Dr. Jose Rizal , Philippines hero , life and activities

1. RIZAL’SLife
Rizal’sLifePresentationBy:
BehzaadBahreyni
AdamsonUniversity

2. Biography
JOSE RIZAL, the national hero of the Philippines
and pride of the Malayan race, was born on June
19, 1861, in the town of Calamba, Laguna. He
was the seventh child in a family of 11 children (2
boys and 9 girls). Both his parents were educatedboys and 9 girls). Both his parents were educated
and belonged to distinguished families.

3. His father, Francisco Mercado Rizal, an industrious farmer
whom Rizal called "a model of fathers," came from Biñan,
Laguna; while his mother, Teodora Alonzo y Quintos, a
highly cultured and accomplished woman whom Rizal called
"loving and prudent mother," was born in Meisic, Sta. Cruz,
Manila. At the age of 3, he learned the alphabet from his
mother; at 5, while learning to read and write, he already
showed inclinations to be an artist. He astounded his familyshowed inclinations to be an artist. He astounded his family
and relatives by his pencil drawings and sketches and by
his moldings of clay. At the age 8, he wrote a Tagalog poem,
"Sa Aking Mga Kabata," the theme of which revolves on the
love of one’s language. In 1877, at the age of 16, he
obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree with an average of
"excellent" from the Ateneo Municipal de Manila.

4. In the same year, he enrolled in Philosophy and Letters at the
University of Santo Tomas, while at the same time took courses
leading to the degree of surveyor and expert assessor at the
Ateneo. He finished the latter course on March 21, 1877 and
passed the Surveyor’s examination on May 21, 1878; but
because of his age, 17, he was not granted license to practice
the profession until December 30, 1881. In 1878, he enrolled in
medicine at the University of Santo Tomas but had to stop in hismedicine at the University of Santo Tomas but had to stop in his
studies when he felt that the Filipino students were being
discriminated upon by their Dominican tutors. On May 3, 1882,
he sailed for Spain where he continued his studies at the
Universidad Central de Madrid. On June 21, 1884, at the age of
23, he was conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine and on
June 19,1885, at the age of 24, he finished his course in
Philosophy and Letters with a grade of "excellent."

5. Having traveled extensively in Europe, America and Asia,
he mastered 22 languages. These include Arabic, Catalan,
Chinese, English, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian,
Japanese, Latin, Malayan, Portuguese, Russian, Sanskrit,
Spanish, Tagalog, and other native dialects. A versatile
genius, he was an architect, artists, businessman,genius, he was an architect, artists, businessman,
cartoonist, educator, economist, ethnologist, scientific
farmer, historian, inventor, journalist, linguist, musician,
mythologist, nationalist, naturalist, novelist, opthalmic
surgeon, poet, propagandist, psychologist, scientist,
sculptor, sociologist, and theologian.

6. When the Philippine Revolution started on August 26, 1896, his
enemies lost no time in pressing him down. They were able to
enlist witnesses that linked him with the revolt and these were
never allowed to be confronted by him. Thus, from November 3,
1986, to the date of his execution, he was again committed to
Fort Santiago. In his prison cell, he wrote an untitled poem, now
known as "Ultimo Adios" which is considered a masterpiece and
a living document expressing not only the hero’s great love ofa living document expressing not only the hero’s great love of
country but also that of all Filipinos. After a mock trial, he was
convicted of rebellion, sedition and of forming illegal association.
In the cold morning of December 30, 1896, Rizal, a man whose
35 years of life had been packed with varied activities which
proved that the Filipino has capacity to equal if not excel even
those who treat him as a slave, was shot at Bagumbayan Field.

7. Early Education in Calamba and Biñan
At the age of 3, Rizal learned the alphabet from his mother.
At the age of 5, while learning to read and write, Rizal already
showed inclinations to be an artist. He astounded his familyshowed inclinations to be an artist. He astounded his family
and relatives by his pencil drawings and sketches and by his
moldings of clay.
At the age of 8, Rizal wrote a Tagalog poem, "Sa Aking Mga
Kabata," the theme of which revolves on the love of one’s
language.

8. Early Education in Calamba and Biñan
Rizal’s parents employed private tutors to give him lessons
at home. The first was Maestro Celestino and the second,
Maestro Lucas Padua.
Later, an old man named Leon Monroy, a former classmateLater, an old man named Leon Monroy, a former classmate
of Rizal’s father became his tutor. This teacher lived at the
Rizal home and instructed Rizal in Spanish and Latin.
Unfortunately, he did not live long. He died five months
later.
After Monroy’s death, Rizal’s parents decided to send their
gifted son to a private school in Biñan.

9. First Day in Biñan School
Paciano enrolled Rizal to the school of Maestro Justiniano
Aquino Cruz.
Rizal met the bully, Pedro. Rizal, who was angry at this bully
for making fun of him during his conversation with thefor making fun of him during his conversation with the
teacher, challenged Pedro to a fight. Rizal having learned
the art of wrestling from his athletic Tio Manuel, defeated
the bigger boy.
After class, a classmate named Andres Salandanan
challenged him to an arm-wrestling match. Rizal having the
weaker arm, lost and nearly cracked his head on the
sidewalk.

10. Best Student in School
In academic studies, Rizal beat all Binan boys. He surpassed
them all in Spanish, Latin, and other subjects.
They were all jealous of his intellectual superiority that they
wickedly squealed to the teacher whenever Rizal had a fightwickedly squealed to the teacher whenever Rizal had a fight
outside the school, and even told lies to discredit him
before the teacher’s eyes. Consequently the teacher had to
punish Rizal.
He received many whippings and strokes from the ferule.
Rare was the day when he was not stretched on the bench
for a whipping or punished with five or six blows on the
open palm.

11. Education in Manila
Ateneo Municipal de Manila
Bachelor of Arts degree in 1877
at the age of 16at the age of 16
Graduated as one of the nine
students declared sobresaliente
Continued his education to
obtain a degree in land surveying
and assessor

12. Ateneo Municipal de Manila
Rizal was a member of the academy of Spanish Literature
and the Academy of Natural Sciences.
Wrote his first poem Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First
Inspiration) which was dedicated to his mother on herInspiration) which was dedicated to his mother on her
birthday.
He also wrote Through Education Our Motherland Receives
Light and The Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good
Education which showed the importance of religion in
education.

13. Education in Manila
University of Santo Tomas
Studied Philosophy and
Letters during his first yearLetters during his first year
Shifted to Medicine
specializing in Ophthalmology
when he found out that his
mother was going blind

14. University of Santo Tomas
Rizal was unhappy at this Dominican Institution of higher
learning because:
(1) the Dominican professors were hostile to him
(2) the Filipino students were racially discriminated against by(2) the Filipino students were racially discriminated against by
the Spaniards
(3) the method of instruction was obsolete and repressive
After finishing the fourth year of his medical course, Rizal
decided to study in Spain . He could no longer endure the
rampant bigotry, discrimination, and the hostility in the
University of Santo Tomas.

15. Education in Europe
Traveled alone to Europe
Madrid in May 1882
Continued his studies inContinued his studies in
Medicine at the Universidad
Central de Madrid
Degree of Licentiate in
Medicine in 1884
Degree of Philosophy and
Letters in 1885

16. Spain as a realization
It was a venue for realizing Rizal’s dreams.
He finished his studies in Madrid and this to him was the
realization of the bigger part of his ambition.
His vision broadened to the point of awakening in him anHis vision broadened to the point of awakening in him an
understanding of human nature, sparking in him the
realization that his people needed him.
It must have been this sentiment that prompted him to
pursue, during the re-organizational meeting of the Circulo-
Hispano-Filipino, to be one of its activities, the publication of a
book to which all the members would contribute papers on
the various aspects and conditions of Philippines life.

17. Spain as a realization
The proposal for the book was unanimously approved.
But afterwards, difficulties and objections were raised, and
a number of gentlemen stood up and refused to discuss
the matter any further in 1884.the matter any further in 1884.
Rizal decided not to press the issue any longer.
Although the book was never written, the next year, Pedro
Paterno published his Ninay, a novel sub-titled Costumbres
filipinas (Philippines Customs), thus partly fulfilling the
original purpose of Rizal’s plan.

18. Noli Me Tangere
The idea of writing a novel grew
on him, and later he decided to
write and worked hard for Noli
Me Tangere
He never told anyone about it
until it was finished, though
some of his companions knew
what he was doing
He wrote half of the novel in
Madrid, a quarter of it in Paris
and the rest in Germany

19. Education in Europe
University of Paris (France)
University of Heidelberg
(Germany)
Earned a second doctorateEarned a second doctorate
Inducted as a member of the
Berlin Ethnological Society
and the Berlin
Anthropological Society
under the patronage of the
famous pathologist Rudolf
Virchow

20. University of Heidelberg
25-year-old Rizal completed
in 1887 his eye specialization
under the renowned Prof.
Otto Becker in HeidelbergOtto Becker in Heidelberg
Left Heidelberg a poem, “A
las flores del Heidelberg”;
both an evocation and a
prayer for the welfare of his
native land and the
unification of common values
between East and West

21. Rizal’s Life in Europe
Jose Rizal lived in Europe for 10 years.
He could converse in more than 10 different tongues.
Excelled at martial arts, fencing, sculpture, painting,
teaching, anthropology, and journalism, among other
things.
During his European sojourn, he also began to write
novels. Rizal finished his first book, Noli Me Tangere, while
living in Wilhemsfeld with the Reverend Karl Ullmer.

22. Early Education in Spain and Paris
In May 1882, Rizal went to
Spain, Madrid to study in
Universidad Central de Madrid
where he earned a degree inwhere he earned a degree in
Licentiate in Medicine.
He then continued his
education in the University of
Paris and the University of
Heidelberg for his second
doctorate.

23. What he did in Germany
Berlin- He became a part of the Berlin
Ethnological Society and the Berlin
Anthropological Society under a well-known
man named Rudolf Virchow. He wrote a
poem for Heidelberg entitled “"A las flores delpoem for Heidelberg entitled “"A las flores del
Heidelberg," which was a prayer dedicated to
his native land and his hopes of unifying East
and West values and culture. Heidelberg-
Rizal completed the eye specialization
program and became and ophthalmologist.

24. He wrote a letter to his parents while in Germany, “I
spend half of the day in the study of German and the
other half, in the diseases of the eye. Twice a week, I
go to the bierbrauerie, or beerhall, to speak German
with my student friends.” He lived in a Karlstraße
boarding house then moved to Ludwigsplatz. There, he
met Reverend Karl Ullmer and stayed with them in
Wilhelmsfeld, where he wrote the last few chapters ofWilhelmsfeld, where he wrote the last few chapters of
"Noli Me Tangere“. After Jose’s European studies he
was an ophthalmologist, sculptor, painter, educator,
farmer, historian, playwright and journalist. He also
became a Freemason during his stay in Spain

25. Rizal’s Love Life …
There were at least nine women linked with Rizal;
namely Segunda Katigbak, Leonor Valenzuela,
Leonor Rivera, Consuelo Ortiga, O-Sei San,
Gertrude Beckette, Nelly Boustead, Suzanne
Jacoby and Josephine Bracken. These womenJacoby and Josephine Bracken. These women
might have been beguiled by his intelligence,
charm and wit.

26. Segunda Katigbak and Leonor Valenzuela
Segunda Katigbak was her puppy love.
Unfortunately, his first love was engaged to be
married to a town mate- Manuel Luz. After his
admiration for a short girl in the person ofadmiration for a short girl in the person of
Segunda, then came Leonor Valenzuela, a tall girl
from Pagsanjan. Rizal send her love notes written
in invisible ink, that could only be deciphered over
the warmth of the lamp or candle. He visited her
on the eve of his departure to Spain and bade her
a last goodbye.

27. Leonor Rivera
Leonor Rivera, his sweetheart for 11 years played
the greatest influence in keeping him from falling
in love with other women during his travel.
Unfortunately, Leonor’s mother disapproved of
her daughter’s relationship with Rizal, who washer daughter’s relationship with Rizal, who was
then a known filibustero. She hid from Leonor all
letters sent to her sweetheart. Leonor believing
that Rizal had already forgotten her, sadly
consented her to marry the Englishman Henry
Kipping, her mother’s choice.

28. Consuelo Ortiga
Consuelo Ortiga y Rey, the prettier of Don Pablo
Ortiga’s daughters, fell in love with him. He
dedicated to her A la Senorita C.O. y R., which
became one of his best poems. The Ortiga's
residence in Madrid was frequented by Rizal and his
compatriots. He probably fell in love with her andcompatriots. He probably fell in love with her and
Consuelo apparently asked him for romantic verses.
He suddenly backed out before the relationship
turned into a serious romance, because he wanted
to remain loyal to Leonor Rivera and he did not want
to destroy hid friendship with Eduardo de Lete who
was madly in love with Consuelo.

29. O Sei San
O Sei San, a Japanese samurai’s daughter taught
Rizal the Japanese art of painting known as su-
mie. She also helped Rizal improve his
knowledge of Japanese language. If Rizal was a
man without a patriotic mission, he would haveman without a patriotic mission, he would have
married this lovely and intelligent woman and
lived a stable and happy life with her in Japan
because Spanish legation there offered him a
lucrative job.

30. Gertrude Beckett
While Rizal was in London annotating the Sucesos
de las Islas Filipinas, he boarded in the house of the
Beckett family, within walking distance of the British
Museum. Gertrude, a blue-eyed and buxom girl was
the oldest of the three Beckett daughters. She fell in
love with Rizal. Tottie helped him in his painting andlove with Rizal. Tottie helped him in his painting and
sculpture. But Rizal suddenly left London for Paris to
avoid Gertrude, who was seriously in love with him.
Before leaving London, he was able to finish the
group carving of the Beckett sisters. He gave the
group carving to Gertrude as a sign of their brief
relationship.

31. Nellie Boustead
Rizal having lost Leonor Rivera, entertained the thought of
courting other ladies. While a guest of the Boustead family at
their residence in the resort city of Biarritz, he had befriended the
two pretty daughters of his host, Eduardo Boustead. Rizal used
to fence with the sisters at the studio of Juan Luna. Antonio
Luna, Juan’s brother and also a frequent visitor of the
Bousteads, courted Nellie but she was deeply infatuated withBousteads, courted Nellie but she was deeply infatuated with
Rizal. In a party held by Filipinos in Madrid, a drunken Antonio
Luna uttered unsavory remarks against Nellie Boustead. This
prompted Rizal to challenge Luna into a duel. Fortunately, Luna
apologized to Rizal, thus averting tragedy for the compatriots.
Their love affair unfortunately did not end in marriage. It failed
because Rizal refused to be converted to the Protestant faith, as
Nellie demanded and Nellie’s mother did not like a physician
without enough paying clientele to be a son-in-law. The lovers,
however, parted as good friends when Rizal left Europe.

32. Suzanne Jacoby
In 1890, Rizal moved to Brussels because of the
high cost of living in Paris. In Brussels, he lived in
the boarding house of the two Jacoby sisters. In
time, they fell deeply in love with each other.
Suzanne cried when Rizal left Brussels and wroteSuzanne cried when Rizal left Brussels and wrote
him when he was in Madrid.

33. Josephine Bracken
In the last days of February 1895, while still in Dapitan,
Rizal met an 18-year old petite Irish girl, with bold blue
eyes, brown hair and a happy disposition. She was
Josephine Bracken, the adopted daughter of George
Taufer from Hong Kong, who came to Dapitan to seek
Rizal for eye treatment. Rizal was physically attracted toRizal for eye treatment. Rizal was physically attracted to
her. His loneliness and boredom must have taken the
measure of him and what could be a better diversion that
to fall in love again. But the Rizal sisters suspected
Josephine as an agent of the friars and they considered
her as a threat to Rizal’s security.

34. Rizal asked Josephine to marry him, but she was not
yet ready to make a decision due to her responsibility
to the blind Taufer. Since Taufer’s blindness was
untreatable, he left for Hon Kong on March 1895.
Josephine stayed with Rizal’s family in Manila. Upon
her return to Dapitan, Rizal tried to arrange with
Father Antonio Obach for their marriage. However,
the priest wanted a retraction as a precondition beforethe priest wanted a retraction as a precondition before
marrying them. Rizal upon the advice of his family
and friends and with Josephine’s consent took her as
his wife even without the Church blessings. Josephine
later give birth prematurely to a stillborn baby, a result
of some incidence, which might have shocked or
frightened her.

35. A las flores del Heidelberg
Go to my country, go foreign flowers,
Planted by the traveler on his way,
And there beneath that sky of blue
That over my beloved towers,
Speak for this traveler to say
What faith in his homeland he
breathes to you.
Go and say.... Say that when the dawn
That when the rising sun the height
Of Koenigsthul in early morn first spies,
And with its tepid light
Is pouring life in valley, wood, and
grove,
He greets the sun as it begins to rise,
Which in his native land is blazing
straight above.
Carry, carry, flowers of Rhine,
Love to every love of mine,
Peace to my country and her fertile loam,
Virtue to her women, courage to her men,
Salute those darling ones again,
Who formed the sacred circle of our home.
And when you reach that shore,
Each kiss I press upon you now,Go and say.... Say that when the dawn
First brew your calyx open there
Beside the River Necker chill,
You saw him standing by you, very
still,
Reflecting on the primrose flush you
wear.
Say that when the morning light
Her toll of perfume from you wrung,
While playfully she whispered, "How I
love you!“
He too murmured here above you
Tender love songs in his native
tongue.
And tell them of that day he staid
And plucked you from the border of the
path,
Amid the ruins of the feudal castle,
By the River Neckar, and in the sylvan
shade.
Tell them what he told you
As tenderly he took
Your pliant leaves and pressed them in
a book,
Where now its well-worn pages close
enfold you.
Each kiss I press upon you now,
Deposit on the pinions of the wind,
And those I love and honor and adore
Will feel my kisses carried to their brow.
Ah, flowers, you may fare through,
Conserving still, perhaps, your native hue;
Yet, far from Fatherland, heroic loam
To which you owe your life,
The perfume will be gone from you;
For aroma is your soul; it cannot roam
Beyond the skies which saw it born, nor
e'er forget.

36. “Mi Primera Inspiracion”
Why falls so rich a spray
of fragrance from the bowers
of the balmy flowers
upon this festive day?
Why from woods and vales
do we hear sweet measures ringing
that seem to be the singing
Why seems to me more endearing,
more fair than on other days,
the dawn's enchanting face
among red clouds appearing?
The reason, dear mother, is
they feast your day of bloom:
the rose with its perfume,
do we hear sweet measures ringing
that seem to be the singing
of a choir of nightingales?
Why in the grass below
do birds start at the wind's noises,
unleashing their honeyed voices
as they hop from bough to bough?
Why should the spring that glows
its crystalline murmur be tuning
to the zephyr's mellow crooning
as among the flowers it flows?
the rose with its perfume,
the bird with its harmonies.
And the spring that rings with laughter
upon this joyful day
with its murmur seems to say:
"Live happily ever after!“
And from that spring in the grove
now turn to hear the first note
that from my lute I emote
to the impulse of my love!