RIZAL IN EUROPE:

THE BEGINNING OF THE

PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT
Chapter 10
THE DECISION TO GO TO
EUROPE
 1881, Rizal decided to continue his studies in Europe. The
decision was only known between him & his brother, Paciano
 There were many reasons brought up by conspiracy theorists
why Rizal had to go abroad to continue his studies.
 One version was that there was a secret society, which funded
his trip. While in Europe he would learn liberal and
revolutionary ideas which he would later bring to the
Philippines.
 Another version was that he was in a blacklist of possible
troublemakers.
 There was no truth to these theories because there was no
such secret society that funded Rizal’s trip abroad for whatever
purpose & there was no blacklist which named Rizal as a
possible troublemaker.
 Europe was the center of the world in scientific research and
education, the educational institutions in that continent
attracted the scions of elite all over the world.
 Europe was also the perfect place for intellectual
development, of science and scientific research. It is also the
home of philosophers.
Anarchists – the often persons calling for radical change or
overhaul society.
 Since Europe has a great democratic space, it would give Rizal
& companions an opportunity to compare Philippines situation
with that of Spain.
 RIZAL THE PROPAGANDISTS
 Rizal began to note the differences in the conditions of the
Philippines and other countries as he set his foot in a
foreign land.
 He even noted the condition of the vessels he was sailing:
on the Djemnah, the vessel was larger and cleaner.
 When Rizal tried speaking French with his French-speaking
companions, he realized the French that he learned at the
Ateneo was useless as he could not be understood.
 He arrived in Spain and compared it with France as he
landed at the port of Marseilles.
 At the Spanish border of Portbou, he noted the indifferent
attitude of the Spanish immigration officials compared to
their courteous French counterparts.
 At Barcelona, he lodged in the poor part of the city
probably to converse his meager funds. Comparing it to
the other European cities, his first impression to the place
was dark, dingy and ugly. Even the locals were not
hospitable.
 He moved to other part of the city and he’s impression
about Barcelona changed.
Barcelona – was a great city and its people were
openhearted courteous and hospitable.
 Rizal’s exposure to the to the heady European
atmosphere widened with this trip to Madrid.
 He enrolled at the Universidad Central de Madrid, this
university was very much like the UST.
 There were liberals, conservatives, monarchists and
republicans as well as revolutionists.

Dr. Miguel Morayta – who advocated pluralism and equality

for all people.
– He was very popular especially among
progressive-minded Spaniards but the
conservative ones considered him as
encouraging the death of Spanish
monarchy and an anarchist who must
be stopped.
 Rizal was drawn to the side of the liberals who consisted
of Spaniards and Filipinos.
 The group started as a social gathering and they
gathered at the house of Don Pablo Ortiga y Rey, who
was a former alcalde of Manila.
 The social group joined in by Rizal eventually had a name
and it became known as the Circulo-Hispano Filipino.
 The group discussed the cultural matters and Rizal was
even asked to compose a poem, which known as Me
Piden Versos.
 Seeing the big differences between the conditions in
Europe and the Philippines, Rizal advocated changes for
the Philippines.
 These were the reforms he and his companions would
work to attain.
 Reforms: Human rights, Freedom of speech, of religion
and of association.
 Eventually he and his companions would look for means
to let their views and objectives be known by the
Spanish community. This was done through propaganda
work.
PROPAGANDA, DEFINED
 Propaganda is a term derived from the Latin propagare, which means to
spread or to propagate.
 Propaganda speaks information that is not objective and this information is
used to influence the opinion of an intended audience.
 This is done to fulfill the objective of the one creating propaganda. It may
use truths, lies, fiction and opinions to achieve its aims.
 To achieve his aims, Rizal used essays, poetry and novel as forms of
propaganda.
 Propaganda material was dished out by writers but magnified with the use
of the printing press to reach a greater readership.
 The pen and the printing press were therefore the weapons of the
propagandists.
ROLE OF THE FREEMASONRY &
PROTESTANTISM
 Rizal was attracted to the ideals of Freemasonry.
Freemasonry – is a brotherhood that espoused equality
among men.
 It advocated the acquisition of knowledge through
reason and scientific approach.
 The masons attacked established religions who hid the
truth behind the veil of religion
 The Catholic Church declared freemasonry an evil
organization
 Freemasonry opposed the divine right of king sayings that
the right of the states comes from the people & not from
God.
 In 1883, Rizal entered the Freemasonry through the Lodge
Acacia
November 15, 1980 - Rizal became a master mason at the
Lodge Solidaridad.
February 14, 1892 – He became a master mason in the Le
Grand Orient France.
 Freemasonry changed the life of Rizal as well as his fellow
Filipinos.
 Aside from Freemasonry, Rizal came in contact with
Protestantism especially when he lodged in the house of
Karl Ulmer in Germany in 1887.
Exposure to Liberal Ideas

 Rizal’s sojourn in Europe also allowed him to collect

books many of which appealed to his romantic mind
while Rizal saved on food, clothes, and live in the most
Spartan accommodation, his spared no amount in
buying books even from second hand bookstore.
 As a propagandist Rizal had other errors which are
factual in nature.
 In his other writings Rizal wrote about a land called
“tawalisi”, which was supposed to be in the Philippines
had no historical basis as it said that the Philippines can
be reached in 60 days sailing from China.
Propaganda and reformist group

 Free atmosphere in Europe allowed Rizal and his

companions engaged in propaganda activities without
fare of retaliation.
 First group was the circulo Hispano Filipino which existed
around 1853.
 Filipinos also organized other groups.
START OF PROPAGANDA

 It was during Rizal stay in Europe that he was active in

propaganda work.
 Rizal’s speech was mention in the newspaper. El Liberal
and the news reached the Philippines.
 While in Europe Rizal and his companion was thinking to
write a book about the Philippines. Already in their minds
was a work that would show that the Filipinos were not a
backward race with inferior culture.
The Quality of Rizal’s Propaganda
 When Rizal endeavored to write the noli me tangere he premised
write the truth about the Philippines.
 He wrote things that other people would not write about comparing
his work to the biblical practice of exposing a sick person on the
steps of a temple waiting for someone to suggest a cure.
 Truths written by Rizal did not actually happen which was
dominated by friars and their nated uncle Toms, the native officials
who did the friars wishes.
 As a propagandist, Rizal only showed the bad side of Spanish role.
In his time there was unprecedented peace in a Philippines.
 Moros who used raid manila as late as 1825 were no more.
 Their treat was neutralized with the capture of Jolo in 1876 and the
deportation of the most notorious Moro pirate group to Isabela
province in Northern Luzon.
THANK YOU!
By: Michelle Ericka Austria
Glecy Alcayde