In sunny Spain (1882-1885)

After finishing the 4th year of medical course In the University of Sto. Tomas, Jose Rizal
being disgusted with the antiquated method of instruction in this Dominican-owned university
and the racial prejudice of Dominican professors against Filipino students, decided to complete
his studies to Spain was a constitutional monarchy under a written constitution which granted
human rights to the people, particularly freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom
assembly. Aside from this ostensible reason, he had another reason, which was more important
than merely completing 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 was to
observe keenly the life and culture, Languages and customs, industries and commerce, and
government and laws of the European nations in order to prepare himself 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 shortly after his departure for Spain.
Secret Departure for Spain
Rizal’s departure for Spain was kept secret to avoid detection by the Spanish authorities
and the friars. Even his own parents did not know. Before his secret he wrote a farewell letter for
his beloved parents and another one for his sweet heart Leonor Rivera-both delivered shortly
after he sailed away. On May 3, 1882, Rizal departed on board the Spanish steamer Salvadora
bound for Singapore. With tears in 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 on board the
steamer. There were sixteen passengers, including himself. The ship captain Donato Lecha from
Asturias Spain befriended him. To while away the tedious boredom of sea voyage Rizal played
chess with his fellow passenger who were much older than he. He defeated them many times for
he was a good chess player. On May 8, 1882, while the steamer was approaching Singapore
Rizal saw a beautiful island. Fascinated by its scenic beauty, he remembered “Talim Island with
susong dalaga”. The following day the Salvadora docked at Singapore. Rizal landed registered at
Hotel Dela Paz, and spent two days on sight seeing soiree of the city which was colony of
England. He saw the famous botanical garden the beautiful Buddhist temple the busy shopping
district and the statue if sir Tomas Stanford Raffles (founder of singapore).
From 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. Rizal attempted to converse with his fellow passengers in French but to his surprise
and embarrassment he found out that his book French could not be understood so that he had to
speak in mixed Spanish-Latin supplemented by much gesticulations and sketching on paper. On
May 17 the Djemnah reach point Galle a seacoast town in southern Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Rizal
was unimpressed by this town. On his travelled diary he wrote: “The general appearance of point
Galle is picturesque but lonely and quite and at the same time sad.” The following day the
Djemnah weighed anchor and resumed the voyage towards Colombo, the capital of Ceylon.
After a few hours of sailing he reached this city on the same day. He delightful scribbled on his
diary: “Colombo is more beautiful smart and elegant than Singapore Point Galle and Manila.”
First Trip to Suez Canal
 From Colombo the Djemnah continued the voyage crossing the Indian Ocean to 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-in Aden-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 calamba and his family. It took the Djemnah five days to traverse the Suez
Canal. At Port Said the Mediterranean terminal of Suez Canal Rizal landed in order to see the
interesting sight. He was fascinated to hear the multi racial inhabitants speaking babel of
tongues.
Naples and Marseilles.
From Port Said the Djemnah proceeded on its way to Europe. He visited the famous
chateau d’if, where Dantes hero of the count of Monte Cristo, was imprisoned. Barcelona on the
afternoon of June 15, Rizal left Marseille by the train for the last lap of his trip to Spain. After
the passport inspection at Port-Bou Rizal continued 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’s second largest city was unfavorable. He thought that it’s ugly with dirty
little inns and inhospitable residents because he happen to stay upon his arrival at dingy inn
situated ion on unimpressive narrow street in the “town’s most ugly side” and the staff and guest
in this inn were indifferent to him. Later he changes his bad impression and came to like the city.
“Amor Patrio”
In progressive Barcelona Rizal wrote a nationalistic essay entitled “Amor Patrio” (Love
of Country), his first article written on Spanish soil. He sent this article to his friend in manila
Basilio Teodoro Moran, publisher of Diariong Tagalog the first Manila bilingual news paper
(Spanish and Tagalog), and his pen name was Laong Laan, and the Spanish text was the one
originally written by Rizal in Barcelona. The tagalong text was a translation made by M.H.
Delpilar. The article caused quite sensations among the readers in the Philippines because of its
nationalistic flavor. As in his price winning “Juventud Filipina.” Rizal in his “Amor patrio”
urged him compatriots to love there fatherland the Philippines. Publisher Basilio teodoro Moran
Deply impressed by “Amor Patrio” congratulated Rizal and requested for more article. In
response to his request Rizal wrote the second article for diariong tagalong entitled “Los Viajes”
(Travels). His third article entitled “Revista de Madrid” (Review the Madrid), which he wrote in
Madrid on November 29, 1882, was return to 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 that was
ravaging Manila and the provinces. Many people had died and more were dying daily. Sad news
from the Philippines was the chatty letter of chengoy recounting the unhappiness 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 two courses
Medicine and Philosophy and letters. Aside from his heavy studies from the university he studied
painting and sculpture in the academy of fine arts of San Fernando. Rizal led a Spartan life in
Madrid. He new that he came to Spain to study and prepared himself for service to his
fatherland. According, he rigidly budgeted his money and time. On Saturday evening he visited
the home of Don Pablo Ortiga Y Rey who lived with his son (Rafael) and daughter (Consuelo).
Don Pablo had been city mayor of Manila during the administration of the liberal governor
general Carlos Ma. De la Torre (1869-1871) and was promoted voice-president of the council of
the Philippines.
Romance with Consuelo Ortiga Y Perez
Rizal was not a handsome man. In physique he was neither dashing nor imposing, for he
was a shy small man-a few inches above fight feet in height. But he possessed an aura of
charisma due to his many-splendored talents and noble character 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 foreign country far from his natal land was attracted to Consuelo’s beauty
and vivacity. He even composed a lovely poem on august 22, 1883, dedicated to her. In this
poem titled A La Seniorita C. O. y P. He expressed his admiration for her. Before his romance
with Consuelo could bloosom into a serious affair he suddenly back out for two reasons: 1. He
was still engaged to Leonor Rivera and 2. His friend and co-worker in the propaganda Movement
Eduardo De Lete, was madly in love with Consuelo and he had no wish to break there friendship
because of a pretty girl.
“They ask me for Verses.”
In 1882 shortly after his arrival in madrid Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino a
society of Spaniards and Filipinos. Upon the request of the members of this society he wrote
poem entitled “Me Piden Versos” (they ask me for verses).
Rizal as a lover of Book
A favorite pastime of Rizal in Madrid was reading. Instead of gabling and flirting of
women, as many young Filipinos did in the Spanish Metropolis, he stayed at home and read
voraciously until midnight. Since early child hood he liked to read. Rizal economized on his
leaving expenses and with the money he saved, he purchased book from a second hand book
store owned by a certain senior Roses. He was able to build a fair-sized private library.
Rizal’s First Visit to Paris
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. Unlike ordinary tourist whose main interest
in visiting countries is to see a beautiful sight to enjoy theme selves in clubs and theater and o
shop in souvenir items, Rizal improved his mind by observing closely the French way of life and
spending many hours at the museums notably the world famous louvre; the botanical garden
especially the Luxembourg the libraries and art galleries and the hospitals including the Laenec
Hospitalwhere he observed Dr. Nicaise treating his patients and the Lariboisiere Hospital, where
he observed the examination of different diseases of women.