Unit-5 Homecoming and Return to Europe PDF

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The Writing of the Noli Me Tangere  Idea of Writing a Novel in the Philippines.  His (rizal) reading Harriet Beecher Sowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin , which portrays the brutalities of American slaves-owners and the pathetic conditions of the unfortunate negro salves, inspired Dr. Jose Rizal to prepare a...

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The Writing of the Noli Me Tangere  Idea of Writing a Novel in the Philippines.  His (rizal) reading Harriet Beecher Sowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which portrays the brutalities of American slaves-owners and the pathetic conditions of the unfortunate negro salves, inspired Dr. Jose Rizal to prepare a novel that would depict the miseries of his people under the lash of Spanish tyrants. He was then a student in the Central University of Madrid. In a reunion of Filipinos in the Paterno residence in Madrid on January 2, 1884, Rizal proposed the writing of the Novel about the Philippines by a group of filipinos.  However, almost everybody wanted to write on women. Rizal was disgusted at such flippancy. He was more disgusted to see that his companions instead of working seriously on the Novel wasted their time gambling or flirting with Spanish señoritas.  Undaunted by his friends indifference, he is determined to write the novel ALONE  Toward the end of 1884, Rizal began writing the Novel in Madrid and finished about one-half of it.  When he went ti Paris in 1885, after completing his studies at Central Universidad de Madrid, he continued writing the Novel, finishing half of the second half.  He finished the last fourth of the Novel in Germany.  He wrote the few chapters of the Noli in Wilhemsfeld in April-June, 1886.  In Berlin during the winter day of 1886, Rizal made the final version on the manuscript of the Noli. Sick and penniless he saw no hope of having it published, so that in momentary fit of desperation, he almost hurried it into flames. Viola, Savior of Noli  Dr. Maximo Viola - friend of Rizal, was a scion of s rich family of San Miguel, Bulacan.

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When Viola arrived in Berlin shortly before Chrismas day of 1887 he was shocked to find Rizal living in proverty and deplorably sickly due to lack of proper nourishment. Viola, upon seeing his talented friend’s predicament, and being loaded with ample funds gladly agreed to finance the printing cost of the Noli.

The Writing of Noli and Viola Savior of Noli  He also loaned Rizal some cash of money for living expenses (thus Rizal and Viola happily celebrated the Christmas of 1886 in Berlin with a sumptuous feast).  After the Christmas season, Rizal put the finishing touches of his novel. To save printing expenses, he deleted certain passages in his manuscript, including the whole chapter – “Elias and Salome”. The Writing of the Noli  On February 21, 1887, the Noli was finally finished and ready for printing. With Viola, the savior of Rizal went to different printing shops in Berlin to survey the cost of printing.  After a few days of inquiries, they finally found a printing shop – Berliner Buchdruckrei-Action-Gesselschaft, which charged the lowest rate, i.e., 300 pesos for 2000 copies of the novel.  Title of the Novel – the title of the Noli Me Tangere is a latin phrase which means – “Touch Me Not”. It is not originally conceived by Rizal, for he admitted taking it from the Bible (from the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 20, Verses 13 – 17).  Rizal, in citing biblical source, he made mistakes when he said – Noli Me Tangere are words taken from the Gospel of St. Luke, which signifies “do not touch me”).  The author’s dedication – Rizal dedicated his Noli Me Tangere to the Philippines – “to My Fatherland”.  Synopsis of the Noli – the novel “Noli Me Tangere contains 63 cahpters and an epilogue.  The missing chapter of the Noli; os Noli based on truth; Rizal’s friend praise

Noli; and those enemies who condemned it will be thoroughly discuss in CH, 8 (Rizal’s major works.) Rizal Suspected as French Spy  Rizal, in fluent German language explained to the Police Chief he was not a French Spy but a Filipino Physician scientist, particularly an ethnologist, he visited the rural areasof the countries, he visited to observe the customs and lifestyle of their simple inhabitants. Favorably impressed with Rizal’s explanation and fascinated by his mastery of the German language and personal charisma. The police chief was satisfied and allowed him to stay freely in Germany. Printing of the Noli Me Tangere  On March 21, 1887 the Noli Me Tangere came off the press.  Rizal immediately sent the first copies of the printed novel to his intimate friends, including Blumentritt, Dr. Antonio, Ma. Regidor, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Mariano Ponce, and Felix R. Hidalgo.  Rizal, on March 21, 1887, in token of his appreciation and gratitude gave Viola the gallery of proofs of the Noli carefully rolled around the pen that he used in writing and a complimentary copy with the following inscription: “TO MY DAR FRIEND, MAXIMO VIOLA, THE FIRST TO READ AND APPRECIATE MY WORK – JOSE RIZAL”. Grand Tour of Europe  After publication of the Noli, Rizal planned to visit the important places in Europe. Dr. Maximo Viola agreed to be his traveling companion.  At dawn of May 11, 1887, the two (2) brown skinned doctors (Rizal and Viola) on roaming spree left Berlin by train.  Their destination was Dresden, one of the best cities in Germany. Here they visited Dr. Adolph B. Meyer, who was overjoyed to see them.  While strolling at the scene of flowed exposition met Dr. Feoder Jagor. Upon hearing of their to visit Leitmeritz (not Litomerice Czechoslovakia) in order to see Blumentritt for the first time.

 FIRST MEETING WITH FERDINAND BLUMENTRITT:  On May 13, 1887, Rizal and Viola arrived at the Leitmeritz, Bohemia. Prof. Blumentritt who had received their wire was at the station. He was carrying a pencil sketch of Rizal which the latter had previously sent to him so that he could identify his Filipino friend. He warmly received Rizal and Viola.  For the first time the two great scholars who came to know each correspondence met in person.  Blumentritt was a kind-hearted person, old Austrian professor. Upon seeing the talented Rizal for the first time, he immediately took him into heart, loving him as a son. The two Filipino tourist spent many pleasant hours at the home of their kind host. They stayed at the Leitmeritz from May 13 to May 16, 1887.  Prague – Rizal and Viola visited also the historic city of Prague after Leitmeritz. They visited the tom of Copernicus, the famous astronomer, the museum of national history, the bacteriological laboratories, the famous cave where San Juan Nepomuceno, Catholic saint was imprisoned and the bridge from which this saint hurried into the river.  Vienna – on May 20, Rizal and Viola arrived in the beautiful city of Vienna, capital of Austria-Hungary.  Then from LINTZ to RHEINFALL to MUNICH then they went to NUREMBERG one of the oldest cities in Germany,  After MUNICH, they visited ULM – the cathedral of this city was the “largest and tallest in all Germany”.  At RHEINFALL (cascade of Rhein) they saw the waterfall, the most beautiful waterfall of Europe.  After which, they crossed the frontier to SCHAFFHAUSEN, SWITZERLAND, they stayed in this city from June 2-3, 1887.  GENEVA – this swiss City is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe visited by world tourist every year.  On June 19, 1887, Rizal treated Viola to a blow out. It was his 26th birthday with sumptuous meal. They spent 15 delightful days in Geneva. On the 23 rd of

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June 1887, they parted ways – Viola returned to Barcelona while Rizal continued the tour to Italy. ITALY – Rizal visited Milan, Venice, and Florence and on June 27, 1887 he reached Rome, the eternal city and also called “The City of Caesars”. VATICAN – On June 29th, the feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul visited for the first time the Vatican, “The City Of Popes” and the “Capital of Christendom”. He was eeply impressed by the magnificent edifice, particularly of “St. Peter Church”, the rare works of art, the vast of St. Peter’s Square, the colorful Papal Guard and the amosphereof religious devotion that pervaded the Vatican. After a week of wonderful sojourn in Rome, he prepared to return to Philippines. He had already written to his father that he was coming home.

UNIT V – HOMECOMING AND RETURN TO EUROPE Medical Practice in Calamba Return Home  On August 8, 1887 returned to Calamba. His family welcome him affectionately with plentiful tears of joy.  Rizal reached Manila on the night of August 5, 1887. Before going home to Calamba he decided to see his friends and relatives and renewed familiarities after an absence of five years.  Medical Practice in Calamba  In Calamba, Rizal established a medical clinic. His first patient was his mother who was almost blind. He treated her eyes but could not perform any surgical operation because her eye cataracts was not yet ripe.  News of the arrival of great doctor from Germany spread far and wide. Patients from Manila and provinces flocked to Calamba,  Rizal, who came to be called “Dr. Uliman” because he came from Germany, treated their ailments and soon he acquired a lucrative medical practice. Medical Practice in Calamba  His professional fee were reasonab;le even Gratis to the poor. Within few

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months, he was able to earn P900 as a physician. By February 1888, he earned a total of P5000 as medical fees. Rizal also did not selfishly devote all his time to enriching himself. Unlike many successful medical practitioners, he opened a gymnasium for a young folks when he introduced European sports. He tried to interest his townmates in gymanastics, fencing and shooting so as to discourage the cockfights and gambling. During his six moths of sojourn in Calamba, Rizal suffered one failure – his failure to see Leonor Rivera. He tried to go to Dagupan but his parent absolutely forbade him to go because Leonor’s mother did not like him for a son-in-law. With heavy heart Rizal bowed to his parent wish. He was caught with the iron grip of the custom of his time that marriages must be arranged by the parents of both groom and Bride.

Uproar and Attacks on the Noli  As Rizal was peacefully living in Calamba, his enemies plotted hi doom. A few weeks after his arrival, a storm broke over his novel.  One day Rizal received a letter from Governor General Emilio Terrero (1885-1888) requesting him to come to Malacanan Palace (someday had whispered to the governor’s ear the Noli contained Subversive ideas).  Rizal went to Manila and appeared at Malacanan. He was informed by the Gov. Gen. of the charger but Rizal denied it – explaining that the marely exposed the truth, but he did not advocate subversive ideas.  Pleased by his explanation and curious about the controversial book. The Gov. Gen. asked the author for a copy of the Noli so that he could read it. But Rizal had no copy then because the only copy he brought home was given to a friend. However, he promised to secure one for the Governor General.  Rizal also visited the Jesuit fathers to ask for the copy he sent them but they could not part with it. The Jesuit were glad to see him especially his former Professors – Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, Fr Jose Beck, Fr Federico Faura.

He had spirited conversation/discussion with Fr. Federico Faura who ventured on apinion that – Everything in it was the truth but added: You may Lose your head for it”.  Fortunately, found a copy in the hands of a friends. He was able to get it and gave it to Gov. Gen. Emilio Terrero.  The Governor General who was a liberal-minded Spaniard, knew that Rizal’s life was in jeopardy because the friars were powerful. Governor General Terrero read the Noli and found nothing wrong with it but the enemies were powerful.  For security measure, he assigned a young Spanish lietenat, Don Jose Traviel de Andrade as bodyguard of Rizal. This lietenat belonged to a noble family. He was cultured and knew painting and could speak, English, French and Spanish.  ARCHBISHOPof MANILA, Msgr Pedro Payo, a Dominican sent a copy of the Noli to Fr. Rector Gregorio Echavarria of UST for examination by a committee of the Faculty. The committee which was composed of Dominican Professors, submmited the reports to Father Rector and immediately transmitted to Archbishop Pedro Payo. The Archbishop lost no time in forwarding it to the Governor Generol.  The Report of the Faculty member of the UST stated that the NOLI was1. Heretical, impious, and scandalous in the religious order, 2. Anti-patriotic subversive of public order, injurious to the government of Spain and its function in the Philippine islands in the political order.  Governor General Terrero was dissatisfied with the report of the Dominicans, for he knew that the Dominicans were prejudicial against Rizal.  He sent the novel to the Permanent Commission on Censorship which was composed of priest and laymen. The report of the Commission was drafted by its head Fr. Salvador Front, Augustinian cura of Tondo, and submitted to the governor general on December 29,1887. 

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Accordigly, the report of the commission found the novel: 1. To contain subversive ideas against the church and Spain; and 2. Recommended that the importation, reproduction, and circulation of this pernicious book in the islands be absolutely prohibited. When the written report of the censorship commission was published, Rizal and his friends became apprehensive and uneasy. The enemies of Rizal exulted in unholy glee. The banning of the Noli only served to make it popular. Everybody wanted to read it. News about the great book spread among the masses “What the hated Spanish master did not like, the oppressed masses liked very much”. Despite the government prohibition and the vigilance of the guardia civil, many Filipinos were get hold of copies and read at night behind closed doors.

Attackers of the Noli  The battle over the Noli took the form of virulent war of words: 1. Father Salvador Font printed his report and distributed copies of it in order to discredit the controversial novel. 2. Another Augustinian, Fr. Jose Rodriguez, prior of Guadalupe published a series of 8 pamphlets under the general heading cuestiones de sumo ineteres (Question of Supreme Interest) to blast the Noli and other anti-Spanish writing.  The eight pamphlets were entitled as follows: a) Porque no los he de leer? (Why should I not read them?) b) Guardos de ellos porque (Beware of them, why?) c) Y-gue me dice usted de la peste (And what can you tell me a Plaque?) d) Porque triunfan los impios (Why do the impious triumph?) e) Hay o no hay infierno? (Is ther or is there no hell?) f) Cree usted que de veras no hay purgatorio? (Do you think there is really no purgatory?)

g) Que le parece a usted de esos libelos? (What do you think of these libels?) h) Confesion o condenacion? (Confession or damnation?) 3. Fray Rodriguez wrote copies of these anti-Rizal pamphlets which were sold daily in the churches after mass. Many Filipinos were force to buy them in order not to displeased the friars but they did not believed what their author said with the historical fervor.  Repercussions of the storm over Noli reached Spain. It was fiercely attacked on the session hall of the senate of the Spanish Cortes by various senators particularly: 1. General Jose de Salamanca on April 1, 1888. 2. General Luis M. de Pando on April 12, 1888. 3. Senator FernandoVida on June 11. 4. Vicente Barrantes the Spanish academician of Madrid who formerly occupied high government position in the Philippines, bitterly criticized the Noli in the article published I La Espana Moderna (a newspaper in Madrid) in January 1890. Defenders of the Noli  The much maligned Noli had its gallant defenders who fearlessly came out to prove the merits of the novel or to refute the arguments of unkind attackers. Filipino reformist in foreign lands, of course, rushed to uphold the TRUTHS of the Noli, they are: 1. Marcelo H. del Pilar, Dr. Antonio Ma. Regidor, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Mariano Ponce, and other Filipino reformists. 2. Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, Rizal’s favorite teacher at the Ateneo, defended and praised Noli in public. 3. Don Segismundo Moret, former minister of the Crown. 4. Dr. Miguel Morayta, historian and stateman 5. Professor Blumentritt, scholar and educator, read and liked the novel. o A brilliant defense from Noli came from unexpected source, it was:

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6. Rev. Vicente Garcia, a Filipino catholic priest-scholar, a theologian of the Manila Cathedral and a tagalog translator of the famous imitation of Christ by Thomas Kempis. Father Garcia (writing under the pen name Justo Desiderio Magalang), wrote a defense of the Noliwhich was published in Singapore as an appendix to a pamphlet dated July 18, 1888. He blasted the arguments of Rodriguez (di mabasa natatakpan) published a series of eight. 7. When Rizal learned of the brilliant defense of Fr. Garcia of his novel, he cried because his gratitude was overwhelming. RIZAL himself defended his novel against Barrantes attack (Vicente Barrantes, a Spanish academician of Madrid who formerly occupied high government positions in the Philippines), I a letter written in Brussels, Belgium in February 1880. In this letter, Rizal exposed Barrantes ignorance of Philippine affairs and mental dishonesty which is unworthy of academician. Barrantes met in Rizal his master in satire and potemics.

Fr. Vicente Garcia’s Scholarly Defense of Noli a. Rizal cannot be an “ignorant man”, as Fr. Rodriguez alleged because he was a graduate of Spanish universities and a recipient of scholastic honors. b. Rizal does not attack the church and Spain, as Fr. Rodriguez claimed because what Rizal attacked in the Noli were the bad Spanish officials and not Spain, and the bad corrupt friars and not the church. c. Fr. Rodrigues said those who reda the Noli commit a mortal sin, since he (Rodriguez) had read the novel. Therefore he commits a mortal sin. Rizal and Lt. Jose Taviel de Andrade  While the storm over the Noli was raging in fury, Rizal was not molested in Calamba. This is due to Governor General Terrero’s generosity in assigning a boduguard to him. Both young, educated and cultured Lt.

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Andrade later became a great admirer of the man he was ordered to watch and protect. Years later, he wrote Rizal. Rizal was refined, educated, and gentlemanly. The hobbies that more interested him were hunting, fishing, shooting, painting, and hiking. There wa sone who believed and reported to Manila that Rizal and I, at the top of the mountain, hoisted the German flag and proclaimed its sovereignityover the Philippines. Lt. Andrade imagined that such nonsense rumors emanated from the friars of the Calamba but did not take the trouble to make inquiries about the matter. What married Rizal’s happy daysin Calamba with Lt. Andrade? 1. The death of his old sister, Olympia. 2. The groundless tales circulated by his enemies that he was a German spy, an agent of Bismarck, a protestant, a mason, a witch, a soul beyond salvation.

Calamba’s Land Problem (Agrarian and Land Trouble)  Governor Emilio Terrero, influence by a certain facts in Noli Me Tangere, ordered a government investigationof the friar estate to remedy whatever inequities might have been present in connection with the land taxes and with tenants relation (one the friar estates affected was the Calamba Hacienda which the Dominican Order since 1883).  In compliance with the Gov. Gen. Terrero’s order, dated December20, 1887, the Civil Governor of Laguna province directed the municipal authorities of Calamba to investigate agrarian conditions of their locality.  In order for the governmentto institute certain reform, the Calamba folks, upon hearing of the investigation, solicited Rizal’s help in gathering the facts and listing their grievances againstthe hacienda management.  Rizal, after thorough study of the conditions in Calamba, wrote down the findings which the tenants and three officials of the hacienda signed on January 8, 1888. These findings which were formally submitted to the government action were the following:

a. The Hacienda of the Dominican Order comprised not only the lands around the Calamba but also the town of Calamba. b. The profits of the Dominican Order continually increased because of the arbitrary in...