At the University of Santo Tomas Fortunately, Rizal’s first romance, with its bi

tter disillusionment, did not adversely affect his studies in the University of
Santo Tomas. His love for higher education proved to be greater than his love fo
r a pretty girl. After finishing the first year of the course in Philosophy and
Letters (1877-780), he transferred to a medical course. During the year of his s
tudies in the university, which was under the Dominicans, rival education of the
Jusuits, he remained loyal to Ateneo, where he continued to participate in extr
a curricular activities and where he completed the education course in surveying
. As a Thomasian, he won more literary laurels, had more romances with girls, an
d fought against Spanish students. Mother’s position to higher education. After
graduation with the highest position in Ateneo, Rizal had to go the University o
f Santo Tomas in order to prepare him self to a private career. The Bachelor of
arts degree during Spanish times was equivalent to a high school diploma today.
It merely qualified its holder to enter a university. Both Don Francisco and Pac
iano that Jose should pursue a higher learning. But Dona Teodora did not want hi
m to study more. Evidently she had a premonition that to much knowledge would im
peril his child life. In a family council in the Rizal’s home in Calamba, she vi
gorously objected to have her beloved Jose acquired a higher education. She was
thinking of the safety of her son. She know the fate of Filipino intellectuals-F
ather Burgos, Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, Jose Ma. Basa, and others of 1872-who wer
e either executed or exiled by the Spanish authorities, and blamed their sad fat
e to their learning.
Fearful of the Spanish authorities who seem to frown on those Filipinos who lear
n to much, she warned her husband. “Do not send Jose again to Manila. If gets to
know to much, they will cut off his head!” Jose, who was present in their famil
y council when his mother said this, was shocked. He know her mother was a woman
o education and culture: she even taught him and inspired him to write poetry;
she came from a family of high learning – her own brother ( and his uncle) Jose
Alberto Alonso had been educated abroad and could speak multiple Spanish, French
, English and German. Rizal enters the university. In April 1877, Rizal, who was
bearly 16 years old, matriculated in the University of Santo Tomas taking up Ph
ilosophy and Letters. He enrolled in this course for two reasons: (1) his father
like it and (2) he was was “still uncertain ti what career to follow”. He had w
ritten to father Pablo Ramon, Recotr of the Ateneo, who had been good to him dur
ing his days in Ateneo, asking for advice in the choice of career. Unfortunately
, Father Recto was in Mindanao and during those days it several months to travel
a letter from Manila to Mindanao. Consequently during his first term (1877-78)
in the University of Santo Tomas he studied Cosmology, Metaphysics, Theodicy and
History of Philosophy. It was during the school term (1978-79) that Rizal took
up medicine, enrolling simultaneously in preparatory medical course and the regu
lar first year medical course.
The reason why he studied medicine were: 1.) he wanted to be a physician so that
he may cure his mother’s failing eyesight. 2.) the Father Recto of the Universi
ty, whom he consulted for a choice of career, finally answered his letter, and r
ecommended medicine. Finishes Surveying course in Ateneo (1878). During his term
in University of Santo Tomas (1877 – 78, Rizal also studied in Ateneo, he took
the vocational course leading to a title of porito agrimensor (expert surveyor))
. In those days it should be remembered, the college for boys in Manila offered
vocational courses in agriculture, commerce, mechanics and surveying. Rizal’s un
happy days at UST. Rizal’s Ateneo boy wonder, found the atmosphere at the UST a
suffocating to his sensitive spirit. He was unhappy of this Dominican Institutio
n of high learning because (1) the Dominican processors were hostile to him, (2)
the filipino students were racially discriminated, and (3) the method of teachi
ngs were obsolete and repressive. Decision to study abroad. After finishing the
fourth year of his medical course, Rizal decided to study in Spain. He could no
longer endure the rampant bigotry, discrimination, and hostility in UST. His unc
le, Antonio Rivera, Leonor’s father, encourage him to go abroad. Both Paciano an
d Saturnina, whom he contacted secretly, were of similar opinion.
For the first time, Rizal did not seek his parent’s decision and blessing to go
abroad, because he knew that they, especially his mother will disapprove his pla
n. He did not also bring his beloved Leonor in his confidence. He had enough com
mon sense to know that Leonor, being a woman, and young and romantic at that, co
uld not keep a secret. Thus, Rizal,s parent, Leonor, and the Spanish authorities
knew nothing of his decision to go abroad in order to finish his medical studie
s in Spain, where the professors were more tolerant and understanding than those
of the University of Santo Tomas.
Spain With his parent’s blessings and unknown to Spanish authorities, Rizal left
Manila on May 8, 1882. He went to Spain where he completed his university study
, improved his knowledge in language and arts. At that time, the government in S
pain was a constitutional monarchy. Secret departure on Spain. Rizal’s departure
in Spain was kept secret in order to avoid detection by the colonial officials
and the friars. Even his own parents did not know that he was leaving. Only uncl
e Antonio Rivera, Paciano and sisters and some close friends knew. Paciano gave
hin 700 pesos. Staurnina gave hima diamond ring which helped him very much durin
g his days of poverty in Europe. To maintain his studies and Sojourn abroad, he
needed a monthly allowance of 35 pesos, and this amount Paciano promised to send
regularly through uncle Antonio. Rizal used a passport obtained by a cousin nam
ed “Jose Mercado”. To outwit the Spanish authorities, he went to Calamba ostensi
bly to attain the town fiesta. A crytic telegram by Manuel T. Hidalgo from Manil
a arrived, announcing that the Spanish steamer Salvadora was scheduled to sail S
ingapore. Early in Morning in May 1, 882, he left Calamba by carromata, reaching
manila after 10 hours of travel. He had time to book travel. He had time to boo
k passage on the Salvadora, to write farewell letters to his family and friends,
and bid good-bye to his friends. The kind Jesuit father, whom he visited to say
adios, gave him letters of recommendation to members of their Society in Barcel
ona. He said also a tearfull farewell meeting to his
beloved, Leonor. This proved to be their last meeting, for they were destined ne
ver to meet again. Singapore. During the voyage, Rizal keenly observe the person
s and things around him and compared him with those in Philippines. He was the o
nly Filipino on board. His fellow passengers were foreign travelers and some Spa
nish imployees and merchants returning to Spain. “Almost all of those men” he wr
ote, speaking of the Spanish travelers, “spoke ill of the country for which they
have gone for pecuniary reasons”. After five days of sailing, the Salvadora rea
ched the English colony in Singapore. For the first time, Rizal saw Singapore an
d was impressed by its progress and beautiful sights. He particularly admired “t
he confidence which the native Singapore seemed to have their government” surely
a great contrast to “the fear of their shown in the Filipinos”. First trip thro
ugh Suez Canal. In Singapore, Rizal boarded in Djemnah, a French steamer, which
was sailing to Europe. It was Larger and cleaner than the Salvadora. He tried to
Speak French in some passengers, but to his surprise, the bookish French which
he learned in Ateneo could not be understood. He had to speak it with a mixture
of Latin and Spanish words, aided with much gesticulation and frequent sketching
on paper, to himself understood. A week after leaving Singapore, the steamer re
ached Point de Galle. In the morning of May 18, voyage was resumed, and in the a
fternoon on the same day the steamer docked at the Colomb, Ceylon.
From Colombo the steamer crossed the Indian Ocean to Café Guardafui in Africa. O
n May 18, he saw for the first time the coast of Africa. On June 2, he arrived i
n the city of Suez, the Red Sea terminal of the Suez Canal. Naples and Marseille
s. From Port Said, the Djemnah proceed to its way to Europe. On June 11, Rizal r
each Naples. On the night of June 12, the steamer docked at the French harbor of
Marseilles. Barcelona. At Marseilles, Rizal took the train for the last lap for
his trip to Spain. After the passport inspection on Port-Bou, Rizal continued h
is trip by rail, finally reaching destination, Bacelona. The Filipinos in Barcel
ona, some of whom were his schoolmates in the Ateneo, welcomed Rizal. They gave
him parties at their favorite café in Plaza de Cataluna. “Amor Patrio”. In progr
essive Barcelona, Rizal wrote a
nationalistic esay entitled Amor Patrio (Love of Country). He sent this article
to his friend in Manila, Basilio Teodor, who was a member a editorial staff of t
he Diariong Tagalog, the first manila daily to have tagalong section. Rizal’s Am
or Patrio under his pen-name Laong Laan, appeared in print in Diariong Tagalog o
n August 20, 1982. It was published in two
texts – Spanish and Tagalog. Tagalog text was a Tagalog translation maid by M. H
. del Pilar. Rizal’s moved to Madrid. While sojourning in Barcelona, Rizal recei
ved a sad news about the cholera that was ravaging Manila and provinces. Accordi
ng to Paciano’s letter, dated September 15, 1882, the Calamba folks were having
an afternoon novellas to San Roque and nocturnal procession and prayers so that
God may stop the dreadful epidemic, whish the Spanish health authorities were im
potent to check. In one of his letters (dates May 26, 1882), Paciano advised his
younger brother to finish his medical course in Madrid. Evidently, heeding his
advised, Rizal left Barcelona in the fall of 1882 and established himself Madrid
, the Capital of Sapin. Life in Madrid. On November 3, 1882, Rizal enrolled in t
he Universidad Central de Madrid ( Central university of Madrid) Medicine and Ph
ilosophy and Letters. “They ask me after verses”. In 1882, shortly after his arr
ival in Madrid, Rizal joined the Circulo hispano Filipinos ( Hispano-Philippine
Circle), a Society of Spaniards and Filipinos. Upon a request of the members of
the society, he wrote a poem entitled Me Piderm versos (They ask me for Verses).
In this sad poem he poured out the cry of his agonizing hearts.
Rizal become a Mason. In Spain, Rizal came in contact with the liberal and repub
lican elements, most of whom were Masons. Being young and lonely in foreign coun
try, he was easily impressed by the way of the prominent Spanish attacked the go
vernment and the Church. In due time, his friends who were Masons persuade him t
o join Masonry. In 1883 he joined the Masonic Lodge Acacia in Madrid. His Masoni
c name was Dimasalang. Two reasons why he joined Masonry: 1.)The bad friars in t
he Philippines, by their abuses unworthy of their priestly habbit or calling, Ri
zal drove to desperation and Masonry. 2.)He needed the help of Masons to fight t
he bad friars in the Philippines, for Masonry, to Rizal, was a shield to used in
his fight against the evil forces of tyranny.
Rizal became a master of Masons in Lodge Solidaridad on November 15, 1890. Later
, on February 15, 1892, he became a Master Mason of Le Grand Orient France in Pa
ris. Rizal’s salute to Luna and Hidalgo. At the National Exposition of Fine Arts
in Madrid in 1884, both Luna and Hidalgo won signal honors for their country. T
hey entered this art competition against many painters in Europe, and emerged tr
iumphant.
Studies completed in Spain. Rizal completed his medical course in Spain. He was
awarded the degree of Licentiate in Medicine by the Universidad Central de Madri
d on June 21, 1884. The next academic year ( 1884-85) he studied and pass all su
bjects leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine. “Due to the fact that he did
not present the thesis required for graduation nor paid the fees, he was not aw
arded his Doctor’s Diploma”.
Paris to Berlin After completing his studies in Madrid, Rizal went to Paris and
Germany in order to specialized in ophthalmology. In Gay Paris (1885-86). Shortl
y after terminating his study in Universidad Central de Madrid, Rizal, who was t
hen 24 years old and already a physician, decided to go to Paris in order to aqu
ire more knowledge in ophthalmology. On his way to Paris, he stopped at Barcelon
a to visit his friend, Maximo Viola, a medical student and a member of a rich fa
mily in San Miguel, Bulacan. In October, 1885, Rizal was living in Paris, where
his sojourned for about four months. He worked as an assistant to Dr. Louis de W
eckert (1852-1906), leading French ophthalmologist. In Historic Heidelberg. Afte
r acquiring enough experience as an ophthalmologist in Dr. Weckert’s clinic, Riz
al reluctantly left gay Paris, where he spent so many happy days. First letter t
o Blumentritt. On July 31, 1886, Rizal wrote his letter in German to Professor F
erdinand Blumentritt, Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Australia. He had he
ard of this Australia ethnologist and his interest on Philippine language. Fifth
Centenary of Heidelberg University. Rizal was fortunate to be sojourned in Heid
elberg when the famous University of
Heidelberg held his fifth centenary celebration on August 6, 1886. it was two da
ys before his departure, and he was sad because he came to love the beautiful ci
ty and its hospitable people. Rizal welcomed in Berlin’s Cientific Circles. Riza
l was enchanted by Berlin because of its scientific atmosphere and the absence o
f race prejudice. Rizal’ s life in Berlin. In Berlin, Rizal was not a mere stude
nt or a curious tourist. He live in this famous capital for five reasons: 1.) 2.
) 3.) 4.) To gain further knowledge in ophthalmologist. To further his studies i
n sciences and languages. To observe the conditions of German Nation. To finish
his novel, Noli Me Tangere.
Rizal’s tour of Europe with Viola, 1887 After the Noli came off the press in Ber
lin, Rizal planned to visit the important places in Europe. Dr. Maximo Viola agr
eed to be his traveling componion. Rizal had received Paciano’s remittance of 1,
000 pesos which was forwarded by Juan Luna to Paris. He immediately paid Viola t
he sum of 300 pesos which the latter kindly loaned so that the Noli could be pri
nted. Having paid his debt, and with adequate fund in his pocket, he was ready t
o see Europe before returning to Calmba. First, he and Viola visited Potsdam, a
city near berlin, which Frederick the Great made famous. The tour begins. At the
dawn of May 11, 1887, Rizal and Viola, two brown-skinned doctors on roaming spr
ee, left Berlin by train. It was an ideal reason fo traveling. Spring was in the
air, and all over the Europe the flowers were blooming, the meadows were turnin
g green and the villagers were humming with activity. According to Viola the lug
gage of Rizal included all the letters he had received from his (Rizal’s) family
and friends. Their destination was Dresden, “one of the best cities in German.”
Dresden. Rizal and Viola tarried for some times in Dresden. Their visit coincid
ed with the regional floral exposition. Rizal was interested in botany, studied
the “numerous plant varieties of extraordinary beauty and size.” They visited Dr
. Adolph B. Meyer, who was overjoyed to see them. In the Museum of Art, which th
ey also visited, Rizal was deeply impressed by a painting of “Prometheus Bound”
and recalled seeing a representation of the same idea in an art gallery in Paris
.
Beautiful
Memories
of
Leitmeritz.
Rizal
had
beautiful
memories of his visit to Leitmeritz. He enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Blum
entritt family. The proffesor’s wife Rosa, was a good cook, and she prepared spe
cial Australian dishes which Rizal liked very much. Prague. After Leitmeritz, Ri
zal and Viola visited the historic city of Prague. Vienna. On May 20, Rizal and
Viola arrived in the beautiful city of Vienna, capital ofd Australia-Hungary. Da
nubian Voyage to Lintz. On May 25, Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a rivedr boat
to see the beautiful sights of a Danube river. From Lintz to Rheinfall. The rive
r viyage ended in Lintz. They traveled overland to Salz burg, and from there to
Munich where they sojourned for a short time savor the famous Munich beer, reput
ed to be the best in Germany. Crossing the Frontier to Switzerland. From Rheinfa
ll, they crossed the frontier to Schaffhausen, Switzerland. They continued their
tour to Bassel, Bern, and Lausanne. Geneva. After sightseeing in Lausanne, Riza
l and Viola left on a little boat, crossing the foggy Leman Lake to Geneva. Riza
l in Italy. From Geneva, Rizal went to Italy. He visited Turin, Milan, Venice, a
nd Florence. On June 27, 1887, he reached
Rome, the “City of the Ceasar”. After a week, he prepared to return in Philippin
es.