Rizals Grand Tour in Europe with

Maximo Viola

After the publication of the Noli Me Tangere,

Rizal had received remittance from Paciano
worth P1,000.00 which was forwarded by
Juan Luna from Paris.
Rizal immediately paid Viola P300.00 that
he used to published the novel.

Stop over

LEITMERITZ, AUSTRIA

Now known as Litomeritce in Czech

Republic.

Where Ferdinand Blumentritt lived.

Rizal and Viola stayed in this place from

May 13-16,1887.

Ferdinand Blumentritt waited for Rizal and

Viola in the train station carrying with him a
sketch of Rizal.

The TOUR
POTSDAM

Teschen (Decin) found in Czech Republic

Near Berlin

It became famous because of Frederick the

Great - skillfully employed the limited
Prussian resources to make his kingdom
the most powerful German state during the
seven Years War.

Hotel Krebs where Rizal and Viola stayed

while they were in Leitmeritz.

Rizal enjoyed the warm hospitality of

Blumentritts family.

Viola and Rizal left Berlin by train.

Rosa Blumentritts wife was a good cook

Dolores (Dora, Dorita), Conrad and Fritz

were nice to them.

Ferdinand a great tourist guide and a

hospitable host.

DRESDEN

Where they visited the Regional Flower

Exposition.
Rizal interested in Botany, studied the
variety of plants.
Dr. Adolph Meyer was visited by the two
physicians.
They visited the Museum of Art where
Rizal became deeply impressed by the
painting Prometheus Bound.

Prometheus a Titan punished by Zeus for

giving fire to mankind.

Offered the best beer in Bohemia

to his guests

Introduced Rizal to the town Mayor

who was impressed in his
communication skills.

Tourists Club of Leitmeritz a group

where Blumentritt was the secretary.

Rizal spoke extemporaneously in

fluent German praising Austrias
idyllic scenes and hospitable, nature
loving and noble people.

He was willfully applauded.

Feodor Jagor was also visited by Rizal

and Viola.

Was informed of the two physicians

plan to visit Blumentritt

Warned Rizal to inform Blumentritt

first because he might suffer a
nervous breakdown because of
shock.

Dr. Carlos Czepalak a renowned scientist

Professor Robert Klutschak a eminent

naturalist.

Both were introduced by Blumentritt

to Rizal

Rizal painted Blumentritt as a sign of his

gratitude

They left Austria from Salzburg, where

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born. They
re-entered Germany.

Munich where they stayed for a short-time

to drink the Munich Beer (the best in
Germany).

Nuremburg one of the oldest cities in

Germany

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

Viola and Rizal carried with them a

recommendation from Blumentritt address
to Dr. Welkomm professor of natural
history in the University of Prague.

He accompanied the two physicians

in visiting the historic places

Tomb of Nicolaus Copernicus famous

astronomer

Museum of Natural History

Bacteriological Laboratories

Cave where San Juan Nepomuceno, the

Catholic saint was imprisoned as well as the
bridge where he was hurled into the river.

VIENNA

Where they saw the horrible

machines used in the Inquisition

The two were impressed by the

manufacture of dolls which was the
citys biggest industry.

Ulm where the largest and tallest

Cathedral in Germany.

From here they went to Stuttgart,

Baden, and in Rheinfall were they
saw the most beautiful waterfall in
Europe.

Switzerland

Capital of Austria-Hungary

From Rheinfall to Schaffhausen,

Switzerland,

Rizal and Viola spent four days in this city

visiting the buildings and examining holy
images and statues.

Here they visited Basel (Bale), Bern, and

Lausanne.

Queen of Danube

Norfenfals one of the greatest novelists in

Europe during Rizals time was met by Rizal
through Blumentritt.

One of the most beautiful cities in Europe

visited by tourists every year.

He spent 15 days in this place

They stayed in Hotel Metropole

Rizal spent his 26th birthday

Danubian Voyage to Lintz (England)

Viola returned to Barcelona from Geneva

Rizal continued his tour to Italy.

Rizal and Viola left Vienna via boat to see

the beautiful sights of the Danube River.

They noticed that passengers were using

paper napkins during the meals instead of a
cloth napkin.

From Lintz to Rheinfall (Switzerland)

Geneva

Exhibition of Igorots in 1887 Madrid Exposition

In Geneva, Rizal and Viola received news

from Madrid about the deplorable conditions
of the primitive Igorots who were exhibited
in the exhibition.

Some of whom died, and whose scanty

clothing (G strings) and crude weapons
were objects of mockery and laughter by the
Spaniards.

Rizal was outraged by the degradation of

his fellow countrymen.

However, Rizal was warned by the following

not to return to the Philippines because his
Noli Me Tangere angered the friars:

Paciano Mercado Rizals adviser

and only brother.

Silvestre Ubaldo Rizals brother in

law; husband of Olimpia.

Jose Ma. Cecilio (Chenggoy) one

of Rizals closest friends.

Italy

In this place Rizal visited Turin, Venice an

Florence.

June 27, 1887 he reached Rome The

Eternal City and the City of Caesars

Rizal was determined to come back to the

Philippines for the following reasons:

Vatican

To operate his mothers eyes

To serve his people who had long

been oppressed by Spanish tyrants.

To find out for himself how the Noli

Me Tangere and his other writings
were affecting Filipinos and
Spaniards.

To inquire why Leonor Rivera

remained silent.

June 29, 1887 Feast day of Saints Peter

and Paul. He visited the Vatican the city of
the popes and the capital of Christendom.
The grandeur of Rome was something that
Rizal did not fail to appreciate in his sojourn
in Italy. After a week of travel in Rome, he
prepared for his homecoming to the
Philippines.

END

Rizal arrives in Manila

Rizals First Homecoming (1887-1888)

Rizal left Rome by train to Marseilles, a

French port and boarded Djemnah, the
same steamer that brought him to Europe
five years ago.

There were 50 passengers: 4 Englishmen, 2

Germans, 3 Chinese, 2 Japanese, 40
Frenchmen, and 1 Filipino (Rizal)

When the ship reached Aden, the weather

became rough and some of Rizals book got
wet.

In Saigon (Ho Chi Minh), Vietnam he

transferred to another steamer, Haiphong,
that brought him to Manila.

Rizals plans of coming back home

As early as 1884, Rizal wanted to go back

to the Philippines for the following reasons:

Financial difficulties in Calamba

Dissatisfaction with his studies in

Madrid

Desire to prove that there is no

reason to fear going home.

His belief that the Spanish regime

will not punish the innocent.

Decision to return home

After five years of his memorable sojourn in

Europe, Rizal returned to the Philippines.

Happy Homecoming

When Rizal arrived in Calamba, rumors

spread that he was a:

German spy

An agent of Otto Von Bismarck the

liberator of Germany.

A Protestant

A Mason

A soul halfway to damnation

Storm over the Noli Me Tangere

As Rizal was peacefully living in Calamba,

his enemies plotted his doom.

Governor General Emilio Terrero wrote to

Rizal requesting to come to Malacaang
Palace.

Paciano did not leave him during the first

days after arrival to protect him from any
enemy assault.

Somebody had whispered to his ear

that the Noli contains subversive
ideas.

Don Francisco did not permit him to go

out alone

Rizal explained to him that he

merely exposed the truth, but did not
advocate subversive ideas.

He was pleased by Rizals

explanation and curious about the
book, he asked for a copy of the
novel.

Rizal had no copy that time but

promised to send one for him.

In Calamba

Rizal established a medical clinic.

Doa Teodora was Rizals first patient

Rizal treated her eyes but could not perform

any surgical operation because her
cataracts were not yet ripe.

He painted several beautiful landscapes in

Calamba.
He translated German poems of Von
Wildernath in Tagalog.

Rizal visited the Jesuits

Rizal visited the Jesuit fathers to ask for

their feedback on the novel.

He was gladly welcomed by the following

friars:

Doctor Uliman Rizal was called this name

because he came from Germany.

He earned P900 in a few months

and P5,000 before he left the
Philippines.

Gymnasium was opened by Rizal for the

young people

He introduced European sports fencing and

shooting to discourage them from
cockfighting and gambling.

Sad moments while Rizal was in Calamba

Leonor Rivera Rizal tried to visit her in

Tarlac but his parents forbade him to go
because Leonors mother did not like him
for a son-in-law.
Olimpia Mercado-Ubaldo died because of
child birth.

Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez

Fr. Jose Bech

Fr. Federico Faura told Rizal that

everything in the novel was the truth
and warned him that he may lose his
head because of it.

Governor-General Emilio Terrero a liberal

minded Spaniard who knew that Rizals life
was in jeopardy because the friars were
powerful.

Because of this he gave Rizal a

bodyguard to protect him.

Jose Taviel de Andrade

A young Spanish lieutenant who came from

a noble family

He was cultured and knew painting

He could speak French, English and

Spanish.

The banning of the Noli Me Tangere served

to make it popular

The masses supported the book.

They became good friends.

Fr. Jose Rodriguez Augustinian Prior of

Guadalupe

Attackers of the Noli

Archbishop Pedro Payo a Dominican

Archbishop of Manila

Sent a copy of the Noli to Fr. Gregorio

Echevarria, Rector of the University of
Santo Tomas to examine the novel.

UST and Rizal

The committee that examined the Noli Me

Tangere were composed of Dominican
professors.
The report of the faculty members from UST
about the Noli states that the novel was:

Governor-General Terrero was not

satisfied with the report so he sent the novel
to the Permanent Commission of
Censorship which was composed of priests
and lawyers.

The group found that the novel

contain subversive ideas against the
Church and Spain and
recommended that the importation,
reproduction and circulation of the
pernicious book in the islands be
absolutely prohibited.

The newspaper published Fonts written

report

Published a series of eight

pamphlets under the heading
Questions of Supreme Interest to
blast the Noli and other anti-Spanish
writing.

Copies of anti-Rizal pamphlets were

sold after mass

Many Filipinos were forced to buy

them in order not to displease the
friars.

Noli Me Tangere in Spain

The novel was fiercely attacked in the

session hall of the Senate of the Spanish
Cortes.

Senators:

Fr. Salvador Font Augustinian friar curate

of Tondo was the head of the commission.

Heretical, impious and scandalous in

the religious orders, and antipatriotic, subversive of pubic order,
injurious to the government of Spain
and its function in the Philippine
Islands in the political order.

General Jose de Salamanca

General Luis de Pando

Sr. Fernando Vida

Vicente Barantes Spanish academician of

Madrid who formerly occupied high
government position in the Philippines
bitterly criticized the novel in an article
published in the Madrid newspaper, La
Espaa Moderna.

Defenders of the Noli Me Tangere

Propagandists such as Marcelo H. del Pilar,

Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Antonio Ma.
Regidor, Mariano Ponce rushed to uphold
the truths of the Noli.

Father Francisco de Paula Sanchez

Rizals favorite teacher in Ateneo defended
and praised the novel in public.

Don Segismundo Moret former Minister of

the Crown.

Prof. Miguel Morayta- historian and

stateman

Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt Rizals best

friend

Rev. Fr. Vicente Garcia a Filipino Catholic

priest-scholar, a theologian of the Manila
Cathedral and a Tagalog translator of the
famous Imitation of Christ by Thomas
Kempis.

Under the pen name Justo Desiderio

Magalang he wrote a defense of the
novel published in Singapore.

Rizal cried because of his gratitude to his

defenders especially to Fr. Garcia who
defended him unexpectedly.
He attacked Barantes by exposing his
ignorance of Philippine affairs and mental
dishonesty which is unworthy of an
academician.
Because of the interest of both enemies and
protectors of the Noli the price of the book
increased from five pesetas per copy to 50
pesetas per copy.

Agrarian Problem in Calamba

Influenced by the novel, Governor-General

Emilio Terrero ordered a government
investigation of the friar estates to remedy
whatever inequities might have been
present in connection with land taxes and
with tenant relations.

One of the friar estates affected was the

Calamba hacienda by the Dominican order
since 1883.

Upon hearing about the investigation, the

people of Calamba asked helped from Rizal
to gather facts and list the grievances so
that the government might institute certain
agrarian reforms.

Findings submitted by Rizal

The hacienda of the Dominican Order

comprised not only the lands around
Calamba, but the whole town of Calamba.

The profits of the Dominican Order

continually increased because of the
arbitrary increase of the rentals paid by the
tenants.

The hacienda owner never contributed a

single centavo for the celebration of the
town fiesta, for the education of the children,
and for the improvement of agriculture.

Tenants who spent much labor in clearing

the lands were dispossessed of the said
lands for flimsy reasons

High rates of interest were arbitrarily

charged the tenants for delayed payment of
rentals

When the rentals could not be paid, the

hacienda management confiscated the work
animals, tools, and farm implements of the
tenants.

Friars Reaction

Rizals exposure to the deplorable condition

angered the friars.

The friars exerted pressure to Malacaang

to eliminate Rizal.

They asked Gov. Gen. Terrero to deport

Rizal but the latter refused for there is lack
of charges against Rizal in court.

Anonymous threats in Rizals life alarmed

his parents, siblings, Andrade his
bodyguard, friends, and even Terrero, thus
they all advised him to leave the country.

Rizals reasons for leaving the Philippines

His presence in Calamba was jeopardizing

the safety and happiness of his family and
friends.

He could not fight better his enemies and

serve his countrys cause with greater
efficacy by writing in foreign countries.

Himno Al Trabajo

Jose Maria Basa

A poem for Lipa shortly before Rizal left in

1888, he was asked by a friend to write a
poem in commemoration of the towns
cityhood.
Himno Al Trabajo (Hymn To Labor) title of
the poem dedicated to the industrious
people of Lipa.

Farewell Philippines

On February 3, 1888 Rizal left his country

with a heavy heart.

But this is for his own good and the safety of

his family and friends.

Balbino Mauricio
Manuel Yriarte (son of the alcalde mayor in
Calamba)

END

Jose Rizals Trip to Hong Kong and

Macau
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.

Amoy the first stop over of the ship

Rizal did not get off the ship for the
following reasons:

A Portuguese colony near Hong Kong.

Rizal together with Basa boarded a ferry
named Kiu-Kiang going to Macau.

He was surprised to see among the

passengers a familiar figure Jose Sainz
de Varanda.

Don Juan Francisco Lecaros a Filipino

gentleman who is married to a Portuguese
lady. He was rich and spent his days
cultivating plants and flowers.

Rizal and Basa stayed in his house for two

days while they were in Macau.

During his two-day sojourn, Rizal visited the

theatre, casino, cathedral and churches,
pagodas, botanical garden, and bazaars,
he also saw the famous Grotto of
Camoens, Portugals national poet.

He witnessed a Catholic procession, in

which the devotees were dressed in blue
and purple dresses and were carrying
unlighted candles.

He was not feeling well

It was raining hard
He heard that the city is dirty.

According to Rizal 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.
A Spaniard, Jose Sainz de Varanda,
shadowed Rizals movement in Hong Kong.
It is believed that he was commissioned by
the Spanish authorities to spy on Rizal.

Macau

After six months of staying in the Philippines

Rizal left via the steamer Zapiro bound for Hong
Kong.

Hong Kong

A British colony
Rizal stayed in Victoria Hotel
He met :

and clean pathways. The Catholic

cemetery was most pompous, with its
ornate and expensive mausoleums and
extravagantly carved sepulchers. The
Muslim cemetery was the simplest,
containing only a little mosque and
tombstone with Arabic inscription.

Rizal and Basa returned to Hong Kong,

again on board the ferry steamer Kiu Kiang

Grotto of Camoens

During Rizals two week vacation in Hong

Kong, he studied Chinese life, language,
drama and customs and found out the
following which he wrote in his diary:
1. Noisy celebration of the Chinese New
Year which lasted from February 11th
(Saturday) to 13th (Monday). Continuous
explosions of firecrackers. The richer the
Chinese, the more firecracker he exploded
2. Boisterous Chinese theatre, with noisy
audience and noisier music. In the Chinese
dramatic art, Rizal observed the following:
a. a man astride a stick means a man
riding
a horseback
b. an actor raising his legs means he is
entering a house
c. a red dress indicates a wedding
d. a girl about to be married coyly covers
her face with a fan even in the presence
of his fianc
e. a man raising a whip signifies he is
about to ride a horse

3. The Marathon Lauriat party, the

longest meal in the world. Wherein the
guests were served numerous dishes, such
as dried fruits, geese, shrimps, century
eggs, shark fins, bird nests, white ducks,
chicken with vinegar, fish heads, roasted
pigs, tea, etc.
4. The Dominican Order was the richest
religious order in Hong Kong. It engaged
actively in business. It owned more than
700 houses for rent and many shares in
foreign banks. It had millions of dollars
deposited in banks which earned fabulous
interest.
5. Of the Hong Kong cemeteries belonging
to the Protestants, Catholics, and Muslims,
that of the Protestants was the most
beautiful because of its well-groomed plants

DEPARTURE FROM HONGKONG

February 22, 1888 Rizal left Hong Kong

Oceanic an American steamer, his

destination was Japan
He did not like the meals on board, but he
liked the ship because it was clean and
efficiently managed.
His cabin mate was a British Protestant
missionary who had lives in China for 27
years. Rizal called him a good man.
END

Rizal in Japan (Land of Cherry

Blossoms) Feb 28 April 13 1888

Rizal left Hong Kong on board of the

Oceanic, an American steamer on his way
to Japan.

Places he went
1.
2.
3.
4.

YOKOHAMA
GRAND HOTEL
TOKYO
TOKYO HOTEL

People he met
JuanPerezCaballero

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:

REASONS WHY HE ACCEPTED CABALLEROS

PROPOSAL

Nankai-no-Daiharan (Storm Over

the South Sea) 1891 resembling Noli Me Tangere

He could economize his living expenses

O-unabara (TheBigOcean) 1894

resembling El Filibusterismo

He had nothing to hide from the prying eyes

of the Spanish authorities.
He and Caballero became good friends.

Significant Memories
1. First Embarassment
2. Rizal and the Tokyo Musician

O Sei San
A samurais daughter of 23 years old and
had never experienced true love.

3. Romance with O Sei San

Impression

Usui- San, her father; a store owner.

The scenic beauty of the country

A woman of beauty, charm, modesty and

intelligence.

The cleanliness, politeness and industry of

the Japanese people.

When Rizal first introduced himself to her,

he took of his hat as a sign of respect (A
German custom)

The picturesque dress and simple charm of

the Japanese women.

There were few thieves in Japan.

Beggars are rarely seen in the city streets.

O-Sei-San was more than Rizals

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 and Osei San are both theatre
addicts.

Old and New Names Of Places Where he went

Still TOKYO and YOKOHAMA
Cost of living in Japan
1888
RENT

3,346.0
6

53,701.
87

FOOD

78.527
58

808.83

TRANSPORTATI
ON

637.64

696.54

They attended some kabuki plays such as;

1. Sendaihagi
2. Manjiro Nakahama
3. Chushingura
KABUKI Japanese drama play

2012

Tetcho Suehiro

A fighting Japanese journalist, novelist,

champion of human rights, who was forced
by the government to leave Japan.

Flight Cost Macao - Japan Php21,980

Became a member of the Japanese

Imperial Diet (Parliament)

END

Wrote two novels:

Transportation Rickshaw (Jinrishka)

Rizals Arrival in United States

San Francisco
O 28th day of April 1888
Rizal arrived for the first time in San
Francisco on a Saturday morning
The ship Rizal on board, Belgic,
docked at San Francisco Port but
because of a strict quarantine, he
and the other first-class passengers
were not allowed to disembark until
May 4, 1888.
O The ship was carrying 643 Chinese coolies
unskilled labourers.
O After a few days of quarantine, all first-class
passengers, including Rizal, were allowed
to land.
O In San Francisco, Rizal stayed at Palace
Hotel, a first class hotel in the city, until May
6.
Palace Hotel
In his diary, he wrote:
I saw the Golden Gate Bridge - a marvel of
engineering and one of the most beautiful
structures of its kind. No stores are on Sunday. The
best street in San Francisco is Market Street.
Leland Stanford
the millionaire senator in California
and the founder of Stanford
University in Palo Alto, California
Across the American Continent
O After staying in San Francisco for two days
he left for Oakland on May 6, 1888, Sunday
O In Oakland, he took an overland train a
railroad sleeping car (Pullman) and passed
along the entire breadth of the United
States.
O Rizal got a glimpsed of the American
continent.
Travels on the American Continent

O Sacramento - Reno, Nevada - Ogden

Colorado - Omaha City, Nebraska - Missouri
River Chicago - Albany
Niagara Falls
Rizal in New York
O May 13, 1888, Sunday morning
Rizals arrival in New York
He stayed in the Fifth Avenue Hotel
while he was in New York.
O He was able to see and visit the following
scenic and historical places:
The monument of George
Washington
The majestic Brooklyn Bridge
Statue of Liberty
O May 16, 1888
he left New York for Liverpool,
England
Rizal board on City of Rome going
to London.
Rizal wrote a letter to his parents and brother dated
May 24, 1888, he described the ship and his
voyage as follows:
So that you may have an idea of the size of
this monster, Ill tell you that it has three
chimneys, consumes three tons of coal
daily. It is more than 200 varas long and 18
varas wide, and has 12,000 horse power for
which it has 63 boilers. The promenade
deck alone is 140 varas long. A newspaper
is published is board once during the
voyage for the benefit of the passengers.
The officers and crewmen are 276; we, the
passengers, are 604. We have had a bad
trip, very rough sea, excessive wind, much
sea-sickness, for which reasons we spent
eight days and hours on the trip.
Rizals Bad Impression of America

America is undoubtedly a great country,

but it still has many defects, Rizal wrote to
Mariano Ponce

O He had a bad impression of America

because of the prevalent racial
discrimination in the country.
O One day Alejandro asked Rizal: What
impressions do you have of America?
America, answered Rizal, is a land par
excellence of freedom but only for the whites.
Rizal in London
O May 24, 1888
Rizal, aboard the City of Rome,
reached Queenstown in Ireland
O From there, he embarked on a ferry boat
going to Liverpool and stayed at Adelphi
Hotel. Then, he travelled by train to London.
O May 25, 1888
Rizal arrived in London

He described the family in his letter as follows:

The family consists of the husband and
wife, four daughters and two sons. The
daughters are called Gertrude (Tottie),
Balnche (Sissie), Flory and Grace: the first
two, who are already young women, have
sweethearts. Tottie sings very well and
Sissie accompanies her (They pronounce
Toti, Sisi). One son is employed and the
other sings in the church.
Gertrude (Tottie) Becket
Persons Met By Rizal In London
O Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor
-

An exile of 1872 who was a law

practitioner

Rizals had developed a strong

relationship with

O Dr. Reinhold Rost

Reasons Why Rizal Decided To Go To London

1. To develop his knowledge of the English
language
2. To annotate the famous work of Antonio de
Morga on the history of the Philippines, the
Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas
3. London was a safe place for him.

O Upon his arrival in the afternoon of May 25

in London, he first stopped at the Grand
Hotel Midland.
O Rizal again wrote a letter for his parents
dated June 12, 1888. In this letter he
mentioned that he have lived first for a week
at a house in Beresford Road and
eventually transferred to a private home in
No. 37 Chalcot Crescent, Primerose Hill.
O The house is owned by the Becket Family.

Introduced to him through a letter

from Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt

Director of the library of the India

Office and the best authority of
Malayan customs and languages

Christmas in London
O Rizal spent his Christmas in London and
New Years Eve, for the first time in this city
and was extremely delighted to experience
the holiday season.
O Rizal spent his Christmas with the Beckett
family Primerose Hill.
In his diary, he wrote:
It is the holiday, I like the best to celebrate.
It reminds me of the memorable days not
only my early childhood, but also of history.
On this day, a great Genius and prophet
was born to preach truth, love, beauty and

goodness. He suffered on His messianic

zeal to save the world. How it shocks me to
see some people misuse His name to
commit many crimes.
Annotation of Dr. Morgas Work
O Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas

explorer. He does not have the superficiality and

exaggeration which are found among Spaniards
today; he writes ver simply, but one has to read
between the lines
O Rizal devoted much of his time in annotating
the work of Dr. Morga

book written by Dr Antonio de Morga

O It was considered as Rizals greatest

achievement in London

one of the most important works on

the early history of the Spanish
colonization of the Philippines

O He frequented the British Museum where he

patiently copied the text by hand and made
his annotations.

published in 1609

O This laborious task made was prompted by

his desire to rectify some of the points
written by Dr. Morga, so that the Filipinos
would have a clear understanding of the
history of their country.

O Dr Antonio de Morga
-

a Spanish lawyer and a high-ranking

colonial official in
the Philippines, New
Spain and Peru.
He was also a historian.

O In a letter to Blumentritt, dated

September17, 1888, Rizal said :
Morgas work is an excellent book;
it can be said that Morga is a modern scholarly

O The annotation of Rizal on Dr. Morgas book

was later published in Paris in 1890.
END