During Rizal’s journey in Spain, there were significant events that occurred.

The first was when

he left Calamba on May 1, 1988, and was able to reach Manila after ten hours of travel via a
carromata. No one in his family knows about his departure for Spain except his older brother
Paciano, his sister Saturnina, his uncle Antonio Rivera, and some of his friends. They kept the
trip secret to avoid detention by Spanish authorities, especially the friars. Paciano did everything
to ensure that Rizal could leave the country secretly. He secured Rizal’s passport with the name
Jose Mercado.

Rizal stayed in Manila for two days before his trip to Spain. His schedule for departure from
Manila is the 3rd of May. He woke up early, heard the mass at Santo Domingo Church in the
walled city, and then proceeded to the river Pasig to board the streamer Salvadora, bound for
Singapore.

From Manila, the Salvadora, sailed for Singapore. At first, Rizal felt sad, thinking that he would
leave his beloved country. He observes people and things around him and notes that many
Spanish-speaking people speak poorly of the country. And to entertain himself, he made sketches
of his fellow passenger and things he saw along the way.

After one week of sailing, the streamer docked in Singapore. Rizal stayed in Singapore for a 2-
day stopover. He took his time visiting botanical gardens, art galleries, parks, and some historical
spots. He recorded every detail of what he observed in his diary.

From Singapore, he boarded at the djemnah, which would ferry him to France. With him on this
ship were French-speaking people. From his boarding point, the ship had its stopover at the point
Galle in Ceylon, Aden, and port said at Suez Canal. The streamer reached Naples on June 11,
1882. He was mesmerized and impressed with Naples, for its panoramic beauty.

From Naples, the streamer sailed to France. It docked at the harbor of Marseilles on June 12,
1882; he was then impressed by the courtesy of the customs police. He was also enchanted by its
graceful and impressive buildings and the courtesy and refined manners of the Frenchmen’s.

And from Marseilles, Rizal took the train to go to Barcelona. He reached Barcelona, his entry
point to Spain, on June 15, 1882. He reached Barcelona on June 16, 1882. At first, he had a
negative impression of the city and its citizens. But later on, he came to like the city due to the
relevance of freedom and liberalism, as well as the good qualities demonstrated by the residents:
open-heartedness’ hospitality; and courage.

His trip from the Philippines to Barcelona had important consequences for him. First, owing to
his interaction with foreign nationals in the Salvadora and Djemnah, there was a sudden change
in his religious outlook. Rizal started to become apathetic toward saints and patrons. Instead of
calling them for guidance and protection while on a journey to Spain, he directedly prayed to
God. As a matter of fact, he became more curious about other religions, as evidenced by his
attendance as a protestant at a worship service in Singapore. And the second change in Rizal was
the melting down of his complex. As evidence, he was able to get along well with the Spaniards
on the board, as well as with other nationals.

When he was in Barcelona, he was welcomed by the Filipinos there, and most of them were his
former schoolmates at Ateneo Municipal. His welcome party, tendered to him, was held at his
favorite coffee house in Plaza de Cataluña. After the exchange of toasts and news, Rizal joined
his friends for a walk around the city. He was then able to see the historical spots in Barcelona.

While he was in Barcelona, he took time to write to his family, relatives, and friends in the
Philippines. In fact, he never forgets his one mission: making a name for himself in the field of
writing. Paciano believes that through writing, Rizal was able to express his nationalistic and
patriotic sentiment, which affected the arousal of hostility and suspicion toward the Spanish
regime. For Paciano, when this happens, Rizal, a poet, will be transformed into a patriot,
novelist, and nationalist.

He starts producing pieces with a nationalistic tone as soon as he gets to Barcelona. El amor
Patrio, or love of country, was the title of the first of these essays. Rizal composed this article
under the pen name Laong Laan when he was just 21 years old. On August 20, 1882, it was
published in Manila's Diariong Tagalog. He referred to Spain as "tierra extranjera" for the first
time.
As already point out, this essay was Rizal’s first nationalistic essay where he urged the Filipinos
to love their motherland. Because for him loving one’s country was the greatest, most heroic and
sublime sentiment to a person could have one. And after El Amor Patrio, he stopped producing
nationalistic articles.

In September of 1882, Rizal made the decision to return to his studies in the Spanish capital. He
enrolled at the Universidad Central de Madrid to pursue a license in medicine and philosophy.
Despite his rigorous and hectic schedule, he managed to take classes in fencing at the Schools of
Sanz and Carbonell, English, French, and German at the Madrid Ateneo, and painting and
sculpture at the Academia de San Fernando. He also finished the examination in Roman law in
preparation for entering the legal profession.

From June 5 to June 26, he underwent the medical examination. Luckily, he did well on the
exam. He also passed the tests in Latin, Greek, and global history at the same time. Upon passing
the medical examination for the course, Rizal was granted the degree of licentiate in medicine.

He pursued his doctorate in medicine, but because he did not pay the required cost for the defense and
presentation of his thesis, the course's last prerequisite, he was not awarded a doctor's degree. In
addition, he earned his Licentiate in philosophy and letters. Even after completing his academic training
in Madrid, Rizal remained dissatisfied with his achievements. He saw no fundamental distinction
between the Manila and Madrid school systems. However, Rizal finished writing half of the
book Noli Me Tangere in this city.
Although his strict academic schedule, Rizal made time to interact with the Filipino expatriates
in Madrid. He made a number of friends here, including Felix Hidalgo, Marcelo del Pilar,
Gregorio Sanciano, Juan Luna, Pedro Paterno, and Graciano Lopez Jaena. He had a close
relationship with Del Pilar and Jaena. Eventually, the three of them became known as the
propaganda movement's Triumvitare.
When Rizal relocated to Madrid, he found out that his former colleagues had established the
Circulo Hispano-Filipino, led by Juan Atayde, who was an influential figure. Rizal was asked to
contribute a few phrases to the club's publication evaluation as they were aware of his prodigious
writing output. Club sent in his poetry, "Mi piden versos."

RIZAL wrote to Don Francisco regarding his participation in the Circulo Hispano in the
meantime. Later, he confessed in his father that the disparities in youth and age were the reason
society fell apart. Riza was already experiencing the effects of the hardship in Calamba at this
point. Following Rizal's departure from the Philippines, the family's financial situation
deteriorated further due to crop failures caused by drought and locuts. The increase in rentals on
the Dominican hacienda lands in his village made this worse. His monthly stipend from the
Philippines was frequently delayed as a result of this. He consequently frequently showed up to
class feeling hungry.

Living in Madrid educated Rizal to progressive ideals, emphasizing the need of personal
autonomy over questions of faith and expression. Filled with the energy of youth and
enthusiasm, he became captivated with the way the Spanish masons in Madrid talked openly
about politics. Their progressive views on religion, politics, and government overwhelmed him.
He therefore most likely joined the masonry because of the following: the mistreatment of the
Filipinos by the friars; his connections to numerous masons; and the potential support the masons
may give him in his fight against Spanish oppression and tyranny. On November 15, 1890, he
was initiated as a Master Mason in Lodge Solidaridad.

When Carlos de la Torre was the governor of the Philippines, Don Pablo served as the city's
mayor. He went to visit Don Pablo's house with the other expats as he was not at home. Along
with Don Pablo's daughters Pilar and Consuelo, he laughed and played with his coworkers.
Consuelo captivated Rizal with her charming smile and elegant demeanor. Every now and then
he would give her flowers, which Consuelo liked. Consuelo developed feelings for him. But
since he was still committed to Leonor Rivera back home, Rizal repressed his feelings.
Additionally, he didn't want to ruin Consuelo's romance with Eduardo de Lete or his friendship
with him.

Those who attended the celebration honoring Luna and Hidalgo cheered Rizal on loudly. They
were surprised to hear a young Filipino speak Castilian fluently for the first time. Evidently,
Rizal emphasized the notion that brilliance is blind to race. He therefore denounced the prejudice
and ignorance of the friars in order to recognize the universality of a genius. It is possible to
interpret the speech as a direct challenge and attack on the Spanish government.

Because of the extensive publicity the Madrid press gave the event, word of the delivery of the
Brindis made its way to the Philippines. However, Rizal was unaware of the ramifications of his
remarks. His mother, Dona Teodora, cautioned her son against going back to school because she
thought it may eventually lead to his death. And Rizal gave a polite response.
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