CHAPTER 16: IN BELGIAN BRUSSELS (1890)
 January 28, 1890
- left Paris for Brussels, capital of Belguim
- 2 reasons implied why leave Paris
1. cost of living very high because of Universal
Exposition
2. gay social life of city hampered literary works,
especially writing of 2nd novel El Filibusterismo
- friends (M.H. del Pilar & Valentin Ventura) were of
belief that left because running away from girl just as
left London
- when told them reasons was economic because
money was dwindling, Ventura generously invited
him to live in Paris without paying rent
- could not accept invitation for had high sense of
dignity & wouldn’t accept charity from any man
 Life in Brussels
- accompanied by Jose Albert when moved to Brussels
- lived in modest boarding house on 38 Rue PH
Champagne, run by 2 Jaceby sisters (Suzanne &
Marie); later Albert left city & replaced by Jose
Alejando (engineering student)
- busy writing 2nd novel continuation of Noli; never
idle even for an house; wrote articles for La
Solidaridad & letters to family & friends
- spent time in medical clinic; recreation gymnastics,
target practice & fencing
Articles Published in La Solidaridad
- in defense for oppressed people & to point out evils
of Spanish rule in PH; appeared in patriotic
periodical
 A La Defensa (To La Defensa) – April 30, 1889; reply
to anti-Filipino writing of Spanish author Patricio de la
Escosura published by La Defensa on March 30, 1889
 La Verdad Para Todos (The Truth for All) – May 31,
1889; defense against Spanish charges that native local
officials were ignorant & depraved
 Vincente Barrantes’ Teatro Tagalo – June 15, 1889;
exposes Barrantes’ ignorance on Tagalog theatrical art
 Una Profanancion (A Profanation) – July 31, 1889;
bitter attack against friards for denying Christian burial
to Mariano Herbosa (husband of Lucia, died to cholera
on May 23, 1889) in Calamba because Rizal was
brother-in-law
 Verdades Nuevas (New Truths) – July 31, 1889; reply
to Vicente Belloc Sanchez’ letter in La Patria (Madrid
newspaper) on July 4, 1889 which asserted that
granting of reforms in PH would ruin peaceful &
maternal rule of friars
 Crueldad (Cruelty) – August 15, 1889; brilliant defense
of Blumentritt from scurrilous attacks of enemies
 Diferencias (Differences) – September 15, 1889; reply
to biased article “Old Truths” in La Patria on August
14, 1889 which ridiculed Filipinos who asked for
reforms
 Inconsequencias (Inconsequences) – Nov 30, 1889;
defense of Antionio Luna against attacks of Pablo Mir
Deas in El Pueblo Soberano (Barcelona newspaper)
 Llanto y Risas (Tears & Laughter) – Nov 30, 1889;
denunciation of Spanish racial prejudice against brown
Filipinos; mentioned how audience composed mostly of
Spanish & mestizos stopped applauding when received
1st prize in literary contest (1880) because brown color
 Ingratitudes (Ingratitude) – January 15, 1890; reply to
Governor General Valeriano Weyler who told people
they should not allow themselves to be deceived by
vain promises of ungrateful sons while in Calamba
New Orthography of Tagalog Language
- loved own native language; 1st to advocate
Filipinization of its orthography
- Tagalog letters “k” & “w” used instead of Spanish
“c” & “o”; Hispanized Tagalog “salacot” (peasant’s
head-gear) should be written “salakot” & “arao”
changed to “araw”
- September 1886 in Leipzig, adopted Filipinzed
Tagalog orthography in Tagalog translations of
Schiller’s Wilhelm Tell & Andersen’s Fairy Tales;
gain in Noli Mi Tangere (Berlin, 1887)
 Sotre la Nueva Ortografia de la Lengua Tagala (The
New Orthography of the Tagalog Language –
published April 15, 1890 in La Solidaridad; laid
down rules of new Tagalog orthography & gave
credit for adoption to Dr. Teinidad H. Pardo de
Tavera (author of Sanskrit in the Tagalog Language –
Paris, 1884)
Rizal Criticizes Madrid Filipinos for Gambling
- received news from Juan Luna & Valentin Ventura
that Filipinos in Spain were destroying good name of
nation by gambling too much; urged to do something
about it
- wrote to M.H. del Pilar on May 28, 1890 to remind
that they didn’t come to Europe to gamble but to
work for Fatherland’s freedom
- angry when learned moralizing; derisively called
Rizal “Papa” (Pope) instead of “Pepe”
Bad News from Home
- Calamba agrarian trouble was getting worse;
management of Domincan hacienda continually
raised land rents until his father refused to pay; other
tenants inspired by Don Francisco’s courage refused
to pay unreasonable rents
- Dominican Order filed suit in court to dispossess
Rizal family of lands in Calamba; tenants persecuted
- Paciano & brother-in-laws Antonio Lopez (Narcisa)
& Silvestre Ubaldo (Olympia) deported to Mindoro,
Manuel T. Hidalgo (Saturnina) banished for 2 nd time
to Bohol
- depressed Rizal; heart bled to know sorrow plight of
family; wrote to Soledad on June 6, 1890
Presentiment of Death
- bad dreams restless because always thinking of
unhappy family; although not superstitious, feared
would not live long’ not afraid to die but wanted to
finish 2nd novel before he went to his grave
Preparation to Go Home
- in face of suffering, planned to go home; could not
stay while family were persecuted
- upon hearing Graciano Lopez Jaena planning to go to
Cuba, wrote to Ponce July 9, 1890 opposing plan of
action; should not go to die of yellow fever instead
ought to go to PH to allow himself to be killed in
defense of ideas
- “If we do not die well, we lose an opportunity not
again be presented to us”
- determination to go home to Ponce July 18, 1890
- all friends warned him of danger that awaited him
Decision to go to Madrid
- something happened to make him change his mind;
letter from Paciano lost case against Dominicans in
Manila but appealed it to Supreme Court in Spain;
lawyer was needed to handle it in Madrid
- wrote to M.H. del Pilar June 20 retaining latter’s
services as lawyer; informed going to Madrid to
supervise handling of case
- letter to Ponce July 29 leaving Brussels at beginning
of next month & arrive Madrird August 3 or 4
- To My Muse (1890) – against background of mental
anguish in Brussels, sad days worried by family
disasters, wrote pathetic poem; lacks exquisiteness &
less polished but passionate in feeling
 Petite Jacoby/Suzanne
- 2 things brought measure of cheer to despondent
Rizal as was preparing to trip to Madrid:
1. summertime festival of Belgium celebrated
carnival style
2. romance with Petite Jacoby (pretties niece of
landladies)
- cried when he left end of July 1890; could not forget
him wrote to him in French
 CHAPTER 17: MISFORTUNES IN MADRIRD
(1890-1891)
- early August 1890: Rizal arrived in Madrid
- tried all legal means to seek justice for family &
Calamba tenants but to no avail
- disappointment after disappointment piled on him;
almost fought 2 duels:
1. with Antonia Luna
2. with Wenceslao E. Retana
- Leonor Rivera married a British engineer; infidelity
of girl whom he was engaged for 11 years broke his
heart
- survived bitter pangs of love’s disillusionment &
continued mission to redeem oppressed people
Failure to Get Justice for Family
- sought help of Filipino colony, Asociacion Hispano-
Filipina, & liberal Spanish newspapers (La Justicia,
El Globo, La Republica, El Resumen) in serving
justice for oppressed Calamba tenants
- with M.H. del Pilar (acted as his lawyer) & Dr.
Dominador Gomez (secretary of Asociacion
Hispano-Filipina), called on Minister of Colonies
Señor Fabie to protest the injustices committed by
Governor General Valetiano Weyler & Dominicans
against Calamba folks
- nothing came out of interview with Minister Fabie
- El Resumen (Madrid newspaper) symphathized with
Filipino cause, said “To cover ears, open purse, fold
arms—this is Spanish colonial policy”
- terrible news reached from brother-in-law Silvestre
Ubaldo; received copy of the ejectment order by the
Dominicans against Francisco Rizal & other Calamba
tenants
- from sister Saturnina, learned deportation of Paciano
Rizal, Atonio Lopez, Silvestre Ubaldo, Teong Mateo
Elejorde & Danoy (Rizal’s relative) to Mindoro
- September 6, 1890: unfortunate deportees arrested in
Calamba & shipped out of Manila
- parents forcibly ejected from home & were living in
house of Narcisa
- in desperation, sought aid of liberal Spanish
statesmen who were former members of Ministry
(Becerra & Maura); disappointed for merely gave
him honeyed words of sympathy & nothing else
- Blumentritt (in Leitmeritz) heard of plight, urged him
to see Queen Regent Maria Cristina (then rule of
Spain during minority of Alfonso XIII); how could
he see had neither powerful friends to bring him to
queen’s presence nor gold to grease palms of
influential courtiers
Eulogy to Panganiban
- August 9, 1890: friend Jose Ma. Panganiban (talented
co-worker in the Propaganda Movement) died in
Barcelona after lingering illness
- Rizal deeply mourned passing of Bicol hero; took up
pen & wrote great eulogy to Panganiban
Aborted Duel with Antonio Luna
- towards end of August 1890: attended social reunion
of Filipinos in Madrid; customary in weekly reunions
of paisanos wine served; after drinking many glasses
Antonio Luna became drunk
- at time, Luna was bitter because of frustrated
romance with Nellie Boustead; deep in his heart was
blaming Rizal for failure to win her although Rizal
previously explained he had nothing to do about it
- in fit of jealousy, uttered certain unsavory remarks
about Nellie; Rizal heard him & high sense of
chivalry could not tolerate any slur against the honor
of any woman; angered by slanderous remark,
challenged Luna to a duel
- Rizal was better pistol shot than Luna but latter was
superior in swordsman (Luna had choice to weapons)
- Filipinos shocked by incident, tried to pacify,
pointing out to both that such a duel would damage
their cause in Spain
- when Luna became sober, realized he made fool of
himself; apologized for bad remarks & Rizal
immediately accepted his apology; 2 became good
friends again
Rizal Challenges Retana to Duel
- Rizal was by nature neither hot-tempered nor
pugnacious but when honor of people, family,
women or friends was desmirched, never hestitated to
fight even if he was risking own life
- challenged bitter enemy of the pen Wenceslao E.
Retana (a talented Spanish scholar) – press agent of
friars in Spain
- used to attack Filipinos including Rizal in various
newspapers in Madrid & other cities in Spain
- 1 day, wrote article in La Epoca (anti-Filipino
newspaper in Madrid) asserting family & friends of
Rizal had not paid rents so that they were ejected
from lands in Calamba by Dominicans
- insult stirred Rizal to action; send seconds to Retana
with challenge to duel only Retana’s blood or
apology could vindicate good name of friends &
family
- discretion is better part of valor, more so to save own
skin, at once published a retraction & apology in
newspapers
- seconds warned him no chance against Rizal on field
of honor for Rizal was superior both pistol & sword
- incident silenced Retana’s pen against Rizal
- developed great admiration & years afterwards, wrote
1st book-length biography of greatest Filipino hero
whose talents he came to recognize & whose
martyrdom he glorified
Infidelity of Leonor Rivera
- autumn of 1890: with friends attended play at Teatro
Apolo & lost hold watch chain with locket containing
picture of Leonor Rivera (proved to be bad omen)
- early December 1890: received letter from Leonor,
announcing her coming marriage to an Englishman
(choice of her mother) & asking for his forgiveness
- several agonizing weeks passed before could confide
in best friend Blumentritt
Rizal-Del Pilar Rivalry
- towards closing days of 1890: unfortunate rivalry for
supremacy
- Rizal until then undisputed leader of Filipinos in
Europe; Del Pilar was fearless lawyer-journalist
gaining prestige in Madrid of for vigorous editorials
in La Solidaridad (came to own)
- purchased fortnightly periodical from Pablo
Rianzares as 1st proprietor & replaced Graciano
Lopez Jaena as editor
- Rizal’s idealism not shared by Del Pilar who loved
wine, women & cards; leadership declined former
admirers became supporters of Del Pilar
- editorial policy of La Solidaridad under Del Pilar’s
management enhanced cleavage between 2; Rizal &
close friends objected to periodical’s editorial policy
occasionally contrary to Rizal’s political views
- to avert break-up, Filipinos in Madrid (numbering
about 90) met on January 1, 1891 (New Year’s Day)
to patch up differences & intensify campaign of
reform
- decided at this meeting that leader called Responsible
be chosen to direct affairs of Filipino community &
to determine editorial policy of La Solidaridad
- Del Pilar opposed proposition that periodical be
placed under control but willing to publish articles
that would help express aspirations & demands of
Filipino people
 - meeting proceeded to business of electing; agreed
that should be elected by two-thirds votes of Filipino
community
Rizal Abdicates His Leadership
- election took place 1st week February 1891
- Filipinos divided into 2 hostile camps: the Rizalistas
& Pilaristas
- Rizal was winning but couldn’t acquire required two-
thirds vote to be proclaimed
- on 3rd day: Mariano Ponce appealed to countrymen
with stirring eloquence to vote for Rizal; some
Pilaristas heeded plea
- Rizal graciously declined coveted position; did not
relish being a leader of a divided people
Adios, Madrid
- wrote brief note thanking compatriots for electing
him as Responsible; boarded train leaving for Biarritz
- gazed through window at city of Madrird (happy on
1st sojourn 1882-1885 / unhappy on 2nd 1890-1891)
CHAPTER 18: ROMANCE WITH
NELLY BOUSTEAD (1891)
- to seek solace for disappointments in Madrid, took
vacation in resort city of Biarritz on fabulous French
Riviera; a guest of rich Boustead family at winter
residence Villa Eliada
- befriended Dr. Eduardo Boustead, wife & 2
daughters (Adelina & Nellie) in Paris 1880-1890;
Aunt Isabel (Mrs. Boustead’s sister)
- had serious romance with Nellie & finished last
chapter of 2nd novel
With the Bousteads in Biarritz
- warmly welcomed beginning of February 1891
- 1-month vacation worked wonders; sorrowing heart
began to sing with joy & health improved
 Nellie Boustead
- Biarritz is an ideal setting for romance
- found her to be a real Filipina, highly intelligence,
vivacious in temperament & morally upright
- write to intimate friends except Blumentritt of love
for Nellie/Nelly & intention to propose marriage
- February 4, 1891 M.H. del Pilar teased about
changing Noli to an “e” which means Nelly
- with encouragement of close friends, courted Nelly
who reciprocated feelings
- marriage proposal failed for 2 reasons:
1. refused to give up Catholic faith & be converted
to Protestantism as Nelly demanded
2. Nelly’s mother didn’t like Rizal as a son-in-law
- years later living in exile in Dapitan, refuted Father
Pablo Pastells’ accusation that he was a Protestant
- like mother of Leonor Rivera, had no wish to entrust
daughter’s happiness to man who was poor in
material things, a physician without paying clientele,
writer who earned nothing from pen & reformer who
was persecuted by friars & government officials in
his own country
- parted as good friends; when learned leaving Europe,
sent farewell letter
El Filibusterism Finished in Biarritz
- frustrated with romance, found consolation in
writing; began to write 2nd novel in Calamba 1887
- March 29, 1891 (eve of departure from Biarritz to
Paris): finished manuscript
 To Paris & Back to Brussels
- March 30, 1891: bid farewell to hospitable & friendly
Bousteads & proceeded to Paris by train
- stayed home of friend Valentin Ventura
- in Paris, wrote to friend Jose Ma. Basa in Hong Kong
April 4 expressing desire to go to British colony &
practice ophthalmology to earn living; requested to
advance amount for 1st class streamer ticket from
Europe to Hong Kong
- middle April 1891: back in Brussels, received by
Marie & Suzanne Jacoby (landladies) & Petite
Suzanne (Belgian girl who loved him)
Retirement from the Propaganda Movement
- since abdicating leadership in Madrid January 1891,
owing to intrigues of jealous compatriots, retired
from reform crusade
- desired to publish 2nd novel, practice medical
profession, & when financially independent, make a
more vigorous campaign for country’s redemption
- notified authorities in Manila from Brussels May 1,
1891 to cancel monthly allowance & devote money
to better cause (education of a young Filipino student
in Europe); notification in letter addressed to Mr.
A.L. Lorena (pseudonym of Deodato Arellano)
Stopped Writing for La Solidaridad
- M.H. del Pilar realized need for collaboration in both
Propaganda Movement & La Solidaridad because
enthusiasm for reform crusade in Spain declining
- August 7, 1891: wrote to Rizal begging forgiveness
for any resentment & requesting to resume writing
- in reply, wrote denying any resentment & explained
why stopped writing
1. need time to work on my book
2. wanted other Filipinos to work also
3. considered very important to party that there be
unity in work
Revising the Fili for Publication
- Brussels: revise finished manuscript, readied for
printing; mostly completed revision May 30, 1891
wrote to Jose Ma. Basa
- June 13 informed Basa “now negotiating with
printing firm, as I don’t know if it will be printed
here (Belgium) or in Spain, cannot sent it to you yet”
CHAPTER 19: EL FILIBUSTERISM
PUBLISHED IN GHENT (1891)
Privations in Ghent
- July 5, 1891: left Brussels for Ghent (famous
university in Belgium); reasons:
1. cost of printing in Ghent cheaper than in
Brussels
2. to escape from enticing attraction of Petite
Suzanne
- met 2 compatriots Jose Alejandro (Pampanga) &
Edilberto Evangelista (Manila) studying engineering
in University of Ghent
- limited funds, lived in cheap boarding house with
roommate Jose Alejandro; frugal life, to economize
further prepared own breakfast in room
- years later Alejandro (became general during
Filipino-American War of 1899-1902 & engineer)
recounted in memoirs their hard life in Ghent
Printing of El Filibusterism
- October 1887: began writing
- London 1888: made some changes to plot &
corrected some chapters already written; wrote more
in Paris & Madrid, finished manuscript in Biarritz on
March 29, 1891
- took him 3 years to write 2nd novel
- searched for printing shop lowest quotation for
publication, found published F. Meyer-Van Loo
Press, No. 66 Viaandered Street – willing to print on
instalment basis; pawned jewelries to pay
downpayment & early partial payments
- while printing going on, became desperate because
funds running low & money expected from friends
didn’t arrive
 - received some money from Basa & P200 from
Rodriguez Arias for copies of Morga’s Sucesos sold
in Manila but also used up
- August 6: printing had to be suspended as Rizal fear
for he could no longer give necessary funds to
printer; wrote to Basa in Hong Kong
Ventura, Savior of the Fili
- help came from unexpected source; Valentin Ventura
in Paris learned of Rizal’s predicament &
immediately sent necessary funds; printing of Fili
resumed
Fili Comes Off the Press
- September 18, 1891: came off press; immediately
sent 2 printed copies to Hong Kong for Basa & Sixto
Lopez
- to Valentin Ventura in Paris, donated original
manuscript & autographed printed copy
- Filipino patriots in foreign islands & in PH praised
novel to skies; members of Filipino colony in
Barcelona published tribute in La Publicidad
eulogizing novel’s original style “comparable only to
sublime Alexander Dumas” & “model & precious
jewel in now decadent literature of Spain”
- El Nuevo Regimen (liberal Madrid newspaper)
serialized novel in issues of October 1891
- all copies of 1st edition (Ghent) placed in wooden
boxes & shopped to Hong Kong but almost all
confiscated & books were lost; immediately became
rare & few available Ghent copies sold at very high
price reaching as high as 400 pesetas per copy
Dedicated to Gom-Bur-Za
- had not forgotten martyrdom of Fathers Gomez,
Burgos & Zamora which Paciano related to him
when he was mere lad
- never in annals of mankind has hero written such
sublime & touching tribute to other heroes
- to straighten historical records, rectify Rizal’s
historical inaccuracies in dedication note
 martyrdom occurred in February 27, 1872 – not
on the 28th
 Father Gomez was 73 years old – not 85
 Father Burgos was 35 years old – not 30
 Father Zamora was 37 years old – not 35
Manuscript & Book
- original manuscript in own handwriting now
preserved in Filipiana Division of Bureau of Public
Libraries, Manila
- acquired by PH Government from Valentin Ventura
for P10,000; consists of 279 pages of long sheets of
paper
- author’s corrections seen throughout; only few pages
not revised; 2 features do not appear on printed book:
FOREWORD (just before dedicatory page) &
WARNING (found on other side of dedication) to
save printing cost
Inscription of title Page
- written by Ferdnand Blumentritt; not found in many
published English translations: “rebel (filibustero)”
Synopsis of El Filibusterism
- sequel to Noli; has little humor, less idealism, less
romance; more revolutionary & more tragic
- hero rice jeweler Simoun (Cristostomo Ibarra who
with Elias’ help escaped from pursuing soldiers at
Laguna Bay, dug up buried treasure & fled to Cuba,
became rich & befriended many Spanish officials);
after many years returns to PH where he freely
moved around; powerful figure good friend & adviser
of governor general
- outwardly friend of Spain; deep in heart secretly
cherishing terrible revenge against Spanish
authorities
- 2 magnificent obsessions:
1. to rescue Maria Clara from nunnery in Santa
Clara
2. to forment revolution against hated Spanish
masters
- story begins on board clumsy, roundish shaped
steamer Tabo sailing upstream Pasig from Manila to
Laguna de Bay
- passengers:
o Simoun (rich jeweler)
o Dona Victorina (ridiculously pro-Spanish native woman
going to Lagune in search of henpecked husband Tiburcio
de Espandana who deserted her)
o Paulita Gomez & beautiful niece
o Ben-Zayb (anagram of Ibanez, Spanish journalist writes
silly articles about Filipinos)
o Father Sibyla (Vice Rector of University of Santo Tomas)
o Padre Camorra (parish priest of town of Tiani
o Don Custodio (pro-Spanish Filipino holding high position
in government)
o Padre Salvi (thin Franciscan friar & former cura of San
Diego)
o Padre Irene (kind friar friend of Filipino students)
o Padre Florentino (retired scholarly & patriotic Filipino
priest)
o Isagani (poet-nephew of Padre Florentino & lover to
Paulita)
o Basilio (son of Sisa & promising medical student whose
financed by patron Capitan Tiago)
- Simoun close friend & confidante of Spanish
governor general; called “Brown Cardinal”/”Black
Eminence” because of great influence on Malacanang
- encourages corruption in gov, promotes oppression of
masses, hastens moral degradation of country so
people may become desperate & fight; smuggles
arms into country with help of rich Chinese merchant
Quiroga who wants to be Chinese consul of Manila
- 1st attempt to begin armed uprising didn’t materialize
because at last hour, hears sad news Maria Clara died
in nunnery; in agonizing moment of bereavement, did
not give signal for outbreak of hostilities
- after long time illness by bitter loss of Maria Clara,
perfects plan to overthrow gov
- on wedding of Paulita Gomez & Juanito Pelaez, gives
wedding gift beautiful lamp; only he & confidential
associate Basilio (Sisa’s son who joined his
revolutionary cause) know when wick of lamp burns
lower nitroglycerine, hidden in secret compartment,
will explode, destroy house where wedding feat held
& killing all guests (including gov general, friars, gov
officials); simultaneously, gov buildings in Manila
will be blown by Simoun’s followers
- as wedding feast begins, poet Isagani (rejected by
Paulita because of liberal ideas) is standing outside
house, watching sorrowfully; friend Basilio warns
him to go away because of lighted lamp soon explode
- upon hearing, realized Paulita was in grave danger; to
save life, rushes into house, seizes lighted lamp &
hurls into river; revolutionary plot discovered
- Simoun cornered by soldiers but escaped; mortally
wounded & carrying treasure chest, sought refuge in
home of Padre Florentino by the sea
- Spanish authorities learn of presence; Lieutenant
Perez of Guardia Civil informs priest by letter he
would come at 8 o’clock that night to arrest
- eluded arrest by taking poison; as he is dying,
confesses to Padre Florentino revealing true identity,
dastardly plan to use wealth to avenge himself &
sinister aim to destroy friends & enemies
- confession long & painful; already night when Padre
Florentino rises & begins to meditate; consoles dying
man; falls upon knees & prays for dead jeweler;
throws treasure chest in sea
- other characters:
o Cabesang Tales (dispossessed land in Tiani by friars like
that of Rizal’s father; in desperation becomes bandit
chieftain Matanglawin)
o Juli (daughter; sweetheart of Basilio kills herself rather
than be dishonored by Padre Camorra)
o Macaraig (rich student & leader of Filipino students in
movement to have academy where could learn Spanish)
o Padre Million (bigoted Dominican friar-professor teaches
physics in University of Santo Tomas without scientific
experiments)
o Placido Penitente (student from Batangas becomes
discontented with poor method of instruction)
o Senor Pasta (old Filipino lawyer refuses to help Filipino
students in petition to gov for educational reforms)
o Tandang Selo (grandfather of Juli & Cabesang Tales’
father)
o Mr. American (impresario owned sideshow at feria of
Quiapo exhibiting Egyptian mummy)
o Sandoval (Spanish student supports cause of Filipino
students to propagate teaching of Spanish)
o Cabesana Andang (mother of Placido Penitente)
o Pepay (pretty dancer & mistress of Don Costudio)
o Padre Fernandez (good Dominican friar & friend of
Isagani)
o Don Timoteo (father of Juanito Pelaez)
o Tano (son of Cabesang Tales)
o Chichay (silversmith made bridal earrings for Paulita
Gomez)
- as in Noli, characters were drawn from real life
Father Leoncio Lopez (friend & priest of Calamba) -
Padre Florentino
Vicente Ilustre (poet) – Isagani
friend in Madrid – Batangueno
Leonor Rivera – Paulita Gomez (loved Isagani but
married Pelaez)
Noli & Fili Compared
- vary in many respect:
- Noli – romantic novel; work of the art, book of
feeling; has freshness, color, humor, lightness & wit
- Fili – political novel; work of the head, book of
thought; contains bitterness, hatred, pain, violence &
sorrow
- original intention make Fili longer than Noli however
as printed is shorted (Noli – 64 chapters / Fili – 38);
had to cut Fili drastically owing to lack of funds
- 2 friends of Rizal & Rizalists today differ in opinion
to which is superior novel
- Rizal considered Noli as superior, agreeing with
M.H. del Pilar & 1st Spanish biographer; other friends
are of opinion Fili is superior
- issue is purely academic; both good novels from
POV of history; both
 depict realistic colors of actual conditions of PH
during decadent days of Spanish rule
 instrumental in awakening spirit of Filipino
nationalism
 responsible in paving grounds for PH Revolution
that brought about the downfall of Spain
Unfinished 3rd Novel
- September 22, 1891 (4 days after Fili came off
press): wrote to Blumentritt “thinking of writing 3 rd,
in modern sense of world but this time the principal
role deal mainly with habits & customs of Filipinos
& only 2 Spaniards will be there; I wish it to be
humorous, satirical, witty, laugh amidst tears, cry
bitterly”
- October 18, 1891: boarded steamer Melbourne in
Marseilles bound for Hong Kong
- during voyage began writing in Tagalog intended for
Tagalog readers; continued in Hong Kong but for
some reason didn’t finish it
- no title; consists of 44 pages in handwriting, still in
manuscript form; preserved in National Library,
Manila
- story begins with solemn burial of Prince Tagulima,
son of Sultan Zaide of Ternate, on Malapad-na-Bato
(big rocks on bank of Pasig River)
- Sultan Zaide taken prisoner by Spaniards during wars
in Moluccas & brought to Manila; old sultan,
children & followers promised good treatment but
Spaniards let them die 1 by 1 in misery
- hero of novel is Kamandagan (descendant of Lakan-
Dula, last king of Tondo); plotted to regain lost
freedom of his fathers; 1 day saved his 2 beautiful
granddaughters Maligaya & Sinagtala from lustful
Spaniards (cura & encomendero of Bay Laguna)
- Rizal fortunate for not finishing novel; would have
caused greater scandal & more Spanish vengeance
Other Unfinished Novels
- Makamisa – novel in Tagalog written in light
sarcastic style & is incomplete for only 2 chapters
finished; manuscript consists of 20 pages
- Dapitan – unfinished written in ironic Spanish; wrote
during exile in Dapitan to depict town life &
customs; manuscript consists of 8 pages
- novel about life in Pili (town in Laguna) written in
Spanish; no title; manuscript 147 pages; among
characters are Padre Agaton (Spanish friar), Capitan
Panchong & Capitana Barang, Cecilia (pretty
daughter), Isagani (lover of Cecilia), Capitan Crispin
(political rival of Panchong), Dr. Lopez (free thinker)
- another without title about Cristobal (youthful
Filipino student returned from Europe); manuscript
34 pages; characters Cristobal (studied 12 years in
Europe), Amelia (sweetheart), Capitan Ramon
(father, Dominican friar), a Franciscan friar &
Spanish lieutenant of Guardia Civil
- beginnings of other novel contained in 2 notebooks:
1st contain 12 written pages; describes deplorable
conditions of PH; written in Spanish ironic style
CHAPTER 20: OPHTHALMIC SURGEON
IN HONG KONG (1891-1892)
- left for Hong Kong after publication; lived from
November 1891 to June 1892; reasons for leaving
Europe were:
- 1. life was unbearable because of political differences
with M.H. del Pilar & other Filipinos in Spain
- to be near idolized PH & family
- notified Del Pilar he was retiring from political arena
in Spain to preserve unity among compatriots &
despite parting ways, had highest regards for him
Farewell to Europe
- October 3, 1891 (2 weeks after publication): left
Ghent for Paris stayed few days to say goodbye to
Lunas, Pardo de Taveras, Venturas & other friends
- October 18: boarded steamer Melbourne bound HK
- brought letter of recommendation by Juan Luna for
Manuel Camus (compatriot living in Singapore) &
600 copies of Fili
- trip was delightful, heavenly; over 80 first-class
passengers mostly Europeans including 2 Spaniards
going to Amoy (Rizal only Asian); amazed fellow-
passengers because of knowledge of many languages
& skills in sketching
- befriended many missionaries: Italian Fraciscans,
French Jesuits, a bishop Msgr. Valenteri all going to
China; Father Funchs (Tyrolese) enjoyed playing
chess “fine fellow, Father Damaso without pride &
malice”
Rizal & German Ladies
- on board Melbourne evening at dinner time
passengers having meal in dining room; eating alone
at 1 table near him bigger table occupied by German
ladies gaily eating & gossiping about lone Asian
 male; Rizal fluent in German understood but kept
silent
- fast running steamer encountered heavy squall &
door was blown open; nobody stood to close door
lady said to companions in German “if man in front
of us were a gentleman, he would close the door”;
upon hearing Rizal rose & close door after which
resumed seat; then conversed with ladies in perfect
German; embarrassed, treated with admiration &
respect despite brown skin for he was cultured
gentleman
 Arrived in Hong Kong
- November 20, 1891: welcomed by Filipino residents,
old friend Jose Ma. Basa; established residence at
No. 5 D’Aguilar Street, No. 2 Rednaxola Terrace
where opened medical clinic
- December 1: wrote parents asking permission to
return home
- brother-in-law Manuel T. Hidalgo sent letter relating
sad news of deportation of 25 persons from Calamba
including father, Neneng, Sisa, Lucia, Paciano & rest
of us; was preparing to write to Queen Regent of
Spain explaining Calamba situation in order to secure
justice; letter revealed sorrow & despair of Rizal
family
Family Reunion in Hong Kong
- before Christmas 1891, gladdened by arrival of
father, brother & Silvestre Ubaldo in HK; not long
after mother & sisters Lucia, Josefa & Trinidad
- mother then 65 years old & almost blind; suffered
much from Spanish brutality & injustice
- year before (1890) she was arrested on flimsy charge
not using surname “Realonda” & despite advanced
age & blindeness, forced to walk from Calamba to
Santa Cruz, Laguna; Spanish governor of Laguna
(gallant cavalier) pitied her & set her free
- one of happiest Yuletide celebrations for he had
happy family reunion
Ophthalmic Surgeon in Hong Kong
- Dr. Lorenzo P. Marques (Portuguese physician who
became good friend & admirer) helped build wide
clientele; in recognition of skill, turned over to him
many of his eye cases
- became successful & well-known medical
practitioner in British colony; had many patients
(British, Chinese, Portuguese & Americans);
successfully operated mother’s left eye so she was
able to read & write again
- general practitioner
- some friends in Europe gave moral & substantial aid
in medical practice in HK; Mr. Boustead (Nellie’s
father from Biarritz wrote March 21, 1892 praising
him for practicing his medical profession
- Dr. Ariston Bautista Lim (from Paris) sent
congratulatory letter & book on Diagnostic Pathology
by Dr. H. Virchow & another medical book Traite
Dianostique by Mesnichock
- Don Antonio Vergel de Dios (from Paris) offered
services for purchase of medical books & instruments
he might need for profession
- had he devoted lifetime to practice of medicine he
would become one of Asia’s eminent
ophthalmologists; “distinguished Filipino
ophthalmologist” – Dr. Geminiano de Ocampo
Borneo Colonization Project
- in face of bleak outlook of Calamba folks under
Governon Valeriano Weyler’s terroristic regime,
conceived establishment of Filipino colony in North
Borneo (Sabah); planned to move landless Filipino
families to rich British-owned island & carve out its
virgin wilderness a “New Calamba”
- March 7, 1892: went to Sandakan on board shop
Menon to negotiate with British authorities for
establishment of Filipino colony
- looked over land up Bengkoka River in Marandu Bay
which was offered by British North Borneo Company
- mission was successful; British authorities of Borneo
willing to give Filipino colonists 100,000 acres of
land, a beautiful harbor & good government for 999
years free of charge
- by April 20, was back in HK
- friends in Europe enthusiastically endorsed Borneo
colonization project; Lopez Jaena expressed desire to
join colony writing May 26, 1892
- Hidalgo (brother-in-law, brave Batangueno) objected
“why should we leave the PH, this beautiful country
of ours?”
- new trends in PH gave new hope for realizing Borneo
project; infamous Weyler (Cubans odiously called
“The Butcher” was relieved of gubernatorial office;
new governor general Eulogio Despujol (Count of
Caspe) announced fine program of government
- in belief that Governor Despujol was sincere in
promises, sent letter of felicitation & offering
cooperation; did not even acknowledge receipt of
letter, violating simple rule of Spanish courtest
- in vainly waiting for 3 months for reply to 1 st letter
(December 23, 1891), wrote second letter dated
March 21, 1892 & gave to ship captain to be sure it
would reach hand; requested to permit landless
Filipinos to establish themselves in Borneo
- notified Spanish consul general in Hong Kong to tell
Rizal he couldn’t approve Filipino immigration to
Borneo, alleging that “the PH lacked laborers” & “it
was not very patriotic to go off & cultivate foreign
soil”
Writings in Hong Kong
 Ang Mga Karapatar Nang Tao” – Tagalong translation of
“The Rights of Men” proclaimed by French Revolution in
1789
 A la Nacion Espanola (To the Spanish Nation) – 1891 an
appeal to Spain to right the wrongs done to Calamba
tenants
 Sa Mga Kababayan (To my Countrymen) – December
1891 another proclamation explaining Calamba agrarian
situation
- contributed articles to The Hong Kong Telegraph
(British daily newspaper) whose editor Mr. Frazier
Smith was friend
- copies entered PH so Filipinos able to read articles;
vigilant Spanish censors soon discovered spread of
ideas & immediately banned newspaper
 Una Visita a la Victoria Gaol (A Visit to Victoria Gaol) –
March 2, 1892 an account of visit to colonial prison of
HK; contrasted cruel Spanish prison system with modern
& more humane British prison system
 Colonization of British North Borneo by Familiars from
the PH Islands – to elucidate Borneo colonization project;
elaborated on same ideas in another article in Spanish
Project of the Colonization of British North Borneo by the
Filipinos
 La Mano Roja (The Red Hands) – June 1892 printed in
sheet form; denounces frequent outbreak of intentional
fires in Manila
 Constitution of the Liga Filipina – most important writing
made during HK sojourn ; printed in HK 1892; to deceive
Spanish authorities printed copies carried false info that
printing done by London Printing Press
- idea of establishing Liga Filipina (PH League), an
association of patriotic Filipinos for civic purposes,
originally conceived by Jose Ma. Basa but Rizal
wrote its constitution & realized establishment
- copies of printed Liga constitution were sent by Rizal
to Domingo Franco (friend in Manila)
Decision to Return to Manila
- May 1892: decision spurred by:
1. to confer with Governor Despujol regarding
Borneo colonization project
 2. to establish the Liga Filipina in Manila
3. to prove Eduardo de Lete was wrong in attacking
him in Madrid that he, being comfortable & safe
in HK, abandoned country’s cause
- Lete’s attack printed La Solidaridad April 15, 1892
portrayed Rizal as cowardly, egoistic, oppurunistic—
a patriot in words only
- Rizal vehemently protested to Del Pilar (editor of La
Solidaridad)
- confided to Ponce May 23, 1892
Last Hong Kong Letters
- relatives & friends opposed decision to return home
because it was like bearding lions in their den
- Trinidad tearfully warned “for here they will kill
you”
- June 19, 1892: spent 31st birthday in Hong Kong; had
premonition of death on June 20 wrote 2 letters
which he sealed, inscribed on each envelop “to be
opened after my death” & gave to friend Dr. Marques
for safe keeping (pages of history there is scarcely
parallel for 2 sealed letters which were virtually
Rizal’s political statements)
- 1st letter addressed to parents, brethren & friends
- 2nd letter addressed to the Filpinos
- June 21, 1892: penned another letter for Governor
Despujol incidentally 3rd letter to discourteous
Spanish chief executive; in letter, informed governor
general of coming to Manila & placed himself under
protection of Spanish government
- on same date June 21, Rizal & sister Lucia (widow of
Herbosa) left HK for Manila; carried special passport
of safe-conduct issue by Spanish consul-general in
Hong Kong
Rizal Falls into Spanish Trap
- Spanish consul-general (issued government guarantee
of safety) sent cablegram to Governor Despujol that
victim “is in the trap”
- June 21, 1892: secret case filled in Manila against
Rizal & followers “for anti-religious & anti-patriotic
agitation”
- deceitful Despujol ordered secretary Luis de la Torre
found out if Rizal was naturalized as German citizen
as rumored so he might take proper action against
one “who had protection of a strong nation”
- Rizal & sisters peacefully crossing China Sea,
unaware of Spanish duplicity