Ferdinand Bluementritt Blumentritt was born in Prague (in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire).

He is a nephew of the Hungarian German writer Ferenc Virghalmi. He wrote expansively about the Philippines, although he never visited the islands. Blumentritt became one of Rizal's closest confidant although they met only once. He translated the latter's first book, Noli me Tangere, into German and wrote the preface to Rizal's second book, El filibusterismo, although he was against its publication. These two novels are commentaries disguised as fiction which angered both the Catholic Church and the Spanish colonial government, and which eventually led to Rizal's 1896 trial and execution. Blumentritt died in Litomice (German: Leitmeritz), Czech Republic. He is memorialized in the Philippines by numerous public parks and streets. Among them are Avenida Blumentritt, Blumentritt LRT Station, Blumentritt railway station, the Blumentritt Market in Metro Manila and the Blumentritt Street in Naga City and Tuguegarao. Wenceslao "Wenchesco" Emilio Retana y Gamboa Wenceslao "Wenchesco" Emilio Retana y Gamboa (1862-1924), also known as W.E. Retana or Wenceslao E. Retana, is a 19th-centurySpanish civil servant, colonial administrator, writer, biographer, political commentator, publisher, bibliophile, bibliographer, Filipiniana collector, Spanish filipinologist, and Philippine scholar. Retana was a "onetime adversary" of Philippine national hero Jos Rizal who later became an "admirer" who wrote the first biographical account of the life of Rizal entitled Vida y Escritos del Dr. Jos Rizal or "Life and Writings of Dr. Jos Rizal". Rosa M. Vallejo described Retana as the "foremost" non-Filipino filipinologist. Valentin Ventura Valentin Ventura (b. 1860 - d. 1935) was a reformist during the revolutionary period. He was the one who financed the publication of Jose Rizal's El Filibusterismo. He was born in Bacolor, Pampanga, son of Don Honorio Ventura who was the Secretary of Interior. After finishing his studies he was encouraged by his brother Don Balbino to go to Spain and join the other Filipinos like Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena in their quest for a peaceful reforms in the Philippines. He went to Spain and other European cities, primarily for further studies. He lived there for three decades, where he visited most of the European cities and museums where he met Juan Luna. When the propaganda movement started he helped fortify the cause of the movement. Jose Rizal got a chance to meet and be friends with Valetin during the stay of Rizal in his house in Paris. It was where he had the opportunity to listen to the ideas of Rizal which he greatly admired. He used to read the novel Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo during his free time. He was so impressed by the work of Rizal's novel Fili that he read it all over again, he described it as perfect, correct, vigorous, poetic, and deeply felt. When the printing of Fili was suspended due to the lack of funds,

he offered his money that was being sent by his brother in order to support the printing of the second novel. In 1891, while Rizal was in Ghent, Belgium, Valentin sent the amount of one hundred fifty pesos in aid for Rizal and promised to sent him more money so that he would not to solicit help from other Filipinos. When the book was published and distributed, Rizal gave him the original manuscript of the novel as a token of his gratitude for his contribution. This was kept by the latter as a souvenir for his family, an offer from a Spanish-American Museum to buy the manuscript, he rejected the offer and said that if the Philippine Government would desire to have the copy, he is more than willing to give it as a donation. The manuscript was acquired by the National Library through Dr. Tinidad H. Pardo de Tavera. Valentin was married to Carmen Tobar who was a Spanish mestiza and had four children Jose, Valentine, Carmen, Maria. He and his family came back to the Philippines in the late 1920's only to find the unsatisfactory conditions of the country. went back to Spain, and died in the early 1930's. His remains were burried in Barcelona. Me declaro catolica y en esta Religion en que naci y me eduque quiero vivir y morir. Me retracto de todo corazon de cuanto en mis palabras, escritos, inpresos y conducta ha habido contrario a mi cualidad de hijo de la Iglesia Catolica. Creo y profeso cuanto ella ensea y me somento a cuanto ella manda. Abomino de la Masonaria, como enigma que es de la Iglesia, y como Sociedad prohibida por la Iglesia. Puede el Prelado Diocesano, como Autoridad Superior Eclesiastica hacer publica esta manifastacion espontanea mia para reparar el escandalo que mis actos hayan podido causar y para que Dios y los hombers me perdonen. Manila 29 de Deciembre de 1896 Jose Rizal Jefe del Piquete Juan del Fresno Ayudante de Plaza Eloy Moure Translation (English) I declare myself a catholic and in this Religion in which I was born and educated I wish to live and die. I retract with all my heart whatever in my words, writings, publications and conduct has been contrary to my character as son of the Catholic Church. I believe and I confess whatever she teaches and I submit to whatever she demands. I abominate Masonry, as the enemy which is of the Church, and as a Society prohibited by the Church. The Diocesan Prelate may, as the Superior Ecclesiastical Authority, make public this spontaneous manifestation of mine in order to repair the scandal which my acts may have caused and so that God and people may pardon me.

Manila 29 of December of 1896 Jose Rizal La Voz Espaola, December 30, 1896 Me declaro catolica y en esta Religion en que naci y me eduque quiero vivir y morir. Me retracto de todo corazon de cuanto en mis palabras, escritos, inpresos y conducta ha habido contrario a mis cualidades de hijo de la Iglesia Catolica. Creo y profeso cuanto ella ensea y me somento a cuanto ella manda. Abomino de la Masonaria, como enigma que es de la Iglesia y como sociedad prohibida por la Iglesia. Puede el Prelado Diocesano, como autoridad superior eclesiastica hacer publica esta manifastacion espontanea para reparar el escandalo que mis actos hayan podido causar y para que Dios y los hombers me perdonen. Manila, 29 de Diciembre de 1896-Jose Rizal Jefe del Piquete Juan del Fresno Ayudante de Plaza Eloy Moure Fr. Balaguer's text, January 1897 Me declaro catolica y en esta Religion en que naci y me eduque quiero vivir y morir. Me retracto de todo corazon de cuanto en mis palabras, escritos, inpresos y conducta ha habido contrario a mi calidad de hijo de la Iglesia. Creo y profeso cuanto ella ensea y me somento a cuanto Ella manda. Abomino de la Masonaria, como enigma que es de la Iglesia, y como Sociedad prohibida por la misma Iglesia. Puede el Prelado diocesano, como Autoridad superior eclesiastica hacer publica esta manifastacion espontanea mia, para reparar el escandalo que mis actos hayan podido causar, y para que Dios y los hombers me perdonen. Manila, 29 de Diciembre de 1896-Jose Riza