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Segunda Katigbak
Jose Rizal was only a young boy of sixteen (16) when he first fell in love, and it was with Segunda
Katigbak, a girl from Lipa, Batangas and two years his junior. According to Rizal, "She was rather short,
with eyes that were eloquent and ardent at times and languid at others, rosy-cheeked, with an enchanting
and provocative smile that revealed very beautiful teeth, and the air of a sylph; her entire self diffused a
mysterious charm."
Stolen Glances
Rizal went to Trozo, Manila one day to visit his grandmother. His friend, Mariano Katigbak, accompanied
him. Mariano's family were close with Rizal's grandmother, and upon arrival at Lipa, Mariano's sister
Segunda was there at the old woman's house along with other guests.Rizal was drawn to hear instantly.
Some of the other guests knew that Rizal was a skilled painter and asked him to draw a portrait of
Segunda. He obliged, and reluctantly worked on a pencil sketch of the girl. "From time to time, she
looked at me, and I blushed."
A Blossoming Love
Rizal's sister Olympia was a close friend of Segunda and a student at La Concordia College, and Rizal
went to visit her every week, during which he came to know Segunda more intimately. Their affection for
each other grew deeper with every meeting, one that began with "love at first sight."
Unfortunately, Segunda was already engaged to be married to her townmate, Manuel Luz, and although
Rizal had gotten hints of the lady's affection for him, he timidly decided to back away and did not
propose. Years later Segunda returned to Lipa and wed her betrothed, leaving a frustrated Rizal to the
mercy of his nostalgic memories. Rizal said while recording his first romance three years later, "Ended, at
an early hour, my first love! My virgin heart will always mourn the reckless step it took on the flower-
decked abyss. My illusions will return, yes, but indifferent, uncertain, ready for the first betrayal on the
path of love."
LEONOR VALENZUELA: PRIVATE LETTERS
Leonor Valenzuela
When Rizal was a sophomore at the University of Santo Tomas and was boarding in the house of Dona
Concha Leyva in Intramuros he met Leonor "Orang" Valenzuela, his next-door neighbor and daughter of
Capitan Juan and Capitana Sanday Valenzuela. She was a tall girl who carried herself with grace and
elegance.
Rizal was always welcome at the Valenzuela home. He eventually courted Leonor by sending her love
notes, which he wrote in invisible ink made from a mixture of water and table salt. He taught Leonor how
to read his letters by heating them over a lamp or a candle to allow the words to surface.
Unfortunately, as with his first love, Jose failed to ask for the lady's hand in marriage.
A Secret Relationship
Leonor was "tender as a budding flower with kindly, wistful eyes." She and Rizal eventually became
engaged. In her letters, she signed her name as "Taimis" in order to hide their intimate relationship from
the girl's parents.
A Lady's Infidelity
In the autumn of 1890, however, Rizal received a letter from Leonor telling him of her coming marriage to
a man whom her mother chose to be her mate -- an Englishman -- and begged for his forgiveness. This
broke Rizal's heart deeply.
Taken by Charm
Rizal, though he wasn't a handsome man, possessed a great deal of charisma and was gifted with many
talents and a deeply noble character. For this reason, it is of no surprise that Consuelo, the prettier of
Don Pablo's daughters, was very taken with him.
Being lonely and somewhat isolated in a foreign country, Rizal found comfort in Consuelo's vivacious
company. He wrote her a poem entitled A La Senorita C.O. y P. (To Miss C.O.y P.), in which he
expressed his great admiration for the lady.
Backing Out
Rizal's romance with Consuelo did not turn into a serious affair; he decided to take a step back for two
reasons: first, he was still engaged to Leonor Rivera at that time; and second, he was aware of his
friend's (Eduardo de Lete) affection for the girl and he did not want to ruin their friendship over her.
An Exploration of Beauty
Rizal and O-Sei-San, as he fondly called her, met almost daily. They toured the beautiful city spots,
enjoyed the scenery, and visited the picturesque shrines. Rizal was then a lonely young physician,
disillusioned by his frustrated romance with Leonor Rivera and burdened by soured hopes for justice in
his country. O-Sei-San provided the beautiful escape that he deeply needed, and he saw in her the
qualities of his ideal woman. He was her first love.
Sayonara
Because of his deep affection for her, Rizal was almost tempted to settle down in Japan. Conveniently
enough, he was also offered a good position at the Spanish Legation during that time. Rizal, however,
had set his sights on other matters. He decided to leave Japan and forget his romance, which pained him
gravely as attested by an entry in his diary. His 45-day sojourn in Japan was one of the happiest
interludes in his life.
In May 1888 Rizal visited London for a short time, boarding the house of the Beckett family: Mr. & Mrs.
Beckett, their two sons, and their four daughters. The eldest daughter was named Gertrude.
Gertrude was a buxom young lady with blue eyes and brown hair. She fell in love with Rizal and gave
him all of her attention during the family picnics and gatherings. When Rizal stayed indoors during rainy
days painting and sculpting, she helped him mix his colors and prepare his clay.
Rizal enjoyed her company. Eventually their flirtatious friendship drifted towards a blossoming romance.
He affectionately called her "Gettie," and in return she called him "Pettie."
Rizal withdrew before his relationship with Gettie could become more serious, realizing that he had a
greater mission to fulfill and that in order to accomplish it he could not yield to the option of marrying her.
He suppressed the yearnings of his heart and decided to leave so that the lady may forget him. Before
he did, however, he finished a number of sculptural works, one of which was a carving of the heads of the
Beckett sisters.
A Broken Heart
Suzanne fell in love with Rizal, and wept when he left for Madrid in July 1890. She wrote to him in
French:
"Where are you now? Do you think of me once in a while? I am reminded of our tender conversations,
reading your letter, although it is cold and indifferent. Here in your letter I have something which makes
up for your absence. How pleased I would be to follow you, to travel with you who are always in my
thoughts.
You wish me all kinds of luck, but forget that in the absence of a beloved one a tender heart cannot feel
happy.
A thousand things serve to distract your mind, my friend; but in my case, I am sad, lonely, always alone
with my thoughts -- nothing, absolutely nothing relieves my sorrow. Are you coming back? That's what I
want and desire most ardently -- you cannot refuse me.
I do not despair and I limit myself to murmuring against time which runs so fast when it carries us toward
a separation, but goes so slowly when it's bringing us together again.
I feel very unhappy thinking that perhaps I might never see you again.
Goodbye! You know with one word you can make me very happy. Aren't you going to write to me?"
An Emotional Rebounce
After having lamented his frustrated romance with Leonor Rivera on account of the lady's engagement to
another man, Rizal came to develop considerable affection for Nellie, the prettier and younger daughter of
Mr. Eduardo Boustead. He found her to be intelligent, morally upright, and full of life. Rizal wrote to his
closest friends about his intention to marry her.
Rizal's friends were delighted to hear that he had found a suitable girl whom he at last wished to settle
down with. Even Antonio Luna, who had previously loved Nellie, encouraged Rizal to court her and ask
for her hand in marriage. With all the encouragement from the friends he held dear, Rizal wooed Nellie
(also called Nelly) who, in turn, returned his affections.
A Broken Engagement
Rizal's marriage proposal failed for two reasons: first, Nellie demanded that he give up his Catholic faith
and convert to Protestantism, which was her religion. Rizal did not like this idea. Second, Nelly's mother
did not approve of Rizal, as she had no desire to entrust her daughter to a man who was wanting in
wealth and persecuted in his own country. In spite of the circumstances, Rizal and Nellie parted as good
friends.
Josephine Bracken arrived at the shores of Dapitan accompanying her blind adoptive father, Mr. George
Taufer. No ophthalmologist in Hong Kong, their home country, could cure the man's blindness and so
they sought the services of the famous Dr. Jose Rizal.
Overcoming Barriers
Rizal and Josephine fell in love at first sight. Their romantic interlude went on for about a month, after
which they decided to marry. The priest of Dapitan, however, refused to conduct the ceremony without
consent from the Bishop of Cebu.
When Mr. Taufer heard of his daughter's plan to marry he became so enraged at the thought of losing
Josephine that he attempted to kill himself with a razor to his throat. Rizal prevented this tragedy by
holding the man's wrists back. Josephine left with her father on the first available steamer to Manila in
order to avoid more trouble. Since Mr. Taufer's blindness was venereal in nature, it was incurable.
Exchanging Vows
Mr. Taufer went back to Hong Kong alone, and Josephine stayed in Manila with Rizal's family. At length,
she returned to Dapitan. Since no priest would marry them, Rizal and Josephine held hands, exchanged
vows, and married themselves before God.
Rizal and Josephine lived together in Dapitan as husband and wife, and in early 1896 they were
expecting a baby. Unfortunately, Josephine had to go into premature labor after Rizal played a prank and
frightened her. A little boy of eight months was born, who lived for only three hours. Rizal named him
Francisco in honor of his father, and buried the child in Dapitan.
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