RIZAL’S LIFE IN UST

Fortunately, Rizal’s tragic first romance, with its bitter disillusionment, did not adversely affect his studies in the University of Santo Tomas. His love for higher education proved to be greater than his love for a pretty girl.Even his mother disapproved his decision in enrolling to UST for higher education because she believed that too much knowledge will make Rizal a hot item by the Spaniards.

In April, 1877, Rizal, who was then nearly 16 years old, matriculated in the University of Santo Tomas, taking Philosophy and Letters. He enrolled in this course for two reasons: 1. His father liked it and 2. He was still “Uncertain as to what career to follow.” He had written to the Father Pablo Ramon, Rector of Ateneo, who had been good to him during his student days in that college, asking for advice on the choice of career. Unfortunately, the Father Rector was in the Mindanao and during those days it took several months for a letter to travel between Manila and Mindanao.

Consequently, during his first year term (1877-79) in the UST, he studied :1.Cosmology2. Metaphysics3. Theodicy4. History of Philosophy

It was during the following school term (1878-1879) that Rizal took up medicine, enrolling simultaneously in the preparatory medical course and the regular first year medical course. The reasons why he studied medicine were: (1) he wanted to be a physician so that he might cure his mother’s failing eyesight and (2) the Father Pablo Ramon, Rector of Ateneo, whom he consulted for a choice of career, finally answered his letter, recommending medicine.

When Rizal was a freshman medical student at the University of Santo Tomas, he got his first taste of Spanish brutality. One dark night in Calamba, during his summer vacation in 1880, he was walking in the street. He dimly perceived the figure of a man while passing him. Not knowing the person due to darkness, he did not salute or say a courteous “Good Evening.” The vague figure was a lieutenant of the Guardia Civil. With a snarl, he turned upon Rizal, whipped out a sword and brutally slashed the later on the back.

The wound was not serious, but it was painful. When he recovered, Rizal reported the incident to General Primo de Rivera, the Spanish Governor-General of the Philippines at that time. But nothing came out of his complaint, because he was an indio, and the abusive lieutenant was a Spaniard. In a letter to Blumentritt, dated March 21, 1887, he related: “I went to the Captain-General but I could not obtain any Justice; my wound lasted two weeks.

TO THE FILIPINO YOUTH (1879)-Literary contest by Artistico-Literario (Artisitic- Literary Lyceum)- Rizal, 18 years old, submitted his poem entitled A La Juventud Filipina (To the Filipino Youth)- The first prize, a feather shaped, gold ribbon decorated silver pen was given to Rizal- In the poem, Rizal beseeched the Filipino to rise from lethargy, to let their genius fly swifter than the wind and descend with art science to break the chains that have long bound the spirit of the people.

THE COUNCIL OF THE GODS (1880) Another literary contest by the Artistic-Literary Lyceum to commemorate the fourth centennial of the death of Cervantes, Spanish and author of Don Quixote.Manuel De Cervantes – Spain’s glorified man of letter- Rizal submitted an allegorical drama, El Consejo de los Dioses (The Council of the Gods)- The allegory was based on Greek classics- Rizal was aided by Father Rector of the Ateneo in securing the needed reference materials- The contest was participated by priest, laymen, professors of UST, newspapermen and scholars.- Rizal won the first price; he received a gold ring engraved with bust of Cervantes.

OTHER LITERARY WORKS1879: Abd-el-Azis y Mahoma A poem, declaimed by an Atenean, manuel Fernandez on December 8, 1879 in honor of the Ateneo’s Patroness 1880: Junto al Pasig (Beside the Pasig) A zarzuela, staged by the Ateneans on December 8, 1880 on the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of the Ateneo. Rizal wrote it as President of the Academy of Spanish Literature1880: A Filipinas A sonnet, for the album of the Society of Sculptors .Rizal urged all Filipino artist to glorify the Philippines1881: Al M.R.P. Pablo Ramon A poem, an expression of affection to Father Pablo Ramon, the Ateneo rector

CHAMPION OF FILIPINO STUDENTS- There were frequent student brawls between the Filipinos and the Spaniards- 1880: Rizal founded Companerismo (Comradeship), a secret society of Filipino UST students. The members were called “Companions of Jehu”.- He was the chief of the society.- His cousin, Galicano Apacible was the secretary.

UNHAPPY DAYS AT THE UST Rizal was unhappy in the Dominican institution because:* The Dominican professors were hostile to him * The Filipino students were racially discriminated against by the Spaniards * The method of instruction was obsolete and repressive. * He failed to win high scholastic honors due to the attitude of his professors.

ASSIGNMENT:1. How would you compare the

Companerismo founded by Rizal in UST to the fraternities nowadays?

2. Did the life of Rizal inspired you? In what way?

3. Why do you think it is so easy for Rizal to write poems, dramas and other written works with exemplary results?