Chapter 6

In sunny Spain (1882-1885)

After finishing the 4

th

year of medical course In the University of Sto. Tomas, JoseRizal being disgusted with the antiquated
method of instruction in this Dominican-owned university and the racial prejudice of Dominican
professors against Filipinostudents, decided to complete his studies to Spain was a constitutional
monarchyunder a written constitution which granted human rights to the people, particularlyfreedom
of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom assembly. Aside from thisostensible reason, he had
another reason, which was more important than merelycompleting his studies in Spain this was his
“secret mission”.

Rizal’s Secret mission

This mission whom Rizal conceived with approval of his order brother Paciano wasto observe keenly the
life and culture, Languages and customs, industries andcommerce, and government and laws of the
European nations in order to preparehimself in the mighty task of liberating his oppressed people from
Spanish tyranny. This was evidenced in his farewell letter which was delivered to his parents shortlyafter
his departure for Spain.

Secret Departure for Spain

Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept secret to avoid detection by the Spanishauthorities and the friars.
Even his own parents did not know. Before his secret hewrote a farewell letter for his beloved parents
and another one for his sweet heartLeonor Rivera-both delivered shortly after he sailed away. On May
3, 1882, Rizaldeparted on board the Spanish steamer

Salvadora

bound for Singapore. With tearsin his eyes and gloom in his heart, he gazed at the receding skyline of
Manila.

Singapore

During the voyage to Singapore he carefully observed the people and things onboard the steamer. There
were sixteen passengers, including himself. The shipcaptain Donato Lecha from Asturias Spain
befriended him. To while away thetedious boredom of sea voyage Rizal played chess with his fellow
passenger whowere much older than he. He defeated them many times for he was a good chessplayer.
On May 8, 1882, while the steamer was approaching Singapore Rizal saw abeautiful island. Fascinated
by its scenic beauty, he remembered “Talim Island withsusong dalaga”. The following day the Salvadora
docked at Singapore. Rizal landedregistered at Hotel Dela Paz, and spent two days on sight seeing soiree
of the citywhich was colony of England. He saw the famous botanical garden the beautifulBuddhist
temple the busy shopping district and the statue if sir Tomas StanfordRaffles (founder of singapore).
From Singapore to Colombo

In Singapore Rizal transferred to another ship Djemnah a French steamerwhich left Singapore for Europe
on May 11. It was a larger and cleaner vessel whichcarried more passengers. Rizal attempted to
converse with his fellow passengers inFrench but to his surprise and embarrassment he found out that
his book Frenchcould not be understood so that he had to speak in mixed Spanish-Latinsupplemented
by much gesticulations and sketching on paper. On May 17 theDjemnah reach point Galle a seacoast
town in southern Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Rizalwas unimpressed by this town. On his travelled diary he wrote:
“The generalappearance of point Galle is picturesque but lonely and quite and at the same timesad.”
The following day the Djemnah weighed anchor and resumed the voyagetowards Colombo, the capital
of Ceylon. After a few hours of sailing he reached thiscity on the same day. He delightful scribbled on his
diary: “Colombo is morebeautiful smart and elegant than Singapore Point Galle and Manila.”

First Trip to Suez Canal

From Colombo the Djemnah continued the voyage crossing the Indian Oceanto the café of Guardafui,
Africa. For the first time, Rizal sighted the barren coast of Africa, which he called an “inhospitable land
but famous.” The next stop over-inAden-Rizal went ashore to see the sights. He found the city hotter
than Manila.What impressed most was the beautiful moonlight which reminded im of calambaand his
family. It took the Djemnah five days to traverse the Suez Canal. At PortSaid the Mediterranean terminal
of Suez Canal Rizal landed in order to see theinteresting sight. He was fascinated to hear the multi racial
inhabitants speakingbabel of tongues.

Naples and Marseilles

.From Port Said the Djemnah proceeded on its way to Europe. He visited thefamous chateau d’if, where
Dantes hero of the count of Monte Cristo, wasimprisoned. Barcelona on the afternoon of June 15, Rizal
left Marseille by the trainfor the last lap of his trip to Spain. After the passport inspection at Port-Bou
Rizalcontinued his trip by rail finally reaching his destination- Barcelona on June 16,1882. Rizal’s first
impression of Barcelona the greatest city of Cataluña and Spain’ssecond largest city was unfavorable. He
thought that it’s ugly with dirty little innsand inhospitable residents because he happen to stay upon his
arrival at dingy innsituated ion on unimpressive narrow street in the “town’s most ugly side” and
thestaff and guest in this inn were indifferent to him. Later he changes his badimpression and came to
like the city.

“Amor Patrio”

In progressive Barcelona Rizal wrote a nationalistic essay entitled “AmorPatrio” (Love of Country), his
first article written on Spanish soil. He sent this articleto his friend in manila Basilio Teodoro Moran,
publisher of Diariong Tagalog the firstManila bilingual news paper (Spanish and Tagalog), and his pen
name was LaongLaan, and the Spanish text was the one originally written by Rizal in Barcelona.
Thetagalong text was a translation made by M.H. Delpilar. The article caused quitesensations among the
readers in the Philippines because of its nationalistic flavor.As in his price winning “Juventud Filipina.”
Rizal in his “Amor patrio” urged himcompatriots to love there fatherland the Philippines. Publisher
Basilio teodoro MoranDeply impressed by “Amor Patrio” congratulated Rizal and requested for
morearticle. In response to his request Rizal wrote the second article for diariongtagalong entitled “Los
Viajes” (Travels). His third article entitled “Revista de Madrid”(Review the Madrid), which he wrote in
Madrid on November 29, 1882, was returnto him because the diariong tagalong had ceased publication
for lack of funds.

Manila moves to Madrid

While sojourning in Barcelona, Rizal received sad news about the cholera thatwas ravaging Manila and
the provinces. Many people had died and more were dyingdaily. Sad news from the Philippines was the
chatty letter of chengoy recounting theunhappiness of Leonor Rivera, who was getting thinner because
of the absence of love one.

Life in Madrid

On November 3, 1882, Rizal enrolled in university Central de Madrid in twocourses Medicine and
Philosophy and letters. Aside from his heavy studies from theuniversity he studied painting and
sculpture in the academy of fine arts of SanFernando. Rizal led a Spartan life in Madrid. He new that he
came to Spain to studyand prepared himself for service to his fatherland. According, he rigidly
budgetedhis money and time. On Saturday evening he visited the home of Don Pablo Ortiga YRey who
lived with his son (Rafael) and daughter (Consuelo). Don Pablo had beencity mayor of Manila during the
administration of the liberal governor general CarlosMa. De la Torre (1869-1871) and was promoted
voice-president of the council of thePhilippines.

Romance with Consuelo Ortiga Y Perez

Rizal was not a handsome man. In physique he was neither dashing norimposing, for he was a shy small
man-a few inches above fight feet in height. But hepossessed an aura of charisma due to his many-
splendored talents and noblecharacter which made him attractive to young women. No wonder the
prettier of Don Pablo’s Daughter fell in love with him. Rizal being a lonely man in foreigncountry far from
his natal land was attracted to Consuelo’s beauty and vivacity. Heeven composed a lovely poem on
august 22, 1883, dedicated to her. In this poemtitled

A La Seniorita C. O. y P.

He expressed his admiration for her. Before his