WHY ARE WE STUDYING THE SUBJECT?

• because of the historical value of Rizal’s life

• because it is legal/mandated by law (Republic Act 1425)
• to inculcate nationalism and patriotism

RIZAL’S HISTORICAL VALUE

• his writings and significant contributions to societal development.
• Noli Me Tangere (1887) and El Filibusterismo (1891) greatly impacted the lives of the Filipinos.
• one of the foremost initiators of national consciousness.

RA 1425/ THE RIZAL LAW OF 1956

• Senator Claro M. Recto authored Senate Bill 438 / Rizal Bill of 1956
• the bill proposes the compulsory teaching of Rizal’s life and the unexpurgated form of his novels.
• it provides a constant source of patriotism for the youth.
• the bill makes the Rizal course a required subject in all tertiary (public/private) educational institutions.
• the said bill was considered an attack on the catholic church.

THE OPPOSITION
• The bill was negated by Senator Francisco “SOC” Rodrigo, Decoroso Rosales, and Mariano Cuenco.
• the bill was made public in April 1956.
• Catholic organizations (opposed the bill)
- catholic action of the Philippines
- Congregation of Missions (CM)
- Knights of Columbus
- Catholic teacher’s guild
• Fr. Jesus Cavana, CM; reviewed the 332-page edition of the Noli; and found 120 pages of anti-
Catholic statements and only 25 were patriotic.
• the opposition stated that the bill:
- violated religious freedom
- proposed a subject that is anti-Catholic
- promotes the reading of blasphemous novels
• “The Noli and Fili are books of the past, by the past, and for the past”.
• “Rizal is dead…… let him rest in peace”.

THE PROPONENTS’ SIDE

• Senator Claro M. Recto fought for the bill and stated that those who eliminated the books of Rizal in
their school attempted to wipe out Rizal’s memory.
• Senate Bill 438 was supported by the following organizations:
- revolutionary veterans/spirit of 1896
- alagad ni Rizal
- freemasons (acacia lodge)
- Book Lovers Society
THE END OF THE DEBATE
• Senator Laurel modified the bill to accommodate the objection of the catholic church.
• The teaching of Noli and Fili was made optional.
• June 12, 1956, Senate Bill 438 became RA 1425 or the Rizal Law of 1956. The bill was enacted into law
during the reign of Pres. Ramon Magsaysay.

WHY IS RIZAL THE FOREMOST NATIONAL HERO?

• His writings
• his person
• public honor (before and after his death)

WHAT IS A HERO?
• A prominent/central personage takes an admirable part in any remarkable action or event.
• A person with distinguished valor and enterprise in danger, fortitude in suffering.
• A man honored even after his death.

HIS WRITINGS
• made him the foremost hero of his compatriots as it was a universal analysis of what was going on in
the Philippines.

HIS PERSON
According to Dr. Sixto Orosa, Rizal's qualities are the following:
• As a child, he was obedient, courteous, superior yet humble, and kind.
• As a student, he was serious, studious, intelligent, methodical, and knew how to budget his time.
• As a citizen, he had a consuming purpose and passion to serve his country.
• As a man, he was courageous, well-disciplined, and self-sacrificing.
• As a learned man, he was humble.

HIS PUBLIC HONOR

Before his death
• Fernando Acevedo valued Rizal as the model of the Filipinos.
• Tomas Arejola in 1891 (Madrid) stated that Rizal’s moral influence was indisputable.
• Ferdinand Blumentritt considered Rizal as the greatest product of the Philippines whose brilliance
appears only every other century.
• The Katipunan (Andres Bonifacio) acknowledged the greatness and leadership of Rizal.
After his death
• December 29, 1897, a year after his execution Emilio Aguinaldo declared December 30 1898
as Rizal Day.
 • Leon Ma. Guerrero and Cecilio apostol wrote tributes to Rizal.
• Dr. Camilo Osaias and Wenceslao Retana from the scientific circle paid tribute to Rizal.
• Dr. Rudolph Virchow from the Anthropological Society also paid tribute to Rizal on November 20, 1897.

WHO MADE RIZAL THE NATIONAL HERO?

• The Americans (they promoted him)
• The people
• Himself

ADVENT OF A NATIONAL HERO

The Birth of a Hero

• Born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna Province, Philippines.
• Baptized in the Catholic church on June 22, aged three days old.
• Father Rufino Collantes- the priest who baptized Rizal.
• Father Pedro Casanas- His Godfather (Ninong).
• His name “Jose” was chosen by his mother who was devoted to the Christian saint San Jose (St.
Joseph)
• Leoncio Lopez signed the Baptismal of Rizal.

Rizal’s Parents
Francisco Mercado Rizal (1818-1898)
- May 11, 1818 in Biñan, Laguna
- Studied Latin and Philosophy at the College of San Jose in Manila.
Doña Teodora Realonda (1826-1911)
- November 8, 1826 in Manila
- Educated at the College of Santa Rosa.
- “She is a mathematician and has read many books”

Rizal Sibling
1. Saturnina (1850-1913)
- Oldest
- Nickname: Neneng
- Husband: Manuel T. Hidalgo (Tanawan, Batangas)
2. Paciano (1851-1930)
- older brother and confidant of Jose
- joined the Philippine Revolution and became a Combat General.
3. Narcisa (1852-1939)
- Nickname: Sisa
- Husband: Antonio Lopez (nephew of father Leoncio Lopez), a school teacher of Morong.
4. Olimpia (1855-1887)
- Nickname: Ypia
- Husband: Silvestre Ubaldo (telegraph operator from Manila)
5. Lucia (1857-1919)
- Husband: Mariano Herbosa (Calamba), who was a nephew of Father Casanas.
6. Maria (1859-1945)
- Nickname: Biang
- Husband: Daniel Faustino Cruz (Biñan, Laguna)
7. Jose (1861-1869)
- greatest hero and peerless genius
- Nickname: Pepe
- during his exile in Dapitan he lived with Josephine Bracken, Irish girl from Hong Kong.
8. Conception (1862-1865)
- nickname: Concha
- died of sickness at the age of 3
- her death was Rizal’s first sorrow in life.
9. Josefa (1865-1945)
- Nickname: Panggoy
- died an old maid at the age of 80.
10. Trinidad (1868- 1951)
- Nickname: Trining
- Died old maid at the age of 83.
11. Soledad (1870-1929)
- Youngest
- Nickname: Choleng
- Husband: Pantaleon Quintero
Rizal’s Ancestry
➢ product of a mixture of races (East and West- Negrito, Indonesian, Malay, Chinese, Japanese, and
Spanish)

The Surname Rizal

• The real surname of the Rizal Family was Mercado, which was adopted in 1731 by Domingo Lamco (the
paternal great-great-grandfather of Jose Rizal), who was a full-blooded Chinese. Rizal Family acquired a
second surname – Rizal, which was given by a Spanish alcalde mayor (provincial governor) of Laguna,
who was a family friend.

Childhood Years in Calamba

• Calamba was a hacienda town that belonged to the Dominican Order, which also owned all the lands
around it.
• Rizal loved Calamba with all his heart and his soul.

Earliest Childhood Memories

• The first memory of Rizal, in his infancy, was his happy days in the family garden when he was
three years old.
• Another childhood memory was the daily Angelus prayer. By nightfall, Rizal related his mother
gathered all the children at the house to pray.
• Another memory of his infancy was the nocturnal walk in the town, especially when there was a moon.
• When he learned to walk, Jose and his yaya, or nursemaid spent many hours strolling in the garden or
by the river.
 • Tales of the supernatural fascinated young Jose almost as much as tales of the natural world.
• He enjoyed stories about trees bearing diamonds, handsome princesses rescuing forlorn damsels, and
long-bearded men capturing naughty children.

Pilgrimage to Antipolo
• On June 6, 1868, Jose and his father left Calamba to go on a pilgrimage to Antipolo, to fulfill his
mother’s vow made when Jose was born.
• After praying at the shrine of the Virgin of Antipolo, Jose and his father went to Manila to visit his sister
Saturnina.

The Story of the Moth

• The stories told by Doña Teodora to Jose, the young moth made a profound impression on him.

Rizal Artistic Talents

➢ Early childhood (Art)
➢ At the age of five (Sketching and Sculpting)
➢ Literature (first poem: Sa Aking Mga Kababata (To My Fellow Children)
➢ Rizal as Boy Magician

INFLUENCES ON HERO’S BOYHOOD

Hereditary Influence
• Malayan Ancestors- Rizal inherited his love for freedom, his innate desire to travel, and his indomitable
courage.
• Chinese Ancestors- his serious nature, frugality, patience, and love for children.
• Spanish Ancestors- he got his elegance of bearing, sensitivity to insult, and gallantry to ladies.
• From his father- he inherited a profound sense of self-respect, a love for work, and the habit of
independent thinking.
• From his mother- he inherited his religious nature, the spirit of self-sacrifice, and the passion for arts and
literature.

Environmental Influence:
• The scenic beauties of Calamba and the beautiful garden of the Rizal Family stimulated the inborn
artistic and literary talents of Jose Rizal.
• His brother (Paciano) - instilled in his mind a love for freedom and justice.
• His sisters - he learned to be courteous and kind to Women
• His yaya - told him fairy tales during his early childhood that awakened his interest in folklore and
legends.

His three uncles

Tio Alberto
- Traveling in Europe inspired Jose to develop his artistic ability.
Tio Manuel
- encouraged him to develop his frail body through physical exercises, including horse riding, walking, and
wrestling.
Tio Gregorio
- a book lover, intensified his voracious reading of good books.

The Hero’s First Teacher

• The First teacher of Rizal was his mother.
• “My mother, taught me how to read and to say haltingly the humble prayers which I raised fervently to
God.”

Rizal Private Tutor

• Maestro Celestino, Maestro Padua, Leon Monroy
• Leon Monroy- a former of Rizal’s father became Jose’s tutor and instructed him in Spanish and Latin.

Jose Goes to Biñan

• Paciano brought his younger brother to the school of Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz, Paciano knew the
teacher quite well because he had been a pupil before.
• The school was in the house of the teacher, which was a small nipa hut about 30 meters from the home
of Jose’s aunt.

First Day in Biñan

• Jose describes his teacher in Biñan as follows:
- Tall, thin, long-necked, sharp nose, body slightly bent forward, and used to wear a Sinamay shirt. He knew
by heart the grammar of Nebrija and Gainza. Add to this severity, that in my judgment was exaggerated,
and youhave a picture, perhaps vague, that I have made him, but I remember only this.”

First School Brawl

• Jose challenged Pedro to fight. The latter readily accepted, thinking that he could easily beat
the Calamba boy who was smaller and younger.
• The two boys wrestled furiously in the classroom, much to the glee of their classmates. Jose, having
learned the art of wrestling from his athletic Tio Manuel, defeated the bigger boy.

Painting Lesson in Biñan

• Near the school was the house of an old painter, Juancho, who was the father-in-law of the school
teacher.
• Old Juancho freely gave Jose lessons in drawing and painting and was impressed by the artistic talent
of Jose.
Best Student in School
• Jose Rizal beat all the Biñan boys, he surpassed them all in Spanish, Latin, and other subjects.
•Some of his older classmates were jealous of his intellectual superiority.

End of Biñan Schooling

• Before the Christmas season in 1870, Jose received a letter from his sister Saturnina, informing him of
the arrival of the steamer Talim which would take him from Biñan to Calamba.
• He prayed in the town church, collected pebbles in the river for souvenirs, and regretfully bade farewell
to histeacher and classmates.
• He left Biñan on Saturday afternoon, December 17, 1870, after one year and a half of schooling in that
town.

Martyrdom of Gom-Bur-Za
• The Cavite Mutiny of January 20, 1872, involved 200 Filipino soldiers and workers protesting the loss of
privileges under Governor Rafael de Izquierdo.
• The Spanish authorities exaggerated the mutiny, using it to
accuse Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora (Gom-Bur-Za) of rebellion.
• February 17, 1872: Gom-Bur-Za were executed despite being innocent, for their advocacy
to Filipinize parishes.
• The execution deeply impacted Paciano Rizal, who shared the story with his younger brother Jose
Rizal.

SCHOLASTIC TRIUMPHS AT ATENEO DE MANILA (1872-1877)

Rizal Enters the Ateneo

• On June 10, 1872, Jose, accompanied by Paciano, went to Manila.
• First he took an entrance examination at San Juan de Letran, but Jose was matriculated at the Ateneo.
• Father Magin Ferrando refused to admit Rizal to Ateneo because of two reasons:
1. He was late for registration
2. he was sickly and undersized for his age

• Manuel Xerez Burgos- he helps Paciano to reluctantly admit Jose Rizal in Ateneo.
•At the time Jose studied in the Ateneo, this college was located in Intramuros, within the walls of Manila.
He first boarded in a house outside Intramuros, Caraballo Street, 25 minutes walk from the college.

Jesuit System of Education

• The system of education given by the Jesuits in the Ateneo was more advanced than that of other
colleges in that period.
• It trained the character of the student by rigid discipline and religious instruction.
• It promoted physical culture, humanities, and scientific studies.
Jesuit System of Education
• Students were divided into two groups:
1. Roman Empire – consisting of the internos (boarders) with red banners; and
2. Carthaginian Empire – composed of the externos (non-boarders) with blue banners.
Each Empire had its ranks:
• 1ST BEST: EMPEROR
• 2nd best: TRIBUNE
• 3rd best: DECURION
• 4th best: CENTURION
• 5th best: STANDARD-BEARER

Rizal’s First Year in Ateneo (1872-73)

• Rizal was placed at the bottom of the class since he was a newcomer and knew little Spanish. He was
an externoand was assigned to Carthaginians. At the end of the month, he became emperor of his
Empire. He was the brightest pupil in the whole class.
• Took private lessons at Santa Isabel College and paid 3 pesos for extra Spanish lessons.
• Placed 2nd at the end of the year, although all his grades were still marked Excellent.
• Fr. Jose Bech – first professor of Rizal.

Second Year in Ateneo (1873-74)

• Rizal lost the leadership but he repented and even studied harder, once more he became emperor. He
received excellent grades in all subjects and a gold medal.
• He had 3 classmates from Biñan who had also been his classmates in the school of Maestro Justiniano.

Third Year in Ateneo (1874-75)

• Rizal did not make an excellent showing in his studies.
•He failed to win the medal in Spanish because his speech was not fluently sonorous.

Fourth and Last year of Rizal in Ateneo (1875-77)

• Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez – inspired him to study harder and write poetry. Rizal described him
as a “model of uprightness, earnestness, and love for the advancement
of his pupils”.
• He returned to Calamba with 5 medals and excellent ratings.
• The most brilliant Atenean of his time, “the pride of the Jesuits”.
• Obtained the highest grades in all subjects.

Graduation with Highest Honors

• Excellent scholastic records from 1872-1877.
• March 23, 1877 – Commencement Day. 16 years old Rizal received from his Alma Mater the degree
of Bachelor of Arts with the highest honors.

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS (1877-1882)

Medical Studies at the University of Santo Tomas

• He continued his education at UST and finished a year in Philosophy and Letters after deciding to shift
to a medicalcourse.
• Rizal was unhappy at this Dominican Institution of Higher Learning because;
- the Dominican professors were hostile to him
- the Filipinos were racially discriminated against by the Spaniards.

JOSE RIZAL IN EUROPE 1882-1885

Rizal’s secret mission

• This Mission which Rizal conceived with the approval of his brother Paciano was to observe
keenly the life and culture, languages and customs, industries and commerce, and governments and laws
of the European nations.

Secret Departure for Spain

• Rizal’s Departure for Spain was kept secret to avoid detection by the Spanish authorities and the Friars.
• Only a few people knew that Rizal was leaving.
- Paciano
- Antonio Rivera
- Neneng and Lucia
- Valenzuela family
- Pedro Paterno
- Mateo Evangelista
- Ateneo Jesuit Fathers
- Chengoy (Jose M. Cecilio)

Singapore
• During the Voyage to Singapore Rizal was on board the Spanish streamer Salvadora, he carefully
observed thepeople and things on board the steamer.
• On May 8, 1882, while the streamer was approaching Singapore, Rizal saw a beautiful island.
Fascinated by its scenic beauty, he remembered “Talim Island with Susong Dalaga”.

Singapore to Colombo
• In Singapore Rizal transferred to another ship Djemnah, a French steamer, which left Singapore for
Europe on May 11.
• It was a larger and cleaner vessel which carried more passengers.

First Trip Through Suez Canal

• From Colombo, the Djemnah continued the voyage crossing the Indian Ocean to Cape
Guardafui, Africa. For the first time, Rizal sighted the barren coast of Africa.
• It took the Djemnah five days to traverse the Suez Canal.
• Upon Arrival at Suez, Rizal disembarked and went sightseeing, Rizal was impressed by
the Beautiful moonlight that he witnessed which reminded him of Calamba and his family.

Naples and Marseilles

• The Djemnah proceeded on its way to Europe. On June 11, Rizal reached Naples. This Italian city
pleased himbecause of its business activity, its lively people, and its panoramic beauty.
• On the night of June 12, the streamer docked at the French harbor of Marseilles. He visited the
famous Chateau d’lf, where Dante’s hero The Count of Monte Cristo was imprisoned.

Barcelona
• On the afternoon of June 15, Rizal left Marseilles by train for the last lap of his trip to Spain.
Here he noticed the indifference accorded by the Spanish immigration officers to tourists, in direct
contrast with thecourtesy of the French immigration officers.
• Rizal’s first impression of Barcelona, the largest city in Cataluna and Spain’s second-largest city was
unfavorable.

Manila Moves to Madrid

• While sojourning in Barcelona, Rizal received sad news about the cholera that was ravaging Manila and
the Provinces.
• According to Paciano’s letter, dated September 15, 1882, the Calamba folks were having afternoon
novenas to San Roque and nocturnal processions and prayers so that God may stop the dreadful
epidemic, which the Spanish health authorities were impotent to check.
• Another sad news from the Philippines was the chatty letter of Chengoy recounts the unhappiness of
Leonor Rivera, who was getting thinner because of the absence of a loved one.

Rizal’s first visit to Paris (1883)

• During his first summer vacation in Madrid Rizal went to Paris, sojourning in this gay capital of France
from June 17 to August 20, 1883.
• Rizal was charmingly titillated by the attractive sights of Paris.

Financial Worries
 • After Rizal departed for Spain, things turned from bad to worse in Calamba. The harvest of rice and
sugarcane failed on account of drought and locusts.
• On top of this economic disaster, the manager of the Dominican-owned hacienda increased the rentals
of the landscultivated by the Rizal family.

Paris to Berlin
• In Gay Paris (1885-86)
- After completing his studies in Madrid, Rizal went to Paris and Germany to specialize in ophthalmology.
- Shortly after terminating his studies at the Central University of Madrid, Rizal, who was then 24 years old
andalready a physician, went to Paris to acquire more knowledge in ophthalmology
- In November 1885, Rizal was living in Paris, where he sojourned for about six months, He worked as an
assistantto Dr. Louis de Weckert.

In Historic Heidelberg
• On February 3, 1886
- he arrived in Heidelberg, a historic city in Germany famous for its old university and romantic surroundings.
• “To the Flowers of Heidelberg”
- In the spring of 1886, Rizal was fascinated by the blooming flowers along the cool banks of the Necker
River.
• First letter to Blumentritt
- On July 31, 1886, Rizal wrote a letter to Dr. Blumentritt in which he had heard of his interest in studying
Philippinelanguages.

In Leipzig and Dresden

August 9, 1886
- three days after the fifth centenary celebration of the University of Heidelberg Rizal left the city. On August
14, 1886, he arrived in Leipzig.
• Rizal found out that the cost of living in Leipzig was the cheapest in Europe so he stayed two months
and a half in this German city.

October 29
- he left Leipzig for Dresden, where he met Dr. Adolf B. Meyer, Director of the Anthropological and
EthnologicalMuseum.
Rizal’s Life in Berlin
5 reasons of Living Berlin
1. To gain further knowledge of ophthalmology
2. To Further his studies of sciences and languages
3. To observe the economic and political conditions of the German nation.
4. To associate with famous German scientists and scholars
5. To publish his novel, Noli Me Tangere.

Rizal’s Grand Tour of Europe with Viola (1887)

• After the publication of Noli, Rizal planned to visit important places in Europe. Rizal received his money
from Paciano worth 1,000 pesos. He immediately paid Viola the sum of 300 pesos
from his kind loan. At dawn on May 11, 1887, Rizal and Viola left Berlin by train. Spring was in the air and
Europe was blooming with flowers. Their destination was Dresden, “One of the best cities in Germany”.

Dresden
• Rizal and Viola spent some time in Dresden. Their visit coincided with the regional floral exposition.
Rizal studied different plants because he was interested in botany. They visited Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, who
was overjoyed to see them. They also visited the Museum of Art and Rizal was deeply impressed by the
painting “Prometheus Bound”, a Greek mythological tragedy.
• While strolling at the scene of the Floral Exposition, they met Dr. Jagor. Dr. Jagor advised them to wire
Blumentritt of their coming because the old professor was of a nervous disposition and he might suffer
a shock at their sudden visit.

BLUMENTRITT AND LEITMERITZ

• 1:30 p.m. of May 13, 1887, the train with Rizal and Viola on board arrived at the railroad station
of Leitmeritz, Bohemia. Professor Blumentritt waited for them in the station after he received the wire. He
was carrying a pencil sketch of Rizal which the letter had previously sent him, so that he could identify
his Filipino friend. He warmly welcomed Rizal and Viola.
• For the first time, Rizal and Blumentritt met each other. They greeted each other in fluent German.
Upon seeing the talented Rizal, the old professor immediately took him into heart, loving him as a son.
• Rizal had beautiful memories of his visit to Leitmeritz. He enjoyed the warm hospitality and enjoyed
the cooking of the professor’s wife Rosa. Blumentritt’s children were Dolores, Conrad, and Fritz.
Blumentritt showed the scenic sights and historical spots of Leitmeritz.
• On their last night in Leitmeritz, Rizal and Viola, reciprocated Blumentritt’s hospitality with a banquet.
On May 16, at 9:45 A.M., Rizal and Viola left Leitmeritz by train. Blumentritt and his family were at the
railroad station to see them off, and they all shed tears in parting as the train departed. Rizal carried with
him all the beautiful memories of his visit to Leitmeritz.

HISTORY CITY OF PRAGUE

• Rizal and Viola visited the city of Prague. They carried recommendation letters from Blumentritt to Dr.
Willkomm, a professor of natural history at the University of Prague. The kind-hearted professor together
with his wife and daughters welcomed them and showed them the city’s historic spots.
• Rizal and Viola visited the tomb of Copernicus, the Museum of Natural History, the bacteriological
laboratories, the famous cave where San Juan Nepomuceno was imprisoned, and the bridge from which
the saint was hurled into the river.

QUEEN OF THE DANUBE

• On May 20, Rizal and Viola arrived in the beautiful Vienna. Famous in songs and stories, this city very
much fascinated Rizal because of its beautiful buildings, religious images, and charm. Rizal and Viola
presented a letter of recommendation, from Blumentritt to Norfenfals, one of the greatest novelists
in Europe during that time. The great novelist was impressed by
Rizal’s genius. Later he spoke highly of Rizal.
• Also in Vienna, Rizal received his lost diamond stickpin. It was found by a main in Hotel Krebs and was
given to Blumentritt who, in turn, forwarded it to Rizal.
• The two stayed at Hotel Metropole. They visited the city’s interesting places, such as churches,
museums, art galleries, theaters, and parks.

GERTRUDE LINTZ
• On May 24, Rizal and Viola left Vienna on a riverboat to see the beautiful sights of the Danube Rivera.
As they both traveled by boat, Rizal observed the different sights like the barges loaded with products, the
flowers and plants growing along the river banks, the boats with families living on them, and the quaint
villages on the riversides. They also noticed that the passengers were using paper napkins during meals.

TO RHEINFALL, TO SALZBURG, TO MUNICH TO NUREMBERG

• The river voyage ended in Lintz. They traveled overland to Salzburg and from there to Munich where
they sojourned for a short time to savor the famous Munich beer, reputed to be the best in Germany.
• From Munich they went to Nuremberg, an old city in Germany. Among the sights were the horrible
torture machines used by the Inquisition, which Rizal examined carefully. Viola and
Rizal was greatly impressed by the manufacture of dolls in Nuremberg.
• After Munich, they visited Ulm. The cathedral of this city was the largest and the tallest in
all of Germany. Viola related that he and Rizal climbed its many hundred steps. Viola getting dizzy, but
Rizal was not.
• From Ulm, they went to Stuttgart, Baden, and then Rheinfall. At Rheinfall, they saw the waterfall which
was the most beautiful waterfall in Europe.

SWITZERLAND
• From Rheinfall, they crossed the frontier to Schaffhausen, Switzerland. They stayed in this city from
June 2 to 3, 1887. They then continued their tour to Basel, Bern, and Lausanne. After sightseeing in
Lausanne, Rizal and Viola left on a little boat, crossing the foggy Leman Lake, to Geneva.

GENEVA
• Rizal and Viola visited Geneva. This Swiss city is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe which is
visited by world tourists every year. The people of Geneva were linguists, speaking French, German,
and Italian. Rizal conversed with them in these three languages.
• Rizal and Viola also went boating on the lake. Rizal showed his rowing prowess which he acquired
during his boyhood days in Calamba.
• On June 19, 1887, it was Rizal’s 26th birthday and treated Viola to a blow-out. Rizal and Viola spent
fifteen days in Geneva. On June 23, they parted ways. Viola decided to return to Barcelona while Rizal
continued his tour to Italy.

MADRID EXPOSITION
• During his tour in Europe, Rizal received sad news from his friends in Madrid of the deplorable
conditions of primitive Igorots who were exhibited in these expositions, some of whom died and whose
clothing was inappropriate for the climate of Madrid and crude weapons were objects of mockery
and laughter by the Spanish people and press. Rizal being a champion of human dignity was outrageous.

ITALY
• Rizal went to Italy. He visited Turin, Milan, Venice, and Florence. On June 27, 1887, he reached Rome.
He was thrilled by the sights and memories of the Eternal City—Rome.
• On June 29th, Rizal visited for the first time the Vatican, the “City of the Popes” and the
capital of Christendom. He was impressed by the magnificent edifices, particularly of St. Peter’s Church
which was also his feast day during that time.
• Every night, after sightseeing the whole day, Rizal returned to his hotel, very tired. “I am tired as a dog,”
he wrote toBlumentritt, “but I will sleep as a god”.
• After a week of staying in Rome, he prepared to return to the Philippines. He had already written to his
father that he was coming home.