Rizal an Ophthalmic Rizal an Ophthalmic Surgeon in Hong Kong Surgeon in Hong Kong

(1891-1892)(1891-1892)

After the publication of El Filibusterismo, Rizal left Europe for Hong Kong and stayed there for 7 months.

He decided to leave Europe because of the following reasons:◦Political differences with Marcelo H. del Pilar

and other compatriots in Spain.◦To be near the Philippines and his family

Farewell EuropeFarewell Europe

Two weeks after the publication of the El Filibusterismo, Rizal left Ghent for Paris where he stayed for a few days to bid good bye to his friends.

From Paris, he rode a train to Marseilles where he boarded the steamer Melbourne, bound for Hong Kong.

He brought with him a recommendation letter given by Juan Luna addressed to Manuel Camus, a compatriot living in Singapore plus 600 copies of the El Filibusterismo.

MelbourneMelbourne

There were 80 passengers, mostly Europeans and Rizal was the only Asian.

There was an incident involving Rizal and the German ladies but eventually, the latter end up treating the former with admiration and respect.

Rizal Arrived in Hong KongRizal Arrived in Hong Kong

November 20, 1891Rizal was welcomed by Filipino residents

headed by his friend Jose Maria Basa.He stayed in No. 5 D’ Aguilar Street, No. 2

Rednaxola Terrace where he opened his clinic.

Manuel HidalgoManuel Hidalgo

Sent a letter to Rizal informing him about the sad news of the deportation of 25 persons from Calamba, including Don Francisco, Saturnina, Narcisa Paciano and him.

He also told Rizal that he wrote a letter addressed to the Queen Regent of Spain explaining their situation and if the Queen will not listen, then, he will ask Queen Victoria of England for help.

Rizal Family Reunited in Hong Rizal Family Reunited in Hong KongKong

Before Christmas of 1891, Don Francisco, Paciano and Silvestre Ubaldo arrived in Hong Kong.

Days after Doña Teodora, Lucia and Josefa and Trinidad also arrived.

Doña Teodora – then 65 years old and almost blind.◦She suffered so much from the hands of the

Spaniards◦In 1890, she was arrested on the flimsy charge of

not using her surname Realonda, despite of her age and blindness she was forced by the officers to walk from Calamba to Santa Cruz.

The Christmas of 1891 is the happiest celebration in Rizal’s life

Asing – Rizal’s cook in Hong Kong

Rizal the Ophthalmic Surgeon in Rizal the Ophthalmic Surgeon in Hong KongHong Kong

In order to earn a living for himself, Rizal practiced medicine.

Dr. Lorenzo Marques – a Portuguese physician who became his friend and admirer, helped him to build up a wide clientele.

In due time Rizal became a successful and well-known medical practitioner in the British Colony.

He successfully operated his mother’s eyes so that she was able to read and write again.

Aside from being an eye specialist, Rizal was also a general practitioner, because there was an epidemic

Borneo Colonization ProjectBorneo Colonization Project

Because of the hardship of the Calamba folks under Gov. Gen. Valeriano Weyler, Rizal conceived the establishment of a Filipino colony in North Borneo (Sabah).

He planned to move the landless Filipino families to that rich British owned island.

On March 7, 1892, Rizal went to Sandakan on board the ship Menon to negotiate with the British authorities.

The British authorities of Borneo were willing to give the Filipino colonists 100,000 acres of land, a beautiful harbor and a good government for 999 years, free of all charges.

Manuel Hidalgo – objected to the project

Governor General Eulogio Governor General Eulogio DespujolDespujol

Replaced WeylerOffered a fine program of government

Rizal offered his cooperation to him but he did not even acknowledged.

Writings of Rizal in Hong KongWritings of Rizal in Hong Kong

His writings were published by Hong Kong Telegraph edited by Frazier Smith

◦Ang Mga Karapatan Nang Tao – Rizal’s version of the Rights of Man, a historic document proclaimed in the French Revolution of 1789.

◦A la Nacion Española (To the Spanish Nation) – this article was Rizal’s appeal to Spain to rectify the wrong done to the landless peasants of Calamba.

◦Sa Mga Kababayan (To My Countrymen) – this article was Rizal’s exposition on the Calamba agrarian problem.

Rizal Lays Down the Basis of the Rizal Lays Down the Basis of the La Liga FilipinaLa Liga Filipina

La Liga Filipina – The Philippine LeagueRizal drafted its constitution while he was in

Hong Kong with the help of Jose Maria Basa.◦Motto: One Like All (Unus Instar Omnium)◦Membership is based on endorsements and

passing certain tests.◦Three levels of organizational councils:

Popular Provincial Supreme

Aims of the La LigaAims of the La Liga

Unification of the whole archipelago into a vigorous, compact body

Mutual protection in every part and necessity

Defense against all forms of violence and injustice

Stimulation of instruction, agriculture and commerce

Undertaking of study and application of reforms

Decision to Return to ManilaDecision to Return to Manila

To confer with Governor Despujol regarding his Borneo colonization project

To establish the La Liga Filipina in ManilaTo prove that Eduardo de Lete was wrong

in attacking him in Madrid that he, being comfortable and safe in Hong Kong, had abandoned the country’s cause.◦Published in La Solidaridad

Because of the said writing, Rizal told Mariano Ponce of his disappointment because Marcelo H. del Pilar is allowing such comments in the newspaper

Rizal’s relatives and friends opposed to his plan

Trinidad – warned her brother to remain in Hong Kong for he will be killed in the Philippines.

Rizal spent his 31Rizal spent his 31stst Birthday Birthday

He evidently had a premonition of death because the day after his birthday, he wrote two letters, sealed and inscribed in each envelope ‘TO BE OPENED AFTER MY DEATH’

He gave it to Dr. Marques for safekeepingThe first letter is addressed to Rizal’s

parents, siblings and friends.The second letter is addressed to the

Filipinos

June 21, 1892 – another letter was made by Rizal addressed to Gov. Gen. Despujol.

In this letter he informed the Governor of his homecoming and placed himself under the protection of the Spanish government

Rizal with his sister left Hong Kong for Manila

They carried a special passport issued by the Spanish consul general in Hong Kong.

Rizal Falls into Spanish TrapRizal Falls into Spanish Trap

Immediately after the departure of Rizal, the consul general sent a cablegram to Gov. Despujol that the victim “is in the trap”

On the same day, a secret case was filed in Manila against Rizal and his followers for anti-religious and anti-patriotic agitation

Luis de la Torre – secretary of Gov. Despujol was ordered to find out if Rizal was naturalized as a German citizen so that he might take proper action against one who had the protection of a strong nation.

Rizal’s Second HomecomingRizal’s Second Homecoming

June 26, 1892 – (12 noon) Rizal and his sister Lucia arrived in Manila.

They stayed in Hotel de Oriente (Room 22), facing Binondo Church

Governor-General Despujol – was visited by Rizal◦Agreed to pardon his father, but not the rest of

his family

Rizal visited his sisters Narcisa and Saturnina.

He even visited his friends in Central Luzon◦He boarded a train on June 27 in Tutuban

Station and went to Malolos, San Fernando, Tarlac and Bacolor.

Founding of La Liga FilipinaFounding of La Liga Filipina

July 3, 1892Doroteo Ongjungco – a Chinese Filipino

mestizo who lives in Ylaya Street TondoHis house was the venue of the founding

of the La Liga Filipina

MembersMembers

Pedro Serrano Laktaw – Panday PiraDomingo Franco – Felipe LealJose Ramos – SocorroAmbrosio Salvador –Bonifacio Arevalo – HaremDeodato ArellanoAmbrosio Flores – MusaAgustin de la RosaMoises Salvador - Araw

Luis Villareal – IlawMarcelino CrisostomoNumeriano Adriano – IpilEstanislao Legaspi –Teodoro Plata Andres BonifacioApolinario Mabini – KatabayJuan Zulueta -

Rizal arrested and jailedRizal arrested and jailed

July 6, 1892 – when Rizal came to visit the Gov. Gen. Despujol, suddenly, he was showed some printed leaflets which were allegedly found in Lucia’s pillow cases

Pobres Frailes (Poor Friars) – incriminatory leaflets under the authorship of Fr. Jacinto and printed by the Imprenta de los Amigos del Pais, Manila. ◦A satire against the rich Dominican friars who

amassed fabulous riches contrary to their monastic vow of poverty

Ramon Despujol – nephew of the Gov. Gen. who escorted Rizal in Fort Santiago

July 7, 1892 – Gaceta de Manila published the arrest of Rizal

Rizal Deported to DapitanRizal Deported to Dapitan

Governor General Despujol ordered the deportation of Rizal in one of the islands in the South.

Charges:◦Publication and introduction of various anti-

monastic books and handbills◦Travelling through different provinces without

permit from the Governor General◦Finding in his luggage the pamphlet Pobres

Frailes which mocked the religious orders

◦Dedication of the El Filibusterismo to GOMBURZA

◦Rizal’s attempts at de-Catholicizing and de-nationalizing the Filipino people

Rizal stayed in Fort Santiago for nine days before his deportation in Dapitan

July 15, 1892 – Rizal boarded the steamer Cebu, sailing to Dapitan