At the University of Santo Tomas

Fortunately, Rizal’s first romance, with its bitter disillusionment,

did not adversely affect his studies in the University of Santo Tomas.
His love for higher education proved to be greater than his love for a
pretty girl. After finishing the first year of the course in Philosophy and
Letters (1877-780), he transferred to a medical course. During the
year of his studies in the university, which was under the Dominicans,
rival education of the Jusuits, he remained loyal to Ateneo, where he
continued to participate in extra curricular activities and where he
completed the education course in surveying. As a Thomasian, he won
more literary laurels, had more romances with girls, and fought
against Spanish students.

Mother’s position to higher education. After graduation with

the highest position in Ateneo, Rizal had to go the University of Santo
Tomas in order to prepare him self to a private career. The Bachelor of
arts degree during Spanish times was equivalent to a high school
diploma today. It merely qualified its holder to enter a university. Both
Don Francisco and Paciano that Jose should pursue a higher learning.
But Dona Teodora did not want him to study more. Evidently she had a
premonition that to much knowledge would imperil his child life.

In a family council in the Rizal’s home in Calamba, she

vigorously objected to have her beloved Jose acquired a higher
education. She was thinking of the safety of her son. She know the
fate of Filipino intellectuals-Father Burgos, Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor,
Jose Ma. Basa, and others of 1872-who were either executed or exiled
by the Spanish authorities, and blamed their sad fate to their learning.
 Fearful of the Spanish authorities who seem to frown on those
Filipinos who learn to much, she warned her husband. “Do not send
Jose again to Manila. If gets to know to much, they will cut off his
head!”

Jose, who was present in their family council when his mother
said this, was shocked. He know her mother was a woman o education
and culture: she even taught him and inspired him to write poetry; she
came from a family of high learning – her own brother ( and his uncle)
Jose Alberto Alonso had been educated abroad and could speak
multiple Spanish, French, English and German.

Rizal enters the university. In April 1877, Rizal, who was bearly
16 years old, matriculated in the University of Santo Tomas taking up
Philosophy and Letters. He enrolled in this course for two reasons: (1)
his father like it and (2) he was was “still uncertain ti what career to
follow”. He had written to father Pablo Ramon, Recotr of the Ateneo,
who had been good to him during his days in Ateneo, asking for advice
in the choice of career. Unfortunately, Father Recto was in Mindanao
and during those days it several months to travel a letter from Manila
to Mindanao. Consequently during his first term (1877-78) in the
University of Santo Tomas he studied Cosmology, Metaphysics,
Theodicy and History of Philosophy.

It was during the school term (1978-79) that Rizal took up

medicine, enrolling simultaneously in preparatory medical course and
the regular first year medical course.
The reason why he studied medicine were:
1.) he wanted to be a physician so that he may cure his mother’s
failing eyesight.
2.) the Father Recto of the University, whom he consulted for a
choice of career, finally answered his letter, and recommended
medicine.

Finishes Surveying course in Ateneo (1878). During his term in

University of Santo Tomas (1877 – 78, Rizal also studied in Ateneo, he
took the vocational course leading to a title of porito agrimensor
(expert surveyor)). In those days it should be remembered, the
college for boys in Manila offered vocational courses in agriculture,
commerce, mechanics and surveying.

Rizal’s unhappy days at UST. Rizal’s Ateneo boy wonder, found the
atmosphere at the UST a suffocating to his sensitive spirit. He was
unhappy of this Dominican Institution of high learning because (1) the
Dominican processors were hostile to him, (2) the filipino students
were racially discriminated, and (3) the method of teachings were
obsolete and repressive.

Decision to study abroad. After finishing the fourth year of his

medical course, Rizal decided to study in Spain. He could no longer
endure the rampant bigotry, discrimination, and hostility in UST. His
uncle, Antonio Rivera, Leonor’s father, encourage him to go abroad.
Both Paciano and Saturnina, whom he contacted secretly, were of
similar opinion.
 For the first time, Rizal did not seek his parent’s decision and
blessing to go abroad, because he knew that they, especially his
mother will disapprove his plan. He did not also bring his beloved
Leonor in his confidence. He had enough common sense to know that
Leonor, being a woman, and young and romantic at that, could not
keep a secret. Thus, Rizal,s parent, Leonor, and the Spanish
authorities knew nothing of his decision to go abroad in order to finish
his medical studies in Spain, where the professors were more tolerant
and understanding than those of the University of Santo Tomas.
 Spain

With his parent’s blessings and unknown to Spanish authorities,

Rizal left Manila on May 8, 1882. He went to Spain where he
completed his university study, improved his knowledge in language
and arts. At that time, the government in Spain was a constitutional
monarchy.

Secret departure on Spain. Rizal’s departure in Spain was

kept secret in order to avoid detection by the colonial officials and the
friars. Even his own parents did not know that he was leaving. Only
uncle Antonio Rivera, Paciano and sisters and some close friends knew.
Paciano gave hin 700 pesos. Staurnina gave hima diamond ring which
helped him very much during his days of poverty in Europe. To
maintain his studies and Sojourn abroad, he needed a monthly
allowance of 35 pesos, and this amount Paciano promised to send
regularly through uncle Antonio.
Rizal used a passport obtained by a cousin named “Jose Mercado”. To
outwit the Spanish authorities, he went to Calamba ostensibly to attain
the town fiesta. A crytic telegram by Manuel T. Hidalgo from Manila
arrived, announcing that the Spanish steamer Salvadora was
scheduled to sail Singapore. Early in Morning in May 1, 882, he left
Calamba by carromata, reaching manila after 10 hours of travel. He
had time to book travel. He had time to book passage on the
Salvadora, to write farewell letters to his family and friends, and bid
good-bye to his friends. The kind Jesuit father, whom he visited to say
adios, gave him letters of recommendation to members of their
Society in Barcelona. He said also a tearfull farewell meeting to his
beloved, Leonor. This proved to be their last meeting, for they were
destined never to meet again.

Singapore. During the voyage, Rizal keenly observe the persons

and things around him and compared him with those in Philippines. He
was the only Filipino on board. His fellow passengers were foreign
travelers and some Spanish imployees and merchants returning to
Spain. “Almost all of those men” he wrote, speaking of the Spanish
travelers, “spoke ill of the country for which they have gone for
pecuniary reasons”.

After five days of sailing, the Salvadora reached the English

colony in Singapore. For the first time, Rizal saw Singapore and was
impressed by its progress and beautiful sights. He particularly admired
“the confidence which the native Singapore seemed to have their
government” surely a great contrast to “the fear of their shown in the
Filipinos”.

First trip through Suez Canal. In Singapore, Rizal boarded in

Djemnah, a French steamer, which was sailing to Europe. It was Larger
and cleaner than the Salvadora. He tried to Speak French in some
passengers, but to his surprise, the bookish French which he learned in
Ateneo could not be understood. He had to speak it with a mixture of
Latin and Spanish words, aided with much gesticulation and frequent
sketching on paper, to himself understood.

A week after leaving Singapore, the steamer reached Point de

Galle. In the morning of May 18, voyage was resumed, and in the
afternoon on the same day the steamer docked at the Colomb, Ceylon.
From Colombo the steamer crossed the Indian Ocean to Café
Guardafui in Africa. On May 18, he saw for the first time the coast of
Africa.

On June 2, he arrived in the city of Suez, the Red Sea terminal of

the Suez Canal.

Naples and Marseilles. From Port Said, the Djemnah proceed

to its way to Europe. On June 11, Rizal reach Naples. On the night of
June 12, the steamer docked at the French harbor of Marseilles.

Barcelona. At Marseilles, Rizal took the train for the last lap for
his trip to Spain.

After the passport inspection on Port-Bou, Rizal continued his

trip by rail, finally reaching destination, Bacelona.

The Filipinos in Barcelona, some of whom were his schoolmates

in the Ateneo, welcomed Rizal. They gave him parties at their favorite
café in Plaza de Cataluna.

“Amor Patrio”. In progressive Barcelona, Rizal wrote a

nationalistic esay entitled Amor Patrio (Love of Country). He sent this
article to his friend in Manila, Basilio Teodor, who was a member a
editorial staff of the Diariong Tagalog, the first manila daily to have
tagalong section.

Rizal’s Amor Patrio under his pen-name Laong Laan, appeared in

print in Diariong Tagalog on August 20, 1982. It was published in two
texts – Spanish and Tagalog. Tagalog text was a Tagalog translation
maid by M. H. del Pilar.

Rizal’s moved to Madrid. While sojourning in Barcelona, Rizal

received a sad news about the cholera that was ravaging Manila and
provinces. According to Paciano’s letter, dated September 15, 1882,
the Calamba folks were having an afternoon novellas to San Roque
and nocturnal procession and prayers so that God may stop the
dreadful epidemic, whish the Spanish health authorities were impotent
to check.

In one of his letters (dates May 26, 1882), Paciano advised his
younger brother to finish his medical course in Madrid. Evidently,
heeding his advised, Rizal left Barcelona in the fall of 1882 and
established himself Madrid, the Capital of Sapin.

Life in Madrid. On November 3, 1882, Rizal enrolled in the

Universidad Central de Madrid ( Central university of Madrid) Medicine
and Philosophy and Letters.

“They ask me after verses”. In 1882, shortly after his arrival

in Madrid, Rizal joined the Circulo hispano Filipinos ( Hispano-Philippine
Circle), a Society of Spaniards and Filipinos.

Upon a request of the members of the society, he wrote a poem

entitled Me Piderm versos (They ask me for Verses). In this sad poem
he poured out the cry of his agonizing hearts.
 Rizal become a Mason. In Spain, Rizal came in contact with the
liberal and republican elements, most of whom were Masons. Being
young and lonely in foreign country, he was easily impressed by the
way of the prominent Spanish attacked the government and the
Church.

In due time, his friends who were Masons persuade him to join
Masonry. In 1883 he joined the Masonic Lodge Acacia in Madrid. His
Masonic name was Dimasalang.

Two reasons why he joined Masonry:

1.)The bad friars in the Philippines, by their abuses unworthy of
their priestly habbit or calling, Rizal drove to desperation and
Masonry.
2.)He needed the help of Masons to fight the bad friars in the
Philippines, for Masonry, to Rizal, was a shield to used in his fight
against the evil forces of tyranny.

Rizal became a master of Masons in Lodge Solidaridad on November

15, 1890. Later, on February 15, 1892, he became a Master Mason of
Le Grand Orient France in Paris.

Rizal’s salute to Luna and Hidalgo. At the National Exposition of

Fine Arts in Madrid in 1884, both Luna and Hidalgo won signal honors
for their country. They entered this art competition against many
painters in Europe, and emerged triumphant.
 Studies completed in Spain. Rizal completed his medical
course in Spain. He was awarded the degree of Licentiate in Medicine
by the Universidad Central de Madrid on June 21, 1884. The next
academic year ( 1884-85) he studied and pass all subjects leading to
the degree of Doctor of Medicine. “Due to the fact that he did not
present the thesis required for graduation nor paid the fees, he was
not awarded his Doctor’s Diploma”.
 Paris to Berlin

After completing his studies in Madrid, Rizal went to Paris and

Germany in order to specialized in ophthalmology.

In Gay Paris (1885-86). Shortly after terminating his study in

Universidad Central de Madrid, Rizal, who was then 24 years old and
already a physician, decided to go to Paris in order to aquire more
knowledge in ophthalmology.

On his way to Paris, he stopped at Barcelona to visit his friend,

Maximo Viola, a medical student and a member of a rich family in San
Miguel, Bulacan.

In October, 1885, Rizal was living in Paris, where his sojourned

for about four months. He worked as an assistant to Dr. Louis de
Weckert (1852-1906), leading French ophthalmologist.

In Historic Heidelberg. After acquiring enough experience as

an ophthalmologist in Dr. Weckert’s clinic, Rizal reluctantly left gay
Paris, where he spent so many happy days.

First letter to Blumentritt. On July 31, 1886, Rizal wrote his

letter in German to Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt, Director of the
Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Australia. He had heard of this Australia
ethnologist and his interest on Philippine language.

Fifth Centenary of Heidelberg University. Rizal was fortunate

to be sojourned in Heidelberg when the famous University of
Heidelberg held his fifth centenary celebration on August 6, 1886. it
was two days before his departure, and he was sad because he came
to love the beautiful city and its hospitable people.

Rizal welcomed in Berlin’s Cientific Circles. Rizal was enchanted

by Berlin because of its scientific atmosphere and the absence of race
prejudice.

Rizal’ s life in Berlin. In Berlin, Rizal was not a mere student or a

curious tourist. He live in this famous capital for five reasons:
1.) To gain further knowledge in ophthalmologist.
2.) To further his studies in sciences and languages.
3.) To observe the conditions of German Nation.
4.) To finish his novel, Noli Me Tangere.
 Rizal’s tour of Europe with Viola, 1887

After the Noli came off the press in Berlin, Rizal planned to visit
the important places in Europe. Dr. Maximo Viola agreed to be his
traveling componion. Rizal had received Paciano’s remittance of 1,000
pesos which was forwarded by Juan Luna to Paris. He immediately paid
Viola the sum of 300 pesos which the latter kindly loaned so that the
Noli could be printed. Having paid his debt, and with adequate fund in
his pocket, he was ready to see Europe before returning to Calmba.
First, he and Viola visited Potsdam, a city near berlin, which Frederick
the Great made famous.

The tour begins. At the dawn of May 11, 1887, Rizal and Viola,
two brown-skinned doctors on roaming spree, left Berlin by train. It
was an ideal reason fo traveling. Spring was in the air, and all over the
Europe the flowers were blooming, the meadows were turning green
and the villagers were humming with activity. According to Viola the
luggage of Rizal included all the letters he had received from his
(Rizal’s) family and friends. Their destination was Dresden, “one of the
best cities in German.”

Dresden. Rizal and Viola tarried for some times in Dresden.

Their visit coincided with the regional floral exposition. Rizal was
interested in botany, studied the “numerous plant varieties of
extraordinary beauty and size.” They visited Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, who
was overjoyed to see them. In the Museum of Art, which they also
visited, Rizal was deeply impressed by a painting of “Prometheus
Bound” and recalled seeing a representation of the same idea in an art
gallery in Paris.
 Beautiful Memories of Leitmeritz. Rizal had beautiful
memories of his visit to Leitmeritz. He enjoyed the warm hospitality of
the Blumentritt family. The proffesor’s wife Rosa, was a good cook, and
she prepared special Australian dishes which Rizal liked very much.

Prague. After Leitmeritz, Rizal and Viola visited the historic city
of Prague.

Vienna. On May 20, Rizal and Viola arrived in the beautiful city
of Vienna, capital ofd Australia-Hungary.

Danubian Voyage to Lintz. On May 25, Rizal and Viola left

Vienna on a rivedr boat to see the beautiful sights of a Danube river.

From Lintz to Rheinfall. The river viyage ended in Lintz. They

traveled overland to Salz burg, and from there to Munich where they
sojourned for a short time savor the famous Munich beer, reputed to
be the best in Germany.

Crossing the Frontier to Switzerland. From Rheinfall, they

crossed the frontier to Schaffhausen, Switzerland. They continued their
tour to Bassel, Bern, and Lausanne.

Geneva. After sightseeing in Lausanne, Rizal and Viola left on a

little boat, crossing the foggy Leman Lake to Geneva.

Rizal in Italy. From Geneva, Rizal went to Italy. He visited

Turin, Milan, Venice, and Florence. On June 27, 1887, he reached
Rome, the “City of the Ceasar”. After a week, he prepared to return in
Philippines.