Rizal's Education in UST | Life and Works of Rizal (Bites)

Summary

The transcript explores José Rizal's educational experience at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) following his studies at Ateneo. Despite his mother's initial opposition, Rizal pursued various courses, eventually shifting to Medicine to aid his blind mother. His academic performance was inconsistent, attributed to hostile professors, discrimination against Filipino students, and a challenging educational environment. Nevertheless, he excelled in literary contests and became an activist against discrimination. The discussion highlights contrasting perspectives on Rizal's time at UST, raising questions about historical narratives and the complexities of colonial education while emphasizing Rizal's resilience and contributions to Filipino nationalism.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rizal enrolled in the University of Santo Tomas (UST) after studying at Ateneo, despite his mother's initial opposition due to past events like the GomBurZa incident.
• 📚 He initially pursued a degree in Philosophy and Letters, influenced by his father's desire for him to study metaphysics, before shifting to Medicine to help his mother, who was losing her sight.
• 🏅 Rizal completed his surveying training at Ateneo and passed the licensing exam, but his age delayed the issuance of his license.
• 📊 His academic performance at UST was inconsistent, with grades ranging from excellent to fair, unlike his consistently excellent grades at Ateneo.
• 😡 Factors affecting Rizal's dissatisfaction at UST included hostility from Dominican professors, discrimination against Filipino students, and outdated teaching methods.
• ✍️ Despite academic challenges, Rizal achieved literary success, winning prizes for his works, including the notable poem 'A La Juventud Filipina,' which emphasized the potential of Filipino youth.
• 👥 He actively participated in protests against discrimination at UST, often leading movements alongside fellow Filipino students.
• 🛡️ To combat discrimination, Rizal founded a secret society called 'Companerismo' to support Filipino students and protect them from mistreatment.
• 🔍 The narrative presents differing perspectives on Rizal's experiences at UST, with some historians arguing he faced discrimination while others claim he received privileges and performed well.
• 💬 Recent discussions challenge traditional portrayals of Rizal's time at UST, suggesting that he ranked second in his class during his fourth year, and questioning the accuracy of negative portrayals by earlier biographers.

Q & A

What institution did Rizal enroll in after Ateneo?

After Ateneo, Rizal enrolled at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), a Dominican school founded in 1611.

Why did Rizal's mother oppose his enrollment at UST?

Rizal's mother, Doña Teodora, opposed his enrollment at UST despite valuing education because of the recent events surrounding the execution of the GomBurZa priests.

What course did Rizal initially take at UST, and why did he switch?

Rizal initially took Philosophy and Letters at UST due to his father's wishes, but he switched to Medicine to help treat his mother, who was going blind.

How did Rizal's academic performance at UST compare to his performance at Ateneo?

Rizal's performance at UST varied, with grades ranging from excellent to fair, while at Ateneo, he achieved consistently excellent grades.

What were some factors contributing to Rizal's struggles at UST?

Historians cite hostile Dominican professors, discrimination against Filipino students, and outdated teaching methods as factors contributing to Rizal's struggles at UST.

What literary achievement did Rizal accomplish while studying at UST?

Rizal won first prize in a literary contest for his poem 'A La Juventud Filipina' ('To the Philippine Youth'), which included the famous line, 'The youth is the hope of the nation.'

What secret organization did Rizal establish at UST, and what was its purpose?

Rizal established a secret organization called 'Companerismo' to protect Filipino students from discrimination and mistreatment.

What differing perspectives exist regarding Rizal's experience at UST?

Some accounts portray a negative experience for Rizal at UST, while others argue that he received privileges and support, challenging the narrative of discrimination.

How did Rizal's grades at UST compare to his grades while studying in Madrid?

Rizal's grades at UST were comparable to those he achieved in Madrid, and he did not complain about his performance at UST as he did about his studies in Madrid.

What was Rizal's rank in his fourth year at UST?

In his fourth year at UST, Rizal ranked second in his class, with the first rank going to another Filipino student, Cornelio Mapa.