Expanded Presentation Content – Rizal’s First Travels Abroad (1882–1887)
Introduction
Good day everyone. Today, I’ll be discussing Jose Rizal’s first travels abroad from
1882 to 1887. This journey was more than just about studies—it was about learning,
exploring new cultures, and preparing himself for his bigger mission in life: to help the
Philippines gain reforms.
1. Reason for Rizal’s Travel
Rizal secretly left Manila in May 1882.
He had two important reasons:
1. Specialization in Medicine – He wanted to become an ophthalmologist
to cure his mother’s growing blindness.
2. Secret Mission – To study Europe’s culture, government, and progress,
and use this knowledge to reform the Philippines.
He used the passport name “Jose Mercado” to avoid suspicion from Spanish
friars and officials to conceal his identity, travel quietly, and prevent the friars and
Spanish officials from blocking his journey or persecuting him further.
His departure was so secretive that even some members of his family didn’t
know about it.
2. Philippines to Singapore
May 3, 1882: Rizal boarded the Spanish steamer Salvadora from Manila.
The trip took six days, and he arrived in Singapore on May 9, 1882.
During the voyage, he mingled with British, French, and Spanish passengers. He
observed how Europeans interacted with Asians—something he would later
reflect on in his writings.
In Singapore, he toured the city, visited shops, and observed how the colony was
run under British rule. He admired its cleanliness and organization.
3. Singapore to Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
On May 11, 1882, Rizal left Singapore aboard the French steamer Djemnah.
The ship stopped at Point Galle, a port in southern Ceylon, and later Colombo.
He noticed the tropical scenery, which reminded him of the Philippines, but he
also noted poverty among the locals.
In Colombo, he practiced some French, knowing that he would need it in Europe.
4. Ceylon to Italy
While passing through Aden (Yemen), Djemnah docked at the port of Aden in
1882, he was able to look around the harbor and nearby town. Aden is a desert
area where camels are commonly used for transport and trade. While the ship
was anchored or during a short stopover, Rizal saw camels along the shore
and near the port, which amused him because it was his first time encountering
the animal.
The ship crossed the Suez Canal, a key route linking Asia to Europe. Rizal
observed how advanced engineering projects could change global travel.
They stopped at Port Said (Egypt), then crossed the Mediterranean Sea.
June 1882: Rizal reached Naples, Italy, which he admired for its beauty and
lively atmosphere.
5. Italy to France (and Barcelona, Spain)
The ship docked at Marseilles, France. Rizal took time to see the city and
visited the Château d’If, a fortress made famous by The Count of Monte Cristo.
From Marseilles, he traveled by train to Barcelona, arriving on June 16, 1882.
At first, Rizal was disappointed with Barcelona, calling it “ugly and dirty.” But later,
after mingling with fellow Filipinos, he came to like the city’s lively and free
atmosphere.
In the fall of 1882, Rizal transferred to Madrid to pursue his studies.
6. Life in Madrid (1882–1885)
Studied at Universidad Central de Madrid, finishing:
o Licentiate in Medicine (1884).
o Philosophy and Letters (1885), with high honors (sobresaliente).
Spent his free time:
o Practicing fencing and shooting.
o Joining Circulo Hispano-Filipino, where he wrote and recited poems.
o Reading books like Uncle Tom’s Cabin and The Wandering Jew, which
inspired his fight against injustice.
He struggled financially but never let poverty stop him from excelling.
1884 Banquet: Rizal joined a celebration when Filipino painters Juan Luna
(Spoliarium) and Félix Hidalgo (Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace) won
prizes in Spain—he proudly supported Filipino talent.
7. First Visit to Paris (1885)
During his summer break, Rizal went to Paris.
He trained in ophthalmology at Laennec Hospital under Dr. Nicaise.
He also became close to artists Juan Luna and Félix Pardo de Tavera. Rizal
even posed for Luna’s paintings like The Death of Cleopatra.
Aside from medicine and arts, he learned music—playing the piano and flute.
8. Studies and Life in Germany (1886–1887)
Rizal moved to Heidelberg, where he studied under the famous ophthalmologist
Dr. Otto Becker.
He enjoyed the intellectual atmosphere, joining chess games and exploring
German culture.
In Leipzig, he studied history and psychology, while improving his German
language.
Finally, in Berlin, Rizal experienced both success and struggle:
o He was welcomed by scholars and became a member of the Berlin
Ethnological Society.
o But he also lived in extreme poverty, pawning his sister’s ring just to eat.
o Despite this, Berlin was where Rizal completed and published Noli Me
Tangere in 1887, with financial help from his friend Maximo Viola.
9. Travels with Maximo Viola (1887)
After publishing Noli Me Tangere, Rizal and Viola toured Europe together:
o Dresden (Germany): Attended a flower festival.
o Leitmeritz (Bohemia): Met Ferdinand Blumentritt, who became one of
Rizal’s closest lifelong friends.
o Vienna (Austria), Munich, Nuremberg, Geneva (Switzerland): They
visited museums, churches, and libraries, studying European culture and
progress.
On June 23, 1887, Rizal and Viola parted ways.
Rizal continued to Rome, which he admired as the “City of Caesar.”
10. First Homecoming (1887)
Rizal decided to return to the Philippines after five years abroad.
On July 3, 1887, he boarded the Djemnah again.
Stopped at Saigon (Vietnam), then transferred to the Haiphong bound for
Manila.
On August 5, 1887, Rizal finally arrived in Manila.
Conclusion
Rizal’s first journey abroad gave him:
Education – he became a doctor and a scholar.
Exposure – he saw how Europe progressed compared to the Philippines.
Inspiration – he completed Noli Me Tangere, which awakened Filipino
nationalism.
His travels from 1882 to 1887 prepared him for his greater mission—to fight for reforms
and inspire the Filipino people.
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can you provide me a timeline and the countries he had visited
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Got it! Here’s a clear timeline of Rizal’s first travels abroad (1882–1887), with the
countries he visited and what he did in each place. This is arranged in chronological
order so you can easily use it for your presentation or as a visual timeline slide.
Timeline of Rizal’s First Travels Abroad (1882–1887)
1882 – Departure from the Philippines
May 3, 1882 – Manila, Philippines
o Secretly left using the name Jose Mercado aboard the Salvadora.
May 9, 1882 – Singapore (British colony)
o Toured the city, admired its cleanliness and order under British rule.
May 11, 1882 – Singapore to Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
o Transferred to Djemnah; passed Point Galle and Colombo.
o Practiced French, observed tropical life similar to the Philippines.
June 1882 – Aden (Yemen) and Suez Canal (Egypt)
o Saw camels for the first time.
o Fascinated by the Suez Canal, a modern engineering marvel.
June 1882 – Naples, Italy
o Impressed by the city’s beauty and lively atmosphere.
June 1882 – Marseilles, France
o Visited Château d’If, famous from The Count of Monte Cristo.
June 16, 1882 – Barcelona, Spain
o First impression: “ugly and dirty.” Later, he enjoyed its vibrant, liberal
atmosphere.
Late 1882 – Madrid, Spain
o Enrolled at Universidad Central de Madrid for Medicine and Philosophy &
Letters.
1883–1885 – Life in Spain
Madrid, Spain
o Completed Licentiate in Medicine (1884).
o Finished Philosophy and Letters with honors (1885).
o Active in Circulo Hispano-Filipino, attended banquets, wrote poems,
fenced, and joined intellectual discussions.
1885 – Paris, France (First Visit)
Summer 1885 – Paris
o Studied ophthalmology at Laennec Hospital under Dr. Nicaise.
o Socialized with Filipino artists like Juan Luna and Paz Pardo de Tavera.
1886 – Germany
February 3, 1886 – Heidelberg
o Studied ophthalmology under Dr. Otto Becker.
o Enjoyed German culture, admired Heidelberg’s scenic views.
August 1886 – Leipzig
o Studied history and psychology, improved his German.
Late 1886 – Berlin
o Experienced poverty, pawned belongings to survive.
o Became a member of scholarly societies.
o 1887 – Published Noli Me Tangere with the help of Maximo Viola.
1887 – European Tour with Maximo Viola
May–June 1887 – Central Europe
o Dresden (Germany) – Attended a flower festival.
o Leitmeritz (Bohemia, now Czech Republic) – Met Ferdinand Blumentritt.
o Vienna (Austria), Munich & Nuremberg (Germany), Geneva (Switzerland)
– Visited museums, libraries, churches.
June 23, 1887 – Parted with Viola
o Viola returned to Spain; Rizal continued to Italy.
June 27, 1887 – Rome, Italy
o Admired the “City of Caesar.”
1887 – Return to the Philippines
July 3, 1887 – Left Europe via the ship Djemnah
July 30, 1887 – Saigon (Vietnam) – Transferred to Haiphong.
August 5, 1887 – Manila, Philippines – Returned after 5 years abroad.
Summary of Countries Rizal Visited (1882–1887):
1. Philippines – departure (1882), homecoming (1887)
2. Singapore (British colony)
3. Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
4. Aden (Yemen)
5. Egypt – Suez Canal, Port Said
6. Italy – Naples, Rome
7. France – Marseilles, Paris
8. Spain – Barcelona, Madrid
9. Germany – Heidelberg, Leipzig, Berlin, Dresden, Munich, Nuremberg
10. Austria – Vienna
11. Czech Republic (Bohemia) – Leitmeritz
12. Switzerland – Geneva
13. Vietnam – Saigon
