Life and Works

of

Dr. Jose P. Rizal

CHAPTER 18:

DISAPPOINTMENTS IN MADRID,

1890 - 91

PREVIEW:

He tried all legal means to seek justice for his family and the Calamba tenants, but to no avail.

Early in August, 1890 – Rizal arrived in Madrid

Leonor Rivera married a British Engineer (Henry Kipping)

He almost fought two duels – one with Antonio Luna and the other to Wenceslao E. Retana.

FAILURE TO GET JUSTICE FOR FAMILY

Rizal sought the help of the following:

Filipino Colony Asociacion Hispano – Filipina Liberal Spanish newspapers (La Justicia, El Globo, El

Dia, La Republica, El resumen, etc). M. H. Del Pilar – acted as his lawyer. Dr. Dominador Gomez – secretary of Asociacion

Hispano – Filipina. Minister of Colonies (Señor Fabie) Gen. Valerio Weyler – committed injustices against

the Calamba folks.

El Resumen – a Madrid Newspaper

“To cover the ears, open the purse an fold the arms.”

- SPANISH COLONIAL POLICY

MORE TERRIBLE NEWS REACHED RIZAL IN MADRID

From Silvestre Ubaldo, he received a copy of the ejectment order by the Dominicans against Francisco Rizal and other Calamba tenants.

From Saturnina, he learned of the deportation of Paciano, Antonio Lopez, Silvestre Ubaldo, Teong, and Dandoy to Mindoro

His parents were forcibly ejected from their home and were then living in the house of Narcisa.

Becerra and Maura – former members of the ministry who gave Rizal honeyed words of sympathy and nothing else.

Queen Regent Maria Cristina – urged to see by Blumentritt.

RIZAL’S EULOGY TO PANGANIBAN

Jose Ma. Panganiban – his friend and his talented co-worker in the propaganda who died.

August 19, 1890 – date of the death of Jose Ma. Panganiban because of a lingering illness.

ABORTED DUEL WITH ANTONIO LUNA

End of August, 1890 – Rizal attended a social reunion of the Filipinos in Madrid.

Luna was bitter because of his frustrated romance with Nellie Boustead

RIZAL CHALLENGES RETANA TO DUEL

Wenceslao E. Retana The bitter enemy of Rizal in pen. Press agent of the friars in Spain. He attacked Filipinos including Rizal,

in various newspaper in Madrid La Epoca - an anti-Filipino

newspaper in Madrid He insulted Rizal’s family Biography of the greatest Filipino

hero, whose talents he came to recognize and whose martyrdom he glorified.

INFIDELITY OF LEONOR RIVERA

Teatro Apolo – Rizal attended a play together with his friends

December, 1890 – Rizal received a letter from Leonor, announcing her coming married with an Englishman (Henry Kipping)

February 15, 1891 – Blumentritt replied to the letter of Rizal and comforted him when he confide to him about his agony and broken heart.

RIZAL – DEL PILAR RIVALRY 1890 - there arise an unfortunate rivalry

between Rizal and del Pilar for supremacy. January 1, 1891 (New Year’s Day) – the

Filipinos of Madrid met to reorganize the Asociacion Hispano – Filipina

Responsable - a new leader who would act as a spokesman of the Filipino cause in Europe

2/3 votes needed to be declared as Responsable

RIZAL ABDICATES HIS LEADERSHIP

February 1891 – (1st week) election starts

Filipinos were divided into two rival camps:

Rizalistas or Rizal’s friends Pilaristas or del Pilar’s friends M. Ponce, A. Luna, T. Sandiko (Pilaristas)

– changed their votes in favor of Rizal 19 people voted Rizal

BACK TO BRUSSELS February, 1891 – he left Madrid and proceeded

to Biarritz, where he was a welcomed guest of the Boustead at their Villa Eliada.

Adelina Boustead – Rizal proposed for marriage Valentin Ventura – Rizal’s friend and

companion in Paris April 4, 1891 – He wrote to Jose Ma. Basa,

expressing his wish to live in Hongkong and practice medicine.

Middle of April 1891 – Rizal turned to Brussels for one reason, to finish his second novel.

Suzanne Jacoby – in loved with Rizal Jose Alejandrino – his room-mate

“Madrid is one of the pleasant cities of the world, it partakes at the same time of the spirit of the Europe and the Orient”