After completing his studies at the Universidad Central de

Madrid, he left for Paris and Germany to specialize in

ophthalmology; having in his mind his mother’s eye ailment and
served as an assistant to a famous European oculist Later, he
travelled to various place in Europe, continuing his ‘’secret
mission’’

In Paris

On his way to Paris, he stopped at Barcelona to meet old

acquaintances, especially Maximo Viola; a Filipino who worked
from November 1885 at February 1886 as an assistant to
Dr. Louis de Weckert, a leading French ophthalmology he also
visiting friends such as the Pardo de Taveras, the artists Juan
Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo, and oftentimes stayed with
Luna in his studio he modeled as an Egyptian priest in the
painting ‘’The Death of Cleopatra’’ and ‘’Blood Compact’’ while
Pardo Talavera modelled for ligaspi.

In Heidelberg

After Paris he left for Germany, and worked at the University

Eye Hospital a stone’s throw from the University of Heidelberg
as an assistant to Dr. Otto Backer, a distinguished German
ophthalmology and listened to lectures of Dr. Backer Professor
Wilhelm Kuehne. During weekends he go around the city observing
their customs and culture and religious difference, half were
Catholic and half were Protestants, they lived harmoniously.
‘’A Las Flores de Heidelberg’’ (to the Flowers of Heidelberg)
inspire by the blooming flower among the cool bank of the Neckar
River which remind him of the flower at home in Calamba. He also
spent three months in the mountainous village with a protestant
pastor Dr. karl Ullmer and found the place beautiful. The
country in 1985-1860 he met other scientist such as Dr. Hans
Virchow, a professor of Descriptive A anatomy; Dr. W. Joest, a
German geographer; and Dr. Karl Ernest Schweigger, a famous
German ophthalmologist, where he worked for a considerable
period of time. ‘’not gossipy frivolous and quarrelsome. Like
the Spanish women’’
Rizal’s stay in Berlin of 1888 one of his difficult of his life
he had no money; was flat broke; and his health is failing the
most memorable during this time that his first novel entitled
Noli Me Tangere was published, a novel inspired by Harriet
Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin describe the miserable lives of the
slaves in Southern United States. The novel funded by a rich
Filipino Dr. Maximo Viola and its title was not original but
rather came from the Holy Bible. Actually the novel was joint
project of a group of Filipinos but which did not materialized
for the failure of the Filipino Noli me Tangere means ‘’touch
me not’’ finally came on march 21,1887 gave Viola gaily proofs
of the novel he dedicated the book to his fatherland, because
the novel, Rizal was suspected of being a French spy. A Berlin
police officer requested to see his passport by the help of
Viola and his proficiency in the use of the German language, he
was convince the authorities that he was a Filipino physician
and he was there to observe the lifestyle and the customs of the
place Rizal paying Dr. Viola P300 which he owed, decided see
Europa before going home Philippines. His first destination
traveling with Viola was Dresden, ‘’one of the best cities in
Germany,’’ fallowed by Decin in Czechoslovakia Vienna in
Austria, and other places in Dresden, he visited Dr. Adolph B.
Meyer and met Dr. Jagor and told his plans to visit Blumentritt
in Leitmeritz (now Litemerice), Czechoslovakia, He and Dr. Viola
station of leitmeritz, chechoslovakia and Dr. Blumentritt was
there at the station to meet them. They happy to see each other
Rizal was brought to meet his family. It was also during his
travel that he met another scientist, Dr. Carlo Czepelak a
Polish and also Professor Robrt Klutscchak, Rizal had wonderful
and beautiful memories in Blumintritt, He proceeded to Vienna,
the capital of Austria and saw the ‘’beautiful blue Danube,’’
churches, museum, art galleries theaters, and public parks. He
and Dr. viola proceeded to Switzerland, visiting Bern, Lussane,
and Geneva. He worte to Blumintritt dated June 6, 1887, he tour
in Italy and visited the Vatican the ‘’City of the Popes’’ and
the capital of Christendom, he was impressed by the majestic and
magnificient buildings and its religious atmosphere. After five
years in Europe he prepared for his trip home to the
philiooines.
He arrived in the Philippines on august 1887 and proceeded to
Calamba His home coming was a very happy he had his family
opening a medical clinic gymnasium for the young people he
however failed in one mission and that concerned his lovelife
with Leonor Rivera. Rizal was invited to malacaniang to answer
question He denied the charges and his only defense was that he
was telling the truth. The Governor-General requesting a copy
the Governor-General read the novel and found no subversive
ideas but by judgment of committee the novel was not only
controversial but popular, that is reached Spain and was the
subject of debate in the Senate of the Spanish Cortes, among
such senator as ;General Jose de Salamanca, Sr.,Fernando Vida
who formerly Vicente Barrantes on the other hand, the Noli was
gallanty defended by Marcelo H. del Pilar, Dr. Antonio Ma
Regidor, Graciano Lopez Jaena., Mariano Ponce and other Filipino
and Spaniards such as father Sanchez Don Segismundo Mote, Dr.
Miguel Morayta and professor Blumentritt,

But the best defense of the Noli came from Rev. Vicente Garcia
Tagalog translator of same book

Not arrested and for his safety, the Governor-General assigned

him a body guard, Lt, Jose Taviel de Andrade, who play an
important part in his life during his trial for treason

Although for ‘’quite on the western front,’’ a tragedy marked

the death of his older sister Olimpia the persistence of a rumor
widely spreading fast, he was a German spy, an agent of
Bismarck, a Protestant, a Mason, a witch, a soul beyond
salvation’’ the persistent advice of his family, relatives and
friends the Governor-General finally advised Rizal to leave the
Philippines for his own good.

Hong Kong

On February 3, 1888 he left the country and begun his journey to

other countries just six months after stay in Calamba. He left
country passing Hong Kong and was welcome by Filipino resident,
among them Jose Maria Basa, Balbino Mauricio, and Manuel
Yriarte, the son of mayor of Laguna.

He visited Macao and stayed at the home of Don Juan Francisco

Lecaros, during his stay, he visited casinos, theater, cathedral
and churches and saw the famous grotto of Calomba. He also
studies the chinese, their life style and customs.

Japan

He left Hong Kong for Japan. It is said that one of the happiest
moments was visit the land of the Cherry Blossom, he stayed for
a month the place where he fell in love of Leonor Rivera.

He arrived in Yokohama February 28, 1888 but left for Tokyo next
day Visited a fried, Juan Perez his movements in japan were
monitored by the Spanish authorities, to show proof of his
innocence

In Tokyo, he studied the Japanese language, he visited the

museums, libraries, art galleries and shrine and the
‘’charming’’ village of Meguro, Nikko Hakone, and Miyanoshita.
Was impressed by Japan, by their custom and culture

One day, he saw a pretty Japanese woman and fell in love with
her. He stayed in japan, married the girl, and probably lived
happily ever after, but he had a mission.

He left for Yokohama on April 13,1888, bound for the One ship,
he met a Japanese journalist, who was to become an important
person in his life. Tetcho Suehiro a fighting journalist,
novelist, and champion of human rights. Both became very good
friends, both had the same talent for using a pen

They shared company in their travel through San Francesco,

across the United states and New York, with Rizal interpreter.

They bade each other ‘’goodbye’’ each to his own destination in

London. But Rizal impression on the journalist, who made remarks
about him.

The United State

He arrived in the United State on April 28,1888 he stayed in San

Francisco for only two days, saw the Golden Gate and wrote in
his diary his impressions of the millionaire Leland Standford
who was the founder of Standford University. From San Francisco,
he proceeded to Oakland by ferry boat and boarded a train for
his trip around the continent; Every day on the train, he wrote
the event of the day and the impression of the American
Continent. He wrote of seeing for the first time an Indian
clothed in semibeautiful bank of Salt Lake City, the trees in
Colorado and the big city of Ohama, and the Missouri River which
he compared with the Pasig River, he reached Chicago , and in
Passing through Canada saw the Niagara falls and compared it
with the Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna

After the American Continent, Rizal left for a trip across

the London, arriving in Liverpool on May 24, 1888. He stayed for
only one day and describe the city as a big beautiful city he
stayed as a guest in the home of Dr. Antonio Ma Rigodor a
practicing lawyer, but at the end of May he gained the
acquaintance of Dr. Reinhold Rost the Liberarian of the
ministry of Foreign Affair and authority and Malayan Languages
and customs of Morga’s Sucesos and other historical works
concerning the Philippines such as those written by Fr. Chirino,
Fr. Colin, Fr. Argensola, Fr. Plasencia, and others. On Sundays,
he was in the house of Dr. Rost, having a conversation with him,
played cricket and other sports with Dr. Rost’s sons.

Annotating Morga’s book, Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas

considered his greatest achievement while in London. This was
published in Mexico in 1869; however, he received good and bad
news. At the time he heard of the defense of Father Garcia of
the Noli against the allegations and attacks or Fr. Rodriguez.
On January 7, 1891 he was wrote Father Garcia a letter.

Rizal stayed in London for ten months, he was offered by Mariano

Ponce to edit a newspaper. He left London for Paris, then Spain
in the second week of December 1888; he met two leaders in the
Propaganda Movement. Marchelo H. del Pilar and Mariano Ponce.

He went back to London and spent his Christmas and New Year
there, he was was gifted with a book coming from his landlady
entitled The Life and adventure of Valentine Vox, the
Ventriloquist. It was about a famous ventriloquist, Vox, who was
at the same time a magician. He sent a gift which he made for
his best friend, Blumentritt, a bust of Emperor Augustus, who
was the ruler of the Roman Empire at the time of the birth of
Jesus Crist in Bethlehem, while to Dr. Carlos Czepelak, the
Polish scholar, a bust of Julius Caesar.
He was the voted unanimous as honorary President of the Filipino
Patriotic Society in Barcelona called Asociacion La Solidaridad
(Solidaridad Association) which cooperate in the crusade for
reforms. This was on December 31, 1888.

Rizal’s adherence to the founding of the La Solidaridad

Association on December 15, 1889 jibed with Graciano Lopez
Jaena’s founding of the patriotic newspaper called La
Solidaridad in Barcelona where he was residing. This served as
the organ of the propaganda movement.

Rizal congratulated Lopez Jaena and his associates in founding

the La Solidaridad. In his letter to Lopez Jaena, he advised him
that great care should be taken in publishing only the truth in
the newspaper.

Be careful not to publish exaggeration or lies or imitate

others, who avail themselves of dishonest means and vulgar and
ignoble language to attain their ends, honest and truthful so
that its opinion may always be respected.

Dr. Rost, editor of Trulnea’s Recurd, requested to Rizal to

contribute some articles. “A Specimen of tagalog Folklore”
published in the Journal in May 1889 and “Two Easter Fables”
published in June 1889. At this time that he fell in love again,
with his landlady’s daughter, Gretrude Beckett, but as usual he
did not let his emotions overcome his “obsession” of fulfilling
his “mission” to institute reforms in his country. For this
reason, he left London, but before his departure, he was able to
finish four sculptures.

His Second Trip to Paris

He left for Paris, his second time to visit the place in March
1889. He lived with his friend Valentin Ventura for a while. But
he found a room and stayed together with two other Filipinos,
Capitan Justo Trinidad, former Gobernadorcillo of Santa Ana,
Maynila and Jose Albert, May 16, 1889 he described his life in
Paris.
The Exposition

He arrived in Paris from London on March 19, 1889, and his

arrival formed a club called the Kidlat Club, whose members were
Filipino Patriots namely, Antonio and Juan Luna, Gregorio
Aguilera, Fernando Canon, Laura Dimayuga, Julio Lorrente,
Guillermo Pauta and Baldomero Roxas. Kidlat means “lightning”.
The Universal Exposition opened in Paris on May 6, 1889. Like
any other tourist, he was fascinated with the exhibitions. Most
favored by him was the Eiffel Tower built by Alexander Eiffel.
Filipinos participated in the art contest and among them were:
Felix R. Hidalgo, Juan Luna, Felix Pardo de Tavera, and Rizal.
Hidalgo’s painting won second prize, the paintings of Juan Luna
and F. Pardo de Tavera, each obtained the third prize.

The Sociedad R.D.L.M.

HE also formed another society the Sociedad R.D.L.M. which on

the outside had the principal aim of “the propagation of all
useful knowledge scientific, artists, and literary in the
Philippines”, but it’s major and secret aim was the “redemption
of the Malays”. It is quite possible that like the Noli which
was inspired by the racial prejudice issue in the United States;
it likewise was inspired by the book entitled Max Havelaar
written by Multatuli (the pen name of E.D Dekker, a Dutch
author).

The Publication of the Annotated Edition of Morga’s Sucesos

Finally in 1890, the annotated edition of Marga’s Secesos,

printed by Garner Feres, with a prologue written by Blumentritt.
Bluementritt was a very good friend of Rizal, he did not
hesitate to correct two major errors of the book which where: in
that appraisal of the events of the past in the light of present
standards and his inference on the Church which were unfair
since the faults and the cruelty of the friars did not mean the
cruelty of the Church, it was considered a good piece of work
“they wore clothes, had formed a government, laws, writing,
literature, religion, arts, sciences, and commerce with other
neighboring”.
His Competence as a Historian

He was able to read Pigafetta’s first Voyuge around the World in

Italian and other historical works and books in English, German,
French, and Spanish.

The Philippines within a Century

One of the famous commentaries prepared by Rizal is that of his

insights on “The Philippines, A Century Hence”, the Spanish rule
in the Philippines would have ended.

The Indolence of the Filipinos

The indolence of the Philippines was explained well by Rizal.

They had planned to hold the inauguration of their organization
in Paris on August 1889 but project fizzled out. Another project
that established of a Filipino College in Hong Kong , which
could have gained an initial capital of P40,000 from a rich
Filipino resident in Paris.

Life in Brussels

After Paris during the year 1890 accompanied by Jose Albert, he

could continue his work on the second novel El Filibusterismo
which he had started in Calamba. After Jose Albert left, another
friend took his place, Jose Alejandro an engineering student.
Rizal translated Schiller’s Willhelm Tell and Andersen’s fairy
Tale for his nieces and nephews and it was in these pieces of
work that he used this system and also in his first novel and
likewise in his article entitled, “Sobre la Nueva Ortografia de
la Lengua Tagala” (The New Orthography of the Tagalog Language),
published in the La Solidaridad on April 15, 1890. In Brussels,
reports reached him through Juan Luna and Valentin Ventura that
the Filipinos in Spain were gambling and this did not portray a
good image of his country.
 WORLD CITI COLLEGES
Guimba, Nueva Ecija

Summary of Rizal’s Life Work, Role in the

Philippines
(Chapter V, VI, VII, VIII, IX)

Submitted by:

Cortez, Jhon Bear D.

Student

Submitted to:

Andaya, Roma R.
Faculty