Jose Rizal's Travels to Europe

Jenna Angala

17 Jul 201704:58

Summary

TLDRThe script details José Rizal's journey to Europe in 1882 to pursue medical studies and observe the political situation in Spain. Initially struggling with finances, Rizal studied medicine and philosophy in Madrid while enrolling in art classes. He joined reformist circles and the Masonic Order. Despite financial difficulties, Rizal completed his medical studies but couldn't present his thesis. He traveled to Paris, Germany, and other European cities, working under renowned ophthalmologists. Along the way, Rizal built connections with intellectuals, contributing to his growth as a scholar and nationalist.

Takeaways

✈️ Rizal traveled to Europe in 1882 with a secret plan, known only to a few, including his brother Paciano and some close associates.
🎓 Rizal went to Spain to pursue his medical studies and observe the political situation in Madrid.
📜 He traveled under the alias 'Jose Marcado' to avoid attention.
💸 Upon reaching Barcelona, Rizal faced financial difficulties and sought help using a letter of recommendation from his former teacher.
🖌️ While waiting for classes to start at the University of Madrid, Rizal enrolled in painting classes at the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando.
💼 Rizal had trouble managing his finances due to enrolling in multiple classes, and his brother Paciano struggled to send him money.
🗣️ Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano Filipino, a reformist organization of Filipinos and Spaniards, and became active in public speaking.
🏅 He completed his medical studies in Madrid but was unable to submit his thesis due to financial constraints, which prevented him from earning the title of Doctor of Medicine.
🌍 Rizal continued his travels in Europe, studying ophthalmology in France and Germany, and engaging with various scholars in Berlin and Heidelberg.
🤝 Rizal maintained correspondence with Ferdinand Blumentritt and met several prominent European intellectuals, continuing his learning and political awareness.

Q & A

When and why did José Rizal travel to Spain?
-José Rizal traveled to Spain in 1882 to pursue his medical studies and observe the political situation in Madrid.
Who were the few people aware of Rizal's trip to Spain?
-Only a few people knew of Rizal's trip to Spain, including his brother Paciano, Antonio Rivera, Chengoy, and his former teacher.
What alias did Rizal use for his passport during his travels?
-Rizal used the name 'José Marcado' on his passport.
What challenges did Rizal face upon reaching Barcelona?
-When Rizal reached Barcelona, he had almost no money left and had to rely on a letter of recommendation to the Jesuits, who lent him money.
Which academic institutions did Rizal enroll in while in Spain?
-Rizal enrolled in the University Central de Madrid for medicine and philosophy, and also took painting classes at the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando.
Why did Rizal have difficulties managing his finances while in Madrid?
-Rizal had trouble budgeting because he enrolled in many classes, and his brother Paciano struggled to send him money regularly.
What organizations did Rizal join during his time in Madrid?
-Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino, a reform organization of Filipinos and Spaniards, and also became a Master Mason in the Masonic order.
Why was Rizal mistaken for being Japanese while traveling in Paris?
-Rizal was mistaken for being Japanese because of his appearance, and as a result, he faced higher prices for food, accommodation, and tickets.
What medical studies did Rizal complete, and why did he not receive his doctorate?
-Rizal completed his medical studies in Madrid, obtaining a Licentiate in Medicine. However, he couldn't present his thesis due to financial difficulties and did not receive the title of Doctor of Medicine.
Which European doctors and specialists did Rizal work with during his medical training?
-Rizal worked under the ophthalmologists Dr. Louis de Wecker in France and Dr. Otto Becker in Germany.

Outlines

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🌍 Rizal’s Journey to Spain (1882)

In 1882, Rizal secretly left the Philippines for Spain to pursue a medical course and observe the political climate in Madrid. His brother, Paciano, and a few trusted friends knew of his journey. Armed with a letter of recommendation, Rizal used an alias, Jose Mercado, for his travels. He left the Philippines on May 1, 1882, and after a series of stops in Singapore, Sri Lanka, Egypt, and Italy, he finally arrived in Spain. Rizal was low on money upon reaching Barcelona, and the Jesuits provided him with financial assistance.

🎓 Academic Pursuits and Financial Struggles

After a few months, Rizal enrolled in the University of Central Madrid, studying medicine and philosophy. He also took art classes at the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando. However, Rizal faced financial difficulties as he signed up for multiple courses and his brother, Paciano, struggled to send him money. To cope with the challenges, Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino, a reform group composed of Filipinos and Spaniards.

🇫🇷 Exploring Paris and Returning to Madrid

While visiting Paris, Rizal toured various tourist spots but noticed he was often mistaken for Japanese, leading to higher prices for food and accommodations. Realizing the cost of living in Paris was too high, he returned to Madrid. Back in Madrid, Rizal joined the Masonry and earned the title of Master Mason. He also made an improvised speech during a Filipino-Spanish gathering celebrating Juan Luna and Felix Resurrección Hidalgo's successes in a painting competition.

🎓 Completing Medical Studies but Facing Financial Hurdles

Rizal completed his medical studies in Madrid, attaining the title of Licentiate in Medicine. However, he was unable to present his thesis and thus did not receive the title of Doctor of Medicine due to financial constraints. Despite this, he gained valuable experience working under renowned ophthalmologists Dr. Louis de Wecker in France and Dr. Otto Becker in Germany. He also modeled for his friend, artist Juan Luna, in paintings such as ‘The Death of Cleopatra’ and ‘Blood Compact.’

🇩🇪 Struggles in Germany: Health and Finances

Rizal's next destination was Heidelberg, Germany, where he stayed at an affordable boarding house. However, he later moved to Berlin due to financial difficulties. The cold climate and inadequate nutrition led to Rizal falling ill with tuberculosis. Fortunately, Dr. Maximo Viola assured him it was only a physiological condition. Viola accompanied Rizal during his stay in Berlin, where they met notable scholars such as Dr. Schwager, Dr. Theodore Jagor, and other experts in geography. Rizal also maintained correspondence with Ferdinand Blumentritt, to whom he gifted a book on arithmetic.

🎂 Celebrating in Europe: Vienna and Geneva

Rizal and Maximo Viola traveled to Prague, where they met Dr. Willkomm, a professor at the University of Prague, through a recommendation from Ferdinand Blumentritt. Rizal celebrated his birthday in Vienna, treating Maximo to a grand dinner. The two friends then traveled to Geneva, staying for 15 days before parting ways—Viola returning to Barcelona, and Rizal continuing his European tour in Italy.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Jose Rizal

Jose Rizal, often referred to simply as 'Ral' in the transcript, was a Filipino nationalist and revolutionary. He traveled to Europe to further his studies and observe the political situation, which helped shape his views on colonialism and reform. His journey and experiences in Europe were crucial in his development as a leader who fought for the rights and independence of the Filipino people.

💡Pasano

Pasano refers to Rizal's brother, Paciano Rizal, who supported Jose Rizal throughout his endeavors. Paciano played a significant role in managing finances and offering guidance, as seen in his secret agreement with Jose to support his studies and political observations in Spain. This brotherly support was key to Rizal's ability to focus on his academic and revolutionary goals.

💡University Central de Madrid

The University Central de Madrid is where Jose Rizal enrolled to pursue his studies in medicine and philosophy. This institution is significant as it was the place where Rizal honed his knowledge in both the sciences and humanities, and it contributed to his understanding of colonialism, which influenced his future writings and activism.

💡Circulo Hispano Filipino

This was a reformist organization of Filipinos and Spaniards advocating for Filipino rights. Rizal joined this group in Madrid, which marked his increasing involvement in nationalist and reform movements. The group played a role in promoting solidarity between Filipinos and Spaniards in the quest for reforms in the Philippines under Spanish rule.

💡Masonry

Masonry refers to Freemasonry, a fraternal organization that Rizal joined while in Madrid. Becoming a Master Mason was significant for Rizal as the organization provided him with a network of like-minded reformists and thinkers who supported liberal ideas. His involvement with the Masonic community aligned with his progressive ideas for reform in the Philippines.

💡Heidelberg

Heidelberg, Germany, was one of the key places where Rizal continued his studies in ophthalmology. His stay in Heidelberg marked his specialization in eye care, a field that would later become significant in his professional career. Rizal's time in Heidelberg also reflects his dedication to learning and his desire to serve his country by helping those with health issues.

💡Juan Luna

Juan Luna was a renowned Filipino painter and a contemporary of Jose Rizal. In the transcript, Rizal's connection to Luna is evident as he celebrated Luna's artistic achievements in a prestigious competition in Madrid. Luna's success was a source of pride for the Filipino expatriate community, highlighting the contributions of Filipinos in the global arts scene.

💡Berlin

Berlin was another European city where Rizal stayed during his travels. His stay in Berlin is notable for his interactions with prominent figures in various fields, including geography and medicine. It was in Berlin that Rizal's health deteriorated due to the cold climate, symbolizing the challenges he faced while pursuing his studies and activism in Europe.

💡Maximo Viola

Maximo Viola was a close friend and companion of Rizal during his travels. Viola accompanied Rizal in various European cities and supported him during difficult times, such as when Rizal was struggling with his health in Berlin. Viola's companionship was crucial for Rizal, especially during periods of financial and personal hardship.

💡Master of Medicine

While Rizal completed his medical studies in Madrid and earned the title of 'Licentiate in Medicine,' he was unable to present his thesis due to financial difficulties, which meant he did not officially attain the title 'Doctor of Medicine.' This situation underscores the financial hardships Rizal faced while pursuing his education, reflecting the broader struggle of Filipino students abroad at the time.

Highlights

Rizal began his journey to Europe in 1882 to pursue his medical studies and observe the political situation in Madrid.

Few people knew about Rizal's trip to Spain, including his brother Paciano, Antonio Rivera, and his former teacher, who gave him a letter of recommendation.

Rizal traveled from Kalamba to Singapore, then on to Sri Lanka, Egypt, Italy, and finally arrived in Barcelona with only 5 pesos left.

Using the letter of recommendation, the Jesuits in Barcelona lent Rizal money when he had almost no funds.

Rizal enrolled in the University Central de Madrid, taking up medicine, philosophy, and letters, and also attended painting classes at the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando.

He faced financial difficulties due to enrolling in multiple classes and his brother Paciano's struggle to send money.

Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino, a reformist organization, and became involved in Filipino and Spanish intellectual circles.

In Paris, Rizal visited tourist spots but was mistaken for a Japanese, which led to higher costs for food and accommodation.

After realizing the high cost of living in Paris, Rizal returned to Madrid, where he joined the Freemasons and became a Master Mason.

Rizal completed his medical studies but couldn't present his thesis due to financial struggles, which prevented him from earning the title of Doctor of Medicine.

Rizal interned with ophthalmologists in France and Germany and also modeled for Juan Luna in famous paintings.

He moved to Berlin, where he faced financial problems and fell ill, initially thought to be tuberculosis, but later diagnosed as a minor ailment.

Rizal continued to meet notable European scholars, including Dr. Theodore Jagor and Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt, expanding his intellectual circle.

Rizal celebrated his birthday in Vienna and continued traveling through Italy before parting ways with Maximo Viola, his travel companion.

During his stay in Europe, Rizal's work in the medical field and his involvement in intellectual circles helped establish his position as a key figure in Filipino reform.