
Rizal’s father, Don Francisco frankly dealt with two Spanish officials and refused to give them feeds
for their horses.
These officials sought vengeance by fabricating a lie that Rizal’s mother conspired with her brother
Alberto to kill the latter’s wife who separated from her.
The poor Doña Teodora was forced to walk from Calamba to Sta. Cruz, a distance of around 50
kilometers, to be imprisoned in the provincial jail for two and a half years.
Recalling his mothers’ incarceration, Rizal wrote this in his memoirs:

“Our mother was unjustly snatched away from us, and by whom? By some men who had
been our friends and whom we treated as honored guests. We learned later that our
mother got sick, far from us and at an advanced age... She finally succeeded to be
acquitted and vindicated in the eyes of her judges, accusers, and even her enemies, but
after how long? After two and a half years.”

Rizal’s Early Education

Education at Home
Rizal’s early education was at home with his mother as his first teacher.

On his mother’s lap, he learned his alphabet and prayers at the age of three.
Rizal wrote in his student memoirs:
“My mother taught me how to read and to say haltingly the humble prayers which I
raised fervently to God.”
At age five, he was able to read haltingly the Spanish family Bible.
Doña Teodora was conscientious, patient, and understanding tutor and teacher. It was she who
first discovered her son’s talent for poetry and, accordingly, encouraged him to write poems.
To lighten the monotony of memorizing the ABC’s and to stimulate her son’s imagination, she
related many stories.
The Moth and the Flame (Ang Gamu-gamu at ang Apoy)
One of his profound memories was when his mother narrated to him the story of the moth which
had deeply stirred his thoughts.

Rizal wrote in his student memoirs:

“My mother finished the fable. I was not listening; all my attention, all my mind, and all
my thoughts were concentrated on the fate of the moth, young, dead, and full of
illusions . . . the light seems to be more beautiful, dazzling, and attractive. I understand
why the moth flutter around lights . . . what preoccupied me most was the death of the
moth, but at the bottom of my heart, I did not blame it.”
The Rizal family had the largest library in the town of Calamba with an extensive collection of books
which kindled José’s interest in reading and literature.
Maestro Celestino – Rizal’s first tutor.
Maestro Lucas Padua – Rizal’s second tutor.
Leon Monroy, a former classmate of Rizal’s father, became Rizal’s third tutor – teaching him
Spanish and Latin. The old man Leon died five months after. After a Monroy’s death, the hero’s
parents decided to send their gifted son to a private school in Biñan.

FORMAL EDUCATION OF JOSE P. RIZAL: ASCENDANCE OF MESTIZO

Formal Schooling of Rizal

Early schooling at Biñan

In June 1869, at age 9, Rizal was sent by his parents to study in a private school of Maestro
Justiniano Aquino Cruz in Biñan where he learned Latin and Spanish.
He also had his initial lessons in drawing, painting, and sketching from a local painter Maestro
Juancho.
There he also experienced his first school brawl against a bully, Pedro, who makes fun of of him
during his conversation with his teacher.
Rizal also became the best student in his school beating all Biñan boys in Spanish, Latin, and other
subjects.
After two years and a half of schooling, he left Biñan on December 17, 1871 for he had learned all
things his teachers taught him.
He boarded the steamer Talim bound to Calamba where he met a Frenchman, Arturo Camps, a
friend of Rizal’s father who who took care of him while on board the boat.
Scholastic Triumphs at Ateneo Municipal de Manila (1872-1877)
It was in 1859 that Escuela Municipal, a charity primary school maintained by the city government
of Manila, then Escuela Pia, a small private school for 33 children of Spanish residents, was turned
over to the Jesuits.
The school became a college in 1865 and renamed Ateneo Municipal de Manila and became the
counterpart of the Dominicanrun Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
At that time, Ateneo Municipal was inside the Intramuros near the Western walls facing the Manila
Bay.
In June 1872, four months after the execution of the Gomburza, Rizal was sent to Manila to study
at the Ateneo Municipal. He was 11 years old then.
Though he passed the entrance examination of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Rizal chose Ateneo .
Possible reasons why Ateneo
1. His father liked Ateneo as he [Don Francisco] was also educated at a Jesuit school.
2. To minimize the confrontation of young Rizal and the Dominicans who were much hated
because of

a. their land lease policies in the hacienda

b. the tragedy of Doña Teodora who suffered for a crime she never committed
Rizal almost did not make it enroll in Ateneo because the school registrar, Fr. Magin Fernando
believed he was late for registration and he appeared to be frail and sickly.
He was able to enter the institution through the intercession of Mr. Manuel Xeres y Burgos, a
Licentiate in Medicine and nephew of Fr. Jose Burgos.
Rizal was an externo or a living out student, not residing in the school’s dormitory.
The Jesuit style of education gave emphasis to rigid discipline, character building, and religious
instruction.
Rizal’s first day in Ateneo and all the days he spent as a student began with attendance to mass.
His classmates were peninsulares, insulares, mestizos and natives.
As a new student and knowing little Spanish, Rizal was ranked at the bottom of the class.
Jesuit System of Education
The system of education given by the Jesuits in the Ateneo was more advanced than that of other
colleges in that period.
It trained the student by rigid discipline and religious instruction.
Physical culture
Humanities
Scientific studies
Agriculture
Commerce
Mechanics
Surveying
In time, he became an excellent student during his first year and landed the position of emperor of
the Carthaginians.

By second semester of his first year, Rizal did not study as hard as he was in the first because of
sadness as his mother was still in prison.
He finished as tribune by the end of the year though his grades remained excellent.
Rizal regretted neglecting his studies; so, at the beginning of the second year, he studied hard and
regained the title of emperor.
At the end of his second year, Rizal received his first gold medal for his excellent grades.
 Books Voluntarily Read by Rizal
Historia Universal by Cesar Cantu which gave Rizal ample knowledge of world history.
El Conde de Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas which tackles social justice and tells the struggle
of a man in an unjust society.
Los Viajes a Las Filipinas by a German scientist Feodor Jagor.
To improve his Spanish, Rizal took private lessons at the Colegio de Santa Isabel during break time.
At the start of his third year, Doña Teodora was acquitted and released from prison. He was already
able to concentrate more on his studies.
At the end of his third year, Rizal remained dissatisfied though he had excellent grades. He won
only a single medal in Latin as his Spanish classmate beat him in Spanish.
By his fourth year, June 14, 1875, he had as one of his professors, Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez
whom he described as:
1. a great educator and scholar,
2. a model of rectitude,
3. had a great devotion to the student’s progress.
Under Fr. Sanchez, Rizal was inspired to study harder and write poetry.
The older man became an admirer and friend of Rizal, in whom the former recognized a God-given
talent right at their first meeting.
Rizal wrote many poems in Spanish, around 17, under the guidance of Fr. Sanchez.
Rizal’s Notable Poems of 1876
Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo which Rizal wrote in honor of his birthplace, Calamba
Allianza Intima Entra la Religion y la Buena Educacion where Rizal argues the
meaninglessness of education without religion
Por La Educacion Recibe Lustre la Patria which asserts that education is an integral part of
nationhood
All of Rizal’s poem in Ateneo were pro-Spanish in nature; some were about history, religion,
childhood memories, and war.
Under Fr. Sanchez’s guidance and inspiration, Rizal topped all his examinations in all subjects.
In his last year, Rizal obtained the highest grades “sobresaliente” (outstanding) in all his subjects
and graduated at the top of his class on March 23, 1877 receiving the degree of Bachiller en Artes
(Bachelor of Arts).
Aside from developing his love for poetry, Rizal developed his potentials in other fields.
During his spare time, he studied painting under Agustin Saez, a famous Spanish painter.
He studied sculpture under Romualdo Teodoro de Jesus, a noted Filipino sculptor.
In Ateneo, Rizal impressed his Jesuit professor by carving the image of the Blessed Virgin on a piece
of batikuling using a pocket knife.
Later, Fr. Lleonart, one of his professors, requested him to carve an image of the Sacred Heart.
Rizal was also a member of two academies in Ateneo which accepted gifted students who excelled in
these fields: The Academy of Spanish Literature where he later became a Prefect and the Academy
of Natural Sciences.
He is also a member of the Society of Muses, a group for gifted students in poetry.
He took up fencing and gymnastics.
Rizal’s First Romantic Episode
He was just 16 years old when he was first attracted to and had an intimate conversation with a 14-
year old girl from Lipa, Batangas – Segunda Katigbak.
Segunda was the sister of his friend Mariano.
Rizal saw her among the guests in his grandmother’s house.
When Rizal first met her, he described his heart to be “palpitating with strange ecstasy.”
His grandmother’s guests knowing about his skill in painting cajoled him into drawing her portrait.
He came to know more about Segunda through his sister Olympia, who was also a boarding student
at La Concordia College.
Segunda reciprocated Rizal’s advances and obviously had feelings for him.
She made a paper rose for Rizal’s hat.
Their feelings for each other was however a hopeless one as Segunda was already betrothed to her
town mate Manuel Luz, a family relative.
Despite his artistic and intellectual skills and Segunda’s insinuations and “delicate indirectness” of
interest, Rizal was too timid and shy to propose to her.
Rizal wrote in his diary:
“I formed the design of keeping silent and, until greater proofs of sympathy between us,
neither subjecting myself to her yoke nor declaring myself to her.”
Rizal and Segunda met for the last time in school during the Christmas vacation of 1877 with her
waiting for Rizal to propose before they parted for vacation.
Rizal returned home desolate with his first romance “ruined by his shyness and reserve.”
Rizal wrote three years later:
“Ended at an early hour, my first love! My virgin heart will always mourn my reckless
step it took on the flower-decked abyss. My illusion will return, yet, but indifferent,
uncertain, ready for the first betrayal on the path of love.”
Based on his student memoirs, Rizal’s Ateneo years were formative ones for the development of his
nationalism.
He not only developed scientific skills but, as revealed in his poems, a critical sense of writing in
Spanish as well.
Rizal stood out as a student leader and a national spokesperson because he had the ability to talk
to the average Filipino.
The Challenging Years at University of Santo Tomas (1877-1882)
After completing his education in Ateneo, Rizal’s mother wanted him to return home and look after
the family business.
Doña Teodora was afraid that with additional knowledge, the Spanish authorities might cut off
Rizal’s head.
A family council was held and Don Francisco and Paciano were able to prevail over Doña Teodora’s
objections.
Jose Rizal, having completed his Bachiller en Artes at the Ateneo Municipal, was now eligible for
higher education at a university.
In April 1877, Rizal, at age 16, enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
UST: The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas – The Catholic University of the
Philippines is a Dominican school founded in 1611 and was the only university in the Philippines
that time founded by Dominicans.
At that time, the University was located at its original site in Intramuros.
Rizal was uncertain of what course to take and was considering taking up literature, medicine, or
law.
The Jesuit priests who have been his former mentors had advised him to take up farming, join the
order and be a man of the cloth. However, his tastes went towards law, literature, or medicine. In
the end, he decided to sign up for Philosophy and letters.
Paciano discouraged him to take Law as it was not worth it considering the political situation in the
country.
Undecided, Rizal took up Philosophy and Letters which was actually a preparatory course for law or
priesthood because:
1. He was more inclined to the arts.
2. His father wanted him to study metaphysics.
In the same school year (1877-1878), while enrolled in UST, Rizal took up a vocational course in
Surveying at Ateneo.
He finished it in a year excelling in all his subjects with gold medals in agriculture and topography,
took the licensure examination, and successfully passed it.
However, he was granted the title “perito agrimensor” (expert surveyor) but he was not allowed to
practice the profession because he was underage at that time.
It was only on November 25, 1881 when he was already 20 when the license was issued.
In the next school year (1878-1879), Rizal decided to shift to the medical course because:
1. He wanted to cure his mother’s failing eyesight (cataract).
2. Fr. Pablo Ramon, SJ advised him to do so.
Some other possible and compelling reasons:
1. Rizal was dissatisfied with Philosophy and Letters and had little interest in it but he had
grades of “sobresaliente” in all his subjects.
2. The glamor of the medical profession along with its employment opportunities
a. The first batch had already graduated and have had jobs in the government.
b. There was a government petition to prefer local graduates over Spanish graduates.
c. Medical education at UST which began in 1871 was the first in colonial Asia.

3. To defuse and minimize his growing political interests.

Rizal was given a rare privilege of taking up the Curso de Ampliacion (Preparatory Course) to
Medicine and First Year Medicine simultaneously.
He liked painting; so he enrolled at the Academia de Dibujo y Pintura.
He was also attracted to sports, like fencing.
After first year of medicine, Rizal was not the best in class but ranked high among his classmates.
In his second year (1879-1880), he had two lay professors and one of them, José Franco, was
notorious for failing his students.
At the end of the term, 11 students passed and 7 failed in Professor Franco’s classes. Rizal realized
that the professor was not purely threatening.
During this year, Rizal wrote two poems, the most notable of them was A La Juventud Filipina
(1879) which won first prize in a literary contest held at the Liceo Literario de Manila.
From this poem came the immortal words: “La juventud es la bella esperanza de la patria.”
In April 1880, Rizal again won in the literary competition organized by the Liceo Artistico-Literario de
Manila in commemoration of the 400th death anniversary of the Spain’s national poet, Miguel de
Cervantes.
His entry piece, a play entitled El Consejo de Dioses, which praised Cervantes a co-equal with the
Greek poet Homer and Roman poet Virgil, was awarded the grand prize but the Spanish audience
protested upon learning that Rizal was an Indio.
This is one experience which cut very deeply into Rizal’s soul.
In 1880, when Rizal was on vacation in Calamba, he had his first taste of Spanish arrogance and
brutality which he was used to observe only before as a child.
He wrote in his diary:
“In 1880, I was mauled and wounded one dark night by the civil guard for having passed
a statue and failing to salute it. The statue turned out to be the lieutenant commander
of the detachment. I was treacherously wounded on the shoulder without explanation.”
In his third year (1880-1881), Rizal wrote the one-act play Junto al Pasig at the request of the
Jesuits and it was staged at the Ateneo during the feast of the Immaculate Concepcion.
The play was a subtle satire portraying the theme of racial discrimination and espousing nationalist
ideas.
When the play was staged, the Jesuits gamely laughed at the satire but the conservative friars of
the Dominicans felt insulted.
The fourth year (1881-1882) of medical of medical studies was last for Rizal before deciding to
continue his studies abroad.
Rizal, the brilliant Atenean, did not shine much in UST as shown in his academic records but not
because of discrimination but of other factors and distractions.
University of Santo Tomas was very different from Ateneo.
The students in UST attended classes for three hours and the rest of the day was free time; while
Atenean professors closely monitored their students including every minute of their time.
Students were not required to attend mass every morning, not like in Ateneo.
Rizal admitted that he was not inclined to the sciences as of that the field of arts.
He was still active in extracurricular activities in Ateneo (Academy of Spanish Literature).
He was writing poems and plays.
He was involved in a group typical of young boys, El Compañerismo, which he himself organized
against discriminations from Spanish schoolmates.
He was into series of romances with girls.
Rizal’s Succeeding Romances
1. After Segunda, Rizal courted “Miss L” who was probably a daughter of his landlady Doña
Concepcion Leyva, one of the richest women in Manila.
2. The romance was brief as Rizal stopped wooing her:
a. The girl’s father objected to the relationship.
 b. The memory of Segunda was still strong.
In 1879, when he was a second-year student at UST, Rizal courted Leonor Valenzuela, the
daughter of Capitan Juan Valenzuela, Doña Leyva’s neighbor.
Leonor was almost as tall as Rizal and had a regal bearing. Rizal called her “Orang”. Rizal
exchanged letter with Orang using water saturated with table salt as ink the contents of which are
revealed when passed or heated over a candle. Rizal stopped courting Leonor short of proposing to
her.
In the same year, 1879, Rizal had a romantic engagement with Leonor Rivera.
Leonor is from Camiling, Tarlac and was 6 years younger than Rizal.
In 1879, Rizal lived at the Casa Tomasina in Calle Sto. Tomas, Intramuros, which was managed by
Leonor’s father, Antonio, who was also Rizal’s uncle on the father side.
Leonor was only 13 years old and Rizal was 19 years old when they first met in Casa Tomasina.
Leonor was then a student at La Concordia College.
Rizal described her as “a frail, beautiful girl, with soft and wavy hair, small and pensive mouth,
engaging dimples, and tender as a budding flower with kindly beautiful almond eyes.”
Romance bloomed but José and Leonor tried to hide their intimate relationship from relatives and
friends.
They mostly exchanged love notes using codes with Leonor using the code name “Taimis”.
On Jan. 2, 1881, Leonor wrote Rizal:
Esteemed Friend,
I received your letter dated 30 of last month and I am informed of its contents.
If I have not answered your letters, it was not because I’m bored corresponding with you. In
fact, twice I wrote replies, but on the day I did so, nobody came to visit me at the college (La
Concordia), so I destroyed them, and besides I was already embarrassed.
I am doubtful if the letter is yours, because the signature is different. Perhaps you have put
another name, fearing that I might despise it and if I despise it, it will not be your name that
will be despised but somebody else’s. If that is what you think, you are mistaken for you do
not know how glad I am when I receive one of your dear letters; but you did well in putting
another name in case, as you say, it may fall into the hands of strangers.
Command your servant who kisses your hand.
Taimis
Leonor’s mother, Silvestra Bauzon Rivera, objected to the relationship and would later hinder the
romance in later years.
When Rizal decided to study abroad, he kept it secret from Leonor, instead he wrote a letter which
was delivered immediately after he has sailed away.
He promised to marry her upon his return. He was 21 and she was 16.

RIZAL’S FIRST VOYAGE TO EUROPE

Spain (1882-1885)
Paris, France (1885-1886)
Germany (1886-1887)
Grand Tour of Europe (1887)
Why did Rizal decided to study abroad?
1. His family can afford to send him for and obtaining a foreign education was symbol.
2. To study and be trained at the guidance to acquire valuable knowledge.
3. It is in keeping with the Spanish tradition first son manages and inherits the family’s wealth
while the younger son will go on build his own personal fortune.
4. Rizal has a SECRET MISSION – To observe keenly the life and culture, languages and
customs, industries and commerce, and governments and laws o European nations in order
to prepare himself in the mighty task of liberating his oppressed people from Spanish
tyranny.
On May 3, 1882, Rizal secretly left the Philippines aboard the Spanish steamer Salvadore using
the passport José Mercado procured by his uncle, Antonio Rivera.
Before departure, he wrote two letters: for his beloved parents and for his dear Leonor Rivera – all
delivered immediately after departure.
His trip in the steamer was highly enriching for him:
1. He made sketches of sceneries and people.
2. He noted from some of his conversations that many passengers who had gone for financial
reasons did not speak well of the country.
Rizal hastily took his drawing book and made a sketch of the Port of Manila as it slowly faded away.
On May 8, 1882, while nearing Singapore, Rizal saw a lighthouse in an island and sketched it.
Rizal’s first stop was Singapore on May 9, 1882 and stayed there for two days at Hotel de La Paz.
Rizal was impressed by the progressed of Singapore, a British colony at that time.
Rizal noticed that the people of Singapore trusted their British administrators unlike the Filipinos
who feared and hated their colonizers.
After two days, Rizal boarded the Djemnah, a steamer managed by a French shipping company,
Messageries Maritimes.
Rizal compared Djemnah with Slavadora.
1. Djemnah was larger and cleaner.
2. Its interior was carpeted and even the toilets were excellent.
Rizal tried to communicated to French-speaking passengers but found his French too inadequate so
he tried to improve it by reading a French newspaper.
On May 17, 1882, Djemnah reached Point Galle, a seacoast town in southern Ceylon (now Sri
Lanka)
The next day, Djemnah left Point Galle and after a few hours, arrived at Colombo, Ceylon’s capital.
May 28, 1882 – Djemnah arrived at the port city of Aden, Yemen.
From Aden, the Djemnah proceeded to Port Suez, the Red Sea Terminal of the Suez Canal.
It then took Djemnah five days to traverse the Suez Canal from Port Suez to Port Said.
On June 11, 1882, Rizal reached Naples, Italy.
The Djemnah arrived at Marseille, a French port city, on the night of June 12, 1882.
Rizal toured the city and visited the Chateau d’lf, the venue of his favorite novel, The Count of
Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas.
After three days, he boarded an express train to Spain.
At the Spanish boarder at Port Bou where his papers were checked, he noticed the indifference of
Spanish immigration officers compared to their French counterparts.
Rizal arrived in Barcelona, Spain’s second largest city on June 16, 1882.
Comparing again to other European cities so far, he found it dark, dirty and ugly.
Later he found out the people in Barcelona like other oarts of Sain enjoyed freedom, unlike in the
Philippines.
In Barcelona, Rizal met with former classmates in Ateneo.
He found time to write a nationalistic essay El Amor Patrio using the pen name Laong-Laan,
meaning “ever-prepared”
The essay appeared in Diariong Tagalog on August 20, 1882.
Diariong Tagalog was a Manipa newspaper founded and edited by Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Basilio
Teodoro Moran. Del Pila translated El Amor Patrio in Tagalog (Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa)
Rizal received sad news from the Philippines
1. Rizal received a letter from Paciano, dated September 15, 1882, informing him of the cholera
epidemic ravaging Manila and nearby provinces where many people had died and continued
to die daily.
2. He also received a letter from his friend Jose Ma. Cecilio, aka Chenggoy telling him of the
sadness of Leonor Rivera, who was getting thinner because of the absence of a loved one.
At the end of summer, Rizal went to Madrid and enrolled in two courses, Medicine and Philosophy
and Letters, at Universidad Central de Madrid (now Universidad Complutense de Madrid) on
November 3, 1882.
He had insatiable thirst for knowledge.
1. He took lessons in painting and sculpture at Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando
and in shooting and fencing at the Hall of Arms of Sanz y Carbonell.
2. He likewise took lessons in languages: English, French, and German at Ateneo de Madrid.
He had only P700 given to him by his brother Paciano. But as soon as Don Francisco learned of his
son’s trip abroad, he arranged to send him money regularly only on food, clothing, lodging and
books.
His only extravagance was a few pesetas for lottery tickets in the Madrid Lottery.
He never waster time and he spent time visiting libraries, attending lectures, religious fiestas, and
operas.
He spent most of his spare time reading and writing in his boarding house.
Some of it are spent attending reunions with of Filipino students ate the Paterno brother’s house
(Antonio, Maximo and Pedro) and practicing shooting and fencing in the gymnasium.
On Saturday evening, Rizal visited the home of Don Pablo Ortiga y Ray who had been a city mayor
of Manila during the administration of Gov. Carlos Ma. De la Torre.
There he met Don Pablo’s daughter Consuelo who later dell in love with him.
Rizal, a lonely young man in a foreign country was attracted to Consuelo’s beauty and vivacity.
On August 22, 2883, he composed a poem dedicated to he titled A La Señorita C.O.yR. which
expresses his admiration of her and his solace and joy in her company.
But before the romance became serious, Rizal backed out.
1. He was still engaged to Leonor Rivera.
 2. His friend and compatriot in the Propaganda Movement, Eduardo de Lete was madly in love
with Consuelo.
During his first year in Madrid, Rizal became a member of a student organization Circulo Hispano-
Filipino established by a group of Filipino students in Madrid aimed at voicing out the concerns of
Filipinos.
The group requested Rizal to write a poem and so Rizal composed a poem for them, Me Pidden
Versa (You Ask Me [for] Verses) conveying the sentiments of a poet forced to write only things that
would please his listeners.
In 1883, Rizal became a member of a worldwide fraternity of Freemasonry joining the Acacia Lodge
No. 9 in Madrid and later also joined other lodges in Europe.
Rizal’s masonic name was Dimasalang, meaning “ungraspable”.
Joining the Mason helped Rizal’s political reputation.
1. The Mason were known for their liberal ideas and Spanish Masons proclaimed a new era of
freedom from restrictions of government and the church.
2. The Spanish Freemasonry in Madrid was a dedicated organization which pointed out the
friar’s abuses in the Philippines.
3. Freemasonry also criticized government policies which upheld despotism.
The Catholic Church condemns Freemasonry as its beliefs are contrary to its doctrine.
Members of the organization were obliged to retract to obtain the sacraments.
While in Spain. Rizal became an avid book collector and was able to accumulate a libray.
Bible
Hebrew Grammar
Lives of the presidents of the United State
Complete Works of Voltaire (9 vols.)
Horace (3 vols.)
C. Bernard (16 vols.)
Alexander Dumas
History of the French Revolution
Ancient Poetry
The Renaissance, etc.
Even if he tightens his budget when it comes to food, clothing and accommodation, he spent
considerably on books especially from second-hand bookstores.
1. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tim’s Cabin (1852)
2. Eugene Sue’s Wandering Jew (1844)
3. Benito Pérez Galdós, La Desheredada (The Disowned/Disinherited, 1881)

The disinherited Isidora, a pretty girl who comes to Madrid “full of illusions, fall into
prostitution, and end up in jail” shouted:

“I am a nobleman, I am noble, I do not take away my nobility because it is my essence

and I cannot be without it.”

At the end of the novel (Chap. 37), Galdós wrote:

“If you feel desire to reach a difficult and rugged height, do not rely on false wings. Try to
throw them natural and if you might not attain it, as there are countless examples that
prove the negative, the best, believe me, is for you to take a ladder.”

4. Benito Pérez Galdós’ Doña Perfecta, 19876

 It is the story of how the love and marriage between tow people, Pepe, a symbol of
modern enlightenment and intelligence and Rosario, a symbol of a country of natural and
traditional riches, was meddled and obstructed by Don Inocencio, a symbol of corrupt
Church and Doña Perfecta, a stiff-necked icon of the Church.

The novel illustrates the great power that the church wielded and the differences between
the traditional provincial outlook, and he modern liberal outlook.

On January 2, 1884, Rizal proposes to the Circulo Hispano Filipino collaboratively writing a novel
about the Philippines which was unanimously approved by the member.

The project did not materialize because the members who promised to contribute did not write
anything and they were more interested in writing about women.

Rizal decided to do the project alone and started writing the early drafts of the Noli Me Tangere
towards the end of the year.

Leonor received his last letter from Rizal dated March 30, 1884 as Leonor’s mother discovered their
long-distance love affair and intercepted and kept all of Rizal’s letters.

“Today I visited your family (relatives in Madrid. […] The girls of my own country please me
greatly, but I have found one back home who has charmed and who makes me dream. […] I
believe my heart has not lost any of its power to love, --only the one I love the most is not here.

There was a time that Rizal was in Spain when his family underwent a severe financial crisis. As a
result, Rizal’s allowance was reduced and Paciano was forced to sell his pony for his brother’s
allowance.

He tightened his budget to P35 a month for food, clothing, and books. He used second-hand clothes
which he bought from pawnshops.

Rizal attended classes without eating and he tried to earn some money by working as a private tutor
for rich students.

On June 25, 1884, the day he won a prize in a competition in Greek, he did not eat at all because of
lack of money.
He wrote in his diary the next day:
“I am hungry and I have nothing to eat and no money. Poverty and hunger do not make one
happy.”
In the evening of June 25, 1884, Rizal delivered a toast at a banquet praising Filipino painters Juan
Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo who one top prizes at the National Exposition of Fine Arts.
Luna won the top prize for his Spolarium.
Hidaldo bagged the second for his Virgenes Cristianas Expuestas al Populacho.
Rizal emphasized in his speech that Luna and Hidalgo showed that “genius is not a monopoly of
any race.”
The arts of both of these men were the products of both Philippines and Spain and were unifying of
both peoples.
Rizal made refined sarcastic remarks against ill-wishers of the Filipinos and voiced out hope that
Spain will someday grant the reforms needed by Filipinos.
Rizal’s speech reached the Philippines through the newspaper El Liberal.
Many Spaniards in the Philippines especially the friars were not pleased about the speech.
Doña Teodora was filled with anxiety and was not able to eat for days.
Through the letter, Paciano cautioned Rizal and Doña Teodora told Rizal to stop learning things
which can lead to his ruin.
On June 21, 1884, Rizal completed his medical studies and was given the title Licenciado en
Medicina which would enable him to practice medicine.
Rizal continued to studying subjects leading to a Doctorate in Medicine but was not able to get the
degree because:
1. He was not able to present a doctoral thesis required for graduation.
2. He has not paid the corresponding fees.
It was through the help of his friend Maximo Viola who lent him money that he was able to secure
his certificate and practice medicine.
Rizal obtained the whereabouts of Leonor from his friend back in the country. Mariano Katigbak
wrote in June 27, 1884:
“You would not know Leonor if you now saw her. Your sweetheart is going down very much, no
doubt because of her worry. She, who, I think, knew love for the first time and only time, has
sacrificed the man of her heart, and sees that instead of the approach of a happy ending, that
ending is getting farther away with gigantic strides.”
Excerpt of a letter from Chenggoy dated August 31, 1884:
“The little landlady [referring to Leonor Rivera] is now fairly well for she is not as thin as
before. I have a reputation as an observer and profound dosimeter and I am going to tell your
having gone to that land without her consent. That is what I understand and if I am wrong,
what can be done, everybody makes mistake.”
In Universidad Central de Madrid, Rizal was attracted to liberals especially Dr. Miguel Morayta who
was an advocate of freedom and self-determination.
University authorities considered Morayta a supporter of anarchists and was expelled from the
university when he proclaimed “Freedom of Science and the Teacher” during the opening of the
academic year.
Bloody student riots on November 20-22, 2884 ensued between supporters (including Rizal and
other Filipino students) and opponents of Morayta in the campus and in the streets of Madrid.
On his 24th birthday, June 19, 1885, Rizal obtained the degree Licenciado en Filosophia y Letras
with the rating “Sobresaliente”. This degree qualified him to serve as a professor of humanities in
any Spanish university.
Rizal decided to improve his training in medicine by going to Paris and Germany.
Leonor sent Rizal an autographed photo containing an inscription at the back:
“To José from his faithful cousin Leonor”
But when decoded really meant:
“To my unforgettable and dearest lover, this picture is dedicated by his devoted Leonor”
When Leonor stopped receiving letters from Rizal, she wrote a letter to him expressing her sadness
because he was not writing to her.
She indicated her conviction that Rizal was “a newly opened rose, very flushed and fragrant at the
beginning nut afterwards it begins to wither.” And that she was too resentful because of what he
had done to her.
Shortly before going to Paris, Rizal received a letter from Chenggoy about Leonor:
“September, 1885: I congratulate you on your good choice of the woman who is to be your
faithful companion. She is no longer in Concordia College but in Dagupan, Pangasinan, beside
her parents – and I do not know whether she will return to finish her education.
From Madrid, Rizal went to Paris in 1885 and continued his medical studies under the expert
guidance of a famous French ophthalmologist Louis de Wacker from October 1885 to January
1886.
Noli Me Tangere is already half-finished at this time.
From Dr. de Wecker, Rizal learned the following:
1. The actual performance of eye operation.
2. Recent studies ailment of the eyes.
3. Various techniques of eye operation.
Outside working hours, he visited fellow Filipino expatriates in the city which helped him improve
his ability to learn and speak French more fluently: Juan Luna, Felix R. Hidalgo and Trinidad H.
Pardo de Tavera.
He also worked as an assistant of Dr. Xavier Galezowski, a Polish doctor and inventor.
For a time, Rizal stayed in the studio of Juan Luna. He became Luna’s model in two oh his
paintings.
Before leaving the city, Rizal had completed an additional one-fourth of the Noli Me Tangere.
On February 8, 1886, Rizal arrived in Heidelberg and started his special training under an eminent
German ophthalmologist Otto Becker where he became one of the doctor’s best students.
To save money, he lived in a boarding house with some German law students. Later, he transferred
to a boarding house close to the University of Heidelberg.
Under Dr. Becker, Rizal focused more on studying rather than doing an actual operation.
He took time to attend lectures at the University of Heidelberg.
He loved the peaceful surrounding, made sketches of them and even wrote a poem – A las Flores
Heidelberg on April 22, 1886.
Rizal took three-month vacation at Wilhelmsfeld, a mountainous village at Heidelberg.
He lived in the house od Pastor Dr. Karl Ullmer, a Lutheran minister with whom they became good
friends.
They had frequent afternoon walks where Rizal learned much German religious ideas.
Rizal observed that Catholics and Protestants coexist and get along well with each other.
In May 1886, Chenggoy again wrote Rizal about the result of his friend Sixto Lopez’s visit and
observation of Leonor who was addressed as the Question of the Orient:
“The beautiful but delicate Question of the Orient is still in Dagupan beside her parents who
rave about her. Her friend Sixto Lopez told me that he had been in that town, taking supper in
 their home. . . This young man became most enthusiastic over the Question, whom he found
each day more precious and thriftier, but according to his, she is now no more to be seen with
as much finery as when we were together in their house.”
Rizal became friend with Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt.
Upon learning that Blumentritt was studying the Tagalog language, Rizal sent him a letter dated
July 31, 1886:
“Esteemed Sir: Having heard that Your Lordship is studying our language and that you have
already published some works on the subject/ I take the liberty of sending you a valuable
book written in that language by a countrymen of mine.”
Rizal sent the book Aritmetica by Rufino Baltazar Hernandez of Santa Cruz, Laguna published by
UST press, 1868.
Rizal sent one of the earliest available copies of his novel Noli Me Tangere to Blumentritt.
Through Blumentritt, Rizal was introduced to Feodor Jagor and Hans Virchow, who were both
anthropologists studying Philippine culture in Berlin.
The two continued to exchange letters about their personal experiences and helped each other in
their scholarly endeavors.
An intellectual friendship was born through a common love for all things about Philippines.
In Blumentritt, Rizal found a friend and a teacher. They both agreed that the Philippine problem
was the rule of the friars and they plotted together for an independent Philippines.
On August 14, 1886, Rizal arrived in the University of Leipzig to study psychology and history.
There he became friends with professor Friedrich Ratzel. While in Leipzig, Rizal contemplated in
enrolling Law at University of Heidelberg but his brother Paciano discouraged him again.
Rizal found out that the cost of living in Leipzig was the cheapest in Europe so he stayed for two
months and a half.
In October 29, 1886, he left Leipzig for Dresden where he met Dr. Adolph B. Meyer.
Rizal heard, as in a Catholic church and was highly impressed by it; he wrote in his diary:
“Truly I have never in my life heard a mass whose music had greater sublimity and
intonation.”
Rizal arrived in Berlin on November 1, 1886 and again he sought the friendship of eminent
scholars.
Rizal booked at Central Hotel upon his arrival in Berlin in Room 294.
He met for the first time Dr. Feodor Jagor who wrote the Travels to the Philippines, a book Rizal
admired when he was in Ateneo, and they became warm friends.
Jagor visited the Philippines in 1859-186o when Rizal was yet to be born. Dr. Jagor introduced
Rizal to Dr. Rudolf Virchow, a famous German physician, an anthropologist, ethnologist, reformist
and politician.
Rizal became a member of Berlin Gesellschaft for Anthropologie, Ethnologie and Urgeshichte,
founded by Dr. Virchow, upon the recommendation of Dr. Jagor and Dr. Meyer.
Rizal was the first Asian accorded with such honors.
Later, Dr. Virchow having recognized Rizal’s genius, invioted him to give a lecture before the
Ethnographic Society of Berlin.
In response, Rizal wrote a scholarly paper in German entitle Tagalische Verkunst (Tagalog Medical
Art) which he read before the society in April 1877.
The paper was published by the society in the same year, and it elicited favorable comments from
all scientific quarters.
He lived in Berlin for the following reasons:
1. To gain further knowledge of 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 scientist and scholars.
5. To publish his novel Noli Me Tangere.
Rizal lived a methodical and frugal life in Berlin.
By day, he worked as an assistant in the clinic of Dr. Karl Ernst Schweigger.
At night, he attended lectures at University of Berlin. He spent his leisure moments touring the
countryside observing keenly the customs, dresses, homes, and occupations of the peasants.
The Café Bauer frequented by Rizal where he read newspapers and chatted with Berliners.
The winter of 1886 in Berlin was his gloomiest – (beginning November).
He lived in poverty because no money arrived from Calamba and he was flat broke.
Paciano knew that Rizal was in terrible need and he did his best to raise the money but…
1. The sugarcane crops were ravaged by locusts.
2. The sugar market collapsed.
He starved, shivered in cold and got sick fearing it was already tuberculosis.
Rizal started the final revisions of the Noli when he was almost finished in December. But he was
desperate as he did not have a money to publish it.
In desperation, he almost threw the manuscript into the fire when a telegram from a friend, Dr.
Maximo Viola, a son of a rich family in san Miguel, Bulacan, arrived informing Rizal that he was on
his way to Berlin.
Hope sprang in Rizal’s heart:
“It revived me. It gave me new hope. I went to the station to receive him and spoke to him about
my work. He said he might be able to help me.”
Viola was shocked to see Rizal living in poverty and so sick due to lack of proper nourishment.
Viola saved the Noli Me Tangere by offering to shoulder its printing cost.
By February 21, 1887, the Noli was finished and finallyt ready for printing.
Through the providential help of Viola, they found the cheapest printing house, the Berliner–
Buchdruckrei–Aktiengesellschaft which charged P300 for 2,000 copies.
On March 21, 1887, the Noli Me Tangere came off the press/
Rizal immediately sent the first copies of the novel to his intimate friends, Ferdinand Blumentritt,
Antonio Ma. Regidor, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Mariano Ponce, and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo.
On his letter to Blumentritt dated March 21, 1887, Rizal wrote:
“I am sending you a book. It is my first book… it is the first impartial and bold book on the life
of the Tagalogs. The Filipinos will find it the history of the last ten years. […] The government
and the friars will probably attack the work, refuting my arguments. […] I hope I can answer
the concepts which have been fabricated to malign us.”
On March 29, 1887, Rizal gave Viola the galley proofs of the Noli carefully rolled around the pen he
used in writing it and a complimentary copy with the following inscriptions:
“To my dear friend Maximo Viola, the first to read and appreciate my work – José Rizal.”
A year later, Rizal wrote to his good friend and former classmate Fernando Canon:
“I did not believe the Noli Me Tangere would ever be published when I was in Berlin, broken-
hearted, weakened, and discouraged from hunger and deprivation. I was on the point of
throwing my work into the fire as a thing accursed and fit only to die.”
Bound copies were boxed and sent to some friends in Barcelona and Madrid. These friends
employed clever means to smuggle them into the Philippines by disguising them as merchandise.
Textual Presentation of Noli Me Tangere
The Author and the Novel’s Style
The Noli Me Tangere can be regarded as a historical novel. It has mostly fictional characters but
also historical persons like Father Burgos who lived in actual places within a social system that was
then typical of a colonized land.
Admittedly, Rizal exaggerated a bit, as in his portrayal of characters like the friars Damaso, Salvi
and Sibyla; the two women who were preoccupied with prayers and novenas and the Espandañas
but on the whole, the novel follows the basic rules of realism.
Humor worked best where a more serious presentation of the general practices of religion during
that time (and even up to present time) would have given the novel a darker and pessimistic tone.
Rizal’s description of the lavish fiesta showed the comic artics at church and the ridiculous expense
for one day of festivities.
Noli Me Tángere
Literally translated, the Latin words “Touch Me Not”. Taken from John 20:17 when Mary Magdalene
holds on to Jesus and he tells her not to touch him.
The Cover
Cross – Sufferings
Pomelo blossoms and laurel leaves – Honor and Fidelity
Silhouette of a Filipina – Maria Clara
Burning Torch – Rage and Passion
Sunflowers – Enlightenment
Bamboo stalks that were cut down nut grew back – Resilience
A man in a cassock with hairy feet – Priests using religion in a dirty way
Chains – Slavery
Whips – Cruelties
Helmet of the Guardia Civil – Arrogance of those in authority
The Letters as Backdrop
The words partly covered by the title are the secret, inner dedication by Rizal to his parents, the
complete text being probably:
‘A mis P(adres.) al escribir e (sta obra he estado) pensado continuamente e (n vosotros que me)
haveis infundido los (primeros pensamientos) y las primeras ideas; a (vosotros os dedi)co este
manuscrito de me (joventud com p)rueba de amor.’ Berlin, (21 de Pebrero de) 1887.
The Preface
Rizal wrote in his dedication page in the Noli Me Tángere, “I will strive to reproduce thy condition
faithfullyt, without discriminations; I will raise a part of the veil that covers the evil…”
He clearly stated his intention of giving an accurate picture of the conditions in the Philippines at
the time.
Rizal’s book persistently unmasks contemporary Spaniards in the Philippines of every kind.
He exposes corruption and brutality of the civil guards which drive good men to crime and banditry.
The Noli is Rizal’s esposé of corrupt friars who have made the Catholic religion an instrument for
enriching and perpetuating themselves in power by seeking to mire ignorant Filipinos in fanaticism
and superstition.
According to Rizal, instead of teaching Filipinos true Catholicism, they control the government by
opposing all progress and persecuting members of the Illustrado unless they make themselves as
their servile flatterers.
Rizal’s Description of Filipinos (Bad Character)

 They are superstitious and hypocritical fanatics of religious people;

 Lack nationalism due to ignorance, corruption, and brutality of the Filipino civil guards;
 They have passion for gambling unchecked by the thought of duty and responsibility;
 The servility of the wealthy Filipino towards friars and government officials;
 The ridiculous efforts of Filipinos to dissociate themselves from their fellowmen or to lord it
over them.
Rizal’s Description of Filipinos (Good Character)

 They have modesty and devotion of the Filipina, the unstinting hospitality of the Filipino
family;
 The devotion of p[parents to their children and children to their parents;
 The deep sense of gratitude; and
 The solid common sense of the untutored peasant.
Advocacies
It calls on the Filipino to recover his self-confidence, to appreciate his own worth, to return to the
heritage of his ancestors, and to assert himself as the equal of the Spaniard.
It insists on the need of education, of dedication to the country, and of absorbing aspects of foreign
cultures that would enhance the native traditions.
Characters of Noli Me Tángere
Ibarra (Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin)
Son of a Filipino businessman, Don Rafael Ibarra, he studied in Europe for seven years. Ibarra is
also Maria Clara’s fiancé. Upon his return, Ibarra requested the local government of San Diego to
construct a public school to promote education in the town.
Maria Clara (Maria Clara de los Santos y Alba)
She was raised by Capitán Tiago, San Diego’s cabeza de barangay and is the most beautiful and
widely celebrated girl in San Diego.
In the later parts of the novel, Maria Clara’s identity was revealed as an illegitimate daughter of
Father Damaso, former parish curate of the town, and Doña Pia Alba, wife of Capitan Tiago. In the
end, she entered local covenant for nuns Beaterio de Santa Clara.
Capitan Tiago (Don Santiago de los Santos)
A Filipino businessman and the cabeza de barangay of the town of San Diego. He is also known the
father of Maria Clara. He is also said to be a good Catholic, friend of the Sapanish government and
was considered as a Spanish by colonialists. Capitan Tiago never attended school, so he became a
domestic helper of a Dominican friar who taught him informal education. He married Pia Alba from
Santa Cruz.
Padre Damaso (Damaso Verdolagas)
A Franciscan friar and the former parish curate of San Diego. He is best known as a notorious
character who speaks with harsh words and has been a cruel priest during his stay in the town. He
is the real father of Maria Clara and an enemy Crisostomo’s father, Rafel Ibarra. Later, he and
Maria Clara had bitter arguments whether she would marry Alfonso Linares or go to a convent. At
the end of the novel, he is again re-assigned to a distant town and is found dead one day.
Elias
Ibarra’s mysterious friend and ally. Elias made his first appearance as a pilot during a picnic of
Ibarra and Maria Clara and her friends.
He wants to revolutionize the country and to be freed from Spanish oppression.
Filosofo Tacio (Pilosopo Tasyo)
Seeking for reforms from the government, he expresses his ideals in paper written in a
cryptographic alphabet similar from hieroglyphics and Coptic figures hoping “that the future
generations may be able to decipher it” and realize the abuse and oppression done by the
conquerors. His full name is only known as Don Anastacio.
The educated inhabitants of San Diego labeled as Filosofo Tacio (Tacio the Stage) while others called
him as Tacio el Loco (Insane Tacio) due to his exceptional talnt for reasoning.
Narcisa or Sisa
Deranged mother of Basilio and Crispin. Described as beautiful and young, although she loves her
children very much, she can not protect them from the beatings of her husband, Pedro.
Crispin
Sisa’s 7-year-old son. An altar boy who was unjustly accused of stealing money from the church,
after failing to force Crispin to return the money he allegedly stole, Father Salvi and the head of
sacristan killed him.
Basilio
Sisa’s 10-year-old son. An acolyte tasked to ring the church bells for the Angelus, he faced the
dread of losing his younger brother and falling of his mother into insanity.
*Sisa, Crispin and Basilio represent a Filipino family persecuted by the Spanish authorities.
Padre Hernando de la Sibyla
A Dominican friar. He is described as short and has fair skin. He is instructed by an old priest in
his order to watch Crisostomo Ibarra.
Padre Bernardo Salvi
The Franciscan curate of San Diego, secretly harboring lust for Maria Clara. He is described to be
very thin and sickly. It is also hinted that his last name, “Salvi” is the shorter form meaning
Salvation or shorter form for “Salvaje” meaning bad hinting to the fact that he is willing to kill an
innocent child, Crispin, just to get his money back, though there was not enough evidence that it
was Crispin who has stolen his 2 onzas.
El Alférez or Alperes
Chief of the Guardia Civil. Mortal enemy of the priests for power in San Diego and husband of Doña
Consolacion.
Doña Consolacíon
Wife of the Alférez, nicknamed as la musa de los guardias civiles (The muse of the Civil Guards) or
la Alféreza, was a former laundrywoman who passes herself as a Peninsular; best remembered for
her abusive treatment of Sisa.
Doña Victorina (Doña Victorina de los Reyes de Espadaña)
An ambitious Filipina who classifies herself as a Spanish and mimics Spanish ladies by putting on
heavy make-up.
Don Tiburcio de Espadaña
Spanish Quack Doctor who is limp and submissive to his wife, Doña Victorina.
Teniente Guevara
A close friend of Don Rafael Ibarra. He reveals to Crisóstomo how Don Rafael Ibarra's death came
about.
Alfonso Linares
A distant nephew of Tiburcio de Espanada, the would-be fiancé of María Clara. Although he
presented himself as a practitioner of law, it was later revealed that he, just like Don Tiburcio, is a
fraud. He later died due to given medications of Don Tiburcio.
Tía Isabel
Capitán Tiago's cousin, who raised Maria Clara.
Governor General (Gobernador Heneral)
Unnamed person in the novel, he is the most powerful official in the Philippines. He has great
disdains against the friars and corrupt officials, and sympathizes Ibarra.
Don Filipo Lino
Vice mayor of the town of San Diego, leader of the liberals.
 Padre Manuel Martín
He is the linguistic curate of a nearby town, who says the sermon during San Diego's fiesta.
Don Rafael Ibarra
Father of Crisóstomo Ibarra. Though he is the richest man in San Diego, he is also the most
virtuous and generous.
Dona Pía Alba
Wife of Capitan Tiago and mother of María Clara. She died giving birth to her. In reality, she was
raped by Dámaso so she could bear a child.
Don Pedro Eibarramendia
The great-grandfather of Crisóstomo Ibarra who came from the Basque area of Spain. He started the
misfortunes of Elias' family. His descendants abbreviated their surname to Ibarra. He died of
unknown reasons, but was seen as a decaying corpse on a Balite Tree.
Don Saturnino Ibarra
The son of Don Pedro, father of Don Rafael and grandfather of Crisóstomo Ibarra. He was the one
who developed the town of San Diego. He was described as a cruel man but was very clever.
Salomé
Elías' sweetheart. She lives in a little house by the lake, and though Elías would like to marry her,
he tells her that it would do her or their children no good to be related to a fugitive like himself.
Sinang
Maria Clara's friend. Because Crisóstomo Ibarra offered half of the school he was building to
Sinang, he gained Capitan Basilio's support.
Iday, Andeng and Victoria
Maria Clara's other friends.
Capitán Basilio
Sinang's father, leader of the conservatives.
Pedro
The abusive husband of Sisa who loves cockfighting.
Tandáng Pablo
The leader of the tulisanes (bandits), whose family was destroyed because of the Spaniards.
El Hombre Amarillo (apparently means "yellowish person", named as Taong Madilaw)
One of Crisostomo Ibarra's would-be assassins. He is not named in the novel, and only described as
such. In the novel, he carved the cornerstone for Ibarra's school. Instead of killing Ibarra, he was
killed by his cornerstone.
Lucas
The brother of the taong madilaw. He planned a revolution against the government with Ibarra as
the leader after he was turned down by Ibarra. He was said to have a scar on his left cheek. He
would later be killed by the Sakristan Mayor.
 Bruno and Tarsilo
A pair of brothers whose father was killed by the Spaniards.
Ñor Juan (Ñol Juan)
A ppointed as foreman of the school to be built by Ibarra
Capitana Tika
Sinang's mother and wife of Capitan Basilio.
Albino
A former seminarian who joined the picnic with Ibarra and María Clara. Was later captured during
the revolution.
Capitana María Elena
A nationalist woman who defends Ibarra of the memory of his father.
Capitán Tinong and Capitán Valentín
Other known people from the town of San Diego.
Sacristán Mayor
The one who governs the altar boys and killed Crispín for his accusation.
SUMMARY
The plot revolves around Crisostomo Ibarra, mixed-race heir of a wealthy clan, returning home after
seven years in Europe and filled with ideas on how to better the lot of his countrymen. Striving for
reforms, he is confronted by an abusive ecclesiastical hierarchy and a Spanish civil administration
by turns indifferent and cruel.
The death of Ibarra’s father, Don Rafael, prior to his homecoming, and the refusal of a Catholic
burial by Padre Damaso, the parish priest, provokes Ibarra into hitting the priest, for which Ibarra
is excommunicated. The decree is rescinded, however, when the governor general intervenes.
The friar and his successor, Padre Salvi, embody the rotten state of the clergy. Their tangled feelings
—one paternal, the other carnal—for Maria Clara, Ibarra’s sweetheart and rich Capitan Tiago’s
beautiful daughter, steel their determination to spoil Ibarra’s plans for a school.
The town philosopher Tasio humorously notes similar past attempts have failed, and his sage
commentary makes clear that all colonial masters fear that an enlightened people will throw off the
bondage of oppression.
Using satire brilliantly, Rizal creates other memorable characters whose lives manifest the
poisonous effects of religious and colonial oppression.
Capitan Tiago; the social climber Doña Victorina de Espadaña and her toothless Spanish husband;
the Guardia Civil head and his harridan of a wife; the sorority of devout women; the disaffected
peasants forced to become outlaws: in sum, a microcosm of Philippine society.
In the afflictions that plague them, Rizal paints a harrowing picture of his beloved but suffering
country in a work that speaks eloquently not just to Filipinos but to all who have endured or
witnessed oppression.
Ibarra debates with the mysterious Elias, with whose life his is intertwined. The privileged Ibarra
favors peaceful means, while Elias, who has suffered injustice at the hands of the authorities,
believes violence is the only option.
Ibarra’s enemies, particularly Salvi, implicate him in a fake insurrection, though the evidence
against him is weak. Then Maria Clara betrays him to protect a dark family secret, public exposure
of which would be ruinous. Ibarra escapes from prison with Elias’s help and confronts her.
She explains why, Ibarra forgives her, and he and Elias flee to the lake. But chased by the Guardia
Civil, one dies while the other survives. Convinced Ibarra’s dead, Maria Clara enters the nunnery,
refusing a marriage arranged by Padre Damaso. Her unhappy fate and that of the more memorable
Sisa, driven mad by the fate of her sons, symbolize the country’s condition, at once beautiful and
miserable.
Interestingly, Maria Clara’s escapism was revealed in the Epilogue when two patrolmen who sought
shelter from a storm under the eaves near the nunnery. They saw “a white figure standing almost
on the ridge of the roof with arms and face raised toward the sky as if praying to it”. She escaped a
problem through religion that was itself a part of that problem.
Ibarra’s enemies, particularly Salvi, implicate him in a fake insurrection, though the evidence
against him is weak. Then Maria Clara betrays him to protect a dark family secret, public exposure
of which would be ruinous. Ibarra escapes from prison with Elias’s help and confronts her.
She explains why, Ibarra forgives her, and he and Elias flee to the lake. But chased by the Guardia
Civil, one dies while the other survives.  Convinced Ibarra’s dead, Maria Clara enters the nunnery,
refusing a marriage arranged by Padre Damaso.  Her unhappy fate and that of the more
memorable Sisa, driven mad by the fate of her sons, symbolize the country’s condition, at once
beautiful and miserable.
Rizal’s struggle in the winter of 1886 in Berlin was very memorable for two reasons:

1. It was a painful episode in his life for he was broke, hungry, sick and downcast in a strange
and foreign country.
2. It was also a moment of joy, after so much hardships and perseverance, because his first
novel, Noli, was completed and providentially published.
The kind-hearted Dr. Maximo Viola took Rizal off and they hiked around lovely sections in
Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
They visited Dresden, Germany where Rizal was already known and admired by Dr. Adolph B.
Meyer and other scientists.
After a visit to Vienna, Austria, Rome and other Italian cities, Rizal took a ship from Marseille and
traveled home on July 5, 1887 at last ready to operated his mother’s eyes

RIZAL’S GRAND TOUR OF EUROPE WITH MAXIMO VIOLA

May 11, 1887, Dresden, Germany
They met Dr. Adolph Meyer at the Museum of Art • Teschen, Czechoslovakia stopover. First meeting
with Ferdinand Blumentritt at Leitmeritz, Austria.
May 13, 1887
Rizal and Viola arrived at Leitmeritz at 1:30 in the afternoon. They were met at the station by Prof.
Blumentritt who conducted them to the Krebs Hotel, Room No. 12.
 May 14, 1887
Rizal and Viola attended the session of the Board of Directors of the Tourist Club in Leitmeritz thru
the invitation of Prof. Blumentritt who was the club secretary. They were cordially received by the
President of the Club, Jose Krombholz. Rizal delivered an extemporaneous speech in German,
which was very much applauded by the audience for his fluency.
May 15, 1887
With Prof. Blumentritt as their guide, Rizal and Viola visited the churches, the residence of the
Bishop and other important buildings of the city. They also visited the special friend of Prof.
Blumentritt, Dr. Carlos Czepelak, who wanted very much to see Rizal personally.
May 16, 1887
Professor Roberto Klutschak invited Rizal, Viola, and Prof Blumentritt to dine in his house, and in
the evening in return, Rizal and Viola invited them in Krebs Hotel. At 9:45 that same evening Rizal
And Viola, accompanied by the whole family of Prof. Blumentritt and Prof. Kluschk, left Leitmeritz
for Prague
Beer garden at Bohemia
Rizal was introduced with the Burgomaster (Mayor of the town).
Rizal communicated using German language wherein the burgomaster was amazed by his fluency
in German. According to him he learned the language in 11 months.
Prague, Austria
They met Dr. Wilkomm, a professor of natural history at University of Prague
Visited the tomb of Copernicus
Museum of natural history, Bacteriological laboratories, and Cave of San Juan Nepomuceno
May 19, 1887
Rizal bade goodbye to Prof. Dr. Willkomn, State Adviser in Brunn. The lovable daughter of the
professor reproached Rizal for not having told them of his artistic and poetic talents which they read
in Bohemia, a newspaper published in Prague. They left Brunn this day.
Rizal in Vienna, Austria
May 20-24, 1887
Rizal and Maximo Viola arrived in Vienna at 2:30 P.M. of May 20th and both boarded at the Hotel
Metropole.
May 24, 1887
For the last 3 days, they were conducted around the city by Mr. Masner to see the points of interest,
especially the Museum. On this day, Rizal was interviewed by Mr. Alder of the newspaper Extra
Blatt.
Beautiful buildings, religious images, haunting waltzes, and majestic charms.
He received his diamond stickpin lost at Hotel Krebs. This was found by the maid in the hotel which
was sent to Bkuementritt who send it to him
Adolf Hitler Conspiracy Theory
April 20, 1889, Braunau am Inn, Austria
Alois and Klara Hitler
At Lintz to Munich, Germany
Rizal observed the use of table napkins during meals which was novelty to him.

FIRST HOMECOMING 1887-1888

Reasons for his homecoming
1. To operate on his mother’s eyes.
2. To serve as a doctor to his people.
3. To find out himself how the Noli and his other writings were affecting Filipinos and Spaniards
in the Philippines.
4. To inquire why Leonor Rivera remained silent.
Who was Rizal's first patient?
His mother who was almost blind
What was his nickname around Calamba?
Doctor Uliman because he came from Germany.
Because he speaks German language.
Things Rizal did to better his hometown of Calamba
1. Established a gymnasium.
2. Introduced European sports.
3. Interested the town to gymnastics, sports and shooting to discourage cockfighting and
gambling.
Why did Rizal fail with his engagement to Leonor Rivera?
Leonor's mother forbade them to marry each other.
It as a custom at the time for parents to arrange marriages.
Rizal's allies during this time
1. Gov Gen Emillio Terrero
2. Jesuit fathers: Francisco de Paula Sanchez, Jose Bech, Federico Faura
What did Gov. Gen Terrero do after knowing of Rizal's situation?
He assigned a young spanish Lt. Don Jose Taviel de Andrade to become his bodyguard
Rizal's enemies during this time
1. Dominican friars of UST
2. Archbishop Pedro Payo
After the examination of Noli, what did the Dominican friars view the book as?
Heretical, impious, and scandalous in the religion order.
Anti-patriotic, subversive of public order, injurious to the government of Spain and its function in
the Philippine Islands in the political order.
When Gov-Gen Terrero was unsatisfied with the report, what did he do next?
Sent Noli to the Permanent Commission of Censorship which composed of priests and laymen
What did the Permanent Commission of Censorship deem Noli as?
That the importation, reproduction and circulation of the pernicious book in the island be
absolutely prohibited
The effects of the prohibition of Noli Me Tangere
1. Rizal's friends became uneasy.
2. Banning only made it popular.
3. Gov-Gen Terrero refused mass imprisonment of the Filipinos.
What did the attackers of Noli do after banning the novel?
Published a series of eight pamphlets called Cuestiones de Sumo Interes (questions of supreme
interest). It blasted Noli and other anti-Spanish writings.
8 pamphlets of Cuestiones de Sumo Interes
1. Porque no los he de leer? (Why should I not read them)
2. Guardios de ellos. Porque? (Beware of them. why?
3. Y que me dice usted de la peste? (And what can you tell me of plague?)
4. Porque triunfan los impios? (Why do the impious triumph)
5. Cree usted que de veras no hay purgutario? (Do you think there is really no purgatory)
6. Hay o no hay inferno? (Is there or is there no hell)
7. Que le parece a usted de esos libelos? (What do you of the libels)
8. Confesion o condenacion? (Confession or damnantion)
Who wrote the anti-Rizal pamphlets?
Fray Rodriguez
Three points Rev. Vicente Garcia defended for Noli
1. Rizal can't be an ignorant man because he graduated from Spanish universities.
2. He did not attack the church and Spain. only the corruption in it.
3. If reading the book is a sin, then Ft. Rodriguez reading the book is also committing a sin.
Reaction of Rizal after the defense of his novel by Rev. Garcia
He cried because his gratitude was overwhelming.
Two things that marred Rizal's happy days with Lt. Andrade in Calamba
1. Death of his older sister, Olimpia.
2. Tales from his enemies of him being a traitor, German spy, protestant, a mason
Influenced by Noli, what did Gov-Gen Tererro do?
Ordered an investigation on the friar estates especially the Calamba Hacienda owned by
Dominicans.
The findings of Rizal's investigation on the hacienda.
1. The Dominican order owned the land and city of Calamba.
 2. Profits of the order increased because of rentals.
3. They never contributed in the town fiesta, community.
4. They took lands away from tenants for unknown reasons.
5. Interests rates increased if tenants missed payments, they confiscated lands.
What did Gov-Gen Tererro advise Rizal to do after exposing the conditions of Calamba?
Leave the Philippines for his own good.
Two reasons that Rizal was compelled to leave the Philippines
1. For the safety and happiness of his family.
2. To fight his enemies and serve his country by writing in foreign countries.
Title of the poem written by Rizal for his friend Lipa
Himno Al Trabajo (Hymn of Labor)

RIZAL’S SECOND TRIP IN EUROPE LONDON (MAY 1888-MARCH 1889)

Reasons:
1. To improve his knowledge of the English language.
2. To study and annotate Morga’s Successors de las Islas Filipinas.
3. It was a safe place to carry out his fight against Spanish tyranny.
Stayed at the house of Beckett’s family

Annotated Morga’s Successos de las Islas Filipinas (Historical Events of the Philippine Islands) at
British Museum.

10 Months

News from home:

1. Persecution of Filipino patriots who signed the “Anti-Friar Petition of 1888.

2. Persecution of Calamba tenants
3. Attacks against him made senators Salamanca and Vida
4. Manuel Hidalgo, (Brother-in-law) was exiled in Bohol without due process
5. Laureano Viado, UST student, was arrested and jailed because he has a copy of the Noli
6. Christmas in London with the Becketts
7. Asociacion La Solidaridad 1888 where he was elected honorary president
8. La Solidaridad Newspaper edited by Graciano Lopez Jaena

Aims:
1. To work peacefully for political and social reforms
2. To portray deplorable conditions of the Philippines so that Spain may remedy them
3. To oppose the evil forces or reaction and medievalism
4. To advocate liberal ideas and progress
5. To champion legitimate aspirations of the Filipino people to life, democracy, and happiness
First article at the La Solidaridad was the Los Agricultores Filipinos (The Filipino Farmers).
He depicted the deplorable conditions of Filipino farmers which caused the backwardness of the
country.
“The Filipino farmer has to struggle not only against petty tyrants and robbers”

La Vision del Fray Rodriguez (Pamphlet) using the pen name Dimas Alang
Opus satire depicting a spirited dialogue between St. Augustine and Fr. Rodriguez
“St. Augustine told Fr. Rodriguez that he was commissioned by God to tell him of his stupidity and
inform him of penance on earth that he (Fr. Rodriguez) shall continue to write more stupidity so
that all men may laugh at him.”
Letter to the Young Women of Malolos
Main points:
1. Filipino mother should teach her children love of God, fatherland and mankind.
2. Filipino mother should be glad, like Spartan mother to offer her sons the defense of the
fatherland.
3. A Filipino woman should educate herself aside from retaining good virtues.
4. Faith is not merely reciting long prayers and wearing religious pictures but rather it is living
the real Christian way, with good morals and manners.
Specimens of Tagalog Folklore (Proverbs and Puzzles) and Two Eastern Fables
1. Isang butil na palay sikip sa buong bahay. Ilaw
2. Matapang ako sa dalawa, duwag ako sa isa. Kawayang tulay
3. Dala ako niya, dala ko sya. Sapatos
4. Isang balong malalim puno ng patalim. Bunganga
Romance with Gertrude Beckett (Gettie)
Gertrude Beckett was an English girl with brown hair, blue eyes and rosy cheeks.
Friendship turned to romance
Sculptural works
Prometheus bound
Triumph of death over life
Triumph of Science over death
Composite carving of the heads of Beckett sisters
Life in Paris
Kidlat club 1889
Social society
Indios Bravos To excel in intellectual and physical prowess inorder to win the admiration of the
foreigners especially the Spaniards
R.D.L.M. Society (Redencion de los Malayos (redemption of the Malays)
Propagation of useful knowledge – scientific, artistic, literary etc. in the Philippines
He wanted to be the leader of freedom, if not in the Philippines then in other lands i.e. Borneo
Annotation of Antonio De Morga’s Sucesos
Dedicated to the Filipinos so that they would know their glorious past • Rizal proved that Filipinos
were already civilized before Spain
They had clothes, government, laws, writing, literature, religion, arts, sciences, and commerce with
neighboring countries.
Committed errors according to Bluemntritt:
Appraising the events of the past in the light of the present standards
His attacks on the Church were unfair and unjustified
Other important works
The Philippines within a century
Views about Spanish colonization and predicted the tragic end of Spain’s sovereignty in Asia.
Economic stagnation and unhappiness of Filipinos under Spanish rule.
Indolence of the Filipinos
Defense of the alleged indolence of the Filipinos
Causes of poor industries
1. Native revolts
2. Wars fought by Filipinos for Spain.
3. Muslim wars.
4. Forced Labor
5. Lack of stimulus to work harder.
6. Government neglect
7. Teaching of Spanish missionaries.
8. Encouragement and propagation of gambling.
9. System of Spanish education
Por Telefono
Satirical pamphlet using the penname Dimasalang
Telephone conversation between Fr. Font and Fr Provincial of San Agustin convent of Manila.
He predicted that telephone will be widely used in the Philippines several years of his time.
Belgium: Life in Brussels
1. El Filibusterismo
2. Articles in La Solidaridad
3. A La defense
4. La Verdad para Todos
5. Vicente Barrantes’ Teatro Tagalo
6. Una Pronafacion
7. Verdades Nuevas
8. Crueldad
9. Differecias
10.Inconsequencias
11.Llanto y Risas

Rizal criticizes Madrid Filipinos for gambling

Bad news from home
Presentiment to death
Bad dreams in Brussel
Thinking of his unhappy family in Calamba
He feared he would not live long
Preparation to go home
Decision to go to Madrid
A Mi Musa
Romance with Suzanne Jacoby
Petite Belgian woman was in loved to him for being a gentleman.
Lonelinness
She cried when he left toward the end of July 1890.
Madrid, Spain
Failure to get justice for his family
His parents were ejected from their home
His brother Paciano and other relatives were deported to Mindoro
Aborted duel with Antonio Luna
Challenge Wenceslao Retana to a duel
Press agent of the friars who wrote in La Epoca an article on the family and friends of Rizal did not
pay their rents so they were ejected from their lands.
This silenced Retana but developed a great admiration to Rizal
Leonor Rivera announced her marriage to an Englishman
Rizal abdicated his leadership in the La Solidaridad
Romance with Nelly Boustead
Biarritz romance under the moonlight
Courted her
Failed marriage proposal
He refused to give up his catholic religion
Nelly’s mother did not like Rizal

RIZAL LEAVING THE PHILIPPINES FOR THE SECOND TIME

Hounded by powerful enemies, Rizal was forced to leave his country for the second time in 1888.
He was 27 years old, a practicing physician, and a recognized man of letters.
Rizal in Hong Kong and Macau
Rizal left via the steamer Zapiro bound for Hong Kong.
The first stop over of the ship was in Amoy
Rizal did not get off the ship for the following reasons:
1. He was not feeling well.
2. It was raining hard.
3. He heard that the city is dirty.
Hong Kong
A British colony
Victoria Hotel
He met Jose Maria Basa, Balbino Mauricio, and Manuel Yriarte (son of the alcalde-mayo in
Calamba)
Jose Sainz de Varanda
A Spaniard and former secretary of Governor-General Terrero shadowed Rizal’s movement in Hong
Kong.
It is believed that he was commissioned by the Spanish authorities to spy on Rizal.
Description of Hong Kong
In his letter to Blumentritt: “is a small, but very clean city.”
“Many Portuguese, Hindus, English, Chinese and Jews.”
“There are some Filipinos exiled in Marianas Islands since 1872, they were former financiers and
rich but now poor, gentle and timid.”
Rizal in Macau
A Portuguese colony near Hong Kong.
Rizal together with Basa boarded a ferry named Kiu-Kiang going to Macau.
Jose Sainz de Varanda was among one of the passengers
Rizal and Basa stayed in his house of Don Juan Francisco Lecaros – a Filipino gentleman who is
married to a Portuguese lady.
While in Hong Kong, he studied Chinese life, language, drama and customs and found out the
following which he wrote in his diary:
The Lauriat party, wherein the guests were served a variety of dishes, shows lavishness and
hospitality among the Chinese.
Chinese New Year was quite very noisy due to the continuous explosion of firecrackers on the
streets.
The Dominican Order, the richest religious order in Hong Kong, had millions of dollars deposited in
various banks earning very high interests.
The graveyards for Catholics, Protestants and Muslims were well maintained.

Rizal in Japan (The Land of the Cherry Blossoms)

Rizal left Hong Kong on board of the Oceanic, an American steamer on his way to Japan.
He arrived in Yokohama, Japan and stayed for one day in Grand Hotel.
Rizal in Tokyo
After spending a day in Yokohama, Rizal went to Tokyo and stayed in Tokyo Hotel for five days.
Juan Perez Caballero the secretary of the Spanish legation visited him in the hotel inviting him to
stay in the Spanish legation.
Knowing that it is a plot to monitor him, Rizal accepted the offer for the following reasons:
1. He could economize his living expenses
2. He had nothing to hide from the prying eyes of the Spanish authorities.
3. He and Caballero became good friends.
In Japan, Rizal was embarrassed because he did not know how to speak Nippongo (Japanese
Language)
He was mistaken as an Europeanized Japanese because he looks like a Japanese and yet speaks in
different tongue.
Rizal’s Impression of Japan
 The scenic beauty of the country
 The cleanliness, politeness and industry of the Japanese people.
 The picturesque dress and simple charm of the Japanese women.
 There were few thieves in Japan.
 Beggars are rarely seen in the city streets.

Rickshaw is a popular mode of transportation which Rizal did not like in Japan.
Rizal and O-Sei-San
Seiko-usai
Samurai’s daughter of 23 years old and had never experienced true love.
A woman of beauty, charm, modesty and intelligence.

Speaks French and English.

When Rizal first introduced himself to her, he took of his hat as a sign of respect (A German custom)

O-Sei-San was more than Rizal’s girlfriend for she was his guide, interpreter and tutor.
She improved his knowledge of the Japanese language.
She eases the pain left by Leonor Rivera.
Rizal fell greatly in-love with O-Sei-San that he was tempted to leave the Philippines and settle down
in Japan.
He was offered a job in the Spanish Legation
Paciano wrote to him reminding him of his duty and why he left the Philippines in the first place.
Rizal left Japan via the ship Belgic, an English steamer in Yokohama bound for United States.
It ended 45 days of his unforgettable stay in Japan and his relationship with O-Sei-San.
O-Sei-San after Rizal’s departure
Alfred Charlton became the husband of O-SeiSan in 1897, one year after Rizal was executed.
He was a British teacher of chemistry in Peers’ School in Tokyo.

They had a daughter named Yuriko, who married a son of a Japanese senator

Seiko-Usui died in 1947 at age 80 and was buried beside her husband.

Rizal in steamer Belgic

He met a semi-Filipino family, Mr. Reinaldo Turner and his wife Emma Jackson, their children and
maid from Pangasinan.

Tetcho Suehiro – a fighting Japanese journalist, novelist, champion of human rights, who was
forced by the government to leave Japan. Tetcho Suehiro became a member of the Japanese
Imperial Diet (Parliament)
Wrote to novels:
Nankai-no-Daiharan (Storm Over the South Sea) – 1891 resembling Noli Me
O-unabara (The Big Ocean) – 1894 – resembling El Filibusterismo
Died in 1896 at age 49 due to heart attack.
Rizal in USA
Via the steamer Belgic, Rizal arrived in san Francisco, USA on April 28, 1888
Cholera – raging epidemic in the Far East according to the Americans
All passengers are quarantined for safety
Rizal was surprised because there is no outbreak of the disease in the Far East, thus he joined
other passengers in protest.
643 Chinese coolies boarded the ship
The coolies from China were displacing white laborers in railroad construction camp.
But Rizal was questioning how come 700 bolts of silk were unloaded without fumigation.
After a week Rizal together with other first-class passengers were permitted to land. But the
Japanese and the Chinese and passengers belonging to the second and thirds class remained
aboard.
Rizal stayed in Palace Hotel (a first-class hotel) in San Francisco. He stayed there for two days.
Grover Cleveland was the president when Rizal visited the United States.
Leland Stanford – the founder and benefactor of the Stanford University was then a senator
representing California.
Rizal Toured the United States
Oakland – first stop via ferryboat
Via train
 Sacramento – where he ate his supper 75cents and slept at his couch.
 Reno, Nevada – where he had his breakfast
 Utah – where he saw Mormons, thickly populated
 Colorado – a lot of snow and pine trees
 Nebraska – Omaha City, as big as San Francisco
 Missouri River – twice as big as Pasig River
 Chicago – a lot of Indians in cigar stores
 Albany – where he saw the Hudson River
 New York – which he considers a big city. Where he stayed for three days

He left the United States for Liverpool, London on board the City of Rome, the second largest ship in
the world.
Great Eastern – largest ship in the world during his time.
Rizal’s Impression of America (Good)

 Material progress of the country as shown in its cities, farms, and industries
 The drive and energy of the Americans
 The natural beauty of the land
 The high standard of living
 The opportunities for better life offered to poor immigrants.
Rizal’s impression of America (Bad)

 Non-existence of true civil liberty, as Negro cannot marry an American and vice versa.
 The existence of racial prejudice as shown in their hatred of the Chinese, Japanese and
Negroes.
  The valuing of money over human life
America for Rizal
The land par excellence of freedom but only for the whites.

SUMMARY OF THE EL FILIBUSTERISMO

Chapter 1: On the Upper Deck
The novel begins with the steamship Tabo sailing on the Pasig River on its way to Laguna. While
the passengers on the upper deck discuss subjects regarding the lake and the slow pace of ship
travel, readers are gradually introduced to some characters of the novel such as the jeweler Simoun,
Doña Victorina, Ben Zayb, Don Custodio, Padre Irene, Sibyla, Camorra, and Salvi.
Chapter 2: On the Lower Deck
On the lower deck of the steamship Tabo, Basilio and Isagani converse with Don Basilio. The two
students tell the Don the plan of the students to establish a Spanish academy. Although the two
students are hopeful that the academy would be approved by the Governor-General, Don Basilio
expresses his pessimism.
Chapter 3: Legends
The wealthy passengers of the steamship amuse themselves by telling stories and legends of
interesting places and spots along the river. Padre Florentino recounts the legend of Doña
Jeronima, while Padre Salvi narrates the story of a Chinese infidel who was saved from the caymans
by asking St. Nicholas for help. Ben Zayb then asks the captain the exact spot where a man named
Ibarra was killed. While pointing to the exact spot, Ben Zayb observes that Simoun is silent and
thoughtful.
Chapter 4: Cabesang Tales
Cabesang Tales with his family and father cultivate a piece of land. From the hardship the
experience and sickness they experience, Tales's wife and eldest daughter die. When he is about to
harvest his crops, a religious order lays claim to the land and demands an annual rent. Tales
eventually agrees to the arrangement, but every year the rent keeps going up until he has had
enough. He goes to the courts and demands that the religious order present some proof of their
ownership of the land. After a long and expensive litigation, Tales loses the case. He is
unfortunately abducted by bandits demanding ransom. Not enough money is raised for the
ransom, so Juli, the daughter of Cabesang Tales, borrows money from Hermana Penchang. To pay
the debt, Juli agrees to work for the Hermana as a servant
Chapter 5: A Cochero's Christmas Eve
On the way to the town of San Diego, a cochero endures abuse and maltreatment from the Guardia
Civil. He is hit with a rifle butt when he tells them he has forgotten to bring his cedula with him.
He is detained and beaten up again when the light of his carromata goes out. Basilio arrives at San
Diego and, after making his way to Capitan Tiago's house, he receives the news that Cabesang Tales
has been abducted by bandits.
Chapter 6: Basilio
At Christmas Eve, Basilio enters the forest previously owned by the Ibarra family but has been sold
to Capitan Tiago. In the middle of the forest stands a Balete tree, where he visits the grave of his
mother Sisa and a stranger (Elias). He remembers that thirteen years ago, a second stranger
(Ibarra) had helped him cremate and bury his mother and the stranger. Through Capitan Tiago’s
help, he is now studying to be a doctor and plans to marry his sweetheart, Juli.
Chapter 7: Simoun
Basilio is about to leave the forest when he sees someone approach and starts digging near the
Balete tree. He announces his presence and is surprised that the man turns out to be Simoun the
jeweler, who is none other than Crisostomo Ibarra. Simoun convinces Basilio to cooperate in his
plans of avenging the death of his mother (Sisa) and his younger brother (Crispin) but Basilio
remains steadfast saying that revenge would never bring back his brother and mother.
Chapter 8: Merry Christmas
It is Christmas day and Juli wakes up early to pack her things to go to Hermana Penchang. She
forgets to greet his grandfather Tata Selo a Merry Christmas. After Juli leaves, Tata Selo is
preoccupied with thoughts of his pretty granddaughter with her delicate hands working as a
servant, of his son Cabesang Tales still held by bandits, and of being alone on Christmas Day.
Dwelling on all these misfortunes, he discovers that he has become dumb.
Chapter 9: Pilates
The gossip about the misfortunes of Tata Selo and his family spreads around town, and a number
of people are claiming that they are not to blame for these misfortunes. The Alferez of the Guardia
Civil says that he was just following a government order to collect all firearms in town. The friar
who has taken over Cabesang Tales's comments that if Tales had remained at home, he would never
have been abducted by the bandits. Hermana Penchang merely says that God brought down
hardships on Tata Selo’s family because they had not taught Juli to pray properly.
Chapter 10: Wealth and Want
Simoun visits Cabesang Tales's house to sell his jewelry to the rich inhabitants of San Diego and
Tiani. Cabesang Tales is convinced to sell his daughter’s locket but decides to get his daughter's
permission first. The following day Simoun discovers that his revolver has been stolen by Tales.
News circulates in the town that three persons have been murdered: the friar administrator, as well
as the new tenant and his wife. A piece of paper with the word Tales written in blood is found near
the dead tenant’s wife.
Chapter 11:Los Baños
On the last day of December, the Governor-General and his advisers, together with some friars, are
taking a rest in Los Baños. After the game of cards, the Governor-General asks his advisers'
opinion about the students' proposal to put up a self-sufficient Spanish academy. There is a
disagreement of opinions, so no decision is made. Afterwards, the Governor-General orders the
release of Tata Selo, who has been arrested by the Guardia Civil in place of his son, Cabesang Tales.
Chapter 12 and 13: Placido Penitente and the Class in Physics.
Placido enters the class in physics conducted by Padre Millon. The class has no laboratory
equipment, while the instruments bought by the university are never used. At a class recitation,
Placido argues with the professor when he gets a bad mark even if he had been marked as being
absent. From disgust and frustration, Placido Penitente walks out of the class.
Chapter 14: In the House of the Students
Arriving at the school dormitory, Makaraig announces that the decision to issue the permit for
building the academy has been passed to a commission headed by Don Custodio. The students
then devise schemes to influence Don Custodio or Señor Pasta, a lawyer, to give a favorable
decision. Isagani volunteers to persuade Señor Pasta to support and to endorse their project.
Chapter 15: Señor Pasta
Isagani approaches Señor Pasta to persuade him to support and endorse the students' project. Not
wishing to provoke the friars who are against the project, Señor Pasta decides to oppose it and to
convince Isagani instead to focus on his studies.
Chapter 16: The Tribulations of a Chinese
Quiroga, a Chinese businessman, gives a dinner in his house. Friars, government officials, soldiers,
and merchants attend the dinner. Simoun asks Quiroga to store some rifles in his warehouse as
exchange for the portion of the debt that the Chinese merchant owes him.
Chapter 17: The Quiapo Fair
Twelve people leave Quiroga's house to watch Mr. Leeds' show. Padre Camorra ogles the young
women at the fair, and gets more excited when he sees Paulita Gomez, Isagani's rich and beautiful
sweetheart.
Chapter 18: Legerdemain
Ben Zayb, Padre Camorra, Padre Salvi, and others enter the tent of Mr. Leeds to watch his show.
Mr. Leeds presents to them a box containing some ashes that had been found in one of the
pyramids of Egypt. Upon shouting a magic word, the ashes come to life and the Sphinx named
Imuthis narrates his sad story. A priest, he says, was in love with his sweetheart and in order to
eliminate him, he was implicated in a rebellion. Imuthis was then arrested but was killed in a lake
while trying to escape. Seeing the parallelism between Imuthis' story and that of Crisostomo Ibarra,
Padre Salvi faints when the Sphinx starts calling him murderer, slanderer, and hypocrite.
Chapter 19: The Fuse
Placido Penitente meets and joins Simoun in his trip around the city. Placido learns that Simoun is
organizing a revolution in order to rescue Maria Clara from the convent.
Chapter 20: The Arbiter
Don Custodio studies his decision regarding the proposal of the university students. He is
undecided, since he wants to please the friars who are against the proposal while at the same time
desires to give the students a chance to study the Spanish language. Señor Pasta and Pepay the
dancer have been consulted, but they do not give him a concrete answer. After much
contemplation, he arrives at a decision.
Chapter 21: Manila Types
The people of Manila gather in the Teatro de Variadades to watch Les Cloches de Corneville.
Camarrocido, who is from a prominent family in Spain, is poorly dressed and is employed in putting
up posters of upcoming shows of the Teatro. While walking near the Teatro he sees some men
suspiciously loitering around. He finds out that Simoun is ordering the men to stop a civil unrest.
Chapter 22: The Performance
Humorous incidents happen at the show. Juanito Pelaez pretends to understand French in order to
impress Paulita Gomez but is embarrassed when he mistranslates some French words. Padre Irene,
in a disguise, watches the show and applauds one of the French actresses. Don Custodio is also
present at the show, falsely claiming that he watching the show to judge if it is indecent or not.
During the show, the students led by Makaraig learn about Don Custodio' s decision.
Chapter 23: A Corpse
Basilio reads some medical books when Simoun arrives at Capitan Tiago's house. Simoun
convinces Basilio in vain to assist in the revolution initiated by the jeweler. Simoun adds that a
revolution is necessary to rescue Maria Clara at the Sta. Clara nunnery. Basilio informs Simoun
that Maria Clara is dead. Simoun leaves the house weeping, tormented and bereaved.
Chapter 24: Dreams
Isagani meets Paulita at Malecon. In their conversation, Isagani is revealed to be an idealist who
envisions progress and economic development of his country. He converses with Paulita about
railway expansion, cooperation between Spaniards and Filipinos, and the imminent commercial
trade. Paulita dismisses these thoughts saying they are unattainable dreams.
Chapter 25: Smiles and Tears
The students organize a banquet at a panciteria to honor Don Custodio and his decision about the
Spanish academy. In his decision, the academy must come under the supervision of the Dominican
order and the students would simply collect contributions for the proposed school.
Chapter 26: Pasquinades
Basilio goes to the hospital but sees students acting as if classes are suspended. A student
informs him that seditious and revolutionary posters are found at the university implicating the
student organization. The government has also issued the arrest of all its members and students
who participated in the banquet at the panciteria. Basilio then goes to the house of Makaraig to
ask for a loan, but he and Makaraig are arrested by soldiers.
Chapter 27: The Friar and the Filipino
Padre Fernandez calls Isagani to discuss his involvement at the banquet in the panciteria. Their
discussion centers on the policy of the friars in educating students. Isagani argues that the friars
are deliberately teaching antiquated education in order to inhibit the aspiration of the people to be
free. He argues that people who aspire to be educated are branded as filibusters. Padre
Fernandez replies that he has done what he could and that not all friars are backward and
against the idea of educating the people. He says that education can only be bestowed to a
deserving and ready people.
Chapter 28: Tatakut
Because of the seditious posters found in the university, the city is adrift with rumor and gossip.
Gossip about arrested students being shot and deported is circulated, while rumor exists that
members of the student association had connived with bandits and the German ships to bring
down the government.
Chapter 29: Exit Capitan Tiago
Capitan Tiago dies, and Padre Irene becomes the executor of his will. Capitan Tiago has willed his
properties toSta. Clara, to the pope, to the archbishop, and to religious corporations.
Chapter 30: Juli
The news of Basilio’s imprisonment deeply troubles Juli. The town clerk, Hermana Pechang, and
Hermana Bali convince Juli to ask Padre Camorra to intercede for Basilio. She is hesitant to
approach the friar since he is known to be frolicsome and fond of women. When news reaches Tiani
that Basilio is about to be shot, Juli is compelled to ask the friar’s help.
Chapter 31: The High Official
A high official convinces the Governor-General in vain to release Basilio who he believes is innocent.
The Governor-General insists that innocent individuals must suffer in order to restore order and to
cow the people into submission. Because of this disagreement, the high official resigns and goes
back to Spain.
Chapter 32: Effect of the Pasquinades
Because of the revolutionary and seditious posters, Pecson, Tadeo, and Juanito Pelaez are
suspended from their classes. Tadeo burns his books, while Juanito gets engaged in his father’s
business. In jail, Basilio learns the sad news of Juli’s death. Simoun befriends Don Timoteo Pelaez,
who is now busy preparing for the wedding of his son to Paulita Gomez.
Chapter 33: La Ultima Razon
Basilio is released from prison and immediately approaches Simoun in order to help him initiate a
revolution. Simoun is pleased that Basilio will join his cause. He directs Basilio to meet Cabesang
Tales at a designated time to acquire the rifles that are hidden in Quiroga’s warehouse. Simoun is
to place at an important gathering a dynamite-laden lamp that would then explode to signal the
attack.
Chapter 34: The Wedding
Basilio walks aimlessly in the streets of Manila to wait for the agreed signal for the revolution. He
passes Calle Anloague where the wedding fiesta of Juanito Pelaez and Paulita Gomez is being held.
After seeing the rich decorations, the number of guards, and the important visitors that would be
coming, he assumes that this is the crucial gathering mentioned by Simoun.
Chapter 35: The Fiesta
Basilio sees Simoun placing the lamp at the center of the house. Basilio is about to leave the place
when he sees Isagani. He tries to convince Isagani to stay away from the house and explains that
the lamp from Simoun would explode killing everybody in the house. In a rare act of love and
loyalty to Paulita, he boldly rushes to the house, quickly throwing the lamp into the river to prevent
it from exploding.
Chapter 36: Ben-Zayb's Afflictions
The Governor-General prohibits any mention of the events that have taken place at the wedding
fiesta of Juanito Pelaez and Paulita Gomez. News circulates that a band of tulisanes have attacked
a friar country house. The robbers who are caught describe a Spanish mestizo as the one who
ordered them to attack the city at a designated signal. The description given by the robbers
perfectly fits Simoun.
Chapter 37: The Mystery
The events of the previous night are discussed by Isagani, Capitana Loleng, Capitan Toringoy,
Sensia, and Chichoy. Chichoy divulges that Simoun is the mastermind behind storing the sacks of
gunpowder in order to kill all the people at the wedding feast. He also adds that the lamp was to
start the fire and ignite the gunpowder.
Chapter 38: Fatality
A group of prisoners are being escorted by the soldiers when they are ambushed. Carolino, one of
the members of the Guardia Civil and the son of Cabesang Tales, bravely fight the bandits, killing
with a spear the bandits' leader and an old man. Upon approaching the dead, he recognizes that
the old man that he has shot is none other that his grandfather, Tata Selo.
Chapter 39: Conclusion
A wounded and exhausted Simoun goes to Padre Florentino's house to hide from the Guardia Civil
that are out to arrest him. After taking a poison, he informs Padre Florentino of his true identity.
He says that he is the fugitive Juan Crisostomo Ibarra and that his was the unsuccessful attempt to
corrupt the government in order to start a revolution that would free the country. Padre Florentino
reprimands Simoun, saying that freedom cannot be won through violence and bloodshed but by
education, constant work, and suffering.

Which was the realization of people after the French and American Revolution? Sovereignty
resides in the people, not in the king
Which is the author of The Communist Manifesto? Karl Marx
The discovery of these two sources energy accelerated Industrialization gained its momentum in the
2nd half of the 19th century. Oil and electricity
Which nation led the Colonial expansion in Asia during the 19 th century? Britain
Which is not a part of the ideology of the French Revolution? Sovereignty
The Napoleonic wars were driven by? Nationalism
The principle that the economy works best if the government does not interfere with private
industries and business and markets. Laissez faire
What caused the breakup of the Filipino Reformists in Spain? Rift between Rizal and Marcelo H.
del Pilar
What was Rizal’s first article in La Solidaridad? Los Agricultores Filipinos
Rizal convinced his father to buy this book by saying it was required in their class. Historia
Universal by Cesar Cantu
Which work of Rizal which won in a competition but gave him an experience of Spanish
discrimination? El Consejo de Dioses
Where was El Filibusterismo published? Ghen Belgium
The Educational Decree 1863 was intended to. Make Spanish as a medium of instruction
It was a self-help organization that would work for the political, social, and economic reforms for the
Filipinos. La Liga Filipina
Which of the following does NOT belong to the group? The Dominican administrators were not
paying correct taxes to the government
Which of the following CANNOT be a message of the poem Por la Educacion Recibe Lustre la Patrid?
Education brings personal glory
What is the main theme of the poem Alianza Intima Entre la Religion y Law Buena Educacion?
Education without religion is aimless
This book made Rizal realize the weakness of Spain and led him to predict that the Filipinos will
later rise against her. Travels to the Philippine by Fedor Jagor
Which of the following is NOT an aim of the Propaganda Movement? Independence of the
Philippines from Spain
The role of the Propaganda Movement as a nationalistic organization can be seen in the fact that it.
Awakened the nationalistic sentiment of the Filipino
What is the major reason why Don Francisco advised Rizal to choose Ateneo rather than Letran? To
minimize the confrontation of young Rizal and the Dominicans
Why di Rizal decline the good job offered to him in the Spanish embassy in Japan and continued
his voyage to Europe? It was a tactic to keep him within the prying eyes of the Spaniards
Rizal’s sense of creativity, artistic inclination and love for nature are said to have been inspired by.
The beauty of Calamba
What is Del Pilar’s translation of El Amor Patrio? Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa
Why was Rizal’s first romance ruined at an early hour? He was timid and shy
Which of the following strengthened Rizal’s character and developed in him courage in face of
adversity? The death of conception, the imprisonment of his mother, the frequent sight of
abuses by the Guardia Civil
Which of the following does NOT belong to the group? To establish a gymnasium for young
people of Calamba to develop their interests in sports
Which place was Rizal referring to? The people there trusted their colonizers while the Filipinos
hated theirs? Singapore
Which of the following is NOT one of the messages of Riza’s toast to Luna and Hidalgo? The
separation of Philippines from Mother Spain
Where did Rizal finish writing his second novel, El Filibusterismo? Biarritz, France
Where did Rizal finish the additional one-fourth of the Noli Me Tangere to make it three-fourths
done? Paris
Which of the following does NOT belong to the group? He wrote the satire La Vision del Fray
Rodriguez in response to Caiingat Cayo
The Filipino propagandist did NOT ask for. Separation of the country from Spain
Which of the following does NOT belong to the group? The readers commit martial sin in reading
the Noli as the book is full of heresies
Which prominent group in Europe that Rizal joined which preached free-thinking and liberal ideas?
Freemansory or Mason (Di sure)
Why was Rizal unhappy at the end of his third year in Ateneo? He did not win the gold medal in
Spanish
Which document inspired the declaration of independence of North America from Great Britain?
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense
Which of the following does NOT belong to the group? To see for himself the effects of his novel
to his countrymen and the Spaniards
Why did Leonor Rivera stop receiving letters from Rizal? Leonor’s mother intercepted all of
Rizal’s letters to her daughter
What was the original name of Ateneo Municipal de Manila? Escuela Pia
Where did Rizal write the last portions of Noli Me Tangere? Heidelberg
Which of the following does NOT belong to the group? There were few thieves and beggars were
rarely seen in the streets
It is a novel which illustrates the power of the church in putting obstacles to modernity and
enlightenment. Doña Perfecta
Why is the opening of the Philippines to the world trade significant in the growth of Filipino
nationalism? Filipinos were exposed to the developments in Europe and Americas, because it
allowed entry of the liberal and revolutionary ideas to the country, Many native Filipinos
improved their social status and were able to send their children abroad for studies
Why did the following CANNOT be a message of the poem A la Juventud Filipina? The Filipino
youth should fight against oppression
Which of the following is NOT true? The Propaganda movement planned the revolution
organized by Andres Bonifacio and the Katipuneros
Why did Rizal decide to leave Europe and take up residence in Hong Kong? To distance from these
compatriots in Europe and allow himself to resume campaign for propaganda and reforms in
Hong Kong
An organization aimed at voicing out concerns of Filipinos in Madrid. Circulo Hispano Filipino
It is a novel which portrays the evil of slavery and fueled the Civil War. Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Who was the savior of El Filibusterismo? Valentin Ventura
Which of the following is true? None of these
While he was in Hong Kong, what was the content of the second letter of Rizal to the governor-
general? Asking for official permission to allow Filipinos to change their nationality and sell
their holdings in the Philippines for the purpose of emigrating to Borneo
Who was the liberal-minded governor general who protected Rizal in hos sojourn in the Philippines?
Emilio Terrero
What was Rizal’s winning over the much bigger Pedro who was a bully symbolic of? Rizal’s courage
to fight the abusive people/Spanish friars
Who was the savior of Noli Me Tangere? Maximo Viola
What is Rizal’s order of birth? Seventh
Why did Rizal leave the reform movement in Spain? He did not want that his leadership be a
cause of disunity and conflict among his countrymen
What cause the bloody student riots in Unibersidad Central de Madrid during Rizal’s time? The
expulsion of Dr. Miguel Morayta, the forced resignation of the university rector who sided
with Morayta and the students, the installation of an unpopular new university rector
Why did the Propaganda Movement fail? Because the propagandists were homesick, because
different propagandists have their own opinion, because of lack of financial support
Which work of Rizal is a satire portraying the theme of racial discrimination and espousing
nationalist ideas? Junto al Pasig
What activity did Rizal dedicate most of his spare time? Reading and writing
Why did the Rizal family suffer severe financial crisis when Rizal was in Spain? The price of sugar
went too high that they had plenty of stocks left unsold
Who lent Rizal money in order for him to secure his certificate and practice medicine? Maximo
Viola
Why did Freemasonry become an attractive organization for young Filipinos in Europe? Because it
championed the rights of individuals and liberal reforms for all
Which of the following does NOT belong to the group? The Count of Monte Cristo
What was the poem written by Rizal while in Belgium during those sad days when he worried about
his family in the Philippines? A Mi Musa
Which of the following does NOT belong to the group? To gain valuable knowledge and be trained
under the guidance of experts
What were those sad events that happened during Rizal’s return to Calamba? His sister Olympia
died of complication from childbirth, he was unable to see Leonor Rivera
Which of the following was Rizal’s first taste of discrimination? His first prize winning the Liceo
Artistico- Literario de Manila Contest was protested by Spaniard
Why did Rizal describe Calamba as valley of tears? Most people in Calamba were tenants and
suffered the cruelties of the Dominican administrators
Who inspired the young Rizal to develop his artistic ability through sketching, painting and
sculpture? Jose Alberto
Which of the following is Thomas Paine’s idea? All human beings are equal
What was the reason why Rizal almost failed to enroll in Ateneo Municipal? He was late for
enrollment and he looked weak and prone to illness.
What was the significant event that served as the turning point to the development of the Filipino’s
national consciousness? The execution of the GomBurZa
The following are relevant factors on the opening of the Philippines to world trade which contributed
to the growth of Filipino nationalism except one. Secularization of higher education institutions
The following are requirements of a nation to exist except one. Government and the state
What was the effect of Industrial Revolution in the development of Filipino nationalism? Exchange
of products and ideas between Europe and Filipino traders
Which poem of Rizal speaks of the indispensability of education in nation-building? Por la
edicacion recibe lustra la patria
What did people assert as a result of changer in the political system during the 19 th century in
Europe? Rights and privileges of the common people
It was Jose Rizal’s mother which intensified his voracious reading of good books. True
Why were the members of the Guardia Civil most feared in the late 1800’s? The used to arrest
anyone denounced by friars as enemy of the state
Which influenced Frailocracia in the Philippines? Union of the church and state
The following countries used imperialism during 19th century except one. Portugal
Why did Rizal describe Calamba as a valley of tears? Most people in Calamba were tenants and
suffered the cruelties of the Dominican administrators.
What does Limpieza de sangre doctrine mean? Religious Freedom, Spanish race is better than
Filipino race
The following represents the ideals of socialism except one. Adherence to free enterprise and
economic competition
Which of the following describes “sovereignty resides in the people”? people collectively have the
power to decide for nation
The following reforms made by Gov. Gen Carlos Maria dela Torre except one. He secularized the
schools and government which gave inspiration to Indios to question the authority of friars
in school
What nourishes nationalism according to Claro M. Recto? Sense of History
Which were specifically trained to run parishes? Seculars
Which was the Jose Rizal’s firs sorrow? Death of his sister Concha
Which of the following is John Locke’s idea? Government is necessary evil
According to Jose Rizal, the Jesuits are discriminatory compared to the Dominicans. False
What was the cause of the Cavite Mutiny? Abolition of special privileges of Filipino members of
the Guardia Civil
The following are the 19th century political events except one. Emancipation of Slaves in America
and Russia
The young Jose Rizal was able to recite the alphabet at the age of three. True
Who was the most liberal governor general who initiated liberal reforms during his administration?
Carlos Maria dele Torre
Which of the following caused Indios lack of self-confidence and inferiority complex? They were
constantly reminded that the had inferior intelligence and fit on only for manual work
What was the reason why friars denied teaching of Spanish language to native Filipinos?
Knowledge of the Spanish language would enlighten the natives towards rebellion
Why was Rizal’s first romance ended shortly? Segunda was already engaged to Manuel Luz
Which of the following is true? Rizal himself experience discrimination in the UST
What principle was promoted by the Liberals to respond to the challenges brought by the industrial
Revolution? Laissez Faire
What does RA 1425 Mandate? Inclusion courses on the life, Works and Writing of Jose Rizal in
the Curricala of all public and private schools, Colleges and Universities.
The first sorrow of the young Jose rizal was the imprisonment of his mother? False
Who was the friar who appealed to Queen Isabela II of Spain opportunities for the native priest to
prove that their leadership capabilities? Fr. Pedro Pelaez
Leonora Rivera inspired the young Jose Rizal in Ateneo to write more award-winning literary pieces.
False
Why was Rizal Mother Dona Teodora Unjust abducted and imprisoned? She was framed up by her
sister-in-law for being an accomplice to the latter’s husband’s attempt to poison her.
The following were principal books circulated by Spanish liberals in the Philippines during the 19 th
century except one. The Communist Manifesto of Marx.
The following were aims of Filipino propagandist in Europe except one. Creation of an
independent Philippine state.
Which was an aim of the secularization movement in the Philippines in the 19 th century?
Administration by the native Filipino clergy of the parishes.
Which of the following best explains why Rizal listened to the Jesuits’ advice and decided to shift to
medicine? To lessen and neutralize his growing political interests.
Which republic act mandates the course about Rizal’s life, works, and writing? RA 1425
Which act of governor-general Rafael Izquierdo was convenient excuse on the cavite mutiny?
Implicate the leaders of the secularization.
What does secularization in the Philippines in the 19 th century imply? Transfer of the
administration of parishes from the Spanish friars to the native clergy.
Which of the following is false? The propaganda movement planned the revolution organized by
Andres bonifacio and the Katipuneros.
During the 19th century, what was the reason why friars did not want to abandon their parishes?
The friars considered the seculars as unit for the position.
Jose rizal shifted from philosophy and letters to medicine because of his father’s advice. False
Which correctly describes the Liberals of the 19 th century spain? They fought for the abolition of
the monarchy and the creation of a parliament.
Why did Lam co migrate in the Philippines in 1690? There was famine and political disorder in his
country.
Which was not a reason why the Propaganda movement failed? The womanizing and gambling
activities of the propagandists
There were three courses enrolled by Jose rizal at UST.
The educational system in the Philippines? Overemphasis on religious subject matters.
The following were significant changes in Spain during 19 th century except one. Gain of more
power by the catholic church.
Which of the following priest was a friend of Paciano and Rizal who continued the fight for
secularization? Jose Burgos
Why do nation have heroes? Because people need a source of inspiration to work for the
welfare of others and of the country.
The following were reasons in the organization of the Guardia civil 1867 except one. To deal with
outlaws and brigands.
Which is a correct description of Filipino Illustrados? They were educated under the schools
established by the Spaniards.
What was the effect of the application of the doctrine of Liempeza de sangre? This institutionalized
a system of irrational and unchristian discrimination and injustice.
The following were implemented by Gov.Gen. Carlos Maria de la Torre during his administration
except one. Opening of the Philippines to world trade.
Who published Pascual Poblete’s Tagalog translation of Noli Me Tangere? Saturnina
Which of the following factors brought political changes in Europe during the 19 th century? Liberal
Ideas.
Which of the following Catholic church official supported the enactment of the Rizal Bill way back
1956? Bishop Cesar Ma. Guerrero.
Who was considered as the soul of the Philippine revolution against the Spaniards? Jose Rizal
Jose Rizal’s family belonged to the principalia class. True
The life of Jose Rizal at UST was concentrated on academic and non-academic activities. True
Which 19th century discoveries accelerated Industrialization? Oil and Electricity
Rizal’s sense of creativity, artistic inclination and love for nature are said to have been inspired by
the story of the moth and the fire. False
The following influenced the awareness of the young jose rizal except one. The abusive conduct of
the members of guardia civil of Calamba
Where did Rizal mostly find a place for reflection and solace from the tensions brought by Spanish
abuses in his hometown. Laguna de bay
Who among Rizal’s ancestors has Japanese blood? Regina Ochoa
What does unexpurgated editions of the noli me tangere and El filibusterismo mean? Uncensored
Which of the following started a stronger and more inclusive sense of Filipino Identity? Emergence
of the middle classes.
What is the biggest problem in the Philippine society during Rizal’s time according to him and
Blumentritt? Frailocracy
The following were the aims of Rizal in going to Germany except one. To tutor rich students
What activity did Rizal do in most of his spare time while in Europe? Attending lectures, religious
fiestas and operas.
Which book made Rizal realize the weakness of Spain and led him to predict that the Filipinos later
rise against her? Travels to the Philippines by Feodor Jagor
What is the essay written by Rizal which forecasts the future if the Philippines within a hundred
years and telling Spain how the circumstances which led to the French Revolution will also affect
her in the Philippines? Filipinas Dentro de Cien Años
The following are messages of Rizal in the toast to Luna and Hidalgo victory except one. The
separation of Philippines from Mother Spain
Which Noli Me Tangere character displayed and personified an ambitious Filipina who classified
herself as a Spanish and mimics Spanish ladies? Doña Victorina
Which of the following taught Rizal the practice of Ophthalmology while in Heidelberg? Otto Becker
While Rizal was in Japan, which of the following did he associate with slavery? Richshaw
Who is the professor of Ateneo De Madrid who was an advocate of Press Freedom? Miguel Morayta
What caused the breakup of the Filipino Reformists in Spain? Because of the rift between Rizal
and Marcelo H. Del Pilar
Which character in Noli Me Tangere served as a spy of the Dominicans against Crisostomo Ibarra?
Padre Hernando de la Sibyla
Why did the Rizal family suffer severe financial crisis when Rizal was in Spain? The price if sugar
went too high that they had plenty of stocks left unsold
The following are messages of the poem A la Juventud Filipina except one. The Filipino youth
should fight against oppression
Which among the following places visited by Rizal is the setting of his favorite novel “The Count of
Monte Cristo”? Chateau D’lf
The following were reasons why Rizal decided to continue his education at Europe except one. To
publish the Noli Me Tangere
Who lent Rizal money to secure his license in Medicine? Maximo Viola
Where is Ferdinand Blumentritt from? Prague
Who taught Rizal actual eye operation in Germany? Louis De Wecker
Why did Rizal decline the good job offer to him by the Spanish Embassy in Japan? He knew it was
a tactic to keep him within the prying eyes of Spaniards
Where did Rizal write the last portions of the Noli Me Tangere? Heidelberg
The following reasons explain why Rizal preferred Ateneo than UST except one. The Jesuits’
education is superior than that of the Dominicans
Where did Rizal study psychology and history in Europe? Leipzig
Who wrote the novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin which inspired Rizal to write Noli Me Tangere? Harriet
Beecher Stowe
Who is the good friend and former classmate of Rizal writing a year after the publication of Noli Me
Tangere concerning his feat of desperation about his first novel? Fernando Canon
What was the first student organization Rizal joined in Europe? Circulo Hispano – Filipino
What did Rizal notice at Port Bou? The indifference of Spanish immigration officers
Which of the following about the United States impressed Rizal? The high standard living of the
Americans
In what place did Rizal observe the use of table napkins during meals? Lintz
Which prominent group that preaches liberal ideas in Europe joined by Rizal? Mason
The following were points of Fr. Garcia in his defense for the Noli Me Tangere except one. The
characters and scenes in the Noli Me Tangere are pure fiction
Who was the first patient of Rizal? Dona Teodora Alonzo Mercado
Which country did Rizal describe in his diaries as a land of few thieves? Japan
Who helped Rizal study modern methods of historical research? Friedrich Ratzel
What do the chains in the cover of the Noli Me Tangere symbolize? Slavery
Who translated Rizal’s El Amor Patrio in Tagalog? Marcelo H. Del Pilar
What was Rizal’s first article in the La Solidaridad? Los Agricultores Filipinos
Which place was Rizal referring in these words “The people there trusted their colonizers while the
Filipinos hated theirs? Singapore
What was Rizal’s masonic name? Dimasalang
The following are finds of Rizal’s investigation about the Dominican except one. They have much
contributions in the town fiesta and community
The following are reasons for Rizal leaving again the Philippines after his first homecoming except
one. To move on from his failed relationship with Leonor Rivera
The following aims of Rizal in staying in Berlin except one. To gain valuable knowledge in
Medicine and be trained under the guidance of experts.
The following were budget priorities of Rizal while he was in Europe except one. Lottery
The following were learned by Rizal from Dr. Wecker except one. Principles behind actual eye
operations
What is the title of the novel read by Rizal which illustrates the power of the church in putting
obstacles to modernity and enlightenment? Doña Perfecta
What was the reason why the Rizal family and other tenants were evicted in Calamba? Refusal of
the tenants to pay the amount rent demanded by the landowners
The following are aims of the masonry in Europe during Rizal’s rime except one. It was established
to voice out the concerns of Filipinos
What is the main theme of the poem Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo? Love of nature
Where in Europe did Rizal took lessons in English, French and German? Ateneo de Madrid
The following were Rizal’s reasons in going to London except one. To finish the El Filibusterismo
Which character in the Noli Me Tangere symbolized the country’s deplorable conditions? Sisa
What is the message of Rizal’s Me Piden Versos? Poets who are forced to write produce a work
pleasing to his listeners.
The following books were read by Rizal in Europe except one. The Count of Monte Cristo
The following are the reasons of Rizal in returning to the Philippines except one. Lack of money to
continue life in Europe.
Which of following helped Rizal studied modern methods of Historical research? Friedrich Ratzel
According to Rizal, which of the following is a showcase of lavishness of Chinese Culture? Lauriat
Party.
Why did Rizal leave the Propaganda Movement in Spain? He did not want that his leadership be a
cause of disunity and conflict among his countrymen.
The following are findings Commission on censorship on the Noli Me Tangere except one. Promote
patriotic ideals.
Where did Rizal study English, French, and German Languages in Europe? Ateneo de Madrid.
What did Gov.Gen Terrero do after being informed about Rizal death threats? He assigned Don
Jose Taviel de Andrade to become his bodyguard.
What impressed Rizal of Barcelona? The freedom that people enjoyed.
Where did Rizal finish the additional one fourth of the Noli Me Tangere to make it almost complete?
Paris.
What object in the Noli Me Tangere symbolizes cruelties of Spanish Authorities? Whip
What is the Title of the novel read by Rizal which depicts the persecution of Protestants families by
a powerful Catholic Organization? The Wandering Jew.
Who is the author of a book entitled Travels in the Philippines which became a friend of Rizal?
Fedor Jagor
Which leader of the town of San Diego in the Noli Me Tangere characterized liberalism? Don Filipo
Lino
What activity did Rizal dedicates most of his spare time in Europe? Reading and Writing.
In what did Rizal study Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters in Spain particularly? Universidad
Central de Madrid.
The following were learned by Rizal in Germany except one. Principle behind the actual eye
operations.
Where was the Noli me Tangere officially published and released? Germany.
Who first informed Rizal that Leonor was getting thinner because of the absence of a loved one?
Jose Ma. Cecilio.
What was the pen name used by rizal in writing the El Amor Patrio? Laong-Laan.
What caused the bloody student riots in Universidad during Rizal’s study in Madrid? The
expulsion of Dr. Miguel Morayta.
Which character in the Noli Me tangere wanted to revolutionize the country and to be freed from
Spanish oppression? Elias.
What was the original name of Ateneo Municipal de Manila? Escuela Pia.
Where did Rizal finish the first-half of the Noli me Tangere? Madrid.
The gifted physician-novelist of the propaganda? Jose Rizal
The number of languages which Rizal could speak? More or less 22
First written novel of Rizal. Noli me Tangere (Touch Me Not)
Place where the novel Noli Me Tangere was published. Berlin (1887)
City where the novel the El Filibusterismo was published. Ghent (1891)
The Spanish priest who denounced Dr. Rizal’s novels as enemies of the catholic region? Fr. Jose
Rodriguez
A supporter of the propaganda movement and Rizal’s best friend. Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt
The first poem written by Rizal. Sa Aking Mga Kabata
The best poem ever written by Dr. Jose Rizal. Mi Ultimo Adios (Ang Huling Paalam)
The most cultured of the reformist. Dr. Jose Rizal
Know as “Dimasalang” and “ Laon Laan” Dr. Jose Rizal
The book written by Rizal in defense of alleged laziness of the Filipinos. La Indolencia De Los
Filipinos (The Indolence of Filipinos)
Pen name used by Rizal in his writings in La Solidaridad. Laon Laan/ Laong Laan
Spanish governor who SIGNED the death sentence of Dr. Rizal. Gen. Camilio G. De Polavieja
A translation of Rizal’s farewell poem written by Andres Bonifacio in tagalog. Pahimakas
Date of founding of the fortnightly newpaper “La Solidaridad”. February 15, 1889
Date of last issue of La Solidaridad. November 15, 1895
The first Spanish friar to attack “Noli” and “El Fili”. Fray Jose Rodriguez
Place where Dr. Rizal conceived the idea of establishing Liga Filipina, a civic association composed
of Filipinos. Hongkong
Helped Rd. Rizal in preparing the constitution of La Liga Filipina. Jose Maria Basa
Date when Rizal was exiled to Dapitan. July 14, 1892
Dr. Rizal dedicated his famous poem “A La Juventud Filipina” (To the Filipino Youth). The liberal
minded students at the UST
To whom dr. Rizal send his letter with this line: “I AM INNOCENT OF THE CRIME OF REBELLION. I
AM GOING TO DIE WITH A TRANQUIL CONSCIENCE” Ferdinand Blumentritt
The priest who baptized Rizal. Fr. Rufino Collantes
Philippine president who made December 30 as Day of National Mourning in Rizal honor. Emilio
Aguinaldo
The Rizal family had these many siblings. 11
In 1868, Don Kiko brought Rizal to this pilgrimage. Penafrancia
Left an impression to Rizal about the sacrifice on one’s life. GOMBURZA
Rizal started his formal schooling in. Biñan
Our national hero was born on. June 19, 1861
The complete name of our national hero. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda
Jose Rizal was fondly called ____by his family and friends. Pepe
What does filibustero mean? One who is against the government
In what school did Jose Rizal finish his medical course? Universidad Central de Madrid
Jose Rizal’s true love who personified Maria Clara in his novel Noli Me Tangere. Leonor Rivera
Jose Rizal died at the age of. 35
The mother of Jose Rizal was imprisoned for how many years due to allegedly poisoning her cousin-
in-law? 2 years and 6 months
The godfather of Jose Rizal. Rev. Pedro Casanas
The ninth child of Francisco and Teodora who was an epileptic and died a spinster. Josefa
Jose Rizal’s first teacher. Teodora Alonzo Realonda
The title “El Filibusterismo” means. Subversive
The main character of Noli Me Tangere is. Crisostomo Ibarra
The main character of El Filibusterismo is Isagani
The novel, Noli Me Tangere is about. Religion, Love, Society
The novel, El Filibusterismo is about. Politics & Revolution
The novel, Noli Me Tangere is dedicated to. Maria Clara
Noli Me Tangere was inspired by Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Simoun is a wealthy jeweler who came back to the Philippines after how many years? 13
Crisostomo Ibarra was a student abroad who had his homecoming after how many years? 7
Pilosopo Tasyo is a character in Noli Me Tangere personified by whom in reality? Paciano
The heaven-sent financer of Noli Me Tangere. Maximo Viola
The novel, El Filibusterismo came off the press with the financial assistance of Valentin Ventura
The girlfriend of Isagani who dumped him for another man, believing that she has no future if she
marries him. Paulita Gomez
The famous Rizal monument in Luneta was not the work of a Filipino but a Swiss sculptor. What
was the sculptor’s name? Richard Kissling
Rizal discovered 3 species. DRACO RIZALI (Wandolleck), a specie of flying dragon,
RACHPHOROUS RIZALI(Boetger), a hitherto unknown specie of toad, APOGONIA RIZALI (Heller),
a small beetle, which were later named after him.
At what age could Jose Rizal read and write? 2
The surname Mercado when translated to English means? Merchant
Rizal’s dog name is Uzman
Name of Dr. Jose Rizal’s son. Francisco (he named his son after his father Francisco Mercado)